Violence: A Writer’s Guide: This is not about writing technique. It is an introduction to the world of violence. To the parts that people don’t understand. The parts that books and movies get wrong. Not just the mechanics, but how people who live in a violent world think and feel about what they do and what they see done.
Hurting Your Characters: HURTING YOUR CHARACTERS discusses the immediate effect of trauma on the body, its physiologic response, including the types of nerve fibers and the sensations they convey, and how injuries feel to the character. This book also presents a simplified overview of the expected recovery times for the injuries discussed in young, otherwise healthy individuals.
Body Trauma: A writer’s guide to wounds and injuries. Body Trauma explains what happens to body organs and bones maimed by accident or intent and the small window of opportunity for emergency treatment. Research what happens in a hospital operating room and the personnel who initiate treatment. Use these facts to bring added realism to your stories and novels.
10 B.S. Medical Tropes that Need to Die TODAY…and What to Do Instead: Written by a paramedic and writer with a decade of experience, 10 BS Medical Tropes covers exactly that: clichéd and inaccurate tropes that not only ruin books, they have the potential to hurt real people in the real world.
Maim Your Characters: How Injuries Work in Fiction: Increase Realism. Raise the Stakes. Tell Better Stories. Maim Your Characters is the definitive guide to using wounds and injuries to their greatest effect in your story. Learn not only the six critical parts of an injury plot, but more importantly, how to make sure that the injury you’re inflicting matters.
Blood on the Page: This handy resource is a must-have guide for writers whose characters live on the edge of danger. If you like easy-to-follow tools, expert opinions from someone with firsthand knowledge, and you don’t mind a bit of fictional bodily harm, then you’ll love Samantha Keel’s invaluable handbook
*a vague conspiracy theory which doesn’t actually answer the question at hand. We all have our own ideas of how the lore should go, and I’m sure yours is very canon-compliant and valid, but this is mine and I have support for it. Looooongpost.
First off: What do we know about the canon Wanderer?
We know they activated Project Purity (or had a companion do it) without the FEV and were inducted into the Brotherhood. We know they’ve met with MacCready (you can’t finish the game if you don’t), and he has dialogue indicating they had further contact. They also took the Brotherhood’s side at Adams Air Force Base.
We don’t know what happened with The Replicated Man, but since the canon Wanderer appears to have good karma, and info from 4 implies Zimmer’s disappearance was more recent than ten years ago, it seems likely they took the boring ending, which secures their membership in the Railroad.
Why aren’t they in Fallout 4?
The Doylist answer is that they’re highly customizable, and so they have no canon appearance, personality, gender, etc. But in-universe? Something happened.
“Accepting outsiders like yourself has proven disastrous in the past.” - Kells
“I've seen other soldiers come and go. Some were brave, some were honest... hell, some were even downright heroic.” - Danse
“Every doctor I've talked to was worthless. [] I don't need them... I need someone like you.” - MacCready
When Duncan first got sick, “someone like you” would have meant the Wanderer. This suggests (to me) that they’re not in the Capital Wasteland anymore. But they’re certainly not in the Commonwealth either.
The weird thing is that the Lone Wanderer is all over this game - they’re the namesake for a male hairstyle, a perk, a DCR song, a motorcycle brand… and the codename of Deacon’s mission to save the Railroad from certain destruction by recruiting the Sole Survivor.
Someday We’ll Find It, the Deacon Connection
Oh yeah, I’m going here. Desdemona’s terminal entries confirm it was always Deacon’s plan to get you onboard and use you to destroy the Institute. There are Railroad lookout posts near 111/Sanctuary and Red Rocket, and of course he followed you in Goodneighbor, Diamond City, and Bunker Hill (at least). His court jester vibe hides it a bit, but he’s manipulating you more than he’s manipulating Desdemona in the intro scene. And do you notice he rarely gives you a firm verbal disapproval unless you’re hurting the Railroad?
What could have caused Deacon’s interest in you, unless he’s made the connection between you and the Lone Wanderer? He’ll vouch for you if you haven’t accomplished anything yet, or even if you’re a Brotherhood member. A Pip-Boyed stranger emerges from a vault in the middle of a crisis, gaining friends, skills, items, and special abilities at a suspicious rate? Probably with the same gender and playstyle as the previous one? Heck, when he first heard the rumors, he probably thought you WERE the Lone Wanderer.
There are other indications the Railroad has been in contact with them — Desdemona mentions the Capital Wasteland as their primary destination for synths, and Deacon references Harkness’s recall code. If you refuse to pick a codename, Desdemona even assigns you “Wanderer.”
