Shakes you. Yan!TFP!Ratchet being in denial about having feelings for a human.

follow up to this ❤️💚

When he wakes in the deepest recess of the night, Cas is not asleep at his side.

He rubs the sleep from his eyes and glances around the room. He doesn’t need to turn on the light on the bedside table to know. The space next to him in the bed is cold, the room is empty.

He’s alone.

His stomach drops to the space between his knees as he pushes himself upright. His heart is a pitter-patter in his chest; the blood rushing in his ears a deafening roar.

“Cas?” Dean calls out uselessly. He swings his legs gingerly over the side of the bed and walks slowly to his door, turning the knob and stepping into the hall.

“Cas?!” He calls out again, louder this time, glancing down both sides of the corridor and listening for movement. He sees nothing, hears nothing.

His heart begins to hammer against his ribs, and his mind starts to race.

Shit.

He walks a little too quickly throughout the bunker, ignoring the pain that slams from his back through his chest at the movement, and checks the kitchen, then the library. When it’s empty too, he heads into the war room.

He spots Cas’s phone on the map table, and when he walks over to tap the screen, the time glares back at him.

2:32

Dean takes a deep breath. He thinks for a moment, and when an idea comes to him, he tosses on his jacket hanging on the back of one of the chairs.

He heads for the garage.

When Dean opens the side garage door, it creaks and groans loudly in protest. A quick scan of the woodlands behind the bunker finds Cas standing in the middle of a small clearing, wrapped in a thick, oversized blanket that trails at his feet in the frozen dirt.

Relief floods through him like waves on the ocean. His shoulders drop, tension ebbing from his muscles, and he shuts the door gently behind him instead of letting it clang against the frame.

Cas is looking up at the diamond-studded sky, and Dean smiles as he watches.

He zippers up his coat against the mid-winter chill as the breeze hits against him, swaying against the rustling branches high above. He inhales deeply, the scent of the cold air mixing with the towering bald cypress trees cleansing his lungs. He approaches Cas silently, hand reaching out to caress his back, palm gripping his shoulder gently as he stands next to him.

Cas sighs and lets his eyes flutter shut for the briefest of moments.

“Hello, Dean.”

A huff of breath escapes his nose in a chuckle.

“Hey,” he smiles, letting his hand squeeze Cas’s neck affectionately. “Leave a note next time, huh? Scared the crap outta me.” He keeps his voice gentle, teasing, and Cas turns his chin to meet Dean’s eyes.

“I’m sorry,” he says solemnly, eyes drifting to the ground before meeting his again. “I didn’t want to wake you.”

Dean smiles, rubbing soothing circles against Castiel’s shoulder blade. “Nah, it’s okay. I’m just sayin’,” he murmurs, and they both turn their faces towards the sky.

It’s a cloudless night. There are stars everywhere. The moon is high and full and shining. It’s beautiful.

“All things bein’ equal?” he continues, watching Cas’s reaction in his periphery, “I’d rather you wake me up than just wakin’ without you next to me.”

Cas thins his lips into a sad smile that doesn’t reach his eyes as he casts them to the ground. Dean tries again.

“I dunno if you’ve noticed, but...I don’t need to sleep with a gun under my pillow these days. So it’s not like I’ll accidentally shoot ya.”

Cas’s eyes close then, a rueful chuckle escaping his lips as his chin drops a little to his chest. Dean can tell he’s holding something back.

The former angel is crestfallen.

Dean’s brow furrows in concern, and he wraps his hands around Cas’s wrists to tug him towards him so that they’re face to face. He lets his hands travel to frame his cheeks.

When Cas’s eyes open, they glisten with tears.

“Hey,” he whispers, crowding closer into Cas’s space. “What’s goin’ on?”

Cas makes an attempt to shake his head, to try to dismiss Dean’s worry.

“No no—” Dean says gently. “Talk to me.”

Cas screws his eyes shut, tears falling in moon-bathed streams down his cheeks before he meets Dean’s gaze.

“I’m not an angel anymore,” he murmurs quietly.

Dean’s chest aches at the pain in Cas’s voice as he tilts his head in sympathy. He sounds so small and vulnerable, but there’s something else there, too.

Dean’s thumbs stroke against Cas’s cheekbones, feather-light. “I know,” he whispers, tears of his own sneaking into his throat.

But he has to be strong.

“I can’t imagine—”

“How can I ever be enough for you like this?”

Dean freezes mid-sentence. His heart sinks before it shatters, bleeding in the space between his feet. The crease between his eyes deepens as he frowns, eyes widening in disbelief.

“What?”

Cas steps out of Dean’s hold, and the fallen leaves crunch beneath his feet. He wraps the blanket tighter around him as he turns to face the sky again.

The roaring in Dean’s ears return, and he stares at Cas’s profile. Nausea starts to spread and twist like ribbons in his stomach.

“I don’t have the ability to heal. I can’t teleport. I can’t...do any of the things I used to,” Cas breathes, voice firm as stone. He’s not looking for pity, not looking for anything to challenge his thoughts.

He’s just being.

Dean’s head is spinning, and he’s so flabbergasted he can’t formulate words in his mouth.

Cas turns his head to meet him again. “How could I make up for that now?” As just a human goes unspoken; but Dean hears it all the same.

In that moment, he feels the rebar ripping through his gut all over again. He steels himself against the urge to double over.

“I don’t know how to be worthy enough,” he continues, voice solemn and jaded and numb all at once. “I don’t know how to be enough—for you—as just...this.” he finishes then, glancing himself up and down, hands stretched out in a shrug before crossing his arms with the blanket again. Cas sighs heavily as he rotates on his heel to stare up at the moon, his back to Dean.

All of the air leaves his lungs. His heart speeds up a little in a panic. He stares unblinkingly at Cas’s silhouette, and the wind gusts in the woods around them. He can hear the branches rustling above, and he can see Castiel’s thick hair swaying against the wind, sticking up every which way.

His stomach rolls. His mouth goes dry.

“Enough?” Dean mumbles in a hoarse whisper, more to himself than anything else. He strides forward, grabbing onto one of Castiel’s shoulders as he walks to stand in front of him.

Cas won’t meet his eyes. He just keeps staring at the world far beyond, hidden and cloaked in darkness.

Maybe he’s looking at Heaven.

Dean sniffles and reaches both hands on Cas’s shoulders.

“How could you ever think that you ain’t enough for me?”

But if Dean’s honest with himself, he knows. He knows he’s done a pretty shit job over the years of making Cas feel valued and wanted and loved —regardless of the status of his grace.

Cas closes his eyes and sighs heavily. When he opens them, he keeps them canted to the ground between their feet. The look Dean finds on his face scares him; it’s defeated, empty.

Broken.

His shoulders sag underneath Dean’s fingers.

Castiel looks exhausted.

“Okay, look…” Dean begins, shaking Cas gently to force their eyes to meet.

“I know...I know I’ve said things, an-and done things over the years that’ve hurt you. I know we’ve had our moments. But man…”

He trails off for only a moment, letting one hand slide down Cas’s chest to fist it into his shirt, the other reaching to grasp one side of his neck.

“‘M a wreck without you,” he grits out, green eyes boring into blue. “Losin’ you...an’ every time I’ve ever lost you it just—it always almost finished me.” He pulls Cas in closer by his shirt, and Castiel’s hands fall to grip Dean’s sides to prevent himself from stumbling.

“It was never about your mojo, Cas. Ever. ‘N I’m so sorry you ever thought it was.” Dean’s eyes are watering now, and he purses his lips as he lightly punches Cas’s chest.

“It’s just always been you.”

And maybe he’s not making any sense. But Dean’s never been good with words, and his chin is trembling, and Cas’s eyes are spilling over without a blink.

They’re so fucking blue.

And Dean’s heart is tattered in pieces on the floor of his ribcage.

“You’ve always been enough.” Dean whimpers, and he lets his own tears break free through the dam of his eyelids, falling in rivulets down his stubbled cheeks.

“Just you. I need you to see that.”

He rests his cheek against Cas’s temple and wraps his arms around his shoulders, pulling him into his chest as he chokes back a sob. Cas’s arms come to wrap around Dean’s middle as he nuzzles his nose into the crook of Dean’s neck.

“Please, Cas. Please believe that.” Dean chokes out, and he knows he’s babbling now. But Cas squeezes him tighter, and Dean lets his mouth fall into the swath of skin where Cas’s neck slopes into his shoulder. He crushes Cas into him.

They cry together until there are no more tears to shed; they hold each other, mending their broken pieces and bones and marrow and flesh.

The cracks in their hearts begin to heal.

Dean doesn’t realize he’s shaking until Cas’s lips are against his ear, shushing him and murmuring sweetly against the shell, hands rubbing up and down his back.

They begin to sway in each other’s arms.

“You’re it for me, Cas,” Dean sniffles. “Just you.” Not your grace, not your wings.

He pulls away to rest their foreheads together. “You hear me?”

I love you.

Castiel nods, closing his eyes before meeting green. Dean watches as his tongue darts out to wet his lips, and they meet in the middle in a chaste, open-mouthed kiss. Cas’s hands come up to frame Dean’s face.

“I hear you,” Cas whispers hoarsely as they part, and he runs a hand through Dean’s hair. Dean can’t help it when his eyes flutter at the touch.

A small, cold wet sensation stuns his nose then; Dean opens his eyes and tilts his head back to see thick, fluffy snowflakes beginning to fall around them. A small chuckle escapes his throat, and Cas follows his gaze. When another snowflake lands on the bridge of Dean’s nose, Cas’s index finger comes to catch it.

Dean’s eyes fall back to his. What he finds there is marveling.

“I dunno how y’do that,” he mumbles. “Make your eyes so friggin’ blue.”

Cas just smiles through those wonderfully thick lashes. He reaches to grab one of Dean’s hands, cupping it between his own as he brings it to his lips. “It’s a gift,” he quips.

Dean chuckles with a nod, and taking advantage of their height difference, he tugs Cas forward so he can press a kiss to the muss of velvet black hair. He inhales the scent of his own shampoo that mixes with the natural essence of Castiel: earth and rain and lightning. Dean grins as Cas snuggles into his neck, pressing a kiss to the skin there.

“Wanna go back in?” he mumbles against the thick strands. Cas lets out a yawn.

“Mm-hmm.”

Dean snorts as he reaches an arm around Cas’s neck, walking them both back towards the bunker. Cas must notice him wince slightly in pain at the angle, because then he’s reaching up a hand to cover his, and there’s an arm snaking around his waist.

“Lean on me,” he commands. And it leaves no room for argument. So Dean smiles, and lets his weight sink against the man against him, who accepts it all willingly.

Just like he always has.

They’re almost at the door when Dean stills, grasping the fabric of the blanket.

“Hey,” he says. Cas stops to look at him, letting Dean turn slightly in his hold.

“Merry Christmas, Cas.”

The smile Cas gives him is like the Star of Bethlehem. Cas leans in, mouth ghosting his as their foreheads connect.

“Merry Christmas, Dean.”

20 Years Ago Pt 1

(Kyalin)

Kya stood back with a grin. She did it. Despite her mother's doubts she had successfully pulled off the perfect highschool reunion. People were chatting, dancing and congratulating her.

"Well Kya, you did it." Her bother said, standing beside her with a glass of punch.

"Don't drink that," she said, "it's spiked."

"How do you even know that?" He asked  looking into the cup.

"Waterbenders intuition." She lied. Truthfully, she had been the one to spike it.

"Look," Tenzin said, gesturing to the door."

"Hmmm?" She turned her head, her brows furrowing.  Lin Beifong.

"What is she doing here?" Kya asked, she knew for a fact she didn't invite her.

"I asked her to come," Tenzin explained, "she doesn't get out a lot and well, I thought it'd be nice for you two to see each other." Kya rolled her eyes. She had no business with Lin, and the idea her brother thought otherwise was stupid.

"I have nothing to say to her." Kya stated, taking his cup and downing it.

"It seems like you do." Tenzin replied, letting his sister walk away.

Kya huffed, sitting down at her table, two cups of punch in her hands, both of which were for her. It seemed everyone here was having a good time, except her. She couldn't help it, Lin's prescence set her off.

"How am I supposed to enjoy myself when she's lurking around?" She spoke to herself, taking a drink from the left cup.

"Still talking to yourself, I see." Lin said, sitting next to her.

"Still condescending, I see." Kya mocked, finishing one of her drinks. Lin reached a hand over, grabbing the other one.

"Thats mine." Kya said. Lin raised an eyebrow, keeping eye contact with the older woman.

"Then take it." Kya looked at her quizzically, Lin had a sadistic grin on her face, like she was enjoying Kya's anger.

"No." Kya replied, "you have it. On me." Lin smirked, placing her lips to the cup and downing the whole thing  her face unraveling in a look of disgust.

"Thats so sweet." The metalbender groaned.

"Some people like sweet things." Kya retorted. Lin sighed, glancing to the stage.

"You know, we're kind of old to be doing this." Lin said.

"I think I know how long to hold a grudge." Kya replied, refusing to look her in the eyes.

"Raava, Kya do you even remember what you hate me for?"

"Yes, as a matter of fact, I do."

"Then enlighten me."

"It was my senior year, you promised to come with me to prom, we had it planned and everything.  Then someone started dating my brother and ditched me to give a blow job behind the bleachers. I had no other friends Lin, everyone hated me for... well, you know, and you just... you left me alone. To be ridiculed by my entire grade. I had to leave out the back door because by the end of the night I was covered in punch and didn't want to be seen by the cameras."

"Okay, wow. First of all, it wasn't a blow job." Lin started, "second of all, I didn't mean to leave you. I just didn't know how long it would take."

"Oh my God, Lin, do you not hear yourself?" Kya asked, "you left me alone on my night to fuck my brother. Dick move, by the way."

"I wasnt fucking your brother!"

"Right so he let everyone believe that you and him fucked for the rest of the year?"

"Yes!"

"Really? You think I'm that stupid?"

"Kya, ask Tenzin. We didn't do anything that night, I didn't have the guts too. I never intended for he and I to do anything but he got ahead of himself and told all his friends so I told him not to worry about it." Kya looked away in disbelief.

"If that was true, why didn't you tell me?"

"I tried, you were so upset and 'banned me from the island. I asked that idiot arrowhead to talk to you but I guess he never did." Kya stared at her, unsure of what to make of this. Lin had lied before, but she seemed so sincere... stop. Remember how you felt.

"I'm not listening to this. I have a speech to give." Lin slammed a fist on the table and let Kya go. The watsrbender made her way to the stage, motioning for the crows to gather.

"I just want to say how happy I am everyone could make it today." She began, "it's been a long time since we've seen each other and I have to say I'm absolutely thrilled with the people you have all become."

"I'd like to say something!" Kya looked down at the speaker, he had a hat on, a jersey for some pro bending team and awfully greasy shorts. Roy Cavanaugh. The idiot who had splattered her with punch on prom night.

"Well I'm not really-"

"Roy! Roy! Roy!" The crowd chanted.

"Fine," Kya caved, "come here." He climbed onto the stage, taking the mic from her and holding it a little to close to his mouth.

"Can I just say," he started, "had I known you were gonna look like that when you were older I would've been nicer to you." Kya pursed her lips.

"Thats enough-"

"With that being said, are you still a dyke? Because I'd like to show you my-" Kya took the mic from him, staring at him angrily. Laughter mixed with awkward silence. She stared into the crowd, their familiar beady eyes focusing on her. Passing their judgment and she realized then and there she didn't want this reunion to see people, she wanted closure.

"Roy," she said, "you're an idiot. You always will be. Maru," she directed to his wife, "he cheated on you. Multiple times with Christine. Blonde hair, two girls down. Yeah that one." Roy looked at her, his eyes begging her to stop.

"Also," she said, "we all know it was you who shit on the floor during gym class. Everyone did. Just some of us were decent enough human beings to spare you that guilt. Now get out of my party." He jumped off the stage, his friends no longer sticking beside him, his wife ignoring his call.

"Oh to answer your question," Kya called before he left, "I am still a dyke. And that's not going to change for any of you." She smiled, satisfied with herself. She caught a glimpse of Lin who had a look on her face that resembled a smile. She dropped the mic, marching down the stage steps with gusto when she fell backward and collided with the steps.

"Kya. Kya. Kya, wake up." Kya's eyes batted open, pushing past the pulsing sensation in her head.

"Where am I?"

"The school gym."

"Why?"

"You slipped. Hit your head pretty bad." Lin said, pushing her down when she tried to sit up.

"Wheres Tenzin?"

"Jinora got sick, he went home. He sat here with you though, for an hour."

"How long was I out?"

"Three hours."

"Three hours?!" Kya tried to sit up, but her head refused her.

"Stop moving so much, just lay on this." Lin took off her coat, bundling it up and placing it under her head.

"Where is everyone" Kya asked.

"They went home. After your speech and... trip, I guess they decided they didn't deserve to be here." Kya snorted, taking the water Lin offered her and holding the freezing ice to her head.

"That works too," Lin said, moving beside her.

"Why did you stay?" Kya asked, moving her eyes to Lin.

"I am a police officer, it wouldn't look good if I left an injured person here."

"Oh." Kya said, trying not to sound disappointed.

"But also... I wasn't done talking earlier."

"You? Lin Beifong had more to say. I'll be damned." Lin laughed slightly before taking a deep inhale.

"I'm sorry, for everything." She said, "what I did to you that night, it wasnt fair." Kya smiled  reaching her free hand to Lin's and holding her leg.

"Can I be completely honest with you?" Kya inquired.

"Of course."

"I think I over reacted, just a bit."

"Oh really?"

"Yes, now shush. I... I had feelings for you, back then." Kya admitted. She felt herself blush, and immediately regretted everything she had said.

"Kya, I know you won't forget that night and the trauma it caused you, but you shouldn't know I never meant to hurt you. I didn't go because I was scared. I made these other plans because I didn't want people to see me with you and-"

"You were embarrassed of me?"

"What? No, God no... Kya I didn't want people to see me with you and talk because I knew that if we danced, or shared a drink, I'd have to confront the part of myself that liked you, too. And if that was true then what other rumors were?" Kya looked at Lin in disbelief. All this time, all this hatred she had kept for Lin when the true enemy was fear. She pushed herself up, leaning against the wall and putting the ice next to her.

"Lin," she spoke softly," I'm sorry. You shouldn't have had to feel that way. If I pressured you or-" before she could finish, Lin's lips met hers. She was taken aback by how soft Lin's lips her. The Beifong kissed with so much emphasis and emotion Kya had to pull away for a moment.

"Lin..." she whispered, "you have no idea how many times I thought of this moment."

"I think I do," Lin replied, "I thought of it everyday for the last 20 years." Kya grinned, pressing her forhead against Lin's before wincing in pain.

"You're in pain." Lin said, pulling away.

"No I'm fine just a little headache." She winced again and Lin moved to her knees, standing up and offering her hand.

"Come on." Lin said.

"This unnecessary really Lin-"

"You can't stand, can you?" Kya shook her head.  Lin side, bending down and reaching one hand under her shoulders and the other under her hips. She pushed, taking Kya in her arms with a grunt.  Kya blushed when Lin met her gaze, doing her best to keep her head up.

"Are you going to carry me all the way back to the island?" Kya asked.

"Maybe. I was going to put you in the back seat of my satomobile."

"That works." Kya replied. Lin carried the Waterbender out of the highschool gym, Kya stifled a chuckle at the disaster her party had turned into. At least she'd missed most of it.

Kya had fallen asleep on the drive over to the docks, waking up briefly to get on the ferry before passing out again on the railing. Lin must've carried her all the way to the temple because when she finally came too, she was on the couch in her childhood home.

"Well, she might not remember that part." Kya blinked her eyes open, seeing her mother and Lin sharing tea over the coffee table.

"Good morning." Katara said, getting up and putting a hand to her daughters head.

"What time is it?"

"Six."

"In the morning?" Kya exclaimed. As if on cue Lin opened the blinds, revealing the sun as it peaked over the horizon.

"Lin caught me up, dear," Katara said, "you had a minor concussion, nothing I couldn't fix. But please take it easy okay?"

"Yeah, thanks, Mom." Kya pushed herself up, accepting the cup of tea Lin handed her.

"So, how big of a fool did I make of myself?" Kya asked, rubbing her eyes.

"Eh, I've seen worse. If they didn't remember you before, they do now." Kya sighed, taking a sip of the tea.

"Well it is what it is." She whispered. They sat in silence for a moment before Lin stood up.

"Where are you going?" Kya asked, motioning to follow her.

"Relax," Lin said, pushing her back onto the sofa, "I'm just going to bathroom."

"Oh."

"Was the whole night not enough time to catch up?" Lin asked with a raised eyebrow.

"Well no, I was passed out for most of it." Lin chuckled slightly and Kya blushed again.

"Then I'll be right back."

"Okay." Kya watched her go with a longing look in her eye. She looked back to her mother who shook her head with a dumb grin.

"Oh stop." Kya scolded.

"I didn't say anything."

"You didn't have to."

"She stayed awake the whole night you know." Katara said.

"That doesn't mean anything."

"Whatever you say, dear." Kya pursed her lips, looking back in the direction Lin had disappeared to.

Well shit.

Time travels back to the start by SONid6699

Leipzig, Germany, 2016

"Underoos"

Suddenly a figure in cladded in red and blue leaped out of nowhere and stole Captain's shield, and landed in the most superhero pose ever.

"Hey everyone!!!"

"Nice job kid."

"Thanks well I could have stuck the landing a little better it's just a new suit"

Everyone was looking at the red cladded person "Underoos" as Tony had called him with curiosity and annoyance but the look on Tony's 'I am so done with it' face made him backtrack his statement.

"What it's nothing just a new suit. What. It's nothing Mr. Stark it's perfect thank you"

"Yeah don't really need to start a conversation"

"Cap-Captain big-"

Suddenly his spider sense tingled. Well tingled is a small word, it felt like his senses went overdrive. As if they were screaming at him for an upcoming threat.

Stopping his ramble mid way he observed the airport. The need to find what triggered his senses at such a level was vital. He found nothing.

"Underoos. What are you doing there's nothing over there. Roger is here in the front." Now Tony was getting annoyed and for the tenth time he questioned himself that whether he did the right thing or not by bringing a kid to this fight.

"Something is happening!!!"

"What do you mean something is happening ki-"

"Mr. Stark? I don't feel so good…. "

The tremble and fear in his voice settled a suffocating silence over the airport. All the avengers and non-avengers were trying to identify the actions behind those words but no avail.

Tony definitely did not like where this was going. Somehow he had a bad feeling about it in his gut. "Kid are you alright?" he asked in surprisingly calm voice.

"I don't know… I don't know whats happening…."

Terror invaded in everyone's heart as suddenly the kid fell on his knees the shield long forgotten fell on the ground with a clank. The scream that came next was terrifying.

"aaaahhhh… Aaaaahhhhh……… ItIt….. It… Hu…..hurts!!!!"

By this time even Sam, Barnes, Wanda and Clint had came out of wherever they were hidden to watch the commotion.

"Roos you have to tell us what's going on."

Whatever Mr. Stark was saying fell deaf to Peter's ears. He was terrified. He thought he knew what pain was but this was offwordly. He can't help the scream that escaped his lips. "aaagghh… He..help...it hu.. Hur-"

Silence. Pin drop silence covered the airport for the second time this day. Everyone's face displayed all the emotions. Sympathy, horror, astonishment, pained, terrified…….. No one knew what to say as the kid's body disintegrated into dust. Tha dust that had now flew away with the wind.

Natasha broke the silence "What the fuck!!!!"

Steve collected his composure "Tony I know we aren't on good terms but…But for the sake of God please tell us it was one of the kids trick or your plan to stop us. That the kid disintegrating into fucking dust was all planned."

Tony didn't know what to say. He can't even believe what had happened." Cap do I look like i know what's going on." He was angry know. He knew that he was desperate to stop them and take them into custody but he wasn't that inhuman that he would willing allow a kid to suffer from… Whatever just happened. "And I… don't know ok!!!! As far as I am aware this ain't in his skill set!!!!!"

"Tony I.. Didn't mean it like that. Listen-"

"Can you both fight later and discuss what the hell happened!!" Rhodey cut both of them.

Sam knew he will be seeing weird things once he joined cap but this was on another level. "Guy's listen-"

He abruptly stopped as suddenly the ash that once had fallen started integrating again taking the form of a human body. The kid's body he realized. The formation was as scary as the disintegration.

Looks like he wasn't the only one paying attention as everyone held thier weapons against…… Whatever the hell they are going to face.

¤¤¤¤¤¤

He falls on the ground, pain tearing through every cell, every atom of his body. He can still feel the pain of being torn from its neighbour and sent drifting out into space. He could still feel the pain of his atom binding together, again, and it hurt but the pain was receding. That was good he thought. He was still coughing, body still shaking, weakened due to his unplannes excursion. He was vaguely aware of being held at gun point.

"Ow" he rasped. "I am not a threat. Please…… Not a terrorist. Lower the weapons….. Please……The trial is complete I am innocent. Mysterio and Beck…… Everything was a fucking lie…. ''

Silence laid heavily on surroundings. Not even a whisper disturbing the air.

Odd. Nothing had been this overwhelmingly quiet since he’d been bit by the spider; he could always hear, see, or at least smell something. It was a bit disconcerting, though not entirely unwelcome. Sometimes he really missed having normal senses. The last time this happened was his fucking trial. Being on trial with a shock that disabled his powers was something he didnot want happening. again.

Cutting himself off from that train of thought, Peter realized he should probably try and figure out what the hell was going on and why he was he was experiencing the pain of atoms binding together again rather than be at Ned's funeral. Which he can finally go now since his name was cleared. Realizing his mind was getting off track again, Peter squinted open his eyes.

Get back on track, Parker. He reprimanded himself.

What he was met with when he eventually cracked open his eyes, however, was a dim, shimmering wall of scarlet red (which was not on the list of what he was expecting to see but it wasn’t a bad thing, either). He carefully peeled his eyes fully open, ready to slam them shut again in case the authorities didn't get the memo that he was not a terrorist.

Everything slowly came into focus, and he rapidly sat up, turning in a full circle. "What-" he breathed out. The red dissipated into whisps, and he was face to face with people who had been either dead or who had abandoned him since the funeral.

The Scarlet Witch stared him in the face, eyes returning to a normal murky brown rather than a vibrant red. Peter realized that she had trapped him in what could be described as a... bubble? with her powers so he wasn't disturbed as he regained his senses.

And as Peter spun around yet again, breathing picking up in panicked breaths, he recognized his surroundings.

Around him were the Avengers, every one of them.

He was back at the airport battle in Leipzig.

¤¤¤¤¤¤

Peter's eyes locked on Mr. Stark's, chest heaving, and he immediately thought back to the last time he'd seen the man. Alive.

We won. You did it sir. We won Tony.

Mr. Stark looked confused, eyes raking over Peter's form, clad in a red and black suit with a metallic silver spider sprawled in the middle of his chest.

"Peter?" the man asked, taking a step towards the boy, and that was all he needed to bolt away from everyone. Well in the centre as everyone seemed to be circling him. The reason unknown.

It took him a couple of minutes to arrive at the conclusion that Beck was alive. It was all his game. His fucking plan to fuck with him even more when everything was finally going to be as normal as possible. But no!!! His Peter Tingle™ had to betray him again.

Fury and rage filled him as he spoke. "What the fuck Beck. How can you be so cruel. Wasn't london enough. Want to fuck with me and my mind even more. With what the battle of airport. THIS TIME YOU CAN'T FOOL. I WON'T LET YOU. I DEFEATED YOU ONCE BEFORE. AND I WILL IN EVERY HELL DO IT AGAIN. THIS TIME I WON'T FALL IN YOUR ILLUSIONS YOU ASSHOLE"

By the time he was finished he was breathing heavily. His mind wandered to that one question again and again. How did Beck and his crew got the airport's battle. There was no footage in public media and after London he himself strengthened Stark Industries server.

"Underoos, what-" Mr. Stark said, cutting himself off as he took in the sight of Peter again.

Black and red metallic suit. Eyes filled with rage and fury. But their was hollowness in them like the kid had gone through hell. And London? Beck? Mysterio? Illusions?

"Kid I-"

"Stop!!!!!"

Peter said. No roared. Tony definitely never thought he could piss someone this much in such a short time.

"This is ridiculous" Peter yells ignoring all the looks he was getting. Ignoring the was his heart shattered upon seeing Beck using Mr. Stark's face, again to lure him into his trap.

"Peter it's me Ton-"

"Tony Stark is dead. Has been dead for a fucking whole year. Today is his death anniversary." Peter yells the illusion freezes. "I mourned him. For a whole fucking year. I went to his mother fucking funeral. I met his daughter. Do you really think I am that gullible!"

All the illusions looks confused froze In their spot. Mr. Stark no the illusion rasped "What!"

Peter turns his eyes stinging with tears, pain, exhaustion, rage. He just wanted this to end for good and for forever.

"You want a battle let's have one. And this time do not forget that you can't fool me into thinking you are dead. This time I myself will depart you to Raft."

With that he launched in attack webbing fake-Tony's hands and body to floor along with fake-cap. Disabling fake-Sam's wing and weaving him and Barnes together in a cacoon. He was fast like a shadow.

Suddenly he dodged the cars that fake-Wanda was throwing his way. Immediately webbing her hands up with the strongest webbing he had to disable her hand. This way she won't be able to to conjure magic. All the while dodging repulsor blasts from Fake-Colonel.

Again he dodged the punch fake-T'challa was gonna give and weaved him, fake-Clint and fake-Colonel similar to fake-Sam and fake-Barnes.

What he wasn't prepared was the blast from infinity stone and the sparring from Fake-Natasha.

After dodging and attacking what felt lIke eternity he was defeated. Fake-Natasha had won. But how? He didn't knew Beck's crew had such a skilled fighter. How the Blasts from fake-infinity stone seemed real. His body was aching. He wanted to rest. And he will after he capture Beck.

He tried getting out of her and Fake-Vision's hold but "You can't get out my Peter. Not until you tell us what the you did… You are doing. I thought you were on Stark's side against Cap? And who is Beck? What illusions are you talking about?" Fake-Natasha threatened very…… calmly.

"You of all people know Beck what you are doing" Peter choked. But his mind was just getting confused. The last Beck himself accepted that it was all an illusion. Had he changed tactics?

"Kid! Roos what are talking about? This is real everything is real. Their are no illusions kid." fake-Tony said.

By this time Peter had long given up on fighting instead he was waiting for the families Peter Tingle to tingle. To sense where drones could be. But his senses….. Were calmed. As if he wasn't in middle of illusions and drones. It was wrong. This was feeling real. Too much real.

"Pete-"

"Tell me a thing only my Mr. Stark would know. Something only between the two of us." He cut off fake-tony.

Tony was shocked seeing the kid's composure. The happy, bubby, nervous, like a lost puppy was gone. Instead in front of him was a kis who had suffered too much for his age. He thought of a thing only the kid and he would know."In your room you said 'If bad things happen. And you don't stop even if you have the ability then they happen because of you."

Peter's body went limp. No….. This can't happen. I know time travel is real but…… This can't happen……. Wait….. If I am back this means Mr. Stark isn't dead. He is alive and healthy.

"Mr. Stark????" He whispered. He was scared. What he isn't the real Mr. Stark. What if all this is just a dream just his imagination.

Even Natasha loosened her hold hearing the kid's scared and confused voice.

Peter immediately got out of Natasha's hold. And ran to where Mr. Stark was webbed up. He tore through the web using his super strength and hugged his Mr. Stark with all his force.

OK this wasn't what Tony expected. This kid was hugging him. Just a moment earlier he was fighting all of them and had almost defeated them and now he was hugging with such a force that he thought he might break his ribs.

"Kid-ouch easy" the hold loosened.

"You-you are alive"

Updated periodically on ao3. 4 chapters updated as of 13.5.21

To Me (Rafe x Reader)

A/N: I swear this is like the millionth Rafe request I’ve gotten lol. Tbh I love it, keep them Rafe requests coming. Btw the song recommended by anon was amazing! I totally recommend all of you listen to it. Also, I’m not really sure if I portrayed Rafe very well, but oh well. I still like this fic.

Pairing: Rafe x Reader

Word count: 4,076

Request: A Rafe fic where him and the reader dated for a while and broke up because his attitude got overbearing and they run into each other at a party or something? And like he can’t take his eyes off her. I’ve been listening to the song “To Me” by Alina Baraz and it put that kind of imagery in my head

Summary: After two months of hiding away from everybody (and kind of regretting the fact that you ended your last relationship), your best friend manages to pull you out of bed and take you to a party. However, you obviously run into your ex. And from there things only seemed to escalate. 

Warnings: Swearing, underage drinking, a bit of angst (if you squint your eyes), mentions of drug use.

TO ME

It’s been a while since you heard from me

I stay alone

Protect my energies

Found a little love

Lost my sanity

(Can we do it over?)

And then one day it just came to me

(Can we do it over?)

Camille walked into your room, scrunching up her nose. She saw you under your covers, scrunched up in a ball, unmoving. 

“It stinks in here,” she remarked. You stuck your head out from under your duvet and looked at her as she began to pick up the trash around your room (mostly chocolate wrappers, empty ice cream tubs, and tissues) and tidy up. “How long has it been since you last went out?”

You sighed. “Twenty minutes. I need to go to the kitchen for some food.”

Camille gave you a hard look as if you signal that your answer was not exactly what he was looking for. “I mean, how long has it been since you left your house?”

You tried to think if you had even left your house recently, but came up empty-handed. “I guess… since the breakup, yeah.”

Camille groaned. “Oh, God. Are you serious?”

You tried to glare at her, but ultimately knew she was right. You had no excuses for being cooped up in your room anymore. 

“Look,” she began, taking a seat next to you on the bed. “I know you loved him. And I know you miss him. But it’s been two months already. And, let’s be honest, towards the end he was being a bit overbearing.”

You gave her a soft smile, thankful she hadn’t even mentioned his name. 

She was right. Your best friend was always right. 

You sighed and told her so, smiling as she did the same. 

“Okay, so now that you have decided to be a normal human again,” you made an offended noise at this, “Will you please go to a party with me?”

Your eyes widened. “What about baby steps? This would be my first time going out again! I can’t just immediately jump into partying!”

Camille gave you her famous puppy eyes. “Please,” she begged, “Austin is going to be there and we were flirting earlier today. Just do this for me!”

You sighed. “Wouldn’t people find it weird if I just start partying around again, like old times? It’s almost as if I didn’t even grief over the end of my year-long relationship.”

You put an emphasis on the last words of your statement to make your point, but Camille quickly disregarded this. 

“Trust me,” she assured, “Nobody will think that because he began to party two days after you guys had called it off.”

“What?” you screeched. Hearing this information pained you. “Really?”

Camille nodded sadly. But then she beamed at you. “But, now you can show up looking super hot and be like ‘Him? Pfff.’ So, maybe this is better!”

You laughed at your friend’s antics to cheer you up. She had managed to convince you (once again) about something you weren’t sure about. This was exactly the dynamic that had always been part of your friendship. 

You pretended to groan, although you were actually excited to go out and see your friends again, and said, “Fine. I’ll go. But I’m only doing this because you begged me to.”

Camille shrieked in joy. “Yes, yes, yes! Okay, now hop in the shower because I wasn’t lying when I said that you stink.”

Standing up and moving towards your bathroom, you threw a snarky remark at her over your shoulder before asking her to pick out an outfit for you. With that, you jumped into the steaming water. 

I'm not asking for too much

I'm asking the wrong motherfucker

Just 'cause we're in love

Doesn't mean that we're right for each other

Can't keep makin' a home out of you

Just 'cause you're asking me to

I'm not asking for too much

(Can we do it over?)

Once you began to wash yourself off, you began to imagine possible scenarios of what might go done during the party. The one that scared you the most was running into him. 

To be honest, the relationship had been amazing. At first, you and him were so completely infatuated with each other. You guys were having sex (which was amazing), going on dates all the time, being honest with each other, everything. But then, he turned eighteen. And his dad began to bug him about joining his business.

