#kitty should have been marked for death!

[bethanydelleman]

Helen Burns, Jane Eyre, Fantine, Les Miserables, Satine, Moulin Rouge, Sylvia Llewelyn Davies, Finding Neverland, Isabel Neville, The White Queen, Mrs. Hale and Bessy Higgins, North and South, Frances Hindley, Wuthering Heights, Mrs. Alma Wheatley, The Queen's Gambit, Queen Anne, The White Queen

#I know some of these women have well-documented illnesses #but it still makes me laugh #because a cough is totally shorthand for a character dying soon in a period piece #and they rarely tell you what is wrong #kitty should have been marked for death! #but she lived! #kitty bennet #jane austen memes #stupidity #jane austen #pride and prejudice #tv tropes #period dramas #edit for a mix up

[honey-minded-hivemind]

❄Fallen Snow🩸 AU... From the Platonic Yanderes' Persepective:

(Warnings: Its the ❄Fallen Snow🩸 AU, so expect abuse, neglect, blood, and a whole lot of guilt. The platonic yans who knew Reader in the past weren't nice to them, and while they do get better, they didn't get better until AFTER they thought Reader had died... Viewer discretion is advised... Kurt, Kitty, Fred, Todd/Toad, and Lance joined AFTER Reader's "death"...)

• They don't think they'd always been that bad. That hateful. Awful. Horrible. Terrifying. Cruel. But whether they were or not... they'd turned into something they didn't even recognize, something that was a shameful, guilt-ridden part of their past.

• For the adults (The Professor, Storm, Mystique, Wolverine, Sabretooth, Magento, and Beast), Reader was... someone they acquired through odd means. They weren't the only one they had brought with them, as there were two others, similar to them, and all three were feral mutants. Yet somehow... compared to how the other children were, their "siblings" and the other kids, they didn't quite click. The kids (Scott, Jean, Evan, Rogue, Pietro, and Wanda) didn't like them much, either.. For both groups, perhaps it was how they talked about odd subjects, or was off in their own little world half the time. Maybe it was their forgiving nature, always smiling and trying to be nice no matter what they all said or did. Maybe it was because Reader was everything they had wanted for themselves, but had never been able to have, had never been able to be... Either way, it led to an annoyance. A dislike for them and their cheery voice and soft eyes.

• With the adults, they found Reader odd from the start. A child no older than five who, despite being an experiment, was not like their "siblings", nor like the other children they had on hand. They were... sweet. Cuddly. Someone who just kept trying and trying to get along and be friends with everyone. They didn't seem to have a mean bone in their body. It made them feel... weird. That they didn't seem to understand they were odd, that they weren't cared about all that much. How could they begin to? They were loud, they were persistent, they never seemed to want to be alone and didn't get what was wrong with the world. Not to mention all of the questions! They were irritated most of the time with them, tired of dealing with the steady stream of constant love and inquiries and attempts to hug them.

• Over the years, it was easier and easier to wear then down, to get them to shut up and stay out of the way. Reader didn't seem all that bright when it came to social cues or sarcasm or jokes or how the world really was, and the kids took every opportunity to poke at those. A few jokes here and there, whispers between each other when they were alone, practical jokes at Reader's expense. It was almost funny, watching them try so hard to understand what they were doing and getting all upset over it. Yet Reader never got angry. Hardly acted like a feral, hardly used any of their mutations to win, to protect themself. They made it so easy to mess with them. It was second nature for all of them to do so. To keep prodding and jabbing at their insecurities and lack of knowledge, earning snickers whenever there was more than one witnessing it. In the present, they all can't stop hating themselves over how they acted. How they were the reason they were gone. And how they weren't coming back. And it was all. Their. FAULT. And they couldn't change it, no matter what they did.

• Being the pseudo "siblings" to Reader made them targets, an easy mark (Laura Kinney/X-23 and Kyle Gibney/Wild Child). So they made it so they were the ones over Reader, the ones who were in control. The ones at the top of the heap. They didn't stick up for their "sibling", and they didn't intervene when the other kids messed with them. Why should they? They did it, too. Reader was at the bottom of the pecking order, be it with the kids or with the feral mutants in general. Just because they were a part of them didn't mean they'd stop. Didn't mean they'd coddle them or let their weakness rub off on them. Shoving them aside and staying away from them was natural for them. It wasn't their problem, and they weren't about to lose their own place just to help the most useless mutant they'd met. In the future, they'd wonder why they weren't more attached. Why couldn't they have stuck by their side, protecting them rather than shoving them into the deep end? Without Reader... where did that leave them? They were the only other one like them, someone who had tried to comfort them and befriend them, never caring if they got hurt in the process. Never holding their own shortcomings against them. And now they were gone, and it was awful, and they had one less pack member to run with.

• For the two older feral adults (Wolverine and Sabretooth) to teach Reader had been a task. They were someone who would rather hug someone than try to fight them, a kid who had to be told multiple times what to do, had to be walked through everything, and who seemed to fail almost every time when it came to being aggressive. Their annoyance ran deep, which turned to resentment, which turned to anger every time they saw them. How was THIS creature anywhere near related to them?! How was this thing even worthy of their powers? They were useless, pathetic, weak. They had some points when it came to strength and bite force, but that was a drop compared to the ocean of mistakes they'd made. The river of problems they were. Hating them didn't take much more. And how they'd hate this, looking back on it. They were monsters. There was no other way of saying it. It was their own fault, for pushing and forcing them and always yelling at them. Always letting their cub know what they thought of them, compared to the others. And they were left with a rotting, agonizing self-hatred for themselves. If they hadn't been so hard... If they hadn't been so cruel... Maybe their kid wouldn't have been dead, with no body to bury or mourn...

• No one was quite sure what led to the wounding of Reader. Perhaps it was a scalding lie, or pointing their fingers at each other until it eventually fell on them. Or maybe it was because they could blame it all on Reader, someone who couldn't defend themself and who no one cared if was punished. But when Reader had been dealt with... They were a different person. Someone who shook whenever the adults came by. Who kept away from the other kids with no prompting, walking the other way when they came by. They didn't speak unless they were asked a question, and they didn't look directly at anyone anymore. And their face... Where the skin was once smooth and unbroken, there were deep, rouge-stained gouges, a mark of their new change. It was welcome at first. Finally, they shut up and learned how they all felt. Until-

• They left.

• They left, in the dead of a snow-washed wintery night, leaving as fast as they could and not looking back. And a few of them pursued, chasing after Reader, who they knew was going to be in the largest load of trouble since two weeks ago, when they'd been taught their lesson. When they found them, they were at the edge of some rocks, a river close by and roaring below, and they all felt their ire grow. The adult/s demanded they come back, so they could be done with it. But Reader just stepped back, their arms folding up against their chest, eyes wide like a fawn caught by a predator. They'd demanded again, then again, yelling-

• CRACK!

• The rock fell out from under Reader, who screamed, high and terrified-

• And they were gone, swallowed by the raging waters below, bits of red and pink dotting the foam and surface, soon fading as the river roared on...

• Then suddenly... they weren't so angry anymore. For once, they felt... scared. Hollow. Horrified. It didn't matter when the adults ran over, checking over the remaining ledge and scanning the icy waves below, shouting loudly. It didn't matter when the kids who were with them peered around each other, trying to confirm what had just happened had actually happened. Nor did it matter when they searched the shores of the river and found nothing, save for a few pinkish bits of foam and shards of ice, carrying the scent of iron and frost. All that mattered was Reader was gone... And it was their fault. They had- they didn't mean- it was an acci- what- No matter what excuse they thought of or fleeting emotion they felt-

• Reader was DEAD. And they had no one to blame but themselves.

• The adults after that were... quiet. Sullen. Almost as though in a trance, like they were stuck on that night, like they couldn't get over the fact they saw one of their own kids just die right before their eyes. The kids weren't much better, trying to seek any comfort they could, whether they saw the death or learned it had happened. That winter was blistering cold, as though even the elements were numb and in disbelief.

• This was something they'd joked about... This was something that a few might have talked about... But now that it had actually come true... They didn't feel like laughing anymore. If anything, they felt like crying. Like curling up in a ball and disappearing from the world. This was- it was their fault, wasn't it? Thats what they all believe. If they'd reached out, or- or tried to befriend them, or maybe just treated them better, hugged them back once, they wouldn't have ran, and they wouldn't be frozen in the river, lost to the cold and quiet and night. But... maybe if they even HAD stopped them from running... who's to say they wouldn't have tried something else? If they thought they couldn't leave... would they have done something worse? Would they have actually-?! They feel sick thinking about it, throwing up when they can't stop themselves from imagining it. It's a nightmare, what they're living, and there is no waking up from it.

• The adults slowly start talking again, interacting with them and calling them all together... But according to them, they all... They all are going to try and be better. They say they never should have pushed them so hard, they never should have yelled or forced or neglected their emotional needs. That what they'd been doing before stops there, and it ends there. From now on, things are going to be different. And this time, they're going to learn from what happened. That no one is going to make the mistake they made again.

• They keep their word. The adults grow into caring, more loving figures. They listen to the kids, who turn to teens, and help them. If their views are different, they don't yell or roar or rage at them, don't force them to agree, they simply agree to disagree, and let them know they're there if they need to talk. If the ferals go into their instincts, instead of attacking each other or turning against the others of the facility, they go to a special room where they can simply go through their urges, cuddling together and trying not to cry or hurt themselves for what had happened. The teens become more understanding, caring individuals, being friends rather than foes, and help each other, staying careful of each other's feelings and boundaries. The adults are there, always trying to steer them away from danger, hugging them if they want it (even if they don't), fixing them food if they're hungry, playing games with them, and when they train, it's as a group, as a family, rather than as rivals stuck together.

• Somehow, about three years after Reader's death, a few of them had been exploring at a new area, where the river had run by. It's cold, being so close to it, and it still haunts their dreams, along with a blonde child with bright eyes... Yet one of them finds something, caught in the branches near an old den, sharp and thorny: A piece of cloth, tattered and withered by the wilds, but speckled with rusted brown... When they bring the tattered remnant back to their home, it's inspected, but when the adult ferals look it over... Their eyes go wide, and suddenly their sniffing it, soon looking at them and asking them in a desperate voice where they found it. The moment they say where it was, the entire group is called together to discuss something they haven't discussed in so long... The piece of cloth, it has Reader's scent... So there is the smallest, tiniest chance that... Reader might have survived, after all.

• It doesn't take any prompting for them to pull some of their team members together to form a group to investigate the area they found the shred of cloth, and to scout out the surrounding towns near it. If Reader did survive... they hopefully wouldn't have left the region. And if anyone had seen anything odd, such as a child with claws or a wet bedraggled cat of kid, they would likely remember it (and if they wouldn't share what they knew, they wouldn't mind threatening them to make sure they had every bit of information about it they knew).

• Searching the region, it's clear to see it is mostly desolate of human life, save for small towns hidden in valleys and forests, full of snow-capped trees and icy slicks of ice, flakes of snow falling down like rain. When they stumble on a tiny town surrounded by chilly woods and freezing weather, is when they finally catch word of someone who might have been Reader... A lone child, always quiet and scarred, who brings in pelts and bones for a living... Investigating further, the people say the kid has a family, a sickly parent and a relative who takes care of their schooling when they drop by, but that they've never seen them before. According to the kid, their family is paranoid, leaving them as the only one who isn't afraid of going out and making ends meet.

• Well. It seems they have their lead.

• And when they find a cabin, old and worn and wet, the air is scented... And the smell is one they haven't smelled in three years. Soon, a person can be seen, a lanky teen with long, scruffy blonde hair and bright eyes... The moment they see them, everyone freezes.

• Seeing them again... Seeing how scrawny they are... The scars that mar their skin all over... The hunched shoulders and wide, scared eyes... A scent that turns sharp and acidic, tainted by thick, overflowing fear...

• "Reader..."

• In a flash Reader bolts, darting into the cold woods, not slowing even when they call after them, not stopping when they go after them. Reader keeps a step ahead, fast as a hare as their feet carry them over rocks and past patches of ice. Even trying to dart them doesn't work, the tranquilizer thumping into the snow beside them. The snow keeps falling, dusting them all in powdery white flakes as they follow. The teens who came along fall back when the two ferals signal them, letting then know they'll handle the situation... It doesn't take them much longer to find Reader, cutting them off as they block off either side of the small clearing. And what a moment it is...

• Reader is so... small, compared to them. It doesn't help that they shrink in on themself, their fangs bared and eyes fearful. They can see the scars across their face better now, sliced in and deep, a different color than the rest of their flesh. It's hard, seeing them this way. They're too thin, too shaking, too fearful. Even scars line their arms, as though made by an object rather than by accident... And they realize that even though Reader has been away, they haven't been much better off...

• "Oh cub... What did we do ta ya?"

• Trying to step closer only leads to their cub stepping back. It doesn't take more than a heartbeat for then to try to dodge past them, swift and desperate-

• But one of them manages to snag them by the back of their shirt, dragging them into a hold. They try to reason with them, try to talk them down from a panic attack, being as gentle and sincere as they can. But nothing works. No promises of peace, no begging to help them, no pleas to calm down and give them a chance... None of it works. And they fight them. Sharp claws scratch at them, all while Reader struggles, screaming and wailing and biting, not stopping in the least. They try to do things without force one more time... But when their cub only cries harder, they know it won't go anywhere. Their kid is too deep into their trauma, too scared, and the most merciful thing to do is to cut it short.

• The syringe is jabbed in, quick and sharp, and pulled out a second later once it's empty. Explaing to their cub that it was only a sedative makes them cry harder, a broken sob escaping them. Their struggles grow wilder for a minute- until it starts to slow down, as the drug takes effect. They pat their head softly, a hiccup escaping the cub as the medicine calms them down, making them tired and relaxed. Feeling the way they slowly relax, their limbs slackening and their breaths slowing, a tired mumble coming from them... It isn't what they want, but they can't deny how right it feels, getting their kid to feel better. To soothe them when they've been hurtin'. When the cub passes out, slumping into his arms, he's every bit careful and soft, picking them up and letting his brother lead the way back to the others, alerting them that they have Reader with them.

• This isn't how they wanted it ta go... But... If this is what it takes ta keep 'em safe. Ta make 'em feel better. Ta take care of 'em... So be it. All that matters is helpin' Reader, keepin' em safe an' fed an' well, makin' em feel loved an' cared fer. They might have ta be a little forceful about it. That's fine. They'll be as gentle as they can, an' make sure their cub can't hurt themself er others. They'll keep 'em happy, they'll make it so they know how much they care. Even if it takes a lifetime, they'll keep proving how sorry they are, how much they missed 'em, how much they love them... They might well be immortal... Who's to say their cub isn't, too? And this time, they're all going to be a family. No more fighting. No more rivalries. All of them, together, will make things right. That's a promise that they won't break, no matter what comes their way...

#honeycomb thoughts #platonic yandere marvel #yandere platonic marvel #platonic yandere xmen #yandere x-men #platonic yandere #platonic yandere x reader #platonic yandere marvel x reader #platonic yandere xmen evolution #platonic yandere xmen evolution au #❄fallen snow🩸 au #creed!reader

[ask-ink-machine-chronicals]

More info on Felix🥺🙏🏾

This is gonna be one tough description for my version of the infamous old cat from 1919.

Let's start with his past

Felix is your ordinary guy who's been neglected by his mother and was told by his father who not only took great care of him but stayed with him, he was a Sullivan and was honoured to keep the generation going, especially with the magic bag.

That bag is not normal as you can see, It's a sign of a golden heart. Once given, the bag chooses who's worthy, one great grandfather to another great grandfather, only one in 6 generations was able to weld the Magic Bag. Felix Tom Sullivan, son of Pat Tom Sullivan was worthy of the bag which was given to him at his 10th birthday.

As a baby to a kid, he was living in a small town in New York, a small house, a small porch, a small car. It was his childhood. He had many friends, he loved leaving home to explore more of his tiny town, bringing nick-nacks and small objects to show his father, who was proud of him for having such an imaginable mindset.

Felix was in love with his one girl named Kitty who lived 3 houses down from him, when he explored, he always sees her in a white flurry dress with a big red bow in the back, he always loved it when she danced. When he was 12, he confessed his feelings and she accepted him, both were in love with each-other without even knowing. She was light-hearted but a hard worker for her parents, a top A educated student at her school, she also liked to go adventuring with Felix out around the neighborhood. When he hit 17 he wanted to go explore more of the world, he wanted to learn.

He was around the globe, writing on his diary about his adventures and was once told he should make his journaling into a book, he rejected but had second thoughts "It might not be too bad" so he accepted and made his adventures into a book series which was backed up with proof to those who doesn't believe him.

"The Robotic Menace Unleashed: Felix's Heroic Quest"

"Snowstorm Savior: A Christmas Adventure"

"Feline and Feather: A Pirate's Plunder"

Weird stories, right? But all has real time photos, and with a bit of exaggeration, he was able to be famous because of his adventures, but it wasn't fun for the cat himself, during his time adventuring, he gotten bruises and permanent scars. Each scar told a traumatizing tale. The ones that got him the most fame, was the scar of the fire tiger in the fan favorite book 25: "The Lost Letter of Princess Oriana" he was attacked and was brutally injured leaving a large scratch mark on his right hip to his stomach, he looked and spoke braver than anyone but in reality, he was very afraid. Felix was on the verge of death. But from a miracle, he came out on top and slayed the tiger, after saving the princess, he came back to his camp-post scared and still injured from the attack, he isn't all inevitable Y'know.

The other was his eye scar. The most frightening story Felix has ever wrote. Famously known as "Best Friends and Blood Tears" where Felix got a distressed call from a young boy, telling him that his town needed help, as heading towards the incapacitated town he saw someone he never knew was gonna be against him, his childhood best friend, Colin, both were close, very, and enslaving a town to close to enslaving humanity was terrifying for Felix, he tried to stop his friends actions and as it started to get bloodier, he broke and shouted cold words, he got aggressive and so did Colin. With a bright light.

Blood spilled out of his face, blood covering his eye.

His own best friend.

After that he and Colin fought till the death leaving the world in shambles, until he was banished away and never to be seen again.

That scar was permanent, it was visible.

After the 2012 type apocalypse, he rushed back home to his father, knowing he would never see him again as the house was collapsed and on flames, the only thing was left, was the hat.

Now let's talk about present Felix

He's no longer the happy cat everyone knew him as, he was paranoid and was diagnosed with depression at the age of 23, the death of his father and innocence took a toll on him, the only people he got left was Sheba and his nephews.

He's willing to keep the legacy and the family name alive and still running. Even with depression, he kept going and pulling to explore more, his curious mindset was all over the place. His fans were telling him to retire because of his issues but he rejected them "I'm fine! I promise" He kept denying he needed rest, he was Felix the Cat for crying out loud! the world's protector and adventurer, almost everyone knows him. But he has been guilting himself so much for his father's death, he almost feels like ending it all, the day he leaves earth was the day he meet Bendy and Boris, that's how the story begins

He is a good, sweet man with a golden heart who turns heartless if spoken wrongly. A bi-curious old man is still going around the world and bringing imagination to life among all ages.

Relationship

His and the gang's relationship is Father bondly, he acts like a protective parent towards each of them since he's the oldest going by a whooping 27 years old. He's always kind to them and comes to their aid if needed.

His and Oswald (with the circus) has a very healthy friendship, both understand each other well, I didn't make Felix all lovey dovey towards someone who had their heartbroken from a lost loved one, they have a deep connection and it's unbreakable, although Oswald tends to forget Felix is someone else and not his wife but he understands because he's still recovering after 5 years.

He and Sheba always have each other's back no matter what life throws at em both, Sometimes in life, She would accompany him in his adventures.

#babtqftim #character description #character info #felix the cat #InkMachineChronicles

[boliv-jenta]

Part of the Exposed Masterlist

Claude the Cat x OFCC (the extra C is for cat because apparently I've lost my mind. I may as well go all in at this point.)

WC:3.2k

Summary: Claude meets a cat that he is desperate to paint and do other things with.

Warnings: A horny cat. Angst. Talk of death.

Alley Cats

The sun warming his tail told Claude it was time to make a move before the room was rented out. If he made his way to the kitchen door, he could probably charm some thinly sliced salmon from the overbearing sous chef. She always finds a little something for him. She even digs out a little extra if he lets her hold him. He feels like a common whore when her boney fingers dig into him and her strong citrus perfume brings a sting to his sensitive eyes. Still, the food was good and it wouldn't be the first time he was called a whore. They didn't understand that he was on borrowed time. 

The new guy he lived with had taken him for that goddamn operation. Claude was lucky to come out with everything intact. The vet had the gleam of a butcher in his eyes. His fingers looked cumbersome and not capable of the fine motor skills that needed to attend to Claude's most delicate parts. He had put up a fight. He dodged and weaved like a prize fighter. He'd done his best to keep them at bay. His new roommate, and several of the employees, bore the scratch marks to prove it. Ultimately, he had been bested by a rather rotund man with a syringe. He spent the next few days ruing the day he graced the fire escape outside that insipid artist's apartment. Even if he had fed him tuna and scratched that spot on his head that he likes. And he let him sleep on his bed when the storm outside got too loud. Still, he took him for that operation, he risked his virility, it was still at risk. Claude was afraid if he didn't use it he would lose it. 

It may have caused a couple of problems for him. A couple of fights between his partners, who thought that just because they barbed, once, they were a thing. That he owed them something. If anything, they owned him. Even if he could only find a flea bitten tabby to keep him company, he always made them feel good. If he was going to do something he was going to do it right. They should be thankful.

To be fair, they usually were. They fell at his feet. He didn't blame them, given the competition. All mangy alley cats and overfed, lazy family pets. His winning personality aside Claude was obviously the far superior choice. 

As he sat on the sun warmed concrete, finishing off some salmon meant for today's main, (He earned it by doing his best 'poor little kitty' routine. Big, brown eyes. A little mournful whine. His small, soft paws laid gently on her outstretched hand. It was degrading, but a man's got to eat and occasionally he has to eat finer fish than his roommate offers him), Claude thought that this new life wasn't so bad. Throwing himself into all these indulgences helped him to forget what he had lost, his home, his….well, he wasn't going to be in that position again. He'd barb, he'd take what he could from the humans and that was it. No bonding. No feelings. It wasn't a bad way to live. He could quite happily spend the rest of his days like this, then she sauntered into his life.

Claude watched her lithe form drop down into the alley. Gracefully landing on all fours before heading to the open kitchen door. A pitiful meow got the sous chef's attention.

"Oh, Sweetie, you're back. Are you hungry?" She rubbed her head against the chef's calves as they spoke. "Stay there. I'll get you something special."

The woman returned with even more food than she had given Claude, chicken as well as the salmon. He watched as the woman fed it to the newcomer, who purred happily in her boney hands. He didn't know this cat but she was good. 

"That was a pretty convincing little act." Claude called over as the cat made her way back down the alley.

Her head snapped towards him, she raised an eyebrow in question. "Act?"

"The nuzzling, the purring. Acting like you can stand that woman." Claude gobbled up the last of his breakfast before waiting for her reply. Making a good show of licking his paws while he did so. He might have found her display a bit over the top but there was no denying how attractive she was.

"She's kind. She feeds me when my owner can't. Why wouldn't I like her?" Claude was taken aback by her answer.

"Don't you find her a little overbearing? Needy?"

"How long have you been coming here?"

"About a month. Why?"

"Did you notice the tan line on her ring finger? Or remember the ring that used to be there?"

Claude hadn't given any notice to either.

"She's clearly going through something. She needs a hug."

"How noble of you." Claude scoffed.

"Wow. Are you always this big of an asshole?" 

"I don't know. Why do you spend some more time with me and find out?" Claude's tone was laced with suggestion.

"Hitting on me before you even find out my name. Classy."

"I would have learnt it eventually. I'd need to know what to call out in the throws of passion."

"Good luck with that." She leaped up onto a crate next to the wall preparing to leave.

Claude called after her. "So you're not going to tell me your name?"

"No." She stated firmly.

"No matter. A rose by any other name would smell just as sweet. Mine is Claude by the way.

The female smiled to herself as she strolled along the top of the wall. Against her better judgement, she decided to visit this place more often.

A couple of days later, Claude smiled triumphantly as the object of his desire dropped down into the alley again.

"Good morning, Molly." He called out casually. He saw her bristle at his words."I asked around. I couldn't go another day without putting a name to my latest piece."

"Piece?!" Molly spun to face him, claws out.

"My art piece." Claude smiled wryly as her reaction as he walked over to get his pizza box canvas. "What do you think?"

Molly had to admit it was good, he was obviously talented. "I think it's creepy that we met once and you painted me."

Claude was enjoying this. It had been a long time since he'd had to work this hard for a woman. Usually after he unveils his art work it isn't long until he gets his cock wet. Molly was going to be a challenge. One he would gladly rise to.

"How can you blame me? Look at the inspiration I had. Any artist worth his salt would have to immortalise a woman as beautiful as you."

"Immortalise? Whatever you painted with smells like it's about to turn. I give that two days, tops."

"But the mental image will stay with me forever. Unless you have a better one to replace it with?"

Molly found herself being rather flattered by Claude's tenacity. He was good looking, and that voice! Maybe she would concede to his attention eventually but she was going to make him work for it. She wasn't some easy street cat.

"Is that all you are interested in? My beauty?"

"It's not all I am interested in." Claude made a point of raking his eyes over her body.

Molly cursed the way her body betrayed her morals at his molten gaze. Ignoring him, she made her way to the door to be fed. Once she was done she made her way back the way she came. Shooting a quick "Bye, Claude." his way.

"Bye, My Darling. I'll see you again soon. I hope." His tone was almost sweet.

The next time they met it was raining, the overhang by the kitchen door afforded little shelter. Claude was already there licking the remnants of his meal from his paws. He locked his eyes on Molly's as she came into view. Purposely slowing the progression of his cleaning. Making a bigger show than necessary with his tongue. "There you are. The weather is miserable but there is enough shelter here, if you want to squeeze in with me?"

He wasn't wrong, there was just enough room in the dry patch of floor for the two of them, if they huddled together. Molly rethought how hungry she was.

"Come. I don't bite. Unless I'm asked." Claude shuffled back a little to give her space to land. She did so gracefully as always. "There. Isn't that better?"

Molly had to admit that the shelter and the warmth of Claude pressed next to her was a lot better. 

The sous chef appeared with her supper a few minutes later. Molly ate happily as Claude sat pressed into her in silence. She was grateful that he didn't keep hitting on her while she ate. Until he hit her with "So when are we going to fuck?".

The last of her chicken almost caught in her throat.

"Sorry to be so blunt but you are attractive, I'm attractive. You clearly have strong feelings towards me. Even if they are just of annoyance. Hate sex is fantastic. So it seems a shame not to fuck."

