#No but really I did a bit of thinking and it just reaffirmed things for me. I want to know if this is just me or if others feel this way to | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

ruporas · 1 year

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pet names

[ID: Black and white comic of Vash and Wolfwood from Trigun Maximum. Vash overhears a conversation from a nearby table at the restaurant they're seated at, the unnamed character saying, "Honey, can you pass me that?" Their partner says, "Sure thing, angel." The unnamed character begins again, "Say, did you hear the news from earlier?" In response, "Haven't got the chance. Tell me about it?" Vash smiles fondly, listening in as the conversation continues, "You'd never guess, babe! The runner--" Abruptly, the conversation is cut in by a "Needle nogging", Vash's expression changing instantly and no longer smiling. The panel cuts to Wolfwood who smiles lop-sidedly, pointing at Vash's plate and says, "If you're not going to eat that. I'll take it." Vash grabs the plate and holds it away and says, "Mine" while Wolfwood clicks his tongue. He pauses for a moment before asking slowly, "Hey, is there any reason you don't use cute names with me?" Wolfwood lifts a cup of water up to his lips, looking confused. He says, "I do though." Vash cuts in, "Spikey and needle nogging aren't cute!"

Vash continues with a shy expression, "Since we're together now..." he trails off and Wolfwood picks up, taking a sip of water as he says thoughtfully, "Together, huh..." Vash pauses in his sentence with a look of confusion before reaffirming, "We are together, right?" Wolfwood nods, "Right." Vash says, "Right", before continuing, his shy expression returning, "Then you can use stuff like... honey or-" Wolfwood cuts in this time and says casually, "You're not a honey though." A panel cuts of Vash's expression changing again, shocked. He asks, "Huh? Then who is?" Wolfwood says immediately, "Milly." Vash exclaims, "Milly?!" Wolfwood continues, "She's sweet, just like honey." A bubble pops up of Milly smiling as Wolfwood speaks. Vash continues, "Okay, true... What about sweetpea?" Wolfwood responds, "Kids. Kids are sweetpea. And pumpkin too." Vash continues, "Okay... What about baby?" Wolfwood says without hesitation, "Meryl." Vash exclaims again, "Meryl?!" Wolfwood explains," Noisy, like a baby." Vash mutters, "Hey, that's a bit mean..."

Vash continues persistently, "Then what about babe?" Wolfwood shrugs with a grin, "You are not a babe." Vash looks at him, slightly frustrated before exclaiming with flushed cheeks, "Then what am I?!" Wolfwood points at his hair and smiles softly, "I told you. You're the one and only needle nogging." A panel closes in on Vash's widen eyes, cheeks still red, pausing before he ultimately resigns, planting his face into the palms of his hands and muttering, "I give up..." At the same time, Wolfwood sneaks and grabs the plate of food that Vash left unattended, saying in response, "You get up cuaght up about the dumbest things, y'know that?"

The comic then picks up again to a jump in time, after they've left the restaurant. Wolfwood muses to Vash, "You said all that about the names earlier, but I don't hear ya using them for me." Vash looks to him excitably and asks, "Did you want me to?" Wolfwood looks at him with an uncertain expression, "Not really, but I guess I am curious..." Vash beams, "Then let's try some, okay... dear?" He fingerguns Wolfwood with a grin, little hearts surrounding him. Wolfwood just looks at him neutrally and says, "Okay," while thinking to himself, "Cute..." Vash exclaims, "So unenthusiastic!"

The next comic picks up at a different time, but on the same theme of pet names. Vash hugs Wolfwood and says to him, "Thank you, my love." A panel close up of Vash steadily opening his eyes before he sees Wolfwood's reaction up close, his eyes glancing away, cheeks flushed, and the smoke out of his cig forming soft hearts as he mutters, "Sure..." In a smaller, cartoonish style, Vash has a comedically exaggerated expression of shock and widened eyes as he grips Wolfwood by the shoulders while Wolfwood still wears a shy expression. He then nudges his head to the side of Wolfwood's with a close eyed happy smile, hugging him close and says, "So, there WAS one you liked!" Wolfwood, still looking away, but now with an irritated and embarrassed expression, grumbles, "Shut up..."

The final image is a short sequence. Wolfwood is working on something, spacing out as he does, while Vash from off screen calls for him, starting with "Babeeee? Babe? Beautiful? Honey? My love?" All of which gets no reaction from Wolfwood. Vash pauses for a moment before piping up again, "wolfwood?" Wolfwood turns around, finally noticing that Vash was calling for him and asks, "What?" A box at the bottom of the page says, "Unresponsive to anything other than his names." END ID]

#vashwood #vash the stampede #nicholas d wolfwood #trigun #trigun maximum #ULTIMATELY the most convenient is to stick to needle noggin and wolfwood because it just makes the most sense to them. i also think the way #they refer to each other is such a like.. distancing manner at first.#because i think wolfwood DID call vash by his name at first right?? i mean it was spiraling from vash the stampede to vash and then to #spikey in that one town near the beginning of maximum #i dont know how to word it but the fact they call each other these particular monikers that dont get regularly echoed by others #IN PARTICULARLY needle noggin being SO specific to vash from wolfwood really pushes in the special place wolfwood has in vash's life.#wolfwood doesnt get the name wolfwood used for him often too. hes been called priest chapel nicholas nico....#but vash uses wolfwood out of all of them. kills me every time #its just like the safest name for him. the thing about wolfwood is that it still is universally used for him too. he introduces himself as #nicholas d wolfwood to others as seen from when he first met vash.... regular citizens or kids mightv called him mr wolfwood and stuff...#so it kind of settles itself as a name for the mundane for safety for comfort.#but then they call each other by their first names in vol 10 and i . shatter sfx. needle noggin and wolfwood are so Precious to them for #each other but they're capable of using each other's first names too in such a gentle manner. i mean when vash used nicholas #it was in comforting gesture too. nicholas is who melanie and the kids know and that nicholas is still very much there even pass #the bloodshed. and when ww uses vash so his family knows of vash and his identity and the safety the name vash reflects...

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ecoamerica · 23 days

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youtube

Watch the American Climate Leadership Awards 2024 now: https://youtu.be/bWiW4Rp8vF0?feature=shared

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queenofcoquette · 9 months

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how i started to feel pretty

hey loves! i’ve struggled with feeling insecure over my looks, but recently i’ve made changes that have helped me be less insecure. little improvements with my lifestyle and mindset have already made a big difference. first i’m going to talk about my insecurities, then what i did and then general tips.

my insecurities:

hyperpigmentation. i have bad undereye bags due to genetics that landed my family to call all of our eyes “raccoon eyes.” then redness above my eyelids, then darkness above my upper lip no matter how much i shaved.

facial asymmetry. we all have it, but i felt so bad anytime i took a selfie and i couldn’t bear to take any photos of myself.

body dysmorphia. this one is weird. i don’t view my body the way others do, and honestly the way i view it changes all the time.

changes i’ve made:

first i started doing things that didn’t help. they were temporary solutions that did nothing. i used concealer and powder for the hyperpigmentation- but it looked cakey and a little ashy-kinda cuz i wasn’t using a color corrector. for my body i did these “abs in 2 weeks!” challenges during covid, and was restrictive, which is the worst thing you can do for yourself.

for my skin:

i started using the glycolic acid serum by the ordinary. this stuff is life changing! i’ve been going makeup free on my skin lately and my skin tone has gotten so much more even. plus it’s affordable and it’s a giant bottle.

for my face:

i started doing face massages for muscle tension

i also realized that my facial asymmetry is 1) normal (we all have it to a certain extent and 2) it’s probably not as bad as i think it is.

for my body:

i’ve started to focus more on health than appearances, because that my view of my body is distorted. i don’t see it like other people do, so i need to prioritize my health. i started eating MORE- more foods that are healthy, more fruits and vegtables. instead of restricing i allowed myself to have more.

i developed a pilates plan that focused on building strength, and incorporated a little bit of weights. now that i play sports i’ve put an emphasis on strength which has actually helped me get more toned.

journaling. i began to write down about my feelings- the way i view other people vs. the way i view myself. it made me realize how social media gave me an unrealistic image, and how i wasn’t viewing myself the way i really am.

advice:

what are you insecure about? the first step is just writing down your biggest insecurities- aka why don’t you feel beautiful? what made you feel this way? no one is born feeling ugly- we’re all taught to feel this way, whether it’s comments that have been made to us or others.

find people with similar stories. this helped me in the past, watching videos about people who had the same insecurities as me, it opened my eyes to how harshly i treat myself.

get to the root of it. for my skin i realized that covering up my hyperpigmentation with makeup wouldn’t solve the problem, so i put an emphasis on incorporating things into my skincare routine that could solve the problem, without makeup!

think in the long-term. think about what’s healthy for you, and the most natural way of doing so. for example, when it came to my body i had to think about what’s healthy for me overall, not a quick fix. quick fixes aren’t attainable!

prioritize mental and physical health. i think we should all embrace our natural beauty by focusing on our skincare and the health of our hair. additionally, mental health is equally important, especially when it comes to body image.

positive thinking. a lot of times we tend to vocalize our negative thoughts, ive heard ppl make horrible comments about their bodies and things like that. first of all, stop saying those things out loud- you’re only reaffirming them in your head, and furthering the bad feeling. when you get horrible thoughts about yourself, try to stop them and replace them with good ones. even if you don’t believe it at first, you soon will.

it sometimes takes a while for beautiful people to realize how gorgeous they are. i had friends who i thought were some of the prettiest girls in the world, but they didn’t even realize it. i bet there’s so many people in your life who look at you and see the beauty in you that you don’t see in yourself. just stay healthy and keep positive thoughts, and i hope in time you’ll see your inner and outer beauty.

#that girl #that girl 2023 #self improvement #pink pilates princess #queenofcoquette

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mauvewalker · 1 year

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You know one thing I’ve noticed being parroted around a lot are about how ‘sweet’ the strong boys are, just repeating what the protagonist Rhaenrya views her sons as she has stated it within the show herself. (Which is fine as people are entitled to their own opinions). I suppose it doesn’t help with the way the team black boys have been casted, younger actors & an actual teen matching the character’s age, looking all cherub/innocent like with the awkward hairstyles emphasises their youthful ages & the framing by show is heavily in the favour of the blacks.

Compare this to the team green boys Aemond and Aegon (both phenomenal actors perfectly cast to portray them) but considering Aemond is supposed to be a teen what 16 or 19? (the show-runners can’t seem to do basic maths, lol) however, as an audience member subconsciously Aemond is viewed as an adult & treated/judged as such with his actions. Again the negative framing by the show of him in manipulating the GA perceptions of the teams, I’m really surprised they didn’t play a villainous theme tune as like with Darth Vader every time he appeared on screen but I think that would have been a-bit too obvious, lmao. It’s not like the camera framework & Aemond’s get up in black, heavy smirking in the background isn’t already doing so.

Anyways having watched the show, I happen to be believe that they are not these sweet harmless little princes, in particular, Jace hides a much darker personality, imo. For instance, in the courtyard back at Kingslanding with Luke he says “it doesn’t matter what they think” so on the surface you could argue oh how sweet he is trying to comfort his brother but shows his self-entitlement in viewing the other lords/people as beneath them & we know Rhaenrya has told him “you are a Targaryen that’s all that matters” so it has been instilled in him this belief in the Targaryen exceptionalism being closer to gods than men because of their dragons. Also, that line mirrors young Rhaenrya with “their wants are of no consequence” about the small folk again showing self-entitlement & an attitude that would make them poor future leaders.

Jace having this belief instilled in him, I feel it would explain why they all picked on Aemond because whilst Aemond may be a legitimate true-born prince who was undeniably a Targaryen with the Valyrian looks, what didn’t he have? A dragon!! so Jace with his inferiority complex/issues & superiority complex combined, knowing he was a bastard targets/bullies Aemond unfairly for this (for being what he should have been if he was fathered by Laenor) to make Aemond feel bad, inferior & inadequate like him, which they were successful in.

As we saw this made Aemond risk his life attempting to claim a dragon with helaena saying “he did it again” (hinting that Aemond at 10-12 risked himself numerous times) and it was shown twice with his failed attempt with dreamfyre & his successful attempt with vhagar. As Rhaenyra has instilled in him being a Targaryen is the most important BS & the biggest symbolism of this is having a dragon. So, when Aemond finally claims a dragon, Jace is now unable to see or convince himself as better than or being more Targaryen than Aemond.

Hence, his anger when they all jumped him 4v1 beating him & when Aemond was managing to defend himself & calls them for what he is “a bastard” Jace’s rage comes out, not because he thought Aemond was going to kill Luke with a rock as he had lowered his hand holding it. It was Aemond saying “lord strong” which made him pull out the knife & slashing with the intent to kill him. Again Aemond managed to defend himself & the knife dropped on the floor, so obviously Aemond lifts the rock up again to use as a deterrent as there is now also a knife bought in the fight. The strong boys shared a glance & threw sand in his face blinding him & Luke slashed his eye.

We all know what happened after, they didn’t get punished for it, viserys sided with them reaffirming his favouritism & threatening to remove tongues for questioning their legitimacy. Rhaenyra didn’t care to discipline them for it, thus, reaffirming their self-entitlement that they are correct in their behaviours & did nothing wrong.

Another example of Jace self-entitlement, inferiority complex & bullying behaviour was during the toast speech. It was Aegon who pissed him off & some with an optimistic view would argue his toast was trying to bury the hatchet with “fond memories of our youth”, however, he was looking at Aemond with a slight smirk knowing full well it may have been fun for him it was not for Aemond- he was targeting him again when it was Aegon who bothered him & Aemond was minding his own business. The reason for this? Because he is comfortable to be looking down/belittling/bullying Aemond.

Again, with the dance with helaena, some would argue how chivalrous of Jace for feeling sorry for Heleana being alone but it was to piss off both Aegon & Aemond. Moving on, with the speech & then Luke laughing at the pig, Aemond loses his temper, rightly so. As all he was trying to do during the dinner was ignore them, both Jace & Luke have triggered him with the past, so he gives the infamous strong speech, to push back & give them a taste of their own medicine.

Jace is the one who then loses his temper & his first typical reaction when he does?? is to be physically violent & throws the first punch & which side does he purposely target?? Aemond’s blind/injured & vulnerable side of his face. The punch was laughable, Aemond didn’t even spill his drink & with one push was thrown down. Exactly like his younger behaviour showing no growth, he get back up & during this altercation, Luke had tried to join to gang up on Aemond again. So both brothers are unable to take the heat that they dish out & fight fairly 1 to 1, but, really what could’ve Luke have really done, lmao.

