#not actual earth shattering bad news scenarios
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Anytime I’m having a frustrating or bad day, I go and sit with my plants, +/- a book and coffee, and I feel just a little better. I still have my garden, my books, my coffee. That’s pretty damn good.
#bad feelings cannot get me out here!!#recently something has been eating my zinnias though so I am a bit peeved about that#also obvs this applies mostly to like stress and anxiety#not actual earth shattering bad news scenarios#but I’ve been lucky to avoid those lately#and this set up is great for warding off work and school related stress#my reprieve from worries#my content#my text posts
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Appendage is part of a good movie, but not completely one. Early on, the lead character, Hannah, is accused of being unoriginal in her fashion design. In a movie which treads the territory of the evil doppelganger / monstrous manifestation of negative emotions, I hoped this was an understated way of acknowledging movies like Malignant, Us, The Dark Half, Brain Damage, Basket Case, The Brood, and so on. Demonstrating an awareness of the genre and promising to do more than put a nice new button on someone else's earlier and better work.
It has a fair interesting promise about it too, using self-loathing as the foundation for the doppelganger. It makes for an interesting reflection of the social experiences of depression, anxiety, and self harm. Particularly notable examples is how Hannah's mentor / fashion mogul using unpaid interns encourages her after seeing the work she produces in response to her doppelganger. At one point the creature overwhelms her psychically with "you are unlovable" which is a very familiar situation for severe depression, and features other scenarios such as toxic social relationships with people encouraging self hate, and lashing out at those who care about you as a result of high levels of depression. This is all good, solid material to use as a foundation.
Where it falls down on the job is more to do with the contrast of Hannah against the conflict of her doppelganger. I'd like to contrast this with Us, because it's probably the most illustrative of the problem. In both instances, the protagonist(s) are fairly well to do - the kind of upper middle class people who very nearly no longer exist. There is a separate discussion to be had about why so many movies build their plots around people whose financial security is wildly out of touch with the vast majority of actual lived experiences - fantasy is one thing, but it's gotten more to the point of deliberate fabrication. The point here is that the protagonist in Appendage comes off as a poor little rich girl, and the Wilsons, in Us, do not come off as spoiled wealthy.
First and foremost, Appendage initially sets up Hannah as someone with effectively a safety net - a really bad one, but nevertheless, an option to fall back, and puts her in a place that would require an enormous amount of wealth for most people (internship in a city, living in a large apartment, doing fashion design with no other income to support her). The very first dress the viewer sees is not dismissed out of hand by the mentor - it's obvious and underlined as trite and essentially a rip-off of someone else's old work (a wrap dress that uses a different closure). There's... nothing in Hannah to latch onto as a empathetic or relatable character. The Wilsons are a family of four with several immediate demonstrations both that they are not necessary the same ilk of old money wealth as Hannah - that in fact there is a degree of constant worry over being seen as less successful than their peers which lurks under the middle class veneer. Hannah is not only confident of her talent, she receives constant assurance from a support network.
This is not to say depression is picky about someone having greater or lesser wealth, but the contrast between the protagonist of the tale versus the amount of conflict is an important element of a story. Not everything needs to be earth shattering, but Hannah being a mediocre artist with great friends and truckloads of financial support from otherwise emotionally abusive parents versus a single mean doppelganger feels like a weak conflict. Which is bringing me to the reason I picked Us out of the other doppelganger options.
How to say this. It's 2023. We have been having the conversation about race and race in film for long enough that a director this young probably saw it her whole life. I have to wonder how she let the most white-bread, privileged character like Hannah turn to a woman of color and say "you don't get pain." What I was hoping was, because the groundwork for the portrayal of depression was solid, we'd get to a place where that line was a lynchpin of where Hannah starts to see how self-directed and myopic her view has become. That would have been amazing. It doesn't get there. Instead her friend, Esther, an Indian woman, saves Hannah from her depression and helps her save her own relationship, and stand up to her abusive mother - because they are besties and just... do you SEE what you are doing, I want to shout at the screen? And she saves her boyfriend, a black man, while her own manifest depression is draining away his life and there's no awareness at all of this?
Contrast with Us, with a black family, whose friends and support are a white family - work friends of Gabe Wilson. Racism is not the whole point of Us, but awareness of it makes the movie stronger. His friend Josh is show constantly chipping away at Gabe's confidence. Dahlia (Josh's wife) tries to undermine the Wilson familial bond. We are reminded of racialized violence on their way to the idyllic beach. Us is a movie about a lot more than doppelgangers, about a very different kind of metaphor, and honestly kind of a cheat as a comparison seeing as Jordan Peele's work is just like "is it a Jordan Peele or anything else" level of art.
However, I'm sticking with it because the point is the level of awareness. Appendage is shows a thoughtful and intriguing understanding of mental illness, but seems completely unaware of any context pertaining to its characters. It's very possible to make exciting, interesting, and thoughtful movies even when the protagonists are in positions of extreme privilege, but making a thoughtful movie requires being self-aware, which Appendage sadly is not.
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Regarding that one Royal Bastard Au where Bahamut set the Prophecy to Regis' firstborn.
Maybe I am underestimating Ace's self-esteem issues but I got the impression that Ramuh is the only Astral who could get Ace to agree to go along with this. And maaaybe Leviathan, but I wouldn't bet in this.
If Gentiana/Shiva tried this, Ace's reaction would probably be a furious "Fuck No". Bahamut might actually Get Stabbed, because if the Prophecy requires a sacrifice then why not sacrifice the fucker who set it up in the first place a Deity? Much more power for the Magic this way.
This also led to my imagining a Reveal scenario where Regis finds out about his firstborn's existence (but not his identity) because Gentiana showed up in Insomnia to bitch about Ace refusing to follow her stupid plans Divine Command to kill his father Ardyn the Accursed.
Ace is like. The Dude Willing to Die for His Family. In Fact the only reason hes still alive at the end of his fic is because Mors yeeted him out of the afterlife. You are definitely underestimating his self esteem issues but you are spot on on how fucking stubborn he is!
So lets say that Ace decides that NOPE HES NOT PLAYING ALONG FUCK YALL which would likely end up in either 1) a showdown with Bahamut 2) the crystal breaking like it did in his canon or 3) a show down with Bahamut but this time its a ace-ardyn team up
Lets go with three for funnies.
-
Ace wishes he could blame his current situation on anyone other than himself. He can’t though, because the fact he and Ardyn are fighting a fucking god is solely because Ace is the King of Bad Life Choices and Ardyn found out about them.
He didn’t plan on Ardyn finding out that he was going to go and beat some sense into Bahamut but Ramuh is a fucking snitch and so are all of his Messengers.
(Ace is making sure Blueberry isn’t given any steak for a month. That’ll show the fucking cat.)
So here the two of them are, bloodied and cracking at the seams with light and darkness and Bahamut is bright bright bright so full of light it’s blinding. The god of war is hard to kill but even he makes mistakes.
Bahamut’s sword pierces through Ace’s gut and the light beneath his skin sparks like lightning. Ace didn’t expect to survive, it makes sense to get rid of the extra in than have to find a new antagonist after all, but the shock of pain the courses through him sends him to his knees.
The darkness that follows isn’t surprising, neither is they way the light around them shudders and fades and night coats the earth. Ace knew Ardyn cared, that the unspeakable thing between them was heavy and fraught with meaning but this-
It’s confirmation, it’s something Ace didn’t want but something he’s getting anyway.
There’s the screech of metal on metal and Ace pulls at the sword in his gut, pulls it out despite every warning in his head telling him its a bad idea and somehow he finds the strength to stand.
Ace peers through the darkness and finds his uncle in it, he finds Ardyn strangling the last vestige of light from Bahamut and Ace stumbles toward his uncle just as it dies. The world around them shatters as Ace falls into his uncles arms and they land somewhere with sun breaking through a large window.
This should mean something, it doesn’t.
Is he going to die? Maybe. But the light around him is breathtaking and his uncles arms are warm.
There’s a warmth coming from his wound and neither Ardyn or Ace realize what’s going on until Ace looks down and realizes his uncles hand is glowing and the hole in his stomach is no longer there.
“Useful,” Ace says and looks up at his uncle, “Thanks.”
He then passes out and wonders why the last thing he sees is ornate mouldings on the ceiling. Last he checked they weren’t outside.
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Hello! Um... I don’t really know how to start this but say I love your hc! I think you do a fantastic job on them, there all very sweet but being the s.o.b I am I’m here to ask for some angst. How would you think the lords act if their S/O died?
...I'm feeling mean. 😈
Warnings: Angst, Death, Horror Game villains making bad decisions/not coping with tragedy, suicide.
Alcina Dimitrescu
Denial, Denial, Denial
You can't be dead. There has to be something, anything that she can do to save you. Alcina scrambles for a solution, attacking the problem from all sides, despite the reality of the situation staring her in the face.
Immediately injects your body with Cadou in a desperate hope to save you. Any possible chance that he has to save you she's going to take it.
It's not likely that your corpse reanimates, but it does mutate. At the end of the process, what's left of your body hardly even looks like you anymore, and she can't bring herself to look at it.
She builds a gilded crypt for your body-- it's stunning. It's inspired by you, all your favorite colors, styles and hobbies are incorporate to make the room feel full of your spirit. Alcina is an artistic woman, and she throws herself into the project like she's possessed.
It might take years, even decades to complete. It has to be perfect. When it's done she feels accomplished, but twice as empty. It might be one of the most beautiful dedications she's ever made, but it can't replace you. She has the room sealed off with no way to get to it, so she can't be tempted to visit. She just needs a piece of of you still in her home, or she can't get through the day.
...If your corpse does reanimate, it's actually worse for Alcina. Whatever she brought back was a shambling, horrifying mess of mold wearing your face. It couldn't think for itself, or even follow commands--it just wanders in circles and attacks anything that gets too close.
She keeps your reanimated corpse in a cell, unable to bring herself to destroy it completely. Sometimes, she'll go down to the basement and talk to the thing like it is you, telling it about her day, having one-sided conversations and thinking of all the wonderful memories the two of you shared.
When its dead eyes meet hers, her lungs seize in her chest and tears gather in her eyes. Alcina doesn't cry often, but when your corpse meets her gaze she starts to sob. Those eyes used to look at her with life and love and now...
Still, she can't stop herself from visiting it. It's a compulsion she can't stop, and it tears open the wound every time, but some irrational part of her deep, deep down thinks that one day, she'll descend those steps and you'll be there to greet her with a warm smile.
In either scenario, she will never have another partner. You're impossible to replace, and she feels truly, genuinely empty without you. Rest well, Darling. You'll never be forgotten.
Donna Beneviento
There is such a thing as a last straw, and this is it for Donna.
Please remember: this is a woman who has lost everything. Mother Miranda might have given her a new "family", but Donna is not nearly as attached to these new members as she is to her original family. And the loss of her original family has shaped her in such a way that if you died? She would be absolutely devastated.
It's not fair to put this kind of pressure on you, but in a very real way you were her last hope for normalcy. She had all these plans to fix her family with you. You were so instrumental to her hopes for the future that now that you're gone, it feels like she has no hope at all. You were her missing link, her one true love, and now that you're dead...
Donna screams until her throat is raw when she finds out you're gone. Angie can't help her, nothing can. She just can't cope with reality anymore.
She'll build a life sized Doll of you to try to help herself cope, but the minute she tries to implant of piece of her Cadou in it, she is filled with such a vehement hatred of the thing that she starts scream-crying before she takes an axe to it's face and hacks it to pieces. How dare it pretend to be you?!! It's not even close to the real thing, she shouldn't even have tried--
She might try to induce a hallucination of you to help her get through the day to day, but it's not the same. She can't perfectly mimic your laugh, or your smile, or the way you tuck her hair away from her face. It's so obviously not you, and Donna is... alone.
I do hate to say it, but she will absolutely try to kill herself if you died. You were the one person who understood her, empathized with her, and you were her best friend. You were her support system, the one person who could carry her through the worst times in her life, but you're gone. Donna can't believe that anyone else could be there for her like you were.
Salvatore Moreau
Absolutely, irreparably broken.
When the two of you were in a relationship, you busied yourself not only with smothering Salvatore in all of the love and affection that you could, but you also did a lot to help his self-esteem and mental health.
You made sure he knew that he was loved, that you could never hate him, and even on your death bed you make him promise never to forget how wonderful he is.
Once you're gone, though, Salvatore cracks.
He clings to every bit of you felt behind. All of your jewelry, clothing, pictures and sentimental items are preserved to the best of his ability. Your living space is transformed into a shrine dedicated to you.
It's not healthy, but he also deifies you in his memory. Mother Miranda is no longer the only person that he worships-- the memory of you is now sacred to him. You become something holy and perfect in his mind's eye. It doesn't matter how many flaws you had in reality, your death has turned even your worst flaws into traits to be admired and praised. His perception of you is totally twisted.
Speaking of Mother Miranda, he regresses a lot. His adoration of Mother Miranda was something you were helping him work through, but now he's right back at square one, and even worse off than before.
Moreau can't make a decision on his own anymore--from what to say, to what to do, and sometimes even what to eat. After all, it's his fault that you died, isn't it? You were his partner and he used to be is a doctor. How could he possibly trust himself with anything when he couldn't manage to save the most important thing in his life?
To the rest of his family, he's more pathetic than before. His obsession with his Mother was usually limited to when she was in the room, but now it's constant.
If he ever hears the quote "It's better to have loved and lost, then never loved at all," he gets supremely, violently angry. No. No, that's not true, it's bullshit, how dare you even say that to his face.
If he hadn't loved you, you would be alive. He would be alone, but you would be safe. You would be happy.
Now he's alone, and all you are is dead. He can't ever come back from it.
Karl Heisenberg
Rage. Unending, earth shattering Rage.
Whatever killed you better start to fucking pray, because Karl Heisenberg will not quit until it's suffering.
He doesn't kill who or whatever it was. He let's it sit there, mangled beyond belief, and uses his knowledge of mechanics and biology to keep it alive in constant, unending pain.
It's cathartic for him, but not in a healthy way. The more he hurts it, the better he feels, but at the end of the day, you're still gone, and he's still alone.
He's... lost.
Heisenberg should be angry, fuck he wants to be angry more than anything, but the longer he keeps the thing alive... emotions seem like they're too far away anymore. He wants to scream, he wants to cry, he wants... you.
He keeps something of yours in his pocket at all times, just to run his fingers over it and remember you. Your eyes, your laugh, your smile... It's almost like a stress ball, and these days sticking his hand into his pocket to wrap his fingers around the thing is the only way he can calm down.
Sometimes he turns to ask your opinion on something, or tell you a joke with a big smile on his face because this one is going to make you laugh for sure-- and then he freezes when the reality sets in once again. You're not here.
Remember, Heisenberg has idealized the two of you as this perfect partnership. You were the first person who looked at him and loved everything that you saw. You weren't just his first real relationship, the first person that he implicitly trusted, but you were also his very first real friend.
He wasn't the most friendly person to begin with, but he did get better because of you. He was still spoiled, a little socially awkward, and maybe his dark sense of humor would slip and get a little too much, but he grew as a person.
Now that you're gone, he can't even remember what it's like not being a cruel, empty shell of rage. All he has left is his hatred of Mother Miranda.
After a while, it doesn't matter if he's ready to take her on or not. He's going to face that bitch head on and kill her, or die trying.
If he wins, he's finally free. If he doesn't... that's not so bad either. Karl doesn't really believe in an afterlife, but there's something appealing about joining you wherever you might be.
#angst#death#alcina dimitrescu x reader#donna beneviento x reader#salvatore moreau x reader#karl heisenburg x reader#lady dimitrescu#alcina dimitrescu#donna beneviento#salvatore moreau#karl heisenberg#re8#resident evil village#resident evil 8#resident evil#dead reader#tw: suicide
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You can make a part 2 of when you break up with iwaizumi, akaashi???
when you move on pt 1
sequel to
genre: pure angst. pure, pure angst. fem!reader
w/ iwaizumi and akaashi
an- thanks for the request, lovely <3, also if you meant for it to be another breakup scenario oopsies but feel free to drop another ask and tell me :) thank you
iwaizumi hajime
word had been buzzing around the entire court about morisuke yaku’s new girlfriend, not that hajime really was paying attention. he heard it through the grapevine and same about her visit today but that wasn’t a part of his job. he was here to help train and make sure the boys didn’t do anything to hurt themselves.
he was looking down at sakusa’s training routine during a break, thinking of new updates for his improvements when the door opened to the gym. he noticed the door open but didn’t do anything. most of the team burst into several questions.
“nice to see you princess.” “hi are you mori-kun’s girlfriend!” “please ignore them” “hi! i’m bokuto!” “it’s pleasant to meet you.” “you’re pretty. sure you wanna be datin’ morisuke?” “i’ll break your kneecaps, miya.”
at the commotion, hajime looked up at the group.
oh
he felt like it had been years since he had seen you. it felt like an eternity since he had seen those eyes, and the consistent stars that swam within them and suddenly hajime forgot to swim. he didn’t remember how. if he could drown within those eyes he would have. his stomach began to twist violently and he felt the pang of guilt stabbing him. he remembered the night you separated, vividly. the arguments about how he never made time for you, him telling you to leave, and then you walking out of his life and never returning. until now. the core of the argument was how he never made the time for you, something yaku clearly could have done since you were here to visit during break. hajime watched how yaku held you, hand on the small of your back a motion that said he got you, he was here for you. it was the way hajime used to hold you. and now he would never get the chance to hold you that way again. it hurt more than he could have imagined.
not as much as you looking up and into his eyes.
you pardoned yourself from yaku and walked over to him. his breath got caught in his throat as you approached the bench he was sitting on.
“hi,” you greeted, sitting beside him.
“hi.” was his choked response. silent.
“it would have been weird to avoid you.”
“i know.” another silence. hajime took a breath. he needed to bite the bullet. “so. yakkun, huh?” he asked with a pain smile. at the thought of your new boyfriend you smiled so very softly. and that killed him. “when did that happen?”
“well, actually, we met the night we broke up,” you admitted, looking into your lap. a fire grew in iwaizumi’s chest. “i went to that late night coffee place and got-”
“an americano,” iwaizumi interrupted and you nodded. he still remembered.
“and he was there to comfort me. i didn’t want another relationship after we broke up. i wasn’t ready for a commitment like that. we were engaged, hajime. it wasn’t like i was outwardly looking for a replacement. so yaku and i were friends for a really long time,” you looked up at morisuke with the softest of smiles once reserved for him. you leaned into your palm watching yaku’s interactions with atsumu. “but he loved me at my worst and i realized that’s all i wanted. whenever i was hurting and needed him he was there. always. he made the time for me and that meant more than i could have ever imagined.” and it was something hajime couldn’t give you. the words were on the tip of your tongue but you didnt want to say it. he gripped his sweatpants and willed himself not to cry.
“y/n. i still love you.” he admitted. “that night was a mistake and i never got to correct it i’m so sorry.”
“you don’t get to love me, hajime,” you responded, voice not faltering once. your eyes were trained on yaku as if you were born to only look at and love him. “i wish you nothing but the best, hajime. and if you ever loved me at all you’d wish the same for me and mori.”
akaashi keiji
truth is, after his breakup with you akaashi never moved on. he was more focused on his career and everything.
he spent most of his time at onigiri miya, it provided him a good place to work and reminded him to eat, something you were always nagging him to do.
not only this, he ended up with a good friend at the end of the day with owner of the shop, osamu.
“you look like you’re itching to get out of here,” keiji chuckled at osamu’s behavior, he continued to look at the clock. osamu blinked, a blush dusting at his cheeks at the commentary. “what’s the occasion.”
“six month anniversary,” osamu admitted with a sheepish smile. keiji blinked, only able to respond with a soft oh. “yeah i didn’t want to tell ya. i know ya’ve never really moved on from yer last girl and i didn’t want to rub my relationship in yer face.” akaashi held up his hand and shook his head.
“no no,” he responded with a broken smile. “it’s fine. i’m not going to be one to negate your happiness. besides. it’s been almost a year. i should have gotten over it by now.” but he hasn’t, and that was the root of the onigiri twin’s message, and he knew that. in truth akaashi has never gotten over you. your ghost haunts his apartment, taunting him at every turn reminding him of what was.
the night you walked out of his apartment for good it gave him a lot of time and silence to reflect on his relationship. things he didn’t like. he knew you were right. his business was no excuse to neglect you. him consistently playing the devils advocate when you were hurting wasn’t right. but it was too late for him. you were gone. many times he had thought of trying to find you with his tail between his legs and begging for your forgiveness. but he couldn’t do that. you couldn’t forget all he’s done, and he knew. by begging for you back he was negating your growth. but he missed you. so very much. he always made you feel like you were the bad guy in your relationship. but that wasn’t it. he was.
akaashi’s ears perked up at the sound of the front doors opening. then at osamu’s soft expression at who walked in the door.
“there’s my buttercup,” osamu sighed. akaashi, out of pure curiosity, turned around to see his partner only to have his heart shattered.
you. of all people osamu miya could have courted why did it have to be you. in all fairness keiji never told osamu that you were the other half of the terrible breakup he went through and he couldn’t be mad at you for moving on and finding the love you deserve. but it still hurt. he did love you so very much and now he got the confirmation you didn’t love him anymore. your love belonged to osamu. and he could never get that back.
you hadn’t noticed keiji yet. you leaned over the counter to press the softest of kisses to his lips while he went to the back to clock out. someone else would lock up. this gave you the time to look over and see akaashi. you blinked and wanted to turn your head away from him but couldn’t.
“keiji.”
“hi.” akaashi greeted with a small smile. “congratulations on your anniversary,” he commented, putting his laptop in his bag.
“thank you,” you nodded. “i’m. i’m sorry for how everything ended. i wish it could have been more dignified than that.”
“no need. i’m the one who messed up our relationship. i realized that a long time ago.” akaashi looked to the back of the shop at the door where osamu walked into. “he’ll treat you well. at least i can rest easy knowing that.”
“hm?”
“i’m still in love with you. and i think i may always will be. you’re like a dying star, loud, explosive, beautiful where the ashes can be turned into something more. and yet i’ll still be able to see the beauty that was from earth and i will for a long time because. anyway, that didn’t make much sense. goodnight, y/n. i’ll see you around.” with that, akaashi walked out of onigiri miya.