He began to push you away. he was stressed and all you wanted to do was help him and love him and show him that he was doing fine and that it was okay. But he didn’t want that. He began to do drugs - not weed, but harder stuff. Stuff that scared you and made him act out of place all the time. Stuff that made you afraid of him. 

But then, every time he was sober he would make it better again, and promise that he would never do that again and that it had been the last time. However, next time always came around and the cycle repeated himself.

In an attempt to take his stress out on other things that weren’t drugs, he began to pick fights with the kids from the Cut. You had begged him to leave them alone. To stop going around and punching them. He just wouldn’t listen.

And then came the screaming. He would scream and scream and scream at you for hours on end. And you took it. You thought that the screaming was better than him taking all of those drugs and punching all of those kids. You thought that the screaming was better than him driving around on his motorcycle, pissed off at everything, and risking the chance of having an accident. 

In public, both of you put up a facade of the perfect couple. He was trying to make his dad proud by having a stable relationship. He was trying to prove that if he was mature enough for a stable relationship he was mature enough to help out with the business. And all you wanted to do was see him happy, so you kept the facade on in front of everyone. 

Your friends would all compliment you on the amazing boyfriend you had. But when you finally had the courage to tell them what was truly going on behind closed doors they urged you to escape. But they didn’t understand. Couldn’t they see you loved him? Couldn’t they see that he just needed your help?

However, they would turn these questions on you. 

“Can’t you see that loving him is hurting you? Helping him is hurting you, Y/N!”

You wouldn’t listen. All you wanted - no, all you needed - was him. And you had him. And since he wanted more than only you, you were helping him in every way possible to achieve that. 

Five months after he had turned eighteen, however, he did something that made you change your perspective on your relationship. This screaming match, in particular, had begun just like any other. 

He was drunk and high off his ass, and you were begging him that this was the last time he would do this. He began to scream out that this kept him grounded, getting high made him feel normal and better and amazing. He said that being high made him feel better than you had ever made him feel. As you began to cry, he kept throwing out words that felt like punches to your gut. And then he finally said it. The one thing that had scarred you in your past, and he was using it to get at you. 

“Maybe you were the reason your mother left you.”

After that, he walked out of your room, leaving you on the floor, chocking on your sobs.You had called Camille over, and as she rocked you back and forth you came up with a decision. This was the last time. This was the last time Rafe was going to use you as he had in the past three months.

The following day you went to the Cameron residence. Rafe met you at the door, and when he leaned down to give you a hug, you stepped back. 

Rafe frowned. Normally, you wouldn’t even expect an apology for what he had done and hugged him back.

“We need to talk,” you told him.

He nodded. “Okay. What about?”

You sighed through your nostrils, closing your eyes for a small second. “About last night.”

Rafe’s frown deepened. You had never wanted to talk about his episodes before. You had always ignored them and moved on. You had ever since he had shut you down the first time you had brought them up. 

Tears were prickling your eyes because you still loved him after everything he had done. But you had realized that you loved yourself more. 

“I can’t keep doing this, Rafe,” you spoke out, your voice breaky. “I can’t keep helping you and ignoring the pain that it brings me.”

Rafe shook his head, not believing that this was happening. “No, don’t say that.”

“How do you want me not to say that?” you belted out. “I’ve been exerting myself every day and every night to help you through all of your issues. And I’ve had to go through your screaming at me and taking drugs and making me worry. And I’m done.”

Rafe kept on shaking his head, tears falling down his cheeks. “No, baby, please. I love you. I’ll change, I promise.”

You scoffed. “That’s what you always say.”

“But I do. I love you. And I know I can change. Just give me a chance.”

You shook your head and sighed. The tears that had fallen down your cheek were now trailing down your neck. Rafe moved forward to wipe them, but you stepped back. “I know, Rafe. I love you too, but that doesn’t mean we’re made for each other.”

Rafe remained quiet, the hand that had attempted to reach out to you still extended in the air. 

“And even if I love you, Rafe, I need to protect myself. You’ve brought me a lot of pain.”

Rafe tried to make things better. “Y/N, baby, I swear I’ll make it better. I’ll get off the coke and I’ll talk things out with my dad.”

You just shook your head. “I’m sorry.”

You turned away, your back facing everything you had once wanted. 

“So that’s it?” he called out, desperately wanting you to look at him again. “Everything we went through down the drain.”

You continued to walk away. 

Here's to

Good people, good nights

Good highs, good health

Some tears, some stress

But I count my blessings

Here's to

Good music, great sex

Little time to feel alive

Little time to get it right

You hopped out of the shower and dried yourself off. 

Camille had picked an outfit that was perfect. It made you look great and it was really comfortable. 

You let your mind drift off as she did your hair and makeup. You didn’t really mind whatever she did. 

You both hopped into the car, Camille behind the wheel and you in the passenger’s seat. You placed your bag at your feet and stuffed a vodka bottle inside. Once you stopped at the house where the party was already in full swing, you gave Camille the bag and she passed you the keys. You were not about to get drunk when still grieving from a breakup. 

Walking in, you scanned the room. The couches were all covered in bedsheets and pushed into the walls. The porch was littered with drunk teenagers, some talking, some dancing, some throwing up and some grinding on each other. 

Camille grabbed onto your hand and pulled you through the house. You finally ended in the kitchen where your other friends stood. 

“Y/N,” Abigail screamed when she saw you. Ruby and Annabeth turned towards you, hugging you tightly. “We thought it would be another month before we saw you!”

You laughed and joked around with them. “No, Camille managed to pull me out of bed. But I’m glad I came. I’ve missed you, guys!”

With that, shots were poured from the vodka that was in your bag into four glasses, which they all drank quickly, begging you to join them. You simply denied their advances and stated that you were going to rive them home. This shut them up (you knew they always went to parties with no drives back to their places, so you knew this would keep them quiet).

After two more shot rounds your friends dragged you to the dance floor, where music was playing loudly and made your heart thump with its rhythm. 

You felt eyes upon you but tried to shake that feeling off. Not being able to do so, you looked around for who might be looking at you but didn't realize who it could be. 

Rafe had turned away from you when he had noticed your search. He hadn’t been able to take his eyes off of you. 

He thought you looked amazing, and his heart clenched at not being able to wrap his arm around your waist. 

The break up had been hard on him. But he was determined to keep the promise he had made you. He had stopped doing coke the day you walked away. He had talked to his father the day you had walked away. And he had headed out to parties he didn’t want to go to in hopes of bumping into you. 

He wanted to be better for you. He didn’t want to be the source of your pain as you had stated he had been. He didn’t want to be damaging you more than helping you. But that had been exactly what he had done. He had broken you down and hurt you more than he wanted to admit. 

You looked better without him. He knew that for sure. There was a smile on your face as you jokingly threw it back on Camille - a smile that hadn’t been there with him for the last months of the relationship. A smile that he hadn’t witnessed in moths. A smile that lit up the room where you were standing, with a loght so blinding that it made his heart clench. 

How could he have let himself go as far as he did? As far as to push you away from him?

Rafe stood from the couch, his desire to be closer to you consuming him. However, he stepped further away from you towards a spot on the porch that was empty. A spot where he could think in peace and fall into his own self-pity. 

You, on the other hand, hadn´t even thought of Rafe. You were so busy dancing and having fun with your friends that there was nothing else in your mind at the moment. 

Camille had left you with Ruby, Annabeth, and Abigail as she had gone off into a room with Austin, but they were slowly branching off from you as they searched for their preys of the night. Deciding not to get involved with any boys (you did not want to have a rebound), you headed towards the kitchen to get a cup of water. Then, you turned towards the porch, where it would be less stuffy and easier to breathe.

Walking out, you tried to find a spot that was empty or kind of isolated. After two full circles around the porch you decided to stop next to a guy that seemed familiar to you, but you couldn’t recognize because his back was all you could see. However, looking down at his polo shirt you knew exactly who was in front of you. Rafe. 

You tried to silently walk by him, but just as you placed your foot down to walk away, he sighed and turned towards you. His eyes widened to almost twice their size, and you were sure your eyes looked the same. 

“Um, h-hey,” you spoke out, trying to be polite. You cleared your throat, as it suddenly felt even dryer than it was back inside while you were dancing. 

“Hey,” Rafe said softly, not believing that you were actually talking to him. He nervously put his hands in his pockets (a habit you knew all too well) before asking, “How are you?”

You stepped closer to the railing and brought your cup up to your lips. Then you placed your arms on top of the railing of the porch and looked out towards the water that surrounded the house. 

“I’m good,” you answered, lying. In all honesty, your heart was racing in your chest and your hands were so sweaty you could feel the cup you held slipping from your hands. “What about you?”

“Oh, I’m good, I guess,” he spoke out. He wasn’t expecting you to stand next to him at all. In fact, he was almost certain that you were going to try to escape from him as soon as he responded to your greeting. 

You both fell silent, not really knowing what to say. When had your relationship turned you into this? Into strangers?

Before, even when things were bad, there would always be some form of communication flowing between both of you. Wether it was a soft whisper, small talk, screams, or moans, you were never quiet around each other. So, feeling awkward and wanting you to know how much he had improved recently, Rafe said, “Um, I wanted you to know that I stopped dealing coke. And doing it, as well.”

You turned towards the blond you knew so well. A smile adorned your lips as you felt proud of him. “Really? When did that happen?”

Rafe felt weird talking about this around you. Wiping his hands on his pants, the only reason he could think as to why he had stopped was you.

“The day after we broke up.”

Silence fell over you once again before you said, “I’m proud of you. And happy for you.”

Rafe nodded, looking down at his hands. His thumbs were twidling around each other. Next to him, your fingers gripped onto your cup, as to avoid any fidgeting. 

“Thanks,” the green-eyed boy said truthfully. “I also spoke to my dad.”

You almost gasped in surprise. “When? How did it go?”

Rafe turned towards you and was surprised to find that you were already looking at him. He stared into your eyes, getting lost in their depths, and turned forward once again. 

“The same day I stopped doing coke. And it went well - or as well as it could go. But we dealt with everything that had to be dealt with.”

Now your smile was consuming your features. You were afraid to do so, but you softly took his hand in yours and gave it a light squeeze. Then you let him go. 

“I told you things would get better if you spoke to him.”

Rafe nodded. He always knew that you were right, but his fear had kept him from doing all of those things you used to beg him to do. But then, after his biggest fear came true (which was losing you), he pushed his temors aside. He would do anything to make you happy, even if you were not with him. 

Clearing his throat, Rafe said, “So, what’s going on with you? How’s life?”

You knew you had to lie. You were not about to admit that you had spent two months locked in your room because of the fear of seeing him. You tried to rake your brain as to think about what to say. 

“I haven’t been up to much, honestly,” you began. That wasn’t a lie. “I’ve mainly been hanging with the girls and just going to the beach and stuff.”

That was a lie. But he didn't need to know that. Instead, you asked him, “What about you? I’ve heard you’ve turned into a party boy.”

Rafe laughed, noticing the teasing tone of your voice. 

“Ugh, please don’t remind me. Most of them sucked.”

You furrowed your brows. You had thought he had been going to parties to have fun, but it seemed as if that hadn’t happened. 

“Why did you keep going to them if they sucked?”

Rafe breathed in and held the air inside his chest. This was the opportunity to steer yur conversation towards your relationship. 

“I was hoping I would run into you,” he admitted. Rafe was afraid to see your reaction so he turned away from you. Instead, you whipped around towards him, trying to see if there was sincerity behind his eyes. 

“Oh,” you replied bluntly and stupidly. You cleared your throat and stood a little straighter, akward again. 

Rafe sighed before deciding that this was probably going to be his only chance to truly speak to you. And he was sure if this conversation ended, he would never get a chance like this one again. 

“Look, Y/N,” he began. “I kept my promise. The one I made when you were walking away. And I’m actually trying to keep it.”

He paused, taking your hand in his. You turned to him again, staring straight into his eyes. “I know I fucked up big time. And that I hurt you. But I’m trying to be better for you. Like really trying.”

You weren’t pulling away from him, but you weren’t showing any emotions either. He tok your other hand in his, standing straighter above you. 

“And I know that maybe we aren’t meant to be like you said, but when we were together it felt right. It felt good. It was amazing. And I miss that. I want that back.”

You were slighty shaking your head as tears began to gather at the corners of your eyes. 

“So I don’t really care if we are or aren’t meant to be because I want to be with you. And maybe if we grow together we will eventually be meant to be. I want to try to be meant to be with you.”

You were shocked and weren’t responding. Rafe took this as a bad sign and let go of your hands. 

“I’m sorry,” he said, taking a step back from you. “I just wanted you to know that.”

As he began to walk away you realized that this was the kind of reassurance you needed from him. He loved you enough to let you go. He loved you enough to make himself better for you. He loved you enough to be the best version of himself as possible. But now he was walking away because he thought you didn’t want him anymore. But you did.

“Rafe!” you called out. “Rafe, wait!”

Walking towards him, you wrapped your arms around him. You hugged for what felt like an eternity. The music was thumping around you and kids were making out with each other but you and Rafe felt like it was only you right now. 

“Rafe,” you said. Your hands were on his face as you pushed a little away from him, staring into his eyes. “I love you. And I’m willing to be with you if you are willing to be the best version of yourself.”

He nodded vigorously. 

“No, Rafe, listen to me before you agree,” you laughed. “I know that the best version of yourself, the one you were before you turned eighteen, is the person that is meant to be with me.”

Rafe nodded vigorously again. 

“I need you to try and find him.”

“I’m him when I’m with you.”

You smiled at him. You could see a future with this Rafe. The Rafe that was clean and that had a good relationship with his father and that was collected and calm. You knew that this didn't mean that being back together with him wasn’t going to be easy, as he would always have this part of his past, but it was definitely going to be better. It was going to be better than if it was with anyone else. 

You leaned forward and kissed him, feeling his lips respond against yours. You pulled away and smiled at the man in front of you. He was everything you wanted and more. And he was trying his best for you. And that was all that mattered. 

Shackled - Ch 12

Summary: After nearly ten years, Sam Winchester calls Miriam Bard to collect on a life debt. Unfortunately for Miriam, Sam leaves out a few important details.

WARNINGS CHANGE EACH CHAPTER, PLEASE CHECK EACH TIME. 

Warning: implied loss of family, grieving, depression, cursing, mention of emotional manipulation/mind fuckery/psychological manipulation, emotional exhaustion, depression

Word Count: 2945

Author’s Note: You made it this far; thanks for sticking with me! I can’t tell you how lovely everyone has been throughout posting this story. I’m going to hopefully start posting my next story “Walk Me Home” sometime within the next week, so if you’d like a tag, let me know. I’ll be posting the preview again tonight. Thank you all for lovely words and flailing, and here’s hoping I’ll see you again at the next story. 

Thanks to @fangirlxwritesx67​ for all the flailing. It means so much to me, I don’t have enough or proper words. @cracksinthewalls​​ , you kept me going, you kept this story going. Like. Babe. Seriously. @thoughtslikeaminefield​ , I would have no Dean stories without you, probably would not have even entered the fandom without you. This story was first and foremost for you, and it’s only right the last thanks on it be for you. 

I love you all.

Please read/heed the warnings. 18+ ONLY. 

In case you missed it:

Ch 1 | Ch 2 | Ch 3 | Ch 4 | Ch 5 | Ch 6 | Ch 7 | Ch 8 | Ch 9 | Ch 10 | Ch 11

Masterlist

Chapter 12

Miriam swam back to consciousness as gentle fingers probed her face. The pain flared once, a bright flame that consumed every cell of her body before extinguishing all at once. She gasped, her lungs unrestricted and easy, and grabbed at the closest thing she could reach. Her wrists were whole again, functional, and she sat bolt upright, her eyes wide and wild as fear shot through her gut. Strong arms, for some reason clad in a tan trench coat, supported her as her head swam crazily. 

“Miriam, I presume. I’ve got you, everything’s alright now. Dean is cured. You’re safe.” She looked into his eyes and saw the sincerity and strength there. She nodded slowly, willing her heart rate to calm. She took slow, measured breaths until the spinning stopped. 

“Miriam!” Then Sam was in the doorway, rushing over to help her up, Dean following closely behind. What with Sam and the other man already pulling Miriam to her feet, Dean stood a safe distance away, unsure of his reception. 

Miriam thought this wise of him. 

She wobbled unsteadily long enough that Sam insisted on taking her back to her room to rest. She was too wiped out to argue and gladly accepted his support. She glanced back at Dean as Sam led her from the room, and she was startled at the depth of sorrow and pain she saw there. 

Then she turned the corner with Sam and realized the pull she felt from Dean, that insatiable hunger for the darkness, was almost completely gone. 

Almost.

…

Miriam lay on the bed, staring up at the ceiling, resolutely ignoring Sam’s instructions to sleep. Though she doubted she’d have any new visits from the demon, she could feel her other nightmares waiting at the edge of her consciousness, with a few new additions from her recent misadventures with the Winchesters to add a little spice to the mix.

A soft knock on her door pulled her out of her miserable reverie, and she sat up slowly. She wasn’t in pain, the angel (Castiel, Sam had explained) had healed her completely, but she was unsteady with exhaustion and shock.

“Come in, Dean,”

He entered hesitantly, still unsure of his welcome. He’d showered, shaved, and changed into a t-shirt, sweats, and a gray bathrobe. She had to admit he looked a lot better for it. Considering how appealing she thought he’d looked before, that was saying something. 

They studied each other for a long moment, seeing each other as they really were for the first time in nearly a decade. Dean still stood tall and firm, wearing his “comfy clothes” better than most models wore a suit, but she could see the weight of the world dragging at his shoulders, staining his expression with grief and regret. 

But there was less ferocity to him now. He’d lost the feral hunger, the malevolence of his earlier presence that had drawn her in so strongly. She’d never call Dean Winchester soft, not in a thousand years, but this Dean, the real human Dean, was appealing to her in a way she hadn’t expected. Despite everything that had happened, he still exuded a sense of strength and confidence that had little to do with his appearance and more to do with a natural gravity that spoke of protection and safety rather than danger and oblivion.

Then again, she thought, maybe I can just see the light on the other side of the darkness now. Maybe that said something good for the both of them.

But it hurt, looking into that light. Looking away from the darkness without shielding herself meant admitting that life without Aaron wasn’t just possible, that it was necessary. 

She’d taken care of him for so long, leaned on him without realizing she was doing so. Now her universe was off-balance in the worst way, vertigo without promise of reprieve. Every day felt like freefall, and she hated that swooping sensation that tore through her gut whenever she opened her eyes and realized he wasn’t just one bed over.

But he was gone. And she wasn’t. 

And now she had to decide what she was going to do with those facts, because she couldn’t continue her dim, half-existence anymore, no matter how much easier it was than facing an Aaron-less life.

And right now, in this moment, that meant addressing her own personal ex-demon.

Miriam offered him a half-smile and indicated the chair by her bedside. He wavered, his jaw working as his frown deepened, but she let him have his internal debate without interruption. After a moment, he made up his mind and sat heavily in the chair, elbows resting on the arms, hands dangling over his lap. He glared down at his socked feet as if angry they weren’t supplying him with the right conversation starter.

“How are you feeling?”

He started at her question and turned incredulous eyes on her, mouth gaping.

“How am I feeling? I nearly killed you, and you’re worried about...Miriam, god, I...I…”

“I know,” she said. He dropped his face into his palms, fingers digging hard into his forehead. His hands strained, veins standing out starkly under his skin, and her heart broke for him.

Dean was a good hunter, a good brother, a good man. He’d been seized by a literal demon, and if anyone besides possession victims could understand that, maybe even forgive it, it was Miriam. And, miracle of miracles, for once she knew the right thing to do.

She arranged her pillow behind her and reclined. Then she lifted the covers, opened her arms, and cleared her throat.

“Come here.”

He looked up at her with red, confused eyes. He straightened up and opened his mouth, and she knew he was about to refuse, say something manly or defensive, or both. She beat him to the punch.

“We are both done, Dean. I’ve got nothing left. I hurt you, you hurt me, we both did horrible things. Now is not the time to make comparison lists of sins. We’ve got tomorrow to tear ourselves new ones. Answer me one question right now, and you’d damned well better tell me the truth.”

He nodded slowly, watching her with wary eyes. 

“Aren’t you tired, Dean?”

He stared hard at her, waiting for something else, maybe a rebuke or an insult, but when he realized she was finished, he sat for a moment, thinking. Then his shoulders slumped, and he scrubbed his fingers through his hair.

“Exhausted,” he finally answered. 

She nodded.

“Then take your damned robe off and get over here. And keep your hands where I can see them, sir.”

Turns out, Dean Winchester wasn’t too bad at following directions, once properly motivated. 

Dean fit into her shoulder with the perfection of a worn-out child cradled in trusted arms. As his face relaxed, Miriam thought she saw the briefest glimpse of that sweet, carefree little boy in his smiling mother’s arms. 

Something tugged loose in her chest, and she knew then she’d done the right thing by coming here, no matter the damage she’d sustained. She glanced across the room to see Aaron staring back from the mirror. A tiny smile lifted the corner of his mouth. 

“I love you,” she said. She meant so much more, and she knew Aaron understood that. 

Dean shifted in her arms, murmuring something on the edge of dozing, and his frown returned. She moved automatically to smooth her thumb over his furrowed brow, massage the anxious crease that had formed between his eyes. Still drowsing, he nuzzled closer, his freshly shaven cheek sliding over her collarbone. Unable to resist, she pressed her nose to the crown of his head, inhaling softly.

Miriam had done a few hunting jobs in the Northwest, near the coast, and she’d fallen in love with the forests there. Unbelievably tall trees, disappearing upwards until you almost fell over backwards trying to see the tops. Damp and lush, there was a green, mossy smell that hung in the air and mingled with traces of fresh earth and mist.

Dean smelled as if he’d just stepped out from under those trees. Clean, a hint of cedar, and something warm and spicy. She hesitated, a new kind of want blooming in her chest as she held him close, reveling in his solid heat. She pressed a kiss to his temple and smiled when he curled tighter into her embrace.

“Hands where I can see ‘em, missy,” he murmured, eyes still closed. His arm slid under hers until it curled protectively around her back. “Sleep, Miri. I’ve got you.”

She took a deep breath, and settled into the exhale, resting her cheek against his damp hair.

Yeah, she thought, a welcome lethargy spreading through her thoughts. You do.

…

“Sure you don’t want to rest another day or two?” Sam asked. She didn’t have to look up from her packing to know his face was lined with concern. Dean leaned in the doorway, arms crossed, pretending he didn’t want to say the exact same thing.

“Sorry, Sam, another day of rabbit food, and I might starve. Gotta get some meat before I waste away. Dean, you’re welcome to come with if you aren’t worried about ruining your girlish figure.”

Dean barked a laugh from the doorway, and Miriam straightened up in time to see him wipe the smile off his face under the heat of Sam’s stern glare. She grinned, and Dean winked.

“Gonna go pull your car around. Meet you out front?” Without waiting for an answer, Dean straightened and nodded, disappearing from view.

“You really could stay a little longer,” Sam repeated, his voice low and earnest. For the first time since she’d met him, he seemed small, diminished by worry and uncertainty. Dark circles stood out starkly under his eyes, and his entreating smile was probably the weakest she’d ever seen it.

“Sam, I-” she paused, hesitating, then closed the space between them, reached up, and pulled him into a full hug. After a moment, Sam’s good arm wrapped around her shoulders, pulling her tight against his chest as his head bent down, his nose resting on top of her head. She held him close, waiting for Sam to pull away when he was ready.

“I can’t,” she murmured into his hair. “Not right now. It’s too fresh. I need to...deal with it. Actually deal with it,” she added as he leaned back far enough to give her a sharp look. She noticed he didn’t pull completely away from their embrace, though.

“I’m going to figure some things out, I promise. Again, you strong, heroic men didn’t magically fix my issues. But maybe you gave me the push I needed to do that for myself.”

“You’re welcome back here anytime,” Sam said. He pressed a chaste kiss to her forehead and stepped back, releasing her. He gazed down at her face for a moment, and she could see he was choosing his next words carefully. 

“I’m glad you’re going to...deal with it. I get what you’re working through. Not that I’m a paragon of mental health, but I’ve been there. A couple of times. If you ever want or need to talk about everything that happened, about anything at all, you can call me.”

Miriam felt a mischievous smile stretching across her face. “Everything? Well, Sam, when you were gone, there was this one thing that Dean did in one of my nightmares that-”

“Not everything!” Sam yelped, and she laughed, feeling the ever-present knot in her chest loosen just a little more. He chuckled, shaking his head, and squeezed her hand. 

“Don’t lose my number, Miriam. I’ve...We’ve got your back.”

…

“Sure you don’t want to stay for another round of Sam’s ‘queen-wah’ salad?” Dean smirked. His green eyes sparkled in the sunlight, and she was surprised at the pleasurable twinge she felt upon receiving that smile. 

“Get your ass off my car, Winchester,” she ordered, feigning exasperation. He pushed up from the hood and opened the back door, lifting the duffel from her hands and tossing it in the back seat.

“Where ya headed?” Dean asked, sticking his hands in his pockets and rocking back on his heels. He stared at the ground between them, and she couldn’t help but smile. After all they’d been through, even after chastely sharing a bed for the last three nights, she felt awkward around him, too, though both were too stubborn to admit it aloud.

“Maybe Washington state or Oregon, check out some of the rainforests. The couple of times we had jobs over that way, walking around under all those giant trees made my issues seem pretty small. Could help me put some things in perspective. Anyway, I’ve got some time off saved up. I think I’ve earned a real vacation.”

He finally met her eyes, and the corner of his mouth turned up. He took a step closer.

“Yeah? Sounds pretty...majestic.” He dodged her blow easily, grinning. “I’m kidding. Some time off sounds pretty damn good, come to think of it. Don’t really remember what that’s like. It’s one disaster after another around here.”

“I kinda got that feeling,” Miriam said, pushing the back door shut. She stepped up to him, holding her arms open in invitation. Though he still hesitated, in the end, he relented and allowed her to pull him into a close hug that sent little flutters through her stomach. Just as she started to pull back, Dean’s arms tightened, holding her against his chest.

“We both need to take some time,” she said quietly. He nodded, turning his face inwards, pressing his lips to her temple. “We’ve got a lot of baggage to sort through and shit to deal with and other metaphors about mentally healing. Darkness to yank out by the roots and all that.”

He pulled back, his face drawn with concern. “Miriam, I need you to know. Those dreams you had, I didn’t...I could see them all whenever you came inside the trap.” His complexion darkened, and if she didn’t know better, Miriam would have thought Dean was actually blushing.

“But I didn’t send them to you. When you were outside the dungeon, outside the devil’s trap, I couldn’t do that.”

She nodded slowly, feeling some of the sunlight's warmth leeching away. She’d come to that conclusion herself, after listening to some conversations over the last couple of days between the boys and their guardian angel. 

“I know. And that’s something I’m going to have to work through. There’s darkness in me, and it really, really liked the darkness I found in you.”

They both glanced significantly down at his right arm, their eyes drawn to the dark, ugly mark, before looking up again.

“I just...wanted it to be easy, like you, the demon you, said. I was, I am so tired, and I just wanted to be done.” She could say the words now, as she couldn’t say them only days ago. 

Such a simple thing to say, she thought, and I had to nearly die to admit it.

“Awfully strong drug for any hunter,” Dean agreed, and though she hated that he knew the feeling well enough to understand, part of her was not-so-secretly glad that for the first time in months, she no longer felt alone in her pain.

“But I can work through it. And I think you can, too. I have no clue how, for either of us, but I’m willing to work on it if you are.”

He nodded slowly, and his eyes flicked to her lips for just a moment before his eyebrows raised questioningly. He looked ready to be rejected, braced for her dismissal, but for the life of her, she couldn’t think of a single decent reason to do so.

This time, the only pull she felt was Dean’s arms drawing her closer.

The kiss was soft, simple, and sweet. His hands, scarred and so gentle, slid over her jaw, threading into her hair. He tilted her face to the side, finding a better angle for both of them, and her hands found their way to his waist, tugging him further into her space. After a moment, they broke apart. Dean’s eyes were still closed as she stretched up to kiss his forehead.

“We can work on that, too,” Miriam said. Dean licked his lips, swallowed, and nodded as he straightened. They released their hold on each other reluctantly, and Miriam slid into the driver’s seat before she did something irrational like change her mind.

She cranked the car, stared out the windshield, and sighed. She had to go, needed some time and space to work through her thankfully no-longer-literal demons, but…

She really wanted to come back.

“Hey, Dean,” she said suddenly. He dropped a hand to the hood of her car, leaning down so he could see her through the open window. “You like cowboy movies?”

“Yeah, why?”

“You ever seen The Quick and the Dead?”

His face transformed from sad to wondering to glee in less than a second. “Wild West shootout, Sharon Stone at her hottest, Gene Hackman at his bad ass-est?”

Miriam giggled. “That’s not a word, but yeah. Got a copy?”

“No, but I can get one.”

She smiled, feeling warm and light down to her toes. “Give me a month or two, try to take some time off yourself. Call me when you’ve got a copy of the movie, and maybe we can have a movie night. I’ll bring the popcorn.”

The warmth of the kiss he brushed across her cheek lingered for hours.

the lodgers, part two ;

tanjirou, zenitsu, inosuke, nezuko & reader, kimetsu no yaiba. you had prepared for house guests, but nothing could have prepared you for them. part one / read on ao3.

heads up, this fic is different from others in that the reader interacts with all four characters (including nezuko), with romantic hints sprinkled in. this is because i’m conflicted on which pairing should be the “true” one, plus this way you all can enjoy your favourite pairing.

i’m not sure how many parts this series will have, but if there’s interest, i’ll do my best to write more. :^)

It begins as a regular morning. You awake, freshen up, and start on your chores. It isn’t time for breakfast just yet, so you let the demon slayers be.

It’s easy to forget you have house guests this time of day. You balance a basket of clothes on your hip and step outside, into the courtyard, to wash them. You had done laundry the day before, of course, but this bundle was for the demon slayers. Their uniforms were durable, but there was a faint odor to them that could be removed with a wash. Soap suds slip through your fingers as you wring the fabric; once you’re done, you hang them along the clothesline to dry.

Just as you’re hanging the last item, though, you hear the door to the courtyard slide open violently.

“THERE YOU ARE!” booms a voice from behind you. “THIEF!”

You swing around to see the boar-headed boy. Inosuke. He’s in the yukata from last night and his boar head is missing, revealing pretty features and intense eyes. It makes sense, you think to yourself even as he advances on you, since he must have been sleeping just moments ago.

As Inosuke closes the distance between you, seething, you hold your hands out in supplication. “Inosuke-san, I’m not a thief,” you say as calmly as you can. You’ve dealt with angry demon slayers before, but none that suspected you to have stolen something. “What did you lose? Maybe I can help you find it?”

“HAH! It’ll take more than that to fool me!” Inosuke jabs an accusatory finger at the clothesline. “Clearly! You stole my clothes!”

You stare at his finger and follow it to where his uniform hangs, fluttering in the slight breeze. Slowly, you turn back to him. “...Inosuke-san, I took those to clean and dry them. Just like I did with Tanjirou-san and Zenitsu-san’s uniforms.”

He blinks, the enraged expression on his face freezing. “You stole them...to clean them?” You purse your lips at ‘stole’ but nod. “Oh.” After a moment, he turns to the clothesline and inspects it with a frown.

You scowl, affronted. Is he not gonna apologize for wrongly accusing me of stealing? You’re quickly learning that this boy has no manners to speak of.

“Why’ve you put our uniforms on this thing anyway?” Inosuke says instead.

Does he not know what a clothesline is? Or the concept of basic hygiene? “I hung them on the clothesline so they’ll dry in the sun,” you say, before you raise an eyebrow. “How do you clean your clothes?”

Inosuke shrugs. “I just toss them in a stream then put them out over some rocks.”

It’s clear he’s not from a privileged background, as some demon slayers are. That...explains a lot. “It’s the same idea, pretty much.” You lean down to pick up the empty basket. “We should head inside. Grandmother will be finished making breakfast soon.”

He perks up at that and hurries inside the house, as if the confrontation never happened. You shake your head as you follow behind at a more sedate pace.

The morning is already off to an interesting start.

✧

Even before you slide open the door to the demon slayer’s room, you can hear Zenitsu’s anguished cries. You’re greeted by his teary, snot-filled face once you do. He’s still lying in his futon, blankets wrapped snugly around his body.

“IT HUUURTS!” he yowls to no one, fat teardrops falling down his cheeks in rivulets. “That’s it! I quit! I can’t do this anymore!”

You stare at him, stupefied. He wants to...quit being a demon slayer? Demon slayers only retire when they can’t swing a blade decently, or so you thought. You turn away before your gawking is noticed.

“Quit your whining already! I’m going deaf!” Inosuke says, yelling at the same volume as the other boy. You force yourself not to deadpan at him and instead bring in the foldable trays one by one, breakfast balanced atop them.

Tanjirou, who looked miserly when you came in, rises to his feet eagerly. His brow furrows with pain, before it smooths out moments after. “Here, let me help—”

You set the tray in your hands down carefully, ignoring his offer. “Tanjirou-san, you need to rest. Too much strenuous work will only further aggravate your injuries.” You’ve heard Grandmother say this to demon slayers so many times, it’s as if you’re reading the lines off a script.

“Right...okay...” He visibly wilts. You almost feel bad for reprimanding him. Almost.

You straighten up once you’re done. “If you need anything else, do not hesitate to inform me or Grandmother,” you say, bowing your head.

Tanjirou bows back, before he presses his hand to his injured ribs. You frown at him, displeased. He smiles apologetically. “We will. Please thank your grandmother for making us breakfast. And thank you for bringing it!”

You purse your lips before nodding and making yourself scarce. As you walk down the corridor, you marvel at these house guests. They are so...strange.

You don’t know what to make of them.

✧

You stay out of the demon slayers’ path for the rest of the day. You throw yourself into work, being excruciatingly thorough and taking your time with every chore. Grandmother takes their lunch and dinner to them, while you clean out pots and pans and wait for her to return so you can eat together.

At dinnertime, Grandmother pauses while eating, her chopsticks inches from her mouth. “Oh dear,” she says, lips pressing into a thin line. “I didn’t give the demon slayers the desert I made.”

You chew your food, making sure to swallow before you say, “It’s okay. They can have some in the morning.”

But Grandmother shakes her head. “It should be enjoyed while it’s fresh and hot,” she insists. When she moves to put her chopsticks down and stand up, you stop her with a heavy sigh.

“Alright, alright. I’ll give them the desert.” So much for keeping your distance.

You take a single tray to their room, balancing three bowls on it. The demon slayers had been loud and raucous all day, but they’re silent now. You wonder if they’re sleeping. You would leave without disturbing them, but you know Grandmother would be disappointed to see you return with the desert uneaten.

So you slide open the door with a foot, announcing yourself, “Demon slayers, I have brought you—”

Tanjirou shouts your name. “W-Wait! Don’t come in!”

He sounds so horrified, you think you walked in on them changing. But all three of the demon slayers are wearing their yukatas. They’re staring at you in shock.

You blink at them, confused.

Then you notice the girl.

She has wide, pink eyes, and she’s blinking back at you innocently. A bamboo stick is strapped between her lips. Thick, dark hair cascades down her back. All things considered, she’s really pretty. Except for the fact that she’s a demon.

The tray slips from your frozen fingers. “D-D-D—” You fall onto your behind, stammering and pointing. “Demon!”

What is going on? How did a demon manage to stumble into your home? Why haven’t the demon slayers killed it yet? Why are they just watching? Your heart is in your throat, beating furiously.

You stare at the three boys, then whip back towards the demon. “What are you doing?”

“It’s...It’s not what it looks like,” Tanjirou says weakly.

“It’s not what it—” you sputter, before growing firm. “Is that not a demon?”

“Well, yes—”

“Are you not demon slayers?”

