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bloodblanks · 2 years

Text

solace [masky / hoodie x reader] — chapter ii.

Despite having Tim and Brian still on your mind, you prepare to pack your things and leave. However, moving to your new apartment doesn’t exactly go as planned.

author's note: this fanfiction will contain explicit content, including rape/non-con, kidnapping, stockholm syndrome, and similar themes.

please read at your own discretion.

<- previous chapter

It was still early in the day when you woke up. At least, it was early in your standards. It was already afternoon, and as you realized that, you let out a groan of frustration. Unfortunately, you had a hundred percent ruined your sleep schedule. But what else did you expect—you had spent the entire evening binging a show, continuing into the early morning hours. By the time you went to sleep, the sun had risen, marking the time of dawn. As it was summer break, it wouldn’t matter too much, but you’d need to fix it before the start of school.

Your hands swatted at the phone on your nightstand, snatching the device eventually to turn the alarm off. Perhaps it was a bad habit, but the first thing you did was open your social media applications, procrastinating your leave from bed. Your phone display showed that you had a few unanswered text messages, all from a group chat consisting of you and your friends. You could see that they were discussing a new game that had just come out, and they’d been waiting for you to join. You smiled; it was sweet that they didn’t start without you. However, you’d have to crush their hopes.

ark Y/N WAKE UP WE NEED TO PLAY

Zohlem Shes probably sleeping lol You saw her typing at 3am about some show

lilypop she always does that lol but she should be up anytime soon

Y/N stop typing like this

lilypop fuck

Y/N start without me, i need to prep for move srry

lilypop you

ark :kittysad:

You felt a pang of guilt for not spending time with them after they had waited for you, but it was true. You did plan to start packing your stuff, deciding what to bring and what not to. Still, it was bothering you. Even though they were online friends, they still meant quite a lot to you. After all, they were the closest that you had to real friends, considering how you were left alone after Tim and Brian’s disappearance. Before that, you never had any other friends. You never needed other friends. It was supposed to be the three of you, a close-knit trio of friends. It was supposed to be the three of you leaving for university together. It was supposed to be the three of you, forever and always.

But that wasn’t the way things went. And everyone in high school already had a friend group or some sort of clique formed in earlier years, making it awkward to befriend new people. Not that you particularly wanted to, either. At the time, you didn’t particularly want to do anything.

Sighing, you put your phone down and got out of bed. Undressing, you took off the clothes you slept in, grabbed a simple outfit for the day—not like you were going anywhere fancy—and headed downstairs.

“Good morning, Y/N.” your mom called out.

You glanced at her sheepishly, shrugging your shoulders and walking to the dining table. You pulled out one of the chairs there, sat down and prepared to explain yourself.

“It’s summer break. I’ll fix my sleep schedule when school starts again,” you mumbled the first thing that came to your mind in hopes that she wouldn’t continue the subject. Which she didn’t, something you were thankful for. Ever since you had turned eighteen, both your parents had become more relaxed with you, assuming you’d know how to be responsible. Bold assumption, you thought. But it was one that was in your favour.

“Have you decided what you’ll be bringing?” Your mother asked as she took the dishes, likely from today’s breakfast that you had unfortunately missed, sliding them into the dishwasher's racks.

“Kind of, yeah. I think I’m just gonna be bringing some of my clothes, uh, the PC setup, and... the box.” Stumbling over your words, you let your voice trail off at the mention of the box. It wasn’t often that you’d bring up anything Tim and Brian related to her. In fact, you didn’t think that you had done it for a very long time, likely not since your last therapy session. Your mom was one of the few people genuinely affected by their disappearance at the time. She had known the boys for just as long as you had and likely remembered more of them in their earlier years than you did, seeing how your childhood memories were relatively blurry. Your families had all known each other since virtually the beginning of time. They had all grown up in this small town, went to the same schools together, got married, and had kids here. Your parents hadn’t been close with the other’s parents, but since the three of you had become such close friends, your parents eventually befriended each other’s parents.

Likely, your mom thought of Tim and Brian almost as family to some extent, which is mildly weird if you factor in the fact that you very possibly could’ve been crushing on either one of them to some extent at some point in time.

“Right,” she said. “The box. I almost forgot about it.” She paused for a second before continuing. “What exactly is in that thing, anyway?”

You knew all the items in there by heart. It was only natural since you had taken each and every item individually, collected them over the years, handpicked them from their rooms, and held them in your arms while crying yourself to sleep for countless nights.

“There’s Tim’s hoodie. The black one that he was always wearing.”

Your mom laughed. “Right,” she said, “Tim was going through some sort of phase.”

“Mhm.” You nodded. “There’s also Brian’s notebook from school. All his notes are in there. It’s a shame it’s for previous classes. I can’t copy off of them anymore.” you joked, and your mom chuckled at that. “And… Tim’s sketchbook. You know, he was good at art. It’s filled with like, all kinds of drawings. I haven’t looked through all of them yet, but I think I did see a drawing of me.”

Your mom hummed as she finished the dishes, walking over to you and pulling out a chair for herself. Sitting down, she said, “I swear Tim had a crush on you.” which caused you to blush.

“No, really!” she insisted, disregarding the flush on your face. “He was always staring at you. Anyone could’ve noticed.”

You got up from your chair, face red as a tomato. “I’m going to sort out my stuff, see ya.”

She laughed again. You appreciated moments like these, the simple pleasures of life.

—

You had far too many clothes. You only realized that today after looking through your closet to figure out what to bring. Taking out one of the folded cardboard boxes from the stack in your room, you quickly pushed out the sides to make the box. You threw your favourite shirts in, the ones that would go with almost any outfit. T-shirts, check. Seeing as it wouldn’t be warm for too much longer, you figured it would also be wise to bring a few sweaters. Sweaters, check. When trying to fit in your jackets, you realized how much space they took up and concluded that you’d bring the rest of them next time. After a while of debating between which were your favourites and which would be most practical, you made your choice, finally sealing the box with some tape. You’d bring more clothes the next time you returned home. Check.

You thought of packing your toiletries, such as your hair wash, skincare and the other products you used on a day-to-day basis, but you decided against it. You’d want to use them up until the day of moving, so you’ll pack them right before the move.

Taking your phone out of your pocket, you checked the time. Shit, you cursed internally. It was already ten past five. How in the world did it take you so long to decide between a few pieces of clothing? Were you really that slow?

Whatever, you thought. At the very least, you had finished the task, which meant it was productive enough for your standards.

Finally receiving the break you’d wanted all day, you excitedly sat yourself down in your chair, turned on your PC and typed a quick message to your friends.

Y/N srry guys i’m here now

ark :kittypog: yay

lilypop come play fast

You found yourself grinning as you read their replies. You appreciated your online friends very much. After Tim and Brian had left, you ended up spending the majority of your time online. You played video games, browsed art, read, scrolled social media, and so on. Through those activities, you found yourself meeting new people, some of which you have continued talking to ever since. You didn’t want to go out, not that you had a reason to, anyway. The world outside had become empty and devoid of life without Tim and Brian. Your new friends gave you something to look forward to when you woke up, a reason to get out of bed, and ways to occupy yourself and your mind. Through them, you were able to feel something other than grief.

As much as you hated to admit it, you were very much dependent on Tim and Brian. It wasn’t necessarily the healthiest thing, but you had grown up with them. You had done everything with them. You went to school together, did assignments together, played games together, ate food together, and even celebrated Christmas together with each other’s family. When they vanished, so did a large portion of your life. Everything you did, everything you were planning to do, involved them. And there was no them anymore.

Lost in thought, your attention turned away from the game you were playing, your movements on autopilot. You only noticed it when you saw your screen flash. Startled, you directed your focus back to see what had happened.

lilypopxd killed you.

“What the fuck, Lily?! I was distracted,” you yelled, only to hear a high-pitched giggle in return.

“Mad?” she asked, continuing to laugh, but abruptly stopped when you saw on the top of your screen that Daniel ‘Zohlem’ had killed her.

“Daniel you fucking piece of shit I hate you!” she cried out, and it was your turn to laugh this time.

“Mad?” you asked.

—

Your dad was downstairs. And he’d likely been there for a while because your mom had come into your room and woken you up.

“Y/N, your dad’s downstairs, let’s go.”

Right, you thought. You were moving your stuff today. Getting out of bed, you walked towards the window, quickly glancing and checking the weather to pick an outfit accordingly. It tended to start getting cold near the end of August, but there were still many hot days between the cooler ones.

You turned towards your already packed cardboard boxes—you had packed your utilities and hygiene products last night—but they weren’t there. You looked around the room in confusion, wondering where in the world giant cardboard boxes could have disappeared, but they were nowhere to be seen.

You were dumbfounded; how does something like this happen? You weren’t usually one to panic, but unless someone broke in or Casper the fucking ghost decided to pull a prank on you, there was no way these boxes would’ve just gone missing. You were pacing around in your room, trying to figure out what happened, when your mom came back upstairs and knocked at your door.

“Y/N, what’s the wait? Come on, your dad and I already took your things while you were sleeping. Make sure you don’t forget anything else, and come downstairs.”

Thank God it was just that, you thought. Your PC had also already been carefully packed into the car, so you quickly ran downstairs, grabbing a granola bar from the pantry and hopping into the car. Your father was already in the driver’s seat, and your mom was riding shotgun. You’d have to go into the back.

“Morning, dad,” you said, and he smiled, shaking his head.

“Right, morning. What time did you go to bed?” he asked.

You thought about it for a second. You were up late last night playing the new video game with your friends, only having gone to sleep at sometime around four in the morning.

“Three?” you hesitatingly said.

“Do you think you can fix your schedule before school starts?”

“Yeah,” you responded. Your dad didn’t seem too convinced. “Okay, I can pull an all-nighter to fix it if I need to.”

Your dad sighed. You could feel a lecture incoming.

“Do you really think you’re going to be okay by yourself in university?” he seemed more concerned than usual. He wasn’t often at home since he was busy working, but he was always a welcome sight when you did see him. Your mom was usually the worrier, and your dad often would reassure her that everything was fine, so it was unusual to see your dad anxious. It made sense, however, seeing as you were leaving for university. You had always lived with your parents up until now, so it would be a stark change for everyone. They were sure to miss you after your departure, even though you tended to hide in your room more than interact with them. They were likely also hesitant about letting you attend school alone, in a different city, without anyone there to directly support you. Where you were going wasn’t a long distance from home, but given your track record of not attending school when unattended, it was sensible to worry.

You had been depressed for a long time, ever since the incident happened. Initially, you tried to pretend everything would be okay. Tim and Brian would return soon; they likely just got lost after wandering somewhere over some stupid idea they had come up with. It was typical of them to think up wild things to do. But then, why didn’t they take you with them?

The entire city was searching for them for a week. But after that, the trial grew cold, and your hopes paled. You stopped going to school; you found it hard to focus on your classes, anyway. You could hear your classmates, teachers, and everyone around you discussing your best friends, thinking you couldn’t hear them. No matter where you went, you were inevitably reminded of them. It was causing you to slowly lose your mind. It rendered you incapable of concentrating on anything besides them, and somewhere in between all of that, you had also found it difficult to wake up in time for classes. You had a hard time falling asleep. You stayed up all night, tossing, turning, and crying into your pillow as if it would bring them back. You began skipping classes and eventually just stopped attending altogether. Naturally, your grades began a steep plummet, one that you never fully recovered from. Your school staff would start calling your parents in for meetings to discuss your well-being, which prompted them to send you to a therapist.

None of it made a difference, though. Your life wouldn’t ever be the same again without your best friends, and no amount of trying or pretence could ever fix that.

You dwelled on the case each day and night. You often went to their parents’ homes, looking through their rooms, checking the same areas repeatedly in search of any possible clues. It was like beating a dead horse, and you could tell that’s what their parents thought as well, with the sorrow-filled, pitiful look they’d give you whenever you came by. Nevertheless, you didn’t give up. Not until a year had passed.

Eventually, you came to the conclusion that you had to give up on the search. You didn’t want to do so, but you had been forced to accept by then that it wasn’t getting anywhere. You showed up at Tim and Brian’s homes for the last time, asking if you could take some of their belongings with you as memorabilia. Both their parents agreed, allowing you inside and giving you a hug. The last one you’d ever got from them.

Tim’s mother was much thinner than before, and you knew it because she would often give you hugs throughout the year. Brian’s father cracked the weakest of smiles, and you felt a pang of heartache at sight; he was one of the liveliest adults you had known, always there to crack a joke and make everyone smile. But there was nothing you could do about it. As much as you wanted to, you couldn’t bring them back. They couldn’t either. And neither could the police. Nobody could. So you took your collection of items and left.

During your year indoors, you had spent much of your time online. You found catharsis in talking to your friends online about the situation; they were very empathetic and understanding. They always did their best to console you and never tired of you when even you were exhausted by how much of a broken record you sounded like, unable to stop yourself from constantly talking about your former friends. Nonetheless, they were proud of you when you took the box, and when you were ready, they encouraged you to slowly put your life back together at your own pace. And a few months after you took the box, you decided it was time to do so and went back to school. It was difficult catching up with all the work you had missed during the year and a half that you weren’t at school, but you did your best and pulled through. Enough to make it to university.

“Yeah, I’ll be okay. Don’t worry about it,” you said. “If something’s wrong, I can always come talk to you guys.”

Both of your parents seemed happy with that response. Putting in our earbuds, you plugged them into your phone to play music, settling for looking out the window for the rest of the car ride. The view was pleasant.

When you arrived at your new apartment, your parents found a parking spot just a block away. Exiting the car, your parents opened the trunk, taking out the boxes of your things to carry them to your soon-to-be home. You mirrored their actions, getting out of the car, closing the vehicle door and retrieving the last box—the box—from there.

Crossing the street, you and your family arrived at the front of the apartment. Setting your box down on the steps, you typed in the four-digit entry code of the building. The door opened with a soft buzz, and you opened it, holding it open for your parents to enter before picking up your box and following them. You entered the apartment lobby together, which surprisingly looked even nicer in person than in the already appealing pictures. Consisting of white marble with thin black streaks through it, it almost made you think of an igloo. When you walked further up and to the stairs, your mom pointed out a concern. “There’s no elevator here.”

“There’s only three floors though,” you replied, “and I’m on the first. It’s good exercise.”

Your mom nodded, understanding your point and likely glad that you’d do something besides sitting in front of your monitor all day. The three of you continued to carry on up the stairs. As you turned the corner to the second half of the stairs, you began to feel lightheaded. You took another step forward, not understanding fully that something was wrong. It was mere seconds before static had hazed over your vision and rang in your ears. Your sight was one of an old TV turned on a broken channel, causing you to stumble forwards. Your foot caught on something, you weren’t sure what, but it was likely a step, and you fell forwards, hands still gripping the box, unable to find a landing.

You felt pain shoot through the side of your head as it slammed into the corner of something hard.

Your parents were yelling something, but you were too disoriented to make out the words. You thought they wanted you to get up, but everything hurt too much. You didn’t want to move; you wanted to just continue to lie there on the floor until the pain vanished. Not that you could’ve done anything else, your eyes were shut with blinding static, and your head rang into the void. You allowed unconsciousness to take you, your mind fading away into oblivion.

next chapter ->

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somanyflippingbooks · 2 years

Text

Geyser

a yukierre fic by somanyflippingbooks

Ship: Yuki x Pierre (yukierre)

Summary: Pierre goes on a date, Yuki gets upset, and confessions are made.

Word Count: 2700

Song: Geyser - Mitski

Warnings: Very brief mentions of Anthoine’s death, alcohol, sex, fear of heights, fear of car crashes, swearing, and angst. If I missed any, please let me know!

A/N: This is my first ever fanfiction and I’m quite pleased with how it turned out! I hope that people enjoy it!

*Disclaimer*: This is a work of fiction. I do not know Pierre or Yuki, and I do not presume to know what they are like in real life. This is real person fiction (RPF). If that makes you uncomfortable, please do not read this!

“You’re my number one

You’re the one I want

And I’ve turned down

Every hand that has beckoned me to come”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

“I asked Katherine on a date.”

Pierre’s voice broke Yuki from his thoughts of that afternoon’s free practice session. Shutting his race iPad off, Yuki’s eyes trailed up Pierre’s body until he met the Frenchman’s eyes. Pierre was looking as stunning as ever; white shorts showing off his muscular legs and blue Alpha Tauri t-shirt clinging to his torso just right. Yuki knew that if he looked close enough, he’d be able to see the outline of Pierre’s golden cross laying atop his pecs under his shirt.

“What?”

Yuki could swear that he had heard Pierre mention a Katherine before, but couldn’t quite place where.

Moving to sit beside him on the couch, Pierre pulled out his phone and opened Instagram. He typed in the search bar for a few seconds before handing Yuki his phone.

“Katherine. She’s a model I met a few months ago the last time I was in Monaco. She’s here in Italy for the week, so I figured why not ask her out.”

Pierre sounds excited as he explains all of this to Yuki, who is scrolling through her Instagram. She’s pretty, he bitterly admits to himself. And she is pretty, with collarbone length black hair, sparkling brown eyes, and a gorgeous complexion.

Yuki can’t help but hate her immediately.

“What do you think? I was thinking that I’d take her to dinner at that little Spanish restaurant that we went to. I’ll need to get her flowers too. What kind of flowers do you think I should get her?”

Yuki’s breath hitches when he hears Pierre mention the Spanish restaurant. But that’s our restaurant, he thinks. Yuki had found the restaurant by chance when he was shopping for Pierre’s birthday present. The two of them had gone to dinner there for three nights in a row the last time they were both in Italy. They’d talked about work during the first dinner, but quickly moved onto more personal conversations for the other two dinners. It was selfish, but Yuki wished that Pierre wouldn’t take anyone but him there.

He ended up buying Pierre a new cologne for his birthday, the same one he was wearing right now. He had bought it because it smelt like roses in springtime and apples in autumn and it reminded him of Pierre’s smile. But right now, he thinks the smell might choke him.

Pierre looking into his eyes brings him back to reality. His smile is so endearing, and his eyes are so hopeful, that it makes it harder for him to hide how upset he is. Yuki looks down at his lap and picks at his fingers, an anxious habit that his mother hates. Supressing the need to scream, Yuki looks back up at Pierre’s face and is reminded – not for the first time – that he could never do anything but try to make Pierre happy.

Taking a deep breath, Yuki simply says,

“Cornflowers.”

Pierre shoots him a sideways glance and looks about to say something when Charles enters the driver’s hospitality lounge and heads straight for them, speaking rapid French. Pierre is immediately swept up into an animated conversation with his childhood friend. Yuki doesn’t know what the two men are talking about, but he thinks he hears her name amidst the many French words that he doesn’t understand.

Normally, Yuki agrees with the poets when they say that French is the language of love. But right now, he considers French to be the language of heartbreak. The poets are fucking wrong, he thinks.

The conversation hasn’t ended, but Pierre is getting up from the couch to leave with Charles and Yuki immediately misses his warmth beside him. Pierre looks down at him and cocks his head. Knowing that he’s asking if he wants to drive back to the hotel together like always, Yuki shakes his head no. Pierre frowns slightly, but doesn’t press the point.

“I’ll send you a photo of my outfit later. See if you approve.”

Yuki wishes he wouldn’t, but nods up at him.

Pierre and Charles walk away from him, their conversation picked up again. As they leave, Charles turns around and gives Yuki a pitying look. Yuki tries to smile like his heart isn’t breaking, but he knows he’s failed at it when Charles’ expression doesn’t change. With one last sad smile, Charles turns back to Pierre and leaves the lounge.

Yuki sinks back into the couch and lets out an uneven breath.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Yuki somehow makes it back to his hotel room before the first tears appear in his eyes. He wipes at them angerly, frustrated that he’s this upset over Pierre going on a date. It’s not like he’s mine, he thinks. The thought doesn’t help though; it just serves to remind him that Pierre

probably just thinks of him as a friend and nothing more.

They had talked about past dating experiences during the second dinner at the Spanish restaurant. Yuki had listened quietly as Pierre detailed his extensive list of former partners – both romantic and sexual. They were all women, and that made Yuki hold his tongue. He himself had previously dated a girl, but that was way back when he was fourteen or so. Since then, all his partners had been men, a fact that he hadn’t yet told Pierre. It wasn’t because he didn’t trust Pierre enough to tell him, because there wasn’t another person in the world that Yuki trusted more. Yuki’s thought at the time was that if Pierre didn’t know that he was gay, then maybe he wouldn’t figure out that Yuki was hopelessly in love with him.

A notification from his phone mercifully pulls Yuki from his thoughts. When he opens the notification, he sees that Pierre has sent him a photo of his outfit. And God, Yuki wishes he didn’t.

He immediately recognizes the white button-up shirt and black dress pants as the same ones Pierre had modelled in an Alpha Tauri campaign. They had fit him like a glove during the photoshoot and fit the exact same right now.

Pierre

What do you think? :)

Yuki lets out a bitter laugh when he reads Pierre’s text. What does he think? That Pierre has taken his breath away for the millionth time. That his black dress pants are so tight on his thighs that it might be a sin. That he wishes that it was him who Pierre was taking out on a date and not some model that he’s only met once. That life is unfair.

Yuki

Looks good.

With that, Yuki shuts his phone off and picks up the hotel phone to order takeout. He orders carbonara, cake, and beer, all things that his trainer would kill him over if he found out that Yuki was eating them during the race season. He can’t find it in him to care, though. Once his food arrives, Yuki takes it over to his bed and opens Netflix on his laptop and settles in for a binge watch of the new season of Demon Slayer.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Pierre thinks the date is going well, all things considered. Yuki’s short text is occupying more of his thoughts than he would care to admit. He knows that it shouldn’t bother him as much as it is, but Yuki’s texts are always long; full of swear words and emojis.

Did I say something to upset him? Pierre can’t think of anything from free practice that could have made Yuki upset, and he’s certain that there were no rude questions from reporters. So, what happened?

“Pierre? Are you alright?”

Katherine’s voice reminds him that he’s on a date, and he immediately feels guilty for being distracted.

Katherine is exactly how he remembers her as from when they met in Monaco. She’s kind, funny, and much smarter than him, which makes him think that Yuki would like her. She’s wearing a stunning dark blue dress, which normally would make Pierre captivated.

Blue used to be his favourite colour, until the second dinner in this very restaurant when Yuki told him that his favourite colour has always been forest green. Since then, blue has somehow seemed less pretty.

“Sorry, I’m just a little distracted by work. Could you repeat your question, please?”

“It’s okay! I was just asking you about your teammate.” Katherine smiles sweetly at him when she says this.

Pierre takes a sip of his wine to allow him a moment to gather his thoughts. When he places his glass back on the table, he smiles at her before replying,

“Yuki. We’ve been teammates for almost two seasons now. We get along better than I thought we would. He’s made me better at balancing having fun and being serious about racing.”

Katherine smiles at him again and says,

“It sounds like you to are very close. I’m sure that makes everything easier.”

He nods frantically at her comment, smiling widely. He likes to talk about Yuki, to compliment him and lavish praise on him to other people.

“He never fails to make me smile and laugh, even on days when it feels like I can’t. I don’t know how to explain it, but our friendship somehow feels different than my friendships with guys I’ve known for a lot longer.”

And though he’s never actually thought deeply about it before, Pierre realizes that what he’s just said is true. His relationship with Yuki has always felt different from his relationship with Charles, someone that he’s known since childhood. And he’s always been able to talk to Charles about anything and everything.

