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moonydustx · 18 days

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Part 2 from this request (thank u again @cartoonykat )

Mihawk, Lucci and Crocodile x F!Reader.

In short: how they would react to F!Reader saying she was pregnant, how they would deal with the child.

(get ready to read, the stories are a little long)

PART 1 HERE - Luffy, Zoro and Ace x F! Reader

Warnings are placed individually in each history.

requests open | one piece masterlist

Mihawk

warnings: fluff. Mihawk and f!Reader are married and want to have children. Mentions of F! Reader be a cook. Very brief mention of abortion (but it was in the past). Content a little spicy, nothing detailed or explicit. Mihawk speaks Spanish a few times in this one (I just couldn't help it). Princesa: princess. Cariño: kind of "Sweetheart"

You had already arranged your sundress countless times, as well as your hair, as well as the entire dinner table. You couldn't sit still, anxious for your husband's arrival. Today you celebrated three years of marriage and you knew that after a long two months, he would return home. You knew his temperament well enough to know that there were high chances of finding him in a bad mood, he hated spending long periods away from the castle and this had been the longest time of all. Of course, your anxiety had nothing to do with the little box hidden in the kitchen.

"Cariño?" You heard his voice from downstairs and in a matter of minutes you already had him in your field of vision. His expression lit up when he saw you and lifted you into his arms. "How I missed you!"

"Me too darling." his hat fell back as you peppered kisses across his face. "My God, how can you stay away all this time?"

"Problems, cariño, a long list of problems." your feet touched the floor again after the long hug. "And what amazing smell is that?"

"Let's just say I used my free time to prepare something special for both of us."

"You should be resting. Last time we spoke, you weren't well." his smile faded, replaced by an alert tone.

"I promise I'm okay." You tried to make conversation just like the day he called you and said you didn't look well. You were talking through a den den mushi, how could he realize that?

"Just give me a few minutes and I'll meet you in the dining room." he asked and placed a quick kiss on your lips.

The minutes of waiting seemed like endless hours, just like dinner itself. You were willing to listen to him talk about how complicated the days at the Cross Guild were, about the news in the world outside your little dome or even how delicious the dough you had prepared was. Your fingers intertwined with his and despite the physical proximity, your mind wandered on how to get to the subject naturally. You had already tried a few times, you had already lost once without even knowing that you expected it, you wanted - and needed - this time to be special.

"Princesa?" he called you, looking towards the cup in front of you. "You didn't like the wine I chose?"

"It's one of my favorites actually."

"Yet it remains untouched." he observed, noticing your hands restlessly hitting the table. "Is something going on?"

"First, I'll get this." You took the wine cork. "Second, wait here for a while."

Twisting the small piece of cork between your fingers - the one you would make sure to keep, you reached for the small box in the kitchen and before long it was standing in front of Mihawk.

"To what do I owe the honor of being presented like this, out of nowhere?" he began to undo the bow, setting the wine glass aside and using both hands to undo the wrapping.

Inside, there were some pregnancy tests, in your desperation to know if it was correct, you took a much larger quantity than necessary. Next to them, a small hawk plush. You had searched the nearby town while picking up fresh items for dinner. At first your idea was to just talk to him, but the stuffed hawk with yellow eyes stole your attention.

"How could I not notice?" he murmured, as if a thought had been spoken aloud. "That means it worked…"

"If you talk about all sex without a condom, without any protection… Drac!"

He pulled you from the chair onto his lap. The hands on your back served as much support as your arms around his neck. Your laughter echoed throughout the castle while Mihawk almost sloppily distributed kisses to any part of your face that he could find.

"How long have you known?" he asked euphorically, a type of state that was rare to find in hawk-eyes.

"A few weeks ago. No, I would never tell you that on a phone call." you interrupted him before he could complain.

For a few minutes, the two of you remained there. Swears like "I love you" "You just made me the happiest man in the world" they were uttered and kisses spread across your face. His hands, accustomed to the weight and brutality of swords, touched you gently. Not like you were something about to break, but rather like something he valued so much. As if he wanted to record every moment of that moment in his memory through the drawings of his hands on your body. The yellowish eyes practically penetrated your soul as you watched Mihawk.

"May I know what's going on in your beautiful head, my princess?" Mihawk's nose caressed your neck, earning a smile from your lips.

"Now you know. It was a low blow to choose my favorite wine." you mumbled, adjusting yourself in his lap.

"No alcohol for you from now on."

"Not for a while now. God, I'd kill for a full glass right now."

"Maybe I have a little idea of how to satisfy that desire of yours."

"What do you say, hawk eyes." Your attentive eyes followed him as he brought the glass of wine to his mouth and slowly drank the drink, in silent provocation. "Are you capable of being so mean to your pregnant wife? I thought it was to satisfy my desire."

"Don't put it like that." He returned the cup to the immense table, his agile hands slid across the bare skin of your thighs. "I just want you to taste it in a new way."

The taste of wine invaded your lips when Mihawk trapped you in a kiss. His tongue opened space in you, eliciting a moan from you when you felt the much-desired taste invade your palate. In an improvised juggling act, without taking your lips off his, you adjusted yourself in Mihawk's lap. Before now your legs dangled around his body, looking for some kind of friction.

"Babe, I need you." you murmured against his lips and his hands held you even tighter, feeling his intimacy harden against yours. "Please, it's on my craving list too."

"Who knew what a little of the taste would do to you." his hands slid over your skin, he could clearly see your skin crawl. "It also seems like you're more sensitive, this is interesting."

"Why don't you take it off and find out?" you pulled his hands down to the hem of your dress.

"Do you want to take this upstairs?" he asked and instead of using words, you just took off the dress you were wearing, throwing it across the kitchen.

You didn't need to shout the news from the rooftops, that night it was enough for Mihawk that you screamed his name, that he valued the body that would be home to your two long-awaited baby. After eliciting screams, nectar and sweat from you unlike many other times when you spent hours caressing each other and talking, you remained awake for a short time. Then Mihawk could notice the small difference in your belly, how it seemed firmer and pointier, different from the last time he had ventured across your body.

"Sorry about the time out." he first made sure you were asleep and then leaned down to whisper against your skin. "I promise to make it up to you. Both of you."

You could notice the different way Mihawk looked at you and not that he didn't do it often, but it became more and more common to hear him say "You look amazing." "You are so beautiful." Soon after the discovery, you also discovered how your husband could go into hyperfocus and the time was to find a perfect home for you. It still hurt you to leave the castle behind, even if for a brief time, but he knew he had tasks to fulfill with the Cross Guild and because of that, he would need to spend more time away from your island home.

The small arranged mansion was also isolated and was a result of Crocodile's help. Despite having little contact with the main part of the island, it was much less minutes away than the old house. At least you would have space to redecorate the entire room to your liking.

"Woman, you really want to spare me from living a long life." Before your protests, you felt his arms wrap around you and take you off the ladder that you were balancing on to finish painting the room. "If this child turns out to be half as stubborn as you, I will be in big trouble."

"Baby, don't listen to your father's nonsense." you mumbled to your belly bump. "And you, did you manage to assemble the crib?"

"No." he practically whispered and as a way of irritating him, you pretended not to hear. "I'm going back to the city, I'm sure there must be something already done."

"You men, with your little swords, can't handle a new toy." You stood on your tiptoes to place a kiss on his cheek. "Let's switch tasks."

"You women and your kitchen knives." he grumbled, watching you leave and then return only to look at him with judgement. "Okay, I've been an asshole now."

The light shade of yellow had just finished filling the walls when a bang took the eagle eyes' attention. Hearing you swear, it only took seconds for him to be on the doorstep, watching you contemplate the collapsed crib.

"What were you saying about swords?" he teased but your furious look made him change his mind - he swore he saw something red shine in your iris. "Tomorrow we'll go to town together and get one ready, what do you think my love?"

"A great idea."

"And for now, how about a hot bath, some music and grape juice." well, at least that was the way he had found to prevent you from drinking wine.

"Can we include a massage in the package?" you took advantage of the fact that he was behind your body to lean on him.

"Whatever my dear wife wants."

The house was already ready, toys, clothes and gifts from the most different friends were piling up and by a pure coincidence of fate, Luna arrived into the world on a full moon night. You would carry it in your soul when Mihawk's eyes - golden when they touched the moonlight - met the small pair of irises identical to his.

"My little Luna, you chose the right day to come." he whispered, pacing the sleeping girl from side to side. "You are so perfect."

"Just like her daddy." you answered.

In other situations you would end up in two camps: Mihawk would play the opposite and say that the most beautiful thing in the relationship is you or on days when he was really in a good mood, he would say how lucky you were to have him. That night, he just smiled at your comment. Not a provocative smile like most of the ones he had given his entire life. It was one of those that made the hawk's eyes become just a detail on his illuminated face.

"Thank you my love." he replied to you. "Thank you for bringing me a little piece of heaven, of all this infinity above us. Mi preciosa Luna."

When little Luna wasn't within your reach, you didn't need to make an effort to find her, she would be in her father's shadow. Whether in the moments he took to read or even in some Cross Guild meetings. The other two men didn't seem to mind the little girl's presence, who was always busy with something.

"I think we can… Hey, what's this?" Buggy screamed as he saw the girl climb over him. "Mihawk!"

"Let the girl have some fun. That's what clowns are for, aren't they?" Crocodile responded in a gentle tone while Mihawk kept his eyes on Luna, who without hesitation pulled one of Buggy's ears and sat on the couch next to him.

"You little brat!" the clown made to take the ear from her hand in an almost brutal way as he felt her digging the almost non-existent fingers into the cartilage of the ear. "That hurts."

"I wouldn't want to have to remove your other ear, permanently." Mihawk spoke calmly, as if he had just commented on an everyday fact.

"Sorry to interrupt." You walked into the room, attracting looks, especially from a certain little girl who realized that your ear wasn't that interesting anymore.

"Mami!" Luna immediately started throwing her little arms towards you and even though she tried to at least hide it in these situations it was impossible not to see Mihawk's eyes light up.

"She just took down a Yonkou, I'll be saving a spot on the team for her." Crocodile laughed when he saw your dissatisfied face. "Okay, I guess I'll have to settle for just a single hawk's eye."

On the same day, after a few long hours of meeting between them, you thought that at least your husband would want to rest, to remove any idea of work from inside the house - despite his choice to have brought work into the house while the Luna was still small. Of all the places you expected to find yourself, you didn't expect to find Mihawk with little Luna on his lap, in front of them a large Cross Guild poster.

"Who's that?" Mihawk pointed at the figure.

"It's a crocodile." The word was slurred, but Luna said it anyway with a certain confidence. Again, the man asked, pointing to the next image. "The clown."

"And who is this?"

"Dada!" she cheered, making him laugh along and, consequently, you, happy with your little family.

Lucci

warnings: Lucci is a warning in itself. A lot of angst with a somewhat happy ending. F!Reader was also an agent, she had the fruit that transformed her into a kind of cat. Slightly troubled relationship between him and F!Reader. Completely based on the fact that Lucci is not a complete psychopath (I mean, egghead spoilers ahead: him asking for Kaku's life, how can we not love him? Besides the CP9 cover stories).

A few days had passed since the last time you and Lucci had seen each other in person. The voices demanding mission reports seemed distant as you watched him from the other side of the table and you had known him long enough to know that even though he seemed focused he was still able to see him glance casually in your direction and no one noticed.

You wished the brief meeting could have lasted longer, given you time to think more about what words to use, to fantasize that Lucci would be happy with the idea, but chills ran through your body just thinking about it.

"Hey, meow girl." Kaku nudged you with his shoulder, pulling you back to the real world. "I heard you got into trouble."

"You have no idea." You laughed heartily, pushing him back. "Call me meow girl again and I'll wring your huge neck."

"Hey, I'm just being nice."

"I bet you are, big guy." You pinched the tip of his nose, leaving him grumbling.

"Need to talk to you." Lucci's voice interrupted the two of you, stopping Kaku's laughter and complaints. The man just waved and walked away, leaving you and Lucci alone. "Not here."

He took the lead, his firm steps and serious posture didn't let anyone think anything other than that you - who followed him without the same grandeur - had gotten yourself into some kind of problem. The solid wooden door closed behind you as you noticed Rob Lucci walk through the space, filling two glasses of brandy and handing you one of them. The drink danced through your hands, but never reached your lips.

"You were restless today, pupils dilated, sweat on your face." He touched a temple, noticing the moisture. "What kind of problem did you encounter?"

"I'm pregnant." You ripped the band-aid off at once, with no time to let the thoughts flow through your mind.

The man took a few steps back, looking you up and down and then looking around the entire room. The small shot of brandy in his hand was downed in moments and he took the one you were holding from you, the liquid meeting the same fate.

"And what do I have to do with it?" you already knew his cold temper, but you didn't expect to hear such rude words.

"What do you have to do with this?" you snapped, approaching him. "What do you have to do with this? Use your fucking brain Lucci."

"What's wrong? How can you guarantee that this is my doing?" His tone dropped, becoming threatening. "I have nothing to do with this."

"I knew you could be an asshole, but after all this time?" you gave him a push Lucci didn't react, just letting his body move away.

"We had one night and that was it. This could be anyone's business."

The lie that came out of his lips hurt more than any blow you've ever taken in all these years fighting alongside him.

You threatened to push him, but this time he reacted by guiding your body to the wall and enclosing you in his arms. Your body contracted as you saw him punch the wall next to you and some pieces of concrete fall.

"Get out of here." his tone became a whisper and if it weren't for the argument you were already having, it was impossible to tell he was mad. "You get out of here and ask to leave Cipher Pol today. Ask or I'll throw you out."

How could you have been stupid to think that would lead anywhere? You thought Lucci could have changed something, all the times the two of you could have had some connection felt in vain.

Swallowing your tears and not giving any justification to anyone, a few days later you managed to free yourself from the organization. You knew they would keep an eye on you, but at least now you wouldn't be the target of Lucci's hatred.

A few months later you had already found a new home on your home island, a new spark of hope that everything would work out, even without him. That week you would be six months pregnant and you were already used to the affection and closeness of your neighbors and colleagues. What you weren't used to was strange noises in your house in the middle of the night.

Reluctantly - and against any recommendation from your doctor, you assumed the form that your devil fruit allowed. A completely black cat. You still remembered Kalifa's laugh when you two and Kaku acquired your fruits and she claimed it was curious that you also turned into a feline.

The image of the man you no longer imagined seeing in front of you was there, standing in your kitchen. You wanted to return to your human form and ask what it was about, you wanted to at least feel him again, but the hatred inside you spoke louder. Shooing away the pigeon that accompanied him, you jumped at Lucci, climbing up his suit with your fingernails.

"Stop this." Lucci tried to hold you back, but you kept throwing small kicks at him. Damn the time you trimmed your claws, the damage wouldn't be so great "Stop!"

Fatigue soon hit you and you returned to your human form, even so you continued attacking him, this time with weak slaps.

"You practically called me a bitch." you snapped, having your hands trapped by his. "You humiliated me and now you have the nerve to show up here."

"You need to calm down." you lunged at him, even though your hands were practically tied by his hands. "You're going to hurt yourself, sweetheart, please."

The calm tone of his words hit you before your brain even processed his arms trapping you in a tight hug. It took a few seconds before you actually gave up trying to free yourself.

"Calm down, please." he asked once again, pressing you against his body.

"You left me." hurt replaced the hatred in your voice, this time you were able to let go of him, now calmer.

Noticing that your clothes were gone with your transformation, you turned your back and went to your room, reaching for panties and a robe. Sitting on the edge of the bed, you closed your eyes, trying to regain the lost air and dealing with the weakness that took over your body.

"There are big differences between the anatomy of a cat and a human, even more so when they carry their kittens." Lucci leaned on the doorstep and realized that you still hadn't turned your attention to him. He soon bent down in front of you, taking one of your hands. "How can I help you?"

"You sent me away." the hurt was almost palpable in your voice. "My life was good here, I got a job even though I was pregnant, I started making friends. Why are you here after so long?"

"I couldn't stop thinking about you two." Lucci gave up and sat next to you. "That day I had to lie." he confessed and your attention quickly turned to Lucci. "I saw Yuro following us, him slightly pushing the door to hear us. He was interested in my position just like he was always interested in you. What do you think he would do when he connected the information?" The question remained in the air for some time, long enough for you to feel your heart soften a little. "That's why I asked you to leave, I didn't know how well the little act had worked."

"And how did you find me here?"

"I never lost sight of you." the answer was almost obvious to you, yet it was good to hear. "Besides, even if I wanted to, that annoying giraffe wouldn't leave me alone after I told him about the child." a light laugh dared to cross your lips. "I'm sorry for this."

"I know you meant well, Lucci, but it still hurts anyway." you made to touch his arm, but you flinched. "It doesn't mean that I don't miss you, that I don't want to see you."

"I figured that. As long as you accept me here, accept me in this child's life, I want to stay." he, contrary to what you had done, allowed his hand to touch your skin, turning your face towards him. "And what you want?"

"Can we just cuddle for a bit, please?"

Lucci opted to just pull you into his arms and drag you to the bed, laying down comfortably and allowing you to snuggle into him. Feeling a little wary of how you would react, his hand lightly touched the spot on the back of your neck that you loved being stroked. Surely your cat form would be purring. For a long time, it was the kind of physical contact you had.

The residents of the small village were initially surprised by the man's presence. He didn't stay for long and when he stayed on the island, he only left the house a few times and had a serious expression on his face, not allowing anyone to feel free to talk. And when it was extremely necessary, he preferred to use Hattori for that role.

The little child arrived into the world on a rainy night. Leo was an almost identical copy of his father, except for his eyes that were the same as yours. Lucci only returned to the island two days later and few things could surprise him more than finding you sitting on the bed with several blankets around your body, while you breastfed the little baby.

"Hey." you limited yourself to saying, not wanting to speak more or louder so as not to take away the child's peace.

"Are you cold?"

"I just need to keep the nest… the bed warm, make our little Leo comfortable." You looked at the little one, who was still focused on eating. "Want to see him?" You nodded to the space next to you on the bed.

Lucci got closer and could notice every feature of the baby it was like looking at a small version of him. Until the small eyes found the man's direction and he understood that everything bad that could exist in him, in Lucci, would be compensated by everything good he had in you. A strange feeling took over him, something like possession, like pride, something that if he needed to put into words he wouldn't be able to.

His hands first lowered the cover from your back and then lowered the strap of your shirt. Before you could complain, Lucci started distributing kisses and rubbing his face against your skin, in a strange affection that you gladly accepted. In anyone's eyes, it would be like seeing two cats taking care of their pup.

Lucci was right in his little mental gamble. Leo was a physical copy of him, but he had your personality. Cunning, agile, but kind, a soft heart that accepted anything. Well, almost anything.

"Daddy!" the boy shouted as soon as he saw Lucci enter the small yard after almost two months away. The man just bent down and allowed him to jump into his arms. When Leo was just a few centimeters away, Lucci watched the boy scream in horror and walk away. "Hattori!"

The pigeon landed on Lucci's shoulder and that was enough to explain the story. Ever since baby Leo woke up with the pigeon watching him, the now three-year-old boy was terrified of any bird and poor Hattori was included - and was the main reason.

"Son, I already told you. Hattori is good." you caught up to them, sitting on the floor so you were at Leo's level.

"No, it is not." he grumbled, hiding in the back of your neck. "Get him out of here."

"You need to get used to it." Lucci would once again try and knew he might fail. "Look at me."

"I don't want."

"Leo…" the warning tone caught the boy's attention, who just gave him space to see, not letting go of you. "Look, Hattori is a good friend."

Lucci let the pigeon land on his fingertips. Fulfilling the small unspoken agreement between the two, Hattori remained quiet, accepting Lucci to stroke his head.

"See? Your mom likes him too." Lucci passed the pigeon to your finger and more docilely you caught it.

"Come here." Lucci picked up the boy and whispered something in his ear, probably some promise to the boy. Leo, with his small trembling hand, stretched out his finger and let Hattori land. "See? He can be a great friend."

"He can?"

"Coo, yes sir Leo." As soon as the dove spoke, Leo screamed in fear again, letting the bird fly and throwing himself at you.

"Maybe that was too soon." Lucci commented, helping you stand with the boy on your lap.

That time, Lucci spent about a month with you and you were already suffering from the night he was leaving. Partly because of your longing, even if you hadn't gotten back into the relationship, you couldn't deny how you felt about him. In addition to suffering for little Leo. He admired his father, even though he didn't know what he actually did and even though he maintained a more serious behavior, you knew that Lucci adored the boy.

"Dad…" you watched Lucci put Leo to sleep, with the boy practically with his eyes closed. "You will return?"

"I promise you I will."

"What if I cry just this little bit." he pointed at the small space with his fingers. "Will you still love me?"

The question seemed to take him by surprise. You noticed that Lucci didn't respond immediately and you wondered how many memories were going through his head, of all the death, chaos and hatred that he had carried since childhood. You knew that it was difficult for Lucci to express - and even nurture feelings that were reserved for few people, the bond with you and Leo was unique.

"Absolutely," a rare light chuckle escaped him. "You're my best friend, remember?" Lucci finished covering the boy. "Now sleep."

You blew your little boy a kiss from a distance and closed the door to his room. Like something magnetic you followed Lucci to the small room of the house you two sort of shared.

"Need to talk to you."

"I'm listening." you crossed your arms, bracing yourself for something bad, something like "That was the last time I showed up."

"I'm leaving Cipher Pol." he took a small letter from his pocket. That seal was familiar and the last time you saw it was when you gave up.

"Explain this to me properly"

"Even on a mission in Water 7, being a shipwright wasn't that bad." as he spoke, you felt even more lost. "I've always had my goals. Little Leo wasn't one of them, but I can't ignore him."

"You know you don't have to do that. Our little arrangement has been working." you tried to argue, but Lucci was irreducible, as always.

"I don't really need it. I want it." he spoke firmly. "I'm just going to carry out this mission more."

"Something important?"

"I need to go to Egghead, deal with Vegapunk." he limited himself to speaking, not wanting to go into too many details. Despite asking, your mind was still stuck on the idea of having Lucci always there.

"Promise to come back." the words came out like an order. "Promise now Lucci, please."

Lucci just hung his face, trying to understand where that plea had come from. You always warned him to make promises to Leo, after all, life as an agent and director of CP0 wasn't the safest. Those words didn't usually come out of your mouth.

Ignoring the mix of sensations that accumulated in your chest, you practically threw yourself towards Lucci, taking his lips for yourself. His lack of reaction only lasted a few seconds and you only had to press your body against his for his hands to find your legs and lock them around his waist.

"I promise." he said amidst sighs and footsteps towards your room. "As long as you promise to come back to me, to be mine again."

"I promise."

Crocodile

warnings: angst, but with a happy ending. Crocodile and F!Reader are married, there are mentions of blood but nothing much. Mentions of Cross Guild because I absolutely love the existence of this trio.

Long years, long disputes and problems ago, Crocodile found you lost in Alabasta. Fleeing from a crew that chose to only use you, you found yourself without any direction and when demonstrating your skills to escape some thieves, he saw something interesting in you.

This interest lasted through the years, even into the fall of his reign in Alabasta, even into the time he was trapped in Impel Down, he knew that once he found you again, he wouldn't let something so good slip through his hands like sand in the wind.

That's how the small ring with green details found your hand, which you passed from Miss Honeymoon to his wife. Very little time had passed before you had to face the countless positive tests that piled up in front of you.

You tried to go back to bed in silence, the goal was not to wake Crocodile and over time, find the courage to bring the news to him. However, you failed miserably. As soon as the bathroom door opened, you found Crocodile waiting for you.

"You've been out of bed for a while. Is everything okay?" he asked, leaning against the wall next to the door.

"Y-Yes." Your voice betrayed you, giving away that at least something had happened in there and you knew Crocodile enough to know that he would turn everything over and discover your little secret. "Can we talk?"

"It's a little early for that, isn't it, my little one?" The serious expression on your face told him that the matter couldn't wait. Without asking, he took your hand and guided you back to the bed, placing you in a sitting position. "What happened?"

