#Please don't kill me for the cliffhanger! | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

oftidheard · 5 months

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OMG pls tell me ur gonna make a part two for “where i told you to run” THE CLIFFHANGER GOT ME SHAKING 😭 i hope reader wins so coryo can stop losing his shit lmao😭

paragraphs in italics are coriolanus's 'pov'! ♡ big warning for death!!! as well as violence, blood, and typical hunger games child endangerment. this is heavy, please do not read this if you don't feel you're in the right headspace. this is a part two for where i told you to run but can be read as a standalone!

❄ so we'd both be free ㅤ⠀coriolanus snow x reader ㅤ⠀↳ 3.4k ↳ angst ↳ gender neutral

desperation takes over as your feet skid around the corners towards wovey. up until the moment she'd called back out to you, your mind had been consumed by the possibilities of what could have happened to her — of the stronger tributes killing her, mercilessly plunging a spear through her chest, or even just the possibility that hunger and dehydration could have taken her already.

but none of that matters now, as amidst the thunder of your heavy footsteps her whistling grows louder and louder.

your heart is in your throat with relief, half your mind trying to remember each corner you turn in case you need to come back through here, but the other half is on autopilot, it's only goal being to lead you to the girl you can now protect.

the whistling finally pierces your ears as if it's coming from just beside you, and you turn the final corner swiftly.

a relieved smile had been growing on your face during your approach, displaying your teeth and crinkling your eyes — but the moment you whip around the corner, it drops.

before you, instead of the little girl you'd sworn to look after, stands an alliance of three tributes armed with weapons and deadly grins.

all of a sudden, you're overly aware of the lack of anything that you could defend yourself with in your hands — having earlier forgone the bloodbath and any possibility of weaponry, in favour of running for your life and hoping for the best. now, you can't say you regret it, but you'd be a fool to admit it wouldn't be nice to have even just a blunt knife in hand right now.

their leader smirks, "looking for someone?"

time seems to slow in the moment it takes for you to identify coral mizzen and tanner in front of you, and the world grants you the split second of a chance at escape — shaking you out of your wide eyes and rigid breaths, and shoving you back the direction you came, with steps so quick you're scared you'll slip.

immediately, the footsteps of the alliance chasing after you pound through the underground, and as your breath grows heavier you realise you can't outrun the three of them like this; you need to lose them in the tunnels.

you regret not paying closer attention to your surroundings when you had the chance, but your legs carry your through the maze from muscle memory, and you're almost certain that you're nearing what would otherwise be a dead end; but had an unlocked door right after the turn that — if you're agile and just far enough ahead — you could trick them with.

you're so concentrated on planning ahead, that when something snags on your clothes — a hand clawing at you — you stutter, your legs almost tripping from beneath you.

you don't dare to look back at the grunts and yells behind you, but from the dull thud you hear just as you regain your footing and double your speed, you hope that means someone's fallen over and slown everyone else down.

but you can't risk dwelling on that, all you can do is try your best to recognise the tunnels your turn down and hope your breath doesn't run out.

you twist through the halls and enter the 'dead end' you'd been searching for — but just as you reach for the heavy door to make your escape, something sharp rips right through your coat and meets your skin.

the initial shock comes first — running now forgotten, in favour of kicking out until you hit something that grunts — swiftly followed by an unforgiving sting and the wet feeling of blood flowing down your arm.

your scream sounds more like a gasp for air as you lash out blindly, all-encompassing pain flashing through you when the blade meets your skin for a second time; not as deeply as the first, but the slice through skin followed by even more blood spilling is undeniable.

your mind clouds as you run at the adversary, arms unfurling to crash into them and knock them down.

you fall with them roughly, but when you hear the clatter of what must've been their knife hitting the ground, your vision starts to clear.

you land on top of tanner, coming face-to-face with bloodshot eyes and a scowl that shows off teeth that would rip through your throat if they could.

it's messy, as he thrashes and tries to push you off, scratching at your face and intermittently searching with his hands to find the discarded knife. you too try to search for the knife — the upper hand that could save you — the the more pressing issue becomes his hands grabbing at you looking for any way to hurt you or free himself.

in the unsteadiness, you try to sit up with your knees on either side of him and try to pull his arms away from you — but it's in vain, save for the slightest scratches that barely start to protrude his skin, as he always breaks free and reaches out once again.

in frustration and terror, you land a closed fist to his nose — drawing blood — and another against his head.

he's yelling at you as you finally reach for his neck, you can't make a single word he's saying or if they're even directed at you, but he sounds furious, like he's going to kill you — and it terrifies you. your blood burns and you claw your grimy nails into the skin of his neck, as you rest all your body weight on your bleeding hand around his throat, while the other fumbles, unsure of where to land; until it meets his eyes and pushes.

his own sharp nails attack your forearm, your shoulders, your hands, anywhere he can reach — but even as he tries to choke you back, he cannot reach your neck.

your hand that attempts to dig into his eye sockets now tries to push his arms away from where they grip to your other wrist, but flies above and past his paling face when the glimmer of a blade ahead of you catches your eyes.

you fumble to grab the weapon without a second thought, but just as it slips into your grasp, tanner is tugging at your coat and your heads crash together.

your feel like you're spinning as you push yourself up again, the world of his growls and your own gasps feeling far away — like if you were to simply let go right now it might not be so bad; if only for a chance to feel what it's like to be calm, and safe, again.

but the illusion of serenity shatters as tanner's fingers claw at the wound running down your arm; the sharp spike of pain at the contact draws you back in and kicks your body into action.

"get off!" tanner wheezes a yell as you push harder on his airways.

instinctually, your hand flies to cover his mouth in case his allies hear and come running — then you'd be as good as dead — and despite the ringing in your ears and thumping of your blood pounding like hail, you whisper.

"be quiet, it's okay, it's okay, just— shhh," you ramble almost incoherently, barely loud enough for tanner to hear; so perhaps more of an effort to reassure yourself than anyone else.

before you can think another thought — before tanner gets another chance to gain the upper hand — your wounded hand relieves the pressure on his throat only to block his breathing with a blood-drenched palm covering his mouth and nose. within the blink of an eye, your hand that grips the knife rises, and then falls; planting itself right through his neck.

tanner's hands fall from their assault on you as if all the life has just been drained from him — but you know better, as his eyes widen in the first moment of fear you've seen from him, he is still dying.

your eyes meet his silently, your gaze locked with the dying boy as you find yourself frozen.

he sputters against your palm, a wet feeling bursting upwards that can only be his own blood joining yours. you don't think it can be called breathing anymore, but he tries to get his chest to move, to keep the air running through him, to keep the blood pumping.

you just keep watching as this boy can't even writhe in pain with his neck skewered to the cold ground, the boy who could have killed you — who might still, if you don't pay attention to your wounds soon — now just lying beneath you, with a face painted in blood you cannot discern the owner of amongst both of your losses.

tears drip down the sides of his cheeks, and it flips something inside you.

you twist the knife roughly, and finally, he droops; lifeless.

now, all there is left to hear are your uneven breaths that still flow in and out of your lungs, your heart that is still beating, and—

and the echo of something heavy hitting the ground. the feeling of a vibration running through the tunnels, shaking the metal walls around you and rattling your bones.

your head looks up at the roof as dust falls, then whips to look around you. you realise you're still stuck in a dead end, with the sounds of what must be coral and mizzen approaching growing louder.

with your knife still in hand, you spring up without a second thought for tanner, and shove the door to your right open — closing it and leaning against it securely once you're safely on the other side.

your eyes slam shut as you try to re-orient yourself with deep breaths and arms tangled together in an attempt to put pressure on your gaping wounds. but as the throbbing in your ears beings to dissipate, you start to hear new noises travelling through the underground.

you pry your eyes open, only to be met with more sunlight than you've grown accustomed to since the games begun. it peers down at you from the cavernous opening just a few feet away, and you finally realise you're just below the hole that the bombing had blown open — and there are yells coming from above.

you're contemplating if it would be safe to venture back into the tunnels that you're vaguely familiar with but know coriolanus could never get donations to reach you in there, or if you should risk putting yourself out in the open arena and crossing your fingers — when you hear a deep voice call out wovey's name.

you're scrambling to the rubble before you can even remember your original plans.

rusty metal digs into your cut-open hand as you climb, but you can't bring yourself to care enough to overpower the panic running through your veins, as the deep voice starts to yell warnings to wovey; begging her to stop, that whatever threat is up there can't be trusted.

your hands slip unsteadily in the rush, and you're painfully aware of the fact this rubble could crumble beneath your feet at every moment, but you persist — and for the first time in days, you emerge from the underground.

the broadcast hadn't shown you since the air-carrier with the tank had arrived, after you'd killed tanner, and right as your eyes had widened in recognition of people nearing. then, just like that, the cameras had switched to the surface of the arena — leaving coriolanus stiff in his seat and left unknowing of your fate.

it feels like someone orchestrating the broadcast must hate him, must want him to suffer, must be doing all this just to make him sick with worry. he knows that can't be true, and that in the eyes of the capitol your fate pales in comparison to the intrigue of the opaque tank now in the middle of the arena. but none of that quells his anxieties over your survival.

as if someone has chosen to be gracious with him, as the stupid little district eight girl approaches her demise no matter how loud the district eleven boy tries to warn her, coriolanus catches sight of you emerging from the underground — and feels his heart start to beat again.

he takes a shallow breath, relief at having his eyes back on you — not any more hurt than when he'd last seen you — and armed with the knowledge that all you need to do is wait out the reptiles that will soon emerge; he smiles.

but then, your eyes sweep the arena, landing on wovey and immediately running to her. coriolanus's smile grows to a bitter scowl; he should have known you'd be foolish enough to still risk your life for that girl — in his opinion, one of your only worse qualities.

your yells join that of whose you now know to be reaper's, running as fast as you can — which now, is all but a pathetic stumble — as wovey keeps nearing the tank, simply begging to go home.

"wovey, it's not safe!" you scream through your raw throat, "stop, please!"

but she keeps walking closer, until she's so close to the centre of the arena, that with a few steps more she could reach out and touch whatever it is the capitol has dropped in here — you can't begin to guess what sort of bomb it could be or some other sort of manmade horror, but all you know is that you don't trust the capitol, especially not with wovey's life.

"wovey—!" you call out as she gets too close, when a clean click is heard.

coriolanus stands eerily still as the the cage falls open to reveal the metallic snakes.

you're still a good distance from wovey, and he hopes you have enough sense to run the other way once you see what they will do to the girl.

you gasp, freezing where you stand as a wave of colourful snakes burst out, rolling down the rubble and outwards in every direction, faster than you've been able to run since your blood started to drain.

they reach wovey in the blink of an eye, swallowing her whole without struggle, and a screamed, "no!" rips from your throat just as tears begin to water your eyes.

but still, something hopeful in you refuses to give in, and you begin again to drag your feet towards where she'd just been stood.

coriolanus's fellow mentors that still stand beside him are far too engrossed in watching their own tributes, but for those who do not have the same personal investment, he can feel the stares burning holes through his back; people silently questioning why his tribute is so stupid.

"run," he whispers, so quiet he cannot even hear himself say it above the broadcast's speakers, but embarrassingly desperate enough to hope you hear it in the hisses of the snakes and the screams of coral and mizzen — in the hopes that you will listen just this once, to save your life.

the fog in your head as you wobble across the arena is overwhelming, your hands are coated in red as a second skin — having given up on tending to the wounds — now letting your blood run freely. you hold only one priority in mind — an albeit unclear one, now that wovey is undeniably dead, just as reaper and mizzen are — but despite this all, you need to pretend wovey could still be alive; you need to hope.

your legs give in a few feet away from where the snakes had surrounded wovey's body, and you almost thank the blurriness growing in your eyes now that it means you don't have to see the girl's corpse.

you hear a scream, and all of a sudden you're the little kid who was forced to watch the hunger games every year, who covered their eyes and cried from the nightmares. your hands fly up to muffle your ears, and you can't find it in yourself — barely even half conscious, and bleeding out — to try to put effort into your laboured breaths anymore.

through the clouds in your eyes, a rainbow approaches you, slithering through the dust and rubble. you fall backwards when your arms can't hold you back anymore, and lie on the ground as you wait for the snakes to drown you.

as soon as coral falls and festus bitterly steps away from his desk, coriolanus's eyes widen.

he turns to look at dr. gaul, who still solemn as ever watches the cameras as they zoom in on your collapsing form, only to find her not saying a word.

it escapes from his mouth before he can think it over, when coriolanus yells expectantly to the silent heavensbee hall, "they've won!"

dr. gaul's ice cold eyes glide to watch him, still not a single facial expression betrays what she might be thinking — whether this is just another game for her own amusement, or if she truly plans to let you die. this only encourages coriolanus to push further, to fight for your life.