Can I, though?

The thought comes out of nowhere and shakes Pierre to his core. Can he talk to Charles about everything? He thinks back to when he and Yuki had their third dinner in a row in this restaurant.

They talked about their childhoods, comparing Pierre’s in France with four brothers to Yuki’s in Japan as an only child. They confessed their childhood fears – heights and car crashes – that persist today, despite being Formula One drivers. They reflected on memories of their friend, Anthoine, and the impact that his death had on them both. It was the first time Pierre had allowed himself to tell another driver about how scared he can get in the car.

And he had told that to Yuki. Not Charles, his best friend since childhood. Not his parents or his brothers. But Yuki.

When he realizes this, Pierre’s head snaps back up from where he was staring at his lap. He sees Katherine, giving him a look that he recognizes as one that Charles wears whenever Pierre talks about Yuki.

“I –“,

He can’t even get the words out before Katherine smiles and reaches for his hand and says,

“Go. It’s okay.”

He thinks she might be a Saint, and wants to tell her this, but instead he kisses her cheek and thanks her before paying the bill and running out the restaurant door.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Yuki is half way through his show when he hears loud knocking at his hotel door. Sighing, he pauses his episode and shuffles his slippered feet to the door. When he opens it, he’s greeted by the sight of a wide-eyed Pierre hiding something behind his back. He’s dressed in the same outfit from the photo, and Yuki can’t think of anything other than, fuck fuck fuck fuck.

“Aren’t you supposed to be on a date?”

Pierre ignores Yuki’s question and pushes his way into the hotel room. Yuki closes the door after him and turns to look at him, confusion written all over his face. He opens his mouth to ask the question again, but before he can, Pierre is speaking,

“Why did you tell me to get cornflowers?”

“What?”

“Why did you tell me to get cornflowers for my date?” Pierre asks again, sounding more frantic than the first time he asked.

“I don’t know, it was just the first thing I could think of.”

Pierre lets out a sigh when Yuki says this, and says,

“But is that the only reason you said cornflowers? Was there no other reason?”

Yuki pauses at this statement, because shit, there is another reason why he said cornflowers. He stares at his slippers, wanting nothing more than for the floor to swallow him up. When he finally looks back up at Pierre, he can’t help but gasp, because he’s suddenly so close. Pierre’s eyes are pleading Yuki to just say what they both know.

“I told you to get cornflowers because you said on the second night in Italy that they were your favourite flowers, so they’re the only flowers that I can think of now.”

He says all of this is one breath before closing his eyes tightly. This is it, he thinks, now he’ll know that I like him and he’ll want to change teams and we’ll never be friends again.

Yuki’s spiralling thoughts are interrupted by Pierre’s right hand touching his chin and tipping his head up gently.

“Yuki.”

His heart clenches at the way Pierre says his name. He opens his eyes and sees Pierre staring at him. His face looks the way Yuki’s name sounded; like Yuki is everything that’s soft and lovely in the world and it makes him forget how to breath.

He sees Pierre’s left arm move from behind his back and looks down to see a bouquet of apple blossoms. The sight of the flowers causes Yuki to let out a quiet sob, and in response, Pierre his hand from under Yuki’s chin to cup his cheek and wipe away the tear that had escaped his eye.

“You said that your favourite flowers were apple blossoms,” Pierre says quietly, “so I got you some.”

Yuki spares a glance at the clock on the wall, eyes widening.

“But it’s almost midnight – how did you get flowers?”

Pierre blushes a bit at Yuki’s question and clears his throat before sheepishly admitting,

“I called every florist in the city to ask if they had apple blossoms that I could buy tonight. I didn’t want to show up here without them.”

“But – what about your date?”

Yuki’s confused face is so cute that Pierre can’t help but give his forehead a soft kiss.

“She actually helped me realize that I like you more than a friend. Love you more than a friend.”

Pierre’s confession makes Yuki feel like he might just burst with happiness, and he can’t help the smile that lights up his face. It’s all he’s wanted, all he’s dreamed about, since they met two years ago, and Pierre pushed his way into his heart. Knowing that Pierre likes him, loves him, feels better than winning his first Formula Two race. Feels better than getting a Formula One seat. Feels better than he ever could have imagined.

When he looks in Pierre’s sparkling eyes again, Yuki is delighted to realize that he finally has the courage to say what he’s wanted to say for two years.

“I love you more than a friend too. I always have.”

Now it’s Pierre’s turn to smile widely at Yuki’s confession. His thumb strokes Yuki’s cheek softly, and Yuki leans into his touch. The two of them stand there for some time, soaking in their shared happiness, before Pierre asks,

“Can I kiss you?”

Yuki wildly nods yes, bunching up Pierre’s button-up in his fists and standing on his toes. Pierre leans down, right hand still on Yuki’s cheek and left hand holding the apple blossoms out to the side so they don’t get crushed between them.

Their lips touch and Yuki has never felt happier. Pierre tastes like expensive Italian wine and smells like roses and apples. His shirt in Yuki’s hands is soft, and when he slides his right hand up Pierre’s chest, he feels the gold chain of his cross and it makes him think that there’s nothing holier than how Pierre makes him feel.

When they finally break apart, Pierre places the apple blossoms on the bedside table before gently pushing Yuki onto the bed, saying,

“You’re the one I want, always.”

Pierre repeats those words countless times that night and every day afterwards. And every time he does, Yuki knows he’s telling the truth.

#yuki x pierre #pierre x yuki #yukierre #yukierre fanfiction #formula 1 RPF #f1 RPF #RPF #formula 1 fanfiction #f1 fanfiction #abbey.writes

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spymasterspriest · 10 months

Text

Chapter 8

The Spymaster & The Priest A Gwynriel role reversal fanfiction

Masterlist, or read the entire series on AO3

After a good day and half they find themselves in another small town. They ended up spending the night at a verysmall inn. He'd nearly ripped the sheets from the mattress when he thought he'd heard Gwyn say his name in her sleep. Despite his fatigue, he'd found it difficult to fall back to sleep.

The next morning they broke their fast on hard boiled eggs and roasted potatoes. It's a satisfying though simple meal that leaves Az's belly pleasantly full and thoughts nostalgic. Gwyn buys two loaves of bread for the last stretch of their trip.

"Do you have any siblings?" Gwyn asks, mouthful of freshly bakes loaf as they head to the stables.

"Two. the youngest of three. No sisters," Azriel admits flatly. "What's it like working for the Night Court?"

"Loud," she says immediately, though her eyes are kind and her smile fond. "Never a moments peace." She stares off into the distance. "I miss them. We write, of course, but its not the same as being with them. They've become my family. Hopefully we'll be done with this book business soon and I can get back for a proper visit."

Azriel triest to imagine it, a casually dressed Gwyn socializing with members of the High Court, mahogany locks gleaming, sword at her side despite her fancy way of dress. Unconditional love for all around her. He blinks a few times, unsure of what to say. There were a few brothers in the temples that he knew well enough to call friends - but family? He knew a mother's love, but not a family's.

"Shall we get some practice in while its still early?" She inquires in a way that's meant to confirm rather than suggest.

Not a bad idea. She'd been right to suggest it before as it loosened his muscles for travel. He squints at her. They'd reached the stables, the interior warm and softly lit. Senka snickered at them as they entered, black eyes gleaming. Azriel huffs.

The spymaster suggested insisted on switching up their routine. Gwyn is utterly boneless in the way she moves and Azriel wonders if its an inheritance of her nymph side. They move slowly through their stretches, Az improvises by including his wings, smothering a groan as the muscles bunch and pull, warming despite the cool morning.

When he opens his eyes next, breathing routine finished, Gwyn is watching him with a gentle expression. In her hands are a pair of daggers from her own collection. And what a collection it was. He'd caught her one of the nights before cleaning them. He'd counted around thirty-four. She waits for him to come out of his stretch, eyes lingering on his shadows, or his chest, he wasn't sure. Shadows, definitely the shadows. She hands him a dagger.

"Try to stab me," she says simply.

"Sorry?" He blurts.

Azriel wasn't surprised at the direction of her teaching. It was smart that he learned some forms of self-defense. After the altercation at Rita's he understood why Gwyn kept herself so armed. Ok, maybe the amount of daggers she kept was a tad facetious. The world could be a cruel place and he was better off being prepared for it. Azriel gulps as her eyebrows raise as if she'd made a perfectly reasonable request.

"I want you," she says slowly, voice low. His thoughts immediately go there. "To stab me with this. There are places we will be going that will be less than hospitable to our presence. I don't want you to get hurt, so, you're going to try and stab me and I'm going to disarm you, probably rather easily," she chided arrogantly and Azriel's shadows bristled at the challenge. "Then vice versa, yes?"

"Gwyn," Azriel starts.

"Nope, Az," she interrupts with a shake of her head, hair spilling down her shoulder. "It's important to know how to take care of yourself. These aren't even sharp. The worst you could do is bruise me," she explains, easing his unspoken concerns. "If you can even get close enough, that is," she teases with a wicked grin. "Now, stab me."

Despite his many faults, Azriel was not a coward. Her challenge struck his spine straight and pulled his shoulders back, wings spreading across the stable. The light shrouded, the horses whinny. Gwyn's eyes spark with warmth as she watches him.

"Show off," she says with a smirk.

"This is a terrible idea," he admits. She lets out a laugh and shrugs, taking a step back and motioning him forward with her hand.

Wrapping his fist around the weapon, he drives at her with all of his weight with his wings propelling him forward. He could be fast too. She steps to the side, Gwyn's body turning. His momentum carries him beyond her. A hand comes up to his wrist, gripping, pulling, sending him around in a circle.

Azriel staggers. Gwyn maneuvers around his wings as nimble as a cat. Using her grip, she pulls him down, bringing him to his knees, far more gently than she would have if they'd really been fighting. She keeps him there, hovering off balance, wings shifting, wrist pinched between her fingers. Her grip presses against the tendon at his wrist and Azriel hisses, fingers spasming. The dagger drops to the ground.

"You're instincts are good," Gwyn tells him, helping him to his feet. "You really came at me with some power. I like it."

"Yeah, well, dinner in the Tower would get competitive from time to time," Azriel deadpans, massaging his wrist. Gwyn laughs.

"And here I misread priests for serene," she tsks, picking up his dagger and handing it back to him. "Ok, let's do that again, but come at me slowly this time. I'll break down the moves and then you can try them on me."

It's excruciating to his wrists and hands, but as the continue to practice the exertion has relaxed him in the most pleasurable way. For a majority of the time he's able to deflect her attacks, the repetition triggering muscle memory. It's barely midday when they break.

"I'd say we've had enough," she concludes after his last successful attempt. Out of breath he stares at her. She barely looks bothered. "I'll be back in a bit, I need the privy before we go."

She makes a face at him, one he's come to recognize as her 'undone by mortal failings and annoyed by it' look. He gives her a lopsided grin and watches as she strides back to the inn, skin gleaming, hair bright. His shadows peer at her from over his shoulder.

A colleague. She was only a colleague. He'd agreed to assist her. He was here to help make her job easier, nothing more. This is what the reminds himself of over and over as they prepare to leave. They take flight, finally ready for the days travels. Within no time the buildings and farmland fade out of view.

Gwyn, feeling playful, rolls Senka. Azriel follows greedily, keeping close, hovering just above her. Close enough to hear her laughter. The spymaster attempts to shake him off, diving deep before arching back into the clouds. Azriel doesn't let her go. He didn't want to. He wanted to stay, gliding beside her like this, movements in harmony. He wants so very much.

"That was a great effort you made today, Az, truly," she calls out encouragingly.

Azriel nods his head in thanks. If she knew how desperately he'd been attempting to control his arousal, he'd probably done better. He wonders if she was just as rivalrous in bed, a lover who would meet his passions. Azriel stares off into the horizon, blue sky vast and seemingly infinite. Gwyn, thankfully, can't see the blush upon his face.

"You did a number on me when you started to use your shadows to predict my movements," she admitted. "It's a good strategy, you should remember to use it more."

He returns his gaze to where she sits astride Senka. She's rolling her wrist, unware of his stare, pulling down her riding glove to examine it. Azriel dives so fast he nearly crashes into her back, causing Senka to whinny in warning.

"Gwyn, did I hurt you?" he asks, horrified at the site of dark bruising. She looks up at him and shrugs.

"A bit," she admits, raising her arm above her head so that he might get a better look. Azriel's stomach drops - dark purple bruising blooms across her palm and thumb.

"Oh," he mutters, heart racing. It looked bad. It was-

"Az," Gwyn says firmly, snapping his focus back to the moment, calming. Senka rises just enough that she can capture his chin within her fingers. "I will heal," she tells him. "It's all right."

"I need to fix this," he begs. His eyes meet hers. She doesn't appear angry but he knows from experience that means little.

"My sweet shadowsinger," she hums, voice carrying in the wind. "I am well. See for yourself." Her hand drops from his face but remains above her.

Azriel takes her wrist, warm against his cool skin. Tipping her hand this way and that, he examines her from wrist to fingertip. There were no injured bones and her range of motion was good. He draws her fingers into his and leans in to press his lips against her palm. Her hand feels so comically small in his. Gwyn angles her head at him, a sweet twist to her lips and shyness breaks through her confidence. Azriel reluctantly lets her hand go.

"It won't happen again," he promises. "Forgive me."

She doesn't say anything for a moment and they simply just stare at one another. A heavy shift in the air gives the moment gravity. Gwyn lowers her arm and head, eyes returning to the sky. Something deep inside him settles, like a ribbon coming unknotted. He remains above her, wings beating steadily.

"No more apologies," she says after a while. "You are mostly certainly going to hurt me again when we practice. And you are not going to feel sad or guilty about it, understood?"

"Yes, Gwyn," he answers with a wry smile. "I promise."

In a feat that he would later convince himself was pure Pegasus cunning, Senka bursts ahead and up, tucking its wings tight and passes above him upside-down. He swears he feels her lips against the top of his head. Out of the corner of his eye he watches her dart into the clouds below and he's helpless to follow.

The woods were thick here, giving way to a largest forest Azriel had ever seen. Pine trees as tall as buildings push up from the ground like green feathered spears. War camps carve into the landscape, the architecture of some of the outer buildings crude in comparison to Velaris. The Illyrian mountains were no longer distant. A road could be seen below, the trees cleared to give way to carts and travelers on foot. The fresh smell of tree sap and snow cling to the air. As the camp interiors come into focus, he could make out dirt and cobbled roads. Women with small children scurried about and his thoughts turned to his mother.

They descend in silence, Gwyn looking alert. He hadn't considered what it would feel like to return here. The Illyrians were brutal fae. His High Lord had been attempting for years to bring progressive change to the camps, and with the help of his general, they'd seem some successes.

As they touch down, Gwyn remains atop Senka. The Night Court's spymaster was making her entrance. She gave no recognition to the stares and whispers. A few males even had the gall to point and look annoyed at her presence.

There are numerous Illyrians, more than Azriel had expected. They must be in one of the larger camps. The mountains were so close they felt touchable, snow blowing from their peaks. He walks alongside Gwyn, aware of the looks he too is getting. It takes some resolve to not shroud himself in shadow, gather his wings, and escape. Yet, the spymaster's gaze upon has his face turning upward towards hers.

"Doing all right?" she asks quietly and he nods.

"It's a lot," he admits and she gives him a beautifully reassuring smile.

"We'll stay on the ground the rest of the way. It'll be a bit till we get to our destination. You're doing great." He feels lighter at her confidence, giving him the ease he needed to observe the city.

Every structure was made of similar materials. Some had mulitple floors, walls of white stucco and pine logs. Rooftop gardens sat atop each, a common Illyrian feature, green shrubs pushing up from pots, some heavy with red berries. It wasn't as claustrophobic as Velaris. This place was wide, accommodating for wings. And the people! He hadn't been around his own for so long he forgot what it felt like to be less out of place; where wings and dark skin were the norm and not something exotic.

Azriel tries not to stare as a group of females pass dressed in subdued clothes, layers wrapping their bodies. An elderly male tries to entice them into his shop, which seems to carries a multitude of spices. A shout calling for the sale of herbs, drawing his attention to a woman with a cart. Some of the herbs Azriel didn't recognize. He catches bits of conversation spoken in his native tongue and wonders at the last time he'd spoken it himself.

They pass a cluster of wooden stalls, each one smelling of roasted meats or baked sweets and Azriel's stomach growls. He hadn't realized how hungry he was. Another stall nearby sold shaved meat with flat bread.

The sky is turning a soft lavender by the time Gwyn leads them through the main part of camp. A large building that looks more like an estate hall than the other homes, looms large ahead. The Night Courts emblem was carved into the stucco facade. The embassy was imposing and tall. An arched passage way emerges, opening into a square. A small fountain bubbles, surrounded by more berry bushes.

Up ahead a young stable hand waits for Gwyn, a broad smile upon their face. They speak briefly and Azriel's surprised to hear the spymaster speak Illyrian. She hands Senka over, hefting her bag from its back. Azriel follows her close as she pushes through a pair of heavy wooden doors.

The foyer spits them into a large room full of long tables, chairs, and people who look as if they could kill Azriel in a matter of minutes. In their sleep. Accidentally, even. He pulls himself up tall, refusing to hide and observes the room.

"Gwyn!"

The roar sounds from across the room. An immense Illyrian pushes back from a table and charges the spymaster, arms wide. Azriel tenses, expecting confrontation. Instead, Gwyn drops her bags and shouts back.

"Cass!"

They crash into each other. The Night Court's General lifts her off her feet in a crushing embrace, laughter bursting from them both.

A warning trills through his shadows just moments as a tap bounces against his shoulder. Azriel turns. A fae stands before him all pale skin and cold, brilliant grey eyes. Her beauty was as harsh as her demeanor. She spreads her hands placatingly.

"You," she says in common, "look new, and they," she points to the pair squeezing one another to suffocation, "will be at this for a while. Why don't you join me at my table. I'll get you something to drink. Call me Nesta."

Nesta Archeron. Eldest of the Archeron sisters. Mated to the Lord of Bloodshed. It was Lady Death herself standing before him.

"Azriel," he greets, unwilling to drop her gaze. Like staring into a predator's eyes, he worried if he looked away she might strike.

"The shadowsinger," she affirms, considering him from head to toe. He's acutely aware of her praising gaze sweeping over him. She reaches out to tuck her hand in his arm, tugging him alongside her as they make their way to a table laden with food and different sized mugs. "So, where did Gwyn find you?"

"I'm assisting her with an assignment," he tells her honestly. He lowers himself onto the bench after she sits. A slender, graceful hand places a mug of water before him. Still staring, he blinks at her. She arches an expertly shaped eyebrow. "We're tracking down some ancient books," he clarifies with a gulp.

"Right," she drawls. "Well, I'll grab the two of you some food if there's any left. My mate's troops are light on manners and high on appetite. They also might stab you over a hot bath, so there's that." She eyes him again, lingering on his wings. His shadows shutter out of sight. "You seem big enough to handle yourself." Her eyes catch on something beyond his shoulder.

"Nesta!" Gwyn's utter delight rings across the hall. She pulls the stiff female into her arms. Death succumbs to the spymaster and the two wrap around one another in an affectionate hug. "How are you?"

"Oh, you know," the other says casually, "same as always. Incredibly well read and growing deadlier by the day." She kisses Gwyn on the cheeks and presses her forehead against the spymaster's. "You look more at peace then the last time I saw you," Nesta says quietly with a gentle smile. "You will have to tell me about your adventures now that you're back for a bit. What the fuck did you do to your face?" She pulls back and taps a small silver scar at Gwyn's brow.

"I need to get a haircut tomorrow," Gwyn distracts, returning Nesta's kisses. "Can we catch up later? I'd like to settle in for the night." She looks past her friend to Azriel, who raises his mug at her. "I see you found Azriel while your mate had me preoccupied. He's such a softy." Gwyn squeezes her friend one more time before stepping from Nesta's embrace.

"Yes, well, that softy is sleeping in a separate room tonight after keeping me awake all night," Nesta says with a roll of her eyes. At Gwyn's slow blink and Azriel's blush, she clarifies, "with all his snoring." She glares at him and Azriel catches a twitch of a smile on Gwyn's face. "If you ever tell anyone what I just said I will stab you," Nesta threatens.

"I don't know what you mean." Azriel looks away and takes a sip of water. He reaches for some bread.

"I like him," Nesta says with air of proclamation. "You should keep him." She looks to the spymaster.

"I intend to," Gwyn replies, an absolutely feral grin upon her face, all teeth and affection. Azriel's cheeks flame and he shoves the bread into his mouth. Nesta smiles at him, as sharp as a shark.

"Let me get you some food before its all gone," Nesta says more to herself than them. "I'll be right back," she says, touching Gwyn's arm before stalking off to the other side of the hall. Gwyn watches her with a fond expression before turning to smile at him.

"Oh," Gwyn shouts, looking at the food upon the table. "These are my favorite!" She shoves a single meat pastry into her mouth and chews happily.

"Hey," Azriel startles when she makes out the pastry he'd laid out for himself, cupping his hands around it protectively. She laughs behind her hand, muffled by her full mouth, and turns to greet someone at the far end of the table. In the presence of her friends, she was glowing. Happy. He'd never seen her so at ease. She was-

"She's fucking amazing, right?" Nesta says, setting down a plate full of more pastries and a mug of water. He'd been so distracted by Gwyn he hadn't heard her approach from the kitchens. "A bit unfair, don't you think?"

"I-yes," Azriel agrees, startled by the way she'd picked up on his inner thoughts.

"She looks at you like your hung from the moon, shadowsinger. She's not that hard to read." Azriel opens his mouth to protest the direction of their conversation, but she cuts him off with a wave of her hand. "Most of us look at her like that. It's fun to see it work in reverse." She winks at him companionably and Azriel decides he rather likes Lady Death. Like the spymaster, she is not at all what he expected. He gives her a smile and nod, eyes moving back to Gwyn.

"The food is excellent tonight," Gwyn announces. "It smells like they got rid of the guy who refused to season anything. Drove Cass crazy." She pushes a plate of food toward him, snatches his mug and drains the rest of the water before pouring more.

Azriel raises a brow at her, and an intense, silent argument stews between them over the appropriateness of stealing another's beverage. As it's a battle fought mostly in eyebrows, Azriel loses.

After they finish their meal, he and Gwyn say farewell and head upstairs. Gwyn lives on the fourth floor, on the same hall as what looks like a rather impressive library. Rummaging through her bag she pulls forth a pair of keys and unlocks a door at the far end of the hallway. She pushes it open and gestures for Azriel to enter.

"Home sweet home," she singsongs.

#gwynriel #gwyneth berdara #azriel shadowsinger #ao3fic #acosf fanfiction #role reversal au #azriel x gwyn

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missallusion · 2 years

Text

My first Duskwood one-shot

I never wrote any Duskwood fanfiction and I have no idea if it's entertaining, but I just had to get it out of my head ASAP. Man, it's longer than I thought! 😅

Please excuse my English. 🙏

Spoilers ahead!

This is basically about how Jake's little trip went in the last chapter of the game (I didn't make it up, he told me the story himself! 😜).

☝️If you didn't finish Duskwood already, please wait before reading this!

Oh and just in case: my MC's name is Eve.

Have fun! 🤗

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Duskwood - Into The Unknown (one-shot)

‘I must’ve lost my mind…’

He was standing now at the entrance to Ironsplinter Mine. It was somewhat hidden by trees and rocks but he’d found the place sooner than he’d estimated. The hatch was easy to open and now he was staring at the pitch-black space in front of him.

