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dreamerstreamer · 3 years

Text

Woke Up

Pairing: Dream / Clay x gn!reader

Summary: [Dream SMP!AU] After all this time, you’re not quite sure you know who Dream is, anymore.

Word Count: 2.0k

A/N: inspired by the many confusing events that have recently occurred within the smp, most notably those surrounding dream’s true goals. title inspired by the song ‘woke up’ from adventure time :) this was written in an hour past midnight, but i hope it’s still enjoyable to you all!

Dream strode into his office with a groan, tearing his mask off his face as a particular tiredness seeped into his bones.

Escorting Tommy for his exile was a more arduous journey than he had originally thought. Having to row the both of them and row himself back across the ocean wasn’t exactly an easy task, but he wanted to make sure that he saw Tommy off himself—that he was certain he wasn’t going to get back that easily.

With a sigh, he strode over to his desk, setting his mask down on the familiar spruce wood. So far, so good. Everything was going according to plan. Next, all he had to do wa—

“Dream.”

He blinked, turning on his heel to see you standing in the open doorway. He sent you a soft smile, gesturing for you to come over. “[Y/N],” he said, leaning back against his desk, “I didn’t hear you come in.”

You took a single step inside, your lips pressed into a thin line. He raised a brow at you, intrigued by your expression. “[Y/N]?” he promoted once again. “What’s up?”

Your hand curled into a fist by your side. “We need to talk.”

Something that almost felt like fear shot through Dream’s veins. That couldn’t be good.

Taking a second to steady himself, he sent you a crooked grin, his eyes crinkling at the corners. “Ah,” he said with a teasing lilt, “the words every couple hopes they never have to hear.” He pushed a pen away from the edge of his desk, tilting his head at you with a him. “What’s up?”

When your frown only deepened at his lighthearted teasing, Dream knew something was up. “This isn’t exactly a laughing matter, Dream,” you muttered, toeing at the ground, “let alone a smiling one. As a matter of fact, I’d say this is the opposite of that.”

His expression grew serious at your words, and he tightened his jaw. “Well,” he said, his eyes scanning your face for any clues as to what you were about to say, “go for it. No point in holding back.”

You looked at him for a long moment, your expression betraying nothing. Then, you looked away, and something in Dream’s chest began to panic.

“I think we need to take a break.”

His heart came to a screeching halt in his chest.

“What?”

You swallowed, focusing your gaze down at the ground. “I said, I think we need to take a break.”

He shook his head at you, still sputtering. “No, I heard you. It’s just... why?” His eyebrows knit together in confusion. “Did I do something?”

You rolled your eyes at him, deadpanning. “Don’t play dumb with me.”

He nearly gaped at your dismissive demeanour. “Seriously, [Y/N]. I need you to at least tell me why you’re saying all this.”

“Um—“ You gestured vaguely. “—have you been paying any attention to everything that’s been happening lately?”

He sighed, running a hand through his hair as his patience began trickling out. “You’re gonna need to be a bit more specific than 'everything’, [Y/N].”

Your gaze narrowed at him. “You want specific?” You leaned back against the wall, digging your hand into your pocket. “Then let me just start from the beginning.”

You took in a deep breath, feeling Dream’s eyes take in every movement you made. He never missed a single move you made—he was too smart for his own good—but it was at times like this you wished that wasn’t the case. You felt like a deer caught in headlights under his gaze, and you almost wanted to just shout, “Kidding! It’s just a prank!” just so that you wouldn’t have to keep going, but you knew that you couldn’t do that.

You had to talk about it.

“There’s a lot that you’ve done that I didn’t agree with,” you began, your voice low and quiet. Your mind flashed with images of Manberg’s destruction and Dream’s nearly crazed smile as he watched.

“Hell,” you muttered, tightening your fist, “I still don’t agree with a lot of it.” You turned to face him, your gaze murky and dark. “But I stayed anyways. Do you know why?”

Dream blinked back at you, something akin to guilt swimming in his eyes.

“Well?” you said, unrelenting grief digging into your chest. “Do you?”

His voice was meek when he spoke. “I’d like to think I do.”

Your gaze softened ever so slightly. “It’s because I love you, Dream. I really, really do.” You raised your hand, resting it over your heart. “Even now, my heart races when I even look at you. After all this time, you still give me butterflies.” Your fingers crumpled the fabric covering your skin, your nails nearly digging into your skin. “You mean a lot to me, you know that, right? I care about you a lot.”

“I know,” he whispered, clenching his jaw. “I do.”

Your expression was stony as your hand dropped from where it lay. “Then why doesn’t it feel like that?” you snapped.

He froze where he stood, staring at you in stunned silence. He couldn’t remember the last time you had ever spoken to him using that tone. To Sapnap, sure. But to him? It must have been ages.

“I don’t know about you,” you continued before he could even open his mouth, tapping your finger against your arm, “but to me at least, the only times you ever seem to tell me you love me are whenever you need to convince me of something.”

“No, I don’t,” he said abruptly, his eyebrows furrowing together in frustration. “I tell you I love you all the time!”

You stared at him, long and hard. “Oh, do you, now? Tell me, then. When was the last time you told me you loved me?”

Dream opened his mouth, wracking his mind for every instance he confessed how much he cared for you. There was that... No, that doesn’t count. Oh, that one time I... Wait, I never even said it that time. Well...

He felt the shame rise in him before he even thought about it, and he knew you could see it—you always knew how to read him best.

“See?” you murmured, a pained sigh escaping your lips. “You can’t. You just can’t. Because I’m right, aren’t I?”

Dream pursed his lips. “No,” he wanted to say, wanted to scream. “I love you, [Y/N], I really do.”

But he knew, deep down, that his words alone wouldn’t be enough to satisfy you.

When he didn’t say anything, you snapped again. “What?” you said. “Cat got your tongue? Have I hit every nail on the head? Am I really just another piece on your chessboard now? Just another one of your tools to manipulate as you please?”

He shook his head, gaze sincere. “You’re more to me than that, [Y/N]. You mean so much more than just that.”

A pang of hurt shot across your face, but you kept going. “Dream,” you continued, your nails scratching at your arm, “I said that I put up with a lot of the decisions you made, yeah? Because I loved you.”

He nodded, anxiety creeping up his spine. He didn’t like the way you used past tense in that sentence.

“Okay,” you said, nodding back at him. “Well, I think that some of those decisions are really crossing the line, now.”

His jaw dropped open. “What?” he repeated once more, feeling like a broken record player. “What are you saying?”

You sighed, each of your breaths absolutely teeming with exhaustion. “Look, Dream. Your help in the destruction of Manberg already crossed that line,” you said, shivering at the memory of the massive craters littering the once lavish terrain, “but I wanted to believe there was hope.”

Your gaze darkened. “Then you built those walls around L’Manberg, and you also dethroned George after making him king yourself. Now, you’ve even exiled Tommy! And what for?” Your gaze hardened. “For some discs? Some stupid music discs?”

You saw a flash of remorse shoot through his eyes, and you knew you hit the jackpot. “Oh, of course,” you scoffed, crossing your arms over your chest. “Of course it’s for the discs. Because everything’s for the discs, isn’t it? Isn’t that what you said?”

Dream frowned, but you didn’t miss his wince. “Not everything,” he said, his hands squeezing at his sides. “I didn’t dethrone George because of the discs or anything.”

You stared at him, disbelief flitting across your face. “Then why did you, huh?” you said, mockingly. “Why’d you dethrone George? Because he was having some fun?”

He swallowed, mouth dry. “It’s because I wanted to protect him. I wanted to keep him safe.” The words tasted like ash in his mouth.

“I can’t trust that!” you shouted, flinging your arms into the air. “How do I know you’re not just saying that, that you’re not just lying to my face like the dozens of others you’ve lied to?”

You almost couldn’t believe just how much pent up stress and anxiety you had building inside of you, the wave creating higher and higher with each passing second.

Turning on your heel, you stared hard down at the toes of your shoes, your teeth gnawing away at each other. “Maybe a few months ago, I would have believed you. But now?” You whirled, anguish soaking into your every bone. “Now, I’m not sure what to believe! Everything feels like some sick lie that you’ve just made up to trap us all in!”

You pointed at him, shouting with every fibre of your being.

“I feel like I don’t even know you anymore!”

The silence that followed your words was absolutely deafening, piercing every block around you. It almost felt like it was stabbing into you the longer that you let it sit, so you opened your mouth.

“Clay,” you whispered, your heart squeezing so tightly in your chest you weren’t sure you were even breathing anymore. “Clay, who are you?”

His breath hitched in his throat. His name always sounded so lovely on your lips, even now, with your glassy eyes staring him down. His shoulders sank a fraction of a millimetre, and he took a step toward you. “[Y/N],” he said, his tone as gentle as a lamb prodding at a wolf, “you know me. You know who I am.“

“No,” you said suddenly, your voice deadly quiet. “I—“ You swallowed, tilting your head back to stare at the oak ceiling. “I don’t think I do. Not anymore.”

This wasn’t the man you fell in love with all those ages ago. That mischievous glint in his eyes had been replaced with something far more sinister, more calculating. His touch wasn’t comforting like it used to be—now, it almost stung, sending pinpricks of heat up your skin.

You weren’t in love with this Dream.

He reached a hand out toward you, something in his eyes cracking, “[Y/N], I—“

You held up a hand, and he fell silent. “I don’t want to hear it,” you whispered. “There’s nothing you can say that can change my mind, right now.”

For a few moments, the two of you simply stared at one another. You wondered what you looked to him. Did you seem angry? Sad? Disappointed? You hoped it was some mixture of all of them. His emerald eyes—oh, those stunning emerald eyes of his—swirled with an overwhelming sense of hurt. And yet, at the same time, you couldn’t bring yourself to feel empathy for him.

You wondered when those eyes began to feel so empty.

Turning away from him, you choked back the sob crawling up your throat. “I have to go,” you said so quietly he almost didn’t hear it.

He didn’t try to stop you as you walked away from him, the clacking of your shoes against the wooden floorboards feeling like arrows in his chest. Slipping out the door, he could only stare in crippling, aching defeat as your figure vanished from view, an aching hole screaming in his chest.

In the distance, you lifted your sleeve to wipe away the tears blurring your vision with clouds of aching green and gold as you walked off.

This wasn’t a dream you were willing to keep coming back to.

It was time you woke up.

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fandom-imagines-stories · 4 years

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Face Me

Gif credit: @haloforsam

Dean Winchester x Reader

Words: 3673

Summary: The Winchester brothers are recruited by a former girlfriend of Dean’s to help with a haunting problem. As the case intensifies, Sam and Dean uncover the ghost’s origins and the reader’s dark secret.

Notes: Welcome to the Winchester October Take Over! As always, as this month progresses, let me know what you think and buckle up for plenty of Winchester angst. This was totally inspired by Becky Barnes from the Starkids musical Black Friday. This is very very intense, but I hope you guys like it.

Special shout out to my amazing beta reader Sarah, @suckmysupernatural . I love her so much and honestly, she’s helped me so much in getting these imagines out for you and she has some absolutely killer writing of her own!

Warnings: Extreme domestic abuse, violence, death (like I said, it’s intense so please please read only if you are comfortable)

Want more Supernatural? Find it HERE

It wasn’t a call you ever thought you’d have to make, but as police swarmed around you, you lifted the phone to your ear. You thought you had calmed down enough to speak, but as soon as you heard the voice on the other end, you felt the whole situation crash into you again, along with so many feelings you’d kept locked away in your heart.

“D-Dean?” You sniffed, feeling your stomach drop as they brought the body out the front door, sealed up in a bag. “Oh god.”

“Who is this?” Dean’s voice was gruff and tired. You must have woken him up.

“I’m sorry. You probably don’t remember.” You started to regret calling. After all this time, you couldn’t expect him to come racing to save you. Dean was quiet for a moment.

“Y/N?” Sam stirred awake and gave his brother an inquiring look. “Y/N, is that you?”

“Dean, I-” You tried to catch your breath. “I need your help.”

“What happened? Are you okay?”

“Something… something killed Danny.” Or someone.

“Are you still in that same sleep town in Nebraska?” That’s all he needed to know. No details, no suspicious activity. You were in trouble. That was enough for him.

“You know me. I never go anywhere.” You winced, thinking about the last time you saw Dean Winchester. There was a loud shuffle as Dean started to pack his things, motioning for Sam to do the same.

“We’ll be there by morning.” You uttered a tearful thanks and hung up.

“What was that about?” Sam asked, climbing out of bed and grabbing his duffle bag.

“You remember when we were in Nebraska for a few weeks trying to find that coven of witches?”

“The ones that were using high school kids in their ritual? Yeah.” Sam recalled a fiery English teacher that Dean had dated for most of their time there.

“Y/N’s brother is dead.” Dean said somberly.

“The one that bought us drinks after we saved some of the kids?” Dean nodded. “Damn.” He was a good guy. “She thinks it’s our kind of thing?”

“I don’t know. Y/N’s one tough broad, Sammy, and she-” The sound of your trembling voice echoed in his head. “She sounded scared.” By the look in his eyes, Sam knew how important this was to him.

“Then what are we waiting for?” He zipped up his duffle bag and threw it over his shoulder. “Let’s get to Nebraska.”

You spent most of the night answering police questions and carefully watching the windows. He was in there somewhere. Waiting for you. Once the ambulance and the police were gone, you didn’t dare go back inside. Instead, you curled up on the porch swing and broke down. This was your fault. Danny was gone and that cruel smile was burned into your brain. He was coming for you.

You must have fallen asleep because the bright morning sun and the low rumbling of an engine pulled you out of your nightmare. You’d never been so happy to see that beautiful car.

Sam got out of the passenger side and you slowly walked towards him. You had to restrain yourself from just crashing into him to be safely wrapped in his arms.

“Your hair’s different.” You noted with a small smile. He pulled you into a hug.

“I’m sorry about Danny.” He whispered, pulling back to give you a sympathetic smile. Behind him, his brother waited anxiously, straightening the sleeves of his jacket. He hadn’t changed at all.

“Dean…” You gasped, memories flashing through your head faster than you could register them. The first touch. The feeling of his flannel wrapped around your shoulders. Your last kiss.

“Hey.” He greeted. Neither of you moved. You just looked at each other, both wanting to say something but not having a single clue as to what.

Suddenly, it hit you. What might have been. How different everything would be. Danny would still be alive. When your eyes started to fill with tears, Dean enveloped you in his arms without a second of hesitation. Feelings he had tried to forget came rushing back, but he tried his best to ignore them. That’s not what you need right now. So he pressed a soft kiss to your forehead.

“I’m sorry, Y/N.” He wished more than anything that you had reunited under different circumstances. He knew how much your brother meant to you. He ran his hands down your arms. You felt like ice. “Jesus, Y/N, you’re freezing. What, did you sleep out here or something?” He quickly shed his jacket and draped it over you.

“Why don’t we head inside?’ Sam suggested. “Talk about what happened.”

“No.” You responded a little too quickly, earning a strange look from both Winchesters. “Why don’t we talk down at the diner? Breakfast’s on me.” They exchanged a skeptical look, but agreed nonetheless.

People were already whispering when you walked in. Word traveled fast. As uncomfortable as the stares made you, anywhere was better than home.

“Hey Josie, can I get a few cups of coffee?” You asked the only waitress who wasn’t too busy gossiping about you. She gave you her usual smile.

“You got it, sweetie.” At least you still had one friend. The three of you picked a booth, Dean sitting on the other side and Sam sliding in beside you. He put a hand on your arm.

“Can you tell us what happened?” You tried to ignore Dean’s worried gaze and took a deep breath.

“I’ve been living with Danny for a little over a year now.” Just tell them. Just tell them. “After Isaiah left, I needed a place to stay.”

“Isaiah?” Dean stiffened. You couldn’t look at him.

“My husband.” Both Winchesters froze.

“Oh.” Was all Dean said. You set down your coffee mug a little too fast and the hot liquid splashed onto the counter.

“Anyway, it doesn’t matter.” You tried to clean up the mess with your napkin, your voice sounding more flustered than you intended. After all this time of keeping the secret, why was it so hard to lie to them? “He’s gone now.” Sam was the first to speak.

“I’m sorry.” His voice was so sincere, you felt yourself choke on your words, the emotion becoming too much.

“What matters now is destroying what killed Danny.”

“Do you have any idea what it was?” Sam asked. Dean seemed very interested in the inside of his mug. You wanted to tell him the truth, but the words caught in your throat. “Y/N?”

“I don’t know. One minute he was fine and the next his head was cracked open.” You closed your eyes, remembering that awful scene. You felt a hand rest on top of yours. Dean had reached across the table, his warm touch giving you enough courage to keep going. “The police can’t figure out how anyone else got in the garage, what the murder weapon was, or anything that could give me an answer. So I called you.” Sam and Dean exchanged a look.

“We’ll do what we can.” Sam promised you and Dean nodded.

“And we’ll fry this son of a bitch.”

Without a good enough excuse not to go back, you took Sam and Dean to the house. The police had cleaned the scene so you were able to get in. Dean stopped by the garage and laughed softly to himself.

“Still working on the bike.” He mused. You smiled slightly.

“He finished restoring it last year.” That motorcycle was Danny’s prize possession. A 1984 Disc Glide Harley Davidson. It was one hell of a bike. He had been washing it when he died.

“So… married.” Dean blew out a long breath. You looked away.

“After you left, Isaiah was… the normal I thought I needed.” You almost laughed. How wrong you were. “And then after a couple months he was… different. I guess I was too.” You thought of every red flag that you had missed, every great big warning sign you chose to ignore.

“Ah,” Dean nodded. “Normal.” You looked at him, shaking your head.

“I was wrong.” He read the glint in your eye that you had tried to hide. Your ex scared you.

“What went down between you?” His question wasn’t out of plain curiosity. He knew there was something you weren’t telling him.

“He started vanishing into the beds of barmaids and the occasional tennis coach until he didn’t come back.” You shrugged, hoping that he would buy the lie. He didn’t, but he didn’t ask you anything else.

“Hey guys, I think I found something!” Sam shouted from the living room. He was holding up a picture of you and Danny from a couple years ago. It looked fine. “Check this out.” Sam turned the farm around, revealing the words scratched into the back of the frame. Your heart stopped. Face me.

“Face me?” Dean read. “What the hell does that mean?” He and his brother both turned to you.

“Does this mean anything to you, Y/N?” Sam asked. All you could hear was Isaiah’s voice.

“Face me you stupid bitch!” You instinctively pulled Dean’s jacket tighter around you even though you knew they couldn’t see what you had hidden under your shirt.

“Y/N?” Sam repeated. Both brothers were staring at you waiting for an answer.

“You know Danny. He used to get in bar fights all the time. Maybe one of them died and wanted to get revenge?” You wouldn’t have believed it either . Dean ran his fingers through his hair in frustration.

“Look, we can’t help you if there’s something you aren’t telling us.” He snapped. “What the hell is going on?”

“My brother is dead, Dean!” You shouted. And it was all your fault. The two fell totally silent and you tried not to cry again. “Sorry. I’m just… tired.”

“Maybe you should just take it easy for the rest of the day. We’ll go back into the history of the house and see if there were any violent deaths.” Sam suggested sweetly.

“Don’t leave me here.” You pleaded, grabbing Dean’s hand. “Please don't leave me alone.”

“Hey, it’s okay. I won’t.” Dean assured you. What the hell was going on. He briefly turned to his brother. “Sammy, why don’t you head to the library and I’ll take Y/N to the motel?”

“I’ll call you if I find anything.” Sam gave you one last concerned look before heading out. Dean gave your hand a reassuring squeeze.

“Let’s get you out of here.”

The motel room was relatively nice compared to the other places they had stayed. You sat on Dean’s bed and took off his jacket.

“Here. You probably want this back.” You held it out, but he shook his head.

“You can keep it until we get this son of a bitch.” He pulled up a chair across from you and you couldn’t help but check him out. Those muscles under his shirt, his perfectly messy hair, his unreal green eyes. He really hadn’t changed at all.

“Do you ever think about it?” You blurted suddenly.

“Hmm?”

“About how we said goodbye?” Dean looked at the floor.

“Sometimes.”

You had thought about it nearly every damn day for the past three years. After facing the witches, it was time for Dean and Sam to move on to the next hunt. Dean had fallen in love with you, which was not something he usually allowed himself to do. You knew that you loved him and it scared you. The man hunted monsters, for god's sake. So when Dean asked you to come with him… you said no.

