#and we laughed and you said i should draw a mustache on our other friend instead
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sometimes the slightest of things set off the most sickeningly nostalgic feelings in me
#feeling dry hands or a raised bump on my skin#how you told me that song you liked and I listened to it on loop until my tablet died#hearing about and watching zelda and pikmin get popular#roleplay or sitting in a colorful room in a weird position just reading things off on my chromebook#even if we may never see each other again#the smell of the library and all its books with elaborate covers#knowing by muscle memory where I'd go. and where you'd go. and where we'd sit across the table from one another#the library where we whispered in line when we werent supposed to be talking#the library where we'd go to learn Spanish#and you sat next to me and told me your favorite word was suéter and I told you mine was rapida#remembering the computer lab where we'd play on your brother's scratch account until the class ended#how we'd laugh at each other's handwriting#how you would talk me through it when I'd break down because of the bullying and say i wanted to disappear even though we were so young#saying I didn't understand and I didn't feel like there was a reason i should be alive and you told me I'd find it eventually#how we'd race across the playground to get in line when recess ended#how you told me that song you liked and i listened to it on my tablet til it died#how you broke your arm and i brought a sharpie to school the next day only to find you were in a sling not a cast#and we laughed and you said i should draw a mustache on our other friend instead#you trying to expose her diabolical plan to kiss the wall and we laughed at the lunch table til our stomachs hurt#you stood next to me in line so that he would quit hitting me#I've had many dreams about you#waking up very disappointed#i hope you're doing as well as you were in those dreams#even if you don't remember me#not a day goes by where i don't think of you#and not a second goes by where i don't miss you
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DREAMS
I want to smile at you over morning coffee when our hair is a mess and my makeup from the night before is stubbornly smeared on us both
I want to go to the beach together and help you chase your sunhat when the wind inevitably blows it off of your head
I want to drink cheap liquor with you and dance like I know what I'm doing (I don't)
I want to go home early from the party with you so we can take off our pants and eat ice cream on the couch and watch TV
I want to adopt all of the adorable cats and spoil them rotten with you
I want to smell all the books at an old library with you
I want to have dinner parties with fancy napkins and gourmet meals where we welcome our friends to be weird and wild and wear fake mustaches
I want to go on vacation to a really obscure place we thought would be cool but isn't
I want to brush your hair behind your ear and sigh because you're just so beautiful
I want to read your birth chart and see the positions of all the stars and planets when you were born so I know what a perfect sky looks like
I want to start kissing you at 11:59 on December 31st and at 12:01 tell you I can't believe we've been kissing for a whole year
I want to tell you all the (legally-allowed) gossip from work & listen to yours
I want to hear the way your breathing sounds when you're in a deep, peaceful sleep
I want to do a card reading for you that has us concocting wild conspiracies all night
I want to hold you when you cry over something that seems trivial to everyone else but that I know is everything to you
I want to say something incredibly embarrassing and listen to you laugh at me
I want to hold your hand in front of those weird Pride protesters while we blare fog horns over their bullshit rants
I want to glance back at you and wink while we navigate a busy sidewalk
I want to make you frustrated so that cute little wrinkle between your eyebrows appears and I can kiss it
I want to draw a protection sigil on your wrist while we're crammed in front of my altar to celebrate the moon in Scorpio
I want to tease you about how you accidentally said I was your mommy the first time you met my kid
I want to pick out weird outfits for each other at the thrift shop and invent personalities for the people who wore those clothes before us
I want to drive in the wrong direction so I get to spend more time with you in the car
I want to tell you about that wild dream I had once where my boss boiled a goldfish to death in the espresso machine
I want to ask you weird questions when you least expect me to (and you should too)
I want to look at the night sky with you and think about how incredible it is that, in all of that time and space, I found you
I want to take you to a restaurant and tell the server it's your birthday (it's not) so we can get that chocolate cake you like for free
I want to go to your book signing event and pretend to just be a really invested fan
I want to learn about your family's weird traditions and teach you some of mine
I want to know what you'd order at that coffee shop downtown that we talked about going to but never did
I want to proudly show you off to everyone I ever meet just because I'm so proud to be in your proximity
I want to learn about your interests so we can have passionate discussions about the things you like
I want to sing to you in my worst, most crackly voice while you roll your eyes
I want to make you orgasm so hard that you see constellations you've never heard of dance behind your eyelids
I want to get high with you and lay in the grass while we try to count the fireflies
I want to hug you in the waiting room and tell you it's going to be ok even if we don't know what's wrong but I know we can face it together and that means it'll be ok
I want to send you all the weirdest memes
I want to wear matching outfits somewhere and if people comment on it just look at them like they're seeing things
I want to keep adding songs to the playlist I made for you because I just can't get you off of my mind when I hear them
I want to text you while you're sitting on the couch next to me
I want to change the words in every love song to make it gay and also about us
I want to lose track of time and rush to get to the next place with you
I want to take you out to this spot I heard about and leave when we both decide it's not worth staying
I want to write beautiful, prose-filled vows that bring everyone to tears for the wedding, and dick jokes for the reception
I want to know all the things that make you smile so I can make you smile all the time
I want to understand you in a way that I don't really need to ask you to know what's on your mind
I want to cheer and clap and generally embarrass you a little (in the best way) whenever you do something big
I want you to feel loved every minute we get to spend together on this godforsaken planet that would rather see us miserable than happy
I want you to know how much your love has made me believe life is worth living
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You Belong With Me Prologue Blurb: This is when Sophie and Amy first go to live with Grady and Edaline. It kinda sets up the rest of the story. Just trust me. I finally just sat down and wrote it after thinking about it for ages, and I'm proud of myself. Fair warning: In this AU, Jolie is alive, they're all humans, Jolie will be staying alive, she Brant and Vertinia are in a V relationship where she dates both of them and Brant and Vertinia are just friends, and Keefe is adopted by Grady and Edaline. If you want to be tagged in any of my other writing, lmk <3
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Grady and Edaline were standing hand in hand, their smiles warm and genuine.
Sophie and Amy sat on the couch nervously.
Two other kids sat on the stairs: The first was a blond boy with ice blue eyes and a smirk that screamed mischief. He looked about Sophie and Amy’s ages, wearing a tee-shirt and shorts. His arms were covered in elaborate drawings, and he had three sharpie markers sticking out of his left pocket. Then there was the girl. Tall and elegant looking with Edaline’s hair and Grady’s bone structure. She looked so much older than them, and she was also smiling gently, as if trying not to scare Amy and Sophie away.
They all just sat staring at each other until Grady spoke up. “So maybe we should all introduce ourselves.”
Edaline nodded. “I’ll go first. I’m Edaline, and my husband Grady and I run a zoology preserve. Sometimes we even bring them home to take care of so if you like animals, you’re in for a treat. Jolie is our daughter biologically, and we adopted Keefe a few years ago because his parents had some… issues.”
“They couldn’t handle me,” Keefe said. “They both get to visit me when they feel like it, so it works better this way. Anyways, I’m an artist!” He pulled the sharpies out of his pocket. “I can draw mustaches on your fingers!”
“Can I get a finger mustache?” Amy asked shyly.
“Of course!” Keefe practically ran over. He had her stick out her finger, and then started drawing diligently, tongue sticking out of his mouth. “There,” he said once he finished. “Now it matches mine!”
Both Keefe and Amy put their index fingers to their upper lips, laughing at each other.
“So, what’s your name?” Jolie asked her.
“I’m Amy,” Amy introduced. Then she gestured to Sophie. “And that’s Sophie.”
Sophie waved shyly.
“Well, it’s nice to meet you two,” Jolie said, crouching down to be at Sophie’s eye level. “I’m Jolie. I’m 17. How old are you guys?”
Sophie stayed quiet.
Amy chirped, “Sophie’s eight and I’m nine!”
“I’m nine too!” Keefe exclaimed. “When’s your birthday?”
“December 14th!”
“Mine’s December 16th!”
“AWESOME!” They shouted in unison, high-fiving and giggling.
“Oh great,” Sophie muttered deadpan. “There’s two of them.”
“So you can talk,” Jolie said with a laugh.
“It’s a miracle.”
“So much sass for such a small person. I think my girlfriend Vertinia would like you. And my boyfriend Brant.”
“You have a boyfriend and a girlfriend? Like, at the same time?” Amy asked, star-struck.
“It’s so awesome!” Keefe said. “And I get to do double the menacing brother talks.”
Jolie laughed and ruffled his hair. “Yes, they’re incredibly terrified of you.”
Keefe puffed out his chest. “They should be.”
Jolie snorted again and stood up to her full height.
Keefe jumped up at her, and she picked him up. “Is it muffin time yet?!”
“Yes,” she told him before turning to Amy and Sophie. “Mom and I made muffins to welcome you into the family.”
“And dad and I tried to eat them all to welcome you into the family!” Keefe said, hopping down from Jolie's arms. “But they wouldn’t let us have any. So let’s go!”
Amy and Keefe screamed “MUFFINS!!” like a war cry and took off running.
Sophie looked over at Grady, Edaline, and Jolie, her honey brown eyes meeting their blue and turquoise ones. “It’s gonna be a long day.”
#sophitz au#sophitz fic#fitzphie au#fitzphie fic#The 10 Things Autumn Edited and the One that Stuck (for now)#fitzphie#sophitz#sophitz positivity#fitzphie positivity#kotlc#kotlc edaline#kotlc grady#kotlc keefe#kotlc amy#kotlc jolie
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Sex Tape
Pairings: Johnny Depp x Reader
Request: “ If you take requests, would you consider doing johnny reaction to like theirs sex tape getting leaked? Reader may also be a celebrity or not. Whatever you prefer “ - @fanficshitandother
Warnings: Mentions of sex but no actual smut
Word Count: 1800
A/N: Sorry this one is so short. I was having a harder time writing it than I thought I would. I hope you enjoy!
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Shit.
You knew this was a bad idea when he suggested it but no. He just had to have this video “for when he was away filming.” It always ended like this, though, right? It always started out as fun and games until bam! Celebrity sex tape leaked!
The gossip talk show video that your best friend had sent you was still playing on your phone and you watched in silent horror as the red haired woman talked about your sex life to her male counterpart as if she had any actual right to have an opinion. In the top corner was a picture of you and Johnny at the red carpet for the premier of the Crimes of Grindelwald, his arm around your waist and both of you smiling for the paparazzi pictures. “Okay, guys. You are going to want to hear this,” She started, clasping her absurdly long acrylic-clad fingers together and holding onto her knees, “So there has been yet another sex tape leaked and I want you to guess who’s it is.” She looked over to her co-host. He had a push broom mustache that was bleached blonde to match his hair.
The man hummed before waving his hand, which also donned long yellow acrylics, “I swear, Laurel, if this is another Kardashian or Paris Hilton tape, I’m gonna scream. That’s such old news.”
“Actually, it’s someone that I certainly didn’t expect. Johnny Depp and his wife, Y/N L/N.” She dropped the news and the co-star’s mouth dropped.
“Are you serious? Like Jack Sparrow, Sweeney Todd, Willy Wonka, Johnny Depp?” He asked in total shock, “I didn’t expect that either! But you know what? I feel like he’d be really good in bed.”
He and Laurel both laughed, “You’re so bad!” She squealed, hitting him with the paper notes in her hand, “But, between you and me,” She leaned in, as if she was telling an actual secret that wasn’t being broadcast on the internet, “I did see it.”
“And?”
“It was pretty hot, I can’t lie. That Y/N is a very lucky girl indeed.” The pair giggled like a pair of school girls.
You were absolutely mortified. How did this happen? How many people had seen it? Who had seen it? Oh God… all you could imagine was your family stumbling across the video or, debatably worse, Johnny’s kids. This had to be one of the worst moments of your life.
You turned off the video and quickly dialed your husband. “Hello, love.” He greeted cheerily on the other end. The faint sound of cars passing in the background told you he was probably driving home from the meeting he had been at.
“Did you see it? Did you hear it?” You asked frantically.
“What?” He asked, confused.
“The video! The video got leaked!” You ran your fingers through your hair messily, sliding down the wall to sit on the floor.
“What video?” He questioned, not sounding like he fully understood what had happened, but then you could almost feel the weight of realization falling on him, “Wait, our video?”
“Yes! Our video!” You were yelling at this point, not at him but at the situation and thankfully he understood that.
“Okay, okay. We’ll- Hang on my manager is calling. Probably to tell me about it. I’ll be home in five minutes. I love you.” He signed off your call quickly before hanging up without giving you the chance to respond.
While you waited for him to get there, you spiraled down the rabbit hole that was the tabloids and social media. Your phone buzzed off the charts as everyone from your sister to Helena Bonham Carter called you to ask if you were okay. Of course, you weren’t. But it was one phone call from a former college roommate, Sheila, had really gotten your blood boiling.
“It’s okay! If anything, this is just going to make you more famous! Look at all the other celebs who’ve had their sex tapes leaked. They’re like, super famous.” Sheila sounded more excited than she should have, which certainly made you question her motives behind calling you in the first place. Since marrying Johnny, you’d had the unfortunate displeasure of having to cut a few people off from your past who had randomly called you up after years of little to no contact, asking more favors in the movie industry, money, or even just for the clout of saying they knew you. There really was such a downside to this whole marrying famous person thing that nobody ever really talked about - not that you would take it back, though, of course. You loved Johnny more than anything.
Still, when the words left her mouth, you felt a flash of anger swell up, “Contrary to what a lot of people might believe, being famous actually kind of sucks,” You spat angrily, “And call me crazy, but I don’t exactly feel thrilled at knowing the whole world as access to a video of my naked ass!”
“At least it’s a good naked ass, though! Your boobs are looking pretty good too. Did you get them done?” She asked bluntly, still not a care to be heard in her voice. You swore you could almost detect a fake valley girl accent too.
Your mouth dropped open in disbelief at the words coming from her voice, “I can’t believe you.” Without giving her a chance to respond, you clicked the off button before flipping her off through the screen, though you knew she couldn’t see it. The audacity of some people.
The front door swung open, drawing your attention as Johnny hurried into the house, setting his bag down by the front door. “How bad is it?” You asked, knowing his manager must have told him the full extent.
“Do you want the truth?” Johnny saw as panic and humiliation swept across your face, knowing that perhaps that wasn’t the best way to break it to you that it was pretty bad. He stepped forward and wrapped you in his arms, “I told Harrison to take ‘em down. Whenever he found one, he said he’d get it deleted.
You sighed defeatedly, “That doesn’t stop the fact that a bunch of people already saw it.” Your arms wrapped around Johnny’s torso and you allowed your head to fall against his chest, trying to calm yourself with his scent- exotic spicy cologne and old books.
His large hand came to stroke through your hair, “That is true,” He conceded with a heavy breath, “But, it also means that fewer and fewer people will continue to see it.” There was a pause in which neither of you said anything, only took a few minutes to hold onto each other while you thought about the future now, “Y’know, I can’t help but feel like this is partly my fault. I shouldn’t have asked to make the video. I’m sorry, Y/N.”
You shook your head in disagreement, “I agreed to do it too. It’s on both of us. In retrospect, we should have put it on an actual VHS tape or something that would be more difficult to get into the tabloid’s hands.”
You were tired of this - of this constant running from the vultures that prayed off your every misstep just to turn them against you and create headlining stories. You felt like you couldn’t even breathe without a scandal unless the media allowed it. You were just grateful that you happened to marry one of the most private actors in Hollywood, knowing that whatever pressure you felt, more public figures like Angelina Jolie had it much worse. Still, something inside you stirred, a decision that you’d stop living in fear.
Johnny pulled back and gave you that infamous cocked eyebrow look of wonder, one that you’d mostly seen him use as Jack Sparrow. Little did everyone know, it was a gesture he’d picked up on doing in real life as well. “Do we even have a VHS player anymore?”
You chuckled and buried your head back into his white shirt, “I don’t even know. I feel like there must be one laying around somewhere. And if not, I’ll go down to a pawn shop and pick one up just for you to use while filming.”
“What do you mean?”
“I mean,” You leaned back, pulling on his shirt to bring him down closer to your level, “That if we’re going to be making you another one of these videos, it’s gonna be on something that stays only between us.”
Your husband nearly choked on air, “Another one? After what just happened?”
“Only if you want to and only if it stays on something physical like a CD or VHS that we can mutually agree to burn and destroy if anything happens.” You giggled and Johnny joined in with a low chuckle as well, “But… the video was leaked. We knew that was a risk when we made it. But, y’know what? I’m tired of living in fear of the paparazzi and public. They’ve already seen us fuck. There’s not much else we’ve got to lose.”
His dark eyes flashed with mischief before he took off in a light jog down the hall without a word. You followed him, “Where are you going?” You giggled, turning the corner to find him digging through your little Harry Potter closet under the stairs.
When he stood up, he shook his long hair out of his eyes messily and held up an old tape recorder that had to be at least twenty years old. Johnny swayed towards you, jokingly flirtatious as he spoke, “Well, Mrs. Depp, it would seem that you’re in luck because your husband likes to hoard old shit.”
The grey and black machine seemed to stare at you and some hesitation set in again but then you remembered what you’d said: I’m tired of living in fear… there’s not much else we’ve got to lose.
Johnny flicked open the side compartment and his eyes opened in surprise to find a tape still in there. He lifted it from the slide and looked it over, shocked to see that it appeared to be an unused blank tape, “Well, well, looks like we’re in luck.”
Biting your lip, you looked up at him with those eyes before grabbing his hand and running upstairs to your bedroom, dragging him along. “The world thinks they’ve seen us fuck. They only got a preview.”
“Only a preview? I thought we went pretty hard last time?” He countered with a low challenging laugh.
You turned around at the top of the stairs, one hand on the banister as you turned to face him. His body collided with yours, his hand reaching around the small of your back to steady the two of you and you arched your body into his, being sure to brush your body against his groin, “Oh, Johnny… we’re both throwing our backs out tonight.”
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Of handsome strangers, coffee cups and gay panic (Intrulogical oneshot)
Fandom: Sanders Sides
Pairing(s): Intrulogical (Logan x Remus)
Word count: 1167
Summary: Logan meets Remus in a coffee shop.
Warnings: One tiny graphic description towards the end because Remus!
Genre(s): Fluff, Light Angst
It was a cloudy Tuesday midday and Logan was sitting in his favorite coffee shop doing his assignments for university. Logan could easily focus on his work.
Nothing could distract him. Which is why he was deeply confused when he found himself getting distracted because of a handsome stranger who entered the coffee shop.
He had dark brown hair with a streak of it dyed silver and a mustache. His eyes were a blueish grey. He was wearing a green crop top, black ripped jeans and platform shoes.
The mysterious man confidently made his way to the counter and said: "Black coffee please.".
He couldn't take his eyes off of the man. There was something about him that was just so attractive to Logan. He wasn't even his type. He looked into Logan's direction and Logan felt his breath hitch.
"May I also get an iced black coffee for the cute guy over there?", he said, loud enough for Logan to hear.
He almost choked on air when he heard that. His cheeks were as warm as freshly brewed coffee and Logan knew that they were burning up like that because he was blushing.
The handsome stranger who had just bought him an iced coffee walked over to his table with the black coffee in one hand and the iced coffee in the other.
"I noticed your coffee cup was empty.", he said as he put down the coffee cups on the table and sat down in the chair across to his. "Thank you.", Logan said.
He took the iced coffee and took a sip.
"What's your name?", the guy asked.
"Logan. And yours?", Logan replied.
"Remus.", he responded.
Logan couldn't stop his heart from racing. Guys usually didn't show any interest in him. His friend Virgil had once told him that it probably was because he gave off "straight vibes". Remus' very obvious flirting was something Logan didn't know how to handle. He was so flustered, he could barely talk.
"What're you writing?", Remus asked.
"Huh? Oh. Um... It's for university.", he answered.
"I heard university work is very stressful. You should take a break. What do ya say? Wanna go somewhere else?", Remus suggested.
Logan hesitated. He had to get this done until Thursday and he wasn't one to procrastinate on finishing projects. But every part of him was screaming to go with Remus. And without even noticing Logan began packing up his things.
"I'm taking that as a yes. Awesome!", Remus exclaimed. He got up with his black coffee in his hand and made his way to the door. Logan threw away his empty coffee cup and took his new coffee in one hand and his laptop in the other before following Remus.
"Where are we going?", Logan asked after a few minutes of walking.
"How about... That empty playground over there?", Remus proposed, "All the kids are at school or in kindergarten right now, so we're gonna have some piece and quiet for a while.".
"Sounds good to me.", Logan replied.
They headed for the playground and sat down on the roundabout.
"I haven't sat in one of these in years.", he admitted.
"Really? I go here all the time. My brother used to come with me but nowadays he doesn't talk to me much anymore.", Remus responded.
"I'm sorry to hear that.", Logan said.
"It's fine. I guess I'm just too weird. Even for my own twin.", Remus assured him.
Logan frowned upon hearing that.
"I don't think you're weird.", he told him.
Remus' lips curled upwards into a half-smile.
"Thanks. But enough about me. Tell me about yourself!", he said.
"Well... I like reading, I am very interested in science and I want to become a teacher.", Logan answered, "What about you?".
"I love drawing, painting, writing... Really anything creative. Though my works are usually perceived as creepy or disturbing by people. And I play guitar.", Remus spoke.
"May I see one of your works some day?", Logan asked.
Remus looked a little taken aback by that question.
"Uh... Sure. If you think you can handle it.", he replied.
"I'm certain I can handle it.", Logan said.
Remus looked like he was lost in thought for a second before exclaiming: "I think I brought my sketchbook with me! Do you wanna see something right now?". "Sure!", Logan responded.
Remus rummaged through his backpack and pulled out a sketchbook. "Now what can I show you...", he mumbled while looking through his sketchbook, "How about... this!". He showed the drawing to Logan.
Logan looked at it. It showed a person with a hole in their chest. They were holding their heart in their hands.
"This is incredible! The heart is so detailed!", Logan exclaimed in amazement.
Remus looked at him with a shy smile and muttered: "Thank you.".
"Seriously, this is amazing!", Logan continued praising Remus' work.
He turned to look at the - now blushing - artist only to notice how close their faces were. He gulped. He glanced at the other man's lips, back at his eyes and at his lips again.
"I..", Logan spoke.
"Forgot what you were going to say? Like my lips? Want to kiss me? What is it?", Remus took a few guesses about what Logan wanted to say.
"All of the above.", he replied. "You have my permission to go for it.", Remus said.
So Logan moved in for a kiss. Their lips met and Remus put his arms around him, softly kissing him back. Remus' mustache was poking him a little but he didn't mind. In fact, he had a hard time forming any coherent thoughts.
Eventually, Remus gave him one final peck on the lips before he pulled away.
"Our coffee is probably cold now.", he pointed out.
Logan laughed and said: "I totally forgot about the coffee.".
He picked up his cup and drank the rest of the now cold coffee. Remus did the same with his cup.
"You said you come here often? Mind if I join you tomorrow too?", Logan asked.
"Not at all. It's a date.", Remus answered.
"I would like it to be a date.", Logan said sheepishly.
"Great! Give me your phone.", Remus demanded.
Logan obeyed and Remus saved his phone number in Logan's contacts and sent himself a message.
"Now we have each other's phone numbers!", he said and gave Logan his phone back.
"We should probably get going soon because the kids will fill up this place soon.", he added.
He put his sketchbook back into his backpack and threw their empty coffee cups into the nearest trash bin.
"You're right. Plus I need to get to work on my assignment again.", Logan said and picked up his stuff.
"Good luck with that. I'll talk to you later?", Remus replied, making his way to the exit of the playground with him.
"Definitely.", Logan said in response.
Remus chuckled. Then they said their goodbyes and went their seperate ways. Only until their date on the next day of course.
#sanders sides#ts remus#remus sanders#ts logan#logan sanders#remus x logan#logan x remus#intrulogical#ts intrulogical#sanders sides fanfic#sanders sides fanfiction#intrulogical fanfic#intrulogical fanfiction
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I noticed that a lot of them were either visual artists or theater kids, and I flight, hey, Roman’s Creativity, right?
Today was the same as any other, just the three of them chilling in the dorm together at way too late an hour, but this time Roman was almost buzzing with excitement. “I have an idea, for like a show or whatever.” He blurted out.
Dee grinned. “Oh yeah? Shoot.” Roman smiled back. “Okay, so it might sound a little weird, but hear me out. It’s this guy, and he has problems, so different aspects of his personality come to life to help him sort things out.” He looked a little nervous, but still excited. “What do ya think?”
Remus started drawing at his tablet really fast. “Sounds great, bro. What’re the guys like?” Roman blushed a little. “Uhh, I kinda… based them off of our friend group? But like, in reverse, if that makes any sense. Patton is a cheerful dad guy, Virgil is still an emo gremlin except with no sense of style, Logan is a teacher-type dude who acts like a robot, Dee is suave and sophisticated…”
“Hey!” Dee objected, jokingly. Roman went on. “Remus and me are still twins, but I’m like a Disney prince and he’s a stinky garbage man.” Remus laughed. “Nice.” Dee peered over Remus’s shoulder. “Oh dude, you gave me a snake face, that’s fuckin awesome.”
Roman shuffled over. “Wait, lemme see!” Remus had drawn what Roman had described, but with some artistic liberties. “Oh my god, your mustache,” Roman wheezed.
The three of them sat there for a while, laughing at the character designs, until Dee spoke up. “Y’know, there’s something to this. Let’s call the Gremlin Gang.”
“Hey, guys, we all love you, but why the fuck did you make us come to Waffle House at 2 am?!” Virgil asked. “Yeah, I’m tired,” Logan whined. “You’re always tired,” Virgil countered. “Yeah, that’s fair.” Logan rested his head on Virgil’s shoulder. “You guys are adorable together. It’s gross.” Patton joked.
Roman explained the idea to the gremlins, and they seemed to like it, with a few complaints. “Deceit’s way too refined to go by Dee. How bout Janus?” Logan asked. Dee sighed. “Sure, it’s not like I’m using it.”
They talked for a while about possible storylines and characterization, until Roman brought up the obvious point. “The guy still needs a name.” They all thought for a second. “Thomas?” Virgil suggested. “Wasn’t that the name of that monster thing you used to dream about?” Dee asked. Virgil rolled their eyes. “Yeah, but that was forever ago.”
“What about a last name?” Remus asked. Patton chimed in, “Sanderson?” Logan laughed. “Like the fucking Hocus Pocus witches? No way, Pajamas.” Roman grinned. “Sanders. Thomas Sanders.” They all sat back and admired their idea for a second, before Logan spoke up. “Alright, I actually am tired, and I have class tomorrow, so we should pack this up for now.”
So they all went back to their own dorm rooms, and didn’t talk about the idea for a while. Until about a week later, when Virgil and Logan called a meeting at their dorm. “Okay so I had a project where I had to animate a short thing to music, and I got Logan to make the song, so whattya guys think?”
Virgil played them the scene, and they saw… their characters, in an opening theme song sequence, to a sort of jaunty tune with a bunch of whistling. It showed their faces with names under them, and then they combined together to make the guy they made up, who was labeled Thomas. Then a zoom out to a title card, which read Sanders Sides.
“Sanders Sides?” Patton asked. “Yeah, ‘cause his name is Thomas Sanders, and they’re all sides of his personality, so…” Roman looked ecstatic. “So, we’re really gonna make this?” They all looked confused.
“Ohh, I thought we already agreed on that. I kinda started writing up a draft for the pilot,” Patton said, sheepishly. “Yeah,” Logan chimed in. “I started writing themes for all the sides” Remus sighed. “Yeah, I made ref sheets.” Everyone turned to look at Dee. “Hey, I don’t look at me. I thought we were waiting.” Roman looked away.
