#you can keep calling him dex if you want i just need to see that dude get to go Full Bullseye like

[flatstarcarcosa]

also as much as seeing more stuff pulled directly from the comics visually in s3 was great, i could still go on another 10 page rant about the story changes they made re dex/les and matt’s costume but the most important change they robbed us of?

les/dex getting SO INTO THE BIT of pretending to be mat kayfabe’d himself into the delusion he was genuinely matt, and matt had to then pretend to be lester to fucking snap him out of it because he’s so egotistical with his own image he basically went WHO’S THIS OTHER DOG, WHERE DID HE COME FROM? with a dash of WHO DO YOU THINK YOU ARE I AM?

and then we find out he has a brain tumor.

#txt.txt #lester #platonic: matt #also the obligatory scar carving scene. mouse please bring back bethel i will give you another chance #you can keep calling him dex if you want i just need to see that dude get to go Full Bullseye like #anyway fun fact lester did actually have hair until the brain tumor thing #imagine getting stuck getting your bald head slapped forever because a brain tumor almost killed you #but also it almost killed you because you were already so insane to begin w no one noticed at first #matt just goin 9am and already the boy ain't right foggy get my ladder

[nottapossum]

Hello! I was wondering, what if Lucifer had to look after the regressing Alastor? How would they treat each other?

Heheheh. I can't wait to write this scenario in the book or as a one-shot.

✨️🦌✨️🦌✨️🦌✨️🦌✨️🦌✨️🦌✨️🦌✨️🦌✨️🦌

🍎The only way Lucifer would take care of Little!Alastor is if Charlie asked him to. And he would do anything to get out of it.

Lucifer: "Is there not anyone else who can? Angel, Husk? That weird skeleton lady?"

Charlie: "Husk is taking care of Angel, and Rosie has a lot on her plate. Alastor said specifically not to call her this week."

Lucifer: "Husk can't take care of both if them?"

Charlie, sighs: "No. Would you rather take care of Alastor or Angel?"

Lucifer wining: "Fine, I'll watch him. But if he destroys the hotel, it's not on me."

Charlie: "Fine, just make sure he doesn't get hurt."

Lucifer:"I honestly don't think it's him you have to worry about!"

📻Alastor will watch Lucifer closely, staring at him with his radio dial eyes and his creepy smile.

Lucifer: "So....you want to go to bed?"

Alastor:"...."

Lucifer:"Just gonna creeplily stare at me?"

Alastor: "..."

Lucifer: "Okay...cool. carry on then."

🍎Lucifer would attempt to take care of Alastor, making him snacks, pushing a plate of apple slices towards him with a stick.

And Alastor would just stare, not bother to eat them.

Lucifer would just figure Alastor is not hungry and leave him be for a while.

📻 Alastor would watch as Lucifer worked on his rubber ducks. A little intrigued by them.

He'll crawl over to Lucifer to see what he's working on.

Lucifer: "...?"

Alastor, Staring: 👀

Lucifer: "Can I help you?"

Alastor: *opens his mouth and snatches one of the duckies.*

Lucifer: "AHH! DROP THAT!"

Alastor: *Giggling*

Lucifer: "Alastor, drop it!"

Alastor thinks about it....

Lucifer: "Now."

Alastor: *runs away*

Lucifer: "Alastor!"

🍎Eventually, he'll get the duck back, but he has to bribe Al with a different one. One that looks like a deer. He would have let Al keep the one he stole, but he doesn't think it's very responsible to let Alastor near fire. Just sayin. 🤷‍♂️

📻 Then Lucifer would show Alastor the rest of his collection, and it keeps the little one entertained until Charlie got back.

🍎Then He'll agree to watch Alastor again if it's needed. Claiming for a crazed serial killer, he's kinda cute.

📻Little!Alastor finds Lucifer funny and entertaining. But he'll still keep his distance. And Lucifer would NOT be allowed to pet him. He's simply entertaining, they're NOT friends.

Lucifer will respect that and simply talk to Alastor to make him feel as comfortable as possible and help pass the time until Rosie or Charlie can take care of him.

Lucifer is not sure how he feels about Alastor, even in little form. But he knows he perfers the tiny gremlin over his bigger obnoxious self.

@todayimfour @trophyxtissues2 @ask-dusty-boy @dex-dawn @abby5577

#ittybittysinners #ittybittysinnersq&h #hazbin hotel agere #hazbin hotel age regression #cg!lucifer #little!Alastor

[somewhereincairparavel]

okay. So I've finished book 1 of keeper of the lost cities for the first time. And I'm loving this keefe dude already?? Like I never thought I'd like a fictional character so quickly. All it took was like one page for me to fall for him, I am aware that keefe is one of the most loved characters in the fandom, and I can see why (correct me if I'm wrong).

Also the book is a solid 9.5/10, the only thing I was frustrated about was probably the slight info dumping about the whole blackswan thing towards the end? because it took me like 3 reads to understand the whole situation, of course, we could just narrow it down to me being slow too, lol. But I'm VERY excited to continue reading the rest. So while we're at it, I'll put in my first impressions of the characters, so I can look back on it after I've read all the books, to see how much my perception has changed of them.

Sophie- i like her, she's really mature for her age, I keep forgetting that she's like 12 lmao. But she's well written, her emotions seem very raw and natural. Of course, she may seem overpowered but, I think that's the whole point of the story, she is supposed to be overpowered, so I don't mind and i wouldn't call her a Mary sue. Overall great protagonist, my girlie deserves a break tho, she got dumped in the hospital atleast 6 times lol.

Fitz- i actually think he's cool. I liked him better in the beginning of the story tho, I feel like afterwards, the dude kinda just disappeared a little? Keefe and Sophie seemed to have more private interaction than those two, and keefe literally only came by in the middle. But yeah, I feel like he had more of a personality in the start. Keefe and Dex, in my opinion had more personality in 5 minutes than fitz did the whole book, but I wouldn't judge so quickly, it's only the first book after all, Hopefully he'd have more page time in the later books. I still like him tho, just not as much as keefe.

Dex- Yeah he is such a typical best friend, I love him. His beef w the vackers is so funny lol I was relieved when Sophie stuck with him even after she became popular tho, also, he seems to have a crush on sophie right? It's kinda obvious, but overall friendship goals 10/10. I vocally "AWW-ed" after he said "are you kidding, i can't wait to tell everyone that you're my first friend" like I need a guy bestie like him :(

Alden- honestly, my heart warmed so much with his father-like dynamic with sophie tbh. He seemed to genuinely care about her well being, but I don't want to get too attached to him tho, just in case becomes a traitor or some shit later on, you can literally never tell with the adults lol. I've read enough books to back that up. But yeah, i really like him and della, the amount of reassuring hugs he gives sophie really heals me :(, They're like sophies 2nd (well, in her case, 3rd) parents. The amount of effort and lengths Alden put to get her out of trouble is actually sweet.

Elwin- This guy is such a W. He is like an adult keefe tbh. He is probably my favorite adult so far lol.

Cassius- I'm sorry, but Mr jerk face over here reminds me SO much of Lucius Malfoy??? Like ?? I feel so bad for Keefe, like poor baby leave him alone smh. I really wanna deck his royal highness in the face tbh.

Biana- absolutely loathed her in the beginning, she gave off such bad snob vibes lol but I love her now. I like the trope of two people forced to be friends w eachother by someone actually end up becoming friends. It's rather uncommon as far as I've read, atleast.

Grady and Edaline- is it bad that i thought they were going to be evil? Yeah I have so much trust issues, it's concerning. But yeah, they're both big W's, their backstory, their temporary contemplation to reject sophies adoption, everything aligned well with their backstory. Greatly written characters.

And last but not least, the king himself, Keefe- okay, he's like added to my list of fictional crushes now lol (along with Percy Jackson, Jason grace, Steve Harrington, chat noir, Eugene fitzherbert, edmund pevensie and Ravi singh ofc). How does sophie not have a fat crush on him, like- ma'am if you don't want him, I'll take him. But jokes aside, he feels like the most authentic character out of them all, tbh. Epitome of great writing. He was inserted to the story as this random dude that sophie runs into, and becomes an og in like 5 minutes. He is like a mix of Eugene from tangled, Kristoff from Frozen and chat noir from mlb all at the same time?? I cannot wait to see more of him and his backstory, especially with his parents. I know alot of people dislike the humorous guy with depression trope since it's overused, but I like how it played out on keefe, he uses school as an escape, which is very relatable.

Also, bonus, i LOVE the world building, the light leaping and all, very creative. I cannot wait to get my hands on book 2

#kotlc #kotlc fandom #sophie foster #keeper of the lost cities #biana vacker #kotlc keefe #keefe sencen #fitz vacker #alden vacker #della vacker #kotlc elwin #kotlc sophie #dex dizznee

[frizzle-mcshizzle]

[crawling towards you, I am translucent pale and my lips are cracked. You feel pity. It’s as though I’ve crawled through the desert just to find you. I reach out]

Dex Dizznee… I need headcanons… [coUGh]… please

this literally the funniest ask ive ever gotten this was amazing to wake up to

you also have amazing timing i have been brain rotting about Stinex (or as im calling it now Copper Mares) for the past two days so hes very much on my mind rn

he's self taught ambidextrous, and intentionally uses it as a pun with his name

he has curly hair and a ton of freckles

while his dad has five older siblings he only has three cousins that are around his age on that side and his family doesn't have a good relationship with his uncle so he doesn't see two of them at all

he has been helping Kesler in Slurps and burps since he was 8, and when he was a baby the first thing that made him laugh was the burping doors

the Dizzee's and Ruewens have weekly movie nights where they will all (including the adults and bodyguards) take turns choosing the movie

he has a collection of human technology that his mom got him that he consistently uses to make better weapons or things that can help around the house

his entire family has panic-switches and he has a master panic switch ring that will let him now whos in trouble where they are located with the projectable screen

he ends up telling Rex he will be talantless after talking to his parents about it, instead of that putting strain on their relationship it made Rex and Dex closer as he did everything he could to make things that would give talentless some kind of ability

he made Livvy a light projection tool so she doesn't have to hold Candles while doing her job

Dex and Stina were friends when they where very little but when the Heks realized that distancing themselves from the Dizznee's would increase their social status they quickly cut them off

when he was growing up he only saw Edaline and Grady during their quarterly exiler refills at slurps and burps, Juline invited them over for dinner more than once but they couldn't handle being around children for that long so they never came.

after he was hit by the melder he couldn't go home for two weeks he was constantly having full body spasms and had constant migraines, the triplets where so worried about him that they took turns visiting and being unnaturally quiet so they could see him

he's terrified of fire but tries not to show it, but when she's around it he can't help but stare at it like it's going to jump out and attack him. hes afraid of Marella after she maifested but doesn't want to be because he know she's wont hurt him. but when he sees her control fire all he can think about is getting burned by brant

when they where kiddnapped he wasn't constantly sedated like Sophie was and remembers much more than she does, he remembers her screams and them forcing sedatives down her throat, he rarely talks about it because no one asks and if he mentions it in front of his parents they get these galzed over looks on their faces and Juline's hands start to ice over, so he stops because hes already put then through enough

he has nightmares that make him wake up screaming, sometimes Lovise will the only one to hear him because he stops before the rest of his family wakes up. she will sit with him and teach him calming techniques that Goblins soliders use, other times his parents would wake up and sit with him for minutes yo hours, sometimes in silence sometimes he would cry, it happens at least once a week, sometimes more.

he has a stuffed griffon Ewlin got him while he was recovering called called feathersworth, he keeps it under his pillow whenever he's sleeping and

sometimes he will stay up into the odd hours of the morning just to avoid going to sleep because he doesn't want to have nightmares, Lovise will have to physically pull him to his bedroom because hes been awake for more than 24 hours and is still fighting sleep

he missed his mom and dad more than anything while he was with the black swan desperately wanting to talk to them. when he found out that Juline was squall it took him forever to forgive her, it put a lot of strain on their relationship and while Juline did her best to make it up to him it, it was just something he had to forgive her for because nothing can make up for that.

he is one of the only people that Tinker will have actual conversations with, and he knows almost as much about her as wraith does, he likes working with her more than lady Iskra because she actually lets him use his unorthodox methods of making things instead of forcing him to make things the traditional way

his extended family has get togethers once a year, not all of Kesler's siblings attend every year but he knows his grandparents very well and spends a lot of time with them

less a headcannon but i think he should lose his arm, his names means righthanded and i think it would be funny if he just didn't have a right hand anymore also because angst

is that enough headcannons, are you alive now, this made me want to write dex's pov when he was kidnapped so...

#ask me about Keslers siblings i dare you #or about Copper mares #kotlc #keeper of the lost cities #dex dizznee #kotlc dex #kotlc juline #juline dizznee #kotlc kesler #kesler dizznee #kotlc tinker #kotlc headcannon #kotlc headcanons #kotlc headcannons

[petertingle-yipyip]

MAD AT GOD - MATT MURDOCK

Season Three - Lavender Haze

tags: @americaarse @dusstory @ironprincessstranger @johnmurphys-sass @astrobees @mayasaurus--rex @woowwwee // three // five // masterlist

Pairing: Matt x Reader, Dex x Reader

Word Count: 9,303

Summary: Betrayal and reunions. For Exodus, seems one can’t exist without the other. All relationships are tested when it all turns into something bigger.

You and Karen took a seat at one of the pews closest to the side door. You were waiting for either Sister Maggie or Father Lantom, knowing one of them would be the best bet to talk to about Matt. He knew at least one of them would’ve sworn everyone else to secrecy, but they would talk to you.

They were always willing to talk to you, but you never quite knew if it was for your sake or Matt’s.

The idea of seeing Matt again, inside a place you so frequently visited. To know he was right there the entire time, the thought let the red haze tease your vision. You dropped your head and closed your eyes and to anyone else, the sight would’ve looked like you were praying. Rather, you were trying to settle the sparking heat of anger that was urging you to take off your jacket.

“Sister Maggie?�� Karen said suddenly, leaving your side and your attention snapped up. All remnants of the red gone.

“Can I help you?” She asked politely, but you seemed to steal her attention as you stood by Karen’s side. “Y/N.. It’s nice to see you inside finally.”

You gave a polite smile in return.

“Still doesn’t smell like cinnamon but…” You gave a small shrug. “We were actually hoping that Matt Murdock was here.”

She shook her head slightly. “No, he’s not.”

“Right.” You said with a small nod. “I wasn’t so sure anyways.. Thank you.”

“Y/N, wait.” Karen reached for you.

“No, it’s fine. I can do it without him. Just.. Text me where to go and I’ll handle it.”

“Y/N.” Sister Maggie called behind you.

“Thanks for your time, Sister. I’ll see you next time.”

“Will you wait for just a minute?” She insisted. You sighed heavily and cursed yourself mentally before you turned to face her. “It wears you out, doesn’t it? Trying to save him from himself.”

“Considering I’ve only seen him once and he didn’t really care to talk or explain anything, it’s not like he wants me around right now to begin with. And it’s funny when you think about it. He used to be the one trying to save me from myself … You know what he told me? That I’ve already mourned Matt Murdock so I shouldn’t care. How can he tell me I shouldn’t care?”

“When someone in need tries to push you away, you have to find the strength to hold on tighter… Everyone in Matthew’s life has abandoned him, even me. He needs someone who’ll stand by all his struggles and be there to pull him through on the other side. You have to keep pushing back, Y/N.”

“How can I do that when he won't come near me?” You shrugged with an exhausted sigh. “He’s intently visited everyone that mattered before Midland Circle except me.”

“You’re a smart and stubborn girl, Y/N. I’m sure you can find a way.”

Karen picked you up later that night. She refused to let you go alone so you climbed into the backseat with your duffel in hand. As she drove, you changed in the backseat. She told you what her plan was, for her to go in first as a buyer and make sure Evans was there. And even though you didn’t like the idea of her going in alone, you knew it’d be less dangerous than if you showed up in your mask. Instead, you found a decent vantage point to watch her go in after slipping one of your comms mics into her pocket, then you clicked your mask and implant to watch her venture inside.

The hand on your shoulder was the only thing that took your focus away.