"I h-guess. I mean." you took a deep breath, the huge room seemed to compress next to you. "I'm pregnant."

Silence prevailed for a few seconds - it seemed like ages between the two of you. You looked for any reaction, for anything, but Crocodile was far away. It was just a physical form in front of you.

"Rest, there's still a long way to go before dawn." he just said, turning his back and heading towards the bathroom.

It didn't take long for you to see him leave, hair wet, steam everywhere, no more words left his lips and the first rays of sun appeared on the horizon when he disappeared from your field of vision. Almost two weeks passed like this, only essential words were exchanged between the two of you, Crocodile spent most of his hours away from home or locked in his office. According to Daz, the boss had problems to solve.

That was it, this would end the relationship that you two had worked so hard to achieve. Without saying anything, you packed your bags, even so you couldn't leave without at least looking at his face. Opening the office door without any kind of ceremony, the first thing that caught your attention was the blood that was staining him, only then did you notice the cut that he was finishing stitching.

"Crocodile!" You got closer, trying to touch the wound, but he pushed your hand away. "Are you okay?"

"It was just a superficial cut." he simply responded, finishing the last stitch and using gauze to cover the wound.

Despite your concern, you would not let your recent decision shake you. Crocodile watched with surprised eyes as you took off the ring you were wearing and with shaking hands left it on the table.

"What is this about?"

"Given the distance, the way you've been treating me, I don't think you were happy with the existence of a baby." You started, trying to make your voice steady. "But I am and it's okay that you don't want to have a child, but I do. I just don't want to have to deal with this indifference, this distance. You don't talk to me, you don't sleep in our bed…"

"Calm down darling, please." he asked, his unshaken tone quite contrary to the worried expression on his features.

He took your hand and gently made you circle the table, standing next to him. Crocodile then took three brown folders from a drawer, each of which had a name and a photo of a guy.

"Do you remember them?" you still remembered the faces, before settling on the new island, the two of you evaluated how the entire system worked.

"The three main leaders here on this island. This one is responsible for the bandits." You pointed to the first photo and then to the second. "This one was a pirate too, as I remember."

"And this one works in the slave trade." Crocodile took a pen and crossed out his photo, just as the first man's photo was also crossed out.

"And what does this have to do with what I told you just now?" you tried to move away from the table, but the hand on your waist stopped you.

"As we once talked about, I planned to calmly find a place for my business, maybe some partnerships…" he put the folders aside, turning his attention completely to you. "Now with this. With our baby on the way. I can't allow there to be threats of this level around."

"What do you mean by that, my dear?" the endearing word involuntarily escaped your lips, a clear sign that you couldn't help but have love for Crocodile, even with the hurt.

"I needed to speed up my business, exclude some of these faces." He held your face and pressed his forehead to yours. "I can only be happy with this news when I know you two are safe."

"Crocodile…"

"I'm going to be the happiest man on this island when I can walk around showing off my beautiful, shiny, pregnant wife, carrying my little one. I don't want our children to have to see the terror we've both experienced throughout this life."

"I thought you didn't want me anymore." you let your hands wrap around him and his found a similar path around your body.

"I'm a man of my word and when I said I want you for the rest of my life, I really meant it." His lips traced their way across your face. "Please give me just a few more days and I will allow myself to be happy with this news."

It took another week before you woke up in the middle of the night, feeling something you hadn't felt in time. The icy contrast of his hook revealed that Crocodile had accidentally slept in that position. Head and one hand resting on your belly, in a protective mode. Apparently, the day had finally come for him to allow himself to be happy.

The months that followed were calmer, with the full-time man being your shadow, even on the tireless afternoons of shopping you did, Crocodile was there. At least he considered himself lucky and rewarded, since your raging hormones acted in a somewhat pleasant way for him - which made Daz find the two of you in a vulnerable way in the kitchen.

The best doctors from across the island gathered in the grand mansion when Ella was born. An identical copy for you, much to Crocodile's happiness. You knew that Crocodile would dedicate himself to being a father, even if it didn't work out, however, you couldn't be more wrong. On many nights, the girl was only able to stop crying when she found her father, or afternoons became calmer when, while the two of you talked and made plans, little Ella was distracted by the piles of sand that her father was. capable of producing. Apart from the fact that he had decided to give a baby Bananawani as soon as she turned her first birthday or when he made a replica of the hook he had for the little girl, everything was going well in the relationship between the three of you.

Despite being your copy in terms of features, her personality was much more similar to her father - and she was extremely close to him. With a cunning capable of convincing everyone, it didn't take long for Ella to be able to soften even Daz's heart. There wasn't a thing the girl asked for that Crocodile's faithful partner wouldn't go after. Cross Guild mates were also victims of Ella. In this case, just one of them. Mihawk thought it was funny for someone so small to have such an irreverent stance as Crocodile, despite almost getting him expelled from the Cross Guild when he was caught letting Ella play - or at least try - to manipulate Yoru. As for Buggy, Ella preferred to keep her distance. One of the few things the girl couldn't deal with easily was the existence of clowns.

The scream of horror that crossed the corridor invaded your ears, as well as those of the other two men who were next to you. Recognizing the voice, you and Crocodile jumped to your feet, quickly heading to where you thought the source was. Arriving in the kitchen, Crocodile barely had time to balance himself when he saw Ella hugging his legs, looking for some kind of help.

"A monster daddy, a big monster." Crocodile picked her up and felt the girl's heart racing even with all the fabrics separating him from her skin. "He's right there."

"It's okay, sweetie." your voice reached her ears, which were practically the only possible point of contact. Her eyes were sunk into her father's shoulder, her small hands almost pierced the fabric of his overcoat.

"I have my suspicions about what this monster is." Mihawk, who you hadn't noticed following the two of you, spoke up. "And I agree with you Ella, it's a pretty ugly monster." the cynicism was clear in his voice.

"Look at your father, my little one." Crocodile asked and found two orbs damp with tears. "Was it a monster with an ugly, red nose?"

"You lizard, you don't talk about my nose." Buggy practically rolled out of the pantry, eliciting another scream from the girl who went back into hiding. "She who appeared out of nowhere here."

"He's harmless, Ella." you tried to catch her, but the girl refused to let go of her own father.

"She's in her house, she has the freedom to do whatever she wants." Crocodile's threatening tone didn't go unnoticed. "You know what awaits you, don't you, clown?"

"Hey, I didn't do anything." he grumbled, approaching you already knowing that Crocodile would scalp him soon. "Look here, pretty girl, Uncle Buggy is your friend."

"Everything is fine." you interrupted the clown, who only scared your daughter more. You knew that the two of them probably just bumped into each other in the kitchen, but little Ella's fear spoke louder in these moments. "You are not going to do anything." you muttered to Crocodile and turned to the clown in question. "And can you stop this, you're only scaring little Ella more."

"Let's get out of here, my little baby." your husband grumbled, turning his back and going in front, you couldn't make out exactly what he was saying, but he seemed to be trying to reassure Ella, who was just sniffling now.

The sniffles were replaced by a small laugh, when you looked to the side the reason made you laugh too. Mihawk had turned the blunt side of the sword and hit Buggy a few times, who grunted back.

"We don't scare little girls here, we only scare bad mariners." Mihawk repeated the gesture and you knew he wasn't using any of the full strength he had. "Don't scare little Ella."

The hawk's eyes blinked at the girl, who continued laughing - much to the reassurance of Crocodile, who was already thinking of methods to torture his fellow Cross Guild member. No one scared his little girl.

#fiction #reader insert #one piece #no use of y/n #requests open #dracule mihawk #mihawk x reader #mihawk x you #rob lucci #lucci x reader #lucci x you #crocodile x you #sir crocodile #crocodile x reader

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the-fiction-witch · 3 months

Text

A Visit

Media House Of The Dragon

Character Daemon Targaryen

Couple Daemon X Reader (Named Alyssa Targaryen. Sister of Rhaenyra and Daughter of Viserys)

Rating Flirty Af

Incest (Niece X Uncle), medieval marriage, Underage (Characters are over age of concept but discuss times when underage), sexual discussion.

Daemon was sat at his desk doing his least favourite task of all tasks, paperwork. The castle of Dragonstone about him, the fire singeing with a few cracks and pops. He heard a knock at the door and lifted his head. His cropped white hair fell into his face, “In.” he snapped his tone brash and inviting. Enters Alyssa, his niece, daughter of his brother King Viserys, and younger sister of Rhaenyra. She comes in nervously but smiling as she always did, in an exquisite black ballgown with embroidered red dragon scales. He noticed she had been riding, as her hair was up in a tight braid from ride on her dragon ‘starling’.

He looked at her with an intrigued look eyebrow raised for a moment, but as he always did for Alyssa he somewhat exposed the deeper insides. "Alyssa, And what brings you to Dragonstone?"

"I fancied a visit. Home has been... Trying,"

With a curious expression on his face he tilted his head, "Trying?"

"Mhm, father and sister are fighting again."

“When aren’t they,”

“True,”

"Do you feel safer here, being far away from them?"

"I do. I always feel safer with you," she smiled as she fixed a fly away behind her ear,

"That's rather nice to hear, I must say. I suppose it makes me feel more at ease knowing you are safe with me. Where their arguments can’t get you.”

“Very much so,”

“Why do you feel safe with me?"

"you’re comforting I suppose," she blushed, their eyes met across the room and for a moment the sound of the fire was all that echoed through Dragonstone's cold halls, "may I?" She looks to the desk,

A slight smirk appearing on Daemon’s face. He was curious to see how willing she was, so he said nothing, simply nodding his head.

She smiled and came closer to his desk sitting on the corner, Daemon's smirk remained on his face as his niece approached him and decided to sit right next to him. Merely inches from him her thigh barely an inch from his hand, He continued to work on the papers and letters on his desk, not paying much attention to her presence. He knew really that all she wanted, was attention, The only reason she was truly here was because her father and sister were bickering, her stepmother was busy with babies and she was left in the keep without attention. And Daemon had always been her favourite for attention, Her his favourite for attention too.

However, no matter how much he tried he was still aware that she was there, he was curious as to exactly where she intended to go with her flirtation today, and how far she would go until he snapped and gave her what she wanted.

"Father's been talking again..."

"About what,”

“I can’t,”

“You here… no spies and rats here Alyssa, tell me all about it, if you so wish."

"About me getting married,"

Daemon's eyebrow raised the thought of his young niece being married off made him feel uncomfortable, With his feelings toward her and the matter clear. He was about to say something to protest the idea, yet he stopped himself.

"Not fond of that idea?”

"I'd be happy to be married," she nodded,

Daemon's eyes narrowed, as he tried to put together what she was saying. Her words had come off as quite contradictory, as she said that she would be happy to be married, yet he knew that wasn’t what she wanted.

"just... Not to anyone my father picks,"

He chuckled there was surely an endless list of reasons why she would be unhappy with any of the grooms her father would no doubt pick for her. There was no doubt that Viserys had his own image in mind of the perfect husband for her. And there was doubt that image had any resemblance to what Alyssa wants or more… who she wants. "Something you've tried discussing with him?"

"mhm,"

"And how has that gone for you?”

"he made the guards lock me in my room." She smiled,

He laughed, “For how long?”

"Technically... I'm still locked in my room." She giggled as she gently adjusted his hair,

He brushed a lock of his white hair away from his face after she had accidentally moved it out of the place he wanted it,

"So, you've been in there for how long now?" Daemon asked, with another playful smirk forming on his face.

"four hours or so,"

Daemon chuckled once again, as he couldn't help but be amused. He couldn't deny the fact that he was enjoying himself with her visit.

"How’d you get out? Red Keep is one of the most impressive castles I’m the realm,” He joked,

“Secrets,” Alyssa giggled,

Daemon's smirk remained, as he couldn't help but to feel happy that he had Alyssa’s entire attention, the feeling of which certainly made him feel slightly prideful. While she was playing with his hair, he decided to play along, and he shifted his position to make it easier for her to reach his hair for a while he merely worked, and she merely sat the two keeping each other company.

"I miss you," Alyssa broke the silence but it quickly returned,

Daemon paused, and as his grin remained on his face, he looked away just momentarily. Despite knowing she was likely just being playful, felt quite touched to hear such words. Alyssa sits silently waiting for a response reading his every expression no matter how small.

Eventually, Daemon looked back at her, and he couldn't help but give her a warm smile.

"I miss you too,” He said, “How could a beautiful and charming lady such as yourself miss her uncle?" he teased,

"I know but I miss when we both lived in Kings Landing. I used to see you everyday,” she slightly pouted,

"Yes... I confess I miss those days as well. There are times that I wish we could go back to those days, if only for just a bit."

"I go back there often, in my dreams."

"Dreams? You dream of us going back to those days?”

"I do,"

"So, how often do you dream of me?” He smirked feeling cocky,

"Every other day"

"And do you... Do you enjoy these dreams of ours?"

"very very much" she cooed as she moved from playing with his hair to stroking down his cheek and down his jaw to his chin,

As his body began to reach, It took quite a lot of effort for him to stay still and calm.

"Don't you ever dream of me?"

Daemon's eyebrow raised as he heard her he now realized that she was trying to provoke a response from him.

"Are you trying to make me admit something, dear niece?"

"Maybe Uncle Daemon," she cooed as childishly as possible kicking her feet as she sat on the desk,

Daemon's expression shifted to one of amusement, as she had now turned this entire flirtation into a somewhat childlike game in meer seconds but she learnt from the best.

"So, you're demanding that I admit the obvious?”

"mhm,"

Daemon began to cave, "You're going to keep whining until I admit it?”

"pretty please" she begged,

Daemon chuckled at her pleading, "Fine, I admit it. I have been missing you as well I have wished you here, and I have dreamt of you,"

"Ummm!” she moved and sat on his leg her head on his shoulder as she whined and pouted “I wish I still got to see you every day. I wish father would let me stay here with you,"

"Oh, is that so?”

"no, I like it here. On dragonstone with you"

"Really? What is it that you like so much about it here on Dragonstone?"

"here has you,"

Daemon's heart and cheeks were both becoming quite warm from her words. "Really?"

"mhm, I'd be anywhere so long as I got to see you"

"Anywhere...? Truly?"

"anywhere, the wall, Winterfell, Dorne, Kings Landing, DragonStone, Old Town, Ashi, anywhere at all so long as it has you and somewhere for karaks and Starling to sleep"

"So, you'd be happy to go as far as Essos, just to be with me?"

"I'd go as far as east as east goes and a west as west goes,"

Her words were so simple, yet he was truly quite touched by her response. It made Daemon feel a little bit bad, as he imagined some of the lengths she would go to just to see him again. And just how much he may be taking her devotion for granted. "So... You mean it? You'd go anywhere for me?"

"Anywhere!"

"Alright, I have one final question then dear niece. If you were to go anywhere, anywhere in the world with me, where would you choose?"

"here."

"Is that so? You'd stay right here?"

"I would, starling likes it here"

"are you sure you'd truly want to stay here forever with me?"

"I would very much Daemon," she cooed nuzzling into his neck for a cuddle

Daemon's breath hitched slightly as she nuzzled against his neck but the nuzzle had also felt quite intimate and personal in its own way. Daemon couldn't help but feel his heart thumping in his chest, As she continued to nuzzle, Daemon felt the urge to move her head so she wasn't pressed against his neck. But a part of him didn't want her to move from that position, as the embrace was starting to become somewhat intoxicating. He just couldn't help but want her to keep up this sweet affection of hers.

"will you tell me? About the steps stones? Father won't tell me since he's been home."

Daemon laughed and began to speak of the Stepstones his hand came from his desk and sat on her thigh stroking her dress and its embroidery. She nodded and listened watching his mouth as he explained every detail,

"I'm sure you fought very bravely" she smiled taking his hand

"If I may say so myself, I did fight very bravely during the Stepstones."

"ummm..." She nodded as she pressed a kiss to his jaw,

The kiss on his jaw had immediately caused quite the reaction from Daemo. He stopped his conversation with her, but that kiss she gave had caused it to increase at a more rapid rate.

"How a sweet, innocent young princess such as yourself knows how to be so… seductive”

"Well... I'm just using what you taught me," she whispered giving his jaw more kisses,

Daemon nearly chuckled as she gave him more kisses on his jaw, as they sent shivers of excitement down his spine. His smile widened even further as he gave her a look to tell that he got what she meant.

"I see, so I suppose you learned well,”

"you think I did?'

Daemon's smile was now at it's widest, as he felt quite happy to be reminded of the girl she once was… and the woman she now was, and how much of hand he paid in making her such.

"I think you did. Well… you had the best teacher,”

“I did,” she nodded, "I... Have to admit I did tell a little fib"

“Did you lie to me Alyssa?” He smirked,

"I didn't just come visit Just because I missed you"

"Oh? What was your true motivation for coming to see me?"

"My father is getting pushy about me getting married so..."

No others words needed to pass their lips, they both knew of what she spoke,

"So you were hoping that if you came here to see me, we may end up marrying?"

"mhm, like you promised. When I was little" she Smiled

Daemon couldn't help but feel a strange flutter in his chest once she mentioned his promise to her. He had joked with her so long ago that he would marry her when she was older. To hear her mention that now, made him quite taken aback and made him wonder if she really did find his words serious.

"Do you truly wish this?”

"Of course do!"

His eyebrows cocked even higher at her immediate answer. He couldn't help but feel very flustered. She had just told him that she wanted to marry him, and Daemon was now questioning whether it was something he was truly going to do. It was indeed quite captivating an idea of her being his bride, in his bed chamber again.

"is it... Not what you want?" She asked sadly

Daemon was left speechless when she continued to press him. He didn't want to tell her the whole truth, but he could see the sadness begin to appear on her face. She was quite perceptive despite being so innocent, so he needed to tell her his answer. Daemon gulped and took a small breath as he began to respond.

"In the past I had promised you that I would marry you, yet that was before you were even a woman. Now... you are an adult, an attractive woman. The thought of marrying you is... quite tempting."

"so we should get married then!"

She was quite insistent on this promise that they made so long ago. There was absolutely no denying that she was attractive, and the idea of him making love to her was quite a tempting notion. Yet even with all that, Daemon knew that he should really think about this fully before he did anything. Once married she would truly be his, but he was wondering if he truly wanted something so big like that to happen.

“It isn’t that simple Alyssa.”

"... You promised. You promised your marry me. You always said you would. You said I was your princess. You used to give me kisses in the gardens. You used to cuddle me by the fireplace. You used to sit me on your lap in councils. You used to chase me around the training yard tickling me and cutting my dresses. You used to come into my room when I had nightmares and give me kisses. You have been came to comfort me the day I flowered and... Made me feel... Ever so much better. You... You always said you'd marry me, that you loved me. All these years I loved you, you knew I loved you, and you encouraged me... Now I'm a woman ready to marry and... You don't want to?" She asked sternly sounding like a Targaryen even with small tears welling up in her eyes

"You're right... I did promise you that I would marry you and that I loved you. And it is true that I was always there for you in those past years. Yet now you're a woman. A beautiful woman who deserves to be cherished and protected. I care deeply for you, Alyssa yet... I don't know if I truly love you the way that a husband should love his wife..."

"what are you talking about?"

"The way I feel about you now... is not the same way that a husband should love his wife. That is not to say that I do not value you. It's... it's just..." he said, "The way I feel towards you... It is not love. I do not love you like that. I never have. I've always felt lust around you. That is all. It was lust."

"... But you said you loved me..."

"I have always desired you. I have always seen you in an improper way..."

"... Look at me."

Daemon now slowly looked back up towards her.

"when you look at me... Do you desire me?"

"Yes... I desire you. I cannot deny it as such. Your beauty... it's intoxicating."

"Do you think of how you used to kiss me and touch me? Did you enjoy it then?"

"I... I did... I enjoyed it... so much."

"If you could would you take me in your arms carry me to your bed chamber and ravish me?"

"Yes... If there was nothing holding us back... I would want nothing more than to satisfy your every desire."

"then why wouldn't you marry me? That is the life I want. To be here on dragonstone with you, go riding on our dragons and make love by the fire. That's all I want"

And in that moment, Daemon suddenly felt himself falter. He wanted nothing more than to take her into his arms and kiss her as if she was his true love. His guilt over their past was now almost non existent. The way she spoke of his desires and their lives together truly made him begin to believe it was right.

"Are... are you sure this is what you truly desire? Your whole life to be spent with me, a man with bad intentions who has... treated you wrong?"

"you didn't treat me wrong you were so sweet and loving to me always. I like to think you where just... Getting me ready early for your preferences" she cooed, "I don't care at all, so long as you care for me and want to be with me that's better then any other man in the seven kingdoms could ever give me"

"You really mean it? You really want me... even with the way I feel about you?"

"Mhm"

"I... I will marry you. I promise you right now that I'll make you my bride in the Seven Kingdoms."

she doesn't answer she meerly pulled his neck so their lips could meet Their kiss was filled with a warmth and passion that hadn't been felt by either of them before. It was as if this was the most important moment of both of their lives. Daemon couldn't get enough, as their kiss felt like nothing else he had ever felt before he could get lost in her embrace, as the warmth she brought him was something unlike anything he had ever felt before. All of his worries seemed to vanish as he felt his body grow more and more excited. Daemon's lips kept kissing her back, feeling her tongue meet his with such passion. It was the kind of kiss that both of them felt as if nothing else mattered but each other.

#matt smith #gameofthrones #game of thrones #house of the dragon #houseofthedragon #daemon targaryen #house targaryen #daemon targeryan #daemon targeryen x reader #daemon x reader #daemon

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cuckoo-on-a-string · 10 months

Text

Promises Five: The Hunt

Dark!Morpheus x (female)reader, fantasy/medieval AU, 18+

Master List

Dream of the Endless had been promised a bride.

A/N: I'll offer song recs to folks who are interested in asks! Still dealing with some mental health issues, but pushing through. HOLY SHIT THE NEXT CHAPTER. 0,0 Liking is sweet, commenting is divine. Talk to the lonely hermit, people. Her dog is tired of her shit.

The hounds sang after the hinds, and their masters followed them under the trees.

In the distance, the high castle sat like a toy house from which all the dolls had escaped, spreading their games and pageantry through the forest with bells and horns to warn away the deer and fox. Huntsmen released other deer, fox, and fowl from prearranged cages out of sight of the king and his swarm of courtiers, so the dolls could play pretend at feats of skill.

The bard kept to the back, holding a tight rein on her grey mare – who didn’t understand why she couldn’t stop and graze if the bard insisted on moving so slowly – in the company of the ladies Alder. Eilwyn, who’d visited the bard’s chamber two nights past, glimmered and glowed, illuminated like a piece of art in the dappled sunlight and the eyes of a few dozen would-be suitors. Officially, no one could pay court until the Endless had his pick. Unofficially, Eilwyn had received six declarations of love, five bad poems about her eyes, one good poem about her hair, and an uninspired puzzle box containing a gaudy necklace without a single gem of value.

Eilwyn loved it all, of course.

But as the younger woman amused herself snaring hearts for her collection, the bard conversed with the Dowager Alder, Eilwyn’s grandmother.

“The city lights are unbearable,” the elder Alder insisted. “My eyes are bad enough as it is, but when every street and tavern glows like the moon, I can hardly make out the planets with my telescope, let alone the fainter stars. With the travel time, I’ll lose whole weeks of work, and gods know if I’ll be alive to note my calculations this time next year.”

Manly shouts and howling dogs suggested something ahead had died, or was about to. The bard wondered how many of these fools in their fine furs would discover the material cost of bloodsport when they couldn’t scrub the stains from their velvets in the morning.

“You say that every year.”

The Elder Alder, on her aged palfrey, squinted at the green canopy shielding her beloved sky and tutted.

“And one year I’ll be right, like I always am in the end.”