Logan put his hand on his friend’s shoulder. “Hey, Ro, we didn’t mean to do this without you, we just lived your idea and wanted to help it come true. We’re sorry we upset you.” Roman was quiet for a bit. “You guys…You didn’t upset me! I can’t believe you would all put so much time into my dumb project is all. It’s really sweet.” They all hugged each other.
“I do want to know what you think about this song I wrote for the thing…” He shook his head and smiled. “This song I wrote for Sanders Sides.”
It took about a month of nonstop working, but they finally got a pilot done. A short, eleven minute one, but it was fully animated, which took forever. It had a great underscore by Logan, and Roman and Dee wrote a great song, but everyone expected that from the theater kids.
The real surprise was Patton, who was great at writing. They all chipped in for jokes, and Dee did most of the philosophical end parts, but Patton wrote a majority of the dialogue, and it was fantastic. They all made a YouTube channel, called it Thomas Sanders, and the premise was that it was a sort of animated vlogging channel run by Thomas.
They hit upload, and let it be for a while, and then a couple hours later, Roman got a call from Logan. “Dude, Sanders Sides is #1 on the trending page!” Roman almost fell out of his chair. He went on YouTube to check it out, and sure enough, the video had blown up. “Thomas Sanders” had gained thousands of subscribers, and the comments were so positive.
“This is genius, why hasn’t anyone done this before?”
“Asifyfdtsryysrkh, the animation is so good!”
“Okay, but who else ships Logan and Virgil?”
You have no idea, Roman thought to himself. He got a text from Virgil, and this time he actually fell out of his chair. Ow. The text was a screenshot of the tumblr trending page, where Sanders Sides was also #1, and it was full of fanart, incorrect quotes, and headcanons. The screenshot was followed up by a text that just said “holy shit.”
The next day, Virgil was approached by three people from animation class. “We saw Sanders Sides, and thought, “No way, we know that guy! Do you need any extra animators?” Virgil was a little nervous, but responded. “Well, it was just me and my friend doing the art, but…” They looked shocked. “You mean two people did all that? Wow, you must be tired. You need more animators if you want to make more without being burnt out.”
So that was how the show got a higher production value, and they got their next episode out much faster. The team started calling themselves Campfire Productions. The series got bigger and bigger plot wise, and the fans, who had started calling themselves Fanders, after the channel name, were dying to meet the creators. So they set up a Q&A livestream.
They introduced themselves, and Roman explained how the series got started. The first question came in: “Dee, how’d you get your face like that?” Dee laughed, and said “it’s a mystery.” Then the next question: “Virgil, who’s the most fun to draw?” Virgil thought about it, then answered. “I’d have to say Remus, I really like drawing horror stuff, and Remus just has that eldritch vibe.”
“Remus, how do you feel about people shipping characters based off of your friends?” Remus sighed. “I mean, it’s the internet, right? It’s still a little weird to me, but as long as nobody’s shipping me with my brother, I guess it’s fine.”
“Logan, are you and Virgil dating?” The two of them held hands, and Logan stared into the camera. “Take a guess,” he said flatly. The next question was for Patton. “You’re credited as the main writer, what’s your process?” Patton fidgeted a bit.
“Well, the sides are kinda like a family, and my family life was… not great growing up, so I tried writing a group of flawed people that are still there for each other. It’s pretty therapeutic, actually.”
“Roman, how do you feel seeing how popular your show has become?” He smiled, and chuckled. “It’s pretty fantastic, actually.”
The next day, Sanders Sides was trending again, but this time, they were also talking about the campfire gang. There were fanfics of them meeting the sides somehow, people talking about how hot they all were, which everyone found hilarious. Overall, they were happy with their success, and the ad revenue allowed them to make even better animation and songs. They had moved onto season 3 by this point, and it was one of those parts of pop culture that everybody just knew about. When you talked about successful internet creators, or independent animators, or LGBTQ representation, you brought up Campfire Productions. They were successful, doing what they loved, and best of all, they were happy.
Oh my FUCKING GOD
THIS IS SO COOL??? AND WHOLESOME???? AND SO WELL PUT????? GDJDHDJHDJD
I am in ABSOLUTE love with this fic holy crap thank you SO much
Everything is so damn cute and theyre so happy im gonna CRY
Campfire Productions is a cool ass name tho like YES pls thank u GOD i was smiling like an idiot the whole time
FUVK i loved this so much im sorry dgndvdkdhd
#submission#campfire fics#campfire!vee#campfire!dee#campfire!nate#campfire!patton#campfire!remus#campfire!florian
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Chapter 96
Enasal and Co. finally meet Hawke’s Warden-friend. A demon army ain’t the only thing begin foreshadowed up in this bitch.
Feel free to click the links in the text to listen to the music I jammed to while writing each section.
From Past to Present
As they passed back by the Fen’harel effigy, Enasal slowed to a stop, bowing to it and speaking in Dalish, “Thank you for your protection, dear Fen’harel,” before following the others back down the mountain. Nobody acknowledged her prayer, except perhaps Solas, who smiled in the slightest, patting her head as she passed him to walk alongside Varric.
They seemed to be on the right track this time, the map reoriented in a different direction. A lit torch was the first indication of which of the many caves they were to enter. As they drew nearer a mabari came hurtling out of the cave, teeth bared and hackles raised. Bull grabbed Enasal and tossed her aside, but before he could engage a voice called out.
“Boof! Down boy!”
Varric laughed as the mabari suddenly flopped onto his back, “That’s Boof? You’ve got some grey on your muzzle, old boy.” He reached down to scratch the hound’s belly.
Hawke leaned on the entrance, waving them in. She looked tired but didn't seem as upset as she had the previous time they had me. She offered Enasal a small smile, “Hey there, little cousin... I'm glad you made it.”
“Hope you haven’t been waiting too long,” Enasal said.
Varric pulled the map out of his pocket, “You’re not a cartographer, Hawke, so I ask that you never ever draw a map again - ever.”
“That bad?” She chuckled, “I’ve only been here long enough to put my pack down and show Boof around. Stroud was out hunting when I got here, so we missed each other while I was waiting for you with Boof. We’ve just now been able to have a conversation.”
“Where is he?” Enasal asked.
“He’s in the back of the cave as we speak.”
Varric gestured in the direction they came, “He’s not the only Warden around here, Hawke. It’s a good thing his friends didn’t find him before you did.”
Hawke nodded, “Yeah, I saw them earlier.” Her brow furrowed, “They’ve been told that he’s a traitor and to capture him - or execute him if he doesn’t come quietly.”
Bull shook his head, “How much blood’s shed by good men following bad orders?”
“Too much.” Hawke said. “But we should get inside before we’re spotted,” She smiled, “Especially our qunari friend.”
Bull chuckled as he followed her in, “The name’s Bull.”
“Well, considering Enasal told me about her friend named Bull who was a qunari, I assumed that was you.” She stopped and called to her mabari, but he seemed to be absorbed in something outside.
“Ugh, you lot go on in, I have to go get Boof.”
“Just as stubborn as ever.” Varric laughed, “It took months for Hawke to teach him to not chase Broody’s cat.”
Od Nua A (Justin Bell)
The interior of the cave was littered with jars and stalactites, columns and tables. Each was piled high with papers and books, rolls of parchments and broken quills. Clearly, something more than hiding was being done here.
Just as Enasal cleared the threshold the door slammed closed, and the distinctive sound of a sword being drawn sounded behind her. She stiffened, feeling the chill of a blade tip against the back of her neck.
Fists banged on the door, and Hawke’s voice rang out, “She’s with me! And you’ve got a qunari ready to break down the door!”
The man looked her up and down, sheathing his sword and reaching around her to throw up the bar that had fallen when he slammed the door. Hawke and the others piled in, and Hawke threw her arms around Enasal, “I told you that Boof probably heard them! This is my new cousin, you can’t go around cutting her up!”
The Warden sighed and shook his head, rubbing his mustache, “Forgive me, Hawke, I fear my isolation has started to make my mind rush into a fight.” He looked at Enasal again, bowing low, “My name is Stroud. I am at your service, Inquisitor.” He gestured, “Come, sit. I’m sure you’re all tired from the journey.” He sat Enasal and Hawke at a small table, awkwardly motioning towards a tabletop formation for the others to sit on.
“Forgive me, I was not expecting… so much company.” He grabbed a flask and a bundle of dried meat, passing both around to the group. The alcohol was strong, and Enasal sputtered after taking a swig. She was quick to pass it on.
“Warden Stroud, thank you for meeting with us.” She said, “I know the Wardens have their own troubles right now. Do you think the disappearances might have something to do with Corypheus?”
“I fear it is so,” Stroud heaved a sigh, “When Hawke slew Corypheus, Weisshaupt was happy to put the matter to rest.” The two shared disapproving glances, “But an archdemon can survive wounds that seem fatal, and I fear Corypheus might possess the same power.”
“You mean you don’t know?” Enasal asked, “The Grey Wardens didn’t study him?”
Stroud shook his head, “He was kept a dark secret, your Worship. Most Wardens don’t even know he exists - I only knew because of my relative seniority.”
Solas passed the flask, not bothering to take a sip, “So the Wardens have learned nothing in all the years they had Corypheus imprisoned?”
Enasal shrugged, “That explains why Blackwall didn’t know anything about him. He must not have been high up enough in the ranks.”
Bull finished off the flask, “So, what do you know about him?”
“Little.” Admitted Stroud, “Save that he is dangerous. He is what is left of an ancient magister - and a darkspawn.” He fixed his dark eyes on Enasal, “If I knew any more of him, your Worship, I would tell you.”
She nodded, “I believe you.”
He got up, going to a table and gesturing to the piles of papers on it, “My investigation uncovered clues, but no proof.” His eyes flickered to Hawke before lowering to the ground, “Then… soon after we thought Corypheus had fallen... every Warden in Orlais began to hear the calling.”
Hawke stood, “Maker! Why didn’t you tell me, Stroud?”
He kept his eyes to the ground, “It was a Grey Warden matter. I was bound by an oath of secrecy.”
“You know you could have told me!”
Enasal tentatively raised her hand, “What’s the Calling?”
Stroud seemed happy to change the subject, “The Calling tells a Warden that the Blight will soon claim him.”
Her brow furrowed, “How do you figure?”
Stroud raised his eyebrows in question.
Varric gestured to her, “She’s saying, ‘What do you mean?’”
“Ah.” Stroud tapped his fingers on the table, “When one becomes a Grey Warden, their life is cut short. You will have thirty years left if you are lucky, ten if you are not. That is, if you are not killed in combat.”
Enasal balked.
“Seastorm.” Varric said, already seeing the tears, “Don’t think about it, okay? Hero’s going to be kicking for a long while.”
“Ser Blackwall.” Hawke explained.
Stroud nodded, “The Calling is not something easily hidden once it begins. I’m sure you would have noticed something wrong with your Warden friend had he heard the Calling.”
“What happens?” She whispered, ready to commit every word to memory.
“Starts with a dream.” He said, his voice dropping equally low, “Then comes whispers in his head. The Warden says his farewells and goes into the deep roads to meet his death in combat.”
She shook her head, “Just… just like that?”
He nodded, “To kill as many darkspawn as can be killed before your time ends.”
“And every Grey Warden in Orlais is hearing it?” Hawke exclaimed.
“Does that mean they think they’re dying?” Enasal asked.
“Yes.” Stroud confirmed, “Likely because of Corypheus. He speaks with the voice of the Blight. That lets him affect the minds of Wardens, since we are all tied to the blight ourselves. It must be how he created this… false calling.”
Enasal hesitated, “So… Corypheus isn’t controlling them?”
Solas shook his head, “Not directly, it would seem.” He shook his head, “But this Calling ruse - he’s controlling them through trickery.”
Stroud nodded in agreement.
“Are you…” Enasal asked, “Are you hearing this Calling?”
He lowered his head.
Hawke glanced between the two, “Shourd? Are you?”
He nodded gravely, “Sadly, yes. It lurks like a wolf in the shadows around a campfire.” He fell into a chair, shaking his head, “The creature that makes this music has never known the love of the Maker but… at times I almost understand it.”
“Does that mean you want to go to the Deep Roads?”
He shook his head, “While it is tradition, we are not compelled to go to that place. And, yet...”
Varric frowned, “And yet?”
“Because they believe it to be a real Calling, they will act accordingly.” He heaved a sigh, “The last Blight and Logan Mac Tir’s treachery decimated the Wardens. Another such loss would be the end of our order.”
“What happens during the next Blight?” Hawke asked.
“We are the only ones who can slay archdemons.” Stroud fussed with his sword hilt, “Without us, the next Blight will consume the world.”
Bull grumbled and pulled his own flask out, taking a hearty drink, “Do the Wardens got some sort of plan or is that up to us?”
Stroud looked down, “Warden-Commander Clarel spoke of a blood magic ritual to prevent future blights before we all perished. When I protested the plan as madness, my own comrades turned on me.”
“Shit.” Varric and Bull choursed.
Solas frowned, “If it is to prevent future Blights, then perhaps blood magic would be appropriate. The Grey Wardens might retain some of their earlier grandeur.”
Hawke nodded, “If it’s being used for good-”
Stroud shook his head, “I have reason to believe that the… sacrifice is not done by willing parties.”
Hawke hit the table, “Damn.”
“It would seem that I spoke too soon.” Solas muttered.
The Warden leaned over the papers on the table, shuffling a few of them until he uncovered a map, “My findings show that the Wardens are gathering here, in the Western Approach.” He pointed to a spot on the map. Enasal followed his gaze, trying to read the jittering letters, but gave up and zeroed in on the artwork of the area.
“It looks like the desert.” She said, “What could possibly be there?”
“An ancient Tevinter ritual tower.” Stroud answered, “Commander Clarel mentioned it during one of our discussions. I believe she might have ordered the Wardens there.”
“This Clarel.” Bull asked, “She always been a fan of blood magic?”
Stroud shook his head , “She was a good Warden once… among those King Cailen reached out to during the Blight.” He sighed, “She always resented missing the chance to help.” He looked down at the map, “Perhaps… it is why she is so intent on the success of her plan.”
Hawke leaned over the map, examining it, “Do you think she’d listen to you?”
“No.” He said, “When the Calling came, Clarel stopped listening to the rest of us. She believed magic was the only way to save ourselves - to save the world from future Blights.”
Still examining the map, Hawke asked, “Do you think that Corypheus could be controlling her?”
“It’s hard to say.” Stroud rubbed his temples, “What I have heard of the Calling is nothing but noise. No words, and certainly no commands.” He dropped his arms to the side, “No. I think it is fear that controls her now, not Corypheus.” He stood straight, “We must uncover what Corypheus is planning and end it. This cannot stand.”
Enasal nodded, “We’ll help you in any way we can. The Inquisition stands with you.”
Stroud seemed somewhat relieved, “You have my thanks.” He looked to Hawke, “Hawke and I will scout the Western Approach and send word when we’ve found something.”
Enasal stood and offered a hand to shake, and he took it. His hand was rough and his grip firm. “Thank you Stroud. We’ll wait for your letter.”
Hawke walked with them for a few miles, easily showing them the way back to Crestwood proper by eye.
“Faster when you know what you’re doing.” Hawke said with a tight smile.
“Easier when you’re not following a shitty map.” Varric laughed.
She heaved a sigh and yanked him into a hug, “I’ve missed you.”
“You too, Hawke.” He said, attempting to squeeze her tighter than she did him. “We’ll get back to Kirkwall someday, right?”
She wiped her eyes, “Yeah, got it.” She then grabbed hold of Enasal and hugged her tight, “And you too, cousin. I’ll write, okay?”
Enasal nodded, “Please do. You have to tell me stories about Varric.”
Hawke pulled away, rubbing Enasal’s hair briefly before hugging Varric again, “Take care of each other, okay?”
“Stop getting sentimental.” Varric choked, “Crack a joke will you?”
“Shut up!” She laughed, turning to the others, “Bull, Solas. Take care of them, okay?”
With assurances and goodbyes, the groups separated, Hawke returning to the caves and the others back towards Skyhold.
“Where’s your cloak, Boss?” Bull said, looking around, “Did you leave it when we were fighting those corpses?”
Enasal looked around and shrugged.
He chuckled, “You’re hopeless. Don’t come crying to me when you get sick.”
.
If you enjoy Enasal and her shenanigans, feel free to check out my kofi at https://ko-fi.com/lacycakes and donate to help keep the lights on
Read the entire work on a03: https://archiveofourown.org/works/25803535?view_full_work=true
#enasal lavellan#dragon age#dragon age inquisition#dragon age inquisitor#dragon age fanfic#dragon age fic#dai#dai fanfic#dai fic#Solas#Varric#Varric Tethras#Iron Bull#Bull#The Iron Bull#Stroud#Warden Stroud#Hawke
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Honestly more things are pointing to a permanent separation for SH. No indications of any reconciliation sadly. And it makes it even harder without the confirmation. I guess when they start to get papped with their new SOs will be the day that it is confirmed they are done. And I hope it is soon. This push and pull with them is exhausting
Good day, anon, and welcome to hell. Screams for help will not save you, alas, because when it comes to a topic in which I am 99, 9% sure, I have no equals. I'm sorry you probably got the wrong address, but it's too late. I am merciless and bloodthirsty with anyone who tries to contradict my faith, tries to correct my point of view and convince me of their own, although I did not give it a reason. Because it's my fucking blog where I for x-billionth time has already expressed my exact points and agreed with some people which think and proved the exact opposite to all that you are saying. So be prepared to be slowly but surely tortured by my long ass post.
So, let's start with what I said about my blog: only good vibes here. I am not interested/concerned about other opposite/negative feedings. I just don't want to make a big deal about it. Here, in my blog, we support Lili Pauline Reinhart and Cole Mitchell Sprouse in any case as couple as well as individuals.
This means that under no circumstances do we talk about them, their relationships, their projects, their family, or their decisions in a negative way. Yes, we may disagree with something they do, where they do it, and how they do it (what they post, what they like/don't like, write or repost, who they meet, with whom they decide to be, live and communicate with, what they archive/unarchive, and so on), but we do not have the right to judge them or decide how to act. We also can't control it and it's none of our business.
I repent if I once made the appearance of a person condemning one of them or their family for their actions and possible causes of the separation, it was only my objective external disagreement, points and thoughts aloud, nothing more rude, involved and inappropriate. And I think with many of my words said earlier (or the words of those I follow and reblog their posts) about the behavior of family/friends of Lili, Cole, and so on, people with brains and common sense could agree. Remember this, or write it on your forehead, so that the next time you write to me, you will see these words.
Moving on, taking into account all of the above, I would like to tell you that it probably won't be enough for one blog to explain to you point by point all my beliefs and points of view on this subject, to prove to you that every fucking word you say is illogical shit and the most real nonsense. It feels like you're an alien who fell from another planet and decided to crawl into our hole with your impressions of a newborn baby who doesn't understand much about the world and its creators. Although in this case, I'm more of the opinion that you are a little asshole, in which the vein of hatred is boiling and you like to come to this and some other blogs to tell us your agenda although we have no idea where you have such rash thoughts, perhaps you have an extra chromosome? Dude, treat your paranoia.
Further, given that I don't have much time and desire to describe all my points of view point by point, which, unlike your random set of words, really makes sense for hundreds or even thousands of people who have the gray matter to be able to think, I will attach my long - standing post, indicating all the facts at that time proving the opposite to yours. Although, I will try to supplement everything else as much as I can.
While, we all ( I hope) already realized and accepted that for many reasons, during this quarantine, Lili and Cole had some problems, were distant and ended up apart for a certain period of time, immediately after the end point of the explosion and informing us of all these public actions on social media (I hope you understand), then after a few weeks, they were already confidently moving towards resolution and recovery and that's why:
https://babysprousehart.tumblr.com/post/618026656780648448/hello-i-hope-this-doesnt-come-off-negatively
This was written long before, but still has many valid points and I just want to widen some of them.
Take a sit and follow me word by word.
I shall start my addition of evidence, based on all the guesses and great opinions of others, as well as hints from the Lili and Cole themselves. I would like to start with a significant event and the day when Lili posted a photo from the Antelope Valley on April 28th, well, or 27th, depending on where you are.
Perhaps we lose some missing pieces in this puzzle and forget about something that was done earlier, but I just want to start counting from this moment.
A few facts about this photo/photos:
1) It was posted exactly 3 years later from their famous photoshoot, when very, very, very many people, mostly in media, began to suspect that there is something between them in a romantic way. It was exactly in the same place, exactly with the same style, exactly in a similar image (waving curly hair, light flying dress, black and white effect) and even without a capture. The picture marked the anniversary and is very important for the two of them. An undeniable fact, beat me.
2) That photo was definitely taken by Cole. Why?
Here are a couple more facts in addition to the first:
They have the quality of captured on professional camera.
You can see, that Lili did not tag the photographer and said jokingly that the photo was taken by Milo, why would she lie, or hide that it was anyone else, because clearly she just hid that because it was Cole.
You may have noticed that Austin, when asked who took the photo, whether she took it and whether she is a good photographer, says no and her reaction with a grin and laugh is priceless. She also didn't tag nor the photographer, neither Lili in her photos from there.
You can watch the vlog in the Colleen blog and see there are very similar figures to Cole, Lili and Milo walking along the valley, because, duh, they were there.
You can view her post, where you can see Cole from the back (notice his dark clothing, the same as on one of his post in the profile, which he has already deleted, as well as his position from which the photo of Lili was supposedly taken and it is just in the same place).
You can observe his style of photography and how similar the theme is to the photos from 2017.
You can see the same poppy behind his ear in one of the past stories.
You may have noticed that the photo of Lili is processed with the same effect as several photos in Cole's profile, and I can tell you as an amateur photo editor that it is very identical.
Question: why arrange such a significant photoshoot with your ex after a few weeks of separation? Why is Cole smiling in a photo (black and white one with a mustache and black clothes) probably taken there? Why is everything so secretive if they broke up? Why even post a photo that your ex-boyfriend definitely took? How can you calmly go to this place, which reminds you of your joint travels with your former lover? Therefore, this photo and later another one from there were the first iron arguments in confirming the improvement of things.
I would like to continue with another ironclad proof.
Lili in early may very fiercely, after a few weeks of Cole's statements about slander and threats, which she did not respond to so clearly at the time, defended Cole and pointed out the private relationship and literally said that people should stop it and even though should hurt and bully her, but not him.
Question: did she defend her ex so publicly? Would Lili talk about a private relationship if that was the way her past relationship was most often? Would she have written anything at all if she didn't care about him and didn't feel something towards him? I don't think so, so it's gibberish to say so (about the break up) when it's the second unquestionable argument.
Next, we need to talk about the general activity of Cole and Lili in social media. I just want to list some observations, in different order, but it seems like everything we have now:
If earlier it was visible in the posts of Lili that it was clearly a show off, then over time and after the published photos, she began to behave more sincerely and tenderly, began to publish Milo less, began to say that there was only the two of them less, has stopped showing how good she is without certain someone, as if for Cole showing that she could cope without him, which was visible in the posts and stories, she began to talk more about improving her mental health as a result of training, spoke about how later she was feeling better and that she was grateful for those who were with her and difficult times and in light moments, that you just need to live and enjoy.
Additionally, I can say how she shone with each photo, and it was a natural glow of happiness and settling down. She no longer sang sad songs or posted sad songs, on the contrary, posted sexy, funny and relaxed ones. She appeared more in photos taken by paparazzi. She posted sexy, energetic, romantic movies, funny cartoons, watched funny clips, was excited about her project, laughed, danced with her dog, played with a dog with macaroni, cosplayed Willy Wonka (we all have a feeling it’s Cole’s thing, no?), playing with sand, puzzles, posted funny memes in story, which unfortunately coolly accepted as the opposite, posted a poem with a typo and funny answered to a fan who corrected it, told more about poems and attached a photo with a fragment of a poem about love from her upcoming book. She liked some photos from the anniversary of the last episode of the series, where we remember there was a hot scene of her and Cole's character, she liked a Bughead drawing. Yesterday, she actually posted one of the sexiest videos that will not be posted, being single and lonely, we saw that she actually spent more personal time with Cole (I am not saying they weren’t doing t back then), which was investigated thanks to many amazing people here, and even if they don't live together yet, they are more likely to meet and have met with each other, and more hints on sexy times (because, come one, maybe Milo was the one who left a hickey on her neck, huh?), which is undeniable, just compare the fact that she is no longer in the old rental, and he is not in Kj's house, she then posted a photo from some place, which is very similar to where Cole shot a video with Jimmy Fallon.
He also began to be more active in social networks, exactly after she started posting photos of the Antelope Valley, he posted a series of photos of the kissing couple, even if it was a gay drawings, they were filled with love, there was a photo of him with cattle with the sarcastic caption, then the photo about porn bots, with funny ask to leave him alone and saying it’s not allowed to be horny on quarantine, again a photo of himself with heart eyes that I talked about above, he posted a very funny video recently. There were more photos from the paparazzi after some time when Lili's usually flashed, and then it stopped, then his humorous photo in the washing machine appeared, which she probably had taken, and why so I explained in the attached post, he posted a photo from the walk, which was also probably taken with her, because again, she had a similar location, then he jokingly called Tommy ‘the’ muse, maybe roasting fans, but he didn’t use ‘my’, so, indicating he still has his own muse, then we saw him at that damn party, which caused people's panic, although he is an ordinary person and has the right to relax, and by the way at this party he was very happy and frisky, but nothing bad or shameful happened and he is innocent, then we even saw Cole, after Lili, delete many of the photos, although he had also unarchived some of them several times, as she had, which means that he did not delete them completely, but just removed many of them, leaving the most tender photo after or before the kiss at the famous moment when Lili wanted a toast and eggs at 1 am, or many photos reflecting her body, which also marks not a bad phenomenon, but a simple trolling from them. Proof of this trolling and unarchiving is on the vastness of other blogs and on Twitter, thanks to that girl's video.
The way their condition and activity on social networks have changed is very noticeable and is also third undeniable fact of denial of the break up. You can compare photos of Cole taken by Alex, where he is clearly very sad and depressed, because it was taken somewhere in the interval of their real breakup. And compare this with his smiling and playful state during the interview with Jimmy, where he also sparkled with happiness and fun, constantly smiling and seemed to be aroused about something (or someone). I think even a newcomer will notice a change in their mood and attitude. You will see the difference. And this does not happen when going through the break up after 4 years of deeply imbued with love relationships. Please understand, damn it.
I have listed alas not everything that speaks so vividly about things going in the right positive direction and is evidence that everything is getting better again, there will be only more I assure you and you will kiss my ass, as Cole said.
Execution cannot be pardoned.
You have one attempt to put a comma and decide your fate, but I think you’ll fail because you are a total sucker anyway.
Bye!
#cole sprouse#lili reinhart#sprousehart#sprousehart positivity#sh positivity#bughead#only good vibes here#positivity#anon hate#anon ask#ask#cole and lili#relationship#break up#not a break up#shut up dumbass
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For @duketectivecomics‘s Duke Week Day Six: All in the Batfamily
Summary: Duke gets woken up at night and is roped into a strange initiation ceremony into the bats. Despite initial chaos, Duke finds that he is actually enjoying himself, and that maybe being a part of this family isn’t such a scary thing. Throwing a glitter bomb at Batman is definitely scary though.
“Are you ready?”
Duke opened his eyes, to find Dick Grayson hovering a few inches away from his face. “Gah!” Duke let out, scrambling backwards on his bed till he hit the headboard. “What are you doing?”
“Poor reflexives,” Duke looked past Dick to find Damian frowning at him, “And he should have known we were present before waking.”
