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northern-passage · 9 months

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just found one of my favorite pieces of writing advice when it comes to interactive fiction, i think if you've read literally any of my work, it will be pretty obvious how much i use this in my own writing. i actually couldn't remember where i read this for the first time and on a whim i went through my twitter likes and found it in a thread. i'm going to transcribe it for ease of reading, but this is all coming from Alexander Freed (@/AlexanderMFreed on twitter)

he has a website here with other compiled writing advice about branching narratives and game design, though he never posted this there and hasn't really updated recently (but still check it out. there's some specific entries about writing romance, branching and linear & other game writing advice)

original twitter thread here

It's Tuesday night and I feel like teaching some of what I've learned in 15 years of branching narrative video game writing. Let's go in-depth about one incredibly specific subject: neutral / fallthrough / catchall response options!

Player ownership of the protagonist in choice-based branching narrative games (a la BioWare, Telltale, mobile narrative games, etc) is a vital aspect of the form.

The ability for the audience to shape a Player Character, to develop that character's inner life in their own mind, is unmatched in any other medium.

The Player determines the character's actions and THE MOTIVATIONS for those actions. The character's psychology can literally be as complex as the Player can imagine. However, this works best when there's enough space for the Player to develop those motivations. No game can offer enough options to support every interpretation imaginable; much of the character has to live in the Player's head, without necessarily appearing on the screen.

That's complicated. We're going to unpack it.

Generally, when presenting choices to a Player, we want those choices to be as interesting and compelling as possible.

But compelling, dramatic choices tend to be revealing of character. And no game can support hundreds of options at every choice point for every possible character motivation a Player might imagine.

This sort of narrative CANNOT maintain its integrity if the Player is forced to constantly "rewrite" their characterization of the Player Character on the fly. You want your Player to feel like they have more than enough viable options at any given moment.

At the simplest level of writing, this is where "fallthrough" responses come in.

In the examples above, each moment contains a response which furthers the story but doesn't imply a huge emotional choice for the Player. The Player is asked to choose A or B, agree or disagree, but can sidestep the issue altogether if desired.

These "neutral" responses are vital if both A and B don't appeal to the Player... or if, perhaps, the Player likes A but not the WAY A is being expressed. Milquetoast option C works for anyone; thus, the Player is never forced to break character because of a lack of options.

Questions work well for this sort of neutral option. Tacit agreement and dead silence also serve, in certain sorts of stories--as a Player, I know what's going on in my silent character's head and the game won't contradict it.

The important thing is that I'm never forced to take a path that's outright WRONG for my character. Even if other characters misinterpret the Player Character's motivation, my character's inner life remains internally consistent.

"Neutral" responses aren't the only ways to go, though. Some responses are appropriate for any character because they're tied to the base character concept.

Here, for example (from @/seankmckeever's X-Files), the Player is a marine on a mission. The Player can respond abrasively to her partner's fear or look into the issue (out of compassion or genuine belief), but our fallthrough is actually the TOP response.

There's no version of our marine who would absolutely break character by picking "Stay calm and on mission." It's not blandly neutral; rather, it reinforces aspects of the character we can be sure of and gives the Player an option if nothing else works.

Different sorts of narratives will use different sorts of fallthroughs. A comedy might treat the option to say something funny as a fallthrough, of sorts--it's entertaining and will never violate the characterization the Player has created.

In a quest-driven RPG, a fallthrough response can often boil down to "How do I move to the next step of this quest?"

That said, the strongest moments in a narrative will often have no "fallthrough" response at all. They'll work by creating multiple responses that, by overlapping, cover all reasonable Player Character actions while still leaving room for the Player to ascribe motivation.

#cataloguing this before twitter explodes LOL #only thing i changed was the 'Player' pronouns because :-)#this was so fucking frustrating to do the tumblr post editor fucking sucks ass and kept breaking with every picture i added #i did add img descriptions... i did my best #also i cannot believe this is the guy that wrote the rogue one novelization #one of the best star wars books hands down #umm anyways #writing #interactive fiction

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omegalomania · 1 year

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i think what i admire most about this record after sitting with it for a full day is the marriage of its musicality and its lyricism.

lyrically..."nihilistic" is a really good way of putting it. i was honestly kind of floored by how goddamn bleak so much of the lyricism on this record is. there's so much desolation, so much hopelessness, so much struggling to find meaning in meaninglessness. lyrically, i think this might be some of pete's darkest but also some of his best work. there's so much grappling with the feeling that maybe it's all pointless. maybe none of it fucking gets better. maybe you're always going to be fighting to figure out some kind of sense and feeling displaced and the further you look toward the horizon, the more the inevitability of the end scares the living shit out of you.

so much (for) stardust is utterly desolate lyrically. even little granules of hope feel tongue-in-cheek or in denial. so...what? does anything ever get better? are we all just flailing around, trying to make our stupid lives make sense? but at the same time, fall out boy are the happiest they've ever been as a band. they waited five years so they could savor making this record and they were genuinely excited to share it with all of us. pete is wearing skirts and letting his hair down and they're playing songs that once got them booed off stage with fearless love in their eyes and they're looking after each others' mental health and supporting one another through it all. what does it mean for a band to release something this somber at this point in time for them?

the "reality bites" pink seashell speech sums it all up kind of perfectly. so maybe life is inherently meaningless, but at the same time...there's good food. there's beautiful weather. there are still good movies, and the sound of rain on the windows, and hope, and friendship, and joy. maybe there's no point. but that doesn't change that there's still laughter. there's still love.

and that's what's in the sound of this record. the big, cinematic swell of an orchestra. the upbeat chirps of a synth. the screeching of a guitar and some bouncy, catchy goddamn riffs that'll live under your skin for days. this is a record you dance to and cry to. (cry a little, cry a lot, but don't stop dancing, don't dare stop.) sonically, this is a record laden with grit and delight and a powerful sense of purpose, from catchy pop hooks to roaring, cinematic anthems. it sits in delicious contrast to the words but it doesn't undermine them. it complements them. happy music for sad people.

of course there's pain, and there's frustration, and the world is full of tragedy and hopelessness and maybe the worst part of it is that it doesn't go away once you grow up. as you get older, you don't ever magically learn how everything clicks together. you just have to fumble through it and hope for the best, even if it feels like it never gets any easier.

it's a hard lesson to learn. but you aren't alone in it. so what fates do we share? we're all stardust. we all share the same end. we are not alone in our fears and uncertainties and we will not be alone at the end either, not really. we came from stardust and to stardust we will return.

i think if there is a hope i can take away from this record it's like...this feeling that it doesn't get better, really. but you do get better at living with it, and to someone like me, that's vital. years ago i had to come to terms with the valuable, painful lesson that i will not, mentally, neurologically, ever get "better." there will never be a point where i am "cured" of all that i must live with. but i've grown better at living with it. and there are things out there that i'm living for anyway - good food, better friends, and maybe a long-anticipated record you need to put on replay for a good long while as you soak it in.

maybe none of this matters, in the end. but if it doesn't, then this is what matters. this.

"if nothing we do matters, then all that matters is what we do."

#fall out boy #so much (for) stardust #*making poasts #*meta #expanding on some thoughts i was going on abt in the gc earlier #this is pretty freeform and it doesnt sum it all up for me but i tried my best #im allowed a little bit of sincerity from time to time #that parting quote is from angel the series. which is a show i have mixed feelings on but its an important quote to me so

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iliveforyouilongforyouvesuvia · 1 year

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The Arcana HCs: How the M6 respond to MC getting sick

(Oof, this is probably the angstiest thing I've posted so far, so CW for panic/anxiety attacks, flashbacks, and nightmare imagery)

~ a little background ~

Did you expect that saving Vesuvia/the world would be easy? Of course not. You've only gotten this far because of the people who rallied around you, especially your beloved.

But now - well - now it's over, the threat is past, and you have space to breathe again. Your head is spinning with everything you've learned (you died of the plague and came back to life? WTF???), you're emotionally exhausted from all the highs and lows of nearly losing the lover you just confessed to, and all the stress and adrenaline and traveling and sleepless nights are finally taking their toll on your body.

You just need a nap, that's all, you're just going to lie down for five minutes. Next thing you know, you're opening your eyes through an achy haze to see your beloved's worried face as they take your rapidly rising temperature.

Well, shit.

(A/N: the MC in these headcanons just has a stress fever and they only need a day or two of rest. M6 are all understandably triggered because they recently relived your death from the Red Plague and still blame themselves for it)

Julian

His doctor senses were tingling as soon as he you saw you curled up under a blanket

Your breaths were shallow, you were flushed, and your pulse was rapid when he rested his fingers on your overwarm neck

At first he's just numb and on autopilot. He's seen so many feverish patients before he doesn't have to think to begin treating you

He hauls you up in his arms and gets you into bed, cataloging all your symptoms and taking your vitals

He gets clean water to your nightstand, a basin under the bed, a cool cloth on your forehead, fever and pain meds administered in the proper dosage, gentle foods prepped and ready to be warmed as soon as you feel like eating

The situation doesn't sink in until there's nothing left to do except sit beside you and wait

Suddenly he's aware of his darling MC beside him, calling his name in a hoarse voice and peering at him through glassy eyes, and he can't breathe

You're not that sick, you're a little spacey, but you're still very aware of your surroundings

It's confusing how quiet and expressionless he is at first, and then you see his vision focus and the blood drain from his face and it clicks

You're grabbing his hand and talking as abruptly as you can past your sore throat to pull him out of his head

"Julian, I'm okay. Hey, look at me, you need to breathe. You're hyperventilating. Ilya. You need to breathe."

Once you take a few deep breaths together you start asking him questions, trying to keep him grounded in the moment

He's able to talk now, rambling in sentences that don't end before the next ones begin and sporadically taking your pulse, your temperature, your pulse again, he shouldn't be making you worried like this, he needs to be here for you

At one point you try to crack a joke, "what's the diagnosis, doctor?" and it sends him right back

Now he's having visions of the last time people were calling him doctor, of the cell beneath the palace, of the stench and the hopelessness, of Valdemar's unblinking eyes, and suddenly you're the one being strapped to the gurney next as they lay out their tools, and

You're not proud of it, but you grab him by his ear and yank him down into bed next to you

If being a doctor is triggering for him, then maybe the best way to help is keeping him in bed with you instead of fluttering at your bedside

You're able to pull him out of it by scrubbing your fingers across his scalp and talking him through some breathing exercises

Now he's tangling you up in his limbs, sweating because he just had a panic attack and also because he's cuddling with someone who's warm with fever, and he can't stop apologizing

You realize that talking about it right now will only be more triggering, so you ask him to sing to you instead, something he grew up hearing in Nevivon maybe

You've heard him sing before, but never in a voice so gentle or quiet. He's got his lips pressed to your temple, crooning an old lullaby that he has the faintest memory of his parents singing to him

He watches you slowly fall asleep, listening to your lungs and watching your eye lids twitch until your fever breaks and your breaths are deep and even

When you wake up the next morning, clearly well on your way to recovery, he takes the first free breath he's felt in years

It's the first time in a long time that he's had a patient who recovered

Asra

He's been so excited to take you on this journey and show you the world, he's been at the marketplace until well past lunchtime gathering supplies while you organize the shop

They notice you slumped over the table in the back room, snoozing with your head on your folded arms, and they tiptoe over to press a kiss to your forehead

Only to feel unnaturally warm skin under his lips and notice the furrow between your eyebrows

Their heart sinks into their stomach and they can feel a chill spreading across their chest

Were there any signs before he left? He'd noticed you seemed tired at breakfast, he should have asked you more insistently about it, he shouldn't have gone out, he should have stayed and taken care of you, no no no no no no no not again

They see your eyes fluttering open and they're pulling themselves together in a flash, they are here with you and you need them and they are not going anywhere

When you finally get your eyes open he's looking at you with the softest smile, the backs of his fingers resting lightly on your forehead

"Hey, MC, how about we go lie down?"

