(1) Ctenos are probably* the sister taxa to all other living animals, meaning that they branched off the tree of life even before sponges. This also would mean that they (2) independently evolved nervous systems and (3) independently evolved muscles.
(4) Cteno make little rainbows by refracting light with their combs/ctenes as they swim but (5) some are also bioluminescent and can have a green or blue glow when bumped or otherwise triggered in the dark.
And Why should Erik be apologizing when, from what I've heard, that BA was filled with tags and trigger warnings?
Stop with the posts about it in the main tag too please not everyone has Patreon here. This is from Patreon, half the people here can't listen to the audio or shouldn't.
what about quinn taking sweetheart even though theyre empowered bc he views milo as an unimportant pack member and thinks the pack wont look for them bc milo was never as close to david as asher was
Summary: a Baseball AU brought about by @belsw06 !! The renown baseball team, Dahlia Dynamites, find themselves in one of the toughest seasons of their lives. The team is almost all completely new and fresh. Can they pull of the World Series title?
Part 1, Part 2, Part 3
David pulled up to the stadium in his truck. Next to in the passenger seat was Angel, behind them was Asher, and his partner Babe. The vehicle was filled with laughter as Angel and Asher concluded their best rendition of The Boy Is Mine by Brandy and Monica. David pulled into his parking spot and shut the car off, quickly killing the radio. Angel quickly pecked David on the cheek before jumping out. He rolled his eyes as Asher cackled at his flushed expression. He walked to the trunk and grabbed both of Asher and his bags out of the trunk.
“You’re gonna do great today!” Angel said jumping up to David and wrapping their arms around his waist.
“Thanks.” He said holding his hand against his cheek before kissing him on the top of his head.
Meanwhile, Asher tan around the car to open the door for Babe. He bowed down in front of them before holding out his hand to help them out. They gave a content hum as he kissed their hand then moved to kiss their lips.
“Good luck tonight Ash! You’re gonna kill it!” Babe said smiling and running their fingers through his hair.
“Thanks Babe! I love you so much!” He beamed up them as David threw his bag at him.
“Let’s go-.” David began but he was cut off by Angel confused voice.
“Who’s that with Tank?” They asked tugging at David’s arm.
“It’s probably just Sam-“ he stopped himself because it clearly wasn’t Sam.
————
“Darlin, You’re gonna do great tonight.” Sam spoke pulling into his designated parking spot.
“Thanks Sam… I’m just, It’s just. Ya know…. Him.” They spoke getting increasingly frustrated.
“Hey,” he turned to them, taking his keys out of the ignition. “You. Are. Amazin. I love ya Darlin.” He leaned in and kissed their cheek before getting out of the truck. He quickly moved to the trunk and grabbed their bag out. Fans were already arriving and the excitement for tonight’s game was palpable.
“Well, I gotta go but, I love you Sam.” They said grabbing their bag from him and grasping his hand, squeezing it tightly.
“Can I give ya a kiss Darlin?” He smiled at them. They nodded and he quickly met their lips with a soft kiss. It was gentle and loving and the best thing they had ever known. They parted from him, despite not wanting to, they knew they had to leave. They gave him a small wave as they both headed off their separate ways.
“Jesus, how domesticated are you? ‘Can I give ya a kiss Darlin?’ I mean come on.” A scarily familiar voice sounded out. He stared at them with glowing eyes that bore a hole through their head.
“Shut up Quinn.” They growled out at him tightening their grip on their bag.
“Aww What we can’t talk anymore puppy?” Quinn said, clearly patronizing them. He was luring them in, baiting them to trap them in some elaborate scheme.
“Clearly we can’t. Now leave me alone.” They began to walk away as he wrapped his fingers around the strap of their bag. The menacing figure pulled tanks strap back making them come face to face. He ran his fingers along their jaw.
“Come on now. You can’t ignore our past like it didn’t happen. We loved each other once.” He pouted.
“Once upon a time. But then you slept with Alexis. Now you get the have fun with her and leave me the hell alone.” They pulled their head away from him.
“How about we wager this game then Tank?”
