Untitled

if you are sending to a multi-muse, remember to specify the muse that the sentence starters are being sent for .

who . . .

“ Who are you? ”

“ Who do you serve? ”

“ Who taught you that? ”

“ Who’s really in control here? ”

“ Who are you running from? ”

“ Who did this to you? ”

“ Who’s coming for us? ”

“ Who do you think I am? ”

“ Who else knows about this? ”

“ Who are you trying to protect? ”

what . . .

“ What are you? ”

“ What do you want from me? ”

“ What are you hiding? ”

“ What were you planning to do? ”

“ What just happened? ”

“ What did you see back there? ”

“ What did you promise them? ”

“ What happens if I don’t let you go? ”

“ What are the rules I’m not supposed to break? ”

“ What happens after the portal closes? ”

where . . .

“ Where did you come from? ”

“ Where are we? ”

“ Where are you going? ”

“ Where were you when it happened? ”

“ Where does this path lead? ”

“ Where did you get that scar? ”

“ Where is everyone else? ”

“ Where should I stand? ”

“ Where did you put the body? ”

“ Where were you hiding all this time? ”

when . . .

“ When did this start? ”

“ When were you going to tell me? ”

“ When was the last time you felt safe? ”

“ When do we leave? ”

“ When did you stop trusting me? ”

“ When does this end? ”

“ When did you realise the truth? ”

“ When do things go wrong? ”

“ When did you choose this path? ”

“ When will you look at me and be honest? ”

how . . .

“ How long have you been watching me? ”

“ How did you survive? ”

“ How much do you remember? ”

“ How are you this calm right now? ”

“ How bad is it? ”

“ How did you know my name? ”

“ How far are you willing to go? ”

“ How many lies have you told me? ”

“ How do you live with this? ”

“ How are we supposed to fix this? ”

are . . .

“ Are you human? ”

“ Are you okay? ”

“ Are you lying to me right now? ”

“ Are you scared? ”

“ Are you tired? ”

“ Are you hiding something? ”

“ Are you bound by oath or by magic? ”

“ Are you trying to start a fight? ”

“ Are you always this dramatic? ”

“ Are you going to explain or just stare? ”

do . . .

“ Do you trust me? ”

“ Do you remember your name? ”

“ Do you remember me? ”

“ Do you miss them? ”

“ Do you always talk this much? ”

“ Do you have any idea what you just did? ”

“ Do you ever sleep? ”

“ Do you want me to stay? ”

“ Do you think I’m stupid? ”

“ Do you believe in fate? ”

have . . .

“ Have you eaten yet? ”

“ Have we met before? ”

“ Have you been here long? ”

“ Have you done this before? ”

“ Have you ever killed someone? ”

“ Have you been lying to me? ”

“ Have you lost anyone? ”

“ Have you forgiven yourself? ”

“ Have you always been like this? ”

“ Have you already chosen a side? ”

is . . .

“ Is this place real? ”

“ Is something bothering you? ”

“ Is that weapon even legal here? ”

“ Is this your idea of a joke? ”

“ Is this your way of flirting? ”

“ Is someone watching us? ”

“ Is it supposed to hurt like this? ”

“ Is there a way out? ”

“ Is this what you wanted? ”

“ Is it too late to turn back? ”

can . . .

“ Can I ask you a weird question? ”

“ Can you hear that? ”

“ Can I trust you? ”

“ Can you keep a secret? ”

“ Can we slow down? ”

“ Can you help me bury a body? ”

“ Can you look at me? ”

“ Can we talk about what happened? ”

“ Can you stop pretending? ”

“ Can you promise me something? ”

will . . .

“ Will you stay with me? ”

“ Will you tell me the truth? ”

“ Will this ever end? ”

“ Will you protect me? ”

“ Will they come back for us? ”

“ Will you remember me? ”

“ Will you choose a side? ”

“ Will you regret this? ”

“ Will you still look at me the same way? ”

“ Will you stop me if I’m wrong? ”

should . . .

“ Should I be worried? ”

“ Should we be running? ”

“ Should I follow you? ”

“ Should I be afraid of you? ”

“ Should we pretend this never happened? ”

“ Should I stay or go? ”

“ Should I believe you? ”

“ Should I be honest with you? ”

“ Should we trust them? ”

“ Should I have come here? ”

would . . .

