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sweetestlamb · 4 years

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It Will Rain

Summary: Gang-tae is finally honest and has a realization about his relationship with Mun-yeong.

Author’s note: This story is coming to an end and honestly I’m very happy it has been very hard to tap into these emotions for both of them, their self-deprecation just wraps around me even after I’m done writing. But this was also very cathartic and I am happy that I wrote it, this was one of my only issues with the show and I know a lot of people excuse and accept GT’s behavior and that’s your right but I couldn’t do the same and I finished the series still yearning for a real apology so this story has done that for me. Provided more closure. Anyway, there is only one chapter left hope you all enjoyed!

She's gone.

He goes through the ceaseless motions of life, robotic and mechanical, going to work and coming home like he's living in a washing machine; spinning around and around in violent circles.

But endlessly his mind spasms every second as he remembers that she's gone and he has no idea where exactly she might be.

Sang-in refuses to speak to him, exiting any space that he enters and his frustration melts away as he realizes that her disappearance is not solely impacting him, the manager looks haggard as well, dark circles sunken deep like craters on a surface.

His thumbs twinge with malignant pain from his extensive messages to her, 109 messages sent since the day he went to her empty castle, pleas and apologies easily coming now as he recognizes how badly he needs her in his life. Life without her has been colorless and dull, a black and white façade that he longs to escape from. He wants the vibrant hues that being around her splashes into his life.

All his life he's been a blank canvas and meeting her poured colors onto his skin that he never knew he needed, life was meant to be lived and up until the moment she crashed into his life, he'd merely been existing.

He's taken to eating alone, punishing himself for his hapless mistakes, he doesn't deserve to be surrounded by warmth or have a full belly when Mun-yeong is out there with no one, thinking that he doesn't care for her. That couldn't be further from the truth but he has nobody but himself to blame for that, she'd given him too many chances and each time he'd been a fool; why had he done that? Why couldn't be accept love while it was the one thing he yearned for the most?

You don't deserve to be happy. This is what you deserve. Regret and despair.

His thoughts assault him viciously poking holes through his paper thin sheet of confidence. Each day without her and unread messages breaking him down into unrecognizable pieces, his walls crumbling like a sandcastle under the lightest pressure.

"Gang-tae, why are you so sad?" His older brother's voice draws him back from the depths of his melancholy, breaking the shackles of his self deprecation.

He sits from his starfished position on the ground, meeting his brother's warm questioning eyes. Immediately a smile spreads across his face, instinct kicking in.

Sang-tae looks at him, expressionless before he sits down beside him, reaching out a hand and catching his smile before slowly pulling down the sides of his mouth.

"It's fake. It's not real, you're not happy Moon Gang-tae, that's a fake smile. Why are you smiling when you're not happy?"

He feels the dam holding in his emotions start to burst before his eyes are swimming with emotions, twin lines scorch down the smooth skin of his cheeks.

"Hyung, I made a mistake." His voice squeaks from his worn lungs, sobs now wrecking his body until he's shaking apart. "I hurt Mun-yeong and I don't know if she's going to forgive me."

Sang-tae lifts a hand hesitating minutely before laying it on his head, air soft caresses on his thick hair. He almost melts into the brotherly brush, unable to recall another instance where his brother has touched him in this manner.

"It's because you're the little brother, you're just a kid still. You have to say sorry when you hurt someone , you have to say sorry and make them happy. Mun-yeong smiles when she's with you, a smile is better than a fight."

I have fun with you. I keep smiling.

He'd been so focused on his own newfound happiness he hadn't stopped to think about her, how much they'd both smiled when they were together. Her smile had been especially gorgeous, brighter than the sun moments after their first kiss. Her lips tasted as beautiful as they looked, her joy palatable on his taste buds.

He'd crushed that happiness under his feet that day on the beach, callously throwing sharp daggers at her chest, the vision of her clutching her bruised heart forever stamped in his mind.

I might not deserve happiness but she does and I....make her happy.

With a hiccup he smiles at Sang-tae, so young at heart but wise beyond his years. His wonderful older brother.

"Thank you hyung. You're right I need to make her happy."

"Yes she's my best friend, don't make her sad anymore or I'll scold you."

He laughs for the first time in days, happiness growing in his chest like a mustard seed.

Gathering his courage he meets his brothers eyes, finally prepared to be honest about his feelings for Mun-yeong, he's tired of hiding himself from the people he cares about.

"Hyung, I...like Mun-yeong. I want to be with her and I want to make her happy all the time." His confession eases the fear and concern that has been weighing him down, his shoulders loosening as the words escape his lips.

Sang-tae sinks into himself, scratching at the raw skin between his fingers.

He reaches out to hold his hands, rendering them still. He smiles at his brother, a smile that finally reaches his eyes.

"Don't be scared hyung please, I'm still your brother and I still love you. I just care about Mun-yeong too, my heart is big enough to hold both of you. Is your heart big enough big brother? Can you let Mun-yeong in too? She needs us."

Waiting with abated breath he watches the thoughts as they run across Sang-tae's face, shifting from one emotion to the next before he can properly decipher then until his brother finally responds.

"Yes. Mun-yeong needs us. She needs a family, we can let her into our family."

His heart ripples from his brother's generosity, he never imagined this conversation going this well. He'd ruminated about talking to Sang-tae always thinking his brother wouldn't understand and once again seeing that he underestimates his brother, she'd been right he just needed to be honest.

"You need to eat Gang-tae, I came to get you. Come on let's go eat, I'm your big brother it's just job to take care of you."

He lets himself he pulled away, leaving weightless. That night sleep finds him easily, his dreams are full of her.

Helpless is the only way to describe his circumstance, for once he knows exactly what he wants and is willing to fight for it but she remains elusive, not responding to any of his messages or calls, her voicemail now filled from his persistence.

The patients are the first to notice the change in him, their watchful eyes following his very move as he does his rounds.

"Your pretty smile, it's gone."

She's right, as his days without Mun-yeong pile on he finds it impossible to even force a fake smile, for once letting his true emotion show.

It's accidental that he runs into Sang-in, literally. Colliding chest to chest on the stairs to the rooftop, the manager teeters on the edge of the step arms flailing as he tries to regain his balance. The scene is all too familiar to him as he wastes no time to reach out and grab the man by his bicep, righting him before he can tumble down the stairs.

They both look at each other with trepidation before Sang-in pulls his arm free of his hold, mouth opening before his eyes harden and he spins around, intentions clear.

Hastily he calls out, "Wait."

Sang-in halts, the lines of his shoulder sharp and unfriendly.

"Please."

That simple word loosens the tension, he watches as the shoulders lower and after two beats Sang-in pivots around.

Dark eyes look at him imploringly, his expression saying more than words ever could.

What do you want?

Latching onto the opportunity he rushes to say his peace, "I care about her. I know you think I'm selfish and all I do is hurt her."

Steel wraps around Sang-in's eyes as if he's preparing to rebuke his excuses. Ready for a fight.

"You're right. I am selfish and I've hurt her a lot. It doesn't matter what my intentions were I still hurt her and I'll never forgive myself for that."

After a pregnant pause, a sneer glides across Sang-in's smooth shaven face, "So what? You're going to leave her alone and stop making her cry? Is this you telling me that you're giving up on her so she can be happy?"

His eyes dart all over that manager's face, before he finds what he's looking for. That's not Sang-in's secret desire, beneath the sneer his lips quiver as he awaits Gang-tae's response.

It's the easiest test he's ever been given.

"No. I'm going to spend the rest of my life trying to make her happy, I won't push her away." He promises with his heart in his throat.

Their eyes lock in a staring match, he hides nothing letting his emotions pour through his eyes, taking down his walls. Sang-in takes a deep breath before answering.

"Okay."

It's such a simple answer but with it he feels Sang-in's reluctant acceptance, their happiness was connected and despite his anger Sang-in couldn't deny that. The answer boosts his confidence.

He has to find her.

He's at work when he gets the message from Sang-tae, Mun-yeong text me. She sent me a picture.

He races to the staff lounge, phone precariously clutched in his hands as he looks at the message. Disbelief and relief wash over him in submerging waves, before he can maneuver his trembling hands to type out a response he gets another message.

Her face fills his phone screen and his heart as Sang-tae sends him a screenshot of her message.

I'm okay Sang-tae. Don't worry I'll be back.

Pushing aside his jealousy he devours her picture, the downward tilt of her lips doing nothing to lessen her beauty, those black orbs shining through the luminance of his phone.

Once his heartbeat slows down to a manageable rhythm he looks at the picture once more, scouring for clues and immediately his memory whorls as he takes in the door in the background.

She's gone back to where he'd finally let go.

Maybe he still has a chance.

With that though fueling his movement he runs through the door, stomping to the director's office.

Director Oh smirks at his stuttered excuse before chuckling and nodding in acquiesce, letting him leave his shift early.

He stands still in shock before confirming, "Really? I can go..?"

With a shrug the director waves him away, "Go, go I did worst things when I was young for a girl. Love makes us all a little crazy."

Blushing at how easily he's been found out, he bows low thanking the director before running out of the hospital.

As he bursts through the entrance door, a car horn catches his attention and he twists around until he finds the source.

Sang-in climbs out of the driver's seat of his rental car, walking closer until they are within arm's reach, wordlessly he tosses the keys into Gang-tae's hands, snatching the metal out of the air he looks at the manager surprise etched in very pore of his skin.

"Why?" He asks, taken a back by everyone's willingness to help him.

"Because I want her to be happy. You promised to spend your life doing that. You better keep that promise."

He hears the threat for what it is, impulsively he leaps forward wrapping the older man in a bear hug before releasing him and rushing to the car.

Sang-in's wide eyed stare causes his laughter to fill the car's small space as he pulls out of the parking lot and drives off to keep his promise.

The woman who owns the guest house grumbles when he arrives but shows him to Mun-Yeong's room and tells him that she's currently out taking one of her "soul searching walks". He waits outside, not wanting to invade too much of her space. He wants her to let him in.

Hours crawl by before the heavens open out releasing wet retribution that drowns the ground. Worry washes over him as he glances out at the road, willing her to appear and to his utmost surprise she does, materializing before him like a vision in a dream.

Her movements are unhurried despite the harsh downpour that has already soaked her, her clothes plastered to the soft curves of her body.

He watches her entranced, eyes feasting. She's here, his heart gallops giddy from her mere presence. He savors this moment of pure exuberance, knowing her well enough to acknowledge that she will not be as happy to see him.

He's right.

Her words cut him as she rages, cursing his presence and demanding that he leave her alone. She sugar-coats nothing as she rips him apart the worst part of all is that she only speaks the truth. She's not vicious or malicious, he thinks he might have preferred that, instead of this piercing honesty.

She slams the door in his face and he's reminded of him slamming the door on their relationship on the beach. He deserves this.

He slides to the ground, placing one hand on the door that separates them.

It's my turn to wait.

"I'm here for you. I need you Mun-yeong."

She stares at him blankly, vastly different from the anger she'd just exhibited at finding him slumbering on her doorstep.

Without a word she spins around, slamming the door shut in his face once more.

Eventually he goes to find the bathroom, a warm bathe soothes the chill in his bones before he's forced to put back on his still damp clothes.

When he finds his way back to her, she's standing stock still where he once was.

A closer look reveals that she is not completely still, her small shoulders are rapidly moving up and down and after a moment's pause he rushes to her, spinning her around to face him.

Her face is crumpled in wet anguish, tears gushing from her eyes as she bites her lips to contain the sobs that are aching to escape.

"Mun-yeong." He breathes out before she tumbles to the ground.

Instantly he falls with her, gathering her in his arms, she pushes him away fighting to break his barricade. He lets her go. Arms falling helplessly to his sides. His heart breaks as he watches the woman he loves fall apart, helpless again to do anything to comfort her.

"I thought you were gone. Why did you come back? I accepted that you left me, why do you keep coming back damn it!"

Her cry breaks as her body continues to shake and he can't watch this anymore, his arms and heart empty without her weight.

Mustering his last remnants of strength, he pleads, "Mun-yeong please, can I hold you? I can't stand to see you like this, please. I'm yours. I'm here for as long as you want me. I'm never going anywhere."

Her moist eyes peer into his soul, searching. Before her eyes slide shut, slowly she reaches out her arms and he bolts into the space, a space just for him. He fits perfectly.

He wraps his arms around her slight figure, engulfing her in a deep embrace, her tears soaking through the collar of his uniform.

Time slows down as she shakes in his arms, her sobs quieting down until the sounds of nature fill his ears instead. He rocks her back and forth, patting her back as she clutches on his shirt.

When the last of her cries falter off he draws away from her, her beautiful wet face blessing his eyes.

Gently he reaches out to brush the tears from her cheeks.

She blinks back at him, sniffling before sighing and looking up at the skies.

"Okay. Let's talk."

#psycho but it's okay #its okay to not be okay #its okay to not be okay fic #ko mun yeong #moon gang tae #seo ye ji #kim soo hyun #made myself cry a little #angst is so exhausting #one more chapter

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3arzal · 3 years

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sincerity is scary (part 1)

nathan mackinnon / reader

3,200+ words (for this part at least)

friends to lovers. this turned out angstier than i originally planned in my head um...

warning for swearing

author’s note: many months ago, i said i was done with writing, then i clowned myself. this is the first time i’m writing an x reader type of fic because i used to write kpop bg pairings so idk how decent this will be lol. anyway, this is a highly personal and self-indulgent fic and something i’ve wanted to write for a very long time. to all my fellow hopeless-romantic tomboys out there waiting for their turn in love, this one goes to you. i said i was content with reading fics because i’m too lazy to write but oh well fucking shit.

Your first memory including Nate was his fourth birthday party. It was a memory that makes you smile come a time that you think about it while spacing out. You remember it vaguely, but all the details don’t even matter. You remember sitting next to him at the big table as he blows his cake. There’s a picture of that somewhere in the photo albums in your parents’ house. You remember being the new kid in the neighbourhood, but you lived next to the MacKinnon’s. Even if Nate had a few friends from nursery, you eventually became his best friend. You were a shout away from him and all the details don’t matter, because until now that you’re both twenty five, you’re still the bestest of friends even if you lived in different American states--him in Colorado and you finally landing your dream job in New York City.

It was a special friendship that had been rock solid for twenty one years. You know he has a lot of people in his life now being the NHL superstar that he is. You know he considers some of the guys and some of his teammates as his best friends as well. All of that did not bother you to say the least. It was okay, because he was meant for great things and you were there to witness him achieve everything he longed and wished for since you were kids. You know you will always have a place in his heart, and him in yours, because that’s what best friends do, right? They’re each other’s biggest support system, away or together.

You were there in all of his home games, you spent almost all of your childhood with him in the rink, he gladly participated in any hobby you had at the time, and most of all, he made sure that if he had free time, it was all yours. You couldn’t ask for a better best friend and neither can he.

Now, as you sit in front of him in a hotel restaurant in the middle of Aspen at his birthday dinner on a trip he insisted you two take before the pre-season starts, you stare at him in part-shock-part-confusion as he lays his heart out on the table with a confession you did not see coming at all: “I guess I’ve been in love with you all this time.”

Now, see, you have always been Nate’s tomboy best friend. You were the girl who played hockey with him when you were kids and the girl who skateboarded all throughout middle school. You were the girl no guy has ever looked at like that, because you were different from all the pretty blondes and skinny girls and conventionally female specimen that boys would usually like. It didn’t bother you, not until high school anyway, when you finally crushed on some other guy that wasn’t in yours and Nate’s friend group. It was the biggest infatuation of your life so far, and when you realized he’ll never look at you like how he looks at the girls who wear skirts and tank tops, you gave up on even trying to feel.

“Are you seriously looking at skirts?” You remember Nate asking you one time you were both in the mall and he caught you lingering around skirts. You were both sixteen at the time, and he just got back from his morning hockey practice. You looked down on your usual oversized tee and baggy pants and your favorite pair of tattered Vans and thought, yeah, how can you even choose to wear a skirt willingly? It didn’t offend you or anything, his question was purely out of curiosity and not one of judgment.

You shrugged at him, “Don’t you think it’s about time I dress more girly? I’m turning seventeen soon, and I still haven’t had a boyfriend.”

“I dunno, you dress fine to me.” Nathan said then, and then it hit you--if Nate says you look fine then other people’s opinion shouldn’t even matter. He was your bestest friend, and you trust him because you have to. You should. But he’s still a guy, and you’re a teenage girl who’s becoming more self-conscious as the days go by because that’s how life goes when you’re sixteen and hormonal. You shrug it off, though, because looking pretty was the least of your concerns anyway.

The following year, you get asked out on a date by one of the guys you went to middle school with. He was decent, and you were consistently talking to him and hanging out the past summer. He made you laugh and he became such a charmer since you last met him when you were pre-pubescent kids. It was your first date ever, and a week before you were highly stressing out on what you should wear, on what you should do, because you were seventeen and had no experience being with someone other than, lo and behold, Nathan.

He was away from you now, doing his hockey thing and being great, but phone calls were still consistent between the two of you, and after stressing out for two whole hours trying to rummage the internet for Tips On How To Nail Your First Date, you finally give up and whine to him over the phone.

“Him? You’re going on a date with him? Wasn’t he like...a wimpy kid back then or something?” His voice is tired on the other line. His team lost tonight, and you know he’s frustrated about it, but he doesn’t really talk to you about it because he chooses not to. You’re going to change that soon because you know he’s too hard on himself when he loses. He knows you’re there to listen if he wants to whine, but for some reason he never talks about a loss with you anymore. Not like he used to back when you were younger and you still lived near each other.

“Nathan, be nice.” You rarely call him Nathan because to you he has always been Nate. It means you’re dead serious right now. You mess up your short hair and stare at all the possible clothing options you’ve laid out on your bed. It’s mostly t-shirts, the ones that are close to your actual size, and then you realized you have no jeans that actually fit because all of them are baggy ones.

“Wow, she’s calling me Nathan. Who’s that guy?” He calls from the other line. His speech is turning more slurry, like he’s already falling asleep but trying hard to fight it. “But seriously, why do you need to dress up, anyway? Your clothes are fine.”

“You’re not a girl, you wouldn’t understand.” You tell him in a moment of miniscule irritation--not with him, but with yourself, because it then hits you: you want to impress this guy. You want to appear different for him, because it’s your first ever date, and finally someone’s looking at you and making you feel pretty--like a girl. “Oh my god…” You croak after spacing out, and you jump a bit when you hear Nate through the speaker phone, forgetting that he’s still on the other line.

“What’s wrong?”

“Holy shit. I just realized I’m finally trying to get in touch with my girly side. Seventeen years too late for that.” You snort at how ridiculous you’re being, at how silly this whole situation is because you’ve never tried to change who you were before attraction came in the way. You realized you were turning into a woman without knowing it, and it’s not really bothersome because you are a woman. It’s just something different from what you’re used to growing up even if you were no stranger to it having an older sister who is undeniably more female than you. Nate didn’t have any problem that you have a vagina but can also beat up any guy who picks on you for being such a tomboy. Nate loved it when you played hockey with him even if he beat you every time. He loved watching you skate, cackles when you fall down, but gets concerned as he should when you get scrapes and bruises. He’s fine with what you are--with the way you dress, the way you project yourself to people, the way you’re not just any other girl. You’re his best friend and he loves you just as you are.

You remember that time at the mall last year when you were looking at those skirts, you remember what he told you back then, and then you remember why it doesn’t matter what you wear on a date. If any other people can’t handle you the way that you are then they don’t really have to matter to you, too.

The date approaches and you give up, thinking if this guy talks to you and even ended up asking you out he should accept you as you are, right?

You’re wrong, because three dates in all he ever did was subtly criticize everything you did. He was trying to groom you into the girlfriend you can never be for him, and that appalled you so much and hurt you at the same time. You think he’d be one of the few guys who’ll understand that as much as you want to, you can’t really change who you are for someone else.

Nathan was livid. “Fuck that guy. He’s nuts.” He crackles through one of your nightly phone calls. “He’s ugly, he sounds like a rat, and I bet he smells like--”

“Okay, enough.” You chuckle at his frustration despite feeling down the past few days post ‘break-up’. “It’s okay, really, but I’m not that girl for him.”

“You’re not. You’re like leagues cooler than him, anyway.”

“Damn right I am.”

In the following years as he started his NHL career in Colorado, and with you moving to New York for your job, you’ve only seen him a handful of times although the Facetimes were still consistent. The time difference was there, and even if your calls only lasted about ten minutes or so as you both caught up with your lives, it was enough. You didn’t need two hours with him on the phone, because yours and Nate’s friendship was as solid as an asteroid crater on land. It could be two years since you’ve last spoken to one another and when you do see each other again it’s like nothing has changed. You’re grateful for it, because with you having a new life in NYC and him making a home out of Denver, he’s still the one piece of Cole Harbour you have anywhere you go.

You forget about dating as you focus on your job. You love it, and you love living in New York. You’ve made friends that you can already consider as family. You have a great life ahead of you and you know it. You watch Nate’s games when he’s in town. You meet him back home in Canada when you managed to get a week off from work. Life is good and steady. For a while you thought that the happiness you managed to find will last a long time, and it did...until it didn’t. That’s when you realized.

Nate gets a girlfriend. Her name is incredibly girly and she’s fucking beautiful.

The Facetimes and phone calls were less now, has been for the last couple of months, really, but that did not bother you at all because they were having a fantastic season and you understand his job comes first.

What hurt you though was how he just dropped the news like a bomb through text. And you two never ever texted. You didn’t even get a scoop that he was seeing someone, never even mentioned anyone when you two manage to sneak in calls in between your busy schedules. It’s on a sad and dull Friday night when you were sulking on your couch because nobody was available to hang out with you to get a drink when the text comes.

‘Guess I have a gf now lol. Her name’s __’ Attached is a picture of her seated across from Nate on what appears to be a restaurant.

You sit up in alarm, your heart beating a mile per second, followed by a heavy ache in your chest. You don’t know what to feel yet you’re feeling everything all at once--surprise, confusion, anger. The happiness is questionable. You sit there for a whole five minutes staring at the very random text when the text bubble appears on the screen.

‘You know it says when you’ve read my message ryt’

You don’t really know and you don’t really care right now. You want to yell at him and demand details, but you’re really confused as to why he’s texting when he usually just calls you. It was eight in the evening when you decided to sleep away the dull ache in your chest and that heavy heart of yours. You turn your phone on silent as you put it inside the drawer of your bedside table.

The following day you wake up at noon. You instinctively reach for your phone on the bedside table when your hands come up with nothing--and then you remember where you put it the previous night. You didn’t dare check it, though, because the moment you wake up you know the ache is still there. You remember those damn texts, you remember everything you’ve felt as you lie in your bed for hours when your mind and body refuses to shut down.

You skip breakfast because you weren’t really hungry, so you do your laundry instead. It leads to you cleaning your bathroom, and then that leads to cleaning your entire apartment, and when you managed to finish it was almost four in the afternoon. You were too tired to cook, so you munch on cereal. You chug several bottles of water after when you realize you haven’t had any the entire day. You take a quick shower. You switched on Netflix on your flatscreen and you managed to finish two movies. You stare blankly on the rolling credits as you feel your mind shut down. You’ve managed to avoid thinking about Nate and his new girlfriend for the entire day, and now that it’s evening again you feel every damn feeling come back. You finally decide to check on your phone.

Fifteen messages and ten phone calls all from Nate. Funny how that turned out. You check some more and there were texts and a few calls from your sister and from a few friends from back home. You check that out first, and you were surprised that they all seem to ask you the same damn thing: You okay? Where are you? Nate texted me saying you weren’t answering your phone.

Ten phone calls left unanswered.

Then you finally get to his messages:

‘Why you leaving me on read?’

‘Heyyyyyy’

‘y/n…..!!!!!!!!!’

‘I’m getting worried wtf’

‘Y u aint answering meeeee’

‘I’ve called five times!!’

‘TEN times!’

‘Are you okay?’

‘Holy shit where the hell are you’

‘Don’t joke with me like this I’m fucking serious answer your phone’

‘Even your sister can’t reach you’

‘What’s happening? Are you at a party and drunk off your ass in some dark alley in nyc?’

‘Jesus i don’t even know your friends there i can’t contact anyone to check on you’

‘Just please call me back asap. I’m fucking worried bc you always have your phone with u’

‘Hope you’re okay’

It’s kinda funny how he stopped trying, because you haven’t been on your phone the entire day as well and there weren’t any follow up texts or calls this day. You don’t know when the bitterness settled in but now you finally know what you feel and you feel bad that you’re feeling that way. Why are you reacting this badly? You don’t even know, but to calm his dramatic ass down you finally reply to him.

‘Sorry lol im sick i’ve been asleep and weak the whole day’

You jump on the call that lights up your screen immediately and you panic while thinking of ways to sound sick.

“Hey…”

“Jesus fucking christ.” Is how he greets you. “I’ve been worried sick the whole day.” You suppress a snort because you don’t know how true that is. “You okay?”

“Not really…” You try to croak. “Got a raging fever.”

“How long? Maybe you should go to the hospital. Don’t you have someone who can drive you?”

“Unlike you, I don’t have someone.” Is what slips out of your mouth before you can even think about it. You gasp at your own display of bitterness because that sounded harsher than you intended. You know he means well, and of course you know that he knows you have many friends in the city. He wasn’t specifically pointing out a boyfriend, but you sure are making things big. Stupid fucking bitterness. Stupid fucking jealousy. You tried to deny it, but when you’re close to crying over your best friend getting a girlfriend that he apparently hid from you, then you know what it really is after all.

