TFP: Elita-One

say you’ll remember me

pairing - gabriel reyes x f!reader wc -  1,800 ish warnings - fluff and angst, unrequited love, implied sexual content notes - au ficlets based off the prompt of dream, also on ao3!

Congratulations on your engagement, reads the card. You gush over how adorable the design is and grow more excited upon opening it to see everyone’s names scribbled within.

Everyone you both loved had come together, filling every inch of the card with love.

“We always knew you’d end up together.” “To Mr and Mrs Reyes.” “Here’s to forever with your true love." 

The well wishes go on, and as you read each one aloud, he presses gentle, chaste kisses along your bare shoulder, your slender neck.

You feel so right in his arms, talking with elation about how much you can’t wait to be his wife. You snuggle back into him, resting your head on his chest–making both of you feel complete. Gabriel has never felt so whole in his entire life, yet he knows the feeling will only grow with each day–when you finally become his till death do you part.

He never in a million years thought he’d have this. That through SEP, Overwatch, Blackwatch, and beyond, he’d find you. His perfect match, his true love.

He closes his eyes for a moment, overwhelmed with contentedness, and when he opens them again, you’re no longer cuddled on the couch.

You’re both curled up in bed, both naked and spent, a sheen of sweat covering you both. Pleasure trickles throughout his entire body, and you’re both unsure where one of you ends and the other begins.

You both feel him softening, feel the way his seed leaks out of you–but the real treat is the way he holds you in his arms, both of you feeling safe and completely like you belong.

There’s not a place in the world that either of you would rather be.

"That was amazing.” You sigh, your voice breathy.

He presses a kiss to the top of your head, before tilting up your chin and kissing you with every fiber of his being.  "I love you so much, Y/N.“

You kiss him back with equal passion, and can’t fight the smile off of your face as you cling to him. "I love you too Gabriel, with everything I have.”

“Commander Reyes?”  

Your voice pulls him out of his dreams, along with the gentle touch on his shoulder—he comes slamming back into the harsh reality.

“The dropship isn’t far out now.” You whisper, knowing he’ll be eager to get back to base.

After the firefight, the two of you had been left stranded, surrounded by smoldering buildings and dead Omnics. It wasn’t what either of you were expecting.

Reyes had spent every last scrap of energy getting the two of you to safety, so while you waited for evac, you promised to watch over him as he slept. Granted, it wasn’t ever going to be great, the pair of you using rubble as pillows.

At one point, the Commander’s head had drifted onto your shoulder, until he woke up with a start.

He takes a good few moments to fully adjust, realizing where he is and what just happened.

“Thanks.” His voice is quiet and measured. “ETA?”

“5 minutes.” You reply softly, a kind, friendly smile on your face. Now he has no use for your shoulder, you shuffle away.

He nods simply fighting back the thoughts swimming in his brain. He was used to it, the embers of his inappropriate crush, but he usually had a better handle on it.

Right now, he felt like he was bleeding out, left on the battlefield to die. It had nothing to do with the fight and everything to do with the ache of waking. Of realizing that all you’ll ever be to him is an agent, because he would never think you could love him like the woman who wanted to be his wife.

He observes you silently, noticing the way you tap your fingers across your gun with anxious impatience, and that you still look so beautiful after everything you’ve been through. You hadn’t known each other long, but he knew you to be dependable, and uncharacteristically, he was completely smitten.

“(Y/N).” He starts, unable to use your rank after feeling so intensely close to you. He realizes quickly he doesn’t know what to say–how can he explain how he suddenly feels so close to you, knowing you don’t feel the same?

“Yes, Commander?” Your use of his title gives him whiplash.

Mr and Mrs Reyes, he thinks, the ones in the dream—they have to have started somewhere.  

Every cell in his body screams to say something, to make that first step and hopefully set you on the course of events that would lead to you being just as close as you were in the mirage.

Distant whirring interrupts his thoughts, and whatever words were going to come next die on his tongue.

“You did good today.” He smiles to try and disguise his pain.

“I didn’t do much, thank you for getting me out of there.” You offer meekly.

“I’ve got your back.” His words are certain and earnest.

“I’ve got yours too.”  

He wonders if that’s the closest he’ll ever get to hearing I love you leave your lips. Each praise or affirmation from your lips makes him soar, and yet still leaves him yearning.

His thoughts go around in circles, desperately trying to think of ways to bridge the gap between what he had felt and the chasm between you now.

You two pull yourself up from the pile of rubble, ready to head out to board the dropship.

“Can I ask you something?” It’s you who breaks the silence, your eyes fixed shyly on him.

“Sure.” He can’t bear to meet your eyes.

