#ah the start of her rock bottom arc

[wxndswept]

Eitri

"Yuuki?" The adventurer stopped and turned to see the AI just behind her. "Before you jump... again, I just want you to know that I've been on this world for a long time. I've both met and have memories of a lot of humans, before and after you found me but you are my favorite by far. I just want you to know, that no matter what happens, I will always be proud of you. Not because of who you were, but who you are."

"Wh-where the heck is this coming from? It's almost like you're confessing to me, Moon. Or saying-" A sudden shudder ran through Yuuki as a dark purple portal opened up behind Moon and the Origin Wing. "Wha-" Running over to grab the sword, she pointed it at the familiar young man who stepped forward.

"The mountain of Lingmeng! What a coincidence, did you come here because you remember it?"

Stepping forward, he flicked the tip of her sword, looking into her eyes. "No. No, you are still Yuuki." Taking a step back, the young man crouched slightly into a combat stance. "As I thought, you did in fact steal their power. This means that yet again, this iteration is a failure. And that means, once again, I must take my Origin Wing back. It doesn't belong to you."

"I don't have time to deal with you and your nonsense." Yuuki raised her arm to swing her sword, a smirk coming to her face as he jumped back out of reach of a standard strike. Twisting the handle a bit, she swung, expecting the blade to extend as it usually did, striking him dead on. But it didn't. "Wha-" Before she could finish her sentence, he moved in the blink of an eye right in front of her while she was vulnerable. Unlike before, he was unarmed, using his fist to hit her square in the gut. There was no time to move, Yuuki knew that, but her attempt to warp out of the way had failed. She had taken the full force of the blow and was sent flying to the edge of the mountain.

Coughing, Yuuki sat up and attempted to stand, but she was too slow. He had stepped over, pushing her back on the ground with his foot on her chest. "Get back down, imposter." The usual playful smile on the young man's face was gone even as Yuuki struggled to get back up.

"What did you do..." She grabbed at his ankle only for him to swat it away. "to my sword?! It won't..."

"What did I do?" He chuckled dryly. "Hah. So much overreliance on it, and you don't even understand this. My sword is only doing what its master says." Kicking the sword from her hand, he picked it up, sidestepping Yuuki's grab at it and kicking her again. "I said down."

"Don't! Give it back!" Yuuki scrambled to her feet and lunged for the sword again. Once more she was knocked to the ground, this time by a strike to her back by its pommel. "You... you can't take that! It was entrusted to me by-" Once again she was kicked in the stomach.

"Hmph." The young man's voice became noticeably more feminine and familiar as he unbuttoned his shirt. "Entrusted?" I've done no such thing. I let you use this sword, in the hopes my beloved would appear. Perhaps you were their reincarnation, but once again my hopes were foiled." Yuuki's eyes widened in horror as she took note of his chest. An entire pectoral was missing and in its place was machinery. And in the center was a piece of the Origin Wing's core, the third fragment.

"No way..." Yuuki stood as he removed the piece from his chest and slid it with the other two already on the sword. "You're... you're Eitri!" Holding her stomach, Yuuki stood up fully with a wince, watching a digital representation of Moon overlay herself over the young mercenary. "But how?! What happened to Moon?! And what happened to him?!"

"I cannot believe it took you this long to figure it out. The body that I'm using is long dead, just a host for me to siphon off. But that doesn't matter. With you not being my beloved, none of it matters. I have no need for it soon, as I have no need for you now. And as for 'Moon', all I needed was the data those fragments had accused." She pointed the Origin Wing at Yuuki, the blade now glowing its usual orange. "Hmm~" She walked toward Yuuki, lowering the blade as she forced her against the cliff's edge. With a sweet smile, she placed her hand on her shoulder.

"I don't... understand. Moon, or, Eitri... why would..." Yuuki suddenly gasped, looking down to see the Origin Wing buried in her side. Shaking, she looked back at Moon, sobbing quietly as she struggled to speak.

"What did she call you? Master? Yes, that was it. So. How does it feel, Master? To be pierced by the blade that can cut through anything? My sword, their wing, the thing to destroy the boundaries between worlds? Aah, if only you knew. The fact that you don't means you were never truly deserving of it. Such a shame, you had great potential too." Pulling the sword out, Eitri pushed Yuuki off the cliff and into the water below. Looking down, her smile turned to a frown. "Goodbye, my dear Aethernus. I'd kill you now, but someone is curious to see if this is your end." In a flash of purple stars, the woman disappeared.

#[story post] #ah the start of her rock bottom arc #and sadly the death of the merc fc

[mangacat201]

EDDIE'S POST

(second attempt because I lost the 1st draft to my own stupidity and the trust in tumblr that saving drafts actually meant SAVING them. I'll try and recreate my thoughts but.. ah well.)

Ok ok ok, but now i have to go back to that thought i just had about eddie and dating.

Eddie needs to learn.

He's objectively bad at this, it's been said in canon multiple times (like... loudly... by Buck... and Christopher, the people who are his closest family), he is bad at ROMANTIC relationships.

He learned how to be a dad by showing up, being overwhelmed, being bad at it, failing his family over and over, but never to stop trying. And ultimately he succeeded at being a GOOD dad that way.

He learned how to be an adult by showing up to it, being bad at it, failing spectacularly in some places, but putting in the work to claw himself together when he hit the breaking point in 5B. And he's still in the process, but he's always been a good HUMAN along the way.

He never learned how to be a romantic partner, because there's so much that was on his plate when he should have been learning to do that and even though he was trying as well, has been trying, it's never quite shaken out. Something had to give.

He's been slowly spiralling down since the shooting... since Shannon died... since she left him... since the other shooting... since he grew up corsetted into a certain expectation of manhood... you get the drift. And only when he hit rock bottom in Fear-o-Phobia, which broke open all those wounds big time, could he start building himself back up again. And looking at him now, wow, what a journey it's been.

We see him now in a place where he's moving past his grief, for the important people in his life that he lost, but also for the boy, the young man, he never got to be.

He misses Shannon, but he's good, sitting with the memory of her. He reaches out to his parents past the generational trauma, actively trying to develop those relationships. And I've read a couple of reviews now lamenting the lack of personal season-arc storylines (other than Buck), but tbh I feel like for Eddie, his arc lies in what we see not happening instead of what we do see.

I can't recall a single instance in this whole season where he wasn't utterly confident in his choices as a parent. There was domestic homework and family outings and first crushes and yes, hard conversations, but even those honest and healthy and...

Eddie's always been a good dad, but now he KNOWS it.

He's also always been confident in his abilities as a first responder, sure in his competence and his place in the 118, but after setting himself right, after coming back, in this season there's a feel to him that it was the right decision to return, but he's also more open, more playful in a lighthearted, cheeky way (Cursed, anyone?) and ready the share the wisdom of his journey with people who haven't quite made it as far yet if and when they need it (advising Felisa on her future, holding off on telling Buck his opinion on the donor stuff, letting him come as needed). It just feels like he spend the season coming into his own, as a father, as a son, as a steady part of the firefam and it's been delightful to watch him go.

The only thing he hasn't made any progress on, and his single greatest insecurity in my book is how to be a good romantic partner. He doesn't trust himself with romantic relationships and given his track record, that's unsurprising. We saw this season, just how fast had to mature, just how many milestones he blew past without touching them in that regard and so it's entirely logical that his call setting up the date with Marisol was like the 30-something equivalent of a note being passed under the desk saying "Do you like me? Cross Yes? No?" and he was all but dancing around the room like a teenager (which was very cute, ngl). What he did though was take an active approach, put himself out there, dipped his toes in unfamiliar waters.

And Marisol? She read the same way, a little awkward, a little off colour, maybe equally unpractised, but brave enough to try.

And she likes to fix houses. Turns them from four empty walls into homes, she's good at it, too, but once she's finished a project, it's kinda implied that she moves on to the next (fixing her brother's house after her own).

Maybe getting to know her, getting to date her, finding out what it's like to go into a relationship with no expectation but to enjoy each other's company, to learn yourself as a person like that, is exactly what Eddie HAS been looking for, what he needs for now. Not as necessarily the be all and end all of things, but as the last piece of the puzzle on his healing journey to be ready to reach for the thing that he actually wants, that he's actually built over a long long time and that he wants to be good for. To be a whole as person ready to be there for his romantic partner to lean on when they need it (the way he promised Buck to have his back literally a day into their knowing each other and a hot minute into their friendship, but we later learned Shannon had accused him of not doing, which was kinda true? But also the single most devastating thing she could have said to him in that moment? Cause he was trying so hard, but going the wrong way, for them).

And he's going to need to be ready for when Buck hits that rock bottom (which we know will happen, that boy is held together by spit and papermache plastered over a dozen traumas in a trenchcoat, yo), whether with romantic implications or without, and complete his circle.

Idek. Or maybe I'm just blasting hot air out of my overtaxed brain coils.

Anyway, to be continued in Buck's Post (if I can get my two braincells to rub together and actually note down my thoughts) which I will attempt to link back here once it exists.

#911 #911 fox #911 abc #911 spoilers #911 meta #Eddie Diaz #Eddie's journey of healing #6B thoughts #I still dont know how I feel about the finale tbh I have so many conflicting emotions cause so much awesome but also so much bleargh?

[eldragon-x]

2, 23, and 25 with nanami :)

Favorite canon thing is probably how she's such an interesting parallel and contrast to Anthy who's my other favorite character in this show. Like from the yellow and purple color coding to them both being associated with animals in different ways to how they despise each other despite their similarities to how their situations are comparable yet so different. I just see character parallels and black out.

(warning for brief talk about incest in this section) First impression vs now is. a lot. Like I only looked at Nanami and knew she was the rich meangirl archetype. Which isn't the reason I felt unsure of her at first, in fact I tend to enjoy this type of character and I also grew to like her rather early on because especially at the start of the show she's hilarious. The reason was that from the first episode she appears in she's shown to have an obsession with her brother that was. uncomfortable. Mind you that one of the few things I knew about RGU before getting into it was that it contains incest and I got the very wrong impression that it's just one minor thing that's a flaw of the show I can overlook. Turns out it's kind of a huge thing actually and one of the ways the show explores abusive dynamics. But yeah I didn't know that at the time so I just thought "ah no she's the character attached to that :/".

Anyway, Nanami went from a comedy character to a tragicomedy character and they actually adressed her deal with her brother in one of the show's already heaviest arcs and my god. She is a lot. Also all her episodes that seem overall comedic are actually forshadowing or give you a deeper insight into who she is. Such a character.

not neccesarily my Favorite image of her but

girl who looks like shes at rock bottom in the show's first arc

[runawaymun]

10, 58, 71 for the fanfic writer asks! ❤️

10. Cltr+f "blinks" on your WIP & copy paste the first sentence/paragraph that comes up

This taught me that my characters almost never blink lmao. Here is the first instance of "blink/blinked/blinks" I could find, which is from my Celrond Arranged Marriage AU WIP:

Elrond hummed and adjusted in his saddle, the dappled light sifting down painting his hair into a latticework of red and black (she hadn’t realized he had red in his hair, but now in this light she could see his was not black so much as it was a multitude of different shades of brown— he had braided a set of blue ribbons in his hair. She wondered how long that had taken).  She was staring. Celebrían blinked and looked away, feeling her face heat, and reached down again to stroke her mare’s neck. 

58. What part of the writing process do you enjoy the most? (Brainstorming, outlining, writing, editing, etc) 

Brainstorming gets a slight edge when I am working with most writing partners except @the-commonplace-book - in which I place both brainstorming and writing directly equal to each other purely because we write in an almost 'improv' sort of way in the first draft, so her parts of the story come as a complete surprise to me, which I then get to bounce off of! And we've been writing/brainstorming with each other for so long that brainstorming is just as fun -- because we reach this sort of synergistic state where the idea just flow.

But when I'm by myself I prefer the first draft stage. Brainstorming can often just kind of feel like I'm either daydreaming or knocking my head against a wall, depending on how well it's going. But it's not until I'm actually putting pen to paper/fingers to keyboard that things actually start to happen, and often characters will just make choices that take things in a completely different direction than I had planned. On the best days, it's just really fun, like I'm watching it all happen outside of myself and writing it down. It all feels fresh and brand new and like pure play to me.

71. When it comes to more complicated narratives, how do you keep track of outlines, characters, development, timeline, ect.?

Oh, buckle up lmao. This could get long.

I tend to use the classic five part story structure if I must outline, starting with the inciting incident, the rising action (usually choices or actions the MCs are taking to respond to the inciting incident), the consequence - usually leading to rock bottom, a climax/confrontation, and then the resolution. It really helps me visualize things on a large scale. I like to actually sketch out a plot timeline with a mountain/chevron shape to it, label it with the story structure and plot points, and then usually in a separate color I will label out individual characters' arcs within the big five part structure. My trusty five part structure hasn't failed me yet tbh and it tends to work no matter the genre.

I also like to think not only of the actual plot beats, but about where characters start at the beginning of the story and where they end emotionally. Like, I sit down and go 'okay, I have a character who has THESE flaws, fears, misconceptions, etc. What do I, the writer, need to do to get them to a place of healing or enlightenment?" -- because this is going to look very different for each MC. Sometimes characters need help and you have to bring in outside forces, but sometimes bringing in outside forces wouldn't be helpful at all. Stuff like that. And that's something that I have to develop hand-in-hand with the plot to make sure that the emotional journey is going to line up with everything else going on.

And there always comes a time (usually when I am halfway through a rough draft) where I go "ah shit, I'm getting all of these loose ends and I DO NOT want to forget about them!" so I wind up having to angrily sit down in front of a blank document and type out all of my little chekov's guns and loose threads and make definitive decisions about how I am going to resolve them, because otherwise I will 100% forget to do that. And then I have to rework my entire ACT II or ACT III outline. Sigh.

If I'm dealing with a very large cast, I've found it helpful in the past to keep folders for POVs. So all of Character A's chapters will go in one folder, and all of Character B's chapters will go into another folder, etc. etc. I then like to read through their chapters and make sure that their arcs make sense on their own and feel complete. For editing purposes I've found it helpful to color code character POV chapters on my outline (blue for character A, green for character B, etc) to make sure at a glance that nobody is getting left out or given too much page time!

This is not something I've had to do too much with fanfic yet. It's stuff that I learned while writing my original novels. Especially with fanfic I'm very touchy-feely with my pacing lol. I tend to go 'huh, I feel like we need to spend more time here, or that it's time to move on'. Stars was written by the seat of my pants (and it shows, considering there are whole ass characters that get introduced and then promptly dumped). But for Boundless Sky, these techniques have been part of the process, and I'm also employing them with Partake. Like, with Partake I sat down and worked out a five act structure specifically for the Lindon arc, because I'm very concerned with getting it right lol. If the Lindon arc bombs then I've ruined the whole fic, y'know? 😅 That would be a disaster.

I also love using pinterest and world anvil for getting general ~vibes~ and keeping track of character "casting", photos of sets to use when describing, and for keeping track of worldbuilding. It's super helpful! If I'm feeling especially lazy (which is often), though, what should go on World Anvil languishes in some monstrous frankendocument on drive which I then have to ctrl+f my notes on any given topic, like, constantly.

get to know your fanfic writer asks

#oop this got long whoops #thank you so much!! <3 #out of uniform #ask game

[palaceofpassion]

Neo’s Arc 2

Part 2 to the Neo’s Arc Commission!

Jaune couldn’t believe it, he’d actually done it!  Had ACTUALLY made his way into Beacon, THE BEACON!  He wasn’t sure what God had blessed him with such luck, or what the headmaster had been thinking when he let him in.  Jaune himself, despite constant training with his sister, had felt rather inadequate compared to the other students.  But hey he was here, he wasn’t going to complain either.  Not when he had Neo by his side, and oh boy was he happy to have Neo by his side!  His sister, slash, lover had gotten to him… perhaps a little too quickly when they had landed, leading to the two of them becoming teammates.  And well, he couldn’t ask for a better team if he was being honest!  

“Good night everyone!”  He smiled brightly as his team, which consisted of his glorious splendid sister Neo, the lovely and kind Pyrrha Nikos, and the originally snooty but actually a very sweet girl Weiss Schnee!  He may have started on the wrong foot with the two of them, but after talking things through, a few troubles with the team next door, and well some arguments here and there.  They’d truly become a close team, and… and well it felt nice being near three GORGEOUS Women.  Even as loyal as he was to his sister… he couldn’t help but let his eyes wander sometimes, especially with how striking Pyrrha and Weiss were… especially with how often they liked to show those damned fine legs of theirs… sue him he was a leg man!

“Good Night Jaune.”

“Night Arc.”  

Shuffle~

Ah and here was the other thing, the reason he probably HAD not snapped with all the feminine wiles surrounding him.  It was because of his dear~  Lovely~  Precious~  Cock Hungry sister.  

Neo had been absolutely grateful that she’d ended up on the same team as her precious, hunky, loving brother.  She wouldn’t know what she would have done if he’d ended up on a team of all girls, especially if she wasn’t nearby to keep an eye on him.  Not that she didn’t like Weiss or Pyrrha… but she wasn’t blind.  She could see the way those harpies eyed him, like he was some kind of prize to be won, or prey to be snatched!  She would have NONE of that, he belonged to her and her alone.  

Well, even if they did like him, it wasn’t like they’d done anything to show it.  And if they weren’t going to make their move, then as far as she was concerned he was all hers, would forever be hers.  As quietly as a mouse, she swiftly snuck towards him, her clothes gently dripping to the floor below.  The cool night air doing nothing to abate the intense heat originating from her womb.  She’d grown so needy, so wanting of her brother’s hot throbbing cock.  Of being close to him, touching him, experiencing the warmth of her beloved.  She couldn’t imagine a world where that wasn’t a thing, where she couldn’t touch him like she wanted.  

No… she didn’t want to imagine a world where she was alone.  Putting those thoughts away for now, she gently slinked within his sheets, the shuffling of the bed quietly humming through the room as she pushed herself against her already buck naked brother.  “Hey~”  A little tingle ran down her neck as he gently whispered into her ears.  She LOVED how he’d expected her to show up, his fingers already dancing upon her posterior, clinging onto her and bringing their bodies closer together.  

The burning heat intensified within while his blazing hot dick slid between her thighs, sandwiching itself between the plump sticks of meat.  Her lips quivered against his, their tongues slipping beneath their hidden sheathes as they tangoed into one another.  This was why she LOVED being here, she needn’t hide from her siblings, from their mother.  They didn’t need to know about her twisted relationship with her brother, blood or not.  No… this worked out the best as far as she was concerned.  

She didn’t even care if her roommates knew.  She imagined they’d had an inkling, despite the steps she and Jaune had taken to be as secretive as they could.  But, even now she could imagine them, staring from their own beds.  Their bodies gently rising in a faux nocturnal state.  The exhibistionistic glee in her took over, the thought of being watched, of being seen as the tip of his burning hot cock pressed against her wanting entrance.  The thought that both girls, who eagerly yearned for her brother’s affection, could do nothing but spectate as she and he made passionate love.  It… well it did things to her. 

It did lovely things to her, especially when he slowly slid one of his fingers up her spine and gently against her neck.  Her hairs stood on end as he touched her softly, gently grasping the back of her head and tugging her forward, pressing them together for an even tighter hold.  Gods above she loved her brother, loved him more than perhaps her own life.  She wanted nothing more than to touch him, to feel him, her fingers grasping against his back, sliding between his strong shoulder muscles.  She wanted more, wanted to inhale his scent further, wanted to feel his warm touch against her body.

The more they were apart the more she ached, the closer they were, the more she wanted it.  She knew she was greedy, knew she was unreasonable but she couldn’t get enough of the way that he smelled, of the way that his lips tasted against hers.  She clung to him, like a newborn, wanting to never let him go.  Wanting to forever be loved and held by her dearest person.  

She felt a sense of joy knowing she no longer had to fear, fear that they may get caught by their family and torn apart.  She didn’t care about these other girls, only cared about Jaune.  If she could make sounds she would squee, would let out a yelp of pleasure as his tongue brushed against hers.  Their lips parting ways for just a moment as trails of spit dripped upon their shared pillow.  

She needed not say a word, only simply stare him in the eyes, her heart pounding thoroughly in her chest as he nodded.  She loved him so dearly, loved that he knew exactly what she wanted without her having to say a word.  She knew no one else would ever get her the way that he did and she never wanted anyone else to.  “Ah!”  She may not have been able to speak, but her lips could still part, a muffled sound nearly escaping as she felt his thing brush against her lips.  

The splintering hot sensation of the tip rustling against her quiverly sex was enough to nearly to send her into a tight orgasm.  But she needed him, needed for him to shove it deep inside of her.  She had an itch that only he could scratch, one that only he could fill and oh brothers did she want it badly.  

“Oh brothers.”  She tried to arch her back, tried to pull her head away from her brothers as his girthy cock slid inside of her, her lips parting to make way for the added space, but he kept her locked in place.  She loved the fullness she experienced whenever he pushed into her, whenever the two of them became one.  The rigid dick, veiny fat cock, scratched against her insides, rubbing into her ridges and sending pleasant scritching sensations through her.  She knew she wasn’t satisfied yet, that she needed and wanted more.  But this was a good start.  

