#-but I feel like he'd be?? I dunno.. around kids he'd be like that cool uncle who lets you buy anything u want or get you cool-

[glitteringcrab]

Evil Morty's name

...I'm under the impression that the show very much does not want us to call him "Evil" Morty.

1. The name was coined by the fans, not the creators (if this article is to be believed, at least):

2. A different name was handed to us, but it didn't catch on:

3. Evil Morty seems to me to be pushing the idea that being "evil" is something that describes every Morty who rebels against his tormentor...

...which in turn, means it's not defining of him. If a thousand angry Mortys lash out and therefore become "Evil Morty", how does this name differentiate him, specifically? How does it function as a name he'd choose for himself?

We can't really say that only a very small number of Mortys turn against Ricks, either, because he says to Morty Prime: "Now you're Evil Morty too. Sooner or later we all are." If he is to be believed, this means that it happens often. A lot.

...So I think it's a bit like calling Slick Morty "drama implant Morty". There are countless Mortys with a drama implant, but only one who also rolls up his sleeves and is called Slick Morty and who gave his life away in a desperate wish.

4. Rick protests against the name.

5. He seems to be bitter about the name:

6. In the show he claims that being sick of Rick is makes him evil, which can be translated either as:

(a) "I'm so desperate I have no choice but to escape at any cost, even if I have to do cruel things" OR

(b) "you can do any cruel act and it can be overlooked as humorous (couch Morty Prime killing people so he can die old with Jessica cough) but if I do cruel acts so I can escape Rick I'm considered evil"

In theory he could mean either of the two, but I think the first one makes more sense considering it was us fans who named him thus, and we did it because of his betrayal towards other Mortys, not because we judged him for wanting to escape.

7. Considering it turned out he really was worried about Morty Prime, this feels like one more moment where he expresses bitterness and sarcasm towards the name that was given to him:

8. I guess the moniker "evil" can be considered empowering, in a fashion, but I mostly feel this is a really sad part of the empowerment. He escaped, yes, and that's admirable (even if it had to be done at any cost) but that name highlights the absolute worst parts of his struggles. And while he may no longer hope for acceptance, friendship or understanding from anyone, this particular name still feels like it's rubbing in his face that he had to dirty his hands, that his peers are repulsed by him and that he will receive no forgiveness from anyone (at least, not anytime soon). It also reminds me of this post. Strength and cruelty are not the same thing. He is strong but we name him after the cruelty? Especially when we know this is likely only a hurt and lonely kid.

9. I understand that the name may have stuck by now, and even though I admit it has a nice ring to it, I actually hate using it anymore. I like to call him by the one thing that actually sets him apart from all the other cocky or evil Mortys, and that's the one object that is so important to him that it honestly feels like he can't wait to put back it on

that he used to turn the tables against Ricks

that he wears even when alone outside the Curve

that he tries to touch as a form of self-soothing

that his hand slips in his pocket for basically before his enemy has finished collapsing on the ground

[angelforcas]

I wish you were my father

> Oh??

> You really think so?? You're certain?

> Wait no you're serious aren't you- Wow, okay- I mean I'm definitely flattered, don't get me wrong

> I just don't think your typical parent would approve of how I'd go about it. I'd expect your life expectancy to lower if I was your dad

[bokutosbiceps]

don't be afraid to catch feels

eustass kid/monkey d luffy/roronoa zoro/trafalgar d water law/usopp/vinsmoke sanji  x gn!reader | fluff | ~2k words

warnings: some suggestive/18+ themes but nothing explicit

a/n: idk i just really wanted to write so THIS was born !!! how some of the one piece boys realize they have feelings for ya !!  might do this for other fandoms too…actually yeah i will LOL probably if i don’t forget

NOTE: i end them after their confession on PURPOSE so you can choose your own adventure 😆 also there’s more dialogue for luffy’s + usopp’s so they’re a bit longer !!

18+ MDNI | under the cut for length

eustass kid is angry. he's angry that he developed a crush on you. it's so stupid, he thinks. so outta character.

everyone on the victoria punk knows it, including you. and much to kid’s dismay, so does killer. killer talks to him about it everyday, trying to coax a confession out of him in the most gentle yet firm way he can. he wants his captain to be happy, and he knows that you can make him happy, because you already do without knowing it.

kid is completely docile in your presence, and protective. he’s more quiet, because he wants to hear what you have to say. he’s around more, because he wants to keep an eye on you. and maybe because he likes being in your presence.

kid tells (threatens) the rest of his crew that, even though they’re like brothers to him, they’ll be ripped to shreds if any of them so much as glance at you the wrong way.

luckily for you and unluckily for him, you’d heard his very public threat to the kid pirates, save for you. 

you ask kid what the hell all that was about and he simply shrugs, rolling his eyes and trying but failing to keep his cool. you scoff and chuckle at his indignance. you continue to press him till he finally gets annoyed and locks eyes with you, his pupils dilated and his lips spread out into a crazy grin.

“jus’ claiming what’s mine.”

monkey d luffy is seeking out the smartest person he knows, and once he sees her, he’s barreling toward her at lightning speed. hands appear, arising from the wood of the sunny’s deck and forming a net right in front of robin, effectively catching luffy and recoiling him flat onto his butt.

“robin! what was that for?” luffy whines, adjusting his straw hat and tilting it back so that he can look at robin.

“i’d prefer to not be crashed into, captain.” robin shuts her book and gives luffy a gentle, almost maternal smile. “now, what has you so excited?”

luffy is thoughtful as he opts to lay back down on the deck, tilting his straw hat over his face to shield his eyes from the sun. he’s not excited, kinda confused, actually. 

he’s good with his feelings, because he knows his feelings. he's familiar with them. but these feelings—the ones he's been feeling for the past couple of weeks or so—are new. he doesn’t know them, but he wants to learn about them. so here he is, ready to learn with the smartest person he knows.

“well…i wouldn’t call it excited, ya know?” luffy stretches his arms overhead before folding them behind his head. robin chuckles quietly, already aware of luffy’s feelings before he'd even realized them himself.

“what would you call it then?” robin asks patiently.

“like…i dunno! it’s different! it’s different with ‘em…” luffy trails off, sinking back into his thoughts.

“different with who?”

“y/n!” luffy chirps, feeling himself smile at the mention of your name. “i’m really happy they’ve joined the crew!”

“happy like…you’re happy that i joined the crew?” 

“nuh uh, like…i always wanna be near ‘em. i like when they laugh, when they’re happy. their smile’s real nice, too.” luffy pauses. “it’s a lot of fun to be alone with ‘em! makes me feel good…”

robin takes her time explaining what these feelings mean, that that bubbly, queasy feeling in his stomach was not, in fact, indigestion. once robin’s words seep into luffy’s thick, rubber skull, he jumps up off the deck and wraps robin in a tight hug, grinning the whole time and whisper yelling i gotta go tell ‘em!

luffy finds you instantly, almost like his body contains a homing device that always leads to you. you notice way too late that you are in the direct path of the tornado that is luffy, and he tackles you, causing you to fall back. luffy is quick to catch you, stretching an arm around your waist and bringing you to his chest, looking at your face with such intensity you can’t keep your face from heating up.

you’re breathless. due to the adrenaline from almost cracking your skull against the wood of the ship, and from the i’ve got feelings for ya! robin says they're love feelings! do you feel the same? that rushed out of luffy’s mouth.

roronoa zoro is confused. honestly, more confused than he’s ever been in his life. then he’s annoyed. why did he have to develop feelings for a crewmate, let alone you? it would just get in the way of everything. he wants to focus on his dream, on luffy’s dream, and sometimes even on sanji’s dream.

he doesn’t consider himself a particularly selfish person, but he wanted to focus on himself first. 

but then he sees you smile. he hears you laugh. he watches you work and hone your craft, a look of ecstatic determination on your face and the tip of your tongue peeking out between your pursed lips as you focus. suddenly, he realizes it’s really not about him anymore. it’s about you.

he starts to avoid you like the plague—he figures that if he can’t see you, you can’t see him. but he’s oh so wrong. 

when you decide you've had enough of this, you stop zoro, your hand gripping his shoulder and pulling as hard as you can. zoro raises an eyebrow at you and turns around, crossing his arms and waiting for you to explain yourself.

“you’ve been avoiding me.” you state, leaving no room for disagreement or excuses.

“says who?” zoro is very good at playing dumb.

“says me. and luffy.” you huff a bit as you remember your encounter with your captain. how his lips had twisted to the side and how his eyes had shot up to the sky when you’d asked what zoro’s problem was.

“luffy doesn’t know—”

“know why you’ve been avoiding me?” you step closer to zoro, your eyes locked on his and staring into his soul, searching for answers. “i’m sure we’d both love to know.”

zoro scoffs and rolls his eyes, taking a step back from you and turning his face to the sea. the cool ocean breeze feels nice against his burning face. he grimaces as he turns back to you, figuring he might as well get this over with.

“ilikeyou.” zoro mumbles, the words rushing out of his mouth and stopping quickly as they had started.

you shake your head and lean closer to zoro, turning your head to the side so his lips are inches away from your cheek. 

“can you repeat that, please, roronoa?”

“i like you.” zoro says the three, short, quipped words. he’s frowning and his arms are crossed and pulled tightly against his chest, in hopes to dampen the hammering of his heart.

trafalgar d water law is no stranger to stuffing his feelings deep inside of his chest and leaving them there to rot. so he’s wondering why in the fresh hell these annoying feelings for you keep resurfacing. they crawl up his esophagus and reflux into his mouth, leaving a bitter taste behind and making him scowl every time he feels them. 

and to you, it seems as though every time the two of you lock cross paths, he narrows his eyes at you and stalks away. he rarely talks to you anymore, although the conversations you'd shared before were usually very short, yet somehow still meaningful.

you decide to confront him about it, byway of bepo, who happened to know exactly why law was seemingly scarce around you. 

“c-captain? our captain?” bepo stutters, bringing his paw up to his mouth and feigning surprise. “wow! i have no clue why he’d do something like that!”

you frown at bepo. it’s painfully obvious he knows everything about the answer to your question. “spill it, bepo.”

bepo starts to make gestures with his hands and little struggle noises with his mouth. he has no clue how to get out of this one. so he does, indeed, spill it. 

a few minutes later, after bepo was done with his rambling and law’s confession, you approach law with a smug smile on your face.

it doesn’t take a genius to be able to tell why you’re smirking like that, and law immediately pinches the bridge of his nose and tilts his head down.

“that damn bear…”

usopp is sweaty. he’s sweaty, he’s wringing his hands, twirling his hair around his fingers, readjusting his goggles on top of his head. he can’t sit still. he’s been thinking about how on earth to deal with his feelings: does he just shove 'em deep down inside or does he shout 'em from the crow’s nest? he hasn’t had romantic feelings for anyone since he left kaya, and he simply cannot deal. 

“usopp…” nami says softly, touching usopp on the shoulder. he jumps, then flinches at his overreaction to his best friend’s simple and gentle gesture. “can you just tell them, please?”

“n-no! why should i?” usopp frowns at nami and furrows his eyebrows, knowing full well that it’d be best for his health and the crew’s sanity to just come out and tell you.

“if you don’t…” nami grins at him, slowly and mischievously, “i’ll tell them myself.”

usopp immediately springs up from his chosen sulking location and mutters an okay, okay! behind him as he leaves nami. he’s back to sweating, wringing his hands, playing with his hair, and fidgeting with his goggles.

you notice usopp looking particularly dreadful and wait for him to get closer to your position on the deck. you reach out and catch his hand, giving it a light tug so that he’s moving closer to you. he seems so deep in thought that he doesn’t even notice.

“usopp?” you tug on his hand twice, trying to get his attention. usopp meets your gaze and stares at you blankly before shaking his head and becoming aware of the situation. he tries to withdraw his hand from your grip but you’re holding on tightly, and he realizes he’s trapped.

“y/n! fancy seeing you here!” usopp laughs loudly, trying to mask the way that he’s absolutely crumbling and melting.

“what’s on your mind, usopp?”

“you.” usopp covers his mouth with his free hand immediately after the words come out of his mouth. what was he thinking, being so forward? he quickly looks away from you, directing his eyes to the clouds above. “i mean, nami was talking about you earlier. that’s why i’m thinking about you. no other reason!”

a small smile spreads across your lips. “oh, yeah. she told me something super interesting about you earlier today…” you say, drawing out the last few syllables and relishing in the way usopp looks at you in utter horror.

“nami told you that i like you?” he breathes.

“no, but you just did.”

vinsmoke sanji is aware that he actually likes you. that you're not just another pretty face he admires. he’s always known you were gorgeous, the apple of his eye, the object of his affection. you never noticed that it different, though. thinking back on it, you’re glad that you didn’t notice, because you might’ve thought it meant something bad. quite the contrary, in fact.

sanji knows he loves you when he feels calm in your presence. when he’s not acting like a fan boy and when he spends hours talking with you while he cooks or does the dishes or plans the crew's next meal. you’re always around, and yet, he’s never nervous. 

when he really realizes it, though, it’s when he catches a glimpse of nami’s naked silhouette through the crack in the bathroom door and he doesn’t even flinch. not a tingle, not a single palpitation. it’s not you, and his heart knows it, so he’s calm. this is when he knows he has to confess.

“y/n…darling…” sanji says, grasping your hands in his own and looking you in the eyes. “i have to tell you something—something i’ve never told anyone before.”

you look at him, an eyebrow raised in skeptical curiosity. sanji looks worried, and he almost never looks worried. your mind is going a mile a minute, your brain flipping through pages and pages of things he could possibly say to you within the next minute. because of this, you miss the way sanji squeezes your hands, and the way he sucks in a deep breath.

“i’m in love with you.”

taglist: @usoppsstar (i literally can’t remember anyone else rn lolol, i just knew i wanted to surprise ya coco) | @kingofthe-egirls | @pileofmush | @anemptypuddingcup

[thatstonedwriter]

Aquarium Trip!

─── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ. ───

A/n- guess who's going to the MOTHERFUCKING AQUARIUM BITCHES WOOOO

Contents; romantic relationships, undersea animals, swearing

Feat; Stolas, Blitzø, Loona, Fizzarolli

─── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ. ───

Being at the Aquarium with them is a dream. The dark hallways, the lights reflecting against the water of the tanks- it creates such a romantic ambiance.

Stolas is a hopeless romantic. Not only does he get to learn about animals, environmentalism, and the ocean- he gets to learn these things with you. The whole time, Stolas is holding your hand, stopping at every display, and reading all of the information for each exhibit. Cue the cute owl noises. Stolas would love to take some time to sit with you in front of an exhibit, sharing kisses, holding hands, and (of course) him telling you about all the new things he's learned! I think he'd love the touch pools, especially for the stingrays. He probably freaks out a bit at first, but his excitability overrules any hesitation. don't even get him started on the gift shop. Stolas freaks out over every book he sees. Gets the two of you matching shirts because he's a sucker for that kinda shit. Stolas loves taking pictures with you, too! With the jellyfish, cute crabs, the seals you see in the bay, the stingrays, everything. And, in my opinion, he would love ocean puns. You're taking facts and making them funny? He's so in love.

As much as it pains me to say it, Blitzø probably isn't a fan at first. To be honest, the only reason he came was because you said there were seahorses. He was pissed when they weren't actual horses. While Blitzø is kinda grumpy for a bit, he can't deny how cool everything looks- and how happy you are. Most of the time, he's not looking at the exhibits, but at you- appreciating your joy and excitement. Blitzø has never been one for learning "fun facts" or anything, but if you ramble on about the ocean, he'll hang on to every word. Of course, he probably won't outwardly show you too much affection, but there are times when Blitzø goes to reach for your hand, or scoots closer to you when you're sitting at an exhibit. If he had to choose a favorite section, it's the deep sea. he does quite enjoy the freaky animals. He isn't super excitable, but can't help a small smile whenever he sees how much you're enjoying everything. At the gift shop, he'll watch to see what you like the most and will sneakily buy it for you.

Not sure if Loona would be thrilled about the aquarium, but if she's going with you, she doesn't have any objections! I think she would be fascinated by the Jellyfish and open ocean exhibits. The color and size of the animals like the hammerhead sharks or sea nettles is just so mesmerizing. Loona wants to take pictures, but isn't used to the low light, so it's a bit frustrating. Hopefully you've got some photos to share with her. It's a requirement that y'all model and pose for pictures. Aesthetics are everything!! And Loona wants a new home screen. She would love being able to take a picture with the sharks or jellyfish with you. Tbh, I think Loona would be freaked out by crustaceans. Dunno why, I just think she doesn't like them. She also doesn't participate in the touch pools because of how many kids there are. In the giftshop, she probably doesn't get much for herself (but she does like some of the sweatshirts and jewelry).

