take note: never make ghost laugh too hard.

Secrets in the Springs

Document link: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1WDYCocrod_P7bcyH9DIaacjpIXv9I8r-UEkdmWANdxw/edit?usp=sharing

Sapphire, Pyra, Mythra, Nia and Poppi spend an evening relaxing together in Mor Ardain’s famous hot springs, where a couple of secrets begin to reveal themselves. In the process, Pyra makes an important decision. (1650 words) Replaces the XC2 cutscene “Secret in the Springs” from the start of Chapter 4. Content warning for some description of an old significant physical injury.

Tag list (use this to be added to it!): @softskiesahead | @dragonsmooch | @thatslikesometaldude | @lilacslovers | @insomniaships | @goldenworldsabound | @setzale | @candyforthebrain | @elf-and-a-heart

This is a piece I originally posted to my old blog, but I’ve updated it slightly to reflect some changes to the storyline and figured it would be good to post again! Don’t worry, it’s mostly much happier than the previous writing I posted here - especially once you get to the end, hehe~

Reblogs are appreciated, but by no means required! Comments should be on, and there’s also a transcript of the document under the readmore!

The sandstorms from earlier in the day had thankfully settled down - the evening was still very warm, but a soft wind drifting through Alba Cavanich made the heat much more pleasant. Behind the inn that rested on Smùide Mountain, the group had taken the opportunity to relax in the local hot springs - Rex and Tora had gone earlier in the evening and appeared much more refreshed for the experience, but now it was the ladies’ bathing slot, and all of them were eager to spend the evening enjoying a relaxing bath together.

Sapphire in particular was not used to the arid conditions on Mor Ardain’s Titan, given that her homeland within Uraya was a much more subdued and watery kingdom, so she also relished the opportunity to try out the hot springs. By the time she had gotten ready, Poppi was already happily playing about in the springs, while Nia had her back to the entrance and only her head was above the water. Finally, Sapphire tentatively poked her head around the corner of the changing room, so that it was all that could be seen from within the baths themselves.

“It’s just us here, right?”

“Yeah, don’t worry!” Nia turned her head to smile, though Sapphire did think she looked somewhat nervous. “The inn seemed pretty much empty when we first got here, so I don’t reckon anyone else’ll be coming in.”

Poppi nodded in agreement. “Probability of interruption from other people very small. Therefore, is perfect time for all to enjoy springs together. The water very nice temperature, even for Poppi!”

“Hang on.. Should you even be in the bath?” Nia had turned back to face the mechanical girl, and was now looking at her with a tilted head to show confusion. “Won’t you rust or something?”

In response, Poppi shook her head and kept smiling, eyes bright as ever. “There no problem. Poppi made from special alloy. No rust or need for oil!” The faint orange glow of her leg joints was visible even through the water, showing that she was kicking them back and forth in her usual manner.

Sapphire smiled at this, only to then jump when she realised Pyra was standing right behind her. Except it wasn’t Pyra - where she expected to see kind red eyes instead lay cold golden ones, and the familiar short bob of red hair was replaced by flowing blonde strands.

“Wh- Mythra?!”

“Yeah?” She looked unamused.

“Sorry, mate, you really startled me there!”

Wanting to give Mythra some space, Sapphire stepped out from behind the entrance to the changing room into the proper springs area, prompting Poppi to look surprised and Nia to turn around because of that. Although she still had a towel around her body, the other girls could now all see several swathes of what looked like very old grazes on Sapphire’s arms and the backs of her legs. They seemed to have healed, yet still appeared somewhat serious.

“Wait, what happened to you?!” Mythra was first to speak up, sounding more worried than she ever really had. Her usual short temper still shone through, however - she seemed almost annoyed for not noticing the injuries beforehand.

“Oh, these?” Sapphire raised her arms halfheartedly, looking somewhat embarrassed. “Don’t worry. These are just left over from.. how I got to Uraya. Don’t worry, most of it’s all healed up by now. So nothing’s going to mess up the water or anything, I promise.”

There was a silence.

“..I guess I never told you guys about that, huh.”

“No, you didn’t. Not that I was awake for, anyway.” said Mythra.

“You don’t ‘ave to tell us if you don’t want to, though.” Nia added. “Only share what you’re comfortable with.”

Sapphire nodded. “Thanks, Nia. Um.. this isn’t exactly the place to go all in-depth about that kind of thing, so, ah.. I’ll just say that, from what I know, my parents and I were on a ship crossing the Cloud Sea when it capsized and got washed into Uraya’s Titan. A bit like you guys did, I guess, though there was.. a lot more of an impact. Honestly, I don’t even know how I managed to stick around long enough for Dad and his mercs to find me on one of their checkups.”

“Oh.. Are you sure you’re okay? That must have been hard..” continued Mythra, still looking worried. There was a flash of glowing energy, and suddenly Pyra was stood in her place, looking even more concerned.

“I’m so sorry for what happened to you, Sapphire! Nobody should have to go through such a horrible thing..”

“Pyra, please, I’m fine! It’s okay!” Sapphire said, a little too suddenly - quickly realising her mistake, she hastily tried to recover: “I- I really appreciate that you care so much, but, I promise I’m fine. Come on, let’s just enjoy the springs together.”

As she turned around to put her towel on the rocks behind her before lowering herself into the blissfully warm water, the true extent of Sapphire’s injuries became clearer - the old grazes were nothing in comparison to the massive streak of half-healed scar tissue covering most of her back and shoulders. Parts of it seemed to somehow reflect the low light from the torches and the glow of Poppi and Pyra’s Core Crystals, as if there were tiny specks of something shiny in there.

Nia’s worried expression had returned. “Saph, that really doesn’t look good.. You sure you’re alright?”

“Yes!” She still seemed slightly on-edge, but being in the water was clearly very relaxing for her. “I already said, it doesn’t really hurt. I’ve had all this for as long as I can remember; it’s just how I am. Trust me, it was a lot worse when I was little.”

“Poppi worried about Sapphire..” said Poppi, sounding sad. The stillness of the water and the glowing lights visible under its surface showed that she wasn’t playing about anymore.

“Aww, it’s okay, Poppi!” Sapphire turned and smiled at her again. “I’m fine, honestly!”

Pyra still wasn’t convinced. “You’d tell us if you weren’t, though, right..?” She crouched down at the side of the water and reached over to take Sapphire’s hand in her own.

“Of course I would, silly. Come on in, the water is amazing..”

This made Pyra feel more at ease, and she happily took the chance to sit next to Sapphire, who in turn was all the more grateful to be able to enjoy Pyra’s natural warmth in close proximity. Another silence then settled, though this one was much more natural, and the girls were able to take the time to properly enjoy the heat of the water and relax in the hot springs.

Eventually, never the quiet one, Poppi had something to say.

“Poppi has question for Nia.”

“Huh?”

“Why does Nia have-?” The artificial Blade’s inquisitive tone was quickly interrupted by none other than Nia herself, who at this point was almost entirely submerged in the water.

“Oh, I know what you’re gonna say, I think. Don’t- don’t worry about it.”

At this point, Mythra returned, automatically shifting away from Sapphire as she turned to face Nia herself. “I had noticed, too. It’s true, then, that you’re..?” She trailed off, not knowing how to properly word her own question.

“Mmm.. yeah.”

Mythra nodded. “Do you want us to keep it a secret?”

“I was.. a little bit embarrassed about all this, but.. Yeah, if you could, that’d be grand. Not like I could hide it here when it’s this dark, anyway. As long as you guys are all okay with me being here, then-”

“Of course, mate!” “Poppi is fine!” “Why wouldn’t we?”

The chorus of reassuring voices brought her an incredible comfort.

“Thanks, guys.”

==========

Later that evening, once everyone had retired to their rooms for the night, Mythra noticed within herself that Pyra seemed nervous.

“Something wrong?”

“What? No! I mean.. We share memories, so you’d know if something was wrong, surely?”

“I guess that’s true. But, you seemed like you were coming to a decision of some kind. And I mean, I don’t really wanna pry if I don’t have to.”

“Haha, thank you for that.. And, you’re right about the decision. So, um, Mythra - what do you think about Sapphire?”

“Uh.. she seems pretty nice? But she isn’t someone you want to make angry, given how mad she was at Malos and Akhos. I wasn’t awake yet for all that time you two spent journeying through Uraya, so this was kind of the first time I’ve gotten to interact with her properly. I can’t say I was expecting you to get into a relationship, but.. You two make a good fit for each other, even if she is a little more energetic than you tend to be.”

“You really think so?”

“Wouldn’t have said it if I didn’t.”

“Ah, I suppose you’re right.. Sorry!”

“Why’d you ask that, anyway?”

“Well, it’s just, um.. It was so great for me to know that she’d be able to come with us after we left Uraya. I know she’s probably still worried about Vandham, but.. if his injuries have really been patched up as well as they seemed to, then he should recover without too much of a problem, right?”

“Yeah, Nia said Dromarch was able to get him stable once I took Obrona out and the ether came back.”

“Right, that was it. And, um.. Since we’ve been here in Mor Ardain, I’ve been thinking about something, and.. after that time we all spent together tonight, and being around her like that, I think I’ve figured it out. Sapphire is the person I really want to be with, for the rest of my life. ..However much longer that even ends up being.

I have no idea how I’m going to go about it, but..

I think I’m going to ask her to marry me.”

evergrace chapter 10 final part YAY I AM NOW FREE FROM SCHOOL FOREVER MAYBE

A well trained body covered with armor.

Aside from red ornaments, entirely in black - and whatever clothes could be seen underneath, a grassy colour.

His hair couldn’t be seen underneath his helmet, but instead a rough face tanned by the sun. Brown eyes, with hidden strength reflected within.

And then, a huge scar across his cheek.

The counteroffensives of Morea.

this finally wraps up chapter 10. may the next chapters not take months to finish please oh god lmao. this finally brings the introduction of ralbadora, the assassin who killed darius’s parents, and then a heart to heart between darius and olsdflsfjl, and then.............. the moment before the final fight.

“You.... YOU!”

Bitter, painful memories came back to Darius’s mind upon seeing the man from his nightmares appear in front of him again.

He swung his sword, once, twice, three times, but the man would not retaliate. He retreated backwards, out of the room, but Darius leapt forward to strike.

“Darius, what are you doing?!”

Orlsjfldjf, still at the lever, dropped it and positioned himself behind Darius - grabbing his arms and pinning it behind his back.

darius gets two wrestling moves performed on him this chapter LOLOLOL

“This man rushed to me and Medina’s safety! Without him, we wouldn’t even be alive right now!”

“I don’t care what he did! He’s the bastard that killed my parents!”

“Bastard?” (the word used here is 仇 , implying grudge, super hated enemy)

In a moment of confusion on ordsldrsj’s side, Darius shook free of his restraint. Both his sword and his words were pointed at the man with rage.

“It wasn’t just Sharline... You, you survived too!”

The counteroffensive of Morea shook his head.

“Darius of Solta, to you who bears the Crest. For killing your parents, though I desire to apologize, an apology would never make up for what I’ve done.

But, your father raised a knife to the neck of our Mother - and that is something we could not allow to happen.”

“The Billiana forest?! You’re telling me that those trees mean more than a person’s life?!”

“That’s right. For Billiana is the source of all life.”

“I’m tired of hearing that bullshit!”

“We wanted your father to change his mind, at least for your sake, but he would not listen to our words...”

Somehow, the man he held a grudge against all these years... Was far different from the image he had created in his head. Darius felt his anger dissipate, and what arose was confusion.

