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thesapphictimelady · 2 months

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Ad Astra Per Aspera Chapter 5

Word count: 1.8K

TW: Implied domestic and verbal abuse

A/N: This is not proofread at all and I am slightly drunk so please excuse any typos and formatting errors! I hope you all love it and please comment! Tell me what you like and dislike! I have no idea what’s gonna happen next so I’m also open to ideas! The next thing I write will not be a part of this series but I hope you all will love it just as much!

“Is that-”

“Jenny.” Cassie whispered, “Yeah,”

“How did she-”

“I don’t know,” Cassie said, “I didn’t tell her where I moved to. I don’t know how she found me.”

Melissa gently embraced the shaking girl, “It’s okay. Listen, I’m gonna go to your apartment and grab you some clothes. And then…and then you can stay at my place until we sort this out.”

“Ms. Schemmenti I couldn’t impose-”

“You aren’t. It’s gonna be okay, Cassiopeia. We’ll sort this out.”

“I-I should call the cops-”

“No,” Melissa cut in, “Nothing good ever came from getting them involved. I’ll take care of it. I’m gonna have Barb take you to my house while I get your stuff,”

“No!” Cassie said, “I-I want to come with you.”

“Hon, are you sure? We don’t know if she’s still there or not.”

“Please?”

Melissa sighed, wiping a stray tear from the young woman’s cheek, “Okay. Okay, you can come. Let me go make our excuses with Ava.”

“Won’t we get in trouble for leaving early?”

“It’s a teacher workday. Things are more relaxed. Besides, Ava doesn’t care if we’re here or not. Get your stuff together and make a list of what you want to grab so we can be in and out quickly.”

Cassie nodded and the older woman left the room, her heeled boots clicking on the floor. She looked down at her phone and shuddered, quickly closing the photo and powering her phone off. Cassie stood and grabbed a piece of construction paper and a colored pencil from one of the shelves to start making a list of things to grab.

“Hey, sweetheart,” Barbara said, leaning on the doorframe, “Is everything okay? Melissa looked a bit ruffled when she passed my classroom.”

“Yeah, everything’s fine!” Cassie said quickly, “She just went to talk to Ava! She’ll be back.”

Barbara stepped into the room and lowered her voice, “Are you sure you’re okay? Your hands are shaking.”

“I-” Cassie paused and bit her lip, “It’s…it’s complicated. But Ms. Schemmenti is very kind and she’s helping me out.”

“Well, I’m glad Melissa is there for you. She seems to have developed a soft spot for you! If you ever need anything else, Gerald and I are happy to help.”

“I couldn’t possibly ask-”

“You aren’t asking, I’m offering. Really, Cassiopeia, you deserve love and kindness,” Barbara stepped forward and wrapped the younger woman into a hug.

Cassie froze and then the floodgates opened and she was sobbing into Barb’s shoulder.

“I’m just so scared, Mrs. Howard!” she sobbed.

“Oh, sweetheart, it’ll be okay! Melissa and I are going to take care of you!”

“Hey kid, you got your list…” Melissa trailed off as she entered the room and saw Cassiopeia wrapped in Barb’s arms, “What happened?”

“I hugged her and she just broke down. She says she’s scared.”

Melissa crossed the room quickly, picking up Cassie’s phone to make sure there wasn’t anything from Jenny. Once she was satisfied, she started gathering their things into her arms.

“Cassiopeia and I are leaving early. Something came up.”

“Melissa, is there something you want to tell me?” Barbara said, eyeing her over the top of Cassie’s head.

“I think it’s better you didn’t know,” Melissa said, gently coaxing Cassie out of Barbara’s embrace, “I don’t think you’d approve.”

“Melissa Schemmenti…” Barb started.

“Drop it Barb. Listen, I’ll call you tonight, okay? You can be mad at me all ya want but just trust me.”

Cassie sniffled and wiped her eyes, “Bye, Mrs. Howard.”

Barbara’s expression softened and she smiled sadly at her, “Bye, sweetheart. I’ll see you on Monday. And my offer still stands, okay? I’m a phone call away.”

Cassiopeia nodded and let Melissa guide her out of the classroom, down the hall, and out of the building.

“Do any of these cars belong to Jenny?” Melissa asked, pulling into a parking spot.

Cassie looked around and shook her head, “I don’t recognize any of them.”

“You got your list?”

Cassie held it up and Melissa grabbed it out of her hand and unbuckled, reaching behind her seat and pulling out a baseball bat.

“Stay here, I’ll go get everything.”

“Okay first, no, I’m coming with you. And second, WHY do you have a baseball bat in your car? And…please tell me that’s rust.”

“Yeah…rust. Let’s go with that,” Melissa said, making a mental note to wash her baseball bats later, “Are you sure you want to go inside?”

“Ms. Schemmenti, I haven’t unpacked anything. Even I don’t know where half of this stuff is. It’ll be easier if I come with.”

“Fine. Okay, but give me the keys. I’m going in first.”

Cassie dug her keys out of her bag and handed them over. Together, they walked up to the front door, which stood slightly ajar.

“Guess I don’t need these,” Melissa tossed the keys to Cassie, readied her bat and pushed the door the rest of the way open with her boot.

The apartment was quiet and dark. Melissa flicked the lights on and grimaced. All the glass in the apartment had been smashed and littered around and the words “Worthless Bitch” were carved into the wall and doused in red paint. Cassie pushed in front of her and grabbed a duffel bag, dumping the contents on the floor and walking around the room, careful to avoid the glass.

Melissa lowered her bat cautiously once she was sure no one was inside and went to the kitchen to grab the groceries she had left there. Her pizza dough sat untouched but she tossed it in the trash can just to be safe.

“She wouldn’t have poisoned that,” Cassie said softly, shoving a blanket into her duffel, “It’s not her style.”

“Not mine either,” Melissa muttered, going to help Cassie, “You don’t need a blanket kid. What, you think I’m gonna make ya sleep on the floor?”

Cassie blushed, “I-I didn’t know where I’d be sleeping,”

“I have a guest room. You just need clothes and toiletries. I’ve got everything else.”

Cassie paused and looked up at the redhead, “How long…”

“As long as you need to,” Melissa said, grabbing some random clothing items from a box, “I don’t care if it’s a day or a month. You’re not living here until Jenny is taken care of.”

“Taken care of? What is this, The Sopranos?” Cassie joked.

“Until she leaves town,” Melissa said, “Or until we find you a new apartment.”

“I can’t afford anything else…”

“Then I’ll help you. I’m gonna keep ya safe, kid. I’ll always catch you, remember?”

Cassie smiled softly and zipped her duffel bag, “Thank you, Ms. Schemmenti.”

“Cassiopeia, call me Melissa,”

“Thank you, Melissa.”

“You’re welcome. Now get back in the car. I’ll lock up.”

“Hey,” Melissa said, parking the car in her driveway, “Are you doing okay? I mean, your apartment…”

“Think I’ll get my security deposit back?” Cassie joked.

“Kid…”

“I’m okay, Melissa. It’s not the first time she’s done something like that. It’s better to just let her throw her tantrum. I’m less likely to get hurt that way.”

“Cassiopeia, this…you know this isn’t okay, right?”

Cassie shrugged, fiddling with the strap of her duffel bag, “It’s the way it’s always been,”

“That doesn’t make it okay though!”

“Can we please go inside? I-It’s been a long day.”

Melissa sighed and lead the younger woman up to the house.

“Melissa, this is…wow, your house is gorgeous!”

“It’s nothing really,” Melissa said, dropping her keys into a bowl and locking the door.

Cassie laughed, “I haven’t seen a plastic covered couch in years!”

“Yeah well, sometimes people spill and it’s easier to clean!” Melissa said defensively, taking the duffel bag out of Cassie’s hands, “Let me show you the guest room. It’s…it’s a little messy right now. I’ll change the sheets before you go to bed.”

The two women climbed the stairs, Cassie smiling at the family photos lining the walls. Melissa pushed open a door and set down the duffel bag.

