#i hope branch finds a nice alien to marry

[janeway-or-the-highway]

My entry for the @25daysofvoyager ! A little part 1 of a J/C fanfic. Fluff. Action/Adventure. Angst. Aliens mistaking JC as married again. Enjoy!

“Chakotay, please!”

Kathryn dodged another blow and stumbled backward.

“Chakotay! This isn’t you!” She shouted at him, still struggling to put any distance between them on her sprained ankle, before it finally gave out.

He strode toward her, but paused when he saw a large branch on the ground. He reached down and grabbed it, then seemed to test it in his hands.

“And how do you know this ‘isn’t me’?” Chakotay said, his voice deep, and dangerous.

“I know you!”

“No. You don’t,” he said, closing the distance between them and swinging the branch down on her.

THREE DAYS EARLIER

Captain’s Log:

“It is our second day in orbit around the planet Caldar. The Caldari are a very pleasant people and trade negotiations have gone well so far. The Caldari have graciously opened their planet to the crew for shore leave. Tuvok didn’t find anything to suggest bad intent and didn’t have any objections, which I guess is as close to a compliment as you can get from a Vulcan. It is nice to be reminded that the Delta Quadrant has just as many friendly species as dangerous ones. Everyone is in desperate need of some R&R. Myself included, as Chakotay is always reminding me. Being stuck in negotiations, Chakotay and I have only seen the government centers of Caldar, but I look forward to getting to explore this rich planet more. Chakotay mentioned hearing that the twin sunset over the cliffs of Rohem was worth exploring, and I am hoping to take him up on that. Tom and Harry keep coming back with stories to keep us entertained in the meantime. A personal highlight was Tom’s retelling of Harry’s failed attempt to ride, what Tom described as a horse-sized mix between a pig and a hippo. The Doctor says that Harry needs to be off-duty for 24 hours. I had to elbow Chakotay to keep him from bursting out laughing at the Doctor’s report; Harry’s already embarrassed enough as it is. However, that doesn’t mean that we won’t be enjoying those holo-photos later.

On the business side of things, Caldar continues to impress. The planet might as well be one giant ball of dilithium. You should have seen how fast B’Elanna made it to the bridge when the planet showed up on sensors. Their entire economy is built on the sale and trade of this material that we so often find ourselves scrounging for. At first, I worried about what they were going to ask for in exchange, but what the Caldari are most interested in are the various cultures of the Alpha Quadrant. Their people collect different cultures and integrate them into their own society. I recognize some bits and pieces of cultures from throughout the Delta Quadrant, while some things are completely new. However, the custom that is of the utmost importance is their one unique tradition. The Caldari take partnership very seriously. Their society includes partnerships of all kinds; males with males, females with females, and male with female, etc. Regardless of the type of partnership, once a pair has chosen each other, they become part of one another. This “sacred partnership” is at the heart of their civilization and they champion it above all else. However, from what I understand, they do not believe in the concept of soulmates, rather that they are all on a path that will one day lead them to their missing piece. It is a society built on the idea of the peaceful pursuit of love. It is quite beautiful.

Anyway, I am hoping to exchange our cultural database we will get enough dilithium to keep B’Elanna happy for quite some time.

Despite everything that this planet has given us, I find myself still apprehensive. The Delta Quadrant is rarely this kind and I…”

The chime to the ready room interrupted Kathryn’s log.

“Computer, end log” she said while pushing the console to the side,

“Come in.”

Chakotay walked in.

“Good morning, Commander,” a soft smile spread across her face.

“Good morning, Captain. I have the crew rotations for the next month.”

“Thank you. Have I missed any more of Tom’s stories since I’ve been off the bridge?”

“No, but you did miss Neelix’s rousing report promising ‘new and improved’ recipes for leola root” Chakotay chuckled as Kathryn’s face turned into a grimace.

“Hopefully they are better than his last ‘masterpieces.’ I’m still low on replicator rations from last time.”

“Me too. Mostly from you convincing me to get you more coffee,” Chakotay said with a knowing look.

Kathryn smirked, “Captain’s prerogative. Plus, you have to admit that his latest attempt at ‘better than coffee’ coffee was unbearable.”

Chakotay chuckled. “Well, if Caldari food is anything like their hospitality, I think that we will be alright.”

“Yes,” Kathryn stood and made her way over to the viewport. She clasped her hands behind her back, “The Caldari have been extremely welcoming to us.”

“But you’re worried,” Chakotay joined her at the viewport, “worried that they are too good to be true”

Kathryn gave him a sideways smile,

“Have you been reading my log?”

“No, I just know how you think”

“I feel like we are waiting for the other shoe to drop. We’ve been in trade negotiations for over a day and all they’ve asked for is Picasso and Kadis-Kot! My gut is telling me there is something more,” she sighed.

Chakotay put his hand on her shoulder, “We have one of our last trade meetings today. Whatever comes our way we have always been able to make it through. Today will be no different.”

Their eyes met and Chakotay couldn’t help but get caught in those pools of blue. Their relationship, after so much hardship, was finally starting to settle down again. Their weekly dinners were the highlight of his week and recently Kathryn was starting to let him in a little more. Not beyond anything that couldn’t be brushed off as close friendship, but still.

Chakotay knew that he had fallen for Kathryn a long time ago, from the moment they locked eyes on the bridge, but it was the shared moments like these where he recognized the depth of his feelings for her. He would wait for her. The angry warrior would stay by her side, for as long as it took.

Spirits, I’m lost.

“Thank you, Chakotay,” she said softly.

“Of course, Kathryn.”

“Tuvok to Captain Janeway.”

He dropped his hand from her shoulder.

Tuvok and his timing.

“Go ahead.”

“Captain, the Caldari ambassadors have arrived to begin negotiations. They are waiting for you and the Commander in the briefing room.”

“Thank you, Tuvok. We are on our way”

Chakotay moved towards the door, but Kathryn continued to stand looking out the viewport. Chakotay’s voice interrupted her worried thoughts,

“Are you coming, Captain?”

“Yes, I am right behind you”

Chakotay flashed her a smile and exited. Kathryn shook her head and followed after him.

Oh, I am so lost.

“Captain, I am glad that Voyager found its way to our corner of the galaxy. I think both of our people will benefit from these negotiations.” The Caldari ambassador, Turin, sat at the end of the briefing room table. The color of his skin reminded Kathryn of lilacs. The soft texture of his light purple skin was accompanied by small streaks of green that accentuated his humanoid cheekbones and jaw. His cheekbones stuck out on his face but seemed like they wrapped around his head towards the back of his skull, giving his face a sleek appearance.

“Thank you, Ambassador. I agree. I hope you find Alpha Quadrant culture as interesting as we do”

“Yes, there is much to explore. You have an extensive database on so many species! It will keep our scholars busy until the next Dual Eclipse!” The green streaks of his skin gave a soft glow with his excitement.

“I hope so, and if I may, I would recommend Dante. He is a philosopher from Earth’s history, and a personal favorite of mine.”

“Thank you for the recommendation. Now, Captain, I have a few formalities before we begin. Requirements from the High Council. You understand?” Turin said.

“Of course”

Turin reached into the satchel that sat on the floor next to him and brought out a beautifully bound book filled with greenish pages. When Turin opened the book, Kathryn realized that the pages’ green hue was similar in color to the streaks on the Caldari’s faces. She wondered if this was due to choice, or something in the planet’s biology that affected both of them. She suppressed the urge to ask as he began to speak.

“Captain, as you are aware, our society values partnership over everything else. You assured us that your culture assumes a similar view to the importance of partnership, which is what allowed us to begin this fruitful relationship between our two peoples in the first place. However, we are concerned, and frankly somewhat… off put, that you have yet to introduce us to your partner.”

Kathryn paused and tried to absorb what Turin was saying, “I’m sorry, Ambassador. I’m afraid I don’t understand.”

Turin’s mouth twitched, “We do not interact, or much less conduct trade, with peoples whose leader is unpartnered. It is an unspeakable offense. Furthermore, if we were to be led into an arrangement under false circumstances regarding one’s partnership status, we would consider that an act of aggression against our planet.”

Kathryn’s typically quick-witted diplomatic mind felt like it stalled out. A partner? She was the Captain! A relationship out here could never be a partnership. Not when every available person was someone under her command. “Ambassador, you have to understand, as Captain, I don’t -“

“You don’t what?” The threat was clear. Turin’s jovial attitude was long gone and his streaks shifted to a deeper green as his mood shifted.

“I-“ Kathryn started, but Chakotay’s hand coming to rest on hers stopped her. She resisted the urge to yank her hand out from under his as she locked eyes with him. As it often was with him, she needed no words to understand what he was saying:

Trust me.

And she did.

“Ambassador Turin,” Chakotay started, “I am the Captain’s life partner.” He moved his hand on hers to interlock their fingers. Kathryn let him, since all of her energy was being spent actively trying not to have the panic she was feeling on the inside show on her face. “You have to understand,” Chakotay continued, “the Captain is not used to sharing the status of our relationship since our job’s put us in a tricky position, considering that it could be taken advantage of by our enemies. If our feelings and commitment to one another were to become common knowledge, any number of species could use that to their advantage. And, sir, as you said, our culture values our partnerships, and you’re right. If anything were to happen to Kathryn, I would stop at nothing to get her back, including putting others at risk.”

Turin visibly calmed down, but seemed wary. “But why keep this information from us. We have shown nothing but hospitality to you!”

“We apologize and don’t mean to offend, but it is just something that we’ve gotten used to protecting.”

Turin seemed to accept this and clapped his hands together. “Oh, great happiness! We are glad to keep you as friends. Now, we must discuss the Three Trials.”

“The Three Trials?” Kathryn found her voice again, but still struggled to stay focused with her hand intertwined with Chakotay’s.

“The Three Trials are three tasks meant to prove your love and commitment to one another.”

Kathryn shifted uncomfortably in her seat.

“This serves a dual purpose: one, to confirm your partnership, and, two, to determine if you are tjaasaktic. Will you comply?”

The universal translator faked to pick up the last word, but all Kathryn could think of was their desperate need for the Caldari’s friendship and trade. “When do we start?”

Should I do a part 2?

#25 days of voyager and prodigy #janeway x chakotay #kathryn janeway #star trek voyager #captain janeway #chakotay

[amandajoyce118]

Agents of SHIELD S7E03 “Alien Commies From The Future!” Easter Eggs And References

You know how they say “better late than never?” Yes, after four days, I’ve finally had the chance to watch the episode. Here, we’re headed to the ‘50s and Area 51 and we get to see Agent Carter’s Agent Sousa again!

As always, spoilers if you haven’t seen the episode. I’m also going to say spoilers if you haven’t seen Agent Carter because, you know, Sousa.

You’ve been warned.

.

.

.

1955.

This year is actually an interesting choice. I mean, yes, it coincides with America’s obsession with communists and the space race, but it’s also two years after Peggy Carter films an interview about Captain America for the Smithsonian where she talks about Cap saving her husband. So, she’s already married and directing a SHIELD office at this point. Just in case anyone was wondering.

Conway Auto.

When Jemma tunes the radio to pick up a local signal and they hear a commercial, it’s for Conway Auto. I don’t know if there’s anyone associated with the show who shares that name, but Gerry Conway is a huge comic book name. He got his start at Marvel Comics and worked on everything from Fantastic Four to Inhumans to Black Widow. He also scripted Gwen Stacy’s death in Spider-Man and created The Punisher. He’s really well known for working on horror comics as well, like Dracula, Werewolf By Night, and Ghost Rider.

“It’s gonna take a while to bounce back.”

Okay, this isn’t just a nod to her Yo-Yo nickname. Elena made her first appearance in the show in the season three episode “Bouncing Back.” Nice.

Creamer At The Diner.

Was anyone else weirded out by the fact that Daisy and Coulson even had creamer on their table? They were both drinking soda or tea or whatever. There were no coffee cups. The waitress probably thought they were weirdos. (TBH, that waitress has probably seen some shit. A guy claiming to be abducted by aliens doesn’t phase her because she works at a diner in Roswell.) I do appreciate that Daisy conning someone in a diner is reminiscent of Skye tricking Mike with shuffling sugar packets in front of him in order to steal his ID. 

The ‘50s SHIELD Logo.

This might look like a new SHIELD logo, but we’ve seen it before. Different versions of the logo were seen on the Wall of Valor at the Academy and at the Triskelion. Fans speculated it denoted different branches, but given the logos we’ve seen in the MCU so far, seems more like different time periods.

Coulson’s Glasses.

Those are using the same technology from way back in season one when Fitz created the “backscatter glasses” which provided a semblance of x-ray vision. Remember him trying to cheat at poker against Ward?

The Area 51 Base.

This probably is obvious to anyone who’s been watching the show, but the set for the lab and really everything inside the Area 51 base is just a redressed version of the Lighthouse. They didn’t try very hard to hide it, but then again, it’s a SHIELD base from a similar era, so it stands to reason that the design would be similar.

The G*rand W*izard Of Hydra.

Daisy’s word choice is nice and specific here. Deke might not understand the reference, but “G*rand W*izard” is the designation for the head of a racist group still active in the US today. It’s known by the same letter repeated three times, which I’m not typing in so it doesn’t come up in tumblr searches and I don’t get a lot of really unfriendly replies.

“Stupid white privilege…”

Timely, no? I kind of love how incredibly angry everyone gets when being confronted with this racist white dude from the ‘50s and Deke just… can’t believe what he’s witnessing. Welcome to the world, Deke.

The Turtle Question.

Coulson doesn’t just come up with a torturous question about turtles to root out chronocoms. It’s used in Blade Runner to find replicants. Similar purpose, weird pop culture nod.

“We need to call in the Cavalry.”

Deke doesn’t know the story of the Cavalry. Huh. I hope he doesn’t call May that at any point in the near future. She might deck him.

When Daisy Met Sousa.

Pretty much every case that Daisy references while speaking to Sousa happened in Agent Carter’s two short seasons. The Council of 9 is related to the Arena Club, which is related to Hydra. Isodyne Energy brought Darkforce to SHIELD’s attention. Think of all the other cases she could have referenced if that show had more seasons. Can we talk about how great it is that Daniel Sousa is smart enough to realize that Hydra is still operating? Obviously, it’s going to put him right in the line of fire, but he’s a smart one.

Helius, in case anyone is wondering, doesn’t exist in Marvel Comics. Helios does. A few people have that name. But they aren’t at all related to this episode.

Edited to add that yes, the new title card and even the title of the episode are a nod to the sci-fi B movies of the ‘50s. 

That’s all I’ve got for this episode. Did I miss things? Possibly. Will next week be the one where I actually get to watch the episode on time? Who knows?

#agents of shield #aos season 7 #aos easter eggs #aos spoilers #agent carter

[writerbyaccident]

Maybe some yandere Jareth for a woman afab that he meets while pretending to be an owl/human? Then he steals her away to court and marry?