“What were you dreaming about?”

Had he said her name aloud? Moaned at the height of the dream?

“Why?” His gruff demeanor doesn’t appear any more defensive than he usually is—even if he most certainly feels it. He finally meets your eye, seeing softness there instead of judgment as you begin to speak.

“You had this little smile on your face, and you looked so peaceful. It was nice.”

“My wife.” He huffs a laugh. “Though, she only exists in the dream.”

“Oh.” He can see a range of emotions flicker across your face, as you seem uncertain how to react. “Well, I hope one day you find her for real.”

He laughs at the cruel irony and turns away—wondering how after today, things will ever be the same between you two again.

“Cariño.” His voice is a blessing as it drifts into your dream, the most heavenly sound you could imagine.  

“I missed you so much. I’m sorry I haven’t seen you in a while…” You turn, immediately falling into his embrace. Your hands slip to caress his face, tracing his skin as you desperately refamiliarise yourself with his visage.  

He holds you in return, the touch of his skin on yours bringing you deep peace you haven’t felt in his absence.  "Not been sleeping well?“ 

He knows you haven’t because you’ve barely seen him.  

"Something like that.” You sigh, letting the stress melt away, the problems barely touching you now you’re together. “It’s this double-edged sword, of missing you and needing you, and then those thoughts keeping me away from you.”

“We’re together now.” He kisses your forehead sweetly as he reassures you.  

Your fingers drift across his skin, sweeping to his brow. “You have a new scar.”  

“Nasty fight.” He brushes it off with a smile. “Don’t worry about it.”  

“How can I not?" 

He smirks, removing your hands from fussing so he can kiss them. "Maybe you could kiss it better." 

You stand on your tiptoes, your lips pressing gently against the jagged cut. "My warrior." 

"Now let me kiss you properly.” His voice lowers to more of a growl, as he rushes to kiss you senseless. His large hands hold you still as his lips caress yours, his tongue making love to you.

He pulls away momentarily, leaving you dizzy beyond belief. 

“If you keep kissing me like that, we’re not going to stop at just kissing.” You smirk, your body already buzzing in a way that’s only possible with him. 

“I don’t want to stop until you’re screaming my name.” His kisses fall to your neck as his hands grasp at your flesh. “I can’t get enough of you.’

"I can’t either, fuck.” You sigh dreamily as he paws at you, claiming your body for his own.  

“That’s it, baby, let me hear those sounds.” He purrs. “Say my name.”  

“Yes!” His name is on the tip of your lips when—

You wake with a start, your heart immediately aching at his absence. Your skin feels cold, your bed feels empty. It’s as if his lips and his touch were right there, only to be ripped away.

You scramble to the nightstand, desperate to grab the sketch pad so you can start sketching what you remember.

His locks of hair, his dark eyes, the dog tags around his neck. It’s so familiar and yet so achingly distant. This time you got close, or closer at least, to knowing more about the man who always comes back to your dreams.

You suppose it’s a sign of your loneliness, that you keep having the same dreams over and over, that his face keeps appearing and he acts like he’s loved you for a lifetime already.

With a final stroke of the pencil, this sketch is complete—his adoring eyes staring at you as he strokes your face.

You swap the sketchpad for your phone, navigating to your messages.

“I dreamt of him again…”  

Your friend replies almost immediately.

“Oh (Y/N), we need to get you a date.”  

You smirk at your phone, locking it and heading into the kitchen, ready to start your day. You flick the coffee pot on first, then the TV, and immediately drift to thoughts of what mornings with him might be like as you grab a mug.

“With another successful high-profile mission completed, the group ended with a press conference with the man behind it all, Strike Commander Morrison.”

Admittedly, you didn’t pay too much attention to Overwatch, especially in these more peaceful times. Strike Commander Morrison was always making great speeches though. Your eyes were fixated on the screen, focusing on Jack Morrison until your eyes drift to the grumpy visage of the man standing behind him to the left.

The mug you were holding falls to the ground, smashing into dust.

There he is—the man from your dreams.

Unlike Jack, all blonde hair and Overwatch blues, he’s dressed in darker tones with a beanie perched on top of his head.

The frown on his face is one you haven’t seen much in your dreams, and it makes your soul yearn to reach out and comfort him.  You want to earn those sweet smiles he gives you, and see the tension lift from his shoulders.

But this man, he’s not yours. He isn’t the one in your dreams.

Because even if he looks just like him, the man in your dreams isn’t real.

“Give me a few days of peace in your arms—I need it terribly. I’m ragged, worn, exhausted. After that I can face the world.”