Fizzarolli will not. Stop. Making. Ocean puns. It is constant, but hey, at least he's funny and creative. Fizz would probably love the aquarium, especially the otters and octopuses. Otters because..Adorable, obviously. Personal HC of him liking Octopuses comes from how they can be misunderstood, and how intelligent and versatile they are. There's also some relatability with the arms if you squint. I think the octopus would make him feel more secure with himself, you know? Whenever y'all are sat while watching a feeding or display, Fizz is snuggling as close as possible, arms wrapped around you, head on your shoulder. I would argue that one of the most romantic spots in an aquarium is the dark jellyfish exhibits. Fizz gets a selfie of him kissing you on the cheek or y'all with your arms around each other in front of the moon jellies. And boom- new lockscreen acquired. Dude goes absolutely bonkers in the giftshop. He loves everything. The notebooks, shirts, pins, jewelry, bags- all of it. You'll have to reign him in if you don't wanna deal with crippling debt. He ends up deciding on a cozy jacket and matching plushies for the two of you.

Aquarium dates are the best way to nerd out with your partner(s) 💛

[writer-in-theory]

A Cat Named Eddie — part two

part one part two part three

--

Eddie half-expected it to blow over.

It was cruel, sure, but it wasn't like worse hadn't been said before. He hadn't forgotten the words they used to throw at each other in school, or even the slight off-center teasing the entire group participated in.

Steve had crossed a line first, he was just readjusting the center. That was all.

Except it hadn't blown over, and now things were weird. Eddie hadn't realized how often he saw Steve until that presence disappeared entirely. When Steve dropped off the kids for D&D, he stayed firmly in the car, or sometimes even sent Nancy or Jonathan to do it instead. There weren't anymore night when Steve would come over with a pack of beer and and some cigarettes, whispering for him to not tell Henderson he was smoking again like it was some tightly held secret. Steve still came to movie nights in the Wheeler basement—if only because the others would notice if he wasn't there—but instead of sitting next to each other whispering about the cool new effects or how they would've better handled a horror situation, they sat on opposite sides of the basement.

It sucked, frankly.

"What the hell did you do to Steve?" Dustin came charging at the van the second he pulled back up to the trailer. How long had the kid been waiting there for him?

Eddie groaned, looking over at Dustin as dramatically as he could manage. "Isn't he supposed to be working on your language?"

"Eddie!"

"I didn't do anything to Harrington," Eddie told him, though the expression on Dustin's face showed just how unconvinced he was. "He started it."

He winced at the way it sounded, already anticipating the unimpressed look Dustin was giving him. "Really, Eddie? He started it? What are you, four?"

"Hey! This is adult stuff, you'll understand when you're older."

"Doesn't sound like it. Sounds more like you're in e—"

"Henderson, nothing happened between Steve and I. I dunno what he said to make you think that but we'll be fine."

"He's moping, Eddie," Dustin practically whined. "It hasn't been this bad since Nancy. Can't you just apologize for whatever he thinks you did so you can kiss and make up?"

"Who says I did anything?"

"I think you both did something stupid," Dustin corrected, crossing his arms over his chest. It was alarming how quickly he was beginning to mimic Steve's mannerisms. "Just fix it."

And sure, maybe the kid had a point. He was one of the smartest people Eddie had ever met, so of course he did. That didn't make it any easier to consider how to do such a thing. It was easy to say 'fix it', but a whole lot harder to figure out what to fix in the first place.

So it was another week until anything else happened. Another week of no Steve, another week of not being able to sleep and realizing he'd been relying on phone calls to the other man to lull him back to sleep when he had a nightmare. Even when it was Steve who called, it always seemed like Eddie could get back to sleep much better than before.

Three weeks after the incident, Eddie stepped foot back inside Family Video.

"Get out," Robin immediately spoke from the center counter, not looking up from the tapes she was organizing to place back on the shelves.

"Missed you too, Buckley," Eddie tried to tease, but the look Robin gave him was harsh, cold in a way he wasn't sure the band nerd had ever been capable of before. "Okay, I get it, I hurt Harrington's feelings."

Robin glanced over at a door on the back wall, maybe the break room, before she looked back at him. "You didn't just hurt his feelings, asshole."

"He was—" Eddie started, voice raising a higher pitch before he told himself to relax. Instead, he leaned over the counter to close their proximity. "What if Harrington hasn't really changed as much as you think he has?"

Robin blinked, wordlessly watching him for a few seconds. Then she scoffed, rolled her eyes, then refocused on the tapes scattered around her. "I think you're the one who's stuck in high school, Eddie."

"What's that s'posed to mean?"

"You're so focused on him being a jock that you're totally missing the obvious. I mean come on, I thought Harrington was the biggest dingus I'd ever be friends with but you might've beaten him."

"I hate to ask this..." Eddie started, lifting his eyes to look to the ceiling as though the answer might be plastered there. "But what's the obvious?"

Robin looked up at him, really looked at him, then shook her head. "I cannot wait until you two figure this one out."

--

Eddie had no idea what the fuck Robin meant by that, and it certainly didn't get any clearer as the days passed.

It was impossible not to linger on it, though. He laid in bed unable to sleep, just thinking about what the hell she was trying to tell him. He ended up trying to replay the last day he'd spoken to Steve, tried to figure out where it all went so wrong, how all of this ended up pinned on him when Steve was the one who—

He walked into Family Video that day. Robin and Steve were talking. He eavesdropped. Okay, not the best start.

Steve said Eddie had sat on his lap. And bit him. And slept with him.

No, he said they slept in the same bed.

It still didn't make sense. All of it still sounded like the setup to a bad joke, like the second Eddie acknowledged it Steve would jump out with the 'I gotcha'. None of it made sense, because of there was no 'gotcha' then what was the point of saying all of that to Robin? To the kids? Why make everyone think they were closer than they were? Why bring up all of these things right as Eddie figured out he kind of liked the idea of laying in bed with Steve Harrington?

Eddie wanted to scream.

Instead, he got out of bed, tossed on a jacket, and started walking. It was just beginning to get colder, enough that he needed to curl his shoulders inward the more he walked. There was no destination in mind, though he ended up somewhere anyway.

He ended up by the Harrington house, of course.

It would've been easier to turn around and walk away, pretend he had never showed up there. But Eddie was tired of running, and maybe this would at least prove something to the both of them (what that was, he still wasn't sure). At the very least, maybe the strange ache in his chest that hadn't gone away since he heard Steve's words weeks ago would ease enough that he could breathe freely again. So he knocked.

Steve looked like he wanted to close the door in Eddie's face. Maybe they both deserved it, to not be friends and not figure out this whole situation and to just sit in this hurt forever until all of their friends got tired of their bullshit. Except Eddie was tired of deserved too, having heard plenty of what he 'deserved' after Chrissy was killed.

"We need to talk," Eddie spoke up, and Steve sighed and nodded, though didn't move from the doorway.

"It's fine, man, there's nothing to talk about," Steve told him. "We're good, I'm fine."

"Well as long as Harrington is fine," Eddie returned quickly, wincing immediately after. "I'm not. Nothing about this is fine."

Steve sighed and leaned his hip against the doorframe. And shit, why did he get to look so annoyed that this conversation was happening? Eddie deserved an apology too, didn't he? Didn't he?

"Yeah, okay this was a mistake," Eddie hissed, taking a step backward and shaking his head.

"What now?" Steve snapped, nothing but pure annoyance and frustration in his voice. It reminded him of all the times people told him to shut up, to get over it. Not everyone is gonna like you, not everyone wants to be your friend. But damn did he want to be more with Steve.

"You don't even get it, do you?" Eddie returned, feeling that same uncontrollable anger bubble up in him. How dare Steve be annoyed now, when he'd come to try to figure things out? "You think you can make fun of whatever freak dares to like you? Well guess what, Harrington, it's not fucking funny, and when you fuck up most people want an apology."

"What are you talking about?" Steve threw his hands in the air, one continuing up to tug and pull at his hair. "You've been acting so c—"

"Crazy? That's it, right? I'm crazy Eddie Munson, so desperate for you I'll just bite you or something?"

"What are you—"

"I heard you," Eddie confessed. "At Family Video, I heard you making fun of me. Telling Robin all about how the gay guy was sitting in your lap and sleeping in your bed. That's not cool you know, lies like that get people hurt."

"I—" Steve's hazel eyes widened in realization. He shook his head, disbelieving as he watched Eddie. And fuck, did that look on Steve's face irritate the hell out of him. "You're kidding me."

"Here's a tip, don't talk gossip in public, big boy."

"So you heard me talking, you were confused, and instead of just asking like a normal person, you assumed I was a terrible human being? I have that right?" Well it sounded bad when Steve put it that way.

Eddie shrugged, to which Steve scoffed, shoulders deflating.

"Right, it's not that far off to assume I'd do that, huh?" Steve responded. He looked sad, those hazel eyes looking as doe-like as ever. The ache in Eddie's chest went away, but it was replaced by something sharper, the distinct feeling that something had gone horribly wrong here. "Look, I...I don't know why I named him that. I just...he looked a little rough at first, and then when I gave him a safe place to land he had this huge personality. He's goofy, and full of energy, and so loving I just..." Steve shrugged, bending down to pick up something from behind the door.

It was a fucking cat. The little guy was all black and a little too thin, though looked to be on the up and up. He was curled up comfortably in Steve's arms, where even now one large hand idly scratched behind one ear.

"You have a cat. You got a cat and you named it Eddie," Eddie said dully, monotone with the shock of the whole thing. Dread filled his stomach, pitting something dark and heavy there. "You named a cat after me."

"My mistake," Steve answered, grabbing onto the edge of the door with his free hand. "Forgive me, I'm just a dumb jock, you know."

"Wait, Steve—" Eddie rushed to grab onto the door but it had already closed tightly, leaving him outside with no way to fix the situation.

He'd fucked up, big time, but at least now he knew what Robin meant. He knew, and now he wouldn't stop until he fixed things. He would, because Steve named a cat after him.

--

Just one more part. It was really meant to be just this part but it was getting a little long, my apologies! And don't worry, there'll be fluff and some eddie the cat joy in there too.

Tagging whoever asked on the last reply, sorry if I missed anyone or tagged someone accidentally! It's totally not necessary, but a small reminder that I really appreciate feedback or if you enjoyed it, reblogs💜

@oxidantdreamboat @moonshadows-13 @ohlook-afrog @estrellami-1 @sjullay @doubleb11 @swimmingbirdrunningrock @nelotegreitic @liketheocean @background-noise-headache @wowimwhatibingewatch @obsessive-anddepressive @colorful565 @krazyperson @nonsense-of-dimitri @whimsicalwitchm @zerokrox-blog @electrick-marionnett @the-redthread @juststeddiebrainrot @dollalicia @vi-an-te @lioniheart @unclewaynemunson @stevesbipanic @ajamlessbaby @qomrades @ivydragon @cinnamon-mushroomabomination @apricottree @gleek4twd @messrs-weasley @makewavesandwar @renaissan-vvitch @artiststarme @suikatto @proudbaconatornyoom @ilikechocolatemilkh @0o-queendean-o0 @dangdirtydemons @v3lnys @mybradforddream

[missyandthemisfits]

Tokyo Rev x Pretty Feet 👣

"Kiss It Better." - 1

Your Tokyo Rev crush accidentally steps on your foot and you decide to get bold and tell them to "Kiss it better."

Manjiro 'Mikey' Sano

"Oh dang, sorry 'bout that (Name)-chi!"

His apology is playful and his grin is shit eating and for a moment you have to wonder if Mikey did that on purpose-

Feeling playful yourself, and uncharacteristically bold, you hold up the 'injured' foot, bracing your back on a nearby wall

"Kiss it better."

He stops smiling - stops everything

Just...stands there with his mouth slightly agape with an unreadable expression 

You start to sweat

"J-just kidding-,"

Before you can say another word, he's down on one knee, lips on your exposed toes (damn you sandals), eyes never once leaving yours

An embarrassed blush finds your face and neck and he grins 

"I gotta say, I kinda like you bossing me around, (Name)-chi~"

You stand dumbfounded as he starts down the road still recovering from the fact your long-time crush, THE Mikey, just kissed YOUR mf toes-

Ken 'Draken' Ryūguji

"Oh man, sorry (Name)- I didn't hurt you, did I?" 

Actually moves to inspect your foot - he's a big dude and he knows it

Just then, something came over you

You knew full well Emma had a crush on him too. That said, he hadn't yet explicitly accepted or rejected anyone yet, so-

"Kiss it better...?" 

By this time, your foot is hiked up and there's an uncharacteristic, almost unseen blush on his face

"I- what the Hell, (Name)? Where did that even come from?"

You couldn't help but laugh 

Oh well. Maybe next time.

This nervous energy was enough for now.

Keisuke Baji 

"Shit, my bad! You okay?" 

He jumps back, crouching down to inspect it

Keisuke was so damn hot and the fact that he was this caring (though he'd often try to hide it) was even more attractive-

"You should," he perks up and you waver a bit, "Um... kiss it better."

His face is as hot as yours as he looks down then back up to you 

"...okay"

You practically scream, pulling your foot away- or trying to anyway 

"Wait! I...I didn't think you'd actually do it!"

"Then why the Hell did you ask?!"

"I-I dunno!"

It was, in fact, the weirdest confession of feelings ever.

Chifuyu Matsuno 

"Holy crap, I am so sorry, (Name)!"

He tries his best to keep his cool in most situations- totally freaks out about this minor incident 

Fingers are already caressing your calf, successfully assessing the damage and tickling you

You heart flutters at the sight of it all and your words tumble out faster than your brain can catch them-

"Kiss it better?"

Thankfully, you'd asked the question innocent enough. That didn't make the situation any less awkward tho-

"I-I mean...at least let me buy you dinner first...,"

He trails off on that last part but you definitely heard that one, loud and freaking clear-

"There's a ramen shop up the road!"

He stands upright, bright eyed and determined 

"Yea? Let's do it."

Another moment passes

"...Do you really want me to kiss your feet?"

His hand finds the back of his neck and he looks away with a blush identical to yours

"I- let's just pencil that, okay?"

Takashi Mitsuya 

"Oh- my apologies. Did I hurt you?" 

Ever the gentleman, ever the kindhearted cutie, he's sweetly glancing down at your painted toes, fingers lightly brushing against your arm in apology 

Oh Mitsuya~

"Kiss it better."

Annnd you said something stupid without thinking again...

Awesome job, (Name)

"I'm sorry?"

"Uh-," Sweats

Sweats profusely 

He smirks like the sly fox he is

"Well, now. Didn't take you for that kind of person, (Name)."

You take this as a form of encouragement 

"I'm full of surprises, Mitsuya."

Holy crap, are we flirting rn? 

He chuckles lightly 

"I look forward to discovering each and every one of them."

Your face is on fire...again

Hakkai Shiba

 "Fuck- I'm sorry, (Name)!"

He's got some pretty big feet and he knows that so he's lowkey (highkey) freaking out about it

Better respond quick, the longer you take to respond, the more anxious he gets-

"S'ok. Or... it will be when you kiss it better."

Pauses his haphazard inspection - partially because his breath hitches in his throat

What now? 

"I um...well, if you think it'll help, I don't mind..."

You almost don't wanna fess up to teasing him cause you dunno what you were expecting, but it definitely wasn't that

"I was joking, but now I actually kind of want you to?"

Laughter ensues and honestly it's all either of you can manage at the moment, totally embarrassed 

Nahoya 'Smiley' Kawata 

"Whoops! Hey watch it, would ya, (Name)?"

This bitch-

"You are so damn rude sometimes like...what the actual fuck, Smiley?"

-Is what you said, but you were still pretty into it somehow 

He laughs, but does a subtle double take

"You're okay though, right?"

"No...I might need you to Kiss it better..."

He hums momentarily 

"Wow, (Name)- that's pretty kinky."

