#if there's a silver lining i'm glad they didn't go after someone who would be badly affected

[starlit-typewriter]

Genshin SAGAU, Creator of Teyvat, but not Humanity Pt2

I didn't expect such a warm reception, but I'm so glad you guys all liked it!

Your kind words inspired me so much so behold the next part!

Warning for spoilers up to 4.6

Prev Part |

~~~

It all started with a dream.

Well, a lot of things start with dreams, but this one was an actual, asleep in bed, REM cycle dream.

Well, at least you thought it was. But that's neither here nor now. 

It was, to your unending embarrassment about Genshin Impact. 

Now there’s absolutely nothing wrong with likings something so much that you end up dreaming about it, it’s just slightly humiliating when you as a person is not someone who dreams a lot and your first actual proper dream that you can actually remember past the first twenty minutes after waking up is about a fictional 2D character vowing to love and care for you.

Ever so slightly humiliating.

You'd've preferred it if it was an actual person because at least that way you knew you had a crush on a living human being rather than having a parasocial relationship with a giant block of code and text. 

Actually, can you have parasocial relationships with fictional humans?

Not the point,

This started with a series of extremely weird and slightly embarrassing dreams about Iudex Neuvillette.

Actually this started when you C6’d him.

Honestly, you did not expect to get anywhere near this lucky, especially since your past luck has been average to low in terms of wishing for characters.

But with him, 

Well,

It wasn't quite streamer luck, but you did not have to spend any monetary funds to achieve your goal. 

You did have to skip quite a few Fontanian characters, and grind out all the region’s exploration, but you’d say it was well worth it.

The night after you’d gotten that final constellation, you had the aforementioned weird dream.

You weren’t in the dream per say, as you didn’t seem to occupy any physical space, 

you well.

The best way to describe it would be a movie scene. 

You watched as the man, dragon, stood on a balcony. 

The moon’s rays reflecting off of this silver chalice, you could only assume filled with another one of his fancy waters. 

But it was his gaze that caught your attention.

It’s cheesy to say, but you’ve always been drawn to the man’s gaze. It was always so sharp, so intentional.

He knew what he was looking at and he did so with reason.

But now, at this moment.

It was unfocused, hazy. 

His gaze was not focused on the moon, nor the city lights.

He did not stare at the landscape of Fontaine, nor the glittering waters beneath.

But, he saw you.

You don’t know how you knew, but you did.

You didn’t hear what he was saying, nor could you make out the words his mouth was forming but you knew that it was a call, a call for you.

It was odd but flattering and confusing, but a deeper part of you crooned as his sentiments. A part of you you didn’t realize you had was rising to the surface.

“My child,” it crooned, “my dear Hydro Dragon,”

Neuvillette seemed to startle at that.

You knew you didn’t make any sound, you didn’t even have a body, but somehow he heard it, heard you.

His face flushed, hand grasping at his chest as his murmurs seemed to grow faster.

You didn’t know what was going on anymore, simply that this rising feeling in your chest was growing and growing. 

It was scary.

It was alien.

Feelings that were not your own, moments of clarity and nostalgia flash through you, connecting to nothing but faceless figures and a deep sense of regret and loss.

What is happening,

A part of you that you didn’t know about, that you’ve never felt.

Is this what it feels like to be possessed, you recall thinking faintly before sinking into darkness.

~~~

The Iudex of Fontaine stood above all in the courtroom.

With the destruction of the Oratrice Mechanique D’analyse Cardinale, his word and judgment were the last line holding Fountaine to its standard of justice and order.

On paper, he seemed to have it all as the youths may say.

But his identity as the Hydro Dragon may deter from that.

It is already isolating enough to be the Iudex of the nation of Justice and Hydro, but to be the only dragon, were it not something that he had spent his entire lifespan balancing, he feared he could go mad from that.

There is a sense of irony in that.

Focalors's plot put both he and Furina in the highest positions in all of Fountaine, and in turn made them both the most isolated as well.

Although, at least she was released from her duties after the job was done.

While he was and forever will be grateful for her contribution in saving Fountaine, there is a quiet part of him that he’s tried very hard to bury, that is green with envy. 

He understood Focalor’s reasoning, after all, once their act was done Furina would be able to live a normal human life and he would be able to regain his powers and authority as the Hydro Dragon. 

That was as much as she could do for him, from her limited position.

He was grateful.

But,

His brethren, his kin.

They did not have the same freedoms granted to them.

While he did not have many memories of what happened to the previous sovereigns, nor of his life before the arrival of the Primordial one, he knew that they were most likely sealed away, deprived of their rightful power and authority.

It is his duty as the Hydro Dragon to render judgment upon the Usurpers that massacred his brethren and sealed away his kin. To uphold the standard of justice he has worked so hard to maintain during his rule as Iudex of Fontaine.

He once saw a quote in a popular novel that was making the rounds. “To become God is the loneliest achievement of them all,” whilst he does not recall the contents of the book, the sentiment of the line rings true, especially now that he has regained his authority.

While he and Furina did not spend much time together whilst they were performing their duties, she was a constant presence that he knew was always there. Much like a tree you would pass by everyday on your morning commute, or the singing of birds at dawn. An ever present figure whose loss is sudden and to an effect irreplaceable. 

He finds himself missing her, sometimes.

Not that he dares let Sedene and the others know, else they’ll enact some kind of plot to get him to go out and meet more people. 

But there was a comfort in knowing that she, just like him, was alone in their positions and would serve Fontaine to the very end.

Not that he dares disturb her well earned retirement, nor does he wish to retire himself. 

It was simply,

A shame.

The melusines were the closest equivalent to his dragon kin that he has had over the centuries, and will most likely continue to be for many to come. For as much as their presence filled him with happiness, they do not, and he hopes never will, understand what it truly means to be a dragon.

To be the last survivor of the original people of Teyvat, crushed under the heel of the Usurper king and their shades. 

To have to live amongst their people, knowing that while humans are innocent, their creation was built upon the bloodshed and suffering of his people.

There is a unique sense of cruelty in her actions, he reflected, fitting for the successor of one of the usurpers.

Whilst he has no doubt she meant it as an honor, taking him in, raising him to the highest scene of this land, giving him the highest seat of power and eventually returning to him his authority after watching her death.

There were moments, especially when he first took on the mantle and was trying to prove himself worthy of the title, that we would stare out at the people of Fountaine and wonder why he was doing this.

Humans were the reason for the destruction of his people. The Usurper King, sought out this world and destroyed it and it’s civilization so that a new one could be created in place of it. So that humans could be created in place of it. 

Human are the reason why his people, why the dragons were destroyed, they were the reason behind all the suffering and pain his kin have gone through and yet.

Yet they were still innocent.

They did not participate in the war.

They did not ask to be created.

They did not deserve to be punished for the sins of their creator.

However that does not make it any easier to stomach.

There is a peculiar sense of humiliation, to be worshiped alongside those who have destroyed your brethren. To serve and protect the beloved children of those who caused him and his people great harm.

It is a cruel and angry part of him that he does not dwell on much.

He cannot, lest it overrule all his rational sensibilities.

Humans are not inherently cruel beings. They are curious passionate creatures who love and care for each other deeply, who are compassionate and curious at their very core. 

Whilst during his reign as Iudex, he has seen a great deal of human cruelty and evil, he has also witnessed selfless acts of kindness and compassion. 

It is the duality of human nature that strikes him so. He cannot blame them for acts they are innocent of, but neither can he proclaim them to be free of all responsibility.

Truly the most vexing case he has ever dealt with.

Especially since,

Neuvillete frowned as he rubbed at his chest, feeling where the small spark of divine blessing lay within him. 

As the reborn Hydro dragon he does not have access to all the memories of his previous incarnations. As such his knowledge of the previous Dragon Sovereigns and the Creator of Teyvat remains incomplete.

But what he does know, what he does remember, is warmth.

The same warmth that now resides in his chest and on his very self.

He does not remember having many interactions with the creator of Teyvat, knowing that the greatest of interactions lay between the Fromitable Dragon Father himself, and the creator of this great realm. 

 He had assumed that they had abandoned Teyvat, abandoned the dragons. He’d have preferred that to be in case rather than the harrowing alternative of their defeat and possible imprisonment at the hands of the Usurper king.

But deep in his heart he knew that not to be the case.

“A creator cannot abandon their world”, King Nibelung had proclaimed, their Dragon Father was the one who knew the most about their creator after all, he had no reason to dispute such a fact.

 Worlds are much akin to terrariums, whilst on the surface it may seem completely self dependent and a skilled enough botanist may even be able to create one that can last years without any need for direct intervention, but even terrariums need light.

They require the sun to nourish its plants and create the water cycle, for all it may seem self sufficient it requires the energy of the world outside it’s glass container. 

That is very much the situation of Teyvat.

For as much as Teyvat seems to have taken care of itself, the world is breaking. Ley lines disorders have become more and more common, abyssal energy roams around, attaching itself to unsuspecting creatures. Bodies of dead gods spread harmful miasma around, polluting the earth.

If the creator wanted to destroy Teyvat, it would be as simple as cutting off the power of the Leylines, putting out the sun, or any myriad of actions that would destroy this very world.

They did not, instead they still provided this terrarium with bits of light. Enough for it to survive, but not enough to thrive. 

They still cared enough for Teyvat to sustain it, but not enough to intervene when it so clearly was struggling.

The creator he knew was not like that, they took no pleasure in toying around with others.

The only explanation for this was that they lacked the power to give Teyvat the help it so truly required. 

That realization was horrifying.

Nauvillete could only sit and wallow in his own helplessness as he watched the situation in Teyvat decline over the centuries.

Until,

Well,

Until the Traveler,

The witness from beyond the stars.

They have been given a great many titles in their journey through Teyvat, and have undoubtedly more than earned all of them. 

What he did not realize, is that they also had another title, unbeknownst to all.

A title given by a presence beyond all that they’ve encountered.

A title that they most likely did not even know of themselves.

The Creator's ∎∎∎∎

They carried the essence of the creator within them, it was clear they were beloved, it was clear that they were back.

The creator had come back.

And they were kind.

A part of Neuvillette feared that they would be much like King Nibelung, furious and desperate to do anything to drive out those that did not belong on Teyvat.

Perhaps they were at some point, but it seems that that point is not now.

The Traveler that acted with their blessing was kind,

They cared for those around them, human and non-human alike.

But they were not naive, willing to dispense justice upon those who deserved it.

If this was the person the creator chose to represent their will, perhaps their return will be much more peaceful than their disappearance.

Neuvillette had contented himself with that thought back then, throwing himself into his works as he had to deal with the threat that was the prophecy.

Little did he know that with time, the creator would bless him in much the same way.

The same blessing that sits in his chest at this very moment.

It has been months since he had been blessed as well as the completion of the prophecy. A selfish part of him wished that he would receive more since then.

Through his investigation he has seen many others, being blessed just as he had, gaining strength and power beyond their previous limits. 

But they were not dragons.

They were not the creator’s original creation, their children.

Is it unfair for him to hope that he’d be treated differently. 

Perhaps, the age of dragons had long passed already, and humans have dominated so much of this world that it is hard to deny that they are the driving force behind Teyvat.

But still,

He hoped,

He prayed,

Until,

The skies glowed.

Not the stars, mind you,

The sky

It was akin to the opposite of a solar eclipse, the night turning into day.

A surge of energy filled his body.

Not like when he regained his authority, that one was a wave of pure power cascading upon his person, placing responsibilities and burden on his shoulders alike.

This one was kind, gentle, hopeful, excited.

Is this what it feels like to take drugs, Neuvillette thought faintly.

Synth was incredibly popular on the market for its ability to create unprecedented euphoria in its users. If this is what those people felt then he understood why they were willing to go to such methods to achieve this feeling.

“My child,” the power crooned, wrapping itself around him, embracing him with all the tenderness of a loving parent,

His mouth formed the words he could not bring himself to say,

The power purred with reassurance, erasing pains and aches that he didn’t even know he had, before fading from his body.

His arms reached out in desperation, hoping to capture that feeling again to no avail.

Their presence was gone,

But their blessing remained

It certainly remained and it was stronger than ever, this power surge he feels is akin to receiving his full authority once more. 

Whilst many worries and doubts he had about the future still remained, one thing was made clear.