“Look, Y/N, I don’t hold anything against you.” Dean started, “I mean, we’d only been together a couple of weeks and you were still teaching and, you know, I had just killed a bunch of witches pretending to be lunch ladies.

“Dean.” You crossed to him. “Not leaving with you… It’s the biggest regret of my life.” Dean stood, eyes intense. YOu weren’t sure who kissed who first, but just like that, the years melted away. You quickly threw his jacket over the chair and Dean lifted your legs up around his waist as he backed you towards the bed. His jacket joined his jacket.

Dean’s hands slipped under your shirt, just grazing one of the lower scars on your back. You panicked and pushed away from him.

“Wait.” You gasped, catching your breath.

“What? What’s wrong?”

“I can’t.” Too many questions that you didn’t know how to answer. “I’m sorry, Dean. I can’t-” Seeing how upset you were, Dean tried to relax, putting his hands on your shoulders.

“It’s okay. You’re tired. Today has been pretty crazy. How about you rest?” He was being so sweet, which just made you feel worse for keeping things from him.

“Will you lay down with me?” It seemed like such a juvenile question after literally tearing his shirt off. Dean just smiled.

“Yeah, of course.” You both got under the blankets, keeping apart at first. You moved closer and he wrapped his arms around you, your back pressed against his chest. “Hey Y/N.”

“Yeah?”

“Sam and I are gonna keep you safe, okay?” His breath was warm against the back of your neck. “You can trust us.”

Dean knew that you were hiding something. Something that absolutely terrified you. He felt the marks on your back before you pulled away. For now, he would let you sleep. Hell, he could use a few hours himself. But sooner or later, he would find out the truth. He just hoped that it didn’t destroy you first.

You slept without nightmares. It was so unfamiliar after so many sleepless nights that even as the afternoon light streamed through the windows, you slept more peacefully than you had in years. It wasn’t until you felt a rush of cold and turned around to cuddle closer to Dean. Your eyes fluttered open and you screamed. The spirit stood over Dean menacingly with a stone raised over his head. Even though half of his face was bashed in, you could see Isaiah’s furious scowl.

“Dean!” You cried. Dean woke up and looked over his shoulder as Isaiah brought his hand down. Dean rolled out of the way, both of you tumbling off of the bed.

“You cheating whore!” The apparition shrieked. Dean pushed you behind him and you screwed your eyes shut. “Look at me when I’m speaking to you, Y/N! Face me!” He reappeared, standing over both of you and raising the jagged rock over you.

“Get down!” Sam burst through the motel door and fired two salt rounds into the ghost. Isaiah vanished. Sam hurried to his brother’s side. “Are you okay?”

“Yeah, I’m fine.” Dean stood, eyes burning into you, demanding answers. “What the hell just happened?”

“I’m sorry.” You let terrified tears stream down your cheeks. “I should have told you. I should have told you.” Sam helped you to your feet, trying to calm you down.

“Y/N, who was that?” He asked gently. There was now way to hide anymore, but you just stood there. Dean’s anger disappeared, connecting the spirit’s words and your fear. He cradled your face in his hands.

“Sweetheart, we can’t help you unless you tell us what happened.” He tucked your hair behind your ear. You tried to pull yourself together.

“It was Isaiah.” You sat on the bed and pulled your knees up to your chest.

“Your husband?” Sam asked. You gave them a weak nod.

“He didn’t leave me. I tried to leave him. He hurt me. He kept hurting me.” Every cut and every bruise stung now as if they were fresh. Dean gripped the back of the chair. “I told him I wasn’t going to let him hurt me anymore. He got so mad…” You gulped and turned around. You slowly lifted up the back of your shirt. Your back was a jagged puzzle of scars, some small and some stretching across your skin.

“Oh my God.” Sam gasped. You kept your back to them, unable to look them in the eye.

“He pushed me out of a glass door.” You pulled your shirt back down and wrapped your arms around yourself. “Our yard opened out to the river where there were some trees. So I just ran.”

Dean closed his eyes, the entire scene playing out in front of him. The blood soaking the back of your shirt. Your crying pleas for help. It haunted him. He somehow felt like it was his fault. Like he should have been there to protect you.

“I ran and I ran, but everything stung and it was hard to see straight with the pain. He caught me and shoved me to the ground. I was screaming, but nobody came. He wrapped his hands around my throat.” You sank further into your nightmare. “I grabbed a rock and hit him over the head. I just kept hitting him and hitting him and hitting him.” Your body shook as you cried. Nobody said a word for a long while. You were grateful.

“Y/N,” Sam sat down beside you. “You didn’t have a choice.”

“I shouldn’t have fought him, Sam.” You exclaimed. “If I hadn’t fought thim, none of this would have happened. Danny would still be alive.” Dean pushed the chair aside and crouched down in front of you, making you face him.

“None of this is your fault.” He said sternly. “Not what he did to you when he was alive and not what he’s doing now. Do you hear me? It’s not your fault.” He pulled you to him and let you cry into his chest, gently stroking your hair to sooth you. He looked at Sam intensely. “We’re burning this son of a bitch tonight.”

In order to find the body, you had to go back to the river. As you lead Sam and Dean through the grove of trees, Sam asked more questions.

“It’s been a little over a year since everything happened, right?” You nodded. “Why do you think he’s back now?” You shrugged. You had been trying to figure that out too. You suddenly remembered a conversation you had had with your brother.

“It’s because I’m leaving.” Of course. If you were gone, Isaiah wouldn’t be able to exact his revenge. He may have been tied to you, but he was also still tied to his body. Dean joined the conversation.

“Leaving?”

“Yeah. I need to get out of this place. Get away from everything that happened here.” You sighed. “I guess Isaiah had other plans.”

“Where will you go now?” Dean glanced over at you with a flicker of hope in his eyes. Before you could respond, you reached the North Platte and the tree you buried the body under.

“This is it.” You forced yourself to stay calm as the memories flooded your head. Dean gave you a reassuring nod. “No one ever came looking for him.” It was kind of sad. Everyone in town just assumed that he left you and he didn’t have any family to worry about him. “I couldn’t bury him very deep with my back cut up like that, but I couldn’t bring myself to just throw him in the river. Monster or not, he was till my husband.”

It was late evening now so you didn’t have to worry about anyone stumbling upon the scene. The boys started digging, that lump in your throat getting bigger and bigger with every inch. Once the body was fully uncovered, you made yourself look at him. Sam and Dean stood on either side of you.

“Alright Isaiah,” Dean started, lighting a match. “You’re not gonna hurt her anymore.”

Both Sam and Dean were flung backwards and you felt icy cold hands wrap around your neck.

“I’m not going anywhere.” Isaiah hissed in your ear. He flung you into the tree, hitting your back hard.

“Over here you freak!” Dean fired a salt round, but missed. Isaiah knocked him to the ground, slamming a rock against his temple. Sam rushed to help his brother and Isaiah simply raised his hand, throwing the younger Winchseter into the river.

“Stop!” You tried to scream, but it just came out as a wheezing gasp.

“We’re going to be just fine, Y/N.” Isaiah sneered. “Just as soon as you face me and learn your lesson.” He hit Dean again, this time knocking him out. You reached into your pocket.

“Face this you son of a bitch.”

You threw your lighter onto the body and watched it go up in flames. Isaiah raised the stone one last time before burning away. You ran over to Dean, your back aching with every movement.

“Please please please.” You begged, holding his head in your hands, his blood oozing from his temple and onto your palm.

“Y/N!” Sam called out, crawling out of the water. “Dean!”

“Come on Dean.” You cried. “If you wake up, I’ll say yes this time.” You leaned down, pressing a desperate kiss to his lips.

“That’s gotta be my favorite way to wake up.” He teased, his green eyes slowly opening.

“Shut up.” You shook your head and laughed, pulling him into your arms.

Sam packed the last bag into the trunk and gave you a small smile before getting in the passenger seat. Dean had his arms around you, his hands soothingly running up and down your back.

“I guess this is goodbye.” He sighed dramatically. You rolled your eyes.

“I’m going to be right behind you.”

“I don’t know if I can wait until we get to the motel.” He gave you a cheeky grin and pulled you into a passionate kiss. He went to the car and you revved Danny’s Harley to life. Dean pulled the impala out of the driveway, you trailing on the motorcycle. You followed that beautiful black car down the open road, ready to face anything.

General Tag: @rae-gar-targaryen; @takemepedropascal; @childhood-imagination; @mylovegoesto;

#dean winchester x reader #abuse warning #sam winchester #dean winchester #supernatural #supernatural imagine #jensen ackles #winchester take over

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tamakiamajikistentacles · 4 years

Text

Change the Outcome {Denki Kaminari}

Quirks, Denki Kaminari had learned very early on, had limits.

Electrification was a useful and potentially powerful quirk to have, and he wouldn’t even consider trading it for any other, but he would be lying if he said that short circuiting from overuse was an easily dealt with drawback.

He hated when he overexerted himself to the point where he went into what his UA classmates later dubbed “Idiot Mode” but there were times it was necessary. As long as he didn’t do it too often or go too far over his limit, the professionals assured him that he wouldn’t suffer permanent damage.

The villain’s suit was a sleek silver and covered them from head to toe but didn’t seem to hinder their metal manipulation quirk. Black market support items for villains seemed to be becoming more and more sophisticated, which pissed off Katsuki Bakugo, pro hero Ground Zero, who’s explosions didn’t even phase the asshole in front of him.

“FUCK!” he shouted as he landed next to a panting Eijirou Kirishima, pro hero Red Riot.

“Neither of us have even put a dent in that armor,” Kirishima said through gritted teeth as he watched Pinky and Froppy attempt a combo move to take out the villain. It was like the armor itself couldn’t be pierced by any of their quirks, the corrosive properties of acid also unable to inflict damage.

Almost immediately, the girls gave the villain a wide berth and a second later, the silver suit was encompassed in electricity from Denki Kaminari, pro hero Chargebolt. But once again, not a scratch appeared.

"Your limit is ten million volts, but my suit won't even crack until fifteen million," the villain said smugly as the blonde retreated back towards his fellow pros. "Designed with you in mind, sweetheart."

Kaminari clenched his teeth as he brushed his sleeve across the sweat gathered on his brow, trying to figure out another way that they could crack the armor.

Pinky had quickly put together her Acid Man move to try and go toe-to-toe with the villain in the meantime while he regrouped with Kirishima and Bakugo, watching Froppy and his own girlfriend continue to escort nearby workers out of the line of fire.

"You gotta push it to fifteen million,” Bakugo ground out past his grimace. “If the armor cracks, we can charge and take them out while you go stupid."

"You can't expect him to break that far past his ability!" Kirishima protested with a shake of his head, gelled spikes moving stiffly.

"I always say ten million is my limit, but I can definitely do twelve for sure without causing myself any damage. I've never pushed it past thirteen, but I'll try it,” Kaminari said, determination evident in his voice.

"Man, you shouldn't-"

Kaminari grinned. "Plus ultra, right, bro? That's what heroes do."

"I don't like this, but I can't stop you. Don't mess yourself up, alright?" Kirishima pleaded. “Your girlfriend is fired up enough to kick all of our asses if something happens.”

Bakugo clicked his tongue against his teeth in agitation. “Step in with the girls and let them know our plan. I’m putting together some grenades to use as a distraction so you’ll be able to gear up with your disc and then fry the shithead.”

“Got it,” the blonde nodded, springing back into the melee.

Kirishima watched the fight intently, trying to understand the villain’s movements so that once the armor was cracked, he could strike hard and accurate.

Bakugo worked quickly to prepare the grenades, his eyes focused until he caught movement out of the corner of his eye, a flash of blue denim growing closer.

A kid?

"Yo Red, I thought you said you got the last of the civilians on our half?! The fuck is there a kid still here for?" Bakugo shouted, gesturing towards the lanky boy in a grey beanie running towards them. Kirishima’s brows furrowed. "I did! There weren’t any-" The boy skirted to a stop in front of them, gold eyes wide in fear under wisps of dark hair that had escaped the beanie. He was panting hard, but the heroes weren’t sure if it was from running, fear, or maybe both. Before either could ask if he was alright or begin to get him out of the building, the boy started speaking earnestly.

"Listen to me, you can't let Chargebolt go so far over twelve million. If you do, he's going to short circuit himself to the point that he completely fries half of his brain and limits his quirk drastically." "Who the fuck are you to be telling us what to do?" Bakugo bit out reflexively, the boy’s words not registering at first. "Please trust me. He can't... he can't go over that limit. He'll live but he's gonna suffer and his pro hero days are over. I know what happens if he does this!" the boy insisted, looking between the two heroes in front of him. "You can see the future?" Kirishima asked, thinking the boy had a foresight-esque quirk. "Not in the way you're thinking-"

His words trailed off as Kaminari came to land near them after assisting the girls in a few of their moves while also informing them of the plan they had formed. His discs did a lot to help his aim and keep others out of the currents he put out, but he never wanted to take an unnecessary risk. "Red, GZ, we gotta strike, the girls are wearing down,” he said quickly. Then, taking notice of the newcomer, asked, “Who's the kid?"

"Chargebolt..." the boy whispered, awestruck by the sight of him.

“You shouldn’t be here, kid,” he warned, glancing back at the fight. “We’ll give you autographs after we take care of this villain, yeah? But for now, you gotta take cover while we get back in there.”

The kid grabbed his wrist tightly, stopping him from going back into the fray. “No, you have to listen to me! Don’t go over twelve million! You can’t do it or you’re going to end your career as a pro tonight!”

“What the-“

The kid ripped the grey beanie off of his head, black spiky hair springing loose as well as one bright blonde section in the front that was kinked up like a lightning bolt. Glossy golden eyes stared at him in fear.

Both Kirishima and Bakugo’s eyes widened at the full view of the younger boy in front of them. Between the eyes and the hairstyle… if the golden section were farther back on the left…

“My name is Raiden Kaminari and I know it sounds absolutely insane but I’m your son. I came here from the future to make sure you don’t short circuit yourself beyond repair tonight. Auntie always says that no one should meddle with time, but I had to do this. Please, you have to believe me!”

Kaminari couldn’t move. He’d experienced his fair share of bizarre and terrifying scenarios since starting out to become a pro hero at the age of fifteen, but the current situation may have taken the cake for both most bizarre and most terrifying.

The boy—his son?—was looking borderline hysterical as a tear finally rolled down his cheek and his body shook violently.

“You’re telling the truth,” Kaminari murmured, his heart thundering in his chest, but his intuition screaming at him that this kid was his kid.

Raiden nodded furiously. “Yes, yeah, I-I am! I swear, this is all to help you! Twelve million is the limit and even trying to push thirteen so quickly… you can’t.”

“What’s your quirk, kid?” Bakugo interrupted, eyes narrowing behind his mask. He thought the entire situation was insane and too family oriented for his liking but if this kid was here, he was gonna be useful.

“E-electrification,” Raiden stuttered, intimidation causing him to shrink into himself. “Just the same as my d- as his. My limit before I short circuit is five and a half million but the effects only last for about fifteen minutes and aren’t as bad as… well, as you’re used to seeing. My quirk is regulated better because of my mom.”

Kirishima shook his head. “Man, we are not making a kid fight a villain-“

“But I’m training to become a pro hero!” he said quickly. “I’m in my second year at UA in class 2-A just like you were, and I know how to control my quirk better than most!”

“It all depends on your aim,” Kaminari cut in. “I’ve got my disc to help direct my current, but if you can’t aim then we’re gonna have a major problem.”

Raiden shook his head with a grin both Kirishima and Bakugo knew all too well. “My aim’s crap on its own, but that’s why I’ve got these bad boys.” The teen pulled out a pair of glasses similar to Kaminari’s, just a bit more upgraded, it seemed. “I should be able to lock onto your disc the same way and we can combine our currents to crack the armor.”

Kaminari considered the plan for a moment before adding, “Only go five million. We’ll hit with seventeen million between us and nobody will even come close to short circuiting, got it?”

Kirishima’s eyebrows rose slightly, the concerned tone in his friend’s voice sounding distinctly paternal.

“I can do that,” Raiden agreed, slipping the glasses on.

“Toss the hat back on, too,” Bakugo ordered. “We’re going to make our strike from over there where there’s more coverage. Kid, you’re staying out of sight and busting out your sparks from right behind this dumbass so it looks like its all coming from him. We don’t need to explain this future kid bullshit to anyone else. Once that armor is cracked, it’s all on me and Red.” He looked between the three in front of him and when he saw no objections, he turned to begin his trek towards cover. “Let’s move! Pinky, Frogger, and your baby mama have been in the thick of it long enough.”

Kirishima laughed at the sputtering attempt at a protest Kaminari tried to form and the bright red blush on Raiden’s cheeks at the mention of his mother.

The four regrouped behind the covered point near the corner of the warehouse where the battle was taking place, Raiden sticking close to Kaminari. Bakugo surveyed the situation from his vantage point for a long moment before a feral smirk overtook his features. He turned back to the three behind him, tossing a still-pinned grenade between his gloved hands.

“Show time, boys.”

He leapt out from behind their cover and unpinned three grenades in rapid succession, his aim as he threw them flawless. Flanked by Kirishima, he let the villain become more concerned with them on the other side of the warehouse so that their back was to the two electric users.

Kaminari turned to Raiden. “I’m climbing this cargo and launching the disc, so when you hear me call out my voltage, lock on and let loose. But remember, only five million, okay?”

Raiden nodded, and the older blonde quickly scaled the wooden cargo crates to stand tall and launch out the white disc to attach itself to the back of the villain’s armor.

“Twelve million volts!” Kaminari shouted out, his hands extended into finger guns to guide the electricity right towards its intended target. He could see additional currents going towards the disc, thankful that Raiden was able to lock onto the target even with the upgraded glasses.

The villain cried out as their suit was hit with the electricity and each of the pro heroes couldn’t help but smile as the seemingly impenetrable silver suit began to crack beneath golden sparks.

“All yours, Red, GZ!” Kaminari called as the flow of electricity died down, the other two pros jumping into the villain’s space to break him down further so an arrest could be made.

He climbed back down off of the cargo stack, jumping the last meter to land on his feet beside the younger boy still vibrating with excitement. Dusting his hands off on his pants, he smirked.

“You did great, kid.”

Raiden’s face split into a wide grin. “This is seriously the coolest thing I’ve ever done! I know I didn’t really, like, do much battle-wise but I just helped take down a villain! With you! Seeing you in action and-and-and being able to fight alongside you is… it’s insane!”

Kaminari smiled fondly at the boy in front of him, his chest feeling warm at seeing him so happy.

“I’m glad you came to help,” he said honestly when the boy’s excited rambling ended. “You said… earlier you said you came to prevent my hero career from ending. If I had gone for the fifteen million on my own, what would’ve happened?”

“Well, you would’ve short circuited,” Raiden began cautiously. “But going too far over your limit so fast caused permanent damage to the point where mom told me that you were in the hospital for a week with the effects of short circuiting. She always said that it was the worst week of her life because I guess before you would give like a thumbs up? Like, saying you were okay, she said, but that week, you barely moved. She stayed with you and you babbled and cried… she only talked about it a few times.”

Kaminari felt sick to his stomach imagining the effects going for that long. When it happened, he was stuck in his head and couldn’t really speak, only able to gesture and give vague noises to indicate that he was alright or if he needed something. For an hour, it could be funny for his friends and family and even he got a good laugh hearing about his own antics, but God, an entire week?

“After a week you were able to speak and get back to normal, kind of,” Raiden went on. “Mom told me she cried for the first time during the whole situation when the doctors came in to tell you that you’d overdone it so badly that you’d caused permanent damage to your brain and… and your quirk. The memory loss was hard on you because a lot of it was so scattered. You’d remember a specific English lesson from UA but have no idea where you went on your first date with mom-“

Their first date was at a shitty American diner he had frequented during his middle school days in Saitama Prefecture. His shirt had been green, and hers was purple.

“-and as far as your quirk, you can only do five hundred thousand volts as of my time. That forced you into early retirement from hero work. You still did okay, though, because you started teaching at UA; took over literature from Cementoss and I know firsthand that you’re tough when you grade papers.”

“Wow,” Kaminari breathed. “Were… were any of the other pros from tonight injured too?” He spared a glance behind the cargo to see the police beginning to step in to make an arrest and the girls begin to give their statements from being the first ones on the scene.

