#speaking of there are some posts coming up in the queue so. you might wanna filter that
12 oz. Mouse: “Prolegomenon” | December 18, 2006 – 12:45AM | S02E13
Happy Thanksgiving everyone! No post last night, and I’m sorry, but I had to give this one more thought. Really, I got high and thought I not only finished the write-up, but also scheduled it in my queue after I wrote a single paragraph and fell asleep. Whoops.
Okay, so it’s all been leading up to this, and this write-up will eventually cover what “this” is. But before I go into it, I wanna say that this episode led me to do some googling. I learned something that I possibly knew at one point, but had lost sight of: season 2 was supposed to have 20 episodes but was shortened to 13. With that, the series was also canceled, forcing Matt Maiellaro to plan some kind of conclusion where there might not have originally been one. I guess you can draw comparisons from things like Twin Peaks; David Lynch wanted to keep the mystery of who killed Laura Palmer unsolved indefinitely, but the network forced him to come up with a conclusion midway through season 2. Arrested Development had one of its seasons shortened, and I recall episodes from before that happening seeming to set things up that never got resolved. Could that be the explanation for the ending we got on 12 Oz. Mouse? Or could it be that it meant nothing the entire time?
Okay, so it’s not really a hard ending. Mouse plays pinball for a lot of this episode, while a floating light speaks to him. We finally find out the true nature of Shark and Square Business man, and the Eyes, and Peanut Cop and the question woman. The finale confirms what I suspected (and half-remembered), and what most viewers paying close attention to the series should have also suspected: Cardboard City is a simulation. But when we cut out to the real world we see a big green mouse and we see his rodent friend skillet, real as this show is long. They don’t have human counterparts. They are still themselves in the real world. It’s all the others that have human counterparts (or a different outfit in question woman’s case).
So what basically seems to happen is the people running this program decided that it was time to stop it and roughly reset everything, so the intense war our gang was in the middle of fighting just sorta turns off, basically. Then, back in Cardboard City, mouse and his friends shake off the fact that moments ago they were fighting a war, and now they are not. The sky turns blue and cloudy. The team waltzes away, for a brand new day. The simulation is over, and a vague sense that maybe another will begin. It’s like a soft reboot, sorta symbolizing what episodic TV is supposed to be. They’re going to go do a different adventure now. Perhaps a… web adventure?
Yes, there was a webisode. Will I relegate the webisode to ephemera since it didn’t air on television? Or will I give it it’s own entry? Only time will tell (I will give it it’s own entry). The webisode was announced, and I think Matt Maiellaro was hopeful that the show would be allowed to continue in a new format. Not now, my child. Not now. So, I think he’s setting up some sort of meta contextual way to explain that the show can simply be rebooted into different configurations. Kinda like if Bugs Bunny was revealed to be in the Matrix, and it somehow explained how he could fight Yosemite Sam in medieval England, ancient Egypt, and the old west, and seem like they’re meeting for the first time every time.
The whole DVD being cut together like a movie gives you the impression that 12 Oz. Mouse is a huge epic story that wraps up nicely, with purpose. No such luck. It really was sorta nonsense, I guess. I’m guessing Aspirin would have made another appearance in some other context in some other version of the show, and not be elaborated on. Eventually Aspirin is revealed to be a god particle, or something, just as some other weird concept is introduced to fixate on instead. It can go anywhere and everywhere man. It’s like Everyone Everywhere All Over The Place, At Once! or whatever that movie was called.
So the ending is a bit of a disappointment. I forgot that it was, honest. I only saw a few random episodes of this show before getting the DVD and watching the entire thing in one day when I was recovering from a hernia surgery and on Vicodin. I was recuperating at my parent’s house and brought a stack of DVDs from home to watch. I had just gotten Human Giant season one on DVD which had dozens of additional commentary tracks that were all hysterical. Vicodin notwithstanding, it became less-than-ideal viewing material while I was on the mend because laughing physically hurt. A LOT. This isn’t a compliment, and I’m sorry, but I switched to 12 Oz. Mouse specifically because I could capably watch it without hurting myself.
The ending feels sudden and the series feels cut-short. That’s because it was. There was a webisode coming, which was meant to kick-start a new short season. It didn’t. Years later there was a special and a third season, some of which I’ve seen. But, the show is enormously specific, and that’s a good thing. It’s obtuse and feels like a show you’re supposed to be watching at 1AM. You can get really into it, especially if you’re high. I get why people love this show. I get why this might be a show people enjoy watching over and over. I feel slightly compelled to start watching it again, even if it’s just for background noise. But the idea that it fulfilled some kind of narrative promise is a stretch. I guess I’m glad I gave it a sincere shot at trying to “get” it, and I’m slightly eager to check it out again, even, in it’s movie form.
Additionally, in its defense: many network shows with much bigger fan-bases are allowed to have overlapping serialized story-lines that sometimes go nowhere and are quietly replaced by different ones. I’ve tricked myself into thinking that 12 Oz. Mouse might be a meta-textual critique of storytelling on television; the ending can be seen as symbolic of a network stepping in and rebooting the status quo of a TV show that’s in danger of going too far up its own ass. Or, maybe 12 Oz. Mouse was only ever meant to be about the vibes, which it has in spades. Who knows. But you owe it to yourself to at the very least check out the pilot episode, “Hired’. Don’t feel too bad if you don’t feel like watching more. Don’t feel bad if you like the show but don’t feel like you “get” it. Just don’t feel bad about anything ever. Mouse would want it that way.
EPHEMERA CORNER:
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Days 227 - 266: Oh, to be in your care
These are getting fewer and further between huh? There's also no point mentioning that every single time, huh?
Well, I started school again.
It sucks.
I had a sinking feeling that this final semester was all of a sudden going to be unlike the other three and crawl by slowly...but looking at the last three weeks from a distance, I'm pretty amazed that there were three of them. It doesn't seem like it'll be too difficult but also doesn't seem like it'll be a cakewalk. I think I mentioned it before but at this point I'm just antsy because I'm over it, I'm ready to work now. I've done the co-op thing...twice...essentially doing the same thing I would do if I was hired to work there as a regular employee. Speaking of which, co-op ended and prospects at the city seem good based on what was said to me and about me. I'm still not sure if that's where I wanna end up but it also may be one of the best spots I can be while I figure out what's next. So that's pretty cool.
So yeah, I finished that, started school, caught COVID....
Yeah.
Fucking shit caught up to me.
I had been on a college campus for a couple of weeks, trying to mask up and be safe obviously but that'll only get you so far. Unclear if I was patient zero in my household as my dad got it a day or two before I did but I could have brought it back and not shown any symptoms. So the whole Chammas clan here in the apartment got infected. Luckily, mom and dad are both double-vaxxed, double-boosted and the worst of it seemed to only last about two or three days for them. Mine has been lingering though. I missed all my classes this week but luckily all of the material (aside from the live lecture) is still online, I have at least one class that was already fully virtual and a friend from older classes and my last co-op who was kind enough to talk me through today's coding lecture over WhatsApp as it was happening. I daresay I was more productive this week while sick at home than I was the last two while I was on campus. It's almost as if there's no actual reason for any of us to be there except for the fact the college wants us buy their shitty food and pay exorbitant parking fees on top of the already ridiculous tuition costs. Capitalism gon' capital. But let's move on from that since I've ranted and raved about it to family and friends over a voice chat between coughs enough this week.
Well, come to think of it, there's not much else. Oh...I guess I filed for divorce since the last post. Yeah. Fuck. That happened. We met at the courthouse. Filled out some paper work. Got some stuff notarized. Went back to her house...shit, okay. Pause. It IS her house. Why did I debate whether to refer to it as my OLD house? I guess technically both are true. *sigh* See how psychologically fun this whole process is? Anyway, yeah we went back to her house and re-signed and dated any of the paper work we had looked over a few weeks before and then I took it all home and filed. The process supposedly takes about 6-8 weeks (it's been 5) and that's assuming that we did everything correctly. At this point, I'm just praying I don't get an email back from the superior court saying "sorry try again" or I will lose my god damn shit. The process shouldn't be this hard....it's already hard enough emotionally.
Okay...fuck it here it is.
So she was late to the courthouse. We had to queue up and take another number after I had already been there for close to an hour. I was furious. I did my best to remain calm. She was apologetic. But god it was just...a microcosm of the worst parts of our relationship. I spent the whole rest of the time thinking how glad I was going to be when this process was all over, how this time might ACTUALLY be the last time I had to deal with this shit...and I just....couldn't fucking hold onto it. Maybe my heart knew it wasn't worth it. Maybe I'm past the point of caring, of investing too much of myself in it, and that's probably the healthier thing.
Before I left, I stood at the doorway awkwardly, said goodbye and then gave her a hug, and instinctively gave her a kiss on head. We just froze there for a second in a fucking depressing tableau.
I've said time and time again that this was all meant to happen, and I still believe that. I've said we're both gonna move on from this and do so much better for ourselves and by ourselves, and fuck I believe that with all my heart. But as has happened numerous times this year, and will certainly happen a few more before the year is through, loneliness has tendency to kick you right in rose-coloured nostalgia. And I'd be lying if I said I didn't think about giving her a shout when I got COVID just to hear her sympathize and remember what it was like when someone other than mommy and daddy were taking care of me.
It's funny, I started this series of sort of journal entries at the beginning of the year, to document my progress, the first new year since leaving my marriage and my home. And moreso than "look at all the progress I've made," I Iook back on everything so far and say "look how it's still hard, but I'm still moving forward." "Look how it's still hard but I'm still here."
I don't remember where I heard it recently but "two steps forward, one step back is STILL one step forward." So that's it. This is gonna be the pattern. Slow progress forward, but mostly more of the same. More of the same until it's different.
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Medical jargon under the cut along with some venting. Might take a break to collect myself.
So, unsurprisingly, I am not pre-diabetic, thus making me not needing the Ozempic like my gastro seemed to think I was. It’s almost like he should have listened to me when I had said I needed some sort of tool to figure out the percentages of fat, muscle, water, etc. He also forgets that I suffer from inflammation issues, which can cause weight gain. But, y’know, I’m in the 40+ range on the BMI! I need to have it! Never mind the fact that they just voted to phase out BMI, but whatever.
In all honesty, if he was that goddamn worried about my weight, he should have filed for the prior authorization with my insurance. I had just seen my primary care doctor, he would have said something if he was that concerned that it wasn’t a fairly normal blend of percentages.
That being said, I just feel… gross. Inhuman. I hate talking to doctors about my weight because none of them really seem to want to help me and like… shame me because I don’t have time or energy to exercise. Like, hello? I had to swallow my tears taking my shoes off today when I finally got home from work two hours late because my feet were in so much pain. My legs swell so much that if I wear crew cut socks and skinny jeans, you can see where my socks are on my calves. That isn’t normal.
And speaking of work, I’m about ready to say fuck it and quit. Drain my down payment funds to pay off some of the debts I have and just do my own thing. I’m so sick and tired of being miserable at this place. Of listening to my manager bitch that they need help in the pharmacy, but nobody wants to do it.
Hello??? I’ve been telling you for the entire two years I’ve been with the company that I want to learn the pharmacy??? Don’t fucking tell me that nobody wants to help out in the pharmacy, because can’t keep saying that that’s where I want to go.
And the manager really pissed me off today. My blood work to check my Stelara levels is very strict. I have to get the blood work done the day before my injection. Not two days before. Not a week before. The day before. My next injection is this upcoming Saturday. Which means this Friday I need to get the blood work done. I gave her an ultimatum: I can either come in late or I can leave early. She goes “neither, it’s inventory day. You need to be here”. No the fuck I don’t. I’m not the one counting shit. An outside company (or which I called the cops on their staff twice last year for violently disruptive behavior) does. Tell the other shift lead that he has to come in then, if you seriously think you need FOUR MANAGERS in. By the way: I’ve been there for inventory both years I’ve worked there; we stand around and do jack shit. There’s zero point in there being four managers on at the same goddamn time.
But, y’know what? They wanna see what the stress of this shit has done to me? They can see it. I’m not holding back any tears or outbursts for the next two days. I am in so much pain right now, I can’t even sleep. I wake up in the middle of the night and my body is acting like I’m in a night terror, even though I’m not. I have welts in some of my joints because they’re so inflamed, things rubbing against my skin is causing sores. I can barely walk, my legs are in so much pain. I can’t stand upright my back is in so much pain, but hunching over makes it worse. I can barely lift my arms over my head, even when I’m laying down (which makes sleeping difficult because I sleep with my arms over my head).
All this being said… I need to take a break. I’ll throw stuff in my queue, but I don’t think I’m going to actively post for a few days. Just so I can think about some things. I will still be reachable through private messages, though! It might just take a little bit for me to respond.
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Blog Update: (kinda) Travel Blog Style
Reminder: Various polls will be closing within the next 24 hours. (see pinned post for links)
Drafts: 61
Queue: 8 (7 POI posts, 1 face angle post)
---
So I was getting the remaining POI entries I need between the two and I have Arthur go to the Hermit Woman... you either have to run off her dogs or kill them. ... I had to kill them. I just survived a bear attack I'm not dying to three dogs.
Arthur hogties the woman, writes in his journal, and as I have him get on his horse to leave he shouts back,
"You take care now!"
Arthur please...
Speaking of bear attacks I'm VERY curious to know if the camp will react in ANY way to Arthur coming back all scratched up so I'm hoping the wounds don't fade til I ride all the way back... to Clemen's Point... from North Big Valley... The blood faded from his coat but the scratch marks are still there.
Had the rude racer come up to us and ask to race down to Owanjila. Said no. He called us a coward and he's very lucky we have places to be.
Autopilot... Crashed into the tree those damn O'Driscoll's cut down to make Arthur and Micah crash that wagon. Why does no one ever fix that?
Just as we reach near Diablo Ridge (near the edge of West Elizabeth) we have to help a guy with a bear trap and I see our bear scars finally fade away from our back... now we only have the face scar... gotta hurry if I wanna show camp.
Just as I see camp in the distance... face scar is gone. Mission Failure.
...
Walking towards where Micah's at the fire, bear pelt over my shoulder.
Me: Micah I fought a bear and won, look, look!
Micah makes some noise, laughs, "got ya there."
Arthur: Just name the place my friend. Just name the place.
Dude... we fought a BEAR and won. Think we're scared of you???
...
Oh to be as happy as Uncle looks playing the banjo.
...
See's Micah bothering Abigail, beelines for them.
He walks away says "Ladies" to Karen, Tilly, and Grimshaw.
Karen: *happily* Hello!
Me: WTF Karen?!
...
Proceeds to follow him around camp antagonizing him.
He brags about putting money in the box (after fucking teleporting I stg he was behind me)
Arthur: What do you want? A medal?
$25 hm? weeeell.... lemme just put in... $100.
...
Scene comes up where Karen is complaining about Grimshaw, Grimshaw shows up.. with a broom.
The fuck are you out here sweeping, Susan?!
Arthur: *to Karen* My lady.
Karen: Leave it.
What did I do?!
...
As we're leaving camp to head to the Braithwaite place to get a photo of their secret I see Hosea walking away into the woods... with a plate. Where the fuck did he get a PLATE? I thought we only had bowls?!
Then we see him kicking Sean awake (who's supposed to be on guard) and I realize it's for a scene... but then I go over and look via photo mode... plate is gone.
..
Rowing over to the manor and there's a couple sitting on the beach. cute.
I think that's all the things I need for POIs (besides the Grey's secret because for some reason whenever I go to get that entry the paper is gone and neither wrote anything down for it.) so those should be all up within a week.
While I'm out here might as well get some photos for those little islands.
Is there a reason that the music on these fucking things is so fucking creepy at night????
...
If I hit a snake with my boat... it'll be fine right??? . . . It hissed and disappeared but there's no X on the map... but it did a lil flash on the screen... Q-Q I'm sorry Snek.
On the bright side my heath is going up from all this paddling.
got to the sunken/wrecked ship. Never noticed an eagle can spawn at the top of the mast.
So.. just like in real life.. shooting a hole in your boat is a bad idea. Not sure what I thought would happen. In hindsight I should've done this closer to the camp and not... ya know, on the island across from it. That being said if you're ever stuck on one of those islands just set up a camp and poof magically you're back on the main land.
...
Rolled around in the mud to see if I could get Grimshaw to make me wash... she comes up to me... and says they were worried about me Q-Q I didn't think I was gone so long. I just went around the islands for about a day and a half.
Went fishing off the dock
"You sir, are a fish." Arthur is too precious for this world...
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girl help my latest obsession has no online community
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facedown - @himbohood
a repost from my previous blog! i’ll be putting my old writings in my queue just so i can get them back on my blog. wanna be added to my tag list? click here!
paring: calum hood / female reader
about: this is based off of an experience i had with an ex-boyfriend and i started thinking about how this would be if i put calum in that memory instead. thus this was created. uni!sos
warnings: smut.
word count: 1688
The days she wasn’t bombarded with work or classes, she usually took up residency on her boyfriend's couch. Calum Hood split rent with three other guys and at this point in their relationship, she had meshed in well with the group. The atmosphere of the small three-bedroom house was more relaxing than any home Y/N had previously been in. With guitars hanging haphazardly on the wall and concert posters pinned up wherever the boys could fit them— this tiny house had become hers as well.
