#Danny sounds like a trouble kid to those not in the know

[dcxdpdabbles]

DC x DP fanfic Idea: Side Hustle

Barry needs more cash.

It's not that he is struggling, but unlike Bruce, he had student loans, a mortgage, and all the medical bills for Iris to consider. Even with his wife working, he knew they needed to keep a tight grip on their spending to ensure they didn't fall from the yellow into the red.

This means that sometimes he had to watch Wally's face fall when he admitted he couldn't afford to give him an allowance or even some money to go to the mall with his friends. It's not that his nephew complains—Wally is a very understanding young man—but it still tears Barry up inside to disappoint him.

Significantly when, their hero work cut so deeply into their funds just to keep their speedster metabolism under control. If he hadn't done his foolish experiment, Wally wouldn't be in danger of starvation for following his example.

Blood or not, Wally is like a son to him, and the idea that he can only provide the bare basics is painful. He has a high-paying job now, but it will take a while to get all his debt from when he was a student under control.

Before he married Iris, he was okay with that. He now had a wife and son who depended on him, and he couldn't wait around, hoping things would pick up after a few years.

He managed to pay off most of Iris' medical bills, and the house was an excellent step up from the cramped two-room apartment they shared when they were engaged. Barry knew that these two things were good, but he could do better.

That's how he applied as a research assistant to a strange family company called Fenton Works. The pay was decent, and it was only a short hour's drive from his home—he speed-ran it in five, but he needed a realistic distance to keep his ID protected. And best of all?

He mostly did office work. Half the time, he was allowed to do remote work documenting research data and organizing the owner's inventions and patents.

There were many funds coming from said patents and inventions. If the Fentons weren't so busy spending the money to fund their ghost research—the power grid they needed for the portal alone was almost as much as Barry's entire mortgage—then they could easily be among the few in Bruce's fancy galas.

Barry will admit that he was surprised to learn that Mr. Fenton had a PhD in engineering, applied physics, and robotics. Mrs. Fenton had a PhD in nuclear physics, functional analysis, and renewable energy. Both were currently working on getting a PhD in some form of biology, and Barry was flabbergasted that they spoke about it the same way people casually decided to start a new hobby.

It was hard, but they had the money to just sign up for classes. He wept into his student loan reminders whenever he thought about it.

They made the perfect team- one thought up the idea, and the other created a physical form while they ensured it worked together.

He knew his bosses were certified geniuses who appeared goofy was one thing, but to be confronted with their degrees stuffed away in a storage box was another thing. He hadn't even meant to find them since he had gone in there with Danny- his boss's kid- to find some paper research Dr. Jack Fenton needed.

It was even more shocking to find that Dr. Jack had sold some of his systematics to Wayne Enterprises and that Bruce had used some of his robotics theories in his Batman gear.

It also seemed that most of the Amity Park were unaware of how intelligent the Fentons were. When he was out and about in the city, he kept getting pitying looks for working for the local freaks. It was honestly shocking.

People talked about Jasmine Fenton's bright future, the only hope among the family, in the same breath as calling Jack Fenton an idiot or Maddie Fenton a washed-up housewife. The things they had to say about Danny Fenton were far more disheartening.

Barry knows a thing or two about troubled youths as the Flash, and no matter what the town told him, Danny Fenton was not one of them.

It seemed to Barry that Danny was suffering from blatant bullying and the pressure of his family's shadow. Adding to the confusion of being in the middle of puberty, it created the perfect recipe for Danny to be spirling. It was a rough patch, and it led to him skipping class, dropping his grades, and ignoring his responsibilities.

He overheard the Fentons talking about Danny. Dr. Fentons was starting to grow worried since Danny had never behaved this way before high school while Jazz attempted to defend her brother and excuse his disappearance.

She seemed very aware of why her brother seemed to change.

On the other hand, Dr. Fenton wasn't and mentioned more than once that she and Danny were very close when he was a kid, but lately, he seemed to be shutting her out. Her husband admitted that he figured Danny had gotten a girlfriend- someone named Sam?- but he started to notice his son kept coming home with what appeared to be injuries.

Barry wasn't sure if they were aware that Danny was getting bullied. He was carefully filing some of the old cabinets when it clicked.

"Jazz?" He called out as the Fentons finally stop talking about Dnany's behavior and moved down to the lab. The teenager poked her head into the file office with a curious smile.

"Yes, Mr. Allen?" No matter how often he told her to call him Barry, she seemed determined to keep that barrier between them. Which was fair. After all, he was only around the house three or four times a week for a few hours.

"I have a question, so please feel free to not answer." He starts carefully to keep his tone light. Her smile turns strained at once, and Barry almost tells her to ignore it, but the thought of Wally being Danny's place makes him push on. "What is your family's stance on gay rights?"

Jazz blinked slowly, tilting her head. "I don't mind, and neither do my parents, I think. Why sir?"

"Just curious," Barry said, but mentally, he wondered if Danny knew that.

Jazz didn't look convinced, but she didn't push the issue as she wandered away with a respectful by-your-leave. He waited until she was upstairs before abandoning his work to find the Fentons.

Carefully, he started by updating them on his work, then casually dropped the mention of taking Wally to Pride so he wouldn't be able to work the following week. Neither Dr. so much as blinked, telling him that it was fine.

Barry felt it safe to keep pushing just a little.

"Yeah, I still remember how nervous Wally was about telling me he liked girls and boys." He chuckles. "As if though I didn't notice the signs."

Dr. Fenton raises a brow, face twisted in confusion as the large man turns to Barry. "What signs?"

"Mostly, he is trying to think of excuses to be with his friends more. He wasn't sleeping a lot, got into a bit of trouble in school when some kids were giving him grief, and oh, the way his eyes followed young men about." Barry said as casually as one could.

Dr. Fenton looks pensive. "Interesting."

Ah, it seemed she had picked up on the possibility of Danny not being as straight as he claimed. She thankfully didn't seem bothered by it.

"Jack, honey, you don't think Danny could be....?" She asked carefully.

Dr. Fenton ran a hand through his hair. "It could be. But why didn't he tell us?"

"Oh geez, I wonder why!" Jazz suddenly yells from the stairway. Barry twists around to find her standing there with a defensive glare. She has obviously been eavesdropping, but for how long? "What did you two expect with the way you talked around the house?!"

Dr. Fenton looked mystified. "Jazzy-pants, what are you talking about?"

His daughter only raises her fist, lowering her voice to mimic her father. "What are we doing today, Maddie? I know; how about we rip the ghost boy molecule by molecule!"

Barry's eyes grow wide. He had been working for the family for about six months and had encountered Phantom more than once. He even fought him off as Flash a few times since the ghost was hell-bent on robbing and property damage but was less dangerous than his rouges.

Dr. Fenton's face went pale as she clutched to the table. "Jazz you mean....Danny and Phantom...."

Jazz looked ready to fight them all as she bit out, "If you try to do anything to Danny, I swear-"

"We would never Jazzy-pants." Jack cut in, looking off Kindle. "To think my son was dating a ghost behind my back and I...I didn't even notice."

"Oh, Jack, we have to apologize," Maddie started. "Who knows if Danny could ever forgive us?"

Barry was thinking Flash also had to apologize. Based on their last encounter, Phantom would likely not be willing to hear him out. He quickly pulls out his phone to see if Wally and his team could get close enough to have him consider speaking to Barry.

None of the adults noticed the way Jazz froze in confusion, nor did they notice the slow horror growing on her face as they came to terms with Phantom and Danny dating.

[corkinavoid]

DPxDC John Constantine's How To: Ghost Kids (pt.2)

[<- part 1]

"Oh, yeah," John jerks his head up like he just remembered the fact people are supposed to have names at all. He gestures to the kids, pointing to each of them as he introduces, "Daniel, Daniel, and Danielle."

This time, all three kids flip him off simultaneously. Bruce clears his throat, trying to figure out if Constantine is messing with him and, if so, in which parts. Since, so far, everything the man has said sounds like a poor attempt at pulling his leg.

"I don't think they like those," he cautiously says, and the kids whip their heads at him, nodding furiously. Bruce can't help but be just a little enamored with the way they behave.

"Of, sod off, at this point I don't care what they like," John straightens up with a dismissive, albeit weak, wave of his hands, and rubs his face, "They are menaces. Sometimes by accident, but mostly on purpose. Their grandfather thought it would be easier to handle them if they were not teenagers, and while I agreed with his reasoning at the time, I-" he glances at the kids, who all have displeased grimaces of various levels on their faces, "I have been made to reconsider. I swear that ancient bitch is laughing his ass off wherever he is now."

The kids suddenly grin. They are not very friendly, nor polite smiles - if anything, they look a bit nightmarish. An old grandfather's clock in his study makes a very loud ticking noise.

"See?" John whips his head to look at said clock, the expression on his face bordering on insane. His eye twitches.

If Bruce doesn't do anything now, he might become one of the very few people who managed to witness John Constantine, the Laughing Magician, have a meltdown. So he sighs and decides to solve the problems one at a time.

Which means that no matter how alarmed or suspicious he is, his first move would not be to interrogate either the man or the kids.

"You can sleep in one of the guest rooms, I trust you can find it on your own," he tells John, almost softly, as he catches the girl from slipping away from his lap, "Is there anything I need to know about children before you fall unconscious?"

John slumps with relief, so obviously that Bruce almost smiles. Hardships of raising - or, watching, for that matter - kids, he understands.

"Yes," he breathes out with an air of exhilaration and turns to the kids again, pointing to the middle child, "Danny is the original. He is from this dimension and timeline, that is. Dan," he turns his finger to the older boy, "is in the wrong timeline, he's Danny's future evil self redeemed into older bratty brother. Dani," he switches to the girl, "is Danny's clone, made by his arch-nemesis of a godfather. If she starts melting at any point, wake me up immediately. If any of them start floating, sprouting tentacles, speaking to walls in static, or glowing, don't."

Bruce looks down to the kids. So, definitely metas, that would explain the government trying to get them... Or, no, it wouldn't because he is fairly certain no government is going to blatantly ignore the Meta Protection Acts.

"Don't let them raise the dead, and if you give them food, make sure it doesn't have a face. If you find more than three of them, it means one of them has duplicated, don't worry, they will absorb it back later. Absolutely don't let them touch any guns," Constantine is backing down to the door as he speaks, his gaze flickering from the kids to Bruce and back every second. Like he is leaving a ticking bomb in Bruce's lap, and not three children. "Danny is, comparatively, the most responsible one, the other two are up for any dubious trouble they can get to at any moment. Oh, and their memories are wonky because of de-aging, they remember some things but not others, so if they say something particularly disturbing, it's most likely some random piece of knowledge they managed to keep."

Bruce raises an eyebrow. He did get the part about the kids being, well, abnormal in the matters of their origins, but the disjointed set of rules and advices doesn't help as much as Constantine probably thinks it does.

"Allergies, preferences, ages they were before?" He tries to get at least some more info down before John disappears through the door. Actually, maybe he should send someone to handcuff the man to the bed lest he disappears completely.