“But... Why... Why would you save the son of the man you killed? I... I don’t understand...”

“Our mother’s enemy was your father and your father only. But, what I had done to your mother... Was my grave error.”

(”omae no haha made te ni kakete shimatta koto” is kinda like “what i did by my hands concerning your mother” also implying it was a mistake. kinda vague but probably on purpose. they know what happened. it was axe)

“Then.... Then you should’ve just killed me back then, too!”

“.......We couldn’t. Our rules dictate that a Crestbearer must never face the edge of a blade. But, to leave you alive would leave you with nothing but pure hate. Yet at the same time, to kill you... Would result in punishment for myself.”

“......”

“I have committed a sin I must atone for. At that time, that girl who stood in front of me, and to the you that stands in front of me now, I will protect you both.”

“Sharline, too?”

“She sacrificed herself in place of my sin.

Darius, until that girl’s safety is guaranteed, this life of mine is yours to use as you see fit.”

“How do I know I can trust you?”

The man stepped in front of Darius. He raised the sword Darius held to his throat.

“My name is Ralbadora. I can only offer this oath and my life, with the Mother of All Things as witness. To Darius and Sharline, I promise to protect you both until this life of mine is extinguished.

Darius, my life is now in your hands. You may do what you wish.”

Ralbardora stared firmly at Darius with a long silence. From the (very stiff) back, Orladin lets go of Darius’s shoulder, to Medina raises her disapproval.

“My prince, what are you doing? Don’t tell me you’re not going to stop them, are you?”

“If it’s a sacred oath like that, there’s nothing that people like us can do.”

The blond haired youth took a step back and watched the two quiet men closely. Medina watched with a tight lip, but shook her head as words of incredulousness suddenly burst from her mouth.

“No... Killing each other isn’t.... Darius, don’t do it! If... Yes, if Sharline were here, she’d tell you to stop it too!”

The cold, frozen expression on Darius’s face (and probably body too) slowly disappeared. 

Turning into one of intensity. And as he clenched his teeth, he slowly...

Lowered his sword down.

“Ralbadora, until we reunite with Sharline, I’ll let you live. But if you even dare direct your sword at me, I WILL kill you without mercy.”

Ralbadora nodded.

“For that much I am already grateful. I swear on this oath to never forget it.”

As soon as the tension in the room slackened for a moment, Darius’s wounds came back to remind him of his battle, and let out a small grunt of pain. Orladin helped to keep him steady.

“These injuries will take some time to heal. Let’s rest here for a bit.”

“No, we can’t afford to rest here... It could be a trap, and I’m sure Morpheus already knows we’re here.”

“That could be true, but, your...” Orladin looks to Medina.

“...Is there any other weird contraptions up there?”

“Not really. Between the teleporter to the secret lab, and the stairway upwards, you shouldn’t get lost or anything...”

“Okay, then you should stay here.”

“Wait, but there’s just a little bit left...”

“No. [i don’t wanna translate this but i think orladin is implying in the nicest way that she’s a burden and could be easily used for any trap morpheus has lying around, which is mean and i wish medina would stay but that’s how the cookie crumbles. sigh]”

Medina looks to Darius and Ralbadora, who silently seem to agree with what Orladin said.

“...I understand. I’ll go back, then.”

“I will accompany you to the gondola.”

Said Ralbadora, who stood beside her. Medina gives a smile of appreciation, and goes with him. As her back shrinks into the distance, she suddenly stops and turns around.

“Prince Orladin, Darius... Do you think we can meet again?”

Darius could only frown. Orladin nodded, and started to speak in a happier tone.

“We’ll do our best, so that we may hopefully do just that.”

Medina gave a faint smile, and soon she and Ralbadora disappeared from view.

RIP MEDINA WE NEVER SAW HER AGAIN 2000-2000 

just kidding. we’ll see her later i won’t spoil anything more. but ;___; i’m happy this novel gave medina a better role than that of the game. i quite appreciate her, sickly yet determined. she really does have a life of her own. to you medina, who accompanied this whole chapter with intellect and kindness, who wanted to talk to your grandfather, who wished the safety of trandin and sharline.. know that you will have a happy ending. ....... well

Well.

ANYWAYS

As Medina’s profile disappeared, the smile on Orladin’s face disappeared. A sullen face resurfaced as he took a small pin from his leather bag on his belt. He handed a life elixir off to Darius, to which he finished in one breath. A warm strength returned to him, clearing away the pain of his injuries. Finally, he could breathe a long sigh of relief.

He gave a nod of thanks to olselfks, but noticed that he was frustrated - biting his lips, even.

“...Orladin, is there anything wrong? At all?”

“Just disgusted in myself.”

Sitting upon a pile of junk, he couldn’t help but punch [doesn’t say what but let’s say he punched himself LOL jk probably just punched his open hand]

jk it’s his open hand ya

“Why, why couldn’t we have stopped Morpheus before all this... We knew he was up to something, we should’ve known that, and if we took action, I wouldn’t have lost everything... If I hadn’t been wrapped up in myself, then... I’m just disgusted.”

“...You’re not a time traveller, Orladin. I don’t think normal people could’ve predicted something like this.”

Completely healed of his injuries, Darius sat down on the floor of the room, and [rubbed his right belt. i’m serious. i don’t know what this means. he does have a bag on that side but uh. idk]

“It’s like how I lost Sharline, and what I did after that. Like how Medina wants her humanity back, and what Morpheus is doing. I think I understand it now. 

Somehow, life is all about picking up the pieces of what others did. Or your own. Kinda like ass wiping.”

“Ass wiping, huh...”

[full disclosure the idiom is shirinugu, which means to clean up a mess usually others but literally it’s ass cleaning so yeah. it’s also used jokingly in the beginning of the novel which is probably where darius decides to use it too but REALLY DARIUS. IF YOU’RE SAYING EVERYTHING YOU DID IS LIKE EXPLOSIVE SHITS OR SOMETHING IS SHARLINE LIKE A TOILET PLUNGER]

Upon hearing Darius’s anecdote, Orladin laughed.

“Lots of people run away at the sight of shit, huh? ...Well, myself included, I’ve run away from many things. Even with all my willpower now, it’s barely keeping me from running.”

Taking a breath, Orladin sat quietly for a bit, before looking down slightly as he spoke again.

“Darius, I feel like I can trust you. You really are my last resort against Morpheus.”

“Yeah, yeah, I know. The mercenary thing and all, no worries, I get it.”

“....No, it’s not that. I’m just... Annoyed at myself [again lol] for having to rely on you, you and your... That thing... 

I... Your... I’m afraid of the power your Crest has.”

“I know, I’ve heard that plenty of times. No matter how nice people are, they’ll always say that when they see it. Not really a lot of people who get along with Mister Plague here.”

“......Darius. I told you a lie earlier. 

The one who defeated the Legendary Mercenary... It was you.”

“What did you say? But he knocked me out, didn’t he?”

“Yes, you were...” Orladin looked up at Darius with a straight face.

“But, after that, you got up... And started floating. And you started fighting again. And you won.”

“I... I did?”

“Mhm. Krisalis somehow, she knew about it too. Even the Legendary Mercenary, who could break huge rocks with ease, he saw your power as equal to his... 

Crest... Krisalis... Demon... That power that surpassed normal humans... I was terrified. And so, i hid in your shadow, for what did I know? 

Though I wanted to fight Morpheus, to use you instead...! It’s all a mess.”

Using the hidden power he didn’t even know he had - and Krisalis knew this too. Is that why she followed him around?

Darius couldn’t find any words to say, only looking aimlessly at the ground. A painfully long silence hung in the air... Until Orladin broke it again.

“Sorry, I.. I shouldn’t have said that. I know you don’t really want to think about your Crest, and all...”

“No, it’s better that I know this.” Darius looked down at his right hand, wrapped in a tight fist. Eyes of anger looking at his mark of anger.

“The fact that i didn’t know before, and this thing led me around possessed, I’m sorry.”

THEY SHOULD’VE BANGED NOT GONNA LIE ANYMORE

Suddenly, the sound of footsteps could be heard. A shadow from afar, Ralbadora’s, approached the two silent men. Darius got up, and looked at Orladin.

“What should I do now?”

[“Well.. You were the one who said that Morpheus knew where we are, and that he’d rush to our location immediately. I thought he said this i was so smart until google translate made it make more sense]

“Well, you’re the one who brought us this far. We’re going to fight Morpheus, aren’t we? Though I don’t have a shred of royal honour anymore, I can’t guarantee I can protect you with that...”

Darius raised his right fist lightly. “All because of this scary thing, huh? Come on, decide like a proper royal, won’t you?”

Orladin was silent for a moment more, then as if shaking something off, quickly got up from his spot.

“Of course I’ll go along with you. And it’s fine to forget about me in the middle of the battle - I’ll try my best to protect you [or at least do something about it]”

ONE PAGE LEFT TO GO HOO. SORRY IF I BLUDGEONED EVERYTHING ORLADIN AND DARIUS SAID

As the three walked a short length, they found the next room to be narrow, long, and probably a storage room. The area contained another kind of transfer device like the previous one, though without a hint of Palmira energy and equally just as quiet. 

THIS IS ALL JUST BUILDING DESCRIPTIONS. THERE’S LIKE NICE ENGRAVINGS ON THE WALL. THERE’S STAIRS THAT LEAD UP AND DOWN. DARIUS GOES UP WITHOUT LOOKING BACK. THE STAIRS TURN AND KEEP GOING UP. WHAT IS THIS EVEN LIKE THE OH MAYBE IT’S THE FINAL FLOOR BEFORE THE LAB YEAH MAYBE I KNOW THIS. THERE’S DOORS BUT NO ONE CARES

Aside from the difficult breathing coming from the three, the only thing they could hear was the wind that beat down on the stairways. Even the monsters were too afraid to attack, and as they reached the final steps, a door engraved with the Alcrest stood before them.

The door didn’t seem to have a lever anywhere to open it. Darius curiously touched the door, to which its left and right sides opened...

The three men, who held onto their weapons tight, were greeted with green skies and a sea of clouds beneath. The wind whipped up the clouds into a haze of white. Beyond the door and before the green skies stood the tower with a rocky path leading to it, and at the path’s end was a building... A small round building. And there were somemagicalthingsidklikeacircularsdiskIDKBROIDK

“If it’s as Medina said, then up ahead is Morpheus’s secret lab.” 

okayok darius nodded and then walked briskly but the glowing letters on the DISK THING IDK IT GLOWED SO ORLADIN WAS LIKE

“OH NO DARIUS BE CAREFUL YOU’RE GONNA BE BLOWN OFF”

so he grabs onto him but ralbadora just backs off he knows things apparently

“Medina said that this transport device will take us to the entrance of the lab. from there there’s rooms for reference, etc, idk man, stuff for experiments, smaller rooms, idk, idk BRO IDK”

“But, once we enter, it’s the rooms on the sides that’ll have the people we need to save.” IDK

ralbadora is quiet as orladin probably continues on what he needs to say

“There’ll probably be those monsters there protecting Morpheus, too. That kid from before. So, Darius, we’ll have to depend on you. Ralbadora and I, we’ll rescue Sharline and Sienna (who are on opposite sides i think as the game is). If we can’t find them in those rooms, then we’ll rush to the back to find them. And once we do, we’re taking them back out to safety.

...Is that okay?”