He was beloved, he was wanted, and the creator would keep him safe.

~~~~~~

Let me know what you think! I love reading your comments and feel free to send me asks about it as well!

#genshin impact sagau #genshin sagau #sagau #genshin impact

[ferahntics]

Apparently shutting down anon asks was a good thing cause the silence is beautiful suddenly LOL

Anyways, pretty sure they slipped up and showed their account name, so please block sleepinglover293 and sleepinglover374 cause I got so many gore images in my inbox, alongside tons of death threats and wishing I got cancer and how they'll kill and SA me - all of that just because I wouldn't draw Dragon Fire Kirby sleeping. 🙃🙃

I despise callouts and avoid them, but I feel like this kind of behavior has to be acknowledged, cause throwing those things around so freely should not go without consequence.

Don't engage, don't send hate or anything, just block, report and move on.

#and no i'd rather not post the gore images here as proof #im lucky enough to have a strong stomach with this and i dont want to expose people to that who'd be triggered by it #if there's a silver lining i'm glad they didn't go after someone who would be badly affected #stay safe out there guys 🙏💖 #I'll be deleting the posts in a day or two cause I quite frankly don't care enough #this really is just a heads-up post #i might be radio quiet for a bit too jhsdgk i've actually got adult things to do unlike them

[theidiotwhowritesthings]

I just have to get this off my chest:

I had a dream about Pedro Pascal last night 😭😭😭

He was like dropping me off at a bus station, we probably went on a date that night and it was getting late. Then, a few minutes later the bus came and he was like "you know what, I'm gonna come with you just so I can make sure you get home safely and we can spend a little time more with each other" and I was like "uhhh okay sure" then he held my hand and got on the bus 😭😭

When we got to our seat, he put his arms around me. We locked eyes for a bit AND THEN HE KISSED ME 😭😭😭

and then I woke up lol i got it bad for Pedro Pascal. Do what you want this information 🙈🙈🙈

I will. I will do what I want.

Din Djarin x Reader

Word Count: 1490

Warning, I did not proof read this my friends

Summary: Saved by a silver lining. What should've been a nightmare felt more like a dream, but everyone has to wake up eventually.

You were a firm believer that every terrible event had a bright side. Every storm cloud had a silver lining. For example, yes your father had made a shitty deal with a band of spice smugglers which put your entire family in debt, then he went and died leaving the loan payment in your name, and said spice smugglers decided they were going to even the odds by beating the kriffing hell out of you. Terrible, terrible event. The silver lining? You got saved by a mysterious Mandalorian who somehow managed to change your entire life in the span of weeks. Maker, he was even dressed in silver armor. The universe was not being subtle with this bright side.

If someone asked you why the Mandalorian decided to help you out, you would have no answer for them. Maybe you looked really pathetic when a few of the spice smugglers cornered you in a dark alley on the wrong side of Mos Eisley. Maybe he had just been really bored that day. Regardless, he stormed into the alley like an act of the gods and saved your pitiful existence. Then, the oddest thing, he continued to do so.

The spice smugglers hadn't given up, they sent more after you, and Mando (the aptly named Mandalorian) stayed by your side. For two long weeks, he fought off every single smuggler that tried to kill you while escorting you to a safer place to live. Granted, his safer place had been a little green planet named Sorgan and the smugglers had followed you there to raise hell, but it was the thought that counted. Mando even helped you travel all the way back to Tatooine.

Despite your life being in danger the entire time, you found yourself enjoying the time. It wasn't the circumstance, it was the man. Mando brought you peace in more ways than one. There was something about his presence that calmed you. You hoped he enjoyed your company rather than just put up with you. There was no need for him to keep protecting you so that meant he had to like you at least a little. Mando liked you enough to open up a bit. You knew he had a son, one that was lost to him (though he didn't elaborate on details and you didn't push since it obviously was a painful topic to him), and you had learned a good about his culture-- his creed.

Your point was, the two of you connected just enough that saying good-bye saddened you. To the degree that you were almost disappointed that the smugglers had given up on revenge. Mando had put a dent in their numbers enough that they realized you weren't worth it. Now, it was time to separate and you were disappointed by this fact.

"I can't thank you enough." You wrapped your arms around your body. "Without you, Mando, I..." You chuckled. "It would've been bad." Mando gave you slight nod of his head. "Plus, meeting the daimyo was pretty cool to, I'm not gonna lie."

"Glad to be of service. For both situations." Mando chuckled. Your journey had ended at the daimyo's castle because apparently he knew the man personally, and you got to enjoy a feast. Returning back to your simple, small home in Mos Eisley ws going to be difficult for multiple reasons now.

The droid controlling the landspeeder beeped behind you and you couldn't help but glance over your shoulder at the otherwise empty ship. The suns in the distance were beginning to dip below the horizon.

"Well, this is officially good-bye." You turned back to Mando. Suddenly nervous, you stuck your hand out for a handshake. Mando stared at it for what felt like forever.

Finally, he took your hand in his gloved ones, but rather than shake it he held it tight and walked toward the landspeeder beside you. He used your hand to help you step over the edge and into the vehicle. Mando released your hand and you immediately missed the warmth of his touch. However, Mando caught you off guard by dropping into the seat beside you.

You stared at him, unable to ask the question present in your mind, but Mando shook his head. "I just want to make sure you get home safely. I can always take the landspeeder back." He shifted in his seat an air of awkward energy surrounding you both. "Unless, you'd rather spend this time alone."

"Not at all. I think I'd like a little extra time with you." You admitted.

Mando's entire body seemed to sag in relief and after motioning for the droid to begin moving he leaned back into his seat. When the landspeeder picked up in it's speed, the bubble shield formed around the ship to prevent the course sand from whipping into your faces.

"What will you do now?" You asked. "You'll have a lot of extra time without me around to cause trouble."

Mando chuckled. "I'm not sure. I... I haven't given it much thought." He paused briefly before giving you a small shrug. "Maybe I'll try to visit Grogu."

You recognized his son's name and a wide smile filled your features. "I think that's a good idea."

A comfortable silence settled between the two of you. Mando shifted once more and you felt his arm rest on the back of your seat. It wasn't a new position. There had been many a night where you fell asleep by a fire nestled into his side. it was why it felt so natural to lean into him. There was no need for further words. That was the beauty of your relationship with him. His presence alone was satisfying enough that it never bothered you that he wasn't a man of many words. The words he did say had so much power over you that it didn't really matter.

When the landspeeder reached the city it was dark, and it only took the ship a few minutes to travel down the streets until it reached the outside of your home. It landed, the droid beeped to signal the conclusion of the journey, but neither of you moved an inch. You shifted just enough to stare up at Mando's visor.

He turned to look down at you. "What are you thinking about, cyar'ika?"

"I'm thinking..." You took in a shaky breath. "I'm thinking I wish I could kiss you." Mando's arm tightened around you, his body stiffened, and you felt immediate dread. You shook your head and tried to lean back. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to make you uncomfortable--"

"Stop." Mando replied. His modulated voice a hoarse whisper. You felt his hand brush against your shoulder. Slowly, his other rose to his helmet. Your eyes widened at the action. The street was dark enough that your vision was imperfect, but there was enough light that you wouldn't be blind. You spoke out, ready to stop him, but Mando sighed. "It's alright. I want this."

With those final words, his helmet was lifted off his head. You couldn't make out details of his features, but you could see shapes. His silhouette was mesmerizing and you lifted a hand to where his cheek was. It hovered there until Mando gave you a small nod. When your hand settled on the side of his face he let out a shuddering sigh of relief. There was stubble under your fingers. You let them trace over his cheekbone, down his aquiliine nose, over his lower lip.

Mando breathed out a string of Mando'a. His unmodulated voice filled with admiration. It sounded like a whispered prayer. Unable to wait a second more, you leaned in and let your lips lightly brush against his. Mando sucked in a sharp breath, his entire frame trembling once, and then he leaned in further to deepen the kiss. It was simple and sweet. Not an action born of lust, but one meant to convey a more pure emotion. It was a silent good-bye. Without words, you were saying 'thank you'. You were saying 'I will miss you'. You were saying 'Please don't forget me'.

You pulled away just enough to separate your lips from his, but stayed close enough to feel his warm breath. A lump had formed in your throat and tears were forming in your eyes. Suddenly, you were thankful for the darkness that kept you from truly looking at the man who had changed every aspect of your life. It was keeping him from being witness to your sadness. You picked up his helmet from his lap and carefully settled it back in place. Before you grew too weak to walk away, you pressed a light kiss to the side of his helmet and then climbed out of the landspeeder.

Being with the Mandalorian for the time you had felt like a dream, but all dreams come to an end.

#the mandalorian #din djarin #din djarin x reader #din djarin x you #mando x you #mando x reader #mandalorian x you #mandalorian x reader #reader inserts #asks #feel free to ask me about anything!!

[heartlandians]

Christmas in August, part 3/5

Newlyweds Shane and Chloe have just added a new extension to the Bartlett-Fleming-Morris family, but when it seems like the couple won't be able to make it "home for the holidays", Tim comes up with an idea to make their first extended family Christmas happen.

Characters: Shane, Chloe, Tim, Miranda, Jack, Lisa, Amy, Lyndy, Lou, Katie, Nathan, Paul.

A/N: Sets around the time of the season 17 finale.

****

Meanwhile, inside the Heartland ranch house, the day had gotten started as well.

Before going to the Dude Ranch, Tim had helped clean the stalls and Jack had fed the horses, because the two of them were usually the first ones up anyway, so they "might as well".

Usually Amy was happy to do the morning chores, but she was now looking after Lyndy who had been in and out of sleep through the night as they had made few trips between the bathroom and the bedroom. Sometimes Lyndy had vomited, other times it had just been a false alarm.

When the younger Fleming sister had heard sounds coming from the kitchen around 6:30, she had gotten up to have some breakfast when it seemed like the worst was over with Lyndy.

"I feel so bad that I'm not really able to participate", Amy said when she was eating her bagel and drinking her orange juice as the other people of the house were already up and running around, doing their errands.

"Don't be silly, Amy", Lisa said gently as she was making them all sandwhiches to the fridge, so if anyone would feel hungry during the busy day, they could just grab one to-go. "You have Lyndy to look after."

Lou nodded along to what Lisa was saying while holding a small notebook and a pen. "How is she, by the way?"

"Weak. She threw up few times, but it's definitely slowly getting better, I think. Her head is hurting, but at least the fever's down. I tried to get her to drink as much juice as possible, but she also needs the rest", Amy reported.

Katie took her empty bowl of cereal to the sink and rinsed it from the left-over milk.

"I'm just glad my room is on the other floor; I don't know that I would have been happy to listen to her throw up on the other side of the wall..." Katie commented, knowing she didn't respond well to that sound.

Lou gave her a meaningful look, and with a sigh, Katie picked up the bowl again and placed it in the dishwasher.

"Well, I think we have everything covered, don't we?" Lou then checked. "Let's go through the list again. -- Grandpa, turkey?" she called out to Jack who was sat down in the mudroom after getting his boots on again.

"Goin'", Jack said, then getting up and putting on his cowboy hat before grabbing his keys from the hook. "Lis - you coming?" he checked.

"Yes, yes, coming", Lisa said, just as she was about to put the sandwhich plate to the fridge. She then made her way to the mud room so she could join her husband for the ride to the town.

"So... that's food - checked", Lou wrote it down. "Katie and I on the decorations...." she checked that off as well.

"Quonset hut, right?" Katie checked as she was ready and free to go.

"Yeah. I'll come with you in a minute", Lou confirmed, then looking around. "Where's Jessica?"

"She said she'd go to the dark room. Something about the gift", Katie knew. "Oh, and Amy, she said she'll help you with Lyndy if you need a break. Just let her know."

"Oh, thanks", Amy was relieved.

If she were to look after Lyndy properly, she herself needed some rest too, so Jessica's offer was welcomed.

"Okay, well... Jessica's doing her part then", Lou murmured, writing that down. "Oh... there's one more thing on the list that no one's assigned to..."

"What is it?" Amy asked out of a curiousity, feeling a little guilty about it probably being her part, but since she was tied to looking after Lyndy, it was going to have to be someone else's job.

"The tree", Lou said, then pondering about it, trying to find some type of silver lining, but failing a little bit. "I mean, I suppose we can make the house look nice with all the decorations, but... the tree is traditionally the centerpiece", she continued, feeling a little bummed.

"It won't look right without the tree", Katie agreed.

Lou nodded, having to admit it. "But... I guess no can do. We only have limited time and resources. There's no Christmas tree sellers this time of the year, and besides, why would we want to buy one when we have plenty of land of our own."

"Actually..." Amy interrupted them, thinking of something. Maybe she was able to help them after all. "I might know someone who knows great trees around this area..."

Lou and Katie looked at her with curiousity.

"I'm listening", Lou said.

****

Back at the Dude Ranch, Shane and Chloe were sat at the end of the dock, having their breakfast - picnic style - because the weather and spot was perfect for that. The sun was getting up from behind the cabins, so it wasn't too hot to be sat on the dock yet - in fact it was almost a bit chilly in the shadow of the trees.

They had a blanket meant for this very occasion under them, and on top of it they had a tray that had bowls of fruit and berries, a pot of coffee and croissants with apricot jam.

Chloe snatched the last of the strawberries from the bowl and fed it to Shane, smiling. This felt like a perfectly romantic morning to have.

The man accepted the berry and munched it, but looked absent. It made Chloe feel a little worried.

"Everything okay, hun?" she checked. "You've been so quiet."

"Sorry..." Shane realized he wasn't acting like a happily married man - even though he was - and he didn't want to give that impression to Chloe. "Yeah, everything's fine. Just... I saw my mom and dad have a talk earlier. They seemed so... suspicious. I guess it just rubbed me the wrong way. Brought back a lot of memories - and not the good kind."

Chloe nodded, understanding.

She had never seen Tim and Miranda together before this, she only knew things had not been great with them in the past, so she was relying on the stories Shane had shared with her before.

"Do you want to talk about it?" Chloe offered a listening ear.

"Ah, it's okay", Shane tried to wave it off. "This is our first morning as a married couple, we have a view like this, a weather like this..." He gestured around them. "I don't want to ruin it."

"Well, yeah, but... what was it that Jack said yesterday before we said "I do"?" Chloe tried to recall. "Something about the problem with looking at the sky so you miss what's in front of you. -- I don't want to look at the sky. I want to focus what's in front of me - you."

Shane let out a sigh and smiled briefly, touched my Chloe's concern.

This relationship was definitely not going to be a repeat of whatever his mom and dad had had.

"So... what's this about your parents?" she wanted to know.

Shane took a deep breath.

"Well, they didn't let me in on things when I was a kid. Like, for starters, that Tim's my dad", Shane recapped, giving Chloe a refresher course to their dysfunctional family dynamic. "And I get I was a kid and things were messy, but... it still really hurt me. Being lied to. -- So, now, every time I feel like they're lying to me about something, I just feel like... I'm back to being that little kid who felt so... patronized."

Chloe nodded, understanding where Shane was coming from. It couldn't be easy to shake that off.

"And I understand that we're still figuring out these new family dynamics, but... I guess I was hoping it would be different somehow. I get now that it was wishful thinking, but because I felt like mom had changed and dad had changed, that somehow magically it would mean that they'd come together and it'd be different now. But people fall back into the same old patterns if they're allowed to", Shane said, sighing. "I almost prefer them to be angry at each other than them scheming behind my back..."

"And you talked to your mom about it?" Chloe checked as she had seen Shane with her earlier.

"I tried, but she basically said I was just imagining things", Shane scoffed. "I know I'm not. I know the signs all too well."

"Well, you might not get answers from your mom", Chloe said, knowing from experience Miranda could be difficult to deal with, "but you have this great relationship with your dad now, don't you?"

"Yeah. I do", Shane agreed.

"So, why don't you give him a call, ask what's going on?" she suggested.

Shane nodded, realizing it was probably the best move right now. They had not had a chance to talk since last night because Tim had left so abruptly earlier.

"Yeah. I should do that. Thanks, Chlo", he said, giving her hand a kiss before getting up and pulling out his phone from his pocket, then dialing to Tim's number.

He left Chloe to admire the scenery at the end of the dock while he kept pacing around, listening to the dial-up sound. He felt his hands getting sweaty as he tried to think what to say.

What if Tim would tell him nothing was going on either? What then?

He waited and waited, but the phone would not connect. So when Tim didn't pick up, Shane felt like he was back to square one.

He sighed and moved the phone from his ear, checking the screen.

"No answer?" Chloe asked when she glanced toward him.

"No", Shane regretted to inform. If Miranda wasn't telling him anything and Tim wasn't picking up... "Maybe I should visit Heartland, ask him face to face."

"That's one way to do it", Chloe agreed. "Do you want me to come with you? I don't need to be involved, but just... if you want some back-up."

"I'm sorry, this isn't how I pictured our wedding life to begin..." Shane realized. "I doubt you did either."

"Well, it's "for better or for worse", right?" Chloe reminded.

"Well yeah", Shane admitted.

Chloe shrugged. "So, that checks out."

Shane smiled. Chloe was so supportive of him, even though she had every right to want to do something else right now.

"Have I told you that I love you...?" he asked.

"Not for few minutes", Chloe grinned.

"Well then... I love you. And I accept your offer."

"Let's go then", Chloe said and got up.

They started cleaning up after themselves, so the birds wouldn't get into the leftovers, and took everything to the cabin.

When they were done, Shane started walking to their car while Chloe was locking up - not something they needed to do necessarily around here, but it was a habit they couldn't shake after living in a city this long.

Miranda, who was sat at the porch of her cabin and was skimming a magazine, noticed that something was going on, so she she jumped up like there was an emergency.

Chloe joined Shane.

"Where are you guys going...?" she demanded to know.

Yesterday's wedding day had been so nice with everyone being on their best behaviour, that Chloe had almost forgotten Miranda could be like this. For Shane's sake, she stayed quiet and let him handle it.

"To Heartland, to see my dad", Shane informed his mother.

"No, you can't", Miranda said immediately. When she saw Shane's stern look, she realized she had not thought this through either.

"Why not?" Shane asked, hoping he could get Miranda to confess as it seemed like it was weighing on her.

"Because Tim could be here any minute now, and you have to be ready for the trail ride", Miranda said, knowing how much that trail ride meant for Shane. "In fact, he said something about coming back around this time..." she lied, acting like that memory had just struck her.

"I tried calling him, he didn't answer his phone", Shane explained.

"See? He must be on his way already. And he's driving responsibly, not picking up calls when driving", Miranda pointed out, hoping to pick some brownie points for Tim and appeal to Shane's righteousness.

Shane sighed and looked at Chloe.

Did his mother have a point or should they give the visit to Heartland a try?

"I suppose we could wait a little while longer", Chloe suggested, not wanting this to turn into a fight, and hoped Miranda was actually right and they might be able to resolve this in a way that pleased all of the parties involved.

"Okay then. We'll give it... 30 minutes", Shane decided, sighing.

#heartland #fanfiction #christmas in august

[itwasthisorthemilitary]

March 11, 2024

A Hit to Morale in Los Mortales

Days in the city man...yikes.

We started our day with "if you get sexually assaulted don't shower because we will want to do forensic testing". Obviously we all understand the necessity of such sessions but goddamn, 9 am on a Monday morning. A necessary evil because we have to know our resources.

Immediately after we got another vaccine, did we not get enough during medical clearance? I have no idea what they're sticking me with.

Then we come back from lunch and I had an ~ unfortunate ~ meeting with our security manager. She wants me to move houses and I truly do not want to. This meeting felt like I was being talked at, not talked to. I was quite a stick in the mud about how I think moving houses will put me in a more uncomfortable position than the one I am in now. Glad I advocated for myself and didn't give in when I got pushback. Unfortunately this whole scenario has essentially convinced me that unless I feel like I am in immediate danger, I won't be reporting anything to the office because of how I disagree with how they are handling my situation. In my opinion, navigating one relationship with someone I don't like is a million times more manageable than trying to integrate into a new family halfway through PST. The other volunteers in my neighborhood and the other adults are all aware of the person I don't like being around and I feel so supported. So that meeting sucked!

Then on our way home, Ahmet told us that he is terminating service in two weeks. A crushing blow. Since day 1 Ahmet has been someone I really connected to, and him and Audrey living next to me has been such a source of comfort and companionship. This one was devastating. Audrey and Ahmet are serving as a couple and while she has flourished here, he is unhappy. He deferred entrance into grad school to come here, and he will be heading back to the states to do the grad program. I'm so happy for him, and so impressed with Audrey for knowing that this is what she wants. They both agree that he should terminate before he swears in. Admittedly, this news was the straw that broke the camels back. I knew the tears were in there somewhere and this really unlocked it. We've been jokingly placing bets on who would terminate first and I never considered it would be him. How beautiful is it that I feel so affected by the departure of a volunteer who I've known for less than a month?

My take today? Doom and gloom. But my silver lining is that none of this makes me want to terminate. Actually quite the opposite, it only makes me want to prove more that I can do this. At no point before departing did I think this was going to be easy. The circumstances are unfortunate, but the people make it worth it.

Didn't like today's post? Well, I didn't like today.

Tomorrow we have a lesson on worms and we get to go see the other half of our cohort in San Sebastian. It's a real treat getting to see them two days in a row.

[midnightmah07]

Hello Mah! ♡

Thank you so much for your suggestions and input, I really appreciate it!

Trey it is then! This is a slight spoiler but he does interact with her in the first chapter of the event!

She notices him as she's heading towards the gates to leave (after talking with Crowley), and of course she has to go over and say hi. I included this so at least if he didn't join in the event, it would establish how they already know each other. Cater and someone else included in the event will be there when it happens (unsure who yet), with Cater making a comment like "You never told me you knew such a cutie!" or something like that....(I think it'd be cute!)

I was actually thinking of including Malleus (as I think him and Ruthie would be such good friends!) but I was worried it would be too many dorm leaders lol But maybe i'm just overthinking it...

Silver would be so cute!! Ahhhhh I definitely need to include him!! Him and Ruthie would get along so well!

Since I want this to be like an in game event, I can only include 8 characters, since they represent the cards and rarities involved (Essentially 2 limited SSR's with 2 limited SR's that run in the gacha, while 2 SR's you earn by playing the event, and 2 R's you earn by playing the event) So with the current line up, I don't think I can include Ruggie :C Sorry!

But I'm glad Jade sounds good!

Right now the line up is: Cater, Trey, Leona, Vil, Malleus, Silver, Jade, and Kalim. But since Trey shows in the beginning, I could technically swap him for someone else, but then we wouldn't get more interactions...It's quite the dilemma...

Thank you! ♡

Heheh anytime! And don't worry about not including Ruggie, I'm a bit too obsessed with him people need to say no to me every once in a while 😂😂

I'm also glad u like the idea of Malleus and Silver!! Super excited to see them in the event and interacting with Ruthie!! So so excited for this event and this lineup hehe

#💙! mah's answers #💙! sheep<3

[twoidiotwriters1]

Copycat: Cryptomnesia —(Marvel Fem!Oc)

A/N: They’re all besties your honor -Danny

Words: 2,028

Phase Five Masterlist

Previous Chapter // Next Chapter

Listen to: ‘The 1’ -by Taylor Swift

xxxiii: Silver Lining

Uncomplicated plans were every bad guy's Achilles heel. Arrogance made them think no one would ever try to lie to them so shamelessly, but unfortunately for them, Cat had no sense of shame.

She didn't hear from Spidey in a while, but he'd agreed to contact Kate and ask for help. The archer's sudden disappearance was interpreted as her attempt to hide from Copycat so she didn't kill her, so Russo wanted her to kill Harley Keener instead.

She didn't know what she'd do, and she was getting more and more worried, Kurt's state worsened as time passed by, he couldn't even hold himself up in a sitting position. Then, almost as a miracle, Sergei announced Kate had been spotted in Tibet, and she had to go after her. Cat's inhibitor got deactivated, she had three days to get everything done.

Cat tried to call Spider-man with the old beeper. It seemed that the guy's theory was correct because the artifact turned on for only a second before dying completely.

"Great," she huffed.

Someone knocked on her bedroom window, it was him.

"Webs!" She let him in, quickly pulling him away from view. "Just in time! They found her!"

"She called me," Felix crawled out from under Cat's bed and purred against him. They weren't sure the cat could remember him, Felix had always been nice to strangers. "Kate thinks she knows where Wanda is, but I don't know how we'll find her—"

She put on his wrist the old smartwatch Tony had given her. "We'll talk about that later. Right now you have to go stealth. If Spider-man's seen they'll know I lied and they'll kill my friends."

Her black suit covered him, he looked weird, then she couldn't see him at all.

"Did Kate tell you where she is?"