"None, but don't let them eat cutlery. Danny likes space, Dani has a thing for exploring, and Dan likes violence." The older kid stirs in Bruce's lap and says something in the direction of Constantine. No sound comes out, but the man seems to get what he's trying to say anyway, "Okay, yes, that was rude of me, sorry. Dan likes... exercise," he ends up with, and that placate the boy enough to slump down and cross his arms. John sighs, "They were seventeen, fourteen, and twenty respectively. Now," he snaps his fingers, and suddenly Bruce can hear the girl - Dani - humming a tune under her breath. So, he lifted the silence spell, it seems.

"Good fucking luck," John wishes to Bruce, earnestly, and all but vanishes away.

Bruce sighs and looks down to the kids.

"Are you hungry?" He tries, and all eyes are on him at once, attentive and unblinking.

"Fruitloops," Danny says, and while Bruce is positive that's the name for a cereal, he gets a feeling that's not what the kid meant.

[deadsetobsessions]

Gothic mushroom shaped candles. Danny picked one up, grinning. Sam would have love these on her alters. Very Sam, very Gotham.

It a bit bittersweet, now that he could think of her without being paralyzed by crushing grief. Her and Tucker both. Danny turned, keeping an eye on Tim as he glared into the case of used cameras.

Danny walked over and tried not to feel guilty about practically mooching off of a child. Even if the money he was using was actually the Drakes’.

“Like anything you see?”

Tim shook his head. Danny pondered over what little he knew of photography- all of which he learned from documentaries that were more focused on nature.

“I think there might be a camera store a couple of blocks down. We could get the ones that takes photos of animals, like the really big ones that takes photos of wildlife?”

“I guess. I mean, I don’t need it since we can…” Tim glanced around suspiciously. Danny willed his mouth to not smile at Tim’s antics. “Fly close,” the kid finished in a whisper.

“Okay, but what about when I’m not there?”

Tim hunched up on himself and Danny despaired inwardly. Uh oh, what did he say now?”

“Are you going somewhere?” Tim quietly asked, sounding hurt and upset.

“No,” Danny soothed, patting Tim on the head. I mean, what if I’m busy with stuff but you want to go take pictures without me?”

“You said to go get you whenever I wanna go out to take pictures.”

“Okay, yeah, I- well, we might as well get you a quality camera, right? To take really really good pictures of the… local wildlife. Like… the birds and the bats, and all that.” Danny winked exaggeratedly.

Tim blinked and giggled when he got the joke. “Okay, as long as you’re staying!”

Danny grinned, fangs and all. “Of course.”

——

At the end of their shopping spree, generously provided and sponsored by the Drake family and their heavy black card, Danny got a phone and Tim got a wild life camera that was a whopping $4,000 but was compact enough to not look absolutely ridiculous.

“It’s heavy!” Tim whined, as he grinned like a loon.

“It’s quality,” Danny plopped the shopping bags on the island in one of the giant kitchens Drake manor had. “I’ll make dinner. You figure out those settings and you can tell me about it when we eat.”

“Okay!” Tim hummed excited, quick fingers and laser focus already aimed at his new device.

Danny picked up his new phone and dialed a number he knew by heart. As it rung, Danny held it up to his ear and began prepping the ingredients. At least

“Hello?” His sister’s cautious voice came through the phone. Danny’s shoulders relaxed.

“Heya, Jazz.” He could see Tim’s ears all but perk up in order to eavesdrop. His mouth quirked up in amusement and Danny turned away. He probably shouldn’t be encouraging that kind of behavior… but it was funny.

“Danny! Are you okay? I- I heard that they chased after you and I was worried sick! Are you safe? Any injuries? Do I need to pick you up?”

“I’m good. Promise. Not bleeding out or dying. It’s actually pretty nice right now,” Danny paused before turning back a little more so he could watch Tim’s reaction peripherally. “Hey, listen, can I adopt a little brother?”

He watched Tim sit up straighter eyed flickering up to him and back down again, a secretly pleased look on his face as he figured out that Danny was in fact talking about him.

“Danny, what the hell?” Jazz huffed, audibly relieved to know that Danny wasn’t on his merry way to becoming a full on ghost. “Who, why, and what kind of trouble did you get into now?”

“Hey, this was me getting out of trouble. Those people don’t even know where I escaped to. Tim helped me out a lot,” Danny said in the tone that meant ‘and there’s more to it but I can’t tell you right now.’

“His name’s Tim?”

“Yeah, you wanna say hi?”

Tim looked terrified as he heard Danny’s side of the conversation. Danny could relate.

“Alright. But you’re explaining everything later, got it?”

“Sure thing, boss.”

Danny turned to Tim, abandoning the peas he was shelling and rinsing off his hand to hold the phone.

“Tim, my sister, Jazz, wants to say hi. Are you cool with that?”

“Uhm! Yeah! Yeah, sure.” Tim, honest to ancients, squeaked. Danny’s enhanced hearing could pick up Jazz’s already melting heart. He taped a button.

“Jazz, you’re on speaker.”

“Hey, Tim. I’m Jazz. Thanks for taking care of my little brother!”

“Uh, hi, Jazz! I’m Timothy Drake! And, uh, you’re welcome! Anytime!”

Tim glanced at Danny for reassurance, relaxing a bit when the halfa threw him a double thumbs up.

Jazz went quiet.

“Jazz, you good?” Danny asked.

“We’re adopting him. Danny, you better make sure knows about everyone. Hi, Tim, I’m Jazz, your new big sister.”

“Uh- I have parents.”

“That can be fixed,” Jazz casually brushed off. Tim looked like a deer in headlights, so Danny took his sister off speaker and went back to cooking. He made sure to smile at Tim.

“Don’t worry, we won’t adopt you if you don’t want to. But it wasn’t a joke, we’re very serious.”

“I’ll think about it?”

Danny shrugged. “Good enough for me.”

“So, where are you?” Jazz asked him, rustling coming through on the phone.

“Gotham.”

“You are so fucking lucky I love you, dumbass. I’ll be there tomorrow at noon.”

“Playing hooky, are you?”

“Fuck off, little brother, before I show Tim your toddler pictures.”

“Thanks, Jazz.”

“Bye, Danny. Don’t get killed again when I’m not there, got it?”

“Sure, sure.”

Danny smiled and returned to his agenda of stuffing as many vegetables into one meal as he can. At least the food isn’t trying to tear out his face.

——

Robin hasn’t heard the eerie giggles around lately, but he’s been practicing his own. It’s weird though, because there’s always a glint of something in the corner of his eyes.

“Robin, muggers.”

“On it, B. Shall we, Batgirl?”

“Let’s go, Boy Wonder.”

[bunnys-kisses]

hello! i’m here to make a bakery order! id love to see a croissant and loaf of whole wheat bread with a sangria as the side, served by daniel ricciardo! possibly christian horner’s daughter reader 🫣🫣🫣

bakery menu!

want to submit your own order? go wild with the menu! there's all kinds of items on there and i'm working tiredlessly to finish them all! thank you in advance for anything you send! as for this lovely anon, this captured me right away! i find so many love our danny ricc, so thank you for the order!

croissant ("i wonder if your father knows what happens during the off hours. if he knows you're here with me.") + loaf of whole wheat bread ("you're going to shut that mouth and take me.") + sangria (drunk sex) served by daniel ricciardo (formula one)!!

cw: smut/pwp, drunk sex, horner!reader, dirty talk/degrading language, doggy style, snark and sarcasm

daniel shouldn't have let the liquor run his mouth. he knew he should've kept this words to himself, it was so fucking stupid. but what he really needed right now was the devil on his shoulder, enabling his drunken ideas. and his good friend max verstappen was the perfect man in red.

"what colour do you think her panties are?" daniel asked as he turned max's head toward your direction, max was pretty much gone. currently you were seated with a drink in your hand. he knew you were drunk because you were flirty.

max looked at you for a moment and narrowed his eyes. he then chuckled before he took another healthy sip of his gin and tonic. he hit the glass a little too hard against the table and barked, "i don't know, mate. ask her!" then slapped his teammate on the shoulder.

but there was a small problem. daniel was driving for red bull and you were christian horner's daughter.

"what did you just ask me?" you said as you downed the rest of your drink, "do you have a wager or some shit with verstappen." you rested against the table a little, "are you fucking kidding me?" you got louder when you drank, just like your father.

he looked at you with those big eyes and asked, "can i see 'em anyway?" what should've been met with a slap across the face was instead met with him being pulled into an uber. the sound of max's laugh echoed in his brain.

you were both painfully drunk, this was a mistake waiting to happen. but while he couldn't make mistakes on the track. he'd be happy to flip his entire world inside out if it meant getting to fuck your sweet pussy.

"what about your father?" he asked before you made out him in the back of the car, your hands in his tie. his hand up the skirt of your dress, rubbing your upper thigh.

you pulled away and said, "danny. i don't care what my father wants right now? he's not even in the country." which surprised daniel before he pulled back into a searing kiss. you were both hands-y. when the uber arrived back at your home, you left another tip in case for the driver for all their trouble of transporting two drunk idiots.

your apartment was small given your status. but it was filled with charm. you both bumped into things as you tried to kick your shoes off. daniel's lips were on yours as you led him to the bedroom. your back clipped the door frame before you got both of you into the room. you were both stumbling as you got the light on.

"fuck, danny."

"i know, i know. i got ya."

"i'm such an idiot for letting you pick me up with that stupid line." you dropped to the bed and started to take off your dress. you looked so pretty, even drunk as hell with heat in your cheeks. you looked at him with want, "like jesus christ i'm stupid."

he took his tie off and took off his shirt, "well, call me curious. i want to know what horner's daughter wears underneath all those baggy shirts." he laughed.

you rolled your eyes, "fuck you, ricciardo. and stop mentioning my old man."

he pouted palyfully as he swayed a little in his stance. he could feel the alcohol ruining his critical thinking skills. he said, "i wonder if your father knows what happens during the off hours. if he knows you're here with me."

you huffed as you got down to your undergarments. cute baby blue boy shorts and a white bra with a blue bow in the middle. it made daniel stop in his tracks, his hands on his belt. you said in a stern tone, "if you want to keep talking to my dad, i can send you on a flight to let him fuck you." your words were biting.

he got the belt off and snapped it together threateningly, "don't make me gag you, princess."

"oh really?" you tilted your head to the side. the liquor you had gave you a sense of courage, "is someone worried that they're going to be shafted from the team? have to fuck me in a last ditch attempt to have a chance of being as good as max verstappen."

daniel laughed as he got closer to the bed. he got his slacks off and soon his underwear. leaving him naked, but he wasn't vulnerable. if anything there was a darkness that laid under him. the alcohol fueled something in his brain.

"oh sweet little horner. that's really sweet coming from you. at least i win, you can barely get past university. you'll be lucky to find a rich husband that can handle that mouth of yours." he got into bed with you, soon your underwear was off of you and daniel had you laid out under him. his cock pressed against your ass and his bulkier frame kept you pinned down to the bed. he held your jaw and said, "the horner name is only so good. i wonder if your pussy gives you any value. so, you're going to shut that mouth and take me. got it?"

you felt the alcohol flood your head more. you could barely form words, it was like daniel riccicardo melted any processing power in your head. you nodded and daniel slapped your ass.