Raiden shook his head. “No. Uncle Kat and Uncle Ei took out the villain and mom and Aunt Mina went right to you to make sure you were okay. For a long time, though, Uncle Kat blamed himself because he told you to go to fifteen in the first place. You never blamed him, of course, but I think he still carries some guilt about it.”

‘Knowing Bakugo, he probably does,’ Kaminari thought.

“I’m just happy I was able to change how tonight went down,” Raiden admitted, allowing them both a comfortable silence after he spoke.

“You mentioned your aunt earlier,” Kaminari remarked, surveying the remains of the warehouse. “If she says you shouldn’t meddle with time, I guess that means time travel or something like it is her quirk, right? But she wouldn’t help you come, so who did you get to bring you here?”

Raiden chuckled. “Auntie passed on a version of her quirk to her daughter. She and I are close just like you and her dad are. It’s cool I got to meet young him tonight too. Kinda weird to see him without the undercut and earrings, though.”

Kaminari nearly broke his neck turning to look at him. “Kirishima or Bakugo?! Dude, I gotta know!”

“You’ll find out,” Raiden laughed.

“Man, either Bakubro or Kiri land a lady with a time quirk, who’d have thought,” he mused, shaking his head when he realized how wild the future would be. “So, is your, uh, cousin around here somewhere too? Or did she, like, throw you into a portal or something?”

“Not exactly. Her quirk is called Savepoint, and basically it allows her to transport someone to the same location they were in on a certain date, but the dates can get confusing because the savepoints aren’t intuitive to her, so she has to pick a date and she’ll get to the closest savepoint from there.”

“Honestly, my brain hurts just trying to understand that,” Kaminari admitted. “Do you go back to the savepoint to go back to your timeline too?”

“Yeah, when I touch that wall over there, I’m outta here.” He hesitated for a moment before adding in a murmur, “I’m actually a little scared to go back.”

Kaminari cocked his head as they began to walk towards the wall. “Why? You saved me, I’m not gonna be your lit teacher anymore.”

“It was never about you being my lit teacher. You had to give up your dream of being a pro hero after less than two years on the job, and mom couldn’t make herself continue working as a hero when you couldn’t. I just wanted to stop the pain and the guilt you both felt. Neither of you deserved what happened to your careers and everything that came after: the nightmares you still have, the eviction notices that mom hid from you… you didn’t deserve any of it. I love both you and mom for everything you’ve done for our family and make no mistake that we’ve turned out alright back in my time, but you both deserve the happiness of living your dreams just like I’m starting to.”

Kaminari laid a hand on his shoulder, hesitating for only a moment before bringing the boy into his arms and squeezing tightly. “I don’t know how I landed an awesome as fuck son but ohmygod is future me lucky as shit.”

Raiden laughed breathily against his shoulder. “Mom is gonna be pissed you cursed around me.”

“She’ll be pissed you cursed too,” Kaminari chuckled as they released one another. “Keep the secret?”

“You bet,” Raiden nodded, beginning to walk towards the wall he had indicated earlier. He turned back one last time. “I’m happy I got to see you in action, doing what you loved. I hope when I get back that I see more of the same… dad.”

Kaminari smiled, then as the boy turned back to the wall and extended a hand, a thought occurred to him and he shouted out, “WAIT!”

Raiden jumped, startled, and turned back in confusion.

“You said that her quirk takes you back to a location you were previously in. So, you had to have been here already!”

With a mischievous grin Kaminari was sure his own mother had already seen countless times, Raiden called back, “You’ll meet me later this year!” and slammed his hand against the wall. With a quick flash of light, he was gone.

As tired as he was, and as warm as his girlfriend was against him, Kaminari couldn’t sleep. His mind was too preoccupied trying to process everything from the last six hours.

“You’ll meet me later this year!”

That stuck out to him the most. He would have a kid within the calendar year? Possible, sure, it was only mid-January, but he wasn’t married or even engaged. He loved his girlfriend more than anything, but they’d only gotten together about two years prior. Realistically he knew that part didn’t really mean anything, but he had always cared a little too much about what others would think of his circumstances. But also, where was...?

His eyes widened and if he wasn’t frozen in horror, he would have lifted the covers to look at his pajama-clad lap.

“Stop shifting so much,” he heard his girlfriend grumble beside him, elbowing him in the ribs without force.

“Sorry,” he chuckled sheepishly, tightening his hold around her waist.

“Y’should be. You’re not the one who got sent flying into a wall on the first strike.”

Kaminari hummed. “Yeah… I got pretty lucky damage-wise.”

“Well my back’s killing me,” she pouted. “More than it already has been lately, at least, so it’d be appreciated if you could stay still. Or if you’re really desperate to move, gimme a massage.”

“Oh, I’m always happy to give a massage, babe,” he said with a grin, straddling the backs of her thighs when she completely rolled over onto her stomach.

“I’m too tired for that tonight, Denki, just get those hands moving.”

“Yes ma’am!”

He began kneading her shoulders, his intent to gradually make his way further down her back as he usually did. Before he could really start, she turned to look back at him.

“Can you do more on my lower back? That’s what’s been giving me trouble the past week or so. Getting slammed back into that wall earlier tonight definitely didn’t help. Feels like really shitty cramps at this point almost.”

Kaminari froze, his hands stilling to rest on the small of her back.

Wall. Back pain. Cramps?

He never hit the wall that served as the savepoint. He hadn’t even come close to touching it. When Raiden had used it to return to his own time, he had been only a meter or two away, but that was the closest he had been.

“You good, babe?” she asked when he hadn’t moved for a moment.

He took in a breath, shakily exhaling it before he spoke. “Speaking of cramps… when- when exactly is your period supposed to start next?”

“Dunno. Have to check my app,” she replied, shuffling over to her right and reaching out to grab her phone from the night table. Tapping quickly, she toggled between screens until she was on the proper app and studied it.

He considered passing out for a brief moment because of the anticipation. For once, something other than electricity was causing his veins to buzz beneath his skin.

She turned back to him once more, her voice soft as she asked, “Will you short circuit if I tell you that I’m nine days late?”

Kaminari surprised himself when he realized that no, he wasn’t going to short circuit. He wasn’t going to puke or faint or run, either.

He grinned, bending forward to wrap his arms around her waist as his forearms supported his weight over her. His chin hooked over her shoulder and his cheek pressed warmly against her own.

“Nah, I’m gonna tell you that I’m so fuckin’ in love with you, and that Raiden is a badass name for a kid.”

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derekscorner · 4 years

Text

When relevancy goes too far

Relevancy is a bit of a complex topic the more you think about it. How far do you push it? Which parts of a story are needed to know the other? How should something define the follow up? These questions have widely different answers depending on the person and especially depending on format.

Hell, if you wish to nit pick it further, even the series in question is a factor. Some series’ thrive on whats done while others drown in their own scripts. I believe Kingdom Hearts is one of the latter.

That said, I am not someone who hates KH’s expanded stories simply for existing. The “side games” in of themselves aren’t bad nor is the idea of using such things to expand a world. The same could be said for game novels or comics in my opinon.

However, these things can be a slippery slope or a lazy exist. For example, Assassin’s Creed threw out it’s whole Juno arc into a comic just to get it out of the way which completely shattered my investment.

In turn, Nomura himself isn’t at fault for as much as we bash him for. Something he’s admitted himself as seen here;

So, the new Days is one of the three titles announced in the Autumn of 2007 as new projects in the KH series.

Nomura: Those three titles were all announced at the same time, but in reality the opportunities for the projects were raised in a disjointed way. Birth by Sleep is a project that was raised within our company, but Days is from Nintendo, and coded is from Disney, so we started by talking to each of them.

-source <--Link btw

And anyone that’s read interviews out of curiosity will know that there’s also factors like how ‘Birth By Sleep’ was shifted from PS2 to PSP or that ‘Chain of Memories’ wasn’t a planned title either. (seen here)

So if these things aren’t inherently bad or planned that begs the question of why it’s a problem here? At least in my opinion of the series.

The answer is simple and it lies solely on Nomura’s shoulders for it as a fault, relevancy. The man goes out of his way to make each and every game, concert, or otherwise is attached to the series in some meaningful way going forward.

Naturally, any expanded media is tied to the main narrative in some way. I know this, I am not that foolish. The problem is that Nomura makes them plot relevant going forward.

These titles can’t be true “side games” because they dictate the story going forward in some way. It’s for this reason the more radical fans hate to hear the terminology “side game” to begin with.

This problem was especially bad for years because of how spread out the series became among other gaming systems. And while some like to say it’s fine now due to the collection discs I dont think this will last long given the “phase 2″ images released for KH’s near future.

Hell, I’d even argue this problem isn’t even fixed in truth because the current KH story involving Foretellers, Luxu, and so on is all things spun from a mobile game. Yes, you have to sit through scenes on YT or play a mobile game to fully grasp that cat creature (Chirithy) you saw in KH3.

Naturally, it’s much easier to watch the scenes on YT these days but that also feeds into the loop of not paying for the game itself. I personally see no issue with it but companies are much worse in recent years for shutting down Youtube channels over loose definition of “piracy”.

No game series is worth several consoles. Of course, I’m just speaking from experience, with KH now on the Xbox this may be a moot point in a few years.

I am rambling, off track, lets focus. “Why is this an issue?” is what you’ve read this far for me to explain. The biggest issue with this poor decision making is how it harms the main narrative you’re telling.

For comparison, look at Sora in KH3. He’s often confused by people he doesn’t remember meeting or events he doesn’t remember nor took part in. This is roughly close to what it would be like for someone that’s only played KH1, 2, and 3.

Sora has that same level of insight including what he was told about others like Roxas or Aqua but other characters in-game. This feeds into KH’s misconceived air of complexity.

Kingdom Hearts, as a story, isn’t that complex. It has deeper themes it throws to the wayside but it is easy to follow if you play most games in some form. This ties back into how the series was handled up until the PS4/KH3.

Ever want to know who Roxas was in KH2? Well you had to play Days or you can sit through that horribly boring 3 hour movie on the Remix disc. Even then, the Roxas you see in Days wont be like the one in KH2.

Wish to know who Xehanort was? Play Birth by Sleep! All three campaigns with little variance. Then once you’re done get ready to sit on YT or download a phone app and play Kingdom Hearts Dark Road.

The Foretellers, Luxu, or the Master of Masters? That’s another set of hours, if not days, with the KH Union X Cross, KH Dark Road, and should you choose you can even watch the Back Cover movie which answers nothing at all but shows you the Foretellers in Kh3 graphical glory.

You wish to know how Namine knew who The Lingering Will was? Well dig up a fan translation of a script the Japanese voice cast read for a music concert event. (yes that happened)

You can see where this is going I assume and this is just scratching the surface by the way. You wish to know the finer details like Keyblade types, the inconsistent time traveling, “recompletion”, and so on then be prepared to read word of god interviews, in-game dictionaries/journals and always be ready for a few to change.

Whether it’s a true retcon or just an ambiguous statement, the series is ongoing, Nomura heads the ship, and he is by no means obligated to stick to previous statements if he can make a new one to alter those events.

Then again, holding too much weight in words said outside the game itself is a faulty way of doing things that most fans (like me) have fallen victim too at least once.

At the same time, all of these things are relevant by Nomura’s decision. Sure, the remixes have fixed this to a degree but it’s anyone’s guess for how long. Better yet, at what cost did the remixes fix anything?

The best example of what I mean is Coded. It was originally a game for phones. At the time, only Japan had a phone capable of playing it. Feeling that a shame the game later found it’s way to the DS for all fans to play.

At this point in time Coded was the only true example of a “side story”. It was by no means necessary. The whole datascape plot was more convoluted than it needed to be despite data!Sora being far better than the original at this point, and easy to miss.

But...well that was good. The DS version of Coded was fun as hell to play. The only version of the “command deck system” I’d consider worth any semblance of praise. It did it’s job of getting some level of fans invested such as my friend @blackosprey and it’s story was missable.

You did not need to play Coded to understand Dream Drop Distance or further. This was perfect. This is what games like Days, KH Chi/UX, 0.2, and DDD should’ve been.

Games that reached out to grab new people, games that played around, and games that expanded on the main narrative without dictating it’s direction. A side game is something that exists alongside or outside your main story.

However this isn’t what we got. 0.2 A Fragmentary Passage was a short sequel to BBS but also a pretty tech demo for KH3. Dream Drop Distance was there to show the real Sora that people needed help and to show us that Xehanort was back.

KH Chi was a browser game meant to show the Keyblade War and how it shaped Sora’s era. Now it’s an ongoing curse on the series with time traveling plot that affected KH3 directly.

Coded was made into a movie you needed to sit through thanks to one small newly added scene. Days lost many small interactions it’s fans loved in the transition to a movie that is hard to sit through.

I’ve also heard KHDDD and 0.2 were “shaved off” KH3 in a sense to be their own titles...this...this makes so little sense.

Nomura calls KH “Sora’s story” but this is a lie. If it truly was Sora’s story then your main narrative would be BBS, KH1, CoM, 2, and the original combined form of KH3. That’s the titles he’s relevant, those are the titles he stops Xehanort’s plans.

These other titles could’ve been so fun but none of them were truly allowed to breath and be themselves. They were weakened and limited by Nomura deciding to prop the ongoing story upon them like they’re stilts.

Then as a result you can’t close out KH3 without resolving all of these other events and characters which drags it’s own story down. KH3 feels all over the place because it is. It’s trying to tie as many knots as it can from threads created in titles that were way more relevant then they needed to be.

Kh3 can be seen as a clean break for many but I see it as a matter of time. KHUX and now KHDR are still there casting a shadow, dictating what comes next. Melody of Memory is one of several games planned for an unknown but hopefully more thought out direction.

I worry I haven’t explained what I meant well enough but moral of my story is that making things too relevant hurts not only your main story but these new stories you wish to explore.

You can’t have a story and it’s cast breath if you’re tying a knot of mythos too tightly around their necks and this is a tragedy to me. KH began life with such potential but it constantly holds itself back because so few entries into it’s story are truly just an entry.

And I am not saying games can’t follow up one another nor that they shouldn’t. What’s needed is a clear idea and some breathing room. A good example would be to save people in Days with the game DDD. DDD could’ve wiped away some clutter to focus on the final Xehanort battle in a sense.

Nomura has a huge problem with wanting connectivity without letting games be connected by the name alone. It’s like he wants to do the opposite of what Final Fantasy has done but to detrimental results.

This harms so much but worst of them it hurts development. Because Days was made so important, we had a movie made. Because Coded was elevated, a movie was made. Because the keyblade war was so popular, Union Cross was made.

The Remixes would’ve been better to consolidate lore not waste time trying to appease every whim. KH’s relevancy is a huge problem and I doubt it’ll stop any time soon.

#kingdom hearts #kh3 #khdr #kingdom hearts melody of memory

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hetalia-text-messages · 5 years

Text

yeah so I kinda had to do it

"Thank you for doing this, Lili." Iceland stared at herself in the full-length mirror, turning a few times. "It's really not a problem?"

"No, not at all!" Liechtenstein helped her get her fancy shirt over her head. "Sorry, do you mind if I do this?"

"Not really, if that's what must be doing." She blushed anyways, averting her eyes. "It's okay."

"Good." She stopped inches from her pants and giggled. "You want to do this part?"

"Please." Iceland yanked them down like they were going to hurt her, or had wronged her. She paused and glared for a moment. Then she kicked them the rest of the way off. "I did it."

"Try this." Liechtenstein held up a deep blue strapless dress. "Well? Do you like it?"

"Sure, okay." She stumbled a bit putting her legs through, nearly falling over in the process. "Damn boxers are getting in the way! Could you be helping me?"

"Watch out!" She caught her right before she landed face-first on the floor. "There we go." She tugged the dress the rest of the way up and zipped the back. "Take a look."

Iceland took a deep breath and turned to face the mirror. "It..." The words died in her throat as she stared, completely mesmerized. The dress reached just above her knees, hugging her body nicely. "Who is that girl staring at me?"

"It's you, Erika! You're looking at yourself!" Liechtenstein placed her hands on her shoulders. "Do you still like it?"

"I love it." Tears welled up in her eyes and streamed down her cheeks. "I can't believe this." She placed her hands on her chest and sobbed out a laugh. "Look how flat I am."

"I'm flatter." She laughed into her hair and got a pair of black pantyhose. "How about this?"

"Uh." Iceland scratched the back of her neck and wiped her eyes. "Like, under the boxers?"

"No, no." Liechtenstein tried to hand her a pair of white panties, which she promptly recoiled from. "They aren't mine, silly! They're brand new!"

"Oh, that's fine." She motioned for her to turn around before putting both them and the hosiery on. "Lili?"

"Yes?"

"This is feeling extremely uncomfortable on my di-"

"Erika!" She covered her mouth and giggled. "Well, I'm sorry about that." She looked her up and down with a whistle. "You look great!"

"I do?" Iceland glanced in the mirror. "I do!" She slid her feet into the pair of silver high heels waiting nearby. "Shouldn't be too hard, right?" She took one step and immediately started wobbling. "Oh my god, these hurt!"

"It takes practice!" Liechtenstein took her arm to steady her. "Don't move so much!"

"I'm sorry! Whoah!" She tumbled to the ground, taking the other girl along with her. "Okay, ow."

"Oof!" She landed on top of her with a pained grunt. "Sorry."

"You're welcome for breaking your fall," Iceland smirked.

"Thank you!" Liechtenstein eyed her for a bit until they both started to laugh. "Mahahaybe try easier shoes?"

"Sounds better." She stumbled to her feet and swapped the heels out for some cute black flats. "How about these?"

"Adorable and easy on your feet!" She tapped them gently. "Weird question, do you want to stuff?"

"Yikes." Iceland glanced at her chest and shrugged. "Tissues would be itchy. I heard they make these silicone discs you can put in bras."

"I don't have any, unfortunately." Liechtenstein smiled teasingly. "What cup size?"

"At least B, maybe a C." She chuckled and checked the mirror again. "Is my hair getting longer?"

"It is!" She ran her hand through it. "How are you keeping your family from cutting it?"

"I try to distract them. Or I just hide." Iceland rubbed her arm and grimaced. "Norway said I look like a girl. It made me happy, but I know he didn't mean it as a compliment."

Liechtenstein pursed her lips. "It's a compliment if it comes from me, right? So I don't just think you look like a girl, I think you ARE one. I hope that helped y-" She was cut off when the other girl pulled her into a forceful kiss, then roughly pushed her back.

"Ahem, sorry. I should've asked." She gasped as she kissed her cheek and grinned. "So, you aren't mad?"

"No way!" She let out a squeal before running out of the room. "BIG BROTHER! BIG BROTHER! I HAVE A GIRLFRIEND!"

"How fun," Switzerland murmured. "Wait, you what?!" He looked up just in time to see Liechtenstein run downstairs, then outside, with Iceland in a dress following her. He went back to his newspaper with a grumble. "I'm not even going to ask."

#aph #hetalia #MtF!Iceland #aph Iceland #aph Liechtenstein #aph Switzerland #IceLiech #LGBT+#transgender #trans #mtf

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promisedangel · 5 years

Text

Fresh Meat: Confinement- Chapter 21

First

Chapter 21- Gathering

Chara awoke to a knock on their door. They groaned and grumbled, it wasn’t anywhere near the evening. Afternoon at most. They grumbled out, “Alphys? Is that you?” Alphys replied happily, “Yep! I’ve got some good news! Well… partially.” Chara stood from their bed. They spoke cautiously, “…Partially?” Alphys slowly slid the latch lock open. Chara looked down curiously at the panel, but it did not open. Instead, the door lock clicked open. Chara froze for a moment, fear and uncertainty flashed. The ringing returned briefly. The door cracked open to reveal Alphys’s smiling face. She was to the side of the door, away from the pile of dust. She spoke kindly, “I’m taking you out of your room for a bit!” The ringing subsided as Chara relaxed. They raised a brow curiously, “For the investigation?” Alphys nodded as she opened the door wider, “Yeah! I um… I proposed the idea that I’d watch you while the Royal Guard examined and cleaned up here!” Chara, still with a cautious gaze, approached the door, “And… he approved?” Alphys gave a nervous smile, “Yeah… but… we have to go to my room, and we can’t leave there until he says so.” Alphys began to fiddle with her claws. Chara sighed heavily. They resigned, “Well, it is better than some other options I thought he would concoct.” Chara stepped through the open door. They paused at the pile of dust. Alphys offered a hand to Chara with a smile. Chara smiled softly as they took the hand. With her assistance, Chara gracefully stepped over the dust pile. The two released their grasp before they moved on.

