#chargeflystep

[crossdressingdeath]

One of my favourite things about chargeflystep so far is watching Daniel get trapped between the desire to respect the Thing between Sidestep and Ortega because he doesn't want any of them getting hurt over his feelings and the fact that he really, really, really wants to kiss (and do other things with) Sidestep (and it appears also Ortega but that hasn't really been explored yet). One of my other favourite things is that if you do Daniel's post-auction date with any sort of romantic relationship with Ortega he tells them about it, on account of how that sounds like it would put Ortega in the torment nexus. rip Ortega, the team baby is telling you about how he got to kiss the love of your life possibly before you did (and if Daniel and Sidestep had sex Ortega definitely figures it out from what Danny says) and he's not even doing it to be an asshole.

[renmeno]

I do wonder if the poly between Ortega and Danny will be available for Puppet-stuck Sidesteps in Revelations.

It would make sense to me, since everything points towards Sidestep returning to their body eventually.

Although I don't see a way any of Sidestep's relationships going unscathed after the reveal of what happened. Or even if Sidestep somehow keeps it a secret, then they would have to explain why the relationship changed so much while the Impostor was on control of Sidestep's body. Since, logically, the Impostor wouldn't continue the relationship with Herald...

It truly would be fucked up if the Impostor did continue Sidestep's romantic relationships, huh? In some way it would be karmic justice for Sidestep, who has used the Puppet's body in a similar way before (not exactly continuing Ace's relationships, but Sidestep did began some with a body that wasn't theirs).

That said, I'd still like the chance for Diego to get in a poly with Ortega and Danny. Mostly because I really like the dynamic between the three of them. And the conversation coming from all these situations together we'll be either super angsty, super hilarious, or (most likely) both at the same time.

[godshaper]

vulnerability

(full 🔞 version here)

[silvery-bluish]

the gang fails to watch a movie, post-retri pre-revelations!

catch me laying on the ground staring at this for Years. commission by @salem-wilde and they did a GREAT job!! loosely based on a snippet i wrote A While Ago and the image simply would not leave my brain.

[wonda-fhr]

Today is Lia's birthday.🎈 Which I would have forgotten if @m3k-fhr hadn't reminded me of it all day long by digging up every snippet I wrote about Lia. Thank you so much for that 😘💕

Something I've never shown of Lia is the picture my beloved @westealtoys painted and which I've been keeping like a treasure for a few months now.💕 To celebrate this day, it will finally go out into the open. And below is a short birthday snippet. A little feeling to celebrate the day.

Birthday

"You're surprisingly calm, considering even your name is on the balloons." Ignoring the half-full champagne glasses, Ortega poured whiskey into two glasses before joining Lia at the railing, where she looked out over the city lights.

"Thanks, this is much better than champagne." Relieved, she took a big sip, set the glass aside and leaned back until her back was close to Ortega's warm body. "I disappoint him enough, if it makes him happy to celebrate my birthday, then let him be happy for today. I'll get through it somehow. So what's he doing in the kitchen for so long?"

"You don't want to know." He carefully arranged her hair on one side to get free access to her neck to place tender kisses there until she showed a hint of relaxation and he bit her at that moment.

His glass almost fell out of his hand when she grabbed his arm and twisted him in front of her until his back was pressed against the railing. The kiss was hard, possessive, a sharp contrast to the hand that ran gently up his cheek to tangle his hair lovingly. He pulled her closer, sliding his hand down her back and mumbled between two kisses, "Maybe this birthday isn't all bad.

"Stop it, you eat the cake first before you move on to dessert." Proudly, completely vibration free, Daniel floated up to the roof deck carrying a cake. It fit right in the middle of the small table, illuminated by a string of lights, to which the balloons were attached. A perfect arrangement.

Lia inspected the cake and smiled as she read the colorful "Happy Birthday Lia" between the burning candles. But before she could comment, she heard the birthday serenade in Daniel's head even before the first note reached her ears. She shook her head in disbelief, "You really don't spare me anything, do you?"