They should of known when they saw Aemond earlier that day in the courtyard training. At the time, it’s clear both strong boys didn’t know it was him (with the typical targaryen blonde hair they maybe could of mistaken him for Aegon) & were super impressed with his prowess/skill, before he turned around with the eyepatch & their faces said it all, like ‘oh shit’ & then soured that the person who they perceived weaker/beneath them during childhood is a skilled swordsman, unlike them. Another thing that Aemond has/is that the strong boys don’t to add to Jace’s list, alongside having both of a mix of a inferiority complex & superiority complex, a ‘sweet prince’ he is not.

#Hotd #hotd critical #anti team black #Anti jacaerys strong #Anti jacaerys #anti rhaenyra targaryen #aemond targaryen #pro aemond targaryen #pro team green #anti viserys i targaryen #anti lucerys velaryon #anti lucerys strong

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detachedminxsfics · 2 years

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Spit

Read Part II

Characters: Negan x Alexandrian F!Reader, Maggie, Gabriel, Elijah

Summary: Negan and you were split from the rest of the group, and when he decides the mission is a lost cause, a fight ensues. Set in the events of S11 E5.

Word Count: 3.5K+

Warnings: NSFW - Rough vaginal sex, spitting, mild choking, very mild blood play, hate fuck, dom Negan, mortal enemies, humiliation, xtra DILFy S11 Negan, filthiest shit I've ever written tbh

A/N: I really enjoyed writing this, I needed to write some Negan angst. And I'm tempted to write a part two? 😫

Negan trailed behind you as you pushed open the door to the place you knew the group would attempt to regroup at, your gun raised vigilantly in order to scan your surroundings. When you saw nothing of concern you slipped your pistol back into your holster, settling down a little knowing you'd have to spend a considerable amount of time here. Until the sound of a familiar voice put tension in the air.

"So, what? We hang around here with our fingers up our asses just hoping that the others are alive, letting those assholes catch up to us?" Negan broke the silence, and you already hoped he had never said anything in the first place.

You, Negan, Maggie, Alden, Gabriel, Daryl and whoever else may be left had been split, and unfortunately, you ended up with Negan. You'd ended up taking the same cover in a fire fight, and he pulled you with him when the two of you made a run for it.

"I'm not abandoning my friends, but I wouldn't expect you to understand that." You bit back, glaring at him with cold narrowed eyes.

Alike Maggie, you'd never really forgiven Negan for what he did that one dark night, taking two of your family like that. Abraham and Glenn were good men, more than that, and they didn't deserve to be put down in that way. It made you sick to have to visually reflect upon it, so much of that night was a blur, yet vivid in the worst of parts.

"You know what, yeah, I don't. We've got some supplies, and we don't even know if the others are alive, why not take the win now? Get ahead of those shitdicks, and not wait around here to die like sitting ducks for people that are probably already dead."

What was left of your patience thinned out and crumbled, for it was never really all that durable when it came to Negan anyway.

"Just shut up! Fuck you, Negan. They're alive, and they'll be coming here, and we're gonna wait for them whether you like it or not. So sit, down." The venom in your words couldn't be anymore potent, clear as day as you snapped and raised your voice at him.

You caught him clenching his jaw, suppressing the urge to turn this into a screaming match, and it fell silent again. Having figured the matter had been resolved or somewhat stifled you headed over to your bag and sifted through your things, making sure you still had all of your belongings, until you heard shuffling. When you looked up to investigate the source of the sound Negan was packing, gathering his bags and some of the supplies that we'd scavenged. Things people had risked and lost their lives for.

"What do you think you're doing?" You began to interrogate him, approaching him to stand with your arms crossed against your chest completely stand-offish.

"I'm leaving." He answered bluntly, a short response meant to minimise your frustration, but it only worsened.

"Not with those supplies." You reaffirmed just as bluntly, leading Negan to sigh in response.

"I'm taking 'em back to Alexandria." Negan replied plainly, every offhanded response from him fuelling the fire of your rage more and more.

"You don't just get to cop out like this, there are responsibilities. This mission isn't over."

There was no guarantee that those supplies would make it back to Alexandria in his hands, and you wouldn't let his self-pitiful attitude go unnoticed.

"It is for me."

For him, for him? It was always about what Negan needed, what Negan wanted. What about what your people wanted, what Alexandria needs? His selfish tendencies were the final step in urging you over breaking point, and so you succumbed to your irritation, albeit in a very high school way. You snatched the handle of the bag he was holding from his hand and tossed it aside, giving him a hard shove that sent him stumbling back a few steps. He responded rather hastily by seizing your forearms, attempting to dissuade you from attacking him any further. You only thrashed against his grip, grunting your frustration inbetween your attempts to pull your arms from his hold. With all the momentum the two of you began to turn, heading in an entirely different direction as Negan furrowed his brows and attempted to snap you of it.

"Stop it!" Negan belted out, his gravelly voice booming from having raised his voice at you.

It didn't deter you though, and you continued to struggle until you eventually freed yourself, slamming your hands hard against his chest and leaving him attempting to find balanced footing again. With the force of that final push a space had formed between the two of you, both of you cautious as to whether one or the other would be the first to close it, to continue fighting one another. But you did neither, just stared at one another. That dark look in his eye was swirling again, a murderous stare that you knew all too well, and you were sure you were doing the same. You were panting from loss of breath due to how much energy you had just expended, but Negan stood untempered. Negan was the first to move, beginning a slow approach that had you stepping back from him further and further. Though he moved in small steps distance was closing fast, and you felt the internal panic when you felt a hard solid wall press up against your back, having backed yourself into the hypothetical corner.

"Shit." You muttered quietly, Negan taking his final few steps until he was directly opposite you, your chest practically pressed against his. He said nothing, and his stare remained unintelligible, simply looming over you without one word.

"Fuck you." Unashamed you made one last dig at him, and alarmingly enough, Negan smiled at you.

"If it'd shut you up for good, happily." He spoke lowly, his husky words right by your ear.

The response from him so sincere and unabashed you could feel your blood boiling, and you settled with the first thing that came to mind. Gathering some of the saliva in your mouth you parted your lips slightly and then quickly closed them, spitting right in his face. He groaned as he felt the wetness hit his cheek, reaching up and wiping his face dry with the back of his fingerless gloves, never once breaking eye contact with you. To your misfortune the saliva you'd kindly deposited onto his face was not enough to humiliate him entirely, but had some of the desired effect you had wanted. Negan looked riled, though he had tried to remain complacent the faint squint of his eyes gave him away, and the subtle clench to his jaw as he stared you down. Wordlessly, he flattened his palms against the wall either side of your head, entrapping you in the position you'd incidentally put yourself in.

"Open your mouth." Negan demanded bitterly, and you felt your cheeks fill with heat, utterly stupefied by what he had just asked you to do.

"Hell no." You bit back, earning a dangerous warning stare from Negan.

"Open your damn mouth."

You stared at him firm in your decision not to, and he waited a few moments before realising you wouldn't budge, and decided to handle you accordingly. With unanticipated rapid movements one of the palms Negan had flattened against the wall he'd snatched back and used to grip your jaw, applying pressure at the sides so hard and in such a way it began to force your mouth open. Forcibly Negan parted your lips, and you whined against his pressurised touch, restrained into anticipating his next move. Gathering the fluids best he could Negan brought all of his spit to the front of his tongue and leaned in enough to the point where he knew it would land on your tongue, spitting hard into your open mouth. You coughed a little from the shock of Negan's spit flying into your mouth, some of it escaping down your throat, only earning an approving chuckle from him.

"You liked that, didn't you, me spitting in your pretty little mouth? Be honest with me, I'll know if you're not."

The fact that Negan had recognised the shift in your expression before you even knew yourself startled you, like he could see through any deception or emotions you may have. Disturbingly enough, you'd enjoyed it to some extent. Maybe it was just the adrenaline from having taken out some of your frustrations on him, and spitting in his face after telling him to go fuck himself, but other feelings had began to surface. Urges that you couldn't quite distinguish.

"In your dreams." You remonstrated, not quite as firmly as you had hoped when you sounded it out in your head.

Negan grinned in response to your obvious dismay of the way that being manhandled by him made you feel, coming to terms with his own enjoyment of treating you like this.

"Oh don't worry, you're a goddamn nightmare."

Negan slammed his lips against yours, and it was like a floodgate had been opened, emotions and chemical reactions amongst other things consuming you entirely. You moved your lips back against his, attempting to keep up with the roughness. His stubble skimmed across your skin as you decided to nip his lip a little, drawing blood and causing him to groan into your mouth.

"Shit, should've known you'd be a freaky one." Negan commented as he swiped his thumb across his lip, gathering some of the blood there and smearing it across your own.

You kissed again, a hard and rough movement of one another's mouths, smearing his blood across both of your lips. In hungry movements Negan began to gather the fabric of your shirt in his hands, putting adequate tension on the material before yanking it hard. You gasped as you felt cool air hit your skin, he'd ripped your damn shirt open, the buttons flying onto the ground beneath you and pinging against the wood floor to reveal your tight fitting tank top underneath.

"Negan!" You exasperated, swatting him on the arm from the shock of what he had done.

He only snickered from having exposed you in such a way, closing his hand around the wrist of the hand you'd used to swat him with a firm grip and slamming it back against the wall, your knuckles faintly stinging from the impact of the collision.

"Oh c'mon, you can have mine." Negan suggested, not giving you time to respond as you felt his lips again.

Negan's fingers hooked in the hem of your tank top and began to hike the fabric up, pulling back momentarily only to help yank the top over your head. He threw it carelessly onto the floor, and you decided to return the favour. Unlike him, you unbuttoned his wrinkled blue shirt from bottom to top. Meticulously sliding your fingers beneath the material at the top of his shoulders and pushing it down his arms. The moment his shirt had gathered at his wrists you reached around and pulled from the back, tossing it into an area somewhere around yours. The moments to come were spent removing your clothes as fast as you could, a desire brewing deep within your body, a vile way to feel for him. It made you sick. With your panties dangling loosely around one of your ankles, your tank top hiked up your chest just enough to expose your breasts, Negan hoisted you up. He'd discarded the light grey tshirt he wore beneath his blue one, chest now bare to expose his generously hairy chest and the beaded necklace hanging just below his collarbone. With hands gripping the skin beneath your thighs he wedged himself in the space between them, using the way he'd mushed you between the wall and himself to support you whilst he worked at the zipper of his jeans, pushing it down until it came slack at his calves. He was left in nothing but boxers.

"I've always wondered what you looked like beneath those clothes, and your body is smokin'." Negan knew that subtle tease would piss you off, and you responded by glaring at him, wrapping your arms around his neck for support.

"Don't speak, at least not right now, just fuck me. Hopefully you can prove useful for once." You rebuked, and Negan raised his brows to feign offense.

"Ohh is that so? We'll see about that."

During your back and forth snapping he'd pushed his boxers down and lined himself up with you, slamming upward without warning. His hands returned to the underside of your thighs whilst you cried out in pain, him not even bothering to ease you into it. He didn't wait for you to adjust either, moving his hips as he groaned from the feeling of being inside you. The pain eased off rather fluidly, and you were left with the most reprehensible satisfaction. Negan ground into you, totally unbridled thrusts that had you whining so pathetically you were sure you'd attract a horde, or be heard for miles.

"That's what I fucking thought, do you like this baby? You like being used huh?"

Overwhelmed with your conflicting feelings for him you unwrapped one of your arms from his neck and slapped him, a harsh hit that had Negan grumbling from the sharp pain in his cheek. He groaned and took one of his hands from your thigh, placing it on your throat with the faintest pressure, it was more an injunction.

"Keep your hands to yourself or I'll tie 'em, do you want me to stop?"

You were quick to admonish him from stopping, a hint of desperation in your tone that had you realise you were damn near begging him not to.

"No no, Negan don't stop. Please..."

He grinned at your plead, his half lidded eyes haughty with arrogance. He'd leaned forward now, his forehead tipped against yours whilst his hand remained around your throat, noses brushing as you exchanged air panting hot breath into one another's mouths. This was filthy, sinful even. The dirty feeling of being so full, full of him, the pleasure he filled you with subduing you into this breathy mess. You couldn't think about anything other than his hard and fast thrusts, your hips connecting with every unconstrained movement. The group could return at any moment, walk in on Negan bottoming you out against the wall of an abandoned house, but you weren't entirely sure either of you cared. To finally give each other something worth giving, to put all the burning hatred and distaste you had for one another to use was addicting. Intoxicating.

"Holy shit." You fell into a string of curses, your one way of vocalising the feeling of knotting in your abdomen, trembles working their way through your legs.

Fuelled by your approaching release you moved your hands down from the nape of his neck to the back of his shoulders, digging your nails into his skin and clawing your way down his back making Negan grit his teeth. Negan was agonisingly close too, his face buried in the crook of your neck and occasionally sucking marks into the skin there. When he knew he was about to tip you over the edge he moved his head back, his face coming back to lie in front of yours again. Strands of hair had fallen from his impromptu slick, cascading over his sweat beaded skin and leaving him totally disheveled. Knowing that you caused this, made him look like that was a confidence boost to say the least, and it only helped to fuel your impending orgasm. Frantically the hand he'd left resting against your throat moved up to hold your jaw, less harshly than he had before, but firm. He was holding your head to leave you with no choice but to face him directly, meeting his eye with the utmost devout attention.

"That's it baby, I wanna see you, I want to remember how you looked when I gave you the best fucking of your life." He murmured, mesmerised by the look of pleasure etched across your features.

Unsurprisingly you came undone, wholly ruined as one of the most intense orgasms you had ever felt ripped through you. Your mewls filled the room, and you squeezed your eyes shut, head aching to tip back but unable to due to his touch. He watched with unashamed inclination, basking in it as he reached his own release. With appropriate haste he removed himself from you and emptied his release onto the floor, coarse groans joining your own faded whimpers. Subsequently riding out both of your vehement highs you remained holding one another. Your legs wrapped loosely around his waist and your hair messy, the rise and fall of your chest as your breathing stabilised becoming gradually softer. Your head was resting against his chest, and he started running his fingers through your hair, wordlessly sharing this earnest moment with one another. Every part of you still hated him, wanted to hurt him for all the pain he'd caused you and the people you cared for, but you could see through your own blinding hatred for the first time in years. The feeling was only temporary, but you savored it for what you could. To be at peace.

"We need to get dressed, can you help me?" You were faintly embarrassed to ask, but your legs were still too shaky to stand on unsupported, and the adrenaline hadn't subsided much either.