#iwaizumi#hajime iwaizumi#iwaizumi x reader#hajime iwaizumi x reader#akaashi#akaashi x reader#akaashi keiji#akaashi keiji x reader#haikyuu#haikyuu x reader#haikyuu angst#akakasvx
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I Hate the Alternate Ending of Blind Betrayal, and Here's Why!
DISCLAIMER THE FIRST: Massive spoilers for Fallout 4 abound. This post discusses Blind Betrayal, a quest with suicide as a heavy theme. Content warning applies.
DISCLAIMER THE SECOND: This post discusses cut OFFICIAL content from Fallout 4 that has since been repurposed into multiple mods. I am not criticizing any modders or their implementations of this content. Mods are fun and people can enjoy whatever the hell kind of game experience they want with whatever mods they want.
I am ONLY interested in discussing the original cut content as Bethesda had written it, and how it would have impacted the story and lore of Fallout 4.
So, yeah, it seems there was originally going to be another way to conclude Blind Betrayal (BB).
As described in this Kotaku article (citing this post by Tumblr user tentacle-explosion,) there are unused audio files of Danse’s dialogue that show an alternate ending to his pivotal quest. These lines are the only evidence we have of this ending (suggesting that it was cut fairly early on, as no other actors/characters seem to have recorded for it.)
From what we can tell, in this alternate ending of BB, Danse comes up with a possible way out of the sticky situation re: his identity as a synth. According to the Brotherhood Litany, he is able to challenge Maxson’s authority as Elder via combat. If you agree to this idea, you go with Danse to challenge Maxson. The Paladin and the Elder duel one another, Danse wins, and Maxson dies. Then Danse names the Sole Survivor the new Elder-- or with a hard charisma check, you’re able to convince Danse to take the job himself. It is unknown how the main plot would have progressed beyond this point, as there is no other evidence of what being (or influencing) the Elder would have been like or what choices it would have given you.
There is understandable disappointment in learning that this ending was cut. Choices in games are great, and it could have been fun to have multiple different options for how to resolve the quest. In many gaming circles, people complain that this theoretical ending is superior to the one we got and shouldn’t have been axed. The Kotaku article calls it a “way better” ending, and you’ll see many players lamenting that it wasn’t implemented, saying Bethesda was bad at writing for cutting it, etc.
So why did Bethesda get rid of the Elder ending of BB?
In December 2020, after the Fallout 4 Cast Reunion, Danse’s voice actor Peter Jessop answered questions in a private signing session on his Instagram. Peter Jessop is an extremely kind and gracious man, an avid gamer, and a huge fan of Fallout. During the stream, he reflected on the alternate ending and remembered recording the lines, but stated the content was ultimately cut because Bethesda decided it was lore-breaking.
Peter Jessop is right. Bethesda was right. The Elder ending of BB is a bunch of dumb nonsense. It sucks, I hate it, and I’m glad they got rid of it. And now I’m going to tell you why!
SIDENOTE: King Shit of Fuck Mountain
There is no wrong way to play a single-player video game. If you are having fun, then you are accomplishing the task for which the game was made. Good for you! Play it on easy. Play it on hard. Mod it. Speedrun it. Make up an intricate roleplaying scenario. Perform “challenge” runs. Kill everybody you see. Ignore the story and run around collecting wheels of cheese. Games are meant to be fun and there is nothing wrong with enjoying a game however you damn well please. This is especially true for RPGs like Fallout, which are designed with player freedom in mind.
There is an RPG playstyle I like to call King Shit of Fuck Mountain: a naked power fantasy in which your protagonist is the most powerful person ever, even beyond normal RPG plot significance. Through brute strength, incredible charisma, or having completed tons of quests for world-breaking artifacts and weapons, your character wields godlike influence, able to control people, factions, and the fabric of the world itself. A game enables KSoFM gameplay when it allows the player limitless freedom to gain as much power as they like with zero consequences to plot or storytelling.
A great example of this is the Dragonborn in The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim. If the player chooses to pursue every questline in the game, one single person can become Harbinger of the Companions, Archmage of the College of Winterhold, Listener of the Dark Brotherhood, Nightingale and Guildmaster of the Thieves’ Guild, hero of the Imperial/Stormcloak army, the chosen one of like, 11 different Daedric princes, a bard, a Blade, and otherwise just, absurdly goddamn powerful in completely unrealistic ways. And that’s not counting DLCs. A fully-kitted-out Dragonborn is King Shit of Fuck Mountain.
There is absolutely nothing wrong with playing KSoFM if you like to. But I’m not a big fan of this style, personally. Sure, my first Skyrim character became KSoFM while I was figuring out the game, but after my first playthrough I preferred my characters become coherent figures in the story of the world. I pick one or two character traits and things that my Dragonborn is good at, focus on them, and make them part of some overall story. My honorable Imperial paladin werewolf is in the Companions, and hunts vampires on principle. My Argonian sneaky archer is a gleeful thief, but would never jive with the College or the Dark Brotherhood. I like creating protagonists who fit into these settings immersively. I don’t care about power fantasies or being in charge. I don’t WANT my character to be all-powerful, because that ruins my immersion and my little story.
Additionally, in a plot-driven story-focused game like Fallout, KSoFM tears the narrative apart. Skyrim is fairly light on story, so the Dragonborn can be the leader of the Companions and the Dark Brotherhood and whatever other factions without any of them noticing or caring. But FO4’s themes, faction drama, and the main thrust of the plot don’t work at all if the Sole Survivor is able to become too powerful or too influential. The Sole Survivor cannot become the leader of every faction, solve every problem, or eliminate every inconvenient bend of the conflict because it makes the lore of the entire setting implode. Thus, the game forces you to choose between factions. You cannot be with the Minutemen and the Nuka-World Raiders. You cannot be with the Railroad and the Institute. And you cannot become Elder of the Brotherhood of Steel.
So if you’re the kind of person who loves playing KSoFM, if you like plots that your character can “solve” with relative ease, or if you just think it would be super cool for your Sole to become Elder regardless of surrounding storytelling, then you might think the Elder ending sounds super cool. You are absolutely allowed to disagree with me here. Install all the mods and write all the fic and have all the headcanons you like. I respect that. There is no wrong way to enjoy a single-player video game. Have fun!
But if you’re a big nitpicky pedantic lore nerd like me, a fan of cohesive storytelling, or if you just want to hear how the Elder ending of BB absolutely fucking ruins Maxson, Danse, the Brotherhood of Steel, and the entire plot of FO4 from a narrative perspective, read on!
1. The Synth Thing
The Elder ending requires the stupid plot contrivance of the BoS forgetting about Danse’s synthhood.
One of the biggest problems with the BoS as an institution is their strict and dogmatic beliefs, which include a widespread dislike of non-human species. Perhaps more than any other non-humans, the BoS hates synths. Synths are, in their eyes, machines given free will, a violation of the sanctity of human life and the ultimate example of technology run amok. To them, synths are not sympathetic, they are not slaves, and they are not victims of circumstance. They are weapons that left unchecked will destroy all of humanity for a second time. Synths are anathema to everything the BoS stands for, and finding out that one of their most beloved and trusted Paladins is one is an earth-shattering blow to their integrity and sense of security.
It is completely absurd that the BoS would allow a synth within their ranks, particularly as they are waging war against the Institute, who created synths in the first place. It is even MORE absurd that they’d allow one to influence their Elder, or even worse, to become Elder. It completely undermines their mission in the Commonwealth, and the core tenets of their extremely rigid beliefs. No matter the Elder, no matter the Litany or obscure BoS law, no matter how valuable the Sole Survivor is as a soldier or how much influence they wield. Danse is a synth. He’s the enemy. He is physically the embodiment of everything they hate.
Not only wouldn’t they trust a synth in general, but the BoS specifically believes that Danse is an infiltrator for the Institute. Even Danse believes that he is a danger, that the Institute may be able to take control of him and use him as a weapon. Sure, we know none of this is actually true, or possible, but the BoS don’t know that. And given how quick they are to order Danse dead without even the possibility of surrender, I don’t think there’s any charisma in the world that’s going to convince them otherwise.
According to Peter Jessop, this, ultimately, is the reason why the Elder ending was cut. He talks about it around the 11:30 timestamp in his Instagram stream, linked above:
“We recorded an ending where you keep Danse alive and you take over the Brotherhood. But there was a question of content… there’s no way the Brotherhood, once they knew he was a synth, would let him be even the right hand of the person in charge.”
Bethesda correctly recognized the incredible narrative contrivance for the BoS to shrug off the reason they’re trying to execute Danse in the first place. Whatever other beefs I have with this ending conceptually, they all come in second to just what a big dumb leap it is to get beyond this first and most important problem.
2. The Complete Death of Conflict
The Elder ending of BB destroys the conflict of the quest, and potentially the conflict of the entire game.
Greed is a poison. There is no such thing as a perfect ideal or a perfect organization. Power corrupts. Humanity has the choice to build back better. War never changes. The Fallout games are full of themes, depicted by the characters and quests and factions we play out.
Blind Betrayal is rightfully praised as one of the most powerful quests in FO4. Not only is it well-acted, but it puts the player in a very difficult position. The BoS has given you clout and glory and free power armor and lots of firepower, but now you see the price: unquestioning obedience. You are ordered to execute your friend and mentor Danse for the mere fact he is a synth. Are you going to follow that unjust order? Are you willing to give up your principles on command? Or is this where you can no longer stay quiet and stay in line?
To be honest, I’ve always thought the fact you can talk Maxson out of killing Danse but still remain with the BoS in good standing was a cop-out. BB goes 90% of the way to forcing you to choose between a companion and a faction, and then chickens out at the last second to let you have both, if your charisma is high enough.
(I believe this has the fingerprints of Skyrim’s development on it-- Bethesda’s writers got nervous about doing another Paarthurnax choice involving the fan favorite Brotherhood of Steel. That’s right. Danse is the Paarthurnax of Fallout. Frankly, I understand why they chose not to go there, but damn, wouldn’t it have been wild? You want to run with the BoS? Then kill your friend and feel the burn. THIS is what it means to follow orders without question.
As for me, I’d pick Danse every time and sleep soundly without the company of shitty bootlicking dieselpunk LARPers- but I digress.)
Anyway, you know what would have REALLY been a copout? If the game asked you to make a difficult thematic storyline choice, and you solved the problem by just not choosing at all.
You are supposed to feel uncomfortable when Maxson orders you to kill Danse, because the game is telling a story about how it is maybe a bad thing to thoughtlessly follow orders without question. It is asking you to think about what the BoS is, what they are doing, and how they are going to run things, if you choose to let them “win” the Commonwealth. It is pointing out that there is no room for gray in the BoS’ black and white. That a good, loyal man may die because of the way he was made, through no action of his own. That soon, you’ll be killing other people on command. The Railroad. Fleeing Institute synths and scientists. Others, down the line. It all depends on who’s giving the orders. Are you going to follow those orders?
Eesh, that sounds thought-provoking and unpleasant and difficult! Let’s just skip it by killing Maxson and making ourselves the boss. Now we get to tell everybody else what to do!
It’s unknown what powers the Elder ending would have granted the player, or how it would have interacted with the other factions. There is speculation that you’d have been able to ease back on the BoS’ dogmatism, or change some of the later events of the game. For instance, perhaps you could talk the BoS down from attacking the Railroad, sparing popular characters like Glory and Deacon who must die in the normal BoS storyline. Perhaps you could have made the BoS a kinder, gentler faction and directed them to run the way you want them to.
If this was indeed the case, then the Elder ending would not only suck the gravitas out of BB, but torpedo the entire main plot.
If you can get rid of any and all downsides to siding with the BoS, why in the hell would players side with anybody else? With the player given total power, the BoS becomes a perfect faction with no drawbacks, no weaknesses, no tough decisions to be made. Screw slumming it with the Railroad or the Minutemen, let’s take over the BoS. Free power armor and a giant robot! Forget the whole intolerance thing, I hereby proclaim the BoS No Longer Problematic! Now to force all the factions to get along, completely removing all conflict and nuance from the plot!
That’s some real anticlimactic “tell Legate Lanius to go home and then he does it” bullshit right there. King Shit of Fuck Mountain!
Look, it might be nice if there was a perfect path like that to take through the game. It would be cool if our characters could be that powerful and the game was that tailored to our individual choices. On the other hand, “I change all the factions to suit my exact liking” might be a fun idea for a fanfic, but it’s an incredibly boring plot for a video game. “I get to make everything in the world exactly how I want it” is Minecraft, not a story-driven RPG with a complex and intricate plot.
It would be great if complex conflicts could really be solved that easily and effortlessly, but hey, you know what? War never changes.
3. The Assassination of Arthur Maxson (Literal)
Arthur Maxson’s death is too significant and fundamentally disastrous for the Elder ending to make any sense at all.
Hero, villain, leader, monster, tortured soul, brutal dictator, immature twerp, bearded sex hunk. However you personally interpret Arthur Maxson, there is no denying that he is a venerated, popular, beloved figure in the BoS. He is the blood heir of the organization’s founder, a powerful warrior, a brilliant tactician, and a charismatic negotiator. He is responsible for reuniting the East Coast BoS with the Outcasts, leading the new, stronger BoS with a sense of shared purpose. There is a damn good reason his name is Arthur and he named his ship The Prydwen, echoes of King Arthur and the legends of his glorious kingdom of Camelot. Arthur Maxson is so beloved that many view him as a demigod, a messiah sent to lead the BoS into a mighty and prosperous future.
So I’m sure nobody’s going to be upset when some wasteland jackass recruited a month ago stumbles in with a synth, kills him, and takes over his job. Right?
It doesn’t matter that it’s “honorable.” It doesn’t matter that it’s done “by the book” via obscure BoS rules. There is no codex or litany or rule so binding that it’s going to overcome the cult of personality around Maxson. There is no way that the BoS is going to accept the death of Arthur Maxson, a man whose reverence borders on worship, especially not when he is immediately replaced by a wastelander, or a synth.
The death of Arthur Maxson removes the unifying glue that’s been holding the BoS together since mending the rift with the Outcasts. Maxson’s death eliminates the one person that both sides of that conflict agreed could steer the organization in the right direction. Some level heads may try to keep the focus on the mission and the Brotherhood tenets, but Maxson loyalists will never forgive the new Elder for his death, and that amount of passionate righteous anger will not be quelled by appeals to the rules. The new Elder’s war on the Institute is basically over before it begins, when the forces splinter and start infighting over the change in leadership.
And this is if the new Elder lives long enough to actually give any orders. I give them around 24 hours after the duel before some angry Maxson loyalist “accidentally” pulls the trigger and “tragically” empties a clip into their back.
24 seconds, if it’s Elder Danse, the dirty synth abomination.
4. The Assassination of Arthur Maxson (Figurative)
The Elder ending of BB falsely pretends that Arthur Maxson is the biggest and only problem with the BoS.
In the Elder ending, as written, the conflict of BB is considered completely and totally solved by the death of Arthur Maxson. The core problem, that Danse is a synth and considered an enemy by the BoS, has not gone away. But by getting rid of Maxson, this apparently no longer matters. Nobody else is going to take offense to Danse’s nature or protest his presence. Nobody else is going to attack him or try to follow through with Maxson’s prior orders. Nope, that meanybutt guy who gave the order is gone, and everybody else is going to welcome Danse back into the fold like nothing ever happened.
I touched on this a little bit on an ask about Maxson a few weeks back, but a lot of people seem to believe that the FO4 Brotherhood of Steel is the way they are purely because of him. That he is the one making them treat non-humans as second class citizens at best, and enemies to be slaughtered at worst. That it’s his fault the BoS is so vehemently against synths and the Institute. That he is the one influencing their imperialistic tendencies, and treating the Commonwealth like territory to be conquered and people to be ruled over by their betters.
He’s not. That’s the Brotherhood of Steel, guys.
The charitable, altruistic, virtuous BoS that many of us met for the first time in FO3 were outliers. Lyons’ group was literally disowned by the rest of the faction because their kindness to wastelanders had gone so far astray from the “core” tenets. The BoS as a whole has always been exclusive, isolated, and seen themselves as “superior” to the average wastelander. They have long disliked or outright hated non-humans (and even Lyons’ BoS in FO3 use ghouls, feral or not, for “target practice” if they get too close!) The rigid dogmatism of the BoS is not something that Arthur Maxson started, but has always been part of their fabric.
Now, it’s true that Maxson is absolutely going hard on the BoS tenets, and extremely dedicated to upholding them. His BoS are the way they are and act the way they act because he believes that this is the way it should be. Is it possible that a different leader may be a little more flexible? Absolutely. Could a skilled Elder eventually show them the benefits of a softer approach and a more generous worldview? Totally. Is getting rid of Maxson and replacing him going to make that happen overnight, or going to make the rest of the BoS who supported him shrug and follow suit?
Nope.
Blaming Arthur Maxson for everything unsavory about the Brotherhood is unfair to him and also foolishly ignoring the deep, massive problems that are far older than he is-- problems that plenty of its members wholeheartedly believe are not problems at all. Getting rid of Maxson does not make the BoS kinder or gentler. Even pretending Maxson isn’t as personally beloved as he is, any new Elder who steps in and starts trying to fundamentally alter the way the BoS operates and what they believe in is going to face some major, immediate pushback.
Like, a full clip of bullets in the back type of pushback.
In the face if it’s Elder Danse, the godless freak of nature.
5. The Un-Redemption of Paladin Danse
Last, and my personal least favorite!
At first glance, Paladin Danse is a steely jackboot, a die-hard Brotherhood loyalist who fully and firmly believes in their cause. Many immediately dismiss him as a humorless brute, or completely ignore him because they think that’s all there is. But if you spend any time with Danse at all, you’ll notice a sort of weariness in him. He is tired, overworked, and his years of service are starting to weigh on him. He has watched friends, comrades, and mentors die in horrible and gruesome ways, and he suffers from PTSD. Though he has always been told that his own sacrifices, the sacrifices of his brothers and sisters have been” worth it,” he’s starting to question if that’s true.
After telling of the incident where he personally executed his best friend Cutler, who’d been turned into a super mutant, the Sole Survivor is able to console him:
Player Default: You did the right thing.
Danse: {Somber} It's what I was taught. I don't know if it was right.
This line is an excellent summary of Danse’s entire character arc. He learns to question whether to believe what the Brotherhood has taught him, or to believe in himself. His gut feelings. His sense of justice and his own ideas of what’s right and wrong.
(In the interest of not turning this into an essay about Danse’s character, I won’t even get into how this also applies to his beliefs about his worth as a person. But keep in mind, that dimension is there, Danse just covers it up by making everything about the Brotherhood.)
During Blind Betrayal, after getting the orders to execute him and hearing Haylen’s plea for mercy, we may expect Danse to be ready to fight back or flee. But when you confront him in the bunker at Listening Post Bravo, he’s compliant and suicidal. Danse is so deeply poisoned by the BoS’ rhetoric that his own feelings or will to live don’t factor into the conversation. He demands that you follow your orders and execute him, because he believes, as the BoS does, that all synths are dangerous and must be destroyed.
Danse: {Stern} Synths can't be trusted. Machines were never meant to make their own decisions, they need to be controlled.
Technology that's run amok is what brought the entire world to its knees and humanity to the brink of extinction.
{Confident} I need to be the example, not the exception.
Through various dialogue options, if your charisma is high enough, you are able to talk Danse off the ledge. He is able to consider, at least, that the BoS’ merciless judgment of him is wrong and that what he was taught isn’t right. He is a thinking, feeling, self-aware synth, and that makes him as much a person as any human. Danse is no danger to humanity-- and maybe, most synths aren’t either.
Danse is an example, not an exception.
Later on, if you manage to get him out of BB alive, Danse shows further acceptance of his nature. His approvals about synths begin to soften slightly (or many of them do, at least… it’s not perfect.) He is still struggling with his identity and reconciling it with his former hatred, but his dialogue suggests that he’s on the road to being more open-minded and understanding. Along with this, Danse learns that he has value as a person beyond the Brotherhood. He no longer needs to define himself with BoS beliefs or judge himself by how useful he is to them. He learns that he is worth caring about, worth being friends with or being loved because of who he is-- not what he is, in any regard.
[SIDENOTE: Many players, myself included, are frustrated that Danse’s arc leaves off sort of midstream there. Due to the open-ended nature of the game, we don’t get a real conclusion to his arc-- even though much of his idle dialogue doesn’t change and he still espouses pro-BoS sentiments ( an unfortunate by-product of writing for a video game) there is every indication that he’s started down the right path, but understandably has a ways to go.
Also, Peter Jessop agrees with us.]
Meanwhile, in the Elder ending, Danse doesn’t get a redemption. His entire character arc, actually, hits the skids and does a total 180.
He never leaves the BoS. So scratch the need for Danse to ever think about himself as separate from them. He never needs to question what they’ve taught him or whether they’re right or wrong. He never needs to find any worth in himself beyond his use to the BoS. Why would he? He might be the Elder. The BoS is all he needs to care about anymore. The BoS is all he ever needs to be, ever again.
And I think, most horrifying of all, this Danse never needs to change his mind about synths. On the contrary, one of the surviving dialogue files includes Danse’s speech to reassure the rest of the BoS of his stance:
Danse: I want to make one thing clear to everyone. This body might be synth, but my heart and mind belong to the Brotherhood. The Institute is still a tremendous threat to the Commonwealth. They possess technologies that need to be confiscated or destroyed. And even if that means I have to pull the trigger on my own kind, I’m willing to make that sacrifice.
Elder ending Danse doesn’t grow more understanding on the nature of synths. He doesn’t accept that synths are people, or anything more than technology run amok. He won’t even accept that for himself. Elder Maxson wasn’t wrong about synths-- they’re the enemy and they need to be destroyed.
But, see, he was wrong about Danse. It’s okay for Danse to exist in spite of his nature. It’s okay for him to never fully accept his own personhood, and to outright deny it to his kind. Because his body is a machine, but he’s different from the rest because his heart and mind belong to the Brotherhood.
He’s the exception, not the example.