“We...We are—”

“And is it not your duty to kill demons?”

“Technically, yes—”

“Then why aren’t you killing it?!”

Zenitsu jumps in front of the demon, his arms splayed out. At first you think he’s—very stupidly—trying to protect the rest of you. Then you realize he’s glaring at you. “How dare you! No one is killing Nezuko-chan!”

“Nezuko...chan...” You feel faint. A demon slayer...is protecting a demon...from a human. What in the world is going on? Have you fallen asleep in your dinner again, and this whole confrontation is a dream?

You turn to Inosuke, hoping that he will be the rational party at least. He isn’t even paying attention. He’s crouched, inspecting the fallen desert with a thoughtful frown.

On second thought, you shouldn’t have expected Inosuke to be the most rational out of the three of them.

Tanjirou steps forward, sweating. “It’s okay! Really!” he says. “This is my sister, Nezuko. She’s a demon, but she hasn’t eaten anyone. She’s safe, I promise!”

You stare at him. “That makes no sense,” you say slowly. “It’s a demon. All they do is eat humans!”

“I’m telling the truth,” he insists. “It’s been two years, and during that entire time, she hasn’t harmed a single human!”

You want to run out the room screaming. You want to force them to leave. You want the demon gone. Then you realize, looking around Zenitsu’s shoulder, that the demon has yet to attack. It’s just staring at you with its wide, pink eyes.

Is Tanjirou not lying?

While you try to process this information, Zenitsu coos over the demon. “Are you alright, Nezuko-chan?” he asks. “You must be so frightened! Don’t worry, no harm will come to you. Not while I’m here!”

The demon—Nezuko—turns to him. You get the feeling she has no idea what he’s saying.

You realize you’re still sitting on the floor. Slowly, you stand up, dusting yourself off. “I...I must speak with Grandmother about this,” you stammer.

“Then speak,” comes Grandmother’s voice from behind you. All of you jump at the sound, whirling towards her in surprise.

“What did I say?” Zenitsu whispers furiously to Tanjirou. “She’s a monster! A real monster!” He earns a punch in the gut from his friend. Good.

You race to her side. “Grandmother, they have a demon with them,” you explain quickly. “They’re claiming that she hasn’t...she hasn’t eaten a human since she turned.”

“I heard,” she says. “You all were quite loud.”

Tanjirou blinks. “Oh. Sorry.”

“That’s alright,” Grandmother says. Her expression remains serene. “You can continue to stay here, demon slayers. If you say that she is not a threat, then we believe you.”

Your eyes bulge. “Do we?” you hiss at Grandmother. She nods her head.

“It’s late,” she continues. “We’ll let you turn in for the night.” She turns to you. “Could you clean up the mess, dear?”

You sway on your feet, shocked by the turn of events. “S-Sure, Grandmother.”

“Thank you. Goodnight, everyone.” She leaves without another word.

Slowly, your head turns to the other occupants in the room. “I’ll...pick up the desert...” you say, your voice devoid of emotion. “I apologize...for the mess...”

Inosuke stands to his feet, licking his lips. “That desert wasn’t bad,” he says. “Tell the old lady I want it tomorrow too.”

You look at the ground. It’s spotless. He must have eaten the desert off the ground while the rest of you were talking. “...Right...”

You collect the tray and bowls, but before you can finally leave, Tanjirou stops you. “Are you...okay?” he asks, concerned. “I’m very sorry for not telling you about Nezuko earlier.”

You stare at him. It would be easier for you to parse your thoughts and feelings about the matter if he wasn’t so goddamned nice. “It’s just as Grandmother said,” you say eventually.

His pinched features clear up, and he grins. “Thank you for believing in us! I promise, no harm will come to you as long as we’re here!”

You’ve had enough of these guys. “Uh-huh. Goodnight, demon slayers...and demon.” You walk out the room on shaky legs, wondering what the hell Grandmother signed you up for. If you’re lucky, when you wake up tomorrow, this will have been a terrible, elaborate dream.

Of course, because your life is just a series of misfortunes, it’s not.

Lost in Space Part 9: Ch 5

Previous

Summary: Syco and the unnamed Space Explorer question their choices.

Lost in Space on Tumblr

Lost in Space on ao3

Shiitakee’s elbows are bent. His knees are pinned against the cold, hard metal floor. His left knee and right-hand slide towards his attacker. His back is arched. He tries getting up. He is shaking. 

On two feet, he sways back and forth. That last attack, reasonably so, did a number on him. His head must be pounding, and his vision must be blurring. To him, we must be spinning. As out of it he has become, Shiitakee still positions himself to strike. He does, but his arm is caught with one of Syco’s hands and pulled. The joint becomes dislocated when it gets elbowed by Syco’s elbow. Along with his screams are the three of us, those behind Syco that are cringing at the arm being bent the wrong way, wondering what we should do. While Saamuki and I are unsure, the other Tauvox is sure of himself when he gets in front of us. 

Still, in Syco’s grip, he knees the feeble mushroom figure and twists the arm until its other socket pops. Then, push him away. Shiitakee hits the same space pod he was rushing to escape in a moment ago and falls inside. The only part out of the ship is his legs. Syco stomps towards him, and I should have snapped out of this trance of submission, of an apologist that tries to rationalize Syco’s decisions, as soon as he started using his horns. I go before things get worse, but that blood boiling Tauvox, that second-in-command, holds me back. I look at him, and he looks down at me. I grab my crown and point my staff at him. Its flames glisten on his skin and fur, but because of the angle I am holding it, he looks menacing, which the description would still fit given any other situation. “Let me through.”

“No.”

Syco grips one of Shiiitakee’s legs and twists it. Again, Shiitakee shouts, voicing out his pain. His voice turns into a yelp when he hits face-first on the floor. 

“I won't let you through because finally, Commander Syco is back. He is a true Tauvox again.” Immediately after the little speech that revealed his purism, he was blasted away from me. His back hits the wall furthest from us. A trail of blue smoke followed him and continues to stream out of his burnt chest as he lays limp with eyes shut. 

I turn to the source. Saamuki tells me, “I heard that enough times already.”

The wrecked, hunched figure that is Shiitakee slips his gaping, bloody tongue between his bleeding teeth and back into his mouth. He must have bit it when he hit the floor. Shiitakee can barely look up to meet Syco’s eyes, much less spit. It plops to his chin. He swings. The hunched figure sort of swings with his good arm because he nearly slips. Effortlessly, Syco grabs his wrist and is about to swing him around, but I manage to grab a part of Syco’s arm right when he pulls it back. Syco does not look at me. “That is enough. No, this is beyond enough. What are you doing, Syco? Do you not see you are acting like your predecessor? You are better than him. I know you are,” I scolded him like he was a child. He most definitely is older than me. I have seen the creases. I say he is better than The Commander but frankly doubt this belief. I say the lie because I just wish he is. I want to believe in the lie because I need something good. I need to see some light in this awful, awful dark place we call the universe. 

Compared to everyone else besides the fallen Tauvox, he is a giant. Even with his ears perking up, he remains intimidating. 

“Let go of him. He has had enough. You said you trusted me. Well, now prove it.” He proves the opposite when he shoves me off of him. I fall, and Saamuki steps in. Another realization hits me. He never trusted me as much as he has said. He lied to himself, as well, because he wanted to believe he still had someone in the darkness he had created. He is the true coward here as he can not face the truth, can not look at me. I ask Saamuki to step away before having her and Shiitakee’s eyes on me when I offer to Syco, “If you want someone to fight, then fight me.”

Ignoring me by proceeding to crush Shiitakee’s wrist, I swing the staff. Its fire forms a tail as I move my weapon towards Syco. Syco catches it, and lets go of Shiitakee. Seeing Shiitakee bent forward with both of his arms dangling at his sides, I reform the staff into a sword. The blade slices into Syco’s palm. He pays no mind to the blood leaking from the cut and dripping to the back of his hand. “Are you sure you want to fight me alone? Human, currently, you stand no chance against me. Without the nanites, you will be dead, but with them, you will still fall.”

“If it means protecting the weak against people like you, I do not care.”

“Have you already forgotten that he is a spy? 

"Fine, if you want me to fight you so badly, I will give you what you want.” A fist comes at me. I deflect it with a shield. His other hand comes barreling towards me, and I reach into my pocket. The dagger’s blade flashes the sword’s light into Syco’s eyes. Blinding him, he stumbles back and rubs his eyes. While distracted, I move towards him with my shield and dagger. By the time he gets back his sight, I am seconds from lunging the blade into him. He stops it with his hand. The small weapon goes right through it. Again, he does not react to his wounds. Because of the nanites in him too, it is understandable but terrifies me because he is no longer a person. He is no longer alive. He is dead. 

My shield slams the bottom of his chin. His head falls back, but he soon regains himself when he twists and kicks. Again, my shield can defend against his attack, and yet again, I thrust the short knife towards him. This time I can pierce his gut, but my success is met with regret. I left myself completely open, so he does to me what he did to the now on one of his knees Shiitakee. I hear the joint pop and crack. I can feel it pull apart. Saamuki once again steps forward, but I bark at her to remain where she is through my cries. I can get through this. I can heal. I can feel it healing. It is a little tingle, but what happens next is much more than a little tingle. It is a sweep kick to my knee. This time I hear the bone shatter. He tries headbutting me, but I am at least able to counter it with the shield. It vibrates, and I think I heard Syco’s skull crack. The next moment, before he punches me from both sides, I jab the broad metal piece into his neck. He gasps, I avoid his sharp claws, and my sword goes right through his shoulder. 

Syco wrenches it out by stepping away from me. His chest is puffed out, and his head is straight, as straight as it could be after that. The blood from his shoulder wound reached his fingertips. With a distance between us and the dagger's handle clenched between my teeth, I shoot arrows at him. He dashes from side to side, dodging each. When he gets uncomfortably too close, I deflect his attacks with my staff. His limbs bruise as they collide with the long, metal pole. 

“Have you already forgotten how your predecessor treated you?” He tries elbowing my face. I move out of the way, drag my incapacitated leg in the process, but his claws deems that pointless. They dig deep into my face. A gash starting from my jaw to my left eye, one I am no longer able to see through until it heals, appears on my face. It not only stings, burning, but it itches as well. I have to step away. I have to get away. I do. I get a few steps until he charges towards me. Way before he can reach me, I summon a whip, and it lashes across his face, not quite mirroring how he maimed my face. Returning the favor again, I whip the whip over and over again. Some Syco can duck and swerve away from, but most hit him since he is heading towards me. At first, they simply irritated his skin. Now they have cut into it. His blood flies left and right and up and down, following the direction of the whip. 

The Tauvox is just as bloody as me. Luckily, I have been able to hold my own. Once overhead, he tries reaching for me, but the dagger slits his fingers, cutting them into two. They twitch on the ground in the corner of my eye, but Syco continues to grab me by my hair with what little stumps he had left. I am just below his eye level. For the third time, he tries headbutting. I try protecting myself with my shield, but his other hand grabs that hand and yanks it out of its socket. Syco’s grip remains on it. It hurts, and I am hurt even more when he does get to hit me with his forehead. I fall to the ground just how Shiitakee had, if not harder. My ears are ringing, and my vision is blurry. Everything and everyone around me is spinning. I feel something warm on my forehead. It is sliding down and has moved on either side of my nose to eventually drip onto my lips. Tasting it, I find out it is my blood. It should be obvious how defenseless I am. I am powerless, vulnerable, so there should be no point in continuing. Syco does not think so as he pummeled my left and right. I see my blood fly through my fading vision, and my body is helplessly tossed around. 

Saamuki can not take it anymore. I would feel the same if roles were reversed. She punches Syco square in the face with a blue flaming fist. He flies, landing next to the still unconscious second-in-command. Leaning against the wall, Syco gets up. I get up as well by leaning against Saamuki. As he stumbles towards us, Saamuki gets herself ready for round two. I do too when I fling the staff and send it ablaze. It is reborn into my sword. “You have done enough. Leave the rest to me.” 

“No, this is my fight.” She looked at me, shocked at my willingness to keep going even though it is obvious I would not be winning this fight anytime soon, and pained to see me like this. I probably look insane to her. I probably am. She did not move away, but I did. My sword, which is gripped with my regular left hand and crippled right, connects with his horns. I try pushing him back with what little might I have left, but he can move me back easily. Coming out from it is a long ear-bleeding squeak as my shoes slide against the metal floor too. I stab him in the eye with my dagger when the back of my shoe touches the tip of her ankle-length robe. 

Both of his hands work to disconnect the sharp blade from his eye socket. I thought this was the best time to try to shove the blade through his chest, but I am proven wrong because in the next second, after the sliver of time between him taking it out and me bending my elbows to propel the blade upwards, he sunk one of his horns into me. My sword clatters to the ground. I follow soon after with first my knees, then face planting. Saamuki screamed, and I heard her running past me, towards him, immediately seeking vengeance. 

I heard Syco question before I blackout, “What have I done? What have I become?”  

[Where My Twin Watches]: Full Metal Alchemist Brotherhood Episode 3

Time for more Brotherhood! When we last left off, we got the backstory on the Elric Brothers, and they were off to investigate rumors of ‘miracles’ by a priest that I don’t think is quite on the up and up, given all the oh-so-subtle “THIS IS A BAD GUY” clues in the last post-credits. But hey, I’ve been wrong before. Let’s get started!

Hmm. Same “Alchemy 101” intro from last episode, should I count the mention of “Equivalent Exchange” here if this shows up each time? I’m happy just spotting it in normal dialogue, but I’ll leave it up to you guys if I should include this mention. Urgh, seeing smiling Mama Elric is still a kick in the gut. Still don’t know some of the characters here, but looking forward to meeting them. Maybe not the Goths so much. We’re at the town! And there’s a [Radio Voice]? Is this the (corrupt) priest? Who… huh, he’s preaching about the “Sun God Leto”. This the primary religion in this setting, or just one guy who’s all “Praise the Sun!” NPC Shopkeeper is asking if the Elrics are street performers in their getups. Gotta admit, Al’s pulling off an impressive loom here, leaning on the counter. “Street performer” wouldn’t be my first guess looking at the giant fanged suit of armor. Ed in his red cloak, however… yeah, gotta side with NPC Shopkeeper here. And really Ed, what did you expect? Why would he ask if you were a carny unless he thought you might be? Oops! Watch your head, Al! Don’t break the poor guy’s radio! Well, that’s smashed. But nothing a little Alchemy can’t fix, right? [Energetic Strings] as Al preps the TC, and a crowd of curious villagers are looking on. And tada, good as new! Smug Ed is proud of- “Amazing, it’s a miracle! You’ve been touched by the Sun God, just like Father Cornello!” No no, it’s alchemy! But to their credit, the villagers come around quickly at the mention of the Elric Brothers, are pleased to meet… *sigh*. Saw that coming a mile away. Wavy-armed Al has to correct his well-meaning friends, point out the “little guy”. Who does not appreciate the running gag. Episode 03: “City of Heresy” So now that that little misunderstanding is out of the way, Ed asks the now-terrified villagers about the voice on the radio. Shopkeep and [Man 1] talk about their leader Father Cornello, who came into town with some pretty big claims, up to bringing the dead back to life. Ed says that’s something he needs to see. And here’s the priest, smiling to a huge crowd of cheering villagers as glowing roses rain from the sky. On of his miracles? And the crowd goes nuts as he catches one of them, and then a bright red glow later it’s a large crystal? Not sure what he just did, but something about that shade of red… just didn’t seem that wholesome to me. Again, trying to reserve judgement, but not getting the best impression of you right now, Father. The Brothers are watching the show, Al says that there’s no doubt it’s alchemy. But somehow he’s ignoring the Law of Equivalent Exchange? EEC: 4 Oh, I see! Normal rules would be that you can’t add mass or change organic matter into inorganic, but here he is catching a rosebud and making a great big crystal statue. And you can’t do that, unless… But that ring on his finger can’t really be a Philosopher’s Stone, could it? That’s like the end-all of this magic system. I could buy one showing up earlyish in this series, but the third episode? Let alone as a tool of a minor villain. Heck, either the Goths or the Government should have already swooped in and taken this, no sane power-block would let such an artifact remain out of their control for long. Anyways, inside the chapel a lady with striking red highlights is praying for “him” to be brought back, when Ed and Al show up. Lady, who captions have named Rose, asks if they are interested in Letoism. So she works for Cornello? Or just a religious villager? But nah, Ed says he’s not really the “religious” type. Given we’ve seen him encounter a demon who claimed to be God, I can understand his position. Rose is sorry to hear that, saying that to know God is to know hope, that through divine grace all things are possible. I’d rather not have religion get pulled into this Watch, but I can- “If you believed… I’m sure Leto would bless you and make you grow taller!” ...wow, ok then. I’m just gonna put away my heartfelt religion discussion, and just sit back and laugh at Al holding Ed back. Come on dude, she’s so sincere she’s got “Sincere” above her head! Don’t hate the messenger! Anyways, back to the topic at hand. How’s about this “bringing the dead back to life” business, does Rose believe in that as well? She does, and in the face of so much optimism Ed just pulls out a ratty notebook and starts reciting… chemical compositions… oh dear. Yeah, Rose has no idea what all this chemistry is about. Ed hunches over, talking about how the chemical composition of the human body has been calculated down to the last microgram, but still no successful human transmutations. And here Rose is saying that they can do with prayer something that modern science can’t do? Rose starts reciting scripture… and Ed holds no punches, explaining any kid could buy those ingredients down at the market for pocket change. “As it turns out humans are pretty cheap.” Hoo boy. This is turning into a proper religion v. science slugfest, isn’t it? And I really, REALLY don’t want to open up that particular can of worms on the Internet, but… Ed’s saying that Alchemists are scientists, they don’t believe in unprovable concepts like creators or gods. And heck, with the progress of science they’ve gotten the power to play gods themselves… Rose takes offense to this sheer arrogance. And Ed… brings up the myth of Icarus? Oooh, topical, isn’t it. About how someone flew too close to the sun and came crashing back down to earth. Al… Ed jumps up and asks if Father Cornello could save an arrogant scientist like him, which Rose jumps upon. *Sigh* Rose isn’t going to have a good time this episode, is she? Higher in the chapel, someone named Cray is talking to Father Cornello, saying a child and a man in a suit of armor wish to see him. Cornello is scowling out the window, says he can’t be bothered right now and to send them away. What’s the trouble, Father? But then he recognizes the Elric name, and- Oooh! Bad Father, you just swore in church! Both men are upset at realizing that the Fullmetal Alchemist (“The man in the armor?” “Dressing the part, it would seem.” Ha!) has come calling? Oh wow you guys are definitely bad, scowling and muttering about your “plans” to ominous string music. It seems Cray is leading the Elrics now, saying that they’re in luck, he can spare a moment of his time. Ed says they won’t take too much, and Cray- gun! Brother Cray has pulled a gun… and is pointing it at Al, while two guys in robes with staves block Ed. Yeah, not too worried about this, although Rose is. Cray claims that they are evil heathens come to discredit the Father, to which Ed agrees to make it quick and instantly takes down the Robes. And Armor Punch to the unfortunate Cray’s face! Father Cornello emerges from the shadows, welcoming them to the hope of their ‘sacred order’ and “apologizing for his disciples’ behavior”. Ed doesn’t buy it for a second, demanding to know how Cornello has been using Alchemy to deceive the villagers. Cornello claims that it’s the work of Leto, creating a statue in his hands as proof of something Alchemy couldn’t do. And Ed agrees, saying he didn’t get how he could just ignore the Law of Equivalent Exchange. EEC: 5 Poor Rose, looking back and forth between the increasingly irate Father Cornello and the angry Edward, who calls out Cornello’s ring as a Philosopher’s Stone. Cornello keeps claiming to be “God’s humble servant”, so Ed says he’ll just have to beat the Truth out of him. Cornello… what. Dude. Dude, NO. That is messed up. Cornello just told Rose to pick up the fallen gun. And then shoot the Fullmetal Alchemist. Thankfully Rose is shocked at that order, says she can’t do that. But Cornello says that his word is that of Leto himself, and finally opens one eye to look down on them. “Shoot him, Rose. It’s God’s will.” Bad Father, very very bad Father! Rose? Rose, honey, please put down the gun. Aw crud, and now Cornello’s bringing up the loss of her fiance, reminding her of a promise; if she had faith, he’d bring him back to life. And with that, she’s pointed the gun at… Al. Ok, that’s ok, we can work with aw damnit Al shut up! You’re the suit of armor, take the name for just a few minutes! And oh my god Ed just shut up shut up stop getting pissed that people keep mistaking your brother for you. “Person about to shoot the Fullmetal Alchemist” is not the time to insist that you’re the Fullmetal Alchemist! And aw crud, Cornello’s shocked that it’s “the short one”. You dun goofed. Ok, back to the gun. Rose is apologizing, saying she has no choice. Ed tries to convince her that Cornello’s been lying, but she’s still believing in the Father’s “miracles”. So Ed tells her to shoot, and- Al! Rose fired blindly and hit Al’s helmet! On the one hand, impressive shot if it had been intentional. On the other hand, what the hell Rose?! Rose rightfully drops the gun in shock and starts screaming, Cornello smugly says that “God Leto is pleased”. And then tells her to pick the gun back up and shoot the other as well. And then the headless suit of armor sits back up and chides Cornello for making her do enough already! Ha! Take that, fake priest! [Exciting Music] starts up as Cornello blathers about Al being an abomination, how the ‘evil’ must be purged… and pulls a switch? Gah, manticore! Manticores are a thing in this setting! Cornello says his chimera should be up to the task. Or not a manticore? In the light it looks like the front half of a lion, and the back half of a rat. Edward calmly summons a spear, further shocking Cornello at the lack of a TC. But… ooh, the chimera just sliced right through the weapon. Seems the claws are sharp enough to “tear through iron”. Maybe Al should step back? Ah, nevermind. Ed’s pants may have been shredded, but the chimera’s claws didn’t do jack against his steel automail leg. And a bite attack likewise failed against his automail arm. And the pieces finally click into place for Cornello… wait, hold on. This seems really familiar for some reason… didn’t we just go through all this two episodes ago? Yeah, we did! This is almost word for word from Ep 1! Failed attack against an automail limb, Al getting his head knocked off, bad guy smugly accusing them of breaking the “No Human Transmutation” rule… you guys were saying this was the first proper episode in the manga, right? How Brotherhood’s first episode was mostly to show off the characters, and they put all the backstory into the second? Not saying this is bad or anything, just figured I should mention it. Poor, poor Rose. You’ve had a rough day, haven’t you? And good grief Cornello shut up, stop blathering about their attempting human transmutation. I don’t know exactly why you’re evil, beyond your earlier attempts to kill these boys for getting too close to your “plans”, but you are not helping your case right now. Yup, there it is, you just insulted their arrogance for trying to bring someone dead back to life. Remind me, what was your promise to Rose? Al plaintively asks for Cornello to hand over the stone before he gets hurt. It goes over about as well as you could expect, Transmuting his cane into a good grief is that a minigun? I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, you are a terrible priest! Ed blocks the shots with Earthbending, boasting about he and God don’t get along very well, as Al swoops up Rose and gets her out of the line of fire. Or not really, because Cornello takes aim at them and starts blasting away, Rose only protected by Al’s bulk. And Ed… ha! Ignores the door and Transmutes a new one to get past the hapless disciples, and the brothers prance off down the hallway as gun-toting Father Cornello runs out and orders them to chase. Brothers are running along, but a couple of disciples have blocked off the end of the hallway, saying that’s far enough. Ed just laughs and goes full Alex Mercer on them. Disciple Group #2 are waiting in the wings… and their boss gets a Armor Boot to the face. Next! Now they’re… up in the clocktower? Al’s doing something to the bell, talking to Rose who is understandably upset. Al says that they aren’t evil. They just wanted to see their mom’s smile again. And guh guh don’t show that Thing again get it away, we already know it failed don’t show us again. Al goes on to talk about how Alchemy’s based on the Law of Equivalent Exchange- EEC: 6 -and how the price of their failed attempt was enormous, costing Ed his left leg and Al his entire body. And then Ed gave up his arm to bind Al to the armor. Now they’re on a mission, Al to restore Ed to his original body, and Ed to do likewise to Al. It won’t be easy, but it’s the path they chose. All they can do is keep moving. And here’s the sticking point, Cornello’s “promise” to Rose. And true to her optimism, she still has hope, going so far as to say that even if the Elrics failed, that doesn’t mean he will. Poor, poor Rose. Back inside, Cornello runs past a room… and then looks back in, finding Ed sitting on a desk. Cornello’s office? Ed seems confident, is he planning something? Wait, what? “Tell me what I need to know and I’ll be on my way... “ Cornello. Cornello, buddy, tell me you aren’t going to fall for that… oh my Sun God, really? You can’t seriously believe after all you’ve done that Ed will just walk away after a few questions. He’s obviously stalling for whatever Al was doing. *Sigh* Fine, whatever. What’s your deal, Cornello? Why waste time with these phony ‘miracles’ when you can ignore Equivalent Exchange? Oh? So you’re attracting disciples with your ‘miracles’, building an army of fanatics? As unimpressed as Ed is, it’s not actually the worst plan. Why do everything yourself when you can convince some schmucks to do it for you? I mean, they won’t last a second against the State Alchemists, but whatever. Although it’s still not answering the question of “why”. Why do you need an army? Why do you want to use the Philosopher’s Stone to “tear the country apart”? Heck, ignoring your stupid offering of a ‘slice’ of the country to Ed (do you really think he’d go for that?), I still want to know how you got a Philosopher’s Stone, and why someone smarter hasn’t beaten you up for it already. Alright, whatever. [evil laughter], glowing white eyes, cast in shadow. Are you done monologuing? Because it’s probably time for Al to come busting down the door or whatever. “Wait, what are you laughing about?” You, dude. You are just cartoonishly evil. You got nothing on Mr. Freeze. See, Ed’s even calling you a novice! Evil Overlord List, Cornello. Read it. Wait, what? “On”? No. YES. YES. On Switch + Microphone = Dawning Realization the Radio Transmitter was turned on, plugged into the Church Bell Transmuted into a Loudspeaker. “There were never any miracles, Rose…” Shut up Al don’t ruin this moment for me! Ok, moment slightly redeemed by the “Are you f*cking kidding me” looks on the disciples’ faces. Here I was thinking Ed was recording it maybe, delaying for Al to show up and knock his teeth out? But transmitting Cornello’s monologue over the entire town? Genius. I am standing up and applauding, I am not even kidding. Oh man, these reaction cuts are gold, NPC Shopkeeper in particular looks pissed. Even the dog is shocked! Ok, ok. Give me a second to breathe… Just give it up, Cornello. You aren’t talking your way out of this one. And stop trying to fight, Ed way outclasses you. And… ouch, your Transmutation on your damaged gun just failed, looks like it melded with your arm? A rebound, like the failed Human Transmutation? Yep, Cornello’s lost it, yelling about being the ‘chosen emissary of the Sun God Leto’. Cut to the chapel, and Hulk-Cornello just smashed through. They’re smashing the place up, Cornello still ranting about being the Fist of God (does he really believe in Leto?), to which Ed Transmutes the great big statue to give him what he asked for. And Cornello’s down, like the half-baked villain he is. Now Ed can grab the… Philosopher’s Stone? It just stopped glowing and fell to the ground before dissolving. I mean, way too early for Ed to get the Quest Item, but still. Ed’s all shocked, saying the Stone is supposed to be the perfect material. So it was fake? But then how did Cornello do all that? Speaking of, the guy is just whining and whimpering now that he apparently can’t Transmute anymore. And Ed just… lets him go, yells at him to get out of there? Dude, arrest him! Guy was brainwashing a village, tried to have you killed, and was working to take over the country (no way he would have succeeded, but still). Don’t just let him get away! But apparently he does, it’s later as the Elric Brothers are talking outside the chapel. Come on, perk up guys. Just because this was a dead end- Rose, what the hell?! Put the gun down! Didn’t you hear him, it was a fake! And whoa, accusing them of keeping it for themselves? To get their bodies back, and bring back- Oh. Huh. Apparently that’s not even a consideration. “People don’t come back from the dead, Rose. Not ever… Not ever…” So, it really is just a quest to get their bodies back? Not to bring back Mama Elric? Rose collapses, crying about how Cornello promised her, that if she was faithful a miracle would occur. Without that hope, what is she supposed to believe in now? She’s begging them, asking what to do… and the Brothers walk right by her. Dudes, not cool. Don’t just leave her like this. “I can’t tell you that. You have to figure it out. Stand up and walk. Keep moving forward. You’ve got two good legs. So use them. You’re strong enough to make your own path.” ...while I admire the intent behind the message (and is this the show that Monty Oum’s catchphrase of “Keep moving forward” came from?), I can’t help but think that this isn’t he best time. Rose has just had her world destroyed, the source of her faith uprooted, the hope of getting her fiance back shattered. She needs something a little more gentle than “suck it up”. Later that night, seems the entire village has gathered, the [angry mob yelling] for Cornello. Inside the chapel, Cornello is clutching his new metal arm and ranting about the little brat… until another voice interrupts him? Lust? The lady’s complaining that they should have just incited a rebellion, while the fat guy chews on one of the chimera’s legs, then says he’s hungry and asks to eat the old man. Lust tells Gluttony no, she doesn’t want to risk indigestion. Cornello does not appreciate being mocked, says he won't SWEET LETO WHAT THE HELL Um, so Lust apparently has Terminator 2 claws on her glove, just stabbed Cornello through the forehead. Camera pans to an ouroboros-like symbol above her bust? Anyways, Cornello dead. Lust complains about ‘Father’ not being pleased about starting from scratch- Gluttony? Gluttony, no. Gluttony NO. No eating him. Don’t you- Ok, didn’t not need to see that. Well ok! Good episode, some parts seemed a little bit repetitive, drawn from the previous two I guess? But good overall, more establishment of the Elrics and setting stuff up for future episodes. So what’s up next? Riza! Doing paperwork! Seems the Elrics travel to the Eastern Command Center and to report to Colonel Roy Mustang (name is still manly). And there they meet the Sewing Life Alchemist? Oh, so bio-alchemy’s a thing? I guess with the divide between organic and inorganic matter, with all the Earth and Waterbending we’ve seen so far time to see the other side. And will this get us details on that chimera that Cornello made? Oh hey, is that a Cerberus? Looks like a three-headed dog in a cage, captured experiment or what? Episode 04: “An Alchemist’s Anguish” “Some meetings in this life are destined only for heartbreak.”

haunted (greyscale heart)

Flystep // Marshal Harbinger AU // Very Not SFW

For @smuteczekbiczo and @technologicalnoiz because Im in way too deep with Jed/Danny. Uhh Idk, it was an excuse for angst and smut, 2.5K words.

---------

The embers hissed at the waters contact. White-grey smoke overtaking the cloying black as the flames sputtered for their last raging grasp at life, turned to thick, ashy sludge, the firefighters finally subduing the charred remains of what used to be an apartment building. So many lives upturned, so many possessions lost and lives of the unfortunates just the same, both now nothing but smoke rising into the Los Diablos sky. Yet as the rest of the team escorted a broken and defeated Pyre away from his wreckage, Marshal Harbinger’s mind was years away, back to the memories of a younger man and softer person, staring at the ashes of another ruined building.

Funny how fires were as renewing as they were destructive.

The incessant click of cameras and drone of voices indicated the arrival of reporters on the scene. The Public Privacy Law may have prevented photos of the victorious heroes and humiliated villain, but they still lapped up the images of destruction, eager to twist the loss of lives to garner whichever opinion they wanted. Jackals and ungratefuls the lot of them.  

“Marshal Harbinger, Marshal!” The voice is from one or all of them, a swell at the LDPD lines trying to break through for the newest scoop. With difficulty he tore his gaze from the slurry of smoke and charred slag to the unruly group of journalists and TV correspondents. Camera flashes blocked the faces of the crowd, not that he cared to recognize them beyond being human. His face fixed itself into less of a scowl to something more appropriate for television. After all these years, they still loved their golden flyer, conveniently forgetting that angels had always been more Harbingers than Heralds. 

He held up two fingers to silence the crowd, and almost like mind control, the clamoring stilled. “The situation has been contained, the culprit in custody.”

Despite his move to turn away, that opened up the floodgates for questions.

“Is it true Pyre is behind the recent arsons?”

 “How do you rate the work of your new team?”

“Are the Ranger’s working on preventing this from happening again?”

Harbinger started. “That’ll be all-”

“A lot of lives were lost today, would you have handled it any better back when you were Herald?” 

The question gives him pause, a jerk to his navel from the ring of his old name. Harbinger scanned the crowd, hard gaze landing on a man with warm brown hair, green eyes, and a cocky smile that was awful and familiar all at once at once; recognition like a punch to the gut. Jed. He mouthed the name he hadn’t dared say aloud on years. It couldn't possibly be an yet-  

He blinked and the ghost disappeared, leaving an eager but confused reporter in its place, recorder outstretched waiting for the answer. The man looked nothing like the longed-for haunt of his imagination. This was why he never looked at a crowd to long, he’d always see him there even after all this time. He could almost see Jed shake his head and narrow his eyes that way he did when his better moods caught Herald off guard, turning and tossing up his hand in goodbye. Funny thing about fires… The smoke must be getting to him. 

“Marshal…? Sir?” They still hung on the silence, waiting for an answer. “Would you have acted any different?”

Stern and stony as the blacked concrete behind him, Harbinger fixed the assembled with a long, impenetrable gaze. “No.” 

****

The stench of smoke followed him home, clinging to his uniform, his hair, his heart, greasy and dark; a slow and progressing cancer through his veins and the worn pieces of memories, rank and debilitating. 

Even after he stripped himself of his suit, leaving the midnight navy mesh a shedded second skin on the floor, the scent clung to him, trailing him to the shower, cold tile underfoot. When was the last time he floated? The thought crossed his mind, impassive and without true concern. Flying was in his blood, the fight to be free an inescapable part of his nature now, yet for the longest time he’d been grounded. Years now, since the first fire that still smoked from the cracks in the man he’d been. 

Daniel surveyed the person who wore his face the mirror. Harbinger had a harshness to him, lines angled like the charcoal faces in his old sketchbooks. Anger, disappointment, loss... heartbreak, scored and scarred him older than he was. He used to be scared of who he was becoming, but perhaps Harbinger had simply been in him the whole time.

A darker side, another facet, what you turn into to survive…

He has to tear his eyes away before the reflection shows the hard blue slipping into furious green. His heart twinged with an old pain, an understanding too little too late. 

Everything they had long since up in smoke. 

His hands left ashey prints on the pristine sink, he still smelled the fire on him, still ached from the scars, earned and given. Fingertips trailed to the brand of teeth on his thigh, sending a shiver down his spine. Daniel dug his nails against the scars, the pain a relieving rush to the against the deadened experience of his new normal. He felt himself twitch, and he swore under his breath, voice raw and unfamiliar from inhaling the smoke. He didn’t dare face the scowling shame in the mirror. Fuck, he needed a shower. 

Scalding water and scented soap stripped away the grime and the stench of the smoke that clung to his skin and his hair. He pressed his hands to gleaming walls, spray running rivulets down his neck and chest. It wasn't much for his mind to wander. A toothy grin, the way he'd laughed at the crown of suds, fiery eyes pulled back from those distant futures they stared to. A kiss, then another, teeth at his throat, a knee shifted between his thighs, the gasp at the cold tile at his back- 

Daniel's eyes shot open, the kiss of cold real having backed himself up against the shower wall. The flush on his skin had little to do with the hot spray and entirely with his growing hard on.