Her nails began to sink into his flesh, their auras turned off, the intimacy of their bodies being directly connected being what she wanted.  Her toes began to clench as her muscles in her legs tightened.  Slowly he pushed against her, the swell in her belly growing larger and larger as he gently rubbed himself upwards.  She needed this, needed to be filled to the brim with him.  She wanted his seed inside of her womb so badly that she almost pushed herself down upon him.  Even if she couldn’t get pregnant right now, she’d taken the shot to keep her infertile till she was done with class, she wanted to at least feel like she could!  

Jaune couldn’t keep his hands off his sister's sinuous figure, his hands roamed, letting his animalistic lust take hold of him, his hunger burning as he frantically squeezed and groped at whatever he could.  Their bodies were already entering into carnal passion as their tongues wrestled with one another.  The sweet and sultry scent wafting off of her moistening form intoxicated him, the way she held onto him intoxicated him, her tightening cavern enticed him.  

He’d long gotten over any doubts about what he wanted from this twisted relationship of theirs.  No longer did he care that they were siblings, even if not by blood.  No longer did he stop himself when he desired her, he no longer bothered to hide his dark cravings and the lust he felt for her.  He simply took her, simply allowed himself to bask in her form.  The softness of her skin felt wonderful to his touch, her voluptuous form pressed against his chest was exquisite.  He could hardly get enough, he didn’t want to get enough.  He wanted more, he wanted to touch her whenever he could.  HIs fingers tightened around her bottom, grasping and squeezing around whatever he could get ahold of.

His powerful digits kneading into the soft doughy swells, he found himself letting loose.  Squeezing into her soft cavern he split the malleable hills apart, he could feel a gasp of air escape her lips as he pushed further inside of her while doing so.  Her every reaction, the way she let him know she loved what he was doing, always did it for him.  The stimulation from their simple touches, the way that she squirmed when he took command, he never knew he needed and now he could never live without.  

His hips rocked back and forth, her insides massaging his manhood, tasting the pleasures of the flesh as they pushed further into one another.  He knew he had to be quiet, lest their teammates wake up, but he found himself far too enthralled to care if they did.  In fact… perhaps the thrill of having one of his gorgeous teammates watch them, perhaps too stunned to do anything, was something he could really enjoy.  He whispered gently into her ear as he worshipped her small lithe form, “I love you~  You’re my goddess~  My beloved~  I want to breed you, I want you to bear my fruit so badly.”  

Her response was the same as usual, a little tingle encapsulated her womb as she bit down upon his lip, tasting his flesh as she attempted to endure his loving assault.  She was weak to his teasing, weak to the way he made her feel loved.  She could never get enough, never wanted to get enough.  His words danced within her head, powerful feelings surging from deep within her body.  Her core, trembling weakly as it was, began to give on her.  The feeling of completeness seeped from her very depths and while she tried to savor the soft touches.  She wanted more, wanted him to take her so very badly.  

She couldn’t speak, but she knew how to get him going, a simple peck to the lips as she grasped upon his shoulders.  Tugging against him she flipped their bodies, he was now above her, their blankets no longer covering their naked forms.  She found herself awestruck, like she always was, when the soft silvery moonlight fell upon his chiseled body.  She’d done so much to help him get to where he was, and she’d be damned if she didn’t appreciate the results.  Even now she couldn’t help but run her finger down his biceps, slowly tracing towards the abs.  A mighty thirst filled her, eyes falling back to him as she begged him.

“Fuck me, break me.”

She wanted him badly, wanted him to treat her like a toy, wanted him to let loose like he hadn’t been able to do till now.  She began to care not if her teammates knew, in fact they could know all they want, she wanted them to realize just how much he belonged to her.  

Jaune got the message loud and clear, any reservations he may have had about being quiet quickly went out the window as he shoved himself further against her.  Her tightness grasped upon him, his body moving as she wished him to ravishing her till she began to release him reaching for the sheets as her fingers sunk into the bedding.  

Creek Creek Creek

The bed began to move as his pace skyrocketed, his body penetrated her depths, no longer slowing down he began to ravage her insides.  The harder and faster he went the more she tightened around him, her bumpy ridges massaged against his cock, grinding against the fleshy stick as he immersed himself in the pleasure.  

Neo lavished the sensation, her insides tightening around him needing him inside of her more and more.  The tip of his cock grazed against her cervix every time he pushed into her, with every new lunge he got closer and closer to battering against her womb and she loved it.  She loved the way that he grasped her legs, and pulled them back over her head.  Loved the way her lower body no longer touched upon the bedding.  She loved how he began to fuck her, to ravage her, to rape her into the sheets.  Her body needed this, she LOVED him dearly, she loved how easily he could switch for her.  And she LOVED how he pushed her further down.  

Even as the first orgasm hit the two of them he refused to stop.  Even as her body quaked in overwhelming pleasure, and even as his jerked baby maker released its batter relentlessly into her oven.  He’d refused to back down.  Incited by perhaps the thought of being caught, he’d entered a frenzied fuck.  No longer where they having sex, she could tell this had become something else.

“Get pregnant, I want to get you pregnant, have my children, bear my babies.  I need you to have my kids, please get pregnant.”  His voice chanted loudly and clearly to her, his body now entering a rut.  He was no longer fucking her for pleasure, he was fucking her with the intent on spreading his seed far and wide.  Oh how she wished she could accept it now, but she knew that he knew they couldn’t.  Not just because of the shot, but because both of them had goals in mind.  While she wanted to protect him, she’d always dreamed of helping those that were lost just like her.  

So his words, they reached and touched her heart, but they both knew they couldn’t happen.  Still, her womb reacted accordingly.  As he plunged into her depths, her cervix opened hungrily, drinking his seed hoping that his constant thrustings didn’t spill the precious nectar.  

The stirred liquid sloshed within her body, succumbing to the pleasures of being filled, of having her womb poured directly into.  She couldn’t help but enjoy the wonderful feeling, and as for Jaune?  He’d lost it, no longer thinking with his upperhead, he buried himself, slammed himself, devoted himself to breeding her as best as he could.  The two, so caught up within their sinful desires, failed to notice though the jealous green and sky blue eyes watching them.

Neither of them noticed the way that their sheets shifted as their hands worked between their legs.  

Weiss… Weiss couldn’t believe what she’d seen, couldn’t even fathom that what was happening in front of her was actually happening… but there it was.  The brother and sister duo had always struck her as odd… and she kind of always knew something was going on.  But to actually see Jaune… that buffoon… that idiot… that… that specimen of a man!  Push his sister down, take command, and BREED her.  That hadn’t… that just… it was too much.  The thick smell wafted within their room, her mind falling into a deep haze.  She didn’t know how they’d planned to hide it, not with the thick scent of sex filling her lungs as easily as it was.  

She hadn’t meant to start, but her body desired touch, it craved satisfaction, so before she could consider stopping she’d already begun to reach between her legs.  Her fingers slaking across her soft core dipping into her tight virgin slit.  She began to want more than this, it wasn’t enough… and she… oh gods she needed it.

Pyrrha was very much the same, she thought seeing her crush crushing his sister would have been more upsetting than it was.  But instead she found herself directly pulled to it, she’d been unable to pull her gaze away from the very start succumbing to the desires of the flesh.  She wanted to be treated that way, wanted Jaune to plunge into her to take her virginity and taste her flesh.  She… she wanted to be bred like Neo was being… she needed to.  

Unlike Weiss, she had no reservations about sliding her fingers between her thighs, a pool of moisture forming and sliding down her leg and onto her sheets before she’d even started.  Her body stirred into action as she rubbed against her clit, her shudder and a sigh escaping her lips as she started to play with herself.  Her digits roaming freely within her.  She needed to do something, her fingers proving not enough to cleanse the burning fire boiling within her.  And… as she watched Jaune and Neo, she came to a conclusion.  It just so happened that Weiss came to the exact same agreement.  They wanted Jaune, and they would have him one way or another.

#Jaune Arc #neopolitian (rwby) #Weiss Schnee #Pyrrha Nikos

[fanmoose12]

ansgty hc inspired by your recent post where hange and levi were sending each other letters: let's say that levi lived until the end of the finale and as he finished helping armin settle in the commander's office, an eccentric-looking box catches his attention. it turns out to be full of hange's old journals she kept as a trainee until she became a commander. some of these write-ups would be yeaaars old. research notes, grocery lists (that had stuff he liked written down, like his favorite brand of black tea and cleaning supplies 🥺) aaaand of course, for a dash of extra pain -- letters she never gave to him (she probably wrote a scratched-out love confession somewhere). imagine a post-war recovering levi clutching hange's journals and reading her entries way baaaack before and during the no regrets ova timeline until the marley vs paradis arc TIME TO SOB :((((((

"Captain, you don't have to do this," Armin spoke softly. "I can clear it all myself."

"No," Levi harshly refused. "I'll do it. It's- it's the least I can do."

"Captain..." there was an infinite sadness in Armin's voice and in his eyes. Some of it, Levi knew, wasn't caused by the need to clean Hange's office. They all had their fair share of tragedies.

"I'm not your Captain anymore," he answered wearily. "And don't bother yourself with worrying about me. Just-"

"I'll give you some time," Armin nodded. He gave Levi one last cautious look and then turned, slowly walking away.

Levi watched him go for a second and then looked at the door, grasping the handle. He opened that door hundreds, if not thousands of times. There shouldn't be anything hard about it. Yet his heart was in his throat as he stared at the wooden surface.

It was the second time he was clearing that particular room. It was the second time he couldn't protect what was important to him.

He let out a shaky breath and turned the handle.

The room was dusty. It was messy, with stacks of papers littering every possible surface. It was... just as Hange left it.

Levi gulped and stepped inside.

His knees grew weaker with every step. He tried to pretend it was from exhaustion. He tried to keep his composure for as long as it was possible.

He decided to start with a desk, gathering all the papers, quills and books. Most of it held no importance - simple reports, accounts and official letters. Levi held each paper with utmost care, laying it inside the card box he had brought with him.

Most of the stuff there was meaningless, useless. But not for him.

For him, it was a proof, an evidence of Hange's existence, a testimony of her work and life, of everything she had accomplished. For Levi, it was the most precious thing in the world.

Slowly and methodically he looked through every paper and journal. Hours went until he moved from the desk to the bookshelf, from the bookshelf to the closet.

His hand trembled, as he opened it and saw Hange's jacket still hanging inside. His fingers touched the soft fabric. It wasn't washed in a long time, Hange's smell still clinged to it. Levi took it off the rack and draped it around his shoulders.

He pulled the jacket tighter around himself and continued with his work. At the back of the closet he saw a small box, and, curious Levi took it in his hands.

Inside lay even more papers, but those were different. They still were written by Hange, but the handwriting was different, a lot messier. They were written before Erwin's death, Levi guessed. They were written back when Hange was still allowed to be a messy, crazy scientist, not an strict and experienced leader.

The box contained her scribblings and doodles, drafts of new weapons and outlines for the next experiments. There were a few of drawings, and the quality of them told Levi that they were most likely done by Moblit.

At the very bottom of it all, Levi found an envelope. 'For Levi' was written on it.

Levi's breath hitched. Carefully he opened the envelope. Inside there was a letter.

Feeling his legs buckle, Levi sat down on chair beside the table and started reading.

If you're reading this, then one of those things happened: you went through my stuff again, probably during your cleaning spree; I was too much of a chicken to tell you everything myself and left it by your door; or... I'm not with you anymore. If the latter is true, than I'm sorry and I hope you can go on without me. Also I hope that in my last moments, I looked as awesome as possible. If not, then please pretend I did.

Either way, I'm writing you this letter because there is so much I want to tell you and so little time to actually talk with you. Life has been hectic in those last years, don't you think? Sometimes I wish we could go back to the way it was. I wish we could go back to the times, where it was just us - you, me, Erwin, Mike, Nanaba and Moblit fighting a hopeless fight against giant monsters. No shifters, no Marley, just our shitty little world inside the walls. Don't you think it'd be nice?

You probably don't, and you probably are rolling your eyes at my naivety. Anyway, I just wanted to tell you how much you mean to me, Levi. You are the closest friend I ever have. You're the last friend that I have, and I... I can not thank you enough for this. For sticking by my side through thick and thin, for tolerating my quirks and weird habits, for being my rock in this sea of uncertainties. I lov... Ah, well, you probably know exactly how I feel about you, subtlety was never my strong forte.

We live in a terrible world, but if there is one thing I'm grateful for, if there is one thing that almost makes it all worth is the fact that I've met you. You make me so happy, Levi, and I'm so happy to have an honor of calling you my friend.

You know, sometimes I wonder - would we still get along if not for our circumstances? Would you still like me if not for the duty that bound us together?

Sometimes I try to imagine a different life, a life where we could be allowed to be happy. To be together - safe and alive. Maybe, I'd still be living with my parents, up in a big mansion in the middle of the capital. Maybe, you'd be a notorious criminal from th Underground I'd have a scandalous affair with! You would sneak into my room in the middle of the night, getting past my father's guards and climbing inside though the window.

Or, maybe, I'd be a student and you'd work at the bar I frequent. I'd be trying to flirt with you to get free drinks for me and my friends, and you'd grumble and roll your eyes at me, waving me off like an annoying fly.

Maybe, we could be simple soldiers, without high ranks and important tasks. We'd be allowed to retire and run away to a small village, where we could live together and raise some cattle.

Wouldn't it be nice?

It would, and I'm sure you think the same. But life is what it is, and, for better or worse, we can't do nothing to change it.

Despite all the shit we've been through, there is one thing I would never think of changing, and it's meeting and befriending you. Whatever happens when you read this letter, I hope you remember this. And remember me.

Forever yours, Hange

There was a dark, old stain at the end of the letter. As he finished reading it, another one appeared.

Levi let the tears flow, rereading the letter again and again. He could almost hear Hange's voice as he read her words. He could almost see her smile and her bright eyes.

He wished Hange told him sooner. He wished he confessed to her before the world had torn them apart. But he knew it wouldn't have changed anything.

They were soldiers, nothing more than tools of war. Their hearts weren't their own, they belonged to humanity.

But with no squad to lead and no battle to fight, Levi turned into an old and broken man. His heart still wasn't his own, as he had given it away, sacrificing it along with his hope for a happy future with the one he loved.

He could still dream, though. Dream of another life, dream of those scenarios Hange described.

He could still dream and hope that it wasn't their last meeting, that in another life, much kinder than this one, they'd be allowed to be happy.

#i wrote it while waiting for a doctor's appointment so it's probably very messy #levihan

[infinitysgrace]

Hi sorry I don’t mean to just drop this in but I’m so tired of seeing this being perpetuated in the main tags

The extreme Chloe stans and salters honestly need to stop with their tantrum already. It’s been months since season 4 started and even longer since miracle queen. Shut up already nobody cares how sad your fee fees got hurt because your chloebear is being a big meanie again. I’m also tired of them making mr Astruc their big bad bogey man. This is his show but also he’s not the only writer who writes plot points and character arcs and gets things approved. He’s just a normal dude disagree all you like with him but stop making him out to be an raging narrative asshole when at most he’s just a little rude to persistent annoying fans.

These fans need to stop picking fights with a grown ass man and also learn how rising action and basic storytelling works. Chloe is clearly entering the rock bottom and mid section of her arc. Her fans have to to chill and stop spreading salt and lies about mr Astruc all because they imprinted way too hard on a character it’s like insulting themselves.

Chloe fans please take several seats take a nap and clam down already you’re all so exhausting god.

Sorry again don’t mean to bring this but it’s so tiring seeing this even when you ah e most salt blocked

..............................

#... #how am I supposed to respond to this? #i just... #why here? #i don't even say much about chloe like ever??? #why? #infinite answers #anonymous #ml fandom salt #i guess???

[clandonnachaidh]

Remember Remember the Fifth of November

“D’ye think she’ll be warm enough?”

I looked down at our daughter and swallowed the urge to comment on the fact that he’d asked that very question at least ten times in almost as many minutes. His strong jaw was clenched in concentration as he wrestled a cosy knit hat onto her head, trying to be as delicate as he could so as to not wake her but having to go to war with her already abundant curls as they fought back against constriction. Brianna was in my favourite place, cocooned in a wrap that held her close to my chest with her head resting heavily on my shoulder as she slept. I even welcomed the drool that would no doubt be spilling from her parted lips as she dreamed.

Amongst all the other blessings that having a child of our own brought to us, the fact that she was such a good sleeper was not one to go unmentioned.

I smiled softly at the sight of my husband, huge and imposing in every way but somehow unbelievably gentle when it came to his daughter. Jamie was looking at her with the sheer adoration that appeared only when he was looking at Brianna.

“She’ll be fine. Besides, it’ll be warm beside the bonfire.”

“Aye but nae too close,” Jamie warned me, pointlessly.

“Don’t worry, lad, I don’t have any inclination to launch our daughter into the flames.”

He quietly muttered ‘dinna even joke’ under his breath as he put an arm around me and pressed a kiss to my temple, showing me that I was forgiven for my attempt at comedy.

Brianna shuffled slightly so I checked that she was comfortable, made sure that her little booties were firmly on her feet and saw that her hands were cradled in tight fists under her chin. Jamie retrieved his favourite Barbour jacket from the wardrobe and slipped into it, pulling his own beanie down around his ears before he caught sight of the three of us in the mirror.

Of course I was biased but the picture reflected in the glass was glorious. We looked like the perfect little family. Jamie towering over his two girls, ever the protector. I hadn’t been aware that I was beaming with pride but when I saw myself, my face was split into an open grin. Our little unit, all bundled up against what would be a cold autumn night, complete with matching wool jumpers that had been a gift to Jamie and myself from Jenny the previous Christmas with the promise of a smaller version being underway for Brianna to receive this year.

We could hear Ian and Murtagh having a loud discussion about where best to stick the Guy even through the thick walls of Lallybroch. With a chuckle, Jamie decided that it was time for him to wade into the discussion lest his godfather and brother-in-law decided to try and drown the other in the basin full of water that had been set up so the children could bob for apples. Just as we made it into the kitchen, Wee Jamie was caught red handed trying to stick a single finger into the treacle that was cooling around the toffee apples that were supposed to have been a surprise for later. A fact that wasn’t lost on my husband.

“Yer ma will tan yer hide and ye ken fine well.” Jamie grabbed his namesake around the waist with his free arm and lifted his giggling nephew out into the cold air, his other arm never dropping from the shield that he had created around Brianna and myself.

Lallybroch had come to be our home. It was beautiful in the spring with the first buds beginning to bloom and the small walk down to the burn was worth it for a dip in the midst of boiling hot summers. Of course, it was picturesque enough to be on a postcard when it was covered in soft, fluffy snow but my favourite had to be autumn. The trees that surrounded the land had all turned, greens deepening until they turned bright orange and red. It hadn’t been too windy so even though the ground was covered in a deep layer of leaves, the huge trees were anything but bare.

“Go and sort them out before I stuff one of them into the Guy’s outfit masel’,” Jenny’s voice came from behind us and Jamie snorted a laugh as he moved towards the two men who were still having words with each other over the correct placement of the effigy that had lovingly been made from potato sacks and straw with a somewhat terrifying hand-drawn face thanks to the efforts of Wee Jamie and his little sister Maggie.

“Mary, Michael and Bride, they’re worse than the weans sometimes,” Jenny sighed heavily, a sentiment I was not going to disagree with. We watched the three men bicker over this and that before finally coming to the conclusion that they would play rock, paper, scissors to determine the outcome of a very simple issue.

“Oh, for God’s sake,” I laughed as Murtagh clipped Ian around the head, clearly not happy with the result. Victorious, Ian pulled the physical representation of Guy Fawkes from the ground and placed him proudly on the bonfire, balancing him right in the middle of a particularly dense patch of branches to serve as a sort of throne.

I hadn’t noticed Jenny had gone until she reappeared with two mugs in her hands, spirals of steam rising and disappearing into the air.

“I slipped something special intae yer hot chocolate, mo phiuthar,” Jenny gave me a wink as she pressed the warm mug into my hand. I inquisitively stuck my nose close to the rim and felt a wry smile creep onto my face as I confirmed my suspicions with a look at my sister-in-law.

“That creme brûlée liqueur I got you?”

She nodded before taking a solid glug from her own cocktail, “The very same.”

From his place at his dad’s side, Wee Jamie bolted towards us and pulled at his mother’s arm, dragging her towards her husband as he begged the two of them for the bonfire to be lit.

With a look down at my own sleeping offspring, I took a sip of my hot chocolate and closed my eyes appreciatively, letting the warmth flow down my throat and into my chest.

“Christ alive, Claire.”

Jamie’s husky voice appeared from behind me and I smirked at him, knowing that only my husband could be one of the only men to see his wife enjoying a hot drink and make it a sexual thing.

“There’s booze in it. Here, try.”

I offered my mug to him but instead he closed the gap between us, careful to cradle Brianna’s head in one of his hands, and kissed the taste from my lips.

“Delicious.”

“Uncle Jamie, hurry! Da’s doin’ it!”

We all convened around the modest structure that had been built from old fence posts, planks from barn doors and old bits of timber from wooden pallets. I spied the leg of a kitchen chair that had met an explosive end the previous Hogmanay after a drunken Jamie and Murtagh had fallen into it during what had started as an eightsome reel and quickly descended into the two men trying to spin each other as hard as possible until they both lost their footing.