"Yeah."

"Let's go, then."

Cat knocked on the door and Kate immediately opened it, she tried to hug her but she didn't know Spider-man was in the way and they crashed against each other.

"My bad, my bad—!" Kate coughed. " Is that Copycat's suit? Why are you in stealth?"

"He's dead," Cat explained as she stepped inside and pushed her sunglasses up.

Kate smiled at her. "I'm so glad to know you're okay."

Kate tried to hug her again, but Cat hissed to scare her off. She pointed at her collar. "They send me friendly reminders every five minutes."

Kate glared at the inhibitor. "I wanna hurt them."

"Let's find Wanda first. You can turn that off, bugboy."

Spider-man's suit showed up, but he didn't take off the watch. "Hi, Kate!"

"Hi," Kate looked at Cat with a giddy expression. "I'm friends with Spider-man."

"Everyone's friends with Spider-man, guy's like a golden retriever," she teased.

"So they haven't scorched out your sense of humor," he replied with a scoff.

Cat turned to Kate. "What do we know about Wanda?"

"Strange told me Wanda died and it was best not to look into it, then I told him you wanted to see her because she was like a sister to you— Spidey said not to freak out the others by telling them you were in danger— "

"I don't think they care and if they did, they'd help Russo kill me."

"Don't joke like that," Spider-man scolded her.

"Anyway, Strange told me I could come here and talk to this girl who saw Wanda last, America Chavez."

"And did you?"

"She's from another universe!" Kate said excitedly. "She's got so many cool stories, but I'll tell you about them later. Anyway, Strange thinks Wanda's dead but America's not so sure, she said she's in Wundagore Mountain?"

"Where is that?"

"Europe. Kinda."

"Well, okay. Let's go there!" said Spidey.

"That Mountain fell apart," Kate shook her head. "It's in the middle of nowhere, we can't reach it... You're the only one that can try," the archer gave her a somber look.

"I'd try anything at this point— I rather die trapped in a mountain, than be a slave to Russo."

"That's not better, Cat."

"She's gone through worse, though," the young man pointed out.

"We should get a car, and proper clothing," Cat continued, grabbing Kate's bag and packing her food. "Webs should go stealth again— Kate... you need to dress like you're hidding."

"What?"

She gave her sunglasses to her. "Do you have any relatives in Europe?"

"A cousin I've never talked to?"

"D'you have a picture?"

Kate had to look through her social media, but she did find a picture in the end. Cat mimicked the stranger.

"I'm not sure blonde is your color," Kate quipped.

"The more it doesn't look like me..."

Kate still didn't know how to drive, but Spider-man and Cat knew, so they took turns. Since the driver couldn't be invisible or they would be stopped, Spidey had to take off the mask, and while he had nothing concealing his face, they had to cover their eyes.

"Isn't the whole point of this trip to make me remember you?" Cat complained, tightening the scarf over her eyes.

"You told me not to trust you until you had your memories back," he explained. "I don't think you're lying, but I can't be sure you won't try to turn me in in exchange for Kurt."

"I thought my loyalty to you was stronger than that?"

"Not right now."

"You said you loved me," she reminded him casually. "Is it true that we dated, then?"

He cleared his throat. "Yeah."

"Wait— You guys dated?" She heard Kate sitting up on the passenger's side.

"For a while."

"But Cat said she didn't like dating other heroes!"

"That's thanks to me, I think."

"No, it's because of my other ex-boyfriend."

"Oh, really?" Spider-man sounded interested. "Wait— Isn't Matt a lawyer?"

"Oh, so you didn't know me that well, then," Cat said in satisfaction.

"I know you well," he laughed, "your ex-boyfriend though, all I know about him is that he's way older and you slept together as soon as you were left alone."

"You say that like it's out of character for her," Kate replied. "That's typical Cat behavior. But wait, how long did you two date?"

"About a year and a half?"

"WHAT?"

"You mean you had a long, steady relationship with Spider-man?" Kate said, utterly disgruntled. "And you didn't want to take that risk with me?"

"We were in high school, Kate," he explained patiently. "It wasn't real, we were only playing to pass the time... not that it means we didn't care for each other, but you know... I get it, what you tried to tell me after I came back, there was no way we would've worked out in the end."

"But we... we were happy, weren't we?" She asked, fearing her relationship with Spidey hadn't been that much different from the one she'd had with Matthew.

"Yeah, we were," she could feel him smiling. "We were a good team."

"How did I manage to keep you that long?" Cat asked in incredulity.

"I mean, you'd barely hold hands without feeling awkward, but that doesn't mean you were cold or anything— You were sweet to me, and I never doubted your feelings. You had no reason to lie."

Kate snorted. "No no, I can't believe you! Cat, being a hundred percent honest?"

"It's true!" Now he was a little sorry for her. "You know, Kate, the woman you met is not the girl I fell for."

"I heard that..." Kate's voice sounded weird. "I don't know her as well as I thought."

"Don't feel bad, I don't know myself either," Cat was unbothered by the whole thing. "Hey, Spider, did we ever drink milkshakes together?"

"All the time!"

"What's my favorite?"

He told her, and Cat finally understood why she would always crave one whenever she was feeling down.

"We used to drink them during our Star Wars marathons—"

"You watched Star Wars with him first?!"

"I think he got all my firsts," Cat said amusedly.

"Not all of them," his voice grew quiet. "You had this scar..." she could hear him gesturing at the back of his head. "Wanda did something to it, and you started to get these... visions. But that scar was the reason you didn't like to be touched more than necessary."

"I remember... it's gone now," she said, deep in thought. "But maybe I'll get a new one thanks to this thing," she grazed at the inhibitor.

It sounded like Spider-man knew things he had no way of knowing unless she'd told him, he knew her favorite things, and he even knew a little bit about her love life after the blip, they'd stayed in touch in spite of everything. That meant, that she must've done all she could to keep him around, and if she'd tried that hard, it had to mean he'd been one of the best things that ever happened to her.

For Cat it was far easier to quit things than to hold onto them, so knowing she'd dated this guy for a year and a half, was the revelation of the century. She'd loved someone enough to fight against her nature.

They fell into an awkward silence until Kate changed the subject.

"How long till we get there?"

"An hour, give or take," Spidey replied. "Cat's phone is supposed to let us know once we get there."

"So once she remembers you... what's the plan?"

"He activates Edith, grants access to me, and I send the Stark troops to Russo."

"But you don't know where he's keeping Kurt."

"I know, I gotta go back one last time... How will I do that without your head? That's something I still haven't figured out."

"Excuse me?"

"Maybe Wanda can make you a false one or something, she's magic after all," Spidey suggested.

"She won't be happy to see me, you know?" Cat sighed. She was aware this visit wasn't going to be well-received by her old friend.

"How can she be mad at you when you're just as fucked as she is?" Kate wondered.

"Everything that happened to her was thanks to the accords I signed for my own benefit."

"Did the accords force her to hunt down a fifteen-year-old girl?"

"...no."

Cat stayed quiet for the rest of the ride, trying to think of what she'd say to Wanda after so many years. If Wanda even cared at all. She was so distracted that when the collar stunned her it caught her off guard. The mutant jumped out of her seat, Spider-man's hand tried to reach for her, but she warned him against it.

"Don't touch me!" She choked out.

"Are you okay?" Kate said worryingly.

"Don't take off the blindfold," Cat climbed back to her seat. She was panting. "I'm fine."

Spidey put on the mask and handed the smartwatch to Cat, she wrapped herself tightly in Kate's coat, she had no clue what she'd find down there, but she had to face it.

"We could go with you..." Kate began.

"No. If Wanda's alive, I want to talk to her in private."

"Good luck, C."

Cat started walking away, but before she could go far, Kate ran towards her and without warning, wrapped her arms around her. Cat protested but she ignored her demands.

"I just had to..." Kate moved away, hastily drying her eyes.

"I have to go, Kate."

"Come with me to L.A."

Cat blinked. "What?"

"I'm moving out," Kate explained hurriedly. Cat had the feeling she'd been hiding the information for a long time. "New York is full of people like you, but everywhere else is so neglected... I was going to tell you that day when Sergei found me in your apartment— Clint lives closer to L.A., so it was just... it's convenient for me. And you."

"Me?"

"I want you to come with me. You'll be safe..."

"I can't go anywhere as long as this is on me," she told her, referring to the collar around her throat.

"But you're getting it off, I know you will. Just think about it, okay? It'll be better if you get out of that city— I can't be there, Cat, it reminds me of my old life too much..."

Cat just stared at her, now was not the time for this. She wasn't even sure she'd be alive after that journey. "I'll think about it... later. I have to go."

"I know. Be careful, please?"

Cat cupped her face but didn't kiss her. A funny thought came to her then, and it was that Spidey wouldn't have asked her to be careful. He knew her better. It was weird, how sure she was.

She wondered how different her life would've been if only he'd stuck around. Maybe she'd already wondered that same thing many times before, she just didn't remember.

"See you soon."

Next Chapter—>

Taglist.

@mikaelsonwhxrebae​ @ieatpanicattacksforlunch​ @jesuswasnotawhiteman​ @siriuslysirius1107​ @greengarsstuff​ @itsyagirl01 @23victoria​ @espressopatronum454​​ @jkthinkstoomuch

#twoidiots writing #marvel #marvel fic #marvel fanfic #marvel fanfiction #copycat fic

[shibalen]

♡ 𝒎𝒂𝒕𝒄𝒉𝒖𝒑 𝒇𝒐𝒓 @dearestones

i match you with . . .

𝑺𝑰𝑳𝑽𝑬𝑹 !!

the reason i chose Silver is because i think you'd make a very nice, laid-back couple ♡ you both prefer being on the side-lines and doing your own thing rather than going out there and interacting with others.

however, Silver is rather serious so your silly puns help bring a smile to his face more often. he doesn't think you need to go as far as playing dumb to please others though—he likes your genuine jokes more.

sometimes, if you have put extra effort into the pun, he might even chuckle quietly for a while and shake his head. it's a sweet sight, papa Lilia is thankful.

loyalty is a valuable trait for Silver, and he sees it as a very attractive trait in you, especially because he knows you're not quick to throw yourself into any kind of relationship. that makes you more sincere than most NRC students and consequently more enjoyable.

you are comfortable in each other's presence: silence is natural and welcome. you could be studying together or just relaxing. e.g. you reading a new story and Silver napping as his head rests against your shoulder.

on times when he's awake, he gets curious every now and then and asks what you're reading about this time. he finds it really cute if you get excited about explaining the basics, it means you're doing something that makes you happy!

should he become interested, Silver reads the story too so you could talk about it together.

i love that you both can get airheaded when you're daydreaming or feeling drowsy. you learn to look out for each other when the other seems to be lost in their on world.

because you are both good observers, i don't think there would be a problem if you distanced yourself every now and then. it's reasonable everyone needs their alone time, and Silver understands that.

so, he would let you recharge in peace, don't worry (◍ ´꒳` ◍) but if he notices you're acting out of the ordinary or taking too long to return, he will come talk to you. there won't be a way out of it so you might as well let him in.

if he thinks there is nothing he can do for you though, he'll ask his family in Diasomnia and friends for advice. because of his serious personality though, Silver might overthink or worry too much (as he does with the ones he cares about) so please reassure him if you can!

♡ 𝑴𝑬𝑬𝑻𝑰𝑵𝑮

you first met in your first year, in the beginning of the school year.

Silver was looking for Malleus who had been missing for the first half of the day, but since he wasn't entirely familiar yet with the maze that is NRC he quickly lost track of where he was.

soon enough, he ended up in some corner of the school with a massive library. rows of old book shelves containing even older books lined most of the hall. the classes had ended for the day so many had come here to study.

because it was so quiet, Silver thankfully managed to search out a familiar voice from somewhere between the shelves.

and when he got to the source, he found Malleus and you having an in-depth conversation about the culture of fae.

for a moment, Silver couldn't believe it. most humans would not be brave enough to appoach Malleus for his intimidating aura and high status.

you, on the other hand, seemed too immersed in the chat to notice anything. and Malleus, despite speaking in his naturally cold tone, was clearly glad to be speaking with someone who didn't cower in front of him.

after his brief bewilderment, he cleared his throat. "Lord Malleus, we've been looking for you everywhere."

Malleus glanced your way and you nooded, signaling it was fine for him to leave so suddenly. you exchanged your goodbyes, and just as Silver was about to turn his back to follow the dorm leader, he looked over at you.

"we're in the same class," he noted. "i'm Silver. thank you for accompanying Lord Malleus."

"Devin," you introduced yourself, standing up. "and no worries. we had a good talk."

"i see. that's good." you expected him to continue but then Silver was gone just like that. not the smoothest conversation, you admit in retrospect.

but as it happened, you kept running into each other like this even outside school activities because you were pretty good at guessing where the young fae might be. Silver was admittedly impressed and eventually let his stricter demeanour melt when around you as you gained his trust.

neither of you were quite certain when these meetings started to happen only beween the two of you though. no matter :)

♡ 𝑩𝑳𝑼𝑹𝑩𝑺

for dates, i can see Silver inviting you to spend time with him in the forest! as you're sitting on the grass under a tree, his little animal and bird friends would gather around you, curious.

you might even get a few story ideas if you're lucky hoho.

there would naturally be a picnic too that Silver prepared. i assume he's a pretty decent cook because he needed actual edible food to survive his childhood.

so, either sweet or savoury, he puts great deal of effort into making you snacks that would be to your liking ♡ maybe next time you can make something together?

then, as the day draws to a close, you'd be sleeping peacefully, with Silver's arm protectively around you and your head on his chest. needness to say, you would be having quite sweet dreams.

horseback riding is a common date for you too. Silver always makes sure you sit in front of him where you're safe although he has shown you the ropes (haha) plenty of times before. it's his knightly instincts not allowing you to get in harm's way. you, on the other hand, might get pretty flustered at the closeness Silver insists you have.

the scenery he shows you is gorgeous though. it goes without saying that tranquil moments like these are Silver's favourite when by your side.

despite not looking much like it, i think Silver likes physical touch and cuddles overall. he just has to be cautious with them when he's with you cause they make him even more sleepy ^^;

who gave you the right to be this comfy to hug

it would delight him if you got along with Malleus, Sebek and Lilia as well, but he understands if Sebek's shouting and Lilia's constant mischief might make you want to keep your distance from them.

thankfully, Malleus is cool though, and Lilia's chatters about all the places he has travelled to and the people he's met are pretty facinating if you sick around :3c

in that case, Silver would bring you tea and smile affectionately as he watches you bond with his family.

on the other hand, if you stick around for this storytelling long enough, you'll also get to hear Silver's baby stories—because what parent doesn't love embarrassing their child in front of their partner/friends.

even someone as collected as Silver cannot bear the humility so he pointedly cuts the conversation short (to your disappointment) and says you two have homework to do. he might not talk about it but you have now decided to hear all of his embarrassing childhood stories.

overall a lovely, balanced pair. you bring out the best in each other, and Silver is grateful to have you as a warm ray of sunlight in his life. he's not alone as a human now. dreams do come true ♡

𑁍 𝑱𝑬𝑾𝑬𝑳𝑳𝑬𝑹𝒀 𝑩𝑶𝑿

— favourite memory with you

obviously the time you first made him laugh ♡︎ you were sitting in class, taking notes, well at least Silver was. you were bored out of your mind, tired of listening to Professor Trein's monotonous dialogue about a historical event that happened thousands of years ago. Silver noticed you were starting to lose focus so he tapped your shoulder. "Devin, focus. the professor will notice and call you out." but you just hummed dismissively when suddenly a thought came to you with a wide grin. "hey, Silver," you whispered, enthusiastic out of seemingly nowhere. "what does Professor Trein say to Lucious when he gets him a new collar?" Silver, used to your jokes by now, responded automatically. "what?" "this ought to catch your eye!" it wasn't even that good for real, so why did Silver feel a burst of tamed of laughter leave his lips? his chest shook as he quickly stifled the laugh but the fuzzy feeling remained, even after the professor sent both of you into the hallway. of course, he did get a little annoyed later too, but after that lecture he could not deny he had a soft spot for you in his heart. the tingling sentation return to his chest whenever he thinks back to this memory.

— favourite place to kiss you

cheek kisses !!! very traditional and cute, i think Silver enjoys such sweet gestures. maybe there's some secret teasing streak in him that likes seeing you get flustered as he innocently pecks you goodbye? also, your palm or the back of your hand—very charming!

— favourite nicknames to call you by

hoho he definitely calls you love, when it's just the two of you. as easy-going he is, there are some things Silver also likes to keep private. but when he does the use it, it comes so naturally to him cause it's just so easy to refer to you as his love (ღ˘⌣˘ღ) "what would you like to eat, love?" "love, could you hand me that book?"

❦︎ 𝑰𝑵𝑲 𝑩𝑶𝑿

— when humans are put into a position of danger they reveal their inner selves. where do ones duties and loyalties truly lie?

— you were in the wrong place at the wrong time, is all. no one would have expected one of the students to overblot in the middle of P.E, and all you'd been doing was showing some of your tricks on the broom to your boyfriend then.

— you joked you must've swept him off his feet with your performance by now while Silver only rolled his eyes and smiled in mild amusement (to be fair, you had already done so long ago).

— when the first screams came, they were cut off abruptly. you turned to see some students fleeing in panic, others laying unmoving, unconscious on the grass. and in the epicentre there was a horrid, floating monster.

— with a swish of whatever it was representing its arm, the creature made the last of the escaping students drop. that was . . . sand? yet those who stood still were unaffected.

— "tho-se w-ho dis-re-spect th-e rule-r of dr-eams will be bu-rnt to a-sh in the-ir nightmares"

— get the headmaster, run, but you'd become another victim.

— "just stay still, wait for someone to come." Silver's calm voice reminded you. however, as he looked your way, you could tell he was planning something: a diversion to keep everyone, especially you, safe.

— "Silver, no," you warned. but when he dashed, so did you against the will of every alam going off in your head. the closer you got the harder it became to dodge the blot's wide attacks. you knew if you were to immobilise it, one of you would have to take the hit.

— when the next swing came, you tackled Silver out of the way with all the force in you, his horrified face being the last thing you saw before you rolled onto the ground with a heavy thud . . . yet . . . you were fine? wide awake you watched Silver overpower the blotted student in close-range and claim victory.

— the blot was dealt with soon after completely by Crowley, and you sighed in relief.

— "we really wiped the floor with that one!"

— "you idiot, did you not think at all? you could have got us both killed, and i must serve Lord Malleus."

— the glare in Silver's eyes was as sharp as the words piercing your heart. you flinched at his sudden change: even if he was blunt at times, he never got mad at you like this. now his gaze met yours with anger and revulsion, and you could do nothing to break this barrier of ice.

— "Wait . . ."

— he did not respond to you after that day.

— thus the silence you once found peace in twisted into your source of anguish. a daydream morphed into a nightmare. can you wake up?

♡︎ runner up: Jamil

note: hii, i hope the wait wasn't too long and it's in character! i can relate to hating having the room being too bright, ugh. anyway, please enjoy (the lame puns), and have good day ♡

(this matchup was written under special conditions, i can't usually do twst :') )

#dearestones #len's matches #twst matchups #matchups #headers made by yours truly

[thekillingjoke-haha]

Angel With A Shotgun

Summary: The Novak family was big talk,but not nearly as famous as the L/n’s. Togther they can be unstoppable,so what say family ties like guns,drugs,money,and murder?

Paring: Michael!Dean x Male!Reader

1900's Mafia/Gangsters AU

A/N: this is a Micheal fic,but its him in Dean's body so like...idk its the same snake different skin. Also Chuck is referred as Charles

Warning:Blood,guns,knives,gore,torture,swearing. Homophobic comments like just a few. No proof reading

⑆⑉⑆⑉⑆⑉⑆⑆⑆⑉⑆⑉⑆⑉⑆⑉⑆⑉⑆⑉⑆⑉⑆⑉⑆⑉⑆⑉⑆⑆⑉⑆⑉⑆⑉⑆⑉⑆⑉⑆⑉⑆⑉⑆⑉⑆⑉⑆⑉⑆⑉⑆⑉⑆⑉⑆⑉⑆⑈⑆⑉⑆⑉⑆⑉⑆⑉⑆⑉⑇⑈⑆⑉⑆⑉⑆⑈⑇⑉⑆⑆⑆

The Novak's that a family that was one of the most feared yet respected. The way people talk about them down south you'd think they were inspiration for the Bible itself. A man by Charles or Chuck Novak is the head honcho with five sons to help him run is kingdom.

The youngest is Castiel he was probably the nicest of all his siblings,but also the most protected with three other brothers, Gabriel is the definition of trouble and if he slipped up head could easily get lynched good thing he puts that silver tongue to work. Raphael was one of the more head strong,but sadly he was shot when several rivals attacked at on of their bars. Lucifer is the second oldest and the most hot headed with a temper to match the black sheep in his family if you will, then last,but not least Michael he was something else entirely the play boy,a demon is a flat cap and tailored suit.Now that the Novak's have been introduced the world's most feared gang the L/n's is one family not to be fucked with.

(Father's name) leading his kingdom no...empire with his wife (Mother's name) and togther they had only two sons. The second born William and the oldest M/n. William wasn't much involved with the criminal side of the business,but his big brother was the prime example of a gangster. No one besides the L/n gang has seen him he stays out of newspaper coverage and that only allows his terror to run ramped. A man with no face and a title of Satan himself made the oldest Novak just a little timid when he found out. "WHAT THE HELL!!!" Michael threw the newspaper on his fathers desk in anger the older man looked up after glancing at the paper. "I'm due to be wed to a L/n and none the less a man! I can be hanged for so much as saying I do and it IN THE FUCKING BULLETIN!!!" He was seething with hatred in every word. Michael will admit it hurt a lot finding out he was to be wed by the slight disgust look he got while grabbing the paper before getting coffee. "I wanted to tell you sooner,but you were handling something. There's no way out of this a deal was made before you were born me and (Father's name) have been waiting for his wife to bare a girl or your mother to do the same,but your mother's untimely passing and (Mother's name) having gone unfertial our oldest are due to wed." Chuck sighed taking off his thin wired glasses.

"You two were once friends,but I guess time got rid of those memories." Chuck sat down his spectacles down looking at his son. Michael turned to father with shock evident in his eyes. He was friends with M/n L/n the man with no face. Everything was too foggy. The shorter male stood up to a shelf in the office and grabbed a small match box opening it looking around before pulling out a picture. Handing it over to his son he sat back down. "He was one of the only people you'd go to when you were a baby. Heavens he was probably the only person you liked,but when he was five and you were three the fact that our business was centered around blood and there's on bonds it became a fight,mafia versus a gang, and you guys saw eachother less and less till around the time Luci was born not at all." Chuck sighed. The young man was in shock a little boy maybe two or three was cuddled up to a baby in a pale blanket that he remembered was blue fully awake and if the picture could come to life he's sure the boy was humming all while rubbing the infants back.

"No ones seen a picture of him in twenty six years and he was on his fathers hip with a match box car. He's in town and should be coming for dinner here by himself in three days time. So til then keep your brothers in check we don't need them to shoot the young man with a stray bullet." With that Charles dismissed his eldest son as the green eyed boy stormed off in a huff. Michael started to do digging. M/n L/n was in headlines weekly in every post known to man from shootings,assassination,and gangbanding to rumors of his love-life,what he wears,and people claiming to have met him. One thing caught his eye that made him falter. "Gangsters M/n L/n Captures Murderer" that when he started reading the full paper that crumbled a bit due to age. Maybe he's not so bad the guy he caught never saw a courtroom,but met a far worse end all because he caused problems with his people. It was admirable the brunette knew he'd do the same,but not just for anybody. Marriage wasn't settling well with him that didn't mean it felt completely wrong.

One day later

Looking in the mirror Michael watched as his maid adjusted his tie while another smoothed the wrinking in his white button up and vest of his three piece suit. As the oldest he had business to handle people to keep in line. When their hands left his body they scurried out of the room rushing to be down stairs before him. His dress shoes met the floor as he grew closer to the door his youngest sibling ran up next to him. "Can I come,please!" His raven head of hair and doe blue eyes almost made him cave,but with a firm look he gazed down at him. "Sorry little raven,but I have things to handle another time." The pout on Castiel lip didn't move as he held up his hand his pinky out. "Promise?" Interlocking with the ten year olds pinky. "Promise." With that he happily skipped away to play in the garden.

Out the door he went. His flat came on his head and coat thrown over his shoulder his effects tucked in his waistband. Screams caused him to smile as he stood before the butcher on payroll. He wore the man's leather apron having abandoned his tailored suit jacket in the front of the deil. "Were is my money?" He cut the man some more as he continued to scream in pain the white fire from the rusted meat hook in his shoulder flaring with each jerked motion. "Help please!" He yelled all of a sudden in the past hour he hasn't called for assistance. "No can do." A deep voice said behind the oldest Novak turning around sharply his green eyes clashed with e/c. The man looked like anyone off the street his shoes tattered and clothing dirty form labor no bet. "I came for my five notes." The didn't seem fazed at the torture. "Fuck you gypsy scum!!" The pig of a man responded as the tall s/c man crept closer gripping a knife Michael was using. "I just unloaded a load of meat in the summer heat that would give the devil a sweat and all I asked for my effort was five notes nothing more nor less so cough of the money that you clearly owe both of us or I'll carve it out of you and make you squeal like the piggy bank you are." His tone dropped further the blade under the man's fat chin and the Novak felt aroused at the threat. This guy meant every word when the hanging man spat in his face the off color of snuff and blood made the normally clear liquid seen and thick. Let's just say Michael sat back crossing his legs in a attempt to compose himself as the man hit pitches not even the girls in the church choir could master. The heavy weight man forked over the money then some I got my full and he ended up giving the mystery man a hundred notes if he made the pain stop after pocketing the money he shot the man.

