#I feel like a tiny child every time I watch this film | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

romanoffsbish · 5 months

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…And I, Chose You

Scarlett Johansson x F!R

After watching your broken love unfold on canvas Scarlett has to fight her fears (and a jaded you) to win her love back / Aka, the part 2 to Maroon that won the poll | WC: 2,121

Your heart pounded in your chest as you allowed Scarlett into the free flowing space, you weren’t exactly rich so there were no massive walls to separate your kitchen from the quaint little living room—you had meant it when you called yourself a starving artist.

“Your place is nice,” she attempted the dreaded small talk, her voice a pitch higher as she willed her heart to relax, and her thoughts to stop racing. You laughed, it was a familiar sound that made her wary soul ache.

“I’m serious Y/N/N,” she groaned, the familiar use of your nickname brought a smile to your hidden face. “You’ve got a flair for making places feel like home.”

——

Scarlett hated the way your shoulders tensed, and the mugs in your hands clinked on the counter. Her words were genuine but you were unfamiliarly guarded. She once told you, while drifting off to sleep against your chest, that you were what made her house a home.

Then she ripped your heart out and left you alone.

What used to be an easygoing relationship was now tainted, shrouded in collective shame, and despair.

You settled onto the couch following the long, awkward moment of silence, her warm mug of tea, made to her specifications was set before her where she sat on your recliner with her feet tucked beneath her tiny frame. It went untouched as all she could do was savor being in such close proximity to you, her glassy eyes remained focused on your aged face. Another reminder of the precious time she had lost with you, and all the reason she needed to finally make a decision to fight for love.

Scarlett went to speak, but your tired voice cut her off, “What are you doing here Scar? Don’t you have promos to run for the next movie? With your little boy toy?” The contempt was obvious, she was sure it stemmed from the way she’d usually promoted the films with her ex fling Chris, with the kind eyes and charming smile.

“Can we please not fight?” Scarlett’s eyes were duller than ever before, normally you would give in to her pleas, but this was your home she’d wandered into and you felt an unrelenting urge to defend it. “If you were looking for the girl who bends to your every whim she is back in 2019, you’re now meeting a loveless edition.”

“As if,” the blonde snorted, “You’re a total sap Y/N.”

“Love is an illusion Scarlett, end of the discussion.”

Scarlett watched you jump up from the couch, and just as she expected you began to pace the tiny kitchen. If you wanted a fight, then the award winning actress would give you one for the books. “If love is an illusion then I guess I’m a fucking magician Y/N because no matter how hard I try I can’t stop myself from loving you, but more importantly I don’t ever want to.”

“It’s been two years Scarlett, you don’t know me!”

Scarlett scoffed, “You are unbelievable!” The way you flinched didn’t even deter her as she walked over to you, her body pressing yours into the counter as her hand raised to slap you across the cheek for making such asinine remarks. As if she didn’t know you wholly and love you just the same. You were all she wanted.

Then she saw a flicker of hurt in your eyes, and instead of letting her anger win she cupped your jaw and softly spoke, “You eat your sandwiches without the crust.” Your eyes crinkled and she had to fight the urge to kiss away your obvious confusion. “You truly have the palette of a child Y/N, I might have been absent from your life, but I know you still live off PB&J’s.”

“That’s nothing more than a counter observation.”

“Yeah, I guess you’re right,” she sighed, but then she shook her head with a reminiscent smile on her face. “You hate when people interrupt you, it always drives you up the wall that people can’t wait their turn,” she noted something that’s standard for most, but before you can state that she continues, “Except for when it’s a child because you love their impatient wonder.”

Scarlett felt a sense of accomplishment when she saw your eyes had sparkled, she knew you were likely thinking of her family get togethers with her nieces. Which took her back to all of the functions where you were welcomed like one of their own, which you were. “You despise sports Y/N, but you always indulged my family for the super bowl, because you cared so much.”

“I went for the food,” you deadpanned to keep from letting her know that this attempt was working on your soft heart. “I know, my mom glares at me now that your seat is forever empty. She misses your reviews.”

You bit your cheek, and closed your eyes to cover your sadness. Scarlett saw right through you though. “They all miss you—I miss you Y/N, and I know that you are just hiding behind the hurt that I caused right now, but I know you miss me too. I am your muse after all.”

“I said that stuff to keep people from falling apart, if I left them with only morose thoughts they’d never come to another one of my gallery’s. It was only business…”

“Only business?” You nodded, eyes fixed in a glare that genuinely left the blonde amused. You were trying so hard to make it seem like you hated her, but she could see right through to the hurt in your gorgeous eyes. Scarlett rolled her own in good faith, and continued on as her thumb tenderly traced over your clenched jaw. “Decades of separation could go by and I’d still know you Y/N, not because you are predictable, but because you are my soulmate, and souls don’t truly change.”

“I mean it Scarlett, I’m not who I once was,” you were losing your fight, just like she hoped for. “Bullshit.”

“I have changed!” Scarlett hummed as her head nodded. “I know you have honey, but deep down you are still my very special girl, the one who runs with the facade of hopelessness but with every stroke of your heart you bled our unenviable love onto the canvas.”

“I-I,” your voice wavered, and her thumb gently ran over your chewed up bottom lip that now trembled. “Give me a chance Y/N, I promise it’ll be different.”

“Scarlett, I can’t be your secret, not again, not ever.” The blonde smiled, a direct contrast to your mood as you struggled not to cry. “There’s no more hiding,” she coo’d, her delicate voice comforting you along with her soft hands that wiped away the tears that finally fell.

“You’ll be my plus one to the Black Widow premiere.”

“Scarlett—.” The blonde leaned in and kissed you hard, the worried words faded from your mind as your hands moved to position themselves on her hips. Your head tilted, allowing her the opportunity to deepen the kiss and there was no hesitation as her tongue met yours. Soft moans followed the smacking of lips and harsh breaths left your nostrils to prevent the inevitable. “I’m going to make it right Y/N,” Scarlett panted against your glistening lips. “I’ll love you out in the open this time, and you can create with a much happier stroke.”

You wanted to believe her, this time felt different than all the other times she made similar promises, but you were still bruised, and therefore wary of her intentions. “How will this work?” You inquired without missing a beat. “You live on the other side of the states Scar.” The blonde frowned, never thinking of this presenting as an obstacle. “Simple, you’ll come home with me Y/N.”

“Please don’t say no,” she begged, already seeing your rebuttal coming. “I don’t want to be back there Scar.”

“That’s fine baby; I moved, I couldn’t live there without you, so I found somewhere different. Hopeful that it would be what helped me move on, but I began to fill the space with subtle reminders of you. I ignored their connection until my mom laughed in my face one day.”

Scarlett saw the question in your eyes and sighed, “I began eating PB&J’s every morning, I danced alone to your favorite vinyls and I might have bought all of your online pieces when you posted them, thinking that maybe your art could be your placeholder, but it just never was enough of you. I needed the real thing.”

“I don’t know Scar, this feels like a gamble.” The blonde nodded, “That’s what love is Y/N/N, not an illusion—it’s real, but it’s messy and comes with risk.”

“I’m not sure I have it in me to risk losing it all again.”

“I’m not sure of much myself baby, but I know this, without you around I feel like my life is empty, but with you in my arms like this I feel unbound, like nothing could ever break me again, besides you. This will be our fresh start, so please, just don’t say no.”

You took a step to the side, freeing yourself from her intoxicating hold so that you could think clearly. You sat back down on the couch, silently patted the spot beside you to calm her nerves, but made her wait for your resounding yes as she’d took so long to do this. It was only fair that she didn’t get an instant response.

Scarlett suddenly stood, hands shaking out at her sides as she faced the prospect that the desperate kiss you two just shared was in vain. Maybe she was too late, and if so she would just have to face the karmic reality. “I’m staying at the Chateau Marmont Y/N, my number is the same, whether you want to try again or not, I just want you to know that I will forever love you.” You said nothing still, letting her walk outside with a sad smile.

Scarlett cried the entire way to her car, her head fell onto the horn, and startled her into reality. She didn’t want to draw attention to your place, so she put the keys into the ignition with plans to cry at her hotel. Just as the blonde was about to start her engine she saw your front door fly open, and after a moment of pause she speedily jumped out of the car to meet your urgent steps. “Kiss me,” you commanded, she was a bit taken aback, but then she saw the test in your eyes just before her rushed hands pulled you in for a sloppy kiss.

Everything around you two seemed to fade, lips locked in perfect harmony, even with the flash of a strangers camera trying to capture the moment. You felt as her hand cupped your face more broadly, it alarmed you momentarily, until you realized she was shielding you from them, not hiding. “I’ll come with you Scarlett.”

Her lips, painted a delicate shade of maroon lifted, and for the first time in forever you felt unending joy; you were finally home again, in the arms of your forever.

———

Bonus:

You stepped out of the Cadillac, the tinted windows no longer there to shield you from the perilous crowd that had awaited you outside the metal door. You saw the many faces of her fans, all with their eyes on you, and the dirty looks of a few made your skin crawl. Most of them regarded you with a smile or indifference, but the others looked to you as if you’d crushed their dreams.

Scarlett was quick to take your hand in hers, helping the anxiety to melt away as she kissed your cheek with a purpose before she pulled you along the red carpet. Her every move was calculated as she spoke to the fans that regarded you with the respect you deserved. With the excuse of limited time she disregarded the others, then guided you into the event with a protective arm around your waist, and her free hand still in yours.

You’d attempted to let her go, aware that this event was her moment to finally shine, but she only fixed you with her best, heatless glare as she pulled you closer. There was no Natasha Romanoff without you, the one who pushed her to go to the audition after you helped her practice her lines. Just like there’s no Scarlett Johansson without you either, you were her lifeline, and it was about damn time the world knew that.

#gxg #scarlett johansson #scarlett johansson imagine #scarlett johansson fanfiction #scarlett johansson oneshot #scarlett johansson x reader #scarlett johansson x female reader #scarlett johansson x you #scarlett johansson x y/n #natasha romanoff #natasha romanoff x reader #natasha romanoff imagine

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moonjella · 1 year

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TRICK OR TREAT — JUNG JAEHYUN

pairing || husband!jaehyun x wife!reader

synopsis || it's halloween and all you want is to spend a quiet night with your husband watching scary movies. but the constant ringing of the doorbell is more horrifying than whatever's playing on the tv. you've had enough of the trick or treaters and decide to play a trick of your own on your husband, to which he returns with a very special treat.

content || mature, minors do not interact! female reader, talk of pregnancy/impregnation, reader wants to have children. explicit smut — dry humping, unprotected sex, cumming inside, breeding kink, praise.

word count || 2.9k

author's note || for @underworldnet's halloween event — day one : trick or treat.

“Trick or treat!”

“Aren’t you guys adorable?” Jaehyun beams at the little ones.

A pumpkin, a witch and a… well, you don’t know what the last one is but the costume was spooky enough.

And the grin of excitement on the child’s face makes your heart swell.

You reach behind the door to pull out the bowl of candy and their smiles reach their eyes at the sight of it.

“Once each, okay?”

“Thank you!” they chime while taking their favourite chocolate bars. You and Jaehyun remain at the door until their tiny bodies waddled onto the next house.

They were the first trick–or–treaters of the night. Though, the streets looked a little empty. Maybe this year would be quiet and you could watch your scary movies in peace.

You’re warmed by Jaehyun’s arm wrapping around your waist.

“I can’t wait for our kids to go trick–or–treating.”

“Me too,” you press a kiss to his cheek and he leads you both back to the kitchen to finish cleaning the dishes together. But a small sigh escapes you.

You’ve wanted kids for a while now. Motherhood is a terrifying thought at times but the thought of seeing your child’s smile on a daily basis makes you long for them now more than ever.

And you know Jaehyun feels the same way. The way he stops to wave and smile at kids every chance he gets, and when he crouches down to their level to hear what their tiny voices are saying — needless to say, you couldn’t wait to have children together.

Most of your friends and family expected the news of pregnancy immediately after your marriage, but two years later there’s still no sign of them.

“What are you moping about?” Jaehyun wanders over as you place the last bowl away. His arms snake around you, trapping you in his hold.

“Nothing much,” you breathe in his scent. “just feeling a bit tired, that’s all.”

“You’ve worked so hard today,” he kisses the crook of your neck as he speaks, his lips tickling your sensitive spot. “How about we put on a movie and relax?”

“Sounds good.”

You already know which movie to watch. In true Halloween essence, you choose the scariest film on your streaming service and settle down next to Jaehyun, who throws a blanket over both of you.

“Let’s get this over with.” He grumbles.

“Don’t be a scaredy–cat,” you snigger. “I bet it’s not even scary.”

“And I bet you’ll be the one hiding under the blanket.”

“Oh, shush.” You shut him up with a chaste kiss and press play only for you both to jump in your seats a few seconds in.

The second round of trick–or–treaters had arrived with a jumpscare. Your doorbell has never been so terrifying.

Breaking into a fit of nervous laughter, you both make your way to the door.

“Trick or treat!”

“You guys scared us,” Jae tells them and your hands wander to his waist, pulling him into a backhug while the children eye up the sweets. “Only one. Gotta save some for the other kids.”

They wave you goodbyes with cheery thanks and goosebumps erupt on your skin from the chilly air. In no time, you’re back under the blankets next to Jaehyun’s hot body. His heat warms you like it always does and the hand tracing up and down your thigh warms you in another way.

His small habit never fails to make you blush. Jaehyun is always touching your body, in one way or another but it’s the times like this when he finds comforts in rubbing your thighs.

When he’s nervous, or when he’s scared, it puts him at ease knowing you’re right beside him. And it seems the movie is getting to a good part because his fingertips dig into your flesh slightly. His chest rises and falls quickly which stirs the same reaction in you.

But yours is due to something else entirely.

His hand jumps higher and you bite your lips. Any higher and you’d be in trouble.

It feels silly getting turned on by such a simple and innocent action, but the thrill of the horror movie somehow adds to the sensation.

After all, the adrenaline a horror movie gives you isn’t so different to the adrenaline Jaehyun fills you with.

Ding dong!

You both jump again and this time Jaehyun lets out a tiny squeak. He tears his wide eyes away from the screen and to the door seriously.

“It’s just the trick–or–treater, Jae. You’re not afraid of some kids, are you?” you tease.

He gulps.

“No. Not at all.”

You both rise again, heading over the door to hand out some more candy. As much as you love seeing the children excited, it’s starting to feel like a chore.

The scold yourself for the thought. As someone who can’t wait to have children, you sure as hell grow sick of children quickly.

Maybe it’s a good thing it hadn’t happened yet.

Jae closes the door and you both crash on the couch again. Although you settle into his arms nicely, it feels odd for some reason.

You and Jaehyun never really talked about the issue properly. You’re on the same page in wanting to have children but neither of you never put it into action.

The only time you had sex without protection was on your wedding night. Other than that, you always had protected sex.

For a long time, you’ve wanted to bring it up to him. You know he wouldn’t react badly to your request for unprotected sex. But then again, maybe there’s a reason he hasn’t brought it up either. Maybe he’s not quite ready to be a father yet. Maybe he has doubts too.

As daunting as the thoughts are, you decide to brush them away and enjoy the movie. And Jaehyun’s reaction to the movie.

He’s a lot more scared than he’d like to admit.

Time passes and you’re onto the second movie. And the trick–or–treaters became much more frequent. At this point, Jae is answering the door every five minutes.

And here you were thinking it was going to be a quiet night.

You’d given up on answering the door with your husband and instead watched him from the couch. He’s trudging his way back to you, him too growing tired of it. While you admire his efforts, you can’t stand the cold you feel every time he leaves.

So this time, you pull him down with you, letting him lay on your chest and locking his hips between your legs. Hopefully no more trick–or–treaters would ring the doorbell because Jae’s body on top of you is like the comfiest blanket in the world.

You focus on the movie again, but it’s only a matter of time before Jae is up at the door complimenting another child’s costume.

You hold back a groan, growing frustrated. All you wanted was a quiet night, but this is getting too much. Jae’s attention is either on the children or the movie and a sting of jealousy flutters in your chest.