The three men nodded, and entered the magic circle. The circle glowed with soft yellow light, surrounding the men and TELEPORTED THEM OR SOMETHING

HOO

IT’S DONE

AFTER LIKE

FIVE MONTHS

Let me earn your trust (Kamilah Sayeed & MC)

Previous chapters: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5

Book: Bloodbound (property of Pixelberry Studios)

Pairing: Kamilah Sayeed & MC: Amy (I do not own those characters, they're the property of Pixelberry Studios as well) Warnings: a little smut? (we are getting there, I promise haha) Rating: Mature Author's note:  I'm not a native English speaker, I'm sorry for any mistakes (feel free to correct me).

The last chapter turned out pretty dark, but can you blame me? I remember writing it during exams time and finishing multiple projects. In this chapter, on the other hand, you'll get more interaction between Kamilah and Amy.

Oh, and Happy Valentine's Day!

~ 2000 words

--------------------

Chapter 6

The first thing that hit her consciousness was the smell of lavender.

Next, she felt her body being covered with a soft cloth.

Then, she heard her weak breath sounds.

Finally, Amy opened her eyes slowly, taking the surroundings in. Her head was spinning. It hurt badly from the fall, the same as her right shoulder and hip.

She found herself in someone's bedroom. The room was designed with a good taste, modern but cozy at the same time. At the core of the room was the bed, that Amy was laying on. Wooden walls and carpeted floor, with a large wardrobe with a mirror on it.  She looked in it, seeing her own reflection. Pale skin, bags under her eyes.

With a sigh, Amy lifted herself on the elbows.

She looked over her body. She was left in her underwear, her left wrist bandaged. Confused, she took off the bandage to see healed skin under it. Amy shook her head, trying to clear her mind full of questions, but it made things even worse, sending stabbing pain through her whole body.

Within sight, she found clothes laying on the chair near the bed. She reached there and quickly put them on. It was white, tank top and sweatpants, surprisingly fitting her shape.

Amy stood up from the bed, leaving the bed linen messed up on the mattress. She got closer to the door, reaching for the door handle, but the sound coming from outside the room made her stop. Amy leaned on them instead to hear better the conversation.

"I can't understand, how could you keep this from me for so long," she heard men's voice full of disappointment.

"I gave my word," the woman said calmly, "you know what that means to me."

"I know, but this is such a discovery," he changed his tone to more enthusiastic.

"We should better focus on the reason why we were attacked by newly turned," she stopped for a moment, then added louder, "Amy, you can get out now. I can sense that you're not asleep anymore."

Amy's heart stopped for a second. She was reconsidering her options. It would be much easier if she had any.

Finally, after taking a deep breath, she opened the door, slowly getting out of the room. She walked through a short corridor, which ended with a view on a living room.

She saw there Adrian sitting on the couch, and Kamilah standing near the window. From the view behind the window, Amy could deduce that it was still night.

"I can see that the clothes are fitting you," Kamilah met her gaze. "How are you feeling?"

"Like I'm about to faint," Amy said, running fingers through her hair, slowly getting back her memories.

"Maybe you should sit down," Adrian stood up, pointing at the couch.

Amy looked into his blue eyes, and then the first memory hit her. How she met them at Priya's party.

"Oh my god," Amy's breath quickened, making her lose balance as she steadied herself by the wall with her left hand.

Amy looked from Kamilah to Adrian a couple of times.

"You are..." she couldn't believe her own thoughts.

"Yes?" Kamilah stared at her intensely.

"You are vampires," she said quietly as the whispering would help somehow.

"I didn't see that coming," Adrian raised his eyebrows in surprise, while Kamilah was standing in the same place, unmoved.

"It's just a bad dream, Amy," the girl told herself. "You will wake up any minute, and..."

"I don't think so," Kamilah interrupted her.

That triggered Amy's mind. She remembered the last night, the party that she worked on, it wasn't going so well. She switched tables with Lily, and then.

Lily!

Vampires attacked the hall, her best friend disappeared. Everything came back to her mind in an instant.

"Lily," she groaned in pain after making a quick step toward doors, her head hurt so bad.

"This is not a good idea," Adrian stopped her, gently holding her arm.

"I need to find her," Amy said, hurting mentally.

"Was that your best friend?" Adrian remembered her name and the waitress serving at their table.

"Yes, I came back for her, I couldn't find her," she lost too much blood, even this small talk tiring her.

"There are small chances that she survived the attack," Kamilah said, looking at the window, taking a sip of water from the glass that she held in her hand.

"No!" Amy's eyes glowed with anger, her body sending electricity to Adrian's hand, making him step back, "she survived, I know this."

Kamilah saw Amy's reflection in the window. She remembered a small note from one of her books.

"Rarely, Bloodkeeper can make her eyes glow on purpose. It can happen when she is angry or want to show domination over vampires."

Kamilah turned from the window to face Adrian.

"Go, find this human being," she knew how dangerous it was. "Be cautious."

When he disappeared outside the apartment, she added.

"And you better hope that he will come back, safe and sound."

***

It's been nearly half an hour since Adrian left. Amy was sitting on the floor with her back against the wall. Her chest lifting and falling slowly. She kept looking ahead on the painting, hanging on the wall. It was an abstract forest emerging from the fog on it.

Kamilah was moving around the kitchen to pass the time. Both of them silent during those long minutes.

Finally, Kamilah decided to speak.

"You would be more comfortable on the couch," she didn't look in human's direction, filling herself a cup of tea.

Amy broke out of her thoughts.

"I'm good here," she lied, afraid that if she stood up, she would fall apart.

"Then, I suppose, I will have to carry you on my own when you faint again," Kamilah said emotionless.

That motivated Amy enough to prove her wrong. She stood up, steadying herself by the wall with her hands, and made her way toward the couch. After she reached it, she collapsed on it with a loud sigh.

Kamilah smirked to herself before turning around and sitting in the armchair in front of the couch. The vampire put a cup of tea prepared for Amy and took a small sip of her own.

Amy curled up on the couch and started thinking again. Loud ticking of the clock on the wall making her nervous.

Kamilah sat there, staring at the girl. Her brow furrowed as she saw Amy's eyes shifting uncontrollably from green-ish to golden.

"Have a drink, it should help you relax," Kamilah pointed at the cup.

Amy did as she suggested without much thinking. She took a sip, feeling warm liquid, spreading peace all over her body. Sweet taste in her mouth.

"Is it with honey?" Amy asked curiously.

"Don't you like it?" Kamilah answered with a question, wondering.

"I do, a lot," the girl ensured by taking another sip, it made tension leave Kamilah's body.

Amy's eyes stayed green, and Kamilah could hear her heartbeat becoming steady again.

"Don't you have questions?" the woman wondered.

"Not so much," Amy whispered, then added more confident, "there's a lot about you on the internet."

"Oh, really?" Kamilah smiled with irony.

"Immortal, fast, bloodsuckers," Amy started pointing out, "you can't show in the daylight without a covered skin. You can hear better than any creature on Earth. You are impossibly strong and hungry all the time."

"I can see," Kamilah didn't correct her, everything that Amy said, was on point.

"As much information I could find about you," Amy said unsurely, "there was nothing about someone like me."

She is smart, Kamilah thought, losing herself in Amy's eyes. It was unusual for her to have this high opinion about mortal.

"You're a Bloodkeeper," Kamilah decided to share this information with the girl.

She started telling Amy what she found out about her. That she was the only one walking on Earth at this time. About her precious blood and how it affected vampires.

For a moment, she had second thoughts if she could share this much with a human. Kamilah wasn't naive, she knew that those pieces of information were valuable enough to make an enemy of the girl. More than that, she wanted to see how it would come out if vampires and the Bloodkeeper tried to cooperate for once. There was always a fight between them, and it never ended well for each side.

Kamilah wanted to believe that it was possible to gain this girl's trust and learn more about her abilities. Moreover, she knew that Adrian would have the same intentions.

"So, my blood is extra precious for you," Amy took her time to adjust to new information. "I'm like a superhuman with tender senses, and my eyes are my weakness."

She said all of that with a furrowed forehead.

"And I'm the only one," she summarised.

"Yes, you are the only one Bloodkeeper," Kamilah said, "but that doesn't mean that you have to be alone."

Amy smiled at her softly. She put the empty cup on the table. When she did so, Kamilah saw something strange on her wrist. It made her stood up. She went around the coffee table and sat down near the girl. Kamilah sensed Amy's lack of confidence as she watched the vampire's moves closely.

"May I see your wrist?" Kamilah extended a hand.

Amy slowly did the same with her right palm.

"The one that was wounded," Kamilah didn't wait and gently reached for girl's left wrist.

She looked at it with confusion in her eyes. She could still see the scar of cutting.

"I don't understand why it's not healed," Kamilah said her thoughts aloud, "as the Bloodkeeper, you should be recovering faster."

Amy lost herself under the touch of Kamilah's gentle strokes on her scar. That's when she realized what was going on and tried to take it away, but the vampire increased grip just a little bit. Enough to keep her in place.

Amy's breathing accelerated, just like her heartbeat.

"It's um..." she could feel Kamilah's body leaning closer, "it's an old scar."

Amy could feel the heat burning inside of her. Kamilah's mouth dangerously close as Amy's eyes dared to glow again, she managed to stop them just in time.

"Are you afraid?" Kamilah whispered, eyes piercing through Amy.

"I..." she kept on stammering, "I'm not sure."

Kamilah's free hand reached behind Amy's body under the pillow, unbelievably slow. She picked up a soft, grey blanket.

"I can tell," she said with a smirk, sitting further from Amy, letting her catch a breath. "You should take a nap, you're not fully rested."

Kamilah left the blanket on the couch, and stood up, making her way to the other room, the one that Amy hadn't seen yet.

"What about Lily?" Amy asked, trying to sound natural.

"I will wake you up if anything happens," Kamilah said without turning around, disappearing behind the door.

Amy sighed, overwhelmed. She took the woman's advice and curled under the blanket.

As Kamilah shouted the door of her office behind, she felt the tension leaving her body. She poured herself a glass of gin and drank all of it with one sip.

What was that, she asked, confused. Kamilah didn't feel this way around anyone for a long time. And she was clearly shaken up by the reaction of her own body. By the fact that she was losing her self control while being near this girl.

It made her wonder if that was one of Amy's abilities that she was not aware of.

***

After nearly an hour, Kamilah heard someone parking in the garage a few floors beneath. The next thing that she heard was the sound created by the elevator.

She could sense Adrian's presence and one slow heartbeat of someone who he dragged with himself.

Damn it, Adrian, she shook her head with annoyance.

She left her office to wake Amy up.

Next chapter: 7

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tag list: @onyxgaytrash 

CH0: Out of Sight: PART 1 <--- PART 2 ---> Soon…

PERSONAL ADVICE: Download the PDF file it’s better IMO, I like the font & colors there better, tell me if the colors are making things worse~ Link: https://drive.google.com/open?id=1Wu0fcnNzuWZEy1_A9cU1otnrUYH_K5A2

...

Chara woke up after a rather long sleep, they were on a bed, and it wasn’t any kind of bed, it was very soft, and absurdly big, as no matter how far they tried to extend their arms and legs they couldn’t reach its end…

((a King-sized bed for sure!))

“oh… it doesn’t hurt anymore…” said Chara as all of her wounds disappeared like if they never existed.

they stretched their arms up, then downwards, and they hit something-

“Ouch!” -said Asriel who was still sleeping…

“Ah! Sorry, I didn’t see… you…” apologized Chara

“Ah- It’s alrighty! I’m the one who…” -the prince suddenly stopped

“It was Me who… wanted to stay here… you were like- having nightmares- I think? and I didn’t want to let you alone-… and-” anxious and embarrassed, Asriel found it hard to explain himself…

“it’s okay… um… thank-”

“Asriel wake up!! the breakfast is ready; make sure to bring our guest too! I prepared a pie!” -called Toriel from the kitchen interrupting the child’s thanks

“I’m coming mom!” replied the Prince

“do you feel okay Chara? Does it still hurt somewhere?”