Allowing himself the gift of a few heavy-handed palms, he focused on the uncomfortable coolness of the tile to keep from slipping back in the memory, and in the shower itself. He dragged at his hardness, biting his lip to stifle the sounds despite not having anyone else in the apartment. An intrusive thought broke through, husky and amused. *Heh, floating really made this a whole lot safer.*

He cursed his memory, even as he jumped in his hand. Now he was just wasting water, giving in to the inevitable. A moan stirred from his lips, wet with steam and flushed from biting them, his hand moved in practices pulls, rough, harder than he needed to be, just to get it done and get on with his night- *Not here.* A little voice interrupted, trickling in from shadowed corners of the ceiling and the dark recesses of his mind. *You know the beds a better bet.*

“Shut it.” Harbinger growled at the ghost, though he stilled his hand regardless at the suggestion, a blunt nail across his slit that made him hiss and bite into his lower lip. He should ignore the suggestion, finish himself before the hot water ran out, not give into the cloying memories that clung to him no matter how hard he scrubbed. 

The bed it was.

While the mattress had changed, the size had not, yet the bed felt bigger sleeping in it alone. Dan laid back, tried to relax against the pillows, shut his eyes and think about anyone, anything, but Jed. His damn hair stuck uncomfortably to the back of his neck a distraction that persisted through the several uneventful minutes of heavy-handed pumps and his body’s refusal to climax. With a frustrated huff, he stared up at the ceiling. 

Empty. He was empty. Hollow, used up, unfulfilled. At least the physical need he could satisfy tonight.  

In the din his fingers fumbled for the bed stand drawer, finding the small bottle and then his toy, one used more oft than the other. He wrapped his mouth around the now-tasteless silicone needing both hands to unscrew the cap on the lube. His tongue traced the familiar nubs on the head of his toy, the semi-soft purple cock lacking all the fun textures and tastes that he'd come to enjoy with a real dick. But it didn't have to be human, it just had to get him off, and he groaned around it all the same as the first of his lube-slicked fingers teased into himself. 

He sighed around the toy, closing his eyes to enjoy the sensation. One finger wasn't nearly enough, and Dan was forced to shift to his side, spreading his legs further for the second to join. He tried and failed not to recall how this felt with a partner, the anticipation, the want for them to tease deep enough to stroke his spot and relieve him of everything but the moment they were sharing. He thought of freckles and scars, of jokes about tying him down to not float away. A third finger flexed him wide in time to his hand once more on his erection. 'Just fill me.' He whined in his mind, though no one could hear, and the embarrassment of his need flushed his cheeks as much as his cock. He removed his fingers with a further keen, loathing the return of the emptiness even as he relished what was to come, spit dripping from his lips around his toy. This'd be easier on his knees. 

It was a slow shift, reaching underneath himself to work the toy. He ground the sheets between his teeth, face framed in fallen hair, another layer to hide the subtle shame. His hand slipped, slick from the lube, forcing the tip against his prostate and just for a moment he could remember the calloused hands in perfect imprint, warm breath and that huff that always hid the laugh tingling the hair on the back of his neck.

*I like you like this Dan.*

It’s only after he groaned that Daniel realized he had mimed the words himself, not stirred them from memory. He flushed with a kind of shame. Was this where he’d fallen to? The man he’d become, empty, waiting, wanting? The toy pressed against his prostate again and chased away that line of thought. He went back to biting his sheets, reacclimating himself to the fullness, moaning unrestrained when he finally felt it slide fully into place. 

*That’s it, that’s good, fuck you're still gorgeous.* The voice in his mind crooned, urging him on. 

He wrapped his free hand back around his erection striking up an unsteady rhythm working the toy in counter to his motions. Daniel had to shift again for better access, to keep himself from sliding. His shoulders strained and hurt from the angle he made them work, groaning into the mattress as he fought for a much needed release. It wasn’t enough, and he had to work himself faster, knowing all too well he’d hurt tomorrow, but he didn’t care, in that moment the hand on his cock wasn't his own, the piece stretching him wasn’t a toy, and he was still young enough to float thanks to the heady excitement that pooled below his stomach, back when all these sensations were new. 

His breathing came in heavier gasps, muffled by the mattress as he spat out the sheets. He tilted his head, looking along his long-since scarred chest to his leaking cock and the hand pumping it. Daniel flicked a nail against his head and he then bucked his hips into his fist, surrendering himself fully to his memories. Hot hands, hotter mouths, the taste of sweat and skin and orgasm, freckles, scars, new positions, new hopes, new love. 

“I’m gunna-” He rasped, proclamation interrupted by a fresh moan. He wouldn’t last, he never did like this, burying his flushed features back in the sheets.

*Don’t hide your face, sunshine. I want to see you.*

“Jed.” He whined, loudly, and that was enough, coming across his hand and onto his sheets in the final release of a body wound far too tense. He bit his lip, holding his breath to savor every final shiver, the warm rush of post orgasm, and had he focused more he might have sworn he imagined a soft laughter slipping away as his body unwound.

As Daniel lay there spent for several long minutes, listening to the settling of his heart and evening of his breath, sweat cooling and his skin clammy, he finally realized he no longer heard the voice from his memories, the whispers of sweet nothing had faded into the silent corners in the shadowed bedroom. He grunted removing the toy, thighs trembling at the sudden emptiness and limp cock responding with a half-hearted twitch. Tired fingers fumbled for the towel to wipe himself down and with an effort he heaved his tired body through the greys of his room in search of fresh laundry.

Maybe tomorrow it’d be easier, back to the hum-drum of playing Marshal for Los Diablos, back to staring at the featureless faces that would leave or vanish or warp until they were as jaded as his was. Maybe tomorrow he’d stop being haunted by a long list of regrets and metaphorical basket full of too-little-to-late’s. 

Harbinger crawled back into his bed, shoving aside the soiled sheet, and staring up into darkness. For a moment he yearned for the rough voice, the ghostly kisses, and could almost remember what it was like to feel his heart floating when those lovely, lost, eyes settled on him and not the what-ifs over his shoulder. 

But like ash in the wind, the memory blew away, sending Daniel into a deep and blessedly dreamless sleep. 

------

A shade of a man walked through an endless forest. The black trunks around him immovable as soldiers standing at attention, heads turned towards the near-starless sky. He didn’t glance up at the inky twilight, held no lamp for light, footsteps making no sounds against the soft debris of leaves and needles that carpeted the wood.

He didn’t need a map, spoke no words, legs taking him on a familiar trail visible to no one, weaving deeper and deeper into a clearing in the center of the muted, elegiac weald. The grasses rippled with an unheard wind and the empty cage at the far edge had long since given way to nature’s reclaim.It was only here that he finally looked up, the two paired stars overhead the only bit of light casting the world into greyscale instead of pitch. His smoke-made expression was inscrutable, the line that would have served for his mouth unmoving. 

At last something seemed to confirm with him, some unknown message from the stars and the figure shook his head. He turned and paused at the edge of the clearing, for a heartbeat, or maybe an eternity, but with no sign or sound to keep him, he stepped out of the pale glow, and was swallowed up once more by the darkness.

His Muse pt 4

You thought everyone was asleep- or whatever Markus did while Carl slept. So you climbed out of the bed and crept towards the door. Would Markus be waiting outside? Making sure you didn’t escape in the middle of the night? You slowly turned the doorknob and looked up and down the hallway to make sure it was empty. You slowly walked into the hallway and started to walk down it, pausing when you heard voices coming through a slightly open door.

 Slowly walking towards it, you crouched down so you wouldn’t be blocking the light entering the room and listened to Carl and Markus speaking. “I want to give her the world Markus.” You looked into the room to see Markus partially sitting on Carl’s bed, the older man holding his hand as he spoke. “There’s somethings I can’t give her though. Things you can.”

 “I’m not sure what you mean Carl.”

 You could hear him giving a breathy laugh in return. “I think you do. I’m talking of physical love. I can love her emotionally, spiritually, I can provide for her. But even if we ignored the fact I have no feeling in my lower half Markus, you and I both know my heart can’t handle it.”

 You could hear the blood rushing in your ears, surely he wasn’t saying-? “Carl, I’m not going to- there’s so much wrong with that.” There was silence for a moment as it seemed to sink into everyone that Markus raised his voice at Carl. “I think she’s afraid of me.” His voice was soft, heartbroken. You hadn’t even realized he could sound so sad. “She wouldn’t make eye contact with me today. Not since I made the mistake of hurting her while trying to bring her back.”

 “That’s one thing about us humans. We forgive and forget.” You felt angry at his words. He was just brushing off the fact that Markus admitted to hurting and kidnapping you? His next words made your blood run cold. “I’ll make it an order if I have to. I want you to give her the physical love I can’t Markus.”

 “You don’t have to make it an order Carl. I’ll try my best, I’m just not sure she’ll go along with it.”

 You quietly jumped to your feet, scurrying back to your room and closing the door behind you as quietly as possible. You then rushed over to the bed and climbed in, curling up as tight as possible with your back to the door. This couldn’t be happening, couldn’t be real. You wanted to hit yourself. All those times you thought ‘if he were younger I’d say he was flirting’? He was flirting with you. You tightly shut your eyes and tried to calm yourself down.

 Footsteps outside your door made you shove part of the blanket over your mouth. He wasn’t going to try now was he? You could hear your heartbeat pounding as you waited to hear the door open. After what felt like much too long the footsteps continued away from the door. You sighed in relief and slowly were able to get to sleep. Nightmares of Markus rapeing you as Carl watched waking you up every few hours.

 You eventually gave up on sleep and decided a long hot bath might be enough to help you relax. As you poured the water for the bath you slowly brushed your hair, making sure to get out any tangles from the tossing and turning before pinning it up to keep it dry. You climbed in once the bath was full enough and sighed as the heat eased some of your tension. After a little bit you closed your eyes and started to fall asleep.

 You weren’t sure how long you had fallen asleep, but a gentle hand shaking your shoulder woke you up. Your eyes snapped open and seeing Markus perched on the edge of the tub made you shriek and rush to cover your breasts with your hands. He quickly stood up and held out a towel for you. “I only came in because you had run the bath an hour ago and I didn’t hear it drain. I wanted to make sure you weren’t going to drown. It’s not recommended to fall asleep in bathtubs.” You wanted to laugh at his phrasing, but relaxed slightly when you saw he was making a point to look at the ceiling to respect your privacy.

 A short laugh bubbled past your lips. “Well I’m awake now.” You curled up, pressing your knees to your chest as you looked up at him. “Uh, you can leave now? I just- kind of naked here.”

 “I’m a caretaker android y/n, you have nothing to worry about in regards to your privacy.” He hadn’t moved, just kept the towel held out waiting for you and looking at the ceiling. “I need to make sure you get out of the bathtub so you don’t fall asleep in it again.” With a sigh you climbed out of the tub and took the towel from him. He turned and walked out of the bedroom, making sure to look at the door leading to the hallway instead of you as you quickly dried off. “There are more clothes for you in the closet.”

 “Thank you Markus.” You turned to keep your back to him as you pulled one of the nightgowns over your head. Part of you squirmed at how short it was, one hand covering the low top while the other tried to pull the bottom further down. You spotted a long sheer robe and quickly pull it in, feeling sheer was at least better than nothing. You turned back to see Markus watching you with curious eyes.

 He walked over to you, placing his hands on either shoulder. Lightly rubbing up and down them. “You seem tense y/n. Would you like a massage to help you relax?”

 You quickly moved away, gasping at feeling the bed behind you. “No! No, no I’m fine. I’m-” You placed yours hands up, trying to keep yourself calm but feeling trapped. “I’m fine. I’ll be just fine, alright Markus?”

 He backed away from you, watching you with curious eyes for a moment before leaving the room and closing it behind him. You gave a sigh of relief as the door closed before slipping into bed. After a few more minutes of tossing and turning you eventually falling back to sleep.

 Once morning came you climbed out of bed and got dressed, pulling on the loose billowy shirt before wiggling into leggings. You went down the stairs, looking around for any signs of Carl being awake. You looked around the house, it felt empty. Slowly you walked into the kitchen, seeing Markus preparing breakfast. He turned at the sound of your footsteps. “Good morning y/n. I hope you slept much better.”

 “Yeah.” You tucked a stray long of hair behind your ear as you watched him chop the vegetables.

 The two of you looked up at the sound of the automated security system. “Welcome back Leo.”

 Markus looked towards the entryway and fuildly turned off the stove, moving everything out of the way before motioning for you to move. You watched him walk past you and after a moment's hesitation followed after him. Who was Leo? Who was he to make Markus look so serious and wipe all trace of a smile off his face?

 “Carl is asleep right now Leo. You can come back later to see him.” You looked around the corner to see Markus standing in front of a smaller man. He looked similar to Carl, but all similarities seemed to end with looks. You gave a small gasp at seeing him shove Markus.

 They both turned to you, Markus frowning in concern as Leo’s eyes trailed over your body. He took a step towards you, “What do we have here? A plaything for his plastic toy?” You felt angry at his words and curled your hands into fists. “What? Little kitten have some claws?” He stepped closed to you, Markus reached out to grab him but Leo shoved him back. “Come on, fight me like a man if you think you are one!” Leo reached out and grabbed your shirt, trying to pull you towards him.

 You slapped him and tried to pull yourself back at the same time, ripping the shirt in the process as you stumbled and fell back. “Don’t get any closer!” You shouted as he took a step towards you, one hand lightly touching his face. He seemed surprised you hit him back. “You heard me!” You rushed to get to your feet, one hand holding together the ripped parts of your shirt. You glanced between the two men, Markus slowly getting back up to his feet and Leo glaring at you.

 He lunged towards you, a scream came out of your mouth before you could stop yourself. He knocked you down but you kicked at him, trying to claw at him, anything to get him off. “You stupid fucking bitch!” Markus quickly pulled him off of you, pinning Leo’s arms so he couldn’t get free. “Get the fuck off me!”

 “Markus!” A yell from above the stairs made all of you freeze. “What’s going on?” He slowly put Leo back down and you slowly climbed back up to your feet.

 Markus looked between you and Leo before he completely let go of him. “Go to Carl. I’ll be fine.” You hoped it wasn’t a lie, but it didn’t seem like a good idea to have Carl worry so much. Markus quickly nodded and rushed up the stairs.

 Leo gave a short huff of a laugh, wiping blood from a scratch off his face. “So I guess the kitten does have claws.” You took the moment to get another look at him, his eyes were very bloodshot and he had bags under his eyes. His face was pinched, the too tight look of someone who wasn’t eating very well or very much. “You’re not an android, your not his plaything. So what the hell are you to my dad?”

 That felt like a punch to the gut, this fucking gremlin was Carl’s son? You felt the blood rush to your face. Would he be disappointed in you for fighting his son? “I’m his-”

 “She’s my new muse Leo.” You looked up to see Markus putting Carl in the chair lift and watched him get down the stairs. “I would appreciate it if you didn’t attack people while you visit.” You felt his gaze linger on your ripped shirt and you looked down realizing your bra and a lot of skin was visible before you pulled it shut again. You glanced over at the younger man, flinching at the look of rage on his face before looking back over to Carl. “Y/N, why don’t you be a dear and wait for me in the art room? I’ll be there in just a few minutes.”

 You took the excuse and ran for it, not looking behind you as you heard raised voices behind you. Once in the other room you gave a sigh of relief as you sat down on a barstool. A few minutes passed before Carl wheeled himself over to you and gently took your hands in his own. You gave him a shaky smile as he tucked a hair behind your ear. You felt disheveled, still kind of scared about the whole situation. “You look so beautiful right now.” He placed a kiss on your hand before backing up and rolling over to one of his easels. “Lift your chin up a bit.” You stayed like that, letting him paint you as you looked through the glass walls to the slightly gray skies. It fit your mood, overcast but not sure if it was staying or going. “We’re done for now. Let’s have some of that delicious breakfast Markus made for us.” You stood up and followed after Carl, still not sure what to say.

 Markus was setting the table when you both entered, he looked at the two of you with a soft smile. His gaze dropped down to your ripped shirt and he frowned slightly. You pulled it shut again and sat down to eat, slowly picking at your food. It felt like ash in your mouth. You wanted the day to be over already and it had barely begun.

 Markus handed you a drink, some green smoothie looking thing and you sipped at it slowly. You were aware of Carl glancing over at you but ignored it in your sudden exhaustion. You finished the green drink and your world went black.

 “Markus!” Carl reached for you and shouted at the same time. Markus already standing behind you and grabbing your shoulders before you hit the table. He looked up at his android before shaking his head and giving a grin. “You drugged her drink.”

 He nodded, picking you up with ease and adjusting your body so your head leaned against his chest. “She did not get much sleep last night and I’m sure the events with Leo had already left her exhausted. I assumed she needed rest, and this would be the best way to be sure she got it.” He frowned and tilted his head to the side as he thought it over. “Was I wrong in my assessment?”

 Carl gave a frown and tilted his head as he considered. “No. A nice nap would help her. In a little bit you can take her upstairs, she can still pose for my paintings while unconcious.”

 —

I’m loving this 😩🤤 Birooksun has outdone herself again!

On Subject X and Lea/Isa friendship. The writers should’ve done more to develop the concept. I think it’s cool that that young Isa/Lea wanted to save someone, but they don’t explore the idea for us to think that they were connected. They mentioned it BBS, a little, but afterwards? No clue. I do like your Kairi theory though.

Thanks! I really like the Kairi theory, too. I have no proof or anything, but it just feels right to me. My gut tells me that since Kairi, Lea and Isa are all from Radiant Garden, the writers wouldn’t have wasted such a perfect opportunity to draw some connections there. And it just fits the story SO much better. 

In KH3, they were clearly trying to play up the idea that Lea and Isa were super close to this girl, as if she was the third member of their trio or something. And yet, if we are to go by their own descriptions…they don’t even know her. She was a traumatized amnesiac girl they met with a handful of times in the shadows. How close could they have possibly been to her? She was NOT their group’s Kairi or Aqua. They didn’t even know her name.

But his voice was still oddly low. Running into Saïx had brought out a different side of him—and that side was a little scary.

“This just doesn’t seem like you,” said Roxas.

“What do you mean?”

Roxas found he couldn’t quite put the answer into words. What can I say…? “You don’t like things to be complicated.”

That was the best he could do. It wasn’t quite right, either…but he didn’t know how to describe this.

If it actually had been Kairi, then they were simply trying to do a selfless deed for a person they had never met, expecting nothing in return for their actions. And they failed miserably, destroying their lives in the process. We know it is very in-character for Lea to want to help “stray puppies”. Despite not getting to learn much about Isa, it fits with his character based on the Reports in KH3, and also his personality based on the Bunnymoon weapon. Also, one of Saïx’s weapons is named Artemis, who was a lunar goddess and a patron of young girl children.

The fact that they never mentioned Kairi in Days would have made far more sense than Skuld, since they were never claiming to be BFF’s with her or anything. Plus, they had their own issues to worry about at that point. They weren’t trying to take over the Organization to learn about Kairi.

It would also help explain Axel’s unconditional love and empathy for Saïx. He thinks Saïx changed from a gentle and selfless boy to the messed-up freak he is all because one fateful day, they tried to help an innocent little girl who was being used as a human guinea pig. Roxas thinks that Axel is a pretty uncomplicated guy. It’s why he and Xion found it so hilarious when Axel expressed his deeper feelings that one time under the red sunset. It felt so out-of-character to them based on the facade Axel puts on. 

The sun sank lower and lower as Axel watched, his mind wandering.

If he stared for too long, the image would burn itself into his eyes, visible even after his eyes were closed.

A phantom sun.

Someone had once told him why sunsets were red… Who was that?

But of course, that couldn’t be further from the truth. Axel is far from uncomplicated. He just keeps his true feelings close to his chest. His feelings for Isa/Saïx were incredibly complicated. I think Axel was thinking about Isa that day while he was staring into the red sunset. He was thinking that he would never see the person he loved ever again.

The person he used to be inseparable from has changed into someone totally unrecognizable to him. Someone who has forgotten all about him, long ago. But, as a small comfort, he would never have to be apart from Isa, as long as he had the memories of him. In his memory, the Isa he loved would live forever, and they would always be inseparable. And that is what put him in such a sentimental mood that day.

In KH3, Axel acts the same way he did in the Days novel. He stares into the sunset with a wistful expression on his face. And who is it that he sees at that moment? Xion. A being made from Sora’s memories of Kairi. That’s who appears, as if to comfort him and offer him hope that the heart’s connections are never truly lost. I thought Kairi and Lea’s relationship was adorable and so sweet. I just wish they had gone farther with it and included Isa, too.

“I just…want these days to last forever,” Roxas murmured, slow and pensive. “Hanging out after the job’s done, eating ice cream, watching the sunset…”

Axel peered at his profile as he did just that. The sunset’s glow touched Roxas’s face and Xion’s with warm red.

I like how the description of Roxas and Xion’s face in the novel is so similar to what we saw in KH3 with the warm sunlight on Xion. I know Axel was thinking about Isa that day. I believe he was thinking about Isa yet again in KH3. He still feels that they are inseparable. And if Isa was still in the Organization’s clutches, then he would never be free either.

“Well, nothing lasts forever,” Axel mumbled, looking off to the side again. “Least of all for a bunch of Nobodies.”

At that, both of their expressions fell.

Seriously, you two? You’re always grinning or getting bummed out…just like real live people with hearts. Axel exhaled and gathered some words. “But, you know, hanging out every day isn’t the only thing that matters. We’ll still have one another, even if that changes.”

“Really?” Roxas perked up.

“Yeah. As long as we remember one another, we’ll never be apart. Got it memorized?”

Roxas grinned. “Who are you, and what have you done with Axel?”“

Hey! I tried, okay?” All that effort to cheer them up, and they just turned it into a punch line. Chagrined, he looked away.

Xion burst into giggles, and then, as if it was contagious, Roxas started laughing, too.“Oh, c’mon, it’s not that funny!” Axel scolded.

They paused, looked at each other, and giggled again.“I don’t know why I put up with this…”

“But, I mean…it just didn’t sound like you, Axel.” Xion could barely hold in laughter long enough to get the words out.

A wish that they could always be together—was longing for the impossible. But at least they could always remember one another.

They teased him about what he said because he never talked about his true feelings. He likes to give the impression that he’s totally carefree, so as not to be too vulnerable. They genuinely had NO idea how much he was suffering over losing Isa. I’m sure they would have felt horrible for laughing at him if they had the slightest clue what he had been through.

Lea: Now that we’re going back, I’m worried about everything.

Kairi: Well, you don’t have to worry alone anymore, Axel.

And that’s exactly what Kairi offered to Lea. Someone to lean on finally. Plus, Kairi is an established character. If it had been revealed that the girl Lea and Isa wanted to rescue had been her all along, the audience would have far more reason to care. With Skuld, since she’s NOT an established character, (at least in this timeline) they really needed to shoe-horn her in by making her Lea and Isa’s supposed long-lost BFF, despite it being incredibly forced and not very convincing if you think about it for more than 5 seconds. With Kairi, that wouldn’t have been the case.

She already had a history with Lea through KH2 and Xion. She develops a bond with Lea and grows naturally closer to him over the course of the story. I also like that it would have given Kairi a much stronger narrative tie to her final battle with Saïx. The man who kidnapped her is actually a body-hijacked version of the guy who simply wanted to rescue her as a child. That’s really tragic. It’s as tragic as Riku realizing the darkness within him was a body-hijacked version of the special boy who bequeathed him the Keyblade all those years ago. Kairi’s reunion with Isa would have been so heartwarming. But just like with Riku learning about Terra, it never happened.

But yes, if they wanted anyone to actually care about this alleged friendship between Lea, Isa and Skuld, then they should have done a much better job actually incorporating it in the story. Of course, I would bet my next 5 paychecks that the reason they didn’t do this…is because they hadn’t thought of it back then. My guess would be that this idea came to fruition circa 2015. That’s when Nomura is on record saying that they were still unsure of where the series was headed in the future.

There was not a single mention of this girl in the novels. Yet there were numerous hints that something was very unique about Saïx—extremely strong suggestions that he was an unwitting vessel of Xehanort. The situation with his heart is mentioned multiple times by Xigbar, it’s brought up by Namine, and even Xion says that Saïx gives off a strange aura, like how Riku does with Xehanort’s Heartless inside of him. Yet, nary a word about anything even remotely resembling “Subject X”. Nothing.

There was a strange material that enabled one to fly through the Other Sky—Gummi blocks, fallen pieces from that meteor shower. And something about women known as the Princesses of Heart. All these immensely important shards of information began to fit together in Xehanort’s mind.

“What in the world were they talking about?” said Even, who had been trying to eavesdrop.

Xehanort ignored him and continued down the stairs to the basement laboratory. He flung open the door, and the others all turned to him at once.

“Aeleus, where is the girl?” Xehanort asked.

“She’s asleep…” Aeleus pointed to the capsule room in the back.

The girl was very particular—unique among people. They had not been able to create any Heartless using her heart. Perhaps because she was too young, or perhaps…

Xehanort disappeared into the capsule room.

But there IS a mention of Kairi in that laboratory. I like how in the credits for BBS both Lea and Isa look up at the sky, like how Kairi did when her necklace glowed. Almost as if it was to hint at their future connection.

Lea said the same lines, “Why do I always get the icky jobs,” and “I’ll always be there to bring you back,” to Xion in KH Days when he brought her back. Does he remember that?

Nomura: The nature of the being known as Xion and all memories to do with her were erased, but he would remember other things.

They obviously had a MUCH different vision for Isa’s character, even at the time that KH3D and KH2.5 came out. They were building up a far different story for his character right up until the release KH3, when they did a complete U-turn. It was incredibly jarring. The secret ending of 2.5 clearly shows Isa being taken away without his consent and the series Memorial Ultimania (released in 2014) states that he was “retrieved” after Young Xehanort was tracking him with the Recusant’s Sigil on his forehead.

The writers obviously thought that Isa was worthy of having Lea use the same words for him that he used for Roxas and Xion. Lea had a dream of Roxas telling him he made them a promise. As soon as he woke up, he went searching for someone, even putting himself at great risk by using the Door to Darkness. Well, he wasn’t looking for Roxas. Roxas was Sora’s Nobody, and Lea gave up on turning Sora back into a Nobody. That’s what his entire character arc was all about in KH2. No, he was looking for Isa.

Yet regarding KH3, here’s what Nomura said according the to the Ultimania translations from this thread:

Saïx rejoined the Organization to atone for what he did in the past. He drifted away from Axel and put Roxas through a lot because of his jealousy and displeasure, but vowed to do good for the sake of both Axel and Roxas.

I swear, the first time I read this, it put me in such a bad mood. Not only was it SO blatantly inconsistent with what we saw in the cutscenes, everything being set up by the story’s morals and themes, and everything being foreshadowed in the novels…but it also felt so…cruel and victim-blaming.

Q: Who are the thirteen researchers of darkness?

A: Thirteen seekers of darkness that share a consciousness and heart with Master Xehanort, serving as raw material for the X-Blade. In this game, they failed in their attempts to make Sora the 13th of their ranks, but who’s to become the 13th in his stead? And who are the six whose identities have not been revealed?

If Isa was indeed made a vessel as a teenager, (and it was HEAVILY implied that he was), why should he have to “atone” for anything? When someone becomes a vessel, their heart is captured by Xehanort. Or “swallowed,” to use another word used in an interview translation.

Q: I want to ask about Terranort. When Ansem SOD and Xemnas were defeated in KH1 and 2, were both Master Xehanort and Terra revived?

A: Ordinarily, Terra should have been revived at that point, but because his body was possessed by Xehanort, his heart didn’t return, and only his body did. That body was used as the vessel for the heart of Terra (from BBS) that was called from the past.

When Xemnas was defeated, Nomura said that Terra’s heart didn’t return to his body; it was still captured and in Xehanort’s clutches. If Isa was a vessel too, then there’s no reason his heart would have returned to his body, either. They can’t have it both ways. They can’t say that Terra had no free will in Xemnas’ atrocities and then say that Isa has to “atone” for what Saïx did. Does Terra have to atone for Apprentice Xehanort and Xemas’ actions? The ultimate question is… was Isa a vessel all along, or was he not? Enough waffling on this issue. Make up your damn mind.

Also the whole concept of joining the New Organization to atone is just utter brain-dead nonsense, no matter how you spin it. How is a person supposed to do anything good when they let Xehanort capture their heart, allowing him to share a consciousness with them? Shouldn’t giving up your heart have… I dunno…consequences?

When someone loses their heart, they lose the ability to feel, to care, to have empathy. Isn’t that the entire reason Axel suffered so much? From not having a heart? He forgot how to feel or experience love. It was Roxas, Xion and Sora who made him feel like he had a heart again. Indeed, they allowed him to nurture and grow a heart again. Besides, just look how Saïx acted when he had no heart! Yet here I’m being told that Saïx is going to “atone” by giving up his heart? LOL, yeah right.

Even if you hypothetically assume he was NOT a vessel, losing his heart made Saïx a sociopathic zombie. That’s supposedly why he “drifted away” from Axel, right? How is he going to do anything altruistic in that condition? Not to mention that Saïx was so utterly miserable without a heart, that I just cannot see him giving it up as soon as he got it back, under ANY circumstances (well, maybe to save Lea). There’s also another issue: the continuity being drawn between Isa and Saïx. The writers went TOTALLY out of their way to make Saïx as villainous and nasty as possible. As a die-hard Isa fan, this is sad for me to admit. But I don’t even think his actions in KH3 made him feel like he really fit in with the rest of the cast during the ending.

And then there’s the revelation that Saïx initially became Xehanort’s lapdog for Skuld. I’m sure she’d be very…touched…to find out that Isa sacrificed his morals, fought his friends and helped a madman usher in the apocalypse, all for her. Such a nice foundation for a healthy relationship. All for a girl he isn’t sure even existed. I won’t mince words. When Lea said to Isa that he thought this was “all for her” it made me want to throw up. That’s how revolting that idea was to me. The idea that “Isa” became “Saïx” for a girl.

That doesn’t even get into the whole Replica Program and what a goofball subplot that was. The Replica Program was not even finished when Vexen was eliminated. Now all of a sudden it can grant flesh-and-blood bodies, as soon as a heart is inserted? Yeah, okay. And Saïx knew all along that Vexen would be perfectly willing to come along and work on these replicas, too? And he also knew that Roxas and Xion could just jump out of Sora’s heart into the replicas? Whatever you say, game.  

And I must say: it was so ridiculous how Saïx is supposed to be “atoning” while he’s beating the shit out of Lea, or at least standing there watching Xemans do it. Why couldn’t Saïx and Vexen atone for their actions as, ya know…regular people? They could help the good guys defeat Xehanort and then worry about replicas. Though I still say Isa should have to atone for nothing.

But why join Xehanort and help him usher in the Apocalypse? Oh right. Because that was the only excuse the writers could come up with to justify Roxas and Xion coming back physically in the plot. The replicas were such a waste of screen-time in KH3. That whole subplot should have been dropped a long time ago. As far as I’m concerned, Isa’s character arc was sacrificed at the altar of shallow fanservice to bring back Roxas and Xion at the very end. They had no business coming back as separate characters from Kairi and Ventus, if that’s the best way Nomura could come up with to make it happen.

In order to bring them back, the following things had to happen in the story:

Isa’s entire character arc and redemption got turned into a sick joke.  

The whole fascinating concept of the Recusant’s Sigil needed to be thrown out, in order to give Saïx enough agency to “atone” and procure the replicas.

Vexen and Demyx have to act totally OOC, join up with Xehanort despite having no good reason to, then complain about getting “benched”. Because they had NO reason to be there other than the replicas.

The entire awesome and dark concept of the Seekers of Darkness being unwilling flesh puppets (”raw material”) had to be thrown in the trash.

It ruined the tension of Organization XIII’s search for the 13th vessel by making Vexen and Demyx “reserve” members

Replicas became a deus-ex-machina for Xehanort to use as his vessels.

Nobody could use common sense and question the obvious connection between Roxas and Ventus, stalling the search for Ventus and the 7 Guardians of Light.

His Muse pt.4

Read on AO3 (part 1) (part 2) (part 3)

You thought everyone was asleep- or whatever Markus did while Carl slept. So you climbed out of the bed and crept towards the door. Would Markus be waiting outside? Making sure you didn’t escape in the middle of the night? You slowly turned the doorknob and looked up and down the hallway to make sure it was empty. You slowly walked into the hallway and started to walk down it, pausing when you heard voices coming through a slightly open door.

Slowly walking towards it, you crouched down so you wouldn’t be blocking the light entering the room and listened to Carl and Markus speaking. “I want to give her the world Markus.” You looked into the room to see Markus partially sitting on Carl’s bed, the older man holding his hand as he spoke. “There’s somethings I can’t give her though. Things you can.”

“I’m not sure what you mean Carl.”

You could hear him giving a breathy laugh in return. “I think you do. I’m talking of physical love. I can love her emotionally, spiritually, I can provide for her. But even if we ignored the fact I have no feeling in my lower half Markus, you and I both know my heart can’t handle it.”

You could hear the blood rushing in your ears, surely he wasn’t saying-? “Carl, I’m not going to- there’s so much wrong with that.” There was silence for a moment as it seemed to sink into everyone that Markus raised his voice at Carl. “I think she’s afraid of me.” His voice was soft, heartbroken. You hadn’t even realized he could sound so sad. “She wouldn’t make eye contact with me today. Not since I made the mistake of hurting her while trying to bring her back.”

“That’s one thing about us humans. We forgive and forget.” You felt angry at his words. He was just brushing off the fact that Markus admitted to hurting and kidnapping you? His next words made your blood run cold. “I’ll make it an order if I have to. I want you to give her the physical love I can’t Markus.”

“You don’t have to make it an order Carl. I’ll try my best, I’m just not sure she’ll go along with it.”

You quietly jumped to your feet, scurrying back to your room and closing the door behind you as quietly as possible. You then rushed over to the bed and climbed in, curling up as tight as possible with your back to the door. This couldn’t be happening, couldn’t be real. You wanted to hit yourself. All those times you thought ‘if he were younger I’d say he was flirting’? He was flirting with you. You tightly shut your eyes and tried to calm yourself down.

Footsteps outside your door made you shove part of the blanket over your mouth. He wasn’t going to try now was he? You could hear your heartbeat pounding as you waited to hear the door open. After what felt like much too long the footsteps continued away from the door. You sighed in relief and slowly were able to get to sleep. Nightmares of Markus rapeing you as Carl watched waking you up every few hours.

You eventually gave up on sleep and decided a long hot bath might be enough to help you relax. As you poured the water for the bath you slowly brushed your hair, making sure to get out any tangles from the tossing and turning before pinning it up to keep it dry. You climbed in once the bath was full enough and sighed as the heat eased some of your tension. After a little bit you closed your eyes and started to fall asleep.

You weren’t sure how long you had fallen asleep, but a gentle hand shaking your shoulder woke you up. Your eyes snapped open and seeing Markus perched on the edge of the tub made you shriek and rush to cover your breasts with your hands. He quickly stood up and held out a towel for you. “I only came in because you had run the bath an hour ago and I didn’t hear it drain. I wanted to make sure you weren’t going to drown. It’s not recommended to fall asleep in bathtubs.” You wanted to laugh at his phrasing, but relaxed slightly when you saw he was making a point to look at the ceiling to respect your privacy.

A short laugh bubbled past your lips. “Well I’m awake now.” You curled up, pressing your knees to your chest as you looked up at him. “Uh, you can leave now? I just- kind of naked here.”

“I’m a caretaker android y/n, you have nothing to worry about in regards to your privacy.” He hadn’t moved, just kept the towel held out waiting for you and looking at the ceiling. “I need to make sure you get out of the bathtub so you don’t fall asleep in it again.” With a sigh you climbed out of the tub and took the towel from him. He turned and walked out of the bedroom, making sure to look at the door leading to the hallway instead of you as you quickly dried off. “There are more clothes for you in the closet.”

“Thank you Markus.” You turned to keep your back to him as you pulled one of the nightgowns over your head. Part of you squirmed at how short it was, one hand covering the low top while the other tried to pull the bottom further down. You spotted a long sheer robe and quickly pull it in, feeling sheer was at least better than nothing. You turned back to see Markus watching you with curious eyes.

He walked over to you, placing his hands on either shoulder. Lightly rubbing up and down them. “You seem tense y/n. Would you like a massage to help you relax?”