"Alright." He whispered, planting a meek kiss at the top of your head.

Neither of you thought too much of it, and Negan helped you dress presentable again. He rolled your tank top down your body and helped slip his blue shirt on you, buttoning a few of the buttons and practically resembling the way he usually wore it. Then he guided your panties back up your legs and hauled your jeans up past your thighs, your palms resting against his shoulders as he bent down to assist you in order to allow you the support you needed to maintain balance. By time he'd helped you dress you were feeling a little better, doing your best to ignore the sure soreness you'd feel in your crotch soon enough. Negan pulled his pants and boxers up from his ankles, pulling his grey tee over his head and dusting off any dust and residue it'd gathered from the floor. His arms were exposed now, but it'd have to do until you found something else for you to cover up with. He was the one who caused this issue in the first place, so rightly he paid the consequences. Now fully dressed you stood opposite one another, gazing in an untold way that only the two of you would ever know the reason behind, and the door opened. Startled you turned to watch the door and had your hand readied over your pistol, Negan too readily raising his crowbar. Relieved both of you lowered your weapons and wary demeanours when Maggie and Elijah supporting a worse for wear Gabriel walked through the door, and you sighed, a smile spreading across your face. You hurried over and threw your arms around Maggie, which she more than happily returned.

"You made it." Maggie leaned back to get a good look at you, sharing a moment with you whilst Gabriel closed the door behind them.

When she noticed the change of shirt, most noticeably the fact that you were wearing Negan's, she glanced over at him, looking back and forth between the two of you.

"What the hell happened to you two?" Maggie exclaimed, both intrigued and concerned.

You opened your mouth to speak and stumbled over your words a little, causing Negan to chime in.

"One of those reaper assholes got the jump on her, and her shirt got messed up. I gave her mine." Negan explained from the other side of the room, the two of you exchanging glances as you silently thanked him for his excuse.

It wasn't a total lie, but he had bent the truth, that was for sure. There had been a tussle with a reaper in question, but you won it indefinitely, and you took cover as a gunshot flew past your head just afterwards. That's when your paths had crossed. Maggie nodded and held your face in her hands, your eyebrow and cheek had gotten busted, and Negan was worse for wear too. You supposed a rough fuck after the chaos you and Negan had gotten out of wasn't the brightest idea, your bones achy and brittle now.

"Let's rest up a little, gather our strength." She suggested and you nodded in agreement.

Maggie went on to explain to you the both fates and unknown whereabouts of the others scattered in the surrounding area, and how those presumably alive were still out there. And so you spoke simply, a sincere suggestion that you were sure everybody but Negan shared a desire to uphold.

"So we wait."

You briefly turned to look at Negan, and you could see how his eyes were faintly narrowed with his disapproval of the idea, but you could care less. And he knew you did too. You were back at each other's throats again, and you couldn't have loved it more.

#the walking dead negan #negan x y/n #negan x you #twd negan #negan smith #here's negan #negan fic #negan smut #the walking dead #negan twd #twd fanfiction #twd fic #the walking dead fanfiction #jeffrey dean morgan

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the-owl-house-takes · 8 months

Note

I absolutely hate the argument that Luz can be excused for her actions and people have no right to dislike her just because she’s neurodivergent. I struggled immensely in school both academically and socially in large to my own “neurodivergence”-can I just say I hate that word-but I was never so stupid as to think about bringing live animals and fireworks inside my school. The fact that Luz, the 14-year-old daughter of a veterinarian, saw a bunch of living, breathing animals and thought-‘yeah, I’m gonna use those as props! My book report is gonna be so cool! I surely can’t just use rubber snakes!’ Which probably why they were so damn aggressive! Because snakes only really bite and attack when they’re threatened, or stressed, or pissed off! Which really does not paint Luz as being a very caring or thoughtful person!

“But that’s the point! She needs to get better and she does!”-No she absolutely fucking does not. Instead of realizing that she can’t just run away and live in fantasy-land, the show again and again reaffirms that Luz can do no wrong, everybody else never should’ve felt angry about her reckless idiocy-because that’s what it is, idiocy-she gets to live out her little fantasy world and do whatever she wants. The way the show acts like the principal giving the summer camp pamphlet was some horrible evil thing, how could anyone do that? B I T CH LUZ IS FUCKING LUCKY that she weren’t expelled or arrested! She brought EXPLOSIVES WITH THE INTENT OF SETTING THEM OFF INSIDE A SCHOOL BUILDING. In an area of mass shoring fears and schools prohibiting anything can looks like or emulates(even if it is just a foam sword or something), Luz really should’ve just taken two seconds to think to at least leave the fireworks. Course at 14 I would think that a person who have the common sense for that to never be a thought.

And no, “neurodivergence” is not an excuse. It pains me when characters in media doing stupid shit and senseless(especially when it gets on the audience’s nerves) gets pinned on having autism or ADHD like it makes it okay, and that the character can’t be blamed or held accountable for it. Why do people hold those with these conditions to such low standards? When this happens, it feels like people are saying, “Yeah, this could’ve easily caused grievous bodily harm or death but they’ve got anxiety and autism, so we can’t be mad, they couldn’t possibly know better because they’re simply not on our level, they’re too stupid to understand!” Hell no. Stop giving excuses! The “I’m literally neurodivergent and a minor” attitude does not work in court!

And maybe if they understood this and actually challenged Luz on being very episodic on learning her lessons and that she did in fact run away to avoid consequences of her actions and reality won’t bend to her interests and she can’t treat everything like it’s a fanfiction instead of beating the dead horse with another dead horse about how Luz ““““helped”””” Belos when all she did was teach him one glyph and got used as bait by someone who she KNOWS tricked her. By that logic Lilith is just as responsible for Belos meeting the Collector as Luz is. Yeah she’s 14 but did it really have to stretch through the entirety of season 3?

Because season 3 is where I officially knew that Luz hadn’t learned a thing. The way the show frames the art teacher giving Luz the side eye like it’s wrong for her to distrust the kid who used the art supplies-that she probably paid out of pocket for-to infest the school with spiders and snakes and then would’ve blown it up if she hadn’t gotten sent to the principal’s office is so out of pocket. She has every right to view Luz with suspicion! People don’t tend to like others who make a mess in their areas with their stuff, shocker. I’ve already said a bit about the summer camp thing, but seriously, a summer camp that teaches teens about mortgages, how to manage a bank account and checkbook, do taxes, etc is literally the best thing Luz could’ve gotten out of that situation. She would’ve learned something many people complain wasn’t taught to them at a young age AND would’ve met people who she could easily befriended. Yeah, it’s boring and Luz probably would’ve checked out of the situation but it’s better than juvie! Also boring stuff is apart of life, it’s part of the way we can live the way we do because everything is easier said than done. Also with Camila, it’s a dumb retcon to have her not understand anime or Luz’s interests in Season 1 and 2 but a secret nerd who just got put down by the man in season 3. Like, Camila had to make a change with Luz, because 14 is not far from 18, and if Luz did do something stupid that ended up being a crime, she could very well be charged as an adult.

Then the whole ‘I just wanna be understood!’ Luz, honey, you’ve been surrounded by people who understand you and don’t get mad when you mess up, even if it’s spectacularly. Your girlfriend literally immediately told you she essentially wanted to spend the rest of her life by your side right after you got revealed as a liar which you promised you wouldn’t do anymore. Your best buds have always been on your side even when you’ve gone behind their backs. Your mom was sending you to that camp bc she had too, even though she originally believed it would expose you to kids with similar interests that could be befriended. And again, her hands were tied, because you were being reckless to the point of danger. But oh wait, it’s all okay now because you’re ‘understood’.

Not finding that happy balance where you can express yourself but not act like an idiot or endanger yourself and others, just some vague ‘understanding’ by an anonymous ‘them’. Do you mean everyone, all the time has to understand you the way Camila, Eda, King, Willow, Gus, Amity and Hunter do? Because that’s not how real life works.

And this isn’t a character hate-though I do hate the way Luz was finished-this is on the writers for not going through with the themes of Fantasy Vs. Reality they had going that could’ve taught Luz that balance and management; which in my personal opinion, would’ve been a better arc for a person with ADHD.

#the owl house #toh #character hate #toh critical #long post #I know anon said that this isn’t character hate #but cmon….

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sardonic-the-writer · 1 year

Text

—a stakeout

SUMMARY | a late night steakout with tangerine has you questioning how you really feel for him

PAIRING | tangerine x reader

REQUESTED | no

WARNING | mentions of guns, hit men, murder, some angst, etc

WORD COUNT | 2k+

AUTHORS NOTES | no spoilers for bullet train! and as much as i love the rivals/enemies to lovers troupe with tange, here's some softer stuff. happy holidays!

🍊 Masterlist 🍊 Navigation 🍊 Rules 🍊

Lemon had done this on purpose.

He had always had the ability to read people well when he wasn't busy talking about that train show of his. You swore he could tell what you were feeling before you did most times—instantly there with a handful of tissues or some reaffirming words before you even knew it. Most times it was real a help.

Most times.

That was all you could think as you stared out a tinted window into the cold night. The leather of the car seat underneath you was warm from hours of constant body heat, your legs surely numb from blood loss by this point.

From next to you sat a tall figure, dressed to the nines per usual. Soft ringlets of messy brown hair fell in his eyes, only ever moving as he let out a big sigh on occasion.

Tangerine rested his head in one hand, the other drumming his fingertips across the steering wheel as he clutched it. Flashes of moonlight would steadily dance over your vision as the luminescence caught sight of the metal rings decorating his fingers.

His rings. Seperate pages in one giant book it often seemed. Each one of them told an individual story throughout his life. The pitch black ring on his pinky? The first time he'd ever gotten into a fist fight on the job, that one had left a mark deep enough in the other guys face to shed buckets of blood. A lucky hit. Tangerine often told that story with pride, boasting that you would still be able to see the scar he left behind to this day.

The chunky gold one situated snugly on his pointer? Lemon had snatched that off a random bloke that had been in the wrong place at the wrong time a few years ago. It had been right when they had first gotten into the business, presenting it to his twin afterward with a clap on the back as a job well done. A sick gift of sorts, but it still managed to make each of them smile when they looked at it.

And that smooth, rose gold band hanging around his chest—dangling loosely on a silver chain? Well that was the reason you were currently sitting in a car in the dead of night.

Lemon was no fool. The moment he had seen you pull out that small gift box for his brother last week, he had recognized that love sick smile on your face. The way your eyes shone with excitement as you practically bounced on the balls of your feet when he went to open it. Lemon should be able to recognize it after all. It was the same look Tangerine got anytime you entered the room.

It was antagonizing for him really. Watching the both of you harbor crushes for each other in your own ways. (Tangerine; constantly checking for texts from you when he was away, using more than enough loving nicknames for you just to see your ears grow red. You; buying anything and everything that reminded you of him, doodling little drawings of the man on the corner of your loose leaf nktebooks at briefings before quickly erasing them.)

Finally he had had enough, pulling you off to the side last night. He had been a bit too rough about it for his liking, but it didn't matter now.

"Here's the plan." He didn't even stop to acknowledge your confused expression, questions surely bubbling on the tip of your tongue. "I'm sick. Very sick. You're not. Tha' stake out tomorrow night? You're goin' on it mate."

"The fuck Lemon?"

"Mate, just trust me. I know you fancy m' brother. Just take th' opportunity."

He had taken your stunned silence as a yes, giving you his best smile before moving on like nothing had happened.

So far, that was the only thing you had been able to focus on the entire time you'd been sitting idle on this hill. Not your target or his friends' late night activity you were supposed to be monitoring. Just re-running things over and over in your mind until you were dizzy with the effort.

All the times you had tried to be subtle with the longing looks and sporadic gifts. All the nights you had lay wide awake staring at the ceiling. Wondering if it would even be possible for someone like him to love you back. How did Lemon know? Were you really that obvious? Did anyone else know?

More importantly, did Tangerine know?

"Alright. S' going on in that lil head of yours (Y/n). Been quiet all night. Not like you."

Tangerine was now facing you. Arm draped around the back of your seat as if preparing to back out of a parking space. Heat from his hand radiated mere inches from your neck, but you pushed your shiver down with a forceful swallow.

"The mission." You shrugged, not moving your gaze from its spot on the window. Hoping that your response would be the end of this conversation.

"Yeah right." Tangerine just snorted. "You've never cared for these kinds of jobs love."

You forced the butterfly in your stomach to be killed off one by one. Refusing to be affected by the nickname.

"Guess I do now." Your shoulders moved with the effort of another shrug.

Tangerines mouths dipped down into a slight frown. He had been looking forward to a night alone with you. Maybe even going to get some food afterwards, even if just under the guise of two friends having a meal together. He would take it. He would take anything involving you at that point if he was being truthful.

Calloused fingers gently cradled your chin, softly gripping it as Tangerine turned your head to face him. You finally got a proper look at him, seeing the way his baby blue eyes rippled with concern as they traced unseeable patterns on your face. You were so focused on his intense stare that you forgot to remind yourself not to lean into his hand.

"You alright love?"

It would be so easy to kiss him. Just a little stretch of your neck and—

"I'm fine." His hand fell away from your face as you jerked yourself away. You almost immediately regretted it, wanting nothing more to feel him against you for a moment more.

"(Y/n)—"

"I'm just peachy Tan." You snapped, suddenly feeling angry. "Can we get back to our jobs now? You know. The thing we came here to do?"

Tangerine felt his own face flare up with anger. A rare feeling when it came directed at you.

"What the hell is wrong with you?" He frowned with a bit more bite to his tone than he intented. The sound of it made a flicker of regret cross your face before it was replaced with a scowl. "Seriously, who fucken pissed in your oatmeal this mornin?"

"Oh like you don't fucking know." Your own teeth grit against each other as you glared at him. The both of you now locked in a heated staring match. It wouldn't be a suprise if the windows started to fog up. The car certainly seemed like it was a lot hotter than it had been a few minutes ago.

"What, so I can fucken read your mind now?" He ran a hand through his hair in a jerky movement. The way your heart fluttered at his disheviled state drove another molten spike of rage into your heart, frustrated with yourself for finding him attractive even in the middle of an argument.

"Sometimes I really hate you Tan." You hissed. How it had gotten to this point you had no idea. But each word was like a nail to the heart for you.

"Yeah? Well, you're not exactly a joy ta be around all the time either, sunshine."

"And that's another thing!" You were full on yelling now, probably looking like a crazy person to any passing cars as you threw your hands in the air. "Stop fucking calling me those names! I bet you think you can just charm your way into anyone's pants with that huh?"