"it's over, they've won! get them out of there!"

you feel them climb up your legs first, sliding over cuts and bruises with a foreign coldness that almost feels numbingly comforting. through the ringing in your ears you're not sure whether they're truly silent or not, but to you they glide across the ground with a noiseless elegance — one that despite it all, calms you.

when they reach the tips of your fingers to the palms of your hands, you groan a the contact of scales against the cuts, but find the feeling grows to be bearable when one of the reptiles curls around your hand like a tender bandage.

they climb your body, still, and the heaviness they bring as they travel atop your chest feels like a warm blanket — a weight that quiets your groans and makes you wonder if tanner felt this encompassing warm feeling the moment before the light left his eyes.

coriolanus tries not to display just how frantic he truly feels as the snakes continue to surround you, but feels a slowly building sense of accomplishment at winning — but he knows, truly, he'll only feel victorious once you're rescued from that wretched arena and back in his arms.

"they've won, dr. gaul, let them out!" he wills his voice to not plead, and not quite command — that would get him nowhere against the person who actually has all the power — but to speak firmly, with a serious tone that exemplifies he will not let up.

a singular snake reaches your chest, curling along your collarbone and slowing it's movement, and you wonder if it's decided to rest with you.

these snakes remind you of the strays back home, of the wily cats burrowed under houses that you'd leave any food you could spare out for. or the dogs thinned to the bone that would bark at you when you got too close, but after a few weeks would learn that they could trust you, and would let you clean their wounds.

they remind you of tentative creatures thrown into unfamiliar places where they don't know if they'll live to see the next sunrise. you wonder if they're just as scared as you.

dr. gaul's chin raises slightly, remaining uncooperative for a moment more, until her eyes give coriolanus a look that he cannot begin to understand right now; but speaks to her near respect she holds for him.

her lips begin to part, when a gasp bursts from the speakers.

when the desperate breath escapes your lungs, you know this will be your last. the dog in the alley bit at your hand; the snake sat upon your chest hissed, and sunk it's teeth into your skin.

it's like a lightning strike that courses through you, your fingers immediately numbing just as you lose feeling up through your legs. a new bite is lodged in your wrist, as well as another near the first, lodging itself in your neck and rendering your airways entirely useless.

your mouth falls open, an apology to coriolanus for failing him on the tip of your tongue. but as the snakes lick venomously at your open wounds and lull you to sleep, the wheeze that leaves your lips to join the whispers of the dead; is an apology to wovey.

coriolanus pales — as though he's the one having the life drained right out of him and not you — as dr. gaul's mouth shuts the moment the bite meets your skin.

with the blood loss already having half killed you, you find that this final twist of the knife doesn't hurt as much as you might've once feared.

he can't help but watch as you die, as the breath of someone he might have loved runs out; as you leave him all alone, and drag the only warmth in his heart he had left, down to the grave with you.

a/n. .....i know people wanted a happy ending but i just couldn't help it... if you need something to comfort you after reading this i also have this coryo fic that's purely fluff + i have some lucy gray & sejanus fluff fics on my blog ♡

though putting it out there, if people want an alternative ending where reader lives i'm willing to write that too ♡♡ (there's a good chance i might do that anyway since even just writing this made me sad!)

@alohastitch0626, tagging you because you also asked for a part two!

#coriolanus snow x reader #coriolanus x reader #tbosas x reader #the ballad of songbirds and snakes x reader #the hunger games x reader #the hunger games x you #the hunger games x y/n #thg x reader #❤︎ — the mockingjay sings

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xinvisiblestringsx · 14 days

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I'm going to defend Asagiri's fake out deaths

Asagiri fakes deaths too much yes but they make sense to the story. Fyodor was "killed" by Dazai and Chuuya and let me remind you that Fyodor is the main villain but Dazai is not the protagonist. Typically in fiction villains are defeated by protagonists so Dazai killing him doesn't make sense imo. (Atsushi barely did anything big and the cliffhanger at the end of s5 is proof of that)

Also about the fake deaths I don't think any "deaths" we've seen so far was enough of a big deal considering the importance of these characters to the story. If they were to fr die it would've been much more emotional and it would drag out through episodes.

Best example of Asagiri killing a character we have is Oda's death which was impactful to other characters and the overall storyline.

Also Fukuchi's death makes sense too but how Chuuya or Dazai "died" in previous chapters is underwhelming (i know they weren't when the chapters first came out but now through a clear lens they feel underwhelming)

And Fyodor dying without us learning about his ability/backstory/motivations + the battle just being chess with Dazai (there was no organization battle/we haven't seen all of Fyodor's cards/other characters were more involved with Fukuchi and hunting dogs business rather than Fyodor) were also hints that we're not done with Fyodor.

DoA fight was also all over the place like the arc was more focused on Fukuchi and his motivations (which is way different than Fyodor's) and Fukuchi got a proper ending unlike Fyodor.

So stop provoking this man I already am starting to think he's going to make Chuuya and Dazai die together (ehm we're destined to die together theory) And Akutagawa is obviously going to die at some point. Let him do his thing please 😭😭

#am i yapping or does this makes sense #boo they all say in unision #bsd #bsd rambles #bsd theories #bungou stray dogs #dazai osamu #chuuya nakahara #bsd fyodor #bsd fukuchi #fyodor dostoevsky #bsd atsushi #decay of angels #kafka asagiri #bsd akutagawa

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ladykailitha · 8 months

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Royal Pain Part 19

Hey, guys. Sorry it took so long to get this out. The chapter was fighting me and I have had the absolutely worst week. However in slightly happier news, my partner got a new job and that means I should be able to quit mine and go back to writing full time. I'll let you know more when I do, but it's looking more and more likely.

I realized it had been a while since we had an Eddie centric chapter and decided this would be the one. And I left it on a cliffhanger again. But don't worry next chapter will see more than one villain vanquished.

Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 Part 4 Part 5 Part 6 Part 7 Part 8 Part 9 Part 10 Part 11 Part 12 Part 13 Part 14 Part 15 Part 16 Part 17 Part 18

***

Eddie was seething. He hadn’t been this mad since he learned Max was moving to New York. Actually. No. He was madder then that. He was pissed.

Gareth grimaced. “They won’t do anything?”

“No,” Eddie growled. “Because he technically hasn’t violated the protection order, according to them.”

“If he can’t get with in five hundred feet,” Brian said, “then how did he find out about Steve.”

Eddie threw up his arms into the air. “That’s what I asked.”

“I’m betting,” Mandy said, “that they didn’t have a good answer?”

“Apparently since Seth showed up at Hopper’s,” Eddie snarled, “and not Steve’s shop, that he was just going around to all the tattoo parlors and threatening everyone.”

Jeff rolled his eyes. “I bet they didn’t even check with other tattoo shops and just made that shit up.”

“I even talked to Officer Callahan who was in charge of the original case file because he’s not supposed to be out of jail yet,” Eddie said, beginning to pace. “He never went.”

“What?!” came the shocked cry of outrage from everyone.

“Yeah,” Eddie continued. “Apparently he made a deal with the DA and they didn’t tell me. He got two years probation.”

“That’s bullshit!” Mandy hissed. “He was going to kill you.”

“Criminal mischief,” Eddie said. “Domestic abuse down to criminal mischief. $300 fine, two year probation, and forced to take a class about how not to be a violent offender.”

“It’s because you’re a man, isn’t it?” Gareth asked, licking his lips slowly. “These fuckers don’t think a man can be abused.”

Eddie pursed his lips into a line and nodded.

“Hop’s calling in a couple of favors to keep Steve safe,” he said. “But that does jack shit about me. And this isn’t me calling out that shit. That’s Hop’s prerogative but he’s my dumb ass ex, who’s protecting me?”

“We are,” Jeff said. “You don’t go anywhere without one of us. Garth, since you’re the only one without a roommate at the moment, Eddie’s going to stay with you. Brian, talk to Cecil, he’s studying law. See what he can recommend.”

Gareth and Brian both nodded.

Eddie buried his head into his hands. “This is such bullshit.”

Mandy came up and gave him a hug. “We’ll get through this. We did before and we will again. And this time we have more people that would be willing to help. Steve, Robin, Chrissy, hell the whole of the Royal Pain would throw hands for you.”

Eddie chuckled. He knew that too. “Well, maybe not Erica.”

Brian snorted. “That girl would sell her own mother for a cookie.”

“Not even a Girl Scout cookie,” Jeff agreed. “That girl is bound for world domination.”

“No doubt.”

“You tell me right now,” Wayne said when Eddie had called that night, “do you need me up there? Because work be damned, boy, I’ll be up there in two shakes of lamb’s tail.”

Eddie chewed on his nail. He felt like that little boy all over again. Being given the choice between being with his uncle or being put in a foster home. He didn’t want to be a bother to anyone, but he knew. He knew that Wayne was someone that wouldn’t care. That he could be as big a bother as he wanted, he would still be loved.

He let out a shuddering breath and like that little boy all those years ago said, “Yes. Please.”

“I’ve got some vacation time coming,” Wayne said as if he didn’t have weeks and weeks of it stored up because he was never sick a day in his life. “I cane be up there for as long as you need me, you hear?”

“I’m staying with Gareth for the time being,” Eddie said solemnly, “because Jeff is worried that Seth will follow me home.”

“Smart man, your Jeff,” Wayne agreed. “I have a friend in Indy I can crash on the sofa of for a couple of days until I can find something a little more permanent.”

“Yeah,” he whispered. “Let me know when you get into town and we’ll meet up for lunch.”

“You can finally take me to that pizza place you’ve been going on about for months.”

Eddie laughed, a knot loosening in his chest. “You’ve got it, old man.”

A few days later Steve was waiting for the pizza he had ordered for the shop, playing silly games on his phone when the bell announced new arrivals. He looked up instinctively and grinned.

He waved. “Eddie!”

Eddie lit up with a big smile. “Stevie?” He hopped over, an older man following a little slower behind.

“Hey!” Steve greeted. “Fancy seeing you here.”

Eddie’s smile turned into a grin. “DiMaggio’s is the best pizza place in Indy, not coming here is a crime.”

“If it’s not it certainly should be,” Steve agreed with his own answering grin.

“Steve,” Eddie said, “this is my uncle, Wayne. He’s staying in town for a few days.”

Steve’s mood was dampened a bit, knowing why he was in town. “Nice to meet you. I was planning a trip back down Hawkins at the end of the summer so that Eddie could introduce us, sorry we had meet under lesser than ideal circumstances.”

Wayne blinked at him for a moment before turning to Eddie. “This one is a keeper.”

Eddie blushed, shoving his hair in front of his face, ducking his head to hide his embarrassment.

Steve just smiled fondly at him. “I think that’s up to him.”

Wayne’s eyebrows shot up. “I like him.”

That surprised a laugh out of Eddie causing him to drop the hair. “Me too.”

“Let me just go order our pizzas,” Eddie murmured and darted for the front counter.

“He’s cute,” Steve said, waving his hand to the chair in front of him for Wayne to sit.

Wayne took the seat and smiled. “He certainly is. I’m glad the world didn’t beat the silliness out of him.”

“Me too,” Steve agreed. “I love how earnest and outgoing he is.”

Wayne hummed. “He tell what was going on?”

Steve nodded. “I’m afraid it’s my fault. Seth came after me at a friend’s shop, tried to threaten me into leaving Eddie alone.”

“I don’t think being threatened is the fault of the victim,” he said, his voice a deep comforting rumble.

Steve blushed. “That’s what Jeff and Robin said.”

“Jeff I know,” Wayne said, “Robin I don’t, but it sounds to me like they both have their heads on straight and you should be listening to them and not that voice in the back of your head.” He tapped Steve forehead for emphasis.

The bell above the door rang again and Mike and Will walked in. Steve raised a eyebrow when he spotted them.

“DiMaggio’s is certainly hopping for a random Thursday,” he commented dryly to Will when he lead a slightly reluctant Mike over to their table. Eddie arrived at the table just moments later and there are hugs and greetings all around.

“You caused quite a stir at the latest family dinner,” Will said with a huge grin to Steve.

Steve huffed out a laugh. “Yeah, how did that happen?”

“Jonathan is back on Mom’s couch,” he said with a smirk.

Steve reared his head back. “And how did that involve me?”

“Argyle kicked him out of the apartment because him and Nancy lied to him about who’s fault your and her relationship ended.”

“Nancy is furious at them both,” Mike said with a half shrug. “I’m not sure their relationship is going to survive that little revelation.”

Steve winced. “Yeah...that’s on them though. How was I to know that Jonathan hadn’t been honest to Argyle about that.”

Eddie bumped his shoulder. “You weren’t.”

“Oh we are totally on your side,” Will said.

Mike nodded. “Yeah, man. It was straight up bullshit all the lying they did.”

“Mom’s pissed because she really liked you,” Will continued, “and believed Jonathan about how things went down. Like of course she did. He’s her son, but she should have tried to get your side of it.”

“Those eight years are totally on her,” Steve said, holding his hands up in surrender. “You’ve been trying to tell her for years to at least talk to me about it.”

Will and Mike nodded.

Mike chewed on his lip as he played with the loose string on the hem of his t-shirt. “Is it bad I hope Nancy and Jonathan break up?”

The table got silence for a moment.

Wayne lifted his chin. “Why’s that, son?”

“Because I don’t think she wants a relationship. I think she was only with Jonathan and Steve,” he said waving at him with his left hand, “is because that’s what you’re ‘supposed’ to do.”

