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darylbae · 12 hours

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end of season 2 when the group escape hershel’s farm from the walkers, but they all get separated including daryl and his wife/girlfriend but they don’t realise until they have made it back to the highway. Daryl is all angry and just wants to find her. basically a bunch of angst w a maybe happy ending?

you can ignore this if you don’t like it 🖤

trouble — daryl dixon 🩰

in which you’re separated after the fall of the farm, and all daryl wants is you.

notes:

also this won't follow the show (except the desecration of the barn) as s2 was so long ago and i don't really remember it

guys i want him so bad

You don’t really remember how it all happened. A gunshot echoed in the field, the sound resembling a small bang to your ears due to the distance. And all Hell broke loose. You were with Daryl, sat with him on the staircase, just enjoying each other's company, a mumbled conversation between you. But you couldn't remember what about, now that you'd been handed a gun and sent out to the field to keep the walkers at bay. It was no use, you knew this from the start. But this group you've been attached to likes to hold onto the ideals of hope. Daryl had jumped onto his bike, trying to pick off a few with his crossbow in the distance. But they were closing in. You could no longer hear the rumble of his bike any more, the growls and moans of the dead succeeding anything else around you. You were almost out of ammo, the gunshots were attracting more towards you, so you'd relied on your knife and stamina to create a distance. It was no use. You told yourself this, repeating it in your head as you ran round towards the side of the house. Walkers surrounded you, there was no sight of anyone else, just cars driving off. They left, they fucking left. Even Daryl? The two of you hadn't been dating for long, but to leave without you? You prayed to God you'd survive to see Daryl and give him a slap. The barn burned bright in the distance, yet the smell of smoke invaded your nostrils even as you ran away from it. There were no vehicles around for you to drive away in, you had only your legs and your knives in each hand. Determined to survive the night.

Daryl had ended up on the outside of the farm, collecting Carol and driving off. But his mind stayed entirely on you, wondering if you were alive and fighting like you always have, or left to die through his own faults. He'd decided to head towards the highway, knowing people would regroup there, knowing you'd think to go there. Only to find him and Carol were the only ones. Daylight was breaking and still no sign of you. "Fuck!" He shouted, dismounting his bike and kicking the car beside him. He rubbed his face with his hands violently, thinking, believing you were alive. "Knowing Y/N, she is alive. You know what she's done to get here, there's no way she's gone." Carol tried to reassure him, which works more often than not. But where you were concerned, it was like talking to a brick wall. "She would've come 'ere." Daryl yelled, Carol looking around cautiously as sound attracted walkers. It was a small thought in his brain to get back on his bike and go back in search for you, but he knew how stupid that would be. He knew how smart you were, and tough, but he was getting desperate. He hadn't realized how much he cared for you until there was a chance you were gone. How he thought the world and more of you, how he worshipped the ground you walked on. To think it could all be gone, it scared him. "Let's carry on, Daryl," Carol whispered to him, her hand clutching the side of his arm, as a silent means of support. "We'll find them, we'll find her. I'm sure of it." He sulked against a car, arms crossed and mind distant, thinking about where you or anyone could be. "Why don't we leave something here? So they know we were here, hm?" Carol suggested. He didn't want to go. What if you were round the corner? But he knew Carol was right. You'd end up together, the world merged your paths for a reason. The two of them drew arrows on the dusty, dirty cars. This way, trouble. Daryl wrote on the bonnet of a car. He'd climbed back onto his bike once more, Carol behind him, and they sped off. It didn't feel right.

You could see the sun was coming up, you had no clue how long you'd been walking now. You were well away from the farm, the smell of smoke faint. You hadn't encountered any more walkers since then, but you were heading to the highway, hoping someone was waiting there. Otherwise, you were alone and unarmed except your two knives. You'd left the wooded area and come onto a road, the highway you'd all found yourselves on not too long ago. Your heart quickened, you felt hope. The thing that kept your group going, that you had lost when the world turned inside out. Your pace quickened, your walking turned to light jogging turned to full on sprinting. Please, someone be there. Tell me this wasn't all for nothing. Abandoned, rusted cars. Rubbish everywhere, everything was still and quiet. There was that familiar sinking feeling. What a stupid, fickle thing hope is. You felt like crying. You'd lost somewhere that felt stable, homely. And you'd lost the people that made you feel stable and homely. Your feet dragged along the highway, head hung low with little motivation to keep going. I need a break, you thought, leaning against a car and sighing heavily. It wasn't until you looked up to the car opposite you, seeing an arrow drawn into the debris of dirt and dust. You followed it, seeing every car had a collection of arrows pointing ahead. Your eyes caught the bonnet of a gorgeous, blue car. This way, trouble. That was Daryl. It had to have been. He was the only one to call you that. Something would always happen on the supply runs you'd do together, earning you the nickname trouble. And off you went, in the direction of the arrows. Yearning for the man you so desperately wanted to see again.

Daryl and Carol had stopped at gas station. Not to get gas, that was a thing of the past. But to wait. To find resources, to rest, to make a sign alerting you of his presence. He'd grabbed some markers, Carol climbing her way up to the price board outside of the gas station, and ripping out the numbers. She scrawled TROUBLE in massive letters, hope sitting on Daryl's heart at the sight of the word. His trouble, you, were on your way. He just knew it. "Okay, when did you know you liked Y/N?" Carol asked him, the two of them sitting with their backs against the doors, barricading themselves in this small, worn down store. He thought about it, struggling to remember a time he hasn't been die-hard in love with you. Who wouldn't be? You rocked up, covered in blood that wasn't yours, like a total badass. And more than that, you were kind, caring about the group that had welcomed you in, and you just understood him. He didn't need to act differently around you. "Well when she first turned up, I thought she was cool." Daryl remembered, and Carol could see the light in his eyes just talking about you. "But I remember us out lookin' for wood for the fire, and she wouldn't stop talkin'." He laughed, now the thought turned sour. He'd happily listen to you go on for hours about nothing, if it meant you were alive to do so. "And I ended up findin' all the wood, carryin' it all back myself," he added, "but it took me away from the world a little while. And I realized I needed that. I needed her." Carol rested her head on his shoulder, her work was done for the day. Once Daryl was in his little bubble thinking of you, he wouldn't be so gloomy.

Daryl being on a bike during this journey made this so much harder on you. Had he not realized that you'd be walking this distance? You huffed, hoping to find somewhere to stop for the night, and you could see where the trees cut off, a small building sat. The ache in your legs subsided, and you tricked your mind into coping with this journey easier Just gotta get to this tree. Now just gotta get to this tree. It had gotten you to the building, which appeared to be a gas station. And your eyes caught the price board, the world TROUBLE scribbled into it. He was here.