That sounds pretty good actually, you're chilly and achy and nobody can warm you up and make you comfortable as well as they can

You're too miserable for it to immediately occur to you how scary this would be for him, and he's acting so casually it takes a good twenty minutes to clue in on the situation

They're studying you closely but somehow they won't make eye contact with you

He's acting so relaxed but his hands are trembling and you can feel the desperation in his touch when he's rubbing your arms and back to warm you up

As soon as you realize why, you're putting your hands on their face and forcing them to look you in the eye so you can tell them that it's just a stress fever, you're okay, they're here with you, you'll just sleep it off

Moments like this are when it's obvious that grief does not simply disappear, because your words are getting through to him and he knows you'll probably be fine by tomorrow evening, but he still left you alone all day and you're still lying in front of him with bloodshot eyes and a fever

You know the only thing either of you can do is wait it out together, so that's what you do

You grab their hand and press it where they can feel your heartbeat

You play along like you being sick is no big deal and he's perfectly calm

You eat and drink everything they bring you

You stay awake as long as you can, getting him to tell you stories from all of his travels

You don't fall asleep until they're piled into the pillows next to you and their ear is resting over your heartbeat

For once, he can't sleep

They spend the night with their eyes screwed shut, memorizing the ridges of your ribs under the press of their fingertips and honing every sense into listening for the next steady thump

Sometime in the hours before dawn he feels the sweat of your fever breaking and the icy feeling in his chest begins to fade

They refuse to open their eyes until the light is red through their eyelids, and when the first thing they see is the sunrise on your chest they finally stop shaking

He hasn't cried yet, he hasn't cried at all, he doesn't cry until several days later when you ask him what the first stop on your trip together is going to be

And then suddenly there are tears streaming down their face, because you're here, you're alive, and they have a future to look forward to with you

Nadia

She already knew you would need at least a week of rest after your ordeal, so she told you to sleep in and meet her for afternoon tea on the veranda and had the staff bring you breakfast in your chambers

You were surprised at how sore you were when you dragged yourself out of bed around noon, but you weren't too bothered about it

You went to the veranda early to wait for her and promptly dozed off again

Now she's elegantly rushing through the halls because there's so much that needs to be done for Vesuvia and it took longer to wrap up her meetings than she expected

She sees you asleep by the tea set and thinks it's the best view of the day so far

Until she sees an all-too-familiar furrow in your brow and an angry flush across your face and her throat closes up

She's laying her hand across your forehead to gauge your temperature, unsure of how or why you're sick and doubting her intuition

You had just faced down the devil next to her, there was work ahead to be done, but she had been so certain that the two of you were out of the woods

She begins looking around wildly, trying to spot someone nearby to help her carry you out of the sun and up to her chambers

Her hand on your face wakes you up, and now you really feel it, your joints are aching, your neck is stiff, the light hurts your eyes, you've got a splitting headache, and you're shivering in the middle of the day

Once she sees you moving to stand it's like the world comes into focus again

She's got an arm around your waist and your hand in hers, half-carrying you up to her chambers

Her eyebrows are knit, she's flitting around the room ringing for assistance, layering blanket after blanket over you, sending Chandra for a doctor, drawing the curtains so it's not too bright, lifting your head for water

Every time you try speak she tells you to hush and not hurt your throat, so you finally grab her hand and pull her closer to you

She feels your warm, clammy fingers trying to smooth the worries out of her forehead and pauses for a moment

It's not normal for her to react this strongly

Once she stops to think about the source of all her anxiety, she remembers what illness and sleep mean to her

She's remembering being trapped on the Lazaret in her dreams, she's remembering the way she hid as Vesuvians went up in flames, she's remembering the cries of the Plague's victims in the Devil's realm

She's remembering the moment you learned of her death, she's remembering the moment you learned that you too had the plague, she's remembering the deep sleep she was trapped in

And oh dear, she's remembering that for all your strength, you are human too

You can see her eyes drooping and tears gathering, and you know that trying to comfort her will only make her feel worse

So you rally together and begin asking her for everything that could possibly help you feel better

She loves nothing more than providing for you

You ask her for another sip of water, you ask her for something cold and sweet to eat, you ask her to help you take your medicine, you ask her for a hot bath, you ask her for a change of clothes, you ask her for another blanket, you ask her for tea, you ask and you ask and you ask

And Nadia, without fail, gives and gives and gives, until there is no room in her mind to believe that she has failed you

You receive such excellent care and attention that you feel well enough to walk around the palace the next morning

She's smiling and laughing with an ease you've never seen before

She was able to help you recover your strength, and if she can do that for her beloved, she can certainly do that for Vesuvia

Muriel

You were studying Khamgalai's tapestries all morning with him, getting better at decoding the intricate designs together

He was busy figuring out how they were made and dyed, while you took notes on reoccurring symbols and common themes

He noticed you hadn't moved much since lunch, and when he looked over properly, he saw you curled around the bundle of art with your head pillowed on Inanna's flank

He walked over to take your quill and papers from you before you got ink all over yourself, and it was when his fingers brushed yours that he noticed how warm you were

There are many things he's still learning about you, but after sleeping next to you for weeks in the tundra to keep you warm, he knows exactly what your normal body temperature is

This is abnormally high, and he's starting to worry

This is also when you open your eyes and feel the full force of a rising fever and splitting headache

But Muriel doesn't say anything to you, because he doesn't want to intrude and make you worry

And you don't want to say anything to him, because you can tell he's concerned about something and you don't want to make him worry

So you stubbornly sit back up and go back to your notes, and he stubbornly takes a seat next to you in hopes that you'll lean on him and he can use that to start taking care of you

He's watching you keenly now, the way your hands move slower and slower, the way your head begins to droop, the way your eyes glaze over, the way you begin to shiver and grimace

But you won't stop writing until he tells you what's bothering him so much

He's getting increasingly agitated as the sun begins to set and the air begins to cool, he's been tracking your symptoms for several hours now and you haven't budged

There isn't any outside stimulus that changes his mind, it just becomes too much for him to watch you suffer and that's when he takes initiative and breaks the silence

"MC? Are you okay?"

When you finally look in his direction and he sees the pain on your face he decides that however comfortable it is to let you steer your interactions, this isn't worth it

So he stands up and ever-so-gently gathers you in his arms

Once he feels how warm you've gotten and sees the way your body crumples as soon as it's supported he realizes his mistake

He takes you back into the hut and starts pulling some furs over you and building up the fire

He doesn't like the heat, but he loves you, and you're shaking like a leaf in the wind, and this is his fault, he knows he's come a long way in building up his courage, he knows that he's capable of taking initiative when he needs to

He knows that he could have done something to help hours ago and he didn't, he knows that he could have asked you but he didn't, he knows how many times he could have helped you when you were struggling while Asra was away and the world was big and scary, but he didn't

He knows, he knows, he knows, but he didn't

And this is why he has always been alone, because he knew he could help others if he wanted to, but he didn't

You're having an easier time focusing on your surroundings now that you're not punishing yourself, and you can see the frustration building in his face

You can tell he's upset with himself for not acting sooner, but you also know that he wasn't the only one refusing to communicate

You can also see the way he's initiating now, checking your temperature, cradling your head in his massive hand to give you water, putting unusual care into the pot he's stirring over the fire

So you come shuffling across the floor of the hut against his glare at you for leaving the bed and climb into his lap

"I'm sorry for not saying anything sooner. Keep me warm?"

And it's as he's holding the bowl of stew for the stubborn Fool in his lap and watching them slowly fall asleep on his shoulder that he realizes, this is why he's not alone anymore

Because he saw you hurting, and it took him a while, but he held you through the night and wiped the sweat from your face when your fever broke the next morning

Portia

Her life is crazier than it's ever been, but it's also better than it's ever been

She met the love of her life, reunited with her brother, reunited with her aunt, traveled through magical realms, saved both the magical realms and the human one from her previously mentioned aunt, and now she's going to be an ambassador!

So she's bustling around the palace, training everyone who'll be taking on her duties so things stay running smoothly

She's also picking up tips from Countess Nadia's sisters on how to negotiate with self-important people

And now she's bursting back into her cottage, full of news, and you're ... asleep on the couch?

At first it's adorable, Pepi's curled up so protectively on top of you, and then she sees how the corners of your mouth are turned down and there's no color in your cheeks

She touches your shoulder to shake you awake, and you are way too warm

Your eyes are opening, and you seem happy to see her, but the spark she adores in your eyes is muted and your voice is too hoarse to speak

You're still a little dazed from your nap but it's always such a gift to wake up to Portia's beautiful smile and joyful spirit

Except that you're watching her face fall the longer she looks at you

You open your mouth to ask her what's wrong, and suddenly she's bundling you into bed and slamming pots and pans in the kitchen and loudly trying to figure out how to get her useless brother to visit and scolding you for not calling her sooner

The noise is beginning to hurt your head but you can tell she's really upset (you're too disoriented to figure out why yet) so you apologize, and that's when she crumples

She's clutching your hand in both of hers and her lips are trembling and all of her words are tumbling out at once

Because no matter how hard she tries, she's never enough

Her brother was shut away in a medical nightmare and then sentenced to death and she wasn't enough

She spent over a year being like a family to Nadia and she wasn't enough

She always wanted to be master of her own fate and she was never enough

And then she met you, and she became the person you turned to for comfort and support and adventure, and the two of you saved the world together, and for you, she was enough

But all it took was you tying your life to hers, and now you're sick, and last time you were sick you died, and what if she's not enough to keep that from happening again?

What happens when you get stuck on the sidelines, always too late for the solution and too early for the fight, because you got stuck with her, and she's always either not enough or too much?

And in classic Portia manner, she's been proving her own doubts wrong as she speaks them

Because by the time she's done ranting and the sun has gone down, you've been hydrated and medicated, you've been carefully tucked in with the perfect amount of blankets, you've been fed the best chicken soup, and you've had a cool cloth pressed to your face the whole time

Your energy is still quite low, so you're not able to stay awake and comfort her as much as you want to

But before you fall asleep, you're able to take her strong, calloused hands in yours and tell her

That until she gives herself the same recognition and value and care that she gives the people around her, she will never think she is enough, because she will not know just how wonderful and life-changing it is to be loved by her

She'll spend the rest of the night waking up every few hours to check on you, wondering what it would take for her to believe your words

And when she sees you the next morning, a little tired and a little weak but completely ready to travel the world with her

Well, maybe this time, she's enough

Lucio

Life after saving the world isn't as glamorous as he always dreamed it would be, but it's not bad, especially with you

Oh, he really does love you, you make the world exciting again

Except, you haven't seemed that excited since you left Vesuvia six days ago

Somehow every morning it's a little harder to wake you up, and every afternoon you walk just a bit slower

You pull him from his lunchtime musing with a tug on his sleeve

You know that face, he's thinking about something, but you also know that his actions are way less predictable when he's lost in thought, and you're too tired to try keeping up

You tell him you're going to need a slightly longer break, and you're plenty close to the clearing with the herbs you've been asked to forage, so he's welcome to start without you

And that's exactly what he does

As soon as he's striding away you're curling up against your traveling pack and dozing off

Honestly, you'd been hoping for a little more of a break before you and Lucio set out to build a new life together

But he'd been so excited for the future and eager to get on the right track that you didn't have the heart to slow him down

And that enthusiasm has carried through - you've barely had a full night's rest since you set out, and you weren't starting out in the best condition anyways

The exhaustion of one event piled on top of another and a week of poor rest catch up to you quickly, and you fall much deeper asleep than you ever planned

It's been a few hours when Lucio comes back to check on you, and now he can tell something is definitely wrong

One sword-roughened hand on your forehead is all he needs to know you're running a nasty fever

Your eyes open briefly when he tries speaking to you, but you're out again as soon as he stops shaking your shoulder

He's starting to get worried now, you're out in the woods, the sun will be setting soon, and he's become self-aware enough to know that he can't take care of sick people

But he can carry you, and that's what he does until he arrives back at the village with the original job posting four hours later

He doesn't bother with the herbs he gathered, he marches straight into the first inn he spots and gets a room for you

Well now what

You're still not waking up

The closest doctor's one village over delivering a baby, nobody knows when they'll be back

He stays up with you through the night, doing his best and becoming increasingly concerned

How was he supposed to know you weren't feeling well, you never said anything - well ... it was kind of obvious

But how was he supposed to know how to take care of you? Nobody told him to - well ... he didn't take care of you because he had to, he took care of you because he wanted to

This definitely counts as an oopsie

But you're always there for him now when there's an oopsie, you'll help him figure out how to fix it

Except that you're not waking up, you're not waking up and your fever is getting higher and higher and all he knows about fevers comes from the Red Plague

And that was his fault, the Red Plague was his oopsie, and it killed you, and now you're sick again, and he hasn't taken care of you like he wanted to, and now you're going to die because of him - again -

And you're still not waking up, you're not waking up, and he's scared

He keeps watch through the night, pacing around the room and squeezing your hand and convincing himself that your fever is worse each time

The doctor arrives the next morning, tells him that it's an exhaustion-induced illness, explains what an exhaustion-induced illness is, and shows him how to take care of you

He listens like he's never listened before, and he follows the instructions as well as he can for the rest of the day until evening rolls around and your eyes open

There are bags under his eyes and his eyeliner is smudged and you can tell he's been crying, but he's so happy to see you smile

You take a week at the village together to rest up and set a slower pace after that

He still wakes you up in the night sometimes because he's worried about you getting sick in your sleep, but now he knows that there are oopsies he can fix even when you're not awake to help him

(A/N: sorry this is later than normal, it took longer to write than I expected lol. I would also love to know if you'd like to see this level of hurt/comfort again, or if you prefer my usual fluff/humor!)