His silence is deafening and it’s the first time you’ve ever felt awkward with him and you’re not even together in the same damn place.

As the silence stretches on, you hear a voice in the background call out. “Nate? You coming to bed?”

And you beat him before he can voice out a reply to her, or to you. “I’m fine. I can take care of myself. You should go, I’m hanging up. Catch ya later.”

You don’t ‘catch up’ with him, not for another three days, and even then it’s still through text. Your last phone call had been two weeks prior to his girlfriend revelation. You tell him you’ve recovered from your (fake) fever and that you’ve been busy with work you missed. He tells you about his schedules and games and the new guy who’s recently traded to the Avs. There wasn’t another phone call for weeks to come and it’s weird not hearing his voice for more than a month.

You’ve finally managed to put your jealousy aside as you try to ignore that, yes, you’re probably in love with Nate without you even knowing. Over the weeks that passed you’ve come to a very, very annoying realization that the reason why you don’t and can’t date is because no one will even compare to Nate. You’ve managed to put him on a pedestal when you really shouldn’t have but it’s hard when he’s the best guy you’ve ever known. He’s the only guy who understands you and knows you inside out. He has no judgement for who you are. He was the one you shared your entire life with and no one of the opposite gender will probably solidify himself on you as Nate did. You think life has been okay because it’s you and him against the world even if you’ve been long distance for a long time now. Him not telling you about this girl from the beginning really, really hurt you more than it should, but you will come to realize it’s the wake-up call you badly needed.

You’re fucking in love with Nathan MacKinnon and that scares you.

#nathan mackinnon #colorado avalanche #oh look she tried to fucking write #nhl fic #nathan mackinnon x reader #the word realize has been in this things too many times im so fucking sorry #nhl fanfiction

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dialoguelostloop · 4 years

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remember when my hand slipped and i accidentally a bunch of hollow knight gijinkas? the hand... did not stop from keep slipping, suffice to say lol. i think i’m done now though.

part one (ghost, hornet, the dreamers, and quirrel) can be found here. notes on these folks will be under a readmore!

please read my faq page! (tl;dr version: dont use my art for icons/graphics/whatever without getting my permission beforehand, please use neutral pronouns for hollow and any other vessels in any tags/commentary, dont tag as kin/me/whatever pls)

HOLLOW - as i mentioned under ghost’s gijinka description, i think proximity to void & pale being energy is what causes vessel growth. when tpk figured this out he, like, supercharged hollow with both so that they’d be fully grown as quickly as possible. this is how they wound up 6′7″ at all of 12, which just gave them fragile joints and height dysphoria as severe as ghost’s. they went into the black egg with the same bob haircut and it grew out badly while they were in there. they’re not totally blind in their right eye, but their vision in it’s pretty bad and they’ve lost some red/green definition too. their prosthetic arm works through soul so they can take it off whenever they want, which is good, because it’s not very comfortable.

GRIMM (and grimmchild) - from what i’ve seen most grimm gijinkas lean into the circus master/dracula side, so i went for the clown/catboy angle instead lol. yes that’s greasepaint. i was going for “almost sexy, but unfortunately still a weird clown” but am informed by friends that i overshot and he wound up hot anyway. as for grimmchild, i really just wanted them to be a kid in a kigurumi for each in-game charm level lol. they start out looking 3 but grow a year with each ritual stage completed, so lv4 grimmchild is 6. whether grimm is cis or trans/perisex or intersex depends on what the previous grimmchild was, so he’s used to his anatomy changing with each reincarnation. he never dresses any differently either.

WHITE LADY - your weird alien mom who’s the face of Horny On Main... this is her precanon outfit, her midcanon one is gray and more covering lol. aside from the crown there’s just a lot of white palace foliage in her hair in general. her hair should always be drawn trailing off the edges of the canvas, like ultimate madoka.

RADIANCE - before anyone asks, tpk is obviously what happened to her legs. her prostheses are even more Cool But Uncomfortable than hollow’s (she literally has to float, you cannot walk on those toothpick feet) so her chair is very necessary for when she gets tired. yes the dreamshields on the big wheels actually function magically; its cushions are the same sort of cushion in seer’s room. her clothing patterns come from dream realm spirographs, from the normal and absolute versions of her canon halo, and the architecture found at the crater’s crown. also her hair just Does That naturally. her tears being the same color as her eyes/the infection is a little on the nose but it bears emphasis, so lmao

LACE - i wasn’t gonna do any silksong characters but... She... i poured as much Adorable Bastard Energy into her design as i could!!! i was really torn whether to adapt her canon design’s hat into a pink diamond hair type white afro or just a hat over cornrows or s/t. i went with Fluffy, but if we ever see lace without her hat in canon i guess i’ll retroactively make her fro into a wig so i can have both worlds

SEER - everyone knows i cannot turn down the option to give a character sky-patterned clothing, so seer’s cloak is the sky of the moths’ dream. the gold spirographs on her arms and face are religious body paint that only dream masters/dream nail teachers are allowed to wear; the wisteria pattern on her face (obv taken from the charms in her room/in the dream realm) is scarification.

MARMU - did you know that on real puss moth caterpillars the brown thing in the middle of their faces is their actual face, and what looks like a face and mouth around it is just camouflage to scare predators away? so obviously i had to put marmu in a big cloak that looks like her canon design as a recursive joke. she’s a lighter brown than the other moth characters because i have way more marmu sadstuck headcanons than anyone ever wanted, including me.

UNN - just wants to go back to sleep. she’s the tallest of the higher beings, probably pushing 8 feet. aside from her size her canon design is pretty unassuming so i just gave her Clothes Comfortable To Sleep In. the clasp on her cardigan is the shape of unn charm ofc.

BRETTA - i have found the new home of 90s antenna ahoge. it is a design choice made for bug gijinkas.

CLOTH - i could only picture her as a more subdued, brown-eyed/slightly lighter-skinned gideon nav. my apologies to taz.

MYLA - lost that front tooth in her line of work. mining is very dangerous. her hairstyle and freckles are just because i think both are cute lol

#hollow knight #hk gijinka #the hollow knight #grimm hollow knight #white lady hollow knight #the radiance #lace hollow knight #seer hollow knight #marmu hollow knight #unn hollow knight #bretta hollow knight #cloth hollow knight #myla hollow knight #hollow knight spoilers

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recurring-polynya · 4 years

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Bleach Sword Beasts Arc Recap: Episode 263

I have been putting this off, but It Is Time: I am going to review the episode where Zabimaru and Senbonzakura get stuck in Squad 12.

The episode starts out with Saru and Hebi very competently taking out a sword beast, and a bunch of Squad 6er’s get really hype about it. I love this. Please more of this.

No one ever cares what I think, though, because they don’t finish the job, and Senbonzakura has to do it. Not only does he steal their thunder, he does it in such a way that when the sword beast turns back into a sword, it breaks into two pieces, and one piece falls on each of their heads. It’s honestly a great piece of physical comedy, behold my lightning fast screenshotting reflexes:

Squad 6 are a bunch of bootlickers, so they immediately start fawning over Senbonzakura instead. You cannot care about the opinion of Squad 6, Zabimaru! The only way to win is not to play!! Then, to add insult to injury, Renji makes them write apology letters. I cannot overemphasize how deeply tired Renji is throughout this episode, and I am here for it. This is a man who has filled out so much zanpakutou-related paperwork. Also, there is a very cute little scene where Saru is protesting the letters and slapping the coffee table that is so, so reminiscent of The Desk Slap. I am utterly charmed with the idea that zanpakutou and their shinigami share mannerisms. Oh, also, I guess Squad 6 has some fancy-ass guest chairs? Well, they do now.

Renji implies that he has also been getting shit about how Captain Kuchiki’s zanpakutou is better than his. Zabimaru take this poorly, and decide they are going to return the broken sword to Squad 12, leaving this little love letter for Renji:

This poor, beleaguered man. For the record, nothing good happens to him this episode.

Anyway, Zabimaru head off to Squad 12, but no one is answering the door. I am sure they are just all playing Counterstrike with their headphones on, but that doesn’t help get the door opened. They break in through a window, there are some unnecessary jokes about Saru’s perfectly fine caboose, and it turns out Senbonzakura has beaten them here. He lectures them on breaking into someone else’s barracks, despite the fact that he, himself got in by knocking a giant hole in the wall.

Look, one of my favorite things about Byakuya is his utter, blatant, completely un-self-aware hypocrisy, like when he lectures people on how their arrogance will be their downfall, and the fact that Senbonzakura is just Like That 100% of the time is delightful to me.

Since they’re here, they decide to go stick the broken sword in a containment chamber. Saru explains that she knows how the controls work because she’s seen Renji do this before. Senbonzakura decides he also knows how the controls work because he is a self-important idiot, and manages to set off an alarm and get them trapped behind an emergency barrier (naturally, he blames Saru for “startling him.”)

Senbonzakura tries to use his sword to break them out, nearly killing Saru and Hebi in the process (also classic Byakuya behavior). Saru suggests that maybe they could just… wait for someone to come let them out? Senbonzakura is for it, until it turns out that the waiting may be longer than 10 seconds, and he absolutely goes feral. God, I love this episode. Unfortunately, he causes so much of a commotion that Ashisogi Jizou shows up. Obvs nothing good will come of this.

Ashisogi Jizou can’t hear them through the glass, but he tries to be helpful (?) so he gets a banana (??) which sends Senbonzakura into a rage (?????) We know from that one omake that Byakuya has sort of a thing for bananas, so I feel like there is some epic backstory for this, and the fact that no explanation is given makes it even more magical.

Anyway, Ashisogi Jizou breaks the remote and then runs away because Senbonzakura scared them. Saru and Hebi once again discuss that they will just have to wait for someone who knows what they are doing to show up, but Senbonzakura has no time for this and goes directly to bankai.

This works in the sense that it frees them, but it’s bad in the sense that it destroys the lab and sets of a bunch of defenses. Senbonzakura sets off running and Hebi and Saru chase him, only to realize that he has no clue where he’s going, he’s just running because he likes to be in front. There’s all kinds of blast doors closing on them, and rest assured, they do an Epic Maneuver, but it was too hard to capture, so just picture this only with more sliding:

I tell you, I would give you all the money I have in my pocket to see Byakuya and Renji do an Epic Maneuver, but this is pretty good, I'll take it.

Immediately after this is the classic scene where Senbonzakura’s mask crumbles and he immediately pulls out another one, we’ve all seen it. I do want to specify that Saru and Hebi definitely did see his (presumably) impossibly beautiful face for the split second it was visible.

Anyway, they are now in the Squad 12 control room, where you can spy on anyplace in the Seireitei. I am obsessed with cataloging which modern technology they have in Soul Society and what they don’t, and this scene is amazing in what it reveals. Urinals? Yes. Washing machines? Yes. Treadmills? Yes. What the f’ing f are Hisagi and Kazeshini doing? Are they making milk for Kazeshini’s baby? Didn't he re-home it? Also, why are Kira, Iba, and that annoying guy from Squad 4 all using the same bathroom at the same time? This scenes answers some questions, but it asks a lot more.

Senbonzakura is a tireless advocate for privacy rights, so he is enraged and starts button-mashing again. It turns out you can control everything in the Seireitei from this control room, and water and flames start shooting out of every conceivable place water and flames could shoot from. I cannot emphasize enough how good the physical comedy in this episode is, and I can’t even add much to it, you should just go watch it yourself.

The episode goes completely off the rails at this point. Stuff starts blowing up, and Senbonzakura claims Saru and Hebi are at fault by virtue of being in the same vicinity as him. Ashisogi Jizou goes to bankai. Senbonzakura goes to bankai. Zabimaru finally snaps and goes to bankai. Squad 12 is destroyed. There is a scene featuring the worst-drawn Renji in the history of Bleach, which I categorically refuse to show here.

In the crater of what used to be Squad 12, every Soul Reaper in the the Seireitei, except, notably, Byakuya, show up to yell at them. Senbonzakura, pristine and uninjured, claims total innocence in these shenanigans.

Even Renji has no sympathy for his poor zanpakutou, and he, Ukitake and Kyouraku give them stacks of paperwork to do in punishment. At this point, you’re like, “yeah, great episode, hijinks are done, let’s wrap–” and Renji says “Senbonzakura is nothing like his master!” and Kyouraku is like, “Wee-elll….”

::chef’s kiss::

#sword beasts arc #bleach filler #senbonzakura #zabimaru #i am sorry i did not have much to add to this #it's just stands on its own #oh and as if it weren't great enough #it features the omake where renji takes pity on sasakibe and gets ishida to make him a new costume #it had more random squad 6 group shots too #blessed content

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whitleyschn33 · 4 years

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RWBY Volume 8 Episode One: Quick Thoughts

Or not so quick, seeing how long it took me to write this and how much I ended up having to say. Spoilers (duh) under the cut, as this thing got insanely long.

So we open with a maid scrubbing a floor, a shot that lasted long enough I was starting to wonder where it was going before we cut to Cinder. So, Cinder backstory - interesting way to open the volume, but I’m not sure if it’s a good way. At the very least, I would have cut it a couple seconds, or have it flash between Cinder’s face and the flashback. Same information, but given in a quicker manner that lets us know exactly what we’re seeing instead of wonder who this random maid is for 10 seconds.

Whale aircraft carrier. The design is interesting, if looking a bit too clean for my taste. I would’ve liked to see the bones and muscles of the Grimm incorporated into the design a bit more, the surfaces less smooth and more textured, but it looks good.

Facial acting on Neo is good - I appreciate being able to see what’s running through her head, even if it also makes me wonder why Salem isn’t picking up on the obvious tells.

Emerald and Mercury are back and with new outfits; I can hear the diehard EmMerc fans screaming from here. Would’ve liked a better look at the whole outfits (I don’t think there’s even one close up of their entire bodies), but I like Mercury’s! Emerald’s model feels off to me for some reason, like it’s wider or more padded (?) than before, but it’s not a big deal and is probably just a result of her wearing a jacket now.

Oh, yeah, Hazel got one too, don’t care.

Why does the whale have a screen? A connection to one of those seer orb Grimm?

Cinder is still not interesting to me, but I am curious - can one woman hold multiple maiden powers? What happens if one woman holds them all? If they can hold multiple powers, what happens when they die? Do they both/all go to the same person, or would they split?

I like the Faunus that gives Oscar the soup. His design is pretty cute to me (I think he’s a mole Faunus?), and I feel like he’s based on something, but I’m not sure what. Getting a Narnia vibe for some reason, which I’m always on board for.

How did Ruby know where Oscar ended up? Did he call?

Weiss’s braid looks much better! I’m still not a huge fan of it, but this model is an enormous improvement - it actually looks like hair instead of rope, it’s slicker, and doesn’t look as heavy. Nice job, animators. Blake’s looks better, too, more fluffy, but it’s not as drastic a change to me.

Nice to see the Happy Huntresses actually doing something to help Mantle, and having Joanna(? that’s her name, right?) take charge and be helping Ruby get Oscar back in exchange for their aid is nice. It feels realistic for a situation like this.

And more secret keeping, but in this case, dropping the Oz bombshell would actually probably be a bad idea. There’s enough going on, bringing up Oz being back can wait until tensions aren’t as high.

Why would Ironwood stop evacuation? That makes no sense for his character, and there’s no reason to stop them. Until he gets Penny back, Atlas isn’t going anywhere. Might as well keep evacuating until you can find here, get as many people to safety as possible before getting away. I’d assume the Doylist answer for this is that Mantle still needs to be a factor in any decisions made after this and it can’t be that if we can get everyone evacuated, but that doesn’t make the Watsonian explanation make more sense.

Actually a good plan, getting everyone into the crater if it is in fact warm (why, I wonder? Thermal vents? Heat coming off of Atlas?) solves the cold problem (that people should’ve probably already died from) and having to defend one smaller location is strategically a good option. Corralling people would also make any eventual evac to Atlas easier. There is the small problem of, you know, Atlas literally crushing anyone in the crater if the staff is used on anything else, and Salem is known to be after that Staff, sooooooo -

Okay, maybe a nitpick, but I thought Pierto’s specialty was prosthetics and robotics. Doesn’t seem like something that necessarily overlaps with what’s needed to convert Amity into a satellite. I guess maybe the engine/whatever is going to propel it into the air could be similar to Penny’s boosters/whatever lets her fly, but it doesn’t seem like something that he would be involved in raising Amity. Whatever - I know we need a scientist person to tell these things to RWBY+Co and Pierto is the most likely candidate to be in a position to do that.

It seems like, from Ruby’s dialogue, she both wants to warn the other kingdoms and ask for their help. This has been trampled to death, so I won’t rant, but - there is no one that’s going to be able to help. Argus is hours away, will take time to assemble, and isn’t a very large force to begin with. Mistral is still weakened from V5 and has next to no huntsman, and is even farther than Argus. No idea what’s going on with Vale, but they’re probably still nursing their wounds from the Fall. Vacuo is the only kingdom likely to be able to muster up a force, but they’re on the other side of the map and will take hours, if not days, to get together an army - and that’s if they decide they want to help at all. The other objective was warning the Kingdoms about Salem. Ignoring that Salem is immortal and can just throw as many Grimm as she pleases until the defenses fall, ignoring that the other Kingdoms might not even believe Ruby, what’s to say they won’t go “F*ck Atlas, they’re on their own” and recall every available Huntsman and Huntress to shore up their own defenses? Or what if the other kingdoms just fall into anarchy? Learning an immortal witch with an endless supply of Grimm will come knocking on your doorstep soon tends to cause chaos. Or is Ruby going to leave the whole immortal part out again? I just can’t see what this will accomplish.

Holy shit, it’s actually happening. Dissent from WBY, and it’s coming from Yang of all people - I love it. I wish Yang had gotten to finish her sentence, say something along the lines of “Maybe if we’d told the truth immediately things wouldn’t have gone this way” since that would fit with her “hate secrets” thing she had going on in V5/6, but the fact that Yang is actually questioning Ruby’s leadership and choices - yes yes yes, more of that please, less of the hive mind. I wish it’d come a little earlier, but at this point I’ll take what I can get.

I’m slightly confused at the sides that Ren and Nora are taking here. I like that we’re splitting them up here (we never get to see them separated, and after last volume, I am more than on board with letting Ren get some breathing room), but Ren going with Yang, Jaune, and Oscar to help evacuate Mantle while Nora goes on the “bigger picture” team to get Amity up and running seems weird considering where they were last volume. Nora was always screaming about how the big picture stuff was hurting Mantle, while Ren was pushing to keep training, keep working, support Ironwood and try and work at the big picture problem, so it would seem like they should be on opposite sides. I’m not saying it makes no sense - I can absolutely see Ren feeling protective of towns under attack from Grimm with no Huntsmen in their corner - but it feels like a bit of a 180 from their last positions.

Did Oscar just call Jaune “John”?

Yeah, if nothing else, don’t let Penny get anywhere near Salem or her cronies. Salem can absolutely not be allowed to get her hands on the Staff, especially with the whole “get everyone to the crater” plan. Squish.

Yang and Blake splitting up, maybe we can actually get some conversations on what the hell is up with them that we should have gotten in V6/V7 instead of petty showing off and Nora projecting.

“But what about Mantle?” “Oh, I’m helping Mantle.” with the same thing you spent all last volume complaining about. Uh-huh, that’s not annoying.

Weiss has an idea on how to get up to Atlas - Winter’s ship, maybe? That one she came in on in V3 was her personal ship, wasn’t it?

Ironwood calls Penny. From the music, it sounds like they were aiming for foreboding and manipulative, but Ironwood just sounds tired, the poor man. Love how Ruby doesn’t even try for a comeback for Ironwood’s argument, really convincing.

Dead Clover, and I hope that he stays that way, because if he’s brought back to life, so much of V6′s themes of life and death and the natural cycle is just going to be spit on (again). Clover is dead, and there should be no way around that save interference from a literal god. Any attempt at bringing him back needs some kind of drawback - some prevision of life, a body that moves but his soul isn’t there, something, please RT, don’t double back on your “Death is permanent” thing again.

And Ironwood did lose his arm completely. It’s an awesome looking prosthetic, but the fact that it’s black when the rest of his prosthetics are silver, combined with the comments made by the CRWBY about Ironwood’s humanity, make me very afraid they’re going to go for some sort of bullshit parallel to Cinder’s black Grimm arm. I do like the orchestral version of Hero playing here, though.

I like Winter’s new hair style - similar enough to her previous one, but looser. Not exactly happy about what that might symbolize, but it looks really good. It looks like she might have nerve damage, though, which would mean she might be off the battlefield until she can get her hands (hah) on some sort of brace to help her move her hands (which might be hinted at in the OP~)

I do really like Ironwood and Winter’s relationship, please don’t f*ck it up, CRWBY.

Is the only thing CRWBY knows how to do to make Ironwood seem like the bad guy shoot people for no goddamn reason? Ironwood was surrounded by loyal soldiers after declaring martial law, there was no reason for him to not just order Slate detained (that one was Slate, right? Not that it matters). The man’s annoying and probably in cahoots with Jacques, but shooting him is out of character, excessive, and makes no sense when he could just be arrested. “It shows he’s slipping -” No. It’s lazy writing meant for shock value and to give characters a reason to go “Oh, he’s going evil now, I better question my loyalty to him” (based on the look Winter and Harriet share) rather than any actual flaw in his plans maybe because CRBY realized that Ironwood’s plans are rational and the best one on the table right now, so they can’t use that to turn people against him. F*ck that.

Salem sends a bloodhound or whatever after Oscar, we already saw this bit in the trailers. No comment.

TLDR: Once again, RWBY sets up a lot of stuff that I find interesting and want to see more of. However, their treatment of Ironwood doesn’t make me optimistic for them to treat him right, and RWBY has a track record of setting up good concepts/plots/characters/arcs and then failing to execute them well or at all. We’ll have to see if V8 actually lives up to the promise or falls flat due to the issues that plagued V6 and V7 .

Going to make a whole new list for the OP because dear Lord, this thing is dense.

This song is definitely more in line with RWBY’s usual sound than Trust Love, and I’m all for that. The beat is a little hinky to me - it’s going to take a few re-listens to get used to it - and once again I wish the lyrics were clearer, but I know people that weren’t as happy with V7′s sound will be happy with this return to form.

Establishing shots of Mantle going to hell, nice use of red and contrast, but I wish there was a bit more use of shadow to really sell the red coming from fires and emergency lights.

Ruby standing alone, turning to find the others standing at the ready to fight, but away from her and with their backs turned. Any chance of more dissent? Will we actually get some growth from Ruby, in regards to her leadership in particular? We can only hope.

The four girls, on a blackish/blue background with floating warm lights, with images of their V1 selves in their clothes/hair/weapons. I really love the animation in the portion, the girls look so good. It also makes me wish we’d get some sort of flashback to V1-3, because I want more of their Beacon designs in the new animation style. The fact that this background/setting shows up again later in the trailer makes me wonder if it might be what the interior of the Atlas vault looks like. No basis for that, just a random thought. Couple minor nitpicks, focused on Yang. The fact that she’s the only one not in a more dynamic pose (and this is Yang of all people) seems odd, and the way her hair flows looks weird to me based on the angles and whatnot. Putting her in a different pose like a charge would fix this, letting her hair flow more naturally and giving them the space they need to to add in her past self. Otherwise, gorgeous.

Ironwood with Atlas inside him, slowly being overtaken by the red as he looks up. No real comment other than beautiful.

Clover dropping his pin, with the AceOps and Qrow in the leaves, before transitioning to Qrow taking Robyn’s hand in prison. It looks like Harriet will be taking over as team leader. I don’t have a lot to say here - Marrow’s the only AceOp I’m interested in, and Qrow and Clover’s relationship has never been compelling for me. Robyn, similarly, is not a character I like, so a Qrow/Robyn team-up jailbreak isn’t something that I’m interested in unless Watts is involved. Already teamed up with one villain, Qrow, why stop there?

Oscar in pain holding his head, while Grimm eyes surround him and then Salem with wyvern wings comes out and looms over him preparing to grab him. I like the visual of Salem as the Wyvern at Beacon, but her face looks almost doofy in this shot. I think it’s the lack of expression mixed with the eyes. If she had a more menacing expression, I think this would work a lot better.

The falling weapons of the girls, Crescent Rose with Myrtenaster and Gambol Shroud with Ember Celica. Cue the shippers.

Jaune with his sword in front of his face, pulling it down to be at the ready, with Nora and Ren in the far background, their backs turned on each other but looking sad at their positions. I know Jaune’s thing is probably generic, but it gives me Mulan vibes, which is funny considering. Hey, hint that Martial Arcs will become canon now that Renora is on the rocks? fingers crossed More of Ren and Nora’s rough patch, and I really hope that that gets some focus. Their kiss last volume left a bad taste in my mouth with how it went down, and getting into these two as separate characters and their relationship. Ren not requiting Nora’s romantic feelings towards him would be a really interesting place to go with these characters that everyone’s pegged together since episode 4 (in no small part due to their lack of interaction with anyone else, but I’ll get to that).

Winter and Weiss walking towards each other on the Schnee symbol, passing each other by with Winter getting her new hairstyle and a brace of some sort. She’s actually wearing this brace in the hospital, but on the other arm, while now it’s on the arm she couldn’t bend her fingers with. Interesting, and it looks all looks really good!