CONCLUSION:
The Elder ending of Blind Betrayal is dumb, contrived, stakeless, character-derailing powergaming crap at its finest and I’ll happily dance on its grave.
People give Bethesda a lot a shit for their writing-- whether it be stuff they left out, stuff they left in, or stuff that they never, ever could have made work due to the limitations of writing for a video game. Plenty of it is well-deserved, or at least worth a discussion. But from the minute I found out about its existence, I have always wanted to extend a congratulations to Bethesda for cutting the alternate Elder ending of Blind Betrayal. It was a good choice. A very good choice to cut a very dumb plot that would have fundamentally altered the story they were telling, and characters that I’ve grown to love. I think the writers deserve some credit and a hearty handshake for the wisdom of this decision.
Now as for why Nick Valentine isn’t romanceable--
#fallout 4#fallout meta#paladin danse#arthur maxson#blind betrayal#this one was a long time coming#any thematic resemblance to any fics of mine is a coincidence#the blind betrayal manifesto#king shit of fuck mountain#the initial intrigue of the idea wears off if you think about it more than not at all
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Merry Crisis (a.i)
Pairing: Ashton Irwin (ft.5SOS) X Fem!reader (Dad!Ash)
Summary: Shopping is always stressful, but when you have a baby on the way... it can become a chaos, especially when you have 3 crazy best friends with you.
Warnings: Language. Fluff and some crackhead moments. Reader uses she/her pronouns. Mentions of Birth. Some grammar mistakes (English is not my first language, sorry)
Word count: 4.5 k
Author’s note: Hello! This is my first Holiday fic with 5SOS and it’s Ashton’s turn to shine (even tho each boy gets their moment) This was so fun to write, I did it on my sociology class (so maybe it’s not that perfect) and I love it very much and I hope you do too! Reblogs, feedback and comments are always welcome and encouraged! Support your writers! ❤️ Hope you like it and Happy Reading 🦋❤️
My materialist // wanna be on my tag list?
Twas the evening before Christmas, the streets were filled with Christmas lights and the chill air of Los Angeles made everything cozier as families gathered around the fireplace and enjoyed the most peaceful of times…
This statement does not apply to our favorite band, tho.
Our four Australians were not enjoying a cup of hot cocoa with their families as they were supposed to, oh no. They were doing the most dreadful thing a person could think of doing the night before dear Santa came to visit: They were Christmas shopping.
In their defense - or at least Calum’s, Michael’s and Luke’s defense, this was all Ashton’s fault for he was the one that dragged them to the crowded mall in the middle of one of the busiest days of the year. And, in Ashton’s defense, it was not his fault that the store had called him in the middle of a recording session to tell him that they finally had the only thing he wanted for Christmas: A music box.
He just had to get it before everyone else.
“Why did we come all over here for a little music box?” Asked Michael as they stood at the end of the line for the register. How could they only have one register open? It’s Christmas for fucks sake! but then again, it’s Christmas for fucks sake, so they know that people should be with their families instead of working a poorly paid job.
“It was the last one!” Ashton claimed, admiring the little circular box in his hand “It’s a limited edition and I just had to get it for Y/N and for the baby”
His eyes lit up when your name escaped his lips. Not even a year ago did he officially make you his wife, but now you were carrying his child! People might think it was rushed, but for Ashton it was the complete opposite. He had his life made when he met you, knowing that he will marry you as soon as he could… he had to wait a few more years to do that, but he was extremely happy, more so now that your little family was expanding. He loved you and your child with all his heart, and the boys all knew that so they can't even be mad about it, even if he kidnapped them to the mall with the promise of some cinnabuns later.
“She had one of these when she was little” Ashton continued as he admired the little hand painted details of the box “It always played a little lullaby to help her sleep. But it broke a few years ago and she always complained about not having one like this for her kids one day… But now she will!” The black haired man smiled.
“Shit, that’s actually pretty sweet” Michael commented “Okay, you’re forgiven”
“I don’t know if I want to hug you for being the perfect husband, or to kick you in the balls for being the perfect husband and making the rest of us feel bad” Luke chuckled.
The four boys laughed at the comment and started talking about their plans for the Holidays as they waited for the line to move. The problem was, it has been fifteen minutes and the line has only moved once.
“How long is this line anyway?” Calum said, peeking over the side, furrowing his eyebrows as he noticed at least thirty more people waiting in front of them “Shit, this is going to take a while. That man has at least twenty plushies and eleven race cars”
“I don’t know how people could leave this kind of stuff for the last minute” Ashton huffed, earning a death glare from each of his friends “This one is different, tho! It was the last one!”
“I’ll give you a hundred bucks for that!” Someone said behind Luke, making him jump at the sudden surprise.
“What the-” Luke said, placing a hand over his heart.
It was a short man in a trench coat who pointed to the music box in Ashton’s hand.
Ashton furrowed his eyebrows and said to the man “Uh, not a chance mate”
“Two hundred?”
“Nope”
“Five hundred?” The man would just not cave and Ashton was getting fed up with it, luckily Calum noticed and hurried to say something before his friend started a scene.
“Hey, mr. Devito wannabe. He said no, so just go bother someone else. Okay?”
The man scoffed and turned his face to the side, stating that he was offended. The four Australians rolled their eyes and turned their backs to him once again.
Another fifteen minutes passed and the line barely moved. The guys were not talking anymore, running out of things to say past the twenty minute mark. Each of them were bored out of their minds, well all but Ashton at least, he was still gleaming with pride as he looked at the music box and created scenarios in his head and thought about the joy that would be mirrored in your eyes once you open it tomorrow morning.
After a few more minutes of silence, Luke was the first one to break it “I think I’m just gonna get a coffee and wait in the car. These boots are killing me today” He looked at Ashton as if to ask permission, but the dark haired man just shrugged and nodded, asking him to buy one for him as well and to leave it in the car.
Michael then added “Yeah, I think I’m gonna go and check the electronics this store has. I think I saw a new camera that would be perfect for my streams”
And that only left Calum and Ashton waiting in line. But about five seconds later, Calum opened his mouth.
“Yes, you can go explore, too” Ashton said with a sigh before Calum even got a chance to ask.
“Cool” The curly man said, patting Ashton on the back before muttering a ‘I’ll be right back’ Leaving him alone with the music box.
Ashton didn’t mind. In fact, he kind of enjoyed this time alone. It gave him plenty of opportunities to imagine a new future for the both of you next to your little baby boy or girl. He catched a glimpse of families walking around the mall, buying gifts or eating a snack as they smiled at each other. He couldn’t wait for that to be his new normal.
He remembered the time when you told him you were pregnant. You gifted him a special baby bodysuit that said “My daddy is the best drummer in the world and there is nothing you can do about it” next to your positive pregnancy test. Ashton always wanted to start a family, especially if it was with you, but he never expected it to be so soon. Yet, once he held the test in his trembling hands, he knew that this was the best thing it could’ve happened to him. He remembers how tearful he got the second his brain processes the information, quickly running up to you and pressing an earth shattering kiss to your lips, promising you and your baby that he would be the best father in the world.
And, as he held the little object in his hand, he already thought he was doing a pretty good job. He smiled to himself and thought about calling you. Not only did he want to hear your voice at this moment, but also because he wanted to check up on you. You were having tea with your best friend at the moment, but the pregnancy hormones were hitting pretty hard lately and he wanted to make sure you were doing alright.
But as soon as he got his phone out of his pocket, your name started glowing on the screen.
“Baby! I was just about to call you” Ashton said with a smile, loving this little coincidence.
“Ashton, is coming!” You said in an alarming tone. Ashton, however, did not understand what you meant.
“Yeah? I’m coming home soon, why are-?”
“No!” You cut him off “The baby, Ash! The baby is coming!”
Ashton laughed “Ha, ha very funny Y/N. But the baby isn’t due until three weeks from now”
“ASHTON FLETCHER IRWIN” You yelled through the phone, making Ashton pull away from the phone for a second “MY WATER BROKE AND THE BABY IS COMING NOW. SO GET YOUR ASS TO THE HOSPITAL BEFORE I-” A sharp pain ran through you as you were experiencing the contractions. Ashton could hear your distant groan and immediately went pale.
The baby was coming and he wasn’t ready.
“Ash, hello?” Your friend’s calm voice came from the other end “I’m gonna take Y/N to the hospital right now. I need you to meet us there, okay?”
“Fuck, okay. I’m on my way” He rushed to say before he ended the call.
“Hey, dude. What’s going-?” Michael said as he approached the black haired man who looked like he might throw up.
“The baby’s coming!” He said, trying to concentrate on his breathing before he hyperventilates.
“What?!”
“Hey, Mike, is everything-?” Calum came next, worried about his friends’ weird behavior.
“THE BABY IS COMING”
Michael.
The guitarist started wandering the electronics and new technologies hall. He was secretly glad he got away from waiting in line for what it looked like another hour, but at the same time he was glad he decided to accompany Ashton in his little quest.
The moment he knew you were pregnant he set himself to be the best uncle that little kid will have. He already knew that you and Ashton were going to be great parents, with the way in which you love each other it was hard to think otherwise. Michael was always up for anything you guys wanted to do for each other, from secret dates or help you sneak out after a concert, or even to plan gifts! He always took pride to know that he was part of your epic love story, even if it was with just a little favor.
Michael stepped into the videogame aisle like he usually does, but this time he went directly to the kid’s section, knowing that eventually your baby will want to play videogames with uncle Mikey and he will have to be ready with the most family friendly games he could find.
He started grabbing a few of them and reading the little summaries they had on the back, eventually deciding that he did not understand anything about children’s games and that he might have to ask around in order to find the best ones.
He went back to the electronics aisle and something caught his attention.
“Is that a real megaphone?” He asked one of the workers there “I haven’t seen one since 2014” He said, remembering the last time the boys ever let him play with one of those in the Good Girls video.
“Yeah! It’s the new model” Said the teenage boy that was in charge of that seccion that day “Wanna try it out?”
“Before that, can I go and show it to my mates? I won’t be gone for long, they are just down the checkout line”
“Sure!” The young man smiled and gave him the megaphone.
Michael had a big smile on his face as he started walking towards Ashton to show him what he found. But his smile dropped the minute he saw Ashton’s face grew a thousand times paler.
He carefully walked up to him and asked “Hey, dude. What 's going-?”
“The baby’s coming!” Ashton said, trying to catch his breath.
“What?!”
Calum.
He hated the mall. He really did. There were always too many people, too much noise and the prices were always exaggerated. But he knew that he was here today for a good cause. Calum was not going to let his best mate down.
Ever since you came into Ashton’s life - and the boys’ life for that matter - he could tell that you were special. Not only because of the way Ashton talked about you all the damn time, but because of your energy, your passion, your kindness and obviously your undenying love for the drummer.
Calum was always the protective friend, always keeping his guard up for any new companion they boys might have. But with you it was different. The first time you two met was the day you instantly became best friends. He knew he could trust you to keep Ashton’s heart safe, and he knew that if Ashton ever broke your heart that he was going to have to kick his ass for being that stupid. Luckily, he wasn’t.
He was the first person (after Ashton, of course) to know about your pregnancy. He swore to himself that he would not let anything happen to his future godson/goddaughter. That baby was going to be the perfect mixture of his best friends, there was nothing in the world that could stop him from loving them just as much as he loves all of you. He even got them toys so they could play with Duke when they’re older! Needless to say that he was very, very excited.
As he wandered through the halls of the store he noticed a commotion next to the toys section.
A line of kids accompanied by their parents awaited in front of a huge chair decorated with fake snow and candy canes. Santa Claus was going to be there.
“Oh my god” A female voice said behind him “You are Calum Hood!”
Calum turned around and was faced with a young girl dressed as an elf looking at him like he hung the moon or something.
“That I am” He said with a smile “Hello, nice to meet you!”
“M-my name’s Lizza” The girl blushed “I’m a huge fan! Is it okay if- I mean, could I get a picture? Please?”
Calum smiled “Sure!”
Lizza squealed “Omg, okay. But, can we do it over there? The kids aren’t supposed to see me yet” She said, pointing to a corner with a curtain and some costumes, presumably Santa’s and his elves'.
Calum nodded and followed the girl, catching a glimpse of the Santa Claus outfit “Do you think I can wear that for the picture?” He asked. Honestly, he just wanted to know how it would feel like to dress up as Santa, knowing he would one day have to do it for your child.
“Of course!” The girl said, taking her phone from her purse and giving it to another elf so he could take the picture.
Once the picture was done, he started to strip off the big red coat, the white beard and the hat when suddenly he had an idea “Is it okay if I borrow this for a while? Maybe five minutes? I wanna prank some friends that are at the check out”
“Uhh”
“I’ll give it back, I promise,” He said with a smile.
Lizza sighed “Sure! We have another one for emergencies”
“Cool, thanks Lizza”
Calum walked away with the fake beard, the warm coat and the hat, feeling cheeky as he approached the line.
“What?!” He heard Michael yell. And although Michael always yells, this one seemed important as his voice sounded concerned.
“Hey, Mike, is everything-?” Calum said, approaching his friends with a very confused face. But before he could even finish the question, Ashton looked at him with fear in his eyes.
“THE BABY IS COMING”
Ashton.
This was not good. Not good at all. His wife is at the hospital about to give birth and he is still in the line of the fucking mall.
“Oh shit!” Calum said, looking frantically over the line that was still too long “OH SHIT”
“Okay calm dow- Is that a Santa costume?” Michael asked.
“Calm down?!” Calum said, panicking “My best friend is having a baby and you tell me to CALM DOWN?!”
“I’m having a baby…” Ashton said in a whisper, not really paying attention to what was going on around him “I’m having a baby”
“Not you!” Said Calum “Well... also you but I meant Y/N! She’s the one pushing it mate” But Ashton did not listen.
His whole world paused in that moment. Too many thoughts were running through his head as he tried to formulate a plan, any plan that would get him the quickest to you.
He thought he was doing a good job, he thought that he was going to be the best dad ever and now he was going to miss the birth of his first child because the line wasn’t fucking moving.
“Ash?” Michael called, but he wasn’t listening.
How could he screw this up so early in the game? Your baby wasn’t even born yet but he swore he could already feel their disappointment.
“Ash..”
And you! How could you ever forgive him?! You will surely file for divorce once the baby is born.
“Ashton!”
“What?!” He yelled, looking at Michael who was shaking him by the shoulders.
“Fucking breathe man! You almost turn purple there”
Michael started breathing at an even pace, motioning Ashton to breathe with him and so he did “It’s going to be okay, don’t worry about it”
“How can you say that?!” Ashton almost cried “I’m not even a dad yet and I’m already screwing up! Who doesn’t show up to the birth of his child?”
Michael rolled his eyes, knowing his friend was just talking out of fear than out of reason, and shook him by the shoulders again “Listen to me, you are already a great dad! You were a dad even before Y/N got pregnant and you are not going to miss the birth of my nephew or niece. I won’t allow it. But first I need you to calm the fuck down!”
Ashton looked at Michael and swallowed the lump in his throat “What if I’m not ready? What if we’re not ready?”
Michael chuckled “You asked me the same question when you were about to walk down the aisle a year ago. You were ready even before you knew you were and this is not different”
But before Ashton could say something, Calum walked up to them again.
“There are fourteen people ahead of us” Said Calum, who had just run up to the start of the line “If we asked them to move, we might get there in time”
“Or maybe you could leave the music box to me…” The man with the weird vibe intervened.
“Fuck off DeVito!” The three Australians yelled.
Suddenly, a lightbulb got turned on on Michael’s head “I got an idea!”
A panicked Calum dressed as Santa and a very panicked Ashton watched as Michael ran out of the store for a second, only to come back pushing a Target cart “Get in!” He said jumping in the cart and motioning to Ashton to follow him.
Ashton jumped inside without asking any questions, not even when Calum started pushing the car or when Michael turned on his… was that a megaphone?!
“Attention ladies and gentlemen” Michael said through the megaphone, making every single person turn their heads towards them, as if two large Australians standing inside of a shopping cart being pushed by a very tattooed Santa Claus wasn’t stiking enough “We have a man that’s going to become a father at any moment now while his wife is in the hospital! Please let us through!”
Ashton does not know if it was the weird scene they caused, his desperate face or Christmas magic that made everyone on the line take a step back as Calum pushed them through the checkout.
Once they got there, the cashier took his money, too shocked to say anything else as Ashton yelled “Keep the change!” As they rushed through the doors and towards the parking lot with Calum pushing the cart at a great speed with all of his energy as all the other customers looked at them and wondered what the hell was going on.
“Mommy?” A confused random kid asked “Why was Santa pushing those men on the cart?”
Luke.
His favorite Christmas playlist was playing in the car. He loved the holidays, but he hated Christmas shopping with his life. So he was very thankful that Ashton could understand this and let him wait in the car.
As he hummed through the song “His Favorite Christmas Story” he thought about the gift he got to your little unborn baby. As soon as he found out you were pregnant, he knew he had to spoil that kid rotten. Well, not that he knew he had to, but he wanted to. You and Ashton were the best people he has ever met, and he knew your little baby was not going to be different, so what’s wrong with giving that child the world they deserve?
A few months ago he talked to a friend of his that made customized presents made of crochet, so he asked if they could make a baby mobile to put over the crib. He also made sure to ask that the animals that were to adorn the mobile were your’s and Ashton’s favorites, and also throwing a little kangaroo in honor of their father’s homeland and a little penguin in honor of their future favorite uncle.
He smiled to himself as he thought he couldn’t wait to meet the little pal and how he couldn’t wait to start a family of his own. But his daydreaming got cut short when he heard a commotion coming from the mall’s doors.
Sirens were ringing and a lot of people stood and watched at whatever was causing the disturbance. He even had to take a double look because he thought he just saw Calum dressed as Santa Claus pushing a shopping cart with Ashton and Michael inside, the latter speaking with a megaphone in his hand. And indeed that is what he saw.
“LUKE START THE CAR” Michael yelled from his megaphone. And Luke, being the smart man that he is, did not ask questions as he did just that.
Soon enough, Calum Santa Claus was jumping inside of the car, followed by Michael and Ashton, who just sat in the front seat.
“What is-?” Luke tried to ask, but his three friends were quicker as they all said at the same time:
“The baby is coming!” “We needed to get the music box” “The line was too fucking long”
“Hurry up, dude!” Calum said, giving Luke a pat on his shoulder as he stared at them, very confused.
“Why didn’t you just leave the music box with one of them?” He said, motioning to his friends in the back “I could’ve come back for them after I dropped you off…”
The three Australians all looked at eachother like they were the most stupid people on the planet. Until Micahel turned on the megaphone again and said with a defeated voice: “Just drive”
The ride to the hospital was silent as Luke drove through the streets of LA at full speed. Michael even turned on the siren of the megaphone to make way across the traffic jam. How the hell they didn’t end up in jail? A Christmas miracle if you ask me.
Once they got there, Ashton was the first one to jump off the car, followed by his best friends as they ran through the hospital’s floors.
“Irwin!” He said, once they got to the maternity wing “Y/N Irwin! My Wife-”
Luke followed, almost knocking down Ashton as his boots slipped on the floor “His wife!” He said, almost out of breath.
“His baby!” Calum added, almost falling to the floor as he tripped over his foot.
And last but not least came a small “Help?” From Michael who was completely out of breath as he sat on one of the chairs in the waiting room.
The nurse, apparently not taken aback at the sudden outburst of three grown man and a Santa Claus in her waiting room, just smiled at Ashton and said: “Over here, Mr. Irwin. You are just in time, she just started dilating…”
But Ashton didn’t hear much as he walked behind her, anxious to see you and see your baby. Breathing heavily as he tried to calm his nerves before he got to your room. He gave one last look to his friends and smiled at them.
“You can do it man!” Michael said, giving him the thumbs up.
“You go Poppa!” Luke cheered.
“We will be here!” Calum said, feeling tears of pride gather up in his eyes as he watched Ashton turn into another hallway, ready to become the dad he always knew he could be.
“Did you actually steal a Santa costume?” Michael said as the other two sat down next to him.
“And you stole a cart and a megaphone so shut up”
A new family.
You watched with tired eyes as your husband held your baby girl in his arms.
“She is so tiny…” He said with fresh happy tears falling rolling down his cheeks. Ashton started crying as soon as he saw her little face and heard his heart shattering cry.
You almost thought that he wasn’t going to make it in time, afraid that you were going to have to get through the birth of your child all alone. But he came through the doors just in time and he did not let go of your hand for a second, even when you knew you were crushing it as you pushed.
“I love you so much” He said, just as he’s been saying for the past hours since he got here “I love you so much and I love her so much I- Thank you”
“Why are you thanking me, love?”
“For giving me the best gift of all” Ashton said as he laid next to you with your daughter curled up on his chest “You gave me the family I always dreamed of. I could never thank you enough for it”
He slowly lowered his head and pressed his lips to yours, showing you all the love that he could in only one simple kiss.
“Well, it’s not like you didn’t help on making this, you know?” You teased, making him chuckle “I should be thanking you, Ash.You and her are the best thing that has ever happened to me, I love you”
“I love you” He said, capturing your lips in another kiss as you let the music box play in the background, filling the room with the notes of your favorite lullaby.
“Should I let the boys in?” He asked as he passed your daughter back to you. You just nodded, not wanting to let your friends wait a second longer to meet your baby. “Oh, and just a heads up, Calum is dressed as Santa Claus and we might never be allowed on the mall again”
You laughed “I can’t wait to hear that story”
Ashton smiled as he got out of the room and walked towards where the boys were sitting. Once they saw him walk up to them, they immediately got up, all of them smiling proudly at the new - official, father of the band.
“Boys, come and meet our baby girl: Jane Elizabeth Irwin”
Tags: @iknowyouthinkimbulletproof @talksoprettyjjx @mystic-232
#ashton irwin#5 seconds of summer#5sos#ashton irwin fanfiction#ashton irwin fic#fanfic#suchalonelysunflower#dad!ashton#calum hood#michael clifford#luke hemmings#ashton 5sos#ashton irwin imagine#ashton fletcher irwin#5 seconds of summer fanfiction#calum 5SOS#luke 5sos#michael 5sos#superbloom#ashton x reader#ashton x you#Christmas Ashton#holiday! ashton#crack fic#merry crisis#5 sos fic#5sos imagine#ashton 5 seconds of summer#5sos fanfiction
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Hi, I was just wondering if you had ever thought about what would have happened in your story "Hollowed Moon" if you had continued it. I always thought it was such an interesting setup that could have gone in so many different directions. And there really aren't other stories focusing on Stevonnie and Spinel, so it was unique!