One last time he looked around to make sure no one followed him here and then he turned his small torch on. He was dressed in a grey hoodie, black jeans and a black jacket made of leather, so nobody could see him in that forest in the dark. He also wore leather gloves to avoid leaving any fingerprints.

Jake sighed. That girl… Unbelievable how he’d changed in those past days. Because of a total stranger whom he now deeply cared for. More than he would ever admit to anyone.

And now here he was, doing the dumbest thing of all he’d done. Because of his sisters.

No. Because of her.

‘Yeah… I’ve completely lost my mind…’ he took a deep breath again and then slowly entered the mine.

Who would’ve thought that he would one day willingly put himself in danger? He was now walking deeper and deeper into that old, abandoned mine to save his younger sister. Hoping to never meet the kidnapper. To never stand face to face with a murderer, defenceless. So that she would be perfectly safe.

All for her.

But, to be honest with himself, he would gladly do everything she asked him to. He would go all the way to hell and back if he had to.

Piece of cake.

“I have reached the Ironspliter Mine. To be precise, I am already inside,” he wrote her a message and kept going while also looking at a map he’d downloaded more than two hours ago.

“Have you seen Michael anywhere?”

“No. I assume he is by the Grimrock, on the lookout for you.” Jake answered. As an afterthought he added, “Do not worry if I suddenly go offline. The reception in here is very unreliable.”

“Could you take a picture for me? I need to know what I’m missing,” the girl asked. Jake took a photo of the corridor in front of him and sent her. “Comfy,” she responded, which made him chuckle and shake his head. How she was always able to make him laugh still amazed him.

So far everything was going smoothly. The map turned out not to be perfectly accurate, but it should do just fine. He could hear a wind blowing somewhere and it was getting a bit colder the deeper he went, but he wasn’t bothered in the slightest.

“During my research, I found out quite a bit about this Ironsplinter Mine,” he wrote in the chat.

“You did?”

“I believed Michael must have had a reason to hide in the Ironsplinter Mine of all places. And I think I found the reason.”

“Because it’s spooky”

“:)” Jake laughed again. He liked it when they both could joke freely like that. Without having to worry constantly about their investigation, friends, family and their safety. His thoughts kept wandering to the girl all the time, and Jake couldn’t help it. She was constantly occupying his mind.

Eve…

Where would he be now if they’d never met? Jake didn’t even want to think about it.

Trying to concentrate again, he explained then to Eve that many tunnels are blocked off and in danger of collapsing, but it was still a perfect place for Michael Hanson to hide in. And Eve agreed with him.

He arrived at the ladders leading down deeper into the mine. He couldn’t see a thing below the first ladder and the ledge below it, this shaft was so dark and winding.

But there was no going back now.

He sent her a photo of the shaft, hid his phone and torch in his pockets and began descending, praying that these old ladders would not break under his weight. Gripping the ladder he carefully made every step lower and lower. He wasn’t sure how long did it all take.

Finally, he felt the ground and turned his torch back on again. There was only one way to go.

Forward.

‘Ok, now focus, Jake’ he whispered to himself and then wrote the next message, “I have reached the bottom.”

“That took ages!” Eve was getting nervous, as he assumed by her words, but he reassured the girl immediately.

“It was impossible to go any faster. Thankfully, the ladders were relatively stable,” he wrote her. He also told her about a large explosion in 1899 and that after that disaster the mine is largely inaccessible nowadays.

They kept chatting for a while, until…

‘Oh, shit…’ Jake cursed, stunned. “Strange,” he wrote then. “According to my map, I should be at a fork in the path. But I am at a dead end.”

“Weren’t you paying attention?”

“Of course I have,” he looked around and checked his map carefully.

How was it possible? He was following the map and didn’t stray from the path he’d planned out. And somehow Jake couldn’t go any farther.

The realisation dawned on him the same moment his phone signalled a new message.

“Well, this is just great. The plan has gone wrong MUCH earlier than I thought it would. Do you think you can still turn back?” the message said.

He guessed many corridors had probably collapsed over the years, but he didn’t think the mine would change that much. Therefore, the solution was simple - his map turned out to be... old.

‘Yeah, nice job you did there, you stupid man…’ he sighed irritated and turned back. No longer able to count on his map anymore, he carefully looked around for any other shafts that hadn’t been blocked, while also trying to memorise the way he was going now. It was dark, and all the old lamps hanging here and there weren’t exactly helping. He also noticed some surveillance cameras in some places, but they didn’t seem to be functioning.

Surrounded by nothing but silence, Jake kept going.

It didn’t take long for him to find a closed door, covered in rust. He wasn’t too far away from the entrance at the Grimrock Waterfall as he supposed, yet still he didn’t hear a thing, nor any human.

“Wait a moment. There is something here,” he wrote and opened the door slowly, so as not to make any unnecessary noise. He looked inside. The room wasn’t spacious - there were shelves with dusty papers, a few drawers and a small table in the middle. “I have reached a strange room. There are countless documents and files here. There must be hundreds,” Jake sent a message. “I have to look at this.”

“Do we really have time for that?” Eve asked, but Jake didn’t answer, inspecting all the files before him instead.

But when he looked at those on that table…

To see everything on a video call and later on photos was disturbing enough for all of them. But to see all of these things made by The Man Without A Face with his own eyes and to touch them… was another story.

“I have to tell you something,” he wrote after about 5 minutes. “All of those documents, they are the documents we found in Michael Hanson’s house.”

“Wait, really?” she answered instantly. “Alan told me the Hanson house was empty. So this is where Michael brought everything!”

Jake shook his head, still stunned and began looking through all things. Not even a minute had passed when his phone signalled another message from Eve. “But that doesn’t really matter right now, Alan could be there any minute.”

Hang on… Alan? Here?

“That is not good. Does he know about the entrance by the Grimrock?” Jake asked.

“Yes, he does.” Eve confirmed.

“Very good. That means he will enter the mine from the Grimrock and find himself in the western part, first. Which gives me some time.”

“But, if Michael sees Alan…“ she started. “Michael will think I’ve told Alan about him.”

“Yes. I am afraid you are correct. But I cannot leave yet. This is too important,” Jake shuffled some papers aside. He had seen it all: photos, sketches, notes, raven feathers… except for one letter which was folded in half. And this letter was probably the last clue to the mystery.

Amy Bell Lewis’ goodbye letter…

“Listen to me. I found the letter that Alan could not find in Amy’s apartment,” he quickly wrote. He tried taking a picture and sending it for Eve to read, but sadly, it was impossible in these lighting conditions. And she kept telling him to hurry up before Alan reached the place. Finally Jake managed to scan the letter and send the file. He was as shocked and sad at the same time as Eve was after reading it. The Man Without A Face turned out to not be a murderer after all.

“Jake… Amy took her own life, Michael didn’t kill her. I’m pretty surprised, to be honest,” she wrote in a message.

“That makes us two.”

They talked about that revelation for a while and soon concluded that Michael Hanson had taken the letter to cover up Amy’s suicide. And that The Man Without A Face must’ve shown himself to her later than he did to Hannah. Amy has been convinced that Hannah was imagining things, but after she saw him herself, she wasn’t so sure anymore. Too guilty, she ended it, unable to see any other way out…

Suddenly Jake heard a distant noise. “I can hear something,” he informed Eve.

“I think it’s Alan,” she answered.

He left the letter and the rest of the evidence and hurriedly left the room. Alan Bloomgate was probably already inside the mine. So he had to finish what he started as fast as possible and leave the place. He hoped that he wouldn’t be spotted by the kidnapper as he probably is about to find out they’d lied to him about Eve coming to the Grimrock.

But where the hell are Hannah and Richy? Jake was more focused on his task than ever and still wasn’t even close to finding them. The place was so… extensive.

Another sudden noise. And not too far ahead. As if someone was in a hurry. It was so unexpected that Jake’s heart almost skipped a beat and he forgot for a second how to breathe. He hid behind a nearby wall in a shaft and pulled his black face mask out of his pocket. The mask covered his nose and mouth so that his vision wasn’t obscured by anything. Then, he heard another step. Shuffling or rustling. A hiss. Then another couple of steps. And a curse.

As silently as he could Jake moved back slowly so that he wouldn’t be found. The kidnapper himself must’ve been very close to him now. But still, he couldn’t see him anywhere. Not a thing.

So maybe he really was close to Hannah and Richy after all?

Jake waited a while, but The Man Without A Face seemed to go away. He couldn’t hear him this close anymore. Jake half crouched, half walked to the main corridor and leaned out from his spot.

Nothing.

Then he heard an echo of something heavy. It could’ve been a hatch near the waterfall being opened or closed. Or maybe something else was moved or pulled, he wasn’t sure. What he was sure of, however, was that it was far away enough. He could then proceed farther.

Not a couple of meters later, he spotted another door, similar to those he’d seen earlier. And again, the silence was almost deafening.

With his heart still racing from adrenaline, Jake slowly and carefully opened the door. The room inside seemed to be an office of some sort again. But this time there was a computer there with two monitors plugged in. He checked behind and around himself if The Man Without A Face was returning, but it turned out he was alone. Jake came closer and inspected the place. What he saw shocked him again, though.

It was a video. The very same video that they all took for a live stream of a security camera, which showed Hannah and Richy, bound, with tape on their mouths, and unconscious.

Jake understood now what really was going on. It was a fake. And he almost surely fell into a trap.

He took out his phone and wanted to send a message to everyone, but again Eve was faster.

“Jake! I have to tell you something!” she wrote.

“I was just about to send you a message,” Jake responded. “I have found a computer that is broadcasting the stream you got from Michael. Eve, this stream is fake.”

What he really didn’t expect was the content of her following messages. He should be thankful that the reception was still somewhat good for him and he could keep chatting with her. What she told him now would surely save his life.

Or doom it.

“Jake, listen. Alan told me that your pursuers are at the Grimrock!”

The hell?!

“What? That cannot be.” Jake couldn’t believe what he was reading. A sad smiley only confirmed his fears - Eve wasn't joking.

He was fucked up big this time.

“This is not good. What exactly did Alan say to you?” Jake asked, his mind racing to find the way out of this situation. How could this happen now of all times? Had he messed up something or his pursuers were getting better? He couldn’t let them catch him!

Crestfallen, he thought back to what he’d told Eveearlier. That he wouldn’t let anything or anyone find him. Or they would be eternally separated…

“That they’re probably not here because of Hannah…” Eve explained.

Well… shit.

Dejected, Jake wrote, “I understand. I do not have much time.”

“So what are you waiting for?!”

“The computer I just told you about. Not only is it broadcasting the fake stream, but it is also receiving some other signals. Michael has installed countless security cameras inside this mine. And all of them are transmitting their signals to this computer.”

“Jake, you’re running out of time!”

He could just stop the fake stream with a couple of simple clicks and gain some advantage from that. Maybe it would help him see where everybody exactly is, he wondered. And, should he have enough time, it would also allow him to send a fake location for his pursuers to see? He could plug in his phone, type a short command to his Nymos bot…

He made up his mind.

Jake explained in a quick message what he was about to do and then started working on the said computer as fast as he was able to, while also trying to be silent. He needed to get it done, to find Hannah and Richy…

“Jake, Alan just escorted Hannah out of the mine,” another message said.

Why didn’t he hear anything? It couldn’t have happened that far away from where he was, could it? “Hannah is safe?” he asked.

“Alan found her in one of the mine shafts. We finally did it.” Eve wrote back.

“That is good news,” Jake never stopped clicking and trying to listen if anyone was coming towards the room he was in. “But what about Richy?” he asked watching his phone and computer monitors at the same time.

“Alan will find him.”

“All right. So I must leave this mine immediately.”

Eve asked him then if he remembered the way out, but that wouldn’t be an issue to him at all. The way he’d come wasn’t too complicated to memorise.

However…

“I am worried about the shaft with the ladders,” he admitted. “And in any case, exiting that way would take far too long.”

“Are there any other exits? The hatch at the Grimrock is locked, but only from the inside.”

Well then, he was screwed… Because of so many collapsed corridors, his map was outdated, so finding any other way out would prove to be much more difficult, if even possible.

“I know of none,” he wrote with a grim expression on his face.

Before leaving the motel he was staying in, Jake prepared a distraction similar to #IamJake trend, just in case. So, how did the FBI know he was down here? He didn’t get any alerts from his bot yet. Not a single warning on his phone. Nothing. And they must have positioned themselves at every single one of the mine’s exits by now.

“It seems I do not have many options left,” he sent another message. “But do not worry. I will think of something.” Jake then proceeded to deactivate the fake stream. Now the only thing he had to do here was to transmit the cameras’ real images instead.

“I just wish everything had gone differently…” Eve answered.

“Do you remember when I had to go into hiding? I told you then that I would not allow myself to be captured,” Jake wrote, trying to ease her worries. “Because that would mean our eternal separation. That promise still holds true,” he admitted, blushing furiously.

Yes. He was very intent to keep that promise.

They didn't know each other very long, but for Jake it was as if they had known each other since forever. He would no longer be a lonely, distrustful guy. He told her he could no longer evade his feelings, right? But what if today he would finally run out of his luck? Jake had absolutely no idea how to escape the FBI this time. Reassuring Eve that everything would be alright felt to him like a very bad lie.

He didn’t want her to worry so much. Still, he had a much bigger problem to solve.

“I know you can do it,” she tried to encourage him.

“:)” Jake again had was speechless. The only answer he could give her was that happy smiley. “I must go,” he wrote next.

“We’ll see each other in Duskwood.”

“We shall.” Jake responded and then pressed Enter on the keyboard.

The transmission finally began and he saw many camera images on both monitors flicker and show different mine corridors. He quickly switched between images to check his surroundings, but he only found emptiness.

Good. Time to go back.

With one final look, Jake turned around to leave the room, but then stopped himself and listened carefully. Someone was definitely walking and breathing heavily with great effort. Something heavy moved as if it had been thrown to the ground and then pushed forward. If Hannah was outside safe and sound and the hatch at Grimrock was closed… that could only mean one thing.

He was alone, with The Man Without A Face and with Richy.

Maybe it was him who’d closed the entrance. So that no one, not even Alan himself, would interfere. And he must’ve understood by now, that Eve was not coming here…

So, would it be possible for him to save Richy and leave the mine with him? Was it all worth the risk? Jake hesitated.

Only now Jake’s phone started sending alerts about his pursuers being dangerously close to his location. His computer in a motel room could’ve been found by now, meaning he probably had no place to return to this night. Or maybe he still got time to run away if he made it to that motel somehow?

‘Fuck! Shit…’ Jake hit his fists on the desk and shuddered with anger. ‘Screw you, Nymos…’ he hissed, trying to stop the urge to break his phone on the wall.

But just one thing remained to do. He leaned against the wall, turned the chat on and wrote to Eve one last time.

“What happened?” Eve answered instantly. “Why are you online?”

It was now or never.

“I cannot go without telling you,” Jake wrote back, trying not to drop his phone.

Why was he so nervous all of a sudden?

“Jake, you have to hurry!” Eve pleaded.

“I know. But I cannot bear the thought of leaving my feelings for you unsaid.”

Shit, why was he so damn scared?!

“What do you want to tell me?”

With shaking hands Jake wrote the most important message he wanted to send to the girl before running. He had to make sure she understood. He had to let her know…

He took a deep breath and mustered up his courage. He finally wrote three simple yet powerful words and pressed Send button.

“I love you.”

For the first time in his life, Jake was truly afraid of looking at his phone screen. After all their conversations. After all this short time… after everything that happened. And even though Eve never heard his real voice, never seen his face. Would she really feel the same as he felt about her?

‘This was incredibly stupid now…’ he thought sadly. Jake hoped he didn’t just ruin their unusual relationship with his confession. He wanted to tell Eve everything face to face. That was his biggest wish. But he also couldn’t risk that he would never have a chance to confess to her in any possible way. How could some girl become so important to him in less than two weeks was way beyond his understanding.

I am at your mercy, he told her that earlier tonight. And she didn’t block him or tell him to fuck off. It had to mean something, right? Right?

Jake took another deep breath through his mask and dared to look back at his phone. And then he thought that his heart stopped beating.

“I love you too, Jake.”

He didn’t dare to hope before that maybe, just maybe Eve would love him back. Because how crazy and impossible that would be, right? He was wanted after all! How could anyone just want to even know him? Talk to him? Be with him willingly?!

And then there was this girl.

Her message was a pure joy to read. He didn’t even know that he stopped breathing for a moment while waiting for Eve’s response. Now he was feeling as if he suddenly could do the impossible.

Jake smiled and locked his phone. He glanced back at the monitors. Still no sight of Richy. He hurriedly left the room then, but before Jake went any farther, he heard someone speaking. Or rather talking, probably through a phone, and that person wasn’t too far…

Quietly Jake moved closer to the sound and listened carefully. He was sure he’d heard that voice somewhere before. It didn’t take long to reach the place. Someone was sitting, his back leaning against a wall, and talking on a video call. Jake stopped nearby so that he could overhear the conversation, hidden.

It was Richy.

So maybe he still got time to escort him after all?

Jake kept listening to what Richy was saying. He heard a voice of a woman. It was… Eve? But what worried Jake was that she was… crying? He furrowed his brows and glanced to his right, leaning out from behind the wall he was crouching at. Either his ears were playing tricks on him, or… Did Richy just confess something?

“I’m sorry…” Richy said then.

“N-no, Richy, WAIT!” Eve shouted, but then the call must’ve ended, there was silence once again. Jake looked at his phone once more, on invisible mode, and began reading the chat with Richy, that she was now having.

What. The. Hell?!

Not believing what he was seeing, Jake looked back at Richy. The guy was still sitting there, breathing heavily. A weird material on his knees. And blooded bandage on his right arm, right above his elbow. And then it clicked.

No.

No fucking way…

But the more Richy was explaining, the more Jake wasn’t sure if he should just go and leave the guy here alone or just move to him and hit him senseless. Or maybe just drag him to Alan Bloomgate himself.

Every single piece of evidence, every single clue about Michael Hanson… turned out to be fake as well. As fake as Richy’s friendships were. Jake felt as if someone slapped him in his face, he felt as if the whole case was one big insult. So sure they were of their findings and of the culprit’s identity!

Jake noticed some canisters and carton boxes then in front of Richy, now having another video call, but Jake was no longer paying attention to what was being said right now. He had had enough. Richy threw his mask there and kept apologising again to Jessica now, if Jake heard correctly. The hacker was now sitting, eyes closed, hitting his head lightly on the stone wall behind him, not believing the outcome of this whole investigation.

Then, there was a bang, as if someone tried to force open the hatch to the mine, but Jake didn’t care anymore. Everything around him stopped. His mind now wandered to his love again. How was Eve feeling right now, after all the revelations? Was she, just like Jake, feeling betrayed? Toyed with? Or perhaps like a fool? Did she tell the others already or was she waiting like he was now? Was she crying still?

Jake didn’t know how much time had passed while sitting there. Only then did he notice that everything was silent again. Except for two, maybe three human steps and then something like… water splashes? He furrowed his brows, peeked out once again from behind the wall and froze in shock at what he saw.

Those canisters… Richy was splashing their contents now at those boxes and on the corridor that led from Grimrock to this place. Jake stood up rapidly when he smelled that substance. A smell so characteristic, that he almost didn’t believe what Richy was about to do.

Gasoline.

“Oh, shi…” Jake cursed under his breath and was so stunned, that he no longer knew if he should laugh at all this, at how impossible the situation was, shout, or punch something hard. But when he registered Richy flicking his lighter, in a split second he made his decision.

Jake chose the last option.

In a blink of an eye, faster than anyone could register, he caught Richy’s lighter in one hand, stopping it from setting everything on fire, and with his other hand he shoved Richy to the nearest wall. He held him there with a dangerous look in his threatening, electric blue eyes, not caring that Richy was hurting from two gunshot wounds. Jake hid the lighter in his pocket, never averting his gaze, and now with both hands he held Richy by his hoodie with fury, panting angrily.

“Ugh..! Who… Who are yo—?!” Richy hissed with pain, eyes big from shock. But Jake wasn’t going to move, he only narrowed his eyes instead. Without blinking he kept looking straight into Richy’s gaze. He apparently stopped him at the very last second. Now he was absolutely furious and unyielding. “So, it’s you, huh?” Richy’s eyes sparkled with recognition. “I admit, I would never have thought that of all people it would be you who would come down here,” he sighed. “Jake, was it? I am Ri—!”

“Is this really funny to you?” Jake silenced him with an angry push, not daring to shout, but still sounding dangerous and intimidating. “Tell me, is it?!”

“I don’t—“

“Did you like it? Were you having fun, playing with all of us?!” Jake growled. “And with my sisters?!”

Silence. The only thing that could be heard was just both of them, breathing. Neither Jake nor Richy averted their gaze as if challenging each other.

“No. Of course not,” Richy admitted, closing his eyes, tired. He looked down with guilt, still being held and not trying to move away from Jake. “I am sorry,” he apologised.

“Did you call the FBI?!” Jake pressed, still angry.

“FBI? No! What are you..?” Richy was now visibly stunned by Jake’s question. But the hacker wasn’t buying that.

“Did you?!” he interrupted louder, desperate.

“No, I did not!” Richy insisted. “I swear!”

The hacker had had enough and violently pushed Richy again. He released him then and stepped aside, running his hand through his hair with frustration. “And why should I believe you and not beat you to death right now?!” he threatened.

Jake never would have thought that one day he would stand face to face with the man who kidnapped his younger sister. The man who claimed to be one of her best friends, nonetheless.

“Damn it!” Jake punched the wall with his fist and looked again at Richy. “What were you thinking you were doing?” he motioned to all the boxes and evidence in the middle, the smell of gasoline irritating his nostrils. “You planned to burn it and die here like a coward?!”

“You’ve got a problem with that?” Richy challenged.

Jake moved again to stand in front of Richy. They were both tall and had the same height. He looked him in the eyes with frustration, not caring to keep his cool. “The hell I have! I couldn’t care less about you, but what were you going to do with Eve? If she actually arrived here?!”

“Nothing,” Richy murmured, averting his eyes.

That vexed Jake, “You planned to kill her?!”

“What?! No! Absolutely not!”

“Then why ask her for such a sacrifice?!” the hacker demanded, his patience wavering.

“I intended to ask her for help!” Richy admitted finally, throwing his hands up, not realising that he was shouting now. “I wanted to tell Eve the truth personally and then she would help me get away. I got shot, you know?!” he motioned to his bleeding arm and to his wound on the left side of his stomach. “Earlier, I wanted to run away with Hannah, while The Man Without A Face burned all the evidence and himself to death. But that plan would no longer work, thanks to Dan,” he laughed bitterly and explained further. “So I released Hannah and waited here. And when I realised Eve wasn’t coming at all…”

Jake only shook his head at all of this when they suddenly heard another noise from the Grimrock entrance.

“Jake,” Richy continued, ”the FBI… they are here for you, aren’t they?”

“None of your damn business…” Jake snarled.

“And you really love her to risk your own safety, don’t you?”

“I said none of your fucking business! I can’t believe I wasted my time on this shit!” Jake breathed in, out, in and out again, trying to calm his nerves. “Just tell me how are we going to leave that damned mine.”