*dance magic dance plays in the background* woah this one turned out long! consider it my offering to the god that is David Bowie

Debts Repaid (Yandere JarethxReader)

           Hiking through the park, you soaked in the warmth of the day. After such a long, harsh winter, it felt as though spring had finally made it through. You relished the opportunity to finally get out of the house and enjoy the revival of nature. The grass and the leaves of the trees seemed to almost bleed green, and you could hear the chirping of the birds that had already returned. You seemed to be the only person at the park though, everyone else not trusting this sudden change in weather. But as you rambled through the trees, you found yourself glad that you had the park to yourself, at least for today.

           Suddenly, you heard the cracks and crash of the branches above you, the sound practically deafening in the otherwise quiet area. You looked up to see a large bird tumbling through the trees, quickly approaching the ground. It was desperately trying to keep its wings open, and although it was not able to resume flight, it was able to slow its descent. As it fell to the ground, you paused, unsure of what you should do. Cautiously, you began to approach the bird, needing to see if it was all right. When you reached it, you saw that it was an owl, a white barn owl, in fact. It was struggling to keep itself upright, which is how you noticed what exactly was wrong. One of the owl’s legs was broken, forcing the owl to try to hop awkwardly to stay standing. The creature was understandably preoccupied, but after a moment it turned to you.

           You gasped quietly at the sight of his eyes. They were piercing, and there was something almost human in their affect. You didn’t know very much about owls, but something about this one struck you as special. The two of you simply stared at each other for a moment, the owl cocking his head to one side in curiosity.

           “Hello,” you whispered. “I’m not going to hurt you.” At your words, the owl gave a hoot, one that a part of you thought you recognized as amused, as if he understood what you had said and found the thought of you trying to harm him ludicrous. Slowly, as not to startle the bird, you took off your drawstring backpack and reached into it to bring out your water bottle. Twisting off the top, you poured some of your water into the cap and set in on the ground between you and the owl. He considered it for moment, and then began to approach it, careful to keep his injured leg from brushing the ground. As he drank, you took the opportunity to peer closer at his leg, wondering if you should call animal control. But as soon as the thought crossed your mind, the owl’s head turned sharply towards you, and he ruffled his feathers angrily.

           “Okay,” you said, raising your hands in placation. “I won’t call, but you still need someone to look at your leg.” A distant part of you wondered why you were bothering to speak to the bird as if he could comprehend you, but a larger, more instinctual part told you that he could understand every word that you said. This impression was further reinforced as the owl came closer to you and held out his leg. At this sign of encouragement, you grasped the bottom of your thin shirt and began to tear at it. After a moment, you had decent sized strip of cloth, and your companion hooted approvingly. Crouching down beside him, you took his leg and started to wrap the cloth around it tightly. Once you tied it, the owl simply blinked in thanks and flew off.

           As you journeyed home, you thought that that would be the last time you would see the bird. But as the days passed, you were soon proven wrong. The very next morning, as you were preparing some breakfast, you spotted the owl from your kitchen window. At first you believed him to be a different bird, especially when you noticed that both of his legs were perfectly healthy and lacking any bandages. When he turned to face you, however, you recognized his eyes instantly. Over the next few days, you observed that the owl would show up wherever you went, provided that it was not indoors. And even when you were inside, you would either see him from a window or find him soon after you stepped outside. Once again you considered calling animal control, as this hardly seemed like normal bird behavior. But whenever you thought of doing so, a sickening feeling would twist and turn through you, warning you strongly against the idea. Besides, you thought to yourself, it was not as though he was bothering anyone.

           It was true, as much as you had seen the owl, he never came as close to you as he did that first day. He seemed content to watch you from a distance, though for what purpose you had no idea. One day though, his careful distance was broken. You were walking through the park with a friend of yours, the two of you enjoying the opportunity to catch up with each other. You were having such a nice time, in fact, that you forgot about your new, feathered companion. So when your friend slung his arm around your shoulders, you thought nothing of it, until the owl soared towards him, screeching and slashing at your friend with his talons. Shoving your friend behind you, you began to yell.

           “Stop it! Get the hell away from him!”

The bird paused at your demands, gave one last screech, and flew away. You took your friend home and helped him to clean his wounds, thankful that none of the scratches went very deep. After explaining to him your story with the bird, he made you promise to call animal control if the owl ever came close to you again. Heart twisting, you agreed, not sure if you could actually go through with it. When you arrived back home, you searched all the treetops for the bird, but when you didn’t see him, you dared to hope that he might leave you alone from now on.

Later that night though, as you were puttering around the house, you felt a pair of eyes on you. Attempting to ignore the sensation, you decided to turn in for the night and went up to your bedroom. The room was surprisingly cold when you entered it, something that was explained when you noticed the open window. What couldn’t be explained though, was how it had opened in the first place. You were sure that you hadn’t opened it yourself, but you couldn’t think of any other possible explanation. So you forced yourself to near the window to close it, when your eyes caught something you would have preferred for them to ignore. On the windowsill, catching the moonlight, there lay a long, white feather. Hesitantly, you picked it up, half expecting it to disappear. But it failed to do so, staying with you as you spun it between your fingers. As a sense of unease rippled through you, you tried to shove it back down, hoping that you were just being paranoid.

“I wish I just knew what was going on,” you whispered to yourself. As soon as those words left your lips, the lights in your room began to flicker. A sudden wind roared against your house, and the window was thrown back open. Backing against the wall, you stood silently as you witnessed the owl fly towards you. When he came through your window and officially arrived in your bedroom, however, he was no longer an owl.

Standing before you was a pale stranger, all at once alien and familiar. His eyes were startling, one of them light while the other was dark, and gave you the impression that of a predator watching its prey. Blond hair reached past his shoulders, the top of it rather ruffled, thus paralleling the shape of the owl’s head. He wore a loose white shirt with a dark vest around it that exposed much of his chest, and leather pants that left very little to the imagination. You could only gawk at him, praying that you were simply dreaming. But as he began to approach you with a smug smile on his face, you had to concede that this didn’t seem to be the case.

“Hello, love,” he purred once he reached you.

“Who the hell are you?”

“I? I am the Goblin King, but you may call me Jareth.” You swallowed nervously.

“You-you don’t look like a goblin.” He laughed at your comment, rather amused with your continuing ignorance.

“That is because I am not a goblin, love. I am simply their ruler.”

“Okay…but what are you doing here?”

“You wished for me to explain what was going on, did you not?” he asked with a satisfied grin. “I am only too happy to oblige.” But rather than begin to explain, he instead reached out and took your face in his hand. Something sparked through you at his touch, and you leaned into it subconsciously. For a minute, the two of you simply stood there as he began to stroke your cheek. A haze soon found its way into your head, and you found your eyes beginning to close. Before they could though, some part of you stayed awake enough to force you to bite the inside of your cheek harshly, bringing you out of your stupor. At the sight of your eyes snapping back open, Jareth removed his hand and seemed to smile slyly.

“Well then?” you asked, “What’s going on?”

“I was the owl that you saved,” he answered. “I was journeying through this world when I was attacked, leaving my leg broken. If I had been in my own kingdom, I could have healed it immediately, of course, but things being what they were, I was at the mercy of this realm. That is, until you helped me. I was intrigued by you, to say the least. I have had many dealings with humans in years past, and I have found them to uniformly selfish and arrogant. Your actions, therefore, served to surprise me.”

“What does that have to do with you following me around?”

“Well, at first, I was merely fulfilling my duties. You helped me, and I was hence bound to do the same for you. My kind are honorable, a debt never goes unpaid.”

“Is that what you call attacking my friend? A debt repaid?” you cried. At your words, the Goblin King’s calm demeanor seemed to crack, and his eyes flashed angrily. But as quickly as his anger appeared, it sunk beneath the surface as he forced himself to smile and continue as if you hadn’t spoken.

“While my debt to you was my initial reason for watching over you, something about you continued to pull me towards you. You are not like other humans, little one. After giving it much thought, I have finally found the proper way to repay you.” Gazing down at you, he reached out his hand once more, only chuckling when you jerked away from his touch.

“And what may that be?” you asked warily.

“You clearly do not belong here with the rest of mankind, your flesh may be human but your soul is far more noble. I shall take you to my realm, where you truly belong.” Eyes widening, you shook your head in dispute.

“I can’t.”

“Oh?” the king scoffed in amusement. “Whyever not?”

“Because, my whole life is here. My friends, my family, everything. This is my home.”

“Oh pet,” he sighed. “You humans and your fancies. Just because you have known no other world does not mean that this one is your home. In my kingdom you will find everything that this world lacks. There I can weave your dreams for you, and play you music on the wind. Here lies only misery and drudgery for you. There you shall be a queen, my queen.” His voice was so gentle, so soothing that as you listened to him speak you couldn’t help but imagine yourself in the tempting picture that he painted. But once again, you forced yourself to not to sink into the dream.

“And what if I don’t want to be?” At your question, Jareth smirked smugly.

“We both know that you do, love. I have seen your every secret, your every dream, and they all mirror mine. You belong to me and to the labyrinth, whether you accept it or not.” Pausing in his speech, but before you could gather your thoughts, he twisted his hand and summoned a crystal. He presented its smooth, round surface before your eyes and began to twirl it back and forth, the movement captivating you. As you stared at it silently, strange images swam before your eyes. You saw a maze made out of stone, its passages twisting and turning in impossible ways. You saw a vast array of creatures, some beautiful yet frightening and some hideous yet enticing. Scenes of you and the Goblin King danced before you, all at once terrifying and wondrous. You witnessed a dozen kisses between you two, some chaste and sweet while others burned you just from looking at them. You saw the both of you joined on an unfamiliar bed, drinking in each other’s being, and heat pooled your core at the sight. That familiar haze began to enter your mind once more, but this time it wrapped around you too tightly for you to reject it. Even when Jareth caused the crystal to disappear, the fog remained, continuing to cloud your thoughts.

“I…” you tried to say, before falling silent again. Sensing that you would no longer object to his touch, the otherworldly king grasped your chin and tilted your face up to his. Pleased at the sight of your misted eyes, he leaned down and brushed his lips softly against yours. It was a feather of a kiss, but the feeling of it still left you dizzy.

“Well?” Jareth queried. “Do you wish to come with me?”

“Yes,” you whispered dreamily, “I do.” At your agreement, Jareth suddenly met his lips with yours, swallowing your very breath. Running his tongue against your lips, you granted him access and allowed him to twine his tongue with yours. He held your waist possessively, imprisoning you against him. As your kiss continued, the haze in your mind only grew stronger, with you soon fading in and out of your limited awareness. When you finally fell unconscious, the Goblin King brought you into his arms and walked off into the shadows.

#yandere jareth x reader #yandere x reader #yandere jareth #jareth x reader #yandere goblin king #yandere labyrinth #jareth #goblin king #labyrinth #labyrinth fic #labyrinth fanfic #labyrinth fanfiction #labyrinth drabble #labyrinth drabbles #fae x reader #yandere fae #david bowie #david bowie labyrinth #yandere drabble #yandere drabbles #yandere scenario #yandere fic #yandere fanfic #yandere #labyrinth self insert #yandere x you

[drowning-in-dennor]

Rosenhave

@dennorweek, day two with the theme of “medieval”! This is by far my favourite DenNor AU, so I’m happy I managed to write something about it.

  The guard turns.

  He launches.

  Stellan hitches up the skirt of his gown and dashes across the path, jumping up the gilded iron gates and scaling it before the guard can turn around again. He lands on the soft grass, dusts the soil off his slippers and straightens up, heading deeper into the garden.

  The garden is all red — soft, pale stargazer lilies, crimson azalea like little bunches of red fabric, delicate Danish orchids that remind Stellan of vermillion bells. And, at the very end, a rosebush with beautiful, blood-red blossoms dotting the thorny branches.

  He feels out-of-place in his blue garments and dull accessories, like a pebble among diamonds. He strokes his pendant, his most valuable possession, pensively as he waits.

  Clank, clank, clank.

  Creaking footsteps near the castle entrance. The door creaks open, and out steps an armoured boy. The scabbard attached at his waist knocks against his fauld, and the visor of his helm flaps as he takes it off, revealing messy golden hair, glittering blue eyes and a bright smile.

  Stellan does his best to look annoyed, placing his hands on his hips and glaring at him. “You’re late, Henrik.”

  Henrik laughs, setting his helm down on a stone bench and working on taking off his armour. “Sorry, sorry. The prince wanted a guard with him as he went to see his little pageboy.”

  He eyes the scabbard that Henrik tosses carelessly onto the ground. “Is that why you’re wearing your scabbard?”

  “Stupid Berwald, insisting that swords are the best weapon for fighting. He’s so boring.” Henrik makes a face, dropping his breastplate. “He’s never seen me with my axe.”

  Smiling, he picks up Henrik’s heavy armour and piles them up into a tiny metal mountain. “The prince would throw a fit if I were in his army. He’d wonder why I was using a mace, fighting in a gown, because he’s shallow and silly.”

  “Oh, don’t say that!” He smooths down his red tunic, reaching out to circle a hand around Stellan’s wrist. “Berwald isn’t all bad. He’s just a little child who doesn't know how castle things work.”

  “Castle things,” Stellan repeats dryly, “you’d think a noble would know how to use better words.”

  Henrik gives Stellan a playful shove, tossing the last of his armour into the pile with a clunk and hopping from foot to foot. “Not all of us can be as clever as you, Stell. I never learned to read.”

  “And that reminds me…” Reaching into his pocket, Stellan produces a thin book, messily bound in twine and with rough sketches on the cover. “Here you are. The bookbinder let me take this.”

  He takes the book, eyes lighting up in excitement. “You’re going to teach me to read?”

  “Not today.” Stellan watches as Henrik flicks through the book, peering at unfamiliar letters and alien words. “Tomorrow, maybe, if I have the time to come by.”

  Stellan finds himself wrapped in a warm embrace, Henrik’s arms around him and his nose buried in the soft fabric of his tunic. He hugs back, pressing himself against Henrik and closing his eyes.

…

  The next day, he returns to the garden with a storybook, waiting for Henrik on the stone bench surrounding his favourite rosebush. This time, Henrik arrives in his tunic, looking strangely sad and clutching his book.

  “Henrik?” Stellan gets up and approaches him, placing a hand on his shoulder. “What’s wrong?”

  “You know that I will be turning fifteen soon, right?”

  He nods, as Henrik takes his hand from his shoulder and laces their fingers together.

  “Well, the king wants me married.”

  Stellan’s blood turns to ice, as Henrik’s words echo in his head. “They what?”

  “The king wants me married,” Henrik repeats, squeezing Stellan’s hand. “He says he’ll find me a nice girl and we’ll have children, and I’ll be a husband, a father and the prince’s guard.”

  Feeling selfish, Stellan squeezes back and protests, “but I don’t want you to get married to a girl. I want you to get married to me, and that’ll only happen when we’re older.”