She sunk comfortably in the soft cushions of the couch, her legs lying lazily across Calum’s lap. Michael, one of the aforementioned roommates, took control of the TV. He switched back and forth between YouTube channels before landing on a let's player of some sort. Y/N briefly overheard something about Overwatch but then quickly tuned out after that. She didn’t entirely know if it was just how Calum looked with the LCD screen shining back on his strong features— but the urge to crawl into his lap got harder to resist.
Scooting closer each time he laughed along with his friend, Y/N let her hand brush against his chest. She figured Calum knew what she was hinting at because his hand moved dangerously close to the bottom of her fleece shorts. Y/N cursed herself for not just getting up and texting him to follow her back to his room. Though, she figured this was much more fun. Michael was seemingly oblivious of their silent sexual tension. If she wasn’t in such a haze of arousal, she might have joined in. Her mind just kept drifting away from the reality of the moment. The absolute need to be fucked by her boyfriend was the only thing that was important. Flashes of dirty memories ran through her brain and just the thought was enough for Y/N to fill a flutter in her stomach. She would have done anything at this moment for Calum to bend her over the back of this couch and fuck her senselessly. Maybe if she asked nicely, he’d pull her hair or spank her.
The thoughts her heavily amplified by his beautiful voice booming about whatever the fuck he and Michael were talking about. She didn’t understand how he could be so subtle at rubbing the soft skin of her thigh. How could Calum not break concentration on his conversation as he gave Y/N the smallest amount of stimulation for her problem? She knew he didn’t want to seem rude, but she could tell by the bulge against her legs that he was just as interested.
“ I think that I’m gonna go and pick up some food— you guys want to come with?” Michael said, finally getting up and heading towards the exit.
“Nah, we‘ll pick up something later. Thanks, though.” Y/N finally spoke after Calum did, “Yeah, I’m not really that hungry right now.”
Whenever that door shut, the two of them had the entire house to themselves. She didn’t have any time to blink before Calum snatched her up and pulled her in his lap. Y/N gasped at the sudden sensation and didn’t wait to roughly grind her hips down onto him. He made the prettiest noises and that only made her problem worse. She was sure that at this point he could just kiss her and she would cum.
Her voice became a sort of wine as she spoke, “ Cal, please touch me.” It was most definitely a beg because she didn’t have time to take things slow. Michael would be back soon and she really wanted the opportunity to ruin her vocal cords screaming Calums name.
There was a chuckle and then his lips made contact with her skin. They landed on her collarbone, teeth grazing the soft skin and vibrating it as he spoke. “ What’s gotten into you? Thought you were gonna fuck me in front of Mikey or somthin’” As he spoke he made quick work at pushing her shirt just over her breasts. Y/N let out a soft laugh, at his comment— moaning loudly when he bit the skin right above her breasts. “If we don’t hurry up I might have to fuck you while Mikey watches.”
Calum let out a low groan and quickly wrapped his arms around her midsection. Lifting Y/N he supported her by placing his hands firmly on her ass. He made quick work at getting them back to his room. As soon as her feet touched the ground, Y/N crawled on the bed. Caum watched in awe as she lay on her back and shimmied off her shorts and underwear. With her legs wide open, she was at full display for him. “You expect me not to eat you out when you look that good?” He teased, walking towards her as he pulled off his clothes. “We’ve got plenty of time for that later,” Y/N promised, discarding her shirt and bra. “If you fuck me well enough, I might sit on your face.” Her face was bright pink after speaking, half distracted by Calum hovering over her.
“I think I can do that.”
His hands explored everywhere they could. He saved the best for last. He didn’t tease her, figuring that she had already edged herself just from sitting on the couch earlier. His thumb came in contact with her clit and Y/N let out an almost painfully loud moan. She was slick before he even touched her. That didn’t entirely surprise Calum but god was it pride boosting. “You don’t even need me to get you ready, do you?” His words were a soft mumble, catching her lips in a very much needed kiss. He pulled away just for a moment, getting ready to angle himself in— but before he could she spoke. “Cal, fuck me from behind. I want you deep.”
Y/N didn’t have to ask twice because before she knew it Cal was directing her to turn around. She rested her head on his pillows, eagerly shaking her ass up at him. “Please fuck me, Cal.”
He lined himself up with her entrance, hand moving to brush down her spine as a sort of warning before he pushed in. She let out a loud, gasping-for-air type of breath when he bottomed out inside of her. “Fuck— Cal, baby you’re so big.” She moaned out, pressing back onto him as if to say more. She put her hands behind her back, asking Cal to hold them without even speaking. She didn’t know if it was her previous begging, but Y/N brought that same energy as he pulled her back against his chest. With one hand gripped tightly on her hip and the other grasped around her breast, Calum made quick work in starting his agonizingly slow pace.
At the mere thought of friction, Y/N’s knees were weak— but now that she was finally getting what she wanted the idea of being quiet was a joke. The slow thrusts of his hips didn’t last long. Y/N figured he was just getting his balance because soon enough both of his calloused hands landed on her hips. He gave her a kiss that almost read farewell before pushing her face down into the pillows.
“ Mmph— fuck you look so good like this baby,” his voice filled the room with soft, pleasure-filled mumbles. Y/N could only respond in incoherent gasps and mewls, eagerly bouncing back on his cock in desperation. One hand left her hip and the loss of it almost stung, but it went away when that hand traced up her spine and tangled in her hair. The loud noise of his hips snapping against Y/N ass practically filled the tiny house.
Her knees were weak and her forehead was covered in sweat. She tried so hard to tell him that she was close, but whenever her words failed her, she was happy that he just knew. Calum fucked her mercilessly into the bed, his hand now finding her clit and rubbing firm calculated circles against it.
His name was the only thing that she could think as she fell apart. Screaming his name in praise, in thanks, in rejoice as she came around him. She fell from an unbelievable high and only felt it coming back as he focused on his orgasm.
She could only imagine how his face looked as he fucked her. His soft grunts were perhaps the most beautiful sound in the world, but what was even prettier was what he said next,
“ Baby— fuck, I’m about to cum.”
She hated that he had to pull out, but the empty feeling was almost made better by the warm ropes decorating her back.
She relaxed on her stomach as Calum lazily brushed a finger through the mess on her back and pressed a firm kiss to her shoulder.
“Let me get a towel, yeah?” and with that, he wandered into his ensuite and wasted no time in cleaning Y/N up. Falling to warm up space beside her, Calum eagerly pulled her on his chest.
They sat for a moment, relaxing in the post-sex high. His hand brushed through her hair, lips leaving kisses across her forehead. She sighed, nuzzling her face against his chest before doing the same to him. Her fingers ran through his hair and her lips littered his skin. It was quiet for a bit— the world didn’t exist… until, well until Micheal made it known that he had been back for around 15 minutes.
“ Are you guys done fucking yet? I bought you food, so if you’re not done I’m eating it!” His highly annoyed voice boomed through the house which elicited a laugh from both Calum and Y/N.
“Fuck,” she laughed, “Guess we lost track of time?”
“I’m gonna be real honest with you, I forgot he was even coming back.” and with that, the only important thing the two laughed together and rolled out of their haze to get dressed and eat the food Micheal had so graciously got them.
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Stark Spangled Banner
Ch 1. Back Into The Field
Intro: Picking up a few months on from the events of Stark Spangled Man, Katie finds herself on desk bound duty following a disciplinary for ignoring Fury’s orders. But when she’s finally released, and disaster strikes on the first mission she’s run in months, she kinda wishes she’d stayed there.
Warnings: Bad language, mentions of blood, injury, angst and a minor character death.
Pairing: Steve Rogers x Katie Stark
A/N: So here we go. A relaunch of SSB thanks to my other blog being flagged. For those of you who are new, welcome! I hope you enjoy. And to all you current Stark Spangled Readers, welcome back, You might spot a few subtle differences as we go through, as things I’m not happy with have been rewritten but don’t worry, nothing will impact the mine lines in the hot mess that is Stark and Rogers.
As always, please leave your comments or send me messages, asks, anything. I love you all!
Disclaimer: This is a pure work of fiction and classified as 18+. Please respect this and do not read if you are underage. I do not own any characters in this series bar Katie Stark and the other OCs. By reading beyond this point you understand and accept the terms of this disclaimer.
Stark Spangled Banner Masterlist // Main Masterlist
March 2013.
Any doctor would cry if they visited SHIELD; the caffeine and alcohol intake of pretty much every worker there would way exceed a dose construed to be healthy. Mind you, if you asked any agent whether they’d give up coffee or alcohol, they’d say alcohol in a heartbeat.
Well, most of them.
Katie couldn’t imagine surviving without an ice cold beer on a hot summer’s day, but she also didn’t function until she had her morning cup of Joe. It was a tough choice to make.
Not today though, she needed coffee. And lots of it. After ‘going rogue’ to chase the Mandarin with her brother, month’s later Fury was still pissed and as such was basically giving her the most boring thing he could think of- working through piles of mission reports to analyse and cross reference with others to pick up on common threads .To be honest, she didn’t mind it too much. After the excitement of the festive period she had welcomed a relatively quiet return to work, and didn’t particularly give a shit what Fury thought about her either.
She circling a part of the hard copy of the report she was working on with highlighter pen, before glancing back at her computer screen to cut and paste it into the Scrapbook App she used to trace trends with, letting out a groan. Who was she kidding? Desk duty sucked ass.
*****
Steve’s morning wasn’t going much better.
Whilst he wasn’t desk bound, after a particularly gruelling Ops Training session during which one of the newest kids suffered a broken nose after colliding painfully with a stray shock baton, he was almost wishing he was. Following a quick debrief, he checked his schedule on his phone and found he was free now for the rest of the day so he showered and headed up to find Katie. He found her in her office, paper in her hand as she stared at her computer screen, eyes narrowed. Steve watched her for a moment, taking in the way her nose crinkled as she read something, her bottom lip being dragged under her top teeth as she continued her work, completely unaware he was there. With a groan she dropped the notes she’d been holding to the desk and ran her hand through her dark hair.
Steve felt he was interrupting something, even though he knew he wasn’t, but he also didn’t want to appear like he’d been watching her either, which he totally had. So he gave a little cough and, as she turned round, her pretty face cracking into a smile which he returned.
“Hey! How was training?”
“Don’t ask.” He let out a snort.
“That bad huh?”
“In a fashion.” He nodded, leaning on the door frame. “You had lunch?”
“Nope.”
“Wanna come get some?”
She nodded instantly “God yes. Can we get FroYo after?”
“Yeah but don’t let me pile it with all that crap this time!” he shot her his best playfully disapproving look as he remembered his first trip the Frozen Yoghurt stall. He had loaded his with all sorts of different things and the result had been beyond foul.
Katie gave a laugh and picked up her jacket, shrugging it on. Standing up straight, he moved to allow her to step through the door and followed her to the elevator.
“Stick to chocolate chip, mint and cookie dough.” She said, stepping into it. “Trust me.”
They strode across the foyer and into the early spring sun. Katie pulled her jacket tighter around herself as they crossed the street, shivering a little in the cool breeze.
“How are you just wearing a shirt?” she looked at Steve as he fell into step besides her, making sure he was on the side nearest the road. He noticed that she’d long since given up chiding him on this old fashioned habit after he had revealed it was something he used to do for his mom too, and Bucky’s younger sister. In fact, today, he swore he saw something that looked like a soft smile flicker on her lips when he positioned himself on her left, but as quick as he noticed it, it was gone.
“It’s not too bad.” He grinned. “I’ve been through worse.” He opened the door to the Deli for her and followed her in as they took their place in the queue. After a moment or two he became aware that she was looking at him.
“What?” he asked, turning to her exasperatedly. Katie couldn’t help but grin, she enjoyed winding the usually mild mannered man up
“I’m trying to imagine how you would look with a beard. And with shorter hair.” she mused, causing the Captain to roll his eyes.
“Not gonna happen.”
“What the hair cut or the beard?”
“Neither.”
“Spoil sport.”
“Captain America doesn’t have a beard.” he shook his head.
“No but, Steve Rogers could…”
She was impossible, but Steve couldn’t help but want to laugh. This playfulness was the thing that he enjoyed the most, how she could just treat him like any other punk she knew.
“Did anyone ever tell you you’re exhausting?” he rolled his eyes, a smirk playing on his face as she stepped forward in the queue.
“Yeah, you.” she spun round to face him, grinning “Several times. But you still come back for more.”
“Well I have the distinct impression if I didn’t you’d hunt me down anyway”
They ordered and ate their lunch, Steve filling her in on the ops drill and after Fro-Yo they made arrangements to slob out that evening at his with a film. They walked back to the Triskellion where Katie headed back to her office to continue sifting through the Mount Everest of reports she had to do. As with anything, once she got the bit between her teeth, she completely zoned out. It was only when she heard a gabble of voices all bidding each other goodbye that she looked up from her work. It was dark outside, and past six.
“Shit.” she groaned as the realisation washed over her. She was supposed to be at Steve’s for half past. She clicked to save her work whilst calling him at the same time, phone sandwiched between her cheek and shoulder.
“So…I’m running late.” She apologised the instant he answered. He chuckled.
“I thought that you said the one good thing about being confined to desk duties was that you set the hours.”
“Yeah, well I got caught up in something, but I’m leaving now. Do you want me to grab pizza on the way?”
“Sounds good, not Chicago Style though. I’m hankering for a proper piece of pie.”
“God you’re such a New Yorker.” She rolled her eyes.
“You say it like it’s a bad thing.” His voice took on a mock hurt tone and she could imagine him pouting on the other end of the phone.
“Hmmm, I’m undecided. Right, I’m leaving now. See you soon.”
“Drive safe.”
“What are you my dad?” she snorted at his stern instruction.
“Old enough to be.” he shot back.
“Touche.” she sniggered, cutting the call
*******
“Boring New York style for Mr S Rogers…” she spoke into the intercom at the main door to Steve’s apartment complex and he buzzed her in. By the time she’d climbed the stairs to his floor he was waiting, leaning on the door frame.
“Bout time.” He muttered, taking the boxes off her “Was about to send a search party.”
“Mario’s was packed.” Katie said, kicking off her sneakers and heading straight through to his kitchen to grab a beer out of his fridge without waiting for him to offer, knowing he wouldn’t. He didn’t need to.
Steve headed into the living room, depositing the thee boxes on the coffee table before he sank onto the couch and reached straight in for one of the pepperoni slices. A few moments later Katie flopped down next to him, handing him a beer.
“What we ticking off the list tonight?” she asked.
“A Few Good Men.” he said, nodding at the TV where he had queued the movie up ready.
“Wait, did you manage to navigate that Android box all by yourself?” She looked at him and he sighed.
“I’m not completely useless ya know.”
“Jury’s out.” she teased, curling her legs up onto the sofa next to her.
They watched the movie. Steve got most of the references within it. He chuckled in the right places, and laughed out loud when Katie was unable to stop herself uttering the immortal line You can’t handle the truth. When the credits began to roll, Katie unfolded herself from where she had been sat and they launched into Steve’s favourite part of Movie Nights- the post film analysis.
“Who was the guy who played the colonel, Jessup?” he looked at her.
“Jack Nicholson. Amazing actor. He’s in a few on your list.”
“He was good. And I know he was supposed to be the good guy so to speak but Kaffee annoyed me a little. He was so arrogant.”
“He reminds me of Tony” Katie sniggered.
“Well, I didn’t want to say anything” Steve gave a little smirk and Katie shrugged.
“I get what you mean though. He is an ass, and it pisses me off a little the romance angle they take with him and Galloway. I mean, she’s portrayed as this strong woman, in the male dominated military woman and they still have to go there.”
“It does seem to be a tried and tested format.” Steve nodded, leaning back against the cushions on his couch “Boy meets girl, boy likes girl, boy wins girl over…even the movies I saw back in before I took a sub-zero nap were the same.”
“I suppose it appeals to the hopeless romantic in all of us.” Katie shrugged.
They continued to chat for a bit longer until Katie glanced at her watch, and seeing the time, decided to call it a night. Steve walked her down to her car, he always did without fail, another thing she had given up chiding him for and when he came back upstairs and got in the shower, he found himself straying back to the first time he had seen her, the minute she had stepped into the light in the boxing gym and he’d found himself looking into the greenest eyes he had ever seen in his life.
The more he stood there in the stream of hot water, thinking about her, the more he started to feel something…well…different. And he couldn’t put his finger on it. Was it that he found her attractive? Well of course he did. To be honest, he reckoned you’d have to be blind not to. And if he was totally honest, since he’d seen her the first time in that little boxing gym in New York he had noticed how pretty she was. She had the figure of the stars of his time. Hour glass waist, brunette hair, shapely ass and legs and quite large breasts considering she was so slim. But what did it for him were her eyes. Deep, sparkling emeralds that he could lose himself in quite happily. And that smile, that fucking smile that could make him stop in his tracks when she flashed it.
But it was more than just that, she was…well…just Katie.