The Schnee snowflake falls between Whitley and Willow, before shattering onto a chessboard. YESSSS, Whitley’s in the intro again! That’s more than I could’ve hoped, and I really really hope that him looking contemplatively like that means something - that’s he’s figuring things out, coming up with a plan, something! Still no new design though T-T CRWBY, what do I have to do to get my boy some new clothes?

From the chessboard, Salem rises up, turning the other black pieces into Grimm to attack the white where Ironwood stands. His pieces turn to dust, the board blowing away entirely. Nice callback to V1. Ironwood stands alone - no allies, and no space to move forward. He’s a king with nowhere to move - check or checkmate.

Smug Watts hacking while leaning against a mirror, rotates to show Pierto doing the same, his reflection looking over its shoulder at him, then a pan to Penny to show the same thing before the mirror breaks. I’m not sure what this might symbolize. Inability to trust yourself, maybe?

A snowflake flies through the air and lands in Ren’s palm. It turns into a flower petal, (or scraps his hand, I can’t quite tell) then Yang, Jaune, and Oscar join him, Ren smiling to Jaune. Another flower petal flies by to transition to Nora, who reaches out but can’t catch it, looking dismayed until RWBP comes in to join her. I assume the symbolism is straight-forward - the snowflake turns to a petal when caught by Ren (lotus guy), then flies to Nora who can’t catch it. Really living for the Ren focus in the op~

Pans to a shot of the whole group in the middle of everything - Atlas and Mantle overrun with Grimm on one side, Salem’s whale and Grimm army on the other, and Amity in the middle, which Penny flies up to hover below. Penny is going to be vital to launching Amity, and probably for reasons other than the terminal.

Then Ruby and Yang looking at each other with a smile and nod before the girls jump into fighting some Grimm. Interesting bit when the volume opens with the sisters starting to have disagreements.

The entire thing freezes, Cinder strolling cockily past the crew to walk in front of a bored/disgruntled Neo and Emerald who starts to wave but looks dejected when Cinder ignores her. Not much to say here - I don’t really like the freeze frame for some reason, no idea why. This also doesn’t give us any new info on the dynamics between these three characters.

Cinder grabs her Grimm arm in pain as fire flares up behind her, transitioning into Merc, Tyrian, Hazel, and Salem with the lamp in her eyes, transitioning to the lamp and staff twirling around each other, both emitting smoke like they’re being used as they come together. I wonder if this means that the last question and the Staff are going to be used, and maybe together? Once again, though - Atlas falling, people in the crater die.

Smoke clears up to reveal Ruby, looking up to Atlas first in invasion mode, then peaceful. Turn to a shot of the group standing looking to the left, Yang and Ruby looking like they’re posed but the others just kind of standing there. It’s a weird shot, and I’m not sure what to make of it, honestly.

The ice breaks beneath Ruby’s feet, sending RWBY falling into a void, their bodies trailing those lights that we saw before. Ruby opens her eyes to see the brightest light, the Staff. She reaches out to it, but Grimm paws and hands drag her down. V6 callback?

The word Happy? flashes only to be crossed out, a sketchy Grimm roaring, then the words Ever then Never as it’s crossed out, with a sketchy Penny lifting her head and her eyes then face going red, then the words After Again being crossed out. I’m not really of the words - I think it’s going for a Happily Ever After Happy? Never Again thing, but there’s no Happily that I can see, and it just kind of comes across as a bit emo to me. I like the sketches of the Grimm and Penny - I think it might be a Wyvern Grimm or something like that, and the red spreading from Penny’s eyes to her entire outline is interesting. I wonder if it’s connected to the Maiden powers and how she’ll use them.

Sketches of RWBY’s weapon fall into the snow, Crescent Rose falling with the tip stuck in the snow, then a flash and a pull out to Crescent Rose in the snow in full animation, framed by the broken moon as rose petals fly by with the “Created by Monty Oum” credit appears. I really like this as a reference to the Red trailer, and compared to the very cluttered ending shot of V7, this is a nice change of pace.

I like this OP. It’s definitely above V7′s for me, with a good song and some beautiful animation in it’s visuals. If I had to criticize it, I would say that it feels very long and cluttered. My breakdown of the opening feels as long as everything I mentioned in the actual episode. I realize one was going almost shot by shot, while the other summarized, but the point still stands that this things feels longer than it needs to be (I’d have to check time stamps to see if it is actually significantly longer).

A more promising start, all in all, than I’d hoped for. Things irritate me for sure, Ironwood’s treatment, Ruby’s plan, all that stuff, but I know I would have those bones to pick going in. The shake-up of the usual teams and the promise of inter-group conflict is enough to get me to want more, and I look forward to seeing how my favorite characters will be utilized.

What are your thoughts on the episode? Reblog and comment down below, and we’ll start a convo.

Until next time~

#rwby #rwby8 #rwby volume 8 #rwby8 spoilers #rwby 8 spoilers #ruby rose #weiss schnee #blake belladonna #yang xioa long #episode breakdown

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anika-ann · 4 years

Text

Heart Too Cold, but Friends of Gold - Pt.9

The Flares

Pairing: Steve Rogers x reader Word count: 3090

Summary: Avenger!reader AU. Part 2 of Melting Hearts series. Part 1 HERE.

In which Steve has too many redheads in his life and they are a lot to handle. (Dealing with A:AOU, pt.2)

Warnings: swearing, light angst,... eh

Story Masterlist

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But did you see the flares in the sky? Were you blinded by the light? Did you feel the smoke in your eyes? Did you, did you? Did you see the sparks filled with hope? You are not alone 'Cause someone's out there, sending out flares

(The Script – Flares)

The hallucination – the vision, perhaps – was a true eye-opened. Not because it was any news that Steve was the one to blame for your departure, no, but because actually seeing possibly a very true picture of what was happening to you was something that felt like a bullet to his brain. It was maddening and it should have made him spring into further action; yet, Steve couldn’t find himself having a strength to get mad. He was just too tired. Exhausted, with the weariness settled deep inside his bones.

And while he never had been the one to weep over the universe apparently hating him, he allowed himself to feel that way; especially when Maria Hill advised them to lay low and Clint took them into a safe house.

Correction: Clint took them home. Clint Barton had a home without anyone knowing (except Natasha, because Natasha knew everything and shared nothing), two healthy kids and a beautiful loving wife, living in a rural idyll. And once that information settled in Steve’s head, his heart broke on an entirely new level.

He could have a home. He could see himself having a home. He might not have before, not after coming out of the ice, not even long after actually. Not even the first time he had realized he was in love with you, no. It came with gradually and Steve hadn’t been quite aware of it; perhaps that was the actual truth that the vision created by Wanda Maximoff had revealed. With that hallucination, it had dawned to Steve that he had been ready to go home, for a while now; no matter what exactly home looked like, no matter how much fighting he would still be doing, for how many mission he would be going or if he would be able to reduce that.

He was ready to go home and he wished to go home, with you.

And in reality, it didn’t matter, because the most essential part of what he considered home was missing.

It was a relief when Fury showed up and helped them to figure out how to fight back – the battles they actually could fight. It reminded Steve that there were still battles worth fighting. It took his dark thoughts away, or at least it pushed them on the back burner for a while.

Then again, meeting Maximoff’s once more wasn’t helping. And the girl, suddenly so eager to fix things she had done wrong, reminded him of you too much. He shook off the thought when he went for what could be the final battle and tried his best to focus. No matter how insane the suddenly levitating city was.

And then they all knew it was the end.

“Stark will find a way to blow this rock,” Natasha stated rather calmly as they caught a moment to breathe in on the battlefield.

It was surprising how much faith she seemed to have into Tony with how he kept doing things behind their backs – then again, everyone seemed to be keeping secrets from another lately. But that wasn’t what he found outraging at her statement.

The city was flying and there was no way to save all the people before Stark would make it explode. Lost lives. Failure. Again.

Not on his watch.

“Not until everyone’s safe.”

Natasha looked at him with disbelief, probably questioning his sanity. “Everyone up here, versus everyone down there-“

“I’m not leaving this rock with one civilian on it,” Steve exclaimed stubbornly, the flame of fury lighting up in him.

No. Not this time, not again. He had failed too many times. He had lost so many battles and he was not about to lose another one, he was not about to fail people again.

Natasha gave him a sad smile. “I’m not saying we should.”

The look they exchanged spoke thousand words. This was indeed the end. They truly wouldn’t leave – they would either save everyone’s life or more likely died trying. There was a strange peace in that. That was how he was supposed to go, right? Like a soldier. Like a person who had decided to dedicate his life to save someone else’s. He just selflessly wished it would have been yours or Bucky’s or of someone who was closer to his heart. But he didn’t get to choose.

It was as if Natasha read his thoughts, when she whispered: “There are worse ways to go. Where else am I gonna get a view like this?”

Steve looked briefly over the edge of the flying crater of the city. He would think Natasha was right; but there were so many things he would rather see before he would close his eyes forever. Your smile for example, no matter where the two of you would be. Just your smile, knowing you were safe and he hadn’t failed.

But Steve wasn’t destined to have such luck.

When Fury’s voice announced them that the view would actually get better via their comms, Steve couldn’t help but chuckle and feel a little flicker of hope. A flare in the endless darkness. Maybe there were things they could fix and people they wouldn’t fail after all.

He only realized he had been a fool thinking that, when it was over and one of the lives they lost was Wanda Maximoff’s brother’s. Strangely enough, Steve envied him. But only a bit.

────── ·❆· ──────

The weirdest thing was Tony Stark being the one to pluck up his courage not to give up. Not that he was aware of that.

Saying goodbye to him as Steve decided to stay at the army base with Natasha, Tony had told him something so simple that it shouldn’t have moved Steve the way it did.

“Maybe I should take a page from Barton’s book. Buy Pepper a farm, hope nobody will blow it up…” Tony hummed almost lost in thoughts and Steve was once again surprised how the billionaire managed to bring a smile on his face despite all of their differences.

“The simple life.”

“You’ll get that too someday,” Tony reassured him with a smirk that poorly covered the sincerity behind his words. It was the softness in his eyes that gave it away.

“Yeah. Maybe.”

“Definitely, Cap. You know that me taking off doesn’t mean I’ll stop looking, right? You shouldn’t either. She’s out there somewhere. We’ll find her and bring her home.”

Steve smiled shakily at him, feeling the familiar adrenalin and determination flooding his veins. Tony was right. You were out there and they would bring you home, they just needed to try hard enough.

“Thanks, Tony.”

“Any time, Capsicle.” Tony patted Steve’s arm before he slid into his fancy car, the door clicking shut. Then the window rolled down, Tony’s head sticking out. “Oh, and do me a favour. Pop the question when we do, okay?”

The captain felt his cheeks burn, a chill running down his spine as Tony somehow sensed the change in Steve’s longing, but he couldn’t help but chuckle.

“Sure. Take care, Tony.”

The Iron Man saluted him with two fingers and with a roar of his sports car’s engine and a whole lot of whirled dust disappeared in the distance. Steve stared into nothingness for a an embarrassingly long time.

────── ·❆· ──────

He found Natasha absently staring into a wall, a tablet in her hand forgotten. She turned to him when the door clicked behind him.

“Done gazing into Tony’s eyes? Ready to go to work?” she teased, an easy smile on her lips.

The corners of her mouth rose higher when she saw his expression; she hadn’t seen him this determined for a while. It was funny what could make people happier. Natasha didn’t think losing Bruce somewhere in a quinjet could do that. Then again, they just saved multiple lives. Unlike her, Steve deserved the feeling of victory. If she didn’t feel quite the same, no one needed to know.

Steve’s thumbs slid into the loops of his belt as he stopped in front of her, rocking on his heels.

Uh-oh. Big announcement coming, she could tell as much, and she wasn’t sure she would like it.

“I’m ready,” Steve confirmed and one look into his eyes told Natasha that he spoke it was the truth – but not quite.

She knew that look too well. He had it every time they got a track on you. And since she knew for a fact that there were no new leads… her heart sank.

“Steve…”

Steve could immediately tell Natasha understood, just like he could see she didn’t approve.

“I should be out there, looking for her. I need to be, because she’s somewhere, alone, and she can’t hide forever. I’ll find her – but it needs to be my priority from now.”

“Steve,” she addressed him, softer this time, wary of her tone, so it didn’t sound like she was admonishing him. “We got no lead for eternity-“

“That only means we need to try harder!”

“We’re doing our best and you know it. The moment we get the tiniest lead – like the last time with early snow in London –, we drop whatever we do with the recruits and we’ll be on our way.”

“Natasha-“ he started out again, but she cut him off.

“You’re not the only one who’s desperate to find her, Rogers! But the world hasn’t stopped turning! There are still threats and we need to deal with it. She wouldn’t want to-“

“Don’t you dare to speak for her, Romanoff-!“

“For God’s sake, Steve! Do you really think she would have asked you not to look for her if she wanted you to drop everything and come find her? “

He gasped as he felt the air knocked out of him.

It pissed him off, the burning feeling of betrayal squeezing his chest. Why was she discouraging him from this? Why? And how dared she to speak for you? She hadn’t seen it. She hadn’t seen what he had, what they had been doing to you and finally it hadn’t been her idly hands letting you suffer, only watching it all happen.

Steve couldn’t hold it anymore. So he exploded.

“What she did was stupid! She could be tortured right now, Natasha, serving as someone’s personal lab rat! You said it yourself, we didn’t get a single lead-”

“Exactly. Where would you go?”

“I don’t know!” he yelled, throwing his hands in the air helplessly, his breathing getting quicker. Because she totally hit the nail on the head – Steve had no clue, but he was sick it. He needed to know, he needed to do something, because just waiting for something fall into his lap was torture. “But anything is better than doing nothing!”

“We’re not doing nothing, Rogers. We just saved countless lives-“

“But not the one that mattered!” he cried out, his fist hitting the railing so hard it shook around the whole room. The sound of it resonated in the suddenly silent space as the severity of the sentence fell on both Natasha and Steve.

The redhead pressed her lips together, tears she would later deny gleaming in her eyes. Steve leaned onto the railing, bowing his head in defeat. He did not mean to say that. Especially not to Natasha, who had just lost Bruce to God knew where.

Shit.

“I’m sorry, Natasha, I-“

The spy shook her head, blinking the sudden prove of weakness from her eyes.

“I get it. And I agree with the stupidity, but she did it because she believed it was the only option and a right one. And I rather believe she’s just that good neither we nor anyone else can find her than that she was captured.”

Her voice was thick with emotions she didn’t want to show and the guilt stung harder in Steve’s gut. He was being an ass. A big one. A selfish one on top of that.

“…I’m sorry I yelled at you.”

“I think I’ll live,” she sighed, lighting the tablet up. “I get it, Steve. I miss her too.” And I miss Bruce too. I’m scared for him, was left unspoken, but they both knew it might as well could.

“Yeah. I… I know.”

“And it’s not your fault she’s gone. I know you think it is, but that’s nonsense. Don’t beat yourself over it. Just don’t give up on her.”

Steve sighed, closing his eyes and attempting to regain his composure. His balled hands shook inconspicuously. He needed to be strong. He was expected to be strong, especially in front of the new recruits and no matter how much he hated it, moping wouldn’t help anyway. And hot-headed decisions, flying form one end of the world to another without an actual goal neither.

He cleared his throat. “Alright. What do we have here?”

“Bunch of kids who think they know what they’re doing.”

“And they are not a team.”

“And they are as far from a team they could be,” Natasha corrected him as she handed him the tablet and threw the door to a corridor leading to a training room open.

Steve studied all the names and pictures, mentally cataloguing them. “Sounds like a lot of work. Shall we start?”

────── ·❆· ──────

“Captain Rogers?” Wanda whispered shyly, her unmistakable voice heavy with accent.

Steve stopped in his tracks, trying to plaster a smile on his face. Interacting with her… it was too much. Her age, her powers, her persona – it was too similar, too much of a painful reminder of you and no matter how hard he tried to ignore it, the resemblance nagged him in the back of his brain like a constant itch he couldn’t scratch, because he couldn’t reach it.

“Yes, Wanda?”

“I’m sorry.”

Steve tilted his head, pretending his heart wasn’t beating out of his chest. Had she read his mind? She probably had, if not recently, then surely when they had been fighting against each other. But why speak up now? It must have been about something else.

“What for?”

“I am… still learning how to control the abilities,” she started hesitantly and it confused the hell out of Steve.

Was she apologizing for not making progress fast enough? They had just finished the first training. And of course, had fought a battle against an army of robots.

“That’s understandable. But you’re doing great.”

She smiled faintly. “Thank you. But… it’s… I can’t turn them off. I can… feel the pain and deep sadness settled in you.”

Steve froze. Well. Shit.

“And… when I caused you the hallucinations… I got a glimpse. I’m sorry.”

“It wasn’t your fault,” he rasped, not even shocked how the combination of her persona and the topic of their conversation brought right back on the edge. “You believed you were doing the right thing. We can’t change the past, but we can still do our best to make a better present and future.”

“Like she did?”

Steve glared into her eyes at the note, unable to say a word. She lowered her gaze.

“I said I got a glimpse, but she was almost everywhere – each of you thought of her. She always made an appearance, at least for a moment. I… I don’t know why I’m telling you this. I just… I guess I want to say thank you for giving me a chance to redeem myself and… and-”

“Wanda… you deserve a chance. You don’t need to thank for that. As for the other thing… I would appreciate if we kept the conversation about that on minimum.”

“Of course! I’m just… I’m working on some things, I’m trying to… to control someone’s emotions and I could help you to— I know it’s invasive!” she blurted out hastily as Steve’s expression changed into a horrified one. “But… with Pietro�� I was able to keep tabs on him when on the field, we had a connection-“

“I’m very sorry for your brother, Wanda, I truly am,” Steve said softly, pouring some compassion in and resting his hand gently on her shoulder. Grief he understood too well.

“I… what I’m trying to say is that I would probably feel him at the other side of the world, because we were really close, and— and maybe-- maybe if you let me know Sno--- the person that you feel you have disappointed well enough, if everyone would let me… I think that perhaps with Vision’s help, I might be able to find her mind and track her down.”

Steve stared at the young woman paralyzed, absolutely stunned and with own mind a complete and utter mess.

Did she just said— did she-- could she really--- it sounded too good. It sounded insane. Like a sci-fi; but then again, his whole life was. This woman could read minds. She could move things with her mind, she could read emotions. She could---- could she really find you? It seemed impossible.

He didn’t want to give in to the hope. He always had, every single time the recognition system had found a face almost matching yours only to find a girl who could be your twin, every single time a weather anomaly occurred and he would chase down the lead like a madman only to find nothing, always scolding himself for believing you would be so careless. And the truth was, he was growing tired of it. He always followed, never letting the trail go cold, but with every failed attempt, he was being kicked lower and lower. The spark of determination from Tony had been very short-lived.

“Captain Rogers?”

“Yes?” Steve snapped from his daydreaming, eyeing Wanda absently.

“Your thoughts are screaming at me-- not your fault. Just… do you want to tell me about her? If I know her, I can start trying. And I understand we don’t know each other too well for you to open your mind completely so I could see and hear for myself. So… you could just tell me,” she suggested, this time being the gentle one. It was another reminder of you and it hurt like hell. And at the same time, the offer was painfully tempting. “I really do remind you of her a lot, don’t I?”

Steve gave her a sad smile, little broken on its edges.

“You have no idea.”

“Give me one, then. I could be a good listener.”

Steve chuckled as she offered him an elbow in a poor attempt of a joke and blinked away the tears he had no idea where had come from. He really should get a grip on himself.

“Okay. She… she was someone very special and unique…”

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Part 10

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Tags: @mermaidxatxheart, @murdermornings, @elisaa-shelby @ask-hellbent-tweek @cxptain, @kallafrench, @smilexcaptainx @scentedsongrebel, @orions-nebula

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Bear with me. Were geting back to our Snowflake to see what she’s been up to... and as ou can probably guess, things will happen ;)

Thank you for reading!

#marvel #fanfiction #steve rogers x reader #steve rogers x you #steve rogers imagine #captain america imagine #captain america x you #captain america x reader #avengers #captain america #steve rogers #avenger reader #heart too cold but friends of gold #anika ann

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blackleatherjacketz · 5 years

Text

Mother’s Milk

(Gif by @alexguerinvalenti)

Homelander x OC

As promised... here is a very mommy-centric fic for our big bad scary baby.

Summary: Homelander visits a citizen he’s particularly thirsty for.

Warnings: Lemons, Grapefruit, Mommy Kink, Breastfeeding, Lust for a villainous Psychopath, Super Powers, Laser Vision, X-Ray Vision, Damaging Property

Word Count: 2677

Tags: @negansdirtygirl22 @genevievedarcygranger @annablack1102 @controversialqueenflorie @4charmed @fireandgold @vittosworld @ninjathrowingstork @raventrigonsdaughter

Thunder crashed violently outside her house, vibrating the very window panes and salt shakers she'd collected over the years as they crashed onto the floor. One by one, they shattered in dozens of pieces at her feet before she opened the door to see just how bad the storm outside really was.

Instead of electric clouds and a charcoal grey sky, though, she saw the man she never thought she’d see again. He was standing in the middle of a tiny crater of concrete at the foot of her driveway, oblivious to the cost of his destruction. “Beautiful night, don’t you think?”

“Homelander,” she started, the mere sight of him pumping adrenaline back into her veins. “What are you doing here?”

She hadn’t seen him since the day they met, since that drunk driver nearly turned her into a Jackson Pollock painting of blood and bone on the storefront of Gino’s Deli. Screeching tires and scraping metal invaded her ears before she was snatched up into his arms and into the very sky above her. She thought she’d died right then and there, flying up to the heavens with what looked like an angel at her side as the sticky summer heat left the rubbery soles of her shoes.

She held her breath as she re-lived those memories, taking him in as her nation’s colors wrapped around him like a special gift on her own front porch. How did he find her here? Why did he seek her out? What made him decide to come here in the middle of the night? She opened her mouth to start asking these questions, but quickly decided against it.

Instead she folded her arms in front of her chest, attempting to shield herself from his knowing gaze even though she knew it was utterly pointless. Her heart began to race, her pulse audible in her ears as her breath quickened with each step he took toward her.

He was handsome in a textbook sort of way; bleach blonde locks falling in front of blue eyes with a blinding white smile to top it all off. Normally she wouldn’t look twice at him, immune to society’s shallow ideals of beauty and physical fitness, but there was something about him, wasn’t there? Something about the man who saved her life that she couldn’t quite explain as he stirred up a heat inside her.

“Can’t a superhero check in on his citizens?” His smile widened. He let his arms rise up to the height of his shoulders, glancing around the neighborhood as if he was looking for his house just down the road.

“Sure, I guess, I just… didn’t think you’d remember me.” She admitted, switching the weight in her hips as she stood against the door frame.

“Why wouldn’t I remember someone like you?” He let his arms fall to his side, the cheesy pretense he usually carried with him falling to the ground along with them. “Do you know what I was thinking the moment I saved your life?” He pointed at her as he started walking toward the house.

“What’s that?” she prodded, eager to hear his thoughts.

America’s hero stepped toward her, the stars and stripes of his cape swirling around him as a gust of wind blew his perfectly coiffed hair just out of place. He was a picture of patriotic purity, of honor and justice, but something about him made her tense up.

“I was thinking I’ve just GOT to see her again, somehow.” He paused in front of her, placing a hand on the door frame that separated the two of them. “Aren't you happy to see me?” He looked her over as the blue in his eyes disappeared, making room for his expanding pupils.

“Of course I am,” she admitted, her vital signs giving her away as she watched his smile melt into a smug grin.

“Then why don’t you be polite and invite me in, already?” ———————— “Quite a place you got here, Charlotte,” he stated condescendingly. “Small, quaint, but… nice.” He beamed as they entered her kitchen, the last stop of the dime tour.

“It’s enough for us,” she told him, slightly embarrassed at the size of her living quarters.

“You live here all alone? With the baby, I mean?” He turned on his heel and wiped some dust off the coffee pot. “No husband I need to worry about coming in here with a shotgun or anything?” His laugh filled the room with mirth as he mimicked a man trying to shoot him, his eyes momentarily glowing a deadly red before dimming back down to blue.

“No,” she said sheepishly, taking a step away from him. “It’s just us, no husband.”

“Nah, I’m just fucking with you, I know there’s no one else here.” He waved his hand nonchalantly in the air. “I had my assistant look you up before I came over, Charlotte, and let me tell you what, I am impressed!” He wiped the dust from his finger onto a dish rag hanging from the oven. “Newly divorced single mom working nights at the hospital?” He rose his eyebrows in approval, slowly waltzing toward her. “Holy shit, Charlotte, I mean, wow!” He scoffed. “Now, YOU are the real hero, here.” He pointed to her chest, the skin around his eyes gently wrinkling into crow’s feet.

She nodded, unable to find the words to describe the mixture of emotions she was feeling. He’d looked her up! Homelander of The Seven, America’s first defender! He actually spent time digging through her past before flying over here himself. But why? Was he suspicious of her? Was she under investigation? What else had he found besides her work history? High school photos? Marriage and divorce certificates? Failed job applications?

“So, do you like being a parent?” He cut her off, fingering the empty baby bottles next to her on the drying rack. “You really seem to have the whole ‘single mom’ thing working for you.” His crimson gloves formed quotations in the air.