Hiya!
So, I do have some half-written, half-plotted out material to share. I gave this story some consideration the other day, and came to the decision that I don't have the desire to finish it out, alas- I have far too many other active WIPs to add it to the list. There's a few good reasons why I discontinued it, anyways... intimidation over the huge surge of attention it was getting back in 2019, some rude comments from overzealous Spinel fans, (I know everyone isn't like this, but a certain segment of the Spinel side of the SU fandom kinda burned me over time, hhh), and a future chapter containing a sensitive topic that I wasn't in a good headspace to write about at the time.
But! Anyways! Below the cut is all the existing material I have for Hollowed Moon past chapter 14, consisting of a mixture of descriptions, sketchy dialogue, and prose. It honestly feels nice to finally be able to put this story to an official rest.
__
Chapter 15
“I... I saw her.”
“Who-?”
“I saw Pink Diamond. I saw you, in this exact garden, in a dream. I- it was like I was experiencing everything through her. She explained your game, tapped your nose and told you to smile, then warped away—“
“That’s it, that’s what happened, almost exactly! But how could you even know that, I never—“
“I don’t know,” they blurt out. “I have empathic abilities, and sometimes that makes dreaming a little weird, but I have no idea how or why I saw any of this.”
[Pause for Stevonnie to think]
“Spinel, I’m so, so sorry,” they whisper brokenly. “But I think... she left you here.”
“What...?”
“She said she’d return, but before she warped away she whispered goodbye, like she didn’t actually intend to make good on that promise. She was lying to you,” they choke out, voice thick.
“No. No,” she says in clear denial, “no she’s not. She can’t be! She told me she’d come back! I can wait! I just have to wait—“
“But she’s not! She... she can’t, because Pink Diamond is gone. She- she was shattered, Spinel. Five thousand years ago, on the Earth. I- I should’ve told you this from the beginning, and I didn’t, and I- I’m so, so sorry—! But she left you behind, and now she’s never coming back.”
[Silence. Tears brim in Spinel’s eyes. Her eyes grow dark, pained, and then she glares at Stevonnie with such venom it almost knocks them backwards in alarm. ]
“NO!” she screams, tears streaming down her faded pink cheeks.
[She tears her feet up from the roots and runs away, using her arms like an orangutan to vault herself forward super fast so Stevonnie can’t catch her.]
___
Chapter 16
AN: Content warning for self-shattering attempt. Part of the reason why I had to stop writing this story at the time. I considered pushing the plot another way, but it didn't feel authentic to how I believed this scenario would play out for Spinel when she didn't have a direct target for her anger. Without someone to actively be jealous and upset AT, I could only imagine her breaking inwards instead of outwards, feeling that she's utterly failed in her life's purpose. Nothing more than a description for this chapter... and it'd be a short one.
[When Stevonnie finds her, she’s smashing her fists against her gem in her sheer anguish. She’s already cracked it. She’s glitching. It looks terribly painful. She’s about to strike her gem again when Stevonnie intervenes.]
___
Chapter 17
[Post timely intervention. Spinel is still cracked at this moment, though... her form glitching as she cries.]
“I was... her best friend,” she cries, fat, glistening tears streaming down her cheeks. “I was supposed to make her happy! Why wasn’t she happy? Why didn’t she come back?“
[Spinel reasoning that maybe if Pink came back for her, she wouldn’t have been shattered in the first place]
“What did I do wrong?” she whispers hoarsely, gazing pleadingly into Stevonnie’s eyes. “Wha- what am I doing? Why do I wanna hurt myself so badly?”
“Shh, now,” they reply, tears of their own brimming at the crease of their eyes, and pull Spinel’s head to their chest. “I’ve got you...”
___
Chapter 18
They know their throat is tight, and their voice scratchy. They know they’ve never sung this song in front of another living being, since it’s something personal they composed alone on one of their late nights back on Earth, thinking about all the difficult days Steven and Connie have had to face over the months. Pair this with their active crying, and there’s no way their singing will be anything pretty.
But pretty doesn’t matter right now.
Stevonnie opens their lips, and— clutching the broken hearted Gem close, rhythmically rocking with her back and forth— lets the wandering melody emerge from within.
“I guess I have to face
That in this awful place
I shouldn’t show a trace
Of doubt...”
“But pulled against the grain
I feel a little pain
That I would rather do
Without...”
“I’d rather be
Free, free
Free...”
[Hoarse, Spinel starts singing with them.]
“I’d rather be
Free, free
Free...”
“Free, free
Free...”
“From here...”
[Stevonnie holds her tight while crying, their tears healing it back up.]
___
Chapter 19
AN: Don't have anything but a single bit of dialogue in this chapter note- I'm assuming I intended it as being a good few hours after the events of chapters 16-18... when Spinel has calmed down a little and has a moment to reflect on the upsetting news she's just received.
“I think... I always knew,” she says, voice hoarse. “In a way. It was so obvious how she felt about me.
___
Chapter ?
AN: From here on out, the plot hasn't been split into individual chapters.
[At some point shortly after chapter 19, Lars and his crew locate Stevonnie in the garden, and pick them and Spinel up. The next few bits of dialogue and description takes place on the ship.]
Rutile twins: “I haven’t heard of Spinels being produced in over five millennia.” “Me neither!”
Rhodonite: “Yeah, I heard they stopped making them entirely after the rebellion on Pink’s colony.”
[A bit of overwhelming conversation later, no one really noticing Spinel's conflicted emotional response to so many Gems hovering around her at once.]
Padparadscha: “I predict that you’re both going to make Spinel feel very uncomfortable aboard this ship.”
Rhodonite: “I’m sorry, we don’t exactly meet new Gems every century.”
Rutile twins: “Yes!” “It’s just been us until we met our captain!”
Fluorite: “Our new huuuuman friend helped us escape the tunnels on Homeworld. Now... we’re slooowly making our way back... to Earth.”
Spinel: “Earth?? You’re going to Pink’s world? But why? I heard she... was shattered.”
___
[Spinel feeling a sense of kinship with the idea that there’s other Gems who didn’t serve their rightful purpose and are now escaping their life on Homeworld to be free of that. Because now, without her Diamond, since she was unable to keep her happy, she’s an Off Color too. She failed her given purpose same as them.]
[Discussion of Earth, and the rebellion, and how there’s Gems living free there. And how Pink’s colony was siphoning life away, and that’s what these Gems were fighting to protect. Stevonnie points out all the plants and wildlife that used to live in the garden, and asks her if she felt happier when it was around. Spinel says yes. Stevonnie says that this is what the Diamonds are destroying, with each lifeless colony they forge. Everywhere they go, dead wildlife lies in their wake.]
Spinel: “I... guess I never thought of it that way.”
[(Stevonnie adds...) And while they’re very sorry for the personal connection there, and can’t imagine how painful that must be, that’s why Pink Diamond was shattered.]
[Spinel is given an open choice... Lars gives the invitation to stay with him and the Off Colors, and Stevonnie offers for her to come with them back to Earth. It's not a hard decision for her in the end, though. She's always dreamed of seeing what was once Pink’s planet, ever since she heard the Diamonds bequeath it to her.]
___
Stevonnie: “Okay, so… before we go, I need to be honest with you about something." [deep breath] "I’m actually a fusion of two separate people who are close friends. You... know what fusion is, right?”
Spinel: “Duh, o’course! What, d’ya think I was made yesterday?”
[...]
Stevonnie: “But even with that, I can’t be together as me all the time. Steven and Connie, the two who come together to form me... they love hanging out with each other so much, but they also have their own lives! Other friends, other hobbies, their own families. They still talk when they’re apart, but they know it’s okay to do things alone, too. Do you know why I’m telling you this?”
Spinel: [shakes head no] “No...?”
Stevonnie: [sighs] “I understand you’ve been left behind. Believe me, I know how bad that feels. So the last thing I wanna do is make you think I’m doing that too.”
Spinel: “Y-you— you’re going away?”
Stevonnie: “Unfusing, yes.”
Spinel: “But Stevonnie, you—“
Stevonnie: “Spinel. No matter what, you are my friend. Steven and Connie consider you a friend, too. And my hope is that you’ll keep making a whole bunch more on Earth, so you’ll always have people around who know and love you. But that can’t always be me, okay?“
___
[At home... on Earth. There's a bit of a close call for Pearl when Spinel arrives, and recognizes her as Pink's second pearl. This is news for Garnet and Amethyst and Steven, the first of which had somewhat suspected that Pearl used to be in the diamonds' service, but never knew for sure. Pearl, of course... can't say much on this due to her gag order... not that anyone else knows about that yet... but does manage a very concise and PD=RQ free explanation about her past in Pink's court, and her transition towards being a Crystal Gem:]
Pearl: “Rose Quartz set me free, and I’ve been a part of the rebellion ever since.”
___
[At some point between the last scene and the next, mention how Spinel had a bit of a relapse... she ended up poofing herself, and reformed differently. A little bit closer to the smudged mascara and frayed pigtails look of canon, but no rotated heart. Unlike in canon, she has a solid support system amongst the Crystal Gems, and she's working hard to recover from the heartbreak of Pink's abandonment.]
___
[Final scene is set post A Single Pale Rose. Steven and Connie fuse, and Stevonnie goes to find Spinel to check in on how she's taking the news. The final line of the fic is as follows:]
Spinel: “I know you’re not her, not really. And I know you’ll always be a better person than she ever was. But in some silly cyclical way... back in that garden... it’s almost like Pink came back for me after all.”
#su#spinel#stevonnie#su fanfiction#my fic stuff#hollowed moon#this isn't REALLY 'my fic stuff' since it's unwritten but#i think it deserves to be here. this is the full unfinished plot of a fic that got the most exposure of anything i've ever shared in fandom
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Puzzled
Ch.1: Run
Pairing: Levi x Gn!Reader
Summary: Being the only survivor of your little village and having nowhere to go, Captain Levi and his squad took you under their wings. You repaid their trust soon by becoming a soldier as well. But was it ever enough?
Warnings: Memory loss, Blood, Death, Titans, very bad description of wheelchair, Bad grammar, but basically if you watched Attack on Titan you can read this too
Previous ch. -> Next ch.
" Y/N honey aren't you coming? The Scouts are passing by today! "
You turned your gaze from the window to your mother, she ran her callused hands on bandages on your head. Healed scars caught her moist eyes, once again reminding her that day she knew she lost you. Five years ago, it must have felt longer no doubt, when the great Wall Maria fell. You, of course, were fighting on the front sides for people's lives as a daring Garrison soldier. After ensuring the security of ten families, said your beloved comrade, you made yourself a bait for titans and lead them to Miche's squad. You saved the lives of dozens of people that day. That day was the day no one ever saw you again. It was the day name Y/N was going to be remembered as a hero, until two months ago.
Until a fellow soldier ran into you at the hospital in Wall Rose. She did not expect to see her old comrade, who is now a legend known for their death, especially not in the condition she found you in. You were sitting on a hospital bench, looking into nothingness, your once bright eyes were empty and all emotion was drained off of your face. You were confused, blank. No one knew your name, neither did you.
A few old friends contacted your family and commenders. The news travel fast so soon all three walls knew that the dear adopted child of the Becker family, a well-respected soldier after death, was back and have never actually left home.
Back again where we started, you looked at your mom with pity. It would be a lie to say you remembered anything at all, but still, she never gave up on you, after years and months, your family was here to tell you about yourself and your life. Your past and your identity.
"Mom," you looked up," this isn't right. Don't go. No."
"Why is that?" She raised an eyebrow at your muffled words.
"The Scouts never pass by our town, there is no reason for them to change their route unless a matter of hazard. They shouldn't be here. Don't -"
her giggles cut your words, "Honey, I know it's exciting to remember something! But I can't keep the whole village inside their homes, besides we will come back by five, okay? You will always be my little soldier, but hey, no need to save people anymore."
Then she left a quick kiss on your forehead and went to meet your aunties and uncles. You were now home alone with your two little cousins and your grandma. You were more anxious than ever, thinking that it's the worst-case scenario to leave a veteran who can't even remember their name, a chair bounded old woman, and two two-year-olds.
Shaking bad thoughts off your mind you drop a kiss on your grandma's hair and walk to the living room to check up on children. They were asleep on the blanket you spread on the floor. Just before picking them up, you decide to take a look outside. You can't see your dog, actually, you can't see anyone on the street. You must be dizzy, why is the floor shaking?
Gut-wrenching howls of dogs ring your ears, you can't take your eyes off the road. Your neighbour is on the road. He is crawling for his life, the crimson trail he left behind shining under the burning summer sun. His eyes meet yours, you see death. You see his missing leg and you see the creature going after its prey.
It's a titan, not taller than a one-story house. An axe caught your attention, right in the middle of its forehead. It was steaming; and there was a stupid look on its oddly humane face, which looked like hunger. The man's eyes still fixed on yours, he couldn't run anymore. Your heart almost stopped beating, your breath refusing to leave your lungs, he kept eye contact as the monster eats him away, slowly, bit by bit.
Your feet take you back, you look at two sleeping figures in fear and hurry to your grandma. She looks at you, you know she has seen them too. The bumping only gets faster and stronger, your plates shatter to the ground. A running titan passes by the window, followed by a green cape. Five minutes. It took five minutes to do this to you.
Nothing matters at the moment. You don't wanna live anyway. You don't know who you are and you doubt if you have a proper life ahead. Within a deep breath, you shake your thought away, you know your life mattered because their's did. And their life was tied up to your silly motivation, and their breath was fragile. Two kids and an old woman, this was your life's worth at the moment. You had to save them.
You run up to children and lend them to your grandmothers loving embrace. You cling into the handles of her wheelchair, "Trust me." is all you say. She is scared, kids are crying and you have that creepy look on your face. You open the door and step out.
That titan, the one that ate your neighbour, was now on the ground steaming. This was good, amazing news. It meant that Scouts have already cleaned the way to town. They must've started from more crowded areas, which meant that the town was safe, and now all you had to do was to take your little family to the outside of the village. Your house is close to the road. You can do it. Just don't overthink.
The street ahead of you is clean except for all the blood. You push the wheelchair, you run and run until you see the crossroad,
there is something bigger than a crossroad on the road. There is a titan, taller than the others you saw. With one foot, it's stepping on your neighbour's house, you hope she wasn't sşeepşng in there. Green capes are flying everywhere, there's something wrong. As almost like their blades don't cut anymore. You feel your knees weakening, before the helpless sight of their battle.
A soldier lands near you. He runs up to you, "I am taking the kids you RUN. RUN. LEAVE EVERYTHING THE TOWN IS SAFE JUST RUN."
You can't protest as he takes your crying cousins and slides away. You won't run. You will not leave your Grandma. The world is almost muted, you can barely catch her cries for you. You would understand that she was begging for you to leave her and survive, only if you listened.
Then a shadow falls on you.
Then a hand comes up to hold you.
This hand isn't a Scout's helping hand. It is a giant hand.
You freeze again. Right down to earth you stand. Titan is fast, it grabs your grandma. No, you hear her say.
No, you scream. You throw kicks, punches, you grab onto that think. Nothing helps. RUN, she begs.
She begs but you don't listen. Her blood rains down on you and you stay.
A pair of hands pull you away, this one isn't giant. They push you to the road in rage,
"Are you crazy?! RUN. RUN AWAY TO THE TOWN."
A flash of light blinds you. Thunder growls in all those chaos and you see bolts of lightning. There is another titan, attacking the bigger one. Soldiers on it pull away from one by one, one of them meets his gaze with yours'.
"RUN!"
And finally, you do as they say so. You run and don't turn your back.
#aot#fanfiction#reader insert#levi x reader#levi x y/n#levi ackerman x reader#levi fanfic#aot x reader#aot fanfic#titans#shitty writing lmao#attack on titan#snk#shingeki no kyojin#snk x reader
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Legacies and the people behind them (Platonic)
Requested Imagine: A trip to the future brings Daisy into the face of her future.
You liked the bar. Despite having never been in one, it was an escape. And, being friends with Deke meant you could spend as long as you wanted in it. That, for you, was all the time you could when not working and surviving.
This, though, this was living.
“Enjoying yourself?” Your friend asked, coming in and sitting next to you, ordering himself a drink.
You rose your eyebrows, letting out a scoff as you did so, “As much as I can, D. As much as I can.” You answered, taking a sip of your whisky. It was strong. It did the job it needed to.
“Was wondering where you went off to.” He admitted.
“Yeah, well. People talk, D. People talk and I don’t like it when they do. I mean,” You gestured around the area you were in, “You got this as your legacy, as your offering to what we have left of the world. Meanwhile I’m stuck with the fucker who broke it.” You vented, getting up and drunkly walking around the faux bar. You had a nice view of the broken earth though.
A view of your legacy to live up to.
“Hey,” He said, drawing your attention to him, “Nanna and Bobo were great, really. But, I’m living my life and remembering them. You have your life too, Y/N. You can’t just live someone else’s. What she did – well, it does matter as it’s what brought us here; but, that’s not you.” He comforted, walking over and handing you the drink you were having.
He then sighed, “Listen, I need to go great some new friends. So, I’ll be back, ok?” He said. You just nodded, staring into the void of space and the shattered planet.
When Deke returned, you were passed out, head rolled back on the chair and light snores leaving you. He smiled a bit at it, at least you were resting.
“Where is it? Did you throw out the old papers?” Deke asked Rick, the bartender.
“Yeah, it was a mess.”
“Stop doing that. You’re always cleaning.” Deke complained, opening up the paper.
“Yeah, you programmed me to.” That one got to Deke.
“Really? Because I don’t remember programming you to talk back to me,” Rick tilted his head, “It was a joke, because I – I did program you to talk…Just, will you find the papers, please?” As Rick left to do so, Deke greeted the new comer, “Might as well pull up a stool and have a beer.”
Daisy scoffed, “Clearly, you’re a talented pusher, but I will pass, thanks.” She said, going up to him but not pulling up a stool.
“It’s probably for the best because I have no idea what actual beer tasted like. Well, my friend over there seems to have a grasp on it, but…” He drifted off, knocking his head in your direction.
Daisy followed it, “Who are they?”
“Y/N. Got the weight of the world on their shoulders if you ask me,” He scoffed in laughter and shook his head, “Classic.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?” Daisy pushed.
“It’s an inside joke we’ve got. Doesn’t matter. They only get it when they’re in one of their good moods. But, good kid, still.” He said.
“Want to tell me where I am?” Daisy seemed to not be stopping with the questions.
“You’re passed out at my place of business. You got too close to my transmitters when you were stalking me. You remind me of Y/N in that regard.” He explained.
“So, this is your racket? You’re – you’re pimping out the framework?” That got Deke’s attention.
“I never called it that, but yeah. That’s the technology the hardware is based on,” He then folded up the news paper, “I—I had to rebuild the software from scratch because Kasius had the historical archives erased. But I was able to get my hands on the servers. I gathered bits of date here and there, and…the rest is guesswork.” Deke said. They heard a chair scrap, it was you nearly falling off the chair but you caught yourself.
“But your customers don’t know the difference. You’ve got ‘em addicted to Earth-as-it-was scenarios.” Daisy argued.
“Among other simulations, yes.”
“So, this is the business that you’re protecting? Your creepy opium den of fantasy?”
“Well, I can’t get real opium, so…I’m selling escape. The other way out of here is the final exit.” Deke started to get up.
“They’re trading one prison for another.”
Deke rose his eyebrows, “You think the lighthouse is a prison? Sweetheart…prison would be nice.”
You tried to ignore the conversation going on. You wanted to anyway, you were drunk and would probably have a killer hangover. So, you did what you could to block it out.
“The Kree have her. You can’t help her. To try is too dangerous.” Deke argued.
“You said the same thing about Mack and Yo-Yo. How’d that turn out?” Daisy challenged.
“A catastrophe! This entire place is a very delicate ecosystem, and you all just keep taking a leak in the water left and right!”
“You’re worried we’ll mess this up or we’ll mess this up for you? I mean, do the Kree even know about this operation? Because –”
“Of course they know about it. They’re crazy about it, because I’m – I’m improving people’s lives. I’m giving them something other than just hour after hour of endless grind.” Deke said, walking away for a moment and seeing you again looking at the wall where the view had been.
“They condone it because it keeps them placid. I have seen the framework in action before. Pretend that wishes are coming true so the real hope dies.”
“Hope only gets you killed,” Daisy looked to you as you finally spoke, “At least here you can be something other than a slave.”
“You’re making them forget reality, so they don’t try –” They started speaking over each other at this point. About whether or not waves should be made or if the reality your friend had built was bad.
“No, the boat sank! Do you understand that? We are a breath away from extinction. We make one wrong move, and in a blink, mankind is gone for good,” The TV then came on about a SHIELD agent; Daisy Johnson.
“Deke –” You said, going to grab the remote when Deke grabbed it first.
“Wait – wait. That’s it. That’s what I’m looking for. That!” You looked from the screen to her as well. Your eyes wide.
“Holy shit.” You breathed out, backing away from your grandmother.
“Y/N…” Deke wasn’t even sure on what to say.
“Thanks Deke. But – I uh….I have to – to go.” You said, starting to walk off.
Your heart was thumping in your ears, your breath picking up.
Holy shit, she was here. The woman that caused this was here.
“Y/N. Y/N, hey.” Deke said, running up to you in worry as you leaned against the wall, hands on your knees.
“Deke….” You couldn’t fully say it.
“I know. I know. Is it – is it bad?” He asked. You nodded.
“Ok, alright. Dammit. We – we need something to –” At that moment, Daisy walked back into your room. She shut the door to try and give you guys some privacy.
“What’s wrong with them?” Daisy asked, a little on edge.
“I’m sorry about this.” Deke meant those words.
“What?” Daisy wasn’t even prepared as a small blast knocked her back into the wall. It wasn’t much, but it was enough.
She blinked, coughing at the impact. Then, it finally hit her on what had hit her.
She saw your hand in a pose she had done so many times.