-Henry Miller

Human on the inside

Cayde x reader

Summary: he may be all lights and metal but he’s human on the inside.

Warnings: none really

Sorry about my daryl fest like its a bad obession 😂 xD

A hunter always alone working in the wilds living for that rush. You werent like the other classes you felt out of place odd one from the pack. The other hunters seemed just fine but you were always quiet and discrete. Heading to the vangaurds Cayde had a mission for you.

“Cayde?” Youasked quietly as he spun around.

“Ah y/n yes right oh come with me” you frowned following your teacher. He led you to the ships landing as you both got inside a ship and he flew off.

“Cayde where are we going?” Your ghost asked.

Somewhere" he said playfull making you roll your eyes. You always liked the Exo but always shoved feelings deep inside you knowing it wouldn’t do you any good. You dont know where he was taking you somewhere knew on earth. You both dropped out the ship going to land you frowned seeing a white stag.

“Why did you bring me here?” You asked. You frowned seeing more stags around it, it was the odd one out.

“You know when i see you, your always off to one side never worling with anyone unless you have to, like i know hunters do that i mean look at me, but your different” he sais as you sighed was it really that noticable.

“Im sorry” you said he turned to you shaking his head.

“Dont be” he said.

“I come here sometimes to think ya know i know crazy right even for me, anyway you see the big boy over there white as snow” you nodded.

“That’s what i see when i see you you may be different but your special” he added as you felt a small blush creeping to your face.

“Cayde what are you getting at?” You pushed your ghost away as Cayde chuckled.

“Your not different in anyway y/n honestly your one of the best hunters I’ve seen maybe better then me, but your light shines brighter then the rest and strike me down but hell, im in love with you” you were frozen by his confession staring at his face.

“Hello?” He asked.

“Still with me?” You nodded as he sighed in relief.

“I know crazy right a Vangaurd falling for a guardian i mean just kill me now like seri-” you shut him up embracing him tightly as he froze.

“Well that was unexpected” he said.

“Don’t ruin it” you muttered.

“Right sorry” he hugged you back a smile on your face as you kissed his horn.

“Did you just kiss my horn?” He asked you nodded giggling.

“So im going to take that as you return my feelings” you nodded as his face lit up picking you up and spinning you around making you laugh.

“Ah man best day ever” he said triumphantly you rolled your eyes.

“Sorry I’ll shut up” you smiled shaking your head.

“I love you to Cayde” you said he stared at you with awe.

“Thank you for bringing me here” you said he fumbled nodding.

“Yeah i mean like no problem and yeah” you chuckled again as his ghost talked.

“He’s an idiot” you laughed at his ghost as he face palmed.

“I swear you come in at the worst times” he muttered.

“Cayde look at me” he snapped his head to you seeing your calm soft face.

“I love you Cayde-6 nothing’s going to change that i just hope we can work this out” you said.

“I will make it work i make everything work” you laughed again giving him a hug as hw sighed embracing you. It would work out.

bob is the babiest of babies, leave him out of this

Bob: “I AM TOO BIG. BABIES ARE SMALL.”

Florence Castle's HEROES OF CYBERTRON - Ep. 02: LOCKDOWN

Ho deciso di alternare gli Autobot e i Decepticon in modo da variare gli argomenti. Così la serie non sembrerà monotona e noiosa. Ora vediamo l'episodio di oggi...

NOTA: Alcune immagini non sono mie, ma vengono dal sito DeviantArt. Articolo scritto da me, con l'approvazione di @jazzluca.

***

PUNTATA 2: LOCKDOWN, il cacciatore di taglie

Con il prossimo soggetto è meglio non scherzare. Basta solo nominarlo e le reazioni scatenate tra i fan si alternano tra urli di giubilo o vergognosi fischi, se non addirittura insulti più o meno pesanti. L’unica magra consolazione è che LOCKDOWN non appartiene a nessuna fazione dei Transformers, quindi né Autobot né Decepticon.

Sebbene sia uno dei pochissimi Bot misconosciuti a causa delle sue origini relativamente moderne, Locky detiene una discreta popolarità nel brand, complice probabilmente del fatto di essere un cacciatore di taglie con il macabro pallino di collezionare i cimeli degli sfortunati Bot che ha incrociato lungo il cammino, pur detenendo “solo” quattro trasposizioni nell’universo Transformer. Non è certo un bravo ragazzo come Samus Aran, la survivalista spaziale in armatura arancione protagonista della saga Nintendo Metroid, ma possiamo semmai definirlo un “cazzuto bastardo” à la Wolf ‘O Donnel di Star Fox, sempre della Nintendo... oppure ai vari Deathstroke o Lobo della DC Comics. Le analogie tra questi personaggi sono comunque inquietanti tanto quanto il Bot in sé!

