#same issue he sets off an explosion behind him as he walks into the fight like hi savage you ready to get your ass beat you old fucking man

[nd-of-a-manatee]

Remember when Sam said Dogen never hurt anyone who didn’t deserve it? I wonder how Dogen feels about that.

(I’ve added an ID for this and put it below the cut for the sake of dash space. Please let me know if it causes accessibility issues.)

[ID: The following is a Psychonauts fancomic rendered in digital black ink and warm halftone greys. Dogen Boole walks quietly through the forest that surrounds Psychonauts HQ. He’s wearing the same red onesie and protective tinfoil hat he did in the first game. His grandfather Compton strolls energetically ahead of him, wearing a slightly more vibrant tweed suit than he did in the sequel.

Compton says, his arms open to the air, “Now Dogen, I know you and I have always struggled with this… problem. It’s like being trapped in a dark cave. But now, I know the way out!”

He gestures up at the small birds that flit over their heads. Dogen only follows with his eyes.

“The danger,” Compton continues, “the fear was all in my mind. When I let it go, that dreadful power receded with it. And then, I realized the world is much more forgiving than it seems.”

Dogen looks upward as they pass under a pine tree. Many pairs of small glowing eyes glare down at him from the darkness between branches.

“Sure, grandpa,” he murmurs.

They come back into the sun in a little clearing surrounded by bushes. Wavy tree trunks loom further in the background. Compton stops and turns to face his grandson with his hands resting kindly on the boy’s shoulders. “It might not be easy,” he says, “but we’ll work through it together. Okay? I’ll see you back inside.”

Dogen simply watches as Compton marches confidently out of the forest.

Once he’s gone, a voice creeps out of the bushes.

“Nothing wrong with power.”

“Um, hi,” Dogen blankly addresses the voice.

“Danger is real,” it replies. Out from the bushes steps a North American badger on all fours. The jagged white streaks of fur on its black face frame its intense eyes. It bares its teeth as if speaking (though it’s implied to be using Dogen’s zoolingualism).

“Fear keeps you alive,” it says. It approaches with an authoritative stance, making Dogen shrink back a little. “That’s how it is out here. Don’t you know that?”

“Yeah.”

Dogen’s eyes cast away and his brow hardens as he recalls a memory. The silhouettes of four older children stand over him. One with pimples, one with no hair, one with gap teeth, and one with a prominent nose and braces. They smile devilishly at him. The warm background grey is heating up to orange. A shadowed hand, abstracted into a claw, reaches forward malevolently. The color grows hotter. Dogen—framed to be the hand’s victim in this memory, beaten up, fists clenched, crying, angry, and not wearing his protective cap—is surrounded by jagged lines of agitated psychic energy. Orange and yellow seethe, near full saturation. Then, an explosion like lightning, colored like fire.

All the while, the badger is talking, boring its intense little eyes into the reader.

“The small and weak need power to live. Ferocity. Teeth. Or they’re prey. And they die.”

As the badger talks, a comically skinny muzzle with a wet nose and sharp teeth begins to emerge from the bushes. Dogen—in the present—watches as it opens its jaws at the badger’s rump.

The badger goes “YIPE!” and jumps as the muzzle chomps down, revealed to belong to a foxlike thing with fluffy ears. The fox and badger launch into a fight, snarling and flashing claws. The badger is already spun around, poking one of the fox’s eyes. Fur literally flies.

Dogen backs away in alarm, his mouth pulled in a wide thin line. He shuffles hurriedly to a brighter part of the forest with his hands in his pockets. He stops among flowers.

“I don’t wanna be prey,” he thinks. He turns around to glance behind, looking conflicted and concerned. Hands still in pockets, he sets off in the direction of the Motherlobe.

He decides, “But I don’t wanna be an animal, either.”

End ID]

#psychonauts 2 #dogen boole #compton boole #psychonauts fanart #paychonauts fancomic

[wallylinda]

The one thing I wish Wally had retained more of from his earlier comics is his drama. His pizazz. The type of devil-may-care attitude that had him reloading Vandal Savage’s gun for him and aiming the barrel directly at his own head, as if Wally didn’t just get shot in the heart by the same man not even one issue ago. That’s literally so fucking funny I want more of that.

#same issue he sets off an explosion behind him as he walks into the fight like hi savage you ready to get your ass beat you old fucking man #THAT’S HILARIOUS #ofc later issues also have this level of Drama but like. you know what I mean right. #number 1 deranged wally moment: this shit #I realize he’s a family man who wouldn’t want to worry his wife and kids but like let him be over the top. #why do I get the feeling that there’s going to be people disagreeing with me on this one lmao 😀💀 #wally west #dc

[redorich]

A favorite trope of mine has always been- getting to see another person’s past. Is it some kind of judgment thing by a higher power? Something like Freeze Day from SCTFOE? Person trapped in a nightmare and their nightmare is being projected? Who knows. All that’s important is after months of healing, some of the Hermits get to see exactly what Tommy went through. It shows short clips of him before being happy, the rise and fall of Manburg, Wilbur going insane, the festival, the withers, all of it. Just short clips of these things though. The last clip of the SMP is just Dream’s mask outlined by his green hood saying, “you’ll stay here alone with just me until you learn to be quite and respectful and not fight those who are in power over you. Even if you have to stay out here *forever*.”

This turned into a whole drabble smh xD

((btw @give-grian-rights helped me so thank you))

-------

The remaining hermits aren’t sure what happened. They have no way of knowing. There was a witch involved, Cub thinks, but what their fallen friends must have done to piss her off to the point of getting cursed is beyond their ken. Among those laid out are Cleo, Grian, Xisuma, Zedaph, and Tommy.

Scar and Cub work their Vex magic together to figure out that their friends are trapped in their worst memories. (Etho calls it a Demonic Hell Viewing Illusion, and False smacks him upside the head for the Naruto reference.) Holding hands with a victim pulls you in, but that’s what they’re counting on. Joe’s already wading through Cleo’s nightmare before anyone gets the chance to ask, and Impulse and Tango aren’t far behind doing the same for Zedaph. However, it doesn’t work for Grian, Xisuma, and Tommy; they were found already holding hands. They must have figured something out about the curse before they succumbed to it. All the hermits can do for them, for the time being, is hope.

Tommy, Grian, and Xisuma wake to the smell of sulphur and smoke. The ground is orange and littered with bullets. Grian grabs Tommy’s hand, and Xisuma grabs a discarded rifle. Tommy points his finger up at the top of a mound of scrap metal and dead bodies. There’s a nether portal, except the obsidian is whiter than quartz. That's where they have to go to get out of here.

All around them, demons lurch and shriek and hiss and all sorts of unholy behavior, bodily flinging themselves at the trio as though they know none of them can take the men on their own, and that just by dogpiling them all one of them will get lucky. Xisuma instantly snaps into a professional mode, the way he sometimes does when he's killing zombies but they keep social spawning. He takes up the lead with machine gun fire and grenades, carving a path through the crowd. Grian takes up the rear with a handgun. Neither Xisuma nor Tommy ask why Grian is so comfortable with a gun. They've got more pressing issues.

An imp gets lucky. It's just enough to crack the visor of Xisuma's helmet, and the imp instantly gets mowed down.

"I can't see," Xisuma rasps through gritted teeth.

"Then take the helmet off," Tommy says, cleaving through an enemy with a sharp piece of scrap metal. Grian breathes in sharply. As far as Grian's aware, Xisuma always wears his helmet.

Xisuma goes quiet for a second. "I suppose you've got a point."

The helmet gets dropped to the ground and demon limbs shuffle it away. They don't have time to look at Xisuma's wild brown hair, his purple eyes, the burn scars on his jaw.

They make it to the portal all in one piece. Xisuma takes one last wistful look at the Martian hellscape, then takes his friends' hands. They step through the portal together.

----

They step out of the portal into the foyer of a high school. Grian's eyes shutter.

"We'll be headed toward the roof, I believe," he says, staring dully through the spectre of a broken, bloody man holding a rope.

Tommy latches onto Grian's clammy hand to ground him as the three ascend stairs and traverse the dark, winding hallways. The ghost follows them. It isn't like Ghostbur-- it's, well, not vengeful, but it's not kind. The man named Gareth keens about Grian's sins, about a boy named Taurtis who Gareth hates, about mafia and yakuza, about his poor wife Jane.

On the last set of stairs, Gareth makes a wailing remark that causes Grian to bodily flinch. Tommy doesn't even know what the ghost said (he wasn't listening).

"Fuck off," Tommy says, "you're the shittest ghost I've ever met. Even my brother could..."

He trails off. This is not the way to fix things for Grian. On a hunch, he reaches into his pocket. Of course the object he's looking for is in there; it's his brother's coat.

He holds the object out to the ghost. "Have some blue."

Gareth warily takes it, dropping his rope. It floods periwinkle, then cyan, then dark royal blue. A weight seems lifted from the ghost's shoulders as he clutches the blue, mutters something about Jane, and leaves.

Tommy takes Grian's hand, then Xisuma's, and they go through the door to the school's rooftop together. They halt as one. The portal is there. Standing between them is a boy maybe Tommy's age, with a corpse at his feet.

"Sam," Grian whispers. "Taurtis."

The standing boy smiles, eyes obscured by a purple mask with a rectangular symbol on it, and flexes bloody wings. The corpse on the ground has blood all over its back, where wings once were, and broken headphones around his neck.

"Man, Grian, you really held out on me," Sam says. "This Watcher power really is something else--"

Sam topples over backward. His body hits the ground in front of the portal. Xisuma lowers his gun.

"He looked like bad news," Xisuma says.

Grian grimaces. "He was. Come on, let's go."

They once again step into the portal.

----

“Do you want to be a hero, Tommy?” Technoblade roars, “Then die like one!”

Their paltry little group of three gets no chance to take in their surroundings, to see what’s going on and where they need to go. All they can process is the legendary PvP champion, acolyte of the Blood God, Technoblade, unleashing Withers upon what once might have been a town.

Tommy yanks them into cover. “I don’t know where the portal is,” he hisses.

Grian squeezes his shoulder. “We’ll find it.”

Explosions rain hellfire down upon them from all angles-- not just the Withers, but TNT buried in the ground. They’re so close, they can see the man who set it off. And he must have, because he’s yelling about it, yelling about his L’Manberg and his unfinished symphony and begging his father to kill him. He’s wearing Tommy’s coat--

Bile rises in the back of Grian’s throat. Tommy wears his brother’s coat.

Tommy’s eyes are glued to the gleaming diamond sword that Wilbur gives to his father. He watches his brother die all over again, and he knows where he must go. He turns his back on his broken family and breathes.

“We need to go to the Nether,” he says. They nod.

The black portal is across the battlefield. They come across corpses more than once on their way, but ignore them. They can’t afford not to.

In the Nether, there is a rickety, dangerous pathway with no rails, made of cobblestone and obsidian and oak logs. Manic-depressive ravings on signs proclaim the path as the road to Logstedshire. Piglins try to knock them off to no avail, and ghasts blow up the bridge behind them as they run. On the other side of the Logstedshire portal is... actually not a hellscape, as Grian and Xisuma have come to expect, but a little village encampment. Nothing is blown up, nothing is amiss, except Tommy himself. And, of course, the figure they spot after they catch Tommy staring at it.

It’s Dream. The up-and-coming famous speedrunner who Grian faintly recalls killing once in MCC, which was apparently a big deal. The man approaches, and Grian realizes where he recognizes the mask from. It’s the same one that Tommy wears.

“Tommy,” Dream says conversationally, “items in the pit.”

Tommy’s hand wavers, reaches up to unclasp his chestplate, but Xisuma’s hand on his shoulder stops him.

“No,” Tommy says.

“No?” Dream parrots incredulously. “You know the rules. It’s for your own good. Armor in the pit. Tools in the pit. Friends in the pit.”

They all gasp, though for different reasons. Tommy’s eyes narrow. “Friends in the pit? You’ve never said that one before.”

Dream’s head twitches. “Friends in the pit. Friends. In the pit.”

The man’s voice is deeper than Tommy remembers. Something seems to resolve within Dream’s behavior, yet he keeps twitching. “You’re in exile, Tommy, you don’t need. Friends. I’m all you need. You were doing so good. I thought you learned to behave. I’m all you need. You don’t need friends.”

What happened to the eloquent poison that used to drip from Dream’s tongue like honey? He sounds like a broken record. All at once, Tommy staggers under the weight of the realization that this isn’t Dream. Somewhere underneath that horrible man that abused him is the real Dream, trapped in his own body and watching the dreamon that possessed him hurt his friends.

Xisuma’s gun makes an appearance again, but Tommy holds up a hand in a silent request for the admin to hold his fire. Tommy grabs Dream by the shoulders, removes Dream’s mask and then his own so that he can look the man in the eyes. “I know you’re in there, Dream. When I get out of this nightmare, I’ll save you. I swear it on my discs.”

Dream’s face twitches erratically. The movement spreads to his whole head, neck jerking. He raises straight up into the air, higher and higher, then explodes into a shower of items and no body. A white portal shimmers into existence.

“What the hell was that?!” Grian demands.

Tommy grins, taking the man’s hand and leading him to the portal. “I’ve got a friend to save.”

Grian snarls. “Tommy, he abused you. He’s not your friend.”

“That wasn’t Dream. It was a--”

“Dreamon,” Xisuma breathes.

Tommy nods. They walk through the portal together, and when they wake, holding each other close, they know they’ve got a mission. They can do it.

#mcyt #hc x dsmp #yandere high school #yhs #doom #cubfan135 #zombiecleo #grian #xisumavoid #zedaph #tommyinnit #hermit!tommy au #hermit!tommyinnit #goodtimeswithscar #ethoslab #joe hills #impulsesv #tango tek #technoblade #wilbur soot #philza #ph1lza #dreamwastaken #me.txt

[unrequitedloveletter]

Certainly- Kaz Brekker

The reader is a bit of an astrology and astronomy alike geek for this, which I hope y’all don’t mind! Also, in this case, phones exist so lets pretend that phones exist in Ketterdam, making it a bit of a modern au, I guess!

Also, this’ll probably be a bit ooc for Kaz

Fic type- angsty fluff

Warnings- blood, mentions of death, and the reader is sick (nothing specific, I just kind of took random symptoms and made up a word for the sickness)

You were determined to see the stars before you went, and as you grew sicker, none of the crows knew when that would be, so, after a little convincing, the crows had gotten Colm to let you spend a couple of months at his farm in Novyi Zem, where the stars were the clearest at night, not burdened by light pollution or the screams of lively cities. 

It was the seven of you crammed into a basement, sharing beds, but none of them cared, and you were just glad to be with the people you called family. You were happy that they were with you, that Kaz was willing to wheel you everywhere when you got too weak to stand, that Jesper still made jokes, even despite watching you deteriorate. You were grateful for Inejs smile, Wylans music, Ninas impeccable tastes and Matthias and his big arms that could lift you and put you down without issue. 

The six of them had started taking shifts taking you outside. Nina took you outside Sunday nights, Matthias Mondays, Wylan Tuesdays, Jesper Thursdays, Inej Fridays and Kaz Saturdays. Wednesdays you rested up; ate when it was time to eat, used the bathroom when you needed, took a shower if it were the appropriate time, but other than that, you slept.

It was Kaz’s day to wheel you out, and you’d had a particularly rough day that day. Inej went with him, promising not to intrude on the time that you would spend together. She’d do backflips and run across the roof of the farm if you asked her to, but she’d not interrupt otherwise. 

“I love the stars,” you whispered, leaning back in your wheelchair and tightening the hold of the blanket over your lap. “Thank you both. For doing this.” 

“Don’t you worry, love,” Kaz murmured. “Just keep your eyes on the stars, okay?”

“We’re happy to do this,” Inej added. “All of us are. Really.” It was like both of them could sense it as well as you could. You had a feeling that the night would end terribly, just like the morning had begun.

You’d woken up only to need to rush to the toilet immediately, blood coming up your throat like bile, staining your skin and leaving your bottom lip red as a cherry. 

Kaz had been at your side in a minute, Nina and Wylan right behind him. Wylan kept your hair away from the sides of your face, Nina slowed your heartrate and Kaz wet a cloth with cold water to get your body temp down. 

Kaz had forced himself to stay in the moment, to not let his thoughts stray to the urge to sleep in the same bed as you to make sure that nothing happened while you slept--to be there in case something did--but to stay on the sun as it set and the faraway sound of Wylan playing his flute with the window open so that you’d be able to hear it. 

Once you’d gotten settled under a tree, Inej ran off, making her way inside and up to the barns roof, where she sat, keeping a watch from a distance as Kaz let you rest your head against his shoulder, gloved hand interlaced with yours. 

“I love you, Brekker,” you murmured. “Please don’t forget that. Ever.” 

“I won’t,” he whispered. “You’re gonna stay around and get better until we can spar again, and you can beat my ass even though I’ve my cane as a weapon.” 

“You know full well I can’t promise that,” you wished that you could. You desperately wished. “I’m going to die young, Kaz. I’m not gonna get to eighteen, much less eighty.” Kaz hated you for that.

He hated you because everything that you said somehow managed to be right. It was like you had a sixth sense for that kind of thing, and while, on missions, it proved useful, in that scenario, it just proved annoying. 

“You’re gonna make it to eighteen if it kills me,” he informed you. “I’ll take you around the globe if I need to, just to make sure you end up okay. I will not live a life without you in it, Y/N.” 

“You’re sweet,” you murmured. “Incredibly sweet.”

“Only to you, L/N.” That was the last bit of conversation for a long while as the sun set and the stars came out.

“Did you know that the moon isn’t circular?” You pointed lazily to it, bright and beautiful amongst the even brighter stars. “According to scientests, it’s actually shaped like a lemon!” Kaz didn’t fight his smile.

Of course you’d be spouting off the little factoids you knew about space. You loved it, how vast and crazy it all seemed. 

“And that the clouds at the center of the Milky Way smell like raspberries and rum?” Kaz snorted.

“Okay, now, theres no way that ones true!” 

“Oh,” you leaned up, booping his nose without a care in the world. “But it is! It’s in a study somewhere, I think! Look it up!” He laughed, pulling you closer to him as you rambled.

Inej had started doing running flips across the roof, spinning and dancing and no doubt laughing as she did. Kaz knew it was an elaborate effort to get you to smile, and it seemed to work as she moved; a delightful silhouette amongst a star filled sky. 

“I love you, Kaz Brekker,” you whispered. “You don’t need to say it back, but I really, truly do love you with every bone that exists in my body.”

“I love you too,” he said it without hesitation. “And I’ll love you until we’re old and grey, I swear it.”

“Don’t hold me to that promise,” you murmured. “You know how bad this is. Stop thinking that I’ll make it into the new year. I probably wont.”

“You will if it kills me, Y/N,” he gave your shoulders a gentle squeeze. “I’ll drain the bank dry if I have to, I swear to Ghezen.”

You didn’t say anything after, too exhausted to even think about starting an argument with him, simply not wanting to. 

But then, an hour later, Kaz felt fear trickle into his stomach like it hadn’t ever in his life.

“And then theres Supernova. It’s like a star that’s dying having it’s last celebration. Like when we get a really big win, or when we get away with what we intended to get away with, and we all get shitfaced before we collapse onto our beds and sleep for the night? A supernova is a dying stars explosion. It’s the last celebration that the star has before it dies out.” you’d been rambling.

“Tonight is my... tonight is my...” Kaz had called for Nina right then and there, screaming her name while he felt you go slack against him.

“Zenik!” He screamed, not caring at all if he were to wake up Jespers father. “Zenik, call in that fucking favor with the bloody Ravkan prince!” Matthias came barreling out after her, phone in hand, already speaking to someone as Nina began working, steadying your heart and trying her hardest to keep you alive. 

Kaz had to force himself to walk away from it all, pushing his feet away after giving your shoulders one last squeeze and walking far out into the field. 

Once he was sure he was out of earshot, he couldn’t stop himself. Tears flooded his eyes and he found himself glaring at the sky, wanting to scream, wanting to shout, wishing that there was someone around that he could gut like a fish. 

“Saints,” he murmured through gritted teeth. “Sankt Ilya, Sankt Adrik, Sankta Alina of The Fold, I know I am a terrible person, but Y/N is not. They’re good, they smile, they laugh, they’re kind to others when those people probably don’t deserve their kindness. I know I’m damned, I know that you probably strongly dislike me, but they’re different.” He’d never asked the Saints for anything before, and he never would again.

“Please, just, let them live. Let them get the life that they deserve. I’ll do my best to make them happy, but you have to let me,” he wiped the tears from his eyes as they came. “They deserve the life that you’re so willing to take away, and all I ask is that you don’t take it.” He heard the sounds of the ambulance car and raced back to you, gripping your hand as they helped you onto a stretcher and out of the field, through the house and out the entrance. 

I won’t lose them, he told himself. A world without them is one that’s unbearable. 

O N E Y E A R L A T E R 

You laughed as Nina chased you through the halls of the Little Palace, running quickly through the endless corridors, your laughter carrying through them as you kept yourself in front of Nina.

Nikolai had kept you in the Os Altan palace since that night, where Inej laughed and danced and did her flips, whilst Wylan played the piano and Kaz sat beside you, listening to your ramblings without a care in the world. 

“You seem delighted,” Nikolai noticed as you stopped in front of his office. “I’ve never seen you walk without that Brekker boy at your side, much less run while Zenik is on your tail!” You shrugged, laughing as Ninas front crashed into your back.

“This is the best I’ve felt in a year,” you murmured. “I figured I’d see if Nina was up to chase me around this morning, and I haven’t stopped running since!” You peered in through the open office door, looking for that familliar mop of dark brown hair.

Nina wrapped her arms around you and gave you a gentle squeeze. “He’ll be here any minute,” she murmured. “He and the boys are just finishing up a job for Nik in East Ravka, but Matthias told me the second that they’d left!”

