#and poor v is left to clean it all up in the aftermath

[jangofctts]

Madness (Poe Dameron x Reader)

Rated: Explicit

Word Count: 5k

Warnings: Smut, handjobs, language, sex, creampies, Poe Dameron is a warning in its self, slight description of blood/injury 

A/N: sorry that this is a day late y’all. I'm v sick and high on nyquill yehaww brothers

This is not your fault.

Oh, Stars, but it is.

You bury your fingers, blackened with motor oil, into your hair and fold into yourself. You wish you could disappear. Wouldn't that be a fucking miracle and a half? You spare another glance at the destroyed droid and with a despaired wail, you bury your face into your knees again.

What the fuck were you thinking?

See, it started out fine, like most things do. But of course, like always, it turned out to be a real garbage fire. No, not even that. It was worse than a garbage fire. All you wanted to do was help out, and with the slowly dwindling amount of pilots available, you are pushed to the side. No pilots, no mechanics.

Droid maintenance is not your forte, but Kaydel Ko had specifically asked for your help and of course being the blubbering mess you are, you couldn't say no. All it took was a sweet, helpless smile and then boom! Here you are, stuck with a First Order droid with a processing chip all but fucking obliterated.

You thought it'd be easy to rewire the little BB unit, but the spunky little thing had its very own arsenal of weapons. Your legs and hands are a mess of electrical burns and tiny slashes that sting much worse than a papercut and steadily ooze blood. It would absolutely not stay still, so you resorted to a makeshift prison made out of duct tape and bungee chords until you could sort of pry into the droid's mainframe. You toyed with one wire at most and the droid spun its little head around, knocked the tweezers clean out of your hand, tore three more wires and with a disheartening woop; exploded in your face.

You aren't really thinking straight the moment you decide that hiding the blasted thing would be a grand idea. So, with your face covered in black soot and your hands bordering being numb, you scoop the destroyed droid up and sprint out of the base. You do have some luck, you figure. You run into nobody in the hallways leading outside; no one to see your absolute disaster that you plan on chucking into the dense forest.

You beeline towards the X-Wings and just as you think that you'd finally, finally be done with this whole mess, your worst nightmare appears.

Poe Dameron in all his neon orange jumpsuited glory steps out behind the body of his X-Wing. Right in your path of destruction. It's inevitable, really. The first syllable of watch out is barely out of your mouth before he even comprehends you're there and then you're crashing into him, faster than fucking lightspeed.

The resounding 'oof'  as you barrel into him will no doubt haunt your dreams, and you have just enough time to watch as the droid bounces on the ground, spraying sparks everywhere, then disappear into the underbrush, before Poe collapses on you. At least one of your problems is solved.

"What the hell?"

You would ask the same thing, but the entirety of Poe's weight focused on your back is doing a splendid job of crushing your lungs. Your hand shoots back and slaps at whatever it can. "P-poe! Can't breath!"

"Aw, shit. Sorry, kid."

You heave in precious air once he unravels himself out of the pickle you've put yourself in and before you know it, he hooks an arm underneath your armpit and hauls you up. He takes one good look at you, up and down, and has to bite his lip to keep his smile away. Not like it does much good.

"You—uh—ok, kid?" He coughs, trying real hard.

You throw your hands up. "Oh! Go ahead and laugh! That's all I'm good for anyway!"

What little pride you have left rapidly dwindles but as his shoulders shake in uncontrollable laughter that morphs into one of those laughs where you can't breathe, you can't help but smile yourself. Poe's glee is contagious (even if you are the butt of it) and you're glad you can give him some comedic relief. The days are getting darker, more friends are dying, and it's harder to put on a smile, even for Poe. It's a rare and special moment to provide some momentary happiness.

Eventually his chuckles taper off. He's folded over, clutching his stomach as tears shine at the corners of his eyes. "You—you!"

Another fit of giggles consume him after taking another peek at your face. "Wha—what ha-happened?"

You huff and cross you arms over your chest. Try as you might to appear irked, a lopsided grin still lines your face. "That is none of your business."

Poe wipes at his eyes and stands, his chest still heaving. "You're the one who tackled me. The least you could do is tell me."

"I did not tackle you," you scoff. "You were in the way!"

He's still smiling as he shakes his head. "Yeah, whatever. Kaydel Ko asked you to rewire that FO droid, right?"

You grimace. "No."

He raises a brow and ruffles your unruly hair. "Sure, kid."

Poe takes a glance at where the droid launched into the trees and points. "C'mon, I think it went over there."

To your horror he seizes your upper arm and drags you forward. Oh. nonononono. You dig your heels in but Poe is persistent and you're quickly coming to terms with your impeding doom and ridicule, so you let him take you.

It's easy to find. The droid is still smoking and sparking, looking oh so sad nestled between a tree and a large fern. Poe starts laughing again.

"The hell d'you do to the poor thing? Run it over with a pod-racer?"

"Something like that," you mumble.

Poe scoops it up and the damage looks even more devastating when he's holding it. You chew your lip and sigh as he hands it back. "Thanks, I guess."

With an amused 'mhm' he once again places a hand on your shoulder and wheels you out of the forest. You don't mean to tense up (a force of habit really) as his thumb whispers over your shoulder blade, but the damage is done and his hand drops. You want to wack yourself with a stick.

You pause by his X-Wing. "Hey, I'm sorry for, y'know tackling you. Also, th-thank you..."

He flashes you a smile and shrugs. "No biggie, Sparky."

You scowl. "Don't call me that."

That pulls out another laugh and then he's staring at you. Those big brown eyes, so warm and deep like the richness of the soil, capture yours as if they have their own gravitational pull. All grasp on words slip your mind and you're left to wrestle with your tongue into saying something. Why is he looking at you like that?

"I can help."

You blink. "What?"

"With the droid, I mean," he offers. You swear you can see the skin underneath his collar flush red. Poe Dameron blushing. Hm.

You have absolutely no clue why you agree, but his bright smile is enough to launch your heart against your ribcage.

"Great. I'll let Kaydel know we'll have it done by tomorrow."

"Tomorrow?" You squeak. Fat chance.

Before you can argue, he ruffles your hair again and shoots off. "Meet you at 1900 in maintenance!"

You glance down at the droid. The hole in its head sparks. "Oh, Stars."

                                                   =-=-=-=

You're pacing by the time 1850 rolls around, your stomach a mess of knots and twists. You don't want Poe Dameron to help you. In fact, you don't want him here at all!

You're clean at least. The black soot covering your face was a bitch to scrub off and there's still some of it hiding in the lines of your skin, but it's the best you can do. Not that you care. Well, you shouldn't care what Poe thinks. You know each other—scratch that. You know him from the years spent in the Resistance, because, well, he's Poe Dameron. As for yourself, you're 99.9 percent positive the only reason he happens to know your name is because there's only fifteen of you still alive following the aftermath of Crait. Kinda hard not to know your fellow survivors.

You never minded it. You're used to being alone, pushed to the side where you could blend in like a shadow. Really, it's the only reason why you managed to escape the First Order. No one paid you half a mind when you slipped inside that ship and piloted away. Well...you were shot at shortly after, but that's not important.

You're not paying attention--lost inside your head again when the blast doors swoosh open. You don't even fucking see him until you collide head on for the second time today. With a strangled yelp, you both stumble and trip over a flailing limb here and a hidden wire there. The whole debacle ends up with you smacking the back of your head devastatingly hard on the duracrete floor and with Poe's entire weight once again crushing down on your chest cavity.

"Holy shit, Sparky," he groans. His head is nestled in the crook of your neck and if you weren't seeing stars spinning in your fucking orbit, you'd have the decency to be embarrassed. "You trying to kill me?"

"Un-Unsuc-successfully," you wheeze. "How-how m'I doing?"

He pulls away just a fraction, hovering so close that you feel his nose brush against yours. "A for effort. Though, I don't think you're really cut out to be an assassin. Might wanna reconsider that career path."

"Agreed."

Fuck. Your head is pounding. You don't even get to enjoy the way Poe feels pressed against you, or how good he smells. Maker, he smells good, something warm and woodsy, but fuck, you are in so much pain. Are you bleeding? You're pretty sure you're bleeding.

"Did you hit your head?" He asks, his plush lips twitching into a frown. He still hasn't moved from the current position of lying between your legs and it makes everything worse.

"I'm fine."

"You're not fine," he huffs. "I heard your head smack the ground, Sparky. Lemme see it."

Poe peels himself off of you and tugs you into a sitting position. You reel and squeeze your eyes shut as nausea punches through your gut and the edges of your vision go a bit fuzzy. Damn, you really did not plan on getting a concussion today, nor have Poe Dameron be the one to patch you up.

He sits behind you and as his calloused fingers sweep across the back of your neck, you tense up. Poe hesitates then, his fingertips ghost above the skin, barely there and you try to relax. Years spent in an organization where corporal punishment is encouraged will surely make one hesitant of touch and try as you might, it's a hard habit to curve.

"I'm just checking to see if you're bleeding," Poe says softly noting your tension. "Is that ok?"

You nod and wave his concerns away. "Yeah, s'fine."

He cradles the back of your neck in one calloused palm while the other gently cards through your hair. He sucks in an audible wince and icy panic floods your veins. He must sense your apprehension because his thumb unconsciously begins to rub tiny circles onto your skin.

"Don't freak out... But you have a teeny, tiny cut," he tells you. "Microscopic, really."

You're gonna die. Maker, you're gonna die because of that stupid fucking droid. You're going to smash that fucker into smithereens even if it's the last thing you do. You try and move, eyes locked on the piece of junk across the room, but Poe is hurriedly pushing you back down.

"Hey, whoa, whoa, whoa!" His hands are like metal clamps on your shoulders and you grunt in irritation. "Just sit. I'll go get a medkit. Nothing a little bacta won't fix."

He's right. You're overreacting, but that droid's beady little eye seems to sparkle with smug satisfaction at your demise. You glare and swear revenge.

Behind you, Poe runs to the wall where the kit hangs and hurries back with the spray on bacta canister. You barely feel it coat the back of your skull and then he's done. "See, I told you. It's already healing."

"Wow, thank the Maker that the joke of the Resistance is saved," you sigh. You reach up to touch the dully throbbing area but Poe smacks your hand away. "Ow!"

"Don't touch it." He chides.

You roll your eyes and turn your head to face him and jut a thumb over your shoulder, "How long do I have to wait until we get to fixing that piece of shit over there."

Poe blinks, glances at the droid then back to you. "I dunno, half an hour?"

"Half—Poe! Are you serious?" You hiss. "We're going to be here all night!"

The pilot has the audacity to shrug. You want to throttle him. "It's not like we have anywhere to be."

You open your mouth to protest, but once again he's right. You scowl and glare at the frayed laces of your boot. This is officially, the worst day you've ever had.

A prolonged silence, a bit awkward and filled with your obvious irritation, blankets the room. Poe has enough sense not to prod at your buttons and settles down to your right. Your head is starting to feel much better at least.

It continues like this. Neither of you speak for the better part of ten minutes and then, quietly, almost to too quiet, he says;

"You're not a joke, y'know."

Your brows furrow together and you pause. You look up and he's got that warm, familiar look again and it only brings a dull ache that eats away inside your chest. Part of you wants to agree, but that dark and nasty other part that lurks deep in your chest lashes it's claws out at the thought. He doesn't know you—doesn't know the pain you've been through. You don't want his pity.

You look away. "I...I don't think you know who I am, Poe."

Your teeth bite the inside of your cheek as you pick at the skin along your fingernails. You can feel his eyes crawl over your face and you do everything in your power not to catch his eye because tears are starting to prick at your eyes. Maker, why are you crying? This situation, in its entirety, is beyond stupid.

He says your name, your full name and the air in your lungs seizes. "I know you. You were a Lieutenant in the First Order before you came to us. I remember the day you arrived too."

You spare him a glance and he smiles.

"I remember 'cause that janky Xi-class you were piloting was blasted to hell and you somehow managed to park it without killing anyone. And then—this is my favorite part—you walk out, still in your uniform and you go 'I do hope I don't have to pay for parking'. And then you collapse face first onto the ground." Poe's chuckling as a blush flushes up to your ears. You recall. Vividly.

You snort and rub at your chin. "It wasn't all that amazing."

"Sparky, you stole a First Order ship and flew to a Rebel base. That's pretty ballsy."

You shrug.

"I also remember that time you tricked out Jess's rig with those mods. Me and Snap were jealous for weeks. And that time you spilled caf all over Leia's datapac. Remember that?" Poe says. His hand inches closer your knee. "And when you gave her that replacement one, all those ads about male enhancement pills and 'hot Twi'leks near YOU' kept popping up?"

"Arhg!" You cry, burying your face into your hands. You're pretty sure at this point you could fry an egg on your face from how hot your skin feels. "That was so fucking embarrassing. I-I can't—why would—ahg!"

"Kid, that was the funniest thing I've ever seen."

"That still makes me the butt of every joke! And I still can't even fix a droid properly!" You wail. "Or how about that time I dropped a crate of explosives? I might as well throw myself in a trash compactor."

Before you can even fucking blink, Poe's hands snatch up yours and hold them so firmly you have no choice but to look at him. "Sparky, listen to me."

You quite like the color of his eyes you come to find. A honeyed caramel, so rich that it'd take years to explore the countless layers. There's no malice, no hidden motives you can detect. Just pure, unrefined kindness and hope and—Stars, he's gorgeous.

His thumbs run across the slopes of your knuckles and it's electrifying. "You are one of the only people keeping the Resistance together."

"Bu-"

"Shut up. I'm not done."

You mouth zips shut

"You focus so much on the bad that you don't realize how much you contribute," he says with a gentle smile. "You maybe aren't the best with droids, but people? Sparky, so many of us look to you for hope. I know it's cheesy, but you really do brighten a room with your smile."

A tear trails down the curve of your cheek and he's quick to cradle your jaw and swipe it away with the pad of his thumb. "I don't know what we would—what I would do without you."

"Poe," his name comes out shaky and soft and you know he can feel your blush under his palm, "I—I...thank you."

His eyes flicker down to your parted mouth and then he brushes his thumb across the seam of your bottom lip. He leans in close enough that you can feel his lips just graze yours, warm breath fanning over your chin, and your eyes flutter shut.

"Can I kiss you?" He whispers against your lips. Fuck, he is so infuriatingly perfect, isn't he?

"Yes."  Maker, yes, yes, yes. That shouldn't even be a question.

The first kiss is fleeting. An innocent peck that flings open the gaping maw of your desire. Your hand shoots up, tangles in the thick curls atop his head and you drag him closer. He groans into your mouth, grabs at your neck and tilts your head, deepening the kiss. His tongue, hot and wet sweeps over your bottom lip and you readily open your mouth and let your tongue glide over his.

He's playful; breaking away to catch your bottom lip between his teeth, then releasing to hook the tip of his tongue into your top lip then swoop in for a lingering kiss. It's impossible to keep up—he dances to his own tune while you stumble along. There's no lack of enthusiasm on your part however and he isn't bothered in the slightest by the occasional bump of your nose or when the hard enamel of your teeth click together. Your whole juxtaposition changes, and you suddenly want to thank that dumb droid. You'd break a thousand of them if it meant you could continue forever on like this.

Poe eventually leans away, the hand tangled in your hair firm so that you're still only a hairsbreadth apart, carefully lowering himself down until you hover above him. His warm hand that leaves a burning trail down your waist, hooks around your thigh and helps tug your leg over his hips. You pull back to suck in air that's suddenly so difficult to inhale and Stars—he's a sight to see. Those lovely black curls are wild and untamed, his plush lips swollen and pouty because you won't give him another taste of your mouth. His chest heaves and your breath stutters as he plants his hands on the swell of your hips, thumb pressing lightly against the outcrop of bone there.

"Maker, you're gorgeous..." You murmur. You lean down and nestle your head in the crook of his neck, lips seeking out the soft skin above his collar. You trail your lips across the curve of his throat and as your teeth catch his earlobe then lick at the small divot behind his ear, a soft groan leaves his mouth.

"Are-aren't I the one—fuck," his hips twitch as you mouth beneath his stubbled jaw, "s'posed to say that?"

You grin and pull him into an opened mouth kiss. His tongue pulls yours into the wet heat of his mouth and sucks lightly. With a whine, your hips stutter forward as fiery heat trickles into your belly. You can feel the growing bulge in his pants, pressing against your inner thigh and shit—you need him.

Your hips rock forward on their own volition and Poe is quickly there to support as his hands grip you tighter and drag you down harder. He props his knees up and with a sharp moan and digs his clothed cock into the apex of your thighs. The fabric of your pants catches on your clit and it's good. Dry fucking Poe Dameron is a wish come fucking true, but it's not enough.

Poe's smirking as his fingers toy with the buckle of his belt. "You wanna take a ride, Sparky?"

You punch him in the arm.

"Ow!" he pouts. "What was that for?"

"Don't say that shit to me ever again."

His warm chuckle echoes through the room and sends a pleasant shiver down your spine. "What if I ask if you wanna ride my cock reeeal nice and slow? Feel how hot and tight your cunt is when you sink down onto me. You wan't me to say that?"

Paired with his voice, his strong hands grab your ass and roll his hips up into you and you're done for. You melt into his chest, whining out your affirmations and you don't care how he's already got you wrapped so tightly around his fucking finger.

"Take these off." He purrs, skimming his fingertips over the waistband of your trousers.

Somehow you manage to escape your boots and shuck your pants off through the haze of your arousal. When you return, he's got his pants halfway over his knees, pristine white shirt haphazardly torn open revealing the beautiful expanse of tan skin peppered with dark hair. You straddle his thighs, eyeing the tent in his boxers that leaves little to the imagination and the heat in the pit of your stomach swells.

