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luveline · 11 months

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maybeee if you’re feeling like it, eddie and r disagree over some parenting decision for roan and r doesn’t really wanna overstep but it’s something she feels passionate about

thank you for your request my love! dad!eddie x (nearly) stepmom!reader — tw mentioned child abuse (NOT graphic imagery, not enacted, just mentioned)

You don't think Eddie's mad at you, which is good. He hadn't said anything he couldn't take back, things you'd worried he might; I'm her dad, (with an unspoken not you) is the most passionate thing he'd said. It hurt some, but it's irrefutable. He's her father, her primary caregiver, and he makes decisions when it comes down to it.

He didn't say and you're not her mom, but it had felt implied. Just a bit.

Loving her like your own, it's natural to want the best for her. Natural to have opinions on how she's taken care of and the things that she should do. Things got heated too quickly, that's all. Or, that's what you're hoping happened.

Stacy K's mom said hey, would it be alright for Stacy to invite Roan to a slumber party? She wants one for her birthday, and she wants Roan there most of all.

And you'd been surprised at Eddie's immediate agreement. Sure, Roan would love to come.

He picked Roan up and you parted ways with Stacy K and her mom, and you were quiet, unlike yourself, stomach churning because you knew you'd have to speak up, which you hardly ever do. Hey, Eddie?

He noticed your strange expression. What?

Is that a good idea? … Stacy's slumber party?

Why wouldn't it be?

It devolved from there. You tripped over your words, trying your hardest not to start a fight with Roan in the car, and Eddie took it the wrong way —or maybe he didn't, maybe he took it the right way, and you'd made a mistake. Your concerns had come across as doubtful of his ability to look after Roan. It makes sense that he took offence.

You shouldn't, but you worry for a second that this will be the end, that Eddie can't abide by what you've said, and he's going to pack up and leave. You know he won't do anything of the sort, he's loyal and caring to a fault. He wouldn't hurt you so badly over one fight. He's making you nervous is all, sitting next to you quietly. It's not the cold shoulder, that’s never been his style. It's just… quiet.

"Do you want something, sweet thing?" he asks as he gets up from the couch. "I'm gonna make Roan ants on a log."

"It's been a really long time since you called me sweet thing," you say, sending him a tentative smile.

"You're sweet, you're my thing…" He licks his lips. "Not my best."

You uncross your legs, reaching out for him before he can leave to the kitchen. "Listen, I'm– I'm sorry that I made you feel like you're doing something wrong. Sorry I overstepped."

Eddie sits back down slowly. He swallows. "I'm sorry I shut you down. I guess I was offended." Eddie shuffles a little closer to you. "I mean, I was offended. But," —he speaks as though he's piecing his sentence together with the utmost of care— "you're Roan's mom." And he takes your hand. "You have been for a long time. I'm sorry I made it sound like you overstepped. You can't overstep. How can I be mad at you for one aspect of being a parent, when I'm happy for you to do the others? But I need you to understand that I've been doing all of the big stuff by myself the whole time, until we met I was doing everything by myself, and it annoyed me that you might think I didn't know best… 'n' that's not fair on you, 'cos I don't always know best."

You aren't expecting it. His explanation or his easy apology.

You look down at his hand over yours and breathe a sigh of relief.

"I think…" You pause. When you speak, it's stilted. "Okay. I think it's a bad idea for her to go sleep over at Stacy's house when she doesn't have the words to tell us if something happens."

Eddie's lips part.

"That's what I wanted to say, before, not just that she's so young. And I actually do think you know best, Eds. You're a good dad. A fucking good dad."

You can see him thinking about what you've suggested. He rubs your knuckles.

"She is a little young," he concedes. "She might not even want to stay the night when she realises what that means. But we could teach her if she does, she knows that people aren't allowed to touch her without her say so."

"I know," you say. You're about to say more when Roan herself steps into the living room, walking at an unbothered pace. Her hair is dishevelled but besides that she's in clean jammies and clearly quite content.

"Hello," she says, a piece of paper in her hands. "I thought we were having ants on logs?"

"Yeah, babe, I'm gonna make them right now. What have you been drawing?"

She shows you the drawing. It's the three of you as most of her drawings are, with antennas and carapace bodies. It's gnarly. Eddie loves it the second he sees it, and he insists on putting it onto your already stacked fridge.

She basks in the feeling of being loved and revered, and then basks again when Eddie gives her a plate full of ants on a log, chewing with a massive grin.

"I really meant what I said," he murmurs to you, you and him hip hip by the kitchen sink.

"Which part, handsome?" you ask.

"She calls you mom. You’re her mom. You don't have to be sorry for having something to say to me.

You look him up and down without malice. He looks incredibly earnest, a little sheepish. His cheek is soft when you lift your hand to it, and he's eager to lean into your palm. "It wasn't about that," you say softly, hushed so Roan doesn't hear. "I promise it wasn't."

"I know. I just hate that it's what I made you think."

"So we're okay?"

"We were always going to be okay, what did you think?" he asks, hand on your hip and pulling you stomach to stomach and chest to chest.

"Just worried."

He looks over your shoulder at Roan. You turn with him. She's kissing peanut butter off of the tips of her fingers with a delighted smile and air about her.

"Talk about it more tonight?" he asks.

His promises are always good. You talk about Roan's potential slumber party in bed that night after she's been tucked in, and you both say more sorries for your misunderstandings. It's weird to argue with him, but you're thankful it was about something that mattered, even if that something is scary to think of.

"Thanks for thinking I'm a good dad," he says, cheek turned into the pillow, the tip of his index finger tracing lightly over your face in no one direction.

"That's not something you have to say thanks for." You're in much better spirits now, speaking with confidence.

"You're the one person who would know," he says.

"That's not true. People only have to talk to Roan to know how good you are."

He laughs a huff that kisses your skin like a warm breeze. "Did you really think we wouldn't be okay?"

You laugh nervously. "I mean, no. It went through my head, but I didn't actually think it was the end, babe. I'm not that stupid."

"You're not any amount of stupid, stupid."

You laugh in his face. He puts his hand over your mouth with wide eyes but it's much too late. You stare at each other, mirrors of a fond defeat as footsteps sound down the hall.

"What is so funny?" Roan asks, half-guilty 'cos she knows she should be in bed and half plain curious as she cracks open the bedroom door.

Eddie sighs. It's not an unhappy sound. "Come and lie down with us and I'll tell you."

She grins and rushes in.

—

more eddie, roan and reader

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asteddiemess · 1 month

Text

cw: desperation, messing

Steve hadn't meant to be holding it as long as he had. He'd felt a vague need to shit as soon as he and Eddie got to the fair, but didn't want to go so soon. He followed Eddie so they could make a start on the rides.

After a few rides, the need to go was a little stronger, and he was about to mention making a stop to use the bathroom, but Eddie beat him to it.

"Jesus, I have to piss like a racehorse. D'you mind if we stop?" Eddie asked

"It's fine. I was gonna ask anyway." Steve replied, feeling a little more at ease as he and Eddie made their way to the line of portapotties.

There was a line, nothing too crazy, but it looked like it would only get longer as the evening went on. After a few minutes, he and Eddie were at the front of the line. Eddie shot into the first one to open up, and Steve felt a sense of relief when he saw another one unlock.

He shot in and locked the door, and was about to pull his pants down when he noticed that there was no toilet paper. He didn't want to spend the rest of the day with skid marks in his underwear, but also didn't want to either get out and try to get into a different one, or have to get back in line. So he decided to just pee, and wait until either he or Eddie needed to go again. He was a little uncomfortable as he met Eddie, but it wasn't anything unmanageable.

They spent several hours going on rides, and playing the games. Steve's need to shit was starting to get urgent. He suggested heading back to the portapotties, and was thankful that Eddie agreed. As he predicted, the line was much longer. They joined the back and Steve silently prayed that he'd either get a different one to earlier, or that the toilet paper had been refilled.

He was next in line when he overheard a group of girls that had just exited. "I can't believe that none of these things have any toilet paper."

"I know, right. I asked that guy over there and he said that they never had much. All of them were out after like two hours."

Steve's heart sunk as he heard that. He really had to go, but there was no way he was willingly going to shit without being able to wipe his ass after. He went into the next one, and just peed. Emptying his bladder just made his need to shit even worse.

"You okay, Stevie?" Eddie asked as he rejoined him.

"I-." Steve hesitated for a second. He didn't want to admit that his problem was having not shit for a while. "I don't feel so good. Do you think we could head home soon?"

"Sure. Just one more ride?" Eddie replied.

"Okay." Steve agreed, hoping it wouldn't be too long. He was planning on pulling over at the first stop they could find once they'd left.

He felt more nervous when they reached the ride that Eddie had chosen, especially once he saw the length of the line. It would be cutting it fine whether he would make it.

"You're not coming?" Eddie asked as he noticed Steve hanging back as they reached the end of the line.

"Uh. I'm going to wait this one out. I don't think it's a great idea where I'm not feeling great." Steve replied.

"Oh, yeah. I guess that's a good idea. I'll come find you after."

"Yeah, I'll just be over there." Steve waved in the direction of a small seating area between stalls.

Steve walked in the general direction but he didn't want to risk sitting down with the way his stomach was feeling, instead he chose to stand against one of the nearby stalls, making sure he could still see the ride Eddie was in line for.

He waited for a few minutes, and the urge to go was reaching emergency levels. It was so bad he wasn't sure if he would make it back to the portapotties, let alone into the car and to a different bathroom.

He watched carefully to see where Eddie was in the line, all while he was squirming on the spot with his legs crossed in attempt to hold it back.

As he saw Eddie reach the front of the line and start to get on, his body finally gave in. His stomach cramped violently, and he couldn't hold it back any longer. A long log of shit forced it's way out, coiling in Steve's pants. As the first log broke off, he had to squat slightly. The second wave hit worse, with much softer, mushy shit filling his pants. He couldn't help the tears starting to run down his face as he finished emptying himself into his pants. He knew he was going to have to, somehow, explain it to Eddie.

He stood up as straight as possible, keeping his back to the wall of the stall he was by so no one would see what he'd done. He did his best to look normal when he could see Eddie coming.

"Stevie, what's wrong?" Eddie asked, looking concerned.

Steve just shook his head, unable to find the words.

"If you felt so bad it's making you cry, you could have said something. We could have just left, I didn't have to go on that last ride. Come on, let's get you home." Eddie reached for Steve's hand, but Steve flinched away.

"I. I've had to shit so bad, since we got here. But I didn't want to go here because there's no toilet paper." Steve said quietly.

"Oh, baby. That must hurt so bad. We could head back over there, and while you wait in line I could grab a bunch of napkins from the food stalls so you can wipe?" Eddie offered, and Steve felt awful that he hadn't thought of that and maybe asked Eddie to get some napkins while he waited the last time they went to use the bathroom. But he'd been too stubborn to admit what he needed.

"The thing is, I sort of already went." Steve admitted, blushing deeply.

"You mean you- In your-" Eddie asked, looking Steve over.

"Can we just go?" Steve asked, shifting uncomfortably because of the weight of the mess, and knowing it would be making his pants sag.

"Yeah, let's go. I'll walk behind you so no one else can see." Eddie replied, his eyes immediately going to Steve's ass as he stepped behind him.

"I can feel you looking. How bad is it?" Steve asked after a few seconds.

"It's bad. It's so obvious, and there's even a bit of a stain from it." Eddie replied quietly.

Steve didn't respond to that, knowing it was going to get much worse, as he would have to sit in it for the drive home. He just hoped that there would be something in the car he could use to protect the seats.

this has been half finished in my drafts for months. as in since august. finally got it finished and out!