“You think so?” she laughed, grasping the edges of the counter top as the space between them got smaller. “I’m still trying to figure it out, if I’m being completely honest,” she admitted, relishing the heat radiating off his massive body.

“Really? Well…” He stopped mid-sentence, his face dropping as his eyes scanned every inch of her body from the top of her head to the tips of her toes. He zoned in through each layer of clothing, skin, circulation and lymphatics until he found what he really wanted.

“You’re still breastfeeding,” he assessed, sparkling eyes darting down to her heaving chest.

“Did you just scan me?” She furrowed her brow even though she really wasn’t that surprised. She’d assumed that someone like Homelander was scanning everyone everywhere all of the time. Why should she be any different?

“Relax, I scan everybody,” he reassured her emptily. “But you are, aren’t you?” His smile stretched the entire length of his face as he pressed himself into her, pinning her lower back against the kitchen counter. “All those maternal hormones just…” he closed his eyes and took in his breath, “Pumping through those veins of yours.” He let it out slowly, warm against her cheek as his eyes fluttered back open. “If you could only see what I see, Charlotte.”

Her heart skipped a beat as her mouth dropped open, the giant drum booming in her chest as she felt him start to grow against her. For whatever reason, breastfeeding was a turn-on for him, and she wasn’t about to shy away from that. She’d never experienced that before, but then again, she’d never slept with a superhero before either, so she figured there was a first time for everything.

“You’re swimming in oxytocin,” he boasted, taking his gloves off and setting them down behind her. “Can you feel it?” He traced his bare hands up her arms, shoulders and breasts, teasing the loose hemline of her tank top with his fingertips. “The let down?”

Every hair on her body stood on end, bringing attention to the delicious sensation she hadn’t felt in over a year as he pulled the fabric down to her nipples. Was this really happening? Did Homelander really want to sleep with… her? She nodded again in silence, noticing her own arousal match his enormous erection held hostage only by his bulletproof super suit.

“I can feel it,” she whispered breathlessly.

“I bet you can,” Homelander whispered, keeping that eerie smile plastered on his face as he cupped both of her breasts. “I mean,” he slid his thigh in between her legs, providing the friction she needed to get things going. “They’re hard as rocks, Charlotte,” he observed, lifting her up and placing her onto the counter top with just his thigh. “You must be aching!”

“Umm,” she muttered, adjusting herself on the counter top as she let him pull her tank top down below her waist.

“Whoa, momma, you’re beautiful,” he whispered under his breath, taking a step back to look at her.

“Momma?” she queried, searching his face for a reason why he hadn’t taken the rest of her clothes off.

“Can I… may I?” His demeanor seemed to change entirely, the sight of her breasts turning him into some sort of submissive young boy.

“Of course you can,” she told him, scooting to the edge of the counter. She reached out and grabbed his hand, trying her best to play along with whatever role reversal this was, and placed his palm on her left breast.

Homelander exhaled a breath neither of them knew he was holding in, his fingers slowly gripping her bosom before kneeling down and putting it into his mouth. His eyes rolled back into his head as he flicked her nipple with his tongue, bringing it in between his lips before suckling on her sensitive pink flesh.

Charlotte arched her back, pushing her chest into to him as his tongue lapped rhythmic circles around her areola. She couldn’t remember the last time someone took care of her body like this or put any effort into exciting her senses. She let her hands travel over his forearms and biceps, memorizing every superhuman muscle of his torso before weaving her fingers into his golden locks. She grasped onto them, tugging a little bit as he sucked harder on her nipple to relieve the building pressure brewing inside.

“Homelander,” she whispered, letting her eyes fall shut. Her lips curled into a smile as his other hand slid between her thighs, moving the fabric of her shorts away from her center. His fingers were softer than she imagined, gently spreading her moisture up and down the length of her cunt as he stopped just below her clit.

She rocked into his hand, urging him to continue playing her like a fiddle, but it was no use. His eyes were closed as he continued to suck, the clear white liquid filling the corners of his mouth before dripping down his chin. He was lost in a trance, unable to come out of it as his mouth drained the fluid from her body while forcing more moisture between her legs.

As satisfying as his mouth was, Charlotte hadn’t gotten off in a very long time, and she’d be damned if she had this big strong man in her kitchen without making that happen. She leaned forward as much as she could, let go of his hair, and slid her hand down the front of his pants. Jesus, he was huge. Thick, long, and ready, he throbbed against her palm as she slowly stroked him beneath the cloth.

Homelander finally pulled his mouth away from her, wiping the excess milk off with the back of his hand as he noticed what she was doing. He smiled and leaned into her, letting her continue stroking him as he brought his lips up to her ear.

“Did you like that?” he asked softly, eyelashes feathering the shell of her ear. “Was I a good boy?” He slid his fingers inside her entrance, rubbing her clit with his thumb as he bit down on her earlobe.

“Uh huh,” she moaned, her breath becoming shorter, more shallow as he pulled his fingers out and pushed them back in over and over again. He rubbed her clit up and down with ease, sending little waves of pleasure up into her core as she tried to catch her breath. “You’re a very good boy,” she played along, stroking him in the same rhythm.

“Thank you,” he started, pulling his fingers out of her and shoving them into his mouth. His cheeks flushed red as he sucked on her juices, staring at her like she was the only person left in the entire universe. “Can I have more?” he asked, taking his fingers out of his mouth before nodding toward her right breast.

“More?” She tilted her head to the side, taking a risk by playing into his fantasy again. “You think you deserve more?”

He nodded as she squeezed her palm up and down his length, holding him hostage in a pleasurable grip. “Yes,” he finalized.

“Take your pants off and give me what I want first,” she offered. “Then you can have some more,” she instructed, trying to sound more dominant than she actually was.

Homelander followed her instructions blindly and pushed his pants all the way down to his ankles, freeing himself from the restricting fabric. He stepped out of his boots and began to stroke himself in front of her, spreading a drop of precum over his head as he kept a hard line of eye contact with her. “Is this what you want?” He kept stroking.

Charlotte nodded, kicking off her shorts and scooting to the edge of the counter as her moisture left a slick trail behind her. She watched as he grinned with glee before pressing inside her, his girth much bigger than the man who got her pregnant as he disappeared inch by throbbing inch. He was magnificent in every way, filling her hungry wet walls as they stretched around to welcome him.

“You’re tighter than I thought you’d be!” he exclaimed as his hips became flush with hers.

“Yeah, well, it’s a muscle just like anything else,” she corrected him, tightening her walls as he pulled out to prove a point.

“Oh, fuck!” His eyebrows disappeared into his hairline, his breath escaping him as he grabbed her thighs and thrust back into her. The fact that he could see her, all of her; every organ and artery, every electric synapse and bundle of nerves revealed themselves as he watched her react to him on an anatomical level.

He kissed her mouth as he pumped into her, wrapping his hand around her throat to hold her still as he delivered thrust after thrust of immeasurable ecstasy. Any normal man would break a sweat at this rate, relentlessly hitting her pleasure center as her voice began to falter and her thighs began to shake, but Homelander was no normal man. That ecstasy in her core burned through her spine like electricity through a live wire as her toes curled and eyes rolled back into her head. This is what she wanted; this is what she needed. This was him saving her over and over and over again.

“Homelander!” Her cry was but a whisper, her walls clenching down even tighter as they spasmed and came together, the sensation almost too much to bear.

“Oh my God, Charlotte!” Homelander howled, throwing his head back as bright red beams of light burst out of his eyes just in time to scorch through her ceiling instead of her face. “Oh my God, fuck!” he repeated, spilling himself inside her before reluctantly letting go of her neck.

Charlotte's mouth dropped open in amazement. "What the fuck was that?" she asked, eyes wide in concern.

“THAT... was a close one. Sorry about that." He leaned in close and kissed her lips. "Can I have some more, now, please?”

#the homelander #homelander #the boys #homelander x oc #homelander fan fiction #the boys fan fiction #antony starr

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gabeswritingthingy · 3 years

Text

A Slice of Life in Space (Sample Work, Short Story)

Log Entry – 07.05.2050

Everyone on Earth saw it with their own eyes. Yesterday’s events will not be forgotten for a long time. For my part, I saw it while I was preparing pasta for my dinner. At 8:00 pm last night, the moon exploded. The blast was so strong the shockwaves could be felt here on the planet, which resulted in a short 2.5 magnitude earthquake. Thankfully, little to no damage was caused. It also didn’t produce any casualties, either - at least if you don’t consider my carbonara a casualty, because one of the moon chunks fell on the damned thing just as I was about to eat it. Instead, I carefully put on my gloves and placed it in an airtight container immediately. I called my boss and told him about the incident, all worried. She assured me that they have prepared for such an eventuality and have begun The Lunar Restoration Program as we spoke. Since the advancement of technology has come so far, the astronauts at the United Global Space Station had no trouble replacing the damaged 75% of the moon almost instantaneously by getting a clean sample of a moon rock, cloning it, then reattaching it to the rest of the moon on a molecular level. The actual problem, my boss said, is figuring out what caused the moon to explode in the first place.

I also asked her if moon dust is safe for the human body to consume in the hopes that I can still eat my pasta, and she threatened me with bodily harm if I even thought of attempting to do what I wanted to do. I just hung up and went to bed, knowing the next day is gonna be busy.

As part of The Lunar Restoration Program, Stargazer Laboratories has now been tasked by the Global Alliance to find out the cause of the moon’s destruction. My boss, Dr. Valentina Petrova, will be the one leading this operation. I am quite excited to put my efforts toward solving this mystery because we may finally find evidence of intelligent life outside the universe; or maybe this is all a big conspiracy and an UGSS astronaut blew up the moon for their own self-interest. Whatever it is, it’s very exciting stuff.

My name is Dr. Leonard Anderson, and these personal log entries aim to narrate and catalogue what will happen as this operation is going on. Although I do want to emphasize that this is still kinda like my own personal journal, in case this mission blows up in our faces – figuratively or otherwise – and the journalist, historian, or whoever finds this is baffled by the loose language and unnecessary details that will be seen here. So yeah, that’s it. Can’t wait for tomorrow.

[end of audio log]

Log Entry – 07.06.2050

Crazy stuff, you guys. The astronauts finally flew in all the chunks that came off the moon for analysis. I also gave them my pasta-stained space rock, as it is still apparently valuable. We also interviewed the astronauts working on the space station that day. They told us that they found no traces of radiation after the explosion, so the use of nuclear weapons is out of the picture. They also found no radio signals or transmissions presenting threatening messages coming from outer space or planet Earth minutes before the event, so there is no evidence of human or alien intervention. Not yet, anyway.

The actual analysis of the moon rocks had revealed little, but what we did find out was interesting nonetheless. We found small traces of purple slime in the craters and small crevices, including the ones in my rock pasta. Finding the damn things took all day because there were a lot of chunks we had to go through and we only found a few traces of it. As of today, we have no idea if it was synthesized in the moon naturally, or someone put it there. We called it a day after that. Chemical analysis will be done tomorrow.

After a long, boring day of getting purple goo out of moon rocks, I finally went to see the Hamilton premiere on Mars with Paolo, Sigrid, and Jane. I don’t know them very well yet since they’re new additions to the team, but they seem cool from the first few hours I hung out with them, so I invited them to go with me. It’s amazing that Hamilton is still getting staged after 35 years, but it’s not very surprising, is it? Holy crap, I’m still getting chills when I watch it. What is amazing, however, is that we were able to see it on Mars at all. The planet was only colonized 10 years ago, and terraforming only started two years after that. We’re only half-way finished with the terraforming, but a fully-functioning atmosphere has already been built, and a few thousand people are already living there, which is incredible. The musical is still awesome whatever planet you stage it on, though. The production turned off the artificial gravity and took advantage of that to its fullest when it came to the choreography. It’s even more amazing than when I saw it back when I was a teenager.

What’s even more amazing, however, is the fact that our boss was also there. Seriously. Because we didn’t think that Dr. Petrova, the scary, muscular Russian lady who looks like she bench-presses bears as a hobby, is a fan of musical theater. We almost snuck out undetected, but she saw us. She invited us to have dinner with her, and we were honestly too scared to refuse.

But now, I am fascinated by her. My boss turns out to be a very chill lady. She has a deep, scary laugh, but that’s the only thing kinda scary about her, along with the muscles and the brooding attitude. So yeah, I guess we only found her scary because she’s our boss, and we never really thought of building a relationship with her outside of work. After that, we sang some zero-g karaoke and had a few drinks. Paolo, the little weakling that he is, vomited after two bottles. Puke is very gross when you look at it floating around. We flew him home after that and went our separate ways. This day did a lot of good easing my anxiety about this moon thing. But man, I am very tired.

[end of audio log]

Log Entry – 07.07.2050

Fucking hell, my head hurts. Wait. Why am I recording this right now? It’s only 3 am. What? Oh, damn, I’m still drunk. [snoring]

Holy crap, was this thing turned on all night? Alright. I am now fully awake and sober. I’ll record today’s events after work, as I always do.

[end of audio log]

We finally did chemical analysis on the purple slime. It has some properties that aren’t found on anything else on the planet, but it strangely bears some resemblance to nitroglycerin. Although because of its baffling chemical traits, it does not ignite when lit on fire. Something else probably detonated the slime, although we’re still not sure what it is.

The analysis almost didn’t happen, though. The samples went missing when work started in the morning. We were all frantic trying to find them. Then we found Paolo, bless his hungover ass, standing over the samples with a knife, a jar of peanut butter, and some bread. Dr. Petrova yelled at him, “THAT’S NOT GRAPE JELLY YOU DUMBFUCK!” and some Russian expletives I couldn’t understand. He jumped in surprise and fell on his ass, but otherwise he’s fine. He was sent home for the day because of his hangover. He didn’t eat the samples by accident, fortunately. I think the boss also didn’t punish him or anything, which is fair.

After that clusterfuck of a morning, work went smoothly. The analysis was done, and we found out what we found out. Work ended after that, because all of us were at a loss at what to do. It really seems like it’s an alien object, but we still can’t be sure. For now, we just put it inside the observation chamber. I immediately went home after because I didn’t really feel like hanging out. Solving a mystery’s just too exhausting sometimes, ya know?

[end of audio log]

Log Entry – 08.08.2050

I stopped recording for several days after my last audio log because work had been long and busy. I only started again now because the experiments finally yielded results. Well, kind of.

Fucking scorch marks EVERYWHERE, y’all. After almost a month of nothing, the goo exploded again. I had to wake up at 6 am today because of that. My boss called me, absolutely frantic. I just thought that if SHE is panicking, then we are ALL panicking. I showered, got dressed, and ate breakfast in the span of ten minutes and immediately went to the lab like it’s the 2010’s and I had to go there by car because warp gates didn’t exist yet. THAT is how urgent the situation is.

What happened was that the alarms went off because the observation chamber blew up. All my friends and the boss were already there. We looked inside, and the samples got out of their glass cases, but not the room itself. Large-ass scorch marks were seen everywhere. Good thing the entire room is made out of titanium alloys.

Another look-around revealed that most of the room is now covered with purple goo, which means they somehow multiplied. It doesn’t complicate things at all. The security cameras also showed that nobody broke into the lab. An inventory of the items revealed that no equipment was stolen or messed with. Knowing that the observation chamber was still airtight, locked under heavy security, and nothing in it was actually broken, the only conclusion we came to is that the slime slipped through their cases, somehow ignited, then multiplied.

After cleaning up, we put all the slime in titanium-alloy boxes instead of glass ones. We cannot observe it properly that way, but we can’t take any chances, either. Letting it have even the slightest means of escape is dangerous. The only thing we can do for now is to continue analyzing while containing the rest.

We also managed to recover footage from the damaged security cameras inside the observation chamber. What we saw is kinda confusing, and we still don’t know what ignited the slime in the first place. It turns out that it kept exploding inside the glass case and somehow got bigger ang bigger until it got all over the chamber. The source of the explosion is still a mystery. More analysis will be done tomorrow. Hopefully some progress will be made.

Our boss wanted to hang out with us again, and we did not hesitate to say yes. There’s a meteor shower that’s gonna pass through the solar system today, and we can see it up close on Mars. We went there after work, and it was beautiful. The zero-gravity environment and protective force field around the planet allowed us to observe the meteors up close. None of y’all have lived at all if you haven’t seen comets changing colors and streaking through the darkness of space so close you can almost touch them. I haven’t seen such beauty since the first spacecrafts that landed on Mars was televised. Three of us saw Sigrid holding on to Paolo’s arm while they looked up, all mesmerized. Is she in love with him, or, knowing how much of a klutz he is, trying to stop him from careening over the observation deck by accident? We didn’t know. We just let them be.

After that, I realized I forgot my laptop in the lab. My boss said she’d go with me since she wanted to do some last-minute security sweeps and make sure the observation chamber wouldn’t explode again. All my friends went home and I went with my boss. She said she wanted to go there by spacecraft instead of warp gate because she wanted to take in the sights when we travel between Mars and Earth. Being that I have no plans and it’ll only take about an hour and a half anyway, I said sure, why not? She took her craft out of her bag, unshrunk it, and we set course for Earth.

There were some sights worth seeing, alright. Ever since humanity became capable of space travel 30 years ago, we developed a newfound appreciation for it. New quasars recently started to form between the empty spaces of Earth and Mars and I am ecstatic I live in a time I get to see them up close. Those beautiful gas clouds would eventually turn to stars and I cannot wait to see them.

I pondered a bit during that car ride. All this wouldn’t have happened if the planet didn’t get its shit together. 10 years before space exploration became a thing, Earth was on the brink of collapse. Thankfully, every country decided they had enough and actually worked together to finally put a stop to global warming. My parents said that to this day, they still can’t believe the sheer scale of unity that happened back then. From what I have read in history, I couldn’t believe it either. Holy crap, we can actually work together. All of those countries eventually became unified as the Global Alliance, one big-ass country with a big-ass, but more efficient government. All this happened a decade before I was born. I wish I could’ve seen it.

We finally got to the lab, and we did all the things we had to do. But my boss asked me if I can stay with her for a few minutes and have a couple of drinks. Turns out she has a secret stash stored in her office. It’s not late yet, so I said yes. I also wanted to know her better because she honestly seems cool.

We got to talking. I told her about myself; how I grew up in Washington, D.C., nearby what used to be NASA headquarters because my parents both worked there; how I saw the prototype for future spaceships being built; how all that inspired me to work in astronomy and join Stargazer Laboratories, all of it. To my surprise, she pressed further and asked me to tell her stuff about myself that has nothing to do with work or outer space or whatever. I mean… I guess she wants to be friends, too. Okay, sure.

Sorry to disappoint you, I told her, but there really is nothing else to tell. I can sing and play guitar a little bit, but I haven’t done those things in a long time because of work. They’re more of a hobby, really. She cut me off and told me that she actually kinda sings too, which just didn’t surprise me anymore considering she just seems like the type. I dunno, by this time I’ve just learned to throw away my initial impression of her that I got because she is clearly very different from the idea I had in my head. At this point, it’s getting very late, but we both didn’t care, so I just went ahead and asked her stuff about herself. She said she was born and raised in Russia, no surprise there. She also told me how her parents both worked in what used to be Roskosmos, the Russian space agency; how this also served as a catalyst for her to work in astronomy; and how she is also the eldest child, with four younger siblings. Now I know why she can lead a team so well. I thought this entire thing might be awkward at first, but man I am glad this happened. She gave me permission to call her Val outside of work, so I guess we cool now. We finally went home after a few hours. I should stop now. I still have work tomorrow.

[end of audio log]

Log Entry – 08.09.2050

As I predicted, I woke up super late this morning; 20 minutes before work started, in fact. It’s times like these I am very grateful for the existence of warp gates. I managed to prepare my tired ass in 10 minutes and get to work. I thought that would be the worst thing that’ll happen today. I still wish that I was right.

I got to work without incident. We conducted more chemical analysis on the definitely alien goo. Yeah, the others say there isn’t enough evidence, but I’m calling it right now; it definitely is. While in the middle of analysis, the power suddenly went out for a few seconds before turning on again. We checked the wiring and the generators after that happened; there was nothing wrong with them. Out of suspicion, I placed an EMP detector in the middle of the room and confirmed that there was an electromagnetic pulse that burst out in that spot — the exact spot where the purple slime was. We immediately contained it in the titanium-alloy box, and then I passed out.

I woke up in an ambulance, but thank heavens I was well enough not to go to the hospital. From what Val and the others told me, the slime exploded again the second we contained it. It was strong enough to break it open, which just gave me a lot of anxiety. Fortunately, it absorbed some of the impact and we were all just knocked out. Some of us have a few bruises — I have one on my left side right now — but aside from that, none of us were badly injured. We didn’t break any bones or anything like that. Aside from broken glass, shattered microscopes, and other things, none of our equipment was badly damaged. The construction crew said everything can be fixed by tomorrow, so most of us just went home early.

Jane went home because she can’t walk very well, but I saw Sigrid and Paolo going somewhere together. I am very sure they didn’t go home; not very surprising from what we’ve seen a few days ago. I also planned on going home, but Val asked me to hang out with her for some reason if I was feeling well. I said yes, since I can still walk fine and all.

She insisted on driving me there instead of just using a warp gate. I saw extreme excitement in her eyes, so I said yes out of curiosity. She said the trip would take about two hours, so I took a nap. I woke up and, to my surprise, we’re nearing Mars. I thought we were going to your house, I asked her. She said yes. Silence hung in there for a bit, then I realized. I mean, while I am kinda surprised that she lives on Mars, it still wasn’t that surprising. She seemed like the sort of person who would do it. But it turns out the surprise does not and there.

I got to her house, and my jaw dropped all the way to the floor of her spacecraft. It looked real fucking amazing. It was a behemoth of a structure. The middle looks like two giant gears. Surrounding it was what basically looked like a bunch of giant spears jutting out of the ground. The most insane part, however, was that the entire thing was made of glass. All of it. Made of glass. Oddly enough, it looked familiar, too; then it hit me. It looks exactly like the glass structure thingy Doctor Manhattan made in Watchmen! I said this to Val, and she looked quite surprised. She said that she planned it on purpose, and I was the very first to notice. Guess that’s another thing we have in common.

The landing bay was in the middle, so that’s where we went. The interior of her house — if you can call this thing a house — looks surprisingly normal. Well, normal for the head scientist of the world’s best space station, at least. It’s still big and all, but it doesn’t give off the scientist vibe. She took me to her living room surrounded top-to-bottom with bookshelves and a large-ass flatscreen TV. She served coffee, and we got to talking.

I saw her own copy of Watchmen and I lost my shit. It was a physical copy! The edges were a bit frayed, which showed that it was a well-read copy. She doesn’t keep it in a glass case because it’s a collector’s item or any of that bullshit, which is dope. Classics are meant to be read, not kept in a shelf to preserve it in “mint condition.” Physical copies of any books are rare these days — not that I’m complaining, since the almost non-existent use of paper did loads of good for the environment — but it’s still nice to see an actual book and not just a holographic facsimile. I saw her suddenly smiling at me like a maniac. “Nice to see you finally nerd out around me,” she said. “It’s nice that I can fully relax around you now,” I told her. She told me not to relax yet because she has a surprise.

She went into another room and gave me this huge box with wrapping paper. I stared at her like an idiot for a few seconds. She asked what was up, and then it occurred to me to look at the date. I felt like a moron in that moment and I told her why; I straight-up forgot it was my birthday today. Holy crap, I’m 30 years old already. She laughed at that. She laughed real hard. I mean, work’s just overwhelming and we might be dealing with eldritch alien horrors beyond our understanding, so it’s not surprising I forgot. After her fit, she finally handed me my gift. I opened it and my day got a whole lot better.

It was a Jojo’s Bizarre Adventure special edition boxed-set. All of the anime adaptations were in it, parts 1 until 10. It’s surprising Jojo even ended at all, but I guess even Araki had to retire at some point. Guess he’s not a vampire after all. But how did she even know I’m a fan? To answer that question, she told me how much I talked non-stop about Jojo back when we got drunk at that karaoke bar on Mars. She got it on video, even; although it was blurry as hell because she was also drunk. Damn, it turns out I talk a lot when I’m hammered. The party got started after that. She suggested we watch it together on her big-ass TV since she also hasn’t watched it in a long time, so we did. Holy crap, the animation looks better on a TV that large. Another fact about Val: she cooks a mean pasta.

After binging season 1, she told me to close my eyes for a bit. Guess the surprises weren’t over yet. I opened them after a few seconds, and my face suddenly got covered in chocolate icing. Turns out she secretly invited Jane and the others while I was distracted. We celebrated some more; we bungee-jumped off her balcony; we ate more food; we jammed to some songs, with me and Val singing some songs while I played guitar. We blended well when we sang some show tunes. It felt good to sing after a long time. I didn’t know that I missed it this much. I can definitely say this is the best birthday ever. Work begins again tomorrow. But for now, I rest. Can’t wait to binge Jojo again after all this.

[end of audio log]

Log Entry – 08.10.2050

For the first time in a long while, we finally had a breakthrough! We had to finagle the experiment a bit to get there, too. We already tested for temperature and got no results; putting the goo through varying degrees of temperature does not do anything to it. Lighting it on fire doesn’t yield any results, either. Because of that, we thought that maybe it’s being ignited like an actual bomb by an outside force and not through natural means. The idea we came up with is to simply put a small radio transmitter inside the damn thing. Yup. That’s it. It seems too simple to work, but it surprisingly did.

