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sylkiddsey · 6 months

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Say my name and everything just stops

Small scrap sections from a longer work that will never be finished. It acknowledges the shift from “Casey” to “Matt”

1. Late season 6:

It’s kind of like Matt’s engaged in some sort of really serious game of hide and seek, but one person is not really hiding, and the other is somewhat seeking, but also not really.

His marriage has become this game of avoidance where they just keep passing each other. They pass in the halls of the firehouse. They pass in their own home, from room to room. Even in a confined car, it feels like they’re just passing.

He and Gabby are so off kilter. Everything feels unbalanced and it’s driving him crazy. This isn’t the marriage he envisioned, and he doesn’t know how to go back.

He’s well aware they’ve always had problems. They’ve never been perfect, but he had been able to fix it. Usually, that involved him complying and going along with his very independent wife, but he’d done it.

This time, he can’t comply so they’re stuck in this holding pattern while he waits (and also avoids her) for her to do the compromising.

He can’t go along with her plan to have a child, basically without him. She pretty much implied she was going to get pregnant with or without his help which stung. He can’t give her a baby if it means having to raise their child without his wife. That guilt will kill him, so he refuses.

His refusal didn’t kill her plan. Like always, Gabby Dawson found a way around and wants a baby…wants to endure a risky pregnancy and possibly carry some other guy’s child if he won’t do it.

His own wife won’t budge and he’s not going the extra mile to solve this, so they are just passing by.

When he arrives home to the condo, he freezes in his doorway. He was expecting his wife, probably perched on a stool ready to pick another battle. He’s ready for it, but it’s not Gabby in his kitchen.

Brett’s standing at his island, wearing a faded apron he vaguely remembers was gifted to Gabby as a wedding present, mixing bowl and a big wooden spoon in hand.

Her hair is piled up on her head, chocolate smeared on the corner of her mouth, and he assumes Antonio fucked her over again. She’s probably eating her feelings and drinking wine with her best friend, but that’s not the case.

She looks up from her chocolate concoction, blue eyes widening like a cartoon. “Matt, hi. Sorry, I didn’t think you’d be home so soon.”

He stops dead in his tracks, but not because Brett has apparently broken into his home. He pauses because she called him Matt which she doesn’t do.

It’s not like he has a problem with it, but pretty much everyone at 51 calls him Casey. It’s just become this thing so when Sylvie Brett says it so casually, in his damn kitchen while his marriage crumbles somewhere else…it strikes him.

He’s not even sure she’s ever called him his name before. She might’ve in the past, but it never registered.

He’s only really Matt to his wife and his sister. Although, his wife does use his last name when she’s pissed (which has been happening often).

She finishes swirling the brown batter in one of the big glass bowls Gabby chose. “I know I shouldn’t have used my emergency key, but I wanted to make Gabby her favorite brownies just to…I don’t know, cheer her up. I should’ve asked first.”

He shakes his head, sets his keys on the hook and adverts his gaze because he’s pretty sure he makes her nervous. Brett can’t see him as anybody other than 51’s Captain which he gets. He just doesn’t want her to think he’s so uptight he’d dress her down for being a great friend.

“No, it’s fine. I’m just passing through anyway,” he explains. “I’ll be out of your hair in like ten minutes.”

“It’s your place,” Brett replies. “If someone should leave it should be me.”

He figures Gabby would rather have her friend here instead of him anyway.

“Seriously, I’m heading out the door anyway. Stay. Finish the brownies.”

She smiles a little, sweeping a loose strand of long blonde hair away from her face. “Thanks, Casey.”

Casey.

Everything shifts right back to normal where he’s just Casey, Brett’s just Brett. He’s in his home. The one he shares with someone who shares practically nothing with him and Brett’s doing what she does best; being good to her people.

It’s one thing he has always appreciated about the paramedic. She’s good. She’s good to her patients. She’s good to 51. She’s extraordinarily good to his wife.

He passes her by, ready to change from his construction job and head to Molly’s. He stops in the doorway, observing a flustered Brett as she tries to perfect the homemade frosting. She tastes it with her finger and groans when it’s not good enough.

He knows from Gabby that she’s still a little heartbroken over Antonio and a bit raw from certain ambo calls, yet she’s here…supporting Gabby with sugar and chocolate.

“Brett.”

She startles again, almost as if she’s afraid he’s changed his mind and is mad she’s here. “Uh, yeah?”

“You’re a good friend. She’s lucky to have you,” he says.

Her blue eyes look a little misty in his kitchen lighting. “She’s lucky to have you too.”

He doesn’t think his own wife believes that, but he’s grateful for the words anyway.

The oven timer dings behind her, and she struggles to pull out batch one of her brownie mission. He contemplates offering to help, but his life is currently burning to the ground, so he doesn’t have time to salvage some brownies.

Some things are better left unsalvageable anyway.

2. Early season 7:

He’s on his third or fourth beer at Molly’s. He knows drinking won’t numb the fact he wasn’t good enough for his wife, but it does help a little.

The stool next to his squeaks obnoxiously loud and he hears a quiet gasp. Pink painted nails clamp on the counter and Brett has nearly fallen off the stool.

He wants to laugh, but she looks partially embarrassed…or maybe more ashamed

“I’m sorry, Casey.”

He raises an eyebrow, dumbfounded. She has nothing to apologize for. The last shift had gone well, and he doesn’t even remember scolding her for anything. Hell, he’s not even sure he talked to her at all at the station.

“Sorry?”

“I shouldn’t have blamed you for Gabby leaving,” she mutters, pulling at the edge of her sweater sleeve.

That’s a conversation they had weeks ago. He’s completely forgotten about it. She had been blindsided and upset which he absolutely understood. God knows he felt all that with her, so he really didn’t think too much about her minor lash out

“Brett…”

“I was just hurt I guess,” she admits. “And if I felt hurt…I can’t imagine how hurt you were. It was selfish and dumb.

Sylvie Brett and selfish don’t fit in the same sentence. She’s too kind even to her own detriment.

Still, it feels good to have someone recognize how hurt he is. Yes, they all care and pity him, but no one acknowledges how much Gabby hurt him. It might not have been intentional but her constant rejection about what he wants and needs fucking hurts.

“Brett, it’s fine,” he replies. “I get it. I do and honestly, she was always going to chase bigger things. She was always going to leave, and I was always going to stay.”

It sums up majority of his relationship. Gabby was always leaving in some way. She’d leave to pursue a new career, leaving him to stay and deal with the fallout. She’d leave to adopt a child and again, he stayed and followed. She was always leaving him and somehow, he just kept staying.

Brett frowns, looking into her glass. He watches her stir the blue-ish margarita with a toothpick umbrella. “Well, for what it’s worth, I’m glad you stayed.”

For the first time in a long time, her words soothe the crippling ache Gabby left behind. It doesn’t completely fix everything, but it feels good to know that he didn’t make the wrong decision by not following her.

At least according to Brett.

“Yeah?”

She nods, a smile passing over her face. Lately he hasn’t seen Brett very happy so it’s good to see a glimmer of their past.

“Honestly, I just can’t imagine what 51 would be like without you, Matt.”

He’s struck by the fact she’s using his name again. It’s odd because he’s been so used to Casey for so long and every once in a while, Brett calls him Matt.

There’s something interesting about the way she says it. The syllables just roll off her (now blue) tongue differently in a way he’s never heard. It feels like two different voices and sounds absolutely nothing like it does on shift, surrounded by firefighters and in between blaring bells.

Wow, maybe he’s had a little too much to drink tonight.

He nudges her arm lightly, thanking her for her kindness. He’s surprised she’s giving it to him of all people, but he appreciates it, nonetheless.

Prior, Brett has always been connected to him through association. She was Gabby’s best friend. She was Gabby’s ambo partner. She was Gabby’s brother’s girlfriend.

She’s never been anything to him, but now with Gabby long gone…he thinks maybe Brett won’t be such a stranger anymore.

“God, do you imagine if you left, and Severide became a captain or something?” She asks through a snort.

He has to admit that’s a funny picture. “You’d all be dead because he was too busy making out with Kidd.”

Brett laughs a little too hard at his pitiful joke. He starts to think she might’ve had a few drinks herself. “Oh you are so right, Casey!”

He’s too caught up in the allure of her contagious laugh to analyze the name shift. He’s heard this laugh way too much from his living room or the common room on shift, but this is the first time he’s really taken by it

Sylvie Brett has a wildly adorable laugh. Who knew?

3. 7x08

He starts to appreciate new things he hasn’t had the chance to while married. For one, he has complete freedom of his own life. Every decision is his. Plus, he has more time to spend with 51 and he surprisingly enjoys fishing with Boden of all people.

However, his newest discovery happens to be drunk Sylvie Brett. Brett’s incredibly charming on any day but mix her with alcohol and she somehow becomes more and more dorky.

He has to say he greatly appreciates drunk Brett because it’s hilarious. She can’t hold her liquor and each sentence come out in mangled fragments, but it’s not annoying. Not at all. He actually quite likes Brett when she drinks.

She’s absolutely drunk after Foster pumped her full of alcohol. He’s had the front row seat to her nose scrunch, big doe eyes and flailing hand which had turned his crappy night around.

He’s not even thinking about Naomi or what it could’ve been if he had pretended to be ready.

He had planned to go home a little early but decided to stick around to observe Brett. She’s very drunk and he’s concerned about how she’s going to get home.

Foster left hours ago. Kidd ditched too, probably to make up and make out with Severide. He expected Cruz would take her back, but he disappeared with Chloe and hasn’t returned. Even Otis has vanished.

He makes conversation with Hermann and waits for someone to get her home safely.

At some point during the night, he loses track of her just as Hermann closes. He took his eyes off to help the older man move a shipment of beer and now, she’s gone.

Shit. He hopes she’s not inebriated enough to think she can drive. Although, he’s not sure a taxi or ride share is better when she’s this out of it.

Men are assholes.

Matt hurries out the door, hoping to catch her before she disappears in some sketchy car.

Luckily, he doesn’t have to look far because Brett’s sitting on the bottom step, chin in hand and phone clutched in the other.

She tilts her head up, grinning. “Hey, Casey.”

“Hi. What are you doing out here?”

She points her turned off phone in his face. “Waiting for a cab. I’m just a teeny tiny bit drunk.”

Yeah, just a teeny tiny bit…

Again, he doesn’t want her getting in a car like this where someone could easily try something.

“I’ll drive you home,” he offers, reaching for her hand. He pulls her up, braces her stumbling with his chest and holds one hand on her arm to keep her grounded.

“No. No. You should be calling cute reporter,” she slurs, eyelids drooping lower and lower. She pokes his chest with one slender finger. “Go and make your move, Casey. Girls don’t like waiting.”

Naomi is not his concern at the moment. She’s just a girl he casually kinda sorta dated and Brett’s…well, she’s Brett. She’s an essential part of 51 and far more important than some possible girlfriend.

“She’ll be there in the morning. I’m concerned you won’t be if I don’t get you home myself,” he explains. “You’re drunk, Brett and I don’t trust some taxi driver so let’s go.”

She sticks her bottom lip out. “Fine. Fine. Fine. Lead the way, Captain.”

He steers her by the shoulders so she can’t fall flat on her face towards his truck. When he gets the door open, Brett needs a boost into the seat.

He watches one of the best paramedics he knows fumble with a seatbelt for five minutes, amused. Eventually he gives in to her frustration and does it for her.

Super talkative drunk Sylvie seems to have left for the night. As he navigates down the streets of Chicago, she’s quiet and pressed against the passenger window.

He pulls up in front of the place she shares with Otis and Cruz ten minutes later. He turns his truck off, unlocks the door for Sylvie to jump (or probably fall) out. She doesn’t make a move though, and when he looks over, she’s sleeping against her seatbelt.

He should’ve seen this coming. She drank a lot so of course the alcohol would knock her out.

“Brett?” He asks.

She snores a little in response and he can’t help but chuckle. He stays in the driver side for a few more minutes, thinking of the best way to get her inside.

While thinking, he observes her drunken sleep. Her hair is a mess, tangled against the window. She has mascara rings all around her eyes and cheeks and she’s even drooling a little.

He admires her unkept look. He’s always liked how she’s fearlessly herself and just doesn’t care if it’s well received or not.

It’s a very admirable quality.

Her neck is gonna hurt like hell if she stays in that position much longer. He climbs out his truck and goes to her side. He eases the door open, managing to keep her from tipping out with a hand against her head.

“Brett,” he says, shaking her shoulder a little. “Brett, come on. Wake up.”

She’s dead asleep, nestling further into the hand keeping her head from lolling. He can’t stand all night like this with her face in his palm.

Fine. He’ll carry her in. He undoes her seatbelt and when it clicks, she startles.

The sudden panic vanishes the second she realizes it’s him. She smiles sleepily. “Matt.”

Matt. Not Casey. All evening he’s been Casey aside from when she full named him earlier. Now that she’s drunk and tired, he’s Matt again.

He wonders if it’s purely accidental or if she consciously chooses when to change it up.

“How’d you get here so fast?” She asks, looking around the sidewalk.

“You fell asleep,” he explains. “Come on. Let me get you to your apartment. Can you walk?”

She nods and stumbles out of her seat. He braces her fall, laughing at how ridiculously uncoordinated she is after some tequila.

“Hey! Are you laughing at me?”

He helps her inside the apartment building, pointing her in the direction of the elevator.

“I’ve never seen you like this. It’s wildly entertaining.”

“Well, at least I didn’t accept a proposal this time,” she yawns, leaning her head into his shoulder as they wait for the right floor.

“What?” He asks.

She shrugs as the doors slide open. “A green card thing. I was drunk…didn’t marry him. Long story.”

Sounds like it. They make it to her door, Brett halfway asleep on him. He fishes her key out of her purse and then let’s them inside.

“Casey, hi?” Cruz greets from the kitchen. His eyebrows raise when he sees Brett. “Oh man, I completely forgot.”

He knows Cruz was too focused on his new girlfriend to look out for her, but still. She’s his room dog or whatever they call each other. He shouldn’t have left her alone.

“She needs to go to bed,” he explains, doing his best to pass her off to Cruz. She doesn’t want to leave his side for whatever drunken reason so they both have to get her into her bed.

Once she’s buried under a thousand blankets, he turns to Cruz. “Make sure she drinks a lot of water tomorrow because that hangover is gonna be brutal.”

Cruz laughs. “Drunk Brett might be fun, but hungover Brett is not.”

He can imagine. She’ll definitely be miserable tomorrow.

When he goes to leave, Cruz stops him. “Thank Casey.”

“Yep.”

It’s not like he was going to leave her anyway. He’s just glad she’s home safe.

4. Post 8x09

That night he and Gabby hadn’t just passed by but went straight through. They fell right into familiarity and slept together. She was his wife. She knew him better than anyone. Well, he’s starting to think there’s someone else who understands him better, but he’s not gonna go there.

The night is good, but just not as good as he remembered. He expected that cosmic pull (or whatever) but if anything, something is pushing him further and further from what he thought was his future.

There was a disconnect and when he left, it felt like closure. Gabby’s so happy in Puerto Rico. He’s genuinely glad she’s doing so well for herself, even without him. Plus, he’s happy too in Chicago with 51. His future is here.

Gabby leaves the voicemail about how she always has an opening for him, and the bitterness resurfaces. It’s a nice gesture, but it proves how things will only ever progress if he makes the life changes. They can have another night together if he goes to Puerto Rico.

He has no plans to do that.

Someone knocks on his door at a quarter to eleven. His best guess is Severide forgot his key and he and Kidd got in a fight.

They fight and make up a little too much.

He hauls himself off the couch and opens the door. He expects Severide in the door with a permanent frown and a string of curses. What he doesn’t expect is Brett in his doorway, mini dress on and perfectly applied make up.

She looks amazing. He’s always thought Brett was a cute girl. It’s a fact, but he’s starting to think she’s more than just cute. She’s shockingly hot.

“Hi,” she greets.

Did he black out and ask her on a date something? She’s clearly dressed for the occasion. God knows he’s thought about making a move, but he has no memory of doing it.

Even if he somehow lost his mind and did plan a date, he wouldn’t choose such a late time.

He must look as confused as he feels because she chuckles.

“Sorry. I know it’s late.” She looks down at her tight red dress and then back at him. “I had a date. I don’t usually wear this kinda stuff.”

So, someone else asked her out? He doesn’t remember hearing about anyone new. To his knowledge, Ryan was the last.

“You look…fancy,” he compliments. Other more expressive words are on the tip of his tongue, but he settles for fancy. It’s probably best he doesn’t tell her she looks hot in that dress.

“Late dinner. Completely disastrous dessert. Anyway, I’m not here to talk about my failed attempts at romance.”

He’s not sure why he’s relieved the date didn’t go well. He’ll analyze that later.

“Why are you here?”

He’s still confused about the events that have led to her stunning appearance at his place.

“I was at dinner, and I just couldn’t stop thinking about you, Matt,” she says so casually as if that’s not a completely loaded confession.

She can’t stand there in a tight red dress and roll his name off her lips like this and expect nothing. She was thinking about him? She was actively thinking about him when she was with a date?

“You…couldn’t stop thinking about me? “

Her eyes widen and she covers her face. “Oh my god. That came out wrong. I don’t mean…geez, I keep doing this.”

His racing heart slows a little because he misinterpreted her words. He thought this was heading in another direction. He thought he wasn’t crazy thinking something might be happening between them.

She brings her hand back down to her side. “I was worried because I know Gabby left today and I wanted to make sure you’re okay.”

Oh.

“I’m fine,” he dismisses. “Really, Brett.”

She eyes him like she doesn’t believe a word he’s saying. In hindsight, he didn’t sound very convincing.

“I worry no one checks on you,” she continues. “You’re this steady presence at 51 for everyone else and I just couldn’t stomach the thought of you all alone here blaming yourself.”

He leans in his doorway. Now that’s he is closer, he can smell her addictive perfume. It somehow smells like Christmas and fruit.

“Blaming myself?”

She sinks her teeth into her bottom lip. “For not feeling like enough. I can’t pretend to know what went down with Gabby, but I do like to think I know you. I know that she unintentionally hurt you by leaving and now she left again.”

“Brett…”

She edges a little closer and his heart rate quickens again. He’s half convinced she can see his neck pulse thumping from where she’s at.

“If I’m crossing a line here, let me know, but I don’t like the thought of you sitting here thinking you somehow failed,” she rambles.

He swallows, breathing in deep because she’s definitely doing something new to him. She’s not touching or anything, just hovering a few inches and God, he wants to kiss her.

Huh, that’s new.

“You didn’t fail and truthfully, I love me some Gabby, but she was wrong to make you feel like you’re…I don’t know, nothing?”

There’s a lingering question behind that confession. She’s not sure she’s reading his feelings right, but she’s nailing it. Somehow, she’s articulated everything he’s felt better than he could.

“You’re not nothing, Matt. If you ask anyone at 51, if you ask me…you’re pretty much everything there is.”

He’s shell shocked which doesn’t happen often. He’s good at reacting. He’s trained to be ready for anything, but he wasn’t ready for this.

For her.

She’s healing parts of him he didn’t even know were broken with her kindness and consideration. She didn’t have to leave a date to ease his pain, but she did.

She knew he’d need to hear it before he even did.

She’s standing in his door in a strapless dress that pushes up her boobs saying things he’s never heard from anyone. He’s not leering at her, of course, but he’s human. He spares a few glances since she’s so close.

He’s also only been Matt tonight. She hasn’t called him Casey once. Somehow, he’s hearing his first name from her more than ever and he quite appreciates the change.

Matt brings his hand to her bare arm, brushing his palm down her skin. “Thank you, Sylvie.”

He knows he should pull his hand away from her soft skin. A normal shoulder squeeze is one thing, but this lingering grip is another. He traces his thumb around a freckle on her forearm.

Her skin erupts in little goose bumps and he figures she’s probably freezing her ass off in that dress. “Do you wanna come in? I can get you a sweatshirt or something.”

She looks at her heels before gently easing out of his grip. When she replies, she looks anywhere other than at him. “No, that’s okay. I better go home before Foster goes on a manhunt for the guy who took me out. I told her I’d be home by now.”

Right. It’s probably best she doesn’t cross the threshold. He’s afraid of what he’ll do with a few beers in his system and her looking like that.

She’s sweet, kind and so empathetic while he’s just a mess.

“Yeah, good call. Foster with a pitchfork and torch is a scary thought,” he comments.

She laughs, wrinkling her nose. “You make a very good point.” She swipes some hair away from her face. “I’ll see you on shift, Casey.”

Casey again. It feels like the shift is definitely intentional. She’s creating distance.

He nods, moving all the way back into his apartment. “On shift.”

She waves and he unapologetically watches her walk down the hall. Once she turns the corner, he shuts the door.

#brettsey #sylkiddsey-prompts #the name shift is so important to me #this was written before It’s Golden so some lines are similar #I’m working on the lovely prompts #i would expect more posts on here instead of full length works #posting here because why not #someone might like these lol

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pauls1967moustache · 3 months

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wouldn’t it be nice is my FAVE one of ur fics, an instant fandom classic to me. one of the best parts is how nothing physical actually happens between jp, but i was wondering why you made that narrative decision! also, about paul’s sudden anxiety and confusion - almost disassociation - during the wedding, but i was wondering what exactly you imagined him experiencing in that moment? i have my own ideas, but what did u envision him thinking + feeling about the band, john+cyn, himself? much love!!

Oh thank you 🥰🥰

Tbh I actually really wanted them to kiss at the end. I outlined it without the kiss, but I had the thought in my mind “oh I’ll figure it out when I get to that”, but then when I did get to the end it just didn’t feel like it was needed lol.

The whole fic is set up around that morning in the bedroom where Paul wants to touch John but doesn’t get to do it. All the various fleeting little touches throughout the fic are to sort of tease up this sense of anticipation, and the end with them poking each other’s fingers creates the payoff for that. A kiss might’ve been cute, but it would also feel like overkill at that point because everything that needed to be communicated was already communicated some other way.

And also, because the fic is very vague. A lot of it is built around suggestions of things. They make vows to each other, but they’re jokey vows, but they’re not really. Having them get physical just felt like too concrete of a conclusion to the question of what they are to each other. Plus I liked the mystery of how romantic exactly their relationship is in this fic. It felt very true to life, and is something I felt the secret sant-ee I wrote it for would be into.

As for Paul’s feelings at the wedding, I very much wanted to capture a sense of anxiety there. Paul’s obviously upset John’s marrying Cyn but he doesn’t feel like he can express it, so watching the wedding is upsetting to him despite him trying to convince himself that it’s fine. Especially as the idea of John and Cyn being husband and wife becomes more real with vows and kisses and certificates. I wanted it to be like even as Paul lies to himself his body betrays him and his honest feelings come out of him in other ways. And I wanted it to evoke that feeling of when you’re in a situation that feels bad, but because you’re still in the moment you haven’t fully identified why it feels that way yet. I don’t think he has any definable thoughts and feelings about the band or John+Cyn, he’s too overwhelmed for that. I think he tries to justify his upset by telling himself that’s what it’s about for him, but deep down it’s just that he feels kind of devastated and he doesn’t want to be there. His anxieties about the band are mostly a proxy for his anxieties about his and John’s relationship.