  Henrik sighs, running a hand through his hair. “But we can’t get married, because the king says so and I work for the king. He wants me to get married to the daughter of a noble, but she’s only twelve.”

  “That’s not fair. I bet that girl doesn’t want to get married, either.” Stellan sits back down on the bench with a huff. “All of this is so unfair--”

  The door leading into the castle creaks open, and a boy pokes his head out, one hand pressed to his head to keep his cap from flying away. “Sir Dansen, His Majesty is calling for you--” His eyes fall on Stellan. “Oh! And who’s this?”

  “Good afternoon, Tino, this is, uh…” Henrik glances at him, then at Stellan. “This is… Sylvi, who I will be marrying when I turn fifteen!”

  Stellan turns to Henrik in shock as he continues blabbering to Tino, mouthing, “What!?”

  He ignores him, smiling awkwardly at Tino while he grabs Stellan by the waist and pulls him closer. “She works at the bookbinder’s store in the village.”

  Tino bows with a cordial smile. “It’s very nice to meet you, Lady… er…”

  “Bondevik,” Henrik says, “although she will be Lady Dansen in a few days.”

  When Tino disappears back into the castle, Henrik sighs in relief, only to shout in pain as Stellan delivers a swift kick to his shin. “Ow!”

  “What did you just do, Henrik?” Stellan demands. “You told that boy I was a girl and that you’re marrying me! I can’t leave Harald all on his own, and people will find out I’m a boy!”

  “But we’ll be together! And anyways,” Henrik grins. “I have a plan.”

  “I don’t like it when you have plans.”

  “The prince might be stuck-up and stupid, but he’s my friend,” Henrik says, “he’ll tell his father, and he’ll understand. Then we can be married for real, and we’ll live in the castle for the rest of our lives.”

  He sighs, brushing a hand against a rose. “I suppose we could reason with the king,” he mutters, “but if they find out, I may as well dig my own grave.”

…

  The throne room is draped with tapestries and framed portraits, a lush woven carpet lining the floor. Guards bow as Henrik and Stellan make their way to the thrones at the very end of the long hallway, Henrik with a grin on his face and Stellan wanting desperately to fall into a hole.

  A crowned man sits at the largest throne, his son seated on a smaller one next to him. Henrik drops to one knee when he reaches the thrones, but Stellan, hoping to keep up his facade, merely curtsies. 

  “Good day, Your Majesty,” Henrik says.

  King Rollo Oxenstierna is a man of few words, and so he waits until Henrik gets to his feet to nod at Stellan, asking, “who might that be?”

  “Sylvi Bondevik, Your Majesty. The bookbinder’s daughter and my soon-to-be wife.” He looks to Stellan to greet the king, but is reminded with a blank stare that any talking would reveal his true identity. “She’s, uh, mute.”

  “A mute commoner for my son’s personal guard?” Rollo muses. “You deserve better.”

  “But I love her, Your Majesty,” Henrik insists, “and I want to be with her. Please, may we have your blessing?”

  The prince gets up from his seat, reaching his father and standing on tiptoes to whisper into his ear. Rollo sighs, patting Berwald on the head and rising. “My son wishes it, so it will be.” 

  Henrik smiles, taking Stellan’s hand. “Thank you, Your Majesty.”

…

  Harald arrives at the castle a day later, his pet bird perched on his shoulder and full of questions on how his brother turned into a girl. Bribed with candy and cakes, he promises to keep Stellan’s secret.

  It’s difficult, only being able to talk in the security of their chambers. But when night falls and servants don’t peep into the room, the two of them talk and talk and talk, on little Harald and fairytales, and when they grow tired, they hold each other as they sleep.

  And all of it, the silence, the heavy makeup, the whispers of the nobles, are worth it.

  Henrik starts giving the prince sword-fighting lessons, sparring in the courtyard as Stellan watches on and Tino stands in the corner with wine and bread ready for when they tire.

  “Move back,” Henrik instructs, swinging his blade, “don’t slash too much. Use the flat of your blade like a little shield, if you don’t have one.”

  Berwald grunts as he’s knocked down again, his sword digging into the dirt. “I’m trying.”

  “Well then, try harder!” He helps Berwald up and gets into position again. “Come on, what if we get attacked and you can’t find me to help you?” He whacks Berwald in the gut with the flat of his blade, parries his sword away and jabs sharply into his chestplate.

  Glaring daggers at Henrik, Berwald scoops up his sword and slashes at his opponent, fighting back with enough force to knock Henrik to the ground. Henrik’s head slams against the hard dirt, and his sword clatters out of his hand.

  “Henrik!” 

  Before he can stop himself, Stellan jumps up from his seat and races to Henrik’s side, bracing one hand behind his back and brushing his forehead with the other. “Are you all right?”

  He grabs his sword and smiles, craning his neck to playfully kiss Stellan on the tip of his nose. “I’m fine.” Henrik gets to his feet and points his sword at Berwald. “So, are you ready to do that again?”

  But Berwald’s wide-eyed, pointing at Stellan with mute shock. “You’re a boy?”

  Deciding to tell the truth, Stellan nods. “But I still hope to marry Henrik.”

  Dropping his sword, Berwald runs back into the castle, leaving footprints in the dirt. Tino follows soon after, leaving Henrik and Stellan alone in the courtyard.

…

  The ring shines in the sunlight, a sparkling band of iron on his finger. Henrik grins at his now-husband, waving his right hand and letting the ring catch even more light.

  Stellan takes his hand, letting his matching ring clink against Henrik’s. The king found out, of course, but allowed the marriage anyways. Stellan knows that the king is almost like Henrik’s father and Berwald like his brother, Henrik having lost his parents as a baby, and gains an unofficial father-in-law after the marriage.

  They have no children, but little Harald, barely four years old, becomes part of the family with his childish charm winning over the court. And Berwald, inspired by Henrik and Stellan’s plan, has his father’s blessing to marry Tino when they grow of age.

  Henrik plucks a rose from Stellan’s favourite rosebush, deftly pinching off the thorns and giving it to him. Gently, Stellan takes the flower and gives a rare smile. “Thank you.” He turns the flower idly in his hands. “Do you remember how we first met? I saw you through the gates of this garden when we were little.”

  “And we started talking every day,” Henrik continues, “and we became the best of friends.”

  “Until I turned fourteen,” Stellan murmurs, “when you said you loved me.”

  He raises Stellan’s hand to his lips and kisses the ring on his finger, smiling as he does so. “And I still do.”

#aph dennor #APH Denmark #APH Norway #APH Whale Brothers #APH Iceland #aph sufin #APH Sweden #APH Finland #aph nordics #dennorweek2019 #aph fanfiction #my writing #medieval au

[chalabrun]

What if Charlie and Bee went on a roadtrip together?? No worries for a good few days, just the two of them and (maybe) a map as Charlie shows Bee some of the most beautiful places in the USA. (Also, I love your blog and the fact you ship Charbee!!)

Sorry for the wait, friend, but I hope you like this! (And don’t mind the Charliebee family inclusion heh)

Warning(s): G, none

“Ithink I’m gonna ask him, Red. To be Conjunx Enderae with me.”

Forthe last several hours, it’d been just her and Stingray on the openroad. There wasn’t anything unusual about it, because it meant hedidn’t require a holoform driver to give the appearance ofnormalcy. And…he was her son. They were family. Of course theycould keep themselves together while Bee went on his mission,promising to meet them in the Motel 56 they were staying at in SilverSprings, Arizona—right on the cusp of the Grand Canyon she sworeshe could see glimpses of in the right amount of sunlight.

Thatnight, late at midnight, she and Stingray sat restively in a copse oftrees in a pinewood forest skirting the borders of the small town.What seemed to be more buildings clustered in a dense forest split bya single, main road was enough for them to be able to slip awayunseen. Through the nexus of needled branches could Charlie seespinning nebulae and a sky spangled in an endless tapestry of stars.With the air dry but pleasantly warm, it was a nice night for them tobe out.

“ConjunxEndurae? You mean, like married?” the young transformer broached,Charlie perched on his plated scarlet calf.

Charliefelt a hot flush creep up her neck, barely able to avoid Stingray’sinnocuous, curious blue optics. “I— I mean, when you put it likethat, as a person, it—yeah,” she deflated in a brief concession,knowing it was better to tell her son outright.

Herson. And here she thought she’d never settle down as fast assome of her classmates were out the gate already. But here she was,on a summer road trip with what was her son in the eyes ofCybertronian culture, no labor pains necessary. A being that haddoubly attributed the creation to via Bumblebee.

That’dbe something to say at a high school reunion. How she was married toan alien robot from Cybertron.

“Hey,mom?”

Thatgot Charlie’s attention, mustering a smile for his sake. “Yeah?”

“Doyou love dad?”

Thattook Charlie off guard. That’s right—Stingray hadn’t been therewhen Bumblebee and she had that heart-to-heart, spilling their gutsand bolts all over each other, which…sounded gross to imagine, butit wasn’t entirely off the mark.

“Ido,” Charlie said plainly, affection lacing her voice.

Stingraycouldn’t help but light up at that. Large arms gently encircled herand she laughed giddily, leaning into the gentle show of their bond,that soft thing that fluttered like a bird in her chest.

“Dibson being best man,” Stingray quipped with what sounded like asmile, Charlie giggling into the embrace.

“Gotcha.But only if you wear the goofiest, dorkiest and biggest bow tie wecan find.”

“Aw,but mooooooooooom!”

Atthat, she couldn’t help but burst into a fit of giggling.

*

“Ithought he’d be here by now.”

Seatedin the driver’s seat outside of a mom and pop bar, Charliecontemplatively chewed the breakfast sandwich she’d ordered,sipping some of the soda. Though she didn’t want to voice it, heranxieties were largely mirrored. “He’ll be here. Maybe the doofusjust took a wrong turn,” Charlie said hopefully, even though shefelt a twist of worry in her gut. With everything that had happened,the threat of Decepticons was a perpetual concern none of them couldshake.

Stingraystill vibrated with apprehension, turning the radio dial on his ownwhile Charlie indulged him and listened, having wanted to do the sameexact thing.

“Anexplosion was heard at the Southern Rim just minutes ago, parkrangers looking into the possibility of an avalanche caused by lastweek’s torrential downpour—“

“Anexplosion?” Charlie repeated aloud, feeling her blood curdle icilyin her very veins.

“Dad,”Stingray whimpered through the radio, Charlie moving on autopilot. Ithad to be Bee—what else could explain him being so late without atleast radioing in or something?

“Canyou hone in on him, Red? We’ve gotta find him!”

Stingray’stransponder buzzed and crackled hurriedly as he attempted to do justthat before it stopped, the young Autobot declaring, “Found dad!”Without another word did Stingray speed away from the parking lothe’d occupied, soaring down the turnpike and towards the GrandCanyon.

Thescenery blurred unremarkably past as the pair sped towards thenational park, forest soon giving way to open vistas and flat veldtpocked by tough grasses and cacti, thankful that it was still morningand that the crush of tourists scrambling to get into the parks werelargely clear. Because even if they weren’t, Charlie knew they’dmove heaven and hell to get to Bee and make sure he was safe.

Itwasn’t long before they came to one of the touristy vantage points,giving them an ample and spectacular view of of the canyon Charliewould’ve wanted to linger and relish in, but knew that theycouldn’t.

Withouteven a moment’s hesitation did Stingray transform into his Autobotform, heedless of who might see. And the moment that he did did thetwo of them hear a cacophonous explosion that rocked with thedissonance of mortar fire, feeling it through to her bones. Fromafar, Charlie followed the sound and watched as Bumblebee was waginga war of wills in the river valley, the Colorado River shallow enoughthat it came only to his waist in the summer drought. There, anameless Decepticon twice his height grappled for dominance withdestructive power, Charlie blanching at the sight of it.

“Mom,there are people coming up on it fast! We have to help them!”Stingray cried out anxiously and pointing at a large raft careeningperilously close to the stage of action. Just around the bend, therewouldn’t be more than a few seconds for them to act.

“Right.Come on, let’s go!”

Withoutanother word did Stingray squat so Charlie could piggyback on hisback, careful to avoid the splintering parts before he sprinted offthe very cliff and Charlie felt the distinct sensation of her stomachdropping in the fall. Catching himself on a buttress, the Autobotskidded the rest of the descent down while grappling for purchase,Charlie certain she’d be pelted in clay-toned dust before theyreached the bottom.

Oncebarely feet from the valley floor, Stingray leaped one last time intothe river, a little taller than Bumblebee. The people in the raftstartled at the transformer that halted their advance, a gentle stopthat didn’t upset anyone but made them cognizant of the battleahead, some swearing oaths at the sight of it.

WithStingray’s help did Charlie climb aboard the raft, digging for alead line for him to take and temporarily moor to some branch orother overhanging the river. “Red, catch!” Charlie prompted onceshe did, the Autobot dexterously tethering it. “Uh, hey, um—staycalm, everyone! We’ve just got a little, um,” the brunetteglanced over her shoulder at Bumblebee and the Decepticon exchangingblows, “…situation. Yeah! It’ll be alright in a second,so—maybe…get comfy, yeah.” God, she wasn’t cut out to be atour guide, was she?

Feelingthe raft lurch forth a bit, Charlie turned to see why when Stingrayleaped into the fray, several plates of facial armor covering itwhile his firearm deployed, watching with a swell of pride asBumblebee became aware of his son’s backup, grappling theDecepticon and wheeling it around so Stingray could get a clear shot.In a long moment of anticipation did Stingray steady his firing armand optics narrow, then taking the shot in a thunderous echo thatshook Charlie down to her very bones. The Decepticon’s head wasblasted clean off, the crackle of fizzling electronics sounded whilstthe body locked up and dropped dead into the water, the volume of itswelling when the deceased passed under the raft and Charlie couldswear she shuddered as it did.

Wordlesslydid Bumblebee embrace his son, the firearm disengaging and Stingrayembraced the elder Autobot back. People aboard the raft couldn’thelp but croon at the sight of it, Charlie feeling herself tear up abit. Though, she started a bit when Bumblebee waded through the waterfor her, offering a hand while Stingray chattered once he extricatedhimself from the embrace.

“Welp,things look safe now,” he prattled while undoing the tether andpassing the rope on to the raft’s occupants, who appeared largelymollified now that the threat was gone, “so you fine folks go abouton your way, alrighty? Have a good one!” With that, the reclaimedtheir oars and paddled anew to resume their jaunty trip down theriver.

Politelydid Stingray avert his eyes while Bumblebee picked Charlie up, browstouching as Charlie embraced and cradled Bee’s head close. “Youwere awesome out there, Bee,” Charlie murmured fondly as shepressed a tender kiss to his brow, Bumblebee glowing at theaffection.

“Youweren’t half-bad either,” Bee conceded, laughing softly atStingray turning their back to him. He really was just a kid. “I’msorry I couldn’t make it today. These Decepticons came out ofnowhere and Optimus and I had to take care of them before anyone gothurt.”