“Settle down, kid,” This time Jason spoke, “Not everyone is as freaky as you.”
Duke blinked the sleep away from his eyes, and surveyed the scene before him. Dick was still by his bed, grinning. Damian and Jason stood behind, along with Cass, Tim, and Stephanie. Wow, when was the last time he’d ever seen all these guys together in the same room without killing each other? Duke had a worrisome feeling that he was the reason for this strange behavior.
“Um,” Duke asked, “What’s going on? It's 2 am.”
“We’re welcoming you to the family!” Dick’s grin grew impossibly wider.
“But I’ve been here four months?”
Tim shook his head. “But you haven’t had a proper welcome, yet. We had to wait till everyone was here, and Steph insisted she be a part.
“Heck yeah!” The blonde teen said, “I’m a part of this family, whether you like it or not! Bruce even gave me an allowance!”
“You tricked him into giving you his credit card,” Jason replied dryly.
“Like you haven’t done that before.”
“I don’t bother tricking him.”
Duke looked back and forth at the exchange, trying to wrap his mind around what was happening.
“That doesn't answer my question.”
Damian sighed. “In order to truly be a Wayne, you must go through the initiation period.”
“That's not ominous at all.”
“Tour,” Cass said, “You learn things. Not bad, fun.”
Duke nodded. “Thank you, Cass.” He was still confused, but at least she was trying.
“If you would get dressed, we have much ground to cover.” Damian sniffed, but even Duke could tell the kid was excited.
Dick backed away from the bed. “We'll be right back, Duke, get ready!”
*****
Five minutes later, Duke found himself hastily dressed and standing in the entrance hall of Wayne manor. His siblings were arrayed in a semi-circle before him, all of them in weird red robes. They had managed to set up tiki torches at intervals around the room, adding to the atmosphere of doom.
“We are gathered here today to celebrate the bonding between two families. That of the Thomas' and that of the Waynes.”
Duke blinked at Tim. “Why are you making it sound like we're getting married?”
“Shh!”
“In this great ceremony, We accept you, Duke Thomas, into our fold. After this day henceforth, you will be one with the bats.” Tim took a deep breath and continued reading from the scarily large book in his hands. “The bonding day is set in three parts. The first, a display of power. You shall be shown our places, and our things, so that you are made privy to the goings on in the lives of Gotham's most secretive family. Next, You shall be given tasks by each member of the clan – excepting Bruce – that you must complete. Fail even one, and be warned.” Tim stared Duke down. “You have been warned. The final and most dangerous stage of all …” Tim stopped reading, and every single one of the gathered Waynes began to stomp their right foot. This went on for several seconds. “Is … Cake. Do you accept the challenge, Duke of the Narrows?”
Duke sighed. He didn't quite like the sound of this, but he might as well. “Sure.”
Jason whooped, and even Damian cracked a smile.
“Well,” Steph said, “let's get on with it!”
* * * * *
“And it was in this room that Dick broke his first chandelier.”
Duke paused, staring at Jason who had taken over as tour guide after Tim started foaming at the mouth. “First?”
The now recovered Tim grinned. “Yup! He's broken twenty three and a half in his fifteen year stay at the manor.”
Duke nodded. “Alrighty then.”
“Over here are some pictures of Bruce's great-great-great-great-great-great-great something aunts. If you look closely, you'll see the outline of mustaches. Bruce made us erase them.” Stephanie bounced by, pointing out exactly which paintings she had decimated.
The tour had been going on for almost an hour now, and Duke would be lying if he said he wasn't having fun. Sure, he had seen most of the stuff here, but the stories that went along with them were amazing. It was sweet to know which room Dick insisted they have a family movie in, back when it was only him, Bruce, and Alfred. It was hilarious to find out that the strange purple splotch on the love seat in one of the east wing's drawing rooms was from the time Damian insisted on trying slushies. Or the many tails that arose from the kitchen. From Bruce attempting to cook (He'd always wondered why Alfred had banned him) to the time Jason sleep walked himself into making beignets.
Cass had insisted they tour the air vents (He didn't know you could get into them, let alone that they could fit people, and wasn't quite sure what to do with the information) and trying to get Jason squished in was a highlight of the night. Cass also showed Duke the best hiding places in the manor, in case he ever needed to hide during a prank war. Or Bruce.
Stephanie knew the places with the thinnest walls, and also other tricks for listening in on conversations. She said she'd never had to use the information, but Duke wasn't convinced.
Dick explained the pros and cons of each chandelier in the manor, along with a very detailed instruction pamphlet on getting yourself onto one. Duke promised himself he'd never try.
Tim knew all the best wifi spots in each wing. Somehow, the wifi wasn't the exact same in every part of the house.
Jason knew the best sniper perches, and how to get there. Also, the coziest spots in the library, primed and ready for any avid bookworm. (Duke was actually excited for the second. He really did enjoy reading, but usually stuck to his room)
Damian was very solemn as he brought Duke to random places around the house that were apparently Alfred's (The cat's) and Titus' favorite hang outs. “In case you need a friend who is not as fallible as humans.”
The tour ended on the roof, each sibling taking to their claimed section. Duke was permitted to choose his own, and did so. He ended up picking a quiet outlook on the forrest, over the west wing.
Duke was given a few minutes of peace, not noticing till a little ways in that he was alone. Huh, he thought, this is kind of nice.
“Alright, Narrows,” Duke turned to find everyone staring at him, “You ready for the fun part?”
* * * * *
“Now lift up your left foot two inches … got it!”
Unfortunately, the first challenge that was given to Duke by Dick, had him breaking his earlier promise to himself. For you see, Duke Thomas now found himself wrapped in the crystal and gold of Wayne Manors largest chandelier.
“Are you sure this is safe?” Duke asked for the seventh time.
“Perfectly!” Dick replied, but the snickers and filming phones of his siblings made Duke question the acrobat's words.
Duke shifted on the chandelier and heard a soft cracking noise. He froze, terror rushing through his entire body.
“That was just me!”
Duke looked to down to find Stephanie pulling a couple twigs from her hair, and snapping them in two. She had a manic grin on her face. Oh, she knew exactly what she had done.
“Just don't do it again!”
“Don't worry, Duke,” Dick called, “You're almost done! You just need to chill for a bit longer. I'm gonna toss up this candy bar, and you need to eat it. Just try not to look like Superman when he sees kryptonite. If you don't catch it, you fail.”
Duke took a deep breath, letting it out slowly. “Okay, I'm r-”
The candy bar was flung up a second before Duke expected it, causing him to fumble and reach out a bit to far to grab it. The chandelier swung dangerously, and Duke let out a scream. A moment later, however, the swinging calmed down, and Duke paused long enough to register the roaring laughter coming from bellow him.
“Stop!” Duke said, “This isn't funny!”
“Yeah, it kinda is.” Tim was the first to speak, after having to lean heavily on Steph. “You forget, Duke, that each and every one of us had to go through this. It's great to see someone else panic. One of the few pros to Bruce's adoption addiction.”
Duke glowered. “Just stop laughing.”
“Chill, Duchess,” Jason grinned up at him. “Just eat the candy and you can come down.”
Duke sighed and unwrapped the kit-kat that had given him the worst fright of his life – and that included everything he saw on patrol. He gingerly broke it in two, put on a gruesome grin, and took a bite.
Everyone cheered, and Duke's grin became slightly more genuine. “You have completed the first task,” Tim said in a solemn voice. “Let us move on.”
Everyone filed out of the room, and Duke started to panic. “Hey wait! How do I get down!”
* * * * *
“I don't know if I can do this.” Duke sat in the batchair, Alfred having moved graciously to allow Duke to complete his task.
“It's simple Narrows,” Jason said, “Just press the button and ask the question. Simple.”
“But does it have to be … that?”
Jason looked very serious as he answered, “yes.”
Duke sighed. “Here goes nothing.” he reached forward and press the unmute button. “Hey, B?”
Batman's growl came through the speakers. “What are you doing awake, Signal? It's the middle of the night.”
“But you're awake.”
“I'm part of the night patrol. You're not. So what are you doing awake?”
“I need to ask you a question.”
Bruce sighed. “Go ahead.”
Duke sighed and looked back at his sibling who were all grinning maniacally. He turned back to the computer. “Does Santa exist?”
Bruce let out the most long suffering sigh Duke had heard that week. “One of your siblings better not have put you up to this.”
Duke looked at Jason, who was frantically shaking his head. “No, B. It's just, the freaking devil is real, right? And the greek gods, and a whole bunch of other stuff? So why not santa?”
Bruce sighed. “Good night, Signal,” and he logged off.
“Not our best,” Jason said, shaking his head, “next time we should ask how babies are made.”
“NEXT TIME?!?!?!!?”
* * * * *
“You can get it down in one gulp if you try hard enough!”
Duke looked over skeptically at Tim, who was making Duke drink a special blend of espresso, five hour energies, and Monster.
“You just need some ambition!”
Duke gulped. “Ambition to die?”
Tim sighed. “Just do it. If you don't, you'll fail the challenge, and you DON'T want to find out what happens then.” His point was emphasized by every single one of the bats unleashing their personal batglares upon him.
Duke grimaced, grabbed the venti Starbucks's cup, and gulped it down. He swayed for a moment. “I'm never sleeping again.”
Tim grinned, “Nope!”
* * * * *
Damian's task was relatively simple. His pets had to approve of him. They'd already gotten Alfred's, Titus', and Bat-cow's approval, and they were outside trying to find Jerry the turkey.
“Got him!” Stephanie called from bushes, and a loud squawking ensued. She walked over, carrying the bird and placing in front of Duke.
Everyone stood still for a moment, then Damian spoke. “He approves.”
Duke grinned. “Great, what's the next challenge?”
Damian smirked, and Duke's stomach dropped. The eleven year old turned around and whistled sharply. Large wing beats sounded from far off and a huge shape appeared on the horizon. As it approached, Duke could make out what appeared to be a large, fuzzy dragon. The animal landed right in front of Duke, and Damian continued.
“Thomas, meet Goliath.” the tiny terror turned to the beast. “Goliath, decide his fate.”
* * * * *
“So, what do you have for me, Cass?” Duke asked warily. He knew Cass was the nice one, but he wouldn't put it past her to choose something … questionable.
Cassandra smiled sweetly, leaned forward, and whispered in Duke's ear, “hug Jason.”
Duke sighed. That wasn't too bad. He turned around and faced Jason head on. “So, what did she sa-”
Jason was cut off by Duke launching forward and wrapping his arms around Jason's huge chest.
The young man sighed. And wrapped his arms around Duke. “Eh,” he said when he saw the looks he was getting, “Duchess isn't too bad.”
Dick grinned. “Does that mean I get a hug?”
Both Duke and Jason tensed. “On the count of three,” Jason whispered, “We run.”
Dick grinned and opened his arms.
“One.”
He took a step forward.
“Two.”
Dick smiled. “Come on, guys!”
“THREE!! RUN!!!”
* * * * *
“Now pour delicately, Master Duke,” Alfred said as he instructed Duke on how to properly have tea. Everyone had insisted on going to Alfred before Stephanie's challenge, which had Duke worried slightly, but he honestly enjoyed having tea.
“Don't forget to have good posture,” The butler continued. Duke frowned slightly. Maybe this would be longer than he thought.
* * * * *
“Now a tad more glitter. You can never have enough!”
Duke followed the instructions, finishing up the glitter bomb which Stephanie had taught him how to make. He wasn't sure what it was going to be used for, but he knew it wasn't gonna be good.
“Great job, Duke!” Stephanie grinned, then turned to Dick. “How much longer till Bruce gets back from patrol?”
Ah. Yeah, this definitely wasn't going to be good.
“Five minutes,” Dick replied, “Everyone in position!”
And so Duke found himself dragged into the Batcave, glitter bomb behind his back, and a hastily memorized instruction to throw and run in his mind. Five minutes later, the batmobile rolled into the cave. Bruce jumped and and came over to Duke.
“What are you still doing up?”
“Bruce, would you ever disown me?”
Bruce frowned and pulled off the cowl. “No, Duke. Of course not.”
Duke nodded. “Would you ever break your no-kill rule just for me?”
Bruce smiled and shook his head. “Never.”
“Okay, most important question,” Duke paused and took a deep breath, “Would you ever blame me for something that isn't my fault?”
“Not if I can help it, I promise you that.”
Duke took another deep breath and nodded. “Alright.” He then in one swift movement pulled out the glitter bomb from behind his back, and threw it at the Dark Knight of Gotham. The Caped Crusader. The Batman.
Duke turned and bolted, leaving a stunned Bruce Wayne in his wake. Once he was in the stairwell, he turned in time to see Bruce completely covered in purple glitter. He looked down at himself, then up to the heavens.
“STEPHANIE!!!” He yelled.
* * * * *
“That was legendary, Narrows!”
Duke grinned back at Jason. Sure, lobbing a glitter bomb at the guy who was currently giving you a home (not to mention said guy was THE BATMAN) had been one of the worst experiences of his life, but even he had to admit it was funny.
“Seriously, Duke,” Tim replied, “I don't think I could have done that.”
“And the dialogue leading up to it!” Dick grinned as he sat next to Duke on the couch.
“It was worthy of cake,” Damian replied, a smile on his face.
“Speaking of cake!” Stephanie announced as she strolled into the room, a large cake in hand. On the top read 'one of us'. She set it down on the coffee table in front the sofa.
Cassandra grinned as she handed Duke the cake knife. “One of us,” she said, and the chant was soon picked up.
“One of us! One of us! Once of Us!”
Duke grinned as he sliced through the cake. Everyone cheered.
“So how do you feel, Duke? Got the crazies yet?” Stephanie asked as she collapsed on the sofa.
Duke grinned. “Not yet.”
Jason laughed. “Give it some time, kiddo.”
Duke settles back and took a bite of his cake – blue velvet – and pressed play on the movie. Everyone settled down, eating cake and enjoying The Incredibles.
* * * *
A few hours later when Duke was the only awake, Bruce quietly walked into the room.
“How'd initiation go?”
Duke sighed contentedly. “Good.”
Bruce smiled. “Get some sleep. You did well tonight.”
Duke didn't bother trying to figure out the implications of that sentence, opting instead to settle back into the cuddle pile. Cass, tucked under his arm, Damian on his lap, Dick wrapped around his other side, Stephanie atop Jason, and Jason and Tim woven into the chaos of limbs. It was warm and strangely comfortable.
Duke sighed, smiling. It's nice, he thought, belonging.
#dukeweek2020#duke thomas#batfamily#sibling bonding#batsiblings#dick grayson#jason todd#tim drake#damian wayne#cassandra cain#stephanie brown#bruce wayne#alfred pennyworth#being part of the family
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Coffee Shop AU- Going on a Snatcher Hunt
So as I was in the middle of working on another new story as well as the next chapter of my OtH! AU story. @doodledrawsthings surprises everyone with a new Coffee Shop AU that I fell in love with! So I had to create something for this AU, and ended up with coming up with three ideas for this AU.
Anyways Coffee Shop AU belongs to @doodledrawsthings
“Dad! Dad!” Harriet shouted coming home from school. Luka was in bed enjoying his day off, and not worrying have to go out somewhere, where he would get caught in the middle of transforming. Luka looked up from his book to see his little girl running to him and giving him a hug.
Luka chuckled and hugged his little girl back, “H-hey princess! How was school?” Luka asked.
“It was good, but I got some good news.” Harriet replied.
“What is it?”
“I’m going on my first camping trip!” Harriet cheered.
Luka got up from the bed and looked at his daughter in a mix of surprise and glee. “Camping, with who?” He asked.
“Me, Bonnie and Mu. She’s the one organizing it.” Harriet explained.
Luka gulped hearing Mu’s name. Since moving with his daughter, Mu and her mom Cookie were the first to welcome them into the neighborhood as well as give Luka a tour of the town. She even recommended him to work at the coffee shop right next to her place.
However, while Cookie was a nice lady her daughter Mu was a different case. For one, Mu enjoyed cryptology as well as hunting down his monster form. However, that wasn’t his main concern. Mu tends to be a bit rebellious and snarky getting into fights with kids who pick on her and Harriet, even older kids. Luka was worried Mu could be a bad influence on his daughter, but he couldn’t say it to Harriet as Mu is her best and first friend she ever made since they were on the run.
“Hattie, I know you and Mu are best friends, but you know how she can be with me, right?” Luka asked.
Harriet nodded knowing how her best friend’s goal is to find her father and prove he’s real. “I know, I know, but this is the first time I got to do a hang out with her and Bonnie.” Then Harriet put her hands together and started to beg. “Please dad. I may not get a chance like this if we have to move again.”
Luka sighed. His daughter was right. They moved so many times, and Harriet never got to have some quality time with friends, or even make friends. “Okay, you can go.” Luka said. Harriet smiled and hugged her dad tight.
“Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!” She repeated. Harriet then jumped off the bed and ran to her room to grab her stuff she planned on bringing with her for camping. Once Harriet was fully packed she ran into the room to give her father a kiss before leaving to meet up with Mu and Bonnie.
Meanwhile, Mu and Bonnie just left the grocery store buying an abundant of junk food for them to chow down during their camping trip. “Do we really need all this stuff, Mu? Its just one night in the Subcon Woods.” Bonnie explained as she put the candies in her bag.
“You and Harriett never been camping before have you?” Mu asked. Bonnie shook her head. Mu sighed and went on to explain about the enjoyment of camping and why they need all this food. “However, this camping trip is going to be special!”
“Why?” Bonnie asked tilting her head.
Mu grabbed a piece of paper from her pocket and gave it to Bonnie. Bonnie unfolded the paper and gulped seeing it wasn’t only a camping trip, but also a hunt for the mysterious cryptid, Snatcher. Bonnie looked scared, she knew who the Snatcher was and Mu was planing to hunt him down.
“Its going to be fun! Just us in a dark, creepy forest waiting for a ghost monster to show up!” Mu beamed. “Can you imagine if we caught evidence of it! We’ll be rich, the first ever millionaire 9-year olds!” Mu exclaimed.
Harriet walked by when Mu shouted” millionaire 9-year olds” chuckling at the thought of it. She knew why, and while she did get nervous her father would be caught by Mu one day, the thought of her and her friends being millionaires made her laugh. “Sounds like your excited, Mu.” Harriet said.
Mu froze and blushed in embarrassment when her best friend came by ready for their camping trip. Mu chuckled rubbing the back of her head. “H-how much did you hear?” She asked.
“Everything.” Harriet replied, giving a smug smile. Mu’s face turned red from embarrassment, as Bow giggled as well.
Mu shook it off and grabbed her bag. “Well come on! We need to make it too the woods by nightfall! Us standing here means were wasting time.” Bonnie and Harriet nodded and followed their friend heading to the Subcon Woods for the night.
Bonnie got scared walking around the dark and spooky Subcon Woods. It was dark, creepy, and anything could come out and snatch them away. As they walked, Bonnie held on to Harriet’s arm for protection. “S-so how far are we going, Mu?” Bonnie asked.
Mu chuckled. “Oh were not near the campsite yet.” She replied. Bonnie gulped and held on to Harriet tighter.
“Don’t worry Bonnie, were a group as long as we stick together and not separate we’ll be fine.” Harriet comforted.
“I hope so.” Bonnie whispered as she kept following her friends. The three girls kept on walking as they passed through a log bridge, towards some bushes, into the middle part of the woods.
This part of the woods and dead burnt trees, a few tree stumps where the girls can sit, and a small fire pit. There was also a red hood similar to the one Mu wore hanging up like a flag waving at the wind. “Girls, welcome to my secret campsite, Camp Mu!” She beamed.
“Wow!” Bonnie and Harriet said at the same time. “This is where you camp?” Harriet asked.
“Oh yeah.” Mu replied as she unpacked her stuff including her tent. “Every Friday night I’m here looking for weird creatures, cryptids, and the Snatcher,” she started her explanation. Soon she grabbed a net from her bag, “set up a few traps and hope to catch them.” She explained.
“Wow! Do you think you’ll have a chance to catch it tonight?” Bonnie asked.
Mu nodded. “Yep! I plan on putting traps all around our campsite. Hopefully the Snatcher would fall into one of them.” She explained.
Harriet nervously chuckled. “Y-yeah! And what do we plan to do when we catch them?” She asked.
Mu chuckled. “Like I said Harriet, since you heard my speech. We’re going to be millionaires, leave Subcon for good and go on an adventure around the world!” She shouted.
Bonnie smiled and clapped her hands. She would love to travel around the world and see many sights that awaits them. Though she was more to the sights and adventure rather then going cryptid hunting.
“Oh yeah.” Harriet chuckled, rubbing the back of her head.
Later, the girls got everything set up for the night, and soon by sunset, which was blocked by so many trees that it looked like nightfall came early, the girls were roasting marshmallows by the fire to make s’mores. The girls were chatting, enjoying their junk food and s’mores and sharing a laugh.
An hour or two later, Bonnie started to get tired and retreated back to the tent to get some rest. This left Mu and Harriett to leave traps all over the woods for the Snatcher to stumble upon. Once all the traps were set, Harriett too retreated to the tent to get some rest as well, while Mu stayed up for a bit.
A while later, Harriett woke up to see Mu was still in awake and looked like she was writing something. Harriet got up from her sleeping bag carefully not to wake up Bonnie and slowly walked over to her friend.
“Mu?” Mu jumped giving a squeak, but sighed it was only Harriet who spoke to her.
“Don’t scare me like that again.” Mu threatened.
Harriet giggled. “Sorry. I mean its just us, Bonnie is asleep.” She explained. Harriet sat close to her friend and looked up at the stars. “Do you plan on staying up all night, till you find the Snatcher?”
Mu scoffed. “What do you think?” She asked. “Of course! If I fall asleep I’ll miss it!”
Harriet rolled her eyes. As much as she didn’t want to hunt for her own father, she didn’t like the fact Mu was going to be out here all alone. Heck, even if they do capture him at least she can try and explain to Mu everything that’s going on. “Think you need some company?” Harriet asked. “I’m willing to stay up till dawn with you.”
Mu thought for a bit and shrugged. “Ah what the heck.” Harriet smiled excited that she and Mu can get closer now. It was quiet, except for the crickets chirping as well as the pages of Mu’s book being turned. Harriet looked over Mu’s shoulder and saw the book she was reading.
The book looked like it was written and had drawings as well as pictures inside it. “Did you write this?” Harriet asked.
Mu nodded. “Yeah. I want to make a series of journals talking about cryptids, witches and wizards, and other kinds of magic paranormal stuff in Subcon.” Mu explained. “This here is my first book!” Mu closed her book and showed the cover with the glowing eyes of the Snatcher as well as a #1 painted on it.
“T-that’s awesome!” Harriet replied giving a small stutter seeing the Snatcher, her father’s eyes on the cover of her friend’s book.
Mu ignored her friend’s nervousness and smiled. “I know! One day I’ll publish my journals so the entire world can read everything about Subcon! I’ll be a famous writer!” She beamed. Harriet chuckled seeing Mu had her future planned.
“You’ll make an excellent writer.” Harriet said.
Mu smiled. “Thanks.” Mu looked at her journal and frowned. “Do you think writing about these conspiracies makes me a weirdo?” She asked.
Harriet raised an eyebrow. “No why do you ask that?” She asked back.
Mu sighed. “Just everyone thinks of me as some dub girl who wears a mustache, looks for creatures that may or may not exist, and goes all cartoony ways to find them.” She explained.
“Your not dumb!” Harriet comforted. “I think its cool your doing this. No one should insult you for doing what you like to do!”
Mu chuckled. “This is why I like you Harriet your just so nice, and positive. You help others feel better, even though you can get jumpy at times.” Mu replied.
“Well that’s just how I am. I want people too feel positive then a burden.” Harriet sighed.
Mu frowned she knew that Harriet’s father, Luka divorced his wife before moving here and from what Harriet told her it was a very messy divorce, so messy that she remembered Harriet was about to cry the more she talked about it.
She also hated the fact, Harriet’s own mother didn’t truly love her like her own mom. Mu knew mom’s had to be caring and kind, and well sweet as sugar, that’s what Mu’s mother explained to her.
Harriet knew what Mu was thinking about, but she had to bring up one question. “Mu.” Mu turned to look at her. “I know you have a mom, and since I told you about my mom. I just want to know where’s your dad?”
Mu froze. She never told anyone about her dad before. She sighed and looked down from her book. “I never met my dad.” Harriet’s head lifted up and turned to Mu. “He...died when I was just 2 years old.”
“M-Mu I’m so sorry.” Harriet whispered.
“I-Its fine. I was really young when he passed, so I don’t have any fond memories.” Mu reassured. She then sighed and looked down again. “But I do miss him, and wondered if he never went on that trip, he’ll still be alive and we can have a close father and daughter bond like you and your dad.” Mu explained.
Harriet sighed, she knew how that felt only with a mom. “I know how that feels. Wish I was like that with my mom.”
Mu put a hand on her best friend’s shoulder. “Hey, if you and your dad need any help just come talk to my mom. We’ll help as much as we can.” She explained.
Harriet gave a small smile and hugged her friend back. Mu smiled and hugged her friend back as well. That is...until a rustle coming from the bushes caused them to let go. Mu smiled widely knowing it could be the Snatcher.
“Harriet grab the camera!” Mu whispered. Harriet was in a mixture of stunned, scared and anxious. Is this the night her father gets caught and Mu finding out she’s been keeping the cryptid she long hunted for from her. “Harriet!” Mu called out again snapping her friend from her thoughts. Harriet nodded and handed her best friend the camera, which she snatched away.
Mu held the camera close as whatever was coming right in front of them was about to jump up. Harriet covered her eyes and hid behind Mu not wanting to see what will happen next. Just as the figured jumped out Mu took the shot.
“Got it!” Mu cheered. “Huh?” She asked confused. From the bushes wasn’t the Snatcher, but a fox.
Harriet opened her eyes and looked over Mu’s shoulder to see it was just a fox passing by. “Aww, what a cute little fox.” Harriet smiled. Mu sighed and sat down on the floor.
“Great! Wasted this time for nothing.” Mu sighed.
“Hey cheer up.” Harriet said putting her arm around her friend. “You’ll be able to find the Snatcher soon.”
Mu scoffed. “Yeah and I thought it would be tonight.” Just as she said that though, she heard someone getting caught in one of her traps. Mu chuckled and ran off towards her trap hoping to see if she had captured the Snatcher.
Harriet followed after her knowing she would have to explain everything if it was her father that did fall into the trap. Or, she could pretend that she didn’t know the Snatcher and could try to get her father to go along with it. Whatever, the case may be she may not keep this secret any longer.
“Sorry dad, but Mu needs to know.” Harriet whispered to herself. Harriet and Mu made it to the clearing and Mu was even more disappointed at who got caught in her trap this time. Harriet gasped at who got trapped, but was relieved at who it was.
Trapped in Mu’s trap was the Snatcher, or at least his human form, Luka Princeton, aka Harriet’s father. “Mr. Princeton?” Mu asked. “What are you doing out here?” She asked.
“Well, Harriet dropped something when she was about to leave and well I had to hand it to her.” He explained showing a golden necklace with an hourglass engraved on it. Harriet gasped and quickly grabbed the necklace from her father and put it on. “Glad I asked your mom where you were otherwise I’d be lost.”
“So I didn’t catch the Snatcher?” Mu asked.
Luka gulped, and shook his head. Mu sighed and cut down Luka from her trap as he landed in a hard thud. “Could you be more gentle with your traps?” Luka asked. Mu didn’t reply and just marched back to camp, mumbling how she never caught the Snatcher, but her best friend’s dad.