The woman was an astronomer, a mathematical magician, and the idea of death hadn’t scared her since the bard first met her as a young maid. The wheel of the heavens moved before her, and it would move after, and that was well enough if she could just understand the damn thing before she shuffled off this mortal coil. She’d written books, and papers, and more books, and the bard wondered if Death would really hold off until the universe held no more mysteries. It wouldn’t be the first time.

“Of course, Lady Alder.”

Arthritis had long-since gnarled the lady’s hands, and they twisted over the saddle pommel and a hank of her horse’s main like knobby cypress knees, straining with the roll and sway of her palfrey’s gait.

“How far is the damned camp?”

Another lady – one of the fools hoping to wed her daughter to the Endless riding very far ahead near the king – seized the reins of her precious child’s horse and passed the odd trio. She did not look to the side. She did not look at anything. She lifted her nose far too high. And she nearly trotted over her own servants in passing.

The bard waved, and the daughter gawked with wide eyes as she was spirited away from poor influences and dangerous words. Really, any damage was already done, and fleeing the scene of battle only showed weakness. What kind of lesson would the girl really learn besides the fact that her mother enjoyed making a spectacle of her piety? Parents really had the strangest ideas about children.

“Grandmother!” Eilwyn exclaimed, clearly delighted.

The bard, equally delighted, couldn’t help herself. “Such language from so fair a lady. Shocking.”

The Dowager shifted in her saddle, face puckered in discomfort. “Hush, the both of you.”

Oh, if only she could. She laughed to imagine how much pain and trouble might’ve been saved. And how many adventures missed. They never would’ve been friends at all if the bard kept her own counsel.

“You expect a bard to hold her tongue?”

“The sun will freeze first.” The Dowager made a point of staring down her granddaughter, though, and her granddaughter made a point of smiling very prettily in reply. A lord several lengths ahead called for Lady Eilwyn’s attention, and she brokered an armistice by riding out of her grandmother’s line of sight entirely, leaving the two old companions to fight their own wars.

“My old bones are not made for riding.”

A jolt of pity seared the bard’s belly like the pain after eating a rotten fish. She’d rather purge it and be done, but the prickling discomfort would only grow with age. There was no course but to swallow it down and imagine it hurt much less than it would in time.

“Why didn’t you take the coach then? It could’ve brought you in comfort.”

Swollen knuckles flexing, the lady scoffed. “With the rest of the invalids? Don’t insult me.”

“But it’s so much fun, old friend.”

“Old,” Lady Alder muttered. “Yes. I am that.”

The bard shifted in her own saddle, wondering if she could stomach any of the inevitable banquet awaiting them.

“That wasn’t the word I’d hoped you’d echo.”

An eye sharper than any hawk’s pinned her from the side, and she felt like a child caught sulking. “If you need reassurance as to that, then you are not half so clever as you make yourself out to be.”

She seized on the opportunity for levity and smiled with all her teeth. “You’ve known me for a fool many years, have you not?”

“Aye, but a clever one.” The lady considered. “Most days.”

“Such praise you give me.”

“You fished for it so often the lake is empty.”

“Unfair but not untrue.”

The lady hummed her affirmation, welcoming in a moment of calm as they road in the wake of the hunt’s chaos.

Ahead, those most eager to prove themselves brought down smaller prey on their way to the day’s camp. Once all had a chance to refresh themselves with wine as their horses grazed, most would sally out again in the name of dead beasts. Dusk would bring them back, and they’d spend the night drinking, feasting, and debauching one another just outside the safe ring of torchlight, pretending to be very daring and wild for fucking someone in a bush. A bit more hunting in the morning for those who could still sit straight in the saddle, and then all would return bloody and victorious to the castle.

The bard struggled to understand those who found the prospect of a royal hunt… thrilling. None worried to go home hungry, and the creatures they met in the wood came hobbled, with teeth filed and tusks blunted.

Rushing down a winding stair risked greater peril.

Bored by the day’s excitement, she let her thoughts spin out in wider and wider passes, circling the crux of the drama.

What did the King of Dreams dream of?

Revenge, she suspected. Vengeance on the king that may boil over on the land he ruled, and she must guide her favorites out of the flood’s path. Those practical answers satisfied the part of her that always craved a direction, a purpose, the next challenge to conquer, but the Dream King’s retribution sat like a wax seal over a longer letter. She would very much like to read that letter, even if it was dangerous, and unwise, and entirely reckless.

The Prince of Stories must have depths unfathomable, millennia upon eon of secrets and experiences carved into his bones. She wanted to dismiss her curiosity as nothing but interest in a vision of her future. Would she be like him in another thousand years? No. She’d still be human, and he was Endless. All the lifetimes of the Earth couldn’t teach her to understand one such as him.

But that didn’t mean she had no desire to try.

From farther up the line, a runner came jogging, peering up at the faces of the mounted company. He looked from one to another, seeking the right address to receive his message. The bard paused, recognizing the Everard house colors on servant’s tabard. Her horse stamped, whickering around the bit as her rider leaned out of the saddle to catch the young man’s eye. He saw her and darted to her side quick as an arrow.

“Is all well?” the bard asked.

“My lady Alis Everard and my lord Tomas Everard request you ride with them.”

The bard looked to Lady Alder. She hardly needed her friend’s permission, and none of the Alders were the sort to cherish grudges over perceived slights. But the bard didn’t want to leave her to ride alone, either. She needed good conversation and someone who cared enough to notice if she swayed on her horse.

“Oh, go tend to your nervous foal.” Lady Alder waved her off. “My own proud filly will see you pass and return to keep me amused. We favor different arts, but she has a sharp enough eye to see trouble riding by.”

“Thank you.” The bard pulled out of the column of riders, careful to avoid the servant at her side. “I’ll see you at the camp.”

Whatever Lady Alder replied was lost to the wind. Finally given her head, the bard’s mare leapt into a canter, her hooves thumping a second heartbeat that rattled up and through her rider. Old loam and the sharp green scent of freshly broken twigs gathered around her like a cloak as she moved just left of the path, removed from the rock and dust of the road.

The bard knew what colors to look for, and she let all definition blur as she moved past lords, ladies, knights, and their scores of attendants. They all looked so strange and out of place in the tunnel of green woods, dressed to stand out in a part of the world where blending in more often preserved life.

Near the front of the cavalcade, she found the Everards. Alis stared with wide eyes as the bard pulled even with her, mare prancing and snorting in frustration as her run came to an end. Her dramatic entrance pulled other eyes, and the king – only a few riders ahead – glanced back with frustrated disgust. Perhaps she should apologize that she wasn’t a stag. For all of the ruckus she’d heard from afar, she saw precious few carcasses dangling from the hunters’ belts.

“Thank you for coming in such haste,” Lord Everard said. Stifled amusement plucked at his lips, trying to lift them into a broad, laughing gale. It would be bad manners to laugh too loudly too near the king over a jest to which he wasn’t party, but Everard clearly struggled.

She answered with the grin he’d tried to school away. “Best way to travel. Now, what is the matter?”

Lord Everard gestured to his daughter, and she in turn tried to sink into the mud of the forest track. She hunched low, like she could melt into her boots. Her complexion had gone pale, despite the flush of embarrassment creeping up her neck, and her gloves creaked as her dainty hands squeezed into fists. The bard let the merriment fade, looking and listening beyond the girl’s silence.

Alis’s doe eyes flicked towards the shadow who rode beside her king, and the bard understood.

Dream of the Endless wore his customary black, with the blood-red ruby shining on his breast like a heart he’d ripped from his prey. His nightmare mount had teeth where it ought to have eyes, and it laughed with a man’s voice. He carried a raven on his shoulder rather than a hawk on his glove, and anyone who hadn’t met his sister may mistake him for an aspect of Death. Or something worse, perhaps.

Lord of Nightmares indeed.

“He frightens me,” Alis whispered, leaning close. “I’ve had nothing but bad dreams since I came to the castle.”

As she should. A glance at her father confirmed he thought the same. Just because he’d been forced to bring his child to this storm didn’t mean he didn’t fear the lightning. He had too much sense for this farce and too big a heart to let the girl suffer. If his wife were not busy running the estate, she’d be here to shelter and comfort their little girl, but in her absence, he must ask the bard to fill the role, and she gladly pulled Alis’s attention from bad dreams to simpler truths.

“And you’ve never had a nightmare before?” She didn’t chide. She reminded. Even in the security of her own bed in her own home, the girl had touched the darker shores of the Dreaming. Its king would not reach out to swallow her now, even though he prowled so near in the Waking. “Alis, believe me, you are safe.”

Alis pulled her spine straight, taking a deep, intentional breath that shuddered on the way in and trembled on the way out.

“Do you promise?”

“I promise that if I’m wrong, I’ll find a convenient sword to fall on, and you can say you told me so. Does that make you feel better?”

“A little.” Realizing what she’d said, Alis blanched and rushed to add, “But only because I know you’d come back!”

This time her father did laugh, and the bard reached to reassure her with an honest to gods giggle, when chaos erupted at the front. The king and his companions came to a dead stop, and without warning or order, those who rode behind struggled to halt in time. Rearing horses and shouts of alarm rolled down the line like a breaker, and in the wave of confusion that followed, the bard once again left the road to circle forward.

They’d reached the camp.

A glory of golden stitching over swaths of emerald, the vast tents might cover an entire town, and smoke rising with the smells of rosemary and stewed venison hinted at the delights within.

The display paled behind the entity waiting at the edge of the woods, however.

Golden eyes like licks of flame from the sun’s heart smiled over ruby lips. Welcoming and menacing and all-too pleased with themselves.

Power perfumed the air, like honeysuckle and ambergris, clashing with the winter-cold snap of Dream’s clear displeasure. The King of Dreams had lost the veneer of humanity, and he set himself against the intruder like the deepest hour of the night resisting the dawn.

Few creatures could stand up to the king’s guest. Even fewer commanded the presence of function beyond personification. The bard did not know who the stranger was, but she knew what they were.

Another fucking Endless.

Every inch screamed of passion, romance, obsession. Golden hair and loose-fit silks that flowed like water into a garment that was neither tunic nor gown inspired sensual curiosities. They rode a unicorn, a bay mount with cloven hooves, a lion’s tail, and a goat’s beard. The russet horn glinted with flecks of gold, like treasure winking through a smear of blood.

The King of Dreams sneered, lip curling as he shared a frigid greeting.

“Sibling.”

The Endless in their path laughed, bright as bells and smooth brandy. It sounded to the bard’s ears like trouble. “I hope you don’t mind if I join in your hunt. Big brother.”

#fic: promises #morpheus x reader #sandman x reader #dream of the endless x reader #morpheus x you #morpheus x oc #female reader #morpheus x original character #dark!morpheus #fantasy!au

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farfromstrange · 9 months

Note

Helloooo, 💕💕💕💕

I had an idea for a fratt and reader fluff piece. They are stuck in the car on a road trip, Frank is driving (because is his truck), Matt is in the copilot seat and Reader is in the middle seat in the back.

She falls asleep and Matt asks Frank to stop the car. Frank asks him "Why?" and Matt says "Because I want to cuddle with her".

When Matt is in the back, Frank asks him "Ever wonder why she always falls asleep in the car?"

That's it, I leave the rest up to you 😘😘😘

Also I wanted to thank you again for doing my request about the teddy bear, it was the cutest like these two gentlemen 😍😍😍😍

I am so sorry for the wait, darling! I had a lot going on. I've honestly never written for Fratt or Frank before in my life, so this is my first. I tried my best, and I hope I did your request justice <3 I’m so happy the teddy bear request was to your liking, so I hope that it’s the same with this one. Sending you all the hugs and kisses, especially for these gifs!!

Ours | Matt Murdock x Frank Castle x Reader

Masterlist

Pairing: Matt Murdock x Frank Castle x F!Reader

Summary: You fall asleep in the car and the boys wonder why that always happens.

Warnings: Tooth-rotting fluff

Word Count: 2.6k

A/n: I have no idea if this is good enough or not, but...I tried? Let me know if you liked it and maybe I'll write more for Frank in the future. I don't know. Also, I have decided not to tag for this because I'm not sure how everyone on my tag list stands with Frank. Since this is a poly ship and not everyone is into that :) Just so you know that I didn’t forget you, I just know not everyone ships Fratt. This is the first fic in that direction I’ve ever written, and I’m a bit shy, but oh well…

The purr of the engine resonates through the cab of Frank's weathered truck as it speeds down the open highway, the asphalt stretching out before them like an endless ribbon. The moon stands high in the sky, the clock showing an even number of 4:00 am. The car is dark except for the light of the controls and the headlights reflecting off the puddles in the road.

At first, the radio had been playing a random 80s rock tune, but as soon as Matt slipped into the driver’s seat, he sneered at Frank, “Turn that off.”

In response, Frank turned up the volume even more. You told him before that it’s your favorite song, and you wanted to hear it.

“Fuck that!” he’d said. “Our girl wants to hear this. You wanna say no to our girl, Red?”

You smiled so innocently from the backseat, Matt could only sigh and cup his ears to try and keep the volume out. With his heightened senses, something as easy as that won’t even remotely work, but he tried.

Frank laughed out loud. “Told ya!” And then he sang along with you to whatever song came after that one, and Matt had to suffer through it.

The first ten minutes of this drive were torture, to say the least.

Matt accepted it for a while, but eventually decided he had enough and turned the radio off entirely, leaving the car in an eerie silence.

Now, you’re driving without music.

The gentle hum of the tires beneath you eventually lulls you into a peaceful daze. One second, you are lecturing Frank on why opening the car door and throwing Matt out of it while he was driving eighty miles per hour wasn’t such a good idea, the next you slowly start dozing off.

It doesn’t take long before the rhythmic vibrations of the car have you drifting off into a quiet slumber. The soft sounds of Matt and Frank's conversation turn into a distant murmur as your head nestles against the backrest. The gentle sway of the vehicle matches the cadence of your breaths, and soon you are lost in dreams.

Frank lifts his eyes off the road for a moment, looking at you through the rearview mirror. You don’t talk much, but every time the three of you come from a mission, the adrenaline runs high in your bloodstream and you become chatty. Ever since you went quiet, Frank has wondered whether or not you’ve fallen asleep, and he gets his proof when he looks at your sleeping form in the back.

Matt notices him shifting and he tilts his head slightly in your direction. The gentle rhythm of your heartbeat resonates in his ear, your breathing even, and your shirt brushes against your chest ever so slightly whenever it lifts to let some more oxygen into your lungs.

“She’s asleep,” he states.

“Yeah,” says Frank. He reaches back and cups your knee. You don’t move. “Dead fucking asleep, I’d say.”

Matt only shoots him a glare, his unfocused eyes landing on the point closest to where his voice is coming from. “Would you mind keeping both your hands on the steering wheel?”

Rolling his eyes, Frank straightens up. He wants to say something smart, but Matt has said more annoying things in the past. And when he looks at him, he can’t be mad because he looks so soft in the moonlight. It hits his dark curls just right, meeting the brown of his eyes and turning them slightly green, maybe even a little golden.

Matt Murdock is golden, Frank does not doubt that. More golden than you? No, but he is golden nonetheless. A golden retriever, you once called him, and you were onto something then.

Frank doesn’t like a lot of people, and while Matt can annoy the shit out of him, there’s something too good about him that makes it impossible for him to hate the man that’s sitting next to him, his red suit hugging his curves just right, the gloves that usually hug his thick fingers placed in his lap as he fidgets.

He’s aware that the relationship between you three is unconventional, but he couldn’t care less.

Matt frowns. “What?” he asks him.

Frank blinks. “Nothing.”

“Do I have something on my face?”

“Not yet,” he retorts.

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

“Exactly what I fucking said, Red. Exactly that.”

Once again, Matt only rolls his eyes. He leans back in his seat, head tilting even further to listen to you sleep. You sound so peaceful, your body slack with relaxation. You always sit in the middle so you can talk better to them, or hold his hand in the passenger seat. Whenever you’re alone with Frank, you are the passenger princess, but that changes as soon as Matt is involved. They sit in the front to protect you, that much is true, but Matt also gets sick easily in the back, so he always sits in the front. That doesn’t mean you don’t want to hold his hand every once in a while, so you recline in the backseat, always.

Matt reaches behind himself to cup your other thigh. You shift slightly, bucking into his touch as if seeking his comfort. Your heart skips a beat. With the moonlight hitting your face the same way it does him, Matt is sure you must look ethereal.

“She does,” Frank murmurs beside him.

He shoots him a confused glance, but Frank chuckles and adds, “You tend to think out loud when you’re turning into a needy mess. Ain’t my fault.”

A blush forms on Matt’s cheeks, and he instantly turns his head away. He forgets that Frank sees him better than anyone, probably. Not just in the literal sense but in a very deep, emotional way as well. They are so alike yet so different, and you only seem to tighten the bond they already shared from the beginning. With you, life is easier.

Matt slips his hand from your thigh back into his lap, and a mischievous smile spreads across his face. He leans over to Frank, his voice a low murmur. "Hey, could you do me a favor and pull over?" he asks, his hand already fidgeting with the seatbelt.

Frank's brows come together in confusion, so close they almost touch, and the slightest hint of frustration flickers in his eyes. "Why?" he asks back, his gaze fixed on the road ahead.

Matt's smile remains. "Because I want to cuddle with her," he confesses.

Frank's lips twitch into a half-smile as he glances at Matt. “You're such a fucking softie, you know that? It’s disgusting.”

Matt shrugs. "Well, she's asleep, and I don't want her to wake up all stiff and uncomfortable."

With a huff, Frank slows down and finds a spot on the side of the road where he can pull over. “You’re lucky your tits make great pillows,” he says as he pulls into the small lot.

He opens his mouth to protest, but one look at his armor makes him shut up. Frank isn’t entirely wrong.

The truck rumbles to a stop on the shoulder of the road, and Matt swiftly unfastens his seatbelt and moves to the backseat. He methodically makes his way forward by using his bare hands to find the door handle and then climbs back into the familiar interior.

Frank watches him through the rearview mirror, admiring how gracefully he moves, all just so he won’t disturb you. “You good back there?” he asks.

Matt nods. “Yeah, I’m fine. You can drive.”

Carefully, he slides in next to you, grabbing the blanket from the seat next to you. You must have been so tired, you forgot to make yourself comfortable. He wraps it around your form, tucking you in. The truck starts moving again, but he won’t let Frank’s driving distract him from taking care of what’s his.

Matt wraps an arm around your shoulders, pulling you closer to his side, and you snuggle against his chest. The steady beat of his heart creates a soothing melody that harmonizes with the gentle hum of the car's engine.

As Frank resumes driving, his eyes occasionally flickering to the rearview mirror, he can’t help but smile at the sight. He had seen many things in his life, but the simple tenderness of this moment was a reminder of the unexpected bond you have formed over the past few months, and it continues to fasten every single day. Whether it’s sharing a bed, sharing dinner, or taking down a bunch of gang members in an abandoned warehouse far away from your familiar Hell’s Kitchen, you always find a way to come out better together.

After a while, as the sun dips lower in the sky, casting long shadows over the road, Frank's curiosity gets the better of him. He glances over at Matt, who is running his fingers through the messy strands of your hair, and his voice is gruff but tinged with intrigue when he speaks. “Hey, Red,” Frank says, catching his attention. “Ever wonder why she always falls asleep in the car?”

Matt pouts. "I don’t know,” he answers honestly. “Maybe it's the steady rhythm, the feeling of movement. Makes her feel safe like she's being taken care of."

Frank nods thoughtfully, his grip firm on the steering wheel. "Yeah, maybe."

“Or maybe it’s us. She has this thing…” Matt shifts you slightly, and you curl even closer to him in your sleep. He chuckles. “She has this thing where her heartbeat skips whenever one of us is near, and then it slows when one of us touches her.”

“Slow down?” Frank cuts him off, a smirk on his lips. “Man, you sure about that?”

Matt kicks him. “Oh, shut up, Frank!” he says. “I didn’t mean it like that and you know it.”

“C’mon, you can’t blame me. I may not have your super senses, but I know her body inside-out. I know that her heartbeat doesn’t slow down when we touch her.”

“You don’t really know her heartbeat then,” his voice is barely above a whisper. He lowers his lips to your forehead. Your heart jumps again as if you know what he’s doing. “Whenever we’re being affectionate with her–not in a sexual way, mind you–she calms down. She’s always so on edge, but when we’re together like this, when we’re talking and driving and everything is a little less heavy, that’s when she sleeps best. I can’t describe it, but it’s…it shows me that she feels safe with us. With you.”

In an instant, Frank shuts his mouth. Matt’s words make sense, but they still hit him hard. He has a hard time believing that anyone would feel safe in his presence, that anyone would love him, but whenever he looks at you, he knows he’s often just overthinking because you do.

You love him, you love Matt, and you love what the three of you have. You feel safe. You come to him when you’re sad, and he can come to you when he feels the same. You open up to him and Matt, no one else. You let your guard down for him. He never thought he would feel this way again, and it’s often overwhelming to even exist with all the pain he’s carrying, but he’s not alone anymore.

“Can’t say I blame her,” Matt adds.

Damn him, Frank thinks. He doesn’t even have to say what he’s thinking; Matt always knows. He hears his heartbeat, he hears his breathing change, and he feels something switch in the atmosphere, and he instantly knows something isn’t right. Frank thinks too much, even though it doesn’t seem that way, and Matt is very susceptible to people thinking too much. And he’s attentive.

Frank huffs, his fists clenching around the steering wheel. “Fifteen minutes, Red,” he says. “I’ll drop you off at your place. Both of you. I think she’ll be more than happy to stay with your annoying ass tonight.”

“We’re all staying at my place,” he sounds so calm back there.

“Can’t. I’m busy.”

“Yes, you can, and no, you’re not. You don’t have a life outside of me and her, and your guns. We both know that.”

Yes, he can. And no, he’s not busy.

Frank shakes his head, but he doesn’t say anything else. Matt continues to stroke your hair, his attention both on you and the man in the driver’s seat. A small smile plays on his lips. He’s home right here. With you, with Frank, even if it’s an open road–He’s home wherever you are because that’s where his heart is.

The journey continues through the night, the road unwinding beneath the truck's wheels. The moon remains their silent companion.

Even in your sleep, you seem to sense the harmony of the moment, a soft sigh escaping your lips as you nuzzle closer into Matt's chest.

Frank's eyes flicker to the rearview mirror once more, catching sight of your peaceful face. He can't deny that there is a certain comfort in seeing you this way, your guard down and your worries temporarily silenced by tranquility. It's a rare sight, one that fills him with a sense of contentment he didn't anticipate.

Matt's focus remains on you, his fingers lightly brushing against your hair. He marvels at the vulnerability you exhibit in your sleep.

He tilts his head slightly. "Does she look as peaceful as she sounds?" he asks softly.

Frank grunts in agreement. "Yeah, she does," he says.

Matt smiles. "Good." The miles slip away. The open road ahead holds a unique kind of therapy, and the world outside seems to fade into insignificance, leaving only the here and now.

Matt's fingers trace patterns on your arm as he speaks again, his voice low and steady. "You know, I think that when we're in the car, it's like a sanctuary for her," he says, adding to his previous answer. "The movement, the sounds, they offer a sense of security she rarely finds anywhere else. She said her life wasn't pretty before we came along, and we can argue that it still is far from pretty all we want, but she loves us. That counts for something, Frank."

Frank contemplates, his lips pursing. "Security?" he questions. Of course, he would pick the part he didn’t emphasize.

“Yeah.” Matt sighs, then he nods. “She feels safe with us. It's more than just the physical presence—it's the emotional support we provide. We're her safe haven,” he says.

Frank's eyes flicker to Matt's profile, his lips twitching into a shit-eating grin. “You've thought this through, huh?” He chuckles. “That’s a new one.”

Gone is the doubtful Frank, leaving behind the teasing asshole he likes to be. And Matt eats it up every single time.

He rolls his eyes, something he should get paid for at this point, but the hint of a smile plays at the corners of his lips. "I've had a lot of time to think," says Matt. "I always think, especially about her. And you."