But it was too late to stop the two enthusiastic singers. Equally unstoppable was the change in her mood as she failed to maintain her indifference. The effort and caring of these two was hard to accept, but even harder to ignore. Obviously touched, she interrupted their singing efforts by wrapping her arms around them and tucking herself in between them.

[witchfall]

what you hear is not silence

[Fallen Hero series. Set post-Retribution. A hypothesis about the Ranch ending...particularly regarding two rangers and their budding Shared Interest.]

[Chargestep + Chargeflystep. A negotiation of what that means. 1718 words.]

[or read on ao3.]

“You’re doing good work, Daniel.”

Ricardo means it, in the momentary leaning on a comrade while covered in blood kind of way, and Daniel, thankfully, takes it that way. “Thank you. I hope so.”

They’re both too tired to play games right now. Both too keyed up, on the edge, despite the easy, distracted smile that graces Daniel’s face after being near River for two minutes, if that.

“Is she doing okay?” Ricardo asks. Because — he’s not so prideful he can’t admit it while at the depths of his exhaustion, at the very least — Daniel can get River to talk about the things she fastidiously hides from them both. She thinks she does a good job of it, too, hiding things from them, which would be funny if it wasn’t so…not.

Ricardo just knows better than to chase those dogs, anymore. Not if he wants to keep her close.

Daniel’s expression flickers from passive happiness to mild distress. “I would say try to drive slower but…” He slips into an anxious laugh. “You shouldn’t. We should just get her there as fast as we can.”

Ricardo nods, taking a pull from his water bottle. He hasn’t let himself sit with the revelations about The Farm. He can’t. If he does, he’s not sure how the rage will come out — just that it will be ugly.

Seven years he thought she was dead and gone, but it had somehow been worse than that.

“Ricardo…”

Right. Here it comes. Another long-needed confession in a night of them. Ricardo focuses on screwing the cap back on.

“You know we…she is…I’m…” A frustrated huff of breath, and then: “We sort of went on a pre-date the other day and we kissed and I really, really don’t want to roll up to your mother’s house without us…acknowledging…that.”

Do you have any idea how absolutely terrifying it is to be in love with you?

He knows it wasn’t a lie. The cold mortification in her eyes was real. The fury, the frustration, haloed by that golden string that keeps bringing them together. Keeps her together.

“I told her we would talk about it with you together,” Daniel continues, voice fast, hand running through his mussed hair, “but she’s so…so scared. She almost…this was…”

His eyes squeeze shut.

“I know,” Ricardo says. “And I had a feeling.”

Another bubble of nervous laughter. “Yeah, I imagine you do.”

“You aren’t exactly subtle, you know?” But the smile is warmer than even Ricardo expects. “It’s nice to see her smile like that. And you,” he tacks on, but he finds he means that, too.

Daniel smiles back — he’s good at that — but it fades quickly into something shadowed by moonlight. “She loves you. I think you should know that, if you don’t.”

A flash of something there. Uncertainty. He can see it in the way Daniel’s mouth turns downward, the way he looks elsewhere. Because while the history between River and Ricardo is sometimes as frustrating as a brick wall, it also binds them like chainlinks — and Daniel isn’t part of that. Doesn’t have something that sturdy. He just has hope. Just has throwing himself into the sky, believing it can work.

Ricardo tilts his head and stares at the asphalt. “I—”

“She needs you. I mean it.”

He turns to meet Daniel’s gaze, surprised by the intensity of the unnecessary rejoinder. He does mean it, in perhaps the most unselfish-selfish way possible. He knows River loves Ricardo. That it may define her in that thorny, bone-deep way, like it has come to define Ricardo, too. But Daniel also knows that this is what heroes do, making sure their happiness comes last, and he won’t be anything less.

