#something in the field for them this time XD

[wickedwritingswickedgame]

[COMFORT] M'gann to James

He couldn't hear her. That's the first thing he realized, as the sky and the earth lit up around him in near-blinding lights. He couldn't see her, either, not clearly, and shit if that didn't scare him. It's the explosion, he told himself, searching her eyes with his bright yellow ones. It's too loud, too close, that's why you can't--

M'Gann reached for him and James didn't hesitate, following her lead and taking comfort when long red hair, now a mess of dirt and sweat, brushed against his cheek. Even without hearing her voice, even with the fog inside his head that kept ringing and ringing and ringing--James knew they were safe. She was safe. At least, right now.

#something in the field for them this time XD #ship: my favorite martian #missgreentelepath #jamesdarkholmealternate

[cuubism]

I really like how you humanize Desire and give them a personality beyond Evil and Horny, but there’s something I always think about with them… of course they’re heavily tied to lust, what with their… everything. But in my experience, the thing people really talk about with desire is FOOD. I mean, how often is “guilty pleasure” about something to eat? We say junk food and little treat and craving and cheat day and all these things that ultimately boil down to food as a DESIRE, as a want.

I think Desire LOVES to eat. It’s 3 am where’s Desire? Oh they’re at the drive-thru and they just ordered one hundred chicken nuggets. What are they doing today? Oh they’re at the sushi buffet steadily depleting the ocean via tuna nigiri. When they say they could go for some ribs they’re going to eat an entire cow’s worth, with sauce, and maybe gnaw on the bones too. Those Instagram milkshakes with a pile of cream and a slice of cake and maybe some donuts threaded on the straw? Yea that was them. They had a craving, okay? Actually every “trendy” food that’s some kind of cheese-carb-hot Cheeto-meat-sauce-calorie bomb is probably their doing. They’re not DIET of the endless, okay? They get hungry.

Like yea Desire is hot and sexy. They also do things to cheeseburgers that would give the Corinthian nightmares. Probably inspired some of the Corinthian’s dietary habits, frankly. Dream saw Desire turn an entire field’s worth of watermelon to pulp on a warm summer day and was like “that’s the scariest shit I’ve ever seen. I’m making a guy about it”.

omg i love this SO much 😂 such a fun take on desire's power. yeah they would love food and all such indulgences. life's all about hunger, right?

i feel it's something desire and despair could bond over. despair's depression-binging a family size bag of m&ms meanwhile desire is dumping a whole bag of cheetos in their mouth just being like 'fuck yeah i love cheetos'

it's really no wonder every time dream's in the waking he's like 'i'm not hungry...' man's witnessed the horrors (super-mega-big gulp soda at 7-11) XD he's staying far away from that

this is so fun i'll incorporate it into my headcanons

#'that's the scariest shit i've ever seen i'm making a guy about it' 😂 #desire of the endless #ask #anonymous

[drawnfamiliarfaces]

Would Jenny allow Danny to tinker with her? I know robotics isn’t exactly the same as aerospace engineering (and I do be headcanoning that my boy chose this as his major since he wants to be an astronaut), but with all the experience he had from handling his parents inventions I believe he can be trusted with fixing something as complex as a robot. I like to think that Danny was really impressed with how Jenny was made and secretly wanted to take a look at how she works, but was too shy to ask because he knows how it’s like to be treated like an object and not a person (with the whole “ghosts are non-sentient globs of ectoplasm with post-human consciousness” spiel he heard so many times) and didn’t want to make Jenny uncomfortable. I believe it took Jenny some time and getting to know Danny and his engineering skills before she let him fix her when she got something badly broken. It was like a show of ultimate trust from Jenny’s side and Danny was flattered, humbled and very respectful. And super careful of course, constantly asking how Jenny’s doing or feeling while he tinkered, mindful of her. I bet she was touched.

Not gonna lie, this is one of the more fascinating asks I got - if only because its incredibly interesting to read about your take/interpretation of Danny & Jenny's relationship! I hope you don't mind me saying, but it feels like you adore both characters and it's very cute!

Well, now, in HoM AU, both Danny and Jenny are close friends and indeed Danny is one of the few people who Jenny trusts with - well, herself - her mechanical self. Like you, I headcanon Danny as quite mechanicaly gifted - in HoM AU he actually graduated college/uni with engineering degree, so he got education to polish his raw skills! He is one of the first people who would help Jenny in and out of the field, if there is a minor malfunction or an injury of some sort!

But even for that to happen it took a couple of years and a few adventures together.

So to answer the original question, I would have to say that in HoM AU specifically, neither Danny would ask to 'tinker' with her, nor Jenny would probably be totally comfortable with that question if asked. 'Tinkering' would imply a degree of casual poking around, and in this case, both Danny and Jenny have certain life experiences that gave them... boundaries when it comes to their own and others' autonomy. Jenny especially.

(a bit of random background info dump here to explain the reasoning, but feel free to ignore it, since i basically answered the ask xD i just got bitten by a writing bunny, so its gotten a bit long - be warned!)

When Jenny was younger and only just acclimatizing herself with human world and amongst teenagers, she was rather blaze at times with how much access to her body she gave to her human friends and acquaintances.

After all, her mother was rather frank about it - often poking around in Jenny's mechanics and code. But it was her mother, who created her (sort of 'why are you covering yourself, i made you i already know what you have' mother attitude, which is a bit over-controlling and invasive to other's autonomy, but well, Jenny is a robot after all) and it a completely different deal from others.

So, despite her mother's warnings there are instances when Jenny was not very careful. Like when she allowed Brad, Tuck and Sheldon to literally remove and rip out her stuff in pursuit of fashion goals. Or when she dropped her guard around Todd Sweeney and got reprogrammed for her good deed.

And during the events of the last episode, she was once again controlled, by Dr Locus. While not exactly her fault, it still left a lasting impression that any mechanically gifted person could be dangerous to her.

Now, this is where we venture into my personal headcanons for MLAATR that are tied into HoM-verse:

Another aspect of Jenny's developed caution to giving access to her body - is the fact that she is not considered as a real person in the eye of the government/world. She is a thing, a weapon created by Dr. Walkman. She does not have the same rights as a human, and on paper she does not even have rights to her own body. It's all patented Nora Wakeman technology, (secretly) founded by the government.

And she has been fighting it ever since she was a teenager and refused to be called an IT - XJ-9 - and became a HER, a teenage girl Jenny, who also just happens to be a robot.

At first it started as a simple teenage rebellion and she went to school and started to hang out with other kids, but what about later after she graduates? Will she be even allowed to? Sure, maybe her school will give her a diploma, but how legal will it be to give something like that to someone who is legally not a real person? After all, its not like when other kids will turn 18 and can be their own people, not under the legal control of their parents. Jenny is her mother's property, intellectual and physical. For her to be considered a real person in the eye of government, it would require a law being passed about recognizing sentience of Artificial Intelligence.

And sure, she could probably be made an exception, being a hero robot and all, but the problem is, she is not the only human-made robot in existence! What about her sisters, who are prototypes and are not as developed as her? Her brother, who seemed to develop sentiency to the point of turning on humans?? Melody and Killgore?? And its not only in her world (cartoon), but in others (since its a crossover). So the question about AI/Robot sentience, no matter if they are good or bad or how developed they are, would not concern only her, it would be a global debate.

And we all know how the governments of the world would feel about passing laws about sentience of artificial beings that were created to serve the human race. It would be a struggle one way or another.

So, as she grows up and sees the world refusing to aknowledge her as a person, she doesnt have legal rights to finish school and go to college, to get a job, to get married, heck she cant even have a legal documentation that doesnt says 'Dr. Wakeman's creation'. The government says: your body belongs to us, because we paid for Dr. Wakeman to make you - you belong to us, we control you.

That, on top of several unpleasant experiences with other people disregarding her autonomy, will equal to Jenny trying to get some sense of that control back. So she starts to be more cautious about how much access others have to her physical self; she starts to build and reinforce boundaries with other people, starting with her family and friends.

It was one of the darkest days in Sheldon's life, when Jenny started to firmly say 'no' to whenever he asked her about her inner workings and casual access for poking around. xD Tuck was not a happy camper either, that his favorite robot friend became very stingy with all the cool stuff. But Brad got it. And after gentle (and sometimes not) reminders, others became more understanding.

It was a little harder with her mother. Dr. Wakeman truly loved her daughter, but she was a scientist first and mother second. She was so used to casual access to Jenny, in order to keep maitanance that it was hard for her to break the habits. Its still a constant struggle, but she has gotten so much better.

Now, when it came to her new friends amongst HoMies, she already has built a set of boundaries that allowed her to feel more secure as a person, despite how the world sees her, but she is much more reserved to opening herself up to others, at least compared to how she first approached people when she was younger.

It took a few missions and getting to know them better, for her to start trusting with them with her mechanical self. But now a few years later, she feels comfortable enough with most of them to give her a helping hand when needed!

Of course not everyone are capable of helping her though: Danny, Kim and Zak are three of more mechanically oriented people who can help. Though Danny is the one with actual education in that field, while Kim and Zak learned more by necessity, from Kim's various jobs and Zak to operate the Saturday's equipments.

When Rex joined them, he actually became the second best person for her to come to if she needed help. Not only because he has unprecedent skills in mechanics, but also because of his nanites. (but thats info dump for another time, lol)

Jun has some basic knowledge in mechanics, but nowhere near enough for her to feel comfortable poking in Jenny's insides. Jake is perhaps the least capable of helping, when it comes to engineering, followed by newbie Randy (tho we really aint counting him tbh xD).

Ben is a complicated situation - he has some training and knowledge in engineering and robotics because of his Plumber training, but Jenny has heard horror tales from Gwen about how he treats his stuff (the whole hacking/playing with Omnitrix settings), so she flat out refuses for Ben to touch her. However in emergency/battle situation she would allow Ben to use one of his aliens to do so (like, Grey Matter or Upgrade).

So, we talked about Jenny's experiences and why they would contribute to her feeling uncomfortable if someone asked to 'tinker' with her.

Now, let's talk about why Danny would not ask to 'tinker' with her in the first place.

Like you said, Danny is all to familiar with the struggle of being part of something tat is hardly recognized as a sentient species - he had to listen to his parents dismiss ghost sentience most of his younger life. Of course, they have gotten much better since the... 'finale' of DP, but this sort of racism? xenophobia? (im not rally sure which term to use tbh) prejudice against ghosts would have left a lasting impression on Danny.

So I dont remember if I ever implied it, but in HoM AU - events of DP finale happened very differently and the resulting consequences of it diverged a lot from Mr ButtHurtman's 'canon'.

(Also, I had ideas about it, before a Glitch In Time came out, so events from there were not taken into consideration. )

I don't want to reveal much, because it is kinda one of my planned flashback for HoM, but the events that happened reinforced Danny's ... well lets say regard of people's autonomy? It's kind of hard to put into words.

Ok, let's explain it like this: Danny would not ask Jenny if he could look at how she worked and if he could tinker with her, because it would be like if his Mom and Dad casually asked if they could perform a vivisection on him to see how different he is from a full human.

And while sure, the comparison might sound a bit extreme, since there is a difference when it comes to robots and humans about 'poking around' in their innards. But to Danny - it would be too close of a comparison - because of the whole 'recognition of sentience' thing.

After all, wasn't it just some years ago, his parents cried that ghost are nothing more than lump of malicious energy that have no feelings? They changed their mind after Danny's reveal, which allowed them to actually listen and look into evidence proving otherwise and learn. And here is Jenny, struggling to be recognized as a person, since she is considered nothing more than a lump of metal with no feelings - just a weapon to be pointed in a certain direction.

And Danny would feel like asking Jenny if he could casually poke inside her, is a bit... hypocritical? And not to mention insenstitive. After all, he knows how she feels - she is basically still living his worst imagined life in some ways.

So, I don't think he will ever ask to study how she works by casually poking inside her.

HOWEVER -

At some point, after they became friends, Danny would feel like he should know at least some basics on how Jenny works, just so he could help her in an emergency.

I imagine it happened after a particularly rough mission, and Danny had to help Jenny back home since she was unable to do so herself, so Dr. Wakeman could fix her. After some time thinking, he would sit in front of both Nora and Jenny and ask them for permission if he could learn how Jenny works - from Nora.

After all, Danny does not need to poke inside Jenny to learn how she functions, when there is her mother right there - the creator, the maintanance and doctor all in one package, with access to blueprints and all intricate knowledge, who can evaluate what Danny needs to know in accordance to his passable engineering skills. She could teach him the basics - but of course not without Jenny's permission.

So he asks her, if he could learn, because he is tired of looking how she gets hurt along with them, but unlike most of them she can not be easily fixed with bandages and some time. And Danny, since he is one of the few of them who has the skills, would like to be actually able to help her with those skills. But it is her body - it is her choice, to trust him or not.

And Jenny would be speechless. It would be the first time someone asked her like that. Not even Kim, who is one of her closest friends, asked before (but mostly because Kim was perfectly aware that she is nowhere skilled enough to even think about it).

And you would be right. It would be a show of ultimate trust from Jenny, to agree for Danny to learn. And maybe at some point, simply learning, turned into more on hands learning in some small ways. And Jenny's trust was never betrayed, and Danny always stayed humbled and aware of that.

so, i hope the answer was satisfying, or at least entertaining for you! thank you again, your ask was delightful to read and allowed me to explore some of my own backstory parts for HoM a little bit more!

#que? #hom au #hom au q&a #danny fenton #jenny xj9 #long post #i do apologize for length. im not even sure how coherent my ramblings are but i do hope it was fun to read at least lol

[timmyrx2000]

Pacifica's Moment of Truth

Pacifica makes a bold move and faces off against one of her coaches, Mabel! Art by @stephreynaart

Part of my Gravity Falls Baseball AU continuity

Pacifica's come a long way in her baseball training, from reluctantly joining Dipper and Mabel in a few pitches and hits, to actually realizing she loves playing the sport which has brought her closer to her new (and real) friends! But despite this, Pacifica still feels like she's lacking something. She enjoys baseball, not just with her friends, but playing the sport itself, but she can't shake off the feeling that she's not living up to their standard. Despite her love for the game, she still feels she's falling behind and that she struggles to keep up with the gang. Pacifica's all too familiar with the feeling of failure and disappointment, its what her mom and dad used to force her to be #1 at mini-golf. To her, if she's not #1, she's a failure and a disappointment to everyone around her who've supported her.

Pacifica knows that Dipper, Mabel, and Wendy are far from being the jerks that her parents were to her but she feels she's failing herself. Despite her love for the game, she can't help feel like she's a failure despite how much progress she's made. She thinks Dipper, Mabel, and Wendy are just being kind to her. She feels that they've given her all the support they have but she isn't living up to their expectations and she thinks she's a disappointment to them, which couldn't be farther from the truth.

Pacifica struggles with these thoughts until one day she couldn't take it anymore. She wasn't going to live in fear of her parents before, now she wasn't going to let herself live in fear of herself. On a warm sunny afternoon on the baseball field, as they took a breather from their practice, Pacifica decides to take the risk and ask Mabel, her assistant coach, to give her a challenge: to bat against Mabel without her holding back. Mabel already suspected that Pacifica had thoughts like this running through her head but she knows Pacifica's already got it in her to face off the best Mabel can dish out. But desperate to make sure Mabel doesn't compromise, she even makes her promise, no hands behind her back. Mabel pulls off her mitt and pinky promises on one hand while keeping the other one in Pacifica's view. Poor Dipper, however, gets dragged by the girls to play catcher despite being completely new to learning how to play as catcher. So secretly, Dipper really is hoping Pacifica knocks this challenge right out of the park...literally.

Dipper, reluctantly, gears up in his catcher's gear while Pacifica slips on her batting helmet and gloves. Dipper reassures her she's got this... and if she can please make sure she's got it so he doesn't have to worry about actually playing catcher. Its a light hearted moment that gets a laugh from Pacifica and the 2 head out to get in positions.

Mabel eyes Pacifica from the mound and Pacifica psyches herself out. Mabel sticks out her pinky before she pitches reminding Pacifica she wont go back on her pinky promise. With that, Mabel winds up, takes her stride and pitches. A nervous Dipper readies his mitt. Pacifica's eyes narrow, she swings with everything she's got and fixates on the ball as it comes in. Time slows down then... CRACK. Pacifica hits a beautiful line drive out to center field stunning herself at the plate while Mabel is ecstatically cheering on the mound. Pacifica did it! She's proven herself that she does belong with her friends on the diamond and nothing's gonna stop her.

With a sly grin on her face, Mabel turns back to the plate and asks Pacifica "Another one?". Pacifica returns the sly smirk fixing her helmet, tightening her batting gloves, and putting up her bat and just says "...Batter up!".

...Poor Dipper really hoped this was going to be a 1 pitch gig XD

#baseball #gravity falls #gf #mabel pines #sports #gravity falls fanfiction #athlete #baseball player #baseball uniform #mabel #pacifica #pacifica northwest #baseball players #baseball au #batter #batter up #dipper #dipper pines #gravity falls dipper #dipper and mabel #gf dipper #pines twins #gf fandom #gf art #play ball

[d34dlysinner]

(For now I'll keep it with just the 4 kings XD maybe I'll make a part 2 with different characters in the future)

Satan just felt pure rage as this scene flashed before his eyes. The rage was definitely enough for the inhabitants of Gehenna to feel their kings wrath, no matter where they were.

It somewhat fueled all of them as this influence started to make them more aggressive to the point where they could ignore the pain.

Satan ran to your side and demanded a group to keep you safe and to carry you as he made way to the nearby hospital. He never left your side at this time. He knew that you needed him.

