#Val and his grid kid
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I'll Never Meet Another You - Part 1
📺 【 𝑷𝒂𝒓𝒕 𝑰 | 𝑷𝒂𝒓𝒕 𝑰𝑰 | 𝑷𝒂𝒓𝒕 𝑰𝑰𝑰 】📺
𝐀/𝐍: Is that...? Oh my god- It's the sound of another WIP in my endless void of fanfic ideas that managed to see the light of day!! It also means I've added another demon husband to my ✨cOlLeCtIoN✨
So, I'm definitely doing a continuation of this- I was having WAY too much fun writing it.
Enjoy your yandere, stalking, creepy-ass television man! :)
. . .
𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐝 𝐂𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐭: 𝟏,𝟒𝟏𝟓
𝐓𝐡𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐬: 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐥𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠, 𝐩𝐨𝐬𝐬𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐛𝐞𝐡𝐚𝐯𝐢𝐨𝐫, 𝐲𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐭𝐯, 𝐨𝐛𝐬𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧, 𝐞𝐭𝐜.
𝐒𝐨𝐧𝐠 𝐑𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧: ꜱᴛᴀʟᴋᴇʀ'ꜱ ᴛᴀɴɢᴏ | ᴀᴜᴛᴏʜᴇᴀʀᴛ
. . .
Electricity bounced across clawed, neon-blue fingertips as Vox’s collection of monitors booted up, lining the walls in a cyan-hued excess of the latest tech his company manufactured.
With but a wave of his hand, the devices were slaves to his command.
As Vox sat upon his electronic throne that was centered before it all, he closed every work-related tab within his mental browser, before slumping in his seat within the darkness. The demon rubbed where the bridge of his nose would’ve been with a stressed crease in his brows; a little habit that he had acquired from his life above.
To say it had been a long day would’ve been the understatement of the century. For the first twelve hours since he had emerged from his quarters, Vox had been bombarded with underlings shoving incessant workloads into his lap.
Ensuring the reputation of the Vees, the new VoxTech Angelic Security system that he had been developing, the countless amount of paperwork and maintaining the digital grid, and to top it all off, he had to manage the temper of one pissed-off Valentino.
Ugh... Fuckin' Val and his goddamn runaways... it's not my fucking fault he can't manage his toys.
Dealing with the lustful moth Overlord's temper tantrums were usually the absolute highlights of Vox's day, but this time in particular there was quite the treat in store for the overworked Overlord.
Hm... Maybe that's how the name came to be. Ah, who am I kidding? Velv just sits on her ass all day.
Of course, Vox pushed his indignation aside and swept everything up with a winning smile of pure showmanship, the pinnacle of excellence in front of the public.
And just as everything seemed to fall into place, like any other day of Vox cleaning up the messes of his fellow Overlords, something just had to go fucking wrong.
Imagine being the literal fucking backbone of the Vees, ensuring that their picture-perfect reputation of utmost excellence and being called up by an irritated Velvet to play babysitter and manage the man-child because of fucking Angel Dust-
And then catching wind of ḧ̴͇͕́̍i̷̡̹͋͂̓m̵͈͔̳̭̙̍͝ returning...
A few sparks flew from Vox's antenna as his overheated fans whirred rapidly. That old timey, triangle-assed p̴̲̩̮͙̜̎́̋r̸͓̟͆̀͆i̸̼͕͓̺̹̪̔͛͊̋͗c̸̢̤̐͂͜k̵̻̭̦̣̪͈̕-̸̢̡̪͇̖̈́...
Slowly, he took a deep breath, stretching his knuckles and tilting his head to the side with a deep frown. He had the evening to himself, now. No Radio-Pricks, no need to maintain the perfect facade he had so carefully crafted for himself and his allies, and no Valentino.
Time to unwind...
A cup of coffee materialized in his hand with a spark of electricity that lingered around his hand, dancing upon his fingers. He scooted just a bit closer to the large, main monitor within the center of TVs installed in his office, and his mental request was immediately answered by the large computer screen before him.
A zipped file containing possibly the most sensitive information that you couldn’t fucking torture out of the television demon happened to be the very first result of his search, almost teasing him with the overtness of his little obsession.
Vox clicked on the file quicker than ever before, and he took a long, slow sip of his drink as he focused solely upon the pretty little blessing that had graced his screens since a few months ago.
You were lounging on your couch, scrolling haphazardly on your phone in your less-than ideal apartment, but hey, it worked for you, so who was Vox to judge? Even if he would've placed you in one of the most mind-bogglingly extravagant penthouses that you'd ever seen in your afterlife, he had no qualms as long as you remained untouched.
And luckily, his position and occupation made it more than easy to ensure that you had no one in particular in mind to take his place.
No matter where you were, or what you were doing, nothing about you remained unseen by Vox, and no stone was left unturned when it came to your private life.
And Vox was always there. Watching. Adoring you through digitally enamored eyes without moving an inch from his seat.
Small, pixelated hearts floated across his interface as you looked through your phone, blessing him with a plethora of reactions. Whether it be with a small pout of your lips, to the furrow of your brows, to that cute giggle-snort you made whenever something seemed funny to you, the electronic Overlord drank it up like red wine from a golden cup glorified by gods themselves.
Lord, Vox had it bad.
Every step you took, every breath you inhaled, every purchase you made, every club or restaurant you went to, your exact order at your favorite diner, your taste in fashion and jewelry, he memorized every fact, photo, and video and saved it all in a private file.
It was Vox's most precious possession, the closest he could ever get to you, for now.
Vox’s smile stretched across his flat-screen face; a neon hue of razor-sharp teeth pulled into a fond simper as the sound of your chiming laughter rang out across his office.
How he wished to capture the sound, perhaps place it into a bottle for him, and only him to hear, your smile a treasure of the rarest quality to keep.
There was no doubt about it, Vox was your number one fan.
More monitors across the room lit up, whether it be with your beautiful face or your soft, angelic singing, there was nothing but you, you...
Y̵̼̜̿o̴̝͕̾ṷ̸̇.̶͈͍̎̔ ̵̟̒̚
Vox hated the idea of having to share this with anyone else. Share you with anyone else. Every time he ended the night like this, he had to fight the urge to steal you away and seat you upon your rightful place, a throne beside his, towering above his empire with no unworthy, sinful eyes to look upon you.
“Huh... I’ve actually always wondered what that ‘Vox’ guy is like in real life...” said demon froze at the sound of his name pouring from your lips, and a soft blush mixed with the bright blue glow of his face, coloring it a light lavender pink. You were talking to yourself again, something Vox binged like a talk show whenever he was off work.
He could watch you all day like this. And God knows that he would massacre any number of demons, conquer any area of territory simply for a few minutes in your presence.
A casual conversation, witty banter, fuck, he'd rather talk about the goddamn weather with you than be deprived of your presence any longer. Not behind a screen, but in person.
Vox needed something, anything with you, romantic or platonic, though the former would surely grow an insatiable craving, if you kept teasing him like this.
He needed you to be there for him, to just treat him like a person.
Vox normally wouldn't mind the fact that he was always perfecting himself for others, catering to their every desire. A machine. Meant to serve the masses, and in turn, they'd fall to their feet before him like flies to honey, insatiable, pathetic worms.
But it'd drive anyone to the brink of fucking insanity, to keep up the same, cheery yet suave charade every draining day.
And with you? Even if you never knew about your secret admirer’s ever-prying eyes watching your every step, it felt like Vox didn't need to put on a show for you. He could simply watch and listen as you, sweet, mischievous, lovable you talked his ears off for the rest of his day.
What I'd give to just kiss the hell out of her-
“Heh, he’s actually kind of cute. Y’know, for a TV, I guess...” you giggled at the end of your sentence as you scrolled through more photos of him, drinking up every piece of content that featured the demon that was watching you through your camera.
A little side-menu of exactly what you had been looking through immediately popped up, and an intense zapping noise from above signaled to Vox that, once again, the demon was two seconds away from overheating and having to reboot himself as he nearly spit out his hot drink.
Vox nearly short-circuited in his seat as you smiled warmly down at your phone, directly into his eyes as his cold, mechanical heart pounded in his chest, and bright red spread across his screen like a virus.
“Oh... Ohoho...”
“Now that’s good television...”
. . .
End Notes: Ok, holy SHIT-
I really like this one. Like GODDAMN this was so fun to write!! I'll definitely be doing headcanons for yandere Hazbin Hotel very soon. Also, that A03 shit I just pulled at the end? You're welcome ;)
Btw I'm working on my Masterlist, so if anyone has requests or drabbles that they'd like to enter, don't be afraid to ask! I think I'll make some rules clear later, like no EXTREME asks or kinks or anything like that.
Smut is on the table though don't be afraid lmao. I'll be the one shaking in my boots when I'm about to post it- 😓
Anyway, thanks for reading!! See you next time✨
#vox x reader#vox x you#yandere hazbin hotel#hazbin hotel x reader#yandere vox x reader#obssesion#he is literally a tv#like actually#but hes kinda babygirl so-#tw stalking#possessive behavior#yourdoorisunlocked
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it was him
pairings: formula 1 grid x fem driver!oc
warnings: none
a/n: back at it with the Valiente series. this is set in 2021 so Alex is still with red bull and George is still with Williams.
After the race, drivers from every team are expected to go and take a rest and talk about their current standings. But no, when it comes to Alex and George, it’s payback time for what Valentina had done to them two grand prix prior.
Seeing the Red Bull and Williams (George) driver together on the paddock wasn't new. Seeing that the two have known each other for quite a while, it hasn’t raised any questions from anyone.
It was, however, confusing and quite a sight to see the two tall gents seemingly drenched from head to toe in the middle of the paddock. What was not confusing was the young female laughing at the two as they look at her in disbelief.
“Are you kidding me, Val?” George asked her, perplexed and quite startled that his clothes, which he was bragging about to Alex some minutes ago, were now wet. Not only that but his bag too.
“Hmm, no, I don’t think so. Should’ve been more aware. Right, Alex?” Valentina laughs as she quotes Alex's words from the last time they did her dirty. The man just stood there wringing as much water out of his shirt before running after Val, in an attempt to get her wet.
Setting up their revenge prank on her, the duo sat on the couch, right in front of the door to capture her final dry moments.
“You hear anything, mate?” Alex asks George as he watches the Williams driver slowly walk back to the couch, nodding his head.
“Yeah, I hear footsteps alright.” Confirming, the two take out their phones to record this moment.
And like in the movies, they watch as footsteps stop by the door, seeing the knob slowly turn. Waiting for the final push of the door, they suck in their breath, counting in their heads.
Seconds pass by, and they release their breaths with a cheer as the bucket of water splashes down on Valentina. Jumping around as if they’ve won the WDC and hugging each other as if it’s their last.
Turning to the door, it may also be called their last. Not only do they see Valentina drenched in the blue-dyed water, but the one and only Charles Leclerc are also drenched, much more, if Val may add.
Valentina began chuckling at their half-failed prank on her, pushing away some hair from her face she looks up at Charles who was now scanning the condition of his then-white shirt.
“Ok, whoever thought of this should go and buy me a new shirt.” Stating, Charles shakes off the excess liquid on his hair and warningly looks at the two sitting on the couch, who have now gone silent.
“Look, before you get mad at me. This…” gesturing to the whole set-up,”…was for Val and Val alone and it was George who’ve come up with the whole blue dye-thing.” Alex excuses himself as he points a finger at George who was looking at him in shock.
“Albon!! You did not just pin the blame on me, mate. You said this was a team effort...” George explains in an attempt to lessen his crimes, however, Charles unconsciously drowns out any noise as she looks at the youngster beside him laughing her ass off.
Seeing her laughing even after getting splashed made him laugh as well. Now joining Val in her laughing fit, Charles slings an arm around her shoulders and turns around with the intent of accompanying her back to her team’s motor home for a change of clothes.
George, who’s now up and about, still trying to defend himself, earns a hard smack on his stomach as Alex points out that they were the only ones left in the room. Gobsmacked, the British driver looks at his friend for an explanation, making Alex shrug and tell him what had transpired just moments ago.
#f1 x oc#f1#f1 fandom#f1 fic#f1 fanfic#f1 imagine#f1 x reader#f1 x you#formula 1 x reader#formula 1#f1 series#f1 x female driver#f1 x y/n#formula 1 x oc#formula 1 x driver!reader#formula 1 x y/n#formula 1 x you#george russell x oc#alex albon x oc#charles leclerc x oc#george russel imagine#alex albon imagine#charles leclerc imagine
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Waves at @janetm74 with the text. I have no idea if it's going anywhere, but the idea haunted me to be put out there. Mentions of murder and torture, because Bereznik. Colonel Casey gets some disturbing news.
COUP DE GRÂCE
Colonel Casey leaned deeper into her office chair, a heavy weight settling in her chest, as a holographic grid of data points, crimescene photos, some more gruesome than others, and interconnected arrows was rotating in the middle of the room. Her branch wasn't even the law enforcement arm of GDF per se, so the fact this has been brought to her attention was alarming in and of itself. More alarming still was the number of murders in the span of several months - 19 in total.
There was frustratingly little in the victims' profiles to suggest a pattern - different ages, genders, nationalities, appearances, different countries of residence, different social backgrounds. Different professions too - some former or serving GDF, some civilians - engineers, medics, computer scientists, independent contractors. The GDF officers could be maybe loosely placed as stationed in Europe at some point, but that covered only half of the sample. Yet the pattern was there. Somebody of the GDF best and brightest in counter terrorism division or special ops, figured it out. That's why Colonel Casey was contacted. The assumption was still slim to the naked eye, but the implications made her blood run cold. She forced her breathing to even out, thinking fondly of her ginger spacebound godson - John wouldn't have taken this long to figure out and calculate the pattern. The boy was a patented genius. She also wished none of Jeff's kids, she loved so dearly, would ever have to know about it - the kind of evil that still walked the earth and lurked in the shadows.
The murders were vicious - the victims were held captive and brutalized before they were allowed to die. The MO clearly spoke of a maniac, unhinged and cruel, and hungry for control. It was deduced with some effort that while none of the victims shared more than a handful of common traits, or crossed paths to generate veryfiable connections, at some point all of them dropped off of social media for different periods of time. When they next reoccured - most looked notably changed, gaunt, as if having undergone an exhausting illness. The interviews with families yielded little - absolutely noone mentioned that gap in social media presence or feigned ignorance when pressed.
The victims among different GDF officers were easier to counter reference against more classified databases. That's where Colonel Casey was brought in. The results had her grip the armrests of her chair till her knuckles popped. There were no traceable records, because the GDF and World Council chose not to keep any mention above counter of a POW gulag smack in the middle of the flourishing European continent for a very diplomatic reason of there officially having never been a war. All those years later, someone was methodically tracking, capturing and brutally murdering the survivors of a liberated prisoner camp in Bereznik.