“Should I tell her she caught the Snatcher?” Harriet asked.
Luka shook his head. “Nope.” He replied.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
So I have a headcanon with this AU on how time pieces with work. Instead of it being an hourglass it be a necklace, and I'll explain more of this headcanon later when I work on the next fanfic for this AU.
#doodledrawsthings#'Coffee Shop AU'#A Hat in Time Coffee Shop AU#Hat Kid#mustache girl#Bow Kid#Snatcher#The Snatcher#just three girls going camping
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@findingniamho
HAHAHAHA thank you so much for this ask!!! ❤️ This is exciting. Honestly the Egghead fight was one of the most entertaining scenes to write. (Coming up with all the puns was an egg-celent time.) Rereading it just now was like an out of body experience 😂
Link to the original chapter here - passage & commentary below the cut!
So I have to start with how this scene was born. This is a Simon scene. He’s had a couple fight scenes with Vampire, but I wanted to show him off as the superhero of the city. What was he doing before Vampire appeared on the scene? What are his strengths and weaknesses? Despite the scene’s silliness, it’s also one of the first where we start to get a sense of what Mayor Mage is up to.
So I knew I wanted him to do the typical defending-the-city thing, and showcase him and Penny as the dread companions power duo.
Besides the plot stuff, my main goal was to make this scene as ridiculously, stereotypically comic book-ish as possible. 😂Hence, Egghead the Villain.
Most of the credit for Egghead goes to my friend -- they’re really into DC and helped me with a lot of the plot stuff in this fic and making things semi-realistic. (Every time you read a clever plot point, it was probably them. 😂) For this non-Vampire fight, my friend suggested a gangster who was doing crimes and bribing the police. Hence this exchange--
“Okay, okay, um-- fuck. Did you call the police?”
She huffs. “Yes, and I think they’ve been fucking bribed, because they pretended they didn’t even know who Egghead was! Can you believe that?”
I made him a repeat villain because honestly, I just thought it was more compelling that way. They know who he is already, Simon can grumble about him, they have egg-themed quips at the ready, etc. 😂
As for the name, Egghead. I love how it came together because Simon is a baker, and I was able to work a couple baking jokes in there eventually. But in reality, it was me begging my superhero expert friend (named t below) to help me out with crafting this villain and coming up with some witty exchanges. A transcript of our conversation with the brainstorming and some of the rejects--
t: the gangster has a nickname right? he has to if he’s a supervillain
t: make it a gimmick
t: like if he has a red outfit call him mr. red or something
t: he has a flamethrower and call him dragon (this made it in, later)
me: Vampire already has a flamethrower
t: they can be forced to fight him together
me: Vampire is at home studying bc he’s a NERD
t: ok he can be bald and simon can call him egghead
me: THANKS I HATE IT
t: simon throws him on the ground at the end of the fight - that was over-easy
me: I hate you where do you get this shit
t: I mean it’s typical superhero stuff
t: he wears yellow and white and deals crack
me: This fic is so food themed I love it
t: that’s your villain. that’s it.
t: listen, if the Flash can have an ice skating villain, YOU CAN HAVE EGGHEAD.
And he was born.
(And yes, The Flash does have an ice skating villain. AND SHE DOESN’T EVEN HAVE ICE POWERS.)
Okay, let’s do this! Warning that this is definitely going to go through more than 500 words of the chapter. 😂
Men dressed in black suits with bright yellow pocket squares. And larger men around the perimeter, wearing grey and holding flashlights. It looks more like a business transaction than anything; there are briefcases and money being passed back and forth, hands being shaken.
“Hey!” I call.
There are six men, and they all turn to stare at me, and then make a run for it. The flashlight beams dart wildly and I hear a few of them clatter to the floor. Everyone starts yelling at once and looking for an escape.
I basically watched an episode of Brooklyn-99 and crafted the warehouse drug deal based on that.
“Don’t move. There’s only one exit,” Penny says in my ear. “And you’re standing in front of it.”
I stand my ground, but no one comes near me. The suited guys stay slightly behind the muscular ones. Finally, one of them steps forward. “Mage’s Head Boy. Come to tell us off?”
This scene was also an opportunity to have Penny in Simon’s ear! I wanted them to work together more closely than just talking about superhero stuff - I wanted Penny to be invaluable to Simon’s superhero success and in on the action, too. She’s kind of modeled after Oracle from Batman throughout this fic.
Mage’s Head Boy is a pretty transparent CO reference.
There are times when I’m grateful for my ability to just have muscles and growl at people and make them disappear, and there are times when I wish I was witty like Vampire. This is definitely the second. I can’t think of a response to that.
Luckily, I have a best friend with a head full of wit.
“Tell them to fuck off,” Penny says.
Then again, maybe not.
What would Vampire say? I get hot and frustrated in the face of danger. He seems to get cooler the higher the stakes get.
I fall into a fighting stance. “You wish.” The guy takes a step backwards. “But since I can’t bring you to the police, I suppose I’ll just have to teach you a lesson.”
“That was good,” Penny says in my ear.
I obviously had to work a bit of Baz jealousy / crushing into this. I like the idea of Penny being super blunt. She’s smart and sometimes witty, but more often she just says it like it is. “Cooler the higher the stakes get” was a direct reference to the similar line in Carry On. With Simon’s last line - this scene was all about showcasing him as a “typical” superhero that you’d find in a comic, fighting a classic comic book villain. So I gave him one of those cheesy lines.
I’m surrounded.
There must be fifteen or twenty of them. Eight huge muscular guys, and the rest in suits. They form a loose circle around me. Almost all of them wield knives, but I don’t see any guns so far.
I knew from the outset I wanted this to be a one-against-many fight. At this point in the story I’d set up a good dynamic for Blade vs Vampire, but not so much Blade vs. other city threats. What makes him a trustworthy hero? Simon’s origin story is that he got news attention by fighting off a group - so putting him in this group fight setting was a chance for him to shine.
A man steps out from the shadows. He’s bald, with a straight, dark mustache, and he’s wearing a pristine white suit and a shirt the colour of an egg yolk.
“Egghead,” I say in what I hope is a threatening tone. The name sounds absurd. I’m glad the mask covers my mouth, because I don’t think I can keep a straight face.
Penny coughs.
Benedict Eggerton, better known as Egghead, is a drug lord who wears yellow and deals… crack. (I know.) (He got into crime early; his parents were poachers.) (Okay, I made that one up. I can’t help it.) I put him in jail earlier this year, but he escaped and fled north.
I was laughing so hard while writing this. You can see in the text exchange above where the suit and nickname came from. I was trying to come up with what his first name might be (my first idea was Sunny). I was so amused when I finally thought of Benedict. 😂 The poachers line is also from my friend T, and the “north” is a reference to Scotland, which comes back later as the Scotch Egg joke.
I draw my weapon, trying to look as menacing as possible.
“I remember your blade being bigger,” he says, eyeing my kitchen knife. “Is it too cold for you in here?”
PFFFFFT I LOVE THIS JOKE okay so. I originally made Simon forget his sword because I thought the fight would be too easy - and going back to what I said above, he’s kind of returning to his “roots” with this fight - that spark he has that makes him a hero. And then I wrote the line “I remember your blade being bigger.” TO BE CLEAR, this was not originally intended as an innuendo.
And then my friend said something like ‘he should turn up the heating in this warehouse then’, and I was like OH DING DING DING PENIS JOKE! 😂I’m oblivious sometimes. I’m glad I realized in time because this is honestly one of my favorite villain lines I’ve ever written.
I really, really wanted to give the “too cold” line to Vampire. It would be perfect for him. But Simon always has his normal sword with Vamp, so Egghead it was. And he instantly became an icon. 😂
I twirl the knife between my fingers. “I can crack you anyway.”
“Good effort,” Penny whispers. “But a bit rough on the delivery. 'Take a crack at you' might have been better...”
“Sword or no sword,” I continue, “you’ll be an egg wash by the end of this.”
“What?” Penny says. “Is that a baking reference?”
Egghead cracks his knuckles, and his men rush me.
Much like Penny does later in the scene, I had a tab open of egg-related words up while writing this. I had to work in the baking reference. But a terrible one. There’s a French term for whisking eggs that basically translates to “beating eggs into snow” - and I wish it was a thing in English, because, you know, Simon Snow. Oh well. 😂
I Google a list of ways to make eggs. Simon needs to win this fight, but more importantly, he needs to get some egg-themed one-liners in there to show them who’s boss. Chances like this don’t come around very often.
Listen, Penny is very dedicated. I love the idea of heroes just being quick-witted and coming up with these ridiculous quips on demand. But ultimately, I thought it was funnier - and more in character for Penny - to do this. (Even though her Superhero name is Quickwit, oops.) She has the world of Google at her disposal. Egg puns may not seem important, but superhero image and reputation is half the battle.
Simon is being attacked from all angles, but he fights like a whirlwind. The bulky guys attack first, mostly with their fists. Simon kicks their legs out from under them. He throws them across the floor like they weigh nothing.
“Behind you!” I say. Simon spins around and disarms the man behind him, twisting his arm, and I hear a shout through my earbuds. He grabs the guy’s knife and kicks him in the stomach, sending him sprawling.
Simon Snow faces fifteen men with nothing but two knives, looking like he’s ready to explode.
I loved writing this from Penny’s POV. I am used to writing fight scenes from the POV of the person fighting, so this was definitely a cool challenge. It’s part of why I brought Penny into the scene in the first place - so I could show Simon in third person. Almost like we’re watching a movie and getting some overhead shots. From his POV, you don’t realize quite how awesome he is. So getting to showcase him like this was really fun.
I still have to wonder how Shepard knew… well, everything.
Don’t tell anyone but I didn’t know yet either
“He’s Scottish,” I tell Simon. “Scotch Egg.”
I know. This one’s bad.
He’s a blur of gold and white in motion. He throws his knife—I have no idea where he learned to do that—and it embeds itself in one of the men’s legs. He rolls across the floor, picking up two more discarded knives.
I don’t do a ton of plotting/outlining with fight scenes, but one thing I decide in advance is where and how everyone gets hurt. I didn’t want Simon to win the fight too easily, but I did need to injure him somehow. So it wouldn’t be too easy, but also to serve as a counterpoint to the socks thing later.
I watched a lot of action sequences to write this fic, especially with the trickier one vs. many scenes.
Simon tosses him like a sack of flour.
Couldn’t resist the baker!Simon reference.
“Hard or soft boiled,” I whisper.
“Which way is it gonna be, Egghead? Hard or soft boiled?” Simon shouts. He whispers to me, “That was stupid.”
Egghead raises an eyebrow. “Last chance to leave us alone, Blade.”
I consult my list of egg dishes. “Give up before you get scrambled.”
Simon twirls his blades. I love it when he does that; he looks like Deadpool. “It’s your last chance to surrender before you get scrambled.”
I loved the hard or soft boiled line at first. And then I wrote it down and said it out loud, just to check, and it sounded SO DUMB. 😂I almost took it out, but then figured—Simon is probably not going to think this through, either.
Maybe the Deadpool line was a bit on the nose here, but I wanted to give readers some really vivid imagery of what Simon looks like right now with these dual wicked blades kitchen knives.
“I prefer my eggs… poached,” he says.
Even though Egghead has turned out to be quite a serious villain—there are guns, drugs, and a backstory—he is, after all, original master of the egg puns. He would never turn down this opportunity.
Egghead scrambles (ha) to his feet
I think Penny is just me in this.
“Over-easy,” I whisper.
“That was over-easy,” he says.
Not my best. But it had to be in there.
I’ll skip the serious bits, since the plot there is pretty self-explanatory, to this:
I wish he’d asked what we serve, because I have so many egg puns at the ready. Eggs-ecution. Hash-ing out justice. Karma served hard.
My beta ashspren gave me this line, and I could not be more grateful. Imagine the chapter without this. It would be a shame.
Here are a few egg puns that didn’t make the cut, SADLY:
You're washed out, egghead
*Egghead gets angry* hey, it was just a yolk
I had to go "beat" some eggs
*uppercut* Sunny side UP!
I'll bash in your Eggnoggin’
Some people are just bad eggs
Sorry this is so long—this has been a purely self-indulgent experience. Thanks so much for this ask, I really enjoyed writing this and I hope you like it! ❤️
#ask#fanfic asks#ask game#dvd commentary#holding out for a hero#heroverse#hero fic#superhero snowbaz#the golden blade#hfh#behind the scenes#bts#writing things#hfh behind the scenes
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“The Man Behind the Mask”
Pt 8
Peter Parker x reader
Warnings: Slight sexual-ness
Summary: You’ve recently moved to Queens, New York after your father finds a new job with the U.S. government handling alien affairs in the city. You’ve grown up in a small town, and it’s your junior year of high school; culture shock takes a whole new meaning when you’re saved by the famed new web-slinging Avenger - and when you meet a new group of friends at Midtown High that seem to always be hiding something. But things quickly get personal.
Masterlist / Pt 1 – Pt 2 – Pt 3 – Pt 4 – Pt 5 – Pt 6 – Pt 7
You sat in the small waiting room outside of the principal’s office, picking absentmindedly at the ugly green material covering the arm rest of your chair. Ned and Peter sat in identical chairs beside you. They looked mildly terrified. You sighed, wondering what your mother would say if she knew that you were here. Guilt crashed over you like a tidal wave, knowing that the last thing she needed was more stress at a time like this.
You snuck a glance at Peter, an apology burning in your throat. If he hadn’t felt the need to defend you, he wouldn’t be here. If you’d tried to shake off Flash for a moment, just long enough to grab Peter’s elbow and drag him down the hall, none of this would have happened. Why didn’t you do something? Why did you just stand there?
“Peter…” you began, voice small.
“This isn’t your fault,” he said immediately, cutting you off before you could even begin to apologize. He was nervous, but his words were strong. “I let Flash get to me.”
“You shouldn’t have even had to defend me,” you pressed. “I should’ve walked away from him, I shouldn’t have put you in that position.”
“It’s Flash’s fault,” Ned piped up from his seat. “If he wasn’t such a dick, then—”
“Mr. Leeds.”
The principal had opened his office door to usher the three of you inside, catching the end of Ned’s sentence. The color drained from Ned’s face as Principal Morita stepped back from his doorframe and motioned for all of you to join him.
“I just said dick in front of the principal,” Ned murmured to Peter in despair.
You all grabbed your backpacks from the floor and trudged inside to sit in equally uncomfortable chairs. As Principal Morita stepped around his desk, you wondered idly if the terribly hard seating was an intimidation tactic for misbehaving students. You exchanged anxious glances with your friends.
“So,” your principal exhaled, taking his sweet time sitting down and getting comfortable, “You three have some explaining to do. Especially you, Mr. Parker.”
You gulped. Guilt blossomed in your stomach like a poisonous flower.
“Mr. Morita, sir, please let me explain what happened,” you begged, beating Peter to the punch. “It wasn’t our fault.”
“Is that so?” he asked dubiously. The man leaned forward, resting his elbows against the surface of his desk. “So, Mr. Parker didn’t punch Flash Thompson in the face?”
Your protests caught in your throat. “Uh, well—”
“That’s what I thought,” he cut you off. Principal Morita began to play with a pen on his desk, clicking the back against the hard surface repeatedly. You cringed at the annoying sound.
“But, Peter had a good reason!” Ned added hopefully.
“A good reason for assaulting another student?”
You all were silent for a moment, the only sound in the room the incessant clicking of the principal’s ballpoint pen.
“Sir, I’m sorry,” Peter said softly. He sat up straighter in his chair, scooting forward to catch Principal Morita’s eyes. His gaze was imploring. “I know that I shouldn’t have done what I did, but—but Flash, he wouldn’t leave Y/N alone.”
Principal Morita’s eyes darted to you and you nodded enthusiastically, backing Peter’s statement.
“In what way?” the man asked, and Peter jumped on the opportunity.
“He was grabbing her arm,” Peter said quickly, as if he couldn’t get the words out fast enough. “She—she was uncomfortable.” Peter turned to catch your gaze, and his soft eyes were so concerned for you that it made your heart skip a beat.
“And—and he was calling us names!” Ned chimed in.
Principal Morita rolled his eyes at Ned’s comment. “While I’m sure your intentions were nothing but noble, Mr. Parker, there is no excuse for a physical altercation. I’ll talk to Mr. Thompson about his less than kind way of interacting with others, but he wasn’t the one who threw the first punch… the only punch, from what I understand.”
Peter sighed through his nose, running his hand through his chocolate waves.
“Please, Mr. Morita, he was only defending me,” you pleaded. “Flash wasn’t backing off and—and I’m so glad that Peter was there.” You smiled softly at a defeated Peter, slumping in his seat.
“Know that I’m aware that Mr. Thompson isn’t blameless in this incident,” he said to you, his eyes softening the slightest bit. “But we have an unconscious student with the school nurse and some very upset parents that will be marching into my office any second now. I simply cannot tolerate violence of any kind, it’s school policy.”
Peter’s voice was as vulnerable as a child’s. “Mr. Morita, please don’t call my Aunt May.”
The principal sighed, and he seemed to take pity on him. “Mr. Parker, you’re a good student—one of our best, actually. You spent a little time in detention last year from skipping class, but besides that, we don’t ever have any problems out of you.” He finally stopped playing with his pen and folded his hands across his stomach. “You’re a good kid, I know that. Tony Stark doesn’t give an internship to just anybody.”
Peter sat up slightly, a glimmer of hope dancing in his eyes. Would he be saved by Mr. Stark again, however indirect?
“If it were up to me, I’d let you off with a warning, kid,” he said apologetically.
“But… isn’t it up to you?” Ned asked.
Mr. Morita shook his head. “If the school board realizes that there was a knock out in the hallway and no one was punished for it—and believe me, Mr. and Mrs. Thompson would make sure they knew—that’s a bad look for everybody. You gotta understand that.”
The hope disappeared from Peter’s eyes as quickly as it had come. All you wanted to do was hold his hand and apologize, knowing that he didn’t deserve to be the scapegoat for this.
“Tell you what, Parker,” Mr. Morita said, scratching at his broom-like mustache. You could see the wheels turning in his head. “Since it’s your first offense, and I know that this won’t happen again—” his eyes bored into Peter’s, and Peter nodded frantically, “—then I’ll only give you one week’s detention. Anyone else, and it would’ve been at least two.” He exhaled. “But I’ve gotta call your aunt.”
Peter deflated, but nodded his head, knowing it could have been much worse. “Yes, sir. Thank you, sir.”
Mr. Morita rose from his seat and walked to his office door, signaling to the three of you that this meeting was over. Peter’s head was hung as he walked through the doorway. You and Ned exchanged sad glances. You both thought that this was unfair.
“Oh, and Parker,” your principal said suddenly, causing all three of you to turn. He leaned forward conspiratorially and lowered his voice. “Nice punch.”
_______________________
As much as Peter having detention sucked, the amount of positive attention he got from the incident almost seemed to make up for it. Random senior guys would walk by you three in the hallway and raise their hands to Peter for a high-five. Gaggles of girls would occasionally laugh, making Peter blush pink (you weren’t a fan of this). The best part, however, was that a swollen-faced Flash avoided all of you like the plague. The moment he would see Peter coming down the hall, he would jump to the other side and practically hide behind taller students.
As soon as you had a moment alone with Peter, you hugged him like your life depended on it. The fact that he’d knocked out an asshole with a single punch, all for you, still made the butterflies in your stomach rebel and heat rush from your cheeks to your toes. Peter had walked you to your History class, and before he could say goodbye, you practically jumped on him.
He seemed taken off guard by your sudden burst of affection, but it was only a second before his strong arms encircled you and returned your enthusiasm. You rested your blushing cheek against his, arms around his neck, breathing in his scent.
“What’s this for?” Peter asked you softly, barely chuckling. You tightened your arms at his sweet voice.
“For everything,” you answered simply, and he knew what you meant.
Knowing that you both had classes to get to, you slowly pulled away, but you couldn’t stop touching him; your hands settled at his arms. You gazed at Peter with adoration, and he returned it with a shy, flustered grin. Peter Parker was a magnet drawing you in, and all you wanted to do in that moment was take his beautiful face in your hands and kiss him until you both ran out of air.
But you wouldn’t. Not when he was such a good friend—the best—and you didn’t want to scare him away.
You took a deep breath for courage and leaned in, gently pressing your lips to Peter’s cheek. You were a little ashamed at how long your lips lingered there, loving the softness of his skin. When you backed away, your heart skipped a beat at the look on Peter’s face and the deep red hue that covered his ears. He lightly touched where your lips had been only moments before, a bashful half-smile tugging at the corner of his mouth.
“My hero,” you teased, trying to lighten the mood. You shoved his shoulder.
Poor Peter seemed absolutely overwhelmed. “Uh, I… maybe I should punch Flash more often…?”
You giggled and started backing into your classroom. “See you later, yeah?”
Peter broke into a full smile and it was glorious. You were absolutely, irrevocably smitten. “See you at l-lunch, Y/N.”
You didn’t pay any attention in History. You just doodled hearts on the margins of your notebook, replaying the moment before class in your head over and over again. Peter was quite a breath of fresh air in the midst of your chaotic personal life, even though he’d become such an integral part of it in such a short time.
You wondered what would’ve happened if you’d kissed him — not on the cheek, but really kissed him. Your face grew hot at the mere thought. You’d be lying if you said that you hadn’t been dreaming of kissing Peter since the moment you first saw him in the cafeteria. He was supportive, intelligent, kind, funny, and oh so cute. But he was also one of your best friends. Peter was your link to Spider-Man and to finding out more about what was happening to your father. Complicating your relationship with Peter wouldn’t only make things awkward for your friend group, but could stomp the brakes on your investigation. Not to mention, you were still new to this school, and if Peter and Ned no longer wanted to hang out with you, you’d be completely alone with a bed-ridden father and emotionally-spent mother. You weren’t sure if you could handle that.
There were many potential pros to letting Peter know how you felt, but there were infinitely more cons. If he didn’t feel the same way, Peter might not be in your life anymore, and that simply wasn’t an option for you.
That reality didn’t stop you from daydreaming, though, or scribbling Peter’s name inside a few of the hearts you’d drawn. Had Peter had his first kiss already? Girls weren’t exactly lining up at his door, but you wouldn’t be surprised if he’d had a girlfriend before. He had a reputation for being a bit of a nerd, and so did Ned, so you’re sure that their experience in the dating department was limited. However, anyone with eyes could see that Peter was attractive, and you absentmindedly worried that if you didn’t eventually make your move, another girl would.
You licked your lips, drawing an extra thick outline on one of your doodled hearts. What would kissing Peter be like? Would his lips be gentle and loving, like his personality? Or passionate and rough, like the way you wanted to kiss him when he’d punched Flash that morning? You’d never seen Peter angry before — frankly, you didn’t know he was capable of it. When you’d gotten over your surprise, you realized that it excited you. The clenching of his sharp jaw, the vein popping in his neck, the flash in his normally-gentle eyes…
You crossed your legs.
You cleared your throat awkwardly at the direction your thoughts had taken. You’d see Peter and Ned at lunch in an hour, and you did not need to be thinking of Peter that way when you did. Your face was an open book and they’d be able to tell if something was… off.
Your next class passed quickly as well, since you were having issues stopping the daydreams centered around a soft pair of lips and chocolate, curly hair.
You strutted to the cafeteria a bit more eagerly than usual, ready to get your hot lunch and to see the object of your morning fantasies. After getting a questionable-looking burger and a side of fries, you tried to hide your enthusiasm as you approached your friends at the lunch table. Stop staring at Peter, damn it!
“Hey,” Peter greeted you with a smile, his voice sweet. You let the sound pour over you and settle in the base of your stomach. The butterflies loved it.
“Hey, guys,” you smiled at Ned and Peter in turn, trying desperately not to let your gaze linger on the latter. You subconsciously crossed your legs. Peter swallowed.
“So…” Ned began a bit awkwardly, apparently sensing something in the air, “what’s our plan with, ya know…?” You raised your eyebrows at him. He lowered his voice. “Arachnizilla?”
Peter rolled his eyes and ran a hand over his face, obviously still not a fan of Ned’s nickname for the escaped science experiment. You bit back a giggle.
“Yeah, what is our plan for… Arachnizilla?” you asked, your lips turning up at the ridiculous moniker.
Peter groaned exasperatedly, throwing his head back. “No, not you too!”
“I knew I liked you!” Ned laughed triumphantly, fist-bumping you with a satisfied smirk. You winked at Peter in an apology. His suddenly seemed a little less annoyed.pet
“So, what did Spider-Man say after I left?” you asked them, popping a ketchup-covered fry in your mouth. Ned looked at Peter expectantly.
Peter leaned in, lowering his voice. “He, uh… he said that he’d check it out. I showed him what we’d found in those files. He’s going to look for it.”
You swallowed thickly. “He said that?” Your brow furrowed with worry. “Not that I don’t think Spider-Man can handle this, but… I mean, you saw that thing…”
Ned gulped too, again looking at his friend for confirmation. Peter straightened, pride in his posture. “Don’t worry, he’s got this.”
Part 9 is coming soon!
Tags: @rivaea @starksparker @its-nikki-bitch @martinafigoli @castawayclaires @rintheemolion @redheaded-hobbit @a-miserable-hufflepunk @eridanuswave
If you’d like to be tagged, DM me!
#peter parker#spider-man#peter parker x reader#spider-man x reader#tom holland#tom holland x reader#peter parker x y/n#peter parker x you#spider-man x y/n#spider-man x you#spider man fanfiction#marvel#mcu#marvel cinematic universe#mcu spiderman#spiderman reader insert#tony stark#Iron Man#marvel fanfiction#marvel reader insert#mcu fanfiction#superhero#hero#reader insert#x reader#romance#action#The Avengers#Avengers#spider-man: homecoming
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Small Steps
Fandom: Critical Role
For Fjorclay Week 2020′s Fake Relationship Prompt
Read on ao3: https://archiveofourown.org/works/23779240
Fjord would like for it to be documented on his gravestone--
--one likely in the Clay family’s graveyard, the one he’d only heard mixed stories about where they could make cheeky jokes about him being a Stone and drink tea made from his decaying body--
--that Jester Lavorre was the cause of his death.
“We have to get in if we’re going to get information,” Jester whined.
They stood around the corner from the unexpectedly exclusive tavern, Jester’s third attempt at sneaking in failed. She plucked off the painfully obvious false mustache and frowned at them in a little pout.
“Maybe we can try a more...subtle method?” Caleb ventured.
Beau snorted. “Yeah, us. Subtle.”
“Why don’t I just sneak past the guard?” Nott asked.
“You can’t just sneak in if we need to get information,” Fjord pointed out. “We have to enter legitimately.”
“Well, the guard doesn’t take bribes,” Jester told them. “And none of my disguises or distractions worked.”
From the corner of Fjord’s vision, a familiar pink-and-green giant ambled up to the group.
“Where have you been, Caduceus?”
“I, uh, just went to speak to that nice gentleman at the door,” Caduceus said in his slow, smiling way. “Looks like this is a tavern reserved for specific folks.”
“What kind?” Caleb asked.
“The kind that court the same sex, it seems. Some kind of, uh, couples tavern.”
“Ooh, like a dirty tavern?” Jester grinned slyly.
Caduceus laughed. “Ah, no. No, it seems it’s just for socializing and the sort, but only for gay couples.”
“So a few of us can just pretend to be dating,” Nott suggested.
Fjord turned to Beau. “Shame Yasha isn’t with us tonight. I feel like you two’ve done something like this before.”
Beau, arms crossed, scoffed in amusement, but before she could say anything, Jester cried, “Beau can’t go!”