The pair had fallen asleep against the door, but the sound of gravel crunching outside had woken them up. Sleep never came easy, and it never stayed long. Daryl jumped up, reaching for his crossbow and squeezing it, peering out through the door where the glass would've been. And there you were. Finally, his dreams had physically appeared. His prayers had been answered. Your eyelids hung low, that was until you saw the familiar face of your love. He'd pushed open the doors, running over to you and holding you close to his body. Almost blending your bodies together. He just held you, arms smug around your waist, crossbow dropped to his feet. And you were sobbing into his shoulder, hands shaking as they found his face after your embrace. You wanted to make sure this was real, that he was real. His familiar, full of love eyes staring back at yours. You giggled, pressing a few small kisses to his cheeks. And you'd slapped his cheek, not too hard, like you promised yourself you would. You heard Carol laugh from behind him, covering her mouth to suppress the sound of her giggles. "I guess I deserved that." "Why did you leave me?" You choked out, his hands how on either side of your face, taking you in. You were like a tall glass of water in this upturned world. "I'm sorry, trouble," he apologized, and it felt like just the two of you in this world for a moment, the way he looked at you felt isolating, but in a good way, he made you feel like the only one that mattered. "I'm so sorry. I was mad and thought I lost ya." You sighed, just glad to be with him. With people again. "It made me realize I don't ever wanna lose ya." Daryl admitted, and Carol had returned inside, probably to get some sleep and give the two of you some space. "I want ya talkin in my ear forever, borin me to death with whatever ya goin on about." You giggled, just happy to be in his arms, and happy to have Daryl. "Do you know where Rick and everyone else is?" You asked, Daryl's arm around your shoulders as he led you inside. He just shook his head, knowing it was tomorrow's problem. "I'm so happy I found you guys," you mumbled against Daryl's leg. Your head was stationed there tonight, to get some rest for tomorrow's journey. "Get some rest, trouble." He spoke out, smoothing down your hair with his hands, leaning his head back against a wall to get some of his own. Whatever he had to deal with tomorrow, it didn't matter. He had you now, and he wasn't losing you again.

#daryl dixon x reader #daryl dixon incorrect quotes #twd daryl #the walking dead daryl #daryl dixon #daryl fanfiction #daryl x reader #the walking dead daryl dixon #twd daryl dixon #daryl x you #daryl dixion imagine #daryl x female reader #daryl dixon fanfiction #daryl dixon imagine

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littlecactiguy · 2 days

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Not the writing exercise I expected to do, but I've also been wanting to explore John and Arthur's dynamic (also when you keep all the short things you may write in the same scrivener file, it can lead to a sort of lottery on what gets written).

I am planning to return to what I'm now affectionately calling the 'John is a horse girl' au other snippets, but have this scene in the meantime.

AO3 Link

The bed dips. Arthur opens his eyes. As always nowadays, he sees nothing and no voice in his head describes what’s happening.

“John?” He cautiously puts out into the world, while one hand goes under his pillow for his knife.

The movement on the bed pauses. “Yes?”

Arthur lets go of his knife’s hilt. The voice may still be foreign, giving the one it belongs to a new set of lungs and vocal cords will do that, but he knows it regardless. He slides his hand back out from under his pillow and uses it to help prop himself up in a sitting position. “What are you doing?”

This pause is silent, but the hesitation in it is somehow very loud.

“It doesn’t make sense for us to sleep in different rooms,” John finally says, his inflection a smidge below defensiveness, but could easily escalate if challenged. “If we’re attacked, they could take one of us out and the other wouldn’t know about it until it’s too late.”

Arthur does consider arguing against the likeliness of them being attacked (they’ve lived a quiet life for months now with nothing happening). He also takes into account the likeliness of John finding the knife he keeps under his pillow (extremely likely), and decides against it.

“Alright, just stay on that side of the bed.” Arthur lies back down. He closes his eyes.

There is an element of reassurance in knowing his back is covered while he sleeps. While they both were in his body, knowing John was keeping an eye on things, so to speak, had been something Arthur had acclimated to without necessarily thinking about.

Being alone in his head again, even though his sight hasn’t returned to him with the change and he still sometimes had trouble remembering he had a whole second hand to control, does feel wonderful to Arthur. The almost claustrophobia of being trapped in such close proximity to another entity was beyond suffocating.

That said, the emptiness in his head that was left in John’s wake can echo. Arthur will, at times, say something expecting an answer, only to realize John, due to his not physically being in the room, cannot hear him. It’s…he doesn’t want to call it lonely, because Arthur certainly doesn’t want that situation back, but it is something.

Semi-relatedly, in the morning, when Arthur and John wake and find themselves a tangled mess of limbs as evidence their sleeping selves clearly did not adhere to quietly established boundaries, neither will actually say anything about it. The decision that they’ll go back to separate rooms will, once again, be made. Except, as it has so many times before, when it comes to that night, it will, once again, be broken.

#malevolent podcast #malevolent #john doe malevolent #arthur lester #jarthur #privateeyes #cacti creates

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astriiformes · 2 days

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Fellow historical costuming guys -- what are some of your favorite resources, especially for outfit inspiration? I'm having a rough time finding good examples of 1890s menswear for my Jonathan Harker costume, and would love to hear suggestions from other guys into costuming, especially since it feels like there's such a dearth of us.

Like, I know how to do the basics. I'm pretty good at research and tracking down patterns -- I know I'm planning on making a lounge/sack suit for this particular costume, and am currently deciding between two different options. It's the next step that's giving me trouble. I know it isn't the most exciting era for men's fashion, but I want to do a little personalization with the materials and colors, still within the bounds of historical accuracy, and to do that I want to look at actual examples for inspiration -- fashion plates, photographs, pieces in online museum collections, etc. I'm not having much luck finding very many though.

(I'd also just love to meet more guys into historical costuming in general, since it's one of my favorite hobbies but it gets a bit frustrating when all the resources are geared towards women!)

Any thoughts? Where do you look for inspiration? Are there any guys on other social media platforms I should know about? Communities worth checking out? Anything else fun or useful?

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sissylittlefeather · 8 hours

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@deltafalax Girl, you know I gotchu! This one took a minute to nail down, but I think it turned out okay. I hope you love this dirty little ficlet!

One Night (of Sin)

Warnings: 18+ minors DNI, age gap (everyone is legal, but reader's got a good 15 years on Elvis), kissing, cussing, oral sex (m receiving), swallowing, p in v penetrative sex, unprotected sex, stranger sex, creampie

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You've never been to the Presley home before, but their normal cleaning lady is out with the flu, so your boss asks you to step in. You agree for two reasons: you need the money and you're curious about the young man whose meteoric rise to fame has landed him in the lovely house on Audubon Drive. Still, you don't expect him to be there when you knock on the door.

"Well, hello." He smiles genially and then lets his eyes wander over you. "Can I help you?"

"I'm here to clean. Ida is sick, so I'm filling in."

"Oh, I'm sorry to hear she's not well. Not sorry you're filling in, though." Your eyebrows shoot up at his obviously flirtatious tone. "Come on in, honey."

You make your way into the house and look around. It doesn't look like there's too much to clean, but you make some notes as you survey the place. As he shows you around, you realize he's alone.

"Your folks aren't home?"

"Nah, they went to Tupelo to visit some family. Is that a problem?"

"Oh, no, that's fine. I just wondered. I suppose I'll get to work." He nods and makes his way to a recliner.

"Mind if I watch?" You blush, but he doesn't scare you.

"Elvis, I'm almost old enough to be your mother."

"Ah, but you're not quite, are you? And besides, you're a pretty little thing. I'm not worried about how old you are." You sigh and shake your head, smirking at him.

"You're trouble." A cocky smile spreads across his face as he drops into the chair and props his feet up.

"Not me, ma'am. I'm a good Christian boy."