As if she knew that it was time for the festivities to start, Brianna started to make the little noises that meant she was beginning to wake.

“Ah, the wee snuffle pig is comin’ around, is she?” Jamie whispered soft words over her as his hands began to untangle his daughter from the folds of the wrap. I giggled at the nickname that he’d given her and stretched the tired muscles of the small of my back now that I didn’t have an extra 10kg of weight hanging off of me. Even though she was only a year old, Brianna was affectionately referred to within the family as ‘the long baby’ due to the Viking genes that had been passed down through her father.

As her sleepy eyes began to blink open, the first thing in her line of sight was her father which produced a rather spectacular smile.

“Daaaaaa,” she groaned with joy.

It was the only thing that she said, not yet having mastered any sort of name for me. She had, however, had given me the gift of a very specific, very shrill screech to know when it was mummy that was looking for. As much as I joked about him pipping me to the post, it was my favourite thing to see Jamie’s utterly radiant smile each and every time she said it.

“Did ye have a nice wee sleep, m’annsachd?” he asked as he kissed her head and then each cheek for good measure.

“Look, darling!” I put on my best excited face and pointed towards the bonfire where Murtagh held a torch and Ian held Maggie on his hip, Wee Jamie at dutifully at his side.

“Remember, remember, the 5th of November! Gunpowder, treason and plot! We see no reason why gunpowder treason should ever be forgot!”

With a round of applause for the two Murray children, Murtagh put the torch to the woodpile.

It went up with a whoosh causing Murtagh to stagger back slightly. He caught himself before subtly giving the finger to Ian who was doubled over laughing.

“Ye’ve got a bit less beard the noo!”

Shaking my head at the childish antics of the two eldest men in the family, I set my sights on the reflection of the flames dancing around in Brianna’s beautiful blue eyes. A lighter higher up, I saw the same vision replicated in the eyes of her father.

“D’ye like it, Bree? Can ye see the manny on the top there?”

“One year old might be a touch young to start explaining about why we burn a man on a bonfire, Fraser,” I said sardonically.

He made a face at me before bringing his mouth down to meet mine, Brianna’s pudgy hand caught somewhere between our bottom lips.

“She’ll be raised on stories of rebels, Sassenach. Guy Fawkes and Robert the Bruce and the like.”

I raised an eyebrow at him, “Any women in that list?”

“Aye, ‘course. Joan of Arc, Sophie Scholl. All the good ones.”

I nodded once with a smile to tell him that I was happy with his additions and we turned back to the bonfire, watching as the effigy burned in front of us. Jamie secured Brianna on his hip, burying his face into the riotous curls that had escaped from her hat and delighting in the resulting giggles. His other arm was wrapped around my side, sheltering me under his arm. Despite the cold, he was warm enough for all three of us.

We watched as the flames licked and crawled over the wood, bursts of air popping as the heat became too much. It was a beautiful clear night, even with the smoke from the bonfire billowing upwards and all at once, a huge explosion of white light lit up the night sky.

Brianna’s face at the sight of her first firework was something I knew that both Jamie and I would cherish forever. Her mouth hung open, eyes glittering with excitement as the colours burst in the sky. White and blue and green and red illuminated the pale skin on her face and it was one of the most beautiful things I’d ever seen.

She began to make breathy noises of awe, her little hand gently resting on Jamie’s cheek just to make sure that he was watching it all unfold with her. He quickly snuck a glance at me and smiled knowingly when he saw the tears in my eyes. A laugh snuck out of me, ready to dash my eyes and make a self-deprecating comment about being a silly, emotional mum but Jamie pulled me tighter against him and laid a kiss on the crown of my head.

“I am the luckiest man alive,” he announced. “Happy Bonfire Night, my beautiful lasses.”

#outlander #outlander fan fiction #Claire Beauchamp #Jamie Fraser #Brianna #ao3

[novantinuum]

Fandom: Steven Universe

Rating: Teen Audiences (I have upped the rating in consideration of sensitive topics I aim to depict later on.)

Words: 6.4K~

Summary: In another world, he doesn’t have his mother’s sword or shield to hide behind when Bismuth lands her strike. The bubble pops.

Steven falls apart.

Chapter summary: In which history is written on the walls.

Some of my other fics have been showing up in the tags when I use the link post option, so I’m doing an experiment this time. Fingers crossed it shows! If you read this and enjoy, I’d greatly appreciate your support through reblogs here, or kudos/comments on AO3. Thank you! <3

____

Chapter 12: Beta, Part 3

Having long since heeded Ruby’s advice to take a mental break, Steven sits criss-cross with his back pressed against the hodgepodge aquarium. If you ask him, this position is a two-in-one miracle, allowing him both an unobstructed view of the doorway, and sparing him from the deep rooted horror of the creepy dismantled plush still floating an aimless arc through the tank. He loves Peridot to death, but good golly, this latest meep morp is deeply unsettling. He shudders at the mere thought of its water-logged stuffing oozing out from the seams, and then— inhaling deep through his nose— steers his focus back to the phone clasped tightly between his fidgety fingers.

Back to the story, you doofus.

With nothing better to do for the moment and a hyperactive mind to satiate, he’s finally started to read the Unfamiliar Familiar fanfic that Connie sent him a link to a few days before. True to her words, it’s super, super good. Well written, great characterization, and best of all, the author keeps throwing in hints of future romance between Lisa and Archimicarus! Considering that, he’s almost surprised Connie likes this fic so much. She’s normally not much of a shipper. To be fair though, romance definitely isn’t the point of the story. Instead, it’s an AU focused on the mystery of the main character’s origins.

He can’t help but let out a sympathetic sigh as— in chapter 5– Lisa tries to calmly explain to her fellow Stonehearth Coven members that somehow her father, the revered founder of the coven, used to be a prince of the wicked Arcane Court. Most of her once-close friends don’t swallow the news well. As a result, Lisa is left alone to seek the truth of her father’s past, with no allies except her trusted familiar at her side. Lip quivering, he presses his thumb solid against his phone’s screen for a while, as if yearning to reach a healing hand beyond the barrier between fiction and reality and let the young witch know she’s not alone, that he sees and supports her. He makes a mental note to thank Connie profusely for sending along this really good fic, and presses on to the next chapter.

He’s halfway to the end of it when Peridot returns.

For someone who appeared super frazzled by Lapis’s terror-struck outbursts the last time she stood at his side, she sure seems fit as a fiddle now, walking with a slight bounce in her step as she crosses past the fence line and onto the property. At least, he assumes she is. He can’t help but immediately doubt this assessment when she spots him sitting against the inner wall of the barn with that piercing focus of hers and bounds through the doorway like a Gem fleeing the apocalypse.

“Steven, Steven, Steven, Steven!” she cries as she runs to his side, flapping her arms urgently.

Practically tossing his phone to the ground to free his hands for combat, he leaps to his feet so fast that his head grows woozy. His rose-thorned shield shimmers into tangible existence in front of his barred fist.

“What, what is it?” he exclaims, the pounding of his heart devolving into an untamable cacophony as all his darkest fears rear their ugly heads at once. “Is- is it Lapis? Did she leave anyways?”

“Uh, no…?”

“Or, or, or- are we under attack?!”

“Steven, I—“

“Who’s here for me this time?” he blurts, grabbing his friend’s shoulders. “Is it Homeworld? Jasper? The Diamonds? Tell meeee!” he whines, roughly shaking her.

“I- No one? It’s no one!” Peridot exclaims when her head finally stops jostling back and forth under his force, waves of confusion coloring her expression. “I’m… just happy to be back?”

His cheeks burn red as he drinks in her obvious statement and eventually catches his breath. He lets go of her. “O-oh,” he stammers, willing the shield floating before him to disappear into glimmers of light and desperately wishing he could do the same at this precise moment of existence. “Okay. Glad to see you back! Did, uh… did you find Lapis?”

She nods in confirmation, but visibly deflates a little at the reminder of her roommate. “Yeah, she’s perched in a tree in the woods. She said she wanted some ‘alone time,’” she emphasizes with air quotes.

Steven clasps his fingers together in front of him as he lets this news sink in, digits tussling without end for the most comfortable alignment. Bleeding heart that he is, he hates the idea of letting anyone be alone, especially after a revelation this jarring, but he must admit that he himself found some comfort in solitude the night his human half took for the beach, inert diamond in hand. If anything else, it was nice to retreat from all the noise, to allow himself the opportunity to form his own opinions about the situation. Perhaps it’ll be beneficial for her, too.

“That’s understandable,” he says, glancing out the barn door towards the forest his friend is taking refuge in. “She’s been through a lot.”

He squats to pick up his phone from the floorboards then, frowning as he notices a fresh crack on the glass at the corner of the screen. Knowing that— despite his desperate desires— there’s nothing he can do to fix this right now, he shoves it in his pocket and pushes against his knees to stand up. The bottom of his shirt catches on his arm as he does so, briefly exposing the unfamiliar facets of his rotated gem. Peridot’s brows nearly shoot above the upper rim of her visor.

“So,” she begins, nodding towards his stomach. “Your gem.”

With a tired sigh, he tugs his shirt back down. Boy, does he already know where this conversation is heading, and boy, is he sick of having to walk everyone through it. “Yup,” he replies, popping the ‘p’ and getting ready to deploy the exasperated eye roll.

“All this time everyone thought you were a hybrid quartz, but now you’re telling me…”

“...that I’m actually a dia—“

“...that I, Peridot, certified Kindergartener, a skilled specialist on every variety of Gem to ever exist, was wrong??”

“Hold on, what?”

She holds her hand over the diamond emblazoned on her chest as she passionately continues, wholly oblivious to Steven’s bemusement. “I was the brightest Gem of my cut back on Homeworld, and yet somehow I mistook a perfectly formed diamond for a quartz! Ah, hahahah!” Eyes glinting with what he can only describe as a borderline feral energy, she moves to clutch at the sides of her head, thick tufts of lemon yellow spilling out from between her fingers. “Oh, my stars. I’ve lost my touch!”

“Wait, who’s out of touch?” Ruby’s curious voice chimes from nearby. Overjoyed to see her again, Steven whirls to face her with a huge grin as she enters the barn and lounges against one of the support beams, propping a hand on her hip.

“I- it’s nothing important,” Peridot mutters, flushing as she smooths her hair back into place.

Immediately making note of the hint of shame dancing across her features, he nods. “Yeah, we were just chit-chatting! Hey, how’s Amethyst doing, though? You went to talk to her, right?”

Ruby huffs in frustration at the mention of the quartz Gem, grinding her boots against the floor so hard that for a second he’s genuinely concerned she might spark a fire under her very feet. “Tried to. But then she slashed her whip towards me and said I couldn’t help her, so ‘go away!’” she exclaims, throwing her arms in the air. “Can you believe it? I’m trying to provide some love and support, and she, she just- tells me to scram!”

“Aw, that’s not very nice,” he says with a frown, feeling his heart pulse in sympathy as she begins to pace back and forth across the wooden slats, grumbling under her breath.

“What’s her problem today, anyways?” Peridot asks, crossing her arms. “She’s usually much more amicable.”

Steven nibbles at the inside of his lip as he considers the concerning downward trajectory of Amethyst’s recent behavior. Sure, she can sometimes get snippy when she’s in a bad place, but this past week her outward attitude has built into a continuous problem. He himself has been on the receiving end of her acerbic words more than a few times, such as that afternoon they goaded each other into a duel at the Sky Arena, and that barbed retort she pierced him with at the fountain. Then there’s her fight with Pearl, her resulting emotional seclusion, today’s callous treatment of Peridot, Lapis, Ruby…

He desperately wishes he could pin all the blame for this on a single person, a single event, (because oh, wouldn’t that make his life so much easier), but when he tracks the evidence of her unrest it becomes blindingly clear that her problems began long before Rose’s betrayal was revealed.

“Well, beyond all the, uh… latest stuff, she’s been super insecure about Jasper,” he offers. Rocking back and forth on the balls of his feet with his flip flops rhythmically clapping against his heels, he rummages his brain for the easiest way to explain the root of the situation. “Basically, Jasper took Amethyst out in a fight a week ago, and ever since that she’s been training super hard a whole lot. I think she’s desperate for a rematch, to prove she’s good enough.”

“Wait, wait, wait—“ The green Gem holds her hands out, palms open. “You’re telling me she’s got an inferiority complex about Jasper? With where she came from?” She lets out a raucous peel of laughter, holding her sides. “Oh Amethyst! That’s ridiculous! She was made way better than that clod.”

He squints at her inquisitively, crossing his arms as he tries to make sense of the interesting new conversation thread that just flowed out of her mouth. “But what do you mean, where she came from? Isn’t she from Homeworld, like you?”

Ruby freezes in place upon hearing this question, clear worry threaded through her creased browline. Her mouth bobs open as if she’s gearing up to answer his question, but amidst her hesitation— a timidness that, the more he thinks about it, is bizarrely out of place from the bold, confident Gem Steven’s gotten to know from all the other times Garnet’s unfused— Peridot beats her to the charge.

“Pfft, are you kidding? She emerged right here from Earth, and not even from its good kindergarten!”

He slams his hands against his cheeks, internally reeling from this revelation. “There’s other kindergartens?”

“Well, sure! There was supposed to be one in every facet. Until the rebellion put a swift end to the Diamonds’ colonization efforts, that is,” she adds quickly, adjusting her visor. “There’s Amethyst’s Prime Kindergarten in Facet Five, but there’s also the Beta Kindergarten in Facet Nine. And that piece of work is where Jasper was made… poorly!” Giggling in excitement, she rapidly shuffles her feet beneath her. The glimmer of light reflected in her eyes is bright enough to rival a distant star. “You guys have to see it!”

Steven balls up his hand at his chin, deliberating. He has to admit, after the recent emotional upheaval that he now can’t help but associate with this place, he really likes the idea of spending time somewhere other than the barn.

“Huh. Might be worth asking if she wants to check it out,” he says with a shrug. “Ruby, you in?”

The Gem in question nibbles at the corner of her lip, humming low under her breath as she considers his offer. A small bead of sweat hangs above her brow. Sporting a good natured grin, he nudges her in the side with his elbow, hoping he can cheer her up a bit.

“A little more time with your favorite Steven and Peri? Eh? Come on, you know you wanna!”

“Do it, do it!” Peridot chimes in, pumping her fists up and down.

He eagerly joins in with her rallying cry, and in no time at all they’re both circling around their friend chanting those very words. Ruby stands center with her arms crossed and her back erect, desperately trying not to break her stoic facade with a smile. It’s ultimately futile, of course. After all, no one can resist the good ol’ Universe charm forever!

“All right, fine, fine, I’ll come,” she finally acquiesces, and with a smirk, plants both her hands on her hips. “After all, someone’s gotta keep an eye on all you trouble makers!”

Now that Ruby’s officially on board, the trio ventures outside to find Amethyst, Steven and Peridot giggling as they begin to skip around the perimeter of the barn side by side, arms linked together. Brushing a few flyaway curls out of his face amidst the comforting breeze, he glances over his shoulder when they reach the first corner to make sure they’re not leaving their friend in the dust. And thankfully she’s right on their tail, but he can’t help but notice her enthusiasm seems muted. He presses his lips together in concern. Does she not want to go with them? Is he only forcing her into this? His stomach twists with guilt as he ponders this quandary further. It’s not his intention to be pushy, but maybe— between coercing Amethyst to take a break and accompany him to the barn, begging Lapis to stay, and now, nudging Ruby to come to the Kindergarten— he’s only being selfish and manipulative about all this. He thought he was bringing people together, but what if he’s wrong? What if he’s only straining relationships, tainting the already tense atmosphere, making everything worse?

(What if this is the same sort of excuse his mom Rose used to make?)

With Amethyst slashing her whip at a few old rusted cans in the clearing before them, however, there’s no time to waste drowning within what-ifs. It’s like that day he learned about Garnet’s future vision for the first time: if he lets himself get tangled up in the possibilities he’ll never truly live. He sighs under his breath, lips pursed. Of course. Garnet’s right even when she isn’t here. As much as he’d love to go crazy psychoanalyzing the impact of every solitary step he makes, at this point he’s made his choices and whatever happens, happens. It’s time to live now.

Initially, the purple Gem is rather indignant at the idea that the three of them were gossiping about her behind her back— eyes clouded with hurt— but once Peridot explains that the point of their proposed Kindergarten field trip is to check out Jasper’s no-doubt lame hole, she blinks away her bitterness and seems to eagerly climb aboard.

“Sure, why not? ‘S not like there’s anything more fun than roasting your enemies.”

“I strongly agree,” Peridot says, nodding with pride.

But before the newly expanded Shorty Squad can begin their journey, there’s something Steven really needs to address. Something that’s been troubling him all day. Nervous butterflies filling his stomach, he leans up close to his sibling-in-crime and whispers so the others don’t hear:

“Amethyst, can I talk to you for a bit before we leave?”

Her expression curdles, but thankfully, unlike in Ruby’s unfortunate account, she doesn’t make a move towards her whip to push him away. Instead, she meets him with a gaze so hardened and difficult to read that his eyes can’t help but drift away, perhaps a little intimidated by the intensity of this contact.

“Yeah, I guess,” she mutters eventually. She flicks her wrist up at the other two, gesturing for them to get a move on. “Go on ahead. We’ll catch up.”

Ruby and Peridot nod, the red Gem with a good deal more sympathy drawn on her face, (but for him or Amethyst?), and promptly set off towards the warp pad. He continues to watch until they disappear beyond the curve of the grassy hillside, both conversing comfortably. The last he hears before the warp shoots its cyan stream of light into the sky is a hooting laugh from Ruby. Despite how non-ideal this visit has been so far, he can’t help the smile stretching across his cheeks, or how his chest grows all warm and fuzzy. It’s really nice to see Peridot getting along so well with the others now. She’s made such huge strides in the past few months.

Something metallic clangs behind him. Flinching, Steven whirls around. A crumpled, abused soda can lays overturned by the side of the barn. Amethyst— arms crossed tight just under her gem and her hair more spiked and untamed than usual— glares at that poor hunk of tin as if it’s solely to blame for all of this galaxy’s problems. She moves to lean against the barn’s outer wall and peers at him expectantly, like a troubled child expecting judgement from a parental figure.

“So. You wanted to talk,” she says, tone clipped.

“I… wanted to be honest,” he mutters, threading his fingers together as he grasps for how best to word this. “Amethyst… I know you’ve been going through some hard stuff lately. I know everything that’s happened in the past few days doesn’t help. But you’ve been so inconsiderate of like, everyone here.” He swings his arm in a wide gesture towards the barn. “Peridot and Lapis didn’t deserve the way you treated them earlier.”

No response.

Steven frowns, and— a glimmer of quiet frustration bubbling deep within him, the sort he’d never admit to out loud but can’t help but harbor whenever he catches wind of small injustices that he can never seem to fix— scratches an burgeoning itch at the nape of his neck. He… oh stars, he’s going about this completely wrong, isn’t he? He’s being too confrontational. Hmm. Maybe he should try a new angle. Time for take two.

“I know you only acted that way because you’re hurting and don’t wanna think about it,” he continues, “but please, you don’t have to box your emotions away like that. I wanna help. I wanna listen.”

Slowly, gently, he moves to place a hand on her shoulder. It feels like a small victory when she doesn’t shift upon his touch.

“Believe me, you’re not alone in feeling this way.”

Again, nothing. She’s not even looking at him right now, and her jaw’s locked. Even her form feels tense under his fingers, with hard light pulsing back and forth under her illusory skin at an alarmingly unusual pace.

He sighs, gaze dropping towards the ground, towards the battered can she kicked aside earlier. “I’m worried, y’know? But... I understand if you’re not ready to talk… about Jasper, and—“

“Oh, hoh! That’s rich!” she explodes suddenly, jerking her arm away. “You seriously wanna bury your head in the sand and pretend this is just about Jasper?”

He tiptoes away from her rush of anger, eyes growing puffy. “I—“

“You wanna know how I feel, Steven? About your mom, and the whole awful mess she made? Do you really? ‘Cause I don’t have a single CLUE what I should feel anymore!”

Amethyst pauses for breath amidst her tirade, briefly locking sight with him with a glimmer of hurt reflected in her violet irises, showing that deep underneath all those twisted layers of anger and resentment she’s just another scared, abandoned Gem like him.

“Rose was everything to me, okay?” she says, throwing her palms wide for emphasis. “And all this time, I thought she was the one Crystal Gem who could be real with me. The only one who wouldn’t sugarcoat things or treat me like a baby. ‘Oh, you’re perfect the way you are, Amethyst!’” she coos in a fake, silky-sweet voice, cupping her cheeks as she openly mocks the very Gem who gave her life so he could exist. “You’re such a strong little quartz, you mean so much to me!’ Hah!”

She pauses to force a bitter laugh, clenching her hands into insufferably tight fists.

“And wasn’t that just a huge load of silt,” she spits, staring off into the rosy distance as if it were but a cruel mirage, the pain more than evident in the taut features of her face. “All along I thought she was this great, faultless person, just like you did. Except she wasn’t. She’s a liar, like everyone else. I’m worthless, just like Jasper said… and Rose knew it.”

Hesitantly, compassionately— heart breaking for the internal struggle she’s caught within, a struggle he intimately relates to—  he tries once more to reach out in comfort.