Silence fell over the group.
“Yeah, Jes, that’s what they were saying,” Beau told her.
A deep purple flush colored Jester’s cheeks. If the group had seen the dynamic between the two shifting over the past weeks, no one had said anything. And based on Jester’s reaction, it was still too soon to bring it up.
“Well, I’ve already talked to the guard,” Caduceus began.
“Which would make you perfect to return with your partner,” Caleb said. Caduceus pressed his lips together in a way that told them he was not planning on finishing his thought that way. “If you’ve already buddied up with him.”
“I suppose…”
“You should go with Fjord,” Beau suggested, earning a bright-eyed grin from Jester. “I mean, since Fjord is so good with people and all.”
“Caleb’s not a very good liar,” Jester said severely, drawing an incredulous look from anyone present enough to actually hear her.
“But Fjord and Caduceus are brothers!” Nott objected, drawing a firm and simultaneous, “No!” from the men in question.
Caleb nodded. “Then it’s settled. Fjord and Caduceus will go as a couple and find out what they can regarding the man we’re looking for.”
“Maybe he’s gay,” Beau offered.
“We can only hope,” Fjord muttered. Glancing over to see Caduceus looking at him with concern, he forced a tense smile and said, “Come along, then, Caduceus.”
“I’m sure you’re going to do just fine, Fjord,” the cleric assured him as they walked off.
“Have fun!” Caleb called from behind them, the final clue that he was absolutely aware of what he was doing.
While the Nein skirted respectfully around whatever was being built between Jester and Beau, they only barely contained their giggles and teasing about him and Cad. There wasn’t anything between them, though. Just a deep friendship built on mutual respect and admiration. And a shared deity. And a continuous warmth whenever they stood close, or met their eyes, or worked together or… Whatever.
They made their way back around the block to the tavern. The same guard stood at the door, a large goliath man who nodded in couples and the odd single person.
“Wonder how they get in,” Fjord mused.
“Regulars?” Caduceus offered. “Think he said something about that.”
“Right.” Fjord took a breath. “Let’s, let’s get going then. Get in, get what we need, get back to the others.”
Caduceus nodded, and they walked side-by-side up to the door.
“Ah, you’re back,” the guard noted. He looked at Fjord.
“My partner and I were hoping to come in for a little while,” Caduceus said with a smile.
“You didn’t mention him before,” the man said.
The firbolg slung an arm around Fjord’s shoulders, a little loosely due to the height difference. Fjord did his best to look completely casual about the contact. “Ah, well. You never know.”
He nodded. “Fair enough. Enjoy your evening.”
Fjord gave a courteous nod to the guard as he stepped aside.
The tavern was warm, a little dim in a relaxed way. There were your standard tables and bar and food and drink, as well as sunken in areas filled with pillows and low tables where couples lounged.
“Doesn’t really seem like the kind of place to be so exclusive,” Fjord murmured, Caduceus’s arm still around him. Gods, what was wrong with him? Between healing and battle and the close quarters of the dome, he should be used to this. And yet, were it not for the grace of the low light, he’d been a blatant deep green.
Caduceus withdrew his arm, scanning the room slowly. “Suppose that’s why they keep it so exclusive.”
“Huh.”
“What was this gentleman like, again?”
“Human. Beard.” Looking around, Fjord bit back a sigh. “Terribly unique. Name is Berth.”
“We’re going to have to mingle, then.”
“Right.”
There was a pause, and Caduceus leaned down, closer to his height, to ask, “Are you alright, Fjord?”
“Yes, of course.” Seeing the frown on his face, Fjord faltered. “I’m just...uncomfortable, I suppose. It’s not you, it’s just...the situation.”
“We could always leave, go about this another way.”
“No. We’re here already, let’s just--”
“Pardon me, gentlemen,” said a smooth voice. They turned to see an elven man, or perhaps half-elven, standing just at their side. He was dark-skinned, with long, curling hair and tight clothing. A bright smile greeted them.
“I couldn’t help but overhear your conversation.”
Fjord felt himself tense, but forced his expression into something more relaxed, a bit perplexed.
The man went on, “I know we’ve all been in your shoes - new place, new crowd, old discomforts. Why don’t you join me and my friends for a drink?”
“That sounds nice,” Caduceus said. “Fjord?”
Fjord smiled. “Yes, of course. And thank you…”
“They call me Wyth,” said the man. He turned and led them to one of the sunken areas. Amongst the pillows lounged five others, two pairs of women and a single man whom Wyth settled in beside. Each pair was in varying states of contact. Nothing scandalous, but certainly intimate.
Fjord turned so that they wouldn’t see him whisper to Caduceus, “When in Vasselheim.”
He let out a low chuckle that might have given them away, but seemed to draw no suspicion. Fjord sat first, taking the last open section within the ring of cushions. The one he found was propped up against the edge of the sunken floor, so he was still able to sit mostly upright.
Caduceus sat beside him, more relaxed and stretched out. His long legs reached the edge of the low table in the center, and he let one arm rest behind Fjord, just touching. Fjord, uncertain what behavior was fully expected, set a hand as casually as he could on Caduceus’s leg. That...seemed okay.
“These are my friends,” Wyth said, half on his partner’s lap. He rattled off names until it was their turn.
“My name is Fjord, and this is my partner, Caduceus.”
They hadn’t discussed fake names, but Caduceus wasn’t exactly versed enough in lying that he wanted to take the risk. Besides, they shouldn’t be doing anything too risky. What was the worst that could happen? They run into people later on that thought they were dating? The entire Mighty Nein already did.
A server came by, unloading drinks for everyone on the low table. Fjord took his to have something to hold.
“Always nice to see new faces around,” said one of the women, a halfling. “How’d you two meet?”
“We’re adventurers, of a sort,” Fjord explained. “The group I was part of, well, I was captured by an enemy. On their way to save myself and other members, they came across Caduceus.”
“It was time for me to leave home,” Caduceus said in his cryptic way.
“And he helped with our rescue. Our paths have...aligned ever since.”
“How daring,” Wyth said.
“Very romantic,” said another of the women.
Caduceus chuckled. “I like to think so.”
“Yes, I’m certain finding me in a dank cellar, covered in blood and dirt and piss was very appealing,” Fjord muttered, taking a long swig.
That earned him a laugh. “You forget I was raised in a graveyard.”
“You two are so weird,” Wyth said. Then he grinned. “I love it.”
As the others laughed and chatted about their own strange encounters, Caduceus gingerly picked up his own tankard and peered into it.
“Want me to get you some water?” Fjord asked. “It’ll, uh, give me a chance to take another look around.”
“Yeah, if you don’t mind,” Caduceus said, setting back down the drink.
Fjord rose and climbed from the sunken area, focused on maintaining some level of cool.
This was fine. This was fine. Those people seemed perfectly nice. They were buying it. Of course they were. If people who knew them thought they were seeing each other without them trying, then this would obviously work.
It had to be the setting. The romantic lighting and soft cushions and couples and nonsense. And the alcohol. Nevermind he’d had all of one drink. As in, one drink from his glass. It was having an affect, certainly.
Alright, so now even he wasn’t buying it. As he stood at the bar, waiting for the barkeep to get a free second to grab her attention, he allowed himself a moment of honesty.
There was something...there with Caduceus. He couldn’t say if it was returned. Clearly the other feelings were, the mutual respect, the kinship, all that. The foundation, if you will. But the structure being built atop it, well. It was hard to say if it was Fjord’s work alone.
And did he want anything more to happen? Liking someone didn’t mean something should be done about it. Look at Jester! There had definitely been something between them at one point, a seed with the possibility of growth. But then Caduceus had happened and Beau had continued to happen and it just...didn’t grow. He loved her, but not like that.
“Water, please,” Fjord asked when the barkeep glanced his way. She nodded, then continued work on the drink she was mixing.
“Hey.”
He glanced over his shoulder to see a broad human man, no beard.
“Couldn’t help but notice you’ve been standing alone here for awhile,” the man said. “Mind if I keep you company?”
The brief short-circuit that happened any time someone flirted with him shut down Fjord’s brain for a few seconds. The man mistook that for approval and stood a little closer.
Before Fjord could politely send the man away, he felt someone wrap their arm around his shoulder, tighter than before.
“Thank you for getting me a drink,” Caduceus said, close enough to his ear to send an unrelated shiver down his spine. The cleric looked down, down at the human was a smile. “Have you been keeping my partner company?”
His arm shifted, almost more around his neck now, though not uncomfortably so. Just… a clear signal.
“Sorry,” said the human. “Didn’t think he had anyone considering how long you left him here.”
“Water,” said the barkeep, and Fjord took the distraction.
“Here you go, Cad,” he said, handing off the glass. Caduceus took it with his free hand.
“Thank you.” To the human, Caduceus said, “I have enough faith in our relationship not to spend every moment with him. Until I sense he needs me to intervene. Shall we head back to the group?”
“Yes, let’s,” Fjord said quickly, awkwardly grabbing the hand over his shoulder and guiding Caduceus away from the bar.
“Our new friend Wyth happens to know our man,” Caduceus told him softly. “I think I got enough for us to leave, if you’re still uncomfortable.”
His arm still around him, his breath all too close to his ear, thinking about laying side-by-side again, Fjord felt his face heat up. “No, I, ah, would hate to waste this opportunity. We should stay a little longer, just in case we learn anything more.”
“They are such nice people…”
“Exactly!”
Caduceus looked at him for a moment, then he reached out with his free hand to take Fjord’s. His eyes went heavy-lidded as he left a single, slow kiss on Fjord’s palm. Then, he pulled back, freeing his other arm, and smiled. “It’s a lovely shade of green on you.”
Fjord took in a sharp breath, knowing the blushing was only getting worse. “Right. Back to the group, then.”
Still, he slid his hand into Cad’s before they rejoined the group.
Maybe it didn’t have to change overnight, what was growing between them. Maybe it didn’t have to be a structure built, but a garden nourished. It would take its time, in little ways, no matter the teasing or misconceptions.
Yeah, that might be nice.
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My Brothers, Corrupted
Chapter 2 : Section 1 : Hello Again
Having brought Marvin under his control, exchanging him for the obedient new puppet “Blue,” Anti moves on to new goals in a new country, bringing everyone along with him. It’s only been a couple weeks since we’ve seen them, but some important changes have taken place, sending the boys spinning into a new section of their story.
Trigger warnings for major abuse, major injury, stabbing and blood, robbery, mentions of suicide and suicidal ideation, and some body horror.
Find Chapter One here.
Find Chapter Two here.
Part One of Chapter Two: Hello Again
whydoilovesomanyvillians asked: What kinda changes did anti make
Your camera flickers to life. There’s a scared face above you, holding you close.
The ceiling is high, high, high up, patterned in intricate gold and brown patterns. Tall columns support it. It’s dark, but candlelight flickers softly around you.
Dapper sets you down on the floor. You’ve seen him looking this pale only once before, when Anti carried Blue’s body back to him.
“Hi,” he signs softly, huddling back against the wall. “Sorry to bother you. Long time no see… sorry.”
You hear footsteps passing close-by and he shudders away, curling around himself for a second, his eyes wide and paranoid.
The footsteps pass by. He sighs, rubbing at his blue-circled eyes.
“I got lost,” he confesses wearily, his hands shaking. “And now I’m too dizzy to get back up. Can you see if my brothers have their cameras with them? We’re going to get in trouble if we miss our appointment.”
Bitterness flickers over his face. “I hate this new place, it’s too crowded and miserably hot. Anti should never have brought us here. So… I guess that’s the first change around here.”
pixie-in-trebleland asked: YAY! YOU'RE BACK?
Dapper’s mouth curls up in a smile, so you’ve already succeeded in making him a little happier.
“Yeah,” he says. “I’ve been sleeping for a long time, I guess. And then things were kind of… chaotic, around here, so I think maybe Anti didn’t want you to see for a while there. But he gave me back a camera this morning. And look!”
He spreads his arms wide, but it makes him wince.
“I got to leave the house because Dok said I needed exercise and Blue and Red needed back-up. So look! There are perks to losing Anti’s love.”
whydoilovesomanyvillians asked: Losing antis love?
Dapper’s grin widens, a wild light burning in his eyes.
“Hell yeah,” he signs, and then giggles at his own boldness. “Well, sure feels that way anyway. Or at least his favoritism, for the time being.”
nikkilbook asked: He punished you for stabbing him on the beach, didn’t he?
“Ha!” Dapper claps his hands together, beaming. “Got it in one! My friend, I’m impressed. He told me very sweetly that he understood why I did what I did - but of course he can’t just let me go unpunished.”
The smile evaporates and for a moment he is far away from you, staring off into the distance with something very cold frozen in his eyes.
Anonymous asked: Wait, "losing Anti's love"? What happened?
“I think it was the point at which he slid the knife into my back that I understood I might not actually have ever had his love to begin with.”
The camera glitches slightly, red and black and harshly distorted.
Dapper grins wickedly. “We’ve been having some problems since then.”
the-weirdest-fan asked: You're okay with losing his love?
Dapper’s smile fades again and he sighs deeply.
“I’m trying to be. You know I tend to… come and go from myself, if you understand me.” He chews on his nails for a moment. “Some days I’m just desperate for him to hold me again, and I cried for a long time after he beat me. But lately I feel so much clearer, you know, mentally… I feel like I got a piece of myself back, that night on the beach. And I love - I have my own bed now! My own bed! And I’m not - ”
He sighs and shakes his hands, trying to find the right word. “I’m not suffocating anymore, you know? Some days are worse than others, but… yeah, you know, I’m okay. Except for this goddamn wound. I haven’t been so weak in a long time. But Doktor is taking good care of me. I think, in lieu of Trickshot, he needs someone else to distract him.”
nikkilbook asked: Doesn’t sound terribly sweet to me. Antifreeze tastes delicious. Doesn’t mean it isn’t poison.
Dapper regards you carefully for a moment.
“I still have to be careful what I say,” he says finally, and that is all.
Anonymous asked: What happened to trickshot? Is he okay?
Dapper’s face falls. He shakes his head, looking exhausted. “Please, let’s not talk about it, I need a break from being so scared for him. I don’t know why Anti won’t give him back to Doktor, but I can hear him crying through the walls.”
nikkilbook asked: What did he do to Trick?
“You know how my brothers talk sometimes about a ‘snap?’ When I lost control of my mind and couldn’t get it back for a long time?”
Dapper sighs and sinks in on himself.
“Anti says Trick had a snap.”
Like a rubber band.
“And who the fuck can blame him?”
pixie-in-trebleland asked: Where is everyone else then, Dap?
Dapper runs his stressed hands through his hair. “Blue and Red and I were sent out for an appointment, but it’s so packed around here, and I got distracted by a weird bird… I looked around and they were gone, and I was feeling so sick - ”
He tugs anxiously at his collar. He’s sweating enough that you can see the dampness of his fringe, but he’s still wearing a high-collared shirt and black dress pants.
“So I came in here for sanctuary. But I don’t know where they are. Red had the instructions. Nobody told me anything about where we’re going or what we’re doing.”
His eyes light up with a frantic smile and he straightens, puppet-like.
“Cause I’m the little baby,” he signs sweetly, and then sinks in on himself again, scowling and miserable, picking at his sweaty sleeves, but never unbuttoning them.
Anonymous asked: jameson, you are a strong independent man who dont need no demon dont ever forget that
Dapper tries not to smile at that, but then he’s dissolving into giggles over the camera, rubbing hard at his face.
He touches his pointer finger again and again - “aaaaaaaaaaaaa!”
“Don’t make me laugh at that,” he sighs, grinning. “I got to tell you, though, I have only one regret - after he explained that he had to punish me, I should have gone - ”
He covers his eyes with his hands for a second -
“I keep thinking, I should have said ‘what are you going to do, stab me?’“
His mustache shakes with laughter. “It’s so stupid, I know, but I keep thinking about it and it makes me laugh so hard - ow, ow.”
He grabs tenderly at his ribs, grimacing. “Maybe too hard.”
whydoilovesomanyvillians asked: Does anyone else have a camera
“I don’t know… back at the house I’m sure they do, but I really hope we don’t have to talk all the way back there. If Anti knows I got lost, the three of us might be in big trouble. Red, at least, will be whipped.”
anonymous asked: Red, Dapper is stuck somewhere alone.
Your audio comes back before your video.
“Are you sure it was beeping?”
“I’m sure I heard it! There’s finally a signal on there again. Get it on!”
“I can’t!”
“You can’t get it up?”
Someone snort-laughs. “Shut the fuck up!”
“You shut the fuck up!”
They’re laughing by the time your video flickers to life, neutralizing a little of the stress between them, and when Red reads your message, he nearly crumples from the relief, tumbling against Blue’s shoulder melodramatically.
“Thank God you can see him!” he shouts, loud enough that people walking past them give them confused looks. Blue bursts into giggles again and shoves at Red’s shoulder, trying to shut him up.
“See, I told you he’d be fine. He’s a goddamn adult.”
“Stuck, did you hear them say stuck? Thank you so much for telling me. I just about lost my mind when his hand slipped out of mine. I cannot express to you the punishment that would have been waiting for me if I had lost the puppy.”
His smile vanishes for a second, something fearful flashing through his face.
“Well, maybe you understand a little anyway. Please tell us where he is.”
Anonymous asked: How's blue? Is he, uh, doing alright?
Blue flashes a peace sign at you, smirking. “Right here, love. Doing great.”
He turns to Red with warm eyes, a fond smile filling up his mouth. “Right?”
Red meets his gaze, a twin grin breaking through his anxiety. “Doing great,” he repeats softly. “Or I will be as soon as we find our kid!”
Blue takes his hand, drawing him out of the street to stand in an alley, where there’s a little more privacy.
“Yeah. I’m doing great. I can’t remember the last time I was this happy.”
“You can’t remember anything,” teases Red, and then they burst into laughter again, knocking their heads together, shoulder-to-shoulder, beaming at each other in the hot equator sun.
Red’s still got his hoodie on over a t-shirt, but he wears basketball shorts and sturdy climbing shoes. Blue’s left his brown leather coat at home, but he has a nice football jersey and jeans down to his boots. He has new piercings in his ears and he’s coated in rings, earrings, and bracelets. They both look well, with good color in their cheeks, bright eyes, and less of the hollowness they shared before.
the-weirdest-fan asked: Why or when did he snap? Do you know? Are you sure it really even happened?
Dapper frowns. “Am I sure it happened? Pretty sure I’ve heard him screaming loud and clear, but hey, to be fair, we all just think what Anti wants us to think most of the time. It was after that night on the beach… Anti let us keep him for a few days, at least, and he would just sleep and sleep. He was pretty sick, but I just thought he’d got the flu. I guess Dok knew something was really wrong, though. He was stressed from the beginning. Really desperate to get Trick eating and walking around again. I think maybe he hid from Anti how bad it was, and Anti, for his part, was focused on Blue and Red, so by the time Anti noticed, Trick was…”
Dapper chews on his nail, his eyes distant. “Not… well.
“And I guess Dok was right to try and hide it from Anti, because now Anti won’t let him see his twin anymore.”
Anonymous asked: Can't remember anything? How is that funny
“What?” grumbles Blue, recoiling slightly. “You’ve never joked about the fucked up shit that’s happened to you? It’s called gallows humor. Newsflash, our memory is blank as fuck. You want me to cry about it?”
“Blue.” Red grabs his shoulder, trying to calm him. “Come on.”
“It’s funny because we share it,” says Blue, softer now, looking up at Red. “And because I’m tired of grieving it. Our memory’s gone, except these painful flashes of what used to be… we’d rather laugh about it than dwell on bullshit. Let us have that much.”
nikkilbook asked: The possession that night. It was too much for him, wasn’t it?
Dapper sinks in on himself, chewing on his nails. “It was a lot of things. Tense, tense, tense, long time, then - snap. That’s how it goes.”
pixie-in-trebleland asked: He's hiding somewhere. Where was the last place you guys were before he slipped out of your grip?
“Just on this road, I think.” Red glances around back at the main road. It’s absolutely packed - the street was not designed for cars but for people. Colorful, solemn, gorgeous buildings tower around them, most coated in heavy greenery. “That’s a good boy to hide. I’ll come get him.”
Anonymous asked: somewhere with columns, mosaics, and candles.
“Candles?” Blue glances out at the street. There are many tall buildings around. “Maybe a fancy restaurant?”
Anonymous asked: Pretty sure he's in a church somewhere, lovely color twins! He mentioned sanctuary? And it looks pretty tall, so maybe look for a steeple!
“A church.” Relieved, Red steps back onto the streets, pulling Blue with him. “That one over there, with all the tourists, is one of them - but there’s also a huge cathedral on the other side of the street. He must be in one of those. Can you ask him how big the space he’s in is?”
pixie-in-trebleland asked: He was saying that he went in there for sanctuary...? Does that mean anything to you guys?
“Dap’s always liked churches, he’s a little bit of a historian. I think he’s fond of some of those old buildings.” Marvin heads over to the closer church, pushing past crowds of tourists and natives alike. “And he doesn’t like crowds very much. Churches are quiet. Must feel like sanctuary to him.”
nikkilbook asked: Dap, are you in the old church or the touristy church? Red’s coming to get you! He was super scared when he lost you.
“They… ummm… they are both old.” He frowns, glancing around. “Everywhere they are images of a girl with roses in her hair. But lots of people are coming and going, and someone was selling prayer cards of the girl outside the door. They’re burning incense at the altar.”
He pulls you back into his corner. “I’m behind the pillar in the back, back right corner.” He glances up. “Beneath a picture of the girl.”
Anonymous asked: Do you still have your art materials, Dap? Have you been making any art? I'm sure we'd love to see it if you have. If not, it's okay.
He relaxes slightly, nodding. “Yes, the charcoals and the paper Trick brought me. Anti washed away all my paintings upstairs, but I still have that. Soon my paper will run out, though… I hope I’ll get something new for Christmas. But I don’t know, I haven’t been very good. I can always draw in the sand outside the house… If Anti keeps letting me outside…”
nikkilbook asked: He says it’s the one with the girl with roses in her hair. They’re burning incense and handing out cards. He’s way in the back, under a picture of the girl.
Marvin laughs. “Rose’s skull is in the cathedral, over here, but the church where she lived is this one here. Trust me - I been reading the tourist pamphlets all week. That being said, looks like he’s in the smaller church, where she lived, there’s more vendors outside.”
“Hurry up, then!” Red darts past him, heading up the stairs. Feeling a little under-dressed, he nevertheless pushes past the women in skirts and the men kneeling near the entrance and starts to stalk around the perimeter of the quiet church. The ceilings tower above him and incense wafts heavy into his nose - he doesn’t much like it. But it’s worth it when he catches a glance of his little brother, hiding in the dark in the corner, looking white.
A moment later, the three of them are re-united, kneeling on the floor beside him. Blue pulls him in for a hug, rubbing reassuringly at his back, and Dapper curls up against his shoulder while Red begins to reprimand him in a hushed whisper.
“Promise me you won’t run off like that again! What on earth were you thinking?”
“Didn’t mean to…”
“I felt you draw away from me!”
A faint blush creeps into Dapper’s falling face and he lifts his hands to speak, only for them to falter again.
“Red.” Blue brushes a damp curl from Dapper’s face. “Let it go. We found him again. That’s all that matters.”
Sighing, Dapper pushes into Blue’s shoulder, clinging to his hand for one warm moment and closing his eyes.
“Can’t get up,” he complains momentarily, looking wearily up at them.
“Ah, fuck,” mumbles Red. “Let big brother see.”
Dapper lifts up his shirt wearily, shielded from the crowds by Blue’s body as Red presses forward to examine his bandages.
“Dok pulls them so tight… you’re not bleeding though. We’ll take a quick break, okay? And then we’ll see if we can make it to our appointment. You can stay here if you need to, but we cannot miss this drop point, Anti would trash us. Dok needs this shit.”
Anonymous asked: How's the new house? Better than the last one?
The three of them exchange glances.
“In some ways, I suppose,” frowns Blue. “There are more rooms. And we get to wander more, because it’s open instead of a forest. But we have to go farther for water and it’s really hot… we’ll have to show you everything. It is okay, though. We’re sheltered and we have privacy to sleep. You should see how some of the people around us must live. Shacks and storage buildings for houses, with babies and children, even.”
pixie-in-trebleland asked: Are you all getting along okay?
Dapper lifts up his hands, but Red interrupts him.
“When everyone’s good, we get along just fine.”
Dapper scowls and crosses his arms over his chest. Blue slaps Red’s shoulder.
“Fine, sorry,” grumbles Red.
“It stresses Red out a little when he hears that little brother’s saying dangerous things,” says Blue carefully. “But the truth is, yes, we’ve been getting along… well, really well.”
Dapper softens, nodding slowly, his eyes thoughtful. “Better than we did before.”
“Cause Anti lets us see each other.” Red reaches down to bump against his shoulder and manages to draw a smile out of his little brother. “We sleep in one room, and Dok and Dapper sleep next to us, and in the daytime we can be together all day if we want. And I watch over them. All the time. It’s been really, really good.” He sighs and turns to grin at his twin. “That’s cause of Blue.”
He’s warm, and not just from the heat. He reaches out to touch Red’s shoulder.
“When you came, Anti let us be a family again,” says Red. “Cause you balance us out.”
It’s too much affection to bear at once, and Blue changes the subject.
“Well, I hope I can convince him to give us back Trickshot soon. That would be real family.”
Red sighs, nodding. “Yeah. Well, you know why Anti has to keep him. Once he’s better, he’ll give him right back. He’s taking care of him.”
“Yes,” agrees Blue immediately.
Dapper doesn’t look so sure.
Anonymous asked: Would Anti ever really give back Tricks? From what Dap mentioned it seems like he took his place
Blue and Red flinch in sync, but Dapper just grins wickedly up at you, that wild light flickering through his eyes again.
“Anti keeps Dap close for more than one reason,” Red explains hastily, looking like he wishes Dap wasn’t there. “I’m sure Anti wants him back under his wing as soon as possible. The reason he keeps one of us close at hand has nothing to do with favoritism, obviously. It’s whoever needs him the most. Right now, that’s Trick. He’s not well. He needs a lot of attention and supervision. But once he’s better, he’ll take Dapper back.”
He turns to his little brother, trying to be reassuring.
“And then everything will be okay again, right? He loves you very much.”
Dapper’s supposed to obey Red. He knows that. And anyway, he’s tired. They only flew in a few days ago, and it’s been two weeks since he was stabbed, and exhaustion sits as heavy upon him as the heat of the blazing sun. So he just nods.
Accepts the verdict.
pixie-in-trebleland asked: Do you really want to go back to Anti, Dap??
Dapper blushes hard and Red and Blue exchange surprised glances.
“Of course he does,” says Blue.
“It’s nice, being that close to Anti,” smiles Red.
“We got a week like that.” Blue claps his hands together, delighted. “It was great.”
“It was incredible,” agrees Red.
“He might let us back like that someday if we get hurt.”
“Yeah, I would take a bullet or two for that,” says Red, only halfway joking, and it makes Blue laugh.
Dapper puts his head in his hands and stares down at the floor, his face getting impossibly whiter.
Red checks a five-year-old phone before shoving it back in his pocket. “We should probably get going, though! Come on, troops! We got some drugs to steal.”
Anonymous asked: Ouch Red. Still, what are you guys gonna do if Anti doesn't stop? Just gonna roll over and accept it?
Red startles, staring at you.
“Um - ” Embarrassed, he glances between you and Blue. “I - it’s not - I accept what Anti tells me because I trust him.”