“Shhh,hey, it’s okay. You were doing the right thing, Bee. How can Ifault you on that?”

“Youwere so cool out there, dad!” Stingray interjected, gushingfrankly. “Like, the way you were just clobbering that guy! And whenI got to blow his head off—it was so cool!” Charlie couldn’thelp but laugh softly at that.

“See?Red thinks so, too.” Stingray came into the fold while Bee spared afree arm to loop over his son’s shoulders, the young Autobotchirping happily.

“I’mjust glad you guys are alright. And we make a pretty good team, huh?”Bee said with a smile in his voice, bumping temples with Stingray whocould only fluster in protest—like any kid would.

“Whydon’t we hit the road again? I bet we could find some cool placesall to ourselves here,” Charlie hinted with a note ofmischievousness, the other two seeming in perfect agreement despitethe slight ache in her chest.

Whilethey made their way up the cliff side, she couldn’t help butwonder: when would be a good time to ask? And, was she really in herright to? Getting married was always a huge thing and part of herworried she hadn’t known Bee long enough, that she’d just bethere to weigh him down. And she was only eighteen, too. Was she evenready for that kind of commitment? Letting these doubts sink into herlike stones, she bit her tongue on the ascension up and praisedwhatever was out there for neither Stingray nor Bee noticing.

Maybesome other time.

#charlie watson #bumblebee #charbee #charliebee #my writing #themadandthemaverick

[mitchsmarners]

semi charmed life | chapter six |  2.2k | teen |

“You guys have kept in contact this whole time?” Bill asked, brow disappearing underneath hair line as he looked like his old friends in amazement. “And you guys are.. what? Room mates?”

Eddie avoided looking at Richie as he answered. “Yeah, uh… room mates. Something like that.”

[or: the adult!losers reunion, done 2000s sit-com style, just like we all deserve.]

PREVIOUSLY ON SEMI CHARMED LIFE: “ At the start of next week, Richie would be switching over to the late show at his radio station. It was going to mean many more late nights, working until 2 or 3 in the morning depending. | “Why are you sitting on the side of the road?”“I’m considering quitting my job and moving here,” Ben said, only half joking. “But it’s not very comfortable.” |  You made it through a day with Spencer Pearsons, which is more than can be said about the mass majority of new hires. So what’s it’s going to be? Are you going to sink… or are you going to swim?” “They’re right,” Stan interrupted. “You’ll either get the hang of it or quit. So, Mike Hanlon, I guess you gotta chose. Are you going to at least try to stick it out or are you going to go back to Derry with your tail between your legs?” |  We’re going to have to change things. You know I love your writing, Bill, but hopes and dreams won’t pay for a baby.”

Goooddd evening New York! According to my time, we’re settling into a deep dark night here in our great city of large apples. So, my dear listeners, I know why I’m here, awake, at midnight on a Wednesday? It’s my job to be awake and annoying at midnight- so what’s your excuse?

Stanley Uris reached out and clicked off his desktop radio. Dead silence in the middle of the night was better than being tormented by Richie Tozier’s voice all night.  Sighing, Stan marvelled once again at how there was no reason for their branch to be open this late at night. In what world would a person be needed financial advice in the dead of the night?

Proving once again that Stanley Uris didn’t seem to know anything, there was a knock at his office door. Startled, Stan looked up at the pretty dark haired girl who seemed as surprised to find herself standing there as Stanley was to see her. “Hi…” she said slowly. “I was told you might be a good person to help me.”

“That might an matter of opinion,” Stan said back with a soft, tired smile. “Most people seem to mis-understand what it is I do.”

“I just wanted to talk to somebody who understands money,” she said lightly. “Because I don’t. At all. I never had to…” The woman came into the room and sat down in the comfy chairs. This office was one of the nicer ones in the branch, Stanley was only allowed to use when he was working the night shift. More often than not, he was stuck in one of the overflow rooms and spent the day playing Solitaire on the computer. Which, yeah, was also what he did when on the night shift but… at least he got to sit in the nice office and do it.

The woman rubbed her hands together awkwardly, giving a forced smile. “But now I… I’m pregnant and I guess I could just go to my dad’s accountant and bankers- they took care of my money my whole life, but…” She pressed her hands over her stomach. “This is the start of my own life, you know? I should do this myself.”

Stan nodded. “There’s nothing wrong with keeping the same accountant and bank as your parents, you should know. You don’t have to do it completely alone, but we can look at some of your options.”

“I just…” the woman shrugged. “My boyfriend… the father… I’m not sure if he’s the smartest. He’s an amazing boyfriend, I love him so much. But I’m sure if I can rely on him, when it comes to money. I have some stuff from my father, inheritance and whatnot. I guess I’m just wondering if it’s a good idea to maybe have my own bank account, and keep it separate from him.”

“It’s always a good idea to have your own account,” Stan said, nodding. “Especially considering you’re not even married. You’re not obligated to share anything with your boyfriend, no matter how pregnant you are. If you’re looking to open up an account, then you’ll need to go into your bank during operating hours. At least to make an appointment, we don’t do that kind of stuff here. We can advise, of course, but I do believe that having your own account is a very good idea if you don’t already.”

The woman nodded. “I’d like to come back and talk to you. You’re pretty much the first person who hasn’t told me to just marry my boyfriend because I’m pregnant.”

Stan smiled blandly at her. “How about this? I’ll take down your name and put you into our system as a taxes client? Then you can come back and request to talk to me whenever you’re struggling with your financial decisions? Can I have your name?”

The woman nodded excitedly. “Yeah, yes! That’s perfect. It’s Audra Philips.”

→  →  →

As night falls over this not-so-great city, you really do have to wonder. What am I doing awake when I could be asleep? I know I am, even for 12 hours an hour, wondering why I’m not just at home, instead of sitting awake in a 4 by 4 booth, more likely than anything talking to myself. Because really- unless something has gone terribly wrong in your life, you’re asleep at quarter to one in the morning.

“Man,” Kay laughed as she walked into the staff room.  Mike Hanlon was seated on the floor, surrounded by half finished plans for the new Ancient Greece exhibit, with Richie’s voice filling his ears. “That guy doesn’t hold back, does he?”

“It’s not exactly in his fashion, no.” Mike chuckled. “Richie has always been that way.”

“Richie? As in, Kaspbrak?” Kay asked, looking at the radio as though it had personally offended her. Mike blinked up at her, mouth opening slightly. “His husband’s a dick. They got a cute kid, though.”

Mike simply blinked at her. There was a lot to unpack there- possibly Kay thinking Eddie was an asshole being the oddest part of what she’d just said- and Mike knew he didn’t have the time or willpower to do it just now. “I… Pearsons told me that I’m not allowed to leave until I figure out the how to run the new Greek exhibit”.

Kay raised her eyebrows. “Spence is letting you take lead on the Greek exhibit? He must really like you.”

“Like me?” Mike burst out laughing. “I’m half convinced he’s trying to work me to death.”

Kay shook her head, sitting down crossed legged in front of him. “No, Spencer has literally never willing given up the lead on anything ever,” Kay took several of the printed pages and pulled them towards her. “If he gave you this exhibit in particular, he really fucking likes you. Ancient Greece is Spencer Pearsons’ passion.”

Mike groaned. “You’re just making me more nervous that I’m going to fuck this up.” Mike shook his head. “I have a million ideas and each one is probably worse than the others.”

“You have too many ideas,” Kay said with a soft laugh. “Why are you making it so complicated? It’s easy. If you want to impress Spence, make it simple. Give the information, give an easy layout and get rid of the extravagant bullshit. It doesn’t need to be fancy, it needs to be factual.”

Mike huffed out an annoyed breath, and clicked Richie off.

→  →  →

Nearing on 2 am, I’m still here. You’re still here too, if you were ever here at all. I could probably say anything right now, nobody would be any wiser. The earth is flat, all cats are aliens, men in suits make me nervous… whos’ even listening?

Ben Hanscom chuckled as the radio stopped as he turned off his rental car. He opened the door and walked out, looking at the three story houses at the edge and shaking his head. They all looked the same, of course, as the style grew throughout the world. He tucked his hands into the back pocket of his jeans and walked over to the fenced in area. Beverly Marsh was leaning up against the door, and Ben’s heart raced in his chest in a way it hadn’t since he was a teenager sneaking out.

“Ben Handsome,” Beverly called happily as she moved towards him, becoming more and more visible through the dark air. “And here I thought you’d lost my contact.”

Ben smiled to himself, remembering throwing her email into the trash… and remembering stumbling into his apartment drunk after hanging out with Bill and finding it stuck to the bottom of his shoe when he woke up in the morning. “I was just picking the right time to reach out.”

Beverly hummed. “We always have had the worst timing, haven’t we?”

Ben nodded in her direction and walked into the fancy living area. Beverly was looking at the houses with an air of familiarity that he felt in his bones. “You’ve been here before?”

“Yeah, Tom and I looked into this houses when they started going up,” Beverly said. “But we figured out pretty quickly that there was no way we could afford to live in them.”

“No average person could afford to live in them,” Ben said wisely. “That was the point. I should know- I designed them.”

Beverly slowed to a stop and looked at Ben with wide eyes. “You… I thought you said you were just an intern?”

Ben pursed his lips. “I am. One of my first tasks was to come up with a design for some high end townhouses. Next big meeting, my higher up was displaying my design and taking full credit. Told me to suck it up, and that I’d understand when I got higher up that the idea of the many was the idea of the one. I’m still not sure what that means besides fuck you.”

Beverly took to look at the houses. “They… they are beautiful.”

“They’re…” Ben exhaled hard. “Yeah. But all I want to do is burn them down. You know?”

“Destroying things won’t make you feel better,” Beverly said. “Trust me. I destroyed my whole marriage then walked out of it without a word. And I don’t feel even close to better.”

Ben scratched at his cheek, annoyed at the hair beginning to grow as it always was between his beard days and post-shaving. “I’m not sure that’s exactly the same thing here, Bev.”

“Sure it is,” Bev said simply, beginning to walk once more. “Discontent with your life is discontent with your life. Whether it’s your job, your relationship, it’s the same. You can’t just push away the thing making you discontent… you’ve got to find something that makes you happy to replace it.”

Ben sighed softly, nodding. “You’re right. I know you are… but I worked so hard to even get the internship I have. If I leave then what do I have to show for my whole life?”

Beverly nodded. “Yeah I get that. After I left Tom I sort of realized that I put everything into the marriage? I let being Tom’s wife be my everything but sometimes you’ve got to start everything. Find a new you.”

“I still want to design buildings,” Ben said, looking back at the fancy houses he didn’t think he’d ever be able to afford. “And even though I think I resent these stupid houses, they still make me proud? Like that’s mine, I created that, no matter who tries to take that away from me. And if I stick out these internship, I’ll move high and I’ll never take credit for something else does. I can make the system better for somebody else.”

“But is it really worth it if you’re miserable the whole time you’re getting there?” Beverly said lightly. “Maybe the reason all your higher ups are such dicks is because they were miserable, too. A brutal cycle.”

“I can break that cycle.” Ben said firmly and Beverly smiled at him sadly.

“If anybody can do that, it’s you Ben Hanscom.” She said softly.

Ben turned to her and brought out maybe the first genuine smile he’d had sober in weeks. “You know I liked you too, right? In high school, and… before that. Pretty much the whole time I lived in Derry.”

“I suspected but I don’t think I ever knew for sure,” Beverly said. “Richie was always saying you did- but I never really listened, you know? Because you were my best friend, so if you liked me then I don’t know what I would’ve done. High school me was an idiot, and if I’d ever done anything about you liking me then… we probably wouldn’t be standing here together now.”

Ben took Beverly’s hand in his and looked deeply at her. “Beverly…”

“I just left my husband,” she said almost brokeningly. “I’m living in Eddie and Richie’s spare bedroom and I don’t even have a job. I’m a mess, you don’t want me like this, Ben.”

“I’ve always wanted you.” Ben said openly. “and I will always want you.”

Beverly cupped the side of his face and brought their lips together.

Our time is coming to a close as we near 3 am. The sun is preparing to rise, and we’ve yet to set. You know? I think we all need to take a chance to think through our life choses. What has gone so wrong for us that we’re all sitting awake at three in the morning? Where did we go wrong? But if you’re still out there in the world, I have some advice for you: No good decision is ever made after 2am.

Bill Denbrough was debating lighting up his first cigarette in seven years when the man slid into the booth across from him. The man leaned forward and raised his brow at Bill. “I hear you’re looking for work.”

Bill cleared his throat awkwardly and praying he didn’t stutter. “I… I’m a writer, b-b-b-but my girlfriend-“

“She pregnant?” The man chuckled. “You’d be surprised how often that what we hear ‘round here. So, let’s make it pretty clear right now. I don’t care about your pregnant girlfriend, and I don’t care ‘bout why you’re here. I just care that you’re here and what we’re going to do about it.”

Bill nodded quickly.

“So tell me, good pal,” the man smiled, giving him a golden toothed grin. “You wanna pack or deliver?”

This is Rich Records signing off saying:  Go home. Find somebody you love and be with them. That’s what I’m going to do.

#reddie #reddie fic #benverly #benverly fic #my writing #semi charmed life #this chapter is short i am sorry #is this flopping bc the update sucks or.....

[cutiepawss]

The Sims 4 Collections Legacy Challenge

!!! I’m still playing through this challenge and fixing stuff if I find something to fix. Please let me know if you find something to change!!! :) Welcome to the Collections Legacy Challenge. I have always loved to collect things in the sims and decided to do legacy challenge based around it. I hope you all enjoy playing this :) Made by: @cutiepawss

GOALS - Collect every single collectable thing in game. (sorry for you who play base game only) - After every generation create a room for your collections where you display them for everyone to see. BASIC RULES - Don’t use money cheats or any other cheats that give you advantage to complete the challenges. You may use bb.moveobjects and change your sims features if you want. - You will always live on the same lot if challenge doesn’t say otherwise, so I recommend to pick a bigger lot for your family. - Lifespan on normal or long, you choose how much challenge you want. I don’t recommend short. - Don’t upload rooms which have collectables, from the gallery. - You can save collectables even if you don’t find them on the right generation. TIPS - When generation five travels to Sixam and to space I recommend you to collect the alien plants and try to get the U.F.O-plant.

GENERATION ONE “Your family has always loved to collect things; frogs, plants, rocks, postcards and almost everything you could imagine. You love frogs and animals more than anything and you can’t imagine life without animals.” Collections to Complete: Frogs, Fish, Insects Traits: Cat Lover, Dog Lover, Loves Outdoors Aspiration: Angling Ace Career: Business - Complete the Aspiration. - Reach level 5 in the Business career and quit your job. - Have your own vet clinic after quitting your job. - Reach level 10 in Fishing and Veterinarian skills. - Reach level 10 in Handiness skill and go to Forgotten Grotto. - Have atleast 2 dogs and 2 cats. - Marry your first love, have a child, get divorced when the child is a toddler and never have romantic relationship again. - Have vacation in Granite Falls every summer.