Val Casey felt her head spin from strain and allowed her eyes to rest for a briefest moment. On the backdrop of memory was her oldest friend Jeff's face, contorted with fury and pain, towering and yelling at a stammering World President for cowardly evasion and hypocrisy. Jeff's face again, a picture of pure agony, as he was clutching a scrawny lifeless figure in tattered bloody fatigues to his chest and weeping. She didn't keep track if all the guards and officers of the compound were ever rounded up. Their mission was as black ops as it got - get in, extract, get out. Fast. Were they caught behind Bereznik border, the World Council would feign ignorance and give them up to be tried by the local authorities for an act of war. She forced herself to look back at the holoscreen again and shuddered - among the pictures of victims who made it out of hell and survived unspeakable atrocities, only to succumb to a cruel and vindictive hand, was clearly slotted a place for one more. The crown jewel of whatever vendetta the vile mind of a psychopath was acting out. Humanity's brightest beacon of Hope. Scott Tracy.
Colonel Casey knew her first order of business should have probably been shutting IR operations down immediately and ordering the boys to stay confined on the island, under Kayo's protection. She wasn't naive enough to hope the maniac, whoever he was, would not resort to the surest way to lure his designated victim out - a captured brother or two. But she also knew her eldest godson enough to know it would be a loosing battle to try and have him stay put for his own safety. It hasn't worked so far on any other occasions. She was also weary to even bring the subject of the imposed grounding up and stir the memories of hell. The profiling team dismissed, she reached for a secure comm unit in a locked drawer and dialed the only viable number there:
- Lord Hugh? I need to meet with you and Kyrano asap. The usual place. Off record.
#thunderbirds are go#colonel casey#scott tracy#colonel casey needs a drink#scott tracy needs a hug#bereznik#methinks i have astronomy#thunderbirds 2015#my fic#jeff tracy
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https://www.tumblr.com/thisismeracing/736258532149805056/sorry-if-youve-already-answered-this-but-what?source=share
*throws hat into the ring to talk about my hcs about bon as if i didn’t fucking make her up in my own head*
valtteri: i think her and val have the kind of relationship that her and lew have but on a smaller scale. she loves him like a brother but compared to lew, lew met her at 14 whilst val met her at 18. lew knew her and was an influence in her life as a kid while val got to be an influence in her early adulthood. she got five years with val, and in those five years she had the best duo of big brothers she could have asked for. they were probably the driving force of her getting out of that relationship that was bad for her. and it’s not like her and val aren’t close anymore, it’s just that with him being at alfa romeo now it’s hard to find time to hangout like they used to. with lew he’s just right there because the two of them work at merc while he doesn’t anymore. (side note: these three have a group chat that they still maintain where they used to coordinate hang outs but nowadays it’s mostly just life updates) (oh and val is the one who got her addicted to coffee through the many cafe lunches they had when he was at merc)
jenson: her and jense’s relationship is unmatched (barring lew, michael, and maybe seb) because he got to see and experience the woes of her in the literal fetus stage of her life (okay so she was ten, but still fetus) her og uncle of the paddock, the first driver to be added to her list of favorite drivers, yeah their time together on the same team was short but she was the first one she ever latched onto. and he always made time to go and see how his little menace was doing even though the team name had changed and he no longer drove for the team her dad worked for
fernando: while he was also present in her fetus years in the paddock, similar to val’s relationship with her, it was less so compared to the likes of jense. she probs calls him tío nando and goes to him when she wants candy because she knows he will give it to her. he taught her how to speak spanish, but at first it was just the curse words and nando was told “stop corrupting the youth” to the point bono had to step in and tell him if he didn’t stop he would not let bon go and see him anymore. so that’s when the normal spanish lessons began
kimi: i touched on this in another ask i sent in but kimi would be the one she would go to when she needed space from all the goings on in the paddock and through the many silent driver’s room hangouts she had with him in the ferrari garage built a very strong relationship between the two of them and she knew she could go to him for anything. one look at her while she opened his door and he was up out of the pace he was occupying and pulling her in to cuddle because he knows she needs to be grounded and calmed down from her surroundings
seb: i think her relationship with seb was very strong at some point, ala lewis, but after michael’s accident she pulled away because he reminds her too much of her uncle michael and how much she misses him. he was very present in her life because if michael was most likely was there he was too, being michael’s mentee and all. she has so many great memories with him. but not having michael around to be present to make more those great memories with him hurts too much, so she stays away until she gets with mick and she rekindles her relationship because seb is so present in mick’s life and it would be almost impossible to stay away from him
and it think this can be left unsaid but, bon’s favorite people: lew 🤝 michael
[i was going to touch in the younger drivers but i just dont think she would be as connected to them as she was with the older grid, maybe in another ask but thats all i got for now]
☕️
prev ask @treehouse-mouse
so she stays away until she gets with mick and she rekindles her relationship because seb is so present in mick’s life and it would be almost impossible to stay away from him // I feel like her relationship with mick (the friendship part of it, even before it comes love) taught bono baby a lot about trying to deal with her feelings, trying to understand it and to get close again to those she loves but is afraid to lose
#great add as usual c <3#☕️ anon#bonnington!reader#millies inbox#ms47#mick schumacher#thots#f1 x reader
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You were both born under the same stars. You don't particularly like to think about that fact often as it does come off far too sickeningly sentimental, yet it is true. Just sixteen days separate his date of birth from yours, you have never known the world without him in it.
There is an irony in those stars, one you cannot help but smirk at. You both share the same star sign; Libra. Libra, you learn, is the sign of balance. Represented by the scales, Libras are obsessed with symmetry and equilibrium. You and he have been things to each other through the years; enemies, rivals, competitors, dare we now say friends?, yet through it all he has always remained your one true equal. It takes everything in you not to laugh out loud when you both set the exact same time as you battle to secure pole position. Sixteen days may have separated your births but it seems that when you race each other, nothing can keep you apart. Not that you mind now, now that you are both are grown and have grown past the petty squabbles of adolescence, now that you understand that you'll never race anybody the way you are able to race him. You have come to love the way you can battle each other and cannot help but crave the high that comes as you race each other to the very limit and push your cars beyond what their creators thought possible.
You're not quite sure if you believe in fate but you do feel as though that the universe likes to point and laugh at you specifically. His name translates to "the greatest rival", which is who he always been to you, he has always been your greatest rival. It's foolish and unrealistic but you can't help but wonder if his mother somehow knew, as she held him for the first time, who he'd eventually become, as if she had any idea that sixteen days later and over 800 kilometers away that other born racer would come into the world and that her baby boy would be his - your - greatest rival. You decide eventually that the universe simply likes its' jokes.
Neither of you have ever done anything by half's. Even when you hated him, you knew he hated you just as much. You share the same convection, the same drive, it's little wonder that you clashed so often as children. Yet, even then, he was the one you wanted to battle, to beat. It somehow mattered more when it came down to the two of you. It still does. Back then you hated being compared to him, just as he hated being compared to you. Ironically now it is you two who are drawing the most comparisons between yourselves. It's only now, now that you've grown, that you both understand and appreciate just how similar you are to each other.
You don't remember meeting for the first time. Sometimes it feels like he just appeared next to you, lining up to take his place on the grid and then never left. You know they'll ask you one day, where did the story start, where did the legendary rivalry begin? You already know your answer. Once there was an incident on a race track called Val d'Argenton. It's an incident immortalized by both of your unique post race debriefs caught on film, it's a story you can't help but smile at when you think of it. Perhaps that was the first time you both saw how similar you were, that you understood that you could push but that he would push back and that you both would do that for however long as was necessary because you both wanted to win so badly. You were both infuriated by each other, he was especially frustrated by you. You wouldn't or couldn't even say goodbye to each other for years. You have to laugh as well when you think back to Austria 2019, your first F1 podium together. This time, it was you who was especially pissed at him. In a fit of anger, you unfollowed him on Instagram and then had to spend the next two hours looking across at him on his private jet as you both flew home. Deep down, perhaps you both are still the kids you used to be. You wonder how your child self or even how the Charles of 2019 would react to the relationship you now have with him, how you not only wave goodbye as you leave the track but how you chat and joke with each other and how you have post race debriefs with each other... You think that they'd probably look at you like you have two heads. Maybe that's a good thing, makes you value how much you've grown more.
Neither of you are old enough to remember the days of Senna and Prost but that's the expectation people have placed on you both for years. Since you were children they have all marked you for greatness. You, the predestined one, while he was the inevitable. You're not one to obsess over the mythos formula one likes to create but, as a Ferrari driver, you cannot help but lose yourself in the story somewhat. Two boys are born sixteen days apart. They meet on a race track as children. They race each other with everything they have. They meet again on a race track, this time they're grown and chasing the glory they could only dream of as children. They'll spend their whole lives racing each other, if they can. You don't seem to mind that perhaps it's a comfort, to have at least one constant in your life. You've never known the world without him in it, you hope you never do.
#max verstappen#charles leclerc#lestappen#charles pov#honestly feel like the oracle of delphi i cant control when or how things like this spring from my mouth lmao#genuinely have no clue where this came from#lestappen poetry#do we like this content or no? i don't know might delete later#f1#formula 1#formula one
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Crime Syndicate (2nd Generation)
successors to the previous Crime Syndicate (and ultimately to the Crime Lodge, which has its own offshoot led by Spacegirl and Huntrix) (per an ask from @minie-mastermind)
Val-Zed, the son of the heroic Doctor Zod, betrayed his father by taking on the role of Ultraman after Kil-Vex’s death.
Alongside him, Jason Todd succeeded his mentor as Owlman, further enhanced by the toxic mixture of electrum and lazarus resin keeping his necrotic body alive.
Donna replaced Lois as high priestess of Heggra after Lois betrayed the Superwomen of Demon Island, while Mary Mayhem took over as the Mistress of Mazahs and a rival Superwoman, backed by Captains Mayhem and Mayhem Jr.
A time-displaced Jesse Allen replaced Walter West as her father’s new successor, Jesse Quick, with Bart Chambers as her Kid Quick.
Solomon Baz took John Stewart’s place as Emerald Knight after John abandoned Earth, alongside a new Power Ring, Cruz.
Grid (Veronica Evars) and Ms. Manslaughter graduated from the Young Offenders, M’cann replacing J’edd J’arkkus, aka The Martian Manslaughter.
Conner King got a seat at the table as the new Blue Bowman by blackmailing the rest of the group with his father’s treasonous action against the Qwardians.
Deathstorm and Barracuda were just too strong to say no to or placate as Made Men.
As a whole, the group is even less cohesive and more apt to infighting than the previous generation.
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Fandom: Starfield
Rating: E
Pairing: Delgado x Oc
Chapter 6 Excerpt:
Even with the ComSpike and Conduction grid, navigating to Bannoc IV proves to be a shitstorm. Thank the stars for her brother Val or she would’ve had a difficult time trying to fly through the turbulence and getting the damn targeting system to lock onto The Legacy. But he manages it, no problem. They ease through the red haze that rocks their ship, teeth gritting against the vibrations. In front of them, a zigzag of electromagnetic energy flashes hot white then disappears as she steers away from a spinning asteroid. Carefully pushing forward, the haze clears just enough for the Legacy to come into view. Rerouting power from her grav drive to her engines, the ship speeds up, inching close to The Legacy. Another vibration rocks them but she manages to dock the ship.
“We’re all set to board,” Val tells her.
She breathes deep as she exits the cockpit, heading to the armory with Val. They suit up and grab their packs, guns and extra ammo, preparing for whatever the hell might be waiting for them on that ship. She expects a few robots and maybe even some heatleeches. Those fuckers manage to sneak onto any ship somehow. Packs on their backs, they waste no extra time. Together, they board The Legacy.
They’re hit with a blaring alarm and a rush of cool air. Though stale and laden with dust, the air is almost earthy sweet, invisible yet clinging to their skin like dew in morning grass. It sends a strange sort of chill up Verity’s spine as she covers her ears to block out the alarm. Broken robot at her feet, her eyes adjust to the dim surroundings and she doesn’t quite catch what the automated voice says as it comes to an abrupt ending. She uncovers her ears.
“Apparently we’re not the first to have come here,” Verity says, stepping over the detached robot leg and making a left up the stairs.
“Shit. Yeah, this doesn’t look encouraging.”
“Can't back out now.”
“Technically, we can.”
“No you can’t. You kidding me? I know you’re dying to see what’s on this ship, same as me.”
Val chuckles. “Hate that you know me so well.”
“Honestly,” Verity adjusts the straps of the pack on her shoulders, “I also hate that.”
The stairway opens up into a room that splits. She pauses, contemplating her options.
“I would’ve preferred a lie.” Val kicks an empty box out of his way to stand against the wall. “I like having my feelings spared. Besides, you don’t mean that.” He pulls out a pack of cigarettes and offers it to her. She plucks one out and he does too, pocketing the pack and trading it for a lighter. Flicking the lighter, the flame glows and he holds it to the end of her cigarette. Then lights his own while he plays with the lighter.
“I do mean it,” she replies after taking a drag. Her brow quirks as she meets his gaze. “Sometimes you can know too much about someone.”
More on AO3
#bear writes#starfield#starfield fanfic#starfield delgado#delgado x oc#this chapter contains no smut or delgado though#verity blanche#Val blanche#the legacy quest with a twist#split skin#chapter 6
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tagged by @lewisitshammertime ! ty 🫶💜!