Fucking hell is it like looking into a funhouse mirror, sometimes.

“I could never walk away from her,” Ricardo says. This fucking day. It’s entirely the truth, too painfully bare. “But she doesn’t let many people in. You know that.” He thinks about it for a long moment. “She’s lost enough in her life. We’d be real idiots if we tried to…I don’t know…fight dramatically in the street over it.”

His eyes widen. “So you aren’t…”

And this time Ricardo laughs for real. “No, you’re stuck with me. We’re dealing with this. Somehow.”

Daniel’s smile is…

Well, it’s not innocent, he can say that for certain. There’s a knowing there that’s…

Hmm.

“I’ll pretend to be surprised when we talk,” Ricardo says, “if she doesn’t figure out you spilled the beans before then.”

Daniel laughs. He laughs in the face of that danger. He laughs in a way that makes the situation feel fizzy and bright and not cold and dangerous and yawning like a chasm. He gives a small salute, pulls his goggles back on over his face, and spirals away into the sky like that’s a normal thing that humans do.

It’s not like Ricardo doesn’t get it.

---

Once River is all wrapped up in Mama’s loving care, Ricardo excuses himself to the bathroom to stand there and…consider the situation.

He stares at himself in the mirror. At the bags under his eyes and the lines in his face and the grays along his temple.

Of course he was confused about it. The Daniel and River situation. He kept it compressed in a ball, just beneath his ribs — a painful little burr of things he had been pointedly not thinking about. He was focused on keeping her alive, on protecting her from herself; on how determined the universe seemed to be to tear her from him, to turn her into smoke and bone and blood, over and over and over…

At least he revived her this time.

But now it is unspooling and he needs to wrangle it together before he can face her again.

He can’t stop thinking of her bursting into tears the minute Mama greeted her with wide open arms. Too many things make sense now. Of course she would…of course, if you’ve never…

No. Still too raw.

Much easier to think about how Mama noticed immediately that he and Daniel both — for the same split second — became helpless, useless boys waving their arms around trying to figure out how to banish River’s tears from existence before they remembered their professional faces. Which means they’ll have to talk about it. Potentially in front of Mama.

River is going to be so pissed.

But damn, he’ll take it. He really will. If you had told him two years ago that River would be back in his life—

No, honestly, it just stops there. He wouldn’t have cared what the cost was. And if the “cost” is “you will have to make a very interesting arrangement with the new guy on the team who makes you think a little too much” then that’s nothing. That’s less than nothing. He will pay it. So fucking gladly. Just watch.

Even if the cost becomes something sharper, harsher. Even if the cost is “she prefers him over you because he isn’t the past” or “she trusts him because she can read his mind and she’ll never see yours and it will never be the same to just say what you really think.” Even if the cost is a little pin needle like “she frankly finds Daniel handsomer than you.” Really. He’ll live.

Isn’t that what love is about?

She said it first.

---

Ricardo leans into the door frame. "Daniel couldn't stay because he has to go kick up dust over the trail, in case you were wondering."

River pointedly picks at invisible dirt on her blanket. “I wasn’t.”

“Liar, liar, pants on fire.”

Instead of the usual exasperation, she regards him with empty…nothing. An absolute resistance to showing anything at all. Unfortunately for River, that tells Ricardo everything.

"So he talked to you?" she asks.

Is she more scared of this than…the rest of it? Maybe it’s easier to be scared of this. Ricardo covers the ache with a shrug. “Talked to me about what?”

Her expression turns brittle and strange, eyes darting to the quilt. And then she says: “I’m sorry.”

Stunned, his “Why?” comes out sharper than he expects.

“For, I don’t know, everything about it?” Her eyes are shining again, glaring and furious. Someone staring down the car coming right at them, like that might make a difference. “Not telling you first, not talking…about it all, about…I don’t even get it…”

He sees it, suddenly. Clarity. This is what she meant. Lashing out. She can’t twist herself into a perfect shape in prediction of what he’ll say and how he’ll react. She just has to be herself. And damn if that isn’t painful.