Alphys led Chara down hallway after hallway. A different path than Chara knew. Chara noticed cameras as they turned some corners. They locked their sight on each one. After a few, Chara perked up, “Were these cameras always here?” Alphys didn’t look back at Chara, but replied, “I don’t think any new cameras have been set up in the lab lately.” Alphys frowned as she and Chara looked at the next camera as they passed, “He’s… watching us through them, right now.” Chara’s face contorted with disgust, “He is still keeping a close watch despite the investigation?!” “He’s waiting for the Royal Guard. And for Serol’s team to arrive. They have the only keycards that aren’t in storage other than mine. So… our intruder got it from one of them.” Chara looked up at the closest camera with a glare, “So he is passing his time by ensuring I go where you said I would.” Alphys nodded. She looked at Chara solemnly, “He was really strict with me about it.”

A smile budded on her face, “But thankfully, once we’re in my room, we won’t have to deal with cameras! We can talk and relax in peace!” Chara rolled their eyes, “While we are imprisoned in your room for a change.” Alphys let the last comment be as stopped in front of a room. She beamed and exclaimed, “And here we are!” Chara stopped. They turned towards the door to immediately see the nameplate. Chara raised a brow, “You don’t have a last name?” Alphys opened the door and shook her head, “No. It’s not common for monsters to have last names. It was usually leaders and other important monsters who had last names.” Alphys stepped into the room. She beckoned Chara with a repeated downward movement of her hand, “Come in! I have a lot of stuff to show you!”

Chara stepped into the room as Alphys turned on the lights. Chara paused as they took in the sight of Alphys’s room. The room was bigger than their own and more densely decorated. The bed was the same as Chara’s but a few water damaged plushes sat at the end of the bed. A small bedside table held a lamp and a few framed pictures. A metal canister sat at the edge of the table. A bookshelf hugged the back wall with many books, VHS tapes, and an assortment of discs. All cases and books in varying condition. Against the wall opposite the bed was a wide dresser with a large square tv on one side of the dresser. A few DVD cases were to the side of the tv, as well as an attached DVD/VHS player. Next to the door was a work desk strewn with books, papers, pens, and pencils in seemingly disorganized heaps. It was easily the most disorganized looking area of the room, despite some things being strewn about the floor.

Alphys blushed in embarrassment, “Sorry about the mess.” Chara heard the door close behind them as they spoke, “It is alright. I have seen worse.” Alphys pulled the chair from her desk towards her bed, “Here! Sit! I’ve got a lot of movies, books, and tv shows we can watch!” Her eyes lit up as she gasped, “I could show you my favorite tv show ever!” Chara raised a brow as they sat down in the chair they were offered. Alphys scurried to the tv. She scooped up one of the DVDs next to it and presented them proudly. The cover was warped with a large corner of the art discolored. Most of the cover showed a human girl with pink cat ears and a tail. She had bright green eyes and pink hair. She wore a frilly maid-like outfit. Her hair, necklace, and matching pink boots were all adorned with large gold-painted bells. Across the bottom of the DVD were words in pinkie lettering, “Mew Mew Kissy Cutie! Volume 1”. Chara stifled a laugh before they belted out a loud laugh of disbelief. They exclaimed, “What is that?” Alphys pouted, “C’mon! It’s really good! Just give it three episodes! An hour an a half!” Chara crossed their arms and raised their brow, “By then, I could be whisked away, back to my cell.” Alphys opened her mouth to protest. Not one sound escaped before her expression deflated. She sighed, “You’re right. We don’t know how long we have here. I just… I thought I could show you all the things I enjoy while I had the chance. So we’d have more things to talk about.” Chara’s expression deflated as well. They rested their chin on their hands. They gave a soft smile, “Alright. I’ll give an episode a chance.” Alphys’s expression grew to an unbridled glee, “I promise you won’t regret it!”

Alphys quickly switched the discs in the DVD player, putting the disc she was using in the Mew Mew Kissy Cutie Volume 1 case. She turned on the tv, where it began to hum slightly. She grabbed a remote on top of the DVD/VHS player. She turned and walked to the bed where she sat comfortably. Chara looked over at Alphys as she began to access the DVD's menu. Chara was able to see all the items on Alphys’s bedside table. They frowned as they noticed the metal canister. Chara spoke curiously, “Alphys?” Alphys looked over at Chara, “Hmm? What’s wrong?” Chara pointed at the canister with an even expression, “Is that… the substitute?” Alphys quickly muted the tv. She placed the remote beside her with a frown. She gently grabbed the canister and held it close to her. She nodded, “Yeah. It is. I’ve already taken my dose today.” Chara held out their arm, “May I see it?” Alphys raised a brow. She extended the canister towards Chara without a word. Chara held the canister with two hands for a brief moment. They twisted the canister open to see a number of red pills within. They held one. Soft to the touch. Smaller than the one they remembered Gaster had shown to them and Asriel. Made with their blood all the same. It even had a faint scent of blood. Chara lightly smirked, “So this small pill is meant to stop monsterkind’s extinction.” Alphys shrugged and stammered, “Well… I mean… sort of? It’s only a temporary solution until the barrier is shattered.” Chara mused, “It is smaller than I remember.” Alphys blinked, “You saw it before?” Chara returned the pill to the canister, “He showed Asriel and I the prototype. Used from blood stolen from me my a moldbygg.”

“Oh… I didn’t know that. Can I ask what happened?” Chara nodded. They closed the canister. The whispers returned to them as they spoke, “Asriel and I went to explore Waterfall. Mother came along in an attempt to protect us. We were in the grasses area, and a moldbygg was hiding, flattened in the grasses. While Mother passed over it with no reaction, it reacted to me and instantly swallowed me whole.” Alphys twiddled her thumbs, “Is… that where you got those weird scab-like scars?” Chara instinctually went to cover one such scar on their arm, “Yes.” Chara held the canister out to Alphys, “Needless to say, Mother and Asriel saved me. Asriel was brave enough to resuscitate me, but he tasted my blood because of it.” Alphys nearly dropped the canister. Her eyes widened in shock. Her voice grew lower, more serious, “Asriel tasted your blood?! Wh-what happened to him?!” Chara continued calmly, “He slowly began to lose more and more energy. I believe his instincts almost caused him to attack me once, but he was quick to snap out of it.”

Alphys placed the canister back onto the bedside table. Her voice quieted and became more somber, “That makes sense. It’d be the first time he’d tasted blood after surviving off snails. His body would instantly feel the soul energy in your blood.” Chara paused. They raised a brow, “Soul… energy… in my blood?” Alphys folded her hands on her lap, “Well, we can’t eat any other animals or any plants. Some very small varieties can give us only a little nutrition at best, but we have to eat humans at some point. Did the Dreemurrs tell you why that is?” Chara scratched their head, “No. Mother, Father, and Asriel all appeared to subsist off snails well. Until Asriel tasted my blood.” Alphys pointed at her chest, “It’s because of the soul. Human souls naturally hold a lot of magic inside them. It leeches into every part of a human from the moment the soul arrives well before birth. And since monsters are mostly made of magic, we survive off of the magic of the human soul.”

Chara rested their arms and chin on the chair’s back. They gave a skeptical glance, “If our souls hold as much magic as you say, why is it that humans cannot perform magic?” Alphys blinked in confusion, “But… they can. That’s how they put up the barrier around Mount Ebbot. I suspected you can’t use magic, but no human can?” Chara shook their head, “Not that isn’t simple sleight of hand or perception tricks. Humans using magic is nothing but a legend.” Alphys quieted in thought for a moment. A shocked expression budded on her face, “Maybe…” She looked towards Chara curiously, “Did stories of Mount Ebbot include the humans who made the barrier? What happened to them?” “The legend goes that seven magicians gave their lives to seal away monsterkind within Mount Ebbot.” Alphys sighed, “I get the feeling that those could have been humankind’s last magicians.” A shiver ran down Chara’s spine, “If they failed…” Alphys grimaced, “We’d be living in a very different world. Yeah.”

The two paused as the realization sunk in. The silence became awkward. Nerve-wracking. Alphys soon cleared her throat and smiled, “Um, so… did you still want to watch an episode of Mew Mew Kissy Cutie? It’s lighthearted and… probably just what we need right now.” Chara relaxed in their chair with a sigh. They faced forward and slumped against the seat back. They smiled, “Sure. Why not?” Alphys gave a small smile before she pressed play.

——————————————————————————————

Gaster returned to the screens. After what felt like days, a team of the Royal Guard arrived to inspect and clean up the crime scene. All he had to wait for now was Serol’s team. He turned back to the screens. Someone was already in the upper lab. Serol. Gaster watched as Serol dug into a small messenger bag off his shoulder. He pulled out a keycard and swiped it at the elevator access. Gaster mentally noted that action. He watched as the elevator opened and Serol walked into the lower lab. Gaster gathered his notes; he had an interview to conduct.

Gaster teleported around the corner of the hallway to the elevator. He rounded the corner to see Serol dig in his messenger bag. He pulled out a cell phone. Serol began to dial a number but paused. He was quick to notice Gaster approach. He lowered his neck and head, “Greetingsssir. You assked to sspeak with me and my team?” He began to dig into his bag once more, “We have finalized the planss for the next iteration of the ssoul sscanning apparatuss for your approval!” Gaster raised his hand, “There will be time for that later. I summoned you and your team for a much more pressing matter.” Serol perked up. He allowed his bag to be slack at his side, “More pressssing? Did ssomething happen?” Gaster motioned for him to follow, “We’ll talk on the way to my office.” Serol nodded as the two began to walk, “The resst of the team should be here ssoon. Should I tell them to join uss?” Gaster lightly held his hands behind his back, “No. Have them wait in the lab room I spared for your team. Remind them they all must use their keycards as they arrive.” Serol dug out his phone and began to text, “Undersstood.”

Gaster’s tone turned serious, “I summoned you because we had a break in last night.” Serol nearly dropped his phone in shock, “What!? That shouldn’t be possssible!” “And yet, it happened. With the human nearly taken as a result.” Serol frowned. He replied gravely, “Oh… oh no… Please tell me-“ Gaster swiftly cut him off, “The human is uninjured. Alphys is currently keeping close guard over it. Since the intruder resisted arrest, he has been dealt with.” Serol put a hand to his chest. He loudly sighed in relief, “Thank goodnessss.” He paused and gave a curious expression, “Iss my team here to aid in ssecurity ssolutionsss?” Gaster smirked, “Something to that affect. I simply need to ask you and your team a few questions.”

Serol stopped. His voice turned serious, “You think ssomeone let thiss intruder in.” Gaster halted after a few more paces. He looked back at Serol with a knowing glance. His back was still turned to Serol. He smirked as he dug into his pockets, “I know someone let him in.” Gaster pulled out the confiscated keycard. He held it for a moment to allow Serol to see it. Serol slumped. His jaw dropped slightly. Gaster continued, “This keycard was found in the intruder’s dust. Alphys has taken inventory of all keycards. The only ones missing other than hers, which she presented, are the ones lent out to your team.” Serol crumpled to his knees. He hissed out in desperation, “I ssswear to you I had nothing to do with thisss. I promissse, I will aid in finding the traitor on my team.” Gaster stowed away the keycard before he turned towards Serol, “The fact you used your keycard to enter the lower lab lowers your suspicion.” Serol’s neck curled up, his head pointed towards Gaster. Relief washed over his face, “Thank you ssir.” Gaster frowned, “But that does not clear you of suspicion.” Serol pointed his head back towards the floor, “I am prepared to do whatever it takesss to find the traitor.”

Gaster went to speak. A chime noise cut through the tension. Gaster paused and closed his mouth. He gave a befuddled look for a moment. He quickly glared down at Serol. Serol blushed slightly through his scales, “My apologiesssir. That isss my text tone.” Gaster highly facepalmed with one hand. His other hand cradled his elbow. He groaned, “Is it your team?” Serol dug his cell phone out of his messenger bag. He smiled, “Yess. They are all nearly here.” He seemed to examine the text carefully, “Well… almosst everyone. One hassn’t returned my textsss yet.” Gaster peaked a glare through his fingers. He smirked and lowered his hands, “If all of your approaching team has their keycards, I won’t need to interview them one by one. We’ll have found our traitor.” He approached Serol. He bent down slightly and offered Serol a hand, “Shall we greet them at the door?” Serol looked up. His frown lit up to a bright smile, “Yesssir!”

The two returned to the elevator. As they turned the corner, they noticed two members of the team waiting. The elevator whirred down, supposedly carrying the third team member. Gaster approached with a strict tone, “I take it you all remembered my request?” The first team member nodded, “Yeah. Enter the lower lab one at a time. We’re all here.” The second team member rolled their eyes, “Uh, no? Malv’s not here yet!” The first team member facepalmed, “Right. Malv. Sorry, they’re so quiet, I barely notice they’re around…” The second team member snarked, “Because they put in more work than you.” The first team member snarled, “You take that back!” Gaster cleared his throat. The two team members quickly took notice. They paled and stood in attention. The second team member was quick to apologize, “Sorry, sir.”

The doors opened to the third team member. He blinked and looked at Gaster, “Oh! I didn’t know you’d be meeting us here, sir.” Gaster calmly explained, “That wasn’t my original plan, but due to your hasty arrival, I decided to skip the one on one interviews.” The third team member stepped out of the elevator before it closed and whirred back to the upper lab. His co-workers gave a confused look. He expressed their confusion, “What do you mean? What’s going on?” The second team member perked up, “Is this… not about our progress on the soul scanning device?” Serol perked up. He began, “Well, there wass-“ Gaster put a hand on Serol’s shoulder. Serol looked up at Gaster in confusion. Gaster evenly expressed, “I will explain.” Serol dipped his head down slightly, “Oh. Yesssir.”

By this time, the elevator began to go down once more. Gaster smiled as he heard the whir, “And we have our final guest.” The five stood in silence for the few moments it took the elevator to arrive at the lower lab. The door opened to the fourth team member. They blinked, “Well, this is unexpected.” Gaster smiled, “Good. All of you followed instructions. You are no longer the main suspects as a coconspirator of last night’s break-in.” The team’s faces paled in shock. The fourth team member gasped, “Wait, what?!” The first team member exclaimed, “What the hell is going on?! How could someone even break in?!” The third team member adjusted their glasses, “Oh! The keycards! Dr. Gaster asked us each to enter one by one using our keycards!” Gaster nodded, “Correct. Each one of you here has complied. However, there is one member of your team missing. Malv is now our main suspect.”

Gaster’s tone turned serious, “However, this could simply be incompetence on Malv’s part to show up. Therefore, I have no choice but to have you all detained here in the lower lab.” “What!?” “But, sir!” “You just said we’re cleared!” Most of the team members exclaimed simultaneously. Gaster shook his head, “I said you are no longer main suspects. Due to the fact the human was the target of the break-in, I have no choice but to be cautious.” The first team member’s jaw dropped, “Someone was dumb enough to try and take the human?!” “Yet intelligent enough to get past the lab’s security.” Gaster paused as the team quieted down, “Now. You will confine yourselves within the lab room I have spared for your team. You will stay there until I or one of the Royal Guard allows you to leave. Leaving before such time will deem you a coconspirator in this crime and you will be dusted as punishment. Do you understand?” The team and Serol answer at once, “Yes, sir.” “Yesssir…” Serol and his team begin to move into the lab. Gaster frowned and called out, “Serol.” Serol stopped and turned back to Gaster. He gave a confused and defeated look, “Yess?” “You will aid the Royal Guard in detaining Malv. Lead them to Malv’s home and return with them.” Serol gave a surprised expression, “Oh… right away… ssir…”

#predatortale #undertale predator au #undertale au #undertale #undertale fresh meat #fresh meat: confinement #Confinement #alphys #chara #gaster #w.d. gaster #original character #original characters #serol #chapter 21 #fanfic #fanfiction

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bazypitchandsimonsnow · 6 years

Text

Part of Your World

Chapter 1: a life below and the world above

Rating: T

Genre: Fluff/Angst

Word count: 2000

Chapter 1/11 (All chapters)

Summary: Simon is a young merman fascinated with the land above. He dreams of living in that incredible world. When he meets a human prince, those dreams suddenly become even more desirable.

Read on AO3

AN: Remember ages ago when I said that I was listening to a Disney song but I could not say which cause that would spoil my next fic? Probably not. Anyway, welcome one and all, to the snowbaz Little Mermaid AU no one asked for! I have done a mermaid AU before, but this is specifically based on Disney The Little Mermaid, aka the movie of my childhood.This is my first multi-chapter Carry On fic so I hope you all like it! This entire fic is dedicated to @carryonmylovelies, my amazing bestie. She has encouraged and advised me ever since this insane idea was conceived months ago. Without her love, suggestions, and support, idk where I would be. Love you girl <3

———————————————-

“Penny!” Simon whined. “I’m bored.”

Penelope grumbled and kept focus on her spell studies. She was learning more advanced stuff now. “Shut up, Simon, you’re always bored.”

Simon shifted his head on her lap, chin digging into the top of her bright purple tail. “Yeah, but I’m really bored now.”

“You could practice magic with me.”

“Don’t mock me, Pen.” He frowned, scratching at the spattering of scales on his wrist. “You know I’m shit at magic.”

“You’re not shit, just… erratic.”

Simon huffed. “That’s a much kinder word than the ones Father uses during our lessons. He prefers ‘reckless’ and ‘explosive.’”

Penelope finally put down her book. Simon was less frowning and more pouting now, bottom lip jutting out slightly. She put down her book, choosing to run her fingers over his curls as they swayed in the water instead.

“Did he yell at you again, Si?”

The merboy grunted, hiding his face in her tail even more. His own plain blue fin twitched angrily. He rarely used his words, preferring body motions and disjointed noises. Luckily, Penny had known him long enough to understand what they meant. Simon respected his father the way a child should, but over time he’d come to not like him very much. Davy never gave him any room to be himself, to explore outside of his magic studies. It was cruel to do to someone as naturally curious as Simon.

“Hey,” she said, “how about we go look at that human ship you saw yesterday? Together?”

Simon’s head jolted up. A grin spread across his face. “Really?”

“Yeah if it’ll make you stop moping.”

He nodded vigorously. “Yes yes certainly! Let’s go!”

They swam off together into the dark recesses of the ocean.

———————————————-

Every merfolk talked about how the sea was was always a gorgeous place. And it was. Filled with swirling greens and blues and violets. With brightly coloured creatures gracing the gravelly floor, it always looked like a veritable rainbow.

But Simon wasn’t interested in colourful wildlife or pretty ocean water. Those things had had never grabbed his attention. He didn’t really like the endless sea period. Where he was just supposed to wander (which bored him), practice magic (which he was awful at), or, according to his father, fight humans (which he despised most of all.) No, Simon found joy and fun in learning about what the mysterious land dwellers were like. But since he could never get to surface, what with the tail and Davy breathing down his neck, he had the next best thing; what they left behind in his own home.

“C’mon Penny c’mon! Hurry up!” Simon zipped through the water, tail almost a blur. Penny rolled her eyes as she followed him.

“My goodness Simon,” she said. “Slow down! The ship will still be there no matter how fast we get there.”

Simon swam so his head hung upside down in front of hers. His big grin was like a sunbeam shining right into her face. “Then why not go faster?!”

“Beause some of us aren’t secretly pilot whales.”

He stuck her tongue out (he always did when Penny mocked him) then flipped around and swam away quickly again. Penny followed behind. It didn’t matter how fast he went then, though. The ship was right there.

It was huge, looming over both of them. The mast was still attached and stuck out high above them. A large rock stuck right through the body. Simon had to assume it’d been down here awhile. It was all rotting, the surface covered in barnacles and sea plants. It was a total wreck. Simon loved it.

“Whoa,” he whispered with awe. “I still can’t believe humans across our waters in these big things.”

Penelope shook her head slowly. “Me neither.”

“It’s so massive! How does it not sink?!”

“I don’t know. I’ve never learned about human stuff.”

“Is it magic?”

Penny rolled her eyes. “No, Simon, of course not. Humans can’t do magic.”

Simon stuck his tongue out again and tugged on her wrist. “C’mon, let’s go!”