You instantly dropped to the ground. Sweeping their legs from under them, you yanked one of the knives from your belt and raised it above your head to throw. When you turned to find a target, you found Matt laying on his back with hands up in surrender.

“Тебе повезло, что я тебя не убил. Опять же.” You groaned and bit the blade as you hauled Matt up. (You’re lucky I didn’t kill you. Again.)

“Yeah, missed you too, Y/N.” He said with a small smile.

“Sure doesn’t seem that way.” You mumbled. “Besides, that’s not what I said.” You rolled your eyes and flipped your knife idly before tucking it away.

“I know.”

“You do understand that we still need to talk. Right? About all of it. You owe me that much.”

Before he could answer, you heard a male voice in your head. Listening carefully, you heard Karen say his name and a tight, almost threatening response.

You hurried into the room with Matt on your heels. You got to the room just in time as Karen threw an elbow at the person behind her. You yanked the man you assumed was Jasper by his shirt collar and threw him into Matt.

Two more men came after you two so you ran at the first one. You slammed into him and wrapped your arms around his shoulders as something to hold on. You kicked out hard at the second one’s chest and used the movement to throw your legs back and your torso forward to slam the first man to his back. As you stood, one of the men went to get up so you threw a knee against his temple and he fell flat. You looked over at Karen, who offered a silent nod that she was okay.

“You knew his last known address and that he’d probably be here.” Karen said to Matt. “What were you waiting for?”

He turned his head to you but you scoffed slightly and crossed your arms. Either he was waiting for you to say something or you were what he was waiting for.

“You knew we’d come?” She kept going.

“I’d hoped.” Matt answered.

“But you couldn’t have come to me?” You said angrily. You moved to Matt, still knelt by Jasper’s side, and forced your foot against his chest, pushing him to his back and leaning your weight forward to keep him down. “You didn’t want to just talk to me?”

“I didn’t know if I could get to you.” He tried but you leaned forward more and he groaned slightly.

“I may not read heartbeats but I know when you’re full of shit.”

“How was I supposed to try? When Fisk has the FBI in his pocket.”

“Because we live together!” You said angrily. “Because I never was! Because I was at that goddamn church every day!”

“He could’ve had eyes on you the whole time. How was I supposed to know?”

“You never even tried!” Your voice broke as you yelled.

You felt a hand on your arm and turned quickly, only

to see Karen with a concerned expression. Her eyes darted between yours and you knew by the colors lurking in your peripherals that your eyes were reflecting that bright, hot red. You gave in and let her pull you off Matt but once you were clear, you turned and slammed your fist through a nearby picture frame.

“I’ll help you, but after that, you need to help me and Foggy. The FBI is all over us and-“ Karen tried to explain quickly but you could feel her worry for you.

“You want me to turn myself in.” Matt cut in as he stood, rubbing the spot on his chest where your weight had been. You knew it didn’t hurt him. He was still built too well for just your weight to hurt.

“You talk to Foggy?”

“No, but it’s the smart move.. Sure, I’ll do it. I’ll turn myself in.” He turned towards you. “To you.”

“What?” Your brows raised quickly and you pushed your mask to the top of your head as if you wanted him to fully see your expression. “I’m not supposed to be involved with your investigation. It’s the one conflict of interest I can’t get around.”

“I won’t do it if I’m not turning myself in to you.” He said simply.

“They find out I’m anywhere near you and I’m done. Everything I’m working on is thrown away.”

“I thought you were an elite spy?” He tried to joke.

“It doesn’t matter. Even if you turn yourself in to me, I would still have to hand you over to Ray. It’s not my case.”

“Wait, what if they’ve figured out you’re… you?” Karen tried.

“Ray would’ve been hassling me a little more to figure out me if he knew anything.” You waved a hand, wincing as you felt the small glass shards shifting in your knuckles. Matt made a move for your hand but you crossed your arms, unintentionally pushing the broken pieces deeper into your skin.

“The mask doesn’t do me any good if I'm a wanted man either way.” Matt shrugged. “Besides, if the FBI figures out who I am, maybe I’ll get lucky and they’ll lock me up next to Fisk.”

“Да, хороший пентхаус в президентском доме для Кухня дьявола ада.” You snorted to yourself and Matt chuckled. (Yeah, a nice penthouse at the Presidential for the Devil of Hell’s Kitchen.)

“Foggy said you were different, that you had changed. I thought it was bullshit but..”

“You’re acting a lot like me, Devil Boy.” You warned as you repositioned your mask. “Remember when I told you that you were gonna become just like the one person you didn’t wanna be?”

“Whatever.” He scoffed and you had the desire to kick him in his teeth. “We can’t take his statement here. Fisk’s lawyers will say it was coerced.”

“We’ll take him to the Bulletin.” Karen answered. “We get him on record in front of witnesses.. Besides, my editor is gonna wanna hear all this with his own ears.”

Matt yanked Jasper up and threw him into a nearby chair. You collected a bright yellow ball of fear in your palm and pushed it into his chest, watching him jerk awake in sudden terror. He moved to get out of the chair but you shoved a foot against his chest and forced him back. You held that position, leaning your weight forward as Matt came to your side. 

“It’s your lucky day. We’re gonna give you a choice.” Matt began. “Option one- I call the FBI and Fisk has you killed before you can tell ‘em how you got out of prison.”

“Trust me when I tell you that Fisk will be able

to reach you, even from his penthouse.” You threatened, your accent tinting your voice as you leaned away. “Even with the FBI watching him.” 

“Option two- you tell this nice reporter the truth about what you did for Fisk and I’ll let you run someplace Fisk will never find you.”

“I can’t.” Jasper shook his head.

“Cool. Option one.” Matt shrugged and made a move but you shot your arm out to stop him. You shot him a pointed look and he simply pressed his lips together in a line.

“If I talk, Fisk kills my son!” Jasper panicked. “We had a good life before the neighborhood went down and I got myself put away… Left my son without a father and this is what he does with his life.”

“What makes you think Fisk would need you to talk to kill either of you?” You countered simply. “If that man feels even the slightest bit threatened by what you know, he won’t hesitate to kill you both.”

“If Fisk stays out of prison, a lot of innocent people are gonna die.” Karen said, a dark tone in her words. “So you can either tell my paper the truth and we let you and your son run far away or you can go back to prison and I print the story like you talked anyway.”

“You would lie and get us both killed?”

“In case you haven’t noticed, she’s pretty well protected.” You gestured to yourself and Matt.  “The way I see it, you are the one that needs our help.”

“If you three hadnt-“

“Shut up.” You groaned and leaned away, moving your foot off his chest. “What if I can guarantee your son gets out of town before anything happens?” You offered and you felt his panic slowly drop as he looked at you with wide eyes. “People in this town owe me some favors so I can have your son out of town tonight and you can follow right after you’re done. New names, new lives in a new place.”

“You would do that?” He asked gently. “I thought you didn’t give chances.”

“I’m not doing it for you.” You said honestly. “It’s a limited time offer that I will not extend again. I have no problem putting a bullet in your head if you back out or you take too long. Do we have a deal or not?”

The next morning, you and Foggy sat in the conference room as you waited for Ray. Your foot tapped quickly under the table and all you could think while Foggy and Ray talked was how different Matt really was. He was so much darker, so lost in his own head. You’d never seen him so miserable. Whether he wanted to admit it or not, whether he said it out loud or not, that thick slime of misery trailed behind him like footprints.

It was like he had forgotten everything about who he was.

Did you do that? Had your influence broken him?

No, you had been apart too long. There’s no way it was your fault.

“My client’s ready to submit to questioning.” Foggy explained before turning to you. “Under the condition that she’s the one to bring him in and is present during all interrogations.”

“She’s not allowed on this case.” Ray countered easily. “Conflict of interest.”

“I have a witness lined up that can help provide information on Mr. Murdock’s innocence.” You said honestly.

“Sounds like I’m being jerked around, Y/L/N.” Ray sighed. “You know you’re not supposed to be anywhere near this. I tell Hattley and you’re done.”

“What she doesn’t know won’t hurt her.”

“It’s too personal for you, Y/N.”

“It’s less about Murdock and more so about getting Fisk locked up again. I will hand Murdock over to you immediately, I swear. As long as he gets into your custody, does it really matter who he turns himself in to? I’m just there for the witness statement. Anything else that happens is out of my control. Besides, I’m the only one he knows isn’t playing Fisk’s games. I’m the only one at this bureau he trusts. Why not capitalize on that while you can?”

“You’re a real pain in my ass, you know that?”

“Yeah, it’s a running theme with me. Are we doing this or not? Cause if Murdock gets away, when he’s literally being handed over to you, that’s not on me. I’m sure Hattley will have a field day with that.”

With a heavy sigh and realizing you had him in a corner, Ray agreed. A weight lifted off your chest but a new one settled on your shoulders. While you made good on your end with Jasper, having called Natasha and asked her to help get some ducks in a row so the kid was out of town before the prior night ended, you were now worried about taking his statement. Fisk had to have eyes on Jasper

to ensure something like that didn’t happen, that he didn’t open his mouth.

You knew something was coming. As someone who grew up knee deep in the blood of people who didn’t keep their mouths shut, you’d be lucky if you got two words out of Jasper before a bullet shut him up for good. Especially if a certain FBI SWAT sniper was involved.

Having returned to his hidden dwelling under his church, Matt was conversing with Sister Maggie and thinking. Every time he had spoken to Y/N since his return from the dead, it hasn’t been from him reaching out. It had been a matter of circumstance. But that didn’t stop one of her sentences from bouncing around his brain.

You never even tried!

The apartment was closer than the basement after he got out of the river. Karen brought her along when they confronted Jasper Evans. As far as Matt could control and despite the way it hurt, he wanted to keep her away. He didn’t try to reach her. In fact, he actively tried to stay away from her. Because he knew, no matter what was going on or who was trying to kill him or arrest him, he wouldn’t want to leave her side again once he returned.

Her life was going great without him, for the most part at least from what he understood. Whoever she was sleeping with. Her position at the FBI. No one trying to kill her. No secret to keep. Friends who cared about her. She had almost everything she ever wanted, everything she deserved.

Though, and he couldn’t admit it out loud, he was hoping there was still a part of her that wanted him.

Admittedly, he noticed something different in her demeanor. Something darker, empty. She didn’t feel quite the same but maybe that was due more to the change in Matt than her. Or that was a result of processing the grief and trauma from Midland Circle on her own.

As caring as Foggy and Karen could be, they just wouldn’t get it. The only person that probably would was Frank, and neither of them had heard from him in a while.

Despite it all, despite the protests in his head and all logic he had left, he wanted to be with her again. To feel her touch against his skin, more than while she beat on him - though he’d admit he deserved it. He wanted her sleepy voice, muttering some old song or just talking about whatever thought she had.

What he wouldn’t give to have his Y/N back.

“This have anything to do with a certain fiery one with a couple scars that visits us?” Maggie teased with a knowing smile. 

“Y/N.” He said her name softly, like a secret only he knew. He smiled as he thought of her, coming all the way inside a place she didn’t care for just for him. “Yeah.. I’m meeting her.”

“She’s lovely. Temperamental, but lovely.”

“She is.” He chuckled lightly.

“She knows you’re Daredevil.”

“She does. Took a while of her fighting beside me for her to figure it out but….”

“But she sticks around? Sounds like a keeper.”

Matt couldn’t hide the grin.

“Yeah, she’s… She’s definitely more than a friend.” He agreed. “I really do love her.”

“Nice to hear you used the f-word and the l-word.” Maggie continued with a smile. “And to see you reconnecting.”

“No, we’re not..” He tried to explain but the wrenching feeling of his chest cut the words off. He had to remind himself to keep distance, to make it easier on Y/N. “She’s just helping me… I gotta turn myself in to the FBI and Y/N is the only one I can trust.”

“Trust?” She nodded in thought. “Trusting someone usually means you care.”

“I do.” He agreed sadly. “I care about her more than anyone but.. I can’t just waltz back into her life like nothing happened. She wants answers and I can’t give them to her.”

“Can’t or won’t?”

“I can’t give her the answers she deserves.” He clarified before he cleared his throat, hoping to clear the growing tightness, and redirected the conversation. “I’ve been falsely accused. Gotta clear my name.”

“You mean Matt Murdock’s name.. If you’re leaving him behind, what does it matter?”

“My life is complicated enough without being a wanted fugitive… Besides if they look too deep, they’ll figure out me and then they figure out Y/N/N. I’m doing this to protect her.”

It had always been to protect Y/N.

“Y/N/N…” She smiled slightly, seemingly proud of what she heard. “Careful, Matthew. Someone might think you’re still a bit soft under that hard exterior.” She joked

lightly as she left.

Something about the day felt off as you sorted the duffel from your trunk. It was a looming anxiety and it wasn’t coming from you. It was stemming from a distant source. Lonely. Cold. Afraid. Panicked. It was the feeling of someone who had lost everything, who was at the end of their rope. Teetering the ledge, willing to plummet rather than be saved.

It sent a shiver down your spine but you pushed the sensations away to focus on the task at hand.

You doubted you’d have time to change into the full suit, so that and your pack, you left in the bag. You had access to a mask and a pair of Bites in your glove box. Under your shirt, you wore the discreet vest and fit your holster with one of your own guns, rather than your bureau issued piece. Your badge was in your jacket pocket and two knives sat at your back, tucked safely into your waistband. You slipped a couple discs into one boot and a smoke bomb into the other. Satisfied with your simple collection of gear, you grabbed your bag and headed to pick up Foggy.

“How do you feel?” He asked as you drove with the radio low.

“He hasn’t explained shit to me.” You said simply. “He’s avoided every real chance at a conversation and he’s definitely different.. He reminds me a lot of myself and I don’t like it. It doesn’t feel right.”

“Just give him some time. You are probably the one person that he can’t hide from for long.”

“It took him how long to admit to me he was Daredevil?”

“And it took how long for you to admit you were Exodus?”

“Are.”

“What?”

“I am Exodus.” You turned to him at a red light. “She’s not just gone because I don’t wear the suit as much.”

“Regardless.” Foggy said carefully, taken back by your words.

The determination was easy to recognize. There was no mistaking your intent. Exodus would never be the past for you, and the time without Matt - the way you let that side of yourself handle the fallout from Billy - was more than enough to recognize that you were more the vigilante than anything. 

“Matt’s not a criminal.” He continued as you drove. “FBI won’t have anything and it’ll expose Fisk. We all win.”

“Once this all blows over, I don’t think I’ll keep this job much longer.” You confessed.

“I thought you liked the FBI.”

“I do but it seems like.. Every path I take, I end up in the same situations. I always end up in a fight that puts the people in my life at risk… I don’t know, maybe it’s better if I take off again. Keeps everyone safe.”

“No.”

“No?”

“You don’t get to leave again.” Foggy said simply. “I’m still trying to get Matt back. You can’t leave.”

“Fog, c’mon.” You tried as you parked. “I have no place in the world.”

“No.” He shook his head firmly. “You don’t get to go anywhere. Your place is here, with me and Karen and Matt. End of story.”

You smiled slightly as you got out of the car. Despite everything, your own lies and secrets and selfish behaviors, Foggy refused to turn his back on you. Nearly everyone had abandoned you, some you admittedly turned your back on first but still. No matter how hard you pushed, Foggy pushed right back into his spot.

That’s why he was your best friend.

You two walked into the Bulletin and the Foggy found Matt before you did. You stopped at the end of the hall and felt your heart jump to your throat. You felt Foggy’s hand on your elbow and you glanced over, catching his concerned expression.

“You okay?” He said softly.

“Yeah, uh.” You nodded and gathered yourself. “I’m just gonna call and check in with Ray.”

“Y/N.” He gave a small frown.

“It’s not like he’s gonna talk to me anyway.” You offered a sad smile. “Sooner this gets done, the better it’s gonna be for everyone.”

“Sooner you talk to him, the better it’s gonna be for you.” He softly insisted.

You let out a sigh and watched Matt’s head turn. His eyebrows raised slightly and you knew he was listening to you. Your heart rate or breathing. Maybe he was listening for your voice. Either way, you gave him nothing. Your pulse and breathing were as steady as ever while you quietly left to another room. You felt Foggy’s demeanor fall as he went to sit with Matt.