#the arcana headcanons #the arcana hc #the arcana #asra the arcana #julian the arcana #nadia the arcana #muriel the arcana #portia the arcana #lucio the arcana #the arcana shitpost #the arcana game #asra alnazar #julian devorak #nadia satrinava #portia devorak #muriel of the kokhuri #lucio morgasson

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jakes3resin · 7 days

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PowerPoint Night with Bubbles

There are many things a man needs to know once assigned to the 100th Bomber group, and Bubbles Payne has created a presentation full of rules of survival. These are vital things to ensure the safety of the crews and keep the peace on base. Rules like don't touch Major Egan's curls unless you can outrun Buck as well as don't let Lieutenant Biddick talk you into flirting with Major Egan even if you think Buck isn't there. Or don't dare Major Egan to do anything unless Buck or Kidd have approved it. Learn these rules, and you too can enjoy a peaceful life here at Thorpe Abbotts! Link to AO3

"Major where are we going?"

"Don't ask questions, just get in the bunker before they see us."

"Sir?"

"Private get in the fucking bunker right now."

"Yes, sir!"

Jack sighs from where he can hear Veal and one of the new guys. Really, he wished they could have this talk back in the briefing room where he'd welcomed them all or even in the mess, but secrecy is key according to Curt. Jack is hard pressed to disagree given the contraband they have, contraband that could get them all killed if Buck found out, but he still wishes they didn't have to sound so ominous shoving the new guys down here.

Bubbles stands to his right quietly collecting his note cards. Jack isn't sure why he has notecards considering this is a talk even he could give in his sleep, but Bubbles likes his note cards, says they make things seem less threatening.

Sure, Jack scoffs to himself, they're the threatening ones here.

Curt slides in right after Veal shuffles in the last of the new guys, who all look differing shades of terrified, confused, and lost. Curt waves his arms around, his signal for them to get the show on the road, and Jack sighs when he nearly hits Rosenthal in the face. The pilot, thankfully, doesn't seem upset by it, especially after Curt sends him a smile before darting off. Jack isn't going to think about the lovestruck look on the lieutenant's face. He has more pressing issues to deal with.

"Hi y'all," Bubbles starts with a smile as Friedkin and Claytor drag the projector forward. Bubbles is the best at these lectures with his sweet smile that'd make you think butter wouldn't melt in his mouth. It's a shame he's also secretly a gremlin like Bucky and Curt. "Now if anyone can't see the front of the room, please move so that you can. I've got visuals for this, and it's important everyone can see them."

A few boys shuffle around, and Bubbles nods gesturing for Friedkin to click on the projector. Without prompting, Veal turns to dim the lights. Curt hushes all of the new guys, and Hambone locks the doors. It's startingly well-coordinated, but Jack, despite himself, is thankful for it.

"I'm sure you boys are all wonderin' why we dragged you down here. Don't worry, you're not in trouble!" Bubbles turns to his next notecard. One of the new boys sneezes in the background.

"So, you've all sat through Harding's welcome and the regular onboarding talk, yes?" Bubbles nods as a few voices confirm it. "Great! Well, you can consider this an addendum to that talk! Just a few more very important things to learn before you settle in on base. This won't take more than an hour I promise, and then we'll show you all to the enlisted men's mess to get you some dinner!"

Bubbles turns to the screen that Curt somehow wrangled down here a week after they'd flown in. Jack didn't ask any questions just simply accepted it. Friedkin clicks the projector onto the first image, a picture of Jack, Veal, Buck, Bucky, Harding, and Turner. The boys all stare in confusion.

"I'm sure you fellas recognize Major Kidd, Major Veal, Colonel Harding, and Major Turner." Bubbles uses a laser pointer that he'd pulled from nowhere to point out each man as he names them. He jumps over Buck and Bucky. "They were all at your briefing earlier, you'll be seeing a lot of them depending which squad you're on. Now,"

Friedkin clicks to the next picture. Buck and Bucky stand smiling at each other. Jack knows neither of them know of this picture's existence given they'd been too deep in the other's eyes to notice the camera pointed right at them even after Curt yelled at them to smile. Idiots, the pair of them.

"These are Major Gale 'Buck' Cleven," Bubbles points his laser pointer at Buck's smiling face before shifting it to Bucky's. "And Major John Clarence 'Bucky' Egan. They're the topic of this briefing."

Jack leans back watching the new guys shuffle around glancing at one and other. Rosenthal quickly raises his hand. Jack sighs.

"We'll take questions at the end, sorry lieutenant, but there's a lot of ground to cover with not a lot of time." Bubbles at least seems apologetic when he says it.

"They, sadly, had to miss the briefing earlier due to Major Egan hitting his head during a rec soccer game this morning. They'll introduce themselves in the next few days."

Jack does not want to think about that headache. A simple soccer game nearly turned into a bloodbath. Friedkin had nearly been murdered, and Bucky was still in the infirmary at Buck’s insistence. God, he really didn't want to think about it.

Bubbles gestures towards the screen. A picture of Buck appears. Jack leans back against the wall as the new guys all stare slack jawed. For good reason too.

"This is Major Cleven demonstrating his hand-to-hand combat skills." Bubbles uses his laser pointer to circle the knife Buck's holding. "We don't know where he got this knife. Next!"

Friedkin clicks to the next picture. This one is Bucky's military headshot. Jack thinks its a good opener. They need to control the replacement's first Bucky Daze, and doing so with a soft opener like this works best. Curt had wanted to open with a shirtless smiling Bucky, but he'd been swiftly vetoed. Bubbles nods and turns to stare into the crowd.

"Now, I'm going to show you boys a few pictures, and then I'll get into a few Dos and Don’ts of life here at Thorpe Abbotts. We'll take it slow, but if any of you start feeling dazed or light headed, please take a seat on the ground. Someone will help you if you need."

The boys all turn to each other confused. A few whispers break out about what the hell is going on, but Bubbles doesn't let that deter him.

Friedkin clicks to the next photo.

"This," Bubbles says, not looking directly at the photo. "Is Major Egan after winning a baseball game."

Jack stares out into the crowd checking on the boys. A few seem dazed. Another few lean forward. He glances at the photo as Bubbles keeps talking in the background.

It's a good photo. Bucky is smiling nearly blinding in the darkness of the bunker. His curls are going everywhere as he stares down at the ground as he walks off the field. He's wearing a long-sleeved black shirt which does nothing to hide how broad his shoulders are, and you can just see the beginnings of his shorts if you glance down. Thankfully, the shot didn't show anything lower. Brady must have taken this one most likely, Jack notes. Few others would have stopped so high.

A click, and the photo changes.

"This is Major Egan after hearing Major Cleven tell a joke."

If Bucky's smile in the last picture was bright, this one was radiant. Jack would call it like staring right into the sun itself. Bucky's staring at Buck off camera, and with the sun just behind him, Bucky looks a lot like the sun made human.

"We call this the Bucky Sunshine Smile. On days where the weather consists of rain, rain, and more rain, it is dangerous to look at head on which is why we've prepared this for you boys just so you know. Early exposure helps keep you on your feet when you see it in person."

Bubbles uses his laser pointer to point out the ground crew in the background. A few boys sit down on the ground.

"Poor Winks fainted the first time he saw the Sunshine smile, and Lemmons now requires his boys to wear goggles if Bucky is going to hang around while they work."

Bubbles smiles at the men, but Jack can tell a few of them are already lost to Bucky's smile. Bubbles gives them another minute. Thankfully no one faints.

Friedkin clicks to the next photo. This one prompts a larger reaction from the men.

"This is Major Egan on the wing of Major Cleven's fort after a night of drinking."

Bucky stares up at the camera with flushed cheeks and a lazy grin on his face. With the top few buttons of his shirt undone, he's laid out on the wing like it's his bed back home, thighs open and arms draped above his head. This one was taken by Curt. Jack can tell because it looks closer to a pin-up poster than an innocent photo of his friend. Jack's just glad he's wearing more clothes this time. In the last iteration of this presentation, Bubbles had included one of Bucky in a tank top and shorts. Shorts, Jack might add, that went exactly five inches down his thighs before stopping. They're lucky the boys made it through the rest of the presentation.

Bubbles gives the boys a few minutes to take in the photo before gesturing to Friedkin to move along.

Bucky stares out at them, one arm curled pillowing his head. His curls are nearly as wild as the first photo, but they lay almost stylishly messy. Curt would describe Bucky's eyes here as 'fuck me' eyes, but Jack chooses to think they look sleepy, for his own sanity you see.

One of the new guys faints. A few others look like they might join him. Crosby runs over with some smelling salts. Well, Jack thinks to himself, at least it's only the one this time. They may have finally gotten the correct photo order this time. Daze the boys just enough that exposure to the real thing doesn’t kill them.

"Sorry bout that. He's fine, happens all the time," Bubbles gestures to Friedkin again. "Just one more then I'll give you gentlemen a moment."

The final picture gives Jack headaches just looking at it. It's Buck and Bucky, all over each other as usual. Bucky's got an arm thrown around Buck's waist with his other hand reaching up to squish Buck's cheeks. Buck has one arm tossed over Bucky's shoulders, and he's staring back at Bucky with a soft besotted look. In the background you can just see Veal doing shots at the bar of the officer's club. Jack doesn't blame him.

"Lights please!" Bubbles calls out. He leaves that last photo up even as the lights start to wash it out. It's probably for the best. Giving the boys a picture to focus on helps them remember the information, but washed out like this, they don't run the risk of anyone fainting again.

"Now, gentlemen," Bubbles moves to his next notecard. "These are the Buckies' Dos and Don'ts of Survival. Or as I like to call them 'Bucky-Proofing the 100th,' and if you follow them carefully, you may escape bodily harm and grievous injury to live a happy life here between missions."

Bubbles grins at them all. Jack suppresses a groan as Curt cackles. Rosenthal, Jack notes, turns his head in Curt's direction to watch him laugh. Jack turns his head away. He's not focusing on that right now, no sir. One problem at a time.

"Now, if my lovely assistant could bring up the poster boards he prepared." Bubbles looks over at Croz, who under the eyes of everyone there looks like he would rather die. Croz carefully drags over an easel with a bunch of poster boards under each arm. Dougie steps forward to help fix the easel when Croz trips over it and nearly smashes the thing to pieces. Jack sighs pinching the bridge of his nose.

Croz puts up the first poster board up before running back to hide at the wall. Dougie follows with a laugh.

"Thanks Harry!" Bubbles chirps before pointing his laser at the board. "The first Buckies' Do is: do keep space between you and Buck. Major Cleven likes his personal space, and he likes Major Egan’s personal space. So, unless Major Egan invites you into his and Buck's space, do keep a few feet away. Major Cleven may also decide to enter your personal space, but usually that isn't a good thing so avoid it if possible. Once he has his hands on you, we can't help you."

Bubbles moves on.

"Next! Do join Bucky's sports leagues! He has a few of them, so if baseball isn't your game, try soccer, volleyball, or any number of other sports. Bucky also likes learning about new games, so we encourage you to teach him. Buck doesn't care for sports, but he'll watch Bucky play." Bubbles points his laser to the next point.

"Do go out to the pub, especially if Bucky invites you! He's the best at getting everyone passes off base, so take the opportunity when it presents itself. There's always something fun to do, and usually there are games to bet on or locals to flirt with."

Jack can see Douglass nudging Harry. He hates this last point. He really does, not that Jack can blame him. Poor Croz had been subject to both Buck and Bucky due to the man's unfortunate tendency to walk in at the worst moment.