Heaven help her, Molly found his boldness attractive. "I do find you attractive but I'm not interested in being another notch on your scratching post. I'm not a young cat, my priorities are different. If you want to fuck me, you'll have to get to know me." With that hanging in the air she left a stunned Claude to shelter from the rain as she bounced home.

Claude told himself he wasn't going back to the alley. So Molly was attractive. So she was self assured. So she wasn't going to be an easy lay. It didn't mean he had to have her. Except it totally did mean he had to have her. He was obsessed. He painted her every day. She consumed his thoughts. He liked that she was keen to put him in his place. Claude was a big, bold personality. He usually got what he wanted, when he wanted. Being denied something was driving him crazy.

As soon as Molly dropped down into the alley, Claude was on his feet. Despite telling himself he wasn't coming back here, he'd been there every day. When he finally laid eyes on her he was practically giddy. Taking a breath, he forced himself to regain his composure."There you are! How do you expect me to get to know you if you're not here?"

"I didn't expect you to get to know me. I figured when it became clear I wasn't an easy lay, you'd move on."

"I'm wounded that you think so little of me!"

"I know your type. Thinking women should be honoured to carry your progeny."

"That's where you are wrong. I just know what a good time I can provide a woman. It would be wrong of me not to provide that service to as many women as possible."

"So your interest in me is purely philanthropic? How noble! If pleasing me is all you care about then you can get to know me."

After a quick bite to eat, Molly gave Claude her best come hither look over her shoulder and hither Claude came. He followed her out of the alley like so many foolish humans he'd seen being led out of clubs in the dead of night. Destined for heartbreak and regret. Not that that would happen to Claude. No one can break your heart if you don't give it to them. Claude followed her as her backside swung temptingly to and fro. He was so entranced by her curves, he didn't realise she had led him to a park until he heard an overexcited voice. "Look at the kitties!"

The owner was a little chubby faced thing, all freckles and sticky hands. Molly didn't seem to mind when it petted her. It giggled in delight as she purred before skipping off to play in the sand.

"So I know you like salmon and don't mind the gross mini humans petting you. Is that enough?" Claude sighed.

"Yes. Please take me in a manly fashion." Claude couldn't help but smile at the sarcasm dripping from her tone. 

A matching smile spread over Molly's face. "Come on." 

She continued through the park, stopping to let various people pet her, while Claude hung back out of the way. His lack of hair generally made him a less attractive petting prospect. The scowl on his face helped to ensure that no sticky hands touched him.

"Here we are." Molly smiled as they cut through some brushes. Claude was so caught up in how pretty she looked smiling in the sunshine that he didn't even notice his surroundings until a large drop of water landed square on his lower back. The freezing liquid shot a shiver up his spine. Instinctively he jumped and whirled on the source of his discomfort. Claws and fangs bared. 

Molly's laughter was light and airy as she skipped towards the fountain. Jets of water rhythmically shot from the floor arching into the air, projecting rainbows in their spray. Molly moved from jet to jet pouncing on the spray, causing it to rain down on her. The droplets ran down her spotted fur causing it to shimmer even more so than usual. 

Now that he was over the initial shock, Claude couldn't help but see the beauty in the scene before him. The sun dipping low behind the trees caused an orange dappling across the ground. The gorgeous woman frolicking in the dewy rainbow cascade. It was all so rich and vibrant. He knew had found his next work of art. As he pondered what medium he would use he was hit by an errant jet of water. An indignant yowl erupted from him. He hissed until he saw Molly suppressing her laughter. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to full on hit you with it. Are you okay?" 

"I've been better." He shook the drops from his whiskers. "So this is something you enjoy?"

"I'm a Bengal. Water is kind of our thing. You?"

"I'd be happier if it was warmer."

"That's the second best part. Come on." Molly darted out of the water to race ahead. 

Thankfully, all those tins of tuna hadn't slowed Claude down. He caught up to her at the bottom of an art installation. It was a conceptual art piece. Large uncut stones were used to recreate the shape of Atlas. This idea was that the responsibility of taking care of the earth was on all of our shoulders. Claude could do better. He also knew that Atlas carried the sky not the earth. 

"Do you like this piece?" Claude tried to keep his distaste out of his tone.

"It has its perks." Molly jumped from stone to stone before disappearing at the top.

Claude quickly followed to find her stretched out of the 'earth' stone. The stone still clung to the heat of the day under his paws. It felt good. As if she could read his mind Molly commented "Wait until you stretch out on it."

Claude didn't wait any longer to stretch out. He sprawled himself next to her, so close that their side touched. He was sure she would push him away until she didn't. Until she snuggled closer. Emboldened by it, he rested his head on top of hers. In turn she rubbed her head against his until their positions were reversed and her head was on top.

"So are we going to…?" Claude began.

"Not tonight." Her voice was firm but gentle. It gave Claude some hope.

Then Molly began to groom him. Around his neck as first then she ran her tongue over that spot behind his ear. The one that usually got his leg twitching and his motor running. This time it had a different effect on him. Warm tears gather in his eyes. It had been so long since anyone had treated him with this kind of care. It had been so long since he let anyone treat him with this kind of care. He tried to muffle the sobbed that welled up in him but she caught it.

"Shh. You're okay, Claude. Just let it out." she continued to soothe him with her tongue as he finally let out everything he had been holding in. 

His owner had died. He had watched as she faded away. It hadn't taken long. In less than a week, she started with a cough then she was gone. He could still hear it every night. She told her family she was fine. Claude knew she wasn't but he was helpless to do anything. On the third day, he stayed out all day and night. That worried his owner enough to call her nephew. When her nephew came, he suggested a doctor. She'd shook her head, told him she didn't want to trouble anyone, it was just a bad cold. Two days later Claude woke up on her bed but she never woke up again.

"Damn, Lucien. I haven't teared up this much since episode three of The Last of Us." Jerry looked up from his script.

"Is it too much? Our viewers usually like the honesty in the show. The writing team liked it." Lucien bent the end of his own script in his hand nervously.

Jerry stood to clap a reassuring hand on Lucien's shoulder. "It's great, man. Really. I usually worry about last minute changes to scripts but this is so good. It's bold. It's real. Let's get Bravo back in for the last scene.

"I'm sorry." Claude sobbed into his paws as he covered his face.

"Don't be." Molly held him closer. "I'm flattered that you feel safe enough to let your guard down. I knew there was some reason you acted like an uptight asshole."

Claude laughed at that "No, that's pretty much my default personality."

"Maybe." Molly chuckled. "Do you want to talk about it?"

"Not right now. Thank you." Claude lay his paw over hers at his side.

"You're welcome. Let's get some rest. If you change your mind, I'll be here when you wake up."

"She'll be there when he wakes up. Like his owner wasn't. Fuck, that hurt." Dieter grabbed a soda from the mini fridge, nodding to offer Lucien one as he did, who declined with a shake of his head. "Oh, man. Where did you come up with the idea for this one?"

"It just came to me." The way Dieter's eyes narrowed on him Lucien got the distinct impression it wasn't the best idea to lie to a double Oscar winner that studies the human condition for a living.

"Right. I gotta head out. Call me soon, we'll hang out. I want to hear more about this new art project." Dieter was out the door before Lucien could think too much about that invitation.

Getting in his car Lucien pulled out his cell phone. Three messages from you sat there unanswered.

@kirsteng42 @prolix-yuy @thegreenkid2 @hquinzelle @fangirl-316 @gracie7209 @jedifarmerr @doommommy @scorpio-marionette @sturkillerbase @harriedandharassed @aynsleywalker @mswarriorbabe80 @quica-quica-quica @rise-my-angel @adancedivasmom @kinda-nobody @movievillainess721 @munsonownsmyass @mandoloriancookie @faceache111 @elegantduckturtle @shadowtrick @simpingcowboy @pedrit0-pascalit0 @yourcoolauntie @pedrostories

#pedro pascal character fanfiction #claude the cat #lucien flores #dieter bravo

[spiralcass]

NEW X-MEN: THE ANIMATED SERIES - SEASON 3, EPISODE 2 (PART 2 OF 2)

We open once again on Okkara, thousands of years ago. This time, we are even further in the past. There are no demons and no battles raging. With a shining sun and a clear blue sky above, Okkara is a flourishing island paradise. Its Mutant population is happy and at peace. 

The man known as En Sabah Nur, dressed not in armor, but in loose-fitting robes, sits on a rock, strumming a stringed instrument, a calm smile on his face. A small captivated crowd listens. 

Nur's attention is turned away from his music as someone calls for him. 

"Father! Father!"

Apocalypse grins as a little girl made of flames runs up to him with excitement. He picks her up and asks what's brought her such joy. 

ORIGINAL WAR: "Death and I fought! And I won!"

APOCALYPSE, an amused father: "Ah, I see. No wonder you are proud. Defeating Death is no small feat. Even if he is your baby brother."

War continues to be smug over her victory as Nur holds her tight. 

NUR: "Stay strong, my daughter. But remember, to fight is not your future. You are the war which will never come again."

In the present, Apocalypse and War stand in their laboratory. A scientist reports to them that everything finally seems operational. On his mark, they can deploy the X-Virus. 

A different scientist speaks up.

SCIENTIST: "Please, Lord Apocalypse! Don't do this! We can weaponize the virus on a smaller scale. If you'd just think of the–"

The scientist is cut off as his throat is sliced open, blood gushing out. He falls over, dead. 

Apocalypse puts an arm around War's shoulders. 

APOCALYPSE: "Proceed…and end this fight."

At the Jean Grey School, Mercury and Bling! have been sent on a drug trip. Cessily is dazed as she hallucinates her body expanding and twisting in every which way as the world expands and twists around her. Bling! meanwhile gets shinier and shinier. It’d blinding. It gets more pleasant for them as bubbles start forming on Mercury’s skin and she pops them to tickle herself, while Roxy tosses on some sunglasses and revels in how cool she looks. 

CESSILY, giggly: “This is so weird. Have you ever done something like this before?” 

ROXY: “You asking that because of who my parents are?” 

CESSILY: “What? No, I–” 

Roxy bursts out in hysteric laughter. 

The Cuckoos are also on this trip, laughing as they hallucinate. They’re continuously merging with and unmerging from each other. 

CUCKOOS: “They’re so gonna thank us.” 

In the mission room, we pick up directly where we left off last time. Cyclops, Kitty, Iceman, and Wolverine desire to go and stop Apocalypse, but Magneto and Emma believe they should allow his plans to play out, and Hellion and Surge think they may be right. In the face of Archangel’s murder, Iceman is enraged and has put Magneto’s neck at icicle point. 

ICEMAN: “I don’t care if you won’t help, but you aren’t getting in my way!” 

Without moving or flinching, Erik disintegrates Bobby’s stretched-out arm. 

MAGNETO: “The loss of Archangel is painful. For myself, the loss of the Morlocks even more so. Children died in those sewers. Do you know where else children died? By the millions? Genosha. This is the only way the pain ends.” 

SCOTT: “Emma, please. You’re better than this.” 

EMMA, insulted: “Do you really think speaking down to me will change my mind? Humanity’s leaders have brought nothing but suffering to all but the very worst of their entire population. Gently guiding them into the night as we take our rightful steps into the future and preventing decades more of suffering for them is practically a mercy.”

MAGNETO: “Why is this such a difficult pill for you to swallow, Cyclops? You have killed before. You will kill again. All in the name of protecting your people. And in the long term, you will save far more billions than those who die here.” 

KITTY: “Can we stop talking like these are numbers on a spreadsheet and not living, breathing people?! Living, breathing people with family and friends!” 

NORIKO: “Humans, Ms. Pryde. You’re talking about humans.” 

JULIAN: “Humans who wouldn’t hesitate to kill us all if the positions were flipped.” 

LAURA, aghast: “What the Hell is the matter with you two?!” 

Nori angrily explains why she has no shits left to give about humans. Her family abandoned her, groups like the Purifiers and U-Men keep forming to try and kill them, and even if a new one hasn’t popped up lately, she knows they weren’t the first, even if they were, Stryker and all of his followers, and all the engineers who agreed to work for him were why Nova was able to kill 16 million of them, they do SHIELD’s dirty work fighting their own people for them, but SHIELD never seems to help THEM, Cyclops, for all his hard work, has barely made any dent in improving public opinion of Mutants…

Julian takes over. 

JULIAN: “They took my damn hands, my family, hell, half the families of the kids here abandoned us, and the X-Men couldn’t even do the one thing they were supposed to do for us: keeping us safe.” He glares right at Scott. “With how many times you failed Sofia, it’s no wonder she turned on us.” 

Bobby shouts at the kids that this is NOT the time for a temper tantrum, but Scott silences him. 

SCOTT: “Everything you just said is true. And I’m sorry for where I’ve failed, and the hands you’ve been dealt.” He turns to Emma and Magneto. “But I’m not ready to give up.” 

In Apocalypse’s lair, engines pound, and lights flash. Apocalypse’s lead scientist informs him and War of the good news: the X-Virus has been released. Before long, his goals will be fulfilled. 

Apocalypse laughs in triumph. 

APOCALYPSE: “Thousands of years of pain…will finally come to an end.” 

War hooks her arms around one of Apocalypse’s and congratulates her lord. New Okkara will be the greatest civilization the world has ever known. Apocalypse rests a hand on her head. He could not have reached this point without her. 

Just then, all of the scientists started coughing, as their bodies undergo a series of rapid, horrific Mutations. By the end, they are nothing but beige splatters on the floor. 

Exodus enters, cackling at the irony. 

EXODUS: “Shall I summon Death and Pestilence to join us in our hour of glory?” 

APOCALYPSE: “No. They are needed in their current positions.” 

EXODUS: “And if the X-Men don’t arrive willing to simply enter your open arms?” 

WAR: “Has all that hair gel gone to your brain? These are hardly the X-Men who bested you both in the past. The three of us will more than suffice to crush them.” While Exodus bristles, War raises clenches her fist. “One way or another, I will make them see the light.” 

Back in Cessily and Roxy’s room, the girlfriends have started making out one on the best, while the Cuckoos are spead across the floor, each in a daze, fiddling with one of Roxy’s instruments. 

IRMA, plucking a violin with her fingertips: “Hey…can I ask you all something?” 

PHOEBE, banging a drum stick against a bongo: “Since when can you not?” 

IRMA: “I know…I know…but, I was thinking…what if I changed my name?” 

The other Cuckoos weakly laugh. 

SOPHIE, fidgeting with the buttons on a trumpet: “What?” 

ESME, ripping the strings off a guitar: “TO what is more like it.” 

IRMA: “I don’t know. I was just thinking about it.” 

SOPHIE: “I guess it’s okay as long as it starts with an “I”.” 

Cessily pulls away from Roxy and falls off the bed, partially liquifying on impact. 

CESSILY, as she struggles to put herself back together: “I…hate you all. And I’m going to regret asking. But why do you…” 

Cessily trails off as she passes out mid-sentece. 

CELESTE: “She’ll be fine.” 

ROXY: “Cool, cool…so explain?” 

The Cuckoos giggle. 

SOPHIE: “We chose our own names. Sophie, Irma, Phoebe, Celeste, Esme.” 

CUCKOOS: “SPICE!” 

SOPHIE: “As in “Spice Girls”.” 

Roxy burts out laughing at that. The Cuckoos’ expressions range from insulted to hurt, until Roxy clarifies why she’s laughing. Their taste in music for their routines may suck, but she can respect that kind of crazy passion. 

The Cuckoos’ faces light up at the first positive response they’ve managed to get from Roxy. 

Just then, Sooraya knocks on the door. She wants to make sure her friends are okay, as something horrible seems to be going on around the world. 

The Cuckoos cackle as they open the door telekinetically, accidentally slamming it, and tell Sooraya to come join them. Sooraya is instantly distracted from her previous concern, as now she’s just wondering what in the name of Allah is going on here. 

ROXY: “Gonna be honest…still not entirely sure. You don’t have to do anything, girl. I know drugs are challah or something. Just take a seat and soak in the moment.” 

Cessily, as a puddle, woken up and squirmed over to Sooraya’s feet. Her face is in the puddle. 

CESSILY: “Hi.” 

Sooraya seethes before shutting the door behind her. She’s only staying to make sure these irresponsible heethens don’t die. The other girls all cheer. 

In the mission room, the argument has devolved into a shouting fest, Scott and Bobby screaming back and forth incomprehensibly with Emma and Erik, while Laura does the same with Julian and Noriko. 

The only one not screaming? The team’s designated mediator, Kitty Pryde, who’s watching everyone else and taking in the situation. As the wheels turn in her brain, she picks up her phone and takes note of the crisis going on around the world, as thousands of people drop dead. 

Kitty cringes, eyes shut, before opening them, full of determination. She has a plan. 

While everyone else is fighting, Kitty sends a text message. While they don’t go to check their phones, we hear the buzz going off in Wolverine and Iceman’s. Kitty then rushes Surge and Hellion and phases all three of them through the floor. 

Julian and Noriko are pissed, and question what Ms. Pryde is doing. And after everything she’s seen, why isn’t she on their side?! 

KITTY: “Shush! Oh my god, be quiet.” 

JULIAN: “You can’t shush us!” 

KITTY: “You must be getting too big for your britches if you’re forgetting you’re still students and I’m still your teacher. Yes, I can shush you. And you’re going to listen to me.” 

NORI: “But Ms. Pryde–” 

Kitty shoots her down with a stare. 

With the kids reluctantly quiet, Kitty takes a breath. 

KITTY: “Listen, I…you know, I…” 

As Kitty struggles to find the right words, Julian and Noriko glare at her with skepticism and disinterest. A vein bulges in her forehead as her emotions overwhelm her. But she has to keep going. 

KITTY: “You’re not wrong.” The kids are visibly surprised by those words. “You’re not wrong at all. About what you’ve been forced to deal with. About how you’ve been forced to live. You two have been dealt more shit than anyone should ever have to face, and you can’t even so much as look at your own hands without remembering that. I get it! Letting someone else do the dirty work of wiping away all the nasty people who’ve hurt you, and then take out whatever evil Mutants are left? Get the happy ending just like that? I get what why you want that. But, in spite of everything, everything I’ve seen, everything I’ve faced, all the people I’ve lost…” KItty trails off as she laughs. “All the bullcrap I’ve had to deal with from my own teachers and teammates. Do you know why I still dream?” 

NORI, disregarding her: “Because you’re just naturally that perfectly good?” 

Kitty cackles. 

KITTY: “Hell no! The stories I could tell you kids. I won’t, because trauma, but I could.” They don’t laugh like she’d hoped. “Anyway...what kept me going were the people I loved. And I don’t just mean Mutants. And I’m not going to say I’m talking about “humans” or “Flatscans” like you two have gotten so fond of calling baselines. It’s one gene of difference! We’re all still human!” 

JULIAN, disregarding her: “You think “baselines” are worth keeping around just because a few of them aren’t the worst?” 

KITTY: “It’s a lot more than a few. I promise. My parents never had anything but love for me. And I have so, so many friends who I know would do anything to help us if they could. You’re heroes. Superheroes. Do you really want to just let countless innocent people die?” With Julian and Noriko still not being reached, Kitty realizes she has to go deeper - more personal. “My dad is already dead. Killed alongside the Mutants of Genosha he considered his community. But you know who’s still alive? Sooraya’s mom, who Dust has been so, so happy to have back in her life.” Julian and Noriko hang their heads and cringe as they’re hit with this. “How about Roxy’s parents? Or Brian’s? Or all the other parents of kids here who still love them? Do you want to tell you “crew”, Julian, how you decided to let their parents die? You think they’ll understand? What about if people like Storm and Sofia don’t just get their powers back from this? Noriko…” Kitty hates herself for having to go this far. “...do you want Keitaro to die?” 

Noriko and Julian scream in rage as they super-speed toward Kitty, but she simply phases through them before grabbing their collars and slamming them on the floor. 

The kids start crying. They don’t WANT anyone to die. They don’t want anyone to get hurt. But nothing is getting better. Nothing is getting easier. They just keep losing more and more. They just keep losing people. 

Kitty helps the two stand up. Like she said, she gets it. But this is why escalation isn’t the answer. Evil isn’t genetic. There are evil baselines and evil Mutants.

KITTY, to Julian: “Sure, baselines’ hate is what often provokes radical response. But we should be better, right?” 

Julian bites his liip as his own philosophy is thrown in his face. 

KITTY, to Noriko: “And most people? Most people are good. They all need to be protected. And we’re the only ones who can protect everyone, baseline and human.” Noriko’s eyes widen and light up and a switch clicks in her brain. “We’re all the same.” 

There’s a quiet pause. 

JULIAN, trying to still be bitter: “I…” 

Nori hugs Kitty, apologizing for how she’s been thinking and acting. Kitty hugs her back and assures her she’s got nothing to apologize for. She was just scared and angry. She’s still a good kid. Still a hero. 

KITTY: “You wanna get in on this?” 

Iceman and Wolverine arrive, with Kitty glad they got her text, and thanking them for their good timing. 

Julian brushes her off, but he does thank her for the wakeup call. Honestly. 

KITTY: “Mission Room?” 

ICEMAN: “Frozen solid.” 

KITTY: “Good. Won’t hold Magneto and Emma, but we don’t want it too. Hellion and Surge are back on track. I need the four of you to head to Egypt NOW. Kids, you’re on Horseman detail. You aren’t beating them, but I just need to distract them for as long as you can. Iceman…” 

ICEMAN: “I really hope you’re not about to tell me I’m fighting Apocolypse on my own.” 

KITTY: “I mean, if anyone could.” Bobby is able to laugh a little. “But no. You can make copies of yourself. Hold Apocalypse back while your dupes disable his machines.” 

HELLION: “This sounds like we’re being thrown to the wolves.” 

KITTY: “Only if I can’t get our “leaders” to join us. I’ll work my magic on them too, and get them over to Egypt to help as quickly as possible.” 

Everyone is aware this isn’t a great plan, but it’s the only one they’ve got. Just one problem: Magik’s not talking or getting out bed, their planes are fast, but can’t move instantaneously, and Nightcrawler can’t do long distance. 

Nori laughs at their panic. Kitty and Iceman don’t actually KNOW what Pixie’s Mutation is, do they? 

In Apocalypse's throne room, he sits on his chair, with Famine and War at his sides. While Apocalypse and Exodus track the plague's effects telepathically, War watches on her phone. 

WAR: "I wonder what sorts of new weapons will be unlocked."

EXODUS: "Perhaps there will be an Omega with your weapon so we can replace you."

WAR: “Fine by me. I’m almost due for a promotion anyway.” 

Apocalypse sighs. 

WAR: “Is something wrong, my lord?” 

APOCALYPSE: “No. Merely what we expected. The X-Men are coming. And they do not appear to be interested in joining us. Deal with them.” 

EXODUS, sarcastic: “A shocking turn of events.” He smirks at War. “Are you sure you’re up to this? I can handle the battle myself if you think you might–” 

APOCALYPSE, cutting him off: “Famine. Go.” 

Exodus, frustrated shakes his head, before bowing and departing. 

For the first time, War appears hesitant. 

APOCALYPSE: “War…I know you wish to save them. But we can only help those Mutants who wish to be helped. If they fight, you may attempt to show mercy…but nothing can be allowed to stop us. Am I clear?” 

War stands in place, frozen, as she looks down at her phone. Noticing her struggle, Apocalypse stands. He gently takes her phone from her and tosses it aside. 

APOCALYPSE: “I did not expect this weakness from you.” 

WAR, finally speaking up: “I am NOT weak!” 

APOCALYPSE: “Of course you aren’t. You are among the strongest horsemen I’ve ever led. My blood runs through you. You did everything in your power to purge yourself of weakness. So why do you hesitate?” 

War leans against Apocalypse’s chest. 

WAR: “I only froze for a few seconds. You would have pause as well were it your family fighting against us.” 

APOCALYPSE: “Oh, my child.” Apocalypse wraps an arm around War. “My family is your family.” 

War shivers at those words. She quickly hugs him back before pulling away. 

WAR, enthusiastically: “Should it come to it, I will bring you every last X-Man’s head, my lord.” 

APOCALYPSE, grinning: “I know you will.” 

War bows before flying off. Apocalypse, still smiling, returns to his seat and laughs. 

In her dorm room, Pixie is freaking out. People around the world are melting or dying in other horrible ways, and she doesn’t want to melt, and she doesn’t want the school to blow up again, or for anyone else to get hurt, or to have to go back to living with her mom. 

ICEMAN: “We don’t have time for this!” Bobby forcefully shows Megan coordinates on his phone. “Send us here with your pixie dust NOW, Megan!” 

Megan whimpers, afraid of the situation and of Bobby. 

Wolverine shoves Bobby away. 

WOLVERINE: “I do not care if you’re angry. You do not scream at my friends. Cool off. And do not dare make a pun.” 

Iceman backs off as Nori steps forward. Noriko asks Megan if she noticed they’re roommates this year. Pixie nods. 

SURGE: “Well, I know I don’t exactly have the best reputation. Gonna be honest: I’m probably gonna annoy you as much as I do everyone else. Only girl who didn’t find me annoying is long gone.” Julian and Laura cringe. “And if you don’t trust the adults to keep us safe at this point, I can’t blame you one bit. But, feel free to tell everyone else: I’m an X-Man now. And you don’t have to like me or trust the adults as protectors…I’ll keep you all safe. No matter what.” 

Pixie is able to start calming down and she weakly smiles. 

Hellion steps forward with a smug look on his face. 

HELLION: “And, when Surge inevitably screws up, because, let’s be honest with ourselves, she will, I’ll always be there to catch her and show her up.” Pixie giggles. “No one ever touches this school again.” 

Laura smiles, happy to see her friends like this after their dark turn, while Bobby is impressed. 

PIXIE: “Okay. Okay, let’s do this!” 

As Pixie starts making her dust, Wolverine stands next to Hellion and Surge. 

WOLVERINE: “Welcome back.” 

Pixie wishes the X-Men good luck as she sprinkles the four with her dust, sending them away. 

In the Mission Room, Magneto and Emma vaporize Iceman’s ice, freeing themselves and Cyclops. They all struggle to catch their breath. 

EMMA, telepathically: “That young man is becoming far too powerful.” 

Kitty races back into the room. 

KITTY: “Hey, perfect timing. You all have a chance to calm the Hell down?” 

Cyclops and Erik glare and huph at each other, while Emma turns her eyes toward KItty. 

EMMA: “Where are the children?” 

KITTY, smirking: “They left with Iceman. Off to save the world.” Emma is visibly pissed off. “If you’re worried about them, they sure could use you two backing them up.” 

CYCLOPS, smiling: “Nice work, Kitty.” 

KITTY, smirking back: “Thanks. Nice job not letting Emma use your hair like puppet strings for once.” 

EMMA: “Do you find this funny?! You have jeoprized our children’s safety!” 

KITTY: “And here I thought you believed in your kids’ potential.” 

EMMA: “Potential they are YET to realize!” 

MAGNETO: “Enough!” 