“ Would you do it again? ”

“ Would you lie to protect me? ”

“ Would this have been different if I had stayed? ”

“ Would you really let me die? ”

“ Would you have saved them instead? ”

“ Would you still care if you knew the truth? ”

“ Would you leave if I asked? ”

“ Would this hurt less if I understood? ”

“ Would you forgive me? ”

“ Would you choose me this time? ”

could . . .

“ Could you survive without me? ”

“ Could this world exist without you? ”

“ Could this get any worse? ”

“ Could you teach me how to do that? ”

“ Could you be wrong? ”

“ Could you be lying to yourself? ”

“ Could you forgive them? ”

“ Could this be a trap? ”

“ Could you handle the truth if I told you? ”

I didn't take this post for the glory. There is no glory in this.

I swore an oath before I knew what oaths cost. I have been paying ever since.

You should not be in this part of the city at this hour. I will not ask again.

My loyalty belongs to the crown. 

Stand down. All of you. I said stand down! 

I have kept this city's peace for fifteen years. You have undone me in fifteen days.

You come to me with this now. At this hour. With blood on your hands and no explanation.

The gate closes at sundown. You knew that. Why are you only arriving now?

There are things I have done in service of this city that I will not speak of. Not to you. Not to anyone.

Lower your voice. These walls remember everything said within them.

I have followed orders my entire life. I am looking at you and wondering, for the first time, what it would mean to refuse one.

You are not safe here. 

My men did not see you. As far as this watch is concerned you were never here tonight.

I have held this post through three rulers. I will not compromise it. Not even for you.

The city does not sleep. Neither do I. We have that in common, at least.

Tell me what you know and tell me quickly. I have neither time nor patience for half truths.

I understand sacrifice. What I do not understand is being asked to sacrifice you.

Nobody passes through this gate without my leave.

I have drawn this sword in service of causes I did not believe in. I will not draw it against you.

You ask me to look the other way. You do not know what you are asking.

A commander does not have the luxury of doubt. I have been doubting since the moment I met you.

The fog comes in heavy off the river at this hour. Stay close.

I know every shadow in this city. I know every place a person might hide. I will find who did this.

You should fear me. Most people do. The fact that you do not is either very brave or very foolish.

I have given this city everything it has asked of me. Tonight it is asking for something I cannot give.

My second will take the watch. You and I need to speak somewhere without ears in the walls.

The law is the law. I did not write it. I do not always agree with it. I enforce it nonetheless.

You, of all people, came to the barracks. What has happened?

I have seen men break under far less. You are still standing. That means something.

Do not mistake my silence for approval, boy. Do not mistake it for indifference either.

I was told you were trouble the day you arrived in this city. I should have listened.

A knight serves. That is the whole of it. Serve, protect, endure. I have never wanted more than that until now.

I have enemies in every quarter of this city. I will not have you become a target because of your association with me.

The order came from above me. I am not certain it came from a place I still respect.

Put the blade down. I am asking you as someone who does not wish to see you hanged.

There are two kinds of people in a city like this. Those who are protected and those who do the protecting. I have always known which one I am.

You should not trust me simply because I wear this cloak. Trust must be earned. Let me earn it.

I will not pretend the law bends for sentiment. I will also not pretend I am without sentiment where you are concerned.

My duty ends at that door. What happens beyond it is between you and whatever gods you keep.

You are asking me to betray everything I have built my life upon.

The city watch answers to the crown. I answer to the city watch. Tonight I find myself answering to something else entirely.

I have buried men I called brothers. I have mourned them quietly and moved on because the realm does not pause for grief.

I am not accustomed to being seen. Only to being obeyed.

Ride out at first light. Take nothing that marks you as known to me. I will follow when I can.

You remind me of something I gave up a long time ago.