“Trust me. Y/N,” Nikolais smooth voice murmured. “I put them on one of my fastest boats. I knew how long it’d take them to get from here to east Ravka and back, and I promised him he’d be here when you finally awoke.” 

“Hows it feel, anyway?” Zoya appeared at his side. “Eighteen, I mean.” You shrugged.

“I miss Kaz,” you murmured bluntly. “I hate that I have to tell him that he was right, but I still miss him.” 

Nikolai took Zoyas hand, pulling her close as you and Nina watched, smiles on your faces. 

“Young love,” Zoya teased. “Zenik, let go of them so that they can turn around.” Nina obeyed, letting you go and moving to lean against the doorway with Nikolai and Zoya. 

You turned, and smiled when your gazes met. “You were right, Brekker,” you murmured, walking toward him as he held out your gift to you. “I’m better now, and the second that you’re ready to spar, I’m gonna beat your ass, even though you’ve your cane as a weapon.” He grabbed your pinky with his the moment you were within distance.

“How’d the heist go?” You murmured once the two of you had walked out of earshot. 

“Good,” Kaz let himself be close to you as you two moved, squeezing your pinky as you slowed your steps. “Plan went off without a hitch, for three idiots and a mastermind with a limp. I brought you this from it,” he held the gift out to you again, and you took it in your free hand, examining it.

“I had to ask permission for that,” he murmured. “I had to get the Ravkan kings seal of approval to steal that for you.” You laughed, looking it over.

It was a journal. Black and leather bound, pages crisp and untouched. A pen was tucked into the cover. 

“I promise, we’ll go home soon,” you responded. “I miss Ketterdam. I could go for some waffles.” 

“Don’t they have waffles here?” Kaz questioned.

“Not Ketterdam waffles, love. Ketterdam waffles are unlike any pathetic waffle from here! Doused in syrup and whip cream--” You let out a satisfied sigh. “So good it’s almost surreal!” Kaz smirked.

“Waffle date when you’re well enough to return home then?” 

“Certainly.”

#kaz brekker #kaz brekker x reader #platonic inej ghafa x reader #six of crows #shadow and bone #shadow and bone netflix #waffles

[weirdthinkingdragon]

Welcome To The Family (4/???)

1/ 2/ 3 here

Note- This festival is a different one than the festival arc.  Sorry if the ending seems kinda sudden. Didn’t really know how to end it. 

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

I’m unsure what time exactly they will be here. They probably should have told me that before, now that I think about it. Luckily, everyone is passed out by sunrise so that’s not an issue of them seeing who is in the vehicle. My issue is them possibly entering here, so I should probably wait outside. 

On my way to get outside, I run into the mold-quirked male. He’s passed out on the floor in the hall. His really long, oddly-textured white hair sprawled everywhere around him. I’ve never touched it, but just by looking at it, the hair seems weird. It looks like what fuzzy mold possibly feels like if that makes sense. Makes me wonder if his hair IS mold. Gross, no thanks. 

I wonder whether to wake him or let him sleep. I decided to just let him sleep and walk over his body. 

Exiting the building, it was like there was never loud music blaring, or even a party. No mess anywhere. That must be how they get away with it. 

I brought my money with me to play a few games, but nothing extreme. Of course, I should be safe around three heroes, but not taking any chances is still the better option than bringing all of it. 

It only takes a few minutes for the familiar black car to pull up. Being texted they were on their way would have been nice, but beggars can’t be choosers. Hitoshi exits the car for me to get in. 

I’m greeted by the very happy smile of Eri. That will never be a tiring sight to see. I buckle up and lean over since her arms are outstretched for a hug. 

From the view of Aizawa in the front, he’s dressed decently today, and even his hair looks much tidier than I’ve ever seen it. The same for the first time he’s wearing something besides his hero outfit. No doubt Hizashi made him do it, or even more likely he did it for Aizawa himself. He still has that scarf though. I resist the urge to laugh at the thought of him unwillingly being tidied up by Hizashi. 

In speaking of Hizashi, I’ve never seen his hair not standing up before. It’s a good look in the half-bun, but I wonder what it would look like fully down. Nope, don’t think too far into that. That’s kinda weird. 

“Morning Y/N!” Hizashi exclaims. 

“Morning guys! What’s planned first when we get there?”

“Eri wants to get a candy apple. She loves them after last time.”

I look at her. “Candy apples? Why did you never tell me? We could have made those at some point before.” 

“It should be more of a treat than a daily thing,” Aizawa says. 

“Says the one who pretty much lives off jelly pouches,” Hizashi informs.

“Like you’re much better with forgetting sometimes to eat at all.” Aizawa shoots back at him. 

Jelly pouches? How in the world is he still in such great shape then? Obviously fighting and training often helps, but that sounds like multiple deficiencies just waiting to happen. Same with Hizashi. Jeez, these two seem rather irresponsible sometimes. At least they’re focused on their kids since I’ve never heard Eri telling me they forgot to feed her. 

“You know how to make them?” Hitoshi asks. 

I look at him and nod. “Yep. I helped a friend in the past who was in a candy apple tournament with their other friends. Whoever could make the coolest-looking ones wins. They sadly got second place, but to me, galaxy apples look a lot cooler than the tree candy apples that won. You couldn’t even bite the top of the silly things without breaking your teeth!” 

Eri gasps and puts a hand on her mouth in the thought of breaking her teeth. 

“Don’t worry. I wouldn’t make them even if I could.”

She nods relieved. 

We get to the festival and Hizashi finds somewhere to park the car. 

Walking around, I could swear we passed a few familiar faces to me. The games are rather interesting and pull me towards them, but we can go to them later since Eri wants a candy apple. 

I notice Hizashi and Aizawa refraining from holding hands though they seem to want to. I try to come up with a reason for why that might be. Not very likely they’d be recognized by villains since they look like entirely different people. Hmm… Obviously, Hitoshi and Eri wouldn’t care. 

The only other thing I can think of is their students. Of course, their students might be able to recognize them. Did they not tell their students they’re married or something? I know Midoriya wouldn’t care since I met him, but maybe there are a few in his class that wouldn’t be too open-minded about it? It’s not my place, whatever is the cause. I do feel a little bad though they can’t act normally. 

Hizashi suddenly stops, making the rest of us stop, and pulls out his phone. He reads something with a frown forming on his face. He pockets it and looks at me. “Yo, Y/n? Could ya hang out with Hitoshi and Eri alone for a bit? Sho and I gotta go take care of something that came up.” 

Hero work I’m guessing. Poor guys, they really can’t seem to catch a break. “Of course!” 

They both then run back in the direction we came from. I look at Eri and Hitoshi. “Well, should we continue looking?” 

Eri happily nods.

Hitoshi goes in front of me with Eri, probably leading the way since he seems to know where they are. I stay rather close behind them so no one gets between us and we lose each other from how crowded it seems to be in this area. 

Over the music, I can swear I hear tiny explosions quickly getting louder, and maybe closer? Coming from behind me. I turn around to see people clearing from behind me to show an angry blond coming up incredibly quickly. Explosions crackling from his hands. His feral glaring face was enough to put so much fear in me that I freeze in my place. I clench my eyes closed and wait for an impact that no doubt is going to be painful.

“Kacchan, stop! They’re Eri’s babysitter!!!” A very familiar voice yells to the blond in front of me. 

He stops with one of his hands millimeters from my face. I can hear the sizzling and feel the heat radiating off of it onto my face. I slowly open my eyes to meet his still-glaring ones. 

… Isn’t he one of Aizawa’s and Hizashi’s students? I think he was one farther in the back frowning in the picture I saw on my first day. 

In the blink of an eye, Hitoshi slightly pulls me back, and stands in front of me, preventing the blond from coming close again. Midoriya is running up to us as well. He tries to cheer me up by giving me a kind wave. It does little to help my still-panicked state. 

Eri hugs me by my side in worry. I feel like fainting. 

The blond becomes slightly less tense at realizing she’s hugging me.

“Hah? How the hell was I supposed to know with the way the damn extra was following so closely?”

“Uh… Kacchan, I don’t think Shinsou would be so open for attacks…” 

The blond glares at him like Midoriya is the dumbest person on the planet. He refused to reply, and just storms off. 

Midoriya looks at me and smiles sheepishly with one of his hands behind his head. “So sorry about that! Kacchan can be rather… headstrong when villains might be involved.”

I just shakily nod. “Uh… y-yeah, good first impression.” 

Hitoshi’s face grows into one of great worry, and I think some anger. He puts one of his arms behind my back as a sort of comfort and support. Surprisingly, it helps a little bit. 

“I think I need to sit down for a moment.” 

“There should be some benches not too far from here,” Midoriya informs, and we get there after a bit. Miraculously, one of them was empty. I sit down with Hitoshi to the left of me. Eri sits on my right, clearly struggling in trying to figure out how to help.

Midoriya stands at my right, in front of Eri’s spot. He seems to be in thought for a moment. “Togata has a surprise the next time we come over. He found a new dress he wants you and Eri to judge.”

That sunshine adult makes me end up smiling slightly. Shinsou seems a bit annoyed at the mention of the kind blond. “Aw, that means Eri and I will have to make him another tiara so it will match his new dress.” 

“I hope it’s poofy!” Eri chimes in. 

I smile at her. “What color do you think it will be? Maybe it will be green! We should have one where we all wear green to match your tea set!” 

Her eyes shine in excitement at the idea. 

“I uh, I guess I have that covered,” Midoriya says. 

“You know you don’t HAVE to wear a dress, right? I bet you’d look great in a green suit too! Ooh! You could be the beloved butler!” 

“I think I’ll just stick with the dress I have… It was so awkward telling my mom about it back when I got it. I don’t know if I could ask her to buy something else too.” 

Hitoshi gets a message on his phone and pulls it out. I’m too focused on Midoriya and Eri. Going on that idea of Togata helped calm me down greatly. 

“That’s understandable. Suits can be rather expensive.”

“Midoriya?” Hitoshi suddenly pipes up. 

“Yeah, Shinsou?”

“You might want to run. Ashido knows you’re here and wants to give you more dance lessons.”  

His eyes widen fearfully, and he takes off while looking around. 

“I didn’t get to hug him…” Eri says rather disappointedly. 

“What’s wrong with dance lessons?” I question.

He has a rather large grin on his face. It kind of creeps me out a bit. How can someone be such a perfect combination of two adults that aren’t blood-related to them? “He usually doesn’t mind them, but recently they got struck with a personality-changing quirk. They became sterner than my dad.” It was easy to tell which dad he meant. 

Just thinking of someone even more serious and stern than him is terrifying. I bet Aizawa isn’t too happy to be stuck dealing with that. 

Hitoshi also seems rather relieved Midoriya has left. Wonder what’s up with that. 

I look at Eri. “Well, why don’t we continue to find your candy apple now that things are a little more settled?” 

She nods, and the three of us stand up. 

It doesn’t take long to find them. They look rather unappealing compared to my friend’s homemade, but I’m not going to bring that up.

After Hitoshi gives it to her, she looks at it for a second, then looks at me. “What is your favorite jewel?” That’s an odd question out of nowhere. Then again, maybe the hard shell makes her think of rocks?  

“Why do you want to know?” 

She shrugs. “They’re so pretty. I like the red ones!”

Red like the candy apple? How cute. I tell her my favorite.  

Hitoshi pulls out his phone and texts someone again. “Something is holding our parents up. It might be at least a few hours before they return.” 

I feel rather bad for them for that. Being a hero is something I thank them for daily, but it must be so exhausting not being able to spend time with your family… 

“Okay. What should we do then? I don’t think we should do any rides for now from Eri eating.”

Hitoshi shrugs. “The only thing we really can do is games unless there’s a different food you’re interested in getting here.”

I shake my head in reply. 

Eri gently tugs at my clothes with her free hand. I look at her and she points at a prize in the shooting game. It’s a stuffed animal of my favorite creature. It’s also my favorite color, and even has a rather similar eye color to mine. Huh, what are the chances of that? 

The game seems simple enough. Hitoshi notices what Eri is pointing at, and smirks at me. He crosses his arms. “Are you going to try first?” 

I get the attention of the person behind the counter and pay, having them give me the corks. I load it and take another quick look at Hitoshi with a smirk myself. “Well, what does it look like? And I’m going to be the one that gets it for her!” 

He teasingly huffs with a roll of his eyes. “Sure you will.”

I look back towards the prize and focus my aim. 

… It misses. Not by much, but my aim is a little too high and too far to the right. 

“You missed.” His tone isn’t condescending in any way. 

“Yeah, yeah. I still have two tries.” 

Looking again, I aim slightly down and more to the left. 

… It missed again, but much closer this time. It’s the right height, but now I have it too far to the left. 

“You missed, again.”

“Hush, you.” I don’t even have to look at him to know he has an enormous smirk forming on his face. I’ll show you!

I force my breathing to slow, focus a little longer, move just a tad to the right...

… Yes! I got it! 

The person goes over and grabs it, giving it to me. I then give it to Eri which gives her an enormous smile on her face. 

I give Hitoshi an “I-told-you-so” face. 

“I would have gotten it on my first try.” 

“Sure you would have.” 

“Next time I’ll show you.” 

“Mhm, whatever you say, Hitoshi.”

After that, we did a few more games and ended up going on a few of the rides. It was rather difficult due to Eri being too small for them. She was a little saddened by that, so I told her maybe she will be able to next year.

Hitoshi and I also ended up getting hungry at one point, so we bought some snacks. After taking a bite of what I bought, I look at the time. Surprisingly, about four hours have passed. I don’t think taking care of a villain should take this long, right? Maybe they got ambushed?

Don’t think about it. They’re pros. They should be able to handle anything. 

In speaking of them, a message from Hizashi pops up on my phone. “Just about done here! Was a rather bad ambush, but we’re good! Gotta clear up a few more things, then we’ll be on our way!” 

He put us in a group chat. Hitoshi is in it, and I’m guessing the other is Aizawa. He reads the message as well. 

Eri is still playing around with her new stuffed animal. 

“Should we do the same rides when your parents come?”

He shakes his head. “They will probably be rather tired when they return. Hizashi wanted to ride the Ferris Wheel with all of us more than anything.”

Why does that seem so accurate for him? “Really? The Ferris Wheel out of everything?”

He shrugs. “My other dad doesn’t really care. He’d rather sleep, but we all know Hizashi wouldn’t allow that.” 

I laugh. “He seems like the type.”

A chill suddenly goes down my spine. Why do I feel like someone is watching us? Hitoshi notices my discomfort, and goes on alert, scanning the crowd around us. He doesn’t seem to see anything concerning. He pulls out his phone and quickly texts someone again, constantly glancing around. 

“Don’t mean to be intrusive, but who are you texting?” 

“My dads. I’m telling them to hurry up.” 

Again, I feel bad for the two grown men. “It shouldn’t be too much of a problem. It’s probably just someone thinking they know me or something.” 

He frowns. “Not taking any chances.” 

I guess that makes sense. “If it’s such a problem, why don’t we find Midoriya to be with us again? I’m sure-”

“No.” He cuts me off. He was rather firm on saying it. 

… No? I thought they were on good terms? “Are you two not on the best terms anymore or something? You don’t seem to want him around.”

“If there is someone watching, it would be better for a student in the top class to not be involved. It could make you a bigger target if your feeling of being watched is correct.” 

Didn’t think of that. It still seems kind of like a ridiculous claim though. After all, Hizashi is a very well-known hero, so what difference would that make between Midoriya being with us or an adult?

 I decided to just brush it off. 

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

Whatever Hitoshi told them must have worked, since they arrived and found us at what must have been a record-breaking speed. 

“Hey guys, you got here quick!”

“Well, we couldn’t let you three have all the fun now, could we?” 

“Speak for yourself.” Aizawa tiredly mumbles. They’re wearing the same outfits they did earlier. I wonder if Hizashi was recognized during his fight. I have a feeling they keep their weapons in the trunk of their car just in case they get called. 

I look at Eri and notice her yawn. I then look back up to Aizawa. “Looks like you’re not the only one that’s tired.” 

He looks at her with the tiniest smile as she yawns again. “Fine. Just a few rides, then we go home.” 

We end up on a few of the rides Eri can go on. I still don’t feel comfortable around Aizawa, so I try my best to sit with Hitoshi and Eri. 

Hizashi keeps looking around as we go on a few of the rides. He tries to be more stealthy about it, but he’s failing at it greatly. Aizawa seems like he couldn’t care less. I should have just ignored it since now I feel like I’m ruining the rides for them for the imaginary odd feeling. 

We decided the very last ride to be the Ferris Wheel. “You guys should go ahead. I’ll wait down here for you.” I inform them. Three out of the four of them look at me like I just grew another head. “What? It will be too tight a squeeze otherwise.” Hizashi just shakes his head and grabs me by one of my wrists to come with. 

The feeling multiplied after he grabbed my wrist, making me forcefully stop and look behind me. He stops as well, looking in the same direction.

“That’s another thing! We can’t just leave you alone down here if someone’s watchin’ ya! C’mon!”

He drags me into the line for it with the others. Luckily, there wasn’t much of a wait. I can’t believe it’s sunset already. I also can’t believe I’m stuck going on it with them. 

We all get into the cart, and I try to sit down with Eri and Hitoshi. Hizashi grabs my wrist again, having me sit between him and Aizawa. It’s a rather tight fit with my thighs and sides being pressed on theirs. This is rather uncomfortable, and definitely something I did NOT sign up for as a sitter… 

At least the sight is beautiful to see with the sun shining brightly to the right side of us. Eri leans against Hitoshi and closes her eyes, hugging her new stuffed animal close. It stays quiet between all of us for a bit. Hizashi slips his arm behind my shoulders, making me tense. I decided he must be trying to give us a bit more room. 

“Sorry for not bein’ around much today to hang out with. Tell ya what, why don’t you join us next Sunday for dinner as an apology?” 

My eyes narrow in thought. “An apology for what? You guys couldn’t help it. It happens.”

He shakes his head. “Come on, we already cleared our schedules for it. It would be heartbreaking if you say no!” 

“But I was planning on hanging out with my friends next Sunday… Why not the Sunday after that?” 

“Just go with it. Having him change his mind is impossible.” 

I mentally sigh. “Fine. But the Sunday after, I won’t be coming. I WILL spend my day with them then, so please don’t invite me into anything.” 

I could swear Hizashi frowns disappointingly at the news, but his face becomes a smile before I can put much thought into it. “Great! Be sure to wear somethin’ at least a little fancy, okay? We’re going somewhere special! Oh! And we’ll pick ya up again!” 

“Okay…” was my only reply.

#Yandere EraserMic household #x reader #yandere x reader #platonic yandere shinsou x reader #yandere erasermic x reader #yandere shouta aizawa #yandere hizashi yamada #yandere eraserhead #yandere present mic

[azucanela]

chapter iv

pairing: bakugou katsuki x fem!reader

summary: the internet is enamored with the idea of y/n l/n and bakugou katsuki, two renowned pro heroes, dating. the first issue? the pair rarely interacts. the second issue? apparently, they hate each other, not that anyone knows about that bit. of course, after one night of many mistakes, the whole world knows.

warnings: mentions of blood. violence. injuries. cursing. 

word count: 2k

[series masterlist] [wattpad] [ao3]

THIS HAS TO BE A DREAM. Y/N really doesn’t want to be dealing with this right now, this is literally the last thing she wants to be dealing with right now. She has half the mind to just disappear into the shadows using Telen’s quirk, seeing as she hadn’t returned it yet. 

‘Returned’ probably isn’t the best way to put it, after all he can still use his quirk but… she’s never really had a different way to explain it. But, Y/N is capable of using his quirk until she’s returned it to him, meaning his pain is hers and so is his quirk for the time being. Not that it matters right now, because she’s currently staring down Bakugou, who looks just as shocked as she does. 

“What are you doing here?” She finally asks, scowling. 

In response, Bakugou is rolling his eyes, allowing the door to shut behind him. “You don’t own this café,” he grumbles out.

That was actually incorrect, Y/N had bought the set of buildings on this street to make sure that the café wouldn’t go out of business, she was sentimental in that manner Meaning she technically had authorization to kick him out, something Bakugou seems to catch onto as his eyes narrow at her, “of course you do.” 

Y/N scoffs, looking away from him, “only legally. I have too much respect for Rosalyn to tell her what to do with her business.” She waves him off, “they’re getting something from the back, you’ll have to wait.” Y/N finds that she’s wishing she had a little bit less respect for Rosalyn, because maybe then she would have the guts to kick Bakugou out.

Bakugou says nothing, simply eyeing Y/N as he moves to grab a bag of chips from the stand, awkwardly standing by the cash register he waited for them to return. Of course, Y/N had a feeling they wouldn’t be returning anytime soon at this point. She wouldn’t be shocked if Lily had done something to make this happen, all to torture Y/N.

Although Lorelai might consider this the perfect time to apologize, Y/N finds it her personal hell. And she’s fairly sure Bakugou has the same sentiments as she begins to tap her foot rhythmically against the floor. The space is silent aside from that, and Y/N almost wishes a stranger would come in and end her misery.

A sudden pain courses through her, and Y/N’s brows furrow as her mouth gapes open slightly, hand coming to her stomach, though her thoughts are interrupted as Bakugou snaps, “could you quit tapping your damn foot?”

And Y/N does stop, but not because he asked, instead to say, “you can always leave.” There’s a sarcastic smile on her face as she glances at him, preparing to continue tapping her foot despite the throbbing that had appeared in her leg as well. 

If Y/N had to guess, something had happened to Telen. But that wasn’t necessarily out of the ordinary in hero work, and given how high profile Hawks’ agency was, they had a healer on call. She had no doubt that whatever injury he’d somehow sustained, he would be fine. And yet, Y/N can’t help the frown that washes over her, a certain fear and anxiety that definitely doesn’t belong to her suddenly drowning her senses. 

Y/N is about to make a phone call when she hears Bakugou, “you’ve got to be fucking kidding me.”