The transmitter lit up five hours after we put it in. Holy crap, we were right! The goo is somehow receiving radio signals from somewhere we cannot locate. A few seconds later, it exploded inside the two layers of the titanium-alloy box we put it in, so we know that radio signals can pass through the box somehow. I’m quite relieved and excited by this because it means two things: we’re just dealing with a criminal with sophisticated equipment and not extraterrestrial forces or whatever, and the solution to this won’t be too difficult. We just have to track the signal with better equipment, track down the criminal, arrest him and finally get some answers. After that, we put the goo back in the observation chamber with some signal jammers to ensure that it won’t ignite again.

I prepared to go home, since Jane and Sigrid are both sick so after-work hangout seemed impossible. But Val pulled me into her office. Paolo was also there, and apparently, he needs our help. He said that he and Sigrid finally became a thing a couple of days back, after almost a month of dating. Props to them. He said he hasn’t told her about it yet because it’s supposed to be a surprise; he plans on taking her to the restaurant peak of Olympus Mons tomorrow for dinner as their first actual date, and he needs us to take her there. Being the good friends that we are, we immediately said yes. He was so ecstatic he ran out the building skipping and yelling in glee. I was about to leave as well, but Val held me back. Okay, I guess she wants to talk a bit more.

She looked flustered as hell for some reason. I can tell she was blushing under the moonlight coming from her window. She kinda looked cute, actually. She said that it’s already been a month since we became friends, which was true. She also said despite it only being a month, a lot already happened and we were kinda close already and stuff, which was also true. I told her that yes, I also do think we grew closer in that time and that I think she’s really cool, especially after she threw me that surprise party. This was also the point that I asked her where she was going with this, and I am quite aware that I should’ve seen it coming. She told me she liked me for already quite a while now. It all started when I nerded out over her copy of Watchmen, she said, and that she’s been hinting at that the past few times we were hanging out. What I’m about to say next would be an approximation of the play-by-play of my thoughts during that moment and how I reacted: “She was hinting at it? How did I not notice? Am I that oblivious? More importantly though, do I like her back? I mean, she is cool. She lives on Mars on a giant glass mansion. She’s an anime fan, a singer, we click together. She’s a bit loud sometimes. She’s also assertive as a boss and a very chill person outside of work and I am definitely into that. She’s a very good leader and also a great friend and person so what do I really think--?”

That entire thought process went through my brain like lightning. My feelings for her immediately crashed down on me like a waterfall. It was insane. The reason my thoughts just stopped there was because I immediately kissed her suddenly, inside her dark office lit only by moonlight. I imagine she saw me blush after I pulled away. I profusely apologized after that and was almost out the door when I was cut off, this time by her kissing me back. Silence hung in the air for a minute after that.

So, she asked me back. “When did you start liking me?” I thought back, and I said it was probably the first time we drank in her office. We planned an actual date tomorrow, and we finally left the lab. I guess that’s that. I am quite surprised, although I know I shouldn’t have been. I went home feeling a bit giddy and at peace. I am gonna sleep well tonight.

[end of audio log]

Log Entry – 08.11.2050

[crying]

It’s been quite a long day. I… I’m not well. I’ll have to start from the beginning.

Work began normally, at first. When this day started, I’m happier than I’ve ever been. I had a date after work and I was also gonna help my friends with theirs; I had things to look forward to. But that all changed, just like that. God, I can’t do this.

It all began when Val informed us that Jane had been missing since yesterday. She received a call from the police just this morning; apparently, it seems like someone broke into her house. Signs of a struggle can be found everywhere, and she’s nowhere to be found. So yeah, one can say it was a rough start. We went to work, hoping she eventually gets found.

The uh, the thing happened when we were supposed to start analysis again. Paolo and Sigrid went into the observation chamber to get the sample. The rest of us were setting up equipment when we heard the sound of metal tearing apart. We ran there as fast as we could; I wish I hadn’t got there first.

We were shocked to see Jane there, except by that point, she wasn’t even Jane anymore. Her red hair has been cut short; patches of bald spots could be found everywhere. There were cracks all over her face and body, all glowing purple. Her eyes were also glowing purple and [choking sounds] she was swinging a kitchen knife around. We tried to go in, but she ripped off one of the empty glass cases from the floor and threw it at us with ease. She screamed in a garbled voice that wasn’t hers and lunged at Sigrid with the knife. Paolo pushed her out of the way and he got wounded instead. Sigrid screamed in shock, but she suddenly got cut off when the creature held her on the neck and threw her at the wall head-first, instantly breaking her neck. I can still hear her screaming until now; the moment that scream suddenly got cut off for the last time is still fresh in my mind.

Before any more damage can be done, the creature suddenly collapsed. With all the commotion, we didn’t hear the alarm sounding and the police getting here. They said they used a small taser to take it down; when we investigated, we saw a small, circular thing around its neck. It was the size of a button and probably where the electric shock came from. We immediately worked with the police to restrain the creature, being that we had all the equipment we need. We contained it in a large titanium box, the ones used to transport dangerous criminals. The creature was also restricted in there by titanium straps around her forehead, waist, arms, wrists, legs, and ankles. As a final measure, the box also has electricity running through the outside so that it gets shocked when it breaks the restraints and tries to force its way out. The creature will be interrogated by all of us tomorrow. First, we took care of my friends and gave them a proper burial. After work, I just climbed up onto the roof of the building because the moon looked beautiful and I needed to be alone. Turns out Val had the same idea. We just sat there, alone, not saying anything. Eventually, we just cried with each other for God knows how long until our tear ducts simply dried out. Knowing I can’t bear to be alone right now, I invited her to sleep at my house. She agreed, and we went home.

She’s asleep right now, as I’m recording this. That’s where my life is at, I guess. We’re one step closer to solving this mystery, but my friends have died. That’s simply not fair. [choked sobs] God, I’m gonna miss them so much. We’ve been through a lot now, even though we’ve known each other for only a few months. I hope the creature that took my friend’s body gives us what we need tomorrow. I hope it pays dearly for what it did. [crying]

[end of audio log]

Log Entry – 08.12.2050

Just came back from the interrogation today. I won’t record much. I feel a bit sick to my stomach from what I’ve just heard, and I don’t think it’ll go away soon. I’ll just listen to the audio log of the interrogation the ICD was kind enough to share with us.

[end of audio log]

Interplanetary Crimes Division

Interrogation Audio Log #48783

This is Detective Charles Chapman speaking for the Interplanetary Crimes Division offices located in Tromsø, Norway. Just yesterday, one of the scientists at Stargazer Laboratories had brutally murdered two other scientists there and had also caused significant damage to some equipment. Considering that the perpetrator seemingly has inhuman strength, glowing skin, and other physiological anomalies that cannot be found in other human beings, the possibility that the perpetrator is no longer human but merely an empty shell being used is being considered as a possibility. The creature is now properly restrained inside a titanium box with titanium straps. The cage is also lined with electricity and is inside a forcefield. The interrogation will be conducted with me outside the forcefield; communication will only be done through wireless communicators.

Detective Chapman: Who are you?

The Creature: [silence]

DC: Do you have a name?

H: I am called Helvig, but my people have given me the moniker of The Oncoming Storm, for all the planets I have brought destruction upon.

DC: If I recall correctly, your friends told me that your name is Jane.

Helvig: The one you call Jane is no more. What you see before you is nothing more than her empty body, hollowed out when I took possession of it.

DC: OKAY. I’m glad we cleared that up. I guess the next thing I have to ask is, how did you manage to infiltrate this planet?

H: I came here when I destroyed your moon using what you call the purple slime as my weapon. I hitched a ride inside one of the resulting debris then took possession of this biped’s weak body. Do you know how hard it is to control human brains? It took me almost a month to assert total dominance.

DC: Really? Well, if that’s the case, how come you’ve been able to manipulate your weapon before that?

H: I have been able to assert a tiny bit of control before, although this biped didn’t know it at the time. I’m just damned unlucky that the times I gained little authority over this body and attempted to kill you all didn’t amount to anything.

DC: I guess that answers that. So why are you here? Why this planet in particular?

H: Why do you think I am called The Oncoming Storm? I am here to bring destruction, nothing more.

DC: Now, why would you do that? Were you ordered to do so by your people?

H: My people are no more. My planet was destroyed when two stars near the place your people call the Kuiper Belt collided; the resulting supernova destroyed my home, and the blast was so strong it propelled my ship all the way to your moon. Had I not found this body to possess, I might have died. But I am here, and this planet shall be destroyed in the memory of my people.

DC: If I may ask again, why? What could the destruction of this planet possibly do for you?

H: Nothing! It will do nothing for me! My people are gone, and my planet is no more. Keeping up our tradition of destruction will be the only way of preserving their memory. After your planet, other ones that bear life will also fall by my hand.

DC: Well, thank you for answering my questions without any fuss. You are the politest criminal I have ever talked to; you know that?

H: Thank you, Charles.

DC: In return, I will extend the same courtesy; do not attempt to destroy this planet. Humanity has advanced beyond your imagination, and there are a lot of us. You will not succeed.

H: [laughter] None of you can stop me! The only reason I gave you information freely is because I know none of you will be able to do anything; you weaklings only managed to restrain me because my powers have not settled into this weak body yet! Give it a bit more time, and I will burn this place to the ground. After this, your planet comes next! [laughter]

I decided to end it there, because I’ve gotten all that I need. Orders from the top brass indicate that the next course of action to be taken would be a joint effort with Stargazer Laboratories to find ways to defeat this creature and save the planet.

[end of audio log]

Log Entry – 08.13.2050

I guess I was wrong. We are dealing with aliens. If not for what’s happened, I would be very happy right now. But not even getting a definitive answer to the question of “are we alone in the universe?” would excite me; especially because one of the answers to that question just killed three of my friends and is now controlling one of their dead bodies like a puppet. Work has been postponed due to the damages our lab has taken, so I honestly don’t know why I’m making the effort to record right now; it’s not like something’s gonna happen today, anyway. Maybe I just need to distract myself from the quiet.

I tried to distract myself by other means, of course. I attempted to binge that Jojo box set I have, but it didn’t work; memories of my surprise birthday party just resurfaced. It’s just too painful. [sobbing]

I… I can’t. I just… I just, can’t. It’s not fair! [crashing sounds] [crying] It’s not fa- [static]

[end of audio log]

There you go. So I, uh… I may have gone berserk earlier, but I’m doing kinda better now. I broke my audio log recorder, but I think I’ve fixed it. Before I stop though, something did happen today that’s worth recording, so… I’m glad for that.

After crying for I don’t actually know how long, somebody rang my doorbell. I looked through my security cameras and found Val standing in my doorway; which honestly came as a surprise, until it occurred to me that she probably wants to check how I’m doing. It stung a bit, knowing that I was too sad and didn’t even think about doing the same for her. I hastily prepared myself and went downstairs.

She looked kinda disheveled and sad, like she’s on a great rush to get here; she had that sad look on her eyes, too. But that’s hardly a surprise, is it? What was a surprise, however, was how beautiful she looked despite all of that. It just so happens that my house has an awe-inspiring view of the hills, and the sunset just happened to hit her as she stood by my door. My day got marginally better after that.

I let her in, and we talked. I asked her if she was okay, and she told me she’s holding up as well as I am, after a cursory look around the mess I made just before she showed up. My recorder was broken in some parts; furniture was everywhere; my glass table was in pieces, all that stuff. We sat in quiet for a while. She eventually told me if I wanted to have the date that we had to postpone two days ago. It took me about two full minutes to think about it, but I said yes; it looked like we both needed it.

We warped to the grassy, quiet park on Olympus Mons; I’m still amazed at how far humanity has gone in terraforming. She prepared a picnic and everything. I cooked some pasta, because of course I did I’m good at it, and I needed a win today. The whole thing wasn’t very eventful, but it was exactly what we needed. We talked, like we always talked. We looked down from the mountain we were on top of, and the view was exhilarating. We looked up, and stared in awe of the stars above us. We reminisced, and remembered the moments we had with them; how Paolo got drunk and vomited in zero gravity; how Sigrid bungee-jumped from the top of Val’s roof and the anti-climactic result of it as we remembered that the artificial gravity was turned off; how Jane accidentally got a face full of cake when I threw it at her; all these memories and others, we remembered last night under the stars on top of the tallest mountain on Mars. It stings, remembering them; but it’s also comforting, somehow.

The nature of our friendship was contemplated as well. If Earth didn’t get its shit together all those years ago, the Global Alliance wouldn’t exist today; all the space travel and huge technological leaps wouldn’t have happened, and travel between countries would still be a pain. We were lucky that we were all brought together in one place. Thinking about the unlikeliness of our friendship just made both of us sadder, considering what happened. We eventually got up and left the mountain.

One last thing we wanted to do before going home was to visit the places where they’re now buried. We already conducted a funeral for them after the creature got arrested and sent them back to their families, but we wanted to see them again, so we can properly say goodbye this time.

First, we warped our way to Brazil to visit Paolo. His family was there, watching over him. We quietly mourned with them for a few minutes, although it felt longer than that. We eventually gave our condolences and left. Our next stop was Sweden, where Sigrid is. No one was watching over her grave, but we did see a few freshly-lit candles around it. The cold winds were swirling all around us, but we hardly noticed them at all. We had no idea how long we stayed, but the cold did get to us eventually, and we left. Our last stop for the night was in Canada, Jane’s home. This visit just made us sadder because we know that her grave is empty; her family will never have a body to bury. No one else was there, which wasn’t strange, considering it’s almost midnight, but we weren’t alone for long when two young women came there; they were her two younger sisters, it turns out. They brought warm tea, and they were kind enough to share it with us. We talked, reminisced about the memories we have with her, and we mourned. Before leaving, Val and I promised them that while we cannot bring their sister back, we can put her to rest by putting the creature down permanently.

I brought her back to Mars. We said our goodbyes, kissed for God knows how long because we didn’t count, and we went home. I… I miss them. I miss them so damn much. [crying]

[end of audio log]

Stargazer Laboratories

Log Entry – 08.15.2050

[crying]

I’ll admit. Considering what I’m about to do, I am scared. I fear that I may not come back from this, but strangely, I am also at peace. This insane, dangerous plan has a high chance of success, and I am more than willing to do it. But first, let’s go back to the beginning.

Yesterday, I got a call from the ICD at 6 am telling me that the prisoner has escaped. Apparently, it got out of its restraints and simply destroyed both the cage and the forcefield using brute strength alone. The thing that is defiling my friend’s body got stronger, just like it said it would. It killed almost all of the police officers before everyone got out and put the building on lockdown. The entire building was then launched through the sky via rockets attached to the foundation as a last resort security measure; it is now floating just a little bit above the atmosphere, surrounded by a bigger forcefield. The creature will be kept in there, but not for long. I immediately prepared and went to the lab with the others; I imagine they got the same call.

We immediately started to formulate a plan to defeat the creature. According to the police, the forcefield will only last until about 4 am today until it runs out of power. There’s also the trouble of the creature getting even stronger than it is now, so we had to account for that, too. The only consolation we have is that it can only use its psychic powers to activate the slime and nothing else; it has to be near it, too. One of the police officers suggested that we simply just have the rockets push the building farther into space, but that was shot down; the rockets simply weren’t built for that, so it doesn’t have enough fuel. We also thought of just straight-up making the building explode, but Detective Chapman shot this idea down, too. Turns out he already fired a couple rockets at the creature and it simply kept walking, unscathed. Our last idea was to warp the entire building to the other end of the universe, but we realized it was also futile; warp gates were made with humans in mind. Creating one as big as a building has never been done before; it might collapse in on itself and implode, or create a black hole that will destroy the Earth. We came to the conclusion that there is only one way to solve this once and for all; one of us has to go up there and destroy the creature ourselves.

A drone was sent to fly near the building and investigate. The entire structure was reduced to rubble. The creature was jumping around, throwing large chunks of debris at the forcefield in an attempt to destroy it. That gave us the drive to really solve this as soon as possible. I remembered what the creature told us back then; how it got to Earth because a supernova propelled its ship here while it’s trying to escape. Then I had a crazy idea.

I told them that the energy of two collapsing stars was the only thing we know of that almost destroyed the creature; I remembered how it told us it was on the verge of death and only survived because it found a host. Then I told them my idea; find three stars that’s the nearest to Mars, put an artificial gravity drive between them, wait for them to move towards each other, then siphon off the energy from the resulting supernova into the engine of a laser cannon. This is the easy part. The next step is that said laser cannon with the energy of three collapsed stars now have to be attached to a spacecraft and fired directly at the creature. The resulting recoil may destroy said ship; or it won’t. This is something no one has actually done before, so none of us are quite sure how this will happen. None of us can come up with a new plan, so this is what we have to go with.

We found three stars near each other just beyond the outskirts of Mars. Siphoning off large amounts of energy in a supernova was terrifying, but not actually that difficult. I, and two other scientists, finished the job in just a couple of hours. Val and I worked together to design a laser cannon strong enough to handle the energy of three stars. The next thing we have to do now is to decide who’s gonna fly up there and do the job. The ICD can’t do it; only two of them are left. One has no combat experience, and the other is Detective Chapman, who’s simply too old for the job. We can’t ask for help from the military, or the other offices of the ICD, either. All of the warp gates in the lab had been damaged, and the personal warp gates we’re carrying had also been messed up due to the star radiation we had to work with. We’re all alone in this.

I looked around the room and realized that the only person who can do this is me. I told this to the others, and Val vehemently opposed it, as I expected. After a shouting match, I told her we just have to talk it out in private. It didn’t really work; we just shouted at each other louder since no one was around to hear us. We finally ran out of energy and just sat down.

So… yeah. After calming down enough to talk, she asked me why I thought I’m the only one who can do it. I told her it’s because I built both the cannon and the modified ship with her, so I’m the only one who can use them. I also want to be the one to personally put the creature down. She got angry at me, told me that she’ll be the one to do it instead, since she knows the machines as well as I do. I tried to talk back, but she was still so angry and started speaking Russian, like she always does when she’s mad. I did something I didn’t expect to do; I laughed. It was real, too. I haven’t had one like it in what feels like a long time. She started laughing, too. We just did that until we ran out of breath again.

I explained to her that this was exactly what she did when I asked her if I can eat my rock pasta; it was also what she did when Paolo almost ate the purple goo. I told her that I love this about her; how passionate and caring she is for the ones that she loves; how I do not want her passion to be snuffed out of this world too early; and how I am sure I am the only one who can do this because she can still lead Stargazer Labs further into the future. I told her how I wanted her to see Earth and the rest of humanity go further into the reaches of space. Finally, I told her the simplest and most important reason why it has to be me; I told her I love her. I love her very much and I cannot bear to see her die and that is why I have to do this. After that, we just broke down together. The tears just kept flowing. She told me she loves me, too. She told me she can’t bear to see me go, either, but I told her she has to go on. I told her again how the lab needs her, and after this, probably the world. We just kept quiet, savoring each other’s company for what might be the last time. We eventually slept for two hours, in each other’s arms. We got up and made the last preparations. We had another short meeting on how things would be done. I simply have to fly up there and aim directly at the creature. Sounds too easy, but we all know it isn’t. After saying goodbye to them, I excused myself for a bit and ended up here.

It is now 3 am, August 15, 2050. I will do what I need to do half an hour from now. From what we’ve seen of the drone footage, the forcefield will last until 4 am, as predicted. I wish I was recording this at home, using my own recorder, but I have no way to get there, so here I am, using the only functional one in the lab. I’m gonna end it here, so suffice it to say the next words I’ll be saying may be my last.

Val, I love you. I know you’re my boss, but I’m glad we did away with the professional awkwardness that might have arisen and just found the time to relax with each other. I am so happy that we met outside of work during that Hamilton premiere on Mars. I thought that I have what I wanted out of life, working in a space station; I am happy you were the one who proved me wrong. [crying] I love you, Val. If these are the last things I will ever say, then I want them to be these words. I love you, and I always will.

[end of audio log]

Log Entry – 10.15.2050

It’s been two months, Leo. Two months. Two long, agonizing months since you passed. [crying]

It’s still clear as day, what happened. I remembered the kiss we shared before you took off. I remembered seeing the blast from the cannon finally incinerate the creature after a minute. I remember how we cheered when we saw you succeed, then suddenly get silenced when your engine blew up. I remember being horrified seeing you fall back down to Earth, then zooming in on the cockpit and seeing you smile one last time before the drone was destroyed by the blast.

The charred remains of the ship landed just outside the lab. Although burned, you somehow managed to stay in one piece. After that, we did what we were supposed to do. We cleaned up the lab and the ship, and we had your funeral a few days later. I was the one who gave your eulogy, you know that? I hope you heard it, and I hope you liked it if you did.

This is the first time in a while I came back to Olympus Mons. I finally had the courage to go after hearing the message you left for me. Your parents let me have a copy of the other audio logs you did. I’ll admit, I haven’t been doing well in a while, but hearing your voice again really helped me.

I think it’s finally time. You said you wanted me to see space travel advance further, right? I already have an idea. Since we now know that life exists outside of Earth, I thought of how maybe we can come up with ways to reach them. I know the last species we interacted with almost destroyed us, but I know there’s more of them out there. Perhaps they are kinder. Perhaps they’re willing to break bread with us. I was thinking of calling it “The Cosmic Unity” project but it sounds too tacky, doesn’t it? I just hope I already have a proposal I can pass to the Global Alliance in a year or so. All of this is for you, Leo. All of it. It’s for the sake of the planet’s progress, too, but it is for you I do this, most of all. [sobbing]

I love you, Leo. I love you more in every day that passes.

[end of audio log]

#short story #writing

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somecunttookmyurl · 5 years

Text

The skincare post, or “I’m 29 and 18 year olds keep flirting with me because they think I’m 20″

DISCLAIMER: I am not a dermatologist. This is not a recommendation for specific products so much as an explanation of the routine I use. My skin is... well it’s normal. Not oily, not dry (not after I got into a routine and it balanced itself out, anyway). I don’t have acne, or dermatitis. My skin isn’t even sensitive. People with particular skin needs should use products suited to them.

The other reason this isn’t a product recommendation is that, for the most part, I just get whatever is on sale whenever something is coming to an end. Since I don’t have any particular skin conditions to cater for, it doesn’t really matter what particular stuff I buy. But I do get most of my stuff from maskhouse.co.uk who almost perpetually run offers and have a good loyalty point system. I’ve never paid full price for anything. Ever.

It’s long. The children are eternally disappointed when they ask me how this works and actually find out. Also: stay hydrated and go the fuck to sleep. Seriously.

PART 1(a): The morning

Step 1: Cleansing. Use a gentle foam cleanser (or even just plain water!) to wake up and refresh your skin. Pat (for the love of god do not rub) your face dry with a clean towel. Pictured: Hyggee Care Cleansing Foam, RRP £24.

Step 2: Toner. Toning sets your face up to properly absorb the rest of your skincare routine, and different toners can provide additional benefits. I have The World’s Largest Pores on my nose so I have an astringent toner aimed at minimising them. Gently wipe over face and neck never forget your neck with a cotton ball or pad. Leave to air dry. Brush your teeth or make the bed or something in the meantime. Pictured: SecretKey Black Out Pore Clean Toner RRP £16

Step 3: Essence. Essence is a very lightweight moisturiser designed to be used over your whole face. This light hydrating layer is designed to prime your skin for the more intense hydration, and you can buy them catered to all manner of skin types. Pat gently into the skin of your face and neck. You’re probably noticing a pattern here. Pat, never rub, and be as gentle as you can through the whole routine. Leave to absorb whilst doing some other part of your normal morning routine. Pictured: SecretKey Starting Treatment Essence RRP £35 Step 4 (a+b): Serums and eye cream. Serums are thicker hydrating layers that target specific problems and areas and are only applied where they are needed. As mentioned, I have Crater Pore Syndrome so my serum is meant for that. If you have red skin on your cheeks, you might use one for that. At the same time, apply an eye cream. The skin around the eyes is particularly delicate and needs extra care. Again, leave to absorb fully. Pictured: Its Skin Power 10 Effector Serum (PO) RRP £12 / SecretKey Snail Repairing Eye Cream RRP £30 Step 5: A light all-over moisturiser. Finish off the hydration with a lighweight all-over cream applied to the face and neck. Pictured: Simple Kind To Skin Hydrating Light Moisturiser RRP £4.29

Step 6: Refreshing under-eye roll. Especially useful for those of us with perpetual tired eyes. A cooling under-eye roll on with refresh and rejuvinate the under-eye area. Like wearing a cucumber mask for half an hour, except instant. Pictured: Polaar Icymagic Instant Eye Contour Multi Energiser RRP £24

Step 7: SPF. I don’t care if it’s deepest darkest December. UVA and UVB rays cause damage to the skin even when the sun is at its weakest. If you’re going to be leaving the house, apply a high SPF cream at least 15 minutes before leaving. Suncreams specifically designed for the face are more lightweight. Pictured: Berrisom Essence Sun SPF 50+ RRP £14

Part 1(b): The morning (alt.) or: GOOD GOD I LOVE SHEET MASKS

On alternate days (Monday, Wednesday, and Friday) I replace the entirety of steps 3, 4, and 5 with a sheet mask whilst I go about my business. Sheet masks are soaked in essence and are left on for 15-20 minutes whilst your skin absorbs it all. After removal, pat in the remaining essence (and dig out what was left in the package for your hands)

I get all of mine from MaskHouse.co.uk who frequently run kickass mask sales. I use 4 a week, in total, so I have a stash of like... 80 various masks under my bath right now.