Were you a general f1 fan before you became part of teamlh or have you always been just teamlh and don’t really care for f1?
i used to watch f1 when i was a little kid; i was obsessed with cars and so i was once scrolling through channels on the tv and happened upon f1 and me seeing cars it was pretty simple that i started watching; i was doing it purely because the cars looked cool lmao and i enjoyed the racing, and because i had little ferrari collectibles i cheered for ferrari; no one from my family was into f1, so i didn’t know much about it nor any of the drivers and just watched the cars going round; ‘hamilton’ was just a name on the screen, which in hindsight is honestly hilarious; then i kind of stopped watching it for a long while apart from the occasional race; but what actually got me back fully was covid, dts, and the 2020 season but i wasn’t really ‘teamlh’, i just loved lewis...and then obv the 2021 season happened and it spiralled from there and now i’m literally ride or die for him lmao…
Tell me one of the reasons he brings you joy. Like what can he do that brings the biggest smile on your face?
actually it’s something my mum once mentioned about him which really stuck with me, she called him gentle, which i think really describes him well and it’s this gentleness and vulnerability that he always displays in his interviews, his bright smile, the way his eyes light up, honestly whenever he’s happy, or speaking about smth he’s passionate about, it just makes me happy…and his smile is just so infectious!
but also when people appreciate him, when he realises that he’s loved (that interview in abu dhabi last year broke my heart when he said he always struggled with accepting love and he’s learning how to now); like it’s so hard to come by when everyone is praying for his downfall, but when he realises that there are people cheering for him (in spain when he jumped onto the barriers and people were cheering for him…yeah i teared up)
When did you join teamlh?
properly i’m going to say mid-way through the 2021 season, my friends and i were following really intently and so i got really invested in discussions w/ them + started following what was happening on social media
What is your favourite Lewis comfort video?
i’ve too many, but off the top of my head tho: receiving his brazilian citizenship, post-race whenever he wins at silverstone (him crowdsurfing and celebrating with fans), there’s too many videos for me to post but they’re on f1fullraces and toto, lewis and val racing the gtrs
What is your favourite race? (Could be favourite f1 race or just face Lewis race lol)
Oh jeez…there’s a few like 2021 brazil is obv iconic™️ but some other absolute favs: turkey 2020 (for obvious reasons), hockenheim 2018 (from p14 yk), silverstone 2008 (THE mclaren lewis performance) and tuscany 2020 (i love rewatching it + that podium was fucking iconic)
What is your favourite Lewis interview?
fav recent ones: have to say that funky one he did with Supercar Blondie (hilarious + he was really chill) and also the one he did in australia with fox (i loved how much he opened up in it); but i also love the one he did w/ toto a couple years back (couple counselling with brundle lmao)
Lastly, and selfishly, recommend me your favourite podcast (if you listen to any)
i’m not that big on podcasts, just like to hear some people’s opinion occasionally so some f1 podcasts: missed apex, tech heads (for some nerdy f1 content), beyond the grid (when there’s someone that isn’t some jealous ex-driver lmao), f1 nation (sometimes i’m like ??? when i’m listening because it’s Tom Clarkson, DH and Natalie and their sometimes questionable opinions but yeah it’s good background noise)
this is long, apologies; I’m also gonna tag: @pridehelmet @delicateglitch
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Power Armor Punch Part Eighteen
Masterlist
Nick: *very slowly and carefully petting her head. His eyes start to flicker a little, that power issue becoming more persistent*
Jasmine: (Hums happily at his touch. Everyone that she once knew and cherished would stroke her hair often, so the gesture is overly comforting)
Nick: *taking some processes offline to ease up the strain on his engine. He feins a small gentle but tired smile at her as he tries to find ways to stay online long enough to get a to get repairs*
Lucille: *constructed the basic structure and equipment but still needs someone who knows how to make candy*
Jasmine: (Looks up and smiles sweetly back)
Nick: *pats the back of her shoulder* How are you holding up, Jas? *eyes still subtly flickering from the pain he's enduring, his system warning him that something's wrong*
Jasmine: (Gives a sarcastic chuckle, tilting her head. As a whole? Not good at all, horrible actually. Right now in this moment? She feeling safe, secured and loved, better then normal)
Nick: *slow blink, then lets a little of the facade drop with a slight frown. He looks down at Dogmeat* Hey, boy...
Dogmeat: *ears perk up and look up at the detective*
Nick: Do me a favor and find Lucille. I need a good tune up...
Dogmeat: *affirmative bark before he gets up and manages to open the door and leave*
Jasmine: (Face fills with concern again, her child like eyes going wide. Nick doesn't even look like he heard her response…)
Nick: Sorry- I heard you. It's just things are starting to look bad...
Lucille: *thinking about possible candy makers*
Dogmeat: *comes running up to her, barking non stop*
Lucille: What is it, boy? Show me!
Dogmeat: *starts leading her back to the hospital*
Jasmine: (Whimpers, still looking at her Dad with concern. How bad was it? Was he going to be okay?)
Nick: I'm probably going to be okay... *eyes are flickering more. Slight pained smile*
Lucille: *making her way to the hospital in a hurry*
Jasmine: (Again, she gives him a quick kiss on the cheek then rests her head on his shoulder, hugging him gently. Her Mom would say the same things after long days of working then give her kids a tired smile…. and it was all she could do for her. She closes her eyes, praying that Nick was going to be fine… Because for fucks sake, she cant kill everyone she touches… They don't deserve it)
Nick: *his motor starts to whine from the strain. He's doing all he can to stay up and running. His eyes flicker more noticeably and his vision starts to go in and out*
Lucille: *running down the halls, following Dogmeat*
Jasmine: (Tugs on his arm with one hand to see if he is still alright, keeping the other secured around him so he doesn't fall back) (Thinking to herself) “Shit. This seems really bad…” (She is still haunted by Nicks lifeless form from the last time he shut off because of herself)
Nick: *blinks slowly and looks down at her. He's had to shut off his audio so he signs slowly* Still up and running. Don't know how much longer-
Lucille: *runs into the room* Dogmeat found me. What's going on? Is anyone hurt-? *notices Nick's very flickering eyes* Nick-
Nick: *straightens up a little and signs* Engine failure. Need repairs. Auxiliary power may be necessary.
Lucille: Got it. *runs out quickly to set up wiring so Nick can run off of the extensive power grid of the Vault*
Nick: *mouths* Hurry...
Jasmine: (Gets teary eyed with fear and stress. She would burst into uncontrollable sobs by now if she wasn't so determined to keep a clear mind in case something bad happened. Plus, her crying like a baby would only make things worse for everyone…)
Nick: *strokes her hair slowly. Mouths* It'll be okay...
Lucille: *comes back with some wire, hooking it up to the terminal* Gonna need access to your engine, Val.
Nick: *slow nod and moves away from Jas. He pulls off his coat and shirt, opens his casing, revealing a very worn and shorting out motor*
Lucille: Hm... alright. *connects the wires to the nodes near his engine*
Nick: *eyes steady in glow. He restores functionality to the more basic systems, such as speech and audio* I'm shutting off the engine now. Let's hope it holds steady... *the whine starts to slow* Rerouting coolant to the auxiliary line. So far, everything else seems nominal.
Lucille: Good... *opening up his metal skeleton so she can take out his engine once it completely shuts off*
Jasmine: (Crosses her arms over her chest to hug herself for security as she sits away from them. Well, guess she was right about the peacefulness not lasting. It just wont stick with her, like the world said “Fuck You! You're going to suffer!” when she was born and thrown into a trash can. Then it threw one bad event after another at her…. Slow tears are now dripping down her face, she is still unsure how)
Nick: *reaches up and whipes tears from her face* It's going to be okay...
Jasmine: (Opens her eyes and looks straight back at Nick, really wanting to believe him but how can she when she and her world keeps falling apart…)
Nick: *looks less pained already. Small gentle smile* Lucille's got it... I trust her to fix me up properly.
Lucille: *pulls out his engine* Looks like a bad short and a fried turbine. I'm going to have to hunt down some Gen 2 synths and get you a new motor.
Nick: Alright... Please take someone with you.
Lucille: Mm... *scratches the back of her head* I guess I'll take Dogmeat.
Nick: *sternly* More than just Dogmeat.
Jasmine: (If she wasn't unwillingly bounded to bedrest by Nick and Curie, she would volunteer herself to help. Instead she looks down at herself in disgust, eyeing at her healing scars and cuts. It’s her fault Nick is like this, she was causing all the strain… If only all this drama didn't happen in the first place. Rubs her wrists, tilting her head slightly)
Lucille: What about Jas?
Nick: *puts a protective arm around Jas* Her wounds are still healing. No-
Jasmine: (Looks up at both of them with teary eyes. She really wants to go and somewhat fix this mess she created…)
Lucille: Okay. Then I'll go alone. I can't take any of the robots- they're this place's first line of defense against-
Nick: Take Curie.
Lucille: And what? Leave the hospital without its chief physician?? Right now I don't have much of a choice! Besides! I've gone solo plenty of times without anyone! I'll be fine!
Jasmine: (Blinks a few times at them, still wishing to go but she is highly sure Nick wont let her at all. Rubs her wrists a little harder)
Nick: What about Piper? Or Longfellow?
Lucille: Back in Diamond City and running supply lines.
Nick: *frowns* So there's no one...? No one at all?
Lucille: *shakes her head* No one.
Jasmine: (Closes her eyes. Fucking…. what did she do? Now her sister and pup have to go traveling in the dangerous Commonwealth after synths…)
Lucille: And you're sure I can't take Jas? I can protect her-
Nick: No offense, but the last time I put you in charge, Jas stabbed herself!
Jasmine: (Tapping on Nick) (Signing) “She cant go alone, I should go with her. Ive gone out there in worst physical conditions and I'm highly trained in combat.”
Nick: No. And that's final.
Lucille: Alright, that settles things. *walks out of the room*
Dogmeat: *follows her*
Jasmine: (Shaking her head, signing quickly) “Mom said to watch out for my siblings. I failed the other two…. I cant let that happen again. This is my fault, let me fix it please.” (Tears dripping on her face, her hands starting to scratch her wrists with all the stress)
Nick: *frowns as he closes up his torso just enough to put his coat back on at least. He grabs her hands* None of this is your fault, do you hear me? I'm an old synth- these things happen. Lucille should be fine on her own...
Jasmine: (Shakes her teary head) (Mouthing) “It is, I know that it all is.” (She was causing all this stress and trouble, she shoved him off the bed. Why wasn't it her fault? If Lucille gets hurt trying to fix Nick, thats gonna be on her….)
Nick: It isn't. *squeezes her hands tight*
Jasmine: (Mouthing) “Yes it is..” (Hangs her head as more tears flow. It always has been her fault… Ever since she broke her Moms heart and got her killed. Then it was one nad decision after another…)
Nick: ... You didn't kill your mother. You don't know all the details of the crash- what was going through her head. *takes out a cigarette* It wasn't your fault then and it isn't your fault now. *lights it and takes a drag*
Jasmine: (Looks up at him with teary bewilderment. How did he know what she was thinking again… But it didn't matter anyways. She wasn't changing her mind. It is her fault, no use in brushing it off. She puts her arms around her chest for security, looking back down in disgust of herself)
Nick: *drapes an arm around her and pulls her to his side*
Jasmine: (Lets him but doesn't look up or move her arms away from herself yet)
Lucille: *avoiding any and all fights she can as she seeks out gen 2 synths*
Nick: *pets her hair* I'm sorry...
Jasmine: (Wants to hug or hold onto him, but is afraid to as if she is going to break him) (Signing, her hands shaking and her head still casted down) “Why?” (If anything, SHE should be the sorry one right now…)
Nick: I should have told you how bad my condition was. Instead I left you in the dark and let it get to this point...
Jasmine: (Stifled scoff) (Signing) “I cannot say anything because I do the same.” (Her eyes catch her cuts on her wrists as she signs, making her frown)
Nick: *smirks* Looks like this is a lesson for both of us...
Jasmine: (Looks at him with her teary head tilted. Sadly, she would probably keep doing it out of instinct, like every other bad habit… Runs her hand over her gown where her stitches are)
Nick: *sighs and pulls her closer*
Lucille: *decides to stop in at the Railroad HQ to see if they have any missions related to coursers*
Jasmine: (Unsure where to lean without bothering Nick, wondering how bad it is for him….)
Nick: Don't worry about the chords. There's plenty of slack and the connection seems pretty sturdy. The cables won't just... fall out.
Jasmine: (Nods, resting her head on Nicks shoulder and wrapping her arms around his neck, her tears still falling)
Nick: *rubs her arm and shoulder reassuringly*
Lucille: *fighting off raiders as she gets closer to the Railroad HQ*
Jasmine: (Hums sweetly, but she still feels awful for what has happened… Looks back down at herself in disgust again, her eyes on her leg cuts)
Nick: If it makes you feel any better, I've been suspecting my motor would fail for a while now, so I doubt that little incident earlier was to blame. Like I said, I'm an old synth. I'm not even sure I was supposed to live this long. *wry sad chuckle*
Jasmine: (Scoffs again. She wasn't suppose to live this long either…. But her death kept getting pushed back for some reason…. Still looking at herself in disgust)
Lucille: *finally reaches HQ*
Deacon: Look who's back! Gotta say, things have been pretty boring without you.
Lucille: What? You wanna come with?
Dogmeat: *barks excitedly at him*
Deacon: Sure... wait, what's the mission? This isn't going to be another "go to settlement and watch you build" situation is it? You might as well not be around.
Lucille: Nah! Hunting gen 2 synths for parts- was hoping to find a courser and kill two watchers with one stone.
Nick: *heavy sigh, letting out a large plume of smoke from his cigarette* Glad I lived long enough to meet you, at least.
Jasmine: (Looks up at him with confusion. Was he serious? All she brought to the table was chaos and pain… She wouldn't want to meet herself)
Nick: What about that's confusing? *raises an eyebrow at her*
Deacon: Pam might have something for you. She's in her room.
Lucille: Gotcha! *already making a beeline for Pam*
Jasmine: (Signing) “Because Ive done nothing but cry and scream at meaningless things, making thing worse for everyone and myself. Why would you want to meet that?” (She was a fucking disaster of a person, did Nick not see that at all?)
Nick: Surely you've done more than that... I think in a way you saved me back there with that hug. I would have thrown in the towel then and there- let my engine burn out and go offline completely. But... someone's gotta look out for you. So here I am.
Jasmine: (Eyes go wide and her breathing hitches. What the fuck did he mean by letting his engine burn out and going offline?)
Nick: *notices her breath hitching* Lucille wouldn't leave me down for the count. Give her a couple of hours and a mission or two and she'd have me up and running in no time... But if she didn't, and I doubt she wouldn't, that'd be the end of old Nick Valentine till someone puts him back together again.
Jasmine: (Just stares blankly at him, holding her breath. What would even she DO in that situation?)
Nick: *notices* Breathe, doll.
Jasmine: (Still holding her breath. Seriously, would she even have the willpower to try to fix him? Or would she just crumble like the useless bitch she is until someone else does something?)
Nick: Holding your breath isn't going to solve anything... you know that, right?
Jasmine: (Blinks, not hearing him under her now yelling thoughts…. If only she wasn't such a fucked up mess)
Nick: *watching her carefully. Worried she's going dark again*
Jasmine: (Closes her eyes, still leaning on his shoulder with her hands starting to scratch at her wrists. She was to weak to do anything useful or meaningful. She was suppose to be this one of a kind human who could endure the impossible and do incredible inhuman things. Yet, she was sitting here spiraling further downwards in a dark hole that never stops…)
Nick: *grabs her wrists* Hey, Jas. Look at me...
Jasmine: (Slowly looks up at him, still holding her breath as her blank teary eyes stare back at him)
Nick: Don't worry about it... I'm going to be fine. *squeezes her hands*
Jasmine: (Blinks again, her eyes registering him. She finally out her breath, a little too quickly and she starts coughing while gasping for air)
Nick: Easy... deep breaths, Jazzy.