She’s about to make some sort of witty comment in response, only to see that he’s looking outside, where the presence of paparazzi has become apparent. Though they hadn’t started their mobs yet, any trained Pro Hero was well aware when they were being followed. Despite attempts to hide, Y/N could easily see that there were several people hidden throughout the area, trying to catch pictures of the famed Y/N L/N and Bakugou Katsuki together.

They were probably hoping the pair would start arguing, maybe even get into a physical fight knowing Bakugou. Though, if that did happen, Y/N was fairly sure Lorelai would have her head. 

That and the fact that the shippers on Twitter were going to love this. But Y/N certainly wasn’t, scoffing as she came to a stand, “did they follow you here?” Her tone is accusatory, she knows that. But if Y/N is honest, she has no shame being upfront about her emotions with Bakugou, not anymore. 

He glares at her once more in response, placing his order down more roughly than necessary, “obviously not. If anything it was you they followed here.”

Y/N comes to a stand, inhaling deeply as she reminds herself that she and Bakugou are currently the stars of the show that is the media. Everyone who's anyone, and anybody that’s a nobody wants to bear witness to their interactions if it means advancing their career. And Y/N has no intent of further damaging her reputation, or giving the media the easy way out.

Though she wouldn’t mind putting an additional dent in Bakugou’s already horrid reputation, there were bigger things than that. And at the end of the day, they were stuck together for the time being, until things died down that is.

So, Y/N finds herself heading over to the counter with her items in hand– discarding them behind the register to make sure that Lily would hold onto them for her— before looking to Bakugou, “we need to leave, now.”

Bakugou is frowning, eyes falling on his order, but he simply nods as he returns his gaze to Y/N, “and how do you suppose we do that?”

While she’s grateful he elected not to argue— probably because he’s well-aware of his own dwindling reputation and wants to salvage whatever he can, like the selfish bastard he is— Y/N finds herself narrowing her eyes at him, simply turning around and gesturing for him to follow her, “come with me.”

“What, we can’t just go out the front door?” 

She’s not shocked by his proposition, though Y/N is also aware that Bakugou isn’t a fool. He may be impulsive at times, and extremely confrontational to a fault, but he was not an idiot. Even if he seemed to be just some annoying brute.

Y/N glances back at Bakugou, looking to him incredulously, “the moment we step outside, we will be bombarded with questions.” A bitter laugh escapes her, “and we both know how you’ll probably respond to that.”

“Oh so this is my fault?” He asks, taking a few steps closer. 

Bringing a hand to her temple, Y/N looks up to him, “we don’t have time for this.” Comes her response, “either you come with me, or I leave without you.”

With that, Y/N turns on her heel, hand shoved into her pocket as she pulls out a set of keys and begins to flip through them in search of the right one. She can feel Bakugou’s eyes on her as she finally finds the right key, the one that leads to the hallway behind the second staff door. Most people don't have access because if you take a wrong turn you’ll end up in the studio apartment of the owners. But, if you continue down the hallway, there’s an exit into the alleyway that Y/N intended to take.

Finally, she pushes the door open. Y/N doesn’t bother to look back as she steps inside the hallway, dimly lit, in fact some of the lights are even flickering. But she can see the bright red ‘EXIT’ sign not too far away. 

Y/N doesn’t hear the door click shut, and with a sigh she turns back to see Bakugou had planted his foot in the door, kicking it open while his hands remained shoved into his pockets. Wordlessly, he stepped inside, and Y/N simply returned her gaze to the exit.

Until another spike of pain coursed through her. Her steps falter, though Y/N manages to catch herself on the wall, hand planted firmly there as she inhales deeply. 

To be fair, the average person would’ve passed out from the pain by now, and Y/N didn’t have her hero suit to help cushion the blows of pain nor was she necessarily prepared for sudden pain— she wasn’t in battle. Though her pain tolerance is high enough that it's manageable.

Bakugou seems to notice, no— he definitely notices. Looking to her pensively as he pauses behind her, Y/N doesn’t want to meet his eyes as she huffs, pushing off the wall. “Let’s go.” 

He says nothing, and Y/N is grateful as they continue down the hall.

It’s a short walk to the actual exit, but Y/N’s head is pounding so she doesn’t really notice anything out of the ordinary until Bakugou’s arm comes to stop her. She bumps into it, frowning as she looks up to him ready to speak in protest, to yell at him for touching her— though there's no skin to skin contact so she doesn’t really have much to worry about yet. 

Until she realizes blood is coming from under the door. Evidently, she had a lot to worry about.

Y/N looks up to Bakugou, offering him a nod that he returns. A silent communication between the pair which brings Bakugou to press his separate hand against the door, brows drawing together before he rapidly pushes the door open and the pair steps out into the alley.

And there lies the body of Pro Hero Telen. Y/N recognizes him instantly, and it makes sense given how badly her body is throbbing with pain. 

Her mouth gapes open, but Y/N is no fool as her back meets Bakugou’s, each of them surveying the area for the hero’s attacker. 

But there’s no one to be found. 

Y/N looks back to Bakugou, who simply nods, prompting Y/N to drop to her knees despite the blood that begins to seep through her clothes. Eyes falling on Telen as a hand comes to his chest. Nobody has ever died while Y/N was using their power, and if Y/N had to guess, Telen was still alive. There was no need for her to check for a pulse, simple as that. 

“He’s alive. Call for backup.”

When Bakugou doesn’t reply, Y/N turns, and she can see the explosions sparking in his palms but there are no enemies nearby. But Y/N recognizes the look on his face, the frustration, the anger. But he’s not angry with anyone other than himself right now. 

“Bakugou.” She repeats, an attempt to pull him out of his thoughts. They don’t have time to be distracted right now. While the attacker clearly isn’t around right now, there was a possibility he’d return. Not that Y/N was too worried, if they had any sense of bloodlust, she’d notice them.

He inhales sharply, simply nodding stiffly once more before pulling out his phone. But all Bakugou can think about is the fact that the Stain Copycat was here, and they’d targeted a member of Hawks’ Agency. The Number 2 Hero. Which meant whoever it was, they were getting bolder, and even worse, two of the best upcoming Pro Heroes were just next door and they hadn’t even noticed.

Even if the new Hero Killer had failed to finish the job, it didn’t matter. This would be a sign to all. A bad one. A message even. It felt as though this copycat was mocking him with every move. 

The only thing that Y/N can think about, is how dark this alley is, how easy it should’ve been for Telen to escape from his attacker. Which can only mean one of two things, the perpetrator had done something to prevent Telen from escaping into the shadows. Or, it was someone he trusted enough that he hadn’t felt the need to. Not until it was too late, that is. 

This was a problem. A big problem.

note: short but eventful chapter? and look at me go, updating on an actual schedule thats a first!

#this is not the end series #bakugou katsuki x reader #bakugo katsuki x reader #bakugou x reader #bakugo x reader #katsuki x reader #katsuki bakugou x reader #katsuki bakugo x reader #bakugou katsuki x you #bakugo katsuki x you #katsuki x you #bakugo x you #bakugou x you #katsuki bakugou x you #katsuki bakugo x you #bnha x reader #mha x reader #bnha x you #mha x you #bakugou katsuki series

[ksuew]

The Rookie 4x01 Life and Death Recap ****Spoiler city****

I promised a friend a recap, since she can’t watch until tomorrow, so I figured I might as well post it for anyone who wants to see it? I never can figure out a read more break on mobile so fair warning, DON’T LOOK IF YOU DON’T WANT SPOILERS 😁

This is just a rough draft thing, so it’s probably full of typos.

@hamburgerheroes @piratesbooty63fan

Phew… crazy first episode. Unfortunately I was fielding calls and texts about a work issue the whole time so my viewing was very disjointed. So I’m rewatching as I type this recap for you.

The episode is preceded with a recap, of course. Then the opening scene is Chen, Bradford, Nolan, and Harper in tactical gear approaching a warehouse.

While waiting for the go order from Grey, grey has flashbacks of a few hours earlier. They realize Lopez and West are both missing, they find out La Fiera has escaped and assume she took them, then they get security footage of the kidnapping and are watching it at the station, still in their wedding attire. As we suspected. The footage shows Lopez being put in a vehicle and West struggling, then shot in the back, then stuffed into the trunk. Everyone is in shock, Lucy is crying.

Lots of fans are really upset about Jackson, and I get it. But the show runner and writers had no choice. Here’s excerpts from an interview with Alexi

At this point, we’re back to Grey a different officer wants to wait, but Grey says it’s been 3 hours and they need to move fast and orders them in.

They breach the warehouse, find an empty get away car and Angela’s wedding dress on the floor. Lucy moves to pick it up, Nolan stops her, there is a trip wire to explosives under the SUV. They leave the warehouse and realize they had a plane waiting there from the tracks it left.

Next we see La Fiera, Angela, and her female goon in the airplane. Angela assumes they’re going to Guatemala so she can torture and kill her slowly, but La Fiera tells her (as we suspected) that she’ll be kept alive until Angela safely delivers her (La Fiera’s) baby (of course)

Next Grey and Wesley are meeting with a DEA bigwig who essentially says, we ain’t helping. Next they arrive in the compound in Guatemala and talk about how impenetrable it is, etc. She meets the doctor who will be attending her. Angela tries to tell the doctor not to touch her and La Fiera says if she resists she will be sedated for the rest of the pregnancy.

Back at the station Lucy is talking with Nolan, beating herself up about not seeing the trip wire. She’s really just upset about Jackson, she says she can’t believe he’s gone and she and Nolan hold hand for a moment.

Tim and Harper join them and discuss if Lopez is still alive and why. Lucy comes up with the theory that La Fiera wants Angela’s baby as the ultimate revenge. Grey tells them the DEA won’t help. They talk about how Jackson scratched his killer and they’re running DNA. Grey tells them all to go home and get some rest while they work on a plan. ***Chenford alert***

Lucy says she can’t go home and see Jackson’s empty room. Tim says, “you don’t have to, you can stay with me”

Dying!

She says she doesn’t want to impose and this is where he says she shouldn’t be alone right now. She says thanks, he says yeah, then she wonders how Wesley is holding up.

Cut to Wesley meeting with some bad guy and offering to turn dirty lawyer in exchange for finding out where Angela is. I do not like this development and what it can/will do to them in the future.

Cut to a short, weird interaction with Lopez and the female bodyguard then, back to Chenford.

We see Tim in his jammies, setting up his couch to sleep on. The house looks different than I remember it and surely it has at least 2 bedrooms, so why the couch 🤷🏻‍♀️. Anyway. He looks adorable in his jammies. He says, “I’ll take the couch”. Lucy walks out of presumably his bedroom and says she thought he was setting up the couch for her. He says he’s not going to have a guest sleep on the couch and she says she’s not going to kick him out of his bed. He says okay, gets up. Looks a bit awkward, a bit nervous. Asks her if she needs anything. She says “the last 24 hours back”, he says he doesn’t have that power. She says, “a hug” and he says, “yeah. Come here” in a soft voice that nearly made me combust! He hugs her. As they go to part things get all UST, he croaks out “night”, can’t quite meet her eyes. Meanwhile she’s definitely got the “realization” light bulb starting to go off slowly. Still a bit confused. He goes to his room and flops into bed. Obviously affected by what just happened. she is the same out on the couch. Fidgety with nervous energy. He looks toward the door like he’s about to go back out there to her, say something more (do something more?) she looks toward his door from the couch, obviously contemplating same. Back to him purposefully looking away from the door, back to her making her decision. She’s pushing the covers off about to go to his door, when his door suddenly opens. He’s on the phone saying “yeah, okay, we’ll be right there”. She tries to pretend she wasn’t already up and moving toward the door. He says Wesley knows where Angela is and they head into the station.

Oh man, it was sooo gooood!!!

Next it’s the Wesley telling them that he knows where they’re holding Angela. They all say they want to help, but Grey says how’re we gonna do that . They bring up “Max” the covert government guy from the counterfeit money case. Grey says fine, reach out. He tasks Tim, Harper, and John to start tactical plan and says Lucy will stay with him to run the murder case. Then he takes a moment to congratulate Nolan on officially becoming a P2. They get the DNA back, the killer is a 17 year old kid.

Government guy shows up at Nolan’s they coerce him into helping. They go to Guatemala separately from Wesley who is supposed to get a meeting with La Fiera without getting killed. Nyla and Tim look hot playing with military surveillance toys while John steals the plans to La Fiera’s compound from the architect.

Lucy and Grey go after the killer. Grey has a really great scene after cornering the killer and he and Lucy take him in.

Back at the compound Wesley gets to see Angela. John tells Nyla and Tim that he has the plans and there’s a weakness, but the drone shows that the weakness has been fixed so they have to go to plan B. Nyla does not like plan B!

Cut to a very sad scene of Lucy finally going home and looking at Jackson’s room as he left it. Tim calls, says they’re going to plan B. Lucy, as well, does not like plan B. She says to give her a minute to get set up. Tim then radios government guy Max, who also does not like plan B. They decide on a different extraction point and he reminds them if they aren’t there at the agreed upon time they will be left behind.

They alert Wesley with fireworks. Turns out plan B is him injecting Angela with pitocin to start contractions so that they’ll have to transport her out of the compound to the hospital. Nyla will have a drug to counterreact the pitocin at the hospital.

Unfortunately, they separate Angela and Wesley. He’s put in a different car to take him away and kill him so Nolan goes after Wesley while Tim and Nyla get set up at the hospital. Lucy is tapped into a satellite giving them info on the vehicles, etc. Tim says, thanks, we got it from here”. Lucy says, “Tim”, the tension clear in her voice. “Please be careful”. With more significance than just one officer to another. He’s in business mode and replies, “I always am”.

Bradford and Harper ambush LaFiera et al. Angela gets into the hospital with Tim and Nyla and gives Angela the reversal shot. As they make their escape to the helicopter LaFiera follows and fires on them, grazing Angela’s leg, she turns and shoots La Fiera, killing her. They make it to the chopper, tell Max they need to get Wesley and Nolan, he says no, they all point their guns at him and he decides to make the stop.

Wesley and Nolan fight their two bad guys (Nolan simply must save the day in each episode). They make it to the chopper, everyone is safe and they get the hell out of dodge.

Then, the time jump. It’s 3 months later and Angela and Wesley are arriving home from the hospital with their son to a surprise welcome home party with Grey, Nolan, Harper, and Chen. They’ve stocked their freezer and bought them a second freezer and stocked that too. Tim is happy and relaxed. Lucy is a bit overly cheerful, it’s obviously a bit forced. She and Nyla present Angela with a basket full of teas and herbs and cookies tailored to uterine health and breast milk production (as she would). Nyla admits that it was all Lucy when she walks away. That it was good for Lucy to concentrate on something positive. This makes Angela turn a bit sad and reflective. The show ends with Angela holding her baby and standing at Jackson’s grave updating him on her life and how she misses him and hopes by the time her leave is over that she’ll be able to face the station without him in it. She then reveals (again, as we suspected) that her baby’s name is Jackson😢

#the Rookie #the Rookie abc #the Rookie spoilers #the rookie 4x01 #Lucy Chen #tim bradford #john nolan #Jackson west #sergeant grey #Wesley Evers #chenford #chenford spoilers

[enigmalynne]

Something to be Thankful For - Chapter 4

Title – Something to be Thankful For Pairings – Jensen/Reader Word Count – 1,146 Warnings – RATED R FOR: Violence in the form of a mass bombing/shooting, injuries both explained and detailed, cursing SPNMixedBingo Square filled – Thanksgiving

Jensen Ackles’ life changes when he walks into his favorite coffee shop and meets Y/N, a Florida girl making a new start in Austin, Texas, as a Sheriff’s Deputy with the help of her sister. The two hit it off and quickly become an item that even the tabloids can’t tear apart. Jensen is excited to show his girl off at Thanksgiving dinner with his family, but she has to work the parade that morning first. What starts out as a normal event filled with balloons, clowns, and cheery faces soon turns deadly as one of the floats explodes and gunfire fills the air. Soon, Y/N is in a fight for her life as she and the rest of the deputies fight back against whoever it is trying to take over Downtown Austin.

Is Jensen doomed to watch the woman who brought love back into his life perish in a tragic mass attack, or will he have Something to be Thankful For after all?

Chapter 4

Holly clutched at her necklace as she watched the television screen. Her heart raced, not knowing where her sister was in that mess. The news was calling it a terrorist attack; something she was certain her sister wouldn’t see as a law enforcement officer.

“Holly…” she heard a familiar voice say. With wide, scared eyes, Holly turned and looked into the terrified face of Jensen, who had Jared in tow.

Holly slowly turned her head to look back at the news, just as the news chopper on screen captured another explosion at the parade happening downtown. Holly gasped as they watched a deputy get thrown by the explosion. At the same time, the chopper flew at a dangerous angle to get out of the way of the flames that were flying upward. The screen flicked back to two stricken-looking anchors on set.

“Holy shit,” Jared breathed.

“I don’t know where Y/N is,” Holly whispered.

“Okay, I’ve about had it with these douchebags,” Danny muttered. Y/N shook her head.

“Whatever you are thinking, don’t do it,” her rough voice ground out. She was leaning back against the car, eyes closed.

“I say we head in that direction. Cause a distraction. Give SWAT a chance to get into that building. Take out the fuck face that is blowing these bombs up. We’ve gotta end this.” Another male voice said with a shake of his head.

“No. Let’s just stay here. We are outgunned. SWAT has armor and we don’t,” Y/N said.

“Yeah, but some of us got military experience,” a third voice said. “We’ve beat these odds before.”

“I have a dislocated shoulder and a concussion,” Y/N said. “Danny, you have what I’m sure is a busted knee based on how you are moving. You, dude I don’t know, that has got to be a gunshot wound in that arm. And SWAT is right there.” Everyone turned to look at where she was pointing, the large armored vehicle speeding down the destroyed street.

“Just give them another minute,” Y/N pleaded.

“Then we can keep ‘em distracted,” Danny said, getting ready to run. The rest of the guys crouched and double-checked their weapons.

“No. C’mon, just wait,” Y/N warned. She grabbed Danny’s arm with her good hand, moving to a squat anyway. She already knew she lost the men to this daredevil idea. “Don’t do this. This is signing your death warrant.”

“You stay here and get the two on the right, Newbie,” he said with a cocky smirk, wiggling his brows. He then darted out into the open, three other deputies on his heels. Gunfire erupted.

Y/N cursed, jumping up and firing with one arm clutched to her chest. She watched as one of the two she was targeting went down and as she aimed at the second, she glanced at Danny. He got three shots off before he took a bullet to the left side of his neck.

The blood spay was large, and she forced herself to look away. She knew he’d be dead before his body hit the ground, and that pain was channeled into her trigger finger as she rapid-fire shot at the assholes who ruined what was supposed to be a cake assignment.

Holly, Jensen, Jared, and the rest of the patrons at The Last Drip watched in horror as the carnage unfolded on the television screen in front of them. Holly didn’t realize that she was crying silent tears until Jared handed her some tissues. Holly took them with a nod of thanks.

“I’m so sorry, I’m just so scared,” Holly muttered quietly. Jared shook his head.

“You have every right to be,” he said, before turning to look at Jensen. Both saw how rigidly he held himself, eyes glued to the screen with hopes of catching just a glimpse of the woman that had taken his heart. “You aren’t the only one, either.”

“What am I supposed to do if she dies? She’s my sister, the only family I have left,” Holly muttered softly, her eyes focused back on the television screen. “I don’t know how to live without her.”

“She’ll make it home,” Jared said. “She has to. She has a very special Christmas to look forward to.”

Y/N leaned back against the vehicle she was hiding behind and did a quick inventory.

Concussion? Check.

Dislocated shoulder, crudely put back in place? Check.

Massive hearing issue and bleeding from one ear? Check.

What is going to be a fantastic pattern of bruising on her back? Check.

Countless scratches and cuts, including a gouge at her hip where she got grazed by a stray bullet? Check, Check, and Check.

There was also that strange burning sensation in her leg that she hadn’t looked at yet. Overall, Y/N was starting to feel the blood loss and the concussion, her adrenaline running dangerously low. She was collapsed behind an overturned car, her head resting against the side panel. However, she heard footsteps fast approaching where she was hiding. She knew if she wanted to see Jensen or Holly again, she had to find some kind of reserve energy to lift her arm and aim her gun at the man heading toward her.

The relief that raced through her veins when it was a Tavis County Sheriff’s Office SWAT team member that turned the corner caused her to lose consciousness completely.

It had been hours since they finally neutralized the men that caused the attack on the Thanksgiving Day Parade in Austin. The news stations continued showing video of the explosions and Holly finally had to turn away before she had her third meltdown of the day.

Both she and Jensen had been calling Y/N for hours and there had been no response. Holly was thinking the worst. Jensen refused to believe it. He promised to give thanks to whatever God was listening if Y/N would just answer her phone… or sent another sign that she was alive.

All eyes turned to the door when it opened, and you could hear gasps when a uniformed deputy walked in. His eyes scanned the area, darting to the screen that showed news coverage. He frowned at it and then looked at the people watching him once again.

Holly and Jensen stood from where they were at and stepped together, clutching each other’s hands. Jared’s wide eyes watched from where he stood next to Jensen. Holly was shaking, on the verge of panic. Wasn’t this what they did when they were letting family members know that their loved ones had died? Is he here to tell her that Y/N was gone?

“Is there a Holly I can speak to?” the deputy asked kindly, his eyes and voice kind. Holly swallowed as all eyes swung to her.