You lowered it, having a better feeling now.
Daisy couldn’t speak, so you did it for her, “You’re not meant to be here. You are meant to be back there…I’ll get you back; you and your friends. It’ll do some good. Maybe I can where you didn’t.”
Deke looked between you both, knowing how complicated this would be.
“Oh boy.” He sighed.
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Deke leant on one side, you on another. You both kept an eye out or any threats to deal with as Daisy went to look for her family.
“So, this is weird.” Deke said, trying to pass the time and check in on you.
You nodded, “Sure is,” You then looked to him with a smile, “Tess will not believe this.”
He chuckled, “Flint might, though.”
You nodded, thinking about the little rascal.
Daisy then appeared, quickly walking and with no one else in sight, “Where are they? We were supposed to meet up at the Exchange. Something’s wrong.” She said as you both started to follow her.
“Or maybe they finally took my advice to evaporate into this place.” You hit Deke on the arm.
“Deke.” You hissed.
“They were looking for a way to find Simmons. I got to track them down.” Daisy said.
“Grandaunt Jemma?” You asked, unable to hide a hint of excitement at it.
Daisy looked to you for a moment, “Yeah, her.” She answered, still in a rush to save said woman.
“So you said,” Deke grabbed Daisy and stopped her in her tracks, “Don’t you think you’re kind of deflecting from what I told you about…and what you’ve just found out…” He mimicked an explosion before pointing to you.
“I’m not deflecting because I didn’t do it.” She continued to walk.
“It wasn’t me who did it. That only leaves you. Now, I get that this is a lot and –”
“Yeah, that’s what deflecting is.” Deke and you spoke over each other.
“How could I split the world apart? My powers aren’t that strong. I’m not that strong.” You were keeping your voices low.
“Maybe not yet, but you will be.” Deke warned.
“And how do you know that?” Daisy questioned.
“Because planet earth went from smooth to chunky, and Quake is the one who did it.”
“And you don’t think I’d remember that?”
“No, I think it took you out too.” It was morbid, but you were probably right.
“Well, not according to the multiverse theory,” Daisy stopped, and Eke thought that meant to further explain, “You probably haven’t heard of it, but in quantum physics, there’s a theory that, for every universe, there are infinite parallel universes. So in my universe, you destroyed the planet. Maybe that just happened in –” Daisy slapped him before he could continue.
“So what universe did that just happen in? Mine or yours?” Daisy heard your snicker as she then looked to you, “You get any of that?”
You shook your head as you tried to hide your smile, “ He’s tried many-a-time to explain it. Still goes through one ear and out another.” Daisy nodded, but she was glad that she wasn’t alone in that.
Deke and you spotted something, a man bandaging himself.
Deke went off, leaving you and Daisy behind. She looked at you, and definitely saw the similarities between you both; the look in your eyes, the way you did your hair even if a shorter length, the way you stood tough but had a vulnerability in your eyes.
Yeah, you were a Johnson alright.
Deke returned, “Talk to me.”
“There’s been a Renewal.” He said.
“Shit.” You cursed.
“A what?” Daisy asked, looking between you both.
“Three people are dead.” Now it was Daisy’s turn to – silently – curse and worry, “Just hold your freak-out. It wasn’t your friends, ok? They’re probably just hiding, which is what I advised them to do from the get go.” Daisy stopped him rambling.
“Ok, ok. So where would they be hiding?”
“I don’t know, they’re your friends.” Deke pointed out.
“And this is your guys’ home, where you know everyone and everything that’s in here.” Daisy countered with.
Deke looked at you as he sighed, “One of the vacancies came from Grill’s salvage. That means there’s an opening. He might take in strays. I’d start there.”
“You got all that from the shoe guy?”
“Well, shoe guy knows all.”
“Guess I should’ve asked him in the first place.” Daisy started to leave to try find the others. And you followed, “What are you doing?” She asked, seeing your progression towards her.
“Showing you the way.” Was all you said, doing just that.
“How’s this possible?” Daisy asked as you led her the way.
“How’s what possible? You being here or me existing?” You asked, checking your six.
“Both.” She said.
“I never met you, because of….you know. In terms of how am I here? No idea. I never met my parents, I could only go off of what people told me about you. Most negative with…you know. But, Deke showed me some news reels of you. You just… You seemed like a good person. I try to be that as much as I can be.” You said, not wanting to go into some of the things you had to do to survive.
“I’m sorry.” She said, allowing her tough exterior to melt for a moment; she’d been there before – well, not everything that had been mentioned, but in the broad strokes.
“It’s not your fault. You were trying to do some good, and it backfired,” You stopped, putting a hand up to stop her as well, “Besides, you’re here now, maybe if I can get you out, we can make it right.”
She saw a light in your eyes, one that she still got even now – but when she used to have a lot more when she younger.
Despite herself, she smiled at it.
Deke tried one more time to stop you both, but Daisy quaked him back. It was a lot more controlled than yours. Still, she pulled you into the elevator.
She was loyal to her friends, and she knew you were too. So, she offered you that chance to come, and you took it.
You entered what Daisy described as a “Weed farm.”
“Stay close, blend in.” She said. You both made your way through, pretending to check on the plants whenever someone was about to clock you both.
You made to the elevator, but Daisy heard footsteps coming before you did. She got onto the ceiling, “Here.” She said, offering you a hand. She made room for you to stay up there with her as well.
You felt yourself start to slip; and just as Daisy went to help, you managed to save yourself. You missed it, but she looked a bit proud at it.
She dropped down first, taking care of the Kree. There was one left, and you dropped down, punching him and grabbing his rifle, spinning him where Daisy finished him off.
“Good job.”
You made it down, and you were going to save your Grandaunt, when two glass doors appeared, and gas entered the room. You both couldn’t help but cough at it. You fell first, then Daisy. Looking up, you both saw Deke.
He’d sold you out.
You knew what that meant. You were going to be sold off to fight.
Deke had once told you his grandparents and parents were good people. Seemed his shattered that legacy.
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Before you woke, you felt someone shaking you, calling your name. It continued. Whoever it was, they were persistent. You saw the earth in your dream, itself in it’s prime. You saw Daisy being heralded as a hero.
Then you saw the earth shatter.
You opened your eyes with a gasp, and found yourself strapped to a chair. Daisy, however, let out a breath of relief.
“Well, seems you both have been acquainted. Two Johnson’s both as my prisoner. How…exquisite.” Kasius mused as he circled you both.
Daisy got the madman to not look at you and instead put his attention on her. For her, though, it was torturous, to have a man threaten her sister plainly in front of all in the room. She knew she would not break, but she knew that for Jemma or anyone in her family she’d do anything.
Her eyes flickered to you; and she saw someone trying to stay strong for sake of a fucking name, but someone who was scared deep down. She knew you were part of that family now.
So, you were both meant to fight, together it seemed. So, she knew what she had to do.
Keep you alive and get you out too.
She saw how you constantly tried to get a grip on the Quake ability, only or it to blow up and cause you pain. She saw how it was what you relied on. She saw how you could fight, but not for very long without that ability.
She got why, it was something that could help.
More than that, it was her knowing you as you. Not as a Johnson, but as a person.
She met Ben, another Inhuman, and the two watched you get launched again to the floor after not controlling your ability. She was sure you were going to get an Inhibitor chip soon, same as she had one.
There went your advantage.
“What’s their story?” Ben asked.
“That’s Y/N…my granddaughter,” Ben just took it in stride, “They seem to get the best and worst bits from me.”
“Any idea who the other half is?” Ben asked.
Daisy shook her head, “No idea. From who I’ve been with, they always seem to leave, die, or turn out to be a major asshole.”
Ben nodded, “And you don’t want that for them?” He asked, then she looked to him, “Telepathic, remember?”
“…Right. That.” She excused herself when she heard you cry out and saw the chip on your neck.
She put a hand on your shoulder as you blinked and tried to repress the pain, “Sucks, yeah?” She said, hoping the levity would help distract you from it.
You rolled your neck a bit as you blinked more, “Oh yeah. I’d say I’ve had worse, but that’d be a lie.” She couldn’t help the scoff of laughter that let her at your words. She was sure they were true. But, that had always been her way, laugh through pain and uncomfortable situations.
This definitely was one of those.
You were all lined up, seeing the people who would soon buy you all talking about it as if it was casual.
Then again, it was to them.
Well, all but one. One that you saw and couldn’t help your eyes widening when you saw him.
“Is that –” Daisy knew what you were going to ask.
“Your granduncle Fitz…” She seemed to not believe it herself. You saw how it hit her; having her brother figure. He was a live, and he was here.
Then it was time for the fight. Now, she had no idea how you were in a fight. But, if she had to guess, scrappy. Just like she was.
Now, it was focused, filled with flips and what not. Still, she saw you try and hide your fear.
It hit her then just how well she had been trained to do that. How much she’d almost become May in this instance; how the woman who was like a robot was now how Daisy was becoming emotionally.
“Hey,” You looked to her, “We got this. We’ll get my friends out, we’ll be ok.” She didn’t fully believe those words, but she saw how you let out a breath and gave her a thankful look; a moment of vulnerability for you.
Then, you both entered the ring. A double match, two combatants.
Shit.
As said before, Daisy could fight well. But, you knew that your Granduncle and Grandaunt were watching. You knew they were worried. You knew that it was all on the line. You had no powers, and you could barely fight with any finesse.
Not like Daisy was doing much better, being flung around the room. Still, she was doing better than you.
You hit the wall for like the umpteenth time. You had your powers, seeing Daisy lift herself up. You went to use yours, but your opponent grabbed your arm and aimed it at the floor. Your power still went off, and you went up in the air at can awkward angle. However, the guy still held your other arm, and used that momentum to slam you on the ground.
Your breath had left you, and you were sure this was it. But then you heard a pistol go off, and more voices.
You felt someone pick you up, and you were going in and out of consciousness.
When you fully came back, you felt a pair of fingers going through your hair. Your eyes opened, and you saw Daisy looking at you. She smiled when she saw you were still with them.
“Hey.” She said, in a soft tone of voice.
“Hey.” You said, before you groaned and slowly sat up, rubbing the back of your head.
“Yeah, we’ll have Simmons look at that when we get out of here.” Daisy promised, “You did good.”
“I got my ass kicked even with my powers.” You argued.
“Doesn’t matter. You put up a fight and had your own style to it. Besides, so did I.”
She admitted it. Holy shit, you did not expect that. You did not expect the great Daisy Johnson to lose in a fight; you didn’t expect the great Daisy Johnson to admit it.
And yet, she had; to you.
She was just human – well, Inhuman. But, she was still the same as you.
“Fitzsimmons still with us?” Daisy nodded, nudging her head back.
You looked back; you were in one of the rooms they would give those more prosperous, but you saw the pair embracing one another. They pulled away and looked at you; both giving you a smile.
“You must be Y/N. I’m Jemma.” She said, going over and shaking your hand. Next was Fitz.
“Sorry --- I…just a little starstruck is all.” You let out a nervous giggle at your words.
Jemma’s smile turned understanding, “Yes, I’m sure this is a little disorientating. But, once we get to a safter place, I’m sure we can have a lot of time to get to know you?” She saw how you looked elated at the idea. How a childlike side to you opened all of a sudden.
You nodded, eagerly, “Yeah – yeah, that’d be great.” You said, bright smile on your face. You then addressed the whole room, “I can get us out. I know this place. I know shortcuts and what not.”
The three shared a look, and then looked back at you, and nodded.
You gave a nod that held more confidence to it. You were going to help your family out of this.
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Daisy was back on her feet, and she saw how there was a spark in you now as you led them through the hallways and into a room with a view of a ship Fitz had been brought in. For a moment, you were at ease, you could get out.
That ship was then blown up right in front of your eyes. Well, shit.
Still, you had places to go.
You led them to a life support room, with some pipes along the ceiling that Daisy and Jemma found had a diverse range of hot and cold.
You found a hatch that you and Fitz opened, and it revealed something that made them afraid. Gravitonium. And it was powering this whole thing.
“Bad thing?” You asked, looking to Daisy.
She didn’t look at you as she both nodded and spoke, “Yeah. Very bad.” She said.
You were all met with a quick splash of bullets, one of them catching Fitz as Daisy pushed you to the ground. She took cover, quickly darting and getting the new guy chasing you to shoot a pipe, blinding him momentarily and giving Daisy time to dart in and disable him.
You covered Jemma as she moved Fitz out of the room, and waited for Daisy to catch up with you. She gave you a pat as she passed you, “Keep going, kiddo.”
You guys did, and Jemma had put Fitz on the floor. As you went to check on him, you saw a figure in the dark.
You saw an all too familiar helmet in the dark.
You were the first there, grabbing him and slamming him into the wall. He grunted, and you could tell his eyes were wide behind the helmet.
“Glad I brought the helmet.” He said, trying to cover up that fear.
You ripped it off, dropping it on the ground. You saw his face, your friend turned traitor.
You socked him right in the face.
“Alright, guess I deserved that one.” He admitted, rubbing his jaw.
“You don’t talk to them.” Daisy sneered, before asking him if he was coming for the bounty.
He wasn’t, as it turned out. He’d lost everything, and seemed to want to be team SHIELD. He explained to Daisy how he knew she wanted to get to Jemma, and how you wanted to be with your grandmother. You wanted to get to know her.
He wasn’t wrong, but you were still pissed at him.
He knew that, and didn’t meet your gaze as you guys went to reunite with the rest of the family.
As you approached the door, however, you paused. Daisy came back out when she realised you hadn’t gone inside.
You were leant up against the wall, hands on your knees, “Hey. Hey, what’s wrong?” Daisy asked, crouching down to your level.
“I – I just…that’s all of them?”
She nodded, before it clicked in her mind, “Hey,” She said softly, putting finger under your chin and lifting your head up to face her, “I’ll be right here, ok? You aren’t me, and that’s ok with the social thing. But, they’re gonna love you, and I’m right here.” She felt like she had to remind you again that she was right there.
You entered, with her behind you. The others looked to you.
“Hi – uh, I’m Y/N.” You greeted, a bit self conscious. However, you then spotted Flint, “Holy shit.” You breathed out, embracing your friend. It helped that he was here.
“Y/N,” You turned to the one and only, Phil Coulson, “I’m –”
“Phil Coulson. Hi.” Your voice was timid, but you then cleared your throat and repeated it. His smile didn’t change however, he didn’t seem to mind how you were opposite to Daisy in some ways.
He accepted it. And so were you, slowly.
Then the bangs from your chasers came at the door. Flint had moved the rocks to create a barrier to buy time, but there was only so much he could do.
However, if there was one thing you didn’t lose as a Johnson, it was a calculating look in your eye as you came up with a plan. Hell, you even bit your lip.
“What you planning, Y/NN?” You felt a bit of pride at the nickname.
You whistled, gaining Dekes attention, “Belt buckle.” You only said. He threw it to you, “This is a start.” You told him, and you clocked the thankful smile he shot your way.
The others followed your movements to a shaft that had been cleared by Flint, “We can get up there with this.” You said, waving the object you had.
Fitzsimmons explained what it did. You didn’t know the science of it, you just knew it would work.
All up, you thought this would be goodbye. You had gotten them up and out.
However –
“Y/N.” Daisy called after you. You turned to her, “You can come with, if you want?”
Your eyes lit up again, “Really?”
“Of course, you’re family. Besides, be good to have a guide to this world to help us.”
“You got Deke, though?”
“Yeah, but he’s not you.”
You softened a bit at the words. She wanted you there. Then again, you weren’t just her legacy now.
You were her friend.
“Ok, you said.”
#agents of shield imagine#agents of s.h.i.e.l.d imagine#agents of shield x reader#daisy johnson x reader#daisy johnson imagine
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♕ Burning Lights ♕
Chapter 6 of the Burning Lights series
Pairing: Katherine Pierce x Elijah Mikaelson
Warnings: None
POV: Katherine
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Charlottesville was cute for a small town. Katherine had asked the concierge for directions for the nearest park, and as she walked around looking for a place to sit and relax, she felt herself slowly unwind. She picked a secluded bench nestled in neatly between shrubs and flowerbeds. Katherine sat down and enjoyed the pleasant silence. She closed her eyes for a moment, relishing herself in the serenity which surrounded her. She took a couple of deep and soothing breaths and opened her eyes again. If there ever was a moment to contemplate one’s life, it was now.
ㅤ
She was human now, she had allowed that reality to set in the day after she had met Elijah. But was she really human? Unlike in 1492 when she had been as human as one could possibly be, it was different now. She had been a 544 year old vampire before Elena Gilbert had shoved the cure down her throat causing her to loose her immortality and turn human. Did anyone really know how the cure worked aside from the very obvious? Were there any side effects? Say if she were to get hurt, would vampire blood heal her? And more importantly, if she wanted to be turned back into a vampire, would that be possible? Katherine sighed. These were the questions that were really important to her, questions she needed answered in order to get a picture of how she should live her life. Sadly for her, no one had any answers seeing how Katherine, to the extent of her knowledge, was the first vampire ever to be cured of vampirism. Not even Elijah could provide her with any insights. She had to know for sure whether she was human or simply a cured vampire. She supposed she could ask Elijah to lend her a hand in figuring this out. She could cut herself and then have his blood heal her to see if it would work.
Say it would work and his blood would heal her, it would also mean that she could turn again, wouldn’t it? Katherine didn’t like this, too many variables, too many gaps. She wanted to live, no matter whether she was vampire or human. If only she would know for certain that it was possible to turn back into a vampire. It would provide her with a sense of security. That was settled then, she’ll tell Elijah of the experiment she has in mind, and then she would take it from there. Assuming he would go along with it..Why wouldn’t he? It’s not like she’d ask him to turn her, just a drop or two of his blood to heal a pesky little cut on her finger. As simple as that, no muss no fuss.
ㅤ
And if it didn’t work and his blood wouldn’t heal her? A heavy sigh escaped her lips. Katherine wasn’t one to panic or brood, so if his blood wouldn’t heal her, she would deal with it then. Just like she had dealt with things in her past. Even though becoming human was the last thing she ever wanted to do, she would deal with it. Katherine didn’t believe in self-pity or self-loathing, she didn’t believe in moping around or wallowing in one’s misery. No, that wasn’t her. She was a survivor. She knew she would survive this because she had survived worse. If she had to live her life as someone who couldn’t be healed by vampire blood, then she would live accordingly. After all, that’s how humans lived anyway. She glanced over to where people were taking their daily strolls in a park, slowly, casually, seeming carefree and serene. She would bet her life that none of them knew of any supernatural existence. Were their lives better off that way? They didn’t know that they could be healed by vampire blood. They lived their lives as always, and if something happened, sickness or accidents or you name it, they went to a doctor who would do their best to patch them up and send them on their merry way. She would have to do the same. Katherine nodded to herself, worst case scenario and Elijah’s blood does nothing, she will live, she will take care of herself as best she can and she will try her absolute best to make a life for herself. What was so bad about a ‘white picket fence’ type of life anyway? Okay, maybe not that, but a penthouse in New York sounded appealing, or a Malibu beach house.. And who said she would have to stay in the States? She could leave for Paris or Barcelona, hell, she could move to Bali and live out her life on the beach with a tropical drink in hand. A tiny smile crept up on her lips as she listed all the possibilities. Her brow furrowed some as she felt something flutter inside her stomach. A tiny voice in her head said that she was missing something. Something or.....someone?
ㅤ
With a heavy sigh, Katherine slouched on the bench she was occupying. Elijah freaking Mikaelson. Now that the Original vampire wasn’t looming over her shoulder, she figured she could allow herself a moment of brutal honesty. Currently, Elijah was being a royal pain in her ass, preaching about the perks of her having turned human never once permitting her to express her feelings on the matter. She expressed them alright but he didn’t seem to hear it, he dismissed them as one dismisses ramblings of a lunatic. That appeared to be the case with their other issues as well. Elijah Mikaelson, the man who claimed to know what’s best for her. As if. If he could spare a fraction of his time to actually listen to her and take her feelings into account, maybe then they could move forward one way or the other. But for as long as he remained set in his ways, she didn’t stand a chance at being heard, let alone accepted. She could live with his rejection, but what she couldn’t live with was him refusing to let her be her own person. My Katerina, he used to call her and at the time it seemed kind of sweet but she was more than that. Katerina was innocent, naive and believed in true love. She had lost her innocence the night she had fled for her life trying to escape Klaus, and if anything of that innocence was left after that, it had shattered into a million pieces when she found her entire village and family slaughtered. She stopped being naive once she saw just how cruel the world could be, so in order to survive in it, she had to become crueler still. She wasn’t just Katerina, she was also Katherine Pierce. Strong, wilful, resilient, smart, cunning, independent, confident, fierce and brave. She no longer needed to rely on others, she didn’t need a hero and she sure as hell didn’t need to place her faith in anyone else other than herself. Her faith was in herself and her alone. Yes, she had been forced to do some despicable things to survive, she had manipulated and she had lied, and she had killed. So freaking what? She refused to believe that the noble Elijah Mikaelson hadn’t done the same and worse. His brother had. Elijah wasn’t noble, he was a hypocrite as far as she was concerned.
ㅤ
Katherine bit her lip. And yet.... If she closed her eyes and evaded all her reason, she knew that she loved him. She wanted him. But she didn’t need him. Katherine Pierce sighed and allowed herself a moment of innocent daydreaming. If Elijah managed to pull out the stick stuck up his ass, listen to her and allow her to be herself, she could consider giving him a chance. Even him apologising, sincerely so she knew he meant it, would go a long way. Katherine chuckled lightly, wouldn’t that be a sight to behold - Elijah Mikaelson on his knees begging her to forgive him. Her smile slowly turned into a sad one as she knew better than that. She knew heaven and earth would move before Elijah would even consider begging her for anything. He once told her that him wanting to believe her was like a disease, maybe her loving him was her disease. Maybe the sweet poison that was Elijah Mikaelson had poisoned her so deeply to her core, that no antidote would ever rid her of it.
She had decided to stay for a moment longer, not really thinking about anything. There was only so much heavy thinking one could do before their mind threatened to run away screaming. She let herself enjoy the last moments of peace and quiet before getting up to head back to the hotel. As dusk settled over Charlottesville, Katherine entered the fancy hotel they were staying at.