Jasmine: (Keeps coughing as she tries to take in slower breaths, gaining back somewhat of control after a moment Guess everything is going wrong with her today, even her breathing.)
Nick: Thattagirl... *reassuring smile*
Lucille: *left the Railroad HQ with Deacon in search of a courser* Remember, Deacon, we need the gen 2 motor intact so be careful not to aim for the chest.
Deacon: Aw, but the chest is the best part! I like seeing the sparks fly as the engine explodes into a fiery ball of blue flames!
Lucille: *snarls* Deacon... this is for Nick. I can't blow this.
Deacon: Fine, fine... I'll aim for the head. Specially if it's for the old robot.
Jasmine: (Takes in a shuttering breath, putting her hands over her face and letting out a sigh. Whats next? At this luck rate Curie is going to come back in and announce that something else is wrong with her… And that wouldn't even be a surprise to her)
Curie: *walks in as if on cue* I have good news and bad news-! Wait. What is this? *gestures to Nick*
Nick: *points to his right side where his engine was* Major system failure... Anyway, you were saying?
Curie: Oh! She is definitely is not pregnant and is free from all venereal diseases! The bad news is that she has a history of heavy drug use. Worse than Mayor Hancock, in fact.
Nick: Well, I'm not entirely surprised by that... I'll try to keep her away from the stuff if I can manage.
Jasmine: (Tenses and panics at Curies sudden entrance, her hand instinctively going to rip out the still in place IV. She quickly tearing at the corners and starts peeling it away. Look, with all the medical experiments done on her, she found the best way to avoid it was to do everything in her power to mess it up)
Nick: *swears and dives for her hands, quickly pulling them away before she can dislodge it*
Curie: I needed to apply new dressing, anyway. *grabs some bandages and medical tape. Tapes the IV back down and starts wrapping her arm in bandages to make it harder for her to rip it out. She then replaces her finished nutritional and hydration bags with new ones* All done. *leaves*
Nick: *holding Jas's hands tightly*
Jasmine: (Lets out a weak cry, wiggling her wrists to try at slipping away. She hates everything about this moment, The medical dress, the IV, the room, the bandages, her stitches and the restraints even if they are not on her in the moment. It’s all too stressful and familiar especially since she is mentally vulnerable) (Mouthing, glaring at the IV) “I do not want that, I hate it.”
Nick: *softly* I know, kiddo... I know. But it's for your own good. We're just trying to keep you alive and safe... *keeping a decent grip on her wrists but takes care not to bruise them again* I wouldn't let it happen if I thought it was actively hurting you. I'm sorry.
Jasmine: (Whimpers, still wiggling slightly as tears go down her face. Every time she starts a fit over something like this, the back of her head questions on WHY she is acting up. But it gets drowned out by the flood of bad memories and she cant help but to put up a fight… maybe because deep down she rather not end up dying….) (Mouthing) “I want it out!”
Nick: Sorry, that's not happening.
Jasmine: (Gives out a frustrated cry, but she understands why it must stay for her own sake even if she doesn't want it)
Nick: *pulls her into a hug* You're safe...
Jasmine: (Makes another sound of protest as she is pulled in, trying to wiggle away but gives up after a moment. She melts in Nicks hug with some quiet sobs as she rests on his chest)
@lucilleandherrobots
#fallout#fallout 4#fo4#fallout oc#fallout original character#nick valentine#fo4 curie#fallout 4 curie#curie
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We need to address George moving to Monaco in a few months, maybe earlier. Bit of ewww (tax evasion and so on), bit of yesssss (he’ll finally be able to date his multiple boyfriends freely without having to catch a plane lol). Can’t really see him in such a posh lifestyle even tho he dresses like posh kid 90%of the time, but like he said, he won’t be home so many days so we’ll see. 👀maybe he��ll do cameos in Lewis’ balcony pron videos?
Look, it’s not… amazing BUT I can’t say I’m shocked at all. But Lewis is one of the top tax payers in the U.K. based on what little info we have. It’s possible George will keep paying at least something.
Its less about the posh life style and more, as he admitted, he’s not home a lot and all his friends are on the grid. If all your friends are living the same place, you’re more likely to move there so you’re around them when you finally have a break. This isn’t me defending them, I would rather the boys live in the U.K. bc that’s where I live and that’s where Brackley is, the flight pollution around Merc is already so fucking much.
But at least he will be, in all likelihood, flying home with Lewis, Val, Toto and co. That’s something. I can’t say I have much to comment bc I’m shocked he stayed in London for this long as it is. I’m excited for the mental and fictional possibilities of he and Lewis hanging out now they’re closer together. If we ever see them in the gym together again I’m not responsible for my action or reaction, cause it will be a lot.
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F1 Re-Watch 2022: Round 14 - Belgium
So I remember sweet f all from Spa, bc I’m pretty sure that was around the time of both family stress, and my parents catching covid, so this and the next two races are total blanks to me bc I was both not on tumblr much and didn’t watch any of Channel 4 highlights.
(I mean I’m also running on the assumption that Verstappen won bc that’s almost all he did last year).
So let’s just jump in and hope Seb and Lewis had a somewhat fun time
I am highkey dreading this race, Zandvoort and Monza bc I have NO IDEA what happened so like these combined could be six hours I never get back
at least Seb looks pretty in the intro
As I also watched Spa 2021 I’m glad I have context for whatever that race was.
ANYWAY, starting grid:
Mick P19 :(
why the fuck is Charles in 15th????
NICKY P11, GOATIFI
Seb and Lance top 10 😭🙌
how on Earth did Alex get 6th in quali?! (I mean, the ultimate good for him, but HOW?!)
I’m really going to have to start looking up quali results before I press play to avoid all this whiplash bc I didn’t even notice Sainz on pole aovhaeog
[Start/Lap 1]: Perez almost driving into Alonso at the start aegehg
“A brilliant start from Sebastian Vettel” THAT’S MY BOYYYYYYYYY
oh fuck me Lewis on Fernando violence
so Lewis does not have a fun time in this race then 😭
The racing gods giveth (Seb up into P5) and the racing gods stab you in the chest (Lewis DNF)
[Lap 2]: The way you can literally see the Ferrari bouncing up and down the straight. Yikes.
NICKY NO don’t take out Val like that
cut to a solitary Lewis by his car. Does not spark any joy.
Thank fuck we have a replay bc WHAT WERE THOSE TWO LAPS?!
Seb’s start was bloody gorgeous though. KING SHIT.
but yeah... no F1 car should be flung up into the air like that with any kind of contact.
Oh not even Lance and Seb being violent on the first lap. Everyone left their braincells at home it seems.
[Lap 4]: Charles making his first pit stop bc pain I guess????
Seb being in 5th is the race’s only saving grace rn
...there was a tear off in one of Charles’ front breaks is2g I’ll start causing violence next
right safety car coming in, I paused to grab some chocolate for emotional support snacking.
oh boy Charles doing his own strategy calls and you know what I trust him more than the Ferrari pitwall
[Lap 5]: Perez v Russell v Alonso. I AM IN DISTRESS
“Then comes Sebastian Vettel” INJECT IT INTO MY VEINS
I mean he’s just there in P5 vibing but GO ON SEB!!!
Verstappen already into P6 after starting 14th
oh no don’t cut to a solitary Lewis I’m sad again
[Lap 6]: ALEX??? PASSING A McLAREN????
What is going on in the House of Commons
Seb drops to P6
[Lap 7]: Jesus that shot of Verstappen closing on Alonso really shows how strong the RB18 was last year.
“We are for Plan B” Please... I’m not strong enough I am already at my limit 😭
[Lap 8]: Verstappen already into P3. If I speak.
also my emotional support chocolate had been devoured.
Charles passing Gasly at the bus stop chicane? Nice.
[Lap 10]: Okay I think the race has finally settled down now, apart from Charles making his way up through the field
I’m still this close to asking for a refund though
Clinging onto Seb in P6 and Lance in P9 with both hands rn
cut to Jacky Ickx, watch Ferrari disrespect his presence with more clownery
[Lap 11]: Ignoring potential RBR team orders and focusing on Seb being almost a second behind Alonso
oop Sainz pits, tbf comms have been talking about high tracks temps so no wonder people are complaining about high deg
[Lap 13]: Oh Verstappen got past Perez.
anyway, Charles up to P6!!
“Could George Russell undercut Perez” oh I hope so I’ll take anything at this point
Seb also pits, it was slow 😭
[Lap 15]: Charles being a little bit unhinged trying to get past Perez, I support his right to go feral
“We are considering Plan D” I WILL BURN DOWN MARANELLO
No, I’m not kidding. I’ll call it a belated Ides of March.
Russell v Charles 👀
whew he actually got past on the kemmel straight!
George said I’ll avenge Lewis by dragging the W13 places it doesn’t deserve to be
[Lap 17]: SEB INTO P8!!! LET’S GET IT
I’m also acknowledging Ferrari putting Charles on Plan D and moving on
MICK PASSING NICKY UP EAU ROUGE!!! A KING!!!!
[Lap 18]: ...and Verstappen retakes the lead
“Hasta la Vista Carlos” eafuvhefuawh okay Brundle I’ll give you that one right it was funny
oh Seb is on the hards. I do not know how to feel about that.
[Lap 19]: Alpha Tauri finally remember to pit Yuki
“Why would we stop now” A very good question Charles, you tell em
[Lap 21]: I’m actually glad Seb is holding the gap to Alonso ahead bc I still haven’t recovered from the first lap
And Perez passes Sainz like he’s just taking a stroll
oooh Lance passes Galy round the outside of the the chicane for P11, noice
[Lap 23]: It’s me I’m the unimpressed McLaren garage
also thank fuck we’re past half-distance
Lance v Dan up Eau Rouge??? BOYS THINK OF MY NERVES
[Lap 25]: Seb watch: he has really closed up to Alonso, I’m stress
[Lap 26]: oh looks like we’re gonna get another pitstop shuffle *cue Disco music*
oh fuck Ferrari are double stacking
okay it wasn’t awful
[Lap 28]: Oh dear potential Canadian on Canadian violence.
Anyway Seb’s in P5 so I think we should end the race and call it a day
[Lap 31]: Charles closing up to Seb, my Ferrari boys 😭
oh and here we are with a Charles onboard
not surprising that was an easy pass, nice to see my lads briefly reunited though
[Lap 33]: Russell hunting Sainz for sport, gap down to just over 4 seconds
[Lap 34]: Seb pits, he couldn’t make the 1 stop work I guess 😔
but still in the poinnnnnnnnnnts!!!!!
[Lap 35]: and he passes Gasly for P7!!!!
oh shit he got double French tag teamed
asdfghjkl Ocon with the double slipstream, maximum zoom
[Lap 36]: Sainz v Russell watch: gap down to under 3 seconds
oh jeez not Brundle calling the Merc a Williams asvhauvhuhu
[Lap 37]: a 4 car battle for P10 you say? 👀
Midfield spice (beloved)
[Lap 38] I can’t believe it took this long to make reference to the Great Contract Drama of Summer Break 2022. I may have been tuned out of a lot of the races last year but boy was last Summer Break the most hilarious
“It’s too late for Plan G” McLaren???? Don’t take lessons from Ferrari I BEG
[Lap 39]: Alex having the best time being a train conductor as he clings onto P10. Pet power!!
[Lap 40]: I’m still trying to get my head around Verstappen going from P14 to P1 in the dry like ?????
Like yes I will acknowledge that Verstappen is a good driver, but jeez man
[Lap 42]: ANYWAY, Seb still in P8, please Spa give me something in the way of joy
Sainz v Russell watch: gap holding at 2 seconds so I think Ferrari are going to escape Spa with a podium
and cut to a replay of Yuki passing Zhou before the bus stop chicane
[Lap 43]: I was about to question why they were pitting Leclerc, but it’s to try and get fastest lap.
oh jeez but Alonso is right there.
And he passes Charles. Clowneria Ferrari strikes again.
There is not a big enough facepalm emoji.
[Lap 44/Finish]: oh phew Charles got past Alonso on the Kemmel straight
and Sainz holds onto P3. Props to George for trying though.
Charles didn’t even get fastest lap. And he got a 5 sec penalty for speeding in the pitlane so he drops to P6 🥲
but anyway SEB POINTS!!!!!!!!!! WE LOVE TO SEE IT!!!!!
Seb finished in P8 and nothing else happened idk what any of you are talking about.
Ugh yeah I’m trying to not let my personal attachment to some drivers affect my thought on the race but... oof my friends. This didn’t spark that much joy. Granted, there was a somewhat decent amount of action, but the first two laps were not fun to watch. So I’ll give it a tentative 6 front wings out of 10. Next race - Zandvoort!
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𝟚𝟘𝟚𝟙 𝔾𝕣𝕚𝕕 𝕠𝕟 : ℙ𝕝𝕒𝕪𝕚𝕟𝕘 𝔸𝕞𝕠𝕟𝕘 𝕦𝕤
( this is totally based on my assumptions so don’t take it so seriously )
✦ Lewis Hamilton ↣ He was invited by the younger guys to play with them, he ain’t the best at it but he is good at doing his tasks fast, he likes the game and is planning on playing it again.
✦ Valterri Bottas ↣ Val was also called by one of the youngsters, I’m not sure who but defiantly not George, he was the second to die in almost every round.
✦ Max Verstappen ↣ He fought with George for the dark blue character, and he was pissed when in the next round he was the first person George killed, so every time he was the impostor he killed George first, which made easy for the others to know when he was the impostor.
✦ Sergio Pérez ( Checo) ↣ He didn’t really know much about the game , he knew his son liked it , so little Checo was his partner in crime all along.
✦ Lance Stroll ↣ Lance was exited when the younger guys called him, he was surprised that most of the grid was there, he wasn’t the most skilled player but he could hold a poker voice for two seconds before cracking up and laughing, when he was the impostor .
✦ Sebastian Vettel ↣ Seb came prepared, as always, he had studied tactics about the game and the mechanics of it on the internet when he was invited to play with the kids. He does have the best instinct when doing detective work, and he can be as manipulative as Little finger ( game of thrones character ) when he is the impostor , he is confirmed the best player between the “older” guys .
✦ Lando Norris ↣ He has played this game a hundred times but always when he goes for the kill it seems that someone walks in on him and he is caught on the act, he killed Max first one time and he received a very long voice message telling how Max wasn’t expecting to be betrayed by him and that he was reevaluating their friendship.
✦ Daniel Ricciardo ↣ Dany boy here had played the game before, not as much as some of the 20 year olds but he knew the mechanics, so he was also very slick when killing someone, he is good at this more than the others realize.