Quest’ultimo, dicevamo, nasce in epoca moderna, più precisamente nella serie Animated del 2008: il suo esordio risale all’episodio Il Brivido della Caccia della Stagione 1, nel quale si presenta come un rivale di vecchia data nientemeno che di Ratchet – e inutile dire che questa puntata sigla l’esordio anche di Arcee, la cui tragica fine rappresenta le radici della rivalità tra il vecchio Autobot e il cacciatore di taglie. In questa prima veste, Lockdown è stato paragonato a Testa di Morte, il Bot che nei fumetti G1 Marvel UK si scontrò più volte con i Transformers di entrambe gli schieramenti. Ma se quest’ultimo era un cacciatore di taglie con un balordo senso dell’umorismo che lo rendeva simpatico, Lockdown è invece la sua controparte dark: non solo per il suo stretto legame con i Decepticon, ma anche per la macabra natura della sua passione collezionistica, che prevede la raccolta di pezzi dei nemici caduti – il che spiega il suo assetto asimmetrico quasi alla strega di un patchwork. Non è ironico che, secondo Derrick J. Wyatt, il nostro Locky doveva in origine essere un bizzarro mostro di Frankenstein robotico, poi cambiato per sposarsi meglio con il ruolo assegnatogli dalla sceneggiatura; il risultato è una figura “reminiscente a un teschio per la testa” con tanto di code simili a quelle di una giacca... anche se, per quanto mi riguarda, il viso di Lockdown ricorda abbastanza vagamente quello di uno dei Kiss! Estetica a parte, il suo arrivo nel brand ha rappresentato una ventata d’aria fresca all’epoca: se già il fatto di non essere allineato a una delle due fazioni lo rende difficile da classificare per l’ingenua mente dei giovanissimi – perennemente radicata alla dicotomia bianco/nero e buono/cattivo – la sua totale immoralità lo rende praticamente inaccessibile.

È proprio questa popolarità nata da Animated che ha spinto gli addetti ai lavori, a ridosso del 2010, a rilanciare il personaggio di Lockdown nel Movie-verso di Michael Bay, sebbene rimanga solo una mera comparsa nei fumetti ad hoc della IDW, da La Vendetta del Caduto in avanti... almeno fino a quando, nel 2014, esordisce anche sul grande schermo in TRANSFORMERS 4: l’Era dell’Estinzione. Sfoggiando un’inedita livrea completamente nera priva degli iconici spruzzi di verde e un’altmode che al confronto lo stesso Sideswipe impallidisce perché è una Lamborghini, Locky si presenta al pubblico nuovamente come “cacciatore di taglie non allineato con nessuno”, che viaggia per la galassia in cerca di tesori a bordo di un’enorme astronave, anche al costo di scontrarsi con gli Autobot di Optimus Prime. Inoltre, rispondendo soltanto ai capricci degli enigmatici Creatori/Quintesson, Lockdown si tiene alla larga dalla guerra tra Autobot e Decepticon, e vede entrambe le fazioni come un branco di schiamazzanti bambini sempre in lite tra loro, che egli stesso deve tenere a bada pur di mantenere una parvenza di ordine nell’universo. È, a tutti gli effetti, l’antagonista principale di tutta la pellicola (seguito a ruota dallo pseudo-zombie Galvatron e al misterioso Stinger, il guerriero rosso “ispirato a Bumblebee ma migliore in ogni senso”), ma finisce infelicemente tagliato in due da un furioso Optimus Prime, forse per vendicare tanto la morte del caro amico Ratchet quanto le vessazioni subite a lui e ai suoi compagni caduti.

Di recente, nel cartone Cyberverse del 2018, Lockdown appare inaspettatamente retrocesso a un mero guerriero Decepticon appartenente al gradino più basso della gerarchia. E come tutti i protagonisti della serie, anche lui ha un design che è la summa di tutte le sue incarnazioni precedenti: è squadrato come un G1 ante litteram ma ha le borchie e l’uncino al posto di una mano proprio come l’omonimo Animated – e retroattivamente anche il suo altmode, sebbene nella serie non si trasformi mai in veicolo.