"Mhmm. Now I'm gonna get to work."

"Do what you need to do. I'll stay out of your way." You nod and get to work, starting in the kitchen. The next room you move to is the living room and he's still in there lounging in his recliner. He watches as you move about dusting and wiping down trinkets. You feel his eyes on you and decide to push him a little.

"Elvis, honey, if you don't quit watching me, I'm gonna give you somethin' to look at." He sits up a little and smiles, one hand in his lap and the other at his lips.

"I bet you won't." You laugh out loud and look back at him slyly.

"I'm not the woman you want to play this game with."

"Oh, I think you are, honey." He sits up a little more and licks his lips. You shrug and drop your feather duster on the table. Then, you unbutton the front of your dress and slip it off of your shoulders, letting it fall to the floor. His mouth pops open, but his eyes sparkle with a devilish shine. He runs his gaze over you, taking you in as you stand there in your bra, panties, garter belt, hose, and shoes.

"Does this make you uncomfortable?" You ask with a false pout.

"Not at all. Keep going." He lays back again in the chair and puts his hand in his pocket. You have a sneaking suspicion he's got his hand on his cock, but you don't ask... yet. Instead, you unhook your garter belt and roll your hose down off of your legs. Then, you reach behind your back and unclasp your bra, letting it fall forwards off of you and onto the floor with your dress. As your breasts bounce free, he makes a noise in his throat that's somewhere between a moan and a grunt.

"Now are you uncomfortable?" He smiles again.

"Two can play at this game, doll." You watch as he unzips his pants and pulls out his rock hard dick, stroking it slowly in his hand. "Should I stop?"

"No, honey, you just keep doing what you're doing." You feel your panties get noticeably wetter as you watch him pump himself. He moans softly and uses his thumb to collect a bead of precum from the head of his cock. Your mouth begins to water, so you walk towards him. He watches as you approach and his breath hitches when you push the recliner down with your foot and settle between his knees.

"What're you doin'?"

"Does this bother you?" You put both hands on his knees and run them up toward the place where he holds himself in his hand.

"No..." He whispers, watching you carefully. Slowly, you lean forward and take him in your mouth. "Oh, fuck, baby."

You move up and down on him, opening your throat and pushing him into you fully, pressing your nose into the hair at the base of him. He groans again and his hips buck up into your warm, wet mouth. You back off of him for a bit.

"Should I stop?"

"Fuck, no, baby. Don't ever stop." He throws his head back and opens his mouth as you suck his cock. He's been with girls before, but never one as skilled as you when it comes to using your mouth. He runs his hand into your hair and holds it as he thrusts into your throat and your eyes water. You moan and the vibration almost pushes him over the edge.

"Shit, baby, that's good." You run your tongue up the bottom of his shaft and make a circle around his sensitive head. You go back to bouncing on him and he grunts.

"You wanna cum, honey?" You coo as you lick him.

"Fuck yes, doll. Yes, I do." His hips buck again and he whimpers. "God, don't stop."

You smile as you suck him, knowing he's close. After a few more seconds, he cusses loudly and throws his head back with his lips parted slightly. You feel him pulse and then he shudders and cums hard, shooting his release into your throat as you swallow it.

"Oh, goddamn, shit, fuck!" You swallow every last drop and he bucks into you, moaning and whimpering. When you finish and pull off of him, he tips your chin and looks into your face.

"Did I make you uncomfortable?" You smirk and ask innocently, satisfied that you've won the game. But he's determined.

"I'm winnin' this. Fuck." He stands up and grabs you, throwing you over his shoulder to carry you to the bedroom. You squeal and giggle as he carries you. He slaps your ass and then tosses you on the bed, stripping his clothes off quickly. You notice that he's still pretty hard, despite his earlier orgasm. Ripping your panties off and tossing them to the side, he climbs on top of you and enters you, pushing deep inside you in one move. You're shocked at how hard he is, but then you remember that he's 21 years old. Of course he's ready to go again. You moan and arch your back as he pounds you relentlessly.

"How's that, baby?" He whispers breathlessly.

"Yes! Yes! Elvis! Don't stop!" He groans as you wrap your legs around his waist while he slams into you. You feel his cock rubbing against your g-spot and you want to scream with the nearness of your orgasm. He grabs your legs and guides them until your calves are on his shoulders and he hits you so hard it feels like you might break in half, in the best way possible. The size of his cock is impressive and you feel every inch of him as he slides in and out of you passionately.

Two more thrusts and your orgasm slams into you, rushing through you from your core to your fingertips like so much electricity.

"Fuck! Elvis! Yes!" You scream as you cum on his dick. The feeling of you pulsing around him is enough to throw him over the edge again and he cums hard inside you, painting the inside of you with ropes of his hot release. He holds you to him, trembling, as he comes down from his high and kisses your forehead, your cheek, and then your mouth.

"Wow. Just... wow." He seems to be rendered speechless as he rolls onto his back next to you on the bed. You both lay there sweating and breathing heavily. As you move to get out of the bed, he grabs you and pulls you back down into the crook of his arm. "Where ya goin?"

"I figured your folks would be home soon and I still need to finish cleaning."

"Aw, no baby don't worry about that. Stay here with me. Talk to me." You look up into his face as he kisses your fingertips. The vulnerability on his face is surprising. He almost seems desperate for you to stay with him and it feels good to be in his arms, so you don't think twice. You settle in with him wrapped around you and his lips on your forehead and spend the next few hours talking until you both fall asleep.

The next morning, as you get up, he opens the door to retrieve your clothing from the living room. However, he's shocked to find them neatly folded in a pile outside his door, your feather duster sitting next to them.

"Shiiiit."

"What?" You call from the bed.

"My mother..." You walk over and see your clothes carefully folded. Your hand goes to your mouth and you have to suppress a laugh.

"Are we in trouble?" He looks at you somewhere between concerned and amused.

"I am. You better sneak out before she finds you here."

"Oh... okay..." He grabs you and pulls you in close to him.

"I'd let you stay, but she'll drill you with questions. Can I see you again?" You hesitate.

"I'm not sure that's wise."

"Alright, then." He kisses you deeply one last time before helping you sneak out of the house.

That wasn't what you were expecting at all when you agreed to clean the Presley house. Still, you wouldn't change it for the world. But damn, you left your feather duster. Looks like you'll have to go back sometime.

Elvis stands in his room with your feather duster in his hand, a smug look on his face. Now you'll have to come back.

******

The End

#elvis presley #elvis presley fanfiction #elvis #elvis fanfic #elvis presley fic #elvis smut #elvis presley x reader #elvis x reader #elvis fanfiction #elvis presley x y/n #elvis fic #elvis presley fanfic #elvis presley smut #elvis x y/n #elvis x you #elvis presley x you

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pudding-parade · 2 days

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I think I'm in trouble...

So there's this world I want to use for Purposes™. (Yoder's Glen, if anyone cares.) It's a small world, and it's nice and rural because it's supposed to be an "Amish" world, and it's pre-populated by "Amish" families whom I will mercilessly annihilate and also bulldoze the pre-built lots because I'mma do my own thing. But, it has a shiiiiiiiit-ton of "wild" not-on-a-playable-lot harvestable plants in it everywhere, and aside from the fact that a shit-ton of harvestable plants can cause a shit-ton of lag, I just don't want them there. For Reasons™. But, you can't remove them with Edit Town, for reasons I have never been able to understand. But I want to use this world. For Reasons™. So, CAW is needed. Problem: I have never used CAW. I was never able to get it running with my Origin install, probably because I used a non-standard install path for the game.