✦ Charles Leclerc ↣ He got over exited the first time he got to be the impostor, so much he left his microphone open.
✦ Carlos Sainz ↣ He had the chance to kill Lando when he was in the cameras but he didn’t, he didn’t have the balls to do it, he killed Charles who was in the reactor instead.
✦ Fernando Alonso ↣ Nando has a problem with the tasks, he doesn’t understand how to do any of them, and usually he gets killed half of the way so he contributed a lot for the impostor’s side because he just gives up and doesn’t do his tasks.
✦ Esteban Ocon ↣ He doesn’t know where the button of report is, and he usually is the one who shouts before he dies even if his microphone is closed, Pierre asked him if it was his sister who shouted .
✦ Yuki Tsunoda ↣ Little Yuki is always cursing, when he can’t do a task , when he gets killed, when he enters in “friendly altercation” when someone acuses him of being suspicious.
✦ Pierre Gasly ↣ He is just here for the lols, he is here to laugh, partly at Yuki getting into fights, partly for Daniel’s dirty jokes from fifth grade, Esteban screaming at anyone who gets close to him or at Max holding grudges.
✦ George Russell ↣ George is a good player, but usually when the reactor is having a meltdown or the oxygen is going out, don’t count on him anymore, he doesn’t leave his tasks for anything even when he is killed he hopes his body is not found so he can complete his tasks.
✦ Nicholas Latifi ↣ He is just here for the funzies, he is thrilled he has been invited, and he doesn’t need anything more than that .
✦ Antonio Giovinazzi ↣ Gio tried his best but he still is not the best at this game specially because he gets lost when they change maps so he just waits around until Kimi comes around to pick him up .
✦ Kimi Räikkönen ↣ Kimi really didn’t want to be here, but his wife Minttu thought it would be a great idea for him to socialize, he ends up not doing much, no one has the balls to kill him so he just takes care of Antonio and that’s it .
✦ Mick Schumacher ↣ Everyone things it’s his first time playing the game, and he plays the role of a rookie so well, they don’t even realize he is insanely good at it, he has the best moves, but he keeps this information for himself , and no one suspects him to be the impostor until it’s to late.
✦ Nik*ta M#zepi ↣ He wasn’t invited .
─━─━─━─「✦」─━─━─━─
#f1#formula 1#lewis hamilton#valtteri bottas#max verstappen#sergio perez#lance stroll#sebastian vettel#lando norris#daniel ricciardo#charles leclerc#carlos sainz jr#fernando alonso#esteban ocon#yuki tsunoda#pierre gasly#george russell#nicholas latifi#antonio giovinazzi#kimi räikkönen#mick schumacher#nikita mazepin#ferrari#mercedes#williams racing#aston martin#alpha romeo#alpha tauri#mclaren#among us
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Left Behind - Chapter 30
PART 1 / PART 2
Chapter 22 / Chapter 23 / Chapter 24 / Chapter 25 / Chapter 26 / Chapter 27 / Chapter 28 / Chapter 29
TRIGGER WARNING - MENTION OF MISCARRIAGE
It was only out of convenience that she and Lee had agreed to share the twin room of the suite. After all, Sally had volunteered to take the single room and Hugh and Kyrano the other twin. It left the boys to top and tail in the two double rooms and John and Ridley to take the double room across the hall.
It didn’t mean Val had to like it.
Lee was insufferable when he was worried.
She knew he meant well. Knew it was simply because he cared. Knew that he got scared that he would lose something more than what he had in the past.
It was because of his and Lucy’s parents that International Rescue had been born. Jeff had seen the grief of the loss and how it had affected his wife and his best friend. He had been there when the blame had been thrown back and forth, if only someone had been there faster, if there had been something to dig through the snow quicker, if only one of them had gone with them.
She remembered the day well though, remembered how both Gordon and Alan had been fussing, Virgil had had the flu, and Scott, John, and Jeff had gone to the store simply to escape it all. Her parents in law had wanted to escape it too, suggested to Lee that they took a walk up the mountain for some fresh air before dinner. They had tried to insist that he go with them and leave Val and Lucy with the three moaning children that just wanted to play in the snow.
She remembered how he had refused, insisted that he was going to make the most of the time with his wife before he headed to Mars just a matter of weeks later.
Absentmindedly, she felt for the ring on her finger, the plain silver band still in place after all that time.
She knew he didn’t really blame her for what had happened to his parents. It was just a case of hurt and unfortunate circumstances that everything bad that had happened to Lee had always happened whilst she was around.
She had been the one to lose their baby after all.
A rescue that only she knew she shouldn’t have been on. It had been all hands on deck, everyone needed to help where they could. There was a reason she hated earthquakes most of all. Aftershocks that nobody could ever quite predict and buildings already made unstable threatened further destruction.
The stupid thing was she hadn’t even been inside when it had happened. When the aftershock had hit and the community centre had come down and a stray rebar hit her just in the wrong place.
She knew immediately there was no hope for the baby she had been carrying, barely a clump of cells but already so much a part of her.
It wasn’t until much later that she found out that there never would be a baby. It was a sacrifice the doctors had had to make in order to save her.
Surrogacy and adoption had been thrown around as ideas too early on, when she and Lee had still been hurting and grieving for someone they had never even met. Perhaps she would have considered it, if only life hadn’t gotten so hectic, if five nephews and an adoptive niece hadn’t filled the hole left.
Lee had gotten angry. Blamed her for being out in the field when she shouldn’t have been. Not only had she risked her own life and that of their baby, but others too. More what ifs had been thrown around, accusations that couldn’t be taken back even if only said in anger.
She could pinpoint the exact day their marriage had ended, even if no papers had ever been signed.
It was only a fear of being lonely that left them together.
And it was only habit that they shared a drawer in the hotel room.
Except when she came back from her shower, half the drawer was empty. Glancing around the room, she realised that a whole half of it was empty. No glasses on the bedside table, no dirty socks left at the bottom of the bed, and come to think of it, no toothbrush in the bathroom.
No sign of Lee anywhere.
She should have seen it coming, they were moving Lucy that day. Taking her home to the Island so that her family could be near her even in between rescues.
Except Lee had disagreed, had insisted that she would be better off in hospital with real supervision and real equipment available. Virgil and Sally had quickly shot him down, insisting that Elliot was more than capable of monitoring Lucy and their equipment more than sufficient.
With the rest of the family on side, there had been no competition.
Pulling out her phone she set it to dial as she rubbed her cropped hair dry.
“Val,” The accented voice of Kyrano answered, “I’m currently securing the airport.”
She sighed, rummaging through her bag with a shake of her head, “Lee’s running.”
Kyrano snorted, at least that was what it sounded like down the line, some noise of disapproval before he tutted. Val stayed silent, waiting for some confirmation that he at least wouldn’t get out of that airport without Kyrano knowing.
“Have you spoken to him?”
Holding her phone to her ear using her shoulder as she fastened her bra she rolled her eyes. Everyone always left it to her to speak to Lee, some old assumption relating to the remains of their marriage no doubt. On occasion the duty would fall to Lucy, being the older of the pair there was a certain authority she held over Lee that she was willing to use when needed.
Lucy was unavailable though, so it was clear who the job fell to.
“Not yet.” She sighed, kicking her legs in the hope her jeans would pull on just that little bit easier, “I wasn’t sure if anyone might have spoken to him, didn’t want to scare him further away if I could help it.”
“He might not be running,” Kyrano reasoned, “He did alright after Jeff vanished.”
Vanished. The word still seemed wrong considering for so long they had been saying how he had died.
When Jeff had vanished Lee had been there, had been the one that had tried to get Jeff off of the damn ship before it blew. He had been there to actively do something at the time of the accident.
He hadn’t even known where Lucy was when she had been hurt.
“This is different,” She murmured, “And you know it.”
Kyrano sighed again, “Alright, I’ll tell my people to keep an eye out but you need to find out for sure if he’s a definite flight risk.”
Val scoffed as she picked up her shirt from the pile, “I’ll find out alright.”
“Keep me updated.” Kyrano told her, “I’ll see you at the airport later.”
“F.A.B.”
Throwing the phone onto her bed, she glared at it briefly as she found the arm holes of the top. Like they didn’t already have enough on that day with moving Lucy, no minor deal given the security in place and medical equipment required.
Groaning in frustration as the shirt refused to pull on, she stopped for a minute, standing with the stretchy material over her head and only one arm in a sleeve.
“Inconsiderate bloody bas--” She uttered, spying the label of the shirt in front of her and realising it was back to front.
“Why?” She uttered to herself as she pulled her arm from the sleeve and twisted the material around over her head, “Why can’t he just think? Huh? We’re all bloody stressed and unhappy and-- Oh come on!”
Top twisted too far or not far enough, she wasn’t sure, but the label was still in front of her face. Yanking it off of her head she threw it on the bed alongside her phone, deciding that the tank top would do, even if the weather outside was on the cooler side.
She’d be in her car at least.
Grabbing her phone and leather jacket from the bed, she turned for the suite door, pressing dial as she went and resisting the urge to curse at the busy tone that answered.
“Aunt Val?” Alan called as she passed him on the sofa, “Where you goin’?”
She smiled, turning to the youngest nephew as she straightened her collar, “Just to talk to your Uncle, have you seen him?”
“Nah,” Alan sighed, “heard him go though, like early this morning.”
Frowning at him, she tilted her head, “It’s not like you to be up early?”
His eyes fell to his datapad as he locked the screen and tilted it towards himself.
“Alan.” She warned, dropping her voice and narrowing her eyes at him.
He pouted, sighing as he looked up to her, “Please don’t get mad?”
Shifting over to sit on the arm of the sofa, she folded her arms, “What have you been up to?”
Still watching the tablet in his lap, he sighed heavily, “I was playing on the simulators, seeing if I could beat John’s high score.”
Raising an eyebrow, Val tilted her head, “And did you?”
“Turns out I couldn’t actually find what his score was.” Alan huffed, “So, I don’t know.”
From what Lucy had been saying, and from what she had seen herself, it was entirely possible that Alan could have at least matched John’s score.
Not that she was going to tell him that yet.
“How about, when we get back home you and me will have a go on the full simulator?” She offered, “Show the others what you’re made of.”
He sat straighter immediately, “Really? We can?”
If he had have been younger she would have ruffled his hair, but Alan was too big for that now. Too old to be treated like the youngest without protest.
“You’ll fly Three Kid, I’ll make sure of it.”
She didn’t add that if Lee didn’t pull his finger out it might have been sooner than any of them had expected.
***
Anger had been the prominent feature on Scott’s face when she had arrived at the hospital and told him Lee was gone.
That had quickly been followed by rushed, tense words and a show of storming out of the room with a promise to find him.
Val had been left with Lucy, silently praying that her sister-in-law would forgive her for letting her little brother slip away as he had. She didn’t doubt her best friend would understand, Lucy had always said how stubborn and pigheaded he was. They had all clashed with him one time or another.
He’d never gone completely off the grid before though.
Never vanished off silently in the early hours without anyone noticing.
“He must hate me Luce,” She sighed, “First your parents, then the baby, now you. What kind of wife is also a bad luck charm?”
A gentle tut from the doorway made her turn, Hugh nodded to her once as he stepped into the room, hair scruffier than ever but shirt ironed to perfection.
“Tell her Luce,” He muttered as he eased down into the chair on the other side of the bed, “How could she ever be bad luck?”
She eyed him across the bed, Hugh knew the story, had sat and drunk whiskey with her over it one night when the weather had been cold and the memories painful. Both had shared their stories, been reminded that they weren’t the only one in the world to feel like they had been at fault for losing someone dear to them.
“Lee’s gone, Hugh.” She uttered, “Without a trace.”
He nodded, leaning back in the seat and resting his feet on the edge of the mattress, “That’s not on you though.”
She could have disagreed, insisted that she should have seen it coming and should have spoken to him to stop it.
Something on her face must have given her away.
“Val,” Hugh chided softly, “Lee has made his choice. Just because he feels differently from the rest of us isn’t an excuse for him to run away. Our focus here is Lucy.”
Looking back to the bed, she took a breath. Lucy was still pale, eyes black, burns hidden beneath the swathes of bandages.
“Do you blame yourself?” She whispered, not looking to Hugh as she took her friends bandaged hand.
“Every damn day.”
It was easy to guess as much, Hugh cared for Lucy, more than just as a friend. He had been there for her when Jeff had vanished and it seemed like since then he had never left her side, even if they did live on the opposite sides of the world.
Hugh wasn’t Jeff though.
And Lucy wasn’t one for always listening to what others told her.
“You shouldn’t,” She looked up to him, knowing that he would be watching Lucy, “Nothing would have persuaded her to get out of there.”
Val knew it was only easy for her to say because at the time she hadn’t been there and she hadn’t known what had been going on. She could guess that was equally part of the reason Hugh was blaming himself.
“I should have dragged her out sooner, she could have died Val.”
She didn’t voice the thought that Lucy wasn’t out of the woods yet. Hugh no doubt knew that anyway.
“She was desperate to know about Jeff,” Val countered instead, “My guess is that nothing would have got her out of there.”
Nothing but the answers she needed to hear.
Hugh closed his eye as he shook his head, reaching out to rest his hand over Lucy’s as he sighed. Something that looked like pain crossed his features as he bowed his head.
“Hugh? What is it?”
His lips pursed as he looked up to her, his eye dark and exhausted. She could see the fear there, the look of a man that had almost lost everything and was terrified of losing what he did have left.
Val knew how to wear the exact same look.
“We won’t lose her.” She assured, smile tight as she looked back to Lucy.
Hugh snorted as he sighed again, “That’s the problem Val, I think I already have.”
#thunderbirds are go#Thunderbirds 2015#thunderbirds fanfic#Scott Tracy#Aunt Val#Lee Taylor#Hugh Creighton-Ward#scribbles writes#Left Behind Part 1#Left Behind Part 2#Left Behind Part 3
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Books Read In 2020: The Why
In a tradition I accidentally started for myself in 2016 and now quite enjoy, at the end of the year I look back at my reading list and answer the question, why did you read this particular book?
Below, my 100 reads of 2020 are split into groups by target readership age, plus nonfiction at the end, now with a bonus note about how I heard of it. Which I probably won’t continue to do next year, but it was fun to try.
ADULT FICTION
I read each of these books because...
A Glitter of Gold - Liz Johnson. 2019.
It had me at "her pirate tour business," but between the shipwreck & the museum-director love interest it was like BLOOD & TREASURE ROMANCE AU LET'S GOOO.
How I heard of it: a book blog
The Last Woman in the Forest - Diane Les Becquets. 2019.
Recommended by a dog lover; I'm down for a thriller about a woman who has a dream dog-inclusive job like this.