Chara simply shook her head in a clear “no”

“Great!! Then let’s go, you’re going to love mom’s pie for sure!!!” – said the prince all excited as they held the child’s hand and dragged them to the kitchen

“Good morning dad! good morning mom!”

“Good morning Asriel; Oh! And to you too young child, “Chara” was it right? how are you feeling?”

“good, thanks…” they said quietly hiding behind the young prince

“Here comes my Cinnamon Butterscotch pie! the biggest part belongs to our guest of course!”

“Whoa! aren’t you lucky?!” said the king with such a goofy soft voice; nothing compared to what Chara heard the day before…

The little guest remained silent gazing into the table…  

“Are you perhaps allergic to cinnamon my child? I can cook you something else if you want”-

“No… I just…” -replied the quiet one.

they started moving their hand around the table, around the plat, looking for something… the fork, they found it, getting a grip of it; they quickly went and took a piece of the pie in front of them.

-Asriel was excited and impatient to see Chara’s reaction, the king was as curious but was calmly observing the guest from the corner of his eye.

“It’s… very soft…and sweet.” Said Chara

“Hehe, your welcome~” Said Toriel all proud

-Despite enjoying the pie, Chara had something important to tell the monster family, they gathered all the courage they found, put their fork down on the table…

“Madame Monster…”

“you can call me Toriel my child…”

“…okay…Madame Toriel…”

-Toriel left a sight out, a little smile on her face

“can I ask you something…”

“well, Of course, my child!” 

“are you going to eat me?”

“What- No, why would we do that?” -startled said Asgore

“because I was a bad girl… I disobeyed to mother, and she always told me that bad kids have their eyes and hearts eaten by monsters…”

“I don’t want a pie…” their voice beginning to break

“and you can eat my heart if you want… but-”

-Asriel startled by the scary sayings of the child; dropped the piece of pie of his fork; his eyes quickly went full of tears again.

“just, don’t take my eyes… they, are very special... even if they-… don’t look- …you can have my heart instead, I don’t mind…but leave me my eyes…”

Suddenly pausing, after thinking for a moment. “... please?”

The young girl, had such an awkward manner of speaking, confused, anxious, and difficultly trying to explain their mind, it was obvious that they never really socialized…

Toriel stood up and went up toward Chara’s chair, she knelt “Listen Chara… We are not going to hurt you… Nor, will we be taking your eyes or even your heart… so please, never say that again okay? you can stay with us as long as you wish, nothing will hurt you, you are safe here.”

“Tori is right! young one, you don’t have to fear anything, since I! THE KING of the Monster kind, assure you that we are going to protect you from anything! But you don’t have to worry, monsters are very kind, naïve even Haha!” -Said the King with a voice full of pride and confidence

Chara remained silent, and in their silence, they experienced a moment of disbelief, the child reached for her eyes, touching them, feeling them, she smiled slightly…

“Asriel would you take our little guest; see the stars in Waterfall? I’m sure it will help her feel better! even if I know that the ones on the surface are way more impressive! Hehe~” Asked Asgore his son

“Sure Dad! let’s go Chara!” answered Asriel vividly, weeping the tears from his eyes, as he took her by the hand

-The kids gone, Toriel gave a worried look to the king…

Asriel on the road to waterfall, was thinking of ways to cheer up Chara

((The flowers! She will like them for sure- she- yeah Chara is a… She)) The prince stopped and stood still a moment

((Aaaaaaaaaaaah!!)) begun Asriel internally screaming covering his face with his ears, letting go of Chara’s hand.

Chara wondered why the fluffy monster was squeaking so loudly, and why did he let go of her hand.

((maybe my hand was too cold?)) she thought    

“you- you can walk on your own now right? Haha- I’m always dragging you around sorry” -He spoke quickly, embarrassed.

“yeah, I can…” replied Chara following the sound of his quiet footsteps  

Asriel decided to take a shortcut to avoid going by HOTLAND, his new friend would probably find the extreme heat very unpleasant.

as they reached the intersection, Asriel turned to Chara “See from here it’s Hotland, but we are going that way to Waterfall!” as he pointed with his finger to some direction

“The road is a little rough at first so be careful not to fall, okay?”

“mhm…” nodded Chara

A few minutes after the prince warnings, he heard a loud thud, he turned quickly, to find Chara on the ground, He hastened to help her get up.

“I’m so sorry! I shouldn’t have let go of your hand! I didn’t even want to let go! I- You just got better and now because of me”- he spoke as if he was about to cry

“But Why are you crying?” Asked Chara the prince, curious.

“I- I don’t know…”

“My hands were cold?”

“huh? No, it wasn’t why?”

“Then, why did you let go?”

“it’s… you are a girl… and…”

“And?” Asked Chara genuinely waiting for an answer

“uh… holding hands with a girl is… urgh… I can’t tell you!!” as he covered his face with his ears, while he made that weird squeaking sound once again.

“you are quite strange heh” said Chara

“I’m not”- said Asriel about to deny her last statement, but as he looked at her face, he saw a faint smile, an expression he had never seen from her.

“yeah heh I might be…”

“I’m not as good as mom but” said Asriel as he put his hand on Chara’s forehead to heal the small wound of her fall “it should be enough”

Chara quickly put her hand on her savior's forehead

“Ergh… what are you doing?” asked Asriel shyly

“you are touching my forehead; why can’t I?”

“but… I’m healing you…”

“Well, so am I” said Chara

“is- is that so…” replied Asriel

Done with the healing, Asriel helped her stand up.

“well let’s go Chara, it’s not too far now, I’m sure you’ll love Waterfall’s stars!” said the small monster as he made sure to hold her hand tightly this time, bearing with his shyness, and thinking about, how this human had such an unexpected playful side.

“We arrived!” -Shouted the prince all excited

“Look up Chara!! look at all those stars!” 

Chara raised her head, their hair still covering their eyes “Y-yeh they are… really nice…”

“Wait, you can’t see with your hair! let me”- Asriel pushed her hair away from her eyes

And even though the young girl tried pulling her head back, it was too late…

“y-your eyes… they are white…?” the monster child surprised couldn’t help but to say so

“yes…They are…”

“is that… normal for humans?” asked Asriel not holding back his curiosity

“no…I don’t think it is…” replied Chara as she sat on the ground

“um, does- does it hurt?” 

“No… not anymore...” affirmed Chara

“why? I mean, If- if you want to talk about it… I’m just curious and-”

“Umm… mother told me to never speak of them… but she, never said so with a monster? will she be angry?” -Said the girl talking to herself.

“so… hum?” Her mind made up, she waited for her companion’s questions

“should I ask? - ah okay um… your eyes… can you see?”

“no, all I can see is a faint light… far, far away.” said the child as they extended their hand reaching for the void in front of them…

“Sorry for lying about the stars… I didn’t want to…”

“It’s alright, I’m sorry I didn’t notice, you even fell because of me, don’t worry though! I’m a quick learner! I’ll be ten times! - no! a HUNDERED TIME more careful!”

“that’s a lot of carefulness!” exclaimed Chara slightly worried

“Oh, were they always White?”

“they- no, they were red before”

“Oh, like mine!!”

“really?” asked Chara curiously

“Yes! they must have been very beautiful!”

“no, they were not… in my village, it’s said that humans born with red eyes are demons, that they represent the embodiment of evil”

“Embodiment of evil?” asked Asriel

“it means the container and responsible of all the evil things in the world, and that evil must be punished for simply existing”

Asriel remained silent not knowing how to properly respond  

“and, I was that embodiment, I don’t remember well, but my sight was always blurry, and, my eyes were constantly burning.”

“Whenever I tried opening them, they always started crying on their own, like if… they hated me…”

“each day mother poured that “medicine” on them, she said it will “fix them”, but it never did for a long time, it made them burn even more, I thought that not even mother’s medicine could erase the evil that they were…”

“and so, mother was always, always angry, and so, I too was angry… at myself”

“I was scarred that if the village found out about me, they would end up punishing mother too… that’s why I always remained at home, Mother said I couldn’t go outside, and if I ever broke that rule, monsters would come to take and eat my ugly eyes…”

“T-that’s not true! We would never do something so horrible!!” Strongly mumbled Asriel denying such gruesome act

“And one day, mother was very busy, so she asked me to take the medicine on my own, but I was a bad child, I didn’t want it to hurt, I tried taking the, I wanted to pour it in my eyes; but my hands were shaking and… the flacon slipped… and spilled all over the ground…”

“it couldn’t have been a mistake… I’m sure I did it on purpose…I’m evil after all…”

“I don’t…” Interrupted Asriel her story

“hum?”

“I don’t think you did it on purpose… if- if it hurt you… it was bad for sure!! …isn’t it?!”

“maybe… I don’t know anymore…” said Chara confused, as she began questioning everything she knew.

“then, how did you fall from the Sun gap?”

“Well, when mother came back… she was naturally so angry; she screamed, and she hit me”-

“She is the bad one- She is the demon not you!!” Cut off the prince angrily

“No, no, no! you don’t understand! I deserved it… I wasted the precious medicine she made for me, and it didn’t even hurt that bad!” said the child in clear denial

“…even if you say so…” said the young monster not yet convinced by the legitimacy of her mother’s doings

“and when mother left, I tried opening my eyes, and for the first time they didn’t hurt anymore! Mother’s medicine worked for sure! I looked at my hands! my feet! and I saw my room! There were tons of different used toys too! but all I wanted to see were those eyes…”

“I looked around the room, and I found a broken mirror, and there I saw them! Those evil eyes; they… they were, of a vivid red! And…”

Chara stopped talking and kept silent for a moment…

“and?” asked Asriel slightly tilting his head

>>> TO BE CONTINUED

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Healing Hands Part 1

Cable x reader fic here! Should be about three parts, one each #metalarmmonday lol

Enjoy! 

It had been a long shift...like 18 hours long. The kind of shift where someone had thrown up on you at least six hours ago, and the bus had smelled like urine, and you were pretty sure the rain had frizzed your hair into a wild mane, and all you really wanted was a hot shower and sleep.

Well...at least you got the first one.

Fresh out of the shower and half asleep as you stumbled towards your bed, the pounding on your front door made you stop and wonder if homicide by exhaustion was a legal defense.

Groaning softly, you secured the robe around you tighter and paused at the door to grab your baseball bat, tucking it behind one leg as you cracked open the door.

“Doc!” a cheery, red latex covered face greeted you.

Groaning louder you shook your head vehemently, “No Wade, I’m not stitching up whatever dumbass you’ve roped into helping you this time,” you refuted, trying to close the door against his foot.

“Haha, ouchies doc! You’re gonna break my foot!” Ward declared loudly—too fucking loudly for 3am in this neighborhood and in this building.

“Goddamnit, shut up and get in here,” you hissed, unlatching the door and throwing it open. Ward gave a quick salute and then grabbed the—metal arm?!—of someone and dragged him into your apartment.

The other person was an older man, maybe in his 50’s, with silvery black hair and a buzzed undercut, but the most interesting feature was surely the metal arm and bits of metal on his shoulder peeking out from his blood soaked grey t-shirt.

“What happened?” you demanded as Ward carried the unconscious man back to the small bathroom that was just off your bedroom.