He turned around and began to leave when the brunette stopped him. "Wait! I give you my thanks friend he was stubborn for a hour almost" The h/c man turned looking at him giving a smile tilting his head for the Novak to follow as he stepped out the deli. Scrambling he walked down the street next to the man their attire clashing a well tailored suit next to rags that looked more like a potato sack then cloth. "Glad I could help a fine looking fella like yourself." His flirtatious grin caused butterflies to run ramped in Michael's guts. As they walked down the street they slowly moved from the good side of the town to the slums. No cars drove on the gravel a fire hydrine spat out water for all the children playing around it,women hung up clothes on wire between tenements and men looked more like the mysterious gypsy next to the Novak. Speaking of the mystery man he went to each crowded tenements door and knocked the women or young men of the families came to the door and he handed over twenty notes each. The women cried and clung to his tall figure and the boys almost men looked at him in wonder like a hero before running off to tell the adults of the place. "Why did you do that?" Michael asked as they walked out of the town. "You worked for that money and gave it all away." He was confused he's never seen a man work for a family that wasn't his own.

"They need it more. Schools out the children don't get meals and the men work hard to feed them at least a meal a day. I'm alone here no lover or children with the energy and muscle to work." Novak wasn't sure before,but he was sure now this was love and it felt better then any harlot he could spend the night with. "Thats very admirable of you." Michael complmented which was not a normal accuracy. "It was truly nothing to admire,handsome. I'm not saying I'm amazing,but sometimes I'm decently above average. That's what people need someone decent enough go care."

Before he knew it they were back on his side of town and getting closer to the business. "It's been a pleasure,Mr. Novak." The man dripped his head as he turned to leave somewhere. "You know who I am and I don't even get a name." He turned back around and got closer to him his chest pushed up against his till he was pinned to the wall he leaned down his lips so close to his face just out of reach. "I'm N/n,but you can call me the man of your dreams." Michael almost leaned up to peak his lips when the warm body pulled away taking with it the lust filled tension. N/n turned and left out of sight that night was full of the man tossing and turning dreaming of the e/c man that made him feel high as the clouds above. N/n smiled as his men drank around him he finally saw his baby boy all grown up and he's taking what's his this time.

Two days later=Six Hours Before Family Dinner

The buzz of the New Yorker coming to Kansas was the rage. Any man that was new in town was watched like a hawk by commoners and the Novak's. Michael was no longer looking forward to this marriage he didn't want this man no matter who he was. N/n stole his heart like a petty thief and ran away from him. No one in Kansas knew who he was a s/c skinned,h/c haired,e/c eyed gypsy was all he had to go on no last name just a image that burned bright in his mind. Michael sighed as he left his office and went down to the bank he needed enough cash on hand to throw away on booze and maybe angel dust. People parted for him like the red sea and he easily got money when gun shots went off. The teller in front of him fell to the ground wounds ridding his body and Novak turned to see men...no boys with guns.

"Everyone get down on the ground. We've come only for the money we won't hesitate for blood as well." The group chuckled as the leader smirked people shook as they easied to the ground all except Michael who stood tall. "Ah! If it isn't Michael Novak no men to protect you now." A man he didn't realize came behind him hit him over the head with his gun causing him to fall to his knees. "Pathetic." The band of thugs leader grabbed the Mafia bosses chin looking and the blood coming from his brow. Someone stood from on their knees a flat cap covering their hair and a long trench coat that was only slightly open. "It would be in your best interest to leave,boys." They all train their guns at the man. "Why's that,you motherless bastered?" The man turned his gaze upward deadly sharp e/c orbs looked at him and Michael was in shock it was N/n. "Cause I have twelve guns ready to blow holes in you and your men." After his words ten men stood up all wearing the same clothing flat caps,overcoats,and suspenders with a Tommy on every man except the leader. The cowardly man looked frightened looking around keeping his gun on the s/c man. "I only count ten I still have the upper hand." N/n gave a devilish smile that made Michelle gaze on love struck and excited for what's to come. His gray trench coat hit the floor and two sawed-off shotguns in each hand. "Upper hand you say?" He pulled both triggers the left one killing the man sending himself flying back and the right killing the man behind Michael blowing his brains painting the tan walls this made the others fire as well. The bodies of the criminals and one civilian litter the floor.

N/n sent the men off to get the people out as he walked up to the bleeding Novak. "Thank you." His green eyes gleamed making the standing man give a grin as he held his hand out to help him up. "Consider it a gift from M/n L/n." The gleam disappeared from his eyes his soon to be husband was in town has been in town and set his men up to keep him safe. "Now if I'm not mistaken you have a dinner to get ready for,pretty boy." He takes the handkerchief out of his waist coat dabbing the blood away. "Will you be there?" Michael voice sounded weak so full of hope. "You can count on it. We'll be seeing eachother alot more." The man stood up and quickly left and not a moment later Mafia men came in running tending to the boss. Looking longingly at the piece of cloth (Your Initials) were sowed into the reddend white square of fabric.

Family Dinner was about to start the Novak's sat at the table Charles sitting at the end his three eldest sons to his right while his youngest sat to the left two spots were available one across from Michael and the other on the opposite end of Charles. A maid came in the dinning hall and cleared her throat. "The L/n's are here." Two young men came through the door one taller then the other the shorter of the two sat across from Michael while the other sat at the other end of the table closest to Michael and the other man. Charles smiled at them both and Michael was in a state of shock. "M/n been a long while hasn't it?" The oldest Novak looked at the man infront of him waiting for a response when the man he thought to be just a gangster working under the L/n's answered. "That it has Chuck. Sorry father couldn't come he had some other business to handle." N/n or M/n now to Michael's knowledge said before placing a hand on the man beside him. "This is Benjamin or Benny my right hand man don't mind him." The man gave a nod of acknowledgment his blue eyes piercing. "Heard about the blood bath at the bank quite impressive from what Michael has told me." A side smile and a teasing look was turned the mentioned Novak's way. "Saw low life scum trying to rob the place and touching what's mine,their little toys they call guns were child's play compared to my men." M/n sent a wink addressing the men hitting Michael from behind.

"Are you a knight that saves people?" The youngest asked his blue eyes wide in wonder. The s/c males eyes turned to the child a warm smile gracing his lips. "Sometimes when I want to be." A bubbly giggle rang out. "You saved Mikey making him your prince." Those words caused different reactions from all the men. Gabe covered his mouth trying not to laugh at his older brother,Lucifer grinned leaning over to his brother. "Did he have to kiss you sleeping beauty?" He chuckled lowly making kissing noises in his ear,Micheal was beet red as he couldn't bear to face any of them,Chuck smiled looking at his son and son-in-law,Benny nudged his boss sliding something to him while everyone was distracted. "Yeah and I'm gonna make him my king and take him to my castle." M/n leaned towards the boy and whispered in his ear. "We'll ride off into the sunset and live happily ever after." Castiel was gobsmacked as he gazed at his brother all giddy he was gonna live a fairy tale like in all the books their mother use to read. "Um if you'll excess me. I need some air." Micheal stood up and not long after M/n followed when given a reassuring nod from Charles.

The garden of the estate was beautiful in the moonlight and it wasn't hard to spot the oldest Novak on a bench on looking the pond that reflected the night sky. "You knew the whole time who I was." Micheal didn't look up at the man as he sighed. "Yes I knew who you were...we were once closer then the stars and the skies itself." The L/n sat next to him on the bench looking forward. "Chuck knew as well." Michelle turned in shock at that statement a goose chase for nothing. "He didn't know what I looked like now,but letters everyday asking about you seemed to do the trick." Those e/c eyes turned to look into those apple green ones. "Learning from a young age that in you grasp was the person you were due to wed was shocking I almost hated you,but the moment you grabbed my finger as if I'd slip away made me realize it can't be so bad." M/n held out his hand palm up so the younger male rested his hand in his grasp. "I was afraid at first you'd hate me. So I swore to protect you always. Some of my men live here with their families and they keep me posted. Just last year a rat was found on you door step admitting his faults."

Micheal remembered that the maids came rushing to get the family and a man bloody and beaten spilled his guts about planning to cross the family having been hired by a rival Mafia to get information to attack them at a weak state. "I know this won't mean munch to you know,but maybe at some point you'll be happy to carry my last name and call yourself my husband." In M/n hand that wasn't interlocked with Micheal's he opened a box revealing two wedding bands both were silver while one had a gold trim and the other had a f/c trim. "No matter what,Novak,I'll be there when yiu need me through it all most of the times guns blazing." M/n chuckled lightly taking in a deep breath. "Just ponder on it,pretty boy,I'llbe here waiting." as he slipped the ring on the silent man's finger before doing the same with himself he gently kissed the top of his head as he stood up and left wanting to give him space. Micheal smiled at the ring that perfectly fit his finger. The one man he felt attracted to was his guardian angel always there no matter what.

Lifting his hand up he kissed the metal band as a laugh left his lips. "My angel with a shotgun."

⑆⑉⑆⑉⑆⑉⑆⑉⑆⑉⑆⑉⑆⑉⑆⑉⑆⑉⑆⑉⑆⑉⑆⑉⑆⑉⑆⑉⑆⑉⑆⑉⑆⑉⑆⑉⑆⑉⑆⑉⑆⑉⑆⑉⑆⑉⑆⑉⑆⑉⑆⑉⑆⑉⑆⑉⑆⑉⑆⑉⑆⑉⑆⑉⑆⑉⑆⑉⑆⑉⑆⑉⑆⑉⑆⑉⑆⑉⑆⑉⑆⑉

A/n: Second Male reader and I had to spell check for almost 50 she/her in her so I think I got them all lol.

@spnquotebingo

Quote: "I'm not saying I'm amazing,but I'm decently above average."-Blacklist @spnquotebingo

#dean winchester #micheal novak #Micheal!Dean #chuck shurley #lucifer #castiel #gabriel #peaky blinder au #oldtime #spnquotebingo #supernatural #micheal novak x male!reader #male!reader #gangster!reader #mafia!micheal #strangers to lovers #arranged marriage #love at first gore #love at first murderer #gay #m/m couple

[ilovemytransgenderchild]

I read your post about opening up and cried about four times. Thank you. I needed this. I will reach out.

I hope you didn't send this ages ago because I only just read it now, I'm worried I'm not getting my message alerts! If this has been sitting in my inbox for ages, I sincerely apologize xo

Things are emotionally brutal for the LGBTQIA community right now; I cannot imagine how vulnerable you feel in a world where the bad guys are legalizing hate and horror and violence and the 'good guys' aren't truly rising to this moment as effective allies and politicians and activists.

I don't know what it's like to be LGBTQIA in 2022. I know my kid is in a bad way mental-health-wise. I don't know how anyone CAN be in a decent way right now, especially demographically vulnerable people. Things are really, really tough, and all signs point to stuff getting harder before they get better. It's not just hard right now, it's scary. I don't know what it's like to be you. I'm a straight, cis, white, middle-aged woman. I've had a challenging life, to be sure, but it's just not the same as the systemic and escalating burdens of trans and non-binary folks.

After many life lessons, I've learned (the hard way, which is how I learn everything lol) that finding supportive resources and cultivating allies is a big, big deal and a really important thing to do when things are hard. I had to be taught how to reach out, to be vulnerable, to trust emotional and social safety nets. I had to learn how to process overwhelming feelings in a healthier way, had to learn how to do self-care, how to talk about my challenges in a more productive way, had to learn to build supportive relationships, etc.

This is all really obvious stuff, but it was all news to me (always a slow learner uggggghhh). Younger generations are so much smarter about everything, so much more emotionally sophisticated.

I'm so glad you messaged me. I'm so glad that you're being so brave, that you're getting up every day and deciding to stay on this earth with us. Nothing I say in my posts or tags is hyperbole or empty social platitudes; when I say you are LOVED, you are WANTED, you are NEEDED... I'm very, very serious. You are loved. You are wanted. You are needed. Living your truth is defiant activism and I salute you.

Sometimes, when really bad things happen, there's no silver lining. There just isn't. Sometimes the bad things are all bad; they take too much or they close off too many opportunities or extract too much potential and leave nothing but pain. Sometimes wisdom earned through hardship isn't worth it, the cost is too high. Sometimes suffering is not illuminating, sometimes wisdom gained from painful experiences isn't helpful, there's no wisdom or insight, just bruises and despair.

I used to believe differently, I used to look for the lesson in everything. It turns out that sometimes there's no lesson, sometimes there's only recovery. If you're lucky.

But. In a world where so many people are isolated and inadequately supported at work or at home and unprotected and undefended by their leaders, it is a powerfully important thing to be the kind of person who can say to someone else "I know what you're going though. I've been there and I see you, I'm here with you. I can't fix this but you're not alone."

I don't know what it's like to be you right now. Like, I can imagine what it's like, but I don't truly know. However, I do know it literally changed my life to hear those words from other people when I was at some of my lowest points. Until I joined a support group, I didn't know how transformative it would be to be validated, to be SEEN.

You are going through things right now that you shouldn't have to go through. You should be allowed to live a safe, happy life full of opportunities and resources and friends and family. You shouldn't have to justify your existence, you should just be allowed to have a life. But that's not where we're at in 2022 America. This moment in time is taking things from you: the time you spend fighting for basic human rights is time you could have spent doing so many other things, even though the battle for those rights is crucially important, necessary, and unavoidable. LGBTQIA+ fear and anxiety is like a usurious emotional interest rate levied for the benefit of self-serving, avaristic, hateful thugs. You shouldn't have to be afraid, you shouldn't have to keep explaining that you're a person, that you deserve love and friendship and solidarity. You shouldn't have to beg for your place at the table of humanity.

Someday, maybe soon, maybe later, you're going to be able to say to someone else "I know exactly how you feel, you're not alone, I've been there." This doesn't seem like a big deal, but it is, it's a big deal. In the meantime, you're doing the right thing by reaching out. This is a good time to gather safe people around you, to build an emotional safety net.

I don't know if you've read any of Robert Evans stuff but I'd encourage you to subscribe to his "It Could Happen Here" podcast and to follow him on Twitter. He's got really excellent insights about building mutual support and finding and supporting allies and he's a fierce defender of the LGBTQIA+ community. I think you should investigate Margaret Killjoy's work because she's a brilliant activist who specializes in practical empathy and pragmatic survival solutions. She understands how to weaponize vulnerability, a crucial activist perspective and strategy. You have specific insights because of your lived experiences that are powerfully important and helpful. Find people committed to building community and solidarity and who understand how to weaponize personal sorrows and vulnerabilities.

Things are going to get more dangerous. I wish I didn't have to say that, but I'm a mom, so I'm gonna say it. This is a time for going out of your comfort zone, it's time to think like an activist. I'd encourage you to seek out and surround yourself with people who are focused on results-based actions. There are a lot of different kinds of activism and activists, there's a lot of great ways of being involved. And you don't have to do ANYTHING you don't want to do. For instance: I refuse to do phone banking. I'll do text banking and I'll even do goddamm door-to-door canvassing (with accurately updated VAN lists; I don't do cold calls anymore, it's not safe) and I refuse to do fundraising of any kind. But I do a lot of things that I never, ever thought I could do. It's not always comfortable but I have the Mom Thing bigtime, so I'm ok with doing shitty or scary work if it means keeping my loved ones safer. It's important to be cautious about the kind of people who aren't looking to build coalitions, who are just looking for confrontations and fights. That's not activism, that's trolling IRL. There are immature or self-serving or toxic people everywhere, even in progressive organizations, so be smart and cautious and careful when getting involved in community activism. Look for open-hearted solidarity and protect your time and your energy. Tell your friends and family and even other activists that you need more from them if they aren't supporting you adequately. You're allowed to ask allies to step up, to tell them to get outside of THEIR comfort zones. You're allowed to say NO to stuff and to practice fierce self care, to protect yourself the way you'd defend a beloved friend. I'm an activist because it's a good way for me to navigate this goddamm world, but you have your own strengths and interests and abilities, your own way of being involved and looking for opportunities of service and connection and mutual solidarity. The main thing to remember is that you might feel alone, but you're not alone. There are so many people fighting for you, so many people who are so so glad you're here and you're YOU.

I want you to do something nice for yourself today, even if it's just something low key like buying weird or silly candy or a crazy flavor of ice cream, or asking a friend to sync up a dumb movie on Netflix and then talking on the phone while you make fun of it together, or going for a walk and smell newly bloomed hyacinths. Every single day, I want you to give yourself a little treat. Every. Day. Even if it's just a pair of sparkly sunglasses from the dollar store. Make sure you get enough genuinely beneficial, truly restorative sleep. Valerian root or Passionflower or Kava sometimes help if melatonin or Benadryl doesn't work on you. Listen to music that comforts you or feels soothing, just a little bit, every day. I'm an unreformable metalhead, even at this age, but I listen to pretty music at bedtime because it helps me sleep better. If the world isn't going to treat you right, isn't going to take care of you, then make sure that YOU are taking care of yourself. This sounds like Mom-nonsense, but you should do it anyway.

I'd love to hear what you chose for your treat today. Please reach out again. I'm going to be thinking about you and sending good vibes your way. You have allies. You're not alone. Being brave is hard and I'm proud of you. It's a better world because you're in it. This is the truth. It's a better world because of, and with, our LGBTQIA+ family. Hang in there my friend.

#xoxoxo #let me know what treat you got #except if it's an Almond Joy bar #because that shit is indefensibly bad #like I don't want to tell you how to live your life #but there are people who think Almond Joys are ok and THEY'RE WRONG #lol #robert evans #margaret lovejoy #trans activists #trans activism #activist #activism #you're not alone #reach out #keep reaching out #we love you #we need you #we want you #yes YOU #roastedtoastieboys

[msgrumpygills]

I'm sorry, didn't Jensen say Chaos Machine was working on something SPN related with SPN alum in their virtual pannel? It's not like JP was completely blindsided. He said he was doing it months ago, just didn't give details. Also, isn't JP working on Walker? Didn't he say he wanted to work close to home? Didn't he say that overworking himself lead to his breakdown? Doesn't he already have like 4 other side projects going on? Like, why would Jensen involve him if JP was already busy enough? Doesn't he have a family to worry about? J and D are working together on this so it makes sense that wherever the might have to go for it, the kids will be with them, but Gen would most likely not be involved, so why bother? Is he itching to get away from his family that bad?

And you are absolutely right. It's a little (a lot) hypocritical for JP to hijack the spnfamily and turn it in to the walkerfamily, use spn easter eggs and actors to promote his show and get views, claim that his show will last longer than the show that gave him a majority of his fame, then get butthurt when Jensen ( who was equally involved in said show) makes his own spn project. Do the people who are pissed honestly think JP consulted Jensen about all the SPN junk he used? Also,it's a prequel about John and Mary. Dean and Sam weren't even born yet. "Sam Winchester won't be involved whatsoever" yeah no sh*t sherlock. He didn't exist yet. Jensen said he wasn't going to talk about it (again in the virtual panel) until he got the ball rolling. The other cast members made jokes about being on the show because they knew their characters weren't even involved in the story at that point. No one was except, John and Mary.

Like, the two of them worked together for 16 years, they are allowed to do their own thing without involving the other.

And as for the people saying " Well I guess Soldier Boy isn't going to be such a big role after all if Jensen already has another project lined up"... uh yeah..no shit. For a group of people who were complaining about h*llers joining The Boys fandom for Jensen, y'all sure act like you don't know how that show works either. I've read the comics so I knew SB wasn't gonna last long ( it could change idk) but like, no one is safe on that show except for The Boys themselves and select members of the Seven. Literally everyone dies. Have they even watched the show? The killed a main supe a few episodes in. Did they join the fandom for Jensen? Were they projecting? The character they made a big deal about last season got torn to shreds in the season finale. Like, c'mon pay attention. The supes are the bad guys.

And how does JP know Jensen wasn't going to involve him later? He doesn't. Instead he created public dramathis fandom is absolutely ridiculous sometimes, I swear.

You win the award for best ask today because you have brought ALL the points!

I doubt Jared asked Jensen's permission or anything like that before using SPN for his show, using the "family" thing for his new projects, or using his face for views and interest for his own personal gain. I can see him being upset if it was about Sam and Dean because of course he'd need to be involved, but a prequel before the boys' time? Why would Sam or Dean be involved?

We don't know if Jensen tried to tell Jared behind the scenes, but knowing what we know about Jensen, I don't think he did this as a dick move. He probably figured he wouldn't need to warn Jared considering SAM AND DEAN AREN'T EVEN INVOLVED. Also, HE ALREADY TALKED ABOUT IT WITH JARED. So him acting like this is some big surprise is shitty and manipulative. Can't let the CW golden child be outshined, now can we?

Maybe he's just worried that this show (if it even gets picked up, I think it's just in the works right now, no?) will do better than Walker and will further prove that Jared can't seem to hold his own. You can't sit there and distance yourself from the show to try and make yourself a big star (except when it comes to using it for your own personal gain) and then get pissed off when someone else takes the opportunity you didn't want.

Jared could have done something with SPN, a prequel, a sequel, whatever. He chose to take the job that was handed to him on a silver platter instead and wanted to try and be the next big thing. Jensen decided to do something with the show and that's his right.

The stans trying to downplay Jensen's role on The Boys seems like they're just looking for things to use against him. I don't think Jensen was acting like this was going to be his next big break and that he was going to be on a 15 season arc (cough cough), so the only people who thought that were the stans. Jensen has talked about being behind the camera for years, no? So it's no surprise that he's going to try and do something behind the scenes, and why not have it be SPN related for that debut?

Also, it was easy for Jared to just piss off to his new life as long as the fans keep lining his pocket. Jensen seems to want to do something for the fans that have been there since the beginning. Just comparing their behaviors since SPN ended, Jensen seems to want to do something for the fans rather than seeing them as dollar signs.

Again, Jared knew exactly what he was doing with those tweets. He doesn't have a very good track record with handling things privately, and I'm just glad he didn't doxx the Ackles' for being mean to him like he does with customer service workers.

I don't want to make assumptions about Jensen talking to Jared or not until we hear from him because it seems out of character for him. If he really didn't reach out, then yeah that's kinda crappy, but Jared is also getting karma for his shit behavior lately so it's a catch 22.

All in all, this might be the thing that officially makes me anti Jared.

#grumpy answers #jared padalecki #jensen ackles

[catzula]

A kiss to warm your heart

A/N: Ahh I missed writing for Bakugou and its been a while since I had this much fun writing anything, I hope you guys enjoy it too >:(

And uh lets not make this one flop pls 😦

Pairing: bakugou x reader

Warning: cursing

Genre: fluff! Mutual pining, some jealousy but not very prominent

Synopsis: going to a skiing trip for the weekend with you friends sounds like a good idea (not as much when you realize your crush, Bakugou Katsuki is coming, too!), but it's a bit hard to actually get to skiing when you can't ride the chair lift.

"Dips on the bed next to the window!" Mina rushed into the room, throwing herself on the said bed. You sent her a fake pout as you settled on the other bed, not really caring about it's location, but it was fun to guilt-trip Mina. She gave you a crooked grin as she laid her luggage on the ground, already unpacking.  

"Change into your skiing clothes, Kiri told me we're going to go skiing in about half an hour."

"What? No! We just came, I'm tired." You protested, throwing yourself on the fluffy hotel bed, groaning and hoping you looked as yitrd as you felt so she would leave you alone.

"Y/N, stand up and wear your ski clothes? Please?" Mina held you by the arm, lulling you off the bed and thinking you were a little too strong for your own good.

"Oh, come on," she groaned when you sent her a 'leave me alone, I'm tired' look, "We're only here for two days, and we should use every chance we have! Also, it's tea time, and they are serving those little free cookies, so I'm sure you'll feel better if you just ate one."

"Yeah, all I need is cookies." You scoffed, making her grin. "Nope, all you need is Bakugou." Mina turned to the mirror and fluffed her hair, trying to look as indifferent as she could, failing at hiding her sly grin as she gave you a few seconds of silence to reconsider. 

You sighed as you rushed down the stairs, evening your pace with Mina's. You always hated walking in ski clothing since it made you feel like a burrito: overheated, wrapped with layers and layers of clothing which rustled each time you moved, and very uncomfortable.

"Free cookies, you say? Are there brownies, too?"

