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#this does not give us the impression of a straight man kyle.
aro-culture-is · 1 year
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Aro culture is wanting to complain about not getting to see much of a favourite celebrity in a TV series after a certain point until the new season next year, but not wanting people to think that means you have a crush on them. Alternatively, aro culture is wanting to gush about celebrities you like without people automatically assuming it's a crush.
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cordeliawhohung · 4 months
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okay, here's the better run down on mafia!Soap as promised (as well as his fem!nurse!Reader gf <3)
like it's sorta referenced in canon, Soap is the youngest of Price's closest circle. he used to do freelance work as a programmer/hacker and got hired by the wrong crowd trying to steal some of Price's information. impressed, Price actually offered the man a job and he took it mostly because Price paid better. stayed because he also grew to like the man.
people legit call the man Soap in this universe too because he can clean hardware and information like no one's business. otherwise, they'll just call him by his last name or Johnny.
has an odd dynamic with Simon in this universe. more of like his annoying little brother than a good friend. they get along fine, but they don't really interact much outside of work. he's actually really close friends with Kyle, though. the two play games together sometimes, and Soap of course teaches him how to torrent games because fuck activision <3
he's got a few piercings. simple ear lobe piercings that he usually wears simple studs in, but he also has a tongue piercing. just the classic, straight through with a simple bar. he got it because he's a fucking munch
i feel like he wouldn't get many more tattoos than what he already has in canon ngl. if he does, they're def something stupid as fuck that have no meaning. something he probably got due to a dare, or while he was insanely inebriated.
he also doesn't have as many scars as he does in canon. certainly not the one on his chin. he def played football when he was younger, and still likes to play skirmishes every now and then. he also lifts on the regular. sure, he's tech savvy, but he goes fucking insane having to sit around too much, so going for a run or hitting the gym is a really good way to get his energy out!
while he doesn't have too many scars, he still is getting himself hurt a lot. not because he's clumsy or anything, he just really, really, really wants to ensure that something gets done right whenever he's sent out to do "field work." usually ends up with a TBI because of it lmfao.
and that's actually how the two of you met (:
being an ER nurse, you saw a lot of weird shit at the hospital, especially on day shift. then you had this loud man with a huge gash on his head and a suspected concussion roll through the door and honestly you're just glad it wasn't another damn car accident. you were tired of looking at compound fractures.
Johnny is just a fucking loon. literally acting inebriated, and poor Kyle is trying to prevent him from saying anything too stupid.
it doesn't work
at first you have a hard time telling if he's being a creep or not. commenting on your scrubs, how he likes the color, but honestly you've heard worse. but it is sort of cute. he's so loopy he's got this dog-like excitement to him and has a hard time focusing on anything in particular. it's more innocent than anything else.
he falls in love with you the moment you bring him a snack (some shitty and dry saltines and a cup of water). he devours one of the crackers like it's crack and thanks you with his mouth half full.
that's when he gets the bright idea to give you his number. a simple thanks isn't enough for the kind gift you've given him! he's got to let you know that he's down to do anything for you! so if anyone fucks with you, if you need someone taken care of give him a call. he won't ask any questions!
kyle is fucking mortified, hiding his face in the corner of the room, but you just smile and kindly take the piece of paper with his scribbled number.
of course you don't actually text or call him. he was a patient of yours, and that's just breaking so many rules! and you certainly don't need anyone to be taken care of. so you leave it be. despite how adorable his loopy smile was or how pretty his eyes were or... christ, you need to throw that scrap paper away.
and Johnny? well, he forgets all about you. not on purpose or anything, the poor man was hardly conscious when he met you, and he only interacted with you briefly. so imagine his surprise when him and Kyle are out on the town and the man points you out to him asking if you ever ended up texting him.
Johnny is fucking confused. why would she text him? (you gave your number to her, idiot) oh. that can't be. (why not?) because he would have fucking remembered if he had given his number to a girl that beautiful.
now he wants to figure out why you never texted him ):<
anyway there's more to this but my shift was long and my brain is frozen from the fuckin -31 degree weather we got so <3 enjoy lore about the idiot
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themonotonysyndrome · 2 months
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wholesome domestic headcannons w celica, castin, and their baby/babies?🥺👉👈
Sure, Anon! Let's set the scene first: This is gonna be a few months after Celica gave birth and she's recovered enough to leave their share bedroom, and that means she can finally learn how to be a Mummy and parent!
Family headcanons with Castin, Celica and their twin babies, Dain & Deirdre:
The first time that Celica holds their babies didn't count. She was delirious with pain, eyes watery from crying and to weak to do nothing else but carass their babies' cheek with shaky palm. Then she fell unconscious to the sounds of the two crying, the doctors frantic orders, nurses urging Castin to leave the room and her husband's tearfully pleading to not leave him and their children.
So, yeah! As first impression goes, it could've gone better in the Baroness' humble opinion.
Recovery was a hell of a journey. Being in an out from the realm of medically induced coma is... something. Almost dying is something! Castin and Celica was so traumatised from the ordeal that her Intacian husband swore to never get her pregnant again. And honestly? Two children is more than enough for Celica.
So! Two whole seasons went by; Celica did nothing much but eat, sleep and try to stay awake to assure Castin and get to know Dain and Deirdre. Her beautiful babies.
As she gets more stronger and more lucid, Castin helps Celica differentiate their babies and regale their daily shenanigans. He speaks with so much love, so much softness that Celica decided fatherhood really suited Castin.
She admits so to their Dain and Deirdre while Castin is having a quick bath and she felt strong enough to move herself to sit on the armchair beside the cribs. "I'm glad that the two of you are putting your Daddy's through his paces. Goddess knows that he could use it."
While she did read in a book that speaking fulls sentences and no baby talk to infants would help develop their speech skills greatly, she still feel awkward doing so. Hmm. She would need to talk to Castin about this.
When Dain begin to sob, Celica scoops him into her arms and proceed to calm him down before he could disturb his sister. Unlike Castin, she knows no lullaby or appropriate bedtime story. So Dain eventually fall asleep to Celica reciting the timetables, lol.
A few months past until finally, FINALLY, the doctors and Celica's personal poison expert gives her a clean bill of health and that she can resume consuming her poison intake.
(The ugly side eye that Castin throws to poor Jaesa is chilling.)
So of course the first thing that the couple does is taking their babies out to a picnic!
"Sunscreen time! Babe, I don't care how cloudy it's going to get. You and the kids need to protect y'all skin! Here, I'll do Dain and you can do Deirdre. Then we can... do for each other?" Aaaan... cue Castin being all flirty.
"I wasn't about to refute you, husband. There should be no overkill when it comes to Dain and Deirdre. They seem to like this particular spot in the garden; I shall have the builders and landscapers to create a pavilion here."
Err... that's going a bit too far, Celly. I just don't want our skin crackin'. Not a new pavilion for the kiddos!"
"Still, I have the money and means. Why shouldn't I spoil you and our children like the princes and princess you are?"
"Babbbyyy, you're making your man blush! But no, seriously, why sort of standards are we setting if we give the kids everything they want straight out of your womb?"
"That the world is for our children, of course."
"Please, please - can we not be Karens and Kyles? No one likes those kind of parents, babe! Besides, we don't want Dain and Deirdre to be insufferable brats, right? My Ma would twist our ears otherwise!"
"...You make a good point, Castin."
Overall though? Learning how to become parents became a fun and trying adventure for Castin and Celica.
While Celica struggles to find that middle ground between a mother and a Baroness, Castin needs to figure out how to tone down his protective nature.
Because when a toddling Deirdre tripped and bang her poor head against the coffee table of their bedroom, she and Castin burst into inconsolable tears while Celica demanded for the carpenter to brought to the manor for interrogation. Fortunately for the carpenter, Rhett and Queen Isolde intervene before the entire household dissolve into anarchy. Meanwhile, all Dain did was farted on Rhett, lol.
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sherlkore · 1 year
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Top Gun OC list
Captain Nicolás 'Wraith' Martín
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Age: 50
Height: 6'2
Sexuality: Bisexual
-Nicolás, just like Pete, stuck with being a test driver, even though he should've gotten promotion to admiral with the amount of skills he had
-His callsign, Wraith, actually describes the way he flies, he's always out of the enemy's eye, like a ghost, they can hear him but they can't see him, which always gives him the upper hand, which is how he got popular among the other pilots
-He and Pete were chosen to co-teach the Top Gun elite graduates, to which he wasn't happy about because this man ain't got no patience to teach someone literally anything
-He was far more stricter than Pete, even if he seemed like a pretty chill guy, if Pete at least let them think they had the upper hand, Nicolás did not, the man was a straight up terrorist
-Has severe trust issues since he's been betrayed a lot of times by the people he thought were close
-A grumpy uncle who gets soft when drunk, literally, the team almost didn't recognize their strict ass teacher when he was all over Pete, clinging onto him like a koala (they did take pictures)
-He does have a soft spot for Bob, but won't show it since he's a teacher, he cannot show favouritism.
-Basically, he's a loveable asshole with trust issues <3
Lt. Kyla "Falcon" Simpson
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Age: 30
Height: 6'1
Sexuality: Lesbian
-Kyla always used to look up to Maverick when she was younger and dreamt of becoming a professional pilot like him. Even though her father, Beau Simpson AKA Cyclone, did not approve of this at first, he later on decided to train her himself after seeing how passionate she was about her dream
-She successfully got into the list of the best pilots and some even told her that she had the potential to be as good as her role model
-People who were jealous of her flying skills used to bully her, saying that she only got accepted to the academy because of her father and that without him she'd be a nobody
-But there were also people who defended her and encouraged her to continue, those people were Natasha Trace and Bradley Bradshaw, her two current best friends
-The three were in the list of the Top Gun elite graduates that were going to take lessons from Maverick himself (To which Kyla totally didn't go crazy about)
-In their first training mission, Kyla got paired up with Hangman and Rooster, Kyle did manage to impress Pete but she was still not good enough to beat him
-To get to her personality, she's competitive as hell, you give her a challenge, she'll accept it no matter what it is
-She's quick on her feet, has good reflexes and mostly relies on her instincts that saves her most of the time
-She's very oblivious to the flirting which is one of the reasons why she's still single (but she's got her eye on someone 👀)
-But overall she's very smart and fun to be around, she can joke around and would never say no to alcohol, but she also knows how to act around certain people
Lt. Neil "Summit" Shortell
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Age: 35
Height: 6'2
Sexuality: Bisexual
-So, basically he decided to be a pilot because he thought they were cool, simple as that
-He wasn't suprised when he got accepted to the piloting academy almost immediately, he knows he's a great pilot
-At the academy he befriended Jake Seresin AKA Hangman, but he never was the type to bully others, he just thought he was cool
-He obviously was one of the graduates who got assembled by Cyclone and man was he shocked to see Maverick as their teacher
-At the dogfight training instead of Hangman, he was paired with Phoenix and Bob, he didn't try to show off his skills and focused on beating Maverick himself, but of course just like the others, he failed to do so as well.
-Neil, a very relaxed person, it is difficult to anger or annoy him, some even started joking that he smokes grass, because it is simply impossible to be so relaxed
-Of course, he is not stupid, quite the opposite, he sometimes acts that way on purpose so that he is most often not touched and to be able to watch others to analyze them.
-He is good at reading people at first sight, which gives him the ability to create an awkward atmosphere for them, and in this way he can expose anyone or come up with a plan in advance on how to defeat him, based on the information he has collected
Hope y'all like them, let me know your favourites!! 👀💖
@msrochelleromanofffelton @jackiequick @drspencereidhotch @blueboirick @meirafireshield
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isaksendavenport00 · 1 year
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ragingbookdragon · 3 years
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You Light The Spark In My Bonfire Heart
Kyle Rayner x Batbro One-Shot
Word Count: 2.7K Warnings: Explicit Language
Author's Note: I HAVEN'T HAD ANY WIFI ALL DAY BUT NOW I DO AND this is my new obsession and pair and you can tear it from my cold dead hands. Enjoy! -Thorne
**********************************************************************
Kyle had an easy morning routine: get up, eat breakfast, brush teeth, workout, shower, drink protein shake, and draw. It was simple and effective, and helped him maintain a sense of normalcy that he didn’t always have when he was up in space. He typically started out with sketching small things, mostly faces and limbs from memory, the occasional suit redesign, then he’d get into the bigger works, drawing comic panels and the commissions he had. And while Kyle loved to be up in space, to be a Green Lantern, drawing felt like coming home to him, like it was the natural state. That being said, he didn’t love being interrupted when he was in the middle of something important—it was bad for the groove.
***
As the second round of knocking sounded on his door, Kyle grunted and stood from his desk, padding through the hallway to his front door; he flicked the lock and pulled open the door, surprise etching across his face when he saw the eldest Wayne leaning against the door frame—rather cockily, Kyle added, because the soldier’s arm was propped on the frame, the other stuck in the side-pocket of his dark tactical bomber jacket.
“Good morning, Kyle,” he greeted with a smirk. “I hope I’m not interrupting.”
The Lantern blinked, shaking his head. “Uh, no, you’re not, (Y/N).” he looked at him. “What are you doing here?”
(Y/N) shrugged. “Had some business to take care of for my dad, and since I was in the area, I figured I’d drop by and see if you wanted to get some lunch with me.”
Kyle took a moment to lean out the doorway slightly, looking down the stretched hallway. “How’d you know where I live?”
“Please, a magician never reveals his secrets,” he deflected coolly, gazing at Kyle. “What do you say? Wanna get some lunch? I know a really good sports bar that serves great food.”
He looked back at (Y/N) and smiled. “Yeah. Let me go get dressed.”
The soldier merely winked in return and with fumbling hands, Kyle managed to shut the door before his cheeks burst into flames, hurrying back to his bedroom to pull together an outfit that would impress the man.
***
Kyle almost dropped to his knees when he saw the car parked outside his apartment building, and (Y/N) knew it too, because he chirped, “Gorgeous, isn’t she?”
He nodded dumbly. “Is this a McLaren 720S?”
“Mhm.” He opened the doors and slid into the driver’s seat, looking through the passenger door. “Coming?”
“Am I ever,” Kyle breathed, climbing into the seat, immediately running his hands along the dashboard and seat. “I’m in love.”
“Wait till you hear her purr,” (Y/N) said, closing the doors, and pushing the ignition. The sports car roared to life and he grinned at the way Kyle’s face melted. “Yeah, she’s a beauty.” He put the car in drive and looked through the side mirror, then pulled out onto the street.
“Is this one of your dad’s cars?”
“Nah, I bought this for myself a couple months ago.” He pulled the sunglasses from his t-shirt and put them on. “This and an Audi TT.”
Kyle huffed a laugh. “Jesus, you billionaires live it up, don’t you?”
(Y/N) smiled. “Hey, I live life in the fast lane. Might as well drive in it too.” He pushed a button on the touch screen and music filtered through the speakers, and Kyle’s face pinched in confusion. “What?”
“This isn’t—James Blunt isn’t the music I figured you’d play.”
“What’d you think I’d be listening too? Rock?” he chuckled, turning the volume down a bit. “Don’t get me wrong, I listen to all kinds of rock music, but I figured you’d want something easy rather than head-bang your brains out rock.” (Y/N) stopped at a red light and glanced over. “You can look through the artists on my phone if you want.”
Kyle shook his head, relaxing into the seat as the melody flowed through him. “No, I like this artist.” The soldier merely smiled in return, pressing the gas pedal again, and Kyle suddenly remembered something. “Speaking of artist, I saw the canvas in your bedroom the other day. Do you draw?”
(Y/N) hummed. “Not like you. It’s more of a pastime than a lifestyle.”
“You’re good at it. You’re painting your family in their suits. Details and designs included.” The artist regarded him with impression. “That takes skill.”
“I’d like to think I just have a steady hand and a lot of patience for stressful tasks.” (Y/N) turned the wheel, coming up behind a line of cars. “It’s an easy way for me to relax and mentally run through past events.”
“Like what?” Kyle questioned curiously.
(Y/N)’s eyes narrowed, but not in a loathing way, more of a thoughtful one. “Missions, conversations, things I could’ve done differently, things I will do differently.” He shrugged again. “Painting for me is just a time when I think about everything and nothing.”
“Well, you’re great at it, (Y/N).”
He snorted. “It’s just a bunch of paintings of my family and friends and military shit.”
Kyle blinked and leaned over. “Wait, is that painting in the den—”
“The one of the F-18 Super Hornet?”
“Yeah. You painted that?”
(Y/N) nodded. “Yep. I got Hal Jordan to take me up in one a few years ago and decided to commemorate the trip.”
“Wow,” the Lantern breathed. “I stared at that canvas for at least an hour the first time I saw it. I was just so blown away by how amazing it was.” He chuckled and shook his head. “And to find out, you drew it and not some world-famous painter.”
“Hey, I could be world famous if I wanted.” (Y/N) shot back, turning onto a less busy backstreet. “I just choose to retain my talents for family and friends.”
“Because of your job?”