To Mammon you're his most prized possession and this man has no trouble feeling rage, whenever something that's his, is broken. So imagine you laying on the floor clutching yourself in pain as all he could think about was to protect and shield you. Him and his subordinates may have failed to completely shield you from all the attacks, but he definitely won't make a mistake to kill every angel on that field that moment. He easily carried you as he made his way to the nearest makeshift hospital. He promised to keep you safe. And he'll do that before he dies.

Leviathan's rage when he saw you, the esteemed guest laying down on your back in pain was indescribable. It almost was on par with Satan's wrath. The demons of Hades just knew that when the battle is over they will be punished. They atleast had some time to mentally prepare. Leviathan ran towards you as he lifted you and commanded other to keep both you and him safe as he brings you to the hospital. "Don't you dare die on me now.", was all he said to you as he ran for shelter.

Beelzebub felt disappointed in himself when he heard you. He and the nobles of Abyssos wasted no time in shielding you and getting you out of there.

Beelzebub did feel anger. But his fear and sadness somewhat overpowered the rage as all he could do was to blame himself for always wandering. He soon after wondered how you had such a grasp on his heart.

#whb #what in hell is bad #what in “hell” is bad? #whb asks #whb beel #whb satan #whb leviathan #whb mammon

[clockwayswrites]

A Broken Sort of Normal (Start)

WC: 588 CW: (updating as the fic continues), Gen but ships may be added Danny Fenton/Wally West pre-relationship, Canon-Typical Violence, Blood, Major Injury, Minor Character Death

They were going to lose.

It's a simple, unavoidable fact and it hits Danny like one of Superman’s punches. He fumbles in his attempt to triage Barry’s leg before the limb was lost.

The man standing in the middle of the ruins of Metropolis would win. He and his army of hive mind clones would sweep across the rest of the planet. Humanity would fall.

They were going to lose.

He finishes tying off the field tourniquet, not sure how he manages, not with his hand slick with Barry’s blood. Something of his thoughts must be showing on his face because Barry reaches out and grips a weak hand around Danny’s wrist.

“Kid?”

It was still a stupid nickname. Danny hadn’t been a kid since before joined up with the Justice League as a field medic four years ago. But Danny was the same age as Wally and many of the other Teen Titans— all long grown out of that name— and so he got lumped in as ‘kid’ to the more senior heroes.

And now all these wonderful, heroic, brave people that Danny had come to be friends with were going to die. The monologue happening in the middle of the street made that much clear. No hero would be left alive; any chance of a future uprising would be snuffed out this very day.

Because they were going to lose.

Danny smiles softly at Barry and pries his hand away.

“Kid, whatever you’re thinking—” Barry could have no idea what Danny was thinking. No one could.

No one could, because no one knew what Danny could do.

Danny had played to the curse perfectly for seven years. A curse set on him in a stupid moment of one last teenage angst fueled vent. He had just wanted to be normal.

Sam and Tucker were going off to college. Danny wasn’t, not with his grades. Jazz was practically waiting for her girlfriend to propose. Danny couldn’t imagine even dating with his secrets. Jack and Maddie had a new contract with the GIW. Danny had stopped trying to reason with them.

Everyone else was moving on with their lives while Danny was stuck half dead. A freak of nature. A man out of life yet still living. A walking corpse.

He just wished he was normal.

He’d forgotten that he shouldn’t wish.

A wish is only a curse waiting to happen.

Well, he got it— his wish that was a curse. As long as Danny never used his powers in any noticeable way he would just be seen as a regular kid to the rest of the world— just plain, normal Danny Fenton. If he got caught using them even once— if he got caught being not normal, his powers would be gone, taken by the curse. Without his powers keeping his core humming happily along and sustaining his half dead body, Danny would be gone.

Danny had forgotten he shouldn’t wish.

But he did.

And suddenly, just like that, to everyone else, Danny was normal— no ghost attacks to fight, no GIW hunting him, no Team Phantom.

Sam and Tucker drifted quickly away without the team to bond them. Jazz checked in less and less— no need to worry about her little brother being shot. Jack and Maddie… well, they stopped having a reason to talk with him too. They had to prove the existence of ghosts! There was no time for… well, someone as normal as Danny.

Normal turned out not to be so great.

-----

AN: I got sent the the field medic prompt going around, for some reason? (there was no comment sent with it). It's a cute idea with some fun responses, but not really my jam to write. I'm not much into exploring ageless immortal, dimension hopping Danny in my own work. I have more of a weakness for exploring what makes Danny still human. And, as @mokulule pointed out: "I see you mentioning no angst XD".

(Have you all caught on yet that I like my angst?)

So of course I had to ask if I were to write field medic Danny, how would I get him there? And how would I hurt him once he was there? So I threw out all of the prompt and I bounced it around with Moku, her prodding me along with great questions and thoughts, and now here we are.

Because apparently my brain didn't want to warm up on one of my current ideas. This will be a one shot so help me-

(BTW: While in the very vaguest sense this started with a prompt, the above writing is not a prompt. This will be finished, it's 99% planned out already, just needs the writing.)

#dp x dc #abson #Danny Fenton/Wally West #quick death

[hello-vampire-kitty]

Servamp chapter 133 translation "One"

Read the chapter on MangaDex!

Oh boy, while this chapter doesn't have as much dialogue like the rest that I have to work on, I had some lines that gave me trouble, like you will see in the TL notes, so please look over them. Translation notes

Although it's trivial and I'll be going over something from an early chapter but hey, you'll see just how bad the English translation is, especially with the early volumes.

Some time ago I asked on Twitter if people recalled the nickname Kuro had for Sakuya, because I had the impression he had one for him in the early chapters, similar to how Kuro calls Misono "kisama-chan", which I translate as little bastard xD Kuro refers to Sakuya as 外ハネ "soto hane" which I translated simply as "curly hair", rather than "flipped hair" which is what you'll see if you google the term. I looked into the anime subs and it was translated as "side flare." I could have used that, but to quote Mahiru, "Simple is best" xD

IIn the official localization of the manga it's not even translated T_T

The 2nd and 3rd panel are poorly translated, like the "grungy" joker part, Kuro just calls him "joker" and that's where he also calls him "soto hane. Oh boy but the last two lines in the 3rd panel are soo bad. What Kuro said originally was "I don't think little bastard and him would get along", to which Mahiru replies "Little bastard...you mean Misono?!" Yeah, so it's quite different. Okay, so let's move on to the other notes I have for this chapter.

Tsubaki's last line had me like "What?" Hopefully I haven't misunderstood it. So, Tsubaki uses the word 貯蔵庫 which means storehouse which sounds weird...The way it's written in Japanese, his line could also be translated as "Put away the "prototype" used for storage", but that doesn't make sense, right? Also, I can't say if it's singular or plural regarding the word prototype. I used the plural only because he said "siblings", cause I think it refers to them. So yeah, it's weird, what does he mean regarding storage? We'll have to see if it's brought up in other chapters.

While most of the characters' abilities have two different readings to them, in this case, the furigana reading which is the intended reading is actually used to show the pronunciation of the kanji.

Tanaka-sensei used different kanji with the same pronunciation to spell the words "shura" that is written as 修羅 and "sousou" (funeral) which is written as 葬送 Shura (or Asura), has been brought up before by Tsubaki, but with another meaning, such as fighting; carnage.

Tsubaki's ability in Japanese is written as 朱羅葬想

修=朱

送=想

So instead of the usual kanji 修羅葬送 (shura sousou) in this case, the first and 4th kanji were replaced like I showed above, both having the same pronunciation and you can't exactly get a translation for the words, so I will just breakdown each kanji to see what they represent.

The first kanji 朱 means "red; vermilion; cinnabar; scarlet". This one is probably used to make a reference to blood in my opinion.

The fourth kanji 想 means "thoughts, emotions, feelings".

So yeah, written like this 朱羅葬想 it can't be translated and the kanji that were used are most likely meant to be representative for Tsubaki. That's my opinion.

He also says the word 迎え (mukae) which means "meeting; greeting; welcome". I can't say how it relates to "shura sousou", but I thought that maybe his ability has styles? Perhaps the "welcome" is one style like from what we see, he makes some kind of barrier and when he's attacked, he vanishes and appears behind Kuro Maybe he has other fighting styles used for close combat.

Oh my God, like maybe it sounds dumb but I legit didn't know how else I could adapt what Kuro says about the counter-attack, because there were hardly any examples of how some of the words in Japanese were used, like one of them was from what I gathered, a term used in sports that translates as "take the field first" and another one basically meant ""going second" and there was another example that basically meant "going second", then there was another word that I only found in a single example...It was awful.

Cleaning the speech bubble was tough and I think it looks decent.

As you might have seen, I added this page again at the end of the chapter on Mangadex to show the other reading of the ability, "Ashes to ashes, dust to dust" because I couldn't add it because there wasn't enough space in the speech bubble. So, when I looked up the word, it was interesting that Wiedergänger share similarities to strigoi from my country's folklore. I think others might have brought this up regarding inner Kuro, but the fact that he uses a stake to pierce himself and uses it as a weapon that takes the form of the thing that was used to kill Kuro, a stake is used to kill a strigoi to keep them in their coffins.

Regarding inner Kuro's last line, the intended reading is "let's talk" but the other reading says "let's fight".

Also, he uses the verb 引きこもる "hikikomoru" and when you make it into a noun, you get hikikomori which is how Kuro is described. I had to chose a word that would fit both character's lines, because I couldn't have inner Kuro says "hey come on, don't be a shut-in", "or "don't seclude yourself from me", it would have sounded weird.

I think it's clever how Tanaka used that specific verb instead of just saying something like "Hey, don't stand so far away" So yeah, hopefully my insights were helpful :)

#servamp #chapter 133 #my translation

[spinningwebsandtales]

Imagine Kafka Taking Care Of You At A Kaiju Cleanup Sight

Kafka Hibino X FemReader

Rating: T

Warnings: Kaiju gore, blood

Word Count: 1.3k

(A/N:) I have been so dang excited about the Kaiju No. 8 anime! I have read the manga since it came out and when they finally announced it getting an anime adaption, I freaked out. So yesterday was so awesome, I watched it three times! XD So I apologize for the fangirl I'm about to become and hopefully all the other Kaiju No. 8 fangirls can appreciate what I'm about to do! Until next time happy reading! ~Countess

You just knew your bosses hated you. It wasn't unusual for companies like Izumo Tech requesting specialists to go out in the field and oversee the kaiju cleanup crews. Only to make certain that they were receiving the best parts of the kaiju to create weapons, armor, and various forms of gear for the brave men and women who take the battles to the front line. But for some unfortunate reason you were the one being constantly sent out to supervise. It had to be done, even though the majority of the cleaning crews did their jobs right, but you'd be out of a job if you didn't go. This time you were to watch and take note of the Monster Sweep Inc. crew. The best of the business and always making sure they sent nothing but the parts Izumo requests. This wasn't the first time you had overseen this crew and you enjoyed being around them. What you didn't enjoy was dodging spurts of blood, or tripping over entrails, or squishing eyeball pieces under your shoes. The Defense Force always left a mess and it was the brave and iron stomached men and women of the cleaners.

Rubbing at your temples, fighting the oncoming headache, while your driver navigated the destroyed streets of the city. Your bag across your knees and the seatbelt strapped tight. You said a small prayer for the poor white shirt you unwittingly wore today. The car squealed to a stop as you couldn't go any further in the vehicle. Giving you a sorrowful smile, your driver let you out before backing out as fast as he could, leaving you alone in front of a giant bloody kaiju mess. Heaving a large sigh, the tainted coppery tang of kaiju blood filling your nostrils, you got to work.

"Hey Kafka," Masahide called to the dark haired male.

Kafka lifted his face shield wiping sweat from his forehead before heading to Toku's direction. Dread settled in the pit of his stomach, sensing he was being dragged into something else. He just hoped it wasn't entrail duty like the other times. But when Kafka saw you standing at Toku's side everything became clear, but it still didn't mean he was dodging entrail duty just yet.

"(Y/N) just got here. She's being assigned to your side since you're closer to the parts Izumo Tech are looking for."

You gave him a small wave, holding your bag tightly and standing as straight as could be. Making yourself as small as possible seemed like the safer option of keeping clean. You and Kafka knew each other pretty well by now as you had been on several scenes with him and the crew. You had become his charge every time you were on scene and it wasn't unusual for you both to go out for drinks and dinner afterwards. Majority of the time the other guys would join but sometimes you both were alone. So in Kafka's care you always felt safe as he tried his best not to splatter you with any kaiju fluids. Majority of cleaners didn't like you around, thinking that you were only here because the company thought they were doing their jobs wrong when it was the complete opposite. So it wasn't unusual for you to get doused in gore in an act of retaliation.

"Welcome back," Kafka said giving you a warm smile.

"Looks like you guys have your work cut out for you this time," you replied.

He sighed, shoulders sagging in defeat, "They keep upping our finish dates every time a kaiju is dispatched. They're really working us to the bone."

"Well if anyone can do it and handle it it's you guys," you offered him what little encouragement you could.

"Thanks." Kafka walked past you leaving you a little confused as he went to the company van. He tugged a large protective jacket from a bag on the floorboard before setting it on your shoulders. You gratefully slipped your arms inside and zipped it up to your chin. It swallowed you but you wouldn't complain.

"Thank you so much!"

Kafka blushed, "Didn't want your pretty shirt to get messed up."

"I didn't know I was coming out into the field until I came to work," you grumbled. "I would have dressed accordingly. Please continue like I'm not even here."

"I couldn't do that even if I tried," Kafka laughed. "Follow me. Some idle chat would do me some good."

Time passed by quickly as you and Kafka fell into easy chatter and before you both knew it lunch break was called. Majority of the time the smells of the dead kaiju killed your appetite but some form of luck came your way as the wind was right. Blowing the majority of the stench in the opposite direction. But still you couldn't do anything more than nibble on a few veggies you had packed in your bento. Kafka noticed you barely eating, so he dug around in his cooler. Tossing you a can, you caught it, barely.

"Ginger ale," he said at your confused glance. "It'll help settle your stomach. I carry them around just in case I'm on entrail duty. I also have some nausea pills somewhere too." He started to pat around in his pockets.

"No that's okay," you hurriedly grabbed his wrist. "This is more than enough thank you."

Sipping at the cold beverage and testing out a few bites of your lunch. You were able to finish most of it, but didn't push your luck as you had a couple more hours of staying on sight. The bark of the tree you leaned against, bit into your back. But you enjoyed the moment of just being able to take it easy. It was a rare thing to get to enjoy the slow pace of life. Between kaiju attacks, rushing around for work, and the fast pace of just life in general; you didn't find many times like this. Kafka, now finished with his lunch, leaned backwards cushioning his head with his hands. He breathed deep relaxing as the sun danced across his skin.

"Want to grab something later together," Kafka asked. His shoulders shaking as his nerves almost made him redact his question. You carefully slid your hand over, tugging at his sleeve, Kafka removed the hand you wanted from behind his head. You clasped his tightly in your grip, threading your fingers together causing him to stiffen. He knew he was sweaty and it only made his hand sweat worse and he didn't know how you felt about that. But you didn't let go.

"I would like that a lot," you replied. This time resting your head on his shoulder. "Thanks for taking care of me Kafka when I come here."

He gulped, "I enjoy it and want to make sure you're safe."

That had always been the thing. Nobody made you feel as safe as Kafka did. Accidents happened all the time at the sights of kaiju clean up and while it was dangerous for everyone involved. With Kafka you felt like at his side was the safest place that existed. Kafka squeezed your hand, closing his eyes and relishing in the touch of you. He would keep you safe no matter what. As he felt it as his duty as a man and friend. That is just who Kafka is deep down in his core. He squeezed your hand tighter resting his head on top of yours. Taking in the moment with you before you both got back to work. Yeah if you were by his side it was the safest place you could possibly be.

#Kafka Hibino X Reader #Kafka Hibino / Reader #Kafka Hibino #Kaiju No. 8 #Kafka Hibino Imagine #Kaiju No. 8 Imagine #Imagine #Not My Gif #My Writing

[factual-fantasy]

One why are you scared of horses and two do you mind if we show you art not fanart like stuff we drew ourselves just a general question?

People are always free to show me what ever artwork they happen to make! :0 I don't mind at all! :}

But if you're wanting to show your appreciation for me/my artwork, don't draw something specifically for that- comments/asks/reblogs are all I want please <:}

As for the horse thing.. you know what time it is?

✨FACTUAL'S RARE VAGUE STORYTIME!!✨

Ok so when I was very smol me and a friend of mine went out into a field that had one big black horse in it.

The horse was allll the way across the field just minding his own business so I figured he probably wouldn't bother us.

Now this field had a pond and a HUGE WALL of blackberries that divided the field in two. Me and my buddy wanted to go to the other side of the pond and explore.. but the literal only way to get there was to carefully trudge through this narrow path that was formed in the blackberry bush wall.

So up we went. Slooowly stepping through this narrow path.. stomping down the protruding spiny blackberry vines and carefully pushing them out of the way with our bare hands. I think we were wearing shorts and sneakers which just added to our slowness and carefulness.

Now picture this, we're almost at the top. There was probably about 2-3 meters left to go before we were finally through the blackberries.. then we hear..

We turn around and the black horse was running up the path towards us. Keep in mind that we were very small, and this very much larger than us, horse was not stopping. He was absolutely going to mow us over.

"thumpthumpthumpTHUMPTHUMPTHUMP"

We. freaked. out.