"see, that's what i like to see. you feel so good under me.' daniel could already feel the heat on his back. his heart raced at the feeling of your soft skin under his hands. you were perfect for him. painfully beautiful. in all fairness, he forgot what colour your panties were, green? pink? whatever, this was more important.

he rubbed his cock up against you until he managed to get in between your thighs. getting right to your pussy, the feeling almost took the breath out of him. holy shit, you were perfect.

"where has your father been hiding you, beautiful?" he purred in a low tone which made your hips shift, "is that why he sent you to boarding school, so you wouldn't be a slut around the paddock." his words were poison and his thrusts were brutal, "i asked you what colour your panties were and you basically were sucking my cock." he groaned, "i bet if max came to you first, he'd be fucking you right now." he kissed at your cheek as he lifted your hips to get a better angle.

"never. god, never." you groaned.

"awww, is verstappen not good enough? get your bastard father and his bastard father in the same room." daniel chuckled, "in-laws from hell."

you groaned and kicked out your legs a little, "stop mentioning my dad, you asshole." but before you could say anything more, daniel had your head in the covers as he started to really work at your pussy.

"why? he's such a lovely man. zero issues with him whatsoever." he panted heavily in your ear, "i wonder if he'd know if you were here. if some loud mouth told him. that you were squirming under me, letting me use and abuse that pussy of yours."

you gripped onto the covers and moaned loudly. you felt your heart racing in your ears as you back arched. he kept you so nicely pinned between him and the best. there was no escaping out from under him.

"danny please."

"you beg so pretty." he said softly, "i should've asked you sooner. maybe i should've flashed them to max. i bet he would've liked to see what horner's been hiding from us." his words were liquid in your brain, frying any cognitive thought. the rush of everything made the liquor move through your head even more. you panted heavily against the covers as he continued to thrust inside of you.

"please, danny. fuck. i just wanted you. you stupid idiot!" you whined, "i wanted you and your dumb cock!"

"you like this don't you? you like having your insides rearranged by me." daniel barked a laugh as he continued to rut against you. he felt so deep inside of you.

"fuck." you groaned, not even able to deny it. it all felt so good, and you wanted to kill him for it. you hated that he polluted your brain like strong liquor.

he chuckled and kissed the side of your head, "see, being my good girl is always worth it. just let me take care of you." but he knew you'd be done soon. his words lived in your head and you panted into the covers.

"you drive me fucking insane."

"oh i know. i'm in your head all the time." he laughed.

"shit. danny." you whined as you clawed at the covers. your back arched like a cat and giving the perfect angle for daniel to fuck up into you. you held on for dear life as you climaxed around his cock. you panted into the covers.

daniel continued to move against you, using your hips to bounce you on his cock. you felt like a dream come true. his cock bullied your sweet pussy. he whispered in your ear, filth as he came inside of you. his hips against you a few more times before he stopped. he laid on top of you for a moment as he caught his breath.

your heart hammered in your chest as he eventually got on his side next to you. he bundled you up in his arms and held you close to him. there was heaving breathing between the two of you.

daniel pulled you in for another kiss, and the liquor in his head told him one thing. he wasn't letting you go.

-

"ricciardo." horner said. he sighed and crossed his arms. he looked like a disappointment parent more than a boss.

daniel put his best smile on, hiding the looming anxiety. why was he called into horner's office like he was a school boy in trouble. he replied, "yes, mister horner."

"you're a good driver. a good man. i hold a great deal of respect for you. so tell me why my daughter has to extend her time at university because she has asked for a semester off?"

daniel raises his eyebrows, "because academia is hard?"

"no, daniel. because according to verstappen you left a party with my daughter and now she turns up pregnant." he sighed, but kept his gaze on the man in front of him, "i hope you know if you skip out on her, you'll be in a world of trouble."

daniel swallowed at the news. he got horner's daughter pregnant. he. got. you. pregnant. the electricity of the news made him stand up, he said loudly, "shit. i have to buy a ring!" he wasn't letting his child go without! he looked to horner and said, "i have to go. tell your daughter to meet me tonight! i'll have a ring for her, sir!" before he high tailed it out of the office.

horner dropped his shoulders. at least the kid was responsible. while he didn't know the details of exactly how you ended up in bed with his driver. but it could've been a lot worse. as he rubbed his temples, it could've been worse. it could've been verstappen. <3

[clockwayswrites]

Not So Imaginary

Parts 1-3 Parts 4-6Parts 7-8 WC: 1177

“I brought you some more books to read,” Jason said as he entered the room.

After Danny had shown that they were clearly a person (a kid at that) and answered a few questions, they had been moved to an actual room on the Watchtower. Jason was pretty sure part of it was how he refused to leave the cell until Danny was moved, but he didn’t really care as long as it got his friend safe.

Danny looked up with a grin. They were pretty solid today, sitting cross-leg on the bed with feet and everything.

“You’re back,” the artificial voice spoke out from the tablet like device in Danny’s hands. It was a version of something called a SGD, Bruce had said, and was used by people who had trouble with verbal sounds. They didn’t know if Danny would always need it or if they’re vocal cords would come back as they continued to solidify.

“I am. B said I could stay a whole three hours today too as long as I ate a snack while I was here,” Jason said, holding up one of the bags he had.

Three hours still wasn’t a lot, but it was better than the one it had been the rest of the week. It took a lot of begging, but B finally agreed that Jason was well enough for a test to see how it went. Danny was still draining life force from Jason, and only Jason, which made certain Leaguers nervous about letting the two of them close. Jason had done everything he could to let it happen: he’d begged and argued, he’d eating everything Alfie wanted him to, he rested whenever Bruce wanted him too which was all the time, and he even agreed to stay benched for as long as it took.

That last one had really helped convince Bruce and Dick that Jason wouldn’t back down from helping his friend.

“Good. I am happy. What do you have?”

“You liked the Hardy Boys, right? I have a few more of those and I found you some science mags you might like,” Jason said as he flopped onto the bed next to Danny. He could feel the odd tingle travel up his arm as he leaned into Danny.

“Thank you,” Danny said with a wide smile. The tone of the electronic voice didn’t match the brightness of that smile, but it was alright. Jason could also feel how happy Danny was.

“You’re doing okay?”

“Yes.” There was a long pause as Danny found the right words. They were pretty quick already with preset phrases, but odder things still took longer than regular talking would. “WW took me to observation deck. We watched stars. She told me stories of stars from her home.”

“Yeah?” Jason asked, trying to keep his voice from hitching around the word. He couldn’t bug Danny with that yet. “You like her? Wonder Woman?”

“Yes.” The reply was quick, but Danny was watching Jason with furrowed brows. They pushed a sense of question through their bond.

“I’m fine. Just thinking through some shit,” Jason said with a wave of his hand. “But Wonder Woman is really cool. She’s my favorite too.”

Danny set the tablet aside so that they could run their fingers through Jason’s hair. It felt odd, what with not all of the fingers always being all of the way solid, but a good sort of odd. It seems Jason couldn’t just Danny’s concern aside.

“I’ll tell you tomorrow, okay?”

Danny let out what for anyone else would have been a sigh and gave a little nod. They shorted through the bag of books Jason had brought and found a Hardy Boy’s to hand over to Jason.

“What me to read to you?” Jason waited for the nod. Apparently it was really important to let Danny choose things right then, or so the adults said. “Okay, move over a bit, yeah? You’re hogging all the bed.”

Danny placed their hand to their chest, face screwing up in an affronted expression. It didn’t work though when Jason could feel the amusement through their bond.

“Yeah yeah, I’m a brute, now shove over,” Jason said with a laugh. He worked his way up until he was lounging against the head of the bed.

Danny didn’t move.

“You’re a brat,” Jason accused.

Danny gave a silent laugh, humor bumbling up in their bond, before they flopped over right onto Jason’s chest. Jason let a huff of a sigh, but ran his fingers through Danny’s hair like he knew they liked before he opened the book to start read about another adventure of the Hardy Boys.

It was easier to feel the drain like this, when they were so close to each other and touching. Jason had tried to avoid spelling that out too much to Bruce. He got that his dad was just worried, but he was afraid if B knew he’d tried to keep Danny away.

As it was Bruce was trying to send Danny away.

Jason brushed the thought aside, focusing on doing his best to give the characters good voices for Danny. At least it was a distraction from all the rest of Jason’s thoughts. Two chapters later the stopped to ask, “Want a break or do you want another chapter?”

Danny rolled over and off Jason’s chest to flop onto the pillow next to him and Jason froze. His shock must have been clear because Danny scrambled up off the bed until they were floating above Jason.

“No! It’s a good thing. Just… you’re getting some of your color back,” Jason explained. He should really stop staring. He should take Danny to a mirror to see or something, but it was just that… Danny was beautiful right then. He found himself reaching up to brush his finger tips of the bright freckles that were scattered across Danny’s cheeks and nose like a galaxy of stars.

Bright teal eyes blinked back at him.

Jason cleared his throat. “Right, sorry, let’s go let you look.”

Danny floated to the side, landing on their feet as Jason stood, and followed behind behind to the small attached bathroom. Jason guided Danny in front of the mirror. White was spreading into their hair now.

For a moment Jason was worried that Danny was frozen in shock, then the other leaned in close to the mirror, touching the surface before bringing their hand up to their own face. Suddenly Danny was moving, spinning weightlessly around Jason as they gave a soundless whoop.

“I know,” Jason said with a grin of his own. “Look at you! You’re really coming together now! I knew you could do it. I knew that you could come back.”

Slowly, Danny drifted back down so that the tips of their toes brushed against the floor. They rested their forehead against Jason’s.

He didn’t need words to understand what Danny was trying to say.

“Don’t have to thank me, stardust. I’ll always come for you just like you’ll always come for me.”

--- AN: Oh ho, is Jason starting to realize he has a crush? And what isn't he telling Danny? Hopefully this part is good, the weather is giving me such a migraine/making me super dizzy so my eyes are crossing some! (Yes, I'm resting, on the couch with a cat!)

I really should have made an update post for this... this supposed ficlet just keeps going! 7K now! Aaaah well. Anywho, stay delightful, darlings!

[im-totally-not-an-alien-2]

I've seen "Danny is Dick Graysons clone/son", "Dick Grayson is over sexualized by people in the comics", "Dick Grayson is protective of Bruce Wayne when it comes to romance" and "Danny is just as farel if not moreso than Dick"

But I haven't seen them combined yet.

Let's fix that >:)

----

Dick was a bit antsy. Someone had been putting his rogues and allies in the critical care units for the past two weeks and hes no closer to figuring out who it is or what thier motivations are.

He didn't want to ask his family for help since they were all busy with cases themselves. Apparently Gotham had its own new rogue that was giving them trouble. Figures. Well, thats fine, he could always be up for seeing Kori again-

Kgnk

The sound of an empty soda can falling out of a trash bin behind him had him whirling around, locking his eyes with that of a startled child.

A child who was stick thin. Walking the streets at night. Alone. Following him around quietly.

Well, at least this one didn't have a camera.

"Hey, kiddo. Who are you?" He asked as he approached slowly, body purposely relaxed as to not scare the child into bolting.