“Steve!” the counter called.

Steve got up to get his pizza order, he stopped back at the table. “I don’t think it’s a bad you want your sister to learn how to be herself without a partner. I think it shows that you’re more mature then she is. You’re a good man, Mike.”

He clapped Mike’s shoulder and then waved goodbye to everyone. He pulled out his keys and walked out to his car, flipping the key ring around as he thought.

He never intended this to happen when he saw his ex at the grocery store, but honestly? Maybe it was a good thing to get all those wounds brought to light so that they could heal properly.

For all their sakes.

Steve was ready for the weekend. His week had been a literal hell. But Eddie had promised that he would have fun. The band had been practicing a couple of new songs and were debuting them Saturday night.

He sat at the curve of the table, sandwiched between Robin, who wouldn’t care, only to tease him mercilessly later, and Mandy who got it, how fucking sexy Eddie and the band was when they were on stage.

Steve wished he could say he was better prepared every time Eddie got on stage, but every week Eddie went out of his way to drive Steve absolutely wild.

“He does this on purpose doesn’t he?” Steve asked after a particularly hot number where Eddie fell to his knees grinding on his guitar.

Mandy laughed. “I would like to put you out of your misery and say yes, but no. When Eddie gets on stage he loses all connection to the audience and just rocks out. His fans love it.”

Steve looked around the dingy bar and had to agree. They were just as turned on as he was. He shifted uncomfortably in his jeans, clearing his throat. “If we...” he cleared his throat again. “I mean if Eddie were to–if we were–”

Mandy took pity on him. “If you two were going out would the fans tear you to pieces for touching what they can’t?”

Steve bit his lip and nodded, looking at his hands that were twisted in lap.

She gave his knee a squeeze. “I honestly don’t know what the fans would do. But Eddie wouldn’t give a damn what they think. He’s been booed before for a song that they didn’t think was metal enough and he didn’t let that stop him. Not once.”

Steve let out a breath. It was always something that worried him. He knew he went against the grain in everything he did, but he didn’t want that with Eddie. He didn’t want to be with Eddie just because it went against the norm of what was expected of either of them.

They arrived at the club and already Robin was on the dance floor. She loved dancing and soon Mandy, Chrissy, Jeff, and Brian were out there with her. Gareth, Eddie, and Steve watched in amusement as their friends let loose on the dance floor, living it up under the rainbow lights and the thumping beat of the music.

Steve turned around and Eddie wasn’t there.

“You seen Eddie?” he shouted at Gareth.

Gareth shot up and looked around. “Shit.”

Somehow during their watching of their friends cutting it up, Eddie had slipped away.

“You check out back to see if he’s gone for a smoke,” Steve said.

Gareth nodded.

“I’m going to check the bar.”

Gareth nodded again.

Across the crowded room, a man in a tailored white suit grinned as he moved to the back of the club where the restrooms were, eyes glittering with want and rage as he scented his prey.

***

Part 20 Part 21 Part 22 Part 23 Part 24 Part 25 Part 26 Part 27 Part 28 Epilogue

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#stranger things #steddie #my writing #tattoo artist steve #ladykailtiha writes

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elliesmainhoe · 1 year

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Hi! Would you write something where Ellie comes back to Jackson crying after she finds out what Joel did at the hospital and reader obviously rushes over- but she gets angry at r and asks if she knew all along too.

Ellie says something like so you let me kiss you or fall in love with you knowing you were lying this whole time, infront of Joel Tommy etc and they find our r and Ellie are dating!

Sorry this is so loaded!!! This is what my mind does at work 😵‍💫😵‍💫

Why?!

Ellie Williams x Reader • FatherFigure!Joel x Reader

Summary: it was bound to happen sooner or later. I mean Joel slaughtering all the fireflies seven years ago was a pretty hard secret to be kept quiet- but you still wish it never reached Ellie's ears.

Content: death mention, arguments, crying, confrontation, guilt, angst, cliffhanger

You were feeling pretty lonely that morning, Ellie was out on patrol with your friends and due to a nasty sprained ankle you were forced to stay home. So instead of moping in your self pity, you limped out of your house and across the street- knocking on Joel's front door.

"Oh hey kiddo- come in, come in" the old man smiled at you, his arm linking with yours as he helped you navigate through the copious amounts of clutter scattered through his house.

"Me and Tommy were just having a cup of coffee. You want one?" He asked once he'd say you down on the barstool at his kitchen island. "Where'd you find coffee old man? That's shits like liquid gold"

"One. A wise man never tells his secrets. Two. Never call me old again. Three. Do you want some or not?" He quipped the corner of his mouth lifting up into a smirk.

"yes Joel. I would like some coffee"

"what's the magic word?" He raised his brow

"please?"

"Don't torment the poor girl" you heard the sound of Tommy's voice emerge from the attached living room

"Hey Tommy" you greeted the man "Hey kid how's the ankle?"

"Killing me"

"don't be such a baby- could've been broken" Joel interrupted only to be answered swiftly by your middle finger.

"You wound me" he joked.

Joel had been the closet thing to a father you had ever had. You were raised by your mother until you were thirteen, your biological father had been bitten during your mom's pregnancy.

You remember it well, you were eating in the cafeteria- scoffing on beef jerky when Maria (your mom's best friend) entered with two strangers and Tommy.

An older man with dark brown hair and a black and grey speckled beard. And a girl, your age, her messy brown hair tied up in a ponytail. She seemed cool.

It took you a week to build up the courage to talk to the girl. And on the chilly Friday morning, you walked into Jackson's cafeteria wearing a thick winter coat as snow settled into your frizzy hair- determined.

Unlike every other day that week, Ellie was missing- the usual table she frequented occupied by someone else eating their breakfast. Instead you approached your mom, who was chatting to Maria and some other ladies.

You leaned forward and whispered in her ear "The girl isn't here...". The past few days your mom had been encouraging you to chat with the new girl. Everyone knew how quiet and shy you were- you struggled making friends and your mom immediately began willing you to talk to the brunette as soon as you showed interest in becoming her friend.

"Hey Maria-" your mother called, drawing maria out of the conversation she was having with another lady. "Where did the new guy and his daughter go?"

"oh Joel and Ellie? They left- said that they had to go meet someone- Tommy wouldn't elaborate on where. Don't know when they'll be back"

It was three months before they returned. During those three months your mother had suffered a terrible accident. She was out on patrol one day- she was sick with a fever, but was too stubborn to tell anyone. She fainted during a runner attack- giving the infected an easy meal.

Ellie was different when she got back and so we're you- she didn't smile and she seemed more timid, not glaring at anyone who walked past like she did before- instead keeping her head hung and eyes on her feet. Your usual shy demeanor was even more so- you were currently living in a spare room of Maria's house- hiding in your bedroom and not seeing anyone.

Maria did eventually lure you out- a new film was being screened and it was one you'd always wanted to see. It was good- but halfway through the movie a plot twist that hit a bit too close to home (a tragedy stricken death of a parent) you decided you need a breather.

You weren't paying attention to the direction your feet were taking you until the familiar sound of Tommy's voice met your ears.

"What's wrong with you Joel? What the fuck happened to you out there?"

"The fireflies- the cure... It would've killed her-"

A pause.

"What did you do Joel?"

Another pause.

"I saved her."

You peered through the doorway "Saved who?"

"Where's your head at kid?" Joel's gruff voice pulled you out of your head as he put down a steaming mug infront of you.

"Thanks Joel." You took a hesitant sip of the dark liquid, pressing your lips into a thin line in thought- "Do you know when Ells gonna be back from patrol? I need to head back to the couch so she doesn't realize I've moved by myself."

"When did they leave?" Tommy asked leaning against Joel's brown kitchen cabinets. "Two-hours ago ish"

"Well if they're taking the route I think they are- then another two hours"

The three of you fell into conversation, chatting about anything and everything while sipping the liquid gold out of the ceramic mugs.

••••••••••••

Twenty minutes passed- your cup now empty, a stained ring left on the graphite counters behind in it's wake as you observed the conversation happening before you, adding little quips in here and there.

A loud bang startled you, your heart stuttering in suprise as the familiar sound of heavy walking boots hits your ears.

"Kiddo- is that you?"

Ellie stormed in- her face red and blotchy, as tear stains ran down her cheeks. "Why?!" She spoke sternly ,but a small break was still evident in her voice.

"What? Kid, what do you mean 'why?'." Joel asked, approaching Ellie only for her to take an unstable step backwards. "The fireflies. I know about it. Why..? Just-" she paused "why Joel?!"

Joel stood there in silence, looking at his daughter and trying to figure out what to say- Tommy's figure stayed anxiously still, as if he hoped he would blend into the background.

Ellie's eyes wanders towards your sitting frame, analysing you. "Why don't you seem surprised...?" She whispered, eyes begining to well with tears again. You sighed.

"Ells..."

"No. No" she denied- the water that had built up finally spilling from her eyes. "Don't- you knew?"

You stayed silent before hesitantly nodding your head, confirming her suspicions.

Silence had never felt so uncomfortable. Her stare burnt into you, her hands shook and you couldn't decide whether it was due to anger or sadness. "I can't-... I can't fucking believe it..."

Her hand covered her mouth, muffling a sob that slipped through her lips. "You- you let me fall in love with you, while lying the whole fucking time. How could you do that?!?" Her tone was frustrated and confused and God... It broke your heart.

Tommy and joels attention turned to you. You and Ellie had never explicitly told them you were in a relationship, there were rumours of course, but you both valued privacy too much to go around parading your relationship to possible homophobes and bigots that could live in Jackson.

"I'm.. I'm sorry. I just i-" you hesitated.

"you just WHAT!" She yelled, " I have kissed you and trusted you and you kept the most important secret from me... How could you do that?!"

Your voice failed you. So many words wanted to leave your mouth but none of them could. After being met with silence she scoffed, rolling her teary eyes and turning on her heels.

"Don't try and find me. I need time to think..." The sound of rushed footsteps became quieter before another large slam of Joel's front door sounded out again.

Fuck.

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

Idk if I like this or not :/

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oh-my-may · 9 days

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LET'S TALK HSR PENACONY 2.1 (or rather, have my impressions and thoughts on the main quest and some other stuff)

First of all, I went out of it with so many thoughts and emotions. This is not gonna be spoiler free (duh).

ACHERON IS SO FUN TO PLAY. Like, really really fun. Finally Simulated Universe is not an annoying pain anymore, and much quicker too. Thanks to a good friend of mine her relics aren't too bad either. She's already so fun to play with Black Swan, can't wait for a Kafka rerun now 💀

Aa for the story now: I FUCKING KNEW MIKHAIL WAS THE WATCHMAKER. I KNEW IT. Now to wait for them to confirm that Misha is connected to him, either as a ghost of his past self or a child or some sort. It's the only way.

It's also really refreshing to see that HSR is giving 4star characters significant roles in the story. First it was Tingyun, now it's Gallagher (and maybe Misha? I'll die on this hill).

Loved the pacing. Story was quite long and lots of gameplay but didn't feel overwhelming at all, probably because we didn't just stick to the MC the whole time. The characters split up and we didn't just follow the express crew but also Aventurine, I really loved that. It felt so dynamic and immersive.

WELT AND ACHERON INTERACTION. BRO. The way I gasped the whole time. We still don't have a canon confirmation of how Raiden Mei and Acheron or just generally HI3rd and HSR are connected but it's sp clear that Acheron is by far the closest connection yet. So sp excited to find out more about this. Raiden Mei, I'll love you in every universe.

Aventurine and Ratio are also very interesting to me. What does Ratio gain by involving himself in all of this? What does he get out of it? Anyway, their little journey through the mansion was nice. GIGANTIC RATIO. The kinda stuff my dreams are made of tbh.

Generally the whole Aventurine story got me right from the beginning. He's generally one of the most interesting characters to me (although this game has plenty of them). I gotta admit of course I was suspicious of him (as one should be of all Penacony characters) but I liked him nevertheless. This patch supported my feelings, my GOD HE xkdjjdjdjd. The way I cried. Since I played the story so late ofc I saw some spoilers/screenshots of his backstory but I never expected it to hit me this hard. Just wow. His ending, too. It's so bitter. Kinda hope we get to see him again, since he'a mot really dead, right? Just in some limbo.

His boss fight was really something. Not a lot of different patterns, but I still had to try a bunch of different teams, since you're kinda fucked even with just a single single target character in your party. Had to unbench Clara, and I gotta say, she came through for me. I might not have used the most meta team, but it worked soooo...

And just as I was glad I had managed the fight they hit you with that big cut scene, woah. AND THEN WITH THE FIREFLY SCENE? AND SUNDAY????

First of all, apparently it was common knowledge among the community since last patch that Sam was Firefly. Yeah, I gwt it bc of the leaks and stuff. But I'm just so confused as to HOW. Like HOW and WHY and just generally HUH. I can't wait for them to explain this connection (if you're reading this and you wanna spoil me with non-confirmed stuff then leave it, please, I might as well wait another 3 weeks).