TAG LISTS

Supernatural:

@akshi8278 @vicmc624 @agirlwithdemonblood @flamencodiva @hobby27 @mimaria420 @compresshischest09 @kkrivers @deanwanddamons @lovelyrocker

Jensen/Dean Taglist

@deandreamernp @siospins @sacriceria @sexyvixen7 @lanea-1 @nancymcl

Something to be Thankful For Taglist:

@wayward-gypsy @stoneyggirl2

#spnmixedbingo #spn fanfic #spn fanfiction #spn fic #spnfandom #supernatural #dean Winchester #dean winchester fanfiction #dean winchester x reader #dean x reader #dean x you #dean winchester au #supernatural au #supernatural fanfic #supernatural fanfiction #supernatural reader insert #supernatural x reader #Dean au #dean winchester x you #winchester au #hurt!reader #Cop!reader #jensenackles #Jensen x reader #jensen fanfic #Jensen x y/n #jaredpadelecki #JensenAcklesFanfiction #JensenAcklesFanfic #spn

[consumeconstantly]

A rose by any other name would(n’t) smell as sweet

Summary: “Please. Just buy me flowers once. Just once, that’s all I’m asking.” Marinette sits on her the cold metal of an outside chair at her favorite cafe. He never does. Not during her life. (But perhaps in death--)

________________________________________________

Marinette is not a trophy wife, although her husband would certainly like her to be.

She is an independent go-getter who builds a fashion empire from the ground up, takes in kids off the street and cares for them like they’re her own, and an ex-heroine who does just as much as a civilian as she did in a super suit. Some will argue that she does more. Marinette is the kind of woman that others aspire to be; care and love built into a frame made of steel, ambition, and values tempered by years of experience. Mothers point at her and tell their daughters and sons that they should emulate her, then attempt to follow in her footsteps as well.

Almost nobody in Paris hates Marinette. 

But perhaps the man who sits across from her at the painted-black table despises her.

“I don’t want children,” she insists. “Not right now. When we do have kids, I want to devote my all to them right now. I can’t do that when I’m trying to branch out overseas.”

“But you’ll be such a good mother. And you’ve talked about having kids for ages. You mentor enough children as it is-- can’t you just divert some of the time and resources you spend on them and focus on us?”

Marinette stirs her coffee, spoon clinking against porcelain. She adds in one creamer. Then two. And a third, just for good measure. “Having kids and mentoring kids is different. And even when we do have kids, I’m not going to stop mentoring the ones that I’ve taken under my wing.”

“That’s not fair to our kids, though.”

“I don’t understand how it’s not.”

“Love and patience aren’t limitless. Even though you’re trying to help everyone, you can’t do that.”

She set her spoon to the side of the cup. “It’s true that I can’t help everyone. But I want to try. Besides, we have plenty of time before we ever have to worry about kids.”

“We don’t, Marinette. You’re almost thirty five, now.” He gestures to her face, which has gained a few number of wrinkles and sunspots. What can she say? Marinette embraces the process of aging, and stopping herself from laughing just to prevent a few lines seems like more trouble than it’s worth. “Not exactly a spring chicken.”

Calmly, Marinette sips her cream and sugar laden coffee. Despite needing the extra caffeine boost nearly every day, she’s never been able to stomach having the drink straight. “How many times have we had this conversation? I’m starting to feel like a broken record.”

He sighs. “And every time we have this conversation, both of us just get older and older. You know that the longer we wait to have children, the more likely they are to have… difficulties.”

“And if they do, we will love them just the same,” Marinette says, firmly. “Now please, can we stop talking about this? We haven’t had a date in ages.”

“Because you’ve been so busy,” he accuses.

“No, because you keep refusing to meet me. Why don’t we talk about something else?”

“What else is there to talk about? You won’t consider having children, and you won’t stop seeing Jason.” With a scoff, Marinette’s husband pushes back the seat, metal scraping against concrete. “If you want to have a good date, you need to be willing to talk about our issues.”

Marinette rests her head in a hand, closing her eyes as her husband storms off. The migraines have been getting worse, lately. She finishes her cup of coffee, and the server comes over with two slices of cake and a bouquet. 

The server looks at the deserted seat nervously. His cup is left untouched, and the napkin lays rumpled. “Mme? What should I do with these?

She taps her nails on the table top. “Pack the cake in to-go containers please. You can leave the flowers with me.”

With a bowed head, the server nearly throws the bouquet at Marinette and quickly moves away to pack the slices up. Marinette shifts, taking the flowers and staring out at the streets of Paris silently. When they first started dating, the bouquets always had roses and tulips. Over the years, the tulips began to disappear, and the roses started getting replaced with forget-me nots. The silver-white of her ring sings against the blues and violets in her lap.

The small bouquet of flowers in her lap won’t be given today.

#

“Hey, Jace.”

Jason stills on the other side of the line. “Again?”

Marinette stays silent. He’s over to her apartment in five.

“I don’t understand why you’re married to the guy,” gripes Jason, letting himself in with a key Marinette made for him years ago. “He’s a complete and utter ass.”

Jason’s eating the cake Marinette bought for their anniversary. She still buys the cakes year after year, knowing that they’ll never make it through to the dessert round. Even though Marinette can’t bring herself to eat the cake without her husband at her side, Jason has no qualms about it; after three failed anniversaries and countless dates gone awry, Marinette started buying his favorite flavors. 

Marinette fiddles with the silver band on her finger. “I love him, Jason.”

“So?” He tosses the cardboard boxes in her trash, then proceeds to wash the dishes in her sink for her. Marinette doesn’t let herself go that often, but she always has a hard time feeling okay when she and her husband are fighting like this. 

She stares at a photo of her wedding day, the sheer elation in her eyes, the flush in her cheeks and ear-splitting grin. In comparison, her husband is demure. Almost unemotional. “Love makes you do crazy things.”

Ceramic and metal clink together. He places a bowl in the drying rack, then makes his way over to where Marinette sits on the couch. Her eyes are red, but at least she’s not crying anymore.

“That’s a line for romance novels, not for real life. He’s abusing you, Juliet.” Jason tightens his arm around Marinette’s shoulder, providing her support. The only reason they met was because Marinette ended up getting involved with a modern day retelling of Romeo and Juliet as the understudy. When the lead actress suddenly lost her voice, Marinette had to sub in. 

“Juliet…” Marinette muses. “Does that make him my Romeo?”

She pushes away from Jason, moving to stand near a litany of dried bouquets. The latest addition still looks alive. Marinette caresses one of the petals with her thumb, then makes an indent with her fingernail. Forget-me-nots dry quickly. Roses take longer.  

“No.” Jason’s eyes go dark, and for a moment, Marinette sees a flash of Lazarus green before he banishes it away again. “Not him. Never.”

#

“Please,” Marinette cries in the middle of the night, hand chasing an invisible phantom in her dreams. 

Her husband stares at her from his spot on their bed. 

“Don’t leave me--”

His hand lifts, ready to shake her out of the nightmare. 

“Jason.”

Marinette’s arm falls back onto her chest, tears in the corner of her eyes. Her husband throws the covers off himself, dresses, and walks out of their apartment. 

When the door slams behind him, a dried petal falls to the ground.

#

“Hey,” Jason murmurs, hand pressed against Marinette’s forehead. “You’re not running a fever or anything, but you don’t look too hot.”

Marinette waves him off. “I’ll be fine. Just didn’t get enough sleep last night. Paris Fashion Week is coming up, and you know how important that is.”

“Not as important as your health.”

“A little cold never hurt anybody.”

Jason looks Marinette in the eyes. “More people die from the common cold every year than you might expect. Don’t say things like that.”

Her body softens, leaning into Jason’s warmth. “You know me. I’m tough as nails.”

“I know.” His voice lowers. 

#

“You bastard!”

Jason Todd is a person well known for his bouts of anger. Most of the time, his resentment is dry and cynical. Quick to burn, but easy to put out with the right tools. 

Today, his voice is wet with rage, oil-soaked and smoky. 

“Please sir, calm down. This is a hospital.”

He does not calm down, but he does get quieter. His voice switches from explosions to a blizzard. “How could you do this to her? She loves you.”

The man draws into himself. “Does she? Did she ever?”

“This is no time for your self pity. She’s dying, and it’s your fault for not noticing. If she got treatment earlier--”

“Don’t push the blame on me, Jason. Marinette spends more time with you than she does with me.”

“And why is that? Because you never show up when she needs you, because you forget every single important date, because you keep making her cry. She wants nothing more than to spend time with you. She doesn’t love me. Not like she loves you.” Jason’s hands are balled up into fists, and he’s this close to throwing down with the bastard who has the privilege to call himself Marinette’s husband. “You probably didn’t even notice, but she buys flowers for you every single anniversary that the two of you have had together. Every single anniversary for the past ten years. Up in your apartment.”

Jason pushes the other man up against a wall, eyes narrowed and jaw set. “Every single time she’s come home from one of your god awful dates, she cries. She used to ask why you never gave her flowers, or why you weren’t spending time with her. She doesn’t ask for things like that anymore.”

Scoffing, Jason body checks the man and moves towards the door of Marinette’s hospital room. 

Marinette does not get better.

Her husband does not attend her funeral.

#

On the day of their anniversary, a single red rose appears on her gravestone.

@jasonette-july-2k20

#angst #you decide the male lead #use your *imagination~* #a single red rose #jasonette #could be sibling jasonette or romantic #however you read it #jasonette july #who is at fault here? i cannot say #they're all sorta not the best #moral ambiguity #maribat #marinette dupain cheng #jason todd

[redrobbingabank]

Destruction

The air surrounding the gathering tonight was heavy with memories. Not since the Final Disc Wars had so many different members of the server been united for the same purpose. Tonight, it was all caused by the same man. As bent as Dream was on tearing them apart, it seemed he only forced them closer.

Tubbo, in his thick brown cape, stood to the right hand side of the table. The silver crown on his head was heavier than he’d ever imagined. Ranboo hadn’t been there when they were supposed to leave. Michael clutched onto his hand, gazing in rapture at Technoblade. After today’s meeting, he’d be sent with him and Phil to live in a more remote location in case Dream went for the nukes. Ranboo had promised to check on him constantly.

The Blade himself had his pig-skull helmet on, the enchantments from his armor shining beneath the red cloak. The skull shadowed his eyes enough to hide the red in them. He stood next to Philza, across the table from Tubbo. The Elytrian stood with his wings folded. His hat was low, like the wind had shoved it farther onto his head while flying. He saw Michael staring, and offered a little wave.

Quackity and Sam were farther down, having a whispered argument. Quackity gestured wildly. These days, it was hard to tell if he was talking about Dream or Las Nevadas. He’d been equally obsessed with both lately. Sam’s face was tight. Over the past weeks, there’d been more and more questions if he was fit to guard the prison. Tonight he could lose his post.

Puffy was silent near the end, a few feet away from where Karl, Sapnap, and George were muttering to each other. Other than the therapy sessions everyone knew Tubbo had forced Tommy to attend, she hadn’t spoken to anyone much. Before what happened happened, she and Sam had conferred on the Egg.

Which was currently a whole other issue that required a whole other council, away from the Bloodvines near the windows, and Purpled in the corner. Despite Quackity buying his services, the majority of the group didn’t trust him, but the need for his skills was too great. He leaned against the wall of the community house. It was too easy to forget he was there.

Tommy stood at the head of the table. The bruises from the prison were still there, black and blue against his skin. He wore the armor that he hadn’t taken off since leaving the prison. Next to him, his shield leaned against the table. Every few seconds, his hand would twitch towards the hilt of his sword, and a look of brief annoyance crossed his face. Finally, he hit the table a few times to quiet everyone down.

“Alright,” he said. All the heads in the room turned to him. Tommy swallowed. The memory of how it felt to lead had been overwritten by the prison. He forged ahead. “We all know why we’re here. Dream breaking out of the prison isn’t a minor concern anymore. It’s going to happen, and we need to be able to get him before he can hurt us.”

“I can take care of him,” Quackity said. “You know I can. Just let me in there.”

“No,” Sam said. “We can’t just kill him. We definitely can’t enjoy it.” He glanced meaningfully at Quackity, who scoffed.

“Why shouldn’t we kill him?” Puffy said. “It can only help us at this point.”

“But we might be able to bring him back!” George protested.

Sapnap looked at him sharply, jaw clenched. His eyes stormed in a mix of anger and despair. “We can’t bring him back, George. Dream is gone. If he ever was who we thought in the first place.”

“But he’s our friend,” George said weakly.

“Not anymore.”

Beside them, Karl scribbled something on a notepad before stuffing it back in his pocket. In the corner, Purpled shifted, looking at something out the window. 

“Dream is a plague,” Techno said. “We have to destroy him, or he’ll destroy us. I say we let Quackity kill him.” 

Sam braced his hands on the table as if to rise, and Puffy turned to him, mouth already opening to argue. Karl and Sapnap were watching Quackity, who was avoiding their gaze. Before the room could dissolve into chaos, Tommy banged his hand on the table. 

“Killing Dream isn’t the question right now,” he said. “He’s got the revive book, we don’t know if there’s a way he could apply that to himself.”

The others looked at him, and he knew what they saw. The sympathy in Puffy’s eyes, the guilt in Sam’s, for a boy who’d been ripped into pieces again and again by the man everyone had looked up to at some point or another. The distance in Phil’s, for his choice to side with a corrupt government that had gotten his second son killed. The skepticism in Quackity and Sapnap’s faces, two people who had fought and won and were probably better suited to stand at the head of the table. Even Purpled in the corner looked faintly amused at his words. Tommy wanted to shrink under their gaze. But then --

“He’s right,” Tubbo said. He gave Tommy his trademark look, calm and clear and loyal to the core. “We need to figure out how to contain him so he can’t get out a second time.” 

“He hasn’t even gotten out the first time yet!” Sam protested.

“Face it Sam, it’s going to happen, and it’s going to happen soon,” Tommy said. “We need to be ready when it does.”

“If we just shore up the defenses--”

“Pandora’s Vault is the most secure place on the server,” Quackity cut in. “It can’t be shored up. Not to mention whoever Dream’s got working for him on the outside!” The effect of his words were instantaneous. Suspicious glances were cast around the room, mainly aimed at Purpled and Techno.

“We don’t know that for sure,” Karl started, but Tubbo jumped in.

“Don’t you remember the TNT?” Tommy shuddered at the memory of the explosions.

“Don’t look at me like that!” Techno growled at Sapnap. “It wasn’t me.”

“How do we know?” He shot back.

Everybody started yelling at once. Tommy tried hitting the table again to no avail. The voices echoed off the walls. Together, they all started to sound like Dream. No. Tommy shook his head. “Guys!” he shouted, but was drowned out by a colossal explosion that blew the doors off their hinges. Dream stepped through with Ranboo at his side.

He wasn’t dressed in the orange jumpsuit anymore. Instead, he’d changed back into his old clothes, the green hoodie and jeans with black fingerless gloves. The clothes shivered faintly with enchantments. He was grinning like a lunatic.

Next to him, Ranboo looked listless. He was more like a shell than anything. Purple particles floated around him. 

Dream looked around at the group of people who had shot to their feet. Techno, Tommy, and Quackity had their swords drawn. Tubbo’s face was pale as he nudged Michael behind him. From the shadows, Purpled smirked.

“Oh come on,” Dream said. “You’re having a party without me?”

With a yell, Puffy charged him and the room exploded. Dream met her in the middle, sliding down on his knees and slashing at her legs as he went past. Puffy fell to the ground, and Dream rose, readjusting his grip on his sword.

A loud shing of metal rang out as Phil and Techno unsheathed their weapons. “He’s in Enderwalk!” Phil yelled to him. Techno nodded quickly, and together they ran at Ranboo.

Emptily, almost like he was bored, Ranboo raised his hands. With a precise flick, Phil was lifted off his feet and tossed to the side. He screamed as he slammed into the wall. One of his wings, already shaped oddly from the first time they’d broken, hung lopsided. Techno, who had paused to track Phil’s path with a horrified stare, let out a war cry and charged again, only to be thrown backwards. He hit the wall with a crack and slumped to the floor. Blood trickled from beneath the pig skull. 

“Ranboo, no!” Tubbo shouted. “What are you doing?”

In the middle of the room by the table, Quackity and Sam were fighting Dream. Quackity was a force of pure rage. He slashed and hacked and swung at Dream. “Why won’t you just die?” he roared. 

Dream just laughed. He matched Quackity blow for blow, and then some. None of Quackity’s hits had landed, but Dream had gotten Quackity until blood ran into his eyes and down his arms. 

Shoving Quackity away with the flat of his blade, Dream pivoted to block Sam as he swung down at Dream’s head. For a moment, they were suspended, eyes locked. Dream grinned like a hyena. “Hey Sam.”

The fear in Sam’s eyes was palpable. Don’t let him hurt anyone else don’t let him hurt anyone else don’t let him hurt anyone else protect Tommy ran through his head on repeat. Dream shoved him back and aimed his blade’s arc at Sam’s stomach, just barely avoiding doing critical damage.

Ranboo was walking calmly towards the chest that held the books. Sapnap rushed him, and Ranboo lifted his hand. 

“NO! RANBOO, STOP!” Tubbo cried, helpless as he tried to keep Michael behind him. Whatever blast Dream had set off, probably with the help of Wilbur, had damaged the building badly. The ceiling sagged towards the center, creeping ominously. 

Tubbo’s scream had drawn Ranboo’s attention. He turned, and at the sight of Michael peeking out from behind him, something sparked in his eyes. He started towards the pair. 

Tubbo’s eyes widened. He crouched down facing his son. “Michael, kiddo--”

Tommy jumped between them and Ranboo, sword drawn. “Go!” He yelled to Tubbo, not taking his eyes off Ranboo. “I’ll keep him away.”

“No,” Tubbo protested. “I can talk to him, figure out what’s happening! Something’s wrong. Tommy, take Michael.”

“No!” Tommy yelled. “Get out of here!”

“I’m not leaving Ranboo!” Tubbo yelled back. 

Tommy looked at him, blue eyes wide and scared, but determined as well. “Whatever that is, it’s Ranboo, and he’d never forgive himself if you two got hurt. Now, run!”

Tubbo looked at Tommy, face set with resignation. He looked at Ranboo, and the purple sparks coming from him. He nodded quickly, picked up Michael, and ran down the tunnel behind him. He just heard Tommy say, “Hey mate, you’d better stop or I’m gonna start stabbing shit,” before the clashing of steel wiped out everything.

#dsmp #dream smp #dsmp fanfic #dsmp fic #tommyinnit #tubbo #ranboo #dream #captain puffy #quackity #awesamdude #sapnap #georgenotfound #technoblade #philza minecraft

[dadsbongos]

Treehouse

Movie/Game/Show: My Hero Academia Dynamic: Katsuki Bakugou/Reader (and a lot of other people) Warnings: Spoilers for bakugou’s hero name ahead!!, songfic for this song Summary: Katsuki’s grown a lot since middle school, hasn’t he? ~~~

Do Not Enter's written on the doorway. Why can’t everyone just go away? Except you. You can stay.

Katsuki looked down at the girl in his arms, eyes fluttered shut and lashes fallen over her cheeks. Lips parted ever so slightly to let out puffs of even, laxed breathing. The golden sunlight shone in her hair as it beamed through his thin curtains, soft warmth spreading over both of their bodies. His fingers carefully danced over the tender skin of her arm as he held her close. Her head over his chest and he was sure that the sound of his thunderous heartbeat would wake her eventually.

It felt nice, he concluded, to hold his love so dearly. To let his chest deflate and not have to be the best of the best. He didn’t have to be anyone. He didn’t have to be Bakugou, Katsuki - top of the class. Bakugou, Katsuki - Dynamight. Bakugou, Katsuki - Kacchan. Bakugou, Katsuki.

If he didn’t want to, he didn’t have to be anyone. She’d hold him just as close with any other persona he wanted to wear. It was his real security. His real home - right in her arms. A home he didn’t want to leave.

He wasn’t sure when it hit him. Just one of those random thoughts you never expect but deep down, you knew the entire time. Something so simple and yet so earth shattering that merely breathing it into existence seemed catastrophic. He wasn’t sure when it hit him that he was terrified of losing her. So innately terrified that the very thought was enough to send his muscles a tremor.

The feeling, it wasn’t nice. But he knew exactly what was - living the life he could with (Y/n).

What do you think of my treehouse? It's where I sit and talk really loud. Usually, I'm all by myself.

“Man, you’re really saving my ass here, Bakubro!” Eijiro grinned, exposing his unnatural shark teeth.

Katsuki huffed, “Don’t think about it, shitty hair. You’re still not passing.”

“I know, I know,” the redhead nervously grinned, eyeing the rolled up newspaper in Katsuki’s hand as he did so, “It’s just manly of you to help me is all. You’ve changed, man, it’s kinda cool.”

“Shut up.”

“I’m serious!” Eijiro put down his pencil, “It’s cool.”

Katsuki rolled his eyes but didn’t retort further. Whether he was ready to admit it or not, that usually would’ve gotten Kirishima, Eijiro a first-class newspaper swatting but he supposed he could let it pass. Just this once. 

I’m the captain but you can be the deputy. I'm really glad you think I'm so funny. I don't think I'm ever gonna let you leave.

Denki bit at his bottom lip in concentration, more effort going into thinking about cracking the egg in his hand than actually cracking the egg in his hand. His brows were drawn tight toward his face, contemplating how he should go about his cracking to avoid a mess. The last time he was trusted to crack eggs, he’d gotten shell in the bowl and yolk all on the counter and his fingers. The last time he was trusted to crack eggs, he felt like an utter fool. 

Looking over to the electric blond, Katsuki snarled at how little the boy had gotten done. Walking over, he took the egg still encased in its roughened shell from Denki in one hand and a bowl in the other. Tilting the porcelain bowl just right, Katsuki snapped the egg against the lip of the dish, pulling his fingers apart to hold the crack in the egg open so the yolk could drool down. Tossing out the eggshell, Katsuki watched as Denki took an egg for himself before copying exactly what the explosive teenager had done.

As two yolks drowned together in whites within their little bowl, Denki sung the praises of his dear friend, of Bakugou, Katsuki - and in Denki’s opinion, apparently, a masterchef. 

Nodding stiffly, Katsuki turned back to his own task at buttering the pan as it laid atop its burner. He let silence rule the kitchen until Denki would break it with a lame joke he would never admit he liked.

Do Not Enter's written on the doorway. Why can’t everyone just go away? Except you. You can stay.