GENERATION TWO ”You hate animals, you fear dogs and cats and always hated how your parent collected animals. You miss your other parent more than anything and in secret hate the other. You are a science freak and very smart.” Collections to Complete: Metals, Crystals, Elements, Fossils   Traits: Genius, Bookworm, Mean Aspiration: The Curator Career: Scientist - Complete the Aspiration. - Reach level 8 in Logic and Mischief skills. - Reach level 7 in the Scientist career. - Never have any friends expect your spouse. - Have atleast 4 enemies. - Have 3 children and never be nice to them. - Travel to Sixam to find even more interesting metals and crystals. - Die from anger before having any grandkids.

GENERATION THREE “Even tho your mom was very mean person and never really liked you and your siblings - you grew up to be a very happy person. You’re very childish, but in a good way, you love joking around and you never have a bad day.”

Collections to Complete: MySims Trophies, Decorative Eggs, Voidcritters, Holiday Cracker Plushies Traits: Goofball, Childish, Good Aspiration: Joke Star Career: Entertainer, Comedian branch - Complete the Aspiration. - Reach level 10 in Charisma and Comedy skills. - Have atleast 4 good friends. - Reach atleast level 8 in the Entertainer career. - Have 5 children with your spouse. - Tell jokes every single day.

GENERATION FOUR ”You had a happy childhood, but you never felt home at your boring small town. You always wanted to find an adventure and explore the world. You are very lonely and don’t need anyone beside your side." Collections to Complete: Ancient Omiscan Artifacts, Omiscan Treasures Traits: Self-Assured, Ambitious, Loner Aspiration: Jungle Explorer Career: None, you just love exploring too much - Complete the Aspiration. - Reach level 5 in Selvadoradian Culture skill. - Reach level 10 in Archaeology skill. - “Live” at Selvadorada until you have completed the collections. - Marry a sim that is from Selvadorada. - Have 2 childs - twins - boy and girl. (may cheat for this) - Never have a “real” job, you are an explorer.

  GENERATION FIVE “Your parent loved the jungle, you love the space. Aliens, scifi, stars, black holes... all that stuff gives you so much joy. You’re a genius and you want to travel to unknown.”

Collections to Complete: Aliens, Space Rocks, Geodes Traits: Geek, Genius, Hates Children Aspiration: Nerd Brain Career: Astronaut - Complete the Aspiration. - Reach level 10 in Logic and Rocket Science skills. - Reach level 7 in Handiness skill. - Reach level 8 in the Astronaut career. - Have 2 husbands/wifes before finding your true love. - Your true love must be an alien from Sixam. - Adopt a child when you are an adult - never have other kids.

GENERATION SIX “Your farmer parents died from fire when you was only 5 years old. After being many years in foster care you were finally adopted. You love farming, flowers and plants just like your biological parents.”

Collections to Complete: Gardening, Magic Beans Traits: Loves Outdoors, Vegetarian, Jealous Aspiration: Freelance Botanist Career: Gardener

- Complete the Aspiration. - Reach level 8 in the Gardener career. - Reach level 10 in Gardening skill. - Reach level 8 in Flower Arranging skill. - Never eat meat, if you accidentally do, give 1000 simoleons to charity. - Marry a co-worker. - Adopt atleast 2 children with different ethnicity than you are. - Have 1 biological child.

   GENERATION SEVEN “You are not a farmer like your parents, you love the lights of the city. You want to live there, no matter what. You are very artistic person, you love painting and dancing.”

Collections to Complete: City Posters, Snow Globes Traits: Creative, Art Lover, Outgoing Aspiration: Painter Extraordinaire Career: Painter

- Complete the Aspiration. - Reach level 10 in the Painter career. - Reach level 10 in Painting skill. - Reach level 5 in Dancing skill. - Move to the San Myshuno when you are an young adult, move in with two of your friends. Have romantic relationships with both of them. - Marry one of your roommates. - Have 2 twin girls. (may cheat for this) - Move back home when previous generations heir dies.

GENERATION EIGHT “You remember eating delicious food in the big city where you used to live. You are a huge foodie and food is basically your whole live. You don’t settle in anything, you always aim to the sky. You have weird obsession over cats and birds.”

Collections to Complete: Feathers, Experimental Food Photos Traits: Foodie, Cat Lover, Snob Aspiration: Master Chef Career: Culinary, Chef branch

- Complete the Aspiration. - Reach level 10 in the Culinary career. - Reach level 10 in Cooking skill. - Reach level 8 in Courmet Cooking skill. - Have 2 cats - male and female - and try to get kittens. - Host a dinner party every spring and fall. - Marry someone from opposite gender. - Have 4 children, but never be too easy on them - you want them to have enough discipline.

GENERATION NINE “You grew up in very tough household, where your parents expected the best from you. You wish to have a huge family of your own. You don’t really like using the telescope nor the microscope, but you need to make money at home to be the best parent to your kids.”

Collections to Complete: Microscope Prints, Space Prints Traits: Cheerful, Clumsy, Family-Oriented Aspiration: Big Happy Family Career: Stay-at-home-mom/dad

- Complete the Aspiration. - Reach level 10 in Parenting skill. - Reach level 5 in Charisma skill and Cooking skills. - Never have a job, you are a stay-at-home-mom/dad. - You must do laundry every single day. - Marry the first woman/man you meet, even if you don’t really love them. - Have 6 children, the third youngest will be the heir.

GENERATION TEN “You had so many siblings that you never had to do anything, you were basically super lazy. You don’t really want anything from the life, only to be a writer. You are super romantic and hope to find the true love.”

Collections to Complete: Postcards, Sugar Skulls Traits: Creative, Romantic, Lazy Aspiration: Bestselling Author Career: Writer - Complete the Aspiration. - Reach level 5 in the Writer career and quit - you are too lazy to work. - Work from home after quitting your job. - Reach level 10 in Writing skill. - You never cook, clean or do any chores - you are too lazy. - Have 5 boyfriends/girlfriends, have accidentally a child with one of them. - Give up on finding your true love - you are too lazy to even try anymore. - Buy a room filled with Sugar Skulls to finnish your 10 generation wide challenge. (you need 500 000 simoleons to do this) (I’m sorry if there are some misspelling, I’m not a native speaker and I tried my best.)

#the sims 4 #ts4 #the sims 4 legacy challenge #the sims 4 legacy #ts4 legacy #Collections Legacy

[designationpinknoise]

Prowl & Janis in: Heartbreaking Matchmakers.

Prowl & Janis feat. Hoist and new OC

Janis is not a jealous person to say the the least. She has no reason to be, she trusts Prowl however...he tends to have things go over his head especially if someone bot or human shows an interest in him.

....See a few weeks back a new batch of soldiers had arrived at the base, and one of them a woman by the name of private Hemsley had taken a noticeable interest in him. 

Prowl of course was oblivious to her feelings and just assumed she was being helpful, when ever he needed help or was low on energon; Hemsley would take the extra paperwork or have someone drop a cube off for him.

Knowing Janis would nag him for not being courteous he pat the woman's shoulder or sometimes offer to get her dinner on late nights... Unfortunately Hemsley mistook this for him hinting that he was interested in her as well, And.... Well girls like to talk. 

Jazz happen to overhear a conversation between a group of femmes human and bot; discussing "Hemsley" and how crushed she was going to be when she finds out. He cut in and asked who they were talking about. and that's how he found himself driving over to Prowl's house grabbing Janis and telling her to talk to this woman before she embarrasses herself.

 "Why don't you tell her? I don't even know her."

"I did but, she didn't believe me and thinks I'm his jealous Ex!"

"Wait! you and Prowl..."

"Yes, but we broke it off on good terms I'm with Smokecreen now, let's go!"

When Janis got to the base she made some idle chat with Sideswipe, Pinknoise and Bee before heading to Prowl's office. only to be met by a brunette woman a bit taller then herself sitting at a desk outside of Prowl's office.

the woman's olive green eyes gave Janis a once over and grimaced at her grungy looking clothes and skinny frame "Can I help you?" she asked not even hiding the sneer in her voice. "I'm here to see Prowl." Janis said bluntly not even intimidated by this woman's nastiness.

Her brown eyes spotted the tag on the woman's uniform. Hemsley... the blond hmm'ed as said Private looked like she smelled something sour. "yeeaah, Well he's not here so..." she was about to push Janis away but, the blond looked up at the door. "T1, can you tell me the location of Prowl?" Hemsley snorted and was about tell this civvy that it won't answer her; she's not-

"Autobot Prowl is currently in his office, Shall I inform him you're here Mrs. Rowe?" The AI inquired Janis shook her head "No, just open the door for me." The brunette woman froze confused T1 only answers to the bots!? She turned to the blond girl only to see her enter Prowl's office! before Hemsley could stop her the door shut.

The brunette immediately ran to the service entrance; Swiped her ID card and punched in her entrance key, the door slid open to reveal Prowl smiling and talking to that woman; said mech noticed her arrival his face which back to neutral "Oh Hemsley, I'd like you to meet my sparkmate Janis." he coughed and gestured to the blond.

Hemsley didn't seem to hear him as she rushed over and started to apologize to him for her negligence "I'm sorry sir She just slipped passed me- your what?" She looked up confused Prowl's optics dimmed for a moment as he realized what he said "Oh...Right, she's my spouse or wife, whichever you prefer" he explained Janis suddenly looked uncomfortable as she saw the color drain from the older woman's face, She winced seeing the exact moment Private Hemlsey's heart broke.

Prowl notice too and was confused he look at Janis; they seemed to having a mental conversation, She nodded his optics widened and looked back at Hemsley but, she'd left...He looked back at his wife who just smiled. "Just let her down gently." She kissed him on the cheek he smiled before going to look for his colleague.

 he found her outside crying he awkwardly cleared his throat, getting her attention she frowned "Shouldn't you be with your wife?" she spat it was clear she was blaming Janis for her feelings being hurt, But Hemsley knew she had no one but herself to blame. The other soldiers warned her, Jazz straight up told her Prowl was taken! but she didn't want to listen.

"She told me to come talk to you." 

"...tell her I don't need her damn pity!"

"It's not pity...It's empathy! I think this whole thing reminds her of a friend who was in a similar situation..." He recalled what happened when Garrett found out about their relationship, and how he harassed them. Prowl didn't want a repeat of that. "and she just regrets never having a proper talk about it before he left." 

" How..come you never mentioned her?"

Prowl explained how he keeps his married life separated from his work life, if he can keep the two as faraway as possible then Janis can have a semi-normal life, aside from the whole E-type thing and married to an Alien thing. But it puts Prowl at ease knowing his wife is safe and that the cons know nothing about her. Because if Janis were a soldier that would mean danger, that would mean losing her, and that be losing his whole world allover again...

He stared at his left hand lovingly, Hemsley noticed the left ring-digit had panels that were colored gold resembling a ring...how did she not noticed that? she remembered the way he smiled at Janis; he never looked at her like that! even now just thinking about his wife...."he looks so happy."  She thought to herself suddenly the brunette didn't feel sad anymore everything felt lighter more clearer.

 "Commander Prowl." the Autobot Sic looked down at the Private. "Thank you." she saluted him, Prowl smirked and copied her "at ease soldier." the two parted ways. Prowl decided to take the night off early and take Janis driving and maybe a little steamy law breaking.~ ;)

while Hemsley went back to her desk, she was still a bit emotional over the whole Prowl thing and wasn't paying attention, when she bumped into something large and metal knocking to the floor. "Oh, my apologies!" a British voice exclaimed a large metal hand helped Hemsley up, the brunette the wave the bot off. "It's alright! my fault for not paying attention." She assured but the green bot standing before her wasn't having none of it.

"Nonsense! I was warned to watch my step, I hope you’re not injured miss?" 

"Hemsley, Lora Hemsley and I'm fine sir."

"Please call me Hoist."

"Hoist, well I'll be you around?"

The mech was smiling behind his face-plate and nodded as he watched the petite woman leave, obviously enjoying the warm tingly feeling pulsing through his spark. So, the following year it came quite a surprise to everyone when Hoist and Hemsley excitedly announced their engagement, just in time to as Hemsley was to be transferred to SiLo's new San Francisco branch.

 Everyone suspected something was up with them as Hoist always seemed to dazed and far away whilst watching the brunette from a distance, or discussing their favorite things on date. and Hemsley would always have her heartstrings pulled by poems and little trinkets left on her desk before work, in the end it all worked out nicely for them. 

#transformers #TFP Prowl #Prowl x OC #transformers jazz #Hoist transformers #sideswipe #Pinknoise #transformers oc #smokescreen #my aus #fanfic #my writings #maccadam

[flipping-voltron-imagines]

Heyo, I hope your day is swell~¡¡¡ Mind if I request a funny little scenario that I hope isn't too specific?? Like, imagine Keith and Reader having to pose themselves as a married couple for a mission so they won't be recognized, and Reader is just like "Well... I'm playing the husband." So for the rest of the night, Keith, dressed like a freakin' woman, proceeds to argue like an actual married pair with Reader, dressed like a classy 1900s male (with a fake mustache for extra clASs)

A/N: This was honestly super fun to write. I hope it’s okay that there’s a dash of Klance in here! 

Word Count: 1125

“This mission will require two people,” Allura said, turning to face Keith and I. “You will both be posing as a married couple.”

I turned my head slowly to look at Keith, and found him doing the same thing. I was horrified. Posing as a married couple with Keith, of all people? He didn’t strike me as the type of guy that would even consider doing that sort of thing. Maybe with Lance, but not me.

“Everyone else can leave,” Allura continued, seemingly unnoticing our awkward stare down. “I need to speak to Y/N and Keith for a few minutes.”

Pidge told us good luck and gave me a small smile, Lance waved to us both and sent a wink in Keith’s direction (which caused his face to turn dark), Hunk gave us two thumbs up, and Shiro clapped us each on the shoulder without a word to give us silent encouragement, before they all left. Lance said something about making more milkshakes before the doors shut behind them.

“I thought about this mission and who I should pair together greatly,” Allura told us gently, but sternly. “I truly believe that if you two can set aside your differences, you will have success.” She looked us each in the eye before nodding and turning to the swirling galaxy hologram behind her. It zoomed in on a planet and an alien man with a western handlebar mustache appeared next to it. “Now, the person you’re going to be finding…”

Hours later, we were riding in the Red Lion down to the target planet’s surface. He was piloting, obviously, and I stood next to his seat, twirling my fake swirly French mustache and stroking my tie. Keith glared at me as he touched the large bow tied in the back of his hair. “I can’t believe you’re making us do this,” he grumbled.

“Hey, it’s not my fault you didn’t call being the man first.”

“I didn’t think that was something that needed to be done!” Keith exclaimed, throwing his hands up in the air. Well, tried to. The dress he wore prevented him from lifting his arms up too far. “I didn’t expect to end up being the wife!”