It was strange, really, she reminded him so much of Peggy in some ways, but in others she was so different. Both were vivacious, smart, strong willed and beautiful. But where Peggy had been harsh, after a military upbringing, Katie had a softer edge to her. She was still ferocious at times, but she was a people person, and somehow knew exactly how to explain and understand what he was trying to say even when he struggled to himself. She made him feel at ease. With that in mind it wasn’t surprising they had grown so close. He could trust her and knew that she would do anything for him because she was a good person. And she made it so easy to be around, he didn’t feel a shred of awkwardness around her.
He hadn’t thought he’d ever find himself a friend he could be as honest and open with again, one he would happily lay his life on the line for, not just out of a sense of duty but out of a sense of love and friendship.
Who you trying to kid, Rogers?
He knew his feelings went deeper than that. All those times he’d felt irritation at other men looking at her or touching her, all those times he’d looked at her and just wanted to smile because she was just her… the fear he had felt when he had known she was off chasing the Mandarin and he wasn’t able to help…none of that was anything to do with mere friendship.
He leaned his forehead against the tiles of the shower cubicle and groaned. He was crushing on his best friend.
He was so fucked.
*******
Katie’s desk arrest didn’t last much longer. Two weeks later she was catapulted back into the field, on what was supposed to be a simple op, simple by SHIELD standards, anyway. They had a request from the Cuban government – all very hush, hush, of course –to take down a drug lord who ran a cartel SHIELD had tangled with last year.
Katie, in her role as Mission Analyst, read the files and all the intel, pulled together a briefing and delivered it, answering questions that came her way from the team and then handed over to Steve when it was his turn to take the floor. He started issuing out his orders, and informed everyone that the three newest recruits would be joining them as it would be a fairly straight forward op to ease them into.
And it had been, for the most part, until one of those new recruits, Jack Adams, had frozen mid fire fight and as a consequence he’d taken three bullets to the chest. Which shouldn’t have been an issue given the armour they all wore. But when the man failed to get up, Katie knew there was something very, very wrong.
“Adams is down!” she loudly spoke into her radio as she took aim at the hostile responsible. As soon as she was sure the round she had let off had hit her target, she broke cover to get to Adams, as she was closest to him. She skidded to the floor, pressing her hand to his chest and her other reached to his face, turning it to look at her.
“I got you, Adams, look at me.” she urged gently, her hand warm, wet and slick with the young man’s blood. Steve dropped besides her and she turned to face him.
“Armour piercing rounds.” She shook her head. “Steve, I can’t stop the bleeding.” Her tone left the Captain in no doubt as to how worried she was and he looked around frantically for help.
“Medic, NOW! We need emergency evac…”
“Stay with us, Jack.” Katie reached into her belt and retrieved a tab of morphine as he young man’s hand gripped her other whilst she administered the pain relief.
“Son, you’re gonna be fine.” Steve spoke and Adams’ horrified eyes turned to Steve. The soldier swallowed, fighting to keep his face calm. He’d seen that expression so many times on the battle field, the one that told him the man who lay injured knew he was injured beyond repair, that there was nothing to be done for him. But this was now seventy years into the future, medical science had worked so many wonders since then, they had to be able to do something, right?
“RUMLOW WHERE THE FUCK IS THAT MEDIC?” Katie screamed, her tone frantic.
“Still got hostiles on us!” Rumlow replied over the coms. “Evans has taken four down but they’re approaching from the right! We need to cover the medics in and now you’re down there…”
Steve instantly looked round before he looked back at Katie “We’ll have to take him ourselves”
She bit her lip, looking at the young man, then up to Steve again. Everything in their training told them not to move casualties, but Steve knew if they stayed here he was going to bleed out. Katie seemed to come to the same conclusion and she nodded.
“Alright. Brock, we’re coming to you. Have the medics prep the bay on the jet.. Evans, we need top cover.”
“Roger, Cap…”
“Jack, we’re gonna move you now.” Katie looked at him, her voice calm and level as besides her, Steve moved to take the injured man into a lift over his shoulder. Once he had him positioned, he gave a small jerk of his head and Katie picked up his shield in one hand, and her pistol in the other as they broke cover, sprinting across the front of the industrial yard towards the jet. In the corner of his eye, Steve spotted two hostiles moving but before he could shout a warning, Katie had fired off two shots, the thumps and lack of returning fire meaning each bullet had hit its target. Soon they were joined by Rumlow and Rollins who flanked them up the ramp where Katie dropped Steve’s shield to the floor with a clang and offered her hand back to Adams as Steve placed him gently on the stretcher.
“It’s gonna be ok.” Katie soothed him as the medics bustled around, her eyes glancing up every so often to watch what they were doing.
“Can you tell my mom I love her and, and my dad.” Adams was mumbling now and Katie shook her head.
“You can tell them yourself.” She told him fiercely. “You’ll be fine, I promise.”
“We’re locked down outside, local authorities are handling it now.” Rumlow informed Steve who had stepped back from where Katie was knelt by the injured man. “How is he?”
Steve turned to Rumlow, shaking his head sadly. “Not good. He lost a lot of blood.”
At that point Katie suddenly drew back slightly, looking at the hand held in hers, before she glanced at the medic who was sadly shaking his head. Katie’s shoulders slumped as her eyes closed, face screwing up into a pained expression and Steve pinched the bridge of his nose with his thumb and middle finger as he realised that the young man had lost his final fight.
“Shit.” Rumlow muttered.
“Radio base” Steve turned to Rumlow his voice soft “Let’s get him home.”
*******
Writing mission reports wasn’t Katie’s favourite thing to do, but this one was awful. So she’d treated it like ripping off a band aid, and after a horrific night’s sleep, she’d been at the Triskelion early to get it done. As a result it was little after ten am, she was done for the day and was about to head home until she heard a familiar voice.
“Eat me…eat me…” The voice was accompanied by a bag from her favourite bakery, which was hovering in the space between the door to the office and the frame, before Clint Barton’s head poked round the side, a grin plastered on his face.
“Hey!” She beamed at her friend as he dropped a cup holder containing two coffees and the bag onto her desk before taking a seat, scooting the wheeled chair over the floor towards her.
“Heard you had a rough time of it yesterday so I brought donuts and almond croissants. And coffee.”
“Hawkeye, you are a godsend.” Katie smiled, taking a large drink and leaning back, closing her eyes.
“That the first time you’ve lost a man on a mission?” Clint asked.
“Other than Coulson.” she shrugged. “Shit, Adams was twenty-three Clint. He had his whole life ahead of him.”
Clint watched as she rubbed at her temple before reaching into the bag and pulling out an almond croissant. She couldn’t remember when she had last eaten, it must have at least been before the mission.
“How’s Cap taken it?”
“On the outside he seems okay, but I know he blames himself. Keeps saying he shouldn’t have taken him.” Katie shrugged “He’s gone with Fury to see Adams’ parents. Rather him than me.”
“This job is hard.” Clint said after a moment or two pause. “We fight to keep everyone safe, but y’know, sometimes not everyone makes it. Thing is, if we can’t find a way to deal with that, then maybe next time no one gets saved at all.”
“You mean like Collateral damage?” she snorted, shaking her head.
“No, I mean that everyone one of us that are out in the field know the risks Nova, hell last year 7 of us took on a horde of Aliens in New York. For hours we fought them, and did any of us give a second thought to our own safety? No, because that’s what we do.”
His words made sense. She knew they did, but that didn’t stop the feeling in her stomach that if she had done her research more, maybe she could have spotted something that would have told them about the armour piercing rounds.
*******
Adams’ parents already knew he was dead. Fury had the local authorities call ahead, common practice now, but still, Steve found himself sat on their couch, talking, informing them all about their son’s last moments. They hadn’t shouted, hadn’t screamed or blamed him. Instead, they’d thanked him for what he had done and for bringing him back so they could hold a proper burial.
By the time he got back to base, he was exhausted.
“Here.” Fury handed him a glass of scotch from the bottle he had pulled out of his desk. Steve took it, dropping onto one of the sofas at the side of the large office, Fury settling into the other. Steve knew the drink couldn’t get him drunk, but he liked the momentary buzz he got that lasted all of sixty seconds post sip, and the comforting burn it gave when he swallowed.
The pair of them sat in silence for a few moments before Fury sat forward, his eye fixed on Steve.
“Ever done that before, a death message?” he asked.
“Can’t say I have. Wasn’t really my job back in the day.” Steve shrugged, undoing his tie and popping the top button of his dress shirt.
“Worst part of the job. Doesn’t matter how many times you do it, never gets any easier.” Fury ran his hand over his face, and it struck Steve how tired his boss actually looked.
“Yeah, it isn’t exactly up there with my favourite thing to do.” Steve rolled his tie up and shoved it into the pocket of his old Army uniform pants.
“How’s Nova?” Fury asked.
“She’s upset.” Steve sighed “But she’s strong, she’ll be okay. I’m gonna head over and see how she is later.”
“You two spend a lot of time together outside of work.” Fury commented, innocently enough but there was something in his tone, something that was almost good natured accusation.
“Not a problem is it, Sir?” Steve asked, keeping his face straight.
“No, not at all.” Fury said “Why do you think I partnered you up in the first place? She’s a people person…”
“She’s a good friend.” Steve nodded “We get on.”
“Glad to hear it.” Fury nodded. There was another moment’s pause before he spoke again. “There’s going to be a debrief with the Secretary of Defense tomorrow.”
Steve sighed “If they’re looking to blame someone, the buck stops with me. I should never have taken the kid.”
“Bullshit.” Fury said simply “I’ve read the reports. From what they say, he just froze.”
“He wasn’t experienced enough.”
“Taking risks is part of this job. It’s a dangerous gig.” Fury held his gaze. “It was a straight forward in and out job Captain. What happened was an accident. A tragic one, but an accident none the less. From the reports, neither you nor Stark could have done any more to save his life.”
Steve shrugged, the words were kind but didn’t help him feel any better.
Three glasses of scotch later, Steve shook the director’s hand and left the office, pulling out his phone. He didn’t want to appear like he was checking up on Katie, so he pinged her a text, dressing it up like it was him who needed to see her, which wasn’t a complete lie. He did. He was craving the normality she gave him.
Can I come over? I could do with seeing a friendly face
He read it a few times, before deciding it was casual enough before he sent it. The reply was almost instantaneous.
My door is always open for you. And I made Mac and Cheese. Plenty left.
He couldn’t help but smile. One of the best things about this new life was the food, and her Mac and Cheese was frankly his favourite thing to eat on the planet.
He changed into a pair of sweats and a hoody, hastily making his way to Katie’s penthouse and the smile she gave him when he walked into her place instantly made him feel at ease.
“Hey.” she crossed the space towards him and gave him a hug which he happily melted into, a hug they both needed.
“How did it go?” she asked, pulling away.
“As well as can be expected.” He sighed as he followed her into the kitchen, dropping into the stool on the other side of the breakfast bar. “His mom broke down but they didn’t shout or yell.”
Katie flipped the lid off a beer and handed it to him. He took it, with a nod of thanks and pulled a large swig before he rest his hands on the counter, staring at the bottle.
He was brooding and blaming himself, Katie could tell, so she gently lay her hand on his, reaching over the counter.
“It wasn’t your fault Steve.” she spoke softly and he looked at her.
God, she did that all the time, knew what he was thinking. It gave him the unnerving impression that sometimes she could read his mind.
“I should have spotted that shooter.” he shook his head.
“I’m the fucking mission analyst.” she sighed. “I knew from last time those guys were packing, if I’d done more research, maybe I would have found out about the armour piercing rounds.”
“You can’t seriously blame yourself?” Steve’s frowned.
“Why not?” she shrugged sadly. She’d been over it a million times in her head that day and had come to the same conclusion every time. She should have spotted something, dug further. “I didn’t do my job.”
“Yes, you did.” he implored, his eyes locking onto hers “Your report clearly set out the layout, the learning from previous missions…Adams was just too inexperienced, I should never have taken him.”
There was a pause as the microwave pinged and Katie turned to look at it.
“You know, Clint made a good point before.” she reached in for the plate and the smell of the food made his stomach grumble again as she continued “This job, it’s hard. We fight to keep people safe but not everyone makes it back all the time…and if we can’t learn to live with that then maybe next time no one gets saved.”
“It feels like trading lives.” He took a deep breath as she placed the plate down in front of him “It’s just wrong.”
“I know.” She said, handing him some cutlery and sat down next to him.
“You eaten?” he asked, looking at her, suddenly aware she didn’t have a plate. She nodded.
“Couldn’t have waited until now, I’d have starved to death.” she said, shrugging.
“Hardly.” he replied, mouth full, instantly realising he had said the wrong thing as she narrowed her eyes at him.
“Is that a fat joke?” she asked, making him roll his eyes as he swallowed. That hadn’t been it at all, he was referring to the fact that she never actually stopped eating, despite her tiny frame she gave him a run for his money.
“No, that’s not what I meant. You’re tiny.” he said, almost choking on his food through his protests.
“So now you’re making short jokes?” She shot back. Steve looked at her, dismayed she thought he was being mean to her but then he spotted the look in her eyes and rolled his own.
“Punk.”
“Jerk” she shot back.
It was the perfect way to escape the trauma and stress of the last few days. Once they had finished eating the two of them flopped down on her large L shape sofa, Steve’s legs extended along one side of the L shape, her legs tucked underneath her as she leaned against his shoulder. He couldn’t help but notice the smell of her shampoo…apple, he thought, along with her perfume. Her proximity was making his head buzz but he wasn’t about to move her, the contact was comforting. And it clearly was for her too as about an hour or so into the film- the first in the Lord of The Rings trilogy- he felt her head growing heavy. He glanced down and saw that her eyes were closed and, as he watched, her head slipped slightly. He shifted so that he could catch her gently, and grabbed a cushion from behind him, placing it against his leg. He manoeuvred her head so that she was lay down, gently brushing her hair off her face. She stirred slightly, snuggling down further into the cushion as he absentmindedly rubbed between her shoulder blades as her breathing grew gentle and even.
Steve stayed like that, engrossed in the film right to the end, surprisingly. He had enjoyed it. Katie hadn’t woken up, and he looked down debating whether or not to wake her or simply carry her through to her bedroom. In the end he decided to do neither, instead he reached for the remote as he sifted through to find something else to watch. He didn’t want to leave just yet, he was too comfy and too at ease. Picking one of his favourites, Casablanca, he settled down, getting himself comfy as he immersed himself in the familiar world of Rick’s Café Americain. At one point he felt his eyes growing heavy and he lay his head back, deciding to rest them for just a little while…
****
Katie was jolted awake, quite violently, and as she jerked into an upright position she saw exactly why. Steve was thrashing in his sleep, his face contorted in horror, small murmurs and whimpers slipping from his plump lips. She placed both her hands on his shoulder and shook him. Softly at first, then a bit stronger, trying to rouse him.
“Steve…” she gave him a harsher shake and his eyes flew open, wide in panic and she reached up to cup his face in her hands. “Hey, it’s okay. It was just a dream.”
Her soft voice filled Steve’s senses and, as he realised where he was and whose eyes were looking at him, he took a shaky breath and lay his head back.
Damned it, he’d fallen asleep and had a nightmare. On her sofa.
“Sorry,” he said, his voice croaky, “I err…”
“Don’t apologise, it’s fine.” Katie shook her head gently “I’ll get you a glass of water.”
Whilst she was gone he leaned forward, swinging his legs off the couch so his feet touched the floor, wiping his clammy head with his hands, the memory still flashing through his dream.
Cold air was blasting his hair back…there was a hole in the side of the train…then a flash of light and Bucky flew straight through the hole. “BUCKY…” he yelled, grabbing onto the side of the train, the bar in one hand as he stretched to reach his friend with the other.
“Steve…” The voice was louder, but not loud enough. No, he had to get to Bucky…
But he was gone, Steve was grasping at nothing but air.
Just a dream, Katie had said. It was anything but…
She appeared back in the room with a glass of water and he thanked her as she passed it to him. He took a large gulp, swallowing and was relieved when his breathing began returning to normal.
“You ok?” she asked, kindly as her hand gently knotted into his, her concern evident.
“Yeah, just a nightmare.” he nodded softly “I’ve not had one for a while.”
“Understandable with what’s happened. Wanna tell me what it was about?”
“It was Bucky.” he swallowed thickly “I was replaying the moment he fell. The moment he plummeted to his death from that Hydra train and I didn’t save him.”
Katie stayed silent for a moment before her hand curled round Steve’s shoulder and she pulled him to her, causing him to lay his head on her shoulder. “You know it wasn’t your fault.”
“I should have done more” The guilt ate Steve up every day, that he had survived. Why had he deserved that any more than Bucky?
��How?” she said again. “How could you have done anymore?”
"I should have gone after him.” he said quietly.
“What would’ve changed if you had?” Katie asked. “There’s no way he could have survived that fall.”
“He wouldn’t have been there if it wasn’t for me.“ He replied, "I should have gone after him, brought him home, done something.”
Katie remained quiet, her hand gently running through his hair which was nice, far too nice. He took a deep breath and sat up moving away from her touch.
"What time is it?”