It’s petty, but you have a plan. One that will be sure of Jaehyun giving you his attention. And maybe you’ll finally satisfy your neediness.

He sits down and you climb into his lap, straddling him and successfully blocking his view of the television. Dark eyes flutter to you and his lips are wettened by the slip of his tongue.

Children aren’t the only ones who can play tricks tonight.

“Hey, baby,” he mutters. His hands find their place on your hips. “What are you doing?”

“Nothing,” you say while nuzzling into his neck, lips grazing over the spot he likes the most. He shudders beneath you, immediately turned to putty in your hands.

You kiss your way up his neck, along his jawline and meet his lips in a frenzy of warmth.

To your surprise, he’s just as hungry. He sucks you in, fighting your tongue for dominance with a groan that rumbles through both bodies. You grind down and you clit finally finds some relief.

“Ah… Jae…”

His hands make their way around your neck, cusping your jaw and holding your head back so he can attack your neck.

“Thought you wanted to watch the movie, babe.”

“I want you instead,” you smirk, knowing your plan is working. His cock grows beneath you and you throw away the blanket which was acting as an obstruction to your grinding. “I always want you.”

“Fuck,” he gasped as his cock twitches to life. “Want you too, baby.”

Your lips meet again, wet and messy. The horrors of a cheesy thriller long forgotten and replaced with the desperate need to fulfil each other’s desires.

A moan is caught in your throat when he pulls your hips tighter against him and your chest hits his, breasts rubbing against him. There’s no way to escape his strong hold as his guides you back and forth in his lap.

You move faster, friction from the clothes heating you up and adding stimulation to both of your parts. It’s only a matter of time before you’re close to your high, so close…

Ding dong!

You still immediately, Jaehyun’s eyes also growing wide at the surprise. Of all the times to be interrupted…

This is far from the quiet night you imagined.

“Baby, I can’t answer the door like this.” He looks pretty beneath you, red cheeks and a sheen of sweat. And desperate, needy eyes.

“Let’s just ignore them.” You say and get back to stealing his breath away but the doorbell persists.

He pushes you for a moment and you part again. Speaking with his longing eyes only, he persuades you to answer the door.

“Fine.” You grumble and march over. You grab the bowl and swing open the door.

The children don’t even have a chance to finish their “trick or treat” before you shove the bowl at them.

“Take as many as you want.”

The door is slammed shut before you know it and you grab Jaehyun who is stunned by your actions, leading him up the stairs.

“Our bowl…”

“Fuck the bowl.” You say and kick open the bedroom door. You yank him down by the collars, crashing his lips onto yours while unbuttoning his shirt.

“You’re right,” he grins. “I’ll fuck you instead.”

Large hands encompass your ass and your gently thrown on the bed. You’re pleasured with the view of him slipping off his shirt before he moves to your pants, pulling them down by your ankles.

You whip off your shirt, exposed in your lacey underwear.

Jaehyun crawls between your legs and your hands trace over his muscular chest and toned abs. Your head hits the pillow while your husband attacks your chest. He pulls down the thin fabric and takes your nipple in his mouth.

“Fuck, Jae!” you whine.

“Feel good, baby?”

You can only moan in response as his hand finds its way between your legs, teasing up and down and discovering the wet patch you made.

“So wet, baby. All for me?”

You nod timidly while biting your lip. You know he loves it because his eyes don’t move from them for a while.

“Need you so bad, Jae.”

You knock him out of his trance and he removes his pants, revealing his hardened cock.

You reach for him nimbly and take it in your palm, pushing yourself up to kiss him while you stroke his dick.

“You like that?”

He groans in response, eyes fluttering shut for a few moments before flying open when you tease his leaking tip. You trace circles around his slit making him shudder under your teasing touch.

His forehead hit yours as he takes your lips hungrily in his, noses nudging and tongues diving deep. You don’t cease your strokes, allowing him to rut gently into your hand until he pulls away with desperation.

“Jae…” you whine as he puts distance between your naked bodies.

“Need a condom, baby.” He mutters while reaching into the nightstand.

He’s fumbling with the box, his eagerness obvious with the way his fingers ravage the packets. You bite your lip, swallowing nervously.

You don’t want him to use one.

You want him to fuck you raw and fill you with his cum until he’s sure you’re knocked up.

“Jae,” you say softly, catching his attention. He’s over you in a second, stroking your heated cheeks and adoring your beautiful eyes as you lay your head on the pillow.

“What is it, baby?”

“Could you fuck me without a condom… please?”

His thumb stills on your cheek and you can almost feel the cold from his expression. If your racing heart is telling you anything, it’s that you’re terrified of what he’ll say.

You brace yourself for the rejection, but instead you receive warmth on your lips.

You’re engrossed in him as he explores all of you, lips not leaving yours for a second while his hands trace your skin. Your panties slip away with ease and he throws them away, now forgotten just like the box of condoms.

“You know what this means, right?” he finally asks.

You nod breathlessly.

“I want it, Jae. I want you to put a baby in me.”

“Fuck,” he hisses, grabbing his raging cock and rubbing the tip up and down your slit, spreading your arousal before lining up to your entrance. “I’ve waited so long for this, baby.”

You whimper, shuddering from the excitement growing in your core. His thumb teases your throbbing clit causing you to clench over nothing. But that would soon change.

“Say it again, baby. Tell me what you want me to do.”

You rest your hands on the back of his neck, wrists lying on his shoulder. Just a simple touch of him grounds you from drifting away in pleasure.

“Please, Jae. Want you to fuck me so good, want you to cum inside me.”

Your sentence ends with a high–pitched whine as he pushes into you, groaning with surreal bliss.

You squeal his name excitedly. It’s been so long since you’ve felt him like this, so long that it feels entirely new. Like something you’ve never experienced before.

Every bit of his cock nudges against your walls. You’re tight around him, feeling every single thing. From his hot tip to the vein wrapped around his dick, you feel it all.

Your eyes roll back, head burying into the pillow while Jaehyun rocks back and forth allowing you to adjust to him.

When he’s fully seated in you, sweat dresses his forehead and you brush back his bangs. He smiles at you so tenderly and this feeling, all of these feelings… it’s like like falling in love all over again.

“Move,” you whisper to him. “please.”

He heeds your words and pulls out gently before shoving his cock back inside. His groan is loud against your ear and it stirs your insides, making them messy and distressed from the anticipation.

Your nipples rub against his chest sparking flames all across your body and your body is set alight when he quickens his pace. His arms wrap around your body, holding you impossibly close as his thrusts become harder.

You can only imagine how incredible he must be feeling from fucking you raw, from knowing the state he’ll leave you in.

“Fuck, Jae!”

“This what you wanted?”

You scream yes.

“Want me to cum in you? Want me to fuck you so good, like my pretty wife deserves?”

You mumble incoherently, whines and words becoming a mix of slurs.

“You’re so desperate for my cum, aren’t you?” his tone is almost condescending but you don’t care. You’re so fucking desperate.

“Cum inside me! Please!”

His rhythm quickens to the point where it feels there is no rhythm at all and you feel your own orgasm approaching.

“Ah… ah! I’m close!”

“Fuck,” he grunts. “Finally get to put a baby in you. Gonna cum inside you, baby, and you’re not gonna waste a single drop.”

He emphasises each word with a particularly hard thrust and you can’t hold yourself back any longer. Your arms wrap fully around him, nails etching patterns into his skin and he cries into your neck, stuttering from his own pleasure.

Ropes of cum spurt into you and he lets out a loud groan. His hips shake as he pushes his cock in deeper than ever before. You feel it twitch inside you and you feel so full.

He rides you gently through your high, making only slight movements as to not shake you too much from your dazed state.

Your mind is abuzz, your skin aflame and you can’t help but collapse entirely when he finally lifts up.

There he is again, admiring your blissed out face and when his eyes spot the cum leaking out from your pussy around his cock, he feels himself growing hard again.

He’s waited so long to do this with you, to finally make a baby with you.

“You’re so beautiful,” he whispers against your skin. “And you’re gonna be even more beautiful when you’re all knocked up. Gonna look so pretty carrying our baby.”

Our baby.

Your body shivers with excitement.

He hisses down your arm, reaching your palm, kissing every fingertip before placing your warm hand against his face.

Rubbing his cheeks into it, he closes his eyes and breathes in. You wish this moment could last forever.

“You’re going to be such a good father, Jae.” You smile.

And his lips grown wide with satisfaction.

“And you’ll be an amazing mother,” he kisses you. “But I gotta make sure I did the job properly first.”

He strokes your cheeks, brushing your hair away from your sweaty face as he begins moving his hips again.

“Gonna fill you up until you can’t take any more.”

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youkaiyume · 11 months

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So, Rise of the Beasts!!

I saw it twice of the weekend, and I want to put down my honest thoughts.

Overall, I had a great time and I definitely think it's worth watching. Ignore the critic reviews for some reason they are offended that a Transformers movie exists to sell toys. You know, their sole purpose since the very beginning of inception. But OF COURSE I have THOUGHTS so...

Spoilers under the cut!

I liked the human characters for the most part. Noah's sudden onboard motives for going with the autobots to Peru was not as convincing but adventure needs to happen so I gave it a pass.

Mirage is like, DTF with Noah. Like he is SO ready for that tiny bf bff. It's obvious that Bee spoke so much about Charlie (cuz it seemed he was the only one who did talk positively about humans in their group) that Mirage was just. HIS BODY WAS READY.

CHARLIE WAS MENTIONED!!! AHHHHH!!! That was the one tiny smidgeon of a crumb that I wanted and they gave it to me. Granted it was implied when Optimus says "I know one was good to you, Bee" But I was told that the Latin America dub had him say Charlie's actual name. There was a SCENE that was cut out according to the Hollywood Reporter--that Bumblebee had also pulled out a polaroid pic that Charlie took of them together from the first movie here to show OP. HE'S BEEN CARRYING AROUND HER PICTURE ALL THESE YEARS I DIE WHY DID YOU CUT THIS OUT!!!

Mirage's abilities seem very arbitrary. And I do not like this. He can turn into several alt modes which seems to be only a thing that he can do... he can mass shift--which I know mass shifting is a thing but when he turns into a truck to sneak past the museum security I was like??? I was always under the impression that the bots could turn into a vehicle relative to their own actual size so this just confuses me. There is supposedly an earlier cut of the film where it was more clear that the trailer was another illusion. which I wish they kept in. Also when he becomes Noah's symbiote suit at the end?? Like, as a shipper and rule of cool I am into it, but as a person who wants rules to ground my science fiction I don't like how Mirage is just a swiss army knife for the writer's convenience. It feels lazy instead of taking the time to actually worldbuild. Nobody else can do these things.

The arbitrary mass shifting of him being as big or as small as he wants (like when he becomes Noah's exosuit) really falls apart when they keep insisting that they need the humans because only they can fit into small spaces. Well, clearly not cuz you can just do it yourself. AGAIN, PLEASE BE CONSISTENT WITH YOUR RULES.

Airazor x Elena. Anyone else????

speaking of which, I am very upset about what happens to Airazor. And we never even got to see her transform. tragic.

Optimus sure was a negative nancy which--I understand why but I hope they ease up on edgy "i will rip everyone's faces off" Optimus because it feels disingenuous to his character to keep it going for too long. Like I get it, they killed your fave child so I will forgive you but also I want more of "Be strong enough to be gentle" Optimus. Not the edgelord Bayverse Optimus that they are clearly going for cuz the know certain :ahem: fans like that.

Beeeee. They put him out of commission which again, according to interviews they did just so they could make sure he doesn't steal the spotlight and give a chance for the other characters to shine lmao. He is too powerful. But also because we shots of him in the trailers, I was not too worried about Bee staying out of commission. But goddamn when if I still wasn't hyped as hell when he made his comeback. 10/10 he proves he's still the GOAT.

I hate Pablo/Wheeljack. No, after seeing the movie my opinion of him did not improve in fact it got so much worse. His design was the LEAST of his problems. Every moment he was on screen was deeply cringe. And he barely did anything!! He could have not been in the movie at all and it wouldn't have made a difference and I genuinely believe it would have been a better film. All this hullaballoo over Pablo and this is what we got. Wheeljack fans lost hard after all that defense I'm sorry this ain't it.

Hey speaking of bots that barely got any lines or screentime, wtf was up with Rhinox and Cheetor? My boys got shafted :(

There was a moment where OP is asking the bots if they detected the terrorcons and Arcee WHO IS SITTING in the pablo van was like "lol nope" and I was like GURL how could you, you're in a van. And it made no sense because don't you also have an altmode??? Shouldn't you be scouting outside to cover more ground???

I firmly believe the only had Arcee sitting in there like a dumb duck because they wanted Wheeljack to make a dumb joke in the original cut about how it was a long time since she was inside him. UGHUGHUGH.

Did I mention how glad I am that they cut the majority of Wheeljack's screentime since it was so awful especially his and Arcee's implied romance? Especially since they killed off the other femmes so the only one we got now has to have a mandatory romance. No thanks. Glad that nonsense is gone.

The Maximals' robot modes were very minimal. and they went by so fast I never got a good look at their designs.

I loved how the Maximals were harmoniously living with the native tribe--and speaking their language!

Scourge's face reveal seemed to be treated like it was a big deal but when we saw him it was just... guy without his wig on. Literally the surprise is that he is bald.

Noah x Mirage is very strong good. I have no doubt the fandom will be all over it since they seem to eat up BL romance much more readily and I am all for it. They also have all the great ingredients for it--flirting, drift compatibility, self sacrifice for the other. Another human x transformer ship for the books.

I'm sure there are some ppl who like the ending. but I.... did not. I do not want to see G.I.Joes in my transformers I'm sorry. I don't want the return of military propaganda or more introductions to several human characters that take away from the transformers. I don't want to see them exploited or used for our own human affairs--even if it's a fictional cult-- when they could be literally fighting Decepticons or Unicron or whatever. People might have wanted them in Bayverse cuz it was heavily skewed Military in those films but I don't want to see it again. It was a terrible, dark time. the Joes might be presented as good guys but I don't trust the military in general and I don't see their motives as altruistic--especially if their goal is to use them for their own purposes. Why would they help them get home? They wouldn't, if just to keep their best weapons--and Noah is bait. He is bait and he will fall for it hook line and sinker because they are bribing him with his brother's healthcare and the fact that he is struggling to find work elsewhere.I hope if they are to be involved at all it will be relegated to characters here and there but they stay in their own movies if they have to ride on Transformers coattails to revive an irrelevant struggling franchise.

There was minimal human injuries/death and I appreciate that. They did the DBZ thing where they took their fight to remote locations. This probably won't keep up if they introduce the Joes :/

Overall, 8/10. I had a fun time. I didn't love it as much as Bumblebee but it was definitely miles better than Bayverse (a low bar I know). The action was clear, the characters likable, the CGI mostly stellar. I have hope that they will bring back Charlie maybe. But hey, I took my parents to it the second time around and my Mom liked Mirage and my Dad did not fall asleep so I will consider that a stamp of approval.

#transformers #rise of the beasts #ROTB #text post #long post #read more under the cut #not so much a review as all of the thoughts i had while watching it

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cillianscumslutt · 1 month

Text

Favorite Movie [I]

─── ･｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ. ───

Pairing: Neil Lewis x Fem!Reader

Summary: You decide to rent a movie one evening and unintentionally catch the eye of the store owner.

Warnings: Noncon/DubCon, misogyny, stalking, harassment, dumbification, lmk if there’s more.

Word Count: 538 (in this part anyways)

A/N: New to this so please heart, reblog, and comment (:. In this part the TW doesn’t really apply, but it definitely will in the following parts.Enjoy!

(GIF is not mine)

It all happened so quickly, maybe even too quickly. Neil loved movies, sure. But he wasn’t a complete cliche or a hopeless romantic when it came to relationships. He never really experienced anything like it before. Perhaps he just hadn’t met the right person.