“I’ll be right back,” she said, walking further down the hall to open a closet and retrieve fresh sheets.

Cassie set to work stripping the bed and then helped the older woman remake it, tucking the sheets in tightly.

“My room is right down the hall,” Melissa said, pulling her hair into a ponytail, “If you need anything tonight, and i mean anything, just come wake me up.”

“I’m not going to…”

“Kid, I wouldn’t offer if I didn’t mean it. Anything.” Cassie nodded, unzipping her duffel bag to retrieve something to sleep in. It was still light out, but the two women had hardly slept the night before.

“Bathroom is right next door,” Melissa said before closing the door so Cassie could change.

Once she had changed into a tank top and shorts, she took her bag of toiletries to the bathroom and set to work removing all of the makeup she had put on that morning. All the concealer on her neck was wiped clean and she winced slightly when she touched the bruises there.

Melissa knocked on the door softly, “Hon, I just wanted to let you know I’m heading to bed. I didn’t actually sleep at all last night. The doors are all locked and if you need ANYTHING, you come and wake me up.”

Cassiopeia opened the door and Melissa winced at the sight of the bruises on her neck.

“Thank you, Melissa. It means a lot that you’re letting me stay here.”

“Of course. If you get cold, there’s more blankets in the closet at the end of the hall. G’night.”

Melissa headed into her room, closing the door behind her and Cassie headed into the guest room, flipping off the lights and climbing into the bed.

An hour later, sleep was still not coming. She didn’t want to admit it, but after finding out that Jenny had found her, she was terrified. She tossed and turned, she practiced all of her breathing exercises, but the panic attack that had been brewing all evening was closing in on her.

Biting back a sob, she threw back the blankets and curled up on the cold wood floor, trying to ground herself. She knew she was safe, she knew Jenny didn’t know where she was now, yet her brain was still in overdrive.

Another hour of silent sobs passed and she finally decided enough was enough. She crept out of her room and down the hall to Melissa’s room. Slowly, she pushed the door open and tiptoed into the room.

The redhead was snoring softly and Cassie didn’t want to wake her. Instead she climbed into bed with her and laid her head on the pillows. They smelled like vanilla and the faint menthol scent that had lingered in Melissa’s car and…

Cassie frowned, feeling under the pillow and then snorted out a laugh.

“Do you really keep a baseball bat under your pillow?”

Melissa rolled over and hummed sleepily, “What you mean you don’t?”

#abbott elementary #abbott elementary fanfiction #melissa schemmenti fanfic #melissa schemmenti #melissa schemmenti x oc #melissa schemmenti x reader

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officialarmrest · 2 months

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Gave her colors yayyyyyyyyyy

Lady Daybreaker's character (Astra)

Ad Astra Per Aspera (really cool fic series trust):

#art #my art #artists on tumblr #murder drones #i finished a thing #not my character #nuzi fankid #original character #digital art #artwork #fanfic art

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yadchi-i-guess · 26 days

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So have any of you heard of a fic series called "Ad Astra Per Aspera" by LadyDayBreaker?

It's one of my absolute favorites. One part is called "To Stay in Heaven, For Fear of Your Creation", where it follows Nori during her time in CFL. Two characters she meets (they're TECHNICALLY canon?) are Max and Bonnie, a pair of security solver drones (that fact is not canon).

Anyway I thought it'd be interesting to draw what they might look like, so uh here we are! Just smth a little silly.

Bonus of Bonnie being Bonnie from FNAF

#murder drones #murder drones fanart #murder drones fanfic #Also if ur curious abt why they're technically canon...#Two of the jars in Alice's oven from ep 6 were labeled max and Bonnie #so yeah

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kinzuti · 1 month

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Shout out to all these authors & fanfics

Murder Drones ver.

I swear I feel like fanfics are part of my daily life now. I don’t know if that’s a good or bad thing. Hey, least I get my daily reading in I guess ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ but you’re not here to ponder read about that. You’re here to see some shout outs.

P.S I’m not very descriptive so apologies for that. I just wanted to shout out some of these fanfics and authors because I visit their fanfics about almost every single day so I just thought “oh why the hell not. I’m just going to blog about it.”

Authors & Works

Lady Daybreaker

Oh my god I love their work series Ad Astra Per Aspera it’s just so good. And I’m going to be honest, this series is the reason why I love Nori now so much now it’s not funny. The series just adds more to the story for Murder Drones and again, I love it so much that I join their server. Never interact on their though because I am a bit of a coward I guess. If you want to see more to the story I’d suggest checking their MD fanfics.

Solgalleta

At first, I wasn’t very interested in most of their fanfics (mostly because crossover stuff) till I just told myself to give them a shot because why not. Their description for their stories were so interesting and intriguing that I just had to. And now, they’re the reason why I am interested in Monster Hunters now and I may try to get one of the games or such. So far I’ve read Beauty And The Monster, In The Ring series, Muted Manor, Little Purple Riding Hood And The Big Bad Stygian Zinogre, Sugar Spun Straight From Hell, To Guard A Goddess, Kaiju Girl Uzi, & Distorted Deals.

I do want to try to read more of their past works which I am going to try to do soon. These works were all just so good, if you’re interested in crossovers like Pokémon or Monster Hunter, or just interesting concepts outside of the Murder Drones universe. Then check their stories out!

InspiredDragonWriter

The first work I’ve ever read from them was I believe Sure!You Can Date Our Mama! Which augh/pos it’s really good so far and I adore the lil cuties in the fanfic already. I’m more of an Nuzi fan myself but I also adore InspiredDragonWriters ver. of Sam that I ship SmokeyBats (Sam/Uzi) now. I know what it’s like to love a random character so much in the background of the show/game/etc that I start to make up what their personality and interests are. I won’t say who that random character is but I will say their not from Murder Drones ha.

I’ve also read One Night, A Promise And A Whoopsie-Daisy which there is only one chapter as of now but I love it so much that I had to mention it. I’d suggest checking these works out when you can and want too ofc.

GameCube19

GameCube, oh my god. What have you gotten yourself into/pos. So far the only works they’ve posted are Broken Balance and Broken Balance Specials which go together. And my god, I did expect this work to go up to 111 chapters. 111. I started reading when it was only 11 chapters in. I am predicting at this point that this work will reach up to 1M words tbh, right now it’s word count is at 724,206. Anyways that’s not the point. What I want to say about this work is that I love it. I love the story, how long it is, the concepts, just wow. I mean, this can basically be its own story at this point. Loved it so much that I joined their server. If you’re interested in a Fantasy AU of Murder Drones I’d suggest reading it.

Astrachigo

First thing I’ve read from them is The Royals Blood which is so good I love it. It’s a vampire/royalty AU which is mmm, so good. Then To Be Heard came out which I am obsessing over because I have this knack for mute AU’s which I don’t know why but I just do. I also love the fact that Uzi and N in this work love and make music. Music is just part of my daily life I cannot go through a day without listening to a song or 10. I’ve also read “I Am Always There For You.” Which is also good. If you’re interested in these, please go check them out!

Daarkxwolf17

I’ve only read one work from them and I LOVE it and it’s concept. It’s so unique and sooo good. It’s called The Angel My Mother Sent Me. And I’ve been listening to the playlist they’ve made based off the story and now I have a few new favourite songs and a new playlist saved in my Spotify. Their art of the fic too is just muah so good. If you’re interested in guardian angels or just that type of concept I guarantee you will love this fic.

CoffeeTheDragon

Now remember when I said that I- *Searches through my tabs* okay why is it not here?! GOD DAMNI- *Spends 5 minutes looking for it again and saving it to my tab group* Ahem, now, remember when I said I had a knack for mute AU’s (Muted Minor and To Be Heard) well here’s another one. Blinding Steps Of Places Long Forgotten (FireBitten) I absolutely obsessed over this fic when I first found out about it. It’s interesting title, another mute AU, and Uzi having cute fluffy bat ears. Yep, she has bat ears and I love it. Read it if you please.