Erik apologizes to Emma, but they cannot bend now. Not with what is at stake. They must hope that, if Apocalypse was in a mood to speak with them, he won’t just kill Wolverine, Hellion, and Surge, and they’ll be able to save them. They already know from Storm’s loss that he’s sparing Omegas, so Iceman will be definitely be safe. 

Erik’s words are able to calm Emma and allow her to recompose herself. 

EMMA: “Yes. You’re right. That’s that then. Cyclops, Kitty…your move.” 

Back over with the girls, Cessily, Roxy, and the Cuckoos are now all on the floor. Sooraya stands over them, wondering just what they took. She won’t take any herself, but figures it would be less awkward if she relaxed a little. She removes her hood and facemask and lays down next the other girls. 

CESSILY, ROXY, and CUCKOOS: “WOOOOH! DUST! DUST! DUST!” 

IRMA: “Take it all off!” 

PHOEBE: “Eww, don’t be gross, Irma.” 

The silence resumes as everyone except Soo’s eyes continue to glaze over. 

Suddenly, out of nowhere, Cessily burts into tears. 

Everyone wonders what’s wrong, but she just keeps crying. 

ROXY: “Oh. Babe. I wanna help. But I’m over here. And you’re over there. And…ugggggh.” 

Sooraya crawls over to Cessily and takes her hand, filling in for her unavailable gf. Without slurring her words like the others, she asks what’s wrong. 

CESSILY: “I just…I just feel like I’m being left behind. School won’t last forever. And when it’s done, I don’t want to be the only one who isn’t an X-Man. Three of us already are, four of us should be, Dust, your time is coming and we all know it, babe, you’re a genius, Brian’s got a gimmick, and you Cuckoos may be the worst, but you’re stronger than all of us.” She sniffles and coughs up some metal coins. “I only got put with you guys because I was able to fight  Sofia BEFORE she could even fly straight. You all have something I don’t. That natural IT! And no matter how hard I work, I’ll never catch up. I’ve learned to be proud of being a Mutant, but if I can’t fight with you all, you’ll leave me in the distance. Just like they did.” 

There’s a pause. 

ROXY, still extremely high: “Oh. That’s rough.” 

Cessily cries even harder. Sooraya glares at Roxy before holding Cessily. 

Iceman, Wolverine, Hellion, and Surge appear in a flash of pink light in Apocalypse’s lair. While Noriko thinks this place is spooky, Julian makes some light for them. His attention is caught by all the murals of Apocalypse…

JULIAN: “And they say I have an ego.” 

…with him also noticing one depicting him alongside a dark-skinned woman, their swords both raised in the air as their followers kneel before them. 

NORI: “People really worship this creep?” 

ICEMAN: “Baselines, Mutants, and everything in between unfortunately. Sometimes you just give up and want a god to make all your problems go away.” 

Bobby coughs up a bunch of clones and sends them to scout this place out. No need for them to waste energy hunting for their targets when they can do it. The dupes will hopefully be able to find a horseman or two, and destroy the doomsday device, before they’re all taken out. Plus, if the four of them stick together, they’ll be more difficult to get the drop on. 

LAURA: “Huh.” 

BOBBY: “What?” 

LAURA: “Nothing. Thought you were a clown.” 

BOBBY: “I like to be. But my friend is dead. So today, you kids get someone with as much training as Cyclops.” 

Iceman leads the kids further into the base. 

ICEMAN: “By the way, that was a nice speech you two gave Pixie. I should have said something like that.” 

JULIAN: “Only said what I felt. The X-Men have been letting me and mine down since our first month here. Ashida and I aren’t here at this point because we think you’re just so cool…” 

NORIKO: “...we’re here because we’re the only ones we trust to do this job right.” 

BOBBY, after a pause: “Sooooo, you’re teenagers.” The two pout as Bobby laughs at them after they thought they were sounding so cool. “No, no, I get it, it’s chill. But maybe you’re onto something. This team isn’t what it used to be. Maybe you two are just what it needs.” 

Noriko slams a fist against her palm. 

NORI: “No one puts my brother in danger. I know Ms. Pryde wants me distracting horsemen or whatever, but I wanna punch this Apocalypse guy in his big, dumb face. ” 

“Oh, honey.” 

The X-Men arrive in a golden, octacongal chamber, where Exodus and War await them. There are doors all around them. The building is a maze designed to lead trespassers back to this location. 

EXODUS: “You’d break every last nail.” 

The X-Men stand off against the two Horsemen, with Iceman’s eyes immediately filling with rage. 

As Cessily continues to cry and Sooraya holds her, the Cuckoos visibly feel awful for her. 

Sooraya tells her that she understands her fears, but she has nothing to worry about. The two of them have been together constantly, and she’s seen her grow so much. Even if she isn’t always getting real “experience” like the others, she’s always pushing herself and getting stronger. 

DUST: “No, you aren’t Wind Dancer, Hellion, or Surge. I’m not either. Everyone else seems to think I’ll become an X-Man soon. But the way you push yourself? I know you will.” Cessily sniffles, and wipes her tears. “And even if you don’t? We will never abandon you. We’re not your parents, Cessily. We’re your family.” 

Cessily is able to smile and wipe the last of her tears away as she hugs Sooraya. 

CESSILY: “Thank you. I love you.” 

SOORAYA, hugging her back: “I love you too.” 

ROXY, flatly:  “Love is awesome.” 

CUCKOOS: “Awwwwww.” 

SOPHIE: “This is better than Small Town.” 

CELESTE: “Are you guys always this sweet?” 

Cessily and Sooraya turn to the sisters. 

CESSILY: “It’s just called being friends.” 

The simplicity of that statement blows the Cuckoos’ minds. 

PHOEBE, telepathically: “That’s it?” 

CELESTE: “That’s how you make friends?” 

IRMA: “Being honest? Vulnerable?” 

ESME: “EWW! EWW! EWW!” 

OTHER CUCKOOS: “Sophie?” 

Sophie takes a moment to think. The other Cuckoos’ expressions change with hers as she decides what they need to do. 

SOPHIE: “Well…that’s all we want.” 

The camera cuts away from the Cuckoos. 

CESSILY, eyes bulging out of her head: “What the Hell?!” 

SOORAYA, equally shocked and covering her mouth: “What is this?” 

Roxy launches up to her feet, feeling better, before noticing the Cuckoos and fainting. 

Iceman turns his arms into blades, glaring with rage and hate,  as Exodus welcomes them to where Eden will be reborn. 

EXODUS, sultry, leering back at Bobby: “That’s quite the look you’re giving me, Iceman. Positively penetrating.” 

WAR: “Why do you need to make this weird?” 

HELLION: “And just who are you supposed to be? Iceman?” 

ICEMAN: “Never seen her.” 

War steps forward, holding out her arms. 

WAR: “I am War. And we do not need to fight. We should not be enemies. Everyone in this chamber is an extraordinarily powerful Mutant. We should be working together.” 

Hellion and Surge power up their auras. 

SURGE: “Thought about it. Decided I’d rather kick your teeth in.” 

ICEMAN: “You’re killing millions. And don’t pull the “just humans” thing on me. You’ve been killing our own. From defenseless children to the “strong” you claim to respect. You aren’t getting away with it!” 

BEAT. 

WAR: “Oh, are you talking about Death?” Bobby’s eyes widen. “He was hardly THAT strong.” 

Bobby howls as he forms and launches a glacier to throw at the two horsemen. Exodus blows it apart and rushes Iceman at super speed, punching him in the chest and smashing him through the wall. 

EXODUS: “Believe me, I get wanting to kill War. But I’ve already tasted one Omega today. And I want seconds.” 

Iceman narrows his eyes and he jumps back. 

Back in the main chamber, Hellion laments the plan already going to Hell, but thinking they may as well take War out together then. 

HELLION: “We’re gonna break that tacky armor apart as easily as your bones. You got that?!” 

While he, Surge, and Wolverine stand ready to fight, War shrugs. She falls back, catching herself in mid-air, and lays back with her legs crossed and her hands behind her head. 

WAR: “I have no desire to fight any of you. Stand still and stay out of the way of Famine’s battle, and you will live to see paradise.”

Surge resents being talked down to like this, and is about to jump her, but Wolverine stops her. 

WOLVERINE: “Think. Our job was to be a distraction for Iceman against Apocalypse. Now Iceman is distracted. If she is as strong as Exodus, then she’s right that we can’t beat her. If she does not want to fight…then it doesn’t make sense to fight. Not until Iceman wins.” 

HELLION, cringing: “I hate that that makes sense.” 

SURGE, also annoyed and spitting on the ground: “Seriously, who are you?” 

War giggles at them. 

WAR: “Within 24 hours? Your princess.” 

Iceman vs Exodus begins. Bobby throws everything he has at Famine, from more enormous glaciers, to snowstorms that make the arctic tundra look like the sun. 

BOBBY: “What are you even doing here, Exodus?! Last I checked, you hated Apocolypse as much as any of us!” 

EXODUS, shielding himself from and blowing away all of Bobby’s attacks: “I did, yes. But Magneto lost his way, and now chooses to walk the path of sloth. Lord Apocalypse’s vision is a holy one.” 

Exodus counterattacks at last and blows Iceman apart. He knows that he hasn’t won, and that Iceman can regrow from any chunk of himself. It’s why he can’t defeat him the same way he did Storm. Another reason to join Apocalypse is that, with his Omega-level molecular manipulation and god-like technology, he can make you stronger than you ever imagined. In his case, he was given the technology needed to steal x-genes, and the additional mutation of moisture absorption. 

EXODUS: “But you? You are moisture.” He rolls his shoulders as he looks at some of the water drops which wound up on him. “You’re already making me wet.” 

A full grown Iceman emerges from one of those water drops and punches Exodus in the face with a mace-hand, drawing blood. 

ICEMAN: “What is WRONG with you?!” 

Iceman after Iceman grows from the water, snow, and ice all around the room, and, freezing the floor underneath Exodus’ feet to make him slip for just a second,  Bobby’s small army of himself  gets in close and whales on him. While they do bust up his face and knock out his hair tie, they can’t put him down before he vaporizes all but one. 

EXODUS, panting: “What can I say? I like what I see. And don’t you dare say I’m less appealing to the eye than poor, dead, Death.” 

BOBBY: “Don’t you…! Wait, are you saying I–?” 

With Bobby frazzled, Exodus finds the opening in his mental defenses and psychically brings him to his knees. As Bobby screams, Exodus sadistically grins and approaches him, readying the same hand he used on Storm. 

EXODUS: “Don’t worry, Iceman. In a moment, your pain will come to an end. In a moment, you will be…inside me.” 

Exodus slams his hand down on Iceman’s face and begins stealing his x-gene. 

Back with the girls, Cessily, Sooraya, and even Roxy have gotten situated on one of those beds, the girlfriends both chugging water. Seated on the other bed, the Cuckoos smirk confidently at them. 

There’s an awkward silence. Until…

ROXY: “Okay so what WAS that?” 

CESSILY: “You said you got your noses done!” 

IRMA: “And more!” 

Sooraya doesn’t understand. Their unmasked faces were completely mangled. Did they shatter them?

SOPHIE: “No.” 

PHOEBE: “They were made broken.” 

ESME: “We just fixed them.” 

Once again, there’s an awkward silence. And once again, Roxy breaks it. 

ROXY: “No. No way. I don’t buy it.” 

CELESTE: “Why? Do you expect us all to act like whiny victims?” 

IRMA: “We’re exactly who we were meant to be.” 

A look of realization slowly creeps onto Cessily’s face. 

CESSILY: “BULLSHIT!” 

The Cuckoos giggle. 

Sooraya still doesn’t get it. The Cuckoos reason she may not have any context for what’s going on, so they decide to make it easier for her, and just beam the information into her head. 

Sooraya’s eyes widen. 

SOORAYA: “Oh. I…didn’t realize that was possible. Congratulations?” 

Roxy gets a chuckle out of that. Some of the celebrities she introduced her to over the break were also trans, and it just never came up. 

The Cuckoos nonetheless thank Sooraya, and all of them for understanding. They aren’t so sure everyone here would be, Mutant or not. 

The sisters go on to say that, for as long as they can remember, they’ve known who they wanted to be, and how they wanted to live their lives. From being pop stars, to ruling the school, and being friends with all the coolest people. They thought they were cool and hot and powerful enough to force it, but that just ruined everything. 

SOPHIE: “This is all still so new to us…and we didn’t know what else to do. We are sorry.” 

With the Cuckoos actually looking like they mean it, the three friends turn to each other, unsure of what to say next. 

In the Mission Room, Scott turns and paces away from Emma and Erik. 

ERIK: “Do you remember when we spoke on Genosha? In no way did I infer that I had come to think the same way as Charles. What I told you was that I’d realized that attempting to dominate humanity would only ever divide Mutantkind. If there is no humanity, and Apocalypse is defeated later, there will be no division. I was chosen by Phoenix in its infinite wisdom to lead our people. It knows that this is the path forward.” 

Scott takes a moment to respond. He doesn’t look back at Erik, but he does tilt his head. 

SCOTT: “The same Phoenix that destroyed Genosha?” 

Erik is enraged. 

ERIK: “How dare you.” 

Scott turns back to face him. 

SCOTT: “How dare I? Do you really think this is what any of your people would have wanted?” 

ERIK: “They are dead!” 

SCOTT: “And clearly more dead bodies will stop the problem, right? Just hope that Apocalypse has changed slightly and if he hasn’t, take him out? Great, what happens next? You lead us? No one challenges that? You, of all people, are going to unite the remaining population of millions? Millions who, by and large, actively chose against moving to Genosha? After doing THIS?” 

Magneto clenches his teeth and fists and forms magnetic bubbles around his hands. 

SCOTT: “Go. Do it. Blow me up as easily as I know you can. Doesn’t change that the reason Apocalypse’s plan will work and yours won’t is the same reason you were never able to wipe out humanity.” 

ERIK, stomping forward: “Are you calling me weak?” 

SCOTT: “No. I’m calling Apocalypse the devil. And despite the horns on that helmet of yours, you just aren’t. You don’t have the stomach to do what you’d need to to force everyone to follow you. Even if you had his resources, you wouldn’t have the stomach to initiate this plan yourself.” 

Magneto grabs Scott by the throat. 

MAGNETO, through gritted teeth: “And what makes you so sure?” 

“Because I still remember a kind old man who wouldn’t have been able to live with himself if he’d killed a single little Jewish, Mutant girl.” 

Erik turns to look at Kitty as she finishes speaking. She mocks him with taunting eyes and a head tilt.  He cringes and powers down. 

Magneto sighs. 

MAGNETO: “That is another tally on the board for you, Summers. I concede. And I am sorry.” 

Scott puts a hand on his shoulder. 

SCOTT: “We all want the pain to stop. One day, it will. But it will be through the dream. Not like this.” 

Everyone turns to Emma, unsure if she’s gotten on the same page from all this. 

Emma struts over to Scott like nothing is wrong and kisses him. 

EMMA: “I have nothing to apologize for.” 

The lovers share a smirk, but it’s quickly back to business. They have a big bad to beat. 

SCOTT: “And you don’t need to hear me say I forgive you.” 

In Apocalypse's base, Iceman attempts to resist having his powers stolen by freezing Exodus's hand, but against his telekinesis and telepathic assault, that can only do so much. Famine taunts Bobby with a slasher smile as he creeps into his mind. 

EXODUS: “Of all people, you should relish the potential of our victory. You are Omega. You would live one step below godhood. Your full power will be unleashed, not suppressed.”  

Bobby groans as he pictures both his solo victory over one of the super sentinels, as well as a flashback to when he was a teenager, being scolded by Xavier and laughed at by the rest of the 05. 

EXODUS: “You will not fear yourself.” 

Bobby moans louder as he flashes back to his interactions with Christian and Warren. Special attention is put on their smiles and Warren’s post-shower chest. 

EXODUS: “You will have a lord who accepts you.” 

Bobby screams as he thinks back to being a kid, slapped across the face by his father, with a cross on a wall visible in the background. 

EXODUS: “Your loyalty or your weapon. Whatever your choice, you must submit.” 

Bobby groans and struggles as resisting becomes almost impossible. His head is hung and his time is nearly out. 

ICEMAN: “I…thank you, Exodus.” 

Exodus raises his eyebrows in surprise. 

EXODUS: “For showing you the righteous path?” 

Bobby laughs. 

BOBBY: “Hell no. For proving every telepath I’ve ever known right.” He manically grins up at Exodus. “Intrusive telepathy DOES beat therapy!” 

Bobby flash freezes the arm Exodus has on him, and with an uppercut, shatters it. Exodus screams in pain and horror as Iceman powers back up and blasts away at him, hitting him hard enough to send him crashing through multiple walls, and outside into the surrounding desert. 

Iceman, talking to Exodus as faces on water drops on his clothes, tells Exodus that he never dreamed he could be who he is now. He didn’t even fully realize who that was until just now. And you know who that is? The hero who will always step up. The hero who CAN always step up, because he can do anything, and because he isn’t smart enough to overthink a problem that has a villain to be punched. And also?” 

ICEMAN, as he stands over Exodus on an ice bridge: “I’m gay. But you are so not my type.” 

Exodus desperately attempts another telepathic assault, but Bobby counters with the Red Diamond.

Bobby smiles up. “Check what happens next, Warren.”  

Iceman blasts again at Exodus, with Famine now the one struggling to shield himself. 

Still standing by, Hellion and Surge cheer at the sight of Iceman kicking Exodus’ ass. 

HELLION: “Better go running to your lord and master for safety. Once he’s done with him, you’ll have to deal with all of us.” 

War turns her head toward where the fight is happening. 

WAR, under her breath: “That buffoon.” 

War lands on her feet, one arm behind her back and one hand on the hilt of her sword. Surge questions if she’s ready to start now. 

WAR: “No. I still don’t wish to fight. I just wanted to ask you something. You’re all students at the Xavier Institute, aren’t you?” 

NORIKO: “Jean Grey School. What of it?” 

LAURA: “Don’t talk to her. This is obviously a play.” 

Julian erects a forcefield around the three kids. He’s putting all his power behind it, and he doesn’t care how strong she is, she isn’t breaking it down. No matter what she says, they’re staying on defense. 

WAR: “So suspicious. I only asked because I was curious if any of you ever happened to meet a girl I encountered. I believe her name was…Sofia Mantega?” 

The eyes of all three young X-Men, including Wolverine, immediately become intense. 

JULIAN: “Why do you know who that is?!” 

NORIKO: “What did you do to her?!” 

LAURA, not keeping her cool: “Steady heads.” 

War shakes her head. 

WAR: “It’s such a tragic story. A powerful young Mutant stripped of her weapon, all because she trusted fools who told her her place was to serve the weak. Made weak herself, and becoming as pitiful as any human, attacking her own people.” War paces forward. “Lord Apocalypse took note of her online acts. They spoke and, in the end, all was well.” 

JULIAN: “If you so much as hurt one hair on her head, I’ll tear you limb from limb! You hear me?!” 

WAR: “Hurt her? Never.” Beat. “I just put her out of her misery.” 

Surge and Hellion snap, firing massive blasts at War, but the only thing their attacks successfully destroy is a good chunk of the base, as War somehow forces their tk energy and electricity to crash against the walls, rather than travel in a straight path toward her. 

Wolverine, having lost all sense of leadership and composure, rushes War. However, she’s completely outclassed. War is fast and skilled enough to block all of her attacks with seeming efforltessness, she counters every move with a harsh body blow, and by the end of Laura’s attempted assault, she has Wolverine restrained by simply holding onto and crushing her arm. 

War tosses the battered Wolverine at the other two X-Men’s feet. Hellion and Surge charge in next, both coated in forcefields, and while that, plus their superspeed, allows them to do better, War can still either physically block or otherwise deflect all of their attacks. 

WAR: “If this is the best your school has, you need a better teacher.” 

War sends the two flying back, scorching them both with her flames. Wolverine gets back up and tries to fight again, but she doesn’t even get to make War block this time, as War easily steps out of the way of all of her attacks, and just gets to beat on her. 

WAR: “I am sorry it’s come to this. But the pain will make you stronger.” 

Seemingly spontaneously, Wolverine is slashed all over her body, deep bloody marks covering her from head to toe. Laura screams, and with one more punch tot the face, War puts her down. Screaming like maniacs, Hellion and Surge try one more time to do anything they can against War, but War just puts her hand to her head like a telepath and, a moment later, Noriko and Julian collapse to the floor, with their heads in agony. 

WAR, casually stepping past the kids in Iceman and Exodus’ direction: “If you wish to stand for something…if you wish to protect those who cannot protect themselves…the becoming the strongest and dominating is your only option. Otherwise? You’re just asking to be stepped on.” 

Julian and Noriko try to get up, but a sharp, invisible pain keeps them down. 

WAR: “I’ll see you in the new world.” 

Julian and Noriko pass out. 

In the girls' room, the eight teens are all sprawled back out on the floor, lying back in a circle. There’s a moment of silence. 

CESSILY: “You drugged us. That’s really messed up.” 

SOPHIE: “We tried just talking before.” 

ROXY: “Yeah, well, next time, maybe stick to that.” 

SOPHIE, perking up: “Next time?” 

Neither Cessily nor Roxy responds. 

SOORAYA: “I learned so much about American culture during the break. Things I never cared to learn while here. In so many ways, it is the free, wonderous place it promises. In others..” Sooraya trails off. “I’m still not sure if the country outside these walls is right for me. Much of it goes against…everything. Ommi is enamored. She loves it here. But even for baselines, it is more than it claims.” Sooraya looks at the sisters. “You threatened my mother. But I believe you have changed. I am not who you harmed the worst. The choice is Roxanne’s.” 

All eyes turn to Roxy. She exhales. 

ROXY: “You’re not the first girls I’ve met like you. Girls who’ve got everything and think that means they can take anything they want. Even people.” The Cuckoos faces fall. They don’t think this is going to end well. Roxy looks at Sooraya. “But last year, I realized the only difference between me and them was I threw tantrums when I didn’t get my way instead of pushing my pain onto others. I was just as entitled.” She looks back at the Cuckoos. “And another I learned last year? There are parts of us we don’t even know about just waiting to be uncovered. Good or bad, we’ve all got something else going on that we don’t show. I may regret this…but yeah, Sophie. You and your girls get a next time.” 

The Cuckoos all squee in delight, and even Cess and Soo seem pleased. Finally! Roxy won’t regret this. They’re going to be the best friends ever and run this school again. 

The others glare at them like they can’t be serious. 

CELESTE: “We mean by being popular.” 

Roxy and Sooraya breathe sighs of relief. 

CESSILY: “Well, the Hellions cannot come back for sure…but maybe we don’t need to be *totally* nice.” 

Everyone’s a little intrigued by what she’s thinking. 

We cut to Quentin’s room, where he and Brian are playing video games. Quentin has a “Magneto Was Right” poster on his wall, alongside various academic awards. The two boys are sitting back playing video games. We hold on this visual for a few seconds, until a giant, creepy monster pops out of the screen. Brian and Quentin scream in terror. 

Outside in the hall, the Cuckoos, Cessily, Sooraya, and Roxy laugh at their prank. Quentin is so scared, he loses control of his telekinesis and blasts out the light fixture, making the boys scream more. The girls pause, momentarily worried, and the Cuckoos shut off the illusion. 

QUENTIN, scared out of his mind: “Cuckoos! I know that was you!” 

The girls still seem concerned…but then they burst out laughing again. 

In Egypt, Iceman vs Exodus reaches a climax. Iceman laughs at the one-armed Exodus as he launches one ave of destructive tk energy after another, filling the air with sand. He keeps blowing Bobby apart, but he has no way of actually keeping him down. 

ICEMAN: “It doesn’t matter how many times you blow your load. Even the desert can’t make me melt.” 

Iceman freezes all of the sand Exodus has kicked up, sharpens it, and pelts Exodus with millions of hail shards. Bobby follows up with one more freezing blast to completely overwhelm Exodus. 

As the attacks finish, Exodus is down. For Warren and for the Mocklocks, Bobby is going to take him out. 

Exodus pants. Maybe he is about to lose…but he can still fight. 

From his one remaining hand, Exodus launches a TK wave, not at Iceman, but at the section of the base they came from, where Julian, Noriko, and Laura are passed out and helpless. 

Iceman screams in horror, powerful as he is, he can’t freeze the blast, or at least not as quickly as he needs to. 

ICEMAN: “NO!” 

The music stops everything stops. Everything stops except for Iceman. 

Bobby is weirded out, and confused by what’s going on. But then he realizes it. He did this. He froze time. 

ICEMAN: “I…I can do this?” BEAT “BWAHAHAHA! THAT’S SO COOL!” 

With time now on his side, but feeling like he can’t do this forever, Bobby takes the time he needs to freeze and shatter Exodus’ attack, although doing so clearly exhausts him, as he’s already used so much energy. For Exodus, time unfreezes as Iceman skewers him with two sharpened arms. 

ICEMAN, exhausted: “Congrats. You got me inside you.” 

Fear of death overtakes Exodus’ face as Iceman freezes him from the inside out. 

EXODUS: “This…this cannot be. I am the lord’s most faithful soldier. I cannot die to a clown.” 

ICEMAN: “I may be a clown. But at least I’m no one’s b–” 

Iceman’s victory quote is interrupted, and his victory is stopped, as a hellstorm of flames melts him down, the nature of the attack hurting him far more than Exodus’. War has arrived. With all the energy Bobby has already spent, the intensity of War’s heat makes it a struggle to reform his body. She shows no mercy as she continues to hit him again and again, cackling manically and leaving him a series of puddles in the sand. 

WAR: “And he said I couldn’t fight an Omega.” 

Exodus pants as he stands up and cauterizes his wounds. 

EXODUS: “I…had the situation under control.” 

WAR, mockingly: “Of course you did. Now shut off his brain. It’s the only way to kill him.” 

EXODUS: “Do not presume to order me, you little –” 

APOCALYPSE, telepathically, cutting him off: “Famine. War. You must leave at once.” 

WAR AND EXODUS: “WHAT?!” 

They’re both confused. They’re winning. And they’re about to kill Iceman. 

APOCALYPSE: “The X-Men’s leaders are arriving. Famine, you are in no condition to face Magneto as you wish to. War, your psychic defenses cannot withstand a single attack from Emma Frost. You have done well. Now leave the rest to me.” 

WAR, worried: “But my lord–!” 

APOCALYPSE: “Do you doubt my ability to defeat them? Do you doubt my strength?” 

War hates this, bending over and clenching her fists in frustration at this order, but she can’t argue. 

WAR: “Show no mercy, my lord.” 

War flies off. 

EXODUS: “As I heal, I shall find our new people, and shepherd them to their true paths.” 

Exodus flies off. 

Right outside Apocalypse’s base, Cyclops, Emma, Magneto, and Kitty finally arrive in a flash of pink sparkles. 