And then Gallagher and Sunday... Just as I was admiring Sunday's beauty because he might legit just be one of the most gorgeous male character designs... THEY KILL HIM. When I tell ypu I was SHOOK. Mouth agape and all. Didn't know what to do. What a cliffhanger.

Now I don't have a real theory as to what I think will happen. If I remember correctly they said the main story will stretch until 2.3, right? I really wonder what else will happen, the story already seemed so huge this patch and I really wonder how it'll conclude. There's still so many questions and stories. Might add on to this post later when I have more thoughts.

Also Aventurine's banner just dropped but as of writing this I haven't pulled yet. Might add a little post later about it.

For now, have some screenshots I took during the story:

ALSO I GOT AVENTURINE. SECOND 50/50 WIN IN A ROW IN THIS GAME HAVE I FINALLY BROKEN THE CURSE. Now for the long and treacherous road of farming his trace mats and relics ... Since I never really prefarm 🥲

A pic I took in my excitement. Forgot the screenshot button exists.

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twinsunstars · 3 months

Text

Analysis of The Bad Batch’s Final Season Trailer

ft: pain and screaming

So the trailer for the last season of The Bad Batch finally got released, and we have all been screaming over it since this morning. Last season left us on a heartbreaking cliffhanger, and with Season 3 being our last season that we'll see the Batch together, there's a lot to look out for.

I didn't have too much to write in here, just some small thoughts.

For starters, we see Phee within seconds of the trailer opening, helping the Batch in some kind of action scene. I'm glad she's helping out, and I kind of wonder if we'll ever see her reaction to Tech being gone.

Rex will be helping out the Batch again, and hopefully he finds information to help find Omega.

This image has been in my mind for a while. There are two small figures that seem to be walking out from the ship, and I can't help but feel they're Omega and Crosshair after their escape from the lab. We'll just have to see.

They had the audacity to remind us that this happened 😭

We'll be getting a lot of action and chaos in this season. I wonder what's happening here.

Omega gets to see Crosshair again while they are trapped, and he looks so sad and tired. I'm looking forward to their interactions, and hopefully Omega tells him about Tech.

I think Emerie will have an important role to play, and I hope she tries to help get Omega and Crosshair out.

She's been waiting for so long, someone get her home soon.

Palpatine definitely has something big planned, it'll be a matter of time before finding out.

Many theories speculate that this is Tech... honestly, I'm not keeping my hopes high for the chance that he is alive (but I am on the side that he potentially is...). If this ends up being Tech, there goes the Winter Soldier arc.

I'm excited for Fennec Shand and Cad Bane to be showing up again. I feel like Fennec will probably help them, but maybe not.

We see Nala Se still alive and well, and I doubt she'll have a role in Omega getting out. I keep wondering if she'll be killed off this season.

This is Wolffe, isn't it??? We got Gregor in the first season, and now Wolffe will be coming so Rex can get him and lead up to them living together in Rebels.

I love Omega's hair here, she's getting so big all the time 🤧

This is definitely her escaping, I'm so nervous already.

This is definitely what got everyone screaming. We'll get to see Ventress in the Empire era, and that Dark Disciple book was the first thing that popped into my mind once I saw her design. I wonder what role Ventress will have in this season, and I love her new golden lightsaber.

What are your theories for the final season of The Bad Batch? Please tell me they got AZ back from Cid, and I pray we don't get to see Cid at all, for all we know she can leave. I wonder if we'll see Cody again after he disappeared. I hope Crosshair and Omega comes back home safely. And I just know the ending will be pain even though we want a happy ending 😭

#star wars #the bad batch #bad batch hunter #bad batch spoilers #bad batch crosshair #bad batch omega #bad batch wrecker #bad batch echo #bad batch tech #bad batch phee #bad batch #tbb #star wars the bad batch #clone force 99 #tbb tech #nala se #fennec shand #cad bane #asajj ventress

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ohtobeleah · 1 year

Note

AAAHHHHHH LEAH YOU CANT LEAVE US HANGING LIKE THAT WITH TERMS OF ENDEARMENT!

You know I can anything I want right? because I can and I will leave you on yet another cliffhanger. Masterlist is linked here.

WARNINGS: Mentions of graphic domestic violence issues. Heavy and mature theme of domestic violence ahead. Do not read if you aren't comfortable reading about those issues. (Please also keep in mind this is not me glorifying abuse, but highlighting the long-term effects that domestic abuse can have on those directly exposed.)

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

It was meant to be a holiday to the California Coast, something to break the day in day out mundane routine of home. But you felt somewhat naive to believe that while on holidays things would be any different to what they were at home. If anything? Things were much much worse. On holiday on the California Coast was where your final straw was pulled. You had to escape, you had to leave because the signs were all there, written in bright red ink. You were fighting for your life now, for your daughter's life, no more games or tolerance.

“You can cancel my bank cards, you can push me around, you can beat me black and blue but you will never win because I don't love you anymore!” You shouted as you stood on the opposite side of the king bed that Jaidyn did. Putting something between you so that he couldn't lungs at you. “The only mistake I ever made was staying this long, not speaking up and telling everyone the truth.” You knew threatening him wasn't the best idea, but you wanted him to know that at this moment you weren't afraid of him although deep down you were terrified. “I kept my mouth shut because I thought that's what a good partner did–I didn't want any of this to be true so I stayed silent–I kept quiet!” You chuckled softly to yourself in disbelief that this was your life, that you'd put up with this abuse for so long because you thought that this was love, that this was as good as you were going to get, that this was all you deserved. “I don't think you ever loved me, if you did you wouldn't treat me like a hostage! A slave that you can just take and take and take from!”

“Shut the fuck up!” Jaiydn hissed as he tried to make his way to you only for you to step back and move around the bed. “Just you wait until I get my fucking hands on you your stupid bitch!” He spat, anger evident in his eyes as he balled his fist and pointed at you. “I’m gonna kill you–” Again, you just chuckled almost maniacally, shaking your head because it was now or never.

“But not anymore, I am leaving! I am taking my child! I am walking out this goddamn door and I swear if you try to stop me I will scream and I won't stop screaming!”

It didn't matter how much you screamed in the Air BnB, no one was coming to help you. Jaiydn had called your bluff and completely decimated you. He beat you black and blue until your ribs were broken and your eye socket was shattered. You screamed so loud you eventually lost your voice. That only made it easier for him to have his way with you–against your will because without a voice how do you say no?

“One more sip for me darlin.’” He cooed as he tipped your chin up and poured the burning liquor down your throat. The bottle nearly empty as you laid bloodied, beaten and bruised between Jaidyns legs. “Good girl.” You swallowed, crying, a gentle sob escaped past your broken lips as you coughed at the sting of a drip running down your chin over lacerations. “See? Isn’t it just so easy to do as your fucking told instead of being a physotic cunt?”

Drunk, Jaidyn pushed you into a heap on the floor as he got up. Kicking you in your stomach one final time for good measure. Smirking at the sound you made. He loved the way you looked so helpless, all because of him.

“I'm gonna go down the road to the casino with a few buddies of mine who are in the area.” He explained as you laid with your head spinning from the amount of alcohol you'd been forced to drink in such a small amount of time. “Might even bring some of the boys back for some fun too.” He threatened. “Since you wanna act like a fucking whore, ill hire you out like one.”

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

“Jaidyn?”

When Bradley had seen the way you paused in your tracks like you’d walked right into an investable brick wall, he knew something was seriously wrong. Unclipping his seatbelt as quickly as he could before jumping out of the car. His imminent response was to grab your daughter. No question or hesitation about it.

“Hey slugga–” Bradley cooed as he unclipped Odette from her carseat. She was in hysterics. “Shhh you’re alright bubba, hey, none of that.” Holding her to his chest trying to soothe her worries, Bradley shut the door once he knew Dot was okay and that she was safe in his strong arms. “You’re okay darling girl, I got you.” He’d do anything for her—without question.

“Mamma–” Dot cried out as Bradley rounded the front of the car, coming to stand beside you but just a little in front. He wanted to be a barrier for whatever had frightened you. It didn't take Bradley long at all to figure out what was going on. He was privy to your ex’s sudden appearance in North Island and despite Jake's constant taunting about Braldleys intellectual capacity–he didn't need a degree in aerospace engineering to put two and two together. The man standing before you, the man who had hit Jake's car at the T-intersection, was Jaiydn Dolan.

“Sugar Plum oh how i've missed you!” Jaidyn beamed as he stepped forwards and tried to reach out for his daughter who seemed to recoil at his gesture. Curling her little hands into the fabric of Bradleys shirt as she clung to him for dear life. Hiding her face in the space between his shoulder and chest, her tears still falling freely down her traumatised cheeks.

“Reach for her like that again and you’ll lose both your damn hands.” Bradley hissed as you stepped a little further behind him. He’d never seen you like this before, so closed off and scared. He’d remembered quite well how quiet and in your own shell you were when he’d first met you–but it was nothing like the display he was seeing now. You were beyond that of terrified. “You hit my friend's car, I'm gonna need your insurance and stuff to get the damage covered.” Bradley puffed his chest as your ex eyed him down. “Unless you want me to call the cops and have them come down here?” Jaidyn smirked, it made you feel sick to your stomach when he turned to look at you hiding behind Bradley's left shoulder.

“So this is who fell for your fucking bullshit huh?” He chuckled wildly as he stepped back, spitting a glob of spit and blood out of his mouth. It looked as if he’d been a victim of his own airbag too. Rooster still had blood dripping from his nose, it stained the hairs on his moustache an orangey iron colour. Yours did the same, only the blood that ran down went strain into your mouth. Both having been victims of the force of those airbags. “She's a trainwreck man, drags whoevers around her down into the dirt.” Jaidyn thought he was being smart, degrading you in such a public way. Bradley wasn't going to stand for it, turning to face you as he passed you Dot. “Bitch took my fucking daughter away from me.”

“Brad–” You tried to protest but your voice was caught in your throat. Soft and barely audible. Rooster could see it in your eyes–you knew just how bad of a situation this was, probably more so than Bradley could understand himself. But like Pete had told him, he had to protect his family.

“Take Dot.” Passing you your daughter, Bradley kissed the top of your forehead. Suddenly nothing else mattered more than keeping her safe, it was the very reason you had run in the first place. “Walk to the park across the street, call Jake–tell him what happened.” Rooster was a rather happy go lucky kinda guy. He’d always found a way to make you laugh, make you smile. But right now? His voice, the tone he projected—had never sounded so serious.

“I don't wanna rui–”

“You could never ruin Christmas.” Bradley knew what you were going to say before you even finished your sentence. “Go, call Jake, get her out of here–once you’ve called Jake I want you to call Penny and tell her we need a ride, can you do that for me?” Bradley asked as he cupped your face–you were too busy looking over his shoulder. “Hey, Y/n? Look at me.” You snapped out of the haze that had clouded your gaze, looking Bradley in the eye as he got down to your eye level. “I'm not gonna let anything happen to you.”

When Jaiydn had left, you used the phone in the Air Bnb to call a taxi, specifically requesting a female driver. You knew it was a long shot but you thought you could appeal to her natural instincts.

“Come on baby, Mums okay–” You cried as you stumbled out the door and sat on the curb waiting for the taxi. “I've got you baby.” Dot had been screaming the entire time Jaidyn was laying into you. She was so scared, the little girl locked in a room all by herself for at least two solid hours. “I'm so sorry, but we’re going baby, we’re okay.” You weren't sure who you were trying to convince at this stage, you or your daughter. But as the taxi pulled up you knew you only had once change.

“Ma'am are you alright?” The taxi driver asked as she rolled down the passenger side window as you stood.

“I don't have any money.” You needed her to understand that first and foremost. “But I need to get to forty nine Wallows Street, North island.” Jake's address, he’d given it to you a few weeks ago before Jaidyn took your phone. “If you don't take me? He’s gonna kill us both.” You tried to remain strong, keep your shoulders squared and your chin held high. But you'd never felt more broken. “My partner is gone but he’s coming back and if I'm here when he gets home he's going to kill us.”

“Did he do this to you?” She asked, you could tell by her eyes she was thinking about the pros and cons of getting involved in a situation like this. So you nodded, confirming her question as you held your daughter on your hip. The taxi driver whose name you later learn was Mary, could smell the alcohol on you as you stood outside the taxi. “Well alright then, get in.”

“Thankyou–” You sobbed, opening the back door and sliding in. “Thank You so much.” Reaching out for her shoulder, Mary cupped your hand in response.

“I'm not gonna let anything happen to you.” She smiled at you through the rear view mirror. “North Island it is.”

“Y/n?” Bradley rubbed the pads of his thumbs against your cheek, bringing you back to reality. “You hear me? I’ve got you.” It was the most sincere thing you ever heard. “I’m not gonna let anybody hurt you ever again, I’ve got you.” Bradley Bradshaw was a born protector, he was brought up to believe that to protect those you love was the most important thing you could ever do. In what form that protection came didn’t really matter, but right now in the moment he stood between you and your ex he knew that he’d lay his life down for you. No question, no hesitation.