Spero11

There is one work of Murder Drones they made and it is called By Chance and I only started reading it like 2 weeks ago. Oh my god. I love it so much, it’s great, it’s adorable, and I just want them (N and Uzi) to be happy pls. I’m a bit mad at myself for not taking the chance sooner to read it. It’s so good, go check it out if you love Streamer AU’s.

HeyTiny

They’ve only posted one work of Murder Drones called Bus Stop but it’s so good. It’s been so adorable so far and it’s a songfic which I believe means it’s inspired by a song. I’m going to try to listen to it eventually. Go check it out if you can.

Electrozeitsyking/SkipBack

I love this persons Ghost Drone AU please go check that AU out but they also have some other great AU’s in other fandoms which I have seen briefly. Love their art too. They also have this fic related to the Ghost Drone AU which is called Ghost Drone so if you’ve seen their artwork on their ghost AU and love it please go check out the fanfic they’ve made! If you want to ofc.

WolfHeart87

Okay so if you know and follow kklog then you may remember this post based off thecosmiccrows headcanon. And if you loved that post and loved the concept of DD’s acting like birds then you may love Courtship Rituals of a Disassembly Drone written by the author mentioned above. It’s so adorable and as soon as I saw a fic inspired by that post I had a huge rush of serotonin and immediately read the fic. Go read it if you loved the post kklog made.

———————————————————————

That’s basically it as for now. I swear there are more fics I want to mention so I may just edit more in later. It’s like midnight for me right now when I finish this so tbh. I may just wake, realise I posted this, and ponder wether or not to delete it haha. I may not though because I don’t want all this work to go to waste plus I do want to mention these works and share them because I just absolutely love them, I know I said that multiple times but I really do.

I look back to see if they update and it makes my day just to reread them or just read the new chapters when they come out. I really do feel like fan fiction has taken over my life lol. But eh, I don’t think that’s to much of a bad thing :)

If I made some mistakes just let me know and I’ll edit it.

#murder drones #writing #ao3 #artists on tumblr #fanfic #writers on tumblr #supporting writers #ao3 writer

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novafire-is-thinking · 1 year

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Gentle Visionary, Scholar, Peacemaker, Reluctant Revolutionary, Protector…

It is unfortunate that TFP only gave us a small glimpse of Optimus: who he was, what motivated him, who he became, and who he wanted to be. I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve seen him referred to as “the most boring Optimus,” and while I understand that opinion, I disagree. For a while now, I’ve been wanting to write an in-depth analysis of his character to hopefully give others a better idea of who Optimus is and why I love this version of him.

While this post series is focused primarily on canon, there is a bit of personal speculation thrown in as well. <- I shouldn’t have to say this at all, but I’m doing so because I was once mocked for expressing a “far-fetched” theory based on canon.

It’s been almost 2 years since I read all of the Aligned novels in full, so if I glossed over an important detail, my apologies. Feel free to correct me if you know better.

The post titles in this series:

The Last Prime?

Orion the Dreamer

Luminary or Revolutionary?

The Thrill Pain of the Kill

A Dealer in Hope

Megatron Has Fallen

Little Inconveniences

Desire vs. Destiny

Per aspera ad astra

#transformers prime #maccadam #tfp #tfp character analysis #tfp meta #tfp optimus prime #nova’s nerding out again #who is TFP Optimus? series #the one and only op ❤️💙

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ejunkiet · 1 year

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end of year round up (rec list!)

rec lists are a forgotten art in fandom, and I've read so many good fics this year. below are a few of my favourites, although I'll stick with one from each author!

redacted audio - full ao3 bookmarks (94)

- burn me, Asher/Damien by @dominimoonbeam

this was my first bookmark, and it remains one of my favourites. the dynamic is just, so good. ash balances out damien so well. (domini we love all of your work <33)

- I'm out of my element, HuxDami by @jonbinary

set immediately post inversion, and got me on this TRAIN before canon was a thing. Just, gorgeous and tender writing ;u;

- old number seven, Sam/Darlin by @devilbunnyking

Gods, this was stunning. slow rolling tension, sharing a whiskey and plugging tunes in the juke box. Beautiful exploration of both of them!!

- apple and honey, Milo/Sweetheart (18+) by @onesmallcentury

Any redacted reclist would be incomplete without this MASTERPIECE okay. Gods, I cannot count how many times I've reread this. Delicious, gorgeous <3

- refractions, Gavin/Freelancer by @solclaw

The emotional slow burn of those early dates. Just, goddamn stunning. I could curl up in your writing forever, beanie ;u;

- commit it to memory, Huxley/Freelancer by @sealriously-sealrious

honestly, want to link all your writing here Chrys, but this is Huxley! With tattoos!! And @taelonsamada 's gorgeous art!!! MATCH MADE IN HEAVEN

- SWEET TALK, Milo/Sweetheart by @gingerbreadmonsters

this whole series is a MASTERPIECE. the dynamics!! The banter!! It makes me melt okay. all your writing is lovely, but this series holds a special place in my heart <3

- Signs Point to Yes, Milo/Sweetheart (18+) by @wakeupnew

On the subject of Milo and SH, this story has been living rent free in my mind for the last few weeks. The eight ball quotes! AGGRO! The dynamic of these two are just perfect, dealing with the inversion aftermath, and it's just gorgeous.

- fill my heart with song (and let me sing), Milo/Sweetheart (18+) by @autisticempathydaemon

Again on the subject of these two, I absolutely loved this fic. I love all of Lexi's work, but this was delicious 😚💖

- Let's make this night last forever (forever and ever), Milo/Sweetheart (18+) by @glassbearclock

Okay, this FIC. ALL OF BEAN'S MILO FICS. It's a beautiful chronology, but this one is just, fecking fantastic.

- ad astra (per aspera), Avior/Starlight by @lvllns

Starlight and Avior break out of the meridian. Gods, this is absolutely stunning. I love Reed's work, and I'm so very happy I got them into redacted >:3

- An Angel In Wolf's Clothing, David/Angel (no Tumblr?)

FINALLY David makes it onto this list. I've read this story SO MANY TIMES. Gorgeous early revelation exploration, where Davey tells Angel that he's a wolf.

- return to shore, imp!David/angel by @taelonsamada

THE IMPERIUM AU OF MY DREAMS. Giving David and Sam the chance they never had to find happiness in the Imperium. SO PERFECT ;u;

- phases of you, David/angel (no Tumblr! 18+)

Gods, this is one of my favourite redacted fics. Reimagines David and angel's relationship if Angel was a wolf, and they were mated before Gabe died. Long fic!! Had me obsessed for a weekend. Still obsessed hehehe

- (Gonna make you) howl, David/Angel (18+) by @romirola

>:3 Romi's work is gorgeous, and I recommend all of her fics, but THIS FIC. Angel pampers David, and it is GORGEOUS.

- Halley's comet, Elliot/Sunshine (no Tumblr)

GORGEOUS. There are not enough Elliot/Sunshine fics!!! Elliot asks sunshine for 7 days to prove that he is a dream walker.

- California nights, Milo/Sweetheart (18+) by @thee-morrigan

Again, I love Katie's writing, and this is no exception. DELICIOUS 😚💖💖

#redacted asmr #redacted audio #rec list #Redacted recs #gods this is long hahahah #one fic per author omg

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ladydaybreaker · 2 months

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So...about that new MD Episode...

Totally me not figuring out how to use this freaking site, ha...

Yes, hello! First time ACTUALLY legit posting on this thing. So! For people following the Ad Astra, Per Aspera series...how 'bout that new episode huh?

I know that you guys are thinking that imma have to redo "Memento Nori" and possibly "To Stay In Heaven, For Fear of Your Creation" and "To Serve In Heaven, Or Rule In Hell" because of things that came to light...and here's my official answer.

HELL NO.