“You have such great lid space, though,” Mina clasped her hands tighter, “I think it’d be fun!”

Katsuki grumbled under his breath before sighing and tossing his head back, “I’ll give you twenty minutes. Starting fucking now.”

Squealing, Mina hopped onto the common room couch before unzipping her makeup bag, “Thanks, Bakugou!”

“Whatever,” he rolled his eyes, barely managing to hold his underlying frustration inside, “Your damn funeral if you fuck up.”

“I won’t…” Mina pouted, “C’mon, don’t you believe in me? Just a little? You’ve seen what I can do.”

“I’ll believe for now.”

What do you think of my treehouse? It's where I sit and talk really loud. Usually, I'm all by myself.

“Oh, didn’t know the balconies were occupied,” Hanta awkwardly muttered.

Katsuki looked up from the ground below, brows furrowed and eyes stinging, “If you say anything to anyone, I’ll kill you myself.”

Putting his hands up, Hanta showed off that stupidly large, stupidly infectious grin, “Hey, man, everyone needs a good cry. I think it keeps us sane.”

Nodding silently, Katsuki stood at his railing, head hanging over and eyes clenched shut in a new effort to keep his tears in.

“Wanna talk about it?”

“I’d rather die.”

“Maybe, instead of dying, you could just vent to a trusted friend who cares about you?” Hanta suggested, “You go to (L/n), right? Well, now you can come to me, too. We’re friends, Bakugou, we’re there for each other.”

I’m the captain but you can be the deputy. 

Stirring inside his mind, were the thoughts he’d been keeping to himself since that fight. His real fight with Izuku. Where Katsuki won. The successor to All Might and boy wonder was beaten by Katsuki. It wasn’t enough. It would never be enough.

Izuku was making progress fast, far too fast. He was leaping towards the top and Katsuki could only watch on, feet trapped in the cement. The ground swallowing his body as Deku, the Quirkless one, the useless one, the crybaby, bound forward in success.

It wasn’t fair. He wasn’t enough. Bakugou, Katsuki was simply not enough.

That’s what he was beginning to believe; where he couldn’t even save himself from villains, Deku came rushing in to save him and succeeded. 

Sitting at the kitchen island, alone, in the middle of the night, that’s what Katsuki was beginning to believe.

Lights flicker on, “Kacchan?”

Closing his eyes, Katsuki pretended there was no voice. Nobody behind him. No one but him awake at this awful hour.

“You’re usually in bed by now. Way before, actually.”

There was no reply. There didn’t need to be one. Izuku sat beside Katsuki all the same, an uneven, slightly nervous, smile on his face as he did so.

Katsuki opened his eyes, looking at the other boy from the corner of his peripheral, “You’ve made the power yours.”

“Yeah.”

“You’re not as useless as I thought.”

“Thanks… you know, I’ve been meaning to ask… would you- would you train with me sometime? I think that I could really improve if I fought someone like you.” 

“Someone like me? The fuck does that mean?”

“Strong. Well-versed in your Quirk. Other than Todoroki, you’re probably the best at Quirk application, so I wanted to see if I could fight you.”

“Ask daddy issues.”

“But then we couldn’t have our rematch. I still need to beat you, Kacchan, you know?”

I'm really glad you think I'm so funny.

Katsuki found himself staring at the back of Izuku’s head, brows furrowed. Anger. Frustration. Confusion. He couldn’t tell what exactly it was. He felt a hand on his shoulder and turned to see her. (L/n), (Y/n) smiling at him softly, perfect lips tugged into a perfect grin on her perfect face. God, what he wouldn’t give to just grab her and kiss the smile off her face just to do it all over again. What he wouldn’t give to scream to the world he loved her.

“You okay? You’re tense.”

Glancing to the front, Shota still sleepily tucked in his sleeping bag in a corner of the room, Katsuki nodded, “Fucking fine. Just thinking.”

Setting her chin in the palm of her hand, (Y/n) tilted her head ever so slightly, “Wanna tell me about it?” shaking his head, the ash-blond went to refuse when she spoke up again, “Not here, if you wanna wait.”

He felt almost unworthy. Losing to Deku, killing the legacy of All Might, getting kidnapped by villains - Bakugou, Katsuki felt unworthy of his own lover’s comforts. Looking at the face of an angel would make you crazy - at least that’s what his father told him once. And so, he nodded slowly, “Sure. Later. Alone, though, I’m not talking shit in front of Raccoon Eyes and Dunce Face.”

“Whatever you need,” she murmured, giggling quietly to herself, “I’m here.”

I don't think I'm ever gonna let you leave.

“I’ll say this once.”

He burned the image of them into his brain. (Y/n) and Eijiro on either side of him on the common room couch. Denki just about ready to cut through the carrot cake Mina and Hanta slaved over despite trashing on the choice the entire time. Izuku was slightly off to the side, ready to hand off gifts to his childhood rival.

Katsuki sighed quietly, looking to his feet when a hand grabbed his, (Y/n) rubbing her thumb into his skin. He swallowed his pride before letting everything he felt about each and every person in the room manifest into the best phrase someone like him could imagine.

“Thanks. For everything.”

#bnha x reader #bakugou x reader #bakusquad #katsuki bakugou x reader #bakugou appreciation post #he's great and i love him :3 soo i wrote this #song is treehouse by alex g if that wasn't clear

[not-all-dead]

angstpril day sixteen: silence

+

alternative eleven: coma

CW: physical trauma, mental health issues, implied/attempted su*cide, very very very long

fic under the cut

There was another explosion on the other side of the rock they were hiding behind. Lin turned to her sister and placed her hand on her cheek.

“I love you,” She said before running out from behind the rock.

“Come and get me, you Third-Eyed Freak!” She jumped up, away from P’li’s blast.

Her ears had already been ringing for a time, each of P’li’s attacks making it worse. She didn’t have the time to pay it any attention though, and sent a slab of earth flying at the firebender. P’li blew it up before it got close and Lin sent another two slabs towards her. This time P’li dodged the slabs, retaliating with two attacks of her own. Lin jumped out of the way and rolled, bending an earth wall for protection. P’li’s explosion destroyed the wall, sending Lin backwards. She propped herself up, the ringing in her ears almost unbearable now, and watched as P’li reared up for another attack.

Just as she was sure she was about to die, Su bent her armour at P’li. It wrapped around her head, containing the firebender’s explosion and instantly killing her instead. Lin watched Zaheer spin around on the part of the cliff on which he stood, Korra taking advantage of his lapse in focus to attack him with fire. He sensed her attack before it was too late and dodged it, sending a puff of air towards her and knocking her out. Lin leapt to her feet, taking a second to steady her dizziness, before running up the rocks to where Zaheer was picking up Korra’s limp form.

She heard Su say something beside her, but couldn’t make out any words. She took a step forward as Zaheer said something, ignoring the ringing in her ears.

“Release the Avatar,” Her voice felt disconnected from her body, the words forming fine but sounding wrong.

She heard Zaheer’s voice again, followed by Su yelling something she could almost make out as actual words. Zaheer’s mouth moved one last time before he stepped backwards off the cliff.

“No! Stop!” Lin felt herself yell as she and Su ran to the cliff’s edge, sending their cables after him.

He dodged both of their attacks and flew away from them, gracefully floating towards the airship in the distance with Korra draped over his shoulder.

“Did he just… fly?” Lin asked in disbelief, staring after him.

She heard Su mumble something beside her and looked at her sister in confusion. Su cocked her head to the side and said something else, stepping closer to Lin. Concern took over her face as she said what could have been Lin’s name, but she couldn’t be sure. Su grabbed her arm and pulled her down the uneven rocks, back towards their temporary camp. They made their way down the mountainside until they reached the small group at the base, Korra’s father and a few others getting patched up by Su’s metalbenders.

Su pulled Lin aside for a moment before they got all the way back, taking her hands and forcing her to look her in the eye. Lin tried to read her lips as she spoke, but was left even more confused than before. The ringing had dulled by now, but so had every other sound. She could hear when someone was talking, and could mostly recognize the voice, but their words were too muffled to make out. After a minute Su squeezed her hands sadly and they walked back to the camp.

Just as they got there, everyone looked up. Lin followed Su’s gaze, spotting Mako, Bolin, Asami, Kai, and Tenzin on the back of a baby bison. She rushed forward alongside Su, immediately helping Korra’s friends off the poor bison’s back. She shook her head in an attempt to get at least a little more of her hearing back, but it was to no avail. As the group walked back to the makeshift camp, she tried to listen to what those around her were saying. When she still couldn’t make any of it out, she fell to the back of the group, hanging her head and kicking rocks as she walked.

She kept to the outskirts of the group as they talked, trying not to notice that with every passing second the voices became quieter and quieter. By the time they seemed to have a plan, there was nothing.

She followed those who hadn’t been assigned to stay with the injured, keeping to the back of the group as they travelled along the mountain. After walking for a while, Kai called Lefty and Oogie down to them and they all got onto the sky bison. The two beasts lifted off, Kai guiding them somewhat aimlessly around the mountain range, until pointing down suddenly.

Lin watched as he and Mako seemed to exchange a few words, Kai getting very animated out of nowhere, before they flew down towards a small cave. They all got off of the sky bison, Bolin and Tonraq pulling back to help Tenzin stay upright. He said something to Su before the rest of the group charged into the cave, encountering several Red Lotus sentries. Mako took out the first while Su attacked the second, leaving Lin to make her way further into the cave. A distracted sentry turned towards her just as she sent a rock flying towards him, knocking him out cold.

Su ran past her and hugged Opal, who was seated on the ground with the rest of the airbenders. Bolin rushed in after them, pushing Su aside and hugging Opal himself. Lin felt herself chuckle at the interaction, but quickly quieted and shook her head. It was an odd sensation, being able to feel that she was making noise but not being able to hear it.

She shook her head again and spotted Kya, rushing to her side as quickly as she could. She wrapped the waterbender’s arm over her shoulder and pulled her to her feet, letting her lean almost her entire weight on her as they staggered out of the cave. Lin felt vibrations in Kya’s chest as they walked and her eyes started to sting with the knowledge that Kya was trying to talk to her. She swallowed the lump in her throat and brought Kya to where Tenzin was propped up, setting her down beside him before going back into the cave.

Su glanced at her on her way out of the cave, giving Lin a look that she knew meant she’d talk to Kya for her. Her eyes stung momentarily again before she focused her energy on the task at hand, helping several more airbenders up and ushering them out of the cave. Once everybody was safely out, she made her way over to where Kya sat.

Lin squatted down next to Kya, putting a hand on her knee and avoiding meeting her eye. Kya cupped her scarred cheek and tilted her head up, forcing the metalbender to look at her. A tear slipped from Lin’s eye and Kya’s thumb brushed it away before Lin pulled back, shoving down her sudden flood of emotions. Su waved her towards the gathering of people around her and she looked one last time at Kya before making her way over.

Su placed her hand on Lin’s back as the group discussed the situation, glancing sideways at her every few seconds. Lin’s face twisted into a scowl and she turned her gaze to the ground, tapping her foot impatiently. Everyone looked up at something happening in the air at one point, Lin finally shifting to look where they did and seeing Korra battling Zaheer midair.

Zaheer was flying still, sending relentless attacks at Korra. Korra seemed to be struggling a great deal, but was still doing a decent job of keeping up with him. Lin jumped in surprise when Kai and all the other airbenders ran past her, standing in a circle below where the fight was taking place. Jinora started up a small air vortex, the other airbenders helping her to make it larger and larger. Lin looked up at Korra and Zaheer, watching in horror as he began to suffocate her. Just before he finished the job, though, the vortex got big enough to distract him.

His grip on Korra faded, causing her to tumble over the edge of the cliff she’d been on. He dove down after her, grabbing her and trying to fly away, but the vortex around him was too strong. He tried a few times before dropping Korra, making it out of the vortex on his own. Lin couldn’t believe her eyes when Korra miraculously woke up, throwing her arm towards him and twisting herself just perfectly so that the platinum chain around her wrist caught his ankle.

She dropped down then, pulling Zaheer with her and landing them both hard against the earth. Lin rushed towards them with Su and the others, watching as Korra collapsed. Lin felt a tap on her shoulder and turned to see Su, who nodded at Zaheer. Lin nodded back and the two bent an earth prison around him, trapping him thoroughly before moving back towards Korra.

Lin looked back and forth as Su yelled something at a wickedly smiling Zaheer, Jinora then yelling something at her. Su ran towards Korra, kneeling by her head and closing her eyes in concentration. She seemed to be metalbending somehow, pulling a poison from Korra’s body. Lin stood there watching, unsure of what to do with herself.

Korra woke up and hugged her father tightly, Bolin and Opal doing the same. The airbenders all embraced one another, chatting and recalling the events energetically. Lin hung her head and stood back, not looking up until someone’s arm wrapped around her shoulder.

She looked up to see Su smiling sadly at her, pausing for only a second before crushing her sister in a hug. She felt so far from everyone even though everyone was right there, so feeling her sister’s arms around her was reassuring. She thought for a second of Kya’s healing abilities, but then remembered how Kya had looked at her earlier. There was no healing this one. She knew it would take some getting used to, and she’d have to find another way to communicate, but she decided then and there that she could do it with help from her friends and family.

———————————————

Kya knew Lin had been having a hard time with losing her hearing. They’d been leaning on each other in the time since the attack, but Lin had been going out less and less. She’d spent a good bit at the island, trying her hand at healing Korra and enjoying her family’s company. Lin had stopped joining her on her excursions a while ago, writing that it was easier to not see people at all than to struggle though stilted communication. Kya was used to the silence that filled their apartment now, but she still couldn’t help but get scared every time she couldn’t find Lin immediately upon getting inside.

Today was one of those times.

She didn’t bother calling for Lin, instead stepping heavily as she entered the apartment. Usually Lin would emerge from her hiding spot of the day when she felt Kya’s footsteps, but not today. Something was different today. Kya set down her things on the kitchen counter, limping her way through the apartment. Lin wasn’t in the living room, the main bathroom, or the guest room. Kya’s heart pounded in her chest as she opened their bedroom door, hesitating a moment before peeking in.

Lin was there alright, lying in their bed, sound asleep. But something was off. She was on top of all the covers, her hand hanging off the side of the bed. Kya walked around to the other side of the bed, watching Lin as she did. She almost jumped out of her skin when a rattling came from something she’d accidentally kicked. She bent down to see what it was, picking up the small green glass bottle.

“No…” She whispered, throwing the pill bottle on the bed.

“No, no, no, Lin,” She said louder, now on the verge of tears.

She grabbed the water from the glass she always kept on her side of the bed, focusing as hard as she could to check and heal all of Lin’s vital organs. When she was certain she was still alive, she let herself collapse.

“Lin,” She sobbed, grasping Lin’s hand with all her strength.

After a moment she pulled herself together and noticed a note on the table by Lin’s hand. She picked it up and read aloud, the silent apartment suddenly too quiet for her liking.

“Dear Kya,

I am so, so sorry. Please don’t blame yourself, you’ve been amazing. I just don’t have it in me to keep going like this anymore. Tell everyone I love them, would you? And remember how much I love you. I’ll see you again someday, I promise.

Love, your Linny,” Kya stared at the note, taking all of it in.

Lin had failed at her goal. She was still living, breathing, right here. But she was in a very deep sleep, and it was anyone’s guess when she’d wake up. The medicine she’d taken had done a number on her system, and when she did wake up, she’d probably be in more danger than now. Kya placed a hand on Lin’s cheek as the reality of it all settled in, willing away the urge to cry again.

Lin was in a coma, and would have to stay in one for a long time.

Kya forced herself up from the floor, moving to the phone in the hall. She dialed the number for Tenzin’s phone at the temple and tapped her foot anxiously as it rang.

“Tenny?” She blurted as soon as someone picked up at the other end.

“Kya? Is something wrong?” It was Pema.

Kya let out a sigh of frustration and forced herself to smile.

“Hey, Pema. Would you be so kind as to get Tenzin for me?” She held her breath as Pema paused for a moment.

“Sure thing, he’s right here actually,” She said after what seemed like hours.

“Kya, what’s going on?” Tenzin said into the phone a second later.

“Lin, she- I need you to delay Korra’s ship to the South. We’re going with her,” Kya gulped down more tears as she spoke.

“Of course, but is everything alright? You sound like you’ve been crying,” Tenzin cleared his throat on the other end.

“I’ll explain when we get there,” Kya let out a sigh.

“Thank you, Tenny,” She hung up and limped back to the living room, grabbing her jacket and Lin’s satomobile keys before hobbling back to the bedroom.

She put their toothbrushes and a few other essential belongings in her deep pockets, then moved to Lin’s side. She slid one arm under Lin’s back, the other under her legs, and lifted her off the bed. She was grateful Lin had stopped wearing her armour, but still found herself panting with the effort of carrying her by the time she got down to the parking lot.

She all but threw Lin in the back seat of the car, jumping into the driver seat and slamming the door behind her. She didn’t bother to wipe the tears streaming down her face as she raced through yellow lights, getting to the dock as fast as she could. The ferry was almost ready to leave when they got there, her sato being the last one to board before they set off towards the island.

Conveniently, their sato being the last to board meant it was the first to leave the ship. Kya raced down the dock and parked the sato in the small parking lot by the beach. She hopped out as quickly as her injured leg would let her, wrenching the door out and scooping Lin into her arms again. The massive ship that Korra and her parents were going on to return to the South Pole was pulled into the next dock over, not too far but still a decent walk. She decided against trying to limp all the way there while carrying Lin, instead stepping into the water and bending it to propel them forwards.

They got to the dock quickly, Mako being the first to notice them.

“There she is,” He shouted, pointing at Kya and Lin.

Kya stumbled as she stepped out of the water, her weight combined with Lin’s almost bringing them to the ground. She caught herself at the last second, though, landing on her injured leg and stifling a cry. She practically hopped up the steps to where Mako, Bolin, Asami, Tenzin, and Tenzin’s family stood. As soon as she was up, Tenzin insisted upon taking Lin from her, Mako catching her just before she collapsed.

“Kya, is she…” Tenzin asked, looking down at Lin, who was now limp in his arms.

Kya shook her head furiously, leaning on Mako as she got her balance back. She took a second to catch her breath before explaining anything, watching Lin’s peaceful face the entire time.

“She tried- she failed, she’s asleep, I need- I need to get her to mom, but I think she’s gonna have to sleep for a while, but- but she’s okay,” Kya panted as she spoke, turning her gaze to Tenzin on the last word.

He nodded solemnly and started towards the giant ship’s loading ramp, walking up and inside with Lin still in his arms. Mako walked Kya to the ramp and she pretended not to notice how uneven his breathing had become all of a sudden. He brought her to a couch inside the common area on the lower deck, helping her to sit gently. Tenzin placed Lin lengthwise on the same couch, letting her head rest in Kya’s lap. Before they could leave, though, Kya called Mako back.

He came and crouched in front of her, pushing a hair out of Lin’s face before looking up at her. Kya placed a hand on his cheek, wiping away the single tear that escaped his eye when she did. She mustered up the best smile she could considering the situation, drawing in a deep breath before saying anything.

“I’ll take care of her, son, don’t worry,” Mako nodded and closed his eyes for a second before standing up to leave.

He spared one last glance at Kya and Lin before leaving, the loading ramp closing as soon as he was gone. Kya looked at Lin asleep in her lap, running her fingers through her soft, dark grey hair. She looked so calm like this, but it still broke Kya’s heart. She wished she could talk to her, to at least tell her that she was there and not leaving anytime soon, but she knew Lin wouldn’t be able to hear her. Even so, she spoke into the air around them, more to reassure herself than anyone else.

“You’ll be alright, Lin, you’ll be alright. Mom will be able to heal you properly, and you’ll wake up soon,” She looked down at Lin’s face again, wetness slipping down her cheek.

“You’ll be alright,” She whispered again, placing a soft kiss on Lin’s forehead.

“You’ll be alright,” She whispered one last time, this time completely to herself. She closed her eyes and leaned her head back against the couch, her mind and body equally exhausted and quickly sending her into a deep sleep of her own, though not nearly as deep as Lin’s.

#angstpril2021 #fan fiction #day sixteen #silence #coma #trauma tw #physical trauma tw #mental health tw #depression tw #implied suicide tw #tw attempted suicide #lin beifong #chief beifong #legend of korra #tlok lin #wow i write too much :0 #kya fanfic #lin beifong fanfic #kyalin fanfic #lin fanfic #tlok fanfic #fanfic #kyalin #kya avatar #kya ii #kya lok #kyaxlin #avatar the legend of korra #mako tlok

[princesssarcastia]

first hp and now MCU *sigh*

sighs. anyway the reason the jane foster au thing is taking literally seven years is that I’m physically incapable of writing for the MCU without fixing everything I thought was dumb about it.  can’t just do a canon re-write because I Refuse To Condone XYZ.  The things I thought were dumb are many and myriad, but here’s one of them:

In Infinity War, they won’t destroy the mind stone while it’s still attached to Vision because they “don’t trade lives,” even though Steve made the same damn sacrifice, whatever.  But the thing is the avengers then immediately travel to Wakanda and start trading Wakandan lives for Vision’s.  They trade so many lives for Vision’s, and in the end it doesn’t even matter because they have to kill him themselves anyway.  SO all those Wakandans died for nothing.  They died for the aesthetic of the avengers having an army.  They died because no one thought through “yeah, T’Challa is totally down to sacrifice his people’s lives for one android he isn’t close with.”  They died because, let’s be honest, the lives of those random Wakandan soldiers meant less to not only the white main characters, but also the white movie creators. hmm. what could possibly be the impetus there.  mostly stupidity, but probably also some racism, lbr.

anyway.  all this to say what follows is a snippet where a) the battle to save vision isn’t taking place in Wakanda proper because the avengers don’t trade lives...other than their own.  In fact, it’s taking place in the arctic circle, where Wakanda has a shielded research station with no civilians that Shuri can appropriate to fix Vision without having her citizens die needlessly.  b) it’s just the avengers there, because they’re willing to put their own lives on the line for their friend and their principles. c) they’re using the mind stone as a lure to keep Thanos’ giant monster army focused on them, in this unpopulated place, rather than a city or a country.

you didn’t really need to know that, actually, because this fic snippet is about bruce banner.  explicit tw in the tags you may want to check for if you don’t mind a spoiler.  anyway, oh well, long walk for a short drink of water:

The walls shake with something other than the wind, and Bruce grits his teeth against whatever extrasensory response the other guy is having.  If he doesn’t want to come out to play, then he doesn’t get to raise the hairs on the back of Bruce’s neck.