They swam into the massive ship. Simon brushed his webbed hand against it’s surface, feeling the soft wood and slippery algae under his fingertips. Nothing in his world was made of this material. Everything was shaped rough coral or rock. Before he found these ships, Simon had never felt an object made of something so smooth. He giggled like a little kid.

“This is incredible,” he said, spinning in the water with his arms out.

“It’s certainly something,” Penelope replied, wiping the algae off her finger.

“Aren’t you just a little awestruck, Pen? Don’t you wonder how it came to be?”

“I don’t share your weird human fascination, Si. To me, it’s just…stuff.”

Simon huffed, then dived down through a hole in the deck. There was little light, only tiny beams shining through tiny holes. Even with his highly perceptive merfolk vision, he couldn’t see much. But he did see the smallest flash of something shiny.

“Pen! I think I found something!”

He swam towards it. It was poking out of a tattered cloth. He pushed it away, and gasped. Inside were strange silver objects. They were hard and cold to the touch, bent into odd curved shapes.

“What is it?”

Simon jolted at Penelope’s sudden appearance behind him. “Jeez Penny, give me some warning.” He went back to the trinkets, picking one up that had three spikes. “I don’t know. Kinda reminds me of Father’s trident, but smaller”

Penelope snatched it out of his hand. He frowned as she examined the object. “Hm, strange. Maybe they use it to brush their hair.”

She stuck it in Simon’s bronze curls and tried to pull through them. But it got caught on his tangles. He giggled and slapped her hand away. The tool stuck out of his knotted hair.

“Maybe. Who knows.” He tried to pull out the human object. But it took a few tugs before it released. He picked up the other human trinkets, smiling softly.

“These will work great in my collection.”

Penny rolled her eyes. “You and your bloody collection.”

“Shut up it’s important to me,” Simon said with a pout.

She sighed, placing a hand on his arm. “Yeah, I know.”

Without another word, Simon dashed off. Penny followed behind. She knew where he was off to of course. To the only place he truly loved.

———————————————-

Simon’s cave was innocuous on the outside. Just an underground little hovel. Except that it was filled to the brim with outlawed items from the surface.

Outlawed was a strong word, but it was the one Simon’s father had used. He thought that because he was a powerful magic user with a big trident that meant he could outlaw things for his son. That Simon had to hate humans like him. But Simon preferred to form his own ideas. And from all he’d found, he had a hard time believing such supposedly evil creatures could make such beautiful things.

He and Penny swam in through the small secluded entrance. Simon’s eyes lit up as soon as he entered. Bioluminescent algae covered huge parts of the circular interior, with one singular hole at the top to let a bit of natural light in from above. There were shelves upon shelves of treasures that Simon had collected over the past few years, towering above the two merfolk. A wave of pure calm and happiness washed over Simon as he looked up. Here, he felt safe and happy.

“Where should I put these?” Simon said with a grin. “Next to the these things?” He swam upwards and played with small multi coloured charms on the ends of strings. “Or this thing?” He picked up a strange curly silver object just above.

Penelope couldn’t help but smile. Simon always looked so happy here. Among his strange collection of human oddities. She shrugged, usually a gesture only he used.

“Up to you, Simon. You know this shit better than I do.”

Simon swam slow circles around the cave, observing his trove. He stopped near the top and grinned broadly.

“Right here!” He shouted down. “It’s perfect.”

He jammed the three pronged one into his “bendy three stick thing” as he called it. He’d found it with three white wax rods stuck in it, but these silver objects fit just the same. He stuck three different ones in. The tiny trident, the dull blade, and the curvy dip one. Penelope sat on a rock at the bottom

“Are they supposed to go there?” She asked, face screwed up in confusion.

Simon shrugged. “I don’t know. But they fit anyway. Good enough for me.”

Penelope sighed, scooping up some of the gold discs Simon had found last month. She lounged back and played with it between her fingers. It glinted as she spun it around. Though Simon was having fun, which was great, this wasn’t what interested her. She didn’t get her friend’s human fascination. She assumed it stemmed from equal parts boredom and rebellion against his father.

“Hey, I think I hear something,” Simon yelled. He was looking up out of the hole.

“Is it a shark?” she replied.

“No. It sounds like a party or something. Above the water.”

Penelope felt the panic run through her. She whipped her head up to look at Simon. He was gazing through the hole with wide eyes and hopeful smile.

“Simon,” she said harshly. “Don’t do what I think you’re going to do. If Davy finds out…”

He gave her a mischeavous grin. Then was off like a shot through the still open door.

“Simon!”

Penelope followed after him. But he was so much faster. He was a total blue blur as he shot towards the surface.

Simon’s head burst through the water. He sucked in a deep breath of pure air. His usually floating hair was soaked flat on top of his head. It took a second for his eyes to re-adjust to the water free environment. He gasped at the sight before him.

It was like the ship below, but even better. No rot or barnacles. Just pure finished wood that cut through the waves. The hull was carved with intricate designs that had a golden finish. Huge, loud bursts of light shot off the edge and into the night sky. They sparkled like starts. Simon watched with awe. How was it doing that? Was this what humans had instead of magic? He’d never seen anything like it. Voices cheered and shouted from the ship. Against his better judgement, he swam closer and closer.

He was right up against the hull, but still couldn’t see anything. He thought about magically lifting himself like his father did, but that would probably send Simon flying knowing his magic. So, with great effort, he scaled up the side instead. He sat on a little lip on the side of the boat and peeked through the opening. Then his heart promptly stopped.

The human leaned on the opposite edge of the ship, legs crossed over one another. While everyone else shouted around him, he stayed still, focused on the contraption in his hand. It sat on his arm and he rested his chin on it. He pushed and pulled a long stick over the it’s strings. Every motion elicited an eerie tune, changing with the way he moved his long fingers across the neck.

Simon dragged his gaze over him, lingering on his every feature. He was tall and thin but defined like a statue. The fire light on the ship made his reddish-gold skin practically glow. His face was made of sharp lines, from his cheekbones to his jaw, which were all screwed up in concentration over the strange machine in his arms. Lank raven hair hung in front of his grey eyes. They weren’t just grey though. They were dark blue and dark green mixed together, like deep ocean water.

He was the most beautiful person Simon had ever seen.

———————————————-

Chapter 2 will be posted next Monday! Hope you enjoyed this :)

#carry on #snowbaz #baz pitch #simon snow #little mermaid #human baz #little mermaid au

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human-resourccs · 6 years

Text

He Just Likes The Rush - Ch. 7

In which things finally settle down a little and Jon gets put through the wringer.

previous chapter

~2000 words

Jonathan was lucky that he hadn't killed him right then and there, stood at his complete mercy in one of his own traps. Yes, it was definitely luck and nothing more. Another whim of his good mood, and his sense of fair play. Not the look of embarrassment on his face nor his pathetically dishevelled appearance which suggested he hadn't had a good night's sleep since Edward made his escape that first time - the implication of the latter made him swallow dryly. He would not be so quick to forgive, however; if he thought an endearingly sentimental apology note was going to cut it, Jonathan had another thing coming. But… he'd hear him out. This once. the last thing he needed was people thinking he'd gone soft, after all!

He wondered why Jonathan hadn't simply tried to contact him through the regular channels. Making meaningful gestures was Edward's thing. Frowning lightly, he reached blindly across his workbench for his phone; it used an incredibly secure network of his own making. He punched in the numbers - Yes, he had gone out of his way to find out Jonathan's contact details; so he could make a point of not using them, to prove… to prove something to himself - and dialled it in. The startled look that briefly crossed Jon's face made him smirk; there was a sort of audible smile to his tone when the other dropped the scrap of paper and fumbled for the ringing phone in his pocket - startled, but not at all surprised by it.

"Jonathan."

It hung quiet for a moment.

"Edward. I appreciate your not gassing me immediately upon entry."

"Don't thank me yet, I haven't made my mind up."

Jonathan paused, measuring his words. He… wasn't really expecting to actually face Edward so soon already. Ed spoke up again first.

"Not very good at this, are you? One would think one would try harder when their life quite literally lays on the line. Or perhaps you're just getting a kick out of it, who knows? I certainly-"

Jon gathered his breath.

"I'm sorry, Edward. I've no good excuse for what happened. I was simply acting like a complete fool."

He heard Edward huff quietly over the line.

"Yes, you were. Acting like a total idiot. When I was attempting to show concern for you, of all times!"

He had prepared so many speeches in his head to cut Jonathan down in the coldest, most efficient way possible, but this was so… blunt. Utterly honest. Jonathan had put himself at his complete mercy in this way; he had cameras and traps at his disposal. It had thrown him completely off-kilter, honestly. He wasn't expecting this. He was trying to be angry with him, damn it!

He saw Jon glance briefly up to the camera, then away again. If it weren't for the poor monitor quality, he'd have staked a bet that he actually looked guilty. Now that must have been a trick of the light. That was not fair.

"As I said, I've no excuse. And no good excuse for my continued absence after my escape, either."

"Oh, I'm quite aware of what you were up to after Dent's ham-fisted half-assed breakout. Information and intelligence are my most valued commodities. I'm sure it simply slipped your mind during your toxin-induced months-long bender. It's honestly amazing that your addiction to mortal danger hasn't killed you yet."

"…Of course. It had never been my intention-"

"You look like garbage, by the way. You look like you've been sleeping homeless for a month."

He saw Jonathan's mouth hang open, taken aback slightly. Edward bit his lip, trying not to let his sly grin be too audible through his tone.

"I think I can smell you through the camera. If they decide to re-make Castaway I'm putting you at the top of the casting list."

Jon frowned indignantly.

"Edward-"

"No, no. I'm still pissed off at you. You deserve this."

Jonathan sighed an indescribably tired sigh.

He did.

"…I do."

"Good! We're in agreement."

This continued on for approximately twenty minutes before Edward was suitably smugly satisfied with the thorough verbal dressing-down he'd given his friend. More importantly, he had the entire ordeal on disc, which left him with a larger measure of control than Jon could be entirely comfortable with. But this was the exchange for their continued interaction; Jonathan had been equal parts exhausted and impressed by the vulgar creativity he was capable of when he set his haughtiness aside; decidedly dragged through the mud, things were… more or less forgiven. It was a shaky, tentative re-alliance. Edward did not trust easily, he'd discovered.

Following the methodical verbal dissection, Jonathan bid his farewells, went home, and was promptly overcome by the exhaustion he'd accrued over the past couple weeks - he'd actually left to speak with Edward the moment the impulse had taken him; which had been mere moments after waking up from the previous day's escapade. It was a measurably more restful sleep than he'd had in quite some time.

It wasn't until a day or few later that Edward started breaking into his home again; proclaiming rather loudly as Jon came home that if he was going to continue visiting him then the place was going to have to measure up to the barest standards of cleanliness he had! Which, incidentally, was still absurdly high by Jon's standards. This was probably also a passive-aggressive extension of Edward's ire. He wasn't really complaining, despite the resulting misplacement of a fair number of his instruments.

"I mean really, Jonathan. Did you just grow fond of the abject squalor at Arkham? Decide to keep the aesthetic?"

"Been busy, that's all."

"No no no. I've been busy. You've been-"

Edward's sentence broke off with a strangled squeak as he turned and caught sight of movement in Jonathan's hair and his stomach seemed to drop through the floor, then puffed up angrily.

"Is this a joke? "

Jonathan had no clue what he was talking about until he felt the newly-familiar tickling across his hairline.

Oh.

Shit.

He'd forgotten.

Jon's eyes widened a little bit, stiffening in an attempt to quickly correct the situation.

"Now just hold on-"

"Seriously?? Did you really go through all of this just to-"

"Edward."

Something about Jonathan's expression interrupted his thought process- he'd never seen the man look so openly visibly distressed since he'd met him, and an amount of colour had gathered at his cheeks. Edward inhaled, slowly, and relaxed his shoulders.

Fine, fine.

"I am expecting a very good explanation for this."

Jonathan frowned a little indignantly.

"I. Uh... Became quite fond of her. After you left."

"You… got attached. To a spider."

Scarecrow. Self-proclaimed Master of Fear. Had become attached to a small spider. Was letting it nest in his hair. He needed a second to process the catastrophic mental shutdown this information had caused.

There was a long pause.

"...Yeah."

The anger and indignation had more or less evaporated by this point. He clapped a hand over his mouth to stifle his laughter. Jonathan frowned harder - the arachnid came to rest hanging just above his eyebrow. It was too much; he doubled over laughing.

Jonathan was absolutely baffled by Edward's uncanny ability to switch moods at the drop of a coin. His laughter was sweet, though; compared to the hearty fake stage laugh he employed in his criminal performances. Giggling, even. It made that warm sickly sweet feeling swallow up his heart in the way it always does; he was starting to enjoy the sensation. In that brief instant he could've told you with total conviction that he'd make a fool of himself a hundred times to see Edward collapsing into uncontrollable fits of giggles and snorts like this. At least he could attribute the burning in his cheeks to embarrassment; his face had remained the picture of indignation while he worked through the emotional short-circuit he'd just suffered.

Edward lifted his mask ever-so-slightly in order to wipe the tears out of his eyes.

"I can't believe you- you- replaced me with a spider! I suppose now I'm going to have to compete with it for your attention like some sort of trashy rom-com, aren't I?"

Jonathan pinched the bridge of his nose and sighed.

Gotham (particularly the GCPD) was incredibly grateful of the re-alliance that they were never really even aware had occurred. From the city's point of view, the Riddler and the Scarecrow simply finally toned down their frantic activity a little and everyone could rest a tad easier for it.

They settled back into the rhythm of before; enjoying one another's company. Edward abjectly refused to get within 5 feet of Jon for a while so long as his companion - lovingly dubbed 'Aria' by Edward, who flatly refused to let Jonathan choose a name with the argument that he would undoubtedly pick something so embarrassing she would run away from home - remained on Jon’s person.

They'd settled into a comfortable silence in Jon's living room, it had passed quite late into the evening and they were content to remain in each other's presence while Jonathan scribbled horribly untidy notes of theories and formulae into his worn old notebook and Edward overthought things that he knew didn't really matter.

the journal wasn't even old, Edward mused, watching the other's hands work quickly down the pages. Things just seem to look weathered when they stay in proximity to him too long. It's like he has an area of effect that just causes furniture to age. Fascinating.

He rested his head in one hand. Drew a long breath. Something about the atmosphere, the bizarrely intimate silence finally caused a welling up in his chest that made Edward speak up.

"…I'm colourblind."

The quiet scratching of pencil against paper came to an instant stop, but Jonathan didn't look up. Edward paused, heartbeat quickening. Why did he admit that? He'd never revealed this weakness to any of the others. This… mistake in his biology. A defect he could never truly fix. He'd nothing to gain from it. But then, nobody had spared the fraction of time it took to even ask before Jon had. Whether it was because he was simply curious or because he cared; it didn't matter. He'd paid attention and after all was that not all he demanded people do in order to become more intelligent?

"You asked why I never take this mask off. I'm severely colourblind. Short-sighted, to top it off."

Jonathan set the pencil down quietly. Ed swallowed.

"I'm telling you because I trust you won't abuse this."

There was an unspoken threat behind his tone.

"Completely deuteranopic. Greens, reds, and purples. I always did enjoy taking things I was told I couldn't have. These-"

He pressed a finger to the edge of his mask.

"Are corrective. I created the tech with my own two hands. I detest having them removed and being reminded of the irritating imperfection. Amongst other things. That's all there is to it. Trivial, really."

As he spoke, Jonathan had turned to face him - an obvious question resting on his features. He wasn't really capable of grasping just how difficult the admission was for Edward, but… he had a sense of it. The notion of being trusted with such information made it feel as though his chest might crack open with the effort of trying to contain the rogue emotion.

"Thank you, Edward." Was all he could muster in response; hoping that the emotion in his voice could put across what he didn't have the words to convey.

Edward held his gaze for a few impossibly long seconds more before the intimacy of the moment became more than Ed could comfortably tolerate without babbling anxiously.

"Seriously. If - If you tell anyone about that, I'll tear you and your stupid little spidery companion apart, you hear me?"

Jonathan laughed.

#jonathan crane #edward nygma #scarecrow #the riddler #danny writes

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injuries-in-dust · 7 years

Text

Man’s best Friend

Chex rang the doorbell to the crew mans quarters. He looked at the manifest again and his antennae shook in disbelief. His predecessor had been first officer on this vessel for almost seven years before him, how had they not spotted this?

The door opened and an unfamiliar looking human stood there. Chex hadn’t had the chance to meet all the crew members personally yet. The human, however, seemed to recognise him, he stood more at attention.

Chex glanced at the manifest, “Lieutenant Andrew Shalk?”

The man nodded, “you can call me AJ, sir.”

Chex nodded, a human gesture he’d picked up during his time in the space corp. “AJ, as first officer, one of my duties is to see that all personal are given appropriate quarters. I can see an error has been made on behalf of yourself and your, I believe the word is, roommate.”

AJ raised a single eyebrow. Chex found that a very interesting trait, some humans could do it but others could not. He’d been told it was sometimes known as a sign of confusion. “Roommate?”

Chex nodded, “yes, you see, these quarters are for a single occupant. The comfort of the crew is a priority, we cannot have two sharing a single room. So I am here to either move your roommate to their own quarters or, if your wish to co-habit, we shall assign you appropriately sized quarters; meant for two people.”

“But…” AJ seemed confused, then started smirking. “Two people?”

Chex nodded and glanced down at the manifest again, “Yes, according the manifest, you share these quarters with an, Alpha Shalk….why are you laughing?”

AJ covered his mouth and tried to fight off the laughter. “I’m sorry, sir. It’s just…you gotta see, it’s easier to show.” He leaned turned his head back into his quarters, “Alpha, here boy.”

Chex stared in dumbfounded disbelief as what came to the door was not another human, but a small, four-legged animal. It appeared mammalian, had golden fur and a long tail which shook from side to side quite rapidly. It looked up at Chex with big brown eyes. It was panting it’s mouth was open, showing the fangs of a predator.

Chex stepped back, his antenna twitched faster the animal’s tail was shaking. “What is that?”

AJ dropped to a knee and scratched the creature behind the ears. “This is Alpha, he’s my service dog.”

“Dog?” Chex had heard the word before. Strange creatures tamed by humans. “The human pet? Pets are not allowed on board.”

“Alpha’s more than a pet, he’s my service dog.”

Chex’s face was hard to read, insectoid features didn’t lend to a lot of facial expressions. “Service dog?”

“Yeah.” AJ stopped scratching Alpha and rose back to his feet. “I got a condition, diabetes. Abridged version; it’s where my body can’t regulate its sugar level. If I don’t keep an eye on my glucose, I could pass out. If it’s really bad, I could die.” He smirked at Chex’s panicked expression. “That’s what Alpha’s for. He’s trained to smell when by sugar level is getting too low or too high.”

Chex looked down at the furry predator, “smell, it can smell this?”

AJ smiled, usually a threatening gesture but humans seemed to use it to show humour and good feelings, “yeah, humans let out all kinds of smells. And a dog’s sense of smell is a lot stronger than a humans. Alpha’s been trained to react when he smells the scents that mean I’m going into hypoglycaemia; too much or too little sugar. He warns me to do something about it. He tell tell it’s happening before even I know.”

Chex looked disbelieving. “You have this potentially deadly problem with your physical body and you don’t know when it’s affecting you?” He cocked his head to the side, “how did you even qualify for the space corp with such a debilitating condition?”

Andrew lost his smile, Chex felt the danger senses spark. He thought his antennae were going to fly off his head. When a human stopped smiling, that was when you worried. Then, just as quickly as it came, the dark look left. He wasn’t smiling, but Chex no longer felt the urge to run. “Okay, you don’t know. First, it’s not that deadly, only if it gets to the extreme could it kill me. That’s what Alpha is for. As long as I’m smart enough to react when he does, and I am, I can keep doing my job just like any other crew member.”

“I…think I understand.” He glanced down at the manifest, then why is he listed in the manifest as “crewmen”

AJ shrugged his shoulders, “like you said, pets aren’t allowed. And I guess it would be cruel to list him as equipment or something. It’s kind of always been done for service animals.” AJ’s smile returned, “come in, come look at this.” He stepped back, Alpha followed back into the quarters. With a little trepidation, Chex followed. Wondering what strange things he was going to see.

The quarters were bare and basic, the same design copied all over the ship. A bed, a washroom through a door, wardrobe and bedside cabinet. There were a few additions that personalised the place, a shelf of books, a few photos in frames and, what looked like a large, flat, pile of fur on the floor at the foot of the bed. Alpha went up to the pile, turned around on the spot a couple of times, then lay down.