“That too.” He agreed. “My squad and I take careful precautions to avoid our faces being seen during any missions for the safety of our families.” His face turned as solemn as his voice. “We do what we do to make the world safer. To keep our families and friends safe. It’s imperative that we’re not seen.”
Kyle cocked a brow. “But you’re Bruce Wayne’s son?”
“I am,” he nodded. “But I’m not as…out as the rest of my siblings. You’d be able to recognize them from press photos, but me not so much.” (Y/N) pulled into a parking spot outside the bar. “People only recognize me when they see the name on the credit cards. And I prefer to keep it that way.” A goofy smile crossed his lips. “The high life isn’t for me.”
“Says the man that drives a 710 horsepower sports car.” Kyle shot back with a grin of his own and (Y/N) stuck his tongue out as he turned the car off and opened the doors.
“Okay, I’m not actively in the high life but that doesn’t mean I don’t like luxury.” He closed the car doors and opened the front door to the bar for Kyle. “After you.”
“Thank you.” He replied, and walked inside, only stopping to turn and ask, “Do you want to sit at the bar or a table?”
(Y/N) tipped his head to the side. “I’m down with both, but I like the bar more.”
“Bar it is,” Kyle said and slid into one of the chairs, (Y/N) the other, and an older man wandered over.
“Well, I’ll be damned, is that (Y/N) Wayne I see?”
He turned, expression morphing into joy as he reached out and shook the older man’s hand. “Jack, it’s good to see you.”
“It’s good to see you son. How’ve you been?”
“Ah, you know me, sir. Nothin’ changing but the weather.”
Jack snorted. “And the desert where you dig sand outta your ass.”
(Y/N) chuckled. “Damn straight.” He looked at Kyle. “Kyle, I’d like you to meet Jack Dagher. He’s an old CO of mine.”
Kyle shook the man’s hand. “Pleasure to meet you, sir.”
“It’s all mine,” Jack replied. “It’s been a while since (Y/N) brought anybody here.”
At that, Kyle turned to the soldier who was busy looking anywhere but his face. “Is that so?”
“Oh yeah. Sonovabitch doesn’t bring his dates here unless he really likes ‘em.”
(Y/N) coughed, glaring at the man. “Alright, we get it. Aren’t you supposed to be taking orders?”
Jack gave him a smug look in return. “What can I get you boys to drink?”
“I’ll take a beer,” Kyle said, and Jack rolled his eyes.
“No shit, kid. What kind?”
(Y/N) snickered as Kyle flushed. “Uh, a Heineken.”
Jack sighed. “And he had such potential. (Y/N)?”
“Gimme a strawberry daiquiri then water after.”
“Still ordering fruity drinks, huh?”
“Hey, they get you drunk faster than horse piss does, you old fart.” He shot back and the old man chuckled.
“Touché.” He slapped the bar. “I’ll bring those to you with an order of chili fries.”
“Thanks Jack,” (Y/N) smiled, watching the man walk off before turning to Kyle who was watching one of the baseball games. “You like sports?”
He tipped his head side to side. “I don’t not like them. I was never a sporty kid in school, but I like watching them.” He looked at the solider. “What were you like in school? Jock or prep?”
“Probably a bit of both,” he answered. “I played sports and had the highest grades.” Shrugging, he added, “And being a Wayne boosted me into the top tier of schools, so, there’s that. To be honest, I think all of us Wayne kids were and are a mixture of every stereotypical category.”
“I can see that,” Kyle laughed. “Especially with Jason and Dick.”
“Shit, I was talking about Timmy.” (Y/N) said. “That kid’s a grade A nerd.”
“He is, isn’t he?”
The two of them laughed and a woman placed their drinks in front of them, both giving their thanks as they took sips.
“Can I ask you something, (Y/N)?”
“My muscles are one hundred percent real. Especially my abs. Which you’re allowed to feel on in envy if you want.”
Kyle snorted into his beer, wiping his mouth. “No!” a few more chuckles passed his lips as he wiped the bar. “Are you…you know…?”
“A Leo?” (Y/N) offered with a smile, but his eyes told Kyle he knew exactly what the Lantern was asking, and he said, “I like the liquor, but I don’t care what label it has on it.”
The other man smiled. “Yeah, that makes sense.”
“But if you want the technical term, I am pansexual.” He regarded Kyle a moment. “You?”
“Bisexual.”
His lips pulled in an impressed fashion. “Pretty fly for a bi guy.”
Kyle gaped at him for a moment, then shoved (Y/N) in the side as he buried his face in his arms and laughed. “You’re so stupid.”
“Ah thank you,” he grinned. “I get it from my old man.”
“You,” he cut himself off with a cackle. “do not get that from him.”
“Look, you know the big man in the suit. You don’t know the complete goober we live with,” (Y/N) chuckled, smiling at the waitress who placed menus in front of them; he picked his up and flipped through it.
“What do you recommend?”
“Hmm…anything with bacon on it.” He showed the menu. “If you like salads, get the steak and blue cheese one, it’s fantastic. Or if you’re more into tacos, they’ve got these awesome shrimp carnitas with chili peppers.”
Kyle’s brows furrowed as he looked the menu over. “What are you gonna get?”
“My usual. Tomahawk steak with garlic butter and mashed potatoes.” (Y/N) groaned and rested his head back. “I haven’t had a good steak in months, and I can just taste it already.”
“So, you’re a meat and potatoes kind of man?”
He grinned, keeping his eyes closed. “Unlike the cup noodle and Hawaiian roll man beside me.”
“Ouch. Hit me where it hurts.”
“C’mon Kyle, hit me with your best shot.”
“Better watch it, (Y/N),” he grinned. “You might be the next notch in my pencil case.”
“You’re such a nerd.”
***
“Holy crap,” Kyle breathed, hands resting lightly on his stomach. “I’m stuffed.”
(Y/N) moaned. “Stick a fork in me. I’m done.”
“Done?” their waitress laughed. “You haven’t even finished your desserts yet!”
“Oh God, don’t make me,” the Lantern whined. “I’ll explode.” He looked over. “(Y/N), take one for the team.”
“Pass,” he replied. “I think I’ve gained ten pounds just looking at the rest of the cheesecake.”
The woman laughed. “I’ll wrap the leftovers for you boys.” She wandered off, leaving them alone, and a blaring ringtone filled the space between.
(Y/N) jumped a little, pulling his phone out of his pocket. “Do you mind if I get this really quick?”
Kyle shook his head. “Go ahead.”
He slid his thumb along the bottom and rested the phone on the bar. “This is Wayne.”
Captain! Finally. I’ve been texting you all afternoon.
“I know,” he snorted. “I’ve been ignoring it.”
Yeah well, the longer you ignore me the slower it takes for the radar dish to get replaced.
“What are you talking about?” (Y/N) asked. “I thought you’d procured one.”
I did. Then the buyer told me I wasn’t registered for official military hardware.
He frowned. “That’s odd. You did contact Thomas, right?”
Yeah. Beady eyed looking motherfucker who serves on the George Washington, right?
“That’s him.” (Y/N) hummed. “Tell you what, I’ll call him later this evening and get it all sorted out, yeah?”
Sounds good. Hey, did you take that guy out yet? Your little brother won’t stop texting me about some twinkie you’re into.”
(Y/N) froze as he felt Kyle’s eyes drilling into the side of his head and he stuttered, “Uh, Nadeen, now’s not the best time.”
What do you mean best—oh…ohhhhhh. I, uh, I gotta go, Captain.
“Yep. Bye.” He locked the phone and shoved it back into his pocket, refusing to meet Kyle’s eyes. “So…you catch the baseball game?”
“Which one of your brother’s thinks I’m a twink?” Kyle asked. “Wait, don’t tell me. It’s Jason, isn’t it?” he grunted in his throat, deadpanning, “I can’t believe my best friend thinks I’m a twink.”
“It’s Dick, actually.” (Y/N) grinned, turning to face him and he reached over, pinching Kyle’s cheek. “It’s just ‘cause you’re so cute and perky.”
The Lantern merely glared at him, griping, “I’m not as strong as you, put I can punch pretty hard.”
“Ooo, those are fighting words,” he shot back with a smirk, letting Kyle go. “Careful, I’m ticklish.”
“I feel like I’m talking to Hal.”
(Y/N) whined, all but collapsing onto Kyle who started snickering. “I’ve just been murdered.” He buried his face in Kyle’s shoulder. “Can’t believe I was just compared to Highball. The world must be coming to an end.”
“Oh, come on, you big baby. You’re not dying.”
“I am!” he turned his head, gazing at Kyle. “You’ll have to carry me to safety.”
“I don’t think I’m strong enough to carry you.”
“Are you calling me fat?”
“I did not say that.”
“You did, but in more words.”
“Alright, now I’m talking to Guy.”
“THAT’S SO MUCH WORSE!”
***
He leaned against the door frame as Kyle unlocked his front door and pushed it open, turning to look at him. “I had a lot of fun today, (Y/N).” he murmured. “Thanks.”
Winking, he replied, “I’m glad you did. I’d like to do it again soon if you want.”
Kyle nodded. “I’d like that.”
They stared at each other for a few moments and (Y/N) smiled, patting the door frame. “Well, I’d better be heading out. Have to get home in time for dinner.” He paused, giving the man a warm look. “Thanks for having lunch with me, Kyle.”
He’d not gotten two feet from the door when Kyle’s hand wrapped around his wrist. “Wait.” He turned and the Lantern leaned forward, pressing his lips to (Y/N)’s cheek. “Be careful on your way back.”
“I will,” he murmured, watching Kyle wave and disappear into his apartment, the door shutting behind him.
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green-lanterns-c0ck · 2 years
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John
That's my boy!!!!!
First impression: I think it was watching Justice League TAS, and I remember being kinda unimpressed at first, and uninterested in his romance with Hawkgirl? Until his focus episodes, then I went... yeah...
Impression now: Ack fffff hhghgghffff HIM I'm ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤‼️‼️‼️‼️💞💞💞💞💕💕💟💗💗💞💖💗💓💗💕💔❣💔💕💘💝💝💟💞💓💗💞💞💗💕💟
He is the BEST Lantern and KIND and LOYAL and he goes through SO MUCH and he never stops believing in his friends and he has SO MUCH love to give and he does!!! He loves people so much and keeps doing it despite getting beaten down and struggling with his identity and he's a little FREAK he goes to get psychically STABBED by weirdo aliens who eat pain EVERY DAY because he likes it and I love him so much
Favorite Moment: I cannot possibly pick. I literally cannot physically pick. The time he says Love doesn't have limits and uses a pink ring to save a planet from destruction is 100/10. His first time as a Lantern is GREAT he picks up the ring and Hal goes "Oh no. He's a better flyer than I am. Fuck him." The time John and Wally time travel to WWII and meet the JSA for the first time again and Alan looks at John like 😍😘 because YES bitch me too - I have more but I can't. I just... him... love!!!
Idea for a story: Many... But in particular, one where John doesn't lose all his Guardian Builder Powers after Hal eats the battery and just keeps his ghosts around, mostly to talk to them but also to try and do the job of the entire Corps, like "saving planets from exploding" variety by himself.
Lots of potential for comedy, i.e. John, getting into a new relationship: "Do you mind my dead wife watching? I can ask her to leave, but she doesn't want to." OR Spectre Hal in that time period where no one knows who he is visiting John, invisibly, and John just looking straight at him and going "Hey Hal, what's up?"
(Also, Sequel to my Evil!JohnKyle, where Kyle becomes the White Lantern by meeting Good!Black Hand and he and John become an evil powercouple. Evil-ish. They are morally grey because I'm a weeny.)
Unpopular Opinion: I don't like his new military background, and I don't like him being stoic and "the reasonable one". John is just as unhinged as the rest of the Lanterns, he just possesses the rare skill of having thoughts inside his head instead of blurting out every dumb idea he has.
YES he's smart, YES he's good at strategy, YES he's calmer than the rest but NO stoicism in MY John this man has so many emotions and no problem showing them.
Also: If anyone deserves the title of Greatest Green Lantern, it's John and not Hal. John is a better flyer than Hal, John has kicked Hal's ass multiple times (and Hal deserved it every time), John is the BEST Great Lantern he just won't say it out loud because he's NICE and YES he loves Hal but Hal doesn't deserve him and MY Hal knows that and loves him even more for it
Favorite relationship: John and Kyle, John and Kyle, John and Kyle
They just ❤❤❤❤
Kyle wants so much guidance during his time as Solo GL and John's the one who gives it to him, without being jealous or resentful once and he GETS why Kyle doesn't hate Hal, even though Hal has hurt him because Hal has also hurt John and John still loves Hal, and John GETS how Kyle feels about losing Alex, because John has also lost the love of his life because of Hal's shit (arguably lol) and for no reason other than hurting him and he's just there for Kyle.
Like yes, Guy and Kyle have a great relationship and they're great and hit many of the same points, and Hal and Kyle are special about each other and Kyle asks Alan for advice too BUT John's the one who's THERE for Kyle, the one he turns to for advice or working together, the one he hangs around the most, the one he leans on and I just... JohnKyle...
John's the one who shows up when Kyle's friend and assistence are in the hospital, John's the first old GL who gets a ring from Kyle, John's the one Kyle's closest too. Love them so much.
And Kyle helps John out too! It's not just a one sided thing, like John has a bunch of great emotional arcs during Kyle's run and you can just tell how much he respects Kyle and how willing he is to listen to him and let Kyle help him and respect him even though Kyle is young and inexperienced and headstrong and angry and forever in Hal's shadow (because John used to be young and inexperienced and headstrong and angry and forever in Hal's shadow and he didn't get the same level of respect and he's better than the ones who failed him and -)
Your honor, I'm love.
Favorite Headcanon: ADHD. John has ADHD, and he's autistic and I can prove it -
He's - He reads lots of books, right? And he quotes them a bunch, because he has a great memory for things like that (autistic thing) and he uses them to try and understand the world and society and social structures because he doesn't inately get them (because he's autistic) and he talks to himself aloud a lot (ADHD thing) and he's very organized (because he'd forget otherwise, because he's ADHD) and he drinks a lot of coffee (because he's medicating his ADHD) but he's very particular about what kind of coffee (because he has sensory issues because he's autistic) and people see him as stoic and angry (because he doesn't naturally express emotions like they do because he's autistic) and -
All the Lanterns have ADHD, but John has ADHD and autism, thank you for coming to my TedTalk.
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deans-baby-momma · 3 years
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Past Haunts- A Revisit
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A/N: Let’s take a look inside the Winchester/Quentin household and see how everyone is getting along. Also look for the 2nd author’s note after this story. 
It's been six months today. Six months since my daughter and I were getting ready for work and school when a simple knock on the front door changed everything. Changed it all, for the better.
To be able to watch from the sidelines as Whitney got to finally know the man who was her father; to finally experience having a male figure in her life was indescribable. 
Those two were like two peas in a pod, though. Similar likes, the same dislikes, an identical warped sense of humor. Once Dean had gotten over- no, that isn't the right wording-since Dean had come to terms with Sam being locked in a cage in Hell, he had jumped right into being a parent, a daddy. And he was killing it!
I hadn't expected to find him in the kitchen every morning, cooking breakfast for us before sending us both off with a kiss and I definitely never dreamed of coming home to a clean house, mowed lawn and that pesky back porch light repaired but during the first whole week of loving with us,  Dean had picked up the slack. I was amazed and very grateful.
Dean and I have slept in the same bed every night since his return but have yet to put a label on what we are. Although, Whitney happily tells anyone and everyone that her parents are together, I'm just unsure. And yes, we've had sex but then again what woman in her right mind could look at him, cuddle up to him and NOT want to have sex with him?
He had gotten a job at a local garage after the first month of being 'home' and had quickly impressed the boss with his knowledge of older vehicles. It seemed as though the mechanics nowadays depended on the little computers installed in the newer models to alert them to whatever was wrong, so when older vehicles came across their rack, these young boys were stumped.
During the week after Thanksgiving, the city of Fairfax Indiana got its first snowfall. Everything looked so clean and fresh with the white blanket covering all the blemishes and eyesores around town. And that's the day we found out Dean Winchester doesn't like the cold.
"It's just-" Dean grumbled as he drank his coffee at the head of the table. "-so ridiculous. You have to wear extra layers, watch out for other idiots on the road. Watch where you step. And it's just so cold." He finishes his groaning with a full body shiver.
"Dad you sound like a whiny brat," Whitney banters as she eats her eggs and bacon. "It's wonderful! Everything looks so bright and shiny."
"I need sun and warmth, missy," Dean shoots back with a wink. He suddenly sits up straight and looks at me. "Babe, how many days of school until our little girl is on holiday?"
Whitney hmphs at being called a little girl, even though she knows Dean only does it to get a rise out of her. The smirk on his face tells me that is exactly the response he expected.
"Uh, nine. I think."
"Eight and a half," Whitney corrects me, standing up to take her plate to the sink. "And the half day is going to be mostly watching movies and not much else."