#asks

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aziraphales-library · 1 year

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Hiiiiiiii <3 you guys are literally doing God’s- Satan’s- Somebody’s work and I just really want to thank you! Also if you know of any really REALLY domestic fluffy lovely sickeningly sweet fics (Preferably in South Downs Cottage if that’s ok) please and thank you!! Also keep up the great work <333333333

Hello! I cannot stress enough just how many posts chock full of recommendations we have on our #fluff tag. We also have #domestic fluff and #south downs cottage tags. All of which should keep you busy for a good long while, so please check those out. It’s also really easy to search for fluffy south downs fics on AO3, so here are more...

Stick to One's Knitting by insertnerdyjokehere (G)

Knitting seemed like soothing hobby. Aziraphale liked the idea of taking these raw materials and turning them into something that could be worn or given as a gift. It seemed like something that, as bookshop owner who drank too much cocoa and wore frumpy sweaters, he should do, he just never got around to it.

if you got love to get done by heartshapedguy (G)

Crowley makes a strange sort of choking sound that might’ve been a laugh, or at least his best attempt at one, if all that emotion wasn’t getting in the way. “Please, I’ve loved you for six-thousand-years, I want whatever you’re willing to give me.”

And that’s the thing, isn’t it? Aziraphale wants to give Crowley all the things he hasn’t been able to in the six millennia they’ve known and cared for each other.

He takes Crowley’s face in his hands. “Everything,” he murmurs, “Crowley, I want to give you everything.”

Rainstorms and Waves by Vagabond (G)

After the apocalypse, an angel and a demon try to figure out what it means to settle and it requires a little divine intervention.

Something to Share by booksblanketsandtea (T)

As a rule, generally speaking – Crowley was not hugely fond of weddings. He’s said this in many different ways, to many different people. At length. Repeatedly. Usually while quite drunk.

(Will had said once that he ‘doth protest too much’ about his hatred of weddings, and Crowley hadn’t spoken to him for three months. What did the playwright know about weddings, or love, or- or Anything, anyway? Bastard.)

Yeah, okay. So maybe Crowley has mixed feelings about the whole wedding thing. So what?

The One Where They Buy a Cottage by abblepie (G)

Crowley mentioned an interest in taking a break from the city, just for a few decades. Maybe going somewhere quieter, slower, somewhere where he could work on a garden full of flowers and trees and vegetables and anything he could get his hands on.

A week later, the angel tentatively suggested a place he’d been looking at in Hampshire, near the South Downs. -- Wherein two occultish beings buy a cottage together and try to get used to the fact that nobody's watching them anymore.

Days with Thee by PeachGO3 (G)

After the averted Apocalypse, every day is a day to be treasured.

- Mod D

#good omens #ineffable husbands #fluff #domestic fluff #south downs cottage #mod d

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cevansbrat0007 · 2 years

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That Special Anniversay

Summary: The story of Andy and Reader’s Engagement.

Warnings: Surprises, Fluff, Joy, Andy Barber (In A Kitchen), Minors DNI

A/N: Aye! My computer is back! Like I said, I don’t get it, and I don’t care. But here is Reader and Andy’s engagement story. Part of Growing Pains. Please let me know what you think! Tried super hard to do it justice! Love ya!

___

Tonight was your and Andy’s second anniversary - and you couldn’t believe it!

You adored your man, even with all of his flaws. Afterall, it wasn’t like you didn’t have plenty of your own. He was possessive and domineering…but also sweet and protective. Andy was kind and thoughtful, not to mention tenacious in the courtroom. But, at the end of the day, what mattered was the face that, he was yours.

You’d watched as other ladies had tried to snatch him up.

There had never been a goddamned chance.

And you were his. He’d watched as other men had tried to snatch you up.

There had never been a goddamned chance.

While your man hadn’t been able to meet you at home tonight, your instructions had been to meet him at Casa Lucio. Now that had hurt a little. But you knew he had a busy day - a day he could not have cleared. You had offered to celebrate your special time on a different day, but Andy had declined, promising that he would see you tonight no matter what.

So, you went in your tight pink halter dress and your nude pumps. Okay, Big Man, bring it on. Because if he wasn’t there when you got there, his clothes would be on the lawn by morning.

You take a quick scope of the room as you enter. It was…empty…

Well, that didn’t make sense.

“Hi Madam, welcome to Casa Lucio. We’re so happy to have you.” Ahh, okay. “Let me escort you to your table.” You follow the man to your booth, totally confused.

“I’m sorry, sir, but I think I have the wrong place. Or the wrong address. It’s my anniversary, so I’m gonna need to figure this out.” Had you fucked up?

“Oh, Madam, no worries. You are most certainly in the right place. Your first course will be out shortly.” He replies with a wink. “Here is your glass of Chardonnay, as well as your glass of water.”

Huh? The man had had nothing in his hands.

You look up at your waiter, only to be surprised when you see…Andy?

“Whaaat?” You whisper out as he delivers your drinks.

“Hello, baby girl.” The man gives you a delicious wink. “Happy Anniversary. I’m off for the next course.”

The next course was bread, along with Italian Wedding Soup, which he delivers to your table himself. After that, Andy joins you. But first, he kisses your hand and tells you how much he loves you.

You were still in mild shock.

“Andy, honey, what are you - what are you doing?”

“First of all, gorgeous, the restaurant is ours for tonight. And maybe…I might have helped our chef cook just a little bit. I mean, he did a good job. But the man who can’t boil water might’ve carried everything.” He says with a grin.

“Eat your soup, baby. The next dish is coming.” You follow his directions, amazed that he had done this for you. You had only bought him engraved cufflinks. Nice ones. But you hadn’t rented out a fucking restaurant!

Next was the salad. Yours with balsamic dressing, his with caesar. Andy gets up again after you finish that course and takes your plates, before disappearing into the kitchen.

A few moments later, your boyfriend comes out with the Chef, each one of them carrying a plate of…Spaghetti Bolognese. Your mouth is literally watering.

Andy sets the plate he’s carrying in front of you, while the Chef sets a plate in front of his seat. “Madam, your boyfriend cooked this himself. I was only there to supervise.” The Chef gives you a wink and then walks back into the kitchen.

You are shocked.

“You…you did this for me, Andy?” You ask him, before you take your first bite of the dish. Fucking most goddamned amazing bite of your life!

“Nothing but the best for my girl.” Andy murmurs. “And I know we’re trying to eat, but I have a couple more things to give you tonight.”

“Andy, honey, I don’t need anything else. I -”

“Shh.” He cuts you off. And then he reaches out of his pocket and hands you a box. “Open this for me.” A shiver courses through you.

“Andy…” Could this be..?

He grins at you. “Open it.”

So you do. It’s a charm bracelet. We’re talking horses and a merry-go-round, pies, a strawberry ice cream cone, music notes…and more.

You feel your eyes water as memories come to mind. “Thank you, baby. This is so beautiful and I -”

Your man grins at you once again. “I’m so glad you like it. Makes me feel good because I have one more thing for you.”

“Andy, sweetheart, this is more than enough! I absolutely love it. I only got you engraved cufflinks. They’re nice, but they don’t compare to this dinner or bracelet.” You reach over to hold his hand but he pulls away.

Uh oh. Was he disappointed in your gift for him? You could always take them back. You could -

And then you see he’s no longer in his seat. We’re could he have…?

And then you see another box with a gorgeous diamond ring in his hand. And he’s on one knee.

He’s on one fucking knee!

“Y/N. Beautiful girl. My best friend. My greatest defender. My greatest treasure. My favorite overthinker. And most importantly, the woman I love.”

You stare at him, speechless. Your hand is in his, and his eyes are soft. You can feel the tear tracks as they make their way down your cheeks.

“Will you please give me the ultimate gift by agreeing to marry me?” Andy is kneeling in front of you, waiting with baited breath. And all you can do is look at him in disbelief.

“Please be my wife.”

You stare at each other for a moment.

“And you’ll be my husband? Promise?” You can’t keep the emotion out of your voice.

Andy chuckles softly. “Well, that’s usually how it works, baby. If you’ll have me, that is.”

“Then yes. I want forever with you, Andrew. For now and for always, okay? For fucking ever. You have my word on that, my Big Man.”

END

#Chris Evans #andy barber #chris evans imagines #andy barber imagines #chris evans x black!reader #andy barber x woc!reader #chris evans woc!reader #andy barber black reader #chris evans fanfic #andy barber fanfic #cevansbrat0007growing pains series #Cevansbrat0007 fic

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spideyharrington · 2 years

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Dreams Tonite

summary: y/n has had terrible generalized anxiety for as long as she can remember. luckily steve hasn’t had to see her when her mind makes up cruel scenarios that make her panic. that is until her brain decides to think about what would happen if she never met steve. and steve just so happens to decide to drop by her house in the midst of her panic.

warnings: anxiety attack, hurt / comfort, overthinking, getting caught up in things that could’ve happened and “what-ifs”, cursing ofc

A/N: ofc this is inspired by Dreams Tonite by Alvvays. this song always hits me so hard. also partially inspired by the line “i pass you on the street and our eyes don’t meet” from I Wish I Never Met You by Babygirl. also it’s definitely a self-indulgent fic. if you relate, i’m sorry and i hope this gives you some sort of comfort <3 it’s short but it’s sweet and i might’ve cried a couple times writing it 🧍‍♀️

word count:

For her entire life, y/n’s brain had made up scenarios to hurt her when it decided that life was going too well. She had been dating Steve Harrington for about three months now and of course he knew about her anxiety, he caught on fast to her tell-tale signs and eventually figured out how to help her calm down which she was extremely grateful for, but he didn’t exactly know about how bad it could get when she was alone at night. It didn’t happen often, but when it did, it wasn’t pretty. Sometimes her hands would get cold and she got uncontrollable shivers and have to try to focus on something else. And other times she’d start sobbing uncontrollably. Neither of which were exactly pleasant to experience or see. And she never wanted Steve to see either of them. She could see his worried expression and it’d only make her more upset. Not to mention she’d feel so dramatic and silly if she explained that the reason she was so upset was over some insane scenario that never happened.

It was 2:00am when she started to feel it. Her hands started to get cold. At first she couldn’t figure out why, and then the thoughts flooded in. What if I never got attacked by that demogorgon outside of the Wheeler house? What if Steve wasn’t there? What if he wasn’t the one with the spikey bat? What if him and Nancy hadn’t broken up? What if I decided to go home and pretend it never happened instead of joining them in their fight against the upside down? The thoughts continued to snowball until she was sobbing harder than she had in months. thinking about how different her life would be without those kids. Without Robin, Jonathan, even Nancy. Without Steve. God she didn’t wanna know what it would be like but yet here she was. Thinking about all the different paths she could’ve ended up on. All of them without Steve, who she was certain was the love of her life. Her soulmate even. She wasn’t sure how long it went on for, but next thing she knew there was a hand on her back that made her jump.

“Steve…?” She managed to croak out.

“Honey what’s going on?” He couldn’t even try to hide the concern and mild fear in his voice. You frowned even more.

“It’s... It’s nothing. Why are you here?” She tried to rapidly wipe away her tears as if she hadn’t already been caught sobbing into the stuffed animal he had gotten for her at a fair. It was an oversized platypus, which they laughed over how random it was to have, that Steve had decided to name Sir Quacksalot. Even though you were quite certain platypuses didn’t quack.

“Couldn’t sleep. Felt like something was off and I missed you. Tried to call but no one answered. I got worried and came over, and apparently I was worried for good reason.” He rubbed her back and looked down at her face. She was avoiding eye contact at all costs.

He took her face gently in his hands, “please talk to me Dove.” He loved calling her that. He claimed that if she were a bird, she would be a dove because “you’re like when they release the doves at weddings. It doesn’t really make sense, but it’s so beautiful.”

“It’s stupid. I promise I’m okay. I just got caught up in stupid what-ifs.” When she looked into his eyes, that were searching her own for an actual answer, she felt like she was going to start sobbing again. He must’ve been able to tell. He didn’t say anything, he just wrapped her in a firm yet gentle hug. Rubbing her back once again.

“You don’t have to tell me. But if you wanna talk about it, you know I’m here for you and I’d never judge you. I go through a lot of the same shit believe it or not. Getting caught up in what-ifs I mean.” He said softly into her hair.

She couldn’t hold it in. She started to cry again, “what if… What if I never got attacked by that demogorgon?”

Steve was silent for a moment before responding, “I don’t follow…”

“You wouldn’t have had to save me. We never would’ve met. If I saw you on the street, would our eyes even meet? Would I ever have you in my dreams? Or would you just be another faceless person standing in the background?”

Steve let out a short chuckle. She pulled back to look at him and furrowed her brows, starting to feel a bit hurt before he quickly explains himself, “first off, your thoughts are valid, but we’re here now and all that shit did happen and it’s not gonna change. Second, have you ever tried song writing?”

She furrowed her brows further, staring at him.

“You just basically spoke in lyrics babe.”

It took her a second to remember what you even said. But when she did, she let out a small chuckle as well and shook her head.

“Back to what you said though,” he grabbed her shoulders softly and started rubbing them up and down, “I get it. I get thinking about it too much and feeling sick. Trust me I’ve been there. Thinking about my life without you is the worst feeling I think I’ve ever experienced. And yes that does count when Nance drunkenly broke my heart in a bathroom at some assholes party.” He gave a warm smile. One that really only she ever got to see, “But, I think about how all of that stuff lead to us. Right here and right now. Yeah it’s possible that if just one thing was different, we wouldn’t be here. But each one of those things did happen, and I think about how beautiful that is. We had a one in a million chance and we made it. Isn’t that amazing?” He looked into her eyes and she could feel how heartfelt he was.

“How do you do that?”

“Do what?”

“Even after all the shit you’ve been through, you still have the ability to do… That. To look at things from a different perspective. A better perspective. You’re almost terrifyingly optimistic at times Harrington.”

He smiled at her again, “you tend to do that to me y/l/n.”

She smiled a genuine smile and he felt his heart stutter. God he loved her smiled. He never wanted to see her not smiling.

“Can you… Can you stay tonight? Please?”

She clung into him again, as if he would try to leave.

“Of course sweetheart. And ya know what? Why don’t we skip tomorrow? We’ll watch your favorite romcoms and play your favorite tapes and dance around your room till our legs feel like jelly. How’s that sound?”

She nodded quickly into his chest letting out a hum of acceptance. She didn’t need to see his face to know that he was smiling. And for the first time in a week she was excited to go sleep. She suddenly couldn’t wait for tomorrow. And she knew her fears couldn’t reach her when Steve was there to block them out. She knew he would be in her dreams tonight. And he knew she’d be in his.

#stranger things #stranger things season 4 #stranger things 4 #stranger things fic #steve harrington oneshot #steve harrington fluff #steve harrington imagine #steve harrington fic #steve harrington angst #steve harrington comfort #steve harrington x anxious!reader #steve harrington x y/n #steve harrington x you #steve harrington x reader

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sheerfreesia007 · 10 months

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Finding Love In Legacy Oaks Epilogue

Title: Finding Love In Legacy Oaks Epilogue

Fandom: Kingsman

Pairing: Agent Whiskey x OFC!

Author: @sheerfreesia007

Words: 1,097

Warnings: Sappy happiness

Permanent Tag List: @paintballkid711, @fioccodineveautunnale, @phoenixhalliwell, @linkpk88, @weirdowithnobeardo, @athalien

Gif Credit: @nobie

The sunlight was streaming in through the open French doors of the room as a soft ocean breeze fluttered in causing the white gauze curtains to wave in the air. The sound of soft waves crashing onto the sandy shore pulled Jack from his deep satiated slumber. He blinks slowly as his brain starts to wake up and he can hear soft chatter coming from the balcony that’s right outside the French doors. Rolling out to the side of the bed he sits there in his underwear and lets out a large yawn while scratching his stubbled chin. Images of last night flash through his mind and he grins softly, yesterday was his wedding day.

He remembers the pretty picture Bunny had made in her gorgeous floor length white wedding dress, she had been so worried that her boot would impede her but thankfully it hadn’t. And then Esme had been dressed up in the prettiest floral dress that her and Bunny had scoured the local shops for. The day had just been so filled with love and laughter between the three of them and their guests that Jack still felt dizzy and high from the event.

Standing from the bed he begins to walk to the french doors and can hear the soft chatter begin to grow louder. He spies Bunny and Esme sitting at a small circular table on the balcony in the sun with breakfast laid out on the table. Esme is excitedly retelling the events of last night to Bunny who’s grinning at the girl and resting a hand on her extended stomach. Jack grins fondly at the sight before him and feels his heart stutter in his chest as he watches Bunny rub her hand softly along her round stomach before shifting in her seat.

“Do you think we’ll be able to go down to the beach today? I wanna go in the ocean and swim!” Esme asked excitedly and Bunny chuckled softly before nodding her head.

“I think that’d be a great way to spend our day. And maybe tonight we can convince Dad to go out to the hotel restaurant.” Bunny said with a serene smile on her face.

“No convincing needed.” Jack said as he walked up behind Bunny and leaned to press a soft kiss to her temple. Bunny hummed softly while Esme cheered happily. Jack moved to sit in the open seat between Esme and Bunny while letting his left hand trail down Bunny’s shoulder to tangle with her own hand that was resting on her stomach. “How did you sleep last night? Did our little one let you sleep at all?” he asked fondly before sticking his tongue out at Esme who cackled and repeated the action to him.

“Oh which one are you talking about now? I’ve got two little ones now that you’ve sealed the deal.” Bunny teased and Esme beamed at her happily from her seat as she took a piece of bacon from the serving tray.

“I figured the older little one would sleep through the night but the little one you’re growing might’ve kept you up.” Jack responded as he chuckled while serving himself some of the food.

“Oh yeah, the little one growing kept me up a little but Es also got confused last night and didn’t remember we were on our honeymoon. So she was up for a little bit but I got her back down. I slept alright, and will probably take a nap on the beach when we go.” Bunny said truthfully as she smiled at Esme. Jack nods his head and turns to Esme who looks a little sheepish from waking up but Jack grabs her hand to reassure her.

“Trust me I woke up this morning and didn’t know where I was either.” Jack said fondly and Esme looked at him surprised. Jack and Bunny chuckled while Jack nodded his head at Esme’s surprised look.

“It happens kiddo. It’s not a bad thing, it just stinks that you woke up confused, that's all.” Bunny said reassuringly and Esme nodded her head. The three of them all continued to eat while spending time together talking about their favorite part of the wedding and what they wanted to do while on vacation together.

Just then Bunny’s cell phone began to ring and Esme popped up from her spot as Bunny picked up her phone. Jack laughed as he saw Jeremy’s video call photo displayed on the screen just as Bunny answered the call.

“Good Morning Daniel’s family!” cheered Jeremy as Esme came and climbed into Jack’s lap as Bunny scooted her chair next to his so that they could all see Jeremy. Esme burst out into laughter as they saw Jeremy was holding Butter up to the phone so that they could all see him.

“Good Morning!” called out Bunny, Jack and Esme causing Butter to start barking happily as he recognized their voices.

“I hope the three of you have so much fun while you’re away. No need to worry about anything Butter is in good hands. I’ll make sure to make him super fat and happy with a lot of treats and steaks.” Jeremy said causing Esme to burst into giggles as Bunny rolled her eyes at him.

“Don’t you dare Jer. If I come home and Butter is fatter than he is I’m going to make you take him on mile long walks.” Bunny threatened, Jeremy and Butter looked at each other after her threat causing everyone to burst into laughter at their antics. Just then Butter began to wiggle and squirm in Jeremy’s arms before he kicked his feet and the phone went flying as Jeremy cried out before the call ended. Jack laughed loudly as Esme shrieked with delight and Bunny just shook her head before rolling her eyes.

“Alright you two. Why don’t we all get dressed in our swimsuits and we’ll head down to the beach for a bit.” Bunny suggested and Esme sprung from Jack’s lap before racing back into the hotel room. Jack smiled softly over at Bunny as he grabbed her hand gently with his. He lifted her hand to his mouth and pressed soft kisses to her knuckles causing her to smile and blush at his antics.

“How did I ever get so lucky?” he asked bemusedly and Bunny chuckled at his words.

“The world will never know.” she teased him before getting up quickly from her chair and waddling into the bedroom with Jack hot on her heels jeering at her as she laughed loudly.

#my writing #kingsman the golden circle #agent whiskey #flilo #agent whiskey x ofc

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chennnington · 9 months

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I’ve already gotten my first “how can you only realize that late that you’re trans? Sounds fake to me” and people just seem to underestimate how fucking dumb I am.

I was in a marching band for almost 10 years so I hung out with folks several hours a week, saw them at parties and all. One time at some event I was with two friends who weren’t members of the marching band. One of the marching band dudes comes over to tell me we gotta play soon.

He leaves. The two friends both immediately looked at me and simultaneously went “is he gay?” and that’s how I found out that this dude I had known for years was gay. It made sense then that he held hands with a guy at some party once.

There was another dude in this marching band. He’s still a good friend of my best friend so he was at her wedding like me. And he was there with his boyfriend. That’s when I found out he was gay too.

My parents also have two friends from their college days. Two women who live together. I didn’t see them often as a kid but we visited them from time to time and they visited us. I was in college when I figured out they’re lesbians when my parents got invited to when they got their relationship registered. No idea if that’s the term. It’s what gay people could do before they could get married over here.

I also had a friend in college. He came out to me as asexual. He explained it to me in detail, I read a ton of stuff about asexuality to support him better. Couldn’t be me though. It took 10 more years for me to realize I’m aroace. Aego, to be precise, which might be a reason why I didn’t know I was aroace sooner.

And then there was this dude my age who joined our karate club. He had gotten to orange belt as a kid and wanted to pick it up again. He kept smiling at me when he was my training partner. It was weird. I just punched him harder until he stopped smiling. Then he made me a mixtape and emailed me and asked if we could meet up for dinner. Sure, food with a friend is always cool. We also went to see a movie and a concert after that. Just a good time with a fellow karateka. Then at some point he messaged me like “I really wanted to kiss you at the concert” and I wondered why he would make weird jokes like that. Then he started sending me lyrics of love songs and wouldn’t stop until I sent him LP lyrics back which resulted in him disappearing completely and quitting karate again (whoops). It took me months to realize why he talked about kissing with me.

Last year I was at a concert, started talking to some woman, we went to a party afterwards, she was a bit drunk, started grinding against me, kissed my cheek and asked whether I was into men or women. She didn’t really figure out what I meant by “neither”, but she kept her distance and started hanging and making out with some dude. It took me until a few days later to figure out she might’ve wanted to kiss me.

This year I joined a new sports club and talked to a 14-year-old dude a lot during breaks and before/after training. At some point during training everyone started talking about whether we like our first names and he went “I picked mine myself so I obviously like it” and I thought “whoa, just like trans people!” A few months later I figured out he’s trans.