Pictured: Berrisom Water Bomb Jelly Mask RRP £2.25 / Holika Holika Juicy Mask Sheet RRP £2 / Holika Holika Pure Essence Mask Sheet RRP £1.50

Part 2: The Evening

Step 1: Oil cleanser. Washing your face with oil might sound dumb as heck, but like clings to like and oil-based cleansing is an excellent way to remove makeup and daily greasemonkey buildup. Massage 1-2 pumps gently into the skin and rinse off. Pictured: SecretKey Lemon Sparkling Cleansing Oil RRP £24 Step 2: Foam cleanser. Remove additional debris and fully cleanse the face with a gentle foam cleanser. There’s no reason to use a different one to the morning I just got this one free and my Hyggee is running low. Pictured: G9Skin Milk In White Foam RRP £3.99

Step 3: Exfoliating. A gentle chemical exfoliator can be used every day to renew the skin. Gently wipe over face and neck with a cotton ball or pad in place of toner. Pictured: The Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution RRP £6.75

Step 4 & 5 (a+b): Essence, serum, and eye cream. As with the morning, apply essence to face and neck, and once absorbed proceed with seums and eye cream.

Step 6: Night cream. Heavier than the moisturiser applied in the morning, designed to absorb overnight. Pictured: Berrisom The Prestige Balancing Cream RRP £55

Step 7: Sleeping Pack. Even more intense than the night cream. Sleeping packs are mightily thick solutions that are almost mask-like, to keep your face fully hydrated overnight. Pictured: Missha Nearskin Egg White Pack RRP £11.99

Step 8: Balancing gel. This is the only time I’m going to make a specific product recommendation, if only because I know of nothing else like it. This balancing gel product forms a barrier over your skin, effectively “locking in” all the moisture you’ve already provided and allowing for better absorption. To apply, squeeze on to fingertips, press fingertips together, and press on to skin. Rubbing this product at all will not work. Especially recommended for winter, or dry climates. Pictured: Pyunkang Yul Balancing Gel RRP £27

Part 3: The full facial (Sundays)

Every Sunday I throw the normal morning routine out the window and perform a full thorough facial. This takes a long-ass time, but most of it is sitting around waiting so it’s a good excuse to lounge around watching cartoons in your PJs. If you have a problem with sebaceous filaments (that’s the shit on your nose that looks for all the world like blackheads but actually isn’t) this is good for reducing that. Also: do not do this for the first time right before a major event. Trust me on this one.

I forgot to include it in the picture, but cleanse before starting.

Step 1: Exfoliating Peel. A stronger chemical exfoliator than the one used daily. Always do a patch test when using a new product like this. Apply as directed and leave for 10 minutes before rinsing off and patting face dry. Pictured: The Ordinary AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution RRP £6.25 Step 2: Clay mask. After your skin has been peeeeeeeeeeeeeeled, it’s fully primed for a clay mask to bring out all the impurities in your skin. You know how I said “don’t do this right before a major event?” yeah. You’re probably going to have pimples tomorrow if this is your first time. Better out than in, eh? Apply an even layer to face and neck, avoiding the eye area, and leave for 15-20 mins. Rinse thoroughly and pat face dry. Pictured: Sun Privé Sun + Shine Skin Pink Clay Mask RRP £24.99

Step 3: Pore strip. With your pores thoroughly exfoliated and deep-cleaned, this is the best time to do a nose pore strip to remove blackheads. Pictured: Holika Holika Pig Nose Clear Blackhead 3-step Kit RRP £3.50

Step 4 (a+b): Sheet mask + hydrogel eye patch. Sheet masks you know about, but hydrogel eye patches are specifically shaped and designed to be applied to the under-eye area and provide some deep moisture to your delicate skin. Apply eye patches, and pop the sheet mask on top. Pictured: Petitfee Gold & Snail Hydrogel Eye Patch RRP £10.78 / Missha Pure Source Cell Sheet Mask RRP £1.50

#skincare

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cryptids-and-muses · 5 years

Text

I had a weird and/or awesome idea for a bat family story.

I don’t think I’m gonna actually write it but I felt like sharing the outline and ideas for the story. This is a mix of a few continuities because I do what I want, and have trouble keeping everything straight. Feel free to add stuff or make suggestions. Now strap in cause I have some thoughts.

So this guy in Gotham is experimenting with transdimensional technology. Oracle discovers what he’s doing and how dangerous it is so she sends the bat family after him. Nightwing, Red Hood, Spoiler, Red Robin, Black Bat, and Robin go after this guy but he sets off a machine and transports them to a different dimension. The main difference of this dimension is that the Graysons never died which set off quite the chain of events, but our heroes don’t know that yet. Cut to this universe’s Batman finding a gaggle of people ranging from early teens to their twenties dressed in weird costumes smoking in a crater. Not to mention a few of them have bats on their chest. This Batman never had a partner outside of Alfred so when they try to explain who they are it doesn’t go great because Batman can’t even imagine working with one kid let alone six. Then he starts to realize a few of these people seem familiar.

In this universe, Dick would have lived with his parents a bit longer but would have eventually been taken by the Court of Owls to become their Grey Son and new talon. Bruce recognizes him after a while because he’s fought him before. It takes a little because he acts drastically different from his unfeeling counterpart in this universe but Bruce probably figures it out after seeing him do some acrobatics, or hears one of the others call him ‘Grayson.’ The realization is pretty jarring for Bruce and it’s really unsettling to see the cold soulless assassin he knows so full of life. He doesn’t tell the bat family that he knows his universe’s Grayson, because that's totally something Batman would do and fun plot stuff later.

He doesn’t know who Jason is AT ALL. He still meets him the same way in this universe but doesn’t take him in. There’s no role of Robin to fill and he has no idea how to care for a child. Bruce does send him to the wayward school for boys but doesn’t really check up on him after that. The whole event becomes a sort of weird story like “remember that one kid who tried to steal tires off the batmobile?” What happens Jason afterward is harder to figure out. Maybe he became a low-level street criminal or a gang leader or ended up in jail. I can’t quite figure it out. What Batman does know is that the boy he meets is using the Joker’s old alias, carries a lot of guns, and looks like he won’t hesitate to use them. None of which is painting a very good picture. This could lead to a cool moment where Bruce, unaware of Jason’s Tragic Backstory™ and fragile truce with his family (Jason is gonna be a lot closer with his siblings in this au), yells at him for this and the others defend him.

Batman probably recognizes Spoiler first. Stephanie would have still gone after her father and created the spoiler persona, even without the inspiration of Robin. However, she wouldn’t have anyone to train her and Batman would be actively discouraging her from going out as Spoiler. That’s not going to stop Steph from being Spoiler but she probably doesn’t operate on a large scale like she does as part of the batfamily. Not only does she have to avoid villains in this universe but also Batman because he doesn’t think she should get involved in vigilante work and tries to stop her when he can. So he sees this version of Steph in a higher tech version of her Spoiler costume and is just so exhausted.

Tim still totally knows who Batman is in this universe. He may not have had Robin to compare to the Grayson’s acrobatics but he would have figured it out somehow. That's where a lot of the similarities end though. Tim would still live with his parents (who are alive) and never really get involved with Batman directly. He became a vigilante because Batman needed a Robin, but here the role of Robin never existed. Tim probably still takes pictures of Batman and that hero worship never really went away. He’s also still an amazing detective even without any formal training. Bruce knows of Tim but doesn't figure out how much he knows, or that Red Robin is an alternate version of him.

Bruce also doesn't know who Cassandra is because he never met her. Her origin stays pretty much the same except she never joins the batfamily. She’d just be out on the streets doing her own thing, on the run from David Cain.

Now with Damian, things get interesting. Another slight change I’d like to make to the universe the batfamily land in is that Damian never left the League of Assasins. Damian has met and fought Batman on a few occasions but Bruse doesn’t know that Damian is his son. Partly because Damian keeps part of his face covered so he can’t see the resemblance. When he meets Robin he has a feeling he’s familiar but can’t quite place it. He realizes this is Talia’s son a little after he recognizes Grayson. Then there's the really intense exchange of “You’re Damian Al Ghul” “No I’m Damian Wayne!” This is extremely shocking for Bruce because of the realization that he has a son. That son is in the League of Assassins! His mother is Talia al Ghul! He has met said son and didn’t even know it! It sets off all sorts of emotions.

As for the actual story, aside from just the general shenanigans of Bruce interacting with the children of his alternate self and trying to get them home, I was thinking that it would start with the alternate universe’s Tim. In this universe Tim is still a genius detective, he’s just not as good because he doesn’t have the training. So he would start poking around in Gotham and discover a huge conspiracy linked to the Court of Owls and decided to figure out just how powerful they are and how deep the conspiracy runs. Cause investigating an all-powerful organization completely on his own with no training is the type of stuff Tim does Batman or no Batman. He only recently discovered the court and is still investigating it when the batfamily show up so Batman isn’t aware Tim knows about the Court or that he’s been looking into them. The Court finds out about Tim’s investigation and send Talon to kill him. The bat family then have to protect this universe’s Tim from Talon, who is Dick. This causes a lot of angst, drama, and family bonding as the batfamily figure out how this universe is different from theirs. I’d love for the other members of the batfamily to get roped into the story somehow too but I’m not sure how. I feel like this story has a lot of potencail and couldn’t just leave it in my head.

Random Funny Stuff for this au

Dick named a lot of the equipment and stuff Batman uses so in this universe things would probably be named very differently.

Tim: We’ll need to use the bat computer.

Alt Bruce: The what computer?

Tim: You know? The large computer set up in the cave?

Alt Bruce: Yeah but you called it the bat computer.

Tim: Well what do you call it?

Alt Bruce: The computer.

Tim: …..that just feels wrong.

Damian: Yes I know this part of the cave. This is where we keep Batcow.

Alt Bruce: Where you keep what?!

Alt Barbra: My name is Detective Barbra Gordon. Give me one good reason I shouldn’t arrest you all right now.

Jason: Looks like Babs is a Badass in every universe.

Dick: Did you expect any less?

Jason: Honestly? No.

Alt Jim Gordon: *Sees the batfamily* Oh dear god they’re multiplying.

During the Talon fight

Talon: I am the Grey Son of Gotham.

Stephanie: Dick, sweetie, I know you like wordplay but this is low even for you. Get some better material.

Jason: Damn Goldie! When you go dark you don’t fuck around!

Tim: I thought if one of my siblings was going to kill me it’d be Robin. But not you Nightwing, never you.

Dick: I appreciate the attempt at humor but can we please focus.

Alt Bruce: I think my alternate self has a problem with adoption.

Jason: THAT'S WHAT WE KEEP SAYING!!!!

Alt Damian: I heard the bat was working with new warriors but looking at you now I doubt you are even worthy to die by my blade.

*Entire batfamily is silent for a moment before bursting into uncontrollable laughter*

Damian: Do I really sound like that?

Tim: He’s even worse than when the brat first showed up! I didn’t even think that was possible!

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heroes-writing · 5 years

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OH MY!! I've been waiting for so long to finally see you back! I was so sad when I followed you quite a while ago and saw that you were on hiatus... Your writing is so good and I must confess that digging through your blog all this time was a very good experience, I think I even made it to the very beginning ? You also made me discover a bunch of talented opm writers, so for all of the above... Thank you 🖤 What I'd like to request is: Genos reacting to reader's [1/2]

Thank you for the love!! And sorry for the wait on this, I just went off into the sunset with this prompt, so please forgive me if it’s not quite the tone you’re looking for lol. I had a few ideas and I wanted to try and make a realistic confession?? Ehh it was worth a try lol! Hope you enjoy! (Also under a readmore cuz I nearly hit 3k words oof)

Word Count: 2927

“COME SEE THE DEMON CYBORG DIE!! KYAHAHA!” The monster dripped with venom as it splayed its arms wide for the crowd to see.

You watch. Both numb and afraid, as it releases another cackle that steams in the air. In the next breathless moment, it raises a foot over Genos like a child about to stomp on a bug. The cries of panic from the crowd only seem to spur it on.

The cyborg in question raises a quivering hand to the sky. The center of his palm glowing and burning—but it flickers out like a candle as the monster stomps. The ground shakes, nearby buildings creak, your own jaw clenches hard enough to hurt.

…It was more than you could take, and you knew it was time to step in.

Sorry, Genos.

You tried to give him every opportunity you could. You hadn’t lifted a finger to help him just as he asked. …You had watched 20 grueling minutes of fighting as he wore himself down to bits and pieces.

All so he could learn to be stronger…

But I can stand this anymore!

As if waving a white flag or asking a question. You thrust your hand into the sky.

“Get away from him! Now!” Your shout is desperate, and in a swirl of vivid color, the entire spectrum of your magic explodes into existence.

Clouds, smoke, mist.

Refractive in the light, brilliant in the sun, your power consumed the monster whole. Not a peep escaped as you smothered its every sound and squashed it’s mass. The energy churned, wringing itself into a tight crooked line, till nothing but sparkling motes of dust remained.

You brought your fist close to your face as the colors blurred around your body, intimately connected to your emotions.

Worry, stress, love. It had you panting till the knuckles of your fist blanched and the ground beneath you shattered.

…The reality was that you were painfully close to tears.

Almost unable to contain your feelings, the threshold of your energy fought against its limits--

“(Name).” Called Genos.

Then his voice softened just for your ears, “…It’s alright.”

“I’m alright.”

…And just like that—

Your power dissolves into fluffy clouds and curls like harmless waves.

Your eyes blink away hot tears, and your shoulders fall into a deep slump.

He’s okay??

With one unsteady foot you take a step towards Genos, before you throw your entire body forward with your hands stretched out. Genos! Genos! Genos!

You nearly careen over the edge of the large crater in the street as you look down at the mess that is the S-Class hero.

No legs or left arm to speak of. You see him twist his head with great effort to meet your worried gaze. His eyes are blank, and electricity crackles from various places around his body—For your benefit only, he lifts his remaining hand and sways it from side to side in a half-hearted wave.

“Genos…” You pant, unsure of where to even start this time, but he turns to blink at the sky in a way that’s almost casual.

“Forgive me, I’ve been defeated again.” To your relief, his voice is the same as ever. His determined eyes glint dangerously even as he lays shattered.

“...Don’t worry about that.” You sigh, “Here, let me pick you up.”

With your magic blurring around the area, you searched the ground for pieces of your friend. Your crush.

…Every new iteration of Genos held his aura, both yellow and black in hue. You supposed it represented his optimism and his vengeance.

Nuts, bolts, metal: his life essence was imbued within—and no matter how briefly he used his body before it was destroyed, the energy always came back as vibrantly as ever.

Black and Yellow. Obsidian and Gold. Your favorite colors.

With a subtle pull from your will, the pieces of Genos in and around the crater begin to float in aimless spirals high into the air. The shopping bags you shared with the cyborg lay on the pavement somewhere behind you. Forgotten.

You slide down the cracked ground and are quick to brush his hair away from his eyes. The fabric of his hoodie is burnt beyond belief, but you see the healthy glow of his core just beneath it. Your hand splays over it to feel its warmth and you sigh in relief. He blinks at you, curious of your actions, but his usual gold pupils, his inner bios system, has not yet returned.

“I’m alright…” He repeats before his eyes flicker away. “Do you still know the way to Dr. Kuseno? Or shall I request a drone—”

You release an amused huff from your nose at his question, but are quick to pull your hand away.

“Can I ride on top this time?” You ask with a shake of your head. It clears the tears from your eyes in a way you hope is discreet.

“If you want to."

You peer at each other for a long moment, before he cracks a rare smile. It was something of an inside joke you shared, even after not knowing each other for long. It had been a few months since he had entered your life, and although it stressed you to imagine him leaving it. It spurned you more to realize that your romantic feelings were starting to leach into your usual interactions…

After all, if he wasn’t receptive, would you be the one to cause him to leave?

Genos was handsome, charming, and it’s all too easy to give him a smile in return, even if it flickers away too soon in a way that he notices... Just like how it was all too easy to fall in love with him. When you finally reply, your response is a little delayed.

“Maybe not today--and I know the way. I got you Genos.” With a little boost from your powers, you lift him up into your arms with little effort.

Caught in something like a bridal carry his head falls back against your shoulder with a large creak, and you frown in surprised concern. “You okay??”

He’s staring at you, with furrowed brows. “Yes…My apologies.” He lifts his head with shudders of effort shaking him hard.

“Don’t be sorry!” And before you could stop yourself, you press his face back down with all the tenderness you have in you. Your hand lingers on his cheek, before slipping slowly away.

There was no natural warmth to the hard silicone of his face, or in his hair that smelled like ozone—Instead there was a raw heat that was feverish to the touch.

It was so intrinsically, Genos, that you can barely stand the intimacy even if it soothed you just as much.

“Just—stay.” You whisper, “Don’t break anything else…” You can’t see his expression as you lift your chin again, but you’re not sure if you want to as your face burns with embarrassment.

“…(Name), I apologize if the fight was too…one-sided to watch.”

You simply tut in response.

Your arms hold him just a little tighter as you make your way out of the crater. The crowd flutters around, whispering and taking pictures. That was no surprise at all, but you’re quick to escape it as you jump high into the air to a nearby rooftop. The various parts of Genos swirl to follow you like dragon tail in the wind.

“That monster made me mad is all…” You finally say, pretending to be unaffected, but you frown at his patient and analytic blink.

“Is that why your magic has changed? It’s different even now.” As if making a point his eyes flicker over your face and neck. Your whole body is dusted in your energy, in your colors.

Before taking your next leap off the windy rooftop, you pause. Your breath caught in your throat, you stammer, “…W-what?”

“--I understand the hues of your magic are affected by your emotions. What else were you feeling this time?” His words are serious as always, but something is almost reserved and cautious about his question—

“I’m asking, because it made you stronger, (Name)...”

All the words you want to say bubble up towards the back of your throat: I was feeling love? Because I care about you. I like you. I’ve liked you from the start--

Your self-consciousness, however, makes every letter translate and distort into something slightly different.

“I hate to see you get hurt...” You press your lips into a thin line, “I want to protect you. I needed to protect you back there.”

His silence is ominous before his voice releases a burst of static. “I-I am fortunate to have a friend like you who is so strong...”

Genos continues, as thoughtful as ever, “I’ve never seen your magic react like that before. Were you truly that angry?”

He tried to raise his head again, “For my sake?”

Your expression fell.

“Yeah… Of course, I was.” You doubted your voice could put anymore emphasis into your words. They felt heavy and weighed down like iron shackles.

“Of course…” he trailed—his expression for a moment utterly unreadable.

“…(Name), are things alright between us?”

Your stomach hurts, your eyes feel watery. They trail over the dizzying heights before you as the wind howls in your ears. It was a proverbial plunge, you supposed. Because something inside you was tired and resolute at the sight.

“…When you get repaired, I’ll explain everything.” You promise gently, although you know it sound dismal. You try to soften your expression for his sake, before you make your daring leap.

Even with your brief friendship with Genos, your acquaintanceship with Dr. Kuseno was perhaps verging on overly familiar... The man wasn’t nosey per se, but he could read you AND Genos like a damn book.

“He has expressed that you’ve been distant lately…” He says in hushed tones, even as the hydraulic system and machines in the next room whir away loudly. They are strong enough to shake the observatory deck, and don’t really offer Genos a chance to hear the conversation, but just like the cyborg, the man is meticulously careful.

From the protective window, you can see Genos getting his tune up. His eyes are closed as if sleeping while a circular system of machines rotated around him. His upgrades were being attached, and you were sure an endless number of diagnostics were running at full throttle.

You had one leg over the other and your arms crossed if only to hide your constant fidgeting.

You meet Dr. Kuseno’s gaze briefly, before glancing down again.

“I’m going to confess, once he gets finished up...”

Like any guardian or father figure, the doctor’s face lights up in excitement.

“That’s wonderful!”

“I guess…” The anxiety certainly doesn’t feel wonderful.

The older man meerly hums and glances up at you, over his glasses.

“I wouldn’t fear losing him, (Name). These things are natural, and goodness knows Genos needs normalcy in his life. A relationship would do him good!”

“I just—” You rub at the back of your neck, “I don’t want him to think I’m just some fan—” You mutter.

Dr. Kuseno is quick to shake his head with a wry smile, “Nonsense. He speaks of you often, just as much as his Saitama-sensei. He must appreciate your presence quite a bit.”

The words do little to ease you, but you’ve resigned yourself to your fate. With a small push you incline your head politely to the doctor.

“Can you tell him I’ll be outside?”

“Certainly.”

And before you fully leave through the automatic doors the doctor gives you an earnest thumbs up.

“Good luck out there, (Name)! I’ll be rooting for you!”

It’s not long before Genos joins you.

You could do this. You NEED to do this!

Just as your hands begin to wring together in front of you, the front entrance whirs open.

Genos fully reformed with dark metal arms and black jeans steps out. He nods his head at you and closes his flip phone with a decisive snap. You wonder idly if the hero association was calling him for another emergency, and worry streaks through your lower stomach like a hot knife…

You let him approach as you duck a little into your shoulders.

“For once I requested my previous model. Dr. Kuseno said my upgrades would take more time, and I did not wish to keep you waiting.”

The pretty gold irises of his eyes are back and staring at you with extreme focus. And you settle on facing him almost chest to chest with your hands behind your back. It makes his gaze flicker just a bit, to see you suddenly stand so close and with such a solemn expression on your face.

“You didn’t have to do that, but thanks…” You say as your heart rate spikes.

He blinks, “What were you going to explain to me?”

Your lips purse for a moment. You take a deep breath…

“The changes in my power today? I kind of let them get out of control...?”

He nods once, “Yes…” His voice sounds uncertain. He opens his mouth for a moment, before closing it again.

He holds up a hand, “Actually…I think I must apologize, (Name). Before you begin…” He straightens before you with his hands by his sides like a soldier, “I feel as if I’ve made a misstep somehow, there has been a—” His brows pinch together, “A distance between us, and I would like to know if is there anything that I can do to resolve it!” His gaze aims to the ground, and you raise your hands to wave them in dismissal.

“No no! I’ve been trying to figure out my feelings…”

Your eyes close as your mouth forms the words and sets them free… “--My feelings for you.”

Your cheeks begin to burn as you open your eyes again to meet Genos surprised gaze.

“I-I was really…impacted today because I care about you. You weren’t wrong in my magic showing you that.” You raised a hand to press against your pounding heart, “I hate seeing you get hurt, as a friend and—and as someone who loves you!”

Your head bows, “I hope you understand! And I-I hope you know I would like to stay as your friend, even if you—”

You gulp.

“If you don’t feel the same. I just—I can’t try and hide it anymore...”

…

His ensuing silence does not breed confidence, but—you sigh in utter relief.

A backbreaking weight slips off your shoulders even if your hands shake and your magic feels like bursting again.

You trail with your voice much more subdued, “I’m sorry if I’ve made you worry I—”

“I understand.” Says Genos with a hint of a smile on his face.

Your eyes snap up, and in an unnerving manner Genos was almost frozen in place.

He had the propensity to not move much sometimes…Subtle conversational ticks were sometimes erased by his stiff machinery, and right now his forward lean over you had you almost leaning away. Almost.

You’re inches apart, and he takes one step closer. “I understand, and I return your feelings!”

Now you really feel like you’re about to fall backwards, “Y-You do?”

You tried to scan your brain for any signs, or hints of his feelings—And feel the guilty feeling of doubt bloom in your stomach. The indecision must show on your face because it’s as if a part of Genos doesn’t know how to proceed. His lips grimace, and the heat radiating from his chest intensifies.

“Yes. I’m sorry for...not knowing how to tell you. I am not used to these emotions, and I could see you retreating these past few weeks—”

His face looks away for a moment before pinning you down with a determined stare, “I did not want to push you away any further.”

“…Spending time with you and not letting anything ruin your smile—those are just a few reasons why I fight now.”

One of his hands tentatively reaches for your own, as if he might scare you away even now. The metal is warm as his fingers barely skim your own, before slipping firmly into your palm. You squeeze it back as your other hand searches blindly for his. Your hand finds his forearm and slides all the way down to his wrist as your expression melts.

Genos’ blonde hair barely tickles your forehead as his voice murmurs, “(Name), I want to protect you too, I wish to become a hero you can always rely on, so you don’t have to fight…”

He guides your hand to lay on the core of his chest. Then his fingers trail a feather light line down your cheek so tenderly you can’t help but lean into him.

“I’ll always be here for you, Genos. If you let me…I’ll gladly fight by your side, please know that.” Curling your body into a curve that perfectly complements his form, his face transforms into a mask of serene relief. You can’t help but feel normal again. Your feelings for Genos strengthen just a little more, as joy floods into your smile.

His arms curl around you suddenly, pulling you into a warm and thrumming embrace that feels perfect.

You barely realize your magic ebbing around you in a protective cocoon. The vibrant colors of happiness, comfort, and love shimmer as Genos plants a kiss on your cheek.

#genos #opm #one punch man #opmscenario #opm scenario #scenario #MAN THIS TOOK A WHILE KJSBCKJSBLSC #I'm not quite satisfied but I need to let it go now #BE FREE #kumiha

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danddymaro · 5 years

Text

Broken Promises | Steve Rogers x Reader

Summary: Set after Infinity war, of course. So basically the reader is one of the unfortunate ones to be taken out after the snap. Steve doesn’t know what to do anymore, he doesn't know where to even start and it’s hitting him hard. Of course, he will reminisce.