So I decided to see if could get CAW to work with my current arrrr'ed game install, which has a standard install path. And lo and behold, it worked. And then I did some Googling and miraculously (because my Google skills are shit) found out how to import downloaded worlds for which you do not have CAW files into CAW. So I did the thing and, holy shit it worked. So now I can remove all the wild harvestables in this world. And remove all the seed spawners that I also don't want. And add/remove/rearrange lots much more easily, which I also want to do.

However, I would also like the world to be a liiiiiiiitle larger. So now I'm thinking, "How hard could it really be to make a world instead of editing this one?" But I don't want to make worlds, for the same Reasons™ that I really don't want to learn how to generally make shit for TS3. But still. There's this whispering in my brain. "How hard could it be?"

So, someone please tell me that it's really, really, really hard and that I really, really, really shouldn't bother and that I really ought to just stay in my damn lane and stick to editing this one. While you're at it, tell me if it's possible to make the CAW window larger. Because this 1024x768 shit has to go...

(Also, hi. Sorry that I haven't been in much of a Tumblring mood. I have been playing TS3, though! Just, you know, saves that aren't fit for public consumption, as usual. I'm kinda feeling like building some shit, though, so maybe I'll have pictures of that at some point. Maybe. Or maybe I'll continue to be a hermit. Who knows?)

#i don't know how to tag this #so i'm not tagging it #except that I am I guess #whatever

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edutainer2022 · 2 days

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This was inspired partially by this whump prompt about bed sharing. Besides, I had advertised to @janetm74, @astranite and @idontknowreallywhy a sprained ankle for Scott after my own recent injury. This is one go at it of several I have in mind. A harmless late night conversation between Dad and Scott over the latter's bum foot leads into a wormhole of unexpected deeper anguish. Jeff has a lot of emotional revelations ambushing him upon return from Oort Cloud. But it all gets better. Jeff loves his eldest boy so, so much.

SLEEPLESS

He was miserable and in pain. But mostly stupid. His body burned through the painkillers, Virgil made sure he took for his sprained ankle, somewhere halfway through the movie. He didn't want to take more to be out of commission the next day. They were grounding him anyway, of course. Dad was taking over several conference calls with TI at The Desk as well, because apparently Scott was now only good for lounging on the couch cushions, his foot propped up. Dad's firm stare made that part non-negotiable.

Virgil and Alan were sound asleep after the movie, so they decided to leave them be, tucked in together with a throw blanket. Gordon had his hands full, literally, with a still wobbly from orbit and now sleepy John, helping him along to his rooms, and was likely to crash there too. Scott didn't want to worry Dad more with needing an anesthetic cream, so made his best to hide a wince, a gasp, and a limp, before making it upstairs and bidding Dad good night. A detour to the bathroom to rumage through his own med-kit seemed like too much trouble. He's been through worse pain. He'd be fine.

So now Scott was wide awake in bed, every minute move, twist or tug of his foot - a pure liquid fire of agony on pulled and inflamed tendons. A bathroom with the coveted anesthetic now seemed a whole world away. He felt miserable and stupid, and lonely, and maybe wanted to cry a little. And for someone to come over and help, but he wouldn't ever dare worry them or take away from their rest. He opted for a grunt and some angry squinting against treacherous tears. He'd glare daggers at someone, but he would need a mirror for that.

In answer to his thoughts a door hissed open. From the size of the silhouette Scott first thought it was Virgil, checking up on him. But the steps of the visitor were heavier. Slower. Dad!

Jeff wasn't using his cane for the short trip to his son's room. He had a tube of sports anti-inflammatory gel in one hand, likely, from his own medical kit on hand. Dad perched carefully at the foot of Scott's bed and yanked the cover up, pulling the bruised and swollen foot into his lap. All without a single word. Scott tried to squawk in protest.

"Dad! I'm fine! You don't have to!"

The soothing gel was cool on the skin. Dad's hands cool too, careful and daft.

"C'mon, Bluejay, you should know better by now. I haven't been around lately, but I've been doing this a while, son. I KNOW when you're in pain!"

"How did you know I wasn't asleep, Dad?"

Jeff chuckled at that, giving the injured ankle another gentle pass and a knead with his fingers.

"Dad-radar. A bit rusty but ever true!"

Scott exhaled in relief as the applied anesthetic was already taking the edge off, and relaxed against his pillow. It felt so good to have Dad so casually take care of him. It felt so safe and comforting, he immediately felt guilty. He should be the one taking care of Dad, exhausted by his ordeal and still recovering. He should be putting up an unwavering front, not a wobbly bum foot.

Jeff considered his handywork, gave Scott's knee a pat for good measure and tucked the covers back, but not before shifting Scott's foot carefully on a couch throw pillow, installed in his bed by Gordon the day before, for elevation. Dad put the cream away on the bedside table and loomed over Scott again.

"Now, kiddo, I can give you another pill for the night. I know your system burns through them like Thunderbird One through fuel. But just one."

Dad's posture went tense, his eyes darker, even in the shadows. Scott's heart constricted as a sudden guess occurred - a memory of him nearly overdosing that one time his body (and mind) was so stressed and he was so desperate to just GET BETTER ALREADY after THAT PLACE, was probably a lot fresher for Dad than for himself or his brothers after... everything. It WAS an accident, but maybe Dad never quite shook the shadow of a horrific doubt.

Scott shook his head. No pills.

"I'm good! Thanks, Dad."

The last part came out small. Timid.

Dad's features relaxed and he moved to sit back down on the bed and lean on the headrest.

"OK! Now scoot over, Bluejay!"

A pillow was yanked from beneath Scott's head and rested on Dad's lap. Jeff patted it, inviting Scott to relocate. Scott tried to protest again, but large hands were already guiding his head and shoulders onto the pillow. Fingers automatically raked through his ungelled hair. Dad's other hand landed on his shoulder, rubbing soothing circles. Scott shifted carefully not to pull his ankle again and curled into a ball, like a giant cat in Dad's lap. He felt so snug. So safe. Of course the ugly mug of shame reared again.

"Dad! You need to rest!"

"And I do rest. See? No prancing around."

Dad wiggled his toes in garish neon green socks with alien head prints, now perched on Scott's comforter, comically. There was a smile in his voice. But the palm on Scott's shoulder tightened in a soft, but pointed squeeze.

"You need to rest too, Bluejay. Or you can tell me why you haven't been sleeping, if you want."

Scott's whole frame froze for a moment. He tried to deflect with a quip - that hardly failed.

"My foot hurts!"

Jeff rubbed his palm up and down his son's arm for comfort.

"I know, kiddo. But you haven't been sleeping for some time before that. That's why you got a cramp on your run, that's why your leg gave, and you twisted and sprained that ankle."

Scott coiled tighter on himself, facing away from Dad, eager to spring and run. Run away from that conversation - bum foot or not.

Jeff sensed the son's tension and shifted his ministrations to small circles over the young man's upper back.