So yeah, the whole point is that I’m extremely dumb when it comes to gender, sexuality and myself as a person. It makes total sense for me to not figure myself out any sooner. I’m also way too good at accepting stuff, not questioning things and being like “this is fine”. My superior at work could give me the most stupid task, sugarcoat it a bit and I’d do it without questions, unless some colleague would notice and mention that it doesn’t make any sense. If the superior said it makes sense, then it must make sense. If some doctor exclaims “it’s a girl” then it’s a girl. No need to question 🤷‍♂️

#this got way too long again #collecting these is just so funny #I should be the dumb character in some movie #the comic relief #and these are just the things I can think of right now #I am very dumb and very good at ignoring facts I guess #at this point I probably deserve an award for not believing in chemtrails

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secret-time-is-here · 1 year

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AEJ - Epitaph/Epilogue

Fair warning, according to google docs this is 17,713 words long (although 11,975 words are from the "fun things" doc, which is list of what things mean or random shit from nearly all the chapters). This is a complete compilation of everything I have AEJ. Thoughts, notes, hidden/unpublished docs and drafts.

In October of 2022, I posted a passing thought of “If I don't pick AEJ back up by the end of the year, I'll release what the following 20ish chapters would've been and the plans after/the full unredacted fun things.” After several months wait, here is the Epitaph/Epilogue of An Error’s Journey.

To begin, this huge project started with the idea of Error reliving his past lives through dreams or reboots. It was planned to end after he remembered everything, and wouldn’t go further than the curiosity of how reliving the trauma of his past lives would affect him as Error. I didn’t plan for it to go much farther than that, but it quickly expanded to something more.

As it currently stands, the end goal of the series was for XGaster to return, kill essentially everyone aside from our main five and a few others, and for the lesson of the story to be about mortality and to be thankful for it. The mistake Error had made was to restart, over and over with overwrite. The only way for the cycle to stop was for Error and in turn, the main five to be happy with what they have, instead of wishing for what was.

The story of AEJ truly starts in UnderVerse. After Error destroys half the universe, Core takes Overwrite and begins experimenting to avoid the X-event all together, and eventually, starts to experiment for the perfect/best lives the multiverse could have. Over these trials and many timelines, Core grows more insane, however there is one staple that I have mentioned in series several times.

One experiment, Core switched the roles around. Creating Pale and Template as well as the other swapped personalities for Nightmare and Dream. While it was unsuccessful, Core does grow closer to Template, and Template through the timelines helps Core figure out better ways for everyone to live.

Core continues on from there to what we know as AEJ. Also, if you haven’t pieced it together, the old friend Core talks so highly of to Error and Chronic is Template.

Swerving off course of what I’ve been talking about so far, Chronic is actually the original story I had planned, a few details aside. Minus the fusion, Chronic Error is the original story, Error going through life and reliving old lives with no more than Ccino to call a friend. Originally, Error was going to die and Nightmare would give up one of his souls, hence the shadow figure. Also, Chronic was not meant to be a permanent character, and was meant to be future Error directing past Error, but that was scrapped for what we have now, which I argue is a far better plot, and Chronic’s plot allowed for me to bring our main five closer together and give a support as to why its the five of them out of all people.

For what the following chapters would be, Error would be able to go to the outsider as Error and Lapse would fade to simply a nickname, although Error would adopt Mode as his last name. Sci would come into the story more to openly spend time with Nightmare and build that parental relationship with Nightmare and to build relationships with Error, Dream, Ink, and Reaper. Then Heart’s and Blue’s wedding. Then problems with the AUs would arise, AUs going dark/dead and the main five would learn officially of the balance. The small group that I might’ve briefly mentioned when the peace treaty was happening–I honestly can’t remember–would return in uproar about the balance, but the star council would take care of them. Finishing off the rising action of the story.

The Climax starts with the balance beginning to feel off so the gods (main five and reapertale) agree to meet. Ink proposes that it could be XGaster, and the hunt begins. They return to the gang and explain things to Cross, who currently holds overwrite, and Killer joins as well. The chapters follow with them as a group searching for XGaster before splitting apart, Nightmare and Error together, Reaper and Ink, Dream with Cross and Killer. A chapter of each groups journeys. Nightmare and Error reinstate their bond, Reaper and Ink take some time to be vulnerable, and Dream can indirectly grow closer to Nightmare and Error by learning about them through Cross and Killer.

The following I’ve pulled directly from the plot doc: A sudden quake startles the whole multiverse, Xtale Gaster comes back. All the Gods meet again, and confirm that they all felt the quake. The small group interrupts the meeting, XGaster in shackles behind them. Two of them are holding Cross, Killer and Cobalt. They brag about killing Horror, Dust, Hearts, Blue and Ccino. They even kill off Sci. XGaster shatters all their souls–aside from Cobalt who merely falls into a glitching mess. He has overwrite once more. XGaster turns on the small group, and begins his terror, stealing from so many universes, rebuilding his perfect world. They (main five) fight XGaster and reaper takes his soul to the afterlife.

Then there’s a bittersweet conclusion of our five’s lives after the fact and how things have changed (Also pulled from doc): It also takes many weeks for them to heal. Ink and Death were the only ones to go undamaged by the war. Error nearly died on the field (not in doc, but plans were for Error to take one of Nightmares souls, and to live from then on as a semi-physical shadow) and Nightmare + Dreams arms were too shattered to repair. Ink makes himself another pair of arms to tend to the others. Error hands off the Cafe to Sydney, and closes the clothing business. Intent joins them, wanting to support Error. Dream and Ink step back from the Stars Sans’ and Star Council, leaving things in the hands of Cobalt. It becomes routine for them, all waking up together in a heap in Nightmare’s bed. Dream’s the first up, going around the mansions a few times for a morning workout. Error and Nightmare are next, Nightmare getting in the shower as Error gets started on coffee for all of them. Killer got Dream addicted and now he can’t function well in the morning without it. After Nightmare’s done in the shower, he cooks breakfast as Error get’s in. Reaper and Ink are the last awake, and both drink plenty of coffee.Intent stays with them, their unofficially adopted child. Error and Ink no longer fight, they do very much the opposite. Ink helps breakdown AUs sometimes and Error occasionally helps Ink with AU ideas. Nightmare and Dream don’t fight anymore either. They go out together to balance out AUs and try to keep as many of them as possible balanced. That way, aside from AUs whose story lines surround the fact that they're the best/worst place, they won't ever worry about tipping, and they’ll all prosper. Reaper still works the same, but still feels terribly guilty for taking the souls of his lovers friends. Everytime he gets home, he is always greeted with love, cuddles, and reassurance. So much time has passed since the Great War, it’s literally become history. Reaper, Dream, Nightmare, Ink, and Error are all seen as Legends. Bards tell the tale of the Great War and what happens when you question the Gods, they also tell of the days when Immortal and Mortal worked in harmony, it’s such a funny sight to see when they go out in disguise.

And finally, the very last chapter: On the 1,000 anniversary of the Great War, they return to the battlefield. They visit the many shrines in their honor. They visit the shrines to Horror’s, Dust’s, Killer’s, Cross’, Blue’s, Hearts’, Sci’s, and Ccino’s deaths. Core suddenly appears, and overwrite is in their hands, offering them the choice to do things over again. Nightmare, Ink, Dream, and Death are excited for the possibilities. Bring back the gang, all the lives lost... Bring back Cross. Error stops them. He is the only one of them that has lived a (nearly) full mortal life. Error gives the button back. To overwrite their lives is to overwrite mortality. They savored their time. Mortality is a blessing, and now they will live the cost of a happy end, the curse of immortality. They deny. Core smiles, “ Good, it took a lot of overwrites, but you didn’t make the same mistake.” Error asks what Core will do now that they fixed their mistake. "I can finally die. I can overwrite my code and my code alone to finally be mortal. To finally finish my long long life." Core turns, and with a happy smile they say, "After all, nearly a million is a good enough time to live. Isn't it?"

It’s very much bittersweet, but I feel it’s a fitting ending. However, it doesn’t quite end Core’s story, and so there were bare bone plans for Core.

In my oneshots/ideas doc for AEJ, I have two things listed out for Core. First was a bonus chapter of Core watching over the team with Chronic that had the following planned dialogue:

“Template would be proud.”

“...I know.”

“What to do now?”

“...That is what I can’t decide.”

“It’s time you lived for yourself, Core.”

“Then what of this multiverse?”

“There are five great leaders to keep an eye on things, rest, enjoy your last years. Be it with lovers or friends. Let me take over this.”

“...Yeah, I’ll… I’ll go do that.”

“I’ll keep a good eye on other me for ya, the least I could do.”

The second was the basic plot for “The Core of the journey”, which would go through core’s life, and finally give them their happy end: The first time Core rewrote the multiverse. The first time someone took overwrite from Core. The first time someone killed Core. Meeting Template. Meeting Chronic. After AEJ, Chronic directs them to a specific AU, and drops them off there. Chronic leads Core to a shack in the middle of the woods, a simple place that would serve well for living out their last years. Chronic directs them outside to see the garden, and Core opens the door to see Template. Template turns to them with a smile, and Core practically bursts into tears. Template cautiously comes over and holds their hands as Chronic explains: When Error was first getting his memories, Chronic was exploring the megaverse to find the abandoned timeline that held Template (since every time a overwrite happens, it in theory branches off of the previous multiverse, creating a new one and leaving behind the old.) Chronic explained who they were and what Core was doing, and that when it was all done and over, they wanted to give Core a happy end. Template happily agreed. Template’s multiverse had long since been all but desserted–most everyone died because of XGaster, with just a few left, Template included.

There was one last “planned” thing, a longer oneshot similar to “We know” for AEJ called “Temptation” that would slowly go through the innerworkings of each Chronic, starting off from a quote from Chapter 80. While I didn’t finish it, I did write 1K words for it. Enjoy the unfinished draft:

[FROM CHAPTER 80]

“...Why are you pulling away?” Error eventually spoke, just getting straight to the point. Chronic tensed, and for the first time, he watched as they stuttered through their thoughts.

“I… we… stars. Dear, we…” Chronic seemed to practically deflate.

We can’t. There’s too much temptation.

He manipulated their shadows, moving a wing rise from the darkness to embrace Error. We don’t have to. Why can’t we just be near them? Just be close to them?

No. We can’t. We can’t risk it. Not a second time.

…That was an accident. We didn’ know any better, ya know that.

But, what about our souls? It’ll hurt them… None of us would be able to stand it! We barely got along without them in the first few centuries!

Dear… I’m afraid I’ll have to agree. We would have eternity, and eternity means we will inevitably fall to temptation. We have already done too much and pushed too many things… we weren’t supposed to meet Error as early as we did.

Please, just a chance. Or at least explain it to them! Error’s been sitting there, waiting for us to say something!

—--

Oh, how eternity is cruel. His life has been long, the second longest in the multiverse, and the longer he lives the more he understands Core. The rest of the fusion still grasps at it, trying to hold the rivers of understanding that he’s learned.

Of course, Core has never gone into details with them, but over time they have heard of the important aspects. What shaped Core’s goal, what changed Core, what fastened their resolve and broke down the hope they had left for their own happy end. The small pieces were far from enough to tell Core’s full story, but it was enough to try to sympathize.

And in Chronic Error’s case, enough to empathize.

His small soul shard hurts double now. In the first moments of their fusion, it was still painful from losing Ccino. The hours, days, weeks and months even that he had confided in them. The long hours of baking, talking, and playing with the cats. At times, when he steps back and just relaxes in the recesses of their headspace, he can imagine being back behind the counter with him again. Stuffing their faces with marshmallows while the smell of medium roast drifts around, the heat from baking warming them, and the cats curled up at the foot of the oven.

At times, he wished he took the time to spend time with this new Ccino, but this wasn’t just his body anymore. Other times, he finds acceptance in not connecting with the Ccino, because the end would just hurt even more.

Sometimes, when everyone else is exhausted from caring for the balances or fronting to deal with whoever they need to, he’ll find himself in the shadows of the cafe. Not during the busy hours of the morning, but the late of the afternoon. The sunset casting the walk in front of the shop in pink and purple light. If Ccino ever noticed they were there, they didn’t mention it, but Chronic Error would never make a fuss over a marshmallow tossed their way–and Ccino being dramatic about accidentally dropping it.

For now, they just hoped that Ccino thought he was Nightmare and that this one didn’t have memories of the past.

His shared hurt being so close to Error too. A stark reminder of his past ignorance and self-hate. Perhaps a reminder that he hasn’t fully moved past all of that either.

Error acts as a constant reminder of his… their mistake and what they lost. Something they can never regain. They will never be whole again. No matter how close they are it’s never going to be enough, and the farther away the more they want to be closer.

He knows the moment they hold Error in their arms, the dam will break.

They cut it far too close when they let him go. Holding his hands in theirs, he just wanted to pull Error closer. Promise that things will turn out okay, hold them and cut off the world until Error was ready- but they had to follow Core’s plan. Error had to know of their mistake and who they were. Who they always have been.

He couldn’t imagine how Chronic Dream and Nightmare had felt, holding Dream close that night so long ago. It’s probably why their resolve to pull away is so strong. The temptation sitting in their arms, and the painful knowledge that they would have to let go.

He and the rest of the fusion find solace with Core. Knowing of the pain of their loss. That fateful Error OVERWRITEs upon OVERWRITEs ago. They never hear a distinct name, as he along with the rest of his cast had apparently gone through many over all the multiverses, but from the stories they think it to be an Error of some variation.

They hear about the variants good deeds, the hours they spent pouring over research with Core. How they were the one to help Core make leaps in figuring out how to end this. Finish off XGaster once and for all.

They can feel the pain and remorse Core holds when they talk of the variant. How much they must miss the soul. How much they must wish they could go back, even if it meant the multiverse ended in ruin.

They do their best to help, but even their mixed powers stand no match to the life times of pain they hold.

—--

He understands the others, he does, but he knows where this path leads. Pushing away the ones you love never works. They watched Error do it, and somehow Chronic Nightmare and Dream are convinced that this is the only way? It’s laughable. Not at them of course, he loves them to death–no pun intended.

The temptation is there, yes, of course, but it’s nothing to the paramount loss that would be his life, their life without their souls. Their poor souls. Thirsting their whole lives only to get a taste centuries in, to finally have Chronic by them–only to disappear. It’s pointless pain.

He doesn’t want to live life in regret like they’ve seen so many others. Even in Core. They see the small moments, where Core regrets everything they’ve done. The weight cracking them further. And they can’t do anything but sit and hold Core.

And now, the final documents I have that essentially hold all the secrets and inner workings of AEJ. The following excerpts are entirely in bold, if it is not bold it is a comment from as I write this rather than when it’s from.

AEJ Loose Ends

Cobalt never found his brother after the incident. His papyrus is missing and presumed dead, hence why Honey and Blue took him in and later Hearts took him in as a brother in-law.

Cobalt’s brother was left in the AU, and the AU slowly demolished until it became a part of the void. Cobalt’s brother was drifting in the void and was killed in there by XGaster. So yes, by story’s end, Cobalt’s Papyrus is dead-the void is funky about time so I don’t think it’d be appropriate to say exactly when Paps died.

Chronic also has a title, but because they run so many districts–having the powers of destruction (code), the emotional realm, the dream realm, creation, and death–they have less of a “God” title and more of a higher title as “The Gatekeeper”. They protect the multiverse from the surrounding megaverse and also protect the inside of the multiverse as well. They were the one to keep everything going while the main five were hardly taking care of their balance. The balance should’ve tipped far more than it actually did–but he let it go a little bit to grow connections between the others. Once it was clear they were ready to handle the responsibility they began to let go of the balances and see how well they could take it.

Pretty much every time Chronic and Error were together, I mentioned them being the same person. From Chronic’s bad jokes of “being two halves of a whole” to them being “twins” in chapter 65. The twins thing is actually really clever when you think about it, since twins came from the same egg and Chronic and Error came from the same soul, or, more accurately, Error came from one of Chronic’s souls. I’m surprised no one questioned it, but I mentioned it so much that I practically normalized the thought in the reader’s mind–that and I don’t think people expected Error to technically not be an Error but only part Error.

The reason I focused on intent so much throughout the AEJ is because of the POV. Error isn’t fully Error in AEJ. He has pieces of Chronic’s magic and it has made him far more sensitive to other’s intent. He reads it not only as code but the same way Nightmare and Dream read it. It’s actually a major hint of his ties to Chronic and it’s something no one has seemingly ever questioned. I’ve never in my works emphasized intent as much as I have in AEJ, every character interaction relates to it. Error’s power to reach out and feel the aura of their power, feel the intent they give off. It can be written off as God powers… if I wasn’t sticking as close to canon Error as I have been (for the most part). In the prequel to AEJ “The Core of the Journey” I will once again change the writing to style to change to how Core sees and feels the world. How they feel and see it, however, will be left to the “Loose Ends” of that story. (Sadly won’t happen)

Cobalt never fully explained what happened to the stars, at most he spoke of the antivoid and being stuck there. He never explained what caused him to be there–or that he was forcibly taken. The Stars only knew that Cobalt got stuck in the antivoid and had to deal with the voices for years before he managed to get out, and that Error had destroyed his world before that. While this was far after Error became the self proclaimed God of Destruction/ God of code, Cobalt is the first survivor of Error’s. From then on Error got much sloppier with destroying. The reason Omega/the Stars aren’t sure of this is because of Chronic and the amount of time Cobalt spent in the antivoid. Chronic left survivors in their wake often, and some caught glimpses of the shadow. When Error appeared and was seemingly the only one with world destroying capabilities people simply assumed it was always Error. Error of course doesn’t put this together, and Core stays silent on the matter.

The chess analogy:

This is not based on the names of the pieces, but rather how they move and their roles.

White pieces go to Xgaster, Xtale characters, as well as Core. This is because they move first. They were the people to start this megaverse and the conflict that keeps it going.

White King: Core, limited movement but also the second most free of all the pieces. It is not limited by direction but by how far. In this scenario, our White King is rebellious and acts against the queen. Yes, it could’ve killed immediately (don’t fight me on this, yes kings can kill pieces just not other kings, look it up.) But it didn’t, it hesitated and it gave the queen the chance to move impossibly far away and out of reach. Core could’ve stopped this all immediately, but they didn’t know the consequences of the hesitance and it cost the multiverse. Core has the same ability as XGaster, the same movement, but XGaster was clever and made sure no one would be able to use OVERWRITE against him, thus limiting Core’s movement.

White Queen: XGaster (XG), free movement as long as no one stands in the piece’s way. Sound familiar? That’s the long and short of why.

White Knight: Cross. Clever usage can make this piece unstoppable, although it is hard to plan with, moving in a small “L” shape but able to jump over other pieces. Much like Core’s White King, this White Knight is rebellious, and acts as an additional Black Knight. Cross is a major key in AEJ, he holds OVERWRITE while Error works through his shit and he has to have the right environment and be on Core’s side by the end otherwise its game over. Cross is a trained soldier from childhood and over the resets has lived for nearly just as long as Core. Some resets he has his memories, others he doesn’t.

White pieces (Bishops, Knights, Rooks, and pawns): The characters of XTALE + The idiots of the cult. Xtale are the Bishops, Knights, and Rooks, the idiots are the pawns.

Black pieces go to Error, his team, as well as the main recurring/supporting characters.

Black King: Chronic, limited movement but similar to the Queen. In the series Chronic is more powerful than Error, yes, however, while able to defeat XG, they die in the process–thus needing to restart the multiverse. Error was able to defeat XG without killing his whole team in the process, only taking a few of Nightmare’s souls and being able to live on to tell the tale. This is some fucked up logic yes and I can go in depth of why this isn’t exactly true, but it’s 2am and I’m not doing that. (I honestly can’t remember the thinking behind this)

Black Queen: Error, free movement as long as no one stands in his way. Error is by far the most powerful(Chronic aside) in his multiverse. He's not just a destroyer, but the god of Code. He has free reign to fix or dismantle whatever AU he choses. If Chronic and Core did not fill in the roles, Error would have the say of the barriers of his multiverse, AUs Creators or characters from other multiverses. His one draw back is his emotions, not in a oh don’t cry way. Because he is a split soul from a fusion his powers hold some properties of Nightmare, Dream, Death, and Ink. In this particular multiverse, he powers are closely resemble Nightmare and Dream–being able to feel out other souls and sense the intent from them as well as having his powers fueled by emotion. His drawback is that its not fueled by others emotion but his own. Nightmare’s and dreams emotions merely sway if their magic is more pure or corrupted, Error’s emotions mix with his determination, fueling his magic. When he is not determined or letting his emotions flow like his magic, it sputters and fails. Once that barrier is out of the way, he is unstoppable.

Black Bishops: Both of these go to Nightmare and Dream. They act together but opposite, because of the even spacing on the board despite being on either side of the king and queen they are on opposite colors of the board. Their moves cannot cross, and they are both stuck moving only diagonal. However, it doesn’t mean they’re not powerful. Even having one at the end of the game is highly useful, and both together can effectively result in a stalemate or checkmate. Nightmare and Dream are constantly considered completely opposites in the fandom–yet somehow still alike. In AEJ I took that many steps further, they embody the unexpected and expected. Dream with dark thoughts but a people pleaser–even at his own expense. Nightmare who secretly just wants everyone around him to be happy, but at heart and soul knows that his role is to spread negativity, and he will spread it in whatever way works best for the moment.

Black Knight: Death. In AEJ Reaper is unique. He is quiet and soft spoken, but his words leave impact. However, he hides this softer side behind a cocky and joking facade. He’s unexpected and quietly calculating and hard to plan where he will move. Core’s lost many a run due to the unpredictability of the mighty Grim Reaper.

Black Rook: Ink. The rook is also unique, unlimited reach like the queen but limited to only vertical and horizontal movements, and can be used like a queen except for certain situations. Ink is in a similar high status as Error, only limited due to Chronic and Error. He’s powerful with the drawback of unpredictable and unfocused raw creativity. Think of a paint gun, (I have no idea where I pulled this from either) it will shoot, but you have no idea if its a short range splash shot of chaos or the perfect long shot that will target and stay targeted on who you shot at. The rook is unpredictable because of the range of movement it has, it could move one space or across the board. Having this piece at the end of the game might as well be having a second queen.

Black Pawns: Killer, Horror, Dust, Hearts, Cobalt, and Blue. When you play chess, by the end of the game all of your pawns are usually gone. They will sacrifice themselves or die by your opponent's hand for the sake of progression. But, like Cobalt, sometimes one or two can survive, and they will watch the board from a distance.

AEJ “Rules”

In An Error’s Journey, by the end it's out in the open that Core has lived through a lot of overwrites. Even to the point of nearly being a million. Although I haven’t gotten to, and didn’t find a need to explain why, in detail that is, they had to live to a million. Some of it is explained in the fun facts, sure, but not truly explained.

AEJ, in technicality, is a Megaverse.

AEJ branches from Underverse, while it’s long since been disconnected in nearly every conceivable way possible, it is connected still. Core, after Error destroyed half the multiverse, took overwrite into their hands for a better end. This is hinted at in chapter 33 when Core said: “Well, my options were to live with only half the multiverse and attempt to make things good in a war-stricken world where everyone was insane or too naive to do much of any help… or change the multiverse for the better.”