“Here,” AJ smiled as he handed over a small photograph. It was of a slightly younger AJ and Alpha. AJ was wearing the long navy blue robes and motor board, on the left side of the robes was the familiar logo of the space corp’s academy. Alpha was sitting by his side, and was wearing a customised blue robe. He even had a motor board held on his head by elastic string. The legend at the base of the picture stated “Graduation Day”

Chex looked at the picture, to AJ, to Alpha and back again. “Your animal is wearing graduation robes? Is this some kind of joke?”

AJ shook his head. “Nope, honorary graduation. Alpha has a provisional rank. He’s an acting ensign.”

Chex cockles his head with confusion, “they allowed a pet to honorary graduation and provisional rank?”

AJ shrugged his shoulders, “why not, he attended all the classes. Never missed a day. Never made trouble. Attendance credits alone meant he was halfway to graduation.” He sat down on the edge of his bed and scratched Alpha behind the ears a little. “The service doesn’t have any official rules about service animals. They aren’t pets, they’re more needed for medical reasons, but it’d be cruel to just call them something like “medical equipment” or something like that. They’re more than just a medical aid. They’re friends and companions they’re helpers and even lifesavers. Heck, look…” he stopped scratching Alpha and picked another framed item off the shelf, showing it to Chex.

It was a medal, a silver disc with a blue and silver ribbon. “The Order of Merit.” Chex had seen the medal but had never been awarded one. He read the inscription, ‘Awarded to Alpha Shalk. (Prov.) Ensign. For saving the life of a fellow officer.’ He looked at the dog, who had begun to sleep. “They gave a medal, to a non sentient life form?” He’d never understood the human compulsion to sit down when shocked, until now.

“Alpha saved my life. A couple of years ago, on Gatthan two. I had a bad hypoglycaemic attack and passed out before I could do anything. Alpha tried to wake me up but when that didn’t work he managed to open the door and ran to the nearest person, practically dragged them back to my quarters. They got help in time an I was safe. If he hadn’t I’d probably have been dead long before anyone found me.”

“He did what he was trained to do.”

AJ smirked, “don’t we all?”

Chex didn’t quite know what to make of that. He’d come here to sort out what he thought was a clerical error, not have a philosophy discussion. He decided a change of subject was better. “The Space Corp really doesn’t have any official regulations regarding the use of service animals?”

AJ just shrugged, “that’s the official stance. Personally I think they just like the whole ‘give them a rank’ thing. Shows everyone what we think. They aren’t just tools, or some walking piece of medical equipment. Some service animals go through a lot for their humans. They go through stuff just as dangerous as any trained officer, sometimes more. It’d really sell them short to call them ‘just a trained animal’. By treating them like equals, we show everyone that we respect them, how much we love them.”

Alpha sat up and rested his head on AJ’s knee. AJ smiles down at him, “because they show how much they love us, all the time.”

I was inspired by this photo:

to write a story about people with service dogs in space. Minor name change was made

The tale meandered a little more than I thought it would. It didn’t really go anywhere and I think I bailed out as quickly as possible once I saw that it was stalling. Still I’m happy with this little short story and stand by it.

#humans are weird #humans are space orcs #humans are space australians #story #original writing

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zombierunfiction · 7 years

Text

Season 2 Side Mission 5: Top 40

The next morning Charlotte was sharpening her axe in the comms room when Sam came bounding in happily. "Char! Oh my god Char! You will not believe this!" He said excitably.

Charlotte laughed. "What has you so excited?"

"We have a mission for you that is super exciting like vault of curly wurlys exciting!" Sam said happily as Charlotte shook her head.

"Alright then. I'll go get ready." Charlotte said standing up.

"Oh and get Jody ready too. She will want to join in too." Sam said happily before heading for the desk. Charlotte shook her head and walked out into the courtyard area looking for Jody. Once she located Jody, they gathered their packs and headsets and headed out through the gate.

"Aw, man! This is amazing! Runner Four, Runner Five this is great! We've got-" Sam laughs happily. "I can't even believe it - we've got something really exciting for you two to do today, don't we, Janine?" Sam said happily.

"I suppose that would depend on your definition of 'exciting'." Janine sighed softly.

"What is it that your so excited about Sam?" Charlotte asked.

"Oh, right! Well, we sent a scouting party into a new part of the city a couple of days ago, and they found - I can't even say it! It's too great! Janine, oh, Janine, tell them. Tell them what they found." Sam said happily.

Janine sighed heavily. "The runners were able to locate a store that specialized in-"

"They found a CD shop! A real old fashioned CD shop! Can you believe it?" Sam interrupted as Charlotte laughed softly.

Jody squealed as well. "No! Really? I didn't think there were any of those left."

"That's what I said! We're sending you out there today straight away before someone else gets in and loots it." Sam said quickly.

"Yes, I'm sure all the other settlements in the area are putting that at the top of their lists of priorities." Janine said sarcasticly.

"Oh, come on, Janine, don't be like that! The way things are, I mean, it's not like it's been much of a party around here lately." Sam said slowly. "We could all use a little more fun right now. Look, I bet four and Five could find you one of those classical guys you like. Maybe Beethoven's 87th piano symphony? Or Mozart's flute and, um, trumpet, uh, duet, in A, uh, major?"

"When Four and Five get back from this mission, you and I are going to have a chat about your musical education, Mr. Yao." Janine said sternly.

"Consider this a moral mission. Music has curitive properties." Charlotte said as Janine sighs.

"We will see." Janine said as they conitnued down the road.

"You heard the lady. Runners, bring us back all the classical music you can fine. And uh, maybe some good stuff, too, while you're at it." Sam said with a smirk. Soon they arrived in the shopping district that held some of the newer stores in the area."There we are. Go past that grocery shop and turn left at those burnt-out traffic lights and you should be right there." Sam said as they took the turn and stopped in front of a large building.

"Mega Tunes Music Emporium?" Charlotte asked.

"Ahh, look at that! Three whole stories of music. It's... it's beautiful!" Jody said as they walk inside the door shutting it behind them. The place looked like a few people had ransacked some of it but not to the point of destruction. Vinals were broken and thrown all over the place while racks of cassette tapes were left scattered on tables and shelves. CD's were lined in bins along the center of the room leading to a set of stairs going up.

"Okay, right, I've got a list of requests here, for you. Let's see, let's see... children's CDs for Ed and Molly." Sam said as Jody started to grab CD's from the children's section while Charlotte went to Top 40. "Uh, bit of old school David Bowie for Runner Seventeen. But of dubstep for Runner Nine." He listed as they moved to the next sections grabbing the CD's as they went. "Uh... looks like Runner Three wants you to find some... ew, is that country music? Yeah, well, we'll just wait and see if you have room in your backpacks before we get that one."

"I will find space." Charlotte said with a smirk grabbing several country music CD's. "Simon and I can enjoy country music while you and Runner Nine can listen to dubstep."

"Sorry love... didn't know you liked country." Sam said sheepishly.

"It's ok Sam. She's not mad. She's smiling if anything." Jody said as Charlotte chuckled finishing the bottom floor before running up the stairs to the second floor.

"The scanners aren't showing much activity in the area, so uh, you two should be able to take as long as you like inside." Sam said.

"What about that?" Janine questions.

"What about what?" Sam asked.

Charlotte and Jody got to the top of the stairs finding what looked like a cafe with some makeshift beding set up. "There! Near the center of the screen!" Janine said as Charlotte scanned the room slowly looking for anything odd.

"Oh, oh no! Runner Five, Runner Four, be careful. Looks like someone else has got here ahead of us. I don't think -" Sam said as Charlotte saw movement by the counter. "they're not moving like a zombie. If Van Ark's guys have turned this previous CD shop into yet another secret lab, I-"

Suddenly a shout is heard as a CD case came flying towards them making Charlotte and Jody drop to the floor fast rushing to an overturned table. "I said no autographs!" A female voice shouted throwing the CD's at them hard. “Yeah, there's more where that comes from, you stupid zombies! Find someone else to chase around for a while-”

Charlotte stood up a bit holding up her arms. “Wait, wait! Stop! We're alive! We're not zombies!” She shouted as the barrage of CD's stopped followed by a young adult woman stood up slightly from the counter area. She looked about18 years old with dark skin and a head of braids in both blue and green streaks mixed with her natural black hair.

“What? What are you doing?” The woman said sounding more annoyed than angry now. “Don't sneak up on people like that. You scared the hell out of me!” She said walking over. She had on what probably was the hottest thing in stores prior to the outbreak. She started picking up the CD's she had been tossing at them. Charlotte and Jody slowly stepped around the table looking at the woman. “Oh, God, you made me break those discs. I'll have to bring more. Are any of these CD's still in one piece?” She said more to herself as she picked up one CD. “This one's scratched, but if I just put the price sticker over it, maybe no one will notice.” She said as she picked up the CD's on the floor.

“Mm... that voice. Does it sound familiar to you, Janine?” Sam asked.

“I have no idea what you're talking about, Mr. Yao.” Janine said stiffly.

“No, he's right. She does look familiar. Don't you think so, Char?” Jody asked as Charlotte shrugged.

“A little bit but nothing is ringing a bell.” She said softly.

“Be that as it may, we have a mission to complete. Runners Four, Five – head to the third floor. I believ ethat's where you'll find the classical section.” Janine said.

“Got it, Janine.” Charlotte said as they headed for the second set of stairs.

“Wait!” The young woman said standing up making Jody and Charlotte turn. “Wait, I'm coming with you.” She said walking over to them quickly putting the CD's into a backpack.

“You are?” Charlotte asked oddly.

“Those headsets thingies you've got on – you've got an eye in the sky, right?” The woman asked.

“Uh...” Jody started looking at Charlotte unsurely.

“Someone's watching us, telling you to look out for zombies and stuff?” The woman said insistantly.

“Right...” Jody said slowly.

“Then I'm coming with you! Maybe you'll find the zombies before the zombies find me.” The woman said seriously.

Jody looked from the woman before looking back at Charlotte. “What do you think?” She asked.

Charlotte looked at the young woman before nodding. “Alright. But try and keep up.” She said as they ran up to the third floor.

Once up on the third floor they continued to pick up CD's as Sam speaks up. “No, I'm telling you, she looks familiar! Definitely saw her in... oh, maybe she was in 'I'm a Celebrity'. How do you not see it?”

“Some of us had more important things to do with our time before the outbreak than read gossip magazines and watch reality television.” Janine said rather gruffly.

“Mmhmm, I know, it's just bugging me now. Ooh, ooh, Runner Five, snag a copy of that last Eurovision compilation album while you're passing through the pop section.” Sam said as Charlotte looked around then found a copy putting it into her bag.

“That's not on the list.” Janine said slowly.

“It's... for a friend?” Sam deflected.

“Ew, Eurovision?” The woman said in a disgusted tone. “Someone really wants you to pick up that garbage? The winning son was terrible.”

Charlotte gave her a pointed look. “It's not that bad.” She said as they continued to pick up CD's.

The woman scoffs. “Even my first single was better than-”

“Oh, wait! I know who you are! Sam, I know who she is!” Jody said excitably. “You're Keisha St. Cloud!”

Keisha smirks. “Well, yeah, obviously.”

“Wait the Keisha St. Cloud?” Charlotte asked looking at her.

“Yes! It really is!” Jody said almost hoping on her toes.

“Whose Keisha St. Cloud?” Charlotte said completely serious.

Jody suddenly gave her a flat expression before Sam began freaking out. “Oh my God, Oh my God! Janine, are you hearing this?”

“I'm sure it's fascinating, Mr. Yao, to those of you who know who that is.” Janine said boredly.

“You're joking.” Sam said before pausing for a moment. “Uh, you're not joking. She only had the biggest hit signle of all last summer! Aw, you know! You've got...” Sam begins to sing a pop like song. “Hey, boy, looking so shy, da da da da da'. Oh my God, how's that next bit go?” He questions .

Jody smiles. “I know.” She begis singing as well. “Come on and text me up, whoa-oo-oo-oo-oo-oh.”

Slowly Jody and Sam began to sing in unison. “Yeah, you're so sweet, whoa-oo-oo-oo-oo-oh. Don't have to be shy, when we talk on the screen.”

Suddenly Keisha paniced grabbing Jody's shoulders tight. “Shh, shh, don't do that! They'll hear you!” She hissed.

“Aw but there was a dance, too, wasn't there?” Jody asked as Keisha groaned rubbing her face.

“Aw, yeah! Yeah, it was kinda like a shuffle to the right, like -” Sam seemed to be demostraiting it for Janine. “and then a bit of a shimmy.”

“Do not dance in here, Mr. Yao, you'll knock over the-!” Janine snapped as the sound of something falling followed.

“Stop talking to your invisible headset people and listen to me!” Keisha hissed. “You can't sing that song, you can't even mention that song! They'll hear you!” She stressed.

Jody and Charlotte looked around oddly. “There's no one but five and me. Who's going to hear us?” Jody questioned.

“Come on we should get out of here now.” Charlotte said as they started to head down the stairs.

“Mr. Yao, have you knocked any key wiring loose?” Janine questioned.

Sam resumed his seat. “No, I don't think so, why?”

“Then it's highly unlikely that swarm of zombies headed towards the MegaTunes is a scanner error.” Janine said.

Charlotte stopped at the bottom of the last flight of stairs. “I thought you said there weren't any zoms around here.” She said.

“I told you! I told you they could hear!” Keisha said as Jody looks at her.

“Who?” Jody questioned.

“It's my fans! They've found us. We have to get out of here, now!” Keisha said quickly.

“Outside door, everyone!” Sam shouted as Charlotte, Jody and Keisha ran out the front door. “You're about five blocks up the road from them. Head back the way you came as fast as you can.”

“The guy in your headset. Can he tell you what the zombies look like?” Keisha asked.

“Sam?” Jody starts as they head down the road. “Keisha wants to know-”

“Yeah, I'm looking, yeah. Ugh, okay, that's weird. They all look like teenage girls.” Sam said confused.

“Oh, I hate kid zoms.” Jody whines.

“Well, I guess these would techincally be young adult zombies.” Charlotte corrects.

“That's not better!” Jody cried out. “Sam, I can see them...” She said looking back seeing the group of shambling zombies beginning to gain on them. “They're gaining on us. They're all so fast and... all wearing the same T-shirt?” She questions.

“I told you. I told you this would happen!” Keisha cries out. “That stupid song! Everytime I manage to lose them, someone has to sing that stupid song.”

“Five, Four, hang a left up there by that billboard. We've got to shake them before you can come back to the township. We'll take you up and down the side streets, try and confuse them, or... or something.” Sam said as they turned left down a street away from the swarm.

“There's so many of them! There must be nearly a hundred. Why are they all together like this?” Jody questioned.

“It's me. They're after me!” Keisha said softly. “I was supposed to play a concert the day after the outbreak started. A secret show down in London, only for my most dedicated fans. They were camping in the street outside the theater when people started coming back to life. They've been following me ever since. I can't shake them! They know where I am all the time!” She whines as she continues to run with them.

“Right, go right, now!” Sam said as they turned right with Charlotte guiding Keisha with them. “There's a little gap between these two office blocks up ahead, do you see it? It'll bring you out one street over, in the clear. You'll all fit through it, but it should pack up the zombies a bit.”

“We see it, Sam. We're going to be fine. We're going to be fine, we're going to be fine...” Jody chanted to herself as the zombies growled louder at them.

“Runners, try to speed up. Those zombies do seem to be catching up with you rather quickly.” Janine said fast.

“Oh no!” Jody cried out.

“Get through the gap, that's all you need to do. Sprint if you have to, just go!” Sam shouted as Charlotte pushed Keisha and Jody ahead of her as they came to the narrowing alley. Charlotte and Jody took off their packs and squeezed through with Keisha in front of them. They slipped through the gap and took off down the road as the zombies began to pile up in the alley.

“It worked! Oh, thank God it worked. They're piling up in front of that passageway. There's only maybe three of four that made it through. If we can find a way to get rid of them...” Sam started as Keisha reached into her pocket and pulled out a pistal and fired at one taking it out easily.

“Got one! Find someone else to take a picture with, you little undead brat!” Keisha snapped as they continued to run.

“Well, that works.” Charlotte said with a grin.

“I see Miss St. Cloud is much more gifted with a pistal than she was with song lyrics.” Janine said offhandedly.

“Keep moving, guys. You've got a bit of a head start, now.” Sam said as they headed towards the outskirts of the city.

“It wasn't suppoused to be like this.” Keisha said softly.

“Hey, it's alright. Sam's going to get us out of this, you'll see.” Jody consoled.

“It's not that...” Keisha whined slightly. “That secret concert I was talking about – it was suppoused to get me away from all this! This stupid bubblegum pop stuff.” She said sighing heavily. “I had a whole new album just about to come out. I was going to do serious songs. I was going to play guitar.”

“So... no more dancing?” Jody questioned.

“No more songs about stupid boys, no more glitter costumes, no more Top 40 countdowns. I was going to be a serious artist!” Keisha continued sounding more passionate about it. “Acoustic, real! I keep leaving copies of the new album in shops, hoping someone's going to loot it and maybe listen to it. But all anyone ever wants to talk about is that one stupid song.” She groaned softly as she lowered her head. “It's not fair...”

“Uh, Sam, should we be going anywhere else right now?” Charlotte asked after several moments of silence.

“I can't believe she wanted to give up the dancing. I liked the dancing.” Sam said almost sadly.

“Runners Four, Five? You should be coming up on the town counsil offices. Look for the clock tower. Do you see it?” Janine asked.

“We see it.” Jody said.

“Run straight past it, then take a left. That's what we agreed upon, isn't it, Mr. Yao”” Janine questioned seeming to snap Sam out of his trance.

“Yeah, yeah, what Janine said. The zombies are – oh wait. How'd they... oh... that's just weird. They're on your tail again, guys! They must have found another way up the street. Better pick up the pace.” Sam said quickly as they picked up their pace.

“They're catching up, Sam! What do we do?” Jody cried out.

“I have an idea. It's me they want. If we split up, they'll lose interest in you two. But I need some time to get away. I need you to distract them.” Keisha said as Charlotte nodded.

“How?” She asked.

Keisha looked over at Jody. “You know the words to 'Text Me Up', right? If you sing it loud enough, they might get confused. Not that you're going to sound like me or anything, but they're dead. Their hearing's probably not that great.” She said.

“Sam? What do you think?” Jody questioned.

“Well, not that we're running out of options here or anything, but... well, yeah, actually, we are running out of options, kind of quickly. Give it a shot?” Sam said unsure.

“I only know the chorus.” Jody said.

“That's fine, I don't think they care. Um, hey you, Charlotte right?” Keisha said reaching into her small bag.

“Yeah...” Charlotte said/

“Take this for good luck. It's my new album. If you don't die, you should really listen to it. I think it was going to be a big hit.” Keisha said handing her one of the unbroken CD cases. Charlotte shoved the CD into the bag. “You ready?” Jody and Charlotte nodded as they continue to run.

Jody took a deep breath and began to sing. “Come on and text me up, whoa-oo-oo-oo-oo-oh. Yeah, you're so sweet, whoa-oo-oo-oo-oo-oh. Don't have to be shy when we talk on the screen.”

“I'm going to turn off here. Keep going! And louder!” Keisha said turning off away from them.

“Oh, I can't remember!” Jody whined.

Suddenly Janine cleared her throat and began to sing. “You've got my number, I want you ILU.”

Jody, Janine, and Sam continued to sing as they continued to run. “Text me up, tell me your love is true-oo-oh. Don't have to speak, don't have to phone. Text me and tell me you're mind alone. Come on and text me up, whoa-oo-oo-oo-oo-oh. Come on and text me up, whoa-oo-oo-oo-oo-oh.”

Charlotte looks around after a while. “Did it work?”

“It appears the zombies are still chasing Miss St. Cloud.” Janine said.

“Uh, should we sing it again?” Sam questioned.

“Runner Four, Runner Five, your way is clear. Best come back now while the swarm is distracted.” Janine stated firmly.

“But-!” Sam started.

“It's not our business, Mr. Yao.” Janine sternly stated. “We can't have that pack following the runners back to Abel. Besides, if she's survived this long, I suspect Miss St. Cloud will manage without us.”

“That song!” Sam suddenly said. “Did you know it all along?” He asked.