“Amethyst…”

She sniffles, wiping away the leaking fluid pooling at the corners of her eyes.

(She does not, however, brush him away this time when he wraps his arms around her torso and nestles his head against her chest.)

“Just— forget it, okay?” she says after a quiet moment’s embrace, gently stepping back from his affection. “It’s whatever. Come on, Peridot and Ruby are waiting for us. Let’s dump this joint.”

__________

Ruby quietly shuffles across the loose soil, directing her eyes as low to the ground as possible to avoid having to stare at the Beta Kindergarten’s steep cliff walls. Red sandstone, Peridot proclaims a few feet away to their newly arrived sightseers, whirling in place with her arms extended wide. We’re lucky this place hasn’t blown away. Beta, am I right?

Steven manages a soft laugh at this. Amethyst continues onward with her arms crossed, unimpressed. But Ruby herself? Well, she’s the only Gem here who can say she crossed this infamous swath of sedimentary rock at its very beginning, on the day of emergence. The others may choose to laugh about how soft and unideal the soaring sandstone cliffs are, or about the uneven exit holes and curved walls, but in her opinion it’s no laughing matter. She’s seen firsthand how deadly even a so-called ‘imperfect’ Homeworld soldier can be. Even Garnet barely escaped with her gems intact.

Nervously flexing her fingers at her side as she tries not to dwell on that tragedy, she flashes her gaze upward, daring to catch even a passing glimpse of the top of the vast canyon. In an instant her vision swims with endless pillars of rusty oranges and reds.

Everything on this planet might as well tower over her without Sapphire. The once-welcoming arms of their temple? Monolithic. The vaulted ceilings of the beach house? Her eidetic memory can’t help but remind her of her early days spent marching through Homeworld’s diamond sized hallways with the rest of her squadron, patrolling the same route for well over five hundred cycles straight. The kicker? The Diamonds never had any reason to visit the shipment sector in person, anyways. The hallways were only constructed with such high ceilings to remind any Gem passing through of their rightful place under the Authority.

Over two hundred years, she adhered to their twisted rhetoric. Two hundred years of allowing everyone and everything around her to make her feel small, like she only existed for a singular purpose. Two hundred years of ignoring the tug of dissatisfaction at the core of her gem because of the misplaced belief that orderly subjugation under the Diamonds was simply the rightful pattern of existence. Then, in a beautiful bloom of light… she caught a glimpse of true freedom. And for the five thousand seven hundred years after that, Garnet didn’t feel quite so small anymore. She felt capable, confident, satisfied. Aided by Ruby’s physical strength and Sapphire’s future vision, she finally dared to challenge Homeworld’s rhetoric. She dared to live for herself.

Sighing under her breath, Ruby touches her fingers to the place in her right palm where her missing gem is, tracing the triangular shape of its illusory facets.

There’s no use arguing; Garnet was a better Crystal Gem than she can ever hope to be on her own. And now, because Rose just had to go and manipulate all of them, there’s a strong chance she’ll never get to be Garnet with her Sapphy ever again. Which means that until further notice, she’s stuck like this: short, stubby, and woefully insecure. Hah! Figures. All those years spent fighting against Homeworld’s warped notion that Gems had stagnant purposes and couldn’t grow beyond their stations, and now it’s as if she’s been dumped back at the beginning, like the past five millennia never happened.

It’s a cruel irony.

And yet it’s no crueler than this awful place: a cradle of birth manufactured as a tool of war, a Gem’s very existence leeching the life out of this once-fertile ground. The scars on the walls tell a mournful story, and as Ruby slowly trudges after her loved ones, fingers numb and fidgety in the wake of haunted disorientation, she can’t help but wish she wasn’t present for its prologue.

“Ruby…?”

Her sight trains on one of the tilted exit holes closest to ground level, on the messy silhouette it provides. She remembers this one, in fact, Garnet watched her emerge. She was a carnelian. By Homeworld’s standards, an imperfect one. That doesn’t matter, though. None of Homeworld’s lies matter. Running on nothing but the primary orders she was incubated with, (it wasn’t her fault, it was the Diamonds’, she reminds herself with a bitter growl), that Gem still emerged to poof three fellow rebels on sight. If Garnet hadn’t been so quick to retrieve their gemstones, they might have been shattered that day. Many of the others assigned to her squadron weren’t as lucky. Inhaling shakily, Ruby pauses to trace her fingers across a raised ridge in the rough, brittle sandstone.

“Hey, Ruby!” his energetic voice calls again, snapping her out of her intense focus like a fusion splitting in half.

“Aaaah!” she cries, swinging around and pulling both fists up in defense. Her hands uncoil rapidly once she catches a glimpse of that cheery yellow star.

Aw, scrap! she chides herself, repositioning her feet solid on the ground to regain some sense of internal balance. Damned startle reflex.

Unfazed, Steven grins boyishly, skipping a few steps away from the rest of the group to join her by the cliff wall. “Penny for your thoughts?”

Amethyst and Peridot are watching now too, she realizes, her brief but audible outburst thoroughly diverting their attention from their Beta Kindergarten roast session. Their quizzical glances pin her in place, her hard-light form heating in embarrassment as she struggles to organize the flow of her emotions in a way that might make sense to anyone beyond a fellow ruby. She scrunches up her nose and considers her next words carefully, attempting to strike the proper boundary between what is and isn’t appropriate to say in front of a half-human child. Stars knows Amethyst, Pearl, and herself haven’t had a great record with that over the past few days.

“Just thinkin’ about Sapphire, mostly,” she admits, offering him a saddened shrug. “Can’t seem to stop that, even half a world away.”

“Speaking of that... Why did you run after us?” Amethyst asks in a notably less cranky manner than earlier, lightly kicking at the dirt with the toes of her booties. “You never said.”

“Y’know, I…” She pauses, pressing her hand to her chin. “I’m not sure. I spent days waiting in front of the temple door. And eventually, I guess I figured that if she’s gonna make me wait no matter what, I might as well do something with myself until then. ‘Sides, I didn’t want to be lonely,” she adds, suddenly feeling just as small and vulnerable in front of all of them as her timid voice sounds.

She felt lonely enough when she ran away from home a few days ago, tears streaming in messy rivulets down her face, utterly spurning their attempts at comfort so she could pretend she was anything else than powerless amidst this nightmare. She never wanted to split, not at all. She begged Sapphire to give their relationship another chance, to believe in the strength of their love more than the fear of a diamond’s control, but tragically, her partner couldn’t hold up under the pressure. If one individual doesn’t wholeheartedly want to be Garnet, then Garnet cannot exist. They can’t synchronize. It’s simply the nature of fusion. And given her love’s avoidance, refusing to so much as leave her room to begin with, Ruby’s beginning to lose hope that their fusion will ever exist again. The crippling isolation that realization affords is the worst form of loneliness she can imagine.

Thus, the least she can do at the moment to mitigate these all-consuming feelings is to get off her butt, leave the temple, and ensure she’s surrounded by loved ones.

Peridot steeples her fingers together in front of her chest. “Well, what if you moved in with us?” she offers in a meek tone at first, her expression brightening as she continues to explain her idea. “The barn’s got plenty of room, and with two roommates you’d never have to feel lonely again!”

Steven’s dark irises practically sparkle. “Aww, Peridot, that’s super sweet of you to offer!”

“Wow, thanks,” she replies earnestly, puffing out her chest in a rush of personal pride. “I do try!”

“Yeah!” Ruby says with a hesitant laugh, scratching at the back of her neck. “That sounds amazing, but…”

“You should do it, Ruby!” he encourages, bouncing up and down on his sandaled feet amidst his excitement. “You should totally move in with them!”

“D’ya… d’ya really think so?”

“Yeah! It’d be like your very own vacation, but you’d only be a warp away!”

“And you’re sure you’d be fine with it? Y’know, with everything at home all…” She blows a juicy raspberry, jabbing her thumb down.

Amethyst serves her a big shrug. “I ain’t got a problem. Go crazy.”

“There’s no need to worry about me,” Steven says, smiling evenly. “I only want what’s best for you. And if you think not staying in the temple all the time would make you feel better, you should give it a try!”

Her concerned glance drops on the young half-Gem. Sure, it’s very compassionate of him, actively choosing to care so deeply for everyone’s emotional needs all the time, but home life for him hasn’t exactly been nurturing and hospitable lately. He already lost one of his pillars of stability when Garnet unfused. Pearl and Amethyst are at each other’s necks again. Sapphire hasn’t emerged from her room for days. Greg’s… doing whatever it is Greg does when he’s not hanging out with his son, probably keeping his distance from Gem business as usual. So with all that in mind, even if temporarily living apart from Sapphire is sure to be a beneficial move for her personal well-being and sanity, is now actually the proper time to consider a change in scenery? She purses her lips.

“I’ll think about it.”

Peridot lets out a sharp squeal of delight, apparently ecstatic about the prospect of possibly gaining a new roommate. Ruby can’t help but grin at this response. In truth, if she didn’t have to consider the well-being of Steven and the rest of the Crystal Gems, she’d say yes in a heartbeat. After all, she’s never gotten the opportunity to make many decisions on her own. Heck, she’s never gotten the opportunity to do much of anything on her own. Every time she’s unfused within the last five thousand years, her priorities have always been about what Sapphire would want, what Sapphire would do.

Well, what about Ruby, this time? Aren’t her desires important? What does she want?

Long term… she has no clue. But right now? She’d prefer to avoid dire reminders of old sorrows at all costs, thank you. So when Peridot declares that she’s 99.9% positive she’s found Jasper’s exit hole, Ruby declines to join them in their roast session. She never came here for sightseeing, anyways. She came here as their lookout. Just in case. She’s never trusted this awful tear in the ground one bit, and she’s not about to start now.

Running instinctively on old programming she was incubated with, she creeps deeper between the narrow mouth of the cliffs and summons her gauntlets at her side. Sure, so maybe they’re not as daunting in their size as Garnet’s, but they can still pack one heck of a punch. She’s still good at punching on her own, yeah? Hopefully? Stars, it’s been so long since she’s gone solo for more than a few measly hours.

And then, at the cliff base in front of her, she spots the most unusual exit hole she’s seen in this miserable canyon yet. For one, it’s low to the ground, like Amethyst’s. That fact alone is enough to set off alarm bells in her head. On top of that, its silhouette is almost comically wide and indistinct, not resembling any cut of Gem she’s aware of.

“Huh. That’s different,” she murmurs, pacing closer to investigate.

Maybe an off-color topaz could punch a hole as wide as this? But… no, no. That can’t be right. Hard light coursing wildly through her form, Ruby dissipates one of her gauntlets and runs the tips of her fingers across the crumbly inside surface of this hole. A few granules of sandstone break off upon her touch and clatter against the ground, and she jerks her hand away as if touching impossibly cold ice. Something about this feels... wrong. To be fair, she’s no expert kindergartener like Peridot, but she’s pretty confident the interior of exit holes should be smooth, with striated rock layers extending all the way back. Instead, this bizarre scar in the cliffs almost seems like—

“It’s dug out,” she says, eyes widening in dawning horror.

Which means they may not be alone in this rusted relic of a Kindergarten after all.

Her body suddenly feeling staticky and unbalanced amidst all this damning uncertainty, she tiptoes away from this mysterious feature, slowly at first, and then— as the fear begins to bubble up within her core like boiling water transformed under her power— transitioning into a sprint. We’re not alone, she repeats to herself in a harried mantra. Not alone. Not alone, we’re not alone, we’re—

Ruby’s foot catches on an uneven lip of stone jutting up from the ground, and she quickly plows headfirst into the coarse dirt, promptly ending her terror-stricken flight.

“Ow,” she whines as she recovers from this fall, rubbing at the side of her head. Not only is she a little dizzy, but her surroundings are made further hazy amidst the overbearing sunlight pounding indiscriminately upon the ground floor of this canyon. It’s enough disorientation to allow the jumbled code of her gem to begin to play tricks on her. For one, she swears she can hear this low, timid skittering, like thick claws rhythmically scraping against rock. Second, she’s half-convinced she can feel a surplus of physical vibrations radiating from the cliffs surrounding her. Squinting, she shields her eyes under a raised arm so she can begin to gain her bearings again. The blinding light recedes.

The red Gem gulps fearfully amidst the burning colors of the harsh sandstone landscape. “Wait, is that—“

She’s stumbled her way into a massive clearing, lined on all sides by stacked rows of holes physically dug into the sheer walls. Each opening is barred by a number of thick metal rods, stripped from the legs of the injectors that once incubated this hell in the first place. The thoughtful engineering imbued in this setup is impressive and terrifying all at once. Ignoring the tangible tug of hesitation at her core, she pushes herself back on her feet and creeps towards the closest cage to investigate further.

“Uh, you guys?” she calls loudly as she walks, the unusual curves of this canyon an undisputed blessing as they carry her message back to the others.

“Yeah?” Amethyst chimes back, her voice notably distant. Too distant.

“We’ve got, um—” her hand glides across one of the bent, rusty bars— “a bit of a problem here?”

“What?? Speak louder, we can’t hear you!”

Before she can even prepare to reply, a fur-covered monstrous creature leaps from the shadowy abyss of its prison and snaps its tusks at her. She yells, jerking her hand away from the cage and stumbling a few feet back. Her brow creases in abject confusion as she attempts to process what she’s seeing in front of her. It’s… it’s a corrupted Gem? This one’s most definitely a quartz; she recognizes the faceting, as well as the distinctive fur-covered quadrupedal shape of its corrupted form. But why on Earth is it being trapped within a cage in the middle of a defunct kindergarten instead of being placed in a bubble’s comforting stasis? The ground beneath her feet grows noticeably warmer as a rush of impassioned anger surges through her hard light form. She grinds her teeth together, flexing her fists at her side in the name of this cruel injustice. Caging isn’t part of Crystal Gem protocol for a reason!

Unfortunately, the horror show continues as her gaze passes over each and every cage in this clearing, finding scared, thrashing, corrupted Gems in almost all of them. Fluid builds up at the corner of her eyes as they scream and wail at her, riding a fresh wave of cacophony spurned by that Gem she spooked just a moment ago. How could anyone ever build such an awful place? And why?

Heavy, assured footfalls suddenly bounce across the acoustically encouraging slopes and surfaces of this ravine, magnified tenfold in their wake. Ruby gasps, wasting no time in ducking behind a tall rocky formation at the mouth of the clearing. That’s definitely not Amethyst or any of the others. It sounds too large, too bulky. She kneels low so she can still peek over the topmost layer of sandstone, a knot of dread coiling within as the footfalls continue to grow louder. Groaning, she clutches at her head. The unknown, the impenetrable shadow of the future… stars, it haunts her more than loneliness itself.

And then, the specter of her history reveals herself, making Ruby’s tangible form stutter in the sheer terror her appearance affords.

Jasper— her opponent, her nightmare, the Rebel Slayer herself— emerges from a plume of rising dust at the edge of this populous arena and enters the game.

#su #steven universe #ruby #amethyst #peridot #su fanfiction #my writing stuff #crack the paragon

[lunnanunna]

Uncomfortable Pt. 4

SF9 Extra Member AU

Summary: The truth us finally revealed, but not in the way that Miyoung had planned.

Warnings: swearing, sexual harassment/abuse 

Taglist: @hyunmijung​ @galacticstxrdust​ @gay-jesus-official​ @precious-seungwooya​ @helladead-hellaradical​ @giant-puppy-yunho​ @kimonmars​ @soobinssmile​ @chagi-nana​

A/N: This particular arc is now finished, but Miyoung will still be dealing with the trauma of this experience, along with the boys. I’ve never written something like before, so I’m not sure how well I did, but hopefully you like it! Thank you again for being so understanding and waiting! 💛

Requests are open! Please let me know what you think.

Miyoung walked back to the practice room, after letting the boys know that she had forgotten her phone. They said that they would wait for her in the lobby, she nodded, then made her way upstairs.

Pushing open the door, Miyoung widened her eyes to adjust to the dark as she reached for the light switch. Once the light was on, she looked around the room and saw her phone where she had left it on one of the benches.

Miyoung walked over to it and scooped it up just as she heard the door open again. Thinking it was one of the guys, Miyoung said, “I found it. You didn’t have to come up and get me.” The chuckle that she heard, sped up her heart.

“Hi, Miyoung-ah.” Miyoung tensed at the voice. She could hear her blood rushing in her ears as she saw Jin’s reflection in the mirror.

She slowly turned to face him. “Hi,” she said meekly, tightening her grip on her phone. Miyoung gave a quick bow then began to walk past him. She prayed that he’d just let her go. Of course he didn’t.

“Where are you going?” Jin asked, grabbing onto her arm.

She stumbled, then looking at his hand, said, “Please let go.”

“No,” he replied. Miyoung let out a little yep when her face was roughly grabbed and turned to look at Jin. She tried to move her face, but his grip on her jaw tightened.

“Why?” she asked, eyes watering as she avoided looking at him. Miyoung had never asked why, at least, not out loud. She didn’t think that Jin actually had a reason other than him just being an asshole.

“Why what?” he asked annoyed, tugging her closer to him. She tried to push him off, but couldn't.

“Why can’t you just leave me alone?” She looked up at him, chewing on the inside of her cheek. Jin definitely was handsome, but his personality overshadowed his looks. He actually always creeped Miyoung out.

With the hand that still held her face, Jin caressed her cheek with his thumb. “I like you.” Miyoung’s eye widened at the admission. She shook her head and tried again to pull away.

“This is how you show that you like someone? You are aware of how dysfunctional that is, right?” the blonde asked incredulously.

Jin shrugged, looking to the side. “I don’t really care what you think. All I know is that I want you. And I’m gonna get you,” he said, turning back to look at Miyoung. He looked at her, eyes darkening, and Miyoung shrunk back at the sight.

Her phone in her hand vibrated, but before she could even think about looking at it, Jin grabbed it out of her hand. He looked at it, face blank, then quickly typed out something.

“What are you doing?” Miyoung asked, moving to look at what he wrote. Jin moved the phone away, tossing it on the ground when he was finished. She watched as it bounced off to the side.

“I just made sure no one would bother us.” Miyoung looked back up at Jin when he said that. The text must have been from one of the boys, and she was scared to know what Jin had told them.

“What do you mean?” she asked, looking up at him. He was looking off somewhere, not listening to her. Miyoung tried again to twist her wrist from out of his grip, but even zoned out, he held firm.

“Stop it, okay?” Jin shouted suddenly and shoved Miyoung against the wall, the force knocking the wind out of her. He took both of her wrist and held them above her head, struggling a bit with her cast, but was soon able to get a grip. Then he placed his knee in between her thighs to hold her up.

Tears began to fall as Miyoung tried to fight him off, scared of what he’d do. “Someone could come in,” Miyoung said in a shaky voice. She prayed that somebody would.

Jin smirked at her running his thumb over her bottom lip with his free hand. “I already thought of that. The doors are locked,” he said, cocking his head towards the door. Miyoung’s eyes instinctively traveled to it, her heartbeat picked up just looking at it. Would anyone be able to help her?

She swallowed hard, looking back at Jin. “Please. I-I don’t want this. P-Please stop,” she begged, pulling any which way. He hiked his knee up higher and tilted his head.

“But I do. And if we’re being honest, you knew what you were doing. What with all the short and crop tops you wear during practice. You were practically begging me.” Jin licked his lips as his eyes traveled down her face to her neck.

“Don’t,” Miyoung said, trying to pull her wrists free. Jin kept his hold as he ran his hand down to the zipper of her sweatshirt. He played with it then tugged it down. Miyoung’s breath hitched as her skin was exposed to the cool air of the room.

Jin looked Miyoung in the eyes as he moved his hand up to her shoulder. Placing his hand inside the collar, he moved it down, exposing her shoulder. Jin leaned in and kissed it, watching as Miyoung screwed her eyes shut.

Jin was much too strong for her to get him off, but she still tried. Miyoung prayed that someone, anyone would save her. She was starting to regret never telling the boys about him. There were so many chances and she blew them all. Now she was in trouble, Jin was going further than he ever had with her, and she was terrified.

“You’re smaller and prettier than the others.” Miyoung heard him say. Her eyes shot open as she looked at him. His mouth hovered over her shoulder as he looked at her with a dark gaze.

“Wh-What do you mean?” she stuttered, looking over his shoulder. She didn’t want to meet his eyes. She turned her head to completely face away from him as he began to suck on her skin in different places.

As he spoke, hot puffs of air hit her skin and she felt a chill run up her spine, and it wasn’t the good kind. “You’re not the only idol or trainee at this company that’s caught my eye.”

Miyoung reared her head as she looked at him incredulously. So, he’s done this to other girls?! Miyoung had never felt more disgust for anyone ever. She looked him in the eye (And only God knew where she got the courage) and spit on him.

He was just as surprised as she was with the action, just staring at her with his mouth open. Jin scoffed, his jaw clenching. “Now, you see. I wish you hadn’t done that,” he said grabbing her chin again, forcing her to look at him.

She flinched as he raised his hand, but it never connected. Instead a loud banging could be heard from the door. They both turned to it and Miyoung yelled.

“Someone, please help!” she cried. Jin turned to her livid. He clamped his hand over her mouth, his grip strong enough to definitely leave bruises.