Poe shoots you a coy grin and sweeps a hand down. He grips his cock, still hidden beneath the confines of his boxers, and gives it a teasing stroke. "You want me?"

"Poe," You whine. Stars, he's making this difficult.

He's smug as he slowly, to the point of teasing, tugs down his boxers with his other hand and eases out his cock. It's gorgeous like the rest of him, deliciously thick and curving towards his navel. Precum shines at the head that's flushed a deep maroon, darker than the rest of his sunkissed skin. You're mesmerized with the way he strokes himself; lazy and gentle, focusing on the head then dipping down to squeeze at the base.

His cock bounces as he lets go and snatches your hand that's lying limp over his hip. He guides it over the searing flesh and it feels like velvet covering reinforced durasteel. He swears as your thumb rubs over the head of his cock, wiping away the bead of liquid that pools there. You circle your fingers around his length and stroke down to cup his balls and he juts his hips into your hand.

Fuck. You want to suck him off. Feel him shake and twitch under your tongue and cum down your throat. Yet, as his fingers trail up your inner thigh and pass through the slick folds of your cunt, you are vividly reminded where else you want him.

"Shit," he breaths, circling your clit with the tip of his forefinger. "You're dripping."

Poe probes further, curling his fingers into your cunt, juuust pushing into your entrance until his fingers are shiny and slick with your arousal. He pulls back and you groan at the loss.

He sucks his fingers into his mouth and moans. Fuck, why is that so hot? It shouldn't be. "Can I eat you out, Sparky?"

He's digging his fingers into the flesh of your ass, tempting you closer and Maker it sounds good, but—"Later. Fuck me instead."

Poe's lips curl into a wicked smile. "Are you sure?"

His fingers return to your the soaking flesh between your legs and thumb at your swollen clit. You shudder, quickly catching his wrist. "Please."

"Fine," he grumbles. "Later."

Finally, you think as you hold his cock loosely and grind your slick folds against it. He makes a punched out sound when you raise your hips and move the blunt tip to your entrance. You slowly let him sink in, a long stuttered groan falling past his lips at the feel of your hot, tight walls stretching around his cock. Your own breath catches in your chest and you dig your nails into chest, leaving behind tiny crescent shaped dents.

—oh—shit—holy fucking shit.

His cock is catching every ridge and curve until the back of your thighs are seated on his. His eyes are squeezed shut and little gasps, as if he were in pain, are tumbling out every time you twitch around him. He's thick—deliciously so, and when you raise your hips and slide back down, his cock drags against your walls and presses in deep. You grind your hips down, catching your clit on his pubic bone and wildfire spreads throughout your whole frame.

"Ah, fuck," he moans. He gives your hips a squeeze and pulls you against him harder, guiding you into a slow, steady pace. "You fe-feel good. Knew-knew you would."

At this point you're hardly doing any work despite being on top; he has his knees propped up behind you and thrusts up into you then drags you back down by your hips. You're loosing your fucking mind like this. One of his hands drifts down and reaches for your clit, his middle finger stroking against the slick bundle of nerves and the fire in your belly quickly spreads down all the way to your toes. You're shaking, panting sharply, and Poe continues to toy with your clit paired with the even rolling of his hips.

"You gonna cum on my cock, Sparky?" Poe huffs out, grabbing a handful of your asscheek. "Yeah, just...just like that. Cum for me."

Your back arches and everything seizes up tighter than a fucking clamp, and with another pass along your aching clit, you burst hot and wet around his cock. With a hoarse cry, your core clenches and spasms through each one of his thrusts, stretching out your pleasure.

In one smooth, fluid move, Poe sits up and pushes you forward until your back hits the ground and he's towering over you. His hand is buried in your hair, cradling the sensitive area but you're still riding your high to notice the pain. With his free hand he hooks the back of your knee and folds it over his shoulder. Stars, you didn't even know your leg went up this far and when he roughly thrusts into you, the air in your lungs is sucked out and replaced with a strangled wheeze.

"You like that?"

You claw at his bicep as he kneels up and pounds down into you, hitting that heavenly spot within you. Your eyes roll back and Poe curls over you to nuzzle into your damp skin, teeth digging into the exposed skin above the collar of your shirt you never bothered taking off. His thrusts are slowly reaching the pace you need him to go and you bury your fingers in his hair and pull. His moan vibrates over your skin.

"Harder." You order. "P-Poe. I-I n-need—"

Poe digs his teeth in between the junction of your shoulder, slips his cock nearly all the way out of your cunt, then slams it back in deep. It's fast and brutal, and you can hear your flesh slap together, hear the obscene squelching noice your cunt makes from how wet you are. Your face burns in embarrassment, but he's hitting something so devastatingly wonderful that you don't really give a shit.

He's grunting in your ear, whispering praise—how wet you are and how perfect you whine and beg for him. He's plowing into you and you're close. So close to the edge again.

"Fuck," he growls, "m'gonna cum. Where—where do—"

"Anywhere," you gasp, arching into him. "In-in me. Cum inside."

Poe's hips stutter. The fist in your hair tightens and he rocks his hips into three—maybe four times before the muscles in your back stiffen and everything blurs and goes out of focus. White hot pleasure rips you apart, floods each cell with razor sharp heat as your body convulses in ecstasy.

He's hissing out swears between his clenched teeth, as his hips jolt and grinds himself balls deep inside you. Poe captures your lips and feel him pulse and throb, chest heaving, as his load, thick and hot, spurts into you and coats your walls.

Poe keeps you pinned there as his hips shallowly rock into you, savoring the last dregs of his orgasm as you catch your breath. He stills and you two lay there, filling the room with your gentle pants. Your knee slips off his shoulder and he moves to plant a lazy kiss on the corner of your mouth and pulls out. His cum trickles out after and drips down your slit but you're too spent to care right now.

He lifts his head that's resting on your sternum. "How's your head, Sparky?"

"Wha—oh." Truth is you hardly feel it now. The bacta truly does work wonders. "S'fine. Never better."

He shoots you a dashing smile, the gap in his teeth and his boyish air makes your head spin. "Wanna take me out for another spin, then?"

"Poe!"

And the droid never did get fixed...Oh well...

#poe dameron #poe dameron x reader #poe dameron x you #star wars #the rise of skywalker #fanfic #itsspacecowboys #this is disgusTANG beware #probably doesn't make sense cuz I'm sick af but eh #smut

[dayables]

4 and Shin? That's a dark one, but you write him well so I'd trust you with it. If you want something lighter instead, 17 for Shin!

Thank you for asking this! As you can see, I got into a very deep ramble about his life pre-death game and it doesn’t really tie in but I’ve kept it there :)  The last few parapraghs are the actual answers ahaha. Play some sad music in those paragrapths because I nearly cried with halloween music in the background.    4) What they would do if they had one month to live.   If Shin had one month left to live? We see it in the game kind of. Or at least kind of. Obviously imitating your ‘scary friend’ most likely abuser to try and turn everyone against your biggest threat isn’t going to work in real life. 

What the game and his 0.0% score does tell us (or heavily shove in our direction so we infer it) is that Shin is petrified of certain death to the point of desperation.

I do believe/headcanon that he is a very logical person. Almost everything he does is backed up by logic in the death game except for his last moments because screw logic that’s never worked before.  (The opposite of Keiji who’s likely very emotional until his potential last moments but this isn’t about him). So the question is, when did Shin’s last moments begin for him?  As the player, it’s when it’s that final choice between him and Kanna. To Shin this is likely a very different response. His last moments start the very second he gets told he’s doomed to die. Almost all of Shin’s choices in the game are emotional. Trusting Sara or at least earning her trust is the logical choice here. Making yourself her enemy because you are scared is the emotional one. He just lies to himself on the basis that she’s untrustworthy. Which, you can trick yourself into believing is logical.  It triggers a kind of flight or fight response in all our characters when they realise they can die here. All the cast barr Shin choose to fight and try and escape. Shin chooses the flight option here. Nothing he does actually prevents his death in the end. He just runs away from the inevitable doom. 

 I am once again inferring by comparing him to rest of the cast the death is a deep rooted trauma (and I definitely have thoughts on why). While the concept of death is one that scares everyone, no one seems to revel in it the way Shin does. He is living an incredibly safe life. A free lance programmer (by the sounds of it)  which earns an average of £60 an hour. He has a side job at a convenience store (that wasn’t a lie). He doesn’t leave his apartment much meaning he doesn’t have much of a social life. Shin is in a position in life where it’ll be near impossible to hurt him. Obviously he isn’t earning 60 quid an hour, but he has the potential too. Once he’s set up and successful, he’ll be able to die old. Alone, maybe not happy, but old.  For a guy likely in his early to mid twenties, things are bound to change but only as much as he lets them. From one person who will happily spend all their life in their own company to another, Shin isn’t going to change that. Not when he’s too scared to let someone past arms width and will avoid doing so. By the time he gets his game together and his skinny self to therapy it’ll likely be too late to make the same connections he has the chance too at his current age.  It’s not emotional because even the most introverted of introverts desires a life all alone. It’s a logical one for the fears and life he has. I don’t think that means he isn’t happy. It just thinks there’s a potential that he could have been happier. 

For Midori to have gotten as close as he was and no one to pull up the red flags his friends either didn’t care or didn’t exist. Most likely the latter seeing as he is very much in the process of mourning three years after his friends death. He likely wasn’t close enough to his parents to feel he could go to them over something as silly as Midori’s death. In the aftermath, Shin will be confused and muddled. In some ways, he’ll be elevated because he is free, he can move on. In other ways he’ll be lost, devastated and empty. Shin will also have a semblance of independence back. He doesn’t think he shows enough gratitude to his parents for materialistic items. Midori’s abuse was likely emotional or verbal. It probably consisted of vague threats, put downs, anger, power dynamics and a shrug at Shin’s emotions. I’m in no way a professional but after years of this Shin is going to think his emotions are something he should be able to handle himself, something he might not be able to do if he started to repress them in his teens. Shin likely has a warped sense of independence. Instead of being free from others control, he’ll likely think it means he can’t get help and must deal with everything alone. 

Being told that his death is round the corner strips two things that he values most away from him. He now has zero control over his life and worse, it ends with him dyeing. Shin would grasp for straws to have that independence back and therefore escape his own death. If he couldn’t get his independence back then he’ll try and avoid the end outcome. 

His last month would be a goose chase to avoid death. There’d be a list of everything he has to do. Fuck his jobs, fuck debt he needs to get to the hospital. Get checked up! Make sure he’s well. He’d do it everyday. Does he have enough medicine? Wet wipes, stock up on healthy food, hand sanitizer? Does he have enough hand sanitizer? Make sure his room is squeaky clean, don’t let anyone in, don’t answer the phone. Bolt the windows and live off ramen and debt for the rest of the month. Beanie on, beanie off, what is he going to die from? Has he prevented any possible cause? He’s forgotten to call his parents. That’s fine because he shouldn’t be dyeing anyway. It’s logical. It’s all logical. This is not his fear of death speaking through everything he is doing is logical! Now he just needs to figure out what’s causing this all? How did that person know? Then on the last day. He’d just give up. He’d finally pick up that phone and call his parents. He’d thank them and explain. He’d apologize for the debt because he’s swimming in it then he’d hang up. Shin would then proceed to cry in bed all day and trying to sleep so he just doesn’t wake up.  Then, while it’s a tragedy, I think he’d accept it. I don’t think he ever really thought he had a chance but his emotions drove him round and round in circles. Maybe he would regret his whole life and look back on it all. In a none death game scenario Shin seems like a brooder. He doesn’t have Kanna to live for so he has no reason to push forward. I think in the end he’d reach the conclusion his life was pretty pointless. Just as he’d slip from consciousness I imagine he’d think of Midori. Nearly everything we know about Shin seems to revolves about Midori . We, the player, never know him before the guy entered his life. That guy has a big impacts in his life and in a world where that was the only person to leave such a big mark? I think he’d go back to Midori. Especially with nothing to distract him from his mourning. 

It’s quite sad really. He lets his fear control him too much. Midori controls him too much and they’re both aware of that fact. But in the short, Shin would try and avoid his death. Hell he’ll likely die of exhaustion or caffeine overdose

His ending in the main game, I think that’s the best way Shin could have gone at that age. Dying for Kanna and letting go of his cynicism. 

Ending this off with 17 because I need that jokeness now, after all that. 

17) What would they sing at Karaoke? 

Everyone expects Shin to like bang out with some Beyonce or something. Maybe one of those silly little disney parodies. Everyone would make a joke about what he should sing because he’s indecisive as hell. 

Keiji Kai and all of those mature adults suggest Single Ladies,  Mr. Brightside,  Fireworks, Wannabe because classic Karoke songs you actually have to be able to sing when Shin 100% can’t? Count them in! 

Midori would suggest something embarrassing he knew wouldn’t even be funny to watch. Just painful. 

Gin, Sara, Reko and Alice are snickering behind their hands as they suggest Poor Unfourtunate Souls,  How Bad Can I Be (Alice ended up doing that one), The oogie boogie song and the price Ali reprise. 

When he refuses Sara refuses to let him get away with not being painted as some corny villian and dedicates her singing of Cruella De Vil to him.

Then Kanna taps on his shoulder and tells him what to sing and A: It’s Kanna’s suggestion B: It’s not and a bonus C if he’s drunk: He gets to whack a certain police officer and teacher with a hockey stick. 

And my inner theatre Kid shines through as he I say Shin sings Revolting Children and can’t get his letters write, drunk or sober. 

‘R e v o t l i n !’  instead of ‘ R E V O L T I N G’ 

‘S P L L!’ instead of ‘ S P E L’ 

‘TOO LATE FOR YOU?’ Instead of  ‘ 2-L-8-4-U ‘

I kid you not I have knows this song for years and I still struggle. You can not do that spelling rhythm first time. 

Also the lines. The lines!   We will become a screaming hoard.//Take out your hockey sticks and use it as a sword.// Never again will we be ignored.//We'll find out where the chalk is stored// And draw rude pictures on the board.

It’s such a childish song but it’s so hard. He struggles and struggles and one day he will get it because it’s so simple and why can’t he do it roght! Also, it suits him. Sue me.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o6PXm34OBP8

#well this is sad #Press F for Shin #I swear i started rambling #IDK man he gives me hermit vibes #Also like karoke #thanks for the ask! #I told myself this'd be a quick write up because the answer is so simple #This is why Im failing English. #I go in rambles like this #Stan Kanna and what she does for Shin #yttd #meta #shin tsukimi #Sou Hiyori

[wraithsoutlaws]

love writing dagger and panam interacting bc they are like 2 bickering kids at recess and v is stuck between them like :| while they threaten to kill each other back and forth

#actually dagger is just really amused by how much panam is bothered by him and he likes to push her buttons bc its easy #like the embodiment of a kid a hairs breadth away from poking you but going 'im not touching you' #panam just decks him #he'll call her pan and she hates it and eventually v has to take him aside and seriously tell him to stop and daggers like ok fine #and then five minutes later starts calling her pam instead #but to be fair she gives him a lot of shit (even if he deserves it) its good he just takes most of it with a smug ass smile #bc when he reaches his limit and shes at hers then its genuinely really ugly between them #and poor v is left to clean it all up in the aftermath #n e way im just writing a lot of things lately #rambling self indulgently is my passion #oc: dagger

[moretinyideas]

Under The Rain [3] | Oh Sehun

[3] Lunar Myths Saga Story One

genre: wolf!sehun x human!female reader (oc - min yuna)

chapter summary: the aftermath of a fight can be messy and painful, but the people around you can change that to make this less messy and less painful. that is, until the real threat is remembered.

words: 2758

I have to admit a few things; 1) get distracted v easily and 20 minutes turned into like an hour,, so sorry for that! and 2) Hann by (g)i-dle, Call Call Call by seventeen and My Pace by stray kids gave me the motivation to write this chapter and the next one! they're amazing songs and I recommend them!!

tags; @marshmallow-phd @bri-ne @high-on-food @asslikegilinsky I hope you enjoy it :)

[ml] [one] [two] [three] [four]

Resolution And The Truth

SEHUN

In the one month, one week and three days since he had met his you, his lovely mate, there had only been two times he had nearly lost his shit and either shifted in front of you or pulled you into his arms. Both of those time wouldn’t have been very good for either of you and thankfully he had always been able to control himself and his wolf.

Now is the only time he had the urge to do both. His wolf shifted first.

Inside the bar, when the trio of rogues had entered, he was able to control the urge to pick you up and take you far away, but he had to get you out. For his sanity. When you went over to defend your friend, he felt the conflicting emotions of pride for his mate and the anger towards the rogues. But, when one of them grabbed you by the neck his vision turned red.

He felt Danbi’s hands curl around his waist. It was a subtle technique the pack had come up with to help weres from shifting. Danbi was human, and a mate, and a wolf would never be able to hurt a pack member’s mate on purpose. It helped focus a were’s mind and clear the vision. It worked nine times out of ten and it was working now plus, Junmyeon would actually kill him if anything happened to Danbi. He didn’t even remember what he said before his vision had cleared but his mouth was open, and his fists were clenched.

And then you head-butted the fucker.

And Sehun was once again, filled with a sense of pride. His mate could take care of herself. Then he remembered that she was a human and she was going up against a roguewerewolf. You vaulted yourself over the bar counter and a second later the rogue was over your shoulder and on the ground.