This will alternate between flashbacks and present time. Flashbacks will be in italics, and the rest will be the normal stuff.

Thoughts: ’ Sample.’

Flashbacks: Sample

Broken Promises

Each and every corner of the building was haunted with former sounds of laughter, echoes of past conversations, and unity.

All without knowing it, they had marked every part of the place in which they had once called home, leaving bits and pieces of themselves to recollect of later. He could even hear his own voice, former conversations he remembers having, ones that had been so frivolous he never thought to revisit them again and had gone so far as to have forgotten what brought them forth.

A genuine smile tinged with a lingering sadness lightly tugged at his face as a show of the bittersweet feeling that had nested over him as he recalled such gleeful moments in such a grievous time.

Hidden within the mix of old babble was a voice,

one so hauntingly beautiful and familiar that once he had recognized it, he immediately shifted all of his focus onto it, leaving everything else forgotten.

It then rang louder, crying out for his attention, wanting to be the only thing he could think of, until the other sounds, both from his time and the resurfacing past alike, gradually grew quieter, leaving only hers to take the spotlight.

She called out to him with stifled giggles, like a child in play, wanting to be followed and found in a game of Innocent hide and seek. And during then, he could just imagine the impish, little look she wore, adorable in every sense of the word, because to him, there wasn't another sight that could compare to her expressive joys.

Aimlessly walking forward, and blindly stepping towards wherever she guided him, he stopped right where she sounded the closest. Having been snared by her calls, which in truth were only a play of his own mind, he was lead to the one place that had been the most tainted by her presence.

At the end of his journey, he found himself with a familiar wooden door, one he’d cross through many times before.

Blankly, he stared at it before silently lifting his hand to touch the only thing blocking him from his true destination.

In truth, he had wanted to avoid the haunted area the most and had decided beforehand to save himself the heartache, because there was nothing new to discover. All in all, there was nothing held within the four walls that would serve any purpose but make him reminisce.

And he didn’t need to walk backward and fall into the past, instead, he needed to find a gateway forward, and much more, something to bring back everything that had been taken.

With weary, dulled eyes he continued to glare at the door, his hand still laying over the wooden piece, hesitating to take the final step forward.

‘ There’s nothing for me here.’ he argued to himself, yet slowly gliding his hand down to the stainless steel door handle.

“- And yet here I am,” he muttered, inhaling deeply through his nostrils, before making his final decision, and with a single movement, he pulled the handle down and pushed forward.

A very small, illusive part of him wanted to believe that everything before then had just been a nightmare, a vivid dream filled with all of his fears, and that just beyond that door she remained untroubled, her finger lazily skipping over various channels to find something good enough to pay attention to.

But all the wishful thinking in the world couldn't overrule reality, and as he walked into the empty room, he felt cold chills crawl over his entire body, riddling the skin over his arms with little risen bumps.

He felt an icy envelopment coddle him near, that being the only form of welcome that he’d been greeted with upon entering the large building.

A desolate silence left the room with only the echoes of his movements, once again reminding him of the emptiness not just at his side, but also of the one cratered within his chest. Slowly, his eyes skimmed over the vacant living space, finding it being left just as he remembered it with not a single piece tampered with.

Then, another sweet feeling that was melded with upset caused his heart to ache as he found himself with even more recollection of the past.

There were familiar faces, all printed out and placed carefully over the dresser mirror, many of them having her copied onto them, and it was then that he took notice of how many different ways she could show off a smile.

He became stunned at how incredibly unique and unrepetitive they had all been.

With both his index and thumb, he carefully pulled at one of the images, tugging it from its corner and setting it free from its display,

“Anything you want,” he offered her. “You name it and it’s yours,” he added. “ It’s your special day after all,” he said smiling, jabbing the pointed party hat with his index.

Pouting, she fixed the colorful prop straight, giving him a halfhearted glare for messing with it.

“So what’s your wish doll?” he asked her, watching her face become serious with contemplation as she considered his offer,

“Anything I want you say...” she muttered, nibbling on her thumb’s nail. “ I can’t really think of a-” stopping right in between her sentence, she snapped her right hand’s fingers together as her face brightened up,

“of course!” she said smiling, using her left hand’s palm to lightly bump over her forehead.

“Steve,” she started, “Do you know that we’ve never taken a picture together?” she asked him, shaking her head at the fact.

“I have one with everyone, all except you,” she informed him, bringing out her phone from her back pocket. “Heck, I even got Fury to agree to one,” she said while giggling.

“That’s just not right,” she muttered.

“You’re lying!” he said chuckling. “Fury? What? did he smile too? “ he asked with doubt. “As a matter a fact he did!” she said smugly. “...even put up a little peace sign,” she added demonstrating the pose in a dramatized manner, making him snicker.

“I still don't believe you,” he said, crossing his arms. “ That’s up to you,” she said shrugging, “ and here I was, ready to show you,” she said with a little, false sigh of disappointment.

For a fraction of a second, he peered down at her, squinting his eyes close, looking for any sort of show of a fib, finding nothing. Immediately after, his entire expression changed and his eyes shined brightly.

His hands clasped together, “You have to show me,” he begged.

Looking over at his boyish expression she agreed, nodding enthusiastically.” Ok!Ok!” she cried out. “But first, a picture!” she declared, bumping into him, lifting up her phone as far as her arm extended.

“I’ll hang this up with the others,” she said softly, speaking more to herself, lightly peeking the tip of her tongue out as she struggled to stretch out, finding the task difficult.

“Here, let me...” he offered her, taking the cell from her hold, his other arm pulling her close,

“Ready?” he said, pulling up a smile for a good shot.

“Are you sure you can work that device?” she teased him.

“Shut up, “ he said huffing.

“It’s just a button,” he responded. “see?” he said waving the screen in her face. “see? you see?” he badgered her, making her laugh stupidly, pushing his cheek away with her hand.

“You’re so annoying!” She responded, continuing to smile.

With the same carefulness used to pull out the image, he placed it back, sliding it to be partially hidden behind another photo that held it in place, it being the same one she had bragged about so proudly that night.

With one last, minute long glance at the display, he sighed, making his way over to her mattress.

At first, his fingers ghosted over the heap of covers bundled over the queen-sized bed, gradually inching them closer to touch the soft material with a shaky hand.

The undid bed remained as she had left it before, when she had left two years ago as she followed him in suit.

In fact, nothing was touched and everything was still as it had been, almost like the fallout had never occurred and the days had progressed like any other.

Although it was heartwarming, it was also sorrowful.

“Stark didn't touch anything…” he murmured, having noted that the space he was given wasn’t tampered with either,

“He left it all just like it had been.” He said softly, a tight smile forcibly forming over his tired face.

“I guess I would have done the same, “ he muttered, “ Regardless of everything, he did care,” he noted.

“He still cares.” He added, thinking of the dark-haired man, knowing that he still had to be hurting.

“As annoying as you could be, I did miss you during this time,” he admitted.

“She ...She missed you too...a lot,” He added.

There wasn’t a question to it, (f/n) loved Tony Stark as though between there was the same blood coursing through their veins, and he knew she had been torn at the idea of having to leave without a say, leaving with their last encounter being on opposing sides.

Afterward, she opted to the only thing she could do while at a distance.

Wherever his name had been printed or mentioned, she was sure to be attentive, hoping it was always good news.

He recalls one particular evening where she had practically bounced off her seat, squealing with joy when it was announced that he was finally engaged to Pepper Potts.

She listened on to the details with a plastered grin and in a giddy fashion, and It seemed like she could go on for days with the same joyful grin, animatedly explaining to him just how many times they had sat down and thought of different ideas to pop the question.

“He’s carried it around for a good while now!” she said chuckling. “Happy and I alternated in between who held it for him, actually.

I’m just happy he finally gave it to her,” she admitted, her elated smile dying down slowly. “...Ah...I wish I could be there,” she confessed, almost instantly looking away from him to hide the obvious pain settled over her. She then forced out a chuckle, still keeping herself hidden from him to not show her pathetic state.

His immediate response was to move closer to her, ready to bring her close when she abruptly stood, “I’m sorry,” she said lowly, excusing herself before she made an escape, one that had been thwarted by his quick response.

Her (e/c) eyes, both glossy and dim, were wide as she whipped around to face him, stunned as he held her back. His hand had captured her wrist before he pulled her close, his arms soon holding her near.

A hand held the back of her head to bring her in, resulting in having her cheek pressed against his chest, comforting her.

He wanted to make her happy, but there wasn't anything he could say that would fix everything.

He knew that even if he were to coax a smile out of her, it would be temporary, nothing more than a short-lived relief.

“You don’t have to say anything,” he told her, and with a small nod she agreed, wholeheartedly grateful she had him to care for her.

He inclined his head down to her, nose hovering over the top of her head, letting him intake a sweet scent.

Tenderly, his lips pressed over her head, thus, wordlessly showing her his love, the rest of the night being spent holding her.

It had been the first night they’d spent together, no words in exchange, only small intimate touches unhindered by any form of lust or lecherous, ulterior motive.

“I don’t think I've ever seen her so happy,” he said softly, sitting down on the mattress, “ And then... it’s like someone sucked it all out of her,” he added. Reaching out, he took hold of one of the pillows that had been covered in a decorative sham. He held it within his arms, crossing them over it and pressing It to his chest until it was near flattened. With his nose burrowing onto it, he closed his eyes tightly, taking in a long inhale, thinking back to that night where he had her so close.

“It still smells just like you…” he said shakily, a dry chuckle leaving him as he could still smell the unmistakable scent she carried along with her everywhere she went.

It was the same scent he’d breath in when he’d hold her close, something he regretted not doing more often,

“Everything here still has your touch,” he said tightening his hold, tilting his head back to look up at the ceiling, staring at the same roof she did every night before she’d fall asleep.

“- It’s just missing you,” he added.

He sat beneath the same ceiling she did in the past, and he came to wonder just what she thought of when her sleep was delayed.

He wondered how long she gazed up at it until she finally found rest,

“I’m trying...” he murmured, “I’m... I’m trying so hard,” he added, shoulders beginning to shake as he hacked out the words. “I really am trying to do this,” he started, “But I don’t even know where to begin,” he admitted, hanging his head as he let the headrest fall from his hold.

It fell to the ground, but rather than reach out for it, his hands flew out to tug at his grown out strands of dark blond.

His two rows of teeth clamped firmly together and a low hiss left him as he tried to hold back the anguished cry that knotted his throat.

He wanted to roar out a cry that would leave his throat raw, one that would reach her whenever she’d gone, even if it was entire planets away.

He desperately wanted to let others believe that he had it in him to strive forward, proving that he wasn't weak and could fix everything, because he knew that his shoulders were strong enough to bear the weight of the world.

He had been entrusted with the power to do so, in order to spare the innocent, but it was getting harder to do so as his once innocent soul, filled with youthful hope had become worn and broken down, chipped piece by piece.

“I - I just really need you to tell me where to begin (f/n),” he stammered, inhaling a long breath through his mouth, choking immediately afterward.

His hands traveled down to his tightened chest as he hunched over with sobs.

“You may not think you need anyone to watch your back, “ He started, “ But even the strongest people need someone to save their neck” he insisted.

“ Even you?” she said softly, inclining her head back to stare at him in search of truth, “I find it hard to believe someone like you needs anyone,” she commented.

“I mean, Does Steve Rogers even bleed?” she joked.

Smiling graciously, he gave her a single nod,

“I didn’t make it here on my own,” he answered her, “and I don’t mean just the serum,” he added. “A lot of people have pushed me forward, been my guides, my reasons to keep coming back,” he continued on, voice lowering slightly as he said the last part.

“So, how about this,” he said smiling down at her, “ You’ve got mine, and I’ve got yours, Fair deal?” he said holding out his hand to her. “We’re going to be partners in this. We’re a team after all, but this will be just between us,” he said in a hushed voice.

“so what do you say?” he asked her.

“Just you and me?” she asked him with bright eyes, a large smile illuminating her face.

Nodding, he assured her. “ I won’t let anything happen to you,” he said with a nod, “ You can trust me,” He added.

She shook her head, “ I never thought I’d get such an opportunity... To be a part of a team, to be loved...” she continued on.

Slowly, she lifted up her right pinkie, pressing it close to her chest before raising it up over to her lips, pressing it to them with a less eccentric, and more placid smile. For just a moment, she closed her eyes, giving the small finger a gentle kiss.

“I will trust you, Steve Rogers, “ she said softly, her lips still pressed to the small finger. Afterward, she extended it out to him, a bashful little chuckle coming out of her as she did so, “ You may think it’s silly,” she began, “ But I take a pinkie promise seriously,” she added. “Somehow, promises mean more this way.” she explained.

“I guess I never really grew out of it,” she admitted.

“I don’t think it’s silly,” he said with a shake of his head, linking his own pinkie with hers, stepping closer to her in the process.

Every inch of his body felt touched by a fuzzy warmth, and smiling through it, he continued to stare at the beauty.

“I’m warning you, I take a promise to heart,” She cautioned him.

“- I do too,” he responded back. “And I mean it, I won’t let anything happen to you,” he swore.

“ (f/n) (l/n), I swear this to you,” he said with certainty.

When his eyes opened up, he noticed that his clothes were riddled with dirt, and the taste of liquid metal danced in his mouth.

He was alone, with not another soul in sight for miles, or so he had believed.

He had thought to have found himself in a lonesome field, but soon found out how wrong he had been as the wind rustled the grass, dirt rising from the ground in a small spin.

And before his very eyes, he could see her manifest, every detail about her being perfectly formed. With a harbored breath he looked away from her, his eyebrows creasing, eyes glaring at the ground in confusion.

His sweet, doll-faced (f/n) was there, no longer haunting him with just a voice, but having led him to where she was, back in the place she had disappeared from.

Back to the place he had lost it all...

“You lied to me,” she murmured, all the while her (e/c) eyes stared at him impassively, looking right towards his wavering ones.

They seemed darkened and hollow, making her look like just a husk of the woman he had come to know.

“And you can’t even look at me?” she asked him with the same haunting and inexpressive glare. she stepped forward, stopping just a couple of feet before him, keeping herself from his reach.

She was just a few inches past arm’s length from him, and even so managed to make his insides bubble, until he felt a scathing burn from within his stomach. Momentarily, her eyes strayed from him, trailing down to the space between them.

“ I guess not right ?” she asked him, A ghost of a smile barely present, residing over her dismal expression as she strayed her attention from him.

“Of course, How would I expect you to?” she asked him with a small tisk.

“...You had told me that you’d always keep me safe, that you’d hold true to your word,” she continued, shutting her eyes slowly, bringing her hands up to her forearms, rubbing them to warm them with her palms.

“And I believed you...I really did,” she said lowly, her voice breaking.

“How could I not? “ she asked him.

“How could I not do what you said? How could I not believe you?”

He watched her dig her fingers into her arms, brutishly gripping herself.

“ You dragged me out with you...” she heaved, “ You dragged me out into my own grave!” she added accusingly, hand flying right towards her chest to clutch at her heart while she spat out the words with vice.

Her nails raked at her torso as the throbbing ache grew, “You looked at me in the face ...

Swearing to me...

Promising so much,” she breathed, stumbling back, soon drawing away from him.

“Steve...” she said softly, “ Why did you let me go?” she asked him, cocking her head to the side slightly, her body moving in a sluggish state, almost lifelessly. ” why did you let this happen to me?” she asked him, tears bubbling in her eyes, the moisture seconds away from falling.

“Didn’t I matter to you?” she uttered.

He stared down at his hands, once again remembering the way the remains of her existence had disintegrated in his own hold and he drifted back to the moment she had literally slipped through his fingers,

Warriors who had been fearless, who had been a unit of undeniable force and power crumbled as before them, not only their brethren vanished, but their king as well, faded along with them.

Gods who had once been mighty entities were stripped of their glory, the brightness of their once everlasting grace and prestige overshadowed by he, who desired their place as praised deities.

A wicked act, justified by self-proclaimed righteousness damned all.

There wasn't one who was safe from the aftermath as those left behind wouldn’t dare consider themselves fortunate, and he could attest to that himself.

She walked towards him with tears bubbling the rims of her eyes, “ what's happening?” she said shakenly, hoping he would know why her chest felt so constricted.

Why was she afraid so suddenly?

She’d never felt that way, and she wasn’t even sure she had a name for the foreign feeling.

She gazed at him with high hopes, despite the wavering in her heart, because she was sure that somehow, he could save her.

If she could just reach him, he’d make it all go away.

So, she held her true face before him, the one written over with anxiousness and grief, this time around not wasting time pulling up a brave façade.

Stumbling forward, she outstretched her hand to reach him faster as she felt her legs begin to give out.

She then discovered that she wasn’t the only one in pursuit of him, because just inches before her was the long-haired brunette’s back.

“Steve?” She heard him say, confusion in his voice before he vanished, simply disappearing before her in what seemed like soot.

She then stopped breathing, the air she had collected suddenly locked inside her chest, causing her to make a strangled noise as she nearly choked.

Briskly, Steve's blue eyes flew from where Bucky had stood, soon, laying over the approaching female instead.

At first, he stayed motionless, staring at her wide-eyed, just as afraid as she was for what followed, but he soon pushed past it, forcing himself to move, running towards her and swooping her in his hold. His large arms desperately wrapped themselves around her frail body, trying to find a way to hold her together, already knowing what was to come.

He could feel her shake, as well as her loss and fear, like they were one body.

Her lips had become painfully dry and chapped, a thin line of moisture mashed them together as they remained closed, the words she wanted to speak remaining balled up and jumbled in her throat.

Forcibly, her lips parted, peeling themselves from each other.

Gaping for just a few moments she felt like a fish out of water, but she wanted to say something, more precisely, say everything she needed, because it felt like it was the last time she could utter those important words she'd kept locked in her chest.

“I….Steve...I ...”

He could hear her begin to struggle out the words, unfinished as she faded away, slipping from his grasp, leaving him shaking with icy chills.

The still sound of Mother nature’s somber lament as she mourned for her creatures lay in the background just as the chilling echoes of unanswered calls resonated all throughout.

The seeds of woe had been planted within racing hearts, rendering them motionless as they were captured by iron grips from their roots, and he was no exception.

.There were so many voices, so many calls that they all melted together, but It all became mute to his ears, and there was only ringing, an echoing ringing bounding throughout his ears like a heart monitor gone dead.

Stilly, he fell to his knees, heavy pants coming from him as he hunched over and stared at the dirt ground.

Yet again, he found himself falling to his knees, no longer feeling the event as a memory, or some sort of mirage. Instead, it was like he was transported back in time, living through the dreadful moment once again.

Again, he was defeated and crumbled down, “Please don’t say that,” He said softly, curling his fingers towards his palms, continuing to glare at them as they visibly trembled. “(F/n),” he said softly, continuing on with a tight wound sentiment in his burning chest.

Her words felt like daggers, slowly dragging over his already wounded heart, nearly digging deep for a finishing blow.

He heard the sound of other steps, heavier ones than hers walk forth, halting right at her side and also staying the same agonizing distance from him,“ You know...You said you'd save me too.” The somber man said lowly, glaring his stony eyes down at the fallen Avenger.

“ You promised me that you'd never let anything else happen to me again,” He added and slowly, Steve trailed his blue eyes up to the man, a bitter taste in his mouth as he stared at his best friend.

“You said things would change for me, and I actually believed it,” Bucky admitted.

“For a second there, I really, truly, believed I had a chance,” he said with a dry chuckle.

Looking to his side, the brunette then placed a hand to the woman's shoulder, “You get used to it,” he said to her, gently smiling with sympathy, a knowing look to his eyes as he offered her his condolences.

“I should know...I did,” he added, taking a glance at the new artificial arm attached to him.

He then formed a tight smile, “ Yeah, you get used to it,” He repeated breathlessly.

“Eventually, it all stops hurting.”

With a drawn-out exhale from her nostrils, (f/n) nodded in agreement, using the back of her hands to draw the wetness from her face, pushing them off to the side.

“I think it’s time to go,” she said with a light, little voice.

Letting his grip fall, Bucky turned, having her mimic his movements as they furthered themselves from the blonde, completely forgetting him.

“ No...” Steve rasped, banging both his fists down, raising his head up and glaring at their retreating forms.

While on his knees, still having warm rivers of desolation drip down his face, he shook his head.

He felt a burning fire liquidized and coursing through his veins, pumping wildly as his heart ran with new energy.

He then stepped towards them, grabbing both their wrists simultaneously, and with (f/n)’s right in his restraint, and Bucky’s left captured as well, held them back.

“There's got to be something I can do,” he said hastily, refusing to have them leave him behind.

He suddenly felt a hand touch his shoulder, making him turn his neck to his side to see another familiar face looking back at him.

Giving him a firm squeeze, Sam smiled halfheartedly at first, shaking his head slowly, “I don’t think so Cap,” he said with an obvious show of sympathy directed at him.

“I don’t think this is something you can fix,” he added.

“-But it’s alright,” he assured him, seemingly holding no resentment.

"Sam..." Steve breathed, hoping to say more before the chocolate-eyed man spoke again,

“On your left soldier,” Sam teased with a growing grin, having heard the words himself so much, he hadn’t figured he’d ever get the chance to utter them.

“This time I finished before you,” Sam said chuckling. "It's not my proudest win, but I'll take it," he added.

Steve’s grip then died out, and he moved in a mechanical manner, letting Sam walk past him to join the other two.

Sam pushed Bucky, bumping his shoulder with him, laughing, and all the while, (f/n) fell back, walking in her own slower pace, stopping to take a short glance back at her leader.

Then, wordlessly, she continued her walk, trailing behind the two men ahead of her.

Steve’s eyes shut momentarily, feeling time slow down in an agonizingly lagged fashion before A bright, white light blinded him.

With a tight blink, he grimaced, his hands flying to press over his burning eyes. Black splotches covered his vision before they faded to reveal (f/n)’s simple room’s ceiling.

“- I knew I'd find you here,” Said Another recognizable voice, a notable exasperation in her tone, “ I thought we agreed this area was off limits for you,” she continued on, softening up just a bit as she got a good look of his disheveled appearance.

‘It was just a dream,’ Steve thought to himself, having found himself back in (f/n)’s room.

Still in a haze and slowly lifting his upper half to sit up he sighed, using his left hand to wipe his face roughly, “I know,” he groaned out, running his hand through his hair to push it back from his face.

“I just... I just wanted to...well...” he struggled, and understanding already, Nat nodded. “I get it,” she sympathized, leaving the doorway and walking over to him, her eyes skimming over the room slowly.

A small huff of breath left her as she shook her head with a placid smile, “ I found myself through the halls, and For just a second, I could smell soft baked cookies, “ she said softly.

“Maple sugar cookies,” she clarified. “And it's like I could taste them too, “ she continued on, her lips pressing over each other, a hint of sweetness lingering over her tongue.

“...You know, after I tried hers I couldn’t swallow down the store bought ones,” she confessed, making him nod.

“I mean to say, it can’t be helped,” she told him, “She got to me too, this place, our home. It just hits you.”

“ But you and I both know that feeling bad about it won’t do anything to bring them back,” she reminded him.

“We'll find that bastard, “ she muttered, “and whatever it takes, we’ll get it out of him, but not sitting in here,” she assured him, taking a once over at the room, her green eyes falling over the same pictures he had been observing too.

“ We're all meeting up, and we’re missing our leader,” she told him softly, nudging her head to direct him towards the open door. " So come on," she encouraged him,

“ They’re waiting for us,” she added, her eyes still locked on the smiling faces.

“You’re right,” the man responded, nodding with a twitch to the left corner of his mouth, only 1/4 of his true smile.

It was time for him to get up, pick up the pieces of himself and once again set out into a new fight.

He knew that right at the end of the long road ahead, she’d wait for him, as would Sam, and Bucky too.

- Everyone else would also be waiting to be found.

He’d pull through, fighting right down to the last breath, until the final moment he knew they’d be back home.

‘ I’ll keep my promises to you both...and I’m sorry to tell you this Sam, but I’ll have to take back your win,’ He thought to himself as he walked along the halls, his shoulders squared, hands ready to tear down whatever walls came in his path.

As a note: To explain the whole sense of dread she had, its a sixth sense. She’s got some psychic abilities. You can be creative about that since it doesn't play too much here.

Also , This, of course, isn’t the actual Bucky or Sam, or reader for that matter. It’s all a dream of Steve’s, all made up of his guilt. I’d feel he feels guiltier about both the reader and Bucky because, well, it's Bucky.

The man loves him, he’s done so much to try and save him and has taken it upon himself to be the one to look out for him. Losing him is hard, especially when he just got him back. Moreover, he feels like he’s failed him one too many times. For (f/n), it's more or less the same, he vowed to keep her safe. Not just as a man in love, but a friend. So on and So forth.

Anyways if you’ve made it this far and haven't gotten bored in this fic, I thank you so much.

33 notes · View notes

pinkhairandadverbs · 5 years

Text

EBAS Episode 1: The War Against Giygas

1 EXT. GAS STATION - TWILIGHT

All we see is crimson static. After some time a still image of a gas station materializes. It appears hurriedly abandoned judging by the broken windows, open doors, and merchandise littering the ground.

Behind the pump is a street lined by several buildings in a similar state to the gas station. Flying saucers hover ominously in the sky, frozen in place. The static abides completely as we PULL OUT SLOWLY.