I did nearly 50 chapters of work based on stuff that I inferred from watching the previous episodes, had that near six month waiting period to stew and simmer over what possibly happened. And...I don't want to redo it. I'm proud of all three of them (even if "Memento Nori" is getting some slight tweaks to make it fit better with the later installments...it's nothing MAJOR).

I'm currently working on "What Friends Are For" chapter 34 (which is also undergoing some slight tweaks) and, with the help of my awesome friends, we've come up with some fun reasons for why things in ep 7 happened without breaking what happened in the prior ones.

ESPECIALLY regarding Tessa and our new cast member.

I will admit, I am going slightly canon divergent with things because I've had things mapped out for "A Universe of Suns, Moons, and Stars" that I really want to keep. This includes a character that might not be there for episode 8 judging by what we've seen. So, I'm taking their advice and "Fighting back".

I know I've been kinda lauded, undeservedly to be honest, about doing a good canon+ series. Unfortunately with the story I want to tell...it might not be what happens. After all...I was wrong about the Disassemblers' origins haha.

However, this does not apply for "Cross the Jaded Stars". That one I will be following Canon (for the most part. I'm spicing things up for that one. Hey, gotta make my swap unique, y'know!)

That being said, thank you all for sticking with me, if I lose you because I'm not rewriting near 50 chapters to better fit with what happened in canon, I'm sorry. But...I'm proud of Ad Astra as a series. It's my child of paper and printers ink...and I want to raise it to be the best it can. Even if that means classifying it as a "Fix-it" series at the end.

#Ad Astra Per Aspera Ladydaybreaker #murder drones #ao3 fanfic #fanfic writing #apology and explanation #murder drones ep 7 #Cross The Jaded Stars #Memento Nori #To Stay In Heaven For Fear Of Your Creation #To Serve In Heaven Or Rule In Hell #What Friends Are For

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januaryembrs · 2 years

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AD ASTRA - CHAPTER FOURTEEN

CHPT. XIV THE DRAGONS

Description: amidst an untrustworthy source, a scorching planet and flying, scaled demons, you’re forced to do something drastic to protect your family.

Length: 4.8k

main masterlist

AD ASTRA MASTERLIST

Din Djarin X Jedi!reader series. Friends to lovers, (Somewhat) slowburn, female!reader, JEDI!READER, possible smut, jealous!mando, reader has problematic childhood, fluff, saviour complex!mando, canon star wars characters mentioned, Obi wan x padawan!reader, dad!obi wan, general star wars bloodshed etc.

AD ASTRA PER ASPERA

“To the stars through hardships”

Your group had decided to ride the Blurgs seeing as the place the contact had requested to meet was in such a remote location, meaning you had a long day of walking ahead of you. Kuiil only owned three of the hulking, tadpole-shaped creatures, however, so Cara and you hopped on together seeing as you were both the unexpected and possibly unwelcome guests to this Greef Karga that Mando had been in contact with.

The leathery-skinned creatures plodded down the ramp of the crest and you immediately eyed up the four strangers of varying species waiting for Mando, noting the loaded blasters sitting at their hips.

"Sorry for the remote rendezvous, Mando. But things have gotten complicated since you were last here. It appears that introductions are in order. It seems we've both provided a security detail." The older human at the front, who you guessed was Karga judging by his leadership over the others, said. He eyed up the three newcomers that he had not been waiting for, yourself included, and pointed at Cara with interest, "I recommend the shock-trooper guards the ship, these lava fields are lousy with Jawas."

"She's coming with me," Mando said, and the tone in his voice clearly left no room for negotiation.

"But the town is now run by ex-Empire. If a rebel dropper is with us, they'll all get their hackles up." While what he said made sense, something about the way he was scrambling for an excuse to lessen your defence of the child made your nerves spark aflame of distrust. A terrible pit in your stomach only deepened with dread as your fears that this was a setup of sorts were satiated by his behaviour.

"She's coming," Mando repeated harshly, not moving from his statement.

Greef thought for a moment, looking at where you sat behind the rebel, staring holes into him viciously with cold eyes. "Fine. Fine. At least cover your tattoo. No need to flaunt it. And the beautiful specimen at the back, is she a rebel too?"

Din's jaw clenched at the man's words, the way he spoke about you as though you weren't there or was simply a porcelain object he had brought along for the ride.

"No, she's a friend. Best fighter I know. Anyone wishing to cross our path doesn’t stand a chance," Mando answered honestly, the compliment clearly being laced with a threat in case Greef had any ideas.

"Now, where is the little one?" The man asked, now wary of the two women sitting on top of one of the ugly beasts. Mando flicked some buttons on his vambrace, which you had rewired to link it to the controls on the new pram, and the sleek egg-shaped crib floated up towards Greef who looked down in awe. You felt your heart leap into your throat, hand jumping to your blaster in distrust of the man.

"So this little bogwing is what all the fuss was about." Greef said, holding the child up out of the crib as he stared up at him in wonder with soft black eyes, "What a precious little creature. I can see why you didn't wanna harm a hair on its wrinkled little head. Well, I'm glad this matter will be put to rest once and for all." He placed the child back down, making you and no doubt Mando sigh a breath of short-lived relief. Mando drew the crib back almost immediately, back to the protection of the four beings atop the blurgs. You watched the lid shut firmly with the child inside it, and turned your attention back to the contact, satisfied that the baby was safe.

"Relax, Mama bear. Kid's safe" Cara muttered, trying to soothe your nerves as she felt your arm wrapped around her middle for balance tense up. You nodded to yourself, trying to coax yourself into reassurance.

"The sun drops fast on Nevarro. We can walk for a spell and camp out on the river bank, then make our way into town at first light." Greef Karga said, turning on his foot and heading in the direction you guessed the river was. You would certainly be glad to see some water, the hot air of the volcanic planet already feeling like a scorching, heavy blanket over your shoulders.

The group followed on the blurgs, you wrapping your arms around the woman in front of you for stability.

"Someone feeling cuddly today?" Cara teased, though she got no sarcastic quip in return as she had expected. That told her all she needed to know, that you were deep in your head, no doubt about the child and what you were about to walk into. You had never thought that you would grow to care about the child so much in the past few months you and Mando had been playing happy family, but looking back on it you really saw him as your own foundling. You were by no means a natural at it, but you found comfort in the fact you and Mando learned and figured it out together, as you did with most things these days.

You had felt so alone for so long, and now you had them. When you lay in your tiny, uncomfortable bed at night, sometimes you daydreamed of calling them your family; of seeing Mando without his armour, being his beloved. Cyare, that was what they called them, you remembered Shenzi teaching you. Just to be his, and have him as yours lulled you to sleep, alone and cold as you may be.

.・。.・゜✭・.・✫・゜・。.・。.・゜✭・.・✫・゜・。.

You had been walking for a few hours by the time they came to a stop and, all things considered, you were quite enjoying the ride as your role as passenger meant you could sightsee. It wasn't a lively planet, not the part you were walking through anyway and you quickly got used to the vermillion lava pools and the charcoal rocky plains nevertheless, you took it all in with wonder. Having to watch over your back for so long meant you never really had time to explore, so seeing this new land was exciting, even if you still were on high alert for danger the whole time.

The group had brought down a small mammal and cooked it on a spit over a fire they had started seeing as the night took a cold turn despite the fact they were on a volcanic planet. You stared into the loud, licking flames, one of Karga's men adding a shovel of screaming hot coals to stoke the fire that he sourced from a nearby lava pool. There seemed to be a tense silence over the group, not that you cared seeing as the Child sat in between you and Kuiil who tended to him gently, Mando laying out to the left of you. You chewed at your food slowly, the smokey flavoured meat being one of the best things you'd tasted in a while. You and Mando really tried your best, but with limited resources, you were still short for the symphony of taste that meat and an open fire allowed.

In your peripheral vision, you noticed the child squirming in his seat, hands pushing away the food that Kuiil offered him despite barely touching it. His eyes were locked on where Mando lay down, and it became clear to the child's protectors what he wanted.