I look at Dean to see his mind whirling. I could tell he was trying to work something out in his head. I raise an eyebrow in question but only get a smile in response. I shake my head at his antics and stand up to go finish getting ready for work.
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Christmas in Florida is distinctly opposite of Christmas in the North. For one, there is no snow for the lights to mirror. The lights are pretty but seem so dull without the reflection. And instead of coats and gloves and hats, people are in swimsuits and shorts, tank tops and flip-flops. A total 180 from what I'm used to in mid-December. I ponder the difference between the two as I lounge on the long beach chair beside Dean's as we watch Whitney frolic in the cool water.
Dean hasn't fully embraced the warmer temperatures as he is still in jeans and his usually two-shirt ensemble.  The only thing missing is the heavy work boots he usually dons; his feet are bare. The sunglasses on his face does little to hide the freckles that have made an appearance the darker his skin tans. I've laid in bed recently, counting the cute little misshapen dots. He is all smiles and happy. I love him so much!
When Dean had first suggested taking a trip down south for Christmas break I was astonished, Whitney was ecstatic. In her 13 year existence, this is the first full-fledged vacation we have ever taken so she was excited and enthusiastic about the chance to take a trip. And when she found out the destination, I didn't think she would survive the 17-hour trip without spending the whole time exploding with glee. Whitney and I spent my whole payday on a new wardrobe for the both of us, getting weird and bizarre looks from other shoppers as we tried to find t-shirts and shorts, bathing suits and sunscreen; during December in Indiana those items were few and far between. I also took a secret trip to the courthouse, getting the paperwork to officially make Whitney a Winchester. All it needs is information and signatures from both parents. I plan to surprise Dean with them Christmas morning.
So far, this vacation has been fantastic. We have spent time as a family doing little things, like walking along the beach at sunset searching for seashells, playing mini-golf, spending the day in our hotel room watching old movies and cartoons when the weather took a turn for the worse. It has been a dream come true, something I had never in a million years thought would ever happen. 
Spending time with him and our daughter in what I dubbed as the most magical place on Earth. So what if we're not at Disney World, to me this is the most fascinating time and place; a week spent with my daughter and her father, the love of my life. Life couldn't get any better than this.
I am shaken from my daydreams as I hear Dean growl and begin throwing fictitious daggers with his eyes in the direction of the pool. I turn my head to see a group of teenage boys all surrounding Whitney, who is all smiles at the attention. 
"Calm down honey," I cajole. "We knew this would eventually happen. We can't expect her to be a nun."
"Those boys are too old for her," he defends. "They see an innocent, young girl like her and there's only one thing on their mind." He goes to get up and I reach over to place my hand on his arm, stopping him.
"Give it a minute," I tell him. "I've taught Whitney to take care of herself."
As Dean and I sit there I keep our daughter in my peripheral, just in case one of us needs to step in. Suddenly, Whitney yells out "Jerk!" and slaps the boy who looks to be the protagonist of the crew. I smile as I watch her climb out of the pool and walk toward us. She sits at my feet and wraps her towel around her shoulders.
"You okay darlin'?" her dad asks, his eyes still trained on the gang of boys. They just don't know how many different ways Dean Winchester could murder them and make them all disappear.
"Y-yea," she answers but I can tell she's lying. "They just said some things that weren't nice."
Dean finally turned his eyes toward his daughter, the dangerous glint replaced by concern.  "Baby girl, I can go have a talk with them, if you-"
"No Dean!" she says, standing up. "I don't need my father taking up for me. I'm not a baby!" As Whitney storms out of the pool area, Dean looks at me, at a loss.
"What did I do?"
I stand up and wrap the sarong around my bikini-clad body. "Just let me go talk to her, okay?" I have an idea what is going on and I know having her dad there I'd never get Whitney to open up. I lean down and kiss him and head in the direction our daughter had stomped off.
In the room, Whitney has thrown herself across her bed and is crying into the pillow.
"Honey, what's wrong?" I ask gently because if my suspicions were true, anything could cause her to fly off the handle.
"I don't know," she whines. "I was feeling okay and then all of a sudden, it's like my energy zapped. So I was just floating in the pool, hoping the ache would go away and then those boys came up and started talking to me. And I liked it," she explains as she sits up on the bed. "But then Kyle said something about me being pure and innocent when I told them how old I was and I just lost it. And then I jumped down Dad's throat and he probably hates me now!" She begins crying again and I join her on the bed, wrapping my arm around her shoulders and she places her head on my shoulder.
 "Oh baby," I console. "I think it's becoming that time. You're getting ready to start your first period."
She jerks her head up and looks at me. "Really?"
"Yea, we need to go get you some pads and Midol. You're going to start bleeding anytime."
"God, did I just ruin our first vacation?"
"No!" I claim. "You didn't ruin vacation at all, baby. Now, let's get cleaned up and run down the street to the store."
"Moooom! I can't leave the room! What if it starts before we get back?" I chuckle at her wide-eyed expression.
"Okay, okay." I reach over and grab my phone texting Dean to come up to the room. I roll my eyes as I remember the discussion he and I had almost 2 years ago. Never in a million years did I think I would actually be asking this of him but I can't leave my baby.
The look on his face was comical as I whispered my request. He looked terrified and afflicted at the thought of having to buy feminine products. I take screenshots of exactly what he needs to buy and send him on his way, but not before he insists that I remember promising him he would never have to do this particular task.
The rest of the vacation goes off without a hitch. Whitney does begin her first period and requests to spend the rest of our time in Florida in the hotel room, only going out to eat. Dean and I trust her enough to leave her in the room while we go out, exploring not only the beach but the little town we are in. 
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Christmas morning comes and Whitney wakes us up with squeals of delight at the massive amount of presents placed under the decorated fake palm tree in our room.
Dean and I sit on the sofa, drinking coffee and enjoying the look of awe on our daughter's face as she opens her presents. Once finished, she winks at her dad and goes to her bag where she pulls a box from inside. Handing it to him, Whitney steps back as Dean slides off to the floor, getting on one knee.
My hand slaps over my mouth as he clears his throat. I have no idea what he says because my inner voice is chanting 'Oh my god! This can't be happening!' Finally my ears take over and I hear him ask, "Becks, will you marry me?" I nod through the tears and watch as he slips the ring onto my finger. He climbs back onto the couch and wraps his arms around me, only moving one around Whitney when she dog-piles on top of us in excitement.
None of us know though, that when we return to Indiana  the past is going to come back to haunt us, in the form of Sam Winchester back from Hell.
A/N2: Another announcement! Another story! Remember how I promised a sequel to this story? A look into the years these two spent apart? Well I began it and then life happened (along with a stroke) so I just now am finishing it up. Look for Wounded Hearts to begin in March!!! I’m excited to share it with you. I will keep those of you that were on the PH taglist unless you tell me different. Love to you all. 
@vickiq9761 @81mysteriouslyme @travelingriversideblues-x @akshi8278 @keymology @hoboal87 @squirrelnotsam @spnbaby-67 @sandlee44 @natura1phenomenon @drakelover78 @lostinaseaoffictionalbliss @larajadeschmidt13 @tftumblin @blacktithe7 @lilulo-12 @adoptdontshoppets @cpag7 @markofdean79 @supraveng @deanwanddamons @mogaruke @death-unbecomes-you @vicariouslythruspn @atc74 @delightfullykrispypeach​ @sea040561​
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deathonyourtongue · 4 years
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Willow Run | Ch. 2
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Summary: On a horse ranch in Texas, life is far simpler than on the streets of Bakubah, but Syverson has a bad habit of taking in strays of all kinds, no matter what demons may be after them. Pairing: Captain Syverson x OFC Word Count: 3.3K Warnings: Nothing in this chapter. A/N: You guys!!!! Thank you so much for all the love you’ve shown on this fic! It means a lot and I appreciate each and every one of y’all! CHAPTER 1 |
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Wolf did the trick, and though it took her an extra moment to be convinced, Sasha allowed Syverson to carry her inside, the house blessedly cool thanks to an HVAC system that had been retrofitted a few years prior.
Once inside, Syverson set her onto one of the high chairs that took up one side of the kitchen counter. Like most everything else in the house, the kitchen was bright, airy and spacious. Curiously, the appliances seemed to come straight from the past; the sink, the fridge, even the oven all dated back to at least the fifties in appearance though they had all been fitted with new technology.
"Bathroom's just down at the end of the hall if you need it. Lemme just wash my hands and I'll fix somethin' up real quick," he explained, pointing down the hall before moving to the old farmhouse sink to start washing up.
As he prepped, the sound of two sets of paws grew louder and louder, nails clicking on the hardwood flooring. A quick glance over his shoulder and Syverson's smile grew tenfold, although he quickly took action, blocking the path of the two puppies who were eager not only for scraps, but to find out who the new human was.
"You're not afraid of dogs, are you? I completely forgot, I'm so sorry," he stammered, Syverson starting to herd them back towards his office which was just a few steps away from the kitchen. One of them was clearly the boss as he pushed right past Syverson with an upturned nose, trotted over to Sasha, sat down and grunted as though asking her who she was. Syverson chuckled, a little embarrassed as he turned his attention to the little mastiff, picking him up easily before tucking him into his chest.
"Don't mind the grunting. He does that when he wants something from someone."
The other dog, a hearty little guy, followed his buddy's example and sat down next to Sasha’s feet, looking up at her with curiosity.
"This is Hudson, and that down there, is Goliath," he introduced, each dog making a noise as his name was called. "They're strays. Up on all their shots though. Perks of knowing a vet."
Syverson set the puppy down just as a third set of paws clipped along the ground, the sound much heartier than either of the two pups. Although curious about the newcomer, the older dog simply sniffed at Sasha’s general direction before sitting down in her dog bed by the back door of the kitchen. With age came wisdom, and the four year old German Shepard knew full well her owner never went a morning meal without giving her at least a piece of bacon. 
“And this beautiful lil’ lady is Aika. She’s been with me since...For a long time,” he asserted, catching himself before divulging information he wasn’t sure Sasha was ready to hear yet. Given her injuries, he wouldn’t have been surprised if she believed the stereotype of military men being prone to violence. Keeping it to himself was his best option at the moment. 
“They’re all so cute!” Sasha smiled, her eyes still bright, every moment that passed leaving her feeling more and more relaxed around Syverson, something she didn’t even notice as she watched the puppies frolic around Aika, who paid them no heed and let them bounce all over her and her very comfy-looking bed.
After making sure the puppies wouldn’t get into any mischief while he cooked, Syverson washed his hands again, drying off before extending a hand to Sasha.
“I never did get your name,” he smiled sheepishly.
“Oh, right. It’s Sasha. Sasha Bettencourt. How ‘bout you?”
“Kyle Syverson. You can just call me Sy, though. Everyone does.” Shaking hands with Sasha, he couldn’t help but let his smile get a little bigger, mirroring the one he was getting from the young woman.
“Sy, can I use your bathroom?” Sasha asked once they’d let go of each other's hands, her own expression slightly embarrassed since she knew just how dirty she was. Given what the house looked like both inside and out, she couldn’t imagine the bathroom being anything less than spotless.
“Of course!” Syverson said, moving around the counter in a hurry, ready to steady her as she got down off the chair. “You alright to make it there on your own?” He asked, the concern returning to his expression as he waited to see if she’d drop like she had outside. “Take your time,” he told her gently, the words spoken not only as a warning not to walk quickly, but as a reminder that she no longer needed to rush now that she was safe and out of the sun.
Testing her legs, Sasha found them working well enough and with a nod, she ambled her way down, relieved to have her body functioning at least somewhat close to normal again. Finding the door easily enough, Sasha closed and locked it behind her, taking a moment just to breathe. Looking at her reflection in the mirror, she was surprised Syverson had let her anywhere near his property, let alone inside his house. Gruesome was putting it mildly. 
The bathroom was charming and just as beautifully-appointed as the rest of the house. Sasha wondered, not for the first time, if Syverson had a wife who’d done all the decorating. For a man who was so, well, masculine, the house screamed of a woman’s touch. She reminded herself to ask him after she got out. 
Though she was only planning on washing her face, Sasha took one look at the sunflower-sized shower head that sat on top of the clawfoot tub and was taking off her dirty clothes without a second thought. 
Syverson heard the shower going and couldn’t help but smile; he'd have done the exact same thing. Shaking his head, he began preparing breakfast for two; something he hadn’t done in a long time. 
Soon enough, Sy was operating at full steam. Eggs in a skillet, hash browns frying and sausages turning a delicious golden brown. He managed everything with the ease of someone who'd taken classes at the very least and as he worked, he sang an unrecognizable tune, the soft smile never leaving his face. It was easy for anyone to see that the man was at peace in his own home, and that he wasn't the type to sit idly for any length of time. 
As the cool water poured over her still-overheated skin, Sasha couldn’t help but sigh in utter contentment, finding her muscles truly loosening and the panic in her veins dissipating for the first time all day. She’d unknowingly walked to a haven, and while she still felt guilty for putting Sy out, especially since he was out there cooking her breakfast, Sasha vowed not to be so hurried to leave if he didn’t want her to. 
There was one stark problem that Sasha only realized once she got out of the shower; she had no clean clothes to wear. Feeling stupid for her lack of foresight, she begrudgingly put her dirty clothes back on after quickly shaking them off in the tub, hoping to get at least some of the dust off. Though she felt a million times better, memories of the road still clung to her, leaving Sasha pensive and quiet as she left the bathroom.
“Feelin’ better, mama?” Sy asked with a wry smile, his back still to her as he began to plate breakfast, giving both plates a generous helping of eggs, sausage, hashbrowns and pancakes. Though Sy was known to eat like a horse, he never worried about his portions, knowing he’d work it all off down at the stables. 
“I’m sorry. I just...I was so dirty.” Sasha stammered, looking as though she’d stolen something out of the house, even though she’d done nothing of the sort. 
Turning, he gave her a bright smile which quickly turned into an impressed look at the visible difference. She was beautiful, even with all the cuts and bruises that marred her otherwise-smooth skin.
"It-It's no problem. Should've told me, I would've grabbed you some clothes to wear while I threw yours in the wash," he answered after coming back to his senses, Syverson shaking his head as though he'd been startled out of a dream.
A closer inspection of her clothes showed that the washer wouldn't do much good. Tattered and dirty as they were, she was better off throwing them out. Syverson knew it probably wouldn't happen though, as girls were attached to their clothing like guys were attached to their cars. Still, he would broach the topic again after they'd eaten.
"Here we go. One Syverson special, on the bar," he grinned at her as he slid her plate in front of her seat at the kitchen counter, Sy setting his own plate down next to hers. Grabbing his coffee, a glass of orange juice for her, and a bottle of his favorite hot sauce, Sy made sure the salt, pepper, syrup, and napkins were all within reach before taking his seat. 
“Go on, dig in,” He urged, pointing at Sasha’s plate with his chin, Syverson wondering when the last time she ate was. She was thin, almost alarmingly so, and aside from her swollen belly, there wasn’t nearly enough meat on her bones to be carrying another human. If she stayed, Syverson knew he’d see to it personally that she ate her three squares a day, and that she got as many nutrients as she needed to grow the little one inside her. 
Tentatively, Sasha took a bite of the pancake first, hers slathered in syrup the same way Sy’s were, something she thought endearing. Her eyes rolled back and she practically swooned as the familiar taste hit her tongue, Sasha melting a little in her seat. 
“This is really good,” she managed to say after swallowing, her face showing nothing but awe that Sy had made it all himself. Where she came from, men were never in the kitchen unless they were getting a beer. It shocked her, to say the least. 
“Thank you, again, for all of this. I don’t...I don’t have any way of repaying you,” Sasha murmured after another bite, looking up at Sy with regret. She had to do something in return for all his generosity, she just didn’t know what she’d be able to manage, given she’d left her home with just the shirt on her back. 
“There’s no need, honest. I’m not doing this ‘cause I’m lookin’ for something in return. I’m doing it ‘cause it’s the right thing to do. Couldn’t just leave ya to burn to death out there. What kinda animal would I be if I did that? Nah, no repayment necessary, mama. Just...don’t go walkin’ into the middle ‘a nowhere without water and cover again. That’s all I ask,” Syverson replied, biting his tongue to keep from saying what he actually wanted to say, knowing that doing so would spook her. Asking a near-stranger to stay as long as she needed and not worry about lifting a finger while doing so usually didn’t go over well in most circles.
They ate in silence for a bit, Sasha taking in the house and occasionally slipping a bit of food to one of the dogs, making sure Sy wasn’t looking while she did so. 
“Your home is beautiful. Looks like it’s straight out of a magazine,” she mused, blushing slightly when she realized how silly she must’ve sounded. 
"Thank you. It belonged to my parents, but they've decided to live the high life down in Florida now. Boating, fishing, tanning, the usual retirement stuff. They visit every now and then, but they've got their own little house not far from here, so the place is all mine," he replied with a big smile, Syverson not even realizing that he was divulging so much information in one answer. Despite years of military training on how to keep mum about personal and secure information, at home, Syverson was an open book who wore his heart on his sleeve.