“Bad guys with lots of guns. Alien tech apparently, and no one from SHIELD thought they should share the news with us that these fuckers are running around trying to kill mutant kids,” Wade told you, voice pleasant, minus the acerbic note that greatly sounded like he was looking to hunt someone down and turn them into sushi with his swords.

“Right, give me a second,” you muttered, hurrying to your closet to pull out a clean pair of scrubs and hastily pulled them on, ignoring the fact that Wade was cat calling you as you did.

The first few times this had happened with whoever Wade pulled into his bullshit you had been totally unprepared, and confused as to how he had found you.

Then he had lifted his mask and told you his real name and the realization came that he had been on your rounds in the oncology ward.

So here you were, a year later, stealing medical supplies to stitch up whomever Wade dragged into your life, praying that you’d never get caught. 

Falling to your knees beside the tub, you ignored the fact that Wade had taken a perch on your sink and was drawing on your mirror in lipstick.

A quick glance told you it was your least favorite color, so no loss there.

Turning your attention to the man in the tub, you quickly went to work, cutting off his shirt to assess the damage. “Hooooly fuck,” you whispered, wide eyed.

Half of the man’s body was metal from the waist up. But that...that wasn’t possible, was it?

The real issue here was the bullet hole in the man’s right shoulder and another along his abdomen. Both were bleeding profusely, steadily.

Looking up at Wade you smacked his leg, “Help me undress him, I don’t want to get more blood on his clothes than I have to,” you ordered.

“Oh goodie, can we see if his cock is metal? I bet it is,” Wade murmured eagerly and you snorted, shaking your head in disbelief.

“You are...” you huffed as you wrestled with the man’s torso, lifting him so you could get at the torn pieces of his shirt, “the thirstiest man I have ever met,” you gasped, settling the man’s shoulders back against the tub wall.

“Aww thank you,” Wade purred, taking the blood stained pants and boots along with him as he hopped onto your counter again.

Smirking, you quickly pulled out a clean wash cloth and turned on the hot water, soaking it before you wrung it out over the wounds.

Metal flashed and pinched—the man was awake and growling profanities at you, your wrist firmly in his grip.

“What the fuck?! Who the fuck are you?!” 

“Hey Cable, have a nice nap? This is the doc, she’s our friend so don’t break her, okay?” Ward called tossing a tampon at the man’s—Cable’s—head.

A long moment passed in which the only sound was Cable’s heavy breathing and then, he released you. His blazing—literally, that left eye was glowing—gaze turned to you and you could see the mistrust that still lingered there.

Giving him a faint smile, you leaned back a little, giving him space. “Hey, Mr-uh-Cable,” you murmured hesitantly and stalled out when his eyes narrowed in a glare.

“‘S just Cable,” he rasped, deep voice sounding loud in your small bathroom.

“Right, well you can call me Doc like Wade does, or Nurse Smith, whichever you prefer,” you told him, “but for now, I need you to hold still so I can get the bullets out of you and stop that bleeding.”

Cable studied you a moment and then nodded, begrudgingly. Your hands moved quickly after that, pulling your hair back into a bun, snapping on sterile gloves, and going to work.

To his credit, Cable did little more than grunt and wince when you pulled the bullet from his shoulder and hissed softly when you stitched both wounds up.

When you had finished, you guided him to sit on the toilet and applied fresh bandages to each wound, occasionally peering up at him from where you knelt between his legs.

Ward chattered on in the background, for which you were grateful because by this point, you weren’t sure if Cable hated you in particular or just had a shitty attitude about free medical aid.

Either way, when you were done, you rose unsteadily to your feet, head swimming with exhaustion and adrenaline. When you swayed, black spots dancing in your vision, you felt something warm and metal close around your elbow and hold you steady.

“Easy there doc.”

When the spots had cleared from your vision you looked around the bathroom in confusion, “Where’s Wade?” you asked, feeling groggy.

Cable rose to his feet, a little more steadily than you had, and reached for his pants and boots, still sitting on your counter where Wade had left them.

“Raiding your fridge I think,” was the gruff reply you got as he struggled to pull on his pants without bending over.

Quickly, you knelt and helped to guide the fabric over his muscular thighs—holy mother of god, how is a man his age this hot?! you wondered desperately.

“I-I got it,” he growled, trying to brush your hands away.

Frowning up at him you scoffed and rocked back, waving to his boots, “By all means, rip your stitches open and have me do them all over again,” you snapped sarcastically.

He glared down at you, eye glowing, and then sighed in frustration, looking away.

Taking that as your cue to help him, you quickly guided his feet into the boots and laced them up before standing once more, your head pounding ferociously.

“I think I’ve got a shirt that’ll fit you,” you murmured, swaying a little as you went to your closet and pulled out an oversized T-shirt you had won at some raffle.

Tossing it to him you grinned when he unfurled it and read the front, his scarred, displeased visage deepening.

“Don’t get caught with your pants down, get tested...and clap back at the Clap,” he read out loud, disbelievingly.

Nodding, you grinned when he scowled at you, “It was a public health initiative to try and get people to get tested.”

When he only scowled deeper, you shrugged, “Whatever man, wear it or don’t, but you’ll attract more attention without it, especially with all that metal,” you muttered, waving a hand toward his chest before striding away and leaving him to his decision.

As you entered your kitchen you sighed heavily, because true to what Cable had said, Wade was rummaging through your fridge, even as he ate from a box of cookies.

Scowling, you stormed over and snatched them out of his hands and nudged the fridge door shut with your hip.

“Stop eating my food Wade. I’m the one who worked an 18 hour shift and then had a stranger shoved into my tub for stitches. I get the cookies,” you told him tiredly.

“You know doc, that’s why I come to you,” Wade told you, leaning against the counter to peer at you through his mask as you ate a cookie.

“Mmph curkies?” you asked through a mouthful of Oreo.

“No silly! Because you’re the best at making people feel better even when it’s a really shitty day,” he told you and something in his voice made you pause.

“You have a shitty day?” you asked hesitantly; trying to gauge his emotions through the mask was hard.

He shrugged and stared down at the countertop. “Vanessa was killed a year ago. So, lots of shitty days,” he replied quietly.

Something in the middle of your chest ached and you slid the package is Oreos across be counter towards him.

Lifting his mask back up to rest on his forehead, he gave you a small, grateful smile before shoving two in his mouth. Smirking, you laughed softly and leaned on the counter across from him, sharing the cookies and silence.

Heavy bootsteps caught your attention and you looked up to find Cable walking slowly over, face lined with pain.

When he leaned against the counter you slid the Oreos toward him and shrugged when he shook his head no. Turning away, you dug through your work bag until you found your prescription pad and waved it to Cable.

“I can write you something for the pain,” you offered, huffing in annoyance when he immediately shook his head in denial. “C’mon, recovery from two bullet wounds isn’t going to be easy or quick, you don’t have to suffer and be fucking macho,” you snapped.

Cable’s eye blazed at you as he met your gaze angrily, “I said no. I don’t need to dull the pain,” he growled.

Scoffing angrily, you threw the pad back into your bag and turned to Wade, “As always, it’s great to see you, but I’ve got to sleep. Don’t get shot on the way home,” you ordered, heading to the door to hold it open for them.

Wade snatched four more cookies(in each hand) and tugged his mask down before sauntering over and leaning down to press a weirdly adorable kiss to your cheek.

“Thanks for the fix and the cookies doc,” he replied warmly.

Rolling your eyes you hid a smile and leaned up to hug him, “I’m sorry about Vanessa,” you whispered, giving him an extra squeeze before releasing him.

He nodded and then looked over to where Cable was making his way slowly across the room, sighing exaggeratedly. “Ughh come on old man, time to let the nice lady sleep!” he declared before striding across the room and physically helping Cable.

To your surprise the older man didn’t object, and, not to your surprise, only gave you a nod of thanks before the door closed between you.

Hastily you locked it and then stripped off your dirty scrubs before collapsing in bed.

The mess in the bathroom would just have to wait. 

Hey guyyys...so I had this little plot bunny hoping around and thought I’d share! How’s everyone doing this Monday? Is this a good update for a #metalarmmonday / #mancrushmonday ?! More parts to follow!! Let me know if you want to be tagged!

Xoxo 💋

When I See You Again (I'll Tell You All About It)