~~~

You knew she wanted to talk about something by the way she kept turning at you and fidgeting her hands. "What is it?" You asked when Mina glanced at you for the fortieth time the last few minutes. "If it's about you-know-who, I don't wanna hear it, though." 

"Mina-" you started to talk, but she stopped you before you could argue, although you were itching to go downstairs already because you felt like you were going to have a stroke if you stood indoors with these clothes. "Don't Mina me, and you know this is your best chance to confess to him! What are you even waiting for, for him to confess first?"

"Uh, yeah?" 

"Oh, come on!" She groaned, emphasizing the last word. "If you want to tell him, this is your chance!" 

"Well, you're out of luck, then." Mina booped your nose. "We are talking about the worlds biggest tsundere after all. I doubt he'd say anything before you do."

She was right, and you knew it. "I know," you admitted, rolling your eyes at the way she grinned proudly. "But I'm not- I don't want to damage our friendship, you know? And I'm not ready for a rejection." You laughed wryly to ease the tension you were feeling. 

"Rejection? Are you serious? You guys are so obvious that even Denki asked me if you were secretly dating. You are almost already dating, just neither of you accepted the feelings towards the other." 

Well, it was true. You and Bakugou were a little closer than friends, maybe, but him every so often flirting with you or you meeting his gaze whenever you looked at him (which happened quite often, you had to admit) didn't necessarily mean he liked you back, did it? 

"I'll- I'll do my best." You smiled at her, trying to change the subject since you were in the entrance of the sitting area. "Let's go eat something already. Do you see them?" 

"Oh, I see Kiri." She spotted, grinning when she saw Bakugou frowning right next to him. "Look, Bakugou's there, too. Hey guys!" She waved at them, running towards the duo and pulling you along. You could see how his gaze snapped up at hearing Mina's voice, the red eyes finding yours immediately and a smirk replacing the frown on his lips. 

He had no right to look this good even with snowboard clothes. His spiky hair messy because of the big ski glasses that rested on top of his head, the black, skin-tight thermals enhanced his well-built body, and his orange-striped ski pants looked like they fit him perfectly. You had to admit you were maybe a bit excited to see him snowboarding down the mountain.

"What, see something you like?" He grinned, whispering so only you could hear, frowning almost immediately after that when he turned to Mina. "Took you guys long enough."

"Yeah, don't tell me that, it was her who needed 30 minutes of convincing, although it was pretty easy to convince her after I said- well, never mind what." She grinned villainously when you sent her an 'I'll push you of a cliff if you say one more word' look.

Bakugou quirked a brow at the pink-skinned girl's sudden change of behavior but decided not to think about it much. "Oh my God, I'll pass out let's go ski already!" Kirishima chimed in, pulling on the thermals he was wearing that clung to him like a second skin, and you could feel the eyes that were looking his way as you walked through the lobby. "These clothes are waaay too warm to be wearing inside." He added, fanning himself with his hands.

He was right, and you felt suffocated, too, the clothes too warm, too tight, too much and too heavy, there were too many things to carry with you, all your hands occupied with another ski gear, and you were itching to throw them and run outside to the snow screaming.

