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And then all the other Sesame Street character accounts joined in:

And now I’m thinking maybe we’re gonna be okay… 💗

"So, boss... I may have messed up."

"What did you do, Ray?"

"Well, I made a post for Elmo saying 'Hi, how's everybody doing?'"

"I mean, that's kind of what we pay you for."

"Yeah, but.... <sigh> it turns out pretty much everyone is hanging on by a thread, badly enough that they needed to tell Elmo."

"Oh."

"God help me, boss, I think Elmo needs to be there for them."

Elmo shall drag us from the fire

(No reason except for the anxiety creeping in his chest, the uneasy feelings waring with his insides, the way everything was the same and yet nothing felt safe, and the planet he had missed so much felt foreign and jarring and wrong.

Or maybe it was just Lance who was that way.)

Somehow, he’d been less surprised to find Shiro there as well.

(I think I have PTSD, he’d said, and Shiro had looked so incredibly sad. Yeah, you probably do.)

“This…” Lance gestured, encompassing his anxiety, the conflict and distress inside his chest, and just…everything. “This is what you were trying to protect us from.”

For the first time, Lance understood the painful, searing regret in Shiro’s eyes.

 “Yeah. I was.” 

Silence fell heavy. There were a hundred things between them and all the things Lance wanted to say but couldn’t because they weren’t true. Things like “you didn’t have to do that” or “we wouldn’t have been hurt by you” or anything that got away from the messy, painful truth of their situation. 

The truth that Shiro had been right. It wasn’t fair, what he had to do. But they’d needed him, and if he hadn’t— 

“Thank you,” said Lance, the one thing they’d never managed to say, angry and frustrated with his self-destructive behavior, the way he never seemed to care about himself and shut them all out, all in the name of protecting and caring for them. 

Tears built up in Lance’s eyes. It wasn’t fair. He flung himself into Shiro, hugging him tightly. It wasn’t fair that it’d happened, and it wasn’t fair how relieved and grateful Lance was that he’d done it. 

 “Thank you,” Lanced choked again into Shiro’s shoulder. 

Shiro hugged him back just as tightly. “I’m sorry. I wanted to protect you better. I didn’t want this for you.” 

There wasn’t anything else to say. Lance hung on tightly and let himself cry—for himself and for Shiro. For his friend, his brother, his mentor—his teammate, leader, and hero. For everything that had happened and they had had to go through. But most of all, for a universe where someone he loved so dearly could sacrifice so much—and it would still be the right thing to do. 

Lance could never repay Shiro for what he had done. All he could do was hug him and cry for him and sob…because he couldn’t in honesty say he wished Shiro hadn’t done it. 

“Thank you,” he wept into Shiro’s shoulder. “Thank you thank you thank you.” 

And this time, just maybe, Shiro would hear him.

He is s u f f e r i n g.

"enjoy your time with Gen while you can, he'll leave you the second he finds better dick. He's always been like that."

Senku however isn't fazed "that's funny considering he's never been with anyone other than me. So either Gen is lying or you are and with how shy Gen was the first time we did it, I'm inclined to believe you are lying. Now the question is why? Did Gen turn you down in the past and now you want to ruin his relationship? Or maybe you want me to break up with him so you can swoop in and get him for yourself?"

quick context: don’t worry this is not a teen pregnancy! This is from my au where the Titan battle takes place much further in the future. Jim and Claire are somewhere around their late 20s-early 30s here.

with that out of the way…

Shortly after settling in at the New Jersey heartstone, Jim tries cooking a traditional trollish dish for the first time (there wasn’t really the time or resources for proper cooking on the road). He feels rather awkward and unsure of himself because the ingredients and combinations were new and foreign to him, and as such he is definitely not as comfortable using them as he had been with the familiar human recipes he’d made so many times before. 

He taste-tests the final dish and thinks it’s pretty good, but he’s not sure if it’s actually “good” or if he just doesn’t have a broad enough experience with trollish foods to properly judge and it’s actually just mediocre and he simply doesn’t know any better. 