Sehun felt Danbi’s arms retreat from his waist. Maybe she was getting ready to vacate the bar and find Junmyeon, Sehun didn’t particularly care. He cared about the fact that he could now smell blood. When he looked up, he saw the split of your lip and the way blood dropped from it. Maybe Danbi saw it happen.

Before he knew it, he had charged at the trio, he yanked the guy who slapped you and sent several punches of rage at his face. The door man, who Sehun heard was called Damon, had managed to push the fight outside, on a back street. Sehun got tackled by a different rogue. Punches and kicks were thrown left and right for however long. It was practically three against eight (nine if Damon was included, but he wasn’t really fighting) and before too much time had passed, two of the three had been detained.

And then you kicked the fucker. And the little shit shifted. And then Sehun shifted.

••:۞:••

Kim Danbi had known about the existence of were’s practically her whole life. Her mother’s sister, Lim Soojin, was a mate and when her mother officially became a doctor Soojin’s mate had become really sick. Her mother became an informed healer, keeping her job at the hospital and learning how to help heal a were. It worked out well, the weres had a safe place where they could heal properly without being questioned and in exchange Soojin didn’t have to keep such a huge secret from her family. When Danbi was little she went to the hospital with her mother (because she was four and she had to) and wondered into a patient’s room in search for her mother. It was one of the super-closed-off rooms and she had watched her mother go in there earlier and just followed her when she had finished her picture. There was a shifted wolf in the room and so she learned the secret when she was very young. She grew up learning what her mother knew and when she met Junmyeon, at the age of seventeen, she wanted to learn even more.

It was safe to say, as she worked on her doctorate, she knew how to tend to a head wound. When Sehun shifted he pounced on the rogue the two of them tumbled down the street and off of you. Danbi made her way too you immediately after, watching Junmyeon shift and go after them from the corner of her eye.

When you went down, your head hit the edge of the sidewalk. When Danbi lifted your head slightly she could see a small smudge of blood. She may need stitches. Without looking up Danbi motioned for one of the boys to help her pick you up. Without any protest both Luhan and Baekhyun had come over and picked you up.

“Be careful of her head.”

“Take her inside, the bar should be empty now.” The door man spoke up. Honestly, Danbi forgot he was even there. Baekhyun and Luhan nodded in unison, moving back into the bar. Danbi had no idea where Tao and Eunjin had got to but she was grateful they weren’t there for that mess of a fight. While Tao was an excellent fighter, whenever Eunjin was in proximity to potential danger he lost his focus very quickly, things may have gotten eve messier.

Back inside the bar, the boys had placed you down on a set of cushioned seats and had pushed the table away. The other girl from the bar had switched the big lights on and laid a first aid box next to you before moving back into Damon’s side. Danbi thanked her with a small smile – Jinyoung, her name tag said – and knelt down on the floor.

She got to work cleaning the back of your head, you would definitely need a shower to get all the blood out but once the wound was clean she could tell you wouldn’t need stitches.

“She doesn’t need stitches, thank TheLunar, make sure Sehunnie knows as soon as possible, it’ll calm him down a little.” Danbi commented towards Baekhyun who was headed for the door. He nodded before leaving.

“Is she okay? What happened? Where are those men?” Jinyoung asked in a quiet voice, like she was scared to even mutter the words. Danbi was about to answer when Luhan beat her to it.

“She’ll be okay, it’s not a big head wound. Those men won’t be bothering you again for a long time.”

“Where are they?” Damon asked, his deep voice bringing a sense of warmth to the empty bar.

“Two of them ran off when we got distracted. I suspect the third will follow shortly.” Luhan answered, locking eyes with the door man. They knew he knew about weres, they just didn’t know if Jinyoung had any knowledge. They didn’t want to scare the poor girl more. As if he sensed this, Damon suggested the idea of home to the young girl and even offered to walk her to her apartment himself. Jinyoung nodded, a little hesitant as it was her job to lock up.

“We can take care of it. We’ll just slip the keys back under the door.” Luhan assured, and then the two of them left.  They would have to ask about his knowledge at a later date.

A few minutes passed before three men walked through the door. Junmyeon came through first, making his way over to Danbi immediately. Baekhyun and Sehun stumbled in together, Sehun was limping. While he was shirtless he wasn’t completely naked, donning the pants Baekhyun was wearing earlier while Baekhyun resided in just his boxer shorts. At least they weren’t completely indecent. Baekhyun set Sehun on the floor close to you and Danbi before running back out the doors – most likely to find and retrieve the torn cloth that was Sehun’s clothes.

He’d have to get a new leather jacket.

“Is she okay?” Was Sehun’s first question.

“She’s fine. Just hit her head a little hard. She didn’t pass out from the injury.” Was Danbi’s reply. She finished wrapping up the wound, setting your head down on the knit cardigan she had taken off earlier, and moved to attend to Sehun. “What happened?”

“The fucker has sharp teeth.” Danbi shot him a look, she was never one for curse words, but refrained from saying anything, he didn’t deserve a lecture at this moment in time. As she pulled up the leg of Baekhyun’s sweatpants, Sehun was thankful he decided to be a little lazy in his attire that night. The bite wasn’t the deepest he had ever had but it did hurt. The rogue had clipped his ankle.

“Nothing’s broken but there is some swelling. You should be back to usual in a matter of hours. Try to refrain from running anywhere for at least three, please.” Danbi concluded with kind eyes. Sehun nodded and scooted closer to his unconscious mate. Just being in your presence both calmed his wolf and made him twitchy.

A few minutes of silence passed before Baekhyun was back. “I think I found everything, I ran the block twice just in case.” He stated, walking towards their little group, concern lining his eyes. It was funny just how much the pack seemed to care for you, someone they hadn’t actually met before. Danbi assumed it was because you were their youngest’s mate. While all mates were sacred, the entire pack held a special concern for their youngest. Danbi didn’t particularly understand the feeling, maybe it was motherly – the thought was always strange to her, considering how much older Sehun actually was than her – but Danbi just assumed it had something to do with their early days as a new pack.

After about ten minutes had passed, a small groan left your lips. Danbi could feel the small smile form on her own lips, her own concern for you lifting. She really is one tough cookie, she thought, watching as you sat up slowly.

••:۞:••

If you were being honest with yourself, you fainted quite quickly. However, to be true to yourself, you only fainted after trying to punch the biggest wolf you’ve ever seen in the face. Then he jumped on top of you, and when you fell, hitting your head on the concrete pavement, you swore the wolf multiplied.

If you were being honest, you may have dreamed the whole thing up because when you woke up you were still inside the bar. You couldn’t have known where you would’ve woken up, but you had assumed it would be on the street floor out back. Opening your eyes was easy, adjusting to the lights was a little bit harder as you squinted a little to lessen the glare. Your head hurt like hell and your hips definitely felt bruised already. Braving the pain, you made yourself sit up slowly. You were on one of the long, cushioned chairs that lined the bar.

When you lifted a hand to touch the back of your head you felt the texture of a bandage. You definitely didn’t do that. When you hissed when you pressed too much pressure (accidently, you weren’t really paying attention) you heard a low growl fill your ears. Slowly you turned to your side, finally noticing the group of people you were with, and moved so that you were sitting, facing them with your feet touching the floor.

You felt your eyebrows rise in surprise. The first person you saw, and recalled, was the girl who came with Sehun – Danbi. She was sat on the floor in the lap of a man, looking at you with a small smile, an opened first aid kit next to her feet. She must have bandaged my head. You didn’t know if you smiled back at her, but you made a mental note to thank her. Then next person you recognised was right next to you – and shirtless.

Sehun was the closest to you and seemed to glare at your hand as you slowly brought it down from the back of your head. Why is he shirtless? You opened your mouth to ask a question, your nose scrunching up at the slight pain the action caused both your lip and your head.

“What… happened?” You managed to get out, looking down at the bandage that covered Sehun’s ankle. “Are you okay?” His eyes met yours and you could see the hint of surprise in the dark brown irises. Bit by bit, memory what actually went down came back to you. “Was that actually a big ass wolf?”

You hadn’t expected it but Sehun actually snorted. And then another dude snorted too. Your attention moved over to him, standing against a table with no pants on. Well.

“I’m sorry, is something funny?” You asked, eyebrows furrowing in confusion.

“Don’t laugh at the poor girl, Sehunnie just tell her, we don’t know who the rogues were, but we know that at least one of them caught her scent.” The man Danbi was sitting on spoke up, and their small laughing fit stopped.

“Rogue? Scent? What are you talking about.” You didn’t shout, maybe because you were already piecing it together.

After a second of silence Sehun turned his body to you, eyes connecting with your own. Again, you saw the green flash in them for a second before it disappeared. “The wolf… was the guy you were fighting.” He spoke clearly. You felt a hand on your knee, but you dismissed it – maybe you wanted to be comforted a little but you’d never admit it out loud. “He is a werewolf. Like me, and Junmyeon-hyung, Luhan-hyung and Baekhyun-hyung.”

“Werewolves? Like the myths?” You asked slowly.

He nodded. You nodded back.

When you were little, your grandfather used to tell you the myths of The Lunar and their creations of children. The myths of the werefolk were always your favourite myth (Euina’s were the myths of the merfolk) and you had always believed in them a little bit but, the actual proof of it was given, and you had to take a few seconds to adjust.

“Okay.” You murmured, finally.

“Okay?”

“That was easier than expected.”

“Wow, even Eunjin took more convincing.”

You just shrugged. “You said something about a rogue? And my scent? What does that mean?”

It was as if you flipped a switched in them, especially Sehun. His smile slipped from his lips and his grip tightened slightly on your knee.

“It means you’re not safe back at your apartment.” Danbi said softly, standing to walk over and take a seat next to you. “We don’t know who they were, we’ve never encountered them before. Sehun was just telling us that the guy threatened us with your scent before running away. Do you have anywhere else you could sta-“

“With us. She can stay with us.” Sehun cut her off.

You didn’t really care about where you stayed, you were a little more concerned with the fact that a drunken idiot-werewolf-dick-of-a-dude was now on a quest for your head or something. You didn’t know why he was so pressed, was it because you were close to beating his ass? Did he feel threatened by a girl? All these thoughts ran through your head, you didn’t comprehend the conversation happening around you.

A sudden flash of realisation flooded through you, your eyes widened as you gasped. “Did you say my apartment wasn’t safe?” You asked, receiving several nods. “Euina, my little sister, she’s still there! They won’t go tonight will they? What if they do and they take her or hurt her or something?” You exclaimed, feeling guilty for only thinking of her now.

“She’ll be fin-“ Sehun started but you cut him off.

“Fine? No. I’ll go get her, we can stay in a hotel or someth-“

“No you staying with us.”

“I am not leaving her in an unsafe place.”

“Then we can send someone to go get he-“

“You think she’ll go with a stranger willingly? I’mgoing to get mysist-“

“Not alone you’re not, we’re getting you out of here right now.”

“We can go, when I have my sister.” You said slowly, almost glaring at him. The room was silent for a second before he nodded, albeit reluctantly, but he still nodded. The two of you stood.

“We’ll meet you at the house. And don’t shift with that ankle.” Danbi bid you goodbye and the two of you left for your apartment, to get to your sister – and hopefully before some rogue dickhead did.

did you like that one? give me your thoughts on what you think’ll happen next!

#exo fanfic #exo fanfiction #exo wolf au #exo werewolf au #exo wolf!au #exo #wolf au #werewolf au #exo fic #exo x fem reader #exo x reader #exo x female reader #oh sehun #sehun #oh sehun x reader #sehun x reader #sehun fic #sehun au #exo sehun #baekhyun #luhan #junmyeon #Under The Rain #Lunar Myths Saga

[livelivefastfree]

100% need a masterpost of your fics cause you've been drawing them and I love everything. But recs would be appreciated too!!

ALRIGHTY THEN.  One……VERY large post of my fics and my Motorcity recs, coming up.  ^v^  50+ fics for y’all’s consumption.

Let’s start with my fics, because I know them better, haha.

–

Save A Horse, Ride A Dragon

One of my fav fics I’ve done to date in any fandom.  Mike is a mercenary dragon trapped in the shape of a human, wandering the Michigan wastes in post-apocalyptic magical America, when he and his Burners get an offer from the mysterious Lord Vanquisher.  T+ at this point for suggestive moments and makeouts. Polyburners/Muckles.  Warnings for the Duke being The Worst, and for Mike being the DUMBEST oblivious thirst-lizard.

The Officer Present//Director Absent series (AKA Live Free and Welcome To The Kane Co Family)

A love letter to the Season 2 that never was, co-written by me and my twin sister toastyhat/HeatedHeadwear!  :D  Live Free chronicles the appearance of a new, menacing super-soldier in Motorcity, the shadowy machinations that led to his appearance and an overarching plan from Kane that could destroy Motorcity–once and for all!!!!!!  Welcome to the Kane Co Family starts shortly after the fallout from the first, with both cities struggling to come to terms with their new reality–but the world is changing and there are new threats on all sides, and if they thought their status quo changed in the first fic, BOY THEY’VE GOT A BIG STORM COMING!! >8Dc  Also Julie punches multiple people and generally kicks ass, it’s fabulousBoth fics are gen, they’re both rated T+ for violence, Evil Science, angst, etc.  Warnings for copious Deluxe worldbuilding, egregious amounts of backstory, a couple OCs I’ve been reliably informed are extremely fun, and chapter titles in the style of anime episode titles, because why not.  :D

Supersynesthesiac

Originally created solely to fill a prompt from a sexy prompt generator, this fic and the world it’s set in both spiralled wildly out of control, and a much more plot-heavy sequel is in the works.  Supersynesthesiac follows Mike Chilton, a vigilante superhero in Detroit Of The Future, as he finally meets his elusive, telepathic partner Blonde Thunder under the most dramatic circumstances possible.  Rated M for psychic makeouts, mind-melding and also there’s sex happening, probably.  It’s not nearly as lovingly described as the mind-meld porn going on in the foreground.  Polyburners is happening in the background, but this fic is basically entirely Muckles.  Warnings for Red being awful.

Rest In Pieces (Come Apart)

Mike is getting entirely out of control, and needs to burn off energy before he can get himself (and everybody else) in trouble again.  Fortunately his gang has a Plan.Rated M for sweet, loving and totally relentless polyburners gangbang.  Warnings for everybody being absolute dorks.  Also bondage and edging, if that’s not your thing. UoU

Werewolves Of Detroit

A series of vignettes exploring the world of Mike Chilton, rogue ex-commander werewolf, his vampire best friend, his highly unconventional pack, and the world they live in. EVERY section is illustrated and I’m very proud.Rated T+, mostly gen with mentions of Dutch/Tennie.  Warnings for Kane being a huge bigot, mentions of KaneCo-mandated surgery, and Texas being an asshole about vampires.   

Exposure Therapy 

Mike has a cool idea for a cool present for his cool boyfriend to totally cure Chuck’s fear of going fast in Mutt.  Rated M for dumb, fluffy smut and implied sex toys.  Warnings for unsafe driving practices.

Kiss And Tell

Somebody came into my askbox and suggested polyburners–but the rest of the city doesn’t know that’s their relationship, just that SOME configuration of Burners is together, and it seems to change CONSTANTLY.   Rated T+ for vaguely-implied possible sex at some point off-screen.  Warnings for nothing, this fic is a perfect warm fluffy representation of my poly-burner feelings and I love it.

Wreck

A little snapshot from an AU I’m not really planning to flesh out–I mostly wanted to capture a certain kind of bittersweet emotional conflict.  Chuck’s doing his best to keep his head down and live through college when a face he hasn’t seen since The Accident shows up at his door.  Vaguely Muckles-ish.  Rated T+ for reference to a nasty car accident and the aftermath, warnings for Kane being, just, Not A Good Dad.  

Override 0

Not exactly an AU, more of a speculative fic about the Burners finding out that Chuck’s enhancements go a lot further than just the weapons systems in his arms.  A realization prompted, of course, by the Duke of Detroit’s thirst for drama.  T+, no pairings.  Warnings for, in the words of AO3′s tag system, “#Loss Of Limbs”, mind control via brain-hacking, and mentions of unethical scientific/surgical procedures.

So Real In The Dark

I challenged myself to write people pining for each other while simultaneously being in a relationship, and a sci-fi AU with an artificial amnesia hookup service turned out to be the solution.  Half a fic about boys being incredibly dumb, and half a fic about trauma, bigotry, coping mechanisms and communication, and how you can love somebody and know them incredibly well and still not really understand them.  Explicit, Muckles, background Dutch/Tennie and Claire/Julie.  Warnings for brief stranger danger, aphrodisiacs, more poor treatment of cyborgs, and emotional gut-punch.

 –Stuff I Post About That Isn’t Posted/Finished Yet–

Burnerswap

A universe where the Burners are grown-up villains, and the former villains of the canon series are our new teenage heroes.  They’re dysfunctional and weird, but they’re doing their best to protect the clean, orderly, shining city of Deluxe from the gangs and bots and nasty, climbing bots that Ms. Kane sends up from the city below.  UoU  Likely to be rated T+ if I ever post it. Not much in the way of pairings except Ms. Kane’s right and left-hand man are VERY married and VERY tragic because you know I gotta fit Muckles in there.  