The first thing that becomes clear is that this is only a poster. A caption above and below the picture reads "IT IS EARTHBOUND / THE WAR AGAINST GIYGAS!" PULLING OUT FURTHER, we see it's on the wall of the very same

gas station. A loose corner of a poster bends in the hollow wind.

We hear it before we see it: a small lightning strike, startlingly close, sends shards of pavement and dust across the crimson skies.

In a moment we see the whole street. The saucers, now alive, zip across the deep red horizon in zigzagging patterns. They shoot bolts of lightning to the ground, upheaving asphalt and exploding empty cars.

Wind blows off the poster and carries it across the frame.

Static again. We hear the distant voice of an adolescent girl.

VOICE Hello. Can anyone hear me?

Through the static we see the scene again. A fire has erupted on one of the cars. A speck in the sky seems to be growing. Before long it's evidently a glowing meteor streaking across the sky, directly towards the scene!

VOICE I'm not sure if this is working. If anyone can hear me, please-

The meteor's glow engulfs the scene and the voice is halted by a loud CRASH.

2 INT. NESS'S BEDROOM - NIGHT (199X)

The same sound comes faintly now. NESS, 13-ish and still wide-eyed in striped pajamas, is stirred from his bed.

NESS Hello?

POV: Ness looks around his room, decorated with baseball and 90's video game memorabilia. PAN ACROSS.

He checks out the window to the forested suburban street. A fierce golden glow emanates from a nearby hilltop.

NESS What is that?

He rubs his eyes and gets out of bed.

3 INT. LIVING ROOM

Ness comes down the stairs to see his mother, dressed in a nightgown and already on the phone.

Ness's loyal dog, KING, lazily wags up to Ness and licks his hand.

NESS

Hi there King.

KING

(Telepathically)

Ness. There was a loud noise. It's dark but Mom's awake. I'm confused.

NESS So you heard it too... It wasn't a dream after all.

MOM

(To the phone)

-Yes honey, we're alright. We still have power and everything. Hold on, Ness just came down. (To NESS)

Ness. Did the noise wake you?

NESS

Yeah. What was it?

MOM

Must have been a transformer. Don't worry about it.

NESS

Can I go check it out?

MOM

Absolutely not! It's already far past your bedtime and-

Mom stops at the mischievous look on Ness's face.

MOM

-And you would just sneak out anyway, wouldn't you?

NESS

I don't know what you're talking about.

Mom smiles.

MOM

Change out of your jammies before you go.

Ness celebrates by jumping up and down and kissing Mom on the cheek.

NESS

Thanks, mom!!

4 EXT. NESS'S NEIGHBORHOOD

Ness shuts the front door behind him, now clad in a striped shirt and shorts. (Notably, the only thing missing from his signature attire is his backpack.)

He looks up at the glowing hilltop again.

5 EXT. HILLSIDE

Police cars line the wooded hillside path. Officers stand by roadblocks up the trail, blocking the way. Beyond them an intense glow emanates through the trees.

Ness comes up the trail and sees the police here. A friend of Ness's is also here, pestering the cops.

POKEY, 13-ish, is a bit taller and much wider than Ness. He's become a bit of a bully from years of parental abuse, but Ness still spends time with him.

POKEY

Come on! Just a peek! You know me, Mr. Officer Simmons! Just give me the scoop.

COP 1

No! Get out of here. Scram!

Pokey notices Ness and scrambles over to him.

POKEY

Ness! Buddy!

NESS

Pokey, what are you doing here?

POKEY

Listen. I'm glad you came. But the cops and I have the situation under control.

The cops perk up when they see Ness like a ray of hope.

COP 2

Ness, can you take care of this kid?

POKEY

We can't tell you what the glowing thing is right now, that's uh, classified information.

COP 1

We literally don't know what it is.

POKEY

I'll tell you all about the alien in the morning, when the uh press release comes out. But right now you're getting in the cops'- I mean, officers' way.

COP 1

It's not an alien.

NESS

Maybe we should both leave then... the police seem to be doing just fine without your help.

COP 2

Yes please!

POKEY

Oh no! I'm in charge here. Don't worry about me. You're bugging the officers, though. Look at them!

They turn to look at the cops, both very aggravated.

COP 2

Ness, help us out.

NESS

Pokey come here with me.

They turn their backs toward the officers.

POKEY

Yes, citizen?

NESS

What are you doing?

Pokey immediately drops his confident demeanor.

POKEY

I wanna see the meteorite! I'm this close to them letting me through.

Ness laughs.

NESS

Pokey, as long as the cops are here, we aren't getting near that. Let's come back some other time and nobody will be here to keep us out.

POKEY

That's... smart. This is why I keep you around, Ness! You always have the best ideas.

NESS

Glad I'm good for something.

The kids head down the hill. Ness turns back for a moment to look back at the hilltop. We get a few more seconds on the mysterious glowing object up the hill.

6 INT. LIVING ROOM

Ness enters, and his mom greets him.

MOM

Back so soon? What was it?

NESS

Something on the hill... It was so bright. The police beat me there so I couldn't get close, but Pokey and I are gonna check it out again later.

MOM

I think that's a wise choice. Night time is for sleeping.

NESS

Now that you mention it, I am pretty tired.

MOM

Good. Let's get you back to bed.

7 INT. NESS'S BEDROOM

Ness lays in bed, eyes open.

He turns to look at the glowing hilltop again.

Its aura is mysterious, yet inviting.

He rolls back over.

FADE TO BLACK

After a few moments, we hear an incessant knocking.

8 EXT. NESS'S FRONT PORCH

Mom opens the door and raises her eyebrows as Pokey, who we just now see was the one knocking, shouts in her face in a panic.

POKEY

Ness Ness Ness!!-- Oh. Good evening ma'am. You look lovely as usual.

Pokey holds back a snicker as Mom looks unamused.

MOM

Can I help you, Pokey?

POKEY

Is Ness in?

MOM

He's asleep, hopefully. I can take a message-

Ness comes down the stairs, just visible in his jammies through the doorway and with bags under his eyes.

NESS

Mom, what was that knocking-?

Pokey notices Ness and shoves his way into the house.

POKEY

Ness! The police left. Let's go check out the thing!

NESS

When I said later, I didn't mean two hours later. It's like 3 a.m.

POKEY

Okay but we have to go now.

NESS

Why?

POKEY

Uh... Picky ran away. I think he went up the hill. I need you to help me find him!

NESS

He's your brother, why can't you look for him yourself?

POKEY

It's not my fault! I blame the cops... Ness, if my dad gets back and his favorite son is gone, I know I'm gonna get it... Please, bestest friend, please?

Ness takes a moment to consider.

NESS

Okay. Let me get dressed.

POKEY

Yes! I knew I could count on you.

9 INT. LIVING ROOM

Ness comes through to the entryway where Pokey and Mom wait, back in his striped shirt and holding a baseball bat. Pokey stays out for a bit.

NESS

Alright I've got everything!

MOM

You're taking a bat?

NESS

Just in case.

MOM

Whatever you say.

Oh, and about Pokey... I know he's your friend, but he can still be kinda bossy. Don't let him push you around just because you've known each other for so long.

NESS

You know I can deal with Pokey. He's my closest friend but he's still a jerk. When he crosses the line, he'll know.

MOM

Good. Sometimes I worry about you.

King comes up and whines for Ness's attention.

KING

Ness, where are you going so late? Is this about that big boom earlier?

MOM

Oh. You should take King along with you too. He hasn't had a walk in days.

KING

No, no no. I don't want to do anything in the day, I DEFINITELY am not going anywhere at night.

NESS

Come on, King. It'll be real quick.

King whines in resignation.

POKEY

Okay, Ness! Ready to go? Let's blow this popsicle stand!

NESS

Let's go!

They head out.

10 EXT. HILLSIDE - NIGHT

Ness and Pokey search with flashlights down the hill from the scene earlier.

POKEY

Ok... You go on ahead. I'll follow you from a safe distance.

NESS

Pokey, there's nothing dangerous in Onett.

POKEY But there are... bears!

NESS

They haven't bothered us whenever we snuck out after dark before.

POKEY

I swear one almost attacked me on Eagle Day this year.

NESS

Are you sure that wasn't Lier in his bear suit? *snicker*

POKEY

*Chuckle* What's up with that guy, anyway?

NESS

Anyone who calls themself a professional treasure hunter has issues, man.

POKEY

Remember when we teepee'd his house?

NESS

Of course I do! He thought it was the Sharks, right?

PICKY

And then he started taking it all inside-

NESS

And he actually used it!

POKEY

He's crazy.

Their laughter takes a second to die off, leaving an uneasy chill in the air.

NESS

Maybe you're right though. Something feels off about tonight.

POKEY

Well there's the big glowing thing on the hill. Who knows what's next? This could just be the beginning.

NESS

Somehow I feel like it is.

King, in contrast, is panting on the incline.

KING

It feels like the end for me.

NESS

Come on King.

11 EXT. HILLTOP

PICKY, Pokey's intelligent but jumpy younger brother, lay sleeping by a tree...

Right next to the source of the bright glow. It is a meteorite, black with yellow fissures lining the surface and emitting the mysterious light. A massive crater of upheaven earth surrounds it, just missing the tree against which Picky lay.

The gang comes up the trail.

POKEY

Picky! Picky, where are you?

KING

I do not like the look of this place. Not one bit.

Ness stops to appreciate the meteorite.

NESS

So it was a meteorite...

Picky stirs and they spot him.

POKEY

There he is! Picky!

PICKY

Pokey? Why did you run off like that? I thought you were coming back.

POKEY

I- You don't know what you're talking about. You ran off! You're always like this. Ness, can you believe it? I'm a reasonable, responsible young man, and I'm stuck with watching this dumb, annoying, selfish little brother! Do you know what it's like to deal with someone like that?

Ness and Picky exchange glances in the awkward silence.

NESS

Let's go home, guys. We found Picky and we've all had enough commotion for one-

Ness is interrupted by a blinding flash of light from the meteorite, coupled with the sound of a sharp exhaust release.

They all jump away and duck for cover. King scampers around for a moment in a panic, then takes off running down the hill.

KING Okay, that's it! I'm outa here! If I knew it would be this scary I never would have come along in the first place!!

Now a beam of golden light pierces the sky from the meteorite, and widens to about a foot wide.

Ness stands back up and gazes in awe.

NESS

What on Earth...

POKEY God help! Oh my God! Oh my God...

A small black form emerges from the meteorite, slowly upward, mimicking an insect's movements.

This is BUZZ-BUZZ, a visitor from the future. He resembles a rhinoceros beetle with large fly wings.

NESS

Look!

PICKY

What is it?

Pokey dares a stolen look up.

POKEY

It's a bat!

NESS

It's a fly...

PICKY

It's a rhinoceros beetle!

BUZZ-BUZZ

A bee I am not!

The gang exchange glances.

PICKY

Well, that was my next guess.

#EarthBound #Mother 2 #Starmen.net #EarthBound: the Animated Series #Script #Story #Episode 1

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dangeroustimemachinehologram · 4 years

Text

Diary of Joanna weirdest time in her life-story

Hi!! I’m Joanna and I'm a nurse in a local hospital. I live in Cracow, Poland. I'm 33 years old. I live a little apartment near the city centre and this is my diary:

Thursday 17th October 2024.

I woke up late as I had long shift yesterday. Its 10:30 and it's still dark. I don't know what is going on. I can hear thunder and some other weird noises in the background. Sometimes they are close, sometimes they are even closer.

Its afternoon already: Some light comes out - The thunder had stopped and the other weird noises have calmed down. In the news they said that it was just bad weather conditions. It has never so dark this late in afternoon before.

It's evening now. Nothing really happened in the last few hours. I don't have any more shifts this week. I'm doing nights next week and I'm back on Tuesday. I hope everything will be ok. I will just watch some movie, have some dinner and some wine; then I will go to bed. Long shifts wear me out.

Friday 18th October

It’s 3 AM. Some very scary noises from outside woke me up. I have never heard anything like that before. I am honest to God terrified! What this can be? I'm not going to check right now. It's too dark; I'm too tired and too scared.

It’s 3 PM. I just woke up. I had to be really tired. Waking up in the middle the night really didn't help. I had a shower and something to eat. Was very hungry! I just came back from a town. Everything looks empty, but the shops were still open. I know I left home late. Just to remind shops are open till late here! What is going on??? Where are people who usually been out? Some people still should do shopping after work etc. Like later in a day. But still I did shopping in 24 h off-licence shop. Person behind till knew nothing. He just was enjoying quiet evening shift. After dinner I try to watch TV Shows but I can't. The power keeps going out and I keep hearing weird noises outside. Sometimes they are far away and other times they are close. I will try to record them. Looked out, record noises and whatever happening outside. All I could catch it, are the noises. Can't see nothing from a window and I won't go out now. It's too late, too dark and too tired. I will go to bed and may try to read a book before sleep. Saturday 19th October It’s Saturday already. Like 9 in the morning. Seems like I fell asleep while I reading book. I really had to be tired or the book had to be really boring. At least I slept all night and I don't feel tired any more. It's really afternoon. I just left my apartment. It’s middle of the day. And big city as Cracow shouldn't look so empty. But it is looks like a ghost city. The shop I’ve been yesterday for a shopping is closed now. It is weird, very weird. Am I dreaming or did I wake up in different dimension? Someone has to be around. But I can't hear a single frigging thing or see anyone! Only saw few pets. They looked ok to me. A person just ran by on me on a street. He gone by the time I got chance to talk to him. I will try going the way he runs. Walked like half hour. Saw some people in their flats. Couple ask me to go home. They said at night I came back from my last shift, something happened that people are afraid to leave. Some people keep seeing a flashing blue lights at night from a streets. It wasn't police or anything like that. I'm home few hours now. I had some food. Try find out what is going on. TV signal is going off all the time. On the internet you can't see much. Apart some people posting pictures and videos of this weird blue lights and some strange humanoid looking things. What or who are they? No signs of activity outside. Come to think of it, that I never heard of a gunshot so close to my apartment. I lock myself in the apartment, close windows and curtain and try to stay alert to any strange and dangerous activity. At least there were no more blue light here. Sunday 20th October I must to fell asleep. But I didn't feel tired. I just called my boss and booked 2 weeks of. Need rest and holiday. Over tired doctor or nurse isn't very useful one. I really need it. I just looked outside and it's absolutely grey. It's the biggest fog I ever saw. There is a guy, he has been standing completely still and I can see only his back. I have no idea how long he has been standing there. WHO IS HE???!!! Why is he standing there? What does he want? He really creeping me out.....!!!! Few hours later and he is still standing there. SHIT. Should I be worried? Hiding in my room and waiting when this end and see how this will end. I had a food and looked outside. Whoever was standing outside is gone now. I swear to God it sounds like someone is banging outside of my door, but there is no way in hell I'm going to check or open the door. And the blue lights started flashing outside. This is really, really creepy. But is this lights and knocking has anything to do with this guy who was standing outside building earlier on???? I'm manage scare him off. See him running away from a window. But the lights are still there. I'm worried now. I’ve got to stop falling asleep so much in worst moments. I need set my mind to keep myself save. I need to get serious about securing my house. I'm running low on food and I feel like I could sleep for a week. What can I do??? I need to sort this shit out, and do a shopping, lol. Monday 21st October Just woke up. It's 7 in a morning. It’s early in a day for once. I will try having shower first. It's 10 am. I had some cheese and tomato toast. But I am not going anywhere. I am too scared. Just my neighbours called me. They manage get some stuff from one of the shops. Because they have car, they thought to bring me few bags of shopping. I offered them money back. They refused. That is nice and weird of them. This shopping must to cost them fortune. But it is still nice of them for bringing me. It really helps. They are very nice people. Just been sitting and thinking. Whatever is happening in a last few day doesn't since normal. Am I dreaming, going crazy? It has to be....!!! This isn't real..... Just came back from a walk to clear my mind. I feel better now. I’m glad to have some food in a fridge. I’m planning have some food, wine and watch some DVD. This will cheer me up. Tuesday 22nd October I think I need my clear head. Tiredness and stress can make anyone paranoid, but why don't my parents answer phone. I think if I won't be able hold on to them I will go and visit them. At the end of the day they should be back home now. They went to Slovakia for a holiday. I'm glad they enjoy themselves, yet I worry about them, mostly, if I can't get in touch with them. I’ve been on Wawel castle. Just walk around. I wasn't inside to see anything really. Just sit in a cafe, walk around. I love the place because of the history, lots of legends etc. 100% my kind of place. I enjoyed the day. I also made myself nice lasagne today for tea. Wednesday 23rd October It's early in a morning. All night couldn't stop think about legends around Wawel and in my dreams they was fading in with what is going on around me. Also what didn't help is fact that lights came back. And I heard very weird noises outside building. But I am not sure what was real and what a dream was. Started have weird dreams. They were connected to my trip from the other day..... And some connected to legends about Wawel I think. Need to put it into words, put it on paper. Never had weird dreams like that before........ There you go: I was in a pub. Old style pub... like really old... And there were a guy who was talking to deathclaw style of crater... And then this guy could fly out of window on a chicken or something... And then I saw a big army coming out of Mountain and heading into a Wawel. It is like they are getting ready for war or something. And then I was visited by angels where I became a queen. And then was this dragon flying on a sky. And in my castle was this magical and powerful stone. That was bizarre. ****(explanation what legends are there on the end) Wonder what this dreams meant. I know they came from legends... Still weird... Thursday 24th October Nothing happened last night. Stayed home, Spoke to neighbours I had rest and feel better. Its feel like what happened was a dream. I keep having weird dreams....... It is few hours later and its middle of the night. I just heard yelling, but this time it sounded like the person was in agony..... It's just quiet now. The blue light is still here again Friday 25th October .I left the apartment. I'm trying my best to stay calm as I write this, but I think there is a dead body in the middle of the street. To take my mind off of what is outside, I dug deeper into the piles of books to read. Just look outside. The body is just gone. Didn't see what happened to it, but it's not in the street anymore. Saturday 26th October I am going to check on my parents. I’m leaving my diary up till Monday. Have some quality time with them, I hope. Monday 28th October Spent all weekend at my parents house. They weren't there. I'm worried. Police don't know anything. They saying they will have to looking to it in some time. Just get back home and realized that someone broke to my apartment. Also found blood by an entrance. What the hell is going on? I'm scared.... I don't know what to do..... My neighbours don't answer the door, my parent are missing. Most things are closed down.... I thought this was only a dream but this nightmare is getting worse..... I heard a gunshot...... I should leave how soonest I can..... It's not safe here. I will go to family holiday house in Koscielisko. It's town close to Slovakia border. If anything I could move to another country. I don't know what to do but this is an option. I'm packed. I’ve got all food, drinks, toiletries and most of the clothes. Everything is in a car. I’m ready to hit the road. I should be there 2-3 hours. It's almost 11. House looks fine and cosy. Its looks like my parent were here not long ago. But when I try to contact them on a cells and landline no one answers. Why they don't answer? Tuesday 29th October It's 11 am .I woke up to my mobile ringtone. My parents just called me. They just came back from Slovakia. At least they fine. Couldn't get in touch with them cause they lost one mobile they had with them. Other phone has been hidden in their House for some reason. They've been in by my apartment. Saw blood outside a block. Place looked empty for them. They've been worried about me. There is something going on. I think I stay here and have some short holiday. Bit rest might be good for me and it seems to be safe. Wednesday 30th October It's 7 am. I had a nice day yesterday. I just am having rest today. Bit food and wine. DVDs and a good night long sleep. Time for breakfast and shower!!!!! Keep having these weird dreams. They always look similar every time. It's 12. I just tried to have dinner. But I just saw something outside. It really looked creepy. Maybe it's only a lost, scared bear or something. I lock myself in and call someone for help. Shit, no signal. Oh dear god... This isn't a bear or anything I saw in my life. I'm shaking.... This is something between big foot and Reptilian humanoid..... It's really scary.... Have big red glaring eyes.... make bear like sounds...... And.... and.... and this weird light from my apartment started here.... and it's like middle of the day... what cans I do....?. What to do.....? I need hide... I need hide right now.... Ok. I'm in a closet, in a bedroom. I'll wait.... I hear sirens.... and scream.... and growling..... And.... and.... I heard the gunshot. There someone start shooting. There's a hope for me.... large scream and gone quiet now... I hear knocking on the door... See what's going on... It was a police. Someone else manage to contact them and let them know it's some kinda dangerous creator acting suspicious on this property. It's dark now... How long I've been hiding out? I've done some research on the internet. I'm not a first person who met this type of "animal". Apparently some group of crazy scientist was running illegal experiments in "bunker" hidden labs where they've been inbreeding 2-3 different type animals together. For example: monkey, bear and lizards etc. But also try to make them smarter...!!! WTF!!! WTF!!!! Is this a reason what is going on in my county in a last couple of weeks? Is it a reason for gunshots and blood, and lights and this illness.......???? Why.....??? Where they had funds from....? How they manage hidden for so long......? Saw on the news a lot of reports from other people who manage to record them on their cells..... Is this an end of the world...?? It's like 3 in the morning.... I can't sleep.... I'm absolutely scared, tired and.... don't know anymore.... Thursday 31st October HALLOWEEN I must to past out on sofa last night. TV was on when I woke up. It's like 2 pm. Had really creepy dream..... I was in the middle of main market in Cracow. I was on my own.... It was like crazy foggy... couldn't see properly. And then lots and lots of zombies and this freaky inbreeding "animal" come from nowhere.... and when they try attack me... I woke up... Thank God my parents picking me up... It wasn't safe home but not ask dangerous as here... I'm home.... don't feel safe.... but glad to be home... Glad that my parents are fine.... Halloween parties etc. been cancelled for a safety and people been advised stay home after dark and be careful in a day... I'm not leaving my apartment any time soon.... I'm telling ya..... Nothing really happened today.... I will try to have rest now.... I had weird dreams from the other night maybe 2-3 times after that. It is not exactly same but very similar. They are very bizarre. What are they mean????? 1st January 2025 HAPPY NEW YEAR

***** Legends in the order they came in a dream: Polish legends include: plenty of angelic characters, but also a great number of devilish ones. One of the best-known devils in Polish legends is the one that signed a pact with the 16th-century nobleman Sir Twardowski. According to the contract, the devil provided the nobleman with great wisdom and magical powers in exchange for his soul. However, a key stipulation stated that Twardowski’s soul could only be collected in Rome. That allowed the cunning nobleman to exercise his special powers without ever having to pay the price – as long as he avoided the Eternal City. On one day, the devil tricked Twardowski into visiting an inn… An inn called none other than Rome. That was when the party ended for Sir Twardowski: a confrontation with the devil ensued and as a result the nobleman became stranded on the moon forever. The Devil Lands on the Moon in Sci-Fi Movie Based on Polish Legend Twardowsky, a brand new release by Oscar-nominated director Tomasz Bagiński, revolves around a nobleman who signs a deal with the Lord of Darkness...on a lunar base. 1890 drawing is titled Rozmowa Twardowskiego z Diabłem (Twardowski Talking With the Devil) and is the work of the Polish draughtsman Michał Elwiro Andriolli, author of numerous illustrations for Polish literary works, such as Józef Ignacy Kraszewski’s Stara Baśń (Old Fairy Tale). Here’s another depiction of a Polish legend that revolves around knights and an angel – the legend of the sleeping knights. According to this tale, there’s a secluded cave in Mount Giewont in the Tatra Mountains, where a band of armour-clad knights rests in eternal sleep, waiting for a time when Poland will be in need of their services. The knights are guarded by an angel who is always ready to inform them whether that time has arrived. One of the legend is about the beginnings of the Polish state. This tale goes that the humble wheelwright Piast was visited by mysterious travellers on the day of his son’s first haircut. Piast was celebrating this important family occasion with some friends. According to legend, Ziemowit would go on to become the great grandfather of the first historical ruler of Poland, Mieszko I, who lived in the 10th century. The Wawel Dragon was a beast which lived in a den under Wawel Hill and terrorised all the inhabitants of King Krak’s town. They had to feed to the monster by giving him offerings of cattle, while other tales speak of that hellspawn eating nothing but virgins. No knight could vanquish the monster, until a young shoemaker Skuba outsmarted the Dragon. He stuffed a ram’s hide with sulphur and pitch, and put the doctored ram in front of the Dragon’s Den. The monster caught the bait and devoured the ram. Immediately, he felt a bad pain and burning in the throat. To quench his thirst, the Dragon started to drink from the Vistula River. However, as water cannot extinguish burning sulphur, the gases produced by the fires inside him made the beast explode. All the townsfolk revelled in the news and the heroic shoemaker was properly rewarded. To commemorate the vanquishing of the Dragon, Bronisław Chromy designed a sculpture of the beast which now stands by the river at the foot of Wawel, near the Dragon's Den. Though the legend may be controversial, it simply states that hidden in Wawel is a Chakra: a mysterious stone which is a source of supernatural energy. For the initiated it is a source of unspeakable power, giving unbelievable spiritual force. The legend refers to a tale of the Hindu god Shiva who cast seven magical stones (the Chakram) into seven parts of the world. One of them was to hit Kraków, while the remaining six reached Delhi, Mecca, Delphi, Jerusalem, Rome, and Velehrad. The partisans of the legend speak of radiesthetic research that proves that the Chakra lies in the remnants of the 11th-century chapel of St Gereon. Others believe that there is a source of negative ions, which generally help relaxation, somewhere under the western wing of the castle.

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