So he is nervous when he passes a serving to Blinky, who has of course had centuries’ worth of troll cuisine and has probably experienced dishes of a wide range of quality. As it turns out, however, Blinky adores Jim’s dish and is sure to say so loudly, praising him for his skills and general knowledgeability to be able to pull off an unfamiliar dish so well, and on his very first attempt, no less!

I just finished reading (and rereading) your Foster Care Au (the whole series is fantastic btw) and was wondering if you have any headcannons to share about what kinds of trouble the paladins got into during the Hell House era. Or if you’re saving those ideas for stuff in the future

Once again, this au is INCREDIBLE

OMG EEEEEEEEEEE! It makes me so happy when I hear about people enjoying and getting invested in this au. The au means a lot to me—and I have to love it a lot because I know I'm writing for a VERY dead fandom. These little pulses of love from others for it give me life!

Hmmm, head canons after the Hell House. So I was thinking, and I think I haven't shared this exactly yet, about how they all hard "roles" to survive there. Obviously Shiro is the "leader," the one keeping them all together, organizing things, the one they go to for comfort or help with homework or other kids or when they're scared. No surprise here, Shiro has basically been a parent since he was 10 years old and feels that responsibility keenly. (it actually makes me a little sad, thinking of baby Shiro trying so hard and caring so much and not getting his own chance to be a kid).

But like the others had roles they took on the protect and take care of each other too. For instance, Hunk is in charge of food. Which isn't easy when food was often used by the Zarkons to control or punish them. So Hunk would help stockpile and then hide the stockpile of nonperishable snacks and such so they could make it through bad times. He would keep track of how much they have and what they need and would work with Shiro to make sure everyone has enough. Also the Zarkons sometimes liked to "experiment" with foods or additives aka that's poison not medicine Honverva, so Hunk also became in charge of checking food was still good. Sometimes they had to eat it anyway because they were at the table and the punishment for not to was worse. But Hunk became VERY intent on making sure food was good, especially going forward after they got out.

Keith is a primary protector and watch guard. He often kept guard while others got into things (like food, or maybe school supplies or clothes, things they need) or were doing things (having fun) the Zarkons wouldn't approve of. He was in charge of finding ways for them to break out of their rooms or break IN to the room of a kid that was supposed to be isolated and making sure they could do it without anyone knowing. He still tracks their environment, escape routes and how to get out at any time, and looking for traps. Ironically, all this forethought goes out the window as soon as KEITH is the one in trouble. Shiro can't believe the kid who can smell a squeaky stair can't figure out it's a bad idea to climb up rusted out balconies to "get fresh air".

(He'll stop climbing buildings when you stop first, Shiro)

Pidge of course is a master organizer and planner. Her job is a little more fluid, but if there's a project or a plan that needs to get done, she's on it. She keeps track of the details on a minute level. And of course, all things technology. Spoofing the Zarkon's cameras, trying to get access to Honiara's notes. Getting them access to the intent even if it's through a calculated and 3 pencils. Making sure the Zarkons can't TELL what it is they're searching and visiting. Her role became especially important when they were separated after the Hell House. She was the one to figure out how to keep them all connected when they were stuck in different houses. And she "helped" when in unspecified, possibly suspicious ways when Shiro was applying for custody of them all. Whatever. The government is evil, and she was just helping a good thing happen. She feels zero remorse.

Lance is the go-to for running distractions. He also has keen eyes, so he's good for finding a hiding spot of observing when they need. But Lance's REAL role is…fun! Which might sound lame, but actually is a huge reason they were all able to keep going and stay human. Lance brought humor into the darkness of the Hell House and helped them bond over more than just shared trauma. Lance, for instance, is the one who has made sure they celebrate everyone's birthdays in some little way every year. He brings out the more human parts of all of them, and who they are underneath their survival mentality. It might have gotten them in trouble a few times, before overall, Lance can be very attuned when he wants to be. Lance helped them feel like a family rather than prisoners (though they were that too). It's an important but often underappreciated role. Not to Shiro though. Shiro can tell how important it is that Lance can make them laugh, and still try new things, and celebrate. Lance is important! (Even if he has a hard time recognizing it)

All these roles have continued as they finally escaped Arizona. They still work very much like a team, trusting each other to get their job done so they all work together. Though these days their biggest challenges at home are just things like taking the trash out and braving the creepy basement to do laundry.