“Okay—“ You mumbled, nodding at Bradley’s reassurance that he had your back. “I’ll ring Jake, then call Penny.” You didn’t want to hang around for too much longer, lingering in the presence of the man who tried to kill you made you feel sick. “I’ll be in the park.”

“I’ll be right behind you.” Bradley’s eyes never left your back as he watched you hurry off with Dot, looking over your shoulder periodically as people who stood on the corners of the sidewalks watched on at the aftermath of the moderate Christmas Day car accident. Knowing nothing deeper than what it was on the surface.

“Till we meet again sweetheart, I'm so glad I finally found you!” Jaidyn barked with a sinister smile. Waving you off as Bradley turned his attention back to your ex. “You know we’re engaged right?” Jaidyn taunted Bradley as he stood there thinking of all the things he wanted to do to him. If he could, without consequence, Rooster would put Jaiydn into the dirt. But he couldn’t. “Got her the prettiest ring and everything—so ungrateful—“

Choosing to ignore the revelation that you had been engaged, knowing it was most likely against your will, Bradley balled the fabric of Jaidyns t-shirt into his first and pulled him close.

“Listen to me because I'm only gonna say this once.” Gritting his teeth and clenching his jaw until the vein in his neck popped, Rooster saw red. He saw the man who had hurt you, who you trusted to take care of you, who betrayed every level of trust there was to break.“You even so much as think about looking at her the wrong way ill fucking kill you–do you hear me?”

“I don't even know who you are, man! lay off–” Jaidyn shoved at Rooster's chest as he stepped back. “She’s got you all convinced she’s some damsel in distress hasn't she?” With one swing, Rooster's fist was connecting with Jaidyns jaw, a crack as loud as thunder could be heard from those who watched on. As Jaidyns stumbled and doubled over, Rooster shook his hand, surely to bruise up nicely in the next few hours or so. But he didn't mind all that much, it would be a small sacrifice to pay to keep you and your daughter safe. Bradley wanted it known that he wasn't messing around, that he was serious and he would do anything to protect you and Odette.

“Come near those girls–” Rooster hissed, towering over Jaidyn as he held his jaw and groaned out a pained sigh. "And I'll make sure you end up breathing through a tube.” Bradley had never felt such disrespect for someone else, but where he came from and with the men in his life who raised him right, there were only two words he’d used to describe a man who hits women. A little bitch. “And I'm not bluffing either, man.”

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

Jake Seresin sat at his family's dining table amongst his extended family tapping his leg relentlessly under the table. His knee bounced in with anxiety as he tapped his phone screen to see if he’d missed any calls or text since having spoken to Bradshaw earlier that same morning.

“How's everything going in your neck of the woods Jakey?” His cousin asked as she nursed her son. “You still out at North–” Before Jake's cousin could even finish her question, Jake was jumping up from his seat at the sight of your name lighting up his caller ID.

“Hey Fe, Merry Chris–”

“I lied.” Jake's heart instantly broke at the sound of your sobs. “I lied, we aren’t okay.” Your sobs quickly turned into a small pathetic laugh before turning right back into sobs as you sat on the bench in the park. Dot at your feet entertaining herself with a few rocks. A little girl with such creative imagination everything and anything could be a toy. She’d calmed down when she noticed you were walking over to the park. “Jaidyn–” You didn't need to finish your sentence or explain anything more before Jake was making his way upstairs to pack his stuff.

“I'm coming home.”

“He hit your car–” Jake frowned as he held his phone between his ear and shoulder. Packing his stuff into his suitcase haphazardly as he heard footsteps coming up the stairs. “We were driving back from Penny and Mavs and he just came out of nowhere.”

“Hang on.” Jake had to stop what he was doing for a moment as his mother stepped into his childhood room. “He hit my car as in, he purposefully caused an accident?” Jake was fuming, his face had turned a nice shade of red and he was sure his core temperature had risen a few degrees. “Are you okay?” Jake started on all the necessary questions he needed an answer too immediately before his heart exploded out of his goddamn chest. “Is Dot alright? Bradshaw?”

“Yeah Jake.” You sighed. “We’re all alright, just a little shaken and I dunno if he did it on purpose or if it was just some fucked up coincidence but the cars fucked Jake im so sorry.” Again, Your sobs broke Jake's heart. “I'm in the park with Dot, Bradley told me to call Penny for a lift because we can’t drive the car back to yours.”

“Where's Rooster?” Jake asked nearly panicked. He knew what Rooster could be capable of if given the chance and the right motive. “Is he not with you?”

“He's still with the car, said something about needing to get insurance.”

“Bull fuck he wants insurance.” Jake mumbled to himself as he threw the last few articles of clothing into his suitcase. “Listen, stay where you are, but when Roosters finished with his dick measuring contest, don't you dare leave his side, you got it?” Jake couldn't see you but he knew you nodded in response. “I’ll be on the first flight back–”

“What?” You heard Jake's mother in the background, but for once in your life you wanted to be selfish, you needed Jake to come back. Come home. You weren't going to tell him to stay in Texas when you needed him here with you and Dot and Bradley in North Island. “What do you mean you’re going back, what's going on?”

“I got a family emergency.” Jake explained and your heart melted for a moment amongst the chaos. “I gotta go home ma, end of story.”

“All your family is here Jake, what do you mean a family emergency!?” You really didn't mean to eavesdrop, but you could hear everything loud and clear over the phone.

“Not everyone ma, I've got family in North Island too and something just happened, I gotta go home, end of story alright.”

“Jake?” You whispered as you watched Dot entertain herself. “I really am sorry, for everything–”

“Nothing to be sorry about, I'll see you when I get home.” There was nothing else to discuss, it was an open and shut conversation. Jake hung up before his mother could figure out who was on the other end of the line. Watching like a hawk as Jake zipped up his suitcase. “I really do have to go, I'm sorry–I'll just have to make it up to you another time?”

“It's Christmas Day Jacob.” Jake's mother couldn't have been more disappointed even if she had tried to hide it. Not like she was through. “What am I supposed to tell your father?”

“Exactly what I told you” you and Odette were Jake's family. He’d already beaten himself up enough for letting you stay with Jaidyn for as long as you did, but he didn't know how bad it had gotten because you were just so bloody good at hiding it. He should have known something was wrong when you’d stopped returning his calls and text a few months before you showed up on his doorstep in the middle of the night. He couldn’t take what he didn’t do sooner back—but he had a chance to do something that mattered now:

“That I have a family emergency.”

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

“Penny and Mav are on their way.” By the time Rooster had made his way over to you in the park, you were a shaking mess. “Said they wouldn’t be too long.” Coming to sit beside you, Bradley didn’t draw you close. He didn’t wrap his arm around your shoulder or kiss your cheek like he normally would. Instead, he just sat beside you—waiting for you to feel comfortable enough to be touched. “Jake said you were having a dick measuring competition.” Bradley’s lips turned into a small almost unidentifiable smirk as you turned your head to look at him. “He’ll be on the first flight back.”

“You reckon he did it on purpose?” Bradley asked as your eyes fell to his hands, his knuckles were a nice shade of red. Bloodshot capillaries had started to form some subtle bruising, a light dusting on dried blood had formed a thin layer on top of the cuts. Reaching out to take his hand in yours, you turned your attention back to Dot who was happily collecting different coloured leaves as she waddled around close by. “Kinda seems like it was premeditated.”

“Oh, oh no he definitely knew it was us in the car, which makes me wonder how long he’s been following me.” It was a terrifying concept to think about. How long had Jaidyn had his eyes on you? How long had he been in North ISland for and more importantly, did he know where you were living? Did he know where you and your beautiful daughter had been staying since you ran. Did he know that the lock on Jake's front door was slightly broken and sometimes doesn't lock properly? “Bradley, I can't stay here.”

“I figured you’d think that as much.” Rooster knew this conversation was coming. He knew it was going to have to be one he had with you the minute he saw you standing there looking as if you’d seen a ghost. With his knees on his knees, Rooster watched Odette as she flew off with the fairies, in her own little imaginative world, so blissfully unaware of the imminent danger that loomed for you and her alike. “Let's be rational about this though.”

“If he’s here? you aren’t safe, Jake isn’t safe, my daughter isn’t safe—“ You were once again putting everyone around you before yourself. “It was so selfish of me to bring you into this.” Wiping away your tears, Bradley brought his arm up around your shoulders as you fell into his chest. Crying. “I never should have let me guard down and I never should have let you get close, because he’s fucking right, I drag everyone down around me.” It broke Braldey heart to see you like this, a woman with such a fire and grace repressed to such a level of self worth it was basically non-existent. “I can't let you get involved with him, he's too dangerous.”

“I think you’re forgetting that I want to be here.” Bradley wasn’t going to argue with you, he knew that would do any good. He knew if he told you to stay that that could come across like he was forcing you to, you were your own person. Beautiful and brilliant in every way. He didn't ever want you to feel trapped with him, that you couldn't make your own choices in life. But he needed you to know truthfully and wholeheartedly that he'd cross oceans and move mountains for you. “So if you’re thinking about running again, just know—I’m coming with you.”

“What?” You asked as you sat back up, rubbing your running nose on the back of your sleeve. Dried blood that had remained in your nose seeping out as you cried. It wasn't all that attractive, but nevertheless Bradley reached out to wipe it all away with the cuff of his jumper. “Why would you do that? Your whole life is here?”

“My whole life is sitting right next to me.” Bradley cooed. “So if you wanna go, we’ll go, but hear me out alright?” You simply nodded in response. “If you keep running every time he catches up? Are you ever gonna be able to move on?”

“He’ll kill me if I stay.” It was a fact as immutable as gravity. “You and Jake playing heroes and getting the rulers out and saying I'll be safe when I won’t be won't change anything because he's psychotic!” It was one of the biggest contributing factors as to why you hadnt reported Jaidyn to the police when you had so many chances to.

“What would change if you left now and he just found you in the next town?” Bradley asked as calmly as ever, knowing it was a fact that wouldn’t change if you ran. “If you run he’ll just find you again and you’ll forever be stuck in the cycle.”

“It's just a high price I'm willing to pay to go free.” You replied, sitting with Bradley in the middle of the park. “Listen Bradshaw.” You smiled, reaching out the cup Bradleys cheek, a light scruff against his cheek tickled your palm. “I really like you, like a lot.” You wanted to say you loved him, truly. But it just wasn't the right time. “You're probably the only man who's ever gonna look at me the way you do and I can't thank you enough for what you've done for me and Dot.”

“I sense a but is coming.” Rooster chuckled as he leaned into your touch. Admiring you like a love sick puppy. Not trying to hide his admiration for you in the slightest bit.

“But you’re too good to lower your standards for me.” It left like someone had pulled directly on the strings of his heart. A sharp pain resonating deep in his chest when you said that you thought you weren't good enough for him.

“Too bad–” Bradley shrugged as he pulled you closer, letting your head fall against his shoulder. “Listen to me okay, because I just dont think it's sinking in.” He wasn't going to let you live a life where you thought you were less than others.

“You're gonna get caught in a mess you won't be able to get out of, Rooster, now that He’s here I can't even begin to imagine the havoc he’ll cause.” Bradley knew you were going to put up an honest fight, it was in your inherent nature. You’d been doing that since day one so to expect any less than a solid conversation at the very least wouldn't be his own fault. Mentally cracking his knuckles and neck, Bradly settled in for a fight, ready to plead his case.

“Why don't we stop talking about your ex for five minutes and talk about you?” It sounded firmer than he probably meant it to come across, but nevertheless you sat up a little straighter and frowned your brows.

“Okay.” Hesitancy laced your tone and Braldye immediately softened next to you. He knew this whole situation was hard to be in and would be even harder to navigate. But lucky for you he was pretty good at working a GPS.

“Your Ex can get–” Before Rooster could get into his novel of a statement as to why he thought you should stay, Dot was leaning against your legs with a pouty bottom lip.

“Mamma, I wanna go home.” She cooed with tired eyes as her little fist came up to rub at them. It melted your heart as you picked you up. Cuddling her, fixing her hair. Kissing her cheek. She was everything to you.

“I know baby I know, me too–but we’re just waiting for Penny and Pete.”

“O’Tay.” Dot replied softly as her gaze turned up at Bradley. “Can I sit on your lap Toosters?” She asked politely. It still amazed you how quickly she’d grown attached to Brdley Bradshaw. It frightened you a little because what if this just didn't work out? Again your daughter would go without a father figure in her life. Not that you were insinuating Bradley was, but he was surely doing a hell of a lot more than her biological father ever did.

“Sure Baby, here.” Bradley reached out and took Dot from your lap, gently placing her on his as he bounced his knee to rock her gently. She was exhausted. A little girl in a big scary world. Once Dot had settled in Roosters lap, his arms encapsulating her, he turned all his attention back onto you. “Now as I was saying, enough about that pissant.” He started. “I wanna life with you Y/n I don't think I could be any more clear about that.”

“You're stupid if you think a life with me is worth fighting for.” You chuckled at the sentiment although it made you blush. It made you feel all fuzzy inside. Even while you were staring down the fact that your very dangerous, very unpredictable ex was now in town, Bradley Bradshaw still found a way to make you smile.