_________________________________________________
#kalijah#kalijah au#katherine x elijah#elijah x katherine#katherine pierce#elijah mikaelson#katerina petrova#tvd#tvd fanfiction#tvd fandom#the vampire diaries#kalijah fanfiction#kalijah fic
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That’s not how Ironman goes out
Febuwhump Day 7: poisoning
Read on AO3.
________________________________________________________
Peter pulled his grey hoodie on, practically bouncing on his feet as he finished dressing. Today was going to be the best day. He was headed over to Ned’s this morning to work on the new Star Wars Lego set his friend had gotten for his birthday last week, and then he had plans to take MJ out to a new Mexican-Korean fusion restaurant she’d been talking about ever since it opened last month. They’d been together for almost three months now and he still loved seeing the look on her face whenever he surprised her.
“Peter can you come here for a minute?” Aunt May called from the living room.
“Yeah!” He answered, not thinking anything of it. He shoved his wallet in his back pocket and toed on his shoes, checking his phone for any messages before pocketing it as well.
He made a detour to the kitchen to grab an apple out of the bowl on the counter, enjoying the crunch of it as he took a huge bite before turning to find May sitting on the couch across the room.
“What’s up?” He asked, barely understandable, around a mouthful of apple.
“Come here.” May patted the couch cushion next to her. The oddness of the invitation made him stop and focus. He noticed a characteristic crinkling in the corner of May’s eyes, something she only did when she was worried and trying to hide it. It was an expression he’d seen more than a few times ever since she’d discovered his vigilante identity.
“What’s wrong?” He moved to stand in front of her.
“Sit down honey.”
“No, I’m good. I have to get going to Ned’s soon or I’m going to be late. I promised I’d be there by noon.” He said, checking his watch for show. The way May was acting made him want to escape. Made him afraid.
“I need you to sit down.” May patted the space next to her again.
He had the irrational urge to whine, ‘I don’t want to.’ To stamp his feet and refuse. Because no good news ever came from scenarios like this. But instead of refusing, he forced his knees to bend and hesitantly sat down next to his aunt.
May reached out to hold his hands. “Honey, I have to tell you something.”
His heart started racing. “May, you’re scaring me.”
“You know how Tony had that fundraiser last night?”
He nodded. Tony had invited him, but it was a stuffy black-tie event, which wasn’t really his thing, and Peter had already had a readymade excuse not to go. He’d made plans with MJ and hadn’t wanted to disappoint her by cancelling. Tony hadn’t minded because Peter was heading up to the cabin tomorrow to spend the weekend with him where there wouldn’t be a bunch of uptight old people milling around.
“Well,” May continued, “we’re not sure how it happened yet, but somehow someone managed to slip something into Tony’s drink.”
His stomach dropped out of his body. No.
“Is he dead?” His voice trembled, afraid to hear the answer. Afraid that the reason May had positioned him here was to deliver the news that his last remaining father figure was gone.
“No honey.” May reassured him and his eyes closed as he let out a sharp breath of relief. She squeezed his hands. “But he’s very sick, and they’re doing everything they can, but we just don’t know yet what’s going to happen.”
He bit his lower lip to keep it from quivering as tears welled up in his eyes. This couldn’t be happening.
“Why would someone do this?” He managed to choke out the question.
“Oh honey.” May tugged him forward into a hug. “I know. It doesn’t make any sense. They think it was someone from that ridiculous group.”
Peter clenched his jaw. He knew exactly what group she was talking about. After Tony had saved everyone, and almost died in the process, a group of zealots had become vocal about how reversing the snap had set back all the environmental progress Earth had made after losing half its population. They hated Tony for what he’d done. They believed life had been better before the reversal because the human race was no longer multiplying at a rate that the Earth couldn’t sustain. Apparently, there’d been less hunger. Less pollution. Less war. But infinitely more heart ache. Peter didn’t think any of the other stuff even came close to canceling that out.
“I think we should go see him.” May suggested, rubbing his back as she held him and the tears slid down his cheeks. “Just in case.”
In case he died. The words went unvoiced. The very thought that it was even a possibility made him want to scream. Because of some hate group. He should’ve gone to that party. Maybe he would’ve sensed something. Maybe his ‘Peter tingle’ would’ve caught on. But no, he’d chosen to hang out with MJ instead.
“Yeah.” He said, trying to get a handle on his emotions. “Let’s go.”
“Ok.” May gave him another tight squeeze before releasing him. “He’s at the compound. I’ll drive.”
It’d taken months, but they’d rebuilt the compound, like some sort of symbol, bigger and better, in the same place where it’d been desecrated. Peter usually felt some amount of awe whenever he drove up to it, but not today. A numbness had descended upon him ever since he’d gotten in the car. It was as if he couldn’t process any more emotion, good or bad, until he knew if Tony would be ok. Like a kind of limbo.
The clop of his sneakers on the immaculately polished floors echoed ominously throughout the silent halls. May had tried to throw her arm over his shoulders in support on the walk in but he’d shrugged it off. Even though he desired the comfort, he hadn’t wanted to be seen as weak by any other Avengers they might encounter. They already looked at him like a child.
He and May rounded the corner and Peter stopped up short. Tony’s door was at the end of the hall, and he was almost afraid to cross the remaining distance. He didn’t want to see him hooked up to machines with wires attached and tubes coming out of him. Seeing him like that was always hard. The man was supposed to be larger than life, so anytime something happened where he actually appeared mortal, it was like the cosmic forces were out of sync.
“Come on baby.” May nudged him forward with a hand against his back.
Peter took a deep breath and managed to put one foot in front of the other again. He could do this. He had to. He’d never forgive himself if he didn’t see Tony and something happened. When they got to his door, Peter paused again, but he forced his hand to grip the door handle and twist it open.
“Hey kid!” Tony greeted him cheerily, sitting up in bed and not looking at all close to death.
Peter froze, not quite believing his eyes. His gaze shot over to May, wondering if this had all been some sort of cruel trick, but she looked equally shocked. His eyes darted back to Tony, afraid to believe it. But the man seemed fine. Maybe a little drawn and tired but not on death’s door like he’d been led to believe.
He took a halting step forward, not quite ready to trust it, and worried that too much hope might shatter the mirage in front of him.
“What’s wrong Pete?” Tony frowned.
“You…you’re ok?” He asked, taking another step forward.
“Yeah I’m fine.” Tony held an arm out towards him, encouraging him to come closer.
Peter hurried over to him, grabbing Tony’s arm once he got close enough. He was real, solid and warm
“You’re ok.” He repeated as if in affirmation.
“That’s what I said. Try to keep up kid.” Tony smirked at him, and Peter felt his resolve crumble. Relieved sobs bubbled up and out of him, shaking his frame.
“Shit. Come here.” Tony pulled him into a comforting hug. “I’m fine. I promise I’m fine.”
A minute later Peter heard the familiar click of heels enter the room behind him, but he didn’t lift his head, still working on regaining his composure.
“Oh.” He heard Pepper say in surprise. “Oh May. I’m sorry. I forgot to call you back. As soon as I got off the phone with you Bruce figured out the antidote and an hour later Tony was fine. I can’t believe I forgot to let you know. I’m so sorry.”
“It’s ok. I’m sure you had a lot on your mind.” May reassured her.
“Still, that’s no excuse. Oh sweetie I’m sorry I scared you. It was touch and go there for awhile but Tony’s going to be fine.” Pepper placed her hand on his back. He really didn’t want her to feel bad. He tried to pull himself together. Tony was perfectly fine. He wasn’t going to die.
Peter took a deep breath and pulled away, wiping his eyes as he sniffled.
“Sorry. I didn’t mean to fall apart.” He gave them a tight smile. “I just— Well, we thought you were dying.”
“Dying? You told them I was dying?” Tony threw an accusatory look at Pepper.
She crossed her arms and raised her voice, “We thought you were dying.”
“Pfft. It’d take more than some crazy zealot to take me out. Don’t you know me at all honey?”
Pepper rolled her eyes.
“I mean seriously, poison? That’s not how Ironman goes out.” Tony shook his head and then looked at him with a smirk. “Right?”
“Right.” He agreed with a nod.
“If anything, it’ll be in a blaze of glory.”
It took every ounce of Peter’s being to not think about Thanos and Tony snapping the gauntlet, coming as close as anyone could to death.
“Yes, at the rate you’re going, you will probably blow yourself up someday.” Pepper deadpanned.
“Hey!” Tony said indignantly. Peter couldn’t help it. He snorted out a small laugh, the numbness and fear inside him finally melting away.
“No,” May smiled, joining in the fun, “it’s going to be—”
“Old age.” Peter interrupted, not wanting to think of any other possibility at the moment, not even in jest.
They all quieted down, and Tony looked at him, a soft smile on his face and eyes alive and twinkling. “Yeah. Old age. That could work.”
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Title: How to make friends (NEW VISUAL NOVEL OUT THIS SUMMER)
By: @bidoofgodofdestruction
For: @whatsupscythia
Prompt: wingman Chiaki (exes with Hajime) tries to set up Nagito and Hajime in a non-despair au
Notes: this wound up being a very Chiaki-centric fic. I love Chiaki to death and wanted to explore her a little in this setting. Of course, Hajime and Nagito are in there being my favorite couple. I hope you’re happy with how this turned out! :)
“The ultimate gamer…” The boy had a less than trustworthy grin across his face as he stepped near Chiaki “Tell me, did you actually win all those tournaments? Or did you just charm the opposition into letting you win?”
She’d seen this scenario in her games. It was classic, and never fun to be on the receiving end. She glowered at him, resisting all urges to spit in his face.
“I won with my skill because I’m good at games. Please move.”
“Aw… you’re kinda cute puffing out your cheeks in anger like that.” He condescended going another step “Did your ‘sister’ do that?” He asked giving air quotes
Her eyes darted around for any help. She noticed that creepy kid from her class arguing with a reserve course loser. Not the best option.
“I don’t know. Now I have to go.”
She did her best to push past him but he grabbed her arm.
“Come on… maybe we can have a game night in my dorm?”
Chiaki turned getting ready to slap the asshole across the face when-
“Hey, what are you doing?!”
She looked to where she saw the two boys fighting and were now storming up to the boy who was harassing her, fire in their eyes.
“Harassing a girl…” the boy from her class -his name was Nagito right?- looked down his nose at the boy in disapproval “Not cool. Very not cool.”
“Hey, why don’t you mind your own business?”
Chiaki looked at the two boys and a plan formulated in her mind that she’d also seen play out in games.
“Oh, Daichi!” She broke away from the boy who had her and ran into the Reserve Course boy burying her head in his stomach “Are we on for date night tonight?”
“Huh? Who is-“
She stomped on his foot and nudged her head towards the boy.
“Uh… I mean… What are you doing with my girl?”
Wow his acting was bad. She looked to Nagito and mouthed ‘do something’ and he nodded and took initiative.
“You shouldn’t mess with Daichi. Although his reserve course student status suggests that he’s worthless, I’ve heard rumors that he is quite strong. And as you know reserve course students are quite uncultured. I wouldn’t be surprised if he struck you.”
She noticed “Daichi” giving Nagito the evil eye, and even Chiaki was going “cringe” in her head.
“But furthermore…” Nagito gave him a nasty look “You shouldn’t be harassing a lady.”
“… Whatever! Screw you!” The boy stormed off. Chiaki broke away from “Daichi” and said “Thanks.”
That’s how Chiaki had +2 to her party. Or as other people would call it… she made some friends for once.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
“And then… he just goes ‘that’s a mighty fine tree’! Isn’t he so funny?!” Nagito laughed.
Chiaki looked away from her game to give an exasperated look to her classmate, and current only person in this class who she ever talked to- as against her better judgement that was.
“I don’t care about that. Just owning him at smash bros today.”
“Oh… is that you finally getting over him, or just you now channeling your angry breakup feelings into beating him at video games?”
Oh he had to bring that up. This was her first time talking to the guy in months since… that. They were finally gonna have a typical hang out and play some games. And Nagito, master douche had to be like that. Chiaki closed the console and bopped Nagito on the head.
“Shut up.”
“Well video games are a good way to channel your anger. Especially when you’re so talented at them. Nurture that talent to-“
“Shut up, shut up, shut up!” She whacked him in quick succession, and she noticed stares from the rest of the class. Ugh. She lost her stealth achievement. “Shut up.” She whispered.
“Okay.” He nodded “Why are we whispering?”
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Hajime was already sitting on the bench when they got there. Darn it. She wanted a few more minutes to prepareto see the guy she hadn’t talked to in months. Surprisingly, it was Nagito who played the middle-man between them, really insisting Chiaki try to go back to being friends with Hajime. Pretty weird seeing as he was the last person to have enough of a backbone to insist anything from her. He always gave her the final hit during co-op, ran off the cliff during sudden death, he was a total pushover. So if Nagito got that passionate over it, it had to be worth it.
“Hi Chiaki.” Hajime stood up “Listen… with the Kuzuryuu… incident and our break up I think we both said a lot of things we didn’t mean.” He extended a hand “So can we start over?”
She nodded “Yeah.” And sat down on the opposite side of the bench from him.
“I’m so glad you two are getting along again!” Nagito sat in the middle taking his switch out of his bag “I hope your skills aren’t rusty Hajime! We haven’t played since you and Chiaki broke up.”
“Have some tact will you?” Hajime nudged him.
“Sorry. To be honest, when I hang out with Chiaki, games are all we do!”
“You never do anything else?” Hajime looked over.
“What else is there to do?” She asked.
“Well me and Nagito have eaten lunch together, tried some arts and crafts, listened to music…”
“Whatever.” She didn’t really need the lecture.
But she did notice how Nagito hummed and rested his head on Hajime’s shoulder- before coming to a seeming earth shattering revelation of what he was doing and backing off averting his gaze in guilt. Hajime didn’t seem to notice and selected his main: the piranha plant. Chiaki had stopped giving him shit about that a long time ago. But she kept noticing Nagito’s smile brighten when Hajime’s face brightened landing a KO on Chiaki (Chiaki didn’t tell him that she died to him on purpose) or how when Hajime nudged Nagito in this victory, Nagito turned bright scarlet.
Hoo boy.
Eventually, the three of them parted ways and scheduled to go to the crepes shop that opened up near the campus next time they saw each other, and Hajime headed towards his dorms, while Chiaki and Nagito went towards the ones for the main course.
“… You have a crush on him don’t you?” Chiaki asked when they got far enough away from them.
Nagito stopped in his tracks. Chiaki stopped as well to look back at him, and watched his face turn deep scarlet and him placing a hand on his burning cheek.
“When did you realize?”
“Oh you know… we were sitting around at one point… just the two of us and I realized that he’s truly kind and fun and absolutely wonderful!”
“Mmhm…” she wished she wasn’t talking about her exes romantic sensibilities when she was just coming off a break up.
“Well of course, even if he’s way too good for me! Though even then I don’t know how I could’ve fallen for a member of the reserve course! Isn’t the world a strange place? Where a bug like me could-“
“Stop.” Chiaki frowned “You’re not gonna raise any of his flags talking like that.”
“What do you mean?”
Chiaki turned to him and pointed a finger up at his stupid tall face.
“You like Hajime right?”
“Yes…”
“You want his Hajime Hinata’s?”
“That’s just his name.”
“You wanna kiss him?! With tongue?!”
“… Yes.”
“Then fucking try and make a move onto his 91 centimeter chest!” She shouted.
“His chest is 91 centimeters?”
“Yeah, found out while we were dating.”
Nagito turned a deeper shade of red.
“So… Hajime is the kind of person who looks thinner in clothes huh?” He asked a wobbly smile coming onto his face.
“Yeah! You want that, right?!”
“But I don’t deserve something so wonderful as that!”
“Pull yourself together! Yes you do!” She shouted “Now come back to the dorm with me! I’m staying up late tonight helping you get. Those. Hinatas.”
She dragged him back by the tie while he protested.
“But an ultimate shouldn’t be troubling themselves for someone like me! And maybe I do love Hajime and the way he looks so cute when he’s annoyed but what about me?! I’m not cute at all! I’m-“
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Chiaki was really bad at dating sims. Like. Really bad. Like, turbo neophyte. But she was playing them until morning where her eyes were gross and crusty all for Nagito. She took notes on her findings all night. Then in class the next morning she arrived with an old pack of gum and a stuffed rabbit.
“What’s this?” Nagito asked.
“Okay. If you give Hajime a gift he’s gonna like you more. But you have to choose the right gift. And you can only give him one a day.”
“I don’t think Hajime will like this stuff…” Nagito claimed “Is this what you did when you and Hajime started dating?”
“No, but that didn’t work out anyways!” Chiaki stood up and leaned over Nagito’s desk “We’re not talking about me and Hajime getting together over Natsumi Kuzuryuu calling us a good couple, we’re talking you maxing out Hajime’s route!”
“Chiaki… your eyes look scary.”
“Are you listening?!”
“Chiaki… is this just your rebound for Hajime?”
Chiaki felt her legs give out at that and she fell, her legs tangled in the mix of desks.
“Unnnnn…”
“Chiaki…”
“Yeah?”
“Wanna pick out a gift for Hajime after school?”
“… Why not?”
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Their dates didn’t consist of much. They’d meet up, make small talk, and have empty space between them, that Chiaki desperately wanted to be filled by the console. They’d go back to Hajime’s dorm and play a little bit, and that was when she felt close to him. He sucked and had to have everything explained to him, but that meant she got to talk more about the game. It was all going so well until that day.
“Hajime, you’ve been holding back telling people about your friend trying to bully people off campus?!”
“I had no idea it’d go as far as her pulling out a knife!”
“Jesus, you’re pathetic! I thought you were the kind of guy who doesn’t let this shit happen, but apparently if you’re buddy buddy with them, you look the other way!” She shouted.
“It’s not like that!”
“Oh! Oh! Really?! Because I started dating you because she set us up! And you never fucking told me about this! What kind of shit is that?!”
“Okay, I should’ve told you about that, but she’s still my friend!”
“Why? Cause she was waiting for her yakuza money to make her a main course student and you were hoping you could get a piece of her fame!? Is that why you’re dating me?! Because of my fame?! You know what people say right?!”
“It’s not about you!”
“Not about me?! I’m caught in the sniper crosshairs of this shit because of you! What do you have to say to that?!”
“Natsumi was the only person in this hellhole who understood how I felt!”
Chiaki glared at him for his disgustingly insensitive statement and spit at his feet.
“We’re done. Don’t talk to me.”
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
“Do you think he’ll like this one?”
Chiaki looked at Nagito pull out a model train set meant to be set up.
“No. He’d probably get frustrated with it.” She said “Put it back.”
Nagito complied and looked more around the curiosity shop. Chiaki continued sulking in the corner. If it was a game shop she could make a suggestion. But Nagito insisted this was a better way to get something sentimental.
“Getting a gift for your boyfriend?” The shopkeeper asked.
“He‘a not my boyfriend.” She corrected “He failed the route. Negative points. Got the bad ending.”
“What about this!” Nagito pulled out a glass ring which then dropped and shattered on the ground. “Oops.” He looked sheepish “I’ll pay for that.”
“Yes you will.”
Chiaki looked around grumpily for a few moments before looking at Nagito.
“What did you guys do while I wasn’t talking to him?”
“Well… actually… he was contemplating some heavy stuff when you two first split up.”
Heavy stuff?
“Wait… was he…”
“… I can’t give the details. But he wanted an easy fix you might say. Not the one you’re thinking of but… close.”
“… And you told him not too?”
“Yes… because… the time we met we were actually in a similar situation.”
Jesus Christ two atom bombs in one conversation. How did she not know this? Wasn’t she their friend?
“… Nagito…”
“This ones the fix you’re thinking of. He kept me from going through with it, and then, I went and started an argument. He was just some reserve course student thinking he knew what was best for someone he didn’t know. I thought he was the picture of arrogance. But I’m pretty glad for that arrogance… since it got me a pretty good friend. Two in fact.”
Chiaki wanted a game in her hands. An escape from the tough subjects and the hard facts of life being spit at her right now instead of her drama over a stupid break up.
“… We were just sitting there arguing over stupid things like Hopes Peak. But then we saw a girl being harassed. And we came together to help her.”
She looked up to see him smiling. It was so unsettling. The guy had some clear self-worth issues but he went about them so casually… just a comment made while they played games. she never thought…
“You have to see a therapist.” She said instantly. Nagito ignored her. “You have to see a therapist.” She repeated.
“This one looks nice doesn’t it?”
“Nagito!”
Chiaki went up to Nagito and grabbed his cheeks.
“Why wouldn’t you tell me something like this?”
“Sorry. You just never seemed like you were ready to hear it. Can I just look for a gift?”
Avoiding it. She threw her arms up and stormed out of the shop, leaving Nagito to peruse around for his gift.
~~~~~~~~~~~~
She thought of taking that exit before too.
She had a sister. Eigo. More precisely, she was her sister. When Eigo died, her grief stricken father did everything to bring her back. And Chiaki was… what happened when he got ahold of her DNA samples. No matter how much her father held her when she cried from other children calling her a freak of nature at school, and telling her she was perfect, she knew she wasn’t a real human. Of course, when she started using video games, a world where all kinds of strange things like cloning, or a plumber who uses a mushroom to get big she was good enough to win tournaments, and she was no longer Chiaki Nanami, first successful human clone but Chiaki Nanami Ultimate Gamer.
Nagito said her existence was ‘wonderful.’ It was full of idol worship and weirdness, that didn’t sit well with her.
Hajime just told her he knew what it was like when people thought you had less value. She liked that more.
Actually she had no idea how Hajime and Nagito could stand to be in the same area when Nagito was the exact person to tell him he had less value. He clearly pissed Hajime off, but Chiaki kept him around because Hajime was a total joke to beat at games, and besides he drank enough ‘respect women’ juice that Teruteru didn’t talk to her anymore.
Nagito eventually when Hajime shouted “What’s wrong with you?!” started talking about… stuff that had happened to him. Lots of stuff. So much stuff. And Chiaki didn’t know how to handle that emotional stuff. But… Hajime told him he was sorry about all that. That he didn’t deserve all those awful things.
Chiaki thought that was implied but then Nagito just said “You know… nobodies ever said that to me.”