"Here, I got him," You offered, placing your makeshift plate on the floor with your food still steaming with freshness. The Ugnaught lifted the child out of the crib, holding him out to your expecting hands who collected him and put him on the ground in between you and Mando. He almost immediately waddled over to your plate of food, getting his greedy little claws on your share of the meal with a mischievous giggle.

"Hey! That's not yours." Din scolded the boy who looked up at him guiltily, sharp teeth already sunk into the piece of meat, "Cuyir jate par gar cabur," [be good for your guardian]

The baby took not much notice, however, instead practically inhaling the food even faster in case one of them tried to take it away from him. You simply chuckled as the child shuffled away from the plate. "Don't worry, I already had enough anyway," You said, watching the little menace move towards the Mandalorian, plopping himself to the floor next to him, leaning against the man's chest plate. "adiika shi copaanir kaysh cabur" [the child just wants his protector] You replied fluently, smiling at the privacy you had been granted from the ears of the rest of the group as Mando'a was a very niche language nowadays. It was comforting to have the familiarity of something you could share just the two of you, reminding you of the quiet nights on the crest when it was just your little aliit [clan] together; no imps, no potential traitors, just the three of you.

"Well, look at you three, playing happy families. I didn't think you had it in you Mando," You almost sensed a hint of sincerity in Karga's voice, but the fact remained that the whole group had a bad feeling about this man's intentions and instead left the comment feeling like a bitter jab towards you. Mando straightened up, almost trying to block the child from the man's view the way he moved, and you couldn't help but wonder if that was because he felt like your moment of privacy was being tarnished, because you certainly did. That much was clear in the underlying glare you sent towards Karga for invading your moment as a family.

Family? It felt sinful nearly for thinking of them that way when that arrangement had never been agreed with Mando, but that was what had sprung to your mind nonetheless. Nothing had ever progressed past the stage of protectors towards the child, but something between you and Mando was there, the way a dying fire still flutters with hot embers. You both felt the heat of it, the sensation bringing you both warmth on a dark night, but it wasn't a roaring flame that demanded your vocalised attention, so it had gone unacknowledged, unspoken. Not to be thought of until the fire became so hot it burned welts into your skin.

Still, just as the tiny blaze was flickering to life with your game of secrecy, Karga had trampled over it, effectively killing the mood you had both been in.

"Let's go over the plan again," Mando cut in, trying to take the attention away from the child and the way you let him nibble gently at your finger. He hated how Karga had taken an interest in his interaction with you, even if it was his own fault for being so out of character around you, but he didn't think twice about it these days.

Your situation was unusual, to say the least. Two adults traversing the galaxy with a magical baby causing chaos every step of the way. You behaved like its parents naturally, as to be expected in a position like that, and it didn't help that the two of you felt something between you, a connection running far deeper and warmer than you’d admitted, but Din hadn't thought it would be that obvious to everyone else how he felt about you. How you could feel about him.

The world didn't get to see the side of him you did; he realised.

"We both enter the common house. We show the client the bait. We join him at the table, and you kill him." Karga said simply, the fire illuminating his oddly calm face as he spoke about a task that could land all involved in deep trouble considering the circumstances.

"Tell me about his reinforcements." Mando pressed, seemingly unconvinced it was as easy as he was making it out to seem.

"They're all ex-Empire. As soon as they lose their paycheck," Karga scoffed, finishing his last piece of meat and opening his canteen of water, "they'll all scatter."

"And if they don't?" Your mouth braved to ask. You didn't trust this contact one bit, something in the air between the lot of them was stagnant with the promise of lies. You were heading towards people who served the Empire, a fair few of them from what Karga was describing too. That only meant one thing; that trouble lay ahead for your little trio, though your life had been heading that way since the moment you saw that Beskar armour stroll into the cantina on Sorgan.

"They will." Karga replied after a beat, almost shocked to hear your voice through the twilight silence.

"That's not good enough," You said, a snappy tone in your voice at the secrets he was clearly keeping from you.

Greef sighed for a moment at your persistence. Din had to give it to you, considering he could tell how tense you were, you weren’t letting any bullshit slip past you, "If, for argument's sake, a few of them don't realise that I'm their best path to alternative employment, and they elect to react impulsively, then these three fine Guild hunters along with that battle-hardened shock-trooper and your Mandalorian will cut down anyone who bucks."

You dared a look at Mando when Greef referred to him in such a way, curious to see if he had any protest. If he did, he didn't voice it as he simply cut in where you left off.

"How many will there be?"

"No more than four," Karga replied, standing from the floor, but that sprung alarm bells in you almost immediately. Four? Certainly for such a highly sought-after prize, they would bring reinforcements. "He travels with, at most, a fire team. Trust me, nothing could go wrong."

Just as the devious man had reached over to the roasting animal skewered over the fire to collect a thick leg of meat, something moved in the shadows towards him. No sooner had a scream echoed loudly around the fire pit, two huge clawed feet lunged out of the darkness and snatched the food from his hands. Loud flapping sounds reverberated through the night, and they were big too.

You moved on impulse, grabbing the child from the floor and shoving him quickly into his new dome-shaped pram, shutting the lid on him to keep him safe from whatever the creatures swarming around you were. If they were interested in the meat in Karga's hands, a little boy like him would be a light snack to them.

The group scrambled to pull out their blasters, shooting blindly at any single noise they heard to no avail. The creature wailed once more, but for a moment after there was silence.

You stopped, waiting for any other sign of movement. They met you with a beat of stillness, and the small optimistic part of you hoped that that would be the end.

Of course, you never got that lucky. you had never been a lucky woman.

The creature dived at the small group like a demon from the sky, and you now had the chance to get a genuine look at them. From what your eyes briefly caught in between shooting at the monstrous things, was the fact they were covered in darkish scales and they indeed had huge wings that blew sand up from the floor with every flap.

You couldn't get a decent look at their face but you could bet all the credits you owned you would find a few rows of razor teeth you had no intention of getting close to. Your best guess; Dragons.

Then, as you felt your blaster running low on charges, one beast, you believed there were two at least, swooped down and grabbed one of the Blurgs between its long talons. As selfish as it were, you couldn't help but be relieved that they had something to satiate their hunger that wasn't yourself, Cara or the man you cared for more than almost anyone.

"No! Let go of her! Drop her now!" Kuiil yelled, and you couldn't help but feel guilty of the horribly greedy thought you had had not two seconds earlier amid the shooting. The Blurgs were like a family to the little Ugnaught from Avrila-7 with them being the last remaining company he had on his moisture farm. You guessed they were to him what the child was to you and Mando, and the remorse at the idea of him being dragged away squealing so painfully was a kick to the gut.

The group shot at the dragon in vain, already knowing the animal was a lost cause but just to show Kuiil you would at least try fighting for his oddly amphibian looking family. But it was too late.

At least you thought.

Another moment of silence gave you a false sense of security, leading you to believe the dragons indeed would be satisfied with only one Blurg to chow down on. But no.

Within seconds, one of Karga's men was snatched in the claws of another one of the dragons, lifted off into the night, screaming for help. As if that wasn't enough, another of the Blurg's got targeted next by the huge reptiles. Luckily, thanks to the fact Cara had chosen a high powered semi-automatic from Mando's collection when she had the choice that morning, and the ex-shock trooper managed to hit the beast and kill it before it could drag away the poor, unsuspecting Blurg.

While there were obvious signs of blood pooling down the puncture wounds, the amphibian creature would live to see another Blurg day.

You had just about reloaded your twin blasters when the dragons dove an ultimate time. You didn't know whether it was the glint of the fire in the beskar that had caught their attention, but your gut twisted horribly when you saw one of the colossal beasts spring at Mando.

Your Mandalorian, as Karga had so well articulated.

Mando grunted with the impact of being thrown to the ground, and for a moment you felt your breath miss your throat in panic at the situation unfolding before you.

A snap second is all it would take for the dragon to wrap its talons around Mando, and in even less time they could beat their colossal wings and be off into the unknown with the man you felt more about than almost anyone in your entire life.