“Okay, you can definitely hold back a little on the degradation there.” He laughed as Dot cuddled into his chest a little more, sucking her thumb as her eyelids fluttered. Listening to the lub dub rhythm of her Toosters heart. “You and your daughter have been nothing but a blessing since you moved here, and it's not my fault you made me fall in love with you, so technically you're just gonna have to accept the fact that you're stuck with me because I'm not going anywhere anytime soon.”

“But what about–” You tried to argue, you just weren't used to being loved. Being wanted, being needed. Bradley couldn't blame you, he hated to compare you to a dog but it was like he'd rescued an abused dog from the shelter. At first they'd be a little standoffish, but soon enough they'd realise they're loved and in a safe place. A home. It was the same premise with you, he just needed to work you over, brick by brick.

“Fuck your ex Y/n, fuck him!” Bradley scoffed. “He doesn't get to dictate your happiness or what you do with your life or who you choose to love or don’t love or where you live.” You sat silent next to Rooster as he rocked your daughter to sleep. You caught yourself for a moment falling into a daydream where you and Rooster could just play house, be happy and in love without all the drama and fuss. “He doesn't have a claim to you anymore and if he tries to mess with you? If he tries to come near you or Odette or so much as breathes in your direction, there's not a single thing I wouldn't do to protect you both.” It was a massive sentiment. You’d never ask Rooster to fight your battles for you, but knowing he would willingly meant a whole lot to you. More than he’d probably ever know.

“I think Penny and Pete are here.” You sighed softly as you saw the silver sedan pull up to the curbside.

“Don't change the subject Y/L/N.” Bradley smirked as he eyed you off, never taking his eyes off you for a moment. “So, if you wanna go, we’ll go and we’ll pack whatever you need and we’ll leave tonight.” Standing up, Rooster readjusted Odette to his hip before holding out his hand for you to take. Helping you stand from the bench you'd been occupying. “But–if you wanna stay? You’ll be surrounded by people who love you and who care about you and who just want you and this beautiful daughter of yours to feel safe and loved.” You weren't necessarily ignoring what Rooster was saying as you walked side by side slowly through the park, but you weren't directly answering his questions either.

“Jakes just gonna tell me i'd be crazy to leave isn't he?” You shook your head as you let out a frustrated groan. “Fuck this is such a mess–”

“Oh yeah big time.” Rooster agreed with a nod, pressing his lips together in a firm line as he slung his arm around your shoulder. “He’ll probably handcuff you to the dresser too if you say you wanna leave, but I think we’ll have a solid few hours to remove all the handles from all the draws he could possibly cuff you to before he gets back.” Laughing together as you approached Penny's car, you thought for a second what Rooster would think of Jake if he knew how you and Jaidyn originally got together. You knew Jake hated himself for it, still to this day he’d mention from time to time just how sorry he really is. He blamed himself for everything you'd ever been through.

“I can only imagine the foul as fuck mood hes gonna be in when he gets home.”

“That sounds like we’ll be here when he does get home?” Bradley raised a single brow as he walked with you over to Penny's car. Holding a sleepy Dot on his hip. “And well, honestly he has a right to be pissed– I mean, no man should get away with what he's done to you Y/n.”

“Yeah, but it's not just that.” You sighed as you stopped in your tracks, wondering if you should even tell Bradley what you were about to tell him.

“Then what?” He asked curiously with a puzzled expression plastered across his face. You pressed your lips together knowing it wasn't all that deep but still gave Bradley another puzzle piece to play with. Letting him in a little more each and every day. Letting him decided for himself if he should stay or if he should hightail it the fuck out of dodge.

“Jakes the one who set me up with Jaidyn in the first place.”

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

Tags: @a-serene-place-to-be @lilyevanswhore @thescarletknight2014 @blindedbythelightt t @averyhotchner @emma8895eb @blairfox04 @caitsymichelle13 @oxxolovemelikeyoudooxxo @teacupsandtopgun @aemondssiut @feltonswifesworld87 @akalei349 @notjustsomeblonde @americaarse

#bradley bradshaw angst #bradley bradshaw fanfiction #bradley bradshaw x y/n #terms of endearment// jake seresin #terms of endearment// bradley bradshaw #top gun bradley bradshaw #bradley rooster bradshaw x reader #rooster x f!reader #top gun rooster #rooster series

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bbcphile · 4 months

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WIP Wednesday: Part 3

As promised, here's the opening of Di Feisheng's section of Chapter 1 of the AU where Li Lianhua's shiniang tried and failed to sacrifice herself to save him. (To catch up, read part 1 (LLH) and part 2 (FDB) here).

And, uh, sorry about the cliffhanger?

Tw/cw: suicide attempt, medical emergency

***

Di Feisheng dropped to his knees behind Xiangyi, catching him against his chest rather than the ground as he fell. He snatched Xiangyi’s wrist–veins bulging and black, damn it–and felt for a pulse. Faint. Erratic. Still poisoned by Bicha. Completely emptied of Yangzhouman. Where the fuck was the Beifeng Baiyang he’d given him? Why couldn’t he feel it? How the–

“–Lao Di,” Fang Duobing wailed, “he was walking toward the water! He–”

“–Shut up,” he snapped, sending a wisp of his own qi through Xiangyi’s meridians. Or what was left of them. He bit back a growl. They were too damaged for his qi to travel with the sort of speed he needed to evaluate this. He didn’t have time to do full triage, not while Xiangyi’s pulse was getting fainter by the second. He’d start with the heart meridian then; that would be the best way to stabilize–

–why the fuck was his heart meridian shredded? Who had dared to–

–no, damn it, he had to focus. There would be time to rage later.

He had to repair it. But Xiangyi didn’t have the Yangzhouman for it, and the remnants Xiangyi had given him wouldn’t be enough. Could the brat–

“–Get out of the way,” Fang Duobing sobbed, shoving him and thrusting two shaking fingers toward Xiangyi’s chest, the force of his qi rippling the air. “I’ll do it.”

“No,” Di Feisheng snarled, hand flying from Xiangyi’s waist to smack the brat’s away before it would destroy whatever was left of his fragile meridians, “you’ll kill him.”

“Bullshit!” the pup yelled, as Huli Jing began to howl at equal volume, “I’ve healed him before! Let me help!” The brat’s qi spiked and the sand around them rippled.

Oh for the love of– he didn’t have time to explain this and save Xiangyi. What the hell had the great sword God been teaching this whelp? Xiangyi, if you die, I’ll kill you myself.

He unclenched his jaw against the noise. “You want to help?” he gritted out, each word like knives against his tongue and ears. “Calm your qi. Stay quiet. And keep the mutt quiet, too.”

“You–”

–Healing the heart meridian now was out, until that ignorant pup could keep a tighter leash on his qi. He’d have to work on the heart directly.

Di Feisheng pressed his hand over Xiangyi’s chest, closed his eyes, and directed the faintest hint of his Beifeng Baichang to surround Xiangyi’s heart, ready to observe and mimic its movement, as he would any new sword form.

It wrapped around his heart in an embrace.

Xiangyi’s heart gave one erratic flutter.

A pause.

A second, weaker thrum against his qi.

Then nothing at all.

#mysterious lotus casebook #mlc fic #my fic #Li Lianhua #Li Xiangyi #Di Feisheng #lotus trio #suicide #I swear this thing will have a happy ending! Promise!#Don't kill me for the cliffhanger please!#Also I do in fact really love FDB and think he has many amazing skills and qualities; he's just out of his depth and losing his shit #Should I post the cliffhanger resolution next week or jump ahead to chapter 2?#I don't know if people would like all of chapter 1 in little installments or just want random excerpts. Feel free to tell me!

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mejomonster · 1 year

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I could've watched li susu and tantai jin in the forest trying to keep each other alive while also both Almost dying to keep the other alive, for hours

I was like PLEASE don't end every minute toward the end. I was like please don't cliffhang let me see them a Little more. A little

It's just. The way they're absolutely Not remotely suited for each other at all, shouldn't even know each other. Li susu is on a time travel terminator esque mission to destroy his Devil power then kill him. He's in a destiny type life of suffering and cruelty designed to make him want revenge on everyone before becoming Big Devil God baddie of the world.

But together? They have such compatible personalities even though by no rights should they. She's a righteous cultivator or whatever, fairly well adjusted, straightforward. He's a liar manipulator bitch jerk (whom I love) whos constantly on the verge of death (just to fuel the flames or when he goes supernova to kill everyone post death). They run into each other and like? His fucked up self can't help but kinda want her around cause she wants HIM around for some unfuckingcomprehensible reason. They are just people who don't even belong in the same Zone but when you put them together they bounce off as opponents AND allies so well it's like they snap right together. like despite never being meant to cross paths, now that they have its like well Good luck trying to separate them because they can CLING TO EACH OTHER harder than any force in this whole awful universe.

Also I forgot to mention: I loved tantai jin, pathetic fucked up wounded man that he is, picking up the twig to hit li susu's stick with. Just hitting her stick while talking to her, acting like he won't answer to annoy her and Threaten her wirh silence, leaning in all sexy. I could say a lot about the scene but I will settle with simply: there's this idea of power dynamics in acting scenes, the taller person or person leaning inmotion or talking often conveying the Power in the scene, and power being switched back and forth through a scene for interest. Between two characters battling it out physically, or verbally, or under the surface for "power" in the scene to win what their objective is against the other characters objective. And li susu and tantai jin are Exceptionally good at this balance in their scenes which makes them fun to watch. And them simply sitting in that cabin, by the fire, playing with the fucking twig and both being moody bitches was So fun to watch. They were constantly sort of dangling Who was in fact the one with more Power in the scene, ultimately feeling very balanced and equal and it felt intimate and almost "safe" for both of them.

#tteotm #lb #till the end of the moon

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spaghettificationandpretzels · 6 months

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The Tyranny of Distance

I'm sorry this update feels late, but I'm so busy with Uni. Also, I'm sorry it's taking so long to get to the end, I had more plot in me than I thought I did. Please comment if you're enjoying yourself.

Part 1, part 2, part 3

Part four of The Way the Stars Love the Heavens series.

Contains: Slow burn, mega angst, violence, blood, death, another cliffhanger. Not beta read, likely full of mistakes.

Follow #the way the stars love the heavens for updates

3.1K words

Grenade - a small bomb thrown by hand or launched mechanically.

You paused in the hallway and looked at the door as your blood ran cold. "What is it?"

You swallowed, you hoped your lie was convincing. "Nothing, I'm just worried about the guys."

The clicking of a holster told you he didn't buy it.

"What gave me away?"

You spun slowly and raised your arms, hoping the gun pointed at you wouldn't go off.

"Take your pick, you haven't said two words to me until tonight. You managed to make it through a full-on assault that killed everyone else in the building without a scratch in record time, and then you didn't wire the door. They'd have blueprints, they'd know this tunnel is here. Any sane person would have done something to the door to give us a head start."

He huffed. "Smart woman. I don't want to hurt you, if you come with me, nothing will happen to you."

You didn't move, and a rush of sadness came over you. "Where's Arin?"

He shrugged. "Dead. If it makes you feel any better, he died trying to get to you." It was said so coldly, just because you knew his answer would be didn't make it any better.

"Why are you doing this?" You had to get out of there, there was another door in a few feet that opened to another service tunnel, if you could only get to that, you might stand a chance.

"Money, why else." Of course, that was always the answer. He lifted one hand off his gun and put it into his pocket, making a show of taking the object out and waving it around, it was a syringe filled with white fluid. "Now come with me or I'll make you."

You took a deep breath, you would only get one chance to lunge for the syringe. You stepped carefully, keeping your eyes on his hands as you moved closer to him. You took another deep breath as he turned sideways so you could pass in front of him, and you acted. You slammed your shoulder into his chest and managed to knock him against the wall hard enough that he dropped the drugs, and then it was on. He shoved you back, then kicked your legs out from under you and got on top of you while reaching for the syringe.

You twisted your body as much as you could with his weight on top of you and did the same, you were both struggling for the same few millilitres to get it in your grasp. A flash of neck flesh gave you an idea and you kneed him in the side as hard as you could before twisting your head and sinking your teeth into his neck. He screamed, and the second he lifted his weight to detach you, you grabbed the syringe and rammed the needle into his exposed forearm.

It acted fast, his body going limp on top of you as he wiggled out from under him. You finally stood up and kicked him onto his back before using the last bits of his consciousness to whisper a threat into his ear. "I'm going to strip you to you boxers, take everything of use to me then tie you up and leave you here. You wanna hope the fucks find you before the 141 does, because I'm going to make sure they know what you did."

After striping him and tying him up, you stopped to take one of his grenades and used a length of his shoelace to wire to the door so if they opened it, it would blow, then you took whatever else you could from him and continued down the hall to the other service door. You were getting out of here alive, you had no other options.

****

They had lost contact twenty minutes ago and no matter how hard Gaz tried, he couldn't get it back.

"Something's fucking wrong, I just know it." Ghost had been pacing like a wounded animal waiting for news, but no matter how much he walked, his worry never disappeared.

"We'll get there brother, anything could have happened, this doesn't mean the worst." Soap knew his words were hollow, contact didn't just go dark and stay that way for no reason.