That was until of course he met you. New to town and caught in the rain, walking right into his video store with a broken umbrella, soaking hair, and a tiny little floral dress that was sopping and clinging to your body just right. The sight was straight out of a movie and to say Neil was amazed was an understatement. His icy blue eyes had stared at you so long from behind the register that he hadn’t noticed when you moved closer, asking if he had a towel.

“Hello?” You ask softly, a bit confused as you stare at him with your eyebrows furrowed.

He blinks, shaking his head with a small, nervous chuckle. “U-uh, sorry. Yeah, I do. Give me just a sec.”

This feeling was new to him, odd even. He felt giddy and excited, like a child with candy. But he also felt such a strong attraction to you that he wanted to spend every moment of everyday with you. And he quite literally just met you.

He walks back to his office, grabbing a towel he had used to dust off his desk every few weeks. It wasn’t filthy but it certainly wasn’t sparkling clean either. Neil made his way back out to the front of the store where you stood looking through the various videos in front of the register. The horror collection.

“Do you like scary movies?” He suddenly asked from beside you, startling you a little as you turned around to stare at him. He smiled, handing you the little blue towel covered in little specks of dust. But you didn’t mind, of course.

“Thanks…and I do. I was actually looking for a good recommendation. Got any?”

You smiled warmly as you dabbed the towel over your neck and your exposed shoulders that were soaked from the pouring rain just outside.

“As a matter of fact, I do.” He pats his hand on the counter before turning on his heels to look at the more erotic horror movies they hid behind the curtain.

He seemed concentrated as he looked through them, really wanting to give you a good recommendation. Neil was a very avid movie lover so it didn’t matter what was recommended to him. He would watch anything. Recommending to any of his friends as well always went well but in this situation where he’s trying to impress a girl, he wanted to make sure that she liked the film.

“I think I have just the thing…,” he starts momentarily, glancing at the dvd box to look over it before turning to you with a grin.

“Immoral Tales? Have you seen it?” You ask aloud as you study the plot and the pictures on the box, curious about the title.

“More than a few times. They’re kinda like…short stories. I think you’ll be impressed. It is French.” Neil winks with his arms crossed over his chest.

“Are they scary stories?”

“You could definitely say that.”

#cillian x reader #neil lewis #Smut #18+ mdni #dark!fic #tw noncon

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the-bloody-sadist · 1 year

Note

If you don't mind, can I ask, what are your top 10 (or top 7) favorite media (can be books/ manga/ anime/movies/tv series)? Why do you love them? Sorry if you've answered this question before......Thanks....

Thank you for asking! I had one person who sent me an ask related to this and then deleted it before I could answer (I think I scared them away yelling at other people in my asks 😂).

So here we go, a compiled overview of my TOP TEN FAVORITE MEDIA!! Some will be current that could change (like songs, ever changing) and others will be permanent (like shows).

NBC's Hannibal [Show]: It shouldn't come as a surprise that this is my top favorite piece of media of all time. Not to do the whole 'I liked it before it was mainstream' but I FOUND IT WHEN IT WAS STILL RELATIVELY CULT-LOVED AND GOT INTO IT WHEN IT WAS ON AMAZON PRIME VIDEO. THE FANDOM FELT TINY ❗️ Anyway, I'm so glad to see how far it's come and how the fandom has grown. This remains one of the only series that was cancelled that I couldn't tell was actually cancelled because it still wrapped up so nicely in the last-aired season. I'm endlessly impressed with the character arcs, the dynamics, the PSYCHOLOGY (a huge deal for me), and especially the dialogue. I mean, I could list literally every element of this show and how tastefully it was used, but the main highlights are how artfully the gore is shown - giving great perspective of the killers whose eyes we mainly see through - and the dialogue. There's a surrealist tone to it, and so many of the lines are subtle poetry without being the hamfisted one-liners of so many other shows that try to do the same. The actors are incredible, the scenes are precisely paced, and just overall you can tell this was a work of the heart. I mean, more superficially, the homoerotic nature of Hannibal and Will's relationship appealed to me as soon as it was introduced, because GODS is it miles higher in chemistry than like ACTUAL EXISTING so-called LGBT romance shows. (I'm glaring FLAMING DAGGERS at the garbage Interview With a Vampire show in which they ruined everything but most of all the chemistry that the original story did so well.) In any case, please watch it! It's one of the best things I've ever seen.

Last Night in Soho [Film]: Directed by my favorite director, Edgar Wright, who has the most fantastic habit of matching musical beats to visuals (a particular love of mine), this film is GORGEOUS, for one. The colors and scenery, the editing, the lights, the creative shots, the effects, the MIRRORS! Don't get me started on the mirrors. I love mirrors. One of my favorite things about characters - although ONLY when done well - is the contrast of duality. Some of the best portrayals besides this one are in Tokyo Ghoul and Moon Knight, off the top of my head. It's hard to find portrayals I like, but this one shines above them all. There are technicalities on the actual character being dual, but I wouldn't spoil it for you. It's the journey of both a past and present woman, one struggling to find her place in the fashion industry, and one struggling to escape the sex industry before it devours her. I heavily related to certain themes in this one and was viscerally enthralled in the choices and character arcs made in certain scenes. It's cathartic, it's overwhelming, it's PURE ART. You're missing out if you never see this one.

HBO's Sharp Objects [Show]: On so many levels, this one speaks to my wounded little heart. Dealing with heavy topics like childhood trauma, parental abuse, self harm, child murders, the bad sides of southern/small-town culture, and mental illness, I don't know if there's another character that I feel quite as connected to as Amy Adams' portrayal of Camille Preaker. The outstanding detail of this one for me, personally, is Camille's mother, Adora. I can confidently say that there IS no other mother that resembles how my childhood felt than Adora, and because of that this show was a painful sort of catharsis. But I love feeling emotions to a dangerous degree, and I'll just say the finale of this one wiped me the fuck out. I'm currently rewatching it for the first time with my close friends, and I'm so scared to get to that finale again. Lmao. But in a good way. In any case, other than Adora, I also identified with the accurate and visceral portrayals of self harm and PTSD. The way that they show flashbacks and visually jumpscare the viewer WITHOUT the presence of blasting music was the show's shining glory. You have literal ASMR wind and crickets over shots of a dead child's missing teeth, blood hitting pavement, pornography on a cabin door, and then a hanged corpse in the corner of the bedroom, right there with Camille in the shot. It is...SO accurate to the feelings of PTSD. It's just so good. I would recommend the show for that alone, and yet everything else is so perfect, too. Along with the gripping plot of a murder case, the intense shame that follows Camille wherever she goes makes for such good conflict and friction with her surroundings. Everything is personal because it takes place in her hometown. Anyway, I can't keep rambling my mind out of its skull over this one. It's beautiful, it's perfect, it's fascinating. Please see it. I beg of you. For me, it represented so much of how it felt to grow up with family dynamics like Camille's. If you relate to it, you'll either love the catharsis or hate the memories it revives.

No Longer Human [Novel]: Pretty sure I've already rambled my ass off about this one when I made the 10 Characters 10 Fandoms post since Yozo is one of the most relatable characters I've ever read about and thus one of my faves! But yeah, this novel is everything to me. I want so many quotes on my wall from it but honestly the one that I constantly think about is still that first line: "Mine has been a life of much shame." It's well known, but that doesn't make it any less impactful for me. I still tear up sometimes when I think about it. Yozo's thought process is just so...accurate. And knowing all about Dazai Osamu and his life as the writer and how closely it's tied to it? I don't think it will ever move from its spot as my top novel of all time.

The Vampire Armand by Anne Rice [Novel]: Lol so the gif isn't from this story specifically but I need gifs for happy brain so I have one related to the story. Probably one of my favorite romances of all time, mostly because it's a very reserved romance, in the sense that it can't exactly be labelled "romance" except in sub-context. (I mean they do have sex but it's like a story about vampires first, if that makes sense? The romance is sort of a subplot to Armand's vampire adventures.) Anne Rice is a favorite writer of mine, and this book was a masterpiece to me. The language she uses and the scenes of vampirism fascinated me, and I wish that vampire media was better at bringing Anne's true style to life. They make it so goofy nowadays, and no other vampire stories apart from some anime portrayals are ever interesting to me. Not to mention the new Interview With A Vampire series as aforementioned is SO BAD and I hate it. Anne could handle that excessive grace of a man who's lived for centuries and the intelligence gained along the way without ruining their humanity, and knew how to portray the loneliness of such a life without making her characters sound like the emo piss babies of Twilight. She has such a grasp on the poetry of words and breadth of experience, and I'll never get over just how exciting it was to read this book for the first time. Truly felt like I was discovering vampires for the first time, and how they would realistically operate if they existed.

Tokyo Ghoul [Manga]: I believe everyone knows quite enough about Tokyo Ghoul, so I promise not to ramble on this one! But in short, as a psychological thriller lover PLUS horror lover PLUS dual-personality-when-done-right-and-realistically lover PLUS cannibalism-exlored-and-the-terrifying-effects lover I MEAN THIS IS JUST THE STORY FOR ME OBVIOUSLY. Kaneki has and always will be fascinating to me no matter how mainstream or over-talked about he is. He is amazing. Did the anime leave out most of the good stuff from the manga? Yeah, but Kaneki was there. The torture scenes were great. Is the manga better? WORLDS BETTER. But I still enjoyed the anime and got into it through there. I respect the anime's attempt to capture what was a sincerely tragic and deep emotional story. But man, reading the manga is something else, entirely. I haven't had the chance to read every single volume, and I may have skipped around a bit in search of the best parts to invest my time in, but boy I never regretted it. Kaneki's arc, getting to see into his head and experience his trauma and eventual decline into madness was SO SO SO SO SO FUCKING GORGEOUS. Nothing will beat it for a descent into madness story for me, I don't think. Plus ghouls as a whole and the art of the manga are just so *claws the wall* I wish I could draw like that.

The Phantom of the Opera [Score]: What's this?? Het media on Sadist's list?? Okay. I'm a huuuuge music fanatic. I grew up with multiple instruments in the house and played to escape, wrote to express, blah blah blah you get it, I NEEDED music to survive. When I discovered this soundtrack, as someone who despises musicals (and still does, but a few have made it through to my heart), I was ENTHRALLED, I tell you. ENCHANTED! Never before or since have I heard such riveting, mysterious, ethereal music, much less in a musical. Every single fucking song on this soundtrack is evocative and perfect and EVERYTHING. And the STORY! AUGH! I've always adored the story. One of my main quarrels with het 'romance' media is that so many of the "greats" (AKA The Notebook, 50 Shades, Twilight, After, etc.) have these fucking...WALKING RED FLAGS that are presented to be the most romantic things ever. Like the movie itself is gaslighting the audience into believing the emotionally manipulative man dangling off of a ferris wheel and threatening to kill himself if the girl doesn't go out on a date with him is adorable. I don't find it cute I find it reminiscent of every bad partner I've ever had, and I can't watch the movies because NOBODY in them ever acknowledges or is affected negatively in any way by these glaring, abusive behaviors. In Phantom of the Opera, Eric (the phantom) is obsessive, stalkerish, possessive, etc. - many things that other media presents as love WITHOUT understanding how it's also terrifying. The movie (though a little goofy at times and dramatic, I'll admit - which is why the score and not the film is on my tops list LMAO) presents these factors as they SHOULD be presented - scary. The music is ominous, the songs are obsessive and enchanting, and it's not presented as cutesy romance. That's why I love it so much. If you want a toxic love interest, please go right ahead and make one! You guys know me, that's literally what I write about. So I hope I've made myself clear about this topic and what I mean - just present the actual abuse as ACTUAL ABUSE, and scary and horrible, even if the protagonist is falling in love with that. Because reality can be like that. It's tough. But in Phantom, Christine goes with the healthy love interest in the end, Raoul, and I've always thought the ending was beautiful for that, because the Phantom still learned love in the end by letting her go. ANYWAY! Enough of that, good grief lmao. Tumblr with no word limits is so dangerous for me.

Mo Dao Zu Shi [Donghua]: 3 Seasons and I still haven't had enough of it. I just recently rewatched this with my close friends and good gods I was appreciating all the intricacy and character development the second time around. There isn't a single character left un-developed in this donghua like SERIOUSLY. Seriously, big kudos to the fucking author. In anyone else's hands, the magic system and the multiple plot lines and the larger-than-life characters most likely would've been fumbled. But whoever directed this KNEW what they were doing and KNEW their source material. And look, even though I barely know who is who because names are confusing and I barely understand half of the magic going on and why people are fighting, THIS IS THE SINGULAR SHOW THAT EXISTS WHERE IT DOESN'T FUCKING MATTER. I'M STILL TRYING TO UNDERSTAND HOW THAT WORKS. But it does? The emotional capacity of every scene no matter if I know what's happening or why just HITS and I'm always rooting for the characters or crying over them. Like, it's just insane. Okay. Everyone who's into BL should watch it, because it's one of the best. And even if you're not into BL, it's one of the best. The action is INCREDIBLE. apffff moving on.

The Case Study of Vanitas [Anime]: BRUUUUUHHHHH. We all know. We all know. I don't need to say anything. But the two boys, man. Two of my top faves. The show is gorgeous, the character designs are beautiful, the setting is romantic, the boys are gay (they are. they are gay.)...I mean what more can I ask for. Oh yeah also vampires! They're vampires. And I love vampires that are like, actually cool. Thank you for making actually cool vampires within a really interesting magic system. I would kiss the author but she made Vanitas straight so no kisses. ONE OF MY FAVORITE COUPLE OF CLIMAX EPISODES OF ALL TIME BTW.

A Silent Voice [Anime Film]: :(...I can't really talk about this one. I relate to it so much. Social anxiety, depression, attempted suicide. It's a really beautiful and painful movie. I cry every time I watch it. The end, that's all. The imagery and the meaning behind so many shots is just...UWEGH.

To Your Eternity [Anime]: *furiously points* LOOK AT THE BABY. OH MY GODS LOOK AT HIM. You guys, you guys. You guys. If you haven't seen this, and you like crying, and you need to cry really hard, and you need the most fascinating and heart wrenching story of all time, this is the one. Fushi, also? Hot. The Beholder, his daddy? Hot. Kenjiro Tsuda? Hot. Sorry, besides the point. This is the best written "you're supposed to cry" story I've ever seen. Nothing beats it. You know what they're going to do to you but yet they somehow subvert your expectations of HOW every fucking time, and MAN??? It hurts. But it hurts so good. And Fushi should be real so I can kidnap him, that's all.

I did 11 things, I'm so sorry. I do this every time. BUT I SURE HOPE YOU FOUND THOSE INTERESTING AND POSSIBLY FOUND A NEW THING TO ADD TO YOUR LIST IF YOU HAVEN'T SEEN/HEARD/READ BEFORE. Thanks anon for the ask!

Oh yeah and as extra I wanted to throw in my favorite song right now because IT'S REALLY PRETTY.

#sadist's answered asks #anime recs #movie recs #book recs #no longer human #hannibal #to your eternity #vanitas no carte #a silent voice #mo dao su zhi #phantom of the opera #last night in soho #tokyo ghoul #the vampire armand #sharp objects

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dantheserialkillerman · 2 years

Text

Dan Hiroki X GN!Childhood Friend Reader

Once upon a time, there was a Kirin who came to earth and fell in love with a human. The deity knew that if he acted upon his feelings, he would surely die, for humans always destroyed everything they touched, so he watched from afar. The other Yōkai begged him to leave the mortal alone, but the Kirin refused. Months turned into years as he watched, yearned, and adored until he couldn't anymore. When the human died, the spirit felt himself withering away from heartbreak and curled up on the mortal's grave. As he faded into dust, the Kirin realized that all his years of watching had been wasted since, in the end, the human still destroyed him. And like a dream, he disappeared right after being awakened, leaving nothing but bones behind.

Contains: Backstory and Gender Neutral Reader General warning: Long-post (3000 words) TW: Possessiveness/Yandere vibes and Gore Characters: Dan Hiroki, You, and more minor OCs. Colour meaning: Green (mythology), Red (media), Purple (Dialogue)

You grew up south of Tokyo. A beach village named Blest where tsunamis tried to drown the residents once every decade. A place filled with tiny stone houses, crumbling temples, and giant windmills with rotor blades like dragons' teeth, gnawing away at the occasional gale.