Your conversation with Ray was short and sweet. It was clear that he wanted some sort of confirmation that you had Matt and Jasper, but you gave him neither simply

for the fact that you couldn’t guarantee who was listening on his end. All you asked for was confirmation that his team was en route and that was exactly what you got.

Their conversation suddenly fell when you got back.

“Ray’s getting his team together. They should be here in less than ten.” You said simply, standing behind Foggy’s chair.

“Are you sure you wanna do this?” Foggy tried.

“You sure this FBI agent can be trusted?” Matt turned his head to you.

“He just wants the truth.” You said honestly. “He’s a good guy as far as I can tell.”

“Then yeah, I’m sure.” He nodded.

“Y/N.” Foggy turned. “Say something.”

“He knows.” You looked to Matt, shutting down the sharp pang in the center of your chest. “He saw everything at the prison. That’s why you’re under investigation, why he put a spotlight on you.”

“Are you?” He asked, a worry in his tone that he tried to push away. “Under investigation.”

“Not yet, but I’m sure the SAC is looking for a reason.”

“Y/N…”

“Matt.” You said sharply, maybe sharper than intended, but that didn’t seem to bother him.

He smiled slightly but the expression quickly fell away.

“What happened?”

“You mean how you died?.” You said flatly. “Well you pretended to at least. Or did you mean after that?”

“You know what I meant.”

“And yet you still don’t get it. Death doesn’t happen to you. You’re not the one dealing with the fallout. Death happens to everyone around you, to the people left standing in the rubble of that building wondering how the hell are they supposed to go on without you. And your death happened to the people that couldn’t even talk about it.”

“You’re right..”

“Don’t just agree with me.” You said angrily. “Argue with me. Defend yourself.”

“You wanna have an argument in the middle of the Bulletin?” His brows raised in accusation.

“I want you to show that you give a shit. I want you to acknowledge the fact that you don’t care about getting hurt, and you sure as hell don’t care when it hurts someone else.”

“You know I didn’t want to hurt you, Y/N/N.”

“But you did.”

“If there was another way, I would’ve-“

“There was.” You cut in sharply. “You could’ve left when everyone else did.. No one was recovered from the rubble because they couldn’t get deep enough. So as far as I’m concerned, there was no way out and you made it by some grace of your God. You didn’t have to stay down but you did. But you won’t admit that you were wrong.”

“At the time, I thought-“

“So where have you been?” You cut in again, not wanting to hear an excuse. “It’s been a very long time since you’ve been home, Matthew.”

“I thought you’d be safe.”

“So you were trying to protect me?” You laughed.

“I’ve always tried to protect you.”

“Well you didn’t. You left. You left like I was never a reason for you to stay.” You felt the sting in your chest grow sharper, begging for the attention that you weren’t giving it. Instead, it manifested as a waver in your voice as he stood and made a move around to come around Foggy’s chair.. “You left and I just let you. So really, it doesn’t matter how we choose to remember what happened between us. Because I know two things. One, that I was good and I loved you. And two, it just wasn’t enough.”

“Y/N, you’ve always been enough.” Matt tried but something over his shoulder caught his attention. 

A wave of panic washed over you, disappearing as suddenly as it came, so you took a few steps to try and see something. Along with the panic you felt an empty sadistic pride, pride in the pain caused and a complete lack of empathy. What really worried you was the familiarity of that lack of empathy.

“Matty?” You tried, looking down the hall to where that feeling came from.

“Screaming.” He said simply, moments before the light cut off. 

“Он сломал его..” You said to yourself, realizing your fake offer to help Fisk wasn’t needed and that’s why he didn’t take it when you offered. (He broke him.)

“What?” Foggy jumped up. “What does that mean?”

“It means that this just went from bad to worse. Get to Karen, get as many people as you can, and get out of here.”

“Go help him. I’ll handle this.” Matt said, trying to push you to follow Foggy.

“Not a chance.” You pushed him off. “You can't handle this on your own. Trust me.”

Matt grabbed your arm and gave a small squeeze, feeling for the usual material of your vigilante top.

“You’re not dressed for this.” He said lowly as you yanked your arm away.

“Neither are you.” You countered in the same quiet tone as you pressed against his abdomen, revealing not the hard pad of his suit, but the firm feeling of his muscles. He gave a small groan when your hand hit a still healing wound. “Unless the Devil suddenly fights in a suit and tie.”

“Y/N.” He tried.

“You’re gonna need me.” You said simply. “Keep him busy till I get there. And try not to die.”

You hurried out to your car, striping out of your FBI jacket and button-up. You threw the clothes in the back seat which left you in your vest from Melvin, your under arm holster, and a short sleeve black workout top underneath it all. You grabbed the mask and Bites from your glovebox. You hesitated at the Bites when you realized that the brace was too easy to recognize.

It was meant to absorb kickback from pulling a trigger and impact from hits, but if it truly was Dex, he would know it was you. It left your wrist vulnerable but you couldn’t risk it. You noticed your gym bag was still on the floor of your backseat. You dug through it for your wraps and quickly secured them into place, You threw the brace  in the back with your clothes and fit the mask to your face before rushing back into the building as you slipped the Bites over the wraps.

You threw the door open to the office space Karen was supposed to be when you saw him. Across the room, a familiar frame was sporting a very familiar look. He slowly turned to face you and it felt as if all the blood in your body drained out.

You expected to stand against Dex. From the second you knew Fisk wanted him, you didn’t have high hopes that you could keep him on your side. The man was a ticking time bomb from the start, and without you to keep the timer from running, it was a matter of time before you two were opposing forces.

But the fact that he wore Matt’s suit was what made you stop in your tracks.

“Thought you were dead.” You called across the room, watching his head tilt as your accent laced your words. “Been a long time, Red. I was starting to get lonely. Where’ve you been?”

He said nothing as the door was thrown open behind you. You watched as Dex smirked and pulled his arm back, a baton in hand. He launched the weapon across the room and you were quick to step in front of whoever came in after you, arms up to block your face as you braced for the impact. But the impact never came.

Lowering your arms, you saw the baton was caught by Matt. You released a small breath of relief before you shoved Foggy away. While the two boys were locked on each other, you took the chance to find a new angle.

You knew Dex was always better at a distance. He was strong but ricochets and projectiles were his strong suits. All you had to do was get in close. You were fast and precise enough that he shouldn’t be able to touch you for a while but the new problem was that Matt was in the mix.

Once there was an opening, you moved in. Matt had hit Dex hard enough to have him stagger back so you attacked from behind. You used the desk as footing and jumped off, hooking an arm around his neck as you swung yourself over his shoulder. Your fingers had closed around the material of the suit and yanked him with you, your momentum strong enough to throw him to his back. You landed on your knees and so you spun yourself and saw him pushing himself up to his elbows.

You planted both hands flat against the ground and kicked out sharply, slamming both heels against the side of his head. Once he hit the floor again, you pushed yourself through a backwards tumble and pulled a knife from your belt.

Dex turned to you and you could feel the anger from his glare. You offered a wink, which only seemed to piss him off more, before moving in first. You swiped for a familiar gap in the suit but he caught your wrist while his foot kicked out the back of your knee. He forced you to the ground and twisted your arm outward. You let out a yelp before dropping the knife to your other hand and slicing upwards, catching a space between the plates of his arm.

He dropped his hold which let you fall to the floor. Matt helped you to your feet and put his hands on either side of your head. You nodded quietly and waved away his concern so he could take over the fight.

You moved out of sight, pressing your back against the side of a desk while holding your blade between your teeth as you rubbed the aching joint. You shook your head quickly, collecting yourself enough to let your anger take control. You felt it burn through your veins instead and you rolled your shoulders to break it up before turning to peek over the desk and see what the boys were up to. Matt had knocked Dex down and you took your shot.

You slid across the top of the desk and hooked your ankles around Dex’s neck. His hands landed on your hips as he lifted you so he could slam you back against the desk. You coughed roughly but kept your hold, jamming your Bite against the exposed skin of his neck. He fell to his back, but with your ankles still locked, you were dragged down too.

You landed on top of him so you twisted your hips and leaned a knee against his throat. You freed the other foot and planted it beside his head for balance. You grabbed either arm and held them outwards, leaving him struggling under your weight.

His flailing was slowing when you were tackled off. You two rolled for a minute before Matt was on top of you.

“The hell is your problem?” You angrily pushed him off.

“You don’t even know this guy.” He reasoned breathlessly.

“You think that’ll make a difference to him? I wasn’t even gonna kill him.” You scoffed and turned to find Dex. “Yet.”

As soon as you did, you barely had a second to get your arms up. The butt end of a baton slammed into your forearms, forcing your own limbs against your face. You staggered back into Matt and you tasted blood in your mouth from how the impact slammed your teeth together hard enough to catch a piece of your cheek.

Dex slammed into you, tackling you into Matt and knocking air out of your lungs. Your head smacked the desk before you rolled over it and you could see Dex’s feet on the other side when you landed. You twisted and kicked the edge of the desk to hit Dex in the stomach.

You crawled under it and between his legs before he could stand fully. You reached under and hooked your fingers around the holster strap. You yanked him down and turned to get your feet against the ground. You pushed backwards and as you were rolling, you shifted your arms to grab his. You fell back and flattened his arm before kneeling on it. With a sharp red glow at your Bite, you lifted the weapon to fire. 

You heard Matt getting closer so you lifted your other wrist to ensure he wouldn’t stop you again. Opting for a blue glow against your newly returned partner, you fired both weapons at either man. You hurried back to your feet, punctuating your success against Dex with a swift kick to his jaw, before you made a beeline for where you saw Foggy go in.

When you heard the slam of metal on metal above you, you turned and saw the light fixture coming down. You dropped to a knee and lifted your arms, wincing slightly as the spark scattered across your exposed arms and the corner of the metal scraped your forehead.

You grabbed the metal frame and turned back, seeing Dex giving you a proud smirk as he came around the nearest desk and grabbed a handful of things from the organizer. He kept eye contact with you as he flung them at Matt, who had just made it behind an overturned desk. You gripped the frame tightly, jagged edges digging into your fingers. You rushed him quickly, momentarily distracting him from Matt. You swung the frame at him, knocking him to his back. He hurried to reach for your ankle but you jumped over, changing the grip on the frame to slam it downwards against his chest. His body jerked with the impact and he groaned as you dropped the metal on him. You made a face to yourself and moved to find Matt.

“You probably just pissed him off more.” He mumbled to you.

You gave a quick shrug and waved him off. You heard Dex yank something off a desk but Matt turned the corner to steal his attention before you could. You shook your head in disappointment as Matt was launched into the desk behind him so you went the other way.

While Matt and Dex were playing a cat and mouse game, your fingers slipped into your boot for the smoke bomb. You’d be able to see through it with your mask. You figured Matt would be fine, considering you’d seen him fight through worse. Dex was the one you needed it to be an issue for and if your train of thought was right, it would be. You moved the device into your front pocket as you crept through the office space to get to the room.

You stopped when you heard the clatter. Glancing over your shoulder, you saw a shelving unit on top of Matt and Dex slammed his boot down to knock him out.

You looked between a now-unconscious Matt with scissors sticking out of his chest and the door to your friends. Your hands began to shake slightly as you felt that familiar heat of rage crawling up your spine. You tapped your mask to see through the door, finding there was something blocking it along with four bodies huddled in the corner. With a sigh, you stood in front of the door and faced Dex again.

They’d be alright as long as you kept him focused on you, so you took all of Dex’s rage and enjoyment from the prior events and redirected it to be focused solely on you.

“Finally… You learned how to have a little fun.” You spoke simply to egg him on, slipping a hand behind you for a knife - realizing you had dropped your other one - as you feigned ignorance. “What happened to you?”

He answered with a quiet chuckle.

“What now? You try to kill me too? Is that how you treat the woman you love?” You toyed with a pout.

His head cocked to the side before a smile took over. You realized then that Dex didn’t quite know the story of Exodus and Daredevil. Fisk clearly knew, willing to use it as leverage to break you at work. But he didn’t tell Dex everything. It made you wonder exactly how long Fisk planned on using Dex, because that was an easy man to snap.

Maybe you didn't need to break Dex for Fisk. Maybe you needed to break his trust in Fisk. And destroying trust seemed to be one of the things you did best.

You both heard the sirens at the same time and you let out a sign of relief. You had been so focused on keeping Dex away from Jasper and your friends, on ensuring Matt got out alive, you had forgotten that Ray and his team were on the way. All you had to do now was stall for a few more minutes  so you left the knife where it sat at your back.

You reached into your pocket and threw the smoke bomb at Dex’s feet. Once the gray cloud erupted and your lenses adjusted, you pushed through it to slam your knee against his chest. The action forced him back against one of the temporary cubicle walls. He swung a left hook but you caught it, using it as stability to flip over and kick across his jaw. He swung a kick to your stomach as you landed but you spun to avoid it, meeting him with a roundhouse of your own that threw him to the closest desk.

You hurried around the desk as he was pushing himself

up. You put your hands on the back of his head and dropped to a knee, slamming him back down. As you turned away, the edge of the desk jammed into your hip and you were knocked to the floor. You were quickly pinned under Dex’s body weight as one of his hands looped around the strap to your vest. The other landed hard jabs to your face, hits that you were barely able to squirm away from.

You began kicking your foot, trying to knock one of the shock discs out of your boot. You tucked your knees up and shook your foot, turning your head away from his hits in time to see the circular device slip out of your boot. You squeezed your knees together around his waist and threw yourself to the side to put you on top. You leaned and grabbed the disc quickly. You held the tech between your fingers while you pulled your wire between your hands. You pressed the wire against his throat and his hands came around your wrists in a panic.

He coughed and thrashed beneath you but that only

made you press harder. You saw the drops of blood fall from your lips and land against the helmet, red on red to match the color of your vision. You pressed down harder and watched the dark bruise sprout across his throat.

His hands disappeared from your wrists and gripped the straps of your vest. He threw you over and you rolled until your side hit the edge of a cubicle wall. You groaned sharply as the impact vibrated through your old rib injury. You were getting to your hands and knees when a heavy kick slammed into your stomach, making you collapse again.

Another kick that knocked the air out of your lungs.

A third kick that made you cough sharply.

He threw a fourth kick but you turned to catch his foot. You yanked hard and he fell to his back. You slipped the disc under the top edge of your wrap near your knuckles and got up to a knee. Dex was making his way back to his feet so you used the cubicle as leverage to haul yourself up. Once Dex faced you, you threw your entire body weight into a hook that jammed the disc against his jaw. The shock jolted up your arm and you felt the joints throughout it lock up as Dex cried out. He fell to the floor with small convulsions as you felt yourself wobble slightly on your feet. You blinked hard and shook the vertigo away as your vision cleared of the manic haze.

You moved back to the door and as you were reaching for the handle, you heard a metallic clink just before you felt a sharp pain in your hip that caused you to cry out. Looking down, you saw your own discarded knife buried to the hilt at the bend of your leg. You fell against the wall, unable to support your own weight as Dex came over with a smug smirk. He used his foot to push you away from the door before breaking in.

You groaned loudly as you pressed your hand around the wound, moderately scared to try and take the blade out. Instead, you wobbled to your feet and used the door frame to hold yourself up just as you heard the gunshot. Your head snapped up and you saw Dex moving closer to Karen. You noticed a body on the floor from the corner of your eye. You turned slightly and realized it was Foggy. The sight made your knees buckle and you gripped the doorframe even tighter. Nudging the side of your mask with your shoulder, you gave it a second to load. You saw there was a heartbeat and you let out a soft sigh of relief. He was alive.

If he hadn’t been, you wouldn’t have hesitated to end Dex then and there.

“Hey!” You called out and his movements stopped, head turning slightly towards you. “You’ve gotta do better than that if you want me dead.”

“Hello, Karen. It’s nice to see you again.” Dex told her calmly and the sentence puzzled you.

Your moment’s confusion allowed him to get a hand around your throat and force you out the room, coughing and gagging as his grip grew tighter. You heard Karen calling for you but you took the concern she directed at you and moved it towards Matt, though you ensured there was enough fear in her to keep her from moving until you had Dex’s sole attention. Dex pulled you closer before slamming you into the wall behind you.

He forced you back again and again. You grabbed at his wrist and tried to push your Bites against his neck but he recognized it and slammed you before you could.