Naturalmente i ragazzi della IDW, sempre nel 2010, hanno avuto la bella idea di trasporre il personaggio anche nel cubettoso universo G1… anzi nella cosiddetta “G1 moderna”, da con confondersi con quella “classica” da cui tutto il brand ha avuto origine! Nome a parte, perché questo “G1 Lockdown” venisse alla luce, l’artista Alex Milne ha insistito nel voler progettare un design originale per il personaggio, ma quest’idea viene subito accantonata; la Hasbro, infatti, gli chiedeva invece di usare l’aspetto che Locky aveva nei fumetti di Revenge of the Fallen; non solo, fu l’editore Denton J. Tipton a suggerire allo sceneggiatore Shane McCarthy di inserire il personaggio anche nel G1-verso, trasformandolo così in uno dei primissimi avversari dell’Autobot samurai Drift... o meglio del reietto Decepticon Deadlock, fuggito dopo una congiura contro Megatron finita male. Compito del cacciatore è ritrovare il fuggiasco e riportarlo tra le fila Decepticon, anche grazie all’aiuto di alcuni schiavisti; alla fine, lo ritrova su un misterioso pianeta su cui un pugno di Bot neutrali (quello che poi sarà noto come il “Circolo della Luce”) lo aveva tenuto nascosto per eoni.

Ma non finisce qui. Lockdown è apparso anche in altri media, come ad esempio nel videogioco per PS4 TRANSFORMERS: The Dark Spark del duo Activision/High Moon Studios, concepito come un ibrido tra il Movie-verso e la saga di La Battaglia per Cybertron. Oppure su dispositivi mobili, come il crossover Angry Birds: TRANSFORMERS, nel quale uno dei maialini verdi nemici dei celebri pennuti della Rovio (il baffuto Caposquadra), veste i panni proprio di Lockdown. O ancora, come mera comparsa nel defunto gioco di carte TRANSFORMERS: Legends, o addirittura come personaggio collezionabile nel recente strategico Earth Wars, dimostrando che il temuto cacciatore di taglie non sia stato del tutto sbattuto nel dimenticatoio!

***

Abbiamo detto che Lockdown è apparso solo quattro volte in tutto il brand, videogiochi esclusi, ma questo non vuol dire che i modellini associati a questo personaggio siano altrettanto limitati. Il primo fra tutti, ovviamente, è il Deluxe della linea Animated: una bella muscle car nera e verde descritta come “un amalgama tra una Corvette anni 80 e una Cougar anni 60” irta di aculei per renderla più feroce e cattiva, anche se è più corretto definirla un incrocio tra la Batmobile e Christine, l’infernale auto assassina protagonista dell’omonimo romanzo di Stephen King. Di questo mold sono uscite quattro versioni: quella canonica, la traslucida Stealth, la nera e gialla Blazing e uno pseudo-Decepticon per la linea Adventure del 2015 (ovvero la versione giapponese di Robots in Disguise 2015 della Takara); sono tutte equipaggiate col fucile EMP, lo stesso che Lockdown ruba a Ratchet nel cartone, ma solo tre hanno l’iconico uncino e il Blazing è l’unico a sfoggiare una motosega. Nella stessa linea, a nome di Lockdown troviamo anche un Activator, ossia la famigerata sotto-linea dei modellini che si trasformano alla pressione di un pulsante, rivolto dunque ad un target più giovane.

Per quanto riguarda il Movie-verso, Lockdown si palesa come Deluxe nella linea Revenge of the Fallen, palesemente ispirato all’Animated in modo così pesante da sembrare quasi identico all’originale; ciononostante lo stesso stampo sarà riutilizzato per il modellino dell’allievo di Lockdown, un tal Axor, per la sotto-linea Hunt for the Decepticon del 2009/10 e nello stesso biennio il mold originale è stato riproposto sotto il nome di “G1 Lockdown”. Nel Movie-verso arriva un altro Deluxe nell’inedita linea di giocattoli del quarto film di Bay; dico inedita perché questi modelli non sono mai stati rilasciati in Italia per lasciare spazio a degli inutili One-Step e compagni riservati ai giovanissimi. L’AoE Lockdown è tristemente noto come il modello più deludente di tutta la linea non solo per lo schema di colori adottato per nulla fedele alla controparte filmica (il modello Hasbro, almeno, mentre quello della Takara Movie Advance sfoggia una livrea più vicina possibile alla CGI) ma anche per essere una “maledetta sottiletta/mezzo Shellformer”, nonché il modellino più basso di tutti gli altri Deluxe a causa dell’altmode forse troppo piccolo per un personaggio così importante. Un vero peccato... o almeno fino al 2018, in cui il personaggio riceve una figure di una qualità leggermente migliore: lo Studio Series Lockdown, che è sempre un Deluxe ma con uno stampo completamente nuovo e meglio proporzionato rispetto al modello precedente. E per fortuna, poiché molti fan del famigerato cacciatore di taglie hanno finora ricevuto solo una delusione dopo l’altra! 😅