"Danny." The kid just stared at him as if lost in thought. Huh. It's not the typical little kid reaction Nightwing normally gets and it kinda stings his ego. "Okay Danny," Nightwing says softly as he enters grabbing distance, "Were are your mommy and daddy? Do you know you shouldn't be out this late?"

"I don't have a mommy," the kid replies, "But I followed my daddy here!"

Dick looked around, his bad feeling growing worse as he saw no one else but him. "Where's your daddy?"

Danny pointed at him.

"What?! How??!"

"Clone."

Dick stared at him. Yep. That would do it.

-----

Danny was a little terror. Dick and his family had discovered the connection between all of the people that were attacked. They had all harmed Dick or his family at some point...or, to his shock, hit on them.

The bats had thought little of bringing him to the Watchtower after five heroes were assigned to watch him so he didn't get into anything or in case this was a trap set up by someone.

Nightwing wasn't even gone more than 20 minutes but when he had returned, Kon was tied up with an apple stuck in his mouth as he inched across the floor and away from the pile of kryptonite was was currently on fire (How?! Where did he even-) with what looked like one of those rotisserie things over it big enough for Kon to be on.

Bart was on the floor with what looked liked cookies around him. Was he drugged?

Cassie was face down on the couch looking like she had been thrown there like a rag doll.

Superman himself was standing perfectly still and staring blankly at the wall, clearly in some sort of trance.

Finally his Baby Bird, Tim, was sitting in a recliner with Danny curled into his side. Danny listened with rapt attention as Tim told him the story of one of his adventures.

Dick thought this was karma for how he had acted as a kid. But first, he had to go rescue Red Robin who was giving him pleading looks every few seconds.

[long-live-astronerd-ghost-king]

DP x PC prompt where Batclan ship “Pitch Pearl” or as they say, “We’ve connected the two dots”. 

Batclan has been watching the Phantom and the Fentons, especially their son. They were able to find some information but for some environmental reason the tracking devices are working in Amity Park with such terrible sound interference...it is difficult for them to understand a word.

~~~~

Fenton kid's Audiotape: I hate..Phantom..threat..destroy.

Original: I hate that my parents think that Phantom is a threat and want to destroy me.

~~~~

Audiotape of the Phantom: cause me trouble..Danny Fenton’s..guns..pointed at my back.

Original : Why everyone wants to cause me trouble? I don’t have time for Danny Fenton’s homework with all those guns pointed at my back.

~~~~

Batclan arrives personally and is going to offer to rescue the ghost from the Fenton child. But. There is a problem.

They see the Phantom calling a Ghost Girl, very much like him, a daughter. The next day the girl flies to the son of the Ghosthunters without fear, calls him father and turns into a human girl. And the teenager hugs her.

Batman thinks their situation is similar to Lex and Superman but unlike them they both really love their "Conner".

~~~~

Tucker hears this reasoning from the tracking device he planted on the Batman’s cloak.

Danny: Good news. They want to help Phantom and don’t think he’s a bad guy. They also fail to understand that Danny Fenton and Danny Phantom are the same person. Bad news.They think I, Fenton, am the villain. How can I dissuade them without revealing my identity?

Tucker: Well, you have a lair with weapons and instruments for diss and vivi in the basement.

Dani*feral half-ghost teen*: Say no more. I have an idea.

~~~~

The same evening, Batclan sees Tik Tok video from the Fenton lab.

*Miike Snow's Genghis Khan plays in the background*:

The Phantom is tied to the autopsy table and Bruce wants to ask the children to look away, but Dick stops him and says he knows the song, so they should see it.

The video has a happy ending. The heroes like it and they go home with a calm soul.

~~~~

An hour after there’s a comment from DashHereForSlash: Cool cosplay, guys! I’m happy that someone knows about this ship! The equipment looks so real! Where to send a donat for a kiss in the next video?

GhoticPlant: Glad you liked it! Here’s a link.

~~~~

Three hours later, the Red Huntress shoots a duet:

~I get a little bit Genghis Khan

Don't want you to get it on

With nobody else but me.~

Yes, they used Fenton Ghost Catcher and Tucker, Sam and Jazz played henchmen.

~~~~

Tucker sits at the table with Fenton and Phantom.

Tucker: So, Danny, what’s more important..self-esteem or easy money?

Double Dannouble: Money

Tucker: All right, here’s your $50. It’s all fair. But next time you need to use a little more touch. And we change the platform to post the videos.

Danny: Suspicious..And I want $100. Double job means double salary.

Jazz: Danny, no more videos! You’re 15!

Tucker*with printed photos of the kiss the next day*: Remember, don't let people manipulate you to do things you don’t want to do. But we’re doing it to better cover up a little dirty deadly secret, money’s just a bonus. And Danny is narcissistic enough to be happy that now Paulina has his pictures in frames.

Part 2

[the-kr8tor]

Knee Socks

Pairing: Hobie Brown x fem! Reader/ Spider-Punk x fem! Reader

Word count: 4.5k

Tags: Use of Y/N sparingly, no specific physical description of the reader, bullying, blood, violence, food mentions, fluff.

Main Masterlist

Thread the Needle Masterlist

CHAPTER 3 >>> CHAPTER 4

Hobie converses with his friends, casually leaning on the playground's chain link fence, he's only eleven, that awkward stage where he thinks he's too old to use the slide, but still too young to be taken seriously by the older kids. He's too tall to be just eleven, almost a foot taller than his classmates, always mistaken for someone older, he takes it in stride, becoming his year's resident protector from would be bullies. His sheer height alone makes them stop in their tracks, not to mention his perseverance when the bully decides to fight Hobie, even if they're taller or bigger than him, he doesn't back down despite his lanky form and sometimes nerdy personality, wiping at his bleeding nose, he stands up, knuckles at the ready.

This alone makes Hobie an absolute legend in the playground. He doesn't care about that though, he just does what he thinks is right, and that's protecting those who cannot defend themselves.

The children playing stops in their tracks when a loud shriek rings out, ears perking at the difference of the sound from a happy playing yell. This one sounded like they were in pain, Hobie stomps towards the sound, the crowd parting for him.

He sees a bigger kid holding a smaller one by his ear, he recognizes the bully from his year, the smaller one seems like a year younger than him. The crowd around them gets bigger, some kids would be hollering for a fight, some could only watch. Before Hobie could run up to them, a flash of something pink hits the bully right on his forehead, causing him to let go, crouching and holding the bleeding cut it left behind.

You fearlessly strut up to him, screaming your tiny head off, "fuck off, Terrence!" You pick up the pink sketchbook from the ground, threatening to throw it again.

Hobie's eyes widened at your choice of word, not used to hearing it in the playground, he smirks at your bravery, especially that you're five times smaller than the bully. He watches as you shield the smaller kid from Terrence, book at the ready.

You look over your shoulder to look back at the younger kid on the ground, clutching at the shell of his ear, tears falling on his rosy cheeks. "You okay, Danny?"

With you distracted, Terrence finds the opportunity to grab you by the ankle, losing your balance and swiftly falling on your back, you let out a small pained sound. Hobie had enough of being a bystander, he runs up to the bully, punching him square in his face. Terrence doesn't back down, tackling Hobie, they both fall on the harsh gravel, Hobie shields his face from the oncoming punches while Terrence keeps aiming at his face.

You stand up, no time to dust yourself off, you yell a battle cry, flinging yourself on the bully's back, trying to get him off Hobie. Your small fists thump helplessly on the bigger kid's back. Suddenly the crowd parts, a couple of winded teachers arrive, one yanks you off Terrence, while the other stops him from punching Hobie. They hold you both back, like a couple of kittens trying to claw and scratch at each other.

"Enough!" One of the teachers yells out, Hobie sits up, a cut on his lip. Eyes watching as you don't let up from trying to kick Terrence's ass.

—

You sit on one of the school clinic's cot, an ice pack on your head, the condensation slides over your face, landing on the paper of your mangled sketchbook.

"Little shit" you murmur out, wiping at the water on your precious notebook.

The curtains separating the beds flings open, you jump from the sound of metal.

"Y'know you could get in trouble for that" Hobie looks at you, a similar ice pack over his cheek. He sits criss crossed on the bed, blanket pooling around him.

"You would know, of course" the previous anger still lingers, your usual shyness gone from your system.

"So you've heard of me?" He raises his brow, hissing when he moves it.

"Who hasn't heard of you? Here" you toss your ice pack over to his cot, "you look like you need it more" Hobie fumbles a bit before he finally catches it. He looks back at you, your face scrunched up in anger, brows knitted together, you look at the pink notebook like it'll spontaneously combust right in front of you.

"You look like Gromit, when you're mad" he brings your previous ice pack to his brow, the other held up to his cheek. "Y'know when he scrunches his face" you look at him angrily "like that!" He points out.

"Hey! You want a piece of me too?" It sounded much braver in your head, but with the fading adrenaline and anger, your shyness peeks back in, making your sentence sound meek.

Hobie holds up his hands, dropping the ice packs on the bed "nah, I can't fight you"

"Why? Just because I'm a girl?"

"Nope, I saw what you did to big Terry, thought you gave him brain damage" he pokes his temples. "I don't want that notebook flying at me, especially with that aim of yours"

"Fucker already has brain damage" you say softly, your shyness definitely creeping in, but you're still angry enough to swear.

"Where'd you learn to curse like that? You don't look like someone who swears"

"The telly" you shrug.

"That shit ain't good for you"

"You sound like an adult," you scrunch your nose "they always tell me I swear a lot when I'm mad. You swear too, y'know"

"I'm allowed" Hobie leans back, grinning.

"How are you allowed?" you ask, genuinely curious. Why is he allowed and you're not?

"I'm older" he says matter-of-fact.

"You're only a year older than me" you scoff, wincing when a sharp pain hits the back of your head.

Hobie hops down from the bed, quickly grabbing the ice packs. He moves towards you, sitting down, your sketchbook in the middle between you. He hands you the ice pack back, you give him a small thanks, hissing when the cold hits your skin.

"You alright? D'you want me to get the nurse?" He asks you as if he wasn't injured himself, looking worse than you.

"I'm fine, you look worse than me though"

"You draw?" Hobie doesn't acknowledge your last comment. He tries to take a peek at the pages, you clamp the book shut with lightning speed.

"I'm not showing you my sketchbook"

"Why not?"

"It's private! And I don't know you"

"Well, name's Hobie Brown" he extends his hand towards you "and you areee? Then you tell me your name, That's how this usually goes"

You narrow your eyes, "I know who you are" slapping his hand away but you tell him your name anyway, trying to be the polite one "Y/N, it's Y/N Y/L/N"

"Now we know each other, now can I?" His hand hovers over your notebook. "Damn, this looks like it's been trampled"

"Fucking Terrence" you seethe, sliding the book over to him. "Here"

"Fucking Terrence" Hobie smiles as he flips through your sketches.

—

Your mind goes back to the present when your familiar mug lands on your messy table, the content sloshes a bit to the sides.

"Careful!" You hold the mug, stopping its motion.

"Shit, sorry. You looked like Gromit there for a second" he chuckles, sitting down on your bed, a piece of biscuit in his mouth, the springs squeaking under his weight.