#steve harrington #messing #eddie munson #steddie #stranger things

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williamy3w · 5 days

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Hi again, guys!

Henry - here's a log of all the conversations we've had with you. We reached you through a web page that might not be safe for you right now, because it's been partially taken over by the people you tried to unpick (you guys know who I mean).

When we found you, it seemed like you were disillusioned with some things, and you felt unhappy, and you didn't want anyone to see you this way, but, well, we kind of stumbled into your hiding place and started asking questions. But you got better! In the last transmissions we got from you before The Incident, you were talking about feeling and wanting things again, and you were excited to see Will (you knew that he was coming!).

There isn't anything bad in these logs, you were really nice to us (especially considering that we just kinda showed up), but you did say some things that sounded pretty personal, so it's up to you whether to read/listen to those together with Will or by yourself.

(https://docs.google.com/document/d/1esgGK07Qeq0YDom_aj_qQCxuuG6W0_4gxgpq7jncT-k/edit?usp=sharing)

Thanks for sharin'! Darling, I won't look at a thing unless you want me to. I understand it's your own personal beeswax!

lemme take a look. so i didn't say anything too embarrassing huh.... nah, you can take a listen. might make you sad, though. i was not doing well at all.

you all were very nice, though. sorry for forgetting. i wish i hadn't. i don't know. i didn't like going through that when i was in it, but i guess being here i was worried because i wasn't perfectly happy. like sometimes i just sit and look at your little icons. or i listen to the little bits of static between your questions. and i felt bad because um, well, i've gotten something i've wanted for a long time. why can't i be perfectly happy?

but there's something nice about knowing i felt like that even when i was barely holding on to a little bit of consciousness. i think it's just part of me.

and that maybe i'm just like this. it's nothing wrong with will or where i am or what i'm doing.

it's like one of you folks said. actually feeling pain and negative emotions kind of lets you start feeling the positive ones as well. you were all so smart, and so kind to me. as much as you were strangers to me, i was also a stranger to you. and you didn't have to help me or care about me. so thank you.

Well, that was a ride, but I'm glad you're safe here with me, handsome. And for what it's worth, I figure it ain't possible for anyone to be perfectly happy, even me!

i love you. and you're right, i bet. i mean, what else would there be to do then?

I love you too, darlin'!

#henry #William #en abime

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blinkpen · 3 months

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whu,

just now caught up on the. the that. jesus christ. as someone who was like, Around during the mass nuking of blm and ferguson related tags and blogs, i'm not, SURPRISED, at it happening, this isn't the first incidence by any means, this is a member of the choir of "the hellsite is used by necessity, fuck the racist transphobic brand-brained management and their refusal to ban literal nazis, if you gave them money for a fun widdle badge i have in fact judged you at least a little bit" you're preaching to

though "the turbo-transmisogynist ceo hopped platforms and logged into his accounts on other websites just to keep harassing and being a sore winner at women he felt he hadn't gotten enough of one over on yet??? in front of everybody??? like a jackass??? like a huge fucking piece of shit bigot jackass???" is certainly.

well it certainly. is.

trans women i love you and this is such an obvious thing to say but you deserve to use social media websites at the same clip as anyone else without being perpetually forced to dance on a cliff's edge above an ocean of internet harassment where you get cut off from community and support you need in this increasingly isolated hellworld, and it pains me greatly that you don't get that!

i know i don't accomplish much by stating the obvious but! it bears repeating! even if the skeletons running this website is hostile, each of us can still do the most we can to compensate and work to make the world better for you because you deserve that, you deserve that effort.

the first step is watching the matt man get thwapped with a newspaper by whoever has to deal with the legal fallout of this because Hopefully, there will be accountability? i won't patronize by being like oh This is Definitely how the Bad Man finally gets struck by All the consequence that feels appropriate in the "if life was like a movie" sense bc you and i have both been around the block enough times to know how rarely that actually happens but

like i said, those awful odds are something the rest of us need to work and fight to square up and make not awful anymore, and frankly, prevent situations where accountability even has to be pursued from happening in the first place, by fostering a baseline safe and accepting atmosphere where. yknow. treating you this way isn't even going to cross someone's mind, because why should it?

it shouldn't! there's no reason for it!

i'm rambling, i don't really know how to wrap this up or make it deep or worded extra good or anything, just. yeah. if you are transfem and reading this, i love you, i will never stop demanding the world to be kinder to you, that the lgbt community to be kinder to you, you belong in it! you should be safe and loved and able to rest and party and yell and cry and react and feel and be all that you are here, and anywhere you go!

you were born on this world! by definition, you belong on the face of it, as visible and varied as you see fit, as anyone else! so you should get to live like it! gesticulates frantically bc again i don't know how to end this train of thought! i love you!

#sporadic warbling #been in kind of a daze this week tbh! i hope everyone is hanging in there #discussion of transmisogyny (the ceo stuff going on atm im just catching up)#i'd ask what his problem is but like we have a word for the problem and i kinda don't care what gave it to him #i just want him [removed from any position of authority where his bigotry can guide decisions that impact others' lives]

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marcynomercy · 4 months

Note

Happy holidays! It's your Secret Santa recipient! <3 Can I get Astarion/Tav with an extra large side of angst. Thank you!

TOOK TIME, BUT ARRIVED!! Again a thousand apologies for the delay, I decided to post without the drawing I was doing not to delay more. (when the drawing is ready I post and link with hc). Now please enjoy your reading.

You are free now.

Synopsis: Calamity and Astarion get closer between conversations and confidences, he discovers a little about her past and he comes trying to drag her back with chains.

Warning: Explicit violence, blood and SA measurements.

It was another calm night at the camp and Calamity was sitting by the fire leaning against the wooden log while hugging her knees, her eyes fixed on the flames and the tinkling of the embers. Her mind wandered in short and quick thoughts about everything that was happening. She stayed like that, until someone woke her up with a light cold touch that made her startle slightly.

“Relax, darling, it's me.” Calamity looked and saw her vampire companion with a superb smile on his lips, a bottle of wine in one hand. “How about a little distraction in the middle of this boring night?”

“It wouldn't be a bad idea. What do you have in mind?” Normally, she would deny or make any insinuation disguised as sarcasm, but tonight she was more inclined towards anything that would take her away from her own mind.

“You know.” Astarion sits on the log next to her, handing Calamity the cup and serving the wine immediately. “A little wine and a good conversation.Come on, don’t look at me like that!”

The young woman narrowed her eyes, still suspicious, but with a heavy sigh leaving her lungs she gave up her probably well-founded suspicions about the elf.

“Okay…Where do we start?”

“Let's see... How about the beginning?”

“You want to know if I was a happy child, don’t you?” She chuckled in sarcasm as she took a sip of the wine.

“If you want.” He hummed in response.

Calamity thought a little and... Well, he had told her a little about his past so it was only fair to do the same.

“I don't remember everything about my childhood. One day I woke up somewhere near Baldur's Gate next to my brother, we didn't remember anything except our names and we assumed our parents were dead or abandoned us. So we started living on the streets of the city, my brother used to steal. Well,we lived like this until we were 16. Sometimes I sold flowers and other times I sang to get some gold. That day I stayed on the streets until night because I hadn't managed to sell all the flowers in my basket and that's when a man approached me…” Calamity shivered. “He said that he had already heard me singing and that he liked my voice and that he wanted me to sing more for him that night...

Astarion furrowed his eyebrows in disgust.

“AND? What happened?”

“An elf helped me, don't remember exactly what he said to that disgusting man, but it was enough for him to leave. I am a half-elf, and elves aren’t really fond of people like me, but he was so kind and I let my guard down and allowed him to accompany me. It was really fun and when I said “goodbye” I gave him the last flower I had as thanks.”

Something seemed strangely familiar to Astarion. And he remembered. A long time ago, he helped a girl in the same circumstances.”

“No fucking way. “It was you?”

“What?” Calamity looked at him, confused by his sudden reaction.

“The girl! Gods, that was 100 years ago, but I remember helping a girl because I felt compassion and…”

“No way…” Her eyes widened in disbelief and surprise. “Were you…”

They both remained silent for a while, both staring at each other in shock.

Astarion completely recovered the memory of that day in his mind. He was wandering the streets looking for victims, when by chance he saw that scene, a man full of wicked malice in his eyes cornering a scared girl. He was disgusted and furious, perhaps, because he saw his own tormentor reflected in that man and felt sorry for that child. Maybe he could do something good? No. He was going to take her to his Master, that's what he planned after “saving” her, but it made him feel horrible especially because she was so... kind.

And now here she was, all grown up and being his “target” again.

“Why did you help me?”

Astarion blinked, returning to reality. “I... Well, let's say, I just had a moment of “compassion.”

“And then?”

Shit... She already knew how he took poor souls to his Master, of course she would connect the dots.

“Don't look at me like that, dear, yes I thought it would be good to take you with me..., but I didn't.” Her look was uncertain, he couldn't decipher whether it was anger or hurt that she was feeling. “But well, I didn't do that and it's in the past.”

“And yet here we are, drinking wine and talking in front of the fire 100 years later. How ironic.” She mocked with a clearly fake smile on her lips as she turned the glass again. “Do you want to know something interesting?” She didn't look at him when she asked that question, but he was watching her.

Calamity stared at the flames intensely. Concentrated, as her mind wandered through memories of the past.

Astarion watched her while she was distracted by her own mind so he took the opportunity to analyze her better, her expression was that of someone lost. A person who was aimless, usually hopeless souls like her were such easy targets, all they want is a little compassion and comfort.

Some sweet and kind words... And they went down well, but strangely Calamity didn't seem like that kind of person. He still remembers how she retreated from his advances... How scared she looked at the slightest touch.

“Tell me…” He waited for the answer, while keeping his eyes fixed on her.

“The day after that night you helped me was when the Guild took us.”

He was speechless.

“How did this happen?”

“My brother killed a man to protect me, we ran away so he wouldn't be arrested and it was then that an elf who would be my “Master” approached us, he said he saw potential in my brother and that he would be of great value to His guild... That's how we were “recruited”, I didn't want my brother to go alone because this situation only happened because of me so it was only fair that I did the same.

Oh... That look he knew well.

“Darling... What exactly happened to you after that?”

“Do you really want to know?”

“Yes.”

“They said they would train us, my brother was under the tutelage of an drow called Morana and I was under the tutelage of the elf who found us... The training was more like torture, I spent 6 years without seeing my brother, we were completely isolated and whenever I didn't obey he said that my brother would suffer for it.” She clenched her fists. “At first it was just these psychological games and, of course, the infernal rigid training, but as I grew up things started to change... His manners changed and so did his touches... “Her breathing became heavier with each word as if the air was heavier. “Then…”

The parasite in his brain stirred, he felt that uncomfortable sensation and then their minds connected.

He saw Calamity on her knees against the ground facing a man who demanded submission.He demanded that she obey like a loyal “dog” she was, so he pulled a chain that was attached to the collar around her neck. She fell and was forced to crawl towards him, as soon as she got close enough he ordered her to open his pants and “relieve” him. She undid the ties of his pants and once his length was free she engulfed him with her mouth, sucking him skillfully as she was taught. The tightness of the collar made everything even more suffocating than it already was, tears welling up in the corners of her eyes as she was forced to maintain eye contact with him.

She wanted to die.

This abuse would only end when he felt satisfied and when he finally shot her throat that session had not ended. The man ordered her to sit on his lap and so she obeyed, while keeping the collar around her neck tight to the point that it was difficult to breathe, he slid his hand up her thigh slowly and cruelly, she had no choice. Except to endure that horrible touch that would only end when he wanted.

The connection was broken and Astarion woke up from that vision, he didn't dare say because he already imagined what she went through.