You're instantly regretting ever uttering

"I seriously can't stand you...," 

"Well, I didn't say no~"He sings

"I SERIOUSLY CANT STAND YOU-,"

You sure knew how to pick 'em 

Exhausting, he is

Souya 'Angry' Kawata

" Oh my god- I'm sorry! I'm so sorry! I didn't see your foot, I should have watched where I was stepping-,"

 Apologies profusely 

Full on nurse mode- breaks out the mini-first aid that he carries around (cause let's face it his brother and friends are walking disasters) and gets to work immediately-

It is... so endearing and yet so unnecessary at the same time 

You allow him to finish and thank him with a smile, almost feeling bad for the teasing about to ensue-

"Could you Kiss it better, Souya? Please?"

Freezes in place

Fingers are twitching around your foot

Face is beet red

Oh yea, the sight was definitely worth it

You laugh, placing a hand on his shoulder

"I'm sorry, I couldn't help it! You're just so cute when you're flustered! Thank you for the bandaids!"

He proceeds to bury his face in his hands, trying and failing to make himself as small as humanly possible, still crouched 

You promised him you wouldn't tease as much on one condition; a date.

[dawnwriterimagines]

Missing Pieces : Fontaine x f!Reader

Summary: After supposedly returning from a shooting he can't remember, Fontaine's memory seems to be a little jacked as something doesn't feel right. He sits down with Slick Charles, trying to connect the missing pieces in his daily routine, while everyone tries to explain to him that someone's missing...

Warning(s): Violence, Angst, Amnesia, etc.

It was loud, it was close, almost like it was right in front of him.

BANG!

A gun shot rang out.

Fontaine's eyes burst open, he sits up with a startled breath, almost choking on the first gasp he lets out.

Putting a hand against his chest, feeling for the indent of a bullet hole he was sure had gone through him at some point. But there was none, only the raised scars from a few mishaps or scuffles with any dumb motherfucker that used to try him. The ghost of pain was strange, as he shook himself out of his slumber it quickly settled and numbed to nothing. But it wasn't really even a memory, a nightmare?

He'd gotten shot before, never flat out in the chest like he'd felt when he got up. Somehow, he imagined it would've felt differently. But, then again, it was only a nightmare.

Fontaine ran a hand down his face, sighing heavily. The nightmare faded from his mind, he couldn't even remember what it was about, but it had left him shaken.

Sitting on the edge of the bed, he seemed to wait for something, looking beside himself to see if anyone were sleeping at his bedside. It was empty, the other side's cover tucked tight.

Brows furrowing at the weird feeling that the morning had already brought for him, Fontaine huffed out a breath and stood, preparing for his day.

He got dressed, throwing on the white sweatshirt and a pair of worn down jeans, as he pulled them on, he caught sight of a silver chain on his dresser, a threaded cross at the end.

Walking over to it, he took it and looked it over, it was unfamiliar to the eye but he could've sworn at some moment he had probably worn it, or he had seen it on somebody else. He pockets it, leaving the room.

Outside, he meets up with his boys, the gang crowding at the corner, waiting on him. On the front yard, Fontaine lays on the lifting bench, putting an ungodly number of rusted plates on the bar before pressing the weight with no assistance.

The two other swole muhfuckas huddle around him hyping him up, throwing insults to goad him to a few more lifts as he nears his next rep, "One more! Weak ass nigga!" Fontaine huffs a puff of air, muscles flexing as he lifts another. "One more!"

"Hey Fontaine!" Junebug yells as he runs over, a Caprisun in his grasp.

Fontaine racks the weight with no problem, sitting up, he looks to the kid as he stops in front of him with a toothy smile, looking around. "Where she at, man?" Junebug asks, suddenly looking disappointed.

Fontaine raised a brow, before standing taking his jacket off the ground, "What you doin' here, Junebug?"

"(Y/n)," the kid says, "Where she at, huh?"

"I ain't got yo' babysitter, lil man." The name sounds familiar for a split second, until it doesn't.

Junebug frowns. "Did you get in a fight again?"

"What the fuck you talkin' bout, Junebug? I dunno no bitch named..." he pauses a minute, catching sight of a car, a 1975 AMC Pacer, a dark yellow color. It was parked up down the block, just behind his Pontiac.

Ignoring Junebug's nonsensical questions, Fontaine turns to Big Moss, who holds a handheld fan to his face, "Yo' nigga, who car is that?" he points to the Pacer.

Big Moss looks over, squinting a bit, "Ain't that yo' honey's, mane?"

"Ma' honey?" Fontaine made a face, clearly the only person lost here. "The fuck you on?"

The rest of the gang around made sour faces, some clearing their throats and turning at the suddenly uncomfortable conversation, attempting to nosily mind their businesses. "Not no mo', I guess," Big Moss says, awkwardly. Clearing his throat, "It's cool mane."

"The fuck--" Fontaine's interrupted.

"You and (y/n) ain't together no mo'?" Junebug looks disheartened. "What you do?"

"Ya'll niggas crazy, I ain't know no bitch named (y/n)--"

"Fonnie..." a gentle whisper in his ear startles him. A woman leans in close to him, he feels her hands drag up the side of his torso and up his chest from behind, hugging him close for just a second...

He turns quick.

His eyes instinctually cut to the yellow Pacer at the corner of the street as he finds no one to blame behind him. "Crazy..." he repeats, maybe about himself.

Fontaine decides to get in his car, driving to the liquor store. He buys a lotto and a routine bottle of Anaconda Malt Liquor. As he unscrews the cap, taking a swig, he hopes for a buzz or a sense clarity that never hits him, maybe it was time for something a little stronger.

He scratches the lotto, and the same outcome taunts him back with a 'You Lose' in bold. Tossing it to the ground, he walks back towards his car, coming up towards Frog, the homeless old man that always had some riddle to say. And he didn't disappoint. "Lovin' n' holdin an' they just takin' n' stealin', ey youngblood?" Frog says, holding up the styrofoam cup as Fontaine pours a good bit of the liquor to his cup.

"Yeah, Frog," Fontaine sighs, used to the nonsensical jabber. "Yeah."

Leaning up against the side of his car, he takes a drink, before reaching into his pocket, pulling out the chain he'd found in his bedroom earlier. He brings it up to look closely, in some way he recognized it, but not enough to recognize it as something he'd worn in the past few days or even months.

As he holds the chain, he notices a smear of red along his finger, rubbing his thumb at the stain on the silver, rubbing off the red. He stares at it on his fingers, he recognizes it to be lipstick, a soft red shade.

Even more confused, he huffs out a breath, but he holds the chain tight in his grip, trying to think of any moment in time that he could've possibly been given it, or anyone that could've left it. He hadn't let anyone in his house in a while, let alone his bedroom, the last woman he had slept with had been...fuck when was the last time he'd gotten laid?

For some reason, he was convinced it wasn't as long ago as he thought.

He gets in his car, driving back towards home.

That's when he catches sight of someone. At the end of the street, a black man in a white sweatshirt limps down the road, his chest stained with red. He's on his knees, curling his arms around someone, dragging the person onto their feet, but they're limp in his grip, dead. A woman, jeans wet with blood and knit sweater falling off her shoulders torn and smeared with red. She's pretty, gorgeous even, from what he can see from here.

The man struggles to stand to his feet with her again, his shoulders shake from the effort or from the angry sobs that wracked through him. Fontaine can see that every movement is agony, he watches as the man hacks up a mouthful of blood. He'd been shot too.

As he hacks up a lungful, the man's eyes flicker up to see Fontaine driving past. They look at one another.

And for a moment, Fontaine sees himself. Literally. His hair, his eyes, his clothes even which he was wearing at this current moment. He forgets he's still pressing on the gas when he loses sight of him.

Fontaine stomps on the brake, stopping the car, he looks to the rearview mirror, quick. When did he start breathing so heavy? It had to just be a coincidence, just a trick of light or of his mind. That can't be him.

Interrupting his thoughts, a black van drives into the area, nearly clipping the Pontiac as it swerves around the corner and towards the couple.

"NO, NO, Nooo! NO!" the man even sounds like him..."Get the fuck away from us! Get the fuck off--! No!" he's cut off by the slamming of the car doors, muffling his screams and driving off quick.

All that's left of them is the red stain against the cement.

As he makes it home, trying his best to forget about the strange event, Fontaine pockets the chain he forgot he was still clutching.

He makes a sandwich, cutting it in half, he walks to his mother's door and knocks, "Mama, you hungry?"

She answers. "Nah, I'm good, baby. Josephine had a fish fry last night, I'm still full."

He walks away from the door, covering the plate for later and making another sandwich. He must've blanked out because next thing he knows he's making two new peanut butter sandwiches, cutting the crusts off one of them absently. Slowly stopping, he places the knife down, confused with himself.

He takes one of the sandwiches, sits down on the couch and turns on the TV. As a poorly filmed commercial starts, he swipes his malt liquor off the table and takes a swig. "--Gon getcha summa dis here limited-time-only Hotbox Spicy Chicken! Cause remember, who needs all these vices when you've got all these herbs and spices--" the narrator continues as folks dance after every bite.

A commercial he's seem about a hundred times, before another came on about perm cream.

Fontaine zoned out, chewing silently on his sandwich, wondering why everything seemed so off today. Who was (y/n)? Did he just imagine seeing himself today? Who's fucking chain was this?!

He tosses the chain across the table, it hits a box of pizza that halts its slide to the floor.

That's when he noticed the pizza box at the table, eyes narrowing as he quickly thought of someone. Slick Charles. "Motherfucka'..." he stands and takes his keys off the hook.

---

"You saw me, what?"

"Die, muhfucka!" Slick Charles repeats with an agitated yell. "I saw you and yo honey!"

This is the second time someone mentioned his 'honey'.

"I'm clearly not dead, nigga, where's my money?"

"There are more pressing issues to discuss here, nigga!" Slick Charles backs away from Fontaine, looking around his chest for bullet holes, anything to declare the man, undead. "Look if you don't believe me, we'll get, Yo-yo! She'll know, she done lef' around the time you came in, alrigh'?!"

Fontaine glared at the pimp, before rolling his eyes and exiting the hotel to make his way to his car, Slick Charles following. For some reason, his mind drifted to earlier that morning, seeing the couple, covered in blood and dying on the street.

Finding Yo-Yo about to sell some ass for a $50, they interrupt the transaction, getting the sassy prostitute in the car, clad in a fur coat and yellow boots, she sneers at them both. "Ya'll owe me, 50!"

Fontaine gets to the point, hushing the woman. "I need to ask you somethin'," he begins. "You seen me?" he asks, tentatively, almost in a whisper. Asking meant admitting to some degree that he thought he was actually dead and had come back. In some way, that would explain his very realistic nightmare.

"Not like that, nigga..."

"Nah, I mean...you seen me?" he questioned again, quieter this time, serious.

"Yes, nigga, I saw you," Yo-Yo admits, truthfully. "And wasn't (y/n) witchu? I ain't seen her, she ight?"

Slick Charles leaned back in his seat, remembering seeing the young woman in the car before the shoot out started. "Aw no," he whispered.

Fontaine glanced back at the pimp, confused and angry. "Who the fuck ya'll talkin' bout, man? Who's (y/n)?!" he hits the steering wheel, tired of the day, and the dumb shit that's been getting to him lately. "What bitch ya'll think I'm fuckin' with, huh!"

"Well ain't she give you that?" Yo-Yo pointed to the chain on his neck. The cross he had tossed and decided to take with him, he had just absently put it on, almost out of instinct.

"You know who's this is?" Fontaine held the cross up to her face.

"Uh, yeah, nigga, what's wrong wit you?" she gives him a distasteful look.

"Who?!"

"(y/n)!"

"You--"

Slick Charles slaps down a polaroid photo on the console divider, "So you tryna tell me, you don't remember her?"

Fontaine looks down, choosing to ignore the change in tone, Slick Charles has his pointer finger in the middle of an unfamiliar photo, he picks it up. The car is dead silent now as he holds it up to his face, luckily he had parked under a street lamp, providing him a little light to see.

Fontaine's eyes widen as he sees her fully for the first time. (Y/N).

They're frozen in time in the photo, in a paused state of a love he couldn't remember. She presses a smooth kiss to the side of his face, he wraps an around around her waist, pulling her into his lap, his expression was softer than normal despite a lack of a smile. But he wasn't looking at his lips, but the way he'd leaned into her, held her close, he'd never done that before, always keeping his distance from any actual relationship that he recalled in his life.

So this was (y/n)?

He felt he would've remembered someone like her. Why didn't he?

"Remember 'er now?" Slick Charles asked.

"I'm gon' need you to tell me what exactly you saw last night," Fontaine's eyes flickered to Yo-Yo, he's gratefully for how dark it is, he had a feeling now that he had seen her today, drove past her, let someone take her away. What the hell was going on?

---

There was an elevator that led down under the Glen, this tiny town was somehow apart of an entire experiment, for what? He didn't know.

But, it seemed to involve him. Involve you. And involve all the people of The Glen. And if he wanted to know why he seemed to have died late last night, he needed to find out what exactly was going on.

Luckily, he had some help, although he would've preferred a smarter duo, he was stuck with them.

As Slick Charles held his gold gun up to the pale-skinned scientist with a clean shaven afro, giggling and spasming seemingly uncontrollably, Fontaine made his way around the lab.

Yo-Yo began to mess with a few of the strange sets of chemicals within the lab, taking notice of the lack of experimental subjects: like mice or even rabbits, nothing. She tipped a beaker, blew on the white dust, she supposed was cocaine and swirled a bit of a blue liquid in a test tube.

Fontaine found two surgical tables, blue sheets over each figure that seemed to lay atop the metal slabs. Not a single breath moved through the sheets, nothing to signify either one was alive.

He moved one sheet first, it was you. (Y/N)...

And everything suddenly started flooding back in waves.

"Wake up..." she breathes, tapping his cheek as she yawns against his chest.

"I'm awake..." he responds, tiredly.

"No, you're not," she grumbles, before sitting up a little. The movement coaxes him awake, his arm pulling around her shoulders tighter to get her to lay back down.

"Be quiet," he pulls her down on him, she chuckles, conceding.

He scoffs out a humored hum, turning over her, they drift off for another hour or so, awakening to kiss the other. He's leaning over her, the chain she had given him, swinging in front of her face, hanging off his neck.

Fontaine notices it, taking it off in that moment and placing it on the dresser, "No, hey, that keeps you safe," you protest as he moves to shift between your legs. "Don't take it off, Fonnie."

"Yeah, well right now, it's distractin'," he squeezes your thigh, bringing one of your legs over his right shoulder. "I'll put it on later, if you're so worked up bout it."

"Ok, ohh--k, yeah..." he presses a kiss to your inner thigh, letting you take hold of a handful of his locs, your nails running through his scalp in a way that just told him to keep going. "Fon'..." you gasp as he cups the skin of your ass to move down lower, greedily.

After another hour of consuming the presence of one another for the morning, you both move through the day as you usually would. Fontaine would bench press a few reps with guys, you would start making campaign flyers for the protests during the week. He'd leave with Junebug later unbeknownst to you and deal with an amateur dealer that made the dumb decision to sell on his side of the streets. When he comes back, Fontaine and you would head to the store together, he'd get his usual Anaconda Malt Liquor and you'd usually go for a Moscato if not a pack of swedish fish. Pass by Frog for another daily lesson in senile obscurity and pour him a cup.

Heading back home, they'd have breakfast together, sometimes you'd make eggs and bacon, other times Fontaine would make the only thing he really knew how to which were peanut butter sandwiches. You hated the crusts, so he'd always cut them for you. You'd call him soft and he'd sit pause mid-way to let you finish yourself in bitter defiance, to which you'd quickly take back your statement. "Wait, wait, I'm kidding," you laughed. "Come on, finish, you cut them the best! Fonnie!"

"That's all you, baby," he took a bite of his. "All you."

"No, I'm sorry, please, please," you begged, wrapping your arms around him to pull him back to the kitchen. "Come on, Fonnie--"

"How many times I gotta tell you to stop wit' that, Fonnie shi', huh?"

"But I thought you liked it when I called you, Fonnie?" you teased with a smile.

"Fonnie sounds like a bitch, I ain't no bitch."

"You're my bitch though," you cackled.

"Whatchu say?" he turned, surprised at the answer. And you took off running. "Naw, bitch, get your ass back here, whatchu say!"

"Nothing!" You laughed as you ran through the house away from him. "I'm sorry!" you put your hands up as he grabbed at you, the two of you soon enough laughing together.

"Getch your ass back here!"