We scrambled as fast as we could up the rest of the path, tripping in the blackberries and getting cut, screaming all the way-

We made it through just in time and stood flat to the fence. The horse made it through right after us and then jumped around and kicked his feet in the air, nearly nailing my friend in the face.

After a moment the horse stops jumpin around and just kinda looks at us. My friend and I have jello legs and are scared out of our skin-

So for several hours, tiny me and my tiny friend slowly wandered around the space behind the pond. Blubbering and shaking the whole time. With this giant black horse just kinda following us around and sniffing us.

We were terrified of this horse, and we wanted to go back to the house asap- but the only way back was through that narrow spiny path. We didn't want to risk the horse chasing us again..

Eventually an adult came looking for us and was calling out our names. The horse got spooked by them and ran through the path and back out into the field. The adult came up and escorted us through the berries and back to the house.

So anyways, since that day I have learned that horses are way more scared of you than you are of them. All you gotta do is wave your arms around and scream and they'll run. But even so, I don't go out in the field without the scary adult or horse expert by my side. And I'll only feed or pet them through the fence. I am just forever spooked by horses <XD

We found out later that the horse was just playing. Seeing us and running up to greet us and to jump and play! Only for us to be completely spooked and not really engage with him. Causing the horse to kinda sniff us and follow us around like "?? :0 Play? Hm?? <:0 What happen? (Sniff sniff) We're having fun? Play..?? Why not look at me...? So slow..??🤨"

#my response

[lost-in-fiction-like-ur-mom]

I’d love to request a fic with a female reader and a angsty/comfort storyline with the Bad Batch.

For a broad storyline I was thinking something by along the lines of a female reader joining the Bad Batch (per Hunter’s idea) and Crosshair and/or Echo not being very happy about it. However they eventually they come around to having another girl in the group.❤️

Winning Approval

Clone Force 99 x Platonic!Reader

Summary- You felt as if you were living a purpose-less life, so when Hunter asks you to join his crew, you say yes! Not everyone on the force is as happy though... Takes place during and after Season 1, Ep. 2.

A/N- Thank you so much for requesting! I appreciate it so much, but I think I'm done writing platonic xD. This was sooo hard for me to write. I love the challenge, but i'm not sure how great my platonic writing skills are!

Word Count- 1,454

Growing up, helping people seemed natural. You remember discovering this when your old friend Kaiya fell and scratched her knee. It was second nature to dress her wound and comfort her. You were nine at the time.

Your mother enrolled you in medical classes as much as she could, you learned how to set bones, stitch holes, and treat infections. Amongst many other skills.

The city you lived in was soon taken over by the empire, but you found a way out before it was too late. That's where you found yourself- living with Suu and her husband Cut. The two had taken you in when they found out your home had been destroyed.

It didn't hurt when you found out you and Suu's parents knew each other in their youth.

When you had stumbled onto Hunter- he and his crew had set off a trap you had set in the fields. Your gun raised at him was lowered by Cut, claiming he knew them.

Things blurred together since then, everything moved so fast. Having to relocate away from the empire again was not something you fashioned. You were tired of running, and expressed your concerns.

Hunter initially suggested dropping you off at the planet of your choice, (a repayment for taking care of one of Omegas wounds).

Crash landing on a moon wasn't on anyone's roster, but it happened nonetheless. It did, however, give yourself an opportunity to prove yourself to them.

You helped Tech repair a part of the hyper-drive, earning his favor.

You shared your rations with Wrecker, earning his approval.

You played and entertained with Omega, earning her and Hunters trust.

Last was Echo. You wanted him to like you, as you enjoyed everyone's company. They were so kind to you, and didn't pay any mind to flaws. They knew themselves that they were defective- what was one more defect?

Maybe you were in over your head, would they really accept you as a member of their squad? They just met you a week ago. For all they knew you were an Empire spy... You couldn't deny that you wanted to stay though. You felt like you belonged- finally.

When Echo still avoided you like the plague and the ship was ready to fly again, you felt like you had run out of time. You sulked around the ship for awhile, waiting for Hunter to ask where you wanted to be dropped off.

That was until you noticed- he hadn't asked you. It had been hours and he had said nothing about you leaving.

This made you crack, anxiety like ice through your veins.

"Hunter, I mean this in the least selfish way possible. But, why haven't you asked where I wanted to go yet? What planet?" You thought you messed up when his face fell. He looked dissapointed?

"Well, we were hoping you would want to stay. We were going to formally ask, but Wrecker and Omega are still making the poster." He rubbed the pack of his neck and chuckled a little bit. "Would you like to join us? If not, that's completely understandable. Just name the planet and we will be headed there." He stated, making sure you knew you had options.

"R-really? You guys want me to join you?" You wanted to smack your head at how cliche you sounded. Though, you didn't have time to think on it, as Hunter started talking again.

"We don't have an official medic. While Tech possesses all the knowledge needed, he doesn't have a, uh how do I put it? A steady hand when it comes to medical means." He reasoned.

"You are more than capable as we've seen, and between Wrecker and Omega we need a medic- bad." You smiled at this. You felt a purpose. Someone needed you! You would be able to help your squad and civilians you came across on any journey.

Before you could respond, Omega and Wrecker barreled through the mid-section of the ship. Omega held a small banner in her hand, and Wrecker a large sheet of paper. It was full of colorful pictures, drawn by the two.

Your heart warmed at the effort they put in, all to make you feel welcomed.

"How could I say no? You guys have been so perfect to me, and I want to help you guys as much as I can." You smiled up at Hunter, he patted you on the shoulder. His way of officially letting you on the squad.

After that day, things started to move more smoothly. Yeah, you had some bad run-ins, almost got captured a few times, and had many near-death experiences. But, you were with your family through it all. The only problem was Echo.

Maybe 'problem' wasn't too nice of a word. Echo never did anything wrong. He just, never seemed to like your company. You guessed he didn't have to like you, not everyone would. Because of this, you pushed back your guilty feelings surrounding him. That was until you over-heard a conversation between him and Hunter.

"Something feels off about her." Echo told Hunter. You couldn't see either of them, and didn't want to expose your position by moving.

"Yeah, and what's that?"

"I can't place it. I don't understand how everyone can just accept her, no questions asked." Echo sounded confused.

"She's shown us many times that she can handle herself. Plus, Omega needs another female on the ship.'' Hunter defended you, but still wanted to hear Echos concerns.

"She's not a clone. She doesn't think like us!" Ah, so that's why he's been so put-off by you. It was because you weren't a clone. You assumed he was so used to clones, that of course you were an odd piece in their clone family.

You slowly moved back to your sleeping cot. You sunk down slowly. It wasn't your fault, really. You can't control where or how you were born. Thoughts surrounded you. Was it that obvious? Were you that different from them?

As much as you wanted to pack your bags and not burden anyone else, you decided to talk to Echo first.

After landing on a planet to resupply, you asked to speak to Echo alone.

"Uh, sure." He replied, skeptical. You both exited the ship, though keeping close.

"Echo, I didn't really know how to bring this up. I figured I should just get straight to the point?" You asked, not wanting to waste his time.

He nodded, looking straight to you.

"I overheard you and Hunter talking last rotation..." You nervously picked at a nail. He still stared, not wavering.

"I can't help that i'm not a clone. I'm not sorry either, but I do want to know what I can do. To gain your trust." You dropped your hand, eager for his response.

He licked his lips, thinking. "I'm sorry you heard that..."

"Echo, I don't care. I just- I want to be a part of this family..." You mustered out. Now or never!

This surprised him, "What are you talking about. You already are!"

He seemed, mad? Was he really that disgusted by 'normal' humans?

"I can't help that i'm not a clone!" You regrettably yelled, throwing you arms up.

"That doesn't matter, everyone accepts you anyways!" His words were strained, like he didn't want anyone to know.

"Why don't you?" You whispered.

He sighed and took a step back. "When I first joined force 99, it wasn't as easy."

You couldn't imagine what he was referring to. You knew he was a regular clone before joining Hunter, but what did that have to do with anything?

After seeing your confused look, he continued. "I wasn't born a defective clone, I became one. It took a lot of time to understand how to use this. But you fit in so easily." He gestured to his mechanical arm.

"I had no idea you felt that way... I wasn't trying to mean anything-" He cut you off.

"I know, and really, we do need a medic. I was just being resentful, I'm sorry."

"I'm not trying to take anyone's place. The team wouldn't be the same without you. Besides, Omega adores you, and I think Hunter will do whatever it takes to keep her happy." You laughed, he luckily gave out a chuckle as well.

"Thanks. I think It'll just take some time to get used to the difference." He said, honestly.

"I get that, just let me know if there's anything I can do... Ya know, to speed things up?" You smiled up at him. It was then that you knew everything would be fine. That you really had found your family, and nothing could take you from them.

A/N- Thank you so much for reading! I am sorry if this isn't what you had in mind! Feel free to send in another request if you would like a more specific plot! Again, sorry that my platonic writing skills aren't that sharp! Tags- (lmk if you want to be tagged as well!) @thethreeeyed-raven @knight-of-flowerss

#bad batch #fanfic #clone force 99 #star wars #star wars the bad batch #tbb #the bad batch #fem reader #tbb x reader #the bad batch fanfiction #platonic #platonic love #found family #family #how do i tag this #tbb omega #tbb s1 #tbb hunter #hunter #tbb echo #echo #tbb tech #sw tbb #tbb wrecker #tech

[stiltonbasket]

Hi, I love all your fics and adored the one with fem!Wei Wuxian who seems even more of a chaos goblin than her canon counterpart and tries to break apart her engagement to LWJ. Could we see some more of what of what happens after LWJ moves into the Burial Mounds, perhaps how Wen Qing realizes that this man is hopelessly in love with his oblivious fiancee and maybe tries to prod them together (bonus points for LWJ being so obvious Wen Ning, Granny and the rest of the Wens notice XD).

"They need a chaperone."

"They don't need a chaperone."

"They do," Popo insists, watching with enormous eyes as Lan Wangji glides up to Wei Wuxian and offers—for what must be the eleventh time that week—to take over her chores in the vegetable field, presumably so that Wei Wuxian can spend her time improving the wards around the Burial Mounds instead. "Oh, good heavens. I'm nearly eighty years old, and I've never seen a man looking at a maiden like that."

"Be that as it may," Wen Qing says doggedly, "they have no need of a chaperone. Wei Wuxian ended their engagement before she seceded from the Jiang clan, and neither she nor Hanguang-jun chose the betrothal to begin with."

"They don't need a chaperone because Wei-guniang doesn't know that Hanguang-jun is in love with her," Wen Ning mutters, from the grimy depths of the lotus pond at Wen Qing's right. "When Lan-zongzhu visited last week, he told me that Hanguang-jun cried like a baby after Wei-guniang refused to marry him. I think she likes him, too, but she doesn't seem affected at all."

Two tiny fingers pluck at Wen Qing's skirt, and she glances down to find Wen Yuan trying to stand on her shoes, grasping a fold of her gown in one hand and a grubby stuffed tiger in the other.

"What is it, A-Yuan?" she asks. "Are you hungry? Xian-jiejie will feed you in just a little while, so be patient until the congee finishes boiling."

"A-Yuan's not hungry," the little boy says, before putting Hu-shixiong's tail in his mouth. "But, jiejie—Lan-gege loves Xian-jie very much! Gege told A-Yuan!"

At this juncture, Wen Binbin materializes at Wen Qing's right with Uncles Three through Six trailing behind her.

"How long were they engaged, Qingqing?" she asks, in a conspiratorial whisper. "We never heard much news from the other sects in Dafan—but you and A-Ning went to school with them, so you must know something."

Wen Qing sighs.

"A-Xian's parents contracted the betrothal before they passed away," she replies, "but they didn't meet until the year Lan Wangji turned eleven."

Popo clasps her hands in delight. "Were they childhood friends, then?"

"Of a sort," Wen Qing acknowledges, frowning. "I once heard someone say that Hanguang-jun started sewing toy frogs for their future children when he was only a boy, but that can't possibly be true."

She feels another soft tug at her skirt. "Qing-jiejie, A-Yuan wants a frog."

"Hanguang-jun can make you one, Yuan'er. And the part about the frogs is true," A-Ning pipes up, tossing a seed-filled lotus pod to Wen Binbin. "She had one of them with her in the dungeon at Bu Ye Tian when I went to bring medicine to the prisoners during the indoctrination camp."

"Really?" Fourth Uncle gasps. "She carried Hanguang-jun's gifts all the way to Qishan, so that they could comfort her in her time of need?"

"Zewu-jun had better be thinking of a way to have the betrothal reinstated," Wen Qing says, crossing her arms in frustration. "Why did Wei Wuxian break it in the first place? Hanguang-jun would have honored the engagement no matter how the jianghu dared to slander her."

"I suppose that's why," Wen Ning says morosely. "She's afraid that Hanguang-jun will stand by her, no matter what she does—"

"A foolish thing to be frightened of, if you ask me," Wen Binbin mutters. "There are worse things in the world than a devoted husband."

"—and that he might suffer for it. It's difficult to tell, but she loves him just as much as he loves her."

At this, A-Yuan beams like a miniature sun and toddles over to the edge of the pond.

"Really, Ning-shushu?" he asks, enchanted. "Can Jiejie have a wedding?"

"I suppose she can, if Hanguang-jun asks for her hand in marriage again."

Fifth Uncle nods and strokes his chin. "But how can he muster up the courage to ask if Wei-guniang treats him so coldly?"

"I saw her sneaking a second helping of chicken into his porridge the other day," Liu-shu mutters. "If that is a cold woman, Langdan, then I've never met a tender-hearted one."

At this juncture, Wei Wuxian and Lan Wangji bow to one another and go their separate ways, having reached some kind of agreement about the wards and Wei Wuxian's daily chores. Wei Wuxian gathers up the powdered cinnabar she was sunning and retreats into the cave that serves as her workshop and bedchamber; and Lan Wangji goes off to fetch the laundry from the patch of grass by the potato field, where it had been hung up to dry early that morning.

The Wens disperse as well, not wishing to be caught gossiping in broad daylight by the very subject of their discussion. Popo takes Wen Yuan back to her little house for a bath, dragging A-Ning along with her; and Wen Qing dives into her little infirmary, leaving the door open a crack so that she can eavesdrop on the would-be couple if Lan Wangji seeks A-Xian out again.

And since Wei Wuxian and Hanguang-jun could not avoid one another if their lives depended on it, Wen Qing overhears them discussing the subject of A-Yuan's education less than a quarter-shichen later.

"After all of this is over, I suspect the Wens will be sent to the Cloud Recesses," Lan Wangji says quietly. "I do not think they would be at ease living in close proximity to Jiang-zongzhu, and Xiongzhang has set aside three living compounds for them close to his Hanshi. What is more, A-Yuan would be allowed all the privileges of an inner disciple if he were educated there—and he would not have to surrender his family name, either."

"You'd take him in as an inner disciple?" Wei Wuxian's voice is both louder and more indistinct than Hanguang-jun's, somehow, floating back to Wen Qing in bits and pieces as if it had passed through a veil of thick fog on the way. "I suppose that's for Popo and the others to decide if Zewu-jun has already made the offer, but what if the other disciples mistreat him? I won't stand for it, Lan Zhan."

"He will be my ward, since his parents have passed on: so that should be sufficient to keep him safe. And if you join the Wens in Gusu, Yuan'er will have your protection as well."

A moment's silence, and then:

"Do you mean to return to Lotus Pier when the Dafan clan is granted amnesty?" Hanguang-jun inquires, sounding positively heartbroken. "I—how will they go on without you, Wei Ying? A-Yuan scarcely leaves your side now that he is beginning to forget the horror of the camps, and Wen Ning—"

"I don't intend to go back to Yunmeng," Wei Wuxian says at length, after a pause that lasted the span of about seven perilously sluggish heartbeats. "My place is with the Wens now, I think. There should be someone at the Cloud Recesses who can guard them night and day, out of love for them and not under orders from you or Lan-zongzhu; so wherever they go, I will follow."

Though Wen Qing cannot see him, the soft, stricken pitch of Hanguang-jun's voice is proof that his heart had come very near to melting.

"En, that is good," he murmurs. "It is settled, then."

And with that, the two of them depart together, their footsteps fading away down the old dirt track that leads to Sishu's favorite apple grove.

They belong together, Wen Qing thinks fondly, before turning towards the heap of dried herbs awaiting her attention on her desk. And I pray that some day soon—Heaven willing—A-Xian will realize it, as well.

#wangxian #mo dao zu shi #mdzs #the untamed #fem!wwx au #my fic #@wangxian fandom here's a little something to tide you over until ao3 comes back online #also it's been almost a year since I last wrote for fem wwx au #pls reblog if you liked this hehe

[desultory-novice]

Noir's Field Trip - "Starting Out"

"...Thanks, you two."

-

Ahem! Following in the footsteps of several other Kirby OC contest peeps, you may send in asks for [Noir]!!

(...But I'm SUPER busy so it may take until May to respond! ^^;;)

[Notes/Rules About Asks:]

-I'm iffy on back-and-forth style dialogue-based RP, due to the complex interplay of pseudo-linearity in an amorphous situation plus my autistic-self often being unable to figure out what my RP partner is actually trying to say tone-wise or what they are thinking and then-I-answer-them-wrong-and-embarrass-myself...!!

NVMD SEND WHATEVER YOU WOULD LIKE XD

That and long post-chains make me a little nervous. ^^; Asks in the form of questions Noir can answer in-character are preferred.

(You may also ask me generic "What does your OC think/do when...?" style questions, such as those from THIS detailed OC ask meme!)