“Nearly six in the morning” Katie glanced at her watch.
“You’re kidding?” Steve snorted.
“Nope. You want some coffee?” she stood up, stretching her arms above her head.
“Yeah if that’s ok.” he replied, following her to the kitchen. From her body language he could tell she was rolling her eyes, even if she wasn’t facing him.
“I don’t know if your Ma ever told you, but it’s rude to run out on a girl after you spend the night with her.”
“And as you know, I’m useless with women.” he sat down at the barstool on the breakfast bar. He watched her, but he didn’t say anything as she bustled about, throwing some bread in the toaster and then went to the fridge for the butter, marmalade and jam, sliding them onto the island. At that point Steve held his hands up.
“You don’t have to-” he started to say, but she silenced him with a glare, similar to the ones Peggy used to give him, the look that could stop him in his tracks it was that stern.
“Shut up.” she poured them both a cup of the coffee before adding milk and a spoon of sugar to each, passing one to him. The bread popped up from the toaster, and she put it on a plate before sliding it over to him and adding more bread to the machine.
His stomach rumbled and he gave in, smearing butter over his toast. He eyed the jam curiously. He’d had marmalade before but…
He looked at Katie and she nodded. “It’s good.”
So he added some, and after a bite he concluded she was right, and nodded in agreement. Once the next round of toast was done she sat next to him.
“So, when did I fall asleep.” she asked, swallowing her food.
“About an hour into the film.”
She shook her head “What an ass…”
“It wasn’t a problem.” He replied honestly as he took a bite of his breakfast. “To be honest I enjoyed it.”
“What, me drooling on your leg?”
He swallowed, his eyes wide “I meant the film.”
“I know.” she smirked.
*****
Chapter 2
**Original Posting**
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Disney World with The Brothers (+ Undateables)
HCs that no one asked for, i’m just self indulgent✨
Link to Undateables post
*Based on Disney World Orlando Resort*
The Brothers
Lucifer 🔥
The Mom TM
Has a fanny pack with all the tickets
Made a detailed itinerary of where each of you will go when, with whom and for how long
“Our scheduled break’s not for another 10 minutes”
Says he doesn’t need to go on the rides/ doesn’t enjoy it etc
Squealing inside at how much fun he’s actually having
“Wha - is Diavolo going on that train again?”
He literally wouldn’t even go to the parks if he didn’t enjoy it, wouldn’t see the point
“I’m busy enough as it is at home do you think I need this on top?”
This Sadist TM would force people on the rides they didn’t want to ride because It IS iN THe iTinERaRy
Would jam pack the days to get the full experience, wearing most out
But you request a rest day to which he’ll oblige
“Ugh why are we going here -“ “Because MC requested it, complain again and i’ll tear your ticket.”
Tears up when it’s the last night/ fireworks display
“MC, this was a rather fun idea. If you’d like to come again don’t hesitate to ask, i’ll take you.”
Mammon 💵
Goes against everything The Mom TM has worked in the itenerary, but is quickly stopped
Easily distracted and stops in the middle of walking to an attraction.
“Hey don’t stop in the sidewalk, genius.”
Literally bounces with excitement around the parks but blushes furiously when it’s pointed out by the brothers
“Oi quit that, I don’ know what ya talkin’ about”
Would sour real fast when having to queue, getting caught by The Mom when trying to cut the queue
“Why do we have to queue, huh? This better be worth it”
It is
Has the most expressive/funniest ride photographs
“Mammon that ride wasn’t that scary -“ “Who says i was scared, huh? I was making MC feel better about being scared...” Blush
Would push the other brothers out the way if they tried to sit with you on a ride
“But it’s my turn -“ “your turn my ass, that’s MY HUMAN”
Would sour when your attention is divided by the fireworks and him
Soon perks up when you ask to explore the park together and run around like kids at night
Is probably the most fun at this time as there’s not much queing when it gets late so he’ll grab your hand and take you everywhere
Levi 👾
Woooooooaaaaaaaaaahhhhhh!!
“This is like FINAL BOSS level cool! It’s almost worth being outside.”
The Vlogger TM
Literally documents anything and everything. Even when Beel’s eating a snack- makes it sound like the coolest adventure which it is
“Why are we going to THAT attraction? It’s the literal worst on all the reviews online.”
Secretly LOVES the attraction, would turn into a tomato when called out, fiercly denies it
“Y-you wanna ride with me? Uhhh ok, i guess... no no wait!”
Gets you two matching Mickey ears, along with any and all the possible merch
“In TSL, Henry went to an amusement park with all the Prince’s brothers and they had the best time and it was all Henry’s plan to help them get along and it worked, making their journey more -“ *Belphie Snores*
Looks for hidden Mickeys with you after he bought the book on them, as recommended online
*starts vlog* “Day Three and MC and I are yet to find the elusive hidden Mickeys -“
Can only really last til early afternoon before the heat/ social interaction gets too much for him and he may need to go
Recovers lightning fast when he sees you having fun with his brothers without him whilst he was taking a break
Snatches your hand to take you elsewhere, where d’you wanna go? What d’yo wanna do? Name it and he’ll do it lol Envyyy
Everyone is grateful for his vlogging by the end of the holiday, as it meant you all got to watch it back fondly when it was over
Satan 📚
Unlike Mammon, he successfully escapes The Mom and the itinerary when he wants to
However if you wanted him to stick around, he’d blush, “Alright, just for a while.”
Has a subdued smile on his face, enjoying it much more than he anticipated he would
Smiles widley at the parades, mainly because your smile was so bright as you watched
If he saw you eyeing up a giant Disney Balloon he would buy it, ignoring any protestations
Would back up any discourse over the itinerary just to mess with The Mom
“Perhaps the itinerary is not as ‘well thought out’ as you’d anticipated.”
Would begrudgingly play along with your waiting games whilst queing, secretly loving your company
Would be the one with the maps, and wouldn’t give one to Lucifer lol
Though somewhat gimmicky in his opinion, he’d deeply enjoy the Around the World showcase
Would last longer than anyone expected and would want to see the parks at night
“MC would you like to join me?”
Whilst taking your hand to explore the park’s atmosphere at night
LOVES the Haunted Mansion ride and the way you cling to his sleeve when riding with him
Asmodeus 💋
“Don’t forget to put on sunscreen! Protect your skin 💕”
Whilst Lucifer has a practical, generic fanny pack - Asmo’s is psychedelic and glittery
Packs lip balm, antibacterial gel and a mini fan
Serves all the Best Looks TM each day and takes amazing photos of everyone, with everyone
“Oh no, honey. It’s gonna be hot today you’ll want to wear something lighter like cotton or linen.”
Would whine when he starts to get sweaty around the parks
Would peck your cheek when you suggest a bathroom break to freshen up
LOVES the around the world showcase. All the people, all the culture all the music and colours!
Unsurprisingly, isn’t a fan of rollercoasters as it messes up his hair
Would buy you the cutest souvenir and gets matching bracelets with a small, sophisticated silver Mickey charm on each
Would spend lunch with you, checking on you ensuring your keeping your water up etc and feed you
Also intrigued by the parks at night but would be more interested in getting a good night’s sleep for his skin
However if you asked/wanted time in the parks at night he’d find a secluded area to watch the fireworks with an arm around your waist
Beelzebub 🍔
Would give you piggy back rides when you get tired
“When’s lunch?” “We just got here, Beel...”
Would wrap you in a bear hug if you packed snacks for him
*munch* *munch* “Do you want that? - thanks!” *munch*
Would stop at all the food stalls. Every. Single. One - “ThIS iSn’T iN ThE iTiNeRaRY”
“Here MC, try this! This looks good too, do you want one?”
Would help carry people’s belongings
Wouldn’t notice you put Mickey ears on him until he looked at the photos later
Would notice you eyeing up a parade and when you kept quiet as not to disrupt the itinerary, would speak up
If it doesnt go your way, he’ll sneak away with you “Then we’ll go see it together.” Puppy eyed smile
“Beel we gotta get in the queue or we won’t make the line in time!” “Just a second -“ *munch* *munch*
Wouldn’t mind if you wanted to ride with others, but would eventually get sour if you weren’t with him at all
Would hold your hand around the parks with one hand and eat ice cream with the other
Would put you on his shoulders so you could see the fireworks better
He LOVES the fireworks and wonders what they’d taste like “Beel, no.” “:(“
“Someone’s having fun, i’m glad!”
Carries you over one shoulder and a sleeping Belphie over the other
“I - want to come here again... with you.” Blush
Belphegor 😴
Much like Satan, Belphie would deliberately go against the Itinerary with success, and would take you and Beel with him
Would make everyone late to the park by sleeping in
If you wanted everyone to stick together, you’d convince him with a promise to let him nap on your lap later
Would say he hates being there and would actually hate being there
For the most part... what coaxes him is seeing how happy you are, and Beel being happy too
“Belphie, look how cool this ride is! Wanna go?” ‘Begrudgingly’ agrees with a smirk
Would fall asleep at lunch and would have to be slapped shaken awake
Hell would freeze over before he admitted to it... but he started to have a good time
Starts to get more involved if you hold his hand and encourage him, a small smile on his lips
LOVES Tower of Terror and any boat ride - he can fall asleep on the boat rides
He HATES the water rides but having convinced Lucifer on one under false pretences, his expression makes it worth it lol
That one Joker TM that ‘pretends’ to be asleep in any rollercoaster attraction photograph
Some times he is actually asleep in those photos, but no one knows which ones are real or fake
Doesn’t mind queues because it gives him time to chill and nap
Falls asleep on your shoulder at the fireworks
I will do the Undateables in a follow up Post! Might edit this one but have them for now because I hope they make you smile! ✨
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G1 Hoarder Revamp and the Mountain of Salt
Can we all just acknowledge how much of a total fuck up the new G1 ping system is? I feel bad because they obviously went through so much work and beta testing for this system but it’s absolutely garbage in practice. This isn’t meant as a huge roast (even though I do think the creators could do with getting knocked down a few pegs given how poorly they’ve treated people through this entire process, oops) but I hope they at least see this and see things that they can work on. Obviously, going to them and sharing this stuff in person isn’t possible since L from arcane is notorious for gossiping and overall not super trustworthy, so anon route we go. I’ll give credit where credit is due: they definitely tried to go on the right path and the coding is good in theory. The big issue here is that they tried to fix something that was not great but worked with something that is not great and barely works. Sure there are some good things about the new ping system: if it’s not busy it’s not longer than six or seven minutes to do all of it for a few dragons, which, compared to the previous method? Pretty good timing. Helps automatically tag some colorgroups without having people confused about if their dragon counts or not, and uh... probably something else. The cons far outweigh the pros though: -sheet can only be used one at a time: terrible in theory, terrible in practice, there’s no queue system either so you’re not even guaranteed to go next even if you’ve been waiting ages. This becomes a nightmare around any holiday, as we’ve seen around notn, since everyone flocks to the ping generator and then quickly abandons after seeing the mess there. This should have been something that they found a way to work with from the start, especially since the previous spreadsheet, despite how long it took to sift through if you were actually assed to do all the specifics, could still be used by multiple people. -userface issues: going into the spreadsheet and it may all just be blank, does this mean someone’s using it? Someone isn’t? If you go ahead and assume not you’re going to get warned that you overrode someone since they get the ID to your dragon, if you don’t assume then you end up waiting for ages like an idiot and someone else swoops up the opportunity. The loading bar on the side doesn’t help give that info either since it constantly reloads due to the poorly planned code. Where users have their cells selected also doesn’t help since that isn’t always accurate. There are many times where the loading bar isn’t seen going, there isn’t any visible text on the screen, no comment in the box, but it’s still in use. This isn’t viable for anyone, especially not people who don’t fully understand how the system works. If you’re going to make it for only one person’s use at a time, you need to ensure it’s easier to see what’s going on for everyone. -laggy as all get out: sure, I don’t have to go through 15 pages of different types of pings on the old G1 pinglist and shovel through all the duplicates and specifics list people, but having more than 13 dragons or even doing a bigger lair sale (or even just anything during notn) means you get to wait for the program to chug away for ages (as well as the easy chance for someone to just cut in halfway through a load and have you start all over again or wait) and hope that the three people behind you don’t get impatient or angry as you have to do three separate input sessions rather than massing them all together as you could with the previous spreadsheet. -poorly designed aesthetically: maybe this may sound petty to some, but the design of the system is pretty terrible in terms of layout and color choice. This isn’t to say it’s just ugly though; after speaking about it with people who aren’t neurotypical, have disordered thinking processes, and/or have generalized issues reading things (autism spectrum, dyslexia, semi-visually impaired, etc.) it’s pretty clear that the entire thing is not accessible whatsoever for anyone who can’t immediately decipher what anything is. Black text on bright red is not a good thing for most people beyond old MySpace edgies. If you, as someone without reading or comprehension difficulties, are having a difficult time focusing on it: maybe consider how difficult it’d be for anyone else. The way the rules or tutorial section is laid out also does not help in terms of accessibility! It’s clunky and hard to read, does not flow well, and doesn’t explain as thoroughly as you may think. If you’re someone who uses coded spreadsheets often? Yeah sure, it might be understood. If you’re not? Welp. Good luck kiddo. -very poor user help: this is on the mods or creators more than the spreadsheet itself. If someone has a problem, the first thing you should do is talk with them to find the difficulty and tackle it from there. I’ve seen, multiple times now, where either N (plague) or L (arcane) straight up tell people that they can’t help them and that they should just read the guide on the front page. Like sure, they read them, but something is tricky for them and they’re asking for help. They can read the rules and guide again but without outside help, guess what? Not gonna help them. If you just keep linking them the forum or telling them to read the first page it won’t actually help anyone! One of your jobs as the creators here is to help the community that you made it for, not just parrot that they need to read. Be better. Add that to a system which is not forgiving of any mistakes whatsoever and it becomes a terrible little cocktail. Also does not help that, despite their sugar attitude about having people test it in discord servers, the creators l and r/p (both arcane) don’t actually help people who need help using it. -wait times/queue: this ties in to an earlier point, but there’s no way to organize who goes next. Sure, it might sound strange, but when you have to wait ages to get access despite you being there ahead of anon llama/drama/dingdong/animal because they can all hop in ahead of you, it becomes frustrating. People don’t always type in that itty bitty box to say what they’re doing, and people easily erase it or write over it, or they just outright ignore it. Obviously not everyone is going to do that, but it’s way too easy for people who are greedy/entitled to step over those who are being polite and patient. -no quick ping options this is also kind of minor, but at least with the old spreadsheet you could just click in and say “okay, I just want to ping XXY general for this because I have a quick sale.” Guess what: nah. You have to go through the entire chugging process and queue and everything else just to get that snippet of information on who to ping. What once took maybe five clicks is now five minutes to thirty depending on how many people are using it. Wanna quick check if a dragon with XYZ colours you hatched is one that someone wants specifically? Nah, fuck you. You have to input all the data and wait instead of just doing what was once a super easy quick search. There is so much other shit wrong with this system and I’m honestly surprised N (plague) allowed them to do this. Sure, the old pinglist could have done with some updating, but that should have been done in the form of clearing redundant double pings, maybe a way to sort through specifics like ‘male only’ and mass copy names there. Quality of life things, not this just... total mess. I understand that L and R/P got it into their heads that they needed to fix it and that they wanted to take over the entire system themselves, but they should have kept their pride out of it for once. The sheet to input what dragons you want is also another entire nightmare. It’s frustrating to go through the google poll a dozen times to say exactly what colors/eyes/gender/pasta-shape/siesta-fiesta under the sun you want rather than have a quick way to input it by drop-downs or even just a text based option like the old one had. It’s so easy to forget what you put in or which one you want to put in this time, so easy to end up making mistakes that you don’t see, etc. It’s just not an effective system. It’s great in theory, and sure, it’s all sparkly and new, but it’s like admiring an aluminum trash can. Shiny and sparkly under the sun, still holding a whole lot of hot garbage though. I understand that some people may find it easier, and that’s great! I’ve used it for a few things and yeah, it’s okay, but I wish the old one was back given all the grief and frustration this one has caused. Obviously I’m not in the place to be like DO THIS OR DO THAT since I’m not the one making the sheet here, but I do feel like the people who use it have every right to give commentary and feedback where possible. Even moreso when the creators and team aren’t actually as welcoming as they try to appear to be. As much as it sucks, a lot of L and R/P’s (primarily L) false niceties have kind of come to the surface lately which makes this whole situation just that much more awkward. If people don’t feel like they can approach you because they know you’ll rip into them here or on the anon site immediately, maybe you shouldn’t be a main creator of something for the user base or a mod for a bigger group. Just some side-thought to all this other stuff. Big post, big rambles, I can’t bring myself to organise it though because I’m pretty fed up and tired. Take from this what you may, but basically fix your shit new G1 Hoarder peeps.