“I wasn’t gonna kill you.” He said lowly.

Head bouncing.

“But he said you would get in my way.”

 Air forced out of your lungs.

“All for that guy.”

Back slamming.

“All because you love him.”

Rib burning.

“What happened? I thought you were gonna make this fun.”

He threw you to the floor and you coughed roughly, turning to the side to try and give yourself space to move while your throat burned .

His foot forced you to your back and he slammed it down on the Bite you were trying to aim, which so happened to be the one that needed the brace. You winced loudly and he reached down for the knife in your hip. Once his eyes left yours, you reached the other hand for the gun under your arm. You stole Frank’s old move that he used against Matt and pressed the gun against Dex’s forehead.

When you felt the blade move, you pulled the trigger. The loud bang reverberated through the otherwise quiet room, rivaling the sharp cry you released as the blade shifted back to its first position.

He fell off of you and you moved as best you could to Matt and Karen. You reached them and pushed both their heads down while Dex staggered out the room, holding his head and falling occasionally.

“Y/N.” Matt mumbled, reaching for you.

“Yeah… I’m here.” You replied quietly, taking his hands in yours.

“Your leg.”

You offered a small smile, feeling some of your anger and pain melt into a soft sort of sadness. Almost like longing. “Your chest… Are you okay?”

“Are you?”

“Get out of here, okay?” You tried, looking towards the stairs and your lenses showing you Ray’s team coming. “I’ll find you when I can sneak away.”

“No.” He held your hand tighter, a desperation in his touch that made you soft - if only for a second. “No, I’m not- not leaving you.”

“Matt, you have to.” You brought his busted knuckles to your lips. Matt quickly put his hand at the side of your head, pushing his fingers into your hair, and pulled you to him to bring your lips to his. Behind your eyes, things turned a misty lavender when you felt Matt’s thumb running gentle patterns.

“I love you.” He mumbled against your lips. “I’m so sorry I hurt you.”

Something deep in both your chests seem to snap.

“What about that guy?” Karen asked when you two separated, panic clear in her words.

“I’m gonna kill him.” You said simply, giving a determined tilt to your head.

“Y/N.” Karen tried as you stood.

“Nadeem and his team are coming. Just hang tight till he gets here.” You patted her shoulder.

She reached for your hand but you pulled away. You hobbled to the stairwell and braced yourself as you yanked the knife out. A loud yelp left you before you gritted your teeth and forced your anger down, literally. You took the anger bubbling inside - anger at Dex for betraying you, at Matt for nearly getting himself killed, at Ray for not getting there in time, at Fisk for stealing your partner, at yourself for falling so far behind in Fisk’s game - and directed it down to your joint so the wound would heat itself while you wiped the blade against the exposed bottom of your shirt. The burning made you close your eyes tight and ground your teeth so hard you thought you’d break them. When your leg no longer stung, you pushed yourself up and kept going with your bloody knife gripped tight.

When you threw the door open, you saw Dex climbing the railing. You kicked Ray’s gun from his hand and slammed your shoulder into his chest to send him tumbling a few stairs, rendering him unable to follow or attack you, before vaulting yourself over the side. Both feet collided with Dex and you two tumbled down the stairs. When you two finally landed, with you on top with a knee against the center of his chest, you jammed your knife between the protections of his suit and he shouted loudly in pain. 

“I’m leaving you alive to deliver a message.” You threatened, grabbing him by the chin to force him to look at you. “Tell your boss that I’m coming for him. And when I get to him, he’s as good as dead.”

“You’ll never get the chance.” He coughed.

You smiled slightly and twisted your knife, making him grab your hand in a panic.

“Try me.” You yanked your blade out and took off, hooking a wire around the bar before jumping the railing.

When your feet hit the ground, you flicked the wire to release it. You tucked it back into place and hurried back to your car, checking your surroundings before changing back into your original shirt and jacket. You wiped the blood off your hands and face as best you could and tucked your accessories under your seat before making your way back to the building.

You went right back up to the floor you left Karen on and found Ray in the room with her. Evans’ body was on the floor while two agents talked over him. An agent was checking on Ellison. Foggy was on Karen’s other side and Ray grabbed your arm to pull you aside. Your eyes didn’t leave your friends and they caught your gaze as you pulled. They both gave short nods that they were okay, but their concern for your well-being was more prevalent.

“Where the hell were you?” He asked tightly.

“Are they okay?” You asked instead, finally breaking eye contact to look at Ray. “My friends, Nelson and Page. Are they alright?”

He looked over his shoulder and sighed before facing you again. “Yeah, they’re fine. Nelson’s probably gonna have a black eye but other than that..”

“I was trying to help evac the lower floors while I waited for you.” You lied easily. “I couldn’t figure out what was going on and then- ” You gestured to the cut on your forehead. 

”Ah shit. You good?” His eyes flicked between yours to gauge your awareness. 

“Yeah, just knocked me down for a few seconds. I got up here as soon as I woke up. You see anything?”

“Yeah… Daredevil and his little girlfriend did this.”

“I saw a red suit but I thought I was hallucinating.” Your brows furrowed. “I would think those two would want Fisk locked up again more than anyone. This would’ve been the ticket to do it.”

“Maybe.” He nodded. “But how much you wanna bet they wanna be the ones to do it?”

“I doubt it matters who does it.” You made a face to yourself. “They don’t seem like the type that need the glory and the headlines.”

“I don’t think all of this was part of their plan. Not the girl’s at least.”

“What do you mean?”

“Cause she went after Daredevil. And not in a ‘my partner’s leaving me behind’ kind of way. It was like she was trying to take him down.”

“If Daredevil’s gone off the rails, she wouldn’t hesitate to stop him.” You agreed. “She’s probably the best qualified if we’re being honest. She can track him, contact him, and beat him better than any of us can.”

“Question now is why'd he snap.”

“If he snapped.”

“What do you mean?” His head tilted in interest. “You don’t think he’s lost it?”

“I’m from Hell’s Kitchen, right?” You explained and he nodded along. “I’ve seen this guy work. I’ve seen both of them work. This?” You gestured around. “This isn’t how they work. Not even the girl.”

“What are you trynna say?”

You glanced around, noted the puddles of blood from reporters. The trashed office scene. Pencils and pens stuck into the bottom of overturned desks. Shattered computer screens and fallen lights. Torn papers and loose cables. You sighed and turned back to Ray.

“I don’t know.” You lied. “But something doesn’t feel right about this.”

#ptyy mag #matt murdock #matt murdock x reader #matt murdock x yn #daredevil x reader #mcu daredevil #mcu matt murdock #netflix daredevil #netflix matt murdock #marvel x reader #marvel fic #marvel series #marvel daredevil #marvel bullseye #bullseye daredevil #ben poindexter #matt x yn #matt murdock x you #matt murdock fic #matt murdock series #matt murdock self insert #daredevil self insert #daredevil series #daredevil s3 #bullseye x reader #daredevil x vigilante!reader

[originalcollectionartistry]

like your writing is so brilliant and I really enjoyed guess I waited too long and I noticed there’s been a SEVERE lack of unrequited love tech fics and I am a girl who likes all hurt and no comfort,,, what do I have to do to commission you to write one for tech where reader loves him but he doesn’t feel the same way/did in the past but has moved on,,, something like Silver Springs by Fleetwood Mac,,,, this is really long I’ll stop talking now but I’ll literally pay u to write it cause I can’t write for shit and don’t have patience 😭😭🫶🫶🫶🫶

So Much for Love

Oh my dear! You don’t have to pay me at all! I do this for fun! I'm just glad I can give some joy to others! I will definitely try and emulate Silver Springs as best I can.

Alright so you are a waitress at Dexter's and the batch are some good customers that come whenever they're in Coruscant. You've been infatuated with Tech and he seemed receptive until something changed. You confront him and he breaks off whatever you had going on. It was never labelled but you're heartbroken. However, Tech is happy alone and with his brothers so you can't be too mad. So you mourn what could've been.

No content warning.

Word count: 2981

Enjoy!!

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

You had been screamed at, insulted, and had food thrown at you multiple times today. You were so close to breaking down and Dexter was not helping. He just saw everyone as friends and so dismissed your complaints of disrespect.

You finally had a lull between rushes and just leant against the counter. Your head hung in exhaustion wanting this day to be over. You hated being a waitress but it was the best job in the sector for you and your means. Your one light in your life, CT 9902 otherwise known as Tech, had been gone for the past 173 rotations. He had been keeping contact but it was sparse. His missions took priority and that made sense to you. It just hurt on days like this when you needed some comfort that he was gone for so long.

"Hey sweetheart! I need more caf!" a customer yelled, snapping their fingers.

Sighing deeply, you put on your best smile before heading over with a pot. You nodded your head and apologised for the wait before checking if he needed anything else.

You heard the doors open and a loud growl of affection before being lifted off your feet. You squealed in surprise and thrashed around until a giant clone set you back down.

"Wrecker! You scared the life out of me!" You scolded, before giving him a hug.

Hunter and Crosshair came in after with Echo following close behind. You greeted them with hugs and sat them down with cups of caf. You took their orders, giving them a small discount for their military service.

"Where's Tech? He's usually the first one demanding caf," you pointed out.

Hunter shrugged, taking a sip of his drink. "Said something about needing to fix the airflow on the ship. I don't know anymore."

You made a noise of understanding before moving on to other customers. You figured Tech would come around at some point. If not the diner then your apartment. He usually always made time for you. You smiled as you remembered the first time they walked into the diner.

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

It had been a slow day at Dex's. You were sitting in a booth, ordering more ingredients and the like as Dex seemed to not bother about ordering in shipments. You were getting frustrated about the holonet as it was either freezing or slow. You hated the service as Dex never paid his bills on time. Which is why he hired you in the first place; you were a stickler for things being on time and it frustrated you that Dex was more focused on customer service.

"Excuse me. Do you work here?" a voice called you out of your thoughts.

You looked up to see a tall man with goggles and a data pad staring at you. He seemed to be expecting something of you and you weren't sure what. You nodded a yes to his question and asked how you could help.

"Well me and my brothers were hoping for some food and caf. We finally have some shore leave and need proper nutrition. Rations can get rather tedious after a while."

You peered around to see four other men behind him, waiting patiently for you to seat them. You slowly realized they were clones on leave from the war and jumped into action. You shut your pad off and ran behind the counter.

"I'm so sorry men! I was distracted. Have a seat anywhere and I'll serve you up some fresh caf!"

The shortest one, wearing a red bandana waved you off and told you not to worry. They were used to cold caf apparently.

Shaking your head, you poured fresh caf into their mugs. "You guys protect us from battle droids. It's the very least I can do to offer fresh hot caf."

"Well then you offer more than most. Many consider clones to be less than others. We are practically second class citizens in the eyes of the Republic." The goggled one spoke up before sipping his mug.

You grimaced. You hated that clones were considered objects and not human beings. Yes they were clones of one man but they were still sentient beings.

"So can I grab your names for the order?"

"Names? Usually civilians refer to us by our numbers."

You smiled, shrugging coyly. "Well maybe I'm just different then other civvies."

One by one they told you their names. Hunter, Tech, Wrecker, Echo and Crosshair. Tech was the one who approached you first. He was cute too. Yes they were all attractive but Tech intrigued you the most. So while they ate and drank their fill of caf and food, you flirted with Tech. You’d make little comments about his goggles, his intellect, his everything. Crosshairs seemed amused by this, teasing his brother relentlessly when they left. Hunter couldn’t help but smile as it wasn’t often they got interest from women; then again it wasn’t often they had shore leave.

Tech came to visit you on his own whenever Clone Force 99 had time off away from missions. He was curious and intrigued about you and your choice in him and not his brothers. He soon came to develop feelings for you and you for him. You messaged whenever he was away and made time for each other when he was in Coruscant. The Bad Batch became Dex’s favourite group of regulars as they ate almost everything and paid well.

You and Tech had never labelled what you had but it was clear to you both it was exclusive. You went as far as to say you were in love. Tech wouldn’t say that he was in love but rather he held “very intense emotion and high regard for you”. It made you smile that that was his way of saying I love you.

———————————————————————————————

Your shift finished and Tech still had not come to see you. Hunter gave you directions as to where they landed the ship as they continued on to 79’s.

You had a to go cup of hot caf and Tech’s favourite order in your hands as you approached the ship. It was silent save for the tinkering of Tech under the control panels. Setting the food down, you gently nudged his foot to let him know you were there. He slid from under the panel, glancing at you before returning to work. That was odd… he never not said anything to you when you came. It was always a “hello darling” or “one moment. I will be done soon.” Something!

You sat in the co pilot’s chair and waited. “I brought you food if you’re hungry. And hot caf,” you murmured.

“Thank you. That wasn’t necessary as I had some rations left over but I appreciate the thought.” Again, odd. He always loved it when you brought food to him. Much like all clones, Tech didn’t really like the ration bars but tolerated them as they were essential to a soldier’s survival.

Chewing your lip, you bounced your leg in anxiety. Did something happen? Was someone hurt? “Tech. Come out and talk to me please.” You urged. Something was wrong and you were going to find out what; no matter how upsetting the idea of confrontation was.

“In a moment. I’m almost done.”

“I’m serious Tech. It wasn’t like you to not come to the diner with your brothers. I was worried! You had been so sparse with your messages I’m scared something happened.”

Tech slid back out and sat up. Annoyance was clear on his face as you were interrupting his work, something he tolerated before. You recoiled slightly at the expression on his face. Something was wrong and it was affecting your relationship.

Tech then did the unexpected. He tried kick you out of the ship. He never did that! He always let you sit quietly while he tinkered around. Anger flooded your mind and red tinted your vision.

“No. I’m not leaving until you tell me what happened. What’s wrong? You never used to treat me like this. What’s changed?”

Sighing heavily, Tech sat across from you in his pilot’s seat. “I thought driving you away would be easier but I suppose your feelings are stronger than I calculated.”

Raising a brow, you urged him to continue as this was not like him. Nerves shot through you as the thought of him ending things became more a reality.

“I am… sorry. But I do not think our current relationship should continue.”

Tear pricked in your eyes. You cleared your throat to rid the tightness building. “Oh. Is there a reason why? Have I done something to upset you?”

“No. I just simply lost feelings for you. I realize now that I was just experiencing what Crosshair called a crush. It came and went and now I wish to end our relationship.”

Your heart broke. The man you loved never loved you back and now he was walking away. You grabbed the food and caf you brought and set it in your seat. You brought the food for him and now he could consider it a parting gift. You shared one more hug and you kissed his cheek. He gave you a pressed smile, letting you know he thought it was for the best and that physical contact wasn't going to be a thing as much anymore. You allowed some tears to fall as you let him know “You boys are always welcome at the diner. Regardless of our relationship status. See you later Tech.”

Watching you leave, Tech felt a sort of pull in his chest. Brushing it off, he went back to working on the air duct controls. The food you brought smelt so good though! It was one of the things about you he enjoyed. You always brought them all food and caf fresh from the diner. You brought his with a smile and a kiss on the cheek, not caring if he was covered in grease or oil.

Yes he will miss the connection he once felt but as much as it gave him discomfort to end things, he knew he wouldn't feel the same for you and so felt the most logical thing was to end your relationship.

Echo and Wrecker could see you leave the ship in tears as they came back to the Marauder. You walked in the opposite direction to them to avoid questions being asked. Also your apartment was the other way so that helped avoid Echo’s piercing gaze. They walked up the gangplank to see Tech putting his food away for later, an aura of normalcy around him.

“Why in Maker’s name is she crying? What did you do?” Echo asked Tech accusingly.

“I terminated our relationship. I did not expect her to cry at such a thing but I do not have any romantic feelings for her anymore. Why stay in a relationship if I don’t feel as she does?”

——————————————————————————————————

You ordered all the ice cream you could as you cried into your pillow. A holomovie played the background, some documentary about a band where the lead singer and guitarist dated and broke up. Maker that sounded so much like you and Tech. You mourned what could’ve been. Once the war was over you saw you two living in a small apartment or house somewhere far away from Coruscant. Where Tech was a mechanic and you stayed at home caring for what children you possibly could’ve had. Now that was all gone. Tech had felt something but it wasn’t love. An infatuation! Almost 2 years for an infatuation. You started to hate yourself for not recognizing it sooner.