CONCLUSIONE

È davvero un peccato che un personaggio così popolare abbia avuto così poca cura. Forse lui stesso è occupato a raccogliere trofei da qualche parte nella galassia? Io sono ottimista, magari lo rivedremo in futuro in qualche media più che accettabile... e lo dico perché ho sempre avuto un certo fascino per questi personaggi “grigi” e amorali, e sarebbe davvero carino vederlo in compagnia del mio ragno Decepticon Raysharper e tutta la sua banda di Insecticon. Non è da vigliacchi sognare, no? 😊

Arrivederci alla prossima puntata 😘

So we all know how weirdly antagonistic Haz is to Mercy. Ever think it's because he saw her as a saviour when he was younger, but got dissolutioned so hard by his accident that he began to grow a specific dislike for her? Like he was waiting in the hospital hoping that an angel would appear and make the pain go away, only for him to be abandoned by the system to suffer alone? I think about it.

Honestly, that's such a raw and compelling interpretation of Hazard's character. I could totally see it—he was probably at his lowest point, clinging to the hope that someone like her would swoop in and save him, like the angel of mercy that she is supposed to represent. Instead, he was left to rot in a broken system, and that betrayal might've cut deeper than any physical wound. It's not just a dislike for Mercy as a person; it's the shattering of an ideal she represented to not just him but possibly everyone.

Every time he sees her, it could be a reminder of the hope he once had—and the pain of realizing that hope was misplaced. It’s not just personal, it’s existential. Maybe that bitterness fuels his drive to rely on himself, even to a fault. That’s why the second voice line with him and her—

For reference:

Mercy: Given the injuries you've sustained... you must be in an immense amount of pain.

Hazard: Let me guess: you want to poke and prod, make it all go away?

Mercy: Well, an examination certainly couldn't hurt.

Hazard: Examine all you like. It won't mend the harm you've done.

This exchange is brimming with tension and layered with resentment, it perfectly illustrates the fractured dynamic between them. His bitterness is palpable, but it’s not just anger—it’s deeply rooted disappointment.

When Mercy acknowledges his pain, her concern comes across as genuine, but to Hazard, it likely feels like empty words.

🌹Happy Crimson Days🌹

I have been SO excited to share this as it's been finished for many days now. @wrenandthemachine is truly AMAZING and I really can't thank her enough for making this for me. After I described what I wanted for this piece, she sent back a quick sketch and it was as if she'd actually looked into my brain and just plucked the whole thing right out. She also added in a few touches I hadn't thought of that just made it all the more romantic and special. In fact, it even sparked a little ficlet I made to go along with it and, in keeping with the traditional dates Bungie tended to release Crimson Days - once upon a time - I decided to post it today.

Wren, thank you, again. So, SO. much. 🥲🥰🌹

I'd also like to thank @echosong971 for looking over the fic and giving me a thumbs up as well as offering up some great inspiration! 💗

❣️♠️❣️

The Courtyard had been bustling with activity all day. Guardians, their armor adorned in every shade of red, white, and pink, went running and bouncing about across the open space among the waves of fragrant and intricately arranged plumes of roses decorating every square inch of the Tower possible - some even strung together to form tiers of garland draped over edges and delicately hung about railings. Red silken petals fell from the blue sky above, landing all around like delicate snowflakes, only to slowly fade once they touched the concrete walkways and platforms then reform once again above, slowly descending all over again. A trick of technology, but romantic and fantastical nonetheless.

Even the Ghosts were getting in on the festivities, wearing special shells - some shaped like hearts, some, like their Guardians, awash in pinks, reds, whites and styles of every kind, but all a reflection of love. Many were even showing off endearing projections just for the occasion and all of them would go buzzing about and twirling through the air, chirping and giddy around fellow Ghosts and just as happy as their Guardians to have this time to reflect on something joyous and warm - something special: A bond that could never be broken, even as the Darkness continued to encroach on the Light.

As evening approached, and more and more Guardians began returning after a day of festivities and Crucible matches, a low, soft hum seemed to settle over the Tower. Tiny lights began to glow all around, some nestled in and about the roses, creating a warm and intimate candlelit atmosphere. People grew quieter, the sky took on a pinkish purple hue all around the Traveler, and, gradually, those who’d found a special someone paired off to share a meal or drinks, or a little something more, while others gathered with friends, deciding to head into the City to the Cantinas to celebrate their friendships.

And me? I headed up a stairway leading to a balcony that overlooked the City. There, an all too familiar figure, his back to me, was casually leaning over the railing, gazing out beyond the bustle and activity below - out beyond the wall to the Wilderness and the first twinkling stars above. A soft wind blew in from the East, lifting his cloak ever so slightly, the tattered tails dancing at the backs of his calves. I smiled and walked over to him, leaning onto the railing next to him.