Later in the day, Fontaine recalls the customer dealings of his business, remembering that Slick Charles still owed him a pay day since last week. Fontaine got to his feet, took his keys, and you accompanied him into the pontiac, tapping the insignia on the hood of your Pacer car parked behind.

Driving off, the two of you enjoyed a moment with each other, you leaned over the console between you both, singing to the song on the radio. "I need a hug...I need a hug..." you nuzzled your face against his shoulder.

"You need to be quiet," he snickered, emphasizing 'Need', glancing over to you as he drove, one hand on the wheel, the other on your thigh, and you just kept at it.

He finally parked up by The Royal, a hotel across The Glen, where he knew Slick Charles would be. "Stay here," Fontaine said before leaving the car.

You roll down the window, sticking your head out to wave towards the pimp as your boyfriend forces his way into the hotel room. "Hi, Slick!"

"(Y/n)! Why you ain't tell yo' violent ass nigga to show some goddamn muhfuckin' respect!" he yells mostly towards Fontaine, who glowers at him in return, threatening to punch him right in the grills if he don't keep his mouth shut.

You duck back into the car, choosing to let the two men figure their shit out, instead opening the windscreen, watching as a photo fell out to your lap. A little picture of the two of you, you recalled the day, you'd only been officially together for a few months at the time, but you were happier than ever.

Looking up you take notice of another photo, of Ronnie, you had never met the boy, but you had always wished to, knowing what had happened to the sweet kid, always made your heart clench with tears. You pressed two fingers to your lips and to the still frame of Ronnie, breathing sadly, in some way you felt you knew him, maybe had met him, caught glimpses of him in the street when you were younger.

A beep is heard, startling you to drop the polaroid of you and Fontaine, it slips between the seats and you curse, "Shit, ugh," you glare back at the car that had stopped behind the Pontiac, before driving driving again. "Motherfucker!" You sneered at the driver, who just kept his windows up, music blasting, glass shrouded in smoke.

Fontaine soon returned to the car, pocketing the fraction that Slick Charles had made, not enough to fully pay him back though. "You ready?"

"Yeah, I--" then you saw the same car rolling backwards, coming to a slow park just behind the trunk. But, it was the man walking up to Fontaine's side of the window that really terrified you. "Fon--!"

He turns a little too late, "GET DOWN!" just pulling out his gun when the window shatters, the car being layered with bullets, the young man on the other side frantically emptying the clip. The click of an empty magazine is the only thing left to hear besides the bass drum of the radio of the assaulting vehicle.

The young man stumbles backwards, stuffing the weapon into his shirt and racing into the car for a getaway, as the car speeds off from the scene, Fontaine takes a shuttered breath. Blood spilling from between his lips, his hand achingly coming up to feel the holes that had ripped straight through him.

"(Y/n)..." he heaved out, he turns his head as much as he can, every movement a strain on his failing organs. "(y/n)..." he said again, hoping you'd say anything. "Say somethin'," he huffs out, panicked. Say you're ok. "Say it..." he breathes. "Say it..." he repeats as he struggles to breathe, hoping he'd live a little longer to get some fucking help.

He reaches for you, his fingers inching towards yours, but you were already gone.

And then that's when the van comes around. A few men, white guys in black suits wrapped in plastic, gloved hands and unbothered looks as they swing open the car door. "Woah, he's still alive," Fontaine hears one of them say. "Do we still take him?"

Who the fuck were they?

Obviously they weren't police, or ER, or even some random passerby's.

"Won't last long, so yeah," another says, opening up the opposite door. "Not sure about this one though." He was talking about you, Fontaine was sure.

Fontaine blinked, blacking out a moment before breathing harshly once, as if his heart had stopped in that split second, he was somewhere else now. Suddenly, he had been hauled into the van.

"Guess we'll just have to wipe the next one till we can get a copy going, right?"

"Dunno, we've never had to do that before. Damn, this is going to be a lot of paperwork," the white guy sighs out before turning you in your seat, Fontaine finally gets a good look at you as he lays there trying to keep his eyes open. Your sweater was drenched in your blood, and probably a bit of his, the side of your face wet and broken up from the bullet through your temple. You had died as soon as it happened.

Fontaine felt his heart drop, blood filled his throat and he choked on the feeling, but he wasn't sure if it was from the heartache or the puncture. "...'er go..." he gurgled out, eliciting the attention of the disturbed men around him.

There was a pause. "Was that you or him?"

"Well, it wasn't me..." one of the collectors said.

"Let 'er go, muhfucker," Fontaine managed.

They had begun to drive, going around the corner and away from The Royal motel.

"Shit, he really is still alive," the white man gapped, but he still began to haul you out of the car. "We're not really supposed to talk to y--" then there was a gunshot.

Startling all of them as the man that had begun to unceremoniously strap you down to the metal, fell back and too his knees, silently. A bullet between the eyes. The van swerved in the mens sudden panic.

Fontaine had still had a hand on the handle of his gun all this time, the only issue had been getting the energy to pull the trigger. And he let his hand go around to pull again on the white man that moved to pry the gun from his grip, "No, stop!" the collector had shouted, but the gun went off again, this time right through his hip. "Ahh!"

"Oh, shit! Hey, get up!" picking his co-workers up off the floor, "Get the hell out of here, we'll send another unit!" the only uninjured stranger hauled the others into the van as Fontaine stumbles out of the car taking you with him, trying to get a locked eye on the last of them as they drive off and away from the scene as if they hadn't even been there.

And so, Fontaine sat on the curb for a moment, holding you tight, wondering if anyone else would try to just snatch them off the street again. He watched as the van drove off fast, he wondered why they had bothered to do all of that. To kidnap him off the street, as if they had known exactly who he was, where he would be and that he'd be shot. What did they mean by make a copy later?

Fontaine swayed, wondering how he had even lasted this long. He let his head settle against yours, he wished for the little snore of yours that would usually coax him to sleep. He recalled the first time you had fallen asleep against him, the first time he caught himself falling asleep next to you. Pretty much the first of any time he had let anyone catch him slipping.

And he waited for a single breath to slip from you, to bring him even a sliver of comfort.

But it never came.

Even in the early morning, when he found himself staring into the eyes of...himself? Driving by in the very same car that had been totaled to shit in the parking lot of The Royal motel.

Even when the same black van swept by, turning to haul the two of them up off the street and into the van. They don't let their guard down like the others, and he breathes for the last time in that van, holding tight to your hand, just before they pull you both apart.

- - -

It's not a memory that he can grasp onto, because it's not his to have. Just a copy of moments he's never lived.

And they flood his mind.

Fontaine leans over your dead body that laid on that cold slab of metal, the familiarity becoming knowing, absence of memory becomes an overflow of moments he knew he hadn't lived but he could still hold onto.

As the labs alarms go off, he takes you into his arms, ready to take you out of this horrible place, get you some place warm.

Something the previous version of him, hadn't been able to do. But, he was pulled to do the same as his previous self had tried for you.

"Come on, I got you," he spoke, miserably.

It was like speaking to a lover he had never had. But it was also like losing one he had never said goodbye to.

"Come on, please," Fontaine undid the straps, pulling the plastic sheet laid across your naked flesh. He shivered, you were cold, "I've got you," he stares down at the floor as he holds you in his arms. Memories still flooding his mind, sensations, sounds and feelings only a single version of him had experienced, and it wasn't him.

But he still knew he had loved you.

Slick Charles and Yo-Yo pull him from the lab, the alarm sounding loudly, meaning whoever owned this place would be on their way, forced to leave you on that metal slab, next to the original version of himself.

Fontaine was on that elevator. But, a piece of himself stayed down there, and he'd be back to find it again.

"Believe us now?" Slick Charles spoke the question almost sympathetically.

[meowmeowriley]

Anybody else see that art on Twitter of Soap as an Animal Crossing villager, and then the other art of that Soap sitting on Doom Guy Ghost's shoulder? Anybody else feeling so incredibly normal about it? Anyway. Have this.

***

"C'mon uncle John, would it kill you to smile? Pretend you wanna be here?" Soap was doing his best, he really was. He loved his nephew, and when his sister Isla said he couldn't go to the convention because it was too far away and he didn't have an adult, well what are uncles for?! But he hadn't taken into account that 1) he's never been to a cosplay convention and 2) he's seriously out of his depth when it comes to the colorful characters around them. If anyone asked he'd be mortified to admit that he'd spent the better part of his leave following his nephew around, taking pictures of him with characters from various video games and anime. No, he'd be keeping this experience to himself.

"I'm not not enjoying myself." Andrew rolled his eyes. "I just don't know any of the characters. I haven't played a video game in ages, and I've never watched anime." Plenty of other soldiers did watch anime, and there was nothing wrong with that, he'd just never joined in.

Andy snorted. "What was the last game you played, old man?" Soap resented that. He wasn't even thirty yet.

"I dunno, Halo maybe?"

"The original?!"

"Think so." Soap said with a shrug.

"So the year I was born. Got it." Yikes.

Suddenly Andy was excitedly pointing at a large man in green and gray armor, in the middle of a crown. "Oh you have to recognize that guy!" And did he ever. How could anyone not recognize Doom Guy? And he was holding the BFG.

"Ohhhohohoho yeah. I know Doom Guy." John had nearly forgotten how much he'd loved the Doom games as a kid. "And before you say it, those games are old, even for me."

"They redid the games in 2016 and 2020. It's relevant again." Oh. And with that Soap was once again being dragged toward some random person in a costume.

Something this guy was getting right was that he wasn't speaking. He'd nod, wave, aim his gun, but he didn't utter a word. Soap couldn't see a thing through the helmet visor. I wonder if he can even see outta that?

The guy caught sight of them, evidently he could see, and tilted his head while looking down at Soap. "That things pure dead brilliant." He found himself marveling at the BFG in the man's armored hands.

It looked like it was actually made of metal. And it actually glowed! How the man had gotten the green lights to work, he was dying to know. Trying to configure it in his head, he nearly missed when the man held it out slightly for him. "Can I?" He asked, just making sure. Oh he'd kill for something like this in the field. Pure devastation. Doom Guy nodded and John took the gun. Holding it, it was a hell of a lot lighter than he'd imagined. The fuck is this thing made of?

Andy popped up beside him. "Can we get a picture with you mate?" To that, Doom Guy nodded. Maybe Soap would tell people he'd been here, he wanted a picture of him holding this gun hung up at his desk.

Andy backed up, people kindly stayed out of the way as the picture was taken. Doom Guy posed, crossing his arms over his massive chest. Soap held the gun as best he could like he would a rifle. Not aimed at anyone, but ready. "We're good." Andy called. Doom Guy  held up his hand to stop him, then stuck out one finger and swirled his hand around. "Huh?" Andy thought for a moment. "Another?" Doom Guy nodded and gave a thumbs up. Really taking his character seriously. Who were they to deny him, this was cool as fuck. Soap readied himself to take the next picture, giving the camera a feral grin, just like the first, when Doom Guy placed a hand on his shoulder and leaned down.

"Enjoying the convention Johnny?" Startled at the use of his name that he knew he hadn't given the man, he whipped around, instinctively pointing the gun in his hands at the chest of the other man.

Then it dawned on him. "Ghost?!" He asked incredulously. There's no fucking way.

The man in question began laughing. He reached up and removed his helmet. Shaking his head, Ghost's messy, dark blonde hair flew in every direction.

Unlike Las Almas, he wasn't drenched in sweat, there was no grease paint, and light brown hair was longer and curled slightly. Shit he had freckles. Shit he was cute. Dangerous thoughts, John.

"I didn't think this was your kinda thing, Johnny." Ghost said with a crooked grin that perfectly framed his crooked teeth.

John was no saint. He'd been flirting with Ghost since they met. Secretly really wanted to have sex with him, but he'd only seen the man's face that one time, and now his mind was going a million kilometers an hour trying to take in every inch on display. Thoughts both pure and impure ran through his head, and the only thing that managed to make its way to his mouth was "Where'd you get this thing?" Normally he was a better flirt, but normally he was flirting with the visage of death. Not a pretty man with freckles. Well he was, but not really.

"I made it." Ghost shrugged, armor clacking as his shoulders rose and fell. "Same as the suit. It's all EVA foam and 3D printing."

"You made this?!"

"Yeah? I made my masks too. What, you think I bought those?" Ghost smirked.

Andy had jogged back over. "I took a video, so we could take screenshots." He handed the phone over to Ghost.

"I'm absolutely keeping this, Johnny." He said as he typed in his number and sent the video to himself. Damn, Andy got Ghost's number before he did.

"Johnny?"

"Shut it, Andy." He warned. "We work together. Never in a million years thought I'd see him out here though."

"I go to any convention I can make. It's fun. I have other suits. Isaac Clark from Deadspace, Master Chief from Halo. I like to wear them and make people smile. I don't get to do that often." He seemed lost in thought for a second, face darkening. Just as quickly as it had happened, the expression was gone. "You go to conventions often?"

"First one. But I could be persuaded to go to more." John smiled his best flirty smile. Andy snickered, and earned himself an elbow to the ribs.

***

Now I desperately wanna see Soap at a con dressed like Isabelle while holding the super shotgun.

[thefreakandthehair]

(this is not at all based on my personal experience this week with a water main break and myself having grown up as a trailer park kid and my fiance as... not)

----

It's 2006 when Eddie and Steve buy a small little 2-bedroom house and all is going well until there's a water main break in their neighborhood. Thankfully, it's fixed quickly but there's something called a "boil water precaution" until the water company tests for bacteria, etc. The recording instructs them not to drink, consume, or really use the water much at all until they receive a follow-up with an all-clear. Steve has no idea what the fuck is happening or what that even means; meanwhile, Eddie just sighs, shoves himself off the couch, and trudges into the kitchen.

"What-- what are you doing, Ed?" Steve stares, confused, in the doorway of the kitchen. Eddie's got three big pots out, filling them with water from the tap, and sets them all to high heat on the stovetop.

"Boiling water? You heard the same automated call I did, right?" Eddie stares back at Steve, equally as confused but for different reasons.

"But, why don't I just, I dunno, go to the store and get a couple packs of water bottles? Or a big jug?"

Eddie freezes on the spot-- in all the many, many times he'd seen his folks and then Wayne boil water for him to drink, he'd never considered that as an option because it was never proposed as an option. Money was tight, boiling water was free, and that was simple math.

"I-- well, yeah. Huh. I guess, yeah, I guess we could do that." Eddie chuckles to himself, turning the burners off and feeling a slight sting of embarrassment. It's been years now, and he knows that Steve doesn't look down on him for his upbringing but reminders like this of how impoverished his childhood was compared to Steve's will always hit that tender spot in his chest.

Steve clocks the lack of eye contact, the soft voice, the hunched shoulders when he starts emptying pots over the dirty dishes they'd meant to wash but would now have to wait. He crosses the threshold of their little peach kitchen ("we are painting this room immediately, Steve") and takes the pot from Eddie's hands, pouring the rest out himself.

"Y'know, it's actually pretty cool that you know how to do shit like that. Make something from nothing, fix problems."

Eddie rolls his eyes, just a touch. "You do too, I was with you through the whole almost-apocalypse thing, remember?"

Steve huffs out of his nose. Of course he remembers that. That's how they'd ended up here in the first place, but that's not his point. Once the last of the three pots is emptied, Steve pulls Eddie into him, hugging him so tight and swaying him side to side until Eddie finally laughs.

"Y'know I love you, right?"

Eddie pushes back just enough to look at Steve with his warm eyes, salt and peppery hair starting to crop up just at his temple, and arms still wound tight around his waist.

And yeah, there are a few things Eddie Munson knows for sure: boil water if the pressure was cut off for too long, a can of beans and white rice make a damn good meal, and Steve Harrington? Well, Steve Harrington loves him.

[starsurface]

Can you please do Nightwolf caregiver headcanons?? I haven't seen a single agere post with him yet 😭

I love Nightwolf!! He'd made an AMAZING CG, fr!

Also on the side note: I do not know much about Native American culture, so if I do get any of these either incorrect or ‘eeeeeeeeh’ tell me and I'll make sure to change or alter them!!!

<3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3

CG Nightwolf Hcs

🐺 OH MY GOSH THIS MAN WOULD BE AN AMAZING CAREGIVER AND I WILL FOREVER STAND BY THAT

🐺 Would be amazing with ANY age, fr

🐺 Tiny soft baby? Oh my goodness of course!! Wrapping you up in soft furs, rocks you gently

🐺 Toddler that just likes sitting around, watching cartoons and coloring? Cartoons might not be entirely his thing, but of course he'd love to watch an episode or 17 with you!!