“No.”
“If I win, I’m gonna take you back. You’ll come back to the team and be my side piece. If you win I’ll be so gracious and let you move back in, we can date again, but you get to stay on the Dynamites.” He gave them a wicked grin.
“Fuck.Off.” They turned to him. Before they could do anything though he was being pulled away from them. They turned to see who had parted them from their assailant and came face to face with Milo Motherfucking Greer.
“What the hell do ya think your doin, huh?” He stared Quinn down, looking at him as if he was the scummiest scum on earth.
“I’m just talking to MY friend. How about you back off.” Quinn said pushing Milo away from him.
“How about I teach you a lesson huh?” Milo said beginning to roll up his sleeves. Tank grabbed his arm and yanked him back.
“We just got Miguel back Milo, we don’t need you tapping out. Don’t give them the win like this.” They stood in front of him glaring at the Sunnyvale Vamp. Just a second later David and Asher were also at their side.
“What’s going on here?” David said, his voice dropping to a threatening tone.
“I was just having a conversation with my old teammate. Relax my friends. Let’s leave this on field, eh?” He grinned as he walked off towards the locker rooms.
“You guys ok?” Asher asked glancing between Tank and Milo.
“I’m fine. Let’s go get ready.” Tank said walking off ahead of the group. They all exchanged looms before following suit.
————
“I want you all to know that I am extremely proud of each and every one of you.” Coach William spoke, as he always did, before the game. “This team has truly shown everyone out there just what you can do with drive and passion. I will admit. I had my doubts bringing in people who were so fresh to be a part of one team.” He paused and chuckled lightly. “I’m proud to say you all proved me wrong.” He looked around the dugout, at the players he had hand picked. He could sense the excitement, there hunger, radiating from them. “Whatever happens to day I am eternally proud of you all. With that being said, let’s not get comfortable and sleep at the finish line. Let’s push harder than we ever have. Today will not be an easy game. But it will be one of the most important you ever play. Go out there and win.” With that the team cheered and players flooded to the field.
Today the dynamites wanted to start off strong. Their leadoff hitter was lovely. They confidently walked up to their place and got in position. They planted their cleats firmly in the ground and crouched down slightly. Lifting their elbows their fiery gaze met Adams. They locked onto his mitt waiting for the ball to be released. He threw a knuckle ball. The ball sped past them. Shit.
“Strike one.” The umpire yelled.
They shook their head and prepared for another swing. Adam grinned as he dug his shoes in the ground. This time he’s throw a curve ball. Unfortunately for him, the curve ball was on of the throws that Lovely most practiced swinging to. They swung, their bay making a resounding slapping sound at it made contact with the ball.
They took off sprinting towards first base. The ball was in the outfielders hand for only a moment before it was speeding over to first. They slid into first, the dust swirling around them.
“SAFE!” Was all they heard as the crowd cheered. They let out a shaky breath as the adrenaline started to come down.
—————
It was now the top of the ninth and both teams were tied. The score being 24-24. The bases were loaded. Lovely on third, Fred on Second, and bright on first. There were two outs and Vincent had never felt more pressure. He swung the bat a few times before taking a deep breath and stepping up to the plate. He bend his knees slightly as he dug his cleats into the ground. He raised his bay and locked his eyes on Adam.
“STRIKE ONE!” The first pitch was a circle change up. Vincent hated those, but he noted it as something to work on.
“Let’s Go Solaire!!” The crowd began chanting and clapping. Vincent smiled and steadied himself. He took a deep breath and prepared for the pitch. Adam gave him a wicked grin as he threw the ball right at Vincent. He didn’t have time to react as the ball came right in contact with his hand.
Vincent immediately dropped the bay and grabbed his hand. It hurt like hell. What the fuck was Adam doing? Vincent gained a base which left lovely to gain the point by running home. They wanted to run over to him, to check on his hand. Instead they settled for a threatening glare sent Adams way as the crowd booed him.
The top of the ninth ended with another out leaving the score to be 24-25 as the sides switched.