[ tug ] sender tugs receiver behind them during a tense moment

[ pull ] sender pulls receiver out of harm's way at the last second

[ tuck ] sender stares at receiver and quietly reaches up, tucking a fallen strand of hair behind receiver's ear

[ yank ] sender yanks receiver closer to them, ending up in semi-suggestive close proximity

[ steady ] sender grabs receiver's arm to steady them before they fall over

[ walk ] sender moves around receiver and walks closest to the street as they travel down the sidewalk, keeping receiver away from any potential danger in the roadway

[ untied ] sender drops to their knee and starts tying receiver's shoe for them

[ spoon ] sender lifts a spoon towards receiver's mouth, encouraging them to eat

[ trace ] sender traces receiver's lips with their thumb

[ pin ] sender pins receiver to a tucked-away spot in the shadows to avoid being caught

[ neck ] without a word, sender dips down to receiver's throat and kisses them soundly

[ handheld ] sender slips a hand behind their back and grabs receiver's fingers as they stand behind them

[ carry ] without asking, sender takes receiver's heavy bags from them and carries them

[ lock ] sender and receiver lock eyes across the room

[ drink ] sender brings receiver a drink and holds it to their lips, insisting they take a drink

[ reload ] sender reloads receiver's gun for them in the middle of a fight

[ shelter ] sender uses their body to shelter receiver from an explosion or attack

[ carry ] sender picks up receiver and carries them off the battlefield and into a safe spot before running back to the fight

[ toss ] from a secret hiding spot only receiver and sender can see as they avoid an enemy, sender silently gestures to receiver to toss them (their gun, something valuable, etc.)

[ stairs ] sender offers out a hand to help receiver ascend or descend a staircase

[ cover ] sender covers receiver's eyes so they don't witness something gruesome

[ fix ] sender comes up to receiver and fixes their collar and/or tie

[ shake ] to convince receiver not to do something, sender hastily shakes their head from a distance

[ watch ] from a distance, sender taps on their watch to show receiver they're running out of time

[ i'll go ] sender gently pushes receiver back, taking charge and insisting they will handle the dangerous task

[ reach ] through a locked gate, sender reaches for receiver's hand

[ ship ] as receiver's ship takes off from the planet, sender waves to them from the ground and watches them leave

[ protect ] after someone threatens receiver, sender rushes over and gets right in their face to protect them

[ punch ] after someone attacks receiver, sender rushes over and punches them in retaliation

[ nip ] sender playfully nips at receiver's neck

[ knuckles ] sender kisses receiver's knuckles in a polite gesture

[ squeeze ] sender gives receiver's butt a playful squeeze from behind

[ danger ] as an all-powerful receiver is about to lose control of their powers and cause massive damage, sender finds their eyes and tries to talk them down

[ goodbye ] without saying a word, sender approaches receiver and kisses them goodbye

[ wipe ] sender wipes a tear from receiver's face

[ location ] without saying anything and giving away the surprise, sender takes receiver to a secret spot

[ hold back ] sender has to hold back receiver from attacking someone

[ game ] sender lets receiver win a game they're playing

the bartender moved to pour, and delilah allowed the moment to stretch, her attention never fully leaving soldier boy. she did not move away. did not invite him closer either. the space between them remained exactly as she wanted it: charged enough to be interesting, controlled enough to be safe.for now.

“you know,” she said lightly, “most people at least ask a woman’s name before deciding whether she needs rescuing from her own face or were you planning to skip that part and go straight to being terribly impressed with yourself?”

her tone stayed pleasant. almost flirtatious. almost. that was the trick with men like this. if you struck too hard too soon, they became tiresome. if you smiled while cutting, they sometimes took longer to notice they were bleeding.

delilah turned fully toward him then, one elbow resting against the bar, posture elegant despite the low light and stale heat of the place. the tear was gone now. whatever softness he had first noticed had folded itself neatly back behind her eyes.

“delilah,” she offered at last. not because he had earned it. because names were useful things, and she liked deciding when to give hers.

@sh4peshifters: family is the most important thing in the world. - from delilah to anna

"Yes. I would do anything for my son. And daughter," she added after a second - truly, she loved them both, it was just that she and John needed each other more.

"But I want you to know, I'm not one of those mothers who think they can decide who their son should date, or hang out with. I'm just here to support whatever John chooses," Anna smiled, even if it didn't quite reach her eyes, thinking that if anyone turned out to be a threat to him, she'd laser them in a thousand pieces, supportive or not. "I'm happy if he's happy."

and anna was attached to john most of all that much was obvious.

“of course,” delilah said softly. “any good mother would.”

her tone was warm enough that it could have passed for agreement. almost. she looked at anna with that polished, camera-ready gentleness that had survived decades of interviews, studio lights, political fundraisers, and rooms full of men who mistook prettiness for harmlessness. it was a useful expression. disarming. gracious. entirely false when necessary.