Unfortunately for him, the person at the door heard Miyoung, and soon multiple bangings could be heard. A loud crack startled her and she quickly turned to see the door had swung open, the area in the wall that had had the lock was now missing, instead holding onto the door as it met the wall with a crash.

Youngbin stood at the door, eyes crazed as he looked in the room. When his eyes landed on the two of them, Miyoung could feel the anger rolling off him in waves.

“What the fuck?” he asked, and Miyoung watched as he stormed over. Sanghyuk was behind him, shocked by the sight, but moving quickly as well.

Jin didn’t have any time to react before Youngbin grabbed him and threw him to the ground. He walked over to him, grabbing him by his collar then lifting him up to bring him inches from his face. Youngbin’s fist connected with Jin’s face. Once, twice, three times.

Miyoung, who had slid down the wall after Youngbin had gotten Jin off her, just stared at the scene. She was frozen. Her limbs felt stiff and cold and she couldn’t bring herself to look away. She didn’t even notice Sanghyuk when he sat down next to her.

“-Young? Miyoung-ah!” Miyoung flinched violently as Sanghyuk reached for her face. He pulled his hand back as her eyes widened in fear. She wasn’t really looking at him. It was as if she was somewhere else. Oh, how she wished she was.

Miyoung covered her ears, bringing her knees to her chest, and began to rock herself. “I'm sorry. I’m sorry,” she began to whisper almost desperately.

“Hey. Hey. It’s okay,” Sanghyuk said, hands hovering around her. He didn’t know what to do. “Miyoung? Mimi, can you look at me please?” Miyoung slowly turned to him, eyes moving away from Youngbin who was now being held back by Chanhee and Juho. Their manager and a security guard had come in at some point as well.

“Miyoung? Hey, I’m right here, okay? Can I place my hand here?” Sanghyuk asked. Miyoung looked at him then at his hand that was hovering hovering her shoulder. No, she didn’t want anyone to touch her there. She shook her head.

Sanghyuk nodded, then saw the small bruises on her shoulder. He took in a deep breath trying to calm himself, when he realized what they were. He needed to get Miyoung to calm down, but he couldn’t do that if he was getting riled up.

“Okay, then,” he breathed out. He reached over slowly, giving her enough time to move, and zipped up her sweatshirt. She sucked in a breath at the action, but let it out when she remembered that it was Sanghyuk who was with her, and he’d never hurt her.

All at once, every emotion possible came over her. Fear, sadness, frustration, and hatred. Hatred for herself for letting this go on as long as it did. She looked up at Sanghyuk whose hands were hovering by her face. She gave him a small nod, and he paused as if asking her if she was sure. Miyoung nodded again.

He slowly reached over and with his thumbs and wiped at her tears. She leaned into the touch. It was familiar. It was safe. Miyoung moved to get up, but she was so tired with all that happened, that she could barely move. She cried harder.

Looking up at the older, she whispered, “Can you hold me, please?”

Sanghyuk nodded, then pulled her into his lap, wrapping his arms around her as she cried into his shoulder. She stayed like that until she fell asleep.

~

When Miyoung awoke she saw that she was in her room. The sun was shining in through the window, indicating that it was morning. She froze, not remembering how she got here. Last thing she remembered was Sanghyuk holding her as she cried. Just at the thought, more tears came.

Slowly getting up, Miyoung noticed there was someone sitting on the floor, back against her bed. It was Youngbin, and from the way his head was lolled back unto the bed, she could tell that he was asleep.

Miyoung wiped at her tears then reached for his head, running her fingers through it. Youngbin stirred then opened his eyes. He seemed confused as he looked around, then sat up. Rolling out his neck, he turned to look at Miyoung.

She watched silently as he turned fully to look her over as if to check for any injuries. His eyes lingered on her jaw, grimacing, and Miyoung guessed that Jin had left his mark.

“Oppa I-” Miyoung began, but the leader held out his hand to stop her.

“Don’t. I want- What happened-” He couldn’t find the words. Youngbin ran his hands through his hair in frustration, then tried again. “Why couldn’t you tell us?” he asked softly.

Miyoung looked away. She brought her knees to her chest, wrapping her arms around them. “I wanted to,” she whispered.

“Then why didn’t you?” He didn’t sound angry, which almost made her feel worse. He should be angry. She had lied to him and the group, she almost messed up the comeback because of her injury, and she was too much of a coward to actually say something.

“I don’t know. I almost did. A lot actually, but I- I guess I was scared.”

“Of what, Mimi?” Youngbin asked as he carefully got up from the floor. He sat on her bed by the and looked at her. He looked at her with understanding and sadness, and for some reason, she hated it.

“I- I don’t know, okay? I thought it would end. I didn’t think it would get to… that,” she whispered the last word. Miyoung stared at her feet as she heard him take in a breath.

“Miyoung, he’s the reason you broke your wrist, isn’t he?” Youngbin asked. The blonde looked up and watched as he chewed the inside of his cheek. She nodded. 

Youngbin nodded as well. He looked to be in thought. Miyoung could see the gears turning as he thought over everything that had happened over the last month or so. She watched as the crease between his eyebrows became more prominent. She was the reason he was so worried. She worried the whole group because she was too scared and stupid to say anything.

“You asked for your own room. You’ve been more distant. You shy away from touch. And you flinch at any sudden movement. How had I not seen the signs?” he asked himself and Miyoung felt terrible. She made him feel like that.

Biting her lip, Miyoung slowly moved over to him. She sat on her knees right in front of him, and reached for his hands. She half expected him to push her away, but when he didn’t she relaxed a bit.

“Oppa. I’m sorry. I should have said something sooner. I didn’t and things- things got bad. I- I don’t want any of you to be mad, but I know I deserve it,” Miyoung spoke, looking at their hands. She missed the way Youngbin’s face broke, tears spilling.

“Miyoung, no. This isn’t your fault. You’re the victim. You have nothing to apologize for,” Youngbin said, taking her into his arms. He didn’t miss the way she flinched at first, hating Jin even more. If he ever got the chance, he’d kill him.

Youngbin held her for the next half hour or so, rocking her gently. They didn’t say anything else, but that was fine. All that mattered right now was that she was safe and the truth was finally revealed. They’d work on getting her the help she needed when things settled down a bit, but for now he just held her, because that was all he could do.

Miyoung’s Mastelrist

#sf9 #sf9 au #sf9 10th member #sf9 fanfic #sf9 scenarios #sf9 reactions #sf9 oneshots #kpop scenarios #kpop reactions #kpop oneshots #female kpop additions #kim youngbin #kim inseong #lee jaeyoon #lee dawon #baek zuho #kim rowoon #yoo taeyang #kim hwiyoung #kang chani

[hopelikethemoon]

The Truth (Javier x Reader) {MTMF}

Title: The Truth Rating: PG-13 Length: 3300 Warnings: Mild Angst. (Potential Triggers: mentions of period-typical homophobia and child abuse) Notes: You can find the Maybe Today, Maybe Forever Timeline here. Set in March 1997. Part three in the “big angst arc”. Both Javier and Reader’s POVs are reflected in this.  Summary: Monica tells her truth. 

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“You gonna talk or am I paying long distance to listen to you breathe, son?”

Javier sighed heavily, clicking his tongue against his teeth. “I don’t fucking know what to say, pops. It’s been a shit show and…”

“And?”

He raked his fingers through his hair, “And I feel like it’s all my fault.”

“How so?”

“How could it not be?” Javier questioned. “We should’ve stopped trying. She wanted to, but I… I wasn’t ready to give up hope. She didn’t want to disappoint me.”

“Who’s idea was it?”

“Who’s idea was what?”

Chucho chuckled, “To have another kid. Since you’re fretting about that.”

“I’m not fretting. She nearly died because of me.”

“Who suggested having another child?”

“She did.” Javier chewed on his bottom lip. “But she wanted to stop trying and I know… she kept trying because of me.” He sank back in the chair, keeping the phone pressed to his ear. “That’s not even half of it. All this bullshit stress is my doing too.”

“Yeah?”

Javier hesitated to tell his father about the stress factors in their lives. Despite how much he had changed over the years — he doubted his father would be as quick to believe him as she was. And he didn’t want to get into it. To explain everything that happened with the DEA. 

“There’s just been a lot going on and…” Javier sighed, rubbing at his eyes. “I never wanna see her like that again.” He shook his head slowly. “They had her hooked up to all these wires and monitors and… I fucking hated it, pops.” 

“Javier, how’s she doing now?” 

“She’s resting. Josie’s curled up with her in bed. I’m glad she didn’t have to see her mother like that.” Javier dragged a hand over his face. “I could’ve lost both of them. Her and the baby.” 

“But you didn’t.” 

“I still could.” Javier pressed. 

“Have you talked to her?”

“Today? No. She needs rest. I’m not stressing her out further about any of this bullshit.” Javier tucked the phone against his ear as he reached for the bottle of beer he’d been nursing, downing the rest of it with a quiet hiss. 

“You should go sleep, Javier.” 

“I’m good, pops.” Javier shrugged his shoulders. His plan was to crash on the sofa. She needed her rest and if he knew Josie — she’d taken over his side of the bed already. He didn’t want to wake either of them up. 

“Talk to her.” Chucho said firmly. “I’m not going to claim to know her as well as you do. I’ve spent all of a month with her over the past few years, but… she’s a good one. Whatever you’re going through, don’t let it fuck this up.” 

“Nothing’s going to fuck this up.” 

His father chuckled, “You don’t do well under pressure.”

“No.” He shook his head. “I’m not going anywhere. That’s not… It’s not like that.” Javier rubbed at the back of his neck, brows furrowed together. “I thought I could fix something. Something that I was partially complicit in.” 

“What did you do?”

“Nothing. Not really.” Javier clenched his fists. “Colombia still has her hooks in us. I should’ve cut the line, but…” 

“Javi?”

He tensed, glancing back over his shoulder to see her standing in the doorway. “Pops, I’ll call you tomorrow. I’ve gotta go.” 

“Love you son.” 

“Love you too.” Javier hung the phone up, staring at it for a moment as he raked his fingers through his hair and steadied himself. “You should be in bed.” He said softly as he looked back at her. 

“Josie snores like you.” She folded her arms across her chest, smiling at him. “I couldn’t sleep.” 

Javier moved towards her slowly, his heart hammering in his chest. “How long have you been out here?”

She chewed on her bottom lip, her eyes flickering over his face. “Long enough.” 

“I just needed to vent,” He explained, swallowing thickly. “Pops is worried about you.” 

“I’ll call him tomorrow.” She smiled a little sadly, resting her hand against her stomach. He hated seeing the ugly bruising on the top of her hand from where she’d had the IV. “Are we going to talk? Before you worry yourself into an early grave.”

Javier pressed his tongue to the inside of his cheek, looking away. “It’s been a long day. A long week.”

She moved towards him, placing her hands on his shoulders. “Look at me, Javi.” She whispered and he complied. “It’s not your fault.” She squeezed his shoulders three times, before she trailed her fingers up his neck and cupped his cheeks. “None of it is and I refuse to let you beat yourself up over it. Okay?”

“Baby—”

“Okay?”

“Yeah.” He sighed heavily. “Fine.”

“I appreciate your willingness to take up my problems, but… it’s not your cross to bear.” She smiled up at him, rubbing her thumbs over his cheekbones. “And I know what you’re thinking… we should back off the DEA article, remove one area of stress—“

“It was them.” Javier admitted. “Monica said someone from the DEA offered to pay her a pretty sizeable chunk of money to start the rumor.”

“Sons of bastards.” She swore, laughing humorlessly. “Well, fuck them. I’m not backing off this.”

Javier clicked his tongue against his teeth, shaking his head. “You are something else baby.”

“I’m not going to let them win. Do I look like someone who is going to slink back into the shadows and let them win?”

“You need to relax.” Javier curled his arm around her waist and drew her into his chest. “But you have to let me carry some of this weight. Let me handle Monica. We’ll resolve this whole rumor bullshit.”

She clung to him, curling a hand around the back of his neck as she pressed her face against his chest. She pulled back a little, looking up at him. “We’re doing this together.” 

Javier sighed heavily, giving her hip a squeeze. “I don’t want to see you in the hospital again. Not like that.” He shook his head. “I can’t do it.” 

She rose up on her toes and kissed him gently. “I’ll take it easy, Javi. I really don’t want to end up in the hospital again either.” She chewed on her bottom lip. “But I’m not going to lay in bed until I give birth. I will lose my fucking mind.” 

He nodded his head slowly, understandingly. “I’ve never known you to be able to keep still for very long.” 

“Case in point.” She gestured to them and laughed. “A normal person would probably be in bed right now.” She made a face.

Javier pulled her towards him and pressed a kiss to the top of her head, before he swept her off her feet, cradling her in his arms. “If Josie’s taken over our bed, I guess we’ll just have to move to the sofa.” He remarked as he carried her out of the kitchen and into the family room. 

He settled back onto the sofa and she rearranged herself more comfortably in his lap. She rested her face against his shoulder, brushing her nose against his neck. “Don’t be angry with her.”

“Who?”

“Monica.” She pressed a kiss to the underside of his jaw, before pulling back. “She’s just a kid and…” She chewed on the inside of her bottom lip, shaking her head slowly. “I wanna hear her side of the story.” 

Javier gave her hip a gentle pat, before he slid his hand over her leg reassuringly. “What do you wanna do, then?”

“Let’s invite her over.” She said with a small smile. “That way it’s low stress for me… and we can figure out what’s going on.” She reached out and played with the hair that fell against his forehead. “And how we’re going to stop it. I’m not… I’m not ready to let go of this thing with the DEA. If they think they can play dirty, well…”

“You are an unstoppable force.” He grinned at her. “But you have to take care of you first, baby. I should’ve never started this whole mess while you were pregnant.”

“When did you submit the FOIA requests?”

“Before.” His shoulders sagged. “But I should’ve realized they’d retaliate.”

She shook her head. “No blaming yourself.” she leaned forward and rested her forehead against his. “We’re going to get through this.”

 ——

 “Is this the part where you guys kill me?” Monica questioned, rocking nervously from the balls of her feet to her heels as she looked between them. 

You shook your head slowly. “We really just want answers, Monica. The claims you made—“

“They were just rumors! I told a few people and just let it get around. I didn’t…” Monica raked her fingers through her hair. “I didn’t mean for all of this to happen.”

“But it did happen.” Javier said sharply as he steepled his fingers and he leaned his elbows against the table. “If you have plans to work in law enforcement, you should realize this. The choices you make — even ones that seem minor — cause reactions.” He shook his head. “But you took a bribe.”

“Ten thousand dollars. Really?” You questioned, lips drawn into a thin line. “That’s all it took to turn against us?”

“You have no idea how much I needed the money.” Monica whispered, staring at the table. “I don’t know how they knew.” She dragged her fingers through her hair and pressed her hands against her forehead. 

“What did they know?” You looked towards Javier, brows furrowed. “Is there more to this story, Monica?”

She sniffled quietly, before looking up at you, tears in her eyes. “I’m in a really bad situation right now.” Her eyes flickered briefly towards Javier, but his unreadable expression turned her gaze back to you. “And I don’t say this for sympathy. I don’t deserve any sympathy right now, but…” 

You reached across the table and took her hand, squeezing it gently. “You’re a good kid, Monica. If you’re in trouble, you can tell us.” You kicked Javier under the table, encouraging him to say something as well. 

Javier cleared his throat, rocking his jaw slowly as he stared at her. “I know something’s been going on… the missed classes, the late work… What is it?”

Monica rubbed the sleeve of her sweatshirt under her nose, before wiping away a stray tear. “At the end of last semester, my parents cut financial ties with me.” She admitted. “I… wasn’t in a good situation with them, but…” She shook her head slowly and looked away. “It’s complicated.” 

“Is that why you needed the money?”

“The irony of the rumor.” Monica started, her voice wavering. “I’m just going to say this… I’m just…” She nervously rubbed at her lips before she sank back in her seat, somehow managing to make herself seem smaller. “I’m gay.”

“Is that why your parents kicked you out?” You questioned, your heart aching for this poor kid. You couldn’t even imagine that situation. 

“Oh, Monica…” Javier said quietly, shaking his head. 

Monica nodded her head slowly. “I told them over the holidays and…” She wrung her hands. “It had been years since they hurt me. But I couldn’t keep living a lie.” She wiped at her eyes again, looking at you then. “I’m so sorry.” 

“Don’t apologize.” Javier said quickly. “I should’ve realized something was going on with you. You’ve been off all semester.” He dragged his fingers through his hair and exhaled heavily. “Are you in a safe place now?”

She shook her head. “I’m in a hostel right now. I’m trying to find somewhere to live. The money… I’ll give it back.” 

You shook your head. “No. You’re not giving the money back.You did what they told you to do. That money’s yours.” You looked towards Javier then, trying to read his pensive expression. “What is it?”

“I’m trying to think how to help her.” He gestured towards Monica. “Look, first thing Monday morning we’re talking to the dean. We’ll get the rumor brushed aside and explain it’s the fucking DEA playing games.” Javier looked at you then, brows furrowed. “You think Connie might know someone?”

You shrugged, “Yeah. I mean... Connie knows everyone.” You looked towards Monica then, a small smile playing over your lips. “We’ll help you.”

“Why?”

Javier rubbed at the back of his neck, stretching his back as he readjusted in his seat. “Because we’re good people, Monica. And you’ve gotten caught up in our shit.” 

Monica looked between the two of you, her bottom lip trembling before a flood of tears overwhelmed her. She sobbed into her hands, making absolutely no coherent sense with her words. 

“Go get her some tissues,” You told Javier as you got up from your seat and moved around the table to pull a chair up close to her. “Monica, look… I know this situation really sucks, but you’re going to get through it okay?”

“I shouldn’t have taken the money.” 

“No. You shouldn’t have.” You weren’t going to sugar coat it. “But people make mistakes. Especially when they’re going through things.” You looked up at Javier as he held out the box of tissues. “Here.” You passed her the box.

Javier rested his hand on your shoulder, squeezing it gently and you reached up to squeeze it. “Monica you’re a smart kid. I’ve read your papers, you know your shit. But you can’t… taking money from the DEA…” You shook your head. 

She wiped at her nose, looking up at you. Her shoulders shook as she tried to control another sob of emotion. “I regretted it the second I did it. The moment I opened my mouth and started the rumor…” She looked towards Javier then. “You’ve been so good to me Professor Peña. Both of you. I just needed the money so I can have somewhere to live… somewhere safe from my parents.” She wiped at her eyes furiously. “I wanted… I wanted to help kids like me, but I… I’m going to lose everything.”

You shook your head, “No. No. Monica. You’re not.” You reached out and stroked the back of her shoulders gently. “I’m not a bitch, contrary to whatever Javier might say.”

“He’s never said that.” Monica said quickly with a short laugh.

You smiled a little, glad that it made her laugh. “Your internship isn’t going anywhere, kid.”

“Really?”

“But you are going to have to help me.” You told her, arching a brow. “This shit with the DEA just proves they need to have a come to Jesus meeting.” You looked back at Javier then, your heart fluttering a little at the look in his eyes as he stared at you. “I’m not stopping.” Your gaze fell back on Monica. “I can’t do a lot right now, but you can.”

“How?”

“I need someone to help do some research for this article.” Your head canted to the side. “Think you can do that for me?”

“I’ll do anything.” Monica sniffed. 

Javier leaned down and pressed a kiss to the top of your head, before he moved back around the table to sit down. “Monday morning we go to the dean’s office. We clear this up.” He looked to you then.

“How much do you make at your jobs?”

“Like five and a half dollars an hour.” Monica answered, her brows furrowing together. 

“Josie can be a handful and I’m probably going to need help. We usually pay the sitter eight an hour.” You looked towards Javier, smiling when he nodded his head in agreement with your plan. “I could use the help.” 

“Are you serious?”

“Yep.” Javier said with a shrug. “And I’ll see what Connie can do about finding you a safe place to live. I’d offer you a room here, but… We already have it set up for the baby.” 

Monica shook her head, “No. I wouldn’t want to impose. I have enough saved for like three hundred and fifty a month…”

“We’ll figure it out.” Javier said with an understanding nod. “Now, you mentioned your parents… hurting you?” He leaned against the table, staring at her. “Are you in danger?”

She shook her head. “I’m not. I didn’t… they don’t know where I am.” Monica hugged her arms around herself. “They know where I go to school, but they don’t… They wouldn’t come here.” 

You rubbed her back reassuringly. “If you need anything.” 

You couldn’t wrap your head around how someone could hurt their child. You knew it happened. You had seen the results of it, but… it just made you think of Josie. The thought of making that little girl even cry by saying ‘no’ made your heart ache. “You’re going to be okay, Monica.” 

“Thank you.” She wiped at her eyes with the sleeves of her hoodie again. 

“Do you want to stay for dinner?”

Monica shook her head, “I have work tonight.”

“Any time.” You told her, offering her a kind smile. 

“How are you doing?” Monica asked, sniffling a little. 

You shrugged, rubbing at your stomach. “I’m pregnant, I have high blood pressure, and my partner would be happy to see me never leave bed.” You looked towards Javier with a grin. “And not even in the fun way.” 

Monica laughed, looking between the two of you. “I wish my parents had been like you guys. Your daughters are lucky.”

“It’s not always sunshine and puppy dogs.” You rolled your eyes. “Speaking of puppy dogs…” You shot Javier a look. “I’m dropping hints.” 