So what happened, then?
I think the answer lies with the Brotherhood, specifically in Deacon’s hatred of them. Sure, ideology is enough to hate them for, but Deacon sure seems suspiciously happy if you nuke their base of operations. (Some of) his comments on that:
“The Brotherhood... well, I met them on an op in Capital Wasteland a few years back. But now with Elder Maxson... Let's just say, not a fan.”
“That bastard Maxson really screwed them up. The Brotherhood used to be the good guys. Well, goodish.”
[Who’s Elder Maxson?] “He’s a piece of work, is what he is.”
And on his time in the Capital:
“Did I ever tell you about the time I was in Capital Wasteland? Now there's a tale.”
“Capital Wasteland. Exports: purified water, some decent tech, oh, and an insane suicidal cult that worships radiation. Thanks, guys.”
“I miss Capital Wasteland. You can actually drink the water there.”
And a few lines I’ve decided (with no evidence) directly refer to LW:
“Last partner I had wound up going... well, a little insane. I think it was all my show tune medleys.”
[After Maxson orders you to hunt Danse down] “See? This is what the Brotherhood's really about.”
And my favorite: “I’ve been looking forward to kicking the Brotherhood’s teeth in. I owe them.” This line comes before Glory is killed, so he’s not referring to that. The Brotherhood only recently arrived in force in the Commonwealth. He’s talking about something that happened in the Capital Wasteland.
In early 2286, Deacon moves to the Capitol Wasteland for awhile, probably to get a face change and lay low for a bit. He contacts the Lone Wanderer, who has barely heard from the Railroad in nine years. They begin to work together.
(In context, this journal entry looks like he’s somehow gathering intel to predict when Vault 111 will open, but I can’t think of a way for him to get that information or know why it’s important, so I’m not going to believe it just yet.)
The Wanderer is still a knight, maybe a paladin. Maxson has been elder for 2-3 years and is monitoring the Institute. Meanwhile, the Lone Wanderer and Deacon are setting up infrastructure to receive escaped synths.
And then the Brotherhood finds out about one of the safehouses. With their limited understanding, they believe that the Institute is holed up there and attack. The Wanderer intentionally throws the mission — maybe disobeys orders, maybe downs a vertibird or collapses a subway tunnel, or maybe even attacks their brothers to protect the synths.
And, well-
Either they were killed, or they escaped court martial and execution by a hair’s breadth and fled the Capital, leaving Deacon to believe Maxson had them killed.
There you have it. That’s why they aren’t in Brotherhood dialogue or records. Their accomplishments couldn’t be recognized because they’re a traitor. And that’s why it’s personal for Deacon.
Summary: He was yours, emphasis on was. One day, you were in love, at least you were. The next, He was gone, and you felt as if your whole world had gone in shambles.
Relationship: Romantic?
Character: Loid Forger
Warnings: Angst, Long lost love, fem reader, but it's not a huge part of the storyline, Spy x Family VOL. 10 spoilers!!!!
Note: I hate to have put "blank" when talking about loid but considering the storyline circumstances and volume 10 we still don't know his name, like it was literally bleeped out in the volume itself.
Peace.
It's what the both of you wanted. It's what everybody wanted.
You had known him since you were kids, and you always knew it had been a passion of his to move forward with the war to gain the peace of every townsperson deserved. He wanted more with his life, and that was what he chose.
Out of everyone in the little group you had, you were the closest with him. He had always been so nice to you and never failed to make you feel included.
You weren't a big fan of playing war games with him and the other boys, but you remember one instance where they had told you to just go home because they didn't want you moping around why they were playing their army games.
All of the boys agreed except him.
He suggested you be a nurse. What would happen if they got hurt, and nobody was there to help? You happily took on this role. He always found a way to make you feel special.
When you talked about all of these interactions with your mother, she told you upfront that you had a crush on him. At the time, you were too young to think about having a crush.
However, as you got older and really thought about how much you talked about him and how he made you feel, it was, in fact, a crush.
After the bombing in Westalis, you hadn't seen him in years. You had always assumed that he was caught in the ruble of it all. You know that was thinking the worst, but it was completely possible.
You had decided to volunteer as a nurse for the war, the role you felt you were meant to be in. It just felt right to help out. Plus, if he was alive, you'd knew for a fact he'd be fighting in the war, underage or not. One day, you could see him again.
At the moment, you weren't placed in the hospital wing. You'd instead been sent to go provide food for all the soldiers, the ones in care, and the ones walking around freely.