“We never had regular sex” She said suddenly. “He had this strange and twisted obsession with me being a “virgin”, of course, that didn't stop him from finding other creative ways to fuck me.”

Astarion glanced at her, she had her face buried in her knees while his hands hugged her legs.

“I'm sorry…” Was all he could say, still with the vivid feeling of that memory in his own throat. “But you are free now. Can I... Get a little closer to you?”

“Yes…”

He sat next to her and was careful to silently ask for permission to touch her, Calamity just rested her head on Astarion's shoulder in response. He wrapped his arm around her back, hugging her gently to comfort her.

“In the end I made that night depressing.”

“Well, not so much, we still have wine to make things better".

She laughed and agreed with him, taking the glass she had left aside and drinking it completely, in complete silence they completely drank the bottle together.

“I remembered a better story, do you want to hear it to improve this atmosphere?”

“Darling, I'm all ears.”

After that night Astarion began to hover around Calamity in a different way, he was softer and of course he never stopped teasing her or gracing her with his typical sarcasm..., but he was more protective in a certain way. When the party with the tieflings took place at the camp, to Astarion's surprise, it was she who suggested that they spend the night together, he accepted, but in the end the vampire didn't have the courage to sleep with her. Instead of a night of passion, they just had another conversation filled with wine and sincerity, he listened to her and supported her.

After that night their conversations became more frequent even when they left the camp, sometimes they were so random and other times they were something that only the two of them knew which left their companions intrigued. Once while walking Astarion asked if Calamity liked red ribbons when she questioned him confused, his response was:

“I saw you last night with your hair tied up with a red ribbon and I remembered that when I met you when you were a girl you were also wearing a red bow in your hair.”

She was very surprised that he had noticed this detail.

Now she was with Shadowheart doing a reconnaissance on the westernmost road near the mountain pass, they were checking if everything was safe since they were going to cross the next day. They decided to split into pairs, it was no surprise that Astarion was upset when it was decided that he would investigate further east with Karlach.

“So... You and Astarion.”

“Me and Astarion what?”

“Don't be shy, it's impossible not to see how much closer you've become, he hovers around you like a shadow and your conversations are a bit intimate, I'd say. I see that the night you spent together was very pleasant.”

“You're very curious today, Shadowheart.” She joked, teasing her friend. Calamity and Shadowheart became very close as well, Shadowheart's appreciation and trust for her was clear.

“I'm just expressing my “interest” in what I see, I understand the appeal that it has, but be sure to be cautious.”

“ I appreciate your concern, Shadowheart.” An exchange of sincere friendly smiles and the matter closed.

Everything seemed to be fine, but suddenly Calamity pushed her companion and got in front of her, it was so fast that Shadowheart could only understand what had happened when they both hid behind the rocks. The cleric saw the arrow stuck in the shoulder of her friend who had protected her without hesitation.

“Shit... Some bandits?” Shadowheart was ready to fight, but was stopped by her companion.

“Shadowheart, listen to me, I want you to get out of here and go after Karlach and Astarion while I hold them back... Understand?”

“ Are you crazy?! I won't leave you here alone!”

“I won't argue! They are not mere bandits... They are from my Guild.” The cleric swallowed hard upon hearing this. “It's a group of assassins who are after me, they won't kill me, but they will kill anyone who is with me. Just you and I won't take care of them, so please go after them and leave me here! I will buy time and in the worst case I will leave a trail for you to find me.”

“No! Are you really thinking about letting yourself be captured?!”

“GO FAST!! You are rational, Shadowheart, you know this is for the best.” The cleric wanted to disagree, but she knew that her companion had a shred of reason in this whole situation and had more knowledge and awareness of the dangers than she did. Even grudgingly, Shadowheart agreed, but before going she took the arrow from her companion's shoulder and handed her a healing potion.

“Hold tight! I'll be back soon.” Calamity just smiled and nodded and didn't look back as she went to face her former companions so her friend could escape.

“Well, everything is clear here... Don't make that face fancy boy, we'll meet them soon.” Karlach joked when he saw how Astarion was grumbling with irritated looks.

“This is all a waste of time! Of course there's nothing around here, we killed those imposter paladins and there's been no sign of gnolls since we killed that bunch.”

“Come on, Astarion, stop complaining Soldier is just doing what she thinks is right so that we can all have a safe crossing.”

“I'm not complaining, just being realistic, it won't be from this side that any threat will come to our “happy group”.

“Gods, this is all because you just want to be close with Caly.” He rolled his eyes as if that was the biggest nonsense ever said. “Oh come on, stop acting like that, you two have been a couple for a long time.”

Astarion was ready to protest when they saw Shadowheart running towards them in distress... And she was alone.

Immediately anxiety him and he ran to the half-elf.

“Where is Calamity?!” He asked impatiently, almost aggressively.

“She... She's in danger! She told me to come after you to ask for help…”

“AND YOU LEFT HER ALONE?!” He grabbed Shadowheart's shoulders in an aggressive grip and his red eyes glowed with anger.

“Hey, calm down! Shadowheart what exactly happened?”

“We don't have time for explanations! All you need to know is that we were attacked by a group from Calamity’s Guild and she stayed behind to buy time, we need to go help her!”

Astarion's blood boiled, he immediately ran in the direction the cleric came from and didn't listen to anything else. He ran as fast as he could hoping he wouldn't be too late, then he heard Calamity scream.

Soon he saw her fighting injured and alone against five other figures dressed in black, he did not hesitate to attack.

His blow was accurate, his target didn't even have the chance to understand what happened when he fell dead to the ground. Astarion tightened his grip on the handles of his daggers and when he turned his vision towards Calamity she was on the ground and the man in front of her picked up something and attached it to her neck... It was a collar.

“NO!! GET THIS OFF OF ME!! LET ME GO!!” Calamity screamed as She struggled to escape his captor's hands.

“Stop barking, bitch! Master wants you back.” The man dressed in black with his face covered by a hood grabbed the chain and pulled it violently. Astarion was furious to see that scene and set out to kill them all, Karlach and Shadowheart joining him.

“Hey, Fangs! We'll take care of them, go after the Soldier!” Karlach shouted while hitting one of them with her ax.

“You do not need to say another word!” He responded by throwing one of his daggers at another of those hooded men before running to catch up with his companion and her captor.

That scene drove him crazy with rage, seeing her struggling to free herself, struggling while that bastard grabbed her neck and suffocated her. He let himself be carried away by pure animalistic instinct and jumped at them, causing them to fall to the ground giving Calamity the chance to move away... But she didn't do it.

She was as overcome with anger as he was, Calamity climbed on top of her captor and bit him. Yes, she bit him, the man screamed in desperation, fighting, but it was in vain, she seemed to be twice as strong at that moment. She didn't have fangs like Astarion, but her teeth did as much damage as any fang. She sank her teeth into his flesh, chewed it and made blood flow. The man struggled until in a few moments he became motionless, inert and finally dead. When her mouth released the corpse's neck, the first thing she did was spit out the flesh and blood that were still in her mouth, she was all covered in blood, her mouth, body... Her previously braided hair was now a mess after all the fight, she remained on top of the body and Astarion saw everything, he watched the whole scene perplexed.

He was surprised by the way she acted, as wild as a bloodthirsty vampire and her eyes... Opaque, cold and distant as if she weren't there.

“Darling…” He called her and then the sparkle returned to her eyes as well as the panic.

“Take it away from me... Take it off, take it off, take it off, take it off, take it off, take it off, take it off, take it off, take it off, TAKE IT OFF!!” She began to scream and desperately pull the collar around her neck, scratching her skin in panic.

Astarion noticed the runes carved into the metal around her neck and immediately grabbed her wrists holding her back, she continued to scream and struggle repeating the same line.

“Take it off, take it off, take it off, take it off, take it off, take it off, take it off, take it off, take it off, take it off, take it off, take it off, take it off, take it off, take it off TAKE IT OFF!!”

“Calamity look at me!” He held her more firmly. “Calm down, breathe... It's okay. It's over, they're dead.” She looked at him, still in panic, shaking and tears welling in her eyes.

“T-Take it off... Take it off my neck... It's suffocating, I can't breathe, please take it off. Astarion... Please, please, I beg you, take this away.” She begged in tears.

“Caly... We'll get this out of you I promise, but you know it's under a spell and we don't want to risk it. Let's get out of here first, okay?” She agreed shakily and in tears. “Shh, shh... It's okay, you did it. You are free.” He released her wrists and then hugged her, she returned the gesture in a strong burst of relief, still with her in his arms he carefully moved her, taking her off the corpse.

“Let's go to camp, I... well?” He asked, looking at the long chain. “We don’t want this to drag on.” She nodded and then Astarion took the chain and rolled it up to get into her hands. “No one will have this in their hands except you from now on.”

She looked at him in surprise, tears still streaming from her eyes, but she thanked him silently, squeezing the chains in her hands. Astarion kissed her face and wiped away her tears with sweet, calm kisses.He put his arm around her back and legs to carry her, Calamity in turn didn't say anything, just rested her head on Astarion's shoulder and let him carry her. Soon Karlach and Shadowheart joined them and the group hurried back to camp.

When they arrived at the camp, Astarion didn't explain anything, he just walked past everyone and went towards Calamity's tent and let Karlach explain everything, Shadowheart followed them and waited for him to accommodate her.

“I'll take care of her…” She said calmly.

“Okay, I'll get some towels and water.” Astarion got up and left the tent, leaving them alone.

But before going to get what he had said he went to talk to Gale first, he talked about the runes and asked him to be on standby. The wizard didn't question it, he just agreed, the entire camp understood that it was something delicate and everyone mobilized on their own.

Wyll and Lae’zel were in charge of making the rounds with Karlach, the others remained in the camp, but stayed alert. Halsin also showed her solidarity by preparing some medicine and tea so that Calamity would feel calmer and more relaxed, that was what she needed at the moment, calm and support. Astarion, after leaving the towels and water with Shadowheart, walked away but remained in sight.

He was obviously worried and was still angry about what happened, he wanted to say that if they hadn't split up this wouldn't have happened... But now it wouldn't make any difference.

Time passed and then Shadowheart left the tent and walked towards Astarion.

“She wants to see you.” He looked at her in surprise, but agreed and walked towards Calamity's tent.

He lifted the fabric from the entrance and saw her sitting there in her sleeping bag, she was clean with her wounds treated and seemed calmer. Calamity was still drinking the tea Halsin had made for her.

“How do you feel, my dear?” He sat next to her.

“As if I were anesthetized... I don't really know…” She lowered her gaze to look at her reflection in the tea in the mug in her hands. “I wanted to thank you for everything…”

“No need, dear, we agreed that we would take care of each other, remember? And... I'm sorry we haven't gotten that thing off your neck yet, but we will. Now don't worry about that. Can I brush your hair? Sorry Darling, Shadowheart did a great job cleaning you up, but your hair is still a mess.” She laughed softly and agreed with a sweet smile on her lips.

“Make yourself comfortable, Astarion.” The elf took the hairbrush and little by little he combed and untangled the strands, carefully and delicately while she finished drinking her tea. “ Astarion... Could you come a little closer?” He complied with her request and was surprised by a kiss.

The kiss was calm, shy, but sweet. Very sweet and kind.

“Darling, I would love more kisses like this in the future.”

THAT IS IT!! Thank you so much for reading and sorry for any grammatical errors… English is not my native language and I am still learning correctly. Soon I will post more HCs of Caly and her brother!