Your parents used to tell you that a Kirin, during the Heian period, visited the town and fell in love with a human, only to die. Before it faded into nothing, the spirit gave a single blessing to the lover's family: "the loneliest child of each generation shall find the other end of their red thread of fate and meet their true love." You had scoffed and reasoned they were just trying to make you feel better about living in the middle of nowhere.

You had a childhood friend once upon a time. A young boy named Dan Hiroki visited his grandparents during the summers. He was a blur of drained colour, save for his lips and red sneakers.

When you first met, he had claimed to be the recantation of Shuten-dōji, and that's why he had no friends; you had asked, "who am I then?" He responded, "You were Minamoto no Yorimitsu, of course!" Sometimes, you believed him.

The two of you would spend your days searching for the Hibagon and Kodama in the nearby forest that smelled of paprika. Or, when the clouds covered the sun and made the day look like night, travelled down to the beach, hoping to find Ningyo and Akugyo.

However, as Dan said, the other children in the village found him strange. They would point and claim he attracted evil spirits and commanded an Enenra.

Summer after summer, they would assert something was amiss with him. One year after coming home from playing in the ocean, covered in seaweed and sand, a rumour persisted that he turned you into an Akaname. Another, when a new bridge was built, he made a Hashihime curse everyone in town after it rained for a week straight.

Yet, the story that would never die was how Dan was Shuten-dōji and that you were destined to kill one another. They said his unnatural eyes gave his true identity away. Only a Yōkai could see without a soul. You always tried to defend him; Dan was sweet, caring, and... yes, he was strange, but so were you. As they said, dumplings rather than flowers. Especially when it comes to friendship.

Every year, without fail, when he was meant to leave on the day before August ended, he would take your hand into his and ask, "Y/N, wait for me next summer?" And because you were a child, you would agree every time. He then would smile enigmatically and say, "I am you, and you are me. They won't be able to separate us. We will always be together. I promise." You would then wave goodbye and return to your daily life.

When you were ten, your parents, for fun, had decided to rent the American movie The Exorcist. Dan had remained captivated by the film, hardly speaking a word until the end. He had then turned to you and said, "that's what we should do when we grow up."

"Commit suicide?" You had joked

"What!? No!" He playfully shoved you, "rid the world of evil."

"You want to be an exorcist?"

"That would mean I would have to leave you, so no. Never."

Later, under a large buna tree, you had told him the story of Kusanagi, a sword which lay curled up in the scales of an eight-headed serpent named Yamata no Orochi, who, like Pazuzu, also attacked a young girl. The great god Susanoo defeated him by chopping off each head after tricking the monster. The weapon was then given to the emperor, who passed it down for many generations until the serpent returned and kidnapped the newly appointed boy-king. Some say the empire was able to obtain the blade again after a priest cast a powerful spell upon the dragon. However, others say it lays in the hands of the proper emperor, still waiting to be uncovered in a kingdom beneath the sea.

"The sword, if ever found, can turn dragons into men and itself into a giant beast. Don't you see Dan, it can cast out all sin from this world."

Entwining your pinkies, you promised to find that sword one day. No more bullying, oppression, or crime. As friends, you would pack your bags, travel the world, master astrology, and defeat all evil that stood in your way.

Despite your closeness, you were not blind. You knew very well Dan didn't get along with others.

During your 7th summer together, you introduced him to a friend of yours, a classmate named Kikue. All was well until you ran home to fetch popsicles and returned to Dan standing blankly over the crying girl, who had mysteriously broken her arm. When asked, she claimed to have fallen out of a tire swing, but you knew it was him. You couldn't bring yourself to tell, and Kikue was too scared. She had avoided you after that.

You would ask him why he did it a month later, and Dan only gave the muttered response, "she wasn't you."

Time passed until your 13th summer together when you had turned sixteen. Having gone through puberty, the village children suddenly decided they liked Dan.

He had come back taller, handsome, and more charming. Gone were the days of his dead-fish-eyed stare and, instead, a Tennin stood in his place, which you couldn't help but blush at.

You had frozen at that moment, and like a faint light breaking away, you felt the Dan Hiroki you once knew, the strange but loveable child, fading from you. Thinking about the end of the summer, you guessed this would be the last beautiful goodbye before moving on with your lives.

He would forget about you. You could see it in how popular he had become. Yet you pretend everything was fine as he greeted his new admires. You pretended everything was fine when he hugged you, and you felt a dozen eyes glaring in jealousy. Because everything was fine. Why wouldn't it be? You were never Minamoto no Yorimitsu, and he wasn't Shuten-dōji. Who wanted to cut off the head of their best friend anyway?

A week after his arrival, a couple of the local high school students decided to throw a party by the beach to celebrate the end of the school year. The location would be up where the trees grew thick and made way to a clearing that gave a view of the salty waters. Of course, they had invited Dan to come along, but he had said he was too busy hanging out with you. One particular girl, Reo, did not take this well and demanded you convince him to come or she would make your school life hell.

Knowing she was serious, you told dan it would be "a fun field trip" for the two of you, like "the old times when we were kids, one last hurrah, you know?"

He looked at you incredulously, then an emotion you couldn't identify quickly fluttered across his face like the opening of a fan, only to settle back onto his sleepy smile.

"Sure, if it will make you happy."

You hadn't actually planned to go. Instead, you had decided to watch The Exorcist. Everyone would be happier that way, you had thought. Dan would show up, realize how much fun it was to have a Fanclub, and forget you were gone. But on the night of the party, you saw him at your window, tapping on the glass with big sad eyes and asking if you were ready to go. So you went. How could you say no to Dan?

As you walked toward the campfire, which lit up the night sky, you couldn't help but feel like he was acting strange. Dan seemed fidgety, his eye twitching occasionally, and his fingers couldn't decide whether they wanted to tap against his legs or fold behind his back. After a while, you grabbed his hand, as he would often do when you were kids, and kept him steady.

"Calm down. I know you're nervous, but it's not like anyones gonna die. It's just a party." You laughed, but he wouldn't let go when you tried to pull back.

"I'll be your left if you'll be my right," he winked. You rolled your eyes and let him lead you up to the cliffside.

The fire pit was surrounded by your homeroom, surprisingly including Kikue, who had grown pretty with age. And, of course, someone had brought a guitar to encourage everyone to sing random off-key hits from the radio.

It only took an hour for most of the kids to be tipsy, having snuck Sake out of their parent's homes. You had taken a few sips as well, but Dan remained dry.

Reo had stared at Dan throughout most of the night. Much to your displeasure, she had even shoved herself between the two of you, laying against his shoulder. Dan had looked surprised, but you just laughed, subtly telling him to let it go.

"Why do you hang out with someone like Y/N, Dan-Chan? I mean, no offence, but you’ve moved up in life.” You heard her whisper. Dan simply smiled, and you looked away. She titled her head coyly, fawning at him through her lashes, "did you ever hear the legend about the Kirin?" Her nails tapped against his forearm, "I'm starting to believe it's true." You tried not to look over at the two of them, but you couldn't help but feel a pair of eyes bore into you.

It was okay, you reminded yourself. You pretend to laugh at something Kikue had said; the eyes seemed to bear down harder.

When everyone was halfway through a garbled Kenshi Yonezu song, Reo had abruptly declared, "I wanna dance, like one those Oklahoma hoedown mixer-thingies they do in America or whatever," she stood and raised a bottle, "everyone, grab a partner! Dan-!"

You felt someone tab your shoulder, "Y/N promised me a dance." He blushed and brought a hand up to his face, "Oh, I'm sorry for being so rude," he squeezed the back of your neck playfully, "But there are more guys than girls here, and Reo, you seem so popular. I doubt you want to dance with Y/N anyway, and I wouldn't want to intrude."

You didn't know Reo could possess so much hatred, but from her acidic glare, you decided not to cross her in the future. The guitar started again with some country song you didn't recognize, and Dan pulled you into a dance.

The laughing and singing became nothing more than white noise as you looked into his grey eyes. You asked, "Hey, Dan? Do you still believe your Shuten-dōji?"

"Only if you promise to always be my Minamoto no Yorimitsu."

You didn't respond at first. You decided to answer, "How about I be your Kirin instead?"

Dan looked taken aback, so you quickly clarified, "Like the legend, I'll give you a gift. Didn't I tell you I wanted to become an archaeologist?" You smirked at his surprise and gave a flamboyant spin, "I'm going to find that sword, you know. Don't think I forgot about it. "

"You can't." He abruptly held you still, hands digging into your arms, his eyes wild, reflecting the fire.

You tried to shrug him off, "What?! Why not?"

"Because that would mean you're going to leave. You promised you would never leave me." He seemed to hyperventilate slightly.

You leaned forward, took a deep breath, inhaled the smoke, and placed your forehead against Dan's shoulder. You closed your eyes and swallowed, "We were kids. Kids say stuff they don't mean all the time. We would have to move on eventually anyway."

You couldn't see Dan's expression, but you felt him tense up. "I don't like Reo. I rather die than have you leave me."

"Dan-"

"I can prove it." He mumbled to himself more than you. "I'll prove it."

"Look, I'm going to dance with Kikue." You stepped back and brushed him off. You looked up and noticed Reo watching you like a hawk, and grinning the best you could, you decided to wave her over. "I think someone is waiting for you." Hair covered his eyes as he remained stock-still, arms hanging limply by his side.

"I will prove it." you thought you heard as you walked away.

Three hours passed, and the fire had died down quite a bit, although still blazing. You hadn't been able to spot Dan after your conversation and reasoned he had either hit it off with Reo or gone home. The rest of your class mainly had passed out. You had remained awake for a while talking with Kikue. It was nice to have someone you once were close with want to speak to you again. But eventually, the night became too much, and the two of you fell asleep against one another.

When you woke up, you felt groggy at first. You tried to move your arms but realized you couldn't. Suddenly panicking, you awoke fully with a jolt. You blinked to clear your eyes. It was...the woods? Wiggling, you looked around and felt rope around your wrists tying you to a tree. You peeked at where you had been pinned to see the branches of your childhood buna. It was still night, and darkness fogged your vision, but you could tell it was the same rope you used once to make swings.

"Y/N?" Kikue whimpered from the other side of the tree, pinned as well.

"I'm awake. You okay? What the actual hell happened?"

"I don't know! Fuck, we're gonna die. We are totally going to die. This is why I didn't want to talk to you….Fuck, I don't want to-"

You suddenly heard movement, and the forest went completely quiet. You whispered, "Kikue pretend to be still passed out."

The footsteps grew closer and louder until they stopped right in front of you. You felt a body lean forward, and air tickled your cheek, "I know you're awake, Y/N."

"Dan?! What-I-Why am I-I mean we-tied up!?" His beautiful face nosed along your jaw, his torso pined against your own.

"I told you I would prove it," his lips pressed against your ear, "and unlike you, I always keep my promises." You gapped for a couple of seconds, lost for words. Dan kissed your cheek. "Look up."

You slowly gazed upwards and started to shake violently. There, up on a branch above your head, hung the shoeless lifeless body of Reo. The exact same place you had once placed a swing. Her neck was bent at an awkward angle, and her once lovely pink lips opened in a silent scream that was never heard. In a fit of madness, you had thought you had seen an Onryō.

Before you could scream, Dan placed a hand over your mouth. "I told you I didn't like her. See? She's gone." He smiled. "There's only one more problem to get rid of now, and then we can be happy again. We belong to each other, and you know what they say?" He let go of your mouth, a long trail of spit connecting the two of you, as you merely stared back at him in shock. Dan licked his hand. "Three's a crowd."

"Wait! Wait! Dan-just stop for a second. Please!" He didn't seem to hear you as he stood up.

"You see, Y/N. It wasn't me who Reo liked; it was Kikue." He spoke louder, so the named girl could also hear. "She asked to meet her by the buna tree after we all fell asleep, and there she confessed her love!" he sighed dramatically; you thought you heard vomiting. "But it seems Kikue didn't share such feelings, and in a rage, Reo murdered her and then killed herself. Shocking but riveting! It reminds me of that one show...Aha, evil against evil."

"Dan. You can't be serious?!" You yelled over Kikue's wailing.

"You know what's even worse, Y/N? They couldn't even find Kikue's body because Reo threw it into the sea out of shame. I do hate sad endings, but sometimes it can't be helped. At least they can be together in the afterlife." Dan gave a half-hearted shrug and dusted off his pants.

You started to cry. Not because of what was going to happen. You cried because when he walked around the tree to Kikue, you couldn't help but think how beautiful he was. Like an angel. Like a devil. Like the grim reaper. Your Shuten-dōji.

The screaming continued, then whimpering and finally gurgling up until a loud crack and silence.

"Close your eyes." And you did.

Ten minutes later, Dan returned, Kikue now buried in her watery grave with the Ningyo and Akugyo. You opened your eyes, and he looked perfectly put together. He untied your hands, and you rested numbly. He sat next to you, reached up, and pushed the dangling Reo's feet. "At least your hanging in there."

"Why did you do all of that?" You asked in a scratchy voice.

Dan took your face into his hands and kissed you. You felt the thread of fate being tugged.

After a minute, he pulled back, and you really looked at him for the first time tonight. He was a blur of drained colours, save for his lips and red beneath his fingernails.

He placed his forehead against yours. "I am you, and you are me. They won't be able to separate us. We will always be together. I promise." He kissed you again. "Please don't cut off my head Minamoto no Yorimitsu."

"I can't promise that."

"I know."

Dan walked you home. They didn't find Reo until three days later and never discovered Kikue. The police interviewed you. You lied, and Dan left soon after because his parents were worried.

You stood there with his grandparents, and Dan took your hand into his and asked, "Y/N, wait for me next summer?" He kissed your fingers, "because you see, next summer we won't have to wait until June to be together anymore." You agreed.

You told your parents that after Reo's death, you couldn't stay in the village anymore, and a relative arranged to let you live with them. Far away from the Blest. Far away from Dan. You felt your heart grow cold and cracked. Your parents agreed, you packed your things and left. They asked what they should tell him. You said to say you died in a terrible accident.

"Do you love me?" The memory of him whispered to you as you looked back upon the hidden village. A place filled with tiny stone houses, crumbling temples, and giant windmills with rotor blades like dragons' teeth, gnawing away at the occasional gale.

"Yes."

"Then, promise not to cut off my head if you see me again?"

"Goodbye Dan."

You wished the Kirin had never visited Blest.

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aristotlecoyote · 1 year

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Oh that's awesome, I was thinking something with pedro pascal x ftm reader where reader is also in media (any form of it you like) and pedro sees reader playing/holding one of his friends baby, he had always thought of starting a family but held back not knowing reader's reaction but he brings it up and reader reacts to it positively but is nervous. (And then if you want you can have like little time skips to show the progress and then they have the kid/s) you can totally ignore this if it made you uncomfortable or if you don't feel like writing it :)

-🦝(also can I be this anon if it's not already taken)

Here you go Raccoonon!

Pedro and baby make three Warnings: Pregnancy, children It was an uneventful interview. The questions were on topic. The interviewer was nice but she had her kid with her. You had never been that good with children but the little tot was fussing in their parent's arms so much that you offered to hold them. You knew this person well enough, you met them at every con, every red carpet, every event, they were there with their hard hitting questions.

“They have always been fussy.” The interviewer said handing the child to you with gentle hands. “Ever sine they were born.”

You chuckled as the kid started to settle on your lap. Playing with your necklace and microphone as they babbled through the questions with you.

“Quite the talker! Do you interview them at home?” You asked “Oh wait sorry. You are asking the questions here.”

The two of you laughed. The next question confused you but the little guy was quick to answer. You bounced them up and down on your knee, let them hold your finger as you tried to come up with something that didnt let any spoilers through the cracks.

But other then that, the interview went off without a hitch.