“I suppose I looked at it with rose coloured glasses. Or goggles I guess.” You murmured.

Time casted a spell on you both. Yours was one of love and adoration. Tech’s spell was a short lived crush that faded with distance and time. You wanted Tech but you would not keep him in a relationship he didn’t want to be in. You messaged Dex asking for time off. You didn’t think you’d be able to focus on customers and which tables were yours.

A knock spurred you out of your reverie and had you crawling out of bed. Surprisingly, Crosshair was behind the door. A bag in one hand, the other on his hip. You opened the door and invited him inside.

“Tech told us. I told him a crush can develop into more if he let it but I guess he didn’t want the ‘distraction’” He held out the bag and you saw chocolate, candy and a bunch of booze. Out of all the Batch you expected Echo or Hunter to come console you but Crosshair was pleasant surprise.

The youngest clone was snarky, full of spite and humour but after hearing Tech blab on and on about the ins and outs of your relationship, he felt the need to come see if you were okay. And considering Hunter was getting his rocks off with a civilian and Echo and Wrecker were too drunk to coherently give you what you needed, the responsibility fell to Crosshair. You had become his favourite civvy.

You curled into Crosshair’s side as you watched a new holomovie. Some dumb horror that made the two of you laugh. You didn’t expect the sniper to be this soft but it was a pleasant surprise after your breakup with Tech. Remembering what he said, you burst into tears again, feeling Crosshair pull you closer.

“It’ll be alright doll. My brother may be the smartest but he can be the most oblivious. He doesn’t know what he just let go.”

Through hiccups and sobs you asked him what was wrong with you. “Why can’t he give it a chance? We were a thing for two years Cross! Was that all nothing? Did I make it out to be more than what it was?”

Moving his toothpick from one side to the other, he spoke slowly. “Nothing is wrong with you. Tech’s never had feelings for someone before so he doesn’t understand that definitively expressing your plan is needed throughout a relationship. It was... what you both wanted it to be. He’s just ignorant of this side of human emotion.”

Eventually Crosshair had to return to the ship, but made sure you felt okay enough to be alone. You hated how things went with you and Tech but you couldn’t change it. He didn’t want you and so you had to mourn and move on. Besides, it was heartache. Nothing you hadn’t handled before. So why did it hurt so much more now? Was it because you actually saw a future with Tech? Or was it because he never felt the same for you?

Finishing the ice cream and putting the chocolate and booze away, you curled into bed again, wanting nothing more than to go back in time and never fall in love with that handsome goggled clone. Perhaps you’d go to 79’s and pick up a different soldier to sleep with. But you missed Tech and his little tangents of whatever was on his mind.

Dex responded giving you the time off you asked for. You rarely asked for time off so he had no trouble giving it to you.

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

As Hunter stumbled back into the ship, he saw Crosshair giving Tech a hard time. Clearly something had happened between the two but Hunter was far too gone to even care. He continued to stumble into his bunk before Echo shouted for him. Groaning, he sat up and called out.

“What!?”

Echo yelled back “You might wanna hold Crosshair back! I think he's gonna kill Tech!”

Growling he moved into the cockpit to see Wrecker holding Crosshair and Echo shielding Tech. Tech was sitting in his seat, tinkering away while Crosshair looked like he was gonna tear him a new asshole.

Running a hand down his face, he groaned in exhaustion. “Alright men what’s going on? Why are we killing Tech?”

Wrecker looked sheepishly from Tech to Hunter. “Uhhh, Tech broke up with y/n and apparently she was pretty upset. Crosshair wants to teach Tech a lesson but I think he just wants to hit him.”

Hunter looked at Tech incredulously. “Fucking really? Why? I thought things were good!”

Shrugging, Tech continued tinkering, not stressed at all about the situation he put himself in. “I simply do not feel for her as she does for me. Why continue to lead her on if I don’t have feelings for her anymore?”

Smacking Tech up the head was the least Hunter could do in his inebriated state. He ordered Crosshair to bed and Wrecker and Echo to sober up.

“Tech, I know you think it’s logical but love isn’t. Did you at least let her down easy? Tell her you still care about her and her safety?”

Tech cocked his head to the side, confused. “I thought that was obvious. Why state it if it’s a known fact?”

Sighing, Hunter bid his brother goodnight. As he lay in his bunk, he sent you a message asking if you were okay. You responded with a no but you’d get better. You reiterated to Hunter that the boys were always welcome at Dex’s and you’d serve them with a smile. Hunter grimaced, fulling planning on teaching his brother a lesson on love; not as harshly as Crosshair but a firmly as possible.

While they were all soldiers and had little experience with love and relationships, Hunter knew basics. Don’t tell someone you love them if you don’t mean it. Let people down gently. Communicate and comprehend. Hunter knew Tech could be blunt so now it was the Batch’s job to make sure their favourite civvy was okay before the left for their next mission. Hopefully sooner than later as it was often they were sent away without notice.

——————————————————————————————————

I hope this is what you were hoping for! I don’t really listen to Fleetwood Mac so I had to listen to Silver Springs on repeat to really get the emotion.

Please let me know if this was what you envisioned Anon! If not I will rewrite as best I can with everything going on in my crazy life!

Feel free to send in more requests friends! I enjoy writing and hopefully bring a little joy in your lives!

#tech x reader #tbb tech x you #tech x you #tbb tech #ao3 fanfic #angst #unrequited love #fanfic

[dancingisdangerouss]

Heyoo, hope you're doing well!

This is a dexter morgan x fem!reader request!

Consider this, established relationship, hot smut.

That's it.

(I am starved for dexter morgan fics)

So I definitely think Dexter would 100% be into bloodplay, and hope you don't mind that I went in that direction! With his obsession with it and keeping blood trophies from his victims, it just makes sense to me.

Summary: Reader does not know her boyfriend is a serial killer, but she does discover that he has a thing for blood, and suggests they bring it into the bedroom...

Warnings: Blood/bloodplay, slight ignoring of safe words, dark content, sexual content. Dexter is a serial killer and has been known to be unfeeling for the most part, and unable to control himself at times. Read at your own discretion.

“Fuck!”

You winced and dropped the paring knife, which clattered into the sink. Vinaceous blood rose to the surface, pooling in the palm of your hand. You set aside the potato on the cutting board, cursing yourself for such a clumsy slip.

“Y/N?” Dexter called from the living room. “Are you okay?”

“Yeah, no worries, it’s just a small cut. I think,” you hollered back, turning the faucet to the cold setting. 

Just as you eased the handle up to start the water, Dexter materialized at your side, catching your hand in his.

“Oh! Hi, babe. You scared me,” you laughed as he drew your hand closer to himself, scrutinizing the wound.

As your eyes lifted to his, a shiver spiraled down your spine. An eerie shadow had crept over his eyes, an almost hungry glint present there as he lightly squeezed your hand, watching the fresh beads of blood dribble out. You cringed.

“Dexter?”

The blood spatter analyst drew your hand up to his mouth. His tongue flicked out to lap against the slice, slowly collecting the blood as it darted across the open wound. His warm saliva stung your skin.

“Dexter! What the fuck—?”

Dexter withdrew and met your gaze, startled, as though he were just now really looking at you. That corybantic shade lifted from his eyes. 

“Shit! Sorry, Y/N, let me—” He hastily turned on the faucet, thrusting your hand beneath the cool stream. His broad shoulders shook with a nervous laugh. “I was just messin’ with you. You should’ve seen your face, it was adorable.”

You weren’t buying it. Grinning knowingly, you shut off the faucet, your hands running up and over his chest to link around his neck. “Well damn, Dex. I knew you were into blood in the streets, but I didn’t realize you liked it in the sheets.”

The poorly-hidden panic in Dexter’s face quelled. “Sorry?”

“There’s no shame in a blood kink, babe,” you reassured him with a wink. “You should’ve just told me! We need to be honest with each other if you want this relationship to work.” 

“Oh…” Dexter’s lip quirked, relief tinging his expression. It was so cute, how he seemed to think he could hide things from you. To everyone else, Dexter was an unknown—a strange, unreadable man with blank pages inside. But you’d known him long enough to pick up on his emotions. There was nothing he could hide from you.

“Sooo…” You released him, fishing a clean paring knife out of the wooden knives block. “What say you? Wanna put dinner off a bit? Maybe…” you stroked the blunt end of the knife along Dexter’s collarbone and he stiffened, “we can explore this a little more?”

Dexter’s breaths quickened. “You’d…want to do that?”

“I can’t say yet whether I’m into it or not, but…” You kissed the tip of his nose. “For you? Anything.”

Dexter’s lips crashed into yours so hard, you nearly fell backward. He slid the knife from your hand and tucked it in his back pocket, beginning to lead you carefully toward the bedroom, all the while moving his mouth feverishly with yours. 

You’d never seen him so excited before. Sure, he seemed to enjoy your sex life plenty, but you had yet to see this…animalistic side of your lover. You liked it.

Dexter kissed you all the way to the bed, only momentarily parting from you to root around in his closet for something. A shuffle of clothing and boxes later, he withdrew with a large plastic sheet in his arms.

“Well isn’t that convenient?” you teased as he spread the tarp out across the bed. “You’ve been wanting to do this for a while, haven’t you?”

Dexter chuckled, lifting you effortlessly onto the mattress as if you were made of nothing more than styrofoam. “Why else would I have giant sheets of plastic in my closet?”

Crawling atop you, he made quick work of his own shirt and belt, unzipping his pants but not yet removing them.

“You got a safe word in mind?” he asked as he retrieved the knife from his jeans.

You stared at the ceiling fan thoughtfully. “Fava beans.”

Dexter wrinkled his nose at that. “Is that a Silence of the Lambs reference?”

“Yup.”

“Isn’t that a little…morbid for this?”

You giggled, pulling him to you for another kiss. “Not when you’ve got a morbid boyfriend.”

Dexter smirked. “Fava beans it is. Quick question: How attached to that dress are you?”

“Huh?” You looked down at your handsome green sundress, which you had picked up years ago at a second-hand shop. You liked it, but it wasn’t anything special to you. “Not…not a whole lot. Why?”

With a feral grin, Dexter nudged the sharp side of the blade between your breasts, cutting a slow split down the fabric from cleavage to navel. His large hands slipped beneath the dress, ripping the last parts of the seam open to the bottom, fully exposing your undergarments.

“Ahh, okay, I can dig it,” you purred, wiggling as he began to peel your panties off. 

He had the decency to at least remove your bra and panties by hand, tossing them haphazardly over his shoulder before bringing the knife back into play. He very carefully and meticulously drew the blade along your exposed throat, tickling the skin teasingly. Dragging it down your neck, he chose a spot at your collarbone, easing the knife into your flesh just enough to let a thin line of crimson follow in its tracks.

You shivered, wincing. The knife froze in place.

“Fava beans?”

You shook your head. “Trust me, Dex. I’ll tell you if it’s too much.”

That was all the encouragement he needed. He ran an index finger gently along the new break in your skin, smearing the blood like red fingerpaint in little circles. You had a grotesque fascination with the look on his face as he did so, his wild eyes burning like hot coals as he leaned in to dab his tongue along the streaks.

You groaned against him and his hips bucked lightly into yours, that telltale hardness scraping at your core. The knife made its way down to your belly, nipping deeper into the skin than before as he allowed more blood to bubble up to the surface. He sighed contentedly at it.

Dexter’s fingers tucked into his jeans, yanking them down the rest of the way. He kicked them off, his boxers following suit before he re-planted himself over you, pumping his length while he sucked and licked across your bloodied stomach, groaning lustfully at the taste.

He flipped you onto your back, pulling your hips up to his as he ground against your ass, the firm head of his cock nudging at your entrance. You whined, wiggling encouragingly as he circled his hard erection around your weeping slit. 

“Please,” you begged, digging your fingers into the bedsheets.

His cock breached your welcoming walls, fully plunging into you in one hard, quick thrust. You both moaned in unison at the intrusion, and his teeth raked across your shoulder.

Dexter began a slow rhythm, thrusting fully in and out each time in long strokes. All the while he continued to indulge himself with the knife, leaving thin little trails of blood artfully along your back and between your shoulder blades. How he managed to steadily cut you with such precision while simultaneously fucking you from behind, you’d never know.

Between cuts, he occasionally squeezed handfuls of your flesh between his fingers, forcing more blood to rise up and trickle down from the cuts. He licked all over the punctures as he continued to strike his hips against yours, teeth even nipping at the edges of the open wounds.

Heavy panting escalated alongside harder thrusts, and he groaned throatily as he dug the knife into a spot near your upper back, piercing deeper than before.

“Dex…” Your eyes fluttered open, the pain beginning to overwhelm the pleasure. “That’s a bit much, babe.”

But Dexter continued to thrust with reckless abandon, grunting and panting as he forced the knife deeper in time with his thrusting, his eyes rolling back. You couldn’t see his face, but you almost felt the shift in the air, the change in his movements as he pummeled you. 

“Ah! Fava beans,” you whimpered, unable to handle it anymore.

Dexter said nothing verbal, still moaning deeply as he rammed into you, the knife now feeling like it was tearing through cartilage. It was almost like he had tapped into some other place inside of himself, and couldn’t even hear your cries.

“Fuck! Dexter! Fava beans, fava beans!”

As if breaking out of a hypnotic state, Dexter suddenly ripped the knife from your shoulder. Blood and cum gushed forth from flesh and cock as Dexter came hard, yelling out your name as he held himself still, hips rocking throughout his powerful orgasm.

The knife clattered to the ground and you fell forward as he released you, gasping for breath. Having snapped out of his reverie, Dexter pulled his soft cock from between your nether lips and scrambled off the bed, rushing to your side. 

“Y/N! Shit, I didn’t mean to—” He frantically grabbed his shirt off the floor, pressing it to the gaping wound on your back. “Shit. Are you all right? Don’t worry, I can stop the bleeding, it’s not deep enough for stitches or anything. I’m so sorry. I didn’t even realize…” 

“Clearly we need a new safeword,” you grumbled, sitting up on your hands and knees as he held the t-shirt firmly in place. “I mean, fuck, Dex, it’s almost like you’ve stabbed someone before.”

You never noticed the guilt-ridden look on his face.

#asks #requests #anonymous #slowly getting to all of these #I know I'm taking forever #dexter #dexter x reader #dexter morgan #dexter morgan x reader #dexter morgan x female reader #tw blood #tw bloodplay #tw dark #tw dubious consent #at least regarding the blood and inadvertently ignoring the safe word

[niennandil-me-writes]

OCKissWeek 4: Minas/Teo (Mörk Borg)

cn: suicide mention, dementia analogies, cannibalism mention

[Minas belongs to @ghoulcaro]

They had started to call them good days and bad days. It wasn’t entirely accurate, as what actually was good or bad depended on who you asked and when you asked them. Today way one of the very good days, one of the best days even, or that’s how they would have called it out loud. One of those days where neither of them craved violence, and where they could almost pass as normal, whatever normal meant in the apocalypse.

These good days were a shock as much as they were a relief. Shock at the memories of the days that didn’t fall under good, didn’t even fall under okay. Shock of what they were capable of. Teo didn’t feel horrified by what he did, though, not on an emotional level. But in his rational brain, the tiny part of it that was still left to him and that sprung back into action on these days that he described as his good days, he knew he should have been horrified. He knew horror was a normal reaction to it, which meant that it was mostly Minas feeling horror. Sometimes his stomach churned at the thought what and whom he had eaten on a previous day, and then he turned away from the memory because he didn’t want to consider whether it was disgust or hunger that turned his stomach.

Some of these good days, Qin and him spent together, trying to make sense of their interwoven insanity. But right now, Qin was talking with Israh, and so Teo sat alone in a grove of mostly-dead trees, his back against a grey stump, cleaning Dex – cleaning his sword with a torn rag. The task helped put his mind at ease. That was something that didn’t change between the good and the bad days.

He stopped in his movement for a moment when he heard footsteps approaching from behind and groaned. He wasn’t ready for this again. He never was.

“We were wondering where you were,” Minas’ deep voice cut through the silence. When Teo didn’t answer, he came a step closer. “Israh was afraid you’d run off, with nobody holding your leash.”