After that Hajime and Nagito eventually started to tolerate each other. Nagito’s scathing comments turned more to playful digs and they seemed to have more of a rivalry than pure antagonism. They would sometimes even talk about what they liked about the school, gossip, and just facts about their day.
Then, one day, sometime after they started dating, Hajime tried to come to them instead of them coming to him after school.
Big mistake. He got beaten by security. Bad. Nagito and Chiaki came outside to find him curled up and sobbing on the ground. Chiaki had never seen that from him before. But it was Nagito who dropped his bag and ran to him.
“Hajime!”
“Ugh… this was a stupid idea…” Hajime sighed “Let’s go.”
Chiaki had to lift him up and carry him (even though usually he carried her. What about that.) and they took him to Mikan to clean his wounds.
“What were you thinking going to the Main Course gates?!” Mikan squeaked.
“I… just wanted to feel like I was part of it for once.” Hajime sighed. “Of course they made sure I remembered my place… physically, and verbally.”
“That didn’t really happen…” Chiaki frowned “Did it?”
“Oh it did.” He looked down but Chiaki could see the traces of tears welling up in those eyes “They reminded me that I’m just a Reserve Course student who’s totally worthless-“
“But you’re not worthless!”
… What?
“What?” Hajime looked at Nagito in disbelief.
“You’re such an amazing person! My very first and best friend! You’re kind and intelligent and headstrong…”
Now Nagito was crying. Wait. Had Nagito ever cried either? She looked between the two of them.
“I… thanks Nagito.”
Nagito never made a snide comment about Hajime’s reserve course student status after that. They even started hanging out without Chiaki. So many details Chiaki never knew.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
“I found this last night.” Chiaki watched from behind a wall as Nagito handed Hajime a marble with green and red stars speckling the inside. “I thought you might like it.”
“Nagito… I… I don’t know what to say.”
He took the marble and hugged Nagito, who turned bright crimson in surprise.
“H-H-Hajime!”
“Oh. Sorry. I’m just a little emotional. With Chiaki still avoiding me.” He stepped back looking at the marble “It is pretty amazing though.”
“Thanks. Um… Hajime.” Nagito wrung his hands “Do you think that… that I need professional help?”
Chiaki froze in place.
Hajime looked from the marble to him, eyes widening.
“You- You’re actually considering it? Then go for it! There’s an Ultimate Therapist on campus isn’t there?”
“Okay… okay! I will!”
Chiaki felt like she was watching two strangers. She didn’t know them enough to tell them what they needed. Only they knew each other enough. The third wheel, so third she had to eavesdrop on them. So she dropped to the ground, leant against the wall, with no game or anything except listening to people she tuned out with those games.
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The New Taylor: Part 2
CONTINUED FROM PART 1
Book/Series: Endless Summer
Main Pairings: Estela x MC(f)
Summary: (Endless Ending). Saving the world takes a lot out of a person. For Taylor, growing into her new self beyond La Huerta can only happen as fast as her exhausted body will allow her….
Warnings: Non-graphic sex scene, little bit of blood.
Word Count: 6246
Tagging: @saivilo, @edgydepressedchoicesthot, @sceptilemasterr, @greengroove
______
“Estela-- no!”
Unblinking, Estela brought her knife to the side of her head, and plunged it behind the blinking mind-control device. She yelped and dropped the knife, but renewed her assault with her own fingers, tearing at her flesh until the cold metal device came loose, to be flung across the room. All the while, she was deaf to Taylor’s cries, dodging the frantic attempts at prising her fingers away from the now gaping wound.
She slumped to the floor, her face pallid as blood continued to gush.
“T-Taylor…”
“I’m here… I’m h-here, okay?” Desperately, Taylor tried to stem the bleeding with her hands, but as Estela’s cold fingers reached up to touch her face, scrunched in anguish, she knew it was already too late.
“I-I d-didn’t… hurt… you?”
“No. No, baby, you could never.”
Estela’s choking exhale shook. “I’m… m-me. I would never h-hurt you… Tay….”
“Shh, shh…. I know. You’re here. My Estela. You saved me.” Tears cascaded down Taylor’s cheeks, mingling with blood. Please, Estela…. No….
Estela shuddered, her body a dead weight against her lover’s chest. “I g-get to go out as m-me. W-with you. T-taylor….”
“With me. I love you-- I love you-- I--”
“...Love…you….”
The last light behind Estela’s eyes dulled, and she was gone. Taylor unleashed a howl of agony….
And she awoke.
Taylor’s heart felt as though it might pound right out of her chest. Her face was wet-- tears?-- sweat?-- both? She let out a quiet, dry sob. The tingle of blood on her hands could have been real. After so many of these nightmares, though, she knew how to ground herself. Against her back, she felt the gentle rising and fall of Estela’s chest. Against her ear, the soft, grumbling breaths of Estela deep in slumber. In the dim light of the bedroom, Taylor could make out the outline of the tiny dog that lay curled up at the end of the bed. All was peaceful.
Slowly, the thundering against Taylor’s ribs calmed. It’s okay. You’re home. Estela’s with you; she’s safe. You’re safe. Stress seemed to make these nightmares-- flashbacks of memories bestowed by the Endless-- rear their heads. Her throat was dry, as if she truly had screamed for the loss. Taylor carefully extricated herself from Estela’s arms, and stood on shaky feet. She’d disturbed her lover too many times; as much as she herself did, Estela needed to rest and recover.
Taylor padded out to the kitchen and poured herself a glass of water.
“You’re not sleeping so well, mija?”
It was perhaps the third time Nicolas had called her that, and it still gave her a happy jolt. She stood up from her slumped stature over the sink and turned to see the tall silver-haired man perched upon his desk chair, apparently restless himself.
“And what are you doing up so late?” she asked, the croak to her voice betraying the impact of that haunting vision. “An old man like you? You need your full eight hours.”
Nicolas chuckled. “The mouth on this one…. Well, being so old, as you say, I find myself with a lot of accumulated thoughts to organise. Estelita told you I was thinking of writing a memoir? It happens that such an undertaking comes with the stirring of memories. Some… are disquieting. The thing with war is you might find yourself processing memories you’d once pushed aside for sheer survival. But it is nothing I don’t know how to deal with-- a way of life by now.”
Having tiptoed into the front sitting room, Taylor set herself down in a chair; there was little point to heading straight back to bed while her mind was a whirl of traumatic images. Quietly, she was grateful for the company, appreciating how comfortable she was in sharing with her wife’s cantankerous uncle, even for the bumps they’d had in the road.
“I’m surprised she let you slip away,” Nicolas growled-- not an unfriendly noise, but gruff. “After your fainting episode, she’s been on you like an extra limb.”
“I didn’t want to wake her. Estela has had too many bad nights because of me.”
Understanding, Nicolas gave an almost imperceptible nod. “You haven’t been sleeping well?”
Taylor opened her mouth, then closed it again. How to even explain her visions to someone who’d never stepped foot on La Huerta? “I have nightmares,” she said, after a moment of deliberation. “But like, really, really vivid. And not like just a random dream, more like… like I’m living this version of a past with crystal clarity. What might have happened on the island… how it could have all gone wrong; as real as my own memories. I see all the hundreds of ways my friends might have died, how Estela….” She shuddered. “I’ve seen her die so many times. I’ve felt her dying in my arms.”
“This is… all the time?” Nicolas was frowning, but didn’t appear alarmed. Apparently, life had made him pretty unflappable.
“Mmm… more when I’m emotionally stressed. Or at least, that’s what it feels like. And then it’s this really fun vicious circle; you try and not be an emotional wreck when you can’t close your eyes without seeing everyone you love die.”
Nicolas grunted, thoughtful. “It seems the last thing you need is to not be sleeping properly. Have you considered meditation before bed?”
“Yeah, actually. Estela suggested I try that. It helps me with getting to sleep, but I still have the dreams.”
When Nicolas spoke again, his voice was small. “I spent many months unable to shake scenarios my mind conjured… how that fool’s mission would have Estelita killed. It seemed inevitable for so long that I’d lost her, that she’d been wiped from the face of the earth without a trace. And here you have all those ‘what if’s’ collected in your mind. All the ways it could so easily have all come undone.”
“She always would have gone down fighting. I think… every single time. Whether she was going after Rourke, or saving her friends from some monster from the pits of hell… she would be this unyielding force of nature, so sure. To Estela, none of those eventualities ever happened-- she doesn’t have these memories, thank God--, but they’re real to me.”
For a little while, Nicolas was silent, lost in thought. He looked up at Taylor, a twitch of a smile upon his lips, and then his tired face was sombre once more. “I’ve learned a few things over the years of being the guardian of a wonderful, foolish child; one of those things is that to come down hard is to create fractures. And I have been hard on you-- harshness you do not deserve. I am very sorry.”
She swallowed hard. “I… I appreciate that. I’m sorry too. For blundering around like an idiot.”
“Yes, but you are our idiot. My second niece.”
Taylor was certain her heart just skipped a beat. She covered her shock by laughing it off. “You’ll be having me call you ‘Tio’ next….”
“By all means. It is quite clear that Estelita intends to keep you; we may as well cut to the chase with familiarity, mi Taylita.”
“Well, fine. If you say so, Tio.” In spite of her casual tone, Taylor couldn’t keep the smile from creeping to her face. Acceptance.
Nicolas took a long drink of rum.
“I’ll admit it seemed too good to be true; for Estelita to be happy. I always had this dream of seeing her, sharing a life with someone she loved, free from the shadows that have been there for as long as she knows. You’ll forgive me-- it is not that I didn’t wish to believe it, but my guard is there to keep her from being hurt more. Do you know when I knew that this-- you-- were real, not some cruel wishful thinking?”
“What was it?”
“It was, I think, four, maybe five , days after you came home. I didn’t hear what you said, but she was laughing. Really laughing. As though her body could not possibly even try to contain her joy. It was the sort of unrestrained delight in living that I hadn’t seen in her eyes since she was a little child. It was magic. So, I wish for you to know that I will be forever grateful for that gift. For your care for her.”
Feeling like she might just about burst with happiness-- with love for her wife-- Taylor flushed. Whatever life would make of her next, she could be proud of the person she’d been for Estela. “It’s not just me, you know. The rest of us, our friends; they love Estela so, so much. I guess you see that with Jake, but it’s like we’re our own family. This thing we all went through together, it’s seared in us. Whatever happens next, even if I was to get struck down by lightning tomorrow, Estela is not gonna be alone ever again. Not really.”
“I’ve seen a good few impossible things these past weeks. I’d been certain that if she dared try to smile, her miserable old face would shatter! And now, here she is, light as a feather.” Nicolas looked down, his eyes misted over. “I have seen what you, your friends, have done. To say… to say I am thankful feels small. Inadequate.”
Taylor shook her head. “Something like that doesn’t even need thanks. What we have is a privilege. It’s… all the family I thought I’d ever have-- until I came here.”
“Then, it seems my family has grown more than I know.”
_________________________
Sprawled out in front of Taylor were a collection of notes, cutouts and photographs, atop a poster-sized paper. When the idea of a vision board was first put to her, she’d barely given it a thought, but it had become so damn hard to see anything past this period of physical rehabilitation that doing something was a necessity. With a piece of toast in one hand, and the other offering quiet reassurance to her thin half-hairless canine companion, she pored over the visual summation of herself. As it happened, she didn’t appear to amount to much. In the middle of the board, she’d scrawled ‘Who Am I?’, and the wishy-washy answers she’d managed to surround it with did nothing to light the much-needed fire of self-confidence.
‘A people-person’, ‘nurturing’, ‘compassionate’. She scritched Fenix’s belly. ‘A strong leader’, ‘determined’, ‘resourceful’. There was no need for any kind of translation into the real world; all that had come with her. Those things, at least, were hers. But there was no history-- not any that she could ever talk about outside her own close circle.
“I can’t even put down any hobbies…,” she muttered.
Beside her, Estela peered over.
“I don’t think that’s true. You’ve been learning to knit; that’s definitely a ‘you’ thing. And we used to go hiking, swimming, wind-surfing….”
Taylor flinched, and it didn’t go unnoticed.
“Hey… I know it feels like your body’s giving out on you right now, but this won’t be forever.”
I love you, but you don’t know that.
“Taylor, you can look at me like I’m crazy all you want, but… I know things are gonna get better.” Estela gently took Taylor’s hand in her own. “When you were in the med centre, those first few days… I couldn’t see a light at the end of the tunnel. You were gone, and there was no hope. But you came back to me. From nothing, you came back. I’m scared too, no matter how much I try and push it down. Even hard as things are it seems like it’s too good to be true. We can’t listen to those doubts, okay? I believe in a lot of things, but more than anything, I believe in you.”
“Well, at least someone does.” Taylor gave her wife’s hand a squeeze, and offered a grateful smile. “Considering what I clawed myself back from, this could be as good as it gets. But… I guess I’m not done fighting.”
Estela pecked a kiss to Taylor’s cheek, nuzzling close. “Good. I’m glad some of my stubborn streak has rubbed off on you.”
Taylor couldn’t help but chuckle. She was just about to go in for another kiss, when Nicolas marched into the kitchen for a drink of water.
“Buenos días, Tio!”
So… the smooch session was on hold. Resigned to being patient, Taylor reached for her glass of orange juice.
“Estelita, your poor esposa tells me she is having nightmares!” Nicolas announced as he popped a couple of slices of bread into the toaster. “You need to be making sure she is nice and relaxed before she goes to sleep. A hot bath would not go amiss. And you should have plenty of sex. The oxytocin will do you both many favours.”
Taylor spluttered into her juice, slopping it down her front, while Estela promptly turned a glowing scarlet.
“Tio!”
“Sex is good for you, mija.”
“Ohmygod!”
Of course, Jake chose that moment to stroll into the room, a shout of laughter giving away what he’d overheard.
“Ya hear that, Katniss? Sex is good for ya.”
The look Estela gave him might have killed a lesser man stone dead on the spot.
“Eh, Lobito, I hope you are not expecting sympathy when she murders you.”
Taylor snorted. “And you will have no one but yourself to blame!”
“Enlighten me, E.T.; what’s all this you’re up to? Taking a break from being nurse to the world’s ugliest dog?”
“That’s Princess E.T. to you,” she retorted, placing a hand over the sleeping animal by her side. “And she’s characterful. Pretty sure she’s a damn sight more attractive than you’d be if you were half starved and crawling with mange.”
“Ten out of ten would not let you in the front door,” Estela said dryly. She looked to Taylor and Fenix with an affectionate glance. Having someone to help out was good for her wife. A few days after the little dog came home and the fire in Taylor’s eyes was once more shining bright. When Estela had suggested the name for the dog, it had not just been an expression of hope for the miserable little creature.
“What I’m up to,” Taylor explained to Jake, “is something like a personal vision board. I’ve been really tripped up by not really knowing who I am in, you know, the real world. Quinn actually suggested this-- I use words and images to make a tangible impression of who this new Taylor is, what I want her to be. The more I think about it… the more I actually see it in front of me… I find it really difficult to separate my sense of self from my friends.”
“Kinda makes sense considering what Vaanu made you for.”
“Yeah… it does. But they didn’t make me with this life in mind. It’s hard to see me fitting.”
Estela grasped Taylor’s free hand, entwining their fingers. “Nope. You fit perfectly. See? It’s just a case of you finding your feet.”
Taylor exchanged a look with Jake. It wasn’t that simple. She’d been created for a purpose, and she’d fulfilled it. How would she even relate to people beyond that world? It would have to be built up slowly. Her friends had ensured she left La Huerta with a plausible life story to parrot, a medical history, even a collection of fabricated childhood anecdotes. Anything more that was a matter of time; she’d be built into a semblance of a real human being through her stumbling experiences.
“I’m serious, carińa! You know it doesn’t help you to see yourself as something set apart. Vaanu created a human person-- not anything else. The human experience isn’t defined by just one thing.”
Jake shrugged. “Eh, that ain’t a bad point, if I’m honest. Not a soul outside anyone you’ve told is gonna think of you as anything but what you look like; and that’s the same slightly irritatin’ human woman that came barging into my cockpit. Ain’t as if anyone’d believe who you are if you even tried tellin’ ‘em.”
Taylor frowned. They couldn’t get it; not really. How was she supposed to see herself as anything other than an outsider when her very body seemed intent on telling her that she was incompatible with this life.
“Look, I know you guys are trying to help, but I really don’t want to talk about that. I want to focus on recovery… on who I am in the here and now.” Maybe to them that was one and the same, but to Taylor, there was a big difference. She didn’t want to hear reassurances of how human she was-- she wanted to just be that human.
Jake put his hands up and backed away, but Estela simply held her wife’s gaze, thoughtful, then nodded.
“I guess I can’t really help you with what to put on this collage-thing-- what with the whole point being that it’s personal-- but I’ll dig out some old papers and magazines. And if you want any pictures printed….”
“Thanks,” Taylor said warmly, offering a squeeze of Estela’s fingers. Even in her gratitude for the subject being dropped, something had been stirred; was she making an outsider of herself? Could it be that she was her own worst enemy? If she’d never uncovered the truth of her being, would she be so scared now? The Taylor who arrived on La Huerta did so with no hang-ups about how she’d fit with others; she just got on and did it. That Taylor wouldn’t be drowning in this cursed self-doubt.
___________________
The little dog, Fenix, made for good company. There were no preconceived expectation to meet, and it was refreshing. Nursing the dog back to health had occupied most of Taylor’s past few days, and it had been a welcome point of focus. Fenix wasn’t in the best shape, and the thought of having a recuperation buddy actually did a lot to lift Taylor’s spirits. If nothing else, she was grateful that she at least didn’t have mange.
The sight of Fenix rolling contentedly onto her back made Taylor smile. It seemed she’d managed to put the sickly animal at ease. That ability to reach people-- and mangy little dogs, apparently-- was one part of herself she was sure of. To be building new relationships, with Nicolas and Fenix, gave her the confidence boost she’d sorely needed”.
“Okay, pupper. See if you can help me with this. I’ve got to do some kind of representation of my future. Whatever the hell that looks like for someone like me.”
The basics were simple. She’d be by Estela’s side. They’d have a child together-- even before Taylor had decided to sacrifice the alien part of herself to restore the world, the two of them had discussed that. She would remain close to her friends, now family for all intents and purposes. More than that… did she really need to have it all worked out?
Maybe it would help.
In spite of herself, Taylor pouted. It’s not as if I even know if I’ll physically recover. Maybe… small goalposts are gonna be more helpful.
She jotted down some notes; small goals…. ‘Go on hikes with Estela’-- they used to go on long walks all the time back on La Huerta. ‘Lean some Spanish’… if nothing else but to see the gobsmacked look on Nicolas’ face. ‘Survive first year of college without worrying too much about picking a direction’…. ‘feel in control of my own body’… ‘take more baths, have more massages-- basically, anything to get me to actually relax’. She tickled Fenix under the chin, and chuckled to herself as the dog groaned happily. “Get this little lady on her feet and living her best life.”
Progress, though, quickly ground to a halt. Self-reflection was tiring, and Taylor simply couldn’t handle tiring. With a hand to her forehead, she looked down upon the jumbled mess before her-- at least in that way it was a fairly accurate representation of the woman she was. It felt pointless. Quinn’s idea had been lovely in the abstract, but all this just hammered home that she was building something from scratch. Her eyes stung. It was crystal clear that she’d been fooling herself; a bit of positive thinking and visualisation wasn’t going to make a human being out of a glorified lump of stardust.
“Taylor, if this is only making you more stressed, you should take a break,” Estela said calmly from the doorway-- how long she’d been standing there, Taylor couldn’t be sure. “The whole idea is to help your recovery.”
Taylor hunched over, her eyes stinging. Torn between letting it all pour forth, taking comfort in her partner, and holding back and keeping up the crumbling facade of some easy happy ever after; she froze, all the while tears wove their tracks down her cheeks. Then, two strong arms took her from behind, carrying away the burden of choice. She sobbed.
Why am I falling apart like this?
After a long while of simply being held, caressed, kissed through her tears, Taylor found her voice.
“I thought I knew who I was. I guess… the fact that I don’t physically feel like me right now… it… it makes all the other things stick out to me so much more. All the ways I don’t fit.”
Estela nodded thoughtfully. “That makes sense. It… it must be hard.”
“‘Stel… are we insane to think I could just waltz into Hartfeld and just be another student? I never even went to school; people are gonna see right through me. I’m scared, ‘Stel. Of being some kind of broken half-person who can never be what you deserve.”
“Amor, no--”
Taylor shook her head. “I know how much you love me. You’d never say those things or even think them… but I might not be the same woman you fell in love with. Back then, I was ‘Taylor, Hartfeld student kicking ass on crazy island’, not ‘Taylor, sad little alien that might not ever be close to keeping up with you ever again’.”
“Not that I don’t appreciate a good badass streak… but everything I fell in love with is still here. I’m looking at it right now, and falling in love all over again.”
“I’m not even human.”
Estela gave her wife a hard, penetrating look. No way would she let that go.
“Look at me. Your favourite flowers are sunflowers. Your favourite food is ice cream-- strawberry. To you, a day when you haven’t given out, like, ten hugs, is a day wasted. If you could only watch one movie for the rest of your life, it would be Princess Bride, which I find personally amusing, but Back to the Future would be your close second choice. You’re more clued up about world issues than most of the people I shared a lecture theatre with in college, and you actually care. You might have just appeared on some magical tropical island a year ago, but you know all the words to songs I’ve never even heard of. You never needed a high school education-- it’s all there, innate to you. More than that… more than anything, you’ve got more humanity in your little finger than most people have in their whole bodies. That person who came and sat with me on that first night on La Huerta… she wasn’t just a human being, she was a wonderful human being. You are and always will be.” Estela brushed Taylor’s hair out her eyes, seeking her gaze. When she found it, those sapphire eyes were welling. “I just… you’ve gotta know that. I know it’s hard-- God, I just want to make it easier for you… for you to see it. And we’re gonna keep building your strength up. It’s okay that this is getting you down-- that’s only natural--, but I won’t let you stay down. It’s your corner I’m fighting in now.”
“Thank you. For always knowing what to say… and for making me feel so, so loved.”
“It’s only because you are.”
“I love you too.”