"Finally!" Bubbles says it like it's some grand reveal. "Our last Buckies' Do! Do place your trust in Majors Cleven and Egan on missions even if one of them just threatened you. Especially if they just threatened you! They're good men, and you'll soon see why we respect them so much up in the air!"

Bubbles gently lifts the board off of the easel to replace it with the next one. Curt starts laughing, probably at something Dickie or Veal said to him, and Jack wishes he'd sat this meeting out. Rosenthal is just blatantly watching Curt laugh now instead of Bubbles.

"Here are the Buckies' Don'ts. These are vitally important gentlemen, do not forget them! We'll do questions after, and Dickie and Hambone will have leaflets for when you leave listing them."

Dickie and Hambone wave when Bubbles points them out. They're both carrying a large stack of printed leaflets that Jack doesn't want to know where they came from.

"The first Don't is the most vital. Do not under any circumstances touch Major Egan's hair. Major Cleven doesn't like it, and he will react negatively to those who do. If you're interested in witness testimonies, those are also on the leaflets." Bubbles moves on.

"The second Don't is do not listen to Lieutenant Biddick when he says Bucky is okay with something. Bucky may be okay with it if you're nice and polite, but usually Buck isn't. Curt knows this, and he knows you don't. We've lost a few boys to this already."

Curt just smirks as the new guys all turn to stare at him. He winks at them, and Jack, for his sanity, does not want to think about why Rosenthal is blushing right now.

"The third Don't is do not flirt with either of them. Bucky is protective, and Buck is feral." Bubbles circles this Don't with his laser pointer. "Bucky won't hurt you, but Buck probably will. Your best bet at dealing with a feral Buck is to divert Bucky's attention to him. Usually this will calm him down within moments, but you will have to avoid the pair for at least three days. Buck never forgets, but time around Bucky lessens the punishment you’ll face we’ve found."

"The fourth Don't," Bubbles moves to his next note card. "Is do not stare too long into either of their eyes or look at Bucky's smile for longer than three seconds. It will cause confusion and befuddlement, and in some cases, it can be permanent. They are very, very blue. We know this. They are very, very captivating. We know this as well."

"The final Don't is a new one, added just for you boys," Bubbles lifts up another poster board. "Do not dare Major Egan to do anything if Buck, Kidd, or any other officer of or above the rank of Major are not there to stop him from doing something stupid. He likes dares, but there have been disruptions in base wide activities, which means any dare, bet, or proposition must be judged by the committee before they can be carried out. If anyone is found to have dared Bucky to do anything without approval, the guilty parties may be subjected to discipline under Buck or Kidd depending on the severity of the outcome."

Bubbles gestures for Friedkin to turn the projector off. Harry runs forward to dismantle the easel. Dougie, thankfully, helps him before he breaks it.

"Thank you for sitting through this presentation. We will be taking questions now." Bubbles gestures for the others to join him at the front of the bunker to answer the replacements' questions. Jack stands up to follow the guys up there. The replacements just stare at them. Jack almost thinks maybe they're still in shock when one tentatively raises their hand.

"Is Major Egan a model?" The question draws a few laughs, but a few nod along.

"Not in this century," Curt shakes his head.

That seems to open up the floodgates.

"How did you get those photos?"

"Very carefully, and no one is allowed to tell Buck about them. We’re still recovering from his rampage after the pin-up fiasco." Jack jumps to answer this one when he sees Curt start to open his mouth. Jack doesn’t need Curt giving them any ideas. Not yet at least.

“Are his curls soft?”

“Devastatingly so.”

"What do you mean you don't know where Major Cleven got that knife?"

"He just pulled it out during training one day after someone played with Bucky's curls." Bubbles shrugged.

"He's damn good with it too. Man can fight." Curt joins in. "Next question?"

Curt's eyes latched onto someone in the crowd. Jack did not like how they lit up.

"You," Curt points, "Rosie, right? What's your question handsome?"

Jack was going to neuter Curt.

"Well, I," Rosenthal's cheeks looked near ready to burst into flames. "I was wondering how long the pair of them had been going steady?"

Curt bursts out laughing. Jack rolls his eyes. Veal sighs next to him, and Jack understands his pain.

"Nah, those two ain't going steady. In their dreams, yeah, but reality is Buck can't get his head out of his ass to ask Bucky who thinks he's not good enough for Buck."

Curt clapped his hands together, the sound echoed in the large underground bunker.

“Which is why I have a master plan,” Curt’s grin is downright sinister. Jack reaches over to shut him up.

“Do not listen to a word he says. Second Don’t remember that boys.” Jack stares at the crowd in front of him, deadly serious. “Lieutenant Biddick is not to be listened to. He enjoys chaos and destroying Buck’s psyche. He gets away with it because he’s Bucky’s best friend, and Buck wouldn’t do anything to upset him.”

Curt licks his palm, but Jack’s used to it and holds firm. Sadly, this is his life now.

“Majors Cleven and Egan are, how can do I say this?” Bubbles jumps in. “Circling each other? We’re trying to force one of ‘em to make the first move, but they’re stubborn.”

“Any other questions?” Jack pulls his hand away when he feels Curt open his mouth, narrowly avoiding Curt sinking his teeth into his palm. “You are a feral child they never should have let into a cockpit.”

“You’re just saying that because you’re no fun.” Curt zeroes in on Rosenthal in the crowd again. “Rosie dear, why don’t you help me lead these boys to the mess?”

Rosie stutters, but Curt guides him along. Jack fears he’s lost Rosenthal to Curt’s clutches now. The man is hanging off of Curt’s every word, and Curt is beaming from the attention.

“Don’t forget to pick up a leaflet on your way out!” Bubbles calls after the boys. Veal helps guide the stragglers out, and Jack locks up once Bubbles secures the projector.

“I think that went rather well?” Harry joins them as they climb out.

“Sure did Croz!” Bubbles links their arms. “Only one guy fainted! I think that’s our new record!”

“C’mon Buck!” Jack can hear Bucky’s whining tone. “I just wanna say hi to the new crews! Curt said he saw a few cute ones.”

“Oh God,” Jack guesses the boys will be getting their first real viewing of Buck and Bucky sooner than he thought. He starts to push his way to the front of the crowd. Maybe he’ll be able to divert them a different way.

“I’m just making sure John.” Buck’s low voice grows louder, probably walking in their direction now. The new boys all stop, eyes wide. “That ball could have done real damage. I can’t believe Friedkin kicked it at your head.”

“It’s fine! See?” Bucky laughs. “Doc said it only bled so much because it reopened the cut from before! Two wounds mean double the blood!”

“That doesn’t make me feel better.” Buck and Bucky round the corner, too caught up in each other to notice the crowd watching them.

“Holy shit!”

“Oh my god!”

Jack hears a thump as someone faints. Fuck, they forgot to warn them about the blond hair.

Bucky’s still blond curls gleam in the late evening light. His roots have slightly grown out, but that just means they bounce as he moves around. He’s still in his gear from this morning’s soccer game, and while thankfully his shorts are slightly longer, there is little left to the imagination. Buck hovers at his shoulder, worry etched into the lines of his face. Jack hears Friedkin squeak and run away.

“Don’t be such a worrywart Buck!” Bucky drags Buck closer. Buck doesn’t even flinch at having Bucky’s face barely even an inch from his own. Jack thinks it probably calms him down, the fucking simp. “How about a kiss to make it feel better? Don’t know if you know this, but kisses heal all wounds.”

Buck stares at Bucky with furrowed brows. Bucky grins and leans closer. Jack can see that at least the infirmary had washed the blood off his face.

Quick as a whip, Buck pulls Bucky’s face down to press a soft kiss to the cut across his nose. He places a second on the tip of his nose before pulling away. Bucky stands frozen. His cheeks start to color, a bright pink coloring his pale cheeks. His blue eyes stare at Bucky dazed.

“And they’re not going steady?” Rosenthal’s voice whispers to his left. Curt’s answer whisper is closer to a laugh than anything else.

“Idiots, am I right Rosie?” Curt pauses. “See what they want right in front of them, but they just won’t take it.”

Rosie stares back at a loss for words. Jack sighs.

#mota #masters of the air #buck x bucky #clegan #john bucky egan #bucky egan #john egan #gale buck cleven #gale cleven #buck cleven #jack kidd #joseph bubbles payne #mota fic #curtis biddick #curtrosie #curt x rosie #rosie rosenthal

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familyvideostevie · 19 days

Text

hey.

okay. hello! i'm back. :)

maybe you noticed, maybe not, but i have been away for a while.

i wish i could say i've been out living my life, so caught up in happiness and joy and loving each day that i've just not had time for tumblr. but....that is not true. i have been having a tough time! being away has been good, as i've had time to do other things that i like and to put energy into my own well-being, but it hasn't been the best time, I'll tell you that.

i peeked on the dash every now and then to keep my queue full and reblogged soothing things to my main blog and tried my best not to feel guilty about it all (i was also booping on April 1 lol). i just...I really needed a break. i've really enjoyed being here the last six or so months as i've changed my blog and entered the pedro/tlou space but i've also felt so, so alone.

and i know that it doesn't really matter!! like, we should all take breaks and go outside and all that stuff. and I know plenty of people are not very active, but this blog has been such a vital part of my life and happiness since I started it almost two years ago, so any lapse in activity feels like a loss. I've met lifelong friends and flexed my writing muscles and learned a hell of a lot. the fact that I have started to feel isolated and alone on here is a sort of personal betrayal, and there is no one to blame but myself.

So, I’m pulling back.

it means a few things — i don’t know how much writing I’ll be doing from now on. For Joel, especially — it’s been wonderful to meet folks in that community but it has also been really detrimental to my passion for both the game and writing. I’d like to return to some other characters on my masterlist, but we’ll see. I’ve got endless personal projects away from tumblr that I want to pour love and time into (my non-reader fics, my newsletter, a romance novel, a sci-fi novel, poetry, etc). I need to fall in love with my own work again.

it's a me problem, I want to stress that. i'm working on it! irl stuff has been kicking my ass. I've had a really, really hard winter and my mental health has suffered probably more than ever before. i let things I love -- like this blog -- fester and become negative and no longer being me joy. writing became stressful and difficult and I was focused on notes and interaction and looking around me and seeing success and then looking at myself and only seeing lack.

but that's why I took a break! i am getting help and support irl, i am putting in the time and effort to feel better about being alive and to be a better friend and person all around. And I want to tell you all about it because I am so grateful for your time and attention and support, even if we’re just strangers on the internet. i know this probably seems silly -- who cares about a fanfic blog? well, i care! i care a lot! it matters to me and therefore it matters!

anyway. on to the important stuff. here I am! and here's what's going to happen on this blog:

I am working on replying to asks and reblogs and comments I missed. Thank you for being patient with me! I don't know if I'll get to them all but know I see them and I am honored every single time.

I made a totally separate ao3 account with this blog url. I'm working on uploading everything I've posted here onto there and hopefully will continue to crosspost. It is going to take a long, long time, so please be patient! (you can follow my other ao3 here for my non x-reader fanfic).

I posted this fic! Jackson!Joel pulled me back into his world. It’s the first thing I’ve written in ages, so let me know what you think. as of now it's the last planned fic for that series, but who knows!

I hit a milestone while i was away that I am absolutely blown away by. I'm planning a celebration around it sometime this spring (hopefully) and I’d love to see you participate :)

lastly, thank you so much to my friends for letting me complain, whine, winge, etc. I am so sorry for missing all of your work, your celebrations, your bright energies, and all the rest. i am so sorry if it seemed like i was ignoring you. you are my guiding lights, my silver linings, my touchstones. you make me want to be here. i will try to make it up to you!

I want to be online less but make sure I’m connecting more in the moments that i am here. I want to pressure myself to write less and not feel bad that I’m not engaged all the time. I want this blog to once again feel like a place that nourishes me and not sucks me dry. i want to stop feeling like shit about all of it!!!!

so. come hang out in my inbox, my dms, let me know what you've been up to. I am really sorry for missing so much. thank you for sticking around. <3

#personal #this is very long but please read it maybe?#emma rambles #I will reblog it a few times probably

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vodika-vibes · 2 months

Note

Hello!! I thought I'd go ahead and send in a 2nd request since you offered. :)

How about something with Alpha 17 x F!reader. And maybe angst (with a happy ending though?)