"Augh, you trying to bring back that nickname?" You take a sip, the warmth of the tea relaxes the aching muscles of your hand.

"It's always been there, Gromit" he lays down, swallowing the cookie, his chucks still on his feet.

You stand up immediately, cringing when his soles graze your bedsheets, grabbing his shoes off your bed "shoes off!" You struggle as Hobie watches on with a smirk "fuckin' take it off!"

"You're mad mad" he sits up, unlacing his shoes.

You put your hands on your hips, socked feet tapping impatiently. Hobie flings his shoes off, looking smugly at your annoyed face. He lays down, arms behind his head.

You narrow your eyes at him "awwe, are you tired?" You asked sarcastically.

"Yes, talking to you the entire day is tiring"

"You're not the one designing this thing" you gesture towards your table that's littered with crumpled papers, various designs pinned on your corkboard. Your hand cramps at the thought of drawing another line.

"Giving my opinion is tiring, why don't you rest for a bit, you're obviously knackered" he taps the space beside him. It wouldn't be the first time you've shared a bed, it's impossible that you haven't, being that you've been best friends for ten years. But you're still unsure, knowing that when you lie down (especially next to him) you won't get back to work again. But it doesn't mean that your heart doesn't skip a beat whenever you do share a bed, it practically stops in your chest until you two wake up.

Hobie sees your dilemma, knowing you wouldn't be able to work on your designs if you lie down next to him. "Come sit down at least" he finds a middle ground.

You sigh, surrendering, as long as you don't rest your head on your pillow you'll be fine, right? Sitting down, Hobie's legs props you up, preventing you from laying down completely.

You hum, leaning your entire weight over his legs, you can feel the rough material of his jeans on your back, your jumper doesn't provide much barrier from his warmth.

"Don't fall asleep" Hobie pokes your arm.

"Hard to when your bony legs are stabbing my back"

He moves his legs back, you fall halfway, head almost landing on his knees. You smack his arm playfully. Hobie predicts that you'll slap his chest next, he moves his arm shield himself. Lo and behold, that's where you hit him next.

"Fuck you, Wallace" despite your swearing, you grin widely, Hobie laughs at his old nickname, he keeps dodging your attacks, Hobie parries your hand, stopping it mid air. He holds your wrists in front of him, warm fingers wrap bracelets around them.

He laughs victoriously "who you callin' Wallace? Do I look like I'm bald?"

You try to get his grip off your wrist, pulling, but his grip is too strong–it doesn't hurt, it's the opposite actually, his grip on you provides comfort and stability. A laugh escapes you "you smile like him" he says it with you, copying your voice mockingly, already knowing that you'll say those exact words.

You roll your eyes, trying and failing to take your hands back, Hobie pulls you in, making you lean over his chest, your heart immediately jumping at the close proximity of his face from yours. Hobie didn't think this through enough, now he doesn't know what to do next. You both pause on your play fighting.

He watches your reaction, your lips slightly parted, pupils blown out. You do the same, cataloging every line on his face, eyes finding the familiar color of his iris, the late afternoon sun gleaming on his lip piercing. You quickly move your eyes back to his, realizing you've been staring at his lips, you swallow down your fear. You lay on top of him, frozen.

You exhale, breath fanning his face, your pulse thumping hard against Hobie's hand. He loosens his grip on your wrists, giving you time to pull away, but you don't so he slides his hands from your wrists over to your hands, fingers stopping at your clammy palms.

Hobie raises his head slowly to meet yours, his heart uncharacteristically beating hard on his chest. He realizes that his heart only acts this way around you. He can feel the dam straining against the overflowing water.

Knock

The sound breaks you both out of your daze, pushing away from each other, you avoid Hobie's gaze. While he looks at you longingly, chest heaving at what almost transpired.

Knock

You try to act nonchalantly, clearing your throat "yeah?"

"It's almost six! Get your visitor out" the dorm's RA yells out like a warden.

"Yeah, okay!" You give her a thumbs up, as if she can see you through the door. Hobie notices your awkwardness, taking it upon himself to break the awkward feeling.

"She doesn't have x-ray vision" He stops himself from touching your arm, hand landing back to his side.

You scoff, heat slowly leaving your cheeks "c'mon time to go home" you stand up, refraining from tapping his chest.

"We're not done yet" he sits up by his elbows, eyes following you gathering his stuff like a one night stand trying to get him out of your place.

You sigh "I don't think we can finish this today, Hobs" you say defeatedly "I mean look" you take a pinned sketch, showing it to Hobie. You both act like nothing happened, used to the almosts.

He looks at your sketch of him, drawn like a runway model, your design looks good, for him at least. Already sure whatever you make for him will be amazing. But judging from your pout he guesses it's not good enough for you.

"It looks good" he reassures you, "what's wrong with it?"

You drop his shoes back on the floor, stepping over it to sit back down on the bed. You hold the paper gingerly, noting every single line you've drawn. "There's something missing, it– I don't know" you groan.

"Make me understand then, they all look good enough for me" he gestures at your designs on the corkboard "I like the one with red on it"

"They all have a touch of red" you roll your eyes, "I don't know, they just– they have more Hobie in them, than of me y'know?"

He nods "yeah, I can see it, you need more bits of you in it"

"Mm-hmm, it's supposed to be a perfect blend of us both" you cross the barrier that you've put up between him, leaning your head on his chest.

"Yeah, it's like if we had a kid and they ended up lookin' like a clone of me" he looks at you teasingly, a smirk curling on his lips.

"Again, weird analogy, Hobs" you huff out.

He chuckles "D'you wanna rest or continue this at my place?" Hobie covers the top of your head with his palm, blanketing your scalp in his warmth.

Thinking for a second, you want to rest, but on the other hand, you need to keep working, you never know when both of your schedules will clear up, this is one of those rare times.

The loud knock echoes again, "your place, then" you look at him, cheek laying on his chest, hearing how his heart beats against your ear.

Hobie smiles, more than happy to spend more time with you.

—

You stop by a convenience store on the way to his place. The harsh white lights make you squint until your eyes adjust. Hobie grabs a basket, handing it to you.

"Such a gentleman" sarcasm dripping on your lips.

He walks backwards, winking at you, hands in his jean pockets. Hobie beelines for the frozen aisle, his chucks sliding against the tiled floor.

You sigh, already knowing what he'll grab. You take a couple of crisps, Hobie's favourite and yours. You bend down to grab a packet of biscuits, hearing a tinkling sound on your left, your eyebrows knit in confusion at the peeking green sock puppet.

"Hello there" You ask, thinking there's a kid playing around. You stand up, the small basket almost full.

"Hi" the puppet's mouth moves, but Hobie's voice comes out, you laugh at how he tried to hide his voice by making it higher pitched.

"Hobie, where'd you even get that?" You say in between airy laughs. You can't see where he is, Hobie's body is hidden behind a display of oatmeal, but you can clearly see his metal bracelet peeking out from under the puppet.

"Name's not Hobie, it's y/n, and I have a passion for fashion" the puppet's mouth moves dramatically as Hobie speaks.

You giggle at his antics, grabbing the puppet by its 'throat' "ack!" Hobie acts like he's choking. He moves in your line of sight, still making choking noises. The cashier looks at you weirdly, releasing your hand from the puppet.

You keep laughing, Hobie's smiles victoriously, getting the desired reaction from you. You clutch your hand over your stomach, heaving from laughing.

"You done?" Hobie is still speaking through the puppet, his throat aching from making his voice higher.

"Yep, you can stop making that voice" you smile, playing with the little bell strapped on the puppet, it rings softly at your touch.

"Thank fuck," Hobie clears his throat, speaking in his normal deep voice "they're selling these over there" he points to his right, using the puppet to point at it.

You see the bright display of different sock puppets, the bold letters reading 'all proceeds go to the children's hospital'

"It's cute, what even is it?"

Hobie moves the puppet from side to side, little yellow spikes on its head, a long tongue lolling on the side of its mouth. "I think it's supposed to be a dinosaur"

"Looks like it, but its tongue is too long to be a dinosaur, maybe it's a lizard?" You look at Hobie questioningly.

"Don't look at me, I don't know either" he shrugs.

"Whatever it is let's take it, he's kind of adorable, in a weird looking way" you take it from his hand, putting it inside your basket.

"Just like you" Hobie quips.

"Funny" you poke his chest. "You got the frozen pizza?"

"Nah, got distracted" Hobie walks towards the freezers, you follow closely behind, he flings the door open. You peek under his raised arm resting on the freezer door, looking at your choices.

"Four cheeses? Or overload?" You ask.

"You want me to shit myself?"

You giggle "right, lactose intolerant, forgot for a sec, overload it is. Thought you have lactaid?"

Hobie takes the frozen pizza box, bringing it to your cheeks, you jump away when the cold box hits your skin. "I ran out of it"

"Ass" you scoff, wiping away the condensation.

He laughs from his belly, putting the box inside the basket. Hobie grabs the heavy basket from you, happily giving it to him. He makes his way towards the cashier, you quickly grab a couple of canned soda from the freezer, catching up to Hobie.

The cashier gives you an annoyed look, probably because of the noises you two made. You look at him apologetically as he scans the items.

—

You arrive at his place, slightly shivering from the cold air that pricked you while in the back of Hobie's motorcycle. He gets off first, helping you with a steady hand.

"Remind me to bring a proper jacket next time we ride this late. Christ alive it's bloody freezing" you rub your arms, trying to get warm, your thin jacket isn't helping much to shield you from the cold.

Hobie takes off his leather jacket despite being only a few feet away from his place, he drapes it on you since your hands are full with the plastic bag of food. He holds your hands together breathing hot air into it, your heart swells at the small act.

"Why didn't you tell me you were cold? I could've stopped for a bit and handed you my jacket, you idiot" he grumbles out, still rubbing your hands warm.

"It was a short ride, Hobs. Besides we're here already you don't need to do this"

"Inside isn't any better, radiator's fucked since yesterday" he brings your hands to his mouth, blowing more warm air into your cold hands.

"Just my luck" your breathing stutters in your throat when Hobie looks at you through his lashes, lips dangerously close to your hands. "Let's just go inside, I'm hungry" you pull your hands away, already missing his warmth. Hobie looks at you like you grew a second head.

"Oven still works, right?" You clear your throat.

Hobie takes out his keys, opening the door for you "yeah, gas still works" he sniffs, the cold finally bothering him.

Entering the small house, you can hear the loud sound of the television, bright against the darkness of the modest living room. Ned and James play couch co-op of golden eye. James sees you standing awkwardly by the doorway, not paying attention to the screen, his character dies, making Ned annoyed.

"Come on, bruv! We can't pass this level with you dying every bloody minute" Ned follows James' stare, ending with you standing stiffly in front of the door, too awkward to walk in front of the telly, not wanting to disturb them. Hobie's behind you fumbling with the lock.

"Hi, sorry to drop in" you smile shyly.

Ned slaps the back of James' head "really? You got distracted?" He whisper-shouts, James jumps slightly in his seat, Ned quickly moves his neck to look at you, "It's alright, y/n! Make yourself at home"

"Thanks" you say, smiling sweetly.