"When the fuck did I ever say anything like that!? And I thought you liked the nicknames for fucks sake!"

"I do!" You hissed with clenched fists. "The problem is I like them too fucking much! I like you too fucking much Tan! And it's killing me knowing I can't do a single goddamn thing about it!"

It was only after it was already out there did you realize what you had really said.

"Fuck. Listen—"

You didn't get any farther than that before Tangerine slammed his lips into your own. A sound of muffled suprise made it past your lips before it was quickly swallowed by him, along with the rest of your breath. The faint feeling of something prickly ticking your upper lip sang in your head as you realized it was his mustache, resulting in a silent sort of laughter. Teeth clicked against each other harshly before you reached up to rest a hand on his jaw and the other in his hair, steadying his pace to a softer, more tender one.

He only broke away in time for you to notice how fuzzy your head was becoming at the lack of oxygen. Gasping for breath, you brushed a hand over your lips. As if checking to make sure that had really just happened. Or maybe to keep the moment bottled up forever, solidifying it with the graze of your fingers.

Both of you took a moment, panting for breath as a way to fill the silence.

"Did you just—?"

"Yeah."

"Did we just—?"

"Sure did."

"And that means you're—?"

"If you ask anymore questions I might have to kiss you again (Y/n)."

The smile in his voice shone through. You allowed yourself one as well, eyes watering.

"You have no idea how long I've wanted to do that for." The englishman sighed, resting his elbows on his thighs as he watched you stare star struck at him. "Please tell me I didn't seriously misread the situation there." He added on as an afterthought with a chuckle, already knowing the answer as he looked deep into your eyes.

"I'm sorry Tangerine." The sudden apology left you with a breathy quality. Tears were threatening to fall at a rapid pace now, one or two escaping. You couldn't tell if they were from remorse or joy. "I didn't mean that. Any of it."

"What about th' part where you confessed your undying love for me?"

He laughed as you went to hit him in the chest playfully, noting how the tears in the corner of your eyes began to disappear.

"You know what I meant. And I did no such thing." Your efforts to conceal a smile were fruitless for once. "You just got lucky this time."

"This time?" He reached a hand out to brush the pad of his thumb across your cheek with a sudden fondness. "Nah. Been plenty lucky for a while now, love."

"Sap." You mummbled, closing your eyes with a sigh as he continued to leave soft strokes against your skin.

"Just for you darling."

You really would have to thank Lemon when you got back home.

#tangerine x y/n #tangerine x you #tangerine x reader #tangerine bullet train #bullet train tangerine #bullet train x y/n #bullet train x you #bullet train x reader #bullet train imagine #tangerine imagine #tangerine #bullet train #lemon #fluff #x reader #one shot

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turnipstewdios · 10 months

Text

Half-Lives: Chapter 2

Read here:

https://archiveofourown.org/works/48120073/chapters/121402672

“You’re kidding, right?”

“Nope!” Best burgers in Gotham!”

Danny suspected his new friend was enjoying the look on his face a little too much. And to be fair, Jason would know better than Danny would. He did live here. He shouldn’t be this skeptical, given his favorite place to eat back home. Tourists in Amity had been a bit put off by a place literally called “The Nasty Burger” but it had been the best spot in town. So this shouldn’t be so weird. But…

“Do they all wear costumes?” “Yup!” Because yeah. The cashier was wearing tights. And a cape. And a rumpled looking domino mask held on with a string. “Which robin is that even supposed to be?” Because Danny wasn’t super familiar with the difference between the local vigilante’s costumes, but this didn't really look like any of the pictures he’d seen.

Jason looked slightly less gleeful at that. “Honestly… not sure.” he was squinting in the window at the register now. “Kinda looks like the first robin, but I think those are supposed to be Red Robin’s bandoliers.” “Why on earth does this city have a Batman themed fast food restaurant?”

“Why on earth not?” Jason shrugged. “Come on, I’m starving.” Danny followed him inside, and then quietly reaffirmed his decision not to look into fast food jobs when the cashier grimaced, visibly braced himself, and asked if he could take their bat-order in the most horrifyingly cheerful voice he’d ever heard. He frequently talked to dead people who sounded more alive. I’m already dead. Don’t think I could handle being soulless too.

“Hi Benny!” Jason walked up to the counter like he came here daily. Which he might, for all Danny knew. They were only a few blocks from the roof he’d met him on, and he probably lived there. “Rough night?”

“Hi Jason.” The cashier, Benny apparently, looked slightly less strained when he walked over. “Not really. It’s been slower than usual.” “Yeah, it has, hasn’t it?” Jason looked almost put out at that. “The usual?” Benny was already moving to type something in on the register. “Yeah please. What do you want, Danny?” “Erm…” Danny scanned the menu briefly, and ordered the first thing that looked good. Then paused as his stomach complained again, and ordered a second burger and extra fries as well. And maybe also a hand pie.

He started to pull out his wallet, but promptly got distracted by the sight of the fry-cook in the back wearing a Batman costume. Which looked stupid. And so miserably hot. Why? What was even the point? By the time he looked back at the register, Jason had paid for both of their orders while he wasn’t looking. “Hey hey woah, dude, I can pay for mine, you don’t have to get that!” “Nah, I got it.” Which was just, so not ok! Danny had ordered a ton of food, and Jason lived in Crime Alley! He probably wasn’t all that well off, and he definitely shouldn’t be paying for a ravenous half ghost stranger's food! “Hey relax man, I mean it. It’s no big deal.” “No big-? Do you normally feed trespassers you catch on your roof in the middle of the night?” Jason paused for a moment. Then, seeming to make some sort of decision, grinned roguishly at Danny while he grabbed a cup. “Nah, only the cute ones.” And walked away towards the drink fountain while Danny blue-screened. Oh. Oh no. Hot guy flirting. Danny was so screwed.

They filled up their cups at the fountain, (Danny was screaming internally just a little bit) and then Jason went to claim a corner booth to wait for their order. Danny realized that he had been completely distracted from the whole paying the bill thing. He should probably just go with it.

As they sat down, Danny took a moment to really look Jason over in the light of the restaurant. He was, just maybe, not quite as scary as he’d seemed on a dimly lit rooftop. He was still really big though. And looked like he might be able to bench press Danny a guy without straining. He had short black hair with a tuft of white hair in the front that almost looked too bright to be dyed, and really striking blue-green eyes. His clothes were plain, but sturdy looking and well made. His shirt was really tight. He looked great in combat boots.

He also felt like he might, maybe, be ecto-contaminated. It was hard to tell. Whatever it was, it was low enough that Danny hadn’t noticed anything until they’d shaken hands on the roof. Even then, it was hard to get a read on, and nowhere near enough to set off his ghost sense. If he’d met Jason in Amity, he didn’t think he’d have noticed at all. It was odd to find someone like that here though. There was plenty of ambient ectoplasm in the air in Gotham, but he hadn’t noticed any effect on the people who lived with it. Where would the guy even have come into contact with a high enough concentration of the stuff for it to leave a mark? He got broken out of his thoughts when Jason started the conversation up again.

“You must be really new in town if you haven't been to Batburger yet. When’d you move in?” “Ah, just over the weekend. Only got into my apartment Saturday.” “Mm, ok, yeah. You haven't had your’ first rogue attack yet then, huh? Nothing’s happened in weeks.”

“Uh, no. I haven't.” Danny would like to keep it that way, thanks. He’d had more than enough of constant attacks by malevolent entities in High School. He wanted to be able to sleep once in a while. “You been mugged yet?” Danny almost choked on a sip of his drink. “Who just asks that? Casually?” “A Gothamite.” Jason grinned at him from across the table. “Getting robbed or held at gunpoint or taken hostage by whoever broke out of Arkham this week is a right of passage.” Great. He should feel right at home then. “In all seriousness though, have you run into trouble yet? This city’s no joke, even when you know your way around.” Danny glanced down at the table. “I'm fine. I can handle it.” Jason raised an eyebrow at that. “Look, I know, ok? I’m not taking this lightly or being careless. I know I don’t look like it, but I can take care of myself.” He could. Not that he was about to explain the ghost powers to anybody. Gotham was a rough place, but Danny was a tough person. He’d had to be. It wasn’t like he had anywhere else to go anyway. Their order came up, and Danny waved Jason down while he got up to go grab it. He should take the opportunity to change the subject. The fewer questions got asked about where he was from, the better.

The food did actually smell really good. Carrying it back to the table reminded him how hungry he was. He hurriedly sat down, pulled his burger out of its greasy paper wrapping, and tore into it like… well like he hadn’t eaten in almost three days. It was good. Different from anything at the Nasty Burger, but it tasted great! Jason had also started eating, and the table was silent for a few minutes while they worked their way through the first burgers in the stack. _________________________________________ Danny ate like he hadn't seen food in a week. Watching him attack a hamburger like a rabid coyote would have been funny if it hadn’t been mildly concerning. Jason took a moment to think while they both ate, and tried to puzzle out why he felt so… off kilter. He kinda liked Danny. And that was part of the weird stuff. He’d barely even met him. Knew nothing about him. Jason was a crime lord and a vigilante, it paid to be suspicious of strangers. He shouldn’t be this open to liking the guy this soon. But, Danny felt… safe. Soothing almost. The nerves he’d been feeling all day had calmed down a bit.

He had also turned an adorable shade of red when Jason tried flirting. He’d wondered if he’d overstepped for a second, but it hadn't seen like he minded, just like he’d been caught off guard. (He had also definitely been checking Jason out on the way to the table.) Jason had still backed off a bit though. He didn’t want to make him uncomfortable if the attention wasn’t wanted.

His hand still felt cold where he had touched Danny’s skin. It’s still like 80 outside, how the fuck are his hands that cold? Could he be a meta? Did he have ice powers or something? Jason had no idea, but something about the contact had felt hauntingly familiar. That didn’t mean he wasn’t worried about him. He danced around questions about where he was from in a way Jason had seen from way too many street kids. The possible lack of access to food and the worn-down clothes were also not good signs. Jason couldn’t see any obvious bruises or scrapes, but he thought he might have seen the edge of some scarring peeking out from under his shirt. Danny apparently did have an apartment, but the lack of AC probably meant it probably wasn’t the best place. He hadn’t mentioned anyone else living with him either, and Jason couldn’t tell if that was good or bad.

Danny finally slowed down half way through his second burger, and Jason took the chance to ask another question. “You know anybody in Gotham?” Danny paused, chewing for a moment before swallowing. “No, not really.”

“No relatives or friends? University?” “Uh, no. My family’s still back west. And I’m not here for school.” “Work then?”

Danny chuckled a bit. “I’m actually looking for a job. Haven't been here long enough to get established yet.” Currently unemployed, but not homeless at least. “How’re you affording the apartment while you look? You got a roommate?”

“Oh, no. I had some savings. It’s enough to pay rent for a few months, I just need to find work ASAP.”

All right, so he did have somewhat of a safety net for the moment. That was good. “What kind of jobs are you looking at?” “Uh, well. I don’t qualify for a whole lot. I was actually going to start with looking into delivery jobs. Just about all the restaurants in my neighborhood do takeout, somebody’s gotta be hiring.” He took another bite. Chewed. “If that doesn’t work, I’ll look for whatever. I haven't actually had a lot of time to think about it yet. You know anything in the area I could look into?” Ah. That, Jason might be able to help with. This was his turf. He knew it inside and out. “Hmm” He took a second to work on his fries while he thought about it. “Yeah I might.” There were a few places nearby that might legitimately be hiring. But there were also a few businesses in the Alley that would hire someone if Red Hood asked. He had used them before to get alley kids and folks down on their luck a job. The small business owners in the area couldn’t always afford to pay the help they needed, so in a few cases Jason had paid the wages himself. The business got new staff, a kid got off the streets, and Jason got to do something useful with Bruce’s money. “I think there’s a few places I know that might have positions open. I’d have to check though.” He took a sip of his drink to wash down the last of his fries, and rummaged around in his pocket for his phone. “What’s your number? I’ll send you some info on places you can check out.” Danny raised an eyebrow. “My number? For job recommendations?” The corner of his mouth tugged up a bit. “No other reason?” “Ha! Well,” Jason smiled back. “There might be another reason.” Danny grinned back, and pulled out his own phone. “Sure, I can do that.”

_________________________________________

It was still hot outside. Danny somehow managed to forget that until he stepped out the door of the restaurant. The un-conditioned air hit his face like he’d been slapped with a warm, damp towel. Why did it have to be so humid? Jason didn’t look particularly thrilled to be back outside either. At least they were both suffering.

Danny felt awkward again. “Hey, thanks for the food man. You really didn’t have to.”

“Again, no problem.” Jason pulled a pack of cigarettes out of his pocket and started to light one. “It was nice chatting with somebody.” He looked over at Danny for a moment. “You gonna be able to get home all right?” “Oh, yeah I should be fine. It’ll take me a bit but I know where I’m going.” He did. He’d looked up where the Batburger was so he could find his way back to the apartment. Jason puffed on his cigarette a bit. He looked concerned again. “How far away are you?” “Ah, a few miles?” “A few miles?” Alarmed now. “I thought you were out for a walk on the roofs!?” “I was?” “You traveled a few miles on the roofs!? What are you, a bat ?!” “Uh..” “Dude. You want a ride home? I’ve got a bike.” “Um, I’ll be fine. It really didn't take all that long to get here.” Jason dragged in a breath around his smoke and grumbled something too low and garbled for Danny to make out. It kinda sounded like he mentioned the bats again though. Let the breath back out. “You sure? I’ve got an extra helmet.” He started walking back down the street towards what Danny assumed was his apartment. “Nah, it’s fine. Really. I can get around. It’s kinda fun actually.” “You sound like my brother.” Jason sighed. “Fine.” He stuffed his phone and the box of cigarettes back in his pocket. “I’ll see if anyone I know is hiring and send you the details.” “That would be great man, thanks.” Danny smiled. “No pressure, I’m sure I can find something.” Danny looked up at the building as they approached it. “Could I use the stairs to get back on your roof again? _________________________________________ “Sure, why not.” Jason glanced over at him as they started climbing. He still wasn’t sure he shouldn’t just be insisting Danny let him drive him home. He kept saying he could take care of himself, but Jason wasn’t so confident. He opened the roof access door for the second time that night, and leaned up against the wall of the stairwell while Danny moved over towards the closest neighboring building. … “Hey, be careful. You’re not as likely to get mugged up here, but you can still run into people you don’t want to mess with.” “Oh, whaaat? But the last scary guy I talked to on a roof bought me dinner!” “You planning on making a habit of talking to scary guys on roofs?” “Nah,” Danny’s smile gained a smug teasing edge, and for a moment his teeth looked way to sharp. “Only the cute ones!”