Like beginning with Narcissus (unrequited love) but then ending up with Coriander (lust.) You can pick which direction you'd like it to go...whether it's Alpha pining for her and then they end up together or her that pines for him and then they end up together. And if the "end up together" could be a little NSFW? (However NSFW you are feeling, any level is cool with me.)

If you aren't feeling this, ANYTHING with Alpha 17 would be wonderful!

Thanks!

Carol (@clonethirstingisreal)

Burning Hot

Summary: You work at the facility where Alpha-17 has been a prisoner for months now, and you're totally smitten with him. But you know that he'll never feel the same.

Pairing: Demon!Alpha-17 x F!Reader

Word Count: 1554

Warning: Spicy - no actual smut, but Alpha is Alpha

Prompts: Narcissus - Unrequited love, Coriander - Lust

Tagging: @trixie2023 @n0vqni

A/N: Sorry this took so long, I've been having a hard time with Alpha for some reason, but then I had this idea! Yay me! But I couldn't make the NSFW work with me and I don't know why.

You watch him from behind the safety glass. A frown crosses your lips as you monitor his vitals, a frown that deepens as you notice that his core temperature is higher than ever before. High enough that, if he had the use of all of his powers, he’d be able to melt the safety glass and get to the Doctors.

Not that you’d blame him.

Almost a year ago now, scientists traveled to a planet that was long thought uninhabited. Only to learn that they were wrong. The planet is home to a race of people that you can only call demonic.

Demonic because of their tails. And their golden eyes. And the fact that they can create and manipulate fire and heat.

And Alpha-17, the man on the other side of the glass, was the first demon that the scientists came in contact with.

How they managed to capture him is beyond you, you are just an intern after all, but somehow they did, and he’s been a guest at this facility since then.

Of course, the majority of the care for Alpha has fallen on your shoulders. You tend to his injuries, make sure that he has clean clothes, and feed him three times a day. While you were intimidated at first, he’s so much bigger than you, after all, over time you’ve come to appreciate his presence.

He’s rough and sarcastic and can be horrifically mean when he’s pushed, but he’s never been mean to you. And, much to your surprise, and shame, you’ve found yourself pining over him.

You wonder how his hands would feel against your skin, how his lips would feel against yours, how it would feel to lay against him in bed-

And it is embarrassing. Because Alpha would never look at you like that. For all that you have no choice but to be here, you’re still one of the people holding him here. Keeping him from his family.

Plus, for all you know, he already has a life partner. It’s not like you ever asked…and it isn’t as though he would tell you one way or the other.

“Time,” You say, your voice quiet and dispassionate, “That’s one hour, Doctor.”

The older man that you were interned under glances at you, and then at your readings, “Good thing he can’t actually use those powers to hurt us, huh.” He jokes, before he presses a series of buttons on the console, powering down the training simulation.

You watch as Alpha is escorted back to his cell by a group of droids, and then you flicker your gaze back to the datapad, “It’s only a matter of time before he breaks the suppression collar, Doctor. Perhaps it’s best to quit while we’re ahead?”

He laughs, “He’s a brute, but he’s an easily controlled brute.” The Doctor dismisses your concerns, “Anyway, I have been ordered to take the weekend off, apparently I work too much.”

“You do work too much.” You say dryly.

He sniffs, “I work a reasonable amount.”

“You worked 100 hours last week. I know, because I worked 100 hours last week.”

“...Anyway! I’m going to spend the next week with my wife and children.” He rolls his eyes, “So you’ll be holding down the fort on your own. Well. You and the droids.”

“That’s fine.”

“Good. Good.” He awkwardly pats your shoulder and then heads out of the room, “No need for any tests while I’m gone, just keep him alive.”

“Yeah, yeah.”

He leaves the facility while you’re giving the janitorial droids their orders for making sure the training room is clean and in working order.

Then, and only then, do you strip off the stark white jacket that you wear while working, and head down the hall to the holding cells where Alpha lives. His cell is more of a room, due solely to your actions. You’ve given him blankets to act as makeshift walls, and extra blankets and pillows to make the bed more comfortable.

The Doctor hadn’t been thrilled about it. But he didn’t take them away from Alpha either.

“Knock, knock.” You call as you enter the hallway, “I have the first aid kit, Alpha.”

The blankets are swept away from the door, allowing you to peer into his cell. He’s clad in the bottoms of his training outfit and nothing else, and you forcefully shove down the surge of attraction.

“Can I come in?” You ask with a small smile.

He glances at you, “Yeah, go ahead.”

You wave your key card over the lock, and key in the code that will allow you to come and go as you please, and then pull the door open. You step into the cell, and the door slides shut behind you, but you don’t mind.

You set the first aid kit on the small table you found for him months ago, “Well, you don’t look badly injured.” You note as he turns towards you, “Some of those hits looked bad-”

“So you were watching today?” Alpha asks, as he sinks down on the bed.

“I always watch.” You reply lightly, “The Doctor insists.”

Alpha scoffs, “Of course he does.”

“I am his intern.” You remind him, “Now, let me get a look at you.” You take a step closer to him, already taking in the rapidly healing bruises. “Healing already.” You murmur, “Honestly, it’s like you don’t even need me.” You add jokingly.

Alpha’s tail lightly twines around your wrist and tugs you close enough that you’re able to feel his body heat, “Don’t be silly. I’d have gone mad without you here.”

You know that Alpha has total control over his tail. He’s told you as much before. He likes wrapping his tail around you when you’re treating his injuries.

It’s comforting, in a way.

It’s also the closest you know you’re ever going to get to him actually touching you.

“So,” Alpha says as you start applying bacta to his chest, “Where’s the good doctor anyway. Usually he comes down here to gloat about me not escaping yet.”

“Oh…well…” You pull back to grab another bandage, “He’s not here. Mandatory vacation.”

“...you don’t say.” Alpha murmurs. “You’re still here.”

“Intern.” You remind him dryly.

“Right.” Alpha’s tail releases you, and you’re surprised when the cell suddenly gets darker. You glance over your shoulder and note that he’s releasing the curtains that block the light from the hall.

You shoot him a bemused look, “You might be able to see in the dark, Alpha, but I can’t.” You remind him.

“I’m not that badly injured.” He replies. “Besides, I thought we’d use this moment to talk.”

“We are talking.”

You start to adjust to the dim light, and you’re surprised to see his small smirk, “I want to talk to you about your obvious attraction to me.”

And your face burns, “Uh…um…I don’t-”

His hand, large and warm, lightly caresses your cheek, “Don’t lie to me. Did you think I wouldn’t notice, my sweet girl?”

Your face heats even more, “It’s…not right.” You mumble, “I’m holding you here against your will.”

“You’re as much a prisoner here as I am,” Alpha replies, as he slowly pulls you closer.

“That’s not-”

“It is.” One more sharp tug pulls you onto his lap, and his lips find purchase against your throat, “Mine.” He purrs against your skin, “My pretty girl.”

“A-Alpha-”

He pulls back and crashes his lips against yours, sharply nipping your lower lip, before soothing the sore spot with his tongue. “Take my collar off, pretty girl.”

You shouldn’t. You really, really shouldn’t.

But his hands are sliding under your shirt, pushing your shirt up and out of the way, and his lips are back against your throat, nipping and sucking marks onto your tender skin, and before you really think about it, your fingers are sliding around the collar, releasing locks and undoing latches, until the collar comes off in your hands.

There’s a surge of heat around you, and then Alpha grabs the collar from your hands and tosses it to the side. “Good girl,” He purrs, catching your lips in a deep kiss.

His hands are everywhere, tugging your clothes either completely off or just to the side, and you’re not really surprised when he flips you so that you’re under him.

You blink up at him hazily, and he chuckles, “Is this what you wanted?” Alpha asks, as he presses his body against yours, “What you needed more than anything?”

You whine quietly, “Yes…please…”

“Pretty girl. My perfect girl.” Alpha kisses you again and again, “I’m going to ruin you.” He breathes against your lips.

You laugh softly, and reach up to wrap your arms around his neck, “Yes, please.”

He slots himself between your legs, his fingers dipping between your thighs to slide against your slit pulling a moan from you, “And then,” Alpha murmurs, “We’re going to leave this place and return to my home, and I’m going to make you all mine.”

“Am I not already all yours?” You ask breathlessly.

He chuckles against your lips, “I’m going to make you more mine. My pretty girl.” His golden eyes glimmer with want and need.

“Yours,” You agree, slightly breathlessly.

And then Alpha crashes his lips against yours and more talking is useless.

#star wars #tcw #vodika-vibes follower celebration #alpha-17 x reader #18+ fic #clone thirsting #star wars fanfiction #x reader fanfiction #f!reader fic #answered asks

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letsquestjess · 1 month

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Hello it's me again! I have another request for Tech if it's not a bother.

Ok, so it's based on my habit of reaching out to my best friends hand for like comfort or just because I feel calm with them. So WHAT HAPPENS WHEN (in some senerio you can pick) WE REACH OUT FOR TECH'S HAND. Just imagine we're out here holding his hand, not even realizing it, and Tech is just confused or a bit panicked/flustered because it was out of nowhere.

Just a little idea I've come up with, so no pressure to actually write it.

I hope you have a good day see you later!

Hello again!!! This idea is so sweet. Thank you for sending it in! 😊💜

Your Hand in Mine (Tech x GN!Reader)

Summary: Tech misses Echo, and all you want to do is offer him some support.

Word count: 1.2K

Warnings: None.

-- -- -- -- --

With a grunt and sweat dappling your brow, you exerted all your strength to turn the wrench one last time until the final bolt resisted beyond your might. “That should do it,” you said, your grip tightening on the rails as you descended the wobbly steps braced against the side of The Marauder. “Try it again.”

A few rhythmic taps on the datapad set the capacitor unit into motion. The inner workings clattered, and a momentary panic washed over you. After a minute, the mechanism settled, the pipes trilling to mock your initial worry.

“How are the readings looking?” you asked, stepping back a pace to admire your handiwork. It wasn’t too shabby, if you said so yourself.

On your homeworld, you had only been able to work on practice builds, never experiencing the thrill of fixing up an actual ship until your swift escape with the Batch. Eager to repay the clones who had saved your life, you insisted on helping them maintain their craft. Tech had welcomed the assistance and wasted no time in creating detailed lists and charts, keen to pass on his expertise to a willing listener.

“Everything works as expected,” Tech reported. “You are a quick learner.”

“It was my second try,” you said with a disappointed shrug.

“Echo used to say that a second attempt meant a lesson truly learned.”

At the mention of your missing team member, you spotted the involuntary twitch by Tech’s right eye and the shadow over his expression. You may not have noticed the subtle changes if you hadn’t been by his side almost every waking hour for the past few months. Echo had only ever been mentioned in practical terms, if a communication had come through or if providing vital intel. This time, however, you could tell it was different. Tech missed him. Not as an asset to the squad or for his contributions, but as a brother. As a treasured part of their family.

He cleared his throat with a short cough and worked his fingers on the screen. “While I cannot vouch for the sentiment’s accuracy, I will include your second attempt in the records.”

When he lifted his gaze, a reticent look pinched at your features as though something unspoken idled on your lips. Assuming you were still downplaying your work, he stood up from the makeshift table. “Please do not think poorly of your efforts. You are progressing well and your assistance is appreciated. I am confident that you will be capable of making repairs on your own soon.”

You went to assure him you would always welcome his presence, but the comment snagged in your throat. Despite your reluctance to admit it outright, you couldn’t deny that you secretly enjoyed his company. His calm demeanour and sincere words of encouragement helped ease the anxiety of your escape, and you itched to reach out to him. There were moments when you had got close to sweeping your hand over his, when that saddened look burrowed so far into his usually softened expression that you were forced to make the conscious effort not to soothe his apprehension with a supportive touch. You had no way of telling if that was what Tech wanted, and the last thing you wished was to make him uncomfortable and risk damaging the bond you had built.

“Thanks,” you said, collecting the tools scattered on the lowered steps. “I can put the panel back myself. I know you have other tasks to get done.” Without waiting for a response, you ascended the ladder and secured the metal bulk, the deafening shriek of the drill drowning out all other sounds.

He blinked up at you and analysed the intense concentration on your face. Not wanting to disrupt your work, he quietly entered the ship to carry on with his daily duties.

* * *

Omega’s giggle infused the air in the seconds before she appeared from behind The Marauder, Wrecker in quick pursuit. Just as he reached out to catch her, she evaded his grasp and hoisted herself onto the front turret, perched like a little assassin waiting to strike.