“As for it lookin’ like it’s out of a magazine...Well, that’s ‘cause it’s been in a few. Couple ‘a years back, some hoity toity types came and shot the place. It ended up in a few rags. Mom’s got ‘em all stashed away somewhere.” 
Feeling brave when her comment wasn’t met with ridicule, Sasha remembered her question from earlier, a smirk crossing her face as she spoke. 
“I find it really hard to believe it’s just you here.” 
Sy laughed heartily at the idea of there being someone else on the ranch. Sure he occasionally had help (aside from his two stable hands), especially during foaling season, but that usually just consisted of his friends coming down for a few days.
"It's just me, the dogs, and the horses. I’ve got some guys that help with the stables, but they don’t live here," he assured her, shaking his head in amusement before taking another bite.
“It’s just….Well, it’s so clean and decorated so nice,” Sasha said the words without thinking, instantly looking down and away, fully expecting that she’d offended him by assuming he couldn’t look after himself. 
“The place has a woman’s touch ‘cause my mom decorated it and I couldn’t be bothered to change it. As for the cleaning, well, I don’t like livin’ in filth any more than anyone else, so I clean a bit everyday and by the end of the week, everything’s spick and span. It becomes a routine after a while.” Sy chuckled, answering the underlying question of why it didn’t look like every bachelor pad ever. 
Sasha grinned, blushing as she nodded her understanding. “I figured you had a wife, but mom works too.” 
“Yeah, don’t got one of those.” Syverson shook his head, eyebrows going up comically as he finished his last bite. 
“What? You have something against the institution of marriage?” Sasha laughed. 
“First off, calling it an ‘institution’ makes it sound like a loony bin. Secondly, I have nothing against it. All the women I’ve dated have seemed to hate the idea though, hence no ring.” He explained with a shrug, giving her a wink as he stood and loaded his plate into the dishwasher before leaning against the other side of the counter, waiting for Sasha to finish her own meal. 
“I’m gonna go get Wolf, as promised. Stay here where it’s nice and cool, and I’ll come grab ya when I’m back.” Sy explained once she was done,  taking her plate and swapping it for a glass of water, the liquid cool enough to make the glass sweat near-instantly. Sasha nodded, the excitement returning to her eyes at the prospect of meeting the horse.
Slipping on his boots, Sy stopped and gave Aika a piece of sausage before giving her the command to stay. Though his eldest dog usually followed him everywhere, he wanted her to look after Sasha while he was gone, if only for his own peace of mind. 
Sy took the ATV down to the stables and made quick work of tacking up Wolf, speaking to the horse in gentle, hushed tones the whole time. 
“There’s someone I want you to meet, bud. You gotta be gentle, ‘cause she’s hurt pretty bad, okay?” He said once he’d given the straps one last check, smiling up at his Friesian and giving him a good pat to the shoulders. Climbing on, gave the stable a quick check before riding out, going an easy pace until he crested the hill. 
Sasha knew she should have waited inside, but curiosity got the better of her and she wandered out, wanting to see Syverson come up from the stables. She wasn’t disappointed at what she saw. With his red plaid shirt, fitted jeans, boots, and baseball cap, he was every inch the modern cowboy and Sasha couldn’t stop the butterflies that filled her stomach even if she’d wanted to. 
Sy saw her the moment he got to the top of the hill and with a shake of his head and a beaming smile, he signaled Wolf to gallop, knowing he had plenty of time to slow down before he hit the house. There was no feeling like riding a horse at full speed, and never once did Sy think he’d grow tired of the exhilaration it brought; it was better than any rollercoaster and no one could tell him different. 
“Didn’t I tell you to stay inside, mama?” He called as he came within earshot, Sy slowing Wolf with ease and grace, the two coming to a full stop a few steps from the porch. 
Blushing but smiling ear-to-ear, Sasha nodded, knowing she’d been caught.
“I couldn’t help it. I wanted to see y’all two coming down the hill.”  She admitted, taking slow, tentative steps towards the massive horse and his equally big rider. 
“Like you would a dog. Palm up, let ‘im give you a sniff,” Sy instructed gently, patting Wolf’s neck as he watched Sasha approach. 
“Hi, Wolf. You’re a very handsome boy,” Sasha smiled, extending her hand and giggling softly when Wolf sniffed at it with enthusiasm. After a moment, Wolf nuzzled first at Sasha’s face and then at her belly, seeming to know that the new person Sy had been talking about was carrying another person with her. 
Sy’s smile was sappy as he watched the interaction, knowing for certain that if his favorite horse liked Sasha, then she was good people. Horses never had a reason to feign affection, and they were smart enough to only offer it when the person was right. By Wolf’s account, Sasha was second only to Sy himself. 
“He likes you,” Sy murmured, adjusting one of Wolf’s long braids, letting Sasha take her time. 
“Feeling’s mutual, isn’t it, Wolf?” Sasha beamed, nodding her head in time with Wolf, laughing happily when the horse let his head slump onto her shoulder. 
“Alright, that’s enough there, mister. Layin’ it on a lil’ thick,” Sy joked, patting his neck, his eyes never once leaving Sasha’s smile; he wouldn’t admit to being smitten just yet, but her having Wolf’s approval didn’t hurt matters in the slightest. 
“I gotta get the rest of the bunch turned out to pasture. I’ll be back around one for lunch, but until then, why don’t you head on in and have a rest? There’s clean clothes in the laundry room if you wanna change into something a lil’ more comfortable. Pretty sure there’s some basketball shorts in there with a drawstring so they don’t fall off ya,” Sy gave her a wink, “and if you wanna take a dip, the pool’s good to go, though I don’t got a bathin’ suit for  ya, unfortunately.” 
As he spoke, he turned on a pair of walkie-talkies, Syverson bending down to hand Sasha one. “Keep this close, and just press the button to talk. I’ve got mine on my belt, so I’ll hear ya no matter what. Just lay back and relax. You’re good here, for however long you need.”
By the time he was finished speaking, Sasha had tears of gratitude in her eyes, and giving Wolf a final scratch to his nose, she nodded, managing to give her rescuer a big smile. 
“Thank you. So much,” she whispered, not trusting her voice to get louder. Sy nodded, his eyes gentle and understanding. A moment of silent connection passed between them before Sy clicked his teeth and tugged at the rein, turning Wolf with ease. 
“No walkin’ out in the sun, mama. I mean it!” Sy called over his shoulder with a wide grin, waving as he nudged Wolf back into a full gallop, the pair making it up the hill in no time at all before disappearing over the horizon, leaving Sasha with a warmth that spread throughout every fiber of her being, a feeling she hadn’t experienced in years.
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takerfoxx · 4 years
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She-Ra and the Princesses of Power, Season 5, Episode 4, “Stranded,” First Impressions!
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So as has been the tradition with this season so far, there is one thing I really want to highlight, so I’ll go ahead and knock out everything else first.
Okay, so this is probably the first episode that I’ve completely enjoyed Swift Wind. Like I’ve said before, my issue with him is how often his ego and grandstanding causes problems for others and how little he ever notices. But him morosely keeping watch and trying to update Adora on what’s been happening despite knowing that it’s probably hopeless? I like that. Him and Scorpia confiding in one another? I really like that. And Swift Wind basically turning into Luis from Ant-Man as he tries to sum up everything? LOVE THAT! Give me more of that Swift Wind, please!
Also, bless Scorpia for confirming that Kyle really does have a crush on Rogelio. All of my YES!
Also bless the writers for just going all-in on the “Robots make Entrapta HORNY!” joke. We already had her thirst over Horde Prime’s robots, and now she is going to spend, ahem, quality time with Darla. Yes please.
And since Entrapta is roughly around my age, I can say this without seeming creepy: Entrapta is kind of hot when she does that face. 
You know, the second that the Star Siblings introduced themselves, I knew that they were repurposed characters from the original She-Ra. For reference, this is what they used to look like. 
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Oh my. So very eighties. I also note that they switched Jewelstar from female to male. Whether it’s to balance things out or to hint that he’s actually trans could go either way. Still, it’s a cool update. I like them. Hope they stick around.
Also, Adora’s attempt to explain  Catra was basically the perfect summary of their relationship. 
"No, no Catra is not my friend... She used to be but that was a long time ago and she's tried to kill me a bunch of times since then. But she saved Glimmer and maybe that means there's still good in her and now... I don't know. It's complicated."
Yeah, that just about sums it up.
And we finally get our first She-Ra transformation without the sword! It’s happening!
So, anyway, let’s talk about Bow and Glimmer. 
Oh my God, I love this.
See, when Bow started acting unusually cold toward Glimmer, I was sort of confused, given how hard worried he had been about her and how hard he had worked to get her back. But when Adora pointed out that he hadn’t really had time to come to terms with how much Glimmer had screwed up, okay yeah, that makes sense.
But then I got worried that they would try to make Bow out to be the bad guy, that he would be portrayed as unreasonable for not immediately forgiving Glimmer and telling her that it was okay when it clearly wasn’t. I mean, look: I totally get why Glimmer acted the way she did last season. She was a teenager thrust into a stressful leadership position against an encroaching enemy while still trying to deal with her mother’s loss as DT worked to undermine her actions at every moment. So it made perfect sense that she would seek out Shadow Weaver’s help. It made perfect sense that she lashed out at Adora like she did. It makes perfect sense that she would activate the Heart of Etheria. But it doesn’t make it right. It doesn’t change the fact that she had nearly killed everyone.
So it really hits home when Bow, who is normally Mr. Optimistic Friendship and Teamwork, would be the one to be still mad at her, and I was worried that someone would yell at him for still holding a grudge or that his surliness would almost get everyone killed and he would go “My God, what have I done?!” like he has in the past.
But it didn’t. The show didn’t blame him at all. Hell, it validated his anger. They had Glimmer straight-up say, “Look, I know you’re mad at me, and you’re right to be mad at me, and you can be mad at me for as you want, and I understand if we don’t go back to being friends. But I’m going to still be here trying to do everything I can to make things right,” which finally got Bow to warm up to her.
And that’s exactly how it should have been handled! That’s exactly what she should have said, and I love that it went that way! Sometimes you are going to be mad at someone you care about. Sometimes “Sorry” isn’t going to be enough, and sometimes forgiveness has to be earned! And I love that they had this seemingly filler episode to explore that! That was wonderful!
Bless this show. Bless.
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Best NXT Matches of 2020 10-6
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10
Io Shirai vs Shotzi Blackheart - September 16
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Shotzi Shotzi SHOTZI!!! Where did this come from?!? This wasn’t a title match, just a friendly exhibition for Shotzi to get into the true title picture and she took full advantage of it here. From the start, Shotzi treated this like a title match. She outworked Io on the mat and showed that she could strike with her as well with some hard kicks. Things got more and more intense and Shotzi stayed all over Io. She ducks the 619 and worked her way into a great Tiger suplex THEN immediately transitioned into Cattle Mutilation. At this point, I was on the edge of my seat because Shotzi was breaking out before my eyes. Io goes up top, but Shotzi breaks out a goddam super hurrancanrana. She wants to try a sunset flip powerbomb on the apron, but Io slips out and DRILLS her with a German suplex on the apron!! Io kills her with a meteora and a moonsault to win this banger. IT WASN’T EVEN A TITLE MATCH!! Shotzi had one of my favorite performances of the year and pushed Io to the limit.
9
Io Shirai vs Sasha Banks - Great American Bash Day One
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This was a highly anticipated dream match between the top two women of 2020. Bayley and Sasha “invaded” NXT a few weeks earlier in a tag team title match and Io attacked them both after the match to assert her dominance over NXT. I got major Eddie vs Rey vibes from this match. Io plays the Rey role, blitzing Sasha with her speed and aerial attacks early until Bayley distracts her and Sasha can take over. Sasha slows things down, bends, and contorts Io like her idol Eddie Guerrero used to do to one of his best foes. Io comes back and their exchanges are super fast paced and intense. In a huge holy shit moment, Sasha catches Io springboarding in with a hard kick then sunset flip powerbombs her into the plexiglass barricade. She goes to end things with the frog splash, but Io snatches her into a crossface. Bayley tries to use the tag title belt to give Sasha an advantage, but the odds are evened when Sasha’s Extreme Rules opponent Asuka comes from under the ring and mists Sasha. Io cracks her with a palm strike and ends this banger with a moonsault. Top two ladies doing exactly what you’d expect them to do. Seeing Asuka with Io made me salivate for a match between them. Also this match main evented NXT and was one of the few times that NXT beat AEW in the ratings. The Boss is a Draw.
8
Kyle O Reilly vs Pete Dunne #1 Contenders Match for NXT Title - December 16, 2020
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A few weeks before this, Dunne beat KOR in a great ladder match to gain the WarGames advantage for the Brand. This time, they take it to each other for the selfish reasoning of challenging Finn Balor for the NXT title. O’Reilly’s kind out of nowhere babyface has made me more of a fan, but I’d be lying if I wasn’t straight up rooting for Pete Dunne, who I’ve loved in a wrestling and romantic sense since the moment I saw him (kidding, not kidding). This is the wonderful blend of wince-inducing striking and masterful counter-wrestling that you would expect from these two that gets more creative and more hard hitting the deeper into the match that we go.
We got a repeat of their super fun tug of war spot, but this time, they’re pulling each other into the turnbuckle. KOR unleashes his own strikes and Dunne’s mouthpiece ends up coming out from the brutality. After they trade ankle lock attempts, Dunne attempts a standing Kimura lock and KOR blocks it by grabbing his own tights. I love the simple “real life” type counters like that. KOR counters the Kimura, they trade suplex attempts and KOR destroys Dunne with a brainbuster. There’s a great cinematic moment where Dunne slow crawls over to his mouth guard, but KOR steps on his hand. Dunne returns the favor with a trusty finger snap and he goes to end it with a Bitter End on the apron, but KOR counters to a DDT on the floor then he catches Dunne coming in with a Flying knee to the back to the head to win it and book a rematch against Finn Balor. Just excellent wrestling between two excellent wrestlers. I still really wanna see Balor vs Dunne this year though.
7
Keith Lee vs Dominik Dijakovic - North American Title - Takeover Portland
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The beginning sequences of this match felt like they were pandering to show that they were “big dudes who can move”, instead of just telling their story. Once they went to just telling their story and letting the story display their skills, this was off to the races! Keith Lee is a superstar and they do a lot of spots to put him over as an otherworldly mass of a man. A standing release German Suplex on a dude DD’s side is crazy impressive. Keith doesn’t budge from numerous clotheslines and more than a few times, he counters something by just slowly pushing DD’s hands away from him. He’s still a tremendous seller, but it just communicates that it takes ALOT to get him off his feet. DD is up for the challenge though and he dishes out some crazy stuff, suplexing Lee onto the apron, delivering a terrifying Super Samoan Drop, & in the spot of the match, a top rope senton onto a seated Lee. DD does the New Japan no-sell of Lee’s spirit Bomb, so Lee just powers up and destroys him with another one, but DD kicks out. Lee sells it like a close cousin died. DD’s back is too injured form all of that and the BBC (LOL) ends this awesome opener.
6
Io Shirai vs Charlotte Flair vs Rhea Ripley - Women’s Title - Takeover In Your House
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This was the first women’s main event since 2015 and it definitely was main event material. Charlotte controls things early, tricking Io and Rhea into fighting each other then taking advantage and chopping the life out of em. Io Shirai has a vintage Rey Mysterio like performance here, where shes kinda swatted away by the bigger ladies, but then she pops out of nowhere with a crazy springboard dropkick or a suicide dive. Charlotte and Rhea resume their rivalry and they brawl all over the ring and the set until Io dives from the top of the House onto them both in a crazy spot. Charlotte turns back the clock and batters them both with a kendo stick, but while she has Rhea locked in the Figure 8, Io creams Rhea with a moonsault to claim the title. Rhea came off like the second fiddle here and things got a little sloppy at times, but it was fun as hell with a starmaking performance from Io Shirai. This would be the start of a crazy awesome title reign for Shirai.
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wunderlass · 4 years
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Max Evans, King of Consent
For some reason, within the fandom, Max has got a bit of a reputation as a weird, creepy stalker when it comes to Liz. And I really don’t understand where this came from, because that is not what was presented to us on screen. At all.
Let’s examine the evidence, shall we?
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tl;dr: He isn’t, you didn’t pay attention to the show and leapt to conclusions
The teen years:
The little we see of Echo growing up, we know Max and Liz have some level of friendship. Max plays a supportive role to her, especially in their senior year. But Liz was with Kyle, and there’s no evidence Max ever bad-mouthed Kyle or tried to get in their way, despite the fact that Kyle was an obnoxious jerk at that point.