A small chuckle escapes Frank's throat, the sound almost incredulous. He's trying to play off the blush that is threatening to break out. Whenever Matt is being sweet, he does it with such precision, Frank wants to break out into hives. But in a good way.

“I'll be damned, Red,” he says, his voice edging on a mock. “Who knew you could be such a fucking philosopher and shit-eating romantic at the same time?”

Matt's lips turn into a full-fledged grin. "Well, we all have our talents," he says.

"Yeah, I guess we do," Frank agrees, his voice softer than usual, even bordering on a whisper.

As the road stretches ahead, the miles disappearing beneath the truck's wheels, Matt's fingers continue their gentle dance along your skin. His touch is a silent promise that he's always going to be there for you, no matter what, and the sense of safety makes you melt. His touch holds a magic power, and you're too weak to fight it.

Frank's eyes flicker to the road again. He's not one to openly express emotions, but he knows that this connection—the one forged between you, Matt, and himself—is something he wouldn't trade for anything in the world. He finally has a reason to live again, and he'd be damned to let it go. To let you go.

"You think she knows?" His question hangs in the air. He doesn't even have to say what he means for Matt to understand.

Matt's expression softens as he takes in the sight of your peaceful form. "I think she feels it," he answers. "She knows she's cared for. She’s knows we’re here for her. That we love her. Both of us."

It's a simple truth that Frank has come to realize over time—that you've found a home within their unconventional dynamic, and that the sanctuary of the car is just one representation of the security they offer you. You spend most of your time there, anyway.

And so, the miles roll on. With the open road stretching before you, and the soft embrace of sleep enveloping you, you continue your trek, each moment etching your story deeper into the tapestry of your lives.

#matt murdock x reader #matt murdock #daredevil #matt murdock fluff #matt murdock angst #frank castle #frank castle x reader #the punisher #matt murdock x frank castle #matt murdock x frank castle x you #fratt #lizzi writes #requests are closed

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zoeykallus · 8 months

Note

Hi there, i assume you're most likely flooded with requests currently but here's my shot if you feel like it : how about how the Badbatch reacting to their s/o posting simple normal stuff on their social media (like spotify links, cute pics all that)? I think that would be so cute 🥰🥰🥰 i don't think you've done something like this before so it's totally okay if you don't want to!

Aloha!

Indeed, I am, and I barely have time to work through them, but I do, bit by bit, hoping no one hates me for being so slow 😬😅 Interesting question. Let me look into this....

The Bad Batch x Reader HCs - Your Social Media

Warnings: Mostly Fluff/Maybe Slightly Angsty

______________

Ko-Fi (If you feel like giving me some coffee)

______________

>Master List<

Tech

Our shy Tech uses social media to find out things about you, even before you're a couple. Stalker? Yes and no. Basically, he just uses it to try to find out what music you like, what movies, if you like to read, and if so, what books. Tech spends a lot of time browsing.

He is looking for information about you that will make it easier for him to start a conversation with you, to surprise you in a positive way and to respond to you. Tech feels more confident approaching you when he already has some background information.

But he also likes to check in on things in the future, keep up to date. He's often in the tunnel at work, and that's how he finds out if he's missed anything when he's on a mission. Maybe you've discovered a new favorite song, or something culinary, or you're reading a new book.

Of course, he doesn't miss the opportunity to send you links to reports, documentaries and the like, about whatever he's excited about. The last link was a report about upcoming, groundbreaking new hyperspace technology.

Hunter

He has no idea about social media, he himself has had no contact with it until now, and Hunter has never been interested in it. Until Wrecker points out to him that you're on social media.

"Have you seen that funny Loth cat video your sweetheart shared?"

Hunter frowns.

"What, shared, I don't quite understand."

Wrecker shows and explains everything to him in general terms, and Hunter ends up making a social media account on the Holonet. The cat video was amusing, but not the reason. He wants to know what else you share, if maybe there are hobbies he doesn't know about, or events you'd like to attend.

In fact, three days later he surprises you with tickets to an event you're dying to attend, but can't find the money in time.

Hunter doesn't spy on you, you can do whatever you want. He just picks out a few little things, like this event, to make you happy.

Echo

He stays away from it completely. In fact, he hates this social media nonsense. There was even a whole format of its own for clones, and he remembers well how some of his brothers used to act online. He doesn't really need that.

You can do whatever you want, of course, but he won't touch that stuff unless you explicitly ask him to. Echo still won't spend much time on it, just occasionally liking one of your shared posts, but that's all you can expect from him.

Echo is not comfortable on the Holonet, it's not nearly the same, yet it always kind of reminds him of his imprisonment by the Techno Union.

"You spend way too much time with this devil stuff".

Wrecker

He is all over the place. Wrecker has an account on every social media site, and he posts as regularly as he can. Cute and funny animal videos mostly and in stark contrast, videos of explosions. Every now and then a music video and articles about guns and explosives.

In fact, he bombards his pages so hard that sometimes you completely lose track of what's going on and don't really manage to keep up. But Wrecker miraculously knows, despite his own constent-posting, what's going on with you in social media.

Among other things, you once posted a picture of him when an admirer wouldn't leave you alone. After endless attempts to get rid of him and several block attempts whereupon the nag just kept making new accounts, you shared Wrecker's picture in full gear, with you next to him.

"This is my boyfriend, if you want me, work it out with him".

Wrecker drops the holopad laughing and says, "What's going on? You didn't tell me that someone was bugging you."

You shrug your shoulders, "Always wrote to me privately. I thought it was time to expose that person."

"Hm," growls Wrecker, "Let me know if he doesn't stop."

Crosshair

One of those who talk badly about social media, very badly, avoid it for quite a while and then suddenly sink into it almost like an addict. Crosshair has his holopad in his hand every free minute, checking his messages, new links and likes.

Crosshair will never admit it, but he really enjoys the attention, being anonymous in a way and still being noticed. Of course, he also digs through your social media, and you can assume that he scrutinizes everything.

He knows the guys who are on the Internet, make immoral offers, send nude pictures and want to have nude pictures and so on. Otherwise, he flies over the things rather so casually, he's not really interested, he rather wants his contributions to be seen, shared and liked.

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lurkingshan · 11 months

Text

10 Things I Love About 3 Will Be Free

I am very late on this one, I know it! But this week I finally sat down with @wen-kexing-apologist and binged the whole thing, and had a grand ol’ time doing it. @waitmyturtles the verdict is two enthusiastic thumbs up. This was such a fun romp, and here are a few of the things I loved most about it:

SHIN MY BELOVED

Guess who has a new blorbo!! In hindsight it is absolutely absurd that it took a Tay Tawan girlie like me so long to watch this show, because Shin is an instant entry on the all-time fav characters list. I love his sad gay ass. He’s sensitive, he’s lonely, he’s repressed, he’s far too susceptible to Stockholm syndrome, and I would protect him with my life.

Mae

A working class trans character with an actual plot?! Thank you for your endless gifts, P’Jojo. Sure, my girl Mae made some questionable choices (just a little light murder!), but listen, I support her, in the words of @wen-kexing-apologist, embracing her feminine rage. And in the end, she figured out exactly the right target for her rage and lived her best life.

Miw

A Survivor. Gets shit done. Absolutely will kill a man if he forces her hand. Loyal to her boyfriends even when it would probably be smarter to ditch them. Also, she so pretty.

Neo’s tanks and crop tops

I never claimed not to be shallow.

Neo and Shin’s backstory

Episode 5 was my favorite of the show and the moment it really clicked for me. I loved getting a glimpse of Shin’s lonely and dejected teen years (I just wanna talk, Ken 🔪🔪🔪). I loved that the basis of Neo and Shin’s relationship and initial attraction was the way they played together. Shin laughed more in his few days with Neo than he probably had in the several years preceding them. I loved that Neo gave him his first kiss and that Shin treasured those memories so dearly.

The Worst Criminals Of All Time

Truly remarkable these three are still alive by the end of the show. Their ideas were half-baked and their execution was severely lacking. They never had a plan they thought all the way through and they never had a single scheme that went off without a hitch. Luckily, the bad guys chasing them were also thoroughly incompetent, so it all evened out. The only smart person in this show was Miw’s mom, who knew the only prudent move was to stay the hell out of this mess.

Miw and Shin’s friendship

I just love that these two developed their own bond, even though they’re not into each other the same way they’re both into Neo. They both risked their lives to save the other. They tease and joke with each other. Shin literally wanted to bring his new bestie home to live with him. They’re adorable.

This weird little guy

Toptap. My guy. What are you doing here and why are you being so strange? Are you good, are you bad, are you chaotic neutral? Who can tell! Certainly not me. But I enjoyed every moment your weird ass was on the screen.

There's a polyamorous relationship, and it’s depicted onscreen!

Okay, here’s the part where I admit my expectations for the poly romance in this show were a liiiiiiilttle off base. I must gently rib the fandom for leading me to believe this show would have any actual sex in it (or really a focus on romance at all) and once again recite to myself a universal truth: gifs removed from context are so misleading. At the same time, I also must acknowledge how groundbreaking it was at the time to depict polyamory at all. I would have loved a bit more time spent on the actual relationship dynamics and the emotional complexities of this triad they formed, but I recognize that’s not really what this show was about and appreciate they included a polycule in the first place. Now that it’s 2023 and he’s been give a lot more freedom, I look forward to Jojo’s further exploration of sexy polycules in Only Friends.

Against all odds, these crazy kids got their happy ending

When this show started I did not see any way for them to come out of this in good shape. I was going to be happy if they simply survived. But not only did they survive, they are thriving! Shin has inherited his dad’s legitimate business and discovered he looks hot in a deep V. Neo and Miw are living that beach life they deserve. Everyone loves each other and everyone is at peace. A+, 10/10, would watch again.

#3 will be free #3wbf #thai drama #10 things #shan shouts into the void

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ashes-writing · 2 years

Text

devil pt II | scream 4 ; c.walker

A/N ; This one just got straight up filthy with a side of unhealthy obsession. I feel like this is my true foray into darker themes and given that this is for a slasher fic, this is probably going to get pretty damn gory. So, if the updates to this are not as forthcoming as my updates for say.. Stranger Things, CSI or Marvel + any of the other fandoms I write for, just know that it's because I have to kinda like.. distance myself with this one so it doesn't get in my head so much. Because I want to do this right. And realistic as I can get. If I'm going for darkness, I'm going as far in as I can.

Anyway.. here we are, I guess. Read all the warnings below. Please. For the love of God, read the warnings.

Pairing ; Charlie Walker -Ghostface x fem!reader.

Timeline / Other Stuff to Note ; devil - the first part to this can be found by clicking. This is very loosely going to follow the plot of Scream 4, me thinks with a twist or two possible because I have a very vague idea in mind as to what I want to do with this.

Tag List ; @schizoauthoress is the only person on my horror taglist -- but if this is something you can't read pls don't, okay?. if you'd like to be added to my taglists for anything including Scream 4, please let me know or add yourself -> here.

18+ only; minors absofuckinlutely not. Go read fluff. Also, if you're not into somnophilia -with slightly hinky consent given that reader is half asleep when she consents, biting and marking, a very dark and possessive obsession type 'love' and other dark themes in the future as well as mentions of murder ; blood ; gore, body fluids and other stuff, this is not the mini fic for you. Kind of very much a dead dove/don't eat. You control your own reading experience, that's not up to me. You've been warned.

Other Stuff ; tag list doc || my rules - fandoms and some characters I write for || requests are open (pls.. pls... send me things) but they're limited to headcanon asks + filth/fluff alphabet letters and I'm not accepting wrestling / wrestlers in my ask box. Any other fandom/character but wrestling that I happen to write for is fine and I beg of you -> send me things.

I do not consent to my work being reposted elsewhere or copied/reworked/rewritten and reposted here or elsewhere. You don't own this, I do. So like... don't steal my shit.

A crisp breeze blows through your open window as you sleep. As you promised earlier, you left it open for Charlie but a little after 10 pm and no sign of him even attempting to show up and you decided that maybe he’d just said it to be a jerk, to laugh tomorrow if you brought it up.

You’ve just gotten settled into bed, your back facing away from the window. Your favorite shirt to sleep in -a black one that’s old and thin with the Harley Davidson logo on front, is hiked up just slightly over a pair of black lace panties as you toss and turn and try to drift off to sleep. But you’re thinking about the way he kissed you with his hands all over you in the supply closet at the back of your classroom earlier in the day and the more you think about it and replay it in your head, the more frustrated -and wet, you seem to get. You’re aching for some kind of way to relieve your frustration.

With an annoyed huff, you shove your arm beneath the black pillow under your head and you kick the covers completely off your body because despite the chill in the air, it’s hot. You’re hot, burning all over because all you can do is lie there and replay what happened at school over and over again in your mind.

You try to tell yourself that he’s not coming, if he were, he’d probably have stopped by hours ago and finally, after what feels like endless tossing and turning and countless prayers of frustration sent up to whatever deity might hear, you can feel your eyes getting heavy. As sleep takes over, the music you were listening to via the earbuds in your ears switches from one classic rock song to another. And with the volume you have the music turned up to as it plays through your phone as you sleep, you can’t hear any little outside noises going on around you.

Charlie slips in through the open window and nearly falls to the floor. As he stands in the middle of your room, his eyes dart around -an attempt to familiarize himself with the place because it’s his every intention to spend as much time as he can here, close to you. He chuckles at the posters tacked on your wall. The clothing bursting out of your closet in a chaotic clusterfuck of bold and vibrant red, stark white and black or dark gray because those are the colors you primarily stick to most of the time. He makes his way over to the overfilled vanity table with it’s various cosmetics and a jewelry box with costume jewelry and your preferred huge, bold and loud earrings inside an open drawer and he picks up a silver framed picture of you as a little girl on the back of a motorcycle with some burly and terrifying looking man sitting behind you, his arms around.

He knows it’s your father, it has to be but.. Charlie can’t stop the rush of jealousy he feels at the sight of someone else touching you.

You roll in the bed so that you’re facing him and your quiet little sigh and moan -his name, no less, catch Charlie Walker’s undivided attention. He moves to the bed and seats himself along the edge. You’re completely out from beneath the black bandana print comforter that’s nearly piled on the floor. The shirt you’re sleeping in is threadbare, borderline see through and it’s twisted from all your movement in sleep so that he can see the curve of your ass and the way black lace barely hides your pretty little pussy.

“Sorry I’m late, kitten.” he mutters, mostly to himself because he can tell by your light snores that you’ve fallen asleep. He positions himself over your body and brushes your hair out of the way of your face and the side of your neck.

His cock is strained against his jeans. He can feel it twitch and ache with need. All he can think about is how much he wants to push your panties to the side, unzip and pull down his jeans and bury his cock to the hilt in your warmth and fuck you til he’s all empty and you’re dripping because he’s filled you up.

His hand skims over your exposed thigh and he nips at your neck, sucking. Leaving a little mark against your soft and unmarred flesh. The harder his lips lock against your skin, the more he finds himself unable to resist thrusting his clothed bulge against the curves of your ass as he leaned over you from behind.

He gets a little bolder as he continues to thrust, working himself into a frenzy. His hand slips beneath your sleeping form and closes around your soft tits, squeezing. By now he’s panting, growling and groaning against your ear, his censor is gone completely. You’re starting to wake up and you roll onto your back to look up at him, blinking the sleep out of your eyes as you yawn. He positions himself between your legs and his mouth meets your mouth all over again, just a little kiss to wake you up completely, he thinks, yeah.. That should do it.

You arch your back away from the bed and cling to him, deepening the kiss as you give a sleepy little giggle. “Didn’ think you were gonna make ‘t.” your sleepy drawl has him chuckling quietly. Caressing your face with one hand as the other disappears between your bodies and settles against your dripping sex. When he feels how wet you are against his hot palm, he growls into the kiss. “I told you I’d be here.”

“Yeah, well.” you gasp out the words as a shiver races through you when his hand squeezes and rubs your clothed sex. Your hand digs into the mattress and the other one digs into his shoulder as your legs fall open even wider for him. He leans back slightly, ocean colored eyes settling on the wet cloth clinging to your pussy and he licks his lips, leaning into you from above all over again. “Still sleepy, princess?” he mumbles the question lazily against the shell of your ear. You yawn again, it can’t be helped.

You are still sleepy but you’re afraid that if you answer yes then he’ll go and you don’t want him to go.

The arguing kicks up all over again downstairs and you cringe into him, gazing up. “Ignore them.”

Charlie bites his lip and nods. “I asked you a question.”

“If I say yes..” you pout as his finger slips over the soaked lace covering your warm and wet sex. Charlie chuckles. You’re twice as wet for him now as you were not even ten seconds ago. His teeth latch against your throat and you whimper as your hand fists the mattress again. “Hm? You were gonna say something, babe. Say it. C’mon.”

“I don’t want you to go.” -and you didn’t, especially not now, not with the arguing down below reaching a fever pitch. If he left, you’d be stuck there alone to listen to it. To hold your breath and just hope to God that things didn’t spiral out of control too badly. Because you didn’t dare intervene.

Hearing you admit that you wanted him there and you didn’t want him to leave had him smirking a little. “I’m not gonna leave.” he drags a long and thin finger right down your slit and when you shiver, he gazes down at you, teeth tug at his bottom lip and he’s lost in thought. “It might put a damper on what you want outta me though.” he trails off, frowning a little before adding quietly, “Unless you just wanna go back to sleep and let me give you what I know you want and get what I need right now?”

To emphasize just how badly he wants you, he bucks himself against you and you gasp as you feel the way his cock is pushing hard against the zip fly of his jeans. You swallow hard and lick your lips. Your lids are still so, so heavy with sleep and you can barely stay awake, you’re fighting a yawn or two as you attempt to answer him. But along with the sleepiness you feel, you’re so turned on, you’re so damn horny that you want his cock inside you.

“C’mon, princess. All you gotta do is sleep. Let me take care of you, hm?” his voice is smooth; soft. A raspy velvet purr as his mouth drags right down your pulse and he presses his hips down into your lower body, the bulge in his jeans putting barely enough pressure against your achy cunt. The ache really starts to throb.

“Okay.” you mumble softly, giggling quiet when you shock him by admitting, “It sounds kind of hot. You using me to get off like I’m a little fuck doll.” and at your confession, Charlie swallows hard. He gapes at you a second or two because honestly, he hadn’t ever expected you to agree to what he’s about to do.

The fact that not only have you agreed but you want him to do it, holy shit. He’s almost feral and if he thought his cock was hard a few seconds ago, it’s nothing compared to now. His mouth crashes against yours violently, a biting kiss that leaves your lips aching by the time he’s done. You’re starting to doze off again and you’ve rolled onto your side again, one of your legs bent at the knee. Exposing that perfect dripping little cunt because your panties barely cover you enough.

But he’s not an animal, so he doesn’t just start pounding away at your pretty little pussy like he’s dying to… His fingers slip into your panties and he drags them between your folds. They bury deep inside you, twisting and scissoring in a come hither motion as he grunts against your neck. His other hand slips up beneath the thin black shirt and a thumb rolls across your nipples. He can’t resist the urge to thrust himself against your soft little ass and his breath hangs in his throat when he manages to get himself real worked up all over again. Your juices are flowing, coating his fingers, “Fuckin hell.” he mutters in awe as you arch your ass towards him and this causes his fingers to bury deeper inside. Strumming against spongy softness that has his entire body tensing up when he feels the way your pussy clamps around his fingers.

He can’t take it anymore, he has to be inside of you. Filling you so full that you leak when he’s finished.

He slips off your bed and after licking his fingers clean and wishing you were fully awake to see him as he does it, he lets his pants and boxers fall to your bedroom floor, kicking them free at the ankle as he’s managed to get his shoes off first. He tugs his shirt off and lets it settle on the floor next to his jeans and boxers and then he’s back on you, his finger hooking in black lace and tugging until it comes away with a silent rip.

The arguing is so loud downstairs. His gut instinct is to get you the fuck out and away from this shit, but he has to remind himself that’ll come at the end of everything he’s got planned for the sleepy little town you both live in. Then he can get you out of here. He can have you all to himself.

His hand fists his cock, lining it up with your tight, wet little cunt and he slides right in. But the way your pussy grips his length has him pausing, breath hung in his throat as he tries to adjust to the tight squeeze. You’ve tensed up just a little and you whimper soft. It hits him then and he has to ask. He can’t just not ask what he suspects.

“Babe.” he nips at your earlobe. “You’ve done this before, right?”-- he’s touching you all over, nuzzling his nose against your racing pulse urgently. “C’mon, doll.. Answer me.” he groans out against your soft skin as he continues to rut himself against you, “ Then you can go back to sleep like I promised, ‘kay?”

“Nuh uh. Never.” you yawn out the words sleepy and he growls to himself upon hearing confirmation that you’re a virgin.

“Fuck.” the word hangs in the air and he waits until he feels you unclench just a little. When you’ve started to relax and you whine quietly and pout over your shoulder at him as you remind him in a hushed sleepy whisper that he’s supposed to be fucking you back to sleep, he can’t help but chuckle. “Gotta be easy, princess, -ah” he growls out as he feels your body arching back towards him, this makes you drag over his length with those tight fuckin walls and the way your pussy is so wet he can feel it coat every single inch of his cock, oh my god. It’s all he can do to keep from cumming hard. His free hand skims your curves as you lie in front of him on your side. He can’t resist, so when the urge comes to suck at soft flesh and leave a huge mark right there on that little spot between your neck and shoulders so you’ll see it when you’re fully awake.

“Are you okay now, princess?” he asks when he hears you whimper in need, the sound as if it’s choked out of you. You take a shaky breath or two. That soft and dream-like voice as you answer quietly, “Please.. Need.. Wanna feel you, Charlie.” to confirm, to beg for more has his last sliver of self preservation shot. He buries his cock deeper, the tip pushing against your abdomen just so that he can slightly feel it under his fingers as his hand rests against your tummy. “Jesus, fuck!” he groans, his cock absolutely buried, flooded by the way you’re gushing wet. “You’re gonna be the death of me.” he mumbles breathlessly as he starts to speed up his thrusts a little, his cock slamming against your cervix a time or two and making you whimper out as you start to wake up a little better. “Charlie, oh –ah, fuck, rightthererightthererightthere.” you whine, rocking your ass back against him which has his cock hitting at an all new angle that feels so good to you both that his hand digs into your breast and he squeezes hard. His teeth sink in against the space between your neck and shoulders as he pounds away harder, bottoming out, the tip of his cock brushing against the spongy softness of your g-spot. “Not yet, babe.” he groans when he feels your walls clamp down, “Don’t you dare cum yet.”

“P-please!” the word is choked out, frantic. A louder moan than you intended. Charlie laughs, quiet. The sound erupts from deep inside. “You’re begging for it, hm?” he questions as his hand dips down and his fingers began to circle your throbbing clit a little. He continues to fuck into you from behind, bottoming out a second time. You melt back against him and you try again to hold off like he’s demanded but you can’t take much more. “I n-need, fuck.. Please let me cum.” you whine as you rock harder back against him.

You’re awake now, an active -and very willing participant in the surrender of your virginity. The way you’re writhing around below him and whimpering, the way his name flies from your mouth and your hands grip the bedsheets and his shoulder only confirm one thing for him.

The two of you are fuckin endgame. And he’ll do whatever he has to, he’ll spill as much blood as he needs to make sure it stays this way.

After all, what’s a stone cold killer without his sultry little scream queen?

#charlie walker #charlie walker fanfiction #charlie walker x fem!reader #charlie walker x fem!reader fanfiction #charlie walker imagine #charlie walker x fem!reader imagine #// minors dni.#//read all warnings above.#// somnophilia #// body fluids #// obsession #// p in v #// unprotected p in v #// biting and marking #// dark themes ahead reader beware #// if i do this like i wanna it will be a gory twisted dark bloodbath.

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arctrooperechy · 1 year

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The First Echo

A/N: This idea popped into my head while watching the season premiere of TBB. We know how Omega learned of the original four members of Clone Force 99: she watched them grow up. But how did she learn about their newest recruit, a trooper named Echo?