The other guy.   After two years being trapped while he gets to play, maybe Bruce is the other guy now.  Maybe the Hulk—

“Doctor Banner,” Shuri says without looking away from her interface.  “If you’re going to help, then help.  Otherwise stop distracting me and get out.”

Ten, nine, eight, seven, six, five, four...”You’re right.  Sorry.”  He turns back to his equations and keeps calculating what kind of energy source they can create here to replace the mind stone.  Vision may be able to survive without it, but it’s ridiculous to ignore that it serves a purpose in keeping him not just alive, but functional.  There’s a difference between surviving and living and the Avengers aren’t risking their lives just so he can—

Boom.

Dammit.

Shuri’s guard, the one T’Challa left with them—Ayo? Was that her name?—steps further away from them and speaks into her bracelet—kimoyo beads.  Bruce strains to ignore it because he doesn’t need to know what he’s missing outside, doesn’t need to know how poorly the battle is going for his friends, his—his shield brothers, Brun would call it, without him.  There’s no doubt in his mind Shuri could save Vision without him and there’s no doubt in her mind, either; he’s here as a courtesy and because it’ll go faster, at least.  Because he’d be useless otherwise, sitting there with his thumb up his ass while his friends fight and die without him, without them, dammit Hulk—

“Princess,” Ayo calls. 

“Not yet.”

“How long?”

“I don’t know how long, I’ve never done a neural reprogramming for an android before.”  Shuri purses her lips.  “Longer than this, certainly, to revolutionize a field that doesn’t even exist yet.”  She reprograms another synapse.  It looks like maybe thirty percent of them are done.  Thirty percent, after four hours.

Bruce glances at Ayo from the corner of his eye because he’s a masochist and he can’t help himself.  Her face is troubled, and so is Okoye’s on the projection hovering over her wrist.

“Ayo, tell her she needs to hurry up!”  The projection twists like the general has taken her hand from her face.  There’s a flash of silver, a war cry, and a brief, incomprehensible glimpse of something black and twisted and horrible.  It cuts out in the middle of the creature’s answers screech.

Ayo slowly lowers her hand back to her side, and Bruce tries to focus back in on his work.  Tries to focus on the math, on the energy readings, on Vision’s life in here instead of all the death out there, because if he doesn’t—

“I really am going as fast as I can,” Shuri says in a small voice.  Twenty.  She’s just twenty years old, what was Bruce doing at twenty?

Don’t go there.  Don’t go there, Bruce.  Shouldn’t have come back to the Arctic, that was just asking for trouble.

Focus.

What would happen if he lost it, and the Hulk refused to come out?

Focus.  Focus on Vision, on saving his life.  Save lives.  Save his life.

“So you're saying that the Hulk... the other guy... saved my life?”

Another explosion rocks the room, rocks the station, rocks the damn arctic ice pack they’re standing on.  It’s the biggest one yet.    “Evacuate the southeast quadrant.  All personnel in the southeast quadrant, evacuate to the next defense point.”  The intercom doesn’t even crackle as it activates over their heads and Bruce is struck by how odd that is; it’s almost more unnerving that the idea of the situation escalating to the point of evacuation.  Ayo pulls up a map of the station on her kimoyo beads and manipulates it, pulling up what he assumes is the southeast quadrant.

“That's nice. It's a nice sentiment. Saved it for what?”  

“How bad is it?” Bruce asks.

Ayo’s eyes dart to Shuri, who is nothing but relentless; he hasn’t seen her stop once this whole time.  “Bad.  They have breached the facility’s outer defenses.  Princess, perhaps we should—”

“No!”  Shuri all but shouts.  “I will not evacuate, I will not abandon this mission, we’re not finished yet.  Tell someone to come fill the gap.”

“Princess, if they have not already done so, then they may not have the manpower to do it.”

“Then call reinforcements!”

There are no reinforcements because this is a hail-Mary, vigilante mission and all the Avengers on-world are already here.  T’Challa isn’t bringing any more of his people into this, and Steve and Natasha and Tony would never ask him to.   When they fail, that’s it, it’s done.  And so is Vision, and this will all have been for nothing. 

“I guess we'll find out.”

Bruce pushes his glasses off his nose and pinches his brow.  He can’t even think about this; he’s thinking about it without thinking it, a glaring absence that lets you see the shape of it regardless.

“This wasn’t just a Wakandan station, right?  I mean, you guys opened it up to other countries for the science and information exchange?”

A pause.  “Yes.”

“Any military?”

A longer pause.  “...Yes.  Dr. Banner, what are you...”

She trails off as Bruce looks up.  There must be something in his face.

“Did they leave anything behind when they airlifted out earlier?  Weapons?” He adds, because there’s no use beating around the bush.  No time. 

“Probably, but you will find nothing there of any use.  Wakandan technology—”

“Is much more advanced, I know.  But you don’t really have any projectile weapons.

Ayo’s nose crinkles up in disgust, but is already turning back to her charge.  “Of course not.  So primitive.  Princess, we will need time to evacuate to the ship, please.”

Shuri cuts a glance at him, seemingly ignoring Ayo.  “What do you need a projectile weapon for, Dr. Banner?”

“Something desperate.”  He pulls his glasses off and sets them on the table.  “Stay here, Shuri, finish your work.  Save him.”

Bruce has never asked anyone else to risk their life when his own would do. He’s not fucking starting now, when the whole universe is at stake. 

Between him and Shuri, Ayo reluctantly lets the issue go, but he can tell if Thanos’ army gets a single step closer to her Princess, Ayo will throw her over her shoulder and sprint for the quinjet, mission be damned.  He marches out of the room and follows Ayo’s directions to the nearest storage area; the American one, as luck would have it.  Because of course the American team brought guns to the Arctic Circle on a science and information exchange program.  Of course.  A few M11s just lying around, lost in the hasty shuffle to abandon this place.  Bruce picks it up and just holds it.  Feels the weight in his hand.  Ayo was right, they are primitive; primitive and ugly and violent and only good for one thing. Another impact.  The station shakes again, and the lights flicker above his head. Now.  It has to be now. He doesn’t have a radio, but he knows where the southeast corner of the building is, so he keeps the gun in a tight grip and heads that way. Three corridors away and he starts to hear noises.  Yelling.  Screaming.  Gunfire.  Energy bursts.  The ring of Steve’s shield, the whine of Tony’s repulsors.  And above it all that same horrible screeching noise from those creatures invading their planet at the behest of a genocidal maniac trying to kill Bruce’s friends. Kill the Hulk’s friends. Louder, and louder, and louder, until he can’t even hear himself think which is good because he doesn’t want to think about this he never wanted to think about this again even though he did, a lot, like after Lagos and Sokovia and Sakaar. The team has driven them back from the breach in the facility, that’s good.  Wind and snow come howling in through the massive hole and Bruce shivers and tells himself its from the cold. Outside is...pandemonium.  His friends are like brief sparks of light in a sea of writhing, angry, violent darkness trying to tear them apart.  There are so many of them he can barely see the horizon and they show no sign of stopping. In the distance, he makes out Steve, locked in fierce battle with something that looks less like a bargain bin eldritch horror and more like one of those Black Order people. He’s losing.  Even Bruce can tell that. “Now would be a really good time for you to get angry” He’s always angry.  But the anger isn’t enough anymore. “Bruce, what are you doing out here?”  Tony screams at him, flying towards him with his hands still targeting energy blasts at the enemy.  “I thought you said the Hulk can’t come out, you can’t be here!  Go help Shuri!” Ten, nine, eight, seven—oh, fuck it. “Won’t, not can’t, Tony.” One breath.  Two breaths.  He squeezes the grip so hard it starts denting his palm. “Those are functionally the same, big guy, so get the hell out of here.  We got this!” “No you don’t, we’re losing!”  Bruce takes a short inhale through his nose.  “They’re not functionally the same when I can force his—our hand.” That finally makes Tony look at him, and Bruce doesn’t know if he catches it on his own or FRIDAY points it out to him, but he finally sees the gun.  He dissolves his faceplate and looks at Bruce with wide, exhausted eyes.  “No, no, Bruce, don’t you dare, Bruce!” He lunges, but he doesn’t make it before the gun goes off, the bullet tears through Bruce’s mouth and then—and then nothing. The Hulk roars.   Anger isn’t enough anymore.  Self-preservation will have to do.

#tw self-harm #not quite suicide but he shoots himself in the head #this was another thing that bugged me #the whole 'the hulk won't come out' c-plot/running joke #if they had actually done something meaningful with it #like on screen character growth for bruce + the hulk #or resolution of his issues #that would have been great! #but instead it was just a way to nerf the hulk so he couldn help beat thanos' army #this is like a kinda dark answer to that but *shrugs* #bruce banner #shuri #infinity war #mcu #mcu fic #god what am i doing with my life that it's come to this #ugh #the plot bunnies #they're trying to kill me.

[cora-vizsla]

Cabur Chapter 5

Rating: Explicit (18+)

Word Count: 7.5K

Warnings: Mentions of death (nothing explicit or described), violence, shooting, punching, sadness, angst, I'm so sorry I wrote this in a mood, talking about loss of parents, implied panic attack (character doesn’t know what it is), fluff, love

A/N: This part is pretty sad. If you have an issue with death (nothing is talked about in great detail at ALL but it does mention it, please just shoot me a message or ask for a synopsis so you can skip the chapter. Reader has some issues with panic but is helped through it. Also, I know I usually put the translations at the bottom but this chapter is heavy with Mando’a so I put the translations right after the conversation so you aren’t flipping back and forth trying to figure out what it meant. If I missed tags or you think something should be added PLEASE let me know! Much love to all of you!!

It was easy being with Paz. Once the helmet issue was out of the way there wasn’t much to fight about. Months went by in a comfortable routine of helping the village while getting to know each other better. You both were happy.

Your favorite part was being able to walk around again without the helmet. It wasn’t just you without the helmet though. Looking at Paz always put a smile on your face. You had heard of Mandalorians being smitten once they saw each other’s faces and you’d always wondered if it was due to the already established relationship. You knew without a doubt that Paz was the most handsome man you had ever laid eyes on. It should have been illegal to make him cover his face.

The village had noticed that you now wore the same symbol that Paz wore on his armor. You had explained that you were now part of his clan. They had wanted to throw a huge celebration but the elder explained to everyone else that your vows were simple as was the life you lived. They had all brought you different meals for two weeks after the announcement, but you didn’t have the heart to turn them away. They just wanted to show how much they appreciated and celebrated your happiness.

The communication with the Armorer had been much easier. She was pleased that you agreed to marrying Paz and was planning new armor for you. You let her know that anything that would be replaced would be donated back to the tribe for foundlings. She wasn’t surprised at all but thanked you all the same. It still wasn’t safe for either of you to go to her, but the time was nearing.

The idea of leaving was hard. The village had been your home. It didn’t help that you were getting increasingly close to Lahta. She had been confused at first by Paz being around all the time but eventually she loved him just as much. She loved riding on his shoulders and being taller than everyone in the village. You loved hearing him laughing fully right along with her. You hadn’t been lying when you said you wanted a family. You just knew Paz was going to be a great biur.

“What color do you want your new armor to be?”

You were sitting on the porch between Paz’s legs. He had his arms wrapped around you so you could lean back against him. He often kissed you on the top of your head and your temple whenever you were close enough. It was one of the sweetest things he did, and you were sure he did it without even thinking.

“Hmm. I was thinking pure silver like Din. That was we can match.”

You smirked back at him when he growled and tightened his arms.

“I think you would look beautiful in blue.”

“You think I look beautiful in anything.”

“Not true. I think you’re also beautiful in absolutely nothing.”

“You are insatiable.”

“Then stop being so alluring, cyare.”

You laughed and nuzzled yourself into his neck.

“I don’t think we should take Lahta.”

Paz sighed and turned you so he could actually look at you. It had been a conversation you both skated by more times than not. You both loved her.

“Why?”

“The village is safe. It’s been really quiet lately. There isn’t even a safe place for the tribe to settle. When it’s time for us to leave here, we would be taking her from safety to that. I don’t think that it’s fair to her. If she were older, I’d give her the decision but she’s still so young.”

“She’s going to be sad when we do leave.”

“I know. I will be too. I just think that as long as this is a safe place it’s the best option for her.”

“I can’t argue that. We should be hearing from the Armorer any day.”

It was your turn to sigh. He held you tighter and you nestled back into him.

“I’ll miss our cabin.”

“As will I, cyare. Gar cuyir ner yaim.” (You are my home.)

“I know, Paz. We are one.”

He nodded and kissed you deeply. You moved forward to straddle him, wrapping yourself around him. Both of you jumped when a deafening boom came from the distance.

“The village.”

You both scrambled to your feet and pulled your helmets on, running towards the village as more explosions rang out. You could hear his footsteps behind you, almost as loud as your heart pounding in your ears. You were quicker than him, but he wasn’t slow by any means. You were just quicker at navigating around trees and brush.

When you burst through the clearing you skid to a stop, pulling your blaster. You heard Paz do the same thing as he came up on you. Your chest was heaving as you looked around.

There wasn’t a village left in front of you.

You started running towards where the elders and the school used to be. The kids should have been in school, but you couldn’t see any standing buildings. Panic was rising up in your throat until you saw three men laughing and running away. You quickly shot two of them, dropping them with one shot each. The third you shot in the leg and walked over to him. You stepped on his chest and pointed the blaster at his face.

“What did you do!?”

He laughed again and winced when you ground your boot into him.

“Boss said you’d be here. Shouldn’t have stopped him from raiding it before. Now there’s nothing left. Some protector you are.”

He cackled again and you dropped, your knee slamming into his chest.

“Who the fuck is your boss?”

“Figure it out yourself, bitch.”

You climbed on top of him and punched him square across the face.

“Tell me!”

“What does it matter? They’re all dead. We took them all out first. The explosion was just to get your attention. You failed them, Mandalorian.”

You screamed out in anger and hit him again. And again. You lost count of how many times you pounded your fist into his face as tears started streaming down your face. You felt a hand grab the back of your armor as you were lifted off the now unconscious man. Or maybe he was dead. You hardly cared at that point.

“Cayre. Stop. You got him.”

“No. He needs to feel the pain. He needs to know.”

“He does.”

Paz tried to pull you into his arms, but you ripped away, running over to where the school was. Your sobs were unfiltered as you tried to search for someone; anyone. You heard Paz calling your name, but you kept ignoring him, full panic starting to set into your bones. You turned in a circle looking at the entire carnage but of all the horrible things you saw, you didn’t see the children.

“Paz, where are they? The kids? I-I don’t see the kids.”

He looked around and stiffened.

“Did they take them?”

You switched your vision over to tracking and only saw the three sets of footprints from the men you had stopped.

“No. No they didn’t go with them.”

You turned towards the woods behind the school and saw a mess of footprints. You took off in the direction with Paz on your heels. You ran for at least ten minutes until you saw a cabin. You put your blaster away and heard Paz protest, but you walked directly to the door, listening intently. You could hear the children crying and murmuring to each other and it shattered your heart.

“Ad’ika, are you in there? Lahta?”

“Cabur!”

The door burst open and you barely had enough time to catch Lahta when she flung herself at you. You clung her to your chest, keeping one hand on the back of her head. She sobbed into you as you dropped to your knees.

“Cabur, oh Cabur I was so sc-scared! I th-thought they g-got y-you too!”

“No, ad’ika. No, I’m here.”

Paz glanced at you but walked past and into the doorway, dropping to a knee to get himself closer to the kids. They all came out of their hiding with tear-stained faces.

“Verd, we saw them come. The adults told us to run. We came here s-so they wouldn’t find us.”

One of the older children had stepped forward, holding the hands of some of the smallest around him. Paz put his hand on the side of his neck and pressed his helmet to his forehead gently.

“You did good. You did very good.”

“Is the.. it’s all gone isn’t it. We.. we heard the explosions.”

“Where are the other children?”

“Their parents took them and ran.”

You looked up and saw that there were only eight kids. You sighed hoping that the rest had gotten away unscathed. Lahta tightened herself around you and you spoke to her softly letting her know that you wouldn’t let her go. She whimpered into you in response.

“Verd, what do we do now? We’re all alone.”

“You come with us.”

“You’d take us?”

You looked up, speaking partially to the children with Paz and partially to Lahta.

“Yes. You are all coming with us. We will keep you safe.”

Paz stood and turned to you.

“I’ll go get the ship and get ahold of the Armorer. It’s going to be a tight fit, but we will make it work.”

You stood as he got closer, still clinging Lahta to your chest.

“Do you think we could get them around the village and to the cabin? It would be closer, and we wouldn’t need to be split up as far. If either one of us are alone and they come back..”

He nodded and gently put his hand on Lahta’s back.

“Alright kiddos. We’re going to go for a walk. How does that sound?”

None of them sounded happy, not that you thought they should, but they all perked up at the idea of leaving with you. You tried to shift Lahta to the side, but she clung tighter. You had Paz put one of the kids on your back and he put two on his own. The five left were more than able to walk the distance even if it was slower than you were used to.

You just hoped the Armorer was set up so there was somewhere you could bring them to.

---

You settled the kids in the cabin quicker than expected. Between the beds and the couch, all the kids were comfortable and sleeping off their exhaustion. The only one still awake was the smallest one. She had allowed herself to let go of you just a little, but you had yet to put her down. Part of that had to do with how scared you had been that she was gone.

“I like your cabin, Cabur.”

“Thank you, ad’ika. Would you like to see my favorite part?”

She nodded as you walked outside, quietly shutting the door behind you. You sat down on the top step to the porch and nestled her against your side. She looked around and then up at you.

“I thought you were going to show me something?”

“I am. I sit here often and just listen to the trees. Where I come from it was very dry and dirty. There were no trees or vegetation.”

“Were there people?”

“A lot of people. Not all of them nice.”

“Like the men that came today?”

You sighed and nodded.

“Yes. They attacked my people too.”

“Woah, they did? But you’re so tough! And so is Verd. What happened?”

“A very dear friend of mine had a child, an ad’ika. There were very mean and bad people that wanted to hurt him, so the tribe fought to protect them. People like us aren’t liked very much in many places. They found where we had been hiding and hurt us. A lot of people left because they were scared but some of them died.”

“That makes me angry.”

“Why angry, sweetheart?”

“B-because you and Verd are nice! I’ll yell at anyone who is mean to you.”

You smiled at her and wrapped your arms around her tighter.

“I know, ad’ika. You’ve grown so much in the cycle and a half that I’ve known you.”

“I remembered what you said. I’m strong because I’m me. So, I’ll be strong.”

You both looked over as Paz walked into the clearing, sporting more weapons than he had left with. He came over and sat next to you, tucking Lahta’s hair behind her ear.

“Why is it that you’re the only one awake?”

“I want to stay with Cabur.”

She let out the cutest yawn you had ever seen. You wished that she could see your smile and to know that she was safe with you.

“You can stay right here. I won’t leave your side unless I have to.”

She nodded and nestled into you, falling asleep quickly. You listened to the small breaths coming from her and shut your eyes, thanking the stars that she was still alive.

“The Armorer is settled. The space is smaller than Nevarro but cleaner. Plenty of space for the nine kids.”

“Eight.”

His head snapped up and looked at you.

“She’s not going anywhere. Not unless she wants to. A-almost losing her today I-”

Your voice cracked and Paz reached over to take your hand in his.

“We will figure it all out. You already know how I feel cayre. Whatever she wants.”

You nodded and shuffled yourself and Lahta closer to Paz, who wrapped his arms around you. You knew it was going to be a long night and a long day with energized kids with no sleep. There was no way you were going to sleep though. You already felt guilty enough that you had failed the very village you swore to protect.

---

Fitting all the kids in Paz’s ship was a challenge. Luckily most of them got along with each other and most of all they were grateful that they were safe. You had explained to them what it would be like to take off and that your journey would be long. They all had questions about the planet you were going to and the kind of people they would live with.

You told them about how you had been on the street as a child. You had lost your parents and your biur had found you and taken you in. Although you left out the condition that had been given to you, they children understood that Mandalorians took in anyone that needed help. They were community above all and cherished their children. They were all excited that they would be surrounded by more people like yourself and Paz. Their elders had taught them that Mandalorians were saviors and protectors, so it didn’t take much convincing for them.

You noticed that Lahta stayed in the back not paying much attention to what you were saying. When you were done with your stories the rest of the kids spread out as much as they could and talked about their new adventure. You turned your head to the side but kept your eyes trained on the small girl. She kept looking up at you and chewing at her lip.

“Lahta?”

Her head popped back up and she stood up quickly.

“Can you help me with something?”

She walked over to you and gave you a huge smile. You helped her up into the cockpit and climbed in after her. You sat next to Paz and pulled her on your lap. She gasped as she looked out at the stars.

“Do you like the view, sarad’ika?”

“Yes. Wow. Wait, what does that mean?”

Paz turned to look at the both of you fully.

“Little flower.”

She beamed up at Paz and you couldn’t help but smile.

“I like that.”

Paz chuckled and rustled her hair playfully.

“What was bothering you earlier, Lahta?”

She looked up at you and shrugged.

“You can talk to me. I will always listen.”

“I.. I don’t want to go to your tribe.”

“Why not?”

“I want to stay with you.”

“Why is that?”