Everytime Core overwrites the multiverse, it creates a new multiverse and pulls Core into it, leaving the old one behind. Since it’s a new multiverse in addition to the original multiverse, it does technically make AEJ as we know it a Megaverse.

The reason it took so many resets is because overwrite is somewhat unpredictable for Core. They didn’t make it, XGaster did. Each time Core uses it there is a small chance of a lot of things to happen. For example, there is a small chance of Nightmare being trans. If Nightmare is trans, it increases everyone else’s chances of being trans. Everyone has different variables and chances for it, with Nightmare Ink Cross Killer and Blue with the highest chances in that order.

Also, there is a chance of what Core personally dubs “Creators rules” in the multiverse. “Creators rules” are simply the Alternate Multiverses with “soulmate AUs” in place, the kinds where your soulmate’s or soulmates name shows up on your body. “Creators rules” can also be things like those Tik Tok skits, your eyes dictate your power level-or as Core mentioned in chapter 50 “if all my promises were a mark on my body, I wouldn’t have any skin left.” Core knows that because it-the Creator rule of all their promises showing up as a mark on their body-happened a dozen or so timelines ago.

Off track from the main premise of this, Core having a mark of each of their promises on their body-and the fact that they’d have so many marks it would cover their body, brings implications that I love that I don’t think anyone has bothered to think about. Even as the Creator of AEJ, I like to think that the implication ties heavily with a line Core said a little before in the same chapter: “At least, you will be able to live a happy life. A life far greater than you could’ve imagined for yourself.”. Core has promised previous versions of everyone a better life. Core promised themself a better life. Specifically, Core still promises Error a happy ending-while indirectly they have promised it. Telling Hearts to give Error hope, to tell him over and over he would get a happy ending. Core saying “hold him to his promises” isn’t holding Hearts to his promises, it’s asking Error to remind Core to keep striving for that happy end. It’s emphasized over and over Core is slowly but definitely surely going insane from all of this, they have to hold onto hope-just as they have told Error to. A lot of their promises are projecting themself onto Error.

Whoever rewrites the multiverse is no longer attached to it. Hence why Core can’t simply rewrite XGaster out. It pulls whoever is no longer connected to the timeline in addition to the rewriter everytime the multiverse is over written. Shadow,(This is from way back before Chronic was an official character in AEJ, and when I simply referred to them as Shadow) from the bonus chapter and Error’s dreams, is the only one aside from Core and XGaster to rewrite the timeline.

AEJ Fun Things (Unredacted and updated to chapter 77)

Chapter 10

If you didn’t figure it out, the flash of a memory of a younger Dream holding another skeleton is pre-apple incident, and the other skeleton was Nightmare.

Chapter 15

I’ve always had the headcanon that Ink has a magical Tome enchanted with Nim’s magic and coded with Error’s code and I finally got to place it here. I love Ink’s infinity tome, it also has a search option so Ink can look up a keyword or exact journal date if he needs.

Chapter 20

The memory Error kept having was of cuddling with Ink, with Nim laughing at the two being cute.

Core never meant to tell Error about his future partners, I didn’t either. But in the end it added more mystery and some joy/hesitation on Error’s part.

Error only refused to believe Ink was another one of the 4 for plot purposes lol

Chapter 25

I never intended to have Error’s middle name/study of religion to impact the story at all, while writing the chapter it came to me as the perfect motivation for the story and to set some canon things into place.

Error was never intended to befriend Ink or Dream as Lapse D. Mode.

I added Cobalt last minute into the equation to set up later events, and I wanted to have him involved before Error remembered him.

I never intended for Error to mess around with Dream as much as he did that chapter, but it allowed me to bring Dream more into the plot since-despite being a main character-he wasn’t supposed to be a main plot point until after chapter 50ish

“You pique my curiosity” is Dream for “I’m kinda crushing on you but I’m gonna pretend I'm just curious about your motives and want to learn more about you as my enemy.”

Error didn’t put together the Dream and Nightmare came from the same world because while Error and Ink have a shared balance and similar powers-they don’t come from the same world. Also Nightmare hid that part of his past because he’s tired of being in Dream’s shadow, and hid everything that even hinted that he was connected to Dream. Even though his accomplishments-however dark they may be-overshadow everything Dream does, he’s still fearful. Nightmare has also never said the name of the AU he came from.

That old professor at the college that wrote the book on Dream was Error’s religion professor. Error had to write a paper on the book and knows it cover to cover. It was his professor’s greatest accomplishment.

The hint of yellow on Dream’s cheekbones reminded Error of Nim, who had a mixed blush(Purple and yellow, with a slate-like color in the middle) like Error’s own(yellow with red and blue “freckles”).

Error didn’t have an answer because he doesn’t know how to explain it quite yet. He felt like he had to keep destroying, so he did. (This is the balance pushing him to do it, like a 6th sense in a way)

Chapter 30

Core’s office, Room 1510 is the numbers for the letters AEJ

“Cafes?”“Tick tok, Error” Core knew Error would eventually open his cafe, “The Outsider” and very subtly cemented the idea in his mind for when Ccino would bring it up in Chapter 45.

Error purposefully called Dream pretty boy again to try and get the same reaction-which he did. Dream didn’t pay it much mind because he has a lot of admirers, and while he didn’t expect it-he brushed it off like any other compliment he got.

In the meeting room the one who seemed to misplace their soul was Dest, the oldest Chara, who was keeping an eye on Intent and Error-the souls barely holding on are Error’s Papyrus and Gaster. Mercy is in there because he’s keeping an eye on Death, as Blue is keeping track of Ink and Dream-and Hearts keeps track of Error and Nightmare. Error is the main concern.

Sapphire avenue was named by Lust, who knew the library cafes and Universities were going to be built there-and wanted to name it after Sci, and the first thing Lust remembers about Sci is his glimmering Sapphire eyes. If they had lasted longer, Lust would’ve taken him there.

Ink’s office being 1504 is an easter egg to his birthday being on April 15.

The pebbles and rocks on the bracelet chain on Broomy Jr. are from Nim

Chapter 33

The one who made Dream’s scarf and the scones is Nightmare.

Dream only ever refers to Nightmare by name or they because Nightmare has made it clear he wants nothing to do with their shared past, and refuses to acknowledge any of it-even their shared birthday.

Nightmare is also fully transitioned and Dream is still having a little trouble with it.

Chapter 34

Cross’ blunt statement for the year had been calling Killer out for being an absolute hypocrite in monopoly(Killer had been complaining that someone had to have been stealing his money when he wasn’t looking-but he had been doing that to others when they left the room. Nightmare had been returning the stolen money when Killer wasn’t looking. Error had watched their game from the couch and just kept quiet when Killer asked if he knew who’d been stealing from him.)

Chapter 35

The nickname for Lapse, Eldeem, I thought up on the spot, but it’s terrible and such an Ink kinda nickname so into the canon it goes.

Dream and Nightmare are 506.

Ink is roughly 800, although he rounds it closer to 700 because that’s when he was added as leader of the Star council and the first ever record of his existence.

Error is ridiculously close to 1000, somewhere just under it.

Core outranks everyone in the multiverse being hundreds of thousands of years old due to the overwrites. They are nearly a million. (For an idea of how many overwrites they’ve been through, each overwrite at its shortest is about 300-400 years, and longest a little over 2,000 years.)

Chapter 37

The person Dream’s soul belongs to (“My soul will always belong to another… I would never even dare try with someone else until I talked to them first about it.”) Is Nightmare. Dream feels practically soul bound to him, since they never officially broke up. For the past centuries he thought Nightmare felt the same about the situation-hence why he was so upset over learning Error and Nightmare weren’t just together now, but also had been together in the past.

Chapter 38

I wanted to fill in the holes of Hearts’ story, and also bring up Cobalt again so Error is fully aware of him and can connect with Cobalt before remembering him.

Chapter 39

Core is 1000% up for validating Nightmare. It’s a very small chance of happening, but there have been multiple timeline’s that have happened previously of Nightmare being trans. Nightmare has the highest chance of being trans, and if he’s trans in the timeline it heightens the chance of others in the timeline being trans. Their current timeline has the most trans skeletons that have ever happened-not everyone that has the possibility of being trans is, but it’s the most by far.

Core has indirectly influenced Nightmare’s life twice, and directly talked to him(to influence his life) twice, the second time was telling Nightmare of Cross.

Core has also directed Cross’ life a good deal, which makes sense considering he’s the key piece to XG’s power, holding Over-write and all.

While a heartbreaking chapter and was difficult to write myself, I think Nightmare’s past and what he went through shows his character greatly. Yes he tends to hide things-even highly important things, but it's always for good reason.

I’ve headcannoned for some time that Nightmare is missing a good portion of his skull, thanks to Error’s help he later fully accepts what happened to him and stops hiding his shattered skull.

Sci went to Dreamtale because of Core, who told him he was needed and to simply trust Core on this. Nightmare is unaware that Sci was told to help him. Sci is the closest thing Nightmare has ever had to a Dad, and while Sci was certainly surprised the first time Nightmare referred to him as Dad, Sci was more than happy to accept the role. Nightmare is hesitant in actually calling Sci his Dad to other’s in fear for Sci’s life, and also because he knows Error would push him to tell Sci they’re together and he’s not quite ready to deal with that mess yet. (Sci would be very supportive to learn of their relationship, the mess I’m referring to is Sci going full Dad mode and asking why Nightmare didn’t say anything sooner-asking when they would get married/soul bound/if kids are an option. All the fun stuff parents typically ask when learning about their kid’s relationship.)

By Dream and Nightmare’s first battle, Nightmare had been fully transitioned-thanks to help from Sci-and Ink had long gotten used to Nightmare being well, Nightmare.

Nightmare is currently working in the background of the chapter to find a way to get his old aura back. Most of the books in the library he has are from Reapertale Alphys’ library, he spends a good portion of his time researching for any cure to his corruption-despite how much it helps him.

Nightmare has a familiar but I didn't get the chance to mention them :P

Nightmare doesn’t remember it, but the spell he cast on Dream happened right before he blacked out again. It was barrier magic, and being unpracticed at the time-he accidentally made a barrier of stone around Dream.

Chapter 41

“But something irked him wrong about that Gaster. Like they had old beef together,” That Gaster was XGaster, and sometimes people in the multiverse get deja vu because of faint memories of the previous timeline spilling over. Hence why Geno felt as if they had old beef- the previous timeline XGaster killed him during the Multi-War.

Chapter 42

When Error pulled back from the Antivoid, XGaster took the chance to get into the Antivoid and hid there from then on. Error forgot to tune back in and never visited the Antivoid after that so he never found out.

I’ve always headcanoned Dream to be vegan, and I love the idea that Blue runs a farm in his spare time and it’s completely free range and the animals all pass away as happy as they can be.

“Perhaps one day, if my partner’s could offer something similar, then I would leave.” The similar Dream is referring to isn’t the actual structure or the small cabin feel, but rather the memory’s and comforts he has in the cabin. He has no reason to leave it in his mind because nothing else gives him such comfort. To him, it doesn’t matter that he has to take his baths in the creek nearby or constantly buy ice for his icebox, or even that he has to painstakingly repair the house after each winter.

“And it seemed that their friendship blossomed into something bigger. Something of mutual understanding.” Error can understand not wanting to leave a place of stay, having clung onto what he considered the comforting absence of any stimulus that is the Antivoid. He understands what Dream’s feeling in that moment, even if Dream doesn’t know it. They can silently connect over that feeling and grow closer together, the simple sentence being a much bigger confession of weakness. Dream a war hardened God with next to no earthly possessions and no more close friendships then the fingers on one hand has this one weakness-his home in Dreamtale.

Chapter 43

Error’s realm was originally meant to be the Antivoid-as hinted at in Chapter 10, but I liked the idea of his own realm much more.

With the new context of realms being connected to the soul and mind-I’m surprised no one realized(or if they did, didn’t mention) that Grimm’s character is suddenly made much deeper than he once was. Since Chapter 10 of the series, I’ve told everyone that Death’s realm is a barren dark place. Everything is dead. He had to bring things(his crows and vultures) outside of the realm in order to fill in that empty void of a landscape. Now, Death subtly shows that since being with Dream and Ink, his realm has begun to show signs of life again. The grass is greener, plants are starting to grow, small animals have returned(think about what that could symbolize in terms of emotional and mental stability). Losing Geno/Error did affect him greatly. During his time with Geno it was a flourishing forest. Now it’s a dead wasteland with the only trees being dead twigs that would snap with the weight of a feather.

Chapter 44

“A simple few missing lines of code. Nothing unusual and something he had seen in worlds for years.” It used to be unusual, and that was before XGaster was even on the game board, Error will find out after XGaster’s defeat that worlds don’t typically randomly lose their code.

Ink’s clinginess was an early hint to their recent breakup. Death has his job and Ink wants to be strong for Grimm and doesn’t want to appear clingy, he feels comfortable with Lapse and isn’t too worried about losing them, so they happily cling to them to help cope with being near Dream after the breakup.

The flash of memory was of Cobalt, just before Cobalt became an error too.

Ink wearing the nightgown and switching to more feminine clothing is an early hint at them being Genderfluid.

I like the idea of Skeleton’s generally being Genderfluid/Gender neutral and wanted to bring it up as canon for the series :} (it also adds extra flesh and color, so to say, to the motives of Dream, Nightmare, and the village-along with how Dream treats Ink and why Killer wants to protect Cross from Dream. Nightmare is fully aware of skeleton history and despite technically not being one-he’s largely treated and seen as one so he wants to correct the delusional idiots out there. Nightmare is the one who taught Error and the gang the proper skeleton history. There’s very little mention of wingdings and nothing that teaches the language-so that’s why Nightmare doesn’t know it despite researching skeletons.)

Chapter 38 hinted at Killer liking Cross, and Cross somewhat returning-along with Horror and Dust’s background relationship, but I figured I would out right say it to make it clear, and also build stronger connections to Error and the gang.

Killer didn’t want to talk with Nightmare about it because it involved Dream.

I did not plan for Cross to also be trans in this too, but thinking about it Cross gives me serious nonbinary vibes, plus it adds more fuel to the plot and motivation between Killer and Cross. (Also I love the idea of Killer joking to Cross about Cross using xey/xem and then Cross actually wants to try it and enjoys using the pronouns. Also Cross does frequently internally and sometimes externally curse XGaster for being this close to detail when it comes to them-it actually wasn’t XGaster that programmed that in at all, and the multiverse has a slight chance of changing his programming to trans after he becomes an outcode.)

Error’s shit eating grin at Killer’s confession is because he knows if he pesters Killer enough, Killer will either accidentally reveal his lie or out right say the blunt truth of whatever answer he’s been dancing around.

Chapter 45

Error was making milk in hopes of going back to bed, but after seeing Dream awake he said fuck it guess I’m playing Main Character early today and made coffee instead.

Dream doesn’t think he deserves help, he wants to change, yes, and he wants to learn how-but he doesn’t think he deserves it. Every relationship he’s considered important he believes he’s/literally has ruined. First Nightmare, then Ink and Death which affected his relationship to Blue and he also assumes Lapse. (Error just accidentally muted Lapse’s phone again and has forgotten to check it, oops.)

With the new context of it having been 489-nearly 490 years since the incident, I alluded to the death of the village and Nightmare/Dream’s God birth(when they became Gods) being when they(Nightmare & Dream) were 17/nearly 17. Keep in mind Nightmare and Dream when they were created already had the mind equal to that of about a 16 year old and body of one as well, but actually counting from creation to incident is roughly 17 years. So that's how when Nightmare's abuser's are younger than him at the start but seemingly grow to be older than him(becoming adults when Night was technically 17)-since Nightmare's story is based on this technicality.

The village didn’t have a schooling system, and by the time they did Dream was much too old for it. Dream has seriously considered trying for schooling, but being a God and dealing with the multiverse heavily impedes that.

Error and Nightmare both have a lot of Degrees, Nightmare learned on his own over the years and after Error was brought back to sanity Nightmare helped him learn.

Error and Nightmare weren’t originally meant to teach Dream and build that connection with him.

Nightmare is about a head shorter than Error, but Nightmare doesn’t let it stop him at all.

I LOVE the headcanon of Error coming to own a cafe for general outsiders and unwanted. A place that anyone-even the annoying God of Creation and feared God of Death can enjoy, along with any Underlust monsters and “darker” AUs.

“There are plenty of moments of your immortality that you’ve forgotten,” Error has spent a good 800 years of his life immortal, and I specifically had to say moments because the memories that Error will relive from his immortality are just that. Moments. Completely unlike any of his other memories-only pieces of them are actually important and those pieces are spaced out across a good 500 year period.

Chapter 48

“Emotional radar” was supposed to be “Godly powers”, but saying godly powers aside didn’t make sense because it is a godly power to know that your side of the multiverse balance is out of whack.

Chapter 49

Reaper doesn’t know that the “new Gods” Nim made friends with were Ink and Error.

Death does know that Nightmare and Dream have a balance, but is unaware that they don’t know.

Chapter 50

The slip up Core was referring to was mentioning Error’s future partners. Error is oblivious to love even though Death does kiss him on the cheek at the end of the chapter.

“Death and Blue seemed to smile knowingly while Ink and Cobalt gave wide grins.” Death and Blue were smiling knowingly because Death just figured out why he recognised Lapse’s soul and Blue because he’s in on everything, and Error just realized he may be helping Core like Hearts has.

Completely honest, the cafe “The Outsider” is a personal headcanon I’ve had for ages, and I love the idea of VIP room for special guests and so Error can relax in his own cafe without having to hold up the disguise.

Sydney is also a headcanon, I love the idea of Error seeing this disabled mafia tale spider and going, yeah I’ll make them the manager for my cafe. They’re perfect.

Special drinks are also a headcanon. Grim beanery is easy, Grim/Reaper. Tasteful rainbow is Ink. Deception is Dream. Royal brightness is Nightmare. The dark chocolate mixed with white chocolate cocoa is Cross. The black coffee paired with raspberry syrup is Killer. The mixed berry handcrafted tea is Hearts. Finally, the minty green tea and cherry tea is Dust and Horror respectively. I would’ve done one for Ccino… but his name is literally short for Cappuccino.

“Death leaned in, giving him a kiss on the cheek-Lapse’s form flickering before returning.” Lapse’s form flickered because it literally killed the illusion. Whenever Death touches Error he kills him, but while Error’s body is mortal-and the leftover code of Sci that allows him to be Lapse is mortal, Error’s soul is now Immortal. (Also more background thing, the only reason Error can switch to Lapse is because the sprite of Sci/sans is still left in his code, so he can temporarily fix his code-aka changing the colors back to normal to look the way he’s supposed to.)

Chapter 51

Originally Core was supposed to make the portal for Geno and Geno would pass out as soon as he showed up in the antivoid, but Core’s little betrayal was too perfect so that’s what we ended up with. (Also was made much easier because we already established much earlier Core can change where portals go-changing Error’s portal from the antivoid to Core’s office in Chapter 33)

Chapter 52

The multiverse where Error helped Core try and find a way to give him a happy life through and through? That wasn’t technically Error. That was Template. Core wanted to see if changing how Error and also the others lifes by swapping them around would fix anything. Clearly it didn’t as Core gave up on it. Core’s thinking behind it was “Maybe the multiverse is going to shit because they aren’t in the right roles. This isn’t what they’re meant to do.” Since as we easily see from Error he can create and Ink can destroy.

Core talking about how long they spent looking for an answer was an early hint at their true age.

Core can’t use overwrite to get rid of XGaster because XGaster anticipated it would be used against him. Overwrite cannot get rid of him.

I’ve been meaning to bring up Nightmare’s familiar since I introduced him as a warlock. At first I considered Nightmare would make the manor his familiar, but that was complicated and it would bring up further headcanons I had for that-having to feed the house human souls/save stars to keep it as Nightmare familiar and so on. Second, I considered he saved a human soul that controls the house, living as a ghost in the attic with their little sibling that Nightmare also rescued as a condition for becoming his familiar. In the end I decided on his corruption as his familiar-although at first it was “Oh I found out my corruption was sentient and now it protects me.” but that gave a lot more implications and that would also need to bring up and idea of Nim not being the only guardian and pulling in the (I believe) canon of a previous guardian of negativity banished into the apples when I haven’t previously established that and would’ve needed to establish that when Reaper talked about her to Sans-so that’s why we have “I gave my corruption sentience” instead.

I don’t think anyone has realized it, but while this chapter was originally intended for Error to reconnect with Death-it instead showed a huge marker in Error and Nightmare’s relationship. Nightmare is countlessly showing and giving his weaknesses to Error. Error is the first to have ever visited Nightmare’s realm-which is full of personal items-even his crown and the camera Dream had bought for him. Error is the first-Sci aside-to see Nightmare in his shattered glory. Error is the first that Nightmare truly lets take care of him. Surrendering himself by holding his body together- not being able to move a limb at all to stop whatever he did, even not being able to see what the other was doing once again to Error. It also extends to the trust he has for the gang. He barely has enough magic to move, and he still tells and shows them anyways. Hearts is going to marry Blue. One of their main enemies. Nightmare trusts that Hearts won’t tell Blue his big bad secret.

Chapter 53

Some of Nightmare’s banned nicknames include: Noot, Noot-Noot, Noot-mare, Noot-hair, Octopus (Only Error is allowed), Squid (The gang refers to Ink as squid only to piss off Nightmare, unlucky for Nightmare it stuck), Cuttlefish (Only Error is allowed), Cuddle bear (Only Error is allowed), Tar, Horse-mare, Horsey, Bossy-wossy, and Kingy-wingy.

Cross calls Killer “Light shine” because of the light Killer’s soul radiates, it's a dim calm white then the bright eyesore of the Antivoid and the red is much more muted. It’s helped heal the trauma Cross has with those colors-white from the void and red from Chara.

Chapter 54

Core was, in a way, organizing Error’s dreams. “Bastard fucker”, much more professionally known as Chronic, was walking into Error’s dreams to try and non-verbally tell him “If you keep doing this, you’ll end up like this. You’ll end up like me. The people you care for will end up like this. They will die.”

Dream still lets Nightmare into his realm as a means of saying “I’m always here. I’ll wait until you’re ready to talk.” He still deeply cares for Nightmare and wants Nightmare to know that.

Chapter 55

Referencing the “darker” side of Lapse and “soft” side of Sydney was just a fun thing to connect the two. They 100% spend hours in the VIP loft talking about very specific ways to get away with crimes and also different cooking recipes. No there isn’t an inbetween. They also tend to have philosophical questions and conversations, “What if Death literally asked me to kill someone and help him out? Could I still be charged for a crime? Would it be a godly crime to ask that of a mortal? Would it be a mortal crime for a God to intervene like that? Is the Star Council a mortal offense because it’s ruled by two thirds Gods? Anyways yeah never over do vanilla. Always under do it. You’ll regret it I swear. That is more bitter than burnt spider goods, I swear Lapse.”