You were glad when your friends complied, all making their way to the ski room. You spotted Mina running towards you, and her ski pants pouches were suspiciously full with something that resembled cookies. You quirked a brow at her, pointing at her bulky pockets, only to earn a grin from her. "You know, its a little snack for us to eat when we get hungry or bored on the longass chair lift ride."

"Hey Mina, send me a cookie!" Denki waved to you, making Mina grin knowingly. "See? There's demand."

You chuckled as you entered the ski room. Bakugou was already sitting on the bench, a jet black snowboard right beside him, the crimson of his eyes contrasting with the black of his board and clothes beautifully. His eyes raised to you when you entered the room, a smirk finding its place on his soft lips when your eyes wandered over the pretty snowboard. 

You couldn't look away as he leaned forward to tie his shoes, arms flexing as he tightened them to fit his legs better, and your need to go running to the snow and maybe scream a few minutes had suddenly increased.

You were approaching him when you felt someone lightly touch your arm. It was a guy around your age, you noticed, smiling widely at you, and you could tell he worked there by the tag on his chest. Shindou Yo, it read. "Can I help you?"

"Oh, thank you." You muttered, feeling somewhat shy after taking a glance at his smiling face and noticing just how handsome he was. You followed him to the counter when he told you to come with you, making you forget the existence of the crimson gaze that was following you wherever you went. 

You didn't feel it, but Bakugou watched you as you gave your name and room number to the charming boy, unaware (or maybe aware?) to his flirty remarks as he pulled out the skiing gear you rented, smiling and giggling as he said something Bakugou couldn't quite hear. You finally realized the dirty looks the blonde was sending you as Shindou kneeled before you to help you wear the ski shoes and gears, but even then, you only smiled and waved at Bakugou, not noticing how he gritted his teeth. 

"Oh, fuck this." Bakugou muttered and raised to his legs, grabbing his snowboard and storming out of the room when Shindou laid his hand on your thigh to 'support' himself to stand up. "Bakugou?" You furrowed your brows and tilted your head when you noticed him sprinting outside. You quickly realized the rest of your friends had left, too. 

Thanking Shnidou, you stood up, running out of the room, only to sigh in relief when you noticed your friends had gathered right outside of the hotel, Sero trying to help Denki wear his ski gears, but both failing miserably. 

"Y/N, right here!" Mina called and waved at you, and it was hard not to see her in her shiny silver puffer jacket. "Oh, I thought you guys left without waiting for me." You spoke, breathless when you finally arrived next to them. 

"Aw, we would never!" Mina chuckled. "Bakugou would, though. Did, also." 

"What, he left?"

"Yep, said he was going to leave ahead since quote unquote, he couldn't wait for slow extras like us."

You frowned, you thought you would be together the whole day! So he wasn't going to stay with you guys for not even five minutes? "I'm going after him." You informed Mina, skiing as quickly as you could down the small slope, in which's end stood the beginning of the chair lift. 

You quickly spotted the spiky ash blond head, holding the giant indigo snowboard in his hands with a very grumpy look on his face. You sighed, and he looked pissed. "Bakugou!" You called out, trying to get to him before his turn in the line came, not so nicely pushing people in front of you to draw near him. 

"Bakugou!" You called once again, and this time you were sure he had heard but ignored you. "Hey, asshole!" You spoke, this time in a normal voice since you had finally drawn close to him, touching his arm to get his attention. 

"What're you doing here?" Bakugou asked without taking as much as a glance at you and making you narrow your eyes. "What do you mean, what are you doing here?" You snapped.

"I said, what are you doing here? What, did your new boyfriend leave you already?"