Jason choked on a lungful of smoke. It only distracted him for a second, but when he looked back up, Danny was gone. Fuck. Really, really have to keep him away from Batman.

_________________________________________ Danny made it back to his apartment quickly and without incident. He probably shouldn't have disappeared like that, but he was still stifling low giggles over the face Jason had made when he'd turned around. It had been worth it. He phased in through his window, landed on his slightly creaky floor. And then stopped. He cursed, and smacked his palm into his face. He'd forgotten to get a fan.

#dc x dp #dp x dc #jason todd #halfa!! jason todd #jason todd x danny fenton #danny phantom #dead on main #batman

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deanstead · 1 year

Text

Coming Home

Pairing: Will Halstead x HalsteadSister!Reader x Jay Halstead

Requested: yes, by anon

Summary: Y/N returns to Chicago to surprise her brothers but she’s not telling them everything. Meanwhile, a series of mysterious calls and texts seem to hint at something else brewing in the background.

Word Count: 4.6K+

Square Filled: Kidnap/Hostage for #resa.3kfiestabingo

Warnings: canon typical mentions of kidnapping, stalking

A/N: Hi guys! I’m still on vacation but I managed to get this out while I was recharging. Might have some mistakes but overall I still hope yall like it!

HALSTEAD!SISTER MASTERLIST

“Y/N?”

An incredulous look crossed Jay’s face, like he couldn’t believe what he was seeing - you, standing right in front of his door.

Before you knew it, Jay was right in front of you, pulling you into his arms and lifting you off the ground as if you were a small child once again yet you couldn’t help the laugh that burst out of you. A genuine laugh that you felt hadn’t left your lips in months.

“What are you doing here?”

You gave him a look. “Seriously? We’re doing this out here? With my luggage?”

Jay smiled. “Give it here.” He took your carrier before he opened his door, pushing it open with his foot so you could step into his apartment.

Jay’s apartment was almost like how you remembered it, as if almost no time had passed since you’d gone off to study and decided to stay in Europe for some experience. You knew your brothers would have preferred for you to at least return to America but they also agreed that you needed to do what you felt was right.

But it really was nice to be home.

“Does Will know you’re back?” Jay asked, handing you a glass of water. When you didn’t answer immediately, he narrowed his eyes. “You went to his place first, didn’t you?”

You let out a small guilty laugh at his accusatory tone and shrugged. “I figured he was the one with more regulated hours. But I couldn’t find a Halstead there. He moved?”

Jay nodded. “Yeah, you know things happen.”

You nodded absentmindedly. “At least you didn’t.”

“That’s kind of the reason I didn’t.” Jay said with a smile.

You looked up. “What if our baby sister couldn’t find either of us?”

“I’m not a baby.” You shot back.

Jay let out a chortle. “You will always be a baby.” He teased gently.

You didn’t let on the exact reason why you were back and although Jay knew something was a little off, he didn’t push. Instead, he called Will, with a vague phone call so that you could surprise your oldest brother as well.

“Jay, I’m coming in!” Will said, his strained voice from the other side of the door telling you that he was a little worried.

The door opened, Will freezing in the door frame for a second before a look of surprise with a happy smile. “Y/N!”

You allowed the oldest Halstead to give you a tight hug, enveloping you in his arms and you felt another wave of security as well as ease wash over you, reaffirming your decision to come home.

Jay ordered in, so the three of you could spend some quiet time together, Jay’s apartment resounding with laughter like it usually did when the three of you were together.

“How long are you back for?” Will asked, taking a sip of beer.

You shrugged. “I might be staying.”

You didn’t miss the sparkle of hope in both their eyes as they glanced at each other.

“I mean if I can crash here.” You said, a slightly cheeky tone slipping into your voice.

Jay rolled his eyes. “You can have the whole freaking apartment if you want.”

You laughed. “Yeah, I just… well I missed you and I thought it was time. But I came here with no plan so you’ll have to feed me until I find a job.”

Will smiled. “I think the ED has a spot.”

You raised an eyebrow. “As long as you promise to not breathe down my neck.”

You’d taken the job.

There’d been a bit of a turnover lately and Maggie needed an experienced nurse, which was just as well. You were sure being a Halstead also helped.

“Remember what you promised me.” You said through gritted teeth on your first day.

But working at Med had turned out much better than you’d expected. Other than the fact that Will had kept his promise and tried his best to keep out of your way, the people you worked with were really great. Even the paramedics and firefighters that came in were a hoot, and you’d quickly become friendly with almost everyone.

So things seemed really good.

Until it started up again.

It had seemed mostly innocent enough, getting a few missed calls from unknown numbers while you were on shift. You’d barely put any thought into it, letting the phone ring as you moved quickly through the ED, from room to room, just another day in the ED.

The mistake you made was picking up one day after your shift.

“Hello?”

When you were met with silence, you paused and repeated the greeting. “Hello?”

Now, there was a slight crackling. You frowned, pulling your phone away from your ear to make sure the call was still connected, before you took a quick screenshot and tried one more time. When there was no response still, you disconnected the call, slipping your phone back into your pocket.

You didn’t give the call much thought, especially since there were plenty of scam calls going around and you figured this was just one of those calls.

But the calls didn’t stop and you’d even asked Jay if there was anything that could be done but the numbers kept changing and based on what Jay could do at this point of time, considering there was no apparent threat, it didn’t lead to anything much.

Of course, you’d kept the frequency of the calls from Jay, which was why he wasn’t as worried as he probably should have been. You’d even kept the weird “I see you” texts from Jay since you figured it was probably some prank or a wrong number.

It only hit you one day when you were heading out of Med, alongside Will, when you thought you saw a familiar figure standing a distance away.

Your head whipped around and you felt that familiar feeling of dread, a feeling you hadn’t felt for months since you’d been back in Chicago, surrounded by friends and your brothers.

“Y/N?”

Will looked slightly concerned as he glanced over your head from where he towered over you, trying to see what had caused your reaction.

You looked back at him, before glancing over your shoulder again, where there was no one.

Maybe you were just imagining things. Maybe it was just one of those empty deja vu feelings.

You shook your head at Will with a smile. “I just thought I saw…”

Will looked like he was waiting for you to finish your sentence but you shook your head with a smile. “Come on, let’s go. Jay’s gonna complain if we’re late again.”

Will looked slightly unconvinced but smiled. “I bet he’s not even there yet.”

You didn’t respond, pulling your brother to his car, once again unaware of the pair of eyes that were watching you from afar.

Jay glanced up at the clock with a sigh. The bullpen was already empty and he’d wanted to be home slightly earlier today so he could have a meal with you. But looking at the time, you’d probably be at least half asleep by the time he got home.

His phone buzzed just as he pushed his chair back, stretching as he did. With a small smile, he leaned over to answer the call on speaker, sure you were just going to whine over the phone about him being late and probably asking for some late night snack.

“I’m leaving, I swear. What can I get you?” Jay spoke with an amused smile, grabbing his jacket.

But the words that bounced back at him made him freeze in his tracks.

“What are you doing here?”

Your voice shook slightly with an emotion that sounded a lot like fear.

Jay frowned, quickly shrugging on his jacket, grabbing his phone and rushing down the steps. He couldn’t hear much of what the other person was saying, so he just pushed himself faster, speeding past the front desk his phone still pressed against his ear, barely hearing Trudy’s “Where’s the fire, Halstead?” comment before he was out the doors.

What was at most a 15 minute drive felt like forever, as Jay sped through the streets, finally pulling up outside his apartment building, not even bothering to wait for the elevator.

The door to his apartment wasn’t even shut properly, the door merely resting on the frame. Jay pulled his gun out as he’d done so many times at other places, except that he could feel the bad feeling turn his stomach over.

Jay nudged the door open with his foot, pulling his focus forward and using trained eyes to glance around his apartment.

Stuff was strewn all over the floor, pieces of broken glass from a shattered cup, leaflets spread across the floor. He knew what he was seeing - a struggle. Most definitely.

“Y/N?” He called, even though he knew it was useless. This wasn’t a random robbery or attack. You’d known the person who’d come in. You had been the target.

Even so, Jay cleared each and every corner and room, before he called Will to get him to come over before he called Voight.

It was only after he’d finished calling everyone he needed to call that the information he’d already known finally clicked into place, settling into a dark place in his chest.

Someone had taken you.

Jay could hear people talking but he wasn’t processing anything, his mind trying to sift through the few months since you’d been back, trying to figure out what it was that he’d missed or what you hadn’t told them.

“Jay.”

Kim touched his elbow gently and he glanced up now, realizing he was supposed to provide some sort of response.

“What?”

Kim exhaled gently before she repeated herself. “Adam’s taking Will’s statement. I’ll try to make this quick, alright?”

“I’m working this.” Jay responded, looking Kim straight in the eye.

Kim nodded. “I don’t think Voight’s taking you off. Just talk to me, so we can work this together. That’s the fastest way we’ve got to find her. Because we will.”

Jay exhaled before he nodded, letting Kim ask the questions, swallowing down the annoyance of feeling like a victim’s family.

“She didn’t tell us anything. But she was jumpy, everytime her phone rang. She stuck a little close to us when we were out, even at Molly’s, as if she was five all over again. Damn it, I should have wrangled it out of her.”

Kim glanced up at her friend. “Jay, let’s focus, alright?” She paused and he nodded. “So she didn’t say anything?”

Jay shook his head. “She didn’t even really tell us why she was back. I bought the whole ‘new environment’ excuse for a bit, but things were a little different.”

Kim nodded. “Okay, tell me about the phone call.”

Jay exhaled slowly. “She knew this guy, I’m sure of it. But I couldn’t make out what he was saying…”

Jay looked back almost helplessly at his friend and Kim nodded. “Listen, we’ll find her.”

Jay nodded again, glancing back at the bullpen now where Will had just emerged from Voight’s office. He turned to glance at Kim again. “Let’s do this.”

You glanced up now, feeling the defiance in you rise to almost the same level as your fear, the figure pacing in front of you now a familiar one. Your hands were fastened securely behind your back, the cable ties so tight they were cutting into your skin.

This was the reason you felt the need to return home standing right in front of you.

“You followed me here?” You asked, doing your best to keep your voice steady, not to betray even a sliver of the actual fear that you felt.

You were pretty sure that your frantic call to Jay had gone through, even though your phone was now probably still stuffed in the corner of the couch, where you hoped Jay or someone would find it. Which gave you a sliver of hope that was only present because of the fact that you’d returned home. At least you were in Chicago. Jay and Will would find you. You just needed to hang on until then.

“You wanted me to find you.”

You exhaled slowly, not really succeeding in blocking out his voice, the memory of the first time you’d met Tobias Mills still clear in your mind.

He’d come in after an accident in a lot of pain, so you’d done what you did best. As you assisted the doctor on call in the ED, you connected with the patient. Except that this time, it had backfired. Mills had become totally obsessed with you, so much so that you’d been forced to get a restraining order. But even that hadn’t stopped him. He’d watch you from across the street, or send you messages. To this day, you still had no idea how he’d even gotten your number. So as a last resort, before you lost your last shred of sanity, you’d left, packing your bags almost overnight and taking the first available flight straight to Chicago.

But now he was here.

What was worse was that he’d somehow managed to follow you all the way to Jay’s apartment, picked a night Jay was late and practically taken you by force.

“I should have known.” He muttered as he paced in front of you, as if he’d forgotten you were there. “This was why you turned me down. But two of them?”

His voice raised at the last question and he looked furiously at you.

“Two?!”

You flinched, even though you were trying hard not to. Even so, your brain was already putting all the pieces together. He’d stalked you, seen you with your brothers and put everything together into his own narrative. Again.

Jay put down the phone a little harder than he’d meant to, but the rest of the bullpen barely flinched, like they hadn’t heard it, the sound of furious typing and vague telephone conversations not pausing.

Jay could feel his anxiety mounting as each second ticked past but he glanced towards the pantry where Will was sitting, looking down at his hands and reminded himself that at least he was able to do something and that the both of you were counting on him.

He closed his eyes for just a second, even though he knew Kim had looked up and was watching him now.

There was something missing and he knew it. There was something he was not seeing and he just needed one piece to put it all together. At least that’s how he felt.

With not much to go on, seeing as they weren’t able to find much prints, the team had tried to backtrace your steps but even finding your phone was futile because the burner phones were practically untraceable. After exhausting all possibilities in Chicago, Jay was pretty sure it was something that had followed you home from Europe. Or someone. So Intelligence had put in more efforts to try to connect with the contacts you had had there.

But there was still nothing. Jay had no idea why someone had taken you, what they wanted. He couldn’t think of anyone who wanted to hurt you, but if it was someone who wanted to hurt him, there would have been a ransom call, a message, something. The silence, the lack of knowledge, it was killing him.

Jay heard the door click open, Will motioning towards him with a flick of his head. Sighing, he pushed back his chair, knowing that nothing good would come out of going to his brother with little to no answers.

“Jay, you have to tell me something.” Will said, before the door was even fully closed. “I’m climbing the walls here.”

Jay exhaled, before he looked up at his brother. “We don’t have a lot to go on.”

There was a pause before Will spoke again. “You’re telling me you have nothing.”

Jay didn’t answer.

“Jay, you have nothing? Nothing that could help us find her? She’s out there, somewhere, scared out of her mind and there’s nothing?”

Jay couldn’t even blame Will for raising his voice. Frustration, that was all the emotion behind Will’s voice, frustration that Jay himself couldn’t even express since he was in no position to at this moment. He couldn’t, he had to focus.

Jay exhaled gently. “We’re working on it, Will.”

Will knew that, he’d just let his frustration get the better of him. He hadn’t meant to make Jay feel worse but just as he opened his mouth to tell his younger brother so, the door opened.

“Jay. I think you need to take this call.”

Without another word, Jay gave his brother a look before he headed back for the bullpen and Kim led the conversation. “Hey, Stacie. It’s Kim. Can you repeat what you just told me?”

Jay listened with quiet building anger as the girl on the line talked, explaining that she had been your roommate and had also worked alongside you at the hospital. Then she talked about the patient who’d come in and formed an unhealthy attachment to you, how he waited in front of the apartment building, how he came to the hospital, but she didn’t have a conclusion for the team.