“You two always listen to me. And you’re nice. And your armor is pretty. And the others might not be nice. And what if I don’t fit in? And-“

“Shh sweetheart. You will always fit in with our tribe. I promise you that. But if you want to stay with us, you can stay with us. For as long as you want to.”

She squealed and tossed her arms around your neck.

“Really!? I can stay with you!?”

“Of course, sarad’ika.”

“Then I’ll stay! Until you two want a baby and then I’ll go back to the tribe.”

You looked at each other then back down at her.

“What?”

“At the village I got to stay places until they had a baby then I needed a new home.”

“We don’t believe in that, sarad’ika. Family is more than blood. Family is who you choose to love and cherish. You could never be replaced.”

She smiled and nestled into you, letting you wrap your arms around her.

“Cuyir ibic meg gar copad, mesh’la?” (is this what you want, beautiful?)

“Vaabir gar mirdir vi liser keep kaysh morut'yc?” (Do you think we can keep her safe?)

“Ni mirdir vi liser kar'taylir darasuum kaysh.  Vaabir gar copad at cuyir a buir?” (I think we can love her. Do you want to be a mother?)

“Ni don't kar'taylir pehea.  Kelir gar Gaa'tayl ni?” (I don’t know how. Will you help me?)

“Elek ner kar'taylir darasuum.  Ni cuy' de gar eso.  Vi cuyir solus.” (Yes my love. I am by your side. We are one.)

“This is the way.”

“This is the way.”

Lahta stirred on your lap and giggled.

“You two talk funny. Will you teach me your language?”

“Ad’ika, I will teach you anything you ever want to know.”

“Haa'taylir? gar cuyir already a buir.  Vi Kelir raise kaysh at cuyir kovid.  Creed ra nayc creed.  Vi cuyir alit.” (See? You are already a mother. We will raise her to be strong. Creed or no creed. We are family.)

“Ni kar'tayl gar darasuum, Paz. Vor entye.” (Thank you, Paz. I love you.)

“Naas Ru'lis Gev ner kar'taylir darasuum par gar, mesh'la.” (Nothing could stop my love for you, beautiful.)

You smiled at him as he squeezed your knee.

“Ibic Kelir borarir.  Bic Kelir cuyir jate.  Vi Kelir cuyir jate.  Cuun clan cuyir kovid, mesh'la.  Gar ganar given ni or'atu than Ni Ru'lis tionir par.” (This will work. It will be good. We will be good. Our clan is strong, beautiful. You have given me more than I could ask for.)

“Ni'll cuyir giving gar or'atu tion'tuur vi rusur.” (I’ll be giving you more when we land.)

Paz growled at the insinuation you purred out and you laughed lightly, looking down at the sleeping form on your lap. He was right; everything was going to be okay. You could feel it deep in your bones.

---

The Armorer was waiting with a few other Mandalorians when you landed. Paz walked out first full of confidence and pride. You had Lahta buried into your neck with her arms wrapped tightly around your neck. The rest of the children tentatively followed Paz and you followed them.

“It looks as if you have completed your task, Paz Vizla. And some.”

He nodded at the woman standing tall in front of him.

“I am safe to assume your clan has grown?”

“Yes.”

“De Tion'solet?” (By how many?)

The other Mando’s looked at you and almost in sync moved their visors down to the signet resting brightly on your chest.

“Vi enteyor jorhaa'ir.” (We must speak.)

“About te adiik ra gar riduur?” (About the child or your wife?)

“Bintar.  Vi enteyor jorhaa'ir be bintar.” (Both. We must speak of both.)

You smiled at Paz and felt a small hand reach up to grab yours. You knelt down keeping the small girl balanced on you.

“Cabur, I am afraid.”

You looked at the sweet boy in front of you. His face was tear stained and even more were threatening to fall down his face. You wiped his tears gently after you pulled your glove off.

“Do not be afraid, ad’ika. All of those around you that wear the armor as I do will protect you.”

“They speak weird.”

You chuckled and cupped the side of his head with your hand.

“You will learn that too, if you wish.”

He nodded at you and peeked at everyone standing around them. When you stood you saw that the Armorer was watching you intently.

“The children will be safe while we speak. Follow me. We can stop to drop them off in the nursery. They can eat and play.”

The kids perked up at the idea of eating. You followed Paz and the group of kids followed you. It was a much nicer area, but they were right to say it was smaller. Though, if all the Mando had come out when you arrived there wasn’t going to be an issue with space.

It took no time at all to get into the building and where the nursery was. There were only a few children but the Mando taking care of them perked up when you walked in with the new additions. They were ushered in and led to a table with promise of food and water. It took no time at all for them to start chirping to each other and starting to connect with the younglings already there.

“Lahta, we need you to go join the other children.”

She mumbled a no and buried herself deeper into you. You figured it couldn’t be comfortable against the metal you were covered with, but she didn’t want to let go.

“Lahta, ner sarad’ika, Cabur and I will be back. The sooner we get this done the sooner you can see us again.”

“You won’t leave without me?”

She finally turned to look at Paz and you felt her grip start to loosen.

“Of course not.”

Paz bumped his forehead to hers and she giggled. She finally let you put her down and walked slowly over to the table. When she saw there was food she perked up and started talking to some of the kids she knew. Your heart swelled at just how strong she was being.

“Cyare, let’s go.”

You looked up at Paz and nodded. You almost missed the way Lahta looked at the two of you before you walked out of the room. You hoped that she wanted to stay with you as much as you wanted her to.

---

You sat next to Paz as the Armorer and a senior member of the tribe sat across from you. It had been so long since you had seen anyone but Din and Paz that you felt nervous. You were also used to being around people who had readable expressions. Even with Paz you were used to seeing him.

“Welcome back. I was afraid that Paz had failed in his mission.”

“He almost did.”

“Don’t let her downplay. She shot me when I showed up.”

The Armorer let out an amused huff.

“I would expect nothing less from you. The children called you cabur. Do they not know your name?”

“No. They had an elder that knew a bit of our culture. They never pushed for a name nor did they push to see my face.”

“So, no one has seen your face?”

“No one but my riduur.”

She nodded once, seemingly satisfied with your answer.

“The children will be safe here. Their home is gone?”

“Destroyed. They are all alone.”

“They are safe here until they decide to stay or go.”

“Armorer, they won’t be forced, right?”

“No. To take the creed or not will be their choice, not a condition for their safety.”

You felt Paz tense up next to you. Without thinking you reached over and touched his hand gently to assure him that it was okay. You noticed the two across from you look down slightly then back up. Paz gave you a nod that he was okay.

“What of the girl that seemed attached to you?”

You sighed, not sure where to start.

“Her name is Lahta. Her parents were killed long before I showed up to the village. Paz and I have grown close with her. We would like to take her in as a foundling if she wishes it.”

“Is this a new decision?”

“No.”

You looked up at Paz and nodded, letting him finish.

“We have spoken of it before. We were going to let the idea go because she was safe. She no longer was and the idea of leaving her was.. difficult.”

“Then you will give her the choice. She may choose to become part of your clan or stay here until she makes the same decision the others must make.”

“This is the way.”

“This is the way.”

All of you stood and you were ready to get back to Lahta. You wanted to talk to her and hoped she would choose to stay with you.

“You have shared quarters set up. I had backup provisions in place, but it seems like the two of you are on good enough terms.”

You felt your face heat up but gave her a quick nod.

“Paz you may go. I wish for a minute alone with your riduur.”

Paz looked down at you and you nodded. He touched the pendant lightly and walked away. You smiled at the gesture. It was harder to be intimate with him when both of you were wearing armor, but you understood what he was trying to tell you.

I’m with you.

Once the two men left you sat back down.

“Tell me, young warrior, why did you not return here when your helmet was removed?”

“I knew what my options would be.”

“We could have voted for an exemption. From what he tells me, it saved your life.”

“It did. He did.”

“Did you agree to be his riduur to come back?”

“No. I know it was his goal and at first I think he saw it as more of an obligation but now.. it’s changed. We are together because we want to be. I am glad that I can be back here, and I think part of my decision was made for the tribe.”

“But part was decided for you. For happiness.”

You nodded and hoped she wouldn’t be angry.

“Your biur were particularly hard on you. Even before you took your oath you never wore a smile. Now I can hear it in your voice when you speak to him. We are a community, but your happiness is important too. Din Djarin left behind enough beskar for new armor for you.”

“I don’t wish to take away from the tribe.”

“You aren’t. Those who left also left behind a lot. Din just made it clear that if no foundlings were in need of it that you should have it. He knows how hard it has been for you to get to this point.”

You nodded and looked down at your own armor.

“I think you becoming part of the Vizla clan is a fresh start for you. You deserve the honor of the signet you represent now. You deserve armor that you have earned.”

You nodded and stood.

“Thank you.”

“I have already started it. It will be done in a day’s time. This is the way.”

“This is the way.”

You went to walk out of the room but stopped, turning slightly.

“Din wasn’t there when Paz and I had worked things out.”

“He said he had a feeling.”

“When did you start my armor?”

“Does it matter?”

You sighed but shook your head. It was starting to feel like everyone knew you better than you knew yourself.

---

You walked in the room to Paz making the bed. You shut the door behind you and locked it before slipping your helmet off. He stood up tall and took his off as well, smiling at you. You returned the smile and walked over to kiss him.

“How did your talk go?”

“Apparently I’m getting all new armor.”

“Like a whole new set?”

“Din left the rest of the beskar for me. He talked to her after he left us, and the armor is already almost done.”

He smirked and shook his head.

“How are you feeling about it? I know I feel connected to my armor.”

You shrugged and sat on the bed, groaning when you twisted as much as possible to alleviate the kink you had been holding between your shoulders since the explosion went off.

“I earned this armor with my biur. Other than the memories it holds no sentiment to me. Even the memories aren’t always the best.”

“Did you regret taking your oath?”

“I think at first. It was more that the hardships were turning into resentment because of being forced. I knew what I needed to do and what it meant but it’s not like I grew up seeing it or even was able to see it knowing I could choose.”

He sat next to you and put his arm over you, pulling you to him. You leaned against him and sighed.

“I think you would have taken it. I vaguely remember when they brought you in. You’ve always been full of it.”

You laughed and shook your head.

“I don’t remember you.”

“Yeah, because you saw Din and immediately latched onto him.”

“Oh, shut up I did not latch onto him.”

“He calls you his shadow, cyare.”

You laughed and shrugged. He pulled you back, so you were lying next to him still wrapped up in his arms. You started to feel just how exhausted you were after not sleeping much on the trip. There always to be at least one kid needing attention or assurance. You loved them all, but you were damn tired.

“So, tell me, how long did you have a crush on Din for?”

“What?”

“Oh, come on. I saw the way you followed him around. We used to pick at him for it.”

“How did that end?”

“A lot of fights.”

You laughed and shook your head.

“Maybe a childhood girlish crush but I think it was more admiration than anything. He was strong. I mean everyone in the tribe was strong, but he didn’t look at me like I was different. He didn’t.. uhm.. he never saw me as aruetii.”

Paz stiffened beside you. The silence between the two of you was deafening. You had talked about a lot of things with him, but you had never brought up how harsh his words had been. You pulled away, moving so you were lying flat on your back.

“I was so horrible to you.”

“Yes, you were.”

“How could you possibly forgive that? Called your aruetii and pulled your helmet off. What an asshole.”

You laughed and turned your head to look at him. He was staring up at the ceiling with a small frown tugging at his lips.

“I did shoot you.”

He finally laughed which brought a smile to your face.

“You did shoot me. You know, you may be the only person who has shot me and lived to tell the tale.”

“Wow, I feel so lucky. You were so enamored by being shot at you gave me your signet and a spot in your clan. Good thing some other woman didn’t do it first.”

He growled and rolled over, propping himself up over you. You were laughing up at him, knowing there was no way you could move. Between how hard the bed was and the fact that the man above you was a giant covered in beskar, you were pinned.

“You’re the only one for me, cyare. Don’t you dare think differently.”

“Hmm, and what happens if I do?”

“Then I’ll have to remind you over and over until it gets through that pretty skull of yours.”

“That sounds like it could be.. interesting. Maybe I need you to remind me.”

He growled again and pressed his lips to yours. He kissed you passionately but broke away sooner than you wanted him to.

“We have things we need to do first.”

“I’m so tired.”

“I know, cyare. Let’s get these things finished then I will not let anyone disturb us until tomorrow afternoon.”

“You say that now but you’re their big bad warrior. There are foundlings and younglings to teach. There are security protocols that need to be looked over.”

“I also have a riduur that needs to be fucked until she can’t move.”

You gasped and looked up at him.

“Paz Vizla. Listen to you getting all dirty. I like it.”

He kissed you again, nipping at your lip before climbing off of you. You grabbed his extended hand and laughed when he pulled you to his chest. He gently grabbed your chin and made you look at him with a sly smile on his face.

“Just you wait, mesh’la.”

---

When you walked into the nursery room, all the kids from the village ran over. You noticed the younglings that were already there looked at you cautiously but lit up when Paz followed you. You both sat on the floor and listened to them all talking about their food and how everyone is nice. You could have lived forever in that moment finally seeing smiling faces and barely any tears.

“Cabur?”

You turned your head to the oldest boy from the group and took his hands in yours. Those in your tribe weren’t usually so touchy but you found the children responded better when they knew you were paying attention to them. Your face couldn’t be seen so you had to show them in other ways that they had your attention. You thought hard to remember his name until it dawned on you. Spending most of your time with Lahta had made it harder to get to know the other kids on a more personal level.

“What is it Thomas?”

“Why did those men come and hurt everyone?”

“Sometimes people are bad for no reason. They do horrible things without a cause. I don’t know why those men attacked, not really.”

Paz placed his hand on your leg and gave you a light squeeze. You did know why they were there, but it was only because you had been protecting them.

“Why didn’t you stop them?”

You weren’t sure if the room actually went quiet or if it was just the blood pounding in your ears. Your entire body was stiff and the panic you felt was only rivaled by the panic when you couldn’t find the kids. Paz’s hand clamped down on your thigh which started to bring you back, but you had no idea how to answer him. You didn’t know how to answer any of them.

“You were there to protect us, Cabur. But everyone is gone. My mom and dad are-“

The small boy lunged at you as he began sobbing. You wrapped your arms around him and held him close. The guilt and pain had been nagging at you, but you had been so busy it didn’t have time to fully hit you. Not until Thomas asked you the same questions you had been dying to ask yourself.

“I’m so sorry, Thomas. I would give anything to go back and change what happened.”

“I miss my mom.”

His voice hiccupped and you bit your bottom lip to stop yourself from crying.

“I know, sweetheart. I know ad’ika. Your m-mom would be so proud of you.”

“She would?”

He sat up and wiped at his face, resting all his weight on one of your legs.

“Yes. You saved them. You saved the rest of the children. You listened and you were so brave. You kept them all safe until I could get to you. I was so scared when I couldn’t find any of you, but you went exactly where you were supposed to. Your p-parents would be so so proud of you. I promise you that.”

“I-I didn’t know what else to do.”

“You did the right thing. You’re already so strong. You have a warrior’s heart.”

You poked gently at his chest and he beamed at you through his tears.

“You are safe now. All of you. We spoke with the Alor, our leader. This is your home for as long as you want to be here.”

“Will we get to wear a helmet like you?”

You looked back at Thomas and nodded once.

“If that is what you want. You all are welcome to learn the creed and take it as you grow older. You do not have to though. It will be your choice. You are safe and welcome until you are ready and able to make a decision.”

Thomas leaned in closer and whispered, hoping only you could hear him.

“I want to be a warrior like Paz.”

“You can be whatever you want to be, ad’ika.”

You could tell by the way Paz puffed his chest out that he had absolutely heard the childs confession.

You forced yourself through sitting with the kids for a few hours. You could see as they became more comfortable not only with their surroundings but the others in your tribe. You were glad that the rest of your tribe seemed to understand just how hard things had been for them.

“You doing okay, cyare?”

You looked over at Paz and nodded once. He continued looking at you. There was no way he didn’t know that you weren’t being truthful but for the sake of the kids, you were glad you had your helmet on.

“Cuyir gar jate?” (Are you good?)

You smiled at his change to Mando’a.

“Ni cuy' o'r aaray.” (I am in pain)

“Vaii?” (Where?)

You touched over where your heart is. After that you touched the side of your head.

“Oh. Cyare-“

“Not here.”

He sat up straighter but nodded.

“Liser gar rejorhaa'ir Lahta ni kelir haa'taylir kaysh nusujii?” (Can you tell Lahta I will see her soon?)

“Elek. Slanar.” (Yes. Go.)

You slipped out of the room and made your way towards your chambers. It was hard to breathe and you knew it was another episode. You didn’t know what to call them, but you had them often when you were living alone, and you became too overwhelmed. You made it into your room and locked the door. The only person coming in would be Paz.

You whipped around when the door opened, surprised that Paz had shown up so quickly. He locked the door and walked right to you, pulling your helmet off gently so he could set it on the floor. He yanked his own off and dropped it to the ground with a thud.

“Talk to me.”

“I just.. can’t breathe. It’s like.. It’s like my beskar is too heavy.”

He gently led you into the bedroom and started to carefully pull all the beskar off your body. You tried to control your chest from heaving, but it didn’t feel any better. Once it was done, he backed you up, so you were sitting on the edge of the bed. He knelt down between your legs and put his hands on the sides of your face.

“Have you been like this before?”

You nodded and finally felt tears start to well up in your eyes.

“How often does it happen? I’ve been with you for half a cycle and I haven’t seen it.”

“Ever since.. I left. They just.. happen.”

“Your mind is troubled. Your biur never taught you this?”

You shook your head and felt even worse. He pulled his armor off quickly and tossed it to the ground so he could pull you to his chest. You let him hold you tight and focused in on the steady heartbeat coming from his chest. He murmured to you in basic and Mando’a. After a while your breathing returned to normal and your body started to relax.

“Is your breathing okay?”

You nodded against him and finally wrapped your arms around his waist. You were absolutely exhausted. He helped you lay down and after shucking off the rest of his armor and his boots he joined you. You looked at his chest, embarrassed that he had seen you like that.

“The first time my biur felt like that around me, he destroyed his entire room. Din and I had been waiting for him to return after a hunt. He had run into some really bad trouble. He never talked about it, but he finally just snapped. He explained later that sometimes when you see things so terrible that they eat at you until you can process it.”

“Have you ever felt like that?”

“Yes. There is nothing embarrassing about this. I’m just sorry that you had to go through this alone for so long.”

“I thought I was losing my mind.”

He tilted your chin up so you had to look at him. He gave you a soft smile and shook his head.

“No, cyare. Everyone has their breaking points in different situations. You’ve had a lot of weight on your chest in the last cycle. Just please remember that you’re not alone anymore. These burdens are not yours alone to carry.”

Your chest tightened up as you felt tears sting your eyes again.

“I failed them, Paz. I failed every single one of them, even the ones left living.”

“What do you think would have happened if you hadn’t been there?”

“They came there because of me.”

“No. Stop. They came there because they are horrible creatures hellbent on hurting others. They were there before you got there. You gave them almost two cycles of peace. Who knows if the children would have survived if you hadn’t shown up. They all could be gone.”

“I should have protected them I should have-“

Paz silenced you by pressing his lips to yours. You wanted to continue speaking but when you moved your hands up to push him away at his chest, he wrapped his hands around yours. You finally huffed against him and couldn’t help but smile when he chuckled.

“If one Mandalorian could save the galaxy we wouldn’t have lost so many during the purge. Right?”

“I guess.”

“You did great things for them, cyare. Those who are lost are living on through the little ones that are now safe here. Grieve those who are lost but cherish the ones still here.”

“I just wish I could have done more.”

“I know the feeling. When the guild attacked, I felt like I didn’t do enough. I felt the same way when I found out you had left.”

“I’m sorry I-“

“No. You owed me nothing. I was the one who hurt you. Don’t apologize for reacting to being hurt.”

You nodded and sighed. Not feeling much better but you felt peace at least being with him.

“I thought of you, you know. On Nevarro.”

“When the guild attacked?”

“More often than that, but that is what I’m referencing.”

“Why?”

“Part of me wished you were there so I could apologize. I didn’t know if I was going to be standing by the end of that fight. Then I was just overwhelmingly glad you weren’t there as I watched our family fall. I know that you are tough, and I know you can hold your own. I just knew that if you were still out there then our strength would carry on.”

“Or was it because I’m beautiful when I’m dying.”

His hands stilled on your body and the pause between the two of you was deafening. You burst out laughing and he grumbled against your skin.

“Would you shut up?”

“No. No you aren’t living that one down.”

You laughed again and he pulled you further into him. He finally chuckled and buried his face into your neck.

“Remind me to never misspeak around you again.”

“It was cute, Paz.”

He huffed out a sigh.

“I do wish I had been next to you fighting.”

“It wasn’t time for us to be together yet. Now is the time and I will do what I can to make sure you are by my side for as long as possible.”

“I love you. I’m so glad you came to find me. I’m so glad I’m not alone anymore.”

“Never. Never again.”

He wrapped his arms around you, letting you nestle into his chest. You felt the blanket being pulled across you as your eyes started flutter.

“Sleep, my sweet riduur. Sleep knowing that you are a strong warrior worthy of the love and admiration of those around you. I will remind you every day just how strong you are.”

Cabur Tag List:

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[sunflowergirl522]

Herc’ata Part 2

Pairing: Din Djarin x Short!Reader

Summary: While visiting Cara and Greef Din meets a new face, one Grogu becomes attached to immediately. (Bubbly enthusiastic person and grumpy serious person ship dynamic)

Warnings: I don’t think there’s any but if I need to put anything let me know!

Word Count: 2480

Herc’ata Masterlist

The first week that Din travels with you, you and Grogu were attached at the hip basically 24/7. And as much as he enjoyed not having to keep a close eye on the kid all the time he was starting to miss the old dynamic. Not all of it, just some things like the child falling asleep in his lap while flying through space and having conversations with him. And as much as Din is enjoying having an actual sleeping quarter and being able to sleep without aloof his armor on, he does miss Grogu crawling onto his chest in the middle of the night.