-You can also send an ask for Noir from your OC, if you'd like to find out how the troubled teenage boy would react to meeting them! (These may or may NOT(!!) come with art, depending on mood, time, and a variety of circumstances. Tourney OCs will generally get preference. If I AM inspired to draw said meeting, I may request additional information/clarification before going through with it.)

Again, I'm pretty autistic, so if you are going to go this route, it'll help if I have something more than "Hiya, Noir!" to work off of - else he'll just react to you the same way he does to Marx.

(Not that you can't go places from there! XD)

-You can also prod Noir about his traumas if you like! XD Note that asking for details about certain things (the "murders" on Shiver Star or his hatred of physical contact) may result in responses with TRIGGER WARNINGS, if I decide to answer them.

-Tournament!Noir is currently in his own similar but separate timeline from Mainline Apologies Noir. However, events during this contest MAY influence his fate and the fates of those he holds dearest!

-Noir's latent cross-dimension sight means that you can ask him about his various other timelines or Kirby games he was not alive for and probably get some pretty unique/funny/strange answers.

-I almost assuredly won't be able to get to every ask/comment. Some I may avoid answering due to complexity, uncomfortableness, them not fitting tournament!Noir's narrative, or me just not having any good ideas. Please don't take this personally.

-Lastly, please leave space between sending multiple asks. ^^

omg I'm so nervous about this. I want to draw lots, for me and for others (!) too if I can but I want to follow the flow of the tournament and not JUST go off on my own crazy thing, except that I'm not even completely familiar with what the rounds will be like?!

[Non-Ask Notes:]

-The flowers in the BG are the forget-me-nots that Adeleine drew for him on his birthday and that he received in this post. That post was also the inspiration for Tournament!Noir. (Although he retains the corruption + the collar here.)

PS: In addition the song that post is, you know, named for, Noir + the forget-me-nots also makes me think of the lyrics: "Since the day I met you, there's never ceased to be music in this hell of mine" from the opening to Sousei no Aquarion.

-This, and the tag name, was inspired by @Graycoin's comment "Noir gets to go on a field trip. I hope he has a good time : D " (then I saw Starflung had the same idea to send her OC off with a backpack! Haha! XD)

-The fish bone is a gift from Gooey. He's doing his best. Adeleine is also doing HER best. ("...A comb? Really?" "It's unbreakable!")

-As to the bento box, I'm not sure if I mentioned this before (?) but the Fontaine children are French-Japanese...on their mother's side.

-Why yes, that IS a cellphone in his backpack! I wonder who might call him...?

#Noir's Field Trip #Noir Fontaine #Kirby OC #Kirby OC tournament #I'm trying hard to include more refs + care in my art #Also testing out a style I might use for the DL3 arc~ #(What's that? Apologies getting a DL3 arc after all?!) #long post

[chubs-deuce]

Ok I just watched whole hazbin hotel show and I know what you mean about Charlie and Vaggie relationship

their have cute songs together but Vaggie to me personality wise hasn’t got that much of a personality compared to the others characters ?

I think the last 2 episodes she had more of a personality 🤷‍♀️ (this isn’t a anti post , I feel like she has a lot of potential to flash her character out more hopefully in season 2)

personally I prefer Charlie and Alastor cause I feel like theirs something there, it’s interesting and it has a lot of potential

if they wanted me to root for Vaggie and Charlie I feel like they should be friends at first and then we see them slowly falling in love , that’s my opinion of course XD

Agreed 100%

To be fair I don't think charlastor is inherently better in any way, since I recognize that they don't actually have much of a leg to stand on in canon, but they still intrigue me a lot more conceptually in fan-content, in ways that I've outlined in this post already so I won't repeat myself here lol.

Charlie and Vaggie are sweet, unproblematic, thoroughly wholesome and that is a dynamic that can not only absolutely work but also be very appealing!

Good domestic fluff is my bread and butter, but it just doesn't really hit the same when I'm not really given much of a reason to care for the pairing beyond the narrative going "look they hold hands and use pet names, isn't that cute?"

So I agree that having their "falling in love" stage be explored more would've helped a lot in elevating how and why they love each other, though it wouldn't even have been necessary, established relationships in fiction can work really well even without that if done right.

The way they're shown to first meet has SO MUCH POTENTIAL to be a great story bit to explore (I might try and do that in writing some time ngl), with Vaggie just coming from this intense of a betrayal, likely having her whole worldview usurped and now, after being taught all her life that demons are worthless scum, being shown unconditional kindness and offered a helping hand from one... There's a lot for her here to process!

Like I really feel like her repeatedly underlined trust issues could've so easily led into a sweet narrative of how meeting Charlie taught her to trust in others again, but her "learning to trust others" path was already explained with brothers-in-arms style bonding on the battle field and the rest was just kinda played off as a love at first sight thing. It had potential! It was right there! And yet!!! [frustrated groan]

I get they were probably trying to aim for combining those two points and had very little time to do so properly, but it imo just missed the mark by a painful amount...

It doesn't help that Vaggie also generally fell kinda flat as a character for most of the show, in part because she's often forced to share the spotlight and has very little focus put on her as an individual.

I really hope they do her better in the next season either way :')

I haven't given up on chaggie yet, but only time will tell if that changes.

#anti chaggie #hazbin hotel critical #hazbin hotel spoilers #again technically not actually against the ship but I'd rather people be able to block out tags that don't talk positively abt their otps #charlastor #bc it got mentioned even if it's not the focus #chubs answers

[covenofwives]

Halloween Mansion

Dream, George and Sapnap are invited to a fun Halloween event by their siblings DreamXD, GeorgeHD and Sapnap4K. They get to play hide and seek in a scary haunted mansion. But they definitely don't want to be caught.

Tah-Dah :D Happy (very late) Halloween! This fic was started a way back in September and I stupidly thought I could finish it for Halloween. Nope :) But it's done now and while I had to change and alter some stuff, I am super proud of it.

Warning that this is a real long fic so please take breaks if you need to and read in spurts if that's better for you. I want you to enjoy it to the fullest.

Enjoy~

---

When the three Gods, GeorgeHD, Sapnap4K and DreamXD, said they had a special event planned for their siblings, there was equal parts curiosity and worry. The Gods had been saying for while they wanted a “play date” as it were with all of them. It was exciting to see the Gods so happy about the upcoming event but at the same time there was a fact looming over them that didn’t sit right with the Dream Team.

Halloween.

The day for candy and mischief was fast approaching. The longer the Gods were silent on the event, the more the Dream Team worried.

“It’s obviously a prank.” George reasoned. “HD tells me it will be ready soon. 4K is getting giddier every day. It’s a Halloween prank.”

The three had a rare free day together and spent the time hanging out. They were exploring through a forest and took a break in the afternoon. Naturally talk went to the upcoming event.

“It could be nothing.” Dream suggested, almost hopefully. “Get us all excited for the promise of something and then it’s just nothing.”

“Nah, 4K would actually cry if that was it.” Sapnap dismissed that idea. “He hates those pranks.”

“And they call it an ‘event’.” George pointed out. “So, whatever it is, it’s something big. Something that counts as an event to them.”

“What could be considered an event to a God?” Dream asked.

The three tried to bounce around more ideas, but they couldn’t reach an agreement, and without confirmation it would all just be guessing. None of the Gods were letting it slip what it was, so all they Dream Team could do was wait.

Painfully wait.

Finally they got news. Each of them received an invitation one morning, just showing up in their homes, with coordinates on it. It came a week before Halloween, and the invitation was decorated with cute pumpkins and bats. Definitely a Halloween event.

The three of them met up and after making sure it was the same invitation for all, went to the coordinates together. Unsurprisingly, the three God were there, ready to meet them.

“Finally finally finally!” 4K chanted happily. He jumped up from his spot on the log the three were sat at. “It took you so long!”

“You could have teleported us here.” Sapnap grumbled. “It took us all day!”

The three had headed out as soon as they were ready, which was just before noon, and by the time they reached the spot the sun was setting. It was closer to Kinoko Kingdom than anywhere else but none of them had ever been here. It was mostly a windswept biome, with steep hills and open fields. The three came to a forest line where the three Gods were waiting. With a very suspicious cobblestone wall behind them.

“We wanted you to get in the spirit.” XD said happily. He kept his arms down to his side but his hands were flexing and trying their best to keep still.

“What spirit? Tired?” Dream asked rhetorically, yet HD still responded.

“Exactly,” he started and his voice went low. “You’ve been walking aaaaaaall day and it’s starting to get dark. You just want to lay down and rest but it’s not safe out here. Then you see it…”

 With a grin, and snap of his fingers, the cobblestone wall behind the Gods crumbled and fell away to reveal the forest behind.

The first thing obvious about the forest was that it was manually made. The trees were a mix of oak and dark oak, stretching up far to block out the sun’s light. Their branches were twisting unnaturally and their leaves were a rotting grey. The trunks of the trees had menacing faces carved into the wood, some that were only revealed when the light hit them a certain way. There was a worn out winding path through the trees leading up to dark crumbling gates, and behind that a massive mansion.

It was the full definition of a haunted mansion. The outside was decorated like an old timely building. It’s walls were an old white, almost grey with the decay look, and black roofs. The lights of the mansion were on, glowing an eerie orange, finishing the perfect picture of a haunted mansion deep in the woods.

The siblings were stunned, taking in every detail. It was Dream who spoke first. “When?! When did you even do all this?!”

“We’ve had the past few weeks to get this fixed up.” 4K boasted with a wide grin, his arms around both the other Gods.

“We are also Gods, this is not hard for us.” HD shrugged. “Most of the time was spent on designing the thing and designing the inside.”

“The inside!” George said excitedly. “Can we see inside?!”

“You will soon.” HD nodded. “But we have to explain the rules first.”

“Rules?”

The grin over 4K’s face widened, and even HD seemed to be holding back his own smile. The Nether God took his arms from the other two, letting them space out before HD carried on explaining. “This is your event. You’ll get to explore the haunted house we’ve made.”

“Buuuut,” XD added. “You’ve only got 20 minutes to explore and then find yourself a hiding spot. Cause after 20 minutes, we’re coming in to find you.”

“Find us?” Sapnap blinked as though confused. Then it clicked. “Oh! Like hide and seek right?”

“Yes! Exactly like hide and seek!” 4K excitedly nodded. He was practically bouncing on his feet. “We’ll give you time to look around you know, and admire our work. But then you’ve gotta find a spot to hide.”

“There are a few hiding spots in the house.” XD gestured back up to the mansion. “Some we’ve made secret. Secret doors, hideaways and crawl spaces.”

“But you’ll know all the hiding spots!” George quickly pointed out. “You three made them.”

“I mean…yeah” HD shrugged, chuckling a little with their admittance. “Honestly George, we’re going to find you eventually. There’s no time limit on how long we have. You just don’t want to be the first one caught.”

“Or the first one to tap out.” XD added.

The phrase ‘tap out’ sent a worry through all three of the siblings. One they knew the other was feeling. They gave a quick glance to each other before Dream brought up the courage to ask. “Tap out from what?”

“I mean, do we reeeeeally need to spell it out?” 4K grinned. “I think you know.”

As though to make a show and really get his point across, 4K lifted his hands in show and made wiggling motions with his fingers. If it was just hinted at before, it was very much laid out plainly now to different reactions. George’s face turned red under his mushroom blush with a nervous laugh. Sapnap flat out shouted while his face turned red.

“N-No! We didn’t agree to that!”

“Where is your Halloween spirit, Sap.” 4K lowered his arms and pouted. “You used to love Halloween when you were little. You’d ask for ‘tickle or treats’ all the time when you were little! You’d-”

“Stop!” Sapnap jump forward then, trying hard to cover 4K’s mouth a shut him up. It didn’t work exactly but 4K just laughed and struggled with his brother.

“It’s our Halloween present for you three.” XD explained with a smile. “We wanted to make something fun for you and get you into the season.”

“Wh-Whahat part of the Halloween season involves ti…th-that?!” Dream stuttered with his words, which was clearly noticed by the Gods.

Though XD smiled he didn’t point out it, and just answered. “Is it not in the spirit to run from monsters, and get soooo worked up over the thought of being caught?”

“Monsters catch you to eat you. They don’t catch to tickle usually.” George pointed out, glancing between the group and the mansion looming up ahead.

“The Halloween spirit is for fun tricks. Nothing gruesome or really harming.” XD said.

“If it makes you feel better George, you could think of us as tickle monsters.” HD smiled with his own amusement. “Those monsters wouldn’t hurt you.”

“Really?” George asked while watching over 4K and Sapnap’s scuffle.

The ‘fight’ between the two was very much over with Sapnap held up over 4K’s shoulder. Sapnap still fought as much as he could from his position, though it was hardly effecting his older brother. “If they didn’t ban me from tickling you I’d be wrecking you right now.” 4K growled playfully.

“Let me down and I will show you wrecking!” Sapnap growled back.

“Enough! Put him down, 4K.” HD called and despite an over dramatic huff, 4K obliged. Sapnap immediately scurried back to Dream and George’s side once he was free, glaring to his brother who just grinned back. “We are wasting precious time.” HD added.

“Yes yes of course.” 4K nodded enthusiastically. “We got to get to the game!”

Each of the Dream Team glanced up to the mansion again before looking to one another. They spoke without words, using their eyes only before looking back up to their brothers.

“What are the rules?” Dream asked.

The Gods smiled, 4K having to hold himself back from jumping for joy.

“You get 20 minutes to hide.” HD repeated. “It has to be somewhere in the mansion, it can’t be in the woods. Afterwards we’ll come find you. When we catch you, you’ll be tickled. When you safeword, the tickling stops and you lose.”

“If we see you, but we can’t grab you, you have a chance to run.” 4K grinned. “I mean, it won’t do you much good but you can run.”

“What if you can’t find us?” Sapnap asked almost hopefully.

“Oh we’ll find you.” 4K assured him. “We know every part of this mansion. We’ll find you.”

“Even if it does take us a while,” HD quickly added. “It doesn’t matter how long it takes us to find you. It matters how long you last the tickling. The one who taps out first loses.”

“And what happens to them?” Dream asked.

“That’s for later.” XD waved that off. “Now, is there any rules any of you want to add?”

The three looked at one another again. “N-No-No nibbling on my stomach.” Dream finally spoke.

“Oh true. He’ll die right away if we do that.” XD spoke so easily which made Dream’s face turn red.

“My wraps on my arms stay on.” George added in.

“Okay. That’s fair.” HD agreed then looked to Sapnap. “Anything for you?”

“Nah. You’re not even gonna catch me.” Sapnap boasted.

“Oh, really.” HD’s eyebrows shot up and a grin spread on his lips. “I hope I find you.”

Sapnap just grinned back, but Dream watched the way his legs twitched and he shuffled on his feet. It looked like he was readying himself, but Dream knew it was to let out his nerves.

“Yous ready then?” 4K asked with a wide grin. He was almost as jumpy as his brother, but he had a hunter glint in his eyes.

The siblings agreed, each growing more excited.

“Alright. 20 minutes. Your time starts as soon as you step towards the mansion.” HD said.

“Wha-! it should start when we’re in the mansion!” George whined.

“Walking on the mansion path still counts.” XD grinned. “So you three had better run there quickly.”

Dream tried to look to George and Sapnap, and organise a time to run together, but when he looked around George had already sprinted off, running up the path.

“What th-GEORGE!” Dream shouted.

“You’ve fucked it for us!” Sapnap shouted after but ran right after the brunette.

“Sapnap!” Dream shouted.

“Time’s started Dream! Better get moving~” XD called out.

Dream opened his mouth to argue but quickly shut it. He realised he was wasting time and quickly ran up after George and Sap who were near half way through the woods.

“They move fast when they’re timed.” 4K giggled and settled back down to sit on the log he was on before.

“Hopefully they’re fast enough.” HD said.

---

The three burst into the mansion doors together. Sapnap and Dream quickly caught up with George and without even waiting threw open the large white doors.

The front hall of the mansion was a wide open grand space. There were doorways on either side of the room and beside each of them a large stairway that curved up to the second floor. Between the stairs was a large archway leading to a further hall. The floorboards were an old grey with a large red rug, leading down to the long corridor.

It looked like there was a library room on the right and some sort of living room on the left with a fireplace. Dream only had a quick glance of it before his attention was drawn to the stairs, as George ran up them frantically.

“George! We’ve got 20 minutes!” Dream called up.

“It’ll take us 20 minutes to find a hiding spot! This place is huge!” George called back as he ran through the halls. The sounds of his footsteps faded further and further until they disappeared.

There was some truth in George’s words. They couldn’t really explore much of the house and take in all the details with a time limit looming over them.

“He’ll just get lost. That’s his strategy!” Sapnap said while peeking around the corner to the library. “One of these bookshelves definitely open.”

Dream looked into the room too. It would make sense for a haunted house to have secret doorways, but none of the bookshelves looked different from the others. All were built into the walls and stretched up the high ceiling. It was tempting to find it, but Dream didn’t want to waste time with one room.

“Let’s look around together.” Dream suggested. “And this way if we find a spot we want, at least the other person knows not to go for it.”

Sapnap agreed and the two carried on. They gave a quick look into the living room with the fireplace and immediately noticed the fire was fake and the back of the fireplace opened up. The two crawled through to a hidden kitchen. The middle of the room taken up by a large hob stove, but there was no other doors out so they retreated.

The hallway through the archway only had two doors at the end of the hall. On the right lead to a dark study with only candles of green flame for light and the door on the left was to an observatory. The wall to the back garden was all glass and would have probably been a nice room to relax in during the day. At night through it looked out to the dark forest with many glowing eyes looking to the large window. Dream wondered how many of the eyes were fake effects the Gods put on, and how many were real animals checking out the place.