“I don't know what you're referring to.” Janine countered.

“Maybe whent he runners get back, we should all have a listen to that new album. Like a sort of... like a tribute thing.” Charlotte suggested.

“Or perhaps Mr. Yao could show us more of his dance moves.” Janine suggested with an obvious smirk.

“I don't think... no one wants that.” Sam said bashfully.

“I do.” Charlotte said with a grin.

“Aw, you have to do it, Sam! Come on, Char, let's get back. This, we've got to see!” Jody said happily as they put on speed and headed back towards Abel.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

< 44 >

Season 1 Beginning

Season 2 Beginning

#zombie #zombies run #zombie run #ZombieRun #zombiesrun #run #runner 5 #runner five #runner5 #runnerfive #fanfiction #fan fiction #fanfic

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ofheroesandvillains · 7 years

Text

Changing Gears

Tony Stark/Reader

Words: 3223

Warnings: None

Summary: What if there was another person with Tony since the very beginning? That’s where you come in. Despite his questionable ways, he was all you wanted and something you didn’t think you could ever have. When you reach your limit, will he finally show you that he can be a better man than you ever expected him to be? Probably going to have 2 more parts.

I own zero gifs :P

Tony Stark was not an easy man to live with.

Or negotiate with.

Or threaten apparently.

Tony Stark just wasn’t an easy man in general…unless you were a tall blonde with a great rack, if the sounds echoing through the Malibu home were anything to go by. In that case, he was a very easy man.

The annoyingly persistent blonde reporter he had picked up on his way home from the Apogee Award presentation in Vegas –Christine, if you recalled correctly- was making a racket. What the hell are they doing in there? Whatever it was, it didn’t sound healthy.

You tried to negotiate with Tony, insisting that he could do whatever he wanted with whomever he wanted, provided that it didn’t happen inside the house. But as per usual, he kept his word for a solid 5 minutes, before conviniently forgetting all about it as soon as something pretty in a skirt walked by.

Then you tried threatening him. In fact, it was his final warning. Unlike Tony, while you yourself were quite brilliant intellectually, you did try to get the recommended 8 hours of sleep that most sane people needed to function properly. So his constant disregard for your own needs had driven you to threatening him –either he started being more considerate, or you’d find somewhere else to live and do your work.

You didn’t want it to come to that, and part of you knew that it was an empty threat…and if you knew that, then so did Tony. Which was probably why he was currently making your ears bleed.

After wrapping a pillow around your head did nothing to muffle the sounds coming from down the hall, you did the only thing you could do. Escape downstairs into the workshop. It wasn’t the cosiest of places, but there was a comfy couch down there that looked like heaven itself as soon as you realised that absolutely no noise could be heard. Not a single sound.

It was perfect.

You loved Tony, you really did. He was your oldest friend, and the two of you were inseperable usually, to the point where he had even offered you a very high ranking position in Stark Industries. But one of the reasons you fit so well together, was because of your obvious differences.

Where he was brash and imuplsive, you were more methodical and cautious. Where he he was immature and arrogant, you were mature and humble. Your higher level of intellect was what bound you together. You were like two sides of the same coin, and even though he didn’t have some of the best qualities, you loved him all the same.

More than you should have.

You knew you saw him in a different way to how he saw you…you were just that same shy little girl he had met eons ago. He became the cool teenager already enrolled at MIT, while you were only 8 years old when your father passed and you were left on Howard's doorstep. It was only when you became a teenager yourself that you started seeing Tony in a different way. It was obviously a strange thought, but now in adulthood, the age difference didn’t really matter. At least it didn’t matter to you…Tony was a different story.

He never gave anything away, and you didn’t either. Tony hid any of his true feelings for anything and everything quite well, behind a strong mask of sarcasm and arrogance. Sure, he could jokingly flirt (and boy did he jokingly flirt) with you, but you knew not to take it too seriously, it wouldn’t end well if you did. You’d seen many a nameless one-night-stand do the walk of shame whenever Pepper came over to do Tony’s job for him, and that was not a look you were going to wear.

You cared about him too much, too much to risk losing him as a friend by admitting your feelings. No one knew you felt that way about him, most of the time you acted more like a mother than anything else, a role you shared with both Pepper and Rhodey.

You didn’t know where you’d be without them.

While Pepper took care of things from a business perspective, you were stuck making sure he stayed alive. Was he eating? Did he have enough water today? Did he actually end up getting sleep last night?

Most of the time he would roll his eyes in good humour, and a war of snarky words would ensue. That was something he really enjoyed –the fact that you could keep up with him. It was something that not many people could do, but your dry humour and blunt criticisms were music to his ears. His favourite habit was trying to get a rise out of you, it seemed. The fact that it was exceptionally hard to do so was what made him try even harder.

With a glance at the clock ticking above one of the workbenches, you sighed in defeat. 4:27am. Obviously, you weren’t getting any sleep tonight, Tony and your rampaging thoughts made sure of that.

With that in mind, you kicked the blanket that you had dragged downstairs off of you, and headed back up to the bathroom to prepare for an early start.

“Oooh, serious face. Wish me luck, J.A.R.V.I.S.”

“I do believe Miss Y/L/N does not wish to be distur-” The smooth beep of the glass sliding door allowing Tony access into his own workshop, cut the AI off and if J.A.R.V.I.S had eyes, you could bet your ass that he’d be rolling them.

“Someone’s up early! Music, J.A.R.V.I.S.” Tony’s upbeat voice cut through the silent cocoon you had surrounded yourself with, and you sighed silently, unwilling to show any outward signs of annoyance when the AI did as it was told.

A lack of sleep usually left you cranky, today was already shaping up to be a bad day, and it was only 8:19 in the morning. One thing Tony knew well was that you had no trouble holding a grudge. It didn’t matter how much he begged or nagged you, the only person who decided when to let it go was you.

Noticing your lack of reply, the billionaire slowly came to a halt as he approached your work station, dark eyes assessing silently for a change.

“You seem mad. Are you mad? You’re mad, aren’t you?” He rattled off quickly with lightly furrowed brows.

He always made it look like he couldn’t tell, but Tony was too smart to not be able to pick up on a person’s mood as soon as he entered a room…especially someone he knew so well. You always just assumed that he found it easier to ask and make a joke out of it than actually have to directly address emotions. It was just how he was, and you were okay with that.

“No, Tony. I’m not mad.”

His eyes narrowed at your flat tone. You hadn’t even bothered to look up at him, hands still working away at the tiny device that was your latest project. The small disc-charges were intricate little things that required a steady hand, unless you wanted to feel the 30,000 volts of electricity first hand –and you really didn’t want that.

The idea was that they could be used to incapacitate targets quickly and efficiently. The small size allowed them to be easily concealed, and you were excited to be working on something on your own this time around. Designing military weaponry was better suited to Tony, you preferred the smaller gadgets designed to be used by the individual. You could easily convince yourself that what you were making was for self-defence that way, rather than a weapon of war that could wipe out thousands in the blink of an eye.

“You’re not?” Tony’s words were drawn out, his brows rising to show he wasn’t convinced.

Your eyes were still trained on the disc, and he would have at least quirked a smile at the comical size of your eye through the huge magnifying glass that Dum-E was holding for you as you tinkered with the disc-charge. But he didn’t laugh, and he didn’t smile, because you were mad…and he didn’t like that.

Never one to remain patient for very long, Tony quickly snatched the magnifying glass, ushering Dum-E away and ignoring your indignant ‘hey!’ of protest.

Tony held the handle in his right hand, tapping his left palm with the glass, while watching you glare up at him. He was completely unfazed, and that just made you crankier.

“So, you wanna tell me what’s got your feathers all ruffled?”

You refrained from rolling your eyes, but did roll your wheelie chair forward to take back the magnifying glass. He put up a fight, and a short game of tug-of-war ensued before he finally let go.

He took your silence as a display of rebelliousness, but in truth, you were just trying to figure out what to say.

Oh nothing, Tony. I’m just angry that I didn’t sleep a wink last night because you were busy going at it with yet another one-night-stand, which may or may not hurt to even think about because I love you but I can’t tell you that. But I’m not jealous, I’m completely fine. I’m great, you asshole.

Yeah…maybe not.

That wasn’t just something you could blurt out. Maybe if Tony wasn’t Tony, and didn’t push away those who loved him romantically…maybe then you could admit it. But the truth of the matter was, that anyone who professed their love for him was likely never seen again. No, they weren’t killed or anything, he just avoided them like the plague.

“Alright, fine.”

You knew that tone, it was his ‘challenge accepted’ tone. A tone that had the potential to make or break someone. Never underestimate Tony Stark when he takes that tone.

“J.A.R.V.I.S, why is Y/N mad at me?”

“According to my observations, Miss Y/L/N’s current mood is a result of both a lack of sleep, and the volume of your fornication with Miss Everheart last night, sir.”

Tony grimaced, his shoulders slumping when you beckoned Dum-E back over and resumed your work. You always had a soft spot for Dum-E.

“Oh…you, uh, you heard that, huh?” He scratched the back of his neck uneasily. He didn’t know why that thought bothered him. It’s not like you didn’t know what he would be doing that night.

You were there in Vegas, granted you actually went to the Apogee Award presentation with Obidiah, instead of hitting the casinos with him. But there was a woman on his arm at every turn, and you even had to share a car with him and Katherine…Kirsty? Kerry? Whatever. She was just another pretty face that he’d already forgotten.

Still, it bothered him. It almost felt like he didn’t want you knowing about that, despite the fact that the whole world knew Tony Stark was a playboy.

“It was kinda hard not to. Right, J?”

He winced at the sarcastic tone, and made a mental note to tell Pepper to buy you something nice. He didn’t know how else to make you feel better. He’d bring in some new part, or maybe a new car? No, a plane! Yes, that was it. A plane…why did he feel like he was forgetting something?

“Indeed, madam. Had we any neighbours, I’m certain they too would share your current mood.”

‘Traitor’, Tony thought while he glared up at the ceiling, as if the AI was somehow embedded in it. He hated when they ganged up on him, and they always did. J.A.R.V.I.S never sided with him, and he had long ago suspected that you must have tampered with the AI’s protocols to make sure of it.

Before Tony could even attempt digging himself out of his current predicament, the loud ‘click-clack’ of heels could be heard making their way down the stairs, and he quickly made himself look busy. He almost groaned at the sight of Pepper, prim and proper, and ready to kick his ass because–

“You’re supposed to be halfway around the world right now.”

You felt the smile slip onto your face as soon as Tony’s music cut out and Pepper’s stern tone replaced it instead. Tony was meant to be presenting the Jericho missile in Afghanistan. Rhodey had specifically told him to not be late, if you recalled correctly, and yet here he was. If there was one thing that you didn’t like about Tony, it was how inconsiderate he could sometimes be to those who cared about him most.

You knew there was nothing wrong with his memory, in fact, he had an outstanding capacity to remember almost everything he saw with his own eyes or heard with his own ears. So you couldn’t understand why he didn’t care enough to do Rhodey this one favour and show up on time.

It left you wondering. Rhodey was his best friend, and there was little that Tony wouldn’t do for the man in all seriousness. But he almost always put his wants first, and it was frustrating to deal with when you were already in a bad mood. Sometimes –even though you’d never admit it- you wished he could behave a bit more like his father, at least where Stark Industries was involved.

His father had been best friends with your own, they were business partners much like you and Tony were now. The only difference was that you worked behind the scenes, you designed and created, but tried to lead as private of a live as possible considering you were both in the spotlight, and under the microscope at all times.

Tony, on the other hand, thrived in the spotlight. America loved Tony Stark, and his popularity and ability had led to him neglecting his responsibilities over the years. He was used to other people doing things for him –wanting to do things for him- even though he could do whatever it was far better himself.

Which is exactly what Pepper was ranting about right now. As her and Tony went toe-to-toe in a verbal sparring match so rapid it would make any sane man’s head spin, you continued your work silently. From priceless paintings and exhibitions, to MI commencement speeches, Pepper shot through it all in the space of a minute. Before the topic finally settled on something that didn’t lead to an argument. Pepper’s plans for the evening.

You knew she was going out for dinner with Happy, they had secretly decided to test the waters and you couldn’t be happier for either of them. They were both great people who had been in your life for a very long time, and deserved all the happiness in the world.

“Hey, Y/N? It’s Pepper’s birthday.” The billionaire stated while pointing a wrench at the strawberry blonde, as if you hadn’t been in the same room the entire time listening.

“I’m aware…” Only then did you allow yourself to swivel around and offer Pepper a warm smile. “Happy birthday, Pepper. I hope you liked your present.”

She returned the smile gratefully.

“I did, thank you. It’s lovely and incredibly expensive…you shouldn’t have,” she gave you a look of disapproval that had you feeling like a little kid being reprimanded by a parent, but you just waved her off impatiently.

“Pepper, considering what you have to deal with everyday –or should I say who you have to deal with…” you glanced at Tony accusingly, and continued despite the mock look of offence he shot you. “…I don’t think anything I could buy you is expensive enough.”

“Hey!”

You both ignored him.

“Well I’m very grateful, thank you.” Pepper replied tactfully, as she always did. She was nothing if not graceful. You almost envied it, but then you remembered how much effort it would take and thought better of it.

By the time Pepper was ready to leave, she had already packed Tony’s bags and the billionaire had reluctantly left you alone for a little while.

You sighed wearily when he walked back upstairs. You didn’t like making him feel bad, and you knew that he did feel guilty whenever he noted your bad mood. But sometimes it was the only way to get him to see that you really meant it. Otherwise he’d just brush off your concerns like he always did with Rhodey, and you didn’t have the temper to deal with that.

You loved Tony as he was, but he was the smartest man you had ever met and you knew that he knew when he was in the wrong. He just didn’t care much for it at the moment, and you really hoped that he would eventually.

“Pepper’s tearing me a new ass hole, I gotta get going.”

You finally turned around to look over at Tony, and hadn’t even noticed that he had returned. But there he stood in his designer clothes, looking as good as ever. You offered him a small smile, and told yourself the spark in his eyes when he noticed it was just a figment of your imagination.

“Come here…” His voice was softer when he nodded you over.

You obliged, dropping the screwdriver in your hand onto the bench top gently, before letting him pull you into a rare hug. Your body melted into his own without permission, and your shoulders that were previously tensed in agitation, relaxed in his hold.

“I know I screwed up, and I promise you I’ll make up for it when I get back, okay?”

With his hands on either one of your shoulders, he pulled you back slightly so that you could see the sincerity in his gaze. Your lack of response left him nervous, and his eyes flickered between your own for reassurance.

“Okay? We’ll talk as soon as I land.” You nodded in acceptance, and had to fight to keep the smile off of your face as he continued. You failed.

“I’ll even bring you back a souvenir. Hm…you know what we could do? Me, you, private yacht, The Bahamas? I’ll even rub lotion on your back, of course you’d need to be naked- hey!” He jerked back to avoid the light smacks you were giving his shoulder, grinning happily when you laughed. “All I’m saying is that nobody likes tan lines…”

That pulled another chuckle out of you, and he joined in this time. You really were something, especially when you laughed.

“Tony!”

His smile dropped to a grimace real quick. Pepper was sometimes a little terrifying.

“Well, I better go.”

You smiled genuinely this time, and gave him a nod. “Yeah, good idea.”

“I’ll see ya soon, hold the fort ‘til I get back?”

You rolled your eyes in good humour. “Oh, please. I hold the fort when you’re here too.”

He nodded with a bittersweet look on his face. That was…that was true. “Right.”

“Hey, Tony?” He turned to look back just before he reached the stairs. “Be careful, yeah?”

The billionaire gave his usual million dollar smile.

“Always.”

#tony stark #iron man #reader #marvel #tony stark x reader #iron man x reader #pepper potts

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the-reading-closet · 5 years

Text

It’s my first #Orentober Q&A day and I am super happy that Michael J Malone agreed to answer some of my questions, who of us aren’t intrigued by the person behind the words of a book? I was really excited to pick the brain of Michael after binge reading his domestic noir thrillers for #MaloneMonday earlier this year. Each one of his Orenda published books made me feel unsettled and I just needed to know the behind the scene details.

If you’ve missed out on any of my Malone posts, you can check them out below:

A Suitable Lie House Of Spines After He Died End of World Books with Michael J Malone

You can also check out my In The Absence of Miracles review later this month!

Michael Malone is a prize-winning poet and author who was born and brought up in the

heart of Burns’ country. He has published over 200 poems in literary magazines throughout the UK, including New Writing Scotland, Poetry Scotland and Markings. Blood Tears, his bestselling debut novel won the Pitlochry Prize from the Scottish Association of Writers. Other published work includes: Carnegie’s Call; A Taste for Malice; The Guillotine Choice; Beyond the Rage; The Bad Samaritan and Dog Fight. His psychological thriller, A Suitable Lie, was a number-one bestseller, and the critically acclaimed House of Spines and After He Died soon followed suit. A former Regional Sales Manager (Faber & Faber) he has also worked as an IFA and a bookseller. Michael lives in Ayr.

Hello Michael, thank you for visiting The Reading Closet this month to celebrate #Orentober, I hope that you’ve been enjoying the festivities! You have very recently had your fourth Orenda book, In The Absence of Miracles, published last month. Congratulations! After binging your Orenda four, I have found that you use a variety of non – fictional themes to build your storylines upon. Do you believe that this is an important element of being an author? Why in particular did you choose the themes that you did? There are several things I look for in a book I’m reading – a good story, a combination of words that “taste” good in the mind, engaging characters, and perhaps to gain insight/ learn something new about the world we live in. (A writer doesn’t have to do all of this to engage me – I’ll enjoy a book where only one of these separate elements are well done – but if they manage all of them then they have a fan for life.) And that’s what I aim to achieve when writing. That last item on the list, writing about real life issues is key for me in helping me emotionally engage with my characters and their world. If there’s something meaty I can get my teeth into and get passionate about that can help drive me through the story. I don’t think that it’s an important element of being an author – writers set out to do many different things – but it is an important element of writing for this author. I’ve chosen the various themes I have because they hit me hard. I feel the injustice of them and I want to highlight that to my reader – particularly if it is something that is rarely talked about.

I think you’ve done a brilliant job in highlighting issues, such as domestic violence, mental health awareness and even issues that haunt society as a whole. Do you feel the issues that you include in your novel have affected you on various levels? I haven’t been personally affected by any of these issues – thankfully – but when I research them, the stories I read, the people I meet, the troubles these people are forced to live through, the unfairness of it affects me deeply and I want to share that with readers.

As a reader, my eyes were opened to a multitude of things that many of us sometimes unconsciously decide to ignore – out of sight…. – but I’m in awe that you have highlighted these issues in such a carefully sensitive yet hard-hitting manner. Your books pre-Orenda are highly crime fiction based, why did you choose to begin writing meaningful psychological thrillers? My pre-Orenda books have a different style or voice, and that was a deliberate choice, I wanted something more noir with those books. But I do think there are similarities – an interesting word choice (I hope), strong themes and empathic writing. I’m not sure I “chose” to write such books, the impulse has been there from day one – it’s just that now I’m writing them through the eyes of “normal” people rather than cops and criminals.

Sometimes it’s the ‘normal’ view points that are more affecting, you’ve taken a genre and twisted it completely on its head in such a clever manner, especially with A Suitable Lie which blew my mind! I am really interested in the journey from plan to published work and how it can vary from book to book. That being said, what was your writing process for In the Absence of Miracles? Did the process differ from your other books, if so, how? This was actually the very first book I wrote. I started it in 1996. Got an agent for it. They bought a TV station and dumped all their authors. Consequently, I lost faith in the book and it sat unread and unloved in a floppy disc (yeah, we had them way back then) for decades. But, as with A Suitable Lie, the central story stuck with me and when Karen Sullivan at Orenda Books asked me what I was writing next I outlined this one for her, and thankfully she was interested. I hadn’t read the manuscript for a long time, and I expected that it might just need a little bit of tidying up before submitting it to her. That, I found out was a hugely optimistic view – it was dreadful. Obviously, I had nine other novels under my belt by the time I came back to it, and I was a very different writer from the one who started it way back in ’96. So, I had to start again from scratch. I re-wrote the whole thing, and added more of a mystery element to it.