"I told you I've been doing this a while, son. Your sleepless tells are kinda my forte since you were two days old."

Silence stretched. What Jeff missed through Scott's childhood, he certainly compensated a thousandfold after Scott was retrieved from THAT PLACE and could barely make it through an hour of sleep, plauged by nightmares and memories. Eight years stranded in space didn't dull Dad's instincts - Scott, indeed, hadn't been sleeping, unless passed out with exhaustion, ever since the Zero-XL mission came back. How could he?!

A rugged breath came out with barely audible words:

"I was late."

Jeff's hand hovered over his shoulder.

"Come again?"

Scott squeezed his eyes shut and drew in more air.

"I was late to save you! The planetoid was already falling apart, and you weren't there! I was late! I failed you! I should have come sooner! I should have never stopped looking! I should have..."

Eventually he was heaving dry sobs, close to hyperventilating, blurring disjointed apologies out.

Dad was now clutching him with both arms, rocking in cadence with Scott's full body shivers. Arms, treacherously weakened by years in low gravity, struggled to pull the lean muscle mass of the son's body close to his chest. Jeff settled for tugging gently at Scott's upper arm to coax him to look up at the father.

"Can you look at me, Bluejay? Please! Look at Dad!"

Jeff's voice was hoarse, toned down in a long forgotten habit not to startle. He also didn't quite trust it not to quiver, shellshocked by the boy's anguish.

A blue eye, clouded with tears, finally peeked up at him. Then Scott reluctantly uncurled from a ball and twisted sideways to face Dad. That was a win.

"Look at me, Bluejay! Stay with me! Good. Good! Where am I?"

Scott blinked owlishly once, twice, processing the question. When understanding hit the pain flared up again. He tried to hide it beneath lowered lashes, but Jeff was relentless.

"Where am I right now, Scotty? Indulge me!"

Scott sighed.

"You're here, Dad."

"And how did I get here, son?"

Jeff took a moment to grab a sleeve of his hoodie - Scott's old hoodie, to be precise, now almost swamping his father's frame - and wipe the tears from his son's cheeks and chin.

Another sigh was accompanied by a dismissive flail.

"It's not... I was LATE, Dad! I promised Alan and I couldn't bring you back! I nearly lost you!"

"That's not quite how I remember it, Bluejay. You were tumbling past me into the void among all those boulders."

That certainly topped the charts of the vivid images that kept the father up at nights quite often. The fact that Scott stayed behind alone in the danger zone, having sent Allie away, against all protocols, would have to be a conversation for a different time. For a different time of the day, for sure. For now he had a different matter at hand.

"Scotty, there's no scenario, universe or timeline, where I would choose my own life over yours! Or your brothers'. I'm here. I'm home. You got me here, because you stayed strong and true. You kept IR going. You kept our family going. You kept the company going. You spared no effort or expense to build Zero-XL. You led your brothers and you saved me. Dad's right here! I've got you, son! I love you so much! You can rest now!"

That too would have to be a far longer and even more emotionally wrought conversation, once the sun was up. It might need to involve Dr. Ross, the family psychologist, who'd already wondered tentatively if Scott wanted to resume therapy after Jeff's return, or if Jeff would consider father-son sessions to work through their new dynamics. But that too would have to wait till dawn.

For now the interim goal was almost accomplished. Scott's blinking became slower, his breathing more even. Jeff rejoiced when he managed to cradle the boy's head against his chest, as Scott folded into a cuddle after some careful prodding. Broad shoulders going limp in Dad's firm hold heralded him finally succumbing to slumber after weeks, possibly months of guilt-infused insomnia. But a father had too much on his mind to sleep just yet.

#thunderbirds are go #scott tracy #scott tracy needs a hug #scott tracy needs his dad #jeff tracy #jeff tracy needs a front row seat to his son’s angst #thunderbirds 2015 #my fic #methinks i have astronomy

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radioisntdead · 2 days

Note

Hi I was wondering if your still doing requests could you do a platonic angel dust x fem reader with some fluff and angst in it

Good evening my dear! I didn't know if you wanted anything specific so I did headcanons I hope you don't mind but if you wanted a oneshot then just send in another request and I can write somethin'

Angel dust friendship headcanons

Warnings: Valentino is mentioned, drugs, addiction etc etc, MILD SPOILERS FOR BOJACK HORSEMAN, reader is low-key drug dealer coded [That is not a sentence I thought I'd ever say]

I'm leaning heavily towards best friend headcanons because those are fun! I imagine you, Cherri and Angel, trouble trio, partners in crime, etc etc

I imagine the two of you met because while he sold his soul and works for Valentino you work for Velvette, whether you still have your soul or not is up to you.

Getting the angst out of the way right off the bat, pre-hotel

Y'all are hellbent on destroying yourselves for different reasons, You wanting to forget that there are people you left behind when you died, people you will never, ever see again and it destroys you bit by bit and maybe if you destroy yourself enough you can forget them, and Angel, well Valentino is all I have to say.

The two of you go on week long benders, if y'all have seen Bojack horseman I'm imagining it's like when Bojack and Sarah Lynn went on that bender but less horrible, like you have cocaine in your walls.

Angel dust has a horrible, horrible day because of Valentino? You're right there with alcohol and whatever else you or Cherri got your hands on.

After hearing about Angel dust joining the hotel you decided to join right after, you didn't have anything better to do and redemption while being a pipedream by a delusional princess, didn't sound too bad!

The two of you give Vaggie a headache, Angel dust with the sex jokes and you making a bunch of drug related jokes or trying to sell drugs out of the hotel.

You gave Husk catnip one time [WITH CONSENT]

You and Angel dust have movie nights watching trashy romcoms, soap operas, etc etc

I can definitely see Angel dust watching soap operas and making fun of them OR getting concerningly invested.

Y'all have matching best friend outfits, like y'all will sometimes match in similar outfits or do opposite aesthetics.

Makeup days! Either y'all end up doing the most ridiculous looks on each other [like clowns, animal paintings etc etc] or y'all do proper make-up looks on each other that slay.

I can see you tormenting the hotel with this song in particular [note ITS BEEN THREE YEARS SINCE THIS SONG CAME OUT??? I REMEMBER I WAS THERE WHEN IT FIRST CAME OUT WTH also I shouldn't have been watching gameplays of onlycans at 15ish?? LMAO]

Angel dust approves, he has it as his ringtone for you.

BEST FRIEND BONDING DAYS

Y'all go out to eat, commit some vandalism with Cherri, buy clothes etc etc

WING MAN WING MAN YOU ARE HIS WINGMAN WOMAN WHATEVER.

I imagine after you get healthier and get sober you head into more healthy coping mechanisms, like I mentioned you work for Velvette, try your hand at more then just whatever you do with her, draw designs, make your own clothing etc etc

If you make your own clothing Angel Dust is your go-to model.

Good evening folks! I need to take a nap! As always thank you for tuning in!

#hazbin hotel x reader #hazbin hotel x you #angel dust & reader #hazbin hotel angel dust x reader #angel dust x reader

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photogirl894 · 3 days

Text

Sun and Rain Part 2: Age of the Empire

Chapter 32

"The Gamble"

A "Bad Batch" fanfic!