Regaining himself, he does his best to look angry instead, crossing his arms over his chest. “You don’t know anything about my family, you know. You don’t have the first fucking idea how many times Anti has kept us safe and alive. Dapper, tell them the story you told me, about the men who tried to shoot me!”
He turns eagerly to his little brother. Dapper sighs, shaking his head.
“Please?” begs Red. “I love that story.”
Dapper digs his chin down on his knees. “Once upon a time,” he tells you, swiftly, wearily. “Red got into a fight he couldn’t handle.”
“I don’t remember that, but I believe it, I would do that, honestly I kind of mess up a lot.”
“And they had guns, because they had been waiting for Red to come after them.”
“Like a hero, cause they were bad guys.”
“And they took a shot at J - Red.”
Blue and Red stare at him, confused, but he’s quick to cancel the sign out.
“But I turned back time and told Anti what would happen. Knowing he’d get shot, Anti put himself between the bullet and Red. Took it right to the chest. Nearly killed him. And Anti had to trust that Red and I would protect him.”
“He made himself vulnerable to save me,” Red bursts out, unable to let Dapper tell it any longer. “And if I had just listened to him in the first place and done what he had told me, I never would have been overwhelmed at all, and he wouldn’t have had to save me! But he didn’t leave me to die, he sacrificed himself for me. And I protected him, because that’s my job and that’s my little brother. Yes, what Anti tells me, I will do. That’s my duty.”
His chest is lifted with pride, his mouth knows ferocity. “So if Anti says he needs to keep protecting Trick by holding him in that little room, I trust him, I trust him. Don’t act like there’s shame in that. This is my family. I don’t always understand Anti, but I do always love him, and I know he’ll keep Trick safe.”
“Okay, okay, very moving,” teases Blue, getting to his feet. “Come on, superboy, let’s get going.”
Anonymous asked: (Is the little puppy finally finding his voice? You better be careful dapper, you’ve got to play the long game if you ever want to get out of this mess WITH your brothers. Stay strong! You’re doing great xx)
“Yeah, we’ll get out of here,” promises Red fondly, helping him to his feet.
Dapper’s eyes are fixed on you. His legs shake.
He does not nod or shake his head, but he’ll remember what you told him.
“Come on.”
Blue and Red head off towards the entrance.
Dapper clutches at the pillar, white washing over his vision. He tries to give a croak, but nothing comes out.
He stood up too fast. He’s going to faint.
Anonymous asked: RED catch JJ!!
To his credit, Red obeys without hesitation, whirling to set his eyes on his little brother and then swooping forward to grab him. Dapper staggers, clutches at his brother’s shirt, and then crumples like a sack of potatoes, his head thudding into Red’s chest, tugging them both towards the ground. Despite their position in the corner, this is enough to draw attention to them, and there are some gasps - a couple worried-looking women are edging forward - Blue whirls around with a dazzling performer’s smile, hands held wide, protective.
“Nothing to worry about, nothing to worry about,” he whispers, pushing away all looks of concern. “Just, uh… the Holy Spirit?”
“Way to cover for us, Blue,” hisses Red.
“Sorry, geez!”
“At least do it in Spanish!”
“Es el espíritu santo!” snaps Blue, very sarcastic and far too loud, and they start up a whispered fight over Dapper’s body, pulling him back towards the corner again.
nikkilbook asked: BOYS, EYES ON THE GENTLEMAN WITH A STAB WOUND, IF YOU PLEASE
“Right, right, sorry!”
Red snaps his attention back to Dap, quickly unbuttoning his tight collared shirt and fanning him, brushing sweat off Dapper’s face. “Buddy, can you hear me?”
Dapper is out cold. His eyes are not fully closed, but there is nothing but whites visible. A little spooked, Red pulls his eyelids closed. Dapper shivers limply, his mouth parting, his face distressed, like he’s nightmaring.
“Dapper,” murmurs Blue, standing over him, fear creeping onto his face.
“I didn’t realize he was so bad, I think the heat got to him…”
Blue nods distantly. His hands uncurl slowly, and then he is reaching down, a faint light on his fingers -
Red snatches his wrist out of the air, startling Blue back to attention.
“Blue!” he snaps. “We’ve talked about this! No. Fucking. Magic.”
Blue winces and draws back again, nodding rapidly.
“It’s just, I think I could help - ”
“No.” Red is not joking anymore, not laughing, not teasing. Red is the oldest brother. “No.”
Dapper’s hands twitch. He lets out a shuddering gasp.
“He’s dreaming,” says Blue. “He fainted right into a dream.”
Red pulls Dapper higher on his lap, trying to shake him awake.
Dreams are not a pleasant place for Dapper to be stuck.
pixie-in-trebleland asked: Should you guys skip the appointment and take him back to Anti?
“Oh, no, no, no, we can’t miss the appointment.” Red’s eyes are wide. “We’ve been here for four days and Anti only now found a truck route for us to hit, he’ll be pissed if we don’t get Dok what he needs.”
Anonymous asked: Maybe you guys should take him back to Dok? If he's out cold, you can't just carry around a limp brother to steal medicine.
“I wish we could,” sighs Blue. “We shouldn’t have taken him so far into the city anyway, he’s not been well.”
“Yeah, cause he has a freaking stab wound, dude.”
“Okay, Sherlock, thank you for that.”
“Just give him a second to wake up. He’ll be okay. He never stays down long, this is Dap we’re talking about. He’s resilient.”
“Strangely so,” mumbles Blue, patting his little brother’s cheek lightly. Dap coughs and shifts, a hand reaching up to rub gently at his face.
Anonymous asked: I don’t mean to complicate things, but it might be wise not to bring Dapper to the “appointment” especially if you’re going to steal stuff. There’s no way he’d be able to keep up in this state and he’d only be a liability. If possible do you think Blue could stay with dapper and then you can go get the stuff Dok needs?
“Don’t make me run a hit alone,” groans Red, tugging at Blue’s sleeve.
“Yeah, you’d get your ass arrested and then we’d be in big trouble.”
“Hey! Would not!”
“But we can’t take him with either…”
“Come on, yeah we can.” Red grins. “Anti’s taken him places in worse states, trust me. This is a kid who knows how to work under pressure, or are you forgetting that he rewinds time til it goes our way?”
Dapper signs something, his eyes fluttering dully open.
“What’s that, Dap? You okay?”
“Not a kid,” grumbles Dapper, rubbing at his face.
“I know,” says Red, gently. “I’m sorry. Are you okay?”
Dapper is already trying to get back to his feet over Blue’s protests, something scared and defensive in his eyes. He lets Blue wrap his arms around him and help hold him up straight, his mouth trembling.
“Let’s just get this over with. I want to go home.”
pixie-in-trebleland asked: Dapper, you gonna be okay?
Dapper is distant, shaky, exhausted. “Can’t stop having that dream,” his trembling hands whisper. “Can’t stop seeing him, over and over again…”
Blue and Red are leading him carefully along behind them. He squints his eyes against the sun as they head back into the street, a headache pounding against his brain.
“Scary.”
pixie-in-trebleland asked: What's the dream, Dap?
“Yeah, what are you on about back there?” asks Blue gently, turning to smile at him. “Everything okay, brother?”
Dapper wilts beneath his gaze and shakes his head, hurrying forward to be closer to him, allowing him to grip at his hand. He won’t talk about it with his brothers nearby.
reverseblackholeofwords asked: So what kind of supplies do you guys have to steal anyway? Won't that give you a hint of what might be up with Trick?
“Just around the corner here,” murmurs Red, drawing his brothers along. Down several alleys, they’ve escaped the heavy-populated streets into a quieter part of town, where business buildings and shops are lazy with the weekend heat. A bright, trouble-maker smile is growing on Red’s mouth, light flashing dangerously through his clear blue eyes.
“Nah, it won’t tell us what’s up with Trick.” Blue’s buoyed by his brother’s excitement, he smirks at the quiet alley around the corner, his eyes narrowing on a lone security guard chilling on the porch of one of the shops. “Cause we’re not just taking a bottle of Haldol out of a tiny-town pharmacy anymore. Time to get some real supplies.”
“Do try not to get in trouble,” sighs Dapper. “I haven’t the energy to repeat this too many times.”
“Okay, Dap,” concedes Red, in a show of respect - he has no obligation to grant any of his little brothers’ requests, but he does it anyway. Dapper smiles softly, warmed despite himself. “We’ll be careful.”
“Thank you.”
Red pauses to pull a couple golden coins out of his pocket, handing them over and pushing Dapper’s head away. “Go across the street,” he commands. “Get yourself a soda or something from that vendor over there. And sit down, you’ve done enough passing out for one day.”
“Yes, Red.”
“There’s a good soldier. We’ll be quick.”
“There’s the truck,” sings Blue, reaching for Red’s backpack and pulling out a white, unpainted deer mask. Dapper rolls his eyes and slouches off across the street, leaving them to their chores. He’s glad he doesn’t have to help with a shitty raid like this one. Not even anyone worth fighting off. Fuck, but he could go for a good fight one of these days. Long time since Anti let him get anywhere near to real danger…
Blue draws a thin blue scarf up to cover his mouth. Red draws his hoodie down low and pulls on his own mask, a black one that covers most of his face. A white van with no logo rattles down the alley in their side view, kicking up lazy dust, not expecting a thing.
Red smiles a little too wide for your liking.
On the other camera, Dapper is carefully crossing the street. “You don’t want to see that, do you?” he asks, carrying you along. “They’ll be back in a minute. Or you can watch them trash some innocent pharmaceutical workers. Anti never sends us good fights anymore. Used to be he’d take me out right into the belly of the beast, and we’d come home soaked all the way through in blood… guess I’m supposed to have forgotten that time, though. He found other attack dogs, so I get to be the little puppy instead.”
cest-mellow asked: can’t you guys leave dapper in the car or something? i think he’s a little bent out of shape, could use some R&R
“We take the bus,” says Dapper, putting you down for a moment so he can point at a churro on the vendor’s menu. “Anti was talking about getting Red a motorbike, though. I’m alright. I’m tough, you know. Really, I promise. Maybe no one else thinks so, but I am. Anyway, I’ll sit down here for a moment. It really is beautiful with all the great buildings and the mountains in the distance… when we go back home, I can show you the ocean…”
Some of the harshness falls away from him again as he exchanges his coins for some sugar and bread. His brown hair is golden in the sun and he whistles softly as he sinks down against an alley wall in the shade of a building, popping a piece of churro in his mouth. For a moment, he looks as happy as he did in a fish and chips shop in Norway, if only his face weren’t so exhausted.
Anonymous asked: When you wrote “Scary” all I could think of was Jack going “Fancyyyyy” lmao
Dapper pauses, smiling quizzically. For a moment, he lifts his hands to speak, and then he drops them again, shaking his head, confused.
“Odd, I almost feel like that’s familiar. Fancy!”
cest-mellow asked: do you wanna talk about your dream, hon? or was it not just about your brothers being around? maybe we can help!
Dapper sinks in on himself again, gaze sinking. “I haven’t told anyone about it… it’s… I don’t know. I don’t want to scare them. And I’ve dealt with nightmares before, I can take them! It’s only scary because - ”
Dapper clings to his hair for a second, shaking his head.
“Doesn’t feel like a dream,” confess his weary hands. “They feel real, but… the kind of real where I know I can still reverse it. Reality gets so twisted in on me, you know… sometimes I don’t feel like anything’s real, and though I remember more than my brothers, some days it just gets twisted and twisted and twisted and twisted and I don’t know what happened and what I undid and what I remember and what he planted in my head and all of it spins like the sun in the sky and I can’t - I can’t - !”
His hands flop to the earth. His churro dusts his dress pants in sugar. There is salt on his cheeks.
“I keep dreaming of Blue collapsing,” he tells you.
“He’s standing in water, his arm outstretched, and then his eyes roll back and blood goes running everywhere, everywhere… he crumples. Burns on his face beneath his mask.
“And Anti too, I see him, coated in blood… I’ve killed people, do you know that?”
There’s no guilt in his face. His eyes stare off into the distance.
“A lot of people. But the blood on his arms still scares me, after all I’ve seen. And it seems real, and I can hear Doktor crying, and I can feel Anti’s fury and his power.”
He tears gently at his bread. Places a piece in his mouth, trying to keep it together.
“I think something bad is coming,” he says. “But I don’t know what… or when… or how. Anti promised my brothers a little peace, but I can’t enjoy it, not now.”
pixie-in-trebleland asked: How about that dream, whole your brothers are busy? It might help you stay focused on other things while they are up to no good.
“No good, huh?”
Dapper grins and chuckles.
“Aw, it’s not so bad. We do what we have to do. Always have. Always will. It’s funny, I remember more and more often lately that some of the things my hands have done once made me terrified of myself.”
He chokes a little on his churro all of a sudden, remembering the danger that always hangs over his head. “M-maybe I shouldn’t be talking like this.”
cest-mellow asked: what’s the matter dapper?
He scratches at his head, face dark. “I’ve just been getting in trouble a lot, lately. And it’s not just Anti, it scares the others when I say things… I know I shouldn’t.”
He sighs, shaking his head. “Maybe I just need to shut the fuck up and go back to being a good puppy. Soon as Trick is feeling better, I’ll be back in there with my master, and it’s much more pleasant to be a good boy then.”
Anonymous asked: JJ be woke not broke. You're right and you should say it.
You made him laugh.
Anonymous asked: But you're not a puppy, Dap. You're a grown man.
“Mmh,” he sighs and smiles at you. “I don’t know. Some days are clear days, and I know I’m an adult. And then some days are pain days, and I forget everything but the collar around my throat, and my master’s hands in my hair.”
His smile has twisted nastily, like something is boiling in his mouth.
“Don’t bother appealing to my pride. I lost most of it a long fucking time ago.”
He shivers and stares down at his hands.
“I shouldn’t remember that. Don’t tell my master…”
cest-mellow asked: you don’t have to be anyone’s “puppy” dap. you’re your own person, you know. like you said, you’re tough! i think they underestimate you sometimes.
He blinks, unable to meet the eye of the lens. After a long time, he answers.
“Can I tell you something?” whisper his pale fingers. “Anti’s never underestimated me. I used to believe he kept me close because I’m the baby, and I’m psychotic, and I need him because of that. But now he’s giving me a little freedom, and I realize I don’t need…”
That sentence is too scary to finish. He tries again.
“Anti never kept me close because he loved me.”
There are tears in his eyes.
“He’s just afraid I’ll turn against him. I’m not his favorite brother. I’m just his favorite weapon.”
Glitches explode across your screen and you hear Dapper gasp as a shock rockets up his hands from the camera. He drops both you and his churro and recoils away from the camera, slamming against the wall, his eyes wide with panic.
Angry colors burn across your screen. Your image is cutting out. Dapper’s mouth hangs open, his air coming far too fast.
Suddenly, he’s a lot less keen to get home.
Anonymous asked: Hey Anti, what's up with Chase? Is he okay?
Your third camera flickers, revealing a staticky image of Anti’s face, his eyes black and his mouth scowling. He’s barely bothering to keep Jack’s image together - his mouth is full of too many teeth and his eyes are abysses.
He starts slow-clapping.
“Twenty fucking minutes,” he spits. “Twenty fucking minutes I let you talk to my baby boy again, and this is what you give me? Am I a fucking joke to you? No, don’t answer that, you little shits. I’m going to beat that child til he forgets everybody’s name but mine. Will you be cheering then, when he’s spitting blood and Doktor is fucking crying for the fourteenth time today?”
The camera fizzles furiously. Anti stalks around in a circle, his eyes flashing different colors.
He’s kind of thin. He’s kind of white.
“Stupid baby brothers. I need to retrain Red, he used to be so savage with them. Trick and Dok were terrified of him. He needs to start slapping them around again. He could have Trick whimpering like a bitch for him back then. I don’t know where all this touchy-feely shit came from with him. Just cause I gave him Blue… I needed him reset, but the memory fuck-ups can be such a pain. Maybe I should start separating twins from twins again, Dok doesn’t need Red and Blue, but then someone has to watch Dap… could lock him up, but then with the way he gets… fuck, I need Trick functional again…”
And it is then that, in the bed behind him, you spot Trick himself, watching in silence with his knees drawn up to his chest, his face a solid slate-grey and his eyes dead.
Anonymous asked: God someone's insecurity is showing and I don't think it's Dapper's...
“You’re all fucking comedians. Shut the fuck up.”
Anti shoves the camera away, snarling to himself. Trick sighs and closes his eyes.
Anonymous asked: Oh geeze, looks like that touched a sore spot on someone.
Anti’s eyes are narrowed into slits - the pupils too.
Trick looks like he’s going to vomit. He lies down and pulls the pillows over his head. Anti glances over and his face slackens, chewing anxiously on his lip. He turns the camera off again. That’s enough for his Trick for now.
cest-mellow asked: oh god- i didn’t mean for that, maybe you should turn it back a few seconds ?? dapper i’m so sorry!! are you okay ?
“Maybe I should turn that back,” groans Dap, curling in on himself. “He’ll be positively incensed. And I really wanted a churro. I have the password, too, in case something were to go wrong with Red and Blue. But I’ll have to come up with a good excuse, and I expect I’ll have another faint. No strength these days.
“Oh, don’t apologize though! My friend, I was the one who spoke out of turn. Never be afraid of Anti. That’s our job, not yours.”
cest-mellow asked: oh god- i didn’t mean for that, maybe you should turn it back a few seconds ?? dapper i’m so sorry!! are you okay ?
“Maybe I should turn that back,” groans Dap, curling in on himself. “He’ll be positively incensed. And I really wanted a churro. I have the password, too, in case something were to go wrong with Red and Blue. But I’ll have to come up with a good excuse, and I expect I’ll have another faint. No strength these days.
“Oh, don’t apologize though! My friend, I was the one who spoke out of turn. Never be afraid of Anti. That’s our job, not yours.”
Anonymous asked: Dap, buddy, are you alright?
“I’m okay, but I don’t expect I will be when I get back home. Wonder what it’ll be this time. There’s a cattle prod what stings me just awful. It’s so rude! Cows deserve better than that! Do you think they shock the babies with things like that?”
He sighs, picking at the corners of his churro that didn’t touch the ground. “I love fluffy little cows. The ones with the curls… they’re so good…”
nikkilbook asked: You know, if it were me, I’d probably eat the thing anyway. Unless it fell in something nasty, I don’t think dirt’s gonna hurt you, and you deserve a heckin churro. I feel like “YOLO” fits this situation nicely.
“Haha! Okay, you have a point, but actually parts of this city are kind of gross. There are a lot of dogs around. Red threw a rock at one the other day for trying to bite me.
“Anyway, you know something? We’ve actually been eating better since we came here. We have an actual kitchen! The oven works and Blue built this little cooler into the ground so we kind of have a fridge. He’s been cooking real food, it’s incredible!”
He pauses, staring at his churro.
“That was tasty, though. And I don’t want to get beat again. I think maybe I… maybe I will change back…”
He looks up at you, nervous. “That’s… okay, right? Anti won’t know. I have the password. It’s been a really long time since I used this to protect myself instead of him. Maybe I shouldn’t.”
Anonymous asked: Dap we're not scared of Anti we're scared for y'all. You and Red and Blue and Trick and Doc. Even if nothing goes wrong please go back just so Anti won't hurt you.
“Okay. Okay.”
He sighs and buries his head against his knees.
“I need to be more careful though. Anti would want me to learn. Maybe I can punish myself instead of him coming after me.”
He looks up at you and smiles faintly, a light coming to his eyes.
“But in the meantime… hey, Anti’s not going to know about this. I’ll give you ten minutes before we change back so you can ask me anything, and Anti won’t even know it happened.”
His mustache wriggles with the mischief. He’s giggling, clutching carefully at his tummy.
Anonymous asked: Fluffy cows are amazing, that is a scientific fact.
“You’ve never been more right, little camera.”
Anonymous asked: I know the cows you're talking about! They're usually red and people like to give them little flower crowns. They're sooo cuute!!
“Cows with flower crowns… you’re killing me. I’m going to run away and become a dairy farmer with a dark and mysterious past who enchants a small-town shopkeeper and runs away with them into the night. That’s the dream.”
cest-mellow asked: cows are so great. i like cats though, in fact, i feed stray ones at my house! the kittens are so cute, i think you’d like them a lot! (if you like cats that is?)
“I absolutely adore kittens. I’d have a half-dozen if I could. I think I… maybe we used to have some? I miss having pets around.”
the-weirdest-fan asked: Uh, wanna talk about what you like about your brothers maybe? Positivity could be good?
“What I like about my brothers… wow, you’re sweet.”
He pauses, brushing his fingers soothingly against his lips, his eyes distant.
“It’s odd. I love them very much. But some days there are so few things I remember about them… I forget that he is anything but the man who gives me my medicine, or Anti’s right hand, or just the boy who watches over us from the windowsill, gun perched.
“But then, oh, you should see them as I dream of them.”
He takes a deep breath, his chest puffing up, his eyes bright.
“Like there’s so much more to them, so much goodness and courage and kindness, but I can’t even remember the half of it, and when I wake up with parts of my mind gone again, I feel I am looking at only pieces of the family we used to be…”
For a moment, his eyes grieve. But he collects himself again. Today, he is together. Today, he is strong.
“I still like a lot about them though. I like Red’s energy, ha. He’s always bounding around these days, and he’s so tough, nothing ever knocks Red down for long. I know he would protect me with his life. And Blue, Blue has been wonderful! I’m glad he’s with us! He takes good care of everyone, he always makes sure we’re eating and taking our medicine, and sometimes he can even calm Anti down when he’s angry. He is special and brave and he loves all of us the same. Doktor, well, Doktor has been my twin for the last couple weeks, and we get on very well indeed lately. He’s quieter than the others. I like to just sit with him. I know he’d take care of me if I ever got hurt or… snapped again. He was the one who gave me back to myself the first time, you know.
“And Trick - I just wish I could see him again. I think I remember… we were becoming friends? I know there was a time when the two of us were very close. Anti kept us together as twins for a time, and I think we were happy. I remember he was distressed when Anti gave him to Doktor for the first time, and put me away in my room…
“But I love Trick because even if he doesn’t always show it I know he cares about me and he’s good to talk to. We’re the little brothers. We have to look out for each other.”
pixie-in-trebleland asked: What do you do in your free time now, Dap?
“Well, things have just been busy since we came here. We’ve been setting up the house and I’ve been sleeping a great deal because of the wound. I hope that Anti will buy me more papers and maybe even a book. When I get better, he might let me play with brothers and keep going into town like this! I hope!”
the-weirdest-fan asked: Do you know why Anti doesn't like animals so much when they are actually the best things on this dumb planet?
Dapper’s face lights up with pure rebellion.
“I should NOT tell you that,” he says. “I should NOT. Anti would murder me and feed me to my siblings.”
He pauses, thinks.
“Okay, I’ll tell you what I know.
“He likes to wear his own version of animals, you’ve seen him, the dog especially, because he knows it is frightening to others and often convenient for him. But those changes do not touch his essence. They are more than illusions but less than possession. And possession… possession is where his trauma comes from.
“I don’t remember who he was fighting. He did not tell me the story - most of it I worked out for myself, back when he was less in control, and he would have these horrible screaming breakdowns. He would hurt me and hurt himself and say things he did not mean to say. So I know - from words which broke his voice in half - that Anti was once defeated.”
Something hard and angry and wistful all at once passes through Dapper’s eyes, the color of light on the ocean.
“He was weak. I think maybe he was dying. Something burned him right through to his essence. He could not keep a form. He was near to falling apart entirely, and scared, I expect, that he was die. He needed something to possess.
“He’d prefer a human body, of course. He’d always prefer a human body. But he hadn’t the strength to overpower anything sentient. So he possessed what he did have.
“I don’t know the animal that it was that night. I expect you could find out which one by which one terrifies him the most. But when he would lose himself and scream, he would scream about the feeling of ticks along his fur, and thick animal blood pumping through his over-rapid heart… the filthy water of the streets against his paws, every smell too strong, every sound too loud, the world dark and enormous around him.
“I think it was the greatest humiliation of his life. And you know my big brother by now. He hates to lose control. Someone forced him into an animal body, because he was too weak for anything else. He would wipe out every life on this earth before he ever let that happen again.
“But, for now, all he does is recoil, disgusted by everything with fur or scales or feathers, remembering the sensation of being an animal.”
Anonymous asked: Do you remember the day you were born?
“No. Anti says it was a painful day. I bled, I guess. He says my father wasn’t even there. Nobody wanted me but Anti.”
cest-mellow asked: okay okay! jameson, you remember that name right? can you tell us some sneaky things about anti, maybe things he doesn’t want us to know?
“What name? The word glitched out. I remember some names I shouldn’t though, haha! Anti would waterboard me if he found out. Some sneaky things about Anti, ha! What, are you going to mess with him some more? Don’t do anything to enrage him while he is with Trick. I do know something no one else does… sometimes I hear him groaning in his sleep, like his dreams hurt him. I think he nightmares, just like the rest of us. There are some things even he can’t control.”
Anonymous asked: Interesting...D, how many times have the others “snapped” and who does it the most?
“Oh, you must understand, we all have days where we are bad or sad or angry or hurting or melting down. But ‘snap’… this is only the third time my family’s used that word.
“I don’t remember it well, but Red snapped once, apparently, when it was just him and I and Anti. Anti said I was nearly killed because of it, but… I don’t know… I think I remember… Red’s face, and he was holding me, and he was a different person, and he was afraid…
“But he recovered just fine. After that Anti took us away from each other a little. I saw less of him.
“It’s been some time since what my brothers call my snap. I remember it. It was terrifying. I… I can’t go through that again. I hurt a lot of people. I was in a lot of pain. And terrified. Couldn’t tell what was happening, where I was, who anyone around me was. I thought something was controlling me, but it wasn’t Anti, and I heard… I - I - I’m just glad for my medicine, now. I lost so much control. I left scars on people I loved. Doktor says it’s not my fault, but that’s not the way it feels. And I know it could happen again someday, if my medicine stopped working or I didn’t have it.”
Okay for some reason tumblr does not tell me who submitted these pictures anymore? There’s only like two as I turned off submissions afterwards but yes there were a couple pictures from… someone. Sorry, you can tell me if you’re the one who sent them.
I bring friendly cow!!
Dapper bursts into laughter, touching the screen with a huge smile in his eyes, as though he could pet it if he just got close enough.
“Look at its fucking fringe, hahaha! I love her.”
whydoilovesomanyvillians asked: Do you have a favorite book dap
“Oh, a favorite book! Hm, I’m not sure! Do you know, though, I love Crime and Punishment, really. Maybe it’s a little of a sad story, a little horrible in some ways, but… I don’t know. He was so guilty, he really did such a horrible thing, but his friend still cared for him and forgave him and became his wife. And his big friend too! I love his big friend. And it’s so suspenseful! You spend the whole book sweating right there along Rodya! Is he going to get caught? Can he forgive himself? Does he deserve anybody’s forgiveness? Probably not, and yet… Tense. And the clever detective, knowing he’s guilty the whole time… good stuff! Who has the guts to tell a story like that? I used to read voraciously.”
musical-in-theory asked: Off topic, but Jameson, what does your happy place look like?
“Oh, my happy place, oh my…
“I think it’s a memory. But I don’t remember it.
It’s this forest. With great tall trees swaying in the wind, and the light filtering in through the leaves. It’s warm and quiet and the birds are crying, and if I go far enough, there’s water, a great river of clear cold water, and cool wet stones and fallen trees to make a bride of. Nobody’s with me, I’m allowed to roam, but I know, if I wanted to, I could return home in minutes alone, down a path I have walked a hundred times, but have no recollection of ever stepping down…”
Anonymous asked: Do you know the medicine that you take?