Max makes plans for the future that don’t involve Liz. Only after their “moment” at the prom, when Liz is single, does Max make a move. By this point we know Liz is beginning to reciprocate his feelings. Their desert date is sweet, and almost ends in a kiss--but when Liz pulls away, Max’s first instinct is to apologise. He doesn’t push Liz to kiss him when she explains why she won’t, or argue with her plans. Instead, he only expresses regret--as does Liz. It’s clear that she thinks a kiss between them is a significant event and that how she feels may be as intense as how he does.
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At this point, Max has everything he’s ever wanted (with regards to Liz) at his fingertips. But he respects Liz’s choices and boundaries. Everything we see of him suggests that if Liz was with Kyle until the end of high school and left Roswell without anything ever happening between them, he’d be okay with that. All he wants, all he has ever wanted, is for Liz to be happy--and if that’s with another man, then so be it.
Then he suggests, tentatively, that he come along on the roadtrip, and Liz is overjoyed at the idea. They make plans. Everything goes to shit, and Liz leaves. Max gives her the space to say goodbye to her family without seeking out one of his own, understanding that if she hasn’t sought him out, she has no intention of doing so. He lets her go and takes the emotional hit in silence. He doesn’t follow her. His reasons for this are complex--he has to stay for his siblings, and he feels guilty over his involvement in Rosa’s death--but it’s clear he doesn’t expect anything further from Liz at this point.
Present time in the season:
In 2018, Max’s understanding of consent has only improved. He refuses to kiss her in the pilot while assuming his feelings are having an impact on her ability to agree to it. He repeats that refusal in episode two for the same reason. Liz is the one in pursuit here, and Max is arguably trying to give her space until any influence he’s having on her has passed.
Also in episode two, she tells him she’s leaving Roswell. He accepts this. He was expecting it, even if he’s not happy about it. At the end of the episode, he’s gutted when she tells him that she doesn’t have feelings for him, but he doesn’t argue with her about it. He accepts it before she’s even finished telling him there will be no kiss. Liz is the one who manipulates him to spend more time together, and when he realises he’s being manipulated, he makes plans to try and move forward with somebody else, under the impression that Liz will be leaving town soon and he can lick his wounds when she’s gone.
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Arguably in these early episodes Liz seeks out Max more than the other way around. She goes looking for him to collect his DNA in the pilot (which, let’s face it, is ethically ambiguous at best). She’s going to confront him when he comes to find her and confess his secret. She summons him to the church, and also to the turquoise mines. At the end of episode three they have a big confrontation over Max’s love letter, and he finally confesses the depths of his feelings. He does this to try and answer some of her questions, and because she’s pushing him to explain himself, not because he’s expecting reciprocation. Liz is the one who started this confrontation, not Max, and he walks away from it.
Not all of Max’s reactions are healthy--he blows up the town after this confrontation. Yet this seems to be as much a side effect of healing Liz as it is his emotions. He’s calmer in the next episode, and turns his attention to what he believes will be a strategy to ensure Liz leaves town.
That’s right. He’s so entitled to Liz that he plans to make sure she leaves Roswell. What a foolproof plan to win the girl, right?
There is another Echo confrontation at the end of episode four, where Max asks Liz to tell him how she feels. The question may come across as demanding, but by this point he knows she’s been playing with his feelings. He also knows she’s spilled the secret she promised to keep. His anger here is quiet and non-threatening. He’s asking for the truth, not demanding that she return his feelings. He wants closure but he expects to never see her again after this confrontation: his final words to her are a goodbye.
When he finds out in episode five that Michael and Isobel sent her away in 2008, he does demand to know where she is, because he wants to give her this truth. However, that revelation is interrupted by her being in danger, and he rushes to her rescue. He never does tell her about that himself. Liz comes to his house to make sure he’s okay, and from there the secrets from ten years ago come spilling out. Liz tells Max to stay away from her--and he does. He doesn’t plead with her or try to justify himself. He lets her go, again.
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(He is hurt and angry, and that spills out around him in episode seven, but it is not directed at Liz, who he recognises deserves her own anger).
In fact he abides by this so well over the next couple of episodes that at the beginning of episode nine things are noticeably awkward between them. Liz has been working to save Isobel, and realistically this is only because of her own unvoiced feelings for Max, but he continues to give her space. We’ve seen him avoiding her in episodes seven and eight, and now Max is so careful of her boundaries that he misses all the signals she’s giving him. When she’s cold, he asks if he can give her his jacket, rather than assuming she wants it. She approaches him several times over the course of the episode (outside the tents, in the bar), and in the end, she’s the one who initiates the kiss. This is after he has made a grand speech about how he loves her despite her flaws--then turned his back to walk away because he still assumes her feelings towards him have not changed.
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The entire season shows that Max is so careful of how he approaches Liz. Consent matters to him (and yes, the healing scene with Michael in the finale is deliberately out of character) and he never expects Liz to return his feelings. Any time she hints that she doesn’t return them, he blindly accepts this because he’s working under the assumption she could never love him. Similarly, he misses the obvious signs that she does have feelings for him. He prioritises what she says over her body language and behaviours, making no presumptions until she literally reels him in for a kiss. His self-esteem is somewhere in the depths of the desert outside of Roswell, and it’s going to take a lot of work to unearth it.
So where has this collective fanon come from? If I had to guess, I’d say it’s a combination of a few things. 
Max is a big guy. I’ve talked about this elsewhere, but I think his size and his anger issues in the early episodes (which the show went to great pains to explain were out of character) had people deciding he was some kind of alphahole trope. And once they’d decided that, it didn’t matter what actually happened on the show, they were going to see Max’s feelings for Liz as selfish, his pining as something he was trying to make her problem, her love something he felt entitled to. I also believe there’s a certain amount of “straight white man, let’s hate him because he isn’t oppressed” going on, which completely misunderstands what privilege is. (I believe that because I’ve seen it expressed that way, I’m not pulling that out of nothing).
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Also, throughout the season Max and Michael have a slightly adversarial relationship. Michael is something of a fan-favourite and that has led to people siding with him over Max, even where Michael was wrong (see: the end of episode 12/beginning of episode 13, where Michael got himself killed by Noah because he refused to listen to Max). 
You don’t have to love or even like Max. But if any of your critique of him as a character starts from a place of “he felt entitled to Liz” or “he was a stalker”, then I’m going to dismiss you out of hand, because you haven’t been paying attention to what was actually happening in the show.
Let’s give the last word to our leading lady:
“I love him--and he loves me. I wish you had the chance to have someone love you, Rosa. Purely. Without expectation or entitlement.”
See? Liz gets it.
(Also, just in case any of this seems anti-Liz, it’s not. Liz was justified in all of her actions during the show).
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seeaddywrite · 4 years
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overcome by shame, can i ever change?
part 1/6: five times Alex stopped Michael from doing something stupid, & one time Michael returned the favor. 
warnings: for this part -- grief, allusions to depression, unhappy ending (for the moment), alcohol abuse. michael isn’t in a good place & it shows.
part II will be up tomorrow! you can also read/follow on AO3, if you prefer.
The first time Alex stops him from going too far, Michael’s standing over a bleeding redneck in the middle of the Wild Pony, fist raised to land the blow that would cross the line between ‘drunk and disorderly’ and ‘assault.’ It’s a line he’s usually careful to avoid — he’s accepted his role as the town drunk and has no problem throwing a few punches when they’re well-deserved, but Michael has never wanted to end up in a cell for longer than one night.
But less than a week after he’d watched the prison holding his mother explode less than twenty yards in front of him, Michael’s no longer thinking about the consequences of his actions. He’s stuck in that moment, watching it happen over and over, and even the two full bottles of acetone-laced whiskey he’s consumed aren’t enough to end the cycle. Instead, he’s just light-headed as the grief, the guilt, he’s been trying so desperately to suppress begins to morph in his chest. Maybe he would’ve been able to handle it, or at least leave town before he lost his mind, if someone hadn’t bumped into him, splashing a wave of Max’s favorite beer all over the back of his unwashed t-shirt.
Unwanted images flood Michael’s mind, brought on by sense memory he hadn’t even realized existed. Max, shooting beer cans out of the sky with a backwards baseball cap and a wide grin. Max, sitting across from Michael at one of the stupid high school parties Isobel dragged them to, that same beer in his curled fingers, only half-consumed because Max had always been afraid of what would happen if he got too drunk to control himself in public. Max, sitting at the firepit in front of Michael’s trailer, a pyramid of beer cans to one side of his chair and the perpetual tension in his shoulders absent for once as he and Michael stared silently up at the stars, both asking questions the universe refused to answer.
Michael blinks rapidly, determinedly ignoring the sting in his eyes, and gives up on trying to hold himself in check. The surrender is all the impetus Michael’s grief needs to change completely, and the moment he regains his balance, he whirls on the man behind him, ignoring the slurred apologies to shove him, hard. He’s conscious of eyes on him — bystanders and bartenders alike. Maria is by the door, and vaguely, Michael hears her calling his name, telling him to cool off, but her voice just adds to the maelstrom raging inside him. He’s been using Maria, looking to her for distraction and something easy, when everything else in his life is fraught with pain and complication, but it’s not working anymore, and the guilt of knowing that he’s going to hurt her only adds to the weight he labors beneath.
“Man, what the fuck is your problem?” Michael’s victim demands, hitching up his worn Wranglers and squaring his shoulders in challenge. “I said I was sorry!” 
Words are beyond Michael now, and even if he could find them, he wouldn’t waste one on this man. He simply lashes out, kicking the man’s knees out from under him hard enough that his skull strikes the wood floor with an echoing thud. The alcohol makes it hard to maintain his own balance after the sudden movement, but his misdirected fury has burned off the worst of the buzz, and Michael keeps his footing. He lunges again, blind in his determination to make someone else hurt as much as he does in that moment, and his opponent gets to his feet just in time to save his nose from being broken by the heel of Michael’s shoe. He bellows in outrage and lands a punch of his own. Pain sparks along Michael’s cheek, but it’s barely noticeable in comparison to the invisible, gaping wound in his chest and doesn’t slow him down in the slightest. 
His arm draws back, muscles taught, fingers clenched. There’s a voice in the back of his head that sounds painfully like Max’s lectures every time he entered the Sheriff’s office to find Michael waiting for him in a cell. You’re better than this, Michael. One of these days I’m not going to be able to stop you from being sent to a real jail — and we both know you don’t belong there.
Max was right, to an extent. He isn’t here to stop Michael from being sent anywhere now … but any question of whether Michael belonged in a prison died with the mother he failed to save. Prison is the least of what he deserves. 
Voices, some familiar, some not, add to the cacophony of emotional noise in his head, but none of them matter enough to stop him. None of them even register, really, aside from grating on Michael’s ears. 
In the end, it’s one word that stops him -- his name, only his name, said so evenly that Michael shouldn’t have even been able to pick it out of the noise of the crowd. 
“Guerin.” 
A steady hand clamps around Michael’s wrist, familiarity evident in the touch. There’s no hesitation, no tremble or sign of fear -- just the slide of callouses against the sensitive skin of his inner wrist, warm and anchoring in a way Michael’s never quite understood. He allows the hand to push his arm down to his side, to spin him around until he’s looking straight into Alex Manes’ too-solemn face that he can’t mistake, not even drunk on acetone and a surplus of emotion. 
Stunned, Michael stares at his ex … something, because ‘boyfriend’ is never going to be the right word to describe Alex, and ‘lover’ makes their affair sound like something more than it was. It’s the first time they’ve seen each other since the night Max killed Noah, and Michael can’t imagine why Alex is here, stopping him from fucking up again, when he could be literally anywhere else, where he wouldn’t have to deal with Michael and his bullshit. 
The thought, and the guilt that rises like bile in his throat, kickstarts him from staring to action. Michael wrenches out of the hold, but makes no move to advance upon either Alex or his earlier opponent. Any urge to do violence is gone, leaving him feeling hollow and empty. His wrist burns where Alex’s hand had been, not from pain, but from the absence of the touch, and Michael hates himself even more for wishing Alex would reach out again. 
“I think you’ve had enough,” Alex tells him calmly, and nods toward the exit to the bar. He’s wearing a leather jacket, Michael notes distractedly, and his hair’s gotten longer. Just slightly out of regulation parameters, whereas before, it would’ve been cut at least a week ago to avoid that. Alex is getting on with his life, moving away from the military rules and routines impressed upon him for years, and Michael can’t help but resent that Alex couldn’t have made that decision when it was possible for Michael to move on with him. 
But resentment and heartbreak pales in comparison to the grief and anger that have taken root in his chest, so Michael stops trying to think and allows the light-headed, overheated feeling of over-indulgence to lessen it all. But even then, Michael’s not drunk enough to miss the softness in Alex’s eyes where they linger on him, nor the hesitance in his body language as he reaches out to rest a careful hand on Michael’s shoulder. 
“Come on, I’ll drive you home,” he offers, and the kindness is almost unnerving when Michael expects the opposite.  
“I --” Someone’s bound to have called the police, Michael thinks, even as he tries to slow his racing mind in order to answer. He knows he can’t just go home. He’s got to answer for what he’s done — that guy hadn’t even done anything other than make Michael remember things he didn’t want to, he’s got to —
“Kyle’s handling it,” Alex says, interrupting Michael’s painstaking thought process. It takes him a minute to realize that he’s been speaking aloud, and Alex’s grip on his shoulder has tightened in concern. He hadn’t noticed earlier, but Valenti is standing in front of the guy with the bump on his head, arms crossed and a scowl on his face severe enough to keep him from coming at Michael to blacken his other eye. 
“Michael? Are you okay?” 
The laugh in response to such a stupid question is short and bitter, and makes his nose ache where he’d been struck. Michael nods anyway, an automatic, ingrained response from years of pretending that nothing could touch him. He flicks his curls out of his swollen eye with a clumsy  hand, trying to focus on Alex. Apparently, his reaction hadn’t been particularly reassuring. Not if Alex’s wide eyes and thin lips are any indication. 
Great. Now he’s scaring Alex, like standing him up and betraying him hadn’t been enough. Michael inhales sharply, trying to summon the strength to apologize, to tell Alex that he’s fine, that he should go and stop letting Michael trample all over his heart, but Alex speaks first.
“No one’s arresting you tonight, Guerin. Sheriff Valenti knows about what happened to Max,  and —” 
Michael shoves away from Alex abruptly and pretends not to see the flash of hurt that crosses Alex’s face before he schools his expression. He hates seeing it, hates hurting Alex, but that’s all he can do lately, it seems. Hurt the people  he cares about. Maria. Isobel. Alex. Even Liz. He’s pushed them all away and hidden behind the tall, thorny walls of his own pain. And the walls have grown so tall, so labyrinthine, that even Michael himself can’t escape them now.  Hearing his brother’s name is too much on top of everything else, and no matter how his heart screams for him to burrow into Alex’s chest and beg for forgiveness, for comfort, Michael’s not nearly drunk enough to believe he deserves either.  
The crowds part around him as he moves gracelessly toward the bar’s exit. Maria holds the door for him, tries to say something, but Michael just pushes past her and out into the night. 
No one comes after him. 
17 notes · View notes
edgarbright · 5 years
Text
A History of Cradle
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A timeline covering the past 500 years of Ikemen Revolution’s Wonderland
Spoilers below, of course!
After realizing I might have made a silly timeline mistake in a fic, I’m making a valiant effort to organize what happens when and to whom! Ideally this will be a fully comprehensive timeline and include all characters and their backstories. Sources will continue to be added, such as which route and part that information comes from.
Events that happen after Alice the Second falls into Cradle will not be included. Backstories only!
This is still a hot mess because the site is fighting me on formatting. Things will look prettier in the future!
If you see an error or have extra info to add, please send me a message! I’ll definitely and happily credit you. <3
Last updated: April 26, 2019
(Clash in Cradle Story Event Included!)
500 years ago
A united Cradle under a single royal family splits into two halves: the Reds and Blacks
Jonah: "Five hundred years ago, the Red and Black were actually part of the same royal family. Until there was a struggle for succession that split the family in two, leaving the old royal castle abandoned." (Jonah's Route, part 23)
Edgar: "They say the war between Red and Black has gone on for centuries, but-- what if the history books are all lying to us?" (Fenrir's route, part 12)
??? years ago
Alice the First falls into Wonderland
??? years ago
The Magic Tower begins its research
A book in Kyle’s clinic: “A public institution tasked with the study of magic for the advancement of our country. It is here that Magic Crystals are refined and managed.” (Lancelot’s route, part 5)
Unknown when they began experimenting on human subjects
Amon to Lancelot: "You know full well how long we've been experimenting on humans. This is just one of the ways I've discovered for stealing away magic power." (Lancelot's route, part 24)
??? years ago
The Magic Tower and the King of Hearts begin colluding
Lancelot: “[It] goes back generations” (Lancelot’s Route, part 18)
Harr: "The King of Hearts and the leaders of the Magic Tower have been colluding in secret for generations. Their goal is to realize certain ambitions they share." (Sirius's route, part 20)
100 years ago (Edgar's route, part 20)
The Jack of Hearts attempts a coup d’etat against the King and Queen of Hearts. The rebellion fails. The Jack is given a trial, a sentencing, and a beheading. All his descendants are further punished and forced into a secret pact with the King and Queen.