You stepped off the little set piece and through a door to your loving boyfriend, Pedro. He had been watching through a tiny window in the door and it looked like he was almost about to cry.

“What's wrong, babe?” You tilt your head to the side and watch him melt as he pulls you close.

“Nothing, just thinking about some stuff”

The “stuff” wasnt brought up until the two of you were safe at home. Away from the cameras, away from the questions.

“Have you...” Pedro turned away from you for a second, his face flushing. “Have you ever thought of having a kid?”

You are taken a back by the question. You hadn't but that was mostly because of you dysphoria clouding your view as you got into the spot light.

“Well, no I haven't” You hesitate “Why?”

Pedro shifted, he took your hand and squeezed “I was just watching that interview and you looked so happy entertaining that little guy. I just started thinking... Would you like to have a kid some day?”

“With you?” You asked. It earned you a nod as his brown eyes turn back to look into yours. “I think I would love a little Pedro running around.”

After that night, you and pedro tried and tried for a baby. You talked to doctors about safely going off your hormones and taking different ones that would help you concieve.

It took a few years but eventually you were hunched over the bathroom sink with two cups with pregnancy tests turn into them. You waited. You stared with bated breath hoping that maybe this time it would come back positive. Pedro was off on a shoot. You had taken time off from filming so the stress wouldn't hurt your chances but the stress of so many failed tests didn't seem to help either.

You buried your head in your hands as the timer clicked down. What if it was negative again? Its been two years, maybe you should just give up on the dream of having a child with Pedro because you couldn't handle the sad look in his eyes again.

Bling Bling Bling

Swiping the timer off, you take the first test out of its cup and shook the liquid off. You closed your eyes and took a deep breath. Then turned it over and opened your eyes.

Positive!

In a rush of excitement you take the other one out. Its positive too.

“Ah. Oh my god!” You cheer into the empty apartment.

You wash your hands then dial Pedro for a video call.

He answers after a few rings. His tone soft as he tried to get the camera on his face. “Hey babe. We are kind of in the middle of a— Is that?”

All he could see the was positive test. He cheered “ARE YOU SERIOUS!”

He got shushed by everyone on the set. Pedro mouthed “Sorry” then rushed to leave the soundstage

“ARE YOU SERIOUS!?” he repeated.

“Yes! We're having a baby!”

#the vessel speaks #Pedro pascal x reader #Pedro Pascal x ftm reader #pedro pascal x y/n #pedro pascal x you #pedro pascal fanfiction

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foap-enjoyer · 8 months

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Anxiety - Soap Mactavish

Real tiny semi-finished drabble I conjured up for the fun of it at 1am ;)

One would think the John ‘Soap’ Mactavish wouldn’t have anxiety. Much less social anxiety. He was too loud - too boisterous. The whole base knew the famous sergeant and his childish, bombarding personality. Recruits would often feel a clasp of a hand on their shoulders, a warm smile guiding them through their learning, teaching them to create makeshift weaponry or explosives, telling them outlandish stories of fights and battles that couldn’t have possibly existed within their universe, with a laugh that could raise the ceiling off of the building like the lid of a steaming pot.

So if someone were to say that John ‘Soap’ Mactavish had social anxiety, they’d, generally, be laughed at. No one would believe them, like children refusing to accept that Santa was, in fact, not real, and that it was their tired parents working constantly to fulfill their little needs and wants.

But he did. It wasn’t something he spoke about, wasn’t something that was known about, but he did. He’d buried that detail of his when he’d left for the army at the ripe age of eighteen; he wouldn’t let some trembles and awkwardness define him. So he changed, forced himself to, beat that big chunk of him until it shattered into smaller pieces that he could shove into a closet somewhere and hide. Changed his nervous rambling into confident storytelling, his trembles into excited non-stop movement, his nausea into pretend hunger, anything that made him anxious had to go, and he made it go. It didn’t matter that at the end of the day, when he could finally send off the recruits marching back to their own quarters, giggling and chatting amongst themselves, when he could finally move back to 141’s personal building, back to his own room, back to his bed, that he broke down. Every time, without fail.

He would close his door, and tears, no matter how hard he tried to distract himself, would quickly sprout and run ugly lines down his cheeks as he sobbed. His confidence faltered every time, his trembles became quakes that wracked his body, his nausea staining his teeth, dripping down onto the tiled floor of the bathroom, over the porcelain seat, everywhere. It was pathetic, and embarrassing. Shamefully, so. It made him feel like a baby, a fragile little child who needed their mother to hold them and soothe them with soft lullabies. Which was ridiculous, because he was Sergeant Mactavish, one of the toughest fuckers in the military. A member of 141. He’d survived so much, only to be taken down each night by his own failing body.

141. He couldn’t understand why, when he spent time alongside Gaz, munching stolen food from Price’s secret stash, watching movies on their shared, crappy, off-duty laptop on some very-much illegal site, talking quietly as they sat on the sofa of their common room, eyes wide in the darkness as they took in the film, he didn’t tremble. He couldn’t understand why, when he was with Price, sorting out long-overdue papers at the Captain’s desk that he was certain didn’t matter anymore, he didn’t ramble gibberish to fill the silence. He couldn’t understand why, when he was with Ghost, sat up late-at-night playing cards on Soap’s bed, dim moonlight being their only friend, he didn’t feel like crying until he threw up.

But he did, he did understand why. He knew why because it had bothered him so much he’d looked online, desperate to find a reason. Google, ever the provider, gave him that reason.

They made him feel safe.

#soap mactavish #john mactavish #simon ghost riley #captain john price #john price #kyle gaz garrick #hurt/comfort #call of duty #modern warfare ii

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cherievol6 · 2 years

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mum’s night out

new dad!harry !!!!!!!!!!!! my favourite

Harry wants you to have a night off from mummy duties

word count: around 800

warnings: tiny bit of swearing but that’s it. just cuteness upon cuteness. not edited rly

Harry's lax grin that hasn't even changed a single bit since you first met him is spread across his cheeks, a twinkle in his eye as he watches you walk past him on the sofa. Your tiny baby girl rests on his chest and it makes your heart tingle, seeing him being so domestic with her.

"You've got to be joking."

You must admit, you'd picked out your glad rags for this party you were going to, so it might have been a shock for Harry to see you dressed in anything but sick-stain T-shirts and joggers.

"Oh, didn’t see you there." You say faux-whimsically, grinning and running a hand down your hip to smooth the black dress down your body. You like to refer to this as your Bridget Jones dress, because you'd snatched it off the rack in a charity shop when it reminded you of the one she wore in the film.

"M’sure you didn’t.” He teases. “Where did you pull that little number from, eh?" Harry drawls, eyes shamelessly skirting up and down your body as you fiddle with your bag to retrieve your lipstick.

"Oh this old thing? Charity shop in town. 8.99." You grin, and Harry throws his head back in a laugh, quieting himself when he accidentally jostles the baby with his shaking shoulders.

"I'll have to write the person who donated that dress a very long thank you note. Possibly with a gift." He winks, rising from his seat and gently placing the sleeping baby down in the cot to the side of the room, one you kept down there so you could watch her whilst you cleaned (you were a paranoid first-time mum).

"Oh shush. I just needed something to wear for this party. It's the nicest thing I own next to those leggings with the unknown stain.” You snort.

"I like those leggings.” He hums. “But I love this even more, baby." He slinks over to you, tone low as he skirts a hand just to the base of your spine.

"You're not allowed to flirt with me when our daughter is a few feet away." You scold, lifting an eyebrow but placing your hands against his chest anyway.

"I can't help it. Her mum just looks so fucking good—" his face hovers to the side of yours as his lips ghost over your cheek, leaving a tender kiss there. "how can I convince you to stay home, hm?"

You shake your head and laugh, trying to push him away as he grins cheekily. "No! This is my first night out in ages. I need a drink, babe."

"And who was the one who decided last time she was supposed to go for a drink that she just couldn't bear the thought of leaving her baby girl for more than twenty minutes, hm?"

It was true. Your first night out after her birth, you spent ten minutes crying at your makeup table whilst Harry consoled you with a bewildered look, coaxing you to get yourself ready and trying to push you out of the door so you could have a break from being a newborn mum just for a night. You called him twenty minutes after getting to the bar in tears and asked if he would come and get you, which of course he did, and you barrelled through the door to embrace your child.

"You're no better! You rang me every ten minutes when you were golfing with Niall to check that she was okay. And then you skipped the last nine holes to come home!"

Harry's fingers pinch your hips, "oi. I don't like missing feeding time!"

You kiss him sweetly and run a hand through his unruly curls, "I know. I know. You're a good dad."

"You're a better mum. That's why—" he pries your hands away and clasps them, turning you towards the door by your hips, "you need to go and have some you-time. We'll still be here when you get back, and then you can snuggle her all you want. And me, if you're feeling generous." He winks, swatting you on the bum.

"Okay, okay. I'm going." You sigh, grabbing your bag and sweeping over the cot, blowing a gentle air kiss to your daughter and running a gentle finger over her cheek before turning to your husband.

"I'll see you later, baby." You mumble, smearing your lips over his and watching him wink from the door as you jog to your friend's car that idles in the driveway.

"Lovie?" Harry's voice sighs apprehensively through the phone forty minutes later, the tv blaring in the background. He’d had hope that you would stay out at least a little bit longer tonight. You’d beat the record by twenty minutes…

"Hey. H..." you pause. Harry knows exactly what's coming.

“She’s fine, y’know. Fast asleep next to her daddy.”

"Good.” You swallow. “S’loud here. I think the alcohol is giving me a headache, or something. I think I might need to get to bed.” Your voice is timid.

“Ready for bed already?” He asks pointedly.

"Mhm." Your voice is nothing convincing.

There's a long pause as Harry glances over to where your baby sleeps peacefully. He silently thanks the Gods that you were graced with a heavy-sleeping baby, so it would be easy to manoeuvre her into a car seat.

"We'll be there soon. Hang tight, honey."

#harry styles #harry styles fanfiction #harry styles boyfriend #harry styles oneshot #harry styles husband #harry styles story #harry styles smut #harry styles angst #harry #harry styles fluff #dad!harry #husband!harry #boyfriend harry #husbandrry

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crazyassmurdererwall · 1 month

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tagged by @cinematicnomad to post 7 comfort movies. (i would like you to know i struggle with lists like this because my autistic brain very much wants me to be AS PRECISE AS POSSIBLE and i only learned very recently that neurotypical people don’t worry about that?? they just…answer without worrying if they’re picking their top 7 comfort movies?? they just…pick 7 movies and move on with their life?? wild.)

1. spotlight. kat and i have this one in common, and for good reason - it’s just so. damn. satisfying. people who do bad things get called out on their bad stuff and people who had been ignored get heard. it’s (in my opinion) one of the most re-watchable dramas out there. and man…such a good cast.

2. howl’s moving castle. look, probably most of the studio ghibli movies could make this list, but howl is the one i turn to the most because the whimsical, fun, warm vibes of this movie feel like a HUG. the growth of all of the characters makes me smile and you just want to FALL into this movie. i absolutely want to take a walk through some hills and find myself at the door of a wacky castle with a super hot wizard, thanks very much.

3. major league. i asked my younger brother once how many times we’ve seen this movie and he laughed and said, “oh man…at least a couple dozen.” you have to understand this movie is a solid piece of the foundation of my childhood. we only had the basic stations when i was a kid and this movie was on on saturday afternoons constantly. CONSTANTLY. i can probably quote the entire thing from memory. there’s something about a baseball movie that always makes me feel like i’m living in an endless summer afternoon, like i have nowhere else to go, nothing else to do. it’s an unsurpassed vibe: just baseball and a warm afternoon that never ends.

4. 10 things i hate about you. another endlessly quotable movie - and one i share with my sister. also our dad loves it - and quotes it to me too. there isn’t a lot to say for this one other than sometimes a movie comes along and it’s just yours, you know? this is one of mine. when my sister had her oldest child i bought her a tiny red izod polo shirt and she immediately asked, “did you buy this from an outlet mall?” YES. I ABSOLUTELY DID AND I HAVE NEVER BEEN PROUDER RO BE YOUR SISTER THAN IN THIS MOMENT, RIGHT NOW.

5. rudy. if there’s something i think everyone needs to know about me, it’s this: i love inspirational sports movies. LOVE THEM. absolutely cannot get enough. do i know exactly what the filmmaker is doing to me every time i hear sweeping music and someone starts running in slo-mo? oh yeah. abso-fucking-lutely. do i care? not the smallest bit. in fact i lean into that shit. rudy is one of the best ones and it also gets extra bonus points because for a long time it was the only movie i ever cried at. that’s not hyperbole. people would refuse to watch it with me because i’d always be reduced to a blubbering mess by the end. HE’S SO LITTLE. AND THEY CARRY HIM OFF THE FIELD. give me a break. i’m not made of stone.

6. steel magnolias. the hallmarks of this list are a) i have watched this movie at least a dozen times, b) this movie has a VIBE, and c) this movie is insanely quotable. this movie passes all three with flying colors. the cast is absolutely stellar, and this community of women who love and support each other is just…THE ACTUAL BEST. but also: it has dolly. DOLLY. “what size shoe do you wear?” “well, i wear a size six, but a seven feels so good, i buy a size eight.” perfection. PERFECTION.

7. ocean’s eleven. you know how i love an inspirational sports movie? I LOVE A HEIST MOVIE. like LOVE. the whole genre is smart and fun, and ocean’s eleven is also stylish and funny and just a fantastic fucking time. it has an insane cast and a great soundtrack and it’s just so GOOD. so so good. it’s a film told with a wink that manages to carry the best part of 50s/60s swag into the 00s, and we are all the better for it.

i tag: @tattooedsiren, @machtaholic, @smowkie , @itsactuallycorrine , @caroandcats , @elisela , and @missanniewhimsy and whoever else wants to do this. it’s a fun one.

#alli does tags

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digitaldavis · 6 months

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Gonna preface this by saying it's for the @digimon02countdown but it doesn't necessarily need to be reblogged or anything 'cause it's not super in-depth or insightful or anything like that and, technically, this isn’t my favorite scene or line or even theme in the show (I'm not sure what that would even be); it’s a throw-away line in the dub that happens at the very end of the episode Storm of Friendship where Davis gets his second Digi-Egg:

It’s a short dialogue exchange that goes like this:

Davis: ”Hey, did you see that? I got a noogie! That means I'm one of the guys now!"

DemiVeemon: ”I have a question: if you're one of the guys now, does that mean you used to be one of the girls and how come you never told me about it? I wish you humans would just make up your minds!”

Davis: “Oh yeah, then how’s this for friendship?” *shakes DemiVeemon*

Basically, if you couldn't guess, this was the beginning of my trans!Davis headcanons and it’s really very personal to me - my fixation on it having stemmed from my own desire to have been born male as I was a tiny AFAB child of maybe ten at the time the episode aired, at a point in my life when it had recently been made very clear to me by the authority figures in my life that behaving like a boy was completely unacceptable to them.

I know the line is just meant to be silly but, honestly, I latched onto it like a life-line and for years and years while I was living as a girl, every time I thought about Digimon Adventure 02 I’d think back to that line and the possibility that my favorite character was AFAB at some point and it was always very comforting to me.

It’s just a projection of my own feelings, really, because it’s obviously not canon-canon, but I received such a strong negative reaction in my own life to the idea of being a boy that I definitely took DemiVeemon’s very innocent question far too seriously as a child and have been on the trans!boy Davis train ever since.

In the episode Davis’ shakes DemiVeemon a bunch in response to what DemiVeemon says while everyone laughs it off and you’re supposed to be like “oh haha silly little Digimon” but all I thought watching it for the first time as a little kid was a jumbled mess of:

Davis didn’t deny that he was born a girl and what if he was like me and had had secret thoughts about being a boy for years before becoming one?

DemiVeemon just seemed more hurt that Davis didn’t trust him enough to tell him about it than upset at the idea itself because they were friends and friends accepted each other and,

None of the other kids in the room - even the older kids - were angry or upset by the idea. It was like they thought that becoming a boy was a thing that could happen and was normal and-

-it just kind of spiraled out of control from that moment on, really.