“Yeah, it’s called Haldol. Love that stuff. Tried some antidepressants first, they did nothing for me, but the Haldol makes me feel so much better. It’s great to have some of the hallucinations and delusions go away, of course, but what I really need is that it gets rid of a lot of the paranoia. When I’m out of control I get so freaked out of everything that I can’t feel safe or sleep or eat or trust anybody, anybody.”
He’s upsetting himself a little. He takes a couple deep breaths and smiles shakily at you.
“I should turn back soon. Just a couple minutes more. Red and Blue will be done soon.”
spicydanhowell asked: carver, do you think trick is suicidal? has he ever really hurt himself, or talked about it?
Dapper’s face falls. He cannot meet your eyes.
“He talks about it more than anyone would like. Anti usually tells me they’re jokes and then slaps Doktor and tells him to take better care of Trick. But not this time.
“Anti wouldn’t keep him with him if he wasn’t suicidal.”
Anonymous asked: Dapper, you ever think about taking up swearing?
“For fucking sure,” he says, and then bursts into laughter.
“I don’t think I used to, did I? I don’t know, at some point I started. I know Anti doesn’t like some of the signs I use. Keep it simple, he says. Don’t have time to read fancy words. Says it’s pretentious and annoying. I try not to be a freak.”
He pauses, thoughtful.
“I think often about how my brothers used to be different people. But it scares me a little, thinking about how I used to be someone different too. I don’t know how much of myself I lost… would I like the person I’ve become?”
He plays with his hands for a moment, expression downcast.
“Even the person I am today rarely likes who I am. But there’s no changing now. I can’t undo the things I’ve done. The person I’ve become. Maybe I had a choice once, but… not anymore.”
Anonymous asked: Do you think there's ever a chance for you to escape with your bothers? Away from Anti and his abuse, maybe ya'll could make a new life and he'll realize how much he needs and loves yall and won't be such a little shit.
“Oh, you mustn’t… you mustn’t call it abuse, I… how can I stay if it’s… he has anger problems, it’s not his fault, just…”
He digs his fingers into his scalp, panting through gritted teeth.
“He’ll realize that again soon enough, surely, surely… I wouldn’t stay if it was abuse, would I? I wouldn’t stay if… we can’t… it’s not his fault…”
Anonymous asked: I mean, to be fair Dap, your father not being there when you were born was less a matter of him not wanting you and more someone making sure he wasn't there. But that doesn't really matter in the grand scheme of things. It only matters if you want yourself. No one else's opinion means more.
“Well, I’m sure you’re right, what a positive mental attitude to take. Absolutely splendid. I don’t need him! I’m sure he had his reasons for not being there. You know, I think Anti takes some pleasure in it, though - he is a bit of a jealous personality, isn’t he? I’m glad I ended up with my brothers instead of somebody who didn’t want me.”
nikkilbook asked: Dipdap, do you remember who Jack is? Or rather, do you remember who it is Anti is so angry at?
“Oh, sorry, I didn’t quite catch that name. Who Anti is so angry at? Well, all of us, of course. We piss him off a lot, I’m sure you’ve noticed. But he talks often about people hunting for us, trying to take us from him. I don’t know who that is.”
reverseblackholeofwords asked: Do you ever wish you could bring those other versions of your brothers back? The versions in your dreams?
“I… well… maybe. But I know that was a different life. I love my brothers, my siblings, just where they are, or try to, anyway. Those people they were, they’re gone, because the things that have happened to us have changed us. And that’s okay, mostly. But I also know that… if we were still those people now, we couldn’t keep living the way that we do. I don’t know what would change, but I know nothing would be the same. So, sure, I’d love to see Red as free as he was back then, and Trick happier, and Doktor less afraid, and on and on, but - well. It’s not allowed. And… there must be a reason for that, right?”
His weary eyes fix bitterly on the earth.
“Or maybe we really are just puppets sanded clean and repainted.”
Anonymous asked: Have you ever thought about a life without Anti?
“Everybody thinks about a life without their family, right? But I’d be so lonely without Blue and Red and Dok and Trick! I could never go.”
He picks quietly at his sleeve for a moment.
“Anyway, I think… even when I’m angry at Anti, even when I think he’s… I don’t know, a bad person… I don’t think I could ever belong anywhere else.”
His eyes are shadowed as the sun descends behind the building under which he takes shelter.
“If I am a puppet, I’m quite carved up by now. Some things can’t be undone. Some stains don’t come out.
“I’m not a good person.”
Anonymous asked: People hunting for you and your brothers? If people were REALLY hunting you, wouldn’t Anti tell you who it is so you’d be able to protect yourself and stay safer?
“No, he wouldn’t. I’ve run from enemies before without knowing who they were. Why do I need to know? If I obey, I won’t be harmed, and that’s all that matters. Or so my master tells me. But the threats are not unfounded - trust me, I did not know who it was that shot Doktor that time they caught up with us, but the bullet in his side was as real as the chest I put the knife into.”
the-weirdest-fan asked: I'm going to guess it was a cat. Since it has paws it is probably a mammal and a cat would make sense due to it already having significance. (Then again, he doesn't seem to hate Blue much more than anyone else so i dunno...) What do you think, Dap? If you think it's safe to keep talking about it that is. Sorry for bringing it up in the first place.
“Maybe it was a cat. He doesn’t let Blue wear that mask he used to have. But I don’t know anything about it, really. Could have been anything.”
cest-mellow asked: do you think you ever would overtake anti? he seems to be a little scared of you, if he keeps you so close, you know? maybe you could beat him in one!
“When I’m feeling proud, I tell myself I could, but really, no. I’d have to go through the others first, and I could never do that. Scared of me? I can’t believe that. If he was scared of me, he wouldn’t…”
Dapper can’t finish. He touches his throat anxiously.
“I’m a powerful little weapon. But even without me, he’d still be Anti.”
the-weirdest-fan asked: You know, for Anti being your good rad cool brother, he really doesn't trust you guys much at all. You ever asked him about that?
Dapper bites hard on his lip.
“He has paranoia too. Sometimes I think we share our psychosis. Besides, we’ve given him good reason for it. Someone is waiting to steal us away from him, so he keeps us close. Cause he loves us. Sometimes. Some of us.”
cest-mellow asked: do you think that snap, for you and red, could have been from remembering too much and anti getting upset? you said red was a different person, and he was scared, right? maybe anti just wants to keep those memories away from you guys and calls it a “snap.”
Dapper sighs, glancing down.
“I think… I think there was definitely a time when Red refused to come to heel. He was tough. He would have fought Anti’s control if he still thought he was the bad guy back then, and hadn’t realized Anti was his brother. You may well be right. Maybe he had some memories back then and somehow thought his old master was good, or that he needed to get me away from Anti. Or he had just been reset and was confused. I’m always very confused after a reset. Maybe he was just trying to protect me, and got overwhelmed, and it’s easier for Anti to call it a snap.
“But, um. I don’t really like the word snap. Probably there’s something else we should be calling it. But I really did… lose it. I really needed help. Maybe I did remember too much, but it wasn’t helping me any. I’ve never been so scared in all my life. I was so sure I was going to die. I could see death in the corner of my vision. And my hands were all covered in blood - and - and - ”
He grips at his hair and chokes, curling in on himself.
Anonymous asked: Paranoia is a spooky thing. It's like a horrible all-seeing eye that's there even when you're alone, and wherever you are, you shouldn't be.
Dapper sighs, strangely comforted. “So you know, then. At the worst of it, I was convinced my stuffed pig was possessed, and I could hear it telling me over and over again that it was going to chew my heart up. One time it told me to c-cut my wrists open, and I was halfway to my knife before Trick woke up and stopped me… it was like my body wasn’t my own… I could have killed myself, but it was like I wasn’t even the one acting… I didn’t realize my body was my own again for days afterwards.”
Anonymous asked: has trick tried to hurt himself before, dap?
“He has a great white scar on one side of his head. I know what bullet wounds look like.”
cest-mellow asked: oh dapper i didn’t mean to upset you, i’m sorry. i’ll stop asking such questions, are you okay?
“Don’t worry, please. It’s oddly nice to talk about it. Nobody ever talks about it. Everyone thinks I will shatter like china. I’m glad they set boundaries to help me, but sometimes I feel like we’re just pretending it didn’t happen.”
Anonymous asked: what about "episode"? Instead of "snap"? i've heard that used sometimes!
“Oh, episode. Maybe I… I had an episode, yeah. A psychotic episode. It’s not like my brain snapped, I just had… an episode.”
He pauses, thinks, smiles. “Hm. Yeah.”
pixie-in-trebleland asked: If you had a life without Anti and still your other brothers, would that make you happy?
“That could never be.”
Anonymous asked: Your ‘old master’ did not abandon you. Anti did something bad to him. That is why he was able to get to you all.
Dapper draws away from you, startled. “What? That’s not true. That can’t be true.”
Anonymous asked: Is there anything you'd like to ask us, as well, Dap? Something you can learn and Anti won't know about it?
“Go back to that old master. Nobody talks about him. I remember many things in flashes and dreams, but never, never him. I think Anti wanted him gone more than anything else.”
Anonymous asked: Ah, but I feel like your father never got a chance to love you. Dapper have you ever read the story Rapunzel? It’s an old German fairy tale.
“Sure, I know that story. What, are you going to send me a prince? Make sure he’s good-looking. I don’t think I can grow my hair out that long, but I could try with the mustache. Yeah? Problems solved?”
Anonymous asked: Psssst Red, Blue, what’s taking so long??
They’re shoving supplies into their backpacks, chewing some gum they stole out of the driver’s pocket. He’s lying unconscious on the street, a big bruise forming on one side of his cheek.
“Sheesh, give us a few minutes, we’re robbing a whole supply van over here.”
“I got what I need,” says Blue, straightening up.
“Yeah? Just a second, Dok wants as much gauze as I can possibly fucking find. His words.”
the-weirdest-fan asked: Do you think he straight up hates any of you?
“Yeah, sometimes.”
He picks at his lip anxiously. “Me, for instance. Right now.”
Anonymous asked: Your creator is a really nice man, not perfect but he helps a lot of people when he can. He makes people smile and he helps them to be kinder to themselves. He would've loved you, and I think you would've loved him too.
“Oh.”
Dapper doesn’t know what to say to that. He stares at the earth.
“Well, I mean… if that’s true that’s all anyone could ever want, isn’t it? That’s… that’s everything.”
Anonymous asked: well, 'old master' isn't exactly accurate, but....if he's anything like the version of him we know, he's incredibly kind. He's very famous, but still humble. he raises huge amounts of money for charities he's passionate about. he tries his hardest to be good, but when he makes a mistake or accidentally hurts someone, he apologizes, thinks hard about it, and tries hard not to do it again. we all like him a lot :)
“This is crazy. That’s so sweet. But I really think you must all have something confused. I would know him if he was kind, wouldn’t I? We wouldn’t have to run from him.”
Anonymous asked: Well if you Just shAved off your mustaChe, I thinK you'd find you look a lot like him.
Dapper pauses, confused. “Great minds think alike, but that doesn’t mean much to me.
“Wait, I… I think I do remember that… that’s Red’s real name, isn’t it? Jack?”
florenceisfalling asked: dapper, you gotta hurry up the reversed time. the boys are gonna be back soon.
“Oh, damn. Well, I’ll turn back soon as I see them rounding the corner. Then they can help with the passing out and whatnot.”
cest-mellow asked: anti lies to you, a lot. your creator is so different than how anti makes him out to be, you know? he’s really someone special. you’d like him a lot.
Dapper chews anxiously on his nails.
“Well - well - if he was a good man he wouldn’t have fucking left me to this, would he? If he’s so special, where is he? Why can’t I talk, why is my brain so broken, why am I so weak, why am I just Anti’s little - his little - his little whore!”
And then he is recoiling from you, guilty, stressed, shaken.
“Oh, what am I thinking these days, what am I… maybe I am falling apart again, maybe Anti is right… I need to stop, I… what’s wrong with me?”
pixie-in-trebleland asked: Your new master and old master didn't get along, to put it nicely, Dap. You were stolen away.
“Thank you for answering my questions,” he stammers out. “Truly, truly. You’re all very good to me. But let’s talk about something else. I probably shouldn’t have done this. There are reasons we have rules, you know… I shouldn’t have done this…”
He grabs his clock.
Anonymous asked: It’s not so much about getting rid of the stains or the carving but learning to live with them. That’s what family is for anyways, they teach you that even your darkest corners aren’t so dark after all. Sure those dark spots can be a little ugly, but they’ll still love you for you, the way you’re supposed to be loved. I don’t want to trigger you so that is all I will say. Stay safe little buddy!
His eyes pause on this message. He chews his lip, rotating his clock in his hand.
Thinking.
nikkilbook asked: You stay for each other, Dap. Every single one of you made the choice to stay to keep each other safe. Anti has never done a single frackin thing to earn a drop of the devotion you show him other than hurt you so much you had to choose between death and loving a monster. And so you chose to stay alive and keep your real brothers safe, which I think is incredibly strong. And if I know anything about the man you used to be, he’d be proud of you too.
“We… we do. We stay for each other.”
He runs his thumb up and down the silver of his clock.
“I just… can’t remember anything without Anti…”
cest-mellow asked: have you ever thought about running away with your brothers? you know, away from anti? with a clear head and not having to step on eggshells everyday?
Dapper’s eyes go slightly distant.
“Mmh… we’d go somewhere nice. But I think I’d miss Anti… he used to be all there was… And wouldn’t somebody else just become like him? Red, probably. Red would just become the new Anti.”
Dapper pauses, side-tracked. “Wait, that’s an accidental reference or something. What am I thinking of? Oh, Orange is the New Black! I haven’t seen that.”
Anonymous asked: Have you ever thought of maybe destroying all of anti’s computers? What does he use those for anyways?
“Oh, to really tick him off? Haha! No, no, I need to stop laughing at the thought of making him mad… Dok says I distance myself too much from my own suffering sometimes, whatever the hell that means. But yeah, I don’t know exactly what he uses those for. Monitoring, I think. He and Red used to hack a lot of shit together, and I think he watches the cameras intermittently and keeps track of our money trail and makes sure no one is tracking us and such. Anti things. I don’t know anything about computers, not going to lie. You move the mouse and the clicker moves. And I think you can play games or make videos or something.”
Anonymous asked: You know, change is constant. Damage isn't forever. Growth can spring out of ashes. It's scary but you get through it and you HAVE gone through it. Probably more than we'll ever know. But your choices don't become you, especially if you're just being puppeted by someone else's actions.
Dapper sighs, staring down at his hands.
“I would really like to convince myself I was puppeted through some of the things I’ve done. But I can no longer tell. All I know is my hands were the ones pooling up with blood, and someone was making my mouth smile.”
Anonymous asked: Without you he is nothing. Why do you think he got to you so quickly? Without you he would have no safety. Without you he would surely make a mistake and end up doing something horrible to your brothers. Anti may be Anti but without you, he’d be terrified. You could undo all of his work so easily.
“He would feel unsafe without me, wouldn’t he?” mumbles Dapper, a little light in his eyes. “I don’t know about easily…”
Anonymous asked: If Anti really loved you he would learn from his mistakes, and stop hurting you all so much. He wouldn’t rename you and change you all. You always say it isn’t his fault, but whose fault is it really? You all just try and survive and do as he says but he still hurts you all. It is not love if you are afraid of him. It is not love if he apologizes and then makes no effort to change. It is not love if he erased who you truly are.
“Oh… no, the renames sort of just… happened, didn’t they?”
Dapper looks torn.
“Did he really do all that on purpose? N-no, wait, wait, let’s not… let’s not talk about it… this is who I am, right? I’m still… I don’t know… what if I’m not?”
Anonymous asked: Shit I just thought of something: if Anti sees that Dapper is close to passing out, Anti will get mad and beat on Red because Anti thinks that means he'd failed a few times and Dapper had to rewind
Dapper pauses, his eyes widening slightly.
“Um… you all knew that when you told me to reverse anyway, didn’t you?”
Anonymous asked: i think you should go back! it's only ten mutes, right? anti wouldn't notice!
“Bit of a Freudian slip there, huh?
“Yes, we’ve said much too much to not go back at this point. It’s turned into more like twenty minutes, haha. We talked quite a lot. Thank you for that.”
Anonymous asked: Wait dap don’t forget to reverse so Anti doesn’t get upset
Dapper closes his eyes, his hands curling around his little silver clock.
“Okay, ready? We’ll go back to when I got my snack, before I said anything stupid. Anti won’t have heard anything, won’t be mad, and I’ll just have to wait a few minutes for Blue and Red. Thank you for talking with me. I’ll remember this.”
He pauses, frowning slightly. His eyes are full of what little of the day’s light remains.
“I’ll try to, anyway.”
And he turns back t
As is usual to indicate a time reversal, I reblogged the following post with an addition.
cest-mellow asked: can’t you guys leave dapper in the car or something? i think he’s a little bent out of shape, could use some R&R
“We take the bus,” says Dapper, putting you down for a moment so he can point at a churro on the vendor’s menu. “Anti was talking about getting Red a motorbike, though. I’m alright. I’m tough, you know. Really, I promise. Maybe no one else thinks so, but I am. Anyway, I’ll sit down here for a moment. It really is beautiful with all the great buildings and the mountains in the distance… when we go back home, I can show you the ocean…”
Some of the harshness falls away from him again as he exchanges his coins for some sugar and bread. His brown hair is golden in the sun and he whistles softly as he sinks down against an alley wall in the shade of a building, popping a piece of churro in his mouth. For a moment, he looks as happy as he did in a fish and chips shop in Norway, if only his face weren’t so exhausted.
You’re returned to this moment with a jolt.
Dapper winks and grins and pops a piece of bread in his mouth, looking satisfied and happy, a little sugar in his mustache.
And then the dizziness hits him like a fucking car, and he grabs at his wrapped ribs as his face turns grey as a cloud of smoke. He slumps back against the wall of the building, his eyes a shining silver.
“Dap!” cries someone from across the street.
Anonymous asked: oH FUCK OH FUCK DID SOMETHING WENT WRONG DO WE HAVE A CAMERA
“Whoa, whoa, what’s going on?” cries Red, alarmed. “Did he have to reverse? We’re going to be in trouble if he did, bro. Or are you talking about back home?! Is everyone okay? Is Trick okay?”
immabethehero asked: Who says Anti has to know?
“Oh, he’ll know,” says Red.
They’re a few minutes back, so he’s back to shoving supplies in his bag. It feels like the first time to him.
“Dap’s eyes stay that color for quite a while. Blue, hit that guy again, I can hear him groaning.”
Anonymous asked: If you forget anything we’ve asked or told you remember this, You are Anti’s weakness. When the time comes you will be able to use that agasint him. Best of luck, Jamie. We believe in you!
Some of you are listening well.
Anonymous asked: Guys please keep an eye on your little brother! He’s unwell and you don’t want to lose him
“Fuck,” hisses Blue, alarmed. “Red, he must have had to turn something back.”
“Maybe he just fainted again. Um, normally, you know.”
“Great. Best case scenario.”
“Just go check on him, okay? I got this. All I really needed you for was helping me take the oafs out. Oh, and your backpack!”
“Glad to be your favorite packmule. Here, fill this up.”
“With as much fucking gauze I can possibly carry,” Red says, taking the backpack from him. “That’s what Dok told me, anyway.”
“And the rest of the list!”
“I remember everything! Go get Dap.”
Blue slams the door of the car and pulls out the unconscious driver - oh, there’s gum in his pocket! He steals the pack, shoves the driver out of sight, and then sprints off down the street, back towards his little brother, taking the camera with him.
pixie-in-trebleland asked: Dap, think about the animals. Maybe that will help you relax! The cows, the kittens and maybe even being a farmer! Think of all the sweet little things you could take care of.
Dap shifts gradually back towards consciousness, his eyes rolling a little. He catches sight of the camera and his lips part as he lets out a soft groan, trying to focus on cows or kittens or ducks or anything nicer than the blood trickling down his lip.
“Hey, honey, honey.”
Someone falls to their knees at his side, taking his heavy head into their hands, and he lets himself slump unceremoniously into Blue’s lap, clutching plaintively at his shirt for comfort. Blue leans down over him and presses their heads close together, hugging his shoulders to rock him, murmuring reassurances.
“Oh, Dapper, what happened? Poor thing, it’s okay. I’m right here. Something go wrong? Should I do something? You okay?”
“I’m sorry,” Dapper manages to sign, his eyes prickling with tears. “You’ll be in trouble now. It was my fault.”
Blue clucks his tongue and brushes his fingers through his hair. “Don’t you worry about that. You just do what you have to do and we’ll figure it out from there, okay? I’m sure you did your best. You have to look after yourself too. Yeah? Come on, don’t cry.”
But Dapper is overwhelmed. Anti never talks to him like this.
“I love you,” is all he can find to sign, and Blue smiles and repeats the sign back at him, humming something soft and reassuring.
“It’s okay. It’s okay.”
Anonymous asked: Red, Blue, it's just a little damage control. Just go with your gut, you did flawlessly the first time so don't second guess yourselves.
“Okay, okay,” sighs Blue, brushing his hands through Dapper’s hair. “Sounds like everything’s okay then, right, bud?”
“I don’t know… don’t want you to get in trouble…”
“We’ll figure it out at home. You just rest those silver eyes of yours. I can feel your magic from a block away, you’re like a little magnet.”
“And I smell, huh?”
Blue laughs, startled. “A little! Not bad, though! It’s like an antique shop. But also maybe flowers? And copper?”
“Blood,” corrects Dapper glumly, burying his face in his shirt. “Anti will smell it.”
“Alright, that’s alright. He’ll understand. He’s busy with Trick lately anyway. Think you can get to your feet? Yes? Powerful little brother. Come on, I want to get you sitting down on the bus.”
“Red?”
“Will be with us soon. That’s quite enough excitement for one day. Oh, shit, is that a churro? Don’t drop it, looks good.”
“You eat it,” sighs Dap. “Not hungry now.”
In the last few weeks, Blue has learned better than to turn down food, and he pops the last half of the bread in his mouth without protest. He’ll make him something easier on his stomach at home, anyway.
“Mmh, pretty fucking tasty. Come on, here we go.”
Probably submitted by immabethehero:
Maybe this can calm you down, Dapper. Hang in there!
“That’s a dog,” Dapper manages, smiling a little woozily as Blue helps him up. Blue chuckles.
“Astute.”
“It’s cute.”
“It is.”
He kisses the side of his little brother’s head and they start towards the bus stop down the street.
Anonymous asked: We can’t tell you what happened Red, sorry. It’d make Anti mad if you knew.
“Oh, leaving me out, are you?”
Red’s voice is good-humored as he starts up a go-pro camera to sit on his shoulder, just to make sure he keeps you close.
“Whatever. Not my business. Dapper does what he has to do. Dapper’s the one who keeps us all safe. I don’t question him - just have his back when he needs me.”
Anonymous asked: How's it coming, Red? Doing alright solo?
“I think I got everything I need! I look a little weird with two backpacks, but hey, better than that time I was limping down the streets of Italy soaked in blood. Anti laughs every time he tells me that story. He says I must have been determined to get back to him.”
Red beams. You can see the fine hairs of his dark, scratchy beard.
“I’ll catch up with them at the bus! Then we can finally get home. Today took too long! And I’m hungry.”
nikkilbook asked: Is there any way for us to swing it so that Anti thinks it’s just normal passing out? Because you did pass out once today, no rewind necessary. I know you did a rewind at least once without telling him, when he almost choked you. Are the eyes a guaranteed giveaway every time?
Dapper laughs breathlessly as Blue helps him sit down on a bench, avoiding the suspicious gazes of those around them.
“Only reason Anti didn’t notice I’d turned back time then is that he had no reason to check up on me. He always checks when I come back to the house, though. And every night and morning. And sometimes at random - though that was easier when he kept me close at hand. There are very few times I can do anything without his noticing.”
He pauses, considering.
“I could maybe pretend to pass out. But I think he’d smell it on me, and even if he didn’t he might hurt Red and Blue for letting me get so ill.” Dapper sours and glances away. “As if he isn’t the one who stabbed me.”
“Dapper,” warns Blue, lowly. “Remember who you belong to, pet.”
Dapper flushes and turns away, crossing his arms over his chest.
nikkilbook asked: That’s rich coming from you, Blue.
“I found my place,” answers Blue, immediately.
His eyes are fixed directly on the lens. His irises are lighted by more than the sun. His mouth does not smile.
“I found my place.”
nikkilbook asked: Ooh, wait—Dap, what if we tell Anti it was some kind of external situation? Like someone runs a red light and one of y’all gets hurt, so you turned back and waited for an extra fifteen seconds or something like that. Nobody’s fault. Just some rando driver causing problems.
“Nobody’s fault? Sounds like we should have been watching the street better, even if the light was red. Anti isn’t particularly discerning when it comes to me having to expend energy…”
pixie-in-trebleland asked: How long do you guys need to wait for the bus? You might have to keep Dap calm until then.
Red grins, turning his head to show you one of the city buses turning a corner.
“What do you think, guys? Can I beat the bus to my brothers?”
The camera blinks its eye on his shoulder.
“Yeah,” he grins. “I think that was a challenge.”
And Red is off like a shot.
Hoisted on his shoulder, you bounce along like a racecar driver, drawing startled gasps as Red leaps towards one of the shops on the streets and begins leaping up the building, his hands finding crevices and bricks to cling to as he all but flies up the side, pulling himself onto the roof and taking off towards the next building. He takes a flying jump and rolls as he lands on the next one, laughing aloud.
You think he might be showing off just a little. But it sure is faster than the streets.
“Aaaand hup!”
He jumps back down to ground, earning himself a couple angry yells, but all he does is pull his hood down lower and giggle, slipping off towards the bus stop and startling Blue by throwing himself into the seat beside him and tugging hard on his shirt. Blue gasps, his eyes flashing - and then he calms again, baring a mischievous smile at his twin.
“Don’t sneak up on me,” he snaps playfully, pushing at Red’s shoulder and showing his teeth. “I’ll put a hatchet through your spine.”
Red growls back, grinning and yanking at a strand of Blue’s hair. “I’ll break all your ribs and cook them up for barbecue.”
“I’ll tie you to your mattress and then set it on fire.”
“I’ll carry you to the top of the mountain, tie you up in barbed wire, and then - ”
Dapper whistles shrilly, irritated.
“Sorry, Dap,” they tell him in sync, trying not to giggle.
“No, really, sorry.” Red clears his throat and straightens up. “You’re not feeling well. Come on, let’s get you onto - there it is! Come here, brother, give me your arm. You can walk, right?”
Dapper sighs, clinging wearily to his ribs.
“A few steps more.”
“I’ll carry you back home if I have to.”
Mollified, Dapper manages a smile and reaches out to take Red’s arm.
“Let’s get you back to Dok. I think it’s your nap time.”
He pulls a pair of baseball caps out of his bag before he lets them get on and makes sure they both wear them, tugging his hood up and pulling down their caps - buses have cameras. Buses have eyes. But no one’s bothered them so far, and they’ve been in town with some less-than-legal activities for a few days now.
Dapper lets his head rest against the cool glass of the bus window and tries to relax. Blood wells gently against his bandages. Blue massages the back of his neck while Red sits by the aisle, watching, watching, watching over them all the way home.
End Section One of Chapter Two.
Find the next section here.
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That he may hold me by the hand: chapter 7
Pairing: Arthur Morgan x Albert Mason
Rating: Mature (Adult Themes and Situations, Violence, and Sexual Content)
Summary: After saving Albert from stumbling off a cliff in the Heartlands, Arthur invites him to Valentine for a drink. What ensues after that is a quiet love story, in which both men find themselves completely undone.