“I think I’m going to go…” Monica said quietly. “I need to decompress before work.” 

“I know the feeling.” You squeezed her arm, before you got up from your seat. “If you need anything you have my number.”

“Thank you. Thank you both.” Monica stepped towards you and hugged you tightly. You wrapped your arms around her and held her. “I’m proud of you, kid.” 

Monica’s smile was thanks enough. 

You headed down the hallway to Josie’s room, while Javier walked Monica out. 

Josie was sound asleep, clutching at her stuffed animal. Her curly hair peeking out from above the edge of her blanket. She loved burrowing under the blankets. You just couldn’t understand it… how could someone hurt their own flesh and blood.

Javier wrapped his arms around you as he came up behind you. “That was… an interesting conversation.” He remarked, kissing your neck. “That poor kid.”

“I knew there had to be more to her story.” You chewed on your bottom lip. “She knew a lot about the emergency room. It seemed like a nervous habit, the way she told me about every little thing in the room.”

“You’re too damn observant.” 

You laughed and leaned back against him. “I am good at what I do, Javi.” You tensed a little, rubbing at your stomach. “Your daughter has an incredibly strong kick.”

Javier rested his hand over your stomach just below where your hand was, “Where?”

You curled your hand around the back of his, sliding it up to where the baby was kicking. It was a faint flutter at first, but then a swift movement followed. 

“Damn.” Javier whispered, keeping his hand pressed there. Hoping to feel it again. “You know… I never fucking expected someone to sit in front of me and say they wished I was their parent.” 

You tilted your head to look at him at him with a grin. “I think we just gained a third daughter.” 

“Oh, did we?” He snorted. “I didn’t sign any papers.” 

“It was a silent thing.” You teased, reaching back to stroke his cheek. “She needs a support system.”

“Steve and Connie like adopting.” 

“Javi.” 

“She’s also nineteen.” 

“Minor detail.” You laughed softly, pulling Josie’s room closed. “What do you think they’ll do next?”

“The DEA?” He questioned and you nodded. “Fuck if I know, but… we’re taking them down.” 

A chill ran down your spine. “It’s not going to be easy.”

“Nothing good ever is.” Javier reminded you. 

#pedro pascal x reader #javier pena #javier pena x reader

[elsanna-shenanigans]

February Contest Submission #14: Valentine Vesuvius

words: ca. 4700 setting: mAU with accidental time travel lemon: no cw: homelessness

“Hey, you wanna get out of here?”

I turned to look at Elsa in confusion. Wasn’t this museum date her idea? She looked mischievous, her left eyebrow arched.

I opened my mouth. Shut it. Opened it. I glanced at the other families gathered in a loose arc around the museum tour guide who was currently droning on about some old emperor or another.

“Hell yeah,” I whispered.

Moments later we were giggling as we ran through a deserted hallway like school girls skipping class. Never mind that we were two adults in our upper-twenties who chose as well as paid to be at the museum.

We rounded a corner and found ourselves suddenly immersed in a dim room void of people, filled instead with spotlights on old pottery from Ancient Rome or something. Elsa spun to face me and took my hands in hers. I dragged my gaze from a vase depicting a mountain with people at its base, and met Elsa’s eyes.

“I’m so lucky to have you as my wife,” she said, gently squeezing my hands.

“I’m the lucky one,” any more words would have been cut off as Elsa cupped my face and kissed me.

She pulled away slightly and rubbed her thumb in a soft circle on my cheek. “Anna…”

My eyes were still closed from the intimate sensation, but I blinked them open. Why did she sound so sad? “Hey, what’s wrong?” I asked.

She took a deep, slow breath and let it out in a shaky sigh.

“I just… I want kids so bad, Anna.”

My heart broke. I nodded. “I know, Els. I do too.”

“I thought this tour would be a fun valentines date. I just didn’t expect there to be so many families. So many kids. I couldn’t… I couldn’t stand to be around them another second.” She shook her head. “It hurts too much.”

We had been trying everything we could the past couple of years, but the IVF wasn’t working and every adoption had fallen through. It was all getting so expensive, and even more frustrating.

I rubbed her arm. “Why is it so easy for straight people to accidentally create life, but when a couple of lesbians want kids it costs twenty thousand dollars and two left kidneys?”

“It’s not fair,” Elsa sighed.

“It’s not,” I said. “But hey,” I touched her chin, lifting her head up from its sad slouch. “We’re strong as fuck. We’re not going to give up.”

Elsa nodded.

“And until we do become parents,” I continued, “we are still perfect, and whole, and completely the best family I could ever imagine. Just the two of us.”

She smiled. “You’re right, Anna. With you by my side, there’s nothing else I could ever need. I hope I’ve never made you feel like you aren’t enough. You’re my everything; so much more than I deserve.” Pulling me close, she started sounding more like herself again.

“Don’t be silly,” I kissed Elsa quickly. “You deserve everything good in the world.” Another kiss. “And I love you.” Another. “So much.”

The last kiss was deepened by way of Elsa’s grip on the back of my neck. She took my lower lip between her teeth and flicked the tip of her tongue across it playfully, sending a shiver up my spine and heat shooting down my stomach.

I gasped as Elsa grabbed my waist and kissed my neck while she walked us toward a wall. Throwing my head back, I was relying on her to guide us. I couldn’t function when she was sucking on my neck, my pulse point like — that, ah! Jesus!

“Oops.”

I barely registered that my back hit something wobbly, but the last thing I heard was the unmistakeable sound of pottery crashing on the floor. I felt a flash of cold air run over my skin and then - nothing.

————————————-

When I came to, the first thing I felt was a piercing headache. I hadn’t even opened my eyes yet and I wished I could close them. Gripping my skull, I rolled around in the darkness behind my eyelids, wishing the high pitched shriek in my ears would fade. Then I noticed the bumpy texture digging into my back. Uhh… Why did the museum floor feel like it was made of rocky ground?

Perhaps more pressing: why was the rocky ground …trembling?

I stopped moving altogether and sure enough, the ground I was laying on was shaking. I cracked my eyes open only to be blinded by bright sky. This was definitely not the museum exhibit. Blinking rapidly, my eyes started to adjust to the light even as my headache pounded and begged me to close them, or better yet, knock myself back out.

While I waited for my vision to make sense, I scrambled to get my feet under me. This was easier said than done, the way the ground wouldn’t stop moving beneath my legs. Finally I was at least on all fours and stable enough to look around.

“Jesus Christ.” Was that a motherfucking volcano? I arched my neck to see the top of the mountain I was extremely close to. Pluming dark clouds surrounded its peak. What the hell happened to me?

I whipped my head around, swaying from the dizzy fit the motion sent me into. I was in sort of a vast, empty field of rocky, grassy terrain. There looked to be a bustling town just down the hill. No one else was around, except —

“Elsa!” I shrieked. I scrambled to my right, getting to my feet as I gained momentum. Rocks kept shifting under my bare feet and I tripped a couple of times before I reached where she was laying. I fell to my knees by her side, and rolled her onto her back.

“Elsa?” I tapped her cheek with my palm, patting it several times. “Els! Wake up!”

She groaned.

Relief washed over me. I kept nudging her until she came to. She groaned again. “Ugh… my head.”

“Shh, I know, it sucks.” I said, more to myself than to her, as I pulled her head into my lap. “Wait. Are you wearing a fucking toga?” I looked down at myself. “Am I wearing a fucking toga?!”

We were both wearing cream colored fabric gathered at the shoulders and the waist. As if being at the base of a volcano wasn’t enough of a wake up call, for some reason the wardrobe change was what pushed me over the edge. It felt like my throat was closing up as I started struggling to breathe. My lungs couldn’t fill; I took breaths faster and faster, but too shallow to help. Perfect time for a panic attack, Anna.

Slow down. I closed my eyes, gripping Elsa tightly to me. Breathe in.

I felt the fabric under my fingers, it was thick but soft. Breathe out.

I heard birds chirping their alarms in the distance, wind sweeping past, and small rocks settling into new places all around me. Breathe in.

I smelled… fresh, salty air, tainted by something like smoke or dust. Breathe out.

“Hey lady! Is she dead?”

My eyes snapped open. There was a young girl, about eight years old approaching us from down the hill. She held a basket and wore a similar tunic, but hers had been through a lot. It was tattered and dirty. The words she spoke were so strange - I understood them in my head but at the same time, they sounded… foreign to my ears.

I cleared my throat. “No, she’s just waking up,” I responded. My own words had the same strange quality to them when I spoke to the girl.

“Oh. Who are you? My name is Cassia.” She had dark hair chopped unevenly at her shoulders.

“What a pretty name!” I said, a million thoughts racing through my head. “I’m Anna, and this is my… this is Elsa.” I didn’t know where, or when, we were so I didn’t want to get us into any unnecessary trouble. “Where are your parents?”

“I don’t have any. I was just gathering some berries when the ground shook again. Did you do it?” She squinted at me suspiciously.

So there are earthquakes here often. “No, of course not,” I laughed, hopefully convincingly, even though I had never felt less like laughing. “Elsa and I are traveling from afar, but …we got lost and hit our heads when the earth shook. Can you tell us where we are, exactly?”

Cassia gave me a strange look. “This is Pompeii, silly. What other city is at the bottom of the volcano?”

Pompeii?

….Holy fucking Vesuvius…

———————————————————

Once Elsa was fully conscious and aware of our situation, we decided to take Cassia up on her offer to show us to her home, which turned out to be more of a fort in the outskirts of town. It was about midday and the kid was generous enough to let us hang out in her home while she went back out to keep foraging, now that the tremors had slowed down enough.

We sat on the dirt floor after Cassia left, both staring off into the distance, in shock. How the fuck did this happen?

“So…” Elsa began.

“We’re in fucking Pompeii!” I exclaimed.

“What the fuck!” Elsa said.

And then we laughed, because, honestly, what else could we do at that point? We laughed uncontrollably. We laughed at our clothes. We laughed at the earthquake, at the damn volcano, at the funny way all of the words sounded.

When we couldn’t laugh anymore, I fell into Elsa’s torso and we sat, half snuggled up on the dirt floor of this impoverished orphan’s dwelling place.

“What year do you think it is?” I asked.

“I don’t know,” Elsa said. “Does it matter?”

“I mean,” I glanced at her sideways, “I sure hope it’s not 79 AD.”

“Is that when it happened? How do you even know that?”

“I told you I always liked that section of art history.”

“Hmm,” Elsa sighed. “Well how do we even figure it out? We can’t just ask someone. Do they even use that system right now? Like the AD and BC stuff?”

I shrugged. “I almost don’t even need to be told though, you know? Just by the way that smoke looked above the volcano… I have a bad feeling.” Elsa looked concerned too. “Maybe we could ask around to find out if it usually does that when there’s an earthquake here. We could get a sense for how much we need to panic.”

“That’s a good idea. And if it’s the worst case scenario, then there’s the question of, do we worry about evacuating or do we figure out how to get us the fuck back home before this place is history?”

Elsa rubbed the bridge of her nose. “I wish we had a clue how it happened. I don’t know how we’re getting back if we don’t know what sent us here in the first place.”

“Yeah,” I nodded. “We should try to think back on everything that happened in those last few minutes we can remember.”

“Well, we were in that room with the… what was it? Pottery?”

“Mhmm,” I continued, “And you were kissing the life out of me until we bumped into something and it fell. Oh! I wonder if it was that vase I was looking at.”

“What vase?” Elsa asked.

I rubbed my head, “Think think think. Um, it was clay. It had people on it. Oh! And a mountain! A volcano! It had to be that vase. It must have been found in Pompeii, and when we broke it while we were making out, it sucked us into its original time. Or something like that.”

“Sure, that sounds about right for how today’s going,” Elsa said. “But then, why didn’t it come through with us? I didn’t see any clay fragments where we landed on that hill.”

“Me neither,” I frowned. “Or maybe it couldn’t come along because here in Pompeii it already exists! Maybe we just have to find where it is now and recreate what happened before.”

“There’s a thought…” Elsa said. “So we just have to search the entire city for a vase with a volcano and people on it.”

“That sounds fun! Can I help?”

Elsa and I both turned to the doorway, startled. How long had Cassia been standing there?

——————————————————————-

Too long. Cassia had been standing there too long, and she had as many questions for us as we had for her.

Before long she knew we were accidentally-time-traveling wives from almost two thousand years in the future and Pompeii was doomed; and we in turn knew it was indeed the 79th year, no the dark volcano clouds were not normal for an earthquake, and the entire city was already scrambling to evacuate. I had a terrible feeling that Elsa and I caused the earthquake through our rough landing, effectively dooming Pompeii. Also, Cassia was eight years old like I had guessed, had been living on her own since she was five and a half, and she wanted nothing more than to help us find the vase we needed.

“That’s really sweet of you,” I said, placing a hand on her arm, “But you have to promise that as soon as we find the right vase you’ll get yourself to safety.”

Cassia glanced to the side as she said, “Promise.”

I was a little concerned about the validity of that promise but decided I’d try again later. First we were off to a shop that sold souvenirs for all the rich vacationers that visited Pompeii.

It was a short walk until we made it into the more touristy, upscale part of the city. Here, everyone was running around like chickens with their heads cut off. In and out of homes, carrying personal possessions, yelling for neighbors, yelling at the sky.

We almost lost sight of Cassia several times but we managed to follow her to the shop she talked about. We ducked under the arched doorway into the small space. It was dark, and seemed to be usually lit by candles like the lonely one over to the side that hadn’t been extinguished. Elsa went to retrieve it for us.

Using the single flame to see, we wandered around the space as a little pack, checking out all kinds of little trinkets made from stone and clay. Many were volcano-related, but it all seemed so small compared to the vase I remembered.

“Cassia,” I said, “Do you think this place has any vases that are… this big?” I motioned my hands around to describe the size.

“Oh. Why didn’t you say so? This place has nothing that big, but it could be…” she tilted her head in thought. “Oh, it’s probably Oaken’s! Duh.”

More winding through the chaotic streets behind Cassia. This walk actually went very fast, and before we knew it we had arrived at another shop. This one was bigger and well-lit inside. We all walked in. I immediately noticed that there were many vases of a familiar style and size, making my heart leap in hope.

“Not open for business or looting!” A voice called from deep in the shop.

“We just have a question!” I yelled back. “It’s urgent!”

“And we mean no harm!” Elsa added.

The man grumbled as he made his way to us, accompanied by the sound of sandals crunching on clay shards. Poor guy must have lost some of his pottery to the earthquake earlier.

“What’s the question?” A very large man appeared from behind a display wall. “Oh Cassia, dear. Why didn’t you say you were here?”

Cassia was standing half behind me. Was she suddenly shy or something?

I spoke up, “Cassia led us here. We think you can help us. We’re looking for a certain vase. We… saw it on a recent vacation but didn’t buy it, and then…”

“Then later we realized we lost a ring,’ Elsa chimed in. “We think it might’ve fallen in this vase.”

The pottery man sighed, “Well that’s a long shot, but what did the vase look like?”

“It was about yay-big, and it depicted the volcano with people underneath,” I explained excitedly.

He raised an eyebrow, “That’s about half the vases I make. You know this is a tourist town at the base of a volcano.”

I thought harder. There was a chip of color I could almost see in my memory. “Um, well, it might’ve had a sort of turquoise color by the rim?”

“Oh!” The man stood up straight. “In that case, I know the exact vase. Unfortunately I sold it about six months ago. Real rich family. Their vacation home is at this address,” he scribbled onto a small stone. “I don’t think they’ve been in town the last few months. With all the chaos out there, nobody would notice if you slipped in to look for the ring. Just make it quick.”

Soon we were walking again. When we entered an empty alley I spoke up, “Hey Cassia, why were you so quiet back there?”

She turned to face us while she kept walking, backwards, “Oaken is nice, but I have to act shy and sad around the people with money, so they’ll feel bad and give me food. I learned pretty fast that they don’t care about a mouthy troublemaker as much as a helpless little girl.”

Wow. I couldn’t imagine having to learn something that depressing as a homeless five year old. Cassia was a strong kid, and she somehow managed to seem happy and nonchalant about her struggles.

Elsa looked around at the quiet homes we were walking between. “Why are some parts of the city so calm while other ones are in chaos?”

Cassia shrugged. “Only the richest people will get to evacuate in time. The rest of us have learned to stay in our homes and hope we make it through whatever comes. There’s no point in panicking around the city because we would never make it onto a ferry anyway.”

The rest of our walk was completed in silence. I couldn’t help but feel sorry for this girl. I wished there was some way we could help her before we (hopefully) escaped the city ourselves. Judging by the look on Elsa’s face, her heart was breaking for Cassia, too. I met Elsa’s eyes and we shared a look. We definitely had to do something for the girl.

Suddenly we were standing in front of a grand structure made of stone. It was no little hut; more like an ancient mansion. This was somebody’s vacation home? Jeez! These people in 79 AD sure knew how to live lavishly.

“Looks like he was right,” Elsa said. “There’s no one around.”

“Wow!” Cassia was already walking through the front door. “Check this out! They have a river in their house!”

Elsa and I stepped inside and saw what the kid meant. There was a decorative skinny pool of calm water that stretched in a line from the front room of the house to somewhere beyond the next doorway. Pompeii style skylights illuminated the open space with the ashy, dreariness of the sky above.

We passed the minimalist entry room into the next space. Here, there was a staircase to the left, a gathering area, and more doorways.

“Hey Cassia, why don’t you head upstairs and see if there’s any vases up there while we finish looking down here?”

“Okay!” the girl was excited by her solo mission and took off up the stone steps.

Once she was gone, I rushed to Elsa. “Come ‘ere, baby,” I said as we hugged each other close.

She let out a sigh of relief. “I was gonna lose it if we didn’t get to talk soon. Alone.”

“I know,” I said. “This is a lot to go through without being able to actually talk.”

She nodded. “About Cassia…” I knew exactly where she was going.

“We have to take her with us,” I finished.

“She has nowhere to run. If she’s left here she’ll be dead by tomorrow night.”

“I know, Els.” I grabbed her hands. “You don’t have to convince me. It’s what we have to do.”

Elsa continued, “And I’m not saying that we have to adopt her or anything, but I just want her to be safe. Once we’re back we can find somewhere for her to—”

“We are fucking raising that child, Elsa.” I interrupted.

“Oh thank god,” she said, as I pulled her in close once more. “Do you think we should tell her?”

“What do you mean?” I asked.

“What if she doesn’t want to come? We’re running out of time, so maybe we shouldn’t give her the option if she might fight it,” she explained. “This is the only way she’ll be safe but if she doesn’t want to leave Pompeii, there’s no way we could make her.”

“Given that she’ll have to hold onto us while we kiss and break the vase…” I added.

“Or we grab her at the last second.”

“Right,” I said. “Either way, you have a point. We shouldn’t give her the option in case she would choose to stay.”

Elsa’s face suddenly went pale as she pointed behind me. I turned to see Cassia standing with her arms crossed.

“If you two wanna have a kid you’re going to have to learn how to talk quieter. It’s so easy to eavesdrop on you!”

My mouth was stuck open while I tried to form words.

“What did you hear?” Elsa asked in a low voice.

Cassia’s demeanor changed from snarky to… almost shy. “Um… Well, if it helps you to know, I’d really like to go with you. Away from here. Please.”

“Of course,” I stepped forward and wrapped her up in a big hug.

“We’re going to get you out of here,” Elsa joined in. “And if you want, you never have to be lonely again.”

A soft voice came from the middle of the hug, “I’d like that.”

“Now let’s find that damn vase,” I said, pulling away from them.

“Language.” Elsa looked at me pointedly, with a glimmer in her eye.

Cassia laughed at Elsa. “I already know how to swear, weirdos.”

This kid was going to be an adventure.

——————————————-

A few minutes later, we found the vase in a bedroom. It was sitting on a side table near a window, which was actually just a square cut out of the wall. We were going to have to hurry with the way the sky was looking out there. I was not about to let us get buried in burning ash right after vowing to expand our family to include our new little Pompeii friend.

“Alrighty!” I said, clapping my hands together and rubbing my palms. “So… now what?”

“What did you do to get here?” Cassia said. “Kiss a bunch? Ew.”

Elsa cleared her throat. Yeah this was a little more awkward than I hoped.

“Um, yeah, so,” I began, “maybe you can stand right next to the vase here, Cass. And then Elsa and I will…” I glanced at my reddening wife, “do our thing, and when we bump into the vase, at the last second, you grab onto us.”

Cassia stared at me.

“Does that makes sense?” I asked. “We only have one shot at this.”

She blinked. “Oh. Yeah, that sounds easy. You just… you called me Cass.”

Shit. “Sorry, was that ok?” I grimaced.

“I like it,” she grinned. “I like it a lot.”

“Awesome!” Phew. I didn’t want to fuck things up with our kid before we even got home. “So, you stand right here and just ignore everything about what we’re doing except for where we are. Then grab us as soon as—”

“As soon as you hit the vase, yeah. Got it.” Cassia pushed us toward the doorway. “Go be gross.” Elsa and I stumbled over to the open entryway of the room. We ducked out of Cassia’s view for a moment.

We both leaned on the wall and took a second to breathe. I gazed over at Elsa. She had a lot of emotions running across her face; embarrassment, relief, worry. I took her hand, causing her to look at me. “Hey.” I said. “Whatever happens this time… we did everything in our power to fix things.”