A/N: Whoo-hoo! This is probably my longest fic ever and the first one for the Life-Link Universe. If you have any questions, feel free to ask! Anyway, there are some hints at what happened, but the next fic will be about Ezra and Dume. Sorry, I can’t figure out how to do cuts and the formatting’s probably awful. Enjoy! ~Five Days Post-Endor~ In some ways Sabine did miss the Ghost, she hadn’t been back much since she decided to stay on Lothal. She had returned for the final battle, the final push against the Empire. In some ways the warrior couldn’t process the Empire being defeated. It had been in power for almost all her life and she couldn’t remember a time before it. She stretched and shut off the holo-map, she had her next steps planned out. Now she had to tell everybody, it was time to bring Ezra home. She slipped from her old room out into the familiar hall, automatically her feet took her to the galley. Hera was sitting at the table, sipping caf from reading through reports, Zeb was moving around the kitchen cooking, Alex was sitting in the old woven chair reading something, probably a report, and Rex was holding Jacen and telling him a story. Sabine couldn’t help but smile when she heard the tail end of it, “...and your older brother, being the Jedi he is, convinced the old clankers to fight the Empire.” This resulted in a quite giggle from the child. “There ya are!” Zeb said, turning around with bowls of thick stew balanced on a tray. He set it down on the table and Hera smiled and set her work aside, “Thank you, Zeb.” Everybody took a bowl and settled down to eat. A few bites in, she announced, “I’m going to find Ezra. I’ve narrowed down some planets and areas based on hyperspace lanes and trajectories. I think if we work in teams we-” “Sabine!” Hera interrupted harshly, “It’s useless! Ezra is dead!” “Actually we don’t know that,” Alex chimed in from over his soup bowl, “Ezra is quite resourceful and a survivor.” “No,” and now the Twi’lek looked a combination of sad, hurt, and angry, “he was dying from the moment Kanan died.” Silence reigned for a few heartbeats while they processed the revelation. “Hera, what do you mean?” Sabine had rarely seen Zeb this quiet and subdued. “Ezra and Kanan shared a Life-Link. I-I don’t know much, Kanan told me most of what he knew about them.” She looked up from her lap, “You know that Force Sensitives can’t be alone, right? Well, a Life-Link is very grounding and beneficial to the Linkmates, but it’s also dangerous. Linkmates become dependant on each other for that grounding they need, they’re stronger, but it comes at a cost. T-they can’t be grounded by anybody else, if one dies…” the pilot fiddled with her sleeves, “the other one follows shortly afterward.” Sabine sat in shock, before her rage and grief boiled back to the surface. She slammed her hands down and everybody jumped, “Why didn’t you tell us earlier? Why did you all keep this from us?” She nearly screamed, “You let us all hold on to false hope! This was vital information and you didn’t tell us!” “Sabine, I’m sorry. I thought -” Hera began. “You thought. Oh, you thought keeping this from us was a good thing! You let Ezra do all that Force stuff, knowing that IT WAS ACTIVELY KILLING HIM!” Jacen was now pressed firmly against Rex with a distressed look on his face. Hera stood up and left the room at practically a run. They sat in pained silence for what felt like eternity, until finally Rex broke the silence, “Ezra knew he was dying, that’s the only thing that makes sense. Except for his last message, he didn’t say a final goodbye. He said he couldn’t wait to come back. That doesn’t sound like somebody about to die.” It was a tiny sliver of hope, but she was willing to cling to that. ~One year Post-Endor~ Sabine was surprised when she received the call from Hera she was half tempted to decline the call. However, she steeled herself and flicked on the comm. She didn’t talk, but Hera started in, “I want to invite you on a rescue mission.” The Mandalorian raised an eyebrow, but let Hera continue. “One of our informants disappeared, leaving only a distress signal. I want,” she sighed, “I want you to come help us find them. I know you’re angry at me and you have every right to be, but I want to do this. To try and fix this.” Sabine was silent for a minute and she thought it through. “I’ll come if Zeb, Alex, and Rex come along.” Hera looked relieved and happy, “I’m sending you the coordinates to roundevue with the Ghost and the Starcatcher. I’ll see you soon.” The connection was cut and Sabine was left with her thoughts. A rescue mission for a Rebellion Informant. Odd, weren’t most of those recalled? There were still some small pockets of the Imperial forces, but not enough to warrant an informant. Unless there was something else going on. There must be something that Hera wasn’t telling her or Hera didn’t even know. If somebody was deep undercover they must be after a big problem. She threw her extra supplies into her bag and hit the button to take the elevator to the bottom of the old comm tower. The Starbird stood ready for her and in a few minutes she was in space again. The roundevue was in orbit over Naboo. Sabine docked with the Starcatcher frigate and exited her ship. A soldier was waiting for her, “Commander Wren, follow me, please. Admiral Syndulla is waiting for you.” Sabine raised an eyebrow, but followed the man anyway. ‘You couldn’t come meet me yourself, Hera?’ She was mildly miffed Hera hadn’t come for her, but she supposed they were still on thin ice. When they arrived in the war room Hera was already looking at a layout map of some building, Zeb was talking in a low voice with Alex, and Rex was standing across the holotable from Hera keeping the projection under a scrutinizing gaze. ---------- The lack of resistance was unexpected. Not that Sabine was actually complaining, she just thought there would be more if this agent was so deeply undercover there would be more soldiers. She turned down the hallway and came to a stop at a door. She opened up the panel and rewired the lock. The door slid open with a quiet *woosh* and she stepped in. There was no need to adjust to the darkness, her helmet automatically did that for her. Sabine stopped short on the threshold of the cell. Understating it? Unexpected. In actual terms? Completely and utterly shocking. The figure in the cell was sitting on the bench, leaning against the wall. He was dressed in a tattered uniform an obvious blaster wound to his left side. But, Sabine would recognize that face and blue hair anywhere. Ezra Bridger was alive. Sabine flicked on her comm, nearly breathless, “I found the informant. I need help, he’s injured.” “On my way.” Zeb’s reply was short and punctuated. The Mandalorian rushed forward, “Ezra? Ezra can you hear me?” She reached out to check his pulse and he jumped a little at her touch. Blue eyes locked on to her hazily. “What?!” Both flinched at Zeb’s sudden voice. “That can’t be Ezra!” “Zeb, we don’t have time. Grab him!” Suddenly, the wall to her right wavered and a huge white Loth-wolf leapt through. It locked on to Ezra and shoved past Sabine to gently nuzzle him. “What is that doing here?” Zeb asked. The white-furred beast turned to stare at them and then moved back, allowing Zeb to step forward and scoop Ezra up. The human groaned quietly, but otherwise didn’t protest. They turned and charged out of the cell. “Hera, fire up. We’re coming in hot!” The Imperials stood no chance, as the wolf tossed them like rag dolls. They rushed past Rex and Kallus up into the Ghost. “Hera, go!” The ship shuddered as they barreled through the defenses and out into space. Zeb laid Ezra out on the floor of the bay. He had two blaster wounds; one to the gut and one to his left shin. The Loth-wolf crouched down to gently press its nose against Ezra’s scarred cheek. Alex dropped into a crouch. He pulled out the scissors and cut away the fabric from around wounds. “I don’t know how much longer he’ll last. He might die.” The comm came back online, “We’re docking.” ----------------- Ezra considered going back to sleep. Hera was trying to drill Dume, which was hilarious considering that Dume couldn’t fully verbalize. ‘Haha, stop laughing and YOU try.’ Ezra groaned and pushed himself up, ignoring the dull ache in his abdominal region and his left leg. The ache meant that he was nearly healed , but the faint pain might last a little while longer. “Ugh, well, I blew my cover, but whatever.” It took less then a second for Hera to swing around. “Ezra! How are you alive? Where is Kanan?!” Ezra yelped in surprise and as the world winked out around him and the Ghost’s galley burst into view all he could think was, ‘Kriff it. I thought I finally had control over that.’ He was sitting on the table and a young kid with green hair had stopped eating a bowl of ice cream to stare at him. “Erm, hello?” The kid stared at him for a moment and then replied with, “So, you’re Ezra?” “Yes, I am.” “Could you get off the table? You can have some ice cream.” Ezra grinned and slipped of the table before grabbing a spoon and taking the offered ice cream. “You seem pretty relaxed about me appearing out of nowhere. What’s your name?” The boy, who appeared about six, shrugged. “You are supposed to be dead and I’m Jacen.” “Fair point, kid.” -------------- “Toolld youuu.” The wolf grumbled. “I didn’t think you meant jump in that way.” --------------- They had moved to the Ghost’s main cargo hold to talk. Ezra was sitting on one of the crates with a blanket wrapped around him and nibbling on a ration bar. The huge Loth-wolf sat right behind him resting it's large head on top of Ezra's. He was leaning back against the beast’s chest and the end of it’s tail resting in his lap. “Why can't we talk in the galley?” Hera asked. Ezra gave a small grin, “Because Achal here is being clingy again. Do you honestly think he would fit?” The wolf huffed almost annoyed and swatted it's fluffy tail against Ezra's side. Ezra snickered, “You have more questions.” Hera took a deep breathe, “How are you alive? You should be dead.” Ezra raised an eyebrow, “The shooting or Kanan dying? Because those are two different questions.” Hera rushed in barely after he finished, “You should have been dead for five years now. How are you alive? *If you're alive then where is Kanan?*” Sabine could see the tiny finch. It was small, but otherwise Ezra looked unaffected. “After the purgill dropped out of hyperspace I was dying. Achal found me and created a Link to save my life. Kanan is gone Hera and he can't come back. And before you ask, apparently being Linked to a Force Wolf means teleporting and quicker healing.” The young man grinned at them, “Blame him.” He said gesturing up at the wolf. Achal rolled his eyes and snorted. Ezra was lying and Sabine knew this. That's not how Links worked. Which meant that either Kanan was alive or Kanan and Achal were the same thing. She wasn't going to address that openly, Ezra wouldn't lie without reason. Then Rex chimed in, “What was your reasoning for not telling us you were alive?” Ezra turned his head to look at the veteran, which was hilarious since the wolf's head turned with his. “Long story short? Palpatine knew who I was and was out to get me. I couldn't come back until he was gone or that Sith would have come for you. I did it to protect you.” This did not soothe Hera, “You didn't think to contact us? At least let us know you were alive?” The Twi’lek nearly shouted and the Lothal native pulled back in surprise with a slight look of shame. Achal growled and lifted his left leg and placed the paw in front of Ezra, so that he was nearly tucked under the wolf. “Hey! I'm fine!” He said, trying to free himself. “I'm sorry, but I couldn't risk anybody knowing I was alive, but I'm here now, aren't I?” Sabine smiled, “It's good to have you back.” Ezra grinned, “Let's go back to Lothal, I haven't been home in a while.” Sure, there were new adjustments to be made, but one of their own was home; and that, made everything a little better.

UHM I BEG YOUR PARDON, may i have some ace and marco interaction in the sabo tells the revolutionary army who is ace father and ace is "you're dead to me." what is marco doing, please answer the question with a short ficlet oh great one

awww haha whispers this is also going to hurt sorry ;3c (and awww kajgdhf you’re such a cutie)

Part One!

Commissions || Ko-Fi || [Requests are closed!]

“There’s a call for you, sir.”

Ace looks up from his maps, sliding a book over his route as he turns, and the smile he offers is easy. It is, after all, easy instinct to disarm and delight and he’s had years of practice hiding his rougher edges. The den den mushi is placed on top of the book awkwardly, however, and not even Ace’s smile has stopped how they fidget. 

“It’s the Whit- your crew. Your- family?”

What’s left of them seems to ooze from the pity in their eyes, and it makes Ace’s skin crawl as he takes the receiver. “Thanks,” he mumbles, but it’s only habit that lets him get it out. 

“They went to war for you, didn’t they? Because the world hated you?“ It’s said all in a rush, as though they don’t already know the answer, and Ace’s smile tightens.

It didn’t hate me, he wants to say, the memory of Luffy’s crushing hugs in his mind.

Sabo’s gap-toothed grin only makes his memories bitter. 

“Ace!” is suddenly howled at him through the den den, and Ace starts in surprise at the cacophony of noise that heralds his family. The Revolutionary, equally as startled, quickly bows out of the corner that Ace has claimed. “Aceeeeeeeeee, how are you? Are you eating enough? Are the cooks feeding you right?” 

“How are your injuries? Do you need more of my scar cream?” 

“Are they treating you okay? Are you making friends? You haven’t tried to take anyone’s head yet, have you? That’s reserved for pops!” 

“I’m not gonna kill anyone!” he yells, but everyone’s laughing and he can’t help his own fond grin. His heart aches for them, longing lodged like a cold stone. “You idiots, how am I supposed to reply to you when you’re all yelling at once?”

“Get good!” Haruta shouts at the same time as Izo and Thatch reply with,

“Multitask.”

“Magic.”

Ace snorts, his voice hitching into a laugh, and he drags the den den mushi closer, curling further into the corner so he won’t disturb anyone else. “Look, all of those things sound impossible, so how about you just talk one at a time?”

Haruta scoffs, but Ace can hear Marco’s dim voice yelling at everyone and corralling them into a line. Haruta, still in possession of the den den mushi, whines and complains about not being allowed into the line, but Marco snaps something about wasting her turn and Ace hears her giggle. 

“Hey, Ace,” he hears Izo say, voice warm and fond. “How are you firefly?”

“Still bright,” he replies easily, and Izo’s tiny, thankful sigh doesn’t go unmissed. 

“How’re your scars? Did you want me to send more scar cream?”

“Izo I’ve got like four containers at this point,” Ace says with an exasperated laugh, and then presses his hand to the loose bandages around his chest. “And it’s- I still can’t put anything on it yet but the burn cream. So I’ll have lots when I need it, okay?”

Izo huffs out a laugh and makes to speak again, but he stops before he even begins. “You’re taking care of yourself, right?”

“They’re nice here,” Ace says, biting his tongue and fiddling with the hem of his shorts. “I’m fine.”

Izo’s tiny noise reminds Ace of a bird; it arcs high and soft, like he’s not the one meant to be hearing it. “We miss you,” Izo says instead of admitting what Ace thinks he’s done, and gives a pointed sniff as he tries to disguise his wavering voice, “I’ve gotten far to many colds this winter because you’re gone.” 

“Sorry for failing you,” Ace says, his voice lilting with laughter, but his throat is tight and the words burn. Even though he knows he needs to stay strong, needs to keep Izo’s faint laughter, needs to let them know that he’s okay so they don’t worry about him like they always do, he can’t help how his voice drops. “I miss you guys too.”

“-but I- ugh, fine Marco.” Izo sighs, the noise crackling through the den den mushi, and Ace bites his lip, pained with the realisation that Izo hadn’t been listening. “Hey firefly, everyone else wants to talk to you too. It’s so rude, but I’ll have to go.”