Maybe that was what made you do what you did; sheer fucking panic at the idea of him being snatched away from you when there was still so much you had to tell him. The kid needed him; you needed him.

Just as it had done earlier that day, the barrier between you and the force came crumbling down with much more vigour than you expected. Your breath was knocked out of your lungs at the power that overcame your whole body, but you paid no attention to it. This was a dumb, snap decision that had been your last resort to stopping the man you felt something so stupidly deep for being taken away from you.

You screamed out a protesting '"No!" as the dragon wrapped one of its talons under Mando's cuirass, lifting him off the ground all of two feet. You thrust your hand out in front of you, luckily seeming to the others as though you were simply reaching out of reflex to the action, and felt the dragon's force energy meet you right there.

It felt as though you had stuck your hand out into a cool field of energy, and that your own body's warm force met it right at the point of your fingertips, making them tingle with the difference.

'Hello, old friend', you thought to the force, feeling a wave of warmth rip in your stomach as it responded with glee. The force, as any wielder quickly learns, is just as alive as a visible being, if not more.

You felt your energy reach out to the dragon and squeeze, mangling the dragon's force signature in between your grasp and likely making the scaled beast feel as though its lungs were being crushed in on itself.

It let out a wail of a roar, luckily for you making it appear it was simply releasing a battle cry to the man beneath its grasp. You had a split second to decide whether you wanted to take it further, but the creeping feeling of lethargy of using your powers on such an enormous creature after so many years of malpractice hit you. But you would have pushed past it if someone did not already decide for you.

The dragon's cry gave Din the distraction he needed to reach onto his vambrace and flick open his flame thrower. Long tendrils of fire poured out of the arm piece, scorching the side of the best in its path and making it drop Din down to the floor unceremoniously.

Din left the flames to ward off the creature for a moment longer, alongside the blaster shots from the remaining people in the group. It seemed to work and finally fend off the creatures for good as they watched the two dragons fly off into the distance, their one successful catch of the first Blurg in tow.

Dropping your hand, you felt your force manipulation slipping away. Tiredness overcame you, and strangely achy all over at the feeling of the force buzzing through you once more. You couldn't believe you'd done that, opened the floodgates and let in something you swore would die with you. And you'd done it willingly too. Not like earlier where the child forced it upon you; no this time you had chosen to do it if it meant you could save Mando.

There was very little, if anything, you wouldn't have done to keep him safe.

Mando grabbed you from where you stood not a few feet in front of him, yanking you behind him so that they could watch each other's six for any sign that the dragons were coming back for a second meal. But, after a pause of stillness, it seemed they weren't and group visibly relaxed.

Cara looked over to where her other two companions stood on the other side of the fireplace, taking it upon herself to check on the child from where he sat safely inside his cocoon, oblivious to the fact his father figure was almost lining a huge lizard's insides.

Din turned back to where he'd almost thrown the woman not two minutes earlier to protect your blind spot. "Are you alright?" he asked, his breathlessness clear in his tone.

You surprised even yourself with what you did next. You hugged him.

It was very brief, and awkward considering his chest armour pressed against your face, but you paid no attention to it. He let out a sound of shock at your movement and had barely thought to bring his hand down to rest on your back gently as you squeezed his midriff tightly before you let him go. Your face burned from what he could see through his heat sensor, and he put it down to the fact you hadn't meant to be so openly affectionate in front of so many other people when they hadn't ever hugged before. Din couldn't remember the last time someone had hugged him, in fact, let alone while in his beskar.

"Idiot! Scared me half to death," you whispered, head-turning to the floor in embarrassment of your brash action.

"I just wanted to see if you cared," Mando found it in him to joke, and it worked judging by the smile that tugged at your features.

"Of course I care, dikut. Next time just ask rather than trying to make yourself dragon food,"

"Noted." Was all he said as they walked together to join Cara's side watching over the baby.

And you did. He would never know how much it had meant to you to have opened yourself up to the force the way you had, which you had managed to somehow coral back into its tiny box in your mind in the time they had spent talking. He would never know what you had done, but you knew he would be grateful if he had. And, were the roles to have been reversed, you could say with a deal of confidence that he would have done the same for you.

At least, you thought he would.

It hadn't been until they'd returned to the child that they noticed Karga cradling his bloodied arm from where the creature snatched the food from his hands.

"He's hurt badly," Kuiil informed from his place beside the older man. They moved to inspect the injury which, judging by the black veins spiralling out of the wound, was infected, probably some sort of natural defence system the dragons had developed.

"I'm fine. I'm fine. I'm fine. I'm fine. Ow!" Karga tried to reassure, unconvincingly judging by the pained hiss he released when Cara grabbed his affected arm. You would have laughed in any other situation, trust Cara to not waste time pandering to him.

Hold still. They got you good." You had to admit, the three long deep serrated wounds looked as nasty as Karga was finding them to be, and even winced when you saw Cara unclip a shot of Bacta and plunge it into the sensitive tissue.

"How bad?" Mando asked from beside you.

"Bad. The poison is spreading fast."

"So this...this is how it happens," Karga said, almost resigning himself to the pain coursing through his arm.

"Don't be so dramatic. I need another med-pack. Got any other med-packs? Anyone?"

You noticed the child toddling over to you from where he must have hopped out of his crib. He looked at the man writhing in pain on the floor, before turning his tiny body to look up at you who watched him, a good idea of what was running through that devious little mind of his. He seemed to look at you asking for permission.

Judging by the silence that met the request for more medical supplies, they were running out of options too. He could help. He wanted to help, having learned you could not reveal your own abilities like that.

"I'm guessing that's a 'no'," Karga said sadly, as anyone would think that their time was ending. You looked at the child's big onyx eyes that you knew shared the same thought as you had, and nodded to him slightly.

"It's still spreading. This isn't working." Cara said, being much more gentle as she lifted Karga's arm to inspect the dark veins protruding from them and getting angrier. The child had taken your confirmation and shuffled towards the injured man with an almost cheeky look on his face, to Cara's annoyance. "Get this thing outta here."

"Wait," Kuiil said before you had the chance to. The baby gently put one of his clawed hands on the man's cuts, with a slow grasp.

"He's trying to eat me," Karga exclaimed, and you would have snorted if the situation wasn't so pressing. You kneeled down next to the child knowing it would take a lot of energy for such a tiny being to heal the man's large wounds.

"No. He wants to help you." You said, and as if the child understood you, he squeezed his tiny glass eyes shut in concentration.

The black veins began winding in on themselves first before the marred, open tissue wound almost seemed to sew itself shut with little trace it had been there in the first place.

Karga looked from the child to you, to Mando in amazement. His arm was completely healed not a minute later, leaving the baby to sink back down onto his behind, a drowsy look in his eye.

You felt almost the same, having exhorted yourself with your own use of the force, and swiftly grabbed him up off the ground to tuck back into his pram.

Karga watched you put away the child as the Mandalorian shadowed the two naturally, before the adults settled down with little more than a foot between your resting figures, both of you settling near the pod protectively. Greef had noticed how odd Mando's behaviour had been around you, and who could blame him. All he had seen was the big, hunk of beskar armour and a personality just as cold to match its exterior. So seeing him and you enamoured by a tiny bean of a creature somewhat warmed his ageing heart.

But that begged the bigger question in Karga's mind. He knew what he was leading you into, and Greef wasn't sure he had the heart to hand you all over to the Empire's clutches anymore.