"Oi, it's rude to stare" Hobie finally locks the rusty bolt, eyes staring at James.

" 'm not," he defends himself, thick Manchester accent rearing its head. "I was lookin' at the bag, is that pizza?" He acts interested in the contents of your bag.

Hobie side eyes Ned, having a non verbal conversation with him.

"I think there's enough for us four, where's Yuri? I still haven't thanked her for her help" you say.

"She's with her friends," Ned says.

Nodding, you walk towards the kitchen, Hobie not too far behind. "Have you talked to the landlord about the broken radiator, Hobs?"

"Don't need to, we're moving out anyway" Hobie replies nonchalantly, like it's old news to you.

"What?" You drop the plastic bag a little too hard on the counter. "What do you mean you're moving out? Where are you moving?" Fear creeps up to you.

"All of us are moving, actually" James pipes up from the couch, Ned elbows for him to shut up.

Hobie grabs a flyer from the fridge door, showing it to you. "Battle of the bands, our last show before we disband"

"You're gonna disband too?!" You look at Ned sitting on the couch, watching the interaction unfold. He replies for Hobie, seeing he might need some help explaining it to you.

"Sorry y/n, it's true. James and Yuri are off to uni, and I'm moving back to Richmond"

You look at Hobie sadly, knowing he'll be left behind by one of his oldest friends. You're well aware that Hobie doesn't like sticking to one band, moving on to a different team every few years, this doesn't surprise you, but Ned has been one of the few constants in his band, always his chosen bassist, and his oldest friend next to you.

Ned and James start their game again, giving you as much privacy as the small space can provide, trying to not listen to your obvious private conversation, they wish you two could just talk it out inside Hobie's room instead. Or better yet, just kiss about it, saving you both the energy.

Looking up at Hobie, eyes slightly watering at the thought of him being left behind, you'd never even thought of doing that to him. Of course you know he can handle himself, but you can't bear imagining him alone. Or maybe it's because you can't imagine going through life without him, turning out he'll be fine on his own without you. And you're the one who's projecting your fears towards Hobie.

Your lives have been intertwined since childhood, celebrating wins together, laughing and crying at the good and bad. You've been through almost everything together, it's hard to imagine your life before you met him, more so after your lives untangle from each other.

"When's the last gig?" You try to not let your emotions get to you, but your smile doesn't reach your eyes. Hobie sees through your charade, he holds your hand subtly, thumb rubbing circles over your palm.

"It'll be fine, love" I'll be fine, he wanted to say, but he swallows it down, tossing it over to the pile of all the unsaid words he wanted to say to you. "We've been planning it for awhile, just need to find a place and I'm good to go"

"You haven't found a place yet?" completely forgetting there are other people in the room with you, melting into his touch.

"Not yet, y'know me, always putting things off" he tangles his fingers through yours. "Once we win, I'll get enough to rent a place"

"I'll help you find a place" you squeeze his hand, he squeezes back three times.

"You givin' it for free? No need for me to punch out a hole in our card?" He teases you.

You roll your eyes "Don't push it, Hobart. But yes, you don't need to use our card for it" you joke, you would've helped him anyways, card or no card.

"Good, thanks Gromit" he smiles, reluctantly untangling your fingers from his. Hobie hands you the flyer, moving towards the counter to take out the food. With that your previous conversation ends, but your sadness and anxiety for what the future holds still lingers. Everything seems to change too fast, you don't think you're ready for any of it.

You smile softly at the nickname. Reading the contents of the advert– Battle of the bands at Oscorp Museum! your eyes widening when you gloss over the date on it. "Hobie, this concert is happening the day before our show"

"And? It's not on the same day" he takes out the puppet from the plastic.

"Yeah, but won't you be too..tired?" You ask.

Hobie huffs, taking the puppet off the counter, slipping it on your hand, you raise a brow at him "say what you really mean by 'tired' use the puppet to help" he crosses his arms over his chest.

You narrow your eyes, playing along, raising your arm halfway. You speak through the puppet, trying to talk with your mouth closed "won't you be too hungover?"

"There we go!" He claps "Thank you, y/n for the honesty"

"That wasn't me, that was the puppet"

"We have a real ventriloquist here, huh" Hobie takes out the frozen pizza from the box, slipping it inside the oven, he shuts the oven door closed "There won't be any alcohol in the venue, there's nothing to fucking drink"

"Sure" you say, still speaking through the puppet, rolling its head with your hand movements.

James whispers to Ned "they were all sweet to each other a second ago, now they're fighting"

"Reminds you of your parents huh?" Ned whispers back.

"Actually yeah, good eye"

Ned looks at him confused "not a compliment, bruv"

"Huh?"

"Nothin' what's up with the creepy puppet?"

Meanwhile, you continue to bicker with Hobie, the cold not helping with your attitude "You know I'm thinking of naming him Terrence, he looks like a Terry, right?" You make the puppet look at you, making it nod.

"Fuck off, after that Terry?"

"Yeah, we can tell exactly what we mean through Terry then we can both put the blame on him" you make the puppet nervously look at both of you.

"Fuckin' Terrence" Hobie remembers the bully.

"Exactly! Fuckin' Terrence" you both laugh, you don't even remember why you were fighting in the first place.

A/N: Thank you for reading! As always likes and reblogs are appreciated ❤️

*pictures above are from pinterest*

[goodfish-bowl]

Never Really Knew (DP x DC)

DP Side Hoes Week 2024 Master Post

Day 5: Dani - self-defense

Summary: There were plenty of things she knew, but it was all things that had been downloaded into her head. There was very few things that Dani had actually experienced in her extremely short life. Dani’s trip after being freed from Vlad goes well until it takes a turn into Gotham, New Jersey. Takes place after "Kindred Spirits", but before "D-Stabilized".  

Word Count: 2173

AO3 Link

Dani had known that traveling by herself would be dangerous. She knew it in the same way she knew advanced mathematics and classic literature. It was knowledge she had but had never experienced, programmed and downloaded into her head. She knew a lot of things this way, and very few things the other way. Dani had wanted to experience everything, to learn the way everyone else did. But she hadn’t known, not really, just how dangerous this task would be for her. She doubted Danny knew either, or he probably wouldn’t have let her go. 

Dani wasn’t having any trouble with money, so to say, Vlad’s credit card covered that, but there were very few places that would both accept credit and let a 12-year-old rent a room for the night. So while she was good on food and any other thing, shelter was a lot harder to manage. It had been fun, at first, buying a tent and camping equipment, and staying at parks while she explored the area, but yet again, a 12-year-old couldn't rent out a campground, so it was a bit riskier every night she stayed. If she stayed in the wrong place or too long, she would get chased out. She lost a few tents this way. She lost a few more to thefts that happened while she was out and about. 

The campground was fine when she was just about, but they weren’t always an option, like in the bigger cities, where she was now. Normally, Dani was able to keep her head low, and hang out on a rooftop for the night, but that wasn’t really a good option with vigilantes of Gotham frequenting those spaces too. She had to find a different place to sleep for the night, which she supposes is what got her into this whole mess too. That and not knowing, to an instinctual degree, that she should not have come to Gotham all alone. 

Dani had bunked down for the night in one of the many abandoned buildings around, even setting up her cot and some of her other camping equipment. This was not where she had woken up. 

Dani woke up with a full body ache and a piercing migraine, and immediately curled up on herself with a soft hiss. Everything hurt. Slowly, as Dani came to, her senses faded back into focus. It smelt generally terrible, like BO and urine, along with the faint tinge of mold and cigarettes. There was the sound of someone else crying near her, whimpering, and the more distant sound of laughter. She could feel the bare concrete under her as it tried to drain away what little body heat she actually produced. Her tongue tasted vile in her mouth, still full of fuzz with a metallic aftertaste in the back of her throat.

Dani was locked in a dark, generally dingy cell, with the only light coming from a yellow street light that managed to crawl in through the basement window, and a white fluorescent light that climbed under the door. There were a few other kinds locked up in here with her, in various stages of crying or passed out. Some of them were hurt, bad. Dani had been kidnapped in the worst city to be kidnapped. 

Slowly, feeling her whole body protest, Dani pushed herself to a kneeling position, drawing the other kids' eyes to her. She gave them a shaky smile that probably looked closer to a grimace. Dani felt her clothes and found that all the belongings she kept in her packets were gone. Darn, no more credit card. No more anything, really. Well, that sucked, but it wasn’t like they could keep her here for long, ghost powers and all that. Dani should get out as soon as she can, and run for the hills. She was sure whoever had captured her wouldn’t even notice one less child.

Dani strained her ears to listen to the voices from under the door, but a sniffle from one of the other kids in the room stopped her in her tracks, shutting down her plan of running out alone. Stupid Danny and his stupid protective streak. She would have to figure out how to get them all out together, and probably fast if the pick up in activity from under the door was any indication. Dani went over to the window, straining to look out of it, trying to figure out where it let out. 

“Hey,” Dani whispered. “Do any of you know where we are?”

There was a soft murmuring among the other children, before a scruffy-looking boy answered her in a thick Gotham accent. “Somewhere in Crime Alley. That window has metal bars in it, no way to get out from there.”

Dani hissed under her breath, letting go of the window sill from where she was straining to lift herself onto it. 

“Do you know where it leads?” She followed up. 

“Just some scummy alley.”

Dani nodded, that was at least something good, no one would notice if she passed some of the others through intangibly. 

“Okay, I can get us out,” Dani declared, keeping her voice intentionally low. 

“How do you plan to do that? You a meta or something?” one of the slightly older girls demanded. 

“Something like that,” Dani answered sheepishly. “Come on, I can take us directly through the wall,” Dani gestured through the window. 

The others were too scared to protest, and slowly Dani began to file them one to two at a time through the wall, into the alley above. Every trip burned through her reserves, and she hadn’t noticed just how many of them were in the cell with her. After the fourth trip, Dani felt fragile, only able to pass the boy with the thick local accent through, but not able to go through herself, she would hurt herself if she tried.

“Butter biscuits… I can’t get out, I’m out of energy,” Dani called out. She was going to have to figure a way out, no powers unless absolutely necessary, she might risk destabilization otherwise. 

The boy peered down at her from the window, looking grim. “I’ll go get help,” he stated before leaving her all alone in the room. 

Dani let herself drop to the ground as soon as he was gone. She felt so tired, vaguely ill, and tried her best not to not fall back asleep, but still get a little bit more rest before the rest of her grand escape. She spent those minutes listening to the voices as best as she could, planning. She really shouldn’t use her powers for the next bit, but Dani also really needed her stuff back. It would have to be worth the risk, it was the only way she could really afford anything. All she needed was just her wallet with the card in it. Everything else could be replaced, emergency cellphone included. She might have a window to get it when whatever help that boy had mentioned showed up. 

The voices on the other side of the door grew frantic along with an even more distant sound of gunshots and shattering glass. The door slammed open, causing Dani to fall onto her back in fright. The man’s eyes were blown wide in fear, teeth bared. His eyes narrowed as he probably noticed the lack of children in the room, and spat out a nasty curse before his eyes locked onto her. 