Maybe it was supposed to be a joke. Even on good days, Teo had trouble reading people. Except Qin. Qin was different. He wished they were here, for a moment considered reaching out to the connection forged by blood, but thought better of it.

“I needed some alone time,” he said instead.

“I see.” Minas showed no sign of leaving anytime soon.

Teo tried to focus on his task again, then gave up. He had seen his reflection in the blade, and he didn’t like what he saw. He put the Zweihänder on the ground, then pushed him – it away, out of his reach.

“Do you mind if I sit with you, Teo?”

Teo flinched. This was a bad idea. But how, after everything that had happened, could he deny Minas anything?

“Minas…” he started, his voice sounding more threatening than he had intended.

“No, I get it,” Minas said quickly. “You need some alone time, and I’m interfering.”

“You’re not – “

“I just wanted to use one of the few good days we – you have left to talk to you a bit. I thought you had time. I didn’t want to bother you.”

“Minas!”

He stopped talking. Teo hesitated, searching for the right words. He had never been good with them, and now it was so much worse. How to explain with a mouth that was formed only for biting?

“This…,” he started, gesturing, still not turning around to Minas. “This isn’t good for you.”

Minas scoffed. “For you, you mean.”

“For both of us.”

“Is it the guilt?” This time, Teo was sure it was meant to sound accusatory, but it came out as sympathetic, and that was exactly what he couldn’t bear.

“I wish it were.” He shook his head. “You need to stop pretending like it can last.”

“What do you - ?”

“Every time I have a good day, we talk, and we cry, and we make ourselves believe that it will change things.” He shook his head again. “I can’t keep apologizing to you for things we both know I will do again and again.”

“You want to kill me again?”

Teo winced.

“Sorry, that wasn’t – “

“Don’t apologize to me, Minas.” He stood up and turned around to look at Minas for the first time. The man was bigger even than him, made even more huge by the wolf features that took over the left side of his body, a constant reminder of what Teo had done to him. There was a dull shimmer of fear in those wolf-like eyes, making Teo realize the aggression in his stance. He tried to relax, leaning back against the tree again.

“Let’s just not apologize to each other,” he said, rubbing his eyes. He was tired, afraid of what sleep might bring, who it might bring out in him. “Just… ignore me. And tomorrow you can tie me to a tree and hope Qin doesn’t notice I’m gone before you’ve put a couple miles between us.” He tried to smile but it came out in a baring of his teeth.

A tired chuckle escaped Minas. “Maybe I want to pretend, though. That this is – we are – back then. That you’re still that man I met in a bar who was trying to work through his issues.” He stepped a bit closer.

Teo frowned. “But it isn’t. And I’m not. And you never knew that man.”

“You sound a lot like him.”

It was his smile that almost broke Teo. This wasn’t fair towards Minas. As much as everyone in this group seemed to have their own issues, it always seemed to be Minas who was left picking up the pieces. How long could he keep doing that before he broke? Teo knew that it would have been best to remove himself from Minas’ life, and he would have done so on any sane day. But with him being tied to Qin, and Minas being tied to Israh, and Israh and Qin being tied to each other by their own stubbornness, which was a force stronger than any pact blood could forge, it wasn’t as easy as simply leaving.

Now Minas looked up into the dead leaves still clinging to their dried branches. “I wish I could have done more to help that man.”

“I said don’t apologize to me.”

“I wasn’t apologizing. I just said – “

“There’s nothing you could have done.”

“I was trying to help – “

“And you did, and I’m grateful you did, and I wish you hadn’t because then at least you wouldn’t have suffered me.” He ran his fingers through his hair. Even on good days, he never knew what to do with his hands when he wasn’t holding that damn sword. “I don’t know what’s wrong with me, but I know that it’s nothing you could have fixed. Maybe I could have, but I was too weak.” And if my life wasn’t tied to Qin’s, and if I didn’t love them with all my dirty black insane heart, I would fall on my own blade right now. He left that part unspoken because Minas didn’t need to hear it.

“I could have done more,” Minas insisted, more agitated now.

Teo shook his head. “Wouldn’t have mattered.”

“Teo, I… If I hadn’t sent you off, hadn’t told you you were doing better!”

Teo needed a moment to understand. He frowned.

Minas started gesturing wildly as he kept talking: “I could have helped you, Teo. I could have been there for you, given you the help you needed. I was stupid, and selfish, and I wish – I just wish… I’d been better.”

“What the fuck are you talking about?”

Minas shook his head. He laughed but tears were glistening in his eyes. “You’re such an idiot.”

And just as Teo thought he couldn’t be any more confused, Minas took another step towards him and kissed him. His eyes open wide in surprise, Teo stared directly into Minas’ half-closed wolf eyes. Minas’ tears were rolling down his cheeks.

Before he knew how to react, Minas let go. He stepped away and stared at a tree far to the left. There were a million things Teo could have said, but what came out eventually was:

“Oh.”

And then, after a short moment: “I didn’t know.”

Minas laughed humorlessly. “Of course you didn’t. You’re so oblivious, you need Qin to jump on your blade to realize they’re into you. How you ever landed a husband is beyond me.” He still wasn’t looking at him.

“I’m sorry.”

“I thought we were done with apologies?”

Teo worried his temples with the thumb and middle finger of his right hand. It all made sense, but nonetheless, it was all too confusing. All too much.

“I wish I could be what you saw in me,” he finally said.

“You’re still in there somewhere.”

Teo shook his head. “You’ve got to stop believing that.”

“Maybe you need to start believing it.”

“You can’t save me.”

And here he had thought he had already hurt Minas in all the ways he could. The man’s face said otherwise. But he didn’t let off just yet.

“Stop pretending you can. You’ll only get hurt. And I’ve already hurt you enough.”

With that, he turned, picked up Dex and left, to go looking for Qin, or for solitude, he hadn’t decided yet.

#my writing #oc writing #ockissweek #ockiss24 #teo dagger (mörk borg) #minas (mörk borg) #minas/teo (mörk borg) #mörk borg #questionably undead #angst #this was supposed to have a bittersweet ending but sorry sir they are doomed by the narrative

[crymeariveronceagain]

Thoughts on Nightfall after reading it again

Back on my bs.

Okay literally I read this book in 3 sittings, over 200 pages in each sitting. It's insanely fast paced, and well written. Once you start reading, it becomes really. Really. Really hard to set the book down.

Cognates! Are so emotionally unhealthy! It's horrifying! How is this something we're okay with! Especially for children! Quinlin kept an OPINION, not a secret, an OPINION from Alden, and they wrecked their cognate thing! This is not healthy! Anyone who thinks this is healthy! Get the Therapy you so desperately need! This is not good! Even married couples do not share every single thing with each other! Boundaries are necessary to being a functioning person in society!

Personally, I think Livvy and Quinlin could work it out.

Dang the Lost Cities' prejudice against humans really rubbed off on Sophie quickly. I don't blame her, but also. Yikes. That cannot be good for her.

Sophie's family is getting tortured and the Black Swan is like "we're doing all we can!!!" Despite how they do next to nothing and the kids(age 14-15) have to deal with it all.

Edaline calling Sophie perfect as a baby is going to be written on my heart as one of the most beautiful exchanges in this book. I'll post the quote later. It makes me want to break down in tears. Because stars above. Sophie deserves to be called a perfect baby by her mom.

Tam and Keefe are literally best friends and just too stubborn to stop taking cracks at each other. They started beat friendship and now they can't get off the ride. They're friends.

Keefe Sencen is WAY. TOO USED. TO BLOOD. He's just out there stabbing himself and getting hurt and being like eh blood. I feel like he's very not okay, or has seen so much blood that his own doesn't faze him anymore.

Forkle is the President Coin to Fintan's President Snow. No, I will not elaborate.

Dex and Biana are best friends. Don't ask how it just happened. It's good for both of them, I think.

Sophie. Does not want her and Fitz's relationship to change. It's so obvious. It hurts me. She does not want to tell him she likes him. She does not want to date him. She wants their relationship to stay the way it is. For as long as she can, she desperately wants to keep what sbe has with Fitz. And she is perfectly happy that he doesn't know she likes him. She wants for it to stay the way it is. And even when Fitz gives her every opportunity to change it. She actively avoids it. No thoughts. Just and observation.

Poor Marella.

Wraith's backstory would "Sidetrack everyone". Huh. I bet it would.

Linh loves Wylie's music. And I love Linh. So there we go. That's the whole point.

I forgot so much of what actually happened in canon lmao. I'm so sorry all my fics are so factually inaccurate in the little ways.

KEEFE IS SO STUPID I'D DIE AND KILL FOR HIM.

Keefe not registering for the match is peak Keefe and also heck yeah remove yourself from the Eugenics society dearest boy! Kick their butts! Metaphorically!

Sophie's so in love with Keefe it actually deeply pains me to watch her not notice it. Like uh. Honey. You love him. You love him you love him you love him you love him. Sophie, you love Keefe.

Keefe is so in love with Sophie. He's literally out there almost dying for her. Actively putting himself in harms way so that no one can hurt her. I just. Ow.

He's also so smart and so stupid all at once. Idiot. But a smart idiot.

I forgot how annoying Ro is in canon. Literally every moment after she's been introduced I've literally just wanted her to shut up. I love the Ro I've created in my head, but this Ro in canon makes me want to hit her in the face.

FITZ BAKES IMMA CRY GN GUYS

Marella really got targeted for her talent. It's kinda gross to see Sandor demanding that Marella not use a single spark without a go ahead even though he's never said anything like that to Linh, or even Sophie.

The Vacker Legacy. What is the Vacker Legacy. It can't be Alvar. It can't be. So what is it. Who is it.

Sophie does not get a break. She does not get a week to rest. Absolutely no breaks for the kid. This is the book where she starts getting exhausted. This is the book where it starts exhausting the reader, too. Because scenes stop getting time to breathe. Life only speeds up. Sophie does not get a single moment to rest. And neither does the reader.

Ah. A panic attack. Sophie has a full blown panic attack. Great. Love that.

This book is screwed up. This story is screwed up. Everything about this is screwed up.

Tam and Biana interact like a married couple. They have each other's backs and occasionally make comments that imply that they're fond of each other. I love that for them.

Ah. Sophie straight up disassociates for like 2 weeks. And then nothing changes. No one tries to fix it except her frienda who are, y'know, children. This is totally fine. Not at all a horrible sign of the state of the Lost Cities and adult elves as a whole. No. Definitely not.

IM GETTING WHIPLASH FROM HOW QUICKLY FORKLE GOES FROM TREATING SOPHIE LIKE A PERSON TO TREATING HSR LIKE A TOOL AND BACK AGAIN. NO WONDER SOPHIE'S SCREWED UP. I WOULD BE, TOO.

*various gagging noises*

Vespera. Ew. She sucks.

Gisela. Ew. She sucks.

Everything is awful, actually.

Sophie Foster having to say goodbye to her human parents for good hurts me.

I just.... This book was a fast paced mess. I feel like nothing and everything happened, and I wish it didn't. I'm so tired, and I know Sophie is too.

We're so tired. And yet we keep reading. Because we've grown attached. And we've got to fix the hole that this series has hollowed in our chests.

#kotlc #kotlc keefe #keefe sencen #kotlc sophie #sophie foster #kotlc fitz #kotlc thoughts #kotlc nightfall #fitz vacker #river re-reads kotlc #kotlc fandom #this is actually a pretty awful book to read #its just generally exhausting

[winterfireice]

Keeper group angst!

taglist: @you-have-been-frizzled @did-i-say-you-could-get-up

@the-one-and-only-aroace @stopstealingtomatoes @amandayetagain

fic is under the cut

Keefe

– – –

I don't know what's happening. 

I mean some part of me must, I know Dex and Sophie have not been at school but I'm not even sure if I have been, I have a faint memory of my dad telling me to stop sulking and get ready for class though I have no idea what happened after that, I feel like I've been floating through these past few days, ever since, ever since Fitz called me, Biana was sobbing beside him, I don't think I've ever seen her cry that hard before, and Fitz, he was sitting there looking like he had lived through three lifetimes. But I guess he did outlive two. 

I didn't hear anything past the third sentence after the word “dead” 

I have never known anyone who has died before, Jolie was gone before I was born and I was barely four when Cyrah died, not at an age where I understood what death was, not that our families were even that close,

God, I wish I could go back to then, not that I want Cyrah to die again but so that my friends wouldn’t be… what they are or so at least it wouldn't hurt this much.

I don’t even know them that well yet, and I guess I never will.

I’m going to have to go to their planting. I don’t know what it will be like if they’ll have separate ones, I don't know if i’ll be able to handle that, I'm not sure i’ll be able to handle one.

I don’t know how I’m going to survive this, but I have to, for them.

Biana

– – –

I didn't know I could cry this much, I've hardly stopped since Dad told us what happened, and that was a week ago, now I'm looking at my few green dresses trying to pick which one to wear to my friends’ funeral without collapsing, I don't think I would have remembered to eat if it wasn't for my mom coming to check in on me and Fitz almost every hour, I keep sleeping in Fitz’s room, I'm not sure why, I think I just need to know that not everyone is dead.

I keep getting these almost flashbacks, his dimpled smile or a flash of her brown eyes, and I keep dreaming of them swimming, it makes me sick but it keeps coming back, sometimes it's them swimming farther and farther out, away from the shore, sometimes they’re fighting to bring their head back above the water, and sometimes I just see their registry pendants washing up on the shore, they’re nightmares and I don't know how to make them stop, Elwin tried to give me something but it didn't work, sometimes I hear them screaming, sometimes it's me that's screaming it just depends on the night.

I also see Sophie just standing there, crying or disappointment lingering on her face. I don't know what is worse, maybe it's that I never did and never will be able to apologize.

Fitz

– – –

I’ve never been to a planting before, I was so young when Cyrah died that mom and dad thought it probably wasn't the best idea to bring me. It was probably the right decision, easier for everyone, but standing here listening to the council spew some dry rehearsed speech I'm wondering if it would be any easier to have had experience with this kind of thing, I just want something to take away some of the pressure that's on my chest, I’m not sure if it really has sunk in yet, I mean sure I know they're dead but I don't think I really realize that I’m never seeing them again, they’re gone forever and nothing can change that. 

I've cried, but it was more of a stress cry, an overwhelming of all my senses at that moment kind of cry than a sob, right now staring at the back of their parents’ heads catching glimpses of the seeds with their dna in them and the looks of Dex’s siblings, It's making me want to sob, it's making me want to run away and never have to be around any of this again, it's like I'm hoping to wake up from some kind of sick and twisted nightmare.

Biana is leaning against me, I'm pretty sure I'm the only thing holding her up at the moment, I feel like I have to be strong but I don't want to be,

I was the one that called Biana downstairs when Dad sat down with Mom and told me he had something serious to talk about, tears were already starting to stream down Mom’s face and Dad looked like he was doing everything in his power to hold back some, I know I've never seen him cry. 

And I was the one that called Keefe to tell him about what happened, I didn't want him to hear it secondhand from someone else, maybe it wasn't the best idea to tell him that two of our only real friends were dead over the phone but I wasn't fully aware of my actions at that time.

Dex and Sophie’s dads just put their wanderling seeds into the ground, I do not see much else, that's when my eyes fill with tears and I feel like my heart is ripping into pieces, I barely register that my parents wrap their arms around us, I can hardly breathe, I'm not sure if that's because of how hard I'm crying or how hard my mom is hugging me but people around us are starting to look, like the fact that the Vackers are openly emoting in public is more interesting than the fact that two children are dead. That two people that were supposed to have an eternity never even got to see their graduation. That I'm never going to be able to see my friends again.

#winterfireice writes sometimes #kotlc #kotlc fanfic #sophie foster #keefe sencen #dex dizznee #fitz vacker #biana vacker #i hate posting on my computer tumblr does not work well

[whoredmode]

OK i said i would talk about it so that’s what i’m gonna do. here is a somewhat(?) organized version of my headcanons for the timeline between sr1 and sr2 because there’s a few contradictions between events as well as the timing of some events not making any sense to me personally from a storytelling perspective. so if you read something that you know isn’t said like that in-game, i know. this is just how i like to interpret it. enjoy!