I stole a sideways at Keith, smirking. He made a very pretty woman. Shortly after Allura explained our mission, I’d turned to Keith and told him that I called playing the husband. The shock on his face was priceless. After an hour of arguing, I’d finally worn him down and got him to wear a dress. “Expect the unexpected,” I told him.

Keith groaned and tried to slump in his seat, but the dress was too tight. “I don’t understand why girls wear these uncomfortable dresses. The pain isn’t worth it.”

Shrugging, I turned my attention back to the rapidly approaching surface. We would be landing soon, so I took a moment to adjust my suit, a classy suit straight out of a cheesy early 1900s detective drama. We landed, Keith adjusted his flowing black dress to expose less of his chest, and together we walked through the woods in the direction of the castle.

I recalled Allura’s words: “There are Galra around, so you must exercise caution. Land far enough away that you won’t be seen, but close enough that you can make a quick escape if need be. The forest should provide suitable coverage. Be polite when you meet the king. He may prove to be a valuable ally in the coming war.”

It wasn’t a question of me being polite, but Keith. He was the one that was the most obviously unhappy about the situation. As we trekked through the trees, I decided to bring the issue up.

“I’m sorry you had to be stuck with me,” I told him. I held a branch out of the way for him so that it didn’t hit him or rip his dress. “I know you’re the last person that you wanted to go with you.”

Keith glanced at me appreciatively and shook his head. “I don’t hate you,” he grumbled.

“You sure act like it.”

“Oh. Sorry.” He sighed softly before continuing. “There’s only one other person that I would rather have with me.”

“Who, Hunk?” I teased, flashing a smile back at him.

Keith groaned and pushed me a little. “Yeah, stupid. Hunk.”

I knew that we both knew who I was talking about. It was obvious that Keith had some sort of feelings for Lance, and Lance liked him too; they were just too stupid to realize it themselves.

“Well, we’ve gotta act civil towards each other in there. Our performance has gotta be believable. So, what are we going to do about nicknames?”

Initially, Keith hated nicknames; he thought they were stupid, and he didn’t understand why someone would call their significant other by anything but their name. After a little coaxing (I just asked him what nicknames he would want Lance to use if they ever ended up together), he admitted that maybe “Sweetheart” would be a good one to use. He refused to talk about it more after that, so I let it go, and we continued on.

The castle that we’d seen as we were landing was a lot bigger than I expected, and much more beautiful. From the air, it had been white and sparkling, but now, it was almost orange, or a darker, soft yellow because of the sunset. There was a path that led up to the castle, with bright lights, alternating green and yellow, set into the ground every couple feet. As we got closer to the castle, I noticed that there were similar lights, though not quite as bright, along the base of the castle where the wall met the ground.

“This place is beautiful,” I commented breathlessly. When I looked at Keith, I saw that his eyes were wide, as mine probably were.

“Yeah,” he mumbled in agreement. “I hope this works out.”

“Me too, my sweet wife. Come, let’s party and find this king guy that we’re supposed to talk to.” I twirled my mustache, as I had seen Coran do several times before, took Keith’s arm and locked it with mine, and forced him to walk faster.

The mission ended up going very successfully. When we got back to the castle, Allura and Lance were waiting for us. Lance gave Keith a weird look, drawing his eyebrows together as he looked Keith up and down.

“Nice dress,” he finally said.

Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Keith’s cheeks turn to a light red. “Shut up,” he grumbled. “Y/N, come help me out of this.”

“Will do,” I said happily, and added in a low voice, “lover boy.”

#voltron #vld #keith #kogane #x reader #cross dress #cross dressing #imagine #scenario

[unusualllamite]

The Lyrics Challenge

This is probably the 100th Legacy Challenge but there are never enough of them, if we’re perfectly honest right now. This challenge is pushing you to make choices you normally wouldn’t do - and it hopefully motivates you to play the game as well! And maybe you’ll even find one or two songs you didn’t know yet and like them.

Basic Rules:

Money cheats can be used, though you shouldn’t overdo it. We suggest you to cheat (FreeRealEstate on) to get your house in the first place, but don’t use any money cheats after that. But that’s up to you.

We would appreciate if you wouldn’t use other cheats beside the money cheats. Of course, if something really bad happens - for example your heir dying, who would want that, right? - we actually want you to cheat. But as for the money, you shouldn’t overdo it.

Keep the lifespan of your Sims on normal.

Your Sims may live wherever you want, unless it’s stated otherwise in the rules for that generation.

Aspirations and Careers need to be mastered unless stated otherwise

If there’s a generation you simply can’t play because you don’t own the needed expansion/gameplay pack, just get creative, take a song you like and play with that lyrics around!

If you play this challenge, we’d be happy to see it. Tag your posts with #lyricschallenge so we can see it!

My bebe friend @the-queens-content (or @xqueen-nyra if you want to check out her art-stuff) and I searched for some motivation to stick to our games, and decided that we wanted to create a challenge. Because you know, it’s kinda cool and fun.

And uh, yah, we hope you’ll like this challenge, because making it was pretty fun and playing it is probably fun, too. I hope. We definitely will play it and it’d be cool if you join us.

Sia - Chandelier (Generation 1)

“I’m gonna live like tomorrow doesn’t exist.”

Who says you have to grow up? You never understood why your parents wanted you to be a good kid and follow rules. That never was your thing. So when you were old enough to move out you started pursuing your dreams of - literally doing whatever you want!

Traits: Outgoing, Materialistic, Hot-Headed

Aspiration: Serial Romantic

Career: Criminal Career

Rules:

master Charisma and Mischief skill

don’t have any serious relationships (romantic) as a Young Adult

complete Serial Romantic Aspiration

master the Criminal Career

Hollywood Undead - Let Go (Generation 2)

“Waking up, I don’t feel alive. How fucked up are we inside?”

You never felt connected to other people and prefered to spent your time on your own, living out your creative thoughts and ideas. With your parents doing what they wanted most of the time you had to care for yourself from a young age and now you are a young - but independent - sim.

Traits: Gloomy, Loner, Perfectionist

Aspiration: a Creativity Aspiration (see rules)

Career: a Creative Career (see rules)

Rules:

complete a Creativity Aspiration (Painter Extraordinaire OR Musical Genius OR Bestselling Author)

master a Creative Career (Entertainer Career (only Musician Branch!) OR Painter Career (both branches possible) OR Writer Career (both branches possible))

decline any invites to social events (except birthday parties, weddings, ...)

master two Creative Skills (Guitar Skill, Painting Skill, Piano Skill, Singing Skill, Violin Skill, Writing Skill)

Be More Chill - I Love Play Rehearsal (Generation 3)

“Most humans do one thing for all of their lives, the thought of that gives me hives!”

Your friends and parents always seemed to know exactly what they wanted to do. They were ambitious and straightforward. But you? You never really knew what you liked. Sure, there were things you liked to do as a child, but you never poured your heart in it. You turned into a restless person, still searching for your calling.

Traits: Active, Art Lover, Snob

Aspiration: Renaissance Sim

Career: see rules

Rules:

complete Renaissance Sim Aspiration

reach at least Level five (5) in at least two (2) Careers

move houses (and worlds) at least three (3) times

have at least two (2) relationships before having a family

Breaking Benjamin - Give Me A Sign (Generation 4)*

“I’ll keep you alive If you show me the way”

Occult things, weird dreams, dark alleys. Adventure. These were always the things you cared most about - for all your life. As a pretty active kid you got in trouble pretty much all of the time. Now that you’re a grown-up you decided to chase the adventure and moved to the dark and mysterious world Forgotten Hollow.

Traits: Genius, Good, Self-Assured

Aspiration: Good Vampire

Career: Secret Agent Career

Rules:

live in Forgotten Hollow

have Vampire Nexus or On A Dark Ley Line lot traits (you can also have both)

master Vampire Lore skill

complete Good Vampire Aspiration

have a romantic relationship (and family) with a vampire

make said vampire human again

become human again

Cazzette - Sleepless (Generation 5)

“It kills my heart to know You don’t think this love could grow”

You parents teached you that you could do anything if you just were ambitious enough. And you want that. You want to bring justice to this cruel world, catch criminals and make the world a better place. But between work and your all-time hobby - fishing! - you forget that there are more important things than success. Love for example ...

Traits: Ambitious, Jealous, Neat

Aspiration: Angling Ace

Career: Detective Career

Rules:

master Detective Career

complete Angling Ace Aspiration

reach Level five (5) of Fitness Skill

reach Level seven (7) of Logic Skill

have an affair with a co-worker (while having a serious relationship)

leave both the affair and your partner

Imagine Dragons - Whatever It Takes (Generation 6)

“I’m just a symbol to remind you that there’s more to see”

You always knew there simply was more. More than you - than anyone - could think of. And you made it your personal goal, your duty to find out what it is. Could it be talking animals? Flying cars? Or even ... extraterrestrial life? Whatever it is - you want to find out!

Traits: Geek, Insane, Kleptomaniac

Aspiration: Mansion Baron

Career: Scientist Career

Rules:

master Scientist Career

master Rocket Science Skill

master Video Gaming Skill

visit Sixam

be friends with at least one (1) alien

adopt at least one (1) child

Evalyn - Filthy Rich (Generation 7)

“I thought you knew I’m filthy rich”

Love? Friendship? Nah, better not. You’re all about yourself and your expensive lifestyle. Money? Oh hell yes, there we are. You always dreamed of being rich as a kid. Having enough money to do everything you please is your biggest dream, but you’re not very good at saving money. So you literally throw it out of the window for your expensive parties and fun nights.

Traits: Lazy, Mean, Squeamish

Aspiration: Fabulously Wealthy

Career: Mixologist Career

Rules:

complete Fabulously Wealthy Aspiration

you don’t have to master the career!

master Mischief Skill

master Comedy Skill

reach Level six (6) of Charisma Skill

throw a party every two weeks

Elvin Bishop - Fooled Around and Fell in Love (Generation 8)

“I fooled around and fell in love”

You always loved to laugh. Laughing makes everything. There are only forty-three muscles to use, it’s so easy! You’re always up for some nice jokes, and you love to hang out with friends or people who share your sense of humor. With all the joking and fun you experience, you’re sometimes oblivious to other things and don’t even notice what you’re doing.

Traits: Clumsy, Goofball, Romantic

Aspiration: Soulmate

Career: Comedian Career

Rules:

complete Soulmate Aspiration

master Comedian Career

master Parenting Skill

reach Level five (5) of Painting Skill

marry High School Love

own a Rocket

Cruel Youth - Hatefuck (Generation 9)

“I hate you every time I fuck you”

You never were like everyone else around you. When other people around you learned that it’s important to be nice you pranked them and laughed at them afterwards. Being nice won’t take you any further in life, you think, so you don’t bother with it. Although being an unfriendly fellow doesn’t mean you don’t have any feelings or desires.

Traits: Childish, Evil, Foodie

Aspiration: Chief of Mischief

Career: Astronaut Career

Rules:

master Astronaut Career

complete Chief of Mischief Aspiration

have at least two (2) enemies with benefits

have at least two (2) enemies (different ones to the enemies with benefits!)

complete Space Prints Collection

Baha Men - Who Let the Dogs Out (Generation 10)

“Who let the dogs out?”

Dogs! You always liked them. They’re so loyal, and cute, and precious. There’s a reason they’re called the sim’s bestfriend. They’ll always stick to you and light your day up. You realized that when you were young, and you still don’t grow tired of the fascination they exert on you. One thing has always been clear: You will spend your life with a family of dogs!

Traits: Dog Lover, Loves Outdoors, Vegetarian

Aspiration: Friend of the Animals

Career: Vet

Rules:

master Vet Skill

master Training Skill

complete Friend of the Animals career

have the following lot traits: Training Spot, Dog Friendly, Dog Spot

try for baby (successfully) in the Lighthouse

adopt as many dogs as possible (only adopting, not creating and adding them to the family)

*Alternative: Generation 4

Traits: Genius, Good, Self-Assured

Aspiration: Friend of the World

Career: Secret Agent Career

Rules:

live in a basement

complete Friend of the World Aspiration

have a romantic relationship (and family) with a ghost

make said ghost alive again

die

become alive again

#lyricschallenge #ts4 #the sims 4 #the sims #ts4legacy #legacy #legacy challenge #the sims 4 challenge #sims #sims challenge #ts4 challenge #the sims challenge #challenge #thatrayleen #the-queens-content #rayleen

[ladyfenring]

sometimes a family is pt.4

Will and El were painting each other’s toenails and watching Mork and Mindy while Hopper and Joyce chatted in the next room. It had been happening more and more frequently these days, and everyone was fine with the arrangement.

“Did you ever know your parents?” Will asked suddenly.

El glanced up at him. “Sort of.” She was quiet for a minute. “I didn’t know I had a mama until. Until the Mind Flayer came. They took her mind. I met her once.” She was quiet for another minute. “I don’t know if I have a father. I had...a papa. He was one of the bad men.”

“My dad isn’t very nice either,” Will said kindly. “He’s always been mean to me and Jonathan.”

“Mouthbreather,” El said, and Will smiled.

“Yeah. A mouthbreather.”

They were quiet for a long moment, absorbed in the nail polish.

“I wish the chief was my dad,” burst out Will. “He’s so much nicer than my dad, and he’s fun, and he cares about me. And he makes my mom happy.”

“I wish Joyce was my mom,” Eleven agreed.

They looked at each other. Something clicked.

“If your dad married my mom,” Will said slowly. “Then we’d be brother and sister.”

“We’d live in the same house,” she said.

“We’d see each other all the time!”

“Your mom would make my dad happy, and he would make her happy.”

They grinned at each other.

“We have to get our parents together,” Will said decisively.

“But how do we do that?”

Will tapped his fingers against his chin. “In The Parent Trap, they switch places, but I don’t think that would work with us.”

El frowned. “The Parent Trap?”

“It’s a movie,” he explained. “Where these two girls are identical twin sisters, but when they were babies their parents divorced and each parent took a twin and never told them. But then one summer they meet at camp and put it together, and they switch places so that their parents will have to unswitch them and fall back in love. Of course, they were identical twin girls, and the dad was gonna get married to a horrible woman, and they had to break up the engagement on a camping trip, but it all worked out in the end.”

El absorbed this. “Where would we find a horrible woman?”

“I don’t know,” Will admitted. “But...maybe we don’t need to find a real woman.”

El furrowed her brow.

“I have an idea.”

.

Joyce was smiling on the car ride home. “Did you have a good time today, sweetie?”

“Yeah, I had a really good time.” Will stared down at his lap. “Will we keep visiting when Hopper marries his girlfriend?”

“His what?” Joyce exclaimed. “Did you say his girlfriend?”

“El said Hopper has a girlfriend,” Will explained. “I guess it’s kind of serious.” He stole a glance at his mother. Her knuckles were gripping the steering wheel so hard that they were white, and her lips were a small, thin line on her face.