“Fuck it, we only need one hostage, a half-dead brat will have to do,” the man spat, practically snatching her up by the arms, causing Dani to cry out in pain. 

Dani had to scrunch up her eyes under the artificial white lights, leading into an open warehouse. She struggled for just a second before there was something cold and metal pressing against her temple. 

“Try it, brat, and your brains will be blown out all over the floor,” the man growled, and Dani froze. 

It was a gun. Dani knew it was a gun, and finally, it sunk in just how much danger she was really in, and tears began to run down her face. She didn’t want to die! She had only just begun to learn how to live in the first place. She needed more than a few months to figure herself out!  

The man didn't do anything as Dani began to cry, but one of the other roughly dressed goons in the room, holding an even bigger gun, sent the one holding her a dirty look, before a confused realization passed over him. 

“Where the other kids?” The other guy asked. 

“Hell if I know. Only one left was this shrimp who looks well and ready to keel over. She’ll fucking have to do.” 

There was another loud bang as a door somewhere in the warehouse was thrown open. 

“Red Hood! Don’t fucking try it or I off the kid!” 

Dani strained to see through her tears and hysterics. Was this guy supposed to be her help? But Dani was already held hostage, how much help could this ‘Red Hood’ be?

“You know I don’t like people fucking around with kids on my turf,” a modulated, artificial voice spat. 

“Which is why you’re going to let us go, so that this little girl’s brains don’t end up splattered all over the ground,” The guy holding the bigger gun argued back. 

There was a creak from the rafters and the other guy opened fired, sending rounds into the ceiling. A large figure dropped down, returning fire as they fell. Dani’s eyes widened at the heavily armed figure in a red helmet and leather jacket. He was both the coolest and most terrifying person Dani had ever seen. The guy with the bigger gun went down with only a few well-aimed shots. 

Red Hood towered over Dani’s current kidnapper, who pressed the gun harder into her temple, causing another wave of panic to go through her as her eyes strained to dart back and forth between the man holding her and her ‘savior’ who had just definitely killed someone. 

“There you are, you shitty bastard,” her kidnapper growled. “Now!”

Gunshots came from a completely different direction, catching Red Hood by surprise, but not before he managed to take out one of the two new assailants, and a stray bullet slammed into the arm holding the gun to Dani’s head. The man recoiled, practically tossing both her and the gun aside, forgotten. Dani ducked down, scrambling the best she could away from the center of the fight, but exhaustion and a horrible pinch in her ankle weighed down on her entire being. 

Dani looked back after hearing a few more gunshots. The guy who had been holding her was dead, but Red Hood had taken a couple of hits himself, stuck kneeling as the final kidnapper pointed his gun directly at Red Hood. He was going to be killed, and then Dani knew she would quickly follow him. Panic seized her body and core, dredging up what little energy it could. She couldn’t let Red Hood be killed, Dani didn’t want to die. 

 Dani dove for the gun that had been tossed away in her. The knowledge of how to use a gun quickly clicked into place, just like all of those other things she knew and had never experienced. Dani was keen on never feeling the chill of a live firearm in her hands again, nor the image of the man dropping dead from a clean shot as she fired. 

The gun clattered to the ground and Dani was well aware that Red Hood was full-on staring at her beneath his helmet. 

“Kid-” the modulated voice called out, but Dani yanked on her invisibility, pulling as hard as she could, running off. 

Dani had killed someone, sending full-on shivers and nausea through her, compounded by the protests of her fragile anatomy as she tried to maintain invisibility. She quickly found her things, which had been haphazardly tossed into a corner, snatching the wallet and nothing else. It felt like she was falling apart. 

Dani made it to the exit before Red Hood spotted her again. 

“Wait!” He called out, sounding panicked. 

Dani couldn’t help the reflexive glance back, likely showcasing the bright glow of her eyes, and the thick trickle of ectoplasm as it seeped out of her nose before she fled into the night. There was cursing and heavy steps behind her, so Dani did the only thing she could and transformed as soon as she was out of direct eyesight, doing her best to ignore the familiar sensation of destabilization as it began to set in. She even ignored the swear-storm of the vigilante she left behind in the alley. Dani was going back to Amity Park as soon as she could, but she now knew, deep in her gut and in the sour taste of ectoplasm in the back of her throat, just how dangerous it could be on her own.

[emeraldtart]

Danny Phantom AU - Grandpa Walker

Saw some posts saying Walker is Maddie's dad and the Fenton kids' maternal grandfather, so I'm taking a shot at it.

Most of the time when one become a ghost upon death, their obsession is what let's them become one.

However a ghost's obsession may often than not override their memories. Their forms are a reflection of those desires and how they look at the time of their death.

Walker was no such exception. He doesn't remember the exact date he died, but he's sure it's somewhere in mid 1900s.

He remembered that he was a warden, that he died in a riot. That's why he's a warden in the Ghost Zone and very strict.

And he also remembers that...

He loves his family very much.

But his obsession override his memories.

He doesn't remember their faces, their names are on the tip of his tongue. Walker is very very tempted to get a book of baby names just so he can find his girls' names and say them, just like how he and his wife used to do when they were expecting their little ones...

Oh, his wife...

He doesn't remember a single thing about her. He doesn't remember her name, her face, what she likes... He doesn't remember how and when and why he had fallen in love with her in the first place.

And Walker was scared, because the apathy he felt was like what he felt to strangers.

That's why, despite his want to open the book of baby names he had found floating around the Zone, he kept it shut inside the bottom drawer of his desk.

Walker was scared that he won't care for his girls.

~

It was a couple decades after his death, Walker had grown accustomed to his work as the warden of the prison. He was a bit lenient now, but was still strict in some ways.

After the whole Ghost Meteor, Walker sometimes found himself going out of the prison and into the Human World on his own. He doesn't know why, but he felt like he was searching for something... Someone important.

Walker doesn't know why his body brought him to the Fenton's house this late at night, but he doesn't stop. Whatever he's searching for is here. And he is nothing but persistent.

The moment he phased through the walls of the house, he was greeted by a shrill beeping followed by a robotic voice saying, "ECTOPLASM ABOVE HALFA LEVEL DETECTED: INITIATING DEFENSIVE PROTOCOLS,"

"What in the Sam Hill-"

Walker rolled out of the way as ghost nets were shot out from cannons that suddenly appears from the walls. He tried his best not to get caught, only for one net to catch him off guard from behind, leaving him a dangling mess in the ghost net.

The sounds of footsteps were heard moments later, and from the door came the Fenton boy.

"What's going-Walker!? What are you doing here?"

"Hey there Phantom. Can you help me down?"

Danny wordlessly helps the warden ghost down from the net. He straighten up his jacket and nodded at him, "Thank you,"

"No problem. But what are you doing here Walker? And in the middle of the night? Some ghosts got out of your prison?"

"Fortunately, no,"

"Then what?" Danny asked, narrowing his eyes at Walker.

"I'm not here to cause trouble, I'm just... I don't know,"

It was unusual for Walker to look this lost. Danny might haven't known Walker for long, but each encounter with the warden he knows him as a very persistent ghost who rarely doubts himself. Kinda reminds him of his mom, to be honest.

"Uh... You wanna talk about it?"

"... Yes. Thanks Phantom,"

"Just call me Danny,"

So here they are, sitting on the couch. It took some time for Walker to find his voice. He has never talk about his past to another person before, but when the last of his words that made up his worries escaped his mouth, he felt lighter, and not in the physical way.

"So, what you're saying is... You have two daughters but has forgotten everything about them, and you're scared that even if you remember you won't care about them?"

"Yes,"

"Excuse me for saying this, but I think that's stupid,"

Walker looks at the halfa in surprise, "What?"

"Listen. You're worried that you might not care for your daughters even if you remember them. Emphasis on worried," he then continues, "But get this: the fact that you're worried about that very thing proves that you love them,"

"That... Makes sense,"

"See?" Danny stood up from the couch, "Now go back to the Ghost Zone, I'm helping you with that baby names book and finding your daughters' names,"

Suddenly the light from the door turned on. Danny could make out the voice of his mother, probably just woken up from the alarm, "Danny, did you trip up the alarm again? I told you, clean up any ectoplasm before entering the house," she said before yawning.

Addie flicked open the light and saw Danny, still in his pajamas, with ghost nets all over the living room. There's not ectoplasm on her son, which is not unusual. Jack had set the ectoplasm level detector to be too sensitive, that even the smallest splotch on Danny's foot would trigger them.

She expected some green on her son's face, not... Is that...

Maddie rubbed her eyes and looks on the couch again. There was a man that she remembered in her younger days when she used to live in a house by the road in the middle of nowhere.

The man who went and drive for hours to the city and back to their home in the desert to find cake and celebrate her and her sister's birthday.

The man who pushed her and her sister on that swing which seat was made out of an old truck tire.

The man who bandaged up that bruise on her knee when she fell and made silly faces until she smiled.

The man who was called back to his job even after he was retired from it long ago.

The man who rode into that white car which drove on to the distance, who promised that he'd be back to see her graduate.

The man who couldn't make it back because he's no longer alive.

In Maddie's eyes she sees a man with skin darkened from harsh sunlight, with black hair, mustache and beard that has white hair. She doesn't see a ghost, all she sees was...

"Pa?"

"... Maddie?"

[tinynerdz360]

Future Ghost Chapter 8

 McCoy sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose. McCoy's gut told him Danny was a good kid at heart despite the lies. The boy clearly had his reasons for wanting to hide what he was. However, regulations demanded full disclosure of medical status. McCoy had to get to the bottom of this. Not even getting into the fact the ensign was a minor and had managed to skip the schooling the academy provided. Command was not going to like that.

He tapped his com device on the wall. "McCoy to Kirk. Jim, can you and Spock meet me in my office? I need your help with something?”  What he wanted to tell the two was best left off of official records or written records.

A moment later, Kirk responded. "On my way, Bones. Is everything okay?"

McCoy sighed. "Just get down here, and I'll explain."

While waiting, McCoy reviewed Danny's scans again, fascinated and puzzled by the unknown DNA signature. He wished he could sit Danny down and have an honest talk with him and make the kid feel safe enough to open up. But Danny was clearly too scared for that right now. Hopefully, Kirk could get through to him. Another idea popped into Mccoy’s mind. Scotty could talk to the kid while he explained the situation to Jim and Spock. Maybe make the kid feel like he had someone in his corner instead of the lecture interrogation that would follow.

Picking up the flip phone-style comm unit, he dialed in the code for Mr. Scott. "Scotty, I need you to meet me in my office as soon as possible. It's about Ensign Fenton."

“That bad, Len?” Scotty’s accented voice replied.

“Just get up here,” Mccoy Answered.

The sound of footsteps brought McCoy back to the present, and he glanced up to see Kirk, Spock, and Scotty entering his office. Their expressions were a mix of concern and curiosity, and they were clearly eager to learn what warranted this impromptu meeting.

"Thank you for coming so quickly," McCoy began, gesturing for them to take a seat. "We have a bit of a situation with Ensign Fenton. For one, he's only fifteen, and he fancies himself a skilled hacker…. he skipped the academy altogether. And he’s hacked and forged his medical records. He claims he’s a hybrid, but from what little he told me, I’m afraid we might be dealing with an abusive augmentation experimentation case here. Whatever his parents did to give him extra abilities."