“You’ll have to be faster than that,” she called down to the brawler.

“You don’t think I can climb up there?” he challenged.

“Don’t even think about it,” Hunter yelled from beside the smouldering ashes of the fire. He stacked the cleaned plates and cutlery into the storage boxes and propped them on the steps. “Back inside.”

“Five more minutes,” Omega pleaded over Wrecker’s huffed groan.

“No. Come on.”

With a nimble leap from the turret, the girl retrieved the box of dinnerware on her way aboard. Wrecker followed her inside the ship with a whispered promise to continue their game when they next landed. He was, after all, still winning, and he wasn’t about to lose because of his brother’s overprotective nature.

Hunter swung to you and Tech, one foot on the ramp. “I want you both ready to go in ten. Okay?”

Attention glued to his datapad, Tech responded with a half-mustered salute, and you reciprocated with a nod of your own.

Once you had finished clearing the rest of your equipment, you wriggled the slim crates into their designated spots in the storage hold underneath the ship and locked the hatch. Dust clung to your jacket, and you wiped off the dry specks as you made your way towards the intelligence clone.

“Need any help with the receiver?” you asked, gesturing to the small device plugged into his datapad. The disc hummed as the blue light traced its perimeter, scanning and collecting data.

“That will not be necessary,” he assured you. “I have a strong enough signal for incoming transmissions.”

You positioned yourself next to him, your hands resting in your lap as you took in the view of the tundra and plateaus. The setting suns painted the horizon with fire and from the growing shadows, nighttime animals stirred. With sunlight fading fast, you wouldn’t be able to remain outside for much longer, but Tech persisted with his personal mission, resolved to make the most of the remaining light.

“Still waiting to hear from Echo?” you questioned. As he lowered his head, your eyes followed the motion, drifting along the peeling bark of the log where his hand rested. Guided by instinct, you gravitated towards him and brushed against his knuckles.

Tech stared transfixed at your connected hands, lips parting and a verbal response dithering on his tongue. Before you could retreat, the fluster within him relaxed into an appreciative peace, and he entwined your fingers.

A warmth flooded your cheeks as you met his eyes. Sincerity swelled in the amber and erased the furrow between his brow.

He held onto you like a lifeline, like an anchor keeping him grounded when worry clouded his thoughts and the fear that he may have to face a tomorrow with one less brother haunted him. “Thank you,” he said, barely a whisper amongst the rising coos and whistles of the wildlife.

“What for?” you asked.

He cradled your palm to his chest, and a reverence came over him, a surety that wrapped him up safe, and warm, and secure. “Everything,” he whispered, thumb rubbing the back of your hand. “Thank you for everything.”

#fic asks #fic request #tbb #the bad batch #tbb fanfic #tbb fanfiction #the bad batch fanfiction #tbb tech #tbb tech x reader #tbb tech x you

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whateverisbeautiful · 3 months

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♥️ Ranking Richonne

#21: Rules Keep Changing (S5E11)

This scene right here - so beautiful and also very telling. I love this heart-to-heart that shows how much they can reach each other. Scenes like this remind me that we really watched two characters so wholly fall in love with everything the other is. And not only fall in deep love, but deep respect, appreciation, and trust. They really saw each other, understood each other, and changed the game for each other. And of all their bonds in the show, Rick and Michonne were always the most emotionally vulnerable with each other too. The way they became each other’s best friend plays an important part in the way they became each other’s other half...

I love the staging of this scene with Grimes 2.0 staying by their car from a distance while team family fix the RV. Rick, Michonne, Carl, and Judith are so clearly a four-person family right here and now. Like Michonne is Rick’s best friend at this time, but she's his future wife too, make no mistake. And I just appreciate that when their group got bigger upon reuniting with the rest of tf in s5, Rick and Michonne still kept super close to each other.

I love that Michonne shares some wisdom with Rick. She tells him the fight is over, and it’s so vital that Rick has someone in his life like Michonne who sees him so clearly and can breathe life into him and remind him that while the fight keeps you warm and fed it can turn on you if you don’t learn to let it go.

Rick needed to hear that because, as we see, he still was in that Terminus train car mindset which was making him go a bit mad. It’s precious the way Michonne softly says she knows it’s hard cuz Rick needs someone to be this gentle, compassionate, and understanding with him.

And the way that Rick, even in this PTSD state, really tries to hear her out. The best. Rick and Michonne always communicate from a place of vulnerability, leveling with each other and sharing their own experience to resonate and relate with the other. It’s a beautiful thing.

Michonne looks at him so sweetly in this scene. And when she says the fight turns on you - Rick will learn how true that is because not releasing the fight in ASZ leads to some messy situations.

Rick tells Michonne that the concept of letting go is similar to what Bob was trying to tell him back at the church. "What to risk. When it’s safe." Rick will always pull my heartstrings because, at the end of the day, he’s a family man who just wants to keep his family safe at all costs, and that can lead him to be on high alert, which is stressful.

You can just feel how much he carries the weight of the world in this scene. But having Michonne here to offer a refreshing reminder that it’s okay to let go, shows he does not have to carry the weight alone. Rick and Michonne now have a true partner and someone they can be fully human with.

And then y’all, it gets quite interesting when Rick says, “When to let someone in.” I’ve always liked that he says "someone" and not "people." It’s like Rick's been pondering a more intimate level of letting someone in. Even the way he pauses, it’s like he deep down knows that “let someone in” means something more personal than just letting strangers like Aaron into the group. And right now, he’s confiding this to someone he has let in and wants to let in even more.

And again, Rick is the type of guy who seems to really value a soul-level connection, and he seems to be the type who wouldn’t act thoughtlessly when letting someone into his heart (unless suffering from extreme PTSD). Letting someone in would need to have a deeper meaningfulness for him, and I know that at this point, Rick is slowly but surely coming around to the fact that it’s the woman right here on this car with him that he most needs to let in.

Then Rick says, "The rules keep changing." And it made me think about how I've always felt that because Rick is such a dutiful guy, it seemed to be such a stirring rule change for him when he was so captivated by Michonne in their early days of meeting each other. I really think that was a part of Rick's s3 hostility with Michonne at times because he was shaken that he had this draw and attraction to her so soon after losing Lori when the "rules" would suggest he should just be grieving.

All that to say, rule changes aren’t always easy for him, but it’s sweet how he acknowledges they’re changing and is coming around to being more open to it.

And then Michonne just puts the ultimate cherry on top of the scene by saying, “It did for me.”

Now, y’all, watching this back rn um…I’m surprised Richonne didn't become official the very next episode. Like what? I’m sorry, but there was nothing platonic about this exchange...

The way she says that and smiles at him. The way he stays looking directly at her after and then stays quiet and looks away cuz you know he had some thoughts that weren't platonic. This was giving 'I’m in love with you' energy from both of them. Can’t tell me any different. 😌

I just need to take a moment to unpack what this could mean. R: The rules keep changing. M: It did for me. Like wow. I guess if I had to be completely un-Richonne-minded (which admittedly ain't easy) then Michonne could just mean, 'I never thought I’d learn to let go and let people in but the rules changed and I’ve took the risk to let all of you in and embrace team family as her family.'

Sure. But like come on, I feel it’s not pushing it too far to say that there’s an element of this being about the two of them specifically. Rick changed the rules for her and opened her heart up in a way she didn’t think would happen again, and Michonne absolutely did the same for Rick. There's an intentional reason this exchange is between the two of them and not anyone else from the group.

Plus, while I'm always unsure of exactly how much time has passed during any given season in TWD, I'd venture to say that this moment occurs less than two months before Richonne becomes canon so it feels like this scene does want to start setting up that these two are coming closer to fully realizing their feelings for each other.

This really felt like one of the closest Rick and Michonne ever came pre-canon to acknowledging the love they’ve developed for each other. It was a beautiful scene, and to this day when I hear their moment interrupted by that RV starting to work I’m just looking over at the RV like...

Lol just cuz I wanted Rick and Michonne to get to stay in this very telling private moment a little longer and elaborate. But I understand their precious slow burn had to continue its steadily rising flicker before the wildfire could truly ignite in season 6. So this scene instead concludes with Rick excusing himself. He says he needs a moment as Michonne watches him with this loving compassionate expression.

Rick then goes to hide weapons before they take the leap that Michonne motivated and go to ASZ. Rick hiding the weapons shows that he clearly still doesn't know if this Alexandria stuff is legit, but even still they pull up to those ASZ gates (oh we're gonna talk about it 😋) And why do they still pull up? Because Rick trusts Michonne. Even over his own hesitancies. Love it.

And I adore the lingering shot of Michonne watching Rick as he goes. It’s so evident that he means so much to her, and I love that she is the one who most gets to see Rick the human being. And Michonne is so equipped to love and support him in all his humanness, just as Rick is with her.

This scene is just gold and genuinely meaningful to Richonne and their soulmate connection if you ask me. Rick and Michonne changed each others' rules and each other's lives. Oh, and changed mine too. 😌👌🏽

#richonne #top 30 #number 21 #rick x michonne #reveling in richonne #twd 5.11 #twd towl #the ones who live

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not-poignant · 2 months

Text

Birthday Spotlight - Ash Glashtyn

[27th February - Pisces]

Ash Glashtyn, the fun-loving, cheerful, highly-sadistic and hypersexual Unseelie waterhorse from the canon Fae Tales series, adopted brother of Augus Each Uisge, and eater of humans, has been a beloved and then polarising character among readers. He's been a star in a couple of stories, but mostly he exists as a comedic, sexual, dangerous foil to his composed, sinister brother.

Ash Glashtyn is a monster who is ashamed of being a monster, but when he's a human, he normally has way less internalised issues with himself, and just wants to make the most out of life! He lives big, loves travel, loves everyone, but doesn't want any romantic relationships out of life. This boy will fuck everyone, and finds everyone stunning and beautiful and worthy of his time, but he's solidly aromantic and isn't planning on sexually cohabiting with anyone (with the exception of Strange Sights and The Wildness Within!)

An unlikely mediator, annoyingly charming, human loving, relentlessly curious, intensely protective, and appreciator of the sensual, Ash is one of the most 'human' of the Fae characters, and I've been happy to have him by my side for over ten years.

I’m a mess . . . I don’t even know. I’m not made for all this high political bullshit. I’m not made for any of it, Augus. I’m just some dude, you know? Just some guy. I’ve been waiting for things to go back to normal ever since you went missing.

The Court of Five Thrones

Shadows and Light - (fanfiction) First mentioned in From the Darkness We Rise, and his first official appearance in Into Shadows We Fall, Ash was a beloved character early on despite being on the enemy side and loving the worst villain in the story. An affable and obvious victim who just wanted the best for his brother, Ash struggled to come to terms with the fact that his brother needed to be defeated, and was vital in securing the win/victory for the good guys, even as it meant ruining himself in the process.

The Wildness Within - (AU) The truly sane part of an OT3 featuring Augus, Gwyn and Ash, Ash managed to keep his brother grounded, get Gwyn out of shackles, stop Gwyn from running away in the human realm, and keep Augus from losing his mind when the Raven Prince kept throwing obstacles into their path. Ash was the compass point that kept them on the path to their true north in this story, and we'd not have the relationship we have between them, or the happy ending, without him!

From the Darkness We Rise - (fanfiction) Mentioned only.

Game Theory - (canon) Ash's first canon appearance is also an intense one. The first time we meet him he is drugged out of his mind, the second time he loathes Gwyn, and is drunk, and the third time he punches Gwyn hard enough in the face to break his cheekbone.

The Court of Five Thrones - (canon) Ash works on a book called 'how to lose friends and my brother by trying to be so overprotective while not listening to anyone.'

The Ice Plague I - (canon) Ash, having reconciled with Gwyn, joins the ensemble cast as Julvia's unlikely protector, and a watchful, compassionate eye on the group.

The Ice Plague II - (canon) Ash, starving into insanity like his brother, Augus, doesn't have a good time.

The Ice Plague III - (canon) We learn Ash's heartsong as he loses it, and meet the Glashtyn for the first time. Not a fun guy, it turns out! Or super fun actually, if you like songs about rape and torture. Which the Glashtyn does!

The Wildness Within - (AU) An OT3 of Ash/Augus/Gwyn, Ash here is his waterhorse self, and this story imagines a world where Augus saves Gwyn from his family, and he and his brother learn how to deal with a semi nonverbal torture victim, and become an unlikely polyamorous triad.