“Okay. There is so obviously more hidden rooms down this hallway.” Sapnap commented as they walked back to the front hall. “Look how big this space is, and we know the kitchen is there,” he tapped the wall to elaborate. “So we know they’re absolutely hiding secret rooms.”

“I’m more worried about trick rooms.” Dream thought out loud. It had been a though plaguing him since he stepped foot in the mansion.

“Trick rooms?” Sapnap asked with his head tilted.

“Well they’re Gods with unbelievable powers. They could easily make a sort of…illusion. Or teleportation we don’t realise. Open one door and it’s a bathroom, then close and open it again and it could be another hallway.”

Sapnap blinked in thought, his eyes suddenly wide. “I didn’t even think of that!” He mumbled. “Well maybe that will make it harder for them to find us.”

“I doubt it.”

They had reached the stairs and quickly climbed up them. While exploring downstairs they heard running footsteps of George upstairs, frantically trying to find a hiding spot but neither could see him.

The upstairs had a lot more space than Dream was expecting which lead him to believe he was right that some illusion was at work. He tried keeping a map of the floor plan in his head but this large hallway already didn’t make sense. The stairs lead to a long hallway forward and then it split into three separate directions with a cross section.

“GEORGE!” Sapnap shouted out. “Where are you?!”

The silence that followed was eerie and unsettling. Dream and Sapnap gave a look before Dream shouted out as well. Still no answer.

“It’s a big place, he’s not going to hear us.” Dream  gave out the excuse, though it didn’t exactly sit right with him. They agreed that was the reason, but kept an eye out as they continued down the halls.

The hallways each held a few doors which they randomly opened to search. Dream came upon a large grand ballroom, with a piano playing itself in the corner, and strange dancing lights all around the ceiling. Next was a half elegant games room. One side the room was in tact and the other was a rotten, house of horror mess.

Sapnap near enough screamed when he found a room full of skeletons. Dream ran to his side ready to help but as he got there the screams died and he looked to see that the skeletons were unmoving. They were sat around a study, displayed in different activities, but they weren’t mobs and made no attempt to move.

Dream sighed in relief, letting his heart calm down while he shot Sapnap a grin. “Dude, really?” He chuckled. “A few skeletons and you scream?”

“I thought they were coming at me, okay!?” Sapnap huffed. His cheeks flushed to his mistake and he kept one eye on the skeletons even while he scoffed how stupid it was.

The urge to tease his friend faded when he was reminded of the time limit. Sapnap closed the door and Dream kept quiet when he swore he could have seen the skeleton at the desk move it’s head ever so slightly just to get a last look at Dream before the door closed.

“How long has it been?” Dream’s head worked to keep himself in the moment and off the creepy atmosphere. The grand paintings of unknown nobles that lined the hallways all had eyes following the two. That was standard house of horror, but out the corner of Dream’s eye he swore he saw some of the paintings change and move and their expressions grew more wicked and horrid.

“I don’t know I lost count when he came up here.” Sapnap admitted. “It was five minutes I think we were looking around downstairs. Maybe.”

Okay, that made sense in Dream’s head. He made a rough guess of how much time past and followed from there. To keep himself safe he assumed they had ten minutes left. Ten minutes until this house became a real house of horror.

“Look! An attic!” Sapnap elbowed against Dream’s arm, drawing him from his thoughts before jogging ahead.

Dream couldn’t see it at first until he followed after and saw the thin drawstring hanging from the ceiling. Sapnap had already jumped and grabbed the string to pull it down.

The house made a horrid groan as the attic hatch was slowly pulled down but it was nothing compared to the scream that followed after it.

Dream and Sapnap both jumped, Sapnap losing grip on the string, but it already fell. The stairs unfolded and clattered on the ground, offering a way up but Dream and Sapnap were still shaken from the scream. But it was a scream both of them knew too well.

“George?!” Dream called up.

“Wha-Dream?!”

There was the sound of footsteps approaching before George’s head popped out over the small opening to the attic. His brunette hair was covered in cobwebs and dust.

“You idiot! I thought you were them!” George called down, his voice high pitched with anticipation, but Dream could see the sigh of relief through his body.

“We were shouting on you, idiot.” Sapnap said as he took a step up the attic stairs.

“AH! NO!” George suddenly shouted and steps forward to block the hatch way up. “No! This is my hiding spot!”

“What?!” Sapnap looked up. “Let us up and see! You can’t just call a spot!”

“I just did, idiot! Find your own spot!”

“No! Fuck off!”

Sapnap tried to charge up the stairs as George tried to block the way in. Dream quickly followed after, stopping a scuffle before it could begin and one of them hurt themselves falling down the stairs.

“We’re not taking your spot, George, we’re just exploring the house. Just let us up to see what’s there.”

George glared at the two like they were lying to him before he finally moved out of the way. “If you even try, I’ll push you both out.”

George backed away from the entrance and Sapnap quickly scurried up. Dream followed up after, surveying the room slowly as he did.

The place looked like what was expected of an attic in a haunted mansion. It was a rather long attic thought the slanted walls of the roof around it mad it seem smaller. The walls were a mix of the dark grey wood and old wallpaper which was ripped and peeling at some parts. There were old rusting clothes railings holding old timely clothes, piles of chest and boxes, mirrors and vanity chests covered in old sheets and old chairs all strewn about the place.

The space was a perfect for hiding and Dream was kicking himself for letting it go so easily. He was talking himself more out of it the longer he stared. It would be harder to evade the seekers in the attic with only one way out, and if they closed the hatch behind them it would be game over.

“I’m going to hide in one of these.” George lead them over to the pile of chests. “The big one! I’m going to slip in with the small box on top so it looks undisturbed.”

“You’ll move the cobwebs, idiot.” Sapnap quickly pointed out. “They’ll notice.

“No! No! Watch!” George excitedly went over beside the chests. Dream thought it was cute how George was so protective over his hiding spot, yet was so eager to show it off.

The chests were completely covered over in thick cobwebs though Dream hadn’t seen any spiders around the house. He grabbed a handful of the cobwebs and tore them away, enough that a few boxes were revealed before he stood back. Dream and Sapnap watched, giving glancing looks to each other before it started.

The cobwebs began to grow back. Slowly they formed their webs and entwined with one another until they grew back completely and recovered the chests.

“See! They’d never know! I’ll be perfectly hidden.” George grinned with a sense of pride. “By the time they come to look for me, the webs will be back up and they won’t know which chest to get. They’ll give up.”

“Very brave to assume they’ll just give up.” Dream said. “They might leave but they’ll come back.”

George scoffed to the very idea of it, and threw off the cobwebs, which Dream took notice had slowly dissolved. They completely disappeared before they even hit the floor.

“When are they coming anyway?” George asked.

Dream was just wondering that as he spotted the small circular window at the front of the room. He went over to it and tried to get a look out. It faced out to the front of the house and the forest before that. Then, right at the edge, Dream could see the Gods still sitting.

Even before Dream could spot the Gods, he knew something was wrong. When Sapnap and Dream found the attic hatch it should have been at the far back of the house but this window was right at the front. The attic space wasn’t big enough to reach there.

“This mansion doesn’t make sense.” Dream turned back to the two.

“Well it’s a haunted mansion,” George said with a shrug. “It’s got some trick rooms.”

“No, I mean the layout. The attic hatch is at the far back of the cross hallway so it should be at the back of the house. But the window is right at the front of the house.” Dream worked through the map in his head, already knowing it wasn’t making sense.

“What? No!” George shook his head. “The attic is right at the start of the hall.”

Dream gave a look to Sapnap, confirming with a look that wasn’t right. “No. The attic is right after the cross section in the hallway?”

George raised an eyebrow. “What cross section? The hallway upstairs is straight.”

It was already obvious but it was good having confirmation that the house was definitely making illusions. That changed Dream’s plan of trying to keep outrunning the Gods. Any doorway could lead him right into their arms.

Sapnap argued with George over it as Dream looked back out the window. He could barely see the Gods beyond the forest as the sun was fully set by now. But he could see them just enough to make out the fact that Gods were moving. They stood up altogether and then started making their way to the mansion.

“They’re coming!” Dream backed off from the window. Adrenaline coursing through him, drawing in his breath as he turned to Sapnap and George. “They’re coming here!”

“What do you mean they’re coming here?!” Sapnap gasped. “It’s not been 20 minutes!”

“It clearly has!”

Even with the coursing panic and shouting between the three, they were all smiling.

“Get out! OUT!” George quickly pushed the two back to the hatch again. “This is my spot! Out!”

“G-Geohorge!” Dream chuckled while trying not to fall down the stairs.

“We don’t have a spot to hide!” Sapnap tried to excuse as he put up the most fight to keep in the attic. Still even with his strength, George got a good jab onto his sides and he was tumbling down the stairs and into Dream.

“That’s not my problem!” George shouted.

The attic stairs were pulled up as soon as their foot was off the stairs. Dream and Sapnap untangled themselves, just managing to stand up when they heard the front door open.

“Dream Teeeeeam~ Come out and plaaaaaay~”

It was 4K’s voice, eerily echoing throughout the house and bouncing off the walls. It felt like it hit Dream’s bones. Chilling him completely and soon he was running off after Sapnap who had bolted the moment he heard the voice.

“Split up!” Dream heard himself yelling.

“Good luck, brother!” Sapnap shouted after him before he ducked down the left hand split of the hallway. Dream went down the right.

The upstairs had changed since Dream and Sapnap went into the attic and came back out. Dream immediately noticed it. Instead of the attic laying just ahead of the cross pathways, it was now in the middle of a straight hall that lead to a T-shaped corridor.

The map Dream had trying to make for himself was thrown out of his head as he scurried down the corridor. The left wall was lined with tall windows, letting in the light of the moonlight which worked in Dream’s favour as the mansion lights suddenly shut off.

Dream heard the distant screams of George which he hoped was just from the lights going out and not because he was caught. While giving a mental good luck to George, Dream carried on.

On the right side was a line of five doors, with no indication to what sort of room they lead into. Dream stopped in front of one door when he heard footsteps quickly run up the stairs. He had no time to think anymore and picked a door, running through and slamming it shut behind him.

If he had been hoping for some room, luck was not on his side. It was another hallway. A long hallway with many doors on both sides.

“What the fuck…” Dream whispered under his breath before taking careful steps forward. Lights were still on in this hallway, though it was dim candlelights flickering.

There was no time to take in any more detail as Dream remembered there was a God chasing him. If he was quick about it he could duck into another room and there was no way they’d know which.

Just trying to pick randomly, Dream walked up to the third door on the left, opened it and stepped through. He came out to the same hallway, but out of the first door on the right.

“Wh-What?” Dream looked up and down the hall. He quickly turned back, going back through the door he came out and instead came out the door opposite himself.

“What in the Scooby Doo fuck is this?!”

Dream tried to leave out the door that lead him into the hallway but it instead brought him out to the door on his left. Dream was stuck.

He ran through a few more doors, trying to make some sense of what door would take him out what, but it was all random chance. He tried walking through the door but keeping the door behind him open and it didn’t work. It seemed like each doorway brought him out to a new version of the hallway, untouched but just as confusing.

A part of Dream worried he was really stuck but he shook that off. This was a haunted mansion made by his brother and his friend’s brothers. It was all for fun, they’d never leave him in here. Though it honestly didn’t help his situation.

Dream went through a few more doors before the hallway finally changed. He came out the of the doorway leading into the hall, but then at the opposite end of the hall there was a turn. Dream didn’t question any more. It was new and got him out of this hallway so he quickly followed it.

Unsurprising but just as confusing, the turn lead into another hallway. There was about ten feet of actual hallway, and then it turned into a moving hallway. A tunnel that spun around and around with flashing arcade lights embedded into the ever spinning walls.

Dream had known these kinds of hallways were called vortex tunnels. He’d heard of them at carnival fun house rides but had never seen them. Even looking at it now was making him dizzy and making his eyes unfocused.

There was another door down at the end of the spinning hall, but the way forward wasn’t easy. Though Dream knew in his head he could get through it he was debating if it was worth it when he heard the click of a door opening, and a voice called out behind him.

“Who’s gotten caught in the trick hallway?”

It was GeorgeHD’s voice, chuckling with amusement and a tinge of a growl behind his voice.

There was no more time for debating, Dream just quickly leapt into the tunnel.

It wasn’t spinning too fast, at least not as fast as Dream thought. The flashing spinning lights were making it look faster but when he was up and actually watching it, he could easily follow the movement. He quickly stepped onto the shifting tunnel, moving in step with each turn he took. It meant he had to go slow, but at least he was moving.

He came to just about halfway through the hallway when he heard the footsteps quickly behind him. Dream looked over his shoulder to see HD standing at the end of the hallway. His eyes caught Dream’s and he beamed with a huge grin.

“Well hello, little champion.”

Nerves and anxiety welled in Dream’s chest, and came up in a mix of a squeak and hysterical giggles. He just about managed to let out a few no’s until he realised he had stopped moving.

Like a Looney Tunes moment, as soon as Dream realised his legs hadn’t moved the tunnel still did and he lost his balance. His hand tried to steady on the tunnel’s side, but it was no use when that moved too and Dream found himself on the floor of the ever spinning hallway.

“Well that was a mistake, wasn’t it?”

Dream turned on his side quickly, trying to look over his shoulder to get his eyes on HD before the tunnel spun him again. They still stood at the end of the tunnel, looming over Dream. They seemed excited when Dream looked at them, easily stepping out into the tunnel. They didn’t have to step carefully like Dream did. The spinning didn’t even bother HD as he stepped out. He didn’t fall or lose his balance in the slightest. As the tunnel span, HD moved with it with his feet firmly on the tunnel’s surface. They took another step, only this time it was while they were upside down.

“W-Wahait! WAHAHAIT!”

Dream tried sputtering his pleas, but it was hard to keep his eyes on HD and to keep readjust himself to the tunnels spin. He had managed to get the same motion going with his arms as he had with his legs, but one of his hands slipped and he was rolling again.

“You’re so silly, Dreamie! You’re stumbling all over the place.”

“NOhoho! Ihihi’m nohot! I-Ihit’s thihis tunnel!”

He tried to right himself again, but it was practically no use. He was confused and dizzy and overwhelmed with the giggles as HD made his way closer and closer. Walking because he knew he didn’t have to run.

When the God was just a few steps away, Dream made a last ditch attempt to escape. He was about halfway to the end of the tunnel, he could reach it so easily, he knew he could!

The tunnel made another spin and Dream moved with it. He rolled onto his back and let the tunnel roll him, getting him onto his hands and knees and he pushed himself forward. He cleared a good distance and managed to get his legs working to work with the tunnel’s spin again. The end was in sight!

“No you don’t!”

The back of Dream’s cloak was grabbed and he was yanked. Pulled up and up into waiting arms that wrapped around his chest and held him in close.

“NO! NO! Thahat’s noHOT FAHAIR!”

“I snatched up a little champion!” HD’s voice was gleefully pressed against Dream’s ear. “I got XD’s cute little brother!”

“STOHOHOP!”

The lights kept spinning with the tunnel, disorienting Dream. It didn’t help with HD moving him around. He was released from HD’s arms and laid onto the floor. Or…what was the floor for now. Dream was on his back with HD straddling over his legs. The God had no worry for the tunnel’s spinning, but when Dream realised his position, he panicked.

“W-Wait! Wait! Please!” Dream pleaded. “I’ll fall!”

HD’s response was a scoff, and didn’t stop him from yanking up Dream’s top to just above his ribs. “Like I would let something like gravity get in the way of tickling you.”

The tunnel came to another spin and Dream tried pleading again but to no avail. All he could do was brace himself, preparing for the drop. But it never came. Dream scrunched his eyes shut but risked a peek out. He wasn’t falling, but the tunnel was still moving. Dream could feel his clothes trying to fall. His hair fell over his face and he looked up to see the hallway he walked in through was on the roof. Dream was upside down, but he was perfectly stuck to the wall.

“Wh-Wha-at?!”

"Now enough of that silliness.” HD’s voice snapped Dream back into the moment and drew his eyes back to him. Just in time to see the swarm of ethereal hands appear out from behind the God. “It’s time to get you tickled.”

“W-WAIT!”

Dream screech fell on deaf ears, and turned into a squeal of over anticipated laughter. He shrieked and screamed as the hands descended upon him one after the other. The first ones grabbed at his sides, kneading him up and down, then his ribs were vibrated over and finally his stomach was prodded, skittered and tickled. His arms flailed, trying to bat away at the hands but he could never hit them. To be fair he couldn’t really see where he was hitting as his eyes squeezed shut again with is laughter.

“STOHOHOHOP! HEHEHEHEDEHEHEHEHE!” Dream gasped as hands stuck into his armpits. Thumbs drilled into his pits and fingers scribbled along the back of his ribs.

“Its such a shame your tummy is off limits to nibbling, because I would have absolutely nibbled you up.”

“H-HEhehehHEHEDEHEHEHEHE!” Dream squealed as his face burned red.

“I had hoped I’d find the little spitfire. He was so cocky and I was so looking forward to tearing him apart. But tickling you is just as rewarding.” HD carried on like Dream wasn’t even talking. Like he wasn’t even there.

Though in all honesty, Dream could only hear ever other word the God was saying. He couldn’t hear much over his laughing and he couldn’t focus himself enough with the spinning lights and the world just constantly turning. While Dream might not have been falling, his body still felt every spin and the sensation of being upside down.

“P-Plehehease! H-HeheDehe…” Dream’s laughter faded down, turning more into pants of breath and giggles. HD’s tickling ethereal hands had stopped and faded off. “I-Ihihi’m dihizzihihiy!”