“I know,” Elsa sighed. “There’s just so much to process. We probably caused the deaths of everybody here, but at least we could save one person - and that’s if this even works to send us all home, which if it doesn’t, means we’re all going to die the same fate, which maybe we deserve—!”

I cut her off with a kiss: short, but long enough to send my message. “Shhh babe. It won’t do any good to obsess over that right now. If we survive, we will absolutely be marching ourselves to therapy, but for right now, we gotta get in there and get our butts back home.”

She nodded, her shoulders relaxing a little as if some of the tension eased away.

“Now, you gonna kiss me or what?” I asked with a smirk.

——————————-

I flung my arm wildly about, searching for the bottle of Tylenol on my bedside table. Would that even be strong enough for the fierce pounding in my skull? Instead of my familiar nightstand, I felt cold linoleum floor. I blinked my eyes open. Dim yellow spotlights gave a soft glow in the dark space around me.

Oh.

It all came back, just like that. I rolled over and saw Elsa sprawled out next to me —why am I always the first to wake up?— and the small form of a girl just beyond her. Cassia! She was clothed in a very sensible t-shirt and leggings combo. Thank goodness she didn’t pop into the museum in her old tattered cloth.

It didn’t seem like anyone had noticed our little …blip, so I quickly slid my two girls across the floor to keep us out of view from the hallway. As I pulled Cassia by her wrists, I noticed the vase sitting on a podium, looking exactly as it had back in Pompeii. It had bright colors and no evidence that almost 2,000 years had passed, or that it had technically shattered twice. Huh. Isn’t that the weirdest thing?

I sat on the floor next to Elsa and Cass while they continued to sleep off their travels, and I wondered how the vase actually did what it did. Was it a magic vase? Did that guy Oaken know he made something so powerful? Did he make other enchanted pottery? Something told me I would never have the answers to those questions. I certainly wasn’t in any rush to go back and ask him. Nope, ancient time traveling wasn’t really my thing after all.

It wasn’t long before Elsa woke up, and Cassia wasn’t far behind. We probably should’ve prepared her a little for life in the 21st century, as the simple museum lightbulbs were freaking her out. Just you wait, little lady. You have no idea how much your world has changed!

Once we calmed her down a bit, Elsa and I held hands with Cass, and began walking out of the room that changed our lives. Well, we took a few steps anyway, before I halted.

“What’s that noise?” I asked. “That jangly noise?” It was coming from the kid. I raised my eyebrow at her.

Realization dawned on Cassia’s face as her hands found her pants pockets… and pulled out fistfuls of glittering jewelry. “Oops?” she said, nervously.

Elsa’s jaw dropped. “Did you take those from the mansion?”

“I found them upstairs,” Cassia said, looking down at her clean black tennis shoes. “It was all just laying there, and the world was ending.”

“It’s okay,” I said quickly, not wanting her to think we were upset. “You didn’t do anything wrong.”

I wondered if those pieces of jewelry had ever been recovered from the archeological site. I could see the headlines now: Priceless Ancient Pompeii Artifacts Vanish from Museum! I chuckled to myself, shaking my head.

“Hmm?” Elsa prompted.

“Ah, nothing,” I said with a smile. Then I pointed to the red, glowing Exit sign above a nearby doorway. “Hey, you wanna get out of here?”

#elsanna #submission #february 2021 contest #prompt: ancient worlds #cw: homelessness

[ythankucaptainmccoy]

Arc Trooper Echo x Reader (Doctor Visit)

Okay so earlier I asked the people what they would like to see, and I had a couple people say Echo, and if I wait any longer to start on it then I will be losing sleep so here we go. In this one it will be after Echo left with the girl at the bar, and realized it wasn’t worth it, because he wants it to be someone special. So without further adieu here it is after these warnings. I do not own Star Wars or any characters. WARNING: Mentions of injury, Scars, Scar kissing, Immobilizing by holding down on the neck,  Cowgirl position, Multiple orgasms, Getting walked in on, a little cock torture, Smut and Fluff.

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

Fives couldn’t believe that Echo didn’t get laid the night he had left the bar until Echo told him about her issue of hygiene down below. Fives couldn’t blame him there, but still Fives had found someone that he was really into, and wished his brother could find someone. Echo would just joke and say that his girl would be a regulation lover. Fives didn’t believe it for a second, and found out he liked a certain doctor in the medbay due to Kix bringing her up in conversation.

It was a particularly hard fought battle that landed Echo in the medbay in a bacta tank. You were placed as his doctor because Kix said you could handle him better than anyone else. He had shielded Fives and Captain Rex by pushing them out of the way of a grenade. The shrapnel had been removed, and he would need a couple days in the tank. You had always been attracted to Echo because he was so sweet, and very curious as to what all the instruments were.

You had given him a reg manual on all the tools that you and the other doctors used. He must have read it a lot because when he came in for a check up he would list the item you were about to use, and what it did. Little did you know it was like a defense mechanism to keep you from realizing how nervous he was around you. You were sitting by his tank when he started to thrash some. Placing your hand on the tank you called his name a couple of times. 

His eyes flew open as he panicked looking around. “Echo it’s okay you’re safe!”, you called to him though he probably couldn’t hear you. He locked eyes with you and immediately relaxed, and you called for some help to get him out of the tank. Once he was out and on a gurney they took him to a room for you to look him over. “What happened? Where is Captain Rex and Fives?”, he questioned. “They are both fine. You saved their lives by pushing them out of the way of a grenade. You weren’t as lucky and took shrapnel that, might I add, was hard to remove”, you smiled. 

“At least I was able to meet my beautiful doctor again”, he spilled. It took him a moment to realize what he just said and looked mortified. “It’s okay Echo you're under the influence of drugs to help with the pain, but I’m glad that you think I’m beautiful”, you chuckled. He was getting loopier by the minute as the drugs really took hold pulling him into sleep. Captain Rex and Fives came by during his recovery time to make sure he was okay, and that you were treating him good.

You were looking over the healed wounds, and traced some of them with your fingers. Some were still tender, and you so desperately wanted to kiss them. It would be against regulation, but at this point you felt that Echo may just like you. Taking a leap of faith you pressed a kiss to a scar on his shoulder near his neck. He went rigid, and gasped at the sensation. He didn’t respond so you went to pull away feeling the rejection, and continuing to poke and prod at the scars. “I’m sorry Echo I shouldn’t have…”, you were interrupted.

“(Y/N) don’t apologize I liked it”, he confessed. You sat still for a moment with your hands on his back. Was this a trick or was he being truthful? You kissed another scar on his back, and you felt him shudder. Taking it a step further you licked a stripe up the side of his neck, and nibbled at his ear. “Oh (Y/N) that feels so good”, he moaned out. You let your hands roam down, and around to the front of him, and slid your hand to his crotch. His breath hitched as you felt how hard he was from the kisses, and caresses from your touch. 

“Have you been hard this whole time?”, you questioned with a seductive tone. “Sin..Since you started”, he stuttered. “How long have you liked me? Fives told me that you have had a crush on me for a while. Is that true?”, you asked. “Yes I like you and since I first met you”, he rushed as you palmed him through his blacks. You were a horny mess, and it had felt like forever since you had been this close to anyone.

You got up to sit in front of him, and he started to babble about random things. “Echo”, you got his attention. “Yeah”, he replied. “Shut up and kiss me”, you laughed. He hesitated for only a moment, but surged forward to kiss you. He brought his hands up to frame your face as he kissed you, and it was better than you had ever imagined. He slowly brought his hands down to your hips to pull you onto his lap not breaking the kiss.

You ground down on his erection and he groaned. You pulled back to pull off your uniform top and tank top. Echo’s eyes traveled down to your breasts and back up. He was trying not to stare. “Echo it’s alright. Touch me”, you confessed. He surged forward, and pushed you onto your back as he hovered above you. As he kissed you he brought his hands to your breasts and squeezed. You moaned and in turn he groaned at the new found experience. 

You helped him remove your bra and he ducked down to trail kisses and hickeys down your neck. You moaned when he brushed his lips over one of your nipples, and he smirked, actually smirked, and enveloped it into his mouth. You arched and then ground against him. You were soaking wet as he switched to the other nipple trailing more kisses and hickeys along the way. You pushed the fingers of your right hand into his hair and tugged when he gave a nip to the sensitive bud, and cried out.

He rutted against you as he came back for more kisses. While you were distracted he unbuttoned your pants to shove his hand into your panties. He made one swipe up your soaking core, and then circled your clit a couple times. You were a panting writhing mess underneath him as he continued. “Echo please I want you”, you whined. He shuddered when you raked your nails down his back. Echo pulled up just long enough to pull your pants and panties off, and then shed his black bottoms and greys. 

You marveled at how well endowed he was, and he was marveling at you spread out on the examination table. He walked up to the edge of the table, and pulled you to the edge. He looked up at you and you nodded your approval. He grasped his cock and slid it over your folds, and he would tap your pussy with his cock every second time he slid it over your clit. He slowly inserted the tip of his cock into you and gave a shallow thrust. 

His eyes went a little wide as you brought your legs around his waist, and pulled him in a little deeper. His cock was heavy and hot inside you as he began to thrust with a little more force. He would rock into you deeper every thrust, and eventually he was hitting that spot inside you, but just enough to keep you frustrated and wanting more. “Echo more please more”, you cried. He brought his hands to your shoulders, and started thrusting harder and faster. “Kriff right there just keep hitting that spot!”, you panted.

Echo was starting to twitch inside you, and you were starting to slowly contract around him. He reached down with his left hand to rub your clit with his thumb. “(Y/N) I’m gonna… Ooooh Kriff I’m gonna cum”, he told you. “Me too just a little ah fek!”, you screamed out as you came fluttering around his cock. He stilled inside you as you clamped down, and spilled into you. When he pulled out you groaned, but he pulled you up and bent you over the exam table to take you from behind.

He sank into you easily and started up a fast pace. “Echo mmmm just like that”, you praised. He moaned at the praise, and put his hand around the back of your neck. He pushed down with that hand, and hell's he was immobilizing you. You came and tried to pull forward away from him as you rode out your orgasm. He rode through your orgasm still pumping into you at a blistering pace. The sound of flesh slapping flesh and the occasional grunt, groan, moan or curse were the only sounds coming from the room. 

He was about to cum again, and you were close as well. He spilled into you with little hisses, and it triggered another orgasm. You came soaking his cock this time, and he collapsed over you. You leaned back and wrapped your hand around the back of his neck to pull him into a kiss. You let him go so he could get up, and told him to lay back on the exam table. He complied and you also noted he was still hard.

“Kriff they really did give you enhanced stamina”, you joked. He blushed at that, and tried to ignore your gaze as you climbed up him to take his cock back into you. You slowly sank down on him, and sat there to grind on him. He brought his hands to your hips to help guide you. You sat up a little more, and placed your hands on his chest to help balance. You raised up only to sink back down onto him again. 

He was now the one squirming as you rode him a little faster. He was enjoying this as he brought his hands up to grope at your breasts and pinch and roll your nipples. You were mewling as he continued to tweak your nipples. You weren’t close, but he was and you started to give it your all. He immediately brought his hands back to your hips, and gripped you so tightly you were sure there would be bruises in the shape of his handprints tomorrow. 

You leaned back to rest your hands on his thighs arching your back a little. The change had Echo cursing and cumming inside you again, but you were still chasing your release. “(Y/N) stop”, Echo pleaded, but you kept going. “(Y/N) fierfek I’m ahhhh I can’t I can’t”, he begged. That alone caused you to orgasm, and you collapsed forward onto his chest trying to breathe. It took both of you a few moments to relax, but a couple moments too long. 

Fives had stepped in at that exact moment, and stood there in awe at you over Echo obviously giving him more than an examination. “Alright vod way to go!”, Fives cheered once he found his voice. You screamed and fell off into the floor as Echo cursed at Fives for ruining the moment. Fives quickly ducked out after yelling congratulations at you both. Echo helped you up and quickly helped dress you and then himself. 

He stood between your legs, and pulled you in for a long slow kiss. He was so gentle, and you melted at the slow soft touches he gave you. “Maybe you can come back to my room, and we can watch a holovid and cuddle on the couch”, you offered. “I would love to”, Echo replied. You both made your way to your room and did exactly that. As you were falling asleep Echo asked you if you wanted to be his girl, and he almost cried when you told him yes. You couldn’t see any reason to harm your sweet little bean.

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

The End. Tomorrow will be Dogma x Reader that @loridrabbles​ asked for. Then either the same day or Sunday I will post the imagine @gabrielewolffe​ posted.

#star wars clone wars #arc trooper echo #arc trooper echo x reader #smut #captain rex #arc trooper fives

[idkwriteshitdown]

Diego Doesn’t Like to Drink. It Makes Him Feel

Summary: Diego doesn't drink. Correction, he doesn't drink a lot. He knew they dulled his powers and he did not like that loss of control

Or what happens when Diego gets his first drink.

Words: 2531

(ao3 link)

---

Diego doesn't drink. Correction, he doesn't drink a lot. He knew they dulled his powers and he did not like that loss of control. Klaus was the one that gave him his first drink, proving himself to be the bad influence that Dad always said he was.

Diego cracked open the door and slowly peaked out his room. The hallway was empty. Checking to see if the coast was clear was merely a formality. Dad had cameras both in the hallways and in their rooms. But he also had a weird habit of walking around at strange hours, and it wasn't good to be caught out of the room by him when he was. Diego shuddered thinking of the last time he was caught after lights out. 

Seeing that the coast was clear he slowly stepped out. Carefully he walked towards the stairs. Years of sneaking around the house had taught him which floorboards creaked when you walked over them and which steps to skip over to avoid alerting the whole house of your presence. Diego found the easiest, and most fun, way to avoid the noisy stairs was to slide down the banister. He and Luther always competed with each other to see who could have the most impressive landing at the bottom. Silently Diego slid down the staircase landing into a roll at the bottom.

Diego stayed crouched at the bottom of the staircase. He cocked his head slightly listening for noises. Hearing none he moved forward towards the next room. He started humming a song under his breath that he had heard the other kids sing.

 Diego had started sneaking out by himself just to get away from his house and other siblings for a while. He met a group of kids on one of his excursions. They invited him to play spies and other dumb games with them. It was fun pretending to be a normal kid and not Number Two of The Umbrella Academy.

With his back against the wall he peeked around the corner. Seeing it empty he quickly ran from there to the couch still humming under his breath. He crawled out from behind the couch and into feet. Diego froze and then slowly looked up.

“Having fun?” Looking down at him with an amused look on his face was Klaus.

Diego quickly jumped to his feet brushing the nonexistent dust off of his pajamas. “K-k-klaus.” he said. “Wh-what, uh, what are you d-doing?”

Klaus gave a lazy grin. “I could say the same to you little brother,” He reached out to ruffle Diego’s hair.

“Stop it.” Diego scowled slapping his hand away. Klaus had hit his growth spurt first and practically shot up overnight making him the tallest of all the kids. He spared no expense in lording it over his more vertically challenged siblings. Diego took a step back and looked at Klaus. He was leaning against the bar one hand behind the back. He looked relaxed but Deigo could see the tightness around his eyes.

“Ghosts?” he asked. 

“Oh you know,” he lazily waved a hand in the air. “They’re around.” he sniffed and flipped a finger to someplace in the distance. “You know my demons.” He giggled. “Why are you wandering around?”

Diego picked at his sleeve. “I was just going to get a drink from the kitchen.” He actually was going sneak out, but he didn’t want to tell Klaus that. Klaus would probably insist on tagging along and Diego wanted that to be just his thing.

Klaus raised an eyebrow. “I didn’t know getting a drink involved rolling around the floor like an idiot.”

Diego flushed. “I d-didn’t know.” He paused “I didn’t know seeing ghost’s involved…” he trailed off and shoved Klaus as he started laughing. “Shut up. What’s behind your back?”

“Nothing, why would you think that”

Diego gave him a look. “I’m not stupid.” 

He lunged forward reaching past Klaus. Klaus quickly raised his hand revealing a bottle of dark red liquid. At the same time he turned to the side to avoid Diego.

“Careful” he exclaimed, cradling the bottle to his chest. “This is very precious cargo.”

Diego squinted looking through the dark to see the label. “Is that one of dad’s drinks?”

“Yes, and it’s the best one too.” He held up the bottle. “A fine red wine. Old too. Gets you drunk with style.”

“You drink that stuff?

“You don’t?” He reached over the counter to grab two wine glasses. “I was just about to go up to the roof to take a little sippy sippy. Come on little brother.�� He flounced over to the stairs taking no heed of the noise he was making.

Diego sighed taking a longing look at the kitchen before running off to join his brother.

 He caught up with his brother as he was struggling to open the door to the roof while juggling the bottle and the two wine glasses. Digeo moved him out of the way and opened the door for him. “Why are you so loud. Dad could hear us”, he hissed.

Klaus laughed. “Dad can’t hear us. And if he could,” He raised his voice leaning out into the hallway. “He can’t do shit -- Woah.” 

“Be quiet you idiot.” Diego pushed him through the door.

Klaus shrugged and sauntered over to the small picnic table they had set up on the roof. They had found it in the backyard one day and they all argued what to do with it before Five said that they would put it on the roof. Over the years they found, stole, more things to decorate their rooftop escape. That was when things were good. Before Five ran away. Before Ben died. 

“Are you going to join me?” Klaus motioned to an empty chair. Klaus poured them two generous helpings of the wine. “So you’re telling me you’ve never tried ANY of Reggie’s drinks?”

Diego took a glass and swirled the liquid around. He sniffed it wrinkling his nose at the smell. “No.”

“Huh,” Klaus said surprised. “I figured you would’ve. You know, with the amount of times you leave the Manor.”

Diego jerked, sloshing the wine on his hand. He set the glass on the table. “You know about that?” After Five left the siblings stopped their jaunts to the diner to get donuts. It wasn’t the same without him. Diego assumed that everyone else just stopped going out all together.

“Don’t be surprised. We all go out.” He frowned. “Except for that goody two shoes Luther.” He giggled, “or should I say goody one shoe. I don’t think Vanya goes out either, but did we really expect her too.” He took a sip from his glass. “Ah magnifico.”

Diego eyed him warily before reaching out and taking a sip from his own glass. He coughed spitting out the drink. “How do, how do you drink this stuff? How long have you been drinking this stuff?”

“I started when I was 15.” He took Diego’s glass and pushed it back up to his mouth. “You got to just drink through it. It’ll taste better the more you drink.” He paused. “You know even Allison got Luther to drink some.”

Diego grabbed his glass back from Klaus. He scowled down at it. He knew that Klaus knew that he would never let Luther one up him, even if he wasn’t actually here. He took a deep breath before drinking down the whole glass. 

“Woah” Klaus clapped. “Now we’re getting this party started.” He poured more of the bottle in both their glasses. “Drink up buddy. I’m trying to finish this whole bottle.”

“So, so, so, Klaus. How long have you been drinking?” Diego took a swig from the bottle. They had long since abandoned their wine glasses and relocated to sitting at the edge of the roof.

Klaus took the bottle back and began picking at the label. “I started when we were 15. Snuck out one night to taste one. I chose a scotch.” he gave a soft chuckle. “It tasted horrible. I almost threw up.” 

“Why did you keep drinking it then?” Diego asked.

Klaus sighed and took another sip. “Remember when we were 12 and I broke my jaw.”

Diego smiled. “Yeah you had to drink out of a straw for two months.”

A car drove by breaking the silence of the night. “Yeah well when it happened they put me on some pretty strong painkillers. It was glorious. All the ghosts were gone. I didn’t tell anyone because I didn’t want dad finding out. He’d probably do his stupid experiments.” 

Diego nodded sympathetically making grabby hands for the bottle. “Why’d you...wait so long to start drink, drinking then?”

“I didn’t know it would do the same. All I knew was that medicine would.”

“Huh. We all just thought you just got stupider af-after the fall.”

“Chasing that high baby.” He took the bottle back. “Dad was pissed. Said I was becoming a ‘useless junkie’. He had started having mom hide the medicine but at that point I already met Joseph.”

“Joseph?”

“Yeah he’s my weed man. I think you’d like him. Met him on one of my nights through town. It’s a nice feeling but doesn’t really get the ghosts to leave like the pills do. I told him once how I drink cough syrup and then smoke, and he laughed and asked why I just don’t drink regular alcohol.”

Klaus threw a rock off the side. They watched it as it bounced off the ground “Honestly I felt like an idiot when he explained it to me. Here we have a whole wall full of liquor and I’m wasting my time breaking into the medicine cabinets.”

“Hey I wonder if it has the same effect on you?” Klaus jumped up.

“What?” Diego looked up at his brother.

“Well drugs and shit make my powers go away. Do they do the same for you?” He looked around. “Go grab some rocks. Let’s see if we can hit that light post. I’ll give you 20 bucks if you can break it.”

“Fuckin easy.” Diego stumbled to his feet looking for something to throw. The boys hunted the roof top for loose pieces of stone.

“How many you got?” Klaus called out from the other side of the roof. 

Diego looked down at his hands. “I’ve got two. You?”

“I’ve got three. That gives you five chances to hit it.”