#astarion x tav #astarion x oc #baldurs gate 3 #my tav #oc tav #bg3 tav #bg3 #tav bg3 #tav #oc tav calamity #astarion romance #bg3 astarion #astarion bg3 #astarion x f!tav #astarion/tav #tav x astarion #astarion

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luckyblooshot · 1 year

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You and Nicholas knew each other well and did Expirements With each other Trying to figure out how to administer the potions to the baby. You were apart of The Jaundice Court Alongside Nicholas but as your coworkes died one by one he started to become more indulged and Focused on work. You understood why of course- he was a busy man and so were you but, overtime you both grew distant to the point it felt like you no longer knew each other and it hurt you bad.

One day, you figured a way on how to Travel To places without the need for transport, Paint Travel. And so you were on your way to tell Nicholas about your discovery and how it opened you possibilities for the both of you but again as usual, he didn’t seem to pay any attention or even notice your presence..

Months passed you and Nicholas grew more and more distant to the point he was no more than a stranger to you, Unable to bear with the pain and Lonliness you felt you decided to do something awfully risky, go to A different place and explore and so you did.

You began doing this more often until it became apart of your routine. You discovered many things while exploring and it never failed to amaze you bit you slowly started forgetting about Nicholas as you went out more and that kept him wondering why you no longer join him for dinner or have those Late night talks you always used to have with each other.

Even though the both of you grew distant, Nicholas always looked forward to seeing you every night and he knows he has become more and more indulged in his work but there wasn't a day where you weren't on his mind.

It was one of those nights where you would Travel to different places again and he's gotten used to you coming back late but ever since youvegan disappearing randomly, he Never heard you call him that cheesy nickname you gave him, you never Gave him a good night or Said "I Love You" like you always do and that made him worry bit now its worse..he waited for you to come back but Hours passed and you still weren't here.

The next day you still hadn't returned home so he Decided to check your office if anything was out of order and that's when he found a Voice recorder.

[Log 53 April 2nd, you cannot believe what u have discovered! So I was painting earlier but I noticed something was odd about one of my paintings and as I took a closer look, BAM! I was at that place..! Aahh! I can't wait to tell Nicholas This can open so many New possibilities for us..! I cannot wait to tell nick about this Any way that us all for now, Log End]

He remembered you mentioned something about painting travel A few Days ago but didn't really pay any mind to it and now he regrets not listening to you

#baby in yellow #DoctorBlackCatUpdate #Babyinyellowupdate #NicholasArkhamBlackCatUodate #Nicholas Arkham X GN Reader #Nicholas Arkham X Male reader #Nicholas Arkham x Fem Reader

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jedi-lothwolf · 3 months

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Febuwhump Day 6: "You Lied to Me."

Fandom: The Bad Batch

Summary: Echo promises Hunter that he'll be okay facing Tantiss

"I'll be fine." That's what Echo had told Hunter when he asked how Echo was going to handle the mission.

"Are you sure?" Hunter knew this would be hard. An experimental facility with clones who had all faced something similar to Echo's own trauma. Everything seemed to be very uncomfortable for him. Every time they learned more about the facility, he seemed to find a way to leave the room.

"I'm sure." The truth was, Echo wasn't sure. He knew they needed the numbers and after Crosshair had taken part of his rescue, he felt like he owed him at least that. The thought of seeing someone he knew frightened him. But he had to go. Omega would be waiting.

So they gathered some of Rex and Echo's crew. They had planned their attack and the mission down to every minute. Tech would have been proud of the plan. There was no room for error.

On the ship Hunter checked in with Echo again. He walked around the shop and waited to arrive. Playing a waiting game was something the batch used to be good at. Now a waiting game was almost agonizing.

Upon their arrival, the batch, as well as Phee, Rex and a few others, split up. Each group went their separate ways. Hunter went with Echo and Rex while Wrecker went with Phee and some others.

As the batch maneuvered around the facility, Echo got more and more nervous. Even if there were few similarities between Tantiss and Skako Minor, the eerie feeling of the halls haunted him.

"We go in one three" Hunter spoke. "One" Echo started to regret coming. But he owed it to his family. "Two." He tried to prepare himself for what could be on the other side of the door.

"Three."

Rex opened the door. Inside Crosshair laid on a metal table. He was strapped down. Hunter ran over to him and Rex started to undo the straps. Echo froze. He took a deep breath and then walked over as well.

Crosshair was awake. He sat up slowly as the last strap was undone. "It's okay" Rex tried to comfort him.

Slowly they prepared their brother for moving. Rex took him and helped him walk. "I'll get him to the ship. Can you two take care of it until I get back?" If anything was going to happen to Crosshair, Rex was not going to let that rest in their shoulders.

"Got it Rex." Hunter led Echo out of the room. They continued to go down the hall. "Wrecker, any word on the prisoner logs?"

"Yep. We found them. There's quite a few regs here." Wrecker sounded uneasy.

"Got it."

"We are gonna need help to get them out Hunter. Rex had called back up. They aren't far but we'll need to kill some time."

"Start taking some of the regs to the Marauder.

"Okay."

Hunter turned to look at Echo. "We start taking down 'medical' rooms."

Echo nodded. The two went to find the rooms. It didn't take long to find one. When they entered the room, the arc trooper froze in the door. He didn't think he could move.

Hunter pulled him inside. He didn't say anything as he looked around the room. Echo walked towards the table in the middle of the room. He looked around and tried to find something to do. But when he saw the needles he flew back. Tripping on his own metal feet, he fell to the ground.

The man's breathing quickened. Hunter abandoned him spot in the room and kneeled down beside him. "Echo" he said. His tone was a lot kinder than he expected.

Staying in the room seemed impossible. Echo stood, panicked. He went for the door. Hunter tried to stop him but he was in the hall before he could do anything.

The Sargent watched him fall. He heard the gun shot that he prayed hadn't killed him. "Echo" he whispered. The man moved slightly. Without another thought, Hunter went into the hall and pulled his brother back into the room.

"You lied to me." Hunter couldn't think. "You lied to me." Echo just listened to him. He couldn't say anything. He was right, he had lied.

As Echo faded in and out of consciousness he listened to Hunter mutter to himself. "You lied. You did you would be fine. You lied to me."

Echo knew he lied to him. He knew that. He shouldn't have gone. Maybe he should have taken Crosshair back or maybe he should have just let Hunter sit with him when he started to panic.

"I'm not going to let you lie to me. You're going to be fine. You'll be fine."

"You lied." The world went dark as Hunter spoke.

Time passed. Hunter took Echo to the ship and faced Tantiss. Soon the reinforcements arrived. With minimal casualties, the clones escaped hell.

The lights near where Echo laid was dim. Hunter spent most of his time around him and around Omega and Crosshair. The feeling of responsibility weighed heavily on him. He laid his arms on the bed. Then he placed his head in his arms. "you lied to me."

#febuwhump day 6 #febuwhump #febuwhump 2024 #star wars #whump #star wars whump #star wars the bad batch #the bad batch #tbb hunter #hunter tbb #Echo tbb #clone trooper echo #tbb echo #poor echo #mount tantiss #you lied to me

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saltysaltdog · 1 year

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I promised to post scraps, and I can't figure out how to rework this into what I want. I'll do a proper ao3 link later.... maybe.

Mixed signalling

Optimus Prime and Agent Fowler are on a routine patrol when he's brutally reminded of the traffic differences between countries.

Transformers prime. G rating, 780+ words. Optimus Prime & Agent Fowler.

Agent Fowler wasn't paying that much attention to the road. So when the truck slammed on its brakes, forcing itself into a stop so quickly the trailer end lifted off the ground, he wasn't prepared for it and fell forwards, the horn so loud he couldn't feel anything else.

While this would be a problem, he wasn't driving even though he was in the driver's seat. Optimus Prime had never liked anyone trying to drive him. The wheel, turning signals and brakes were mainly cosmetic. Fowler had never really needed to correct Optimus on anything, so when the brake lights flashed on the vehicle ahead and he felt the truck slowing down he figured Prime had it handled.

Fowler fell back onto his seat, unable to draw in air, but the horn was still blaring without his weight on it. He could just barely see the car over Prime's hood.

"Get some proper tail lights you moron!" Prime shouted at the small hatchback which zoomed off as fast as it could.

"Prime!" Fowler shouted.

Optimus didn't answer for a second too long and he grabbed the gear shift. He flicked the blinkers as he found a place to pull over. "Have you lost your mind?"

"I'm sorry, Agent Fowler," Optimus's deep voice finally rumbled. "I didn't mean to startle you."

"You did more than just that, Prime," Fowler commented, seeing the road smoking in the rear view mirror.

"Are you alright?" Optimus asked, suddenly concerned.

"Yeah, fine," he brushed off, and then rubbed his chest, feeling the outline of where the steering wheel hit. He was going to have bruises later.

He unbuckled his seat belt and slid out onto the verge, shutting the door behind him.

He took a deep breath before assessing the damage, crouching down to look at the wheels and the shock absorbers. Prime hadn't been hitched to anything so at least there was no cargo to check.

The wheels didn't look too bad, they still had treads and he felt along the bumper for any new dents. There were so many scratches already, he really should get it seen by a mechanic.

"What are you doing?"

"You nearly hit someone, Prime, I got to make sure that-" he'd been about to say that the truck was fine, which would be odd because Optimus was the truck.

"Thank you for your concern," Optimus said after a moment. "However, I have sustained no injuries."

"Mind telling me what the hell that was then?" Fowler asked, straightening up and taking a look around. The area they were in wasn't that mountainous, and since logging trucks had to use the area the roads didn't have too many curves, but it was enough to have him rattled about running into someone else. It was too hard to see if other vehicles were around.

"...I have been doing missions in Australia," Optimus admitted, somewhat reluctantly. "The models of vehicles there are less confusing. I've had trouble adjusting back to the American standard."

"Australia huh, yeah. Something about signals in the outback. Don't they drive on the other side of the road? What's that got to do with nearly rear ending someone."

"It wasn't my fault," Optimus snapped. "They were the ones who chose to have their brake lights double as turning signals!"

His engines revved loudly.

"Woah, easy big guy."

"I could have squashed them!"

"Nobody's getting squished," Agent Fowler asserted.

He waited for the revving to settle a bit before approaching, feeling a bit like he was subduing a wild horse. A feeling that wasn't helped by him running his hand along the hood and finding it warm and breathing.

He didn't actually know when Optimus may have calmed down, but he waited for what felt like long enough to him before settling back into the cab and putting his seat belt back on.

They pulled out and this time Fowler paid attention to the road, keeping one hand on the steering wheel at all times.

He blinked as rain started to fall and automatically hit the wipers, forgetting that Prime disliked the micromanagement. There was no reprimand however, as Prime slowly rolled up to a stop sign.

"I can't handle much more of this."

Fowler blinked, uncertain he'd even heard it over the sound of the rain.

"...Did you want me to drive for a while?"

There was no response but a weary little shift of the truck on its wheels and it pulled forward, too slowly to be intentional.

Fowler took the wheel and pressed on the pedal. With a rumble underneath him, he was driving the truck as Prime fiddled with the radio, trying to find a good signal.

They finished the patrol without a word.

#transformers #maccadam #optimus prime #tfp #Agent Fowler #driving sentient cars sure is a trip huh?#Saltyfic #my fic #btw america car regulations suck. this was meant to be comedic so you can see how i backed myself into a corner

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yidhraloves · 11 months

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Gabriel x gn reseacher Reader “Shining Star” ,

{Log Entry 2}

This is currently unedited

Part 1:

When you got back, you continued to work on your alternate research.

Well, you tried to but all you could think about was the encounter you had with Gabriel earlier on and how weird it was. The missing people, the codes not having changed, that hallway occurrence....

How did you think nothing of it in there?

It's like being in Gabriel's presence made your brain malfunction.

Ah! You still need to get ready for lunch with Gabriel.