–Collab Fic / Gift Fic–

Chilton 2.0 by me and LaughingStones

The Kane Co. super-soldier program needs a volunteer, and who better to be superhumanly enhanced than the rising star of the Security program, Commander Chilton?  He’d never betray Kane Co, or need to have his brain overridden!  There’s no way this project can possibly go wrong!  Rated M for some pretty fucked-up treatment of cyborgs, and also for sexy future reasons. Warnings for Mike getting really messed up physically, emotionally and psychologically by bad programming and free-will overrides, and also for dumb boys stumbling awkwardly through impromptu sex-ed together.  Muckles.

i’m not the same kid from your memory by roachpatrol and also I helped

Kane Co. captures Chuck and manages to do some nasty shit to his brain before the Burners come and re-capture him.  Chuck does NOT appreciate being held captive by Burner Scum.  Emotions!!! Angst!!!!!  …it’s rated T+ on AO3 but there’s sex so just, be aware of that.  UoU  Muckles!

Experiments In Cross-Species Makeouts by LaughingStones

This one is very hard to explain, because Jem and I like to bounce of each other’s AUs and fics and write derivative fics of fics–there’s an OC in the Live Free/Welcome To The Kane Co Family universe who has what is essentially a nasty brainy kismessisitude/hate-love relationship (not fully explored in the fic, but very fleshed out in my mind, haha) with Chuck.  And this is….those two, but with the races/species from Werewolves of Detroit.  So…supernatural AU Chuck/OC hate-sex.  M, obviously.  Warnings for vampires getting drunk on siren blood and Live Free/WttKCF spoilers.

Recalibration Nation by HeatedHeadwear

!!!! A fic for my picture of Chuck as the Duke’s cyborg bodyguard, because toasty is great.  A+ hurt/comfort and recovery and bittersweet life-goes-on vibe, aslkfjsadf I love it.  T+, no pairings, warnings for anxiety/panic attacks, ear trauma, violence, emotions.

Proper Disposal Of Project Materials by LaughingStones

A scene in Chilton 2.0 I didn’t get to write; Chuck is a Failed Project, and Kane Co. has no used for Failed Projects.  Fortunately, the techs he grew up working with have his back.  T+ for (yet again) unethical treatment of cyborgs.  

Making Friends The Superhero Way by LaughingStones

Set before Supersynesthesiac; Mike’s good at his superhero job, but sometimes everybody needs help.  In this case, help just happens to have cat ears.  Gen, rated G.  Warnings for trouble breathing and also Mike being a doofus.

The Space Shenanigans series by LaughingStones and roachpatrol 

Loosely related to/based on the Forget Me Not, but set much later.  I’m not sure FMN is going to be poly or not, but these fics are inspired-by, so they go in this section. :D  The various sexy shenanigans of space-captain Mike, cyborg Chuck and Julie the terrifying space princess.  M for sexy shenanigans.  Warnings for (acted/fake) dubcon for the benefit of an asshole, and…..just various sexual shenanigans, I would check the warnings on the fics, haha.  :D

–Aaaaaand some non-me recs!–

(((I’m going to have to speed through these a little bit more, but I love them also, this post is just getting VERY long)))

All Steamed Up by Gumbridge 

Gen, G: coffeeshop AU, technically. Chuck would REALLY like a new espresso machine, he has done the MATH, it’s GOOD BUSINESS, MIKE!!!!!

Artificial Nocturne by Icka M. Chif (mischif)

Gen, T+: Mike accidentally trespasses on the territory of a mysterious guy who calls himself “Hound”.  Mike immediately sets about pushing past the emotional barrier of standoffishness and the physical barrier of giant, repurposed KaneCo HOUNDbots, and ends up with two awesome new friends out of the deal.  (The “Chuck is a constantly-terrified badass with an army of bots” AU)

Atlas and Copernicus by charcoalmink

Gen, G: A piece about how Kane can think of Mike and Julie both as his children, but feel so completely different about them.  Hurts so good, ahhh ToT

Behind The Throne by intravenusann

Duke/No. 2, Explicit: Number 2 would never really leave.  But sometimes it’s nice to be reminded why she stays.  

Bittersweet by EnsignCelery

Gen, G: Sometimes they get stressed.  Sometimes you just gotta lie down and cuddle.

Chicken Soup For The Burner Soul by renquise

Gen, G: Mike’s immunity boosters start to wear off and he goes down like a tree.  Good old-fashioned soft sickfic hurt/comfort.

Constantinople And Timbuktu / By(zantine) Any Other Name by (orphan_account)

Mike/Chuck, G: oh my god, this fic is strange to explain but so fun?? Historical AU–Chuck’s an orphan who ended up a body-double for russian royalty in like 1500, until he ends up kind of ambiguously kidnapped by a Tatar horseman who doesn’t speak his language but has a really nice smile and a fun come-and-go family of other riders from other countries.  In the words of the author, “ [the Russian nomad!au] “

Degreaser by Gumbridge

Claire/Julie, T+: Claire can tolerate getting dirty down in Motorcity, but it has to be under the right circumstances. Julie provides those circumstances.

I Thought You Were Dead by Caligraphunky

Gen, G: Jacob thought all the androids he created for KaneCo were scrapped.  But here’s unit CHUCK, back again.

In The Lost Age Where The Jewels Hide by roachpatrol and LaughingStones

Chuck (Lord Vanquisher)/Mike (Smiling Dragon), Explicit:  The LARPing group plays WAY crazier games than Mike is used to, but he could really get used to in-character Never Have I Ever if it always ends with stuff like this.  WOW.  Sex is GREAT.

Loaded Up And Truckin’ by RaccoonDoom 

Gen, T+: Smokey And The Bandit AU–AKA Jacob has a truck and uses it to run illegal goods; Mike and Chuck run interference and keep the cops off his tail.  Trucker AU, heyyyy. :D

Love Free by Prim_the_Amazing 

Multi/Polyburners, G: KaneCo has the algorithms, the expertise, they determine the most perfect possible partner.  So what do you do when the person KaneCo chooses isn’t the person you wanted?

Never Quite Thought We Could Lose It All by LaughingStones

Mike/Chuck, Explicit: It’s not weird for a KaneCo tech to have a huge blank spot in their memory, but it is unusual for one of their childhood friends to show up at their cubicle dressed as a physical relief technician, looking stressed and desperate and acting like Chuck should know him.  Warning for implied/referenced noncon.

The Obligatory Fantasy AU series by LaughingStones 

Mike/Chuck, G/T: Chuck’s a Mage On A Mission, and he’s not going to be derailed by the fact that his bodyguard is definitely a dragon who definitely considers Chuck his beautiful, golden-haired treasure.

our guts can’t be reworked by roachpatrol

Mike/Julie, Chuck/Mike, T+: Mike finds out he’s bisexual in the most confusing possible way: BODY-SWITCHING.  

Pyrrhic Victory by Clementine

Mike/Chuck, G: I live for Mike and Chuck LARPing dramatic emotional scenes and being dumb, dorky boys and that’s what this is, and I LOVE it. 

Quiet by deanon

Mike/Chuck, Explicit:  Mike makes the mistake of wondering about Chuck and sex and being noisy, and get catapulted abruptly into terrible, flustered pining.

Quit or Retry by Caligraphunky

Gen, T+: a really short but really nicely done piece that slowly illuminates more and more of a single scene until you get the full picture.  fear. android Chuck.

Riding Shotgun by Oisiflaneur

Polyburners, T+: I’ve never smoked pot but I’m all for the Burners hanging around being chill and kissing and occasionally also Mike does shotguns and people make out.

rise if you’re sleeping (stay awake) by RaccoonDoom 

Gen, T+: Another cyborg fic, this time about Mike and Chuck and insomnia and nightmares.  Sweet hurt-comfort. UwU

Rule Number Eight by drown (teii) 

Chuck/Texas, Chuck->Mike, T+:  the fic that got me into Chuxas–starting with the aftermath of one-sided Chuck/Mike and chronicling Chuck’s descent into weird, Texas-related madness. 

Scars by corelton

Claire/Julie, G:  Julie’s line of work puts her in enough danger for her to actually have scars, like, old-fashioned scars from actual injuries.  Claire is fascinated by them.

searchlights in the parking lots of hell by roachpatrol

Gen, T+: I don’t know if it sounds like a compliment to say this is one of the most subtly, gorgeously horrifying fics I’ve ever read, but that’s basically how I feel.  Mike is a kid in a cyborg program, and he keeps ending up in sparring matches with the same kid, over and over again; it’s a different kind of unsettling every time.  There’s something about seeing a scenario that’s obviously intensely messed up, through the point of view of a character who thinks it’s normal and good.  It gives it a special, extra punch.  

Sex Level: Texas! by LaughingStones

Texas->Mike, Texas->Burners, Explicit: Texas has some totally cool and sexy thoughts–mostly about Mike.  WHAT?  It’s not like it's weird.   

Spend Life Fighting For Your Sanity by roachpatrol 

Dutch/Tennie, T+: Deluxe has no patience for rebel scum, free-thinkers or artists.  Unfortunately for Dutch’s continued health and well-being, he’s all of those things.  Even if he can’t really remember what he did.  AKA: Deluxe re-captures Dutch and comprehensively fucks him up, but SUCK IT you can’t take away the colors in his SOUL.  

Sprouts by renquise

Gen, G:  a fic about Dutch finding ROTH, and Dutch and Chuck becoming ROTH’s weird programmer dads.  ROTH is adorable and the characterization is great, A++ 

Test Drive by renquise 

Mike/Julie, Explicit: Julie and Mike have a fun adventure in pegging together. 

thursday’s child has far to go (and they go so very, very quickly) by thinkingCAPSLOCK

Gen, G:  Kane loses one child, but at least he still has the other.

Walls Twice As Strong by deanon

Mike/Chuck, T+:  in the words of the original summary: “When Mike and Chuck fight, everybody knows.“ 

We Are Golden by renquise

Polyburners, T+:  Mike kisses everybody, and it’s soft and good and makes my heart feel all happy. 

We Can’t Punch Good: A Love Story by heartsinhay

Dutch/Texas, T+: Texas is pretty sure Dutch has just gotten immune to Texas’s sweet Texas Moves, but that’s okay.  Texas has got more than one trick up his sleeve, and he knows what Dutch likes.  Probably

yellow highway lines (that you’re relying on to lead you home) by renquis

Gen, G:  A delicious exploration of the world that might exist outside the dome, and also THE BURNER ROADTRIP FIC YOU’VE BEEN WAITING FOR.  The kids take a package from Rayon and go on the road, headed for San Fran come hell or nuclear superstorm.This is one of the first Motorcity fics I read, and It’s a big part of why I started making things for this fandom in the first place. :D  Very recommend, A++

#Anonymous #Motorcity #Fic Recs #Writing Is Hard #y'aLL THERE ARE SO MANY FICS OH MY GOD #JEEZY FUCK

[tkmedia]

Dynamite recap & reactions: Wrestling God

AEW Dynamite (June 26, 2021) emanated from Daily’s Place in Jacksonville, FL. The Saturday night show featured Hangman Page riding high, the Pinnacle setting traps for the Inner Circle, and Kenny Omega defending the AEW World Championship against Jungle Boy. Get caught up on all the Dynamite details with excellent play-by-play. Wrestling God The main event of the evening was Kenny Omega putting the AEW World Championship on the line against underdog contender Jungle Boy. I am pleased as punch to report that AEW curbed outside interference for this contest and allowed Omega to be the wrestling god that he is. The result had a clean finish. Jungle Boy was coming in nervous about the opportunity. Christian Cage provided words of encouragement. Jungle Boy was accompanied by Jurassic Express, and Omega had the Good Brothers by his side. Stunt was a hothead early, so referee Paul Turner ejected everyone from ringside. That didn’t stop the Good Brothers from returning later, but Jurassic Express and Frankie Kazarian beat them off to prevent any shenanigans. The title match was a fair fight all the way through. Omega and Jungle Boy wrestled close to 20 minutes. They kicked it off with wrist lock theatrics during the feeling out process. The counter game was tight. Jungle Boy reacted with evasion, whereas Omega was out to inflict pain. The champ did so with a side suplex on the steel steps then tossing Jungle Boy over the guardrail onto fans. Jungle Boy found his groove for two consecutive suicide dives. He hit a DDT once Omega reentered the ring. The champ smartly rolled back outside to avoid a pinfall, so JB followed with a tope con hilo. It was only a matter of time before Omega connected on the V-Trigger. He followed with a snap dragon suplex and a second V-Trigger. Omega aimed to close with the One Winged Angel, however, Jungle Boy countered for a reverse rana. JB connected on his running elbow finisher to the back of Omega’s head, but it didn’t keep the champ down. Omega fired back with his third V-Trigger. He followed with a powerbomb and a fourth V-Trigger. Jungle Boy still had enough fighting spirit to kick out. Omega went for another V-Trigger. This time, Jungle Boy ducked under to roll through for a Snare Trap submission. Omega eventually reached the ropes for the break. After an exchange of fisticuffs in the center of the ring, Omega hit his fifth V-Trigger. Jungle Boy rebounded off the ropes for a clothesline then a brainbuster. Omega kicked out on the cover. V-Trigger number six led to the One Winged Angel attempt. Jungle Boy escaped for a roll-up then transitioned into the Snare Trap again. Omega was close to passing out, so he pulled JB’s hair to allegedly hide an eye gouge to get free. Commentary theorized about the gouge, even though, the camera didn’t catch it. Jungle Boy went for broke on a super hurricanrana, but the champ slipped under for a vicious Snake Eyes into the top turnbuckle. Omega charged for a V-Trigger to the back of Jungle Boy’s head. After a Tiger Driver ‘98, Jungle Boy kicked out. Omega wasted no time and immediately hit the One Winged Angel for victory. That was a great match for TV. It was so much more enjoyable without outside interference. Omega won relatively clean to prove himself as a wrestling god. Omega is reaching that age where his peak days might be numbered. I want to see the best perform at their best while they can. These kind of wins will make his eventual defeat sweeter to witness, as opposed to the safety net shenanigans in previous title defenses. Sure, Omega still cheated with the hair grab, but it was an acceptable bending of the rules within the rhythm of the flow. Jungle Boy rose to the occasion. He didn’t quite force me into believing he could win, but that second Snare Trap was darn close. It made me check the clock to see if time was running out or if there was room for more action. Once Jungle Boy gets his promo work down, he’ll be main event for years to come. Shout-out to Justin Roberts for nailing those notes on Omega’s entrance. He helped make this feel like a big fight. Chaos erupted in the aftermath. Omega was waiting for Jungle Boy to rise, so he could blast him with the title belt. Christian ran in for the save before the heinous act could be completed. Matt Hardy and Private Party ran in to fight Christian. As Christian positioned Hardy for a Killswitch, the Young Bucks were waiting for a double superkick. The Elite and HFO closed the show standing tall. The conclusion was a bit overdone. It would have been okay with Christian sending a message to Omega. The scene became muddled once everyone else ran in. Pinnacle set a trap The Pinnacle had payback on their minds coming into Dynamite. It started as the broadcast opened. Alex Marvez interviewed Sammy Guevara as he was entering the venue. Shawn Spears was hiding for an ambush. He used a chair to bash Guevara on the shoulder and arm. The Spanish God was left on the ground in pain, compliments of MJF prior to their singles showdown on June 30. The Pinnacle’s next trap involved the face-to-face interview between Tully Blanchard and Konnan. The lucha libre legend refused to be intimidated by mind games. He spoke about the differences of Santana and Ortiz growing up on the streets compared to FTR growing up as country boys. Blanchard threatened to have FTR come out to handle Konnan. Konnan countered by calling Santana and Ortiz to the ring. The duo entered with bandanas covering their faces. That’s when the Pinnacle’s trap was revealed. Blanchard showed the real Santana and Ortiz on the big screen beat up backstage. The imposters turned out to be FTR. They proceeded to pummel Konnan and execute a spike piledriver. The third scene of the evening for this feud began with a backstage interview for MJF, Wardlow, and Spears. MJF didn’t understand why people are upset about him punching Dean Malenko. If anything, fans should be thanking MJF for sending the old man into retirement. That’s when Chris Jericho and Jake Hager ran in for a brawl. The action spilled out to the ring, where the Pinnacle’s three-on-two advantage took over. Guevara’s music hit as he cleaned house to save the day. On June 30, Guevara will prove that AEW chose the wrong one to support as a top guy. With so many people involved in this feud, it was smart to space it out through the show. They probably could have combined it all into the Konnan segment, but that would not have been nearly as effective. As it was, Konnan helped build heat by taking a piledriver from FTR, and MJF built heat for Sammy to shut his mouth next week. The only downside was the Pinnacle being pushed back on their heels once again. It seemed like this was the week for them to stand tall, but the Inner Circle ended up getting the final shine on Guevara’s save. Even when the Pinnacle wins, the Inner Circle has still looked tougher throughout the majority of the feud. My favorite thing about the feud on this evening was Jericho breaking out the hockey fight tricks. It is an effective tactic and also adds a little absurdity to the entertainment. My ears perked to Konnan’s reference of Tessa Blanchard. He told Tully to learn Spanish to speak to hid grandkids, since Tessa is married to Daga. Those two free agents have to show up somewhere eventually. I wonder if Konnan’s comment was just for a pop or to open the door for a potential debut in AEW. Let’s jam through the rest of Dynamite. Hangman Page defeated Will Hobbs. Primo matchup of #2 versus #4. Taz was on commentary. Hobbs chose to roll solo without Team Taz ringside. Hobbs focused on damaging Hangman’s lariat arm. Ricky Starks and Hook eventually decided to appear with the intention of lending a helping hand. Hobbs was in control, but Starks tried to give him the FTW title anyway. Brian Cage ran out to strip Starks of both his clothes and the FTW title. Hobbs kept his head on a swivel amidst the confusion to counter a buckshot lariat into a spinebuster. Hangman stayed alive though. After an exchange of elbow strikes, Hangman ducked low under a running crossbody. The cowboy seized the moment for German suplex then a Dead Eye piledriver to win. Strong opening bout. Hangman took out top competition to prove his ranking is no fluke. I like how AEW has developed multiple finishers for wrestlers. It allows more leeway in terms of strategic storytelling. In this case, damage was done to prevent Hangman’s lariat, so he pivoted to the Dead Eye. It was smart to see Hobbs work on preventing the buckshot lariat and also smart to see Hangman adapt with other methods to win. When Hangman started bleeding from his head, it made me think of wig splitting. I now want to see Mark Henry versus Hobbs with a stipulation. First one to split a wig wins. They can practice on enhancement talent to hype the match. You know how the song goes. “Somebody gonna get their ass kicked. Somebody gonna get their wig split. Beat ‘em up, beat ‘em up, break his neck, break his neck.” As for Team Taz, it is definitely time to dump Cage. He was selfish in his actions. Cage could have waited until after the match to put hands on Starks. Also, I have to question why Starks and Hook consistently choose poor moments to appear. They often come out when one of their mates is in control but hasn’t finished the job yet. In this case, Hobbs didn’t necessarily need the help of cheating with the FTW title. Taz must coach Starks and Hook on the fine art of interference. Matt Sydal defeated Dante Martin. Sydal focused on cool pretzel submissions to weaken the knees. Martin still strut his electric offense, such as floating through the air for a double springboard moonsault, a high leaping sunset flip, and a flipping stunner. In the end, Sydal dodged a flying stomp. The impact jammed Martin’s tender knee. Sydal took advantage for a head kick then a Lightning Spiral slam to win. The flashy fight produced fireworks of excitement. Sydal demonstrated veteran strategy to chip away at the knee, while Martin shined with acrobatics. It was the kind of match that leaves me wanting to see more from both men in the near future. Ethan Page defeated Bear Bronson. Scorpio Sky and Bear Boulder were ringside. The finish came down to the Men of the Year outsmarting their opponents and referee Bryce Remsburg. Bronson was on the turnbuckles with momentum, so Sky hopped onto the apron. Sky took a hit for the team when Boulder bashed him. That distraction allowed Page to deliver a vicious low blow to set up the Ego’s Edge for victory. After the contest, Page cut a promo. He knows Darby Allin isn’t done with him. Page admitted that he isn’t done with Allin either. Page wants to be the nail in Allin’s coffin, so he challenged him to a Coffin Match for July 7. Another match where both men came out looking impressive. Bronson’s power game is top notch. Page wowed me by lifting the bear’s weight for the stalling Ego’s Edge. That took serious functional strength. The post-match promo had nice wordplay for the Coffin Match challenge. It will be interesting to see how AEW puts their own twist on the casket match. Kris Statlander defeated Bunny. Blade distracted the referee to slip brass knuckles to Bunny. Orange Cassidy entered the ring to steal the foreign object and place it in his pocket. Statlander took advantage of the commotion to win via Big Bang Theory piledriver. After the match, Blade attacked OC. TH2 ran in to help with the pummeling. Blade retrieved the brass knuckles to land a clean punch on Cassidy’s jaw. Solid women’s match. Other than Statlander picking up a win to keep her record undefeated, it didn’t do much to advance the division. It seemed more like a setup for Cassidy to now have three enemies to occupy his time. The image of Cassidy knocked out cold on the mat was the laugh of the night for me. His dazed expression was excellent.