“We aren’t,” Richy said gravely and moved towards the pile of photos and papers. He took one sheet, still dry. It looked like some messy scribbles or like a drawing of some sort. “There,” he gave it to Jake. “Take it. Oh, and excuse my Picasso skills. I’m no artist… argh!” he snorted but regretted it instantly. The pain was really unbearable.

“And what’s this?” Jake examined the paper closely.

“I made that when I discovered the entrance. It’s a map of the corridors, so that I wouldn’t get lost here.” Richy explained. He then pointed to an X sign. “Here is the entrance near the waterfall,” he then pointed to another X, “and here is the entrance that you could use. It’s not too far from here, but well hidden outside, should be enough. It wasn’t depicted on any official maps, maybe that hole appeared after a collapse of sorts…” he wondered.

Jake looked at the map and spotted a third entrance, the one he’d used earlier to get inside. So that meant that the entrance Richy told him about now could be their way of escape.

“Why are you giving me this?” Jake asked, not sure of Richy’s intentions anymore.

“I’m not going to get out of here. I’ve had enough of running away…”

“No, Richy,” Jake stopped him, “You are coming with me. You’ve got to make a statement at the police.”

“And how do you think we are going to avoid the FBI?” Richy asked. “Either they take us both, or you get away from here while I set everything on fire.”

Jake couldn’t believe his ears, “Are you absolutely mad?! You want to play a hero and sacrifice yourself?!”

“You and I both know there’s no other way for you to avoid capture if we go together.” Another bang could be heard, louder than before. Richy turned his head that way and frowned, “Take your time and decide, Jake,” he looked back, “but my advice is that you do it fast.”

Jake considered his options, deep in thought. Let him make a distraction by blowing up the mine? Or they both go and surely get caught… Neither possibility sounded perfect and acceptable. Their predicament seemed hopeless.

Another bang and then another. Some shouting could be heard.

Jake looked at the map and took out Richy’s lighter. It had Rogers’ Garage logo on it. “No,” he gave it back to Richy, “you start a fire and then leave the place that way,” Jake motioned to the corridor leading to Grimrock Waterfall. “You need to tell Hannah the truth. No more games.”

Richy looked at Jake, at the lighter and at Jake back again. “All right,” he took it back. “Go first. When you find the exit, wait there and get outside when all the agents have left.”

Jake pointed his finger at Richy in a warning, “You better make it or I’ll drag you out personally if I have to. Eve would kill me if I didn’t…” he said the last part more to himself.

“Sure.”

They looked at each other, both silent now. Soon Richy flicked his lighter a second time that night. “Good luck to you, Jake. Again, I am really sorry…”

Jake nodded, “Thanks for the map. We will meet again.”

“Yeah…”

Jake then turned around and left with a newfound determination in his eyes.

Surprisingly, Richy’s map was really accurate to his surroundings, despite bad drawing. It depicted the rooms he’d found as well as another one he didn’t have time to investigate. He assumed it was the one Richy had held Hannah in. Jake kept walking fast when he heard an explosion and felt sudden warmth. It had made him almost jump from the scare. Richy probably left already, and with no time to lose Jake began sprinting.

That bastard was right. The exit wasn’t too far away after all. It was easy to miss and Jake hoped that was also true from the outside, just as Richy had told him. There was a hole big enough for him to go through and climb to a corridor slightly higher than the one he was currently in. Thankfully Richy made sure to put some bigger rocks there to climb onto.

After going through, Jake headed straight on, away from the fire, as he feared that the corridor behind him would collapse at any second now. He quickly found a ladder nearby which led higher up.

‘So that must’ve been a shortcut to the nearest shaft…’ Jake thought, thankful for Richy’s discovery. The ladder was rusty, but not as much as the ladders he used to descend before. Without hesitation, he began climbing up the shaft.

It took him less time to ascend than to descend, as that shaft turned out not to be as long and deep. When he reached higher ground and could no longer hear anything from where he just came, Jake proceeded farther. The silence was overwhelming. He almost thought that he would surely miss an important sound of someone coming to catch him.

But no such thing happened. He was completely alone on that path.

Jake checked Richy’s map to make sure he was going the right way and prayed he’d been right about the distraction. He also quickly checked for any alerts on his phone.

Nothing.

So probably his equipment in the motel was still safe as Nymos didn’t show him any warnings regarding hacks or his security breaching. His only concern was the FBI above.

The corridor he was now running in was long but soon Jake reached other ladders to the upper level of the mine. Just like it was scribbled on the map. He climbed in almost complete darkness carefully, trying not to make a single sound. It wasn’t easy on those old ladders. He almost slipped once and involuntarily cursed under his breath but kept going all the way up.

Now the only way was forward, to the hidden exit.

When he found it a minute or two later, he was really amazed. It looked like a cave, but the farther he went, the smaller it was becoming. And he soon found himself crouching warily so that he wouldn’t hit his head on the ceiling, which was getting lower and lower. Thankfully there was no water there.

Jake eventually stopped by a big rock in front of him. It wasn’t completely hiding the entrance, so he could sneak a peek outside to check the situation.

He almost wanted to jump and dance, for he was completely alone. Not a single soul in his vicinity. But he could clearly hear a commotion a couple of meters away from him. Making sure no one was on the other side of the cave, he pushed the rock aside.

Man, it was heavy. But perfect enough to hide the cave in all that darkness, so that he could go outside. Jake turned around - the cave really was hidden in something resembling a small hill with a bush and rocks. If you didn’t know it existed, you wouldn’t find it during the night. And probably also during daytime.

It was pitch black here where he currently was, but he could clearly see a helicopter flying above the forest, searching for him probably. Jake also saw blue, orange and red lights from afar.

‘Must be the fire and the police…’

He observed for a while, but he wasn’t close enough to spot Hannah or Richy from that distance. And he couldn’t allow to be seen here. Looking one last time, he turned around and sprinted away, towards the place where he’d entered the mine hours ago. He was sure now that no one would be there and that he could safely reach his motorcycle to drive back to the motel.

Jake never stopped running.

To safety. To better days.

And to tell her that everything will be all right, as he always did.

He is going to be safe and sound.

He had a promise to keep after all.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Well, how did you like it? ;)

#duskwood #everbyte studios #everbyte duskwood #duskwood jake #duskwood jake x mc #fanfiction #duskwood episode 10 #duskwood spoilers #duskwood everbyte #duskwood fanfiction

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lec743 · 2 years

Text

On a Mission - ROTTMNT Fic

Summery: Tina decides that she's going to save some puppies and she's going to get her ninja friends to help her out. *warning: has slight depictions of animal abuse in this story*

Word Count: 4913

Mentions: @rheawritesforfun, @digitl-art-monstr, @fluffytriceratops, @puppyofalpacas, @post-apocalyptic-daydream

Don’t like reading on Tumblr? You’re not alone:

AO3

Fanfiction

*******************************************************************************************

Tina looked up at the apartment complex building that the turtle fam was living in. She knew that she shouldn’t be here, but she steeled her resolve. Examining all the windows on the third floor, Tina found the window she was looking for. Tina rolled up the sleeves of her monk robes, then she got out her fan and created an updraft to fly her up to the window of her choice.

Having never really done this before, the chunky blond girl smacked herself against the window she was trying to grab a hold of. She did that on her second attempt too. On her third attempt she couldn’t keep a hold on the window’s ledge and fell. If anyone was around to see this, they’d be laughing too hard to be able to record her.

On her fourth attempt, Donnie finally opened the window to yell at her. He didn’t get the chance to when she flew at him feet first and slipped through the open window halfway and smacked her face on the outside part of the window as she crashed. Dazed, Tina hung backwards out of the window.

She then felt two different pairs of strong hands grab each of her arms. Then keeping her in that limbo form, she was pulled into the building by Donnie and Mikey. Donnie let go of her once she was inside and standing, but Mikey kept a hold of her arm. Making sure she was steady on her feet.

“What were you thinking,” Donnie asked her.

Donnie was a bit filthy looking, and he had his goggles down over his eyes. In the bedroom they were in it had a lot of mechanical parts strewn about and a car engine sized mechanical whatever was hanging in the middle of the room over the bed.

Mikey looked like he was in the middle of a painting project with all the extra paint staining his face, hands, and arms.

Rubbing her forehead, Tina said, “I was thinking that I didn’t want to walk up the stairs.”

Donnie raised is goggles off his eyes so he could give her a “are-you-serious” look.

Tina shrugged and smiled at him.

“Hey, since you’re here, do you want to see my art project,” Mikey asked her.

“Later. I came here to ask for help,” Tina said.

“Oh. What’s wrong,” Mikey asked as Donnie got a rag off a nearby chair and started wiping the black smudges off himself.

“I came to recruit you guys to help me with a mission,” Tina said.

“All of us,” Donnie asked.

“Well, more specifically you,” she said to Donnie, “Because despite this being a dog fighting ring, that I want to break up, it is extremely technologically blocked? Like metal fences, guards, electronic passcodes. The whole nine yards. It’s gross and I need help.”

Mike gasped at the thought of innocent animals getting hurt, “I want to help too.”

“Great. Let’s go,” Tina said as she was making her way to the window.

She was immediately stopped by Donnie who grabbed her by her shoulders and started twisting her away from it and towards the living room.

“Okay. Fine, we’ll take the stairs,” Tina sighed as they approached the front door.

“I didn't even agree to do this mission. I'm just kicking you out,” Donnie stated.

“What! Awe, come on,” Tina begged, “Think of all the poor puppies you'll be helping.”

Tina, Mikey, and Donnie passed by Splinter, Barry, Leo, and Raph who were sitting together on the couch watching TV.

“What's going on?” Raph asked.

Tina was dragging her feet to explain the situation as Donnie continued to try and push her out the front door.

“Please, Donnie. Let's help her. It won't take you long to disable all their tech stuff,” Mikey pleaded.

“We deal in weird magic stuff and alien invasions and so on, not in domestic stuff that the cops can handle on their own,” Donnie stated.

Tina got out her phone and brought up all the photos and videos that she took while she was on patrol with her father, then she shoved it into Donnie's face and said, “Just look!”

Donnie almost had the door closed on her and he had to lean back to see what she was showing him. There was a pause, then Donnie took her phone and started to scroll through it. Tina took her chance to get back into the apartment.

“Well?” Mikey asked.

“That is some serious tech,” he said as he kept looking through her phone.

“So, we'll help her,” Mikey asked, giving him the biggest puppy eyes he could muster, which was double by Tina joining him.

Donnie sighed as he handed Tina back her phone, then he said, “Yah, okay. I'll set aside my tinkering to help.”

Tina and Mikey high five-ed each other.

“If it's that serious. Maybe we should come along too,” Raph said.

Leo looked more like he’d rather just sit and watch his show, but he started to stand up with Raph.

Tina was going to agree, but then Mikey said, “Naw. We got this. Sit down.”

“Okay,” Leo said as he sat back down, pulling Raph down with him.

Mikey was rushing past them into the kitchenette then rushed back out holding his nunchucks and Donnie’s bō staff.

Raph was sputtering to protest when Leo said, “Look it’s fine. They just have to call us, and I can portal us over to them lickety-split, no problems.”

Raph looked to Tina and said, “I know Donnie has our landline number, but do you?”

“No.” Then she threw her phone at him, making Barry duck, as Raph caught it without a problem, then he put their landline number into her phone, then threw it back.

Tina had a significantly harder time trying not to drop her phone, but she caught it and pocketed it.

“Alright, let’s save those puppies,” Mikey said.

Tina was just as enthusiastic as him as Donnie followed them out the door with his trademark, groaning sigh.

Tina led the purple and orange color coded turtles to the docks and once the three of them were just outside the perimeter of the electronic fence she put on her tengu disguise.

“I hear the dogs barking, the poor things,” Mikey whined.

“Are those taser guns?” Donnie asked as he watched a pair of guards walk around the perimeter.

“I don’t know,” Tina said with a shrug, then she said, “Okay, so there’s a lot of people here, we need to shut down, incapacitate, and pacify in this… Uh—?”

“Twenty thousand square feet warehouse,” Donnie said.

“Wow really? Okay. I have a few experimental sleeping bombs and my usually smoke bombs,” she pulled out two small bags from her monk robes and gave one to Mikey and Donnie, “I’ll be able to calm the animals down and get them to safety. Mikey you’ll help set up traps and keep the animal abusers busy, and Donnie what do you need exactly to do your magic?”

“Oh. Don’t worry about it. I already downloaded the blueprints to the building, and I know where I can find the power grid,” Donnie stated.

Tina looked at Donnie in shock, then said, “Wait. Did you have to look up who built the building and then steal the files for the blueprints by hacking?”

“Don’t think about it,” Donnie said.

Tina looked to Mikey who only shrugged at her.

“Okay… Okay, before we set out, there’s one more thing you guys should take,” Tina said.

She looked around for a moment, then she spotted what she was looking for.

Tina confidently approached the flock of pigeons as she got out her fan. Then glowing a soft pink color, the turtle boys saw a few of the pigeons’ glow pink with her and three of the glow-y ones flew to roost on her head and shoulders. Then she went back to them and handed them each a pigeon, leaving the one on her head alone.

“There. Now we each have a way to communicate with each other,” Tina happily said.

Mikey was cuddling with his pigeon as Donnie looked at Tina like she was being ridiculous.

“I have radios,” Donnie said.

“Oh! That’s good too. I doubt there’ll be a magic force field to stop us from using our pigeon messengers, but you never know,” she said as she had her hand out waiting for him to give her a radio.

“We won’t have time for that old fashioned type of communicating,” Donnie said as he handed her a radio to put in her ear, “This isn’t world war two.”

“Aw, come on Donnie. They’re adorable,” Mikey said.

It just occurred to Tina that they don’t know about magic bird messengers in general, so she got her pigeon to perch on her finger, then she whispered into it, and both pigeons that the boys were holding started talking in her voice.

“It’s magic guys. If you have magic, you can use them. I’m pretty sure you guys are magical. You seem to have the magic arura thing, but I could be wrong.”

Mikey had stars in his eyes as he started whispering into his pigeon a song and Donnie and Tina’s pigeons started singing in his voice.

Donnie got Mikey to stop so he could test it, and his voice came out of their pigeons like before.

“Now that we’re all set. I’ll see you guys at Todd’s place,” Tina said before using her fan to create an updraft to fly herself to the roof of the warehouse.

Tina landed on the roof lightly and walked over to investigate the glass ceiling. She saw the poor animals all caged up in a circle, and at the center was currently an unused fighting ring filled with dirt and wood shavings. She could smell blood and sweat and other unsavory smells wafting through the cracks of the glass ceiling.

She then looked back over to where she left Donnie and Mikey and saw that they were already gone. Then the lights all throughout the building cut out and there was a lot of yelling. Then there was the sound of her smoke bombs going off and a quick scuffle before there was more silence.

Tina couldn’t help but be impressed. She should get some training in with Splinter if she wants to be close as good as them.

After opening a skylight door, Tina held her pigeon softly in one hand then jumped into the dark building. Softening her landing with her fan, she landed outside of the fighting ring. In the dark she heard the dogs in their cages growling, and a few were barking. Outside the closed off area she was in, she heard more arguing then rushing towards the sound of a distant electric explosion.

Tina placed her pigeon back on her head and walked by the cages. Looking for the right dog that she could channel her magic through to calm all the other dogs down with. Eventually, she came across a cage that had a bunch of whimpering coming out of it. Tina bent down by the cage and looked inside. She could see that the poor thing was a rottweiler. Her ears were missing, and she had freshly coagulated cuts along her shoulder blades and back.

Ignoring the noises around her, Tina slowly opened the cage as she glowed from her pink magic. She slowly breathed in, then breathed out as she extended her magic towards the terrified dog. The animal flinched from the light, but Tina stayed calm and collected. Sending the rottweiler emotions of safety, and compassion, and warmth. Soon, the shaking and whimpering the dog was doing at her presence subsided and she glowed a light pink as she hesitantly crawled towards Tina.

Tina backed away to give her space to come out. Once the rottweiler was standing outside of the cage, she extended her hand out to the dog to let her sniff it. She sniffed Tina’s hand and licked it cautiously. Then the dog willingly got closer to the tengu disguised human, whining lowly and giving her big sad eyes. Tina cupped the dogs face, then pressed a gentle kiss to her filthy head.

Pink magic fully ingulfed the dog, amplifying Tina’s intent and calming unspoken language. It spread out of the rottweiler and towards the other caged dogs. It was a slow process, but it helped Tina open all the cages, one by one, as her magic spread. The only downside to her magically speaking to the dogs like this, is that if she doesn’t stay calm and collected as she is, then her spell will break, and the dogs will immediately react negatively.

Once all the dogs were out, Tina got her pigeon to perch on her finger, then she whispers into it and told the boys that the dogs were out of the cages and that she was making a move towards the exit. Then she put her pigeon back on her head.

With three dozen dogs following her, Tina took a step towards the exit. She took a deep breath, then made her way out of the building. As she walked through the dark open hallways, she continued to hear people yelling at other people and a lot of destruction.

The upside of being able to communicate with animals is that they unwittingly become your second pair of eyes and informers; with three dozen dogs surrounding her, Tina noticed that there was talk of big scary creatures and how they sometimes don’t see their fellow dogs after they’ve died. Which isn’t totally weird, since they’d most likely stay in their cages or, if the animal abusers were nice, would let them out to go to the bathroom, so of course the dogs wouldn’t see their dead brethren. However, it did just occur to Tina that neither she, nor her father, saw any dead piles on the premises or a death pit. Whenever there was a long-standing dog fighting ring you’d always see something like that around and it’s not like these people are new. Based on her and her father’s reconnaissance, these dog fighting people have been at this for months.

Tina started to get a bad feeling from that, but she immediately shut that down, as she took a calming breath. The thirty-seven of them hid behind a wall, as Tina looked around the corner. She saw a few guys hanging from the building’s structure as they were passed out in nets that they were in. Tina took a second to examine the nets. Why would they need nets that are made with microfiber steel?

They made it out the front door of the warehouse with little trouble. The only trouble being that Tina had to cut up the fence with her fan. Once everyone was outside the fence, Tina found a dog that looked small enough, then blessed them with her safe travel spell. She gave the dog directions for where Todd lives, and she told them to stick close to the pup that she blessed so that they’ll be kept safe too.

Tina watched the dogs walk away as her communication spell wore off, and her pigeon on her head started to speak in Donnie’s voice.

“Hey. I found an elevator that’s not in the blueprints that I have.”

Mikey’s voice came out of the pigeon next, “Is anyone else weirded out by how dangerous these guy’s weapons are? Like they’re not using normal guns. Well, I mean, some of them are, but like a lot of them seem more interested in capturing and suppressing things than straight out killing them.”

Tina got her pigeon on her finger, and spoke into it, saying, “Guys. I think they’ve been feeding their dead dogs to something. Donnie, where are you?”

Donnie told them and after passing a lot of knocked out men and women, Mikey and Tina found Donnie standing before an elevator door. Donnie’s little robot hands, from his battle shell, was working on the keypad by the door.

“Why do you think the animal abusers are feeding their dead dogs to something,” Mikey asked, looking like he’s close to tears at the very thought of it.

“The dogs were telling stories about it,” Tina said as she patted Mikey’s shell comfortingly.

There was a ding, and Donnie went, “Ah-ha! Got it.”

The elevator door slid open and the three of them hesitated to enter it.

“I usually just follow whatever Dad tells me what to do. What’s your guy’s expertise on entering something that only has one exit?” Tina asked as she stared down the elevator.

“We should call back up,” Donnie said.

Mikey sighed, “Yah. Even though I feel like we can still do this on our own. We should.”

Donnie was already calling Raph and Leo, then he explained the situation to them, told them where they were, then hung up.

“They’ll be here any minute. Let’s go,” Donnie said as he stepped into the elevator.

Mikey and Tina followed him in, then Tina pressed the down button and the elevator moved. As the elevator went down, the pigeons all congregated onto Mikey’s head and shoulders since Mikey wanted to pet them the most.

As the elevator continued to descend, it felt like it took forever for them to make it to the bottom floor. So much so that Tina and Mikey helped to be background beats to Donnie’s made-up periodic table rap song.

Finally, the elevator jiggled as it parked itself, then the doors slid open, and they were overcome with the smell and sounds of animals that shouldn’t be here. Mikey and Donnie cowered together, surprised and frightened by the sudden sight, while Tina walked out of the elevator teary eyed.

She saw fenghuangs, lindwurms, griffins, kelpies, sphinxes, thunder birds, and water jaguars. This wasn’t just a dog fighting ring, this was a mythical animal fighting ring.

“What the heck!” Donnie said as he pushed Mikey off himself then put his goggles on over his eyes and walked out of the elevator, “How did these people get all these types of animals down here?”

“They probably have a criminal yōkai as their leader or something,” Mikey hypothesized, as he scuttled close to Tina. The pigeons on him were shaking with him.

Tina had walked up to the tethered Thunder Bird. It’s blue and black feathers were messy and were slightly caked with blood. Electricity rippled over its form as Tina got closer, extending her hand and magic out to it.

The eight-foot tall, giant bird spread its wings out as far as its tethered wings would allow it, to make itself look as big and intimidating as it could be.

“Uh, Tina? Is that such a good idea,” Mikey asked as he followed her closer to the Thunder Bird, while holding onto the back of her monk robes. The pigeons flew off Mikey and landed on Donnie’s head and shoulders.

Tina didn’t answer. She focused on her magic as she held on to her fan, tightly, in one hand, and continued to reach out to the distressed creature with the other. She’s befriended Thunder Birds before, but they were all chicks. She’s never tried to calm an adult before.

The Thunder Bird snaped at her, making Mikey flinch, but Tina stood still since it wasn’t actively trying to hurt her, only to scare her away.

The hard part about calming a magical creature down with magic, is that there is always a type of resistance. The resistance is natural and to be expected, but it doesn’t make the job any easier and the three of them don’t have time for Tina to gain the animals trust the long way.

The Thunder Bird cried at her as it distressingly flapped its wings. A shot of electricity hit Tina and Mikey, but it harmlessly passed through them thanks to the enchantment on her monk robes. Tina was now close enough to place a gentle hand on the rough feathers of its belly.

She softly placed her hand on the distressed bird, then she poured even more of her magic towards it and let it go through its distressed emotions until it calmed down on its own and accepted the magic, she was presenting it.

Soon the giant bird was glowing a soft pink and had settled down.

“Okay. So that’s one,” Donnie said, “A dozen more to go.”

Mikey found a knife and was cutting the ropes off the Thunder Bird as he asked, “How are we going to get all these guys out of here?”

“I’m sure there’s an underground exit like a tunnel leading to the ocean or something,” Donnie speculated as he looked around the stone bunker, “We are by the harbor, and Leo and Raph should be here any minute now, so we can use Leo’s portals too.”

As the Thunder Bird was preening Tina’s hair, she said calmly, “I’m not going to be able to do this on my own guys.”

“What do you mean?” Mikey asked as he was rolling up the cut rope.

“I’m not magically strong enough to do what I did with the dogs. And if there is a yōkai gang leader or something, that’s in charge of everything here, we need to get out of here quickly,” Tina said evenly, “I need you two’s help to supplement my magic.”

“Wait. Does this mean I’m going to get to learn how to talk with animals,” Mikey asked, eyes sparkling with excitement.

“…Kind of.”

A flash of blue light, and Leo and Raph were in the underground unauthorized mythical zoo with them.

“Sup. How’s the—Oh wow.”

Leo and Raph looked around at the hostile caged and tethered mystical creatures as the blue light disappeared behind them.