🐺 Excited kid that likes running around and doing things? He's all up for some tag and arts and crafts!!

🐺 Emo or Moody preteen? He use to have a emo phase back in middle school too, what's your favorite band? Do you wanna share eyeliner secrets?

🐺 ^ If your not Moody preteen (i really project on that sometimes), he still likes hanging out with you. Whether its gossiping over making those kanji (?) bracelets or letting you rant about your favorite current thing in the entire world

🐺 Adores pet regressors!!! Playing tug-in-war with a puppy, letting a kitty curl up on his lap, finding yummy treats for a bunny, etc etc

🐺 Will highly encourage you to spend some time outside with him

🐺 Outside is good for you!! Plus you can go on a nice walk, or play hopscotch, or sit on his lap and play with the grass or whatever toys you brought

🐺 If you can't handle outside for whatever reason, such as sensitivity to grass or lightness sensitivity, he is very understanding and won't force you outside

🐺 Even five minutes is good for him, but if you really can't or just don't wanna, he will never force you to

🐺 If you do like going outside, that's great!! But if your too fearful about going outside because your small and someone might judge or see, he'll make sure to find secluded spots like the Motako Woods or Fujin's Temple Garden

🐺 If Nightwolf is busy hell most likely leave you with Fujin because thats who he trusts the most

🐺 Off topic, Fujin would so spoil you if Nightwolf dropped you off to him (he's gotta keep the fun Uncle title!! Otherwise he might get the Grandpa title, like Raiden!! 😨)

🐺 I feel like he'd make you wooden toys, hand crafted

🐺 I don't know a ton about Native culture, but I know there's a BUNCH of really cool stories/legends!!

🐺 He'd love story time, sharing one's passed down from his Mama and Auntie

🐺 He doesn't mind reading from a book either, but does prefer legends passed down

🐺 Favorite CG nicknames would be Nighty Wolf (I dunno why, but it sounds cute), Cloudy (based off his true name), Papa, Bubba, and any other one you wanna call him

🐺 His favorite nicknames for you would be Little One, Young One, Cuddle Bug, Moonlight, Starlight, Baby Bear, and more

🐺 Although truly his favorite nicknames for you are your favorite nicknames because you perk up at them and have the biggest smile and ugh- His heart!! 🥺

🐺 He's a stickler for the rules though >:/

🐺 Doesn't like seeing you pout and whine but will put his foot down on very certain rules (if you use your acting skills and tear up a bit you can get past half of them)

🐺 Not a health nut, but does give you mostly healthy snacks . . . >:(

🐺 But if you ask for it, he'll give you a piece of candy on the side, he's not that mean

🐺 Doesn't let you eat too many sweets though, tries to explain that it's not the best and you might get a tummy ache

🐺 (Although one look of ‘🥺’ and he'll probably crack)

🐺 The most he's ever done for punishments is the naughty corner, and that's only if you've hurt someone or did something really, really bad

🐺 Firmly believes in talking about what you did and how to fix it

🐺 Doesn't ever yell but he has this stern voice that you know your testing his limits

🐺 And he knows it's a scary stern voice (will only use it if he must must)

🐺 Any boo-boos you have get a band-aid and a kiss, you don't have much arguing room

🐺 (^ Also kisses make everything better anyways 🥺)

🐺 On the topic of band-aids, if you have a favorite show or something, he'll try his hardest to find band-aids with that specific design!!

🐺 Really likes cuddle time because it's time to relax and he can ‘protect you’

🐺 Man has big arms, feels like he's protecting you whenever you two hug

🐺 If you ask for permission and he grants it, he'll let you play with his hair

🐺 But you must use soft hands!! No tugging whatsoever pretty please

🐺 He'd love to do hairstyles on you though!! Even if its a super complicated, he'll try his hardest to do it perfect!!!

🐺 If you babble when regressed, most of his reply are ‘Hm?’ or ‘Is that so?’ but his tone is always very gentle and loving

🐺 Feels like the type of CG that if you place something in his hands, unless it's trash that he'll throw away, he'll hold it until you need it again (even if you already forgot and two hours went by)

<3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3

Y'all there were so many amazing gifs for Windwolf. Also like 97% of Nightwolf gifs have Fujin in them??

I love this man, he's so Dad coded. 🥺

[rwby-encrusted-blog]

Semblances are tied to personality. For Dawne, it's easy to see he has a deep need to be appreciated. But what about Eren, Zhe, and Cadmine? For someone who wants to be so accommodating, Eren's semblance can sure make it difficult to be too close to her. Zhe's semblance just seems like he wants to hurt people. And Cadmine's semblance just screams chaos, indecision, and dangerously high energy.

Eren Jotunn, daughter of Ymir Jotunn and an unnamed woman, and sister to a girl she never met.

The reason the woman is unnamed, and her sister unmet is because her mother stole her sister and ran. Ran far and away. Ymir only managed to 'save' Eren by sheer luck.

Her Father left alone with his only daughter, raised her to be every that woman wasn't.

To be a Proper Lady.

Thoughtful. Kind. Generous. Quiet.

A Hard worker. Someone who accomplish tasks and listen follow through on instructions. One Who never talked back, or questioned those above.

A girl who kept her head down, eyes forward, chin up, and mouth shut to anyone except those beneath her.

Eren would say that her father has his own forms of affection.

She's learned to squeeze every last drop of warmth from it.

Eren would say her father is strict.

At best, she learned to cool his irritation down.

At least, She learned to use all the searing rage of her failures to make herself strong enough to accomplish the next task.

Eren would say she's fine with the cold.

Her bedroom often was uncomfortably so.

Eren would say can handle everything thrown at her.

She can.

For now.

But every fire burns out. How much more of herself can she burn to keep moving forward?

"Don't worry about me, I'll be fine! I just need but a moment to rest!" Eren Jotunn, attempting to dissuade the medic's worries.

~~~~~

Caiji Zhe grew up in one of the less safe villages in Mistral, and was an outcast as a kid.

He was gullible, weird, had a hard time understanding metaphor and turns of phrase.

Most people wouldn't mind him. He was a sweet kid, kind and willing to help (try to help at least.) Zhe was content to just go about, picking berries and fruits for people, helping them do odd jobs

But other People would pick on him. Make him feel weak, small.

At some point he got tired of it.

Zhe is a good person through and through.

Hell fears the good man gone to war.

Everyone told Zhe he was weak? Soft? Okay. That's Fine. Whatever.

You make fun of him for it?

How about you learn what weakness is.

One time went too far, one day there was finally the straw that broke the camel's back and Zhe ...

Unloaded.

It was a simple day, he was helping a stall stack newspapers when they came over.

They tore the papers out of his hands, threw them around, pushed him over, and he'd had enough.

He stood up, raised a fist, and punched one of the bullies square in the face, their nose broken instantly, like it was made of stained glass.

The others didn't fair much better despite the size and weight differences.

At the end of it, three people had several fractures, broken bones, internal bleeding, and two had concussions.

He didn't go overboard, he stopped when they stopped, but Zhe was no longer seen as a sweet little kid.

People avoided him more than ever. No more bullying, but also a lot less people willing to simply exists around him. it Was a small village, and word traveled fast.

He was still Caiji Zhe, weird and sweet. People just saw him differently now.

Dangerous. Someone not to be messed with.

Sometimes, it's not enough to get someone to help you. Sometimes you can't just make yourself invisible.

Sometimes you just gotta punch a shark in the snout to make it back off.

"I dunno. The best way to end a fight is as fast and painless - for 'you' anyway - as possible." Caiji Zhe when asked about his choice in weaponry.

~~~~~

Cadmine had always defied the expectations put on her.

Never purposely, mind you, but because she did what she wanted, and did it with all her heart.

When she was born, she was born sick. The Doctors said she wasn't likely to make it past three months.

Her first birthday was a celebration unlike any her parents threw before.

In school she struggled to pay attention and answer questions in class, disrupting the teachers fairly often. Most of them expected her to fail and flunk out.

She aced every test, every project, every assignment. It was hard, she had to really focus up to do it, but she managed it.

The one time she didn't succeed in all accounts was with a particularly crotchety teacher, who she had a serious issue with, and she checked every assignment against her classmates, and she'd get every answer right, and whatever wasn't an outright lie of failure, it was a minor technicality, more of an opinion on how she did it than the actual answer itself.

She fought that teacher tooth and nail, the whole class did, and at some point the teacher was discovered to be "cheating" in his own way, and was outright targeting Cadmine to fail her, alongside another student named Pyrrha Nikos.

That guy got fired, and the two became friends.

When she announced she was going to be a Huntress people didn't know what to expect.

She was still flippant, aloof, silly, but she'd made it this far with flying colors! There were those that hated her for being so free, and people still thought she was odd, but Pyrrha was right by her side!

And they fought well, and grew to be some of the best fighters of their year.

At least until Semblances started springing up.

Cadmine's came in the latest.

Some people expected her semblance to be something about damage reductions, others thought she'd get a mobility semblance, more still believed she'd get an overpowering semblance, something that would act like Burn or Moonslice.

And, in a way, all of them were right.

Cadmine's Semblance can do all of those things. She can reduce damage, deal more damage, move faster and teleport.

But in that way, defied all of what they thought she'd get, because she got it all.

Handling it requires her to buckle down, and focus up.

She can, but it takes a LOT out of her.

She's fine with how weird it gets, she's adaptable!

Yeah it can make it hard to fight alongside others, but if they can't handle her, then they don't deserve to be her teammates, or her friends!

She misses Pyrrha. a LOT.

"She's the only Bad Bitch who can Handle me~" - Cadmine Ittoras, when being interviewed about her relationship with Pyrrha Nikos.

[vampireinterviews-archive]

starter for @oficariian

To avoid being late this time, Daniel had left for the theatre at eleven o'clock, even though it wasn't far to walk. At Klaus' insistence, he was wearing a black suit that had apparently belonged to Klaus' father, even though he felt like a total square in it. Come on, man, I don't wear things like this! He'd groaned, but Klaus had given him a look which told him to stop arguing. And when Daniel had recalled Armand, how effortlessly he'd draped himself over the chair outside the cafe, his unearthly beauty... Yeah. Okay. He'd agreed to wear the suit. Anything to make him feel less on the back foot this time. He'd really screwed up last time, and he'd spent all day waiting for Armand's assistant to call his cell phone to tell him this had been cancelled. But the call never came.

So now, here he was, half an hour early, standing outside the theatre and having a smoke to kill time. It was cold. He should've brought a coat. More importantly, he should've brought his cell phone, but he still wasn't used to it. It was only once he'd hugged Klaus goodbye and Klaus had said text me how it goes, that Daniel realised he'd never sent a text before, and anyway he'd left his cell phone in his apartment. "Genius, man," he muttered to himself. "What's your excuse this time, huh? You're definitely not on drugs now. You're just a moron."

To waste time while he waited, he thought back to the interview with Armand. It was so obvious now, thinking back, that he'd been off his gourd. Totally whacked out. Jesus, hadn't he thought Armand's eyes were the colour of his Plymouth Challenger? Wasn't there a moment when he'd thought he was gonna jump him in the doorway of the cafe? Daniel had done a lot of humiliating stuff in his life — sorta went with the territory of being a junkie — but that had to be one of the worst interviews he'd ever done. "Don't do drugs, kids," he murmured. "You'll tweak out in front of a beautiful guy and almost have a panic attack." Still. It wasn't the worst interview he'd ever done. Louis still held the top spot. He'd really fucked up that one —

The door to the theatre opened, and Daniel spun around on his heel. Armand. There was Armand. Daniel's first thought it was, I wasn't totally crazy, he really is that attractive. His second thought was, he didn't stand me up. And he felt such a wave of relief that his knees went weak. He smiled. "Hey, man, is it cool I'm early? I figured you might wanna... I dunno... show me 'round beforehand. Or we could just go in? Whatever. I'm cool. It's your show, right?" Stop talking. Now. He fell silent and just stood there. Somehow, this was his second meeting with Armand, and he'd managed to look like an idiot again. In less than twelve hours. Had to be a fucking record.

[milks-thoughts]

I love the little sibling fox! Are you ever going to make a story as to how they found them? A lil origin story for our floofy baby. Also their interactions with splinter? I feel like he'd highkey just be like "this is my baby" with them since they're still small enough for him to physically baby XD

UH YES I WILL :D (this is finding them and after that ^^) YA'LL GOT A MEAL ISTG

THE WORD COUNT IS

1,557

if the ages don’t make sense yes they do fuck you /j

summary: the beginning of the Hamato family's precious [ ]

TW: BABIES??? Abandonment

December Days

♪ It was the boy's second-time topside, snow flurried on the ground in early December snowfall. Leo had slipped while running and took a tumble into an alleyway. He had taken a long fall from the top of the 4-story building but landed in a big pile of snow so his fall was broken. He wasn’t badly hurt, just a few bruises. He was going to climb back up but paused, did the snow just move-?? His beloved twin had long since jumped down next to him “ ‘nardo cmon- “ Leo shushed and pointed at the snow. It again moved, Donnie had poked the pile which from it erupted a wailing noise. Raph and Mikey had jumped down to check out the wailing. Moving the snow it was a shivering fox kit-?? but it sounded like a baby. They shrugged, lifted the freezing kit, and decided that going home was probably the best idea. They all took turns holding it, Leo and Raph held it the best and the longest. Donnie hated the cold and the feeling of the wet fur, and Mikey was a little too clumsy at this point to hold the kit. Donnie blinked “How are we supposed to tell papa? “ at that Raph paused, you had stopped crying and your scrunched-up eyes were frozen shut “ I dunno… “ he hummed before continuing the walk “ We should tell him the truth! “ they almost made it in without you crying before the warmth of the lair (thank Donnie for figuring out how to make heating and cooling work) altering you. Small noises escaped you, Leo blinked “ why do they sound like that?? “ Donnie blinked “ well Leo, foxes make many noises, like yipping, growling, and even laughing “ Mikey smiled “ they can laugh!? “ you rolled around in Leo's arms which caused him to almost drop you " RAPHH " you blinked at Leo's yell and stilled. your frozen eyelids had melted and you cautiously opened your eyes everyone was quiet. not because they looked at you but because there was a rat-man, he wasn't short but he wasn't tall either "My sons, what do you have there? " they all shuffled before Raph spoke up motioning to the infant in Leo's arms " we were topside, and we found 'em buried under snow " he lifted you out of Leo's arms, your tiny arms squeezed against your body as tiny pawed feet twitched. you whimpered and started crying, the rat held you close to him as he padded into the warmth of the lair. Raph held you as the rat started digging through the kitchen before boiling some water, Leo had taken Mikey to get his extra layers off and in a blanket to warm up. the rat man took you from the turtle's arms and sat down, the turtles crowding around him as he fed you "...so can we keep them? "

Raph looked at Splinter in the chair, his eyes soft as he looked downcast. he looked at your sniffling frame. you had gotten sick and every time he talked to Pops about it he would simply mutter "Not now red ". He sounded...rough. Raph held the baby and turned, you were in your twos and he knew this would stunt your growth. Eventually, though, Splinter looked down at Raph and looked so...sad...he scooped you from Raphs arms and patted his son's head " I'm sorry red...I didn't mean to ignore you. " the other kids flooded around his chair " will they be okay daddy? " you craned your neck to look at Mikey, letting out a happy chirping noise, despite your sick sniffles. you had gotten Leo sick as well so he sniffled and clung to your father's chair. " they'll be fine my sons, it's a minor cold "

Raph was tip-toeing around you. he had so far; scratched your forehead with his claw, and broke your wrist with his tail. You'd walk up behind him and lift your arms so he'd pick you up. when you realized that didn't work you started grabbing onto his tail to get his attention. Raph would stop, stare and mutter a small " I ain't supposed to touch ya " You'd whimper and cry before Leo or Mikey scooped you up, even then you weren't happy. One night you woke up super early? late? he didn't really know what to call it but it was like 3 AM. Raph ran to get pops first, his pleas for help fell on deaf ears as he whimpered and walked to your crib, which was stationed in its own separate room. Mikey woke up first, rubbing his tired eyes as his beak made a clicking noise " Raphie-? what's goin' on? " and eventually after that...all his brothers awoke. the red-clad turtle lifted you up carefully and held your scarlet red fur to his plastron as he went down the line and tucked in his brothers. you were put on his bed because if Raph tried putting you down you'd scream and wail for him to pick you back up. he ended up sleeping on his side instead. you lay on a blanket and pillows built almost like a nest to keep you safe, Raph wrapped around you in a crescent moon shape, his tail pushing you into his plastron as you fell asleep together.