"New boyfriend? What the hell are you talking about?" But instead of getting a rational answer, instead of getting any response, you watched as he gave you a soft 'hmph!' and turn back in front of him. You would've pushed the subject if it wasn't your turn in the line, and you were already regretting this as you entered the chair lift right after him. 

~~~

"What the hell is your problem?" You muttered after sitting in silence for a good 15 minutes, you still had about 5 minutes till you landed, but it was enough for you to have and end this conversation, you thought.

"What is my problem? What the fuck is your problem? You were the one who chased me till here, after all." Bakugou growled in response, pulling the black ski mask down to his chin as he spoke. "I chased you because you left us and went ahead! We came here as a group, so why would you go off alone?"

"And what the fuck is this new boyfriend shit you're talking about?" 

"Oh, you just had to bring him up." Bakugou muttered under his breath. "Shut up, idiot. We're going to land in a minute, so raise your legs." He instructed, pulling the safety bar over your head when you complied. 

"You ready?" He asked when the chair came to the smooth surface, knowing very well how you struggled each time you landed from these things. "Okay," he answered when you nodded, instinctively taking your hand in his gloved ones, "one, two, jump!" 

He jumped with you, holding and pulling you to himself when you lost your balance despite his instructions, and you could feel the breath he exhaled as he chuckled on your hair. "Don't laugh!" You frowned, only making him laugh harder. "Whatever, come here so the next ones to jump won't run into you." Bakugou pulled you to the side. 

"Oh, look, Sero and Mina are in the ones right after this one!" You told and pointed to your friends, Mina waving in her hands in her seat like mad and shaking the chair in mid-air.

"I'm never riding this thing with Mina again." Sero took a breath of relief as they jumped down from the chair, too. "Don't worry the next ones are the single chair ones." Mina assured him with a cheeky grin, her response making both you and Bakugou gulp audibly. 

"Oh, fuck."

"Oh, no!" You cried out.

"What's happening?"

"Oh, that's okay, Y/N, even I fall sometimes!" Mina assured you, not aware of how your situation was. "No, you don't understand." You told her. "I suck at them! I have the 1 out of 20 chance of arriving at the end of them without falling!"

"Oh my god." You rubbed your temples.

"She can't ride those single seat ones for her life." Bakugou answered instead of you. 

"Yep, she's not even exaggerating." Bakugou assured her. 

"Are you sure, you know we can help-"

"Shut up, raccoon eyes." Bakugou growled at her, making her shrug and wait in the line. "Okay, now." Bakugou turned to you. "Stop being so stiff. It's fucking easy if you just relax."

Mina quickly became aware of how sincere you were with your 18th failed attempt at the single-seat chair lifts. "You guys go ahead," Bakugou finally told them. "I'll help this idiot and come right after."

"I'm sorry for not wanting to fall on my butt again!" You gritted through your teeth as you nervously eyed the lift. "You won't fall on your ass if you just do as I say!" Bakugou snapped back. "Look at me, dumbass. It's alright."

He frowned when you stood still. "Look, I'll sit at the one right after you, okay? I'll catch you if you fall."

"Promise?" You asked, smiling when he nodded. "Well then, let's do this."

You watched as Kirishima went first, Denki going second, Mina following him, and Sero going right after. "Your turn, dumbass." Bakugou nudged you. "Look, we can try it a few minutes later if you don't feel ready-"

"No, no, it's okay." You smiled. "I can do it if I know you're there to catch me."

And you did. 

For the first time that day, you managed to go more than a meter, still as stiff as ever, but a feeling of relief bubbling inside of you as you knew Bakugou was right behind you. "Whoo!" Mina cheered when she noticed you were riding it without falling the past minute.

"Did she do it?" Denki shouted from in front of you, and you giggled when you heard Kirishima whistling from the beginning of the line. "Did she do it, did she do- fuck!" You heard Denki's muffled curse, eyes widening in horror when you realized he fell as he tried to look back at you. 

The idiot he is, Denki didn't even think of skidding to the side so he wouldn't cause Mina to fall, too, but he did. Mina accidentally kicked the blond, who sat dumbly on the floor, with her ski gears when she tried to raise her legs so she wouldn't tangle with him, but she did anyway. 

"Oh, fuck, stand aside, stand aside!" Sero cried out, but the two on the ground were panicking and weren't thinking as they kept sitting in the middle of the path. Luckily, Mina managed to throw herself into the soft pile of snow the last second before Sero crushed into her, but Denki wasn't as quick. 

"Denki, don't you fucking dare!" You shouted.

"You fucking idiot! Stop it, you're going to make me fall, too!" Sero shouted when he noticed Denki was sitting there intentionally, reaching and grabbing Sero's seat, making the gear pull the both of them.

You would've laughed at the sight if you weren't so scared of falling, since watching Denki hang from a seat by hands and the rest of his body get dragged on the snow, his face and body buried in the snow and screams muffled by all the snow he was eating as Sero slapped his fingers and tried to kick him off, was a sight to behold. But you let out a silent scream when Denki let go of Sero's seat, eyes finding you, his next prey. 

"Kick him in the fucking face!" Bakugou shouted from right behind you, but you had lost your balance before you could even comply. Letting go of the rope you were holding on to, you let yourself fall on the snow and immediately retracting to the soft snow pile off the road. 

"Bakugou?" You turned around, and Bakugou couldn't help but think how cute you looked, face red from lying in the snow, hair tangled. "Did Denki make you fall, too?" You chuckled, not even trying to stand up, snow was pretty comfortable, you realized.

"You could say that." He shrugged.

You were laying face down on the snow, chest heaving as you waited for your heart to slow down. "What the fuck are you doing there, or are you dead?" You heard a familiar voice call from behind you. 

"What does that even mean?" You smiled knowingly. "Or did you jump after me?" 

"Hm, and what if I did?" He kneeled on the snow, leaning in, his face so close that his warm breath and caramel scent the only two things you could register for a few seconds. "I promised I'd catch you if you fell."

Bakugou hadn't expected to hear you chuckle when he said that, and he wasn't sure if he was happy or angry about it. "Well, you didn't do a good job, did you? I am lying in the snow, after all."

You had a point, and knowing that caused Bakugou to frown. "I'm leaving you here." He sighed, standing up and cruelly kicking some snow on your face, too.

"Hey, no, wait! Come back, Bakugou!" You cried out. "I can't stand up, my legs stuck!" It was true since your ski had sunk in the snow at a very odd angle when you threw yourself over it, making your ankle hurt when you moved it even an inch. "Bakugou! Please!" You called out one more time, not expecting him to sigh and turn back to help you. 

"How did you even do this?" Bakugou asked as he examined your leg, touching and pulling it slightly, rolling his eyes when you whined to tell him it hurt. "Stop being a baby."

"It hurts!" You answered at the accusation, feeling somewhat awkward as he inspected your legs closely, as you lay there watching the sky or playing with the snow, making snow castles, groaning every so often when he pulled at your leg. "Okay, I'll take off your ski now- Y/N, what the fuck? Stop playing with the snow and help me!" 

"What am I supposed to do- ow!" 

"I don't know... talk about your new boyfriend or something." He spoke, narrowing his eyes at the thought and pulling your leg a bit too harshly. "I untied the ski, but you have to pull your leg." He instructed. 

"I'm bored of this new boyfriend issue, I don't even understand what the hell you're talking about!" You whined as you did as he said and pulled your leg despite the sharp pain. You actually did have an idea of what he was angry at, but it was so dumb, you didn't even want to think he was jealous of a guy you talked to for 5 minutes tops.

"Ah, fuck." You moved your now fee leg, brows furrowing when you felt a sharp stab of pain. "I think I injured it."

"I'll take you back to the hotel." Bakugou sighed, sitting on the floor to untie his snowboard as well. "Can you walk?"

"I'm not sure." You answered honestly. It hurt a lot to walk in unpressed snow since it was already hard to walk in it without being injured. "Okay, wait a second." He stood up, leaning towards you. "Bakugou what are- oh." You stood still as he snaked his arms beneath your leg and back, pulling you to himself and lifting you to his chest. 

"I'm willing to bet you won't be able to walk." He huffed, his warm breath touching your neck. "Yeah, but are you sure you'll be able to carry me all the way to the hotel?"

You smiled when he quirked a brow at you as if to ask, are you challenging me?"

"Who do you think you're talking to?" He smirked proudly. "Are you okay? Comfortable? Is your leg okay?" 

"I'm fine, don't worry." You chuckled, leaning back into him and relaxing between his arms. It felt nice to be in his hold. "Let's go, quick, since I'm sure my new boyfriend's very worried too." You teased, your words bringing his movements to a halt. 

"I won't have mercy and drop you face into the snow." He growled, but you grinned cheekily. "No, you won't."

"What makes you so sure?"

"Hm," you nuzzled to him, you could hear his quickening heartbeats. "I think you like me a bit too much for that." You muttered, feeling braver than you probably should, trying to hide your nervousness with a smile. 

"Well, maybe I do." He whispered, his eyes locked on your lips. "But I have another way to get back at him."

"And what's that?"

"I can kiss you, you know. Make him as jealous as I've been feeling this whole day."

You leaned towards him as well. "I'm not complaining." You smiled, closing the gap between your lips and smiling into the kiss. Bakugou could feel the warmth of the kiss spreading to his chest. 

#bnha x reader #bakugou x reader #bnha x you #bakugou katsuki x reader #bnha scenarios #mha x reader #mha imagines #bnha bakugou

[stay-tinystars]

Traveling Teacher

Ship: Mark (NCT) x fem reader.

Traveling teacher, non idol au

Word count: 1585

Warnings: reader has very anxious thoughts at the beginning.

A/N: random story I started months ago. I hope you all enjoy this random story. I wanted to write something for Mark, because he's just adorable. I'd love feedback on what you think of this story.

Deep breath in, deep breath out. That's all you kept repeating in your head. You had to calm down, it was going to be alright. He would be here any minute, he was just running late. He wouldn't have asked you here just to stand you up, or would he? This couldn't be another prank.

 Leaning forward you rested your head in your hands. Trying to focus on the things around you to ground yourself. You felt the slight breeze around you. The sound of the birds, and the city. The wooden bench beneath you. The feel of the gravel under your shoes. The light weight of your jacket across your shoulders.

The anxiety of the situation seemed to decrease as you focused on the things around you. The sound of shoes against the gravel sounded calming.

"____, You actually came." his words pulling you back to the present, immediate relief flooded through your chest. You looked up to see him smiling at you, he seemed pleased.

"Of course, you asked me to come." You smiled as you stood up dusting off your dark jeans, fixing the hem of your shirt and adjusting the light jacket. You felt lightly undressed. He looked like a model, per usual. His perfectly styled, yet messy hair swept back from his forehead, the leather jacket over a vintage band shirt, and a pair of jeans.

"I wasn't sure that you would actually show." his eyes on the ground as his fingers ran through his hair. His eyes then met yours. "You're usually really reserved, I was afraid I might have scared you off, saying it was a date. I'm glad it didn't." his eyes becoming little crescents, as he gave a genuine smile.

The butterflies in your stomach seemed to swarm, as he guided the way. You started down the path towards the main part of the park.

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

Mark was a traveling music instructor, so he came to the primary school twice a week to teach beginning band, and choir. Being an office aid you saw him when he picked up his badge checking in for his class, and when he returned his badge. 

The first day he came in, he took you by surprise. The last traveling teacher was a grumpy older man, Mark however was literal sunshine, always kind and friendly to everyone he came across. The children adored him, and all the ladies at the school gushed over him, single or not.

In the few words you would exchange as he checked in and out, you slowly got to know him. You both shared a love for music, especially live music. Last week when he mentioned going to the free concerts in the park you talked with him about some of the ones you attended last summer. That's when he invited you to join him for the mini festival of cover bands that weekend. Completely ignoring the other flirtatious aid, who offered to go in your place, being as you 'didn't get out much'. He just smiled and looked back at you, stating it would be a great getting to know you date. After that he left. You were as red as a tomato, laughing internally at your coworker who was now insisting that there was something wrong with him.

---------

"We haven't ever discussed what made you want to be an office aid at a school" Mark noted, as you strolled towards the outdoor amphitheatre.

"Truthfully I never planned on being an office aid" you laughed. "I wanted to do something with kids, but I didn't want to teach. I considered being a school librarian, but every job I applied for fell through. Then someone my mom knew was retiring from being an office aid, and my mom gave her my resume. I got a call for an interview for a job I never applied for. They ended up hiring me immediately after my interview. I guess the rest is history."

"They must've known you'd be great with kids." He remarked as he guided you towards the small seating section.

"I'm not so sure. I think they needed someone who was kind, but had a firm hand. So I got the job."

"I've seen you with some of those kids. Even the troublemakers listen to you." He praised as he motioned towards the reserved seats in the third row off to the side.

"I'm nowhere near as good with them as you are. You helped Jin get into that special summer program, which I never expected to happen. Especially after he flushed Mrs. Kim's prized fish last year." You praised back as you both took a seat.

"I heard about that." He chuckled. "Jin has a lot of potential, he just didn't know how to direct it. All I did was guide him, and help him on the right path."

"Is that why you became a traveling teacher?"

"Actually, no." He let out a small laugh. "I was supposed to be in Law school. After the first semester I knew I couldn't handle it. I had been tutoring kids in music lessons when I decided I would just try that path. I must say I feel like I make more of a difference now, then I would've as a lawyer."

"You do make a huge difference at my school. The kids are always excited when they get to have Mr. Lee's class. We also have less absences on the days you teach."

"I don't know that I make that much of a difference." His ears turned a slight pink.

"You do. I'm sure we will see many kids in the music industry in the future because of you." 

"Guys look it's Mr. Lee, and Miss ____." A child yelled from behind you. The two of you turned in your seats,, to see a few students getting settled in the grass a ways behind you. You both smiled and waved.

"I bet they are on a date!" Another said loudly, your eyes looked down, as you turned around in your seat. The blush was apparent on your cheeks. As Mark made a big scene of stretching and putting his arm around you. A light giggle left your lips as you looked over at him, with a questioning look.

"What?" He asked, and you glanced at his arm then back up to his face. "The kids have to learn somehow. This is how to be smooth." he nodded then did an over the top wink. You laughed again, covering your face with one hand, shaking your head. He was anything but subtle or smooth.

Soon the music started, the energy pulsed through the air. You both sang and danced along to cover after cover. The first band played music your parents listened to.

The second band played music from the early 2000s which Mark ended up serenading you with.

Between bands you just sat, and talked. He found out your favorite movie. You found out he loves cookies and cream Ice Cream.

The last band was a big band 1950s style cover band. During a slower song Mark spun you around, dancing between the rows of seats.

The mini festival seemed to end as soon as it began. The sun had started to pitch in the sky, when Mark asked you to join him for dinner. With a nod of your head you both set off towards the main road in search of food.

"Can I ask you a question?" Mark asked, as you both strolled the main walkway.

"Of course" you looked towards him, curiously.

"If I were to hold your hand would it make you uncomfortable? I mean if you don't want to we don't have to. I mean this is our first date. If you want to consider it an official date. I am but..." he stumbled over his words, he seemed as panicked as you felt. Your lips slightly turned upwards as you reached for his hand.

"We never know unless we try right? That's what I tell the kids." you stated with a small nod, as his fingers encompassed yours. His thumb gently rubbing the back of your hand as you walked together.

"That's a good way to look at it. I like the way you look at things. I've noticed that you like to look for that silver lining." He noted, as he glanced towards you, slightly bumping you with his shoulder.

"I have to, it's the only way to keep the storm clouds from taking over." the words came out before you could stop them. His hand gently squeezing yours.

"Storm clouds are part of life. I've encountered my fair share of storms, but most people dwell on the storms." His words settled in your skin. "You don't seem to though."

"It takes rain to make a rainbow." You said quietly, taking a deep breath. "I've been through a lot of storms, some destroyed me. Though those I've learned as the storms come to try to make the best of it, because I know there is a rainbow coming."

He paused his stride, softly pulling your hand making you stop, you turned to face him. His smile was genuine and pure. The setting sun gave him a warm glow.

"You know, I'm starting to think you're my rainbow." His soft words made you melt.

You could feel the heat in your cheeks and ears, as you looked towards the ground. Then back into his eyes. "You might be mine as well"

#nct 127 fluff #nct mark fluff #kpopcatalog #Mark Lee x fem reader #mark lee fluff #nct mark x fem reader #nct fluff #nct fanfic #nct scenarios #nct mark scenarios #nct mark fic

[experimental-failures]

Diovus Eesket: Introduction

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

I'm not sure why I'm actually writing any of this. It's hard to bring back these memories and I don't like to bring them up unless it's for a purpose. So I guess I do have a purpose with all this.

I'm just rambling so I don't have to think about it. So I'll get to it.

My name is Diovus Eesket. I'm a purple blood with voodoos that can allow me to do a few things to those that drink anything I have poured for them. The activator is annoying to deal with when you want it used quickly, but my voodoos let me take temporary control over an individual, usually only for a quick movement. There is also the ability that I have been developing, the ability to use my voodoos to shatter someone's mind, often driving the individual mad or leaving them in a comatose state. I don't like using that ability, but that didn't matter to the group that kept me.

That group, it was made up of ten purples counting myself. I'm not sure how it all got started but when I was..... "taken in" their goal was attempting to create their own church, one that was going to give the Messiahs more praise than any others and delve into sacrificial territory. I'm glad that never came to be since all of them were piss poor at advocating what they wanted and never drew anyone in.

I was brought into this group simply because I had been in the wrong place at the wrong time and I'll leave it at that. I didn't want to be there but I could never find a way to escape from them. So after awhile I simply did what they wanted and hoped that their dreams would shatter and they'd eventually disband.

Neither happened.

What did happen was that they began to have rivals, church trolls that didn't like what they were doing for whatever reason. I never cared but hoped they would kill eachother.

Instead that was left to me. When the group found out about my ability to shatter a person's mind, they decided to use that to send a message.

There were atleast five separate occasions where they would have me use that ability to shatter a persons mind and send them back to whoever was giving them trouble. That's where I found out that my voodoos still work if the drink is forced.

I never wanted that ability to be used like that. I never wanted to use it in the first place, it was just something I found out about in a fit of rage sweeps before any of this. But I developed the skill and it got me here. The reason they gave for using my skill for something like that? Because there were things worse than death and that was one of them.

I still couldn't get away from any of it, but I did find a silver lining at some point.

That silver lining was named Mikrim Eigret. Mikrim was one of the guys that had been with the group longer than me and he didn't talk much at first. Honestly after awhile of watching him, he seemed uncomfortable about everything that was going on. When they started using me to shatter people's minds I could tell he was just as upset about all of as I was. Though he would also look at me with an intense glare after that first time, he would later tell me that he didn't know how much I disliked doing it.

I never approached him about it, but it must have been obvious enough when I stopped eating. After enough times of being forced to mentally destroy someone, your appetite tends to fail and unfortunately for the imaginary people who will never read this, I eventually couldn't handle it anymore and gave up eating all together. Some of them tried to make me eat and more than once I would have my arm twisted in an attempt to make me open my mouth for them to shovel food into. The only reason they kept me around at this point was to hope I'd get over myself so they could use my ability again.

I was surprised one night when Mikrim actually came to check on me, by then he must have known what my refusal to eat meant. And, feeling like I wouldn't have the graces to be around anymore, I told him everything and how much I hated being with these people.

He completely agreed.

Then he told me about an idea he had, a modification of what these idiots wanted to do. Start a church that would be simply for the people who are suffering from cruelty of everything that this planet throws at them. A place to just forget your issues for awhile and be around those that shared your opinion. Not having to worry about being anyone's play thing or having to stick to social structures in place.

In my hazy starvation, I agreed with him and even told him it was an idea to actually strive for. I knew it probably never would have worked out, he'd get crushed by any church for doing anything to rival them. But it was a nice idea to think about. Kinda wished someone had done something similar before any of this had happened.

I don't remember much of what he said after that, my hearing was starting to go I think, but I could have sworn I had heard him ask if he I wanted to help him with it. That surprise ended up knocking me back to attention! I had missed part of him explaining why he asked it but what I did hear was along the lines of it being easier to start if he wasn't alone in his goal. I could see the reasoning, even if it was flawed from the start. I was the only one in the group that seemed to also dislike what was going on so I guess that made me his only choice for this.

It took me awhile to get my head straight and even longer for me to figure out an answer. Though thinking back, I don't think I'd have ever said no.

I agreed and Mik stated a fact, if I was to help him with his goal I would need to start eating again and get back to my former "Glory".

No one can see it but I'm laughing at that still, it was his words, not mine. I don't know what glory he had seen but my sad current state wouldn't even be good for walking a mile. So I started eating again and healing what damage had been done from my selfish act of defiance.

I knew the others had noticed it, but Mik and I started spending most of our time together. Mostly he was making sure I was still eating and keeping up my strength, but sometimes we would try to talk about an actual plan of what to do once we got away from the group. Hindsight is a bitch, we didn't put as much time into thinking about how to get away.

Once I was back to my old self, we decided to wait for an opportunity to get away. The others were more fighters than we were and Mik was actually the smallest of us so we thought it impossible to fight our way out, not even mentioning the difference in numbers.

We waited for a few sweeps, a decent chance never really showing itself. During that time the group went back to using my skill to break people as a show of what they can do, trying to keep rivals at bay through just fear. It still troubled both me and Mik, though we ended up helping eachother as much as we could, me calming him when the guilt would become too much for him and Mik snapping me out of my hazes when it seemed like I was starting to not eat again. We got better at it over time and I eventually learned that some of the victims were actually able to put their minds back together. It showed that my skill wasn't as final as we had initially thought, so the group decided to start doing attacks on any rivals that got too close.

Unfortunately for Me and Mik, that actually lead to our opening for escape.

I'll skip our planning the escape because in the long run it didn't matter. We got unlucky and we paid for it.

One night the group decided to split in half, one half going to attack a group that had been giving them trouble for the past couple weeks, and the other half staying where they had made camp to keep watch incase the others tried something similar. Since Me and Mik weren't much good in a fight, we were relegated to staying with the half that would watch camp.

We waited while the raider half went out and it had been a long time since they left when one of the others finally spoke up about getting tired. So they came up with the idea to sleep in shifts, like ya do in that situation. And I volunteered Mik for being the first to keep watch.

The others agreed cause no one actually wanted to do that job but you did it cause you had to or you looked like the asshole. Anyway, rant aside. This was actually perfect, we could just wait for them to go to sleep and slip away. And that's what we did, once the last one was actually asleep, we made our way as far from the camp as we could.

Unfortunately that's where the good ends.

We ran into the raider group, coming back from having demolished their targets. We weren't smart, we panicked and we-

We ran away from them as soon as we saw them and we knew they had seen us. I'd find out later that they knew we were unsatisfied with what they were doing, mostly because of my obvious spouts of depressive starvation and Mik's inability to ever develop a poker face.

They eventually caught Mikrim and me. They took us back to camp and woke the others up and told them about what they found. Mik tried to give some excuses but ultimately they fell of deaf ears.

The group tried to think of what to do with us, some wanted to try and use their voodoos to control us so they didn't lose any members. The others felt it would be too much work for both of us and as soon as they said that, I could feel the blood hit me when they killed Mikrim. One if them had shoved their spear through his pusher from behind and another had cut his head clean off. They tossed his body to the side and then moved to me.

I don't know what was said or done after that. My body was frozen, my mind in a deep haze, and a horrible ringing in my ears that threatened to drive me mad. All the energy I had built up from attempting our escape and the excitement of trying to actually do something with Mikrim, had all disappeared leaving not an ounce left. Everything felt heavy, I really wanted to just go to sleep and not wake up.

The only time I was able to hear anything was when they began to shake me. I had apparantly fallen to my knees and they were trying to ask me something.

What they had decided on was just killing me. If they couldn't just control me and my ability, they didn't want to have it bite them in the ass later. But since I had helped them so much they were going to let me atleast have a final request. This was surprising for many reasons to me but the only thing I could think of was a simple yet stupid idea. I didn't even know if it would work.

I simply asked them to let me pour myself a drink. They agreed since it seemed like a simple thing that couldn't hurt them. So they gave me a bottle and a cup after reinforcing that I wanted to pour it. I drank the water that I had poured from the bottle into the cup, and then poured the rest of the water out on the ground. One last stupid sign of "fuck you" that likely wouldn't even matter to any of them.

Then I started. It was a weird feeling, like I was forgetting things but not quite. Like my mind was being fragmented into millions of pieces and shuffled around until nothing made sense and everything looked like nothing. It's very hard to actually describe. Mikrim might have done a better job of it cause he had written in his free time and at one point had wanted to be a writer apparantly. He'd help me water some of the more interesting plants around the camps we made when it seemed like they hadn't had anything to drink in awhile. I'm rambling again huh?