Wait- did he ask you out on a date?

Probably not. He looks so pretty, so he probably already has a partner. Plus he probably only wants to talk about the research.

You'd still have to ask him why all of the others in the research team weren't present today, had there been an alternate attack on the lab?

You groaned out in frustration, why does this all have to be so hard?

....

...

The drive to the restaurant was rather unpleasant, so you were glad you finally arrived at the restaurant. Gabriel was waiting for you at the entrance, he was wearing beautiful clothes that looked very expensive and they were in your favourite colour too! He was carrying his golden locks open, they softly moved with the wind when he spotted you and started smiling at you.

He looked so good with his hair untied...in the lab he had it tied up in a ponytail.

Why was he dressed so nicely?

Now you felt bad, you had come here in the same comfortable clothes from this morning, and your hair was a bit greasy since you hadn't showered.

Gabriel didn't seem to mind, he embraced you into a hug that you wished had lasted a bit longer and smiled at you even brighter than he had before.

"I'm so happy you came dear! Let's go inside before it starts to rain!"

He basically dragged you inside the restaurant, his cold hand tightly gripping onto yours.

As you were looking at the menu, your blood froze. It was all so expensive. What the fuck.

Gabriel seemed to notice the distressed look on your face and assured you that he would be paying for everything. How rich was this dude?

You didn't want to take anything too expensive so you took the 2nd cheapest item on the menu.

Gabriel ordered the same as you did and while waiting for you food, you talked with Gabriel about some pretty casual stuff.

All though it rather felt like an interview, Gabriel was asking question after question..but when you asked him something, he kept it short, not more than 2 sentences.

Finally your food arrived...you would've really enjoyed it, if it wasn't for Gabriel staring at you as if he was studying you.

His strong gaze made you feel like a deer in the headlights, almost as if he was reading your mind.

And almost as if he was reading your mind, his attention suddenly shifted down to his food.

After you finished eating, it started raining.

Great. Just great.

"I can drive you home, my dove, it's no big deal"

Huh? What did he just say?

"Friend. You're my friend." He said

"Need a ride home?"

Oh no....on one side, you didn't want to drive trough the rain with your bike, but on the other hand Gabriel might just being nice to get information out of you, since you were continuing a research illegally.

"Oh yes fine"

You didn't mean to say that.

Gabriel was just so pretty, like a painting, a living piece of art that you couldn't take your eyes off of him.

When you arrived at your house, Gabriel escorted you to the door of your house and kneed down in front of you and pressed a soft, cold kiss on the back of your hand.

But before you could react, he had disappeared with the cold breeze that was left behind by the rain.

#x reader #gabriel x reader #alternate gabriel #gabriel #mandela catalouge gabriel #sus gabriel #mandela catalogue #sus gabriel x reader

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lily-in-thevalley · 2 years

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After All this Time

Brian May x Reader

Four years after your affair with Brian ended he sent you tickets to his concert in his home town. Maybe things don't have to be as hard as they've been all this time.

Tw: mentions of cheating, mentions of depression, cursing, ehhh maybe more it's angsty

(I swear I write more than hurt stuff, I just have a back-log)

You knew you shouldn't. Driving to the venue you knew that nothing good could come of it. Even taking a spot in the middle of the crowd where you knew you wouldn't be seen tugged at your heart.

Four years, after being together in varying degrees for years you hadn't seen Brian in four years. Really, how could you? Deep down you two knew what you were doing was wrong. You knew that he had a family, a wife, people to care for and you fell for him anyway. The desperate nights you'd spend together, born from a lie he'd tell chrissie as he kissed her at the door. You felt your heart grow heavy at the thought, you, singlehandedly, brought down the most important constant in his life.

When she'd found out about everything you didn't blame her for being angry. Not for one second, you knew that you would be too in her place. All your life you'd gone about trying so hard not to hurt anybody, trying to keep smiles on the faces of those you held dear. Only now, the love of your life, the man you were willing to live in secret for, was heartbroken. That day chrissie had given him the choice, she'd already had her heart broken, if anything you applauded her ability to be willing to fix things. She told him, it was you, or his kids. The kids that he loved more than anything in the whole world, and that included... You.

The lights in the venue dimmed, being replaced by the colourful stage lights as a light fog rolled out from back stage. You suddenly missed watching from back there. Being the first person Brian would go to after a show, telling him how amazing he was, feeling him shake with adrenaline as he leaned in- you shook your head.

The first powerful chords belted out, filling the room to the brim and bringing you back to your thoughts. You could feel his heart being torn about, putting in everything he had as he played. A lot of things from the album had hit you, Too Much Love Will Kill You had brought you to such a state you had to skip work the next day. Honestly you wondered which of you it was for, you or her. You didn't know which broke your heart more, him desperately wanting you back and having no way to find you, or him wanting the comfort of his wife so badly. It would make sense for him to want her more though. As much as you wished it hadn't been so you knew and understood why he had to choose her.

He stopped singing, letting the girls pick up his slack as he stood there. Your heart stopped in your chest, the choked up feeling burning just at the back of your throat coming back full force. While he stalled in the song as much as he could you watched him say your name. You couldn't hear it, but you knew what he'd said. The thought that 'I'm who he's looking at, everyone here and he says my name' suddenly brought back the guilt you'd been avoiding all day.

Leaving was easier before everything had come down around you two. Turning away from him on stage was easier when you knew it'd be you he saw after. But you had to, it was too much. All evening you'd told yourself it was a bad idea to go see him and now you were stuck in 'what could have been' again. You bit your lip to hold back a sob as you turned your back, heading for the exit.

"Wait-" He slipped up, trying to keep the words to his song in order while begging you to stay. The sob that had been threatening you for the past half hour escaped as you pushed open the doors and hurried outside.

Of course it was raining, the world knew that it was a sad night in London and tried to cry with you as you slammed your car door shut. You were being flooded with memories. Memories of impatient passion in the back seat of that very car, memories of the morning you two woke up together, just holding eachother close as though he hadn't had to lie about where he would be all night. It was still new and exciting then, the days when you felt more in love than you ever had in your life as you kissed excitedly like teenagers. Before the reality of it all came down, before you both had to have your hearts broken. As much as it hurt though, you would never blame him. Louisa, Jimmy, and Emily were the sweetest children you'd ever met. They made him so happy, he loved being their dad and you loved seeing that joy in his eyes.

When your tears dried enough to drive the sky was still crying for you, the distant rumble of thunder digging at your heart like a sob. The traffic that night went easy on you and your broken heart, allowing you to speed home safely. You let your head drop to the wheel as you sniffled a few more times.

The flat seemed colder then you had left it, in the four years you had been alone it only felt this cold right after he left. Even the couple of times you couldn't go on tour it had the warmth of knowing he'd come back. Now, it was just empty. It felt like the loneliest place in the world as you leaned against the door. You dropped your keys on the table and let your jacket hit the floor. Nobody was there to see it anyway, what did it matter if it stayed there all week.

You wished that you could have kept crying. It was so much better than the cold weight in your empty chest, right where your heart would have been if it wasn't shattered on the floor around you. No matter how long you stayed there the couch didn't warm up, even with your face pressed down into it with your shallow breaths.

The doorbell. Just as you were drifting into the numb escape of sleep the doorbell rang. The temptation to ignore it was outweighed by your chronic politeness and you dragged yourself to the door. Whoever was on the other side would have to put up with the state you were in if they really needed you. They kept ringing the bell, to the point where you were ready to break the button before they could do it again.

"Yeah I heard you im- I'm on my way" you took a deep breath and stepped over your coat. The incessant ringing of the bell had you clenching your jaw as you opened the door, only for it to drop open.

Neither of you said a word. Both of you just stood there, not even daring to breath for fear of scaring the other off. What good would words have done anyway? The look on Brian's face, the pain in his eyes, the tears that, had it not been for the circumstances, he would have laughed off and blamed on the rain. It said what you had felt all afternoon and more. You couldn't bare to look at it, knowing he was hurting, had been hurting just as much as you were.

"Um" you turned your gaze to the floor, hating the tears that hit the ground below your eyes.

"Tell me to go and I will" Oh god his voice, it was too familiar. It sounded too much like it did the day he told you he had to leave. It was too sad, his voice was too beautiful to be wasted on such somber tones. Your vision blurred as your tears became uncontrollable and you held a hand over your mouth

"I... I cant tell you that" the urge to take a step back reared it's head as he took a step closer to you. He saw you flinch and stopped himself from getting any closer.

"Do you want me to go?" You should say yes, you should tell him he had a wife and kids to go to, that no matter how badly you needed him everyone made their choice four years ago. With a shudder you lifted your hand, just enough to grab his hand and shook your head.

The last time he'd seen you cry like this, the silent tears and never seemed to stop, was when he told you he'd never stop loving you as he left. He had never cried as he kissed somebody goodbye till that day, nor had he ever heard the door to your flat close and rattle like that as you sunk to the floor against it. Instantly he wanted to hold you, to comb his fingers through your hair and tell you it would all be ok. He wanted to take your hurt away and add it to his own for making you feel it in the first place.

Brian reached for your cheek, letting you keep your hold on him as you took in a shaky breath at the contact. It was as though a dam had broken then. You dove into his chest and wrapped your arms around him, letting yourself sob as you felt his arms loop around your shoulders.

"Fucking hell Brian" you couldn't stop now that you had started. Neither of you stopped to think as he guided you inside, never breaking your hold on him. As he felt how your home had changed from somewhere so happy to the place it was now he held you tighter. It was your jacket on the floor that brought his tears back. He was hit with a memory that barely felt like it had happened in the same place. The memory of your shared laugh as you insisted you both hang your coats up on the new rack. The memory of how you blushed as he teased you about being pinned to the wall and having that on your mind. Every time he came over after that he had made a point of hanging up his coat, once, even when all he had worn that day was a jumper.

You untangled yourself from him and wiped harshly at your cheeks

"Ah, sorry. Sorry I didn't clean today and the- I didn't- here I'll get the heat going-"

"Angel..." he hung your coat up, letting a little smile curl at his lips "it's ok." You stopped dead in your tracks. Angel... of course he hadn't forgotten, he always called you his angel, his sweetheart. You didn't realize you had been staring at the floor, not turning the heat on, till he cupped your cheek in his hand.

"Brian, why are you here? We can't do this" He let his hand fall back to his side, trying to smile through his sigh.

"...I don't know." Those were his least favourite words, he would always badger someone till they gave him a proper answer "why did you come to the show?" Because I love you. It was the truth neither of you would speak, the last thing either of you could say. You couldn't stand being so close to him, so near but so far away, so cold while he could be your warmth.

You turned away and shrugged your shoulders, another thing that always used to get on his nerves. Briefly, as you turned the heat up you wondered if it still bothered him, four years can change anybody.

"How are the kids?" You sniffled and tried to put the kettle on with shaky hands.

"What?" He sounded dumbfounded, giving you a twisted sense of comfort that he was just as lost here as you were. Keeping your hands busy was the only way you could keep your head clear... Keep your heart away from his.

"I asked how your kids were" both of you winced at your cold tone. This isn't what you wanted, to push him away further than the furthest he could be. With a bit of a laugh you continued "I mean, isn't that what you're supposed to talk about when you haven't seen someone for four years? How's the family?"

"I- (y/n) we can't just- will you please look at me while I'm talking?" His voice was confusing, it held too many things for it to make any sense. But you got defensive anyway, you knew it was wrong, he didn't deserve it. You thought back to your nights curled up wishing you could die, wishing you could get the dark pit out of your stomach just by screaming it at him. And it only made you understand more that nobody deserved to get snapped at for your broken feelings as you dropped the dish towel you were fiddling with.