AEW Dynamite Notes: The Young Bucks ran down the list of people they have eliminated with violence. Eddie Kingston and Pentagon get a chance to earn a tag title shot if they can beat the Bucks in a non-title bout next week. The Jacksons aren’t worried, because they have transformed into Extremely Violent People. Nick closed by cawing like a bird. I don’t know why. Later in the show, Eddie Kingston pointed out how the Bucks only care about their egos. The way to hurt them is to take the tag titles. Kingston and Pentagon will achieve step one with a win over the Bucks next week to earn the title shot. Mark Sterling’s latest monetization plan for Jade Cargill is to offer fans a 10% discount off her two t-shirts in the AEW shop with the code THATB. Jade talked up being undefeated. Dr. Britt Baker DMD laughed at the idea of Vickie Guerrero cashing in her favor from Tony Khan on a tag match. Baker could think of a million other things to request instead. Now, Baker has to beat Vickie’s ass. Vickie stated that the tag match would be an appetizer to solidify Nyla Rose at the #1 contender. Nyla is coming for the women’s title on night 2 of Fyter Fest. It came across as an unofficial match announcement that will become official soon enough. QT Marshall hopes Cody Rhodes gets cast in a geeky superhero movie, so he won’t be around. That will give time for QT to focus on winning a championship in AEW. Brian Pillman Jr. cut a promo for Miro ahead of their TNT title contest. Pillman has fought for everything he has, and that includes his friends. Pillman will win the gold. Stud of the Show: Miro Miro delivers the most entertaining promos in AEW at the moment. He laid out so many good lines when discussing his upcoming TNT title bout against Brian Pillman Jr. on June 30. It starts with a little humor about his flexible hot wife, then veers into ass-kicking territory. When Miro scowls while saying, “Standing between the righteous man and his path is like standing between the cleaver and its meat,” you know those are not empty words. Miro single-handedly sold the match just to see how bad he will beat up Pillman. Dud of the Show: Andrade’s announcement tease During Dante Martin’s entrance, Vickie Guerrero chose to interrupt to introduce Andrade. They had panned to make a huge announcement, but Matt Sydal’s music hit for his entrance. No announcement was made. AEW has dipped into this story well too often. Star comes out, then doesn’t get to speak. Due to this method dragging on for weeks in the past, Andrade’s appearance didn’t really build anticipation to finally learn the announcement. Besides, if it was something huge, then AEW should have sent Alex Marvez or scoop master Paul Wight to break the news. That said, I am all aboard on seeing Matt Sydal as Andrade’s first opponent. Sydal can work a variety of styles to shine with Andrade. Grade: B+ This show was anchored by the main event. AEW delivered a satisfying finish with zero interference. Thank you! The rest of the matches carried their weight as well. There are still snafus in production. The camera missed a pivotal spinebuster moment for Hobbs. Share your thoughts about Dynamite. How do you rate it? Who stole the show? Read the full article

[haikyuu-imagines-blog]

Kuroo Tetsurou - Relationship in 5 Steps

∠ words - 3k

∠ genre - fluff

∠ summary -  Do you want to know what it's like to be adored by one of Haikyuu!!'s characters? Do you want to know five easy steps they would use to make you theirs? Read to find out.

∠ masterlist

∠ yep, this is a new series, but I won’t post five separate chapters for every character, but just one. I hope you will enjoy, I worked hard for it. It is a piece of my heart - treat it well.

∠ Bokuto Kouratou ver. | Oikawa Tooru ver. | Sawamura Daichi ver. ∠

-

∠ being noticed

Kuroo closed his eyes, desperately trying to bury the unsettling feeling that welcomed itself into his life a few days ago, on the day when he laid his eyes on you. At first, the sudden attraction had seemed to be just like one of his previous quirks, which were easily forgotten the day after and not remembered since. Although, you surprisingly, were some kind of anomaly, which rooted in his subconscious immediately and didn't exactly want to leave.

He was strangely okay with how the situation was going on, however, the only con was the fact that you didn't know who the hell he was and the plan to get closer to you became ten times more complicated than it already was. Poor Kuroo was so deeply into his little crush, that it was hard for him to sit still with his growing excitement upon seeing you for the first time that day.

He secretly eyed you, giving you silent kudos for the jewelry choice. Your rainbow-shaped earrings made a nice contrast to your official, school uniform and even though, you probably didn't want to stand out of the crowd - to him, you were the only shining star in the room. He couldn't focus on anything, but you the whole time.

Lessons were long and usually boring, so he couldn't help but steal a few glances at you from time to time, cheering happily inside that no one saw his growing obsession with the way you put annoying hairs behind your ear.

''You got it bad, prince charming.'' Scoffed Yaku, turning to face him when the lunch break began.

''I don't have anything.'' He replied smoothly, clearly failing to assure his classmate that he was wrong. ''Does it show that much?'' He quietly asked after a minute of silence between them.

''Yeah, it's almost too obvious to handle.'' They didn't bother to continue their conversation after that.

His time at school was finally moving towards its end and since he didn't have practice later, he could just walk lazily home and then relax with a hot drink and a good movie in the background. His knee was bouncing up and down, aching but still going like crazy and the quick looks he was giving you, became even more frequent and lingering. Not that he minded.

But it was just his luck that in the moment when the last bell in his day rang, signaling long desired freedom, you turned to him catching his curious eyes, which were observing your smaller form. His insides froze along with his limbs and will to live and when he was finally ready to perform seppuku in front of his class - you sent him a big, toothy grin. Then you and waved happily and skipped towards the door like nothing had happened. Like you hadn't made Tetsurou the happiest man alive.

He has been just noticed and it was the best feeling in the whole world.

∠being friends

The black-haired and also very bored Kuroo Tetsurou was aggressively flipping his biology book, giving it no mercy. The colorful pages tore in some places, crumbled or even left the book for eternity. He tried to care about it, he really did. However, it's been ten minutes since the time you had said you would call him and he was slowly going bonkers in his freshly cleaned room. He didn't want to mention that he had already cleaned it five times, trying to pass hours quicker.

Since that memorable day, when you had finally acknowledged his presence, you two have grown closer with each day and now he could proudly admit that you two were friends. Not want he wanted, but more than he expected. Kuroo finally knew much more about you, not only your looks. If he was being honest, he would describe your personality as a very similar to your earrings choices: shiny, funny and that kind, which made you feel good about yourself.

His main hope was that you saw him in a good light too, it was one of his the most important matters. And just when he wanted to dig deeper into the thoughts that kept his brain hostage, the phone laying directly in front of him lit up and let out some famous song. He clumsily took it and hesitated for a mere second before picking up.

''Hi!'' You both yelled at the same time and then laughed loudly at how stupid your behavior was. He relaxed after that and let himself be filled with your lovely voice, swallowing every word as you told him about your day and today's events. His turn to rant came way too quickly, but it didn't stop him from whining about the fight he had with his mum about the habit of not picking up his gym clothes from under his bed and patiently absorbed your advice about the problem.

''I think I'm going to hit the shower now because school is tomorrow and I don't want to be late like last time when we stayed on the line for too long.'' You giggled at the memory and he slightly smiled, preparing for goodbyes.

''Sure, I'm not stopping you.''

''But you kinda want to, right?'' You asked quietly.

''Yeah.'' He heard you sigh from the other side. It was a shame you were so far away, he really wanted to see the emotions on you face in that moment.

''Talk to you tomorrow, Tetsu.'' You said eventually, making loud kissy sounds and eventually hung up, but he didn't register it. There was only one thing he could focus on.

You called him by his given name for the first time and he didn't want to forget how your voice sounded with it on your lips.

∠  asking out

''This movie is shitty.'' You stated seriously, shooting him a glare from your spot on the couch. He only winced and gave you a silly smile in return, already regretting listening to Bokuto. Your eyes went back to the screen, as your hand dived into a bowl full of popcorn.

''Sorry, sorry. I will choose better next time.''

''There won't be next time Tetsurou.'' Unknown words stucked in his throat before they could leave, eyes wandering around the room in disappointment. He couldn't believe you were THAT angry. ''You will never choose a movie again, I swear to God. It's my turn forever, don't even try to argue.'' He nodded in agreement, hoping you didn't see how he breathed out in relief that you weren't really mad.

To be absolutely honest, the movie wasn't all that bad in his opinion, but he wasn't an expert and probably shouldn't be asked about it. Volleyball ate a lot of his time and he preferred to spend the free one with people he loved, so that was it. If they wanted to watch something, that's alright, but it wasn't a frequent request.

However, you seemed to be crazy about it. Some days, you couldn't last more than ten minutes without talking about some new film or actors he has never heard about. Although in exchange, he could talk about his practices, so it was very nice.

And about his dirty, little secret - he was able to control his feelings for you easily now. No one, who already didn't know wouldn't catch on - including you. After the weird incident with the phone call, when you started to call him by his name, he tried to calm himself a little and not behave like a lovestruck idiot. Kuroo would literally kill himself if he made you uncomfortable or repulsed. And also he didn't really have any occasion to give much thought to his infatuation because your birthday was approaching and his gift must be the best one that year.

There was going to be a movie marathon of very old productions, some of them were even black and white. It's streaked his interest immediately and since he didn't hear a word about it from you, he was right to believe that you were simply unaware something like this was happening in your hometown. He has bought two tickets, packed them nicely and waited for a good moment to give it to you. Unfortunately, despite his best efforts, something just had to go wrong.

''Tetsurou, did you tell f/n-chan about these movies or something?'' His mum, who has come back from work five minutes ago, yelled from the other room not realising her mistake. You ears seemed to perk curiously at the newfound information and you quickly sent him a questioning look.realising her mistake. You ears seemed to perk curiously at the newfound information and you quickly sent him a questioning look.

''You gonna tell me about it or what?'' You asked, standing up and sitting closer to him after he didn't respond to your silent plea. He decided to just give up before puppy eyes appear on your face.

''Yhm, I kind of - bought two tickets to movie marathon and was wondering if you wanted to go? I was supposed to your birthday present, but-'' He wildly gestured towards the place him mother was in. ''-this happened.'' You smiled somehow differently, ruffling his already messy hair, making his heart race.

''It's so cute, Tetsu! It's a date then.'' You winked and came back to your previous spot like you just hadn't changed Kuroo's entire life.

But it's a date then, he guessed.

∠  first kiss

'What the hell is wrong with you?'

'I'm just frustrated f/n, I've told you to leave me alone.'

‘'But I don't want to leave you alone in this situation! Please, accept my support!’' He sighed and covered his face with a sweaty hand. His team had been destroyed in today's match and he couldn't do anything to change it. Some of the most important players hadn't attended, because of reasons and this made them almost unable to play. His teammates had fought like hungry animals, but unfortunately, it wasn't enough. The aftermath of the match left him unsatisfied and not easy to communicate with, however, you tried anyway. It was greatly annoying, but he also couldn't help but appreciate your soothing presence.

He drew a deep breath, which seemed a little shaky at the beginning as if he was ready to cry, but quickly collected himself. His now dry palm slowly fell from his face and moved against his will towards your form. You looked uncertain for a second, before enveloping it with your bony fingers and hugging it tightly to your chest, right next to the heart. Kuroo felt its fastened beating and immediately felt guilty for causing you so much stress, especially since you didn't deserve any of thing. You weren't his punching bag, but a person he held deep feelings for.

‘'I'm sorry.’' He whispered, closing his eyes as his shoulders dropped a little.

'’It's okay Tetsu, I understand.'’ Your lips kissed his knuckles and then you cuddled your cheek to the back of his hand, clearly needing comfort and affection. His heart melted at the sight but it didn't erase that swallowing disappointment, which was still following him after the brutal loss he experienced today. You noticed it faster than he anticipated and opened a mouth like you wanted to say something but closed it, deciding not to. Maybe the silence was the best medicine for now.

Half an hour later, the volleyball team was ready to leave and you all headed home. They bluntly ignored the heavy atmosphere between you and Kuroo after your exchange of words and both of you were thankful for it. They didn't need that kind of burden right now. Your relationship, your problem.

Everybody was slowly leaving, going their own ways until finally, you two were alone again. Kuroo didn't utter a single word for a long while and you thought that it would be smart to give him time and wait until he was ready to clear the air between you. Although it was awkward you still held hand as Tetsurou walked you home.

When you arrived, you didn't look at each other not knowing exactly what to do. It was the first time something like this happened and the unsureness of how to behave in such situations was very visible. You obviously still explored one another and the boundaries surrounding you, which obviously could cause some major misunderstandings. However, nothing good came without a little pain and proper fight for it.

‘'So-'’ He started and you in a mere second looked up, staring at his face with such insensitivity your eyes almost fell out. ‘'-are we okay?’' He asked, scratching the back off his head. That gesture always made you smile, because it made his hair even wilder. He was very handsome with that look.

'’Of course, Tetsurou. Nothing bad happened in the first place. This day just sucks.’' You laughed loudly, coming back to yourself after hours of being grumpy and feeling rather out of place.

'’It sure does.’' He repeated after you and your doorstep soon became a place full of giggles and chuckles Kuroo didn't know how desperately he craved for the whole time without them. Things were fine.

‘'I like you very much, you know?’' You said, enveloping his slim neck in a warm hug, which he returned not even a second later.

‘'I really like you, too.'’ He breathed into your ear, before giving it a butterfly kiss. You stayed like that, not leaving the embrace that gave you the security you deserved and absolutely loved.

The way you turned and hopefully will turn Kuroo's world upside down was indescribable. In such short time, you were able to brighten his days without much work. You were incredible. The only one in this universe who had him for every command. He wasn't even ashamed to admit it, more like proud of being stupidly in love.

'’Tetsu?'’

‘'Yeah?'’

‘'Could you close your eyes for a second?’' That whispered question honestly threw him off of guard, you didn't plan on slapping him or something? He kinda liked his face, a lot actually. He would mourn if something terrible happened to it, however, as a good slave, he followed your request.

And waited. And waited. What did you wa--

‘'Ah, screw it.'’ You hissed before something hit him. Right on his lips. Probably your own pair. Warm, plump with flavored lip gloss on it - apples, he dared to guess. He was stunned for a while and before he could react or so much kiss back, you departed from him.

‘'You didn't like it?'’ The hurt expression on your face hit him hard and fast. You totally didn't understand his intentions or rather the fact that he was too frozen to do anything.