Quid Pro Quo - (AU) Gwyn/Ash. A mostly PWP series of Gwyn finding Ash in the human world, and being coerced-persuaded into sex that has a lot of overstimulation. A lot of hurt/comfort and aftercare moments.

Strange Sights - (AU) Ash/Augus. The 'Ash rapes Augus and nearly ruins their entire relationship' one that features dark!Ash and vulnerable!Augus. This one is probably one of the darker longfics I've written, and it's the only story I've thought about deleting. Eventually I decided not to, and I still think it has some of the most beautiful writing in it. A lot of Ash perspective, for people who enjoy that!

The Shaking Shape of You - (AU) Augus/Ash oneshot, in the world of The Wildness Within. This one's porn, folks.

Tumblr Prompts - Fae Tales - (AU and canon) Ash is in a couple of these! In one, he's an unlikely companion while they all go grocery shopping in the human realm, in another, Augus reads to Ash.

Unwound - (canon) Part of the ensemble cast here, his best chapter is the one where he gets Gwyn high on marijuana and Gwyn gets the munchies.

The Ash and Gwyn Interludes - (canon) Chapters where Gwyn and Ash work to reconcile between the events of The Court of Five Thrones and The Ice Plague. Features rare Ash canon POV chapters.

Ten Minutes and Ten Minutes More - (AU) A Mosk/Eran PWP oneshot where Ash gives Eran 'advice' on how to basically sexually assault Mosk. He has black hair in this one, and looks as sinister and dangerous as his brother.

The Augus and Ash Interludes - (AU) Written in 2013, these started off as canon and some quickly became not canon. But features very sweet or silly or angsty moments between Augus and Ash.

Tumblr Prompts - Fae Tales AUs - (AU) I don't actually remember these O.O Very 'I have no memory of this place' Gandalf quote.

When the Tables Turn - (AU) Augus/Ash, Ash is a detective who decides he wants to rail drug trafficker and crimelord Augus Each Uisge. I never finished this, but it was fun

The Best of Broken Resolutions - (AU) The Architect AU (Gwyn/Augus), in which Ash is a member of a band, and gets way too drunk and manages to make his presence known even in this story.

Salt Water - (AU) Ash/Augus. An 11k Id Fic with magical healing cock. Augus is raped by Stertes (yes, that one), and Ash fucks him better e.e

The Day the Ferris Wheel Came Down - (AU) Before Spoils of the Spoiled even existed, I played with the idea of a high school AU here!

Underline the Silver - (AU) An upcoming Augus/Corbyn Prince omegaverse story, where Ash will at the very least be mentioned.

A fun-loving, booze-loving, human-loving, upbeat-appearing quick-thinker, who always looks on the bright side, is ready to back a friend.

Pansexual, aromantic, and loves everyone. Enjoys sex and making connections, but also is happy to move on and make more going forward.

Loves his brother so much. SO much. Too much? He'd say there's no such thing!

Memes

If cheerful emo manifested into a human person

Redheads have all the fun

What? The cheerful guy sometimes has some deep-seated issues that he's not really talking to anyone about? O.O

Most memorable in the canon for his internal conflict around eating humans but needing to eat them. He loves humans so much that he spends most of his time living with them, something Augus and most Unseelie fae view unfavourably.

An unlikely friend of the Nain Rouge!

If he's going to be attracted to another core Fae Tales character, it's going to be his brother first, and Gwyn second, but only in the AUs.

Getting himself half-killed by The Raven Prince

Betraying his brother to save his brother's life, and that creating bitterness between them.

Using pop culture references around Fae who are all talking like Victorians.

This guy can fit so much alcohol in him!

Betraying Gwyn, but not to save Gwyn's life. The mutiny in The Court of Five Thrones goes down as the biggest turning point for his character in the entire canon.

Ash always has auburn hair except in a single oneshot AU, Ten Minutes and Ten Minutes More.

Always cheerful, and that cheerfulness always hides a darker and more sexual side.

Fucks - does he ever fuck

Kinks are always some variety of overstimulation and overwhelming his partners with pleasure.

Curious about people

Protective over those he perceives as vulnerable, including the humans he eats in the canon!

Ash was initially conceived as a foil to the idea that 'all Unseelie fae are evil' in the same way that Crielle was conceived as a foil to the idea that 'all Seelie fae are pure and good.'

Ash Glashtyn's personality is based on actual folktales connected to the Glashtyn. He has been described as capable of great good and great harm, but he's also been described as a waterhorse capable of extreme evil and sadism. He's actually considered more sadistic than the Each Uisge, which I kept as a trait. In fact there is one story where the Glashtyn in human form stabbed long pins and needles into unsuspecting children and women through their buttocks, breasts and other fleshy parts.

The reason Ash looks the way he does was part of a complex storyline that never came together, which frustrates me, but otherwise Ash and Augus would look very similar so I needed something to differentiate them more easily! Plus I really loved the idea of a character who doesn't look immediately kind of 'dark and forbidding.'

Ash has been one of the most polarising characters. During the Shadows and Light era, most people loved him intensely. During the Game Theory era, people became split. People who never read SAL generally hated him until the very end of The Court of Five Thrones.

Ash's heartsong was a secret that only Augus knew for almost a decade. Even I didn't know it for a little while. I always told myself and others that the only time we'd all learn what it was, was when he lost it. When I knew what it was, I told everyone it began with an A. Only one person out of about 100 guesses got it right. :D

I mean, we’re not dead or being actively tortured so it’s like…prospects aren’t all bad.

The Ice Plague II

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headspace-hotel · 1 year

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Hello! I've been loving your recent posts about taking an interest in, and connecting with, nature. I was wondering if you and/or your followers had any book(or any other media too tbh) recommendations?

I just started Braiding Sweetgrass, which I'm very excited for, and How Plants Work by Stephen Blackmore, which I found just by looking up the words in a frustrated attempt to, well, learn more about how plants work. Some stuff there does go over my head or needs re-reads and taking it slow, but that's ok. I'm making up for a lot of lost time and education/lived experience here.

Aside from wanting a personal/philosophical starting point, I want to learn about plants & their physiology in order to form an intuition for how to grow and tend to them, as a hobbyist? I know it also takes learning about every plant in particular when aiming for this, but I still feel lost without a... mechanistic, logical, overview/understanding? I also know that this framing itself is a bit reductive given how bonkers plants can be, but this is my best articulation of what I want to ask. I can feel my molecules vibrating as the special interest takes shape but i'm also still at the point where I would send this kind of ask.

If you've read this far, I apologize for the ask length, and thank you! You've been a joy to see on my dash. I wish you all the best!

I think I understand what you mean. I had to learn that stuff through trial and error, transplanting plants and learning about their physical needs that way. I don't know very much from books sadly.

The biggest things I learned had to do with roots. A plant's roots are their vital organs. Plants handle having the above ground parts damaged or disturbed WAY better than having their roots disturbed. When transplanting, you MUST keep the "main" taproot (if there is one) intact. However, you also need a quantity of the very thin, thread-like roots. If there are not enough fibrous roots, the plant will not survive transplanting.

Plants need stability in the conditions of their roots. I think the main reason why a too-small pot is detrimental is that it causes the temperature and moisture of the roots to flop around too much.

Plants don't need water just in the way that you need to drink water, they need water in the way that you need to moisturize your skin to keep it from drying out. I think they're a little bit amphibious. It is helpful for their soil to remain consistently slightly damp, and not soggy.

I have learned some important things about the value of weeds, also. It is true that aggressive weeds can outcompete a small plant, but having some vegetation on the ground around a plant you have planted is very beneficial. Shade for the soil stops moisture from evaporating and stops the soil from heating up. People who mow their grass really short have to water it far, far beyond the requirements of the grass itself because the water is just evaporating before it can penetrate into the compacted lawn soil.

Very few plants can thrive in unobstructed direct full sun when they are small! It will cook them! This is contrary to a lot of the stuff I read on the internet—a website tells me that most young trees need full sun to grow well. How, pray tell, do forests work then?

People think forests are places of starvation from sunlight and intense competition, but in reality, forests are stable, regulated environments that offer protection from the extreme conditions that occur in a barren place. The temperature and moisture on the forest floor is heavily buffered, allowing delicate plants to thrive.

Also, most tree species rely on the presence of other trees to shield them from storm and ice damage—only some, like strong oaks, thrive when open-grown. Every open-grown maple I see has the scars of losing many limbs over time. The poor things are too delicate to be without the protection of other trees.

Spending time in the woods really makes you notice how scruffy and mangled most yard trees are, scarred by having branches repeatedly cut or ripped off, sprouting suckers and adventitious branches from stress. People are too eager about pruning branches off trees. It seems like they cut random limbs off because that's just what you're supposed to do. But this can introduce pathogens and cause the whole tree to die eventually. At the very least it causes a lot of stress.

There are several sweetgum trees in my neighborhood, in the middle of nice lawns, that are slowly strangling themselves to death because landscape fabric and mulch was piled up around their bases and it caused the roots to start girdling the tree. Please! Leave them alone! No big mulch piles, no landscape fabric.

#trees #plants #gardening #growing

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aleksanderscult · 4 months

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Analyzing "Demon in the Wood" (book) - Part 2

(Part 1, Part 3, Part 4 and Part 5 btw)

Merry Christmas Eve and here have this meta to depress you cheer you up! 🥳🎁🎄🎅💕

Even though like calls to like he still was afraid of the darkness as a child.

And he didn't sleep for two days because of that fear.

And he was curled beneath his blanket 🥺

His mother didn't stop to think or ask if he needed light and be didn't want to disappoint her by saying "Can you leave it here?".

He wanted to prove to her and to himself that he's brave and he fears nothing.

No home to stay, no people to connect with.

Just with his mother, adopting new names every now and then, faking his life. And he despises this so much.

And yet Baghra dared to say "hE hAd PlEntY oF tImE tO LeArN hoW to LiE".

Yeah because he was raised on your knees, Baghra.

"They did their best to hide their tracks"

They were trying to leave nothing behind. As a child the Darkling was allowed to leave no trace, no memories of him in others.

And that reminds me: "Someone to mourn me"

Someone to remember him.

Also, it's notable that names are an important part of the Darkling's life.

- Adopted innumerable names as a child

- Held his true name close to his heart

- Kept saying Alina's name

- Trusted Alina with his name

- Refused to call Mal by his name

And I believe it was something important for him too because names were actually a vital part of his survival from the time he was born.

(So for anyone who says that he gave Alina his name out of some kind of manipulation technique, needs to stop. There's no way a person like him to give his name that easily).

The way they're thinking and hoping two different things.

Baghra hopes to gain knowledge and experience and Eryk a home and stability.

Their priorities really show their needs and characters at this point of their lives.

The way the Little Palace had all these three things 🥲

The thought of him waking up and thinking "Wait. Which name I go by now?" is so depressing and stressful. Both for Eryk and the reader.

I wonder if he really called her "Mama" at this point of his life or just Baghra with her usual grace said "You will call me by my name".

From this: "To him, she was always Mama, Madraya".

To this: "I will not fight you", said the Darkling.

"Then strike me down"

"You know I won't" 🥲

When Grisha fear and mistrust their own kind then you know that the situation is fucked up.

Baghra is extra careful 'cause she always had trust issues and made her son mistrustful as well.

It's really a dog-eat-dog world where every man is for himself and very few Grisha have made safe camps (actually the word "safe" is a stretch). And even when they do, they only let powerful Grisha to live inside.

Also, the phrase "a second Ravka" is kind of chilling. Ravka back then was divided between otkazat'sya who lived in the open and Grisha who lived in the shadows. Two different worlds and the Darkling became the first person who united them for the first time.

"Fear is a powerful ally" - DitW.

"Do you fear me, Alina?.... Fear is a powerful ally. And loyal." - Siege and Storm.

I can only imagine how many times the Darkling saw people either run away from him or wanted to use him because of his power. I bet he desired for someone to accept him as he is. To look at his shadow summoning and see it as a gift, not a curse or tool.

"I've seen what you truly are. And I've never turned away. I never will" is a phrase that he probably wanted to hear from someone too.

Wait. "Like calls to like", right? So when Aleksander was afraid of the dark, does that mean he was afraid of his powers in a way? *cries*

"Be careful what you wish for!🎶"

He tries so hard to impress his mother and live up to her expectations. That shows a child that is raised by a strict parent who almost always shows disapproval and is never satisfied with his efforts. Those children then feel constantly like failures.