“What happened to this being a normal animal rescue!?” Raph half yelled as he threw his arms up in disbelief.

Tina grabbed Mikey’s hand then she went up to Raph and grabbed his hand. Raph pulled away from her because of the giant bird following her but she held on firmly to him.

Calmly, Tina said, “Donnie and Leo will be better for helping us exit. Raph. You and Mikey will help supplement the spell I’m preforming.”

Mikey squealed he was so excited.

“Okay, how?” Raph asked.

Tina let go of their hands. “Well, will you give me some of your power?”

“I mean, yah, if you tell me—”

Raph began to glow red and it intermingled with Tina’s pink glow and her magic became stronger.

“Oh! I get it,” Mike cheered, “You can have as much of my power too.”

Mikey began to glow orange and it intermingled with Raph’s glow, making Tina’s pink glow radiated off her and through the Thunder Bird. The Thunder Bird screeched as lightning crackled around its wings and Tina’s spell began to radiate off it and towards the other mythical creatures.

“Thank you, boys,” Tina said.

Mikey was about to excitedly bounce around and say something, but Tina placed a calming hand on his head, “Save it for after we get them to the sanctuary. Right now, your emotions can affect the animals around you. You must remain calm like a glassy pond. One ripple will affect them all.”

Mikey pouted while Raph took a deep breath and said, “Okay. Got it.”

“Alright ‘Nardo. Let’s get them out of their cages,” Donnie said as he started hacking a cage that had a number padlock on it.

As they were freeing the animals that the magic had calmed, Tina gave Leo directions for where the sanctuary was.

“Hey, Tina,” Mikey asked from behind her.

She turned away from Leo who was gearing up to open a portal and she saw Mikey and Raph crying.

“How are you not breaking down from what they are feeling,” Mikey sniffled.

Raph was crying so hard that the tears were streaming down his face like a river. Mikey was doing a better job at not crying.

“Just let them wash over you. Remember. What you’re feeling isn’t your own feelings, it’s what you are feeling from them. Just let go,” Tina said serenely.

Mikey nodded in understanding as he wiped away his tears, but Raph was crying harder. Mikey was trying to calm him down when they heard explosions form above. Tina felt her magic waver for a second from the sound.

“I believe our time is up,” Donnie said, “Let’s vamoose.”

“Way ahead of you Don,” Leo said as he crossed his blades in front of him, then swiped outwards and a large portal opened before them.

Another explosion rumbled above them, and Tina could feel the animals getting antsy.

Leo bowed, then said, “Age before beauty,” at Donnie and the soft-shelled turtle rolled his eyes as he walked through the portal.

Tina walked over to the Thunder Bird as it hopped from one foot to the other as it anxiously looked to the ceiling. Tina ran a soothing hand through its belly feathers. Once its attention was on her, she motioned for it to follow her, and she walked through the portal with it.

The other dozen mystical animals made it through the portal safely and into the dark forest that they were in. Leo was the last person to go through the portal, he practically ran out as he made the blue portal disappear behind him.

“Hoooo!” he sighed, “Whatever was going on up there, they were really tearing things apart.”

“Is it safe for us to break the spell,” Raph asked Tina.

“Not yet,” Tina said as she started walking deeper into the dark forest, “We’ve got to check everyone in and it’s easier to check them in when they are calm.”

Tina knows this forest like the back of her hand, and she walked confidently through the dark as the animals and turtle boys followed her. Eventually they came across a cabin that had its front porch light on, but nothing else. Tina went up to it and knocked loudly.

They waited. Inside, they saw a trail of lights leading to the front door, accompanied by the sound of cloven hooves walking on wood and a deer woman opened the front door with a yawn. Her left arm was covered in a sleeve of tattoos reminiscent of Cherokee designed pottery. She stared at the disguised Tina, then looked over her head at the animals and at the turtle boys. She yawned once more as she scratched the top of her black head. Then she closed the door.

Tina backed away from the door as the boys gave her questioning looks.

“Give her a minute.”

After a minute or two the deer woman walked back out with a light jacket on, a clip board in one hand, and a tray of drinks in the other. Tina took the tray from her as she walked past the disguised Tina and the boys, and she started looking over the first mythical animal she came across, which was the kelpie.

Tina passed out the drinks and sat down on the porch floor, with the boys joining her, as she watched the deer woman examine animal after animal. Each time she finished examining a mythical animal she’d write something on her clip board, then she’d dispel Tina’s spell on the animal like she was gently tugging off a blanket from a reluctant child. The animal would then run into the forest.

“So, where are we,” Raph asked.

Leo answered, “We’re in Forest Park.”

“How,” Donnie exclaimed, “I don’t hear any distant cars or see any of the city lights.”

Mikey shrugged as he sipped on his drink, then he said, “Probably has a magic cloak on this area or something. Right?”

They turned to Tina.

She gave them a thumbs up.

By the time they all finished their drinks, the deer woman had examined all the animals and the spell that Tina had been maintaining with Mikey and Raph broke. Tina stood up and stretched.

“Haaaa! Man. I’m going to need to take a shower after this,” she said.

“Why do I feel so tired,” Raph asked, and Mikey nodded.

“Emotional whip-lash. I suggest eating some chocolate and watching cute animal videos,” Tina said.

“That does sound good,” Mikey stated.

Tina turned to the deer woman as she stood before them, unmoving.

“Thanks for taking them in Ms. Catawnee. Dad and I will come by later sometime this week to help you get these critters back to their natural habitats.”

The deer woman nodded. As she was walking past them, she patted Tina’s head, then went back inside. The only light that illuminated their surroundings was the porch light as the deer woman turned off her house lights as she made her way to bed. Leo gathered the empty cups and placed them on the tray and sat it on the floor by the door.

“Tina, do you want a lift,” Leo asked.

“Yes. Thank you.”

Leo cut open a blue portal for her and it was right inside her bedroom. Once Tina stepped through, the portal closed behind her and she was alone in her room. She took her broach off and she looked human once more as she fell into her bed in relief.

Quietly to herself, she said, “Ha! Take that Dad. We totally took care of the situation by ourselves.”

#rise of the teenage mutant ninja turtles #rottmnt #fanfiction #oneshot

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mimzy-writing-online · 3 years

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You probably know this by now, I don't know if you keep up with Whumptober, but one of the prompts this year includes "blindness". I'm not blind but based on your posts about writing blind characters, and based on how I would feel if one of my disabilities were used as a whump prompt, I'm not super comfortable with it. I was wondering what your thoughts are on blindness being a Whumptober prompt.

(unironically and with feeling) thanks, I hate it.

Yes, I’m familiar with Whumptober, but I’ve never participated myself and I haven’t seen this year’s prompts.

Edit: I later did see the prompts and check out the blog. I think it's a good set of prompts and I look forward to all the promising content, especially since some of my favorite tropes are there. To be clear before you read this, I have no problem with Whumptober2021 or whump in general. This is not the first time blindness has been included for a list of whump prompts, and it won't be the last.

This post directed at the concept of "blindness" as a whump prompt and why I think it's a bad idea. The intended audience is individual writers thinking about future projects.

The timing of this is almost too perfect because I read a fanfic earlier this week that would meet that prompt exactly. Tags included whump, blindness, and angst with a happy ending. Now whump, hurt/comfort, and angst with a happy ending are tags I enjoy reading, but blindness as whump has a specific message to it.

To explain that message, I want to discuss what whump is. Many readers are already familiar with the genre, but I think taking the specific definitions and picking apart what it means and what expectations we carry when reading whump fanfiction

Urban Dictionary defines it as: taking a character and putting them through physical and/or mental torment and is typically followed by the same character being treated for their traumas. To indicate the characters place in the situation they’d typically be called a whumpee (the character being hurt/comforted), the whumper (the character that causes harm and trauma), and the caretaker (the character designated the helping/healing/comforting the whumpee).

Fanlore has a page for whump that explains it in depth, including where it started in fanfiction, examples of whump, and even a list of “popular targets” in different fandoms. (Warning: you might find yourself called out on the popular targets list)

“The term whump (or whumping) generally refers to a form of Hurt/Comfort that is heavy on the hurt and is often found in gen stories. The exact definition varies and has evolved over time. Essentially, whump involves taking a canon character, and placing them in physically painful or psychologically-damaging scenarios. Often this character is a fan favorite…”

To add to that, I think an important detail is the distinction Fanlore makes between hurt/comfort and whump:

“While some communities and fandoms may use whump as a synonym for hurt/comfort, there is still a recognition that whump refers to darker and more extreme scenarios. And there are still whump fics been written that have very little, or no comfort at the end of the story.”

The big appeal of hurt/comfort is getting to both explore the darker sides of pain and then experience the catharsis of being taken care of, of being supported by your loved ones as you recover from the trauma. The character is the proxy for experiencing those highs and lows while you yourself are safe at home.

I personally don’t read much/any whump without some h/c involved, but I’m happy there are stories out there for people who do enjoy it. I’m not here to judge what you like reading or what you do to your characters.

What I want is to express how blindness, my disability, used as a whump prompt personally makes me feel and what message it sends to me, to others, and how that message affects my daily life.

Whump undeniably involves watching a character suffer through something painful and traumatic.

My use of the word “suffer” is what I want you to focus on.

Vision loss can be painful and traumatic. I personally developed an anxiety disorder in response to vision loss. Others experience depression. For some it might result in relapsing into old, maladaptive coping mechanisms like drug use, self harm, or eating disorders.

A big part of my anxiety was how people reacted to my vision loss. It was a cause of their stress. They were worried because they genuinely believed I would never live a happy life without normal vision, and that my life would only be struggle and pain.

I recently saw an old friend who hadn’t heard about my vision loss. The conversation was awkward, but the worst part was how they reacted as though I had experienced an insurmountable tragedy. And even when I assured them I’m happy with my life, they clearly didn’t believe me. They acted like I was just lying or in denial.

I love that people want to empathize with my situation and ask themselves what they would do in my situation, but I hate when the conclusion they come to is something along the lines of “I could never do that, I’d be too miserable thinking about everything I lost, I’d never be able to do anything I enjoyed ever again.” But I did go blind. And I’m not miserable, I’m actually happy with the direction my life is going, and I still enjoy my hobbies, even if I engage with them differently.

I’m not suffering. My life didn’t end with vision loss. It’s not ruined, broken, or worthless.

I read a fanfic that was tagged with whump, blindness, and angst with a happy ending. A general synopsis of the plot: the whumpee had gone blind due to a curse. It was true love’s kiss that broke the curse. Even from the summary I knew it was going to end with whumpee being cured somehow and that I’d leave that fanfic vaguely dissatisfied no matter how good the rest of the fanfic was.

I can say this for the fanfic: the whumpee had already accepted that they would likely be blind for the rest of their life, but everyone around them was treating it as a tragedy that needed to be fixed, working tirelessly for a cure despite the whumpee’s protests that they didn’t have to.

It actually hit home to my personal experience.

I still left it dissatisfied with the ending. I might love curse fics in that fandom, and I love the “true love’s kiss” trope, but it wasn’t enough to distract me from the fact that: an actual person out in the world thought the best happy ending, maybe the only happy ending, would be if the character got their sight back.

(note: I clicked kudos and exited out of the story's page because no fanfic writer deserves unsolicited critique or hate, especially for content I consumed for free and at my own volition.)

Why read a story I knew would disappoint me?

Because blindness representation is so damn rare that I feel like I’m wandering in a desert, dying from thirst and desperate for that oasis. But sometimes that oasis is a mirage and the author is unintentionally telling you that your life is actually awful and you’ll never be fully happy like this. And that is a shit mentality to walk through life with.

I don’t appreciate blindness being a whump plot. I hate it. Hundreds (thousands?) of fanfictions featuring blind characters are about to enter the internet and the overall message is going to be “You poor thing! You must be in so much pain, you must be miserable! Who’s going to save you? Who’s going to comfort you? Wouldn’t it be terrible if there was no one in your life to take care of you? You poor helpless thing!”

And I feel objectified. I feel trivialized. The mirage in the desert is going to become a starch, empty room filled with dozens of water bottles, almost all of them poisoned. My representation is going to hurt me personally, and it’s going to reinforce that idea strangers have about how awful my life must be.

(I returned to school this past month, and every day I’m hesitant to tell someone I’m visually impaired because I don’t want to be treated differently. If I’ve managed to pass as sighted this whole time and then suddenly reveal “oh yeah, I’m visually impaired” I feel this instant silence, this pause of awkwardness as people suddenly question how they’re supposed to treat me. They treated me like a person, and now I’m something strange and unfamiliar.)

I’ve worked so hard to improve representation for blind people, to give internet strangers the exposure to a blind person they need to normalize blindness because I hope that if they’re ever so lucky as to meet a blind person, they’ll treat that person with respect. That hope that another person in the blind community will find a friend they feel comfortable and accepted with. I hope that I’ll meet people who accept my blindness as just another aspect of me (like being bisexual or gender fluid or a writer or a cat lover).

Please don’t turn me and my community into a caricature. Don’t erase everything I’ve worked for with this blog.

To be clear, this is not just me saying "I hate the cure trope" again. This is me saying "the purpose of whump is to painfully hurt your favorite character, and I hate that your idea of pain and suffering is my daily (wonderful) life."

#blindness #whumptober #fanfiction #whump #whumptober 2021 #blind character #disability #ableism #anon

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eclipixels · 3 years

Text

Saving Kaneki from going on that date with Rize

______________________________

The first time I had met him was at the school library. He had stumbled into my life, quite literally stumbled. He had tripped and fallen on top of me, knocking over most of the books from the fantasy section.

There he was, all shy with shining silver eyes and dark hair. He groaned and rubbed his head before immediately standing up and apologising, running back to an orange haired boy whom I assumed was his friend.

The next day, a Monday, it was going back to classes again. Most people were taking a break from everything and just going out since it was the weekend but I stayed in and read some fanfiction to release some stress. Dazai is good and all but sometimes you just need a brain break from all the high vocabulary and just read some cheesy love story written by a delusional 16 year old.

I had arrived to class early since it's nice when it's all silent and nobody is here. I sighed before taking out my textbooks and reading Sen Takatsuki's newest novel. I rested my chin on my palm as I engrossed myself into the pages of the book.

Suddenly, I noticed something from the corner of my eye, there was someone else here. It didn't take long for me to realize that it was the boy from the library yesterday.

He had 2 cups of coffee in his hand with one nervously held out towards me. I was a bit shocked since nobody had ever done a gesture like that to me before so I froze for a second before accepting the warm beverage.

"I'm really sorry I ran into you yesterday, I really didn't mean to, it was an accident and I didn't know where I was going, and um, I'm Kaneki Ken."

"It's alright. I didn't mind and you didn't have to get me this but thank you." I smiled politely.

"You're welcome and it really was no trouble. It's the least I could do to excuse my clumsiness." He shyly spoke.

"Would you like to sit down?" I asked as I noticed he was still standing in front of me.

"O-oh sure!" His eyes widened. He sat down next to me and pulled out his textbooks, mimicking the actions I had done prior to him arriving.

"Hey, is that Takatsuki's newest novel? How'd you get that? I didn't think it'd be out 'till next week!" The smile that lit up his face was something I'd never get used to and unbeknownst to me, would be the one I would slowly fall in love with.

"Oh, most shops have already had them shipped to them and are keeping them in storage until next week. A bookstore owner I know really well managed to sneak one out for me." I explained.

"Aw, no way! You're so lucky! Do you mind if I borrow it? I promise I'll give it back to you by tomorrow!" He exclaimed and I can swear I think I saw sparkles in his eyes.

"Um, Here, you can take it now since I finished it earlier in the morning." I handed the book to him.

Thus was the start of our friendship. Even though he was often busy with school more than me, (since he took more complex classes) he still had time to spend with me. It'd be small things from sitting silently next to me and doing his school work while I read any book that he had recommended to just going out for ice cream together in a nearby park.

Everyday he would seem to bring me a beverage whether it'd be my favorite coffee or something else. If he couldn't meet with me, he'd always have it delivered to my doorstep. It became a tradition for us.

Soon enough, I had met the orange haired boy that I had seen with Kaneki the day that I first met him and not long after had we also become friends.

Somehow, Hide and Kaneki managed to get me out of my apartment and took me out to get lunch with them. The three of us had become quite close.

Although I enjoyed my friendship with both of them, it had seemed that I had fallen in love with the dark haired boy and might I say fallen really hard. Like, cupid got drunk and shot me in the back, sending me flying into Kaneki's heart, face first into his adorableness.

His eyes told stories that I found familiarity in. It held the same gleam of a painful past, the same feeling I found in mine. It didn't take long for me to accept the fact that I had drowned myself in his aura, becoming truly, madly deep in love with Kaneki Ken.

Unfortunately Hide had figured this out and of course he tried to get me to confess and after what felt like centuries of persuading, he finally got me to go and confess.

Well, that was before now. Now, he had come to me with pitiful eyes, telling me that Kaneki had fallen for a shy, purple haired woman that he had met in a coffee shop, and that he had asked her out on a bit of a date, and that she had said yes. I couldn't process what was even coming out of his mouth.

Kaneki asking out a stranger? Impossible–

–But.. after awhile I looked up at Hide and saw that he still had the same downcast look on his face. I knew then that he wasn't lying, and that he was serious. I guess that Kaneki does not feel the same way I do. we'll, obviously he didn't. I felt myself go numb as I was being pulled into a hug by Hide but I didn't respond. He kept apologizing over and over again, telling me that Kaneki is an idiot to have chosen a stranger over the the girl who was there for him through the difficult times and shared almost everything with each other but, in my eyes, I was just the girl who was foolishly in love with a boy who would never look at her the way she looked at him.

Hide went on about how Kaneki must have been crazy not to like me back, and that kaneki and I were perfect for one another, and that Kaneki was just making a mistake but everything that came out of his mouth just felt like lies that only reminded me more and more of the reality, stomping harder on my already shattered heart.

Hide decided to take me to get some food to cheer me up. It wouldn't work but I accepted his kind request since I can at least try to get my mind off of it.

"Don't worry about it, Y/n! We're gonna have the bestest day you've ever experienced!" Hide exclaimed determined.

"Give it your best shot." I shrugged my shoulders.

"Just wait and see Y/n, it'll be fun. Now let's go!" Hide shouted.

Once we had arrived, Hide's face looked distraught and he immediately said we should go somewhere else. I found that very weird and out of the ordinary for him. That's when I noticed him staring at something and I followed his gaze only to be met with the shattering view.

"Oh." I muttered.

"That's why" he let out a sigh. "I'm sorry." He apologized.

There was Kaneki, across the street with a tall long purple haired girl who I assumed was the girl who he asked out.

"What do you mean? That doesn't matter to me. Let's just go inside anyway." I lied straight through my teeth, doing my best to seem unbothered by it.

"Are you sure? You don't seem like you're okay." Hide asked with worried eyes, concern evident on his face.

"No no, I'm fine" but my tone contradicted my words.

"Look y/n, you're hurt and upset but you don't have to force yourself to do this-" Hide gripped my shoulder only to be interrupted by my voice.

"I said it's okay, Hide. C'mon, I can handle this." I smiled.

I don't know why I'm doing this but it can't get any worse, can it?

Shit.. yes, yes it can and it's happening right now.

Kaneki sees us and makes his way over. His expression was shocked to say the least.

"Y/n? What're you doing here?" Kaneki asked.

"Oh um, Hide and I just decided to get some food." I stumbled the words out.

"..with Hide?" He raised an eyebrow.

"Yea." I pressed my lips together and rocked on my heels.

"Huh, interesting." He hummed. "Are you two out on a date?" His expression changed to bitter.

"Wait what? No way." I laughed, actually finding it funny he would think that. Even Hide snickered.

"oh.." He muttered.

"So, who's that?" I chocked out, referring to the violet haired girl.

"This is Rize." He introduced.

"Well it was nice to meet you! Excuse me I have to go now." I ran to the bathroom. Fuuuuuck that was so embarrassing. I wanna cry and scream at the same time.

I could overhear Hide and Kaneki still talking. I focused to hear a bit clearer and I immediately clasped my hands over my mouth as I heard Hide passive aggressively say, "Have fun on your date while y/n and I hang out and have fun all day. Bye Ken!"

Hide huffed before sitting down next to me. "Someone looks pissed." I mumbled.

"Who wouldn't I be pissed? God, he's so fucking dense. This is like when your two favorite characters who you ship don't end up together and one of them ends up with some other bitch." He ran his hand through his hair sighing.

"What did you say to him?" I asked.

"You'd scold me if I told you so I'm not telling you. Ugh, I can't believe I'm best friends with such a-" I stopped him mid sentence.

"Let it go, Hide." I put a hand on his shoulder.

"I won't talk about it anymore but I'm not letting it go." He huffed.

"Whatever but, did you notice something weird about her?" I asked.

"Uh, not really. What do you mean by weird?" He asked.

"Bro, I swear there's something fucking weird about that girl!" I exclaimed.

"She doesn't seem weird.. I just think he's ways out of her league." He explained.

"No no, there's just something.. I don't know. She gives off weird vibes." I stirred the straw in my drink.

"Hm, are you sure you aren't acting like this because.." Hide trailed off, smirking.

"I just care about him, it's not about how I feel and- stuff for him, y'know? It's not about that. I'm just worried about him." I expressed my concerns trying to not include my feelings into the equation.

"Call it whatever you want but you're jealous." He snickered.

"I've got an idea!" I exclaimed.

"Oh no-" He widened his eyes.

"I'll go with them!" I said.

"I don't think they'd let you." He furrowed his brows.

"I'll just sit at another table so they won't see me."

"Don't-"

"I PROMISE I won't ever do it again. Just this one time and if everything goes ok I'll never do it again." I put my hands together before Hide sighed in response.

I sat at a table far away from them but enough for me to see. They were talking but I couldn't make out what they were saying.

Kaneki was mostly likely rambling on about his favorite books. He's so cute when he makes those little gestures. Honestly, he could talk about where hot dogs come from and I'd still drool over how adorable he is.

Seggsy lesbian bitch- I mean Rize on the other hand was just doing the debby ryan and not even eating anything. That's kinda suspicious. Is she a vampire or something? Holy shit what if she's a ghoul?!

I almost didn't notice them leaving but I somehow catched up to where they were going. It was already a but dark out. They came to a stop and Kaneki was blushing furiously.

Wait..

Oh no

They leaned in..

Are they going to kiss? I don't think I can bear to watch that.

What happened next almost gave me a heart attack. She opened her mouth and was about to bite his shoulder. My fight or flight response immediately activated and before I knew it, I grabbed Kaneki's hand and ran.. His eyes widened in pure shock.

From the corner of my eye, I could see in the reflection of weird tentacles coming out of her as she wailed and chased after us. I didn't notice at first but soon enough I felt the blood trickle down my leg.

She managed to cut my leg. I wasn't that good at running and the gash made it even worse. I felt my legs giving out and I collapsed onto the concrete sidewalk. Everything felt kind of foggy and I barely remember what's even happening right now but I could feel that Kaneki somehow managed to carry me on his back and he ran to the nearest public area.

"Y/n! You're bleeding! We need to get you to the hospital right now!" Kaneki said as he frantically looked for his phone.

"Are you okay? Did she bite you?" I asked.

"No, I'm fine! You're the one hurt right now! Why are you worrying about me?" I could see the fear and concern in his eyes. For some reason I felt guilty for it but I felt warm inside knowing he cared.