"Wait... Is that you advisor?"
You overhear someone ask over the ruckus of the townspeople and soldiers, your mind immediately went straight to the first face you had locked with that name, but you knew it couldn't be, there was no possible way.
Even though you had been waiting all these years to hear that name and see that face, it just all still felt so unreal, you just couldn't bear to face the reality of it.
"Genral? Corporal? Major?"
"It is him!"
"It's advisor!"
"No way! It can't be!"
You weren't trying to eavesdrop, but it was very hard not to. They went on and on about how they attempted to search for "advisor" and how much he had grown.
This time, you couldn't help but look back, and they were right. It was him, and he did look the same. It took every strength in you not to walk over and talk to them, they were your friends, but it had been so long, and they were closer to one another, you didn't want to ruin their moment.
"Now all we need now is our nurse, and the whole gang will officially be back together again!" One of the men chimed in, if only they knew you were standing just a few feet away from them. "Yeah, I've been trying to look for her just as much everyone else, she's probably been on my mind the most."
The guys all hooted at this, you pretended it also didn't get a rise out of you while you still acted as if you were more interested in the fruits in front of you instead of the conversation happening behind you.
"Are you free this weekend? There's a great restaurant in the next town over!" The advisor proposed, trying to distract him from what he had previously said. They all explained what they would be up to but how they'd keep in touch.
You had turned back around by this point, but you could tell he was smiling as he they put together their plans.
You listened to them all walk away, then you're mind started racing,
"Should I have gone to talk to them?"
"No, it's okay, they wouldn't have remembered me."
"But I'd be with him."
You jolted back around, just to find none of them there, damn.
-
The war had long since been from over. It had probably been one of the worst moments in your life aside from the bombing you'd experienced as a child.
And after seeing all of your old friends names, all except for him, in the charts marked as deceased you knew wouldn't be able to stand another minute witnessing such torture. So now all you could think about was the fact that you could've spoken to them that one day, before they all passed, but you just couldn't muster up the courage.
But now you were starting a new life in a new area, and maybe he would finally leave your mind and just be a fuzzy memory that you joke about with your future children.
At the thought you hear a child start to laugh, you avert your eyes to the direction. She's a young girl, no more than 6 or 7 years old, and she has pink hair that reaches her shoulders, you smile at her excitement.
Moments like these make your mind wander into a field of imagination of the family you could've built by now. But you were fine with not being settled down just yet, because you knew with how much time you had been working as a war aid there wouldn't been not time for love.
And there was no time for love while your mind was still on him.
You glance down back at your book, reading the paragraph over that you were interrupted from.
"Papa! Look! Look at all of the cows!"
"Yes, I see them." He chuckled in response.
Your eyes widen, head jolting back up to the familes direction, that voice.
"Genral? Corporal? Major?"
"...She's been on my mind the most."
"Are you free this weekend?"
It was him, it had to be, there was no doubt about it.
You wanted to walk up and say hi, but you didn't know how weird that would be, considering you had once had your chance for a reunion but blew it. But maybe it was time, even if he had a child next to him, and she called him 'Papa.'
Yet at the same time, you didn't want to regret it for the rest of your life by not going up to speak and reminisce with him like last time.
You would have given anything for him to look at you again.
In that moment, you had decided that it was time, and you would see and talk to him again.
You put your bookmark in, saving your page and closing it, and just as you were about to stand and make your way over, a woman came walking out of the bathroom area of the train.
"Sorry I was gone so long!"
"Mama!"
Your smile dropped, and you felt your world collapse once more. You couldn't feel your face.
She was breathtakingly gorgeous. She had her silky jet black hair that was styled up and beautiful ruby eyes.
She's what he needed, what he deserved.
This made you feel sick to your stomach, but also ashamed, you had been fawning over this man for years. It was embarrassing.
You checked the clock above the door of the train, you didn't know how much more of this you could take, luckily there was only about 15 minutes left of your traveling.
All you could do now was fidget with your clothes and hands. You couldn't even bother to open up your book back up, you know you wouldn't be able to focus on anything that you were reading.
Once the train had come to a complete stop you felt a sense of relief wash over you, you couldn't stand to hear all of them be so happy together, not knowing that that could've been you.
You got up from your seat, beginning to grab your bags on the shelf above your seat. You had about 2 or 3.
As you struggled with the bags you didn't know that he had noticed,
"You two wait for me outside, I won't be long."
The two girls walk outside and sit on a nearby bench and wait for him while he helps you, you're still oblivious to everything happening around you.
"Miss?"