'’That's not it! You just surprised me, I didn't expect that’.' He pecked your lips quickly as a sign that everything was more than okay and you relaxed against his body.

'’I'm glad.’' You said and skipped happily to your door. ‘'Good night, Kuroo Tetsurou. Next move is yours to make.’' You shot him a teasing smile and disappeared behind your doors, leaving him to the cold night and lonely streets.

He would never say it to anyone, even himself that the fact you were the one to take the lead turned him on, a lot.

∠  being a couple

''Will you tell me why am I getting a silent treatment?'' The question left his mouth for the third time that week, less angry than before, but more desperate.

Although you gave no answer just like you had done previously, you eventually sent him a tired look and sighed. It was a better response than he expected and it made him satisfied for a little while. Which lasted approximately two minutes.

''Okay, I didn't flirt with anyone, didn't say anything mean, remembered everything important and even bought you food this week!'' His hands fled dramatically to his black hair, tugging it in every direction. ''Am I being to nice to my own girlfriend?!'' Then he dropped to his knees, faking sobs and loud cries.

''I'm not your girlfriend.'' You icy cold voice broke his focus on feeling sorry for himself and he stared at you, suddenly terrified. His hopes and dreams shattered, and pieces of them started swirling in his head, bouncing against the walls and finally falling onto his imagined ground in his mind, defeated.

''Yet.'' You added grimacing, but your eyes shined with amusement upon noticing his small breakdown. ''You've never asked me, baby.'' And with that Kuroo almost laughed, almost.

''You, young lady, need to stop with this stupid, unnecessary breaks between sentences and words, because honestly, they suck and well, they are going to give me a heart attack someday. Thank you very much.'' The Sun was slowly leaving your side of the Earth creating an artwork of the sky. Pinkish and reddish colours reflected on your face, showing him a side of you, he hadn't had a pleasure of meeting. Open windows welcomed warm breeze into your home, which moved your earnings, shaped as sunflowers. You laughed softly and he was one hundred percent sure he was never going to love someone as much as he loved you right in that moment.

His hands, unlike his body, were cold as they made their way to yours. You flinched, but didn't push him and both of you knew there was no turning back. Your eyebrows raised slightly in anticipation, however, you tried your hardest not show how long you've waited for what was to come. He cleared his throat and took a deep breath.

''S/o, will you do me an honour and--''

''Are you proposing?'' Your mocking voice interrupted. ''Because if you are I have to say no, we are too young, baby.''

''How about you shut up and let me finish?''

''You go, tiger.'' Let's just say that romantic atmosphere has been brutally murdered.

''Okay, you have to be my girlfriend, because I said so and you destroyed my beautiful proposal, so you owe me.'' He said on your breath, smiling. It was the smoothest thing that came out of his mouth, now they can seriously call him a master of love and sex.

''Yeah, sounds great.'' You answered, without much thinking and reached out for a phone. ''So pizza toning or what?''

''Yeah, pizza is good.'' Maybe he was lame, or even you both were. Maybe even your love was lame, but he wouldn't have it any other way. You deserved each other, fought for each other and hopefully will be with each other forever.

(Or at least for the next two hours, because he was broke and someone needed to pay for the pizza)

#kuroo #kuroo tetsurou #kuroo tetsurō #kuroo x reader #hq #hq imagines #hq scenarios #hq!! imaginess #hq!! #hq!! scenarios #haikyuu #haikyuu imagines #haikyuu scenarios #haikyuu!! #haikyuu!! imagines #haikyuu!! scenarios #hq fic #hq!! fic #hq!! edit #hq text #bokuto #bokuto koutarou #oikawa #oikawa tooru #sawamura #sawamura daichi #sawamura x reader #oikawa x reader #bokuto x reader #fluff

[real-life-pine-tree]

Arc-V Aftermath: Knight and Prince (22/26)

When all is said and done, things have quickly recovered in the four dimensions. But when weird things start happening, the Yu-Salad Boys and the Bracelet Girls quickly realize they have some loose ends to fix. Co-written with @violetganache42​​​.

WARNING: Dub names will be featured in the story.

As a girl who grew up in an elite environment, Lulu has access to everything she needs to look absolutely perfect. Shampoo to keep her hair silky soft, face cleanser to avoid possible acne, lotion for making sure her skin is smooth... She even has the finest ear picks in the city so her ears always remain clean.

Yuto, on the other hand, was a completely different story. Born in a middle class environment, he didn't mind if his face was slightly dirty or if his hair was out of place. Even when he started living with the Obsidians, he wasn't completely obsessed with his looks.

The next morning, at the Obsidian house, the couple were getting ready for the second round of the Team Duel Tournament. Needless to say, there was a strong difference in their morning routines. While Lulu was carefully brushing her hair before she could style it, Yuto was having a hard time cleaning his ears. After hearing yet another frustrated sound, she put her brush on her vanity and wheeled over to her private bathroom.

"Are you having a hard time?" Lulu asked.

"Sort of," Yuto answered, holding up an ear pick. "I don't really clean my ears a lot."

"Come here," Lulu said, patting her lap. "I'll help you get your ears clean."

Yuto walked over to where Lulu was and handed her the ear pick before kneeling down and placing the right side of his head on her lap. With her right hand holding the pick, she began helping him clean his ears. She used the ladle of the ear pick to scrape out ear wax, using her other hand to stroke his hair. Yuto let out a content sigh, closing his eyes as he let his girlfriend continue the intimate gesture.

When Lulu finished using the down puff to remove any extra ear wax, she gently patted Yuto's head, indicating him to switch sides. He shifted his head so the left side was on her lap. Lulu then tucked Yuto's stray bang behind his ear before repeating the process. He sighed again, adoring her gentle touch.

Suddenly, Lulu hit a sweet spot, causing Yuto to moan. "Lulu..." he muttered.

She suddenly remembered about his sensitive area near his right ear, where his small, faint, and somewhat noticeable scar was, hiding underneath the locks of light purple hair. Smirking, she finished cleaning out ear wax with the ladle before switching to the down puff. But this time, she removed extra ear wax very suggestively, using her other hand to gently touch his outer ear.

Yuto moaned from his girlfriend's gentle touches, his hand gripping the skirt of her pale yellow sundress. He adored this pleasurable feeling, wishing this moment could last forev-

"What are you two doing?"

The two looked up to see Shay standing in front of the bathroom door. They didn't hear him come in, but hearing his voice made things somewhat…embarrassing.

Yuto lifted up his head. "This isn't what it looks like!" he exclaimed, blushing heavily.

"I get that you two are bound to get these kind of moments, but we have a tournament to get to," Shay reminded the lovebirds.

"Right," Yuto said, leaving the private bathroom to get dressed. "Sorry about that."

After shutting the bathroom door when Lulu wheeled out to follow him, Yuto headed towards the bed where his clothes laid nicely across. He couldn't believe he was going to be wearing his pre-Invasion attire again; he wore it when he first met Lulu. Speaking of her, she was tying her hair into her signature bow-shaped style and secured it with her feather-shaped barrette before putting on her sunhat and white flats. To them, they were almost getting a blast from the past.

Yuto smiled softly. "Isn't that the sunhat you wore during the Heartland Spring Festival?" he asked as he finished getting dressed.

"Of course it is," Lulu answered. "It was the first time we hung out outside of school."

"And look how far we came," Yuto said, putting on his glasses. He gave Lulu a loving kiss. "Not even a horrible crisis can separate us."

"Of course, sweet knight," Lulu said. "Our love is unbreakable."

"You can flirt on the way over to the Center Duel Field," Shay pointed out. "We have a tournament to get to."

The trio headed out of the bedroom and went downstairs, with Kameron and Astra meeting up with them before making their way to the car and driving to LID. With this being the second day of the tournament, all the people who attended yesterday—including some of the Cardfighters—were returning to their seats while some of the losing teams joined the audience and took their own. As for the winning teams, they were brought to the Center Duel Field with their families and friends: Team Smiles with Yusho, Yoko, Skip, Mr. Strong, Allie, Tate, Frederick, Aura, and the Lancers, Team Noble with Kameron, Astra, Cathy, Alex, and Kite, Team Turbo with Akiza and a few other Turbo Duelists, and Team Obelisk with Leo and the former Obelisk Force members.

All around the stadium, many people were cheering for the four teams, especially for Team Smiles, who have become the fan favorite team…much to Yugo's chagrin. Despite realizing that Jean-Michel Roget was responsible for the High Council's disbandment, he still wasn't pleased with how everyone was preferring Yuya over him. They both endured contradicting sufferings, but he still believed the people loved the Performapal user more than him.

Rin quickly noticed Yugo getting tensed. "Calm down," she said, rubbing her boyfriend's shoulders. "Your Speedroids are just as entertaining as Yuya's Performapals."

"I hope so," Yugo said, still not relaxing.

With the four teams gathered, Declan and Aichi began the opening ceremony. "Welcome to the Team Duel Tournament finals," Declan said. "While yesterday's matches showed promising Duelists, only four teams were able to move on to the finals. Today the four teams will take part in a standard elimination round. The four teams will split into two groups with the teams dueling each other. Once the final two teams are determined, they will battle it out with the winning team being crowned the winners of the first-ever Team Duel Tournament."

"The teams facing off were selected based on their performances from yesterday," Aichi said. "We have the fan favorites of Team Smiles, the unbeatable Team Noble, the Turbo Duelists of Team Turbo, and the Wicked Dueltainers of Team Obelisk."

The audience applauded for the announced and outstanding finalists, especially for Yuya. Yugo stared at him from a not too far distance and wondered if everyone loved him because of his natural charm. He then started considering about changing his current hairstyle into a more attractive style.

"You alright, pal?" Crow asked Yugo.

The banana-banged Duelist ran a hand threw his hair. "I think I might need a comb-"

His response was cut short by the startled gasps of everyone in the Center Duel Field. He turned around to see what the big deal was, only to find Yuto strangling someone out of sheer anger. From the looks of things, the eggplant-haired teen must have recognized the former Obelisk Force student, as well as Sora, who was rushing from his team to where the incident was coming from. Sure enough, he also spotted his face and immediately knew who it was: the same person who killed Lono Osaku… Chazz Princeton.

"Well well, if it isn't the goth loner," Chazz said.

Yuto tightened his grip. "You're going to pay for killing my mom!" he snarled.

Chazz scoffed at the threat. "Like I was trying to kill her," he said. "I found out about the Professor's ultimate goals: save Ray Akaba and prevent Zarc Nightstone's resurrection. I thought killing one of Zarc's fragments might get me promoted. That woman was only an interference."

Yuto couldn't believe what he was hearing coming out of this psycho's mouth. If he was killed by the Chaos Ancient Gear Giant, he and his counterparts wouldn't have received new chances to find themselves and learn their Skills given to them by Zarc. He wouldn't have been able to get a job at ObsidianCorp and determine his future. He wouldn't have gotten his first kiss from Lulu. The words made him furious because he knows Zarc felt bad for what he has done yet Chazz doesn't seem to care in the slightest. Meanwhile, with Sora, he was just about to help calm Yuto down when he heard footsteps coming from Leo, who had overheard the explanation behind Lono's unfortunate murder.

"Mr. Princeton, how did you find out about all of this?" Leo asked.

"I overheard you talking about your plans to some crazy bug-eyed man," Chazz answered.

Leo knew exactly who he was referring to as his eyes shifted towards a certain someone in the audience: The Doktor, who was unsealed from his card once Yuya was revived and the dimensions split back into four. Yesterday, during the preliminaries, he was initially concerned when he was watching Team Turbo's duels and saw Rin Fusion Summoning Crystal Bell; he eventually relaxed and was pleased with how she integrated the Fusion monster into her deck and brought out the card's true beauty. Today, he heard what Chazz was talking about in regards to the Invasion and Revival Zero and how those plans inadvertently gave him an idea for a promotion. The poor guy can't seem to catch a break throughout the tournament's duration.

"Yuto, please unhand Mr. Princeton," Leo said. "I'll have to speak to him about not straying from direct orders."

Yuto let go of Chazz. "This isn't over," the eggplant-haired teen said, sounding calm yet miffed.

With the interruption taken card of, Declan proceeded to announce the pairings. "As I was saying," he said. "The first round is Team Smiles vs. Team Noble, followed by Team Turbo vs. Team Obelisk."

Well, isn't that peachy? Yugo gets to have a rematch against Yuri and no doubt he's going to show the Predaplant user just how strong he, his Speedroids, and his Clear Wings really are. As for Yuya, he was surprised to see him going up against his own cousin.

"How about that?" Yuri asked his teammates. "I get to duel XYZ again."

"Don't you mean 'moron'?" Dennis asked.

"Of course, my friend," Yuri answered. "But Rin is proof that the word doesn't seem to affect him. Luckily I found a new nickname that would have better results."

He remembered the conversation he had with Yugo, Yuya, and Shay back at Heartland Park. He was aware of this Yuma person that Yuto replaced in this timeline. Apparently Yuma was the opposite of Yuto: rude, loud, and quick-tempered. In other words, he was more like Yugo. Yuri noticed how that comparison irked the banana-banged Duelist more than being called a moron, so he decided to take full advantage of that.

"The first round is about to begin," Declan announced. "So will Team Smiles and Team Noble please step up?"

The two teams walked towards the center of the arena to get ready for their matches against each other. Unlike yesterday, Shay knew Gong would be able to withstand his Raidraptors, so he would take part in the round. Lulu happily greeted Zuzu, while Yuya felt content with dueling his cousin. With the dividers and Action Fields set up, the three simultaneous duels begin.

"Alright Yuto, let's get this duel started!" Yuya happily exclaimed.

Yuto's furrowed his eyebrows out of perplexity on what was up with Yuya. Was this his Dueltaining style? Even if their souls were merged and he got some glimpses of Dueltainment during the Arc League Championship, it still confused him on how it is done. However, his cousin clearing his throat snapped him out of his thoughts.

"Come on..." Yuya half-whispered. "Aren't you gonna say something?"

"What am I supposed to say?" Yuto asked. He wasn't a Dueltainer like Yuya; heck, he hasn't learned what Dueltaining is throughout most of his life back at Heartland.

"Anything!" Yuya half-whispered again.

"Okay..." Yuto said. He straightened his posture. "This shall be a show worthy of a good performance!" Deep down, he knew that was a bad attempt at saying an introductory Dueltaining sentence.

Yuya was too embarrassed and surprised to even respond. "Let's just duel!" he said as he activated his Duel Disk.

Yuto activated his Duel Disk as well to initiate their first Action Duel with each other, following a shout of "Let's duel!" from the two.

The eggplant-haired teen went first. "I'll start things off with a couple of face downs," he said. "Your turn."

Yuya instantly caught on to the two face-downs; they were Yuto's signature starting move. He may have to plan out his turn carefully, and after scanning the Action Field for where the Action Cards may be located, he figured out his strategy. "My turn!" he announced as he drew a card. "And I'll activate the Ritual Spell Odd-Eyes Advent!"

"What's this?!" Nico exclaimed. "Yuya is Ritual Summoning?!"

"You bet!" Yuya answered. "And I'll use Performapal Splashmammoth and Performapal Odd-Eyes Unicorn for the Ritual! Descend from the depths of space and emerge in all your galactic glory! I Ritual Summon Odd-Eyes Gravity Dragon!"

Odd-Eyes Gravity Dragon is a Level 7 EARTH Dragon-Type monster with 2800 ATK and 2500 DEF. He had grayish-navy blue scales with dark orange skin, heterochromia eyes (red on the right, light blue on the left), and light gold borders all over his body, surrounding purple stones on his tail, arms, legs, and feet, keeping hold of a light blue orb on the center of his chest, and supporting the powder blue stones that help him levitate and fly. When this card is special summoned, all Spells and Traps the opponent controls are sent back to the hand and can't activate cards or effects in response…unless they want to pay 500 LP if they want to use card effects. Gravity Dragon's effect can only be used once per turn.

Aura was in awe. "An Odd-Eyes Ritual dragon!" she exclaimed. "How wonderful!"

"I activate Odd-Eyes Gravity Dragon's special ability!" Yuya declared. "All of your face down cards are automatically returned to your hand, so don't even think about using them on me this turn!"

The two face-downs dematerialized from the field and reappeared back into Yuto's hand, much to his frustration. "When did you get that card?" he asked.

"When I got my other three new Odd-Eyes dragons," Yuya answered. "Now I activate my Skill: Mind Merge!"

With a roar from Gravity Dragon, he and Yuya merged their minds together, as seen by the teen's body falling limp onto the floor and the dragon gaining his owner's personality and mannerisms.

"And there it is, folks!" Nico exclaimed. "Yuya has pulled off another mind merge! What an amazing Skill he has!"

Odd-Eyes Gravity Dragon roared happily as the crowd chanted Yuya's name. Meanwhile, Team Turbo was watching the simultaneous duels from the sidelines, including Yugo, who still couldn't get over how everyone was rooting for Yuya. Why did everyone like him anyway? Was it his hair? His face? His personality? Or even his dueling style?

Shinji noticed Yugo's frustrated expression. "You feeling alright?" he asked.

"No," Yugo admitted. "Those cheers should be for me! Yuya shouldn't hog the spotlight!"

"You said something about needing a comb, right?" Shinji asked.

"Yeah," Yugo answered.

Shinji gave Yugo a comb. "Here," he said. "You can borrow one of mine."

Yugo thanked him before taking off in search for a mirror or some sort of reflective surface. As he ran through the halls, he stopped in front of two bathrooms and headed insides the one designated for males; sure enough, there was a mirror hung up on the wall above some sinks, so he took the time to figure what hairstyle he should go with.