"I'll be fine, it's just a cut. She was going to eat you! What was going to happen if she did?" I squeezed his hand.

"I'm okay now, aren't I? Thanks to you." He smiled, wiping away splattered blood from my cheek.

"You're welcome, Kaneki-san"

"I called Hide to come so he can help take you to the hospital to get your wound treated." He assured me.

"Its not a big deal." I tried to pretend I wasn't in extreme pain.

"It is" He sternly voiced.

"It's not" I spoke with the same tone.

"Don't argue back. I owe it to you after you saved my life."

"Fine but only because you said so."

After we arrived at the hospital, the doctor said it was just a small gnash, nothing severe. They patched me up and Kaneki insisted on coming along with me.

"You didn't have to come with me, Ken. I can manage on my own." I said as we entered my apartment.

"Oh and also, what're you doing?" I asked as he tugged on my jacket trying to get it off which he somehow managed to do.

"Y/n, you're my friend and you saved my life, I already told you I owe you." He sighed hanging up our coats.

"A friend, huh?" I smiled sadly. Back to pain it was again. Heartbreak isn't a hobby for me, it's a lifestyle. :')

"Y-yeah, well you're my friend aren't you?" He peered at me with doe eyes.

"Kaneki I really need to tell you something." I blurted.

"What is it?" He gulped.

"I.." I started but choked up.

"Uh?" He stepped closer. Dammit why is this so difficult.

"I love you." I whispered averting my eyes away. I couldn't dare to look at his face. After a moment of silence I looked up to see.. nobody? Where'd he go?

"Kaneki?? Where are you?" I shouted. Did he leave? Wow, couldn't he at least say it that he doesn't like me. I suddenly tripped over something and fell onto the floor, thankfully on top of a rug.

I groaned feeling a sharp pain in my abdomen from landing on something underneath. I slowly get up and look to see Kaneki. Kaneki. On the floor. wut.

"Eh? What the-???" I yelled in confusion. "Why are you on the God damn floor??" I frantically shouted.

"And are you crying? And texting Hide?" I ask seeing his lit up phone screen.

"N-no" He sniffled, turning his head so I couldn't see.

"Why are you crying, though?" I raised an eyebrow, wiping his tears with my thumb.

"It's just that I never thought you'd ever like me. Do you know h-how long I've had feelings for you?" He teared up even more.

"Why are you getting emotional?" I held his hand tighter.

"Oh my bananas y/n, I'm crying tears of joy! I'm so happy you like me back! I just thought you'd never like me back, that's why I went out with Rize to try and forget these feelings." He looked away from me with pink tinted cheeks feeling shameful.

"Kaneki! Why didn't you say anything?" I scolded light heartedly.

"You know I'm shy. How come you didn't?" He scrunched his nose. Adorable.

"Well I was! In fact I was planning on confessing on the day you asked that girl out" I glanced down while frowning, having a sour taste in my mouth.

"Y/n.. do you want to go out on a date with me?" He looked up at me.

"Of course I do and I wanted to be the one to ask!" I crossed my arms.

"Beat you to it." He smiled.

"Can I at least pick the date?" I asked.

"Errr sure but I want to go on a book date 'cause Hide said they're lame and I wanna prove him wrong." He narrowed his eyes.

"Sure." I sigh.

"Thank you, Y/n!" He launched himself at me, hugging me tightly.

"What for?" I laughed hugging him back.

"For saving me and for agreeing to going on a date with me" He whispered.

"I didn't have a choice when it came to liking you though, how could I not?" I replied back.

"May we.. stay like this." He requested while staring up at me with sparking glossy doe eyes. I gazed at his soft pink face and planted a cheste kiss on his cheek causing his breath to hitch.

The moment was innocent, delicate and serene... until Kaneki's phone dinged with a notification of a text from Hide. Y/n made a mental note to ask what he texted Hide behind her couch while Kaneki made a mental note to ask how the hell did she show up at the right moment when Rize tried to eat him.

—But only Hide knows the answer to those questions 💅

#kaneki ken #kaneki x reader #tokyo ghoul #tokyo ghoul x reader #kaneki ken x reader

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alyss01 · 3 years

Text

|[Meeting his friends]|

[corpse husband x GN!reader]

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Genre: fluff

Word count: 1.3K

Requested: no

Synopsis: you get to meet Corpse's friends when he introduces you with a game of among us. He is there the whole time to calm your nerves and you calm his own by being there with him.

Warning: nothing

A/n: I don't know why but I thought this could be a really cute scenario. I'm still not used to writing short one shots instead of long fanfictions but I think I'm improving. I hope you enjoy it nonetheless!

Masterlist

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His fans had known for awhile that Corpse had found someone in his life. Probably about a week before he had made it official, although he of course left out your identity.

Ever since his friends had been teasing him about it when he joined a game. He'd usually wave them off with a laugh as the game started, and usually they'd stop about it.

Until a couple of days ago when Sean joined the lobby.

"So when will we meet them?" Rae asked him as dramatic gasps could be heard from Sean's end of the call. It was his first time joining after the news came out, "so the rumours were true! You replaced Sykunno and me!"

Sykunno gasped as Corpse quickly answered, "I could never, you guys know that."

When he killed Sean later that game as imposter he received an earful at the end of it, "first you cheat on Sykunno and me, and then you murder us!" Sean dramatically exclaimed as the lobby erupted in laughter.

You had of course not been blind to the obvious requests. After Corpse had told the world about you, you had made a separate instagram account where you hilariously posted your own version of Corpse's pictures.

It started with a sandwich perfectly wrapped in tin foil as a taunt to his frustrations but it has spiralled out of control. Although it was all in good fun of course.

Now you sat on Corpse's lap as he had his arms wrapped around your waist. Your hands on the keyboard and Corpse explaining to you how everything worked. Not that you needed it because he would be here the whole time anyway, but you felt more comfortable knowing how everything worked.

No one knew you were joining the lobby today and Corpse started the stream off casually as he introduced you to his chat.

You were nervous of course, but Corpse's arms across your waist and his breath in your neck calmed you. Ironically Corpse himself was also very nervous despite knowing his friends were incredibly supportive of his relationship, and the two of you comforted each other.

Corpse was comforted by holding you against him on his lap, and you were comforted by his presence alone.

His hands typed away on the keyboard as he started among us and joined the lobby while simultaneously joining the call in discord.

"Corpse!" Sykunno piped up immediately when Corpse joined the lobby and greeted the people inside. He couldn't hide the smile in his voice as he spoke, "Hi sykunno, by the way I have to introduce a very special person."

He laughed as the lobby was filled with dramatic gasps. You couldn't stifle your laugh either and immediately the lobby quieted at your voice.

"Uhm hey!" You awkwardly greeted the others, you had spoken with Rae before over instagram so it was comforting to know you knew at least someone in the lobby already.

Corpse squeezed his arms around you in reassurance as the voices broke out in the call. Many asked you questions and after a couple of minutes Corpse came in between and the game started.

You played instead of corpse, who was explaining to you what to do and when to do things. The first meeting was called and you observed the chaotic energy that immediately overtook the lobby.

Toast and Rae were accusing each other, Sean and Sykunno were hard vouching for each other and it was a overall mess.

"Aha! But now my giga brain tactic has been triggered!" Toast suddenly exclaimed loudly as the others were both skeptical and curious.

"N/n where were you this round!"

"I was failing at card swipe." You were well known with the joke it was in the community, but it was the truth as well. You had been struggling to swipe it correctly for at least the past five minutes. Corpse had tried as well but gave up after five tries. He still swore he had become better at it in the meantime.

Sykunno interrupted, "N/n are you the imposter?" He asked and you turned to look at corpse who was just smiling to see if it was some joke.

"No I'm not?" You responded hesitantly and Sykunno immediately gave up other questions he had.

Eventually you managed to win the game by throwing out both Toast and Sykunno.

You had a lot of fun getting to know tasks and figuring out the map with occasional hints from corpse behind you. He was incredibly happy with how well you got along with his friends.

Eventually the red letters that spelled imposter were written over the screen. You had grown kind of tired from playing so you turned to look at corpse with puppy eyes if he wanted to play. You had heard how stressful being the imposter could be and frankly didn't really feel up for it.

Corpse killed the lights and vented to a different part of the map to make a swift kill only to vent back immediately after.

The body was reported quite fast, and Corpse signalled for you to talk when they asked where you had been. You understood what he hinted at and explained exactly what you had done without mentioning the kill.

"So it wasn't N/n." Rae concluded as Toast immediately started to question her if she could vouch for you.

"There's just no way a new player would be able to make a kill like that." She concluded and most in the lobby agreed with her.

The next round Toast followed you closely so Corpse couldn't make a kill, and you depended on Sean to make the kill for you.

At the next meeting Toast immediately vouched for you.

It continued like that until you eventually won the game. You pecked a quick kiss on Corpse's cheek as the lobby was stunned to see you had been an imposter all along.

You ended up quitting after that, saying goodbye to the people in the lobby as Corpse wrapped up the stream.

When it was all closed you leaned back in his chest as he chuckled. "You did really well for your first time." He complimented you while pressing a kiss on the back of your head.

You smiled and turned to wrap you arms around his neck.

"Wanna order take out and watch movies on the couch tonight?" You asked as you reached for your phone.

"Sounds like a plan." He said as the two of you moved to the living room. He unwrapped his arms from your waist as he moved to the kitchen, "you want anything?"

"Nah I'm good, what do you want to eat tonight?" You yelled back from your position of the couch, scrolling through your phone thinking about what to eat for dinner.

"What about f/f?" He proposed as he took a sip from his drink. You nodded as you opened the app to order your food, "on it"

You leant your head against his shoulder, automatically he wrapped his arms around your shoulder you cuddled into his warmth as he held you comfortably.

Usually he was anxious and stressed after streams but he found it was easier with you there. You always seemed to comfort him with your presence alone.

"Today was fun." You said as you looked up at him, seemingly reading his thoughts.

"It was." He said as he smiled at you.

#corpse husband x y/n #corpse x you #corpse x reader #corpse husband #corpse husband x reader #corpse fluff #fluff #corpse x y/n #gn!reader #x reader #corpse imagines #corpse husband fluff #gender neutral reader #gender neutral mc #gender neutral character

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midgardianweasley · 3 years

Note

hi! welcome to fanfiction writing !!! could i request george weasley comforting the reader when she’s having a bad day/going through a sad time? (if you’re comfortable of course!) if not, i’ll be happy to request something else!🤍

Of course lovely!! here you go, I hope you like it <33

I’m here

George Weasley x fem!reader

Summary: Y/N is struggling with having a bad day. She doesn’t want to upset George so she tries to avoid him, but he doesn’t take no for an answer and reassures her that she doesn’t need to keep her feelings bottled up from him.

Warnings: flufff

Word Count: 1831 words

Message/ask if you want to be added to taglist <3

Waking up this morning and getting ready this morning felt like a chore when finally getting around to it. Looking around to her clock, Y/N saw in the bright red numbers that it was ten to eight. ‘Seriously? I slept in?’ she thought to herself. Sleeping in was never a good start to the day. Before verbally making her empty dorm aware of how bothered she was by this with a string of complaints for no one else around to hear, she rushed around her room in a panic, chucking on clothes that looked relatively similar to her Hogwarts uniform, lacking care towards the fact her tie didn’t even look like a tie with the way it was barely hung around her neck and then sped down the stairs, hoping to catch something to eat before her first class. Walking into the great hall, she saw that there were a considerable number of students left, still quietly talking with their friends while some were trying their best to simply keep their eyes open, Y/N could relate.

Walking towards the Y/H table, she started picking at some of the food left out while trying to keep an eye out for a pair of familiar redheads to be wandering around, one of which was her boyfriend, George Weasley. She hadn’t seen them for the time she was in the great hall, somewhat expecting it due to knowing they can never stay in one place at a time for long, they were always off experimenting or pranking someone. However, although their energy levels were through the roof in the morning, something she can never match, she’d miss hearing them speak among themselves while she managed to wake herself with some orange juice, but it had to be the kind with bits in it, not having the same effect otherwise.

As Y/N walked through the halls towards her first class, she’d heard the twins before she saw them. Even among the hundreds of students rushing to their classes, she still managed to hear an uproar from the corner of the corridor.

“But, what if there was a way to make FIlch’s tongue just not fit in his mouth? Would like to hear him send us to McGonnogal then.”

“Like an enlargement charm, Fred?”

“Exactly George”

“Wicked.”

Y/N smiled, Instantly recognising the voices discussing their plans for their next prank, she began to walk towards them to say her good mornings, when their professor, Mr Flitwick, had told them to hurry in otherwise they were going to be late. Late? She thought she had another five minutes to get to her class. Realizing she had a minute, if that, to get to her herbology class, she started to run outside and down to the greenhouse where she could see Professor Sprout addressing the class, clearly having already started. Clumsily, she burst through the door, trying to catch her breathe and play it off as presentable, although, she wasn’t fooling anyone into believing she was fashionably late.

“Ah! Good morning Miss L/N, how lovely of you to finally join us.” Professor Sprout spoke, turning to face me, alongside the whole class who had turned their heads to see where the sudden noise had come from.

“I’m really sorry Professor, I thought-”

“Just hold back at the end of the lesson Miss L/N, we have a busy class prepared, we shouldn’t waste any time.”

Y/N nodded, sighing at the thought of holding up the class. This morning so far had been a disaster, and if she thought it couldn’t have gotten much worse, after putting her bag down and starting to prepare for the class, she looked up and caught eyes with none other than Cormac McLaggen, smirking at her and making some gesture towards her. ‘What is he doing?’ He started making it a bit more obvious, pointing out the fact that she had yet to tie her tie, which had looped and tangled itself less than gracefully around her neck. She rolled her eyes and started to fix her tie and hopefully rid herself of this unfortunate morning.

-Timeskip-

Being let off with a warning from Professor Sprout and having to drag herself up to Divination and listen to Trelawney talk about tea leaves, she’d finally managed to make it to lunch. She generally loved Divination, it was one of her favourite classes listening to Professor Trelawney talk about predictions and watching the likes of Lavender Brown hang onto her every word, today was just not the day, she was feeling like it was midnight, when in reality, it was only noon, she was already so tired. She walked back into the great hall, seeing as it was lunchtime and had quickly spotted George and Fred sitting at the Gryffindor table, quickly walking over to them and sat herself down next to George and opposite Fred and Lee Jordan.

“Hey Darling” George smiling at his girlfriend and putting his arm around her, slightly pulling her closer to his side.

“Hey Y/N, we never managed to catch you this morning, everything okay?” Fred asked while filling his plate with a bunch of different lunch assortments set out along the table. Y/N had considered telling them about her morning so far, but she’d seen how happy they looked, discussing products and plans, she didn’t want to put a dampener on their mood. Deciding against saying anything, she came up with a quick and easy response.

“Hey guys, yeah i’m sorry I didn’t manage to speak to you, I wanted to catch up on some reading for Divination before class started and we must’ve just missed each other” She spoke, pulling her lips into a tight smile, trying her best to convince them, hoping they’d accept it and proceed as normal. Fred and Lee gave a mix of “Don’t worry about it” and “We have a Library? Huh.” George, noticing the slight difference in her smile and the way she had kept quiet, decided to let it slide. Maybe she was just hungry and wanted to get on with eating, he thought. He started tracing little patterns on her forearm, making sure to keep an eye on her if she continued like this later on, wanting to help her if there were any problems troubling her, for now, he’d eat his lunch and just let her sit with them, not putting any pressure on her to speak.

As the day went on, Y/N found herself to becoming more and more irritable as the tiredness increased. Walking into DADA, Snape had asked her a simple question, a question that if he had asked any other day, she’d have got right, but not today. After DADA, she had a free period, she had decided to spend it in the Library, feeling her social battery quickly draining. She’d wanted to just crawl back into her bed and sleep today off, hoping tomorrow would be better, but she had been assigned a 4 page essay by Professor Sprout and although sleep was tempting, she’d rather feel somewhat productive today. She had been in her own little bubble until she’d heard a chair scrape slightly against the floor, earning a round of ‘shhh’s’ from the people around them. She looked up slightly after finishing the sentence she was on and saw her boyfriend smiling down at her.

“Hey bubs, what you up to?” He spoke quietly so to not earn some death glares while sitting down beside her.

“I’m just working on this essay for Herbology, it’s due next week but i’d wanted to get a start on it before leaving it last minute. What are you doing here? You’re not one to usually come to the Library?”

“Well, I can't help but feel slightly insulted by that Love, albeit it’s very true.” He chuckles “I hadn’t seen you much today and I wanted to spend some time with my wonderful girlfriend.” He spoke before intertwining her free hand with his. Her eyes lit up a little at the sight of their hands together, her hand was always so small compared to his, she loved it.

“Have you been feeling okay today? I noticed you didn’t quite seem yourself earlier at lunch and you usually come hang out with Freddie and I during your free periods, has something happened?” He spoke again, gently rubbing his thumb across the back of her hand, trying to encourage her to speak to him. Before she’d considered covering it up like she had earlier, her eyes met with his. She couldn’t lie to him again, not when he was looking at her like they were the only two people in the room. She sighed, beginning to explain about her day and all the things that had gone wrong and why she had been feeling so off while George sat, giving her simple nods while she was speaking and continuing to hold her hand, squeezing slightly when her breaths began to shake a little. She’d stopped speaking and before she could process it, George had moved her into his lap, beyond caring at this point, his main priority being looking after Y/N. He softly moved some stray hairs behind her ears and wiped some tears that had fallen down her cheeks while whispering some words of reassurance into her ear.

“I’m sorry I've not been around today Georgie.” She muttered into the crook of his neck, quiet, but loud enough for him to hear.

“You don’t need to apologise my love, it sounds like you’ve had a rough day, I’m so sorry.” He spoke, pressing some small kisses against her temple. “How about, we gather this stuff up, we’ll go to my dorm, you can choose whatever clothes of mine you’d like to wear, i’ll go down to the kitchens and get some chocolate and when I come back, we can cuddle and you can nap if you’re tired. Sound like a plan?” He whispered. Y/N pulled away slightly, taking his face in her hands and pressed a loving kiss against his lips.

“I’m the luckiest girl in the world Georgie.”

“And i’m the luckiest guy.” He responded, still smiling against her lips and beginning to gather all of Y/N’s stuff up, preparing to do everything in his power to cheer his girlfriend up, even if that means losing all of his hoodies and bed space.

Taglist: @horrorxweasley

#george weasley #george weasley fluff #george weasley fic #george weasley comfort #george weasley x reader #george weasley x fem reader #george weasley x y/n #fred weasley #hogwarts #lee jordan #fanfiction #harry potter fan fiction

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thesoulspulse · 3 years

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Reconcile (Good Vlad AU ~ Oneshot)

It happened in early winter, that's all he could tell because of the first signs of snowfall outside of the window next to his bed at the hospital. Vlad had been there for, what, a month or so? Kept in isolation from everyone apart from a couple of doctors and nurses. Honestly, it was entirely possible Vlad had been there for longer for all he knew since every day blurred into the next after the accident.

Vlad couldn't feel it though, the cold, because these days his skin always felt either unnaturally chilly or feverishly hot to the touch. The only constant Vlad could feel was pain. The morphine helped ease that pain a little bit, but all that was left to feel after that was this cold numbness. And since the doctors thought he had been exposed to radiation of some kind -which to be fair they weren't wrong- no one has been allowed to see him after he was admitted there.

But still, Vlad had hoped his friends would come see him eventually. And more importantly, he wanted the chance to give Jack a piece of his mind! That...that traitor knew the portal experiment was unstable and potentially dangerous and yet he still pressed the-

“Excuse me, are you awake Mr. Masters? You have a visitor,” a nurse called after knocking on the door and poking her head inside.

At first Vlad was happy that he had a visitor, hoping it would be Maddie so he could get these feelings off his chest about how angry he was at Jack...but as soon as he saw the large silhouette waiting outside the door he knew there was only one person that would have come here to see him who had such a wide girth. It was Jack. But he wasn't ready to see him, not yet, not when all Vlad could think about is how his best friend had almost killed him...

Turning his head away Vlad finally muttered, “Sorry, I'm not feeling well. Please tell them to come back lat-ER!”

Vlad grunted the last word of that sentence as Jack burst into the room, tears rolling down his cheeks as the man called him by that ridiculous nickname of Vladdy he insists on using. Normally Vlad could shrug it off, but right now the nickname felt insulting somehow as if Jack was making light of what happened the last time they saw each other. Either way it's a good thing Maddie actually was there and managed to help the nurse pry him off, reminding Jack that Vlad's in the hospital as a patient so giving him a bear hug wasn't the best idea.

Regardless, Jack looked at Vlad's bandaged face and sobbed, “I'm so sorry V-man. We tried to come sooner but they wouldn't let us in! We were so worried about you!”

Nodding, Maddie put a supportive hand on Jack's shoulder and continued awkwardly. “He's right, as soon as we recovered from the shock of what had happened to you we immediately went looking for you but you had already collapsed somewhere. Jack was heartbroken and didn't understand what went wrong with the portal. I tried to find out too but it was no use, whatever happened fried the wiring and-”

Cutting herself off as soon as she realized she was going off on a tangent when their friend's well-being was much more important, Maddie dropped her hand from Jack's shoulder and asked with a sad smile, “How're you feeling? Have they been taking good care of you? I tried to explain your condition to the doctor but...they didn't believe me about it being related to ectoplasmic energy.”

“Why would they? As far as they're concerned ghosts don't exist,” Vlad replied with a guarded expression, unwilling to admit he tried to do the exact same thing only for his arguments to be thoroughly dismissed since he's not a doctor. “As for the rest they're...doing the best they can I suppose.”

An awkward silence filled the room since none of them knew what to say after that, but then, Jack spoke up and said, “Vladdy? Um, I know it's a bit squished but I made this for you. It's...my way of saying sorry for everything. I should have listened to you and Mads when you told me to stop.”

Reaching into one of the many pockets of his jumpsuit which according to Jack was handed down to him by his grandfather and designed after an outfit one of his ghost-hunting ancestors wore, he handed Vlad what appeared to be a misshapen block of homemade fudge. The gesture might not have seemed like a big deal to anyone else, but for Jack who absolutely loved the stuff and couldn't help himself from eating almost all of it himself in one sitting whenever he made or bought it, however, the fact that Jack was sharing an entire serving of it just for Vlad really was his way of showing his sincerity. Similarly, Maddie reached into her bag and pulled out a couple of her ghost folklore books for him to read since she figured Vlad must have been bored laying in bed all day.

Vlad was at a loss for words because he had almost given up hope that they'd ever come visit him, hope that Jack would own up to his mistakes for once and apologize. But since he did, Vlad couldn't stay mad. He wanted to, but couldn't, not since this forgetful yet earnest man had gone out of his way to finally come see him. The same goes for Maddie, Vlad was sure she felt guilty too for not stopping Jack in time since she's always been the more careful of the two when it comes to their experiments...

Accepting their gifts but resisting the urge to wipe the tears from his eyes since his face still hurt, Vlad held them in his lap and sniffled, “Thank you. Thank you both for coming. I...was afraid you had abandoned me.”

“Come on V-man, give me a little credit,” Jack smiled, gently punching Vlad's shoulder. “You're my best friend! I know I can be careless and stupid sometimes, but friends have to stick together through thick and thin don't they? We'll get through this together and then maybe we can try again with the ghost portal. We were so close!”