Emma’s first act is to breathe a sigh of relief. She senses that the kids and Iceman are all still alive. Down and out, but alive. They’re also in luck: it doesn’t seem like any Horsemen are present. Either they went down taking them out, or Apocalypse wants them all alone. 

Magneto orders Kitty to retrieve the kids and get them out of the base; the base may not survive the upcoming battle. Once that’s done, it’s her responsibility to disable Apocalypse’s machinery, get out, and see what she can do about Iceman. 

MAGNETO, looking to Scott and Emma: “Apocalypse wished to speak with us three. We shall grant that wish.” 

Kitty doesn’t question these orders for a second, tells the others to not mess this up, and runs in ahead of them. 

The three leaders dramatically follow behind her. Or, not so dramatically. 

SCOTT: “Let’s a make bet.” 

EMMA, not having time for this: “What?” 

SCOTT: “Make it interesting. Losing isn’t an option. We’re going to win. So let’s make a bet for who takes him down.” 

MAGNETO: “Are you being serious right now?” 

SCOTT, smiling and shrugging: “You shouldn’t be complaining. Odds are in your favor.” He looks at Emma. “If I put Apocalypse down, I get to teach you how to fly the Blackbird, and if you win, I’ll learn to ride a horse?” 

EMMA, continuing to glare at him in confusion: “Are you okay?” 

Scott laughs. 

SCOTT: “Oh god no.” 

In Apocalypse’s throneroom, Apocalypse sits, all by himself, his servants no longer present. He wearily leans to his side, resting his head on a fist. 

The leaders enter. Apocalypse,although still tried, grins. 

APOCALYPSE: “You have arrived. Are you here to witness the apocalypse alongside it?” The three just glare back. Apocalypse laughs. “No. I suppose you aren’t.” Apocalypse takes a breath. “I cannot say I understand. I have observed you. None of you are weak. Not like Charles Xavier. Even you, Child of X. I believed that the overly gentle terms I have set would be…agreeable.” 

The three continue to stare him down. Rather than respond to what he said, Magneto notices something else. 

MAGNETO: “You are already gravely injured. Sick. That’s why you have shown humanity this “mercy”. Not out of any desire to reach out an olive branch. You don’t even have the energy for a prolonged conflict, do you?” 

Emma questions how that’s possible. She and him have never had a chance to get acquainted, thank god, but isn’t he supposed to be immortal? Scott confirms this, and shares in her confusion, as if he did survive his last encounter with the X-Men, he should have needed to spend time in his regenerative chamber; the real reason they’ve never been able to stop him for good. 

APOCALYPSE, nodding: “What you say is true. But a sacrifice was necessary. One I do not regret.” 

Apocalypse questions if this is really what they want. To perpetuate the conflict among them. To prolong their suffering. 

The leaders tell him that question was a difficult one for them to come to a consensus on. But this won’t stop the fighting either. And at the end of the day, there are good humans; there is no good in Apocalypse. 

CYCLOPS: “Unless you mean to tell us you’ve changed your view of Mutants you don’t see as “worthy”.” 

APOCALYPSE, smiling: “The weak have no place in this world but to be crushed by the strong. That fact will never change. But I have witnessed the weakest, most pathetic of creatures transform themselves into the very strongest, given the right circumstances. All Mutants will have a chance in my world. It is not my fault if they fail.” 

Apocalypse knows that Kitty is also here and what she’s no doubt after. But they misunderstand. The plague has already been released. Millions have died, thousands have been born, and destroying the weapons of the old gods will not stop this from continuing. He explains that in granting each of his new Horsemen new Mutations, he set a condition on them: should they ever lose a battle, those abilities would fade away. He has put a similar condition on himself. If he falls, the plague will cease. That is the only way to stop it. 

APOCALYPSE: “If I can not still crush any who oppose me…then I have no right to dictate the new world. And the new world is not ready to be born.” He sits up straight. “Do you issue the challenge?” 

MAGNETO, stepping forward: “The X-Men do.” 

APOCALYPSE, moaning: “Very well.” Apocalypse slowly stands up, cracking his muscles and drawing two swords. “I am the weakest I have been in thousands of years. I stand against two Omegas and an Alpha. I…shall grant you honorable deaths.” 

Moving at super speed, Apocalypse rushes Magneto. Erik is able to hold him back with magnetic force, taking hold of Apocalypse’s hands to keep his balance, but this only lasts for a few seconds before Magneto is overpowered and sent flying through a wall. 

Cyclops blasts Apocalypse, but his optic beams merely tickle the immortal, who sends Scott flying with a far more powerful concussive blast of his own. 

EMMA, transforming into her diamond form: “You shouldn't have done that, Apocalypse. No one gets to beat that man but me.” 

Emma attempts to fight Apocalypse head on, but the punches of the form which survived Genosha can do little more than annoy him. She’s backhanded across the face, and sent flying like the others. 

Apocalypse is disappointed. He assumed if they were challenging him, without even knowing his condition, they must have gotten stronger. Instead, they are just fools. 

Scott looks to Emma, and then up at the hole Magneto made. He whistles. 

The ground shakes. All of the heavy machinery  and everything else made of metal in the room shakes as well. Apocalypse appears more interested than afraid by what’s happening. Flying back into the throneroom, Magneto launches everything at Apocalypse. A is easily able to smash and slice apart everything thrown at him, but all of this is just a distraction to allow Magneto to nail him in the face with a ground-shaking punch. Apocalypse isn’t sent flying, but he is knocked back  and visibly injured. 

APOCALYPSE: “There it is.” 

Cyclops and Magneto blast at him at the same time, and when Apocalypse blasts back, Emma steps in the way of Scott, blocking for him, while Erik defends himself. Without wasting an instant, Scott leaps off of Emma’s shoulder and targets Apocalypse’s head with a still-wider blast. Apocalypse telekinetically tosses them both away as he grunts, but is left open to be ravaged by a full-power magnetic wave. 

The attack not only launches Apocalypse out into the desert, but damages the infrastructure of the base. This is seen as we briefly cut to Kitty, as she drags the three kids out of there. The crumbling starts. 

Apocalypse remains standing, even if he is bleeding. Cyclops blasts Emma, launching her as a projectile at Apocalypse. He grabs her throat, ready to slash her head off, but she is merely a distraction, for Magneto to swoop in and tackle the titan. Apocalypse dissolves his swords, knowing they’ll do more harm than good at this stage. 

With his whole body charged up, Magneto and Apocalypse engage in hand to hand combat, moving even faster than War and Archangel did in their duel. While Magneto is succeeding in further injuring Apocalypse, each one of Apocalypse’s blows takes far more out of him. 

Eventually, Erik’s weariness and injuries catch up with him, and he slows down to the point Apocalypse sees an opening for a killing blow. He doesn’t get to deliver it though, as Emma is once again blasted by Scott, this time being positioned in between A and Erik to tank the hit. Magneto takes advantage of this, slamming his hands together and blasting Apocalypse once again. 

At last, A falls.. He narrows his eyes at Cyclops. Scott smirks back. 

We briefly flashback to sometime earlier in the year, Scott, Emma, and Erik seated around Emma’s desk. Each has a binder in front of them. Magneto is unamused and puzzled by what Scott has him looking at. Scott explains that it’s the X-Men’s strategy book. It’s a little list of tactics for each specific alignment of X-Men in the face of any given scenario. He updates it every time the rollcall changes. 

SCOTT, extremely proud of himself: “Pretty cool, right?” 

EMMA, lying and slightly embarrassed as she pats his shoulder: “Yes. Very.” 

In any case, since Magneto’s in charge now, and many of these strategies involve him, he needs to study up. Magneto sees little point. There are few threats he cannot crush on his own. 

MAGNETO, flipping a page: “Oh. Actually…this one could be of use.” 

In the present, Apocalypse takes note of what his enemies have been doing. Cyclops acting as a distraction and Emma acting as a shield, so that Magneto can focus just on hitting him as hard as he can. 

APOCALYPSE: “Hardly an honorable way to fight.” 

CYCLOPS: “Maybe. But Break the Juggernaut Isn’t about honor.” 

MAGNETO: ‘You did NOT name this.” 

EMMA: “Oh, let him have his fun.”

Apocalypse gets pissed as he floats up and finally powers up, kicking up a sandstorm and destroying the rest of his base as he shakes the Earth in the process. He fires off a massive energy attack in all directions, forcing Emma to shield Scott, and Magneto to stand on his own and try to cut a path through it. He succeeds, only to be met once again by Apocalypse. Now using the full extent of his current power, Apocalypse grows two additional arms, and with them beats Magneto halfway to death. 

APOCALYPSE, continuing to break Magneto: “You all think me evil? “No good” you said? I did not fail to stop a small, feeble human from causing the deaths of 16 million of us.” 

He tosses away a barely clinging to life Magneto away like a ragdoll before leaping and chokeslamming Emma. 

APOCALYPSE: “I have not failed my student.” 

Using his molecular manipulation, he turns off her diamond form. Emma, while being strangled, knows he’s too powerful a telepath himself for her to just shut him down, but she is able to force him to let her go, letting her gasp for air. Scott blasts at him, but Apocalypse’s blasts are once again far more powerful, and a single shot puts Scott in similar condition to Magneto. 

Apocalypse floats over Cyclops. 

APOCALYPSE: “I have not abdicated my responsibilities.” Apocalypse holds out his arms. “None of you are fit to rule!” 

BEAT, focusing on the battered leaders. 

SCOTT: “Yeah. That’s the point.” 

Cyclops removes his visor and hits Apocalypse with the full brunt of his power, at last able to make him feel it. 

CYCLOPS: “You don’t want any tricks? Just power? Well here it is!” 

Apocalypse’s shields are overwhelmed, and he’s launched higher into the sky. He’s immediately dragged back down by Emma’s telekinesis, dragging him back into Scott’s line of fire, and hitting him with her own psychic lightning. 

Apocalypse’s knees bend, as the Celestial tech parts of his body begin to flicker and fail. He knows none of them can withstand another attack from him. He just needs to…

He doesn’t get to finish whatever he was saying, as from above, Magneto lets loose everything he has left, and applies the pressure needed to knock Apocalypse on his face, and keep him stuck where he is. 

MAGNETO: “FINISH IT!” 

As their attacks fill the sky along with the sandstorm, Kitty watches from a distance, in awe of what these three fighting together looks like. 

Eventually, Scott, Emma, and Magneto are completely tapped out, and fall over, a cloud of smoke hiding the fate of Apocalypse. They all wait tensely to see if they’ve won. If they haven’t, it’s all over. 

The smoke clears…

And Apocalypse still stands. 

APOCALYPSE, slurring his words, all his tech destroyed or powered off, and bleeding all over:  “Weak as I am. Strong as you all are. I cannot be stopped.” 

Scott, Emma, and Erik look on in horror. The world is doomed. 

Apocalypse takes slow, heavy steps toward them. We cut away to Exodus’ face, the man somewhere far away. He’s smirking maliciously. 

EXODUS: “I think not.” 

For a split second, Apocalypse’s eyes flash pink. At long last, it’s Exodus’ surprise psychic blast that brings Apocalypse down, knocking him out, as an explosion takes place in the remnants of Apocalypse’s base. 

The three leaders look at his unconscious body in stunned silence, unaware of the betrayal that just occurred. One by one, they all laugh. They actually did it. 

CYCLOPS: “Okay, you know what…I think we can call the bet a draw.” 

Scott passes out, and the others are quick to follow. 

Sometime later, back at the school, an assembly is being held. Many of the students are afraid following the recent events. Magneto, in a wheelchair, sits on the stage and speaks to them about the great tragedy that occurred. While the X-Men did succeed in stopping Apocalypse and his plague, the Morlocks are all gone, including their former classmates Artie and Leech, and 10 million baselines died in the process. A few kids are crying. 

Magneto goes on to say that they should mourn and they will help them in anyway they can. A loss of life like this is always a tragedy. Baseline or Mutant. 

The other day, he spoke to them all. Not in his words, but in those of their previous headmaster. And he is glad he did not speak to them as he would have liked to. While he may stand firm in his philosophies, they are not what should be passed down to the future. They should not need to be passed down to the future, even if he believes they are what will ensure it. 

And in truth, when it came to stopping the ultimate evil, he and they worked better together than he could have imagined. Cyclops and Emma walk on stage. It is for this reason that, from now on, the three of them shall be equal partners in running the school and leading the X-Men. Together, they defeated the unstoppable. And while he will not promise there will be no more tragedies because there will be, they will still do all they can to help the children flourish. 

There’s a slow, awkward applause. 

Out in the hallway, soon after this, the three leaders walk with Kitty. Nice speech, but the kids may call them liars when they find out they weren’t actually able to finish off Apocalypse. 

Kitty isn’t sure what happened, but by the time she reached the uncnocious trio, Apocalypse’s body was gone. Emma brings up that there’s also still the matter of the four horsemen as well. Hopefully Iceman (confirmed to slowly be re-forming) will be up for a rematch by then. Magneto laments that, short of the plague, they may have to do this all over again whenever Apocalypse finishes restoring himself. Scot isn’t worried. The X-Men have this covered. 

Storm appears in their path, smiling. Kitty is relieved to see she’s doing better, as is Erik, who offers her his condolences; he more than anyone knows what she must be feeling right now. Ororo thanks them both…and reluctantly, thanks Emma for her part in stopping the plague.

EMMA: “Well, someone had to, while others were laying in bed.” 

Ororo rolls her eyes. She needs to speak with Scott. Alone. Kitty gives her a hug and Magneto shakes her hand, before the three comply. 

Scott asks Ororo what he’s done now, which just makes Storm laugh. Is that how he sees her now? The nagging big sister who’s always finding faults. 

SCOTT, cheeky: “A little bit.” 

Storm grins. She heard everything from Kitty. And she is so proud of her brother. When the ultimate test came, he stuck to what he knew was right, and did not allow himself to succumb to the darkness he’s surrounded himself in. 

STORM: “Perhaps I lost faith in you too quickly.” 

Scott tells her not to worry about it. He gave her reason to worry. Does this mean she’ll rejoin the team? They both know she doesn’t need her powers for the job. Ororo thanks him, but she isn’t ready to go that far. Especially not now. The Morlocks didn’t have any loved ones, but Betsy could use her right now. And after that…

STORM: “A young man witnessed my battle online. He called me, claiming to be my nephew. I’m intrigued.” 

The two hug it out, and Scott wishes her luck with everything. 

Storm begins to walk off, but…

STORM: “Oh, and Cyclops. When you find Exodus…kill him for me.” 

Scott sneers and nods. 

At the Grindstone, the three young X-Men and their friends, which now includes the Cuckoos and Quentin are all hanging out. Brian is annoyed about the girls bringing the Cuckoos, especially after the prank they all pulled on them, but Roxy counters if he can add “sweater-vest” to the gang, they can add the Cuckoos. The sisters play it cool, teasing that, really, they all have the fortune of now being in “their” group, but really they’re just so happy to finally be here. 

NORIKO, slamming her hands on the table: “Is no one gonna bring up the three of us helping to save the world? Cause I think that’s a pretty big deal.” 

JULIAN: “Yeah, no need to grovel, but a thank you would be nice. Groveling would be appreciated though.” 

Laura rolls her eyes at them, as she reminds them that they all lost. Badly. All they achieved was getting Iceman severely injured, and keeping Exodus alive.

CESSILY: “I also heard something about you two wanting to let Apocalypse win?” 

Julian and Noriko shrink, embarrassed. Everyone laughs at them. 

Sooraya is just glad they came to their senses. That on its own is a victory. But who is strong enough to beat the three of them so easily? 

QUENTIN: “Like it’d be that hard.” 

Brian punches his shoulder. 

Julian slams his fists together. You know who I think War is? 

JULIAN: “Ms. Grey.” 

The others think he’s crazy, but he tells them to think about it. She has flames, telekinesis, and is super strong. Who else could it be? 

There’s a pause, as everyone considers this. 

LAURA: “There’s also Prestige.” 

JULIAN: “Tch! I don’t care if she’s Jean, her daughter, or her granddaughter from even further in the future, next time I see her, I’m taking her out.” 

Julian, Noriko, and Laura all exchange glances. 

We flashback to the three young X-Men in the medical bay, after waking up. They make an agreement. They don’t tell the others what War said about Sofia. Not until they know for sure she isn’t lying. And not until that heartless monster is dead. 

In the present, Noriko gets up to go get everyone drinks. Milkshakes on the newbies!  

Back in Egypt, we pan down on the wrecked base to reveal that Apocalypse had a second, underground base. Apocalypse appears barely alive as he can only walk with an arm around War’s shoulders, and her holding him up. 

WAR: “Just a little further to your chamber, my lord.” She grunts. “Why didn’t you let me fight with you? We could have killed them!” Apocalypse weakly groans. War is clearly afraid. “Just a little further.” 

The two arrive where his restorative chamber should be. Apocalypse’s eyes widen in horror. 

WAR: “No.” 

Someone has destroyed his chamber. 

Apocalypse collapses against a wall. War bends down, not understanding how this could happen. 

WAR: “I…I shall find someone who can fix it. I will make them fix it!” 

War starts to rush off, but Apocalypse takes her hand and asks her to stay. It’s okay. It’s done. 

War gets on her knees. He can’t be giving up. He’s Apocalypse! 

APOCALYPSE: “I…will never yield. I will never die. But without my chamber, I will not wake up from my slumber for a long, long time.” 

WAR, her small hands clasped around one of Apocalypse’s massive ones, audibly crying under her helmet: “No. No!” She bows her head. “This is my fault. You could have destroyed them with ease if I had–” 

APOCALYPSE: “Shhh. Regret for the past is a weakness.” 

WAR, knowing exactly what to say: “Action in the present is strength.” She sniffles. “What about our mission? We were meant to save the world.” 

Apocalypse coughs up blood. 

APOCALYPSE: “Our mission…is now your mission. Clan Akabba is yours to lead.” War whispers “no”. “Are you afraid?” 

WAR: “Never!” 

APOCALYPSE: “Then do…as I trained you to do.” 

Apocalypse pulls War into his arms and removes her helmet, although the audience still can’t see who it is. We do see that she has long brown hair, as Apocalypse strokes it. 

APOCALYPSE: “You are the strongest. Perhaps not in power, but in spirit. This world…is yours to conquer.” War continues to nod along as she cries into his chest. “Let these be the last tears you shed. Only the wives and children of your slain enemies may weep.” 

WAR, still speaking in a distorted voice without her helmet: “ I will burn this world in the flames of war, for I am the war that will never end. I will make you proud.” 

APOCALYPSE: “I know…you will.” 

Apocalypse runs out of energy and enters a long, long sleep. 

WAR: “Goodbye…Father.” 

Elsewhere in the base, in Apocalypse’s backup throneroom, Exodus is in a perfectly good mood. Apocalypse may be lost, as are the powers of Famine, but he’s still more than powerful enough to lead the remaining Horseman to glory. 

EXODUS, mockingly:  “In the name of Lord Apocalypse, of course.” 

Sitting across from him, lighting a cigarette, is a muscular Japanese man with a mohawk in a silk shirt, slacks, and a katana strapped to his back. 

DEATH: “Forgive me, Famine, but I can’t believe in a loser to aid me in my revenge.” 

EXODUS: “I am the ONLY Omega among us.” 

“Boys, be nice.” 

DEATH: “Such a scary little word you like to toss around. Maybe one day it will mean something.” 

The fourth and final Horseman, Pestilence, reveals herself, and it’s a familiar face: Polaris. She sits with the two men. 

PESTILLENCE: “Unless you actually want to kill each other. That sounds fun to watch.” 

Death laughs as he smokes. 

DEATH: “Perhaps I should lead us.”

EXODUS: “I *would* kill you if you tried.” 

DEATH, casually reaching for his katana, unafraid: “By all means, go ahead and try it.” 

Exodus powers up, ready to start another fight. Polaris grins as it looks like this will happen, her eyes turning purple. 

“Quit your bickering!” 

War stomps into the throneroom, getting the other three horsemen’s attention. 

WAR: ‘Lord Apocalypse is gone. His mission is now our mission. Before he awakens, it is our responsibility to make this world strong. Before he awakens, we must cleanse the world of the weak. Of the human. And, most importantly…” 

War sits on Apocalypse’s throne as her face is finally shown. 

WAR: “Of the X-Men.” 

Her skin is blue, but War’s identity is still clear. She is Sofia Mantega. 

While Exodus sneers at her and Polaris chuckles, Death smirks and steps forward to kneel before War. And for War, there is nothing but hate and pain inside her eyes. 

#new x-men: the animated series #new x-men #academy x #scott summers #emma frost #Magneto #kitty pryde #roberto da costa #bobby drake #illyana rasputin #laura kinney #julian keller #noriko ashida #sooraya qadir #cessily kincaid #brian cruz #roxanne washington #the stepford cuckoos #quentin quire

[ofpineapplesanddawns]

Would you write reverse crowlien but sapphic? Perhaps a first meeting number two? Only if you feel like humouring yet another au of an au of an au of course

Please, it's my specialty to make aus of aus of aus! :D (like, for real, this is very normal for me, also, I'm a sucker for wlw monster content)

Warning: mentioned body horror, alien stuff, sci-fi horror, sci-fi nonsense, Crowley is an android (though it's not brought up), Aziraphale is an alien-human hybrid, death mentioned

On with the fic!

--

"Fuck, fuck, fuck!" Crowley ran through the halls as the lights blinked red in warning, sounds blasting from hidden speakers. For someone's sake, she was so sick and tired of the color red.

She jumped over objects that still needed to be cleaned up and put back into place, past blood smears and stains from someone trying to find a hiding spot. Had it been Eric? Or Erik? Maybe even Erich? She couldn't remember, everything was still... murky.

That wasn't important now. Now, she had to see what the fuck happened at one of the airlocks. Something had happened that forced activated it, and Crowley hoped, HOPED that is had just been a malfunction.

She was still trying to repair the station as best as she could, but with her being the sole survivor (along with Bentley, clever, sweet, baby girl kitty), it was harder than it should be, even for the chief science officer and mechanic. So, some things were still malfunctioning, and that was driving her crazy.

Crowley still didn't know if there was anything else out of the moon's surface that could be a threat.

She found airlock 4 and clutched tightly the heavy wrench in her hands, just in case she had to fight. She peered inside and found that it was empty, the door to the outside was sealed shut. The systems looked find, but something was on the floor.

Crowley put in the code to open the airlock and stepped inside, keeping the door open. On the floor was what looked like one of the grates for the air vents.

And it looked to have been torn out of the ceiling.

Swallowing, Crowley slowly looked up, seeing claw marks all over the ceiling and around the large opening. Maybe... maybe it was from before, when that horrible monster was on here.

Behind her, she found the door was in a similar state, scratched to hell, even the touch pad to access getting into the station itself.

"Fuck." She said and punched a few things into it, surprised that the screen and keypad still worked.

The warning sirens that had been blasting through the ship finally stopped, but the lights were still red. They always malfunctioned like that, it would take a few minutes for them to finally return to normal.

She stepped back out into the hall and sighed, rubbing her eyes with one hand. "I'm just... paranoid."

And alone.

She looked at her hand, seeing the two bands that now sat on it. One on her left ring finger, the other one a bit big, it could only fit on her thumb without slipping off. The first was silver, the other gold, both with the same engraving inside of them.

She bit down hard on her lip.

No, no crying.

No being upset.

She had to keep going, she was the optimist, that's what Azi-

Crowley felt her whole body tense up when she heard something down the hall. Something that sounded like steps.

They were too big and too heavy to be tiny cat paws. Crowley wasn't walking, she wasn't even in her work boots, she couldn't make steps like that for them to echo.

Everyone was dead.

She knew that.

She buried the remains.

All except-

Slowly, Crowley turned to look at the other end of the hall, opposite of where she came from, and saw something in red light as it turned a corner.

The shape was large, with limbs too long and distorted, a body bathed in red with dark patches across the skin that looked to be pulled tightly over a complicated skeletal structure.

Teeth.

Lots of teeth, even from the distance Crowley stood at, even with one working eye, she could see teeth.

Scraggly hair covered the thing's head, and it had such deep set eyes.

That stared directly at Crowley.

Then it moved, it ran.

Crowley ran.

--

In this au, they're not dating like the other two, these Ineffables are married.

Aziraphale sacrificed herself to save Crowley, hoping she'd escape. Crowley didn't, couldn't leave. She wanted Aziraphale to come back.

Well, she got her wish. :)

#john's drabbles #good omens #crowlien au #anthony j crowley #crowley #Aziraphale #ineffable wives

[starlitmark]

Pairing: Shiba!Haechan x fem!reader

Genre: fluff, angst

Rating: PG

Warnings: hybrids, language, bisexual Mark and Haechan, mxm mentions, mentions of heats/ruts, mentions of paparazzi/stalkers, mentions of alcohol, kissing

Word Count: 10k

Hybridverse Masterlist || Shiba!Haechan Masterlist

Yangyang nearly jumps out of his skin when his, clearly, very angry Shiba friend bursts through his apartment door. He can smell how angry he is too, Haechan’s normally very calming campfire smell has turned ashy and suffocating more than anything. Yangyang turns to his girlfriend, who was prepping some lunch for the two of them, the panther simply shrugs at him.

“Hi Hyuck, why are you upset?” she asks, trying to seem nonchalant.

“I’m not angry. I’m perfectly fine!”

“Hyuck,” Yangyang adds, “we can smell how mad you are, you’re much less crackly firewood and way more smokey. Just let it out.”

Donghyuck flops back onto the wolf’s couch right beside him before letting out a sigh under his breath. His head is flopped back against the couch, his blonde ears standing out against his soft brown hair.  He turns his head towards his very confused friend before sighing again.

“Why the fuck did I try to date another alpha. I should’ve known that I couldn’t date an alpha when I’m one too! I mean I know there are people out there who can manage alpha-alpha relationships but I just don’t get it. We were fine, completely fucking fine then-”

“Wait, you broke up?” the maned wolf questions.

“Yeah, Mark and I broke up. I don’t know what happened! We were fine three weeks ago then all of a sudden he was super distant and then today right before I came here he told me that this, meaning our relationship, wasn’t right and we should break up. I mean I know we were friends before we started dating so we had expectations but hell, I thought we got over those years ago. Now I need to move back in with Renjun and I love him to death but he can be a bit insufferable at times.”

“I don’t think you want to live with him anyway. You’re rather affectionate and he does everything possible to avoid affection.” Yangyang teases him.

Hyuck grunts slightly under his breath, “I don’t really have another choice, I need somewhere to live and I don’t exactly have the funds to do a down payment on an apartment right now.”

Yangyang laughs slightly, earning a light smack on the head from his girlfriend, “I guess you better call Renjun then.” he digresses.