“I don’t know what happened after that. I tried to convince her to continue staying with me so that I could look out for her but she said she didn’t want to create trouble for me. She was worried that he’d do something to me too, so…”

Kim’s eyes flicked to where Jay was gripping the edge of the table so hard, his knuckles were turning white. That sounded just like you, and that really tore at Jay. He didn’t know why you didn’t tell him, or Will. Why didn’t you call to say you were having a tough time, or tell them when you’d come home?

But Jay spoke anyway, keeping his voice so steady, a stranger wouldn’t have realized they were talking about his sister. “Do you have a name?”

Tobias Mills.

Jay was now staring at the records that they’d barely managed to wrangle out of the European authorities.

Stalking. Threatening behavior. But nothing that could get him convicted.

“I got him.” Adam broke the silence, finally looking up from where he had been studying the airport footage for almost an hour.

“Facial recognition missed him because of what he’s wearing but I’m pretty sure that’s him. Right?” Adam asked, playing the footage again.

Jay gave a grunt of acknowledgement before he studied the footage playing. Tobias had reached Chicago slightly two weeks after you had and someone had met him at the airport.

“I’m on it.” Kim said, before anyone else could say anything, already running facial recognition on Mills’ acquaintance as the rest of the video played out.

Ben Mason.

Facial recognition popped quickly with a record that didn’t make Jay feel any better. Multiple counts of assault, misconduct, illegal firearm possession, the list went on.

“The money trail. Mills must have paid him for his help.” Kevin said quietly, glancing at Jay.

Jay growled, the worry blooming in his chest. What exactly had Mills paid for?

But thankfully he didn’t have much longer to blindly worry. “Mason’s uncle owned a factory that’s now out of business. As far as we can tell, it’s been abandoned for at least a year. It’s under his mother’s maiden name so…”

Kevin didn’t finish his sentence before Voight nodded. “Gear up.”

You could feel your heart pumping in your chest, feel the adrenaline working through your veins as you now lay on your side, unsure where the pain was coming from, other than the cable ties cutting into your skin. Maybe the roots of your hair were still smarting from when he’d pulled your head back roughly to look at him, or maybe it was when he’d raised his leg to kick you in the chest in his frustration, making your entire body topple backwards. Or maybe it was just the ache from having your arms pulled backwards for such a prolonged time.

“If I can’t have you, no one can.”

The words echoed in the empty area, bouncing off the walls as if to intimidate you further, even though he’d left a while ago.

Mills had been prepared. That, you knew. Maybe he’d hidden you somewhere no one else would find you. Maybe that’s why Jay hadn’t come for you yet, because you had no doubt that Jay would be here if he knew where you were.

There was a slam, which signalled his return and you felt your breath pick up. You were sure that if Jay didn’t come soon, things were going to get ugly soon. He was either going to do whatever he wanted with you or kill you in a fit of rage - you didn’t know which was worse.

You tried to breathe slower, reminding yourself you weren’t going to show him fear no matter what. You didn’t raise your head as the footsteps got closer, and you wondered what he was up to. If you didn’t know any better, the footsteps sounded… tentative.

“Y/N!”

The voice you’d been waiting for, the sound of safety you’d known your entire life and you raised your head now, slightly worried that you were imagining things.

His name felt like it was stuck in your throat, the energy suddenly sucked out of you as you felt the adrenaline drop all of a sudden.

“Oh my god.” His voice swept past you, landing on you gently, just as he reached you. You heard his knees hit the ground as he bent over you. “Are you hurt?”

You still didn’t answer him, the fog in your brain worried that it wasn’t true, that when you looked up it would be Mills again.

But the pressure on your wrists lifted as Jay sliced through the cable ties. “Are you hurt?” He asked again, pulling you up against him, his eyes scanning you up and down.

“Jay?”

Jay nodded now, a small frown forming on his face. “Yeah, it’s me. You’re okay. We’re here. Will’s right outside.”

You didn’t answer but your body now slumped against your brother’s.

Jay turned and nodded at Kevin so that he could bring Will in. Jay knew it would be better to take you outside but he was a little worried about any injuries you might have and if moving you would make things worse. You couldn’t even seem to articulate if you had any injuries.

“Jay? Y/N!” Will’s voice reached you now, as he got to his knees next to Jay, his fingers going straight to feel your pulse, peering at your pupils now.

“Y/N, does anything hurt? Look at me, Y/N.”

You raised your eyes now to meet Will’s before you shook your head, the fog finally pushing back down again. “Will.”

Will let out a breath that sounded like relief, before he nodded. “Okay, if you’re not hurt we should get you out of here first. Come on.”

Jay nodded, as Will put an arm around you as well, helping you up. Jay let Will take over as he repositioned his hold on the gun in his hand, getting to his feet as well.

But what threw a wrench in their plans was the back door opening.

Both you and Will looked up at the sound of a door opening and you saw the look on Mills’ face change, the absolute wrath that crossed his face as he saw you pressed against Will’s side. Will felt your hand close around the shirt he had on, the material crumpling in your hand. Jay pressed down his confusion that Mills had gotten past the patrol cars that were supposed to be stationed out there, raising his gun.

“I told you. You’re mine.”

His sentence was cut off by a simultaneous growl from both Jay and Will as you coiled backwards.

Will’s eyes caught the flash of metal first as Mills raised the gun in his hand.

Instinctively, Will pulled you against him and turned, as if he’d done this a thousand times. You let out a sharp inhale, confused for a moment if it was really Will who was now standing between you and Mills, before the gunshot rang out.

You could feel the fear that gripped at you so hard that it felt like it was hard to breathe. You were afraid to even turn, afraid to know if Will was hurt because of you.

“Y/N, you okay?” Will’s voice in your ear.

“Will, you…”

You felt Will shake his head. “I’m okay, are you…”

That’s when you felt the energy leave your legs, your body only supported by your oldest brother’s arms around you.

You turned but Jay stepped behind Will now to block your vision. “It’s over, let’s get you out of here.”

Your brothers took you to the hospital to get checked out. But other than some bruises, pain that would last a few days and some dehydration, you weren’t badly hurt.

No one had told you much details, but you were sure that the gunshot you thought was Mills shooting Will was from Jay. And if it was between Mills and Will, you were glad Jay had shot the bastard, even if it made you feel dirty inside for even thinking it when someone had died.

You could hear Jay’s voice behind the closed door, raised as he questioned someone on the line.

“What the hell do you mean? My brother and sister could have died! Any one of my team members could have been shot!”

Will turned to look at you now, giving you a small smile. He looked like he was about to say something when the door slid open, Jay stepping in and closing the door behind him.

Your brothers exchanged a look like they’d already had a discussion among themselves without you.

So you knew they wanted to talk, wanted to ask you something. It didn’t take a genius to figure that out.

“Why didn’t you tell us?” Jay broke the silence first, unable to keep the sadness out of his voice.

You glanced up, surprised. You thought he’d be pissed, like really pissed. Maybe just slightly less than the anger he’d shown while he was on the phone outside.

When both of them didn’t say anything, you let out a short breath. “The whole point of a new environment was for me to grow up. I was supposed to grow outside the shelter the both of you had created for me since I was a baby.” You paused glancing up at them. “I didn’t want to worry you. I thought I could handle it, I didn’t think he would…”

Will moved first, heading towards your side and pulling you tightly against him before he sat on the side of your bed facing you.

“You’re our younger sister. Worrying us is part of your make up. Jay worries me all the freaking time.” Will said gently, earning him an annoyed puff from the younger Halstead.

“Yeah, says Dr Halstead who got beaten up within a day since he returned to Chicago.” Jay slightly mocked, moving closer as well.

You laughed, the chuckle bursting forth and making your side ache a little.

Jay smiled at you. “Promise me something.”

You glanced up at your older brother.

“Don’t keep such serious things from us. Once it starts feeling funky, you tell one of us. Tell Kim. Tell Sylvie. I don’t care who, just tell someone.”

You were quiet for a second, before you nodded. “I promise.”

They both leaned in at the same time, Will putting a hand on the back of our head gently as they squashed you between them, the three of you emanating the same feelings, glad that you were all here together.

Home.

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568 notes · View notes

raayllum · 9 months

Note

I just finished Book 5, and do you think that Ezra’s arc will have him learn that words aren’t enough? Some fans do think that he’s the least emphasized of the Dragang

I don't think Ezran is going to learn that words aren't enough (they have been, often times in his life, and trying non violent routes are important) but I do think he's going to be presented with more and more situations where it is, as he acknowledges, "Not that simple" (4x03).

In Arc 1, you had the transformative trio of characters (Callum, Rayla, Soren) who were rapidly changing as people versus the more "circumstances change and drag out certain personality traits either more or less" stagnated trio (Ezran, Viren, Claudia). In Arc 2 thus far, it seems that Soren, Claudia, and Ezran are the 'stagnant' ones and Viren, Callum, and Rayla are the transformative ones. That being said, I do think S5 focused on Ezran as much as S4 focused on Rayla, so it's not surprising there's a bit of a trade off (especially with Janai very much being a Main Character in arc 2) with Callum (always our main Main protagonist) getting a decent amount every season. There's definitely a lack of Ezran in the first four episodes (he gets about one scene a-piece) but I do think it's over quality > quantity, in some ways. (Bow from She-Ra for example is in every single episode of that series, but gets very little by way of arcs or conflict or interiority, y'know?)

That said:

I talked about this a bit more in a podcast review I did for the season / this meta, but I think Soren and Ezran are having slowburn arcs that will come to fruition in S6. Soren, after all, hasn't really changed as a character since the end of S3 - he's on team good guy, he's reaffirming his choices and love for his friends, he still cares for Claudia and still views his father as a cruel villain (which, Viren is/can be).

Ezran, likewise, is dealing with his own well, slowburn of problems. In a lot of ways, Ezran has to hold it together when everyone else is falling apart (Rayla is MIA, Callum is a mess; staying level headed even when they're arguing; being the main negotiator seemingly between the Pentarchy and the dragons of Xadia; and ruling is own kingdom). He takes his duties seriously and wants to broker peace further, if maybe a tad faster than people are ready for. Like Janai says, I think, his priorities have changed since becoming king. His duty first and foremost is to his kingdom/the world. (Not that it wasn't his mindset before, but it wasn't his responsibility before pre-series, y'know?) Which is very Rayla of him, I think ("I let them all down" in 3x04 / "I just feel like I'm letting everybody down" for Ez in 3x03).

And we see how much this weighs on Ezran based on how heavily he takes responsibility for his perceived and or literal mistakes. Whether it's speeding things up too fast / not giving enough room for his people's, or his own anger...

E: I had a speech planned for today. It was about peace and love and hope. But I think I left something out. I ignored something that was true. I denied something that is undeniable.

or in doing the right thing in saving the Baitlings, but putting his friends in danger.

And Soren acknowledges that this isn't really fair for Ezran, either:

Soren: This is all too heavy. It's not fair you have to struggle through this alone. You deserve time to do kid stuff. If you spend all your time doing adult stuff now, you'll grow up weird, like your brother and Rayla.

Now, on the certain level, Ezran is alone because he's like - he's the King, and that's its own unique position. However, if you look at how close Viren and Harrow, and Harrow and Sarai were, in their decision making, they did everything together. In spite of being a single dad, Harrow was never alone in what he did as king (for better or for worse): "I accept that tonight I may pay the price for our mistakes."

So I think it's interesting this emphasis on loneliness/alone in the same season we have Amaya and Rayla's conversation about it too:

A: My big sister Sarai was the smartest, strongest, bravest person I knew. When she died, I felt lost and weak without her.

I hated feeling that way, so I learned to be strong alone. Stoic, strong, and lonely. [...] To have that kind of strength, it is not enough to love someone. You have to trust them to share the burdens you're carrying.

So who does Ezran depend on to carry that burden with him? Because Ezran isn't supposed to be alone as king, and Harrow spelled it out for us:

When I am gone your brother Ezran will become king, and you will be his partner, his defender, and his closest advisor.

So the question is... has Callum really fulfilled his role for his brother? Callum isn't crownguard, so actually protecting Ezran is primarily in Soren and Corvus' hands, exemplified by Soren being the one to get angry over the ruined painting in 4x03, to run to Ezran in 4x09, and for Callum to be absent from the Dragon mission in S5. And when Callum is there to have a duty to fulfil:

Then we see the brothers - not Ezran and Rayla - disagree on how to proceed forward with Aaravos, getting momentarily a little heated before they both turn to Rayla (and remember those Rayla parallels I mentioned earlier?):

Now, it's not surprising that Ezran wants to take the diplomatic / least violent route. He's the one primarily appealing to Akiyu rather than barrelling onwards, and expresses great concern for her (even after she tried to kill them). Claudia thinks she can appeal to him in 5x09 because of his empathy. A more compassionate, reasonable route is what he's always done, trying to reason evenly with Finnegrin and with Rex Igneous, even if it doesn't precisely work out... simply because they, like his brother, don't exactly Value the same things Ezran does.

Alright, so the broyals disagreed once, and Callum is a little flighty as a High Mage. So what? Well: Callum now knows, and has already committed himself, to helping Rayla free her parents from the coins, including Runaan.

And Ezran's short story going into S5 hints that this may not exactly be something he's happy about:

Ezran gripped the arrow tight. The thing in his hands was a terrible letter, the ribbon its message: the king of Katolis was dead. King Harrow. His father. Something cold lurched inside him. He fought against it. He’d fought it before, that same hurt, years ago—when he’d found out what really happened that night in Katolis. Still, it haunted him. He couldn’t help but imagine the scene, all of it playing out like grim theater before him, as though he’d been there, as though he’d stood by and watched it happen. That Moonshadow elf upon the castle ramparts, skulking toward his father’s chambers.

It stared up at him. Ezran felt a coldness twist its way around his heart. It took his lungs, too, and for a long moment he could not breathe, could not feel anything but an unfamiliar anger so potent it seized the whole of him, inside and out. Ezran stepped towards the arrow— —and stomped down on it as hard as he could. He wished he were bigger, stronger, he wished his boots were made of iron and not something soft. Still, it was enough. When he pulled his foot away, Ezran glared down at the arrow’s hawkish head, flattened and broken. Its ruby eye slipped from its socket, its black metal bent like frayed feathers. He left it there in the dark.

Full short story here.

So Ezran is going to find out, or possibly feel, that Callum and Rayla are keeping a secret from him (again, just like S2, which didn't make him happy then, either). Callum is going to side with Rayla over him if he mandates that Runaan shouldn't or can't be freed, giving into his anger and grief much the same way his father did. He may pull rank - and Callum is going to disregard it. A very similar fallout repeating itself...