Will turned to look out the window and grinned.

.

“Who is this girlfriend?” Joyce asked Will in the middle of dinner.

“You have a girlfriend?” Jonathan gaped.

“Hopper does,” Will said, giving his brother a Look.

Jonathan chewed his food. “Okay.”

“Who is she?” Joyce wanted to know. “Who in this town would date Hopper?”

“I heard he used to go out with the librarian at the Hawkins Public Library,” Jonathan said.

“Everyone knows that,” Joyce snapped. “But they’re not still dating.” She paused. “Are they?”

Will shrugged. “I don’t know.”

Joyce spent the rest of the evening fuming. Will chalked it up as a success.

.

While Joyce was fuming about Hopper’s nonexistent girlfriend, Will and El were trying to convince Hopper to take them camping. He was very opposed to the idea at first, for obvious reasons, but with time, patience, and shameless pity-ploys (“I just want to feel normal,” El had said. “My dad always said he would take me camping...but he never did,” Will had sighed.), they were able to wear him down.

“Fine,” he said at last. “But it has to be incredibly quiet, you hear me? El is still supposed to be in hiding.”

So, they had Hopper’s permission--now they just needed Joyce’s.

“Absolutely not,” Joyce said when Will asked her. “After everything that’s happened?”

“Mom, the Demogorgon and the Mind Flayer are gone!” he protested.

“I don’t care, I’m not risking you going out there with just Hopper and El.”

“Hopper wouldn’t let anything bad happen to me.”

“I just wouldn’t feel comfortable,” Joyce said.

Will pretended to think about it. “What if you came with us?” When he saw Joyce’s thoughtful pause, he hurried on, “That way you can keep an eye on me.”

“I don’t know,” she said slowly. “I’m not...I haven’t gone on many camping trips.”

“Neither have I,” he pointed out.

She chewed her lip. “Well...Hopper hasn’t even invited me.”

“So? You’re my mom.”

She kept chewing her lip. “What about...his girlfriend…?”

Will shrugged. “He never said anything about his girlfriend. He made it sound like it’d just be the three of us.”

Joyce’s face cleared. “Oh. Well...sure. Yeah. I’ll talk to Hopper.”

So, Hopper, Joyce, Will, and El went on a camping trip. Jonathan had offered to come, but Will had begged him not to.

“El and I are working on something,” he’d said. “Just...trust me. It has to be the four of us.”

Bemused, Jonathan had only shrugged and given Will his blessing.

Joyce and Will drove to Hopper’s cabin on Saturday morning; the four of them hiked deeper into the woods until they reached the place Hopper’s grandfather used to take him camping. Joyce was guarded at first, but as the day wore on she gave up and started having a good time. Hopper kept holding out a hand to help her over fallen branches and small streams while the kids purposefully hopped on ahead; whenever Will looked back, it was to see his mom and Hopper smiling at each other.

Hopper showed the kids how to pitch the tents, and after they all dug into the sandwiches Joyce had made, they took off their boots and socks, rolled up their jeans, and waded into the water. El was afraid to go, considering all of her previous experiences with large bodies of water, so Joyce and Hopper held her hands and waded into the water with her. They only went knee-deep, and after a few minutes El was able to let go of their hands and slosh happily through the water with Will. Joyce and Hopper sat on the bank, their feet in the water while they watched the kids and chatted.

“Hey Mom!” Will called out. “Why don’t you come in?”

“Oh, that’s okay,” Joyce said. “I’m fine over here.”

“Aww, Mom, come on!”

“Oh, you want your mom to come in the water?” Hopper suddenly grabbed Joyce and swung her up in the air, bridal style.

“Hop!” she screamed, kicking her legs. Still, Will couldn’t help noticing that she was laughing. “What are you doing?!”

“Putting you in the water.”

“Don’t you dare--”

But Hopper was already carrying her out to the deeper part of the creek, so deep it was up to his waist, and he lightly dropped Joyce into the water. She emerged, spluttering. “You asshole!”

“Hey, language,” he said, but he was grinning.

“A little help here!”

Hopper helped her to her feet, but El had a different idea of help. She waited until Joyce was steady on her feet before she wiggled her fingers, and Hopper’s feet fell out from under him. He fell with a crash, shouting and cursing as he landed in the water. All three of them were laughing at him, and in retaliation, Hopper grabbed Joyce and tugged her into the water with him. Will splashed forward, plopping down beside his mother. El, in a fit of bravado, splashed forward as well. She threw her arms around Hopper’s shoulders, hanging on to his sturdy form so that she did not have to float in the water. They were all laughing and splashing each other, and El was so happy that her heart ached. She really, really hoped Will’s plan would work.

They spent most of the afternoon playing in the creek, and when the sun began to descend and the water grew a little cooler, they trudged back to the campsite. They changed into dry clothes in their respective tents, and then Hopper and El built a campfire. By the time the sun had started to set, Hopper was roasting the hotdogs he’d packed on a spit, and Joyce was putting them in buns and handing them to the kids on paper plates. They were like a team, El thought, and again hoped that Will’s plan would work.

After hotdogs came s’mores, which El had never eaten before, but she soon found that she loved the sticky, sweet mess. Her face and hands were covered in melted marshmallow by the end, and Joyce, laughing, wiped her clean with some wet wipes she had thoughtfully packed.

Somehow Hopper and Joyce started talking about when they were in high school. Will was delighted to find out what a troublemaker his mom had been.

“But, listen, don’t...don’t follow my example,” Joyce said quickly, as if just now remembering that two impressionable children were listening to her. “I was dumb. We were dumb kids.”

“We’re not stupid,” El volunteered. Hopper ruffled her hair.

“I didn’t know you two were so close in high school,” Will said. He really didn’t--he’d known they were friends, but not that they’d been joined at the hip.

“She was my best friend,” Hopper said bluntly.

“That’s ‘cause you didn’t have any other friends,” Joyce said--and maybe it was just the fire, but Will could’ve sworn there was a flush on her cheeks.

“Sorry, Jupiter Joyce, did you say something?”

“Jupiter Joyce?” El echoed.

“God, it was this stupid nickname,” Joyce groaned. “‘Cause I have...big eyes, I guess, and I was always spacing out, and people spread rumors I was a space alien, so they called me Jupiter Joyce. Obviously, I didn’t have a lot of friends either.”

“It was just the two of us,” Hopper said, looking at her with fondness.

“Yeah,” she said with a smile. “The two weirdos.”

“So...what happened?” Will prodded. “How did you go from best friends to...whatever you were when you moved back to Hawkins?”

The adults glanced at each other.

“Lonnie Byers is what happened,” Hopper said gruffly.

Joyce’s cheeks really were flushed now.

“I don’t understand,” Will said.

“Your dad stole your mom from me,” Hopper said.

Will and El’s mouths fell open.

“You were...together?!”

“Yes,” Joyce said, blushing furiously by now.

“You left Hopper for Dad?!”

“I told you, I was a dumb kid.” Joyce was intentionally not looking at Hopper. “It is what it is.”

“We had a fight,” Hopper said suddenly. “You were trying to make me jealous.”

“It didn’t work.”

“It did,” he said. “I was...also a dumb kid.”

Will and El could hardly believe what they were hearing. It was almost like they were intruding on a private moment, eavesdropping on something that wasn’t meant to be heard--except they were sitting out in the open.

“How the fuck did we get started on this?” Joyce asked, breaking the spell. “Who wants some wine?”

She had, unbeknownst to Will, packed a bottle of red wine, which she poured in Solo cups for her and the kids--just a little bit, of course, since they were only fourteen and had never had alcohol before. Hopper pulled one of the cans of Schlitz from the six-pack he’d put in the cooler and drank that. He let El have a taste, but she spit it out almost as soon as she tried it.

The kids were tipsy before long, giggling and generally feeling rather silly. It took little urging to get them to lie down in one of the tents; Joyce packed them in sleeping bags and kissed their heads before crawling back out of the tent and zipping it up. Will and El were still awake, though, and they heard Hopper say, “I can’t believe you got the kids drunk.”

“They’re not drunk, just...a little woozy.”

“Uh-huh.”

“Shut up.”

“Well, what do you say we get a little woozy and go skinny-dipping?”

“Hop, the kids--”

“Are in a drunk coma, thanks to you.”

“For fuck’s sake.”

It was silent for a long moment, and Will and El rolled over in their sleeping bags to peer out the screen of the tent. Joyce and Hopper were sitting on the same log, their backs to the tent. Joyce’s head was on Hopper’s shoulder and his cheek was resting on her head, his arm around her shoulders. They looked...cozy.

Will and El grinned at each other.

#jopper #joyce x hopper #stranger things #sometimes a family is #fic by me

[robininthelabyrinth]

Fic: We’ll All Go Together When We Go (ao3) - chapter 4 Fandom: Flash, Legends Pairing: Barry Allen/Mick Rory, Leonard Snart & Mick Rory

Summary: Doomworld takes some time to fix. Barry and Mick use that time to find each other.

(written for @flashwaveweek 2017 for Day 6: Domestic)

——————————————————————————

"Beep! It's six forty five! Time to wake up!"

"Noooooo," Barry moans.

"Beep! Six forty six! Time to wake up!"

"Miiiiick," Barry says, burying his face in his boyfriend's arm. "Make him stop."

Mick huffs into semi-awareness. "Lenny," he says groggily. "Stop harassing my boyfriend."

That gives Barry a happy feeling in his stomach. Mick isn't always one to give a name to what they have, much less one as undignified as boyfriend.

That happy feeling makes him crack his eyes open, hoping maybe to see his boyfriend (now official!) and possibly reward his heroic gesture with a kiss.

This is a tactical error.

A fully dressed Snart stands by the bed, grinning a positively wicked smile.

They're not even in Mick's apartment, where Snart at least lives right upstairs and had a spare key. They're in Barry's apartment, which is in a totally different neighborhood, in a walk-up, and had been locked up for the night.

Not that little things like locked doors ever stopped Leonard goddamn Snart.

"Scarlet, you told me to make sure you were late," he says, grin getting even wider. "The words 'whatever it takes' were used."

"I take it back," Barry says, even though he vaguely recalls some reason he needed to be at work early this week. He does not trust that expression on the face of Leonard Snart, former world-controlling dictator, current supervillain, thief and all-around havoc on everybody's nerves. "I retract."

"Too late," Snart says, and pulls out the cold gun.

"I hate yooooooooou!"

But Barry's up and at 'em soon enough, and Snart is nice enough to give him a ride into work while Barry chomps on his breakfast (leftovers from breakfast-for-dinner they had last night - god, Mick's such a good cook), which Barry only realizes is weird when they walk into the CCPD still side-by-side.

"Bear," Joe says. "What is he doing here?"

Barry blinks, then turns to squint at Snart, whose smirk is positively cheery. "I'm not actually sure," he admits. "I think he followed me here. I'm not sure why."

"I thought you were dating the other one," Joe grumbles.

"I am," Barry says. "They're just, y'know, kind of a package deal. Hey, Snart? What're you doing here?"

"I'm taking Iris out for breakfast," Snart responds with a beaming smile. "She's meeting me here - ah, there she is!"

He sweeps away.

Joe's expression looks like a cat being strangled.

Barry munches on his last piece of French toast.

"Bear," Joe says.

"She's married to Eddie," Barry reminds him.

"Barry."

"She wouldn't cheat on him at all, and even if she did, she wouldn't be so obvious about it."

"Barry!"

"Besides, Snart doesn't do romantic relationships," Barry says. Or sex, which is what Joe really cares about, but Barry's not going to malign Snart's scary reputation by pointing it out. People are weird.

He goes to work, wondering what it is he's forgetting.

Mick comes around noon with a box of lunch that smells so good it has half the precinct eyeing them like hungry hawks, as opposed to how they usually look when Mick or Snart's around - angry, bitter, cheated.

Not that they can do anything - with their state records wiped and a federal pardon in hand for helping fight the aliens, even with their occasional acts of supervillainy, both of them are clean enough to run for mayor.

Not that that says much, in Central.

"How's your day going?" Mick asks, pulling out lunch.

"Busy," Barry admits. Ever since he's been making an effort not to super-speed through his work - one terrible evening feverishly trying to re-learn all the work he did in preparation for a trial is more than enough for him - his days have gone back to being pleasantly full.

And, hey, if he sometimes speeds through the boring stuff, no one can blame him.

"Do you remember why I asked Snart to wake me up this morning?" Barry asks, remembering. "I've totally forgotten."

"No clue," Mick says.

"Do you know why he's meeting with Iris?"

"Something about her newspaper," Mick says. "And, uh, y'know."

That 'y'know' meant Doomworld.

"I don't want to know," Barry decides.

"We still on for movies this afternoon?" Mick asks. "Cisco said he was covering for your, uh, run."

"Oh, yeah!" Barry says, brightening. "Definitely. I've been wanting to see this one for a while."

"Good," Mick says, and then he lapses quiet while Barry talks about his day so far. Mick prefers listening, generally, to talking; his words don't always come easy, as he puts it, and he's learned to pick them carefully as a result.

It's a very nice lunch. Afterwards, Barry auctions off the rest of the cupcakes Mick brought to the department - highest bidder among the science department takes a boring assignment off Barry's plate, highest among the detectives promises to pick Barry for the next interesting crime scene, and two cupcakes reserved special for Captain Singh for looking the other way, because, well, this is Central ("Triple chocolate caramel?" Singh groans. "Is he trying to make us all fat? Is that the latest supervillain scheme? You’d tell me if it was, right, Allen?") - and goes back to work.

"Planning on making out with your arsonist in public this afternoon?" Julian snipes.

Barry rolls his eyes at him.

He's just jealous that Barry's love life is infinitely more interesting that his own.

It's a good day, and Barry even manages to finish up all his open projects before heading out to meet Mick at the movies. He's only a little late, like twenty minutes, but they're still doing previews, so it's practically like he wasn't late at all.

Also, Mick got him three extra-large buckets of popcorn.

Best boyfriend ever.

They do end up making out in the back row, but only through the boring bits. Barry feels qualified to discuss it tomorrow. Loudly, and with specific references to scenes. Take that, Julian.

And then he gets home and his apartment's empty.

"What," Barry says.

"Who took all your stuff?" Mick asks, alarmed. "Should I -"

"Wait," Barry says.

"Wait?"

"I asked Snart to wake me up early so that I wouldn't be here when the movers arrived," Barry says. He stares at the empty apartment. "I didn't realize they'd be so - thorough."

Though, really, he should've. Snart had said something about supervising personally.

"Movers?" Mick asks.

"Yeah," Barry says. "We're moving in together."

"We are?"

"...Snart said it was your idea?" Barry suggests, throwing Snart under the bus right off the bat.

Mick considers it for a moment, then shrugs. "Good."

Barry can't help but hide a smile. Mick had been not-so-subtly stressing about asking Barry to move in for weeks, now, to the point where he was starting noticeably more fires than normal, so Barry had taken matters into his own hands, including maligning a (entirely willing) Snart for suggesting it.