You never meant to steal the kid away from the mandalorian. Oftentimes you would leave the kid in the cockpit and go off to do something else, but the little womp rat would follow after you. Mando’s never outright said anything about missing the kid but you can tell because, well let's be real who wouldn’t, but also you often catch him turning his head as if to look or say something to him but the kid will be either in your lap on the other side of him or you catch him doing it when you’re entering the cockpit with the kid in your arms. So, you decided to come up with a plan.

Din’s quick to put his helmet on and stand up with his hand already reaching for his blaster upon hearing his door open. When he sees Grogu standing in the entrance he goes to him and crouches down.

“Hey there buddy, everything okay?” His head turns from looking to his left to face Din. He coos and reaches his arms up for Din to pick him up. Din can’t stop the smile from forming under his helmet as he lifts his kid up. “Look who’s come crawling back you little womp rat.” The amusement and playfulness in his voice causes you to giggle before you move back into your room. Din hears the noise and steps out into the hallway just in time to see your door slide shut.

The next morning you’re up before Mando for once and you sit in silence in the cockpit and lose yourself in your thoughts while looking out at the empty space through the glass. You almost don’t realize Mando sits next to you, the child in his arms. You watch in your peripheral vision as hands the kid a small metal ball and smile a little as you turn your attention back to space.

“His name is Grogu.” Your head snaps to look at the mandalorian next to you shocked that he’s spoken. He’s barely said a word to you the whole time you’ve been traveling together.

“Grogu?” You whisper it to yourself but the kid in front of you coos and looks at you before looking back at the ball in his hand. “Grogu.” You’re louder this time purposely trying to get his attention. The kid looks at you immediately and babbles something. You reach out and offer your finger to his free hand and he takes it. “The name suits you kid.” You then turn your attention to Mando to address him directly. “Why didn’t you tell me his name before?”

“Needed to make sure you were trustworthy enough.”

“Oh, well that makes sense.” You smile at him and nod your head as you speak. “So, do you have a name? There’s no way it’s Mando, I mean if it is no offense or anything but that is just Mandalorian shortened.”

“I have a name.” 

“Well, what is it?” The mandalorian next to you doesn’t speak and you fake a frown and cross your arms after a beat of silence. “So you’re back to not speaking to me?” Another beat of silence passes. “You’re such a tease.” You giggle a bit to yourself breaking your fake upset act. Din lets out a quiet breath of relief seeing your smile grace your face again. “Let’s get you fed baby.” You lift Grogu out of the mandalorians lap and walk out of the cockpit and Din feels his heart ache as he wishes that you were referring to him.

“I should have some stew still, let me see.” You place Grogu down on the small table in the kitchen and go to check the fridge. Once you find it you pull it out and put enough of it in a pot to warm up for the three of you. You’re sure that Mando will want some soon too. As you wait you sit across from Grogu and play with him by rolling the ball back and forth. You make sure to stir and check on the stew every so often. 

Din sits with his thoughts for a while in the cockpit. He keeps thinking back to how he felt when the frown took over your face, how he immediately started to think of ways to bring your bright smile back. His emotions feel like explosions when he’s around you, they’re magnified once he steps into the same room as you. He doesn’t understand that or how he can’t keep you from invading his thoughts. When he finally gets up he follows the smell of food to the kitchen.

“Damnit why do I keep putting them away so high up.” You’re mumbling to yourself as you’re climbing on top of the counter to grab bowls when Din makes it to the doorway. The sight almost makes him chuckle, if it weren’t for the fact that you lost your footing climbing down he probably would’ve. Din’s quick to come to the rescue as he swiftly catches you and rights you on your feet. The wooden bowls clatter around the two of yours feet and your hands clasp around his arms. Your eyes are wide and your mouth is agape.

“Are you okay?” Your head snaps up to look at Mando.

“I am thanks to you.” You close your eyes as you beam up at him and Din swears he’s having heart palpitations. His hands are still on your waist and your hands have moved themselves up to his shoulders. Din feels the warmth radiating from you as if you were a sun again and he can’t stop the smile that forms under his helmet.

“You should be more careful.” You can’t hear the smile in his voice, it sounds as grumpy as ever.

“Yeah but it is what it is. Thank you for catching me though.” You kneel down to pick up the bowls and Din moves to sit next to the kid to prevent his mind from wandering to places it shouldn’t. His eyes follow you as you fill a bowl up and set it in front of Grogu. “Do you want some stew?”

The gleam in your eyes causes him to blurt out a yes without thinking it through. He curses himself as you turn around to get him a bowl. Maybe you won’t notice him not eating it, he thinks to himself as you place the bowl in front of him. Maybe you’ll be so absorbed in your own and making sure Grogu eats that worrying about him won’t even come to mind. There’s no way he’s in your head as much as you’re in his.

You noticed that he wasn’t eating immediately. When you sat down you noticed that his bowl was still full and that he wasn’t making a move to eat it, he just sat there rigid as if he had to be prepared for a fight like he always sits. You busy yourself with your own stew though, not saying anything about it. You keep glancing at him through your peripheral however. Grogu babbles and you lift your head and smile at him. You grab a cloth and stand to lean over the table to wipe the remains of the stew from his mouth.

“Do you want some more?” Somehow you knew that with the slight tilt of his head he did. As you place the refilled bowl in front of him you address the mandalorian again. “Are you gonna eat anything?”

Dins eyes widen at your words realizing that he was wrong in thinking you wouldn’t notice. “I can’t.”

“You can’t?” Your nose scrunches up in confusion as you down and Din smiles unsure why. “Why, are you allergic to something in it or what?”

“It’s part of my creed to not let another living being see my face.”

“So, no one has ever seen it? Not even the kid?” 

“Well…” Din trails off losing himself to the thoughts of Mayfeld walking away after seeing it and taking it off when he found Grogu in his cell.

“Well what?”

“Normally if you were to see it I’d have to kill you. The kid has seen it and one other person due to certain circumstances.” You’re quiet for a minute deep in thought and Din is about to say something when you speak up again.

“So is this like a mandalorian thing or like a separate thing? Because I’ve met a mandalorian before who removed his helmet when he wanted.” Din doesn’t know how to answer you. With meeting Bo Katan and her group and seeing them all be able to remove it freely and meeting Boba who went who knows how long without his armor, he’s not sure anymore that it isn’t a separate thing.

“Other mandalorians have claimed that I’m part of a cult, but I grew up as a foundling so I’m figuring things out now.” Your mouth that was set in a line due to confusion turns up into a kind smile.

“Well if that’s the issue with eating then I can fix it easily! Is it still alright if Grogu sees you without it?” Mando just nods at you in response. You nod back before standing up and turning your chair around to the counter behind the table. You have to sit on one of your legs to eat comfortably due to it being a little higher than the table but it’s comfortable enough. You smile at the hiss of the helmet coming off and the two of you eat in silence, both with goofy smiles plastered on your faces the whole time. 

***

That night Din lays awake in his quarters because he’s stuck thinking about that moment. Grogu’s been asleep at his side for a while now and sometimes Din will move one of his hands from behind his head to rub his small green one. He’s learned that it helps keep Grogu from getting restless in his sleep. He’s in the middle of doing just that when he hears your door slide open and your hurried footsteps past his room. When he doesn’t hear you come back for what feels like an hour (it was really just a handful of minutes) he gets up, careful not to wake Grogu and puts just his helmet on before rushing out of his own room. He follows the direction your footsteps went until he hears quiet muffled sobs coming from the kitchen. 

Upon entering he sees you hunched over the table with your head buried in your arms. The world that he’s gotten used to being so bright being around you dulled as he listened to you cry. He walks slowly over to your figure wondering if he should bother you, ultimately though his urge to make you smile won.

“You okay?” The sudden voice causes you to jump up and twirl around, giving Din a good look at your tear streaked face and red eyes. 

“Mando, maker you scared me!” Your hand flies to your chest before you sit back down this time facing the mandalorian. “I didn’t wake you up did I?”

“No, I was still up. Are you alright?” You look up at him as he takes a small step towards you getting a good look at him. Seeing him in just the long sleeved shirt and pants he normally wears under the armor is alien to you, that doesn’t stop you from drinking it in though. 

“I’m fine, um I should head back to bed.” As you stand and go to walk past him he gently grabs your arm to stop you. The warmth that radiates into your skin from his own stops you in your tracks as you realize that he doesn’t have his gloves on. 

“What happened?” You look up at him and can’t help but to feel safe in his presence. It’s not the first time you have but this time something in his voice makes you feel like nothing will ever hurt you again. So you’re quick to throw your arms around his waist and bury your head into his chest. He’s stunned for a minute before carefully putting his own arms around you in an awkward hug which causes you to chuckle a little bit.

“I have nightmares every so often. Sometimes they’re worse than others, tonight was a fairly easy one though.” You speak into his chest letting a few stray tears come out.

“What are they about?” One of his hands starts to rub small circles into your back while the other brings you closer. After a beat of silence he speaks again. “You don’t have to say.”

“Most times they’re about Alderaan, sometimes it’s just the memory of when I had shown up to the graveyard when I was supposed to be there to visit my parents, other times it’s from their point of view. Obviously I don’t know what actually went through their heads but I just imagine the fear they must have felt. And then the times that they aren’t about Alderaan and I don’t know, I don’t ever remember the full thing only the lingering sound of screams, the color blue, and the pure terror that courses through my body long after I wake up.” You breathe out, feeling like a weight has been lifted at telling someone else about the nightmares. “Tonight it was just a memory but I didn’t even make it through the whole thing.” You’re both silent after you speak just holding each other close. 

When you part from him and look up you can’t stop from giggling at how his helmet is lopsided on his head. You reach up and fix it quickly before Mando can grab your hands to stop you. Once you have them back at your sides you intertwine and fiddle with your fingers while smiling up at him. One of his hands comes up and caresses the side of your face using his thumb to wipe away the stray tear that left your eye. You unconsciously lean into his hand and let out a yawn before he brings his helmeted head down and places where his forehead would be to yours.

“Let’s get you back to sleep Herc’ata.”

Taglist: @remmysbounty @fanficsforheartandsoul

#din djarin x reader #the mandalorian x reader #din djarin x y/n #din djarin x you #mando x reader #herc’ata

[escapist-dreams]

Fix it ~ Invincible Fanfiction

Summary: Rex's hand gets damaged in a fight. No one is willing to help him, so he helps himself.

Warnings: spoilers for both the Invincible animated show(episode 7) and comics(issue #40) concerning Rex-Splode, injuries(nothing nearly as graphic as the source material)

Word Count: 2.3k

This is my first Invincible fanfic, and one of the first fics I've written in awhile! Nonetheless, I hope you enjoy! Feel free to tell me what you think about it! Constructive criticism would be appreciated :D

"We meet yet again, Invincible!" D.A. Sinclair shouted with his usual dramatic flair. He had escaped from the government facility a couple months ago and holed up in a sewer, making more of his fucked up 'reanimen' who the new Guardians of the Globe were now fighting.

His army of cyborgs were unleashed onto the fleeing crowd, more destructive than self destructive this time. Sinclair must've taken notes from his previous failures.

While they targeted the heroes, civilians were caught in the crossfire left and right. Dupli-Kate evacuated the remaining civilians while Shrinking-Rae fought off any cyborgs coming near. The rest of the team tried to disarm the cyborgs without killing them, which Mark made them agree to do before the fight.

Invincible went through one after the other, knocking out the cyborgs, one could tell he was holding back. Monster Girl knocked out a good chunk of them, but accidentally killed one or two with the strength of her monster form. One of them slammed her against a building, sending a big crack up the wall, no doubt affecting civilians in the upper floors. Shrinking-Rae rushed to save those in the building affected by the crack, while Monster Girl slumped against the wall, down for the count.

Rex-Splode made it past the wall of reanimen defending Sinclair and shot a projectile at his torso. He stumbled as the magnet hit his side and exploded, only grazing him but doing damage all the same. He cupped a hand around the wound, and when he regained his composure, looked directly at Rex.

"You'll pay for that!" With a movement of his hand, D. A. Sinclair ordered the cyborg to target Rex-Splode.

"Sure I will, asshole!" Rex smirked and raised his hand again, aiming for Sinclair's head. The cyborg intervened, lunging towards Rex, who dodged and backed away. He couldn't kill the guy, but he really didn't want to get beat to a bloody pulp today. He made a split second decision to shoot him in the legs to slow him down. He did so, but all he received for his efforts was the sound of a small metal impact. He'd missed the human parts, the projectile only slightly slowed the cyborg.

Just as he was about to shoot again, the cyborg grabbed his hand, crushing flesh and metal alike. Rex doubled over as a wave of pain hit him like a brick. He tried to push past it after a few moments, looking up just in time to see Robot come up behind the reaniman, knocking him out with a punch. Invincible grabbed a piece of metal from a street sign that had been crushed in the wreckage of the battle and bent it tightly around Sinclair, effectively trapping him. And since the cyborgs were all either knocked out or no longer under his control, the battle was over.

"You couldnt've done that earlier?" Rex complained as Mark tied up Sinclair, wincing in pain. Several members of the team gave him a familiar look of annoyance.

"Maybe if you weren't too busy cowering we would've finished this sooner." Samson stated.

"I wasn't--!" Rex began, but he doubled over again before he could finish, another wave of pain hitting him.

The rest of the team had sustained some injuries as well, but they were able to shake it off for the most part by the time they arrived back at the guardians' base.

"Hey Robot-" Rex tried to catch him before they fully returned to the group.

"It's Rudy."

"Right. Rudy, can you uh.." he pointed to his busted up hand, the blood dried onto the metal. Rudy made a wincing sound at the sight, then looked to their friends, who were in a group celebrating the won battle.

"Hm.. That's going to take a bit to fix, if you can wait I'll fix it in a couple minutes." he decided. Rex opened his mouth to protest, but closed it and nodded in agreement. The two rejoined the group.

They spent a few minutes having conversations in small groups, some about the fight, and some about completely different things. After about half an hour passed, Mark got up from his seat, explaining that he needed to get back home, as he had some homework to finish up. Slowly the group dissolved, rejoining their everyday lives. Rex ran to catch Rudy before he and Amanda left.

"Hey Rudy, can you fix this thing before you go? If you couldn't tell, it *kinda* hurts." Rex gestured to his hand, pulling the glove up a bit to show the broken metal and bloody skin.

"Can it wait, Rex? Me and Amanda are getting lunch." he paused, conflicted, "you can join if you want." he offered politely, but judging by the looks on his and Amanda's face, it wasn't an invitation.

"I'll pass." Rex sighed, unsure if he was more angry or sad about it at this point. Rudy shrugged as if to say "your loss", and he and Amanda left the base. Rex left as well a few moments later, Kate and Rae's conversation fading behind him as he made his way to his apartment.

Rex tried to ignore it, he really did. But god, it hurt. He must've been in shock before, but now that he had time to really think about and feel the injury, the pain set in. The metal of his hand had torn into his flesh and he was afraid to move it for fear of further lodging it into his arm. After awhile of trying to ignore the injury, Rex decided he couldn't take it anymore. If no one would help him, he would help himself.

Rex knew a thing or two about robotics since he got his powers from the devices in his wrists, and had been taught a bit at the facility for use in battlefield situations. So he got some spare tools he used for small repairs on his arms and got to work fixing his hand. It took just about all night, but by the end he was fairly confident that he'd at least helped the situation.

He must've done something right because next time the guardians fought a villain, he was able to shoot the projectiles from his hand. No need to ask Rudy for help. And the next time it was damaged, and he fixed it himself again. This time his aim was slightly off. He hit several walls, the ground, and nearly a civilian before his desired target, but it was fine, right? He hit the guy eventually, he missed the civilian, and it still worked decently well.

He continued to repair it himself, using the knowledge from his previous mishaps to improve upon it. It continued to have slight malfunctions, but it worked.

Until it didn't.

He aimed, and shot, but the small explosive wouldn't budge. It wouldn't leave his hand, something blocked it. The BB lit up as he tried to shoot, but it exploded in his hand.

"Fuck!" Rex yelled, throwing a magnet from his belt with his offhand and dodging out of the way of an oncoming attack.

The team made quick work of the enemy, but not before they got a few good hits in on Dupli-Kate and Monster Girl as well. Amanda was slumped against a wall while Kate Prime nursed an injury on her side.

Back at the base, Rudy was busy being at Amanda's side. She had a minor concussion, but overall she was alright. The excessive blood from a cut on her head made the injury look more serious than it was. They were thankful that she was alright, minus a bit of blood loss and a head injury.

Rex wanted to celebrate her quick recovery longer than he did, but hesitantly left after drinks were had and the party died down a bit. He knew he would have to work on his hand for awhile to get it in working order and get any sleep that night.

It was already much later in the day by the time he arrived at his apartment. Repairs went well for the most part. He had passed out before realigning the metal, but quickly aligned it before heading to the base that morning, presumably deeming it functional, which was an achievement in Rex's opinion considering how badly it was broken and lack of materials. He got hardly any sleep, but he wasn't exactly the type to usually get a full eight hours every night anyways.

The next day after training, Rudy approached Rex unexpectedly.

"Hey Rex, I noticed your hand got busted up pretty badly yesterday. Need me to fix it?" Rudy offered, glancing at Rex's barely-together hand with a hint of what might be worry. Rex scoffed.

"Oh no it's fine," he said, half proud of his work and half bitter at Rudy. "I figured it out."

Rudy gave him a curious look, pausing for a moment before repeating, "You 'figured it out'?"

Rex nodded, taking off his glove and showing off his hand, which he'd barely been able to peice back together the night before. "I figured it out."

He'd had to patch up the hand with spare metal parts and slightly off-size bolts, but it wasn't too bad of a job. From a certain angle, it'd look fine even. A bit busted up, used for sure, but functional. Now, from the angle of someone with as much knowledge in robotics as Rudy had, the sight was returned after a long pause with a vaguely annoyed, "this is going to take awhile."

"What're you two doing?" Amanda asked, walking into the workroom with a half empty carton of disguised booze.

"Rex tried to fix his hand. By himself." Rudy explained condescendingly after a pause that made it obvious he was focused on his work. Rex scoffed at the answer.

"I think I did a great job, thank you very much." And besides being proud of his attempt at fixing it, the way he phrased it made Rex sound like an idiot, as if he hadn't asked for help several times before deciding to fix the problem himself.

"You put the metal covering back in place just off enough to block the projectile, the bolts are all the wrong size, and part of it is still jabbing into your arm. This isn't even the right kind of.." he trailed off, clicking a new bolt in place before mumbling, "how did you even fight like this-?!"

"Well it's not like you bothered to help me when I asked.." Rex answered with the tone of an upset child.

"You didn't say how bad it was."

"I showed you! You saw it!" Rex nearly shouted, frustration and anger bubbling up in his chest and out his mouth.

"I would have fixed this easily if you'd asked sooner."

"I did ask sooner!"

"You could've asked when I wasn't busy." Rudy spoke nearly absent-mindedly, focusing intently on prying part of the metal out of damaged tissue that tried to heal around it.

Rex hissed in pain before responding, "When were you not busy? I asked you like three times, you told me to wait!"

"I just told you, I was busy. Why didn't you go to Cecil for this?"

"Oh yeah, like I'm asking some creepy ass guy from the government to fix my hand- No fucking way!" Rex tried to ignore the hint of fear in his chest at the idea of some shady government operative poking and prodding at him in a blindingly white room.

"You'd rather bother me than ask someone whose job it is to fix things for help?"

"I'd rather ask my friend for help!"

"You could have asked when I wasn't busy." Rudy repeated, obviously struggling to keep his cool. "I'm not going to drop everything for you, Rex!"

"Yeah? Of course not, but I bet you'd drop everything for her." Rex pointed at Amanda, who had a front row seat to the argument standing in the doorway. The two locked eyes for a moment, then Rudy looked away to glare at Rex.

"At least she offers something to the team. She's an invaluable asset and I need to keep her safe." He didn't need to shout, his tone and words cut deeper than raw anger could.

"Well pardon me for wanting to be able to use my fucking hand--"

"Excuse me?" Amanda snapped, glaring at Rudy. "Rex is my friend, and I won't reciprocate your crush on me just because you look like him and aged down for me. I don't owe you shit. And being a dick to the guy whose face you stole doesn't make you more appealing."

"But I--" Rudy was at a loss for words; a rare occurrence. Scrambling to regain his composure, he blurted out, "But I did this for you!"

"I don't owe you shit for that." she repeated firmly. "And if how you treat Rex is any indication, I wouldn't want to be with you, if this is how you treat a long time friend who needs help."

"Exactly!" Rex agreed, relieved that Amanda stepped in. Rudy glared at him before catching himself and looking back towards Amanda, who sighed angrily.

"He couldn't have asked Cecil!?" Rudy reiterated, grasping at straws trying to 'win' the argument he'd already lost.

"He's obviously uncomfortable with that, or he would've done it already. Something you would notice if you bothered to give him a second glance." Amanda snapped back. "He came to you for help, and you lectured him for it."

"I.."

"Let's go, Rex. This asshole isn't worth our time." she decided. Rex followed her out the door to rejoin the rest of the group with a satisfied sort of pride in his chest. It felt nice to be defended by someone other than himself.

The door slammed shut.

#fanfiction #invincible #rex splode #rex sloan #robot #rudolph conners #rudy conners #invincible robot #spoilers #comic spoilers #issue 40 and episode 7 #i know that was a cheesy opening #but i also think its exactly the kind of cheesy shit D.A. Silclair would say #also i just #love rex splode #still a douche but hes a very good character #and i love rudy but hes a borderline narcissist and i feel like this is pretty in character for him #i havent read all of the comics but ive heard enough to know the basics #also if youre like me and had to google this monster girl's real name is Amanda #and i know this isnt the most accurate to the comics but we can pretend cant we-