“Are you dizzy, little champion?” HD’s voice went softer, but it was overly so. “Why ever for?”

“The ro-hohom is spihinnihihing!”

“Well don’t focus on that, you silly. You should be focusing on these tickles you’re getting!”

“HEHEheheheDEHEhehehe!” Dream’s face burned brighter. He brought his arms up to hide his face. While still hiding his face he tried to reach down for his mask, but his hand was snatched up.

“Uh uh. None of that now.” HD moved Dream arm back up to his face with the other. “If you wanna hide it’s gotta be in your arms, mister.”

“No! Nono! Thahat’s nohot fair!” Dream whined behind his arm. He peeked out over the top, trying to see where HD’s next attack was coming from, but the God had his eyes down, focused onto something else. Dream at first thought he was looking at his mask, but then he felt a poke against his hip and Dream squealed.

“HEHEDEHEHE!”

“I’ve always seen you in this outfit. During your challenges and manhunts. You always show off your hips and sides. Why is that?” HD wondered aloud.

“Wh-Wahat!” It wasn’t the question Dream expected. And it was hard to think of a response when his mind was hazy from the spinning and the ghostly tickles still coursing through his body.

“You’re on the run, from hunters,” HD started as they put their two fingers on Dream’s hip, just above the waistline of his combat trousers. “And you wear a body suit that shows off your sides and hips when you should be covered as much as possible.” Their fingers started walking slowly up Dream’s hip. “Your sensitive little sides and hips are so exposed. I had to assume you wanted them to be noticed.”

“No! Nohohoho! I dohohon’t! Ihihi dohohon’t!” Dream tittered and tried to bat HD’s hands away though it was no use. The God’s arm was unmoving and even when Dream tried to grab at his hand, HD carried on like nothing.

“You want people to notice your hips.” HD announced like he came to the conclusion, and a wide grin spread on his lips. “Which is perfect for me, cause I want to nibble those hips.”

“NO! NO!” Dream screamed. He struggled with renewed vigour, kicking his legs and trying to push his HD’s hands away. “N-Nohoho! You-You cahahan’t! I cahan’t behe n-n-nihihibbled!”

“Your tummy can’t be nibbled.” HD corrected with his grin spreading wider. “Your hip and sides are fair game.”

Dream was moved again, though this time it was his own fault. He felt HD weight lift from him and he immediately tried to turn over on his side to scurry away. His escape attempt was less than a second long before HD was back on his legs, only now Dream was on his side.

“Wait! NO! Stop stop stop!” Dream pleaded desperately. He tried pushing his hand over HD’s shoulder which stopped the God but Dream had a feeling that was from HD’s choice. “Dohon’t! Please don’t!”

“If you want me to stop, you know what to say.” HD reminded him. “Until theeeeen~”

The God opened his mouth wide, showing his full set of sharp teeth and eager grin. Dream only managed to scream for a second, before he fell into hysterical laughter and jumbled, unintelligible babbles in a plead for mercy.

---

“Good luck, brother!” Sapnap shouted after Dream as the two had split up. Dream had taken the right side of the hallway and Sapnap ran down the left and quickly burst in through the first door he came across.

It was a bedroom Sapnap had burst into. It was old, dusty and the air was thick but it wasn’t messy. A large bed pushed against the wall on the right of the room with a chest at the end of the bed and a vanity table close beside it. There was a large wardrobe which Sapnap had considered hiding in but then something beside it caught his eye.

It was a wooden panel, half way lifted up revealing a small lift inside. A dumbwaiter!

Sapnap hissed out a quick ‘yes’ as he ran over to the wall. He pushed up the wooden panel and took a look inside. It was a simple dumbwaiter but it was big enough for Sapnap to get in and it had a simple rope pull at the side so he could work his way down.

The thought crossed his mind that it might be dangerous, but he was fuelled by adrenaline and the hope his brother wouldn’t allow him to get hurt. He climbed in quickly as he could, trying to listen out for any approaching footsteps but he wouldn’t risk it anymore; shutting the door and working the rope to pull himself down. Eventually it came to a stop and Sapnap reached for the handle of the door out before suddenly pulling his hand back.

What if they’re out there waiting?! He thought to himself. He tried to listen out to the unknown room, pressing his ear to the wood before slowly lifting the panel. Thankfully, the room was empty. Now Sapnap just had to figure out where he was.

It was a dining room Sapnap spilled into. There was a large table stretching from one end of the room to the other and chairs all lined up. It seemed like a completely normal room, except Sapnap quickly noticed there were no doors, but there was a suspiciously large bust of an old guy next to an empty part of the wall and with just a minute of searching, Sapnap found a button in the statue’s eye which slid open the wall beside it out to the hall.

The hall was empty which was another weight off Sapnap’s mind. He gave a quick peek out both ways and there was no sign of anyone. Sapnap was safe, but the feeling only lasted a moment.

Safe for now, Sapnap still needed to find a hiding spot and the layout of the mansion changing seemed intent to thwart him. He had planned to find an easy hiding spot and while the God overlooked him, take the time to run and duck out of sight. That idea was no use when the building seemed to change.

But Sapnap couldn’t wallow for long as he caught sight of the open wall that was the secret doorway. The walls were thick but the space between them was hollow. Easily large enough for him to slip through.

An idea struck in Sapnap’s head and before he had the chance to think it over, Sapnap quickly slipped in between the walls. As though realising his idea, the secret door to the dining room closed behind him.

There were no lights between the walls of course so it was near pitch black. There were some speckles of light coming in through tiny holes in the walls, but Sapnap’s eyes were easily adjusted to the dark. Sapnap could just about fit in the walls, his shoulders touching either side, but that was more than enough space for him to move comfortably.

“They’ll never look in the walls.” Sapnap almost giggled to himself.

It was a good plan but now the only place Sapnap could move to was forward. It wasn’t good not knowing where he was going but if he stayed still for too long he’d get bored and give himself away. So he moved.

It was impossible to know where he was moving to but he came to a lot of turns in the hallway and followed them around. He tried to peek out through the tiny holes in the walls, making out certain rooms he was passing by but nothing interesting. The worrying thing was that he hadn’t heard any of the God’s roaming around.

It was good he was avoiding them, but Sapnap hated not knowing where they were. He definitely preferred being the hunter in these situations.

Eventually, after wading through the cobwebs and dust that was absolutely settling in his lungs, Sapnap realised the space in the walls was getting thinner. It wasn’t like he had much of a choice but it was getting more worrying the further he went the harder it became to move. Eventually Sapnap was forced to walk sideways to progress forward.

It seemed like the tunnels opened up a bit more after a few steps and while they did it wasn’t enough room for Sapnap to turn. He was stuck in a less than ideal position that was impossible to run from. Luckily, he shouldn’t really have to. There was no way they’d think to look for him in the walls. Sapnap was perfectly safe.

“Who’s hiding in the waaaaaaalls~”

A cold sweat ran down the back of Sapnap’s neck and he froze mid-step. It was XD’s voice that crawled up through the halls. Sapnap could have sworn on his fiancé’s lives that he didn’t hear anyone walk by, but then suddenly he heard the slow footsteps of the God which sounded right beside him.

Of course, Sapnap remembered. XD can float. An important fact he had so carelessly forgotten about in his giddiness.

“Which of our little brothers has become a little mouse? Squeaking around in the walls…”

There was a few well placed taps on the wall that Sapnap had to bite his lips down to not make a noise from. None were directly on him, but the were close to send his mind in a panic.

I need to go back as quiet as I can. He resolved, but the plan was foiled before he could even  attempt to move.

The passageway ahead of Sapnap suddenly closed up. The narrow tunnel between the walls filled with what looked like cement and in the blink of an eye it hardened.

“No! Wha-!” Sapnap yelped before he could catch himself. He quickly tried to walk back the way he came, but as soon as he turned the walls ahead opened.

It wasn’t like the hidden door from before, swinging open, this time it was the front wall melting away into the room wherever XD was, and then XD leaned in. His arms braced against the opposite wall, blocking Sapnap from even trying to escape, and he leaned in with a curious smile before seeing Sapnap and it grew into a wide grin.

“Ohohoho! Little Sapnap!” XD giggled with delight. “I honestly thought it would be Dream to fall for the trap!”

“No! S-Stop!” Sapnap squealed and struggled back. The walls were too close to move far, and his shoulder touched onto the concrete blocking him in.

“I didn’t think you’d go for the walls,” XD spoke so casually. “I thought you’d be a runner for sure. But you’re just a little mouse.”

“Shut it!”

“A trapped little mouse.” XD made a step forward and Sapnap screamed.

“Stay away!”

“Our little mouse is stuck!” XD said gleefully.

“I’m not!” Sapnap snapped his teeth. He pressed himself as far as he could to the concrete and out of XD’s reach. Though nothing was out of his reach.

I can sneak under him and run. Sapnap quickly thought. His eyes scanned looking for a way out but XD spoke again.

“But you are…”

The walls tightened around Sapnap’s body just ever so slightly. It didn’t hurt him, but Sapnap still yelped. He pushed against the wall and wiggled, trying to get any room but it was no use.

“NO! That’s not fair!” Sapnap pleaded. “You can’t just do that!”

“I don’t recall that being in the rules.” XD hummed thoughtfully. One hand tapped on his chin, the other was reaching out towards Sapnap. “I believe the rules we were given was not to nibble on Dream’s tummy and not to touch George’s wraps.”

“S-SssstooOOOOP!” Sapnap shrieked.

“And you were offered to make a rule but you very bravely refused. Actually you boasted you didn’t need one.”

“I dohon’t-! I-I-!” Sapnap crumbled the closer XD’s hand got to him. “GEHET A-AHAw-awahay!”

“I’m helping you, little mouse. You’re stuck.”

“I dohon’t wahan’t your he-EEEEEEEP!”

The hand reaching out for Sapnap suddenly dropped down and grabbed around his ankles. The walls loosened ever so slightly as XD pulled and Sapnap was yanked down. He screamed but as he hit the ground it was soft, like falling onto a bed. His mind was in a mix of confusion; panic from the hand around his ankle and puzzled over the unusually soft landing. In his confusion he didn’t think to try and escape, and the walls squeezed close into him again, trapping him once more.

“Oh you fell!” XD spoke innocently, but his face was still grinning.

“Y-You-You pulled mehee!”

“I’m just trying to pull you out of the wall!” The hand clamped around Sapnap’s ankle pulled him just a little bit more, stretching out his leg and placing his foot in XD’s lap.

Sapnap tried to kick his legs away, but even his other leg was snatched up and held up and out of the way.

“Wait! Wait wait wait wait!” Sapnap’s voice melted from accusing to pleading. “Plehease! Please! Lehet me gohohoho!”

“I’m trying to, little mouse, but I need to pull you out.” XD’s hands were even trying to pull. Now while two sets of his hands held Sapnap’s ankles, his other hands began untying Sapnap’s shoes.

"NONONONO! Stop STOP!”

“This will help you wiggle out of there!” Sapnap’s shoes were off and tossed to the side.

“Juhust mohohove thehe wahahalls!”

“Nope!” Was all XD said before his nails touched onto Sapnap’s soles.

The tickling was instant, with no light flutter build ups or any real warning. XD’s claws raked up and down Sapnap’s soles before he tickled just lightly over his toes and then ran the pads of his index fingers up and down Sapnap’s arches.

Sapnap screamed with his laughter. Half was screaming for mercy, the other half was just random words and nonsense from his panicked, fried brain. He beat his fists against the walls, the floor, anywhere he could reach to get out the overwhelming feeling running through his nerves. Sap’s feet weren’t even that badly ticklish, but the tickling combined with being unable to move made him overly sensitive.

“You got to wriggle more than that little mouse.” XD spoke when Sapnap’s laughter calmed down. He had stopped tickling, but kept his nails on and poised to Sapnap’s soles, like a warning.

“I’m...Ihi’m nohohot aha m-mohousssse…” Sapnap managed to pant out.

“You scurry around in the walls, and get stuck in tight spaces. That is very mouse-like.”

“Mihice don’t get stuhu-AAAA!”

Sapnap was pulled once again, coming a bit more out of the wall before they closed in again. This time XD had access to his legs and he immediately got to work. Kneading and squeezing up and down Sapnap’s thighs. Skittering on the back of his knees. Sapnap got a little more kick in his legs but that didn’t help him at all. XD’s hands could hold him down and tickle him.

“Little mouse is almost out~” XD voice carried in an almost song. “I’m almost at his riiiibs~”

“NOHOHO! Nonohohoho! Noho yohohou’re nohohot!” Sapnap tried to claw and crawl further into the wall but anytime he got just a little give he was pulled back, only now his stomach was pulled out of the wall and exposed to XD’s waiting hands. The hoodie and top underneath was quickly yanked up and out of the way, free for XD’s skittering fingers.

“STOHOhohOoHOP! Pleheheheahease!”

“The little mouse needs to say his safeword if he wants it to stoooop~”

“NaAHAhaAhaAHA! Nnn-”

XD’s skittering claws rounded to Sapnap’s back, which was less tickly but still made him squirm. When the God’s hands started travelling up on his back though his voice got high and he squeaked out his pleas.

“PLEHEHEASE! Ple-Plehease! Please! N-Nohohoho mohohore! M-Mehehercy!”

“If you want it to stop you just gotta say the word.” XD shrugged. They lessened their tickling, allowing Sapnap a small break and a moment to talk. They kept his nails poised over Sapnap’s skin twitching just ever so slightly but not outright tickling him.

“N-Nohoho! No! I wohon’t!” Sapnap turned just ever so slightly to look at XD. Sometime between the tickling and walls moving, he had taken his mask off, keeping the criss-crossed wraps over his eyes but letting his wide smile show. “I’ll… L-Listen! Listen! I’ll-I’ll tehell you whehere Geohorge is hiding!”

XD made an over exaggerated gasp, his claws tightening just ever so slightly on Sapnap’s back. “You! You’d sell out your friends to save yourself!”

“Yehes!” Sapnap squeaked. “YES! Absolutely! You love tihihickling Geoohorge ahanywahay!”

“I love tickling anyone I find!” The End God sat himself up straight, squaring his shoulders like he was ruffled. “That includes...little,” he gave a poke into Sapnap’s sides, “sneaky,” another poke, “mice,” another poke, “who sell out their friends just to scurry away again.”

“Nohohohohonononoooo…” Sapnap’s giggles faltered and turned more into desperate pleas. “Dohohon’t!”

“And little sneaky mice who sell out their friends need to be extra punished.” XD grinned as he spoke, putting emphasis on his teeth clicking together and showing off his wide array of fangs.

There were taunting Sapnap. They were showing him what was going to happen. What he was going to be tickled with.

The will to live kicked into Sapnap’s limbs, surging him with energy. He kicked his legs hard enough he almost got out of XD’s hands, but even when one of his legs did get free he still couldn’t pull himself out of the wall. His leg was snatched up right away and he was pulled further out of the wall.

“WAHAIT! WAIT! DON’T-Dohon’t you dare…!” The warning would have been better taken if Sapnap’s voice didn’t get high and squeaky. And the person he was trying to threaten wasn’t a God.

Sapnap’s arms were free but were still just as useless. XD held them down pretty easily, and then his top was yanked almost up and over his head and the fangs were on the back of his ribs.

The fangs moved just ever so slightly but it was enough to fry Sapnap’s brain to the brink of insanity. He screamed and laughed and blurted out Prime knows what before the tickling was over and he was left panting on the ground.

By the time Sapnap felt somewhat conscious again, he felt XD’s hand pat on his side.

“You tapped out.” The God said it almost proudly.

Sapnap groaned into the ground before bringing up his arms to cover his face. His top and hoodie had been set right, though ghostly tickles still ran through his nerves and giggled in his words.

“Dihid I tahahap out f-fihirst?”

“Don’t know yet.” XD shrugged. “We will find that out when the others are done. Now come on.” He pat on Sapnap’s side again before standing up. “Let’s get you outside. Fresh air will do you good.”

Sapnap groaned in protest but it wasn’t really up to him. His body was like jelly and out of his control. He was brought up into XD’s arms as the God turned and began walking down the hall and out the front door.

The cold night air hit his face and the sound of distant owls hooting rang in his ears. It was a peaceful night. Enough that it settled Sapnap right to sleep for a quick nap.

---

George pulled the attic door up, slamming it shut for extra measure, making sure Dream and Sapnap knew they weren’t welcome. He felt a little mean, worrying they wouldn’t get a spot, but in a competition he wasn’t going to lose because of them.

He began pulling off the cobwebs right away, too frenzied to realise the thick veil of cobwebs had grown in denser. He just about got the boxes uncovered, but as he went to open his box to hide in, the cobwebs already started regrowing and covering the box again.

“What?! No!” George huffed and pulled the cobwebs off again. They grew back, and this time George could see the webs growing back in thicker. “You stupid-! Fine!”

Abandoning the task of pulling off the cobwebs, George instead pulled open the box he was going to hide in. He had to open it carefully, so as not to have the smaller box on top fall off, but George was too jittery with the prospect of being caught and frustrated from the cobwebs he threw off the box lid too fast.

The smaller box tumbled off and got caught in the cobwebs. It wasn’t such a bother but it made it obvious the box below, that George wanted in, had been disturbed.

“No! Just-Fuck!”

George was getting frustrated, not thinking clearly. He slammed the box close and tried to quickly reach for the dropped box, but his arm just brushed along the cobwebs as he reached over and that was enough to get caught.