If it wasn’t clear from the warnings on that chapter, Dream-when the right memories are triggered, more specifically being stuck in stone/cramped spaces-struggles with depersonalization dissociation.

Dream went to talk to Nightmare, knowing of Nightmare’s knowledge and hoping to find an answer of what just happened from him-he does find the answer. Despite Nightmare still being his enemy, he knows that whatever has been happening is linked to his years in stone, and he trusts Nightmare to not use it against him. He holds nothing against Nightmare and still trusts him the same.

The level Core was speaking about was the common trait of having held Overwrite at some point. Hence why Core doesn’t wish to see Error on that level. If Core were to see Error on that level it’d mean Error made the same mistake again-choosing overwrite.

Chapter 55.5

Dream’s realm is an exact copy of Nightmare’s, their realms look like this because it's a reincarnation of Nim.

The realm was another way to show Dream’s mental state, to show how bad things had gotten over time. He and Error are far more similar than either would like to think.

Dream trusts Nightmare despite everything because he knows it wasn’t Nightmare’s fault. They didn’t choose to be guardians, although they did choose God-hood to protect themselves and others. Dream understands Nightmare better than he does himself. Dream had long since left an opening for Nightmare–his realm. Nightmare allowing Dream to be taught by Error and also helping to teach Dream in addition to teaching Dream at their base is a larger opening that Dream could’ve ever thought of.

Nightmare has all sorts of backup plans, this also includes knowing all of the Star Sans’ and Council’s phone numbers.

Nightmare isn’t ready to let Dream in his realm yet. He doesn’t know how Dream will react to having the remnants of the past. The camera sitting clean and cared for on a dainty pillow, his old outfit folded and carefully displayed, even his crown repaired and intact also on display.

It took way longer than I would like to admit to come up with “velvet sun”. I wanted something that you would associate with “soft light” since Nightmare’s nickname is “star light.” I had to look through the thesaurus a lot to get to “velvet sun”.

Dream has trouble with learning because he’s very oblivious–to put it as simply as possible. Most explanations don’t work for him. Nightmare is up front and forward with him. As blunt as needed. He doesn’t talk down to Dream for not going to school, he says things exactly as they are without the use of trying to imagine some scenario.

Nightmare also understands that Dream most of the time doesn’t have the words to explain how he’s feeling and has learned how to help out Dream with that as well.

Chapter 56

If it wasn’t clear the shadowy hands that sparked Error’s magic was Chronic.

I had to completely watch through and take notes on a movie version of the Error sans ask comic. There are 5 pages of notes from that. The second half of the chapter is pretty much cut and paste with some more detail from the comic.

God of Destruction is the self-given title, although it is acknowledged by Core. A more accurate title would be “The God of Code'' since his true calling is repairing or removing the code of the multiverse while Ink is in charge of creating code and letting worlds in. Unfortunately at the beginning he was more like a broken code–removing anything even if it could be repaired, although he did come to learn his lesson.

Chapter 57

The other Gods were completely unaware that Error and Ink had come into existence until after Nim’s death, since Nim was stuck in place she really had no way of telling or contacting them. By then Error and Ink were far from reachable so Reapertale mostly let them be and figure things out. It wasn’t until Nightmare’s rise to power that the Gods of Reapertale realized that Nim had been replaced.

Error didn’t want to tell them his name because he didn’t trust them. He barely understood the kindness they were showing him and didn’t know how to reciprocate it after the toxic environment the voices in the antivoid gave him.

This is the second time I’ve mentioned code just disappearing, I continued to stay surprised as no one thought to comment on it.

I’m surprised no one noticed why I paid so much special attention to XGaster, this chapter was the second time Error had an off feeling about that Gaster.

“Yes, I might as well have created them myself.” This line is begging for attention and is subtly spoiling everything. Although still no one commented on it.

Core told Ink to trust Error above everyone else, even Core. Ink completely trusts Error, and so he trusts Error’s judgment–although it was immediate–and Error proves his judgment correct.

Chapter 57.5

I actually messed up a small bit, earlier in the series I said there was only one book on Dream, and in this chapter I referenced a whole section dedicated to Dream. Although to fix the plot-hole: After the scandal of Dream breaking up with Ink and Death many books were written about the relationship and the sudden near disappearance of Dream. Not all are in the best view of him, some are from a perspective of pity and others of hate. This feeds into Dream’s overthinking.

Error–as Lapse–figured he could make a book on Nightmare since he knew the other so closely, and make some money off of that because there aren’t many books on the God of Negativity.

There is a single book between Dream and Nightmare’s sections, written by Sci from the Star Council. It’s the only book that records Nim’s existence. Death personally paid for it to be written and got the help of the other Gods to fill the book as much as they could.

Both Nightmare and Dream tend to deflect others' feelings towards them, even if they return. They got this habit from their harsh breakup between each other and the problems their relationship had prior. It’s why Nightmare doesn’t say “love” often, even as a nickname. It’s also why Dream tends to overthink things because the one time he wasn’t thinking straight(leaving Nightmare alone nearby to the people who Dream just witnessed abusing him)–he lost Nightmare.

I didn’t plan for this chapter to be as long as it is, I just planned to only write Nightmare’s POV, but switching around gave me the chance to write other characters' perspectives on things and have fun with their different thought processes, take a look into how they think and view the world. It also allowed me to show dynamics and come up with more nicknames. Cressy took far longer to come up with than I would like to admit.

Chapter 58

Error is a piece of Chronic, so Core telling Error to trust Chronic might as well be saying “trust yourself” which absolutely cracks up Chronic. It’s an inside joke that Chronic says often. Everytime they talk about plans and that Error doesn’t trust Chronic, Chronic slowly stars “So…” “Chronic, for the fourth time, no.” “I guess you could say-” “I wish I never let you live.” “He needs to trust himself more.” “I’m done.” Core smiles everytime because its so stupid and it makes them feel a little younger, less like the multiverse is on their shoulders.

Chronic’s form flickering as they entered the portal was a hint that their portals are made through Death’s powers but their body is Error’s. Since when Death touches Error as Lapse his form flickers.

While Chronic and Error’s timelines are back to back, they are not exact. Chronic is the initial timeline that I was supposed to write. The originally planned much more angsty with little comfort story. The story where Error spiraled down and his pain brought everyone together. Chronic is still recovering from it. Error is only different in the fact that while he is in pain and slowly pulling away, he’s pulling together everyone while he suffers. Chronic did not have that same net, he did not have a realm to escape to. He ran across worlds until the gang and Stars pulled him back. Even then, he never fully came back.

Chapter 59

“It’s going to take a lot to get me down.” Is an important sentence because it does take a lot to stop Error. Like an overpowered Gaster wielding the power of a Creator. It’s a common phrase for Error, and he’s said it many times to assure others that he’s okay in previous timelines. Including right before he’s died.

Chapter 60

Dream was originally going to confess to Error at the beginning, but I decided to hold it off and make the chapter more central around reconnecting and strengthening the connection between Error and Cross as well as the gang and Error learning–or starting to at least–to cope and work through his current problems.

I actually took a little break on this chapter to reread through the whole series, which at 59 chapters takes most people 2 days (from my experience and commenters)

Chapter 61

Ink wasn’t trying to start a fight, Ink was actually trying to get Error to stay still so they could talk.

“That in death, he found the stars” Is a reference from when Death took him to outertale in chapter 27

“A… different place to call “home” aside from the antivoid” Nim’s AU in this chapter ends up becoming a second safe place for Error, but Error’s not willing to admit that he considers it a safe place so we’re left with “different place” close enough.

Chapter 62

The question what happens when a God dies was major hints towards Nim’s death and foreshadowing for Error’s own “death” as well as Chronic’s past.

Chronic disappearing “Going rebellious” and having Deja vu was a hint at them being a fusion of Error Ink Dream Nightmare and Death. All of them have a hard time with Nim. Nightmare and Dream feel guilty because they “replaced” Nim, Error and Ink were close to Nim, and Death was very close to Nim as well. Nim helped him dramatically in his early years before Mercy was created.

“Thank you for your help, Nim, goodbye.” Was a hint at Nim’s soon demise, and it was actually Core thanking them for helping Error and Ink, not for their “help” in finding Chronic.

“That fuckin’ nickname” Was Kitten, which Ink had called Error the previous chapter.

Chapter 62.5

I didn’t expect to write this chapter, but I wanted to write what happened with Chronic and give the readers more insight to Core and Chronic’s relationship, as well as Chronic themself.

I refer to the different parts of Chronic a lot in this chapter. The realm of his dreams was for Error. The pillow nest was in reference to Death in the fusion, little bird loves his cuddles and making sure he--and in turn everyone in the fusion–is comfortable. The reading was in reference to Nightmare.

Dream–in the fusion–takes a bit of a back seat in this chapter, acting as a neutral. Checking in on Core and holding back more harsher words from others.

The original draft was only 200 words, a very short dialogue between Chronic and Core, but I wanted to make it at least 500, so I switched from using Core’s POV to Chronics.

This chapter pretty much explicitly told why Core was so weird in Chapter 62

The smoky true black wings and dripping “limbs” were hints to Nightmare and Grim being part of the fusion that is Chronic.

Ink is the only one to not talk out of the fusion. Ink took the hardest hit from losing Nim. Being with the fusion has given them better memory and overtime reliving through everything in the new multiverse has pretty much completely retained their memory.

Chapter 63

I actually pulled into my own experiences with pain for this chapter, a weird disorder in my family that shows up every few generations that makes it really hard for my nerves to recognize pain and I had to learn what pain felt like and what to do rather than just instinct–so pain is really disconnected for me, which, with Error’s glitched war hardened mortal body with the soul of a God in it, I think makes a lot of sense for him.

I flat out talked about the previous multiverse wars and previous timelines without actually saying anything about them… more lore under the radar

I hinted that Ink used to have to deal with the worst of the voices before they left to torture Error.

Hinted that Dream and Nightmare’s little hut was made by Ink for Error.

Life and Grim visited because Error was on the verge of dying, Grim recognized the soul and went to it–after getting Life. Nim didn’t recognize the name Geno, but explained about Error. Things connected in Life and Death’s minds, but they didn’t say anything. Just wishing Error well. Nim knew Error wasn’t born a God because of this, Ink didn’t put it together. Just figured Life and Death had heard about Error through Nim because the three were close.

Chapter 64

This was the first time I ever broke the rule of separating Error’s memories and present between chapters. I purposely made it extremely disorienting for both Error and the reader to simulate that, Core has to outright say what happened for Error and the reader to understand what just happened.

I hinted again that Death was apart of Chronic’s fusion. Error actually flat out seeing that Death was in the fusion without realizing it–in his desperation for comfort thinking Chronic’s wings were Deaths–since no one else has them, yet.

Chapter 65

In this chapter I mentioned it had been a year since the memories started for Error, which lines up in actual time with the anniversary of AEJ–although it’s a few days off (the chapter was posted on the 28, the anniversary is on the 22).

Cobalt crocheting and teaching Ink how to was set up for the coming chapters.

When writing the second half I was talking to a friend about the chapter and word for word summarized this part as “if it could be gay-er, it would be a stereotype.”

Reaper and Ink both realize that Error’s talking about Nim’s death. Ink also realizes about their and Error’s shared past–but still can’t really remember so they don’t mention it.

Chapter 66

The hating underfell sans thing? I accidentally made it make a lot of sense in AEJ. Because Cherry–from like chapter 4–was an asshole ex to Lust. Error specifically has a vendetta against Cherry, and Cherry alone is #13.

Chapter 67

I didn’t originally intend for the hut to have been Error’s/Ink’s and later become Dream and Nightmare’s. That was more or less the details filling in themselves as this story often did.

The books falling into Error’s path was Chronic’s doing.

Ink’s tome is a personal headcanon I’ve had for ages and I absolutely love the idea and was so happy I could implement it into AEJ. Specifically a tome made by Error to be infinite and often times I’ll add in the detail of how it can act like a fricken library computer and you can search up key words and dates bc holy fuck does Ink have centuries packed into that thing. Also love the idea of Ink being like “wait, since when were we friends Error??” Error sighs, “Page 483, date XXX5” “What??” “Your tome.” “Oh-” *opens tome and reads what he wrote for the date “OH! Yeah, silly me lol.” They are the definition of tired and energetic couple dynamic, romantic or platonic does not matter.

Transitioning to present between those memories helped several different things: I could connect the tome Ink currently has to the one Error made in the memories, I could bring up that Nightmare is opening up to people and actively letting Ink and Death be trusted alone with Error, and also show how Error was beginning to heal–before being promptly traumatized.

XGaster had promised Ink a soul. Which I honestly forgot about but tied up nicely for the end because Chronic filled that wish, so it took away any interest Ink had in X and took away any control X had over Ink.

Ink wanted the soul so they could be genuine for Error, understand the moral issues he was having over the guardians. After the apple incident Ink forgot about wanting a soul again, only randomly remembering it and getting into a funk until something else caught their attention. In the span of the story of AEJ (Error’s present, not the memories, I know it's confusing.) Ink mostly doesn’t remember wanting a soul. If there was any time that they did, it would be when Dream broke things off with Death and him, a moment that would make him want to be genuine in his partners sorrow and pain. Sometimes Lapse would invoke the feeling briefly, like wanting genuine happiness when seeing them about and especially when the cafe opened.

“He barely saw a glimpse of Ink’s truthful hurt,” it was truthful that time because of Error, soul or not they’ve spent the past centuries together. No matter who you are, spending centuries together creates a relationship, and knowing that you will not see that person anymore hurts. (this is following the idea of Ink chooses what he wants to feel about people, ex: enemies if he took some pink paint he wouldn’t go crazy and start loving them, but he would probably hug Dream if he took pink paint. Soulless or not he knows what he wants to feel and still has a set of morals, just not the stereotypical ones we see in most characters, AEJ Ink simply has problems with the grey range: XGaster helped him, and Ink helped X in return–but he’s bad? But he’s done good things. It’s a grey that’s confusing and leaves him with the morals he has, trust Error’s word or follow X for the soul he wants for Error, he tries to do both but fails as we know.)

Chapter 68

This was a chapter I was ridiculously excited for, and it’s a giant paragraph on my plot document. I don’t think when I was writing this that I wrote it as long as I wanted to, but I’m still happy with the end result.

If you can’t tell, I took a page of christianity for the humans in this chapter.

At first, Nightmare was quite weary of the cloak stranger (Error) just hearing stories from Dream and soul gripping with fear for what the stranger could be planning, but the moment of handing the spellbook over is extremely beneficial to the entire story, and there’s a reason Chronic had to make sure this landed in Error’s path. This is what helps create the bond between Dream and Nightmare, Nightmare becoming the “star light” we know. This is what opens the gate way to spells for Nightmare at a young age and what helps him be so much more magically focused in AEJ (Most interpretations leave him more academically or musically focused) Nightmares spells are used a lot in AEJ, his sleep spell as well as his “star light” are pretty much his trademarks, loved by Error and Dream.

What’s somewhat funny is Error thinks in this chapter that human religion never made sense to him… keep in mind in AEJ Error canonically had a degree in religion–which includes human. Remember how furious he was in his memories? Now imagine how much more angry he could be understanding the bs excuses and reasoning that the humans had. (which sadly also happens a lot in modern times world wide to this day)

Dream did attempt to ask about the bruises and dents in Night’s bones. Night just laughed it off or gave half hearted excuses, which Dream could tell were lies but didn’t want to make NM uncomfortable so he didn’t force NM to say anything. They 100% talk about this later in life and by the end of AEJ laugh at how stupid they both were.

Dream’s memory is extremely blurry around the time of the apple incident, barely remembering “Stranger” bringing NM to him and not remembering what he said, however– he does remember distinctly Stranger’s voice. It’s why Dream cares about Lapse so much, its nearly identical voices, (a little more ruff from being traumatized in the antivoid) he holds some hope that Lapse is a descendent of Stranger.

The altercation between Error and Ink in this chapter made Ink want a soul more than ever. He didn’t leave Dreamtale at all until well after the apple incident because of this. Just sitting in the tree working over everything in his mind trying their best to understand but failing. Ink doesn’t remember it, but he was there long enough that he did see Sci show up and take Nm away.

Chapter 69

There are many interpretations of how Error handled the trauma of the antivoid, and somehow I managed to fit both of the main interpretations into AEJ. This first time Error relentlessly fights against the memory loss, doing his best to remember everyone close to him. The second time he gives up, basically having a “flash of life” moment before he surrenders to the loss. It hurt far too much to handle, and losing those memories was an escape from it.

I pretty much summarize Error’s new life in the memories (aka, insane as the past Error has been nicknamed in my docs). In the philosophical moment Insane has, he thinks: “Maybe next time he would choose to live amongst mortals and enjoy the simple things in life.” He does eventually live alongst side mortals, eating and sleeping with them, even going as far as to live TWO mortal lives, going full out in the struggle of building up a business in the bustling city of Omega, because apparently being a royal scientist previously and a Code master of the multiverse/ self proclaimed God of Destruction wasn’t enough.

“Not the death that plagued him so. Watching over him like some over-protective guardian.” I played around with words here and I love what I did so enjoy reading it again.

“If he fought, however, there was Ink to think of. The chance that Purple and Yellow were still alive, that he could be close to them. Purple’s laugh was music, and Yellow was just as charming. Then honoring Nim’s memory. Finally teaching Purple and Yellow about Gods, about the amazing deity that came before them, the balance, tell them anything.” Because Error didn’t fight, none of that happend. None of them care for the balance. Error forgot what it was and so did Ink, then Nightmare and Dream never learned. Nightmare and Dream only know of Nim because of the few wives tales that the village told and hearing sometimes from Death. Most of the deities of Reapertale don’t know they even exist or if they do, don’t recognize they are the guardians after Nim. Reaper doesn’t have much of an excuse and not all of the Gods in Reapertale have balances to uphold, so he didn’t think to mention it to Error, Ink, Dream, and Night.

Something I regret not conveying properly is what Error felt after returning from the recovery. He’s so fucking grateful to have Ink back, to know that he’s repaired things with Death and found him again, and honestly, feeling like an idiot for pushing Nightmare and Dream away. In that moment, he doesn’t want to push them away or do anything that could make them go away. All he knows is to tell Nightmare he(nightmare) is alright(aka, saying that Nightmare is ok to come closer, that right now he wants him close), the communication that NM always rewarded him for, something safe that wouldn’t push away.

Plot hole is that Dream didn’t bring up thinking Lapse could maybe be a descendent of Stranger here, but it’s fine because that thought process is immediately just considered coincidence once Dream hears that Error was Stranger.

“still upset they didn’t die–but that might be post-memory haze talking.” Error has changed since then and acknowledges it. He only kills when needed, even the terrible terrible people.

“A smile tugged at his face. In the past, he would’ve never believed it, soul freezing at any inclination of attachment. Now, he was starting to believe they were there for him.” Find this finalizing line a little funny (in a dark humor kinda way) because it’s not long after this chapter I promptly traumatize the fuck out of Error to a point where any healing he’s done is forgotten and he completely regrets any thing he’s done in life(because he’s super guilty that he was even allowed to go on for so long not living with the weight of it when it must have tortured Cobalt for so long, so a lot of guilt crashing down at once, literally centuries worth)

Chapter 69.5

I wanted to include Chronic in this and give an inner eye to their and Core’s dynamic and some of their conversations.

It is an honor to meet Template, Core talks very highly of them and Template is the reason Core was able to get this point, they would’ve not only given up long ago but would have no idea where to go at all with the overwrites.

Error’s alright because for a moment he doesn’t have to be everything he is in his multiverse, he can just blend in and sit back, not be the main character he always has to be.

Templates comment on “the string and glitch situation” is far more accurate than you’d first think, because Glitch had really no clue how he got into String’s multiverse and I doubt I’ll ever give a clear explanation for it. If you want for the sake of narrative (because technically, I can connect all of my series together as a megaverse but that’s far too confusing) Let’s say that Glitch is from Core’s OG universe (which is easy bc they both stem from after the events of Underverse 0.4) and Core accidentally or purposefully dropped them off. That aside, Chronic also at the start had no clue what was going on and didn’t function well, the first centuries they skulked and lurked about until Core made a realm for them. They didn’t function well as a fusion and it took centuries to get as used to it as they are, to be so fluid and act together as one. Give up control of some aspects and take control in others. It took them time to coordinate like they have. They let the Error of the fusion take front seat for talking and body when working with Error, same for the other four during 1 on 1s. Then it depends on the situation. People often know others better than they know themself, there are many little things that you do that the people that love you probably pick up on that you don’t notice. You wouldn’t second guess that someone that half heartedly talks like you sometimes does the same weird things you do, we humans naturally mimic each other and pick up what others do.

The coin was a major hint to the whole fusion. The sentimental intent and taste of fake emotion was hints to Dream and Nightmare, the mention of recognized creation magic Ink, and flowers not dying under their touch was Death.

The blanket was a second hint to the fusion. Dream and Nightmare dying the fabric and collecting the dye–like they had done together for Dream’s scarf–then spinning it was actually Death, the rainbow hues Ink, and knitting/sewing it together was Error.

Chapter 70

The emotion Error was feeling was guilt, he’s guilty for everything. For the rampages he knows he used to do, now against the ideals Nim taught him and he agrees with now. For pushing himself away from Nightmare, feeling like he’s playing with Nights emotions when Error is just struggling with himself and having trouble maintaining the relationship. Error’s guilty for pushing away the gang especially now that he’s grown so close to Cross and that he knows he’s missed so much of their growth–the relations that had grown between them–and he can’t get that time back. He’s guilty for forgetting Ink and his old bond, being Grim’s soul, avoiding Life and Mercy, and for spending time on himself when he should be helping others. Having all these lives remembered back to back is tearing him apart, he could go back to Sci roots and follow the morals he had then, distance himself and take care of himself like he did as Geno, go rogue like the early days in the antivoid, care for the multiverse like he was taught to, or keep up the life he had now and ignore the inner turmoil. While he struggles to figure out who he is, he’s losing the life he has now–or at least thinks he is. Thinks that everyone around him is moving away when the opposite is happening. They’re all growing closer, and Error’s in the center, not the outskirts. Lapse has also slipped away, and because everyone’s worried over Error, they’re forgetting Lapse. So in a way, Error’s right, just not about the right identity.

Sydney–since she’s from a Mafia tale–knows strongly of loss, close or not. She’s one of the few that is unaware of Error’s turmoils and therefore focusing on Lapse and keeping his life’s work afloat when he is gone. He brought her up from the dust (pun not intended), now it’s her turn to help him. The other’s that focus on Lapse are Blue and Cobalt, Hearts more preoccupied with Error and Ink concerned over Lapse, but wanting to focus on Error too. Ccino and Death, the only two to know of Error’s second identity, are focused on him in general, whether Error is acting as Lapse or not.