You're shocked to hear his voice, you drop your bag, almost tumbling backward but catch yourself on the seat.
He chuckles, "Mind if I help?"
"No, not at all."
You finally spoke to him, you look up at him, locking eyes, it had been everything you dreamed of.
His eyes go so wide, you swear they took the shape of a perfectly round circle.
"Y/n?"
You smile and nod.
He wants to hug you, he wants to hug you for centuries, he doesn't know what to do, this feeling that has just suddenly overcome him is making him feel like he no longer has any control.
There was no other way to explain it, he had thought about you so many nights.
Those nights when he was fighting for peace, he was thinking about you, thinking about how you when you were both still children and you would describe to him your future and the peace that would surround you.
"I-"
He's interrupted by a loud voice outside of the train,
"Passengers need to be making their way out of the carriages , the train will be loading more people soon!"
He rushes to grab your bags and help you off, he stops you outside of the train, a good few steps away from his 'family.'
He knows he shouldn't be doing this, it's reckless, it could ruin everything, but seeing you just opened up something within him and he can't stop himself, he just keeps talking.
"I thought you," he pauses.
"Died?" You finish his sentence, smiling at him still, you couldn't believe this was happening.
"Yeah, that."
"I could say the same for you, blank."
Hearing his real name makes his heart drop a little, he hasn't heard many people speak it since he served in the military.
He was glad you were the one to say it.
He sighs, a small smile of his face, "I've missed you, alot.
Tears start to threaten to spill out, "I've missed you too, alot."
"I love you, blank." You say without thinking, he doesn't flinch at this the way he did at hearing his own name, which you don't question.
He stands completely still, looking you right in your eyes, not being able to get enough of this moment.
The next words that come out of your mouth surprise you, "But it's too late," You glance over at his 'family', making eye contact with the little girl, who looks almost as shattered as you do right now.
You grab your bags from him and walk towards the exit, feeling tears roll down your cheeks.
He couldn't feel his face, he felt more numb than he had ever felt before. He hears footsteps come up from behind him.
"Who was that Loid?" Yor asks, Anya clutched by her side, with a sad look on her face, like she had heard the whole conversation, Anya blocked out anything her parents were saying to scan around for the you.
"An old friend," He replies, still looking straight ahead, thoughts racing with what could've been.
my mind has been racing with this concept, sorry for the damage i have caused
reup of a commission i did based on the painting stańczyk by jan matejko
Disclaimer: This is a rough timeline that tries to piece in any clues from the manga. Year 0 is the earliest major plot point mentioned in canon, (AfO vs OFA), Year 5 is when canon starts! It uses what I’ve found about Japanese high schools semester system, and the school schedule page from the manga to make assumptions on term lengths and days off. (Semester Info, Yuuei Schedule Info)
✧・゚: *✧・゚:* SPOILERS FOR THE MANGA *:・゚✧*:・゚✧
Keep reading
❤️💜💙 !!
The amount of scared tissue in Deacons face from all those face changes. Ouch
The fact that Maxson is only 20 and already a raging alcoholic
That Nick probably knew Hancock while he was growing up and that's why the two of them are so close
That Deacon is probably older than Hancock
that Pipers dad was probably apart of the minutemen
that Curie probably had ptsd and abandonment issues from being locked in vault 81 and watching everyone she ever cared about die
That Deacon might have a kid....
Prestons survivors guilt and how deeply traumatized he is
That though people like to give maccready shit for being dirty the man's canonically super allergic to dust so he's more likely to be a cluttered kind of messy than actually filthy
both Hancock and Preston canonically crush on sole but are to insecure to initiate it for their own different reasons
That Deacons been to capitol wastland and maybe even the Mojave or at least has deep knowledge on both
That the lone wanderer is technically apart of the railroad...
That Maccready met Butch Deloria at some point and has knowledge of the tunnel snakes
That the current BOS chapter looks down on the Lyons even though they were the best leaders in bos history....
If the sole survivor had died in the bombs instead of being cryogenicly frozen the railroad wouldn't exist because Shaun would have never been used to create Gen 3 synths, the bos would never have come to the commonwealth because there would be no strange energy readings, and the minutemen would have died in the raider attack at the museum of history
Caits backstory is probably one of the darkest and shes severely traumatized by her own past and uses drugs to escape it
That if he has max affinity with sole X6-88 doesn't seem to care all to much about the institute being destroyed
That though Danse may have a power armour fetish people tend to forget X6-88 also does....
That it was sole who introduced Mac to the mutfruit thing and not the other way around....