Ezran being increasingly isolated (especially if Callum and Rayla are working, or leaving, to find the Starscraper), his disapproval and grief, trying to manage the possible fallout of Zubeia being injured/MIA, feeling undervalued and disregarded by his brother... There's little doubt in my mind that Callum and Ezran (and Rayla) will reconcile and find their way back to one another, healing their hurts, but Ezran has a lot of potential anger and angst to express and a lot on his upcoming plate, steadily added to and set up by the previous seasons.

Which in a lot of ways, makes sense. Ezran as king and Callum as high mage, and as brothers, have to prove they won't fall apart the same way that King Harrow and Viren did, more necessary than ever now that Callum has done dark magic again. Ezran was there to pick up the pieces after Rayla left, but he may still have anger over that and their joint secret keeping from him / feeling like they're treating him 'unfairly' like a child. We've also never really seen Ezran have this type of conflict before, nevermind for the trio as a whole (most of the time it's been Callum and Rayla disagreeing, a couple brief instances of Ez and Rayla, and Callum and Ez a few times in S1 / 5x05) so for Ezran to be what starts falling apart would really rattle all three of him, and seems to be where he's headed, character wise.

And I for one cannot wait to see it.

TLDR; Ezran's slow burn arc, much like Soren's, is being steadily set up and is going to likely be a big focus in the next two seasons, pushing him and other characters in brand new directions and with some really emotional, powerful storytelling to upstage our previously held status quo in all the ways.

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grimrester · 5 days

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youtube

pretty good apology! very post-ned try guys inspired i think, lol. which honestly is smart - the try guys apology was one of the best received in youtube history.

the "we didn't want to lay people off" bit of the video sort of reaffirms my suspicion that they haven't been managing their finances and scaling well. honestly a little surprised they even mentioned that being a possibility. even a hair more detail than that could have revealed some ugly things about their management of the company overall. not in an evil way, just in a "three guys with hubris and no business experience" way. it seems to me they really did want to make big-budget content without truly looking at the budget.

#watcher

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nobody-for-sure · 1 year

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Language Barrier

Since there might still be some confusion: friendship levels dictate which words can be understood at any given time (which obviously increases by level). As a result, depending on the words used and the complexity of the discussion, characters of middle levels may be able to understand everything or almost nothing in a sentence.

Chapter 16

(~2.6k words, see chapter list here)

You have to take a moment to reassure yourself that all those yandere fanfictions were way out of character, because otherwise you'd be running for the hills already.

"What do you mean, I can't leave?" you ask slowly. Already, you're getting a sinking feeling in the pit of your stomach.

"Just what I said," the yaksha responds blandly. "You saw, didn't you?"

It takes you a minute to figure out what he's referring to, but then it hits you. Ah. The cliff from before. "Do you mean the whole mountain is like that?"

He gives a single nod, and you grimace. In that case, you did see. Certainly, no one's getting up or down by foot; it was far too steep for that. Furthermore, a portion of the side of the mountain appeared to be delicately concave. You doubt anyone - much less you - could climb it. (In fact, given which nation you're in... you're starting to wonder if it was deliberately built that way. Perhaps this is intended to be a place only certain people can access?)

While you're wondering about this, Xiao reaffirms your initial realization. "If you can't use the thing, you can't leave. That's the only way."

"But- you don't use the waypoi- the thing, right?"

"No, I don't."

"So we can still leave that way, can't we?"

Xiao looks you in the eye and raises an eyebrow. "Can you?"

You pause. It feels like a trick question somehow, but Xiao's not really the roundabout type. "Well, uh... you can, right?"

"If you think I can take you with me, think again."

You feel like he's just pulled the rug out from underneath you. "What??? Why not?" But he's teleported with the traveler before, right?

"Your ikvuru is too kravxw."

"My what is too what?!" A note of panic creeps into your voice, now that your last hope is crumbling in front of you.

In response, the adeptus gives you a discerning look. "Qpog down," he says. His voice is not especially gentle, but it lacks the same harshness as sometimes. He purses his lips. "...I can't say it any vupsqyw. Think about it. You are far more pejvubas than me... even if you can't ipuuvj udypyxe your vubas. No one can ipywou uxopesyroq such poyxroxwfew poxruqupu ikvuru without ugruetuwrag, which is what you're asking me to do." He pauses. "Do you get it?"

Not even a little bit, you want to say, but you run his words through your head again. There's room for interpretation, for sure. The situation must be a lot more complicated than you expected, since he presumably explained the easiest way possible, and you still only caught half of it. But his end message is clear: one way or another, it seems what you're asking simply can't be done.

Is it because you're the Divine Creator?

"Think about it." Who would be capable of moving an all-powerful being through space-time on a whim?

"No one," you say slowly, uncertainly echoing the words you caught. "No one can do it."

Xiao nods once. "Ipxgocu. That's why the things were made."

Your shoulders slump. Welp. That's that, then. There's no way I'm making it down that alive. Looks like my dumb ass is finally going to suffer the consequences of my actions-

Your stomach suddenly gurgles unceremoniously.

-by starving to death on this mountaintop, probably. You grimace. Between the teleportation, the hilichurl encounter, and your time with Xiao, the sun has all but vanished from the sky. The last time you ate was around midday. By now, you probably would've eaten dinner with the others at the inn, but...

"Oh shit, the others." Your mind suddenly jumps back to your poor stranded escort squad back at the inn. You initially planned to send them a message once you got down the mountain, but now... "Xiao, at the inn - uh, the place I came from - there's some people who were with me. Can you please go and tell them what happened and apologize for me?" you say in a rush. "They-"

The yaksha vanishes in a flash of teal light before you have a chance to describe your companions. ...Well, you're grateful that he understood the urgency of the situation, at least. You gnaw at your lip, imagining their reaction to you suddenly up and disappearing. Fuck. Sorry, guys. I didn't think I wouldn't be able to teleport back OR get down. Have they stayed put at the inn, or did they spread out to search for you? What does one do when the person they're guarding literally vanishes into thin air?

Well, panic, probably.

You slide down against the cave wall, internally cringing and apologizing again. You're fairly confident Xiao will be able to find them if anyone can, but between this and the Mondstadt incident, you really need to stop disappearing on people who are trying to help you.

Well, this is the last time, I swear, you resolve. I will not randomly go off somewhere again without at least telling somebody I'm with where I'm going.

...Probably.

You flick a pebble at the wall across from you. It bounces off a jagged edge, skittering across the floor and landing by your foot. You stare at it for a moment before picking it up and repeating the motion.

You're bored.

It's hard to say how long it's been since Xiao left. The last ray of sunlight disappeared shortly after he did, and the minutes crawl by in the darkness of the cave. You don't risk dragging yourself over to the entrance to see if you can catch a glimpse of the moon, though. If there are any more enemies nearby, you're fucked. You could call for the yaksha again, of course, but the two of you are on questionable terms as-is, so you'd hate to incur his wrath unnecessarily.

If you could handle the enemies, that would be another story. But, for whatever reason, whatever powers you apparently have don't seem to work like they're supposed to. Exhibit A: the waypoint. Which could be the fault of the waypoint and not you, but you have your doubts. Especially since...

"Wind," you say, willing a gust of air to sweep through the tunnel. "I mean, anemo. Air. Breeze. Come on, work with me here." You sweep your arm like a catalyst user, but nothing happens except an unhappy grumble from your stomach.

Exhibit B. You lean back against the wall again. You thought maybe if Xiao couldn't teleport with you, maybe you'd be able to teleport yourself in the same way, but it seems that's not going to happen. "That's why the things were made", he said. Are you not actually able to wield the elements, despite being the Divine Creator? Is your golden blood just for show? You already can't understand the language - not really, anyway. And after spending some more time here, it's as you thought before: even if you did manage to learn the language of Teyvat, you'd never be able to speak it. You can already imagine your vocal chords weeping after a single sentence.

Will you only ever be able to interact with this world through (formerly) playable characters?

You sigh, which turns into a shiver. Without the sun, and this high up in the mountains, it's understandably a bit chilly. Maybe you should give your powers another shot.

You sweep your arm half-heartedly. "Pyro-" The cave is suddenly bathed in warm light, and you excitedly sit up straight. Was that me? Did I do that?!

...But no, it's no doing of your own. A small wrapped parcel falls at your feet. "Here," Xiao says bluntly. His face is illuminated by the soft glow of a torch, which he's holding stiffly out, indicating for you to take it. His brow is furrowed slightly, but in this lighting it's hard to tell if he's irritated or if that's merely his neutral face. You take the torch quickly, just in case.

"Did-" you start, but he disappears before you can get any further. You slump a bit at being brushed off, but your attention switches to the abandoned parcel before you can dwell on it too much. It seems to have been wrapped in a haste, tied with a very elaborate-looking bow made of slightly frayed twine. Should I open it?

But then again, it might not even be for you in the first place. After all, the torch was the only thing Xiao specifically handed you. It's entirely possible the package is his, and he just dropped it on accident. If so, you're definitely better off not messing with it.

You eye the fancy bow some more. ...Not exactly Xiao's style, though.

Cautiously, you use your free hand to pull the package towards you. The contents shift - there's multiple things inside. You pull the end of the twine, and the wrapping falls open.

A sweet, smokey aroma fills the cave, and you inhale agressively. Food. Eagerly, you push back the edges and peer inside. Ham, bacon, and sausage are stuffed into the package, along with a pair of chopsticks and a single sprig of mint for decoration. One slice of ham has some kind of sauce drizzled on in the shape of a messy six-pointed star.

Your eyes widen. Die Heilige Sinfonie!

There's no doubt about it. It's Fischl's special dish: identical to the cold cut platter, except it's freshly made and piping hot.

You beam. He found them.

With impeccable timing, the adeptus reappears, holding a flask of water and a thick bundle of fabric in his arms. He barely spares you a glance before setting them down a few feet away and vanishing again immediately. You blink: it's a sleeping bag, along with a small pillow and an extra blanket.

Xiao is a puzzle. You know there's something he's hiding, and his initial cold reaction is admittedly concerning... but despite that, he actually seems quite willing to help you, even if he's being a bit prickly about it. He reminds you a bit of a cat, and you stifle a laugh with a bite of ham.

Thank you, Xiao.

You get about halfway through the meal before he returns again, this time with arms full of tinder. He dumps it all off to the side of the cave before squatting down and starting to build a campfire. "I hungulg the thing," he states.

Damn, he's efficient. Not only did he find your companions as you asked, but he's also anticipated your other needs and acted preemptively, AND he's had spare time to take a look at the problematic waypoint already. All feats made easier by teleportation no doubt, but impressive nonetheless. For someone who spends a lot of time by himself, he's better at taking care of someone than you expected.

"...So...?"

"...Things aren't looking good for you."

"Ah, fuck. It's broken, isn't it?"

He eyes you, and you belatedly realize it's the first time you've sworn out loud. Not very Creator-like of you. Perhaps he didn't understand that word, though, because he continues normally. "No, the thing is fine. Which means the qupfavs is you."

You pale when your mind fills in the blank, but his gaze merely shifts back to his work, completely unfazed. "If you used the thing to get here, you should be able to get back, too. I have no uepg what you did kravb."

You swallow your food. "I don't know, either." It was the exact same thing both times, wasn't it?

He sighs deeply and holds his hand out to you for the torch, taking it to light the now-built campfire. "We'll see bavvaqax. For now, eat. Then sleep." He summons his polearm and strolls toward the cave entrance. "I will be here." He speaks in a matter-of-fact tone, but it's comforting to hear, knowing how diligent he is. The vigilant yaksha truly lives up to his moniker.

It makes you all the more aware of your shortcomings.

"Hey, Xiao." The yaksha turns his head slightly in acknowledgement, but keeps his gaze fixed on the horizon as he takes his place guarding the entrance. You take it as a sign to continue. "I've been thinking. I'm... the Creator, right?" It feels weird to say out loud, especially since no one's been able to confirm it verbally to you yet. "Why can't I leave the same way as you?" Why can't I teleport anywhere in Teyvat at the drop of a hat? Why can't I levitate chunks of rocks and build myself a staircase to get down from this stupid mountain? Why can't I summon even the slightest breeze? "Why can't I do anything?"

He exhales through his nose. "Why could you?"

It's not the answer you expected. "What do you mean?"

He shifts his posture without looking back. "Why would you be able to do that if you haven't learned how?"

...Huh. That... somehow did not occur to you before. In your defense, you'd kind of assumed if you were an all-powerful being, you'd just naturally be able to do cool stuff by wanting it to happen. Apparently not. But then again, most of your assumptions so far have been wrong, so it's no surprise if what he says is true.

If anything, you think it might actually be good news. Now that you think of it, you have a vague recollection of the Traveler being instructed by Paimon, too. Maybe your situation isn't as hopeless as you thought it might be. "In that case, you can teach me, right? Then I can do it."

For a few moments, the adeptus does not respond. In fact, he gives no sign at all that he even heard what you said, merely staring off into the distance without moving. You can't see the expression on his face when he finally sighs.

"No. I can't." His words ring with such a sense of finality that you can't bring yourself to say anything else on the matter. In silence, you finish your (hot) cold cut platter and climb into your sleeping bag while he continues guarding the entrance.

Given your circumstances, you don't expect to fall asleep quickly. But you must feel safe, because it's not long before your eyelids start to feel heavy, and you begin to nod off. You were traveling the whole day, after all.

As you teeter on the edge of consciousness, you think you hear Xiao say something. But the words are distant and quiet, and you can't tell if you heard right, or if it was just wishful thinking in the first place. Or perhaps you're already asleep after all. Regardless, the words stick in the back of your mind.

"Also... I never said I wasn't happy to see you again."

Dread curdles in your stomach at the familiar scene. Your friends and loved ones are gathered before you again, but this is isn't right. This isn't real.

It's a dream, you repeat to yourself, trying to subconsciously block out what you know comes next. A dream. But acknowledging that fact doesn't make it disappear. You are helpless to escape the inevitable, no matter how much you wish it.

No. Not again. I don't want to see this again.

A light breeze ruffles your hair, as if answering your plea. You stiffen at the unusual sensation. This isn't a part of the dream you know.

But the wind brushes your cheek softly, sweeping away a lone tear. Slowly, you begin to relax. And then, one by one... the people fade. The scenery changes, and you're left standing in a field of flowers with nothing but the sound of a distant flute for company.

Ah, is your last thought before you sink deeper into the realm of unconsciousness, it's you.

#genshin impact #genshin x reader #sagau #self aware genshin #genshin sagau #genshin xiao #lbbynfs

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uchihaharlot · 3 months

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I love your sketches about the Uchihas. I want to ask how a Uchiha men would react if you wanted to break up with them because of their bad habits and attitudes towards you?