How I heard of it: a book blog
Good Omens - Terry Pratchett & Neil Gaiman. 1990.
I really enjoyed the miniseries and wanted to see if the book everyone loved so much was as good (for the record: it was not. at least not if you’ve seen the miniseries first; otherwise they are probably equal).
This Is Home - Lisa Duffy. 2019.
Attractive cover + I flipped it open to a random page and just liked the writing style.
How I heard of it: library
Dear Mr. Knightley - Katherine Reay. 2013.
I'd had this on the back burner for a while because the MC sounded like me, and one day I got sick of not being able to find any fluffy contemporary romances with beta male heroes and decided Matthew Gray Gubler was gonna star in this one. (spoiler alert: it is a good book but that did not work)
How I heard of it: a book blog
Rubbernecker - Belinda Bauer. 2013.
Criminal Minds sent me into a tailspin so I went hunting for books to cast Spencer Reid in again; the Asperger's/case-solving/difficult relationship with mother combo sounded promising. (spoiler alert: the med-student element + his social cluelessness proved too strong and I was only able to picture the kid from The Good Doctor)
How I heard of it: Googling keywords
The Swiss Affair - Emylia Hall. 2013.
I got a random hankering for a student/teacher novel, and after scrutinizing the library catalog this was the only one that fit my parameters for gender, lack of adultery, and focus on romance over sex.
How I heard of it: library
Love At First Bark - Debbie Burns. 2019.
I was trying to cast Wes/Jules [Dollface] in a romance novel, so I browsed through a Goodreads friend's "dog-romance" shelf and accidentally landed in a Jeid AU [Criminal Minds]. Which may or may not have been a large part of what turned me into a Jeid shipper (outside canon only).
The Mermaids Singing - Val McDermid. 1995.
One final attempt to cast Reid in a novel -- a user in a Reddit post asking for this very thing suggested this, and "profiler with idiosyncracies" certainly fit.
The Wire in the Blood [and 9 subsequent novels] - Val McDermid, spanning 1997-2019.
Turns out aside from being British, Reid paints onto Tony Hill EXCEPTIONALLY well, and I accidentally found myself with a little Jeid AU in the process, so obviously I read the entire series. Good crime-solving fun and all that.
Horse - Talley English. 2018.
Random library pull because I connected with the writing style and it appeared to actually focus on horses.
How I heard of it: library
A Sparkle of Silver - Liz Johnson. 2018.
I liked the author's other book and this was pretty much a remix of the same story, but now with a cool mansion/estate setting.
How I heard of it: looking up other books by this author
Everyone Is Beautiful - Katherine Center. 2009.
Went looking for stories about strong marriages, found this on a Goodreads list of "second chance marriage" books, tripped into something like a season 9 Jim/Pam scenario.
How I heard of it: Googling keywords
The Lost Husband - Katherine Center. 2013.
Loved the previous book of hers I read, and the "starting life over on a goat farm" angle sounded like an ideal life to try on.
How I heard of it: looking up more from this author
The Shadow Year - Hannah Richell. 2013.
Fixing up an old house?? I am THERE. Doing this in two timelines, one of which involves off-the-grid homesteading, is even better.
How I heard of it: used book sale
Mandrake Root - Janet Diebold. 1946.
I needed a non-library book to bring on vacation, and after spinning in circles over what I thought would appeal to my mood in that setting, my brain randomly said "reread this one."
How I heard of it: estate sale
Path of the Jaguar - Vickie Britton & Loretta Jackson. 1989.
Bought cheap for cheap thrills: a Yucatan adventure/mystery. Read now so I could get rid of it.
How I heard of it: library sale
Burying Water - K.A. Tucker. 2014.
The library didn't have The Simple Wild, but they DID have a book w/ an equally pretty cover that talked about a badly beaten young amnesiac (!) recovering on a horse farm (!!). What is: my top romance trope (hurt/comfort, bonus points for animals and rural setting).
How I heard of it: library
Happiness for Beginners - Katherine Center.
Established quality author + summertime hiking inspiration.
How I heard of it: looking up more from this author
The Visitors - Simon Sylvester.
Cool cover + setting, and a teenage protagonist usually makes adult fiction more accessible.
How I heard of it: Goodreads
Becoming Rain - K.A. Tucker. 2014.
I was in this companion novel solely for mentions of Alex and any people by the last name of Wells, but figured I might as well read all of it to ensure I didn't miss any.
How I heard of it: looking up more from this author
The Guest List - Lucy Foley. 2020.
Honestly, it just sounded like a cool thriller (and cool setting).
How I heard of it: a book blog
You Deserve Nothing - Alexander Maksik. 2011.
Fell down a Will/Rachel [Glee] rabbit hole and ravaged the student/teacher keyword in my library catalog again to scratch the itch.
The Haunting of Hill House - Shirley Jackson. 1959.
Mom's been trying to get me to read this for years, and this time when it came up in conversation it was the right time of year, so I randomly decided to give it a shot.
How I heard of it: Mom
The Walker in Shadows - Barbara Michaels. 1979.
Gothic ghost story + beautiful architectural details in a historic house = yeah!
How I heard of it: Goodwill
YOUNG ADULT
People Like Us - Dane Mele. 2018.
Needed an audiobook; a girls' boarding school murder mystery seemed most likely to hold my attention of the limited options.
How I heard of it: Library
The Possibility of Now - Kim Culbertson. 2016.
I will read anything by this author, and girl having a meltdown over a test = me.
How I heard of it: looking up other books by this author
Rob&Sara.com - P.J. Petersen & Ivy Ruckman. 2004.
Mostly I wanted to go back to my high school days and enjoy the format of a novel written in emails, but also, I like Ruckman.
How I heard of it: used book sale
For Real - Alison Cherry. 2014.
Fictional Amazing Race!! + awesome summery cover + sisters
How I heard of it: library sale
The Summer After You + Me - Jennifer Salvato Doktorski. 2015.
The awesome summery cover, mostly.
How I heard of it: a book blog
You'd Be Mine - Erin Hahn. 2019.
Gorgeous cover + the chance to vicariously follow a budding young country music star on tour for the summer.
How I heard of it: a book blog
Juniors - Kaui Hart Hemmings. 2015.
The neat setting(s): a live-in guest on a wealthy estate in Hawaii.
How I heard of it: Dollar store
Lion Boy's White Brother - Alden G. Stevens. 1951.
Bought cheap because vintage juvenile book in a unique setting. Read now to see if I could get rid of it (NOPE).
How I heard of it: used bookstore
The O.C.: Spring Break - Aury Wallington. 2005.
I keep meaning to finish this short series, and it was an easy title to count for my Mount TBR challenge.
How I heard of it: used book sale
Echo Island - Edward Karlow. 2017.
Bought cheap because of the beautiful summery cover; easy read for Mount TBR so I could get rid of it.
How I heard of it: library sale
Confessions of a High School Disaster - Emma Chastain. 2017.
Read because of THE SUPER CUTE SUMMERY COVER (and diary format).
How I heard of it: Dollar store
Kentucky Daughter - Carol J. Scott. 1985.
Working my way down the “Inappropriate Student/Teacher Relationships in YA" list because I'm in that kind of mood this year; chose this because 80s books tend to deliver the subject best*, the character reminded me of the girl in Send No Blessings, and Open Library had it.
*this one was just blatant sexual harassment, though, and belonged very literally on that list
How I heard of it: Goodreads
What They Always Tell Us - Martin Wilson. 2008.
I sorted the library catalog to see the oldest contemporary YA novels they still have before they get weeded, and "loner being taken under the wing of his older brother's (male) friend and falling in love with him" hit a couple of good tropes.
How I heard of it: library
Bobby's Watching - Ted Pickford. 1993.
Browsing around on OpenLibrary and saw they FINALLY had a copy of this book that scared me too much to finish as a kid, and which I've wanted to revisit ever since I remembered what it's called (Interlibrary Loan doesn't have it and it's Not Cheap to buy).
How I heard of it: library
Powwow Summer - Nahanni Shingoose. 2019.
Always interested in modern-day Indigenous girls connecting w/ their heritage, especially if they're from my home state's tribe.
How I heard of it: a book blog
The Princesses of Iowa - M. Molly Backes. 2012.
Appealing cover + heft suggesting a solid Midwestern contemporary, plus I liked the student teacher element (without a slash this time, as in "college student who is almost a teacher")
How I heard of it: library
The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants - Ann Brashares. 2001.
The Second Summer of the Sisterhood - Ann Brashares. 2003.
Long-intended reread of a college fave because I wanted see Mike Vogel in the movie, and it was summer so the stars aligned. Continued because the first book was as good as I remembered. (I would have kept going but Life distracted me for a bit and by the time I was back on track, it was no longer summer)
How I heard of it: I...can't remember. Am the worst!
The Distance From Me To You - Marina Gessner a.k.a. Nina de Gramont. 2015.
Hiking inspiration + an appealing-sounding romance.
How I heard of it: Goodreads
Where Have All the Tigers Gone? - Lynn Hall. 1989.
Will read any of her books, but specifically read this one because it seemed fairly autobiographical, and I read it NOW because it seemed durable enough to take on vacation.
How I heard of it: looking up books by this author
And Both Were Young - Madeline L'Engle. 1949 (text of 1983 edition w/ material from original manuscript added back).
Something reminded me of its existence and I requested it because it was the only non-animal-focused vintage teen novel I could physically get my hands on before Interlibrary Loan opened back up, and I had a craving for just that.
How I heard of it: library
The Other Side of Lost - Jessi Kirby. 2018.
Established quality author + throw me ALL the thru-hike novels!
How I heard of it: Goodreads
The Vow - Jessica Martinez. 2013.
Perfect scenario to run an Abed/Annie [Community] AU!
How I heard of it: I want to say...an article on a book website (not personal blog this time) back in 2013.
Moon and Me - Hadley Irwin. 1981.
Was just in the mood to read an 80s teen novel and this one helped me knock off a title for the Mount TBR challenge. From an author I like, w/ bonus horse content.
How I heard of it: used book sale.
Suicide Notes From Beautiful Girls - Lynn Weingarten. 2015.
I bought a blind bag at the library sale and this was one of the only contemporary YA novels in it; figured I might as well read it since I'd liked a previous book of hers.
How I heard of it: Library
History Is All You Left Me - Adam Silvera. 2016.
With the Glee rabbit hole came a Klaine spiral; this was my season 4 Tragic AU dream for them and I've been saving it for a Klainey day ever since it was published. (No I am not sorry for that horrid pun.)
How I heard of it: googling keywords
The Museum of Heartbreak - Meg Leder. 2016.
The cool cover/concept of a "museum" of items reeled me in; I bought a copy a while ago 'cause the library didn't have it. Read now to see if I could get rid of it (NOPE).
How I heard of it: Goodreads
Me & Mr. J - Rachel McIntyre. 2015.
Student/teacher novel that looked especially appealingly tame so I'd been saving it, but then Open Library notified me it was now only available in 1-hour increments, and I got paranoid it would disappear altogether (it's not cheap to buy or available via ILL), so I wanted it in my brain.
How I heard of it: Goodreads
Dear Evan Hansen - Val Emmich w/ Steven Levenson, Benj Pasek & Justin Paul. 2018.
Fell in love with the DEH soundtrack. Play's summary sounded good -- getting to experience it in YA novel form?? Amazing.
How I heard of it: Wikipedia
Saddle a Thunderbolt - Jo Sykes. 1967
Bought a while ago because vintage horse story. Read now specifically to alleviate my pre-homesickness about moving by imagining living in an even more beautiful place than home.
How I heard of it: either a used book sale or a used bookstore...
Learning to Breathe - Janice Lynn Mather. 2018.
This was mentioned on a lost-book forum and "girl with unplanned pregnancy supports herself by getting a job cleaning" piqued my interest; the setting (Bahamas) and cover made it better.
How I heard of it: Reddit
Everglades Adventure - James Ralph Johnson. 1970.
Standard vintage boys' adventure-in-nature story; I like those.
How I heard of it: Goodwill
CHILDREN’S/MIDDLE GRADE
Little Women - Louisa May Alcott. 1868.
Seeing the new movie and falling head over heels was what it took to FINALLY convince me to reread this childhood fave.
How I heard of it: can't remember; I was a kid
A Little Princess - Frances Hodgson Burnett. 1905.
I was perusing a lot of books about classic children's books and it started to bug me that I had skipped this appealing-sounding one as a kid.
How I heard of it: can't remember; I was a kid
Little Men - Louisa May Alcott. 1871.
LW sparked a fandom revival and I wanted more detail about the Marches' adult lives (esp. Jo & Bhaer), even on the fringes.
How I heard of it: library
Lady and the Tramp - Ward Greene.
I saw a quote from the new movie under a gifset on Tumblr that sounded like it came from a book, and upon Googling out that one existed, I obviously could not allow the book version of a beloved childhood animal-movie fave to go unread. Especially after finding out it was super rare so reading it would be a privilege.
The Secret Garden - Frances Hodgson Burnett. 1910.
Read for the same reason as A Little Princess. Can’t have one without the other, you know.
How I heard of it: was a kid; can't remember
The Mother-Daughter Book Club - Heather Vogel Fredericks. 2007.
Much Ado About Anne - Heather Vogel Fredericks. 2008.
Always thought the series looked cute/reminded me of The Teashop Girls, but the fact that the first book they read is Little Women gave me the impetus to finally read this one. First book was darling so I continued to the next (but failed to continue beyond because COVID shut the library down until I was out of the mood).
How I heard of it: library
Nature Girl - Jane Kelley. 2010.
I wanted walking inspiration.
How I heard of it: Goodreads
From You to Me - K.A. Holt. 2018.
Mistook it for a similar-looking book I'd seen at the same time (See You On A Starry Night), but figured I'd give the 8th grade bucket list idea a shot once I had it.
How I heard of it: Goodreads
Semiprecious - D. Anne Love. 2006.
Cute cover + I'm starting to be a big fan of what I call "contemporary historical," for stories set mid-20th century.
How I heard of it: library
Dandy's Mountain - Thomas Fall. 1967.
Vintage horse-inclusive children's book in a rural setting, I'm sold. Not to mention, love reading a summer setting in summer.
How I heard of it: used book sale
Littler Women: A Modern Retelling - Laura Schaefer. 2017.
The only way to make the Little Women MORE magical is to make them younger, modern, and written by a proven quality author.
How I heard of it: a book blog
Behind The Attic Wall - Sylvia Cassedy. 315 pg/1983.
A Goodreads friend strongly recommended it as similar to but better than Mandy, and reading about it in 100 Best Books For Children sealed the deal. Read now for the Mount TBR challenge.
How I heard of it: Goodreads
The Jigsaw Jungle - Kristin Levine. 2018.