Well I am so glad that it saw the light away from the floppy disk, all the best books start off this way, for example Attend by West Camel and even Stephen King’s Pet Sematary was kept in a drawer for many years! What did you find was the most difficult aspect of writing your Orenda published books, especially In The Absence of Miracles? Covering the “issue” in the right way. I would hate someone who suffered from one of the issues I write about to think that I was being exploitative. Peoples’ lives are ruined by such experiences and I want to make sure I write about it with respect, while acknowledging the truth and the implications of being locked into such a situation.

I felt that you approached the issue, as well as all other issues with unbelievable sensitivity and respect, but I can imagine that it was difficult to get the voice of it just right. Having had a number of books published, even before Orenda Books, what advice do you have for people trying to get into the writing business? Is it the same advice that you’d give your younger self? Yeah, for sure. Just do it – reads the corporate slogan. I try not to waste my time with regrets but if I could have my time back I’d go for it sooner. I wasted so much time, allowing myself to be distracted with other stuff, not quite believing that this sort of l career was for someone like me – a working class Scots lad with a basic education. As well as just doing it, Stephen King said it best when he said “read a lot, write a lot”. I can’t imagine anyone being able to write a novel without being a reader first – and you have to develop your own style and the only way to do that is to write A LOT. As I said earlier In the Absence of Miracles was my first attempt at a novel, way back in 1996 and as I read through that version from all those years ago – viewing it afresh from a distance of time – I was able to see how I developed as a writer as the book worked its way onto the page. The last few chapters were WAY better than the first part of the book (and some of that even made it into the final version). The problem was that as I was writing it I had just discovered Pat Conroy – raced through all his novels and this was my attempt to be him. And only Pat Conroy can write like Pat Conroy. My version of PC was full of bloated descriptions, clunky dialogue and finger wagging – this is my message and by God, dear reader, you better take it in. Having since written a further nine novels I was able to see where I had gone wrong and fix it. I could see that my instincts as far as story was concerned were strong, but the execution was poor. I’m being harsh – the book did attract an agent – but it did need a lot of work.

And oh haven’t you created a style of your own, I suppose it’s the same for everything, practice makes perfect but so does faith and belief in yourself. You’ve said that to be a writer, you need to be a reader first. What authors and / or books inspired you to become a writer? I’ve wanted to be a writer for so long it’s difficult to think of a time when it wasn’t part of my mindset and to pinpoint how and when that happened. I can remember holding/ reading books as a small child and thinking that one day I’d like to produce one of my own. And I think everything I’ve read and enjoyed has influenced me to some extent. (I mentioned Pat Conroy earlier – his descriptions were his exquisite and his characters and their dilemmas wormed their way into my heart.) What I would add here is that I read widely – fantasy, crime, thrillers, romance, contemporary, and even so-called literary novels – and I think, if you want to be a writer you should try to do likewise. Clearly, you need to have a good grounding in the genre you chose to write, but other styles and voices can add to the breadth of your experience.

What would you like people to take away from your novels? I think the job of a writer is to transport a reader into a different life/ world. Books offer people a break from the humdrum and the ordinary. Reading offers a safe diversion and entertainment and if people get that from my books then I’m happy. If they also happen to be moved to tears, anger or laughter then that’s even better.

Reading is a form of escapism, I for one love to get sucked into a book after a busy day – especially one that you can connect with on an emotional and mental level. An author recently told me that an author loves all their characters, even the horrible ones – interesting! From all your previous Orenda Books, do you have any favourite characters? Who and why? I have a soft spot for Andy from A Suitable Lie. He was with me for SO long (as has John from In the Absence of Miracles) that it’s amazing to think of the impact he has had on readers. The year A Suitable Lie came out a woman contacted me to say that she’d been in therapy after living through an abusive relationship, and the final piece of that therapy was reading Andy’s story. As she described it, reading about Andy and his situation allowed her to forgive herself and to see that in no way was she to blame for what happened to her. A Suitable Lie helped her set aside that shame and put the blame firmly where it belonged – on her abuser. That one comment makes the experience of writing that book worthwhile.

I was going to say, that must have been a somewhat ultimate reward that your words abled someone to move on further from a traumatic past. Worthwhile is the word! Bouncing off the same sort of question, is it difficult for you to write characters that you dislike? I’m not sure I actively dislike any of my characters. Of course I might dislike or even hate what they do, but to write about them I have to get inside their minds and for the time I’m writing them almost be them – and I think disliking them would interfere with and perhaps block that process.

It’s so incredible how you can get out of your own head, into someone else, a superpower I suppose, especially that you get it so spot on. Doug Johnstone told me that as an author you are constantly thinking about the next book, so, are you working (or have an idea for) your next book? Can we get a sneak peak into the concept, please? I wrote around 25,000 words of another book last year and then stopped to work on In the Absence of Miracles and I’m about to jump back into that. I still haven’t quite got it settled in my mind as to the best way to describe it. What I can say is that it’s about a young actor with the world at her feet whose boyfriend is accused of molesting a neighbour’s child – and the novel is about the fallout from that.

Now that one I am looking forward to, another psychological nail-biting read by the sounds of it! Thank you again for answering my many questions, to finish off this Q&A could you share a random fact about yourself? When I was a kid I used to do Highland dancing – sword-dancing, highland fling – all that stuff. I can’t remember any of it, so don’t be asking for a demonstration next time you see me.

Oh you must have some photographs you can share with your fans, or you could get practising for future demonstrations – maybe a book and Highland dancing tour!

So there you have it, I chewed Michael’s ear off with questions and he happily (well hopefully happily) answered them honestly. I’ve enjoyed every minute of his visit!

Make sure that you check out Michael’s books, every one of them is something to shout about. Keep up to date with this months bookish festivities using the hashtag #Orentober, and if you want to tweet, share etc you can use that hashtag too!

#Q&A with Michael J Malone @MichaelJMalone1 @OrendaBooks #Orentober It's my first #Orentober Q&A day and I am super happy that Michael J Malone agreed to answer some of my questions, who of us aren't intrigued by the person behind the words of a book?

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avengerdragoness · 7 years

Text

Sentence Starter Masterlist

Batfamily:

Jason Todd:

“You deserve a world without this”

"Guns? Ha! Last I remember, you had string bean arms!"

“It’s not that funny.”

“I know you liked it when they were hitting on you.” "If you would do it I would like it better" "Wait, what" "What"

"If you're not there when this baby comes, I'm going to take that gun, and shove it so far up your--"

"open it" "can you say please?"

"real smooth, tripping over air"

"Alright guys time to play truth or dare"

"well, that was... interesting"

"where have you been"

“You’re so cute when you’re half asleep like this…”

“If you shove cake in my face this will be the worst wedding night of your life.”

“After everything you did, you’re asking ME to apologize for snapping at you ONCE?”

"I know I said I’d get up with the kid in the morning but I’m hoping you can’t tell I’m fake sleeping and hoping you will do it instead"

"It helps that my competition is attractive."

“I’d die for you. Of course, I’d haunt you in the afterlife but really, it’s the thought that counts.”

"I bet I could beat you in wrestling match"

“It must be hard with your sense of direction, never being able to find your way to a decent pickup line.”

“If I didn’t know any better, I’d say you were trying to seduce me.”

"Yeah, because fighting crime wearing the colors of a traffic light is soooooo stealthy."

“I met your parents and your mom was flirting with me. "

"I am not jealous, I'm territorial. Jealous is when you what something you can't have, territorial is protecting what is yours."

"Get over here, Jason 'Crush Me With Your Thighs' Todd!"

"ITS PLATINUM!!!"

"Wait, you're not a virgin? do you even stay awake long enough for sex?"

"you can't just go around killing people"

"So tell me: do all vigilantes lurk or is this just a part of your unique charm?"

"Am I really gonna be a father to an actual human being?"

"Put the water balloon down."

“You’re cute when you’re angry.”

Dick Grayson:

“I did a pregnancy test.”

“You can’t banish me! This is my bed too!”

"What do you mean I can't stay up until 4 am reading? You've stayed up later risking your life in a ridiculous costume!"

"If you sing that song one more time I will fight you"

“I had a nightmare about you and I just wanted to make sure you’re okay.”

"I swear to god if you don't get off the chandelier right now"

"love first of all if you're wearing that kilt to slag me off for me Irish heritage I'm not one fucking bit impressed and second KILTS ARE FUCKING SCOTTISH ugh but you do look the ride in it , i have to say wait there I'm posting a pic of it this gonna be great craic"

"IVE BEEN STANDING IN THIS SHOP FOR TWO FUCKING HOURS TRYING TO DECIDE BETWEEN SMARTIES OR SKITTLES DONT RUSH ME !"

“What do you want me to do with this?”

"You know you have to worst name ever"

"Where do you run off to every day?"

Tim Drake:

“Is there a problem?” “Is there a special reason, as to why you’re wearing my shirt?”

"No, nothing's wrong, I was just fangirling, carry on."

"You should know by know that if you leave your cape laying around, I don't care if it's for 'superhero business', I'm going to wrap it around myself like a blanket."

“You drowned my makeup in water so I used my key to scratch all of your video game discs.”

"stop it, stop whatever the hell your doing"

'please stop staring at that stupid computer and talk to me'

"You're not meeting my boyfriend, Tim, because I'd like to date him a while before my brother kills him."

“This is your twentieth cup of coffee are you trying to break a world record or something?“

"I found you passed out, face down in a pile of coffee cups, are you ok?"

"You have to be cheating! No one is that good poker!"

"There's nothing wrong with taking a break"

"You should really get out of the house more, I almost attacked you thinking you were a vampire. And no patrol doesn't count, get some sunlight."

Damian Wayne:

“Damn, when did y/n get hot?”

"We’re camping and you think you lost the kid but they’re napping in the tent and I’m not telling you yet so you watch them better next time"

"Damian, are you sure your dad is going to be ok with us sneaking a monkey into the Manor?"

“Before you decide to murder me, let me explain…”

“His ego is so visible; I can almost watch it grow.”

“When you love someone, you don’t just stop. Ever. Even when people roll their eyes or call you crazy… even then. Especially then!”

“Do you ever follow directions?”

"dami ..I can't find my reading glasses have you seen them ?"

"I was trained by the masters of the League of Assassins and Ra's Al Ghul himself I DO NOT SING"

"we are not going to steal someone's dog"

"i'm allowed to be obssesed with you, im your husband"

"Why is there a deer in the mansion."

"I'm better at handling swords than you"

“So that’s why you’re always gone... you’re fighting crime in tights...”

"Wait... are you actually trying to stab me with a spoon?"

"Do I have to?"

"Don't worry beloved my family will love you, if anything I'm worried about them scaring you off"

Batfam:

"Not to point out the elephant in the room, but is that a literal elephant in the room?"

<-------------------------------------------->

CW DC:

Barry Allen:

"Cisco I don't need you to hit on them for me."

"I don't care how much a speedster needs to eat, you touch my food, and we're going to have a problem."

"everyone can tell you lover her, it's obvious"

“im NOT jealous, but he was flirting with you"

"I'm so sorry to disturb you but....I ran out of toilet paper"

Wally West:

"you like her, don't you!"

"I recognize that you have reached a decision, but given that it is a stupid ass decision I have elected to ignore it"

Oliver Queen:

"are you jerking off or did you just find another book?"

Mon-El:

"Are you really jealous of a dog?"

"Mon-El, stop trying to make me blush, you jerk!"

Winn Schott:

"Winslow Schott, you do *not* get to saw I'm 'crabby' right now. If I seem to be in a bad mood, it's because *someone* decided to drag all the way to the DEO, first thing in the morning before I had a chance to have breakfast, without actually giving me a reason!"

<-------------------------------------------->

DC (Other):

Billy Batson:

"I'll give you your precious hoodie back, if you say the magic word!"

"How hasn't Bruce Wayne adopted you yet?"

"So...what happened EXACTLY?"

"y'know when you sneak around like that to transform you look super shady right?"

"You snuck into my room in the middle of the night to tell me something that could've waited till morning, woke me up by tripping over a small pile of books, and almost broke the most expensive thing I own. Remind me again why I shouldn't immediately call the cops on my best friend?"

<-------------------------------------------->

Young Justice:

Wally West:

"I'd like to remind everyone to refrain from eating my food"

"I think you're just jealous cause you don't have magic powers! Or maybe you don't believe cause your so dependent on your precious science to explain everything!"

"I don't speak science, think you can translate for us non-nerds?"

Bart Allen:

"You can't keep blaming yourself for what happened to him"

"I'm from the past...I knew your cousin"

"We're about to die!"/"Comes with the job!"/”You're not helping!"

"You can't be serious"

"Hey, could you help me go over these case files-...you do not have a shirt on..."

"Who do i look like, Batman?"

"How are you always late?"

"Give me back my book!! You better not spoil it!!!"

"YOU CAN SING?!?!?!?!"

"You look good in yellow"

"I promise to tell you where your snacks went, if you promise not to get mad."

“are you sure about this”

"please don’t make me say it"

<-------------------------------------------->

Marvel:

The Avengers:

"oops they saw it, well surprise I guess!"

Peter Parker:

"Don't be such a nerd Parker, we need to keep this professional and intimidating."

"You're that Bug Boy Jamison keeps talking about"

"You're an arachnophobe?"

“You're gonna get me killed!"

"I dare you to kiss him."

"Explain your powers to me again"

"Could you just get me down from here?!"

"These aren't even quips! They're just bad puns!"

"I cannot believe you of all people got us detention! I always thought it would be me."

"There's no such thing as bad publicity!"

"So, what's up with BugBoy over there?"

Steve Rogers:

"When were you planning to let me know what happened?!"

<-------------------------------------------->

Voltron:

Shiro:

“I’m like 20% sure this plan will work. The other 80% means we could die horribly and violently, but honestly it’s a really solid plan.”

“You’re so determined to protect yourself and your feelings, but what about me?”

“How is my wife more badass than me?”

"i lost our baby"

“Are you hitting on me?”

"...Why did you throw confetti in my face?"

Lance:

“I’m starting an idiot jar. Any time you do or say anything idiotic, you have to put at least a dollar in it—more depending on how stupid the thing that you said or did was.”

"Please tell me you aren't washing a metal, mechanical, slightly magical lion with soap and water?"

“How did you even get that there?“

Keith:

"How in the world did I get you to like me back?"

“I thought it was a good idea at the time, but it now occurs to me that I was horribly wrong.”

“Oh my god! You’re in love with them!” "No, Dumb-ass I'm in love with you"

"I can't believe you talked me into this."

"Keith, I love you, you know I do, but *please* tell me you didn't actually jump out of an airlock to get your lion."

“Why are you staring at me like that?”

<-------------------------------------------->

Criminal Minds:

Spencer Reid:

"i need you to breath in and out with me, this anxiety attack will pass, i......"

"I don't care what you think you know, Spence, I'm *not* ticklish!"

"God, I hate profilers! You can never keep a secret from one."

#sentence starter masterlist #masterlist #sentence starters

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sullivantwissarcana · 7 years

Text

RWBY Original Character 11

Name: Vinyl Aurum

Origin and Influence: I thought that a DJ character would make a cool RWBY character and I decided to make Vinyl; “Vinyl” comes from vinyl records which are normally black in color, while “Aurum” is Latin for gold.

Age: 17 (Birthday is March 27th)

Symbol: A record with three scratches across it

Species: Human

Appearance: 5′5″ with light skin with cerise-colored eyes, a toned dancer physique, and average figure; short blonde hair dyed a neon blue and styled with her bangs near her right eye (after the Vytal Festival, she only dyes her bangs the neon blue color while the rest is her natural blonde); always seen with a pair of sunglasses with amethyst-colored lens and a black frame as well as a pair of white headphones with her symbol in a gold color; Vinyl’s normal attire consists of a pair of purple arm-warmers that resemble fingerless gloves, a white short-sleeved jacket with a gold trim, a matching skirt with her emblem on the hip, purple leggings, and blue sneakers; after Volume 3, Vinyl’s attire changes to a white hoodie with a gold trim, a pair of purple fingerless gloves, a white skirt with a gold-colored belt buckle, her purple leggings, and blue sneakers; she also wears several pins on her hoodie (such as a rainbow-colored pin and several with emblems) and now applies blue lipstick

Personality: Vinyl is a helpful girl who always offers her assistance with whatever she can do; Vinyl absolutely loves music and is always seen listening to her headphones; she will even offer to share her love of music with others, even if she has just met a student she never saw before like Azalea when they were on the airship to Beacon together; Vinyl prefers to stay quiet and only talks when it’s time to be serious about something, everybody that knows her immediately listens to her when that happens; because of her taciturn behavior, she uses other ways to communicate like with her body language, instant messaging, writing, and even sign language; Vinyl is also very energetic when it comes to music or fighting, putting on a performance like she is the life of the party; she also believes that music can help anyone who is in a bad mood and even hosts concerts where she acts as a DJ; despite people believing she is a quiet girl who only pays attention to her music, Vinyl knows how to read her environment for what to do such as reading lips or using the battlefield to her advantage

Backstory: Vinyl grew up as a regular girl who didn’t know what to do with her life, but that all changed on the day her older brother, Gin Aurum, took her to her first concert. During the event, Vinyl discovered the joy and other emotions that music gave, she decided to learn all she could and eventually learned that some weapons that Huntsmen used could be used to fight Grimm with music. Intrigued by the idea of it, Vinyl began to train herself to fight at Signal Academy for combat and even built her own weapon that could play music as she fought. Her skill eventually got her a chance to go to Beacon Academy.

Theme Song: Be The One from Kamen Rider Build and Got To Keep It Real from Kamen Rider OOO (including Trance Remix)

Weapon: Vinyl’s weapon is a set of Hard Light Projection Braces (HLPB) called “Rhythm Scratch” that can create holographic hard light weapons similar to Velvet Scarlatina, however with only a limited number of forms to compensate for them staying around as long as Vinyl wants; the three weapons that Vinyl uses are a pair of clawed gauntlets (similar to the Dramon Destroyers/Killers of Wargreymon from Digimon), a katana that can be projected from any of the parts on Vinyl’s arms or legs, and energy discs that can be manipulated a multitude of ways such as platforms or shields; the weapon also has a set of speakers to not only play music, but also allows the weapons that Vinyl uses to vibrate at frequencies that can weaken molecular bonds of whatever that make contact with (this also turns the color of her projections from blue to gold); this allows them to cut into targets easier and block stronger attacks from foes; the two main weaknesses of this weapon are that it can only hold one form at a time before Vinyl needs to change it for the one needed at hand as well as the fact that the weapon is very high maintenance and needs to be observed to make sure it doesn’t malfunction in combat like if the speakers are blown out from overuse

Aura and Semblance: Vinyl’s Aura is average at best when it comes to defending, so she can’t take hits from powerful foes and is a Glass Cannon most of the time; Vinyl’s Semblance is a unique Energy Blast that comes from her palms (and eventually feet) and produces a loud sound like a drumbeat. She can blast bullets of energy to strike enemies from afar when she can’t use Rhythm Scratch and can use these blasts in a variety of attacks. From a rapid-fire storm to heavy blasts equivalent to a cannonball, Vinyl can deal with enemies with this power. Unfortunately, this can also burn through her Aura reserves and using the blasts too much can render her hands (or feet) numb and unable to aim properly

Fighting Style: Vinyl’s fighting style revolves around confusing the enemy with her movements like Capoeira and breakdancing before striking them hard; her dance-like movements allow her to avoid attacks with ease before delivering counter attacks; she takes the chance to deliver a blow that can disorient an opponent and uses the opportunity to continue her combination; using her hard light weapons allows her to block attacks with more ease when she needs to and gives her extra reach; Vinyl can also use her weapon’s speakers to blare loud noise directly in her enemy’s ears to harm them before making her next move; the main weakness of this battle style is that direct attacks can hurt her too much, so Vinyl has to keep moving to avoid getting hurt; she is also susceptible to long range fighters like snipers and has to make sure her Hard Light Braces aren’t too damaged

Done with a new character! Hope you like her!

@unashamed-shipper @vitt-99 @snowembrace @theniceacefriend @strawberrysweetlove35 @ventus-rogue @kjthetalekeeper @boku-awww-crap @galaxygamerhearts @emmathehalf-bloodhunter @neon-apocalypse @miss-zei @niceghostsaysitwillbedaijouboo @nalufever @megapixelpichu

Eventually, I’ll get to revealing the rest of Vinyl’s team and even an actual antagonist for my RWBY OC’s. Just know this for now, Vinyl is NOT the leader of her team. That will be her partner.

#Sully speaking #RWBY #Original Character #Vinyl Aurum

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