Spots–and Blue’s cow, Cinnamon–were late additions, and far from important to the story, but I just love the idea of them being close to one animal or another at the farm. Cinnamon is an older, more brownish cow while Spots is the more typical black and white. Also I like the idea of Honey napping with chickens and Hearts being really good at horseback riding. Him and Blue go out into the mountains and trails with their horses for dates. Hearts also loves the sheep and with the help of Cobalt has gotten really good with anything to do with wool–shearing, dying and knitting.

Dream can’t say no to Cobalt because Dream knows of Cobalt’s past and trauma and was there when he was rejoining society and getting used to people again. Dream can’t say no to him in the same way Nightmare can’t say no to Horror.

Chronic does know. I don’t know if I have mentioned it, but Chronic rarely says I, and it’s highly important every time they do. When Chronic says “I know” to Error, it’s because they do. That’s an Error on Error conversation. The error of the Chronic fusion does know, he has gone through something extremely similar, and while their multiverse’s have differences, they are close. Chronic Error can relate to the guilt on a personal level, he knows.

Chapter 71

Error’s feelings, the way I described it, is very empathetic to myself. My nerves are very broken to feeling most things–thanks genetics–so my sense of touch is based on what my muscles can feel, so being cold or limbs falling asleep is very disorienting, which I applied to Error as at this point, he’s been alone in the cold antivoid, just trying to rest, for a while. Limbs cold and asleep, bean bag just as cold against his face.

Error’s used to feeling half dead, soul barely beating if at all but still alive and moving. Being alive is painful for Error and he’s not used to the warmth of life, it’s burning to him. For a bit perspective for normal bodied people (yes, my nerve damage extends to telling temps): You just came inside after walking in the cold and go to the bathroom and wash your hands, the water's hot and your hands cold and it feels burning at first but then you recognize that it's just warm. Prolong that burning, that’s what Error’s feeling.

Error is afraid, he’s terrified of the outside, it’s not controlled, not something he knows how to handle. He knows how to handle the antivoid–he’s not comfortable in it, but it’s familiar.

Leaving to the underground near immediately makes Error overwhelmed and tired, too much to handle and to deal with.

Often during the chapter I cut over to Error’s thoughts, the desperation that he feels, the accomplishment he’s trying to reach. The voices did well to manipulate them, and even when trying to prove them wrong, he still searches for their validation. “…Where are the voices? He did good, right? He was doing what they asked-”

For this chapter parts of it are pretty much word for word copied from the actual original ask error sans comic.

For AEJ, the moment of Error holding back, unable to kill papyrus is what cements to Cobalt that Error was simply hurt, and not fully in control of what he was doing. That he had a chance to be good and sometimes does good.

When Error “talks” about Cobalt’s soul in this chapter and the next, it’s constantly talked about the same way the voices talk to Error, although its a sad attempt at hiding Error’s jealousy. “...attaching to that pathetically kind soul…”

By this point in the chapter, Error while still manipulated by the voices, had grown tired and annoyed with them again, restarting the cycle he has with them. One party always desperate and another always tired and angry with the other.

The reason Cobalt is a “dirty liar” is the voices had brainwashed Error that he could never have friends, he didn’t deserve them. The only reason Error was able to later make friends is he became allies with Nightmare for his own benefits, and for a long time didn’t consider them friends. It was only once he started staying at the castle more often and out of range of the voices control that he became more open, he doesn’t remember much of this time.

In a way, Error is scared of Cobalt. He’s scared of the relationship and the commitment. His soul hurts even at the thought, afraid of being hurt again and the relationship torn apart.

Chapter 72

He was searching for Nim’s presence, which led him to the remains of Dreamtale.

The “odd creature” was Nightmare, who kept a close eye on Dreamtale between bouncing around AUs and trying to find a place to call his own.

Nightmare at this point knows well of the destroyer, and did well to both protect himself and Dream from Error. Although Error is in the back of his mind as a possible ally, at the moment there’s nothing he can offer the destroyer for that allyship.

The voices are very toxic as soon as he’s back, although I was careful to make it a more underlying toxicity. Cobalt wasn’t important, just a brat. Just like you called him. They didn’t call him a brat and leave him alone in the antivoid, Error did. The blame isn’t on them. No one else can hear them. It’s all on Error. How could he blame the voices? They didn’t do the action, Error did. Then less underlying but a normal line to Error “now he’s just as bad as you.” Then reminding Error that he deserves to be alone, taking away the little control he had–or at least, making Error think the control is out of his hands.

Chapter 73

Coming back, Error feels more broken than ever, he needs that validation he was seeking from the voices in the past. He needs those pieces of his soul back. Nothing feels right. Chronic is extremely helpful in helping relieve the need, and so is Dream and Nightmare.

Coming out of the memories, Error feels lost for any control, afraid to speak up to Chronic about anything he wants. Keep in mind, he spent centuries in that antivoid with those voices, all the progress he had made from the voices, taking back control, might as well be gone. He doesn’t want to burden anyone. That’s a safe thing to confess, because he doesn’t deserve to burden anyone, he’s expecting Chronic to reinforce that. That he doesn’t deserve to be able to “burden” people, but instead he’s told the opposite.

Chronic was very smart in the way he approached this, Error wants to please right now and then take the validation, just like he did with the voices. Chronic reminds him of what his lovers want, that they want to help him–but of course, without saying that they want to help. Rewording it. Error while distraught, is still Error. He doesn’t need help, but if it will make others happy–he will help others.

Error right now feels so small, out of control despite the main character he is.

Nightmare doesn’t quite understand the extent of the voices' torment, or that Error just underwent their torment again. Error wasn’t willing to explain it the first time, and even less so now.

Dream mentioning that keeping all of that to yourself is “bad” is referencing Nightmare’s corruption, that keeping all of the trauma to yourself leads you down a path of bottling it up and destroying yourself. Nightmare and Dream can both see the signs in Error, and both are determined to let him go down that path.

Error, while out of control, wants to remind Nightmare that he’s still here too, just like Nightmare used to say. He wants to come back to control and be the person they love, but the fresh revival of trauma has left him uncertain. Holding on to Nightmare’s hand was symbolic. Will Nightmare keep moving? Or truly be there like he’s said? Nightmare waits, and is patient. He doesn’t move, he lets Error take the control he wants and however much he wants. For all Nightmare could’ve cared in that moment, Error could’ve pulled him back down and just held him close. But Error’s not ready to just take that amount of control, a small piece of validation and love it all he can muster to allow himself right now, and even that’s pushing the limits.

Error doesn’t take the laugh as something taunting, but enjoys Nightmare’s joy. It’s a chuckle of positivity that Error loves. It’s the validation he was looking for.

Nightmare 100% kisses Dream as soon as that door closes.

As you all know now, Chronic did bring him back (I know, Chapter 5)

Error can open his arms for Ink because it’s not taking control, not to him. It’s pleasing Ink, giving the comfort that he knows thanks to Chronic they want.

I continue to have Error only say “safe” things, everything Error mentions is something that usually the voices would affirm and use against him. When he attempts to talk about the voices, he stops. That isn’t safe. He can’t talk back to them right now. He’s not fueled by rage like when he woke up with Reaper and Nightmare, he’s scared. He’s afraid.

Error doesn’t want to be reminded how bad he is, just like how the voices just did. He doesn’t want to be reminded of his guilt, but it’s what he expects Ink to do. He also expects Ink and everyone else to be disgusted, and he doesn’t want to lose Ink again. He doesn’t want to outright speak up about what he’d done.

It’s highly assuring that Ink isn’t going to force Error to say anything, and it gives more control back to Error.

Ink is really validating in this chapter. Contradicting what all the voices were telling Error. “You weren’t yourself back then, remember? Whatever the voices convinced you to do, it’s not your fault.” “I… I still-” “Either way. It’s not your fault. Whatever you did, I’m sure you can find forgiveness” Error wasn’t himself back then, but as the voices subtly reminded, he still did it. Not the voices. The voices didn’t force him to do anything. Ink reminded Error that he wasn’t really in control then, and it isn’t his fault–even if it was, he can find forgiveness.

Ink ruining the moment pulls Error away from being scared of the voices, it pulls him back to himself. Back to when he was in control. Distracting him with their jokes and the ruined moment distracted him from why the moment even happened in the first place.

I’ve had Ink’s coming out in my notes for ages and I’ve been waiting so long to write it.

For the moment, Error is distracted. He doesn’t have to think about being afraid of the voices, Ink in his arms and the souls of the people he cares about nearby.

Chapter 74

This chapter is mainly for two things: to cement the connection between Dream and Error–show that Dream understands far more than he lets on–and for Error’s inner dilemma, does he leave them? Then, why does he want to leave them? He does want to leave them, and doesn't want to hurt them anymore, so he’s going to make them as happy as possible before he leaves–forgetting that him leaving will hurt them again.

Dream is the most open in this chapter than he has been in the whole series. He’s constantly keeping a wall up about who he is, appearing to have walls of glass and managing to convince people that what they see in those walls are true when it’s a carefully crafted facade. Lapse saw a glimpse of the real Dream when Dream had the dissociation episode. The real Dream in AEJ is riddled with mental difficulties but full of selflessness. As much as it would make him happy to stay with Ink and Death at the beginning, he knew he was hurting Ink–even if he didn’t understand why. He knew staying around Ink would continue to hurt–even if Omega is his home. He knew that being around others and working with others makes him happy–but he pushed himself away and poured himself into his garden, but like Dream said in the chapter: “plants can’t fill that emptiness I have without people” he needs to be around people to be happy–but he completely locked himself away to ensure that others could be happy. This is the first real view the readers get of Dream, the Dream that’s uncertain and just doing his best, even when struggling just to get through the day.

Error spent ages pretending, he doesn’t really know who he is anymore through all the confusion, even when the answer is in front of his eyes. He spent so long being only one thing, he thinks he has to pick when he doesn’t have to.

Dream was going to say “Do you want to help me” but that’s more of a trigger for Error than anything else, so he reworded it.

Rose was something much older that I brought up from an AEJ nickname chart, so I figured I could wedge in there, solidify the relationship a little more.

Despite what Error says, Dream is still worried over Error. Just because Error wanted to, doesn’t mean it didn’t hurt him to do so–it’s clear as day in Dream’s eyes that Error is forcing himself to make this progress. Dream does not hold his concerns to himself, and that’s why Nightmare is careful but attentive with Error the next chapter.

Chapter 75

This chapter is highly constructed and a facade by Nightmare, the gang, and everyone else who now calls the castle home. Alerted by Dream, Nightmare made sure to tell everyone to keep eyes on Error. That Error would likely be forcing his progress to make others happy, but not to stop him. He needs to stumble and fall, to learn that forcing himself is not going to help. Nightmare also alerts them that he knows there is definitely some ulterior motive to forcing this progress as it was only a few days ago that Error was more than content to spend the rest of his immortal life in that library sipping on soup and nibbling on chocolate with his books and laptop. They’re all keeping an eye out for some sign or intent that could give them an idea of what that motive is.

Chapter 77

His soul and thoughts fogging was clever word choice, as I built that image of his soul raining and both rain and thoughts can be foggy.

His vision “dusting” wasn’t clever word choice. It was literal. For AEJ, I put far more emphasis to monster customs as well as word choice. The characters do not use human sayings–aside from those who were raised around humans. Word choice is the number one thing I want readers to pay attention to in AEJ, and with that information alone, the whole story can change. Some words are built on further fiction, world building, and scenarios or imagination. Some words are literal. I can’t easily say which is more, the literal or nonliteral words, but I can say both are equally important to the story.

And that’s it for AEJ.

Originally, this was going to be my last series. When it was done I was going to write a semi-long piece about myself and my journey with creation, as well as directing “secret-time-is-here” to my other persona, which for now I’ll leave unmentioned. Although some friends I have through that second persona are aware of “secret”.

But for now, I’m slowly creating, and I plan to keep creating.

My current plans are to rework The Lonely and The One because holy fuck does that story have more holes than swiss cheese, and to rewrite and put more detail into those chapters and that unscripted bittersweet story. I doubt it’ll be often, as most of my effort goes into the content creation (streaming, branding, video creation, editting, tiktok/youtube shorts, etc.) of my other persona, but honestly, I think about writing the next chapter and working on The Lonely and the One constantly. And, if you ever find my other persona, and you think it might be me, honestly? I would not mind you calling it out (ex ask on tumblr on this acc or comment on twitter, don't harrass small content creators people). But I’ll simply leave it as a mystery for now. (However, if you see this on Ao3 I recommend you go to my twitter or tumblr to try and find it, it’s pretty obvious in my eyes lmao. I’ve even liked or rebloged some stuff from my other persona XD).

And with that, I’ll leave this post. Have a great new year, and if you see this on tumblr, expect more reblogs and random shit.

#an errors journery #aej #aej epitaph #aej epilogue

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deepfriedseagullfeet · 2 years

Photo

my anti! lore under the cut:

1-4 (literally), male, or at least tries to be (he him), pansexual? 5’7” (jack)

i fucking HATE this guy.

basically, i wanted to make an antagonist that personally scared me/made me very upset. and my anti isn’t perfect by any means, but i do feel that he’s powerful enough to ruin the lives of the other 5 egos in his own special ways.

so canon comparisons, or at least the comparisons i can make, since we still dont know what anti is. i always saw anti as a parasite. a parasite that needs a host. thats why he’s always trying to possess jack, because he needs a body to do stuff in the physical world. and thats what happens in my lore!

when anti was created by jack, it was more of an accident, and jack hated anti. he would keep anti locked up in his own body before casting him out to die when he figured out how to separate them. none of the other egos knew that anti existed for awhile, EXCEPT FOR JACKIE, when he saw anti trying to fight for control, but jack gaslit him into thinking it was a hallucination, and all that is a conversation for another time.

so jack thought that anti was gone for good. until he came back. again and again. he would seize jack’s body for control, and jack would cast him out again. jackie and henrik didn’t know what was happening, until anti ended up possessing henrik out of desperation, which is when jack admitted that anti was something he created and wanted to kill all of them.

but the thing was, anti DIDNT want to kill them all, at least at the time. what anti wanted was family. what anti wanted was love. what anti wanted, was to have a body, a home, and he still loved jack, even after everything he put him through. and he was desperate to get it. and as jack created chase, he was realizing that anti wasn’t going to leave him and his creations alone, and so he decided to make anti a body. someone to love anti. someone to keep anti occupied so he would leave them all alone.

and as you might’ve guessed, that body, that somebody was jameson. jameson was hand-crafted, specifically for anti, and presented to him like a present. and uh, anti ended up taking jacks body anyways. he came back for jack, stabbing him in the back even though jack had AGREED with anti that if he made him a body, he wouldn’t do this. but he did, and he took jameson away.

i could go on and on about jameson and anti’s relationship. about how they had a metaphorical wedding, how the went from being awkward, scared kids to lovers, how anti gave into his anger and sadistic urges and ended up making jameson’s life hell. but this video would get VERY long so lets just keep the topic on anti.

essentially, he and jameson shared a house out in the woods and lived “normal” human lives. a big thing with anti, though, is that he became a psychiatrist. he was fascinated with humans, and wanted to dig into their heads. and so he studied up, and with some manipulation (and probably some murder) he wormed his way into the system and became a licensed therapist.

he did eventually get taken down by jackie as his grip on his situation spiraled out of his control, but for a good while, he enjoyed a life of being a white man with power in todays society.

so thats all the backstory. and yes, its a lot, and theres definitely more stuff that happens, but ill talk about that when they become relevant to the other egos.

now as for anti as a character. hes very naturally charming and clever, likeable almost. he likes watching tv with his husband, maybe indulging in a good beer or dr pepper. he also loves weapons and collects knives, while also illegally owning a gun. he likes to go out and hunt animals when hes bored. he likes hurting jameson when he’s bored, too. hes naturally sadistic and enjoys hurting others, manipulating everyone around him with his powers to keep that “hobby” of his quiet.

to put anti as simple as i can, he wants to be human so bad, he wants to live a human life, but he craves complete control so badly that he does anything he can to get it, and thats what makes him scary, abusive, manipulative, and the clear antagonist of the egos.

#jacksepticegos #antisepticeye #ego lore #ego posting #my art

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martianbugsbunny · 2 years

Text

OUAT Thoughts Pt.11--Episodes 2-3

I have watched through S2E3; spoilers DNI. Also, spoiler warning for anyone further behind than I am.

—Jefferson is reunited with Grace. Snow White is reunited with Emma. Great. Now where is my Gepetto reuniting with Pinocchio?

—But hey, at least I know Pinocchio isn’t dead anymore.

—It kills me that Sneezy doesn’t remember who he is anymore, but his dwarf friends going to mine fairy dust to restore him is so touching.

—Rumplestiltskin called good!Regina “love” in this episode. That’s glorious. As you might’ve gathered from previous posts, his ominous terms of not-really-endearment slay me.

—I don’t trust Dr. Whale. Whoever he is in the fairytale world, he’s got to be semi-immoral, because he was all in on killing Regina. Also, he’s just kinda s u s.

—Snow White, my beloved. It’s great that she really gets to show off her skills in the fairytale world (especially with her daughter watching). And, she’s got a mama-bear thing going, which I adore—what can I say, I’m a sucker for any variété of protectiveness.

—It’s also cool that Emma gets to be out of her element for a while. And that her “real” world skills can’t really help her in the fairytale world.

—It sucks that Lancelot is dead. I would’ve liked to see more of him. (I also happen to be a sucker for a kindhearted knight.)

—I don’t like Aurora any more now than I did when she first showed up. She insists on tagging along in situations where she really doesn’t belong; she’s not the same kind of princess as Snow White or even Belle. She may have fought in the past, I don’t know yet, but she is generally unskilled and poorly prepared for roughing it.

—I loved Charming’s speech at the town border. He really made me think about why the writers portrayed him the way they did as David Nolan. And now that I see it, I appreciate the internal conflict James might have with what he did as David, and I’m interested to explore that dynamic.

—I also love the dynamic between Charming and Henry. They’re both kind of figuring out how to work together, but they’re growing their family bond at the same time. It’s sweet.

—RUMPLESTILTSKIN, *honey*, you cannot leave! That’s just not gonna work for me!

—Really, if Mr. Gold forgot the ✨fabulousness✨that is Rumplestiltskin, I would be incredibly upset. Also, he would forget Belle, and I just don’t think I could handle that.

—I don’t trust Regina. There’s no way she’s legitimately reformed…or at least not permanently.

—King George may have both of my middle fingers. Cursing Snow White was cruel, and George is an asshole.

—On the other hand, Charming’s mom is high-class. She got injured in the first place because she was worried about her son. Then, she couldn’t think of anything but getting to meet Charming’s fiancé. And then she gave up her life to un-curse Snow White. And she didn’t just do that for Charming’s happiness, she also did it for Snow. That’s top-tier moming.

—Snow laying her wedding bouquet on Charming’s mom’s body was a lovely moment.

—That wedding was actually a beautiful little piece of the story. And it’s exactly the kind of wedding that suits Snow and Charming best.

—Guess what else I’m a sucker for? The answer is: Dr. Archie Hopper. I am in love. I will never get over him. He is a good person, the end, just leave me to moon over him in peace.

—The reason I’m obsessing over him now: he went to offer counseling to Regina. After everything she did, even when everyone else was expressing little more than hate for her, Dr. Hopper went to ask her if she wanted to talk. He offered his help, for no reason other than it was the right thing to do. I. Love. Dr. Hopper.

—Of course Red was the only person bold enough to yell at Regina during the interrupted town meeting. I love Red, too (and the red streaks in her hair).

—This show is a total banquet of characters to love. No morsels, no scraps, no crumbs, just a full on smorgasbord of “Here, fall in love with them. (Just try to ignore that they’ll probably have a sad ending that will crush your heart and break your spirit.)”

—It’s swaggy that Storybrooke actually set up a crisis center, complete with counseling, cots, and family-finding services. I get the feeling it would be easier to ignore the effects of the curse breaking, and I’m thrilled that they didn’t take that easier path. It’s more real to have the crisis center; the confusion; the panic.

Cyberspace hugs, my friends! Y’all sticking around to read my reviews makes me incredibly happy, and I love how you somewhat ominously warn me when an episode’s coming up that you enjoy.

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chryzuree · 10 months

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domestic life 3, 6 and love, 1 for chrysigil!

III. LOVE

1. Who said "I love you" first, and what was the situation?

it was GIL. huge shocker. it literally made chrysi’s ability to think fizzle out for the next three business days. to be fair, that might’ve also been the horrific amount of blood loss and concussion she had going on at the time too, but. well. gil saying “i love you” is also a reset.

long story short, chrysi had been playing a fun (dangerous) game wherein she got herself involved in something BIG, something DANGEROUS, and something involving her fiancé’s death… and she told absolutely no one abt the danger she was in. so off she fucked to deal with said situation, and she wound up being extremely injured!!! fortunately break + oz are smart, plus.. rare gil win.. he figured chrysi was in danger bc of his nursing instincts. he knew he would have to nurse chrysi back to health soon. he’s an empath <3 (<<< the least goddamn empathetic chara in the world. it’s okay, i love him).

when he got there, gil killed the guys abt to kill chrysi, and while she was yelling at him for interrupting, he yelled at her for getting in danger, bc “i love you, okay!!!!” okay!!! chrysi.exe has crashed. romanse….

IV. DOMESTIC LIFE

3. What is the wedding like? Who attends?

OKAY, SO OFFICIALLY?? the wedding ends up being p small… but oz originally was planning for it to be GRAND, BIG, EPIC!!!!!! he knew chrysi and gil had been waiting for the past 100 years to get married (jst so alice and oz could attend… sobsob), and he wanted the wedding to reflect that. he was planning a huge wedding venue (think renting out a castle or smth… oz wouldn’t back down for ANYTHING) with an insane reception, and why not throw in a disco ball???

but chrysi shot down all ideas since it stressed her out (plus she thought gil would jst keel over and die before the actual wedding date), and in the end, they jst got married at the baskerville manor. it’s still a p nice wedding venue, plus they’ve got their family there <33 leo and vince (okay, chrysi WAS trying to figure out a way to keep vince from showing up to their wedding… gil vetoed her. unfair. i thought she was supposed to be a bridezilla. she never got to be one when she was with azure :||| ), lottie, lily, oz, alice… they both wish that break + sharon + reim + oscar could be there, plus, ,well. oswald. but things don’t always go the way you want them to.

((yeah, vince is still alive in my timeline. unfortunately, if i make it so gil doesn’t die, then vincent doesn’t either. i’m sad abt this, but not as annoyed as chrysi’s going to be!!))

6. Do they have any pets?

yeah, they do <333 unfortunately for gil, chrysi’s a cat person through and through, and he endures it. he endured the vessalius cat for years, he can do the same w chrysi’s.. also when oz and alice are back, they’re on a crusade to figure out how to get a pet bunny. in the end, however, they find another stray cat and bring it home. gil is NEVER going to be free!!

#.asks #m.miri🍀#s.chrysigil #i also think chrysigil honeymoon is jst them taking the kids to disney or something.