I wish I had some bigger deeper analysis of the show to back up my love of trans!Davis headcanons but I don't. That's all there is to it, really, but it’s part of what made Digimon Adventure 02 really important to me initially when I was growing up and I think about it constantly as it lives rent free in my head.

It's also the basis for this blog and why I chose Davis as my first name when I came out as trans (also it just sounds nice with my last name), so, yeah, thanks wacky Digimon 02 dub on behalf of tiny impressionable me and my fellow trans!Davis enjoyers everywhere~

Oh, and speaking of enjoying things:

I hope everyone has a really great time watching the new Digimon 02 film~

#Davis Motomiya #Digimon Adventure 02 #the origin of trans!boy Davis or something #I should really come up with a clever trans!davis tag #my headcanons #Motomiya Daisuke

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popculturebuffet · 2 months

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Thomas the Tank Engine Retrospective: Shining Time Station 4-Pack: All Hail Schemer (Commission for Lachey V)

Hello all you happy schemer's and welcome back to my seemingly bottomless Thomas the Tank Engine Retrospective. This month my mounting workload means we're doubling up as we approach the season finale of sorts for this retrospective, Thomas's first and so far only theatrical film, Thomas and the Magic Railroad.

Before we can do that though, I needed a crash course on a bit of Thomas lore I hadn't touched. So it's my utmost pleasure to introduce, reintroduce or just plane fling at you Shining Time Station. Shining Time Station was the Britt Alcroft companie's way of putting Thomas The Tank Engine in the US at first. While the show was a great kids show and merchandise machine, it had one problem: each ep was 5 minutes at most and while this wasn't a remote problem for the booming home video market, putting it on tv was tricky. While UK tv stations were more than happy to either make 15 minute block of a few episodes or air it between shows, US stations at the time really didn't like carving up their air time like that. Simplier times.

Hence shining time station, a whole ass live action show featuring puppets, live action music videos, and wraparounds. Shining Time follows a bunch of interchangable kids: White BLonde Kid, future Sapphire Erica Luttrel, and other one as they mill around a train station learning life lesssons. Around the station are Stacey(Didi Cohn) , the station's manager, Billy Two-Feathers (Tom Jackson) , who runs the workshop, and Mr. Conductor, the tiny man who lives inside the station. If that sounds jarring it absolutely is as I assumed when I heard about the character he was a regular conductor who simply had magical powers. Still a little weird but like... not as jarring as when you see a Tiny George Carlin. For the record, and I missed this on first watch, the other two adults are aware of him to the point it feels like Mr. C is watching the kids half the time so the other adults can do their jobs. And i'm okay with this as there are so many kids shows where they hide the magic and I assumed this is one. I prefer it that the adults just know, smile along with it and let the tiny magic man help pick up the slack. Mr Conductor was played by Ringo Starr in the first season but since we were only doing a small selction of episodes, Lachey decided

For constancy since a chunk of the cast changes between seasons 1 and 2, and because Season 1 apparently has an ongoing story. So instead George Carlin is our tiny magic man for this special.

Of course there's one other regular in the station who deserved his own section, a man above men. A god above god. A schemer above schemers. The Robbie Rotten of the 90's I present to you HORACE MOTHERFUCKING SCHEMER.

Scheme is a schyster who runs a small Penny arcade over in the corner. WHy he's running an old timey style arcade in the 1980s I don't know but his real passion is various scams of the week, sometimes recurting the kids and eating every inch of scenery while making every minute he's on screen a joy. He's played by Brian O Conner, is somehow not in the movie, and is the best thing that's ever existed. All hail our new god.

Anyways since Shining Time Station is important to the film, we're taking a look at 4 episodes of Lachey's Choice from seasons 2 and 3: Win Loose or Draw, Sweet and Sour, Do I hear and Billy's Party. So join me for train station antics, drawing contests, talking pianos, child explotation, elvis, crooked auctions, and thanksgiving under the cut.

Win Lose or Draw

My first episode.. and going in pretty much blind aside from "this show is a vehicle for Thomas the tank engine". So the werid shit in this series.. caught me off guard as the episode starts with a pretty simple kids show teaching a lesson predicament: the local wise old man from the general store, who I assumed would be more important but is only in one of these 4 episodes, drops off art suplies for a contest and other girl is bummed that Erica Luttrel is better than her at art. We also meet Schemer whose mad the kids are getting paper everywhere and not spending money on his old timey arcade. Is.. is Schemer a time lord? Is he our time lord and savior? This series apparently takes place in the present, but has a penny arcade. Maybe shining times' just really old. Maybe i'm just really old and this series is old even for me, it's only.. four years older than me.

Okay moving past the exestial dread, point is Schemer is great and even off to the side for this one he's a lot of fun.

So Other Girl gets a visit from the Conductor.. who as a refresher is super tiny. Yeah I meant what I said about it being jarring: I had NO idea the Conductor was tiny sized in our world. Once you get used to it it's not that weird: he can travel to other dimensions his size and thus is the size of one of the people in thomas' world, hence how he can tell their stories. Makes sense. But suddenly being ambushed with a tiny george left me asking

Now I get he's just a tiny magic man who lives in the station and watches over these kids alongside the other two main adults and who said adults know exists and are cool with it. And honestly i'd be cool with having George Carlin hang around and despense advice to children too. Who wouldn't. It's like Thomas, it's weird at first but then you just embrace how weird this is and move on.

I do like HOW mr conductor is used. Carlin is clearly having a ball and is a shockingly fantastic children's entertainer, not just good at narrating the thomas segments but at interacting with the child actors and feeling truly like some otherworldly pixie train conductor man. He's really good at this and it's fun to watch.

As for the Thomas segments .. I won't be covering MOST of them again. I didn't skip them as Lachey made the valid point that while I had seen these eps, I hadn't seen them with the george carlin narration. George is really good at the job, easily equiling Michael over in the UK.

It's just.. i've covered these stories. WIth the exception of the one for our final episode today, there's no big diffrence story wise and performance wise Carlin also does the "everyone but Gordon gets about the same voice" thing the other narrators pre baldwin did. Harold also gets an upper class rich person voice

It is nice to get confrmation that Carlin was really good at both jobs, and it was a neat treat.. but there's just nothing really new to add here. The shorts featured are good. There's only one exception, a really weird one, and we're saving that for last. So good shorts as they were before, simply don't have anything new to add for the Carlin Cuts.

So Other Girl asks George Carlin to use his magical powers to help her win the art contest.

What I like though is that the lesson isn't the usual "Oh you shouldn't cheat in competition" aseop. it's a valid one but most kids shows across demographics have done it. Fairly Odd Parents even has it as one of Da Rules.

The real lesson is "it's more fufilling to work hard at something and get better yourself instead of comparing yourself to other people and how good they are". It's a lesson kids really need.. a lesson I honestly needed and maybe I would've kept drawing. You may never be as good as some but doing it is still fun. Just do your art and improvment for you and don't take easy shortcuts. The latter.. is super relevant given the rise of AI and people using it as a shortcut instead of a tool to help them create better work. It becomes about replacing other artists instead of helping artists grow.

Other girl isn't the only one to learn this lesson as one of the jukebox performers learned it. Oh did I mention there' sa jukebox full of magical puppets straight out of pee wee's playhouse who play a song once an episode? Because Lachey sure didn't

So yeah another jarring bit but one I like. I fucking love pee wee's playhouse, so seeing this old style of puppetry again warms my heart. The story is clever too: As a boy the puppet's band leader practiced piano but didn't feel good at it. Turned out the piano didn't and was also alive and thus played the songs for him. Eventually though the boy missed trying himself and the piano concided he was getting better. It's a heartwarming story about not letting sentient insturments play for you that's once again an accidental metaphor for AI somehow.

So she submits her picture instead and unsuprisingly this is what George Carlin hoped would happen. Erica Luttrel wins but they liked something about other girls so she wins a prize.

But enough about children what's SCHEMER been up to: Well he wanted to win, and Billy said his new ink was like magic so he just casually stole it.. only to accidently send a blank picture. We also get a great bit of schemer using a mirror to take a self portrait since no one wanted to draw his face less they summon another schemer into the world. such is the price of such one of a king beauty. Billy chases him and presumibly pummels him, episode over.

Sweet and Sour

So stop me if you've heard this one: a corrupt older man approaches a kid (or kids) with a lemonade stand, offers to be their partner, then finds ways to ruin the place while screwing their new partner over.

Yeah my thoughts exactly.. to my shock the Boondocks episdoe "The Block is Hot"... is a clear remake of the Shining Time Station Episode "Sweet and Sour". Or at least conceptually. After the partnership part both take diffrent paths: Ed Wuncler overworks poor jasmine and cons her parents, while Schemer brings in his nephew Schemee, whose just as hammy at half the size , such a great child actor I swear the two have perfect chemistry and he gets Brian O'Connor's manerisims down perfectly, who cuts production costs, lowers quality and generally ruins the place.

Yet weirdly despite the gaps in when they were made, medium and one being aimed at adults and the other at the childrenest of children, they BOTH have valid advice abotu the economy. For the Block Is Hot, it's how Corporations take advantage of people or buisnesses and will work people to death no matter the age to get as much profit as possible while convincing you their not. It's an episode I don't go back to often for a reason as , while incredibly good at this lesson it's VERY hard to watch, especailly since, resliastically, ed gets away with all of it.

In contrast, the kids learn the equally valuable lesson of not putting profits over quality: how people WILL suck up with bad quality stuff in a pinch once.. but will eventually choose something better.. if it's the same price but hey i'm not expecting a show amed at younger kids to be fully honest about how fucked economics are. I'm just impressed an episode from the early 90's packed that in.

BOth have the lesson of "don't quickly make a deal with someone for the wrong reasons'. For Jasmne she simply trusted the wrong person, something hard not to do and that the episode dosen't blame her for. For the kids.. they KNOW Schemer is bad and when he offers a partnership after seeing them sell cookies to a high class lady, their first reaction is

But they take the deal because he offers a lot of money.. and for once Schemer isn't lying: Schemee's methods do improve things. I also love these two together; Schemer is super supportive of his nephew, is proud when Schemee sells cookie sso bad hteir returned so they can sell them again (Sadly a tactic i'm sure has actually been used), and shows the kid genuine pride and affection I wasn't sure he was capable of showing anyone or anything that wasn't acitvely making him money. I mean he's happy to see him BEFORE he starts cutting corners like a shady man in a gloriously tacky suit.

They then learn the hard way they screwed up as not only ar ebilly and didi not impressed with their new lemonade and cookies, but when they try to complain Schmeer outright steals the buisness. Granted most buisnesses can't be stolen with a "no butts" clause, but Scheemer is dealing with small children not the ftc... this time.

My only beef with this episode is that while the lesson is good.. the adults blame the kids fo rbeing conned by schemer. They did screw up a bit as they knew he was trouble when he walked in, but did the deal anyway.. but loosing their buisness.. was him outright conning them. I get them learning a lesson but you still have to remember these are children IN your care you let be around scheemer unsupervised. And all George Carlin did was vaugely advise them the deal was bad and let them vent later. I get George Carlin can't talk to Scheemer as he dosen't know he exists, Lachey clarified that for me, and if he did he'd of course be constantly harassing the poor miniture george carlin or try to capture him to get his pot of gold. And look I know he's not a leprechaun, you know that, but it's fair to assume Schemer dosen't know his ass from his elbow let alone that george carlin isn't a leprechaun.. mostly because WE don't know that George Carlin, in this series, isn't a leprechaun. I checked the series wiki it just says he's 18 inches tall. He could be a leprechaun, a beyonder, a bit sized timelord, we really DON'T know.

Point is they fucked up too, but they do make up for it as they point out the kids still have a fuckton of lemons they got in the buisness divorce and the kids have a creative solution: ther'es so many things they can make with lemons with Stacy's help they make everything but lemonade.. and quickly gain buisness when Schemer is ineveitbly bit in the ass by karma, i.e the ladies lunchone he was catering boycotting him till he closes up and gladly taking the kids buisness. Happy end for all. A really fun episode with a shockingly timeless moral. Good stuff.

Do I hear

Do I Hear is a decent episode, with a far less clear lesson. it doe shave a random ass music video about some kids little brother destroying anything

I did find out from this shining time ocasionally does music videos with stock footage but like everything else int his series it's a lot to take out of context.

Anyways this one has Elvis show up as a jukebox repair man.

Yeah so backing up the Station is closed for the day but the kids decide to stay behind while Mr Conductor apparently can't do more than just.. tell the kids Billy and Stacy probably had a reason to shut it down.

Naturally Schemer is still here and finds a fake nickle in one of his machines and is pissed.. till he realizes he can use it to get his revenge. So it turns out Schemer has a rivarly with the magical jukebox, which is the least suprising thign in these four episodes. Wha'ts hilarous is that in any other series this would just be a fun rivarly with an inanimate object, like Luke Cage and his coffe machine, or Mr. Parker and his boiler.

Here? The puppets in the jukebox hate schemer.. and given what we've seen of him and how he talks shit about their home and them by comparison regularly, you side with the magic jukebox. So when he tries to use the nickel on them.. they fake being broken.

What intrests me is I thought i knew where the episode was going... after Schemer dicks around on top of a jukebox because Brian O Conner is the best. HE calls a repair man , and I assumed the puppets were either going to be outed, the kids or conductor would have to protect them something. But no the kids don't know and the jukebox repairman.. is elvis.

Yeah they got an actor who honestly looks a lot like the king in his younger days, acts like him and is implied to be him. Either Elivs regenerated into a younger body, cloned himself or simply is reborn every time he dies kenny mcormick styles and rapidly ages. All possible possibly all at once. The lore of his series is rife for fan theory. Send me your own Schemer, Mr Conductor and Reborn Elvis fan theories people!

So turns out Elvis knows the magical puppets exist and tells them to play cool. He then gives Schemer a bill for 11 dollars, who naturally reacts like a mature responsible adult paying for something be broke

So he goes with plan B: have an auction. Naturally this being schemer he auctions anything and everything in the place, and the kids realize "shit we acccidently encouraged him" and try to stop this. Thankfully, while they can't reach Billy, Elvis comes back to save the day. At this point i'm at a loss for jokes.

Schemer even accidently blocks Mr Conductors way into his house.. because he lives here now I guess. Like I said you can write your own lore, mine is that it's the exact layout of snoopy's dog house pre fire. Anyways Billy and Stacy put a stop to this nonsense and instead of arresting schemer just.. scare him off. Though hilarously, and predictably his method of hiding is just.. crouching in front of the banister, which has a railing so they can see him and hoping they forget it. THey also lay into the kids.. again.. even though this time all they did was stay behind. The Schemer shit was ENTIRELY him they just accidently gave him an idea.

The puppets play elvis a song, Mr conductor talks to billy and this episode.. was fine. Not great, but it had some godo schemer acting here and there, the moral is just all kinds of confused.. but it's also hard to hate an episode that has a magical elvis and schemer hanging onto a jukebox for dear life so still good stuff.

Billy's Party

Our final episode for this batch, Billy's Party is a thanksgiving episode, as you can tell by PIlgrim Schemer showing his penis size up there. It's not a terrible idea for the setting either: A train station is giong to be super busy and the episode focuses on railroad tradition in thanksgiving instead of The Pilgrims and the various native tribes

Don't get me wrong, i'd ENTIRELY be up for an episode about Billy's heritage, and the fact the show had a native american main character but did nothign steroptical with him is magical. But I did not remotely trust a 90's tv show to do the story of thanksgiving in a way that wasn't either whitewashing it like I got as a kid, or just plain insulting.

So instead they sidestep it, going into what modern thanksgiving means. And who better to tell us about thanksgiving than thomas the tank engine? Now if you read through my sometimes breif sometimes downright insane thomas reviews, you'll know seasons 1-5.. didn't HAVE a thanksgiving episode. That's not really a thing in the UK, so it's not a thing that exists in a british show about trains.