.・。.・゜✭・.・✫・゜・。.・

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authors notes: apologies for reuploading this, I had some issues with the taglists before and had the post taken down! I hope you enjoyed leave some love where you can please <3

#pedro pascal x female!reader #pedro pascal characters #pedro pascal x you #pedro pascal imagine #pedro pascal x reader #the mandolarian #mando angst #mando fanfiction #mando x reader #the mandalorian #din djarin x reader #din djarin x you #din djarin fanfiction #din djarin imagine #din djarin #mando x jedi!reader #din djarin x jedi!reader #dad!obi wan x reader

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payphoneangel · 5 months

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Vinny's Fic Recs

I love reading it, I love writing it, I love talking about it! So, I thought I'd put a few fics here that never leave my brain so they might infect others <3.

my lead to blow by amidsizedfrog A 9x07 coda where we follow Dean's journey as he makes his first friend and joins the wrestling team. This fic is deliciously bittersweet. It rides the line of joy and fear that comes from being young, having a connection with someone, but being unsure if they're a friend... or something more.

well everybody's got a secret, sonny by luminoussbeings Short and sweet, a s1 ficlet in which Dean and Sam have an argument where they each think the other is being homophobic, only to realize they're both queer.

not with a bang but with a yelp by strange_estrangement What if the brothers used Yelp? More of a multi-media project, this is a look at some of the motels throughout the series showcased by the brothers (along with a few guests) leaving yelp reviews. It's imaginative and out-of-the-box, and features some fun tfw teasing!

iCarlynatural by Sequesters The title speaks for itself.

ad astra per aspera by jeremycarver THEE Stanford Era Dean one-shot. This fic scooped out my insides, painfully and lovingly. It's understated, atmospheric, and just brimming with heart. If you've ever wondered what it feels like to get swallowed up the the vast, aching loneliness of the US Midwest, this is it.

Until the Breaking of the Day by Dira Sudis (dsudis) A destiel fic from the classical era (2009). Intimate, electric, and theological, this fic finds Dean and Cas postulating the age-old question: If you're resurrected from the dead... do you stay circumcised?

John Dies at the End by Kalliel An exploration of an alternate season 2 timeline. This fic is psychological, intense, and heartbreaking. Here's my favorite three lines, which make up the entirety of chapter 6: "Here's a secret: Sam knows Dean's always been a little afraid of him. Sam, after all, had the power to leave him.

Dean's not even a ghost, and his absence still feels vengeful."

Go check them out! Leave a kudos! Leave a comment! Make a fic rec yourself!! Happy reading <3

#vinny types #fic recs #I left out a lot of the fics i like bc theyre super popular and I wanted to highlight some stories that i think deserve more love #thats why i only have like one destiel fic on here lmao

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c0la-queen · 2 months

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#eddsworld #eddsworld x reader #eddsworld tord #eddsworld tord x reader #eddsworld red leader x reader #eddsworld red leader

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meddow · 9 months

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I’ve been catching up on Star Trek Discovery and it’s kind of interesting the difference in stakes between Disco and SNW. Disco has this focus on season long plot arcs in which what is at stake is avoiding some cataclysm which would destroy whole planets or threaten the entire Federation and somehow only Discovery can save everyone. That has it’s plus points. While the seasons start slow I’m usually end up binging the last few episodes, and also gets time explore the concept at the heart of the season more than a one episode or two-parter ever could. I loved that a whole chunk of episodes was devoted to figuring out how to first contact a species which was nothing like the Federation had ever encountered before.

But, it does feel like slightly wearisome that somehow it's always Discovery saving the galaxy. And the show really struggles with smaller, character driven stakes. And too often it just falls back on killing off a character to given another character angst, which is a mistake in the first place, and then only for then the series to not even commit to killing that character off and they’re back – sometimes within the same episode.

Whereas Strange New Worlds keeps the stakes considerably lower. The only episode I can think of in which the entire galaxy is threatened is (hilariously) the musical episode. Sometimes the whole ship is in danger (Ghosts of Illyria, Momento Mori and Among the Lotus Eaters come to mind) and sometimes the threat is the Federation being dragged into war (Hegemony, Quality of Mercy – but given that’s a essentially a dream sequence, it doesn’t really count). SNW does do a lot of character stakes. Ad Astra per Aspera obviously is the example of the show doing this extremely well – where the stakes is Una going to prison.

But then SNW suffers from being a prequel and the subsequence plot armor that characters have as a result. Sometimes that’s fine. Pike knowing his fate and having to deal with that was an interesting plotline in season 1. Knowing Chapel/Spock is doomed gives the relationship a bit of kick it wouldn’t necessarily have given romantic relationships is not one of the show’s strengths. But for example in Hegemony, everyone worrying Chapel was dead felt like a massive waste of time – we know she’s not because she’ll still be on the Enterprise when Kirk takes over. Same with Spock, Uhura and M’Benga.

Really of the main cast the only characters who currently have stakes are Una, La’an and Erica cos we don’t know their future. If Erica gets fed up with only ever being the pilot and decides to get a transfer, we can believe that she may just. If La’an is badly injured fighting the Gorn we can believe she may die. If Starfleet decide to offer Una a promotion and her own ship, we can believe she would accept it. Yet those characters are largely underserved (Erica particularly, Una and La’an have their moments, but it never feels like enough).

Anyway, this is all a bit of a ramble but really the true winner is Lower Decks, which sometimes does have Federation threat level stakes but more often keeps the stakes nice and low, doesn’t rely on killing off characters for drama but when it does and brings them back a few episodes later manages to make a joke out of it, and none of the characters have plot armor except that it’s a cartoon and of course it will most likely return to the status quo the next episode.

#star trek discovery #star trek strange new worlds #star trek lower decks

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thesapphictimelady · 2 months

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Ad Astra Per Aspera Chapter 3

Word count: 1.8 K

TW: Domestic abuse and verbal abuse

A/N: This chapter is a bit heavier than the previous two and we hear a little more about Cassiopeia’s previous relationship. If you or someone you love is affected by domestic violence, know that you are not alone and there are resources out there for you. As always, comments are appreciated! If you want me to continue this series, please let me know! Happy reading!

“Melissa what is happening?” Barbara asked quietly, “The poor girl looks awful.”

“I told ya Barb, she went home sick yesterday.”

“Melissa Schemmenti, I know there’s something more going on. Now tell me, how can I help Cassiopeia?”

Melissa sighed and set the apple back on Barb’s desk, “I can’t tell you.”

“Can’t? Or won’t?”

“I can’t tell you because I don’t know very much and what I do know, I don’t think she wants me to tell you. She only told me because…”

“Because?”

“I’m sorry, Barb, I really can’t tell you. It’s up to her. I won’t talk without her permission.”

“Tell me this then,” Barb said, setting down the fan she had gotten from Ava’s office, “Is she safe?”

“Safe? ‘Course she’s safe!”

Barb pursed her lips and crossed her arms.

“Ms. Schemmenti,” Ava’s voice boomed over the intercom, “Please report to my office”

“What could she possibly want?” Melissa grumbled.

“Go, I’ll take this to Cassiopeia.”

When Barbara entered the classroom, Cassie was curled up on a beanbag chair in the back of the classroom. The older teacher plugged in the fan and then dragged a chair over to where Cassie was sitting. She gently brushed a strand of hair off the young girls forehead.

“How are you feeling, Cassiopeia?”

“I’m fine, Mrs. Howard, really I am. I just didn’t sleep very well last night.”

“Honey, that shouldn’t make you dizzy like this.”

“I didn’t sleep very well…and I had a bit too much to drink? Ms Schemmenti came over last night and gave me some aspirin but I’m just…”

“Melissa was at your house last night? That can’t be right because she was with Gerald and I until 10,”

“She came around 2 this morning.”

Barbara was quiet for a few minutes as she thought about this information. Melissa had seemed quieter than normal and visibly recoiled at the mention of Joe.

“Is there something going on between the two of you?” Barb asked slowly.

“No! No, Mrs. Howard, I just met her yesterday!”

“You talkin about me?” Melissa asked, tossing Cassie another bottle of gatorade.

“What did Ava need?” Barb said, quickly changing the subject.

Melissa rolled her eyes, “Wanted to see if I had any guys who can install a hot tub in one of the supply closets. How ya feelin kid?”

“I really am fine, you two don’t have to fuss over me,” Cassiopeia said, taking a sip of gatorade, “I feel much better now.”

The older teachers exchanged a meaningful look.