Pairing: Hunter x fem OC, Echo (more best friend pairing)

A/N: Well, I know I said I was gonna wait until all my celebration requests were done...but turns out, I lied! 😜 I got hit with inspiration for this chapter and I was starting to miss it, so I went ahead and wrote the chapter anyway! I'm sure a lot of you are complaining 😜

Plus, it's just all been on my mind since season 3 ended and man, I am gonna miss this show so freaking much, but this story will continue on! We've still got a long way to go and a lot of things yet to happen; lots of twists and turns still to be revealed in the future 😆

Enjoy this, my loves!! It's a little shorter than normal, but fun nonetheless!

Taglist: @the-sad-batch , @nimata-beroya , @intrepidmare , @legolkenxbi , @tech-aficionado

@ladykatakuri , @d1n0-dan , @sammi9498 , @darthzero22 , @scarlettrose9901

@thebadbatchscyare , @chxpsi , @ilikemymendarkandfictional , @4pplecider , @locitapurplepink

@l-lend , @nekotaetae , @eternalwaffle , @merkitty49 , @avathebestx

@idoubleswearimawriter , @techs-stitches , @fantasyproductions , @sverdgeir , @totallyunidentified

《 Chapter 31

》 Coming soon!

All chapters (Part 2) (Part 1)

Explanation: Risks are taken when Omega decides to take on dejarik matches for money.

When Kimber, Omega and the Koriena Force returned to Cid's parlor, they found the building empty save for Cid sitting at a table with Bolo and Ketch, all of them in the middle of a game of dejarik.

“Wow, I think we're gonna have trouble finding a seat, girls. It's packed to the walls in here,” Rina remarked loud enough for Cid to hear after taking a drag of sweetblossom from her vape mod.

“I know, it's amazing how popular this place is right now,” Kimber added sarcastically.

Cid looked up at them, displeased at their remarks. “Ha ha, you all are hilarious,” she responded flatly.

As the ladies filed in, Irys informed Cid, “Jido's credits have been acquired and have been transferred to your account.”

“Let me double check, make sure it's actually there,” Cid replied, leaning over and picking up a datapad from right next to her.

“You doubt my skills?” Irys questioned.

“Or our credibility?” Kimber added.

With a sneer, Cid snapped back, “I don't trust anybody, especially when it comes to my money.”

When she went back to her datapad, Kida asked in comment, “Honestly, ladies, should we have expected anything else?”

Sighing with defeat, Lex answered, “Probably not.”

A few seconds passed and then Cid declared, “Would ya look at that? You ladies came through.”

“Doubt doesn't become you, Cid,” Kimber said back.

“And I believe you owe part of that to us for getting it for you,” Rina reminded Cid.

Waving them off, Cid said back, annoyed, “Yeah, yeah, don't get your britches in a twist, Shortstacks. I'll get to it after I finish this game.”

“Ugh, well, in that case, let’s hit the bar, girls,” Lex suggested, waving them over in the direction of the bar. “And Omega, I’ll grab you some juice. We hid a bottle for you behind the bar.”

“You’re the best!” Omega praised gladly as she took a seat on a barstool.

Lex went ahead and grabbed a couple different bottles and started pouring them into cups for everyone as they all sat down.

“To another job well done,” said Kida, raising her glass and everyone touched their glasses together in toast to their success.

As they took sips of their drinks, they heard Bolo behind them exclaim to Ketch, “You got her cornered!”

“Oh yeah, I’m real scared,” Cid replied mockingly.

The girls all turned in their chairs to watch, curious to see how the remainder of the dejarik game would go.

As Cid contemplated her next move, Ketch taunted her, “Delay all you want, you’re not getting out of this one.”

Cid moved to press a button on the table when Omega suddenly spoke up, “I wouldn’t do that.”

Kimber and the Koriena Force all looked down at her curiously.

“Hear that? We got an expert here,” Cid said snidely before rolling her eyes and going ahead with her move anyway.

Her piece in the holochess game moved around on the board, but ended up getting knocked down by Ketch’s piece and it disappeared.

Bolo laughed triumphantly and declared, “She’s done for!”

“I told you,” Omega said with snark that made the girls grin.

“You kinda suck at this, Cid,” commented Rina.

Kimber chuckled quietly as she took another drink. It was kind of nice seeing Cid get knocked around for once.

Looking to Omega and ignoring Rina, Cid asked, unamused, “Well, expert…what should I do next?”

Omega slid off her barstool and walked over to the table.

Leaning over to Kimber, Lex whispered, “This ought to be interesting.”

Omega proceeded to press a couple buttons on the console and then looked up as Cid’s dejarik piece knocked out Ketch’s piece easily, earning her the win. Bolo and Ketch weren’t happy about it; Bolo told Ketch he blew it while Ketch blamed Bolo for telling him to bet everything, so the two of them decided to take their disagreement outside. While that was happening, the ladies were all impressed with Omega’s easy win on Cid’s behalf.

“How’d you know to do that, kid?” Rina asked her.

With a casual shrug, Omega responded, “It’s a strategy game. I’m good at strategy.”

“Well, I’ll be…,” commented Kida.

“How good?” Cid asked her, a sly grin curling up on her scaly mouth. “Enough to uh…win some matches for some money?”

Kimber opened her mouth to reply, but Omega spoke up first: “Depends. What’s my cut?”

“Omega, no. You cannot be serious,” Kimber protested.

Ignoring Kimber, Cid told the kid, “Thirty percent.”

Wasting no time, Omega fired back, “Sixty.”

“Ohhh, she knows how to hit where it hurts. Way to go, kid,” commented Rina.

“Don’t encourage her,” Kimber chided her.

However, she heard Cid say, “Deal,” in response to Omega and said she’d start getting some matches set up before heading back in the direction of her office.

“Cid, you are not going to exploit a child to try and make more money for yourself,” Kimber stated, bolting up from her barstool.

Turning back over her shoulder, Cid shot back, “Hey, the kid agreed to it, Dollface. You wanna argue with somebody? Talk to her. I got some matches to set up.” Then without waiting for anything further, she went into the back hall towards her office, which only irritated Kimber even further.

Behind her, Irys said, “It’s not a terrible idea to make some extra credits.”

“That doesn’t matter. I don’t want Cid to take advantage of Omega and besides, Hunter said he wanted her to keep a low profile.”

Then she noticed Omega walking up to her and the young girl said to her, “I have a plan, Kimber. Don’t worry.”

Folding her arms, Kimber questioned her, “What is your plan?”

“I want to still help the squad even though I’m not on the mission with them. We didn’t get any of the weapons we were going to sell from Bracca, so we still have a debt we owe to Cid,” said Omega. “I can maybe help pay off part of the debt by doing these matches, which is why I asked for a sixty percent cut. That should get us a good amount to help pay Cid back.”

“I like the way you think,” said Lex before taking a swig of her drink.

Looking to Kimber, Rina put in, “That’s actually not a bad plan, boss lady. The kid knows her stuff. Might as well put that brain of hers to good use. If she wants to help, I say you let her.”

Kimber still was unsure. She despised the thought of Cid using Omega for any sort of gain, especially after her remarks earlier about trying to get free labor out of the girl. Even though Omega’s intentions were good, she worried Cid would try and pull a fast one on them, like taking more money than what was promised or making Omega do something that wasn’t part of the agreement. Kimber didn’t trust the Trandoshan for anything.