You quickly moved away, gasping at feeling the bed behind you. “No! No, no I’m fine. I’m-” You placed yours hands up, trying to keep yourself calm but feeling trapped. “I’m fine. I’ll be just fine, alright Markus?”

He backed away from you, watching you with curious eyes for a moment before leaving the room and closing it behind him. You gave a sigh of relief as the door closed before slipping into bed. After a few more minutes of tossing and turning you eventually falling back to sleep.

Once morning came you climbed out of bed and got dressed, pulling on the loose billowy shirt before wiggling into leggings. You went down the stairs, looking around for any signs of Carl being awake. You looked around the house, it felt empty. Slowly you walked into the kitchen, seeing Markus preparing breakfast. He turned at the sound of your footsteps. “Good morning y/n. I hope you slept much better.”

“Yeah.” You tucked a stray long of hair behind your ear as you watched him chop the vegetables.

The two of you looked up at the sound of the automated security system. “Welcome back Leo.”

Markus looked towards the entryway and fuildly turned off the stove, moving everything out of the way before motioning for you to move. You watched him walk past you and after a moment's hesitation followed after him. Who was Leo? Who was he to make Markus look so serious and wipe all trace of a smile off his face?

“Carl is asleep right now Leo. You can come back later to see him.” You looked around the corner to see Markus standing in front of a smaller man. He looked similar to Carl, but all similarities seemed to end with looks. You gave a small gasp at seeing him shove Markus.

They both turned to you, Markus frowning in concern as Leo’s eyes trailed over your body. He took a step towards you, “What do we have here? A plaything for his plastic toy?” You felt angry at his words and curled your hands into fists. “What? Little kitten have some claws?” He stepped closed to you, Markus reached out to grab him but Leo shoved him back. “Come on, fight me like a man if you think you are one!” Leo reached out and grabbed your shirt, trying to pull you towards him.

You slapped him and tried to pull yourself back at the same time, ripping the shirt in the process as you stumbled and fell back. “Don’t get any closer!” You shouted as he took a step towards you, one hand lightly touching his face. He seemed surprised you hit him back. “You heard me!” You rushed to get to your feet, one hand holding together the ripped parts of your shirt. You glanced between the two men, Markus slowly getting back up to his feet and Leo glaring at you.

He lunged towards you, a scream came out of your mouth before you could stop yourself. He knocked you down but you kicked at him, trying to claw at him, anything to get him off. “You stupid fucking bitch!” Markus quickly pulled him off of you, pinning Leo’s arms so he couldn’t get free. “Get the fuck off me!”

“Markus!” A yell from above the stairs made all of you freeze. “What’s going on?” He slowly put Leo back down and you slowly climbed back up to your feet.

Markus looked between you and Leo before he completely let go of him. “Go to Carl. I’ll be fine.” You hoped it wasn’t a lie, but it didn’t seem like a good idea to have Carl worry so much. Markus quickly nodded and rushed up the stairs.

Leo gave a short huff of a laugh, wiping blood from a scratch off his face. “So I guess the kitten does have claws.” You took the moment to get another look at him, his eyes were very bloodshot and he had bags under his eyes. His face was pinched, the too tight look of someone who wasn’t eating very well or very much. “You’re not an android, your not his plaything. So what the hell are you to my dad?”

That felt like a punch to the gut, this fucking gremlin was Carl’s son? You felt the blood rush to your face. Would he be disappointed in you for fighting his son? “I’m his-”

“She’s my new muse Leo.” You looked up to see Markus putting Carl in the chair lift and watched him get down the stairs. “I would appreciate it if you didn’t attack people while you visit.” You felt his gaze linger on your ripped shirt and you looked down realizing your bra and a lot of skin was visible before you pulled it shut again. You glanced over at the younger man, flinching at the look of rage on his face before looking back over to Carl. “Y/N, why don’t you be a dear and wait for me in the art room? I’ll be there in just a few minutes.”

You took the excuse and ran for it, not looking behind you as you heard raised voices behind you. Once in the other room you gave a sigh of relief as you sat down on a barstool. A few minutes passed before Carl wheeled himself over to you and gently took your hands in his own. You gave him a shaky smile as he tucked a hair behind your ear. You felt disheveled, still kind of scared about the whole situation. “You look so beautiful right now.” He placed a kiss on your hand before backing up and rolling over to one of his easels. “Lift your chin up a bit.” You stayed like that, letting him paint you as you looked through the glass walls to the slightly gray skies. It fit your mood, overcast but not sure if it was staying or going. “We’re done for now. Let’s have some of that delicious breakfast Markus made for us.” You stood up and followed after Carl, still not sure what to say.

Markus was setting the table when you both entered, he looked at the two of you with a soft smile. His gaze dropped down to your ripped shirt and he frowned slightly. You pulled it shut again and sat down to eat, slowly picking at your food. It felt like ash in your mouth. You wanted the day to be over already and it had barely begun.

Markus handed you a drink, some green smoothie looking thing and you sipped at it slowly. You were aware of Carl glancing over at you but ignored it in your sudden exhaustion. You finished the green drink and your world went black.

“Markus!” Carl reached for you and shouted at the same time. Markus already standing behind you and grabbing your shoulders before you hit the table. He looked up at his android before shaking his head and giving a grin. “You drugged her drink.”

He nodded, picking you up with ease and adjusting your body so your head leaned against his chest. “She did not get much sleep last night and I’m sure the events with Leo had already left her exhausted. I assumed she needed rest, and this would be the best way to be sure she got it.” He frowned and tilted his head to the side as he thought it over. “Was I wrong in my assessment?”

Carl gave a frown and tilted his head as he considered. “No. A nice nap would help her. In a little bit you can take her upstairs, she can still pose for my paintings while unconcious.”

I love your writing! And o read on AO3 your taking prompts? If you arent please ignore this! But like i would like some bonding moment with damian and tim! Maybe Damian hurt and Tim is a worried overprotected brother?? Thank you so much!

Thank you!!!!

Inspired slightly by the song ‘Lay Me Down’ by The Oh Hellos

“And Lord, I knowIt’s a heavy loadBut we’ll carry our brothersOh, we’ll carry them home”

______

It wasn’t supposed to go like this.

This was meant to be a quick job, astealth mission. In and out. Minimal combat at best. So, of course, this is theone time Tim didn’t over prepare.

Red Robin is throwing smoke pelletsleft and right, trying to distract and confuse the crowd of angry henchmen asbest he can while supporting his little brother’s weight.

Robin had been taking on the bruntof the attack while Tim was attempting to salvage the mission by gathering thedata they had come for, when one lucky bastard had gotten a shot in straightthrough Damian’s shoulder. To his credit, Damian had responded with a swift kickto the jaw, dislocating it and incapacitating the goon in a decidedly humaneway. 

The kid seemed more angry than in pain, and Tim had almost thought Damiancould keep it up, but soon enough he began to stumble through his attacks. He’dmanaged to take down at least six other goods before another henchman managed asolid punch to the gut that had Damian toppling to the ground.

For some reason, in that moment,Tim felt something akin to primal rage fill his chest. All thought of data ormission or casework completely fled his mind, instead replaced with a fierceexpression of ‘NO’.

He hadn’t realized he’d said thatout loud, too.

In a movement swift and furious,Tim had hurled himself over Damian’s fallen form, striking out against theattacker with his staff. He’d quickly disarmed the man before the end of his weaponcame down on the bastard’s head with a sickening crack. Then, Tim had turned tohis little brother without looking back.

Now, Tim is firing his grapple guninto the rafters above and hoisting a dead-weight Damian over his shoulder. He canhear the commotion below at their sudden disappearance from the now dispersingcloud of smoke, but all he cares about is the blood he can feel running downhis back as he alights on the support beams.

Shit. Shitshitshit.

He shifts the boy as carefully ashe can off his shoulder, laying him upright against a pillar. Damian’s head islolling to the side, but his eyes are open, if only slightly. His skin is paleand clammy now and his breathing is laboured. The blood loss is kicking in surprisinglyfast, for Damian at least. Tim takes a look at the back of his shoulder: a cleanshot through, no bullet. That’s good news at least.

His movements are frantic as he beginsto patch up the wound. He can’t think of much else at this point other than ‘shit’or ‘gotta stop the bleeding’ or ‘call Alfred/Bruce/Dick/anyone’ or ‘stay with mekiddo’.

He says that last one out loud,which earns him a very soft scoff, but the sound fills him with wave of relief.At least the boy is lucid enough to sass him, and Tim never thought that ideawould bring him this much joy.

He manages to stop the bleeding,but he knows Damian needs a transfusion, and soon. He activates the emergency signallinked to the emblem on his chest, hoping to god that Bruce isn’t using the Batwingfor something important tonight.

Not that anything could moreimportant than this problem right here.

Tim pushes Damian’s sweaty bangsout of his face. His forehead is wet, the sweat beating as it falls down histemple. The boy’s eyes are starting to flutter closed and Tim taps gently atDamian’s cheek to keep him awake.

He’s muttering gentle words of comfortthat he’s never uttered before to Damian, never thought he’d be allowed towithout losing a couple fingers. His hands are shaking as he keeps pressure onthe wound, chin wobbling dangerously as Damian gets paler beside him. He’snever known this feeling before.

His chest is clenching so tight, hefeels like he’s gonna throw up and hyperventilate at the same time. Tim wondersif this is how Dick feels whenever hegets hurt in the field. When any of them do. If this is what it feels like tobe the big brother.

He decides that Dick gets a big hugwhen they get home.

After what feels like an eternitythe Batwing arrives and Tim is lifting Damian up like a baby, and it scares himthat the kids not protesting. Getting back to the Cave is a blur of cityskyline and Damian’s far-too-young face relaxing as he fades into exhaustion. Itonly occurs to Tim now that thirteen is young. Damian is still so young.

Alfred and Bruce are quick andmechanical as they rush Damian to the med bay, Tim following in hazy, single-mindedpursuit. Dick is there, halfway out of his Nightwing costume and clearlyconflicted between going to Damian’s side and helping Tim through his delirium.

Seeming to decide on the latter, asAlfred and Bruce have a solid hold on the situation, a firm hand settles on Tim’sshoulder as they wait outside the med bay. A vague memory of a promise nicks atthe back of his mind, and then Tim is throwing his arms around Dick’s waist andburying his face in a broad shoulder in one of the tightest hugs he’s evergiven. Dick clings to him in return, and they just stand like that for a whileuntil Alfred comes out with news that Damian is stable, and currently sleepingoff the trauma.

Tim doesn’t change, despite all threepresent members of his family trying to persuade him. He just sits next toDamian’s bed side with glazed eyes and aching limbs, waiting for tired eyelidsto flutter open.

Eventually they do, and relief washesover him. Damian looks so tired and pained and so, so young but Tim doesn’t sayanything, just presses a glass of water into Damian’s good hand and gets out ofhis chair to tell the others that the boy had woken up. After a general check over,Alfred deems Damian to be on the mend, and Tim settles back into his chair withhis tablet.

They don’t talk. They barely lookat each other. When Dick comes in to check them both, Tim leaves to change, finally,but comes right back in time to sit back down as Dick leaves the room again.

Damian doesn’t comment on Tim’spresence. Tim doesn’t say a word to Damian in return, and in all honesty, he’s justscared that if he does, something will burst, and it’ll change too much foreither of them to handle.

So, he just stays, and waits, and injectsmorphine into the IV when Damian grimaces in pain and fetches him water when hecoughs. He brings an extra blanket when Damian gets cold, and helps him up tohis room when he’s well enough to make the trip. And then he stays with himthere too.

Because that’s what big brothersare supposed to do, right?

Howdy! Could you please do a react to sole dying? Maybe make it super heart wrenching (I'm a sap). Thanks! (By the way - just found your blog and I love it 😍😘)

Thank you! And I’m sorry this took an eternity and I’m sorry it’s so damn long and probably riddled with typos. I wanted it to be like a prequel to the reaction of Sole coming back to life and I got a little to into it. Warning: very angsty. 

—

Bullets seemed to rain, the shattering sound of gunfire amalgamating into a blanket wall of sound, the walls of the shack they had entered in search of shelter torn apart by blunt force. The raiders had come from nowhere, their guard had been down and their ammunition already depleted. They were overpowered, and without saying anything, with the brief eye contact made between them in between ineffectual reloads and pained cries, a brief glance that signaled an apology, an understanding, a goodbye.

After an amount of immeasurable time, the abrupt attacks had slowed and the sounds of chaos had silenced. When there were no immediate attackers, they took a moment to collect their composure. They yelled for sole, who had disappeared in the long stretch of disarray.

Sole yelled back from outside, filling them with a sense of boundless relief. When they left the shack, they saw sole, injured but giddy to loot the raider corpses that littered the area. Sole’s face lit up when they the companion, willfully ignorant of the danger they just faced. Before Sole could say anything, a deafening shot rang out, and to their horror, they could see the lightness of Sole’s face vanish before dropping limply to the ground and revealing a gun-wielding raider behind them.

Cait- She instantly burst out in a scream of rage. Her pistol, already drawn and loaded, burned hot with the amount of bullets she unloaded in the raider. It fell to the ground, barely human and more resembling a gory mess of swiss cheese. She didn’t even stop to admire the carnage, she had already slid through the dirt to Sole’s body. She tries to pull them up from the ground, but only succeeds in smothering the both of them in the growing pool of blood.

“You can’t fuckin’ leave me, you can’t” She cried, feeling herself slip away, seeing the only person she cared about fade from existence. She fell backwards, collapsing in a bust of dust. She figured she’d stay there, for who knows how fucking long. She was completely alone.

Curie- It took her a moment to process what had happened. The her relief was drained so quickly, the moment of catharsis rotted by a shift to the sinister. She drew her rifle and in one fluid motion, cranked it to maximum damage and reduced the raider to a pile of ash. She glided to Sole’s side, taking their vitals and assessing their condition. Her face felt unfamiliarly hot, her eyes stinging with unfamiliar tears.

“Madame/Monsieur…” She pleaded, her voice catching in her throat. Pressure on the wound didn’t help, her chest soaked and heavy in blood. It was worthless, they were gone.

Codsworth- With mechanical swiftness, Codsworth shot down the raider and glided to Sole who lay lifeless on the dirt.

“Sir/Ma’am,” he posed as he glided towards them. He just assumed his processing was off, because he picked up no life signs in the vicinity, but as he hovered over Sole’s body, the truth became remarkably clear. He knew they were dead. Unsure of what to do, where to go, how to move forward, he searched the area. After hours of scavenging about a mile radius, he found what he was looking for. He returned to the body and extended a metal talon above them, dropping an immaculate, pale flower onto their chest.

“Goodbye… old friend…” He said just before turning around and gliding back to Sanctuary.

Danse- Despite having a rifle accessible, he charged the raider in full power armor, somehow annihilating it in a mess of steel and blood. Once he was positive that they were thoroughly crushed to hell,  he forced himself to turn to the lifeless form on the wasteland floor.

He felt himself exit his power armor, although he felt barely in control of his own body. He stood over Sole for minutes, recognizing the same vacancy in their eyes that he was so used to seeing in the eyes of other fallen soldiers. But this was different. This was Sole.

He felt himself light and throw a signaling flare, and then tenderly lifted the body with some difficulty as he tried to fight his own shaking as he listened to the vertibird circle the empty sky. He figured he’d bring Sole back to the Prydwen, or something. His uncertainty felt unfamiliar and disturbing, but he didn’t care. Nothing felt the same.

Deacon-  Deacon froze. What the fuck just happened? Without even thinking or visibly emoting, he drew his handgun and easily shot down the raider. He forced himself to make his way to Sole.

“Nothing like a good bullet to the chest to wake you up, huh?” He chuckled. He was off his game, his heart sinking as he got closer. Sole wasn’t moving. Despite everything in his mind screaming the truth, he continued to believe the lie.

“Ha. Ha. Very funny. You’ve played the joke out. Time to head out,” He said, hoping his sarcasm would negate the realness of the scene, but seeing the blank, pale expression on Sole’s face hit him like a punch of painful reality.

Feeling his knees buckle under him, he hit the dirt right next to Sole’s body. He held their face in his hand, feeling the growing coldness of their skin, he knew he needed to see them—really see them— one last time. He took off his sunglasses and let them fall beside him to the dirt.

He trembled, feeling Sole’s face in his hand. A glint of silver caught his hazy vision and he saw the chain around Sole’s neck, holding two wedding rings rather than a pendant.

Deacon lightly unhinged it and took it from their neck and latched it around his own. Not looting—protecting. For once it didn’t feel like a disguise, it felt like the truth.

Dogmeat- Dogmeat charged the raider and bit deeply into their calf, dropping them to the ground before issuing a deadly lunge. As he realized that the raider was no longer struggling, he pulled away and looked towards Sole, who laid unmoving in the dirt.

He nuzzled their head and limply pawed at their chest, but none of this elicited any movement. He didn’t understand. After deciding that Sole was just deeply asleep or unconscious, he circled their body and curled up by their side. He wanted to be there when Sole woke up.

Hancock- Without missing a beat, Hancock pulled his shotgun and obliterated the raider. “FUCKING COCKSUCKER!” He burst as the raider fell to the ground. He ran to Sole and crumpled beside their lifeless body. He shook them, trying fruitlessly to shake back their consciousness.

“Come on sunshine, you can’t do this to me” He coarsely croaked out, holding Sole’s face in his roughly calloused hand. He couldn’t breathe, he couldn’t possibly understand how the one person who accepted them so blindly could be gone.

After thoroughly self-numbing through a myriad of chems, booze, and other hardening substances, he picked up Sole’s body and personally carried them back to Goodneighbor. A silence fell over the town as Hancock entered carrying the corpse of the Commonwealth hero. He didn’t give a fuck about them, though— The only one he cared about was gone.

Macready- He paused a moment, out of shock, confusion, and fear. As soon as he came back to his body he pulled his pistol and silently shot down the raider, right between the eyes.

He slowly approached Sole, hovering above them for a moment and then crumpling to his knees. Tears streamed down his face as he saw the deadness of theirs, a blank expression he was all-to familiar with. He lifted his face from his palms and looked up to the apocalyptic nothingness that surrounds then shouted, letting his echoes fill the wasteland,

“FUCK!!!”

He collapsed to the ground, shaking. Sole was their rock, what else was left to tether him to life?

Nick- He sneered as he pulled drew his pistol and shot the raider right through the chest, and chuckled as they dropped. He sauntered over to Sole, who lay motionless in the dirt.

“You all right, kid? He kinda caught you off guard there,” He asked, but was met with no response. He noticed Sole’s face now, their vacant open eyes and slightly agape mouth, their still muscles and unmoving chest. His silicon brow furrowed, the gravity of dark realization pressing against him.

He fell to the ground beside Sole and grazed their face with his sharp, mechanical hand. Were they any different now?

“I’m so sorry kid… I’m so sorry” He said in a low, almost-whisper.

Piper-  Her smile still lingered on her face, but in a hollow, absent way.

“…Blue?” She nearly whispered, her mind at an impasse between reality and it’s pure devastation. She must have hesitated too long in her shock, because shots began to rain out around her, the raider cocky and still fueled with bloodlust. After a couple of misfires, Piper managed to pierce the raider fatally in the neck, allowing her to Rush to Sole’s body. She fumbled for a pulse, but felt nothing, and felt a sob slowly rise inside her.

Piper let the tears stream down her face as she ran her hand through Sole’s hair, pressing her forehead to theirs. She let the emotions and the pain fill her up, overwhelmed by the poetic irony of the Commonwealth hero taken down by a single bullet from a stray raider in the middle of goddamn nowhere.

“I’m so sorry Blue,” She whispered, “But I promise you… You will be remembered.”

Preston- “GENERAL!” He shouted in an almost cinematic melodrama as he watched Sole fall to the dirt. He spared no time cranking his laser musket and swiftly reducing the raider to a pile of ash. He took a second, because to approach them, to go by Sole’s side might confirm something he so desperately didn’t want to be true.  

As he did, however, he knew his nauseating gut feeling was correct. Sole was gone. He sat beside them for a while, letting his emotions take over, vulnerable, defeated.

It was nearly dark by the time Preston decided that he should get up, move forward, but only because he new undoubtedly that it’s what Sole would have wanted.

He spent hours through the night digging. By hand, because this was something that needed to be done the hard way. Sole deserved a proper burial. Once the ground was sealed and partially packed, their body becoming one with the cracked dirt around them. Sole fashioned a tower of jagged rocks to cover the now distinctive plot of earth. He paused a moment, and before walking away, stated,

“I’m sorry I failed you General. I… I hope you find peace where you are now.”

Strong- Strong charged and pummeled the raider, reducing it to a bloody pulp.

“Strong hates puny men,” He said turning to Sole, “bones crush too easy.” As he walked towards them, he noticed the absence of Sole’s usual chuckle, and instead the unmoving slump of their body.

“Did tiny bullet hurt human?” asked Strong, trying to mask his annoyance. But Sole didn’t respond, and an acutely unfamiliar anxiety arose in the Super Mutant. He knelt by their side and placed a heavy hand on their chest, feeling his heart sink as they weren’t filled with their usual bated breath.

As delicately as he could, he used his massive fingers to close their still-opened eyes.

“Strong is sorry,” He said as quietly as ever, “Strong will miss this human.”

X6-88- The courser tilted his laser rifle and in a matter of seconds reduced the raider to a smoldering pile. He admired his handiwork for just a moment, and then sauntered over to Sole’s side.

“He got you pretty good, didn’t he,” he said, before noticing Sole’s vague stare and limp features. He knelt down to them with cool casualty, placing a hand on Sole’s arm and trying fruitlessly to shake them awake. A feeling of poignant discomfort filled him in exchange for grief, his accustomation to death making it all the more distressing at this proximity.

He simply laid Sole’s gun on there chest and folded their arms over it, as if they had been at peace. Not able to look at their lifelessness anymore, he turned to leave the scene. Before doing so he looked back at them.

“Goodbye,” He stated almost factually, then falling to a moment of sentimentality, “friend.”