(are you sad yet, dear readers?🥲)

What people cannot understand, they fear it. The unknown. The strange.

Baghra has been a pariah not only because of her powers but also because of her sex. So she had to toughen up and "hone" her sharp tongue too in order to make it difficult for others to boss her around or cast her out.

Sometimes I sympathize with her (but most of the times not😒).

To be honest, I find this fear kind of one-sided. I mean, Alina's power was unique too. No one else had the power to manipulate the light. And yet people liked her and were fascinated. But with Aleksander people were afraid of his power (even before he was the "Darkling"). So they showed acceptance with the power of light but not with the darkness.

Double fucking standards.🙂

(Of course they accepted her more easily because she was the one destined to liberate them from the Fold but still. Even if the Fold didn't exist, people would still show great favor towards Alina and not Aleksander.)

#Here's me spreading bleak vibes with this meta 🤗🤗#SOMEBODY GET THIS KID OUT OF THIS HEARTBREAKING STORY!!#demon in the wood #demon in the wood meta #meta #the darkling meta #the darkling #pro darkling #aleksander morozova #pro aleksander morozova #grishaverse #shadow and bone #baghra morozova

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solarmidnight · 2 months

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I'm sorry if I'm misinterpreting or just forgot something vital in these books, but do you think Kastor is responsible for Auguste's death?

To be perfectly honest with you, it may be me who's misinterpreting. But I highly doubt that the Regent's control over Kastor, and, as a result, Akielos, started when Kastor had Theomedes poisoned and Damen enslaved. I think this was the end result of years of the Regent's work.

With Laurent years from ascension age, the Regent had a long time to spin his spider's web, placing his pieces on the chessboard and learning how best to control each one of them.

And one of those pieces had to be Kastor, since there's zero reason that Damen, a legitimate son of the king, heir to the throne, would have moved against his own father for power; all he'd have to do is wait for Theomedes to come to his natural end.

The Regent can't exactly go in and have all the Akielon royalty killed; rather than giving the Regent the power, there'll just be another Akielon put on the throne, perhaps a distant cousin or something. Akielos will stay in Akielon hands because there'd be no need to transfer power to Veretian royalty. No, he needed someone very close to the main royal family, someone who bore a lot of resentment at being overlooked and overshadowed, denied what had been, for nine years, his birthright.

Someone like Kastor.

Whilst Kastor did not kill Vere's king, nor did he kill Auguste (thank you, Damen), in my mind Kastor bears some of the guilt because he was allowing the Regent into Akielos's court. He was conspiring against his own country. Perhaps not at first; maybe there was correspondence, maybe there were meetings away from both courts, but Kastor became one of the Regent's little birds.

He would have been talking to the Regent, letting him in on things. Kastor was tricked by both the Regent, and by Jokaste, indicating that he, like Damen, has no sense of trickery and deception. But unlike Damen, who began to learn and adjust, especially after he came to know Laurent who's basically a master of trickery and deception, Kastor did not learn.

Kastor was being played for the fool. The Regent had every intention of taking control of both Vere and Akielos and merging it into one country for him to rule over as king and have the ultimate power he craved.

It would not have been hard to see that Kastor resented Damen, resented Theomedes for overlooking him after nine years of being the crown prince. Someone like the Regent would have seen it. Kastor is an illegitimate child, which, to the Regent, is almost like being born a second son; once the crown prince ascends and has children, there's even more people between you and the throne.

Kastor wanted the throne so badly that someone like the Regent, who bore the same nigh uncontrollable thirst for power, would have seen it. And it left him wide open.

The scene where Kastor and the Regent are sitting side by side at Laurent's trial, and Kastor does not realise (but Damen does, thanks to three books' worth of learning how these mind games are played) that the Regent is controlling the whole room, leaving Kastor with very little political power, was enough to convince me of my theory.

Again, I could be entirely wrong, but these are just the conclusions I've drawn after reading the books a few dozen times over.

#captive prince #kastor of akielos #the regent of vere #damen of akielos #laurent of vere

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molsno · 8 months

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hey, sorry if this is out of line, but I'm a "theyfab" (pre-everything guy, waiting for top approval, rly sensitive to hormones so worried about t) dating a transfemme. I want her to feel loved and seen by me - she's also early in transition and I want her to know that me loving her as she is DOESNT mean I won't continue to love her as she grows and changes. She's pretty shy and her only trans girl friends are online. Anyway, I want to learn how to NOT be like the tme people you've interacted with. U can ignore this, but if u do have advice I'd love to hear it!

Also, I'm really sorry about the abuse you've endured. It's not fair. It's not acceptable.

hi, I honestly appreciate you asking for advice! that to me shows that you do really care about her and want to be good to her

I think the most important thing is to keep in mind that she's in an incredibly vulnerable and precarious position. it sounds to me like she doesn't have a big support network. it can be very hard to build something like that as a trans woman (especially early in transition) but it's something that's absolutely vital. a big problem that I think a lot of us face is becoming overly dependent on a tme person (or a few of them) which can be completely devastating if that person leaves. I think the best thing you can do to help her is to encourage her to make more friends of her own. ideally, they should NOT just be your friends that you're introducing her to. she needs to have friends and allies completely separate from you. you cannot do everything for her, nor should you be expecting/expected to - that's a fast way to make sure your relationship falls apart. above all - and this is key - is to understand that you don't own her. she's an independent person, and she deserves to have her own life and make her own choices about it

I feel I should also warn you that this is going to be a very tumultuous time for her. she is literally starting to undergo a second puberty, and it will be just as distressing, hormonal, and emotional as the first one. cut her some slack if she seems irritable or upset for seemingly no reason. for me and a lot of other trans women I know, this was one of the most dysphoria-inducing periods of our lives. it very well might be for her too. it's easy to be upset that the hormones aren't working, or that changes aren't happening fast enough, or that you'll be ugly or not feminine enough, etc. she may express doubts like this. offer her reassurance! it will take time for her to see the changes she wants to see, but they'll come. in the mean time, let her know whenever you notice changes in her. maybe you'll notice her skin is softer, or her hair looks more lush, or her face is rounding out, or her hips are getting wider. let her know that you see these things and compliment her. early transition can very well be a source of joy, if she's able to take pleasure in the little changes, and you can absolutely be a part of that process!

I don't know if your relationship involves sex, and I don't want to make any assumptions about how you two engage in it if so. however, this is a common experience I hear about, so I feel like I should tell you this. don't expect her to have sex with you like a cis man. not only can it be dysphoria-inducing to always have to top, her body will possibly not even be capable of that soon due to the effects of estrogen. if that's how you've been having sex up until now, you'll have to really reorient how you two do things. I haven't read it myself, but I've heard the zine "fucking trans women" by mira bellwether contains a lot of good information on this topic. you may find it useful! I think you can read it at this link, but I'm not sure. if any of my followers have a better link, go ahead and put it in the replies!

finally, and this is honestly just a good tip for relationships in general, listen to her. if she's upset about something, take her seriously and don't pass judgment on her. don't immediately jump on the defensive if she's upset about something you've done in particular. try to put yourself in her shoes and see things from her perspective. show her that she can talk to you about anything and you'll be receptive, and you'll be able to have open, honest communication much more often, which will lead to a much stronger and healthier relationship

thank you for sending this, and thank you for your reassurance about my own trauma as well. it really means a lot to me! it really helps me feel more optimistic to know that there are tme people who are willing to listen to us and be better allies to us. I think your girlfriend is very lucky to have you, and I hope you can both be happy together!

before I go, I know I'm not that knowledgeable about your personal situation, but I would say that if you think testosterone would make you happier, you should pursue it! if you can obtain it, there's nothing wrong with taking it for a week or two, seeing how it makes you feel, and then deciding whether or not to keep taking it based on that. either way, I wish you the best!

#ask #Anonymous

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final-girl96 · 6 months

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Broken World: Chapter Seven

By this time, Daryl was stomping towards me and grabbing me by the arm and dragging me off down to the lake. I pulled away from him and slapped him across the face. His head snapped to the side. He took a deep breath before looking at me, his blue eyes blazing with anger. "Don't you ever fucking touch me again!" I yelled. "The fuck is wrong with ya?! Air our business to everyone like that?!" He yelled back. "Oh, fuck you, Dixon! They all have a right to know! They have a right to know who they brought into their group."

"What the hell ya doin'?" He asked. I tilted my head in confusion. "What do you mean what am I doing here?" I asked. He pulled his lower lip in between his teeth and started chewing on it. "I went to your apartment the next day. Charlotte told me ya left, but she wouldn't tell me where you went. Ya been here in Atlanta the whole time?" I looked down at the ground, crossing my arms over my chest. "Yeah. I moved here to get away from that town. To get away from you since you no longer wanted me in your life. After all, I'm just some pig now."

I turned around and walked back up to the camp. Everyone was acting like nothing happened, but I could feel eyes on me as I walked past them all and went to my tent. I pulled my badge over my head and threw it at the cot. My hands found themselves locked together and raised to rest on the top of my head, my eyes were closed, and my head tilted back. "Knock knock." I rolled my eyes and turned around. "Is it alright I come in?" Shane asked.

"Yeah, what's up?" I asked. He stepped into the tent, taking his hat off. "You wanna explain to me what just happened?" He asked. I crossed my arms over my chest. "Well, Walsh, you let a criminal into your group, and I just outed him. I get he can hunt, and that's a vital skill to have in this situation. But he had no intention of sticking around. They were going to rob you. Now, don't get this twisted because Daryl…"

I took a deep breath and dropped my arms down at my sides. "Daryl is a good person. He's nothing like his father or his brother. He never got in trouble with the law. He had a job, but he would do anything for his family. It doesn't matter if he doesn't want to do what Merle wants. He'll still do it. Merle messes with his mind. He puts him down and tells him shit that's not true. Daryl might seem like he's an asshole and he sometimes is, but he's a completely different guy when Merle isn't around. If they're going to be here, then we need to keep a very very very close eye on Merle.

He nodded his head, "I've been keeping an eye on Merle, I figured he had a bad past he makes it known. I keep him around only because he and Daryl have the skill to hunt. Can I ask you something? It's kind of personal." I raised an eyebrow at him and took a step back when he stepped further into the tent. "What would that be?" I asked. "You and Daryl…were you two…a thing?" He asked.

"Not that it's any of your business, Office Walsh, but no. Daryl and I were best friends until we weren't. Now, if you don't mind, I'm going to go back out and help the girls finish dinner." He nodded, turned around, and walked out of the tent. I waited a few minutes before leaving the tent and going back to the girls.

Later that night, we sat around the fire, ate, and talked for a while. There was talk about whether we should put up signs on the highway into the city to warn people of how bad the city was. In the end, it was decided that it just wasn't safe and we shouldn't waste the gas we have. We also talked about getting more supplies. I learned that Glenn would always go by himself. He was the fastest of everyone and could get in and out with no problem, but he could only bring back so much at a time.

"Hey, Glenn!" I called, catching up to him. "Why don't you let me come with you on the next run. I know the city just as well as you, and I won't hold you up," I suggested. He took a moment to think about and let out a sigh. "Yeah, okay, but I don't want anybody else coming. And we don't go too far into the city." I nodded in agreement, "I'll follow your lead." After that, we went to our tents. Of course, I couldn't sleep. All I could think about was that Daryl was here, in Atlanta, and we somehow ended up in the same group of people.

Eventually, after laying on the cot for a few hours with no luck of sleep coming anytime soon, I got up and headed outside. Dale was on top of the rv, so I walked over and headed up on top with him. "Want some company?" I asked. He smiled at me and gestured for me to come sit beside him. I went over and sat down on the cooler they had up here. "Couldn't sleep, I presume."

I hummed in agreement, "Yeah, have a lot on my mind," I said. He looked out over the camp, directing his eyes at the Dixon brothers' tent. "So, you knew Daryl and Merle?" He asked. I looked down at my lap, "Yeah. Daryl and I used to be best friends. That was until I graduated college and went to the police academy. After that, he didn't really want anything to do with me," I told him.

Dale was an easy person to talk to. I hadn't known him for more than a day, but I knew I could trust him. I told him about my life before I moved to Atlanta, and he told me about his wife and how they used to live traveling all around the country. He told me about her cancer and how it progressed pretty quickly. That's how it went for the rest of the night. He gave me advice before he eventually left me, take over, keep watch, and go to bed.

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