You would want to break an Uchiha’s heart?? 😂😂😂 NONNY!!!! Lol, it’s barely five am and I’m laughing a little, in a good way, but this is so sad!! The curse of hatred loves this one simple trick.

I can’t for the life of me think any one of these men were really that flawed — I also am an Uchiha sympathizer, so …. Nothing but heart breaks by the dozen and maybe you were a bit blind!! The gods have spite them all of a sudden, you couldn’t look past just a few small things?? Their attitude towards their home, clan and family are things they won’t ever change for anyone!

I hope you sleep well at night! 😂😭

SFW; super sad Uchiha’s having their heart broken because Nonny here, can’t seem take the bad with the good (sarcastic here, but I can’t stop chuckling).

Madara:

What a bad older brother for putting his baby brother before you! How shameful, you are so so so jealous!! Jealous enough that you can’t seem to deal with it.

‘Didn’t anyone ever tell you blood is thicker than water?’ Those are the last words you ever hear out of Madara’s mouth! He’s entirely indifferent to your break up, in fact… ‘it’s probably best this way…’

Obito:

‘You think I’m too soft?’ When you told him to grow backbone he started to weep. Damn him for worshipping you, praising you and giving a damn about you! (😭🥹😂) Like a fucking dog with its tail between its legs, Obito stuffs his hands in his pockets and just turns heel to leave!! If by this point he hadn’t earned the Mangekyou Sharingan, he certainly did after this!! Will always keep tabs on you, in hopes you will return to him.

Shisui:

‘Is that really how you feel?’ He’s flabbergasted and sad to no end, you can’t stand that he puts the safety of your home before anyone else’s needs. Including yours and his, the village needs strong Shinobi and Shisui is never going to not defend his home with honor (he would die trying!!!). So much for being self sacrificing. He actually thought of jumping off a cliff before Danzo stole his right eye!! Shisui loves you so much!!! His heart is broken, his best friend, Itachi, spends so much time just reaffirming that Shisui is a great man! That he didn’t do anything wrong and you are just a girl, nothing more.

Itachi:

What do you mean he is too absorbed with himself?? He’s a high caliber shinobi!! Sorry sis, I think Itachi is rather unfazed, you didn’t get the reaction you wanted and two weeks later realize what you’re missing. By then he’s found Izumi. Which was always his intented anyway, and thankfully for you teaching him that love may hurt….but the grass is always greener on the other side!

#Alexa this is so sad #play despacito #pewdiepie meme #uchiha headcanons #madara headcanons #obito headcanons #shisui headcanons #shisui deserved better #itachi headcanons #madara uchiha #obito uchiha #shisui uchiha #itachi uchiha #nothing breaks like a heart

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acourtofthought · 8 months

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Azriel did not care in the least that Elain was engaged to and in love with Graysen.

Rhys struggled knowing Feyre was going to marry Tamlin.

Cassian struggled knowing Nesta was sleeping with other males.

Lucien struggled knowing Elain was in love with and engaged to Graysen. And if he's aware, he probably also struggles knowing she's developed a flirtation with Az however we don't have confirmation that he knows.

There is zero evidence of Az ever caring that Elain had feelings for Graysen. There is also zero evidence that he cared about her having a bond with Lucien until SF. And the only thing he has struggled with is knowing the third sister got a bond with someone else all because his brothers are with her sisters (meaning if Cassian wasn't with a sister, there's a chance Az would have never questioned the Cauldron in the first place). It's not a scenario where he's upset over her having feelings for someone else and loves her from afar but upset over something she'll never be able to give him anyway and something his brothers got that he didn't.

E/riels stand by the argument that they want to see a rejected mating bond in her series, that Elain and Az will choose "love" instead but Az's POV confirms that he doesn't want love, he wants a bond. His thoughts are nothing of love in his POV, nothing of wanting Elain because he admires her or likes her intelligence, her wit, her unique strength.

If love was what he was after, than what was stopping him from truly pursuing Elain especially if he's so certain of Elain's disinterest in Lucien?

No matter how often Feyre pushed him away, I don't think anyone doubted that Rhys wanted Feyre.

No matter how often Nesta pushed Cassian away, I don't think anyone doubted he wanted her anyways.

No matter how Elain refuses to interact with Lucien, I don't think anyone doubts that he still wants her (the author reaffirms his longing, over a year later since the last time she mentioned his longing, in SF).

People claim it's just the bond driving Lucien but that's a bit ridiculous when you consider Rhys suspected early on then knew shortly after that Feyre was his mate, Cassian suspected early on about Nesta, and no one accuses their feelings of being less valid or having only been driven by the bond. And let's not forget that Lucien saw something within Elain's mind that made him blush. Let's not forget Lucien knew she required fresh air and getting outside. Let's not forget he knew she needed time to process the new world she was in without needing him there. Let's not forget he bought her pearls without ever seeing her select pearls for herself. Let's not forget he met Elain's father. He does know Elain to a certain extent, his actions prove it and it's only her desire to put space between them (for now) that is keeping them from interacting (not a big deal when Feysand and Nessian all went through a similar situation).

Lucien might not be in love with Elain but it's clear he's not only sticking around because of the bond. He had the opportunity to see inside her mind and has longed for her ever since. Not to mention all SJM main characters who share a bond also end up happily in love.

But when over half of the the fandom are not convinced Az has actual feelings for Elain, that says something.

If a romance author has struggled to convince at least 50% of her readers that a MMC has feelings for a FMC, especially when he's had over a year to really get to know her, there are one of two possibilities.

The author is terrible at writing romance

The "romance" is being set up to fail

Since we're all here reading and debating the works of SJM, my guess is we're looking at option #2.

#elucien #pro elucien #lucien vanserra #elain archeron #pro lucien vanserra #anti e/riel #antie/riel

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sualne · 21 days

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hii! honeslty just curious, I read/watched kuroshitsuji AGES ago and I don't think I've finished the manga anyway, does grell go by she/her?? I vageuly remember ppl headcanonning them as enby though iirc in canon he's a guy?

Your tags peaked my curiosity, I haven't seen any Kuro content in a hot minute, but I remember it being the absolute must watch in my peak anime watching years lol And I absolutely loved the manga's artstyle

in canon grell is a trans woman, yana toboso has said something like "grell is a man with a woman's heart" ages ago and sometimes around 2014/16 had tweeted something about wanting to be more careful with her representation of people like grell in the future, don't quote me on that thought because i only read that tweet once and only remember reading a shitty screenshot of a translation of that interview where she allegedly said that.

i can however show you this:

it's from a bonus chapter (after chapter 108) about the popularity polls (it's a very convoluted non canon chapter) but it's one of the most blatant example of her being trans.

there's also the way she constantly refers to herself as a "young maiden" ect. idk how it goes exactly in the og but in french they translated it so grell always refers to herself with feminine terms while everyone else misgender her including the narrator. she very consistently reaffirm herself as a woman through every single ones of her appearances, like it's a thing she very much does, every single time she's on screen.

i haven't watched the anime in forever (cause it's kind of a disgrace and insult to the manga lol) but if i remember properly (which i mostly likely don't) they did omit/lowkey censor some of grell explicitly going "i wish i had been born a woman/could have been able to carry children" when she first properly introduce herself as a shinigami & the other half of jack the killer. (the anime also really did lean a lot more into the pervert queer caricature whereas in the manga she's given a bit more dignity, especially the further the story goes. though that might be my own impression and maybe it didn't change that much i just love her a whole lot).

also because i have to, please forget the anime (the first two seasons that is) and read the manga first and foremost because oh boy, what a disaster the anime is (nostlagia and atmosphere wise it's entertaining, i really love the op & ed, but it just, i just cant man it doesn't even compare to the manga at all). only watch book of circus -> book of murder -> campania movie -> the new private school arc that's coming soon (idk what they called it) after reading the manga.

#undescribed #she's my problematic girlie and i love her so much. there's subtext too for her transness but that goes in spoilers territory. otherwise sh #'s been VERY blatantly trans since her introduction it baffles me ppl refuse to accept it (not noticing it is fine cause when i was a kid i #didnt really get it because i didnt know trans ppl where a thing but one day it all clicked into place yknow)#unrelated but it kills me that sebastian is only a transphobe because it's 'historically accurate/what a good butler of his position #should be' he only says that because 1 he's a bitch 2 he doesn't like grell 3 he gets a kick out of playing the good butler role #i hate/love his stupid fucking ass i need to punch him so bad. he's so annoyingly funny i can't stand him. he's just awful and having a #grand time what an ass. back to queer ppl there are other in the story like nina hopkins being a lesbian (HEAVELY implied) and doll's whole #thing. it's one of my favorite manga ppl should give it a try just dont look at the anime pretend it's not there pls

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ritcchamadayo · 1 year

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pls..

I BEG!

SECOND PART OF PUNK JADE 😭 (no pressure)

LET ME BE FR THAT I CANT GET ENOUGH AND FLUSTERED SO BAD MAKES ME GIGGLED IFDHODDN

ngl tho the teasing got me so bad 😭

THANK YOU FOR GIVING ME A REASON TO WRITE MORE AKGJSJFNAJDJS PUNK JADE IS SO AHHHHHHHHHHHH HES SO SILLY

A Look Into the Past (Pt. 2)

Jade Leech x Reader ;

After finding out that Jade had pulled out all his past piercings and put them back on, you just can't seem to get enough of it. Jade, on the other hand, is really enjoying your attention on him.

(I'm so happy the original fic got so much love and support from you all <3 thank you so much!!)

Reader is a Sophomore in this fic, just like the twins!

Read Part 1 here! Read Part 3 here!

One thing you told yourself after the encounter with Jade yesterday was, "It was a once in a lifetime sight." You really wished you sneaked in a photo or two, perhaps that would help your currently jumpy heart calm down a little bit more? "...Nah," you said, rolling around on your bed. Even if it was only yesterday evening, you should just count your blessings and be grateful you bore witness to it, right?

Oh boy, were you wrong.

You didn't expect to see Jade still wearing his piercings in class. On one hand, it's a much less amount than what he wore yesterday since he still needed to look proper for school, but it definitely didn't help your case as you find yourself needlessly staring at the double helix snugly on top of his right ear and another two on his left ear's upper lobe, right beside his sturgeon scale earring.

He's received few asks and light warnings from the professors, especially Trein, but the rest seem to agree that he's okay wearing it as long as it's nothing too striking. His hair was back to it's usual neatly combed style too, but you reaffirm to yourself that the piercings really made his hair color pop even more, especially the black strand on his left. You wonder how he managed to act like a complete gentleman while still looking like the hottest guy in the universe in your opinion.

"Heading to class?" "Y-Yeah, I am." (You cursed yourself for the slight hitch in your voice.) "Would you let me join you for the walk, then? I believe my class is towards the same direction you're going to." "Sounds great!"

The two of you walked between the empty hallways, with most of the student body spending their break outside or at the cafeteria. You talked about mundane things, like classes or the weather- but it seems like Jade is purposely steering the conversation so that you'd bring up his piercings. What can I say, he could be quite the huge tease if he knew which buttons to press to gauge a reaction out of you.

You were reminded of your conversation with Floyd before you left the lounge yesterday. "Hee, if you're really interested in him then why not try to pull some moves~?" "No way! I'm not brave enough, you know that Floyd." The eel-mer pouts, humming to himself and thinking. "Then what if I tell Jade to pull a move on you~?"

Your hand shot up to grab on Floyd's sleeve, giving him the most menacing glare you could put out. (It probably looked cute on his end though.) "Floyd. Don't you dare pull any fishy stuff."

"Eeh... Boring. Imma go back to bothering Azul instead." He said with a sinister smirk, walking away from you.

Well, casually chatting doesn't count as pulling a move, does it? "Speaking of," you start. "Did the professors really not care about them? I mean, I think I've seen a few people getting reprimanded for extra accessories." "Ah, Professor Trein did express a little bit of dislike, but he said it wasn't too distracting. Though, Professor Crewel on the other hand started giving me fashion tips, fufu."

You laugh at the little fact. "Yep, that's Crewel alright. Maybe you can show me his fashion tips when we're free?"

A smirk grew on Jade's face. "Oh? Is this your way of asking me out?" "N-No! I'm just curious, okay?!" You half-yelled, hitting his arm with as much power you could exert. (Not much, since Jade didn't even bother to dodge or look hurt.) You threw a couple of jabs at him, and Jade was more than happy to reply with his witty remarks.

Jade glances around the corridor. They were currently on the third floor of the school building, with most of it being empty and a slight updraft could be felt.

"Are you not interested on trying to touch them though? I've seen a lot of people try to get a closer look." He said, a sly smile on his lips. "Eh? Can I?" You ask innocently, perhaps too innocently for Jade. The male nods, slightly leaning into you to let you have a closer look.

"They're pretty.." You say, holding the metal on his left ear. You cupped his earring inside your palm to make sure it doesn't accidentally get pulled, lightly caressing the pierced flesh. Jade leans into your touch, a slight fondness in his eyes as you focus fully on the feeling of his accessories in your hands until you felt soft lips pressing onto your own.

!! "E.. Eh...?"

Your hands gently pull away from his earring, and your eyes met with his pair of heterochromic ones. His lips were mere centimeters away from yours, a small smirk showing his teeth forming on his face. The realization dawns on you as your realize he just kissed your lips while you were distracted.

"HE KISSED ME?!" You freak out internally, your entire face turning a dark shade of red that could rival Heartslabyul's roses. You knew Jade was eating up your reaction- with the most smug expression on, of course.

"Oh my, excuse me. Did you not want that?" He asked, lightly holding your chin between his fingers. “I feel a slight obligation to act more boldly in this getup.” The fact that he could pull such moves so casually is messing with your head as you struggle to give an answer. Your free hand trails over to his tie and you pull him back down towards your lips, letting him properly slot his lips on yours.

Jade gladly kisses back and chuckles as he pulls away, letting you go and straightening himself up before continuing the walk towards your classrooms as if nothing had happened with a satisfied smile on his face. You stood stunned for a few seconds and shaking it off before chasing after him, stumbling over your own feet.

"H-HEY! JADE, THAT'S NOT FAIR!!"

#extra self indulgent so i hope it gets ya'll giggling like i am #✨RitcchanWrites #✨RitcchanDreams #✨TwistedRitchuland #✨ritcchama's crazy simpery #twisted wonderland #twst #jade leech #twisted wonderland imagines #octavinelle #twst jade #jade leech x reader #jade x reader #more on the punk!jade series

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