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sexyvampkitty · 1 year

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RP Mini-Solo 9: Duel Freakouts

I stir awake one morning...rolling over and reaching a hand out...only to have it touch the soft bed sheet. I crack open one eye...and then the other...to find that Damon isn't in the bed with me. Hmmm...weird. Maybe he's up already and went downstairs for some coffee? Or maybe a blood bag? However...I don't have time to dwell on that thought..as I feel a 'very' familiar rumbling sensation in my stomach. Crap. Morning sickness freaking blows. I throw the thin sheet off of me...ending up covering the kittens...who are both cuddled up into little balls on top of it...get up out of the bed...head to the bathroom as fast as I can...toss my cookies into the toilet...and then go back to the bed and plop myself down on it again...using my enhanced vampire ears to search out any sounds in the house...footsteps...shuffling...anything...nope...nada. All I can hear is my own breathing...and that of little 'Sun' and 'Moon'...still under the sheet...but not for long...as I pull it back again. So...I sit on the bed...waiting...and waiting...and waiting...as the moments turn into minutes...and the minutes turn into hours...I start to become more and more worried. Where did Damon go? This isn't like him to just up and leave the house without telling me. Did something happen to him? Did he leave me? Is it something that I might've said? Did I do something wrong? I already lost my first love...and that almost broke me. I don't think that I could survive if I lost my one true love...my eternal soul mate. I gently take hold of one of the kittens...not sure which one...I still can't tell them apart...and cuddle him...or her...to my chest...thinking back on everything that's happened so far. I know now that we were meant to be...but...for some strange reason...we sometimes think that we don't deserve the other...and we also sometimes have violent verbal fights...almost like we're in a total toxic relationship...but we always make up afterwards. A devilish smirk curls up the corner of my mouth just thinking about the making up part. Mmmm...wild...'hot'...vampire sex. Still...sometimes it seems like our personalities just don't mesh well...but...like I figured out before...that probably has more to do with me...than with him. And...there have been other ups and downs. Damon kind of...freaked out...on our wedding night...when I told him after that I had a little 'cold feet' moment right before the ceremony. My total bad. Then...there's this whole deal with me becoming pregnant after the two of us somehow getting voodoo cursed on our last night in the Bahamas. I wasn't too happy about that at first either. I mean, how in the Hell was I supposed to feel? One...I'm a vampire...and this hasn't happened to another vampire in the history of...well...ever...and two...what in the Hell do I know about being a mother? Not a freaking thing! What if I screw up? What if I accidentally hurt them or something? I'll probably be the worse mother ever. I'll bet Damon is having those same thoughts right now...probably being nervous about becoming a father and all. I can't blame him. I don't think he knows anything about being a father either...but I'm not sure how much deeper his feelings go...or what his parents were like. I've never asked him anything about his past..yet. When he mentioned how he was when he had his humanity switched off...I'm not sure I want to know...because I know how I was when my switch was flipped. A total bitch. I wait a little longer...still...nothing. Damon hasn't come home yet. What if he had a total freak out and decided to run away from me and the babies? What if he really left me...for good? I can't take it anymore. I gently place the kitten back on the bed...tears beginning to pool in my eyes. Then...I pull my knees up to my chest...and start to sob loudly...my tears finally brimming over to stream down my face unchecked. I suddenly sense someone in the room and look up to see Damon standing in the doorway...a bouquet of a dozen red roses in his hand...a look of regret, guilt, sadness, love, concern and happiness...settling over his features all at once. He quickly crosses the short distance to the bed...kneeling down on the floor and placing the roses in my lap. He then expresses his feelings to me...which pretty much matched what I was feeling a short while ago...that he pretty much freaked out...that he was afraid to face becoming a father for the first time to the magical twins that we both conceived together...but then...a small thing appeared in his life to show him that he can. He then tells me that he promises to be the best Dad that he can...and that he'll never 'ever' get spooked again. I can't help but let a small giggle escape at that...despite my still flowing tears...and not to mention my very unlady-like sniffles. Another line from 'CockTail'. Hmmm...it seems my husband's movie choices are a bit...questionable. Big bad vampire my ass. He tells me that he loves me...and our soon-to-be-born children...then lays a hand gently on my stomach...and bends his head down...placing a soft kiss upon it...his eyes falling closed as he does. I let him stay like that for a few moments...reaching a hand up to swipe at my tears...and running the fingers of my other hand through his gorgeous, dark, thick locks. He opens his eyes again after a bit...gets to his feet...and leans down...capturing my lips in a soft kiss. I deepen the kiss slightly...nibbling at his bottom lip...reaching my arms up to wrap them around his waist...trying not to squish the roses in my lap in the process. He finally breaks off the kiss...but I refuse to remove my arms from around him. I am 'never' letting him go...anywhere...ever again. He is mine...and I am his...we are one...forever. Us...the kittens...our twins...we are a family. And I have no idea who or what that 'small' thing he was talking about happened to be...but I am 'really' thankful for that right now. I know that everything is going to work out after all...and we are 'finally' going to get our happy ending...the one that we both deserve...dammit. (END)

#tvd #roleplay

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blasphemecel · 2 years

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Oblivion — Sid Jenkins

PAIRING: Sid Jenkins/Reader WORD COUNT: 4k WARNING(S): Mentions of drug & alcohol abuse, Reader impliedly has a dysfunctional family, Self-esteem issues TYPE: Humorous, Light Hurt/Comfort NOTES: Target audience for this: me and me only

“You wanted to talk?” Sid says, narrowing his eyes at you like you’re suspicious. He’s awkwardly standing up while you’re sitting in the grass, cigarette hanging from your lips. His gaze lingers a little at the way you’re holding your lighter. On your fingers.

You crane your neck up to look at him, squinting for no real reason since there’s no sunlight out right now, if ever, and rub at your eyebrow. “Oh, yeah,” you reply like it’s an afterthought, your voice muffled. Then you pat the patch of grass next to you. “Come on, sit.”

He observes you for a good second until doing as you suggested, though overtly cautiously. You told him to meet up with you to talk, which implies there’s something you need from him, which can’t be any good. “What do you want?”

“On my way here, right,” you start, although the topic is irrelevant at best. “Some fucker drove by straight in a puddle and sprayed me. Now I smell like shit from the sewer.” What follows your explanation is an arm sway.

“I didn’t notice,” he dismisses. Despite his thorough examination of you, it didn’t occur to him that you seem a little more wet and disgusting than usual.

“Yeah, yeah, figures. I know you don’t shower.”

“It was one time. One time. We were running from Michelle’s mum. She was gonna give us a beating.”

“Whatever helps you sleep at night.”

“Listen. What’s this got to do with you calling me over?”

“Why are you looking at me like I’m doing something wrong?” you coax, though your face turns mischievous. You’re always aware when you’re being annoying, and it makes you even more obnoxious.

Sid is stuck switching between an uncomfortable smile and settling his lips in a thin line — something you’ve noticed him do before whenever he’s unsure about something. “I’m not looking at you in any kind of way, like at all.”

“Oh, really?”

“Yeah. Yeah, really.”

“Why so high-strung today?” you ask, and you're intent on quizzing him and finding out more about his state of mind or whatever for the first time in your life. Which might’ve been lovely, somehow in some iteration of this world far away, but you’re also dodging the subject and it’s ticking him off.

“Because you’re wasting my time.” Sid grimaces in clear cut disapproval.

You smile wide as if his displeasure lights up your world, and your eyes crinkle. He always looks so disgruntled. You can’t help but find it amusing. “Don’t be a wanker. I know you don’t have anything else to do.”

“I’ll have you know, I—”

“Actually, you are a wanker,” you say with a snort, making obscene motions with your hand.

“Stop it.”

You find more entertainment in his bemusement, unsuccessfully attempt to stifle your laughter and offer him a cigarette as a truce of sorts. Despite accepting it, Sid’s motions are jerky when he takes it from you, and you’re not blind to the way he’s glaring while you light it for him.

“Relax,” you say.

Sid calls out your name like it’ll help get you back on track. In a stern voice, almost.

“I ate eggs for breakfast this morning. Hard-boiled. Tasted like fart, straight fart.”

A more insistent repeat of your name escapes him.

You straighten your posture as you’re sitting, holding up a finger with a smile. “I just remembered. Listen man, my mum’s getting married to her boy toy thing and there’s this wedding stuff and I need a plus one. Wanna come?”

You’re grinning way too hard, considering what you just said, and Sid scoffs as an instinctual response to your happiness. “Like anyone wants to go to your crackhead family’s wedding.”

“Why not?” You cock your head to the side. “It’d be funny, I think.”

“Yeah, to you, maybe.”

“Didn’t you get in deep shit for that dope you got off the… the one substitute teacher, Mad Twat?”

Sid says nothing. Just exhales in an over-exaggerated manner and throws his hands up to show you how done he is with this conversation.

“And like,” you continue, after breathing out another drag, “so like, you can be a crackhead, but my uncle from Birmingham can’t?”

“I’m not a crackhead, for fuck’s sake. It was just spliff!”

You roll your eyes, inching your body further away from him, leaning into the grass.

“Can’t you- Can’t you take Tone or something?” he suggests, but not necessarily because he’s eager to throw him your way. No, it’s more that everyone likes Tony, so he’d be a good fit for showing off to your mum, and he’s a bit of a sociopath, which would ensure your fun throughout the reception. He’d agree, of course, as it’d be an easy opportunity to cause chaos at someone else’s expense. That’s what you’re into, right?

You blink at him almost like you’re considering his offer. You’re not much different from everyone else he spends any substantial amount of time around; an insolent, insufferable asshole with neatly packaged emotional damage. And Sid is not good at reading people, never has been. Your request to go with him could signify something, but it also could not. He can never tell where the layers are when it comes to you, or what you’re thinking‌.

What he knows is that, deep down, he wants it to have some hidden meaning, something subliminal you’re trying to convey to him, even though that’s far-fetched. That maybe, just maybe, you do prefer hanging out with him, compared to the others.

The frown on his face runs deeper, scrunching his entire face. Everyone seems eager to play with his emotions nowadays, even if unintentionally.

An aggressive shake of your head brings him out of his mulling. “The guy doesn’t even understand why speeding is illegal. You think I’d wanna invite him to a wedding?”

“Well, yes-” Disregarding the thought process of how you’re exactly the type of person who would encourage some foolishness to happen at such an event, he resorts to grimacing again, and then he shrugs his shoulders a few times. “It’s not exactly that he doesn’t understand why it’s illegal. He just doesn’t care, alright?”

You purse your lips, though not exactly in disapproval. It teeters more on the edge of, ‘Wow, seriously? And that’s the guy you look up to?’

“Or maybe Anwar could go with you. Or Michelle. Michelle’s nice.”

You frown. “Okay, maybe they could go with me, but I’m asking you. So instead of dodging me like a prick, just say no!”

He blinks at you, disregarding your outburst. “Why would you ask me?”

Sid’s seemingly genuine confusion doesn’t move you as much as it annoys you. You make jazz hands at him with an expression of mock insight. “Maybe because I want to go with you…?”

“I don’t see why, but fine,” he concedes, leaning his face into his hand, charily watching you.

“Good Lord, Sid, don’t be such a soggy bastard,” you huff, then stand up and almost trip over. Your wet, disgusting bag is hanging off one of your shoulders, and then you turn more sly and satisfied suddenly, after you stomp on your cigarette. “Cheers though. I’ll call you for details later.”

You make a telephone motion with your fingers, and you’re gone.

With your way out of earshot by now, Sid cringes retroactively, like he just smelled a rotting carcass. Then, with a hint of bewilderment, he mutters, “Soggy?”

____

You don’t call him for details later. It’s a week after when you’re in the middle of a shower and you hear your phone ring. Opening the curtain, you look around and wipe your hands on the nearest cloth, then stretch towards the cabinet and grab the device.

“Hello?” you say in an inquisitive manner, having not looked at the caller ID.

“Hey, what’s that noise?” You recognize the voice. It’s Sid.

“Just in the middle of washing my bum,” you say, holding in a cough. It’s kinda breezy like this. “I know you wouldn’t be familiar, but-”

“Shut up. And aren’t you wasting, like, a shit ton of water right now?”

You snicker. “Too bad for whoever’s taking a shower after me, then.”

“You’re such an ass.”

“And what can this ass do for you?”

“Oh, yeah, uh… you never got back to me about that wedding thing. Is that still happening?”

“Well, yes, I mean. It’s this Sunday, so.”

You can’t see him, but you can tell he’s making one of his funny miserable-looking expressions again, huffing and puffing and kissing his teeth. “That’s in five days! And you didn’t tell me shit.”

“I got caught up in—” your eyes dart around the bathroom and land on the graffiti that says CHRIS MILES PEED HERE with a huge arrow pointing towards the corner, a result of last night’s shenanigans. Should wipe that off when I’m finished here, “—something.”

“Yeah, I forgot, shaking your bottom to Like a G6 all night must be exhausting. My bad.”

“Alright, who up and pissed in your dinner?”

“You! Don’t make big plans and then go ghost for like-”

Before he can continue his charade about timeliness and such, you feel the water turn abruptly way too cold. You yell out a strange, strangled kind of noise, shiver, and turn the faucet off before jumping out of the shower, naked feet padding across the bathroom tiles. So fucking gross.

A beat of silence passes before Sid says, “Everything ok?”

Without thinking too hard, you decide that you won’t tell him the hot water ran out since he’ll get a tickle out of it after quick consideration. No, you know he won’t laugh at you — he never really does that often, and it kind of sucks since you pride yourself on being a bit of a comedian. It’ll be more of an ‘I told you so’ ordeal, and you can’t deal with that brand of obnoxiousness. “Almost slipped.”

You shudder. It’s so cold in this piece of shit with poor insulation.

“Well, anyway,” he says, not very concerned. You think about how you’ll have to rinse yourself off on the sink and pout before closing in on the mirror. Noticing your mom’s lipstick, you feel a tinge of intrigue for no apparent reason. “What do I dress like?”

You shift your phone, supporting it with your shoulder, and untwist the lid off the lipstick, narrowing your eyes at it. “Hmm?”

“I’d probably have to wear a suit. Right?”

“I mean, it is a wedding.” As funny as you think it’d be for him to show up in his usual, ridiculous, skater-ish (despite how you’ve never seen him even touch a board), oversized pants. “I reckon there’ll be a dress code.”

“Uh, and, what about the hat?”

You purse your lips and draw devil horns on your reflection. Such a vibrant shade of red. “I don’t know,” you say. “Maybe. Maybe I’ll tell them you’re with me real cool, and they’ll let you wear your hat.”

“You’re not a mob boss, in case you’ve forgotten.”

“Hide that balding hairline and don’t vex me, little boy.”

Sid sighs, and you hear it, and you almost want to laugh because he makes everything so easy, but he doesn’t bother scolding you for your attitude either. There’s no point. “And what about transport?”

“A cab will do. It’s not that far away, really.” You give your reflection a moustache next, and start making different expressions, angling your face.

“Uh, that’s great, I guess. You’re gonna pay for it, right?”

“Don’t worry about it, tightwad.”

“I’m not some kinda scrooge. I just, you know.”

Despite not knowing, you go, “Mmhm.”

Some more silence passes. Figuring you two have nothing else to say or otherwise harp about, you’re about to hang up on him abruptly, but Sid talks again. “[Y/n], don’t tell me you’ve been standing naked in your toilet like a bellend all this time.”

“What gave you that idea?!” you say with fake incredulity, watching yourself smile in the mirror. And the devil horns you drew, and the porn-esque moustache. You come to find you don’t look very villainous.

“There’s this… ominous echo…”

“Oh my. Okay, Criminal Minds. Analysed the background noises and everything.”

“You’re gonna be sick. Get off the phone,” he grumbles.

“Noooo, you first,” you fire back with fake coyness.

He does‌ so without a word. You twist your lips and bring the phone down to stare at it emptily for a second, before discarding it somewhere. Looking at the mirror next, you blink at your doodles. You hope they’ll stick even after you wash away CHRIS MILES PEED HERE.

____

Sid does not dress in a suit, but you don’t blame him since your call was short notice, and he was the one who had to start it. Instead, he settled for some shirt that seems ‌ill-fitting, like he got it years ago, but hasn’t completely outgrown it either. Some boring dress pants and sneakers to follow. And the beanie. The beanie’s always there.

You don’t look much different from usual either, except maybe for the way you have toned down everything a bit, in terms of colours. Polished enough to make you look presentable, but not so much that there’s any radical difference.

“It’s going to be boring, isn’t it?” says Sid dryly, adjusting his hat even though it wasn’t ruffled.

You give him a side glance and then move back and forth from where you’re sitting. “Well, I don’t know. There will be a banquet and performance-enhancement drugs are allowed.”

“[Y/n], don’t talk about that in the car,” he whines, face-palming.

“I don’t think he cares,” you say, curving your mouth, and then turn to look at the taxi driver’s reflection in the tiny mirror. “Do you care?”

“No.”

“See?”

…

“It was such a bother coming,” Sid complains again and you wonder what his problem is at first, until you realise he always has a problem.

“Of course it is. I could send you sightseeing and you’d still find something to be upset about.”

He inches away from you in a petty move, considering how the taxi isn’t exactly spacious. Curls into himself like you’ve offended him. “Well, I mean, yeah. That kinda sounds like you would’ve been trying to get rid of me. And what’s the point of sightseeing alone, anyway? In this hypothetical situation.”

“You were right. I should’ve invited Anwar. At least he’s both cute and funny.” You say it as a joke, but you can tell he’s taking it to heart by the way he scoffs and if his reflected expression is anything to go by. Still, he’s got his back on you now, and you feel like the snowballing of the situation is out of your hands.

“What’s with you both?” the driver asks, mostly annoyed because he has to deal with pointless drama within the comfort of his own vehicle.

And with that, you cease engaging him until you arrive at your destination.

___

There’s a certain stiffness in you when you arrive and make your way inside, flashing your invite and pulling him in. “You know, I don’t really mean half the things I say,” you mutter, though you sound irritated at him misinterpreting your actions with such ease, which ‌makes him feel worse.

“I know.”

“So stop moping around. It’s a wedding and you’re allowed to snort anything you could want in the world.”

“I told you I’m not a crackhead,” he’s yelling and he’s whispering all the same.

“It’s never too late to start.” You wipe your nose and sniff to indicate something, meanwhile Sid pouts and kicks away imaginary dirt.

The first person who approaches you is one of your uncles. Sid sees a little bit of you in him, although a really… aged you, mixed with someone else. He’s already drinking and there’s a glint in his eyes when he says, “Aye, [Y/n], I didn’t know you got a boyfriend.”

“That’s not my boyfriend. Just some homeless guy I picked off the street.”

Sid nudges you in the ribs. Hard.

“Sorry. He’s a little sensitive about it.”

“No worries, man.” Your companion lets go of your hand and wipes both of his on his pants, so at least the claminess hadn’t been a hallucination. You shift a little, and then your uncle takes a loud sip of his drink. He takes this as his cue to leave. “Alright, alright, you little twats have fun.”

Watching after his retreat, Sid frowns. “I don’t think we will. And seriously, a homeless guy you picked off the street? You were just trying to apologise a few seconds ago, mind you.”

Disregarding what he said, you start. “Well, I have a lot of family lore to catch you up on, if you want. Or maybe we could trigger the fire alarm and ruin the ceremony already.”

“Your origin story sounds good. Not really. Well, it sounds better.”

“Let’s find somewhere to sit,” you offer, because the idea of telling him the extensive backstory while standing up is tedious. He plops down somewhere near the back, eventually, on these shitty plastic chairs that definitely don’t fit a wedding. You follow suit, adjusting your seat to be closer to his.

You’re halfway through the anecdote about why your stepdad is also already drunk and dragging his face across the cake — it involves cheating and a lack of a refund — when you notice Sid is spacing out. Smacking his shoulder, you draw out an overdramatic hiss from him. “I’m trying to fill the awkward silence here and you’re not helping.”

“It’s hard to concentrate on all the, um… the going on.” And you talk a lot which is hard for him to keep track of, but he doesn’t tell you that.

You raise your eyebrow, almost willing to pretend he’s making sense. “What’s with all this weird fucking tension? I swear, you’re not this whiny usually.”

Sid shrugs in a faux casual manner before adjusting his position to be more comfortable. Trying to pay attention to him properly this time, you’re watchful of his movements, like he always seems to be wary of yours. Then, with a hint of curiosity, you smirk and try to intertwine your fingers around his. He startles, but doesn’t pull away either.

“Do I make you nervous?” you ask. That’d make sense, at least a little.

“Define nervous.”

“Awkward, irritable, irritating also, hard to be around, alert.”

He allows himself a cheap snort at that. “Then maybe.”

“And why’s that?”

“I think we’ve known each other for far too long to play twenty questions,” he quips. Hopes you won’t notice the way he’s rattled by goosebumps when you draw absentminded patterns on his skin with your finger. You give him high-fives, not caresses.

“You shouldn’t be,” you say. “We’re good friends. Gotta have each other’s backs and shit.” He knows you don’t mean it much. If you do, you don’t act like it.

“That’s a- that’s a problem… to me.”

“I don’t see why it would be.”

“We’re all hanging out almost every day, yeah? It just keeps occurring to me that I'm not a good fit for anyone.” Now’s probably not the time to bring this up, but he’s always been a little selfish like this. That’s one thing you know about him for certain. And if not that, he can be embarrassingly open about what he’s thinking.

“For anyone? I didn’t know you had anything other than naked Michelle’s in that empty head of yours.”

“I don’t- I just- you think it’s stupid, right? The thing with Michelle.”

“Of course I think it’s stupid,” you scowl. “Got you acting like a tool at times, and that’s coming from the second asshole in command. The main asshole’s Tony, though, for sure.”

“Well, I think it’s dumb and pointless, too. I realised that, she realised that. And she used me to prove Tony wrong, and it hurt so fucking bad, but that doesn’t matter,” Sid goes on. “I try thinking of other people and it just feels like I’m not good enough for anyone, you know?”

“No, I don’t know. I’m perfect,” you interrupt with a giggle.

“That’s the thing. What does that make me?”

Your smile falls. Now would’ve been the time for him to oppose you and play those verbal exercises you two always fell into. He doesn’t seem to notice your shock, but shakes off your hold on him and you can see he’s more twitchy than before.

“I think about you, alright? A lot. You invite me to this wedding and I’m thinking about how you can be with someone, I dunno, someone more compatible with you. I want to be like that. Someone fun and playful, like Tone and Anwar and Chris and Maxxie and literally anyone else. It always comes back to this crap. I always act like I’m better and nicer than everyone, but it’s bullshit. It’s all bullshit.”

He doesn’t look like he’s on the brink of crying, but his words are tearful in nature.

“I’m just letting you all drag me around-”

“You talk too much,” you interrupt. You two work in an amusing way; he thought that about you earlier. “And you just care about having your pity party right now and how I won’t be your rebound for Michelle, so I’m not even gonna say anything in the meantime.”

That’s a harsh rejection, rough enough to bring a wince out of him, though it’s not like he’s not used to being seen as ridiculous, and he knew the chances of this going reciprocated were low. He doesn’t want you to think that’s all he’s feeling or thinking about, though. That was never Sid’s intention. “You don’t understand!”

“Make me understand then.”