c. AU 11

gawrsh

Arsé-kun: -Monday, November 8th- Arsé-kun: *Everyone's in class! Everyone's too busy right now. Let's check in with someone else!* Sheepy: Holmes: I deduce… this is the room! How fitting! *he’s trying to seem excited, but he’s nervous more than anything* Arsé-kun: Watson: What gave you the idea? Sheepy: Holmes: ...A gut feeling. Arsé-kun: Watson: So not the crudely drawn sign on the door? Sheepy: Holmes:...Oh, yes, that too. Sheepy: Holmes: Of course, that was the final clue! Arsé-kun: Watson: Just go in already. Sheepy: *Holmes groans and goes in* Arsé-kun: Red: *holding up Crow* Woah... Are they allowed to make angels this small?? Sheepy: Crow: Oi!! I'm NOT small!!! Sheepy: Crow: I'll have you know that among hedgehogs I'm TALL!! At least the ones from the pet stores! Arsé-kun: Red: Compared to Red Magnus you are! You're so small that it's rid⭐ckulous! Sheepy: Crow: Blame my parents, not me! I drink milk every day and it's NEVER helped!!! Arsé-kun: Klimt: Oi, don't drag me into this. Sheepy: Christo: ...Aren't hedgehogs lethally allergic to milk? Sheepy: Crow: Well, it's your parents who decide your height! If I was in control of my height I'd be taller than that dumb Wimpion! Then he could never pick on me. Arsé-kun: Klimt: Is he still picking on you? *he's playing with a butterfly knife* Do I need to interfere? Sheepy: Crow: Yeah, he's a NEET bully! Dark Sun God this, Black Monster that! And then Rom always punches both Wimpion and me 'cuz apparently I'm partially at fault! *pout, pout* Arsé-kun: Klimt: Huh. Maybe I sh- Arsé-kun: Barok: No and do not Sheepy: Holmes: Mr. Reaper! It's a surprise to see you here. Sheepy: Crow: My name is CROW!!! Sheepy: Crow: And I'm too young to be called "Mr"! Call old people like Dad or Uncle that!! Arsé-kun: Barok: Not everything is about you, Crow. Sheepy: Crow: There's no other reapers in the room. Arsé-kun: Barok: Let's keep it that way. Sheepy: Crow: I prefer "Angel of Death" or "Fallen Angel" anyway! Eheheh! They really do sound like cool titles! Arsé-kun: *Raph looks up from working to stare at Crow. How many times do we gotta teach you this lesson, old man??* Sheepy: Holmes:.... Sheepy: Holmes: *thinking*......... Sheepy: Holmes: Oh. I remember you. I watched you kill one of the students once. Sheepy: Crow: He's already dead! It's not killing him if he's dead! Arsé-kun: Barok: Today a detective learns that people die when they are killed. Sheepy: Holmes: That isn't what I mean. Sheepy: Holmes: I mean that I watched him strike one of the students with that guitar he carries around and take his soul, in a room full of innocent bystanders. Arsé-kun: Klimt: Cool. Sheepy: Holmes: Anyway, Mr. Reaper, I didn't expect to see you here. If I'd known, I would've brought my violin. I wrote a new theme song for you. Arsé-kun: Barok: Horrible. I don't want it. Sheepy: Holmes: You sound so eager to hear it! Sheepy: Crow: Myumons get mean when they hear bad enough music, you know! You better not be messing with him! Sheepy: Holmes:???........ Sheepy: Holmes: There's so much I still don't know... Arsé-kun: Raph: Don't worry about it too much. Sheepy: Holmes: I won't. Sheepy: Holmes: I suppose it should be obvious, but... is it true everyone here is actually, well... Arsé-kun: Raph: Sure is! Sheepy: Holmes: Even Mr. Reaper? Sheepy: Crow: Eh? Of course Uncle is an angel. What else would he be? Arsé-kun: Barok: May I offer the alternative? Sheepy: Holmes: Yes? Arsé-kun: Barok: Dead. Sheepy: Holmes:...Dead? Sheepy: Crow: You look lively for a dead guy, Uncle! Arsé-kun: Barok: Horrible. I said that was the alternative. Not that it is correct. Sheepy: Crow: Oooohhh... Sheepy: Holmes: I didn't know you were an uncle, Mr. Reaper. I'm learning all sorts of things today! Arsé-kun: Barok: Unfortunately I have a brother to blame for that. Sheepy: Holmes: He's older than I am and likes gambling. Sheepy: Holmes: How sad for you! I, too, have a brother. He's older than me and likes gambling. Arsé-kun: Barok: And the next time he tries to gamble with me over a court case, I'm going to give him a molotov cocktail. Sheepy: Holmes: You've met him? Arsé-kun: Barok: Sadly, yes. Sheepy: Holmes: Contrary to what the books state, Mycroft and I get along quite well. Sheepy: *Il is busy playing his switch and ignoring all of this* Arsé-kun: *Raph goes back to his stack of paperwork, stretching his two wings out out of annoyance. paperwork* Sheepy: Holmes: I hope you don't mind if I ask a few questions... Arsé-kun: Barok: ... Fine. What. Sheepy: Holmes: Why do some of you have four or six wings? Sheepy: Holmes: Isn't two enough? Wouldn't more get in the way? Arsé-kun: Barok: It's power and rank. The extras can be hidden whenever, but the more they have the higher the rank. Arsé-kun: *Most wings are not out right now that I know of. Raph, again, only has one pair of wings showing* Sheepy: Holmes: So you'll never really be able to know if they're hiding any or not... Arsé-kun: Barok: You could probably guess based on how well known the angel in question is. Most are one or two pairs at most. Sheepy: Holmes: Well known...? Sheepy: Holmes: You overestimate me! Ahahahaha! I don't know a single thing about angels! Arsé-kun: Barok: .... You're hopeless. Sheepy: Holmes: And the loud kid has three pairs... so he's high ranking? Sheepy: Crow: My name is Crow! C-R-O-C -- No! C-R-O-W!!! Arsé-kun: Barok: Yes. Angels of death tend to automatically be six or more. Sheepy: Holmes: And the one with bad vibes who attacked me the other day...? Ah, my brain is all so hazy of that moment. Arsé-kun: Barok: No wonder you're repeating yourself. Judgment got to you. Sheepy: Il: *he looks up from his switch* That is not my name. I also never attacked you. I scared off the source of danger and you happened to be in the middle of it. Arsé-kun: Raph: Draining other angels is not good for them, Il. Sheepy: Il: He recovered, so it's fine. Sheepy: Holmes: That... implies you'd be perfectly willing to do it again. Sheepy: Il: There's no problem with it. Arsé-kun: Raph: If it leaves any harm on them, it is a problem. Memory loss is a problem. Sheepy: Il:.....? Sheepy: Il:....... Sheepy: Il: It takes energy to heal... Sheepy: Il: Improper maintenance can cause future bugs. Arsé-kun: Raph: I've told you that I'll help you when you need it. You don't need to bother with anyone else. Sheepy: Il: ....... Sheepy: Il: I'll ask you for help the next time you're around when it happens. Arsé-kun: Raph: Thank you. Sheepy: Il: But you weren't around this time. Arsé-kun: Raph: ... Fine. Permitted post-event. Sheepy: Il: Thank you. I did a good job! Arsé-kun: Raph: You DID scare away a high level threat, even if it's presence was already permitted. Sheepy: Il: *He's proud of himself!* Sheepy: Holmes: That was my friend... Arsé-kun: Barok: I can't believe you managed to befriend that thing before knowing what you were. Arsé-kun: *Raph's happy that Il's happy. Positive loop* Sheepy: Holmes: He's not a thing. He's simply an entity who is curious about humans. Of course I, a human, could show him just what being one is about! Ahahahahaha! Arsé-kun: Barok: Which you're not. Sheepy: Holmes: Don't you know, Mr. Reaper? Ah, well you wouldn't, because I don't spread this around. But I suppose the new information that we could have known each other before the fall justifies me telling you this... Sheepy: Holmes: I have amnesia. Arsé-kun: *Barok holds a hand out. Klimt pays him without a change of expression* Sheepy: Crow: Wouldn't that be pretty obvious? An angel who doesn't know anything about angels? Probably amnesia! Arsé-kun: Raph: Crow, I had to teach you things as well. Sheepy: Crow:.............. Sheepy: Crow: Yeah, but I'm a farmer! Why would I know anything about that stupid junk anyway?! Arsé-kun: Raph: Because you lived here? Sheepy: Crow: Eh... I didn't really interact with other angels anyway. Life 'n death are intertwined, but just 'cuz you're more on the life side doesn't mean angels are really gonna feel comfortable interacting with someone whose hands are stained with death. Kid or not. Arsé-kun: Raph: ............ Arsé-kun: Raph: I can't argue with that at all! Completely checks out! Sheepy: Christo: Something about you being a brutal killing machine with no remorse for your actions has something to do with it... Did I say that out loud? My mistake. Arsé-kun: Raph: Nope, that's it. Arsé-kun: *Red just sitting there like :> in the background* Sheepy: Il: Machine... Machines cannot feel love. I am very different than a machine. I feel love. I want to feel love, more than anything. I am confident I can feel love. I am going to feel love. Arsé-kun: Raph: And I agree! But you gotta realize it means consequences! Sheepy: Il: Consequences... Oh, saying sorry and moving on works. Sheepy: Il: That's how it works in otome games. Arsé-kun: *Klimt starts to input and gets backhanded by Barok. No.* Sheepy: Il: That's how it works in otome games. Sheepy: Crow: I don't think that you can just get out of murder by apologizing.... Sheepy: Crow: Uncle's job is to arrest you for that. Because he's a prosetuter! Arsé-kun: Barok: You can't. Even accidental or self-defensive deaths are not-- .... Close enough. Sheepy: Holmes: Prosecuter... Sheepy: Holmes: We've worked on cases together before. It's always so fun. Sheepy: Crow: I can't imagine you ever being fun! Sheepy: Il: Raphael. What is a prosecutor? Arsé-kun: Raph: How do I explain this.. They're the guys who are on the offensive side of a legal case. Lawyers in attack mode. Sheepy: Il: I know of lawyers. I played an otome game with one once. Sheepy: Il: He was in defense mode. He taught me a great deal about love. Arsé-kun: *Barok isn't happy about that description* Sheepy: Il: Holmes, too, taught me about love... That love is not just for others, but for yourself as well. Loving yourself is equally important... So said Sherlock Holmes. Sheepy: Holmes: I never said this. Arsé-kun: Raph: Game version of you. Sheepy: Holmes: How did I get turned into a dating sim boyfriend... Sheepy: Il: The Reaper hasn't been, despite working with you. He needs to work harder if he wants to be acknowledged. Sheepy: Holmes: Is this really how anyone wants their accomplishments acknowledged...? Arsé-kun: Barok: No thank you. Sheepy: Il: It's the greatest honor, I think, that someone thinks that you are so full of love that you could teach others about love. Sheepy: Holmes: I feel like "Mr. Reaper" and "Love" are two sets of words that could never go together. Arsé-kun: Raph: Hey, if Death can be represented by an upside down cupid way back when, it still works out now! Sheepy: Holmes: Hmmm.... An upside down cupid... Sheepy: Holmes: So if we put Mr. Reaper upside down, he'd be full of love? Arsé-kun: Barok: Don't try it. Sheepy: Holmes: You aren't adventurous enough! Sheepy: Holmes: It's important to try to experience things like no one else has. That's how you think outside of the box. Arsé-kun: Klimt: I agree!! Sheepy: Holmes: And it would be hysterical! Arsé-kun: *Barok makes a face of disapproval before turning himself upside down on his chair. He's not pleased.* Sheepy: Holmes: Well? Do you feel full of love? Arsé-kun: Barok: I feel a headache coming on. Sheepy: Holmes: A headache of love! Arsé-kun: Raph: Actually, it's the increased bloodflow to the head. Sheepy: Holmes:..... Sheepy: Holmes: How boring... Sheepy: Holmes: I was hoping for fun romance stories. Arsé-kun: Barok: I could tell plenty. Just not about myself. Sheepy: Holmes: That’s not as interesting… Arsé-kun: Barok: Then you get nothing. Sheepy: Crow: Eheh! Yeah, Uncle's too cool to feel love! Arsé-kun: Raph: Speaking of love, how's Watson? Sheepy: Holmes: Hm? He came with me, but I suppose he was feeling shy and decided not to come in. Arsé-kun: Raph: Huh. I wonder why. Sheepy: Holmes: Really, he seems like he'd be less out of place than I am. Sheepy: Holmes: After all, he is the kinder of the two of us! Arsé-kun: Raph: I'm not sure that would be a factor here.. Sheepy: Holmes: Aren't angels supposed to be kind? Arsé-kun: Raph: Key word: Supposed. A lot of us have gotten worse since falling, honestly. Sheepy: Holmes: Why would they become worse? Arsé-kun: Raph: Lots of reasons. Exposure to more than they're used to, trauma, any kind of injuries, not having the ability to function outside of Heaven.. Arsé-kun: Raph: No moral compass, just becoming more human in general since sin was seen as bad, um Arsé-kun: Raph: ... There's more but I can't be assed. Sheepy: Holmes: I see... Arsé-kun: Raph: I don't mind. A lot of things called sinful weren't even anything worth caring about. Sheepy: Il: They weren't anything worth caring about... Arsé-kun: Raph: Well, a lot were! I'm complaining more about minor things. And emotional things, that was such a load of shit. Sheepy: Holmes: Ahahahaha! I can't imagine myself functioning well with so many rules. I just love to find new ways to break them! Arsé-kun: Klimt: Amen to that! Sheepy: Holmes: So you say, but I have a feeling we two have different perspectives on what rules can be broken... Sheepy: Crow: Dad's responsible and follows rules! I think! Arsé-kun: Klimt: One that can't is church sanctuary. ... That's it! Sheepy: Crow:........ Arsé-kun: Klimt: Laws are for humans. Sure, I'll follow common sense, but I'm not needing a guidework to do what's right. Sheepy: Crow: *squinting* Aren't there rules like "don't steal" or "don't kill people" that should be followed? Arsé-kun: Klimt: Well, obviously, but even those have exceptions. Sheepy: Crow: Exceptions or not, if you kill people, you make more work for me! Arsé-kun: Klimt: Well aware! That's why I've been asking you first! Sheepy: Holmes: You ask your son who you can or can't kill...? Arsé-kun: Klimt: If they're not on death's list, then they're not dying yet! Arsé-kun: Klimt: It's a lot of work if they die early apparently. And anyway, I'm not gonna mess with that! That'd be messed up! Sheepy: Crow: Yeah, yeah! It's a lot more work for me! Arsé-kun: *despite the topic, Klimt has only changed from his casual smile once- and that was on bringing up church sanctuary. fucks given: one* Sheepy: Crow: I've already had bad luck recently of ghosts totally embarrassing me in front of everyone.. Arsé-kun: Raph: Oh, one of my patients was there for that. Okita says he went to hell afterwards, or so he claimed. Sheepy: Crow: Eh? Sheepy: Crow: Nah, that's not it. Boss just threw him into his coffin so he could feel dead. Arsé-kun: Raph: Well. That's a new one. Sheepy: Crow: He's got tubunkulosis! He's gonna end up dead if he doesn't do anything about it. Arsé-kun: Raph: He sure does! He came back with a note about an adjustment.. I was wondering where that came from! Sheepy: Crow: Wow! For Death, Boss is working really hard to not have work! I should work harder, too. Arsé-kun: Raph: ... Ooh, he'll get mad if I bring this up.. But he's also not here... Sheepy: Crow: I won't tell Boss what you say! Arsé-kun: Raph: Well, in that case... Arsé-kun: Raph: I like him. He's a good man, even when he's trying to be scary. He doesn't need to warn anyone about their deaths or try to be gentle, but he does. You got a good boss, kid. Sheepy: Crow: Yeah, yeah! Boss is very good to everyone! Sheepy: Crow: Without him, I wouldn't be what I am now! Arsé-kun: Raph: Dare I say it, I'd be willing to bet feathers on him being a sweetheart when no ones around! Hell, probably you too. Sheepy: Crow: Eh? Me what? Arsé-kun: *Raph does not clarify himself* Sheepy: Crow: Why would I bet on that? I know the answer. Sheepy: Crow: Boss is my family! I can confirm he's a good guy! I wouldn't bet against that. Arsé-kun: Klimt: Man... If I'd known Crow was around, I wouldn't have gotten upstaged! *he doesn't seem to mind, though* Sheepy: Holmes: You have a chance now to try to gain points. ...Ah, rather than being called cutesy nicknames and being treated as a little on the childish side... Arsé-kun: Raph: What, you don't like being called Holmsies? You're stuck with it. We're all stuck with names if we know Iris. Sheepy: Holmes: Well, I've been stripped of my fatherly title and I'm now just the man that she feels the need to warn psople about. "He can be difficult to deal wih sometimes, but try to be patient with him, okay?" "Try to be gentle with him, because his feelings are easily hurt"..... Arsé-kun: Raph: .. Okay, yeah, I can see how that'd get annoying. I'll see if I can sneak a hint to her at work later. Sheepy: Crow: *annoyed tail swishing* Sheepy: Holmes: I suppose I can be unreliable at times... is that it? Hmhm.... Sheepy: Crow: Just 'cuz I see Boss as family doesn't mean Dad's been upstaged or anything! If Iris can have two dads, I can, too. And I have the coolest Uncle in the world. So there! Arsé-kun: Klimt: I was kidding. Sheepy: Holmes: Ah... I wasn't. Arsé-kun: Raph: You could always engage in an "Ask your dad" feedback loop if Watson's willing to fool around a little. Sheepy: Holmes: Watson? Fool around? Arsé-kun: Raph: Yeah, that was the downside. Too unlikely. Sheepy: Holmes: Yes... At the end of the day, he's pretty serious. Sheepy: Holmes: There's no need to follow rules if you aren't hurting anyone by breaking them. He should have more fun. Arsé-kun: *Klimt mimes an Amen* Sheepy: Holmes: In fact, he can break rules with me! Ahahahaha! Arsé-kun: Barok: I'm going to throw you into jail myself. *he cracks an eye open to glare at Holmes* Sheepy: Holmes: Rules and laws are entirely different! You can't throw me into jail for... let's see. Sheepy: Holmes:...Waking up late when I should be at work, eating in no food areas...feeding pigeons food I don't want in no feeding areas... Sheepy: Holmes:....Standing on things that aren't supposed to be stood on...pressing alarm buttons because they're bright and shiny... Arsé-kun: Barok: Some of those are perfectly reasonable to arrest you over. Sheepy: Holmes: Not true! Arsé-kun: Barok: Public disruptions, especially that last one. Sheepy: Holmes:?! Sheepy: Holmes: And yet.... you have no evidence I did any of those things. Arsé-kun: Barok: Not yet. Sheepy: Holmes: Hmhmhm. Good luck. Sheepy: Il: I feel guilt within you. Arsé-kun: Raph: That's ominous. Please word it differently. Sheepy: Il: He is guilty for his crimes and must be punished. Sheepy: Il: Is that less ominous? Arsé-kun: Raph: A little better, but you don't need to punish small things. That ain't your job. Sheepy: Il:....? Arsé-kun: Raph: You deal with the major problems! We can handle small ones. Sheepy: Il: Really....? Hmm... Arsé-kun: Raph: If you needed to deal with all of them, we wouldn't be here chatting it up, would we? Sheepy: Il: Oh. I understand now. Sheepy: Il: So I should spare him. Sheepy: Crow: He's not on my list so it'd make me really bitter if you gave me extra work! Arsé-kun: Raph: Please don't kill other people if you don't have to. Arsé-kun: Raph: Sins are not a good reason to kill while on terra firma. I've told you this. Sheepy: Il:...........*he's mulling this over*..... Arsé-kun: Raph: Killing people gets you in trouble if it's uncalled for. This will affect your ending. Sheepy: Il:....! Sheepy: Il: I have to make him understand his wrongdoings gently. Is that it? Arsé-kun: Raph: That's it, bud. Arsé-kun: *Red continues Vibing in the bg with Christo. Let the real adults talk* Sheepy: Il: My chains are painless if I am careful. Arsé-kun: Raph: Maybe don't do that. He's still healing from other injuries. Sheepy: Il:...? Other injuries? This is difficult. Sheepy: Holmes: Another answer is to not punish me... Sheepy: Crow: Uncle really doesn't look at all like a reaper... Why not "Mr. Dracula" or something? You know, those Victorian goth men who drink blood? A Dracula. Arsé-kun: Raph: Vampires aren't all dracula, and your uncle isn't one! Sheepy: Crow: I know Uncle isn't a... eh... What is it? Vampire? Sheepy: Crow: But he looks more like one than like a reaper. Sheepy: Crow: For example! He always has wine on him! He wears a cloak! His fashion style! Arsé-kun: Klimt: So edgy and so unnecessary! Sheepy: Crow: I used my vague memories of him for a costume a while back, though! For a Halloween gig! Eheheheh! Of course the cattle loved me! Arsé-kun: Barok: ... So you can dress yourself better than your father. That is good to know. Sheepy: Crow: Eh? Sheepy: Crow: Well, I had fun with it, but it was mostly just meant for Halloween! Rom was a Frankenstein! Arsé-kun: Barok: That did nothing to clarify if you meant the scientist or the creation. Arsé-kun: *Barok finally gets back up so he can sit upright. klimt tries to take the chair. klimt gets kicked* Sheepy: Crow: Eh? Scientist? Creation? Sheepy: Crow: I dunno what you're talking about! I just know he was dressed as a Frankenstein. Arsé-kun: Barok: ...... Did he have giant screws on his head? Sheepy: Crow: Yeah, yeah! Arsé-kun: Barok: Then a creation. Sheepy: Crow: I know a real one! He's my buddy! His name is Tree! Arsé-kun: Raph: You call him Tree? Sheepy: Crow: Isn't that his name? I like him! He doesn't bully me about my height! Arsé-kun: Raph: His name is Adam... Sheepy: Crow:.....?! Arsé-kun: Raph: If he didn't complain, he probably likes it! Sheepy: Crow:...Wow, I never realized I was calling him the wrong name this whole time... Arsé-kun: Raph: He helps out around the hospital. Sometimes he does janitorial work because like hell are we letting Nyar in! Arsé-kun: *Raph pauses and thinks* Sheepy: Crow: Yeah! I met him around there! I'm always close by, you know! Arsé-kun: Raph: .... Speaking of which, has anyone even heard about that guy lately? I haven't seen him since last week, and that's... Terrifying, actually. Nyar, not Adam. Sheepy: Crow: Who? I don't know that guy. Sheepy: Holmes: Oh, I haven't seen him. Arsé-kun: Barok: I don't want to see or hear him. Sheepy: Il: I don't like him. Misyr feels similar to him, but has a good heart. Arsé-kun: *Klimt has no idea who we are talking about* Sheepy: Holmes: We probably should be very concerned. Arsé-kun: Red: Red Magnus saw crumpled cans on the ground! Red Magnus isn't a slob and threw them out for him! Arsé-kun: *thanks red for your valuable input.* Arsé-kun: Raph: That Sheepy: Christo: Maybe he was feeling strongly hated and left. Arsé-kun: Raph: That's... Really concerning. He's up to something, then. Either here, or anywhere else. Sheepy: Holmes: But is it our job to stop him? Arsé-kun: Raph: If it endangers any of the students? Yes, absolutely. Sheepy: Holmes:...True. Sheepy: Holmes: I suppose we should tell Mr. Carter later... Arsé-kun: Raph: I'll pop in before I go back to work! It's on the way there anyway. Sheepy: Holmes: Good idea. Sheepy: Crow: What's the big deal with him anyway? Sheepy: Crow: Why should we be scared of him? Arsé-kun: Raph: Who? The guy that alternates between useful and murderous? Sheepy: Crow: Nyar. Arsé-kun: Raph: That's what I said. Sheepy: Crow: Eh? Sheepy: Crow: So he's scary because he's murderous? That doesn't scare me. Sheepy: Crow: I can beat anyone with my crimson fist! Ehehe! Arsé-kun: Raph: Don't. It's not worth it. Sheepy: Crow: He's that wimpy? Arsé-kun: Raph: .... I'll make a note to expect you as a patient sometime soon. Sheepy: Crow: I bet Rom's way stronger! And he punches me all the time! Arsé-kun: Red: Red Magnus would fistfight a cd rom! *thanks bud* Sheepy: Crow: No, no! He's ShinganCrimsonZ's drummer! He's real cool! He's the perfect adult! Arsé-kun: Klimt: Your perfect adult beats you up? *he starts rolling up his sleeves* Where can I find this fella? Sheepy: Crow: Oh, where can you find Rom? Sometimes the coffee shop, uhh... Sheepy: Crow: With ShuZo... Class... Arsé-kun: Barok: Don't answer that. He intends violence. Sheepy: Crow: With the other bandmates... Sheepy: Crow: Eh? Sheepy: Crow: You'd lose against Rom! Don't even try it! Arsé-kun: Klimt: :) Sheepy: Crow: Really! Sheepy: Crow: He's really tough! Arsé-kun: Klimt: We'll see about that. Sheepy: Crow: ....Eh? Sheepy: Crow: You shouldn't fight him for that. He's just trying to stop fights between us. Arsé-kun: Klimt: Hmmm, so just the neet. Sheepy: Crow: Wimpion's just a jerk! Arsé-kun: Klimt: Hmmm. Sheepy: Crow: He's always calling me a tiny rodent and insignificant. Arsé-kun: Klimt: So let's really show him what insignificant means! Sheepy: Crow: Yeah, yeah! Arsé-kun: Klimt: Maybe I'll do that right quick while you're still here. Sheepy: Crow: Eh? How? Arsé-kun: Klimt: I haven't picked yet! Do you like the sound of a wooden or metal baseball bat more? Sheepy: Crow: I don't think he plays baseball... Arsé-kun: Klimt: Minor detail. Sheepy: Crow: Shuu can be the pitcher! Arsé-kun: Klimt: .... I like the wooden one better, has more of an oomph to it. Sheepy: Crow: Great, that works! Now we just need to find more players! Arsé-kun: Klimt: You only need two players to intimidate someone. Arsé-kun: Barok: ............. Sheepy: Crow: Since when do you intimidate people in baseball? Sheepy: Crow: Man, angels really have a weird way of playing baseball... When I've seen Shuu play baseball, he's never intimidated anyone... Arsé-kun: Klimt: There's a movie about it, but it's more about cheating than anything else. Arsé-kun: Klimt: It's called "Angels in the Outfield". It's boring. Sheepy: Crow: I don't watch movies! I can't sit through something for thirty minutes, let alone an hour or two! Sheepy: Crow: I've gotta be doing something in that time! Sheepy: Crow: Anyway, cheating is wrong! Not even Shuu would cheat, and he's a smug jerk. Sheepy: Crow: He acts all cutesy to strangers, but to people he knows, well... He's got a really dirty mouth! Full of profanity! Arsé-kun: *Barok is leaving the room in the bg* Arsé-kun: Klimt: But is he a problem... Sheepy: Crow: I gotta top him to be the best! Sheepy: Crow: Although... I really gotta find out why so many people like him... Is it his looks? Hmmm... Man, it's really gonna be hard to compare... Sheepy: Crow:....Do people really like such an artificial look? Arsé-kun: Raph: Sometimes, yes! Sheepy: Crow: Well, my cattle love me for my crimson soul! I don't fake anything! After all, lying is bad! Arsé-kun: Klimt: So what, you milk your fans too? Sheepy: Crow: Eh? Sheepy: Crow: Why would I do that? Sheepy: Crow: You only do that to real cows... Sheepy: Crow:........Wait, wait, for cash... No, our merch doesn't sell as well as we would like... Arsé-kun: Klimt: .. Waaait, have you been distracting me from my brother escaping? Sheepy: Crow: No!! Arsé-kun: Klimt: Oh. Well, he did. Sheepy: Crow: I've just been telling you about things while noting that he was leaving and understanding it was beneficial to allow him to escape! Arsé-kun: Klimt: Too bad. He won't get to see justice play out in real time. Sheepy: Crow: Eh? You found another player? Arsé-kun: Klimt: No, I'm just gonna kick his ass for being mean to you. Sheepy: Crow: I think Wimpion would die if you did that... Arsé-kun: Klimt: Now, now, a broken ass has never killed anybody. Sheepy: Crow: Just 'cuz he's like, 6'2" or something doesn't mean he isn't like a piece of celery... Long, but easily snappable! Arsé-kun: Klimt: All right, fine. I'll settle on a bruised ass, that's the lowest I'll go. Sheepy: Crow: Ehhh... if that's the lowest you'll go, I guess that's fine... Sheepy: Crow: But if you kill him, we'll need someone else to write the sheet music... Arsé-kun: Klimt: I didn't say I was gonna do that! I'm not some sort of maniac! Sheepy: Il: You're incredibly guilty. Sheepy: Il: If it were not for the laws of this land, I would pass judgement down on you upon sight. Arsé-kun: Klimt: What? Guilty? But I'm not feeling any guilt at all. Sheepy: Crow: Well, I guess you wouldn't kill anyone... I don't remember you ever doing that back then, anyway... ........... Arsé-kun: Klimt: Well, yeah. I had a job to do then. Sheepy: Il: Ah, how frightening that you feel no guilt for your crimes... Sheepy: Crow: You had a job? Wow, I didn't remember... Arsé-kun: Klimt: How is stopping bad people from doing bad things a crime? Explain that, Hal 3000! Sheepy: Crow: I mostly remember good times more than anything. Like feeding the cows! And petting the cows! And brushing the cows! And caring for the cows! Sheepy: Il: That is not my name. My name is Il Fado de Rie. Arsé-kun: Klimt: Buddy, I'm gonna call you every robot name I can think of. Sheepy: Il: I am not a robot. I am flesh and blood just like you. Arsé-kun: Klimt: All right, you little terminator, you. Sheepy: Il: A robot cannot feel love. I can feel love. I have not experienced such a wonderful feeling yet, but I will one day. Arsé-kun: Klimt: Good luck, susie. I'm gonna go beat an ass for justice. Sheepy: Il:...Susie? Sheepy: Il: As I said... My name is Il Fado de Rie. Arsé-kun: Klimt: Whatever, askinator. C'mon, Crow. Let's teach that wimp the meaning of fear. Sheepy: Crow: Eh? Okay, sure! Sheepy: Crow: See you guys later! Arsé-kun: Raph: See you guys. Don't cause too much trouble, you rascals. Arsé-kun: Raph: Maybe we should get going, Il. I've got work soon and you should probably catch up with Ignis. Sheepy: Il:...*His face may be blank, but he's putting off bad vibes* Sheepy: Il: Work is so soon? Arsé-kun: Raph: Yeah, unfortunately. Sheepy: Il: Then we should go so you have time to talk to Randolph Carter. Arsé-kun: Raph: Good idea! But is everyone else okay with that.. Sheepy: Christo: It doesn't bother me. I would be with Red Magnus regardless of if you were here or not. Arsé-kun: Red: Red Magnus is being used as a stepladder and cannot leave even if he wanted to! Sheepy: Holmes: Thank you for your services. Arsé-kun: Red: What are you looking at? Can I see? Sheepy: Holmes: This book here. Arsé-kun: *Red looks up* Arsé-kun: Red: ... Nope, all I can see is up your coat! Sheepy: Holmes: I'd prefer if you didn't look up my coat... Arsé-kun: Red: Then get your coat off Red's face! Sheepy: Holmes: I'll be down in a moment... Sheepy: *Holmes gets down, holding a strange book in his hands* Arsé-kun: Red: That doesn't look priesty.. Sheepy: Holmes: That's why it caught my eye. I don't think it's supposed to be here. Arsé-kun: *the book is chewing on his sleeve, normal book behavior* Sheepy: Holmes: Ah...I really liked this coat, too... Sheepy: Holmes:...Maybe Watson can fix it... Sheepy: *Holmes looks out the door for Watson* Arsé-kun: *Watson is right outside, smoking a pipe and tinkering with his watch. work you piece of shit.* Sheepy: Holmes: Watson.... Arsé-kun: Watson: Yes? Is it over yet? Sheepy: Holmes: My sleeve is damaged. It's my favorite coat, too. Sheepy: Holmes: It was chewed on... Sheepy: Holmes: You can fix it, can't you? Arsé-kun: Watson: Chewed on...? By what?? Sheepy: Holmes: *He shows off the strange book he found* This. Arsé-kun: Watson: .... Give me that. Sheepy: *Holmes gives him the book* Arsé-kun: *Watson puts it under his leg to keep it shut. denied* Sheepy: Holmes: Is the damage unfixable? Arsé-kun: Watson: It's just a few small holes. I can fix that easily once we get home. Sheepy: Holmes: Ah...! I knew I could count on you! Arsé-kun: Watson: As you should. Sheepy: Holmes: Is your watch broken? Arsé-kun: Watson: Yes. I'm gonna have to let the mechanic get a hold of it later. Sheepy: Holmes: Oh, it's for the best that you didn't ask me. I wouldn't be able to stand sitting and working on something so tedious for very long. Arsé-kun: Watson: That's why I didn't ask you. Sheepy: Holmes: And yet, it seems like an unfair trade that you're fixing my sleeve and I'm not going to do anything in return... Arsé-kun: Watson: You'll be there. That's my payment. Sheepy: Holmes:....! Sheepy: Holmes: Really... Most people would say, "you not being there would be my payment"... Arsé-kun: Watson: We're married, you idiot. Sheepy: Holmes: Ahahaha! I sure am lucky! Sheepy: Holmes: Ah, right. I feel like you would have fit in better at the meet-up than I did. Arsé-kun: Watson: I don't think so. I didn't like how it felt even from out here. Sheepy: Holmes: I felt too normal to be there. Sheepy: Holmes: At the end of the day... I see myself just as human as you, Watson. I suppose it's denial... but I have to ask myself why Mycroft never told me. Arsé-kun: Watson: ... I'm not even full human. You know this. Sheepy: Holmes:.....? Well, prosthetics don't make you any less human. Arsé-kun: Watson: It's a little more than... Ah, never mind. I suppose you aren't wrong. Sheepy: Holmes: Although, I suppose if you really were an angel or something along those lines, to me, you'd still be human. After all, that's all of my memories of you. ... Once again, I suppose that would be denial, but I always considered myself one of the few average people in a world full of things beyond my wildest dreams. I consider you that, too. Arsé-kun: Watson: I'm not an angel, but I appreciate the sentiment. Sheepy: Holmes: Ah, so that's not it. Sheepy: Holmes: I suppose that would be too easy... Arsé-kun: Watson: Far too easy. Sheepy: Holmes: Hmmm... Now that I think of the facts I know... Sheepy: Holmes:.......... Sheepy: Holmes: Demon...but what kind? Are there different kinds...? Sheepy: Holmes:........I don't know enough about these things to be making guesses like this. Arsé-kun: Watson: Perhaps. Sheepy: Holmes: I guess I should know more, but I let the security guard handle such matters. Arsé-kun: Watson: You could always ask. Sheepy: Holmes: Ask? Arsé-kun: Watson: Asking questions isn't suddenly a foreign concept to you, is it? Sheepy: Holmes: No, no, it isn't. I don't know who I would ask about this. Ah, maybe that Misyr Rex fellow who's always rambling about demons. Arsé-kun: Watson: Do not ask him. He does not know anything. Sheepy: Holmes: ...? I suppose if my guess is right, you would know a lot about the subject... Arsé-kun: Watson: ... You can just ask me directly, Sherlock. Sheepy: Holmes: Ahahaha, it's unusual, hearing you use my first name... Sheepy: Holmes:...Are you one? Arsé-kun: Watson: Not entirely. I'll explain more once we're home. Classes are going to be ending soon, and I don't want that knowledge spreading. Sheepy: Holmes: Yes... I can understand that. Arsé-kun: Watson: That being said... I'd better hurry off to work. You can do... Whatever it is you're going to do, I suppose. Sheepy: Holmes: I haven't decided on that yet. Arsé-kun: Watson: Have fun with it regardless. Sheepy: Holmes: I would say the same to you, but I can't imagine your job being fun. Arsé-kun: Watson: It's not. At least I had a break today. Sheepy: Holmes: Ah, I know! Maybe I'll get hurt so I'll have a reason to come see you. Arsé-kun: Watson: DO NOT. Sheepy: Holmes: Too bad. I'll keep thinking on what I should do. Arsé-kun: Watson: Take a lap while you're at it. Sheepy: Holmes: I'll do that. Sheepy: Holmes: Good luck. Arsé-kun: Watson: Thank you. Have fun. Don't get hurt. Sheepy: Holmes: I'll try not to. Arsé-kun: Watson: If you do, I'll give you a reason to mope. Sheepy: Holmes: But my sleeve is bad enough... Arsé-kun: Watson: Exactly. Sheepy: Holmes: So it's not a given with me. Arsé-kun: Watson: Fair enough. Arsé-kun: *4 pm! classes are ended! the students... are released.* Sheepy: Holmes: I'll head off now. See you later. Arsé-kun: Watson: See you at home, dear Holmes. Sheepy: *Holmes heads off to pace laps around the campus* Arsé-kun: Mngwa: --And if I can't do a kickflip, then neither can you! Hell, you'd step on the board and break it because your tits are so fat! Sheepy: Guin: I don't see how my chest would impact that... I think I could do it! Sheepy: Guin: Since you said I couldn't, I feel more fired up than ever to try it! Arsé-kun: Pink: *on the ground* Flip that kick! Right over me! Sheepy: *Guin attempts it!* Sheepy rolled a die with 20 sides. The die showed: 5 Sheepy: *Guin...fails, despite her confidence, and instead hits Pink and trips. Oof.* Arsé-kun: Pink: Oop! Better luck next time! Sheepy: Guin: How clumsy of me... Sheepy: Guin: Next time, I'll do better! Arsé-kun: Mngwa: What'd I say?? Big weights throw off your balance! Sheepy: Guin: And yet, I doubt anyone else can do it either. Arsé-kun: Mngwa: Wheel it over, let me try! Sheepy: *Guin gives it to Mngwa* Arsé-kun rolled a die with 20 sides. The die showed: 20 Arsé-kun: *Mngwa takes the board and runs off. Distance is required for MAXIMUM SPEED.* Sheepy: *Guin watches* Arsé-kun: *Mngwa 'boards on back, and easily kickflips right over Guin and Pink, no ramp needed. She's very smug* Sheepy: Guin: *clapping* Amazing! Good job! Arsé-kun: Pink: Wowee! Sheepy: Holmes: *He's sitting on a railing on the upper level, He doesn't look at all balanced. His position is such that it could inflict that horrible feeling that one gets in one's gut when they see someone too close to the edge of a high place and imagine themselves in that position.* Good job! Wonderful trick! *He's kicking his legs some and rocking slightly to his right and left. he's having fun* However, there is but one thing that I have the misfortune to remind you of... Sheepy: Holmes: Skateboarding is not permitted on the campus. Arsé-kun: Mngwa: Aw, you again? Sheepy: Holmes: Yes, it's your friendly local detective, Sherlock Holmes! Arsé-kun: *Moriarty started walking in, saw Holmes, did a perfect 180° turn* Sheepy: Holmes:...! Ah! Professor! Sheepy: *Holmes jumps down and starts rushing over to Mori at top speed! He doesn't seem to realize that this should hsve broken something.* Sheepy: *...Holmes collides with him, hugging him from behind!