After a bit of pondering, Yugo started to comb out his bangs. As he did so, the blonde locks started to become less banana-shaped. Ultimately his bangs ended up looking more whispy with the shorter locks hanging in front of his eyes. He grinned as he winked and pointed at his reflection, a clicking sound coming from his mouth.

"Lookin' good," Yugo said aloud, happy with the results. "This should help attract some attention."

Meanwhile, back in the arena, Yuto was XYZ Summoning The Phantom Knights of Break Sword. "Rise, my mighty beast!" he exclaimed.

Break Sword galloped onto the field as the headless knight attached to the armored horse brought out his giant sword and wielded it on his right hand. Outside of the arena, a lot of female Duelists cheered for Yuto after successfully performing an XYZ Summon. Although he didn't care about his looks, he does make himself look nice enough up to the point where he looks handsome. Even if Yuya had more fans than his cousin, it was clear the eggplant-haired teen's natural charm can cause the ladies to swoon; it was practically the Kastles' party all over again.

Yuya noticed Yuto smirking as he adjusted his glasses, looking a bit surprised. "Looks like those fans are feeding his ego..." he mused.

"Since I used Ragged Gloves as an Overlay Unit, I'll use 500 life points to give Break Sword an additional 1000 attack points," Yuto said. "Now Phantom Knights of Break Sword, slay Yuya's dragon!"

With an ATK of 3000, Break Sword sped up towards Gravity Dragon as the headless knight readied his sword to unleash his attack. However, the tomato-haired teen was prepared.

"I activate the Action Spell Miracle!" Yuya exclaimed. "So Odd-Eyes Gravity Dragon is here to stay!"

Break Sword slashed his sword through the dragon, not fazing it in the process; however, the normal 200 points of damage was halved as Yuya lost only 100 LP. Yuto then had no choice but to end his turn.

"And with that, Lulu Obsidian has secured Team Noble's first win for the round!" Nico announced.

Her duel against Zuzu ended somewhat early due to how powerful her Lyrilusc monsters were, especially her Assembled Nightingale. Even Zuzu was amazed. "Wow," she said. "I didn't think you were that good."

"Well I was the one who taught Shay how to duel," Lulu replied.

Zuzu was confused by that choice of wording. "Don't you mean he taught you how to duel?" she asked.

"Nope," Lulu answered. "I taught him."

When the Obsidian siblings were growing up, Shay never got a chance to duel because he was busy preparing himself for when he becomes the new head of ObsidianCorp. Once he was given permission to play Duel Monsters, Lulu let him borrow some of her old cards so she could teach him how to play.

Zuzu was surprised to hear that. "Oh..." she said, recalling how powerful Shay's Raidraptors are. "That's...pretty unexpected to hear."

As the two Energy Girls waited in the arena for their teammates to finish their duels, Yuya and Yuto continued on with stunning progress. They were neck-and-neck with each other, always finding counters and strategies to ensure them a victory. At that point, Yuya was able to set the Pendulum Scale with Odd-Eyes Mirage Dragon and Odd-Eyes Persona Dragon to Pendulum Summon Odd-Eyes Phantom Dragon. He then overlayed Odd-Eyes Gravity Dragon and Odd-Eyes Phantom Dragon to XYZ Summon Odd-Eyes Absolute Dragon. He was a Rank 7 WATER Dragon-Type XYZ monster with 2800 ATK and 2500 DEF. it had red and blue heterochromia eyes, dark purple skin, and light gray and light blue armor all over his entire body, encasing a dark blue orb on his chest. By using an overlay unit, Yuya can special summon an Odd-Eyes monster from the Graveyard if any of his or the opponent's monsters declares an attack. If this monster was sent to the Graveyard, an Odd-Eyes monster is special summoned from the Extra Deck except Odd-Eyes Absolute Dragon. Each effect can be used once per turn.

"So that your replacement for Dark Rebellion," Yuto commented. He smirked. "Not bad, but Break Sword is still stronger."

"Not for long," Yuya said. "I activate the Spell card Spiral Flame Strike to wipe out your Break Sword!"

Using the first effect of Spiral Flame Strike, Absolute Dragon blasted out a magenta beam with black streaks spiraling around it to destroy Break Sword. However, Yuto was then allowed to bring Ragged Gloves and Silent Boots back on the field in defense mode, now at Level 4.

"Nice try," Yuto said. "But I still have the materials I need to-"

"Oh, I know," Yuya replied. "Odd-Eyes Absolute Dragon, attack The Phantom Knights of Ragged Gloves! Double Slash Strike!"

Absolute Dragon used its signature move to attack and destroy Ragged Gloves; since it was in defense position, no damage was dealt. But oddly enough, Yuto wasn't annoyed. He was actually smiling.

"I can't believe it," Yuto said. "You actually fell for it."

Fell for what? Was this a trap that Yuto set up this whole time? That statement confused Yuya because he knows what his strategies are. "What do you mean?" he asked.

"You'll see," Yuto answered. With Yuya's turn over, he drew a card and smiled even more. "By banishing The Phantom Knights of Ragged Gloves from my Graveyard, I can transfer Phantom Knights' Wing from my deck to my Graveyard. And by banishing that card, I'll bring back The Phantom Knights of Break Sword."

Before Yuya knew it, Break Sword was special summoned back onto the field, lacking any Overlay Units. "But that's not all," Yuto said. "I activate the very card I drew during this turn: The Phantom Knights' Rank-Up-Magic Launch!"

He targeted Break Sword and used it to rebuild the Overlay Network; since its ability prohibits Yuto from special summoning non-DARK monsters for the rest of his turn, he managed to work his way around it.

"Cloaked in shadows and relentless in its objective, I call upon the most dangerous of dragons!" Yuto chanted. "Go, Rank-Up XYZ Evolution! Come forth and strike, Dark Rebellion XYZ Dragon!"

Yuto's ace monster appeared onto his side of the field, with his tail whipping out, his wings bolting open, and his long chin reflecting the luminescence of the lightning before bellowing out his iconic roar. But Yuya wasn't worried. He knew Yuto has a hard time using his Skill.

"Now, Dark Rebellion, use your special ability and absorb half of Odd-Eyes Absolute Dragon's strength!" Yuto commanded.

Dark Rebellion extended his wings and shot out purple lightning to encase Absolute Dragon in it while halving his ATK and adding it to his own, increasing it from 2500 to 3900 until the end of this turn. But the eggplant-haired teen wasn't done.

"I activate my Skill!" Yuto exclaimed, running over to Dark Rebellion. "Mind Merge!"

Throughout the past few weeks of training and practicing, he has learned a new way to manage his Skill. Once he got on top of Dark Rebellion, his eyes started to glow periwinkle—much like when he Awakened—as their minds started to merge and they acted as a single entity.

Yuya was flabbergasted. "You can do that?!" he asked. He always thought Yuto continues struggling to manage with his Skill, so seeing this was quite the surprise for him. But he didn't want to miss out on the fun, so he proceeded to activate his Skill. Seeing that he wanted this duel to be a Dueltainment show, there was no way he's missing this opportunity since his own cousin was involved.

"I activate my Skill: Mind Merge!" Yuya cheerfully declared. He and Absolute Dragon synchronized and unified their minds into one until he saw that he has become one with his monster, as seen by his unconscious body on the floor of the arena. The sapphire-scaled dragon let out a cheerful roar, indicating to the audience that the fun has begun.

"Now hold on a minute!" Melissa exclaimed. "Since when can Duelists use their Skills on their opponent's turn?!"

"I'm not sure," Nico admitted. "But it seems Yuya has other ideas in mind." He looked at their bios. "He and Yuto recently found out their mothers were sisters prior to the dimensions separating, so Yuya wishes to perform alongside his cousin."

"Well that's mighty nice," Melissa commented.

As Nico and Melissa commentated on the first round, Yuya started his performance through the body of Odd-Eyes Absolute Dragon; he knew it was still Yuto's turn, so he decided to encourage him—who was still fused with Dark Rebellion XYZ Dragon—to join in as well.

However, Yuto was deeply confused. Why was his cousin running around the arena? A confused sound appeared from Dark Rebellion, but Absolute Dragon happily roared again. It sounded like the two were communicating through their dragons. Absolute Dragon continued to cheerfully growl and roar at Dark Rebellion, wanting to convince him to join in on the performance. The latter was still confused on how Dueltaining even works; even if Yuto saw glimpses of it when his soul was fused with Yuya's, he still didn't quite understand it.

Lulu laughed in amusement as she watched the duel. "Come on, Yuto!" she called out. "Don't you want to have fun with your cousin?"

Despite the arena being split into three, Dark Rebellion started to softly purr, mostly because Yuto had a feeling Lulu liked the thought of him spending time with Yuya more. The last time they spent some bonding time together was a few days before the Paradise Prep school dance. Letting out a playful roar, the XYZ dragon proceeded to fly into the sky, ready for the performance.

As Dark Rebellion soared through the air, Absolute Dragon shot crystals out from his body as the XYZ dragon produced electricity from his wings. A display of crystals and electricity sparkled all around the dragons, astonishing the audience. "Incredible!" Nico exclaimed as Dark Rebellion did a midair backflip. "I've never seen such a performance!"

Everyone cheered enthusiastically at the stunning and marvelous presentation the two dragons were creating. Yuto was amazed by the reactions. Is this what Dueltainment is all about? Was it really all about keeping the world entertained and smiling? That's what Lulu believes in, and needless to say, Dark Rebellion looked pretty satisfied.

The two dragons continued their performance, shooting out electricity and crystals through the air. Electric bolts then came into contact with the colored gems, which caused them to explode and transform into fireworks. But while Absolute Dragon couldn't fly, Dark Rebellion soared in the sky, the fireworks causing his scales to shine. Yuto enjoyed seeing everyone cheer for him and his cousins. Maybe this Dueltainment thing isn't so bad after all-

"And the winner is Gong Strong!"

The two dragons quickly finished up their last round of fireworks shortly after hearing that Gong won. Through Absolute Dragon's gleeful roars, Yuya was happy to know Team Smiles was tied with Team Noble. With Dark Rebellion back on the ground, the two cousins ended their mind merges.

"So what did you think?" Yuya asked.

Yuto got off of Dark Rebellion, a soft smile on his face. "That was amazing," he answered.

"Aw, you can do better than that!" Yuya said, wanting his cousin to smile wide.

"Trust me, this is my biggest smile," Yuto clarified. He's usually a soft-spoken and quiet person, so in a way, he wasn't as energetic and outgoing like Yuya.

"Alright!" Yuya cheerfully said. "Now let's finish this duel!"

"Of course," Yuto agreed. "Dark Rebellion XYZ Dragon, attack Odd-Eyes Absolute Dragon! Mauling Mandible Charge!"

Dark Rebellion charged his wings with purple lightning as the purple orbs on them began to illuminate. He then flew over to Odd-Eyes Absolute Dragon to pierce him with his long, sword-like chin. However, Yuya was prepared.

"I activate the Trap card Cross Damage!" Yuya announced. "Now you lose the same amount of life points I'm about to lose!"

As Dark Rebellion's chin stabbed through Absolute Dragon, the destroyed monster exploded, engulfing part of the arena in dark gray smoke that barely covered the two, who both lost 1100 LP each.

"Not bad," Yuto said as he ended his turn with a face down. "But Dark Rebellion still has an Overlay Unit."

"I know," Yuya replied as he drew a card. "But this duel is over. This is the final turn!"

Outside of the duel, the Cardfighters who were sitting immediately recognized that phrase Yuya said. They all know "final turn" meant a Cardfighter thinks they'll win based on the card they drew; does that mean he’s going to claim a victory for his team?

"Since Odd-Eyes Phantom Dragon was Odd-Eyes Absolute Dragon's Overlay Unit, I get to Pendulum Summon him back onto the field!" Yuya exclaimed. "So return to the spotlight, Odd-Eyes Phantom Dragon!"

The Pendulum "portal" opened up and Odd-Eyes Phantom Dragon ricochet back onto Yuya's side of the field. "But I'm not done!" the tomato-haired teen continued. "I activate the Field Spell Sky Iris to protect Odd-Eyes Phantom Dragon!"

Sky Iris was…well, a Field Spell card that prohibits the opponent from using card effects to target Magicians, Performapals, or Odd-Eyes in the Pendulum Zones. Yuya can also select and destroy a face-up card he controls in order to add one Odd-Eyes card from his deck to his hand, but this effect can only be done once per turn.

"I'm also setting this monster face down on the field before I end my turn," Yuya said, knowing Odd-Eyes Phantom Dragon is weaker than Dark Rebellion XYZ Dragon.

Suspicion crept up Yuto as his turn was about to begin. Yuya never played a monster in face-down defense position before. What is he planning? Regardless of the plan, Yuto drew a card, deciding it would be safer to attack Odd-Eyes Phantom Dragon.

"Dark Rebellion XYZ Dragon, attack Odd-Eyes Phantom Dragon!" Yuto exclaimed. "Mauling Mandible Charge!"

As Dark Rebellion charged for the attack, Yuya smirked. "I activate the Action Spell Trick Distraction!" he declared. "Now Dark Rebellion is forced to attack my face down monster!"

Yuto was flabbergasted. "When did you get that?" he asked.

"During our little fireworks show, I secretly used Odd-Eyes Absolute Dragon's body to bring the Action Spell over to my actual body," Yuya answered.

The face-down card appeared on the field and flipped itself up to reveal itself to be Purple Poison Magician, who was pierced through Dark Rebellion's sword-chin. Purple Poison Magician was a Level 4 Scale 1 DARK Spellcaster-Type monster with 1200 ATK and 2100 DEF. His Pendulum effect gives a battling DARK Spellcaster-Type monster that Yuya controls an additional 1200 ATK during the Battle Phase before sending this card to the Graveyard. His monster effect, which treats him as a Fusion Dragon card, enables his owner to select and destroy a monster on the field after he is destroyed through battle or card effects. Yuya knew exactly which effect he is going to choose.

"Since Purple Poison Magician was sent to the Graveyard, he's taking Dark Rebellion XYZ Dragon with him!" Yuya declared. "Vine Whip Ensnarement!"

Purple Poison Magician brought out some vines from the ground and commanded them by whipping them at Dark Rebellion, wrapping him around them, and pulling him down into the Graveyard with the former. Yuri watched on and was proud with this strategy he witnessed because that's something he normally does.

"Not bad, Yuya," Yuri commented. "It seems my best features have rubbed off on you."

Yuto clenched his fists. "I see," he told Yuya. "You have become a lot stronger." He set a card face down.

"Yep!" Yuya happily answered as he drew a card. "Odd-Eyes Phantom Dragon, finish this off with Phantom Spiral Flame!"

"Then it's a good thing I have this," Yuto said. "I activate The Phantom Knights of Wrong Magnetring to negate your dragon's attack!"

For quite some time, the two equally-matched Duelists kept going back and forth with each other in an seemingly endless chain of summoning, activating, destroying, and banishing monsters, Spells, and Traps, losing and regaining Life Points, and mind merging with their monsters. Three archetypes against one. It was almost like a special summoning galore… Almost… Eventually, the duel ended up getting a bit boring because of how long it's been going and no victor has been decided; fortunately, this stalemate revived some lost tension as they stood looking exhausted with 100 LP each.

Declan let out a frustrated sigh. "New rule," he spoke into the microphone. "If a duel goes on for too long, whoever has the most life points after four turns is the winner."

This was a problem; the two neither had more nor less Life Points than each other. How are they going to declare the winner if they are tied? Worse, the two were already exhausted and their strongest cards were in the Graveyard.

"Yikes," Yuya said. "How are we supposed to-" His eyes widened upon seeing his cousin. "Yuto?"

Suddenly, much to everyone's shock, Yuto collapsed out of exhaustion. Because the Invasion made him slightly buffer than his counterparts, he had been recently working out at the Obsidian family gym, resulting in him getting exhausted easily; he also rarely took part in Action Duels, and seeing this one was his longest one yet, it wore him out immensely.

"Yuto!" Yuya exclaimed. He ran over to his cousin and kneeled next to him, holding the back of his head. "Speak to me!"

Yuto weakly opened his eyes and smiled. "I see her," he quietly said. "I see my mom." He took out Dark Rebellion XYZ Dragon. "I leave Dark Rebellion in your care, Yuya."

"What?!" Yuya asked.

"Take care of him," Yuto said. "And remember to use your power...to keep the world entertained...and smiling."

Yuya panicked a bit. "But Zarc's no longer a problem!" he pointed out. "You can't-"

Just then, the sound of an amused laugh came out from Yuto; as it turned out, he was joking this whole time. Yuya looked offended, but he couldn't help but smile as well. "You sneak!" he exclaimed.

Yuto got back up, still laughing softly. "Gotcha," he said.

Yuya stood up. "Okay, you got me," he said. He playfully punched his cousin on the shoulder. "But that was a pretty good show we performed."

"It was," Yuto agreed. He held both of Yuya's hands. "Love you, cuz."

Yuya smiled even more. "Love you too, Yoot," he said.

All around the Center Duel Field, a collective sound of "Aww" was heard from the audience, who were touched by the cousins' fluffy moment. The two may have formed a bond during the Interdimensional War, but the revelations of their moms being sisters helped bring them closer.

"I hate to interrupt this moment, but I must declare a winner," Nico said. "So because Yuto Osaku was the first one to pass out, the winner of the final duel goes to Yuya Sakaki! Team Smiles is moving on to the final round!"

As the audience cheered and applauded after hearing the results, Yuya, Zuzu, and Gong's faces showed how genuinely content they were with advancing onto the tournament. The members of Team Noble, on the other hand, were all proud at how far their companions have gotten through, including themselves.