Edgar: "It started 100 years ago. One of my ancestors committed a terrible crime. Though he was the Jack of Hearts, he conspired to overthrow the King and Queen of Hearts. But his rebellion ended in failure. He was tried by the king and queen for his crimes and sentenced to beheading."
Edgar: "But that wasn't enough. His entire family had to be punished for what he had done. And so, by order of the king and queen, the next jack was forced into a secret pact with the king and queen. To atone for his sins, the Bright family was ordered [to] take on the dark side of the Red Army's affairs forevermore."
Edgar on being the Jack of Hearts: "His occupation is scheming and assassination."
Edgar: "I was born a sinner. Every Jack of Hearts is doomed to embrace his wife with blood-soaked hands and lead his children down the same, dark path. He becomes a true demon."
??? years ago
Lancelot’s (?) mother dies of illness
Lancelot: "My mother was lost to illness when I was very young. And apparently my father didn't visit her enough during that time." (Say I Do! Story Event, Lancelot's Sweet End)
Lancelot: "Even in my most distant memories, I never saw my parents together. I was under the impression that they hadn't actually wanted to get married, but--" (Say I Do! Story Event, Lancelot's Sweet End)
The Red Army dress worn by the King's Beloved, last worn by Lancelot’s mother at her wedding, goes missing
Jonah: "If I remember correctly, the official story is that it's inherited by whomever the King of Hearts loves.” (Say I Do! Story Event, Lancelot's Route)
Old Woman in the Hearts Quarter and Lancelot's mother's friend: "So far, the dress has only been worn by those from certain families that have been approved by the Red Army." (Say I Do! Story Event, Lancelot's Route)
Unbeknownst to everyone for years, per Lancelot when he later finds it: "This dress was in storage at my mother's family home... It's no wonder I didn't find it-- I only searched the home I was raised in, and places directly related to the army." (Say I Do! Story Event, Lancelot's Sweet End)
19 years ago
Jonah (8) has a birthday party hosted by the Clemence family. No one realizes Luka (6) was not invited until the day of the event. Jonah throws a tantrum and brings Luka along anyway. Luka is allowed to stay but is seated furthest away from him. Jonah is instructed to stop crying and is ordered to keep smiling throughout the party, which he forcefully does. His face hurts so much once it’s over Jonah cries again afterward. (Jonah's Birthday Story Event I, Brotherly Love)
18 years ago
Edgar's father (?), the Jack of Hearts, dies a slow death. It is stated as illness but he was poisoned by his younger brother, Claudius (27).
Claudius regarding his older brother: "He was a coward who was satisfied to bend and scrape before the King of Hearts just because of some old pact. He could have used his strength, position, and riches for so much more. I must have told him that a thousand times, but he just didn't get it. That's why-- I had to eliminate him." (Edgar's route, part 25)
Regarding how Claudius killed his brother. Edgar: "But you told me my father died of an illness--" Claudius: "Making his death look like an illness was the simplest thing in the world. I taught you how to use slow-acting poison to finish off your prey, didn't I?" (Edgar's route, part 25)
Claudius becomes the next Jack of Hearts and takes custody of his nephew, Edgar (7).
Edgar: "When I was seven, my father died of illness and my uncle, then 27, became the next jack. He taught me everything a jack needs to know." (Edgar's Route, part 20)
Claudius teaching Edgar to not hold emotional attachments to others: "The first rule of the Jack of Hearts is to never grow attached to any of your pawns." (Edgar's route, part 21)
Example of how Claudius manipulates Edgar when they are in a disagreement (as seen when Edgar is 25 years old): "Edgar. Have you forgotten who raised you after your father died? You're a good boy, so I know you'll come to see the light. You would never abandon me, would you? You're my beloved son." (Edgar's route, part 21)
Edgar: "Suddenly, memories of my childhood flashed before my eyes. The days he [Claudius] spent 'educating' me in all the special skills I could never learn in school. The time he locked me in a tiny, dark room as punishment for crying when I was scared. No matter how much I shouted and pounded on the door, it wouldn't open. All I could do was hug my knees and sob." (Edgar's route, part 21, His POV)
Edgar: "Before I knew it, I had resigned myself to my fate. Eventually, my uncle's education seemed completely natural to me. And there was nothing I could do. I accepted the fact that I would never be free and got used to the boredom." (Edgar's route, part 21, His POV)
Claudius is Jack at the same time Lancelot’s father is the King of Hearts and the unknown Clemence relative is Queen
Edgar regarding Claudius’s time as Jack of Hearts: "The golden age of the Jack of Hearts's secret dealings was the time of the previous king, queen, and jack." (Edgar's Route, part 20)
(Thinking aloud: Was Claudius working with the King and Queen or was this “golden age” Claudius’s doing considering he still carries a side business after he steps down as Jack? His motive against his brother was in regards to taking ownership of the role as Jack. Claudius is a slave/servant to no one.)
17 years ago
Jonah (10), accepting abuse from bullies, is rescued by Lancelot (12), who steps in to protect Jonah and give the bullies a “taste of their own medicine.” While they had met before, this was the first time Jonah and Lancelot really talked
Jonah: "King Lancelot was only 12 years old then and had yet to claim his title, but he became my king in that moment. I decided that night to suport King Lancelot as his right-hand for the rest of my life." (Jonah's route, part 20)
14 years ago
On the first day of school, Jonah (13) rages at Sirius (16) over daring to be Lancelot's (15) friend. Harr (13) witnesses this exchange. Days later, Jonah challenges Sirius to a duel on the basis Sirius is not worthy of being Lancelot's friend. Jonah loses, and Lancelot consoles him afterwards. (Clash in Cradle Story Event, Queen Route)
Harr: "It all goes back to when we were all attending the same school together. I assume you've heard that the Queen of Hearts [Jonah] has idolized Lancelot since he was very young. Apparently he was very eager to finally be able to attend the same school as Lancelot. On his very first day at that school, the first thing he did was rush straight to see Lancelot. But when he got there, he saw Lancelot and Sirius standing side-by-side, talking and laughing like old friends."
Jonah to Sirius, per Harr: "'How dare this dolt of a farm-boy pretend to be a friend on equal terms with a man of Lancelot's standing!'"
Harr: "I happened to be passing by, and I saw him [Jonah] standing there, stiff and furious and red-faced, screaming those exact words at Sirius.”
Harr: "A few days later, he challenged Sirius to a duel, with the reason being that Sirius wasn't worthy of being Lancelot's friend. Jonah clearly took a great dislike to Sirius the moment he saw him. Jonah was 13 at the time, and Sirius was 16. When you're teenagers, 3 years is a really big age gap. Sirius defeated Jonah, and I can still remember the effort Lancelot had to put in to properly console him."
Harr (13/14) becomes friends with Lancelot (15/16) and Sirius (16/17) at school. The three of them are together for one year.
Sirius: "Back then, Harr was the younger, super bratty one, and Lance was the super serious honor student. They were my friends. My partners." (Sirius's Route, part 20)
Sirius: "The 3 of us only hung out together like that for about a year..." (Sirius's Route, part 20)
13 years ago
Harr (14) is recruited by the Magic Tower and leaves boarding school
Sirius: "Harr quit school when he was 14. His innate magical powers got him scouted. By the Magic Tower. After he went to the Magic Tower, he suddenly cut off all contact with us." (Sirius's Route, part 20)
12 years ago (Edgar's Route, part 20)
Edgar (13) begins helping Claudius, current Jack of Hearts, in the field
Edgar: "[My uncle] taught me everything a jack needs to know. And had me helping him in the field by the time I was 13."
Edgar on why he is so calm about this when he was 13, as explained at age 25: "...my uncle was only fulfilling his duty as the Jack of Hearts [by training him]. I didn't really care [about the things he was made to do while helping his uncle]. Humans don't get to choose who their parents are, after all. If you teach a child about 'scheming and assassination' from the time they're young, it just becomes a 'normal job' to them. Lying, deceiving, and killing-- I never batted an eye at the thought. I didn't feel anything."
(See 18 years ago for details on the conditioning/abuse involved.)
11 years ago
Harr (16) barely escapes the Magic Tower with his life. He goes to the King of Hearts (Lancelot's father) and is summarily exiled from all of Cradle. He goes into hiding in the Forbidden Forest (Sirius's Route, Part 20)
Sirius: "After he went to the Magic Tower, he suddenly cut off all contact with us. Two years later, we finally got news-- In the form of those wanted posters... they decided to treat him as an enemy of the state." (Sirius's Route, part 20)
Sirius: "After Harr was banished, Lance's determination to end the conflict in Cradle grew stronger. He said he was going to become the King of Hearts so he could get rid of the rivalry between Red and Black. And then he was going to clear Harr's name. He said he was going to bring peace to Cradle, and make it a home that Harr could return to." (Sirius's route, part 20)
Harr: "Lancelot, did you know? Your father was the one who banished me from Cradle. After I learned the Magic Tower's secrets, I barely escaped with my life. I went to your father for help--and he cast me out." (Sirius's Route, part 20)
9 years ago
Ray (15) uses magic against assailants attacking/attempting to kidnap a group of students at his boarding school. After initial attempts to stop them physically, the situation escalates into an explosion of magic that can be heard across campus. Witnesses come upon a corridor full of students lying on the ground with Ray the one left standing. Ray is escorted away by a teacher and all witnesses are told not to talk about the incident. (Ray's route, part 17) (Fenrir’s Route, part 18)
The event is known as 'The Day That Went Dark'
Fenrir, confirming their ages: "But when Ray and I were both fifteen-- our school was attacked by someone, and-- a lot of the students were really badly injured.” (Fenrir’s Route, part 18)
Fenrir about the school: "Our boarding school was in the Central Quarter, and there were kids from both the Red and Black Territories there.” (Fenrir’s Route, part 18) He states this to confirm it is not a Red vs Black event.
Fenrir (15) overslept that morning and arrived to witness the aftermath
Fenrir: "I overslept that day, so I was running late. Right when I got to school I heard this huge explosion. I went rushing to where the sound came from, and I saw all these students lying on the ground. And in the middle of them was Ray. He'd been fighting alone, and he was a complete mess." "He-- it wasn't an injury, it was something worse." (Fenrir’s Route, part 18) The worse being Ray’s eyes had turned red and he had used magic.
Fenrir: "Even to this day, no one knows what happened. Not who the attackers were, or what their purpose was-- nothing. People started calling it 'The Day That Went Dark.'" (Fenrir’s Route, part 18)
The absence of the attackers probably means they weren’t as badly injured if they were at all injured, and were able to escape.
After the event, Fenrir does not see Ray again for an undetermined but notable amount of time. The next time they meet on the school rooftop, Fenrir says, "Hey, pal, Long time no see." (Ray's route, part 17)
Ray is deeply effected by the event and the relationship he has with his own magic: "Even if I try to protect someone, all I end up doing is hurting everyone involved. What am I doing? What the hell am I?" (Ray's route, part 17)
8 years ago
Zero (14) begins boarding school and meets Edgar (16/17), who is assigned to help orient him
Zero, when asked about for how long he's known Edgar: "It's crazy to think about, but it's already been eight years." (Edgar's Route, part 8/9)
Zero: "I first met [Edgar] at the boarding school he attended in the Central Quarter. I entered partway through the year. Actually, it was my first time attending school ever. Before that, I lived in the Magic Tower. It's a long story, but I left. So, at the age of 14, I was put into a boarding school in the Central Quarter. The school assigned Edgar the role of watching me, as well as helping me get used to school." (Edgar's Route, part 9)
Zero: "Edgar got top grades in every subject and all the teachers loved him. He was a total honor student." (Edgar's Route, part 9)
Zero: "Even when we were students, Edgar was already as good with a sword as the fencing instructor." (Edgar's Route, part 9)
Sirius (22) graduates and takes over the family business (flower farm + Canis Major flower shop)
Sirius: "At the time I had zero interest in joining [the Black Army]. When I graduated, I went home and took over the family business right away. But a year after I started working, I got an unexpected letter from Harr, who was still on the run." (Sirius’s route, part 20)
8 - 7 years ago (Loki’s Route, part 21)
Loki (11), during his 11th birthday party at the Genetta home, accidentally unleashes his magic power for the first time while trying to rescue a frightened stray cat that had wandered into the garden.
His magic burst out uncontrollably and destroyed half of his house and injured his friends and family.
His left eye took on a red tint after the incident.
Loki believes this all happened because his magic had been bottled up for so long
(Thought: This insinuates magic is presented much earlier in Cradle children.)
That same day, Loki's parents got in contact with the Magic Tower and agreed to have their son taken in by them.
Later that night, when a cold rain began to fall, his parents packed and abandoned Loki, despite him begging them not to leave him. The Disciples of Magic came and collected him from the ruined house.
The Magic Tower brought him in with the intention of using him in their experiments.
Disciple 1: "His powers are outstanding-- they may even be on par with Harr's."
Disciple 1: "There's no reason for you to ever go home. Your parents don't even want you anymore."
Unknown how long Loki spent in the Magic Tower
(NOTE: I am placing that Loki escaped after a year/less than a year because it matches with one of my earlier theories. Loki is also still noted as being a child by other characters when they first met him.)
After Loki "risked it all to escape, Harr found him."
Harr: "I'll take care of your pursuers from the Magic Tower. I saw them bringing you in. But you'll never have to step foot in that place again. Come with me. I promise I will keep you safe."
And Loki went with Harr and Harr kept his promise.
7 years ago
Kyle (16) and Lancelot (22) join the Red Army
Kyle: "Lance and I joined the army at the same time. So I've seen this [Lancelot passing out from using his magic] plenty of times before." (Lancelot's route, part 9)
Harr (20), in exile, sends letters to Lancelot (22) and Sirius (23). He asks them to meet him at the old ruins in the Forbidden Forest. Lancelot and Sirius are not informed the other will be there. The meeting goes south, Harr is chased back into the forest by Lancelot, and Lancelot and Sirius have a falling out. (Sirius’s route, part 20)
Sirius: "But a year after I started working [at the family flower shop], I got an unexpected letter from Harr, who was still on the run. It said 'I want to meet you, outside Cradle. We need to talk.' I didn't mind what his reasons were. I was just worried about him. So I followed the map he sent, and I ended up here [at the ruins]. But I got a surprise when I arrived. Lance was also here -- and he'd joined the Red Army not long before that." (Sirius's route, part 20)
Further notation that Lancelot is new to the Red Army, per Harr: "Lancelot. You've joined the Red Army now." (Sirius’s route, part 20)
Lancelot on his behavior towards Harr: "I couldn't tell Harr, either [about the collusion between the Red Army and the Magic Tower/Amon]. I didn't want him to get dragged any further into the red darkness that's plagued my family for generations. The Magic Tower was still after him, and I thought the only safe place for him was to stay outside Cradle." (Sirius's route, part 23)
Lancelot on his behavior towards Sirius: "And there's a very simple and obvious reason why I didn't tell you [Sirius] [about the situation with Amon]. You hate war, don't you? I don't care how suited your skills are to being a soldier, an army uniform has never suited you. An apron and a watering can--that's what suits you best." (Sirius's route, part 23)
Not long after this meeting, Sirius gives up on his dream to run the flower shop and joins the Black Army
Sirius either before or after he joins the BA: "I tried to find out what Harr meant by these secrets and ambitions, but-- I was never able to get close to the truth." (Sirius’s route, part 20)
Ray: "You know... Sirius had already been in the Black Army for years by the time Fenrir and I joined. And up until I joined, they'd been begging him non-stop to become the king." "But apparently he just kept turning them down. And the reason he gave was that he wasn't capable of it." (Sirius's route, part 12)
??? years ago (Lancelot’s Route, part 18)
The King of Hearts (Lancelot’s father) has been attempting to end the collusion between the Magic Tower and the Red Army for some time. (Unknown when these attempts began). He makes good progress with Jabberwock Sr. (Amon’s father)
Lancelot: "My father knew that Amon planned to rule this country, and he regarded him as dangerous. He was working to crush those evil ambitions..." (Sirius's route, part 23)
Amon (?) murders his own father and takes control of the Magic Tower. Then--
Amon extracts the King of Hearts’s soul, leaving him little better than a motionless doll
Lancelot: “Though he was technically alive, he was as good as dead.”
Before the day is done, Amon makes a surprise visit to Lancelot (?) at Red HQ, where they meet for the first time. Amon reveals how the relationship between the Red Army and the Magic Tower is going to work. Amon makes it clear Harr and Sirius’s souls will be taken if Lancelot hurts/kills Amon. The lives of Cradle are also being held hostage due to the Magic Tower’s stash of hidden Magic Crystals. Amon offers Lancelot the chance to join him in his work, to which Lancelot has no choice but to agree.