“and i’m sure john is very lucky to have you.” the name came easily. deliberately. john. not homelander. not the brand. not the flag-draped god vought had made out of him and then acted shocked when he began expecting worship.

john.

“after everything he’s been denied, i imagine having his mother back means a great deal to him.”

there was no mockery in that part. not quite. whatever else delilah was, she understood deprivation. she understood the ugly hunger created when affection arrived decades too late and expected to be called salvation. she understood, too, how quickly a starving person could mistake possession for safety if it was handed to them with soft enough hands.

delilah stepped closer by half a pace, not enough to invade. only enough to make the conversation feel more private. more intimate. the sort of closeness that made threats sound like confidences if spoken sweetly enough.

“i would never want to come between john and something he chooses. i’m very fond of his choices and if he chooses to keep me near him, then i assume you and i both want the same thing....for him to be happy.”

the words were simple, but there was nothing simple beneath them. happiness, with men like john, was not gentle. not clean. not easily separated from need, pride, hunger, adoration, control. john did not want happiness the way ordinary people wanted it. he wanted proof. devotion. a world that bent correctly beneath his hands.

and delilah had given him enough of that to know the shape of it.

@sh4peshifters said: ❝ i think you know more than i think you know. ❞ - delilah to lynn

"Me? I'm a high school drop-out, it's a miracle I can tie my shoes." Words studied to sound casual, but softening her expression now would just look suspicious, so she kept her eyes as cold as ever. She'd been studying Vought, and people, for years, and there was plenty weirdness she was noticing all around her. Even Delilah had her gut send red signals. But then, Lynn didn't trust anyone, did she.

“oh, sweetheart.”

the word came soft. almost fond. almost.

“the stupid ones never announce themselves that neatly.”

her eyes moved over lynn with slow, polished interest. not quite insulting. not quite kind. the kind of attention one might give a dress on a rack that looked ugly at first glance but had, unfortunately, been well-made. all sharp lines and bad manners and colder eyes than she was trying to pretend mattered less than they did.homelander’s sister. that little fact still sat in the room between them like something alive.

unpleasantly alive.

delilah had spent decades watching vought build families out of contracts, romances out of marketing decks, loyalty out of fear, grief, sex, dependency, hunger. blood, though, had a habit of making people terribly sentimental. worse, it made men like john unpredictable and john was already unpredictable enough without a long-lost sister walking around with a gunmetal stare and a mouth full of little tests.

“you’re right about one thing,” delilah continued, tilting her head slightly. “family does make people want to be on the right side or at least, it makes them very interested in knowing which side that is.”

she stepped closer, though not enough to crowd. delilah rarely needed to crowd anyone. pressure was so much more elegant when it wore perfume and waited for the other person to notice it had already entered the room.

“but you and i both know you didn’t ask me that because you believe in family which is understandable. really. you arrive, and suddenly there are all these people orbiting your brother. handlers. executives. loyalists. parasites. women in expensive shoes who seem entirely too comfortable saying his name.” her eyes warmed falsely. “i imagine it’s a lot. especially when you’ve spent so long imagining yourself outside the story.”

delilah’s gaze did not leave her face. she was looking for the little fracture beneath the coldness. the part lynn hid under sarcasm, violence, and all that adorable insistence that she did not care. delilah knew that posture. she had worn versions of it across eras. across bodies. across names that had been buried so many times they might as well have become myth.

“so let me make this easier for you; I don’t think you’re stupid.” her smile softened again. “i think you’re angry. under-socialized. suspicious to the point of being exhausting. and clever enough to know when something in a room does not belong where it’s been placed.”

she glanced briefly toward the rest of vought tower, as though the building itself had offended her.

“which, in this place, is a useful survival instinct.”

her attention returned to lynn.

“as for what i think you know…”

delilah let out a small breath of amusement.

“nothing complete. not yet... pieces, perhaps.” her voice lowered slightly, becoming more intimate without losing its polish. “that vought lies as naturally as it breathes. that your mother’s story is not the only version of what happened. that john is not quite the man the cameras sell, but not quite the monster people whisper about either. that people keep making choices around him and calling it protection after the fact and that every person who claims to love him seems to want something from him.”

there was no change in her smile when she said it. that was the trick. the cruelty always sounded prettier when delivered gently.