Hyuck grumbles for a few moments but pulls his phone out of his hoodie pocket and navigates his way to Renjun’s contact. He doesn’t know where the cat hybrid is currently, last he knew Renjun was either extremely fired up or sulking. Recently, Jeno’s been attached to his girlfriend. Part of it was definitely the issues he had faced in the past when they were younger, but a part of it was also the lingering puppy love over the past year. He had always helped their kitty friend with his heats and now he doesn’t want to cross any lines. When the feisty cat answers the phone he can already tell something’s up. When Hyuck explains that he needs to move back in Renjun wasn’t exactly thrilled but he wasn’t upset either.

“Actually that works cause now you’ll already be here and I don’t have to drag you out to go where we’re going.” the cat explains.

“What? When did I agree to go anywhere?” Donghyuck fights back.

“Now, if you’re moving back in, you’re going on this trip with me. I’m headed out to Hollywood to meet up with some old friends.”

“Is that your only condition?”

“Yes.”

“I’m in then, I’ll move my stuff in tomorrow.”

Just as promised Haechan moves back into the apartment with Renjun the next day all while explaining just how weird the breakup with Mark was. Renjun just made off-handed comments about it most of the time. The primary one being ‘this is why I’m aromantic… no feeling means no breakup, no breakups means no one gets hurt’. The moment they finished bringing the last box in Donghyuck had a realization.

“Who the hell do you know that lives in Hollywood?” he asks, flopping back on his bed.

“You remember my friends from China, Dejun, and Hendery?”

“Yeah,” he responds not paying much attention, “what about them?”

“Dejun’s a movie director out there and Hendery is his creative director. They invited me out there now that they and their girlfriends have a break from filming and designing shit.”

“And why am I going?” he asks, his tone laced with sass.

“Cause you need to get out of the house. I don’t want you moping around and pouting after the shit with Mark. The last thing I want is for you to stink up the place while I’m gone.”

The Shiba hybrid groans but caves and keeps his end of the deal. While he packs his suitcase Renjun assures him that it’ll be fun. Hyuck can’t seem to get past the idea of leaving right after a breakup though. He doesn’t really want to go, plus that means he has to cancel all the streams he had planned for the next week. The heat of LA was not meant for his fur either. It’s not long but it’s so thick this time of year with his winter coat coming out over the next month.

That doesn’t mean he’s not trying when it comes to outfits and overall appearance. Quite the opposite actually, he spent several hours making sure his outfits were exactly to his imagination. Of course, he did only pack for a week so that narrowed his choices down quite a bit. Renjun peeked in periodically seeing how insistent he was about packing perfect outfits. Hyuck didn’t even listen when Renjun told him that their flight was at 4 in the morning, he was far too concerned about not sweating his tail off in the heat of LA.

“Hyuck,” his cat friend chuckles, “it’s really not a big deal… we’re just going to hang out with my friends for a week.”

“Yeah, Renjun,” the Shiba sasses, “but we’re going to LA, my fashion needs to be at its best!”

“If you say so.” the kitty laughs, “It’s nearly 11pm, Hyuck… you heard what time our flight is tomorrow right?”

“Tomorrow?! When did you tell me it was tomorrow?”

“While you were fussing over your button-ups.” he states matter-of-factly, “It’s at 4am… you aren’t exactly one to wake up easily so I suggest you get some sleep now so you’re at least somewhat functional tomorrow.”

Donghyuck makes a groan-growl noise before zipping up his suitcase, finally finished with packing. As he rolls it out to the living room he continues to grumble and fuss under his breath. Renjun, of course, bites back with his own comments the entire time. From the outside people would swear they hate each other. But they don’t, it’s just how their friendship dynamic is.

“So what horrible hour of the morning do we need to get to the airport?” he questions, clearly still sulking.

“At the latest, 2am.”

“Why the fuck did you choose such an early flight?”

“Cause those are my peak hours… I wake up around 2am every night anyway. You know that. It made sense.”

“Not for me!” he whines.

“Sucks, now go to bed so you actually wake up so we can get to the airport on time.”

With much more grumbling and sulking the puppy makes his way to his room and collapses into the mattress. He wanted as much sleep as possible considering at this rate he’s still only getting 3 hours of sleep.

Just as Renjun predicted when he woke up to get everything out to the car Hyuck was still passed out. Being the friend that he is, he knew exactly what to do. Quietly sneaking into his room, Renjun steps closer to his bed. He didn’t have to be as quiet as he was, Hyuck was not only a heavy sleeper but that boy snores loud enough for three people sometimes. Today was one of those times. Renjun’s tail flicks back and forth for a few moments before he pounces on the Shiba hybrid.

“What the fuck?”

“Wake up dipshit! It’s time to go!” Renjun smiles at him, his tail still flicking behind him.

“Did you have to pounce me you demon cat?” he grumbles, his voice still laced with sleep.

“Excuse me?” Renjun scoffs, “We both know you wouldn’t wake up otherwise.”

The entire drive to the airport Hyuck whines about it being too early. Renjun couldn’t care less though, he’s more than used to being awake at this hour thanks to his cat-like qualities. Even going through the airport the puppy hybrid is whining about wanting more sleep. The moment they’re actually on the plane he passes out again and Renjun just rolls his eyes and starts reading his book.

It’s a long flight so they have quite a while, and thankfully that means Hyuck can get some sleep and won’t wake up too grumpy like he had when they left their apartment. The puppy hybrid occasionally says something in his sleep that no one can decipher and Renjun simply doesn’t pay it any mind because he lived with the other for years, he knows how he is. At one point Hyuck reached over and grabbed Renjun’s hand, while still asleep, and the kitty rolled his eyes but didn’t stop him. The last thing he wants is a sulky puppy sitting next to him whining about wanting to hold his hand. The one thing that upset Renjun throughout the whole flight was the fact that everyone assumed that Hyuck was his boyfriend. It made him want to vomit. It’s not that he hates Hyuck, he’s his best friend, it’s the fact that the staff assumed that they were dating when Renjun absolutely hated anything close to romance or relationships beyond someone who helps with his heats. By the time the flight was nearing their destination, Renjun was over the comments and looks so he finally decides to free himself from the puppy’s hold.

“Renjun what the hell?” Hyuck whines when he notices that he was moved.

“Shut up, I know you’re needy for attention now that you’re not with Mark but people keep calling you my boyfriend and I think I might vomit over it. Either way, we’re almost to LAX you should wake up anyway.”

“Do we need to uber to your friends’ place?”

“No, Hendery and his girlfriend offered to pick us up, we’re staying at their house. Denjun and his girlfriend are going to come by later, they have a date or some shit this morning.” he explains.

Hyuck nods and starts playing mindless games on his phone until they land. Renjun started talking to him and telling him about random memories he has with the two other hybrids. He listens to them, a few he hasn’t heard already.

The baggage claim took way longer than it should’ve, Hyuck had a mini panic attack at the idea that his stuff went missing. Renjun called him irrational and a moment later their stuff dropped down onto the conveyer belt and they were off. Making their way through the airport, which was much larger than Hyuck anticipated, Renjun starts looking for his beagle friend. Though he was much more likely to see, or rather hear, his hyper Australian Sheppard girlfriend instead. He has never understood how the two of them are so hyper or loud, all he understands is that they were made for each other.

“Hyuck help me keep an ear out.”

“You mean an eye out?” he questions.

“No, I mean an ear, if you hear two loud ass laughs let me know. Hendery has a really squeaky laugh just for reference. Wait, there they are.” he smiles.

He starts walking toward the pair of puppy hybrids waiting for them. Renjun has never been a fan of physical contact, but in this case, when he hardly gets to see his beagle friend he does hug him. He then hugs the other puppy hybrid greeting her happily. Hyuck suddenly feels very out of place, he’s in a place he doesn’t know with only one person he knows.

“This is my friend, Donghyuck.” Renjun comments.

“Hey,” he offers his hand for a handshake, “you can call me Hyuck or Haechan, whichever you prefer.”

“Hendery,” the beagle greets, reciprocating his handshake, “and this is my girlfriend.”

“Hi!” she beams, “It’s nice to finally meet you! Renjun’s told us a lot about you.”

“Really Junnie?” he mocks an affectionate tone, “And I thought you hated me.” he tries to kiss his cheek.

Renjun hisses, “If you try to kiss me I’ll rip your throat out.”

Hendery and his girlfriend both laugh at their antics before taking them out to the car. Haechan gawks at it for a moment, he had forgotten that they’re big names in the film industry. Seeing their extremely nice expensive car definitely reminded him that they are in fact rich and famous here. This then reminds him that Renjun’s other friends that he’s meeting, later on, are also famous, if not more famous than these two.

“How did you become friends with four famous people?” he whispers to Renjun who’s sitting beside him.

He hears Hendery giggle from the driver’s seat, “Sorry, I didn’t mean to eavesdrop, my hearing is too good for my own sake. Dejun and I have been friends with Renjun since before we made it big. Renjun’s dad and my dad worked together so we knew each other as kids then I met Dejun in art school and introduced them to each other.”

“Oh, that makes sense, did he know your girlfriends before you were famous too?”

“No,” the Australian Sheppard responds, “I met Hendery on our first set together, Dejun hired me for his first film because Hendery needed more hands for prop design and I was new to the scene but so were they so they gave me a chance. Dejun’s girlfriend though was already a huge name when we all got here. When we all first met her she seemed untouchable, then Dejun went and got her on one of his films as the lead and realized that she’s just as much of a mess as the rest of us. By the time the filming was done I was best friends with her and found out she had a massive crush on Dejun, I didn’t mean to tell him but I accidentally let it slip.”

“It was not an accidental slip babe.” Hendery giggles, “You shouted it the moment she told you. Dejun was standing right behind you. You just have no sense of subtlety.”

They continue to talk the rest of the drive to their house. Renjun had warned him about how talkative his friends are but he wasn’t prepared for this level of talkative. When they arrive at the house Haechan is honestly surprised that they don’t own a mansion. It’s a decent-sized home but not the rolling fields of a mansion he had envisioned. The moment Hendery puts the car in park Renjun turns and laughs under his breath when he notices his friend’s confusion.

“You know, not every big name has to have a big house. If they don’t need the space why have it?”

Hyuck shrugs and climbs out of the car to grab his suitcase out of the trunk. He hears how the other two puppy hybrids laughing yet again as they round the car to help with anything the two guests might want or need. He still slightly feels out of place, the three of them have known each other for years, and he’s known Renjun for years too but it’s a different dynamic. He wants to enjoy this trip, he’s making a point of it especially since he wants to forget all about how things ended with Mark.

“You smell a little smokier than normal.” Renjun comments when they reach their respective rooms, “You need to go for a walk or something?”

“I guess, I don’t want to be rude and leave as soon as I get here though. Don’t I still need to meet Dejun too?”

“Yeah, that’s true.” the cat admits, “They have a pool in the backyard, do you want to go relax out there for a little bit?”

Haechan nods and abandons the idea of unpacking to go sit by the pool. He stays there for a while not even truly sure why his scent is off. Maybe it’s the aftermath of a breakup, perhaps it’s cause he’s in a different country with only one person he knows, maybe it’s something else. Either way, he just wants to calm down and enjoy the trip.

He sits there for a while just contemplating what he’s really doing. Did he really just fly around the world just cause his friend told him to? And just after a breakup from a long-term relationship? None of it seems real. He dips his feet into the pool after a few minutes just now realizing how hot it actually is. “Hey, Hyuck!” he hears Renjun call, “Dejun and his girlfriend just got here, you want to meet them, or do you still need a minute to relax?”

“I”m kinda enjoying soaking my feet, I’ll be inside in a minute.” he sighs, “I’m just thinking right now.”

“Okay,” Renjun responds with a slightly worried tone, “Don’t lose yourself in your head. That’s not going to be fun for anyone.”

“Aww,” the Shiba teases, “you really do care.”

The kitty hybrid sighs, “You just ruined it. Get your ass inside when you’re ready.”

Hyuck chuckles at his friend while he watches him walk away. His tail flicking back and forth as he walks. He notices how his ears perk up at the sight of, who he assumes, is Dejun and his girlfriend. He feels odd seeing how he behaves with his other friends versus with him. He notices how Dejun reacts too. His fluffy white ears twitch and his tail swishes behind him. The woman beside him is stunning, to say the least. She’s clearly a lynx hybrid, her fur sleek but slightly fluffy and a deep shade of brown with even darker patches randomly across her ears and tail. It wasn’t the first time he had seen her, she’s been in several big movies over the past few years. She was the perfect definition of an A-list celebrity. She seemed sweet enough though.

He finally decides to come into the house and meet everyone, he had sulked enough for the past half hour or so. When he approaches them what he doesn’t expect is for all of them to immediately include him in their conversation. After all, they’ve known each other for years and are clearly very close. Everyone was as kind as could be to him, it shocked him. Sure they’re all predator-type hybrids but he and Renjun seem to be the lowest on that ranking. Hendery is a beagle, they hunt, his girlfriend is an Australian Sheppard, and they hunt and herd. Dejun is an arctic fox, they’re wild animals and hunt. His girlfriend is a lynx, they’re absolutely predators in every sense of the word. He and Renjun are the most domestic type hybrids in the room.

What surprises him though is that only one of the four people in the house that he doesn’t know is an alpha. He knew the moment he met Hendery and his girlfriend that they were both betas, they both had rather neutral smells, Hendery smells like green apples and his girlfriend smells like aloe vera. It wasn’t that he was trying to smell them like a creep, he just knew who's scent was who’s when he entered the home. It was clear what was her’s and what was his and the scents just seemed to make sense for both of them. But with Dejun and his girlfriend he couldn’t figure out who’s scent was who’s. One of them smelled like gingersnaps and the other smelled like amber.

“Oh, I just realized! Y/n said hi Hendery!” the lynx hybrid randomly noted.

“Cool, tell her I said hi back. How has she been, you know with this huge endorsement she has going.” Hendery questions back.

“She’s pretty stressed, it’s Dior after all, but it’s nothing she can’t handle. She’s the best in the business!”

They talk about their mutual friend for a few more moments until Dejun interjects with a question for Haechan.

“Hyuck, how are things over in Korea? You’re living with Renjun still right?”

“They’re… going I guess.” he shrugs.

“Oh I forgot you live out there with Junnie, how’s your boyfriend Mark? He works with my cousin out there as his illustrator.” she smiles.

“Ex-boyfriend.” he corrects, “I wouldn’t know. He dumped me two weeks ago randomly.”

Renjun can smell how Hyuck’s scent starts to get smokier again and quickly changes the subject. They continue talking for a long while, the sun sets outside and they still continue to talk about random things that come to mind. Hyuck slowly pieces together who’s scent is which throughout the discussions though. Dejun seems to be much more docile and soft compared to his girlfriend, though she’s not aggressive in any way at all. He just seems much softer. When he starts to cuddle into his girlfriend and nose at her neck is when he pieced who was what. Dejun was the omega, and his girlfriend is the alpha. There’s nothing wrong with that either. He just hadn’t expected it to go that way, especially with how commanding Dejun is said to be on set.

“Hey, I think we’re going to head out. We’re both starting to get tired.” the lynx comments.

“You guys up for a day trip tomorrow?” Hendery questions as the other couple get their stuff to head out.

“I am.” Renjun confirms, “Hyuck’s coming too, he doesn’t have a choice.” he pokes fun at the other.

“Just send us the details.” Dejun smiles, “See you guys tomorrow!”

And with that, the two were off. Hyuck yawns, he didn’t realize how tired he was. He was having such an amazing time with his new friends he didn’t even process how late it was. He quickly bids the others good night and heads up to the room he’ll be staying in for the next week.

When he wakes up the next morning he thinks it’s the best sleep he’s gotten in a while. He feels rested and calm. Over the past two weeks, he’s been feeling so shitty waking up. He’s been so used to sleeping beside Mark for the past few years that it’s hard to adjust back to sleeping in his own bed. Then he realizes that he’s woken up before anyone else in the house. It’s very quiet considering how loud he’s discovered Hendery and his girlfriend can be in daily life. He tiptoes across the hall to where Renjun is sleeping and sees the cat hybrid scrolling through his phone in silence.

“What do you want? I was enjoying peace and quiet.” the Siamese cat whines.

“You told me about a coffee shop nearby, where is it?”

“Why not make coffee here?”

“If I’m here for the week I want to try to be out as much as I can! I have the money saved up to do it.” the Shiba explains.

“I’ll text you the address.” Renjun states, “Now can I have my peace and quiet back?” “All yours Jun! Thanks for the address!”

He practically bounces back into his room and gets ready for the day. Of course, his outfits were perfectly planned. Today he chose a short sleeve navy blue button-up shirt with blue jeans and a black belt. His orange-pink-tinted sunglasses help pull it all together. He knew he looked good. He planned it all that way. And it all fit the weather too which made it even better. He didn’t bother leaving a note out for the homeowners, he figured he’ll be back before they get ready to head out for the day.

Looking down at his phone with the directions he notices how it’s only a 5-minute walk from the house. It’s nice enough out that he can walk there with comfort so that’s exactly what he does. The whole walk there was rather pleasant, the sun shining down on him, his fur and hair warm from the rays on him. He felt good, genuinely good, for the first time in a long while.

When he reaches the small coffee shop, the first thing he notices isn’t the atmosphere of the place or the comforting aesthetic of the place. It’s the beautiful woman sitting by herself sipping a coffee. He tries to play it off and order his go-to drink like he always does and pretends to glance around the space as if to find an open seat.

Oddly enough, his luck is for him, it’s rather full and there were only a few open seats. All of which are by that absolutely gorgeous woman he saw. He makes his way over, rather meekly despite how he normally is. He sits down in the seat directly across the table from her, when she looks up at him he thinks he could melt at any moment.

“Can I help you?” “I- um,” he stutters, “there just weren’t many seats open. I hope you don’t mind me sitting here.”

“I don’t mind at all, I could use some company actually.” she smiles.

“I’m Donghyuck.”

“Y/n” she smiles again, “What brings you to this little coffee shop?”

“I’m here on vacation and it was nearby where I’m staying and thought it would be nice. Never thought that I would meet such a gem on my little trip.” he flirts.

They continue to talk for the better part of the morning, Hyuck hardly notices what time it is. His phone continuously vibrates but he ignores it. You giggle at his jokes and eventually find out that he’s a twitch streamer and lives in Seoul with his friend. You found it hilarious how he continued to flirt with you, not a single clue who you are or what you do for a living.

“You’re really fun to be around, you know that Hyuck?” you laugh again, “I haven’t had this much fun in a while.”

He swears he melts when he sees your smile, “How about a date then?”

“You’re bold, I like that.” you smile again, “You free today?”

“Wide open. Where are we going?”

“How about walking around for a while? I know a good park nearby and I enjoy our conversations.” you suggest.

“Sounds perfect to me.” the Shiba hybrid beams back.

You both discard your empty cups and head out towards the park. For the first time since he sat down in front of you, you see him take his phone out. Glancing over you notice a phone call coming in. He groans but accepts it.

“What Renjun?”

You can’t hear the person on the other side of the call but you can tell they’re worried about him. He simply brushes it off though and continues your conversation as if nothing happened.

“Who was that, if you don’t mind me asking?”

“My roommate, he came with me on this trip and he and his friend wanted to make sure I was okay. They wanted me to go on a day trip with them but I’d much rather hand out with the pretty girl next to me.” he flirts again.

“You’re smooth, aren’t you? You’ve been fitting little flirty comments in whenever you see an opportunity.”

He tilts his chin up and smirks slightly at your comment, “Maybe I just like you.”

“Maybe you do, even though we’re practically strangers.” you tease, lightly bumping into his side.

You continue your walk down the sidewalk, Hyuck showering you with tons of compliments along the way. You pass by a few ads on the street with your face on them. It doesn’t really phase you anymore though, after the start of modeling and endorsing Dior you don’t get shocked by seeing your face at random places on the street. You’re probably about another three minutes from the park when one of his compliments absolutely floored you with laughter.

“You’re so gorgeous, Y/n.” he starts, “See that model on the billboard? You’re even prettier than her.” “Yeah?” you giggle back, it was you on said billboard.

“She may resemble you but you’re so much prettier.” he says with an air of confidence.

You couldn’t help but giggle again and do the pose that you were doing in the image. You continued to giggle at the Shiba hybrid when he stared at you with a blank face. You could practically see the confusion melt into shock.

“It is you?” he says almost in disbelief.

“Yes you dork!” you laugh loudly, “I thought you were pretending not to know who I was this whole time! You really had no idea?”

“Nope, I had no clue… in my defense, I don’t live anywhere near here.” he says with an awkward giggle.

“You’re lucky you’re cute.”

“You think I’m cute?” he asks, his shocked face still showing.

“I do Hyuck, and it helps that you’re extremely funny too.”

He smiles and you can see how his blonde ear twitches on top of his head. You’ve never been the celebrity to sleep around or date around, some do for the publicity but you just want to do your job and not be in the tabloids if you can help it. So to say the least, it’s been a while since you’ve dated and Hyuck seems to be someone you can quickly get along with and talk to.

The rest of the walk to the park was full of laughter and nothing short of fun. Surprisingly, no one stopped you to ask for an autograph and you haven’t seen any paparazzi yet, though they can be good at hiding as of late. Even during your walk through the park, you can’t stop smiling or laughing. Your cheeks start to hurt from smiling too much. Out of the corner of your eye, you can see his tail wagging which only makes you happier knowing that he’s happy.

“Can I hold your hand?” he asks out of nowhere.

“What?”

“Sorry that was too forward, we’ve only known each other for a few hours. Ignore that.” he rambles.

“Hyuck,” you smile, “I just wasn’t expecting it! You can hold my hand, I’d really like that actually.”

He nervously reaches for your outstretched hand and takes it in his. When he does have it and understands that you weren’t trying to trick him, a smile grows on his face. His ears tip out slightly showing just how happy he is to hold your hand. You smile back at him and squeeze his hand slightly. You both stay silent for a few minutes as you continue walking. Though you’re silent, it’s not awkward, you swing your hands back and forth together, smiles wide on both your faces. For the first time in a while, you have no worries about being stalked by paparazzi or by fans in public. You’re just happy to be out with someone who makes you feel like a normal human and not like a celebrity.

When you do start talking again conversation flows like you’ve known each other for years and not for a few hours. You start to notice little things about him, first, it was the little freckle on his nose, then noticing how they trickle down his face and to his collarbones. Then you see just how bright his smile is, he could probably light up a whole room with one smile. It’s odd how you hardly know this man, in all reality you really don’t know him at all, but you feel more comfortable with him than you have with anyone else in a long while.

“So, how long are you staying for?” you question.

“Just a week, though, you might be able to sway that plan.”

“We’ll see in about that after a few hours.” you giggle, “When did you get here?” “Yesterday, I canceled all my streams for this week cause Renjun practically forced me to come. I just lost a week’s worth of pay.”

“It can’t be that bad! I’m sure you’re quite happy to be here on vacation!” you beam.

“I’m just happy I got to meet a pretty girl.”

“Ever the flirt.” you tease.

You hadn’t realized how late it was until you checked your phone. You have a meeting at 3pm today and it’s already 4 o’clock. Groaning you turn your face back towards the pretty Shiba hybrid beside you.

“I need to go…” you say with an apologetic tone.

“Why?” you notice how his tail stops wagging and his ears droop slightly.

“I have a meeting… how about we meet up again tomorrow though? I normally do nights in on Tuesdays but I can make an exception for you.” you finally flirt back.

He smirks, “Why don’t we just cook something together at yours? That way I can see you and you don’t have to go out during your night in.” he counteroffers.

“Sounds like a deal to me.” you smile, “Give me your phone, and I’ll add my number.”

He hands you his phone and you quickly input your information before bidding him goodbye. You had to fight the urge to kiss his cheek before you left, it just felt right to want to do so. His tail starts wagging again when you take his phone though. It’s a promise that you actually want to talk to him and you aren’t just playing with him. When you do end up saying goodbye you really don’t want to. That was the most fun you’ve had in a while and to think he’ll be going back to his own home across the world in a few days makes you slightly upset.

“Where the fuck have you been?” Renjun yells the moment Hyuck walks through the door.

“Out.” the puppy responds shortly.

“No shit! Where?”

“Out, Jun, what’s your issue?”

“I was worried about you! You said you were going to get coffee and you didn’t come back for 6 hours!”

Haechan really didn’t want to out you and say he was with you. He didn’t know if Renjun’s other friends knew you, sure, they mentioned a y/n yesterday but they could’ve been talking about someone else and not you. He tried his best to come up with some other excuse but he kept drawing a blank. He could only focus on you.

“I met someone.” he admits.

“Met someone?” the kitty questions, his tail flicking in annoyance, “We’re in LA you’ll meet people everywhere you go.” “I really did this time though! I like her.” “Her?” Hendery pokes his head through the doorway, “Who is she?” “Her name is y/n. I met her at the coffee shop down the street this morning.” he says with a dreamy tone.

Hendery’s mouth falls open in shock, Hyuck can’t seem to understand why though. He watches as the beagle runs in the other direction yelling for his girlfriend. Turning to face Renjun he hopes that he has some sort of answer for him. Renjun’s face mirrored that of Hendery’s though, full of shock.

“What’s the big deal? I met a girl and that’s her name!” he finally cuts the tension.

“You said her name was y/n?” he reiterates.

“Yeah, what about it?” “Is she by any chance, I don’t know, a model?” “Yeah…” Hyuck responds, his heart pounding slightly.

Renjun’s eyes widened impossibly bigger at his friend’s response. Hyuck can feel his curly tail wagging slightly against his back. Normally his tail only wags when he’s happy, this time though, it was an anxious wag. Now he’s hyperaware of what the situation is, how his ears start twitching accompanying his anxious tail wagging. Suddenly that moment though he gets a text.

New message from ‘Pretty Girl <3’ at 5:38pm

|| Hi Hyuckie! Just wanted to say again that I had a wonderful time today and I can’t wait to see you for dinner tomorrow ♡

Now his tail is wagging for a completely new reason. That one message changed his entire mood within such a short time. Renjun quickly took notice of his change in demeanor and furrowed his eyebrows. Hyuck doesn’t even notice his friend’s confused face. He just quickly shoots you a quick text back telling you how excited he is too. Of course, though, he adds a slightly teasing remark about the contact name you gave yourself before placing his phone back on the mattress.

“Explain.” the kitty immediately asks.

“It was her. I’m going over for dinner tomorrow night. I suggested a date night, she told me it was her night in, I suggested we do dinner at her’s and so that’s what we’re doing.”

“You move so fucking fast, she might as well let you stay there for the week instead of you staying here.”

Hyuck looks as though he’s thinking for a few moments and Renjun immediately clarifies that he was joking. Though he does nod, he still thinks about it. What if he did spend a week with you, would you enjoy that? Would you even let him in the first place? He thinks it would be lovely, he might be a bit clingy though. He’s known you for not even 24 hours yet but he knows he likes you a lot, maybe more than he has anyone in a long while. For the first time since he’s arrived, he isn’t thinking about how upset he is about Mark, for the first time he’s not worried about being awkward around Hendery and Dejun. He’s content, happy, to have met you and spent the day with you. And now to have a date (possibly) with you tomorrow night he’s more than ready to forget all the things bothering him.