Recreation of my reaction to seeing your response.

I LOVE this au! Stressed out parentified siblings are my jam and Shiro was built for that role (poor guy lol) More than that, I love seeing the subtle (and not so subtle) trauma responses from all the paladins, they feel very realistic. I can’t describe how happy I was to see that the most recent edition to this au DIDNT come out 6 years ago! I’m sending all the motivation I can at you through the screen 🫶🫶🫶

Like the first several times they are intimate Senku doesn't put it in because they'd just break poor Gen, so they use the toys.

Can't get a fudoshi hold comfortably the whole package. 😂

Had to wait until Yuzuriha could make him something more modern and comfortable.

Senku:

Supposed to be a valentine's day edit, sadly stuff got in the way💔

PROPAGANDA:

[Gen]

"They crossdress and forcefemme this twink every season and he's so down bad for the protag it's insane."

[Wick]

Making sure you’re okay, but saying that would only make Shiro feel guilty.

“Keith is snoring particularly badly tonight,” Lance says instead. “My ears need a break.”

It’s only a half-lie. Keith is snoring particularly loudly tonight (and almost always directly in his ears, because no matter what position Lance squirms into during the night, Keith will always manage to pull Lance in close within two minutes. Keith is the world’s cuddliest sleeper, despite how much he likes to appear otherwise). But Lance likes the sound of Keith’s snoring, as embarrassing as that is to admit. In fact, he actually needs it to fall asleep, now. The last time Keith took on a week-long mission for the Blades, Lance only managed to pass out a total of two times without the constant white noise of his boyfriend’s rumbly breathing.

Shiro snorts. “I bet. Adam and I used to joke that the boy damn near rattled the walls. No part of me misses that mess, I’ll admit.”

“Yeah? Even baby Keith snored?” Lance asks, making his way to the little kitchenette. He’s not sure that hot chocolate will help, but it sure as shit won’t hurt. Also, he wants something to do with his hands.

Shiro rests his chin in his hands and sighs fondly. “Oh, yeah. We didn’t know he snored for the first couple days he was with us, ‘cause he was too nervous to sleep right. But that third night he stayed with us — ho-ly shit. I remember Adam totally freaking out because he thought a bear had gotten into the apartment, which made me laugh so hard I woke Keith up.”

Lance giggles as he mixes the sugar into the milk, Shiro chuckling right along with him.

“What other stuff was baby Keith up to? I know about the car incident, and some other scattered stories, but Keith mostly only tells me embarrassing stories about you.”

“Does he now.”

Lance shrugs, grinning. “I’m particularly fond of the story of when you and Adam first met. That one’s funny.”

Shiro scowls. “Whatever Keith said to you was a lie, because he’s a little snot. Ignore him.”

“Are you telling me,” Lance says in an exaggerated Southern belle accent as he brings two mugs over to the table, “that I should ignore my husband? Why, Shiro, dear heavens! It almost sounds like you’re angling for our divorce!”

Shiro gives him a deadpan look, raising an eyebrow, but he can only hold the face for about two seconds before they both burst into laughter, desperately shushing each other so as to not wake up the rest of the team. Eventually, though, their giggles die down, and they sit drinking their hot chocolate in a comfortable silence.

As he nears halfway through his cup, Lance starts tapping his fingers on the mug, expelling some jitters. He knows he has to bring up the subject, figure out why Shiro’s awake with such heavy eye bags and how to help. He wants to help. But he doesn’t quite know how to segue into the issue. He sucks at segues.

Eh, fuck it. Segues are for straight people.

“Is it nightmares?”

Shiro deflates, looking infinitely more exhausted than anyone should ever have to. Lance’s heart aches for him. “Kinda,” Shiro admits. “I am having regular nightmares. It sucks. But — and this is so depressing — I’m so used to being traumatized that the nightmares don’t really scare me, if that makes sense? Like, say I get a nightmare where Haggar is sawing off my arm as I’m awake. Okay. Whatever. It just feels like an everyday thing, y’know?”