The webs, now so thick they couldn’t be seen through, ensnared George’s arm. The webs stuck onto the cloth around his arms and even as George tried to pull back in a panic, the webs held him tight.

“NO! Nonononono!” George’s voice rose higher and higher the more panic set in. He knew he had a limited time before one of the Gods would eventually find this attic and each second fighting with this web was wasted. But George made the mistake of trying to pull away at the webs again, and that just got his other hand stuck too.

George shrieked in frustration, pulling at the webs to no avail and kicking at them to only get his leg caught. He knew struggling was making it worse. He just needed to calm down and think his way out of this. But when he took a breath and tried to calm down, the attic door open. And there was no calm anymore.

“Well, well, well…” The rumbling voice of the Nether God purred. George swung his head around as much as he could to see Sapnap4K slowly making his way up the attic stairs. He looked at George with wild, excited eyes. Like a hungry predator who just found his prey. “It’s the little prince who got caught in the webs.”

“NO!” George shrieked in time to the attic door slamming shut. 4K rose up to stand at his full height, almost reaching the attic’s ceiling with his horns. “WAIT! This isn’t FAIR!”

“Oh what’s not fair?” 4K’s head tilted. His voice mimicked concern but his eyes were still wild and his grin was taunting.

“I just…” It was a trap, George absolutely knew it was a trap, but the chance to plead for some kind of mercy he was not going to let pass. “I was trying to hide and this…web just caught me!”

George tried pulling at the web to make his point, but also trying in vein to pull it away. 4K nodded along sympathetically but his expression was amusement. Of course he was finding this funny.

“And th-that’s not fair!”

“You were given just as much time as the others to hide.” 4K mused, bringing a hand up to his chin to look thoughtful.

“Yes! Y-yes but this web just started going crazy! I had a good hiding spot, you would have never found me!”

“Really?” A flash of something sparkled through 4K’s eyes. A challenge perhaps. “Well then tell you what. I’ll give you ten seconds to get out of the web. If you can get out of the web in ten seconds, I’ll give you another 10 minutes to find a hiding spot. Sound fair?”

It wasn’t fair, and George screamed as such. “The time was twenty minutes! They got twenty minutes!”

“You did too.” 4K quickly pointed out. “And the web caught you. Really you shouldn’t be given any more time but I’m feeling merciful. Ten seconds to get out for ten minutes. Take it or leave it.”

George opened his mouth to shout unfairness again, but he quickly closed it and looked to the webs again. Those webs he had torn away so easily before, he could do it again. He could get away. He looked back to 4K and nodded.

“Deal!”

4K’s grin widened. “Ten… Nine… Eight…”

George’s heart raced and he turned back to the cobwebs. His arms were stuck, but there was a weaker point right where his left arm was and he tried to focus on it, pulling at his arm with all his might.

“Seven… Six… Five…”

The countdown was making George nervous. It was making him giggle out the squirming nerves in his stomach and losing focus. That was the reason he was breaking free, he decided. He was giggling too much so no matter how hard he pulled he wasn’t breaking free.

“Four… Three…”

4K’s voice sounded closer and George could hear the thump of his boots approaching. “W-WAHAHait! NO! You-You can’t come near me!” George yelped, making one harsh pull against his arm which actually got a bit of it free. “Wait! I’m doing it!”

“Two…”

A shadow towered over George, blocking out the light and while he might have got just a bit of his arm free it was nowhere near enough. Not when he felt 4K’s breath over the top of his head.

“W-Wait…”

“One!”

Warm darkness engulfed George’s vision. He was easily pulled up and away from the webs holding onto him so tightly before. He thrashed and tried to scream, pulling himself up so his vision wasn’t blocked by 4K’s stupidly thick arms.

“Let! Me! GO!” George kicked his legs and beat his fists into any part of 4K  he could get, but it was a useless struggle.

The Nether God just laughed, pulling George further from the pile of boxes and the webs that fixed themselves up again. Further from freedom. “The little prince caught in a spider’s web~”

“ShuHUT UHUP!” George’s face burned red. He felt 4K finally stop and then sit down. George was planted on his lap but he wasn’t even allowed a second to get his barrings as fingers dug into his sides and began tickling.

“NoHOooHoHOhooHOHOHOOO!”

“You’ve been caught in the spider’s web, Georgie. And I’m the big bad spider.”

“Nohoho yohou’re nohohot! STOHOHOP!”

The fingers over George’s side switched from kneading in to skittering. The fingers scurried over George’s side, down his back and then over his stomach and chest. While George managed to keep his laughter down to giggles, holding back as much as he could, he couldn’t help but throw his head back and burst with laughter at the never ending onslaught. No matter where George’s hand went to try and stop 4K’s, the hands tickling would quickly flit to a new spot.

“Plehehease! StoHOHohOP!”

“Now you’ve been caught, Georgie. And you know what happens when you’re caught in the spider’s web?”

“NohoHOHO!”

“It means you get gobbled up!”

The attic turned on it’s side as George was lifted up. The arms he was trying to bat away he was now grasping onto for dear life. The fangs just brushed along George’s side and it was enough to make him scream.

Every limb kicked and hit for freedom, though it was like hitting a rock. George’s top had been pulled so the fangs brushed over his skin, nibbling up and down his sides.

George’s brain was in a constant battle. Trying his hardest to escape the arms holding him, but also knowing without those arms he’d fall.

“FOHOHOUR KAHAHAY!” George managed to scream out between the laughter.

“Now I’m not allowed to nibble Dreamie’s tummy. So you’ll just have to take his too.” 4K mumbled against George’s back. He kept deliberately close so his fangs and beard brushed against the brunette’s skin.

George didn’t even have time to process the words, he was too busy trying to kick himself out of 4K’s arms. It was only when he was turned around and the fangs touched on his stomach did he really hear the words. But it was too late.

George didn’t hear the scream, but he knew he must have because his throat felt sore and hoarse. He was now laid over 4K’s lap instead of hanging in mid air, and 4K’s hands were rubbing in soothingly over George’s stomach rather than tickling.

“It’s over, it’s over.” 4K’s voice was warm, and deeper than his teasing tone. “You called your safeword, it’s over.”

George groaned in frustration, though it was cut short from the burn on his throat. “That’s so not fair…” He whispered. “I don’t even remember doing it…”

While that was true, George knew he must have. 4K wouldn’t lie and during his panic of being tickled, George would have screamed anything for it to stop. Of course he’d never admit that though.

“You still called it, buddy, so it’s counts.” 4K said as he pat George on the back. “Come on. Let’s get you out of here.”

The weightless feeling swooped George up and into 4K’s arms. He gave a small whine of protest but had no energy to even pretend fight. Instead he just lay his head over 4K’s shoulder as the God carried him down the attic stairs and through the hallways to the front door.

The cold air was bracing, yet comforting on George’s face. The pleasant feeling was the last thing George felt before he fell into a soft nap.

---

George snored almost like his brother which Sapnap4K found extremely cute. The brunette lay in 4K’s arms, curling into his side and giving of the softest snores every few breaths. It was a gentle sound that passed the time while 4K waited. The sky lost the last of the sunset colours when 4K saw someone approach from the mansion.

DreamXD came down the path, with Sapnap asleep in his arms. The blonde God caught sight of 4K, relief sighing his shoulders when he saw it was George in his arms and not Dream.

If 4K was disappointed to see Sapnap had tapped out he hid it behind his wide smile and chuckled to XD. “I could see your sigh of relief a mile away.”

XD gave a sheepish smile, shrugging softly to not disturb Sapnap too much. “I was just relieved seeing you were okay.”

“Uh-huh…” 4K grinned as XD approached. He sat on the log beside 4K and rearranged Sapnap to sit on his lap. “Just because Dream isn’t here doesn’t mean he ain’t the first one out. HD just might not have found him yet.”

The smile dropped from XD then which 4K laughed at. “Dream’s tough! He’s probably still holding out.”

“Sure. Even though his whole thing is about running and not being caught.” 4K pointed out, and giggled as XD’s expression grew more worried. “Better hope Dream’s holding out.”

“He is!” XD assured the other God, but he couldn’t deny he was worrying. Dream was naturally slippery and usually got out of any situation, but XD was choosing to believe his brother was holding out. One thing about Dream was he was competitive and stubbornly so. He’d last.

A few minutes passed, though neither God was keeping count. They spoke softly with one another, making sure not to wake the sleeping siblings. 4K had taken Sapnap into his other arm, which Sapnap seemed to prefer as he snuggled into his brother’s side. Just when XD was starting to get concerned and offer to go in and look for them, he saw them.

HD made his way down the path with Dream on his back. XD thought his brother was asleep, but the closer they got, he could see Dream wasn’t sleeping. Or…maybe he wasn’t. Dream’s eyes were half open but they looked dazed and distant. His mouth was moving slightly which made XD think he was talking, but the only sound he was making were little giggles.

“That took a while.” 4K chuckled with delight when he saw Dream’s giggling face. “Take a while to find him?”

“No, actually. I found him right away.” HD said, almost sounding surprised. “He lasted the full time.”

Both XD and 4K blinked. “What do you mean?” XD asked.

“He never tapped out. Not once. Not even when I was nibbling his hips and the hands were all over him. He lasted for the time we agreed.”

“The full ten minutes?!” 4K yelped, but quickly quietened as he remembered the sleeping boys in his arms. “He lasted?”

“Yeah.” HD readjusted Dream on his back. “He’s a little bit tickle drunk right now.”

Ah. That explained it. Dream’s dazed and giggly look was from him holding off but frying his brain a little. XD came forward, taking his brother off HD’s back and carrying him in his arms. Dream giggled again but settled. When he was closer, XD could see Dream was between sleep and awake, barely holding on. XD just purred a little and Dream’s eyes fell shut with a soft giggle.

HD took his own brother back, holding him close as 4K stood up. “So… Who lost?”

The three God stood in a somewhat circle with one another. “Obviously, Dream wins.” HD shrugged.

XD controlled his expression but he beamed with pride on the inside. “Sapnap lasted for five and a half minutes.” He reported.

“And little Georgie lasted half that. About 3 minutes.” 4K reported with a wide grin and a wild look to HD. “So that means…”

“What?! There’s no way George lost!” HD bristled, his hair running wild with shoothing stars. “You got him worked up before it!”

“We agreed teasing could be allowed!” 4K quickly defended himself. “It’s not my fault he got himself stuck in the spiders webs. Besides, can you say you didn’t work up Dream? Get him anticipated?”

“Well…fine. Maybe.” HD grumbled. “I caught Dream in the spinning halls. He was already dizzy.”

“Sapnap fell for the space in the walls.” XD added in. “He was trapped when I got him.”

“Hmm, not the place I thought he’d go.” 4K hummed thoughtfully. “But then it’s decided. George tapped out first and lost. Which means you lose Starlight~”

“Oh shut up.” HD snapped, but a blush crossed his cheeks. Even XD, while excited, felt a pang of sympathy for the Overworld God. 4K’s teasing words ran over his skin, making XD feel like he was being teased himself. “We can’t deal with that now. We have to get these three to bed.”

“But soon though~” 4K giggled. “You can’t hide behind them for long~”

“Shush! Let’s get home.”

---

Dream woke up cocooned in warmth and groggy from the deep sleep. His skin felt tingly and giggles bubbled in his tummy, making him feel soft and squirmy. He tried to stretch and found he wasn’t alone. George was pushed up against his chest, hugging around his waist and behind him Sapnap lay lounged out.

It took a few blinks before Dream realised they were in George’s cottage. The three were laid on the floor of the main room, with blankets and pillows placed under them and another blanket on top of them. Dream tried to look around, and saw XD was behind him, pulling another blanket up.

“Go back to sleep.” XD spoke, their voice just a whisper. “You must be tired.”

“Mmm’not…” Dream tried to speak but his mouth felt like it was full of cotton and his throat scratchy. Exhaustion also swept through him as soon as the words left and his eyes drooped.

“Sure…” XD chuckled and tucked another blanket under Dream’s chin.

“What happened…?” Dream sighed. He remembered running through the spinning tunnel and being caught by HD. He was tickled but details of it were sketchy and came in spurts. It all went fuzzy after the fangs touched on his hips.

“You won.” XD smiled proudly. “You lasted the longest. George tapped out first.”

A surge of pride swelled in Dream’s chest, but he was too tired to really celebrate. “What does that mean? Is there a forfeit?”

“That will be later.” XD waved off, but he had a knowing smile. “You need sleep.”

“Don’t I get something?” Dream asked while fighting off a yawn as XD’s hand pat through his hair. “I won.”

XD hummed thoughtfully. “I’ll think of something for you.” He finally said. “But for now. Sleep.”

Dream opened his mouth to speak again, but XD settled behind him. His chest pressed against Dream’s back and he started purring. Then it was a losing battle with sleep. His muscles relaxed and his eyes closed again, his lids too heavy to open. Dream fell asleep surrounded by love, and dreamt of bliss.

#dsmp tickle #mcyt tickle #lee!dream #lee!george #lee!sapnap #ler!dreamxd #ler!georgehd #ler!sapnap4k #covenofwords

[havin-fun-imagining-twd]

That was it.

(a new post? it's been months, bro!)

What -- Daryl had a dream featuring You. It's thrown him a little, ngl.

When -- the first day Daryl is bedridden following his two falling trips down the ridge in the episode Chupacabra. In the Slowpoke Series, it's a few hours after Redemption Arcs, which takes place the morning after Thank you, angel...

Who's in this one? -- Daryl, You, Carl, Lori

Perspective -- POV 3rd person Daryl

Relationships -- slow burn, currently platonic-but-confused Daryl x equally oblivious Reader

Pronouns - she/her

TWs -- some language, and reference to Daryl's childhood neglect, and ghastly screenshots with poor editing XD

Masterlist -- Official one here and Chronological one here

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

Her knock was recognizable and he got a rush in his stomach when he knew she was there. Three or four knocks, a pause, then one or two more knocks with some kind of greeting. This time, is was: “Daryl, you up for visitors?”

Was he ‘up for visitors?’

Ain’t like he’s some old dude in a nursing home, why would—oh shit, did this mean they found Sophia? Was Sophia the visitor?? “What is it?”

“It’s Carl’s first field trip out of bed other than for the toilet.”

“Y/N,” came Carl’s groan through the shut door.

“Carl,” she teased back back in the same tone of voice. “Mr. Dixon’s in the same boat, nerd, no leavin’ bed excepting for the facilities.”

Speaking for himself, the kid finally said, “I wanted to go see you first, Mr. Dixon.”

“Just—come in already,” Daryl grunted. He'd already tugged his bedsheets as high as they'd go, he was ready as he could get.

The knob turned, and as the two of them slowly walked in. He made himself relax when the nerves hit him at seeing Y/N.

It's stupid. His dumb ass started getting nervous around her this morning. Nervous around Y/N, of all the people here!

Daryl noticed Lori hovering by the doorway while Y/N and Carl walked in. She explained, “We don’t want to crowd you like yesterday. And we won’t stay too long, Y/N, Maggie and I will be going out for another sweep of our grid.”

The boy had more color than he did the other day when Daryl went to see him, which was good.

"The head wrap stuff they gave you looks cool," the kid told him. "I'm glad you didn't get hurt worse than you were. I heard you got hurt pretty bad." Slowly, Carl made his way to Daryl’s bedside and seemed beat doing it. “I would go out to help search today if I could. I was the only one of us who—well, other than you—who hasn’t gone out looking today. Beth’s older sister and Jimmy and his mom went, too.”

“Well, Mags came with us,” Y/N filled in. “Jimmy looked around the property and its perimeter only, but that’s because he got in trouble yesterday for joinin’ without permission. His mama searched with him to keep the peace.”

As the news hovered, rolled over him, then sunk in, it felt to Daryl as if were making him sink deeper into the mattress where he lay bandaged, bruised, and not much use to anyone.

He’d nearly died trying to find that little girl yesterday, found her doll. And after just about everyone went out searching today, and all them people came back with zip.

Daryl hated feeling helpless, and now he felt helpless, annoyed and angry.

Really, they all went out searching, and somehow all came back with nothing?

Carl kept chatting to him, but to his credit, Daryl didn’t snarl at him to shut up.

“I would’ve wanted to go to target practice, too. Did you know Mr. Douglas knows how to use guns? He told me he was an instructor, he’d started learning way a long time ago after something bad happened to this guy named Ronny King.”

“Rodney,” his ma corrected softly.

“I want to learn how to use a gun. How old were you when you learned, Mr. Dixon?”

Lori and Y/N reacted to the question in their own ways.

Y/N peeked at Lori and it looked like she was shrinking into her neck like a turtle as she walked to the window to get the stool for Carl to sit on.

Lori saw, shook her head and took it from Y/N’s hands, citing, “Let me, honey.” She placed it behind her son, then told him sternly, “You were just shot. Now’s not the time to discuss you using a gun.”

“But Mo—”

“We can talk about that with Dad later, okay, bud?”

“Y/N started learning to shoot when she was 8.”

That made Daryl blink, and it distracted him from his annoyance. His square, chick friend learned about using guns when she was 8?

Y/N gave her nephew a warning stare. “I learned because my own mama in our own circumstances made a decision for me that she determined would help keep me safe, the same way your mama’s makin’ one for you.”

He jut out his chin a little. “I would be safer with one. And I thought Shane taught you?”

“S-Sometimes babysitting me meant us goin’ to the range,” she allowed, eyeing Lori for help.

“Carl,” his ma told him, and with a look firm enough to make a nun cower. “That’s enough interrogating your aunt. We will talk about this with Dad when you’re able to leave bed for more than a few yards.”