They had quickly found out exactly what you were, it had been like a year and it was scary. one day you were brown becoming red, becoming brown, AND ALL YOUR COLOR JUST FELL OFF. IT WAS GONE. Leo panicked when that happened because it was the second time bathing you and all your fur just kinda started coming off while he was brushing you, you saw your fluff floating in the water and you started bawling you had enough brain power to know that was your coat. It took Donnie and Splinter to calm you and Leo down. April had been visiting when it happened and she laughed so hard, finding a bawling you and a panicked Leo in the bathroom. “ their color just came off! “ he said while brushing more of your old coat off, the water becoming full of fur that stuck to you like a magnet. You played with the floating fur and teleported out of the tub, your paws clattering on the ground as your white coat was flat from the water. Leo smiled and started drenching you in water. The shower head getting any remaining brown fur off you as he scrubbed your back and arms. Your coat was fluffy and pristine white after that. A day later snow started pelting the ground out of the lair. That’s when the joke of you being “ a weatherman “ started up.

Donnie was plenty happy to see you around once you were welcomed..but once you started crawling? Sweet Galileo. Someone get him to a hospital he’s having a heart attack. You kept tumbling and falling snout first. Big tears in your eyes when whoever was closest would pick you up and shush you, rocking you back and forth as a way to quell your loud sobs. Donnie baby-proofed the WHOLE lair, in fact, his first AI prototype wasn’t S.H.E.L.L.D.O.N, but a playmate for you. A robot to keep you safe when his brothers were being rambunctious. He was startled out of his thoughts by a warm soft paw pad touching his revealed shell, he tingled and looked back at you, who was carefully touching the spines on his shell. With a small smile, he relaxed watching as you prodded its spongy texture curiously. He loved that about you, natural curiosity. You helped bring out the good in Donnie, your soft eyes and naïveté made him so anxious for you to see the world. But alas, he’ll be with you every step. And keep you safe. Your claw raked against his shell on accident, it didn’t hurt him in any way but it definitely scared the two of you. He watched as your panic turned into gentle sniffles, scooping you up he would let you sit in his lap as he made your friend. Someone to keep you safe when he couldn’t.

Mikey was…admittedly sad. Everyone had something they could do with you. Raph literally raised you after you started walking. Splinter has attached to his chair again. Leo washed you and had spa days with you, and Donnie was the one you napped with. what was Mikey? In his deep thought, he failed to notice you coming up behind him and drawing on his page. once he noticed he had the initial reaction of pulling you away from it...but after you started sniffling he grabbed some paper and put it in front of you. You made some happy gibberish (for some reason you were taking long to talk) and Mikey went back to drawing that's what you two did together, how could he forget? He drew a picture of all seven of you, with Donnie's new addition he brought in, April, there was more to draw. but humans were so fun to draw! Mikey smiled at you "You having fun? " he was satisfied with the chirp you let out

[amspams]

Intoxicated

A/N: This one's a little longer.

TW: Swearing, substances, vomiting

It was currently two a.m. Tiffany had cried herself to sleep after a big fight with her husband. She thought things had finally gotten better between the two of them. But apparently she'd been stupid to think so.

She tossed and turned restlessly on the mattress. This was the third time she'd woken up that night. She was worried sick. After the couple's fight, Charles had grabbed his jacket and ran off. Tiffany wasn't sure when or if he was coming back at all. The thought of losing him once again terrified her.

She got up from their shared bed - or what had been shared, as his side was empty now - and walked over to the closet. She opened it and looked at her clothes. Then she looked at Chucky's.

...

Her fingers grazed the soft fabric. Surely he wouldn't mind? She thought, and threw on one of his white tees. It was a little tight on her, as Chucky was a slim guy, but it still fit her and she looked good.

Tiffany quietly made her way down the stairs, careful not to wake up the twins. Then she sat down on the couch in front of the family TV. She sighed. Where was he?

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

2.37 a.m. She'd almost managed to fall asleep. However, loud banging brought her back to reality. Who the hell was knocking on her door at this hour?

Pissed off, Tiffany grabbed her pistol from the cabinet and stormed to the entrance. She shoved the door open and pointed the gun at the person. "Whoever you think you are, just know that-"

Tiffany was caught off guard. "Chucky!?"

"Heya, sweetcheeks," he said, slobbering over his words as he stumbled towards her. Tiffany caught him before he could fall. "Damn, my bad. Anyways, look at this cool shit I found."

Chucky waved a car's side view mirror in front of her face. "Ain't it a sweet find?"

"Oh for fuck's sake, where did you get that?" Tiffany asked, snatching the item from his hand and inspecting it. How he'd been able to break it off the respective vehicle was beyond her.

"Uh, dunno. It's a lil cracked though. Think I could sell it?"

Tiffany was baffled. "What- no! Are you drunk?"

"Nah," Chucky said. "I wanna tell ya something though."

"Oh god, what did you do now?"

Chucky scratched his head. "I ain't sayin' I did it or anything, but."

"But?"

"Pretty sure someone spewed on the sidewalk."

Tiffany stared at him blankly.

"What? It wasn't me!"

Chucky's face then paled.

"Oh hell no. C'mon, to the toilet, right now," she said, and dragged the man into the house.

Just before they would reach the bathroom, Chucky decided to stop and throw up anything he'd had left in his stomach from the day before onto Tiffany's favourite white rug.

She suppressed a shriek of utter horror and guided him into the bathroom instead.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

3.42 a.m. Chucky sat sprawled on the cold floor infront of the toilet. He watched as Tiffany frantically scrubbed the mat with a sponge, soap and water in the bathtub.

"Man I feel like shit."

Tiffany lashed out. "Oh yeah? How do you think I feel!?"

"Why are you yellin' at me. It's not like I did it on purpose," Chucky muttered.

Tiffany ignored him and continued scrubbing.

Chucky then got up, staggered over to her and looked over her shoulder. "Geez, I wouldn't wanna wash that shit for a hundred bucks."

Tiffany sighed.

"I don't think ya should waste anymore of your time on that."

"God, just shut up," Tiffany said. But deep down, she knew he was right. There was no saving that rug. She'd just have to buy a new one.

"Ugh, why can't you just be responsible for once!?" Tiffany screamed. "We have kids now goddamn it. You can't keep doing this shit. Do you want to end up like your father?"

Chucky scowled, and Tiffany could see a hint of sadness in his eyes.

She let go of the rug and wrapped her arms around her husband. "I'm sorry baby, I didn't mean to say that."

"It's fine."

"No it's not. I shouldn't have used that against you," she said. "Listen, how about this. I'll go throw out the rug and then make you something to eat. You must be starving. Meanwhile, you can take a bath."

"Alright."

Tiffany rolled the rug and watched as Chucky stumbled into the tub. "Sweetface, you need to take off your clothes first."

"Huh, why?"

"Oh my god, just take off your fucking clothes."

"Geez, woman. No need to get all worked up."

Tiffany then left with the rug.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Later and after all of that, Tiffany stayed up to make Chucky some swedish meatballs because the devious bastard refused to eat anything else. She's just that sweet.

[skylerskyhigh]

Because someone gave me this idea, I'll do a quick little drabble here because the idea is just too funny.

Leon: MNMC

Leo: OMO

Nidas: HS

---

In hindsight, messing around with mystic and ninpo without Draxum's supervision isn't the greatest idea he's had. Especially while snacking on cookies that CJ gave him, his son baked it so of course he'd eat it! But hey, you won't get results without doing some experimenting! Trial and error, and all that jazz.

So that somewhat explains how he ended up in this grey void with two other versions of him. He thinks? They certainly look like him but pretty different.

They look to be about his age, which means they're from the future. They even lost their arm, with one of them having a prosthetic that looks different than the Raph arm he had. But there are differences.

Like, one of them has three yellow lines down his chin and throat. He's also wearing some kind of flannel shirt.

Other him is wearing some traditional Japanese outfit which shows off his scars and a sick tattoo.

Both of them look none too pleased at where they ended up, which is understandable.

Nidas feels his eyes sparkle as he beams at the latter. "You look so cool!"

The other turtle takes a step back and gives him a weird look. He groans. "Not another one."

The striped turtle snickers at his reaction. "I dunno, this one is more cheerful than you."

The scarred turtle gives the striped one a dirty glare. "Shut it Leo."

Nidas looks between them. "So... I'm guessing you're both future Leo?"

Scarred Leo sighs. "Yes. I'm Leon."

"Call me Leo," The striped turtle waves his hand.

"Ah, I'm Leonidas," Nidas introduced, holding his hand out for them to shake. "But you can call me Nidas."

They stared at his arm with wide eyes. For a moment, he was confused. Then he realizes that he held out his right arm. The arm they don't have.

Nidas groaned, slapping his forehead. "Right, sorry."

"Did you..." Leo stops.

"Did the Kraang invade in your time?" Leon asks bluntly.

"Ah- well-"

A cloud seems to appear over Leon's head and Nidas felt like he stepped into a trauma pit.

"So you're like- from the timeline where the Kraang didn't invade? The good future?" Leo groans. "Lucky."

"Why the name change?"

"Is this what we would have looked like if we weren't fighting for our lives every day?"

"Whoa whoa slow down," Nidas stumbled. He remembers the cookies and reached into his pockets to hand both of them a cookie. "Here, have this. They're good."

Leo happily takes a cookie while Leon stares at it like it's poisoned.

"Junior made it," Nidas prompted. If he knows himself, and by now he's a master at it, mentioning Casey would get a reaction.

Leon looked pained for a moment before he reluctantly takes it.

"This is delicious," Leo said around a mouthful of cookie. He has a happy smile as he nibbles on the treat.

Nidas smiles. "Yup! Casey is doing really well! He's learning from Cass! Catching up on all the things he missed, you know?"

Leon grimaces and mutters under his breath, "Not another smiley bastard."

Nidas let it slide. "So! To answer your question, yes I'm from the future. Yes, the Kraang invaded. But I got send back in time to the past- er present? I got sent to the day after the Kraang invasion where Leon- my younger self- stopped the invasion."

The two turtles groaned.

"Same," Leo said, finishing off the cookie. "Did you try to kill him too?"

Nidas blanched. "Uh..."

"If he did, hopefully he did a better job than passing out right after threatening the kid," Leon snarked.

"Hey! I was bleeding out! And that's rich coming from the guy who got captured by Big Mama and was mind controlled!"

An angry tick appears on Leon's forehead and he glares at Leo. "Oh you bastard..."

Leo grins smugly. "Don't start something you can't finish."

"I'm sure we can settle it easily."

Nidas looks between them and groans internally, regretting messing with mystic without Draxum's supervision.

How is he getting out of this mess?

[shzmluvrs]

From A Distance

Prompt: So, your best friend meets a superhero...

And of course, it being Freddy Freeman and all, he goes all in, faster than the Flash. He never meant to neglect you in the process. Truly! Besides...you weren't feeling too bad about it. You totally understood and would be there for him, by his side like you had already been for years, no matter what. Wouldn't you? ... Wouldn't he?

Timeline: During/Post Shazam!, Pre S!:FOTG

TW/Content: Angst (hurt/comfort)⚡️Swearing⚡️Raised Voices⚡️Crying⚡️Comfort/Forgiveness⚡️Freddy being a dummy⚡️Mutual pining

Reader: Fem! She/Her/Hers Pronouns!

Requested by: A reader from my personal wattpad...yes, I grabbed this from my watty and reposted it here, IDC, y'all need content, I'm providing, that's all that matters😌🤲🏽✨️.

Back to the Master List

       "Freddyyyy...! . . . Oh shit-..."

What at first was a joyful call upon bursting into his room, it quickly cut off into a quiet murmur, your (E/C) eyes landing on, not only the curly-head you had near scared to death, but another boy standing beside him. The room went silent, you tucking in your lips awkwardly to hold back an amused grin at their blank stares of confusion.

       "Uhm-"

       "Dude, how did you even get in here...?!" Freddy laughed suddenly and wildly, a grin stretching onto his face when you further shuffled into the room.

       "Duh, I broke in." You joked, your gaze shifting between your best friend and the mystery kid. "What about him? Is he about to rob the place, too?"

       Freddy watched you, both of your eyes playful as you pretended to pick-pocket small trinkets from his desk and into your pockets.

       "Nah, he's new."

       Your jesting intent vanished into a look of surprise, having known exactly what his words meant.

       "(Y/N), this is Billy! I'm sure he'd gladly shake your hand, but he barely talks, so, I dunno."

       Billy swiftly rolled his green eyes at the statement, and immediately, you couldn't help but dislike his presenting attitude. How could anyone remain so hostile with Freddy around? He was sweet and kind, funny, and always aiming to please. There was no need for anyone to be rude to him.

       Not that it really stopped the Breyers, but, not the point.

       You simply just couldn't fathom why anyone would find him annoying or...whatever! Not when you had been around the boy since the sixth grade. Not when he was so gentle and understanding, an amazing drawer with such cool hobbies and interests. Did you already mention sweet and kind? Not when he had the biggest, coffee-brown eyes and the most adorable pattern of freckles. The craziest laugh that always made you cackle ten times harder. The cutest nose, the softest looking lips...

"Why...why is she literally about to explode?"

       "Pfft-"

       Freddy snorted at Billy's murmured observation, leaving it now your turn to roll your eyes. Even so, you truly couldn't hide the deep blush as you desperately tried to cease the shaking in your hands. Freddy noticed this, keeping his true thoughts to himself while he watched you wipe the sweat away on the denim of your jeans and finally offer a polite hand to Billy.

       He wondered why you blushed so hard all of the sudden, why your hands shook the moment you had been introduced to a kid you barely even knew. Hell, that he barely even knew! It was odd, seeing as you were never like that with him or anyone else you both mutually knew.

       He had only ever seen you this way about some random celebrity you liked. About...-

       "Y’know, your features kind of remind me of Jacob Elordi."

       Billy's brows furrowed a bit at your comment, reluctantly taking your hand only to soon regret it.

       "...Who?"

       'Oh god...' Freddy thought, annoyed with the fact he had not only been indirectly friend-zoned (for the millionth time), but was also now faced with possible competition.

       "Oh god...!" Freddy then let out exasperatingly, tipping his head back before placing himself right back into his desk chair. "Don't get her started, man. She's never gonna sto-"

       "-Hush!" You quickly interjected, before doing just that. "He's this actor from this show I like called Euphoria! You both kinda got the whole brown hair, green eyes thing going on, and you both have kinda prominent noses!"

       "I..." Billy started, but you hadn't heard, lost in your own thoughts and observations.

       "But he's a lot taller. And your eyes are a little more upturned. And you have dimples, which, I don't think he does. And your jaw is a lot more square. And-!"

       "-I don't know who you're talking about." Billy cut in plainly. "And you can let go of my hand now."

       Your brows knitted for a moment. Both at his bluntness and his statement before looking down and realizing you truly had been subconsciously shaking the boy's hand throughout your entire rant.

       "Oh shit..." You mumbled again, swiftly pulling away and cursing it when you felt your cheeks grow hot a second time in embarrassment.

       "Sorry..."

       "Yeah..." And with that, he gave one last glance around the entire room before pushing the strap of his backpack further up his shoulder.

       "Bathroom?"

       "Second door to your right." You and Freddy jinxed, sending each other the slightest of smiles at the coincidence while Billy was already halfway out of the door.

       "Thanks..."

       You finally let out the huff of air you hadn't realized you were hanging onto, moving towards Freddy's bottom bunk and pulling his pillow into your lap as you sat.

       "Well...he's a real charmer, isn't he?"

       "Yeah, he's not been told very many jokes." Was Freddy's quick response to your sarcasm. You were swift to dish out more, though, always able to match the boy's energy the longer you had been with him.

       "Mm. Maybe you're just not funny."

       "Augh-!" He gasped/scoffed, pressing a hand to his heart in deep offense. You gave an innocent shrug, giggling at him as he made attempts to defend himself.

       "I quite literally am the most funniest person you will ever meet, (N/N). I-I can't even believe you just said what you just said-"

"-Ryan Reynolds."

       "Like, I- Hm..." Freddy quit mid-rant, nodding slowly with a point in your direction as if to give you props for your suggestion.