Hendery finally popped back in the room, this time with his girlfriend in tow. Renjun looks the pair up and down for a moment before the Australian Sheppard whines about her wrist hurting from being pulled through the house. When she sees how waggy Hyuck’s tail is, she immediately knows something’s up despite not knowing him for very long.

“Who is she?” she asks leaning against the wardrobe next to her.

“Her name is y/n.” the Shiba muses, “Before you interrupt me though Renjun did find some things out while Hendery was dragging you over here.”

The Australian Sheppard gawks slightly, controlling herself from interrupting the younger puppy. Hendery is practically vibrating to make a comment but he doesn’t let himself, though he’s ready to burst.

“Yes she’s a model, yes I met her at the coffee shop down the street. I don’t know if she’s the same person that you’re thinking of but I do know that I’m going to her apartment tomorrow and having dinner with her.”

“Can I ask another question?” Hendery pipes up.

Hyuck simply nods at him, his blonde ears staying perked up and angled towards the beagle hybrid.

“Does she happen to laugh at really corny stupid jokes?”

“She laughed at every joke I said! So no.” “Yes,” Renjun corrected, “He tells corny jokes all the time.”

Donghyuck glares at him for a moment before deciding to brag again, “I held her hand too! We walked through the park and she asked me about myself, and how long I’m staying. I learned a lot about her too! I’m pretty sure that she models for Dior. I didn’t know it was her on the billboard until she did the pose in the ad and I felt so stupid. She’s so fun to be around, easy to be around too.” Both of the homeowners and Renjun looked at him silently for a moment just blinking processing everything he just said. Hyuck couldn’t care less about their looks though, he was too busy thinking about you and how wonderful he felt being around you. Vaguely in the back of his mind he can hear his friends talking, he doesn’t care though, his mind is drowned out by the sound of your laughter and the sight of your beautiful smile.

“Hyuck!” he hears the Sheppard hybrid call out, snapping him back to reality, “Do you happen to know where she lives already?”

“Yeah, she texted me her address after we agreed to dinner at her apartment. Why?” “Let me see.” she requests.

Hyuck unlocks his phone navigating his way to his chatroom with you (which didn’t take long because you’re already favorited) and hands it over to the other puppy. She gasps seeing the address, she then turns it towards Hendery. His jaw nearly drops through the floor and his eyes pop wide open again.

“That’s our y/n,” Donghyuck hears her softly say, “She hasn’t been like this with anyone since-” she cuts herself off.

“I know.” Hendery concurs.

Turning back to the Shiba the smaller of the two smiles at him and she hands him his phone back, “Treat her good, or I will snap your neck.” her smile never falters as she very clearly threatens him.

Hendery smacks her arm lightly, “Babe,” he says with a tense tone, “what she means is that she is the y/n we were talking about. It’s been a while since she’s really talked to anyone per se but if she’s happy we’re happy too!”

Hyuck nods then basically shoos everyone out of his room (for the week). He thinks for a moment about texting you ‘good night’, but he decides against it though not wanting to seem to clung to you. He scrolls through random social media for a while, followed you on Instagram and Twitter in the process, and makes his own update on Twitter letting his followers know he wasn’t missing. It’s just past 2am when he finally decides to put his phone down and get some rest. Just as his eyes start to droop though, he hears his phone vibrate. It’s you again.

New message from ‘Pretty Girl <3’ at 2:18am

|| Good night Hyuck! I know you’re probably asleep already but I wanted to make sure I said good night before I fell asleep myself! I’ll see you tomorrow ♡

Needless to say: he falls asleep with a smile on his face.

The seems to drag on forever, you didn’t have any scheduled meetings or shoots today at all. You just had to sit at home and do nothing waiting for dinner to roll around. With nothing else to do you decide to run out to the grocery store and buy a few things to cook tonight with Donghyuck. Again it’s a beautiful day so you decide to walk there rather than drive. Today, unlike yesterday, you get stopped every few blocks by a group of people asking for autographs and asking for pictures. You’ve never had an issue with your fans wanting autographs or pictures but today you are so fixated on your dinner plans that you hardly process the questions and comments that the people give you on the way. Despite those interruptions you do enjoy your walk, the sun beating down on you and a gentle breeze brushing through your hair. You couldn’t help thinking back to yesterday and how much you enjoyed the walk with Donghyuck. By the time you do reach the grocery store, you don’t think you can be interrupted any more than you already have.

“Hey!”

You groan hearing a man’s voice behind you. Turning around though you see Dejun behind you. Smiling at him you start walking back down the aisle towards him.

“Hey! How have you been enjoying your break?” “It’s been pretty good honestly. Renjun’s in town visiting and brought his friend with him. I like him, he wasn’t weird about me being an omega like some people are. He’s a hybrid too which was nice, he’s a little weird honestly. I think it’s cause he just got through a breakup.”

“It’s always nice to meet new people! Just give him time to settle and get used to things. Actually, you’ll be pretty proud of me Dejun.” “Why’s that?” “I have a date tonight,” you smile at him, “we didn’t say it was a date, I think it’s a date though.” “Who’s the lucky person?” “A Shiba hybrid I met yesterday at the coffee shop by Hendery’s house. We ended up spending the whole day together and walking through the park nearby there.”

You chat with your fox friend for a while before he bids you goodbye saying he has to get home pretty quickly. Looking down at your phone you see a few texts from Donghyuck but also see that it’s nearly 3pm and you need to get home yourself. After responding to the Shiba you scramble around the store grabbing all the necessary foods and seasonings you need for tonight.

You decided to just do a simple pasta dish would be fine, you don’t know his cooking skills yet and how long he can actually focus on cooking. As you grab your bags after paying you realized that it wasn’t probably the best idea to walk there, you had more bags than you realized you would have. You committed to walking there and walking back though, you were far too stubborn to let yourself call an uber back just because you had a little extra to carry. It’s only a five-minute walk but you hadn’t realized how warm it actually is outside, by the time you reach your apartment you feel like you’re drowning in sweat. Your only option right now is to quickly shower and change before Hyuck arrives. Deciding to keep things semi-casual you choose to put on wider legged black slacks paired with a light pink silk tank top. Tossing your hair up into a half ponytail you quickly find your phone lost in the sheets of your bed. It’s a little before the time you had agreed for him to come over so calling him to make sure he was on his way was the best idea.

“Hey pretty girl.” he says the moment he answers your call.

“Hey puppy, you on your way?” “About to get in the elevator now. Are you that eager to see me?” you can practically hear his smirk through the phone.

“Maybe I am.” you flirt back, “Just let me know when you’re outside the door and I’ll let you in.”

“Open the door then, dear.”

You don’t bother responding, you rush towards the door and take a deep breath before opening the door for him. You hope you don’t look too excited when you see him on the other side of the threshold. Your breath does get taken away due to his appearance though, he’s more beautiful than you thought he was yesterday. Today he had a jean blue short-sleeve button-up open with a black t-shirt underneath. Red white and blue lettering in the middle of it in the shape of a circle. White jeans with a black belt to accompany the look. To top it all off a silver bracelet on his right wrist while a silver watch rests on his left wrist. When your eyes meet again you see him with the classic smile-smirk on and you smile back at him.

“I bought ingredients for pasta. I hope you like cooking.”

He smiles and steps inside your foyer, his tail wags as he moves through the space, still not having said anything yet. Then turning around to face you again and his smile grows brighter than it was before.

“I love cooking, and cooking with you seems even more fun.” his blonde ears twitching when a lock of hair brushes against them, “You look very pretty by the way, you always do, but you’re dressed like this is a date.” “Isn’t it a date?” “Do you want it to be?” You just smirk at him and turn on your heel towards your kitchen. You figure he could gather what your response would be by the simple look you gave him. He’s a very smart man whether everyone sees that or not. He trails not far behind you into the kitchen, you hear him make an audible noise of surprise. Commenting under his breath about how nice your apartment is you just giggle and bend down to grab a large pot from a cabinet next to your oven. You can feel his eyes studying you as you move through your space, you don’t mind it though, you’re happy that he doesn’t feel shy enough to do so.

“Hyuckie,” you call, “Could you grab the tomato sauce out of the fridge for me?”

He responds with a stuttered ‘yeah’ before making his way over to it. He seems almost nervous suddenly doing an actual activity rather than just talking and walking with you. It’s cute in a way. Seeing him beyond that flirty fiery persona he had originally shown is nice, you can see him as a whole rather than what he had originally wanted to show you. Smiling to yourself you filled the pot with water and set it to boil on the stove.

“Here you go.” he speaks softly setting the jar on the counter beside you.

“Thanks pretty pup.” you say almost absentmindedly.

When you process what you had just said you jump slightly and turn to face him. His face was anything but uncomfortable though, he has his ears leaned out slightly showing his contentment with the term of endearment. Then suddenly he swoops in and hugs you, giggling again your wrap your arms around his shoulders and hug him back.

“This isn’t too much is it?” he questions against your hair.

“I don’t think it is. But you can’t hold me while we’re trying to cook, silly. It doesn’t work that way.” He whines slightly and hugs you tighter, “It’s just pasta, we just need to put the noodles in the pot, strain it, and put whatever toppings we want on it.” he states, “I can do that while hugging you.”

You hug him tighter in return and smile at his antics, “Are you sure about that Hyuck?” you ask, chin resting against his sternum.

He nods decisively and starts walking towards the stove all while still hugging you. You laugh and question what he’s doing, to which he responds that the water was boiling and he was adding the noodles. He never breaks the hug either, he keeps one arm wrapped around you as he maneuvers his way to pour the noodles into the boiling water. While the pasta cooks, you talk about random things, about your recent projects, his favorite games. Anything at all, and it never feels boring or awkward. He spins you around jokingly through your kitchen making you squeal with laughter while the pasta cools for a few moments. It all feels so natural with him, you don’t know where he’s been all your life but now that you have him here you don’t want to let him go.

Throughout your meal, you chat still about anything that comes to mind. Flirting freely and easily whenever an opportunity arises. Donghyuck still makes you laugh more than you ever thought you could and your smile never leaves your lips. You sit side by side at your small dining table and lose track of time without a care. You had offered wine earlier to go with your meal but he had denied it saying that he would love to just talk without being hindered by alcohol, not even a single drop, in his words.

“So Hyuck, when do you normally do streams?” you ask about halfway through dinner.

“Normally it’s on Tuesday and Friday nights. I might change it though because I think doing Monday, Wednesday, and Friday nights make more sense for my schedule. Do calmer games or chatting on Monday and Wednesdays and then my more intense games on Fridays.” he explains, “Do you get a lot of freedom deciding your schedules modeling?” You shrug with a sigh, “Not really, my manager tries her best to do things in moderation. I normally do ad shoots during the weekdays, and some fashion shows too. My interviews are scattered throughout the week but the longer ones and TV appearances typically happen on the weekends. My normal day off is Wednesday but I got off today and tomorrow by some miracle.”

He nods taking another bite of his pasta, your conversation continues to flow even after dinner while you’re cleaning up. You both laugh the whole time sharing random anecdotes about your lives throughout the process. At one point he chases you around hands full of bubbles, and you giggle running away. The whole thing feels so domestic and happy, you love every moment of it. When you duck under his arms and reach the sink yourself your grab handfuls of bubbles too and chase him back. When you do catch him, you grab his face, covering his cheeks in bubbles. Laughing shamelessly, you make eye contact with him and hold it. The way he lights up when he smiles makes your heart flutter and his laugh sounds like music to your ears. When you finally do finish your laughing fits you still hold your eyes on his, your hands still holding his face. The way his eyes sparkle sends a tornado of butterflies through your stomach.

“Hyuck?” you question.

“Hmm?” he asks, his eyes darting between yours and your lips.

“What is this?” your voice slightly airy.

“A date, and normally I don’t kiss on the first date but,” he sighs interrupting himself, “I really, really, want to kiss you right now.”

You let out a shaky breath, “Nothing’s stopping you, you can kiss me if you want to.” “Do you want that though?” he asks, eyes still transfixed on your lips. “I do.”

Without another word, his lips are on yours. It’s a soft, gentle kiss. It almost feels like he’s slightly unsure about it. But the moment you smile against his lips he melts into your lips further, his bubble-covered hands moving up to hold your jaw. In any other situation, you would be annoyed being covered in them but now you don’t care in the slightest. As much as you want to deepen the kiss and take it farther you know that it’s probably not the best idea for the first date. Pulling away you smile at him and he smiles back. Reaching behind him you grab a towel and wipe the bubbles off his face. He smiles at your gesture and leans into your touch.

“Oh,” you sigh, “I got water all over your shirt… I have some oversized clothes if you want to change.”

“Already giving me clothes? You move fast, pretty girl.” he teases, “Sure, I’ll take some of your clothes.”

After he changes, you agree to sit in your living room and watch movies purely to make fun of them. Snuggled up on the couch you don’t even notice how you subconsciously lean into his side and rest your head on his shoulder. Nor do you notice how you drift off to sleep tucked up against him, his arm wrapped around your shoulders.  He smiles down at your sleeping form and reaches for the blanket sitting on the other side of him. He gently lays it over you and kisses the top of your head letting you rest peacefully. You must’ve been asleep for a while because when you wake up Donghyuck is asleep as well, his head resting back against the couch cushions. Now you smile up at him and snuggle closer. You might not sleep the best tonight but you’re more than happy to be able to sleep with him beside you.

You’re sitting at your makeup chair waiting to get your hair done for the second half of today’s photoshoot when your phone rings. It was Donghyuck, it’s been a few days since he had come over for dinner. He was oddly calm the morning after he accidentally slept over. He had even offered to go out and get breakfast for the two of you. You, of course, agreed and instead settled for having it delivered to you instead. On top of all that, he had also offhandedly asked you to be his girlfriend. At first, you thought he was joking but he absolutely wasn’t. When he clarified that he was being genuine and wanted to start dating only two days after meeting you can’t help but agree. It might be far too fast for some people but with how instantly you two clicked it was a no-brainer answer.

“Hi baby,” you hear his voice through the video call. “you’re still working?” “Hyuckie, it’s not that late! It’s only-” you stop to look at the time, it is rather late, “Oh, it’s already 10pm… I guess it is rather late. What time is your flight tomorrow?” you ask, trying to mask your disappointment.

“About that…” he draws out, “What if I stayed an extra week?”

You have your head tipped back as your stylist does your hair, “Would you stay with Dery and his girlfriend?”

“I was thinking I could stay with you.” he admits, “You have that game room that you hardly use and I can use that for my streams next week if you don’t mind it.”

“Okay.” you shrug, “I don’t see why not.”

“That easily? I don’t have to convince you?”

You giggle at him, trying not to move your head too much as it gets styled, “No, pup, I don’t mind at all. It just means an extra week with you.”

He takes a deep breath to respond but then the bedroom door bursts open revealing his Siamese Cat hybrid friend. You watch as Renjun rants and raves about how Hyuck still hasn’t packed and their flight is in the morning. It’s quite clear that he hasn’t told the other about his plan. You notice how a mischievous smirk grows on the puppy hybrid’s face.

“I’m staying.” he blurts out in the middle of Renjun’s ranting. “You’re what?!”

“Staying.” he says exaggerating each syllable, “At my girlfriend’s house. I bought a ticket for a week from now rather than go home tomorrow morning.” Renjun starts ranting about how impulsive the younger is and about how he has a job to do and bills to pay at home. The puppy simply laughs at his friend and you can’t help but laugh too. Just as Renjun was about to get into another rant topic he stops himself. “Did you say girlfriend? I leave you unsupervised for two fucking days and you’re already dating again?” “Listen this really feels right, you can ask y/n!” he insists, “Babe, tell him!” he whines at you.

You try to explain but the kitty is far too exasperated to process the new information. Instead, he ends up sighing in defeat and trudging his way out of the room to finish his own packing. You stay on the phone with your boyfriend for a while longer. The way his ears start drooping as he grows more tired is absolutely adorable to you. His smile even shows how tired he is and although you do try to get him to go to sleep it’s hard to convince a stubborn Shiba hybrid to do anything. You don’t mind it though when he falls asleep on the video call, his soft snores and puppy noises sounding through your speaker. You stay on the call for a few minutes just to be sure he’s really sleeping. The moment you do hang up though your manager comes over and nudges you.

“He’s something special isn’t he?” she prods.

“Yeah, he is.” you muse with a lovestruck smile.

“Hey guys!” the puppy exclaims the moment enough viewers are in the stream, “I’m back after a week of vacation!”

You’re sitting on a futon off to the side of the room while he talks to his viewers. You actually had asked to sit in and watch him play, it was a Wednesday night, and you had off. You were terribly bored knowing he was sitting in here being free entertainment and you weren’t watching him.

“New set up?” he reads a chat, “I mean temporarily.” he turns back to you asking if he can tell them about you, “I’m still at my vacation place, I’m just staying at my girlfriend’s apartment this week.”

He smiles and chats for a while longer before opening a lighthearted game to play. He had made an announcement over the weekend about his schedule change. You had slightly influenced him to do so, you couldn’t help but be greedy and want him to stream on your days off. When he won’t be here you still want to see him and watch him work.

“What happened to Mark?” he reads another chat, “Oh, we broke up, I didn’t say much about that. It felt too personal. You guys want to meet my girlfriend though?” You lower your phone and look at him, communicating with your eyes. You two haven’t been dating long but you were slightly shocked he was so ready to introduce you to them.

“Are you sure?” you whisper to him. “I’m sure baby, come here.” he smiles at you.

He moves his chair back making space for you to sit on his lap. The moment you sit down and say hi the chat explodes with messages. Most of them are just shocked that it’s you of all people. And of course, people asking how he managed to get a girl as beautiful as you. He just wraps his arms around your waist tighter and nuzzles against the juncture of your neck and shoulder. You smile at his behavior, feeling his ears brush against your skin. The chat seems to forget about the game for a while and instead ask you questions and unsurprisingly a few people ask if you can date them instead. The moment you read them out loud though Hyuck shows his possessiveness.

“Mine,” he pouts, “my girlfriend.”

“Yes Haechan, I’m your girlfriend.” you sigh, kissing one of his soft blonde ears, “Don’t worry I’m not going anywhere.”

“I won’t let you.” he pouts more.

“I don’t want to go anywhere. You play your game though, I’m going to get dinner started.” you smile, kissing his cheek when you stand up.

You smile while prepping dinner, you can hear him laughing loudly and yodeling randomly due to his excitement. You know it’s barely been two weeks at this point but you really could see a whole future with him. Just after finishing chopping up the vegetables, you decide to text your manager.

|| How soon do you think I could move my deals over to be based out of Seoul?

COPYRIGHT STARLITMARK 2023© ALL RIGHTS RESERVED — reposting/modifying any fic or piece of original writing posted on this blog is not allowed. Translations are not permitted. 

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[fantasies2paper]

Shouta's hand tightened in my h/c hair, pulling my head back roughly to devour the side of my neck that didn't have a gash, drawing little mewls from my throat. My hero suit was ripped open across my belly, back, thighs, and my left arm with matching deep gashes where my skin should've been. Pressed against the wall, my back burned but the feeling mixed with the pleasure of Shouta at my neck and his knee between my legs was just right.

We had fought a villain and he'd taken more than a few chunks out of me. Luckily for me one benefit of my quirk was that sex healed me and I was even luckier that Shouta had been there. I had been bleeding to death on the concrete floor of an alley when he'd found me and it had taken me far too long convincing I would be okay after a good lay. So we were currently in his apartment and trying to make it to the bedroom.

"Y/n you taste so good." His growl vibrated my skin and I did my best to relieve some of the pressure by rutting against his knee. "I didn't give you permission to do that, kitten. I'll have to teach you how to be a good girl."

I whimpered at the loss of his knee and dug my nails into his back. He groaned in response before biting my neck, his hands ripping away what was left of my blood stained suit. He picked me up and wrapped my legs around his waist, his hands cupping my ass. I gripped a fistful of his hair to pull his head back, licking at his exposed neck while he carried me to the bedroom.

"Mmm, Shouta," I mumbled against his neck as we toppled onto the bed, my fingers moving to the front of his clothes. "Please take it off and touch me, daddy, before it matches what's left of my suit."

Dignity wasn't something I had when sex was involved and most people would tell you if they didn't like the name. Judging by the look Shouta gave me he liked it very much. 

He stripped his clothes off and kissed me fiercely, his hands cupping my breasts. Kissing down my chest he flicked his tongue against the sensitive bud, never taking his eyes off me. I gasped and arched my back, pushing my breasts into his face.

"Beg, kitten." He said gruffly, his hot breath on my nipple. "Beg for daddy."

"Daddy please," I whimpered, trying to lift my hips but he was holding them down. "Please I need that big cock inside of me daddy. I want your hot milk all over me."

I don't think he was expecting that last part because his eyes darkened and he growled deeply. He slipped a finger inside of me while he bit and sucked on my nipples, making me cry out and drag my nails up his back. I was going to leave marks if he didn't stop teasing me.

He added a second finger quickly, groaning when I tightened around his fingers. Shouta kissed his way down to my mound, noticing my belly and thighs were healing slowly before kissing it gently. I spread my legs without being told like a good girl and made him chuckle.

"What a needy slutty kitty I've got in my bed." His mouth was right above where I needed so his hot breath made me squirm in excitement and anticipation. "Your pussy is begging for daddy isn't it? You should see how beautiful you are right now."

Shouta licked his lips slowly before spitting on my clit, I hadn't realized I'd stopped breathing until I gasped at the contact. His arm was draped over my hips, holding them in place while he devoured my pussy. I threw my head back and moaned loudly as he licked and sucked at my clit, his long fingers still stroking my insides so perfectly.

His hot tongue was almost too much for my sensitive flesh and I needed to grip his hair to steady myself before I came too quickly. He sucked one of my lips into his mouth making a deep throaty moan fall from lips as I threw my head back against the pillows, nearly hitting the headboard.

"Daddy, if you don't stop I'm going to ruin your sheets!" I nearly screamed when he nipped at my clit roughly. "God!"

Shouta looked up at me from between my legs, his eyebrow raised in a challenge. "Well let's make a fucking mess, kitten."

I squeaked as he pulled me closer to his mouth, sucking and flicking my tight opening with his tongue. I arched my back, hissing at the mix of pleasure and pain that shot straight to my clit. The vibrations from his growls and the relentless torture from his tongue was too much. When he slipped his fingers inside of me again and touched my sweet spot I screamed, squirting my release on his fingers and his sheets.

"That was the hottest fucking thing I've ever seen, kitten." He growled in a low voice after licking my taste off his lips. "Wanna know how delicious you taste?"

He slid the fingers that were inside of me into my mouth and I sucked them eagerly, moaning as I watched him. He was stroking his shaft as he watched me suck his fingers clean, his jaw clenching when I swirled my tongue around them. I locked eyes with him.

"Can I have your cock in my mouth, daddy?" I said softly, my clit throbbing with my heartbeat. "I wanna choke on your big hard cock like a good kitten."

Shouta stood up, taking his place in front of the bed, and I crawled over to him on the bed, noticing my thighs were almost completely healed. His cock bobbed in front of me, the tip an angry red and precum dripping from it. I flicked my tongue out, catching the sticky substance while I looked up at him. I slowly took him into my mouth, hearing him hiss above me before he slapped my ass making me moan around him.

I swirled my tongue around the tip, stroking his length with my healed hand. I looked him in the eyes as I spit on his cock, making his shaft slick enough to glide my hand up and down smoothly. As I stroked his cock I gently took one of his balls into my mouth, sucking on it carefully before doing the same to the other. When I was satisfied, I looked up at him as I flattened my tongue on the underside of his cock and dragged it up slowly before placing a wet kiss on the tip.

Breathing evenly through my nose I took him all in, his tip sliding down my throat. His hand reached down to grip my throat and I wiggled my hips in approval, earning another smack to my ass while he squeezed my throat. I choked around his length and slid him out of my mouth to catch my breath, a thin line of spit still connecting the two of us.

"You like choking on my cock, kitten?" He said as his fingers stroked my cheek.

I nodded before taking him back into my mouth, his hand moving back to my throat before he began pumping in and out of my mouth. I moaned loudly around him, my core clenching around nothing. He slapped my ass as he pleasured himself with my mouth and throat, his moans filling my ears. 

I heard his breathing quicken and sensed he was close so I gripped his ass, holding him to me as I moaned and bobbed my head on his cock. I felt his cock twitch in my mouth when I swallowed around it before he gripped my hair tight and filled my mouth to the brim with his thick hot cum.

I looked up at him and opened my mouth for him, showing him I could take all he had to give me. I swallowed all of Shouta's sticky cum while he watched, fixated on my lips when I licked them clean like a hungry kitten.

"I want more, da-"

Shouta cut me off with his lips on mine, my words turning into moans at the taste of my juices still on his tongue mixing with the taste of his milk on mine. His fingers wrapped around my throat as he nestled himself between my legs, still distracting me with his sinful mouth. Rubbing the tip of his cock against my hot wet folds, he finally took his lips from mine. I wasn't sure when he'd pulled me into his lap but this position had my body flush against his, surrounding me with his body and scent.

"This is mine, kitten." His black eyes met my own e/c ones as he applied a little more pressure to my neck, emphasizing his words and setting my body on fire. "You get hurt, you call me. You get even a papercut, you call me. You are mine, kitten."

I had started to pant, his possessive declaration nearly pushing me over the edge. I grabbed a handful of his hair and crushed his lips to mine, biting his lip possessively and breaking the skin. "I'm all yours, daddy, and you're all mine."

He slid inside of me in one quick thrust making me cry out in pleasure, wrapping my legs around him. His hand still on my throat he continued to pound up into me drawing constant moans and mewls from my throat. He swallowed my moans greedily with his own mouth, biting my bottom lip hard enough to break the skin. I moaned at the taste of my blood mingling with his on my tongue before my lip immediately healed. 

"You feel so fucking good, kitten." He growled against my lips, his free hand on my lower back to push our bodies closer. "My fucking kitten taking my cock like a fucking champ."

A thin layer of sweat covered our bodies, the room filled with our moans and bodies slapping together. I tightened my pussy around his shaft, pulling a feral growl from his throat before he increased the intensity of his thrusts. I dragged my nails down his arms as my moans grew louder and deeper. He was ruining my body and I had no intention of stopping him.

"Cum for me, kitten." He loudly moaned out before squeezing my throat and spitting into my open mouth. "Swallow that shit like a good slutty kitty and cum all over this cock."

'Oh I'm going to marry this man.' I thought before I screamed my release, my eyes shutting tight as my body trembled with the force. I nearly passed out from my orgasm and lack of oxygen.