I am a COMPLETE sucker for books told in non-traditional/scrapbook-esque format.
How I heard of it: Goodreads
Runt - Marion Dane Bauer. 2002.
Wolf story by a quality author. Read now after owning it for a decade to see if I could get rid of it.
How I heard of it: used book sale
The King of the Cats - Rene Guillot. 1959.
Bought cheap for a quick read because vintage animal story. Read now so I could get rid of it.
How I heard of it: used book sale
Just The Beginning - Betty Miles. 1976.
Found cheap; always down to read a vintage book about an average girl (and I wanted to know how she'd cope with her mom being "a cleaning lady in a town full of classmates who HAVE cleaning ladies").
How I heard of it: used book sale
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone - J.K. Rowling. 1997.
Been meaning to reread the series for a while now; finally got motivation to check out the illustrated edition 'cause Christmastime.
How I heard of it: originally Mom; a book blog for this edition
Echo Mountain - Lauren Wolk. 2020.
Almost entirely because of the incredible clipart cover, promising me nature and a dog (and because I could get it as an e-audiobook from the library).
How I heard of it: a book blog
Knock Three Times - Cressida Cowell. 2019.
I needed another audiobook for bedtime/walks and I know that David Tennant will provide.
How I heard of it: more by this author (more accurately, narrator)
NONFICTION
The Red Leather Diary: Reclaiming A Life Through The Pages Of A Lost Journal - Lily Koppel. 2008.
I'm kind of obsessed with the concept of historical 5-year diaries -- and finding one like this is The Dream.
How I heard of it: Goodreads
I'd Rather Be Reading: The Delights and Dilemmas of the Reading Life - Anne Bogel. 2018.
Attractive and compact book about the pleasures of being a reader? A headspace I want to be in.
How I heard of it: library
100 Best Books for Children - Anita Silvey. 2004.
I'm big on looking at lists of books for children this year. These are the kind of books I know, love, and want to hear people talk about, now that I know books about these books exist.
How I heard of it: library
The Coming of Saska - Doreen Tovey
Originally bought because it was cheap and featured animals, I needed a non-library book to bring on vacation, and this one is a durable ex-library copy in plastic wrap that featured a similar setting to where I was going, so: thematic.
Cats in the Belfry - Doreen Tovey. 1957.
Wanted more of her books, and lo and behold the library had the first one.
How I heard of it: more by this author
Sorry Not Sorry - Naya Rivera. 2016.
I'll read anything the Glee kids write, and this doubled as an easy number for the Mount TBR challenge.
How I heard of it: entertainment news websites
Living Large in Our Little House - Kerri Fivecoat-Campbell. 2016.
I love tiny houses. And this one specifically mentioned living with dogs. And had color photographs.
How I heard of it: used bookstore
I'm Your Biggest Fan: Awkward Encounters and Assorted Misadventures in Celebrity Journalism. - Kate Coyne. 2016.
Found cheap at a library sale -- loved the chapter headings and the fact that they were all about celebrities I knew.
Adrift - Tami Oldham Ashcraft w/ Suesea McGearheart. 1998/2018 edition.
The movie was so awesome that I couldn't wait for more details about the real story in her own words.
I'll Be Gone In The Dark [NF] - Michelle McNamara. 2018.
Been reading a lot of true crime write-ups on Reddit lately; decided it was time to pick up this well-received one.
How I heard of it: Goodreads
Dear Evan Hansen: Waving Through A Window - Steven Levenson. 2017.
Much like The Grimmerie for Wicked, once I fell in love with the DEH soundtrack and looked up the plot summary, I wanted to read the musical's detailed background/behind the scenes story + libretto before I watched it.
How I heard of it: Wikipedia
Empty Mansions: The Mysterious Life of Huguette Clark and the Spending of a Great American Fortune - Bill Dedman & Paul Clark Newell. 2013.
Love me a story about a mansion (or three). Or the reclusive and insanely wealth heiress who owns them, that works too.
How I heard of it: Goodreads
JUVENILE NONFICTION
Mascots: Military Mascots from Ancient Egypt to Modern Korea - Fairfax Downey. 1954.
Animal book from an author I like; read now to see if I could get rid of it (yes).
How I heard of it: secondhand bookstore
Come on, Seabiscuit - Ralph Moody. 1963.
Bought because vintage kids' horse book; read now to see if I could get rid of it (and to count it towards my Mount TBR challenge 'cause it was short).
How I heard of it: secondhand bookstore
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The Third Maximoff: Chapter 15
Summary: What if the Avengers didn’t find the last HYDRA base? What if Pietro and Wanda weren’t the only enhanced? Or Maximoff’s? What if the Avengers were going to take on their greatest challenge yet? What if she was a 13-year-old girl who had to live with them? What if she once tried to kill Clint and Nat, and nobody knew but them?
Warnings: Mentions of Violence, Slight mentions Torture and Swearing, Infinity War and Endgame Spoilers
Before long I’d had enough about all of the stress that always comes with thinking or listening to anything surrounding the snap. I decided to meditate and let my mind shift through dimensions until I landed on one I found peaceful enough to relax my mind and let myself have a nap.
“Yulia! Wake Up!”Nat yelled into my ear.
“I’m up! I’m up!” I yelled suddenly awake.
“Why German?” she asked as she handed me one of her hoodies, “Anyway, Cassie’s dad’s back. You missed an interrogation, and he ate my sandwich. But right now you need to get dressed we’re going out until we get back you need to do some school work.”
“HYDRA and why can’t I come with you?” I asked fully sitting up, “and if I’m staying I’m borrowing some of your old ballet gear.”
“Sure and because this is an adult-only mission and Tony doesn’t like you,” she told me.
“OK, but I can’t guarantee anything.”
*All you wanna do
All you wanna do baby
I think we can all agree I’m a ten amongst these threes*
“Hello, Yulia here,” I said picking up my phone.
“Hey, Yulia. Do you wanna come to this sweet cafe? I’ll send you the directions. You can use my motorbike and you need to leave the house at some point,” Nat said through the phone.
“Or I could you know fly there,” I said to her.
“OK, little one, I’ll see you there.”
Once I’d flown to the cafe I saw Nat, Steve and Scott waiting for me.
“Time heist? Really?” I asked Scott when I landed and we walked into the cafe.
“Not the best name but it could work,” Steve told me.
Once we’d gotten into our conversation with Bruce things got weird.
“Come on, I feel like I’m the only one eating,” Bruce said pushing a plate of eggs toward Scott, “Try some of that. Have some eggs.”
“I’m so confused,” Scott stated.
“These are confusing times,” Bruce said back to him.
“Right. No, no, that’s not what I meant.”
“No, I get it. I’m kidding! I know. It’s crazy. I’m wearing shirts now,” he said jokingly as me and Nat laughed.
“Yeah! Wh…How? Why?” Scott asked him while Steve smiled into his coffee and I got my milkshake.
“Five years ago, we got our asses beaten. Except it was worse for me. Because I lost twice. First, Hulk lost, then Banner lost. Then, we all lost.”
“No one blamed you, Bruce,” Natasha told him.
“They should blame me,” I muttered, which Nat heard glaring at me and Scott stared at me.
“I did. For years, I’ve been treating the Hulk like he’s some kind of disease, something to get rid of. But then I started looking at him as the cure. Eighteen months in a gamma lab. I put the brains and the brawn together. And now look at me. Best of both worlds…” Bruce said raising his arms at the end while three kids walked up behind him.
“Excuse me, Mr. Hulk?” The girl said to Bruce.
“Yes?” He responded.
“Can we get a photo?” she asked him.
“100%, little person. Come on, step up,” he told her handing Scott the phone, “You mind?”
“Oh yeah,” Scott told Bruce.
“Thanks,” Bruce told him, turning toward the kids, “Say ‘green’!”
“Green!” They exclaimed.
“Did you get that?” Bruce asked.
Scott handed me the phone to give back to the kids, “Don’t you wanna grab one with me? I’m Ant-Man.”
“Uh oh,” I mumbled.
“They’re Hulk fans, they don’t know Ant-Man. Nobody does,” Scott said mainly to himself.
“Wait, no, no, he feels bad. No, he wants you to…he wants to… You want to take a picture with him, right?” Bruce tried to convince one of the kids to take a photo with Scott.
“Stranger danger,” The boy muttered as they tried to walk away.
They continued to bicker until the kids scuttled away.
“Bruce,” Steve said, “About we were saying…”
“Right. The whole time travel do-over? Guys, it’s outside my area of expertise.”
“Well, you pulled this off. I remember a time when that seemed pretty impossible time, too,” Nat told him.
“You’re right. Fine, I’ll help. But I need an assistant with some knowledge of physics,” Bruce said turning to me.
“No. I’m a child Bruce.”
“It’d give you something to do aside from wandering around trying to find new abilities and mourning,” Nat said.
“Fine but no more Russian ghost stories. They’re starting to get to me,” I told her. “And I’m going home.”
“So after 2 hours of sleep over the past two days me and Bruce present to you a time machine, maybe,” I said to Steve, Scott and Nat as they walked into the hanger.
“You should get some more sleep,” Steve scolded.
“Let’s try this thing,” I told them.
“Okay, here we go. Time travel test number one. Scott, fire up the uh… the van thing,” Bruce said.
“Breakers are set, emergency generators are on standby,” Steve said double-checking them.
“Good. ‘Cause if we blow the grid, I don’t wanna lose Tiny here in the 1950s,” Bruce said as everyone stared at him worriedly.
“Excuse me?” Scott asked.
“He’s kidding,” Steve said turning to Bruce to mutter, “You can’t say things like that!”
“Just… It was a bad joke,” Bruce said to him as I grimaced moving to stand next to Nat.
“He was kidding, right?” she muttered to me.
“I have no idea. We’re talking about time travel here. Either it’s all a joke, or none of it is,” I told her in return.
“We’re good! Get your helmet on, Scott. I’m gonna send you back a week, let you walk around for an hour, then bring you back in 10 seconds. Makes sense?” Bruce said to Scott.
“Perfectly not confusing,” Scott said to Bruce putting on his helmet.
“Good luck, Scott. You got this,” Steve said trying to motivate him.
“You’re right. I do, Captain American,” he said before he disappeared down the tunnel.
“On the count of three. 3… 2… 1!” Bruce said back to all of us.
“Uh, guys? This…this doesn’t feel right,” Scott, well teen Scott said to us.
“He’s younger than me!” I said aloud.
“What is this?” Steve asked.
“What’s going on?” Bruce asked.
“That…who is that?” Nat asked.
The Bruce pushed a bunch of buttons trying to fix the problem.
“Hold on,” Bruce panicked.
“Is that Scott?” Nat realized.
“Yes, it’s Scott!” Teen Scott said just before being sucked back into the tunnel only for an old man to appear.
“Ow! My back!” Old man Scott said.
“What is this?” Steve asked yet again.
“Can I get a little space here,” Bruce said as I got ready for an explosion of some kind.
“Yeah yeah. Can you bring him back?” Steve said moving next to us.
“I’m working on it!” Bruce yelled frantically pushing buttons until Scott was sucked back in yet again.
“It’s a baby,” Steve said seriously.
“It’s Scott,” Bruce said.
“As a baby!” Steve yelled.
“He’ll grow,” Bruce tried to look on the bright side.
“Bring Scott back!” Steve yelled.
“When I say kill the power, kill the power,” Bruce told Nat.
“Oh my god,” Nat said rushing to the power.
“And… Kill it!” Bruce yelled. Then Nat pulled the lever and everything shut down.
“Somebody peed my pants,” Scott said as he got spit out of the machine.
“Oh thank god,” Nat and I said in unison.
“But I don’t know if it was “baby” me or “old” me…Or just “me” me,” Scott said to all of us.
“Time travel!” Bruce said raising his and my arms as I grimaced yet again while Steve shook his head and walked away. “What? I..I see this as an absolute win!”
“I’m getting tacos, want any?” I asked heading toward the kitchen.
“I’ll have some,” Scott said following me and Nat.
“So we need someone to go get Thor and some others,” Steve said to the team.
“I’ll go, I want to get out of here,” I volunteered.
“She can come with me and big green guy,” Rocket said.
“Cool,” I said.
“Not cool. Yulia are you sure?” Nat asked.
“What do you want me to do, become the teams tailor?” I asked her.
“Fine you can go,” Nat said.
“Awesome,” I said.
We piled into the back of a pickup truck from the middle of nowhere Norway. When we finally arrived at New Asgaard I hopped out before Bruce could to avoid the spring back of the truck.
“Kind of a step down from a from a golden palace for an Avenger highness and whatnot,” Rocket said looking around.
“Hey, have a little compassion, pal. First, they’ve lost Asgard, then half the people. They’re probably just happy to have a home,” Bruce said spotting his friend.
“You shouldn’t have come!” Valkyrie shouted at him.
“Ah, Valkyrie! Great to see you, Angry Girl,” Bruce said.
“Hey Aunt Val,” I told her in in Ye Olde Norse that she taught me when she and Carol had spent some time together.
“Hey, Yulia. I think I liked you better either of the other ways,” Val said to Bruce and me.
“This is Rocket,” Bruce told her, “And you seem to know Yulia.”
“How you doin’?” Rocket asked.
As she eyed him she said, “He won’t see you.”
“That bad, huh?” Bruce asked.
“ We only see him once a month, when he comes for… supplies,” She said to which I took an opportunity.
“If he drinks that much then I as a child should stay here with Valkyrie, Bruce,” I told him to which she laughed.
“Fine, Yulia. It’s that bad,” Bruce said.
“Yeah,” Val told him, “I’ll look after Yulia for you, I know Nat is terrifying to you.”
Tags: @hollandroos, @hollandarling
#the third maximoff#writing#writing challenge#tj writes#sophsandcoraswc#marvel#wanda maximoff#pietro maximoff#maximoff family#maximoff au#infinity war#endgame#avenge#tony stark#Steve Rogers#natasha romanoff#natasha romanov
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Into the Split: Havenhill 7
Twinned
Book 3: Into the Split
Havenhill 7
[ Previous | First | Next ]
It takes a couple of days to get the two houses ready for occupants. The remains of Monday and the entirety of Tuesday are spent cleaning both houses from top to bottom. They remove the personal belongings of the Benford family, while ensuring that most of the furniture is in usable conditions. Tables and couches are kept, but beds are replaced with ones that smell fresh and are suitable for the number of occupants. Alia requests that the houses be placed back on their tiny electrical grid, and by late Tuesday night the lights are on and refrigerators hum. The water runs dark at first, but once they let it go for an hour, it’s hot and clear, the pump functioning perfectly to pull water up from the well.