"We can't what? Just talk like adults?" You took your breaths in deep, keeping your voice low. Just because he was here, just because you were overwhelmed, just because you felt everything you wanted to be done with all over again didn't mean you could shout at him. That wasn't fair.

He sat at the empty kitchen table, sitting like he knew you wanted to scream. Like he knew the body language of somebody so hurt that he learned to make himself small. Maybe he had learned. You saw and felt how anger and sadness could change a person. Maybe he hadn't been out living in a dream while you struggled to pick the pieces of yourself up

"Sorry. The um... The kids are great, last time I saw them" his eyes lit up and you wanted to cry, you didn't even know why "Emily has just gotten really into reading, she loves her books. Louisa she... I got her a set of bongos for Christmas last year and she's become Rogers best friend. And Jimmy is living his best as well, we had a good talk about photography last month" He bit his tongue, remembering how it killed just a little bit of their hearts when he told them you weren't coming back. They didn't know why, but they knew that you were someone really special to their dad and as hard as he tried to hide it they saw how it hurt him too.

"That's great. They're great kids" you turned the kettle off as it barely started to whistle. With more trepidation then you intended, you handed Brian a cup and leaned against the counter. After taking a sip you felt you could have buried yourself.

"Ah shit, Im sorry I didn't- there's no tea in this tea" you shared an awkward chuckle as you took his cup back, remembering suddenly how he liked his tea. That wouldn't help anybody, showing him you never forgot something as simple as that would only dig you deeper.

"Cream and sugar?" You knew the answer. Two sugars and no cream, that's what it had always been, even when he had his coffee only phase it was two sugars and no cream. And he told you just as much, only making you hate yourself more for being right.

Silence settled between you two again, a silence that made tears prickle in the corners of your eyes. It brought back the sleepy mornings you'd spend keeping the quiet at bay. Taking every second together you could and filling it with as much love as you could. When the silence became too deafening you could hear him stop breathing as you took a breath to speak

"I don't understand any of this anymore" with a shake of your head you stared at the ground "I don't know what to do with myself"

"Should I not have come?" Your heart broke hearing his tone, he sounded like you felt. Conflicted and overwhelmed and wanting to run and too scared to move all at once.

"If I knew the answer I'd tell you. I-" looking back you'd know this was the point of no return. The split second that could have led to another world. But in the end... Let your heart rule your head. "I always had so much to say whenever I thought about you coming back and now that you're-"

"You thought about me?" You could have laughed

"Of course I fucking thought about you, you're the one person I could never ever stop loving and I'm pretty sure you knew that" you hadn't meant to raise your voice above a whisper, already you felt the guilt from it "I'm sorry, didn't mean to... y'know" pour your heart out. Let it all go. Tell him you still loved him. How was that sentence gonna end? What were you so close to saying but couldn't get out

"(Y/n)..." That broke you. Hearing him say your name like that, hearing it and wanting to rip your heart out of your chest.

"What Brian?! Did you want something from me? Don't say my name like that please I can't fucking-" you let out a deep sigh. "I don't know what we're doing. My heart is still broken Brian, it's been four years since you picked her over me and I never once looked at another person. I don't know what to do now that you're here-"

"I love you" you let out a pitiful noise

"Don't. Brian don't you fucking dare. I can't- I don't- i-" anything you tried didn't slow down your breathing, you were spiraling and all you could hear was static in your empty head.

Distantly you were aware that he was apologizing over and over, standing up as you sunk to the floor, eyes wide open.

"Why would you come here and say that? Why would... "You looked up at him, looking just as broken as you felt. When he'd left you didn't think you'd ever feel worse, didn't know the limits of your hurt and now... "I'm so... Lost"

"I said it because" he sighed and sat on the floor across from you. Neither of you spoke for a long time, not thinking just... Feeling hurt. "I can't live without you" you let out a huff

"But you can't live with me either" the bitterness that seeped into your voice made you crave your days together at ridge farm. Made you crave the warmth of that summer, the sweetness in Brian's eyes, the honey-like way his words dripped from his lips before he kissed you. The ice in your own voice made you want his warmth.

"I think that's why Im here" you looked up from the bit of broken glass you found on the floor. It was from your last crying fit, you snapped at something and threw your glass across the room. Your mind told you to buy a new broom, completely distancing yourself from the mess you were becoming

"What on earth is that supposed to mean?" You felt so tired, the way your heart was getting lifted and battered down over and over again was too much.

"It means..." Brian took a deep breath, and another, and one more "it means I love you. And I chose wrong, and I nev-"

"What?" A hysterical laugh tried to bubble up in your chest "are you saying... I'm sorry I can't do this right now" you stood up and caught sight of him. Staring up at you, eyes red and puffy from silently crying this entire time. Something broke then, he looked so small, so sad, so lonely... He looked too much like you knew you did too. Slowly he stood up and held your hand, dropping his gaze to watch his thumb trail over your knuckles

"I don't have anything left to lose (y/n)... if I can save one thing, if there's something I can fix out of all the things I've broken... I want to save us. I'm so lost without you sweetheart" as he brought a hand to your cheek you felt so light. So so much lighter than you had in years.

"Do you have any idea what you do to me?" You let the tears in your eyes fall freely, it didn't matter if he saw, he'd seen your heart more than anybody else.

"I'm sorry. I'm so so sorry (y/n)"

"Why did you choose... Why did you choose her over me bri? Was there something I didn't... I couldn't-" a sob snuck up on you. That question had been in your head, messed with your view of yourself for years.

"I didn't choose her. I chose my kids, I couldn't lose them. They're the one thing I can never ever lose in my life and I thought I could handle... I thought I could handle losing you if I had them and I was wrong" you let him pull you to his chest, feeling the tiredness more than ever. "I need you"

"Stay the night bri" your eyes were slipping closed with his warmth, very briefly you wondered when the last time you slept properly was. "Just on the couch tonight. We can talk more in the morning, I can't- I'm so tired" the gentle combing of his fingers through your hair was going to make you cry or fall asleep any second.

"Let me take care of you" when he felt you pull away a bit he clarified. "Genuinely take care of you (y/n), it's long overdue" the last tears you shed didn't feel as bitter as he carried you to bed and left briefly to let you get changed. The way he smiled as you caught his hand just before he left, telling him to stay didn't put a pit of hurt in your stomach like you thought it would. Feeling him crawl into bed behind you didn't make you want to run away like a heartbroken coward.

"I love you" didn't wrench your heart out like it did earlier with his arms wrapped around you. Save the talking for the morning, you had all day tomorrow. Sleep overtook you in his warm embrace, true, gentle sleep, nothing like the coldness of passing out from drinking yourself to blindness. Nothing like the insanity that came with staying awake too many days in a row.

He was there, you both were. This was home.

#brian may #brian may x reader #brian may x you #brian harold may #hurt/comfort #mentions of cheating tw #mentions of depression

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boundlss · 24 days

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"Shiroe-senpai!"

Soujiro's visage exuded bright excitement as he waved his hand, catching the eye of both players and townsfolk alike as he passed by. It wasn't often when the leader of Log Horizon (or a player of his caliber in general) sought out external assistance, let alone Soujiro's. Needless to say, he was eager to hear what Shiroe had in mind.

Could it be another raid? Some important mission? Or even just a secret mission with just a few members senpai handpicked? Uwahhh, I can't wait! I can't wait!

Once Soujiro's presence was acknowledged, the said excitement changed into calm gratefulness instead. He felt glad and relieved that someone like Shiroe started asking for help these days, rather than the old days by working by himself most of the time. Soujiro thought had the best ideas, to the point that he could be quite oblivious whether there were devious intentions behind them.

"I'm sure you either had something important to ask from me, or that you want to simply play catch up," he chuckled. "But we both know that the latter is more of a luxury these days."

Unbeknowst to Shiroe, Soujiro's admiration towards him alone would make him stop anything else he was doing, if it meant acknowledgement and praise from one of the players he respected the most. (As Nazuna would put it from time to time, like a puppy eager to please.)

( so this is an ask of all time... Hello!! Shwksns )

Ha. Unfortunately, Soujiro isn't exactly wrong about the lack of freetime they all have. As everything surrounding their circumstances comes closer to slotting perfectly into place, the gaps between "incidents" seem to shrink.

But neither of his guesses are entirely off the mark.

"Actually, you could call it a little bit of both..." Shiroe begins, a little vaguely. "That is, it's something important that I trust you with, but I wouldn't say that it won't involve any catching up..."

It's true that he probably could have asked just about anyone to join him for what he was planning to do with enough preparation beforehand. As far as operations went, this one wouldn't require a particularly large group of people, nor did Shiroe think it would require an especially particular team composition. It wasn't reported to be as difficult as an ordinary "boss fight" in terms of raw power, after all. But he stands before Souji now for a particular reason.

"For a while, I've been working with Rieze and Misa from D.D.D. to keep an eye on the waters that separate the physical locations of the Chinese server and the Japan server, since that's the shortest way for Kanami and Krusty to make their way here. Recently, Misa informed me that a Genius had been spotted who was able to completely disable an Adventurer's capability to do things like view the menu, or communicate with eachother through telepathy."

According to his meeting with the two interim leaders of the guild, the Genius hadn't been particularly strong, but things like menus and telepathy are vital to a party of adventurers, especially during sea-based battles. Cutting off access to menus was already bad for spellcasters and healers, but parties spread across multiple ships would have been essentially unable to convey anything to the members of their party on a different ship. Which was why...

"If it's a small enough party, using menus and status screens isn't strictly necessary, and we'd only have to use it with one ship if we only took a few people. But, just in case, I figured it would be best if I were fighting with people who I can trust myself to figure out. So far it's just me, Naotsugu, and Nyanta... But I wanted to ask if you and Nazuna would be willing to accompany us."

Shiroe can't help sounding sheepish, uncertain of himself. It's still just a little difficult, getting used to asking others for help, even knowing Soujiro likely would jump at the opportunity.

unprompted. / accepting.

#muse: shirogane kei #ervaurem #uuuuu you have NO idea how excited i was when i first checked your muse list and saw souji!#and then further when you sent this! i so rarely see other log horizon rpers on tumblr uuuuuuu it made me so happy lol #don't even worry about the length. i tend to err a bit on the longer side with everything i have ever written i am thrilled.

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innytoes · 1 year

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“Good morning, sleepy head.” for Ray/Rose!

Work had been chaotic, between three shoots that had all been rebooked on the same day, an editing emergency that had kept him up two nights in a row, and a potential client who could not make up their mind between A Professional and Cousin Kyle Who Will Do It For Free and wanted to 'compromise' by Ray doing thousands of dollars worth of work for a hundred bucks and would not take no for an answer.

So he was incredibly glad it was Sunday, and he got to sleep in. Rose had spoiled him a little last night, letting him take a long bath, even bringing him a glass of wine. She hadn't even made fun of him that he was in bed at nine, barely able to keep his eyes open long enough to kiss her goodnight before she went back downstairs.

He slept like a log. He hadn't woken up when Rose had come to bed, but he had in the early morning light of dawn, wrapped around her, nose buried in her curls. He'd sighed happily, reveling in the warmth, in how lucky he was that she was still there after all they'd been through. And then he'd dozed right back off to sleep.

The next time he woke, the clock read ten fifteen, which felt obscenely late even for a Sunday. He stretched out, reveling in how well-rested he felt, before getting up and using the bathroom, getting in a quick shave, and putting on some comfortable jeans and a Henley.

He was just about to head downstairs when Rose intercepted him at the top of the stairs, her arm catching his waist as she pressed a kiss to his lips. "Good morning, sleepy head," she said, teasing and warm and bright.