That Nick an Irma from the memory den definitely fucked at some point
that magnolia from goodneighbor and Sturges are both synths
That after defeating the institute Deacon quotes Plato and is highly educated on philosophy and literature in general
That Nick just had another detective coat lying around presumably waiting for a partner
The mission had been rough—rougher than expected. I felt the sting of the wound on my head with every step, the dull ache settling behind my eyes like a storm waiting to break. But I kept my face neutral, shoulders steady as I approached the door. Aizawa didn’t need to worry. I had it under control.
Slipping my key into the lock, I took a deep breath, adjusting the hat I’d pulled low over my forehead. It wasn’t much, but it hid the worst of the damage. I could handle this. Aizawa didn’t need to know.
The door swung open before I could reach for the handle, and there he was—standing in the dimly lit entryway, his sharp gaze immediately sweeping over me. “You’re late.” His voice was calm, but I knew him too well. There was an edge of concern under the words.
“Sorry,” I said, forcing a small smile as I stepped inside. “Mission ran long.”
He sighed, the tension in his shoulders relaxing just slightly. “You should have called.” Then, without hesitation, he reached for me, his hand reaching for the hat upon my head, with the goal of taking it off—to complete his usual greeting, a soft kiss to the lips.
Panic shot through me.
I twisted away, stepping back just enough to make it seem natural, but the way his eyes narrowed told me I hadn’t been subtle enough. His fingers twitched at his sides, and for a second, he said nothing.
Then, quietly, “Take off the hat.”
I forced a chuckle, waving a hand dismissively. “It’s just part of the look. I thought I’d try something new—”
“Take. It. Off.”
A pause. His voice wasn’t sharp, wasn’t angry, but it was unwavering.
I swallowed. Maybe if I played it off, I could—
Aizawa was faster. Before I could step back again, his hand moved, quick and precise, fingers catching the brim of the hat. I barely had time to flinch before he pulled it off.
The room went silent.
I saw it in his face immediately—the way his expression shifted from suspicion to pure, unfiltered alarm. His jaw tightened, eyes going wide for just a fraction of a second before his brows furrowed in something like barely-contained panic.
“Shit,” he muttered under his breath, stepping closer.
I opened my mouth, scrambling for an excuse, but he was already reaching up, fingers ghosting over my forehead, barely touching the edge of the wound. His touch was careful, but even the lightest pressure made me wince. His sharp intake of breath didn’t go unnoticed.
“What the hell happened?” His voice was low, steady—but I knew him. He was freaking out.
“It’s nothing—”
“Nothing? You have a head injury, and you thought you could just walk in here and hide it?”
I tried for a sheepish smile, but it didn’t quite land. “Didn’t want you to worry.”
His eyes burned into mine, and for a long moment, he just stared. Then, without another word, he grabbed my wrist and pulled me toward the couch.
“Aizawa, I—”
“Sit.”
I sighed, sinking onto the cushions as he disappeared into the bathroom, only to return seconds later with a first aid kit in hand. He knelt in front of me, opening the box with quick, practiced movements. His hands were steady, but I could see the tension in them, the way his fingers curled a little too tight around the gauze.
He didn’t speak as he cleaned the wound, jaw set, shoulders stiff. But when he pressed a cool cloth against my skin, his fingers lingered, just for a moment, barely a brush, but enough to tell me everything he wasn’t saying.
When he finally spoke, his voice was softer, quieter.
“Don’t do that again.”
I swallowed, watching the way his eyes stayed locked on my wound, as if he could will it away just by looking at it.
“I won’t,” I murmured.
His shoulders loosened slightly, but the worry in his gaze didn’t fade. He finished wrapping my head with careful precision, his fingers lingering against my cheek for a second too long before he pulled away.
Then, finally, he exhaled, rubbing a hand down his face before leaning in. This time, I didn’t pull away when he pressed a featherlight kiss to my temple, just beside the bandage.
“You’re an idiot,” he muttered against my skin.
I huffed a quiet laugh. “Yeah, but I’m your idiot.”
His sigh was heavy, but there was something softer in it now. His hand found mine, fingers lacing together with just enough pressure to ground me.
“Damn right you are”
POV it’s after the first trail and for the first time in YEARS your prediciton was wrong and you’re freaking out about it … .but … you’re lowkey relived too see your friend survived for once …
wonky cropping for their wonky shenanigans
i will write everything. original work, fan fictions, fan art, advice, whatever. | 22 | Sky/Oak/Echo | he/they | 18+ Only author of And It Starts Again
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