“Quite a sight, isn’t it?” I murmured.

“Always is,” he replied, not even turning his head to look at me, the edges of his hood hiding his face. “Never get tired of it, though.”

“Me either,” I softly smiled. “You waiting here for someone?” I asked.

“My wife,” he told me. “Thought I’d surprise her. Take her out to dinner someplace special. Someplace really romantic. Totally wow her. Maybe even get lucky later.”

I grinned, holding my bottom lip between my teeth to stifle a laugh, even as I continued to look out at the City. The lights were beginning to glow brighter as the sun started to fully set, the warm hues in the sky growing richer as they grew darker. Celebratory music could be heard rising up from below and off in the distance, fiery red heart-shaped lanterns began to float up toward the Traveler.

It was beautiful.

“So, where is she?” I asked him.

He sighed. “Oh … she’s got this habit of trynna save the world,” he dramatically lamented, waving his hand out over the City. “Damned annoying if ya ask me,” he added, making me smile again.

“Trying to save the world sounds like a pretty big task. Good thing she’s got you around to keep her spirits up for something so monumental.”

“I know, right?” He all too readily agreed, his tone lifting with pride. “I should get a medal!”

I couldn’t help it, I laughed softly, breaking character, and looked over at him just as he finally turned his head to look at me. His azure faceplates glistening with the reflections of the warm yellow-orange lights all around us, making them take on a shimmering, greenish hue.

So beautiful.

His blue eyes though, they never changed. The optics were like deep pools of water, soft and adoring as they cascaded over the features of my face, as if he were seeing me for the first time again and wanted to memorize each and every facet, a tender smile forming on his lips.

“Sorry I’m late,” I murmured.

“Eh,” he grunted, giving a dismissive wave of his hand. “Figured you would be. Damned Hive are so inconsiderate when it comes to other people’s plans.”

“The absolute worst. I think I’m going to complain to their boss next time,” I nodded, and we both laughed before a comfortable silence settled around us again.

“I got somethin’ for ya,” he whispered and I looked over at him as he reached behind himself and under his cloak, carefully revealing a single red rose he’d had hidden there. It was in full bloom, its plump petals like red velvet - rich and decadent. He turned and took a step closer to me, and I watched as he lifted the rose to my forehead. As soon as the petals touched my skin I sighed and smiled, my eyes closing of their own volition, the light, pleasantly soft tickle of the flower trailing down over the curves and dips of my features, slowly moving lower and lower, eliciting goosebumps all over my body, my heart skipping a beat. As the petals brushed over the tip of my nose he paused, giving me a moment to breathe in the delicious warm scent, the fragrance like fresh raspberries in the sun - sensual and delicious. I slowly licked my lips and sighed, wiggling my toes inside my boots to stave off the desire to just rip his armor off right here. As If he knew exactly what I was thinking, a heady chuckle rose from his throat and he moved on, tracing the outline of my lips, then down over my chin and further still, down along the side of my neck, teasing the senistive skin until he reached the collar of my armor.

Just as the sensation of the petals faded away, warm, yet giving metal touch my lips, lovingly pressing against them with practiced tenderness. The heat of his body made the light sprinkle of the musky cologne he’d put on earlier that day waft all around me, making my breath hitch with even greater excitement. I let a tiny moan escape me, opening my mouth to him, blindly sliding my hands up over the leather padded armor of his chest and shoulders, then up around the back of his neck, cradling the back of his head through his hood. His lips parted, and I beckoningly lapped at the underside of his upper lip, drawing him in further, hearing and feeling a low rumble from deep in his throat as it vibrated through him. A strong arm curled around my waist, pulling me into him possessively, the gentle kiss becoming more heated, more passionate, and more and more intense and needy as we playfully and eagerly gasped into each others mouths and teased and nipped at each other’s lips before we barely managed to pull ourselves back, panting and gazing into each others eyes.

“Wow,” I sighed, catching my breath, feeling how cool the air suddenly seemed on my flushed cheeks. “Really missed me today, didn’t you, handsome?” I asked, sliding my hands back down to rest on his chest and maybe just maintain some balance as I felt a bit weak in the knees.

“I always do,” he murmured, his eyes half-lidded. Even though his armor, I could feel his heart racing under my palms.

“Maybe we should order in instead,” I purred, holding my bottom lip between my teeth as I gave him a wanton and predatory gaze.

He arched a sharp eyebrow at me before returning the look, winking. “Maybe.”