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Hey, how are you? Hope your day/night is going well. Since I saw your post a moment ago do you have any Hcs; it can be sfw or NSFW with any theme like Angst or fluff for the proxies or Masky? Again sorry if this ask isn't the best
No its quite a good ask thank you! (Had to drag my procrastinating ass to do this bc my brain doesn't wanna do work now lmao)
MASKY
• SFW
•this dude would rather dive off a cliff then to admit his feelings are true
• has a hard time seeing the rational side of situations and would rather see the world as black and white as its simple that way
• he is a hunting dog after all to Slender
• one that growls and bites
• so like a dog that was trained to be aggressive and bare his teeth at anything, it would take someone with great care and patience to understand him and make him feel safe around you
• tho this doesn't mean that he won't protect you
• might make snide comments about your naive nature but thats just bc of how he is
• but make him morning coffee and possibly his favorite breakfast and he'll warm up
• he hates being touched on the shoulders but if you give him a massage then good luck getting out of it, itll become a daily thing
•NSFW
• i cannot see him being soft or "vanilla" unless he's in Tim headspace
• so if its Masky, prepare for a lot of sadism
• will definitely take you anywhere even on a mission, middle of a meal, or talking to someone on the phone
• gotta leave his mark. If you don't feel comfortable with showing his marks to anyone and try to wear clothes that hide a lot of them, they're gonna get ripped up
• so its best to just deal with it
• BSDM all the way (like I mentioned before)
• loves to humiliate and will do it in front of anyone
• will not stop until you are a crying, shaking mess, so there's a lot of overstimulation
Hoodie
•SFW
• alright enough with the nice guy shit (tho there may be some fluff...guh)
• just because he's the more level headed out of the other two fuckers, does not mean he will hesitate to fuck someone up (especially those he cares about)
• hes a protector of sorts but he'll choose to whom
• do.not.touch.his.gun
• that's his main source of security and if someone even gets close to it, he will break their fucking arm
• total caffeine addict...really..its bad? See him over there? He's shaking and talking to his coffee
•lmao anyways yeah its bad, if he has no caffeine for the day...he can get worse than Masky and that's saying something
• yes, I'm hc as an addict to sedatives
• tho he doesn't like that his brain takes longer to think about the best options and make it almost impossible get missions done
• but he's calm boi now
NSFW
• not the type to just take his anger out or his other emotions out during sex
• unless you're up for it 👀👀👀
• you're gonna need to see a chiropractor after tho
• hes a smooth flirt and will non stop making jokes until he has you under him
• daddy kink all the way
• financial one too
• he will not care if he only has $1 for himself that week, he'll get money somehow to buy his s/o something they want
• loves to feel his s/o skin against his, so not much into bondage as he wants them close and gripping on him
• definitely into receiving oral (mostly bc hes insecure about his ability to do wonders to his s/o with oral)
• mightusehisgunifyouactlikeabrat
Toby
SFW
• Okay, this boi is emotionally unstable, ik its like a common knowledge that he has ADHD and bipolar but I'm sensing this boi got some borderline personality disorder in the mix too (dw: I have this so I'm not making this up to make him more fucked up)
• so one minute he will go from seeing black and white, to suddenly the whole world in beautiful colors and appreciates everything
• doesn't like to talk about his feelings because he hates his vocal tics getting in the way
• so he picks songs that reflect that
• speaking of music, he really shouldn't but listens to music on missions to ignore Maskys comments and psychs himself up..especially if he got thay heavy bass going on, he's tense and paranoid to where his mind works best for the situation
• some of the music will trigger more of his ADHD side and notices everything
• will go from "I want to eat everything" to "what the fuck is the point of food" (queue E.J coming in)
• boi has deep trauma issues, the voices in his head mostly takes form of his step dad, mom, and his sister. (Mostly step dad tho)
• has difficulty with relationships so one might he can get along with his partners and others in the mansion and then suddenly get pissed off and yeet a chair at someone's head
•do.not.give.him.coffee
• mania mixed with bpd and caffeine...oh god.. you don't know what the fuck is gonna happen so...good luck
NSFW
• like I said, he's emotionally unstable (gawd I hate the way that sounded)
• so, one minute he will be afraid to hurt you and then will not give a single fuck
• why the fuck are you crying? Who gave you the right?
• will try anything unless it comes to bodily fluids or feet...no he will die first (no offense to those who do, this is just our boi)
• call him baby boy and he melts
• MOMMY KINK
• definitely a switch
• can get emotional during sex
• its not his fault tho
• but he can be submissive mode at this point (so have fun)
• loves it when his s/o is being a brat and likes to toy with them
• such a tease
• also has a daddy kink
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@shoichee I hope this meets your expectations✨
(Bc I refuse to tolerate any more bullying today. Also- Matchup under the cut)
First, I just want to say- I’m sorry. (but not really). I know our love for Hayama runs deep but the moment you choose violence with him, that’s it for you. RIP. It was nice knowing you 😔 But, remember when we first spoke and I asked you if you shipped yourself with Imayoshi and you refused to answer my question? Well-
[Insert ‘Surprise shawty’ tik tok audio]
Best Match: Imayoshi Shoichi
Your subconscious knew what it was doing when you picked out your URL. The moment you said you related to Dazai and then proceeded to talk about socioeconomic issues revolving around globalization while we simultaneously talked about dumb stuff I knew there were only a few guys that could handle your energy and Imayoshi hands down tops that list
Even though Hanamiya out of all people might say Imayoshi doesn’t have the best personality, I actually think you two can balance each other out and understand each other in a way other people may not be able to
Honestly, right off the bat, y’all will probably bond over some form of teasing. Whether it’s making some remark aimed directly at the other, or one of you takes a jab at someone else and the other happens to overhear, it will be the start of a beautiful relationship
Gemini and Leo’s have really good chemistry so it’s no surprise you’ll manage to get along, regardless of your- argumentative natures.
You two are like the two sides of the same coin. While he presents himself as a kind and easy going person, speaking politely to others- until he inevitable shows them his real personality- you, on the other hand, can come off a little cold and critical, scaring people off when you first meet them even though you’re genuinely kind and easy going once you start to talk to them
If you guys meet purely by chance, maybe you’re in the same class, you’re introduced because of a mutual friend, or because one of you overheard the other, the moment you hear how the other carries themselves in a conversation will automatically peek your interest.
Have you ever seen that meme where they’re like “oh you wanna kiss me so bad”? yea, that’s you two. I can see you getting into the most amusing squabble, just trying to throw the other one off, Imayoshi smirking if and when one of his comments goes right over your head
You’re both pretty smart (I spent a solid hour trying to double check this and still failed but I’m like 80% sure his IQ is pretty up there) so I can see you two meeting because of that too
Scenario:
Imayoshi is just minding his business, checking the updated class rankings posted in the hall across your classroom. Why? He doesn’t know, if he’s being honest. It’s not like anyone could ever surpass him, he’s been at the top of his class each time since his firs- What’s this? He got bumped down? Who the hell are you? Wait no, he knows who you are. He’s heard your name before countless times, mostly followed by your voice as it traveled throughout the hallways, your laugh bubbling out of your small frame soon after in reply to whichever friend had just made a funny remark. Funny. You didn’t seem all that smart at first glance, could he have actually... made a mistake?
His gaze flickers to the other side of the hall where he immediately found you, eyes wide and a small smile adorning your features as you listened to your classmate speak. A low hum escapes him as he analyzes your appearance once more. He notices the way your makeup highlighted your already attractive features, the small accessories added to your uniform making you look put together and stylish. Maybe he had underestimated you, he though as he saw you take your turn to speak, your answer leaving your classmate open mouthed with a baffled expression. He felt the slight tug on his lips, the beginning of a small smirk forming on his face as you smiled widely at the response you had gotten.
However, the amusement only lasted a split second, his features falling in disbelief when you turned around, tripping over your own feet and falling face first into the open classroom door. “What are you staring at?” Someone, probably Sato, asks as he strolls up beside him. “Nothing” he sighs, adjusting his glasses on his face. Is it really nothing though? a small voice inside him asks just as a series of curse words and noises fall from your lips, eliciting his own to quirk up into an amused, lopsided smile. Even if it is “nothing” for now, don’t be surprised when both of you “coincidentally” find yourselves bumping into each other more often from now on as he tries to figure you out.
I can see him realizing he has feelings for you while you two are hanging out. Maybe you two will be studying after you asked him to tutor you in math since it’s his best subject, or well, attempting to study at least as you’re nearing half an hour of your 5 minute snack break. He’ll probably be doodling in his notebook while you scroll through Instagram, and it’s not until he looks up to see you so focused on whatever was on the other side of the screen, your fingers quickly tapping away as a smile pulled at your lips that he asks what you’re doing. Without a second thought, you absentmindedly tell him about whatever argument you’re getting into in the comments section under a random photo you came across before you’re back to focusing on the matter at hand.
His whole trademark is that he’s good at analyzing people, and as a Gemini, he is not an exception to his own skills. He’ll suddenly come to the realization that, while he enjoys pushing people’s buttons, he enjoys the thought of you two being a team even more. While you can be loud and social, making and laughing at jokes, you also know when to get serious and get stuff done, something that that he would appreciate considering he likes respectful and considerate girls.
The problem now is- he may be aware of his feelings...but are you?
He’ll probably try out multiple ways to hint at his feelings towards you but they’ll just go right over your head. In your mind, you can’t see anyone having any romantic feelings towards you and sure he may be acting a little weird, but you’d probably just shrug it off as it being all in your imagination.
Meanwhile the whole time Imayoshi is just standing there like- Is she serious? No one can be this oblivious???? but yet ✨here you are✨
Now it’s his turn to be frustrated by your conversations because you’re just not getting it? So he decides to try something more straight forward. Girls like pickup lines, right?
He could literally see the moment your brain stopped working. Your face flushed red as a nervous giggle bubbled out of you. All common sense left your body as you made finger guns at him, giving him a slight nod before turning around and walking quickly out the room
it would take you a few minutes to collect yourself, strolling back in the room 30 minutes later, leaning against the same spot you left him moments prior and giving him a pickup line of your own. *queue Imayoshi’s mischievous smirk* “Oh? Is that so?” (he’s such a little shit he’ll probably pretend like he didn’t say anything first to get back at you)
I can see this going back and forth for a while until he finally asks you out on a date, but this time he’ll make sure to do it in a way that will prevent you from escaping and leaving him alone and confused again
Your PDA is most likely kept to a minimum, partly because of your Venus in Virgo and partly because he doesn’t like spontaneity. Your outward relationship will consist of hand holding and pecks but that doesn’t mean your private life remains the same, just because you’re dating now doesn’t mean you’re suddenly immune to his habits or him to yours
You say you want to spend some quality time together? “How about a movie night?” he asks, his smile deceiving you long enough to trap you in his arms as a scary movie plays in his blacked out bedroom. “I don’t like scary movies” you whine, your body pressing into his and a pout pulling at your lips as he “innocently” chuckles, “Oh really? I must have forgotten”
You say you’re a bit cynical about relationships but I think it’s because your Neptune, Pluto and Lilith are ruled by air signs. This means you enjoy spontaneity and creativity in what you do and therefore always gravitate to doing things in which your outcome depends on yourself and not other people. Imayoshi is the kind of person that respects other people’s needs as we can see when he allows Aomine to skip practice if that’s what works for him. This will help you maintain a healthy balance in your relationship, allowing you to be able to feel more at ease and not trapped or like you have to be a certain way with one another
You decide to keep pursuing dancing? He’s proud of you, and will not hesitate to show off and boast about your achievements to the rest of the team
You had a rough week and you want to spend the whole day gaming with headphones on? It’s fine he’ll take the opportunity to relax and go fishing
On the other hand, you want to go shopping? Suddenly he’ll find himself walking hand in hand with you as you and his sister stop at every single store only to leave with more bags that you can carry.
At first, you would insist you could both take care of yourselves at the mall, but he soon found out that you two should not be left alone. She might be his sister but she’s younger and impressionable and she looks up to you? And you can be a bit scatterbrained so you lose track of her time so you always end up bringing her back really late, along with an armful of shopping bags that he’ll only have to go back and return within the week because being hasty runs in his family and his sister didn’t pay much attention to how much money she was spending
Overall- I think that what really makes you a good match is your ability to communicate with one another. Both of you are pretty honest and straightforward (although your executions are vastly different) which will help you navigate through any obstacles in your relationship
You keep each other on your toes and bring fun into your relationship while also settling down, talking about serious stuff and getting genuine advice from one another when you need it the most. The balance you maintain allowing a stable foundation for the relationship to grow and blossom. He did something hasty? It’s okay, you know exactly what to do to fix it. Someone keeps hitting on you insistently? He’s already walked over to intimidate him to go away. You want to spend quality time together but he wants to go fishing? There you are by his side, scribbling in your notebook and reciting your poetry to him as he listens carefully with a small smile on his face that you’ll definitely not tease him about later. You need help with your math again? he’ll tutor you in exchange for you making him a bento with his favorite meal. Until he learns that you somehow burned half the rice and left the other half uncooked. Perfect balance of give and take.
Bonus: Takao Kazunari
You are literally the girl version of Takao omg. (I literally JUST got your message about being the new Takao too smh I know I’m slow but let me finish this first)
You two are so alike and you would make the most chaotic duo but as much as I want to ship you two, I can just see you two being really good friends so I feel the need to include him in this
Midorima would be so done with your shit, he’d probably see you two together and immediately turn around and start walking the other way because he just KNOWS you’re bound to gang up and bully him
The first time you saw is lucky item you probably burst out laughing and thought he was joking until you saw his face flush red
After that, every time you ask about it he just grumbles out his answer, still salty about your initial reaction
Takao never fails to remind you either, trying to hold back his laugh whenever you try to make it up to Midorima but he ends up ignoring you, or you somehow just manage to make it worse
When it’s just you and Takao, you could be minding your business when suddenly one of you makes ONE singular little comment and that just sets off the other, adding onto it until both of you are crying with laughter
Honestly, the only time I can see you taking one another seriously is when you’re having discourse
He’s an optimistic person while you’re a realist which can set off some very interesting discussions between the two of you, your argumentative nature leading both of you to talk about anything and everything as you challenge the other’s ideologies
If you decide to try out a relationship, it’ll be filled with excitement and adrenaline, both of you needing very little persuasion to try out new things
You’ll be his partner in crime and he’ll be yours. You want to mess a bit with your younger neighbors? Why not? You want to go check out the new mall a few town’s over because they have a store you’ve been wanting to check out for months? He’s your man.
While the relationship is fun, you both can get a little ahead of yourselves, going with the flow and getting sucked into your own world; you’ll need someone to ground you
Usually, this role can be plaid by Midorima but it proves to be a bit problematic when he’s nowhere in sight
The amount of times you two have lost track of time or gotten caught up in something because you ran into some friends or even met new people and got lost in conversation, by this point Midorima has probably given up trying to keep track of your whereabouts when you’re together
I wouldn’t be surprised if you two ended up making your own language. He’s good with kids and bad at being quiet while you enjoy making new words and trying out sound effects which he would without a doubt find amusing. You’d probably go as far as to make children believe they’re actual words, could you imagine Midorima’s face when he goes over to Takao’s house and his younger sister starts talking to him in the made up words you taught her
Ultimately while your personalities are very alike, you tend to clash at the wrong points and it would take you working together to compromise to make a romantic relationship work
Both of you surround yourself by others, often finding yourself in the middle of everything, your personality constantly making other people gravitate towards you. This can prove conflicting when you’re together as now you’d have to learn how to share the spotlight, so to say
While you love fashion and makeup and shopping, the poor man just wants to enjoy his trading cards
Although you should use it to your advantage and make him drive you around in Princess Mia’s Midorima’s carriage.
Your might also find yourself more often than not at a crossroads, your realist point of view conflicting with his positivity which can lead to arguments between you two
Overall- a relationship with you would be exciting. There would never be a dull moment and you’d constantly encourage the other to have new experiences and make the most of your time. But moving into a more romantic territory would mean that you’d have to learn how to prioritize things in your life, knowing when to buckle down and get things down and how to successfully come to terms with and work out your differences.
Sidenote: I meant to make these a little longer but my brain cell only has so much KNB knowledge stored in her small little filing cabinet that may or may not be a single folder covered in dust and stuffed in some corner
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Earth On Hell
This is my Sanders Sides gift for @marsupials-of-mars for @sanderssidesgiftxchange!!! Basically all the sides are demons, hanging out in hell, but one of them (wonder who) is a teeny bit more chaotic than the others. (P.s I am gonna post on ao3 in a few days as well btw.)
Btw I’m not great at tags so mega apologies if it still slipped through sorry.
Hell.
Lunch breaks round here weren’t boring- there was plenty to see and do in hell- it had just kind of reached a point for Janus where most of it had already been done. Hence why, no matter what his colleagues in the eighth circle said, there was something interesting about sitting down with this chatty little demon and watching the human flesh blister.
“Y’know what I think?” the younger demon, Remus, casually asked.
Janus sighed. “I try not to.”
“I think that everyone who ends up here is dumb.” He tossed a rat into his mouth “All you gotta do is act nice and suck up to the big daddy in the clouds- that’s it! Easier than boiling babies!”
“No,” Janus raised his eyebrows. “Because it’s based on the nature of your soul not what you do.”