He pumped a few more times before he filled my body up with his cum, my core clamping around his twitching cock and making him quiver. He laid me down on the bed and left me for a bit, I whimpered at the sudden loss of warmth.

"You are full of surprises." I stretched sleepily, flexing all my freshly healed, but filthy, parts before snickering at a thought I had. "You know if I had known the rumors were true, we would have been doing this a LONG time ago."

He walked back into the room holding a small washcloth. He gently cleaned me off and I was surprised by the sudden show of tenderness. After tossing the washcloth in a laundry bin he laid back on the bed, pulling me into him before he finally spoke.

"Rumors?" He chuckled a little, the feeling of his voice rumbling through his chest nearly turning me on all over again.

"Oh yeah." I laughed softly. "All the female heroes, and even some of the men, talk about 'Daddy Shouta'. You are quite the sought after bed mate, Mr. Aizawa."

He laughed in response, trailing his fingers up my arm. "I'll have to keep that in mind."

I turned to look at him, raising a brow. "No you won't, buddy. I think I wanna keep you around for awhile."

"Just for awhile, y/n?" He replied playfully, laying soft kisses on my chest and waking my desire again. "I think you can do better than that, kitten."

"Show me why I should keep you around, daddy." I slid my fingers through his black hair as he rolled on top of me, ready for a long night.

#bnha aizawa #mr aizawa #my hero academia aizawa #shouta aizawa #aizawa x you #aizawa smut #shouta x you #shouta x reader #female reader #fem reader #mha x reader #smut #reader insert #lemon #fic #fanfic #my hero academia #mha #bnha #boku no hero academia #mha x you #mha x y/n

[prideofcelestia]

❝love triangle - solomon x reader x barbatos❞

« gender neutral reader »

« pairing - romantic sfw »

« notes - reader ends up with barbatos »

Your competent teacher, Solomon, was curious about your progress under his tutelage, so he decided to test your skills. To say that you were nervous would be an understatement. It was true that he had taught you well but you were quite unfamiliar with his marking scheme, and the idea of failing irked you. It made you feel uneasy, as if you were being nudged to the edge of your seat — just enough to prevent a fall while questioning if you would stay put for long.

For all you knew, you were already in the middle of an examination carefully designed by the wizard without any prior notice. Wasn’t it unfair to not know when you should be on guard? With a sigh, you remembered that being unpredictable was just Solomon’s style, and next with a smile, you realized that you couldn’t hate him for that. His quirkiness was an attractive trait that helped you improve rapidly at times.

You needed help and you needed it fast. After finding Lucifer passed out in his office, Satan being choked to death by a fluffy bunch of kitty butts, Diavolo crying over spilled milk (literally) and Simeon trying to talk to an AI on his computer and failing miserably, you wondered who to approach. The correct answer was Barbatos but you didn’t want to intrude on his already busy schedule. Did he not have enough burdens that you should become one for him too?

Your reverie was shattered when a calm, collected voice spoke from behind.

“Oh my. [Name], I had no idea that I would find you here. Could I interest you in a cup of tea? I am pleased to announce that I just received a batch of fresh herbal tea from the Celestial realm.”

You smiled at the enthusiasm in Barbatos’ voice. Was he the same demon you felt you couldn’t turn to? Perhaps you were overthinking. Given how the last few days had been spent preparing for finals and now your mind was trying to deal with the pressure of an additional surprise test, you couldn’t blame yourself.

“Um. If you have time to talk, I have a favour to ask of you.”

Showing no change in his serene expression, Barbatos bowed his head, “Very well, but please let me brew you a pot of tea and offer you some freshly baked cookies.”

Once the table was set, the butler took a seat opposite you and listened to your ordeal.

“I would be honoured to help you with your practice.”

Getting up, he looked into your eyes and requested that you follow him. The playful quality in his gaze bound you to your spot. Once he turned around, you recovered and reminded yourself that it was not an informal meeting so you should keep a cool head. However, the way your heart leapt only worsened matters and made you unable to focus on his words of advice, rather your eyes were fixed on the delicate curve of his lips.

Solomon was greeted with Barbatos’ praises when he stepped inside the Demon Lord’s Castle. After carefully following the source of the sound, he found a pleased Barbatos eyeing you approvingly.

“A job well done, [Name]. I’m sure Solomon will find no fault with the way you bewitch demons. I am extremely charmed by the look in your eyes.”

You shrugged and let out an awkward laugh. Without meeting his intense gaze, you said, “Oh it’s all thanks to you! I could never have done it without your help. How can I repay you for helping me practise?”

Barbatos appeared to think for a moment before replying. “Actually, I had a favour to ask of you too. I intend to visit the human realm to buy some tea leaves but I have not had the time to research beforehand.”

An involuntary smile played on your lips, “Oh of course. I would love to accompany you!”

Barbatos and you shared a moment that Solomon ruined with an exasperated cough. “[Name], why didn’t you come ask me for help?”

Before you could reply, the demon turned to your teacher and answered. “Solomon, I think we should respect [Name]’s decision and not put them in an uncomfortable situation.”

Two pairs of hopeful eyes looked at you, and even though both wanted the same answer, you could only gift one of them.

Looking at Solomon first, you apologized profusely. “I am sorry, Solomon, but I would like to learn the rest of the material with Barbatos.”

Barbatos smiled at Solomon wickedly but it completely escaped you since you were facing the latter. The wizard’s look of surprise toned down to a mask of controlled calm as he nodded in understanding.

“I will take my leave then. See you next week for the test then.”

You would have stared at Solomon's back and felt sorry for his dismay but Barbatos had earned your complete love and attention so everything else ceased to exist then.

#obey me #gender neutral reader #obey me x reader #gender neutral mc #obey me x mc #obey me! #shion script #obey me barbatos #obey me solomon #x mc #x reader #obey me scenarios

[the12thnightproject]

What Dreams May Come

Characters: Hideyoshi and Mitsunari (main); Nobunaga, Ieyasu, Masamune, Mai, Kitty (background)

Prompts: English Regency/Napoleonic Wars AU, Blindfold

Requested by: @cheese-ception

Warnings: battlefield (memories); PTSD; temporary blindness; angst; otherwise SFW; and also maybe read the previous explanatory post first...

But I promise a happy ending!

Word Count: 4200

In the haze of smoke, a tattered Union Jack flutters in his field of vision, moved by a breeze that does nothing to sweep away the battlefield stink of sulfur and sweat, of blood and rotting bodies. He hears only the shouting of his fellow soldiers, constant booms, whistling of bullets, ‘watch out, Major’; feels nothing except a yank on his arm, before a cannonball lands with a crashing bang, where he had been standing a moment earlier. The explosion sends everyone flying backwards, and he lands face first in the fetid mud. Under the hot sun, it all blurs together, except for the smell. That smell will follow him to his grave.

“Hideyoshi.” There was firm hand gently shaking his shoulder. The Duke’s voice. “Wake up.”

The battlefield retreated to the edge of his consciousness, to lurk in the past, replaced by the sensation of polished mahogany and a sharp letter opener under his cheek… and a cramp in his neck likely to linger for hours. He’d fallen asleep at his desk again. Hideyoshi sat up instantly, as realization beget embarrassment, but Nobunaga’s gaze revealed neither censure nor sympathy. He rubbed his cheek, feeling the indentation of the ornate silver handle of the letter opener. “My apologies, Your Grace.”

“I’m less concerned about your sleeping at your desk and more about-” Nobunaga slanted a glance at the mantle clock – it was long past midnight, “the fact that you didn’t take yourself off to bed hours ago. Since I know I am not overworking you, I’m left to wonder about your competence.” 

If he thought he was going to be able to escape with just this gentle chiding, Hideyoshi was soon proven wrong, for instead of saying his piece and leaving, Nobunaga poured himself a glass of brandy, settled himself into a wingback chair, and gave every indication that he intended to stay and chat. Still wearing his crisp tailcoat and cravat, he was the very picture of a gentleman in repose.

“I was putting the finishing touches on your speech for Parliament.” It was the truth, but not the reason. Unlike Hamlet, he had little to fear ‘what dreams may come’ of death’s nightmares. The ones that visited while he was living were bad enough.

“If you’re going to have nightmares, why not have them in the comfort of your own room?” Nobunaga swirled the brandy, while Hideyoshi wondered if he’d spoken his thoughts out loud. Or had Nobunaga picked up Mitsuhide’s irritating habit of reading faces? The third possibility - that Nobunaga also suffered from them was discounted entirely. Nobunaga was too strong for that.

When the silence stretched on too long, past awkward, into, simply silence, Nobunaga gestured to the pages strewn across the desk that had so recently been Hideyoshi’s pillow. “As it’s the cause of tonight’s late hours, might as well let me see it.”

Hideyoshi handed over the speech, and Nobunaga settled in to read it, with not even a hm or a mrrm to let reveal his thoughts on it. Instead, Hideyoshi was left in a near silence broken by a ticking clock, and the distraction of a worn spot in the Aubusson rug that would likely need to be sent out for repair. As Nobunaga was still reading over the speech, Hideyoshi made a note to alert the housekeeper.

“The conditions of the returning soldier? That’s what you believe I should be championing?” Nobunaga sharpened a pen and marked out a few lines. “I’m not such a firebrand – tame your, or rather, my metaphors, and it will do.” He tossed the papers back onto the desk. “You should run for parliament yourself.”

“The House of Commons? I couldn’t.” Even though even a couple years ago – before Napoleon had stomped his boots all over Europe, it had been his very wish. He’d had ideas… plans. Dreams. But now, Nobunaga was far better placed to see those plans through, while Hideyoshi even had trouble planning what to wear each day.

“You could – if you stopped feeling guilty for-”

SCREEEEE

Though it was rude, Hideyoshi pushed his chair back with such force that it probably scratched the floor (possibly that was how the rug had become worn to begin with) and jumped to his feet. “You’re correct. I should be in bed. I’ll likely be fresher in the morning.”

Nobunaga, having gotten his teeth into the topic, wasn’t going to let it go so easily. “Mitsunari made his own choices. I’m certain he doesn’t blame you for-”

Twice in the same conversation, twice more than he ever had in the past, Hideyoshi interrupted Nobunaga. “If I hadn’t paid for his colors, convinced him he was needed, he’d safely be in some quiet vicarage.”

Nobunaga held his glass up to the light as if looking into a crystal ball. “While the image of a string of apple cheeked country maids haunting the doors of a church to get a glimpse of their angelic curate is amusing, you know as well as I that he would have made a terrible preacher. He’d never remember which day was Sunday and then spend Tuesday mornings looking out at row upon row of empty pews and wondering if his whole congregation had fled town.”

Hideyoshi’s brain supplied the sarcastic response ‘at least he’d be able to see that’ though again he kept the words unspoken, and this time, if Nobunaga read the words on his face, he didn’t remark on it. “Good night, Your Grace.”

“Do try to sleep, monkey.” The words floated after his retreating back.

Though he ought to have heeded that advice, Hideyoshi bypassed his rooms and as had become habit, he continued to the end of the corridor. Only to ensure himself that at this hour, Mitsunari had everything he needed.

That first week after their return from the continent, Mitsunari had awakened every night. Confused in the darkness, he had nearly set the house on fire as he tried to light an already burning lamp. As time went on, Mitsunari had become accustomed to his new circumstances, and if he woke in the darkness, he’d never mentioned it.

Did Mitsunari ever dream now? Were the dreams bright and colorful? Was waking up the nightmare for him that sleeping was for Hideyoshi? Again, there hadn’t been a word of complaint or self-pity from the younger man. Then again, Mitsunari never had been the sort to complain.

Carefully, Hideyoshi eased open the door to Mitsunari’s room. A footman had left the candles in the wall sconce burning – perhaps out of laziness, perhaps out of misguided comfort – and the room was bathed in an amber glow. Mitsunari slept, apparently peacefully, a fresh bandage wrapped around his sightless eyes. The young man was on his side, and he clutched something in his arms… a pillow?

No.

It was a book.

Unable to watch any more, Hideyoshi retreated to his rooms. The nightmare, (watch out, Major!) was all but certain to make another visit.

The following morning, after an early cross-country ride that was not fast enough to erase the lingering miasma of the battlefield from his consciousness, Hideyoshi fed his panting horse an apple while one of the grooms removed its saddle. The man didn’t need any company, but Hideyoshi felt… reluctant to return to the house. Strange. He’d never in the past shirked his responsibilities but since their return … his days felt like they were spent underwater, and even taking more than a few steps sometimes felt like too much effort. He would push past that though. Always had, always would.

To wake himself up, he ran his fingers over his horse’s nose, and it whuffled in appreciation. The warmth of its body pulsed under his hand, almost as if the animal was trying to loan him some energy.

Then a piece of straw hit him in the face.

And another…

Something was scuffling above him.

He eyed the hayloft, already primed to give a lecture if he discovered one of the stableboys dallying with a dairy maid. The groom followed his gaze. “Kittens.” At Hideyoshi’s unspoken ‘go on,’ the groom continued. “Molly’s latest litter. Over the last week, they’ve been venturing all over the stables.” He nodded at the corner of an empty stall, where a grey and white tabby was snoozing, likely taking a well-earned break from her brood.

Kittens.

Without questioning the impulse, Hideyoshi climbed the ladder until he was halfway into the loft. Five kittens tumbled over each other, chasing dust motes and straw, and bouncing into and off of the wall. One tiny all-grey furball pranced over to him and batted his nose. “Are they weaned?” He extended his hand to the little creature and was rewarded when it began to gnaw on his fingers.

“Should be. Why? Do you want to keep one?” The groom glanced at the mama cat and shrugged. “I’m sure Molly’s ready to be rid of them.”

“Yes.” The words were out of his mouth before he even realized what he planned to do with the kitten.

Later that morning, with a freshly brushed (courtesy of a cooing in-between maid) kitten squirming in his arms, Hideyoshi found Mitsunari on his customary bench in the back garden. Prior to his injury, Mitsunari could – and often had – spend hours in his room or the library reading, but everyone had agreed (well Ieyasu had prescribed, and no one had dared argue with the prickly doctor) that fresh air and the sun’s warmth would be good for him, so now a footman would lead him outside every morning.

Mitsunari had his bandaged eyes tilted toward the sky as Hideyoshi approached. An artist would likely be thrilled to paint a picture of the young man, basking in the sun, surrounded by lavender and climbing hydrangea. He looked to be at peace, with a spring breeze ruffling his unruly hair. In his lap, the same book that he had slept with the night before. At the sound of Hideyoshi’s footsteps, Mitsunari turned toward him and smiled. “Good morning, Major.”

“I sold out weeks ago – you don’t have to use my rank any longer.” He’d never had to, not in private anyway, but Mitsunari had always said it was easier to use the title all the time, than to try to remember when he did and didn’t need to. “You can call me by my given name.”

“It feels… impolite. I will do my best though. Major. Sir.” Mitsunari’s fingers soothed the covers of the book, each brisk movement feeling like an accusation.

He wanted to ask Mitsunari why he’d brought it along when he couldn’t see it, but at the same time Hideyoshi didn’t want to bring up the topic. Not when they were all waiting, trapped between hope and resignation, to discover what the verdict would be when Ieyasu returned to remove the bandage.

Having decided she’d had enough of Hideyoshi, the kitten let out an annoyed squeak. Then… she bit him. Again.

“Was that a cat?” (Nothing wrong with his friend’s hearing).

“Yes. The stables were overrun with them, so I thought…” I thought you might like her. I thought a kitten might be an adequate replacement for your eyes, for the books you can no longer read.  It… was a ridiculous thought. As if one cat could compensate for the loss of vision. Too late to backtrack now.

Besides, Mitsunari had already opened his arms, so Hideyoshi carefully placed the fluffball in his lap. With gentle hands, Mitsunari stroked her soft fur and almost immediately, the kitten let out a rumbling purr, almost too loud for her tiny body. Well. Females. Mitsunari had always affected them like that. “Good morning, kitty… it seems friendly.”

Hideyoshi had a couple scratches to prove otherwise, but the kitten seemed content in Mitsunari’s company. “She. The tweeny checked.”

“She. Were you going to give her to Mai?” He felt around behind him and broke off a spring of lavender from the clump edging the path. He dangled the sprig over the kitten, who batted at it with her tiny paws.  

That would be the natural assumption, but Hideyoshi doubted Nobunaga’s ward would have time for the cat now that she was preparing for her debut season. Well, Hideyoshi was certain Mai would give it her best effort, but it wouldn’t be fair to the kitten to get it used to Azuchi Castle, then cart her all the way to the London residence for a few months. “No. Actually, I thought…” Again, the explanation stuck in his throat. “Do you want her?”

Mitsunari was quiet for a long time, appearing to think it over. But he smiled down at the kitten as she rubbed her face across his hands. Encouraged, Hideyoshi added, “She seems to like you. Definitely more than she likes me.”

“I like her too.” The words were almost too soft to be heard. His hands easily found the underside of the kitten’s chin, and he tickled her lightly.

“Good then. I’ll have the housekeeper set some things up in your room.” Along the far side of the wall, where Mitsunari would be least likely to trip over them. The little in-between maid would likely be happy to feed her. Thrilled even, at the opportunity to get away from chamber pots and to spend time with Mitsunari and the kitten.

With a wide yawn, the kitten stretched, knocking the book out of Mitsunari’s lap. Hideyoshi caught it automatically read the title out loud. “Art of War.”

Mitsunari nodded. “I’ve read it before, so I can see the pages and words in my head.” No stumbling over the word ‘see’ like any of the visitors to Azuchi had. “But I like to keep the rhythm of turning the pages when I reread it.”

Interesting. Hideyoshi had always known that Mitsunari had an excellent memory, but he hadn’t… “I didn’t know it worked that way.”

“I was eight when I discovered that nobody else stores vast libraries in their head.” Out of either politeness, or habit, Mitsunari turned his face toward Hideyoshi.

Now trapped in a conversation that could become awkward at any moment, Hideyoshi settled on the bench, placing the book down between himself and Mitsunari. “Is it the same when someone reads to you? Can you still re-read it later?”

“The words appear inside my head while I listen… when I want to go over them again, they… unspool. Like thread.” Mitsunari made a rolling gesture with his hand, presumably to demonstrate the unspooling. “I hear the reader’s voice too.”

“I’m certain that Nobunaga would approve finding a reader for you.” Or two. Three even. People with soothing, interesting voices. Hideyoshi vowed to listen to every single candidate, to find ones with melodious voices, readers who sounded pleasant, even if they’d been reading for hours. And of course, only ones who would be able to read the most advanced texts without stumbling over unfamiliar words or concepts.

“That’s kind of you… and his grace, of course. But it’s not necessary.” Mitsunari had found the spot on the kitten’s body that sent it instantly into kitty bliss. “Ieyasu seems certain this,” he touched the bandage that doubled as a blindfold, “is only temporary.”

What Ieyasu had said was that it could be temporary, which, if Mitsunari could see words in his head, he knew full well. But if he was choosing to keep hope until the final diagnosis… was that better? Was it better to have several weeks of hope before disappointment? Or better to be prepared for a final blow? If it had been himself, Hideyoshi would like to be prepared. “I’m sorry.”

“Whatever for?” Mitsunari ruffled the kitten’s fur. “For sticking me with this cat? She’s a nice cat.”

“For… this wouldn’t have happened to you, if it were not for me.” The apology he ought to have given weeks ago came tumbling out. “I feel responsible.”

Now Mitsunari did frown. “I don’t understand how you can think that. You didn’t fire that cannon. The French did. And I don’t blame them either.” He fumbled around and found the book again… tapped lightly on the cover. “Art… of War”

Watch out, Major!

“You saved my life… and your reward was this injury.” Maybe Mitsunari saw words in his head. What  Hideyoshi saw, unspooling like a thread, was the moment Mitsunari pushed him aside as a cannon ball exploded in front of them… then among the smoke and the sulfur, the vision of his subaltern, his friend, lying on the ground, knocked flat by the resultant blast. It had taken nearly a day for Mitsunari to regain consciousness, to open his eyes… and ask why it was pitch black in the tent. “I’m sorry,” he repeated.

“I saved your life. My reward was your life.” Mitsunari’s frown was still evident. “This temporary loss of vision is a small price to pay. My duty as a soldier was to protect my commanding officer. You treat me as a younger brother… but please, give me the credit of making my own choices fully aware of the potential cost.”

Of course, Mitsunari would say that. He had always been a creature of logic. “You would not have been in Belgium, were it not for me.”

Mitsunari shook his head. “I would have found a way – taken the king’s shilling and joined the infantry. My father considered me bound for the church, but … the thought of giving a sermon? I would rather face a hundred French soldiers every day for the rest of my life.”

The duke had said something similar… that Mitsunari didn’t blame him, had never considered blaming him. To push the issue would be an insult. Still, Hideyoshi couldn’t look at Mitsunari without a rush of an emotion that he could only identify as guilt, and its weight grew heavier every day.

“In any case,” Mitsunari continued. “You would have done the same if it had been Nobunaga.”

Yes. But, that was different. Nobunaga had goals, plans… someday… possibly soon he could even become Prime Minister. Hideyoshi was simply his steward. He had no goals other than to ensure that Nobunaga achieved his.

Seeming to think he had closed the conversation, Mitsunari indicated the kitten. “Her name ought to be Kitty.” With his lips quirked into a half smile, the only indication of those rare times when he told a joke, Mitsunari asked, “Does she look like a kitty to you?”

“I suppose so.” There was probably a joke to be batted back to him, but Hideyoshi couldn’t think of one.

“Kitty.” Experimentally, Mitsunari addressed her, and she let out a little chirrup as if that settled the matter. “In any case, we can ask Ieyasu’s opinion – he’s good at naming things.”

Not that Hideyoshi had noticed. “By the time he gets here, Kitty will be too attached to her name to alter it.”

Mitsunari tilted his head in the direction of the house. “He’s here now. Masamune too.”

About to correct him – Ieyasu wasn’t due to arrive until next week, and Masamune was up at his estate in Scotland – but Mitsunari was right. Hideyoshi could now hear their voices, good naturedly arguing (well, good natured on Masamune’s part anyway) as a footman led them into the back garden. The footman noted that His Grace had been told of the visitors’ arrival and would join them momentarily.

“Well, Lad,” Masamune said, as he greeted Mitsunari with a friendly slap on his back. “Admit it. You were so jealous of the allure of the eye patch that you had to go and double it.”

Bristling, Hideyoshi prepared to defend Mitsunari, but the ‘lad’ laughed at Masamune’s joke. So, instead, he turned his attention Ieyasu. “You made good time. We weren’t expecting you for a few more days.”

“Date came down to consult with his man of business about something, and he offered me a place in his curricle.” He sent a glare at their Scottish friend. “Which, I will never take him up on again. He drives like a madman.”

Hm. Ieyasu’s hair was standing on end more than usual, and there was a greenish tinge to his complexion that matched his eyes. Hideyoshi could well believe that Masamune’s neck-or-nothing riding style would transfer to his driving.

Masamune made a dismissive sound. “What’s the use of having fast horses if you don’t let them have their heads on a decent highway?”

“Thank you, Ieyasu. I’m glad you wanted to see me sooner.” Though Ieyasu rolled his eyes at Mitsunari’s interpretation, he didn’t correct him, Hideyoshi noted.

By this time, Nobunaga had made his way out to the garden as well, and he was soon followed by Mai, who was greeted enthusiastically by Masamune and less so by Ieyasu. Predictably, she cooed over the kitten, then settled herself next to Mitsunari while the servants carted out some light refreshments.

It seemed like everyone wanted to be around when Ieyasu removed the bandages. Even the servants were lurking at the edges of the garden. Mitsunari was a favorite with all of them.

“We’re almost all together again,” Mai said, sounding satisfied at that prospect.

“I could ask Wellington to recall Mitsuhide and Keiji from whatever missions he’s got them carrying out on the continent.” Nobunaga said it so casually, as if it was as easy as snapping his fingers to ask the commander of the British army for a favor. For Nobunaga… it probably was.

“That’s … really not necessary,” Hideyoshi assured him. Masamune was more than enough to cause a disturbance in the household without adding Mitsuhide or Keiji to the mix.

Lightly touching the bandage, Mitsunari asked the question that no one else had the courage to. “It is time now? To remove this?”

“Inside.” Ieyasu waved his hand in the direction of the sun. “Too bright out here.”

There seemed to be a general inclination to move en mass into the house, but Hideyoshi shook himself out of his numbed state. “Mitsunari… do you want everyone around you?”

“Just you, Major.” He handed the cat off to Mai. “And Ieyasu, of course.”

Moment of truth then. Hideyoshi realized he felt more nervous than Mitsunari appeared to be. Then again, Mitsunari was confident that when the bandages were removed, he’d be able to see again.

Rather than use the footman, Hideyoshi took over the job of leading Mitsunari back into the house, conscious of everything on the path that might trip his friend up. Behind them, he could hear Masamune teasing Mai about something pertaining to her debut, likely just nonsense to distract them while they waited.

He considered taking Mitsunari into the library – it had been his favorite room. But if the blindness turned out to not be temporary, would the smell of books and paper be too much of a reminder of the loss? Upon reflection, the study appeared the better choice, as its position on the west side of the castle meant it was naturally darker in there anyway. He settled Mitsunari in the same wingback chair that Nobunaga had occupied the night before.

Ieyasu puttered around, snuffing half the candles and closing the drapery, before crouching in front of Mitsunari. Hideyoshi leaned against the doorway, half in and out of the room. He felt almost as if he were poised for flight – if the news were bad he knew there would be a part of him that would want to start running, and keep running… while another part would make it impossible to move at all. It was all a sum of that invisible wall of water surrounding him.

With a pair of scissors, Ieyasu neatly snipped through the bandage. The slight burns on Mitsunari’s face had long since healed, but Ieyasu had always said the burns weren’t the issue, it had been the concussion from the explosion that had caused his blindness. “Open your eyes slowly… if things are blurry, it’s to be expected.”

“Wait.” Mitsunari’s hand came up to keep the bandage in place. “Major… Sir… Hideyoshi. What you said to me before… I can’t forgive you because I have no right to that. There’s no reason to. But – please, forgive yourself.” He didn’t wait for Hideyoshi to respond – and perhaps there could be no response to that anyway. Mitsunari couldn’t force Hideyoshi to forgive himself any more than Hideyoshi could force Mitsunari to blame him.

Maybe that had been his point.

From where he was standing in the door, Hideyoshi couldn’t see the expression on either one of their faces when the bandage finally fell away, and the silence from Mitsunari wasn’t helping things either. That clock on the mantle kept ticking into the void, as Ieyasu slowly moved his finger back and forth in front of Mitsunari’s eyes, almost in cadence with the clock.

He wouldn’t be doing that he if thought Mitsunari hadn’t been healed, right? Finally, Ieyasu put his hand down and grunted in satisfaction. “You’ll need to wear the blindfold every other hour, and slowly retrain your eyes. Then go to an ocularist for a stronger pair of glasses…”

Whatever he said after that was lost in the rush of relief that Hideyoshi felt. Mitsunari turned his head looking for…

… Hideyoshi, apparently, as the young man paused, his brilliant amethyst eyes focused on him … then he smiled.