Damn if he doesn’t understand.

“You? Not knowing something?” He kneels down by her bedside and reaches for her hands and takes them harshly in his own before she can draw back. “Too many pain killers for you, I think, if you’re admitting that.”

She doesn’t pull away. Even though she says, “Dick.”

“Got it in one.”

Her frown wobbles. He watches textures of words rise to her lips and die before she lets them out. Trying so hard to exert control over a situation that is defined by the complete loss of it.

“Nothing has to change,” he says. “Nothing at all. I didn’t lie to you. And I don’t think you lied to me.”

A shadow passes through her face — the same one that comes around whenever she mentions how complicated her life has become in the wake of her not-death. He still hasn’t puzzled it out.

And then, a commendable recovery: “If you hold it over my head I will kick you in the balls.”

“With what legs?”

Her hands flap angrily in his grip, like that might banish him from existence.

“You looooove me,” he croons at her, darting just out of reach right as her hands shake free. All to watch the orange creep into her face, to watch her eyes glow with some semblance of life and fury and, he would like to think, happiness — though he hasn’t yet seen the proof. That’s fine. He’ll find it.

“Idiot.”

“And I love you.”

“Get out of here before I yell for your mom.”

[animaopen]

“Wait, waitwaitwait—”

Hold your hand up, other one pressed down. Keeping Ricardo there on the bed, while stopping Daniel. And you’re frowning, you can feel it, as there’s a soft ‘what’s wrong’ and ‘are you okay’, words mingling. Not the concern you were looking for.

“What way am I supposed to face?”

And there’s a solid moment, of absolute silence, before Daniel laughs and Ricardo groans, covering his face with his hands. “Are you serious?” 

Whip your head down towards Ricardo, and squeeze your thighs tighter over his waist. “Uh, yes? Obviously.”

This was a very important question and clearly he wasn’t understanding the importance of it, so you turn. Look up. Where Daniel was standing a little closer, arms crossed over his chest. You drop your eyes, half a second, then back up. Receive a wink, and you roll your eyes, but share the grin. 

“Opinion, my good sir?”

“I don’t mind seeing your face,” answered with a half shrug, hand dropping to his cock now. “Whatever works.” Long strokes, loose and hand slick. Light flush high on his cheeks, but he’s smiling.

“That was so not helpful, Danny.” Scoff, turn back. “What do you think?”

Ricardo looks over at you then, wiggling his hips further on the bed. Shift as he raises his legs up, heels on the edge. You have to take a moment, to register how close he was pushing against you now. “Can you even reach my—”

“From this angle? Yeah, I can.” Daniel runs his hands up Ricardo’s legs, catching just under his knees. “Might have to push you up a little though?”

A hum, and you can see Ricardo trying to work it out. “Might work better you staying how you are.”

No, now you’re really frowning, with a look between them once more. “You two are the most unhelpful—” Cut you off, with how Daniel reaches around now, fingers running up your chest.

“Logan, relax.” At your breasts now. “Just don’t cramp again.”

And you throw him off, as Ricardo snorts. “Fuck you, Daniel—” 

“—Anytime you want to—”

“—That was one time!”

“It literally happens every time.” Offering a very unhelpful opinion, you smack Ricardo’s arm.

“And last time Daniel sucked your dick, you came in seconds!”

A flush, and it’s Daniel’s turn to snicker now, arms around you in a hug, leaning over you. “That was funny.”

“Yeah, okay, whatever. It happened.” Throws his arms out to the side, defeat. “Like… twice.”

“Three times, babe, try again.”

There’s a moment, of quiet, before Ricardo wraps his arms around you, throwing you to the side with a “that’s it! Daniel!” And you have to laugh, as his fingers dig into your sides and Daniel kisses you with a grin. 