On Wednesday they bring over fresh linens from the main house, then go into town to trade services for goods so that they can have food. They need to be out of the houses while the Mages of Havenhill take care of the cleansing ritual.
While in town, they stop at the school, and Nikolai finds a potential place to fit in within Havenhill. He and Seth agree to tutor a group of teenagers in survivalist skills, and in return those teens will work as a group to teach them the basic history, math, and science that they’ve missed during their years on the road. Seth finds the school library and stuffs his backpack full of books to borrow.
Alaric proves popular with the younger children, letting them climb on his hound’s back, giving them rides around the playground. Mac sits on a bench, quietly grinning as she watches. “He’s so gruff,” she says, “but so good with kids. I’ve seen it before, but every time it makes me smile.”
“It seems like he’s the one with the most to offer here,” Nikolai replies. He feels so inadequate, without any real skills to help keep Havenhill going. Maybe someday, after they’ve learned how to fit in. Maybe they’ll be able to do more than teach survival skills then.
“He grew up here, but in our own world.” Mac pulls her feet up, sits cross-legged. “He was raised to live like this, in an independent society that was halfway to cut off from the world. It wasn’t nearly as big, and they did still have access to stores and they went out into the world for education. But in the end, they all came back and lived in their own little commune. It worked for them. So Alaric fits in because this is what he always thought he’d be doing.”
“It’s easy for him.” Nikolai envies that, in a way. It seems like Alaric was raised in a way that was ready for the calamity of the Split. He wonders if Alaric’s mother is more like Alia than Alia realizes. If she’s preparing for something there that has already happened here.
Mac nods at his words. “It’s harder for all of the rest of us, not just you. We all have to shift our paradigm in some way. For us, it’s realizing that we might be stuck here, and that we can’t just go out and get jobs like we thought we would when we finished college. There’s no government, no big engineering firms, no hospitals. This place is not like we remember. And for you, it’s moving away from running and finding a way to live again.” She smiles slightly. “For what it’s worth, I’m really glad you’ve found a home. Nikita’s been a wreck worrying about you ever since she started remembering the dreams. I’m glad we came to save you.”
“Even if it means never getting home again?”
Mac makes a face, drawing her knees up to hug them tight to her chest. “I’m still coming to terms with that part, and I can admit that I’m not entirely sure I’m thrilled trading my life for yours. But I’m not going to say your life isn’t worth it. I was a soldier, once upon a time. I had an entire life built around doing things I didn’t like in order to make sure other people survived.” There’s a darkness in her voice, the way the vowels lengthen and her tone goes soft; Nikolai knows she’s not telling the whole story there.
Still… Nikolai gets it. He knows what it’s like to have his known life suddenly ripped away and not be sure he’d ever get any of it back. He got lucky now. He found Mikhail and Josef, and he thinks he’s on his way to finding his happy ending. “You’ll get home,” he says firmly. She has to believe that, just like Nikolai’s held to the belief that Havenhill exists for all these years.
“Mm.” Mac slowly relaxes, letting her knees fall back down. She leans back, hands behind her head, still watching Alaric and the kids. “If you had the chance to come with us when we leave, would you?”
No.
Yes.
Maybe.
“I think it would depend on a lot of things,” Nikolai says slowly. He doesn’t want to give a gut instinct answer, because he assumes that the question isn’t just idle curiosity. “If Seth would come with me. If I’d have a way back. If you needed me there, or if it’s just Nikita trying to save me again, because in the end, this is my home. It would feel wrong to just abandon it. I might not know exactly what to do with my life yet, but I’ll figure it out.”
“Mm,” is all Mac says in reply, which doesn’t help.
“Nikolai!”
He turns at Nikita’s shout. He leaves one hand outstretched, and Mac takes it, coming to her feet easily beside him. Nearby, Alaric returns to human form and the kids rush off towards the school. “What?”
Nikita runs to meet him, her gait uneven but her ankle mostly recovered from the injury now, thanks to Genevieve’s healing. Heather and Carolyn trail behind her at a brisk walk. “Marybelle radioed to say they’re done with the cleansing rituals.” She raises the small radio to illustrate, tucking it back into a pocket after. “She said Alia and Val are waiting for us at the houses, along with Pawel. We want to try something, and we need you and Seth.”
“Do I even want to know what we’re doing?” Mac asks dryly. She fishes a bandana from her pocket, ties it around her curls to pull them back from her face. “Because after the last time—”
“Exactly. After the last time.” Nikita leans back into Heather’s touch, gestures between herself and Nikolai. “I think we need both of us involved in a ritual to get us back.”
Mac glances at Nikolai; he realizes that this is what she suspected was coming. He knew Nikita wanted to do it, he just wasn’t expecting it right now.
“What if I don’t want to go with you,” he says slowly and it’s not a question. He’s not ready to say yes to that; there are too many factors to make that decision right now.
“We’re not actually planning on going anywhere today.” Nikita swipes that thought away with a flick of her fingers. “We just want to try a ritual to see if we could get through. Alaric won’t be there, so we can’t go through without him, anyway.”
“It’s not like we meant to go through last time,” Alaric mutters. “You didn’t even plan a ritual last time, because if you had, I wouldn’t have been there.”
“Huh? Oh.” Nikita sags towards Heather. “I think that had more to do with me and Del.”
“And you think you can get back without Del?”
There’s a small pause before Nikita stands a little taller, hands on her hips as she disengages from Heather’s hold. Despite being as tall as Nikolai, she still seems small next to Alaric. “I think we have to at least try. I mean, I figured—don’t you miss Chris?”
Alaric takes a step back, and for a moment it looks as if he’s been struck. His gaze drops, and he growls low under his breath. “Meet you at the cars,” he mutters.
“That was rude,” Mac says.
“I didn’t mean—they’re… whatever it is they are.” Nikita turns to watch Alaric walk away, her hands spread in apology. “I’m sorry!” she calls after him. Alaric doesn’t respond as he shifts into the hound and lopes away.
Nikolai is positive he missed something. He’s not sure it’s worth asking what.
Besides, he’s far more worried about this ritual that Nikita is proposing. “Why do you think you need me involved for your ritual? You got here without my help.”
“We had Del,” Carolyn says. “Who isn’t exactly a Dreamwalker, but she’s… something. Several of us are something, which is what’s so complicated. I’ve been doing research on how different traveling Talents could be linked—Teleporters like Mac and Dreamwalkers like you seem to be at opposite ends of a spectrum, and then strange intermediary Talents like me, Del, and Nikita fall between those two poles. Even the Shadows might be linked.”
“That clears up nothing,” Nikolai admits. These people are so intertwined socially that they seem to keep assuming he’s one of them, just because he’s been on the other side of Nikita’s dreams. And while they all seem familiar, in that dreamlike way, he doesn’t actually know them. Or have any idea what Carolyn’s talking about.
“What’s wrong?” Seth’s calm is a familiar wash over his skin, his touch something that Nikolai can relax into as Seth places his hand against the small of Nikolai’s back.
“I’m so confused that I don’t even know if I can explain.” Nikolai glances at where the cars are parked, where Alaric’s hound lies in the sun, one paw over his nose. The back of two cars are open, while Mikhail, Amaranth, and Josef load crates into them. “How did it go getting food?”
“With your family to vouch for us, we have staples for both houses, and some fresh foods as well. Plenty of preserves. Last year’s canning and frozen foods come cheaper than current, so we went with that for the most part,” Seth says. He nudges his glasses up his nose. “It’s all better than what we had on the road, and we’ve got plenty of ingredients to be able to make baked goods on our own. Also, Amaranth and Josef picked out a few basic cookbooks so we can learn how to cook for real since that’s something we’ll want to know.”
“The houses are ready for us, cleansed and everything, and Pawel’s waiting for us to get back,” Nikita says. She takes a step toward the cars, pausing when Heather stops her with a hand. She licks her lips, looks at Nikolai. “Maybe we can make better sense of the ritual when we’re there. When all of us can talk.”
“It’s getting complicated and weird,” Nikolai says, trying to forestall Seth’s questions. Seth’s response is a disgruntled noise, but he lets it go until they’re in the Jeep and alone, aside from Mikhail driving.
“Give me the rundown,” Seth orders, so Nikolai does, to the best of his ability. Seth doesn’t seem any less confused than he does. “Do you think there’s a risk to us?” he asks when Nikolai is done.
“I’m not one for traditional ritual, but it sounds to me like there is,” Mikhail says. “I’ll be blunt: I don’t want to lose you.” He pulls up at the new house to park next to the two other cars that went into town, and Val’s van. He turns around before they can get out of the Jeep. “Be careful, Nik,” he says quietly. “And don’t do anything that’s going to call attention to Havenhill. This is a safe place, and I don’t think Val and Alia want to see the wards broken open just because your friends want to get home. That might be something that needs to be done outside the groves.”
Nikolai makes a sound of agreement, because that all sounds valid. The problem is, he can’t speak for the others, and they haven’t listened to logic before now. He’s not sure they’re going to start.
Seth leans over the seat, his shoulder pressed to Nikolai’s. “When do we get to learn to drive?”
“I can come back and take you out late tomorrow morning,” Mikhail offers. “We’ve got a meeting early so that the Weather Witches can look at the patterns that are building and see what we’re needed for this week, but after that I’m free. Josef and Amaranth need the Jeep to ride the borders first thing in the morning anyway. And eventually we’ll need to look at getting you a car; someone in your group needs transportation.”
Seth runs his hand along the back of the seat. “I like your Jeep. It feels… comfortable. It has a good aura.”
“It’s not human.”
Seth rolls his eyes, elbows Nikolai. “I’m not saying it is. But sometimes objects resonate, and this Jeep is old enough that it does.”
“Josef’s always saying it’s got personality,” Mikhail says dryly. “So you might be right. Still. I’ll teach you to drive in the Jeep, but I’m not giving it to you. We’ll find you something of your own eventually.” He points at where Pawel stands in front of the main house, arms crossed, glaring between Alia and Val and the arriving cars. “I think someone’s waiting for you.” A moment’s hesitation, then, “Be careful. I want you be here when I bring the Jeep over tomorrow to teach you to drive.”
“We will.” Nikolai answers with conviction, refusing to think that it could work out differently. He has no plans to leave, and if the ritual is going to risk that, he won’t help.
Mikhail gets out long enough to pull Nikolai in for a rough hug and one more whisper of, “Be careful,” before he heads out, the Jeep rattling down the road.
Ethan and Alaric come out of the main house, and Ethan waves cheerily. “Everyone’s stuff has been put in their respective houses and rooms. Seth, Nikolai—we washed what we could, and replaced what we couldn’t. Alaric’s already agreed to work with our textiles group to pay that off. Everyone needs clothes anyway, since your friends arrived with just the shirts on their backs.”
“It’s too much,” Nikolai says. It’s too generous when they don’t know him, and when he’s done nothing for them yet. They already owe Havenhill so much.
“It’s what we do for all new arrivals,” Alia assures him. “We have been taking in newcomers for a decade, Nikolai. You are welcome, and you will find your place here.”
“Havenhill is a place for strays,” Val adds. “Don’t worry.”
“I don’t want to be here,” Alaric grumbles. He only makes it two steps before he turns back. “Not Havenhill; I’m grateful for that,” he mutters. “Thanks for taking us in. I don’t want to be around for your ritual. It reeks. Don’t know how you can stand it.” He looks at Alia.
She smiles tightly. “You say you are my child in another world. Am I so strict that you are unable to tolerate magic?”
“I tolerate it better than you,” Alaric says curtly. “But your husband hates Mages and he always taught us that we should, too.”
“Luckily her wife here is a Mage, and that probably helps,” Val replies with a grin, twining her fingers with Alia. “You should stay. It took time for Alia to get used to the feel of magic on her skin, and the scent of it, but most Clan here do fine with it now. We’ve become one community.”
“I’m getting used to it. M’best friend back home is a Mage. One of my best friends, anyway,” Alaric grumbles. “But I still don’t like it. It makes my skin itch, like I can feel it crawling all over me when Rory’s designing rituals. So as long as you aren’t leaving without me, I’m not sticking around.”
“This is just a fact-finding ritual,” Pawel says quietly, arms still crossed and stance tight. “No one is going through.”
“That’s what you said the last time,” Alaric points out. “And look where we are.”
“If we do happen to go through, we know how we did it, so we’ll come back for you,” Nikita says quickly. “No one will be left behind.”
Somehow Nikolai doesn’t find that reassuring. There is this assumption that nothing will happen, but at the same time, there is an underlying understanding that it went wrong before, and it could easily go wrong again. He reaches blindly for Seth’s hand, tangles their fingers tightly when he finds him.
“I want all the travelers involved,” Carolyn says. She points to the space in front of her. “That means Nikita, with Heather to anchor her, and Nikolai, with Seth. Me. Mac. Mattie.”
“Sakura and I will hold the wards,” Val says. Nikolai hadn’t even noticed Sakura until Val mentioned her, standing on the edge of the clearing in front of the house. She’s close to the edge of the grove, which, if she’s doing something with the wards, makes sense. Just like on the first day they met, Sakura is dressed in a t-shirt and shorts, with mid-calf boots on her feet, but no jacket. Her feet are spread, her arms loose by her side, and her gaze narrows when she hears her name. She nods once.
“And Jefferson will be out soon,” Val adds.
Nikolai isn’t positive why there’s a Giver of Pain involved, although he can make a guess. Jefferson is probably a failsafe, in case something needs to be violently disrupted.
It doesn’t help the unease he feels about the whole situation.
“Alaric, come with me,” Ethan says, gesturing toward the edge of the grove, past Sakura, where a path leads through the trees. “Let me show you around the grounds some more, so you can see how this place is different from where you grew up. It might help settle the beast under your skin.” He flashes a quick grin. “A little help settling can’t be a bad thing, right? Let’s get you relaxed.”
Ethan tilts his head, and Alaric growls softly at the line of throat exposed.
“Ethan,” Val says quietly, and Ethan shifts his posture back to something more neutral.
“It’s just a walk,” Ethan assures Alaric. “We’ll get you away from the magic, then you can relax. Right?”
Nikolai isn’t sure what Alaric’s more nervous about: the feel of the magic, or the idea that he might be left behind. “No one’s going anywhere,” Nikolai says, his hand tight in Seth’s, just in case that’s the bigger worry. “We need to stay here. We belong here.” He tries to sound confident, despite his own worries.
Alaric huffs, and takes a step back, head ducked. He exhales, then stands up straight, crossing his arms. He makes a noise low in his throat, before dropping to all fours to become the bear and lumbering away.
“I’ve got him,” Ethan says, following quickly after.
“And we’ve got this,” Nikita says cheerfully.
Nikolai isn’t sure, but he doesn’t contradict her. Someone has to believe it’s going to work out the way they need it to.
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