To really start this timeline, I need to set two things straight: 

Prior to the start of the game, Julius knew immediately that Troy was an undercover cop and was using that to his advantage. Troy was aware of this as well, and the two had an odd, unspoken stalemate of sorts. 

Ultor as a company had been hoping to expand for a long time, but did not have the confidence in moving forward in Stilwater just yet, despite having the means to do so. They were playing the long game.

Summer of 2006 (June-September):

Julius and Troy save Playa (who I’m just gonna refer to as Anteros for my own sake going forward) from being killed. A day or two later he joins them.

The defeat of the gangs is going on concurrently over the course of several months. 

After the defeat of the gangs, Julius is pulled over and arrested by Chief Monroe; Troy had no idea this was happening at the time. Monroe had been in pretty constant contact with Troy during his whole time undercover, but given Troy’s pretty apparent soft spot for the Saints, he did not inform him of this whole plan. It was only later (right before Monroe’s death) that he became aware at all. 

Mayor Winslow is killed, as is Chief Monroe shortly after. 

Alderman Hughes invites Anteros to his yacht, which is promptly blown up thanks to a bomb placed by Julius.

Troy, having been nearby, sees the explosion and the floating body of Anteros and drags him out of the water. Anteros is dying in his arms, and Troy calls an ambulance and keeps him alive for as long as possible. 

Late Summer/Early Autumn of 2006:

Anteros is in the regular hospital (under police guard) while he stabilizes.

At some time around here, Dex approaches Troy with his suspicion that he’s an undercover cop. He tells him that he’s planning on leaving the Saints soon—not because of an Ultor job offer; that hasn’t happened yet—because he’s wanted out for a long time. He feels stuck and unable to achieve what he wants to, and he just wants to make sure he won’t have any trouble from Troy because of his Saints affiliation. 

Troy leaves the Saints and goes back to the police department. Dex is the one who reveals it to other Saints, particularly Johnny.

The Saints are in shambles at this point. They have no idea where to go from here. Julius, Troy, and Anteros (and Lin, though she’d been dead for awhile at this point) are all gone now. Dex and Johnny have been butting heads on what to do now, but the Saints haven’t dissolved just yet. Johnny thinks they can still move on, also assuming Anteros will wake up soon. Dex thinks they should quit while they’re ahead, that this was never gonna be a forever thing and that Anteros is dead. 

Sometime in the fall, Dane Vogel shows up to the church. He talks to them, and singles out Dex in particular as someone he’s interested in talking to further. He hands Dex his business card and tells him to call him to discuss some job opportunities. Dex takes the card but does not give an answer right away. Johnny watches this happen.

Anteros is transferred to the prison hospital, completely comatose and only being kept alive on the orders of Troy who, though not the police chief, has gained enough good will and notoriety to be able to have a say in this. Currently the Stilwater PD have an interim chief. 

Dex calls back Dane and accepts the job, leaving the Saints for good.

Summer 2007:

Johnny attempts to kill Troy, but fails. Troy does have a permanent scar on the side of his head from the bullet, though. Johnny is arrested but Troy makes sure to keep him safe while he’s behind bars. 

Summer 2008:

Dex, having been put in charge of a church restoration project when he got his job at Ultor, unveils the finished result of his two-year long effort. He opens the restored church along with Dane and Julius.

Summer 2009:

Troy is officially made the chief of police. He’d had a pretty big voice when it came to police affairs already because of everything he’d done while undercover, but now he was officially in charge. Now he has an easier time keeping an eye on both Johnny and Anteros.

Mid-to-Late 2010: 

Johnny’s trial begins and would go on for several, several months. 

Summer 2011:

Anteros wakes up and eventually breaks out of prison with the help of Carlos. Due to Troy’s influence, he’s kept pretty safe from being arrested and sent back to jail. Same goes for Johnny when Anteros breaks him out of the courthouse.

Before the events of the game really get going, Johnny gives Anteros some time to really just soak in the new Stilwater. He and Aisha are more than willing to explain some of the changes to him, but think it’s best if he just sees for himself. 

Afterwards, Johnny and Anteros get to work bringing the Saints back. 

Similarly to the first game, the defeat of the gangs happens concurrently over the course of several months. 

I could go on and talk about epilogue stuff as well as my timeline/ideas for my SRTT/SRIV rewrite but I might save that for a separate post. If you wanna chat/ask about any stuff on here go for it. There's several more like...layers to a lot of this in my head and I'd be happy to elaborate.

#how do i tag this. i need like an analysis tag or something. smh. #srtt rewrite tag

[cutekittenlady]

Tumblr Plays Pokemon White 2 - Part 6

~~~~ Three hours of running, screaming, ball throwing, and A LOT of crying later ~~~~

How am I STILL NOT DONE?!

I have been at this for HOURS!

ugh

UGH

Screw it. I've done enough for the Professor to at least think I'm trying.

Hopefully Hugh will buy that I was just "tearfully saying goodbye to mom" or something like that.

Nearly out of pokeballs too. I am going to take the longest nap on that boart right to Castelia. I am not even kidding.

Aww Roxie saw her dads shitty movie and thought it was 'good'. Sure thing Roxie. Sure.

Still its sweet she supports him. Keep working at it Pop Roxie. You'll get there someday!

Oh Hugh have you, uh, been waiting here this whole time? Sorry my, uh, business took... three hours... My mom uh wouldnt stop crying about her baby girl leaving and it was all touching and...

Aaaaand your not buying any of this?

Okay look man, I gotta level with you. The last three hours have been a hell of pokemon catching. It had to be done! I completely blanked on it before and this whole "fill the pokedex" thing is kinda my excuse to leave home. I really don't think my mom would accept "help my best friend exact his revenge on the remnants of a terrorist organization" as a proper reason for traveling. I jumped at the chance they gave me! It's not my fault it came with strings attached!

Hey.

I know how to cheer you up.

You want a Pidove? I caught a pidove. No tradsies. Just free gift pokemon. Yeah you want a pidove.

Sooo we cool?

Thats the spirit buddy!

Pop Roxie! Hoist the anchor, raise the sail, swab the poop deck! Cause we're leaving on a quest!

I knew I liked the cut of your jib Pop Roxie!

Alrighty Hugh lets get going! NOthings gonna stop us now!

BLEEEEEEEHHHHH

Sorry about your shoes POP Roxie. I swear I didn't know I got seasick.

Yeah might be kinda hard finding a handful of weirdos in funky hats in a city this big. Do you have a plan?

.... Thats not a plan Hugh. Look for now lets just... split up yeah? I'm tired. I'll go find us a hotel or a bench in the pokemon center to sleep on or something. Give me your Xtranceiver number, I'll call you when I find something. Call me if something happens yeah?

Yeah well chances are we're gonna be splitting up a lot more after this. I still gotta catch enough pokemon to make mom and the professor think this is just a nice PG adventure. Besides, after Cheren and Roxie I think I have a taste for this whole pokemon battling thing.

With that Hugh gives a passing comment about the weird looking ship on the dock next to us and take off. Welp I'm in the big city by myself for the very first time.

And I'm exhausted. Gotta see if I can find a place to rest. So I stride into the city.

And a random clown gives me a bicycle. And ask me to do a relay. At midnight.

I've been in this city a handful of minutes and already this palce is nuts. I mean I'm pretty sure I'm allowed to ride a bike again. Pretty sure that ten year ban for running over that lillipup is up.

Whatever. Questions for later.

Couldn't find a hotel anywhere. I'll send Hugh a message and sleep at the Pokemon Center tonight.

~~~ Hugh didn't come to the Pokemon Center tonight.

That not... concerning. I'm not concerned.

Wandered around the city doing some sight seeing. Not looking for hugh. Just sightseeing. Got the last casteliacone, visited a gallery, had a stranger come out from behind a dumpster and give me the tm for flash.

Interesting city.

Still since I can't seem to find Hugh guess I better go to the gym. Think I saw in a brochure that Castelia Cities gym is a bug type gym. If thats true Molly will probably wind up torching the place heh.

Welp guess I might as well head over. Before I leave the pokemon Center though I sell a few of the items I found around Virbank that I dont need, mostly X attack and stuff, and buy more great balls. My attempts at filling out the dex as much as I could before used up a lot of the balls I had.

I'm gonna need to fight some trainers for money soon or something. That acting stint I did was fun but did NOT pay anything. I've still got supplies, but I don't think I'm going to be doing a lot of filling out the dex until I can get more money for more balls and stuff. I mean I still have like 5 great balls, that ultra ball that neighbor in Aspertia gave, plus the heal ball and net ball I bought but thats about it.

Plus I'm down to, like $4.26. Thats not enough for lunch much less, like, 20 pokeballs.

Definitely hitting the gym. Roxie forked over quite a lot from beating her, so this Burgh guy I heard about will probably do the same. Bare minimum I'll be able to get some more Lemonades.

Aight Molly lets go get that money!

With my money?! I mean I havent beaten him yet, sure, but its basically an inevitability here! Where did he go?!

Then this purple haired girl walks up. Apparently she and Clyde know each other? Apparently she's looking for Burgh too. Evidently this Burgh guy is the flighty sort who wanders out of his gym, like, all the time.

Yeesh, Cheren might've been a newbie and Roxie mightve been rocking out too hard to hear me, but at least they were AT their gyms. I though gym leaders had to be at their gyms at all times. Yknow like a 9-5 type deal. Is it NOT a 9-5 type deal?

Wait.... do you guys not get paid?!

Oh sure NOW you notice me.

I... How did you.... how could you.... How did you KNOW about that?!

Yeah well tell that to the weirdos back in Virbank.

..... By giving me money?

Oh oh no you meant hunting down Team Plasma. Hnngh well... If the gym leaders not here anyway... and considering that might be where Hugh went (who I haven't seen since last night)... Sure why not.

Iris mutters something about thinking where they might've gone and then just takes off too fast for me to follow! Thankfully Burgh knows this town beter than me. He said she went around the corner towards the Pokemon Center. Guess thats as good a place to start as any.

Now might also be a good time to break out that bike that clown gave me last night. Not that I'm in a hurry or nothing.

Thankfully the saying about never forgetting how to ride a bike turns out to be true and I easily catch up to Iris. She tells me we're heading for Thumb Pier. She suspects theyre probably hanging around there.

Why she suspects that I dunno. In fact I'm not even certain who this girl is. Oh well, its the only lead I've found so peddling feet dont fail me now.

As it turns out Thumb Pier is 'suspicious' because its where you enter... the sewers. She wants us... to go into... the sewers.

I mean... I guess if a terrorist organization was gonna hide out in a big place like Castelia after a failed coup the sewers isn't the weirdest place to hide out but...

GAH Hugh! Don't sneak up on me like that! More importantly where the hell have you been?! And gods no I haven't found any members of team plasma yet. Though I think Iris here might have a lead...

Wait.

Is THAT where've you been all night?!

NO NO NO

Dodging questions is for strange old men who jump off cliffs and run shady movie lots. NOT from supposed BFFs hunting terrorists together!

ARE YOU IGNORING ME?!

That's what I'm trying to do! Look man you can't just disappear all night and then suddenly- Hugh! Hugh you get your edgy anime hair ass back here!

Sonnova

NOT NOW IRIS!

#pokemon #tumblr plays pokemon #tumblr plays pokemon white 2 #pokemon poll #pokemon playthrough #Pokemon White 2 #pokemon black 2 #pokemon black and white 2 #pokemon b2w2 #b2w2 #pkmn b2w2

[writingismylove]

wait for me

Cody was never interested in romance. Not his brothers who would trip and fall over their feet for someone else. Not like Bly who wouldn't shut up about his Jedi or Colt who wouldn't shut up about his either. Romance just wasn't for him.

That only lasted until he exchanged numbers with a waitress at 79's. Maybe romance was more interesting than Cody thought.

A/N: I never really thought about giving Cody a partner. He really wasn't supposed to have one, but I was playing sims and gave him a friend to keep him company. Let's just say things spiraled from there. Not sure if I should do a part two. Let me know what y'all think. Enjoy!

Rating: T

Warnings: mention of alcohol and light drinking

"Dude, you need to try going on a date," Bly said as they sat down in a booth at 79's. "You need to try it. It's the best."

Cody rolled his eyes. "I'm not going on a date. I don't do romance. You guys know that."

"But have you ever actually gone on a date?"

"I have hookups."

"That is not the same thing," Bly sighed. "Come on, even Fox goes on dates."

"I do not!" Fox said indignantly. "I don't go on dates either."

"What exactly do you call your little cuddle sessions at Dex's with that Togruta of yours then?"

Fox blushed and mumbled something about professional meetings.

Cody shook his head and waved over a pretty waitress. "I'm too sober for you idiots. I'll take a whiskey, the red one wants a tequila, and the yellow one wants that peach margarita thing."

The waitress smiled and nodded. She had dark brown hair pulled back into a high ponytail and bright purple eyes. If Cody had a type, she would be it. "Of course. Anything else for you?"

"The biggest bucket of fries you can bring me."

"Of course! I'll be right back with that." She walked back through the crowd, hips swaying to the music.

"See, why don't you ask her out?" Bly waved a hand in the direction the waitress had disappeared in. "She was cute."

Cody rolled his eyes and leaned back in the booth. "She's pretty, but why would I go through the effort to ask her on a date? I don't spend that much time on Corsucant."

"Yeah but you could have someone to come back to when you're on leave. And we'd leave you alone."

"You leave Gree alone."

"Gree is aromantic. You are not. Come on, Cody. What's the harm in asking a pretty girl on a date?"

There really wasn't any harm in it besides the teasing he'd get from his brothers about the girl. He just didn't see the point in asking a girl out then taking her on dates and building up feelings only to leave again in a few weeks. It just wasn't worth it.

Besides, romance wasn't his thing.

"She could like me and get attached only for me to leave her right when things are getting good. You don't even know if she likes men or clones at all. Why should I bother?"

Bly shrugged. "Neyo manages with his bae. Dude, she works in a clone bar. I don't think she's a hater. I don't know if she likes men, but you won't find out until you ask."

"Maybe you should drop it, Bly. Cody doesn't have the guts to ask a girl out." Fox grinned at him. "He's too scared."

Cody glared at him. "I am not too scared of asking a girl out."

"Yes you are. Commander Scaredy Tooka can't admit he thinks a girl is cute or ask for her number."

He smacked Fox upside the head and glared at him. "I am not a scaredy tooka. I think she's very pretty and definitely my type. I could get her number if I asked."

"Do it coward. You won't."

Cody didn't have time to respond before the waitress returned with their drinks and his fries. She set them down with another smile before stepping back. "Anything else I can get you?"

"Your number would be nice," Cody said before he could regret it. Her eyes were really pretty. "And your name?"

A pink flush spread across the waitress's face as she pulled out her notepad and scribbled something on it. "Macari. You can um, call me later. Bye." She set the paper on the table and scurried away.

Cody took the paper and held it up, smirking at his brothers' shocked faces. "Told you I could do it."

A grin spread slowly across Bly's face. "Now let's see if you have the balls to call her later."

"Oh shut up."

Hours later as Cody laid in his bunk, he pulled out the small paper and read the number. It wouldn't take much effort to enter it into his comm and send a text. All he had to do was hit a few buttons.

But something held him back. An odd, nervous energy settled over him as he considered the paper. It was one thing to do something to make his brothers shut up, but it was an entirely different thing to do it in the quiet of his room.

Cody shook his head and sighed. "I'm being ridiculous. It's just a number."

Before he could reconsider, he grabbed his comm and entered the number. After another moment of hesitation, he sent a short text.

Cody: hey this is the commander from the bar. My name is Cody

A chirp came a few minutes later.

M: hi! i'm macari. nice to meet you cody

He hesitated again before sending his next message. This was harder than he'd expected it to be.

Cody: are you interested in a date?

M: my shift ends at eight tomorrow. meet you at 79s?

Cody: Sure. See you then

M: see you then cutie ;)

He set his comm on his nightstand and smirked. That would show Bly and Fox. He could ask a girl on a date.

Maybe it wouldn't be so bad after all.