So rather than just.. find an episode that fit the themes of togetherness.. theyt urned one of the christmas episodes into a thanksgiving episode. Which itself isn't a TERRIBLE idea; both are holidays with lots of travel, and the only real crack is there's tons of mail as that's more a christmas thing.. but then the ending has a fucking christmas tree and i'm just like.. guys. I know you couldn't edit it out but why did you pick one specifically with a christmas tree. Christmas isn't after thanksgiving. Don't start that shit with me Thomas the Tnak Engine.

While the thomas part is sloppy.. the rest... is incredibly well handled: the puppets have thanksgiving and invite a turkey over and in a nice subversion of the "oh you brought a turkey don't kill it" type of stories we get a lot, even Brooklyn 99 good as it was wasn't immune to doing one of these and also lampshading how stupid Charles was for bringing a bird to live kill on thanksgiving day to someone elses house so it worked, their just serving veggies. The turkey is a guest and a rad dude.

As for hte main part the kids wonder why they should give a shit, and Billy is trying to get to his party with , and i'm just quoting it "the yardees and the hobos". I will refer to them as the train workers and homless persons, this was 1993 after all, but it is fun to see them use the terrible h word so casually.

Turns out Billy has nowhere to go unlike the rest of the cast, but was picked to join the rest of the train people. The origin of said meal is also neat: a long time ago they were nemies, the train people not liking hitching passnegers and the homless persons not liking being kicked off their only transportation and sometimes home. But one day a signal didn't get put up in time to switch tracks so the homless persons in the area all rallied to make sure the train didn't crash, and the two sides made peace, having thanksgiving together every year as their the only two groups whose schedules synch up.

Billy ends up not being able to come as disasters keep popping up: they need a train fixed to meet demand, one of the various guests can't reach her apointment so Billy drives her, and Schemer ends up stuck on a train as part of his scam to make the holiday about giving him stuff. If that sounds underwhleming it is. I expect better and stupider from you scheemer. What a disapointing end.

bIlly is left alone.. only for the natural conculsion of everyone coming back to celebrate, including Schemer whose greatful. It's a genuinely heartwarming ending. Why the kidsa re here I don't know, I assume their parents don't exist. HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY.

This episode wasn't as fun without schedmer at full blast but it's still a REALLY good thanksgiving episode with some intresting ideas, and a fantastic finale.

overally I REALLY loved Shining Time Station, continuting the tradition of any thomas spinoff being better than the source thus far. It's fun, has great performances and I will be coming back here somedya on my own or if lachey wants. or if any of you want feel free to comission it .

Next Time: THE MOVIE THAT ENDED AN EMPIRE.

#thomas the tank engine #thomas and friends #schemer #shining time station #didi cohn #cartoons #children's television #90s #80s #george carlin

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all-the-things-2020 · 2 months

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That’s What Friends Are For

Summary: When there is trouble on Trelor, the fate of Poe and Finn’s unborn child is uncertain. Will Rey be able to save the day?

Word Count: 6000+

Note: The bit about the beard is in reaction to a photo of Oscar Isaac in the film Dune ... and John Boyega’s reaction to it. 😁

Finn Dameron was feeling happy. He’d just finished a meeting that had actually been productive and he was heading back to his house to fetch his daughter so they could go to the landing field to welcome home his husband Poe.

“Dada!” Shara cried when Finn walked in the door. She’d recently started walking and she tottered toward him, making it almost all the way across the room before she lost her balance and plopped down on her bum.

“Hey, baby girl,” he said, scooping her up into his arms. “Ready to go get Papa?”

He turned to Rose Tico, who was picking up the toys that Shara had scattered around the room. “Thanks again, Rose,” he said. “It’ll be easier once Poe’s back. We can take turns working from home so one of us is always with Shara.”

“It’s okay,” Rose said with a laugh. “I like babysitting. It’s a nice change from messing around with machinery all day. And you know I love Shara.”

“Everybody loves Shara,” Finn bragged. It was true. The little girl was the pet of everyone on the base. Now that the First Order had been (mostly) defeated and the Republic was (sort of) back in charge of the galaxy, the members of the Resistance were able to slow down a bit and start thinking about life beyond fighting. And Shara Dameron represented the best of what they had all been fighting for: love and laughter and freedom.

It didn’t hurt that she was absolutely adorable. Finn thought she looked more like Poe, and Poe thought she looked more like Finn, but everyone agreed that she’d won the genetic lottery when the DNA Poe and Finn had contributed combined to create a little girl with skin the color of kaf with a splash of cream, and wild black hair that could never quite be contained. Her brown eyes sparkled with mischief and intelligence, but she could also pull off her Daddy’s fierce glare when she didn’t get her way. She was a hugger, like her Papa, and even the grumpiest, most battle hardened Resistance soldier melted like butter when she wrapped her tiny arms around their leg and begged to be picked up.

Finn settled her in his arms and carried her outside. The day was pleasant, not too hot, with a light breeze that wafted the scent of flowers from the jungle over the Resistance base. Now that Shara was bigger, Finn and Poe had moved out of their previous quarters into a proper house. It was small, since the Resistance didn’t have a lot of resources, but it was comfortable, and had three bedrooms. One was empty right now, but it wouldn’t be long before Shara had a sibling to occupy it. Sometime this year, they planned to contact Dr. Krklsk on Trelor and have the second embryo brought out of stasis.

For now, though, it was just the three of them, and that was fine with Finn. He looked forward to welcoming Poe back home; he’d been gone for over three weeks, the longest any of them had been apart since Shara’s birth. It would be good to be together again.

It was not a long walk to the landing field, but it took a while, because Shara pointed at things and people and demanded that Daddy stop and let her see them. Eventually they reached the edge of the landing strip, and settled on the grass to wait for Poe’s transport to land. Finn let Shara toddle around and leaned back on his elbows to watch her. He remembered all the times he’d stood here, waiting for Poe’s X-Wing to land after a mission, and how every time Poe had met him with a hug. Stars, we were stupid, he thought with a wry grin. It had taken them far too long to realize their feelings for each other went light years beyond mere friendship.

Shara found a beetle and brought it to him. It was iridescent blue and green and speckled with gold dots. “Wow, baby, that’s something,” Finn said, taking it gently from her. “But let’s put him back. I bet his family misses him.” He placed the creature on the ground and they watched it crawl away. Then a low rumble started to build in the sky above them, and he pulled her into his lap, pointing up. “Look, Shara, Papa’s ship is coming.”

They watched the bulky transport ship drift out of the sky and lazily settle on the landing field with a series of hisses and clunks. Finn waited until the dust and steam had dissipated before stood up and carried Shara toward the ship. They were halfway there when the hatch opened and the ramp slowly descended.

Poe was the first one off the ship, trying very hard to walk down the ramp with dignity when it was clear all he wanted to do was run to his husband and daughter. Finn wanted to run to him, as well, but Shara ducked her head against Finn’s shoulder. It was probably because of Poe’s new look: he sported an impressive beard, which quite frankly Finn found incredibly sexy. Shara on the other hand, did not seem to be a fan.

“Hey, babe, nice look,” Finn said when Poe got close enough.

Poe smirked. “Thought you might like it,” he said. “My shaver broke the first day out and I figured, what the hell. It grows so fast and I’ve always wondered what it would look like if I grew it out.” He ran a hand over the beard, and Finn’s heart started beating faster.

“It looks amazing,” Fin said. “Hey, Shara, don’t you think Papa looks good with the beard?” He poked at her to make her look up from his shoulder.

She took one quick look and shook her head. “No Papa,” she cried, her face scrunched up as she prepared to launch into a wail.

“It is me, baby,” Poe said, reaching out to lay his hand on her back. She squirmed away.

“No!,” she shouted. “No Papa!” She buried her face in Finn’s neck and started to sob. “Dada, no Papa.”

“Guess that’s a ‘no’ vote,” Finn said, rubbing Shara’s back to calm her down. “Shh, it’s okay, baby, Papa will get rid of the beard.”

Poe chuckled. “Her Majesty’s wish is my command,” he said. He ducked in quickly to kiss Finn on the cheek. “I’ll head home and shave, if you want to take her for a little walk around base. Then we can say hello properly.”

“Sounds good,” Finn said. “See you in a bit.” He turned and carried Shara away, still rubbing her back. “Come on, baby girl, let’s go find Auntie Rey and see what she’s up to.”

Shara snuffled and raised her head a tiny bit. “Aun’ Rey?,” she asked.

“Yep,” Finn said. “And maybe we’ll see Uncle Chewie, too.” That cheered her up a bit more. Shara always loved playing with Uncle Chewie.

****************************************

Poe ran a hand over his newly smooth cheeks and chin. He’d kind of liked the beard. It certainly made his morning routine faster, not having to shave. And from the look on Finn’s face, he’d liked it too. But if Shara was scared of it, it had to go. Maybe when she was older, he could grow it back …

His attention snapped back to the present as he heard the front door open. He left the ‘fresher and hurried to the living room. “Papa!” Shara cried out, struggling to get out of Finn’s arms. Poe caught her before she fell and hugged her close. “Hey, baby girl,” he said into her hair. “I missed you so much.” He inhaled the sweet scent of the soap she was bathed with every day, something he’d missed desperately. She clung to him as he shifted her enough to be able to see Finn over her curly head.

“I missed you, too,” he said to Finn. “Come here.” He disentangled one arm from Shara and used it to pull Finn in close for a lingering kiss.

“No!” Shara protested, shoving her hand against their faces. “Papa me!” She pushed Finn out of the way and buried her face in Poe’s neck.

“Well, I see how I rate,” Finn laughed. They moved to the couch, where Poe could cuddle Shara to her heart’s content while half sitting in Finn’s lap.

“Best of both worlds,” Poe said, as he buried his face in Shara’s hair while Finn played idly with his own. “Stars, I missed you both. I’m never going away for that long again. Ever.”

“Yeah, that was kind of a dick move,” Finn murmured in his ear. “Leaving me alone with the kid while you’re off talking to diplomats and politicians and … you know what, I think I got the better end of that deal.”

“Damn right you did,” Poe chuckled. “Give me an X-Wing and a clear target any day over having to skirt around an issue and suck up to people I’d really rather punch in the face.” He sighed. “And they want me to be on the new Senate Oversight Council.”

“That’s big,” Finn said. “Like really big.” He tightened his arms around Poe’s waist. “I’m proud of you, babe.”

“I said they asked me,” Poe said. “I didn’t say I’d accepted.” He turned his head to press a kiss to Finn’s cheek. “It would mean a hell of a lot more work, and moving to Coruscant, which would make running the Resistance harder …”

Finn cut him off by placing a finger over his lips. Which Poe promptly tried to bite. “All of which you can do, and do well. After all, you’ve got me right beside you.” He let Poe nibble on his finger, but pulled it away when he started sucking on it. “Not in front of the kid,” he chided. “Later.”

Poe sighed and leaned back against Finn. “I know, I know, but I told them I’d think about it. I’d like to talk it over with Rey and Connix and a few others. I don’t want to make the wrong decision here.”

“You won’t,” Finn said firmly. “You always make the right decision.”

“Um, like mutiny?” Poe said. “And running spice?”

“Okay,” Finn laughed. “You usually make the right decision. Especially if you let your friends help you make it.” By now, Shara had fallen asleep, her hand fisted in the collar of Poe’s shirt. “What say we put Her Majesty to bed and get back to that thing you were doing with my finger?”

“Now that’s a good decision,” Poe said.

******************************************************

“So, if Poe joins this Senate Oversight Council, where does that leave you?” Rey asked. She and Finn were having a snack after their daily Jedi meditation session. It was amazing how sitting absolutely still could work up such an appetite.

“Well, I’d still be Second General of the Resistance,” Finn mused. “He’ll be First General, but we’d shift some of his duties and responsibilities to me.”

“Would he have to be on Coruscant a lot?”

“Yeah, most of the time. We’d have to move there.”

“Then how could you effectively run the Resistance?” Rey popped another ming fruit into her mouth. “It’s not like we could move the base to Coruscant; there’s no room for it and even if there was, the Senate wouldn’t look too kindly to having a military force sitting in its backyard.”

Finn scratched his head. “Yeah, it might mean we’d have to be apart more than we’d like,” he admitted. “And there’s Shara to think of. She hasn’t let go of Poe for more than five minutes since he’s come back. Everything is ‘Papa’ right now. She really missed him.”

“So you both go to Coruscant,” Rey said. “Who do you leave in charge here?” Before he could even open his mouth she raised her hand. “And don’t look at me. I’m an independent contractor here.”

“Probably Connix,” Finn said. “We’ve been talking about promoting her for a while. Colonel Connix has a nice ring to it, don’t you think? And we’d probably promote Rose, too. Make her a Lieutenant Colonel or something. Jessica can take over Black Squadron.”

Rey nodded. “Those are all good choices. But will Poe be happy, being a politician or whatever?”

Finn shook his head. “I don’t know,” he admitted. “He feels obligated, and I know he’d be good at it, and I want him to get some recognition from the Republic for everything he’s done … but at the end of the day, he’s a pilot and I know he just wants to fly. And occasionally blow shit up.”

“I’m sure you’d rather he had a safer job than pilot-who-blows-shit-up, though, right?”

“Well, yeah. I don’t want to lose him. Don’t want Shara to lose her Papa.” He scrubbed his hands over his face. “Gah, it’s hard to be a supportive husband, you know? I mean, I want him to be happy, but I also don’t want him taking risks. It’s hard to find the balance between the two sometimes.”

“Use the Force,” Rey said solemnly, before dissolving into laughter. Finn shook his head sadly.

“You are such a bad Jedi,” he said. “But a good friend.”

“Aw, thanks,” she said. “Tell Poe if he needs to talk, I’m here.” She stuffed the last of the food into her mouth and rose gracefully to her feet. “I’ve got some stuff to do. See you later.”

Finn watched her walk away before he got up himself, rather less gracefully than she had. He didn’t have time to run the Jedi obstacle course every day like she did, and so far most of his Force training had been concentrated on the mental aspects. Which was fine with him, as he didn’t intend to become a Jedi Knight. Like Leia, he was happy just getting in tune with his ability, and using it to help him do his job to the best of his abilities.

“Use the Force,” he scoffed. “That line was old when Luke Skywalker was a baby.” He thought he felt a light smack on the back of his head, but he probably just imagined it.

********************************************

Poe was two hours into a holographic conference call with some of the other prospective members of the Senate Oversight Council when Finn burst into the room. “Sorry, sorry, General, but we … have a situation.” The look on his face was enough for Poe to immediately make his apologies to the others and terminate his link.

“What is it?,” he asked, ready for anything.

“It’s Trelor,” Finn said. “They’ve been attacked by Black Sun operatives. Lots of them.”

“Shit,” Poe said, starting to get up from his chair. “Scramble the squadrons …”

Finn waved his hand. “It’s okay, the Republic has already sent several squadrons and they’ll let us know if they need backup. Black and Red Squadrons are on standby and they’ll be in the air three minutes after we get any word from the Republic. But that’s not the real issue.” He sat down beside Poe and took his hand. “It’s … Black Sun targeted civilian sites, trying to disrupt the economy and frighten the Trelorians. One of their main targets was the reproductive centers.”

Poe felt his blood run cold. “The baby?,” he asked, not sure he wanted to hear the answer.

“Okay, for now,” Finn said, and Poe let out a breath he hadn’t realized he’d been holding. “But Doctor Krklsk said they had to take the embryo out of stasis when they evacuated the building, and it can’t stay out of stasis for too long. We need to start gestation soon … and most of the growth chambers have either been damaged or are already in use. He’s bringing it here, and Dr. Kalonia is already trying to figure out how to create a growth chamber here, but she might not be able to get one ready in time. We just don’t have the same level of technology in that area.”

“So what happens if she can’t figure it out?”

“I don’t know, babe,” Finn admitted. “We … we might lose the baby.”

Poe grabbed Finn and pulled him into a tight embrace. “We won’t lose it,” he said fervently. “I won’t believe it. Dr. Krklsk and Dr. Kalonia will figure it out. They’re smart.” He knew he was whistling into the wind, but he didn’t want Finn to lose hope.