Ace grins because he knows they’ll be able to hear it, and says, “It’s fine Izo, I can’t wait to talk to everyone. And we can always catch up later.”

“Uh- yes. Yes, firefly, of course. I just- I’m going to be leaving in an hour, and I have to get some supplies ready- Marco needs me to help out with some of the islands on the edge of our territory-”

“No, no, it’s fine!” Ace says quickly, “You guys have stuff to do.”

He can hear Izo’s thankfulness when he says, “I’ll talk to you when I can, Ace.”

“Yeah, no problem!”

Does his laugh sound fake? He isn’t sure, and he can’t help but think that he’s laughed too much and in breaths that are to short for them to think it’s normal.

But when he goes through the rest of his family that’ve shown up to talk to him, - Thatch, Vista, Jozu, Deuce, the few from his second division that aren’t working - no-one calls him out on it. 

He almost sighs when Marco’s voice is the one that finally greets him, thankful that their call is almost over but unable to deny memories of how, when he first came to stay with the Revolutionaries, his calls would take the whole day as his crew came to ask him how he was. 

“Hey Ace,” Marco says, voice lilting and soft in respect for other calls Ace can hear going on in the background, and Ace presses his back even further against the wall he’s leaning on even though it hurts his scar. Marco sounds tired, the usual smooth, easy way he forms his words scraped by a touch of gravel. “Is everything going fine? Do you have anything to report?”

“Apart from the fact that Dragon thinks I’m violent, no.”

“Well you are,” Marco teases, and Ace scoffs.

“Only to idiots!”

“I feel like the leader of the Revolutionary Army won’t appreciate being called an idiot.”

“I don’t appreciate being grilled about my dad twenty-four-seven but there you go,” Ace mumbles, lip curling.

“Ace?” Marco asks, but Ace quickly laughs and brushes it off.

“He’s so stupid, thinking that any of my answers would change,” Ace scoffs, trying to keep his voice light, and stops Marco from questioning him further with a quick, “Anyway, I just got all of your letters! And I forgot to ask while she was here, but, uh- can you talk to Haruta? I’m pretty sure she sent her letter in code and like, I cracked it but- just, you’know, why is she talking about fish?”

Marco’s confused bark of laughter makes Ace grin, even as he clenches the receiver tighter in his hand. He licks his dry lips, scraping his teeth over the chapped skin, and swallows hard. “And I-” he starts, and Marco seems to pick up on his nerves, the line between them filled with strained silence. “I just- wanted to know…you’know. Where you guys were?”

The softest breath escapes Marco, uneasy and pained, and Ace swallows again, his throat tight. 

“Ace,” Marco starts, and there’s something so careful in the edges of that single word that makes Ace’s heart stop. “I want to tell you-”

“So why don’t you?”

“Because you’ll come out to find us!” Marco snaps, and Ace’s teeth click closed.

“What’s wrong with that?” he asks softly, head bowed and eyes squeezed shut. “I- Marco, I want to come home.”

“We can’t protect you-”

“I can protect myself!” Ace says, and a year ago maybe it would’ve been defensive, would’ve been sharp and coupled with a snarl, but today it’s only a plead.  

“No,” Marco snaps, sharper than Ace has ever been, “No, you can’t. You’re still healing, Ace. You can barely breathe!”

“I’m breathing fine now,” he says stubbornly, ignoring how he’s got his palm braced against his chest, and Marco gives a sigh. 

It’s not exasperation, he thinks, jaw aching with how tight his teeth are pressed together, but his brain won’t fucking listen. 

“I can fight,” he says, but he knows it’s a lost cause when Marco only heaves another heavy sigh. 

“Please don’t make this harder than it already is, Ace. We all miss you, but you have to stay there. It’s safer for everyone.” 

“Marco, I just- I want to go-”

“For once will you please just listen?” Marco snaps, and he sounds tired and sad and Ace can imagine him pinching the bridge of his nose, how dark purple probably still stains beneath his eyes, but it’s the shock of being yelled at by Marco, of all people, that has his mouth snapping shut. “You have to stay with them. The Revolutionaries promised to take care of you, and it’s safer for you there because no-one can find you. We need to figure out what we’re supposed to do now, and we can’t do anything with the Marines on us like dogs. We don’t have nearly enough men to fight back because of-”

He stops, but Ace can already hear the sentence finishing in his head. Because of you.

“I’m sorry,” he mumbles miserably, his lips pressed together so that Marco can’t hear his breath hitch, and Marco sighs heavily.

“Me too.”

They’re silent, and Ace struggles to breathe normally, his still-healing lungs making his chest ache. He can hear Marco’s own breath crackling through the Den Den Mushi, and wishes he could think of something to say. 

“I have to go, Ace.” Marco says finally, and Ace can imagine him rubbing at the headache growing behind his temples. “I’ll call again next week, if there’s the time for it.”

“Yeah,” Ace says slowly, his voice hoarse. “Yeah. I’ll- be here.” 

I’ll be here.

THAT Wonder Woman script, part 2 of oh shit it got worse

Previously on Wonder Woman, we met our hero -- brave, selfless, moral, willing to go to bat for perfect strangers without a thought for personal safety, but uneasy with emotional vulnerability, preferring to rebuff intimacy with snark and condescension.

I’m talking, of course, about Steve Trevor. Wait, who did you think the hero of this movie was?

Anyway, Steve crashed in plane on an island of Nasty Women, proved his moral superiority and won a convert in the form of a luminous-elemental-natural-curvaceous-waterfall-girl, who beat up her mother to save his life, then decided to follow him home. Just because.

Now Steve and The Girl are flying into a war zone, where Steve is overdue to deliver much-needed supplies to sick, starving refugees.

Alright, so they reach their destination, and there’s trouble on the ground. The runway is crawling with soldiers, and Steve’s crew — Ben Mzamane, Dr Moira “Sully” Sullivan and Griffin Thiele — are looking distinctly worried.

Steve admonishes Diana to keep herself hidden and not cause any trouble, before exiting the plane to greet the soldiers’ leader, a “petty warlord” called Goshnak. He’s the one they had to bribe to get supplies in for the refugees, and he’s demanding extra compensation on account of Steve’s delayed arrival.

BEN We are grateful for everything you have done—

GOSHNAK And what is your gratitude? A few paltry bribes!?

STEVE They’re not paltry. These are quality bribes—

Things are getting dire. They’re surrounded by men with guns and Goshnak is threatening to take the whole damn plane. Then Diana emerges from the plane and suddenly everyone is staring.

SULLY My god. That is a quality bribe.

Hahaha!! What hilarity! I don’t know why more writers don’t exploit the rich comedic vein that is human sex trafficking!!

There’s some mystical nonsense where the camera closes tight on Diana’s foot as it touches the ground and sends a wind whistling through the trees, across the mountains, over the sea and into a darkened room where an ominous figure raises its head.  Nobody on the airstrip notices, mostly because Goshnak is still threatening to shoot everybody and Diana is Not Helping.

GOSHNAK All the goods on that plane are mine.

DIANA No they’re not.

GOSHNAK Do you dare to question my authority?

DIANA Authority that cannot be questioned should look for a different name.

wow great very helpful Diana, lecturing the man with the gun on semantics.

GOSHNAK You bring this whore to insult me?

DIANA What did you say?

STEVE Diana, shut up.

Okay, on the one hand, in the context of this scene Diana is making a bad situation worse and, as she’s being written, this character kind of needs to be told to shut up. On the other hand, I don’t need to see Steve Trevor telling Wonder Woman to shut up, especially right after another man has called her a whore.

And speaking of stupid out-of-character behaviour—

DIANA (moving toward Goshnak) If you want to challenge me, then be man enough to—

I cannot think of a character less likely to use the expression “man enough” than fucking Wonder Woman.

Anyway, that’s the point where Goshnak shoots her in the chest.

She puts a hand to her chest, confused. Blood runs over her hand. […] Diana is on her hands and knees, an unlovely gurgle in her breath. She pushes hard on the (unseen) wound. A few moments, and she wrenches her hand from her chest, rearing back onto her knees.

In her bloody hand, she holds a bullet.

She stares at it, standing shakily up. Goshnak backs off a step, freaked. She holds the bullet up to him, furious confusion in her eyes. She looks at Steve…

DIANA Are you people insane?

And then she faints.

Such heroics.

We cut to Gateway City, where the Spearhead Technologies building dominates the skyline, resembling the head of a spear. Track down through the more run-down neighbourhoods, down into an empty subway station and deep into the old sewerage tunnels beneath the city.

An older homeless man leads a younger female reporter through the tunnels. Their destination:

…a half graffiti/half American-primitive MURAL, depicting a figure in armour on a horse stabbing a giant dragon. Behind them, towers crumble and burn. It’s eerie and awkward, and very beautiful.

It also apparently means something to reporter-lady, but we don’t get to find out what, because that’s when Strife appears.

GINNY (continuing) My God…

The white, deformed face with the bright red teeth and the carved metal skull-cap appears right next to hers, grinning horrifically.

STRIFE No. Not yours.

And then he kills them both. Yes, “he”. For some reason Whedon has decided to make Eris/Strife — a goddess in Greek mythology — into a dude.

Back Our Hero, waiting outside a tent at base camp. Sully is inside tending to Diana. His mate Griffin is particularly concerned for Diana.

GRIFFIN […] I can’t believe Goshnak. Who the hell shoots an unarmed, tasty looking girl?

Okay, so really he’s more concerned for Diana’s rack.

Sully steps out, clearly unhappy, and announces there’s nothing more she can do. This sounds ominous until Diana strides out afterwards, completely healed; turns out Sully didn’t need to do anything.

Diana heads urgently for the plane and Steve hurries after her. He’s stunned that she’s up and about with barely a scar after only six hours; Diana is aghast that it took so long.

STEVE […] You’re healed.

DIANA Yes, after hours. It’s degrading… to be felled by a tiny piece of metal. (quietly) I didn’t know something could hurt that much.

STEVE (not unkindly) Welcome to the world.

THIS WORLD IS SO FUCKED, MAN, I HAD TO WAIT SIX WHOLE HOURS FOR MY NEAR-FATAL GUNSHOT WOUND TO BE MIRACULOUSLY HEALED. SO DEGRADING, I HAVE NEVER BEEN SO OFFENDED IN MY LIFE.

Diana picks up the pace. Goshnak’s men took the supplies to their camp in the hills, and she intends to get them back. There’s a guard at the plane; she knocks him flat without breaking a sweat. As she changes into her armour, Steve lectures her again. He’s a dick about it, but he does have a point: none of Diana’s behaviour has been helpful so far, and now she’s planning on walking into a warlord’s camp and starting a firefight.

Not killing, though. She is prepared to kill a warrior on a battlefield, she says, but nobody who “hides behind” a gun can be called a warrior. Which— look, I’m as pro-gun-control as they come, but that is a bizarrely political statement to put in the mouth of a character who barely even understands what firearms are, let alone the currents of debate going on in America and around the world. Sure, she’s just experienced being shot, and the intense pain of it shocked her, but I’m pretty sure getting disembowelled with a sword is super painful as well.

Basically, Diana’s deep and immediate disgust at guns specifically reads like Whedon trying to shoehorn his own politics into the script, and it does not work.

To Diana’s credit, she proves slightly more competent at dealing with Goshnak’s men. She picks off the sentries in the dark, takes the sleeping soldiers by surprise, and this time when Goshnak shoots, she’s ready to deflect the bullets with her bracelets.