“Okay,” the kid apologized, head lowering. “Sorry Mom, sorry Y/N.”

There were about three seconds of silence, tops, when the boy next asked Daryl, “Do you still think Sophia’s alive?”

Y/N froze, Lori tilted her head and looked Daryl in the eye warily.

As for Carl himself, he at least seemed hopeful. “If you could stay okay for nine days when you were a kid, Sophia can stay okay for five.”

Y/N’s eyebrows lifted in surprise. He'd told her the other day about it, then decided Carl should know to keep his spirits up.

Lori, who knew nothing about this, looked alarmed. “You went missing for nine days as a child, Daryl?” she repeated.

Daryl nodded, getting dizzy when he did. Wasn’t no big secret, just some dumb mistake he made when he was little. He'd figured that Carl staying hopeful and expecting people to find Sophia would keep the rest of the people here searching.

Y/N already knew about Daryl’s little nine-day accident, and Andrea; might as well let Lori in on it if it meant more people wouldn’t give up on Sophia.

“Yeah, nine days. Was perfectly fine, and that was with me bein’ nowhere near as sharp as Sophia, and without miles of farmhouses and shit around.” Daryl figured exaggerating might help Carl feel happy, so he added, “I was dumber than a post, and even I got away with only an itchy ass from using poison oak as toilet paper.”

It did make the kid smile, but then Carl whispered as if he was nervous, “Quarter.”

Y/N wasn’t nervous at all. “Two of ’em.”

Oh, right. Daryl had forgotten about the no-cuss-around-kids rule.

“I’m sorry that happened to you,” is how Lori responded quietly to Daryl, then to his relief, she changed the subject back to asking Y/N how target practice went.

“Lore, did you know Teddy was good with guns?” Y/N shared. “I’d had zero idea.”

“He and Shane talked about being instructors on one of the first nights at the quarry.”

“Man, I missed that whole conversation.”

Lori smiled and began to fix the extra blanket that was crumpled on the side of Daryl’s bed.

Daryl almost missed what was being said because he was distracted by how casually nice that was. Damned thoughtful.

It was that moment when he noticed how he’d grown pretty okay with shooting the shit with these people. Wouldn’t seek it out, probably, but he wasn’t crawling out of his skin, neither. He really liked that the kid wanted to see him, too. It helped him feel like he wasn’t as big an asshole as he felt.

“You, Amy and Glenn were busy playing ‘I never’, if I’m remembering it.” Lori spread blanket out at the foot of the bed and folded it in an accordion-type way. “Either that night or the—no, sorry, it was the night everyone started talking about Bigfoot, the kids were sitting around you three. That was one of the first nights, wasn’t it?”

“Oh, right! We used up all the Tapatío, and this guy mentioned his chupacabra.” Y/N stuck the tip of her tongue out and lightly bit it, grinning big.

“Luis and me got so freaked out that night!” Carl joined in, suddenly as energetic as a little bunny-rabbit. “His older cousin told him all about Okefenokee Swamp, and, and the gators and the Pig Man and the Thing!”

“Your Aunt Evie and I camped with Grammy and Grandad at Okefenokee lots of times when I was a girl,” Lori told them both with a smile in her eyes. “Never saw the Pig Man or the Swamp Thing.”

“But they saw her,” Y/N mouthed to Carl. “Thank God we lived more upstate.”

That, Daryl could agree with, he even made a hum.

He was from way up north, close to the Tennessee border. But with this group that he’d stuck with for who-knows-why, to get to Fort Benning they’d driven far enough southwest that they was basically in Alabama.

“Yeah, you’re from further north, too, right?” Y/N sighed. “I’m so darn homesick, man. We’re just about on the fall line now, aren’t we? Driving to the city was one thing, close enough to home, but the roundabout, southwest mess we made trying to get to stupid Fort Benning was—w-we’re basically in Alabama!”

…His thoughts exactly.

“We’re further from Lake Lanier down here, though,” Carl said. Sounded like he was both trying to cheer her up and rib her. Inside joke most likely, Daryl guessed.

Y/N shivered at the name but couldn’t stop herself from breaking into a smirk, which made Carl crack up. After making a face at him, she looked at Daryl. “Dude, you’d have had a good time at practice.” Her smile grew and she leaned toward him. “As soon as it was time to try hittin’ the targets, Jimmy tried to shoot his pistol sideways.”

“What, all gangster?” he grunted back, glad that he wasn’t alone with her again. He liked didn’t mind being alone with her, but he obviously got smacked in the head a little too hard yesterday, seeing as he felt all nervous around her now. Really nervous. Like, so goddamned nervous, man, it’s good the boy and Lori are here, otherwise he’d be barely able to look her in the eyes.

Give it a day or two, he’d be fine.

“Teddy thinks Jimmy will have to undo Hollywood and video game gun stuff the next couple lessons.” She scrunched her nose, and wondered out loud, “Don’t know why that’s what they show in movies so often, that’s irresponsible firearm use. Oh! But the angled aim I guess is needed when one’s using a riot shield, right?”

His mouth lifted into a grin. Y/N could be such a square.

With that, she yawned and leaned on the side of the bed, causing it to dip down slightly. Daryl’s heart did a funny jolting type thing when she did, he inhaled too quickly as a result, which hurt his stiched side and bruised or broken ribs, so he then winced as a result of that.

“How long do we have ’til we head out again, Lore? I’m hittin’ my limit. Looks like Carl’s crashing, too, you doing okay, baby?”

The conversation that followed didn’t reach his head, Daryl was too distracted. The, um, the movement of the bed dipping as Y/N relaxed and reached back to massage her shoulder caused the memories from last night and the dream that followed to whoosh back to Daryl even harder.

His heartbeat did that funny thing again. And the helpless feeling he’d had, with its anger and annoyance, whittled away bit by bit.

A weird sensation replaced it.

He wasn’t sure that it was, but it felt like it was pressing him even further into the mattress.

So, the dream he had last night: Y/N was…laying down with him.

Nothing was going on, her arm was simply wrapped around him and he could feel her heartbeat against his chest. He remembers pressing his mouth to her head for a second, then she reached her hand to brush it across his temple or whatever, and they just laid there. That was it.

Really, that was it, the whole dream, nothing else went on. And he relieved but also...disappointed when he first woke up, saw the bed empty beside him, and figured out it was just a dream, ain’t that bullshit? Then he listened to Y/N's breathing where she lay on the air mattress and couldn't fall back asleep for what felt like a while.

He was all screwed up, wasn't he?

Granted, two days ago, her shirt had been soaked after they’d got caught in the storm and the outline of everything was clear as damn day. Like, sure, he’d turned his eyes away, but he’d still seen it and liked it! Then, yesterday during their argument when they’d suddenly been standing all close, he’d randomly imagined gripping her waist and crashing his mouth against hers before cupping her face so he could see if her cheeks were as soft as they looked, like what the in the balls was his deal? He ain’t mature enough to be friends with a chick or something? It’s never been a problem before, he used to barely even notice or care when he thought someone looked nice.

Her calling him all them pet names yesterday was enough, but, like, what was last night?

She literally massaged him. Who does that?

The massage had felt as if there were an angel, don’t get him wrong, he’d been in so much pain. But being touched so gently but so…close, and right on his bare skin, it made him feel something similar to scared.

It wasn’t ‘scary’ in that sense, that’s not it, it felt…weird. Again, he didn’t know how to phrase it.

Worse still was that he thinks he accidentally called Y/N “angel.”

Out loud.

He still ain’t sure, his sleep was too disjointed to tell if he was awake or not, but — she’d started massaging his feet, he knew that much! His feet had hurt so bad that he’d almost cried again when she’d started to rub them because it was just such relief.

Fast forwarding to this morning, when he’d made his managed to power his way all by himself out of bed (oh, it hurt like a bitch) and out of his room to find the pisser, of course the first thing he saw when he opened the door was Y/N, all sleepy-eyed, messy-haired, and wrapped in a blanket like he was.

And, of course, the first thing she did was help him walk by putting her good arm around his back. He could feel her warmth and heartbeat beside his chest again, and when he turned his head, his mouth collided with her head. Kinda hurt. And she smelled good.

But all that sent the dream he’d had, the one where she was laying next to him, crashing back all at once.

Plus the fear that she’d see him in his boxers again and/or notice how his morning wood (ain’t his fault, he’d only just woken up and he had to take a whiz real bad!) was the only thing pinging through his mind as she walked him to the toilet.

Then when her brother dropped off some of his stuff from his tent, he had a sneaking suspicion it was Y/N who’d been the one to gather it up. Mainly because she’d been the one who promised him someone would bring him some things, but also because nail clippers and a toothbrush were on top of the pile.

He then got the dumb idea in his head to be embarrassed at how his tent wasn’t real clean.

The past four days were batshit crazy; getting all nervous around a chick — probably the only person he truly feels okay with around here — is the stupidest damn thing. Still, he never had a person he felt so damn comfortable with other than Uncle Jesse, his little cousin, Merle, and his old lady neighbor from when he was a kid.

So much happened with Y/N the past few days. It was like they’d been stripped and beaten together, but got back home in one piece. He even hallucinated her talking to him when he’d fallen down the ridge. And that’s not even bringing up how he’d been chill with her seeing his scars yesterday, which was only after he okayed Dr. Farmer literally teaching her how do literal goddamn stitches on him!

Almost like yesterday, Daryl could imagine the way Merle would bust his balls. “I can’t tell if you’re actin’ like a little boy clinging to the kid who was nice to ’em on the jungle gym, or a clueless virgin nervous around the girl who’ll look him in the eyes long enough.”

Lucky for him, Carl wondered out loud: “Maybe Jimmy wanted to practice shooting sideways,” so Daryl was able to shut his mind up.

Next, Carl, who definitely looked ready to hit the sack, started miming holding a gun and aiming it to the side (as opposed to shooting it forward, just cocked to the side like Jimmy had, according to Y/N).

“No, ya nerd, like this,” Y/N snorted, and held out her good arm as if she were aiming a gun forward, then twisted her wrist sideways.

“Oh, the cool way to shoot!”

“Nooo.”

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

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

-> Masterlist link here <-

and our teeny tiny taglist :D

@spenciepoo338 @its-freaking-bats​​​​ @whistlesalot​​​​ @buffy-the-assbutt-slayer​​​​  @dreamingaboutthewonderland @kwazii-kat​ @darylsmavis​​​​​  @outlanderhornet22​​​​​ @battinsonrobs @dontputyourfckingdrinkonmytable @multiifandomhoe @writingmybeloved @boomergirl123 @iheartathena0 @moonliight-luv @suniloli @supernaturalgirl02 @cnake-garden @daryldixmedown @sophehe @crashlyrose @virgo-sunflower920 @jennythe @theficbaker @vampireautism @rosetta196 @wifeof-barnes

(inbox is open if you would like on or off the taglist, slowpokes. Please don’t feel bad or nervous if you don’t want to be tagged anymore, just let me know in the inbox! We’re all friends here and your comfort level matters)  

#twd #the walking dead fanfiction #the walking dead #twd fanfic #twd fanfiction #daryl dixon x reader #twd x reader #daryl x you #daryl x reader #daryl dixon #daryl dixon fanfiction #reader insert #reader insert fanfiction #daryl dixon x you #slow burn #canon compliant #carl grimes #lori grimes #the Slowpoke Series #POV Daryl Dixon

[maximwtf]

“Run like the wind, please.”

Legolas x injured reader (pt2)

Part 1

words: 1460

google docs pages: 3

warnings: description of a wound (infected), being injured

opening: After getting injured by the arrow, you start to realise that it must have been poisoned. You try to hide it, but someone notices. 

AN// A second part was not planned but I couldn’t leave it at where the first part left off xD reader can be any gender :3 

                     “Run like the wind, please.”

After the injury had healed up enough, you had told the group to keep moving. Moving slowly was better than not moving at all, the orcs could attack again at any given moment. Aragorn had thought about it for a moment, but because he knew how important it was for the fellowship to get to its destination, he had agreed to on moving on. Legolas asked you a couple times if you were sure, but you didn’t want to complain, knowing you were already becoming a burden even if no one said anything about it. 

So all of you kept moving, kept walking forward. Every step you had to take sent waves of pain from your leg to all across your body. You’d let out a groan or grit your teeth together every now and then, thinking you had hidden the pain quite well. What you didn’t notice, was the way a certain elf had been following you. From the start he had been doubtful about moving on with you like this, and it hadn’t taken him long to notice how you were limping. He didn’t dare to say anything about it, since he had already asked you a couple times, but he did still keep his eye on you just in case your condition got any worse. Legolas had had his worries about the arrow being poisoned, but he didn’t make any conclusions just yet. It could just be that the wound was hurting since there was no proper way to heal it.

While internally hoping that someone would request a break, you kept on walking. You had gotten bigger and smaller cuts and wounds in the past, and knowing what they felt like, you knew something was off. This time the wound the arrow had left felt different, it hurt in a different way. The pain was way more intense and it almost felt like you were getting dizzy because of it as well. But of course, being used to having to keep your calm even in dangerous situations, you tried to not care and kept your worries to yourself. You were no healer, but you would manage.

You noticed Legolas walking right behind you after some time had gone by. He hadn’t said anything, but you knew he was up to something. Your thoughts were interrupted by Aragorn speaking up. Everyone seemed to be agreeing to have a small break, it seemed like the hobbits were getting tired from the walking and mostly they were asking for it as well. 

The group stopped under the safety of a couple trees at the edge of a forest and a field. There were a few rocks to sit on, and the rest would just sit on the ground. You stood closer to one of the trees, not wanting to sit down because you knew that if you tried to stand up after, it would be a struggle mixed with pain. 

The dizziness from earlier had gotten worse, forcing you to lean against the tree that stood behind you. You closed your eyes for a moment, hoping that the feeling would go away on its own. When you opened them again, nothing had changed. Slowly you started to slide down against the tree, your body ignoring the hard tries to push yourself back up. You sat down, giving in to the pain. “Fuck…” You mumbled to yourself, but the people closer to you definitely heard it. Legolas and Aragorn’s heads turned to look at you. You gritted your teeth together and slid up your trousers so the wound was showing again. Taking off the bandaging hurt as well, making you form a fist with your free hand. “Y/n?” you heard Boromir start. Not giving him a reply, you took a look at the wound. The sight of it made you want to look away, it seemed infected but you had seen an infected wound before, this was something worse. The pain finally ripped through you, making you groan and hunch over. It felt like a cold sweat was rising to your forehead along with the waves of pain. Legolas and Aragorn had come over too, both of them seeing the wound again. Legolas seemed to have realised something new. Not only had the arrow been poisoned, it had been an arrow from the morgul bow. He had wondered why you were reacting so harshly to the pain, since he had seen how you act when you get wounded normally, it had always been quite slight. 

“Aragorn. The arrow was poisoned, only an arrow from the Morgul bow could have caused something like this.” Legolas spoke up, not wasting a second. He knew how dangerous the arrows were, he was also aware of the painful death it would lead to if the wound wasn’t taken care of by an experienced healer. Since the wound seemed to have gotten infected as well, there was no way anyone would be able to heal it anymore with just herbs. 

“We won’t make it back to Rivendell by foot, the poison works too fast.” Aragorn replied, also knowing that the fellowship wouldn’t go back anymore. Legolas didn’t have time to reply, as the sounds of galloping interrupted the conversation. They saw a white horse appear from the top of one of the hills, and the person riding it was Gandalf. He hurried down the hill, only stopping once he was next to you and the three other men. Aragorn was about to explain to him the situation but Gandalf didn't let him. “I’ve heard. Legolas, take them back to Rivendell.” The wizard said, not wasting any more time. Legolas only nodded, glad that there was now a chance to save you. Shadowfax has been said to run faster than the wind, and the elven prince could only hope that that was true. A horse running faster than the wind seemed like the only thing that would help anymore. By walking, the poison had spread across your body faster, which Legolas blamed on himself. He should have put more effort into making you stay and rest.

Legolas helped you onto the horse, sitting behind you, so you could lean on him. Gandalf seemed to have said something to the horse, and it looked like it understood every word. Without Legolas even touching the reins, the white horse began to first walk and then quickly change to a fast run, soon the others disappearing as the two of you made your way back to Rinvendell.

You must have passed out a couple times on your way back. All you could remember were a few times you had woken up, and felt the horse run and the wind on your face. Sometimes you came back to it and groaned in pain, a few times you remember Legolas pressing you against him to keep you still when the waves of pain got worse. The only thing you remember clearly was the cold sweat all around your body, feeling like you were about to die.

You had no memory of arriving through the entrance of Rivendell, nor any memory of who had helped you and how. It was only after everything had been done that you woke up for real. The lights in the room were quite dark, only a few windows, but the light didn’t come in fully because there were thin curtains covering them. As far as you could tell, you didn’t feel any pain anymore, and with the confidence from that you tried to sit up. A sting like pain shot up from your leg, but it disappeared soon after. You had almost no time to react to anything, as a hand was already calmly pushing you back down on your back. It was only then when you noticed that you were laying on a bed, a very comfortable one as well. “Do not get up yet.” A familiar man’s voice said, lifting his hand off of your chest. Legolas, he was still here. “Do you feel any pain?” He asked, only now calming down himself. You didn’t feel like speaking yet, so you only shook your head. “They gave you a mix of powerful herbs, it should numb most of the pain as the leg heals.” Legolas explained. Slowly, you took a hold of his hand, only laying yours on top of his. Him not being a fan of public displays of affection, you gave him a chance to move away if he wanted to, but he didn’t. You tried to smile because of this. “Thank you.” You were able to mumble, before the herbs began to lull you back to sleep. 

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