"Good morning," he said, all thoughts of coffee temporarily forgotten as she peppered kisses along his jaw. Well, there was a reason he'd shaved. He inhaled happily, wrapping his arms around his wife. "Thanks for letting me sleep in."

Then, he inhaled again. Deeply.

"Why do I smell pancakes?" he asked. "Who broke something?"

"Nothing broke!" Rose said, but she said it so quickly that it just confirmed his suspicions that these were Bribery Pancakes. Or at the very least Buttering Up pancakes.

"Rose..."

"So you know how we always talked about how we wanted a big family?" Rose started, which was not where Ray thought this was going. He thought they were softening him up for another crazy DIY project he was going to regret halfway through.

"I do," he said. Though they'd also had a long conversation when Carlos was one, about how two small children were kind of enough for both of them, but maybe they could foster or adopt when the kids were older.

There was commotion downstairs, and some very familiar voices hushing each other, and suddenly, everything clicked. "Which one?" he asked.

"Which one what?" Rose asked, trying to go for innocence and landing solidly in 'shifty' instead.

"Which one of Julie's friends did you adopt while I was sleeping?"

It wasn't like they hadn't talked about it before. How they wanted to be a safe place for Julie's band members to go to if things got bad at home. They'd both been worried about Reggie and the way he flinched at loud noises. Ray had sat him down once and told him he was always welcome to stay with them if he didn't feel safe at home.

Luke constantly fought with his mother about music, and had run away to the Molina's garage to spend the night and cool down more than once. And Alex... well, after he came out, they made sure to let him know that there were adults in his life that loved him for who he was, and would keep loving him no matter what.

Rose didn't say anything, just entwined their fingers together and pulled him down the stairs. The amount of bags in the hall were a bit concerning. Then, when they turned and came into the kitchen, he became even more concerned.

Reggie's black eye was the first thing that stood out. But Alex looked like he'd been crying for hours, his eyes red and puffy, his face blotchy. Luke sprang away from where he and Julie had been wrapped around each other. Which was usually funny, but now was a little heartbreaking, considering how upset he looked. He was even wearing sleeves, the big cozy flannel he wore when things got really bad.

"Hi Ray," Reggie whispered awkwardly, giving a little wave.

He strode into the kitchen, pulling all three boys into a hug. Reggie went willingly, plastering himself against Ray's side. Luke quickly followed, and Alex tensed up before sinking into the hug with a sniffle.

"Pancakes first," he said, after a long while, looking over their heads at his wife. "And then I want to know how you managed to pull all this off."

Rose shrugged. "I had help," she said, and oh, that was either a very good thing (Victoria) or a very illegal thing (the Petal Pushers), and maybe Ray didn't want to know after all. Oh well, he had spousal immunity, he wouldn't have to testify against his wife.

"And then," he said, looking down at the boys as he let go. Alex fidgeted, and Luke drifted back to Julie, but Reggie stayed close, so he kept an arm wrapped around his shoulder. "I think we need to go to Ikea and gets some bunk beds, or something."

Alex let out a great big sigh of relief. Luke sagged against Julie, while she grinned and hugged him. Carlos gave a little cheer, high-fiving Reggie.

And Rose? Rose just smiled at him, like she'd known all along that he didn't really need pancakes to butter him up. Because Rose knew him, knew how much he loved these boys. And knew that even if he did have misgivings, he'd follow her no matter what anyway.

Together, they'd get through anything.

#julie and the phantoms #RosexRay #fanfic #make reggie a molina 2kalways #and Alex and Luke for good measure as well #Rose sent Victoria to deal with the Pattersons #(she is very convincing and promises she will not let Luke fall into the gutter of life etc)#then called the petal pushers for Reggie and Alex #Hazel and Lily go to cheerfully threaten the Mercers so Alex can pack up his stuff #meanwhile violet is breaking in through Reggie's window to clear out his room #aided and abetted by her girlfriend who is loading up all the stuff she throws down into the Molina Minivan #meanwhile Rose is fussing over all the boys at home #and Ray is SLEEPING LIKE THE DEAD #I wrote a thing

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regicidal-defenestration · 1 year

Text

KaF3Countdown - A Client and A Case

He hadn't expected actual fairies.

Oh, sure, the little ginger man in the big coat - he'd introduced himself as Cain maybe? - had warned him that they'd be dealing with magic. He'd said there was "probably" no danger, with the "don't sue me, I can't afford the legal fees" heavily implied. He'd even - fuck, it was spelt weirdly wasn't it? Kane, then? - given him two small silver coins for protection, which he'd taken to show willing.

But Feels hadn't expected actual, real life, fairies living in an old lady's garden, curdling her milk and scaring the neighbour's cats.

Kane had been called up by her to have it exorcised, although, as he was keen to point out, exorcism would have likely made the fairy problem even worse.

Feels had come along because he'd seen Kane's advert in the paper - wanting a partner in his "paranormal detective agency".

It had sounded interesting, or something that'd make a good story at least, and more than that it paid well, well enough to have gone out with him after for a meal at an actual restaurant.

"Is this, like, your day job?" he asked around mouthfuls of chicken vindaloo.

"God no!" Kane laughed, then at least had the grace to look embarrassed about it.

"Do you know how many people think I'm just conning old ladies out of their life savings?"

"I thought it was a front for selling drugs," Feels admitted.

Stopping with a forkful of korma halfway to his mouth, Kane gave him a baffled look.

"And you still came?"

A shrug.

"Didn't have anything else on today. Anyway-" Feels pointed at himself, then back at Kane. If Feels was built like a solid log, Kane was barely a twig.

"- I reckon I could take you in a fight, magic or not."

Kane paused, barely.

"That's exactly why I want to offer you a job."

That's exactly why he-

What?

Feels couldn't deny he'd enjoyed the day. Or, enjoyed was possibly the wrong word. Worried for his health and/or sanity, maybe. Enjoyed bargaining with the fairies to get them to leave in the same way you enjoy coming face to face with an unexpected bear, but only afterwards when you live to tell everyone about it.

He'd definitely enjoyed the food. Even enjoyed Kane's company when the man wasn't being a prat, which amounted to approximately half the time they'd spent together, rounded up generously.

And instead of saying any of this, Feels asked instead:

"A job?"

"I can't promise it'll be safe," Kane said quickly.

"There's no guarantee we'll even find clients, or that they won't all be dead ends or pranks."

"Job in the loosest sense of the word then?"

It hadn't meant to have come out so sarcastically, and Feels felt bad at Kane's grimace.

"If it doesn't work out, you can forget I ever existed. But I know… I know there are people out there who need, actually need the kind of help we can give."

Kane spread out his hands.

"So, what do you think?"

And Feels realised he didn't need to think about it.

"What's our next case?"

#kaf3countdown #kane and feels #this was a last minute swerve jdfhgk like. i had something else written then was like 'wait exactly fits shaman and the rock and i just put #the word case in there for it to be less of a reach'#so instead you get this!#writing

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spotlightstudios · 2 years

Text

Alright Guys, before I lose confidence in this, here's a quick lil silly start idea for that Outside Upgrades:Space AU I was thinking about! (Also, I rarely post my writing and this feels so weird, so wish me luck lmao-) I didn't include pronouns, so this is a gender neutral reader, plus, Reader isn't strictly human. Hope y'all enjoy!

"ABNORMAL ENTITY BEHAVIOR"

->Word Count: 2,051

->Warnings: Uhhhhh. Deep Sea, Drowning/Suffocation, Attempted Suicide. (Think that's it?)

->DeepSea!Eclipse × Reader

Oh... This really is it....

You stood silently on your ship, heart aching as you stared at the samples and hard-fought research that'd be lost. Once you opened the hatches, everything would be swept out into the wide open Sea of this planet. Including you.

It was just... You had no hopes of getting off the planet. The ship you currently owned only worked in the water, not for space travel, and staying with the vessel would only get you caught. They'd said they were on their way to collect you in three days, and that had been three days ago.

The blinking radar on a panel to the left showed something fast approaching in the atmosphere above your underwater location.

Out of the choices of public execution ten planets away or being killed by the planet you've lived on for ten years? You'd rather the passion project take your life. Ar least then it was on your own terms, and they couldn't get anything else from you.

One last deep breath of air flooded your systems before your diving mask clicked over your face, and you slammed your fist into the switch that would fling open every window hatch on the ship.

The world spun as you were sucked out the hatch just behind you, and you just barely righted yourself in time to see your ship crumple inwards a bit from the intense pressure. Any other belongings that hadn't been bolted to the counters were drifting debris alongside you, small vials shattered and papers already dissolving into un-recoverable paste.

It was dark down here, and the little headlamp connected to your helmet did little to nothing when looking in the empty, endless expanse. You could barely see past your small, but growing, cloud of destruction around your ship.

"Escape Log 02. I've just left the ship behind. I am forty meters west of The Chasm and will continue west from here." You spoke softly as you held the com button on your suit. It wasn't connecting to anyone, not really. It was just relaying to an old recorder you'd dropped to the bottom of the sea months ago. It was still settled neatly at the edge of the chasm, so no one but you would be finding or hearing from it any time soon.

You waited a few breaths before moving away. Small fans on the base of your boots propelled you through the water, further and further from your old life and closer and closer to your demise. "The ship is going to collapse soon. Hopefully that will distract them until I can get to The Cave." You muttered even more quietly to yourself, the com button only making a soft beep in reply.

The darkness was getting bad. It felt like you were soaring through an open, starless, expanse of space. Yet, you knew that wasn't the case when a current would blow you off course or bubbles would trickle upwards from below you. You were still deep underwater.

You'd had to turn off your lights an hour back, and your night vision was only picking up the intense fogs of algae you were slipping between. No predators entered the algae clouds usually, so as long as you felt the uncomfy, slimy feeling on the other side of your suit, you were safe.

If you'd brought supplies or rations, you'd probably stop and rest here. You hadn't.

You kept going, through the algae until you could no longer feel it. It was a relief at first, but as you swam further away from the patch, you felt anxious. It was like someone was watching you.

There was no time to waste trying to prove a statement like that. In all honestly, there could've been a minnow swimming beside you that gave you that feeling. Plus, you didn't want to risk turning yourself around just to look. Keep moving, keep going. Eyes on the prize.

Something was definitely watching you. Your helmet was giving you the same error code as your drones did when they used to enter this area. 'ABNORMAL ENTITY BEHAVIOR' It read in the lower half of your vision, projected alongside all of the other bits of information like your depleting oxygen levels, battery levels, and location relative to the unidentified ship that was now back near your own. That warning was never great to see.

In all your years, the tech never bothered to explain what the entity was. Only that it was moving strangely.

Your technology was mostly created to blend in with the environment in order to catch data on a truly undisturbed environment, so almost all creatures usually ignored you. This one had been around since your first few months of study, and it had only once strayed from its regular detection area. You had only ever caught one glimpse of it, and you didn't know the species, but you knew it was huge.

"Log 012.The entity decided to pay me one last visit. It's gone off the radar now." You said quietly into your com as the information blinked away from its previous location. "Maybe it'll miss seeing me around." You muse a little quieter, before humming and continuing onwards.

You were getting close to The Cave.

The Cave. It was full of glowing markings and signs of ancient life. You hadn't cared much for it, if always felt out of place, but you figured the giant eel that resided there was your best bet for a quick and, mostly, painless end.

You'd decided a long time ago that this would be where you're killed if you were ever found out, and you were sticking to the plan just fine. The entrance wasn't too far away now.

It was right there. The Cave was huge, like the loading bay doors for the Travel Hub up near Pluto. You knew well enough that after it sunk into the ground, it spiraled down hundreds of miles and connected to a few smaller underwater volcanoes. Down there was where the Eel usually spent most of its time.