Lance winces. He has his fair share of nightmares and struggles, but not so frequently that they’ve just become the status quo.

“I guess the thing that’s really keeping me up is the constant overthinking. I mean, I signed up to lead a small research mission. Now I’m responsible for overthrowing a 10 000 year old colonizational genocide and I feel like nothing I do is helping, and everything is falling apart., and I’m letting you all down at every turn.”

Lance is silent for a moment, thinking. He has to take this slowly, carefully. It’s a rare night for Shiro to open up about his struggles, and Lance wants to help him, dammit.

“Remember Keith’s last Blade mission?” he asks quietly.

Shiro hums his assent.

“I’m pretty sure you already know, but I slept maybe ten hours that week. Routine changes like that are… rough, for me, and it gets worse if I’m struggling before the change. And I was. I know Keith didn’t have a choice, and he had to go, and I wanted him to go, but it was fucking hard. I know it’s probably not great for me to be so dependent on him, either, but the fact of the matter is that I was ducking into corners every few hours to cry. I was exhausted, I was homesick more than usual, I wasn’t eating right because all the food was feeling off, everything was just so fucking horrible.”

Shiro looks surprised to hear this, and Lance hurries on before he can start to feel guilty for not noticing (because that’s Shiro — putting the weight of the world on his shoulders so his loved ones don’t have to carry an ounce).

“I didn’t want anyone to know. It’s frustrating for me to struggle like that. But Shiro — you were such a big help to me. Huge.”

“How could I have been a help? I didn’t even notice!” Shiro protests.

“You may not have noticed everything specifically, Shiro, but you knew I wasn’t my best, and you were so accommodating without being coddling. Honest to God, I could not believe how supported I felt. My mom still struggles to get that right, sometimes, but every time you spoke to me you hit the balance right every time. It made absolutely everything easier. I can’t imagine how much more I would have struggled if you weren’t there for me.”

Lance reaches over and clutches both of Shiro’s hands in his, smiling warmly as Shiro stares at him with wide, incredulous eyes.

“I mean it, Shiro. Seriously. Thank you. You’re doing excellent — you have nothing to worry about.”

Shiro closes his eyes as his face crumples, and the tears finally fall. Lance moves over to hold Shiro tightly, trying to squeeze all his love and appreciation into the hug.

“I’m proud of you, Shiro,” he whispers, and Shiro sobs.

Lance wonders the last time someone said that. He holds Shiro close, resting his temple on Shiro’s shaking head, and vows to make sure the man hears it more often.

Gen: …You realize any other person that made their partner pass out on bed would simply feel really proud of themselves, right?

Actually, it's a good thing Senku got his way about that doctor's visit. Because apparently Gen has gotten a terminal autoimmune disease the Medusa can't heal and unless Senku, Xeno and their teams don't find a cure as soon as possible, he will die in a few months.

An even worse realisation for Senku is that Gen knew about it and has been feeling the first effects already. But seeing how hard everyone is working on the time machine and the revival of humanity, he's decided to keep stumm and keep everyone happy until he passes out and never wakes up. Sure, people will mourn him for a bit. Then they'll find someone else to occupy the space he's left behind and life will go on.

For SenGen angst I really like the dynamic of Gen, who would let go of everything, including Senku or his own life if it can help his loved ones in any way. And then there's Senku who's ready to dig his claws in and hold on for dear life even with everything around them burning because "I won't lose you, damnit!" He knows he can rebuild everything again, but losing Gen is not an option!

I can easily solve that mystery for our favourite genius gremlin. Tsukasa is charismatic, with very useful specialties and has always been the best candidate for power team lead. Meanwhile, according to Gen himself, with more and more people revived he's becoming less and less useful. With Senku's status as king and Dr Stone, he has enough power and admiration to make people listen. Plus, anyone can manipulate others, and it's also not a desirable trait to have, really.