"Y/n to Gaz, y/n to Gaz."

Gaz spun around to find the source of the sound. "Y/n to Gaz, please tell me you can hear me."

It wasn't his military radio that went off, it was his personal radio he had rigged to pick up his favourite radio station. He had taken apart a two-way radio, removed some parts and added others. It worked fine, the only downside was that it sometimes picked up other signals.

"What signal wave is that?" The worry was evident in Ghost's voice

He didn't answer, he was already rushing to dial the truck radio so he could reply. "What's happening? All our other lines are dead."

"We're under attack. I don't know how many are dead and Peters was a turncoat. I'm in the service tunnels now, I can't talk long but please get back here, it's bad." Your voice was only just above a whisper, they could almost hear your racing heart above your hushed words.

They were already getting into their humvees and Ghost yanked the radio from Gaz's hands. "We're coming back love, don't you worry. Do you know how many of them there are?"

He heard you take a deep breath, as if you were steeling yourself. "Nope, but I'm going to see if I can find out. I took one of their radios. I'll report back what I hear."

Price was shaking his head, half in disbelief and half in approval but Ghost wasn't interested. "No you won't you'll find a place to hide and you'll stay there." Deep down, he knew you wouldn't listen but for his own sanity, he still tried.

"I can't do that Simon. We'll talk soon."

He fought the urge to punch the dashboard as he heard the radio click off. "She's got Cajones, I'll give her that." Ghost's glare didn't stop Alejandro from continuing. "We need to know what we're driving into Mano, you can put your heart before your head once we know we're not heading towards an ambush."

Price nodded. "Get Laswell on the line now and get me sat photos." He looked at the GPS and set his shoulders. "We're making good time, we'll wait over the ridge line and plan until we have the full picture."

****

Every single bone in your body wanted to listen to Simon and find a place to hide but you had to keep going, if you didn't find out how many men were here, you'd be walking the 141 to their deaths.

The service tunnels were serving you well, but you were running out of ways to keep the door shut behind you, there was only so much you could do with bits of torn up clothes.

The radio at your hip crackled and you paused to listen. "She's using the tunnels, find her now." It was the same southern voice, Graves was in the base running the whole thing. The bang in the distance told you it was time to get going but you didn't have many options, you couldn't go backwards and you had no idea if the old janitorial closet down this hall was even there anymore.

They were coming closer now and the radio cracked again as someone asked for help with the man who had been stupid enough to open the door without checking it first. You turned the radio down, took a deep breath and looked around but the idea didn't come to you until you looked at the ceiling.

The crawl space.

All you had to do was shift the ceiling tile to the side with the barrel of the assault rifle, then start at a run to get enough momentum to jump up and grab the edge. Between the weight of the gun and your shaking hands, it took you a few goes to get enough space, but in the end, you did, and you shook your legs out before backing up and rushing full charge as you reached up for the edge of the opening.

Your fingers grabbed the edge as every muscle in your body tightened to pull you up. You shoved the tile back in place and pressed yourself against the wall to take a breath as the voices got closer. You knew you would have to walk carefully, stick to the supports so you didn't make a sound but the darkness and the shake that was building in your limbs was making it hard.

"Where the fuck did she go?" They must have been right below you now, you couldn't describe how you felt but you hated it, you didn't know how the guys did it.

"She must have found another door. Fan out and find her or we're dead." You felt a rush of relief as you heard them leave, you were safe for now.

****

"FUCK" They had never seen Ghost so uncontrolled before, it was like he was a different person. The satellite photos weren't good, there were five tanks stationed outside the base and they had no idea how many men were inside.

Price put a hand on Ghost's shoulder and gave him a shake. "You need to pull yourself together. Laswell said air support is half an hour out, until then we wait until we get more news from inside."

Ghost shook him off and went back to pacing, they could see the flashing of the guns over the ridge. "The men are putting up a good fight. We've got to trust that they're holding it down." Soap didn't know what help to offer his friend, they all knew the odds of this ending well.

Ghost leaned his weight against the car and took a deep breath, he knew he wasn't going to be any good to anyone like this. "Alright, we need to get in there now, so come on boys, let's come up with a better plan."

****

"There are twenty of us, why the fuck can't we find her?" The bits of information you had been gathering gave you a boost and now that you knew how many men were in the building, all you had to do was wait until the men in the hallway you were crouched above left so you could contact the 141 again.

It only took a few minutes, but it felt like hours, the waiting making your hands shake and your throat tight as you stock still stood long enough to deliver the news to the guys. When you finally keyed the radio, Ghost's voice came across the line, worry lining it like the metal of a dynamite box. "What's going on?"

You paused for a second, making sure no one was below you. "I'm in the crawl space in the ceiling. There are twenty men in the building. When I was above the common room, one of them said they brought seventy guys. I don't know how many of them are outside or in other buildings."

You could hear the men talking between themselves, and then Ghost's voice returned. "Can you get the supply closet L?"

You knew why he was asking, there was a drain in the floor that led all the way to the outside, he was hoping you would leave. You went through the floorplan in your head, that supply closet was on the other side of the building. "I don't think so." A sound below made your heart jump and you lowered your voice as much as you could. "I need to go, someone's coming."

As quietly as you could, you bent down to look through the vent and caught a gasp in your throat when you saw Graves with two of his men. "Could she have gotten out?" He sounded enraged.

"We don't fucking know, we can't get into the serivce tunnel. It caved in when the charge went off. Peters is still MIA." There was a tinge of fear in the man's reply.

"Well fucking find her, that idiot Peters made it clear that if we wanted anything out of the 141 we'd need to use her as a bargaining chip." You followed their voices as they moved away, balancing on the heavy steel supports like a tightrope walker so your footfalls didn't make a sound. The sound of one of the outside doors opening then closing finally gave you a chance to relax for a moment, but the sound of whimpering below you got right back on the ride.

You found another vent and looked down, your eyes growing wide when you saw Arin trying to crawl his way to his gun, and despite every single survival instinct inside you screaming at you to stay put, you pushed a ceiling tile aside and dropped down with a less than quiet thud, just missing a door off its hinges on the way.

You ran to him and knelt by him, a small smile appearing on his face as his voice stuttered. "You're alive."

You nodded. "I am, and I got word to the guys, they're working on it right now."

You grabbed his hands and brought them to his bleeding chest. "Peters told me you were dead."

He shook his head and coughed, blood splatting as his chest heaved. "Almost. You gotta get out of here."

You both knew he wasn't going to make it, he was paling by the second. "I'm not going anywhere." You took the gun slung over your shoulder and placed it next to him, waving your hand as he protested. "I can grab another one. I don't know how many bullets are left."

He looked from the gun to you and back again. "Go, hurry." He clenched his jaw and hardened his face. "Now." You wanted to stay for a little longer, tell him how thankful you were for your short time together but you could hear footsteps, and suddenly there was no time left. You ran past a body, palming a single grenade before using a blown open door as leverage to pull yourself back up into the ceiling.

Just as well because the second the tile was back in place, Graves' voice returned to the hallway. "We're making good time boys, I think this day is going to end very..."

There was a very stubble clink clink and then a horrible bang, and your face stung at the force you used to slap your hand over your mouth as a piece of shrapnel flew into your arm.

A single shot signalled what you hoped was a fast end for Arin and you pressed yourself against the wall as Graves walked right under you. "These fuckers are a lot harder to kill than we thought. We gotta get back to the control room, I wanna reach out to our old friends."

The warmth running down your arm caught your attention away as they left, and you ripped some of your shirt for a tourniquet to stem the bleeding so you could keep moving. After some thought, you realised your only option was the medical supply room, you could wire the door with your final grenade, then tip over the steel table and hide behind it. You keyed the radio one last time and hoped it would be good news. "Guys, what's happening?"

It took a while for a response to come through. "Fucken hell y/n, we thought you were dead." Price's tone was a mix of anger and relief.

"What do you mean?"

"We heard an all mighty fucking bang and then nothing." The radio must have jostled on when you climbed back up. "We're real close so is air support, you hold tight."

You swallowed and took a deep breath. "Do you know what you're walking into?"

"You bet your fucking ass we do. I've been in the mood to kill some tanks since Las Almas." You let out a little chuckle at Soap's reply.

"Is Ghost there?" You didn't even want to think how he must be feeling.

"I'm here." You could hear the ease in his voice and then gunshots ran over the radio. "You hear that love? I'm coming to get you."

You took another deep breath. "I'll be with the cotton rounds."

Price's orders mixed with the sound of approaching planes. "I'll be there."

This time, their radio clicked first and you shook off the pain in your arm before continuing on your journey, the end was in sight.

****

Graves knew he was losing, it was ending just like it started, in a flash so fast it made the sun envious, and this time, he knew he'd have to do more than just put on a show with a tank to get out. He rushed out of the control room with his radio in hand and made his way back to 141 dorms, if he couldn't find you, at least he could taunt Simon with the fact that he was looking for you.

He threw open the door and marched down the hallway to the kitchen before switching his radio to the single he knew Ghost would be using. "Hello there Lt. Are you having a good day? Because I am."

"Fuck you. You're a dead man Graves"

Graves chuckled. "I don't know. I think I'm going to get my hands on your pretty little translator and then you'll just let me walk out. She's a killer now, did you know that? I'm looking at the body now."

"Yeah? Maybe you'll be lucky and she'll do the same thing to you, that is if I don't get to you first."

"Yeah, we'll see."

Little did Graves know, Ghost was already in the base, having split off from the group when the assault started, Graves men were already dying at his hand as he made his way to the 141 dorms.

Graves shut his radio up and stretched upwards, his eyes catching something on the ceiling as he went. He smiled to himself and followed his hunch, another tiny spot of red appearing above his head a few feet away. He followed the drops all the way to another supply closet, this one with "MEDICAL" pasted right in the middle.

He knocked on the door like it was any other day and put as much Southern gentleman into his tone as he could. "Hello little mouse, it looks like I've finally found your hiding spot."

Part 5

@chaos-4baby

#simon riley/you #simon ghost riley #simon riley x reader #simon ghost riley x reader #cod mw2 #simon riley x you #simon riley #simon ghost riley x female reader #simon riley/reader #the way the stars love the heavens #call of duty

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wildymoon · 2 months

Text

if I hadn't slept at 4am last night and played for 8h today I would do more, here is my recap

(act 2-3 spoilers)

I GOT THE FUCKING LEVELS BUT THE ACHIEVEMENT DIDN'T PROC

on the bright side because Siffrin's at max I get to obliterate everything in sight and that makes fighting funnier

OVER 1000 ERASED SADNESSES. I AM GOD /silly

obliterated the King very easily (forgot I had the bomb too but shhh)

and flames and flood that glitch effect. oh by the stars above. oh wow. YES. but also that was spooky despite me having been spoiled for that

the fact that the smell of burnt sugar was so prominent and yet Siffrin hasn't commented at all on the nostalgie (AND THE TEARS???) smelling sweet is driving me up the wall

adhd moment everything gets a speedrun

ghost jumpscare is very fun, I read through the achievements but seeing one still gives me the urge to just go "WHAT THE FUCK."

Bonbon. is going to make me cry. help they're so cute and they just wanna help and not see their found family get hurt and then shrug it off forever, Siffrin-

this image. by the skies. look at them.

I do not normally actually laugh out loud at my computer when not on voice call. "we have one of those at home" in Mirabelle's hangout got a big laugh out of me. Well played, game <3

poor Odile went on a wile-d goose chase (this pun was a stretch but I Had To)

impatience moment from me but it's easier to manage than the sugar thing

Isabeau trans moment??

this and Mirabelle's hangout make me really want to stream this game to a friend of mine. they may end up crying tho.

urge to murderhobo. but scared. ask multiple sources and places whether it's a loopending thing if I go feral. get no answer. chicken out because the anxiety always wins in this scenario because FAMILY ON THE LINE. this is probably in character tbh

otherwise vibe through loop as normal

temptation. to pineapple. cause completionist and "what does the button do". but I don't wanna upset them. and I'm scared. hhhhhhhhhh

WHAT THE FUCK?

CHANGE GOD??????

change god is an uwu I'm going to explode (it's hilarious but I am lowkey dying here)

ring ring ring ring ring, banana fone!!!!

oh god oh fuck

....

you BITCH /lh

the final snacktime of this run nearly killed me I don't usually cry but this nearly made me tear up. found family really do get me

giving the King a flower may not have been the Smartest idea, but for some ungodly reason it's giving me Hollow Knight vibes and that makes it worth the confusion

I know this isn't the end but new dialogue!!!

ISABEAU YOU CHICKEN. PLEASE. I am too soft to call you a useless gay even in jest but COME ON MAN

welp here we go again

poor Siffrin

FUCK

GUYS????????

I stopped after the loop ended but it feels like a cliffhanger.

MAN. MY BRAIN. I wanna keep going but it's been 8h and now that I have the memory of family there is literally nothing keeping me from going for OP 2 Electric Boogaloo when I get back to playing. and I don't wanna stay up until 4am again.