Three hours later, they met Dr. Krklsk on the landing field. Rose was babysitting Shara, but Rey was with them, as was Dr. Kalonia. “I am so very sorry to be meeting again under these circumstances,” Krklsk said. They were carrying a small white container.

“Is .. is that …,” Poe couldn’t finish the sentence.

“Yes,” Krklsk said. “Your child to be.” They carefully handed the container over to Dr. Kalonia. “I will give you all the assistance you need in setting up a proper growth chamber.”

Kalonia nodded. “Let’s get to the medbay, then,” she said. “I don’t know if the equipment I have can be refitted in time, or at all, but we’ve got several fast freighters ready to fly off for any parts you might need.”

Poe, Finn, and Rey trailed behind the two doctors, who were already discussing technical details. Rey stepped between them and slipped a hand into each of theirs, squeezing tight. “Hey,” she said softly. “It’s gonna be okay. I can feel it.”

“Thanks, Rey,” Finn said, “but you don’t have to say that.”

“It’s true,” she insisted. “I’m not sure exactly how or why, but I know this kid is going to be just fine.”

Poe bumped his shoulder against hers. “I hope you’re right, Auntie Rey,” he said. She made a face at him, but bumped him back.

They sat in the waiting area of the medbay for nearly three more hours. Rose commed several times to give them updates on Shara’s day. She’d had a bath, played ball with Chewie while Rose fixed her lunch, and was now taking a nap. Finally, Dr. Kalonia came out of her office, where she had been huddled with Krklsk, her face grim.

“Okay, good news, the embryo is in good shape, and should be fine for a few more days,” she said. “Bad news, our technology isn’t up to the task. I thought maybe we could retrofit a bacta tank, but gestation is a lot more complicated than healing an already mature body. I’m afraid that without the Trelorian growth chamber, our only option is a surrogate.”

“A surrogate?” Finn asked.

“Yes,” Kalonia said. “We’d have to find a human female who’s willing to carry the baby for you. Usually, we line these things up long in advance, give the woman fertility treatments to prepare her body for the embryo, wait until the ideal time to implant.” Kalonia sighed. “Even if we can get a surrogate on such short notice, it’s a bit of a long shot.”

Poe dropped his head into his hands. Finn placed a hand on his back. “It’s okay, babe,” he said quietly. “There’s still a chance.”

“Yeah,” Poe said, “if we can find a surrogate, if her body will accept the implantation, if a million little things go right ….” He choked back a sob. Stars, he hadn’t realized how badly he wanted this child.

“I’ll do it.”

Poe and Finn both sat up, turning toward Rey, who was sitting serenely in her chair. “I’ll do it,” she repeated. “It’ll work. I can feel it.” She smiled at them, then turned to Dr. Kalonia. “What do I have to do?”

Kalonia raised her eyebrows. “Are you sure, Rey? This is a huge undertaking. Months of discomfort, morning sickness, swollen ankles, hemorrhoids, heartburn, back aches … not to mention the pain of childbirth.”

“I’m sure,” Rey said. “This is the only way to see this child born, and it’s only a few months out of my life. I owe these two that much, at least.” She looked fondly at Poe and Finn.

“Rey …,” Poe said, “I swear, if you do this, I’ll never, ever tease you about anything ever again. I’ll even forgive Kylo Ren.” She shook her head, coming over to kneel in front of him.

“You’ll forgive him when you’re ready to forgive him,” she said. “And even if you never do, I still want to do this for you. For you and Finn. And I kind of like your teasing. Makes me feel like I’m part of a family, you know?”

“You are,” Finn said, grabbing her hand. “You’ve always been part of the family. Now you’ll just be an even bigger part.”

********************************************

By the end of the week, it was done. Rey had spent several days in the medbay, having her hormones monitored and manipulated, before the doctors implanted the embryo in her womb. Now she was confined to the medbay, hooked up to a thousand monitors, to make sure her body wasn’t going to reject the new addition. It was frustrating for her to be stuck in bed; she was so used to doing things. But she used the time to focus on her meditation practices, and she was able to have a few good conversations with Leia, who had commended her for her selflessness while also chiding her for being an idiot to go through a pregnancy that wasn’t even hers. It was a gentle chiding, though; she knew Leia understood why she was doing it, and she also knew how fond Leia was of Poe. With Ben’s death, Leia had lost all chance at having a grandchild of her own, but Poe’s kids were a good substitute.

Finn and Poe visited her every single day, as did Rose, Connix, Chewie, BB-8, and at least one member of Black Squadron. Her best visitor was Shara, who sometimes accompanied her fathers, and then came back again with Chewie or Rose. Finn brought her the best snacks from the mess hall, and Poe brought her little bits of technology to tinker with, which helped her pass the time.

Finally, both doctors and her own Force sensitivity agreed that the baby was happily growing in its new home and it was safe for her to leave the medbay.

“No running the Jedi obstacle course,” Dr. Kalonia said firmly.

“Yes, ma’am,” Rey said. She missed her daily exercise regimen but agreed that it was far too strenuous for her now. Besides, she knew Finn and Poe would both sit on her if she even thought of doing anything that could possibly endanger their baby.

When she was released from the medbay, the Damerons insisted she move into the spare room at their house, which would eventually belong to the baby. She tried to convince them that the Falcon was very comfortable, and had almost convinced Finn to let her go back, but Poe put his foot down. “No,” he said. “My dad would kill me if he knew I let a pregnant woman sleep in a crappy bunk on a freighter. Especially one who was carrying his grandchild.” Not willing to face an upset Kes (mostly for fear he would stop cooking her favorite desserts for her), Rey gave up and moved in.

Shara was thrilled. Now she had Daddy, Papa, and Auntie Rey right there, every day. At least one of them was home with her at any given time and she ate up the attention. Rey suspected one of the reasons the boys (as she still thought of them, even though they were Generals and married men and fathers) had asked her to move in was to avail themselves of free babysitting services. Not that she hadn’t done her share of sitting before, but they seemed to be having a few more “date nights” than usual, now that she was conveniently there.

The months went by. Poe negotiated the terms of his membership in the Senate Oversight Council. Fortunately, he wasn’t the only one with additional obligations, and it was decided that the Council would only have to physically meet once or twice a year, with the rest of the meetings conducted virtually. Finn started taking over some of Poe’s responsibilities, with the able assistance of the newly promoted Major Connix. Rey studied her Jedi texts, meditated, and watched her belly grow.

It was a strange feeling, having another living being inside her body. She could feel the baby through the Force as well as physically, and quite frankly was better able to monitor its growth and progress than Dr. Kalonia with all her fancy scanners. All she had to do was close her eyes and the image of the baby would appear in her mind, floating before her, growing bigger every day. One morning, she woke up just knowing it was a boy, and she wondered whether to tell the Damerons.

She joined them at the table for breakfast as usual. Poe wasn’t quite as good a cook as his father, but he was a close second. Rey’s appetite was even more epic than usual now that she was eating for two, and Poe had made a huge stack of pancakes that was almost as tall as Shara.

“Morning,” Finn said, pulling out a chair for her.

“Mo nin,” Shara said around a mouthful of pancake.

“Good morning,” Poe said, sliding a fresh hot pancake onto her plate. “Sleep well?”

“Very well, thanks,” Rey said. The pancake smelled amazing and she slathered it with butter and syrup. She could approach the subject after she’d had her breakfast. She worked her way through a good portion of the stack of pancakes before she finally felt full. Finn raised an eyebrow.

“I think that’s a new record,” he said.

She shrugged. “Poe makes good pancakes.” She shifted in her chair, trying to find a position that didn’t make her back ache, which was nearly impossible these days. “So, I have something to tell you guys, but I don’t know if you want to know it or not.”

“What?” Poe asked warily. She saw the fear in his eyes and reached out to lay her hand reassuringly on his.

“Nothing’s wrong,” she said. “I just … I know the gender of the baby now. I felt it in the Force. Do you want to know ahead of time, or do you want to be surprised like you were with Shara?”

“Tell us,” said Poe at the same time that Finn said, “Surprised.” They looked at each other.

“Wait, you don’t want to know?” Poe said.

“Not really,” Finn said with a shrug. “It was kind of nice not knowing until Shara arrived. But if you really want to know …”

“No, no,” Poe said. “If you want to wait …”

“Babe, I know how it drives you crazy when someone knows something you don’t,” Finn said. “Rey, go ahead, tell us.”

“Are you sure?,” she asked. She didn’t want to cause any strife between them.

“Yeah,” Finn said. “It’ll still be a surprise to see what he or she looks like. And like I said, it’ll drive Poe nuts if you have a secret he’s not in on. Trust me.”

Poe made a face, but nodded. “He’s right. Go ahead.”

She took a deep breath. “Okay. It’s … a boy.”

It took a moment for the information to sink in, but soon both men had stupid grins on their faces. “Hear that, Shara,” Poe said. “You’re going to have a little brother.”

Shara was unimpressed. She wanted to get down and start playing. Finn laughed. “Well, that went well,” he said, wiping off her sticky hands before lifting her out of her high chair and setting her on the floor.

“A boy,” Poe said contentedly. “I was kind of hoping for one of each.” He reached over and squeezed Finn’s hand.

“Yeah, me, too,” Finn replied, his eyes soft.

“Um, I’m going to go play with Shara,” Rey said. “In the other room. So you two can be alone. And so I don’t lose my breakfast over this disgusting display of affection.”

Poe tossed a napkin at her and Finn stuck his tongue out. Rey laughed. This was as close to having brothers as she’d ever get, and she hoped Shara’s relationship with her brother was half as good. She heaved herself up from her chair with a grunt and headed after Shara. Just a few more months, she reminded herself.

*********************************

“So, I’ve been thinking,” Finn said over lunch one day. Rey didn’t leave the house much now that she was — well, he would never say it to her face, but she was as big as a house. The generals took turns coming home to have lunch with her and Shara, since their schedules rarely gave them a midday break at the same time anymore.

“Thinking is good,” Rey said around a huge bite of sandwich. It was her third.

“The baby’s going to be here soon, and we have to start thinking of names.”

“You aren’t going to wait until he’s born and use your amazing Jedi Force powers to divine his name, like you did with Shara?,” she teased.

Finn shook his head. “That wasn’t the Force, that was just common sense. What else could we name her? The galaxy needed a Shara Dameron in it to maintain the balance.” He tousled Shara’s crazy hair. She ignored him, more interested in her berries than in Daddy’s silliness.

“But we already have a Kes,” he went on, “and I’d kind of like to name him after someone who’s gone, you know? Poe and I have tossed a few things around, but nothing seems quite right. Luke … nah, we really didn’t know him that well. Han … I think Leia might have liked that, but Han Dameron just doesn’t roll off the tongue.”

Rey swallowed and sat her sandwich down. Uh, oh, she’s stopped eating, Finn thought. This is serious.

“Um, well … I’m not sure how Poe would feel about it, but … have you considered the name Ben?” She wouldn’t look him in the eye, but he could tell she was nervous, something that Rey Skywalker very rarely was.

“Ben Dameron,” Finn said. “Hmm … I actually kind of like it. And Ben Solo was named after Obi-Wan Kenobi, wasn’t he? So it’s kind of a three generation thing.” He pondered it. Somehow, it felt right. “I’ll mention it to Poe, but no guarantees.”

Rey looked up sheepishly. “Tell him it would mean a lot to me,” she said softly. “I … I’ve been talking to him a lot lately — Ben, I mean — and, well, this is probably my only chance to be anything close to a mother. Not that I want to be a mother, Jedi don't have time to be parents, Anakin Skywalker made that abundantly clear …”

Finn hushed her with a hand on her arm. “You don’t have to explain,” he said. “I get it. And I’ll talk to Poe. Besides, we really owe you one for doing this, so the least we can do is let you pick the name, right?”

“What did I ever do to deserve a friend like you?” She leaned her head onto his shoulder.

“You were just in the right place at the right time,” Finn said. “Jakku has a way of bringing people together. It’s highly underrated.”

*********************************

“Seriously?,” Poe said, running his hand through his hair. “You seriously expect me to name my son after a man who tortured me?”

“It was just a suggestion,” Finn said soothingly. “And technically it was Kylo Ren who tortured you, and there’s no way in hell our son’s going to be named Kylo. But Ben … that was his name when he was a little kid, and he was named after one of the most famous Jedi, the man who started Luke Skywalker’s training. See, Ben Kenobi trained Luke, and then Luke trained Rey, and Rey is training me. So he’s kind of a spiritual grandfather to Rey, and great-grandfather to me. And I don’t have any family to name him after.”

Poe closed his eyes. “This means a lot to you, doesn’t it?,” he asked carefully.

“Yeah, somehow it does,” Finn admitted. “It means a lot to Rey, and she means a lot to me, and … I’ve been thinking about family a lot lately. You and Rey and Dad and Shara and the new kid … you’re all I’ve got. You had your mom, and your grandfather, and I know you’ve got cousins or second cousins or something out there. As far as I know, I’m all that’s left of my family, and I definitely don’t have any family history to go by. The Force connects me to the Jedi, even though I don’t intend to become one. Do you understand?”

“Yeah, I think I do,” Poe said. He wrapped his arms around his husband and kissed his neck. “And I think Ben Dameron is a damn fine name. In fact, I think I might have had a great-uncle or something named Ben somewhere in the family tree. So, yeah, yeah.” He nodded his head. “Ben it is.”

******************************************

If Rey hadn’t had the Force to rely on, she would have cursed Poe and Finn out for putting her through this. She’d been injured many times — hell, she’d even died on Exegol — but that was nothing compared to the sheer pain and inelegance of childbirth. She used all her meditation skills to focus her attention away from the pain, but it was still an ordeal.

“Come on, Ben,” she muttered to the baby inside her. “It’s time to come out and meet your fathers.” Stubbornly, he replied (in as much as a pre-verbal child could reply) that he was very comfortable in here, thank you very much, and he wasn’t ready. ‘Well, I’m more than ready,” she said. She nudged him with the Force. You want to be born. You’re very happy to be born.

Finally, it was over. Ben was here, and handed over to his fathers, and Rey was being pumped full of pain killers. “I am never, ever doing that again,” she slurred. “Just so you know.”

Finn kissed her forehead. “I know, sis,” he said. “Thanks.”

Poe was entranced by Ben, but still managed to drag his focus onto her. “Yeah, thanks, Rey,” he said, sincerely. He kissed her cheek and smoothed the sweaty hair off her face.

“Ah, go on,” she said, her eyes drooping. “Go show Kes his grandson. Don’t worry about me. Dr. Kalonia’s giving me the good stuff.” She smiled and drifted off to sleep.

*************************************************

Kes and Shara were waiting outside the room. “Here he is,” Poe said. “Shara, this is your brother, Ben.” He squatted down so that Shara could see the baby in his arms. She seemed dubious.

Finn joined Poe on the floor. “You’re gonna be the best big sister ever,” he told Shara. “You’re gonna teach him everything.”

She tentatively reached out to touch Ben’s face. “Ben,” she said carefully. They’d been practicing the name for the past few weeks to get her used to it. “My Ben?”

“Yes, baby, your Ben. Your brother,” Poe said.

Finn started laughing suddenly, and Poe gave him a sideways look. “What’s so funny?”

“Oh, I was just thinking about the look on Connix’s face when she realizes there’s another Dameron on base,” Finn said.

Poe snorted at that. “Yeah, she’s not gonna be happy about that,” he said. “Maybe it’s time we gave her another promotion.”

“At this rate, just make her General and turn the whole Resistance over to her,” Kes said. He clearly meant it as a joke, but Poe raised his eyebrows at Finn, who nodded thoughtfully.

“Not a bad idea, Dad,” Poe said. “Maybe it’s time Finn and I retire from active duty.” He looked down at his son’s face. “Maybe it’s time to just be Papa and Daddy for a while.”

“Yes,” said Shara, firmly. She didn’t say yes often, being much fonder of the word “no,” so when she did, they listened.

“As Her Majesty commands,” said Finn.

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