“Well that ain’t fair! What if you can’t HELP dreaming of torture and carving hearts into carcases (or whatever these idiots got in here for), like it’s in your pretty little head from day uno?” He wagged his finger at Janus. “They could never do anything wrong in their entire life but get sent here for naughty thinking… seems a lil shitty to me.”
“Well apparently they can ‘repent their sins and get eternal salvation’.” Janus revelled in the other guys’ confusion for a moment. “Say sorry a lot and it’ll be ok.”
“Ohhhhhhhhhhh right. Oh yeah ok.” Remus nodded. “Seems a bit suspicious, are you sure that’s a thing?”
A couple of screams got louder, and Janus turned to see a scrawny horned demon carrying a bucket and biting his lip. He had his arms comically wrapped all the way round it- an ugly neon yellow bucket with a ‘warning’ label (because hell needs health and safety standards)- and he was edging towards a nearby cliff.
“Hey Virge!” Remus called out “What’cha doin?”
“I…” the horned demon tipped the bucket over the precipice as the screams intensified “…am adding a couple… of new souls… to the… whirlwind.”
“Come get lunch, Virgil! It’s rat day!” he grinned, holding up a rodent “Also didn’t Pat tell you to do that like, a week ago?”
“Yes but I’m also a dumb bitch.” Virgil sat down next to Remus. “Who’s this?” he glanced awkwardly at Janus.
“I-”
“HE’S my friend from the EIGHTH FUCKING CIRCLE!!!” Remus interrupted. “That not being the eighth circle of fucking, though it might well be…”
“It’s not.” Janus clarified.
“Yeah, I didn’t think it was.” Virgil smiled “I’m Virgil. I work with him under Patton? Second circle so-to-speak.”
“Oh yeah I know the guy.”
Patton was the overseer for a lot of things in the lower levels. Not really a specific tier, or a specific expertise, but if you spent any time in one-five then you at least saw him. Most people ‘above’ him were aware of him in a general sense. Janus had met him twice? Three times? Yeah, if you counted bumping shoulders at the river Styx that one time, then it was three.
It made sense that Remus and Virgil worked for Patton- a lot of the younger demons did these days.
“UGH doesn’t everyone?” Remus whined “He is annoying!”
“He’s your boss.” Janus observed.
“Yes, and he’s annoying! I say we, I dunno, set fire to his ass or something…”
Virgil shrunk into his seat “He’s our boss? Also he isn’t in charge of everyone, he has a boss right…”
“Yeah, but uh…” Remus clicked his fingers “We were saying weren’t we?” he looked at Janus.
“No. Whatever you think we were saying, we weren’t.”
“People shouldn’t get here for wanting to do crimes!” he clapped his hands “I think we should break everyone out of hell.”
One week later: Hell
Work hours, naturally. Janus was trying to process new souls but honestly there was no signal and his tablet just wasn’t working.
“And they say eighth circle is an enviable job…” he tapped the screen “I- I’ll be with you in a moment, sorry about this.” He said to the guy in line to be thrown into the pit.
“No, no, take your time.”
Finally, the sound of footsteps approaching! Janus looked up and smiled. “Ah, the tech guy! Yeah, there’s no service on this, so if you could-”
“Where’s Remus?”
Janus smiled a little “Excuse me?”
“Which circle can Remus be found in?” the tech guy kept his face stern (if he was the tech guy) “I know you know him.”
“I’m working right now, or trying to, so come back when I’m not and then we can talk.”
The tech guy ripped the tablet out of Janus’ hands.
“Where can Remus be found?”
“He isn’t an important demon-”
“Lower tiers…”
“Not what I mean, I meant you shouldn’t need him.”
“But I do.”
“Why?”
“Irrelevant, just tell me where he is located.”
“Well forgive me for thinking you’re going to hurt him, but I think you’re- you know- going to hurt him.”
“Falseh- it’s inconsequential, I must find him.”
Janus paused. “Fix my tablet, please. I believe you.”
The tech guy looked momentarily confused before realising what Janus meant and doing so.
“Second circle, every time I’ve seen him.” Janus said “Is… is he in trouble?”
“Not with me, negative. I do not have the influence to get many people into trouble. As for the future…” he sighed “I would advise you to keep your distance from him, though that’s my observation.” He left off towards the exit of the tier.
Janus grimaced, looking at his now-working tablet.
“If it’s any consolation, it probably won’t affect you.” The guy in line said, making Janus jump in surprise.
“Shit! I need to get all you processed, I am gonna get in trouble.” He smiled at the guy who now frowned. “Okay name and age at time of death…”
One month later: Hell
“Where’s-”
“Remus?” Patton interrupted. “we’re dealing with it.”
Janus chuckled “Will anyone down here actually let me finish a sentence?”
“Of course, my apologies- what were you going to say?”
“Where is Virgil?” he smirked. “He works in your general bracket, right?”
Patton breathed in sharply. No one had seen Virgil since Remus had started (conveniently) quietening down, and Janus knew it. Everybody knew it. His work tallies were still placed in- by who, nobody knew- but the second circle was widely lacking in Virgil.
“He’s doing some work on…” Patton’s eyes darted round rapidly “admin. He’s working on potential field experience up there, needs to put in the admin first.”
Janus raised his eyebrows, looking up towards the Earth. “The thing is, Pat, I’m Eighth circle. I specialize in fraud- you know what that is?” Patton nodded. “Deceit, Patton, lies. And every day suave fuckers queue up trying to tell me why I have ‘the wrong circle’ or why ‘they should get special treatment’ and guess what, Patton? It’s always bullshit.”
He stared straight at the other demon. “I have been doing this for too damn long to not have the fucking right to tear the throat of anyone, ANYONE, who dares to be as lousy as you at lying to me. So don’t ever tell me that Virgil is doing admin, FUCKING ADMIN, because no one here will believe- or miss- you.” He sighed. “Let’s start again. Where’s Virgil?”
Patton swallowed “I…”
“Do you not know?” Janus asked, “This will go a lot better for you if you just admit that you don’t know.”
Patton shook his head “Not exactly, no.” he whispered, “We’re not sure where he is.”
“Not sure or don’t know?”
“We know he’s in hell… we know that, we’re aware of him but not where.”
Janus pinched his forehead “Okay so out of all the nine circles of hell, you have no clue, none. Lovely.”
“If Remus would co-operate…” Patton muttered.
“If I would what now?”
Ah yes, Remus. Walking cheerily towards them, smile slightly wider than ever, living his best life. Of course it was most likely that he had been questioned on Virgil’s whereabouts, given their activities during the past month-or-so, but Remus had decided to ‘calm down’ now and had ‘no idea about anything that anyone was doing’. Or so he had said to Janus.
“Patton! You already know I told ya everything about Virge, didn’t I?” he grinned.
“Of course, don’t doubt it.” Patton said, as if he were lecturing a child. “And you got all your silly little friends to stand down which was very good of you.”
Remus clapped his hands. “Yes! I did that!”
“BUT!” Patton wagged his finger “I think you may have forgotten places that Virgil could be- or things you knew about Virgil.”
Remus gasped in shock “Oh no!”
“We want to find him, you want to find him. Let’s do this together please.” Patton nodded towards Janus. “Isn’t that right?”
“Huh?” Janus smirked “Oh yes, working together. Of course.”
Patton smiled again, then turned to leave.
Remus groaned “Ugh, what an annoying piece of poop! Wanna feed him to a pack of rampaging squirrels!”
“Where’s Virgil?”
“Up your butt!” Remus laughed, “Just kidding, don’t check, I have no idea.”
Janus nearly prayed out of sheer frustration. “Don’t fucking lie to me, Remus, unholy shit.”
“Okay, okay!” he giggled. “So I might know… but I can’t tell you.”
“Why?” Janus asked, confused, “You think I’m going to run to Patton?”
Remus looked down “Well, Logan says you shouldn’t be involved in-”
“You’re still working with Logan? You said you’d told them to stand down…”
Remus chuckled “You believe that?”
“Well, no,” Janus admitted, “But I…what the fuck are you planning?”
“Eh, just a little bit of trouble…”
“What you did already was a ‘little bit of trouble’- hell, it got your supervisors’ attention, so actually it was kinda a bit more than that.” Janus explained.
“I made a group?”
“A militia.”
Remus threw his arms up “Well, we barely did anything! Pat WAY overreacted!”
“Not… if you’re actually planning something he didn’t.”
“So you are on his side?”
“I…” Janus looked away. “I don’t want this going south. For you, Virge, us. That’s the bargain you make when you leave heaven, to look out for you and yours. Get what is considered ‘best’ down here.”
“But what if what is ‘mine’ is…” Remus looked wistfully at the hurricane of souls swirling around them “Never mind. See you around!”
He made his way off towards the offices where he worked, leaving Janus listening to the winds scream for mercy.
One year later: Hell
“Here.” Janus held out a bucket of blood that spat angrily at both of the demons, “from management.”
Roman didn’t look up. “Chuck it in, before they get too comfortable.”
Janus peered down at the bubbling lake, almost glad to see that some parts of hell hadn’t changed that much. He poured the new blood in and watched the souls writhe- no hope of Remus for this lot. Though somehow, in some corners, they screamed out his name. How? Patton had nearly torn his horns off the first time he’d heard it, because how? How could they know about him? And that was the problem when the fresh blood was added and the screaming began anew.
What they screamed for.
Roman rolled his eyes “I’ve never wanted them to stop more…”
Janus scoffed “You should see Patton, he has lost it.”
“How so?”
“Apparently,” he began, “He’s been inventing and subjecting harsher tortures for any souls who mention his name- or the others.”
Roman chuckled at this “Well! Woe betide any gossip outlet, then…”
“He’s getting them shut down, I think.”
Roman gasped “His higher-ups can’t approve of that- right?”
Janus raised his eyebrows “His higher-? Roman, after the whole, well, you know… after Remus did all that, his only higher ups were a couple of folks in what used to be ninth circle.” He looked to the lake of blood. “Now? I don’t think some of them would even challenge him…”
“Oh.” Roman smiled. “How long’s that going to last?”
“What?”
“Patton- in charge? Until things are figured out, right?”
At this Janus started to laugh. He kept laughing and laughing till Roman joined in then realised it just wasn’t funny because it never had been.
“Forever.” He scowled. “He’s going to stabilize and reorganize the layers he has, take back the ones he doesn’t, put the souls back into torment, then execute the demons. All of them. Remus, Virgil, Logan, Remy, ALL OF THEM WILL DIE. Painfully. And then! He will rule over hell forever.”
“That’s a bit cynical.”
“Well EXCUSE ME-”
“No, I just thought- being an ex-friend of Remus- you might’ve been more cheerful.”
Janus bit his lip. “We weren’t friends because we were even remotely similar. We were friends because I was bored, work was boring.”
“Okay, makes sense!” Roman smiled. “So we’re all gonna end up working under Patton (if we aren’t already) and it’s gonna be aaaahhh ooohh not good very bad?”
“Little bit more than that, but yes.”
“Ah so more painfully terrible every moment we’re awake?”
“Yeah.”
“Hm… why not leave?” Roman casually asked. You know, casually.
Janus scoffed “Because of the whole dying thing?” he gestured wildly “I can’t go off on my own; I don’t stand a chance, I can’t repent; you have to mean that shit, and I can’t go with Remus and his crew because- because…” he looked down “I’m sorry Roman but the reason I never got too involved in the first place is because what he plans just isn’t going to work. He can’t win- he’ll die, and if I get involved then I will too and the point of all of this,” he spread his arms round “Is so you can look out for yourself, so you don’t have to be selfless and give up everything for someone else. Why do I have to be ashamed for not wanting to be a martyr?”
“I… you don’t.”
“Exactly” Janus snapped.
“If you truly believe that this is what’s better,” Roman added.
Janus whistled “No, that’s…” he shook his head “Anyway. Whatever happens, they can’t be faulted for trying.”
“No, absolutely not! Wait we are talking Remus and-”
“Of course I’m talking about Remus’ lot.”
Roman nodded “Ah, well yes- I agree. They’ve done a surprisingly competent job, all of them.”
They both paused for a moment.
“It’s because they have the tech guy.”
“It’s coz of the tech guy.” Roman agreed “I mean it’s not like the rest of his crew can’t organize things, but…”
“It’s the tech guy.” Janus concluded “I hear he orchestrated the ‘Virgil plot’.”
“Exactly!” Roman exclaimed “and that was wow, just impressive as anything (if you don’t mind me saying), like- hiding Virgil for that long to steal that many souls? If they don’t win it’ll be a little depressing.”
“It’ll be more than that.” Janus smiled solemnly.
“It’ll be the end of life as we know it.”
Ten Years Later: Italy.
“Virge!” Janus could hear someone calling outside of the cavern “can you get that thick ass over here, please?” That ‘someone’ was probably Remus. “Janus, that includes you too!”
“How does ‘Virge’ include me?” he called back.
“Don’t question the king of crimes!”
Reluctantly, Janus stood up and wandered out to the frosty mountainside. He grimaced- the cold bits of hell had never been his favourite, even when they flaunted ‘coveted positions’ and such. Still.
“You want a coffee?” Remy asked.
“Please.”
He gestured over to a nearby hut “The coffee machine is right there, honey.”
“But I never get the ratio right…” Janus pleaded.
Remy chuckled and sipped his drink “Girl, that just ain’t my problem!”
“Janus!” Remus grabbed his arm suddenly and yanked him away “You sexy motherfucker, I called you an AGE ago! Now come on!”
“Right, what do you need?”
“Emotional stability…” Remus placed his hand on his chest “Just kidding! So basically, the waterpump’s broken (but Logan’s “dealing with that”), we received word that Patton has guns now- so we need better defences just in case- and also Patton has guns so yeah. Can we have those please?”
Janus’ eyes widened. “Ok so is Patton-with-a-gun confirmed, or a rumour? Because hell basically never deploys projectiles.”
“Are you sure I can’t be used as a projectile?” Remus half-spoke aloud “Yeet me at them.”
“You’re getting distracted.”
“Oh. Yes, it’s confirmed. One billion percent.”
Janus pinched his forehead “Well, somehow I doubt that statistic, but okay. Let’s work on anti-gun strategy, defence, etc. because it is possible they’ll get hold of unholy projectiles specifically for us.”
“Why can’t we get guns?”
“Maybe one day, but if you actually think I trust you with a GUN-”
“Fair point”
“Um, I was called?” Virgil was stood in the snow, watching them talk.
They both jumped. “Yeah like, FIFTY YEARS AGO!” Remus cried.
“Oh I’M sorry, look I did show up- it’s just I didn’t want to interrupt…” he trailed off.
Janus smiled. “That’s understandable.”
“That’s understandable.” Remus mimicked “Ooh, whatever, we were just chatting! No rules on chatting! Also what are your thoughts on guns?”
“I think we should focus on hiding for now…”
“BORING! Guns?”
“Let him speak” Janus warned.
Virgil looked down “I mean, our last skirmish went well, and we are getting more to join… but right now I think we should focus on what we have. And that advantage is mystery. Let’s keep it.”
“Ooh mystery! Spooky!” Remus wiggled his arms.
“No, I get what you mean.” Janus nodded “Like how you got so many in the beginning because they were intrigued, people will talk if we stay off the map for a while.”
Remus tutted “Oh, you. Being sensible.” He frowned “We’ve been lucky, haven’t we? To live?”
Janus smiled “Like this? Absolutely.”
“Yeah, we should go under. Be sneaky! Recruit people who aren’t dicks and so on.”
Logan agreed with the idea for once, which was probably because it was Virgil’s, but also he stated: “We have already been living ‘both figuratively and literally underground’ so it makes an appropriate amount of sense to make this an officially secret place of dwelling.”
He also agreed with Janus’ gun-plan. This, of course, being that they focus on defence and perhaps work on getting weapons of their own in the future. Though he was a little heavier on the “no gun-wielding-Remus” stance, stating: “On no condition can he be allowed a gun, none. Others in our company- fine. I will trust from the upper-most generals to the smallest child amongst us with a projectile, but never Remus. Oh and can we consider adding Remy to that list?”
Janus didn’t bother to question the part about trusting children with guns, he simply nodded and got to work on defence, sometimes smiling at Remus as he did.
And it didn’t matter what anyone was or wasn’t doing, Remus always grinned away.
One Century Later
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Oddworld, Conar's Ambition, Chapter 2, Draft 1
[[Thanks to Tumblr updating the post length limit, I can finally put the full draft of Chapter 2 in one big post!]]
Slim was silent in line to Slugbite Motel. The chatter was hopefully decent cover; he didn’t need yet more attention after his outburst. If he kept his head down, he’d be fine, and wouldn’t get any more surplus bruises on top of the regular workday bruises.
He heard chatter all around him, gossip from other Slog Huts, Splinterz, and Flub Fuels.
“Management must be pissed, what with -”
“I can’t believe what Skrag did to me! What got into-”
“- hear about FeeCo?”