*****

Omega, frantic and focused, cursed her tiny body as she padded through Tipoca City.

Faster. She needed to move faster.

Clones of all sizes crowded the hallways, the ones she pushed past indignant at her lack of respect…before noticing she was a small girl.

She didn’t notice. And she didn’t care.

The only thing that mattered to her right now was reaching her destination before she was found out. Outside into the dreary mist and across the platform she ran, faster than she ever had. Running and running until, finally, she reached the entrance to the city’s hidden tube system.

She knew how to operate the tubes on her own at this point; whether Nala Se knew that she was always memorizing and not just “observing,” Omega really never knew. She looked around to be sure no one was watching before ducking into one of the structures, activating the tube network hurriedly.

Below the surface and into the depths of the Kaminoan ocean, she had a moment to catch her breath as the pod flew on its own accord. She was trying to calm down—really, she was—but the conversation she’d just overheard rang through her ears.

Throughout her life, the Kaminoans—with the exception of Nala Se—had neither treasured her nor despised her. Omega was just kind of…there. But she didn’t mind, especially on days like today. Days when she was able to discreetly eavesdrop and vanish.

The pod stopped smoothly, its doors opening just as the girl barreled through towards the entrance to Nala Se’s private lab. The Kaminoan was nowhere to be found—Omega was relieved. This would buy her a few minutes at the very least.

She jogged to Nala Se’s desk, the scientist’s personal data pad sitting atop it as always. Omega snagged the pad and walked towards the growth chambers, wedging herself between two closest to the wall. With one last look at the lab’s entryway, she powered on the data pad and got to work. Nala Se had only two security mechanisms employed on her pad, thank the Maker. The first, a combination of numbers and the second, a pattern to trace. Both were simple: Omega watched the scientist log on multiple times a day.

As she navigated through the pad and searched for the feature she needed, the conversation she’d overheard earlier played through her head again.

“Clone Force 99 filed a report regarding their latest mission,” Taun We had said airily.

Omega’s ears perked up—it was them. She quelled her excitement; the Kaminoans rarely brought up Clone Force 99 in front of her. And she’d learned a long while back that she wasn’t supposed to ask about them.

Nala Se looked a bit surprised…Clone Force 99 never filed reports. Omega had checked.

“But CT-9901 failed to follow protocol in requesting a transfer.”

“Transfer?” Nala Se questioned carefully.

“Yes,” Taun We continued scrolling through the report before handing her datapad to the Kaminoan scientist.

“CT-1409 of the 501st Legion. How curious,” she said as she skimmed. “Clone Force 99 does not typically take to other clones.”

“Lama Su will want the correct protocol followed. The clones cannot be permitted to make such decisions without prior approval.”

Nala Se just nodded, handing back the datapad and promising she would take care of it.

Finally, Omega found what she was searching for: the master cloning databank. In truth, this wasn’t her first time using it. Nala Se had reprimanded her twice for checking in on Clone Force 99. Omega had solemnly agreed to never use the pad again.

What she’d really meant was that she’d never use the pad to Nala Se’s knowledge again.

She clicked the tab indicating “currently deployed.” A seemingly endless supply of battalions and squads appeared; she scrolled to the bottom of the list, clicking “Clone Force 99” once she reached the end.

The squad’s CT numbers showed up one at a time. Omega said what she knew their names to be to herself: Hunter, Tech, Wrecker, Crosshair. And then, right below the youngest brother’s name, a new number appeared.

CT-1409.

After what felt like hours of waiting, the clone’s file finally pulled up. He looked no different than the other clones on Kamino. But below his number was the designation Advanced Recon Commando, along with a placement in the 501st Legion.

An ARC trooper? Omega was mesmerized. How had he worked his way into joining Clone Force 99?

But then, she noticed just below that: Terminated.

That couldn’t be right. How could a dead clone join another squad? Surely it was a system error. She scrolled through the profile, noting his numerous awards given in battles even she had heard of. The Battle of Rishi Moon…the Battle of Kamino. It appeared that was when CT-1409 was promoted. She recoiled at knowing him only by his number; did he have a name?

His file closed with a mission codenamed “Citadel.”

And then it opened again, much later, with “Skako Minor.”

The Citadel mission housed a small file. Omega’s curiosity got the best of her, as always.

Click.

A holo of a clone with a full goatee and a tattoo on his temple appeared. His eyes were kind even as he stared into holocam strangely. He looked exhausted.

“Is it working?” the clone asked an invisible source, likely the entity who filed this report for him. Upon confirmation, he stepped back revealing decorated armor and a kama.

“Alright. I’m Fives…what? Oh. Right. CT-5555, Advanced Recon Commando of the 501st Legion. Mission report: the Citadel.” The clone swallowed hard, steadying himself.

Omega felt her chest tighten—this clone was devastated.

The clone, Fives, listed off some minute details, the size of the team and the Jedi leading the mission. It was a search and rescue: a Jedi master with top-secret information had been captured by Separatist forces.

“Echo and I…now what? Fine. CT-1409. Happy now?” Fives rolled his eyes in irritation. “I can take it from here, B4. Go help the Captain with his report.”

A shuffle offscreen indicated the droid had left the room. Alone, Fives took a deep breath as he looked down towards his boots and shut his eyes.

“I’ve never really done this before,” he said softly. “Usually, a general or commander takes care of this part. If they even do. Or have time to. I guess we lose a lot of men every day.”

The young girl could feel the clone’s sadness even through the holovid.

“I don’t know who views these things…if anyone even does. But I still need to do it. And I want to do it right for Echo.”

Echo, Omega noted.

“Echo was my batchmate. ‘Twins,’ we’d call ourselves. But tell you the truth, he could annoy the hell out of me and the boys. Our squad…Domino Squad. It was me, Droidbait, Cutup, Hevy…and Echo.

“We started calling him Echo fairly soon into our training. Everyone seems to think we clones are the same. And maybe they’re right, in some ways. But personality? Not a chance.”

Omega smiled to herself. She liked Fives already.

“And that’s where our irritation came from with Echo. He was the smartest out of all of us—no denying it. And he insisted on doing everything perfect; so much so that he’d repeat our orders over and over again even after we’d all heard them.

“That’s why we called him Echo. He hated it at first…but he never answered to anything else. I think he grew to love it.

“Our squad wasn’t the cream of the crop by any means. In fact, they almost disbanded us to send us to maintenance. I overheard one of the trainers call us a bad batch once,” he chuckled.

Omega’s eyes widened so much she wondered if they might just fall out of her head. Clone Force 99 called themselves the Bad Batch.

“But we proved ‘em all wrong. Echo and I were determined to be ARCs eventually. Passed our test and were promoted to troopers just like everyone else. We were all deployed to Rishi Outpost as our first assignment. And damn, we never saw any action. But tell you the truth, Echo and I enjoyed it sometimes. We messed around constantly,” he smiled again.

“That was all before the invasion. When the clankers showed up, we lost the rest of our squad one by one. Until all that was left was me and Echo. ‘The twins.’

“We joined the 501st after that. And it didn’t take long for them to feel like brothers. Funny guys,” he laughed. “Echo and I were made ARC troopers eventually, after the Battle of Kamino. That one was rough,” he sighed as he ran a hand over his face in exhaustion.

“We got through it though. Even had some fun along the way. And then, we were selected for this Citadel extraction. We were both so honored to be with the best of the best. It meant…it meant we were the best, too,” Fives took a long pause then. Omega wondered if that was the end of the recording.

Fives took a deep breath before continuing. “And Echo proved that, of course. The group needed to escape, but we were pinned down in the hangar. And then…and then Echo went all-out and ran for the ship, putting everyone else’s lives above his own. And all of a sudden he was just…gone. All that time together, and it was…it was just over. I would give anything to go back and redo it; to go back and keep him right by my side until the end.

“I saw that Jedi general who was killed on the mission cremated while we were still in the Citadel. Kind of funny how we had time to honor him and no time to honor the multiple clones who perished along the way, too,” Fives’s eyes changed then; he was angry.

“Anyway. I don’t want to take too long; that blasted droid will be back soon. Point is, the Jedi do that for all of their own. Made me realize that us clones don’t really have anything like that. We just…say goodbye. And sometimes we don’t even know when we’re supposed to.”

Omega could almost feel her heart breaking for this clone. He’d lost so much.

“So this is my goodbye. I know these next few days and missions are going to hurt like hell—I’ve never been without Echo. Feels like a piece of me is gone,” he sighed. “But I’ll keep going. For Droidbait and Cutup and Hevy. And now, for Echo. Ni su'cuyi, gar kyr'adyc, ni partayli, gar darasuum.”

The man stopped as though that were the end. But after a pause, he walked over to whatever device was recording him; if he’d been any quieter, Omega probably wouldn’t have been able to hear him as he said, “I’ll see you on the other side, brother.”

And then he disappeared.

Omega wiped the bunch of tears that had begun falling down her face during the story. She had so many questions. What did that different language mean? Where did Fives go next? But it was then that she heard the tube system come to life again—Nala Se was coming. She was out of time.

The girl shut down the datapad and placed it exactly where she’d found it, completely lost in thought. She still didn’t know how Echo had met Clone Force 99. Or how he’d somehow returned from the dead. She wondered if Fives knew that Echo was alive.. All topics to research another day—Kamino got pretty boring, so it was nice to have something to look forward to.

Echo’s file had spoken for itself—he was an extremely talented and dedicated trooper. To her, he sounded like a war hero. But even more than that, he was a good friend and brother who cared about the people around him. Especially for his brother, Fives. And that was why she decided he would be a good fit for Clone Force 99. They were a tight bunch—as Nala Se had said earlier, it was rare for them to take to anyone outside of their squad. But Echo had been an exception. It made Omega’s heart soar.

She couldn’t wait until the day she got to meet them all. Well…meet some of them again, she supposed.

As she made her way to the tube system keypad again, she smiled to herself; her brothers’ names ran through her mind the whole way back to Tipoca City.

Hunter. Tech. Wrecker. Crosshair. Echo.

*****

Thank you so much for reading! Would love to hear your thoughts. And yes I am depressed now :)

Mando'a Translation

Ni su'cuyi, gar kyr'adyc, ni partayli, gar darasuum : I'm still alive, but you are dead. I remember you, so you are eternal.

#the bad batch #sw fanfic #tbb fic #tbb echo #tbb omega #my sweet beloved #arc trooper echo #arc trooper fives #bad batch fanfic #bad batch #echo bad batch

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frostandflamesfanfic · 1 year

Text

Light Up My Life (Steve Harrington x Reader)

Light Up My Life (Rated T)

Pairing: Steve Harrington x Reader

Word Count: 3.7k+

Warnings: Brief language and some suggestive situations, but mainly fluff!

Summary: For Stevemas Day 12; Your and your boyfriend, Steve, have been dating for some time. Although time has never been on your side, the two of you are determined to spend the holiday together this year. When you decide to have an early Christmas date night, Steve comes up with a way to make it even more magical...

You sighed to yourself as you stared over the counter to the parking lot outside, hands toying with a random piece of scrap paper. The sun had just started to set for the night, casting shadows against the asphalt and sending vibrant hues of orange sunlight through the windows. For the Christmas season, you would think the bookstore would be even busier. People would pass in and out to pick up whatever cheap new release there was for the friendly bookworm. Come January, loyal customers would come in to exchange the attempt to connect for the new book title they were really interested in.

Except this year, it seemed paperbacks were replaced by whatever the latest technology was. Even Dustin Henderson had charted a new course on his voyage of curiosity that all but left the world of Dungeons and Dragons guides and physics textbooks behind. Mrs. Peterson was the lonely lingering customer in the corners of bookshelves. Her eyes flickered between a paperback copy of The Dead Poets Society or a leather-bound collection of Emily Dickinson’s works.

She was one of your regulars, the bookworms with heart, as you called them. Every Christmas, Mrs. Peterson would show up to the store with a mission to find the perfect book for every person on her shopping list.

You couldn’t help the smile that spread across your face as you crossed the store to help her. “Mrs. Peterson,” you called over. “Doing some last-minute shopping? Anything I can help you with today?”

“Oh, hello dear!” the older woman glanced up from the covers with an endearing smile. She held out the two books in your direction. “I’m trying to find something for my great-niece, Dariah. She wasn’t supposed to be coming to Christmas dinner, since she needed to fly in all the way from California. She started college there, did I tell you? Southern California University…no, wait. That isn’t quite it.”

She paused to raise an index finger to her lower lip in thought. A moment later, Mrs. Peterson’s face lit up as she gave a small exclamation. “University of Southern California! Yes, yes,” she jabbered on with an eager series of nods, “that’s it! She’s been studying literature there. Told me herself that she wants to get published, maybe even work in the publishing world.”

“Oh wow, that’s fantastic, Mrs. Peterson!” you tried to sound excited for the older woman. Truly, you did. “You must be so proud! California isn’t a bad place to study.”

You glanced over to the large clock affixed to the wall by the checkout counter. 6:55, it read. Your boyfriend was supposed to pick you up after close – sometime after seven o’clock. He worked across the street at the local video rental store, Family Video, so it wouldn’t be too far of a trek. The last thing you wanted, though, was for him to have to sit and wait for you to finish with a customer.

“Yes, well,” Mrs. Peterson agreed, “but I wish she didn’t live so far away and then decide to come home on a spur of the moment. Now I’m having a hard time figuring out what to get her.”

“Hmm.” You let your eyes wander around the store, the seemingly endless rows of books new and old. You tilted your head and started to walk through the shelves, dodging and weaving until you found the nonfiction section. Personally, you never really visited this section for leisure, but you had a vague idea of what hidden gems lurked amongst the shelves. “You mentioned she was looking to be published?”

“Oh yes,” Mrs. Peterson replied. “She’s always been writing ever since she was a child. I mean, the stories she’s come up with–”

“I’m sure they’re lovely, Mrs. P,” you tried to politely reroute the conversation back to the original topic. Reaching up, you plucked a dark-blue covered book and held it out to the woman. “On Writing Well by Micheal Zinsser. It was published just this year and we’ve already had numerous orders of it from the local universities. She might get something out of it in terms of writing.”

As she took the book from you, she gave a small tut of appreciation. “Oh thank you, dear. Somehow you always know exactly what I’m looking for.”

You chuckled and shrugged your shoulders, taking the other two books from her hand and walked over to place them back in their rightful places. “Sometimes it’s less about finding the perfect book for a person, and more about the perfect person for the book.” You gestured vaguely over your shoulder toward the register. “What do you say we get you all checked out and you can head home to finish up those last-minute preparations for Dariah, yeah?”

“I mean it, dear,” the woman said as she walked over to the counter. “I don’t know how you manage to do it every time. You’re quite the young person. More people should be like you.”

“Well,” a familiar voice cut into the conversation, “as much as I appreciate your compliments here, Mrs. Peterson, if there were more people like your favorite employee over here, I would be a very jealous man.”

You glanced up to catch the hazel-eyed stare of your boyfriend leaning against the front door of the shop. He jerked a thumb toward the handle. “You forgot to lock up. Gotta be careful, sweetheart. You never know who will come barging in after hours.”

“Oh, Steve,” Mrs. Peterson smiled as you rang up her purchase, “you’ve found yourself quite the keeper.”

“That I have, Mrs. Peterson.” Steve said as he strode into the store. He ducked down under the counter flap to wrap his arms around your waist and placed a resounding lip smack against your cheek. “Hey there, sweetheart.”

You shivered at his show of affection, which caused Mrs. Peterson to chuckle. “Don’t let this one slip away.”

“Oh, I don’t plan on letting this one go for a long, long, long time,” your boyfriend promised.

You turned your head to catch his gaze. “A long, long, long time?” you teased.

“As long as you’ll have me.”

A hot flush crept up your neck and tickled your cheeks. It wasn’t that you were embarrassed by his comments. Steve had a way of making you feel like the most important person in the world. He never did it to make you uncomfortable. Over the last five years you dated, you had come to find that every word he said he meant. The fact that someone would say these things about you, much less mean what they said, was difficult to comprehend at times. It had only taken a few months for the first “I love you” – something that you had never done before. But with Steve, it was easy.

He made things easy and you could spend every day finding new ways to fall in love with him.

“Get ready for the long haul, then, Harrington,” you mumbled as you reached over the counter to hand a receipt to Mrs. Peterson and waved goodbye.

Your boyfriend hummed and sent his own goodbye to your customer, opting to stick his face into your neck once the door shut behind her. Another thing you learned about Steve over the years was how clingy he was. No matter what you were doing together, Steve always had to touch you in some capacity. A hand clasped in your as you shopped for groceries in town, lips pressed to your temple as you sat in his lap while Dustin explained his latest theories. His fingertips would slide their way up under the hem of your shirt when he was just standing next to you, tracing random shapes into the skin.

“Ready for our date, sweetheart?” Steve mumbled into the junction of your shoulder. He pressed a kiss to the area and hummed when he felt you shiver under his touch.

“Just about,” you responded absentmindedly. “Just have to clean and lock up before we can go.”

“I can help.”

You shot him a frown, eyebrows knit together in confusion. “You sure?”

Your boyfriend nodded and released you from his grip to pick up a stack of books off the counter. “Babe,” he said with a tsking sound, “I sort tapes for a living across the street. I think I can manage a few books.”

“Yeah, but there’s a certain order-”

“I got this,” Steve tried to calm you. “Go get ready to lock up. The lights of Loch Nora are waiting for us. Don’t want them to burn out before we get there, yeah?”

A little hesitant at first, you finally agreed to give Steve a stack of books meant for the fiction section. Your hope was that even if he didn’t recognize or understand the sorting system of the store, he would at least be able to rely on his skills from the video store to help him out. To no one’s surprise, Steve handled the stack with ease. You would be lying if you said you hadn’t waited a moment just to take in the view of his chin holding the stack in place, his free hand putting book after book back on the shelf.

“Hey babe?” he called out after a few moments of sorting. “Where’s your horror section?”

“Over by the romance.” You used the stepstool to replace the leather copies of The Hobbit and Fellowship on the collectors’ shelf. Why your boss thought it would be a good idea to sell ninety dollar editions of the classic stories was beyond you. None of your typical Hawkins customers could afford it, unless they won the lottery. “Don’t ask me to explain the system. They’re just in the same area.”

“Aaaaaaand done!” Steve clapped his hands together and emerged from the back of the store a moment later, a small paperback clutched in his right hand. “Hey, do people really read this shit?”

At first, you couldn’t tell what the book was. Being in a literal bookstore made it difficult to narrow it down. However, when Steve held it up to the light, you caught sight of the title and your stomach dropped: After the Stars Fall. The cover image was simple enough, depicting a man and a woman as they embraced in front of a fireplace.

“I, uh,” you stuttered. “I think we’ve sold a few of those. Not recently, though. It’s a couple years old.”

“Huh.” Steve glanced down at the book in his hands. “Is it any good?”

Even though you hadn’t read the book yourself, you knew the reputation these novels had. Karen Wheeler in particular always seemed rather flustered whenever she picked up her latest installment. You thought that was a pretty clear sign to steer clear until the later stages of life.

“I mean,” you chuckled half-heartedly, “those two look pretty cozy. Probably just got some quiet time by the fire after they put the kids to bed. Domestic bliss; must be nice.”

“Yeah, maybe.” Steve’s voice sounded distant. When you glanced back up at him in concern, you noticed he was staring at you. Yet, as you looked closer, you noticed he was staring past you. He was lost in a dreamworld of sorts, allowing his mind to wander in ways you would most likely never understand.

“Steve?” you asked timidly, hand placed against his bicep. “Babe, are you okay?”

All of a sudden, Steve flinched and his eyes flickered to yours. A smile graced his features as he nodded and pressed a kiss to your cheek. “Yeah,” he soothed. “Yeah, I’m okay. Let me go start the car and we can go, alright? Don’t want you freezing that cute little butt of yours off waiting for the heat.”

You laughed and gave a little wink as you walked to grab your jacket from the back room. “Something tells me I’d have something else to help keep me warm.”

⧫ ⧫ ⧫ ⧫ ⧫ ⧫ ⧫ ⧫ ⧫ ⧫ ⧫ ⧫ ⧫ ⧫

Growing up in Hawkins, one could find themselves becoming desensitized to the small-town charm. Who wouldn’t? Being around the same stores, the same people, the same town…a change of scenery started to sound nice after a while. You tried to get out about four years ago. After graduating high school in the summer of ‘85, you followed the Byers out west to attend University of California, Berkeley. It was a tough transition, especially without your boyfriend. The two of you made the long distance work as best you could over the year, relying on phone calls, letters, even the occasional surprise visits when you could.

After spring break freshman year, you knew the next three would drag on if you stayed in California. You couldn’t let Hawkins go. Your family was here— both biological and otherwise— so was your home…and Steve. You couldn’t let it go, not again.

So you didn’t leave.

After the earthquake, you made the decision to move back to Indiana for good. You transferred to Indiana State University, finished your degree, and took up a job doing something you loved in the process. It had taken you some time, but in between loan payments, you and Steve were able to put rent down on a lease. The apartment itself wasn’t grand by any means, but it was home.

This year marked the first Christmas you and Steve would spend without the stress of finals or scheduling conflicts. The two of you made sure to request the day off in advance, going as far as taking additional shifts to cover the expenses. It was tough, but you knew it would all be worth it to wake up on Christmas morning with Steve by your side.

You rarely found yourself traveling through the Loch Nora neighborhood during the rest of the year. The big houses were daunting and the people who lived inside were even more so. People said Hawkins was cursed, plagued by a mystical evil that corrupted those who went looking in the wrong places. Once upon a time, you thought that to be true, too. Now, as you see the displays of red, green, and gold lights strung up over houses and fresh trees neatly dressed with popcorn in people’s yards, you only saw the magic.

As Steve drove through the streets of your small home town, you felt yourself begin to relax into the leather seats of your boyfriend’s car. The sound of Christmas carols wormed its way into your ears from the stereo speakers, pairing nicely with the low hum of Steve’s voice as it sang along to the lyrics.

“I can’t remember the worst December,” Steve sang quietly, both hands still situated upon the wheel. “Just watch the icicles form. What do I care if icicles form? I've got my love to keep me warm.”

You felt a flush heat your skin while it crept up your neck at the sound of his voice. Almost as if sensing your bashfulness, Steve tilted his head toward you when he pulled up to the next stoplight. Ever the flirt, he gave you a small smile and quick wink as he continued to hum along with the tune. “Off with my overcoat,” he sang a bit louder now, another cheeky grin at the corner of his lips, “off with my gloves. Who needs an overcoat? I’m burning with love.”

“Okay, now you’re just being mean,” you bemoaned. Without another word, you leaned over to lower the volume of the radio.

“Those are just the lyrics, babe,” your boyfriend defended. On any other occasion, you would have taken pity on him and let the situation go. Although, the grin which refused to remove itself from his face only made you smack him or cover your tinted face in your scarf. Maybe even both.

“Not the way you’re singing it. Just shut up and drive, Harrington.”

“Oh, well, isn’t someone bossy…” Steve snickered. “Maybe I like this new side of you. Where have you been hiding this one?”

He made another turn, this time onto a street that you were more familiar with. Through the early days of your friendship-turned-relationship, you would take this street to pull into Steve’s driveway when nightmares kept him up in the wee hours of the morning. His parents were hardly ever home, so it wasn’t like you needed to sneak in. Though now that the two of you had your own place,

“What are we doing here?” you questioned, frowning at your boyfriend.

Steve merely smiled in response as he pulled up into the driveway and cut the ignition. He undid his seatbelt and gestured for you to do the same as he got out of the car. You couldn’t help but smile as he bolted over to the passenger side to open your door with a mock bow. It was such an old fashioned gesture, but it still felt entirely like Steve: an old soul with a big heart. “I want to show you something,” he said.

Steve held out his hand, which you were quick to accept. He took that as an opportunity to swing your interlaced fingers back and forth. Shoving his free hand in his pocket, he brandished a pair of keys and led you to unlock the back garden gate. It was darker than usual, the only light streamed from inside the pool. The two of you still knew your way around the yard, even in the dark. You allowed Steve to guide you along for a moment, before he suddenly stopped and rested his hands against your shoulders.