Anyway, I had shattered my own mind with my voodoos, something I wasn't even sure could happen. Didn't know if voodoos would work on yourself and all that.

It was hard to do anything like that, again, nothing made sense and I had no conscious string of thoughts. But somehow my mind slowly repaired itself, eventually I noticed the passing of time and could even understand what that meant again. As more pieces fell back into place I realized that I wasn't dead yet, but alot of time had passed. I couldn't think straight enough to figure anything out, not until I had my senses back. Slowly each one came back as I consciously was fitting the pieces of my mind back to a working order.

Then, when everything was almost back, I realized that the group that was about to kill me had instead been killed by the surrounding plant life. Vines and roots had penetrated the bodies of a few of them, spreading throughout their body until no life remained in their mangled bodies. Some seemed to have just been wrapped in the plants and crushed by their squeezing. Everything was a mess and I wasn't sure what to think. All I knew was I had to get out of there. And so I did.

I don't even remember where I went but it was away from there and that was good enough for me. The shock of everything still wreaked my body and mind, but the fact parts of me were still fragmented meant I wasn't getting the full brunt if it. I atleast used that to help calm myself. I would later figure out that my voodoos apparantly works on plants since they can "drink" what I pour for them. Essentially I could control plants if I wanted to. Mik would have loved that because of how ridiculous it was!

Eventually I did go back, feeding the bodies of the group to the local carnivorous plants, then using the plants to make a grave for Mik.

I had my time to mourn him and I'll skip the stuff that came after, alot of those stories should be for another time.

Mik would have liked to know that I did end up founding a group like he had wanted. We're too small to be considered a church, maybe a cult at best. But we are slowly growing and generally keeping to the idea of forgetting all the pain we've all been through. The main rule we have is no killing without good reason and while things aren't quite like what we thought it would be like, it seems good enough for the few that we've found that want an escape.

We have parties every now and then, some organize a big pailing party but that stuff gets kept separate from the main group since we try to allow any and all who want to join.

Whenever things get bad and events get alot of us down we all sit around and have a group feelings jam or just listen to someone ranting or complaining. Letting out that negative stuff helps and not many like to listen so that one seems to help alot.

But it's actually funny, when you give alot of people freedom to do what they want to do in a world that's constantly crushing you under its weight, they start acting like grubs again or the grubs they never got to be.

Hell, as I'm writing this they all are gathered around eachother and doing a show and tell thing!

Well, that's all of what I think I wanted to write.

Mikrim was the one to come up with this stuff but now I'm the one founding it.

It's a weird situation.

I hope I'm doing all this right.

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

A tall troll sitting by himself, away from the nearby group currently showing off their hobbies and skills, hesitates a moment before crumpling up the paper in his hands and tossing it into the small fire he had made.

He watches patiently as the paper burns, turning to ash.

Once the paper had burned completely away, the troll waited acouple more minutes, his back towards the others as one was currently showing off a guitar they had made by hand from the wood of a fallen tree.

When he had felt he had enough, the tall troll snuffed out the fire and buried the ashes under some dirt in hopes of it not causing problems for the nearby plant life.

Diovus turned, to the friends he had made, returning to them after an extended absence. Wanting to listen as the current teller played their hand made guitar for their first time.

#Diovus Eesket #new character introduction #i am not a writer #to be posted later

[tilltheendwilliwrite]

Star-Crossed: Bound by Blood

Chapter Two

Master List / Read on AO3

Previous Chapter

Pairing: Mando/Din Djarin x OFC Baast’Mal

Warnings: I’m making this up as a go, Canon divergent from the series during chapter 13, mild violence

A/N: I make this stuff up as I go along, if I screw something Star Wars-y up, apologies in advance, I didn’t do it on purpose, but I’m new to this Fandom. I will be cross posting this story between AO3 and Tumblr except the smutty bits. Those chapters will only be available to registered users on AO3. (I’m trying something new for people who want to read here on Tumblr, but to also avoid the smut for minors controversy. We’ll see how it goes.)

*I do not have a tag list* Please follow the story on AO3 if you want email updates, or follow @tilltheendwilliwrite-library where I post the new/latest chapters of all my stories.

***

Baast woke to the scent of cooking meat. It made her stomach rumble and mouth salivate but also confused her. There had been no one in her life for many years. There should be no one to cook. Her eyes snapped open, prepared to fight whoever had found her.

Then her eyes fell on Din playing with Grogu, and it all came flooding back. He spoke softly through the modulator, encouraging the boy to float the small silver ball from Din's hand to Grogu's.

When the child succeeded, Din whispered a pleased, "Dank farrik!"

Baast almost purred, watching him with the child. He made an excellent father, and she was of an age to desire a mate, a home, a pride. But a warrior like him deserved someone better than a broken Zentari. It mattered not that her soul cried out whenever he touched her without the barrier of his gloves.

He'd stripped them off yesterday, and she could smell him—the spicy scent of masculine soap blending seamlessly with the musk of a man warm in his beskar. But the underlying scent of Din Djarin was that of the sandy dunes of her homeworld. He smelled of warm winds and dusky plains, of tall grasses whipped by fragrant breezes. 

He smelled like home. 

The stars were cruel indeed to drop her in the lap of the one made for her.

She watched them for a time as he encouraged Grogu. Their bond was strong, too strong if the Jedi were to be believed. Such attachments bred fear for the one they loved, and fear lent itself to the Darkside. 

The idea of Grogu's pure soul becoming tainted made her ache, and though she said she couldn't help them, Baast knew she must. Grogu deserved a chance to grow up on the side of good. 

She sat up, drawing Din's notice, the man turning toward her across the fire. 

"Morning."

Baast wondered at the voice behind the modulator. Would it be deeper? More robust? Would it be even more pleasing than this one that stroked fingers of violent want through her blood?

"Good morning," she murmured, voice husky still with sleep. 

Before she could ask, the canteen he carried on his belt was in his hand. "Drink?"

She nodded, catching it easily when he tossed it to her. "Thank you. I'm not used to morning conversations anymore. Or any conversations in some years."

"You've done well, evading capture until now. Now, the Tribe will help."

"The Tribe," she whispered. "I've been alone for so long." The idea of being part of something was both appealing and terrifying. "I look forward to meeting your Alor."

"She will be glad to meet you. They all will. Everyone will hope-" He cut himself off, busying himself with the lizard cooking over the fire. 

"Mando, they should not hope for what I do not think I can give," she sighed, lifting Grogu to her lap when he shuffled over.

"You don't know for sure you can't bond, Baast. Give it time."

Time was all she had. Life was a long thing for a Zentari alone in the universe. 

Small green hands gently touched her cheeks, causing her to look down at Grogu. He cooed a sweet noise as she gazed into big, dark eyes. They were expressive in their own right, and she felt herself falling, diving once more into his mind. 

The images came fast and furious. Din running, fighting, killing, but almost always alone. 

Baast closed her eyes as pain washed through her for the Mandalorian. "I cannot," she whispered to the child. "It would not be fair."

Grogu frowned at her before squealing loudly. More images filled her mind, these of a man reckless with his safety, one who had little to nothing to live for. 

She gasped and wrenched her face away from his hands, but it didn't stop the flow of ridiculousness. Kriff! The man had a death wish!

When Grogu disappeared from her lap, only then did he release her from his grasp. 

Baast sent the green menace a glare. "That was entirely rude."

He smiled and blew a raspberry. 

"I'm sorry," Din murmured, holding the child away like Grogu was a danger.

She held up her hand, continuing to glare. "Do not apologize for something he did. It sets a poor president. Invading my mind is bad manners, little one. Disregarding another's desires is a step down a dark path. This will not be allowed."

"Dark path?" Din asked. 

"The Jedi and the Sith. One force believes in peace and passivity. The other wants power and are often corrupted by that passionate desire, both use the Force. He has the potential to be extremely powerful, but with that power comes responsibility. It is a razor's edge to walk, one I am not confident I have the skill to help him navigate."

Din straightened, but his shoulders lowered, relaxing his posture. "You'll help him? I didn't want to bring it up, but I'm running out of options."

"Yes," she sighed. "I know of one who may be able to help him, but I do not know if he will come at my call. Where is your covert?" He said nothing, and Baast tilted her head in apology. "That was an improper question. Forgive me."

"Always," he murmured.

She wondered if that would still be true should he learn what Grogu already suspected. "If I am to make contact, it must be from Tatooine."

"Why Tatooine?"

"Because it is the planet we agreed upon." She turned toward the fire and the spit of roasting meat before looking up at Din. "Have you eaten?" 

The movement was subtle, a single negative action.

Baast hummed and reached for the cloth that tied her pants' to her calf and began to unwrap it. 

"What are you doing?"

She ignored him and continued until her pant leg fluttered free. The cloth was only a couple inches wide, but it was long and thick enough to make an adequate blindfold. 

She lifted it to her eyes, only for his hand to shoot out and grab her wrist. It felt odd for him to touch her with the slightly cracked but soft leather of a glove now that she knew the feel of his skin.

"You don't need to do that."

Baast blinked slowly, gaze drifting to his hand before returning to the visor where his eyes would be. "It is not a need but a want. I will do this, Din Djarin, so that you may eat freely with the child and I. This is the Way."

"It is unnecessary."

She unfolded, rising gracefully to stand before him, wrist yet held in his grasp. "When last did you eat?"

He said nothing.

She tilted her head and held out the cloth. "I have not shared a meal with another in many years. I would share this meal with you and Grogu. Allow me to honour your Creed."

There was no sound, no movement beyond what Grogu contributed to the conversation in small burbles of noise. The Mandalorian was still and silent, a hunter in all things.

Baast waited, quiet, calm. After so many years in a cell, the forest gave her peace, but those years had taught her patience. She could wait for eternity for his decision. She had the time, after all.

What went on behind the helmet, she couldn't know, but eventually, he set Grogu down, released her wrist, and took the blindfold. "Turn around."

She did so, pushing her hair back to uncover her ears. "If possible, try not to cover them. The tips are sensitive, and the fabric will feel abrasive."

The cloth came down over her eyes, hooked behind her ears, and crossed at the back of her head. 

"Again," she murmured. "I can still see."

Twice more, the fabric circled before he tied a knot. 

Her senses heightened, hearing, smell, and the sixth sense that had been with her all her life. The Force resonated in every living thing, glowing and pulsing, connecting all of them. She could see it like an orange glow, thin lines and thick, veining out around them. 

"Good?"

"Yes." The heat of the fire warmed her skin, but before she could move, Din took her hand and elbow. 

"Kneel. I'll get you some food."

Baast followed his direction, aware of the bright light that was Grogu coming to her side. He placed his hand on hers, flooding Baast with a gentle apology. She turned her hand over to hold his little claws.

A quiet hiss filled her ears, causing her to turn toward Din. The beskar blocked some of his energy, the Force somehow muted by it. Then he lifted off his helmet. 

It took every effort to restrain herself from gasping. He glowed white, the shining brightness of a sun. Shock left her mute as she tracked the supernova that was this Mandalorian as he set down his helmet and removed the spit from the fire. He pulled off a piece of meat, maybe a leg, she couldn't quite tell, and brought it to her. 

"Here." The deep baritone was like the softest of silk to her senses. 

Baast held out her hands for the meat. His bare fingers grazed her palm as the hot meal hit her flesh, and grease trickled through her fingers. 

"Thank you," she managed to force from a throat gone tight with emotion. 

"It's hot. Be careful."

She stuffed down the aching need to reach out and feel the lips that produced such a voice and smiled crookedly instead. "Too long have you travelled with only Grogu for company."

He chuckled. "Perhaps."

Another wave of needy desire hit her, but Baast fought it off. She would not doom him to a half-life with an unfinished bond.

She ate and made sure he ate once Grogu was fed, asking questions about the child and how they came to be together simply to keep him talking. His voice was a balm to a soul grown used to silence.

When they finally finished their meal, she waited for him to return his helmet and come to release the blindfold. His hands were deft, skilled, and careful not to pull her hair.

Baast blinked to adjust to the quickly blooming daylight, then retied her pant leg as Din smothered the fire. She reached for Grogu and stood, ready to leave. 

"I can carry him."

She tilted her head, already missing the gentle ebb and flow of the Force from him, now encased in all that beskar. "Do you object to me carrying him because you think I am weak or out of principle because he is your foundling?"

"Uh…"

She arched a brow. "Do not underestimate me, Mando. I live because I am jatnese be te jatnese. The best of the best."

"I know what it means," he huffed.

"Then stop being ori'buyce, kih'kovid," she smirked. "I will care for the child as you have cared for me."

"Atin," he muttered. 

She didn't protest because, yes, she was stubborn.

"Fine." She could almost hear a pout in his modulated voice as he turned and marched out of their temporary camp. "And I'm not all helmet," he grumbled, likely thinking she couldn't hear him.

Baast smirked and gave Grogu a wink. "Come along, ad'ika. We weak ones best keep up with the big strong Mandalorian," she teased.

"I will leave you behind."

She grinned at his back. "No, you will not."

***

By the time they reached the Razor Crest, he was sweating in his beskar again, but with the luxury of the fresher within sight, Din didn't let it bother him.

He disarmed the ground defences and lowered the hatch, heading inside to get them underway. He wanted off the planet before anyone else thought to come looking for Baast'mal. 

Hopefully, the Alor would know who to bribe to falsify a new chain code for her. Either that, or there would be an all-out war to eliminate the threat and bounty on her head. Or, she would spend the rest of her life hunted by the Empire.

He hated that thought. Baast was not a creature who should spend her life hiding. She should be allowed out into the light, a creature of hope and beauty. 

Though he hadn't seen the true colour of her eyes, the rest of her was so mesh'la, when he'd removed his helmet, it had momentarily taken his breath. And without the helmet, her scent had filled his nose like something he'd loved and long forgotten. It was warm, soft, and decadent, all things a Mandalorian put off when he put on the beskar. 

It was getting harder and harder to keep his hands to himself.

She closed the ramp and followed him to the ladder, climbing up with Grogu to slip into the seat back and to his right.

"Once we've left the atmosphere, you're welcome to the fresher, food, whatever you need," he offered, getting them airborne.

"Do I smell?"

He froze. "That wasn't what-"

Her laugher, that throaty purr, cut him off. "It's fine, Mando. An actual fresher after years of lakes and waterfalls will be pleasant."

"Hm. I have to make a stop on Nevarro, then another before we go to Tatooine. Is there anything you need?"

"Clothing. A cloak. And a weapon."

They cleared the planet, and he made the jump into hyperspace before turning around. "What kind?"

"Short sabres or staff will do."

He watched her pet Grogu's ears, gently using those long claws in such a fashion the kid was almost comatose in bliss. She sat with one foot propped on the seat, comfortably leaning on the armrest. He wondered if her skin would begin to lose its sun-kissed nature now that she was off-world.

"How did you learn to fight?" he asked, forcing himself not to think about her skin and how soft it was. 

"Mandalorians are not the only warrior race. Zentari are taught from birth; the rest I learned from the idiots who held me captive. They sought to make me a weapon or a slave, with that came training, but Zentari are not so easily coerced, nor do we forget the slaughter of thousands. I am no weak-minded individual to be controlled by some Sith," she spat.

"Sith?" He knew next to nothing about Force-wielders and felt the lack of knowledge acutely. 

"They oppose all things the Jedi stand for, desiring power over peace or balance. They corrupt what they touch.."

"And how does a Zentari hold out against someone so powerful?" He didn't wish to insult her, but surely a child against a master Sith couldn't win.

She sighed and looked away, watching the lights of hyperspace. "Zentari are neither good nor evil. We are Force neutral. The blood bonds distinguish much of our future. To avoid creating bonds with those that would bring harm was why Zentarus was so well hidden. But someone betrayed us. They used to brag about it, the Imps. How one who we trusted gave us up to the Empire."

"If you are Force neutral, why allow Mandalorians to know of Zentarus? Why let us come seeking mates?"

She shot those vibrant eyes back in his direction. "Because the Way was honourable once. Perhaps, at some point, Mandalore was led astray by their leader, but that was not our doing. Those that came to us knew the Way. They humbled themselves before us, and if they were denied, they left knowing such was not their destiny. Those who came knowing not the Way… did not leave Zentarus alive."

"Then I am glad I knew the Way," he murmured, wondering who would have won between the two of them had she not revealed herself.

"As am I," she nodded, looking as regal as the Sand Panther she claimed in her blood.

"Were the Jedi not part of your Way?"

She scowled. "The Jedi saw us as a threat. Naturally born Force users who required little training to do much of what they could, who lived for generations, and who were neither good nor evil. They feared what would happen if we were corrupted. An attempt was made to wipe us out. It failed, and we Zentari veiled Zentarus from those who knew not where to look."

"And that's why you didn't want to help us," he sighed, realizing the untenable position he'd put her in.

She stood, placing the sleeping Grogu down on her seat before taking the step she needed to stand between his spread knees. Her hands lifted to land lightly on the sides of his helmet, gliding over the metal. "It is no longer a want but a need. I will not watch Grogu fall to the side of the Sith because of my fear of the Jedi. He must be trained."

She leaned down and rested her forehead against his helmet as long lashes veiled her eyes. "This is the Way."

Without his permission, Din's hands found her hips and drew her incrementally closer. "I will protect you, Baast."

"We will protect each other."

He hummed his agreement and wondered at the low ripple of sound vibrating through his chest.

Next chapter

#Star-Crossed #the mandalorian #the mandalorian x ofc #star-crossed:bound by blood

[cosmic-lavender]

Stability Chapter 5

Otis driftwood x Reader

( I do not own these gifs)

Masterlist is here.

"Did you know that the first artist we saw was Jean-Michel Basquiat?!" You were flipping through the pamphlet from the art show you both had attended with a big smile on your face. You were so happy that Otis had agreed to do something so domestic and innocent with you. " No I didn't little lady did you learn that in your fancy city college you went to?". " I did yup''. You adjusted in your seat a bit, " It says here that their next show is in San Diego California oh wow." " Isn't that where your kin is from?" Otis asked as you both pulled off the road onto a dirt path. " Oh yeah you remember?" You smiled up at him tucking your hair behind your ear. "Have you ever missed California?" He asked turning off the truck and looking at you. " I honestly don't remember it. I've spent so much of my life here in Texas that I barely have any memories of California. The weather was nice though and the beach.". Otis scratched his face and sighed "You know I was always worried that you were going to find some educated college city boy and head back to California one day, piff hell I sometimes worry about that now." His voice got a little quieter at the end as he pulled his gun from under the seat and set it into his pants.

You put the pamphlet down and looked toward him. "Are you serious? How could you say that!?" Your voice raised a little higher than you planned but you were surprised. " Now calm down mama I didn't mean nothing" he pushed open the truck door and after grabbing the large bag of guns from the small back seat. He didn't go any further into what he just said, he wasn't good with that emotional crap. But truth be told he was scared one day this wouldn't be enough for you and that you would want to leave. He wouldn't blame you either, as much as you were a part of this family he knew what kinda family this was, it was chaotic and dysfunctional and maybe you'd want someone educated, younger and more … stable than him. You hopped out the truck after him as he held the bag and shovel.

"Otis I said what do you mean by that '' you hurried behind him struggling to keep up with his long legs. He tossed the bag of guns on the ground and began to dig, you stood there arms crossed staring at him waiting for him to speak. " God damnit woman leave the fuck alone I said I ain't mean nothing by it". " Yeah, except you don't say things just to say it. Why are you thinking that I married you !!! Doesn't that show I'm happy here with you?". He didn't answer, he just dug faster and harder into the ground. Before he could grab the bag of guns you stood in front of them. " Otis stop please I'm trying to talk to you" " just go on and wait in the truck y/n '' he replied, still not looking at you.

You walked closer to him crossing your arms even tighter. " You know what I think this is? A ploy on YOUR END, ONE TO GET RID OF ME". That stopped him in his tracks. He looked up at you all covered in dirt and sweaty, his wife beater sticking to his chest. Dammit why was he so sexy.. you're mad at him, stay strong y/n. " THE FUCK WOMAN " He threw down the shovel and stepped out of the hole he was digging. You backed up still trying to look taller and more intimidating by holding your head up. " Yeah I said it, I think it's some stupid ploy to push me away. Why I don't know I don't know what more you could want from me. I do everything for you. I wash your bloody clothes, I bring you dinner to the art studio. I help you .. you know when I can't stomach it and I've opened my mind to your….. activities. Hell, I've even begun to enjoy them. I'm your sister's best friend, mama loves me. I'm like a daughter to her, she said and Spaulding's like the father I never had. I'm a part of this family, why are you trying to ruin this' '. He said nothing he just started at you, blank eyes and nothing on his face. You threw your hands up in the air in defeat. " I love you Otis ok but I don't deserve to feel insecure I don't I … you know fuck this fuck it whatever." You turned away from him stomping back to the truck in a hurry. You were so annoyed and frustrated how you were supposed to have a stable relationship with him making things so difficult.

He stared at you for a second before heading toward you "y/n Y/N HEY I'M TALKING TO YOU FUCK GET BACK HERE, I SAID HEY GET BACK HERE". You opened the truck door when he beat you to getting inside and slammed the door shut. " Look at me, " he demanded, towering over you. You refused, crossing your arms once again and looking away, you felt your eyes sting with the onset of tears approaching. You felt his large hands touch your face and turn it to face him. You shut your eyes to try and hold back the tears that were threatening to spring from your eyes. " I'm not saying anything like that mamas alright, I fuck sometimes can't believe that someone like you could be happy with someone like me. " You opened your eyes and saw him staring at you. " You know you were all I could think about when I was at college Otis" he continued to just stare at you but you could tell he was listening intently. " I was the one that was worried that you were going to find someone closer to your age and that you were just going to see me as a little girl, I was worried that my little silly crush on my best friend's brother was just that, a fantasy. But I couldn't help but remember all the times it was you and I alone. The things we would discuss the movies we would watch the books you would ask me to read out loud." " You know you're the only person I've ever asked to do that" he said lightly stroking your cheek now.. "a lot of the shit I do with you I've never done I just never thought about it, I never thought I could be this soft but you knew how to dig those claws deep and rip out this part of me I thought was dead and buried or maybe never existed."

You smiled and felt the tears starting to emerge. " You know I already knew about half that political shit I came to ask you for help for, I just wanted your point of view and to hear your voice and watch you rant and get all passionate." You chuckled and rested your hand on his. " I had a feeling I knew you were smart as hell but I'm glad you humored me." " I love you y/n there's no way I would ever push you away, if anything I'm afraid you'll try and leave." " Try?" You chuckled a bit " yeah try you think I would let this go? Hm?" He reached round and grabbed your ass hard with his whole hand. " This ass is mine mamas forever". You smiled and wrapped your arms around his neck. " Yes sir " he lifted you up and moved you to the hood of the truck laying you down on it he unbuckled your pants quickly ripping them down, you hurried to unbuckle his pants and stick your hand into his underwear grabbing him by his shaft. " And this is mine forever." He lowered the rest of his garments and pushed your farther up the hood. He stuck a finger into your wet center, " hmmmm always so ready for me", he removed his large long finger and locked it clean as he lined himself up with your center. You nodded " always ". He pushed into you as you wrapped your legs around his waist..

"Where are you taking us, where are we going?" Roy asked looking back at Otis as the van pressed on. "Man you are not a good listener Hoss I swear I went over all this". Otis looked over toward him while still pointing the gun at Adam "Well I guess it wouldn't do no harm to tell you ..again, let's see ah, we're going to go dig up some guns I buried out here a couple of years ago. " Then what? " Roy asked, his voice shaking. "Well there ain't no what, that's the end of the road." Otis replied. "What?... you're not gonna kill us are ya?" Roy looked over at Adam. Otis scoffed "Killing sounds so permanent."

They eventually arrived at the spot Otis instructed them too, the memory of him fucking you on the hood of the truck in this location flashed through his mind. Sorry this is taking so long darlin he thought to himself. Stopping the van Roy got out first and suddenly violently vomited all over the dirt in front of them. " Damn Hoss that is disgusting. Do you puke like that in front of your wife? Does she like it when you puke? I mean is that part of your deal?" "Fuck… you" Adam spat at Otis turning around to face him."That's what they all say "Fuck you", well it ain't gonna save you. It don't scare me none and it don't suddenly make you a fucking hero".

While approaching the dig site Adam and Roy attempted to wrestle the gun from Otis to no avail. "Well we'll do well!!! I was going to take it easy on you and make it fast, but then you had to go and play the fucking hero!" Otis punched Adam over and over busting his face open in the process." I want you to see what happens to heroes…" He walked over to Roy who was clinging to life on the ground, bleeding out from his wounds. " Now Hoss I want you to pray to your god. I want you to pray that he comes and saves you. I want lightning to come and crash down upon my fucking head!" He pointed to the sky then looked down at Roy. " I will pray... Jesus…" sputtered Roy " Louder!" "Bless the bunnies, bless the little birds, bless the… " yelled Roy"I don't feel anything!" Otis screamed "Bless the springtime morning…" Roy said his voice fading out. Otis began to pretend to be struck by an unknown force and look to the heavens " ooo aaah I feel it! Oh great god almighty I repent, I repent! Oh I feel the love of the god, god, god almighty! Oh the holy spirit is in my body."

Finally losing patience with the situation he stands above Roy pushing his long silver hair from his face. " You want to know who I am? I am the devil.. and I'm here to do the devil's work" he took out his large hunting knife and stabbed Roy in the heart.

#otis driftwood #house of 1000 corpses #three from hell #otis driftwood x reader #otis firefly #thedevilsrejects #the devils rejects