Amon corrects himself at this meeting from calling Lancelot “Lancelot” to “the King of Hearts"
Lancelot claims the throne as the King of Hearts and takes command of the Red Army
Lancelot: "When I succeeded my father, I swore an oath with Amon in my father's place. We'd rule Cradle together-- me publicly, and him behind the scenes. Amon told me that if I didn't swear that oath, he would burn this entire country to ash." (Sirius's route, part 23)
Lancelot: “I pretended to agree to his plan, hoping to get close to him and eventually catch him off guard. I was searching for his hidden cache of Magic Crystals so that I could destroy them all. But to manage that, I also needed him to believe that I was going along with him. That I shared his ambitions." (Sirius's route, part 23)
Amon, expecting Lancelot to betray him, has the Magic Tower make covert skirmishes against the Red Army and Lancelot over the years (Lancelot’s Route, part 24)
Amon: "You see, all those skirmishes I've instigated over the years were meant to drain you of your magical powers." Lancelot: "And you think I didn't realize that?" (Lancelot's route, part 24)
(Theory: these attacks are probably blamed on the Black Army.)
??? years ago
Kyle (?) finds Loki (?), who is passed out on the ground and a mess. Kyle notes that it seemed like Loki was on the run from something. It is their first meeting. (Loki’s route, part 14)
Kyle: "The reason [Loki] buddied up to me in the first place is-- I happened upon him after he had fainted from using too much magic. So I took care of him.”
(Food for thought: does this mean Kyle took Loki to his home to care for him or did he take Loki to the Red Army HQ infirmary?)
A general "years earlier" is given for time frame.
Loki and Kyle’s friendship begins
??? years ago
Luka (?) graduates and goes against Red Territory by joining the Black Army instead
Luka: "After graduation, I decided to join the Black Army. So, Ed and I became enemies." (Edgar’s route, part 19)
Edgar: "The Jack of Spades may be my enemy, but he is also my friend." (Fenrir's route, part 12)
??? years ago
Edgar (?) graduates, and at some point joins the Red Army
The process of replacing Claudius in the Red Army is unknown
Zero regarding Edgar leaving on “family business” from the Red Army: "This happens from time to time. He'll disappear for a day, but he'll be right back to work the next morning." (Edgar's Route, part 8)
Edgar regarding the Jack's pact with the King and Queen: "After those two [Lancelot and Jonah] took on their titles, they haven't issued an order for dark plots or assassinations."  (Edgar's route, part 20) 
Zero (?) graduates from boarding school and joins the Red Army despite having no lineage to speak of
Zero: "After we [Edgar and Zero] graduated, I had nowhere to go. Until he practically forced me to join the Red Army. I'm the person I am today because of him. Though I'm still not sure if I should be grateful or not." (Edgar's Route, part 9)
??? years ago
Civilians besiege the Red Army Headquarters
This is the event which earns Lancelot (?) the nickname the Beautiful Beast
Edgar: "A band of civilians once stormed the Red barracks trying to kill the soldiers. When the military holds all the power, it's pretty common for civilians to resent them. They took us by surprise, so there were quite a few casualties on our side. Until [Lancelot] showed up, saber in hand. And then the fight was over in mere moments."
Alice: "[Lancelot] took out all the attackers by himself?"
Edgar: "That's right. His swordsmanship was breathtaking -- even I thought so. He's incredibly strong even when he doesn't use magic. Almost seems unfair." (Lancelot's Route, part 12)
(THINKING ALOUD: Was it actually the civilians attacking due to unrest or was this another one of Amon’s traps? Lancelot not using magic would have thwarted Amon’s scheme if so...)
Half a month ago
Lancelot’s (29) father, the prior King of Hearts, is killed and his body is hung on the Black Bridge
Lancelot: “I found his corpse hanging from the Black Bridge, as if it was put there on display.” (Lancelot’s Route, part 18)
Ray: "Half a month ago Lancelot's father--the former King of Hearts--was murdered." (Jonah's Route, part 10)
Perpetrator unknown but Lancelot theorizes it was Amon
The reason for this murder was likely to fabricate a reason for the Red and Black Armies to fight. It works, and Lancelot uses it on Day 0 when declaring war.
Day 0
At a meeting in the Garden, Lancelot and the Red Army declare war on the Black Army
The armies have never gone to war before despite 500 years of conflict
The reason Lancelot gives is due to the murder of his father by the Black Army
Lancelot makes it clear he intends to absorb the Black Army into the Red Army
Later that night, Alice the Second falls into Wonderland, right into the Garden...
Special thanks to
@kashimalin for helping to source the former King of Hearts’s DOD
@tenjouu for spotting Sirius’s-graduation-to-Harr’s-letter time frame
@itsmcdlove27 for highlighting Lancelot’s beautiful beast moment
@myotomespace for source correction! <3
785 notes · View notes
andrea-lyn · 5 years
Note
Malex prompt! Slowly getting to know the love of your life better as friends is perhaps the most awkward time to have to pull off fake dating for the investigation, but needs must.
“I don’t understand why you can’t go,” Michael feels like he’s losing his mind, because Alien Club is a) way too populated right now and b) telling him that he and Alex need to go undercover at some alien collector’s house the next town over. He gestures wildly to Noah and Isobel. “You two are actually married!” He’s shouting now, but he knows it’s a front for his panic.
Better to be angry than to let anyone see how much he’s freaking out about the fact that they want him and Alex Manes to pretend to be a happy married couple interested in some items for their home.
“Because he knows me,” Isobel counters. “Not to mention, of the three of us, you’re the one with the power to manipulate security cameras and pick locks with his brain,” she snaps. “So, your choice of spouse. Do you want Valenti, who can defibrillate a security guard if things go wrong…”
“Hey,” Kyle cuts in. “I’d make a very convincing loving husband.”
“Or you can pretend to be married to Max?”
“That’s not an option,” Max informs the group, raising a hand like he needs to make that clear.
“What about Liz? Cameron?” Michael is starting to flail wildly with options, because he knows how this is going to end.
“Guerin, they want me to hack into the system while I’m there to plant a keylogger,” Alex sounds way too calm considering what they’re being asked to do.
It’s only been a few weeks since Alex turned up at the junkyard and told Michael that he wanted to start over and be friends. Michael’s been trying so hard to give him what he wants and needs, backing off every time things get too close or tense, trying to open up and genuinely be Alex’s friend.
He’s just not sure he can actually be Alex’s friend and pretend to be married to him at the same time.
“Then why married?”
“You wouldn’t bring a casual boyfriend to a collector’s house to buy something. He’s supposed to have actual alien artifacts, Michael, and we need to know if there’s something worthwhile there.” Isobel’s gaze is steady and she has the look in her eye of a woman that knows she’s winning the fight. “Just go in, put on a good show, and maybe we’ll learn more about ourselves. You want that, don’t you?”
It’s not a problem of want.
Michael wants everything that’s about to happen.
He wants to learn more about his past. He wants to be with Alex in a way they’ve never had a chance to be, but pretending to be married feels like skirting a huge line that feels dangerous to step over. “Fine,” he says, trying not to look at Alex (which is good, because then he won’t have to see the puppy-dog mooning eyes Alex is sending him). “I’ll pick you up at six,” he tells Alex. “This better be a good lead, Isobel.”
He storms out of Isobel’s house without looking back at anyone and heads straight to the trailer.
Once there, he opens one of his junk drawers and pulls out a ring box that he’s had since he was twenty-one. It had been a wildly stupid summer with Alex back in town. That summer, Michael had very nearly run away to UNM, begging Alex to come with him instead of going on his second tour.
He’d bought a ring. Michael Guerin, twenty-one, stupid and in love, decided that the next natural step would be to buy a ring. Only, then Alex hadn’t showed up for their date where Michael planned to ask him to run away with him. Years later, he’d found out that he couldn’t, because Jesse Manes had pulled some strings when he’d found out about Alex’s plans, making sure that he’d be required on base.
Michael had put the ring away at twenty one and never brought it out again. At least, not until tonight, because he’s supposed to be playing married.
He taps the box against his chest a few times, his mangled fingers clasping it tightly, and he stares out the window, trying to figure out what you wear when you’re trying to impersonate a married couple.
He has a hard enough time impersonating a normal human being most days, how’s he supposed to do this?
Michael turns off the part of his brain that does feelings and heads to the meet-up point for six, getting in Alex’s car because apparently his beat-up Chevy doesn’t carry the right impression (thanks, Isobel, for that encouraging text).
“You ready?” Alex asks.
“Fuck no,” Michael responds, “but if this guy has anything that belongs to us, I need to know. What do you want to say if he asks about our history?”
“I made us up a background that should hold,” Alex says, as they start driving to the next town where David Trapper lives. “Let’s keep it pretty close to reality? We met in high school and started dating there, off and on. When DADT got repealed, we decided to get hitched, and now we live in Roswell.”
The way he says it is clinical and official, but even that is more than Michael’s ever thought he’d get from Alex. “Okay,” he says, tapping his fingers on the dash to get out some of his nervous energy. “And uh, our names?”
“I took yours. Alex Guerin is the ID he’ll find if he looks me up, which I anticipate him doing.” Alex is doing his Listen To Me, I’m In The Air Force voice, which means they’re about 0010 minutes from Michael being given an order that will get him embarrassingly hard. “I’m not going to mess this up for you.”
“I never said you were,” Michael replies heatedly. “This isn’t me freaking out because I don’t think you can do it, Alex, you have to admit this is awkward. We’re playing pretend. You broke us up, twice, I slept with Maria, now you want to be friends and the first thing we do is decide to get fake married to look into alien artifacts.”
Alex shakes his head in disbelief, but he’s smiling, so clearly he understands how weird this is.
“It’s not, admittedly, how I expected us to start over, but is it so bad? Friends investigate things together. They go out for drinks every few days to decompress and talk about their day. We’ve been doing that. It’s been nice, even.” Alex shrugs as he takes the turn down the long driveway of the address they’ve been given. “Maybe this is a good test for us.”
It’s dark, now that they’ve arrived and it doesn’t help with the ominous mood that’s been creeping up on him the last few minutes. Alex parks a fair distance away as they both peer out the windshield at what awaits.
The house is a creepy looking mansion in the dark and Michael hates it. He thinks he’d hate it even if he didn’t know the guy inside was collecting artifacts like it’s some creepy kink. It’s that gaudy flaunting of wealth that makes him sick, the same as it always did when he was a kid.
“Hey,” Michael murmurs, heart racing as he digs out the box from his pocket. “Gotta sell this, right?” He opens it and it’s probably sad to be as proud as he is about the fact that he doesn’t fumble the ring, but he manages to get it out and offers it out to Alex.
He’d fashioned himself one from some scrap metal and he’s hoping Alex doesn’t look at the ring too long and hard to notice that the platinum band doesn’t match the stainless one Michael’s wearing.
Luckily, Alex says nothing, even if he does give Michael a wary look as he slides it on, his eyes softening. It looks like there’s something on the tip of his tongue, though, but Michael can’t cope with a fake marriage and a mission in the same night as hearing real feelings, so he gets out of the car before Alex can say anything.
He’s pretty sure that Isobel didn’t think about the tension between the two of them when she’d sent them on this little mission of hers, because already he feels like they’re fucking it up. He comes to a stop outside the steps to the porch when he sees a figure standing there.
Someone’s been waiting for them.
Michael tries to convince himself this isn’t like an awful horror movie, and turns to find Alex using his crutch as he makes his way to Michael’s side.
“Mr and Captain Guerin,” David Trapper greets them from the porch of his lavish estate, and Michael threads his fingers into Alex’s hand not just to sell the bit, but because he could use the support. “Please, come in. Isobel mentioned that you had come into some money recently and were interested in seeing my collection.”
“We’re aficionados,” Alex smoothly agrees, giving Michael a nudge to get him moving. “We’d heard that you were intending to sell some of your items and were interested in seeing what you have to offer.”
“I do love to show it off. Please! Come in!” Trapper encourages. “I have the best collection of items I’ve purchased this side of Roswell, but I’m always willing to part with one of them for the right amount of money.”
Michael presses his lips together and tries very hard not to think about sending one of the suits of armor telekinetically flying into Trapper’s face.
Rich asshole bastard.
“Here we are,” he says, ascending a flight of stairs and leading them down a long hallway, with wood floors and heavy oak paneled walls. Everything here is behind a case and looks to have its own security measures. “Seventy years of collecting has yielded this, my own personal monument to our little green friends.”
It’s insulting, is what it is. Michael’s never been green, if you exclude the time he gave himself accidental acetone food poisoning by combing a bottle of it with some really bad sushi.
As much as he’s predisposed to hate this man and his house, his collection is actually incredible. Sure, there’s a few pieces of useless meteorites, but the technology looks genuine and he’s seen copies of the memos on display on the dark web, including the original transcripts from Brazel.
Michael drifts away from Alex’s side to keep going down this rabbit hole, barely paying attention to the small talk Alex is offering to keep Trapper occupied.
Considering he thought this place was going to be a bust, he’s quickly learning how wrong he is. The sound of a phone ringing cuts into his focus and he turns to watch Trapper taking a call, wishing he could listen in on whatever it is he’s being told, but he doesn’t seem keen to even be near them while he talks.
“I have to take this call, you two stay here, enjoy the Alien Wing,” he says, ducking out to the main foyer and leaving Alex and Michael alone.
The minute he’s gone, Michael shorts out the security cameras. “Asshole,” he grumbles, but his eyes are fixed on the various display cases on show, wondering how the hell he got his hands on these items, but the real prize possession seems to be at the end of the hall, with three times as many alarms as anything else. It looks like a glowing piece of the ship, but the placard makes him sick when he realizes that it’s alien in nature, but it’s not mechanical.
It’s organic.
He stares at it for a long time, his brow furrowed.
“Michael?”
“Organ from the 1947 alien autopsy,” he reads, staring at the iridescent shimmering before him, wondering if it belonged to a family member, a friend, a guardian, or someone else all-together. Did this person die to protect him? He’s staring at it while Alex starts to jimmy the panel loose, hooking up his device so he can hack into the security system.
Glancing up as he works, Alex looks worried from what Michael can see out of the corner of his eye. “It’s real?”
“I think so,” Michael says, feeling numb. He can’t explain why he thinks he’s so sure, but there’s a connection and a pull towards it.
Alex finishes with the software he’s sending, a conflicted look on his face as he presses in close to Michael, a hand on his hip. “Hey,” he murmurs. “You know we can’t take it. He’ll call the cops and that’s the last thing we need.”
“I know,” Michael replies, but it’s monotone, like he’s on autopilot.
“Michael…”
“I know,” he snaps, because he does. He has to leave this place because this is only recon and he’s not allowed to use his power to smash the glass and take back this stolen piece of his history.
“We’ll come back.”
He knows, but it doesn’t make it any better. “What do you want to tell him?” he asks, searching Alex’s face for advice and finding a flood of warm sympathy there. Maybe they’re pretending to be hitched, but he’s pretty sure Alex has nailed the whole ‘support your spouse’ part of this. “What should be we be making an offer on?”
“The memos,” he says. “We don’t want him thinking we’re into the alien stuff just yet. I’ll tell him we’re going to go home and think about it, then we’ll make sure he’s not connected to the government in any way.” He steps into Michael’s space so he catch his eye, clearly trying to calm him down. “Okay?”
It’s really not okay, but what choice does Michael have? He rips his gaze away from the glowing and pulsating object, swallowing back his stubbornness so they don’t get caught.
“Okay.”
It takes another ten minutes to conclude their business with Trapper and get out of there, but he doesn’t seem suspicious and that’s all Michael can ask for. The drive back is spent in silence, because Michael can’t stop thinking about the organ in the case, and he can’t stop thinking about the rings on their fingers – fake in Michael’s case, but so real when it comes to the one Alex sports.
Once they’re back in Roswell, Michael knows that he’s going back once he figures out a decoy to swap with the items in Trapper’s care. He’s not leaving anything back at Trapper’s place, but he doesn’t need a fake-husband for that. Alex has brought him back to the junkyard and parked the car, turning to face Michael as he lifts his hand, starting to work off the ring. “Here,” he says. “Before I forget, you should take this back.”
Watching Alex pry off the ring, Michael feels a wave of courage wash over him.
He reaches out and folds Alex’s fingers over it. “Keep it,” he says.
“Michael, it’s yours, it must have cost…”
“Keep it,” he says. “But the next time that you and I do something that requires a married couple to go, I’m not faking it with you,” he warns, a promise he intends to keep. Seeing his family’s body on display like that has filled Michael with a need to make sure that he doesn’t take anything for granted. “I spent fifty years in a pod, in stasis, but I came out at the exact right time. I don’t know how, but maybe you and I were meant to. I was protected by someone, and maybe this isn’t what they intended for me, but one year more or less and everything would’ve been different. I’m gonna make it right. I’ll talk, I’ll be your friend, but one day, I’m gonna earn that ring back from you because otherwise, if I waste away my life, what does that say to the people who worked so hard to keep us safe?”
He can’t keep fucking up with Alex and he knows they’re not ready, but he really needs Alex to understand that.