Mick really did prefer major life events to have already happened, rather than looking forward to them.

Barry fully expects to be informed of his own wedding when he gets the first RSVP card back, honestly.

Barry rather likes it. Speedsters love surprises.

Joe had expressed some concern about it - he'd never quite approved of Mick or let go of his hopes that Barry and Iris would marry to live in platonic bliss like they'd planned when they were five, but he'd mostly let it go. He had, however, commented that it was 'weird' that they were planning on letting Snart room with them.

Barry pointed out that it was a common living arrangement in most of the globe, albeit usually with unattached family, and God knows that Snart is Mick's family as much as anyone still living.

Joe had asked if he was worried that any kids they adopted would get teased about it.

Barry told Joe he was way overthinking things, given that they were nowhere near the kids discussion, much less the practical issues involved with having a kid who would have a supervillain dad and a superhero dad - honestly, having a supervillain (anti-hero?) uncle living upstairs would hardly register on the kid's weird spectrum. Besides, having Snart around meant Mick still had his support system and someone to discuss his villainous outings with. And Barry likes Snart. He's funny and hilariously sneaky.

Though speaking of which -

"What was Snart doing with Iris earlier?" he asks, trailing Mick back to the car to head over to Mick's place (also Snart's, now also Barry's). "Now that we're not surrounded by cops."

"They're thinking of opening a PR firm."

"What?"

"Hero and villain image management."

"You're joking."

"Just as a part time thing. You know Snart's still got those spymaster itches from Doomworld."

"You give a man a worldwide network of informers, he doesn't give it up easy," Barry agrees, bemused. "Really? Is there enough of a market for that?"

"They're branching out. Kara and her cousin have expressed some interest in figuring out how to separate their brands some."

"Their first clients are in another universe?"

Mick shrugs.

"Well, if it makes them happy," Barry says after a moment. "Are they coming for dinner?"

Iris has been by practically every day, often along with Eddie, often not when he's working late. They live just down the street in a building Snart may or may not own through a number of shell companies.

Barry's trying to figure out when exactly to tell Iris that the 'once in a lifetime scoop' apartment was priced that way for a reason, and that reason being Snart's inability to let go of anyone he liked, ever.

Eventually.

He’ll tell them eventually.

(He’s pretty sure Eddie already suspects.)

Man, if Snart goes evil again next Doomworld, Barry's expecting to be collared and leashed to Mick with Iris and Eddie in the next opulent luxurious room next door. Possibly locked into a Jacuzzi and not allowed to come out for hours and hours.

...that doesn't sound so bad, actually. Barry will have to suggest it.

"Yeah," Mick says. "I was thinking of making chicken."

"Which chicken, the breaded-with-aromatics or the divine-sauce-from-heaven?"

"...sauced."

"Lemon, tomato, or other?"

"Lemon," Mick says, starting to sound suspicious. "You getting bored, Red?"

"No, just making menu plans for your eventual restaurant."

"I'm not gonna own a restaurant. No matter what you and Snart say."

Barry grins and heads inside to drop off his stuff. Everything he owns fits in just right alongside Mick's, it's like he was always there.

Just right.

#flashwave #flashwaveweek2017 #mick rory #barry allen #the flash #heatwave #leonard snart #joe west #iris west #eddie thawne #my fic

[tobiologist]

sacrifice

another quick entry! this time for klanceweek prompt #2: sacrifice

still debating whether or not to cross-post these entries on ao3 so let me know what you think. again, you can also find these short ficlets on twitter!

day 1

This is the last thing Keith expected to happen when they landed on Gordania.

When they respond to a distress beacon, it’s usually to free people from Galran control. Occasionally, the aliens invite the team for a party or celebration, seizing any opportunity they can to boast their connections with the legendary Voltron. There have been, of course, times when the aliens try to deceive them.

But this is a whole new level of deceit.

Keith sighs and glances down at the thick coils of rope wrapped around his torso. His eyes flick up to the circle of aliens surrounding him, a race of towering people with beady black eyes and physical features similar to that of a frog. They smile at Keith, bearing rows of glimmering fangs. Currently, Keith is tied to the trunk of a tree. A tree, which is soon to be set on fire.

That’s right— Keith Kogane is about to become a human sacrifice.

“Your death will not be in vain,” the nearest alien urges. Gordanorns, that’s what they’re called. “The gods are pleased that we have chosen you.”

What does he even say to that? Keith tries to wriggle his wrists free of their restraints and winces at the pinching pain. “Are you sure the, uh, gods want someone like me?”

“Of course.” The Gordanorn holds a long stick. A tiny flame flickers at the end. “You should be honored.”

“Right, right,” Keith mutters. Another experimental tug and, nope, there’s no way he’s getting out of this. Keith is well and truly fucked.

Just as the Gordanorn lifts the “ritualistic flame,” a shout rings out over the murmurs of the crowd. “Stop!”

Surprisingly enough, the Gordanorn does as it’s told. It halts and adjusts its hold, brandishing the stick like a weapon. Inky black eyes scan the area in search of the speaker. “Who dares to interrupt this ritual? Show yourself!”

From his place on the platform, Keith can’t quite make out the identity of his rescuer. They gradually push their way to the front of the group and— seriously? There’s no mistaking the familiar suit, accented with blue plates. Even Lance’s gait is distinct enough to recognize.

“I refuse to let you sacrifice my—” Indecision flickers across Lance’s features. Keith can decipher it even from this distance. Lance sets his hands on his hips, lifting his chin. “My husband!”

Keith wonders, for a second, if the Gordanorn already lit the fire and he’s dead.

“This man is simply a fellow paladin.” The alien assumes its full height, leering down at Lance. “I will not be tricked.”

Keith tenses, unintentionally straining against the ropes. He won’t make it out of this alive. But Lance isn’t panicking and carries on as if he hasn’t just been called out.

“Oh no, we’re married alright.” Lance cups his hands around his mouth like a megaphone. “Isn’t that right, babe?”

Warmth floods Keith’s face. When he escapes from here, he’s totally kicking Lance’s ass. Regardless of whether he saved him.

“Uh, yeah,” Keith answers awkwardly. “I knew my… husband would come for me.”

“Oh, I’ll come for y—”

“Why don’t you tell these nice Gordanorns why they can’t burn me at the stake,” Keith interjects through gritted teeth. “Babe.”

“I was getting to that.” Lance walks over to the platform Keith is on and hoists himself up. His long legs and arms make the task look effortless. He sidles up next to the alien holding Keith’s life in its webbed hands. “You see… if you kill him, we won’t be able to form Voltron anymore.”

The Gordanorn blinks. “And?”

Dammit, Lance.

“Oh. Well, alright. That’s not the only reason,” Lance continues, undeterred. “He’s also part-Galran.”

Gasps and outraged mutterings fill the air. The Gordanorn on the platform snarls at Keith like a rabid dog. They lift the stick, flame inches away from Keith’s face, and he squeezes his eyes shut. This isn’t exactly how he planned to die, but oh well.

Keith waits for the crippling pain of being stabbed but— it never comes.

Cautiously, Keith opens his eyes. He’s met with a tousled head of chocolate brown hair. Lance is furiously slicing through the rope with what appears to be a rock, sharpened to a dangerous point. A few seconds of frantic cutting and the rope falls. Keith immediately works his way free and allows Lance to tug him off the stage.

As Keith scans the crowd, he notes the unconscious Gordanorn on the ground in front of the platform. The others stand around their fallen warrior, flailing and panicking amongst themselves. Meanwhile, Keith and Lance dive into the cover of the forest. They jump over roots and silently navigate through the trees. Lance takes the time to say, “I know, I know, we’ll talk about it when we get to Blue,” and leaves it at that.

Thankfully, the blue lion isn’t far from the village. The moment they step into the clearing, Blue crouches down, lowering their jaw to let the two crawl inside. Lance, for some reason, has yet to let go of Keith’s hand. He doesn’t until he climbs into the pilot’s seat.

Lance quickly takes control and helps Blue swerve through the branches overhead. Once they reach the treetops and effectively put enough space between themselves and the Gordanorns, Lance heaves a loud sigh of relief.

“Good riddance,” he mumbles and glances over his shoulder, shooting Keith a wobbly grin. “Sorry about the husband thing.”

“It’s alright.” Then, realization strikes Keith. “Wait, what did forming Voltron or being half-Galran have to do with us being married?”

“Well, you know, I was hoping they had at least some semblance of a heart. But that didn’t work so I had to go with the other excuses. The marriage was a failsafe, you know?”

Lance rambles away, and Keith edges closer, shaking his head. “Still not seeing a connection.”

“Just... ugh! I reacted, okay, I have no other— oh.” Lance freezes. He lifts a shaky hand to his cheek. The place Keith had just gently pressed a kiss to. “Keith…?”

“Thanks for saving me, husband.” Keith pats him on the shoulder, laughing at the way Lance startles at the touch. “I guess I can forgive you this one time.”

Never one to be outdone, Lance snorts and turns to Keith. “Whatever you say,” he answers cheekily, punctuating the sentence with an exaggerated wink, “babe.”

Oh, I’m definitely kicking his ass once we get back to the ship.

#klanceweek2017 #klance #vld #voltron #keith #lance #otp: we had a bonding moment! #i cradled you in my arms! #my fic #mine #my fic: klance #my fic: voltron #i was going to make this really angsty but #this funny idea popped into my head first #oops??? #hope you enjoy and thanks for all the positive feedback on the first prompt

[gamingtipsandtrickshacks]

Masters of Anima Review -- Pikmin Plus Fantasy (PS4)

While I am not typically the biggest fan of the RTS genre, Nintendo’s more puzzle-focused take on the strategy — Pikmin — has always stuck with me. Micromanaging cute little alien creatures, each with unique abilities, clicked with me more than “pure” RTS games, and I still consider it one of Nintendo’s most underrated series. Unfortunately, we have not seen a new game in the series’ traditional style since Pikmin 3 in 2013 (obviously barring platformer Hey! Pikmin). That said, Passtech Games and Focus Home Interactive are hoping to scratch this niche RTS itch with Masters of Anima. 

Fortunately, Masters of Anima is successful in doing so. While the game would have benefitted from the addition of a map and a greater number of puzzles in relation to combat, Passtech Games was able to capture the fun of the Pikmin series in Masters of Anima and incorporate it into an interesting fantasy combat-focused game and world.

“Passtech Games was able to capture the fun of the Pikmin series and incorporate it into an interesting fantasy combat-focused game and world.”

The world of Masters of Anima is filled with the powerful titular Anima energy, which finds its source in Mount Spark. Hundreds of years before the start of this game, the mountain had become unwieldy with its power, crafting an army of evil Anima beings called golems. A group of warriors called Shapers then used Anima to create the more benevolent guardians to fight off the golems and seal Mount Spark’s core with the Heart shield

At the start of the game, protagonist Otto is poised to marry Ana, the most powerful Supreme Shaper in a couple days. Unfortunately, after he passes his trial to become a Shaper, the evil Zahr breaks the Heartshield and kidnaps Ana, sundering her into her heart, mind, and body. This kicks off his journey to fight the reemerging golems, stop Zahr, and recover the split apart Ana. While the premise and story a pretty simple, they do craft an intriguing world and lore.

Otto’s journey is pretty personal, with the protagonist even shrugging off the fact early on that what he is doing will also save the world. The voice acting and writing do a good job at setting the tone and help make the world feel lived in. While gameplay is clearly the primary focus in Masters of Anima, I came away surprisingly satisfied with the story it told.

Along his journey, Otto comes across five different kinds of guardians, which he can summon until his Anima runs dry. The first one players gain access too are the Protectors. These are small warriors who wield shields and are meant to be on the front lines directly attacking the enemy, and can also push blocks for light puzzle solving. These are the most common ones to use, and while they were a bit weaker attacking-wise than I liked, they like Otto and the other guardians can be upgraded with special abilities after the next chapter.

The next most common type of guardian is the Sentinels, which are the glass cannon archers of the group and can also shoot elevated targets. At first I didn’t take advantage of their power, but later on I found that they were the most effective at taking out enemies quickly with their powerful attacks. That being said, not the other three kinds of guardians aren’t necessarily combat focused.

“All of the guardians are very different from each other, and all have their own unique uses in battle.”

The Keepers drain Anima energy from enemies and can cure “corruption” in the world at certain points. Meanwhile, the Summoners summon tiny moppets to fight for them, and can transform their energy into giant titans at some points. Finally, the slow and defensive but useful Commanders can left heavy objects and relay Otto’s Battlecry, which powers up each kind of guardians with a special ability, to other guardians depending on where you place them on the field.

All of the guardians are very different from each other, and all have their own unique uses in battle. Placement is critical too; while protectors and Commanders, and moppets can do decent upfront, it is better for the Keepers, Sentinels, and Summoners to stay back, so you definitely need to keep alert when fighting multiple enemies to make sure your guardians aren’t quickly decimated.

Overall, I would say combat is the most significant focus of Masters of Anima, which does set it apart from its clear inspiration Pikmin — a game that is more focused on puzzle solving. That being said, Masters of Anima isn’t wholly devoid of puzzles. Each guardian has a definite use outside of battle, albeit simple ones. Puzzles were pretty straightforward and never too tricky, and I think the game could have benefitted from more unique and complex ones.

Outside of that, players can explore each of the levels in Masters of Anima for hidden secrets. Finding some of these can increase Otto’s Anima capacity and health, while other fill out poems on an ancient tablet. While the levels and these secrets are usually straightforward, some of the levels are a bit open-ended, which made me wish for an intuitive map. Without a map, I could sometimes accidentally backtrack, or not know I was progressing the right way until I hit a combat encounter.

While micromanaging in combat can be fun and requires constant engagement, the later part of fights with defensive enemies with a ton of health can be a little boring, and even somewhat repetitive after you find a strategy that works. While I would say fighting enemies in Masters of Anima is a step above what is presented in the Pikmin series, Nintendo found a better balance with puzzles, which afford themselves to some very creative in this style of game.

“This niche of the RTS genre isn’t often catered-to outside of the Pikmin series, so it’s nice to see these developers branch out and be successful”

Fortunately, controls are pretty intuitive and straightforward. The developers take full advantage of the controller, making it easy to summon, order, and destroy guardians. Smooth control is pivotal to any game like Masters of Anima that features prominent micromanagement, especially on console, and the game, fortunately, doesn’t disappoint. There is also a compendium that can be accessed at all times with all the controls listed and clearly explained, so newcomers shouldn’t get lost.

This niche of the RTS genre isn’t often catered-to outside of the Pikmin series, so it’s nice to see these developers branch out and be successful. While the game may have benefitted from more puzzles, the combat focus of Masters of Anima shows that there is still room to expand and be unique in this segment of the genre. If you are looking for a new strategy game to tide you over until a genuine Pikmin 4 comes out, I definitely recommend Masters of Anima.