“Alright,” Barbara said, “Well I will see you two at lunch. Cassiopeia, please rest. Can’t have you passing out during whatever…delightful activity Janine has planned for us.”

“Thank you, Mrs. Howard,” Cassie said, smiling softly.

“Of course,” Barbara said, closing the classroom door behind her.

“We got like 20 minutes,” Melissa said, “why don’t you take a nap?”

“I really am fine, Ms. Schemmenti,” Cassiopeia insisted, “I don’t need to take a nap. I’ll do some more grading or I can do some of your prep if you want?”

“You can do some grading but you stay right there.”

The redhead grabbed a stack of papers, a red pen, and Cassie’s phone and brought them over to the beanbag. As she was handing everything over, the name Jenny flashed across the screen and Melissa froze.

“Kid,” she said slowly, “Is everything okay?”

“What do you mean? Of course it is,” Cassie took everything out of Melissa’s hand and her face paled slightly after seeing her screen but she quickly pasted a smile onto her face, “Let’s get to work! We only have 20 minutes!”

Cassiopeia waited until Melissa was sitting at her desk and working on her own grading before she checked her phone.

Jenny:

“I miss you”

“Look, I’m really sorry.”

“Cass please can we talk.”

“Stop punishing me for something I didn’t do!”

Cassiopeia bit her lip, tears starting to fill her eyes.

Cassiopeia:

“I told you I’m done. Stop texting me!”

Jenny:

“Baby please, I’m sorry, it won’t happen again!”

Cassie sniffled and glanced towards the desk. Melissa was still hunched over the papers, her glasses perched on her nose. She took a deep breath and blocked Jenny. Picking up her pen, she got back to work grading her math tests. A few minutes later, her phone buzzed.

Unknown number:

“I can’t believe you blocked me.”

“You bitch.”

“You’re nothing without me.”

“No one could ever love you.”

“You’re nothing.”

Cassie let out a shaky breath and put her head between her knees as the room began to spin.

“New kid?” Melissa said, sounding alarmed, “Cassiopeia, what’s going on?” the redhead was at her side in no time, “Hon, can I touch you?”

Cassie nodded and Melissa put an arm around her, rubbing her back gently, “Just breathe. You’re okay. Breathe. You’re safe. I’m here.”

Cassie took the water that the older woman was pushing into her hand and held it against her forehead. She coughed a couple times, trying to catch her breath and Melissa continued to rub her back and whisper in her ear.

“I-I’m okay now, Ms. Schemmenti,” she said shakily.

“Are ya sure hon? You’re shakin like a leaf.”

“I’m okay. I’m sorry you had to see that.”

“Ya don’t need to apologize. But…Cassie, I think you need to talk about this.”

Somewhere in the back of her mind, the fact that Melissa was now using her name instead of ‘new kid’ registered. Cassie bit her lip and shook her head.

“I can’t talk about it, Ms. Schemmenti,”

The redhead pursed her lips, “I know you don’t know me all that well but whatever is going on, you need someone to help you,”

“I don’t need help. Where’s my phone?”

Melissa grabbed her phone from where it had slid under the beanbag and handed it to Cassie, “If you ever need to talk…”

“Thank you, Ms. Schemmenti, but I’m fine. I’m going to go to the bathroom.”

Once Cassie was in the bathroom, she pulled her phone out of her pocket to see almost a dozen missed calls from Jenny along with nearly twice as many texts.

Unknown number:

“You’re pathetic, Cassiopeia”

“You’re crazy.”

“You don’t know what you’ve done”

“You’ve wasted the last two years of my life”

“I never put my hands on you”

“And everyone here knows I did nothing wrong.”

“You should be ashamed of yourself for the lies you’ve told.”

“After everything I’ve done for you?”

“You’re too sensitive”

Cassiopeia’s eyes filled with tears again, blurring her vision as she braced herself against the sink, trying hard to take deep breaths. Her phone buzzed again and her stomach dropped but she looked down at the screen. She let out a sigh of relief when she saw the name on the screen.

Ms. Schemmenti:

“Hey, just checkin in on you. You okay?”

Cassiopeia:

“I’m on my way back to the classroom.”

She quickly splashed some water on her face and tucked her phone into her pocket before unlocking the bathroom door and heading back to the classroom.

“I-I think…that maybe I do want to talk about it” she said to Melissa.

Melissa looked up from her desk and gestured for her to close the door.

“What’s goin on? Barb is worried, I’m worried, please tell me.”

“Mrs. Howard is worried? What did you tell her?”

“Nothin kid. But she’s smart and she knows something’s up.”

Cassie fidgeted in the chair next to Melissa’s desk, “Remember yesterday when I…I told you guys that my ex wasn’t a good person?”

Melissa nodded, putting her glasses on top of her head and leaning forward to listen.

“I-I think you know what I meant by that. But she’s…well she started texting me again.”

Cassie unlocked her phone and slid it across the desk. The redhead pulled her glasses down again as she began to read the messages. Her eyebrows furrowed as she read and there was barely contained anger growing in her eyes.

“Cassiopeia, ya know none of this is true, right?”

“I-well…”

Melissa set a hand over Cassie’s, “Hon, this isn’t true. Okay? Have you told anyone else?”

Cassie shook her head, “No, all my friends were hers first and my family adores her. She’s right, none of them would believe me.”

“Can I get Barb? I won’t if you don’t want me to but…listen, I was married to someone who was…similar to Jenny. He…towards the end of our marriage, I had to spend some time with Barb and she helped me to unlearn some of the things he would say to me.”

Cassie bit her lip and nodded, “If you think having her here will help me, she can come in.”

Melissa picked up her phone and tapped out a quick message. Moments later, Barbara entered the room and enveloped Cassie in a hug.

“I promise, Melissa didn’t tell me anything,” she said, “I just recognized some of the signs. And I’m here for you for whatever you need.”

Cassie nodded into Barb’s shoulder and hugged her tightly, breathing in her perfume. When she finally let go, Melissa slid the phone to Barb. As she read through the messages, her face fell, a deep sadness filling her face.

“Oh, sweetheart, none of this is true, you do know that right?”

“You can show her,” Melissa whispered, gesturing towards Cassie’s sweater.

Cassie slowly shrugged off her sweater, revealing the yellowing bruises on her wrists and Barbara gasped, her eyes filling with tears. Gently, she reached out and grabbed the young woman’s hands.

“Did she do this to you?”

Cassie nodded, tears beginning to fall. Barbara looked over at Melissa, who nodded, anger starting to slip through her calm exterior.

“Cassiopeia, have you told anyone?”

Melissa cut in before Cassie could respond, “She can’t. She doesn’t think anyone would believe her.”

“We believe you, sweetheart. We believe you. You aren’t alone. We’re here for you.”

Cassie let out a sob and Barbara gathered her into a hug, pressing a soft kiss to her temple.

Melissa picked up Cassie’s phone, quickly writing down the number Jenny had been using and tucking it into her pocket for later. Then she produced a box of tissues from a desk drawer and passed it to Barb.

“Barb’s right, ya aren’t alone kid. And we’ll do whatever you need us to.”

Cassiopeia sniffled and nodded, blowing her nose.

“Attention teachers,” Ava’s voice boomed, “Please report to the gym for lunch and…Janine do we HAVE to do this ‘team building’?”

“Yes, Ava,” Janine said, her voice quieter than Ava’s, but still loud enough for everyone to hear, “It’s important. Now read the teams,”

“Fine!” Ava cleared her throat, “The first two teams for team building are Melissa, Barbara, and Princess Leia…”

“Cassiopeia,” Janine corrected, “It’s literally right in front of you.”

“Whatever Janine, it’s Melissa, Barbara, and Peia. Team two is Jacob, Gregory, and Mr. Morton. We’ll see you in the gym.”

The intercom clicked off and Melissa sighed, “Guess we gotta head to the gym now. You gonna be okay for this? I can take ya home.”

“No, I’ll be fine. Let’s just go.”

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