“Alright,” he said. “Just– just wait here, okay?”

He pressed a kiss to your forehead before he stepped away, leaving you alone in the darkened backyard. You suddenly felt nervous for no apparent reason. Even though it had been a few years since the last interaction with the Upside Down, you remembered hearing about what happened to Barb in Steve’s backyard. You knew you could fend for yourself. It wouldn’t be your first tumble with the beasts from Hell. You also knew Steve wouldn’t let anything happen to you if there was a surprise intruder.

Then why were you so anxious?

Your thoughts were cut short by a flood of bright light which practically blinded you in the process. As you blinked away the initial shock, you were met with an even larger surprise. A gazebo was now tucked into the corner of the Harrington family’s backyard. It was illuminated by bright strands of warm yellow twinkling lights wrapped around the railing. Little paper snowflakes dangled from the ceiling, held up by invisible wire.

Steve stood in the middle of the structure. An embarrassed smile stretched across his face and a flush burned bright pink against his cheeks. “Surprise?” he said weakly.

“Steve,” you trailed off in utter surprise. “What– what is this?”

“Well,” your boyfriend came closer to pull you under the overhang over the gazebo, hands tightly gripped against yours. “My, uh, parents always wanted a gazebo and I wanted to make this special, so I, uh, I guess two birds, one stone, yeah?”

You frowned and furrowed your brow. “You…you did this?”

Steve nodded and swallowed. His eyes shifted from one side of your face to the other, as though he was searching for something. After a moment, he cleared his throat.

“I, uh, I had a whole speech prepared,” he admitted. “I wanted to tell you how much I love you, how much I want to be with you. I wanted to tell you about all the plans I had to make this Christmas as special as possible. But being here, now, today, that all flies out the window. Because, in the end, I know the flowery words won't matter. Because right now, all I see and all I feel is you.

“I know with everything that I have, that I want to be with you forever. I know that I will never stop loving you. I told you when you went off to college, I didn't care that we were only able to see each other during your breaks. That didn’t matter to me because it would be so worth it for you to come home. I guess the point here is I will never stop waiting for you, because you are my everything. You're everything I need, sweetheart.

“And right now, I really only have one thing left to ask you,” he continued, a teary and hopeful smile against his lips. As you looked over at him, you gasped as he knelt one knee onto the floor of the gazebo and produced a small box from his jacket pocket. “Will you marry me?”

“Oh, Steve,” you gasped and covered your mouth with two gloved hands. You felt the tears as they welled up in the corners of your eyes.

“Yeah, sweetheart?” Steve asked gently. He scooted a bit closer to reach up and wipe the tears from your eyes. “Are you okay?”

You eagerly nodded. “Yeah, yeah,” you answered. “Yeah, I’m okay, Steve.”

A sigh escaped your boyfriend as his body released its tension to relax. “Okay, good,” he said with a nod. “That’s good. But, uh, I kinda need an answer here, babe.”

Not wanting to wait any longer, you slowly fell onto your knees to give him a kiss. Steve almost immediately melted into it. His hands wrapped around your waist as yours found the small tufts of hair at the base of his neck. Despite the cold chill of the December air, you felt as though you were sitting in front of an open fire. When you finally broke apart, a smile nearly threatened to split your face in two.

“So…” Steve drawled out between huffs of breath. “Was that a yes?”

You kissed him again with a grin, much more quickly this time. “Yes,” you affirmed. “Yes, I will marry you. In every way and language. Oui, si, da, yes. Yes.”

You couldn’t believe this moment was really happening. After years of knowing each other, defeating monsters, and finally coming together, Steve was asking you to spend the rest of your life with him. You knew it wasn’t going to be perfect, but you knew it would be worth it.

When you looked into your future, you saw the two of you finally living the lives you dreamed of. Whether it was in Hawkins or anywhere else, you didn’t care. The only thing that mattered is that you would be with Steve. He was your home, your family, and your future.

And you couldn’t wait to see what would happen next.

============

Author's Note: And that officially concludes our Stevemas celebration. I can't believe this is the end. The last two weeks have sped by in a blur, but I couldn't be happier to have seen all the nice comments about this little event. I'll be honest when I say this started out as a completely self-indulgent challenge, but to see you all on every fic (and seeing some new faces, too), it really made my holiday season. I really wanted to make this last story special and I'm really happy with the end result.

That being said, thanks for sticking with me over the last 12 days. If you liked this fic and event series, and want to see more like it on my blog, please consider commenting, tagging a friend, and reblogging this post. Not only does it help motivate me to keep putting out new content, it also helps spread the word about my works. Likes are appreciated, but it's really these three interactions that help the most. If you want to get updates on any of my future stories, maybe consider giving my blog a cheeky follow. I promise I don't bite and won't spam you too much with mine and other creators' amazing work!

Until next time, my little sparks <3

Wishing you all a very merry christmas and an equally wonderful holiday season regardless of how you celebrate!

Taglist: @bakerstreethound, @theelmgrove, @maddipoof

#steve harrington fanfic #steve stranger things #steve harrington imagine #steve x reader #steve harrington #steve harrington drabble #steve harrington x reader #steve harrington fanfiction #stranger things x reader #stranger things imagine #stranger things fanfiction #stranger things #joe keery imagines #joe keery #twelve days of stevemas #ficmas 2022 #frostandflamesfanfic #steve harrington fluff

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dailyspnpolls · 1 year

Note

hiiiii, could u make a poll about different dean fits? (like early seasons daddys leather jacket, lumberjack(tm), cowboy dean, dean in 1944, insurance guy dean with the glasses, corporate dean, demon dean and yea idk the possibilities are almost endless) love the idea of this blog!! <3

Hello nonnie!

I don't know if you're still lurking around, but I wanted you to know that I have not forgotten about this brilliant idea! It was the very first idea that got sent through, and I love it so much I want to make sure I do it justice, so I have been sitting on this for far too long.

I started listing out all the different Dean outfits that I have seen to be fan favorites, and there is far more than 10. This just means I might need to split it over several polls. Maybe I could even do a showdown with multiple rounds! 🤔

I think I'm definitely going to need help with this though, so I am finally publishing your ask to appeal to all the followers of this blog.

Please let me know which of Dean's many wonderful costumes, outfits and roleplays you would like to see in the Ultimate Dean 'Fit Off.

Some inspiration to get you all started:

I will schedule this post to reblog a few times over the coming week, and then get to work putting it all together.

If we can get this showdown working, then we might be able to do them for other things too!

I'm excited! I hope you guys are too! As always, I'm here and reading all of your thoughts, so fire them my way! And make sure you're checking out the other polls!

#pollmaster posts #asks #dean winchester's outfits

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titlemewickedwonderland · 8 months

Text

Fan Service (Sleep Token oneshot)

Summary: Elena had been a fan of a lot of bands over the years. Her favorite had been Ghost and Sleep Token since she'd discovered them over a year ago; unfortunately, though she never had the opportunity to meet the band or go see them live before. What she didn't expect was for Sleep Token to have a show playing live just a few hours away from her city! Jumping at the chance to see them finally live she never expected how her night would turn out!

Pairings: Platonic!Vessel x OC, Plantonic!iii x OC

*Please note that I am aware Sleep Token does not interact with fans like this at concerts! One could only dream; this is just a silly little oneshot for you guys! I have not seen them live either and I know the interactions may seem oc considering what kind of band they are and their lore. Bear with me, it's just imagination just like all the other fanfics of bands out there! Hope you enjoy. This is not to portray their actual personalities or interactions! SIMPLY FANFICTION! Please don't come at me....I DO respect the band and their privacy to keep their personal lives and personalities out of media; I love them dearly and mean no disrespect to them as people or as a band. This is just something silly I thought up; experimenting, if you will...If you haven't seen them or listened to them; boy honey you're missing out!

My Workshop

She was jittery. Bouncing on the toes of her black hightops as she waited in line. The ticket clutched tightly in her hands as she scanned the rest of the crowd that lined up to the venue to get in. The excitement and anticipation for tonight's show were palpable on her tongue as she took a calming breath to stop the scatter of butterflies in her stomach from exploding from her body and out of her mouth. There were so many people here and although Elena was not fond of large crowds like this, she knew she'd regret it immensely if she didn't come tonight. The very idea that she could have, even by her own volition, missed out when her favorite band was so close to her performing made a knot form in her stomach; not helping her out at all with the nervous energy her body carried.

She'd been in love with the music this band created since she first found them out a little over a year ago. Sleep Token had bumped her love for this kind of music higher on her list - making her more obsessed with the addictive blend until she'd played playlist after playlist on endless loops through her speakers at her small apartment. And tonight, she drove a few hours from her hometown just to see them.

When her turn came at the line she handed over her ticket to get punched before being allowed entry. Her green eyes widened at the scene around her. Countless booths lined up with canopies advertising merch sales for everything under the sun. From T-shirts to sweatshirts, wristbands with the band's logos, to copies of their latest albums on CDs and so much more. The girl found herself standing near the barrier of other fans who were browsing the tables; staring down at the items displayed for purchase and bit her lip. It wasn't as if she didn't have the money; she'd saved up months from her job at the music store she worked at just for this chance to get a souvenir from the band she loved the most.

But despite her eagerness to snatch something up like a sweatshirt she refrained with all her willpower; she wasn't going to blow her whole paycheck until she'd seen everything there was to see. A slight breeze blew through the open venue causing her to shiver a bit and glance back at the stall showcasing the black zip-up sweaters only partly regretting not buying one since she didn't expect the weather to get cold tonight. She was dressed in a pretty dress. Black with white dragons all over it and the collar was high - like a turtleneck without the extra fabric and it hugged her body perfectly while a pair of hightop black shoes cased her feet for comfort. Her long brown hair was hanging down her back unhinged by the tie that was wrapped around her slender wrist. It wasn't like she was trying to dress to impress. She certainly didn't seem like she fit into this sort of environment while others dressed more for comfort or wearing varies of bandwear. But she'd just bought this dress and figured today would have been the best to wear it; even if it didn't go lower then the middle of her thighs. She got cold easily and she was beginning to regret not bringing a jacket to wear.

She'd followed the crowd towards the large open field where a large stage was constructed for the band to play and she weaseled herself to the front with ease; being so small at only 5'2" kind of helped. She wouldn't have been able to see Sleep Token on stage any other way not that she needed to - their music spoke more than the show they put on but man did she really want to see Vessel doing his adorable dances as he unhinged from the world and allowed the music to guide his body. She'd seen videos of other fan's uploads of his hopping and jumping on stage as he danced and she really wanted to see it live. So she took position at the iron railings that bracketed the fans from the stage at a safe distance and watched as tech people got the stage ready.

The sun was already low in the sky, the show going to start very soon - it was better experienced at night with all the light affects and strobe lights. Simply watching the way the tech people worked on stage made her heart race a bit as she knew in just minutes the show would begin and she would be right there at the front watching.

More people gathered behind her and Elena rested her arms against the railings as she watched; purposefully ignoring the fans behind her and on either side as they wanted to get the front row as well. If she dared to look behind her at all the people she would probably freak; she hated being at the front of any line let alone in the middle of a crowd so she didn't. Simply watched with anticipation and bated breath as the techs left and the lights began to come on. The show was beginning.

It was magnetic. It was addicting. It was like a shot of adrenaline through her system. Vessel's voice was like dark silk as he sang his lyrics and she was practically in a trance as she watched him perform. A big smile crept onto her face as she watched; her heart aching so much with adoration as she watched him get lost to the music; watched as he interacted with the fans through his signature hand movements and fruitiness with iii on stage. She loved it all and knew if she were to die right now she'd die with a blissful smile on her face. The crowd behind her was just as enthralled by him. Jumping up and down, dancing, and swinging around like crazy people behind her as they got lost in the music.

But then Elena felt her body slam forward into the railings in front of her when a fan not paying attention to his surroundings practically decked her in the back with his wild arms making her lurch forward aggressively against the metal. Her arms seared with pain as they jammed against the harsh cold railing causing her to hiss in pain; she would surely bruise come morning. And then just as suddenly a strong arm grabbed her arms and she looked up startled as security was quick to lift her tiny frame over the barrier and away from the danger. She yelped in surprise and clung to the man's shoulders as he carried her away from the railing and to a chair at the side of the stage causing her heart rate to spike when she realized where she was.

"Are you okay? Are you hurt?" the man asked scanning her over as she clutched her arm.

Elena laughed nervously and began nodding. "I am! I just hurt my arm a little bit on the railing there's no need for-" she began to protest feeling so very wrong for being on the other side of the barrier; feeling like a child that isn't supposed to be somewhere but before she could get the sentence out a figure jumped off of the stage as the music began to change into its melodic melodies instead of lyrics. Her gaze lifted up to find one of the guitarists coming her way still holding his instrument to the side of his body as he made his way over.

At first, Elena expected to be yelled at or told she needed to get back to the crowd but instead, her eyes widened when they met the familiar blue of iii's eyes as he came to stand beside her. One large hand rested on her shoulder as he did so.

"Everything okay here?" his voice was a little rough around the edges; probably from screaming out to the crowd to hype them up some more but there was no anger in his voice from what she could tell. She cleared her throat and shook her head a little as she pointed to her ear as if to tell him she couldn't hear him very well; which honestly wasn't a lie, being this close to the stage the music was a lot louder than in the crowd.

The bassist's black mask with the familiar Sleep Token symbol shifted as if he was smiling beneath his mask before he was bending down to speak in her ear; his larger frame tall and imposing seemingly less intimidating this way.

"Are you okay honey?" he asked near her ear allowing her to hear him better.

Elena blushed slightly at the proximity and nodded slightly as she laughed nervously. "I'm okay, it's just a misunderstanding really-" she began but the guard cut her off.

"Another fan behind her was being a little rough and she got injured on the barriers."

iii's eyes softened in concern as he looked her over and Elena quickly waved her hands in front of her. "It's okay really. I'm not bleeding or anything, just gonna bruise. It's not that big of a deal really. I appreciate the concern but I mean it is a concert; something was bound to happen." she tried to protest.

iii was already grabbing at her slender arm and examining the redness of where her skin had been hit against the railings minutes earlier and his head tilted a bit.

"Damn. I'm sorry sweetheart. We want our fans to have fun but not to hurt each other even by accident." he said and Elena shook her head again as she glanced over her shoulder catching Vessel's figure as he walked closer to their side of the stage; his head tilting towards them but because of the mask covering his face and the mic close to his mouth as he sang, she couldn't tell his expression.

She ducked her head; allowing her hair to hide her expression as she felt the embarrassment heat up her face. "It's really not that bad. Nothing that involved me being whisked away. I'm sorry, I didn't mean to distract you from the show. Please, go on and finish! I'll be back out there cheering you guys on." Elena began to stand but a pair of warm hands covered in black pain suddenly gripped her knees and she looked up to find Vessel crouching in front of her.

She sank back into her chair with a start and looked up at him. She couldn't see his eyes through the slits in his mask but the lower half of his face and jaw were exposed. Good god this man was beautiful even without full features being shown; she could tell by the shape of his lips and the half smile on his face - the strong neck and jaw coated in black paint that was starting to wear off from the light sheen of sweat that coated his naked torso.

"Are you hurt, honey?" Vessel's normal speaking voice was just as beautiful as his singing one. Deep and raspy from singing but beautiful causing Elena to feel as if her tongue was made of cotton instead of flesh and muscle as she dumbly nodded to him.

"She was injured by another fan during the show." iii mentioned and Elena shot him a look from the corner of her eye.

"I told you. It's not life-threatening! I'm okay really!" she protested before looking at Vessel and then the nearly empty stage behind him.

"Shit the show! You guys better go before people think something's wrong," she said frantically; her hands raising without though to gentle press at Vessel's shoulders as if to push him back towards it.

"Hey hey, calm down sweetheart." Vessel's hands gripped her wrists and his bright white smile was on display. "Don't worry about that right now. Tell us what's wrong, are you hurt?" he asked.

Elena's gaze dropped to his mouth so that she didn't stare at his naked torso instead and nodded. "I'm fine! Seriously!" she laughed a bit at their persistent concern for a random fan; god she loved them so much but they did have a show to finish and she wouldn't allow some scandal to happen over a few little bruises.

"I'll probably have a bruise but nothing bad. Now go!" she willed herself to gentle shove at Vessel's shoulders again even when all she wanted was to wrap her arms around him and give him a massive hug; she refrained and tempted down the fangirl within her.

"Aw, so sweet aren't yah?" iii cooed playfully causing another hot flash to creep up Elena's neck.

"Seriously?!" the girl covered her face but then there was the gentle caress of lips against her ear as Vessel drew nearer to be heard over the crowd of the fans several feet away.

"I'll tell you what, princess. Stick around after the show and come find one of the security for a personal escort to a VIP. Deal?"

Her eyes widened as she stared over his shoulder at the stage; petrified as much as thrill raced through her. "I-I can't do that. I can't let you guys do that! Come on it's not that bad of an accident. You're overreacting...it's not something you need to worry about let alone give me a personal VIP-" she protested turning her head slightly.

Vessel's grin was on full display now as he cocked his head to meet her gaze behind his mask. He smelled like sweat and body paint but also something that was either some sort of body wash or deodorant; something that was all Vessel.

"We want to take care of our fans, honey. It's partly our fault for the crowd being like this so let's make this right. It's the least we can do." Vessel said and Elena stared up at his masked face as he withdrew.

The red details of his otherwise white mask were beautiful up close and she could tell there was a lot of artistic love put into it. Blinking up at him her lips turned into a frown and they parts as if to decline but the singer only shook his head playfully and placed a finger to his lips.

"I won't go finish this show until you agree. We'd love to get to know you a little better." he offered.

She knew he was bluffing. Why would he just shut down the entire show for her? but wasn't this what she dreamed about since the moment she found his band? She never expected something like this to happen; it was like some kind of dream. Swallowing thickly she finally nodded with a shy smile on her face.

"If I'm not going to be a bother...I don't want to cause trouble for you guys."

Vessel's laugh was adorable as he leaned over and pressed a sweet kiss to her cheek. "You're not a bother at all, honey." he replied pulling away.

"Elena." she corrected on impulse causing both Vessel and iii to tilt their heads at her.

"My name's Elena." she smiled slightly at them.

"Nice to meet you, Elena. We'll see you soon, darling." Vessel grinned at her as he backed up towards the stage again.

"See you soon, angel!" iii winked giving her shoulder a gentle squeeze before he and his friend darted back up the stage to continue the show.

Elena let out a shaky breath; practically reeling from the unexpected interaction. She rose from the chair as if to make her way back to the crowd but she glanced back up the stage only to find Vessel pointing at her as he sang; his head tilting towards her playfully and she could practically hear his voice in her head with his directions without even him speaking them into the mic.

she laughed a bit; the sound lost in the fray of blasting music as she sank back down into the metal chair and crossed one leg over the other as well as her arms over her chest as she stuck her tongue out at him playfully; feeling the familiar heat of a blush on her face as she caught the last second of his pearly smile of approval as he turned back towards the crowd; belting out the lyrics to 'Chokehold' as he did so.

A/N: Thank you all for reading this! I hope you enjoyed it! Please let me know if you'd like for me to continue writing for this band. Again, Sleep Token has stolen my heart for a while now and I love them dearly I can't put it into words so I'd be more than happy to write some more if you'd like to read it! <3

#sleep token #sleep token band #vessel #vessel sleep token #iii sleep token #oneshot #sleep token oneshot

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wizardlizard32 · 9 months

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Been silent for a while so I thought Id give an update

Brain has been absolutely FLOODING with ideas for different projects I wanna make like stories and games as well as fanart pieces I realized I never did that I really wanna do and its been so much that Im having a hard time functioning as my brain is constantly dividing itself (Dont worry Im still happy just overwhelmed with thinks ;v;)

I've been experimenting around with softwares to see whats best for me to continue animating in/most comfortable and sadly scrapped some Ideas but I have settled on my next animation a big reanimation project for Sonic adventure where I try to reanimate all of gammas cutscenes. This is definitely gonna be a longer project but I have already started doing sketches to get an Idea of how to render em in my own style heres a little peak at that .

Im also doing a bit of a fan piece on the side of my favorite souls borne boss ever Pontiff Sulyvahn or as I call em MY BOI POPE SULL. Legit a great antagonist and just hands down the coolest fromsoft boss heres a look at that too.

I actually have more dine than this but not a lot more?

Anywho for game Idea stuff Im still workin on my little Weaver knight project I'm almost done Sir Apells reference sheet then I will be moving on to other characters and regions like "The Storied Knight" or "Craneus the fountain of scholars". This project always gets me super giddy and Ive even started thinking of a sequel game called "Voyager"

Heres some looks into these.

The whole Idea of the first game is to literally weave your way through levels with different types of thread that do different things enemies that can only be defeated with weaving and puzzles that work around the different thread types

And then we have story Ideas these are jumbling around in my brain the most sadly I dont have any art for the most of them that I havent shown already but the list goes

Tales of Uvanos - I really cant share much on this one without giving away its big twist but... Magical fantasy setting with some """fun""" takes in things like Dragons Magic and Bird People ;v;

Endless wilds - Monster hunter/Ghibli style post apocalypse with """"Magic"""" being more like an extremely unstable element on the periodic table than actual magic Robot tries to raise a Human child who thinks shes a Bird also sinister somethings crawling back up from a long gone age.

Unnamed scifi project - pretty simple people fight eachother in giant mechs theres a dinosaur alien dude antagonist simply named Shred who I do have a sketch for <:D

Prefantasy - FANTASY WORLD BUT SET IN THE CRETACEOUS PERIOD the people are trying to figure out the mystery of "the growing star"

I will eventually give all these original projects unique tags when they start getting really fleshed out but until then I got nothin.

Anyhow thats all I got for now hopefully this brain dump helps me get back to a functioning state so I can get back to work on...well ALL THIS O/_ [,,,,,,]

Anyhow sorry thank you GOODNIIIIIIIGHT

#update #brain dump #art wip #art #digital art #work in progress #sonic #Sonic adventure #animation #story ideas #fromsoftware #dark souls #ds3 #game idea #original work #fanart #pontiff sulyvahn

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jaredandgensgf · 10 months

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Late Night Cuddles

Pairing: Sam Winchester x Reader

Summary: Sam Winchester returns from a tough hunt, tired and battered. The reader comforts him with fluffy blankets and a movie night. As the night goes on, they find themselves snuggled on the couch and sharing sweet words until they fall asleep into sweet bliss.

Word count: 1107

Warnings/explicit 18+: NONE, super fluffy fic!

A/N: This is my first official post for my master lists that are posted on my Tumblr. This is an idea that is always cute and fluffy and makes my super tired self happy after a long day at work.

As the quiet and peaceful moments stretched on after the boys had left for a hunt, you found solace in the therapeutic act of cleaning the bunker. Ever since your parents passed away when you were a little girl, cleaning had become your escape, a way to find order and control in the chaotic world of hunting. Hours went by as you meticulously scrubbed every surface, leaving no trace of dust or grime behind. You even took the time to tackle Dean's notoriously messy corner, which included his socks and boxers – a task that admittedly made you cringe.

Sam, on the other hand, had always been neater and more organized, much like his approach to hunting and life. You couldn't help but adore the earthy and comforting scent of old wood and pines that seemed to linger around him. And recently, he started using a new detergent with a hint of mint, which you found to be positively the best smell you'd ever experienced.

Exhausted but content with your productive cleaning spree, you finally settled down on the couch, flipping through channels as you tried to find something to watch. Sighing, you kicked off your shoes and rested your swollen feet, clad in cozy socks, on the coffee table. After a while, you settled on a cringy soap opera, not really invested in the plot but simply enjoying the background noise and the opportunity to unwind.

Soon enough, the soothing ambiance of the TV show and the comfort of the couch lulled you into an endless abyss of sleep. The dreamy, melodramatic scenes on the screen mixed with your subconscious thoughts, creating a whimsical and surreal dream world.