————
It was the bottom of the ninth, Dahlia Dynamites we’re up by one point, however, the SunnyVale Vamps had two people on base and their Star batter, Quinn, up to bat. They had two outs and Quinn had accumulated one strike already.
The air was cool, chilly, but the energy radiating from the crowd was enough to keep any human warm for a lifetime. The stadium lights were blinding and the announcers speakers were blaring. David Shaw, Dahlias pitcher, walked up to the batters mound. He rotated his shoulders and stretched out his neck. He placed himself firmly into the dirt and prepared to pitch.
Milo Greer, the catcher, prepared himself to receive any pitch David could throw to him. Asher, on first base, looked over to Cristian the short stop, both of them ready to receive. Arden prepared herself on third, and looked over to Miguel and Tank in the outfield.
Tank did quick small jumps from side to side, ready to run in any direction the ball may go. They crouched down as they watched David wind up for the pitch. Quinn shot them a devious smirk that caused a low growl to erupt from their throat.
David threw a fast ball, one that would be difficult for any batter to hit. The audience watched with bated breath as a loud hit could be heard. Quinn’s bat connected with the ball and it went soaring. Tank had a perfect view. This was it. The entire season, their entire career, lead up to this moment. They ran after the ball, their eyes tracking it. They might not make it. They saw the wall at the end of the field rapidly approaching, but they had to catch it. They reached their gloved hand into the air and jumped up. Lights shining into their eyes. This was it. The ball fell comfortably in their glove as they collided with the wall. They felt something in their arm pop as they quickly grabbed the ball and threw it back to Asher as the ref blew his whistle.
They won.
They Won.
They had won the game!!!
The team flooded the field and cheers erupted in the stadium. Tank held their arm in place, they definitely dislocated their shoulder, but it was worth it.
David was immediately swarmed by reporters as were Vincent and William. Tank tried to quietly make their way through the stadium back to the locker room but was stopped by a few reporters themself.
“What does it feel like making the game winning catch?” The reporter asked them.
“Oh, it feels amazing. I’m so grateful for my team, we all worked hard for this win together.” They nodded continuing to walk back holding their shoulder.
“Is there anyone you would like to thank?” The reporter pushed.
“Uhm my team, id like to thank all of them for pushing me and making me better…” they trailed off seeing a familiar figure in the hallway back to the locker rooms. “And my boyfriend.” They quickly joined the team for their photo before running off to the hallway and meeting up with Sam.
“Hey Darlin, I.” He was cut off by Darlin slumping into him and mumbling something into his chest. “What was that?” He bent down to heart them better.
“I dislocated my shoulder.” They said looking up at him. He nodded and led them into the medical room. He helped pop their shoulder back into place, kissing it gently after. He put their arm in a sling and carried their bag back to the truck.
“I’m so proud of you Darlin. You’re so amazing, and I love you.”
When the game had been called Sweetheart immediately ran onto the field and jumped into Milo’s arms. “IM SO PROUD OF YOU MILO!” They kissed all over his face. He held them so tightly and laughed joyously. The pair was filled with endorphins.
David and Asher, once they were finished with everything went back to David’s truck. They were so exhausted they were leaning on each other to stay up. When they arrived at the vehicle they were almost tackled by their partners. Asher had fallen to the ground, babe peppering his face with kisses as he wrapped his arms around their waist.
“I’m so proud of you Davey.” Angel said pushing their face into his chest. “You played an amazing game!” They kissed him deeply, lovingly. God he was so amazing to them.
Lovely spent their game winning night in the ER with Vincent. Oddly enough, there was no where else they would rather have been. They held his, unharmed hand in theirs and occasionally gave him small pecks on the cheek.
“I love you Vinny.” They nuzzled into his neck.
“I love you too Lovely.” He replied.
This was just the start to the amazing career and legacy these players had. The Dahlia Dynamites 2023 team, set a precedent for all newcomers stepping up to the bat.
This is the end!! Thank you @belsw06 so much for your amazing idea!! I had so much fun writing it and I hope you enjoyed reading it. I’m sorry it was so short, but I hope you liked it nonetheless.