“With you, I think I just feel a little different. Like with Michelle, I had these… fantasies, I guess, of how things were supposed to go. Kinda like some shitty show on the telly, but in my head instead. Anyway, when I think about you, I don’t want that. I just want you. I imagine us dicking around and such, not fairy tale moments.”

Sid isn’t poetic with his words, but you didn’t expect him to be. There’s no romance in it, but it’s genuine, way too matter-of-fact for comfort. You’re well aware that no one feels sentimental towards you, or takes you seriously at all. So this? This is a lot already.

“Sid, look at me,” you say. He hadn’t done that even once the entire time he was talking, which you’re willing to chalk up to nerves rather than being disingenuous.

“You want eye contact while putting me down for good? Such a you move.”

“Just listen for once,” you say, furrowing your eyebrows in frustration. “I’ve fancied you for years, but you’re always chasing something or someone else around. That doesn’t mean I’m gonna run in your embrace immediately or whatever, but-”

“Wait.” He seems a little dazed, widening his eyes. “You do?”

“-just stop with this self-deprecation bull. It’s sad. Never helped anyone.”

Something goes on in the background. There are noises of shock going around. You forgot people were around, even though everything else was supposed to be a main event. The moment stalls like this, but you don’t want it to end on this note. Incomplete.

“I can change.”

You pinch the bridge of your nose. “I don’t want you to change. We can just both be better, alright? If we’re gonna be together.”

The yelling in the background gets more intense, but you don’t pay it any mind. Waiting for his answer.

“I think I can work with that, yeah.”

You don’t initiate a kiss with him when he leans in like he wants you to, instead opting to bend further into your chair and smirk at him. Your triumph is short-lived, though, because you tip it back far enough that you fall and hit your head rather hard. All Sid can do is try to help you with almost late franticness while your family ignores your groans of pain.

#skins uk x reader #skins imagines #skins uk imagines #sid jenkins x reader #sid jenkins imagine #one shot

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imagines-all-day-everyday · 3 years

Text

Madripoor

Requested by: MEEE cause this plot popped into my head the second I watched this episode

Summary: Bucky was just following Sharon’s advice to enjoy the party when he meets *yn*, what he isn’t counting on is that he most definitely won’t be staying out of trouble.

Warnings: THE FALCON AND THE WINTER SOLDIER EP 3 SPOILERS YOU’VE BEEN WARNEDDDDD, fluff, swearing, violence

PART TWO (NAGEL)

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

“Lay low, blend in. Enjoy the party.” Sharon spoke as she made her way up the stairs. “Oh and try to stay out of trouble, I’ll see what I can find.”

“Trouble?” Zemo smirked.

--------

Sharon’s words echoed in Bucky’s ears as he made his way through the party. Sweaty bodies were pressed up against him as he ducked and weaved through the crowd. It felt like the pulsating music was drumming against his skull as he made his way up to the bar.

“I’m way too old for this.” He huffed out once he reached Sam, gesturing to the bartender for two shots.

“Old or lame? There’s a big difference.” Sam remarked as the pair simultaneously clinked their glasses together and skulled the liquid. Bucky smirked as he watched Sam cough and splutter.

“Now who’s the lame one?” Bucky chuckled, the liquid burning his throat.

“Maybe we both are. Look at Zemo, the dude may be weird but he’s got game.” Sam answered once he’d recovered.

Bucky followed his gaze to see Zemo dancing in between two women, both giggling and chatting animately. He watched as Zemo suddenly began pumping his arm enthusiastically to the beat as the girls watched him wide eyed, before exchanging glancing and slipping back into the crowd without another word.

“On second thought dude’s just weird.”

Bucky let out a chuckle as he leant forward and grabbed the beer that the bartender had left out for him. He took a swig as he turned back around to face the party. He automatically swept over area, his eyes sliding over the hundreds of faces as he looked out for any threat.

He paused as his eyes fell on a flash of bright red material.

Upon closer inspection he noted that the bright red material was in fact a silk dress that was covering the slender figure of a young woman. It was a halter dress that had a deep slit down the front and was almost completely backless, the silk material falling down almost to her ankles with another deep slit also running up her leg that exposed her thigh.

He felt his grip on his beer tighten as his eyes fell on her face, revealing a pair of eyes framed by thick lashes and lips painted with a deep plum lipstick. She was snaking her way through the crowd, gracefully dodging drunken people as they stumbled their way around on the dance floor.

As if she sensed his gaze her eyes flickered up and locked with his. The pair eyed each other for a few moments. She shot him a small smile before breaking their gaze.

“Now who would you be checking out hm?” Sam’s voice broke Bucky out of his almost trance like state.

“No one.” Bucky answered gruffly, glancing over at Sam to see him smirking at him.

“Sure Buck.”

Bucky ignored him and turned his head back to where the woman had been only moments ago. She was gone. He scanned the crowd and let out a small huff when he couldn’t see any sight of her.

“Now, I need you to educate me on this art so I can impress some of the ladies.” Sam spoke up again, dragging Bucky’s attention from the crowd.

“What’s that one?” He asked pointing at a nearby painting.

“That’s the Wedding at Cana, painted by Paolo Veronese in 1563.”

“1562 actually.”

Bucky swivelled around, a breath catching in his throat when his eyes fell on the bright red dress. He had no idea how she’d managed to somehow appear beside him without him noticing. He swallowed and ran a hand through his hair as he composed himself before answering, ensuring his face stayed void of emotion.

“I’m pretty sure it’s 1563 actually.”

His answer made her brow quirk up in amusement as she took a sip of her drink, her wrist twinkling due to a very expensive looking diamond bracelet dangling from it.

“Actually I think you’ll find it’s 1562. The copy in the Louvre might say 1563 but I suggest you take a peak at the original.” Her words made his eyes narrow as he studied her features.

“Well maybe I will.”

“Before you do that please feel free to continue educating your friend, I’m happy to sit here and correct you when you make another mistake.” She spoke, shooting him an overly warm smile which caused Bucky to grit his teeth.

Sam let out a low whistle as the smirk on her lips widened. “Damn Buck I think you might’ve met someone more cultured than you.”

“We’ll see about that.” Bucky muttered, taking a swig of his beer as he eyed her.

“So how does someone like yourself become so knowledgable about stolen art?” Sam asked her, his eyes darting between the pair in amusement.

The girl shrugged as she took another sip of her drink before motioning to the bartender. “I know a lot about a lot of things.”

“Really?” Bucky mused, this time it being his turn to raise a brow. “And does ‘miss knower of all things’ have a name?”

“Miss knower of all things does.” She answered as she grabbed the shot glass and pressed it to her lips. Bucky eyed her profile intently, noting the way her plump lips wrapped around the lip of the glass and her eyes screwed shut as she slung her head back to let the liquid slide down her throat.

“I love this song.” She remarked, finishing the remainder of her other drink before she rose from her seat. Bucky’s eyes followed her figure as she begun to make her way back to the dance floor. She paused and glanced over her shoulder, a smirk still present on her lips.

“You coming to dance with me or what Buck?” She queried, Sam’s nickname for him rolling off her tongue, amusement evident in her tone.

Bucky eyed her for a few moments before glancing over at Sam. “Sharon did say to enjoy the party.” Sam grinned.

“Try not to be too lame or old huh?” He continued, patting his shoulder encouragingly as Bucky rose from his chair.

“Thanks.” Bucky muttered as he cautiously approached the woman in red. Her smirk widened as he made his way towards her. “C’mon.” He heard her say as she leant forward and took his gloved hand in hers and tugged him into the crowd.

If she was saying anything to him, he couldn’t hear as he felt himself become engulfed in the crowd as she pulled him deeper into the dance floor. After a few moments she came to a stop and swivelled around to face him. He felt himself grow slightly red as she wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled him closer, swaying her hips to the beat.

“Are you really not going to tell me your name?” Bucky spoke, practically shouting to make himself heard over the thumping base.

“Why do you want to know? You never danced with a stranger before?” She answered back.

“No I just- I usually know people’s names before I dance with them.” He replied which caused her to let out a small laugh. “Back in my day we used to go out to dinner first.” He added silently in his head.

His heart thumped against his chest as she pulled him closer to her and leant up so her lips brushed against the shell of his ear. “My name’s *yn*.”

“*yn*.” Bucky echoed, her smile widening at the sound of her name rolling off his tongue. “And what brings you to a place like Madripoor?”

“You ask a lot of questions.” She observed matter-of-factly.

Before Bucky could open his mouth to respond, *yn* twisted around, keeping one arm slung around his neck as she pressed her back up against his body. Bucky bit his lip to prevent a hiss from escaping his mouth as *yn* began to rotate her hips to the rhythm of the music, the fabric of her dress pressing against the material of his black suit pants.

This certainly beat online dating.

“Just relax, enjoy the party.” *yn* laughed breathlessly, echoing Sam’s words from before as she pressed even harder against him. Bucky let his eyes flutter shut as he felt his hands automatically move to grip her hips as he started to move his own body in time with the thumping bass.

His grip on her hips tightened as she lolled her head back against his chest, her hot breath fanning onto his neck as the pair moved in sync.

If only Steve could see him now.

As he grew more comfortable he let his gloved hands begin to wander, trailing over her lower stomach before gliding down her thighs. “What do you say we go find somewhere quieter to talk?” He heard *yn* murmur into his ear.

He felt *yn*’s body stiffen as his hands crept lower to just below her panty line. Before he could answer, her hand suddenly shot out to grip his wrist and cease his movements but not before his hand suddenly brushed over an unexpected bump on her leg.

A shape that felt suspiciously like a-

A hand suddenly clamped onto his shoulder causing him to jerk his hands away in surprise just as *yn* pulled away from his grasp. “I’m sorry to break up the party but Sharon’s found our guy-” Sam cut himself off as Bucky swivelled around to stare at him, his eyes wide in surprise.

“You good man?” Sam asked, concern written on his features when he noticed Bucky’s look of surprise.

“I-” Bucky cut himself off before looking back to *yn*.

His brow furrowed as his eyes instead fell on a drunk man currently sculling a beer out of a shoe. He frantically looked around, muttering a curse under his breath when he realised *yn* was no where to be seen.

It was like she had vanished without a trace.

“Oh painting girl pulled a runner? Don’t worry about it man happens to the best of us.” Sam comforted, patting his shoulder once more.

Bucky felt a ripple of suspicion wash over him but he decided against telling Sam about it as he finally pulled his gaze away from the crowd to look at Sam. “Let’s get Zemo. We should talk somewhere private.”

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

“Alright what have you found?” Sam asked. Zemo, Bucky, Sharon and Sam were all piled into a private coat room located directly above the party. The bass was still so loud that Bucky could feel the vibrations through the tiled floor. The door was locked with a few security guards located outside and on the stairs leading up to the room.

Bucky sighed, his mind swimming with thoughts of *yn* as he ripped his gloves off. He couldn’t shake a feeling of suspicious that was gnawing at him that there was something off about *yn*.

“I’ve spoken to a few buyers and I’ve got a location on Doctor Nagel.” Sharon spoke, interrupting his thoughts. “He was pretty hard to track down but he’s definitely still here in Madripoor. He’s at the shipping yard.”

Bucky stiffened when he swore he head a thump outside the door, a thump that didn’t correlate with the sound from the party. He strained his ears and sure enough, another thump followed suit a few minutes lately.

“Bucky?”

“You sure no one can get up here?” Bucky queried, looking over to Sharon.

“I’m sure. This is a restricted area, I’ve got all the entrances guarded.” She answered, watching him as he made his way to the door.

“Bucky? What’s going on?” Sam asked.

Bucky held his hand up to signal everyone to be quiet as he pressed his ear against the wood. He held his breath as he listened intently. There were a few moments of quiet until he head another thump and a small moan.

Without warning Bucky ripped open the door and stepped out into the hallway. He nearly tripped over when his foot hit a solid form. He glanced down to see one of the guards lying at his feet, letting out low moans of pain. His eyes travelled down the hall to see all of the guards were either unconscious or were too dazed to get to their feet.

He froze when his eyes fell on an all too familiar red dress.

Bucky locked eyes with *yn*, her lips parted in surprise and chest heaving up and down as she tried to regain her breath. The pair stood frozen for what felt like an eternity, the silence almost deafening as they eyed each other.

“Bucky!” Sam called out, shattering the silence.

Bucky was only distracted for a split second but *yn* took it, turning around and sprinting down the stairs. “Hey!” Bucky shouted, taking off after her ignoring Sam’s shouts from behind him.

Bucky leapt down the winding stairs, catching brief glimpses of the red material before it disappeared around the next corner. Finally his feet planted on the lower floor. His eyes scanned the crowd, locking onto *yn*’s figure as she pushed through the crowd.

His jaw locked and he could feel himself enter into winter soldier mode as he stormed forward and plunged into the throng of people. He ignored protests and exclamations of surprise as he shoved people out of the way, parting them like the red sea as he kept his eyes focused on her like a laser beam.

*yn* glanced over her shoulder and the pair briefly locked eyes before she turned around once more and broke out of the crowd, sprinting towards a door with a neon exit sign hanging above it.

Bucky was hot on her heels, shoving the door open revealing another set of stairs. He hurried up the stairs and got to a landing revealing two doors. He noted that the left door was slightly ajar and he pushed through it revealing a large hall.

He sprinted into the centre of it, coming to a stop when he saw no sight of *yn*. He did a 360 of the room, craning his neck to look around. The room was empty except for a few large wooden boxes covered in tarps. Clearly this was where Sharon kept the less impressive stolen art.

“Come on.” Bucky muttered under his breath as he looked around. It was so quiet you could have heard a pin drop but his senses were telling him that he wasn’t alone in this room.

*yn* was here, if that was even her name.

He let out a grunt of surprise as a sold object hit his back, nearly knocking the wind out of him. He could feel limbs wrapping around his neck and his torso as slender arms pulled his neck into a headlock. He let another grunt as he brought his hands up to grip onto the arm that was around his throat.

He furrowed his brow in surprise when he pulled at the arms and found them unbudging. He tried once more, mustering all the strength he had but *yn*’s grip remained unmoving. He gritted his teeth and took a couple steps before shoving his back into one of the wooden crates.

He heard *yn* let out a small moan of pain as her body smacked against the solid mass with full force. Sure enough, her grip loosened slightly which allowed Bucky to pull her arm from his neck and throw her body over his head and off him.

She twisted her body in the air so that she landed in a crouched position but still on her feet. Bucky watched her as she rose to her full height, her body slightly gleaming with sweat under the sterile light. She took a few steps back from him and leant down to spread apart her dress, revealing a black thigh garter.

Just as Bucky had suspected on the dance floor, sheathed inside the thigh garter was a small blade. He watched as she pulled it from her thigh, gripping it tightly in her hand.

“You picked the wrong dress tonight doll.” Bucky tutted as he took a few steps towards her.

“You don’t like it? I’m hurt.” *yn* pouted, placing a hand over her heart mockingly.

“Trust me doll, I like it.” Bucky answered, letting his eyes briefly dart from the dagger in her hand to her dress. “But it’s not exactly the best dress for blending in and slipping away unnoticed.”

“Who ever said I wanted to slip away unnoticed?” *yn* answered, a mischievous glint in her eye as the pair began to slowly circle each other. Her words made his forehead crease in confusion as he studied her intently.

“So you know who I am?”

“I do.” *yn* nodded as she twisted the knife in between her fingers. “The зимний солдат.”

Her answer made Bucky’s lips part slightly in surprise. “That is what they call you, isn’t it?” She mused.

“Who are you?” Bucky snapped causing her to smirk to widen.

“What were those magic words again, Желание, Ржавый, Семнадцать-”

Bucky suddenly lurched forward, taking *yn* by surprise. She reacted instinctively, bringing the blade up from her side towards his stomach. Bucky gripped her wrist using his right arm, stopping the knife only inches from his flesh. He pulled her closer to him and raised his metal arm to strike her. With lightning fast reflexes her other arm shot up and her hand enclosed around his fist.

He glanced up at her in surprise when she pushed against his metal arm, stopping his fist from colliding with her jaw. He grunted as he mustered up more strength in an attempt to break out of her grasp to no avail. They were evenly matched in strength.

He had no idea who she was but now he was certain of one thing. They both had super soldier serum running through their veins.

*yn* took advantage of Bucky’s surprise and lifted a leg up, kicking him squarely in the stomach, her stiletto heel digging into his skin. Bucky spluttered as he felt the wind get knocked out of him, loosening his grip on her arms. *yn* reacted quickly, knocking his feet from underneath him and jumping on top of him.

Bucky groaned as his back hit the concrete floor and *yn* straddled him, pinning both of his arms above his head with one hand and pressing her dagger to his throat with the other.

“I think I liked you better when I was showing you up in front of your friend.” She remarked as she pressed the blade firmly against his skin.

“And I think I liked you better when you were dancing on me and not trying to kill me.” Bucky spat back as he squirmed underneath her causing *yn* to cock her head to the side, an amused expression on her features.

“Now whoever said I wanted to kill you?”

“Hmm I don’t know, could be the knife you’ve got against my throat.” He growled, wincing as the metal dug even further into his flesh. *yn* let out a breathy laugh as she leant down towards his face.

“Trust me pretty boy, if I wanted to kill you, you’d already be dead.”

The sound of footsteps approaching and Sam calling Bucky’s name made both their heads jerk towards the door before Bucky could answer her. This time it was Bucky’s turn to take advantage of *yn* being caught off guard. He managed to wriggle his metal arm out of her iron like grip and instantly lurched up to grab her around the throat.

*yn* spluttered in surprise, instinctively dropping her dagger to use both her hands to struggle against his vice like grip. Bucky used all of his core strength to push her off him and roll himself on top of her. Now he was so close up to her and under bright light, he could see that her skin was littered with small scars and bullet holes.

*yn*’s face was slowly growing red as she desperately gasped for air, her body squirming underneath him as she clawed at his metal arm. “I’m not going to ask you again, who the hell are you?” Bucky spat, glaring down at her as he desperately searched her eyes for some sort of answer.

“I don’t-” She spluttered, “I didn’t come here to hurt you, please-” She continued, her voice barely a whisper as her airway grew more restricted. For the first time since Bucky had locked eyes with her, he could see some form of fear and desperation reflecting back at him. The pair eyed each other for a few moments before Bucky slowly eased his grip around her throat, just enough for her to regain some air. *yn* gasped at the feeling of oxygen entering her lungs once more.

“Woah, what the fuck-”

Bucky looked up to see Sam, Sharon and Zemo staring at the pair with wide eyes, all three of them with their weapons raised.

“What part of stay out of trouble did you not understand?” Sharon queried, an exacerbated expression on her features.

“Trouble found me.” Bucky answered gruffly as he looked back down at *yn*. The fear that had been present on her features only moments ago had vanished, the cocky and flirtatious mask had been slipped back on.

“Not that I really mind this position, but given that the cavalry’s arrived, do you mind getting off me?” *yn* asked Bucky coolly.

Bucky’s lips pressed into a thin line, clearly unamused at her remark as he studied her. “You’re not going to try and kill me again?”

“I already told you, I don’t want to kill you.” *yn* huffed, rolling her eyes.

Bucky studied her for a few moments before finally relenting and releasing her throat from his grip. He pushed himself off her and rose to his feet but not before grabbing her dagger and sliding it into his suit pants.

*yn* got herself up from the ground, her breathing still ragged as she ran a hand through her hair and tucked her strays behind her ears.

“You wanna tell us who this is Bucky?” Sharon asked, eyeing *yn* up and down.

“Supposedly her name is *yn*-”

“-not supposedly, it is *yn*.”

“-she seems to like not answering questions about herself.” Bucky ignored *yn*’s input. “Oh and she’s had the super soldier serum.”

“Might want to keep an eye on your friend over there, I know he’s in the habit of murdering anyone who’s come within walking distance of the stuff.” *yn* remarked dryly shooting Zemo a dirty look.

“Hello to you too darling.” Zemo grinned causing Sharon to roll her eyes.

“Who are you? Who the hell do you work for?” Sharon quizzed her.

“I don’t work for anyone.” *yn* snapped back.

“The flag smashers?” Sam asked causing *yn*’s face to contort into a look of disgust. “Fuck no, I don’t work with those amateurs.”

“Just tell us what you want or I’m going to have to detain you.” Sharon spoke. There was a brief pause as *yn* studied Sharon before looking over to Bucky.

“You’re not the only one looking for answers, зимний солдат.” She answered quietly, her features softening for a moment as she looked at him.

“Well then maybe we can help each other get answers then.” Bucky murmured back.

The pair studied each other for a few moments before a loud honk suddenly sounded outside. Gun shots rang out from underneath them followed by loud screams and shouts. Bucky, Zemo, Sam and Sharon looked around in confusion as the sound of hundreds of footsteps began to grew louder and louder.

“Sorry kids, that’s my ride. Gotta fly.”

Within a few seconds the door burst open and hundreds of party goers flooded the room, shouting for help as they fled from the gun fire. Bucky glanced over to where *yn* had been only a few seconds ago to see that she was sprinting towards the only window in the room.

Bucky pushed through the panicked crowd, watching helplessly as *yn* reached the raised window. She clambered up onto the ledge and shoved the window open. She glanced over her shoulder and the pair locked eyes when Bucky was practically within arms length of her.

“I’ll be sure to send Doctor Nagel your regards, Buck.” She taunted. “We should do this again sometime, maybe without trying to hurt each other.” She smirked, sending him a wink before leaping off the ledge. Bucky scrambled up onto the ledge and poked his head out to see *yn* sliding down a pipe fixed to the outside of the building.

He watched helplessly as her stilettos hit the ground. She approached a waiting motorcycle, the driver holding out a helmet for her expectantly. She took the helmet and slung her leg over the seat, sliding her helmet on as the driver throttled the engine. She looked up to the window and gave Bucky a wave before wrapping her arms around the driver’s waist.

“Fuck.” Bucky cursed as he watched the motorbike peel off into the bustling street, going completely unnoticed by the rest of the public amid the chaos.

“She’s gone?” Sam queried as the other three appeared beside Bucky at the window.

“Hm.” Bucky grunted, clenching his jaw in annoyance as he watched the motorbike disappear from sight.

“She was kind of terrifying.” Sam remarked matter of factly.

“I thought for sure she was going to gut you, James.” Zemo observed.

Bucky stayed silently, clearly brooding as he stared out into the street as Sam studied him in amusement.

“I think Bucky’s in love.”

PART TWO (NAGEL)

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зимний солдат = winter soldier

Желание, Ржавый, Семнадцать = Longing, Rusted, Seventeen.

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I ACTUALLY LOVE THIS FIC SO MUCH!?!? As always feedback is appreciated!!!! Please give it back here xx

#bucky barnes #bucky barnes imagine #the avengers #the avengers imagine #bucky #bucky imagine #bucky imagines #bucky barnes oneshot #bucky barnes one shot #bucky barnes imagines #bucky x reader #reader x bucky #bucky barnes x reader #reader x bucky barnes #the falcon and the winter soldier #tfatws #tfatws imagine #the winter soldier

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