“We’re gonna be settin’ some electric fences up tomorrow, anyone know about -”
“ – say Abe’s got to Necrum –“
“ -Sligs must be worried if Abe’s getting’ to their place –“
Any talk of Abe was, of course, in whispers. No one believed him to be a terrorist, really, but everyone knew better than to celebrate. Well, everyone but him, apparently, but still. Slig forces were already pretty antsy right now, and there were cameras everywhere. Besides, it was a long day full of more abuse than normal. Everyone was just ready for bed, so to speak. Sure, it was less a bed and more a closet with a dirt floor and next to no elbow room, but it was a place to sleep, nonetheless.
It was almost his turn in the queue. Slim dug in his pouch for his meal ticket. With any luck, he’d get half a Scrabcake with the somewhat edible slop they served here. He presented the ticket to the Slig clerk Jeandis. Jeandis took one look, rolled his eyes from under his visor, and then slammed the counter to his left, deepening the indentation next to the bell. A Mudokon, wearing a light brown cap with deep red stripes and a similarly-colored loincloth, emerged from the back door, carrying a tray of gruel with him.
The tray had no trace of Scrabcakes, sadly, but it did come with a small can of that drink everyone was talking about – Soulstorm Brew. The green can with that nondescript Glukkon’s face on it was an interesting look, at least, and the somewhat sickly Mudokon in those commercials did look exceedingly happy when Director Phleg gave him a crate of the stuff, as if it was sorely-needed medicine. Slim even saw the server longingly stare at the can he had to give him.
“On the house… buddy,” Jeandis said, his line carefully rehearsed. “You saw the commercials; it’s a freebie!”
“Um, okay, thanks.”
Slim took his dinner tray and a plastic spoon over to find a seat that was open; this was no small feat in a Slugbite Motel. Many Mudokons had long since given up on the prospect, instead sitting on the floor against any given wall. He noticed how everyone was given similar cans of Brew, and a lot of the chatter he came across was already shifting from the recent Abe scare to the Oddsend the new drink was.
He walked through the throngs of fellow Scrubs, the smell of Brew filling the air. It was very strange; a tangy aroma that was also somehow familiar. The chatter grew louder and more animated as time went on, and even Slim was feeling a little less tired from the fumes and infectious cheer.
Still, it was a long day, so he still prepared to just sit down and eat. He found a place next to Ben, and dug in. Well, as much as you could dig in with whatever this was. Some said those were fruit chunks mixed in with the goop, some said they were Elum Chubs, but one thing for certain was they were undercooked. It was well known that this was the least of dinner’s concerns, sadly.
Slim took a few shaky scoops, doing his best to forget the words “gag reflex”. He was able to swallow the muck as usual, but he found himself coughing; it felt like he was eating sawdust under the slimy texture!
“Yeah,” Ben said, sympathetically, “Jeandis’ Special really sucks today, doesn’t it?”
“WHO SAID THAT?!” demanded Jeandis, so loud that everyone on the other side of the cafeteria could clearly hear the greenish-yellow Slig. The din died down as a furious head chef stomped over to the wall where the sound came from. There were at least ten cowering Scrubs under his wrathful glare, and they were all pointing grey or green fingers at each other.
“This is more than you deserve, ya miserable Chippunks! You oughta know I could—Eh?”
He was interrupted by frantic whispers from the server Mudokon, who was quick to rush up to his boss. He lowered his fist, slowly, and his face-tentacles sagged.
“…You oughta know…er…I could getcha another can of Brew to…wash it down…?”
Nine out of ten Mudokons were nodding enthusiastically, and the Scrubs at the surrounding tables cheered.
“Shut up and get in line again if you want another round!”
Almost all the Mudokons immediately shot up and sprinted into line. Some of them trembled excitedly while they waited.
Slim had never seen the cafeteria so alive or enthusiastic before. This Soulstorm Brew stuff must have one hell of a kick. If he drank it now, he’d probably be up all night. Best to save this stuff for when he needed it – no need to come to work tired tomorrow.
Besides, if all else failed, he had a bartering tool now.
With this in mind, he tucked the can he had into his pouch. It wouldn’t be the first time he had to sleep with a dry throat; he knew better than to ask Jeandis for anything else to drink.
His body still ached, and it had been a long day on top of that, so while Jeandis was occupied with his sudden fame, Slim quietly ate up the rest of his “meal” and left. With the “first come, first served” policy of getting a room for the night, he was able to get one right by the cafeteria for once. He might even be able to get breakfast tomorrow!
He dug in his pouch for his ID, and a quick scan gave him the room for the night. As the door closed behind him, it took a moment for his eyes to adjust to the windowless closet. When he did, he could see all kinds of scratchings on the wall. Short complaints about bosses and a variety of tally marks filled most of it, but there were some other things. There was the occasional crude drawing of a bird, which gave Slim nostalgia over something he never experienced. There were conversations between anonymous Mudokons, about the latest gossip, concerns, and anything else. It was comforting; they watched out for each other and kept each other informed even when they didn’t really know each other.
With his nightly reading done, Slim slumped down to the ground. The dirt here was cool, but nothing he wasn’t used to. With any luck, he wouldn’t wake up to Bolamites crawling over him, but that was a problem for future him. Present him just had to be absorbed by the soft earth, and dream of a better workday, one where Abe saved him from this miserable job and blew up the Slog Hut.
It was all he could do, really.
* * *
It wasn’t even five minutes before he felt a cold breeze, and the light of the hallway made him squeeze his eyes shut more before sitting up. A hand went up to shield his vision, but he was still blinded for a moment while he tried to make out the silhouette. A Slig, for sure, but that hardly narrowed it down. The Pants were pretty basic, being two robotic legs attached to a large ball. However, the giveaway was the mask that obscured this particular guard’s face. It was one of the older visors, like some Sligs still wore, with a single long visor. However, this one covered his scalp, forming an ugly black helmet rather than just a scary red visor. Only Conar had that version, but what was he doing here of all places?
Well, it couldn’t be anything good. Slim shuddered, wondering what he’d have to apologize for to get a manager from work to find him in this motel. But… no beating or gunfire came his way. In fact, Conar looked taken aback. He wasn’t aiming his Blunderbuss anywhere in particular, and his head kept turning either way, as if he wasn’t supposed to be here.
“Well, whaddaya know, Slim,” he said, after a moment. “Funny I’d run into you here…”
Slim blinked, lowering his hands, but remaining where he was.
“So, uh... you wanna get outta shoveling Slog crap?”
Slim opened his mouth to answer, but Conar grabbed his arm, so the Scrub’s confused questions were interrupted by his own yelp.
“Time’s up!” Conar said, hearing the chatter die down in the cafeteria. “We’re leavin’!”
“Oh-okay…”
“And you’re gonna shut yer yap! We ain’t supposed to be doing this, you know!”
With that, the two of them silently beat feet away from the hubbub of the mess hall, kicking up a lot of dirt on their way.
The hall separated into two different ways at the end. Conar knew that to the left was the back door he came from, and was going to drag Slim with him. But Slim had other ideas, nearly pulling Conar out of his Pants as he pulled them both to the right.
Conar adjusted his seat so he could run properly again, then struggled to get out of Slim’s grip.
“What the hell?!” he protested, before realization struck, and he quieted down. “The back way’s the otherhall!”
“Where do you think most’f the Sligs are?” Slim harshly whispered. “Seen at least four Mudokons try that, and they never make it to the parking lot!”
“Oh, and the front door’sgonna be much better? Hah!”
“Dunno,” Slim shrugged. “No one’s tried it.”
Conar was about to say something pretty snippy, but he saw they were close to the lobby. The pair stopped just short, and Conar looked ahead. There wasn’t much to see, past the dozens of bored Mudokons waiting in line to be checked in by a very bored Glukkon receptionist, complete with a very bored Slig there to type the guests’ numbers in.
No one was looking their way, so Conar motioned for Slim to follow, and the two of them walked towards the other exit. They made it about halfway through before the Pud looked up.
“Where do ya think you’re goin?!”
“Ah…” Conar started, before regaining his composure. “Y’see, he was volunteered to work overtime tonight! Just came here to pick ‘im up!”
The Glukkon rose to his full height, which would have been impressive if he had shoulder pads or any non-plaid clothing. His assistant also rose, clicking a pen as violently as one could manage. Both Conar and Slim hunched a little, preparing to put their hands over their heads.
The receptionists walked over, sneering. The Mudokons in the queue muttered, some talking about the scene, others complaining about this new delay between them and dinner.
The Glukkon leaned close, so close Conar could almost read the miniscule nametag.
“We have procedures for this, you know! Guests –“ he said the word like most would say “slurg”, “—are to be signed out before leaving the premises!”
Slim blinked. It was hard to tell if Conar did the same.
“Yeah, er…” Conar said, rubbing his head. “Sorry, sir. I thought you wanted ‘im in line, too.”
“And risk the liability?” the receptionist exclaimed. “No, we have registration protocol for a reason!You security and your..your… unprofessionalism!”
His assistant merely gave Conar a look of resignation before marching back to check the Mudokons in.
“If we were to mix the lines like that, our quotas would go kaput! And this is a fine establishment!”
Conar chose not to bring up the dirt floor or the mold-eaten wallpaper. He was already debating whether or not this endeavor was worth it. Zoning out and wondering about that was far easier than listening to this chump.
“…My brothers and I… investors….”
Conar nodded along, thinking about the future, and the riches that would be in store for him. Maybe he could force Zeb to work for him. Of course, something like that would come after a little bit of begging for mercy. But what to spend the well-earned Moolah on? Maybe he’d get himself a nice, classy suit, with premium Slig Pants, armor, and a nice, big gun with all the works…
“…So, I’d really appreciate it if you’d show some class and go to the other desk!”
“Yes, sir!” Conar nodded, moving over to the empty desk. The Glukkon waddled over to the other side, and started controlling some machinery with his shoes.
“Name?”
“Slim.”
Tap, tap, tap.
“…Not found in our records.”
“Can’t you just add ‘im?”
“We just went over this! There are procedures! It will not be as simple as your mind! I can’t just add a Mudokon who is already in the--”
As Conar prepared to sigh, Slim stepped forward.
“Sorry sir,” he said, putting on his best Gluk-pleasing face (that is, a weak smile politely begging for mercy), “He must not’ve read my ID. Do you need my number?”
The receptionist laughed, looking down at Conar while nodding. He kept chuckling at the absurdity of this Slig’s ineptitude as he worked the pedals, searching for Slim by number. He finally stopped adding to Conar’s humiliation, catching his breath while reading what came onto his black-and-white monitor.
“Right, right, you’re all set to leave. Can’t be too careful this day and age, with all those escapees… Anyway, give him a few corporate-approved smacks to keep him in line, would you?”
Connar nodded, a little too hastily. After a moment to ensure no signature or receipt was needed, he turned and poked Slim with his blunderbuss.
“Alright, get movin’. We’re goin’ to work, now!”
Conar couldn’t believe it; he was expecting a tense escape, maybe an amazing shootout. But no; he was walking through the front door, with a Mudokon openly in tow. He even waved at a couple of the guards on his way out. He looked up at Slim, who kept himself hunched and shivering in a clearly practiced manner. The two of them marched in silence for a while, with Conar occasionally tapping the muzzle of his gun against Slim’s back for effect.
“You’re welcome,” Slim finally said, once they were closer to the Slog Huts again, and well out of earshot.
“What, you expectin’ thanks?” Conar asked, laughing at the audacity. “I was the one bustin’ ya out, y’know!”
Slim gave a smug grin, leaning against the wall as he did so.
“Oh, really? You go out the back with a Mudokon like you wanted, they’d be throwing your lead-filled ass into the recycler faster than you can say—”
He tried making that noise he heard many Sligs shout, but it sounded more like his lungs were playing tug-of-war.
“Yeah, well, you seemed pretty comfy in that filthy closet.”
“Ha, yeah, thanks,” Slim laughed, looking around for a moment. “So uh, why didja get me out of there anyway?”
“Right, yeah,” Conar said, clearing his throat. “So, you’re gonna help me take Zeb down a peg. If that Abe guy can take down RuptureFarms, I figure you can help me get his Moolah and ruin ‘im!”
Slim’s smile faded, and he looked at Conar like the Slig grew legs on the spot.
“You’re kidding, right?”
“Nah,” Conar shook his head. “This should be easy; we go in, hold ‘im at gunpoint, and—”
“And just how,” Slim asked, leaning forward until he was face to face with Conar, “do you expect us to ‘go in’? Do you even know where his office is?”
Conar’s smug grin faltered.
“Eh--? I…”
“To say nothin’ about the security he’s probably got! You got the news just like I did; they’re scared. They probably got security tighter than Jeandis’ skull there! Didja think any of this—”
He was cut off by a blunderbuss muzzle under his chin. So it was going to be certain death or immediate death, he saw.
“…G-got it. So, what’s the plan, boss?”
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Hakuoki SSL Valentine’s Day Special
*sigh* I finished psychedelica of the black butterfly recently.... and geez I thought it was more tragic than ashen hawk (I really liked hikage’s and kagiha’s routes.... though i feel that by playing ashen hawk beforehand i knew that something was off at the start from the intro, and with kagiha given what happens). i’m probably going to translate the 2015 otomate party drama for it in the future since I have it in Chinese (provided no one else is planning on doing so)... unfortunately it’s like the Hakuoki drama that i just finished in that I don’t have text and will involve snipping the subtitles off a video....one day though.
Anyway. This translation is from the Dengeki Girl’s Style Magazine in the 2014 March issue. Felt stupidly long to do.
Translator notes will be located at the end for this.
also, i just wanna say it feels like Section 31 was involved in the Mars incident in Star Trek: Picard.
enjoy~
Hakuoki SSL Dengegki GS Valentine’s Day Special March 2014
Translation from KumoriYami
Principal Kondou Isami: Speaking of February, Valentine's Day comes to mind/you'll immediately think of Valentine's Day!! This has nothing to do with being a warrior?......Everyone doesn't have to be so brave? This month, we interviewed 10 very popular men from our school about Valentine's day. People who want to receive chocolate from girls must read this carefully!
Questions
What type of chocolate would you like to receive, if you received chocolate on Valentine's Day?
What are you going to do on White Day?
Recently there have been many names of the types of chocolate that people have been giving to others, for example, friends chocolate, giri chocolate, boys/men to girl/women chocolates, and so on, what do you think of this trend?
Vice-principal/ Classical Literature teacher / 2nd Year Class 1 Homeroom teacher/ Disciplinary Committee Supervisor Hijikata Toshizou
If someone wants to give me chocolate, ordinary chocolate is fine. But, nothing too sweet.
......Is this really necessary? Since it's a return gift for chocolate, then getting the other person something to eat is fine.
I feel that these people are following a trend. If you really want to have it made, getting honmei chocolate is enough.
2nd Year Class 1/ Kendo Club Okita Souji
Bite-sized milk chocolate is good. It has the right sweetness that I like.
Ah~ White Day. Are you looking forward to this holiday/celebration/ festival?
Isn't it nice to receive/good enough to get a bunch of chocolates? Though that has nothing to do with me.
2nd Year Class 2/ Kendo Club/ Disciplinary Committee Saito Hajime
Since this is considered an important matter for someone to give...... regardless if it is bitter or sweet it must be received.
It's best to go with hand-made chocolate. Starting with the ingredients..... No, first learn how to practise making it.
Although this deviates from the original purpose, as it can disrupt discipline. If needing to send something, one is enough.
2nd Year Class 1/ Kendo Club Toudou Heisuke
Well...... I'd like to get biscuits and chocolates or something.
If it's for a normal return gift, I might give candy also gummies [says soft candy] or something.
Eh......How many types are there? But, it doesn't matter as long as you get to eat chocolate.
Health and physical education teacher/ Year 1 Class 1 Homeroom teacher Harada Sanosuke
If it's a gift from the heart, a hand-made cake made for dessert would be nice.
That...... perhaps I might give her a special lecture. [pfft.....LOLLLLLLL]
Although there are many ways to express one's feelings...... it is best to cherish your relationships.
Year 3 Class 3/ Student Council President Kazama Chikage
Of course hand-made chocolate is proof of my wife's vow of love for me.
I intend to prepare gold powdered candies for my wife to eat for a lifetime.
This trend is wrong. Anything used to convey one's feelings should be returned in the same way [???].
School doctor/ accountant [when was Sanan an accountant?] Sanan Keisuke
Although I won't eat it, chocolate mixed with a red liquid should be pretty good.
Due to the meaning/significance of that day, I'd like to give the other person something memorable/unforgettable as a gift.
Expressing love isn't limited to only one method, [though] doing that really isn't bad.
Math teacher/ 2nd Year Class 2 Homeroom teacher Nagakura Shinpachi
As long I can receive something, it doesn't matter! Just bring it!
Yes, after receiving a gift one must give something in return...... Excuse me/sorry, is it alright/possible to give something a bit smaller?
It's just a trend...... I don't want to cater to this trend at all.
1st Year Class 2/ Disciplinary Committee Nagumo Kaoru
Chocolate? To be honest, I don't care for Valentine's Day.
If it's necessary to send a return gift...... how is that possible!
Che, this trend is indeed sad. If you want some you aren't allowed to go buying it.
2nd Year Class 2/ Health Committee Yamazaki Susumu
If I receive chocolate, I hope to receive the type that is easy is convenient and easy to carry anywhere to replenish energy.