“We’re getting through this, okay? We need a solid plan. All these things we’re doing that help… but there’s no routine, no targets-- you can’t see how far you’ve come.”
“So… you’re gonna be my personal trainer? Just like old times.”
“Well, kind of. We don’t have the threat of you dropping dead to worry about, so it’s definitely gonna be more pleasant than preparing you to return Vaanu’s essence. And I’ll be taking things a lot gentler.”
“Oh, thank god.”
Estela couldn’t hold back a giggle. And the sound of it, the airiness… and the sight of that once-so serious face scrunched up in mirth, it tickled Taylor until she was laughing herself.
“I mean it though. I love you, so damn much.” Catching her breath back, Taylor looked down beside the table, where Fenix was now fast asleep. Peaceful. There was something kind of satisfying about seeing that. A little sign that Taylor might just still be capable of doing something worthwhile. She needed more of that feeling. Much more.
She brought a finger to Estela’s chin, and let her eyes speak her desire.
“Hey… the dog’s sleeping, no one’s home…. I could really use some nice feelings right now, if you wanted to take this to the bedroom.”
Concern furrowed Estela’s brow, and it made Taylor laugh all over again.
“I wouldn’t be suggesting it if I was to tired. We can just take it slow.” As usual. She was pretty sure there was a joke to be had there about a worst case scenario in which at least she’d die happy, but she kept it to herself. Too soon. Besides, it wasn’t important. Something else was on Taylor’s mind.
The smile slowly returned to Estela’s face. “I won’t say I’m not tempted,” she said quietly. “Okay, fine, I’d love that.”
As Estela settled on the bed, Taylor carefully pulled the door closed, not wanting to wake Fenix from much-needed rest. She looked at her wife, waiting there for her, all tenderness and affection, and felt a rush of warmth. There could never be any discomfort in expressing what she needed, not here. Estela was her safe place.
“I… actually wanted to try something different,” she said, slowly moving toward the bed. When Estela’s quirked eyebrow gave away her interest, Taylor continued, pink spots blossoming upon her cheeks. “You know how I’ve been feeling like I’ve got no control… like I’m just along for the ride in my own body…? Well, I want, I guess, the opposite.”
Estela nodded solemnly, but a matching blush rose up on her face. “Oh, you want to be in charge. Are you thinking a… um… bondage… kind of… thing?”
Ignoring the raging heat that had flushed her skin, Taylor responded enthusiastically. “Yeah. Something like that. If you’re open to giving it a try?”
Having shrugged off a pesky layer or two of clothes, Estela settled into the pillows and offered her wrists. She watched with smoldering eyes as Taylor rummaged through her La Huerta luggage until she came across a scarf.
With gentle hands, taking time to caress along Estela’s sensitive inner arms, Taylor carefully secured a knot, then slipped out of her clothes-- all the while, butterflies danced in her stomach. The kind of trust involved here was… a lot. Complete vulnerability should have been against everything life had hammered into Estela, and yet she looked comfortable. Okay-- more than comfortable.
“You’re sure this is okay? Just-- I’ll stop the second you--”
“Taylor. I know. I wanna try this. So, now you’re in charge.” Estela settled back into the mattress, her glittering eyes poring over her wife’s scantily clad figure. Have me.
One hand remaining firm on Estela’s tied wrists, Taylor let the other trail downwards, dancing a slow dance across supple shoulders criss-crossed with faded scars.
“Close your eyes.”
Estela did so, though not before meeting Taylor’s gaze with a smirk clearly intended to make her lover go to pieces.
“Oh, god,” Taylor hissed out as the warm throb between her legs heightened. She took a moment to catch her breath. This was another area in which her confidence had taken a knock, but she was safe and loved, and knew she could take all the time she needed. She leaned close, and began to touch, to feel, responding to the soft whines and moans of pleasure that followed in her wake.
Some time later, after a few stops and starts, for rest breaks were something Taylor now simply had to accept, the two lovers lay entwined in one another’s arms.
“That… was nice.”
Taylor collapsed into breathless giggles. “’Nice’? That’s the review I get?”
“I’m sorry, it’s not my fault I can’t throw a sentence together right now. Most of the things I’m feeling are kind of… too big for words.”
“Yeah? Well, I guess I can take the compliment.”
“You should. I am so lucky.”
“Not nearly as lucky as me.” Taylor sighed contentedly, snuggling against Estela’s shoulder and appreciating the joyful hum that rumbled from her throat. “It just felt so good, to feel like I’m actually in control of something, to not be helpless. So, thanks for giving me that.”
Estela flushed. “When I say it’s my pleasure, you don’t know the half of it.”
Giddy, Taylor couldn’t hold back the laughter. For the first time in a long time, her body felt simply light, no longer an anchor dragging her down. As Estela gave into giggles herself, the tickling bounce of her stomach only served to chase out one laugh after another, until Taylor found herself spent.
“I love you…” she gasped. Her body ached all over, but it was the happiest kind of exhaustion, without a trace of the frustration that had plagued her. She’d stopped fighting it, and as it turned out, her body was still hers.
“I love you too, mi vida. With every beat of my heart.”
Taylor gazed adoringly into Estela’s dark eyes and knew home. How is it even possible for someone so tough and prickly to be utterly soft? Of course, she knew, the hard outer shell was itself a force of love. As long as you’ve got her, you’re indomitable.
“I guess we’ll see if Tio’s right about the oxytocin helping with the nightmares.”
Estela snorted. “Joder-- I’d never hear the end of it. Whatever works, I guess… but I still think we should keep up the meditation before bed tonight.”
“A bit of clearing out the old noggin never hurt anyone.” Taylor grinned, and pecked a kiss to her lover’s cheek. “It’s like… the more I’ve been scared, the more tired I get, just from the worrying. Well, I’m done. The new Taylor might be a little frustrated with her limitations, but she’s done being scared by them.”
Pulling Taylor ever closer, Estela kissed her deeply, then pressed her forehead gently to hers.
“This is how you’re gonna get better,” she said. “By ramping up the self-care. If it’s knitting a jumper for our sad, naked dog, or taking two or three baths a day, or curling up with me in a hammock and watching the world go by. I think… in this instance, fighting looks like… like letting go. Like enjoying the quiet moments, and letting your body rest and heal.”
Taylor nestled into the blanket, and slid down so that her face was tucked against the sensitive crook of Estela’s neck. I’ve been such an idiot.
“I’d over-think myself to death if I could,”she sighed. “And I’d miss all of this in the process. You.” Her lips tickled a teasing trail of kisses down to her love’s collarbone. Maybe she’d been so focused on the impossibility of her being her, alive and with a life by Estela’s side, that she’d been fighting it. Fighting herself. Sabotaging her own happiness, her own body, with fear. Maybe she didn’t need to fear letting Estela down.
The ‘new’ Taylor, was, after all, just the old Taylor. And she was enough.
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My Roommate is a Demon | Part II
Genre: Fluff, angst
Wordcount: 1.9k
Warnings: trauma, road accident, mention of death, panic attack
A/N: I've finally finished it! Hope you guys like it 🥺
"That's your delaying tactic, huh?"
Minho paused from petting Doongie and looked up at me, confusion written on his face. "What?"
I stood beside the TV, my arms across my chest, eyeing the demon who was sitting on my apartment floor. There was a reason why I never looked for a roommate -- I'd rather choose to pay an expensive rent than live with a total stranger that may/may not be a psycho, or worse, a jerk who doesn't know how to segregate biodegradable waste from non-biodegradable.
And yet, here I am: stuck with someone who was literally spawned by hell.
"How long do you intend to stay in my house?"
"Until you've told me your wish," Minho answered with a wide grin. He brought his attention back to Doongie and resumed attacking a bag of chips. "Until then, I'll be leeching off of you like the handsome demon that I am."
That's his third bag of chips for the day. "I already told you my wish," I pointed out. "Wishes, actually. But you never did any of them. So tell me -- are you toying with me? Just so you could stay here and play with my cats all day?" I eyed him suspiciously. "Are you running away from your tasks down in your place or something?"
Minho glared at me. "Your previous wishes wouldn't even count as wishes. You called for a demon, not a genie in a bottle," he scoffed. "You were supposed to ask for evil, injurious, hostile, insidious, destructive stuffs. And you asked me to give you an unlimited supply of pizza?"
"That's not the only wish I've told you," I argued.
Minho rolled his eyes. At this point in time, I am already used to seeing that affectionate gesture. "Right. You asked me to duct-tape Chan's laptop. You also asked me to trip Jisung. And you asked me to steal Changbin's plushie. Right. You have an absolutely terrifying and lethal mind, Y/N."
"Playing with Chan's equipment is evil," I reasoned out. I have actually witnessed Chan going nuts when he thought he lost his hard drive, and I swore to myself I would never want to see him furious again. It was the epitome of danger.
"...Are you for real?" Minho asked flatly. "That's, like, one of the top 100 lamest pranks I have ever heard. We're supposed to do crimes, not petty pranks on your kid neighbor."
"Can I just wish for you to leave?"
"Nope. Next question?"
"What am I supposed to do, then?" I whined. "I can't exactly wish for a random explosion in the streets, can I?"
Minho contemplated the idea for a few seconds. "That's not evil enough. We need something impactful -- I need something gold on my resume."
"...Resume?"
"Relevant experience, duh. I'm a hardworking employee. I need promotions."
I groaned, totally done and pissed and just generally going crazy about my whole predicament. How am I going to shake off my cat-loving demon roommate?
Minho grinned once more, his eyes glinting with mischief. "Guess that means you'll be spending an eternity with me."
°°°°°°°°°
"Can you burn my uni down?"
"That's not even an evil request. That's called service to the student body."
"Can you kill all the bugs in my city?"
"I may be a demon, but I do not intervene with the ecosystem. I'm done with you mortals ruining the planet. It's getting bad for my skin."
I frowned at Minho, who insisted on walking me to campus. He said he wanted to see my uni, but I'm pretty sure he's got some underlying intention he's not telling me. I felt wary for a sudden ambush.
"Can you give my professor the flu?"
"If we're talking about the flu that escalates into world destruction, then I guess we can get down to business--"
Minho suddenly stopped walking. He remained rooted on the road, staring at a middle distance. There was a look of worry in his eyes.
"H-hey, is something wrong?" I asked.
"I-I gotta go," Minho said hurriedly. He then sped off, almost tripping on his own feet. "I'LL SEE YOU AT HOME!" he shouted over his shoulders.
I don't know why, but the way he worded it made me feel a major blush creeping on my cheek. "YOU DON'T NEED TO GO BACK!"
°°°°°°°°°
"Where on earth did that demon go?"
My classes have already ended. Chan, Jisung and Changbin were all busy creating new tracks for the upcoming music fest, so I was forced to walk home alone. They were too busy these past few days, I hadn't gotten the chance to update them on the crazy scenarios unfolding in my life. They didn't even know I had a demon for a roommate. They didn't even know I've gotten a roommate, in the first place -- I bet they'd go crazy on their next visit.
That is, if I'd still have a roommate by that time.
"He said he'll see me at home," I mumbled. "Or did he just say that? Did he go back to wherever he came from? Without even informing me?"
As if on cue, I heard rustling of bushes from somewhere in front of me. I initially thought it was a thief. I was prepared to sprint off, but just then, Minho slowly walked into view, holding his hands against his stomach.
"You're here," I said quietly. Was that relief I just felt? Well, I guess I did feel relief knowing there wasn't a thief in front of me (but a demon instead. The irony.)
"Yeah," Minho smiled sheepishly. "I'm, uhh, just about to go home."
I gave him a weird look. "It has been hours since you walked me to school, and you're still here outside? You're just going home?" I noticed a few leaves that got stuck on his hair plus a few scratches along his forearm. My brow shot up. "By any chance... did you... get lost?"
A faint blush formed on the demon's cheeks. "I'm not used to human civilization, okay? I don't know your freak symbols. All the roads look the same -- how am I supposed to know where I am supposed to go?"
I tried to swallow the laughter bubbling in my stomach. "So you did get lost. I thought you're a demon? Can't you track me home with your demon powers or something?"
"I can only track your presence; ever wonder why I'm here in front of you? Your house is another thing. My powers aren't that strong yet." He began striding off to the direction opposite my house. I jogged after him, trying to match his long strides.
"Ya Minho. Are you sure of where you're-- Hey, what's that... thing on your belly?" I pointed at the weird spherical bulge on his stomach. He was wearing a baggy shirt, but the shape was still pretty much evident. It looked like a soft round pillow underneath his clothes. "Are you pregnant?"
"What are y-- I'M NOT PREGNANT, OKAY?" Minho's ears burned red, and he looked absolutely flustered.
"Would you care to explain, then, what--"
"Meow~"
"Did you just meow at me, Lee Minho?"
"MEOW~"
The thing under Minho's shirt suddenly moved, protesting against the hands holding him. Minho was taken by surprise -- he wasn't able to stop the little cat from breaking free from his hiding spot.
"You brought a--"
"Meow~" The cat landed on my feet. He is so small, probably just a month old. He had grey and white fur, and his meow sounded soft and sweet. He looked up at me expectantly, as if assessing the possible danger I held against him. It then brushed its body against my legs, marking me as his human.
"You brought a cat?"
"What do you expect me to do?" Minho whined. "I heared him meowing and crying desperately for help. I can't just leave him alone in the street, he's too young!"
"That's why you scampered off earlier?" I stiffled a laugh. "Are you sure you're a demon? Didn't you send your application to the wrong agency?"
"Shut up. Let's bring Dori home, alright? He's hungry."
"You even named him already."
"I said shut up."
We began walking to my apartment -- the correct direction this time -- while Minho carried Dori in his arms. I had to admit: they looked adorable. Minho looked so soft while cradling the baby cat, and Dori looked comfortable in the hands of his new owner.
And then I thought: Once Minho leaves, who's going to take care of Dori?
Nah, I could definitely take care of another cat at home.
But Minho is the one who found Dori. He is the parent, not you.
Minho has to leave soon -- I can handle Dori on my own.
Okay.
...
You're not gonna miss him?
...Of course not.
...
...
...
But Minho--
Shut up.
We were only a couple blocks away from my apartment. We were approaching a pastry shop which sells delicious cheesecake when suddenly, Dori jumped down from Minho's hold. The cat quickly ran off to the shop, carelessly crossing the street with her tiny paws.
"Dori!" Minho immediately ran after him, not even bothering to check the road for approaching vehicles.
A huge van was approaching fast. The driver probably didn't notice that someone was crossing the road -- he wasn't slowing down even one bit. His headlights blared, bright and harsh and ominous.
My brother. His bicycle. Blood. Van. Shattered glass. Smoke. Blood, everywhere. My brother, limp, unmoving. Blood. He was coughing blood. And his eyes... his eyes were blank. He wasn't blinking. He was staring at me with vacant eyes. He was bleeding. He--
"MINHO!"
The vehicle barely missed Minho by an inch. He successfully retrieved Dori. He looked back at me and smiled reassuringly, his hand held up in a thumbs-up.
My knees felt weak. I fell on the sidewalk, my heart thumping at a hundred beats per second. I couldn't feel my fingers. It felt as if I was dunked head-first into a pool of ice. Tears began welling in my eyes, making my surroundings blurry.
The next thing I knew, Minho was kneeling on my side. He was asking me a lot of questions, but I couldn't understand any of it. My heart was beating crazily in my chest. It was beating in my throat. It was beating in my ears. Dori was standing at my feet, carefully licking at my exposed skin.
"Minho..."
"I'm here," he answered.
"Don't leave me. Never leave me."
He fell quiet for a few moments. And then: "You know that wish is against the rules of hell, right?"
I looked at him, trying to read the emotion in his caramel eyes. There was a look of genuine concern in them.
"We are not allowed to stay with humans for a period longer than our mission. Your wish breaks the most important rule for demon interns like me, which means that it's an evil wish." Minho smiled softly. "Is that the wish you are going to ask from your demon?"
I nodded. I pulled him into a tight hug, not even caring about my unflattering appearance on the side of the road. "Stay with me."
"I've heard your wish loud and clear," he declared. Minho carefully patted my head as he tightened his hold on me, lending me warmth from his embrace. I can actually feel him smiling. "We have a 'no return, no exchange' policy. Whether you like it or you like it, you're now stuck with your demon roommate forever."
°°° °°° °°°
°°°
°
A/N: Please stop me from giving this a steamy part three
#stray kids#stray kids fic#stray kids fluff#stray kids angst#stray kids minho#stray kids lee minho#stray kids lee know#stray kids au#stray kids imagines#stray kids scenarios#skz au#skz fanfic#stray kids fanfic#stray kids x reader#lee minho x reader#lee minho au#lee minho fluff#lee know#lee know au#lee know imagines#lee know fanfic#lee know fluff#lee know x reader#lee know angst#lee minho fanfic
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How would the house leaders react to being in our world?
Ohhoho! Now this is the kind of content I live to write, thank you for asking! I’m gonna make this a scenario as well, hope y’all enjoy!
Crowley: Alright everyone! Are you ready to take a little trip?...No? Too bad, you don’t have a choice! * magically shoves all seven of them through the giant mirror portal* ~Have fun kids!~
The House Leaders Reacting/Staying in our World
- Riddle is angry at first. He tries to get back through the mirror, when that doesn’t work he throws a hissy fit and starts banging at the glass...which ended up breaking the mirror...great. Thanks Riddle, now y’all are stuck there for the time being.
- Vil is already pretty pissed himself, but their only known portal getting broken pushes the Queen off the edge. He does the honors of chewing the little shit’s ass off scolding the little red hot for this transgression.
- Idia does not like. No. “Crowley... p-please bring us ba- *mirror shatters* ......*goes into emo corner* This is where I die.”
- The moment the mirror is gone, Azul and Malleus start discussing ways of returning home. Can they use another mirror? Would they be able to contact Crowley via communication spell? Are they even able to use magic at all in this world?! The answer is no, and they are /concerned/. After coming to that conclusion they start observing the area and learn what they can.
- Leona is...oddly calm about all of this. After a quick look around the area, he finds a decent place to lay down and chill while the others do their thing. He occasionally adds to Azul and Mal’s observations, pointing out something they might’ve missed or playing devil’s advocate.
- Kalim is like a kid in a candy store! A new world? Awesome!!! He’s too busy admiring everything and I mean EVERYTHING around them while the others handle Riddle. “Guys look at this grass!!! It’s so other worldly!” It isn’t. “Oh my gosh it’s a butterfly!!! A butterfly from another world, isn’t it great? And these rocks! C’mon let’s go look around!”
- It takes a little while to pacify Vil and capture Kalim bring everyone up to speed on the situation, but they managed it. Together the stranded students came up with a strategy to learn more about this world. They split up into teams and returned to their point of arrival at sundown to touch base.
- *cue “The Devil is a Part-timer” intro to earth life sequence, only with seven young men instead of two and they land a decent apartment, courtesy of Azul*
- Unsurprisingly, the sea witch, queen and young sultan quickly grow accustomed to life in our world. After all, it’s not too different from their’s and all three of them have the fortitude to get through any situation. They were even able to land decent jobs for a bunch of teenagers with no work history! Except Kalim. Kalim is a part-timer, but is really proud of himself for doing a good job.
- Riddle tried working part time with Kalim....it didn’t workout. He doesn’t understand the concept of good customer service or why it matters. The older house leaders (*cough* Vil and Azul *cough*) still insist that he try to land a job somewhere, anywhere! No luck though. Kid just isn’t suited for the workforce.
- Leona, Mal, and Idia are all home bound after a few run ins with people who thought they were cosplayers. Idia is perfectly content with this arrangement, even more so after Azul acquired a pretty good laptop for him don’t ask where it came from, just accept it and move on. Since then Idia has been able to get an online job that utilizes his tech skills quite well! The other two are supposed to be working on fixing the mirror and finding a way back home, but lion boy would rather laze around the apartment and leave all the work to Malleus.
- One day at work, Kalim was chatting away with a coworker and they happened to mention that they were planning on streaming a few movies on their day off and invited him to come hang out. Turns out his coworker is a Disney fan and had a Disney+ account. 😐 Three movies and a brisk jog through the rain later and Kalim is bursting through their shared apartment doorway, going on about the movies that totally twisted the stories of their seven house founders.
- The boys called in sick and spent the next day binge watching all seven of their respective animated films (and a few others, cause they had time. Kalim’s fav is Dumbo, btw). It was, for lack of a better description, an experience they can’t forget...no matter how hard they try... The stay at homers took it upon themselves to “study” this Disney’s apocryphal works while the others were at work (by study, I mean Leona spent 12 hrs on the couch watching tv while Mal and Idia actually looked stuff up on the internet).
- At some point, someone (*cough* Vil *cough*) decided to try googling their name. That’s when it happened. He found the Twisted Wonderland website. Vil didn’t know what to say, he just grabbed the nearest dorm leader and forced their eyes to the phone screen with his picture on it and let them figure it out from there. None of them had ever felt so exposed...so conflicted, mortified by the revelations detailed on the page. An existential crisis threatened to drown them on that day...
- But, they couldn’t stop there. They found us; they found the tumblr fandom.
- The “mature” leaders tried to argue that no one should be allowed to read or search into the subject anymore. But it was far too tempting, even for them! They looked; they read; they mocked each other and were mocked in return; they blushed so much, you would’ve thought they were watching hentai! In the end, they swore never to speak of it again.
- Crowley welcomed them home with that gaudy grin, asking how they enjoyed the trip. In full honesty, they didn’t think it was bad. Actually, sometimes, it was kinda nice not having to deal with their troublesome dorm mates. Of course they’d never admit that to him except Kalim who wouldn’t shut up about the snacks he tried and whatnot.
- They try not to let the information they learned while visiting in our world get to them. Then again, it’s difficult to completely trust those who could very well be destined to betray you....
The E-
WAIT!!!!!! This means Lilia, Rook, Trey, Ruggie, Jamil, Jade, and Ortho (by default) are in charge of the school dormitories for an extended period of time.
Wonder how they held up while the leaders were away... 😏
The End! -Maybe?
#twisted wonderland#dorm leaders#maleus draconia#vil schoenheit#idia shroud#leona kingscholar#riddle rosehearts#azul ashengrotto#kalim al asim#headcanons#scenario
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