       "Okay, second. Second most funniest. But you can't deny that I am funny, I mean, you laugh at all of my jokes!"

       Against your will, it seemed, you found yourself giggling as you shook your head. Freddy nodding his faster while he struck out a hand exaggeratingly.

       "See?! See?! Look at you, giggling away as if I'm just...just some clown sitting here for your amusement."

       "God, Freddy...!" You cackled, having burst into real laughter that Freddy couldn't help but find himself admiring. A light pink even dusted behind his freckles, his heart speeding up once having accomplished bringing a genuine laugh out of you. He heard it damn near everyday, of course, but it never seemed to get old. It was why he was the tiniest bit sad to see it go upon watching your bury your face into his pillow to hide it.

        It didn't last long, though, giggling himself when he saw you kick your feet furiously like a child to subdue your contagious laughter. What he couldn't see was the sudden scent you took in when you were finally able to gather yourself, forest pine meeting your nose with quick familiarty and comfort. Your own heart began to race, almost wanting to take another whiff while another hot flash began to set in. But, knowing it'd be too obvious, you decided against it and reluctantly lifted your head back up along with a comment that made Freddy roll his eyes at you.

       "He did remind me of Jacob Elordi, though."

       "Ugh...!"

       "What?!" You gasped in offense at his groan. "Dude, he's cute! Let me like who I like...!"

──────────── •⚡️• ────────────

       Your words had rang through the boy's head all night long, early into the morning soon after he woke up, and even now during lunch as he made his way through the school halls and amidst the crowd of students going the same direction.

       '...And your eyes are a little more upturned. And you have dimples! And more of a square jaw...'

       'Let me like who I like!'

       'Maybe you're just not funny.'

       'Dude, he's cute!'

       'He's cute!'

       'He's cute!'

       'Who's cute?!' Freddy thought, shaking his head as if he were speaking aloud. 'Was she talking about Billy or Jacob?'

       He prayed it was Jacob because at least then, Freddy had a chance. A celebrity living millions of miles away, way too old for you...

       Yeah. That's right. Freddy had done his research. A long time ago at that, leading him to believe that he most certainly had him beat.

       For starters, he was here in Fawcett City with you, so...

       But Freddy deeply didn't think his heart could take it if you were talking about Billy, who had already proven himself the 'cool and collected', 'bad boy' type. And, from other prior research, girls tend to aim for that a lot more than some goofy nerd with a crutch...

       The scene he came upon further proved his point, having made it through the cafeteria doors and instantly caught sight of you and Billy sitting together. A smirk tugged at his lips, watching yet hardly listening to you rant on and on and on about who-knew-what. Billy was amused at your lack of awareness for his own lack of care, but the interaction looked all too different to Freddy, who continued to watch from a distance as he grabbed his food.

       The lunch line inched forward unbearably slow, but it gave the freckled-faced boy enough time to further assess the situation. Trying not to make it obvious he was staring, only to whip his head back if and when he thought he heard your laugh. Tucking in his lips while just simply imagining the cocky or charming things he was spewing to possibly win you over.

       He felt a little selfish at first, but...Freddy had to put a stop to it before it could progress any further.

       "Flight or invisibility...?!"

       You jumped at the sudden voice of your best friend, the boy slamming his plastic tray of school food onto the table and squeezing a chair in between yours and Billy's.

       "Oh gosh..." You sighed, already prepared for the series of information about to come next. Billy, for obvious reasons, was not. His smirk never faltered, but the confusion was still quite clear as he gave a curt, "What?"

       "Flight or invisibility?" Freddy repeated, but didn't even give Billy a chance to answer before he was off.

       "Ya' see? Everybody chooses flight! Wanna know why?"

       "...So they can fly away from this conversation?"

       A snort came from your lips, but you swiftly turned it into fake coughs and the clearing of your throat at Freddy's side-eye. So, you were left with nothing to do but pick at you own food and tune out the rant you had heard nearly a bajillion times. The only thing that hadn't gotten tiring was seeing the bright glint in his eye while he talked about superpowers. A smile stretched across his face that put a grin on your own while he used his hands and arms expressively.

       The shake of his curls, the pitch and volume of his voice all over the place, the urge to just 'boop!' his little nose whenever it scrunched up.

       "...Sneaking around every-everywhere, 'tis- it-...it's a total villain power, right?!"

       The embarrassment of everyone staring at your table as a result of Freddy's shouting snapped you out of your trance. Outside of the heat slowly rising to your cheeks at the attention, you were almost thankful. You felt as though you had no right to be crushing over the boy when he clearly had no thoughts of you other than being a best friend. For the past four years, it had been nothing but superheroes, shit-talking, and whatever else best friends do between you two, and you were confident in keeping it that way as to not ruin what good you already had.

       "You're coming on a little strong, don't you think?" You asked as the conversation of the cafeteria began to pick back up, watching while Freddy swiftly gathered his food and crutch to follow Billy.

       "Hush, (Y/N). I'm just trying to be nice. And I want my bullet back."

       "Uh huh..." You nodded, resting your chin against the palm of your hand while your elbow sat on the table. "Are you sure you don't want me to go with? In case he makes a run for it, I mean."

       "Oh, har-har, you're hilarious." Freddy scoffed, rolling his brown eyes while you giggled lightly. Before he left, he pointed a stern finger at you, raising his brows which caused you to roll your own eyes.

       "Seriously, though. Stay."

       "Woof." Was your only comment, causing him to throw you a joking wink.

──────────── •⚡️• ────────────

       That was the last you saw of him. Well, not the complete last, but things felt...different.

       It was never hard for him to make you smile. Whether that be a result of your inevitable infatuation with him or just the fact that he effortlessly tickled your funny bone was unknown. But regardless, your grin felt bittersweet while you watched him. Not in person at the edge of your bed, or over FaceTime on your phone...

       But on the glowing screen of your laptop, watching his latest YouTube video upload from what once was a dead channel now blowing up under the new name, "Hero Manager" unlike the quirky, original one you two had made up a long while ago. "Superman's Left Ankle". God, you thought you two were twelve-year-old, miniature Kevin Hart's with that one.

       Although, Freddy had always been the true comedian of your duo, and it was easily displayed now for millions to see.

       "Shoot 'im in the face!!"

         Including you, in the darkness of your lonely room.

       "Single. Bound."

       You had gone through hours of footage, you were sure of it.

       "Faster than a locomotive...!"

       Just marveling at the fact that Freddy was seemingly achieving his dream. He met a real life superhero! And was his apparent manager of all things!

       "What did'ya' see?! Did ya' see boobies? Were there nipples? Why-...why aren't you talking?!"

        All of it bittersweet, because he never once told you. He never even mentioned the fact of a new superhero in Fawcett City, let alone telling you all of the daunting stories of being his personal sidekick. Not that he had to, of course. But given that you'd known him for so long and practically shared the obsession, you'd think...

       He hadn't been talking to you much at all, now that you thought about it. He was no longer spending hours at a time at your house or texting you constantly with whatever odd thoughts plagued his mind. You missed his good morning memes and the walks to school, avoiding the Breyer twins like the plague in a weird mix of fun and fear while discovering new routes to school. Like it was a scene out of Mission: Impossible or something.

       The only contact you two had shared within the past couple of weeks was him brushing past you swiftly in the hallway, attached to Billy at the hip. His new brother. Without even so much as a quick, "Hey." or a nod of recognition.

       To say you were jealous was the least of it. Hell, hardly envious at all, knowing it was more of an irritation you kept pushing deep, deep, down. Letting it fester into resent that would bubble up to your chest. As a result, you slammed you laptop shut, unable to take hearing Freddy's voice through videos that you had watched over a million times already, even though they were spammed and recent.

       'Ding!'

       Your flushed body calmed, the hot flash subsiding when your phone alerted you of a new text. You almost hated the way how quick giddy grew in replacement of your vexation. How you hoped this could be the chance at a real conversation. Of course, you wouldn't immediately push with strong questions. The boy wasn't stupid, he had to have known you've seen the videos by now.

       You, of all people! Hell, you were one of his first ten viewers the second you saw he uploaded. 'Watch Hero Manager's First Video!' Was the notification, and God, you felt pride and excitement swell in your chest for him. So, of course, you'd gently lean yourself towards bringing up him and his new adventures with The Human Powerstorm. The Red Cyclone. Zap-tain America. Captain Sparkle Fingers.

       Whatever his name was...

─────────────────────

Freddy<3💙

do u have the hmw answers 4 our second period?

Seen

─────────────────────

     Your face fell, shoulders dropping from a tense excitement you hadn't realized you were holding. Your bottom lip went tugged in between your teeth, almost stinging at the sensation from how often you had been picking at it from nerves.

       'No, no,' You thought, hurriedly typing your message. 'I can revive this.'

─────────────────────

Freddy<3💙

do u have the hmw answers 4 our second period?

Yeah I do!

I didn't think you were gonna do any hmw tho, you seem pretty busy lately😅

kinda. thnx (N/N)

─────────────────────

       "Ugh...!" You felt childish for letting out such a tantrumous groan. Not that you could help it, flinging back down onto your bed and staring up at the ceiling to push back the tears that threatened to appear. This was how all of your newly short conversations went as of late. In person or over text.

       He'd get you all riled up, hopes higher than the moon, when he tapped your shoulder or sent you a late night text. Just for it to be something stupid like, "Do you have a pencil?"

       "Do you have the homework? Lemme' copy."

       "...You look kind of tired."

       That one nearly sent you tipping over the edge that day. Of-fucking-course you were tired! Tired of him acting like you no longer mattered, because now he has a new best friend. Tired of him practically ignoring you whenever you did try to pretend things were normal! When you would attempt to ramble to him about the Breyers picking on solely you, now that Freddy was ditching everyday, making him barely a target. When you wanted to talk about the things you always did.

       You got tired of missing his laughter and his jokes, the way his hair fell lazily on his head and there you were, to brush it with your fingers into submission. Tired of missing his eyes and his freckles that matched, the clicking sound of his crutch against the ground when he'd walk beside you, the way he would breeze past you to grab something and you'd smell the faintest of sweet pine.

       "Fuck this..." You grumbled, hastily pushing yourself off of your mattress and to your closet. You slipped on a pair of the first shoes you saw and threw on a jacket. You wouldn't be out too long, you assumed. You were tired of missing your best friend, especially when he was just next door.

       You were so tired of things feeling so different all of the sudden, because things were different. And you couldn't stand it any longer. Not when it hurt this bad. Not when it physically made your chest ache as you marched out of the front door of your house and down the sidewalk.

       Two houses and you were there, knocking on the door of the foster family household. Maybe a little too urgently, unknitting your brows at the way Rosa had met your (E/C) eyes with slight worry.

       "Oh! (Y/N), sweetie!" She gasped, pulling you in for a much needed hug. Her body heat shielded you from the cold air nipping at any part of you that might've gone uncovered. "It's felt like forever since I've seen you last; where've you been?"

       "Uh..."

      Had it really been that long? You almost shook your head against her shoulder. Yeah, you had just established it had been a couple of weeks, but what you didn't realize was how odd it must've been to everyone else. No more tea parties with Mary and Darla, no music sessions with Pedro or video game competitions with Eugene and Victor. No baking with Rosa...

        In your mess of yearning for Freddy, you forgot to yearn for them, too, not that anything really stopped you from coming over sooner. Other than the unbearable awkwardness, that is.

       "Just got a little caught up with school, is all."

       "Well," Rosa sighed with a smile, finally letting you go and ushering you inside the heat of the house. "At least Freddy wasn't dragging you into all of his mess. Him and Billy have been up to so much, lately."

       "Oh, wow." You sighed gently, trying not to let offense nor uninterest slip in your tone. How oblivious the woman was, not realizing that's something else you had missed that came along with knowing one Freddy Freeman. His wild and crazy shenanigans. Although, unlike Billy and him, the two of you had never ditched school...

       "Where is he?"

       Jealously clouded your mind, but you fought it to keep your voice light and even plaster on a polite smile, which Rosa returned.

       "In his room. Why don't you go on up and say hi? I'm sure he'll be happy to see you!" And with that, she was off to tend to the rest of her kids, leaving you to trot up the stairs and plant your feet at his bedroom door.

       You found yourself thankful, almost completely relieved, that it was shut. It gave you time to actually think for a moment, to prep your words and statements without solely relying on spur of the moment emotions.

       'Freddy, I...'

       You made the pivots on your heels as if you were going to pace back and forth, but didn't knowing it might be too loud.

       'I've been missing you lately. Which I know wouldn't be happening if you weren't ignoring me... No, that's too forward and condescending. I feel like we aren't really...close anymore. I know you've been...busy...lately. But when's the last time we've-?...Ugh, no.'

       The pit in your stomach weighed heavy, and if you remained here any longer, you thought you might cry at just the thought of saying things all wrong. You couldn't predict his reactions, nor his words, so you were just going to have to twist the knob and find out.

       "Wha-?! Oh. Oh! It's you!" You nodded, fighting a giggle at Freddy's bewildered reaction. You wanted to remain semi-serious for this conversation, even if his wide smile almost completely stopped that from happening. You watched as he paused a round of Mortal Kombat on the-

       'Woah...'

       Where the fuck did that come from?! A new TV, definetly higher quality than the old box TV that used to sit in its place. It was here you finally noticed all of the surrounding empty cardboard boxes. A new XBox, PlayStation, and set of controllers. New video games, some you swore you had already planned to buy him this Christmas. New merch littered the floor and his bed, new trinkets, new...everything.

       "Where the hell did you get all of this stuff?" You asked, curious as to how it was even affordable when the boy was only making ten bucks a week doing his chores. And that was if he did them at all.

       You barely received and answer, hardly a grumbled, "Early presents..." before he cleared off his desk to make room for-

       "I'm actually kinda glad you just brought the homework over instead. Your pictures are always kinda blurry and it's hard to read."

       ". . .Huh?"

       Your jealously bubbled back up into your chest again. No, no not jealously. It had shifted into something more than that. Maybe a mix, but most definitely more. So much so that you didn't even allow Freddy a chance to clarify before you were speaking again, your tone of voice completely different from that of the easy-going one you had entered with.

       "So, what...I'm just here to bring you your home-...No, excuse me, my homework, for you to copy off of? I'm supposed to just do that, and pretend like everything between us is just-...is just all good, right?"

       "Tch." Freddy snorted a little, not yet catching onto the seriousness of your expression. He wasn't taking you seriously. He didn't seem to care. "Relax, it's fine. You don't have to come over every time I need it. I was just kidding about the blurry picture thing."

       "That's not the point, Freddy." You seethed, and it was here he finally grasped onto your genuine irritation, watching as your gaze pierced through him like a knife.

       "Wait, are you actually mad at me right now?"

       His cluelessness, the slightly amused undertone in his voice, made you all the more vexed. So much so, you couldn't help but allow your voice to raise in the slightest and let your arms and hands help you do your talking.

       "Oh, no shit, dude! Wow, I wonder why! Gee, let's take a look, hmm...oh, yeah, that's right! You ignore me for weeks, you don't talk to me, and when you do, you treat me like we don't even know each other...! Like I haven't been there for you for your worst and best moments. Like I'm not even your best friend anymore! I mean...who does that?! Do you even care!?"

       "Are...are you serious right now? I-...No..." Freddy shook both his head and his free hand, slightly limping backwards to sit at the chair by his desk. "Don't even answer that."

       "Why? You scared I'm being serious? You upset that I might be telling the truth?"

      "No, (Y/N)." Was his stern reply. "It's because I have no idea what you're talking about. I literally talked to you yesterday!"

      "No, you didn't." Was your scoff and eye roll in his direction, only to receive one right back.

       "I texted you, what?!"

       "Yeah!" You burst, whipping your phone out of your jacket pocket. "At three in the morning, asking me if you missed a test because you ditched class for the millionth time, leaving me by myself! Treating me like I'm just some- some..."

       "-Oh, my bad!" Freddy interrupted, raising his hands defensively without a lick of sincerity to his apology. "I didn't realize you had to be next to me twenty-four/seven to feel something...!"

       "Like I'm just some throwaway!" You finished, but swiftly processed his words and continued on. "That's not what I'm saying and you know it! Acting like we haven't been by each other's side for years, just for you to ditch me for some kid that randomly shows up!"

       "That is my brother, (Y/N)!" He gasped, and you could merely shake your head in disdain.