I grinned and pressed back against him, hugging him as close as my heavy armor would allow, tucking my head under his jaw with another contented sigh. Both his arms were around me in an instant, hugging me right back, swaying us slowly to some unknown melody in the air.

The day had been long and grueling. He’d had official duties he’d had to see to here and hadn’t been able to join me.

That hadn’t stopped him, though.

From the moment I’d left this morning until I returned to the Hanger not too long ago, he’d been on the comms with me, chatting and joking with me, throwing biting witticisms at our enemies as if he were right there beside me.

I never once felt alone.

Still, through it all, and even with his giddy baritone ringing in my ears, all I could think was there was nowhere else in all creation I’d wanted to be than in his arms.

When we finally and reluctantly eased back from one another, he handed the rose to me with a smile and dotingly tucked a few strands of unruly hair, mussed from my helmet and the gentle winds, back behind my ear, then kissed my forehead. I smiled again and sniffed at the rose once more, the scent intoxicatingly sweet. He quietly chuckled and I grinned, then wrapped my arm around his left bicep, holding onto him as we both turned together and leaned back over the railing, gazing down at the City.

I curled in closer to his side and rested my head on his shoulder. “I love you, you know that?” I whispered.

I felt him tilt his head to rest against mine. “I love you, too,” he whispered back, laying his free hand over the one I had holding the rose.

“Happy Crimson Days, Ais.”

“Happy Crimson Days, Cayde.”

❣️

Thinking about River and his "it's hard for me to talk about what's biting at my ass" line (during the Hunt) and then later (during Following the River) he opens up and tells V about his parents and if V interrupts him before he gets into more detail he responds with "heard sob stories enough?"

Do you ever just... think a bunch about characters like these? You know, the characters who are always the rock to lean on, the anchor, the source of safety and stability and calm? The ones who are so selfless and full of love and compassion, that might not always have their own needs met because they always put others first? And especially in a world like Night City, where everything is just so very fucked? Where something like this can definitely be taken advantage of?

And this is not to say that River is some doormat that others walk all over as they please, and all he does is smile and put a thumbs up. In River's case (and in general honestly) I do not think kindness should be mistaken for weakness.

He is not weak or boring or naive, not even for someone living in Night City. In fact, it's pretty damn brave to hold onto kindness and altruism like that especially considering the world he lives in and everything he's been through.

I think about the text he sends to V letting them know they can always talk to him. And then I think about the Sun ending, the Path of Glory, how there is the opportunity for V to tell River that he is their rock, their anchor.

And he smiles with content for a moment. But V is leaving.

V, the one who helped him find Randy, helped him put his life back together in a different, but more beautiful way. The one he could turn to in his time of need, the one to be like yes I will help you, and I do not expect anything in return. The one who listens when he opens up about his trauma. The one who refuses to accept his help, the one that says "you being here is enough."

V, the one he falls so hard and so quickly for.

V, the one that is dying, that he may never see again.

I don't know where I was going with this, but on a completely unrelated note, my heart feels like it has been shredded to a million pieces.

The Thirteen Prime Zodiac

In my Embers-verse Cybertron has a pretty long history, which I’m still fleshing out, a part of that is a zodiac based on the Thirteen Primes!

By the time that the Cybertronian Autobot-Decepticon War, a.k.a. The Great War, occurs the Thirteen Primes & anything associated with them are largely considered to be myth & legend.

The Thirteen Zodiac is considered to be archaic & is largely disregarded, though there are certain groups who still pay it mind. Amongst these interested groups are scholars, the religious, mystic enthusiasts, & fans of the legends of The Thirteen.

It was once believed that a newspark’s personality and fate could be predicted through the star sign they had been born under. The star signs are as follows:

Prima - The Judge

Vector Prime - The Tempest

Alpha Prime - The Scribe

Solus Prime - The Forgemaster

Micronus Prime - The Loyal

Alchemist Prime - The Wizard

Nexus Prime - The Guardian

Onyx Prime - The Masked

Amalgamous Prime - The Trickster

Quintus Prime - The Traveler

Liege Maximo - The Deceiver

 Megatronus - The Fallen

Thirteen - The Forgotten

Below is a brief description of a few traits associated with each sign. More in depth writing concerning the traits and fates associated with each sign will come soon! As well as information concerning which signs belong to notable Cybertronians!

Continua a leggere

Love is Green Christmas Special (Reader x Genji Shimada)

A/N: OH HELL YEAH *excited screeching*

A Late Merry Christmas and Happy Hanukkah to you nerds!

Warning: Artistic license that bends canon just a tiny bit (ok, it’s a break, but it’s a tiny break! Just a fracture.)

Words: 2,665

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