Hours later, the bunker's door creaked open, and Sam returned from a tiring, cold, and wet hunt. He was covered in dirt and blood, and you could see the exhaustion etched on his face as he walked in, duffle bag in hand. Dean followed closely behind, equally as worn out.

"Y/N! Where are you? I'm home," Sam called out, his voice a mixture of relief and weariness as he made his way towards the library.

Sam walked into the library and spotted you on the couch, looking adorably disheveled with your favorite beige coffee mug filled with brewing hot tea beside you. You were letting out soft, cute snores as you slept peacefully.

A gentle smile graced Sam's lips as he approached, feeling his heart swell with love for you. He carefully observed the way your chest rose and fell with each breath, the warmth of the moment washing over him.

He set his duffle bag down on the table and sat down next to you, not wanting to disturb your rest just yet. He admired your sleeping form, appreciating the peaceful moments when you were away from the dangers and uncertainties of their hunter lives.

"Baby, baby, I'm home," Sam whispered softly, nudging your body with his hand to gently wake you up.

You stirred from your slumber, blinking your eyes groggily as you looked up at him. "Sam... I thought you guys were going to be home tomorrow?" you asked, your voice still filled with sleepiness.

He chuckled, picking up your mug and the soft, knitted blanket that had kept you warm during your nap. "Dean decided to be crazy and drive over the speed limit to get back home," he said with a hint of amusement in his voice.

As Sam's hand extended to help you up, you pouted playfully, not quite ready to leave the cozy comfort of the couch just yet. He couldn't resist that beautiful expression on your face and the way your hands were already gripping his, silently asking to be carried to bed.

With a laugh, Sam gave in to your request. He carefully picked you up, twirling you around as you squealed with delight. You wrapped your arms around his neck, feeling safe and loved in his embrace.

He carried you to the bedroom that you both shared, a space that felt like home in this world of constant motion and uncertainty. Sam gently placed you down on the bed and pulled the comforter over you, making sure you were warm and cozy.

Before he could retreat to his side of the bed, you reached out and grabbed his hand, silently asking him to stay with you a little longer. Sam couldn't resist the invitation and climbed under the covers next to you.

You turned on the TV, settling on Friends, a show that held a special nostalgic place in both your hearts. Watching it together felt like revisiting old memories, and it reminded you of the moments when your lives were less complicated and the weight of the world wasn't constantly on your shoulders.

As the familiar theme song played, you watched Sam get undressed into a pair of flannel pants, revealing his muscular chest that always made your heart skip a beat. His warmth and presence were calming, and you couldn't help but marvel at how lucky you were to have him in your life.

You watched him with a mix of affection and desire, feeling your love for him grow with each passing day. As he climbed into bed beside you, you shifted closer, your body instinctively seeking the comfort of his embrace.

Sam grinned as he noticed your gaze lingering on him. "Friends, again?" he chuckled, leaning down to kiss your forehead gently.

You giggled, rolling closer to him, feeling the warmth of his body enveloping you. "Yes, again," you replied playfully, wrapping your arms around his shoulders as you leaned in to give him a soft, loving kiss.

His lips were warm and gentle against yours, and for a moment, the world outside the bunker ceased to exist. It was just the two of you, lost in each other's affection and adoration.

When the kiss finally ended, Sam pulled back slightly to look into your eyes, his gaze filled with love and tenderness. "I love you so much, Y/N," he whispered, brushing a strand of hair behind your ear.

Your heart swelled at his words, feeling the depth of his emotions for you. "And I love you, Sam. More than you'll ever know," you replied, your voice soft and sincere.

Sam's smile grew wider, and he leaned in to give you one more soft, powerful kiss before settling down beside you. He wrapped his arms around you tightly, holding you close as you both found comfort in each other's embrace.

With the soft glow of the TV casting a warm ambiance in the room, you and Sam snuggled together, your fingers intertwined, and your head resting against his chest. As you watched episode after episode of Friends, the banter and laughter on the screen mirrored the comfortable relationship you both shared.

"You know, Y/N, I still can't believe how lucky I am to have you," Sam whispered, breaking the comfortable silence between you.

You lifted your head slightly to meet his gaze, a soft smile playing on your lips. "And I feel the same way, Sam. You've brought so much light and love into my life. I don't know what I'd do without you," you replied, your voice filled with sincerity.

Sam's eyes held a mixture of adoration and appreciation as he leaned in to place a tender kiss on your forehead. "We've been through so much together, and no matter what comes our way, I promise to always be by your side," he vowed.

Your heart swelled at his words, and you snuggled closer to him, feeling the warmth of his love enveloping you. "I believe you, Sam. And I promise the same to you," you murmured, feeling a deep sense of trust and connection between you.

As the night progressed, you both continued to watch Friends, but your attention began to drift, and your eyelids felt heavy. The exhaustion from the day's events and the soothing comfort of being in Sam's arms lulled you back into a drowsy state.

Sam noticed how your eyes started to close in small increments, and he chuckled softly. "Looks like someone's ready to drift off to dreamland," he teased playfully.

You let out a contented sigh, feeling completely at ease in Sam's embrace. "Maybe just a little bit. But I don't want to miss this moment with you," you admitted, looking up at him with a sleepy grin.

Sam's expression softened, and he brushed a strand of hair from your face. "You're adorable when you're half-asleep, you know that?" he said affectionately.

You playfully nudged him, a yawn escaping your lips. "You're just saying that to make me feel better," you replied with a hint of sleepiness in your voice.

He shook his head, a loving smile on his lips. "I mean it. You're always adorable to me, whether you're wide awake or half-asleep," he said earnestly.

Feeling a surge of warmth in your heart, you leaned in and placed a soft kiss on his lips. "You're pretty adorable yourself, Mr. Winchester," you whispered, your words barely audible.

Sam's arms tightened around you, and he kissed you back with a tenderness that made your heart skip a beat. "You're everything to me, Y/N. I can't imagine my life without you," he confessed, his voice filled with emotion.

Your eyes met his, and in that moment, you felt an unspoken bond that transcended words. You didn't need grand declarations or elaborate gestures; the love and connection between you were evident in the simplest of moments.

As the night grew deeper, the TV show continued to play softly in the background, but you both eventually succumbed to the exhaustion, drifting off into a peaceful slumber wrapped in each other's arms.

In your dreams, you relieved cherished memories and imagined a future together. Sam was by your side in every scenario, his unwavering love and support a constant in the ever-changing landscapes of your mind.

The sun began to rise, casting a gentle glow across the room as the morning light streamed through the curtains. You stirred from your slumber, feeling the weight of Sam's arm draped over you. It was a feeling of comfort and security that you never wanted to let go of.

Sam started to wake up, his eyes fluttering open to meet yours. "Morning," he said, his voice husky from sleep but filled with warmth.

"Morning," you replied, your heart fluttering at the sight of him, the early morning rays illuminating his features.

He leaned in to kiss you softly, a sweet and gentle expression of affection. "I'm glad you're here with me," he murmured against your lips.

"Me too, Sam. Always," you replied, your voice filled with certainty and love.

With a shared smile, you both settled back into the warmth of each other's embrace, knowing that whatever the future held, you had each other to face it with. As the world outside the bunker continued to spin with its challenges and uncertainties, the love between you and Sam remained a constant, an anchor in the storm.

And so, in the bunker, surrounded by the echoes of countless hunts and the weight of their shared destiny, you found love, solace, and a place to call home in each other's arms. Together, you would face whatever came your way, knowing that with love as your compass, you would always find your way back to each other.

As the day began, the world outside seemed to fade away, leaving just you and Sam in your little haven of love and understanding. And in that moment, nothing else mattered but the bond between two souls who found solace, strength, and joy in each other.

And so, the Winchester saga continued, filled with hunts and challenges, but also with moments of tenderness and love that made it all worthwhile. For you and Sam, the road ahead was uncertain, but you faced it with courage and love, knowing that together, you could conquer anything that came your way.

As the sun rose higher in the sky, the bunker remained a sanctuary of love, and in each other's arms, you both knew that you had found your own piece of paradise amidst the chaos of the world.

#supernaturalfandom castiel kingofhell spn deanwinchester spnfans destiel jaredpadalecki spnfandom winchesterbrothers #supernaturalfandom #supernatural #spncreatorsdaily

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chemicalbrew · 1 year

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2021 game list

aka 'I finally got tired of having to scroll really far to edit the 2022 list because I wanted originally to fuse two years in one, like a fool'

I'm pretty sure the bulk of this was made in... spring\summer 2021, but there were a bunch of games I didn't write anything for until this year, as will be evident later. This is long as hell, as you would expect.

'Veronica, why didn't you have a 2021 list ready in time???'

A question that nobody asked, but one that really needs answering, because in 2021, I gamed too much, in addition to other things. I'll make additions to the behemoth of a document that never saw the light of day in time in italics.

A lot of things have happened this year. I learned how to swim, for one! I graduated high school, too, and got into my dream university (though, honestly, it's just about as messy as any other uni in the end). I got a reasonably powerful and fully functional PC all to myself (it doesn’t even compare to the old husk I had to use in my school days!) (this year, I finally got a good phone as well, which influenced the current year's list a fuckton). And I could finally fulfill the one dream I held on to for the past two and a half years and get a Switch for myself (insert bittersweet laughing here)!! As a result, when it came to gaming, the possibilities became nigh endless. Instead of praying that a game I kinda like even manages to launch, I could dive headfirst into anything that catches my eye with confidence and no hesitation! I had so many options, in fact, that I ended up making a Backloggd account to assist myself. (yup, still helpful, though I'm much more loose about keeping track of shit now) Almost anything I played that isn’t on this list can be found there, if you’re curious! This, however, turned out to be a double-edged sword. More options means more garbage to wade through, and yet the best games tend to draw you in quicker than you think. (so true bestie)

After this, a list of games that did nothing but disappoint me that year followed. I don't want to dwell on it too much now, but I'll still mention their names:

Night in the Woods (PC, 2017) - I was way too old to be their target audience and came out thoroughly disappointed, especially in the character cast and soundtrack.

Children of Morta (PC, 2019) - the progression is too slow, the cast isn't appealing enough, there's a lot of redundancy to the point where I dropped the game. However, it was fairly pretty and I liked the narrator enough to listen to his extra works.

Spiritfarer (PC, 2020) - best described not as ‘a cozy management game about dying’, but’ as ‘much ado about nothing’. These two reviews give voice to some of my frustrations better than I can. PS. Love lighthearted ableism!

Aria's Story (PC, 2018-2019) - A very little game that has nothing of value to tell you (that hasn't been done to death already) and has cheap jumpscares every five minutes.

Hyper Light Drifter (PC, 2016) - I don’t get this one. The idea of telling a story without words seemed appealing at first, until I realized that I actually need words in my stories!

Moonlighter (PC, 2018) (confusing gameplay, boring music and plot)

OMORI (PC, 2020) (I think I have an allergy to this game)

Yume Nikki (PC, 2004) (sorry, but nah, I don’t get it)

Long Live the Queen (PC, 2012) (more like Long Live the Guide)

Owlboy (PC, 2016) (why would you do my boy Otis like that? Also, my apologies to Rads)

UnderMine (PC, 2019) (should have been called UnderGrind)

Baba is You (PC, 2019) (actually not bad, but brain is fry)

Hand of Fate (PC, 2015) (the font hurt me, there’s nothing really good here other than narration)

Minute of Islands (PC, 2021) (should have been a picture book, otherwise it’s a neat interpretation of ‘no man is an island’)

...'okay, but surely not everything you played was garbage?'

Right you are, hypothetical reader! And this is how I would like to introduce what once was the 'honorable mention' section of my record. These notes have actual substance to them and are formatted similarly to my 2020 list! There is a game that is of particular importance (because I ended up playing its sequels in 2022) at the end of this section.

Hades (PC, 2020) [♪ House of Hades]

Yes, I get to put the game of the previous year here again, because it is my list. All things considered, I love Hades too much not to use the opportunity to mention it again! I played it till March to wrap up some of the tasks that are more… out there (learning to play without god mode, chasing extra dialogue, and climbing up in ranks), and it was fun pretty much the whole time. Streaming it was a grand time while it lasted, as well (not very long at all). All the mediocre roguelikes I touched this year fail to measure up to Hades in any capacity. 💖 Still true - my interest in roguelikes\-lites has naturally dropped since then, but Hades' excellency was a major factor in this.

Sayonara Wild Hearts (PC, 2019) [♪ Doki Doki Rush]

Kiss Your Ex And Lie About Your Genre On Steam: the game. The only thing preventing this from being a game that is barely worth mentioning is its really good soundtrack. (I played it about a quarter of the way through before realizing that a far better option than standing still and letting the music play out would be to just watch the whole thing.)

I also like the general style of it and find it pretty unique (even though Katana ZERO did something similar in a much more cohesive and enjoyable fashion), but playing it was an exercise of frustration that prevented me from appreciating the awesome landscapes. Parallel Universes is a pretty incredible level concept, yeah, but I did NOT handle it well.

I didn’t jive with any of the symbolism either (I guess it’s gay though. Good for them), however, I am still glad something as creative as this exists, even if it is clearly not cut out for me. Can’t believe I let this game gather dust for months, when I could have just given up. lol

A Hero and a Garden (PC, 2019) [♪ Shop Bell]

A clever little mix of visual novel and clicker game that manages to have an interesting story, despite starting out with the oldest of cliches (hell yeah, there's a princess!). Music is really sweet too, and even in a runtime as short as ~2 hours, you end up feeling for the protagonist. If you don't have much free time, spend it on this for a complete experience.

Doki Doki Literature Club Plus! (PC, 2021) [♪ Dreams of Love and Literature]

PM died for this.

Ohhh… A horror VN classic… Yeah, sure. It’s actually not that great, but some of the music is downright incredible (i.e. the linked song and about half of the songs added in the new edition), and it was a game that undeniably helped and inspired many people. I can’t say I regret spending time with it, but it didn’t impress me, either. The scares got ever so slightly more predictable over time, and it became clear that all they were aiming for is shock value. This game reminds me of Night in the Woods in the way that it had been severely overhyped by contemporary teenagers.

At least Yuri was pretty, I guess?.. But really, all the girls did was represent some overdone anime -dere cliche. It was very likely done on purpose, which is something to be respected for sure, but the fandom ran with it anyway, cause fandoms be fandoming. Shame! (Monika is the obvious exception, but the way they built her up was through the simplest of text dumps, oh, and they also gave her a Twitter account or something. Come on, get creative!)

Rhythm Doctor (PC, 2021) [♪ Rollerdisco Rumble]

Healing hearts and minds with the power of rhythm, hell yeah! Absolutely incredible concept! Combine that with amazing pixel art and animation that makes the small world come alive, the incredibly flashy aesthetic that draws attention from the outside and utterly fucks with your performance on the inside, and an overall message that both promotes peace and showcases humane struggles of a medical profession… the way it ends up going places you wouldn’t quite expect is just so good. And through all that, the game retains its charm and positive vibe! I want a bigger scope, though – it was over far too quickly. Oh, and a little more accessibility options wouldn’t hurt.

The flashiness of this game reminds me of Rhythm Heaven trying to mess with the player, but pushed to an extreme, which is delightful. I had to clear most of the later levels with my eyes closed, and rewatching them later was quite an unusual and fun experience!

Coffee Talk (PC, 2020) [♪ Come Closer]

Pretty (the pixel art reminded me a lot of the PC-98, which is never a bad thing. Oh, dithering, my beloved!) and has an atmosphere, but not nearly as impactful as a game from later on this list with the exact same premise.

Can be good for a getaway\escape kinda game, and the decision to focus the soundtrack on the lo-fi genre is wonderful, but the story has no staying power, and not even the ‘make your own latte art’ gimmick ended up working out, because the process would always feel… either too realistic or too finicky, I wouldn't be able to tell. I’m no barista! Oh, and I guess there was some message about overworking employees?.. I literally forgot.

Ys: Memories of Celceta (PC, 2012-2018) [♪ Wise Man]

So, this was my… *checks notes* fifth Ys? I started with Oath (okay… I guess…), then I played I&II (and wrote about that in 2020) and dabbled in Origin (it was… exhausting to play, but well-written), and I played VIII this year before this (more on that later). So I thought I had enough experience (and understanding of the fandom’s general opinion on Celceta) to know what to expect when I began my journey in this game. Boy, was I wrong! But still, it's obvious that the earliest iteration of the party system would be worse than VIII's, and playing the games in the order that I did may have screwed my impression.

First, the good things. I actually grew unreasonably attached to the artstyle of this game. I loved the fresh take on a younger Adol just starting to give in to his lust for adventure, and the other party members had quite good designs too (especially Duran. I dunno, I can’t help but love that husk of a dude). Some of the locations were endlessly charming (I loved running laps around Casnan with its upbeat music and fun NPCs, and was awed by how pretty Danan ended up looking for a Falcom game). The world was decently fun to explore overall, but I think most of that fun came from seeing what is an early draft of what would later become Lacrimosa of Dana.

The music is absolutely lovely! Everyone loves Ys for constantly offering hardcore rock guitar bangers or whatever, and while Celceta isn’t without a couple of these, I ended up appreciating far more how much calmer it sounds as a whole. There are plenty of tracks that offer you much needed downtime, and the sound of the game feels more mellow than your usual Ys soundtrack.

The gameplay\battle system was overall serviceable, with a few nags in its way - movement felt more restricted than before, and breaking enemies’ guard felt more tedious than necessary. But hey, there’s no raids in this game! hahahahaha-

That ending single-handedly ruined a decent game and is as bad as everyone said it was. I broke down in hysterics when it actually happened. Also, I am still mad about getting only 99.3% map completion! That part of the game is crazy!!

Ib (PC, 2012) [♪ Uneasiness]

My memories of this are quite scattered, but I really enjoyed it, so have this heap of thoughts!

Aria’s Story, but good enough to leave an impression on you, since Gary is an actual character. He serves as a great mentor figure – even without coming across as stiff or all-knowing, he has a lot to give and teach Ib, which makes for a good dynamic that contrasts his disheveled looks well. It’s clear he cares about the girl, but is reluctant to show it clearly enough for her to understand fully, but she clings on to him as her last hope anyway. It’s pretty damn beautiful, actually. also the handkerchief in the true ending omg

The other girl with the yellow rose… Mary… good contrasting character, but her betrayal could be seen from a mile away, which, I guess, is the point, but still not satisfying.

Music is somewhat good too, and the game nailed the aesthetic of an art gallery (including successfully subverting expectations).

The jumpscares rely more on the physical suddenness of it all rather than psychological pressure, and it works out really well – even if you’re cringing, your body is affected. Plus, they fit well thematically, given the protagonists’ age. Speaking of which, the ??? thing (if Ib doesn’t know a word, you won’t know it either, basically) is clever, but gets old a little too quickly.

The idea of linking their life energy to fragile but sharp roses is somewhat creative and executed very well, especially regarding Gary’s blue rose.

The chase sequences were kinda annoying, but not nearly as awful as Aria, thank god.

Basically, this was the game that, alongside OFF, convinced me I might be into RPG Maker games, but, unfortunately, I've yet to find anything else that matches Ib and OFF's energy in this niche\'subgenre'. (And of course, this is talking about the version available as freeware, and not this year's rerelease, which I am curious about, but have no plans of playing.)

Butterfly Soup (PC, 2017) [♪ Thought Projection]

The most wholesome VN I have ever seen. The art is very pretty and expressive without being overwhelming (and of course, the focus on purple\pink is extremely satisfying to me personally). Music is cute and never gets annoying; it may be royalty-free, but it was chosen with clear care.

This game, in my opinion, is genuinely funny without coming across as insincere, and I don’t feel inclined to agree with those who tend to say its ‘uwu humor’ did not age well, because I personally laughed at most of it (the Zero Escape reference got me, man)! And even if I hadn’t, it would still, ironically, fit well with the overall message (which is that growing up and learning new things about yourself is good, and it’s fine not to know what you’re doing for a while, as long as you stay true to yourself and your friends)!

Some of the impact was lost on me due to the focus on America as a setting/baseball, but it's fine, since this focus was chosen with intent. Ultimately, the game carries the same message and does similar things to Night in the Woods, except successfully, without having to rely on random gameplay changes or ‘hip’ artstyle.

Evan’s Remains (PC, 2020) [♪ Whales]

The best thing about this game is its pixel art – just detailed enough for you to appreciate it, but not excessively so. The backgrounds in particular are nothing short of stunning.

Unfortunately, nothing else in Evan’s Remains manages to match that standard. The music, for the most part, is just there, the puzzles, while creative, can be somewhat irritating and repetitive, and the story, while starting out decently, has an ending that might be worse than Celceta’s and ends up making about as much sense. I would recommend you to watch footage of this game, but only if you like pixel art. It won’t take long, I promise.

Platform fighters I tried to give the light of day to

Super Smash Bros. Brawl - fun for just messing around in classic modes like the SSE and Multi-Man Brawl. Really, you can't ask much more of it.

Rivals of Aether - the most polished one that isn't Smash by far, really pretty and fun in general, but a little small in scope. I owe its soundtrack my life (or more accurately, one track. It's legit amazing to study to...)

Brawlhalla - as usual, don't trust a free game to be good. That's all.

In general, the copycats simply fail to capture the charm and spirit of Smash Bros, and Brawl is as much of a casual's game as one would expect. :)

All the idle\incremental games that ate up my time this year (yes, I like these too much, I know)

Namely, these, ordered from best to worst:

Kittens Game (actually amazing for killing boredom. the flavor text is extremely cute and the resource management is quite advanced)

Cookie Clicker (the classic. I lost my garden due to mods, and so shall never speak of this wretched curse again)

Tap Wizard (ironically, the only one on the list I'm still playing - now side by side with the sequel. Though the praise I gave to Kittens is still deserved.)

Trimps

Grimoire

Liquids

Exponential Idle

Shoutout to r/incremental_games for enabling me to dive deeper into this toxic, awful, beautiful genre of timewasters :)

Apollo Justice: Ace Attorney (DS, 2007) [♪ Trial]

AKA ‘the one where Phoenix done fucked up’. First AA I played the Android version of, and it held up pretty well (certainly better than emulating DS via RetroArch)! The remastered graphics annoyed me less than expected, and the gorgeous OST (best in the series so far, unless you count Investigations, and overall a glow-up and joy to my ears [< Still true. I might be ready to shill AA6 music any day, but nothing can top the excellency of AJ music even now.]) has remained intact.

I don't think this game ever reaches the highs that AA3 did, but it is certainly not for a lack of trying. I can understand the sentiment behind 'being done with Phoenix', for sure, and him still being here proves to be a sign for the beginning turmoil of the series and the struggles that Takumi is only now beginning to see the end of with GAA.

I didn’t find myself exactly attached to any of the main characters (okay, maybe Klavier awakened something or other in me, who can say [so valid, but girl... your personal prosecution turmoil is far from over]), but that has been the case for basically the entire main series as well, so that’s not surprising to me personally.

4-1 was more fun than I expected it to be based on popular opinion, and I got a good chuckle out of the ‘’’Russian’’’ waitress and the mental image of hobo!Phoenix eating borsch, but it’s still no 3-1. 4-2 and 4-3 especially were less than impressive, and overall the game got steadily worse over time.

I still appreciated it for trying to pave a new road for the series, for, again, having a fantastic soundtrack, and for making Phoenix into a lovable utter failure (should have stayed that way, his days were indeed over), but… AJ is not the best Ace Attorney by a long shot. 4-4 was pretty damn good though, and I loved how the jurist system was integrated in both story and gameplay, even if the threat it tried to present fell way short. Also, Vera Misham is the cutest girl we’ve ever had to defend.

PS. Klapollo have bigger gay energy than Wrightworth do, fight me. 2022 me here to report that I no longer want to fight anyone, because in the end it turned out I'm the loser who got somewhat into Blackmadhi. And also I now think the two ships in question are about equally good.