However, looking back down at Omega, she saw there was a pleading look in her bright brown eyes that made her heart drop just a little.

“Please, Kimber,” Omega insisted. “I want to do my part. I want to help our friends.”

Kimber sighed, knowing it was hard to say “no” to Omega sometimes. “Oh, all right…,” she relented, “but I’m keeping a close eye on both you and Cid. I don’t trust her to not pull any tricks.”

“Don’t worry, princess. None of us trust her either,” Lex said.

“You’ll have plenty of eyes on both Omega and Cid,” added Kida.

Irys slipped off her barstool and said to Omega, gesturing with her head to the dejarik table, “Come on, Omega. You and I can get a couple practice games in to prepare you.”

Omega gleefully agreed and ran over to take a seat.

“Be warned, though: Irys is also a pretty decent strategist herself,” said Lex.

With a look of confidence on her face, Omega replied, looking at Irys, “You’re on.”

While those two were starting up a game and Lex and Kida gathered around to watch, Kimber walked out of the parlor for a moment, needing some air and just some time to think. She limped to the top of the stairs, her leg still on the mend, sidestepped in front of the wall and then leaned back against it, letting out a sigh. She trusted Omega, but she still wasn’t sure about this gambling plan the girl had up her sleeve. Omega was confident, but Kimber still feared the plan would maybe backfire.

“Credit for your thoughts, boss lady?”

The smell of sweetblossom accompanied the sound of Rina’s voice and Kimber turned to see her reaching the top of the steps and looking her way.

“I don’t know about this plan, Rina,” Kimber confided in her. “I’m afraid Cid might try to trick us or Omega. I don’t like the thought of her using the kid like this.”

“Hey, child exploitation is no laughing matter,” Rina said back, “but Omega wants to do this. It’s her call. Frankly, I think she should’ve pushed for seventy-five percent.”

“Rina…!” Kimber scolded her.

Rina held her hands up defensively. “I’m just sayin’. It wouldn’t have hurt to milk a little extra out of old Scales.”

Kimber snickered. “Scales…that's new,” she commented. Then she let her head fall back against the wall again. “Am I doing the right thing? Hunter didn’t want her to draw attention to herself and I’m supposed to mind her while the boys are gone. I see why she wants to do this, but…I just don’t know.”

After taking another inhale of sweetblossom from her mod, Rina stepped closer to her. “I get your concerns. The kid’s your priority and you wanna do right by the Sarge…but Omega’s also her own person and she’s made her choice. She wants to help out, even though she’s been sidelined. This can be a great opportunity for her to prove herself and, if things go south, she’ll learn from it. Not to mention she’s got the Koriena Force watching her back. As long as she's not betting the ship, she'll be fine...plus, I haven't seen Scales take any fingers or limbs as a down payment.”

“Rina!” Kimber chided her, unamused.

“Sorry, sorry,” Rina apologized. She then laid a hand on Kimber’s arm. “Look, if Lover Boy gives you any grief for this, you know we’ll back you up, if needed. We’ve got your back and Omega’s. Gambling in and of itself is a risky business. Some people get real shady with that stuff.”

“You sound as if you’re speaking from experience,” Kimber remarked.

Rina scoffed a bit in disgust. “Not my own experience, but my old man's,” she replied. “He ended up with a lot of gambling debts which made him turn to smuggling in order to pay them off. He dealt with a lot of messed up people…including the likes of the Pyke Syndicate.”

“You’re serious?” said Kimber.

Nodding, Rina answered, “Uh-huh. Got in too deep with them and now, he owes more to the Pykes than he does to any of his gambling debts.”

“That's a shame.”

“Meh, it is what it is. He made his bed and then he got to lie in it. Ain’t my problem. The only thing all that taught me was to never mess with the Pykes. They're worse than bad news.”

“Well, good thing the Pykes won’t ever come here.” Kimber then looked up to the sky and her hand came up Hunter’s necklace lying against her chest, wondering how he and the boys were doing on Raxus.

Once again, she felt Rina’s hand on her arm and a light wave of calm seemed to wash over her. “Relax, Kimber,” Rina told her. “Everything’s gonna be fine. Omega is confident in her abilities; I think she’ll do us proud. If things go wrong, then she’s got us. You’re not dealing with this alone, you know that.”

Feeling content with Rina's reassurance, Kimber reached up and grasped Rina's arm, smiling gratefully.

Then Rina added, “Plus, you're turning into the Sarge with how worried and protective you're getting over the kid, so it's my job to tell you to lighten up.”

“I'm sorry, can you blame me?” Kimber asked in reply. “With Hunter not here, I'm just extra anxious, especially regarding Cid, that's all.”

“Are you gonna be this high-strung by yourself when you guys have smols of your own?”

“Whoa, now! We're nowhere near close to that point, so don't jump the gun on me.”

“I'm just sayin’...you gotta get a hold of yourself.”

“I know, I know….” Kimber then gave Rina a light, friendly jab in the shoulder. “Thanks for always looking out for me.”

In response, Rina playfully punched her arm back a little harder, reminding Kimber a lot of Wrecker, which was fitting. “Hey, Lex said it once and now, I'm gonna say it again: we're part of the Koriena Force. Like the wolves we're named after, we're in this pack for life.” Then she took another inhale from her mod and gestured back to the stairs with her head. “Come on, let's get back inside and help your kid get ready to kick some butt in dejarik.”

Shaking her head, Kimber said back, “She's not my kid.”

“Yeah, she is,” Rina immediately replied.

Kimber simply grinned as she followed her friend back inside.

Within a couple hours, Omega had won five matches.

By the end of the day, she'd won twelve.

Within the next couple of days, she'd won over a hundred.

The girl was on fire and the Koriena Force were cheering her on and encouraging her the entire time. It was impressive seeing how skilled at strategy Omega actually was. Even the cockiest and confident of opponents were beaten by her, which took their confidence down by a bit being beaten by a young kid. A couple people tried to pick fights, but the ladies were quick to either get them to back down or give them a good beating before throwing them out. Lex was certain she accidentally broke one guy’s nose because, out of habit, she threw a punch with her cybernetic hand. They weren’t going to let anyone mess with the kid.

Naturally, she was raking in the credits with all the bets being placed on her, which seemed to make Cid a bit more appreciative, to say the least. Appreciative of more money, anyway. Over the course of the couple days, Omega had accrued more than enough credits to pay off the Bad Batch’s debt, which made her happy. She was able to do something good for her brothers while not being on the mission with them. Despite the reservations she’d had previously, it made Kimber glad to see Omega feeling good about herself and what she’d done.

One match had started with a Pantoran man and the stakes were high. A lot of money was on the line because the man was a renowned dejarik player who was confident he would finally be the one to take Omega down. Tons of people who had either been in over the last couple of days or had heard word on the street about the dejarik matches were watching, cheering on both the Pantoran and Omega.

The match was nearing its end with only possibly a couple moves left. Both players had two pieces left on the holoboard. Cid stood beside Omega, her hands on the kid’s shoulders as she watched closely. Kimber stood on Omega’s other side with the rest of the girls next to her to keep the onlookers in line.

“No one can stop this kid!” one guy cheered in the crowd.