Grimacing at the thought of going anywhere near that portal again, Vlad was relieved when Maddie interjected and said, “Jack, don't forget that it's our fault this happened so before any of that we need to make sure Vlad's going to be ok. We don't know what that portal did to him and the doctors are only going to be able to help him so much. The best thing we can do for him is go back to square one and find out what we did wrong so it doesn't happen again.”

“Shoot, you're right. I'm sorry,” Jack apologized, looking dejected. “Don't worry Vladdy, I'll make this all up to you I promise! And we'll visit more too!”

Smiling weakly more because it hurt to move his face too much, Vlad nodded, “I'd like that.”

Soon after that, before Maddie could comment on anything else the nurse shooed them out so they could get Vlad ready for his next check up. But as soon as he was alone again Vlad reached over to set the fudge and books on the desk next to him when they unexpectedly slipped through his fingers. Blinking in confusion but brushing it off as clumsiness, he sighed and swung his feet over the bed so he could bend down to pick them up again. This time though, when he reached for them again they didn't just slip through his fingers as a figure of speech...they LITERALLY passed through them! Alarmed Vlad recoiled from both objects, his heart racing when he mustered the courage to look at his hands only to find they were translucent.

Realizing his sudden spike in heart activity would alert the hospital staff Vlad concentrated as hard as he could to restore his fingers to a solid state again. It took some effort but thankfully he managed to pull it off. It was in that moment though that Vlad realized, for better or worse, his relationship with Jack and Maddie would never be the same again...

And neither would he.

Note: I normally don’t write fully-fledged story content on tumblr apart from headcanon ideas or sharing updates about new chapters for my fanfics, but since I had started this oneshot before my Good Vlad AU started to really kick off and wasn’t that far along I adapted it into a special oneshot about Jack and Maddie coming to see Vlad at the hospital after the accident. I always wondered why they never did and usually assumed Vlad turned them away himself (mostly Jack) along with the doctors and his friends eventually move on and kind of forgot about him for all those years.

Either way, I wanted to see what could have happened if they managed to fix things with Vlad sooner while still on somewhat good terms before that sense of abandonment and resentment for Jack could take root in Vlad’s heart. Hopefully that comes across here in this little story snippet! I might post this on my actual fanfiction account later but for now, it’s here for you guys especially!

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preemshots · 3 years

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johnny + the nomads lore

alright, i know this is a screenshots blog but i'm going to go ahead and start dropping some juicy lore tidbits as i dig them up. part of what i'm doing outside of just photo diarying is shard hunting, and BOY is there a lot the game likes to hide in those little shards for idiots like me who like to read so we can write unnecessarily accurate fanfiction!

full disclosure, i know jack shit about the TTRPG/cyberpunk 2020 rulebook except what i read in the wikis.

so here’s my lore roundup so far of everything i know about johnny joining the nomads

we know johnny likes to narrate v’s quest objectives. here’s the first mention where he says it himself:

during the voodoo boys quest "transmission" there's a shard in the maglev tunnels beside the ice bath, presumably from brigitte's research into johnny in the first place:

okay, so the timeline is this: johnny joins the nomads after trying and failing to rescue alt. johnny hides out in the badlands for some years. then he and rogue come back to night city and nuke arasaka tower help alt escape the arasaka subnet by uploading liberator to their network once and for all.

this ultimately makes sense. in alt’s flashback, we meet santiago, who is a nomad/connected to nomads, joins rogue and johnny when they're trying to get alt back, and eventually becomes the leader of the aldecaldos.

part of santiago’s TTRPG lore is that he, johnny, and rogue have to lay low in the badlands with nomads after they storm arasaka headquarters (i am aware the game takes many liberties with the original lore so who knows the full accuracy of anything from the original rulebooks)

ENDING spoilers: in the rogue+johnny storming AHQ ending, it's revealed that rogue has a son while they're prepping for the job. if you eavesdrop on her calling him while you're at the afterlife, you hear her tell her son to (paraphrasing here) "pull over and look at the stars", which immediately made my brain go to: nomad, badlands, santiago = dad? maybe. (santiago also canonically has a son according to the TTRPG lore)

this immediately reminded me of another interesting shard that i believe you can find in multiple locations around night city: “"what REALLY happened in arasaka tower?“

i love this dang shard. at first i thought it was just a cute conspiracy with some juicy gossip (and i love how 99% of the shards that mention johnny in this game are reminding us that he's not a real rebel, he's a poser) but it brings some interesting shit together

one: it tells us where johnny got his hands on the nukes! he and the nomads jumped a militech convoy and jacked some bombs!

which is never directly explained, even as saburo arasaka is interrogating him shortly before using soulkiller. very nice of johnny to protect his homies like that.

...or maybe he didn’t. saburo emphasizes that the dead don’t lie like the living do, and we don’t know what exactly arasaka did to johnny’s construct in mikoshi.

it also explains why the obvious media narrative is that militech nuked arasaka, a nice neat political bow to the end of the fourth corpo wars, which is an entire section of the TTRPG lore that makes my eyes cross when i read it.

it also makes the star/nomads ending extremely interesting, because i originally believed it was the ending where V’s journey deviates the most from rewalking johnny’s path... which also has weird implications if the johnny’s nomad era is being kept from v.

(this also leads into my belief that the star ending/the devil ending are narratively two sides of the same coin, but that’s a WHOLE ANOTHER POST for another day.)

TWO, just straight up the fact that they turned the raid where they actually obtained the nukes into an action flick BD that pretty much ANYONE could watch. who the hell was doing that??

well, who else other than the guy who johnny (optionally) punched the shit out of for filming alt's death: thompson, media guy, and according to rogue, “bad luck”. because you know, recording your crimes is straight up evidence that can be used against you.

during the alt flashback we meet thompson, and just after that in cyberspace before meeting alt, johnny tells v that he has no idea what happened to him and that they never worked together again.

oh, johnny, you lying bastard man

this is blatantly untrue, and if V even had two braincells and better memory than a goldfish they'd know this--in the first flashback sequence where johnny and rogue nuke arasaka tower, thompson is on the comms as they ride the AV towards AHQ, questioning their plans and use of violence.

which leaves me with some questions, like where the fuck is thompson, why does johnny keep lying about this, why doesn't johnny say almost anything about how you interact with the aldecaldo clan nonstop throughout the game when he himself may have been a member of the family for some time?? is he continuing to protect the nomad clan that saved his ass? we know that a lot of his flashbacks are unreliable at best, that johnny changes shit up as desired when presenting V with his memories.

in 2077, you can also find that there’s a remake of “badlands raid” in the shard “new release braindances” that is pretty much everywhere. that shard doesn’t add much, but does mention something along the lines of “many people don’t know the ending of the original” which probably means johnny punched thompson out for filming again, or something.

my running theories: rogue ditched santiago and the aldecaldos with johnny and thompson to nuke arasaka tower, and when johnny died she was stuck looking for (heavily implied by johnny here:) corpo sellout ways to survive.

adam smasher obviously has something to do with this since johnny/rogue's vendetta against the guy isn't entirely clear beyond the smokescreen of "he killed johnny and he sucks". i have done 0 research into this though i'm tired of typing okay

i obviously cannot be certain i have found everything related to this in the game as i’m not even done with this playthrough where i’m trying to pay attention, but i hope this is fun for someone else to dig into.

enjoy, fellow silverhand freaks

EDIT: additional findings

ALRIGHT I HAVE DONE MORE DIGGING AND I AM BACK WITH MORE NOMAD/JOHNNY FINDINGS. these ones are kind of a bummer but VERY interesting.

there’s a shard called “excerpts from a history of the nomads by bb pires” that goes into detail about how nomads came to be

there’s an interesting quote in it: It's hard to imagine a group less inclined to wandering than farmers, but in fact they were the ones who sparked the age of nomads. Natural catastrophes, crops ravaged by bioplagues, armed conflicts and martial law allowing corporations to speculate and privatize land - all this forced them into a life on the road.

when you ask johnny why he wants to take down arasaka, he begins by referencing this himself!!

it’s a little awkward to imagine a nomad V doesn’t also know what he’s referencing, but hey, V is the fool because we are as players and that’s only one life path... so sure.

johnny also has unique dialogue during this scene about a nomad origin V, telling them that he’s been trying to understand how V thinks, and came to the conclusion that “their family was a crutch” and essentially made them stupid because they always had a safety net (lmao johnny calling v privileged basically)

BUT this also may reference why johnny would find it confusing as hell that V doesn’t immediately share the views he does when nomads, in terms of values, seem to be more aligned with johnny than V is. but once again V is the fool for a reason and this is all my own speculation so YOU KNOW.

MORE IMPORTANTLY, at the end of chippin’ in, when you ask johnny what he meant by letting down his friends... santiago is named directly

i thought this was interesting since the only glimpse of their relationship that we get is seeing johnny meeting santiago via the alt flashback for the first time.

so now it’s obvious that while johnny and rogue were with the nomads their friendship developed, and johnny went on to disappoint santiago in some way by being his normal dickhead self

but HOW? how did he disappoint santiago? is santiago even still alive?? did smasher kill santiago and is this why rogue mentions during chippin’ in that she wants smasher to “settle a score” moreso than avenge johnny??

the only additional hints i have are from this shard, which you can find at the aldecaldos camp: “nomads at ground zero”

i’m just gonna transcribe here and bold for emphasis:

It was no secret that Night Corp offered generous pay and, in some cases, free cyberware and biomonitor upgrades to anyone willing to help clean up the crater of radioactive rubble at AHQ ground zero. Some firsthand accounts recall the incessant ticking of Geiger counters, like the loud buzz of cicadas in summer. In retrospect, we can only guess how many "crater cleaners" lost their lives to radiation sickness shortly thereafter. Both the city government and Night Corp have claimed casualties were kept to a minimum, while providing no official statistics to substantiate the claim. That being said, they have never been under pressure to release such figures. After all, most rescue, engineering, and rubble cleanup teams were not local Night Citizens, but nomads. Surprised you didn't know? Don't be. It is a fact many history courses tend to overlook. The city employed hundreds of nomad mercenaries, primarily from clans in Aldecaldo nation. These nomads were hungry for gainful work and the city needed experts who were not only experienced but brave enough to knowingly put their lives on the line - all so Arasaka could one day erect another tower in its place. But history is not without its sense of irony. These nomads, who so deliberately live outside our so-called "system," came to its very rescue. Not for the first time. And not for the last.

a main theme we find in this game is the idea that the system of corps and exploitation cannot be stopped by grandiose rebellious gestures--no amount of samurai songs, assassinating mayors, or even planting nukes in towers will change things. yet johnny, his friends and mercs at atlantis in the 2020s, including rogue, chose to rebel any way they could, thinking it better than not. johnny criticizes her lack of rebellious spirit CONSTANTLY in 2077.

but ultimately, johnny, trapped in mikoshi, didn’t get to see the outcome of what detonating the AHQ nukes did to night city’s fragile ecosystem. rogue, however, did--and likely watched their former allies, the aldecaldos, be forced to take dangerous work at AHQ’s ground zero (from lack of other opportunities as detailed in this shard), then die from radiation sickness throughout the following decades, all as a result of what she and johnny did to try and fight the system. and she also watched all the former mercenaries of atlantis be hunted down by arasaka.

so rogue sees firsthand what the cost of rebellion is and johnny doesn’t. and nomads, considered the most free of any of the factions we encounter in the game, are the cost.

#lore post #johnny silverhand #cyberpunk 2077 #cyberpunk2077 #cp2077 #cyberpunk lore

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sirikenobi12 · 3 years

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This Capt' goes down with her Ship

I’m honestly amazed at how many messages I receive both here and on Twitter that ask me why I ship Obi-Wan with Siri Tachi over Satine Kryze. I guess I’m mostly amazed because I can’t believe people actually care enough to take the time to message me about my character preferences, that’s just really fascinating to me.

But, since I’m getting tired of writing this out in individual messages I thought perhaps a blog would be a good idea so that way I can just reference/link them to it later - it’ll be much easier. So, bear with me while I get a little self indulgent (and Satine stans please don’t come at me, I will explain below how I really have nothing against Obitine).

This is going to be really long, and I’m not expecting anyone to actually read this, but here we go!

I’ll begin by answering questions that are sitting in my inbox:

1. Who the hell is Siri Tachi?? For those who don’t know the character of Siri Tachi, she was a female Jedi who was two years younger than Obi-Wan. She was originally from the Legends young reader book series Jedi Apprentice and Jedi Quest (written by Jude Watson). She was in many of the same Padawan classes as Obi-Wan even though she was two years his junior because of her advanced skills. She could hold her own against him in a lightsaber duel even as they grew up. She was chosen as an apprentice to Jedi Council Member Adi Gallia at age 11 which was very impressive given how young she was and the fact that a Council Member chose her.

(I don’t know why she looks like Brittany Spears in this drawing, not my fave)

She did have a hard time fitting in with her peers when she was younger though because she was so focused on her career as a Jedi which didn’t always make her the friendliest person to be around (it was really her masking her insecurities) and it was only after she was paired on several missions with Obi-Wan that they even became friends.

She and Obi-Wan over the years grew very close and eventually discovered their feelings had crossed the line from friends to something more while on a mission when they were older Padawans (Obi was 18). They had been separated from their masters and nearly died while on that mission. So, before they “died” they each confessed their love to the other, but when it turned out they didn’t actually die they decided they’d wait and figure out what their relationship actually meant once the mission was over - putting duty above their feelings. But Qui-Gon and Yoda intervene before the two of them could have the conversation and the Masters reminded Obi-Wan of his dedication to the Jedi Order. Obi-Wan argued that he and Siri would be able to find a way to be together while still being active Jedi, that maybe they could be an exception to the rule or even change the rule entirely. Both he and Siri did end up choosing their commitment to the Jedi over their relationship in the end, because each of them realized they’d regret not being Jedi more than anything, but it did put a strain on their friendship for many years.

At 23 Siri was secretly knighted and her first solo mission was sent undercover to infiltrate and take down a huge pirate slaver operation and she spent 4 years on that mission, all on her own with limited communication with the Council.

In order to do this she had to pretend to have a falling out with her Master and “leave” the Order entirely, everyone thought she had fallen to the dark side. Obi-Wan was devastated, and he spent several months looking for her because he refused to believe she’d actually fall. It was also clear that he was heartbroken that she left, especially knowing what they had given up in order to be Jedi. Upon ending the mission she returned to the Jedi and was then often sent on other undercover missions throughout the rest of her career (including one where she and Obi-Wan had to play a royal married couple which was super cute). Her actually being a Jedi Shadow is not official and is a fanfiction creation - but, it’s one that I 100% headcanon because it just makes sense.

Siri was very different when she returned from her long undercover mission, she had lived as a pirate for 4 years and so she was not as uptight and rule bound as she had been in her youth. She began to wear tight unisuits/flight suits instead of the traditional Jedi tunics and she had grown to be a bit more irreverent - even showing up late to Jedi Council summons. Obi-Wan didn’t seem to mind the change and the two became a formidable pair as Knights and they were sent together (with their Padawans who hated one another) on several missions.

Obi-Wan and Siri were always written as being equals, never one more powerful than the other. They often shared flirtatious banter (nothing new for Obi-Wan) and they seemed very much in sync on missions that it was clear they shared some kind of bond. They never seemed to let their failed romance stand between them and their duty, and only brought it up once more as adults to admit that they still loved each other, but were content to just be friends because it would be selfish of them to turn their backs on the Jedi simply for their love. Then upon Siri’s untimely death (she of course died in his arms) she told him that she’d always be with him. And he nearly fell to the dark side due to his anger, but stopped himself from killing the man who was responsible for Siri’s death because he knew she’d not want him to fall because of her.

In canon there isn’t much about her (yet), except that Siri is said to be the girl Obi-Wan would hold hands with under the table during mid-day meals which suggests that they had a bit of a secret affair/flirtation for many years.

2. Why don’t you like Satine? This is a bit of a loaded question because even though I tend to write fics centered more on Obi-Wan and Siri’s relationship doesn’t mean that I don’t enjoy the character of Satine or that I don’t swoon over their relationship from time to time thanks to some very well written fics ( @mahizli I’m looking your way). I just tend to write Siri more than Satine because I can relate to Siri more as a character, but in truth I also feel Siri and Obi-Wan’s relationship is a bit more well rounded than his and Satine’s

*ducks to avoid things being thrown at her*.

Satine and Obi-Wan have a beautiful love story, don’t get me wrong. But for me personally I am a little sick of the Romeo & Juliette/star crossed lovers angle. And that’s totally what they are - She’s a Mandalorian, He’s a Jedi, it’s a forbidden love not just because of his code, but because their “families” were mortal enemies. And I guess I’m just not super inspired by it. Not to mention that they met as children (apparently only 15 years old according to canon), confessed their undying love for one another after a year of knowing one another in a life or death situation and then pined for each other for the next 20 years until they were reunited...I just have a very hard time finding this story relatable (and hate to say it, plausible). Not that they couldn’t have felt love for one another as teenagers (especially in that situation), but that they still felt that same level of love 20 years later without ever seeing one another...at least with Siri they still had to interact with one another on a regular basis so it would be harder to push those feelings aside.

The other reason I have a hard time writing Satine and Obi-Wan is because the romantic love they seem to have in TCW is written to be very one sided in my opinion. While Obi-Wan clearly cares for her, and admits to having feelings for her at one time it’s only ever Satine who actually seems to want something with him in the current sense. Which honestly makes their relationship feels a bit cringy to me, it doesn’t feel like it’s on equal footing - and makes it seem like Satine is a bit obsessive (I don’t blame her, it is Obi-Wan after all). This is a similar argument I have about Padme’s character, I feel like we’re presented with these incredibly strong women characters who for whatever reason still fall apart when it comes to love...I think it’s a reflection of men trying to write women and it ends up being a bit of a fantasy (the sexy/badass woman who secretly needs a man to save her). So, to sum up - I really do love Satine’s character outside of her relationship with Obi-Wan.

Again, this is just MY interpretation of Satine and Obi-Wan’s relationship...I get other people tend to feel very differently and that’s wonderful!!

I will say, the thing I do like about Obi-Wan and Satine’s relationship and very much appreciate is how it is an opposite parallel to Anakin and Padme’s relationship. And it shows what a Jedi should’ve done - how you can’t have both a commitment to the Jedi Order and a marriage, but you can still care deeply about another person. I do very much appreciate that aspect of their relationship and it’s very well done from that perspective.

3. So, why SiriWan after all these years? Well, I’m drawn to Obi-Wan and Siri’s relationship for several reasons, but mostly because they are written as equals/partners (as I had mentioned above), both have moments where you can see the love they hold for one another - their feelings are very much shared and not one sided, but above all it’s not the main defining factor of their relationship. They are Jedi and friends before anything else, and I love that! It may not be as flashy or maybe even as passionate as say Satine or Cody but to me it’s more full and well rounded. I can also see their relationship growing and changing over the years, they aren’t stuck in one place or in the past.

I also tend to find the Jedi culture more fascinating than the Mandalorians. I know, I know, I’m a heretic. That’s not to say, again that I don’t think Satine on her own isn’t fascinating, I just am a little tired of Mandalore’s importance in virtually every aspect of Star Wars these days and I feel like there is only so much you can do with Obi-Wan having feelings for a Mandalorian, where as him navigating a relationship with another Jedi is more interesting. The Jedi are allowed to be intimate with people, contrary to popular belief they are allowed to love, they just can’t become possessive/attached - I feel like two Jedi would have an easier time navigating that than someone who wasn’t raised with that same code. I think Siri and Obi-Wan have more opportunities to have a more realistic and adult relationship and I like writing/exploring that.

The other thing I like about Siri and Obi-Wan specifically is the fact that neither ever really considered leaving the Order for the other. They knew how important being a Jedi was to the other, and I think having a love interest that Obi-Wan didn’t consider leaving for is an important distinction.

Instead he thought they would be able to change the rules/code because he assumed it would be obvious that their love was pure and not an attachment. Now, obviously they both realized later that it was just foolish/young love talking (because I’m sure teenagers have to be extra careful of forming attachments), but what I really adore the concept that Obi-Wan “by the code” Kenobi had loved Siri so much that he’d even remotely consider the idea that he’d want the rules to change for her/them (and Siri “by the code” Tachi felt the same about him). There is something incredibly romantic about that - naïve, but romantic.

I also believe that romantic love doesn’t automatically equal “true love”. I personally feel that Obi-Wan and Siri have a love that is on such a deep level that their relationship doesn’t always have to be romantic. They simply just love one another, in whatever form that takes at any given period in time throughout their lives, sometimes it takes the form of just friends, sometimes lovers, sometimes romantic. And I wish we saw more relationships like that in various media. But I get why we don’t, they are harder to write and less overtly sexy/dramatic.

Also, when someone says the phrase:

“Forgive me if I still think I know you better than anyone.” (Siri)

And it’s followed immediately with:

“You do” (Obi-Wan)

My heart just melts, because that to me is love!!

4. So, you actually think Obi-Wan loved both Siri & Satine? Yes, I do...100%. I think they all loved other people at different points in their lives. I personally feel that most of Obi-Wan’s various ships (with exceptions of Master/Padawan ships...sorry, just not my bag) actually happened. I could see a young Obi-Wan having a fling with Quinlan Vos (I doubt they could handle more than that), I could definitely see him have an attraction/affection towards Cody (I don’t think given the power dynamic Obi-Wan would ever allow anything to actually happen between them though), I even believe he and Ventress had a rather confusing and passionate night together (maybe even more than one), I can see him easily having a relationship at one point with Taria Damsin (to which Siri would give him endless crap about because he seems to have a thing for Jedi Shadows). I’m sure he even had a relationship with Annileen on Tatooine to help find some comfort during his exile. To me all of that makes so much more sense than him (and Satine) pining away for one another for 20+ years.

Allowing Obi-Wan to have multiple loves in his life also helps showcase the idea of non-attachment. It’s not that Jedi promote promiscuity - though they won’t judge anyone for it (I see the Jedi very much in the mindset of: it’s your body/your choice) it’s that the idea of attachment means possessing someone, thinking you own someone and also putting that person’s value over others. The idea that Obi-Wan could find love and value in a multitude of lovers to me shows him capable of loving without attachment - He is able to let these people go when the relationship has run its course...it’s very healthy.

Not to mention that realistically people tend to have multiple relationships and loves throughout their lives. To only ever love one person is incredibly unrealistic, unhealthy and frankly screams attachment to me *cough Anakin, cough*.

In conclusion: If you’re still reading this (did you not have anything better to do with your time???) I do hope you have a bit more of an understanding why I personally like to write Obi-Wan and Siri’s relationship instead of his and Satine’s. Though if you read my fics (thank you if you do) I hope you realize that I try to not make the stories all about their relationship - yes, it pops up here and there, but I try not to make it the focal point. I believe both Obi-Wan and Siri are so much more than just a romance and that’s what I really love writing.

But I raise a glass and toast all of those who prefer to ship Obitine or CodyWan or Ventrobi (or whatever Obi-Wan and Quilan’s ship name is) - I love reading your take on those relationships and I hope you don’t mind if an old SiriWan shipper joins the fun!

Phew, rant over...man, does anyone else have to defend their OTP preferences to strangers?? It’s just so odd to me!

Thanks for reading, and if you’re a Siri, Obi-Wan or SiriWan fan drop me a line - I can seriously talk about them for hours!