I don't have to chain fam runs in order to get You Are Loved, right? I mean I probably will but I'm tempted to make Odile suspicious of me and that might fudge it a bit.

#wildyspeaks #isat #in stars and time #isat spoilers #isat liveblogging #would go feral in the tags but I've been so drained these past... 20 hours or so #I had 7 hours of sleep just about but I think the alarm at hour 5 messed me up

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vanyzvat · 11 months

Text

Anti x Reader

Chapter 1: No Strings Attached

Chapter 2: His name (You are here!)

Chapter 3: Jacksepticeye

Chapter 4: Chase Brody

Jack STILL exists as a character in this fanfic, even though he is NOT canon anymore. This fanfic follows OLD lore.

Summary: He would never admit it, but he is grieving his old life. He's unable to let go of his grudges, and how everything that has happened has affected him during the past few years. There's a sense of rage that he can never truly express.

He shares with you barely a fraction of what that has been like.

(A lot of things are based off personal headcanons and my own interpretation of these characters! Please keep that in mind. I apologize in advance for any errors! Please let me know if there are any so I can fix them.)

“Ha͟ve͟ you e̕v̧e̡r͘... Be̷en ͡be͟tr͏a̢y̴ed̛?”

Again, that was an odd question coming from him. Wasn't he the one who supposedly knew everything about every person he came across, so he could use that against them? So what was the point of even asking that?

“Don't you already know everything about me?”

“I̕ ̧w̷a͏n͢t ͜t̕o k͠n͏ow y̷our anşw̴e͏r͞.͝”

“Err... I can't say I haven't? But why are you asking me this? Have you been betrayed?”

He turned his head away from you.

A few seconds passed, and he finally nodded once. Based on his behaviour alone, you could tell this was difficult for him to even admit.

He trusted someone, and then that person must've broken that trust- Or something similar. Maybe that was why he was so enraged by the world? You wondered.

You needed a moment to gather yourself before you gave a response...

Trying to comprehend that this was a being so feared by most, and that right now he was here with you, being treated like any other guest, and was actually opening up to you- That was not easy to stomach, even for someone like you.

While you were lost in thought, he slowly turned to look at you again. He's waiting for you to say something.

“Sorry for being silent- I'm just thinking... This is a lot to take in. I don't want to say anything stupid.”

“I'̴l͡l͞ s̷t̷op ͡h̸ere.”

“Don't. I'm just not sure what to say. You can still tell me whatever you want, though. I'll listen to you.”

“...Yo͞u'd b͡e̶ ţh̵è fir͝st.”

You blinked, taken aback yet again- So much, that your mouth even dropped a little.

When IRIS talked about this "ALTR 114209", they described something totally different. A paranormal presence, whose mission was to kill whoever was in its way. That its purpose was nothing more but to cause harm.

Maybe your conspiracies against the company weren't just conspiracies anymore. And maybe, this problem had a much simpler solution that they were too ignorant to even think about?

“That's okay. Better late than never, right?”

He then mumbled something which you didn't quite catch.

“Huh...? Sorry- I didn't quite catch that-”

“A̷nti.”

“...What?”

“My ǹa̕m͞e. I͡t͟ wa͜s͡. Anti.”

More silence filled the room. God, this was a lot of information, especially after barely knowing anything about him for the longest time. What kind of name was that, anyway?

“Anti?”

“I͜t̛ was ͝a͢ n͞am͟e gi͝ven to͠ ̷me.̢”

“...Uh. It's a weird name, I'll be honest. But it's still a nice one. I like it.”

“I̛ li͡ķe͞ ͟it͜, toǫ.”

“So someone gave that name to you- Who? That's assuming you don't have parents or anything like that.”

You heard him exhale through his teeth, then watched as he crossed his arms. Probably a touchy subject. But almost everything feels like a touchy subject for him.

“Loǹg st̶or̕y. I̴t's d͡iffic̛u͘lt t͝o pu̸t into w̸o̵r͡d͡s. Anḑ I̛ alre̸a̵d͠y ͢s͟t͡r͢ug͏gle e̵nou͝gh̡.”

While it was true that Anti was not the best at holding up casual conversations, or at communication, you didn't really care. Besides, he brought his own baggage up, he couldn't just leave you with his name and go without providing any explanation.

“Y͟ou ̛want̴ mȩ t̷o͜ ͘c̡on͞tin̡u͝e, d̸o̴n̨'t y͜o͜u.”

“Well, I don't want to be left on a cliffhanger.”

“I̶ c͝a͡n̶ t̀el͜l̛...”

“Į w̛óu̢ld͠n͡'t wan͡t to leave my̸ ͢on̨l̛y͏ ͜fr̕ie͠nd ͟h̕ang͝i͟ņģ, ͝wo͞ul̡d̀ I? Nǫ, I̵ ̕w͏ould̢n't̨...”

Anti was smiling, with his tone as playful as it always was.

But then his smile faded, and his voice became unusually serious.

“I was ma͟ni͢f̛ested. Man͠i̸feste̡d by̵ stro̵n̷g f͝e̢e͡lings o͞f̷ l͏o̡n̢elin̡e͝s̨s͞, wort̡h̨les̨s̡nèss. One͢ mom͞ent I ͜w͝a̕sn̷'t th̨ęre, an̕d̛ the nex͞t, ̴I wàs͝.”

“Manifested? By who?”

“His n͟a̢me dǫe̸sn't ̡ma̡tte̛r.”

Jack— The name of the person who manifested Anti into existence, was Jack. But you didn't know that.

“Was it... The same person who gave you your name?”

“Yes, and n̨o͡.”

“He̕ ̨w͠as ̛lik̢è ͢y͟o͠u̵. H̷e śp̡eńt ͠h͞is ̀d͠a͞ys pro̡vid͡i̷ng e̕ntért̵ainment͢ ͏t̀o͢ t͝h̀e worl̴d.”

“H̷e g̢av͏e, a͢n͞d h̵e g͜av̕e, and͘ he͟ ͏gave͏.”

Anti was angered by the many memories flooding back to him.

“Ga̷v͢e̢ so mųch w̧i͢th̴o̢ut͏ e̶ver̸ getting an̕y̶t͞hing in re̛tu͞rn͏.”

Memories of him watching as Jack overworked himself to insanity, and those that apparently "loved him so much" not caring at all.

Jack gave them everything, and they just watched. Just watched as he neglected himself, as he spiralled. They didn't deserve him. Why couldn't Jack understand that? They only pretended to care about him so they could get their "content". And of course, like the idiot he was, he believed them.

But not Anti. Anti saw through their lies. Jack was nothing but a source of entertainment to them. You reminded him of Jack, in a way. Was that why it was so difficult for him to give up on you?

“Th̛ose lee̶c̕hes... H͟i̴s "co͡mm͟u̡nity" as ͘he c͘a͢l̢led ̶t͠hem— T̢hey thínk ţh͡éy ma͡ḑe͢ A͞ǹtį.”

He raised his voice, his voice full of hatred towards those "people". He twitched uncontrollably, with reality warping around him to match his state of mind.

“Bu͝ţ they d͜ìd͞n͝'t͡ ͝mak͏e An͘ti͡. He did.”

You didn't give much of a response, besides nodding along to let him know you were paying attention. It wasn't that you weren't bothered to, it was that you didn't know how to.

You weren't a supernatural being, so it wasn't as if you could somehow relate to many of the things he mentioned. So you settled for just listening to him talk.

He was willing to open up to you, even just a bit, and you weren't going to make it all about you.

“Well, Anti, I guess this means you aren't as one-dimensional as IRIS claims you are.”

He laughed. It sounded strangely normal.

“Oh, th͡e͏y d͘o͠n't know an̨ythin̶g about̴ me.”

Despite him being someone who was meant to terrify you, you were fine. As for him...

“Were you scared?”

Your question must have confused him a bunch, because the distortion around you immediately subsided.

“W̶ha͜t?”

“Were you scared of talking to me. About all this.”

He raised an eyebrow at you.

“Y͘ou̸ h̀a̷ve a͜ l̀ot ̵of aud͏ac̨i̕ty ̕to̸ a͟s̕k͞ ͜m͞e that̵.”

“I'm only curious.” You shrugged.

“...It'̨s͝ be̶en a̛t͏ thé ba̢c̷k o̕f my̢ min͢d f̷o̴r a w̕h́ile ̛noẃ. T̢he̛r͢e's... Many̵ th̵ing̵s I ̀wish I͠ ̴c̡o͜uļd sh̵a͡re ̨w͘ith y͢ou̧. I͢ j͏us͠t̡ ̷don't͠ kno͝w͟ h͏ow̛ tó... Yēt.”

“It's okay. I think I understand, anyway.”

“You're basically the embodiment of someone's negative thoughts, right?”

“S͏óm͟ethin͠g like ̸tha͠t̷.”

“Eh, whatever. Still, I don't expect a being like you to know much about emotions. Let alone how to express them.”

He could only nod silently. He seemed to be doing that a lot around you.

Everywhere he went, he left destruction behind. So why were you so patient and understanding with him? Why were you different? He didn't get it. It made Anti feel sick to be in the dark, to not have control of the situation. He couldn't find the right words to describe how you made him feel.

He did feel afraid. He despised being ""vulnerable"", it made him feel small and weak, when all he wanted was to be the one looking down at those inferior to him.

But you...

“Is there... Anything else?”

“Çan ͜I sta̸y͢ ẁi͠th yo͡ú f͟o͠r ́a͜ w͟hįl͏e͡?”

“Of course.”

You didn't anticipate for Anti to "teleport" closer to you, but you didn't mind.

He wanted company, and were there to provide. After all, you liked his company too.

You looked at him, taking in his expression- He was contemplating something, you could tell. He quickly caught you staring at him, and you immediately glanced off.

After a moment, you felt him rest his head on your shoulder, and you didn't bother stopping him.

Like you've said, he wasn't a social being, so you kind of predicted that this entire situation would tire him more than the average person. Him showing you any sort of affection was a little surprising, but you didn't mind that either.

...You got to know him a little better today.

...

A few minutes have since passed.

He's been awfully quiet, and you're concerned. You're not sure if he was content, or upset. So you decided to check up on him.

“Hey, are you okay?”

“...Y̴eah.”

“I͢'m enr̛a͡g͠e̴d̀ things h̕av͟e to be t̕hȩ ͢way̷ they͞ ́are, bu͢t... Yóù make i͢t ea͢sie̵r̛.”

You smiled.

“It makes me happy to know you can trust me.”

He really fucking hoped you wouldn't break that trust. He was still doubtful about everything he had just told you, but he was trying to have faith in you.

...You eventually realized that he never really... Spoke about what happened in regards to the entire "betrayal" thing. If anything, the only thing he had done today was vaguely provide you with some context. He only admitted that this betrayal had something to do with the unnamed person he mentioned.

“Can you... Tell me more about this "betrayal"?”

“I̴ kno͡w̛ yo̕u̢'̛re c͡uri̡òu̷s̡, būt... A̧noth̴ȩr t̶im̀e. Pl͢ea̡se.”

You've never heard him speak that way before. His voice went quiet, and he even pleaded you to not press on. Was it really something that personal?

“Alright. I can wait.”

You excused yourself and shifted around, changing position until you got comfortable. He waited for you, then went right back to what he was doing before.

You closed your eyes.

The two of you stayed that way for a while longer, not bothering to talk. It felt like time itself had stopped, just so you could savour this moment.

“Th́an͡k̸ yòu̶.”

“Huh? For what?”

“I fórg̨ot͡ what ̀it w͏as͜ ͢lik̢e to̡ b̴e a ̸pe͏r̡son; And̀ to ͢b̨e͏ tr͝e͠ąte͞d͡ like a pe̴rsơn.”

“I'm here to remind you.”

Another genuine smile appears on his face. You couldn't see it, but you still had a feeling he was doing a little better than when he first arrived.

...

...This was bittersweet for him.

He had been in denial for so long, years even, to the point where just thinking about Jack and about his situation felt like someone was cutting him up to bits with a chainsaw.

His old life was gone. He was alone. To everyone, he was nothing more but a demonic presence, who took the lives of those in his path without reason.

...But you sympathised with him, somehow. You listened to him and welcomed him, despite everything. He would never stop asking why.

He knew many people had no one in their life, but none of them had fallen that low. Even if they wanted to die, their instincts still kicked in when they saw him...

Oh well. It didn't matter. It still meant so much to him.

You couldn't even fathom how much he'd yearned to have someone in his life. Even he never realized how isolated he really was in this world, until he found you.

He felt his eyes shut on their own, and he let them. He didn't necessarily need sleep, but... He was still tired. It was a contrast to how he usually acted, especially in regards to the records IRIS had of him.

He couldn't recall the last time he felt a sense of safety. A feeling of somewhere he belonged, the feeling of home.

Ah. That's it- That's how he would describe how you made him feel if he ever needed to put it into words. You felt like home.

And as you slowly fell asleep besides him, Anti realized he didn't have to be alone.

#jacksepticegos #jacksepticeye #jacksepticeye egos #jse fandom #jse anti #jse #antisepticeye #antisepticeye x reader #antisepticeye/reader #ego x reader

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