* Arsé-kun: Mori: YOU'RE GOING TO BREAK MY HIPS Sheepy: Holmes: Ahahahaa! Professor! You're going to break my heart if you seem so disappointed to see me! Sheepy: Holmes: I don't think I could break your hips so easily! Although I suppose that's a question to ask Watson later. Arsé-kun: Mori: Please stop rushing me like some kind of rabid animal. Sheepy: Holmes: Hmmm? How else am I supposed to show how much I like you? Arsé-kun: Mori: By greeting me like a civilized human being. Sheepy: Holmes:.....Hmhmhm... I never learned how. Arsé-kun: Mori: Get learning. Arsé-kun: *Mngwa resumes skating around the room in the background. fuck da police* Sheepy: *Guin watches and tries to learn from her* Sheepy: Holmes: Wouldn't you feel lonely without anyone to enthusiastically greet you, Professor? Arsé-kun: Mori: My grandson is more mature than you. Sheepy: Holmes: You mean, your own grandson doesn't come over and hug you? Ahahahaha! How unfortunate for you! ... And yet, I am in the same boat with Iris, where she simply sees me as a man she's been tasked with keeping in line. Ah... It won't do, it won't do at all. ... Anyway, most people are probably less mature than him. That isn't a low bar to duck under. Arsé-kun: Mori: ... This is a fair point. I can't argue with this. Sheepy: Holmes: That's not necessarily a good thing... I feel like childhoods should be spent enjoying your time as a child. There's no reason to grow up too fast. But I guess that isn't my area to talk. After all, what experience do I have being a child? Arsé-kun: Mori: Not enough. You're clearly making up for it now. Sheepy: Holmes: No problem doing it now. Arsé-kun: Mori: Some hapless soul could be getting swindled into buying weaponry right this moment and you're spending it being a child? Sheepy: Holmes: I did walk into that the other day. Arsé-kun: Mori: While it's good for some, it's... Still concerning. I don't want my grandson coming home with a pistol. Sheepy: Holmes: How careless of him to do it while babysitting a child... Ah, I don't know if he bribed Satoru, but he didn't bribe me for my silence. Arsé-kun: Mori: Oh? So you know about the snow golem, do you? Sheepy: Holmes: Of course. I saw it the other day, cursing in front of him while selling people swords. Arsé-kun: Mori: I'd like to punt it across a football field. Sheepy: Holmes: I would like to see you do it! Sheepy: Holmes: Although, your hip might give out of you do. Arsé-kun: Mori: That's the problem. Maybe one of the kids will do it one day. Arsé-kun: Lance: *entering scene from the door opposite of Holmes and under the railing* What is this, some kind of murder mystery party? Sheepy: Guin: We're trying to kickflip. Sheepy: Holmes: Ah! *he looks over to Lance* You're not in the hospital anymore. Good, wonderful! I was concerned about you. Arsé-kun: Lance: Neat. Arsé-kun: Lance: *looking at Holmes* You just missed complaining at me. Arsé-kun: Lance: Complaining to the math teacher? Sheepy: Clover: Is harassing Uncle Mori really so entertaining...? Arsé-kun: Pink: Why're you here, old man mystery eater? Sheepy: Holmes: I don't eat mystery, you know. And anyway... What could the delinquent club be without its mascot? Arsé-kun: Pink: WHAT Sheepy: Clover: A better place, I think... Arsé-kun: *Pink jumps up... And trips on Guin. This doesn't stop em at all* Arsé-kun: Pink: I'm the beloved childhood mascot for wrongdoing! Sheepy: Holmes: Oh. I won't deny it. Arsé-kun: Pink: Boss! I'm gonna bully the bad mascot! Sheepy: Clover: Just don't injure him. Arsé-kun: Pink: B'okay! Sheepy: Holmes: My feelings are sensitive, so don't be too cruel. However... If you are the mascot of wrongdoings as a whole, could you really lower yourself to be the mascot of one little delinquent club as well? Arsé-kun: Pink: I can do whatever the hell I want! Rules are for lawyers and the devil! Sheepy: Holmes: Demons follow rules? But what about that Misyr fellow? Arsé-kun: Pink: who Sheepy: Holmes: At the coffee shop. Purple and pink hair. Always reading detective novels while drinking coffee. Arsé-kun: Pink: That's no demon, no way! I thought that was a cosplayer or an alien! Sheepy: Holmes: He's usually cackling about being a demon lord who breaks all the rules. Arsé-kun: Pink: Or an alien in love with Earth's customs with cosplay and anime! Sheepy: Holmes: To my knowledge, he's just like that. Sheepy: Il: Mascots are always animal based. Sheepy: Il: Ignis is the mascot. Arsé-kun: *Ignis looks up from his borgor to stare at Il* Sheepy: Il: After all, you are a dog! Arsé-kun: *Ignis just looks at Holmes for a solid minute before going back to his borogor* Sheepy: Holmes: Ah... it's him. Sheepy: Il: Shuu is the only alternative. Arsé-kun: Pink: Shuu's the patron god of gacha rhythm games and sparkling so much that my corneas self destruct! Sheepy: Shuu: I'm not interested in plastering my face on the non-existent lame merch that would come out of this club. What do I look like, a cash cow? Leave being an annoying self-absorbed mascot to someone else. Arsé-kun: Shuu: So fuck you. Arsé-kun: Pink: So it's between me, goodie two shoes angel bait detective mans, and the girl named after a cat! A catgirl would make a lot of money.... Arsé-kun: *Pink gets a skateboard thrown at them. Pink doesn't care.* Sheepy: Il: You're forgetting Ignis. Arsé-kun: Ignis: Ignis is not a mascot! I'd love to disembowl a mascot though. Now stop making me not eat my burger! *and back to bourgororor* Sheepy: Il: You could be a mascot for a burger place. Arsé-kun: Ignis: I'd eat all the stock. Sheepy: Il: Like... let's see. Sheepy: Il: You could be a clown. Arsé-kun: Ignis: I'd rather die. Sheepy: Il: I will, of course, be your companion... a handsome, romantic prince, having lived his life trapped in a tower.. only having escaped after years of isolation, now looking for love. Sheepy: Il: By the way, you can be my court jester. Arsé-kun: Pink: Why am I being ignored?? I'm the mascot! That's it! Sheepy: Il: Ah! Pink! I know! Sheepy: Il: You can be the hamburglar! Ah, but that concept is already used... Sheepy: Il: Anyway, little do I know... My life will suddenly change as my true love appears in my life! Can I come up with a romantic enough route for the heroine before she chooses another man's route? Only time will tell... Sheepy: Il:...Perhaps I want my route to be as soulcrushing as possible so the heroine cries tears on my behalf? Arsé-kun: Pink: Well, you gotta find a girl first! Do you actually want one or are you just saying it? Sheepy: Il: Hmmm? Sheepy: Il: Hmmmm... Sheepy: Il: I want to experience all the romantic events in otome games! I want to experience the "kabedon"! I just need to find someone as lovable as an otome ikemen to do it! Arsé-kun: Pink: Why ain't you ever say so? Sheepy: Il: I assumed I had... Sheepy: Il: Perhaps one day... I will experience a kabedon for myself, in all of its romantic glory... Sheepy: Il: But for now... what else... I want to experience being in the cold rain, only to have an umbrella put over me... And then we can both blush in silence because we're a little too close to be able to fit under the umbrella... Sheepy: Il: Ah, or a scene where it's cold, and I've given a coat to warm up... Sheepy: Il: *He cups his face in his hands* At the end of the day... I simply want to experience the romantic scenes in otome games! I don't care if it's by a heroine or an ikemen. Arsé-kun: Mngwa: Good fuckin' luck. I ain't doin' it. Sheepy: Il: I hope that one day I can find a route of my very own... Arsé-kun: *Lance is blogging about weaponry, up against the wall.* Sheepy: Guin: Kabedon...? Ah, Il, do you mean like this? *She approaches Lance and suddenly... slams her hand onto the wall next to him! Kabedon.* Arsé-kun: Lance: ?!?!??? *he's so startled he throws his phone an inch up out of his hands. he catches it, but that isn't the point* Sheepy: Guin: Sorry, did I surprise you? Arsé-kun: Lance: Mmmmmmmmmhm! Sheepy: Il: That's it! A kabedon scene! Arsé-kun: *pink cheering* Sheepy: Il: The heroine is usually kabedon'd by the guy she likes in a serious scene, and they're just close enough that a kiss is possible! And yet..! They generally don't lead to them. Ah, like the time Sherlock Holmes kabedon's you to protect you from oncoming gunfire... How romantic! Arsé-kun: *Lance has since turned bright red and is hiding his face with his hands and hair. Send help.* Arsé-kun: Pink: Did y'all expect differently?? It's Il, romance mans supreme! Sheepy: Guin: I-I don't know! He just mentioned it before and it seemed fun to try! Arsé-kun: *Lance is Dying. Not really. He's gone back to blogging but at a much faster pace, like him finishing the post about the M61 Vulcan meaning he'll be freed from this. Even though he could just turn away from her arm and walk away.* Sheepy: *Guin is flustered and doesn't know what to do. Does she just retract her arm and act like nothing happened? She doesn't know.* Arsé-kun: *Mori takes a picture to send to the resident love expert. And then deletes it because he doesn't need this shit after it's purpose.* Arsé-kun: *Mori does not get an instant reply to the text. Raph must be working.* Sheepy: Il: By the way... Ignis. Is your stomach hurting? Arsé-kun: Ignis: Why would it? Sheepy: Il: Mine hurts in a strange way. Arsé-kun: Ignis: ...? *he puts his fifth burget down to turn and look at Il* Did you eat anything weird? Sheepy: Il: No. I don't think so. Nothing out of the usual. Arsé-kun: Pink: Bet somethin' happened somewhere. Sheepy: Il: I can't eat things that are somewhere else. Arsé-kun: Mngwa: Are you having an emotion? Sheepy: Il: Although, I have mostly eaten sugary things today... Maybe that is it... Sheepy: Il: Emotion... Oh, yes, I do. Sheepy: Il: I feel extreme nervousness. Arsé-kun: Ignis: Why?? Nothin's happening here. If it was, I'd kill it. Sheepy: Il: I don't know. Arsé-kun: Mori: Holmes. Arsé-kun: Mori: See if your husband knows where Raphael is. He's not answering texts. Sheepy: Holmes: ...Right. If Watson doesn't read my texts, I'll head over there. Sheepy: Holmes: [Text: to Watson] Watson. Where is Raphael? He isn't answering his texts. Arsé-kun: Watson: [text: to Holmes] Your timing is god awful. I'm already trying to prevent a Griffin-Okita-Lucan alliance as it is, also I don't know. Sheepy: Holmes: [text: to Watson] He isn't with you? Arsé-kun: Watson: [text: to Holmes] Not that I've seen recently. I'll make sure he isn't sleeping in his office, then get back to you. Sheepy: Holmes: [Text: to Watson] If he isn't there all together, I'll head to Carter's to ask if he's seen him. Arsé-kun: Watson: [text: to Holmes] Be careful. I heard something is living just off the path nearby. Sheepy: Holmes: [Text: to Watson] Don't worry. I'll be fine. But if you don't hear back from me in the next half an hour, maybe I'm in danger. Arsé-kun: Watson: [text: to Holmes] ... I'll text you myself. Sheepy: Holmes: [Text: to Watson] Good idea. Arsé-kun: Watson: [text: to Holmes] Good luck. If anyone hurts you, don't hesitate to tell me who. Sheepy: Holmes: [Text: to Watson] Thanks, you too. And I'll keep that in mind. Arsé-kun: *we ain't writing for another hour, fuck that, here's a free skip* Sheepy: Holmes: [Text: to Watson] Don't worry. I'm fine. Sorry for the slow response. I got distracted and ignored the ping. Arsé-kun: Watson: [text: to Holmes] Oh Good. I was just about to start calling you. Sheepy: Holmes: [Text: to Watson] No need. Unfortunately, it seems like Raphael never ended up at Carter's. At this point, I'm not really sure where to check. Sheepy: Holmes: [Text: to Watson] Maybe they're just out on a date. Who knows. Arsé-kun: Watson: [text: to Holmes] He'd have celebrated that, no doubt, unless it was a secret. Sheepy: Holmes: [Text: to Watson] It could be! Arsé-kun: Watson: [text: to Holmes] Thank you for responding at least. Sheepy: Holmes: [Text: to Watson] Of course. I try to respond when I remember to. Arsé-kun: Watson: [text: to Holmes] Bit on the stiff side now? What gives? Sheepy: Holmes: [Text: to Watson] I'm worried about Raphael. He's probably fine, but that doesn't mean I'm not concerned. Arsé-kun: Watson: [text: to Holmes] If we're lucky, he's just preparing some kind of practical joke. Sheepy: Holmes: [Text: to Watson] I'm sure that's it. Arsé-kun: Watson: [text: to Holmes] Either way, call if you find anything out. I'll do the same. Sheepy: Holmes: [Text: to Watson] I will if I remember to. Arsé-kun: *Watson puts his phone away. Other matters to attend to.* Sheepy: Iris: Did he find Raphy? Arsé-kun: Watson: Not yet. He thinks Raph didn't even make it to Carter's. I asked him to call if he finds anything. Sheepy: Iris: I can send out a drone later to go looking! Although... what if someone tries to shoot it down...? Sheepy: Grif: *He's clutching Dr. Griffin tightly* You said that Raphael is missing, and that he never made it to Randy's. Right? Arsé-kun: Watson: That is what was said, yes. Sheepy: Grif: That happened to Wil... yesterday? The day before? Sheepy: Grif: Anyway, I found him injured off path. He had a concussion. Sheepy: Grif: It made me mad, and I intended to rampage about it, but it slipped my mind. Hmm... I suppose House's investigations will be beneficial for deciding who to maul. Arsé-kun: Watson: That does explain why Dr. West dragged him in last evening. Sheepy: Grif: It's possible that the same happened to Raphael. Arsé-kun: Watson: If that's the case... When we're done here, you'd better go looking with Holmes. We don't need a bodycount. Sheepy: Grif: Yes. I can do that. Sheepy: Grif: But if House slows me down, I'll just drag him along. Very simple. Yes. Arsé-kun: Watson: Just make sure he doesn't get hurt. Sheepy: Grif: ...? That's my job. Arsé-kun: Watson: Glad to hear it. Sheepy: Grif: Yes. Sheepy: Iris: I hope Holmsies doesn't disappear, too... But I'm sure if anyone could reappear, it would be Holmsies... Arsé-kun: Watson: Is Dr. Griffin still struggling? If not, I'll take over from here. Sheepy: Grif: A little. Yes. Arsé-kun: Watson: So that should be... About five more minutes at most. Sheepy: Grif: That sounds right to me. Afterwards, I'll go join House. Arsé-kun: Watson: And please do. If you find anything, do get into contact. Sheepy: Grif: I can't text very well. Unless you can read and write in R'lyehian or Draconian, I'd need to call you. Arsé-kun: Watson: I never said you had to text. Sheepy: Grif: No. You didn't. I'll just call you. Sheepy: Grif: By the way. Did House mention the office being unusually dark? Arsé-kun: Watson: No, he did not. Sheepy: Grif: I see. So Uncle must have left... Arsé-kun: Watson: ..? Sheepy: Grif:....Surely, a detective like him would find that of note. Hmhm.... Arsé-kun: Watson: It wouldn't be of note if he didn't know about it to begin with. Sheepy: Grif: When I visited, I was told that Wil hadn't visited. As I said, he was injured... But clearly, Uncle was there, because the lighrs were off. Randy wouldn't turn his lights off without expecting him. He can take advantage of the darkness, you know. Sheepy: Grif: How would he not know about it? Arsé-kun: Watson: Perhaps your uncle was serving as a distraction. Sheepy: Grif: So if he never entered the office, he wouldn't notice. Arsé-kun: Watson: I feel like we're on two different trains of thought, but that still applies. Sheepy: Grif: I don't really understand... Arsé-kun: Watson: Let's start over. It's possible Holmes hasn't seen Carter yet, and it's possible he has. He doesn't need to tell me everything he finds. Sheepy: Grif: Hmm... Sheepy: Grif: Well, I should find House near there, then. Arsé-kun: Watson: It'd be most likely, yes. Sheepy: Grif: Good luck with Griffin. I'll head out to find House. Arsé-kun: Watson: Thank you. Do your best out there. Sheepy: Grif: Ah, so if Randy tells me nothing, I should dismember him... Sheepy: Grif: Truly... that is what I am best at. Arsé-kun: Watson: That is the exact opposite of helpful. Sheepy: Iris: You can leave all the detective work to Holmsies, Groffy! Arsé-kun: Griffin: *the bandages man finally speaks up* You're all so loud... Sheepy: Grif: I can silence the world for you. Forever... Arsé-kun: Watson: Please do not injure or kill any patients. Sheepy: Grif: Hmm... Alright. I won't. Sheepy: *Grif just drops Griffin* Arsé-kun: *One dull thud later, Griffin is on the floor.* Sheepy: Grif: I'll be back soon with House. Probably. Arsé-kun: Watson: Good luck. Sheepy: Grif: Thank you. *he heads out* Arsé-kun: *Okay, Grif, where are you going? Are you following the big quest marker, or your own instinct? That's a trick question, both lead to Randy's* Sheepy: *Grif heads to Randy's office.* Arsé-kun: *The lights are on. That is a good first sign* Sheepy: Grif: Hm... So that was a one time thing. Arsé-kun: *Enter? y/n* Sheepy: Grif: Randy. Are you busy? The answer to this question will not impact any following dialogue. It is just an act of politeness to ask. Arsé-kun: Randy: Is today nothing but people interrupting work? First Holmes, now you. Sheepy: Grif: House was here? Arsé-kun: Randy: You only missed him by a couple of minutes. Sheepy: Grif: Did he say where he was going next? Arsé-kun: Randy: He said... He was going to have a drink, and then suggested he'd be looking around locally. And then one other thing. Sheepy: Grif: One other thing? What is it? Arsé-kun: Randy: Something about a.... *he suddenly has a very uncharacteristic, devious grin on his face* Vibe check. Sheepy: *Something suddenly leaps out from Randy and jabs Grif through the chest before he has a chance to respond!* Arsé-kun: Randy: ...... Arsé-kun: *the thing's very appearance has seemingly caused something to happen to Randy, what with him now slumped down into his chair* Sheepy rolled a die with 20 sides. The die showed: 20 Sheepy: *Grif collapses to the ground, dead within seconds...* Sheepy: *Grif is frightened! Grif is injured! Grif is fatally wounded! Grif is dead! The party has fallen!* Arsé-kun: *It becomes eerily silent.... And the lights go out.* Sheepy: *Eventually, Grif wakes up on the cold, wet ground...* Arsé-kun: *It's dark, but not so dark that he can't see.* Sheepy: *Grif looks around.* Arsé-kun: *... He's outside. Off-path.* Sheepy: Grif:....! Sheepy: Grif: If I'm here... does that mean Raphael is here, too? Arsé-kun: *Paimon rolls out of Grif's bag and lights up. You have several missed calls.* Sheepy: Grif: *He picks Paimon up* Dad? You're here, too... Arsé-kun: Yog: *from Paimon* Of course! I have identified that grandfather was most definitely present at the time of your last death, despite being unseen and uninvolved. I'm sorry I could not forewarn you of the ambush. Sheepy: Grif: Uncle must have asked him to be there to blind you. Arsé-kun: Yog: Highly likely, given he's the one that killed you. Sheepy: Grif: Yes... I can't believe he managed to scare me. Sheepy: Grif: Is Raphael near by? He may be in danger. Same for House. Arsé-kun: Yog: I believe so, yes. And his name is Holmes. Sheepy: Grif: Comfort and safety is what makes a House a Holmes... Sheepy: Grif: Anyway, I don't trust him very much. Arsé-kun: Yog: .... He is innocent. Sheepy: Grif: That's not it. I know he is innocent here. Sheepy: Grif: He just reads me too well. Sheepy: Grif: *He starts looking for Raph* Yes... I don't like the way he looks at me. Arsé-kun: Yog: That means he is good at his job. Arsé-kun: *... Another light source is spotted!* Sheepy: *Grif rushes over to the source of light* Arsé-kun: *It turns out there's actually two in the same location! One is Shuu's cell phone. The other is Raphael's halo, being unsteadily held like a lantern by a drunken sailor* Sheepy: Grif: Raphael. I found you. Ah... What do I say here... Sheepy: Grif: You can't hide forever, Raphael. I'll always find you. Always... Arsé-kun: *Raph takes a step back and stumbles, falling onto his rear* Sheepy: Grif:...Yes, that's what I'm supposed to say when I rescue someone. Arsé-kun: Yog: No it isn't!! Sheepy: Grif: What? It isn't? Arsé-kun: Yog: That's only for intimidation! We've been over this. Sheepy: Grif: I see. Sheepy: Grif:....... Arsé-kun: Raph: ......... Sheepy: Grif: I've come for you. Are you ready? You won't get very far if you run, you know. Arsé-kun: Raph: Cut'hat out!! Sheepy: Grif: We're going back to the hospital. Sheepy: Grif: Watson was worrying about you, you know. Arsé-kun: Raph: I ain't think I'm 'n any contition to work righ'now... Tell Watsy I might be a bi'tipsy. Sheepy: Shuu: Can you just go home already? I've been waiting out here for a few hours now for you to just wake up, you lazy bum. ... Hehe ⭐️ Did you enjoy your journeys through the dream galaxy? You really should hire a guide like me. Silly angel ⭐️ Arsé-kun: *Raph blankly stares at Shuu. Processing's a bit slow, give him a moment* Arsé-kun: Raph: How'd you know about th..... A few hours?! Sheepy: Shuu: I've got other knocked out people to watch over. What makes you think you're so special that you deserve a few hours of my time, huh? You think everything's about you, don't you?... Hehe ⭐️Don't you know? They call me the lovely ⭐️ sparkling ⭐️ Dream Prince for a reason... did you enjoy your journey? I hope so... ⭐️ Sheepy: Shuu: Why don't you just go home already? You like sleeping on the ground? Are you some sort of camping lover? Disgusting. You make me sick. ... Hehe ⭐️ Just kidding ⭐️ I have to spare some of my insults for the others, so don't feel so sad about not receiving all of them, okay? Arsé-kun: Raph: Why, you.... Why don'tcha.... *he's got a comeback, but the words aren't coming. he gives up.* Who else..? Sheepy: Shuu: If you go and get yourself knocked out again, I'll dish out new insults towards you, okay? So come back soon ⭐️ Clumsy angel ⭐️ But... Just this once, I'll help you, okay? Because I like you. Hehe. Arsé-kun: Raph: .... Bud, I'd luv t' play along, bu'I got no concep' of thinkin' straight righ'now. Sheepy: Shuu: You never do think straight ⭐️ Arsé-kun: Raph: .......... ......... You right. Sheepy: Shuu: However... As I said, I will help, because I don't want anyone to die here. That's no fun. Arsé-kun: Raph: So let Grof take whoev'else is here? Sheepy: Shuu: Let's see.. An hour or two ago, that obnoxious detective was dumped off here. I could have moved him closer to you to keep an eye on both of you, but I realized that I like you much more by far and decided to just leave him there. Sheepy: Grif: House is here? Arsé-kun: Raph: .... ooooh, Johnny's gonna be maa~aaad... Sheepy: Shuu: Hehe ⭐️Watson wouldn't get mad at me. After all, I'm a poor, defenseless Dream Prince lost in the darkness... Arsé-kun: Raph: Not at you, dummy.. Sheepy: Shuu: But I'm sure if he works his brain hard enough, he'll figure out the true culprit. ... Well, that's not that hard of a question to solve, is it? Sheepy: Shuu: Anyway, I'll lead you back while Grif leads back the other ones. Okay? Arsé-kun: Raph: Yes, please... Sheepy: Shuu: *He hops over to Raph and takes his hand before pointing with his other hand* You'll find the others over there, okay? Have fun ⭐️ Sheepy: Grif:...Thanks. *He heads off in the direction Shuu pointed* Sheepy: *Shuu leads Raphael back.* Arsé-kun: *Raph is, as you've probably noticed by now, absolutely drunk. How this happened has not been clarified, but it explains why he needs the help getting back to begin with. He appreciates the help though.* Sheepy: Shuu: Here we are ⭐️ Arsé-kun: Raph: What a good guide you are... I'd hire you if I could. Sheepy: Shuu: I'm even better with dreams ⭐️ Arsé-kun: Raph: I bet! Arsé-kun: *They enter. Watson is pacing in front of the front desk, looking worried. He only stops when he sees Raph and Shuu* Arsé-kun: Watson: This is.. Not what I expected. Care to fill me in? Arsé-kun: Raph: I, uh. I mighta been drinking with Randy bu' I'unno how anythin' else happened... Arsé-kun: Raph: 'pparently your husband got knocked the fuck out before Grif did... Arsé-kun: Watson: W H A T. Sheepy: Shuu: Hehe ⭐️ Don’t worry, Watson. I watched over him closely… ⭐️ Sheepy: Shuu: Just this once, I’ll help, because you’re precious to me. Hehe ⭐️ You, and Raphael… ⭐️ Sheepy: Shuu: Oh, just so you know, Raphael, I took a quick break from watching you to keep up appearances at the delinquents club. Thank you for not dying while I wasn’t looking, okay? ⭐️ Sheepy: Shuu: Let’s see…. Nyarlathotep is knocking out anyone who enters Carter’s office and then dumping them off the path. That’s a satisfactory answer, isn’t it? Grif is collecting together all the victims right now ⭐️ I think Nyarly was willing to let them just die out there, but I thought it’d be more fun if they lived. Arsé-kun: Watson: .... ........ Arsé-kun: Raph: Makes'ense, fine wit' me! But damn, why we not know 'bout this before? Arsé-kun: Raph: Don't... Don't answer that. Sheepy: Shuu: You never asked, so why would I tell you? You think I can read minds or something? Maybe try using your ⭐️ eyes and ears some and you'd notice people were going missing. ... Hehe ⭐️ It's okay, I know you're doing your best ⭐️ Arsé-kun: Raph: T_T Sheepy: Shuu: People can only do so much... and this area isn't your expertise ⭐️ It's okay, I understand ⭐️ Arsé-kun: Watson: Ah! *he hurries over to Grif, to take Holmes from him* Sheepy: Holmes: .....? Watson...? *He seems groggy...* Arsé-kun: Watson: Yes, it's me. Talk later. Let's make sure you and everyone else are okay first. Sheepy: Holmes: .........*he grimaces* Ugh, my head... ... I couldn't text you, sorry... ...But you didn't either. Arsé-kun: Watson: What? I had a whole conversation with you.... Or I thought it was you. Now stop speaking. Sheepy: Holmes:........ Sheepy: Shuu: Oh? Don't you know? It's Nyarlathotep's talent to imitate others. Arsé-kun: Watson: I wish I didn't. Now I'll doubt every message I get. Sheepy: Shuu: Hehe ⭐️ You don't need to doubt me ⭐️ Sheepy: Shuu:....Just kidding, let's be careful in the future, okay? Trust, but verify ⭐️ Arsé-kun: *raph having wandered off to mope.png* Sheepy: *Holmes is moping, too, but he can't wander off because he's with Watson* Sheepy: Iris: Oh! Raphy! You're back! I was really worried about you, you know! *she pouts a bit before giving him a hug* Don't run off again without saying anything, okay? You gave us all a real scare! Arsé-kun: Raph: Eh? I said where I was goin'... I just sure didn't make it. Sheepy: Iris: ...? Arsé-kun: *Romani staring at all this in the background, looking overwhelmed by the sheer amount of things happening here at once. It isn't much to anyone else, he's just not used to it yet* Arsé-kun: Raph: I said I was goin' to Randy's. I... Was there for a bit, at least.. Sheepy: Iris: Groffy mentioned that his brother was attacked there, too. Arsé-kun: Romani: I'm not sure what's happening here, but shouldn't we open the nearest waiting room and do our jobs?? Sheepy: Grif: Worry not. I have already mostly recovered from being stabbed through the chest. Arsé-kun: Romani: you w h a t Sheepy: Grif: Hmmm? Oh, I got murdered earlier. By Uncle. He was possessing Randy and gave me a real scare when he popped out. Arsé-kun: *romani now looks even more confused. help this mans* Arsé-kun: Watson: .. Okay, enough, let's get moving. If you need assistance, do not hesitate to say so. Arsé-kun: Watson: Griflet, please wait a few minutes before you commit violence. Sheepy: Grif: I can wait. Sheepy: *Holmes leans on Watson some. This translates to, 'yes, I need assistance'." Arsé-kun: *Watson gladly assists Holmes. I mean, he's not glad, shut up, you know what I mean* Sheepy: *Holmes is mumbling incoherent nonsense the whole time. Nobody will tell him to shut up* Arsé-kun: *Raph responds in a similar fashion and gives Holmes a fingergun. Whatever Holmes said, he agrees* Arsé-kun: *... After a few minutes, Watson comes back out to speak with Griflet. He's grumpy* Arsé-kun: Watson: Take your sword out. I'm going to do you a favor in return for finding Sherlock. Sheepy: Grif: *He pulls out his sword* Sheepy: Grif: I didn't find him. The foxy man did. I just happened to have my body dumped near by. Arsé-kun: Watson: Yes, but he isn't doing combat, so this is useless for him. Arsé-kun: *Watson puts his hands on Grif's sword and concentrates. One skill check later, Grif's sword starts to heat up to frankly absurd levels!* Sheepy: Grif:...! Sheepy: Grif: Amazing... This should assist me in destroying Uncle. Arsé-kun: Watson: Keep it sheathed when not in use. It'll cool faster when it's out. Sheepy: *Grif sheathes it* Sheepy: Grif: Thank you. Arsé-kun: Watson: No problem. Give your uncle hell for me. Figuratively. Sheepy: Grif: Right. I will. *He heads out!* Arsé-kun: Yog: ... He is still at Randolph's office. Are you ready? Sheepy: Grif: Yes. Arsé-kun: Yog: Grandfather is still there, as is... Ah, he knows we're coming. Hastur is there as well, but I believe there will only be one combatant. Sheepy: Grif: I wonder how he knows... Sheepy: *Grif heads to Randy's office once more.* Arsé-kun: *N!Randy is waiting for him. He's sitting on the desk- A very-unRandy behavior. No point faking it more than you need to, ey, Nyar?* Arsé-kun: N!Randy: Welcome back! Are you ready for a second loss today? I am! Sheepy: Grif: Overconfidence will be your downfall. Arsé-kun: N!Randy: That's funny! I could have sworn that I'm winning! Sheepy: Grif: Now that it's my quest to destroy you, I will pursue you unto the very edges of the Earth. Not even death will stop me from ending your miserable existence, even momentarily. Arsé-kun: N!Randy: Aw, don't be so harsh! You wouldn't want to hurt dear old Randolph, would you? Sheepy: Grif:...... Arsé-kun: N!Randy: Attacking my second favorite human in his own office? Have you no shame? Sheepy: Grif: The quest doesn't mention what I should do with Randy... Arsé-kun: *Quest updated! [Quest: R.I.P. and Tear! Defeat Nyarlathotep however you can! Carter's survival is a bonus.]* Sheepy: Grif: It says his survival is optional. Arsé-kun: N!Randy: ....... Arsé-kun: N!Randy: You wouldn't! Sheepy: Grif:....? Sheepy: Grif: Why not? Arsé-kun: N!Randy: That's your boss and your dad's friend! You wouldn't hurt him! Arsé-kun: N!Randy: You would lose your job! You'd be kicked out! Sheepy: Grif:...... Sheepy: Grif: But wouldn't it be your fault? Sheepy: Grif: After all, you're the one who put him in the situation. Sheepy: Grif: The guilt would be yours and yours alone. Arsé-kun: N!Randy: Nope! See! *he pulls out a handwritten contract. It's in both english and r'ylehian* It says here that I have Randy's permission to be here! Arsé-kun: N!Randy: It clearly states that I, Nyarlathotep, am permitted to act as the primary consciousness as long as I do the work I accepted with it! And I have! I've done more paperwork this week than he's done all month! I should get a raise! Sheepy: Grif: That isn't my problem. Randy told me to protect the campus. He never said I couldn't kill him. Arsé-kun: N!Randy: I say you can't kill him! I won't let you! Sheepy: Grif: Okay. Then get out of him and stop attacking people. Arsé-kun: *He's been angered. His offensive stats have skyrocketed.* Arsé-kun: *N!Randy is too mad to respond.* Sheepy: Grif: By being inside of him when you start a fight with me, you are endangering him. It is your fault if he gets injured. Sheepy: Grif: I am perfectly willing to wait until you stop being a coward and hiding in your shell like a hermit crab. Arsé-kun: N!Randy: Oh, no! I'm not letting you outsmart me! If you want me out so bad, do it yourself! Sheepy: Grif: Okay. If that's the case, I'll just pull you out myself. Sheepy: Grif: The rules say that littering outside is wrong. I would never litter outside. There are no rules about inside. Arsé-kun: N!Randy: You better not! I have to clean all that up! Sheepy: *Grif pulls sand out of his pocket and throws it around. The carpet is now sandy. Gross.* Arsé-kun: N!Randy: You're the worst! *he sounds stressed* Now I have to clean that up too?! Is there anything you won't do, you monster? Sheepy: Grif:...Monster...? Hmhmhm... Let's see. Ah, I finished this earlier... *He pulls out an empty wrapper* I was going to toss this earlier, but I kept it on me until then. Sheepy: Grif: *He approaches the trash can, keeping his eye on Nyar, before dropping it... right next to the trash can. Not in it* Sheepy: Grif: How unfortunate. Arsé-kun: *Grif is very immediately slapped with a tentacle from N!Randy's back. He's very unhappy* Sheepy: Grif: Khh! ... Hahahahah... Ah, you know, I came across something earlier, Uncle. Sheepy: Grif: *He pulls out a colored cube. It's a Rubik's cube! It's unsolved* A gift. For you! Arsé-kun: N!Randy: ..... ........... Arsé-kun: N!Randy: Give me that. Sheepy: Grif: Not until you get out of Randy. Arsé-kun: N!Randy: What, you can't do it now? Sheepy: Grif: It's not a gift for Randy. Arsé-kun: Hastur: Boooooo! Where's the climatic fight scene? This improv sucks! Sheepy: Grif: Uncle, look. He wants Randy dead. Arsé-kun: Hastur: So what? Everyone is gonna die no matter what! Sheepy: *Grif and Nyar turn to face Hastur similarly to how Trip and his wife do in Façade when you say something they don't like.* Arsé-kun: Hastur: ... ... ... Just get on with the damn show! Sheepy: Grif: If you don't like it, you can write a better ending. Sheepy: Grif:...Anyway, I guess I can give it to you, just this once. Sheepy: *Grif gives Nyar!Randy the cube.* Arsé-kun: N!Randy: Gimme that! Thank you, have a horrible day! *he gleefully turns around to solve it* Sheepy: *With Nyar!Randy's back now exposed, Grif grabs onto the tentacle and pulls as hard as he can!* Arsé-kun: *With a VERY uncomfortable sound somewhere between a POP and a SQUELCH, Nyar is pulled out! .. Which he wanted!* Sheepy: *Nyar goes for the easy kill, but Grif is faster and stabs him with his very hot sword!* Arsé-kun: *Randolph, having been unconscious this entire time, silently collapses behind all this. No damage taken.* Sheepy: Nyar: Geez, that's hot! Back up, back up! Nobody said you could use that! Arsé-kun: *Hastur is herding cats away from the fight scene and plopping them on a certain fox's lap. Cat given. Cat given. Cat given* Sheepy: *Shuu seems pleased by this! Maybe hiding beneath his rude personality, he actually likes cute things?* Sheepy: Grif: Dad, is it really against the rules to stab him with this? Arsé-kun: Yog: Certainly not. He's just bitter you came with a buff. Arsé-kun: *Nyar is promptly stabbed again with the hellfire-hot sword.* Sheepy: Nyar: Hot-hot-HOT!! Sheepy: Nyar: Alright, that's it! You've ticked me off! Just fall and perish right now! Don't pass go or collect $200! Sheepy: *Nyar goes for Grif's left shoulder!* Sheepy: *Nyar's tendril goes through Grif's left shoulder! Swinging his sword will be more difficult now!* Sheepy: Grif: ...! Ghh! Sheepy: *Grif passes his sword to his other hand.* Arsé-kun: *Hastur starts looking around warily. He seems to have noticed something.* Sheepy: Nyar: Ahahahaha! Try stabbing me like that, kid! Sheepy: *Grif stabs him like that.* Sheepy: Nyar: HEY!! Arsé-kun: *Hastur cackles* Sheepy: Nyar: Don't laugh at me! Man, this day stinks...! This week stinks! Arsé-kun: Hastur: It's going to get worse, don't you worry! Sheepy: Nyar:...What? Arsé-kun: Hastur: It always does! *Hastur starts picking up the cats and also Shuu. There's something going on here and it's sus* Sheepy: Nyar:...?? Arsé-kun: Hastur: Don't mind me! Keep your eyes on the prize! Sheepy: *Grif stabs Nyar again.* Sheepy: Nyar: Owowowow...! I'm TRYING to have a CONVERSATION HERE! Sheepy: Grif: Have a conversation later. Arsé-kun: Hastur: Performers should only focus on their performance, not the audience! Sheepy: Nyar: The audience isn't supposed to pack up and leave before the performance is over! Arsé-kun: Hastur: Let me explain this in a specific way. You know the great Shan play, yes? Sheepy: Nyar: Yes? Arsé-kun: Hastur: The third act is next. Do with this what you will. I'm getting a new seat. Sheepy: Nyar:...?! Shoot, I gotta protect Randy...! Arsé-kun: *Yog personally appears, coming out of Grif's bag, looking extremely distressed.* Arsé-kun: Yog: Griflet. We need to leave. Sheepy: Grif:...? Arsé-kun: Yog: Now. Sheepy: Grif: *He pulls his sword out of Nyar before heeding Yog's words and rushing to leave!* Sheepy: Nyar: Hey, before you go, take this! *He tosses Randy to Grif, who catches him* Arsé-kun: Yog: You know my intentions. Good to know, Uncle. Sheepy: Nyar: I don't care about your intentions. Sheepy: *Grif exits with Randy* Arsé-kun: Yog: You're staying put. I call a truce until the matter is settled. Sheepy: Nyar:...Ugh, if we have to work with each other, I guess we will! Arsé-kun: Yog: It disgusts me too. Don't worry. But not as much as this. Sheepy: Nyar: What a pain! Arsé-kun: Yog: Something will be done to prevent this one day. Today may not be it, but we can try. Sheepy: Nyar:...Yeah, yeah, sure, I guess so. Sheepy: Nyar: For now, let's just do the best that we can. Arsé-kun: Yog: You start. I'll call for backup. Sheepy: *Meanwhile, Grif has brought Randy to the hospital!* Arsé-kun: *Correct response. Good work, Grif.* Sheepy: Grif: I'm back. Arsé-kun: *Raph looks up from his coffee mug at the front desk* Arsé-kun: Raph: You did it! Good job, bud! Sheepy: Grif: Yes. Sheepy: Grif: Please look at Randy. Sheepy: Grif: He should be unscathed, but Uncle was possessing him for a while. Sheepy: Grif:...Ah. That's right. I'd forgotten. My shoulder is injured, too, but I don't need treatment. I should heal on my own. Arsé-kun: Raph: Both of those are concerning, and you're bleeding out. I'll heal you as soon as Carter is dealt with. Sheepy: Grif: I'm good at bleeding. Sheepy: Grif: If you give me a while, I can bleed out every drop of blood. Sheepy: Shuu:.......... Blood is supposed to stay in the body ⭐️ Sheepy: Shuu: If you're good and let the doctor treat you, I'll give you my special ⭐️ dreamy ⭐️ bandaid, perfect for scaring away even the most nightmarish germs... Hehe ⭐️ Sheepy: Grif: Wow... I bet bandaids are tasty... Arsé-kun: Raph: ........... *he just heals Grif now instead, so he can then take Randy and leave the room to not hear that again* Sheepy: Iris: Oh! You brought Andy! Arsé-kun: Raph: Grif got him for us, yep. As far as I can tell from a cursory glance, he's just sleeping.. But he was possessed, so we should probably keep an eye on him anyway. Sheepy: Iris: Possessed...? Oh, no! Poor Andy... Sheepy: Iris: He works so hard for all of us... Why would anyone go out of their way to harm him? Sheepy: Iris:...Oh, but I guess that the culprit is Nyarly. Arsé-kun: Raph: Oh, probably. Sheepy: Iris: I guess we'll only know how he feels when he wakes up... Arsé-kun: Raph: Yeah... Sheepy: Holmes: Obviously, only Randy can know the truth. ...However. I observed a few fascinating things before I was... Let's see. ... Removed from the situation. Arsé-kun: Raph: Yeah... I don't remember as much as you probably do. Sheepy: Holmes: Ahahaha. Let me guess... You didn't notice there was something wrong with the drink? Arsé-kun: Raph: No. I saw him open it, so I thought it was just like that. Sheepy: Holmes: How lucky you are. Sheepy: Holmes: Ahahaha... Now that I'm up, I'm ready to have some fun! Are you ready to join my theater of logic and deduction? I don't mind any comments from the gallery! Sheepy: Iris: Just tell us what you know and sit down! You really shouldn't be running about. Arsé-kun: Raph: Relax, Iris. If he knows something we need, I'd like to hear it first. Arsé-kun: Raph: Just, can you do it sitting down? Sheepy: Holmes: Sitting down? Ah, you think of me as one of those armchair detectives, do you? Isn't that really depressing? Arsé-kun: Raph: Detective or not, you still got bashed over the head. If you have an aneurysm sitting down, you won't hit your head and make it worse. Sheepy: Holmes: No, I think better on my feet! Or crawling around on a crime scene... Or climbing about on a crime scene... Sheepy: Holmes: Anyway, let's begin! First off, Randolph's office was extremely tidy. Normally, it's messy, and he doesn't have the time to clean it up. The natural conclusion would be that Nyarlathotep cleaned it up for him. However, there's another thing. The sheer amount of finished paperwork, all organized in a way easy to sort through. Nyarlathotep has been missing for the past few days, and anyone who visited Randolph's office in this period would go missing. Furthermore, Randolph has not been seen out of his office causing the kind of chaos associated with Nyarlathotep. Meaning... Sheepy: Holmes: Nyarlathotep probably possessed him with the explicit purpose of assisting him in the buildup of paperwork and the growing mess in his office. Arsé-kun: Raph: I'd believe that, honestly. Arsé-kun: Raph: ... So can I go put him down yet? Sheepy: Holmes: Despite the tidiness associated with Nyarlathotep, Randolph clearly has a piece of paper in his pants pocket... Arsé-kun: Raph: ... Huh! Grab that for me, will you? Sheepy: *...Holmes has been pacing back and forth this entire time. It seems he's totally forgotten about Raph... He does, however, go over to Randolph and retrieves the paper.