You propelled up to the edge and grabbed hold of the rocky surface, one particularly sharp rock dug into your palm through the thin glove of your suit. Before you, the large opening seemed still besides the pulsing lights that came from the algae covering the walls further in.

It wouldn't take much. Just a small disturbance to awaken the Eel and have everything go exactly as you planned. None of your research survived, none of your thoughts and memories would be pried from your lips. You were confident this had to be done.

That's why you shoved off from the edge and into the cave. "Log 050. My final log, if I'm right. I usually am. I'm entering The Cave, and it should only be moments before it appears to devour me." You said aloud, your voice loud in the silence.

With your free hand, you scooped downwards and picked up a larger rock, not releasing your com button, even as you continued the motion and chucked the rock forward.

Slowly, but surely, it left your field of view and sank further into the sloping cave. You waited, and waited. Just as your mask flashed with a warning on low oxygen levels, the entire ground shook.

Water pulsed around you, and you let your motors power off as you stared down to the darkness of the pit. The current pulled you deeper in, closer to the dark. You could see the glint of two eyes just barely in view. "This is it. It's seen me." You speak yet again, already feeling the deep breath you take consume more oxygen than you had left.

You released the com button and let your arms float freely to your sides. The Eel just had to eat you, and that'd be that.

It hissed and coiled back, sucking you further into the cave yet again. It's jaws opened wide, and you closed your eyes with a little smirk. For once in your life, your plan had worked.

The Eel lunged, but you weren't met with the burning pain of venom coursing your systems, nor your suit piercing your skin as it splintered and cracked under the pressure of a bite force far beyond comprehension.

No, your eyes snapped open as the water rushed past you and you were thrown harshly against the wall of The Cave. The Eel had lunged straight past you towards something that was beginning to cast a shadow over the entrance.

You gasped painfully as you were dragged along the rock wall, and your limited vision was clouded by warning signs about a leaking oxygen tank alongside the glowing algae that was pulled alongside you from the impact. You could only imagine this was what it looked like for people who took pictures with chalk powder bombs.

This wasn't good. If you didn't get eaten and dissolved by this Eel, then they'd fish your body up to the surface. They'd have your remains, and you wouldn't put it past them to use that against anyone who might've thought something of you once upon a time. They'd use you as an example, with proof to boot.

No.

You clutched at the edge of the cave entrance, barely coming back to your senses in time. It was rough, but you gasped another deep breath and held on tight until the current calmed.

Bubbles rose from the back of your suit and out of a crack in your helmet you hadn't noticed yet, all of them quickly rising. You were too busy staring at the scene before you.

The large Eel was clamped harshly onto the limb of a large creature you'd never seen before. It's face was flat, eyes of a predator focused forward onto the Eel. Pointed fins(?) frilled out from the edges of its face, and spikes of a similar nature trailed its spine. Four large, humanoid arms extended from its torso, and the lower half gave off a soft glow, shaped like an earth-breed jelly-fish. The huge silhouette was too dark to make out its colors.

You watched, almost frozen, as this large creature lifted the arm that the Eel had bitten. The Eel wriggled and bit down a bit harder, but the creature didn't seem at all bothered. It lifted two of its free arms, and the round fingers at the end of each limb gripped the upper and lower jaw of the Eel.

You watched the huge being peel the Eel off of its arm, before it practically tossed it away.

The Eel wasn't happy. It coiled back and hissed angrily, water rippling with the sound. This snapped you out of your thoughts. You took a shallow breath and rocketed off the edge of the cave, aiming straight for where the beast was hovering. It was poised to attack again. You didn't even have to be the target, you just needed to get in the way.

In a split second decision, you decided to power forward using the last of your air redirected to your propellers. It was exactly the speed boost you needed, because the Eel lunged just as you got between it and the creature.

This time, you knew it was it. You were holding your breath for nothing. You succeeded.

Except you hadn't. If you'd had air, you would've screamed at the large fist that moved in the way of the Eel, lodging in its mouth. You would've punched and kicked at the large limbs that you gently landed against as the movement caused currents too strong for you to avoid. You would've spat at the large chest you were pulled closer to, and the large palms that cradled you safely there.

Your body was revolting after just a few moments without oxygen, and hating the feeling, you clawed at your mask. It wasn't releasing, some kind of mechanism must've been broken. The water pooling around your chin was probably a sign of that.

You did manage something though. Nothing to further your plans or speed up your demise, nothing like that. You opened the Radar again. Now, through dancing vision and black creeping in from the edges, you could read the bold red words.

"ABNORMAL ENTITY BEHAVIOR"

#fnaf eclipse × reader #wip #Outside Upgrades:AEB #Outside Upgrades:Space #mermay #technically not but y'know?#alien au #feel free to share this or whatever #but I'm not tagging it much cuz I'm being a worry-wart lol #Also my writing's a lot more consistent in Constant Orbit so I usually feel better with that one going public lol #hope this wasn't too wild #only took a few hours on it max #also if it isn't condensing then sorry to the peeps who gotta stare at it #on mobile and idk how to do that qwq

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mythandlaur · 2 years

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Prompt number: 1 - "I chose you" Fandom: Warframe Rating: Teen Warnings/Tags: Discussion of brainwashing/brain upload Characters: Kepler (OC), Cephalon Ordis / Ordan Karris, other OCs mentioned (belonging to @apprenticenerd & @buraidragon) WC: 1,307 Additional Notes: Requires some knowledge of the cephalon fragments, set between Apostasy Prologue and TNW. Dear god I'm actually going to try and do this.

prompts here

"...How long have you known?"

It's...odd, hearing that voice coming from the orbiter speakers. It's not exactly the same as it had been in the recordings--it was still covered in layers of artificial filters, making it buzz a bit around the edges like a bad comm signal. But he isn't faking his usual voice anymore.

That's all 'Ordis' was, really. Fake. She's sure of it.

"Couple months," Kepler mumbles from her pile of blankets on the floor of her personal quarters. Her kavat sits on her feet, its head swiveling back and forth as if keeping watch over her. It's appreciated, if not necessary. "Jhia found one of the...log things. I realized I had more. We asked Glace and they told us the rest."

"I see," Ordis--Ordan--says. It's impossible to tell how he feels about it from his voice alone. "It...makes sense. Tell them I am not upset. You deserve to know."

Kepler buries her face deeper into her blankets, hoping he can't see her grimace from his angle. Ordis had told her once there was only one camera in the personal quarters, right above the door, just so he could know where she was if he needed.

Maybe she shouldn't have said anything. Ordis had been glitching badly, leading up to a slight shift in his tone he'd tried to downplay as nothing, just requiring a system reset. Kepler had blurted it out before she could think, I know what happened. I know who you are. The knowledge had been digging at her since Glace had told her about it. Though the initial anger and frustration she'd felt had faded, there was still something left, heavy and sick at the pit of her stomach.

Maybe that's why she couldn't leave the matter alone.

"...I remember now. Glace spoke of my past with me." A quiet, rumbling laugh from the deep stranger's voice. "More than spoke, in fact. Did you know New Loka found a fossil with a very...specific skeletal feature on Earth? They tried to display it. Glace stole it from them. Buried it on the Plains of Eidolon."

It's strange how she can still notice Ordis' usual tone in the voice somewhere. The way it rambles on, the ups and downs of the pitch. It's not inconceivable that it's the same voice, and that just makes her feel worse.

He lets out a sound like a sigh, a rush of static. "It is...shameful that I have hidden this from you, but it was for your own safety. I am a broken, mangled thing, and to dream of being someone better, someone worthy of redemption...it seems much kinder for all of us. But I know you must have questions."

"Just one."

Kepler's throat feels dry. She's never been one to not say exactly what she means at all times, even to her own detriment, but this question, this thing that's nearly crushed her under its weight, growing bigger and bigger the more she thinks about it...it feels impossible to get the words out.

So she does it like she does everything else, quick and blunt and loud.

"Do you hate us."

The long pause that follows threatens to make Kepler crumble. She faces that feeling defiantly, sitting up in her blanket nest and glaring at where she thinks the camera is, face stern.

But he still doesn't answer. Her mask threatens to wither away. She knew it. She knew it. Glace had said otherwise, and Jhia had shown some doubt, but she'd told them, the L--Natah--she had shown she hated them, hadn't she, why wouldn't he despise them when he had so much more reason to--

"Of course not."

Somehow, the softly-spoken answer just makes Kepler's face twist as anger burns up her throat.

"No!" She hits the ground with balled fists, startling the kavat. "I don't want you to tell me what they told you to say! I--I want you to tell me the truth!"

(Why is her voice cracking? Why is there a lump in her throat? Her heart threatens to pound out of her chest, and tendrils of green Void smoke curl from her fingers).

He doesn't respond immediately. The silence is suffocating. Kepler has to fill it. "You--you've been forced to babysit us Void freaks for how long because you got fucking brainwashed into caring about us and you don't want to say it but I can take it just say it! Just tell me how much you--"

"Operator."

It's firm, cutting off Kepler mid-rant and demanding silence without sounding angry. It suddenly doesn't seem so strange to think he'd been a leader of his people at one point.

"I am not the Lotus. There is no way for us to know why she left. But Ordis, at least, will not abandon you."

Kepler suddenly feels very small. "But what about you?"

She bears the silence this time. When he speaks, his voice is softer than she could've imagined it being, even as Ordis.

"...It is true that, in the beginning, my love for you was manufactured, a law of code and light binding my very soul. But even as these chains fall away, I still see you are not Orokin. You are not the ones who did this to me. You are their victims as much as the Beast was. When Lua fell, I felt only joy, even if it would have been scandal to speak of it. When you were gone, and I found the pieces of that mirror, and I saw this monstrous ghost staring back at me...I chose to cast it off for your sake. I chose this life. I chose to be Ordis. I chose you."

The smoke that had been filling the air around Kepler dissipates, cutting a thread of tension, snuffing the fuse of the powder keg in her chest. All the fight goes out of her at once.

"Even if Ordis is merely a dream," he continues, "I know that his care for you three is true to my own. You did not deserve any of this."

Kepler lies back down in her blanket pile. She hides her face for a different reason this time.

"Neither did you."

"...It was for the best." She notices he doesn't actually acknowledge what she'd said. "Just as it's for the best that I hide again, pretend again. Even if you know the truth, I..." His voice turns strained. "I cannot trust myself to fulfill my duties adequately like this, and it would be cruel to expect you to trust me."

Kepler doesn't respond. Maybe she should say she trusts him, but...she isn't sure she does, really. She trusts that he's telling the truth, but in the end, Ordan is a stranger.

It takes some weight off her shoulders to know not every guardian figure she has secretly hates her, though.

"...Go ahead." She knows his audio sensors are sharp enough for him to hear her even when she's mumbling into her blankets. "And...thanks."

He doesn't say anything else, and Kepler assumes he's gone. She's seen him do this before even if she hadn't known what it actually was for; a maintenance cycle to restore an uncorrupted backup taking a couple of hours. The next morning, he'll be confused, and she'll tell him what missions she'd done yesterday so he can log them again, and they'll both act like nothing happened.

She's shut her eyes, resigning herself to stewing in her own thoughts, when he speaks again, the volume on the speaker much lower.

"I...am proud. Of you three. Tell Jhia that, too."

Kepler opens her eyes, only to see him dimming the lights in her personal quarters. She wipes her nose with the back of her hand. It's a stupid reaction. She's stupid.

But still.

"I will."

#warframe #fictober22 #cephalon ordis #ordan karris #my writing #c:kepler #others may be really short in comparison i just went off #really wanted to do something platonic with this prompt to counter how it'd probably usually be read #v:teeth eyes and burning hair #may change that one later

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