Fire Emblem: Awakening (3DS, 2012) [♪ Chaos]

I actually had barely played the game throughout either year, but it still deserves this spot.

A game that aged better than expected. Really fun to play on an actual big screen (and with savestates – the Mila's Turnwheel of yore). Music is still godlike after all these years. Still haven't gotten far enough to marry Chrom, but I was almost there, I swear!! (If you think I care a lot about much else after so many years, you're a fool.)

I don’t have much more to say because a passion for this game has burned within me for years now, and playing it now just matches every expectation of it I used to have. It’s very dear to me, and it’s very good, and that’s good enough.

The actual 2021 list

Rhythm Tengoku (GBA, 2006) [♪ Iai Slash] + Rhythm Heaven Fever (Wii, 2011) [♪ See-Saw]

Rhythm Heaven is a very special, fun and wonderful little series, and I'm happy to say that spending more time with it was the first thing I thought of when I got my new PC.

I played through both Tengoku and Fever this year, but I believe the former is more remarkable because... It's my first time! And the game is honestly a little brutal compared to Fever (thank god for savestates), but it looks somewhat impressive for the GBA, and the music is fabulous, and it's just so exciting to properly see the origins of the best rhythm game series ever. If the ranking system was just a tad less strict, I would have loved to get to know it fully.

However, keep in mind this is the game that has Quiz and an endless game as original as Mr. Upbeat. You can’t have your cake and eat it?..

Anyway, Fever I actually managed to complete without much issues (Working Dough 2 aside. My god, that game can go fuck itself.), which was another longtime dream of mine! Yay!! In my opinion, Fever hits the perfect sweetspot between being so strict you can’t pass a remix and being so forgiving that you don’t feel accomplished unless you get a Perfect (looking at you, Megamix). The games are well-varied as well, although overall they rely too much on holding A+B together… I suppose that is better than motion controls, though!

More about the games themselves: most of them are solid. If you haven’t gleaned this from the first paragraph already, I think See-Saw is actually a classic. My favorite remix has always been the fourth one (kinda obvious if you bother scrolling through the wall of shitposts on my ‘about’ page), and I have a soft spot for all games on that set, too. Love Rap, while not outstanding, actually gave me a lot less trouble than anticipated (following cues out loud helps), and you just can’t have Karate Man beat!

Even some of the more obscure games, like the two-player Pirate Crew (which I played on my own, while emulating two controllers. It’s fun that way, but quite tough!), are well-made and fun! I’m so glad that even… roughly four years later for me, the game managed to deliver.

Trials of Mana / Seiken Densetsu 3 (PC, 2020 / SNES, 1995) [♪ Meridian Child]

Ah yes, the second-to-last good Mana game with a soundtrack that at times outshines Chrono Trigger! (only at times, though.)

Disclaimer: I have only played the remake, and I only did it once (Riesz\Kevin\Angela was my party). However, I watched two playthroughs that covered the other routes, and one of them was of the SNES version of Trials. Yeah, that took a lot of time!..

(Surprisingly enough, that was all past me had left me with. This is where the list in general shows how it ended up unfinished in time! Time to wrestle with my own memories!)

Here's the thing: for the mid-90s, this game is impressive as all hell. And as someone who has considered herself a casual fan of the series for a few years now (Secret being one of the few games I had a good time with on the SNES Classic, and Legend leaving me with a warmth of fondness in my heart), I was unusually, but unsurprisingly, excited to see this allegedly wonderful work come to us in its full splendor. The favorable reviews of the remake when compared against the sheer mediocrity that was their first attempt with Secret didn't help when it came to quelling my hype either.

And then I booted the game and was greeted eagerly with the wonder of a song that is Meridian Child. You bet I looked forward to it!

In the end, though... even the best Mana games just aren't enough to compete with most RPGs of the modern day, or even some contemporary ones. That's not to say I didn't have fun, but you can't deny how basic this game's story, structure and gameplay feel in the 2020s.

I wasn't disappointed with my choice of characters (they made a very cohesive and satisfying team together, based on almost all-out offense), but I did feel like there wasn't much of anything done to make them feel like a well-thought out party narratively. I mean, the team in Secret didn't have that much reason to get together either, but considering how much the game and its fans tout how 'interconnected' the stories are... I think I have a right to feel let down. The gameplay system itself is pretty bare-bones, too - it doesn't feel all that different from the predecessor (I mean, yes, you no longer have to wait to strike at full power, but does that count as an actual change?), and playing it in 3D made me realize how much the charm of the excellent 2D sprites had carried the series all along.

The character designs are... very 90s, for all the good and bad that entails. Angela in particular deserves the small degrees of infamy she got upon the game's release. However, in a complete vacuum, they're quite pleasant (Riesz especially - doubly so in the Star Lancer class she ended up with on my playthrough.), and the way they change together with the classes (the whole idea of a class change in a game that's not strictly about classes like Fire Emblem is great!) is spectacular.

The music is absolutely wonderful, and unlike Secret, the remade versions don't ruin the SFC sound's charm either. Trials was one of the few remakes where I actively made use of the soundtrack version switch! It's still hard to pick a single favorite, even when my excitement about this game has long since quietened. Walls and Steels, Powell, the cheekily-named Secret of Mana (ignore the video title, lol - SE seems to have gotten greedy with copyright strikes in the years since I started this list) and Damn Damn Drum are just a few pieces I have enjoyed for years - both the original and the remade versions.

The logical conclusion here is that in this day and age, this game is nothing more than eye candy, accompanied with Kikuta's finest work. But hey, sometimes that's just what you need, and I enjoyed what it had to offer!

Wandersong (PC, 2018) [♪ Sailing with the Coffee Pirates]

The one thing Wandersong became particularly well-known for is its… energy, in my opinion. On their own, the colorful visuals, charming writing and welcoming music wouldn't amount to nearly as much as they do when they all come together. Fitting for a game whose message is all about the whole world coming together to accomplish what no one could on their own, huh?

This, believe it or not, is the solution to basically every problem - big or small - that plagues the world of Wandersong. Good thing singing is basically all our adorable protagonist* can do! You'll never guess what they end up doing for the world they live in, either!! (save it. they save it.) ...but what matters is that they don't do it alone. (and that they're not the eternally cheerful bundle of energy they always seem to be.)

*I lovingly named them Bong as soon as I saw the opportunity to do so, but I know their actual name is supposed to be Kiwi. I doubt I'll address the character themselves much while writing, but if I do, I'll probably end up calling them the Bard anyway, for simplicity. 'Bong' was funny while it lasted, though!

Call it cheesy, call it overdone - it doesn't change the excellent execution of the ideas brought to the table. Playing this game is like looking back at your younger self who believed in fairytales, and telling them 'no, it's not always like those stories, even if sometimes it seems that it will be. But what you can do is be yourself, and like-minded people will flock to you. And others will have something to learn from your example!'.

Also, you can dab and play Megalovania (if you know how to) in this game. 10/10 meme potential. ...I'm honestly struggling to put my impressions in words - it really is just a warm cup of coffee brewed the right way. It can barely be described any better than a warm way of sunshine. My rambling doesn't do justice to how adorable it was.

Va-11 Hall-A + KIDS! (PC, 2016 + 2018) [♪ Base of the Titans + Her Noise]

Screw it, I don't care what this inclusion says about me. I recognize this has similar pitfalls to the previously shat on Night in the Woods (Jill is barely any better of a protagonist than Mae, only more grounded; the amount of stupid and/or immature jokes is similar, if not worse; the Julianne minigame is super dumb), but listen! I just heard of a visual novel that was inspired by PC-98 graphics and immediately drooled and had to find out more.

The pixel art is indeed immaculate, if not too varied. The music is really good. Might not be something to listen to much outside of the game, but while you play, it ENHANCES the experience ♥ [this is so funny to read to me, considering I Still consider this to be a phenomenal score and have come to enjoy it a ton in 2022, even finding it genuinely inspiring at times. Don't listen to past me, this game is full of bangers.] Not to mention how diverse it can be sometimes — i.e. the track above vs. Snowfall vs. Showtime! [my personal current favorite] That, combined with how you're in charge of what you're hearing most of the time, makes for a very chill experience that manages to reflect what you're feeling impressively well.

The idea of the story changing depending on the drinks you mix is interesting in theory, but the way it plays out in practice is just a lot of basic win/fail branching that doesn't ever seem to change more than a few lines most of the time. The script is actually quite robust when you look deep into it, but it's hard to witness while you actually play. This game could benefit from a flowchart to encourage players to explore. (However, Alma acknowledging you're trying to cheer her up with her favorite drink despite her ordering something entirely different – that's good! I want more of that!)

Other things ruining the drink system are:

the fact that the recipes are easily accessible, so unless Jill gets distracted and/or the order is obscure, it's impossible to screw it up or experiment;

it's all revealed at once, which makes gameplay more repetitive than it had to be;

you need a LOT of money, especially if you're buying as much furniture as I did, which further discourages you from experimenting on your first playthrough

A lot of the jokes are (im)mature, hit or miss, and reliant on recent internet culture. There's too many dogs and they're not even funny, either. This is not going to age well, but the game still made me chuckle reliably, dang it!

The world gets a surprising amount of development thanks to Jill's phone apps and exposure to all manner of clients. It's really a shame you don't get to see any of it aside from her bar and room! And despite what I said earlier, it's hard not to get invested in Jill's struggles to live and make peace with herself.

This is far from a masterpiece, but to me it's clear that it's not what it wanted to be – you can feel the developers striving for more, which is a good thing. It makes for a great time with a chilled beverage of your choice and it looks great, I couldn't ask for more!

KIDS! is a fabulous spinoff that is way too good for an April Fool's joke! The art is inspired and cute, the music is just as good as the original and even better at times, and the decrease in mature jokes is honestly refreshing.

Ys VIII: Lacrimosa of Dana (PC, 2018) [♪ Royal Capital Aigius]

I'm soooo conflicted on this one.

The character/flashbacks artwork is really amazing and I loved it all immediately... but I really can't say the same about the game's actual graphics. They're serviceable, but I wish there were more chances to show off the gorgeous artwork!

Dana might be the best character in the whole series and I fucking love her, but the way she exists in the same game as Sahad is a travesty. Dogi needed to switch places with him and be playable.

Exploring the island is pretty fun for the most part. The way everything's marked on the map makes it rot a little, for sure, but I won't refuse a nice distracting checklist! After all, I play Trails! Unfortunately, the locations don't vary, like, at all (aside from Eternia, which was great), so if you binge this game, you're guaranteed to get sick of greenery and dinosaurs :(

Some of the music is as good as you would expect from an early 10s Falcom game (everything to do with Dana/Eternia, Alone on the Deserted Island, Gens d'Armes, etc). Key word is 'some'. Despite what I just said, I think Iclucian Dance is uh... Flawed. And all music for raids/hunts can die in a fire. In addition, aside from these clearly bad tracks, I have bias against the kind of music Ys uses in general, so in total my OST impression is one big fat 'meh!'.

I like the general idea of abandoned island/castaways, getting them back together and having to figure out what's going on before stumbling onto Dana... Why did this get diluted with thematic clashes ghost pirate ships and silly assassins?

Getting the castaways might be fun, but their actual personalities are unimpressive. I don't want to blow this flaw out of proportion - this is Ys, after all, and it's about as good as I would expect for Ys, but still. The feeling of the whole village bonding is greater than the impressions from its individual residents. Not to mention, it devolved into yet another save the world plot near the end, when I would've preferred something that focused on Dana more than it already did.

Moving on to gameplay... wow, an Ys game that has a party instead of a single playable character works? Kinda. The bare minimum is done to distinguish between characters, and the Flash system trivializes most differences anyway. In the end, only Adol and Dana are actually fun to use. Unless you count spamming the same skill over and over.

Sanctuary Crypt was a very fun optional dungeon with the best boss to boot. Block puzzles soured my impression, though. Meanwhile, most of the other levels are nothing to write home about, if not outright terrible.

And since I have nowhere else to put this: raids/hunts as a whole are unnecessary, grind the slow pace of the game to a halt and are not fun. Also, giving Adol binary and meaningless dialogue options won't make him a nicer character, the outside narrator explaining his thoughts in the older games was better.

Cosmic Star Heroine (PC, 2017) [♪ A Conspiracy]

What do we have here? A very unique battle system that is greatly enjoyable, but really, only in short bursts (a huge part of why I almost burnt out on the game was playing it on Hard / Heroine – made it drag). What makes it stand out is how it elegantly limits your abilities - you can only use each of your equipped moves once, before you have to recharge them by defending. It's a refreshing take, to be sure, but when you play the game for hours on end, it turns into something that feels more like padding than actual mechanic.

There's also a unique soundtrack, which should not really be a surprise, given the composer, but still, you just don't hear stuff like A Firebrand, An Agitator in your everyday RPG! It can feel a little off and cringe-inducing sometimes, but it's honestly just very awesome overall.

The pixel art in this game can be hit or miss, but luckily, it never missed in its most important moments, and character portraits did not fail to please.

That's about where CSH's strengths come to an end, however. When it comes to personalities, everyone is pretty dry and feels like cardboard, but it felt fair to me, since I knew what I was jumping into. And the gorgeous presentation, battle system and decent jokes all outweighed the forgettable plot!!! It was a good time ♥

Pyre (PC, 2017) [♪ Surviving Exile]

Near flawless given what it sets out to do, discounting the slower pacing near the second half. For a pitch as uniquely strange as 'visual novel where you have to play a game of sports-lite about a dozen times', Pyre manages to be incredibly compelling and welcoming to nigh everyone that approaches it, thanks to having what can be graciously called an open-ended story that is, in a way, completely independent from the 'sports'-like parts of the game (you can lose every match and still reach the end), and yet, in a lot of other ways, bound together (hehe) with it so intricately that it might as well count as a gameplay\story integration masterclass. The fates of characters you love riding on your shoulders and the performance you're willing to deliver is a simple, but elegant way to set up the narrative.

And the gameplay itself is... well... it's everything you could want it to be within reason, I guess. On the surface, it's not particularly complicated - you control three characters one at a time to score goals while preventing the AI from doing the same - but the amount of choices given (and supported by the narrative) when it comes to composing your team and letting it grow is surprisingly high. In addition, one of the defining features of Supergiant's games is the freedom they give you when it comes to difficulty, and Pyre is no stranger to this. There's the previously mentioned freely available option to lose, but if that's not enough, Pyre has an always accessible difficulty toggle and the (by this point expected) extra difficulty modifiers.

Of course, one of the biggest reasons Pyre saw success in the first place was its ingenious presentation - it's pretty without being overwhelming with details or feeling pretentious, the character designs stand out on their own while also conveying a much needed feeling of unity... and the soundtrack is one of the best I've heard in a game, period, managing to tie plenty of rather diverse styles, from the gentle vocals used in something like Mourning Song to the appropriately abrupt metal track that is Thrash Pack, together neatly, without clashing or betraying the game's intentions.

And that's without going into how dynamic everything sounds - there's the obvious changes, like the theme song of the Liberation Rites and the (wonderful) ending song changing lyrics depending on who you faced and\or what the outcome was, and the more subtle ones, like Surviving Exile (and most other tracks) having different layers to them that show themselves appropriately, with that track in particular doing a splendid job of both setting the game's overall mood and, well, setting, as well as providing a thematic foundation for three of the game's more important characters.

That's not to say they're given more time than the rest or anything like that - all characters, at least the ones that band together for your cause, are well-written given the short runtime (I always looked forward to talking with the kind and resolute Hedwyn in particular :) ), and even those that face off against you carry just enough intrigue to be interesting and have their own place in this strange little world. Therefore, Pyre excels at selling you the found family narrative, if you're willing to stick to it, not in the least because your role as the Reader in particular is handled so well.

You're basically half of the reason these beings of different walks and ways of life could have banded together instead of resigning themselves to their fate in the first place, they owe a lot to you in that sense, and yet, they make it a point to make sure you stand as an equal among them. They're willing to stand up for you just as much as you are for them, though some might need a little convincing first. It all makes for lovely interactions that enhance the cast and the world around them, while still making your place in it feel unique. Never have I felt so good about being literate, which is a plot point that ends up enhancing the worldbuilding in rather impressive ways - helping you feel closer ties with everything that's happening, since obviously you can read, and making the world around you take shape and feel more real thanks to the Book of Rites. (And of course, the small detail of being able to choose the Reader's pronouns and that change being reflected everywhere, including the music, is just about the cherry on top - I like it because you can use it both to increase immersion and to distance yourself from the narrative as much as you want.)

So yeah! A refreshing experience that never quite falters from start to finish, with a powerful and positive message to deliver... it would have been the game of the year... were I not a Trails fan...

Katana ZERO (PC, 2019) [♪ Katana ZERO]

Yes, I did pick that track to do the 'Fullmetal Alchemist. Fullmetal Alchemist.' thing. But it's also genuinely really good! Although my big faves are Sneaky Driver, Full Confession and Overdose. The soundtrack in general, while hit or miss sometimes, overall has an incredible sound that would resonate very well with younger me, methinks. The heavy reliance on bass and repetition is exactly what I'm here for, and it's a flawless fit for a game that has you spend a lot of time perfecting the execution of each of its challenges – it draws you into the setting and the mood without having an overwhelming presence. I also love the little detail of Zero actually turning it on every level – I admit, it got me pretty pumped across the whole game.

The aesthetic/presentation is top notch, I enjoyed every second of it. Zero's movement looks and feels very fluid, the overall color scheme is just my absolute favorite, and the way it all reminded me somewhat of the glory days of vaporwave was great too. Not to mention that in general, 2D art in games is my jam... I was SOLD!

The gameplay is far from my comfort zone, but I ended up enjoying it more than expected (it almost gave me the worst case of hand cramps I've ever had, that's how addictive it is, lmao). It's a huge shame that I can't think of any other similar games off the top of my head that I would truly get interested in, without having to wrestle with heavy-themed plots or anything similar (because let's face it, this was one of the few games where I didn't bother with engaging with the story. I was here for the spectacle, and boy, on that level it delivered.).

I loved the general cycle of 'start the level, die immediately, start actually plotting a strategy, die as soon as that strat fails you, develop a fully functional plan, spend some more time executing it... wait, I did it! And didn't realize I was holding my breath the whole time! PHEW, time to watch the tape!'. The last level in particular had me feeling like I was pulling off pure miracles just with my guts and reaction, and it's a fantastic feeling! ...and then I watched the speedruns of the game, which show perfectly how tight the execution in this game has to be, and lost my mind, it's crazy.

The dialogue system in KZ, while undercooked, is intriguing nonetheless, and some of the optional dialogue can be pretty funny. (Pinkachu, anyone?) In addition, I found it ridiculously hilarious to see СУКАБЛЯТЬ multiple times across this otherwise clearly-not-supposed-to-be-russian-at-all game.

And, despite just saying that I did not care for the overarching story, I have to admit, I was drawn in by the sheer mysterious, yet human-like, presence of Zero as the protagonist. This is a game that's not afraid to be itself, and, for better or worse, it had all the right elements to undeniably suck me in. Playing it even a year later is a feeling so specific and good that I'm stuck yearning for more of it. Maybe one day it'll come in the form of DLC?

OneShot (PC, 2016) [♪ On Little Cat Feet]

This game genuinely was a touching little experience (and you know me, I love me some toying with the fourth wall), complete with adorable pixel art and one of the sweetest protagonists known to RPGs. I know usually people tend to rave about this game (and rightfully so, most of the hubbub is deserved), but personally I'm like 'yeah! I played it! It was fantastic!', and I don't really want to preach to the choir beyond that. I do want to point out that this will probably remain one of my favorite 'meta' gaming experiences, though - this game does not try too hard to appeal to the player (and therefore, it never feels like the narrative is falling flat on its face), and the simple story hook of a lost child like Niko trying to find their way with your help is lovely and effective at keeping you invested. It's just... nice, okay? Sometimes it's enough for a game to be nice.

The Legend of Heroes: Trails to Azure (PC, 2011, tr. 2021) [♪ Heavenly Chariot]

There are a couple of points to make about this game:

1. The music in Azure is beyond incredible, and showing off but a single track would be an unforgivable crime. At the same time, it's very easy to just point to the entire damn OST as an example of RPG music excellency. I guess they were not kidding when they said Falcom peaked music-wise right around the time this game came out!! When I talked about Zero, I mentioned that, despite how much I liked that soundtrack, I felt like it lacked consistency to a certain degree, which had hurt it, in my opinion. Azure, looking back, managed to strike the balance between having distinct memorable tracks and staying cohesive as a game soundtrack, which is what, deep down, I was looking for in Zero the year before. I remember laughing to myself about how different my opinions on Trails music tend to be from what seems to be the norm established in the fandom, but playing through Azure was the first time I found myself agreeing with 'the masses'. It's impossible not to adore this soundtrack.

2. The main reason this will never be the greatest of Trails to me is that I believe Azure marks the point in the series where the time put into the game (as a completionist who fishes for everything each Kiseki has to offer) starts to become disproportionate to what you actually get out of it.

To explain: while the main storyline is as well-written and exciting (though in a different way from Sky or even Zero - this game is famous for pulling out all the stops, and starting with a bang while finishing with a series of even bigger bangs) as always, this very likely came at the cost of the usually outstanding dialogue of the NPCs. Each time you go on your routine laps around the region, in any way you can, 90% of the time you will only see characters say one-liners about the current situation. That you just witnessed during the main quest from the perfect viewpoint. With your own eyes. It gets, uh... annoying?

And in addition to that, Azure is crazy about locking DP behind random things. Some of them are easy to figure out, naturally, but you will not be reaching first (or even second) rank without guides. And the biggest reason for this is the combination of ridiculously well-hidden quests and unwinnable battles that give you 5 DP in exchange for burning out on your item stash!! >:( You can be smug about this point, given that this is part of what the whole series is known for, but attaining max DP rank here is definitely more of a challenge than even in its prequel.

If that wasn't enough, there are eleven characters Lloyd can get bonding events with, drastically up from Zero's three for like no reason? Which is clearly designed to entice you into doing multiple playthroughs of a 100+ hours long game! I am not against getting more of beloved protagonists, but this is a very bad way to go about it. [laughs in CS1]

The gameplay here is also something I came to appreciate more a year later, after getting to know CS1. As the saying goes, you don't know what you have till it's gone, and this applies perfectly to the changes made to the battle system, particularly Orbments, over the years. When I played Azure, I didn't think too favorably of the addition of Master Quartz, but it ultimately made for an excellent fit, further emphasizing the combat roles the characters are made to fill while giving you an improved sense of progression with the MQ being able to level up.

All this, combined with the fact that I had been stubborn enough to use Hard instead of Normal (lose-lose deal – on Normal regular encounters wouldn't be as fun, on Hard I get my ass kicked by ultra-strong bosses harder. Retry Offset, I miss you...)... Yeah, that is why I almost broke the game with debug mode during the finale (that boss fight was over-reliant on Burst, I swear), and I have no regrets :p

Super Smash Bros. Ultimate (Switch, 2018) [♪ Main Theme ~ Piano]

This GIF is actually an accurate summary of how my time with this game went.

I feel like, despite past me claiming that Azure was rightfully the spotlight of her year, the true game of 2021 was this all along. Partially because '21 was the only year when I could enjoy it to the fullest. I don't really want to talk about it much, which is funny when I try to look back at the huge rant I had half-prepared about my love-hate relationship with this game (bring back shielddropping! and good singleplayer! and give us good online!), rife with comparisons to Smash 4 and small things only true nerds semi-competitive players care about, but now it all just reminds me of the Smash Ball-shaped hole I have in my soul.

Maybe in another world, I'll be able to enjoy Smash again. For now, I have to thank Ultimate for making 2021 feel like something I earned. For the greatest soundtrack a game ever could have. And of course, for the Palutena buffs. I still remember when I thought she would never appear again, much less be empowered like she was. 💚

In conclusion, this is a game that can be painful to love, but love persists nonetheless, because there is nothing like Smash Ultimate in the world. ❤ - 2021 me, who was right

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