* Sheepy: Holmes: It's a contract between Randolph and Nyarlathotep. It seems they agreed to the possession, so long as Nyarlathotep would do the paperwork and not let anyone interrupt him. Furthermore, he's banned from killing anyone using Randy's body. Arsé-kun: Raph: .... So that's why he attacked us, probably. Sheepy: Holmes: It says that the allowed time is two days... But it's been longer, hasn't it? Arsé-kun: Raph: Probably. Okay, hold your thoughts until I get back, I wanna actually put the poor man down. Sheepy: Holmes: Go ahead. Arsé-kun: *Raph leaves the scene with Randy* Sheepy: Holmes: Is paperwork... Really so fun? I wonder... Maybe he can do mine, too... Arsé-kun: Watson: *distantly* absolutely not Sheepy: Holmes: Ahahaha! Watson! As you can see, I'm doing perfectly-- *He has a dizzy spell and lands on his butt. Oof.* Arsé-kun: Watson: Doing a perfect demonstration of sitting down after getting beaten up. Sheepy: Holmes: It'll take more than a blow to the head to stop me. Arsé-kun: Watson: Ah. So two. Sheepy: Holmes: Let's see... In my mind... Arsé-kun: Watson: Don't make me straitjacket you like our local psychotic. Sheepy: Holmes:....Maybe a really long fall from a waterfall, only to land in the cold, deadly waters below... Sheepy: Holmes: Ah! I know what you could call it in your stories! Arsé-kun: Watson: ..... *Watson leaves* Sheepy: Holmes: The Final Problem! ... Watson? Where are you going? Arsé-kun: Watson: I'm working! Iris, come help me. He's going to continue this anyway. Sheepy: Iris: Okay, Daddy, I'm coming! Holmsies, make sure to find a better place to sit, okay? Like a chair! *She rushes off to join Watson* Arsé-kun: Raph: ... That's rough, buddy. Sheepy: Holmes: ...Everyone thinks I'm at my best when sitting.... *He decides to just lie on his back on the floor* Maybe they should just find a better detective who can do that. Hmmm... Ah, I'm such a useless detective... Arsé-kun: Raph: Aw, don't be mopey. They just care about your health. Sheepy: Holmes: Everyone cares about my physical health but not my mental health. Arsé-kun: Raph: Concussions are both. Sheepy: Holmes: ......... Sheepy: Holmes:............. Arsé-kun: Raph: At least don't take up the entire hallway. What if I wanna sit down and mope too? Inconsiderate. *he's half joking* Sheepy: Holmes: It's a beautiful day to die, isn't it? Arsé-kun: Raph: Aw, you're not gonna be that lucky. Arsé-kun: *Raph sits down right there in the hall next to him and proceeds to be Sulky* Sheepy: Holmes: Maybe Griffin will appear with a knife and do us in. Arsé-kun: Raph: I'd personally rather just get murdered with something unexpected, like a metal chair. Sheepy: Holmes: But if I die, I guess Watson can't profit off of me messing around and throwing around a few deductions... Arsé-kun: Raph: I'm pretty sure he'd be upset from more than just the lost profit. Sheepy: Holmes: Oh, I've got one. Sheepy: Holmes: "The Adventure of the Empty House". He can write about how empty the house is after all of my paperwork disappears. Arsé-kun: Raph: That's depressing. Sheepy: Holmes: Maybe Nyarlathotep would even help him with it. Arsé-kun: Raph: Don't give him ideas. Sheepy: Holmes: I think the last Sherlock Holmes story could be very fascinating if we think hard on it. Arsé-kun: Raph: Sherlock Holmes and the case of Holy Shit is that Cthulhu Sheepy: Holmes: Oh, I don't want to die to a squid. Arsé-kun: Raph: Eh, he's a pussy. Hit him with a boat. Sheepy: Holmes: I think I want my final scene to be fighting a great criminal by a waterfall, embracing my fears of heights... Only to fall and pull down the criminal with me, slowly plunging into the depths... and then darkness. Sheepy: Holmes: Am I much different than the criminal in my final moments? Arsé-kun: Raph: Hmmm. I'm more concerned about the running waterfall theme again. Sheepy: Holmes: Oh, yes, I was told I fell from one as an excuse as to how I got amnesia. Arsé-kun: Raph: Can you maybe stop bringing up the thing that traumatized you to begin with? I'm trying to sulk about being unhelpful. Sheepy: Holmes: Do you think that in such a situation, the criminal and I would feel hatred for one another for putting us into that situation? Arsé-kun: Raph: I think you'd both feel pretty stupid for even taking it that far when you could have just punched him in the dick. Sheepy: Holmes: You'd fill your thoughts with regrets in your final moments? Sheepy: Holmes:......... Sheepy: Holmes: You're incredibly depressing. Arsé-kun: Raph: To be fair, I'd probably not go that far at all. I'm here to help people, not kill. Sheepy: Holmes: A detective isn't so different from a criminal. Arsé-kun: Raph: Are you committing illegal crimes and profiting on them? Are you actually some kind of mastermind? Sheepy: Holmes: I could. Arsé-kun: Raph: If you ever become evil, I'll join you. Sheepy: Holmes: Similarly, a criminal could use his experiences to solve cases. Arsé-kun: Raph: With that logic, a doctor and a serial killer aren't very different either. Sheepy: Holmes: That's not true. Arsé-kun: Raph: Oh? Why not? Sheepy: Holmes: A serial killer doesn't require medical knowledge to kill others. Arsé-kun: Raph: They do if they're the kind that do the weird body horror stuff. Sheepy: Holmes: A great criminal requires knowledge of committing crimes to do his job. Arsé-kun: Raph: Would a doctor and a torturer be a better example? Sheepy: Holmes: I suppose. Arsé-kun: Raph: Huh. Sheepy: Holmes: However... Consider the following. Sheepy: Holmes: A petty criminal couldn't be a good detective using only the knowledge they gained from their job. A newbie detective couldn't use their knowledge of crimes to commit ones of their own. Sheepy: Holmes: So it's just as much about how much experience they have as what it's in, I think. Arsé-kun: Raph: That makes sense! Sheepy: Holmes: Anyway, Lupin wouod be a great detective... Moriarty, too. Arsé-kun: Romani: *wjat* Sheepy: Holmes: Oh, if I get thrown off a waterfall, they could take my job. That's how Watson can continue to profit. Sheepy: Holmes: No, just Lupin. I think I'd want the professor to throw me off of one. Arsé-kun: Raph: I'm sure he'd want to also. Sheepy: Holmes: We really are so close! Arsé-kun: Raph: It's a sign of good friendship when you want to dunk your friend into a pool and both of you enjoy it. I don't know what you have said would be called. Sheepy: Holmes: We're great rivals! Ah, and close friends, I'd like to think. Sheepy: Holmes: Lupin, too... But Lupin would never throw me off a waterfall. Arsé-kun: Romani: Uhm. Arsé-kun: Romani: May I get through?? I didn't wanna interrupt.. Sheepy: Holmes: You can walk all over me. Everyone else does. Arsé-kun: Raph: Don't do that. Arsé-kun: Romani: Sorry again! *he steps around Holmes the best he can* Sheepy: Holmes: No need to apologize to me. Nobody else does. Arsé-kun: Raph: ... We're gonna be here a while. Sheepy: Holmes: Why stay with someone like me when you can be with someome fun? Arsé-kun: Raph: Oh, you know. Having fun with the conversation. Also being mopey. Therapy. Sheepy: Holmes: Therapy? I'm not a therapist. Sheepy: Holmes: I don't know any... ... Oh, yes, I have vague memories of one around when I first fell. Nosy fellow. He made me nervous. I didn't like him. Arsé-kun: Raph: It really can come off that way if you're not willing to share. He probably should have let you open up on your own schedule. Arsé-kun: *very distant sound of a menu pop-up. griflet is still inside the building* Sheepy: Holmes: Well, it's not as though I need one anymore. Arsé-kun: Raphael: Even if you don't need it, it's still good to check in once in a while. Sheepy: Holmes: Hmmm... I'm not interested in that. Arsé-kun: Raph: That's too bad. We already started. Sheepy: Holmes: What? Arsé-kun: Raph: Well, you're already telling me all of this. Even just unloading how you feel is therapeutic. Sheepy: Holmes: Hahahaha... Maybe I got too comfortable? Arsé-kun: Raph: Don't worry about it. No one else is listening, and I can't share this info. Sheepy: Holmes: I see.... Arsé-kun: Raph: Though... Sheepy: Holmes: Yes? Arsé-kun: Raph: ... He's not here. Do you wanna go rearrange Watson's textbooks as a prank? Sheepy: Holmes: Ahahaha! Sounds fun! Arsé-kun: Raph: Don't tell him we did it. See how long it takes him to notice. Sheepy: Holmes: I won't. Arsé-kun: *Dr. Romani "Wot" V2.0 in the bg* Sheepy: *Holmes finally gets up!* Arsé-kun: *Raph also gets up, brushing off his coat* Sheepy: Holmes: I'm looking forward to see how observant he is. Sheepy: Holmes: Anyway, let's go! Arsé-kun: Raph: Lets! Sheepy: Holmes: *He rushes to find the textbooks! No running in the halls, Holmes.* Arsé-kun: *Raph just strolls after him. No rush.* Sheepy: *Grif, meanwhile, is waiting for Romani's return* Arsé-kun: *And return he does, wielding holla holla get dollas* Arsé-kun: Romani: Sorry for the wait! People decided sitting in the hallway was a cool thing to do! Sheepy: Grif: Hmm... Is that so... I should try it sometime... Arsé-kun: Romani: Please don't! You get in the way and it's a tripping hazard! Sheepy: Grif: Wow... Sheepy: Grif: Fine. Arsé-kun: Romani: Anyway, here's the money I owe you! Arsé-kun: *Grif is given twenty dollars ($20)! Put it away! No pop-up because Yog is preoccupied.* Sheepy: Grif:...Thanks. *He puts it away* Arsé-kun: Romani: You did a lot today, too! If nothing else happens, take some time off! You deserve it! ^^ Sheepy: Grif: Uh... Yes. I'll think about it. Sheepy: Grif: Thanks. Good luck. *he heads out!* Arsé-kun: *where you gonna go, grif? you got money!* Sheepy: *Grif heads to the coffee shop.* Arsé-kun: Duncan: Grif! Hiii! Sheepy: Grif: Hello. How is Wil? Arsé-kun: Duncan: He's doin' okay! He's upstairs if you wanna see him! Sheepy: Grif: Great. I'll go check on him. I have news for him. *He walks upstairs to see Wilbur* Arsé-kun: Merlin: *reading over Misyr's shoulder, meanwhile* Sheepy: Misyr: Lupin's a cheater, just like me, but he justifies it because his actions lead to positive results for others. Sheepy: Misyr: I don't really care about results. It's more fun to just snap my fingers and see what blows up! Ahahahaha! That's the Demon Lord way! Arsé-kun: Merlin: Can you justify still reading when I'm here waiting, Grampa? Sheepy: Misyr: Of course. I went back to some previous stories I've read to figure out why Il is so attached to Lupin. Have you seen his Lupin shrine? Arsé-kun: Merlin: No? Do I want to? Sheepy: Misyr: It's full of merch of Lupin and some girl. Arsé-kun: Merlin: Gamer shrine... Sheepy: Misyr: I don't understand the point. Arsé-kun: Merlin: Me neither! So are you gonna teach me somethin' today, or? Sheepy: Misyr: Uhhh... What do I wanna teach... A lot of what I know isn't something a wizard can do. Arsé-kun: Merlin: Blow stuff up? Sheepy: Misyr: Oh, but my abilities aren't really something you can learn! Arsé-kun: Merlin: Awww! Do I have to take a school trip to Hell to learn demon magic? Sheepy: Misyr: Hey, great idea! We could do just that! Sheepy: Misyr: I have something I want to check there anyway. Arsé-kun: Merlin: Wait. Now?! Sheepy: Misyr: Why not? Sheepy: Misyr: As a Demon Lord, I can get there easily. Sheepy: Misyr: Although... Sorry to disappoint... Sheepy: Misyr: Some of what I do is just innately me! Nobody else can do it alone! As long as I understand a concept, I can use it to my advantage and twist it so I can cheat! Ahahahaha! Arsé-kun: Merlin: I haven't even done research yet! I don't know what I'd need to bring! Arsé-kun: Merlin: What would I tell Bedi?? "Babe, I'm going to hell for a field trip!"? Arsé-kun: Merlin: And I use magic, but I don't wanna go if I'll just blow myself up.. Arsé-kun: Merlin: Gosh... But it's Hell.. Sheepy: Misyr: Up to you! Sheepy: Misyr: Personally, I don't tell anyone when I disappear for a bit. Too intrusive. Arsé-kun: Merlin: But I like people knowing if I'm okay... It's nice knowing people care. Sheepy: Misyr: Care...? Sheepy: Misyr:........ Arsé-kun: Merlin: ....... Arsé-kun: Merlin: Well, I'm here! Sheepy: Misyr: Ahaha... But do you care just for the Misyr you see? Or the Misyr hiding beneath him as well? Are the feelings real if it's the former, I wonder. Arsé-kun: Merlin: Grampa, why are you so difficult? Sheepy: Misyr: Ahahaha! It's fun, after all! Sheepy: Misyr: Anyway, I'm just messing with you. What you see is what you get with me! Arsé-kun: Merlin: At this point, I don't really care if the inside matches the outside. Why should that matter? You're Grampa. Sheepy: Misyr: Mmm.. I don't really get it, but okay, sure! Arsé-kun: Merlin: That's the best part! You don't have to! Sheepy: Misyr: You've got bad taste, but I can't complain! Arsé-kun: Merlin: I do not! Sheepy: Misyr: Okay, whatever you say! Arsé-kun: Merlin: Okay, so what's blowing something up feel like? Is it like... Really concentrated and then kaboom? Sheepy: Misyr: Eh? Arsé-kun: Merlin: Or does your cool special magic do that part for you? Sheepy: Misyr: I kinda just aim it? Arsé-kun: Merlin: Okay, so it is a little different! Okay, that makes sense. Arsé-kun: Merlin: So it's more just "Hey that dies now" than anything. Arsé-kun: Merlin: Cool. Maybe one day I'll be so good at magic I won't even need to do most of the work! Sheepy: Misyr: Why would I do it properly if I could cheat? That's the Demon Lord way! Arsé-kun: Watson: Telling lies again, Misyr? Sheepy: Misyr: You know me! I'm the lying Demon King! Arsé-kun: Watson: One of these days you'll actually go to Hell, and then what? Sheepy: Misyr: Hmmm? I have before. Arsé-kun: Watson: Oh? Sheepy: Misyr: Every day, in fact! That's my job, you know! Sheepy: Misyr: I mean, where else would a demon king live...? Arsé-kun: Watson: Wherever he wants. Sheepy: Misyr:....... Sheepy: Misyr: Ahahaha, you still think I'm not a demon? Arsé-kun: Watson: I don't. I've seen demons. You look more like an imitator. Sheepy: Misyr:........ Sheepy: Misyr: I was born like this... Arsé-kun: Watson: Hm. Sheepy: Misyr: So maybe not every demon you've seen makes up how all demons look! Arsé-kun: Watson: I could be wrong on that front. I'll retract that statement. Sheepy: Misyr: I just get rid of them when I want to wear human clothing. Sheepy: Misyr: They'd get in the way! Arsé-kun: Watson: .... Fine. But I still don't think you're actually from Hell. That part I'm not giving up on. Sheepy: Misyr: Aren't all demons from there? Arsé-kun: Watson: Wouldn't you like to know? Sheepy: Misyr: Yeah, that's why I asked! Arsé-kun: Watson: Sometimes. Sheepy: Misyr:.... Eh? Arsé-kun: Watson: Would you believe me if I told you some of those were angels once? Sheepy: Holmes: *in the background* He feels like the angels I met earlier. But simultaneously, he feels like my friend who possessed me the other day... Azathoth? Those are really contradictory, aren't they? Sheepy: Misyr: Eh? Sheepy: Misyr: Angels become demons? Sheepy: Misyr:...... Arsé-kun: Watson: Sometimes, yes. Arsé-kun: Raphael: *also in the background* Not really! "Be not afraid" and all that! Sheepy: Holmes: So, do you think he's an angel? He's too nice to be a demon, isn't he? Sheepy: Misyr: I wonder how that works. Arsé-kun: Raph: I have no idea! I can't tell! Arsé-kun: Watson: .... I don't know if it works that way. Sheepy: Misyr: I bet it does! Arsé-kun: Duncan: *to holmes and raph* I think he's an octodad! Sheepy: Holmes: He doesn't seem like father material to me. Arsé-kun: Raph: Well, he IS the 6th Merlin, so he had to continue the line somehow.. Sheepy: Holmes:..... Sheepy: Holmes: Ehhh... Not well? Arsé-kun: Raph: I can see how. Even if he's unrelated to Hell otherwise, I think he's hella cute enough to pull it off. Sheepy: Misyr: *he appears a little flustered... he apparently heard that* Arsé-kun: Merlin: ...? Sheepy: Misyr: Nothing, of course! Sheepy: Holmes: But cuteness doesn't make you dad material, does it? Sheepy: Holmes: Maybe Iris would see me as more dad-like if I worked on my cuteness factor...? Arsé-kun: Raph: It helps in the "getting a wife" part, probably! ... I mean, it does and I know it can. Sheepy: Holmes: I see... I've really misjudged the importance of cuteness... Arsé-kun: Raph: Appearance means a lot, but it isn't always the key feature. Sheepy: Holmes: I think the inside is more important. Arsé-kun: Raph: It's different for everyone. Some people would agree with you. Sheepy: Holmes: I wonder which Watson finds more important... Arsé-kun: Watson: .... Why don't you just ask? Sheepy: Holmes: You can hear me? Arsé-kun: Watson: You're right there. I'm right here. Sheepy: Holmes:....... Arsé-kun: Raph: ....... Sheepy: Holmes: How awkward... You heard everything... Sheepy: Holmes:...Which do you find more important? Arsé-kun: Watson: Inside. Don't you dare take that to mean that I don't like how you look. Sheepy: Holmes: I wasn't going to. Arsé-kun: Watson: *teasingly* Watson doesn't like how I look. What a great day to commit dying on the floor. Sheepy: Holmes: I got over it earlier! I feel optimistic now. Sheepy: Holmes: I'll find another beautiful day to die! Sheepy: Holmes: Just not today. Arsé-kun: Watson: Glad to hear it! Sheepy: Holmes: After all, you're here! There's no reason to get depressed! Arsé-kun: *Watson liked that* Sheepy: Holmes: Anyway, I got it out of my system earlier. Arsé-kun: Watson: Good. I wasn't sure how long I'd have to drag you around for. Sheepy: Misyr: Hey, you mentioned angels turning into demons. Is that real? Arsé-kun: Watson: It is. Sheepy: Misyr: How do they turn back? Arsé-kun: Watson: They don't. Sheepy: Misyr:...They can't turn back? Arsé-kun: Watson: Not that I'm aware of. Raphael? Arsé-kun: Raphael: Ehh.... Only temporary changes. I don't think a long term one can very easily. Arsé-kun: Raph: It can be done! I just don't know how. Sheepy: Misyr: How long is long term? Arsé-kun: Raph: Uh.... At least a hundred years? Sheepy: Misyr: I guess that is a long time! Sheepy: Misyr: I never knew anything about this until now.. That's so scary to imagine. Sheepy: Misyr: Waking up in a body one day that isn't yours... Well, if that happened to me... Sheepy: Misyr: I think I'd probably hide away from everyone I knew so they couldn't see me, too. Arsé-kun: Raph: That's a common reaction. The fear is natural, after all. Sheepy: Misyr:.......Natural, huh.... Sheepy: Misyr: I wonder if thinking you're hideous would be a natural reaction, too. Arsé-kun: Raph: Absolutely. Sheepy: Misyr: After all, I am the handsome Demon Lord! If I became someone else entirely, I might come to hate the new me. Arsé-kun: Watson: Even if only small parts change. The mind is functional and definitely makes sense. Sheepy: Misyr: You say it like you know from experience! Arsé-kun: Watson: You could say that. After all, I do have. Hm. Well. Arsé-kun: *Watson reaches up his sleeve with his other hand and fiddles around with... Something, before pulling it back out.... With the rest of his arm.* Arsé-kun: Watson: First-hand experience. Sheepy: Misyr:...... Sheepy: Misyr: Humans have detachable limbs, hm... Arsé-kun: *Raph stifles his laughter into his hands. The word "stifles" is not actually even remotely accurate. But he's trying* Arsé-kun: Watson: Well, usually only once. This is a replacement. Sheepy: "holmes seems too lost in thought to notice the joke" Sheepy: Misyr: Amazing. Humans can replace their limbs! Sheepy: Holmes: *He seems too lost in thought to register Watson making a joke. Holmes, you missed it!* Arsé-kun: Watson: ... Sherlock, I said that just for you, and you do this to me? Sheepy: Holmes: My apologies. I was considering a few things from the conversation. Arsé-kun: Watson: ... *he sighs and just accepts how awful the next joke is* do you need a hand with that. Sheepy: Holmes: Oh, no, I think I have it under control. Arsé-kun: Watson: ........................ Sheepy: Holmes:.................. Sheepy: Holmes:.....Ahahahahaha! *There it is! The Holmes laugh!* Arsé-kun: Watson: I'm so upset. I'm not making another hand pun for you. It costs me an arm and a leg to make these sorts of jokes for you. Arsé-kun: *Raph has also given up trying to stifle his laughter.* Sheepy: *Holmes is laughing harder! Good job, Watson!* Arsé-kun: Watson: I gotta hand it to you. Sheepy: Holmes: Ahahahaa.... Sheepy: Holmes:.............. Sheepy: Holmes: I think I'm fine without help... Just ignore me and continue your conversation. Arsé-kun: Watson: I can't. I need your help putting this back on. Arsé-kun: *Raphael recovers from his laughing fit, wiping tears from his eyes and trying not to start laughing again* Sheepy: Holmes: Ah, that’s right, I forgot. *He starts putting Watson’s prosthetic back onto him. He’s surprisingly gentle!* Sheepy: Misyr: … Oh. That’s right. Merlin brought a friend with him the other day with a silvery looking arm. With the patterns on it, I assumed it was just a gauntlet. A very, very long one. Sheepy: Misyr: Was that a replacement? Sheepy: Holmes: Gauntlets are a glove. You don’t wear them up to your shoulder. Arsé-kun: Watson: It was a replacement though, yes. Sheepy: Misyr: Hmm. I wonder if demons need them, too...? Arsé-kun: Watson: Sure, why not? They have limbs too, and sometimes those are lost. Sheepy: Misyr: Ahahaha, I guess so! Sheepy: Holmes: Replacing limbs... That feels familiar, but my memory of it is too hazy for me to remember... Sheepy: Holmes: I suppose it's just taking up too much space anyway, considering I can't really focus on it. I might as well just get rid of it. Sheepy: Holmes: I can't see it being useful. Arsé-kun: Watson: You never know. Sheepy: Holmes:........... Sheepy: Holmes: I have a gut feeling I can't get rid of it just yet... Arsé-kun: Watson: You're not a machine. I keep telling you this. Sheepy: Holmes: Ahahaha! I can't let my mind palace become cluttered, you know! Sheepy: Misyr: Mind palace or not, personally I don't think it's a good idea, deleting your memories willy nilly. Although, if I had that sbility, I could get some use out of it! Arsé-kun: Raph: It never is a good idea. You never know if something trivial is why you're the way you are today. Sheepy: Holmes: I often totally forget about past cases because they don't interest me anymore. However... Sheepy: Holmes: I can read his stories and experience them like it's the first time seeing them. Incredible! Arsé-kun: *Watson just sighs* Sheepy: Holmes: Simultaneously, I'm generally not going to forget things I consider important... Arsé-kun: *Duncan is staring at everyone from behind the counter.* Sheepy: Misyr: Oh, shoot! The time! Arsé-kun: Raph: Oh! It's nine! We'd better get going! Sheepy: Misyr: I can't wait a minute longer to go back or my people will get worried! Arsé-kun: Duncan: We're closed! Get outta here please! I wanna play Minecwaft and go eat! I'm hungwy! Sheepy: Holmes: Ah... I'm still feeling energetic. Maybe I'll go bother someone... Arsé-kun: Duncan: Wil isn't here to be sudtle and threatning! Hi! I'm gonna eatcha if youse don't escape! Sheepy: Holmes:...Alright, I'll go. Arsé-kun: Watson: We should all be going now if we want to see tomorrow. Arsé-kun: Merlin: Look at all the hair I have! I'd be awful to eat! I don't even have any nutrients for you, bud! :D *but he does get up* See you tomorrow, Grampa! Sheepy: Holmes: *He leaves!* Arsé-kun: *Watson goes with him* Sheepy: *Misyr rushes to a near by closet and jumps in. So that's why that's there!* Arsé-kun: Raph: .....? *he curiously watches Misyr, and then slips into the same closet after a few moments of deliberation. If Raph's found dead in Miami, we know why.* Arsé-kun: *...And Merlin just teleports out. Classy* Arsé-kun: *Merlin gets home to... A very mysteriously cloudy floor? Who blew up a cotton candy machine and dumped orbs into.... Wait a minute* Sheepy: *Rest in peace, Yog* Arsé-kun: *Yog's just glad he gets to be with Grif right now. High priorities* Sheepy: *Grif is just chilling on the floor. Bedi has his feet up on a chair so he doesn't touch it.* Sheepy: *It doesn't seem like Grif cares that Merlin has entered...* Arsé-kun: Merlin: ..... Hey, quick question, why's your dad our new shag carpet? Sheepy: Grif: Grandpa. Sheepy: Grif: Just don't touch him and you'll be safe. Arsé-kun: Merlin: ....... *already standing in it* Arsé-kun: Merlin: Well, I guess I'll be goin' to Hell sooner than I intended. Sheepy: Bedi: Maybe you shouldn't go at all. Arsé-kun: Merlin: And miss a field trip with Grampa? No way! Sheepy: Bedi: Field trip...? Arsé-kun: Merlin: Yeah, I was gonna tell you! Grampa's gonna show me where he works! Sheepy: Bedi: I hope you have fun. But be careful, okay? Sheepy: Bedi: I'll worry the whole time you're gone, so don't make my worries come true... Arsé-kun: Merlin: Of course! Grampa kicks ass, no way anythin' would happen! Sheepy: Bedi: Well, if you say so. Sheepy: Bedi: No reason not to be cautious. Arsé-kun: Merlin: Of course, babe! Sheepy: Bedi: By the way, um… I’m stuck here… Sheepy: *There’s a cute little octopus with ear-like things on its head, hanging out in the sink. It has itself perched up so it can see everything!* Sheepy: Octopus: You’re stuck here…?! I just want to go back home… My husband’s going to worry, isn’t he…? Hehehe, of course he will. That’s how lovable I am, after all. *It has its front tentacles on its “cheeks”. Cute!* Arsé-kun: Yog: *with his voice coming from.... the entire floor. it's kind of awful,* Then go home, Uncle. Nothing is stopping you. Sheepy: Nyar: My exhaustion is stopping me. Arsé-kun: Yog: That is unfortunate. Sheepy: Nyar: So that's why I'm here. Arsé-kun: Yog: ... Ah, I almost forgot. Here, Griflet. Arsé-kun: *[Rip and Tear: Quest completed! hooraaaay!]* Sheepy: Grif: I did it. Arsé-kun: *Kay is peering out of his room at all this mess. Nothin' he can do about it.* Sheepy: Nyar: Hey, it's you! Arsé-kun: Kay: Oh, for fuck's sake. Why are... Never mind, forget it. Fuck this. Sheepy: Nyar: You recognize me? Aren't you talented! Arsé-kun: Kay: I'm not goddamn deaf! Sheepy: Nyar: Can't you at least call someone for me?! Sheepy: Nyar: Hey, Mop guy! Sheepy: Nyar: You've got a phone, don't you? Arsé-kun: Merlin: Maybe! Why? Sheepy: Nyar: I've got a number for you to call! Arsé-kun: Merlin: What do I get out of it? Sheepy: Nyar: And believe me, I know you're gonna attempt that whole, "oh, maybe I'll call if you beg me! Oh, make sure to give me free stuff!" Sheepy: Nyar: But I can be extremely loud and annoying! Arsé-kun: Merlin: Me too! Hey Grif, where's Elyan? Sheepy: Nyar: If you don't do it, I won't shut up all night. Sheepy: Grif: He's in the bath tub. Arsé-kun: Merlin: *ahem* HEWWO? Sheepy: Elyan: HEWWWOOOOO! Arsé-kun: Merlin: :3c Sheepy: Nyar: Okay, I'll show you what you get out of t. *He gets out of the sink. Based on his sluggish movements, he's not doing as well as his voice might suggest* Sheepy: Nyar: *He wanders over to the microwave* Chef Mike is gonna get it if I don't get what I want! Sheepy: Nyar: Chef Mike's life for my simple, short phone call! All I need is you to call the number, tell the man where we are, and mention that I'm here and waiting for him. Arsé-kun: Yog: Don't touch that. I use that as a gateway. Sheepy: Nyar: So, you call, then! Arsé-kun: Yog: Me and what physical limbs? You at least have them. Sheepy: Nyar: Or *he puts a tentacle on the microwave* Chef Mike's gonna get it!! Sheepy: Nyar: You've got the influence of everyone here. Arsé-kun: Merlin: What if you gave me the number? Sheepy: Nyar: Eh? Oh, right, the number. Sheepy: *Nyar states a phone number slowly.* Arsé-kun: *Merlin plugs it in and makes the call* Sheepy: Nyar: Hehehe.. I get to go home soon... Don't miss me too much, okay? Sheepy: Grif: I won't miss you at all. Arsé-kun: Kay: Get the fuck out of my house. Sheepy: Nyar: ........ Sheepy: Nyar: You might not like me but I like you! Arsé-kun: Kay: Sorry, I'm taken. Sheepy: Nyar: You can only have one person like you? Sheepy: Nyar: Man, you really must be friendless, huh? Arsé-kun: Kay: Ain't anything new. Good try though. Sheepy: Nyar: No, that wasn't an attack. You really only want one person to like you? Sheepy: Nyar: Or do you think I meant it in the lovey-dovey sense? Huh, you must really be full of yourself if that's the case. Arsé-kun: Kay: I don't trust you. You're not getting an answer. It'll come back and bite me in the ass, and I'm not goddamn stupid. Sheepy: Nyar: So you say. Arsé-kun: Kay: motherfucker I know how to cook an octopus, you ain't safe. Sheepy: Nyar: If you try to eat me, Chef Mike's gonna get it! Arsé-kun: Kay: You break it, you buy a fuckin' new one! Sheepy: Nyar: No, I'm not! Arsé-kun: Kay: And you can clean it all up yourself! Sheepy: Nyar: I'm not made of money, you know! Sheepy: Nyar: In fact... Ahahahaha! Sheepy: Nyar: I could just steal one and put it n your dorm! Arsé-kun: Kay: ok Sheepy: Nyar:........ Sheepy: Nyar: *he covers his eyes with his tentacles* It's hard to be taken seriously like this.... Arsé-kun: Kay: ... And you're not getting hyped up, either. Fuck you. Sheepy: Nyar: I just want to go home... Arsé-kun: Merlin: You're going to! I just hung up with him. He's coming to get you. Sheepy: Nyar: Great! Sheepy: Nyar: Thanks, you're the best! Sheepy: Nyar:.....How will I do my janitorial job tomorrow...? Arsé-kun: Kay: The same way you did this week- Not at all. Sheepy: Nyar:....... Sheepy: Nyar:....Everything will get so dirty... Arsé-kun: Kay: A little late for that! Sheepy: Nyar:....... Sheepy: *Nyar is chewing on one of his tentacles, similar to how humans chew on their nails...* Sheepy: Nyar: It's going to be so dirty... Arsé-kun: Yog: Perhaps you should have dealt with that before it got out of hand. Sheepy: Nyar: Well if Randy hadn't gotten behind on his work... I would've been done in a flash! Sheepy: Nyar: And if humans actually threw trash into the trash bins, and recyclables into the recycle bin... Sheepy: Nyar:...And compostables into the compostable bin... Sheepy: Nyar: If humans would actually respect the campus grounds and not litter... And cleaned up after themselves... And didn't toss food to animals, only for them to not eat it... Sheepy: Nyar: If humans weren't such messy creatures... Maybe I wouldn't be in this situation! You know, if humans litter enough and don't clean up, they'll spread diseases and all die off! Arsé-kun: Yog: I don't think they need to litter to accomplish that. Sheepy: Nyar: But it helps! I'm helping humans and I get zero thanks! They don't even understand how important my job is. Sheepy: Nyar: Imagine if this place was a dump. That'd be really depressing, wouldn't it? Sheepy: Nyar: To wake up everyday to a dirty campus... Sheepy: Nyar:........Maybe if I threaten their microwaves, too... Sheepy: Nyar: After all, Randy wouldn't let me threaten much more than that... Arsé-kun: Kay: What if you just make people pay a fine when they litter? Sheepy: Nyar: That's not enforceable. Sheepy: Nyar: I'd have to catch them in the act. Arsé-kun: Kay: Yes? Sheepy: Nyar: I can't always catch them kn the act. Sheepy: Nyar: I wonder if I'll be laughed at... Arsé-kun: Kay: It'd give you somethin' better to do that won't result in Grif breaking you in half. Sheepy: Nyar: Well... Yes... But... Sheepy: Nyar: Hey, I wonder if he got lost? Arsé-kun: Kay: ... Before I lock the door, who the hell is it? Sheepy: Nyar: What? Sheepy: Nyar: A perfectly nice guy! Arsé-kun: Kay: Hm, that knocks out at least half the staff. Arsé-kun: Kay: The music teachers are married, Dio's an asshole, not the gym teacher then... Arsé-kun: Kay: .... *he is thinking hard* Not my math teacher, definitely not Dr. West, uhhh Sheepy: Nyar: You want a hint? Arsé-kun: Kay: Eh, fine. Sheepy: Nyar: He's very fancy! Arsé-kun: *Kay squints. processing* Arsé-kun rolled a die with 20 sides. The die showed: 1 Arsé-kun: *this did not help* Sheepy: Nyar:..... Arsé-kun: Kay: .... What?! I don't know every motherfucker on campus! Sheepy: Nyar: He always has his eyes closed... Arsé-kun: Kay: O H Sheepy: Nyar: See! You know him! Arsé-kun: Kay: That makes a lot of sense! No wonder he'd always joke about his husband throwing out trash essays.. Sheepy: Grif: He's covered in so many clocks. I ask him the time sometimes. You may wonder why I don't just read his for myself. Arsé-kun: Kay: Because you can't read. Sheepy: Grif:.....Yes... Arsé-kun: Kay: bitch you know what numbers are Sheepy: Grif: I don't really get clocks... Sheepy: Grif: They have no numbers. Just strange characters. Sheepy: Nyar: Like I, II, III, IV....? Sheepy: Grif:.......... Arsé-kun: *Merlin has been slowly maneuvering over towards Bedi through the Yog Fog this entire time.* Sheepy: Nyar: Those are still numbers!! Sheepy: *Bedi hasn't left his chair* Arsé-kun: Merlin: I, II, II, IL Sheepy: Grif: I know Il. Sheepy: Grif: Grandpa blew his hand off. Sheepy: Grif: He talks about otome games a lot. I don't knw what those are. Sheepy: Grif: He puts off final boss energy. Arsé-kun: Merlin: He puts off a "he's gonna kick my ass" energy. Sheepy: Grif: Yes... Sheepy: Grif: He grew his hand back and hurt Grandpa's human. Sheepy: Grif: Speaking of which, Uncle. Did you know that you hit Grandpa's human over the head? Sheepy: Nyar:......... Sheepy: Nyar:.................. Sheepy: Nyar: Well, everyone makes mistakes. Even me! Arsé-kun: Yog: Chekov's gun loads with malicious intent. Sheepy: Nyar: I didn't know! Sheepy: Nyar: Like, yes, I knew he favored the detective! But I wasn't really thinking when I knocked him out. You know how it is. Arsé-kun: Yog: Yes, I do. Sheepy: Nyar: He speaks, and immediately you're filled with murderous intent! Sheepy: Nyar: I was going to just knock him out painlessly. Sheepy: Nyar: But then he was like... Oh! This drink smells weird, so I'll pass! Sheepy: Nyar: Obviously, he didn't say that. He brought it to his lips, didn't drink anything, and then said... Sheepy: Nyar: "...I shouldn't drink. I'm on the job." Arsé-kun: Yog: Letting him go without incident would have made things less suspicious. Sheepy: Nyar:..... Arsé-kun: Yog: Hindsight is always much easier to see. I know. Sheepy: Nyar: I kinda doubt that... Sheepy: Nyar: I feel like he would've caught me on something really minor like... Sheepy: Nyar: "Randy actually wears his socks up to here, but your socks are up to there! So clearly, you're a fraud!" Arsé-kun: Yog: .... ...... I hate to admit that you're right, but you're right. Arsé-kun: Yog: That is, startlingly, almost exactly what would have happened. Sheepy: Nyar: Or, "Actually, Randy sits with a lean of x degrees when he's in this mood and it's this time, and you're sitting with a lean at y degrees!" Sheepy: Nyar: And, you know... After a while, you have to wonder, when is he watching people like this? It's kinda creepy, even for me! Sheepy: Nyar: I think he'd mesh better with someone like Hastur or you, really. Arsé-kun: Yog: why would you just Sheepy: Nyar: Because I'm bitter he ditched us and left us to die! Arsé-kun: Yog: great now he's going to show up Sheepy: Nyar: Great! Maybe he can bring me home! Arsé-kun: Kay: Why is my house a cosmic horror whorehouse?! Sheepy: Grif: Because of me. Arsé-kun: Kay: oh. right. Sheepy: Nyar: Which is, of course, because of me! Sheepy: Nyar: Aren't you so happy that I paired you two together? Arsé-kun: Kay: ..... *he looks annoyed* ... Yeah. I guess. Sheepy: Grif: I met the fox boy off the path. He was watching over everyone you knocked out. Sheepy: Grif: I think he's associated with Uncle... Sheepy: Grif: His hair is yellow sometimes. Arsé-kun: *Merlin has succeeded in reaching Bedivere and has lifted him so they can leave. Provided that they get through the rest of the yog fog first. background events* Sheepy: *Bedi is happy!* Arsé-kun: *Finally, a knock at the door! Kay stares at it because what the fuck can he do with Orb Dad being the carpet* Sheepy: Grif: *He gets up and gets the door* Arsé-kun: Germain: Good evening. I'm here to pick up my small husband. Sheepy: Nyar: I'm here!! Sheepy: *Nyar is back in the sink!* Sheepy: Nyar: Let's go home! I'm really tired! I just want to sleep... Sheepy: Grif:......Wow.... Sheepy: Nyar: Why do you sound like you're judging his taste? Sheepy: Grif: Wow.... Someone likes Uncle... I'm glad he finally found someone who does... Arsé-kun: Germain: It sounds to me that you've been woefully uninformed. That's a simple fix. Sheepy: Grif:? Arsé-kun: *Germain proceeds to just go pick up the tiny octopus. He doesn't answer* Sheepy: Nyar: I was worried you'd gotten lost! Or forgotten about me! Arsé-kun: Germain: Not at all, Pharaoh. I had an encounter on the way here that threatened to stop me. Arsé-kun: *Germain does eventually leave with his very diminutive boyfriend. thank fuck*