Kimber looked over her shoulder to see a few more people had entered into the parlor…including a few familiar faces that made her smile.

The Clones had returned from Raxus.

Most of them looked either curious or pleased to see Omega in her element…but Hunter didn’t exactly look enthused about the situation as Kimber spotted him shaking his head indifferently.

The Pantoran man clicked a button with a smug grin on his face. One of his pieces moved forward and took out one of Omega��s, leaving him with two and her with one. The onlookers all gasped and murmured in awe at what had happened and with wonder at how Omega was going to retaliate.

“Take him out, kid,” Rina encouraged her.

After studying the board for a few seconds, Omega looked up at the Pantoran and got a smug grin of her own. She hit the buttons on the console and her last remaining piece proceeded to take out both of his two, securing her the win. Everyone cheered excitedly for her while the Pantoran looked shocked at being beaten and then abruptly left.

“Well done, Omega! You sure showed him,” commented Kida, giving Omega a pat on the arm.

It was then Omega happened to catch sight of Hunter and the others and, after greeting them with a wave, she slid off her stool and ran over to see them while Cid informed the crowd that the matches were over and there were to be no more bets and she shooed the crowd out. Kimber and the rest of the ladies made their way over to greet the Clones, as well.

Wrecker swept Omega off the ground and settled her on his arm as he exclaimed with pride, “Kid, where’d you learn to do that?”

“She’s a natural. I’ve never seen anything like it,” said Cid as she approached them.

“Truly, she is an intelligent and gifted child. You all should be proud of her,” Irys added.

Omega beamed with gladness at their compliments.

However, Hunter looked up at her and remarked, almost annoyed, “I told you to keep a low profile. This is the opposite.”

“Hunter, we can explain,” said Kimber.

Though, before she could, Cid gave Hunter a shove back and scolded him, “Ease up, Bandana. Omega made enough money to pay off the debt you boys owe me, so try showing a little gratitude to my friend.”

“She’s got you there, Sarge,” Rina commented.

As Cid walked over and greeted another man behind them that Kimber assumed was the Senator of Raxus and his Droid, the rest of the Clones followed them back to Cid’s office. Wrecker set a dejected Omega down, but roughly shoulder-checked Hunter as he walked by him, gesturing to the kid with his head and giving Hunter a glare that told him he needed to talk to Omega.

“Well, ladies, I think that’s our cue to leave,” said Lex to the rest of the Koriena Force.

“You want us to stick around and back you up?” Rina asked Kimber in a low voice.

She shook her head. “No…Omega was my responsibility and I supported this decision, so I’ll handle it.”

Kida laid a hand on Kimber’s shoulder and told her, “We’ll see you all back at the Aurora later then.”

Kimber gave her a nod and the rest of the ladies exited the bar, but not before Rina punched Hunter in the arm as they walked out.

He looked to Kimber, looking lost on what to do or think.

“She had good intentions,” was all she said. Then she gave him a reassuring smile and motioned with her eyes towards Omega, who was beginning to walk away with her head low, urging him, as well, to just talk to the kid.

Then he turned over his shoulder and asked, “You really paid off our debt?”

Omega stopped in place and said, without looking back at him, “I wanted to be useful…even if I couldn’t go on the mission.”

He hummed contemplatively and turned to Kimber before grinning, which slightly startled her. Then he declared, “How about we put those strategy skills to the test?” As Omega turned around to look at him, he walked over to the dejarik table and said, “One match. If you win, then no more sitting out on missions.” He set his helmet down on the ground and turned the table on, signaling with his head for Omega to come join him.

Now with renewed excitement, she ran over and sat on his other side.

‘You ready for this?” he challenged her.

She replied back with a confident grin, “Are you?”

Kimber smiled with gladness at them. It made her proud to see Hunter beginning to broaden his mind in regards to Omega’s choices and being willing to include her more as part of the squad. Even though the condition of her not being left out of missions was her winning, she knew Omega would win. Whether it was on her own--which, more than likely, it would be--or Hunter would let her win. She could see in his eyes that he had no intention of leaving the kid behind again.

Watching them play their match gave Kimber yet another small glimpse of what a possible normal life could look like for them. Sitting around a table and playing games like a normal family…it brought a light tear to her eye.

Suffice it to say, Omega beat Hunter at the match easily.

The rest of the squad came out of Cid’s office just as the game was over and Omega happily exclaimed as she saw them, “I won! I don’t have to sit out on missions anymore!”

“Well done, kid,” replied Echo proudly. “Glad to have you back on board.”

“I assume Kimber shall be joining us again soon, as well?” Tech inquired.

“I believe so. My leg’s feeling much better after taking some time these last couple days and some of Kida's bacta salt treatments,” Kimber replied, “so I think I should be good to go.”

Wrapping his arm over her shoulders, Wrecker responded, “Good ‘cause we’ve missed you.”

“Come on, then. Let’s get to the Aurora and meet up with the girls,” suggested Echo, making his way toward the door with Tech.

“Good. I need some kisses from my girl after that mission,” said Wrecker, grinning as he followed.

Kimber went to walk after them, but was stopped by Hunter grabbing her hand. She turned back to him and found him eyeing her closely.

In a low, gravelly voice, he told her, “Wrecker's not the only one who needs a kiss from his love.”

She smiled even wider as she obliged him, stepped closer and pulled him in for a kiss, his hand cradling her cheek as he returned the gesture.

“Thank you for looking after Omega,” he told her when he pulled back. “I know I wasn’t pleased with what I saw when we walked in, but…I should’ve known things were under control because you were here.”

“Indeed. You should have a little more faith in us, darling,” she responded. “That and we had the Koriena Force with us.”

He chuckled. “Well, that doesn’t always inspire confidence.”

“Don’t let them hear you say that,” she said, chuckling with him.

His hand came up and he traced her cheek gently. “I hate having to leave you behind. It's never the same without you with us.”

“It's what needed to be done,” she replied, “but I'll be with you next time.”

“Thank the stars,” he said before joining his lips to hers again, this time with more passion.

“Oh, for the love of--would you two cut it out?”

The two of them broke apart and heavily sighed in frustration as they heard Cid ridiculing them.

“Sheesh, just get hitched already, will ya?” Cid added.

Fed up, Kimber spat back, “Cid, you just made a ton of money for your bar thanks to our kid. Would you just lighten up for once in your life?”

Cid simply rolled her eyes in disgust and then went over to manage some things behind the bar.

Hunter, when he looked back to Kimber, raised an eyebrow at her. “Our kid?” he repeated, a small grin on his lips.

Her cheeks went red, not realizing what she’d said. “Sorry…that just slipped out,” she admitted sheepishly.

His arms came around her waist and pulled her close, he gave her another kiss and then stated, “What I wouldn’t give to have a proper moment alone with you right now.”

A flirty smirk crossed her face. “Well…everyone else is on the Aurora right now…which means the Marauder should be empty.”

Hunter then got a devilish grin of his own and his eyes darkened with desire. “Then why are we still here, my love?”

The two of them wasted no time running out of the parlor, eager for a little alone time together before joining back up with their squads.

#star wars the bad batch #the bad batch #bad batch hunter #sergeant hunter #my sergeant #bad batch fanfic #hunter x oc fic #sun and run fanfic

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