"Yuya, we did it!" Zuzu exclaimed. As Yuto released his grip on the tomato-haired teen, she ran over to him and hugged him tightly.

As Gong walked over to his teammates, Shay and Lulu approached Yuto. "It's alright," the heiress said. "We tried our best."

"Speak for yourself," Shay said. "I spent last night practicing for dealing with Fusion monsters and I happened to get stuck dueling the only non-Fusion Duelist on Team Smiles."

It was true; he was in the family dueling room last practicing his skills against simulations of Fusion Duelists because he was hoping he would go up against Team Obelisk, most particularly his rival Sora. Because of the arrangement of duels for the semifinals, he got stuck with Gong, his Superheavy Samurais, and his Synchro Summoning technique. The powerful effects and high DEF of his all-monster deck did a number on Shay, helping Team Smiles in moving on with a 2-to-1 score.

"Alright Team Turbo and Team Obelisk," Aichi announced. "It's your turn to duel. Good luck to both of you."

With the dividers already lowered back into the floor, Teams Smiles and Noble exited the arena to watch from the sidelines during the second round. Team Obelisk got up and walked away from where they were sitting to make their way towards the arena's center. At the same time, Team Turbo—albeit their stand-in Shinji—grabbed their Duel Runners from behind them and followed Yuri, Dennis, and Sora to begin the next set of simultaneous duels.

#Arc V Aftermath #yugioh arc v #Yuya Sakaki #Zuzu Boyle #Yuzu Hiragi #FruitShipping #Yuto (arc v) #Lulu Obsidian #Ruri Kurosaki #FallenAngelShipping #Yugo (arc v) #Rin (arc v) #AppleShipping #Yuri (arc v) #Celina (arc v) #Serena (arc v) #PredatorShipping

[chameleonspell]

187: mother

Azurah tells you, her favoured child, who is no longer a mewling elfchick, and who has learned to keep secrets from Azurah, and so Azurah tells you. In the beginning were the twenty years of ancient days, the honoured antecedent, uncontrolled blood summoned blood to condone itself, in a frenzy of was and must-not. The Tribal law of all true Houses, where children were needed to share our happiness, which is to say, the shadow of the sacrificial concept. You were needed, to give birth to an earlier life, destined to merge with the simulacrum of your mother. An imitation of belief, more destructive than a flock of flaming larks. A ghost touch, only granted to keep one's tenderness intact, and which the ninety-nine loves of Sheogorath know never really happened.

The First Secret is the true way to make children. Lorkhaj made a box with an illusionary flower. Nerevar pledged upon the bones of his mouth. Boethiah relieved himself of Azura, whose sphere is the moon-shadow of the Indoril. Vivec's children will bury the needle at the five corners. They have learned from your predilections, broken like false fathers of Mystery, mothers turning somersaults inside their clockwork eggs, weeping for brass and pain. All singing, "In caverns dark, Fadomai gave birth today." The Eighth Walking Way is through the ears of the netchiman's wife. Remember the value of her womb. Trinimac was built there, against lost maps, there, where scoffers scoff. Surely, there is a proverb hidden in this solution. The colours run like children. This is the pearl - the seed of rebellion which, when unravelled, becomes the capital, the sacred city, bereft of the symbols of Mastery, and tide-predicted to share their doom. Ten Daedra came a-sailing, a-sailing on the sea, made from the salt tears of the feminine Altmer who can gather no seeds in shame-flooded fields. Therein is love's premonition, when Ayem sighed from Mercy's throne: "To whom must I give birth, now? If you don't want me to mother you, stop requiring mothering!" Similarly, an oft-used ingredient in childbirth is the gift of a world where dreughs took pity on the constellation of Vivec's mother. And then the eleven gates, through which relationships produce hour-later exasperations, regrettably fashioned restrictions, riddles laced with cornered spheres and bitter obedience. The Forty-First Trial is the Test of Padhome. Many touchstones try the Lattice, and Kagrenac fought for secrets, leaving a powerful thing in ash, an archaic veneration of the value in metal, the revelation of the hole closed up, and it is reborn, the Hortator of the immutable. Nirni is a glimmering rope through the House of critical harvest. Eighty-two, the number of Veloth and sundering, and of the wise, who may find one destiny inside another. The Dwemer said: ''Go, loosen your significances, broken like water. It is raining now, and so it means nothing!" Love is the deceit of my heart springing forth from Ahnurr's anger, giving birth to One-Clan-Mother-Under-Moon-and-Star, from first knife to last break. Six hundredth curse, Curse-of-Metaphors, of rituals and skies choked black, and of forests wet and female. Yffre said, "Poor Nirni, stop your tears. Azurah will take the finger of Mafala, and channel it to wring secrets from her dead child's hand. Her eye is shaped like a challenge, clawed like hunger, red with biting, wet with willing weal and woe. Sermon One Thousand and One. The counsellors of twilight, known dances and the gatekeepers of the moons offer instructions to honour the Altmer. NIRN, LHKAN, RKHET, THENDR, KYNRT, AKHAT, MHARA and its aftermath. They gift their strange son-daughter with the ability to hide behind their shape, to speak riddles to the ash-marshes and to misinterpret anew beneath tomorrow's sum. Vuh maeli, rilourbibi. All shall be as Azurah tells you. Afterwards, he only remembered the light. Of the rose-gold light, expanding across his mind as everything else went black. No, not only the light. He remembered his rage. How it screamed through him, crackling outwards like a shock-spell, clean and pure and bright. He had the strangest feeling he'd been back in his childhood bedroom, in the hymnshell pink cottage by the docks, feeling the heat rise in his chest, as his mother railed against Syonilis through the reed-screen wall. Sat rigid on the edge of his bed, clenching his fists till they ached, till the tension collapsed in on itself, and he was outside his body, watching himself cross the floor and slide open the partition. Watching her turn, stunned into rare silence by the sight of her child wearing a face she'd never seen before. How dare you. How dare you use him like this. He's worth a thousand of you, you salt-pickled bitch. You pretend you're so benevolent, that you know what's best for everyone, but you don't care. You just want to be right. The moment anyone questions your wisdom, you tear into them like a shark. I think you're jealous of us. I think you're scared we might figure out we don't need you any more. That nobody needs you. How many more people are you going to throw away, how many more lives will you curse and destroy, just to prove your point? None of it will fix who you are. Admit it. Admit you fucked up, for once, get past your world-crushing arrogance and see things clearly. Understand that this is about you, not him, and not me. I know who I am. Who he is. You don't get to change that, you don't get to choose. You don't get to look at my blood, or my stars, or your curdled idea of my destiny, and tell me any different. And you don't get to judge us, to decide which of us is worth your protection or your punishment. There's no choice to make. Whatever he is, I am too, and we want nothing from you, least of all your opinion. Fuck you. Stick each and every one of your plans up your dried up old cunt. You're pathetic. I hate you. I hope you hate me. I'll never be what you want me to be, and I'm glad, because at least if you despise me, perhaps I'm worth something, after all. When Iriel woke, his eyes were dry, but his throat was raw. The cavern door, twelve hours on in its sacred cycle, nudged him into awareness as it shifted against his head, and dawn seared open his eyelids. He half-crawled, half-rolled out of the cave and collapsed in the ash. Hey, his body prompted, your hand hurts. Unclenching his left fist, he found the Moon-and-Star, still on his finger, but twisted and crushed bloodily into his palm, sharp points deep his flesh. He whimpered, and found whimpering itself was painful. Careful probing of his face indicated his nose and right cheekbone were swollen. Could have been worse. Could have lost another fucking tooth. He almost laughed - or sobbed, he honestly wasn't sure -  but either way, it hurt, and he suppressed it. He stood, and his head blurred grey for a moment, mottled shapes blooming before his eyes. He knew it was pointless to scream Julan's name, but he did it anyway, until the pain from his nose and throat risked overwhelming his fragile consciousness. Panting, struggling for balance, he listened to his voice echo along the foyada. When the wind finally swallowed it, he held himself still, forced his breathing quiet. Then he saw the tracks in the ash, scuffed but identifiable. An ashstorm was brooding in the peaks, but for now, the air was clear. His bag was against the cliff where he'd left it - as was Julan's. He shouldered both, and began to walk. He lost Julan's tracks when the ash-strewn foyada gave way to the hard-beaten dirt of the northern badlands, but it didn't matter. By then, he knew where he was going. He marched long into the night, pausing only to shout abuse at any constellations that dared show themselves through the clouds. After tripping over one shalk too many in the dark (i.e. one), he slept, fitfully, in the doorway of an abandoned mine. At first light, he began walking again. He kept the waxed sackcloth he'd found to wrap himself in, which was fortunate, because as he reached the Grazelands, it started to rain. When he reached Mashti's camp, it was coming down in sheets. Driftwood and decaying refuse lay in sodden heaps on the beach, untouched for what looked like months. No life, but a curl of smoke above the largest yurt. Julan's yurt was unoccupied, so he approached the other. Bound to their sticks, the skulls dripped mournfully at him. "Don't give me that look, I'm a mabrigash," he informed them, pulling the sackcloth tighter around his bruise-swollen face. "Can't you tell?" Something blocked him, when he tried to push through the guarskin flap, something low and solid that made a guttural sound when his foot collided with it. He paused, hearing movement inside the yurt, shuffling and heavy. When nothing more happened, and all fell silent again, he went inside. Mashti Kaushibael towered before him, sickly green magelight at her breast casting her face into weird highlights and oblique shadows. Her black hair was a tangled knot behind her head, and her eyes were stark and glassy. As they focused on Iriel, they widened, and her entire body stiffened. "Outlander." She was straining to deepen her voice, to make it echo and menace, but she had no breath for it, and it emerged as a croak. There were sweat-drops on her brow, shifting in the light, and he saw she was swaying, her head brushing the top of the ceiling's domed arch. She's taller than me! She wasn't this tall, before! She was almost a foot shorter than Julan, so-- Then he saw the legs of the stool, visible beneath... not even a robe, he realised. Her lower body was draped in a threadbare blanket. "Out...lander," she rasped, again. "How dare... who... y..." Her eyes rolled upwards, her face went slack and he barely managed to catch her as she fell. next: 188: despair previous: 186: boundaries beginning: 1: numb

#howtodisappearcompletely

[oltnews]

According to the main streaming platforms, what we are experiencing at the moment generates intense interest in films where there are no utopias, just dystopia. In descending order of devastation, here is a guide where you can currently find the best of the worst that could happen. So check your temperature, check the locks and keep checking the headlines to make sure what you're watching is "just a movie". THE ABSOLUTE BRINK THE ROAD (Foxtel & for rent) In the aftermath of a global disaster, a father and son (Viggo Mortensen, Kodi Smit-McPhee) travel the United States. The fundamentals of nature - animals, plants, clean water - are only distant memories. Food is all you can get your hands on. And tears up. This robust experience is difficult and uncompromising. Viggo Mortensen and Kodi Smit-McPhee are living a dystopian hell in The Road. Seems familiar? Image: supplied CHILDREN OF MEN (For rent only) In 2027, there is only one pregnant woman on the face of the planet, and the modest office worker Clive Owen must protect her until delivery. An unconventional and disturbing future shock thriller that hits the nail on the head with its sharp punches on today's world. Co-stars Julianne Moore, Michael Caine. Clive Owen must protect the only pregnant woman left on earth in the children of men. Image: supplied I AM LEGEND (Foxtel & for rent) After a virus has destroyed almost all of civilized life, the last man to stand in New York is working on a cure. A scary, confrontational and immersive action film. Smith outdoes himself here - not only by carrying the entire image alone, but by keeping the audience by his side throughout. A QUIET PLACE (Netflix) Brilliant thriller where those who are still alive remain strictly observing a vow of silence. The slightest noise is a certain death sentence. A close-knit family (led by John Krasinski and Emily Blunt) is about to face a day of absolute math. You may be able to manage what you see, but what you hear will take some time to overcome. SNOWPIERCER (Netflix, Stan) If you're new to the quirky visions of Parasite director Bong Joon-ho, try this sly innovative action image. Everyone died in a new ice age, except for the passengers on a high-speed train that is still in service. in thein the years that followed, each car became a nation in its own right. Stars Chris Evans. WITH THE BIGGEST ILLNESS CONTAGION (for rent only) The 2011 film that has disappeared since the start of COVID-19. In just over 100 minutes, just over 100 million people perish with sweaty hands from a deadly flu. While it's not so entertaining or informative, there's no denying that it's strangely relevant right now. Stars Matt Damon, Kate Winslet. Jude Law plays in Contagion, about a virus that threatens the human race. So ok. Image: supplied CARGO (Netflix) A strangely effective Australian apocalyptic odyssey. Martin Freeman plays a man who has 48 hours to put his little girl back in safety before an irreversible infection never deprives him of his humanity forever. The film's unique mastery of humor - between the sorry and the delicate - is undoubtedly deployed. In the Australian film Cargo, Martin Freeman plays a man who must give birth to his baby before an irreversible infection can forever deprive him of his humanity. IT COMES NIGHT (rent only) A highly contagious plague surrounds a heavily fortified cabin in the woods. Paul (Joel Edgerton, superb) follows. His wife and son follow suit, knowing that their lives depend on it. The always thoughtless promise of what can (and will) go wrong gives this intimidatingly intimidating affair its raw intensity. 28 DAYS LATER (Foxtel) A sparse and harshly malicious cooler about an England on its last legs after a zombie-infested leprosy strain sweeps the nation. Directed by Danny Boyle (Trainspotting) from a script by Alex Garland (Ex machina). Kevin Spacey and Dustin Hoffman hatching. Image: supplied EPIDEMIC (rental only) A monkey virus that started in an African rainforest triggers a race against time for a team of scientists led by Professor Dustin Hoffman. The American government does not really intervene in social isolation in response, it begins to threaten to bomb entire cities! YOUTH REBELLION THE HUNGER GAMES COLLECTION (Netflix) The compelling series depicting a future where poor young people have to fight to the death as television entertainment for the rich. The portrait of Jennifer Lawrence of the renegade adolescent heroine Katniss Everdeen is a belter. You will follow it every hurried, chased and haunted stage of the path. The Hunger Games made Jennifer Lawrence a movie star. Image: AP Never let me go (Foxtel) An unmistakable shadow of misfortune - never imminent, but always inevitable - creeps into each frame here. Carey Mulligan, Andrew Garfield and Keira Knightley play the pupils of a mysterious British boarding school which secretly prepares its customers for a terrifying fate once in the outside world. THE MAZE RUNNER (rental only) A tribe of teenagers is trapped in an enclosed field. The exterior is a complex labyrinth that changes configuration every day and hosts a collection of vicious creatures every night. A fascinating premise that lives up to most of the potentials promised. Just avoid the two failed sequels that followed. The maze Runner. Image: supplied TOMORROW, WHEN WAR BEGINS (Foxtel, Amazon, Stan) John Marsden's 1993 novel has been enjoyed by a generation of young Australians. A simple and accessible story tells of a group of teenagers fighting for their lives after Australia was invaded and conquered by foreign attackers. Caitlin Stasey stars. DIVERGENT (Netflix) A cheaper and less cheerful cousin of The hunger Games. We are in the 22nd century and society is divided into five factions. Those who do not correspond do not delay in this world. Shailene Woodley plays the gritty teenage heroine Tris, who has to keep her multi-factional pedigree a well-kept secret. All suites are also based on Netflix. OTHER FUTURE SHOCKS And if that's not enough, try them: BLADE RUNNER 2049 (Netflix) V FOR VENDETTA (rental only) MOON (Foxtel) I, ROBOT (rental only) THE RUNNING MAN (SBS ) Originally posted as Dystopian Movies You Should Watch Right Now !function(f,b,e,v,n,t,s) if(f.fbq)return;n=f.fbq=function()n.callMethod? n.callMethod.apply(n,arguments):n.queue.push(arguments); if(!f._fbq)f._fbq=n;n.push=n;n.loaded=!0;n.version='2.0'; n.queue=[];t=b.createElement(e);t.async=!0; t.src=v;s=b.getElementsByTagName(e)[0]; s.parentNode.insertBefore(t,s)(window, document,'script', 'https://connect.facebook.net/en_US/fbevents.js'); fbq('init', '274045516830868'); fbq('track', 'PageView'); (function(w, d, s) function go() var js, fjs = d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0], load = function(url, id) if (d.getElementById(id)) return; js = d.createElement(s); js.src = url; js.id = id; fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js, fjs); ; load('//connect.facebook.net/en_US/sdk.js#version=v2.8&appId=132536086785291&xfbml=1', 'fbjssdk'); load('https://apis.google.com/js/plusone.js', 'gplus1js'); load('//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js', 'tweetjs'); if (w.addEventListener) w.addEventListener("load", go, false); else if (w.attachEvent) w.attachEvent("onload",go); (window, document, 'script')); (function(w, d, s) function go() var js, fjs = d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0], load = function(url, id) if (d.getElementById(id)) return; js = d.createElement(s); js.src = url; js.id = id; fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js, fjs); ; load('//connect.facebook.net/en_US/sdk.js#version=v2.8&appId=132536086785291&xfbml=1', 'fbjssdk'); load('https://apis.google.com/js/plusone.js', 'gplus1js'); load('//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js', 'tweetjs'); if (w.addEventListener) w.addEventListener("load", go, false); else if (w.attachEvent) w.attachEvent("onload",go); (window, document, 'script')); https://oltnews.com/the-dystopian-movies-you-should-watch-right-now-daily-examiner?_unique_id=5e9ebc1eaa8d7