Diego walked back over to their drinking spot. “No way it’ll take me five.” Diego picked up the wine bottle and took a huge gulp. Tossing his stone up in the air Diego adjusted his stance and threw out into the night. They watched as it arced up in the air heading towards, and then past, the light post. “What?”

Klaus clapped jumping up and down. “Oh boy. Not Mr. Sharpshooter anymore.”

“It’s got to be a fluke.” Diego picked up another rock and hurled it at the lamp post. He watched in disbelief as it went even further off the mark than the first one. “No no no no no.” He dropped to the ground looking for the next rock.

Klaus grabbed him. “Hey are you okay?”

“It’s it’s n-not working.” He shoved him off lifting his hand to throw another rock. 

Klaus grabbed his arm and wrestled him to the ground. “It’s not supposed to work. That’s what it does.”

Diego bucked pushing Klaus off of him. He turned around to run but was tackled by Klaus again. Twisting around he threw a sloppy punch at Klaus that was easily deflected. “Calm down.” Klaus shouted. He grabbed one of Diego’s arms pushing it against him. He dropped his weight on Diego while trying to catch his other arm. “Will you just.” He grunted as a fist caught him in the side. He reached out immobilizing his brother. Breathing a sigh of relief he relaxed, catching his breath.

He lifted his head to look down at his brother. Diego’s face was scrunched up and there were tears in his eyes as he glared back at him. “It’s going to be okay.” Klaus said slowly. 

Diego relaxed the fight leaving him. He averted his eyes. “I d-don’t. I don’t like it.” He whispered.

“It’ll go away in the morning.” Klaus said he eyed his brother who was doing an amazing job at not letting the tears fall. “If I let go will you promise not to run away?”

Diego snorted. “Yeah, yeah, let me go asshole.”

“Bitch.”

They separated. Diego roughly wiped his face with the back of his hand before drawing his knees up to his chest. He felt Klaus sit down next to him cross legged. They sat like that for a while each of them lost in their own minds

“So they make the gh-ghosts go ‘way,” Diego slumped against his brother.

“Yup” Klaus said popping the p.

“So you can’t see Ben?” he asked.

Klaus tensed and looked down at Diego, then he looked up over Diego’s head. “Nope.”

“I miss him,” Diego said softly, closing his eyes.

“I miss him too.” Klaus threw his arm around the other bringing him close. 

They sat together like that, one leaning against the other, watching the empty night streets.

“Well it looks like we didn’t finish the bottle. Guess we have to try again next time bro. Diego? Diego?” Klaus shook his brother panicked. “Diego. Wake up. Please don’t make me drag you to your room. That’s not fair.”

Klaus laid Diego down before getting up behind him and grabbing his armpits. “This is not Karma” he grunted. “This is something worse than Karma.”

“Diego cracked open an eye. “Who you talking to?” he slurred.

“Oh great. You’re awake enough to hear us talk but not awake enough to help yourself get to your own room.” At that point Klaus had dragged Diego to the door of the rooftop. “I should just leave you out here.” He grunted. “You’re lucky I’m a good brother.”

Diego reached up to touch Klaus’s face. “You’re m’ favorite brother,”

“Well I sure hope so. I’d be sad if Luther was your favorite.” He lifted Diego up throwing an arm over his shoulder. “Jesus Christ. How can someone so small be so heavy,” Klaus groaned. “Shut up it’s not funny.”

“Ah, fuck” Diego jerked up covering his eyes with his hands. Almost immediately afterward he threw a hand over his mouth. He swallowed heavily trying to resist the urge to throw up.

“It’s time to wake up sweetie. You’re going to be late for breakfast.” Mom said from by the curtains. Diego groaned and rubbed his head. Mom sat on the bed next to him and rubbed his back. “You’ve learned a valuable lesson in why you should not drink in excess.” 

Diego looked at her. “You know?”

“I can recognize the signs of a hangover when I see it.” She smiled sympathetically. “Drink some water. It’ll help.”

Diego flopped back down on the bed. “I’m never drinking again.”

Mom stood up and walked to the door. “Sure you won’t. Don’t forget to show up for breakfast.”

#tua #fanfic #the umbrella academy #diego hargreeves #klaus hargreeves #drinking

[brekkfast]

Spoilery rant why one shouldn’t read Eleanor and Park

Source: I am a Korean. 

Jesus this book is so racist????? The way I could write an entire thesis on just one (1) piece of evidence alone (for example, Cho Chang had a comeback in the form of a male Asian-American with green, yes, green eyes) but you know, that’d be ignoring The Rest Of The Book which just gets worse and worse. 

Aforementioned two-last-names!! (Seriously, what is Park Sheridan?) I am tired. If you’re going to create an East Asian main character, is it that hard to research? We have first names too??? Did Rowell even speak to a Korean when writing this book? This is La Croix level tasteless diversity. Park has green eyes? What? I mean I suck at punnett squares, but boo me, we can’t forget he’s half-white too!! ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ Okay, but his physical appearance should be the least of our worries right? Wrong. 

I??? I’m??? If you see me sobbing it’s because I need the tears to stop me reading this book. The blatant racism that comes from Eleanor is just so demeaning, ignorant, and not funny at all? I don’t understand how this is meant to be relatable and only seems like a shoddy attempt at being ~quirky, look at me im so funny haha causal racism!!~ and instead misses the mark by about an out-of-control huge continent. The fact that Rowell knows that these are racist questions and racist comments, yet continues as if its supposed to be a joke without Park ever being able to defend himself from Eleanor’s ignorance, is really a sign of bad characterisation and wanting ~diversity points~ by barely scraping the surface of discussing how harmful these stereotypes can be. Casual racism/Passive racism is seriously abusive because all people can do is say “Oh it was just a joke, you’re being too sensitive!!” and brush the victims off, gaslighting them into thinking their pain isn’t even worth acknowledging and making them think that this is just American Culture, therefore should be complacent in their dehumanisation in order to assimilate. I feel like with “progressively”-characterised Eleanor, she shouldn’t have half the racist commentary she does (or at all) because, hey not all Americans are racist,,,,,,haha,,,,, The fact that these comments are coming from Park’s love interest is seriously disappointing. 

“His mom looked exactly like a doll. In The Wizard of Oz – the book, not the movie –Dorothy goes to this place called the Dainty China Country, and all the people are tiny and perfect. When Eleanor was little and her mom read her the story, Eleanor had thought the Dainty China people were Chinese. But they were actually ceramic, or they’d turn ceramic, if you tried to sneak one back to Kansas.” (Chapter 21) 

Hooray Eleanor, comparing a Korean woman to a Chinese character... hooray....also can we stop comparing Asian features to dolls? Objectification and exotification much? (Oh and don’t even get me started on how Park dismissed exotification of Asian women in that “I’m Asian and therefore unattractive” scene. Ugh.)

??What is with Eleanor and her inability to use other adjectives?? Why is him being Asian so significant to her? It just seems so demeaning and dehumanising. Use his last name. I know Eleanor is being sarcastic but I her jokes don’t hit the way she thinks it does. :// Big pass, and big miss. No hits here.

I am bothered. I hate this, the insecurity, the white saviour touch to this, the I-need-validation-from-love-interest, the Rowell-needs-inner-conflict-and-she-chose-the-worst-way-to-represent-it. If you really wanted to make this significant, impactful, and progressive (in the good ol’ year of 1986 [cue the eye rolling]), then you would have made Park realise his attractiveness shouldn’t be contingent on his love interest or anyone else but him. Give the boy some autonomy, please. I feel like I can’t breathe, but maybe Park’s green-ass eyes can convert carbon dioxide into oxygen for me. For a fellow Korean, please, Park, you can save my life with your so very Korean eyes.

tags: racism. Listen, even with my -2948147 eye sight I can see and feel the racism. Cal tried to make one racist joke (yellow fever), and instead made two. Racist mitosis anyone? 

And here it is. Listen, I know gender stereotypes and gender roles are somehow the bread and butter of Asian households in both fiction and non-fiction, and I’m not going to deny that it exists. But. Why this one? Why this character. Why write her to behave this way? I hate the way that this only perpetuates stereotypes, and never breaks them down. I hate how this demonises Asian parenting, and the Asian immigrant experience. This to me, only seems like a token conflict point, rather than a well-thought out, nuanced commentary on Asian culture and their perspective on gender roles. The self-racism, the lack of critical thinking skills, the lack of commentary in an obviously commentary-needing scene. The complete ignorance. The glorification of white American culture (kindly represented by Eleanor). There could have been so much you could have done (Park standing up to his mum, scenes of his mum getting that very much needed development arc, the balance between Korean culture/traditions and healthy parenting––because healthy parenting isn’t just Eurocentric you know, it can coexist with Asian tradition [gasp]), but again, shallow and demeaning. Am I surprised at this point? Well, we’re pretty much at rock bottom and I’ve got a pickaxe. 

The broken English. 

I can’t. “Why she want to look like man? It’s so sad.” I am going to throw something. If you’re going to include the immigrant experience in your book, do it properly, otherwise it’s just racist. You’re making Park’s mum seem stupid, unable to change, a representation of a person who just doesn’t understand American culture and thus deserves no respect. After we’re (the readers) see that Park’s mum understands little about American culture, of its language, and thus will misunderstand and conflict with Eleanor’s very existence, we’re awfully inclined to see her as the somewhat antagonist of the story (especially as she offsets the main couple...in a romance novel, so yeah, antagonist), thus her opinion is invalid and wrong. Ah yes, because parents can’t learn and grow and become better people. This characterisation is the equivalent of nails on a chalkboard.

(Okay this is more of a minor point, but I uh, am very bothered by the doll-like appearance contrasted with the “simply-just beautiful Sabrina.” The only thing shallow here is Eleanor’s love for Park where half of her internal commentary is just pure racism, but haha racism is ~funny~) (C’mon Mindae, you couldn’t have prevented your son having two last names and no first name?)

Eleanor’s racism strikes again!!! Yes girl!! Shame Mindae for only buying brand-names!! Shame her assimilation attempts!! (Only because who knows what would’ve happened if there were Korean side dishes and meals in the fridge. Racism probably. Eleanor @ Kimchi: 👁👄👁) Next time Mindae goes grocery shopping, she should bring Eleanor for her white, American approval!! (Again, with the dumb-ification of Mindae, I hate it here. What was that Sofia Vergara quote from Modern Family?

Yeah, Eleanor, do you even know how smart Mindae is in Korean? :////)  

God, Rowell, I’m begging, I’m on my knees, please don’t ever think about creating another character like Park ever again. I hated this journey and how it made me feel. Please, if you’re going to write a Korean-American character, have a Korean-American beta-reader. Rowell is trying to create a third-culture-kid and Asian immigrant experience, which aren’t stories for her to tell. This is exactly what happens when you don’t do the research for your own story (you can tell she barely put any effort into it). Instead, she perpetuates harmful stereotypes and further isolates Asian immigrants from interacting and being comfortable with American culture. Why should we, when we’re simply shamed for it? For just one extra editor, you can save another Asian character from having no first name. Just dial 888-google-it-god-888, today. 

#rant #anti eleanor and park #anti park sheridan #anti eleanor douglas #i #how was this published #the racism? #just stick to fangirl please #listen im not saying you needed to make this political #im just saying you needed to make this not racist #i get it #its a love story #but the way my heart is broke #man :/// #mine

[i-do-trash-fanfictions]

Thera’s Journal Entry #33

No music was playing in the background as I sat in the cockpit of the Queen of Hearts, mind running a mile a minute. I was so nervous, I couldn’t stand it. So many questions ran through my mind at once. Was that normal when a person was about to go on their first date?

Would Crow be fine with it even being a date?

Did he even like me like that in the first place?

Was it too soon?

Did I ruin our friendship?

Would things be awkward now?

“Thera you have to stop overthinking.” Scout stated as he floated around to my face.

“Who said I’m overthinking?”

“You’ve got that look on your face again.”

I sighed and held my head in my hands. “I’m just so nervous! I’ve never been this nervous.”

“You’ll do fine. I’ve talked with Glint to see what Crow’s reaction was. He told me not to tell you, but I’m going to anyway. Glint told me Crow was so excited that he had on this huge smile and was jumping around in excitement. I don’t think you have anything to worry about. And I’m pretty sure Crow’s just as nervous as you are.”

I moved my hands off my face and sat up, then angled the ship to the coordinates. The plan was to watch the sunset (though we still had almost two hours before it did so), mess around in the snow, and eat the dinner I had made earlier. 

I was in casual clothes. A long sleeved black t-shirt, black pants, a dark purple coat, and brown snow boots. The coat sat on the futon, along with my pair of black gloves, right beside Crow’s gift. Since he didn’t have any casual clothes of his own, I thought I should get him some. A sweater, new pants, snow boots, and gloves. I had also made him a batch of biscotti since I knew he enjoyed it when I made him sweets.

I landed the ship, making sure the ramp would be facing the edge of a cliff, where the sun would set soon. Snow covered the ground as it had been snowing this morning and last night. I had the ramp lower and the bright colorful Dawning lights that hung in my ship were cast upon the snow. I went over to the small kitchenette that was in the main room of the ship. It was only a small counter top with a microwave, sink, and a mini fridge.

I pulled two plates, which I had pre-prepared before I left, out of the mini fridge and peeled off the plastic wrap on one. I put the plate in the microwave and let it heat up.

Would he even show up? A quick thought buzzed around my head but I pushed it away. Don’t overthink, I reminded myself.

As I started to heat up the second plate, I heard the sound of a transmatt, and soon Crow was at the bottom of the ramp, Glint buzzing around his head. Glint got close to his ear, obviously saying something, then Crow nodded and went up the ramp to me.

We both smiled at each other, neither one knowing what to say to start up a conversation. Crow looked up at the decorations I had set up a couple of days before. 

“It’s beautiful.” He stated, breaking the silence.

“I do it every year for the Dawning.” I said, leaning my back against the counter. “I just got new lights and ornaments for the tree.”

I looked over at the futon. “Oh! I got you a gift.” I said, walking over to the wrapped box.

“You did?”

He went over with me and sat down on the futon, then began to unwrap it. He opened the box and pulled out the striped sweater. He smiled as he laid it on his lap and pulled out the rest of the outfit.

“I hope it all fits. I thought that since you don’t have any casual clothes you would like it. It would be way more comfortable than wearing your armor all the time.” I rambled.

“I’ll go try it on right now.” He said, laying the clothes over his arms, then picking up the snow boots.

I pointed to my room. “You can go change in there. Food’ll be ready when we get out.”

He left and I went over to get the second plate out of the microwave. I went over to sit on the ramp and look out over the pine trees below. Crow came out a minute later.

“The sleeves are a bit long,” He said taking a seat beside me. “But other then that, it fits well.”

“Here,” I said taking his hand, ignoring the jolt of what felt like arc energy as our hands touched in the process, then overlapped the sleeve so it wouldn’t be so long. I did the same with the other sleeve.

I handed him the plate of food which consisted of mashed potatoes with gravy, slices of ham, a roll, and a helping of glazed carrots (a recipe that Sora knew, that had taken me a long time to perfect). I handed him a fork as well, and he dug in. I giggled a little at how quickly he was eating, and grabbed my own plate and begun as well.

“I was going to ask if you liked the food,” I said as he finished, while I was just about done. “But I think it’s obvious.” I stared at his picked clean plate.

“It was great. Did you make it yourself?”

I nodded as I took the final bite of my mashed potatoes.

He looked out over the trees in front of us. “I suppose you brought us here to watch the sunset.”

I moved my plate to the side. “I know we see it all the time when doing late night missions, but you never have time to enjoy it. This time, you can just relax without worrying about any fall- Eliksni or Hive sneaking up on us.” I said, quickly changing Fallen to Eliksni, since Crow didn’t like me calling them that.

I got up and grabbed my coat, then headed down the ramp. Crow stayed on the ramp, watching me as I dawned my gloves and started to make a ball of snow. I rolled it around, making it bigger.

“She’s making a snowman.” I heard Glint say to Crow. “Go join her.”

He got up and went down there, putting on his own gloves.

“How do you do this? I’ve never made on of these before.”

“Okay, so you take a ball of snow, alright? Then you roll it around and make it bigger. The biggest, which is what I’m working on, is the bottom, the medium sized one will be the body, and the smallest one will be the head. You work on the body, I’ll work on the bottom.”

He did as I had said, and I soon finished the bottom. I watched as he finished up with the body, then he looked at me. “What now?” He asked.

“Now, we pick it up,” I said, doing so. “And we put it on the bottom.” I put it on.

“Now we work on the head. You do that. I’ll go up to the ship and get the extra pieces.”

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When I came back with a small shoebox full of a few rocks, and a santa hat, Crow was putting the head on the snowman. He looked at me with a smile. 

“Now, we need two sticks for the arms.” I said, taking out a rock and starting to put the buttons on the body.

Crow jumped off the cliff without hesitation to get the sticks and I laughed.

He came back a quick minute later with two, and I let him put it on. We both helped with the face of the snowman, and I handed him the hat. Crow put it on his head and then stepped back to enjoy our work.

While he was distracted for a quick moment, I took the chance to roll of a snowball and throw it, hitting him on the side of the head. I heard him gasp, his breath showing in the cold air, and then turn to face me. I held another snowball in my hand. 

“It’s a snowball fight. Make one and we throw it at each other.”

“What’s the point of this?” He asked.

“Does it need a point?” I said as I threw another which he ducked.

He made one and I dodged it. He threw another. I dodged it again and threw on at him, hitting him in the head again. He grew frustrated and made another, this time throwing it quickly and hitting me square in the face.

He froze for a minute before I started laughing. He began to laugh too and that’s when the true snowball fight began. We rushed around, dodging each other’s throws and trying our best to hit the other. He hit me a few times, and I hit him. Both of us were laughing and screaming the whole time in pure joy.

We got closer to each other, each had a snowball at the ready, waiting for the other to make the first move. I went to throw but then slipped on the slick ground. I reached out a grabbed Crow’s forearm, which didn’t do much good. He fell on top of me.

I grunted as I hit the ground.

“Ow,” Crow stated, opening his eyes.

His face turned red at how close our faces were. Our noses were nearly touching. Our eyes both widened and my face flushed. Crow pushed himself up and then held out his hand to help me up. He was looking anywhere but me, a blush still evident on his face.

I lost all train of thought for a moment before coming back to my senses. Scout and Glint were in the background. They had been for some time, watching and talking to each other. Both were giving each other a look and then they turned back to see what would happen next.

“So, uh-” I turned to see the sun starting to set. “The sun’s setting. Scout and I will make hot chocolate and then we can watch it go down.”

I quickly walked up the ramp with Scout following behind. I grabbed two mugs out of a shelf and started to make the hot chocolate. I didn’t say anything, my mind was to busy with replaying the moment again and again. A small blush was still on my face.

“That was-” Scout paused. “A bit awkward.”

“Yeah, tell me about it.” I said, putting both mugs in the microwave.

I turned around while I waited to see Crow and Glint talking to each other. Crow’s legs dangled off the cliff edge. I couldn’t hear what the two were saying but I knew that it had to be about what just happened.

I know it was just a small thing and it was an accident and all, but wow. Our faces were so close together. We could have kissed.

The blush that had just gone away came back again. I shook my head as the microwave beeped. I took the two mugs out and stirred the hot chocolate. Then I headed back down to the cliff.

I handed Crow his hot chocolate then sat down beside him, legs hanging off of the edge like him. I left my hot chocolate in my lap to cool, but Crow took a small sip.

“Ah!” He exclaimed, sticking his tongue out.

I laughed. “You have to wait for it to cool!”

He shot me a playful glare and then turned his attention to the sun which was slowly making its way below the trees. The sky became different colors of orange and pink and blue. 

The box of biscotti lay on our laps and we ate it together.

I yawned. I hadn’t had much sleep the night before. I had a few missions I needed to get done so I would have time for the date today. I leaned my head on Crow’s shoulder. I could feel his head turn to look at me before he turned his gaze back to the sight before him.

Ever so slowly, the sky got darker as the sun retreated and the moon took it’s place. Cicadas and other bug songs filled the night sky.

I sighed in content.

“This was nice.” Crow stated. His head was now leaning atop my own.

I felt something cold on my face and looked up. Crow did as well. A light snow began to fall.

“Hate to interrupt.” Glint said. “But I think it’s going to start snowing harder in a minute. We should head back. Spider will be wanting us to return by now.”

“Of course.” Said Crow as I straightened up and he stood.

I stood up as well and turned to face him.

“It was a wonderful date.” Crow said with a smile. “Perhaps we can do it again sometime?”

“I’d love to.” I stated. I standed up on my tip toes and pressed a gentle kiss on the cheek.

I smiled at his widened eyes looking into mine, a huge grin, and a blush lightly dusting his features.

“Come on, let’s go,” Glint transmatted him away.

I was grinning as I walked back onto the Queen of Hearts and closed the ramp behind me. I left the empty mugs on the counter then got into the pilot’s seat to begin the trip back to the Tower.

“You’re grinning like an idiot.” Stated Scout, floating around beside me.

“I know,” I said, starting the ship up and then rising from the ground. 

I knew Ann would be waiting, wanting to know all the details, as soon as I got back.

I hope you all liked it! I’ve never written anything like this, so I hope it was good.

#destiny 2 #destiny #destiny guardians #destiny game #destiny crow #young wolf x crow #oc x crow #crow #theras journal entries