#star wars #star wars fanfiction #sw meta #long rant #long post #sorry yall #my otp for life #siri tachi #obi wan kenobi #satine kryze #siriwan #obi wan x siri #why do people care who I ship?#jedi culture #jedi apprentice #jedi quest

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thesleepiesthufflepuff · 3 years

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My Favorite Fics 2020

Alrighty. I read a decent amount of fanfiction this year (mostly thanks to Wizards Hearts/Game of Drarry), and I’m here to list out some of my very favorites. Thank you to all of the creators out there who put so much time, effort, and energy into creating beautiful stories, and here’s to lots of reading in the new year 💜 also, this is in no particular order and all rec notes are from my personal fic tracker spreadsheet (if anyone wants details on how I set up my spreadsheet, etc. please feel free to send an ask!) 💕

1) Change on the Horizon by Static_abyss / @static-abyss [Explicit, 118.6k,]

When things settle down after the war, Harry has trouble figuring out who he’s supposed to be and what’s expected of him. At the same time, Draco finds himself having to decide between what his parents want and what he wants for himself. Together, Harry and Draco embark on a journey to figure out who they are as individuals and what that means for their future together.

A canon AU drarry fic based on the relationship between Mickey and Ian from Shameless.

Hands down one of the best fics I've ever read. Ana did the most amazing job at translating Micky and Ian's relationship to Harry and Draco, although it’s definitely not necessary to know Shameless in order to enjoy the story. The writing is stunning, and I loved every single bit of this

2) I’ll Play Your Game by JayseHasNoGrace [Mature, 52.2k]

After quitting the Auror department at the ripe old age of twenty two, Harry Potter finds a nice, uneventful job in an apothecary. At least, it's uneventful until his old rival Draco Malfoy comes into the shop.

They strike up an unlikely friendship, which evolves into an increasingly convoluted scheme, which then snowballs spectacularly out of control into a tangle of lies and blurred lines.

They'd agreed to a fake relationship — in Harry's case, to get the wizarding world to take him off his 'perfect saviour' pedestal, and in Draco's case, just to be given a chance in wizarding society at all — but neither of them expected just how difficult that might really turn out to be. Especially when the stakes grow ever higher, and they both start falling for each other. Just a little bit.

FAKE DATING!!! Ugh, this was so good. I love the media aspect of it, and the way that everything comes together is just brilliant. A must-read for anyone who loves fake dating!!

3) I Can be Your Lighthouse by orpheous87 / @orpheous87 [Teen, 4k]

When Harry gets called to investigate reports of Dark magic, the last thing he expects to find is an almost unconscious Draco Malfoy. After multiple instances, he resolves to find out what's going on.

inspired by the song The Lighthouse by The Used.

So, so sweet. I love Harry's determination to figure out what's going on. This is such a lovely fic, and I enjoyed every minute of it

4) Freedom to be by Quicksilvermaid / @quicksilvermaid [Explicit, 169.5k]

Harry Potter is the Boy Who Lived.

12 years after the war, he's become the Boy Who Lived For Everyone Else. He has the perfect wife. The perfect house. The perfect job. The perfect friends.

Only nothing feels perfect.

Until one day he stumbles across a club called Release and begins a journey of self-discovery that takes him to a very different place.

This left such an impact on me, and it’s a fic I think about often. I can't even begin to explain how incredible everything about this is.

5) Dear Diary by AWickedMemory (TeddyLaCroix) [Teen, 20.4k]

// This can’t possibly go worse than the last time I kept a diary. //

After the war, Harry picks up a journal to write in… and it writes back. Luckily, it’s not a Horcrux on the other end this time.

Absolutely amazing. The relationship that develops between Harry and Draco as they write to each other was so soft and wonderful, and I would easily read 100k of this!

6) Grounds for Divorce by Tepre [Explicit, 122.2k]

Malfoy finds a coin. Harry finds a letter.

A story about histories, a story about families. A story about a lemon tree somewhere in Upper Egypt.

I loved this. It was so angsty at times, but well worth it. An absolute classic that I’m so pleased to be able to say I’ve read.

7) Nero Su Bianco by Zuzallove [Explicit, 40.5k]

September 1997. Hogwarts is under the regime of Voldemort and the Carrows. Finding himself alienated by both his friends and his supposed enemies, Draco puts quill to parchment, and writes letters. He addresses them to the only person he can think of, as Hogwarts rapidly falls into chaos and ruin: Harry Potter. He goes to great lengths to ensure the letters are never discovered, and he’s pretty certain he’s done a great job.

Until the day of his trial.

The letters were so much fun to read, even though they were heartbreaking at times. I loved Draco’s characterization in this, as well as how his relationship develops with Harry.

8) Thunder by Keyflight790 [Explicit, 21.5k]

The storm will disappear; the rain will subside; but what's left in its wake will last forever. A story of love and loss, redemption and thunder

I really loved how well Draco's addiction was written. I'm not a huge fan of past relationships, but this was done in such a beautiful way. Plus, talking to dragons!!!

9) dirtynumbangelboy by magpie_fngrl [Explicit, 39.4k]

After Harry’s unfortunate encounter with his ex, Draco Malfoy makes him a proposition. Draco wants his parents to stop matchmaking him and Harry wants to make his ex jealous. All they need to do is simply pretend they’re in love. Problem is… Draco already is.

Amazing. This has absolutely sucked me into the world of fake dating. I could ramble about this forever, to be honest. Simply incredible, and I love how snarky their relationship was. It was the epitome of a good Drarry fic.

10) just tell me when it’s alright by M0stlyVoid / @bonesliketambourines [Explicit, 23k]

Harry’s been fighting tooth and nail for any bit of normalcy he can get his hands on. He’s sick of feeling like something’s wrong with him, tired of feeling different. He thinks he’s finally gotten to the root of it, and has settled into a routine that makes him happy. Naturally, that’s when Draco Malfoy walks back into his life and upends it once again. Has Harry bitten off more than he can chew with his former rival?

YES!! I genuinely loved Harry’s clinginess. This fic was absolutely amazing, and the secret dating was lovely. Plus, bi awakening!!

11) When Hippogriffs and Pygmy Puffs Collide by oldenuf2nb [Mature, 32.7k]

Harry Potter bakes cakes, brilliantly. Draco Malfoy inks tattoos, brilliantly. Owls deliver post, including messages from clients, with an occasional lack of brilliance.

I was really surprised at how much I loved this, especially since I’ve not really read many fics with odd jobs. I absolutely adored the fact that Harry was a baker and Draco was a tattoo artist, and the characterizations were absolute perfection

12) You Send Me (Honest You Do) by firethesound [Explicit, 37k]

As far as potion accidents go in general, and deaging incidents go in particular, Draco knew this could have been so much worse. Harry only lost about ten years, and all his memories are still intact. But the sight of him looking as if he’s stepped straight out of Draco’s Hogwarts memories has dredged up a whole mess of complicated feelings Draco thought he’d buried years ago, and Draco really doesn’t know what to do with any of it.

I absolutely adored this, and I thought the de-aging aspect was done is such a tasteful way. Such a good read.

13) Highly (in)Compatible by daisymondays [Teen, 36.8k]

Draco’s been shagging The Prat Who Lived on and off for a few months when his soul mark starts to change. Draco’s had to accept a lot of adjustments to his life, but accepting that Harry Potter could be his soulmate is one step too far. It can’t be true? Can it?

I LOVED THIS! Oh man, that ending! Brilliant, brilliant, brilliant

14) Kiss the Joy (Until the Sun Rise) by ICMezzo [Mature, 37.8k]

The Room of Requirement was severely damaged in the war, but not so much that it could not provide for one lost student and another young hero—especially when they needed each other most of all.

An amazing, beautiful, tender fic! The ROR has given them the gift of each other, and I honestly love that it's just the two of them and no other characters. An incredible and soft read

15) December Never Felt So Wrong by MaesterChill / @maesterchill [Explicit, 50k]

'Twas the month before Christmas and sixteen year old Draco Malfoy had never felt worse. His attempts to kill Dumbledore were failing and, as usual, Harry Fucking Potter was a constant thorn in his side.

All that suddenly changed when Draco woke up 15 years in the future and discovered that not only was he allegedly shagging Harry Fucking Potter, he also had thinning hair and a five year old son, and no fucking clue how he got there.

Truly brilliant, and I was laughing from the start. The combination of the aging up, Harry’s off-tune singing to Muggle songs, and soft parenthood were all things I immediately fell in love with. Will be reading again and again

16) Catch Me If I Fall by keeli_marie [Explicit, 38.2k]

When Draco Malfoy collides with Harry Potter one morning while dropping the kids off at school, things don’t go quite the way either of them would have expected.

Another absolute gem, and I'm still reeling from how amazing it was. I'm always a bit hesitant with kid fics, but this is one of the best depictions of love between Harry and Draco that I've read. I love how supportive Astoria is. Such a lovely fic

16) Love Found by Peachpety / @peachpety [Explicit, 7.5k]

During Harry’s sixth year, Draco Malfoy joins the Order as a double-agent and continues with his task to get the Death Eaters into the castle as assigned by Voldemort. Draco succeeds with his mission the evening Harry returns from the caves with Dumbledore. The boys reunite on the Astronomy Tower and, with the Death Eater’s arrival, are forced to engage in a fight, driving Harry to come to terms with his feelings about true friendship and romantic love.

SUCH a good rewrite of the astronomy tower scene. I can’t describe how much I love the pre-existing relationship, which is a trope I typically steer clear from. And the snark!!! Such a good fucking fic

17) Taro Milk Tea with a side of Depression by Veelawings / @veelawings [Mature, 1k]

Draco sat through twenty grievous minutes of Ministry-mandated group therapy for Newly Registered Magical Beings & Creatures — then promptly stormed out.

Okay, I loved this. The play format was so cool and fit the narration so well. Absolute perfection and SO. GOOD.

18) The Dragon At The Bottom Of The Garden by Zopno [Explicit, 52.3k]

At 25 Harry Potter's life was simple; he flew, sculpted, and had the vault in the back of his mind to keep all unpleasant business. It was stable, but when Draco Malfoy literally hit him with a giant rock; all that changed.

I loved the storyline, especially Animagus bird Harry!! This was such a unique take on an Animagus and post-war fic, and I loved reading it so much

19) Exposure by GallaPlacidia [Mature, 26.9k]

When Seamus uncovers Draco Malfoy's camboy profile, he, Harry and Ron decide to anonymously book a private show so as to humiliate him later. Fascinated by Draco's confidence, Harry keeps booking private shows under the disguise...

Self prompt: Draco is a camboy. Harry betrays him.

I can't give this enough praise. The hurt of it all was so brilliant. A new favorite for sure

20) you've got the antidote for me by Kandakicksass [Mature, 20.7k]

When Harry Potter unintentionally severs their soulbond before it can fully form, Draco Malfoy resigns himself to a slow death and decides not to burden Harry with a soulmate he's made it very clear he doesn't want.

He's never been selfless before, but for Harry, he can try.

Fuck. Like...fuck. This was so sad and angsty and perfect in all the right ways. Watching everything unfold was so painful but so worth it. Another new favorite

21) A Room Up There (And You In It) by thestarryknight [Teen, 59.2k]

When Preservationist Draco Malfoy was assigned to work on Number Twelve, Grimmauld Place, he was excited to delve into the gorgeous Black family antiques. His excitement quickly ended when something in the House decided it did not like his presence one bit. Featuring a grumpy antiques lover who most certainly did not sign up for this, encounters with a vengeful apparition, and a healthy application of Christmas spirit.

Absolutely fucking fantastic. This fic reads intimacy all over, despite there being no sex. I love preservationist Draco and the way in which information about Harry unfolds. I can’t say enough how much I loved this advent fic, and Starry did such a great job

And now for three fics that I have yet to read/need to emotionally prepare myself for:

1) Modern Love by Tackytiger / @tackytigerfic [Explicit, 61.2k]

Harry Potter, of all people, knows that life isn’t always fair. And no one gets to be happy all of the time. But surely there’s something more—something better—than a rubbish Ministry job, and a lonely old house, and that feeling that everyone out there is doing a better job of living than Harry is.

And it really doesn’t seem fair that Draco Malfoy is back in Harry’s life, all of a sudden, and even though he’s wandless, and living with Muggles, and making his mother cry with his lifestyle choices, he’s happy. So what's he doing right, that Harry isn’t?

Because things don’t really change, do they? And if Harry can’t be happy, he’ll settle for a good night’s sleep, some posh antiques, and the opportunity to find out what Malfoy has been up to for all these years.

And that’s what starts it all.

2) Dragons Don't Know Paradise by tainara_black / @teacup-tai [Explicit, 50.9k]

In 2004, when Remus spends two scary weeks in the ITU due to complications of pneumonia and his HIV condition, Sirius walks around the house like a ghost and Harry finds comfort and strength in Draco through a chat in an online LGBT forum. Harry falls for him, but Draco has a lot of secrets and, before long, will need to come clean—even if he believes that no one is able to understand a dragon.

This is a story about falling in love online and about facing the reality of death, but above all, this is a story about hope, finding love and acceptance. (Non-magical / bookshop AU, written for the 25 days of Drarry 2020)

3) Aeternus Solem by onbeinganangel / @onbeinganangel [Explicit, 36.9k]

On December 1st, Harry Potter gets sent halfway across the world to attempt to break a possibly fatal curse on an unnamed British Unspeakable — except said Unspeakable is not unnamed at all and Harry has been in love with him for over four years.

{If anyone spots any mistakes in this list, PLEASE let me know! I hope you all have a lovely New Year’s, and may 2021 be less of a dumpster on fire than its predecessor 💜}

#drarry #draco malfoy #harry potter #draco x harry #harry x draco #drarry fanfiction #drarry fic recs #drarry favorites #fay recs

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marinetteplztakeabreak · 3 years

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ML Lies Episode Predictions:

There’s Two?? (don’t trust my math) more days before lies completely destroys me, so I’m going to make some predictions, and by predictions I mean wishlist. My walls are already up, so if none of these happen I won’t be disappointed, but also a girl can dream: (this is somehow 1700 entire words long because I have a lot of feelings, so it’s under a cut, you’re welcome)

—Adrien and Kagami’s are secretly dating: please I want it so bad, I’ve talked about this so much and emotionally I need it!! At the very least I want them to sneak out together so so bad I’d cry. But also, if they’re hiding it from their other friends for whatever reason, thats SUCH good angst potential.

—If we get to see some kinda montage of them sneaking out??? Id ride that high for months. Even just one actual example of them working together to sneak out would obliterate me. Like, how it shows Kagami sneaking out to go to the game in Ikari Gozen?? I’d cry

—The breakup happens as a direct result of it being a secret relationship: this would be SUCH a good parallel to lukanette. Lukanette broke up because Luka wanted Marinette to be more open with him and he hated being in the dark, so just, the parallels if Adrien wants to be more open about adrimi and Kagami is like “you dont understand, if your dad finds out about us he will end this immediately” but Adrien wants to believe that its going to be okay and no one will react badly? I’m probably explaining this badly and I’ll try to explain it better later I just,,, want parallels and opposites and truth v lies and hhhhh

—Fencing??? Friendly/ affectionate competition??? Them being idiot jocks in love??? Please??? I want to see them compete!!

—I’d love to see Kagami character growth + Adrimi relationship development!!! I want her to love herself more and be more comfortable around him!!!

—Specifically, if there was a parallel to Riposte,, and Adrien beat Kagami in a fencing match and Kagami was like “Oh nice!! :D good game!” I’d be so happy I’d cry!! And it’s kinda implied by Chat Blanc that they’re already there in there relationship?? But not confirmed?? So if I saw it or saw confirmation of it I’d cry!!

—in one of the released photos it looked like they were holding hands??? And at this point my expectations are so low I don’t even trust it yet but blease,,, let them hold hands,, i’d cry of joy

—If Adrien is also constantly leaving and disappearing due to akuma responsibilities, I want it to read SUPER differently from the Lukanette because I love parallels/foils!! Marinette disappears on her dates with Luka and its just “oh marinette is really distracted and busy and frazzled” but I dont think Adrimi but be loke that at all!!! Because as far as Kagami knows, she has the same backstory/current story as Adrien. She’s risking a lot by sneaking out to go on dates with him?? So Adrien seeing an akuma and being like “oh sorry father is calling” isnt even suspicious or anything??? Its 100% believable!!! If her mother called she’d immediately be like “oh fricking heck i Need To Leave this instant immediately.” So its less “Adrien doesnt care about her” and more of just twisting the knife and reminding her that life doesnt want them to be together and Adrien is never going to be free!!! Big ouch to her heart!!!

—also I want!!!! Them!!! To talk about their feelings!!! Because parallels to truth!!! Adrien is like “sorry I have to go” and Kagami is like “oh I hate that so much” and Adrien is like “big same.” (Also idk how realistic this is but I’d love it if ‘Kagami talking about her feelings’ wasn’t the cause of strife in their relationship!! Like, she talks about how she feels and when she’s upset and Adrien is like “yeah me too” and they’re just,, good bros)

—I need them to stay friends after the breakup, i need it i need it i need it!!! And the whole issue is!! I feel like the main reason they’d date is to try and hang out more?!?? So if the breakup was actually them talking to each other and being like “hey so this isnt working with sneaking out, we’re going to need to go back to the way it was before,” rather than them saying they were bad for each other???? Hoo boy i’d lose my mind

—Also!!! My favorite prediction, I’d die of joy if this happened (and also of angst). I want there to be so much drama with “secret relatinship” stuff that they try to fix it by going public with their relationship!! Very low chance of this actually happening but its okay if it doesnt, thats what the fanfiction I’m inevitably going to write immediately after watching the episode is for!!! But anyway,, multiple ways this could happen.

Maybe they’ve been secretly dating since Miracle Queen and they decide to go public at the beginning of this episode and that’s the primary source of plot/conflcit!!! I’d be thrilled!!!

BUT!!! if the episode ends with then Not Breaking Up, but instead deciding to go from dating secretly to dating publicly???? Holy Freaking Heck,,, I’d go feral with emotion!!!! I also need to expand on this so much more but basic rundown of how I imagine it could happen (again: Is it likely?? Probably not! but this is my last chance to dream):

Kagami is like “listen we have the same backstory and I KNOW in my soul that this relationship wouldn’t work if it was public”

Adrien is like “okay yeah I feel you, thats fair”

Kagami goes on dates with Adrien and its fun and nice and lovely and the honeymoon phase is so good and exciting

Adrien starts disappearing a lot, partly because of akuma attacks, but partly because of nathalie and gabe calling him constantly

Adrien starts to be like “well actually i think that my dad does care about me probably? And if he knew why I wanted to go he’d let me! Or at least Nathalie would because clearly she cares about me!”

Kagami is like “hhhnngg have you met them?? You think they’d want you to be happy and free??” Except she can’t just SAY that because if she did then she’d be crushing Adrien’s entire heart and possibly also making him get really defensive and he has to come to the conclusion that his parents are good on his own

Kagami also starts to get frustrated with how much more often Adrien has to leave than she does?? And its because of akuma attacks but she doesnt know that and he cant tell her

Adrien starts to get frustrated because he can take the “having to leave for akuma attacks” part but when he finally finishes an akuma battle and Natalie immediately calls him it is just aaaaaAAAAAAAA and he just wants to believe so badly that he could at least take control of that part??? He could at least get Nathalie to help him out??? Probably maybe right???

Because we all know he HATES having to keep secrets from Ladybug, but he’ll do it for her, and he’ll keep his life as Chat a secret, but Kagami??? He should at least be able to talk about that, right?? He’s not doing anything bad/dangerous/etc

Also there could very well be some angst with Adrien being so so worried about Nathalie because she’s bedridden and his dad is being sketchy and he’s SEEN this before and he doesn’t want to be avoiding Natalie or lying to her because what if he loses her too??? He’d feel so guilty! And he needs the support of a parent figure so much,,, so he HAS to tell her the truth

But he respects Kagami’s wishes and he’s not going to betray her trust

But unlike Lukanette, they DO talk about their feelings and they disagree and stuff, and even if he’s trying not to be confrontational, Kagami is like “i can tell youre uncomfortable about something, please just tell me what it is” so he tells her that he disagrees

Kagami gets akumatized?? idk if it’s even been confirmed that she’s the akuma “Lies” but I’d assume she is because parallels to Lukanette

Maybe it happens as a direct result of some moment where Kagami and Adrien are arguing and in the heat of the moment he says something hurtful??

Maybe they’re arguing and then Adrien has to leave before it can resolve and Kagami is mad about it even though shes trying not to be and she gets akumatized???

Maybe she does say something like “bc your dad sucks and nathalie sucks!” and he yells or something (i want to see Adrien yell and be flawed let me live, and this is one of the most likely scenerios for it to happen bc it would HURT for him)

Maybe Kagami shoots back with anger, maybe Adrien’s been calm but Kagami gets mean for a moment, but regardless, Kagami says something about her true feelings of anger at nathalie/gabe/ etc and before Adrien can respond he’s like “oh shoot sorry I need to get home NOW”

Then for one brief second Kagami’s TERRIFIED that he’s going to tell nathalie about this in his anger and then nathalie’s going to be like “oh kagami is clearly bad for you because she made u this upset” and Adrien will LISTEN because hes stupid and he still listens to his horrible adult figures and Kagami is so mad about the entire situation so then in her moment of weakness she gets akumatized

Look at that its a direct opposite of Lukanette because Luka was afraid of Marinette keeping secrets about why she’s always vanishing because he doesnt know and Kagami is afraid of Adrien telling secrets about why HEs always vanishing bc she thinks she does know,,

But anyway, after she gets de-akumatized, she’s so ashamed of it and she can see how far she took it and how many people it hurt,, and Adrien is really sad and apologetic and trying to support her,, and she’s like “no clearly I was actually wrong, keeping this a secret is hurting you and its hurting me and now its hurting random civilians”

So she tells Adrien that they should tell people about it and stop dating in secret

And then multiple possible ending:

Does he say “actually no, youre right, they wouldnt let this happen, so if we cant date in public and dating in secret is hurting us then we shouldnt date at all” and thats how the breakup goes??? That would literally obliterate me

Does the episode end on a false positive where Adrien hasnt told them yet and he is like “yeah this is gonna be great” and there isnt an actual breakup yet?? Because that would also kill me (even though i doubt theyre going to let adrimi take up that much time in the show but, let me dream)

Also if Adrien is like “we shouldnt tell my parents but we should tell someone” and then they tell Marinette and now shes got ANOTHER secret to keep and aaaaaaaAAAAA?? Id die on the spot

I’m still holding out hope that the episode will give me enough crumbs to at least be able to write this better, but regardless of what happens in the episode,,, the chances of me eventually writing fanfiction exploring this are SO HIGH, I’ve been thinking about this for ages

In conclusion:

—no matter what happens in lies, its going to destroy me

—please let them be in a secret relationship it makes so much sense for their characters and for the drama and aaaaAAAAA

—also please give me the parallels to lukanette where their issues are exactly the opposite and it still falls apart

Thank you for your time, I’ll be excitedly vibrating at the speed of sound for the next two days until we get answers!! Depending on how the episode goes, I’ll either be writing so much adrimi fluff to recover,, so much adrimi angst to vent,, or I’ll be staring at the ceiling screaming for a few days as I post nothing but keysmashes and try to sort through my emotions :)

#lies #ml lies #miraculous ladybug #adrien agreste #kagami tsurugi #ml spoilers #ml leaks #those are both super minor but i just want yo guve fair warning #ml theories #adrimi #adrigami #predictions #ml #long post #angst

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