I saved your life, that smile seemed to say, now… make something of it.

…Hideyoshi supposed that he would.

#ikemen sengoku #fanfic #ikesen hideyoshi #ikesen mitsunari #cw ptsd #cw blindness #angst with happy ending #cursed bingo #anniversary celebration #follower celebration #cybird ikemen

[nothingneverforever]

Puss in Boots: The Last Wish (2022)

I’d delayed watching this long enough that by the time I did, I’d heard all the great things, read all the shining reviews so much so that I almost didn’t want to watch it any more given my random meaningless avoidance of all things “critically acclaimed”.

So when I finally did, I was expecting to just love everything - after all, you’re reading the thoughts of someone whose unbiased favourite rides at Universal Studios Singapore are the Shrek dragon and puss in boots ones, someone who has been planning a princess Fiona tattoo (a la her Shrek Forever After head of the ogre resistance self) for years, and someone who bought Mark Oliver Everett’s autobiography years ago after falling in love with Eels from the various Shrek soundtracks… I could really go on about the many deep and lasting ways in which the Shrek franchise has stayed with me. I knew that some of the most raved-about elements of The Last Wish would be lost on me, such as the novel graphics and genre-bending animation and other umm technical things that I don’t really know how to speak to or care much about, but still, I should have loved everything else about it by all accounts.

So it surprised me greatly that this was my very favourite scene of the movie, which also happened to be the very very last:

Where are we headed, anyways?

Off to find new adventures and to see some old friends.

Yea the only time I felt actually moved (ok there was one other scene, will share more shortly) was when the movie was linked back to the greater Shrek universe, where Far Far Away was referenced and depicted and suddenly I felt much fondness for the film I was watching (or rather had just finished watching) mostly only because I recalled the glorious, unique, colourful world it was a part of.

That’s sad, right? For a 95% (rotten tomatoes) movie?

I’m typing this on my phone right now which is not my preferred mode of reflection so I shall first briefly enumerate my sources of unhappiness, before hopefully elaborating further in the future -

1. Death’s voice acting seemed to diminish the fear factor which was a waste because I did enjoy how menacing his weapon-wielding actions were … like was it just me or was his voice not scary at all…

2. Given that Puss was willing to give up his life of yore for Kitty, I wish we got to see more of their relationship or at least understood it’s meaning to both of them a little better

3. I don’t know yet what explains this lacking, but why did I feel soooo much more for the goldilocks x three bears subplot than anything to do with Puss? Who, I need not remind, has always been a favourite? Like, he’s so damn cute but so meh in his very own movie? Why…

Okay that’s it for now hehe the only empathic piece de resistance I’d thought of was the far far away scene one and how I wanted to be cool and say that the split-second meaningless Easter egg moment was the best part of the experience for me… so cool and different right me 😎

[yikesharringrove]

Okay fuckers episode 5.

The sound design of this season is the best of all the seasons. They’ve taken some cues from the soundtrack of horror movies and I think they’ve created a soundscape that’s super intriguing.

Stranger things has a habit of going for body horror and gore and just. Not hitting the mark. They don’t make it gross enough or they don’t really take the time to show the damage. Like the kid that gets vecna’d over the water, they don’t relish those scenes of his body being fucked is when they should. I want these people to be having videodrome or re-animator level fucked up deaths.

(Merlin and I spent hours last night talking abt this and we were both saying season 3 would’ve been totally improved by upping the disgust factor in the meat monster by having it LOOK like it was made of body parts. Like if there were recognizable limbs and shit or if the characters made comments on the rotten horrifying smell of it. Think Tusk)

I also am just sick of cgi. What makes old school horror movies so scary and revolting is how real practical effects look. I know you can’t really crumple someone up like Vecna does without creating a fake body and that’s expensive and difficult, but it looks so much better

I’m still loving the scary vibes, especially the haunted house kinda thing but I just really really miss the season 1 low budget b horror energy. The show has lost all the things that made it really stand out to me as something exciting in the beginning

Notes:

I literally dread the moment someone in the California gang suggests going to Utah. It’s probably to use Suzie’s radio and I’m gonna throw up when they cross that state line.

Why is el constantly wearing like twelve layers of clothing

Idk this Nina project thing is giving me bad vibes

NO FUCKING WAY

Dude Bren we was fucking killed WHAT is going on I don’t need this I don’t want this

This man makes my fucking skin crawl “let us work together, daughter and papa” BITCH EW

Bro how many times is this child gonna be traumatized before I can sleep again????

Let hopper rest challenge

“I have a family, I have three kids waiting for me” YES YOU DO, JOYCE. THREE OF THEM I’m getting emosh

Eddie slamming his way through this house like he isn’t a murder suspect

NOT STEVE CURLED UP ON THAT CHAIR LIKE A LITTLE KITTY I love him I love him he’s perfect in every way someone please send me a high res photo of this (and I ignore my dirty laptop screen)

“Cold beer would really calm my jangled nerves”

Lmao Ted telling these kids to fuck off

Max literally listening to ONLY kate bush and ridiculous volumes that’s the vibe

HOLLY IS SO FUCKING GROWN WHAT

Loving Max’s shitty art skills

“Maybe the answer is somewhere in this incredibly vague drawing. God, we need Will.” I actually love this. How wills drawings were so important to figuring shit out in season 2 and max is trying to use that same process but she’s terrible at art bc she’s just a person love this I don’t know why it’s just making my heart happy

Nancy origami-ing this house together. Lowkey would’ve lost my shit if that had been Steve putting it all together. He needs a moment to be smart and I think something visual like this could really be in his wheelhouse. I’m gonna do a fic where it’s Steve that puts it all together

Also bc I could totally see him and tommy and Carol daring each other to go into the Creel house and shit (Ted bundy had a house in my home town and we used to dare each other to go to the porch and knock on the door and shit and Hawkins kids would totally be the same)

WAIT DID THEY SHAVE ELS HEAD AGAIN OR IS THIS A FLASHBACK??? I hate flashback story telling it’s so fucking confusing gd

Is this a truama response? I guess. Bro idk what’s going on

What is with those weird little shoes the older kids have on?

Okay this plastic face bitch needs to get out of my face I literally can’t stay him he’s like fucking Michael Langdon I wanna punch him

STOP calling her sleepyhead I can’t deal

I’m kind of here for this sucked up time loop though

NOT THESE FRUITS BURYING A BODY

Will is literally using a hoe to dig he’s a nightmare

Obsessed with argyle’s very real reaction

Lmao D.A.R.E. Officer will

I KNEW something was gonna be hidden in the pen these guys suck

Some of these Russian guys are super hot and for WHAT

WAIT SO MUCH OF WHAT I HEADCANONED FOR HOPPERS BACKSTORY WAS JUST MADE CANON him fighting in Vietnam (I mean that obv) but it being spurred on by his shitty father that ‘thinks he’s a piece of shit’ I mean. I’ve written shit where billy and hop bind over their fucked up dads and the way we REALLY could’ve had hop seeing through Billy’s facade I’m gonna scream

This agent orange story is so so fucked up and the way that this is REAL are you kidding? I’m freaking out

Oh rip Sarah

THEY DO NEED YOU HOP AND YOU NEED THEM IT GOES BOTH WAYS

I’m gonna cry omg

Oh Christ Chrissy’s mom can fuck RIGHT off

I have to say the music they use when someone sees the clock, and the chimes are like bassed up and slowed it’s really cool

Jason needs to fuck off i fucking can’t with him

Stupid fucking Jason writing reefer ricks instead of reefer rick’s

“Should I knock? See if anybody’s home?” Steve you just pried off the wood that was keeping this place boarded up

“I found a key” queen of chaos robin Buckley

Thank god Steve has the limbs of a giraffe so someone in this group could reach the knob

Okay but Steve’s blank look when Dustin “do you need to be told everything? You’re not a child”joe keery sometimes just goes so dead in the eyes sometimes and it’s my favorite thing in the world

Also “thank you” “you’re welcome” he’s my baby boy I love him

“Why’s this wizard obsessed with clocks?” Idk Steve why am I obsessed with you? Sometimes people are just obsessed with things

Let Steve hit Dustin over the head like real brothers would challenge

“Why’d you sigh?” “I didn’t sigh, just come on dude” love Steve playing this off like it wasn’t the biggest most dramatic sigh in the whole world

We had a very similar lamp in my childhood home lol

THIS CONVO ABOUT MURRAY’S KARATE CLASS IM OBSESSED Jeremiah is my new favorite side character

If I have to hear this whore say “well well…” I’m gonna go on a murder spree

These flashes between cgi little el and old el is making my vertigo act up

“Good morning children” “good morning Miss Hannigan”

Brenner can choke on the biggest fattest dick

Sensory deprivation tanks are one of my biggest fears ngl

Argyle is the queer that can’t drive we all needed in this show

no. No no no no NO olease DONT please don’t

They showed that map of Utah and I ralphed

Will singing never ending story lub him

Eddie looks like if Alex Horne and Erin mcgehey had a child

This fucker that wears a trucker hat everywhere, even while wearing a suit is such a douchebag jock vibe I love

Why do NONE of my green colored pencils function FUCK

“If there’s a spider nesting in there you’re never gonna find it u too it lays eggs and all the babies spill out” ROBIN PLEASE

I love Steve constantly being like “we’re friends we’re friends we’re friends” and saying how he WOULD date robin but she wouldn’t date him. I hate that he and Nancy are sniffing around one another but he makes it very clear that he doesn’t think he’s too good for Robin or that she’s not attractive, but that she actually wants nothing more than platonic with him without outing her. I just think it’s very sweet

STEVE STARTED TO TRY TO QUOTE THE SHERLOCK HOLMES QUOTE DUSTIN SAID QND I HAD TO LEAVE THE ROOM HES SO EMBARRASSING

And then he just walks away he’s such a baby such a baby

Kate bush will NEVER lose her magic powers that wuthering heights video is fucking amazing

Lucas being a lil dork I’m so so glad he’s a real character again after last season

I think the sound design is my favorite of all the seasons. The clock noise is cool and the way they’re using running up that hill to play quietly and distorted in certain scenes is really interesting

This whole flashback is like some umbrella academy rip off shit

Not them vying for brenners pocket taffy

Anytime this gross waxwork lookin bitch speaks I am filled with unspeakable rage

Bro where’s Kali in all these flashbacks??? I’ve been honking that since the beginning that first flashback really bothered me bc of all the kids besides 11 were killed how did Kali survive/did she escape earlier than that when she was like 4???? I hate it

“My fingers are like arrows!” The theatre if it all what a whore I love Murray

The karate has really payed off good for you dude

And then Murray and Joyce were frozen for sixty years like captain America

Yes Steve being the Scooby gang leader for five seconds loml

Eddie I promise you can paddle faster than he can swim

If Vecna can fuck with the flashlights he could totally fuck with the Walkman too

Lmao Eddie falling overboard

Good job girl FUCK brenner I hate him I hate him

Why did they reshave els head??? I don’t get it and bc it’s a wig it makes her head look oddly shaped

“Papa” “daughter” 🤢

#also I just tried to spell apocalypse as ‘apocylyspse’ so that’s how my nights going #yikes talks #st4 #stranger things spoiler #strangerthingsspoilers #I’m probably gonna stop tagging spoilers come Friday since it’ll be 2 weeks since release

[starmakermachine]

The Art of Grieving

By Kitty Quinn, Photographed by Milan Lazovski, Styled by Kitty Quinn & Milan Lazovski, Model: Adrienne Willis

The spectrum of human emotions is undoubtedly instrumental in the artistic process. Although all emotions can alter an artist’s product, it can be argued that the most impactful is grief. Grief is unlike any other emotion— a perfect storm of sadness and anger that leaves a permanent mark on the psyche. Whether grieving in a hypothetical sense or for an actual death, there is a certain depth it adds to art that cannot be replicated with more pleasant emotions like happiness or excitement. This is an idea that I have always been interested in exploring, whether while consuming or creating my own forms of art. Perhaps most eloquently said by French novelist Marcel Proust, “Happiness is beneficial for the body, but it is grief that develops the powers of the mind”. 

An especially crucial part of overcoming the challenges of grief is coping. The way that art can be translated while being used as a coping mechanism is unique and unpredictable. Depending on what someone is grieving, their subsequent creation can be impacted in innumerable ways. Nobody can foresee when grief will come knocking at their door— nevertheless the long and painful healing process that follows suit. Creating art to cope gives new life to painful realities, almost like the process of a chrysalis turning into a brilliant butterfly. It allows the griever choice with what to channel their sorrow into rather than letting the powerful emotions take hold of them instead. To not allow oneself to cope is like putting a hypothetical block on one’s creative potential. I feel like one of the greatest life lessons is that channeling creativity as a coping mechanism will reward you with a meaningful piece of art that can be shared and appreciated by others— almost a way to show that all of the agonies weren’t for nothing. 

The most interesting aspect of this phenomenon is how universal it is among artists across all mediums. Through meaningful and special in all ways, the one I have found to be the most striking is through music. So many famous musicians have opened their hearts and released songs and albums centered around their times of sorrow. Though there is an endless list, perhaps my favorite example is Joni Mitchell’s Blue. While not grief in the traditional sense, the breaking of a heart can be a blow of equal gravity. Following the end of her relationship with fellow musician, Graham Nash, Mitchell channeled her woe into possibly one of the most celebrated albums of her several decades-spanning careers. It’s said that Mitchell was at a point of breaking during the recording process, so fragile that she would spontaneously combust into tears at times. Grief brings artists to their most raw and welcomes audiences to their inner, most intimate feelings that they would otherwise stow away. There’s such bravery in letting the world see the art you create in your darkest periods but also a freedom unlike any other. It’s a language all humans can speak, regardless of where they're from. 

I am not unfamiliar with the process of using grief to channel into my own art. From grieving my grandfather to expectations not being met, 2022 has been a year of incessant grieving— however, 2022 has also been a year of creation as well. Following the passing of my grandfather in June of this year, Milan and I had the idea to start Starmaker Machine. It has become my saving grace in all my times of trouble, grief related or not. Whether working with Milan on the creative directions of our photoshoots or writing these blogs, I gave myself the greatest gift an artist can give to themself; an outlet. I have always been a creative person but to finally be able to channel my overwhelming feelings of hurt into something tangible that I am proud of has been so valuable to my character. Though grief is intimidating and not something anyone should experience often, I’m so grateful for the person I have become and the things I have created as a result of it.

It is the universal experiences such as the relationship between grief and coping that can bring humans together. It is the ever-present reminder that using art as a means of coping can not only heal but be life-changing beyond comprehension. From people like Joni Mitchell to myself, there is so much to be learned from a person at their lowest. Maybe it's optimism, but it’s times like these when you can feel thankful for grief. Although it’s never pleasant at the moment and the loss of someone or something can be debilitating, to know that there can be some light in the darkness is endlessly relieving. 

#editorial #grief #helmutnewton #steveklein #michiganphotography #art #jonimitchell #blue #fashionphotography #detroit #film #polaroids #california #highfashion #couture #dior #vintageinspired #makeup #contentcreation #creativity #ysl

[incarnateirony]

*Shealyn's denialist retardation and avoidance intensifies, adds new vanity plates, tries to be retarded in Norse today, misses what she's reblogging again*

Shealyn, you've never done a real magic trick in your life, you just chased and abused and tried to destroy the Magi of the path you spewed heretical delusional octopus jibberish in the name of. It doesn't matter what pantheon you run to, but yes, I do have badass music taste, since you keep confusing me with Loki, and yes, even if it burns me out. I've made that incredibly fucking clear.

I love that this bitch just keeps trying to rotate her shit to find something, too. Hermes and the dance moves! Loki and the music list! Um. Anubis and the kitty kibble! All the godshadows and her Therapy Book! Anything but addressing the screaming lady in her head she confessed to on main! Today's distraction is ROCK MUSIC. Tomorrow... whiny reblogs begging the universe to think about her FEEEEEEEEEELINGS. On Sunday, if we turn a bunch of posts sideways without reading them, maybe she can find a way to validate-away with a half printed motivational poster what has her crying inside because she goddamn knows better. Her inner goddess is weeping but the monster of shadow born from her obstructing her own light is too obese on the chewed on foreskin of her ex to release its ego.

What is it gonna take for someone in her life to intervene and go, you know what, Shealyn. The octopus jibberish from the cited anime was never real. So your communication with him isn't legit. Which would explain why you don't know any of his doctrine stuff or axioms or whatever Aaron is talking about that the rest of the practicing world DOES know. Maybe we should listen to the psych worker and elder magi, and not to the god of death you think is telling you to feed the cats. Because I think he just jacked your playlist and blog again. You HAVE had an alarming escalation in required medication and self-harm habits that you've had to shave yourself bald over. Maybe there's a correlation here. And you know in hindsight, it IS pretty weird that you're up your ex's ass in social circles three years later, that should have pegged us as unhealthy behavior, sorry for contributing to that.

But no, that would require her, and them, to have been like. WRONG about something. If they scour tumblr hard enough they might find a post to interpret that makes their weird rapey bullshit okay.

No, y'all. She's schizoaffective and you've fed it until it became full blown stalker obsession x literally made a fucking cult to her ex husband and now you're ALL too motherfucking embarrassed to look at it.

Also yes, Shea. Very much the Best Comment. Thank you. Thee Crustdaddiest. You're still schizoaffective and still riding my astral dick. And now you fucked up and got Mark on it.

Avoiding the truth doesn't change it, it just prolongs how long I'm going to embarrass both of you while picking your brain to pieces.

Is being humiliated one of your fetishes too now? is it a kinky thing? maybe I'm just playing into your horny lying cultist hands by embarrassing you like this, is this another way you get off on me?

or are you so braindamaged you forgot we went over this being in the exact time period you fucked up and got Mark bound to me and you kept changing the color of my otherwise identical-across-entities prescription lenses on every different "character" or "god interpretation" you were doing for a hot minute there.

Because that's what people that Actually Talk To A Deity have to do. Interpret what they look like. Not "this is how I see him." This is how you interpret text you pretend talks to you at night. But you done fucked up and attached to me, and you know, we've been over this, you dumb broad.

But yes, Thee Daddiest. Technically they forgot the most important Thee. But I respect the effort. The -est suffix imports the essence of Thee enough, Thee Crustdaddy, or The Crustdaddiest. See, language is fun!

Lady... we're STILL doing this?

My bad that old avatar generator didn't have the exact nose bridge you'll try to bitch about as different. Just like you didn't notice the Pan with the spider after I started yelling HEY YOU LLOTH OF THE TENTH HOUSE ARACHNE WHO SHADOWS HER OWN ALTAR. "man I just got this vivid visual of the pan that looks weirdly like Aaron's icon going BOO, I HAVE NO IDEA WHY!!" MAN IT WAS REAL RED WHEN I WENT THERE LAST NIGHT TO DEAL WITH MOON MOON "IDK THIS GUYS NAME BUT I'M PROUD OF HIM. IF HIS HAIR IS SHORTER, IS HE A DIFFERENT DUDE????" Me: LMAO ENJOY YUGIOH BRAINROT "we'll draw the guy on hieroglyphics... and paint him BLACK... even without giving him actual black features, we just keep changing the skin tone on the same dude's face and caling it a different guy. But this one has a side shave!! SEE, DIFFERENT GUY WE SWEAR." me, sitting there with my clippers shaving my head: you're literally all brain damaged.

I can ALMOST forgive Mark for missing the Ash in the Pyramidhead thing, because your lying ass intentionally will hide from him what that is and it does look different, but the others yall, it's outright embarrassing to watch, but I've been saving your fanart. Very useful actually.

fuck me running with a pitchfork. Like friggin... artistic blackface to try to dodge being called out on their shit. Changing hair length and hair dye color but still drawing the same motherfucker over and over again with the same general essence and the same glasses throughout, even in the egypt piece where they painted him dark but still gave him caucasian ass facial structure with the same fucking glasses same as "Loki" and "IDK his name but I'm proud of him" which conveniently match the facial shape of "Hermes", or "Rhys", or "Coyote", or whatever she's fucking waving around my bullshit under today pretending it isn't me and mine and my shit and my work face identity you know the fucking song by now. Hell Egyptian Dude direct transited the purple lips and other details from the icon I had on my blog for a month to reclaim my own motherfucking face from your theft. But I guess a haircut and blackfacing him changes everything. Fucking flaming candied jesus on a pogo stick, you guys.

Also sidebar but this is the funniest timing to me rn

No seriously, nobody finds it weird that while she runs further and further from the concept of Hermes beyond compulsively giving in to a few evocations I've forced out of her letting her think it was rebellion or whatever... now it's LOKI with the dance moves, and it's LOKI telling her to do her therapy. Because therapy and Workbooks and Playlists are all totes common Loki associations, and not just her trying to transplant her bullshit to escape to another language like that'll help.

Hey dumb dumb, Loki is just as easy to travel in the unconscious right now for the same reasons.

YEAH NO

NOTHING HILARIOUS GOING ON HERE.

[lastchancevillagegreen]

Friday, 20 October, 2023:

Javelin Sufjan Stevens (Asthmatic Kitty) (released 6 October, 2023)

My first Sufjan Stevens album was 2004's Seven Swans, which I thought was a fine album. I ended up with a handful of his releases from the instrumental faux-Metal Machine Music of Know Your Rabbit to his two states albums of Michigan and Illinois. I naturally ended up with the Illinois outtakes album The Avalanche and his five disc box of Songs For Chirstmas (which I bought because I got it free at Borders during a peculiar sale). The last thing I ever bought by Stevens was his 2015 Carrie & Lowell, a fantastic album about the aging and death of his parents. It even made my Top Ten Best of 2015 list coming in a #3. Here's the thing: I never play Sufjan. I'm pretty sure his Christmas box is in the attic or it might even have been traded away, along with Know Your Rabbit. I'll forever keep the other five albums I have of his because I genuinely like them.

So why have I inexplicably bought his newest album eight years after buying my last Sufjan album? Let's blame God's Jukebox, sort of. If you look at Sufjan's catalog, he has an endless array of collaborative albums that are often electronica. If I'm going to listen to electronica, it ain't gonna be from Sufjan (Know Your Rabbit was all I needed and turns out I didn't need that very well). I'll take Stars of The Lid or Fujiya & Miyagi, not Sufjan. I want wimpy vocals and ballads and tender songs of wistfulness and bitterness from him.

Between Carrie & Lowell and this new album, he has a whole host of collaborative albums or classical instrumental albums or synth pop albums I simply do not care about. My understanding is that Javelin marks a return to what I prefer my Sufjan Stevens albums to sound like. I hope. Over at God's Jukebox, the song posted was Will Anybody Ever Love Me and had I cycled through my feed instead of leaping onto discogs immediately after hearing it and just simply moved on, chances are low I would have even remembered I heard this. But as it moves forward I should grow to like it more and more. Maybe.

Above are the front and back of the album. Below you can see the gatefold of the digipak.

Here is the hype sticker. Artwork and essay by Sufjan!! I like this less and less.

The cover and back were all Sufjan. For starters, I despise the text which are supposed to look like squeezed tubes of paint but look more precisely like bad photoshop art. Below you can see the front of the booklet. To answer the question on the booklet, the answer is of course, no.

Here is the back of the booklet. How long did it take Sufjan to cut out all these pictures?

Did he read back issues of Eat to get in touch with his inner collage maker? Check out his artwork from random pages below.

Here's one with his essays included.

Lastly we see the CD.

[trainer-aer]

Life Update: Valentine's Day Edition

02.14.2023

💜

Today marks three months to the day from when I began the process of getting away from my abusive ex-fiancé.

In the past three months I have done an insane amount of healing that trauma, physically and emotionally.

While in that toxic relationship, I gained over 60 pounds and went from being very physically active (20k+ steps a day and on my feet for 15+ hours with ease, despite having mild symptoms of POTS) to suffering from barely manageable POTS, vertigo, crippling anxiety, agoraphobia, and severe chronic pain to the point of needing a mobility aid almost constantly.

In the three months since leaving that relationship, I have worked tirelessly to get my health back in my control. A strict diet and daily fitness regimen has helped me lose 20 pounds since November 14th, putting me back under 200 pounds for the first time since 2019 when I started dating him for a total of 48 of those 60 pounds down. Thanks to my new routine, in addition to medication management, my POTS and vertigo have significantly improved and have become essentially a non-issue again. The pain is improving slowly, it's not perfect, but it's under control at least and that's better than nothing in my eyes! Oh, and the agoraphobia/anxiety? Turns out both were directly caused by being in a super toxic relationship where my body was constantly in fight or flight mode. Honestly, the first time (and unfortunately not the last time) I uttered the words "I am afraid of you" in 2020 should have been when I kicked him to the curb but. I guess we all make mistakes. Hindsight is 20/20, quite literally this time 😂

Because I had to leave the apartment that I shared with him, I began the search for a new place to live pretty much immediately. My agent (who is the sweetest woman alive I love her to death) immediately jumped on it and started the search again. I knew she'd find me something amazing because she found that place I was moving out of, too!

And oh my god did she pull through! I just finished completely unpacking at my new place and you guys! Stunning! Not only is it exactly perfectly sized (2.5 bedrooms, 1 bathroom, and about 1200sq feet) I got everything I wanted and more!

It's in a very safe and progressive neighborhood, close to my family, on a quiet street, very private, and it has enough space for all of my things with areas to keep all of my pets (current and future) separated appropriately, huge storage area in the basement so I can store my holiday stuff out of the way (I'm very proud of the fact that I got rid of enough stuff during the move - SIX full cars worth of donations and more in garbage, that I no longer need to keep anything but holiday decor and a couple extra furniture pieces waiting to be sold down there), washer/dryer IN UNIT, parking included with snow removal in winter, top floor of a newly renovated pet-friendly luxury space, and a HUGE YARD with full permission to landscape to my hearts content! Plus, I get to keep the big trampoline in the yard! It's a literal dream come true! My old place was big, but that was all it really had going for it. It was in a not very safe neighborhood, next to a busy road, and had honestly very crummy appliances and was basically infested with flies and other insects (ants, centipedes) that constantly came in through the huge gaps in the baseboards most of the time I lived there. No wonder it was so cheap 😬

My business has been booming, I've got clients lined up and I've actually had to start a waitlist! I've got some other exciting career stuff happening as well! More on that to come as I get more details together!

I'm spending tonight taking a well-earned cozy evening with my kitty and my bunny after working so hard for three months straight! After dinner, I'm gonna get some crafting time in, too!

#aer talks #life updates #tw: abuse mention #tw: chronic illness #3 months #valentines day #I've never been so happy to spend Valentine's Day alone #i'm finally free #it's so nice to not live in fear anymore #my mental and physical health is flourishing #and my career #big excite