Even as you insist, “wait, we did all that prep…!” and they’ve pinned you, leg up and around waist, hands all over, press of hips against yours. You’re still laughing, grinning, groaning, fingers in hair and a drag of “fuck me!”

And your question goes unanswered, really, left to the wayside, as you feel teeth and lips and the words, right there. Corner of your mouth and buried into your neck. That was fine, maybe, kind of, yeah, definitely. Just say something in an hour. Two. Twelve. Next time, even as you feel your hip stiffen and you have to,

“Hang on, I think…”

“Again?!”

[starrypawz]

Chargeflystep with Ronan, this is pure crack shipping, suggested/requested in the FHR Discord

Ronan= They/Them, attempted Herald pov, Not fully nsfw but it’s getting there

You want to laugh. Never in your wildest dreams, (and you know your imagination doesn't need much to fuel it) did you think you'd end up in a situation like this.

But then with the amount of stuff that's been thrown at you over the last few months ending up in his lap whilst Ronan watches the pair of you with interest isn't that weird in comparison.

Your lips meet Ricardo's again, it's different but good. The stubble scratches a little and the moustache does tickle but his lips, his lips are soft. The kisses have been building, feeling things out, you tensed your hands not quite sure what to do with them and you settled on his shoulders that seemed a safe bet.  

You'd long admitted he was handsome. You weren't blind. You noticed it even back then although you were focused on Sidestep. But you'd filed the thought away and generally not dwelled on it much, even when you ended up joining The Rangers and found yourself in close quarters. Or you had tried to.

Sometimes your brain could be a bastard.

He’s aged like a fine wine.

You feel his tongue press against your lips and you eagerly allow more and you find yourself gripping his shoulders a little harder. He's testing working out just what... oh shit

He caught your lip in some wicked way that sends a shiver down your spine and a gasp is muffled against his lips. Your hands begin to wander, tracing his chest through his shirt and you find his against your back. You know a treacherous blush is spreading from your ears and threatening to run down your neck.

The hands down your back you feel them tugging at your shirt slipping under. His hands on your warm skin send a jolt down your back.

You wonder for a brief moment if he can... that reminds you of that time you found...

You snap out of that, remembering the now. Remembering you actually are sitting in the formal Marshall Charge's lap. And that by all accounts he's as turned on as you are.

You turn looking over your shoulder at Ronan. They're watching you with interest, relaxed against the armof the sofa like you've often seen them. And you know you are utterly exposed. They keep chiding you about your shields but you can't help it. Especially not now.

Ronan's face is subtle, you can see the slight twitch of their lip and you can feel the slight brushing against your mind. You're trying to keep some control but it's hard when you feel Ricardo's nails against your back. You see Ronan catch their lip and the twitch of their lip turns into a dirty smirk as they cross their legs briefly.

What the hell did you just send out?

Judging from the look in their grey eyes it was something good.

Ronan swallows and you feel a nudge.

Keep Going

You go to turn your attention back to him, aware of Ronan's mind brushing yours and you're pretty sure you feel a phantom sensation against your spine. You lean forward, letting your hands drift up Ricardo's neck and you find yourself taking a grip on his hair. You watch his face, his mouth open and he bites down on a curse, a little harder  and he crashes his lips into yours.

Seems you found a weak spot.

You're caught up in the moment, unaware briefly of wandering hands until.

You hear Ronan laugh.

A squeeze and you find yourself rocking your hips forward, and everything is too tight and...

Shit

You close your eyes, still for a moment but then you move, rocking your hips against him, finding the best angle, this is new but doesn’t feel wrong by any means as he digs his fingers in.

You can barely stand it, you feel like you're moments from becoming a total mess.

You feel a palm against your stomach, pausing dangerously close to your waistband. You turn to face Ronan, not sure why.

"Go on," They urge, their own voice thick with desire and you can see them squirming in their seat and you let out a shaky breath as clever fingers undo the button on your jeans.