Something healthy/Something good for your health. If possible it would be best to give the receiving party food with low amounts of calories.
I always think that there is something wrong when trends deviate from their original intentions....... In short, remember to brush your teeth after you finish eating.
Principal Kondou Isami: How about it? Can this be used as a good reference? I'm very curious about how much chocolate everyone will receive!
-----------------
TN since I’m not really familiar with Japanese chocolate names (probably cuz the manga I read isn’t really school life oriented):
friend chocolate translation says "友人巧克力" literally "friend chocolate". so that might mean tomo chocolate
Giri chocolate is chocolate given by women/girls to men/boys who are usually just friends. kinda in the 'thanks for taking care of me' sense
the boys/men to girls/women chocolate might refer to gyaku chocolate
honmei chocolate is chocolate given from women to their significant other usually
-------------------
i had to go and look up way more info on Japanese chocolate terms than I’d like for this translation.... also i find harada’s response to Q2 very interesting :3 lol.
pic at the start is from the 10th anniversary book. be content and suffer like i have from beating black butterfly as i refrain from posting the rest of that image! also im taking out my anger from doing that stupid defeating 1000 enemies quest in fire emblem heroes by grinding rival domains on you all! so suffer! suffer as i have! mwhahahahahaaaa!
lol.
i’d say jk but im really not posting that image til way later since still have yet to crop everything from that page (im procrastinating plus my queue is full for images til the end of march xD) plus i tend to want to post my scans as grouped by original release origin, the pages they’re scanned from (only reason y that ssl pic was with the others in the last batch), or by book (or by whatever i feel like lol). will still be posting more scans later today.... and with my other translations for the foreseeable future til i run out of images that i have saved on my comp.... Also I’m really annoyed right now since my scanner isnt connecting to my laptop for some stupid reason.
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Gatboss Headcanons
If you didn’t see this post coming.....how bold of you to assume I wasn’t gonna make this post eventually...
Anyways
Boss fell first
Well maybe “fell” isn’t the right word for it. They liked Johnny first and they realized it first, he’s an attractive and charismatic guy somehow how could they not?
They fell for him when he took a shotgun blast to the knee and then still took out Big Tony long enough for The Playa to get away
Johnny was always into The Boss too but it took him a lot longer to realize and even longer to step up to the plate
Aisha’s not stupid, she knew before Johnny did, she’s always known in a way
She believes in the soulmates kinda thing, she thinks that yeah she and Johnny are soulmates, but so are Johnny and The Boss
She absolutely encourages them but in vague and snide comments mostly, Johnny’s damn oblivious and doesn’t catch on ever
The Boss catches on easy enough, they think it’s a little weird that Aisha supports it but they’re a go with the flow kinda person so they just roll with it
Aisha even invites The Boss on some of her and Johnny’s dates
Johnny is of course Johnny and doesn’t really see anything weird with his homie hanging out at their dates
Queue The Boss and Aisha rolling their eyes like “can you believe we’re in love with this guy?”
Aisha and The Boss were planning on having a nice date (nice by Johnny’s standards, so watching shitty action flicks and eating Freckle Bitch’s) where they finally sat Johnny down to have The Talk and be like “Hey, you’re kind of dense. Do you realize we’re both dating you?”
Said plan never happens because The Ronin get in the way
And then Aisha dies
The Boss definitely isn’t about to step up and say anything now or anytime soon, Johnny needs time to mourn and honestly so does The Boss
Funny enough, it’s not long after her death and funeral that Johnny realizes he might be in love with The Boss and might have been for a while
The Boss is the first person Johnny sees aside from a doctor or nurse when he’s in the hospital and they don’t give him any of that pity crap, they don’t even bring up Aisha at all unless Johnny does
They’ve always been good at that with him, knowing when and what to keep their mouth shut about
Not to mention they don’t miss a beat when the power goes out, Johnny doesn’t even have the time to make a joke about leaving right then because The Boss is already ahead of him on that, they give him a pistol “just in case” and they’re off
And they let him deal with Shogo, only stepping in to help bury the brat, didn’t even say anything, didn’t need to. They were gonna stay by his side through it all and probably as long as they’re both still standing at this point
And now that he’s thinking about it, The Boss was always hanging around with him and Aisha even before the boat explosion and especially when Johnny was all but bedridden for a while after getting his knee blown out and kidnapped
And shit they’re really fuckin’ funny and they’re really fuckin good lookin’ too
Johnny still doesn’t say anything though, he thinks it’d be kinda fucked up to say something when they only just buried Aisha maybe a few weeks ago
But he’s going to say it eventually...just not now...but eventually
Eventually never comes
They’re always hanging out and they go on what Johnny thinks probably count as dates
They go to the movies to see every shitty action flick and every shitty horror flick and even to some animated movies
They get kicked out for talking too much and too loudly and for throwing their food everywhere during the action and horror movies
They do their damn best to stay during the animated movies, it’s hard to enjoy your guilty pleasures if you’re not paying attention or focused on some asshole security guard trying to manhandle you out of the theater
And they go to some of the Skeeters games for a while
Until they get banned because they ran onto the playing field drunk and naked and “ruined” the game
Of course they think they made it better, but oh well
But Johnny just never speaks up, there’s always another gang war on the horizon looming over them or cops or something
After a while he thinks maybe The Boss doesn’t feel the same and just sort of decides not to tell them
It’s not like it’d make any difference, they’re still gonna go to the movies and the shooting range and shit
And then they try to rob The Syndicate’s bank
Johnny doesn’t stop for a moment to think that maybe this is it for them so of course he doesn’t think to tell The Boss how he feels
But then The Boss and Shaundi jump and there’s a fucking alien trying to abduct him and fuck, he’s missed his window
Johnny’s death hits The Boss fucking hard, but lbr we been knew that
They don’t let their anger or their sadness or anything that they’re feeling show half as much as they want to
Shaundi’s already angry enough for the both of them and The Boss needs to make sure she doesn’t get reckless because they’re not about to lose anymore friends
It’s a silent anger for the most part, they shut up, shoot, and move on in their fights and during their plans. They’re going to personally put a fucking bullet in Loren’s head and they’re going to level this fucking city if they have to to get to him
After Loren’s dead they realize that fuck it, they don’t need the territory, they just want to go home and bury Johnny and do fuck all for a few weeks or months maybe
Before they go back to Steelport after Johnny’s funeral is raided, The Boss stops by Johnny’s house and grabs some of his gold chains, they start to wear some of them themself
The also take one of his knives and tie one of the chains around the handle. They have every intention to use the knife to tear into Killbane themself
After everything is said and done, there’s sort of just this hole and they know damn well there’s no filling it
Shaundi and Pierce try to help because of course they noticed
Shaundi tries to take them out and help them get fucked up and just let loose or to a shooting range to just go crazy in
Pierce takes them for drives with the playlist he’s got for when they’re hanging out at full blast so they can sing and just bullshit around town
It does help some and cheers them up a little, but that hole is definitely not going away
All the others try to help in their own ways
Kinzie goes with them to Smiling Jack’s
Angel spars with them
Viola takes them to clubs or these expensive art shows
Oleg just sort of hangs out with them, he tries to entertain them with small things like seeing what kind of stuff he can crush in his bare hands or a game where they watch russian dramas and The Boss tries to guess what they’re saying and what’s going on and Oleg just watches and occasionally actually helps
Eventually the hole subsides and then they’re the president then they’re in space and Earth ks destroyed
The Boss likes to joke about how much it all seems like the plot for one of the shitty movies they and Johnny used to watch
But then Kinzie says she’s found Johnny, that he’s not dead
Fuck everyone else they’re going get Johnny, smart idea of not, The Boss is not losing him again
Once Johnny’s back they both try to ignore how awkward it is
They both wanna tell the other but after so many years it just seems pointless
The crew gets sick of it after a week and pull an old “lock them in a room until they confess”
The crew has clearly forgotten how stubborn The Boss and Johnny both are
It doesn’t work and the crew gives up because they need The Boss actually to do their job
After the crew’s little mishap, Johnny admits defeat and confronts The Boss himself
“Listen, man, I don’t wanna like freak you out or anythin’ but I’ve missed you a lot and you kind of mean a lot to me and I didn’t really show that before and I really never told you this but what I’m tryna say is I think I’m probably kind of in love with you...or something...”
Of course it goes well and of course the first thing they do is sleep together
“I can’t believe it...Aisha was right.”
“She was what?”
“Johnny, why do you think Aisha invited me on all of your dates?”
“Isn’t that just what homies do? I thought she just liked the company...”
They don’t ever announce it or anything but they’re not exactly keeping it a secret either
The Boss calls Johnny their First Lady all the time because it gets on Johnny’s nerves
“Aw c’mon, that’s bullshit! I was never on Earth when you were president!”
“Doesn’t make it any less true, Johnny!”
Of course the crew had bets about how this was going to end
Pierce, Kinzie, Keith, and Ben have to pay Shaundi, Asha, and Matt
Pierce also has to pay Shaundi extra because they’ve had a bet going since SR2
Pierce thought The Boss and Johnny were already an item
Shaundi took one look at them and went “oh hell no, they’re gonna be pining for a while, dude”
Man, was she right, it took Johnny’s death, an alien invasion, and the destruction of Earth for them to even tell each other
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Yours Truly [Part Three]
Summary: As the summer continues, Chris and Sadie bond over his ex-wife’s refusal to see Layla for her birthday.
Pairing: Chris Pratt x OFC, Chris Evans x OFC
Word Count: 1595
Warnings: Mentions of divorce and abandonment.
A/N: This fic was previously posted on my multi-fandom account; in honor of OC Appreciation Day, I figured I would queue it all up for your reading pleasure throughout the day! This was a collab with @captain-s-rogers , and I will link her chapters at the end of all of my posts! Some GIFs were difficult to find again, so if there’s no credit, they’re from Google Image Search or from the original post.
June 12
Caroline,
My dear friend … you already sound like you’ve got it bad for this guy!! D.C. sounds amazing so definitely keep telling me about that, and the campaign, but don’t spare me on the tabloid-esque details, either!
Kidding, of course. I know you’re a professional, but don’t let that stop you from having a little fun while you’re out there — hmm, speaking of fun, no mention of Charlie in your first couple of letters. I want those details, too, missy.
Farm life has improved from that first day. Chris is warming up to me, I think, and I already can’t picture life without Layla in it. That little girl is going places, C, I’m telling you! Teaching her is more fun than work, and that’s on top of the fun we have throughout the rest of the day. I hate to break it to you, but I think I got the better deal this summer. No offense to your campaign of course ;)
Layla wants to sign her name at the bottom, as we have been practicing that. I’ve shown her pictures of you, and told her about your job. Chris and I watched the CNN bit, and Layla snuck out of bed — she can’t believe my best friend is working with the man on the TV!
I’ll send pictures of the farm and Layla with my next letter. Once little miss writes her name, we will be heading to town to get some fabric for her birthday dress — I made the mistake of telling her that my aunts used to make me dresses when I was younger and taught me how. We’ll see if I remember how to do this.
Yours truly,
Sadie
After Layla carefully etched out her name at the bottom of Sadie’s letter to Caroline, Sadie folded the page and put it in the envelope. She let Layla lick the adhesive, laughing at the girl’s nose crinkling in reaction to the bitter taste.
“Okay, letter’s in my purse, your daddy put your seat in my car … let’s see if we can find him and let him know we’re leaving,” Sadie suggested.
Chris was easy enough to find, sweaty and smiling at the girls’ presence. Just as she had told Caroline, Chris seemed to be warming up to Sadie. She figured it had been difficult to invite another woman into his home to care for his daughter, and Sadie chalked his initial attitude towards her up to that.
After looking at a few sewing patterns, Sadie found one that Layla liked, and even found one for herself. They combed through the bolts of different fabrics and, after Sadie convinced Layla that yes, flannel was so soft but not good for a summer dress, found a breathable cotton in Layla’s favorite shade of pink. Sadie took a little longer to look for her own fabric, finally settling on a creamy-colored cotton with a vintage floral design. They made their purchases, then headed over to the grocery store to get a few things for supper that evening.
“Adie, how many days till my birfday?” Layla asked on the trek back home.
Sadie mentally counted the days until July 1st. “About eighteen, sweetie. Almost three weeks.”
“That’s forever!” Layla whined.
Sadie chuckled. “It’ll go by before you know it. Besides, I’ve got to have time to make your dress.”
The child grew quiet in the backseat. Sadie hummed quietly, not daring to turn on the radio, as Layla would be talking again soon enough.
“Adie?”
She decided then and there she never wanted Layla to get her name right. “Yes?”
“Do you think my mama will come back for my birfday? She been gone a long time.”
Sadie’s heart broke. She had heeded Chris’s warning that Layla might bring up the subject of his ex-wife, but it had been a couple of weeks now, and nothing had been said. She could hear the tears in Layla’s voice, so she waited the couple of minutes until they were parked back in front of the house. She got Layla down from her seat and crouched in front of the small girl.
“Sometimes mommies and even daddies have to figure out how to be the best mommies and daddies they can be, Layla, so they go away for a while. Just like it seems like eighteen days is a long time till your birthday, I know it seems like she’s been gone forever, huh?” Layla nodded; a tear slipped down her cheek. “Don’t cry, sweetheart. Your mama is just trying to do what’s best for you.”
“What if she never comes back?” Layla cried.
Sadie couldn’t help it; she picked Layla up, resting the child’s head on her shoulder. “Then, as sad as it is, it just means that the best thing she can do for you is leave you here with your daddy.”
Layla nodded against Sadie’s shoulder but didn’t stop crying. Sadie held her until she quieted, realizing a few minutes later the child had fallen asleep. After putting Layla in her bed for an afternoon nap, she brought in the groceries and the purchases from the sewing store.
No doubt this would break Chris’s heart too, but Sadie knew she would have to tell him about the conversation with Layla.
After supper, Sadie asked Chris to talk with her in the kitchen while Layla played with her toys in the living room and out of earshot. While she loaded the dishwasher, she quietly recounted her conversation with Layla about her mother coming back for her birthday.
“Damn it,” Chris muttered under his breath. He realized what he had said and checked to see that Layla hadn’t heard him curse. “Honestly, Sadie, she hasn’t talked to me about her mother once since you came. I don’t expect you to fix me or my daughter, but having you here has really been a blessing for us. Guess I was too hopeful about what that blessing meant.”
Sadie pushed the button to start the dishwasher before facing Chris. “I know it’s hard, for both of you, but you can’t just sweep it under the rug. Layla hasn’t talked to you about your ex-wife, but it doesn’t mean you shouldn’t talk to her about it — or at least let her know that she can talk to you about it. Maybe she needs to you to tell her that your love for her is bigger than your sadness over your wife leaving.”
Chris stared in Sadie’s direction for a few seconds before sucking on his teeth and giving a nod. Picking his mobile up from the counter, he asked Sadie to keep Layla inside for a while. He was out the front door before Sadie could answer him.
They had been playing for several minutes before they heard Chris yelling outside. Layla looked up at Sadie with wide eyes.
“Daddy’s mad.”
Sadie let out a sigh. “Go play in your room, sweetie.”
Layla did as she was told, and Sadie waited for her to disappear down the hall before stepping onto the front porch. Chris was standing at the bottom of the porch steps, shaking his head at the conversation.
“Em, it’s her birthday. She’s asking for you!” He paused, catching Sadie’s eye before quickly looking away. “I don’t need you back here for me. If you wanna run off with some big city accountant, that’s your business, but don’t leave your daughter in the dust without at least explaining to her. She’s four years old, but she’s gonna know you abandoned her!”
A couple of seconds later, he dropped the phone from his ear and kicked at the sidewalk that led up to the house.
“She hung up?” Sadie guessed.
Chris nodded. “She’s gonna be in Cancun for the first week of July. Won’t be able to come back for Layla’s birthday.”
Sadie pursed her lips and held back her anger. How could anyone leave behind a child as sweet as Layla, and not look back? Or a man as willing to work hard to love and support his family as Chris?
That last thought took her by surprise; Sadie quickly dismissed it and promised Chris that she would make sure Layla had the best birthday any five-year-old could ask for.
“I know I’m not her mom, but I can try my best.”
Chris smiled, coming up the steps. “I know you will. You’re really amazing with her, and she adores you, Sadie. I was serious when I said it was a blessing that you came to us.”
Sadie blushed and bit the inside of her cheek. He stopped two steps down, putting him right at eye level with her. “Well, you know, just doing my job. Layla’s easy to love.”
Chris opened his mouth to say something, seemed to think better of it, and shook his head instead. “We’ll find out what Layla wants for her birthday, and make it happen, the two of us. She’ll have no shortage of love that day. With any luck, she won’t even remember Emily’s gone.”
Sadie nodded, then something occurred to her. “When’s your birthday?”
Chris looked a little surprised by her question, but answered it anyway. “The twenty-first.”
“Maybe we’ll do something special for you, too,” Sadie smiled, somewhat teasing.
As she turned back in the house, she didn’t see Chris staring after her, wondering at the flutterings of his heart – not for the first time – when it came to the woman who had come to teach and care for his daughter.
Part Four
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