Masterpost | AO3 | Epigraph
Chapter 7: Nature. Romance. They ain’t the same.
Some days later, Arthur waited in the saloon with his journal and a beer, sketching the sunny windows of the place and a couple of the women sitting in them, like birds with their feathers and casting shadows. It was close to lunch time. With so much protected rest, he was feeling somewhat on the mend now, better all the time, and in truth, some parts of his consciousness had already begun to vacate his former life. Albert had sent one of the girls out to the doctor in town to pick up a supply of epsom salts, which Arthur soaked in a couple times a day. It was weird and the stuff made his skin feel tight and dry, but it helped. It really did. And he had been drawing so much, he could weirdly feel himself improving his art, which was a fucked-up sensation of massive proportion that he rarely felt privy to at all in his day-to-day.
Safety is an addictive drug. Arthur felt clean and fed and even in his moods. He rarely left the hotel. Albert went out quite often on his business with the gallery. They still had plans to visit the orchids in the Roanoke Valley as soon as Arthur’s riding chops returned, and his ribs improved. He estimated another week or so should do it. John and Mary Beth both knew exactly where he was and though he had not told them as much, he got the sense they knew the truth. It did not register with him in any nervous sense. He hoped they knew, even as he wondered what they thought of him.
Arthur yielded so little in his life to those who thought they knew him. He wasn't sure why anymore. He just wanted for solace. He still heard the ringing in his ears sometimes, that which Colm O'Driscoll had put there, clapping his ears, breaking his bones. He'd been shot before, but only once had he been forced to cauterize his own wound in a darkened cellar with a taper candle. Sometimes he thought about how this one and single instant seemed to sum up his whole life. He tried not to dwell in that place for long though, as it was nonsense and self-pity. There were those who had it worse than him. There were those who loved him and who long had. And there was Albert Mason.
Sitting there that day, he was waiting for Albert to return from a meeting with the gallery-owner who had picked up a number of his photos to exhibit. The opening would be in a couple weeks time. The bartender came over for a little while to talk to him while shining up a glass, and one of the saloon girls brought him some food. He ate and read and sketched. At some point, he was getting ready to head upstairs, but suddenly then, he was no longer alone. Josiah Trelawny had appeared, sitting down across from him in all of his canny glory, mustache sculpted to its intimidating degree, one leg crossed over the other, looking quietly ecstatic.
“Mr. Morgan,” he said.
“Mr. Trelawny,” said Arthur, closing his journal. He held out his hand for a shake. “What the hell are you doing here.”
"I should wager the same to you. A sight for sore eyes you are, dear boy. Any sighting of Arthur Morgan in the wild is rare indeed.”
“I think you’re trying to flatter me,” said Arthur, “but you know I can’t always tell.”
“Only flattery with you, my friend,” said Josiah. He smiled and leaned. “Bandying about the high saloon of St. Denis, I see? Are you here for the gambling?”
Arthur chuckled. “No sir,” he said. “Or, not today at least.”
“You know we haven’t seen you around Clemens Point in a while,” he said. “Most are ignorant to your absence as usual, but considering the state of you last we saw, there’s some concern in the camp as to whether or not you’re okay.”
“I’m just fine.”
“I see that now.”
“How are you?” said Arthur. “You here visiting your wife?”
“Yes, I am,” said Josiah, softening. “Her bed is very warm, and her arms are very long. They go all the way around me, and I am no small man. She's a tall woman, my wife."
"I did not know that."
"Well, now you do. And after my run-in with those ingrate bounty hunters a couple months back, I am in the market for comfortable sleeping with tall women who love me.”
“Yeah, I know that sort of feeling,” said Arthur, looking down at his hands. "Quite well."
This seemed to interest Josiah. He straightened off the back of the chair and leaned forward with his hands folded neatly on the table. “Mr. Morgan.”
“What?”
“Excuse me for prying,” he said, “but may I be so bold as to inquire…are you seeing someone?”
Somewhere across the bar, a woman threw her drink in the face of a man, spat on his shoes, and stormed out the double-doors. The music stopped momentarily while the man stood in disbelief, dripping from his beard, but then it started up again moments later, and the room resumed its mid-day debauchery as if nothing had happened at all.
“Am I what?” said Arthur.
“Have you taken a lover?" said Josiah. "In St. Denis. You've got a kept look about you at the moment.”
"Oh,” said Arthur, smiling. “Kept, huh?”
"Indeed,” said Josiah. He lowered his voice then, smiling in secret. “It’s not Mary, is it? I know she was here, in the city.”
Arthur found this amusing. “No. No, it ain't Mary.”
“Then who is she?”
Arthur smiled, kind of nonplussed. “Well,” he said, clearing his throat. He looked around. The saloon was about half-full. There was a poker game going on over by the window. He leaned against the table and felt a little silly. It seemed silly to recall it out loud. “He’s a…nature photographer. He’s in town on business, and I met him some months back over in West Elizabeth, randomly. It was…maybe a week or so before that time we busted Sean free from them bounty hunters over in Blackwater. He hails from Philadelphia originally, and he’s quite decent.”
Josiah had not blinked. He was staring. Then he blinked many times in a row as if accomplishing his bearings and processing what he had just heard. “Why, Mr. Morgan,” he said. “I had no idea you kept the company of gentlemen. I’m so very sorry for my assumption.”
Arthur waved him off. “No reason to apologize,” he said. “Truth be told, you were right in your assumptions, until now. This entire thing has taken me by complete surprise. Both me and him, I reckon.”
“Does anyone else know?” said Josiah. “About why it is you’ve been so absent from our camp?”
“Not really,” said Arthur. “Or, well, Mary Beth, maybe. John. They might've guessed by now. I can’t be sure. I’ve never told anyone outright, not till now. It ain’t that I’m ashamed. It’s just that—it’s a relationship that is away from all that. It don’t belong to nobody but me. I ain’t had that so much in my life, Josiah, and I ain’t eager to share.”
“I understand. This information is safe with me, Arthur.”
“Yeah, I know. Thank you.”
One of the saloon girls came over then, took their orders. Josiah ordered a glass of bourbon. Arthur just ordered a bottle of beer. “You know, I’ve dallianced with men in the past,” said Josiah, examining his nails. “Before I met my wife of course. I chose her, but there was a time when I was more or less in the wind.”
“Seriously?” said Arthur.
“Oh, yes. Love is love, dear boy. Sometimes, it just takes the shape we least expect.”
Arthur grinned at this, holding his beer with both hands. “I suppose you’re right. I just never thought of it like that.”
“Until now,” said Josiah.
“Yes,” said Arthur. “Until now.”
The saloon girl came over with their drinks. Josiah paid for them both and tipped her generously. “To you,” said Josiah, to Arthur. They toasted and drank. Josiah took out a deck of cards, which he proceeded to shuffle. He showed Arthur a new magic trick he had invented, and told him that he was planning a visit to the orphanage in town that very day, to do a magic show.
"That is mighty generous of you, Mr. Trelawny.”
“Well, I try to do my part.” He wiped his forehead with a handkerchief, as if nervous.
That is when Albert arrived and approached the table, smiling in his gracious manner. He said hello to Arthur, and Arthur stood upon his arrival until Albert urged him to sit back down. Josiah did not move.
“Mr. Mason,” he said, fully surprised. They shook hands. “Fancy seeing you here again. Are you back for the cards? You know beginner’s luck only applies once, my dear boy. You’ll need skill if you’re to rake once more, and skill takes practice.”
Albert laughed at this, visibly blushed. “No, sir,” he said. “I’m afraid my days as a card shark have passed. I’d prefer to go out on a high note.”
“Very smart,” said Josiah. He then glanced to Arthur. “Mr. Mason, meet my dear friend, Arthur Morgan.”
Arthur looked down at the cards on the table, smiling at them, and then back to Albert, and then to Josiah.
Albert removed his hat from his head. “Yes, we’ve met,” he said. “Though I didn’t know the two of you knew one another.”
“I beg your pardon,” said Josiah.
“Mr. Trelawny and I go way back,” said Arthur to Albert. “A decade or more if I ain’t mistaken.”
“Good heavens,” said Albert. “It is quite the coincidence then.”
Josiah was staring, at the two of them, seeming to come into a slow but certain realization. He looked at Albert. “Mr. Mason, you wouldn’t happen to be a nature photographer, would you?”
“Why, yes,” said Albert. “I am. Why do you ask?”
Josiah gazed at Arthur. “No reason.” He smiled. “Well, I should be on my way,” he said. He got up, placed his hat atop his head. “Mr. Mason, it was wonderful seeing you again. Stay sharp. And Mr. Morgan, it is always a pleasure with you. I’m glad to see that you’re healing.”
“Yeah, don’t get too excited.”
“I certainly will,” he said. “I’ll let slip to Dutch, too, that you’re on a job of high esteem.”
“That won’t be necessary, but thank you anyway.”
“Adieu, good sirs,” he said, and then he bowed and went away.
When they were alone but for the sounds of the room and the horses outside on the cobblestone, Albert stood for a moment, full of social grace. He then set his hat on the table and his valise on the floor, and he sat down across from Arthur. They kept their hands tucked into their laps for a while, and then Arthur folded his on the table. They looked down at the table cloth and then up at one another. Arthur took a deep breath. "Good afternoon, Mr. Mason,” he said.
Albert fumbled for words. He felt himself blushing to an ungentlemanly degree. He then looked up at Arthur and said, “You look good today. Your color. I'm sorry I missed you this morning.”
“Don't worry about it,” said Arthur. He took a breath. “So, Josiah—that’s the magician who taught you cards is it.”
“Yes, sir. It certainly is a strange bit of happenstance.”
Arthur found this amusing. “Yeah, I should've figured.” He took a drink of his beer, straightened his pencil, set his journal aside. “How was your meeting?”
“It was good,” said Albert, loosening up a little. He exhaled. “They’re very happy with my work, which is both exciting but also entirely confounding. I hope you’ll accompany me to the opening.”
This seemed to catch Arthur undone. He was flattered. “Sure,” he said, nodding. “I wouldn’t miss it.”
“Splendid,” said Albert, watching him. The eyes, their blue. He got lost. Arthur paid his tab from earlier, tucked his journal into his pocket. Then he picked up Albert’s valise. They went upstairs.
It was this day that marked the end of a time in which Albert could say that Arthur had not been inside him. His strength returned with enough rest and stability, Arthur bent Albert to the bed, removed his clothes and his composure completely. The lid gone to the petroleum jelly, he went so slow as to induce some kind of physical, emotional ecstasy. Agonizing. They made a beautiful mess of one another, ordered lunch, and took a very long bath and did not again emerge from the second floor of the saloon until after nine-pm.
When they went back downstairs, they bought a bottle of wine. It was so strange, as it seemed their world had become small, a diorama of what it had been before. They had become city men, indoor men, just for a little while. For Albert, this sort of thing was old hat, but for Arthur, it was new. They shared the wine with the bartender who talked them into a few impromptu hands of blackjack, and of course, Arthur won every time, almost to an embarrassing degree. It did not even seem to register, how easy it was for him. His intelligence escaped him, past the decades of pain he hid away beneath his quiet armor. And he was just so good at these sorts of things, thought Albert. His gunslinger.
That night, they lay in Albert’s bed, a little wine drunk and high. One of the bar girls had shared with them her bounty of hash cigarettes, and they took to it dreamily, paid her triple. Arthur was drawing something—some sort of tree. Perhaps a tupelo. Hanging from its branches were all of these dreamcatchers. Albert watched, and then he read sometimes, this tremendous novel of awful cynicism called McTeague. It was brand new and terribly unromantic. Almost Darwinian. He had only just picked it up that very day. He read parts of it out loud to Arthur who laughed it off.
“Of course the huge, idiotic brute named McTeague is gonna get the girl in a book like that,” he said, shading his picture with the flat edge of the pencil. “Of course. That ain’t nice, that sort of Realism. You go reading long enough, she’ll probably end up dead, the girl. I’ll bet he kills her. For money, convenience, something stupid like that. Fortune favors the angry, Albert. You want for that which is simple enough, and you go to it, angry enough, you’ll get it, no matter how many folks’ lives you end in the process, including your own. That’s just evil in a world that don’t care. I know all about that.”
“Have you read this already?” said Albert.
“No,” said Arthur. “But I know what kind of book that is. I can just tell.” He finished his drawing, and he closed his journal. He looked at Albert, got quiet and he took his hand. “I don’t want that life no more,” he said. "I mean it."
Albert kissed him, soft. He still knew very little of what Arthur did, only who Arthur was. To him. He said, “Let me be good to you. You’ve always been good to me.”
“Good to you, sure,” said Arthur. “But good for you?”
“You let me be the judge of that.”
Arthur smiled. “Okay, Mr. Mason.”
There was a knock on the door then. A pounding, eager and loud, startling them both. Albert looked at his watch. It was after midnight. “Who could that be?”
They got up, dressed in their night clothes. Arthur removed himself to the sitting room, on his guard. Albert answered the door. It was John Marston.
“John?” he said. “What’s the matter? Is everything all right?”
“No,” he said. He looked disheveled and had a long, bloody cut on his hand which he had wrapped in a stained linen handkerchief. “I'm sorry to disturb. I truly am, but is Arthur here?”
“Yes. Please come in.” Albert stepped aside.
Arthur knotted his hair off his face. John came in, looking terrified, like absolute shit. “John,” said Arthur. "What's going on?"
“It’s Jack,” said John.
“What about Jack?”
“He’s missing,” said John. He looked away, as if in shame. He dropped his head into his hands. "Got kidnapped."
“Kidnapped?”
“Kieran said he didn’t think nothing of it—they was outside camp,” said John.
"Who was?"
“Braithwaites. He came back to report on them, and he said something, but it was too late. Abbie is—she ain’t doing good, Arthur.” He was near on crying. Arthur went to him. He placed his hand on John’s shoulder, leaned in to study his busted up face, his eyes, steadied him hard. “It’s all coming home,” said John, shaking his head. “It’s all coming home, brother. Sean is dead.”
“What?”
“There was an ambush in Rhodes,” John continued. “He got blown away. Now, Jack. I’m sorry. I—I wouldn’t’ve come. I know you got—” He looked at Albert, who was watching the carpet on the floor between. He appeared to be fraught, concerned, but he did not meet John’s eyes. He maintained his distance and waited in silence. John looked back to Arthur. “I need you,” he said, laid bare. "Will you help me?"
Arthur said, “You wait downstairs. I will be right there.”
Tornadoes always hit in the dullest part of the afternoon, in the humidity of summer when suddenly a cool wind blows through, and you look up, and there’s green in the sky.
“Who is Jack?” said Albert as Arthur dressed. “Is that John’s son?”
“Yes,” said Arthur. "He's just a kid. He's little."
“My god.”
“I will be back as soon as I can.”
“I have money, Arthur. If there’s a ransom, or—”
But Arthur cut him off, buckling his holster. It was the first time he’d even lifted it from the ground in a week. “It ain’t about money, Mr. Mason,” he said, very cavalier. He kissed him. “I assure you. It’s like I said before, evil in a world that don’t care. But know that I am grateful for the offer. I am.”
Albert held back. He wasn’t sure why. Truth be told, he was terrified, but he was afraid to communicate this to Arthur now. He saw him to the door and held it inside. “Be safe, dear friend,” he said, holding himself upright against the frame. “Please be safe.”
#red dead redemption 2#rdr2#arthur morgan#albert mason#arthur x albert#arthur morgan x albert mason#albthur#that he may hold#thank you for your patience <3
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Chapter 98
En and Co. finally meet Hawke's Warden friends, and the future seems quite a bit darker.
Feel free to click the links to listen to the music I jammed to while writing each section!
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From Past to Present
As they passed back by the Fen’harel effigy, Enasal slowed to a stop, bowing to it and speaking in Dalish, “Thank you for your protection, dear Fen’harel,” before following the others back down the mountain. Nobody acknowledged her prayer, except perhaps Solas, who smiled in the slightest, patting her head as she passed him to walk alongside Varric.
They seemed to be on the right track this time, the map reoriented in a different direction. A lit torch was the first indication of which of the many caves they were to enter. As they drew nearer a mabari came hurtling out of the cave, teeth bared and hackles raised. Bull grabbed Enasal and tossed her aside, but before he could engage a voice called out.
“Boof! Down boy!”
Varric laughed as the mabari suddenly flopped onto his back, “That’s Boof? You’ve got some grey on your muzzle, old boy.” He reached down to scratch the hound’s belly.
Hawke leaned on the entrance, waving them in. She looked tired but didn't seem as upset as she had the previous time they had me. She offered Enasal a small smile, “Hey there, little cousin... I'm glad you made it.”
“Hope you haven’t been waiting too long,” Enasal said.
Varric pulled the map out of his pocket, “You’re not a cartographer, Hawke, so I ask that you never ever draw a map again - ever. ”
“That bad?” She chuckled, “I’ve only been here long enough to put my pack down and show Boof around. Stroud was out hunting when I got here, so we missed each other while I was waiting for you with Boof. We’ve just now been able to have a conversation.”
“Where is he?” Enasal asked.
“He’s in the back of the cave as we speak.”
Varric gestured in the direction they came, “He’s not the only Warden around here, Hawke. It’s a good thing his friends didn’t find him before you did.”
Hawke nodded, “Yeah, I saw them earlier.” Her brow furrowed, “They’ve been told that he’s a traitor and to capture him - or execute him if he doesn’t come quietly.”
Bull shook his head, “How much blood’s shed by good men following bad orders?”
“Too much.” Hawke said. “But we should get inside before we’re spotted,” She smiled, “Especially our qunari friend.”
Bull chuckled as he followed her in, “The name’s Bull.”
“Well, considering Enasal told me about her friend named Bull who was a qunari, I assumed that was you.” She stopped and called to her mabari, but he seemed to be absorbed in something outside.
“Ugh, you lot go on in, I have to go get Boof.”
“Just as stubborn as ever.” Varric laughed, “It took months for Hawke to teach him to not chase Blondie’s cat.”
Od Nua A (Justin Bell)
The interior of the cave was littered with jars and stalactites, columns and tables. Each was piled high with papers and books, rolls of parchments and broken quills. Clearly, something more than hiding was being done here.
Just as Enasal cleared the threshold the door slammed closed, and the distinctive sound of a sword being drawn sounded behind her. She stiffened, feeling the chill of a blade tip against the back of her neck.
Fists banged on the door, and Hawke’s voice rang out, “She’s with me! And you’ve got a qunari ready to break down the door!”
The man looked her up and down, sheathing his sword and reaching around her to throw up the bar that had fallen when he slammed the door. Hawke and the others piled in, and Hawke threw her arms around Enasal, “I told you that Boof probably heard them! This is my new cousin, you can’t go around cutting her up!”
The Warden sighed and shook his head, rubbing his mustache, “Forgive me, Hawke, I fear my isolation has started to make my mind rush into a fight.” He looked at Enasal again, bowing low, “My name is Stroud. I am at your service, Inquisitor.” He gestured, “Come, sit. I’m sure you’re all tired from the journey.” He sat Enasal and Hawke at a small table, awkwardly motioning towards a tabletop formation for the others to sit on.
“Forgive me, I was not expecting… so much company.” He grabbed a flask and a bundle of dried meat, passing both around to the group. The alcohol was strong, and Enasal sputtered after taking a swig. She was quick to pass it on.
“Warden Stroud, thank you for meeting with us.” She said, “I know the Wardens have their own troubles right now. Do you think the disappearances might have something to do with Corypheus?”
“I fear it is so,” Stroud heaved a sigh, “When Hawke slew Corypheus, Weisshaupt was happy to put the matter to rest.” The two shared disapproving glances, “But an archdemon can survive wounds that seem fatal, and I fear Corypheus might possess the same power.”
“You mean you don’t know?” Enasal asked, “The Grey Wardens didn’t study him?”
Stroud shook his head, “He was kept a dark secret, your Worship. Most Wardens don’t even know he exists - I only knew because of my relative seniority.”
Solas passed the flask, not bothering to take a sip, “So the Wardens have learned nothing in all the years they had Corypheus imprisoned?”
Enasal shrugged, “That explains why Blackwall didn’t know anything about him. He must not have been high up enough in the ranks.”
Bull finished off the flask, “So, what do you know about him?”
“Little.” Admitted Stroud, “Save that he is dangerous. He is what is left of an ancient magister - and a darkspawn.” He fixed his dark eyes on Enasal, “If I knew any more of him, your Worship, I would tell you.”
She nodded, “I believe you.”
He got up, going to a table and gesturing to the piles of papers on it, “My investigation uncovered clues, but no proof.” His eyes flickered to Hawke before lowering to the ground, “Then… soon after we thought Corypheus had fallen... every Warden in Orlais began to hear the calling.”
Hawke stood, “Maker! Why didn’t you tell me, Stroud?”
He kept his eyes to the ground, “It was a Grey Warden matter. I was bound by an oath of secrecy.”
“You know you could have told me!”
Enasal tentatively raised her hand, “What’s the Calling?”
Stroud seemed happy to change the subject, “The Calling tells a Warden that the Blight will soon claim him.”
Her brow furrowed, “How do you figure?”
Stroud raised his eyebrows in question.
Varric gestured to her, “She’s saying, ‘What do you mean?’”
“Ah.” Stroud tapped his fingers on the table, “When one becomes a Grey Warden, their life is cut short. You will have thirty years left if you are lucky, ten if you are not. That is, if you are not killed in combat.”
Enasal balked.
“Seastorm.” Varric said, already seeing the tears, “Don’t think about it, okay? Hero’s going to be kicking for a long while.”
“Ser Blackwall.” Hawke explained.
Stroud nodded, “The Calling is not something easily hidden once it begins. I’m sure you would have noticed something wrong with your Warden friend had he heard the Calling.”
“What happens?” She whispered, ready to commit every word to memory.
“Starts with a dream.” He said, his voice dropping equally low, “Then comes whispers in his head. The Warden says his farewells and goes into the deep roads to meet his death in combat.”
She shook her head, “Just… just like that?”
He nodded, “To kill as many darkspawn as can be killed before your time ends.”
“And every Grey Warden in Orlais is hearing it?” Hawke exclaimed.
“Does that mean they think they’re dying?” Enasal asked.
“Yes.” Stroud confirmed, “Likely because of Corypheus. He speaks with the voice of the Blight. That lets him affect the minds of Wardens, since we are all tied to the blight ourselves. It must be how he created this… false calling.”
Enasal hesitated, “So… Corypheus isn’t controlling them?”
Solas shook his head, “Not directly, it would seem.” He shook his head, “But this Calling ruse - he’s controlling them through trickery.”
Stroud nodded in agreement.
“Are you…” Enasal asked, “Are you hearing this Calling?”
He lowered his head.
Hawke glanced between the two, “Shourd? Are you?”
He nodded gravely, “Sadly, yes. It lurks like a wolf in the shadows around a campfire.” He fell into a chair, shaking his head, “The creature that makes this music has never known the love of the Maker but… at times I almost understand it.”
“Does that mean you want to go to the Deep Roads?”
He shook his head, “While it is tradition, we are not compelled to go to that place. And, yet...”
Varric frowned, “And yet?”
“Because they believe it to be a real Calling, they will act accordingly.” He heaved a sigh, “The last Blight and Logan Mac Tir’s treachery decimated the Wardens. Another such loss would be the end of our order.”
“What happens during the next Blight?” Hawke asked.
“We are the only ones who can slay archdemons.” Stroud fussed with his sword hilt, “Without us, the next Blight will consume the world.”
Bull grumbled and pulled his own flask out, taking a hearty drink, “Do the Wardens got some sort of plan or is that up to us?”
Stroud looked down, “Warden-Commander Clarel spoke of a blood magic ritual to prevent future blights before we all perished. When I protested the plan as madness, my own comrades turned on me.”
“Shit.” Varric and Bull choursed.
Solas frowned, “If it is to prevent future Blights, then perhaps blood magic would be appropriate. The Grey Wardens might retain some of their earlier grandeur.”
Hawke nodded, “If it’s being used for good-”
Stroud shook his head, “I have reason to believe that the… sacrifice is not done by willing parties.”
Hawke hit the table, “Damn.”
“It would seem that I spoke too soon.” Solas muttered.
The Warden leaned over the papers on the table, shuffling a few of them until he uncovered a map, “My findings show that the Wardens are gathering here, in the Western Approach.” He pointed to a spot on the map. Enasal followed his gaze, trying to read the jittering letters, but gave up and zeroed in on the artwork of the area.
“It looks like the desert.” She said, “What could possibly be there?”
“An ancient Tevinter ritual tower.” Stroud answered, “Commander Clarel mentioned it during one of our discussions. I believe she might have ordered the Wardens there.”
“This Clarel.” Bull asked, “She always been a fan of blood magic?”
Stroud shook his head , “She was a good Warden once… among those King Cailen reached out to during the Blight.” He sighed, “She always resented missing the chance to help.” He looked down at the map, “Perhaps… it is why she is so intent on the success of her plan.”
Hawke leaned over the map, examining it, “Do you think she’d listen to you?”
“No.” He said, “When the Calling came, Clarel stopped listening to the rest of us. She believed magic was the only way to save ourselves - to save the world from future Blights.”
Still examining the map, Hawke asked, “Do you think that Corypheus could be controlling her?”
“It’s hard to say.” Stroud rubbed his temples, “What I have heard of the Calling is nothing but noise. No words, and certainly no commands.” He dropped his arms to the side, “No. I think it is fear that controls her now, not Corypheus.” He stood straight, “We must uncover what Corypheus is planning and end it. This cannot stand.”
Enasal nodded, “We’ll help you in any way we can. The Inquisition stands with you.”
Stroud seemed somewhat relieved, “You have my thanks.” He looked to Hawke, “Hawke and I will scout the Western Approach and send word when we’ve found something.”
Enasal stood and offered a hand to shake, and he took it. His hand was rough and his grip firm. “Thank you Stroud. We’ll wait for your letter.”
Hawke walked with them for a few miles, easily showing them the way back to Crestwood proper by eye.
“Faster when you know what you’re doing.” Hawke said with a tight smile.
“Easier when you’re not following a shitty map.” Varric laughed.
She heaved a sigh and yanked him into a hug, “I’ve missed you.”
“You too, Hawke.” He said, attempting to squeeze her tighter than she did him. “We’ll get back to Kirkwall someday, right?”
She wiped her eyes, “Yeah, got it.” She then grabbed hold of Enasal and hugged her tight, “And you too, cousin. I’ll write, okay?”
Enasal nodded, “Please do. You have to tell me stories about Varric.”
Hawke pulled away, rubbing Enasal’s hair briefly before hugging Varric again, “Take care of each other, okay?”
“Stop getting sentimental.” Varric choked, “Crack a joke will you?”
“Shut up!” She laughed, turning to the others, “Bull, Solas. Take care of them, okay?”
With assurances and goodbyes, the groups separated, Hawke returning to the caves and the others back towards Skyhold.
“Where’s your cloak, Boss?” Bull said, looking around, “Did you leave it when we were fighting those corpses?”
Enasal looked around and shrugged.
He chuckled, “You’re hopeless. Don’t come crying to me when you get sick.”
.
Read the entire work on a03: https://archiveofourown.org/works/25803535?view_full_work=true
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#enasal lavellan#dragon age#dragon age inquisition#dragon age inquisitor#dragon age fanfic#dragon age fic#dai#dai fanfic#dai fic#FORESHADOWING#Solas#Bull#The Iron Bull#Iron Bull#Varric#Varric Tethras#Hawke#Warden Stroud
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