#tcw #tcw fanfic #star wars #the clone wars #commander cody #commander cody x oc #moon writes

[nemesis-is-my-middle-name]

Ooooh I love the idea of Cyllene going too!! If Kamado is sending someone to keep an eye on things it does make sense that he'd send someone who matched the other two and was an adult with an important role in their village who could fight/protect if need be. Cyllene also isn't in critical need of being at the village full time, given that she has a desk job and a lot of it could likely be delegated or wait until whenever they make stops back at the village. She also has an abra, so if Cyllene decides it's necessary she can just teleport the protag back to Jubilife. I don't think she has a fighting pokemon though, so I kind of really want for her to get the oshowatt like she does in one of your other aus, because I think she deserves it. Maybe Arezu can get the leftover starter Laventon has, since I don't know if she has a partner pokemon either.

With Cyllene on the squad, that'd make Arezu feel even more unsure regarding her relative inexperience, but it'd also make having her there be even more important, because she's closest to the protag in age and would be a good contrast to Ingo and Cyllene being serious and frowny. She lightens the mood.

I definitely think Sneasler would stick around, because she's already one the protag can call for whenever after they meet and if Ingo's gonna be there too it makes sense for her to just go with him. Lilligant I'm torn on, because I don't think the nobles all frenzy at once, otherwise they wouldn't need to have a new meeting between the clan leaders and Kamado about quelling another noble every time you go to a new area. It could just be done in one fell swoop. Which would mean that if Lilligant was traveling with them there the possibility that she could get hit with the frenzy lighting when she's near them. Best case scenario is that it happens after they go to the mirelands to do some survey work and they want to show the protag Lilligant's arena. Though, it would certainly add some nice drama to everything if the protag already has a personal connection to one of the nobles that gets hit. 

YESSSS cyllene with the oshawott. i love it. i will be putting it everywhere. and ooh the idea of arezu getting... rowlet or cynadquil? hmm. it would be sort of funny to give her cyndaquil to continue the theme of wardens inexplicably having a type advantage over their nobles, lmao. and yeah i feel like her and laventon could just? switch out? pretty easily, with her doing fieldwork and him doing the dex filing. tbh idk why it isn't like that already, like, in-universe logistically. he's the guy with no combat experience and she has a sword. i HAVE seen interpretations where she was recently injured and has been confined to desk work until she's fully healed, but other than that, it seems a little strange. unless laventon just made puppy eyes at her to be the one on fieldwork and she was like SIGH. FINE. because she apparently can't say no to him lol

yeah that's true!! and yes lol, she does make a very good balance. i mean, ingo's a pretty friendly guy who just happens to have a stern resting face, but this IS an au where he's also busy like, being the unwilling messenger of a god he doesn't believe in. so i could see him having a little less brainspace to be super friendly with, if that makes sense? not rude but just like. more distracted/distant, yanno. meanwhile cyllene is. cyllene. and arezu's the protagonist's fun older sister who's also intimidated by them both lol

yeah agreed on sneasler. i feel like she was, for circumstantial reasons, not trained very well by her predecessor and so isn't very. into the whole idea of being a Noble with Responsibilities. she just wants to follow ingo around and climb things, mostly, and he kind of has to wrestle her into actually doing her job half the time. so it makes sense that she'd stick with him and the protag in this case. lilligant, otoh, i see as being a little more aware of her own duties? the thing about it is that during the initial conversation about kleavor, adaman does reference electrode being frenzied, and then you find out that arezu's been hiding lilligant's frenzy for A While, so it's like. maybe they did intend for them to all happen at the same time? excepting growlithe obviously who i guess isn't eligible until he evolves. but that's kind of dumb lol and it's not like i've stuck super hard to canon in the past, so we can just say that here the frenzies are staggered, and maybe lilligant is even the last one to get frenzied timeline-wise

of course we also have to contend with the fact that like, from the humans' perspective, we're ignoring the Ride Nobles thing and just saying they're all nobles, so which noble of a region ends up frenzied is a complete coin flip to them. so in that sense i feel like. wouldn't traveling around with TWO nobles feel like kind of a disaster waiting to happen? ...UNLESS, the frenzy only actually happens when the noble goes back to their arena, so lilligant's actually safe as long as she never goes home. or maybe it's the entire home region they're barred from? so lilligant can't reenter the mirelands and sneasler is banned from the highlands, just in case. which is an interesting dynamic to introduce, if the wardens/nobles can't accompany protag to the one place they know best. and would mean that lilligant was actually spared the frenzy because of the protagonist's intervention, since if they weren't there to be chaperoned, she would have still been in the mirelands. which is interesting!

alternately, ofc, there's the possibility that lilligant is frenzied immediately or very shortly after the start, and arezu's actually still keeping her a secret and just like, hiding the proverbial wife in the proverbial attic while she goes around with the others. or, to merge those, lilligant does get frenzied but only like, midway through the protag's journey, so she's forced to lie to her new friends to keep it a secret

#the nemesis speaks #the nemesis answers #anonymous #origin visions au

[gay-otlc]

And They Were Roommates- 1

The first part of the Keefitz roommate au! It has arrived!

@synonymroll648 @nothing-valued @rainbow-frog-earrings

Can't believe Shannon went with the whole neverseen attack + healing center sleepover when we could have had KEEFE AND FITZ ROOMMATES. Anyway I'm writing the Flashback we were robbed of.

Content warning for a dysfunctional family and mention of murder.

AO3

"Is that your plan?" Sophie asked. "You want to live at the Shores of Solace? With Lord Cassius?"

"It's better than living with Alvar."

He stared her down until she eventually sighed and nodded. "I don't like the idea of you living with him, but..."

"I don't like the idea of living with Alvar. And besides, I don't mind the idea of sharing a house with Keefe."

Sophie raised an eyebrow. "I'm sure you wouldn't mind."

Contrary to certain allegations, he wasn't a total idiot. He knew what she was implying. He just very pointedly chose to ignore the implication. "I have no idea what you're talking about," he lied. "Now, I guess I'll go ask Keefe."

"I'm sure he'll say yes," Sophie said, in the same sing-song voice.

He hated her.

"Bye!" she called, as he jogged away, back towards Tribunal Hall, where Keefe was in the middle of a conversation with Dex. It might have been an argument, he couldn't tell from the distance, and Keefe walked away from Dex to meet Fitz once they met eyes. Keefe reached one arm out, like he was thinking of hugging Fitz, and then abruptly brought it back to his side. The strangest feeling of disappointment settled in the pit of his stomach.

"Hey, um, Fitz. How are you... feeling?"

Well, that was a stupid question. "You're an Empath."

"Even if I could feel what you were feeling- which I'm not, cause I'm not touching you right now- I would have no idea how to interpret that."

Yes. Right. They weren't touching. Other than Sophie, Keefe needed physical contact. That wasn't usually something they thought about. The two of them used to make casual contact often enough that Keefe had no problem reading Fitz's emotions. But not anymore. Which was... fine. Not at all disappointing. He wasn't at all disappointed at how they weren't quite as close anymore. You're only less close because you're pushing him away, dumbass. He ignored his annoyingly smart inner voice.

"Fitz? Feeling okay?"

"I..." Well, he definitely wouldn't believe an I'm fine. "I don't know," he settled on. "I just can't... live in the same house as him."

No need to specify who "him" was.

"What other options do you have?"

Here goes. "IwaskindofsortofwonderingifitwouldbealrightifIstayedwithyou," he blurted.

Keefe blinked. "Can you... um... repeat that?"

If it weren't for the faint pink in his cheeks, Fitz might not have suspected that Keefe caught the gist of his question. He repeated it anyway. "Your house. I was wondering if I could stay at your house. Instead of with Alvar. I'll go die now."

"Dying seems excessive."

"Yeah. I just. Argh. This is awkward."

He shrugged. "I don't mind that you're awkward. It's cute."

All of his focus turned to trying not to explode as he frantically shook the gay panic out of his hands. Cute. He said cute. Cool. Cool. Cool cool cool cool cool cool. This is fine. "Um. Yeah. So... what do you think?"

"Yes."

"Yes?"

"Yes, you can stay at my place."

Oh! "Oh. Okay. Great."

"Great."

"I'll... uh... I mean, I should probably get back to Everglen and pack?"

Keefe nodded. "I'll let my dad know. He probably won't be thrilled, but luckily, I don't care."

"Sounds good."

"Alright. See you soon." As he walked away, he gave a little wave. Fitz was busy nearly sprinting in the opposite direction.

That could have gone better.

He'd been hoping to get in, pack, and get out of his house- maybe his parents would be too busy fawning over Alvar to notice him?- but unfortunately, that wasn't the case. Della ambushed him on his way to the stairs and tried to start a conversation about how this is difficult on all of us but Fitz should try to keep an open mind and see how much Alvar has changed. He wanted very badly to exit that conversation.

"Mom. I need to go upstairs and pack."

"Pack for what? Where are you going?"

"Keefe's house." He started up the stairs.

"For a sleepover?"

That would be one way of interpreting it. An extended sleepover. "Yeah, you could say that."

Della's eyes bore into him. "How long do you plan on staying?"

"Until Alvar's out of my house."

She sighed. "Fitz, he is still your brother-"

"And he's a murderer. I don't want to live with him. I'll call you and Dad, okay?"

A long pause. Then, finally. "I won't stop you."

"Thanks."

That conversation definitely could have gone better. He slammed his door shut and locked it, in case any other well meaning relatives tried to bother him, and threw his things into a bag. Clothes, though if he didn't pack enough he could always steal from Keefe, and a few books. His Foxfire things (tempting as it was to leave them here). He was mentally checking items off a packing list when a knock sounded on his door.

"Mom, I told you-"

"It's Biana."

"Oh. You can come in, then." He leaned over and unlocked the door for his sister. Her eyes were red. 

"I hear you're moving in with Keefe?"

He put a hair brush into his back. "Yeah. Do you, um, also want to come? I don't like the idea of you living with Alvar. I don't want him to... hurt you again." Ugh, protective older sibling instincts. They always arrived when it was the most annoying. 

"I've got better things to do than watch you gay idiots pine over each other. If it gets really bad here, Linh said I could stay with her."

"Oh, so then Tam will be the one watching gay idiots pine."

Biana went bright red. "Shut up, Fitzroy."

He grinned at her. "Make me."

A pillow flew at his face. He threw it back, and for a second, their family was unbroken. But obviously, it couldn't last, because Alvar was on his way and the family was a wreck. He got one last shot in with the pillow, then hugged Biana. "Call me if you need anything, okay?"

"Call me and spill the tea if anything happens with Keefe," she replied tearfully. 

"Nothing is going to- okay. Fine. Love you, Bee."

With that, he left his house and went to go... move in with his crush. This was fine. This would be fine. 

#keefitz roommate au #keefitz #shem's writing #they're so gay you guys it's fantastic

[nurseanddex]

if you're doing sentence starters, 3/27 for nursey & dex?

3. “what did you do?” and 27. “why the hell is there glitter everywhere?”

Dex was going to murder someone.

When he found out who did this, he was absolutely going to murder them.

He had returned from an absurdly stressful final exam, his very last final exam of junior year, thank fuck, fully planning to spend a few hours vegging on his bed and watching Netflix before he needed to pack up his shit for the long drive home to Maine in the morning. But someone decided he needed other plans.

Because someone had decided to set off a glitter bomb in the middle of his bungalow.

Every single surface was coated in a rainbow of ultrafine glitter. The kind that was practically impossible to ever fully get out, no matter how hard you tried. It was all over his bedding and even had managed to get into his dresser and closet and coat most of his clothing with a layer of glitter.

Great, now he had to do laundry because he couldn’t very well go home to his vaguely homophobic family with practically every piece of clothing he owned sparkling in a glitter rainbow. Sure, he was mostly out now but with his family it was very much still a keep it to himself and don’t shove it in their faces situation.

Sighing, he set to shoving the worst hit items into his laundry basket to get started on the arduous task of cleaning up. At least if he had to wash literally his entire wardrobe, he was conveniently located to the washer and didn’t have to lug everything up and down the stairs. He opened the door of the bungalow to go start the load and suddenly found himself face to face with an extremely sheepish looking Nursey.

“Surprise,” Nursey said, offering him a weak smile accompanied by some half-hearted jazz hands.

“What did you do?” Dex growled.

“Well, Chowder and I were talking and we thought it would be nice to do something to celebrate you being made captain.”

“So why the hell is there a mess of glitter everywhere??”

“There may have been a miscommunication over whether we would be getting a confetti cannon or a glitter cannon,” Nursey admitted, unable to meet Dex’s eyes.

“What have I ever done to give you the impression that either of those would be something I would enjoy?”

“Yeah, we uh, sort of realized that? About two seconds after we set it off. We were hoping we could get it cleaned up before you got back but we may have um, fried the vacuum in the process. Chowder went over to the volleyball house to ask Farms if we could borrow theirs.” Dex’s shoulders slumped as he felt the rush of anger go out of him. As much as he wanted to, he couldn’t stay mad at what was a misguided but well-intentioned gesture from his best friends.

“Just help me clean this up, okay?” He pressed his laundry basket into Nursey’s hands, “Can you start that load? I’ll see if I can find some brooms.”

It took what felt like an eternity, but between the two of them, they were able to get the majority of the glitter explosion cleaned up. It probably would have gone faster if Chowder had ever made it back with a vacuum, but he must’ve gotten distracted with Farmer. Exhausted, they slumped together on Dex’s bed.

“So you go home tomorrow?” Nursey asked, stretching out his tired limbs.

“Yup,” Dex sighed, “Back to lobstering and trying not to be too obviously gay so as not to bother my family with my ‘offensive lifestyle’ or whatever it is they’re calling it now.”

“Why go back if it’s going to be so shitty?”

“It’s not like I have anywhere else to go,” Dex laughed sardonically, “And really it’s not so bad if I just keep my mouth shut and don’t draw too much attention to myself.”

“You can come stay with me,” Nursey said, surprising himself.

“I can’t impose on your family like that. And I definitely can’t afford to not work this summer.”

“We have plenty of space, you wouldn’t be imposing. My mom’s company is looking for summer help, you could apply there. I don’t know how much you earn lobstering, but the minimum wage in the city is pretty high because the city is so expensive.”

“I can’t just not go home for the whole summer!”

“There will be a long weekend for the Fourth of July, you could go visit then.”

“I don’t know, Nursey,” Dex said, his voice wavering.

“Do you even want to go home? It sounds to me like it makes you miserable.” Nursey’s words caused Dex to deflate, all the fight draining from his weary bones. He couldn’t deny it any longer.

“I don’t, and it does,” he quietly admitted, “but if I don’t go back and help, and prove that I’m still useful, what if they decide there’s no reason to tolerate me anymore? What if they decide they don’t want me to go back anymore?” His voice broke as tears threatened to spill down his cheeks. Nursey wrapped him up in a fierce hug, trying to squeeze all the sadness and fear out of Dex from sheer force of will.

“If they can’t love you exactly as you are, without expecting anything in return, then they don’t deserve you.”

“Do you really mean that?” Dex said, sounding so small and scared that it made something in Nursey’s stomach twist.

“Of course, Will. You’re fucking incredible. You’re so smart, driven, and hard-working. How could anyone not love you? Trust me, I couldn’t even manage it and I spent the last few years actively trying not to.”

“What?” Dex whispered, wriggling around until Nursey relaxed his grip enough for Dex to be able to lean back and look him in the eye.

“Don’t make me say it again,” Nursey mumbled, “I’m not that brave.”

“You’re the most unapologetically yourself person I know! Being unafraid to be yourself is like the bravest.”  Nursey bit his lip and looked away, unable to meet Dex’s eyes.

“Wasn’t brave enough to tell you how I felt about you for almost three whole years.”

“Then I guess we’re lucky my drunk self is braver than the both of us,” Dex laughed, pulling Nursey into a breathtaking kiss.

_/|\_

“Sorry it took so long, Cait dist-” Chowder stopped short halfway through the door of the bungalow at the sight of Dex and Nursey wrapped up in a tangle of limbs, sleeping soundly. A halo of missed glitter sparkled around and all over them.

“Aw,” he smiled, quietly snapping a picture on his phone, “Infinite fines, bitches.”

#Anon #nurseydex #hi im back like 2 years later lmaooooo #yes this prompt got a little away from me because i did write the ending over a year later oops #please enjoy :)