       "He hated you when we first met!"

       "So that's what this is about, huh? You're-...What? You're jealous?"

       You pinched the bridge of your nose at his slow nod and remark, sighing while he kept going tauntingly.

       "If I had known you were so easy to piss off, I wouldn't have bothered telling you anything at all."

       "That's that problem!!" You burst, your throat beginning to burn at both your shouts and the threat of tears. "You never told me anything! You never talked to me, we never talk anymore. All you do is ask me for things and we never..." You couldn't find the words, but you swiftly and easily found evidence of your claims.

       You shoved your phone into Freddy's face, scrolling through the weekly amounts of three sentenced messages.

      "(N/N), can I have the homework, please? Do you have the study guide questions? Do you know the answer to number four? Do you have a pencil? Can you bring me my sketchbook? Can I do this, can I do that?" You mocked each message that flew by, your thumb continuing to scroll as he half-heartedly scanned.

       "I'm not here to be you second goddamn crutch, Freddy!" His brows furrowed at your words, never having gotten the chance to explain himself before feeling the hurt of your words in his chest. All he could think about was how he could counter, how he could respond.

       Something he typically did, usually reserved for run-ins with the Breyers. Never you, not that he was thinking clearly enough to stop himself, or listen to your dejected murmur before speaking.

       "I thought...I- ugh...I thought I was your friend."

       "Then maybe you shouldn't be here."

       "...Wha-?"

       "-Come to think of it, I never asked you to be my 'second goddamn crutch' anyways! You stood up for me when I needed you, and that's fine! But I don't need you anymore! And if you seem to have such a hard time with that, then maybe, we never needed to be friends in the first place!"

       Though your chest ached at his harsh words and tone, you ignored his glared and mulled it over. Longer for than what you would have liked, but you almost giggled when you came to your conclusion.

       You shrugged, inhaling deeply as if releasing would allow you to let go of all of the hurt you felt in that moment.

       "You're right."

       Freddy found himself taken aback by your calm agreement, instantly regretting his words. So much so he was willing to take them back in an instant.

       "Wait-"

       "-I shouldn't have made it seem like you owe me your time just becuse I chose to become your friend. That's not fair of me. You have your family now, you've always had. And now, you have a brother. One your age, at least. So, I understand why it's...why I'm..."

       Your voice trembled and you turned away, making haste towards the door.

       "You get it."

       It didn't take long for Freddy to slip his arm through his crutch and attempt to hurry after you, but you had already fled down the stairs and unfortunately ran into Mary.

       "(Y/N)?" She questioned, already worried like the rest of her siblings. It then occurred to you, as you looked up at the older girl with teary eyes, that the whole of downstairs probably heard your loud argument.

       "What happened?"

       Your suspicions were confirmed when Billy stood in front of his new siblings with furrowed brows and a glint in his eyes that screamed, "I'm sorry."

      But it didn't matter anymore. There was no point, and you knew that. Enough so to push past Mary gently and waltz through the front door, ignoring Freddy's rushed calls after you.

       You were hit with the cold air again, knowing better not to run as you walked back into your house and to your room. Even through blurry vision, it didn't take you long to gather necessities into a minibackpack of yours, a charger, your wallet, the works, and throw on a heavier jacket. You thought about layering up your flanneled pajama bottoms too, but you didn't want to risk it. Too much time and you'd just be met with your parents or siblings questioning you and your distressed state, saddening you further.

       "What happened?" Rosa came rushing into the den, her husband not too far behind. "Did (Y/N) leave already?"

       Mary was quick to put two-and-two together, her sympathetic expression towards their front door immediately phasing into a look of complete disdain while her head whipped around to glare at Freddy.

       "What did you do?" Was his older sister's accusing question, Freddy already pursing his lips together in shame. He didn't really want to answer, already in a state of self-loathing and debating on ignoring the questions thrown his way. Debating on going after you or giving you space. Although, he had given you quite a bit of space already, hadn't he...?

       He wasn't alloted any time to draw a conclusion, Billy already walking towards him with a blank stare. Freddy huffed, watching as his brother walked past without a single word. Just his eyes, that urged him to follow up the steps. With one last look towards the door, he did, and he immediately felt like he was being scolded by an 'I'm not angry, just dissapointed' Victor the second he plopped down on his bottom bunk bed.

       But, in all fairness...it was pretty hard to tell the difference between the two.

       "Okay, am I missing something, or are you purposefully being an idiot right now?! Have you like, absolutely lost your mind, dude?!"

       "I-"

       "First off, I can't even believe you would say...any of what you just said to her!"

       "You could hea-?"

       "-Like, I know you can be kind of a dick sometimes. I mean, hello, so can I. But to her, man?! Really?"

       Freddy didn't get to put a word in, Billy pacing back and forth as he went on in complete dismay and shock.

       "I could've swore the whole, 'I'm keeping distant to protect (Y/N) because I love her' thing was you, duh, loving her! But, seeing as you just pushed her away into oblivion, I don't think ya' do!"

       "Look, things just-"

       "-And second...!" Billy interjected again, leaving Freddy to sigh exasperatingly, almost theatrically. "I'm in...in awe at how you actually just let her walk away like that. Out of the house, maybe out of your life, forever!"

       "Dude-!"

       "Who let's the most amazing, pretty, ride-or-die chick just strut out of their life like that?! In tears, no less!"

       "Billy...!"

       "Freddy, that was probably one of the most stupidest things I've ever seen you do, ever! And I've only known you for, what, two...three weeks?! I-"

       "-Billy, you're not helping!!" Freddy nearly exploded, burying his face into his hands while his brother finally shut up. "I know, okay? I know I messed up, I know that I...ugh..."

       There was a long moment of silence, Billy waiting for Freddy to collect himself before the boy smoothed his hands up his face and through his disheveled curls. Disagreements had happened between you two, sure. Things always easy to just laugh off and forget about. But a full on fight?

       "I dunno what to do." He sighed, pulling his bottom lip in between his teeth to keep it from quivering. "I-I thought keeping her away from all of this would make it so that she wouldn't get hurt. I didn't consider that I...I didn't mean to push her away entirely. I was the one to hurt her and now we both feel like shit because of it."

       "Dude..." Billy let out a sigh of his own, almost that of a groan that caused Freddy to prepare for more lecturing. But instead, he was granted words proving a lot more helpful than anticipated.

       "Tell her everything you just told me."

       "...What?"

       Billy took a seat beside him on the bed, placing an encouraging palm on his brother's shoulder.

       "Find her," He specified. "Apologize...and tell her everything you just told me. That's what you should do."

       Freddy turned his head to look at Billy, the brunette pulling away a bit with his hands raised in surrender.

       "I mean, that's what I would do. I'm not as stupid as you, though, so I'd probably never be in this mess."

       "Augh, shut up...!" Freddy groaned, unable to hold back a determined smile as he shoved Billy away. He stood, looping his crutch back through his arm and making his way to your house with hurry.

──────────── •⚡️• ────────────

       He had never seen your house so dark before. The lights always on given the way your family would be scattered throughout the place, leaving switches flipped on in their wake. Never too quiet either, music or TV blasting, conversations happening over one another. Or even yourself, laughing or talking loudly at something you had seen.

       Then again, your front door was never left just hanging open either.

       Freddy had entered slowly, upon realizing he didn't have to knock, trying to somehow quiet the sounds of his crutch clicking against the ground. Though that was nearly impossible, it didn't worry him as much as the eerie feeling he had bubbling in the pit of his stomach.

       Your parent's car wasn't parked outside, which had led him to the conclusion they might've been gone on an errand or something before you had even arrived home. But if that were the case, where were you? Did he dare call out?

       He opened his mouth, but snapped it closed just as fast.

       'No, don't do that. That's like, horror movie rule number one.'

        His quick reminder interrupted his thoughts, but soon enough, he was back on track. Looking towards the direction of your room, he swiftly made his way to your door. Like your front door, it had been left open. Not wide open, but just enough to draw suspicion and worry to Freddy's head. Enough so to where he broke the number one horror movie rule.

       "(Y/N)...?"

       No response, nothing to see but a trashed room that sent panic shooting up through his chest. Your clothes littered the floor, and your belongings had been tossed about as though they had no meaning. Hell, the only light that came from your house was the one that had been left on in your room.

       With all of the apparent evidence and horrible thoughts only a very in love Freddy Freeman could have, he came to his rather morbid conclusion:

       "She's not here...!"

       "What? She just left not too long ago, why wouldn't-"

       "-She's gone, man! She's...she's...!"

       Billy couldn't exactly process Freddy's yelling, more or less the fact that you had been kidnapped. And before he could get any further clarification that he was sure, Freddy had already hung up. He had already rushed back outside of your house and recklessly let his crutch fall to the concrete. Thunder cracked and lighting shot down, a freak storm, for he had already spoken the name.

       "Shazam!"

──────────── •⚡️• ────────────

       You kept your pace hurried, as if you were on the run. Of course, you weren't. But the feeling of bustling past people and wind nipping at your face kept you busy and distracted. Just so that the tears you kept forcing back wouldn't threaten to spill.

       But jeez, was it hard. The more you thought about everything that had happened...the more you mourned the freshly lost friendship between Freddy and you...the more you continued to get lost within the city you, in hindsight, probably shouldn't have gone wandering too deep into...

       The harder it became not to place yourself right there at that park bench, take a shaky, deep breath in, and finally allow yourself to cry.

       As bittersweet as it felt, to finally release all of that tension at the expense of what could've been, you didn't get to for long before your head had went flying back up from your hands at the sounds of shouts from not too far away.

       "Holy shit...!! Oh my go-...! There you are, oh my god, (Y/N), you're okay!"

       "...What?" You squeaked out unsurely, nerves wracked at the sight through blurry tears. A man, caramel-colored curly hair hanging around his face while dressed head to toe in blue and gold. His white cape and large, yellow, lightning emblem further making him stick out to anyone around to see. Hell, if you didn't know any better, he was literally glowing.

       "(Y/N), I thought something horrible happened to you, you scared the shit out of me...! Y'know, I've only ever fought one supervillain, and that was kinda recently, so I don't think I would've known what to do if I had to fight another one by myself..."

       He began to speed walk closer to the bench you sat on, leaving you to quickly dry your tears and try to plan your next course of action. With very little amount of time to do so, you ended up scrambling away behind it as if the smallest of barriers would really protect you from whoever this crazy guy was.

       "I don't know what you're talking about...!" You admitted hesitantly. "How do you know my name?!"

        You couldn't bring yourself to ask who he was, because in truth, you kind of already knew the answer to that one. As he stalked closer, you were able to recognize his suit under the cloak of night. It resembled that of the new superhero that had been running around Philadelphia, and then, it clicked.

       "I've seen you before! My friend posts these videos of the guy dressed in red, like, all of the time. And I saw you on the news, with those other superheroes...you all dress the same."

       It was now his turn to give you a look of confusion, stopping in his tracks just before the bench while he tilted his head. He watched your gaze shift down to the ground, continuing to wipe away stray tears that further worried him.

       "I mean-...Not my friend, just...someone I know, I guess. I dunno anymore..."

       "You...you don't know?" He repeated, defeat laced in his own voice as if you really had been kidnapped. No. It was...it felt a lot worse than that. He had lost you because of a stupid fight and it was all his fault. Things can't exactly go back to normal after that, but he would try...

       He sat himself down on the bench and patted the seat beside him, you awkwardly following his instruction when you realized he was trustworthy. He was a superhero, after all. What else would he be besides that?

       "Do...you wanna talk about it? Maybe things could be worked out. Fixed."

       "No..." You grumbled, shaking your head at his words. You pressed your face back into your hands to hide the onslaught of more embarrassing tears.

       "Well, that's fine. We don't have to talk, we could just-"

        "-No, no I do wanna talk." You interjected, your voice muffled. "I just mean no as in there's no point. I'm the one that ended it with him. And for good reason. We...we just didn't work out."

       "Jeez, ya' make it sound like you broke up with him..." His joke eased the tension in the slightest, but you could only huff a little before giving a shrug.

       "Might as well have..."

       Freddy faltered a bit, unsure if you were about to say what he thought you were.

       "...It's stupid. It was stupid of me to think we might've had...I dunno...something more. We were just friends. And yet I went and developed this huge crush on him and messed it all up by being jealous and-and clingy. M'so stupid..."

       "What? Hey, no, no, you are not stupid. You are like, the smartest girl I-...er, he knows, and if he can't see that, then he's the stupid one, don't you think?"

       He softened when you looked back up at him, tears in your eyes and an unsure gaze to match as he went on recklessly.

       "He was the stupid one, not to have seen it sooner. God, I mean, it was so obvious, how could I-. . .Clingy, but it just meant you cared and worried and that's all anyone could ask for in a friend. I should've...Gah..."

       He groaned as he stood, his sudden movement making you rise up to watch him. Not to mention, you couldn't help but notice the odd act of him talking as though it was him you were referring to. It only worried you more. Maybe this guy was just some random in the evening. Or, even worse, a hallucination.

       "I shouldn't have ever pushed you away, that was dumb. I was just...I just wanted to protect you, so that no one would come looking for you, because as we both know, a superhero's loved ones are like, number one bad guy target."

       "How do you...? Wait...wait, I'm confused-..."

       He ignored your hesitant words without missing a beat, simultaneously throwing all caution into the wind.

       "And I never meant to make you jealous or-or hurt your feelings back there at the house. If anything, I was jealous because I thought you were getting close with Billy, and...I shouldn't have just treated you like you're only here to give me the answeres to my homework or whatever else you've helped me with. I'm sorry for treating you like shit, and I'm sorry I never told you everything you deserved to hear come from me."

       "How...how do you...?" You were at a loss for words, soaking in the heartfelt apology that had come from some...random superhero rather than-

       Wait...

      "...Freddy...?"

      The man looked up from his shameful stare at the ground, and it dawned on him that not only did you not completely know who he was and this was probabaly really weird for you, but you might have certainly figured it out by now...

       "Ah shit...I...I'm sorry, I have to go, I wasn't-...You weren't supposed to hear any of that. Er-...You were! Just not like this, I-...Oh, whatever, screw it..."

       He gave up trying to cover his mistake, simply taking a reasonable step back.

       "Just...don't freak out, 'kay?"

       "A little late for that, but okay..." You murmured, rushing off of the seat and back behind it again.

       "Shazam!"

       You jumped at the loud cracking of thunder and shielded your eyes from the flash of lightning that hit the ground. In an instant, you were met with the very boy you had basically ran away from, his knees planted in the grass with a pleading look that had you on the brink of tears all over again.

       "Freddy..." You repeated breathlessly, slowly making your way towards him as he stumbled through nervous words.

       "I know, I know, I...I'm an asshole, and I should've told you sooner and I...I never meant to-to hurt you, (Y/N). Really, I didn't. And I know I've been a real jerk lately, but it was just...I just wanted you safe..."

       "I know." You nodded swiftly, everything becoming clear as you gently stooped beside him. "But...Freddy, where's your crutch?"

       He couldn't help but solemnly laugh, his eyes looking deep into yours in a sense of amazement. He couldn't believe that even after all of this, after the way he made you feel, you still cared enough about the boy to worry about his leg. To allow him to lean his head against you and shrug a little while you hugged him close.

       "It's...in front of your house, I think. Outside."

       "So reckless..." You murmured against the top of his head, having missed his scent, his touch...

       "I know..." He nodded, releasing a shaky breath before looking back up at you.

       "(Y/N)-..."

       "-I forgive you. And I'm sorry I went off on you like that. Earlier, I mean. I wish we would've talked it out, or...I don't know."

       "It's fine. I lowkey deserved it." Freddy smiled. It slowly grew into a grin, one that you could recognize from a mile away. A shit-eating one, that immediately let you know the boy was up to something which left you to pull away with a smirk of your own.

       "What now?"

       "You actually have a crush on me?"

       "Ugh, shut up!" You pushed him away slightly at his tease, your cheeks heating up at the question anyways while he laughed frivolously.

         "Why don't we work on being best friends again before you start getting antsy, alright? And, not to mention, you need to start telling me these things more often! Like how you're an entire superhero, and that your siblings are, too! And-!"

        "-Yeah, yeah, I hear you..."

I feel like some people might find the ending a bit rushed, but I was actually kind of going for that slow-burn, best friends whether you're lovers or not, type of feel/vibe, y'know? But I hope you enjoyed it regardless!!

~ Star✨️

Back to the Master List