She could use some work on her patter, though.

…she grabs his throat.

DIANA Stop. Shooting. Me.

The gun hits the ground and Diana brings her heel down on it with enough force to break it.

DIANA (continuing) This land is not safe for you. The people here are under my protection and if you even approach them, your death will be appalling. Remember that, when you awake.

She headbutts him, her tiara ringing off his forehead like a blunted bell.

“your death will be appalling”? really?

She changed her mind quick on the whole non-killing thing.

Later, in the refugee camp, the food has been distributed and the doc is tending to the sick. Diana watches as a young boy eats hungrily from a can, only for a man — maybe his father — see him and snatched the food for himself.

STEVE (appearing) Yeah, starvation doesn’t seem to make people nicer. It’s weird.

URGH GO AWAY STEVEN YOU ABSOLUTE TOSSER.

DIANA How could the gods allow this?

STEVE Your gods are dead, Diana. World hasn’t been theirs for a long while.

HAHA, BOOM! Take that, Diana! Shame on you for trying to come to grips with a world you’ve known for all of twelve hours!

Steve walks off, and Ben approaches to reassure Diana that Our Hero is just super prickly because of his Tragic Backstory. See, he used to be in the Air Force, flying combat missions, and once got downed behind enemy lines. He left the military with “a health distrust of anyone with too much power” and “[d]ecided to drop something more productive than bombs” — that’s why he set up this operation with Sully.

Diana asks whether Steve and Sully are “mates” because let us remember that the Amazons are a DEEPLY AND EXCLUSIVELY HETEROSEXUAL CULTURE and naturally it would never enter her mind that Steve might be in a relationship with Ben or Griffin, or for that matter more than one person. Anyway. AWKWARDNESS ENSUES.

BEN Mates?

DIANA Do they… mate? Or…

BEN (smiles) Sully would never put up with him. I don’t believe Steve’s seeing anyone right now.

DIANA (awkward) Oh. That’s of no import. To me. I don’t care about that.

URGH STOP.

Ben asks Diana what she intends to do next, and she says “to help”. Because as we’ve seen she has zero plans outside of taking a gap year in Man’s World so she can ‘find herself’. “I need to know more,” she elaborates unhelpfully. “I need to see… everything.” Apparently unfazed, Ben invites her to “stick with us”. Next stop, Gateway City.

What is Gateway, Diana asks?

We’re answered by a voiceover as we cut back to the Spearhead building.

CALLAS (V.O.) The greatest city in the world. The symbol of American ingenuity, prosperity, and cultural diversity. […] Literally, our gateway to the world.

The speaker is Spearhead’s CEO, Arabella Callas, who appears to be a low-budget Veronica Cale. She is, Joss tells us, “[v]ery blonde, very patrician, unflappable and icy smooth. As lovely as she is untouchable.”

She’s talking to a seemingly mundane meeting of executives and city councilmen, about zoning issues. We learn that Spearhead deals in military technology and is one of the city’s biggest investors. The councillors are keen to accommodate them.

Of course, the moment everyone leaves, Callas flips from zero to cartoon fucking villain. She touches a painting behind her desk, which glows briefly. A tapestry lifts to reveal a giant steel door, which slides open. And with that, Callas strolls on into her evil lair.

INT. SPEARHEAD WAR ROOM - CONTINUING

A cross between a Wall Street trading bullpen and Houston Ground Control, this is where Spearhead monitors the world. There are screens with maps and satellite feeds, dozens of employees with headsets tracking troop movements, high-level government communications, even weather patterns. These employees don’t wear suits. They wear black.

From Callas’ interactions with the operatives, we basically learn that Spearhead are secretly puppetmasters of chaos; no exaggeration. Talks between two warring nations have broken down thanks to an interpreter on Spearhead’s payroll; Callas instructs an employee to “keep our reps on point; I don’t want a bullet fired that wasn’t bought from us”. There’s a hurricane off the Carolina coast, and Spearhead is preparing to seed mass panic in the media. Some dictator wants to get his hands on Spearhead’s new bombers before the Pentagon — Callas is willing to deal for “12 per cent”. A 12 per cent mark-up, the employee asks? No, says Callas: 12 per cent of his county.

Basically, Callas and Spearhead are a caricature of corporate villainy and Joss could not be less subtle if he tried. But wait! There’s more!

Callas announces that she’s going to pray and exits into a dark room lit by torches and dominated by a statue of Ares.

I know, guys. I’m shocked, too. Who would’ve ever thought that Spearhead Enterprises, a weapons manufacturing company that secretly stokes war from inside a building shaped like a spear, would actually be a front for a cult of the god of war?! This is entirely unexpected. I mean, gosh, next you’ll be telling me that Gateway City is sitting on top of a gateway to something ominous and supernatural! Crazy stuff!!

As Callas prays, Strife materialises and tells her he’s gotten rid of the reporter. Callas presses; was he discreet about it?

CALLAS […] The eyes of the world cannot be on Gateway. Not right now. The world is won—

STRIFE (along with her) —won in silence. I know. There was a time when the God of War made war.

CALLAS You want war, you need armies. You need an acceptable level of poverty and ignorance. (looking up at the statue) Despair, rage, religious fervour and above all fear.

Honestly, Marston wrote villains that were more nuanced than this. Whedon literally named her Callous, ffs.

They talk about some reports of a woman taking out a rebel brigade in Africa singlehandedly, then they discuss a planned test of “the Khimaera” as they step into a large silo. The technology inside has a distinctly magical edge. What’s the Khimaera, you ask?

CALLAS The Age of Monsters is over.

STRIFE Is it. Is it really.

As he says it the camera pulls back to reveal the head of the Khimaera — we see little more than a metal shape, the top of which resembles a cross between a lion’s head and a massive rock-drill. Clearly filling the entire silo, the thing writhes and spews fire. Maintenance machines arm out from the wall or crawl over it, insectlike.

groan.

Back to Our Hero and The Girl, who have arrived in the city. Diana is eager to see everything at once; Steve isn’t so sure it’s a good idea to let her go wandering on her own. “I’ll be fine,” she says. “No, I’m kind of afraid for the city,” he deadpans.

Diana enters the throng of the city — “looking at everything and everyone intently, more sociologist than sightseer”. We pan through various sights — extreme wealth and extreme poverty, toy stores and strip clubs. Someone shoves a “LIVE NUDE GIRLS” flyer into her hands; appalled, she looks around to give it back. Which makes sense, because obviously living all her life on an island of Extremely Heterosexual Women, Diana is going to be extremely prudish about the female body.

Then,

—a hooker in an outfit skimpier than Diana’s who stares at Diana, asking:

HOOKER Who are you supposed to be?

Hahaha!! It’s funny because the sex worker thought Diana, also, was a sex worker, which as we all know is a Gross and Shameful thing to be! Oh, the comedy!

Diana steps into the street, forcing a guy in a convertible to swerve around her. He calls her a bitch, she stops the car dead with her bare hands and asks him to repeat that, but then the confrontation is cut short by a cry from across the street. A fourteen-year-old boy is being shaken down by a drug dealer.

Diana whips the dealer with her lasso; he pulls out his gun and starts firing. She deflects the bullets easily, knocks away the gun and lectures him about how she doesn’t like firearms. Then she whips the lasso around his neck and demands to know what he’s doing.

THE DEALER I’m just standing here minding my own crack dealing! (he stops, shaken) No, no, I sell crack! And guns. I also run whores sometimes— or, no! I mean… (deflated) That’s what I mean.

Diana ascertains that the major drug kingpin in the city is a dude called Kleen. We will be spending a stupid amount of time following up on him later, despite his having no relevance to the broader plot.

However, as they speak, Diana realises that dozens of rats are scurrying up from the basement grating of the old building behind them. They’re afraid of something.

Cut to the Spearhead war room, where the Khimaera test — whatever that is — is underway. An employee tells Callas that they have structural engineers ready to feed the media some story about a seismic tremor and a building not built to code. But there’s a problem — the cameras are showing somebody unexpected on the test site.

Because gosh darn it, wouldn’t you just know, first day in the city and Wonder Woman has managed to blunder onto the very site on which Evil Incorporated is testing their doomsday device!

Back to Diana, who’s now urgently shoving people out of the building, racing up the stairs to usher people out of the upper floors as the walls begin to lurch and buckle. She’s barely managed to get everyone out when Strife jumps her. They fight, Diana just holding her own, and Strife warns her to stay out of the city as he teleports away, leaving the building to collapse on her.

Later, in Steve’s bedroom, Diana lies face-down and topless on the bed as Steve cleans her wounds. She explains that Strife the the cruellest god and the servant of his uncle, Ares, because Joss isn’t even trying. FYI, Eris — the Greek personification of strife — is Ares’ brother (and/or first-cousin-twice-removed, Greek divine family trees are complicated) and she works for her own dang self.

Steve immediately leaps to the conclusion that Strife’s appearance is Diana’s fault, because Steve is a dick.

DIANA Do you think it’s all coincidence? Truly? The signs are all around us. You don’t think I’m here for a reason?

STEVE I think you’re dangerous. I think you mean well but you’re looking for trouble and you’re wildly adept at finding it. I think you’ve got delusions of grandeur and some actual grandeur, which is confusing. I don’t like confusing. I hate the fact that I’m so attracted to you, just touching you is overwhelming and I keep hoping you’ll turn around so I can see more of you naked.

He stops, even more confused than she is. His jaw sets and he reaches down, pulls the lasso out from under his butt. She tries not to show her smile.

you are the worst joss.

Diana talks a bit about how despite the violence and inequality and selfishness she’s seen, she believes the people of this world have the capacity for good — they just need to be reminded to look up. Steve makes a guess — that’s her mission, right? Diana corrects him: “Our mission.” This… is actually sounding almost like Diana for once. She doesn’t just want to beat the big bads, she wants to inspire, empower and work together with those around her to build a better world.

Naturally, Steve has to spoil it by being a wanker again.

STEVE […] What if you lose?

DIANA As long as there’s life in me, I don’t quit.

STEVE Nyeah, but I didn’t say ‘quit’. I said ‘lose’. Any idiot can win. Doesn’t mean jack till you’ve done the other thing.

Aaaaaand we’re back to the old “you can’t be a hero because you haven’t suffered enough”.

A series of short scenes follows; Diana interrupting drug shipments, taking down thugs, rescuing women from human traffickers, saving people from collapsing buildings and so on. We see that Steve and his people are working with her to give medical treatment to victims and map out Kleen’s criminal empire.

Joss still has time for some casual dickishness, though.

GIRL Lady? (points up) My cat is stuck in that tree.

Diana looks up, sees the cat on a branch, looks back at the girl with dismissive incomprehension.

DIANA Climb it.

but waitwaitwait. You know what we haven’t had in a good couple of scenes? Some good ol’-fashioned slut-shaming!

NEWSCASTER [female] Reports have come in from all over the city. Descriptions vary, but all describe her as female, impossibly strong and scantily clad. […]

NEWSCASTER #2 [male] So, what do you think? Publicity stunt?

NEWSCASTER (sourly) Probably. The last time I checked, heroes didn’t run around in bustiers.

Strife and Callas complain about how the meddling kids are spoiling their evil plans. Callas has a solution in mind, though — the one thing that “for an Amazon, is worse than death”.

OH GOOD WE’RE ALMOST AT THE DEPOWERING, DEGRADATION AND LIVE BURIAL PART OF THE SCRIPT THIS CAN’T POSSIBLY GO POORLY