Alex slides the ring back into his pocket, nodding, looking thoughtfully at him. Michael’s expecting Alex to tell him to stop being unrealistic or to stop pushing, but he doesn’t say anything. Instead, he presses Michael against the door of the truck and kisses him like they had at the reunion, crashing into each other as Alex’s fingers tangle into Michael’s hair, kissing him until desperate sounds are wrenched from Alex’s throat.
When he eases back, Alex presses his forehead to Michael’s. “I knew you were secretly a romantic,” he teases. “You’re saying we’re fated?”
“I don’t know what else to call it,” Michael admits, because he believes in coincidence, but them finding each other feels like more than that. “Come on,” he says, swallowing the lump in his throat. “We need to tell them what we found and I need to go plan a heist.”
“Not alone, you don’t,” Alex guarantees, and Michael feels his heart pounding in his chest to know he’s got a partner in crime. “For better or worse, until government agencies do us part.”
“Yeah,” Michael agrees, and he’s ready to go reclaim a piece of his history, with the best fake-husband ever at his side.
252 notes · View notes
finderskeepersff · 4 years
Text
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Sofia is on a mission and it is a mission I really wish I wasn’t on but I am, I had hoped that everyone she called said they busy but those bitches didn’t even say no at all. I am excited to see Sofia so happy but I am also feeling it, I am nervous about it all “Cassius” she is coming back to ask me something else now “what is happening with your money? We can’t go empty handed?” nodding my head in agreement “I know, and erm it’s coming. It will be arriving same time as your friends” Sofia frowned “how?” she questioned, I laughed because it’s funny but then again it just seems crazy “on a jet” Sofia looked at me like I was crazy “what?” I said half laughing because Sofia ain’t taking me seriously “don’t be stupid, how?” rubbing my head “I told you, on my jet. Ethan is riding with it, it’s coming and then you can buy your pretty dress. I told you, it is just in time for when your friends arrive. Whatever you wish you get baby” Sofia’ frowned soon turned into a smirk “ok, but what about you? You need to get yourself a suit, Cassius don’t make me take you to get a suit” I stifled out a yawn “look, you just get what you need and I will do what I need to do” Sofia closed the bedroom door “so you want me to come with you, on a special day. We don’t have long Cassius, I need you to help me please. I need to know that you will buy a suit for you and Kyle, right?” nodding my head “and Cartier, you take him with you” it’s too much of a headache “are you sure you want to marry me Cassius?” lifting my head up from the pillow “of course I do Sofia, just thinking” Sofia made her way to the bed and sat down “I do hate when you think, it’s always so scary” I chuckled “my mind is scary, but I just want sex” resting my head back on the pillow “don’t lie to me, what is it?” Sofia stroked my face “you got a temperature too, talk to me” I like Sofia treating me like a baby, she is different now that I said let’s get married “what if I fuck shit up, like if I say something dumb? You know, what do I say?” I am being dead ass “all you need to say is I do, that is it” I grinned “what if I say I don’t?” I said “then I will kill you, Cassius I will kill you. Fuck any nigga out there after you, I will kill you” I laughed out “you laughing but I am not playing, you say I fucking do, that is it. Just turn up ok? That is it?” rubbing my head against Sofia’ hand and closed my eyes “stop being stupid, you know what to do” I groaned out as she moved away.
I came to the airport with Sofia to pick up the people, I didn’t really want to come but I wasn’t about to let Sofia come alone. She got a bus for them “I got you a ring” Sofia walked towards me and then hugged me “for what?” I frowned “you’re going to be a married man Cassius, you wear that forever. Don’t be so dumb, you know damn well Cassius. I got a ring for you, it was rushed but Mia came through, so did Josiah, with the ring size. He snooped around for me, Mia got it. Used my money, not yours” Sofia’ friends will do anything for her “are you happy?” wrapping my arms around Sofia “I am, I got a surprise for you” a surprise for me “is it pussy?” Sofia scoffed “I told you, my pussy is not on the list until our wedding night” Sofia looked up at me “it’s hard Sofia, I see you naked and Jackie has banned me from sleeping in the bed with you. She being mad strict for nothing, we been had sex” Sofia giggled “I think she is right, you would be humping my leg, you’re so horny” resting my chin just above her head “I think at times Cassius you like to play dumb, I feel you do it to mask your real feelings about things” I grinned “I think I am going to cry, it’s going to be emotional. I think so anyways” I got a feeling I will anyways.
After what happened with Mia’ home and now I am seeing her, Sofia ran at her friends and they all screamed and I am like god help me. Seeing even Lee scream, don’t these niggas have jobs “my nigga!!” Kyle spat, I laughed shaking my head “nigga you getting married!? You getting married” dapping him “listen, it’s happening. What can I say” hugging him “you don’t need to say shit my nigga, your best man is here” Mitch walked over to me “Cassius” moving back from Kyle “my man” dapping him “Kenton actually came too?” dapping him “appreciate it, y’all came. Thank you” it’s nice of them “Cassius, I swear to god. If you both don’t get married you paying for my wages” Mia spat, I laughed moving back “you best marry her now” Mia hugged me, I expected her to not like me after what happened “I will get married, I promise” it was nice of her to hug me, seeing Jasmine. Moving back from the hug, Jasmine stared at me and then I just stared at her “she is here” I mumbled “I am” Jasmine said, Olivia moved to the side “for him” my body language softened “C!” Bryce screamed out and ran at me “what!? Oh my god. Bryce” picking him up as I hugged him “oh my god, Bryce. I missed you” hugging him close, he held my neck so tightly “what a gift to me, I missed you Bryce. Where you been all this time” he moved his head back smiling “where you been champ?” he is shy, he pointed at Jasmine “with auntie?” he nodded his head “you have grown, I missed you. Wow, you getting so big” I smiled “you looking like your dad more and more” I am a little emotional “left a legend behind” Bryce laughed and hugged my neck again.
Seeing my jet arriving “wait here” I got up from the seat “come” I said to Kyle, making my way to get off of the bus “he really got a whole ass jet” I heard Mia say before I got off the bus “you never said, I would got on the jet. You ain’t shit for this” the security here don’t like me, he is following me but it’s a private hanger and it’s my damn jet “sorry, it’s just been so busy. My mind is fucking everywhere right now, shit has been a mess really” the stairs came down on my jet and I jogged up the steps “give me that fucking weed, my god!” I said walking onto the jet “Cass!” Ethan spat, dapping him “you got everything? Good seeing you Jasper, is Fabian watching my home right? Josiah good yeah?” Jasper nodded his head “good, good. This is my money and weed?” I have not had weed in so long “all in there, I was thinking of doing some dealings here” I shook my head laughing “Sofia will kill me, let’s get off this so they can park this up” turning around “Cassius” my pilot said “can’t speak, hope you’re ok” we need to get off this private hanger quick time, jogging down the steps “I am going” I said to the security.
Letting Jasper and Ethan get on the bus first, they bought three duffle bags, we don’t need that much but we will see “go on” Kyle said, jogging up the steps “not this nigga” Mia said and kissed her teeth “be nice now” making my way to the back “can I use that jet? Dead ass Cassius, let us go back on a jet” Olivia asked “that is for mine, y’all get economy thanks” I chuckled, I am happy for the weed. I need that shit, just to calm my nerves down. Sitting down on the seats at the back “you really getting married young sir?” Ethan said “could say, I mean yes I am” I smiled “C!” looking down the row of seats, Bryce is running down to me “what do you want?” Jasmine is watching him run to me “you came and sit with uncle” picking up him and placing him on my lap “I missed you so much young king, don’t you think he looks like Jordan? I can just see Jordan in him so much” I grinned “he does, you seem so happy about that” Kyle said “I don’t know, I just find comfort in that” it’s weird, I find it sweet how even though my brother is dead he has his mini me that he barely knew, I wouldn’t ever let him go through shit, not while I am around, I will make sure he is taken care of.
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Peaking over the seats and checking on Cassius, he seems so happy about Bryce. I did that for him, I know he wasn’t impressed when he saw Jasmine but I said to Jasmine he will get over it, let him pull faces. He needs to have some family here and I think it’s a nice touch to have his nephew here and his sister, Josiah can’t come because he needs to take care of Cassius business, he already told him. He has to go to the club and Josiah wasn’t happy about it but I also invited Henry and his wife, Cassius doesn’t know that either. I just want Cassius to have that support on his side too. It’s hard on him, I know the man I am marrying and I know for him to do this it took a lot, I want him to enjoy the day as much as I am so that is why I am doing this. I know it’s mostly me doing it all but I am thinking of Cassius too, I am not that selfish. Celine didn’t make an issue of it I see, which I am glad but she is not invited to anything at all “you seem in a daze” Mia said poking my arm through the gap of the seats “I am” I said smiling “just a lot to happen, so much Mia. Like we going to your hotel but we going to venue straight after because I need to see it, Cassius did want this but I know he is nervous about it. I am so happy that you both could come, like it means so much to me and Lee, I have not seen you in so long” I am shocked he did want to come “and you’re pregnant again bitch!” Lee said, I laughed “can’t help myself, but it means a lot. And then I need to fit into a dress” I sighed out “don’t worry about it, it will be fine. We got Cassius a ring, you was so adamant in us getting that” I chuckled “that is because I want to make sure he wears it, I need to make sure he know he has to wear it” Cassius is going to think it’s a ring he can take off when he likes.
The hotel they are staying at is attached to the venue we are supposed to get married at if I like it that is, I should do anyways. I did come to a wedding here once and it was beautiful but that was years ago so I hope it looks the same as it did “hey, you good?” Jasmine sat next to me “yeah I am, Cassius wasn’t happy to see me” rolling my eyes “that is Cassius for you Jasmine, I did say it on the phone did I not? He will get over it, just give him time” he needs to forgive his sister “you think he will be happy about me being in the house?” taking in a deep breath “no” I said truthly because he won’t be “what to do, do not mention it to him I will but if you want to move to Atlanta you can, I for one do not mind it, I think it’s nice to have more family around but grumpy Cassius will be like no it’s not but don’t worry about it, I am so happy you are here” Jasmine smiled at me “my sugar daddy paid for me to come” I paused raising an eyebrow “I thought that shit was a joke but you deadass on that?” she nodded her head “I don’t sleep with him, he has a wife. He is old and just wants to take me out on dates, he wants to know I am a kept woman, he works with Paramount, big boss guy. I met him when I was waiting on his private dinner service. He pays and I don’t say noting, but I do have my actual niggas I fuck with” Cassius will blow his top “Jasmine if you going to do that then I recommend to not come because Cassius will be on your ass about it, think about it” she needs to not be so dumb about this because if I say it to Cassius and she comes here, lives with Josiah and fucks up Cassius will blame me.
Cassius has gone somewhere with Kyle and Jasper and the rest of the boys, I am waiting in the lobby for the wedding planner “I am so excited to be in Barbados” Amira said as she walked over to me with Mia and Olivia, they are going to walk with me to see the venue. Jasmine is staying with Bryce “it’s beautiful here ain’t it” it’s nice to have them here actually “how is the little man, you left him home?” Mia asked “oh yes, I was not about to have him here. He wouldn’t let us do anything. We are going back tonight, I am an hour away from this place so I hope I do like it” I am nervous about not liking it “Sofia Bundy?” this lady walked over to me “yes I am” I said “I am Mary, the wedding planner” shaking her head “Sofia” I said, I said it like she don’t already know my name “come with me to the office” Cassius is not here, I hate him sometimes “we your man now” Mia said, smiling at her. I love them all, I need their support.
Mary looked around me “is your fiancé not here?” she asked “he is, he had to do something” I lied “that is fine, we can start so the resort sits on 40 acres overlooking one of the top ten Beaches in the World. It’s easy to get married here. The country’s legal requirements make it straightforward to get married in Barbados. We require Application for a marriage license must be made by the bride and groom in person at the Ministry of Home Affairs, within the package we can offer this to you so I wouldn’t be so concerned, we will help you. So how many people would you say would be at the wedding. Will it be a big party?” I paused thinking “it’s not a big party, I would say about thirty altogether. That is give or take” The lady nodded her head “so I would recommend the cliff wedding, panoramic ocean view or the beach wedding. We can go and see them both yes?” nodding my head, I need to see it before I can even say yes or no to that.
Side eyeing Cassius, he is here but he staying away from me “so on your wedding day, if you was to pick the cliff, you see this building which leads to here, this would be where the party will be after. It leads out here, but if you was to decide this is the one for you. Then these are the steps you would walk down, and if can follow me and I will walk through the very steps you could be making. It is all private, the only sound you can here is the ocean” hearing Cassius laughing behind us, his laughter is putting me off. They are talking so loud too” let me try and ignore them and imagine myself walking in a wedding dress with my bump of course, the steps are easy to walk down. It looks beautiful, the edge of Barbados, the blue skies to match and she is right, it is private and we can only hear the water “so here, the red carpet and just here” she said while walking away from me “here is where you will get married just looking over the beautiful ocean” I can actually imagine it “I was like, my nigga the fuck you doing and he goes the stripper took all his money, I looked and the bitch was so tiny as fuck. You talking about the midget stripper, a ducking midget took his money” I heard every word Cassius said as him and the boys laughed out loudly, Kyle near on the floor “Kyle!” Amira said, she slapped his arm. Cassius eyes met mine “and that is the guy I am marrying” I said in a whisper “if you could give me a second, Cassius!” I waved him over.
He is high, I can tell by his face “so you couldn’t just wait, you had to do this?” looking at my friends, they are all cussing their men out “did you all do it?” Cassius chuckled “erm yeah, they wanted too” I am so disappointed in him “wow, so you didn’t wait and you did this on the day we are looking at a venue for us to get married, you couldn’t be there for me. I said do nothing but just fucking support me” I hit his chest “oh come on Sofia, like you being serious. Whatever you say goes, you don’t need me. We cool” he is so fucking high “you sure you had weed?” Cassius stumbled back a little and dug his hand into his pocket “it’s weed” he held his hand out to me “weed” I am so fucking disappointed in him “so this is what I got to put up with now? Because you feel obliged to marry me” I can’t believe him “just go, please just go!” I barked at him, walking off “Sofia, man. You being real” he tried grab my hand “don’t touch me, go! And you take them with you” I don’t need any of them idiots here, I am so upset with him. How can he just do that, he knew we was coming here and he couldn’t have just waited at all “sorry about that Mary, continue” it just makes us look stupid and not ready at all.
When I told Cassius to go, he left and to be fair I don’t care where he went. He went with all of the boys, they all ran off “thank you girls for coming with me, you think the cliff is better than the beach?” they all agreed in unison “I guess that is it it then, I need to go back. Cartier is playing up and it’s going to take me an hour to get back so I will see you girls tomorrow” I started off with Olivia and hugged her “don’t take what they did to heart, I am angry at them. Kenton is always on my shit list” here Olivia goes “I know but they could have waited” hugging Mia “I agree sis but you don’t worry about it” so they say, I worry because Cassius at times is not stable with the shit he thinks about and him dong that concerns me “Kyle is an asshole” Amira said as I hugged her, it made me laugh “they both are” I can’t believe them all being high on a date I needed Cassius to actually use his brain, like is he trying to ruin things with me.
I lowkey want to ring Cassius and ask where he is, I don’t want him to be elsewhere doing dumb shit but I won’t. Walking into my grandparents home “you’re back!” my gran said “you look so happy that I am back” my gran makes me so happy “you know I worry about you, how was it? Are you happy?” nodding my head “I am happy with what I saw, I think it is the place for me “Cassius came back before you, he is in the bedroom. He left Cartier here though” he is ready for sleep “you miss mommy” he has never crawled so quickly to me “my handsome big boy” picking him up from the floor “I can’t wait to see you in a suit” pressing kisses to his cheek “he is fed and watered but he won’t sleep” least they did that “well I will try and do that now, I will be back” he is being hard headed about sleeping “time for bed, no more excitement for you” walking towards the bedroom, Cassius came back here quick. He came running back, pushing the door open. Cassius is awake, he is sat up on the bed just staring at his phone “I was waiting for you to come back” he locked his phone looking at me, closing the door behind me “why? I needed you then not now, you know when any couple is ready to get married they do it together. All I wanted was for you to pretend you was paying attention and cared, I already have nobody and now this with you when all I do is do shit to make you happy, you’re selfish Cassius” placing Cartier in the crib, I need to have it out with Cassius first “I am sorry, I messed up Sofia. I didn’t expect the weed to be that strong. I do want to marry you, trust me” I question Cassius at times, I don’t know what he wants “then why do it? Cassius answer me this, why put me through it all of the time? Come on please answer me this. I just want you to help me sometimes, I am scared to even let you loose out there when you don’t even care for it, I feel you don’t care. You have done this because someone pushed you to it. The boys arrived and you was gone” I don’t think he wants it “Sofia, I am not lying to you. I had weed and it was strong, I am sorry. I do want to marry you, I just. I guess I am dumb at times, I can only say sorry to you. I do care” I swallowed hard “then fucking show it!” I walked off.
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