Spock had a perfect poker face, not letting any emotions slip; he only allowed a raised eyebrow to indicate his interest. “Fascinating. It is illogical to conceal one's true nature, and the amount of deceit is alarming, while it is an impressive task he implemented."

“Abilities in what way? Like Evens, ESP, or enhanced strength and intelligence like augments?” Kirk asked.

“Now, I haven’t done a full examination or test of his abilities, just what he’s told me. I don’t know how much he can do with his mind or how many ESP capabilities he has, but from the sounds of it, whatever was done, whatever his parents were experimented with, gave empathetic abilities and more physical ones, like invisibility.”

Kirk's eyes lit up with a realization. “The away missions!” Captain Kirk furrowed his brow; he was concerned about the ensign's lies but more so for his well-being, having observed the young man performing admirably during away missions. "I did think he seemed a bit young," Kirk admitted.

“While the ensign could be tied with the success rate of the away missions he has been on, is there only way to measure this?” Spock asked.

Mccoy nodded. “He does give off a faint energy signal of some sort. My instruments have trouble picking it up. It could match the signature we have been finding. It’s possible it gets stronger when he’s using his abilities. It…...just needs further study.”

Spock and Kirk looked thoughtful. Mccoy knew that Kirk had a soft spot for kids, especially those from rough backgrounds. He knew he’d be willing to give the ensign a chance, especially if he didn’t mean any harm to the crew. Mccoy was well aware that it broke Jim’s heart not being able to help Charlie Evens; they just were not equipped to help an unstable teen with powers. Hell, Jim had been willing to speak of for the Evens kid when those energy beings came to collect him. Jim had a big capacity for compassion. After all the things that the kid did, Jim was willing to try, arguing that they could teach him, saying that he just needed someone to teach him.

Mccoy mused that, it was a good sign that this ensign, while similar, was very different from that case. At least this kid hadn’t lashed out at anyone with his abilities. And if his hunch was correct, the kid had been using them to help on away missions. Granted, they would have to discuss what would be done. Should they allow him to stay aboard or make him actually go through the academy? Having him underage and possibly on the run from something added a whole other can of worms. Mccoy wanted to give him a chance, but he’d be for the option that would be in the best interest for the kids wellbeing as well as keeping everyone safe.

Scotty looked surprised but interrupted with a hint of defensiveness in his tone. "Ensign Fenton's done well in my department, Doc. Never had any problems with the lad."

"I know," McCoy replied, nodding to acknowledge Scotty's point. "But this goes beyond his work performance. He's a hybrid or augment of some sort, and he's terrified of revealing the truth about his nature and what happened to him."

As McCoy spoke, he could see the concern etched on Kirk's face.

"First, we need to get him to open up," McCoy continued. "I've already tried, but I think maybe Scotty would have better luck, given their working relationship. I think that would be best before we call him in here to explain himself.”

Scotty nodded, determination set in his features. "Aye, I'll give it a go, Doctor. Maybe I can help put his fears to rest."

"Thank you, Scotty." McCoy turned to address the others. "While he's doing that, I'd like you two to help me look into Ensign Fenton's background. His DNA is an exact match for a human, but there's also something else – something I've never seen before. There are no matches in the Starfleet database, so we're dealing with completely uncharted territory here. I have no idea what substance was being experimented on, and from what he told me, his parents found some entity from another dimension, which is very concerning. "

Spock raised an eyebrow, intrigued by the challenge. "Fascinating. We shall assist you in your investigation, Doctor."

"Alright then," McCoy said, clapping his hands together. "Let's get to work."

Danny sat on the biobed, staring at his lap, his fingers fidgeted nervously at his side, and he wished he could simply fade away. But before he could act on the impulse, Scotty approached him with a warm smile and a friendly clap on the back.

"Come now, lad," Scotty said, his tone light and teasing. "Why are you giving our good doctor such a hard time?"

Danny swallowed hard, trying to steady his racing thoughts. He hesitated for a moment before responding, his voice barely above a whisper. "I just... I didn't think anyone would believe me……and……I’ve never had to explain it before."

"Ya shouldn't assume what we will or won't believe Danny," Scotty reassured him gently.

“I know……but it’s hard to talk about…..I always feel like a freak.” Danny replied in a sad tone.

Scotty reached out and placed a hand on Danny's shoulder. “Hey lad, none of that ya hear.” Scotty noticed how the young teen relaxed under his touch. Scotty made eye contact with Danny, giving him a reassuring look. “You’ll always have a place in my department…...but if you want to stay, you have to give the full story to the captain. Giving him the full story will help him make a decision or even decide to give ya an opportunity; otherwise, he might only have a few choices to make for ya.”

“I’ll try…...it’s just hard,” Danny mumbled.

“Now, don’t tell me too much, cause you’ll have to repeat it, but Mccoy told me you could turn invisible, can ya show me?” Scotty asked, he was in truth very curious what the lad could do. And maybe showing the wee lad that he was okay with his abilities would put him at ease.

Danny gave Scotty a shy look but nodded. With that, he disappeared from the visible spectrum.

Danny's disembodied voice echoed through the room. "You don’t think this is weird?”

“What no! This is amazing!” Scotty reaches out and prods at the empty air, his brow furrowed in concentration, as he could feel the solid form of the ensign but not see him. *Really gotta work on the kid’s confidence; something that is weird isn’t bad. * Scotty thought to himself. “Can you do anything else lad?”

Danny, feeling encouraged by Scotty’s reaction and the feeling of his positive emotions flowing off of him, felt comfortable enough to share more. He could tell his boss didn’t think he was a freak. Danny's disembodied voice held a hint of pride. "Watch this." With a shimmer, he reappeared on the bed, concentrating, and his body went transparent; he showed off his ability to go intangible. "I can do all sorts of stuff – phase through walls, even manipulate ice, a bunch of stuff……honestly, if you think of a ghost…...or anything a ghost can do……I can do……” Danny trailed off, testing the waters, without saying HE was half ghost.

Scotty let out a whistle. “That’s mighty impressive, lad!” Scotty gave Danny a considering look. “Have you been using them on away missions?”

Danny nodded eagerly. “Yeah! I’ve been trying my best to help where I can….I have a good handle on them. When I first got them…..it was a mess. I’d accidentally phase out my own clothes or fall through floors.”

Scotty raised an eyebrow at this. “I’m glad ya, got a handle on it, can’t have you falling through the ship out into space. Ya know that will be a good thing to mention to the captain, every little bit of information will help him decided what to do with ya.”

Danny decided not to mention that he’d probably be okay out in space right now. “Do with me? What’s gonna happen?” Danny felt his anxiety increase.

“Nothing bad lad. I Imagine it’s more of deciding whether to ship you back to Earth or not. Regardless if you stay or not, you’ll be ok, lad, Nobody gonna harm ya. However, ya might get some extra chores as punishment for lying. Don’t worry about it to much, I’ll be right here with ya.” Scotty replied.

Before continuing their conversation, Mccoy, Kirk, and Spock exited the CMO’s office and walked over to the medical room where Danny was located.

"Alright, Ensign Fenton," Dr. McCoy said, “Are you ready?” He asked.

Danny nodded his head. He still felt nervous, but he was trying to be brave. It did help that Scotty was standing by his bedside, giving him encouraging glances.

Captain Kirk leaned forward, his eyes filled with compassion. "Danny, we can keep your medical information confidential, but you have to tell Dr. McCoy the truth. Otherwise, you will face disciplinary action, including time in the brig. Do you understand?"

Danny hesitated, his breath hitching in his chest. He glanced at the faces surrounding him—Scotty, who had been nothing but kind; Spock, who regarded him with cool curiosity; and Dr. McCoy, whose concern was palpable beneath his stern facade. Finally, with a heavy sigh, Danny relented.

"Alright," he muttered, casting his eyes downward. “I’ll answer whatever you want to know.”

“Good, good,” Kirk replied, relieved the teen wasn’t giving them a hard time. “I would like to know for the record if your name is Daniel Fenton?”

“Yes, I didn’t lie about that. That’s my real birth name.” Danny replied. He was partly relieved they were starting with the easy questions.

“Fascinating,” Spock spoke up. “Because when we tried to find a file on you, the only documents found were the ones you made. You don’t exist in the Federation database.” Spock ended his statement in a way that prompted an explanation.

Danny rubbed the back of his neck. “How far back did you look?” Danny felt nervous, so much for easy questions.

The senior officers pinned him with an intense stare at that question. Mccoy slowly asked, almost afraid of the answer. “Ensign……What year were you born?”

“Um…..February 12th……1989….” Danny replied having trouble keeping eye contact with the officers around him.

There was a thick silence that felt like it could be cut with a knife. Spock raised his eyebrow in interest. Captain Kirk dragged his hand down his face and gave a deep sigh in frustration. This complicated things if the ensign was to be believed.

Scotty stared incredulously at Danny but soon gave him a thoughtful look. This explanation explained some of the teen's actions and words.

"You're from the past," McCoy said slowly. Comprehension dawned in his eyes. "That's why you lied about your age. You're not just underage - you're centuries displaced!"

“How…. how did this happen, Ensign,” Kirk asked, getting straight to the point.

Danny’s gaze flicked between the officers. "I got stuck here because of a stupid wish."

The disbelief on the faces of his commanding officers was evident, and Dr. McCoy pinched the bridge of his nose in frustration. "Son, you're going to have to explain that one a little better."

“I know, I know," Danny interjected quickly, his voice small. "It's just... hard to explain. And you said to start at the beginning…...ok…here it goes….” Danny's eyes darted between the four older men, weighing his options. With a defeated sigh, he finally relented.  I'm... I'm a half-ghost. My parents are fringe scientists who study this material called ectoplasm….and they figured out a way to build this interdimensional portal. I accidentally got stuck inside when it turned on. The ectoplasm from the Ghost Zone merged with my DNA, making me a human-ghost hybrid. That's why my biology is... weird."

Scotty scratched his head, bemused. "Well, lad, I didn't think it would sound so... strange."

"Of course, it sounds strange!" Danny huffed; his cheeks flushed with indignation.

“While strange, it’s not out of the range of possibilities, and while impressive someone from the 20th century could create that level of technology, it’s not impossible.” Spock cut in. “This portal you mentioned, where their beings inside, did something send you through time?” Spock asked.

“Yeah……these ghosts from the zone, they’re like energy beings……they have their own culture, government, laws, and lives. It’s like a world, like the inverse of this one. It’s very different. From what I understand, ectoplasm combines with a soul and makes them into this energy being, kinda like a second life. Cause you get all these different instincts and impulses. And……I know not all of the beings in this dimension started out on this side of reality, like they give birth, and some formed in the zone, so I guess not all of them had a different live.” Danny tried his best to explain, but it was hard, how do you explain an entire culture and world in a few words.

“Fascinating,” Spock replied.

“I’m taking it one of these ‘ghosts’ or energy beings sent you forward?” Kirk asked his expression thoughtfully.

“Yea…...there’s this ghost that’s a genie, she likes to grant wishes, but she twists them, and she gets stronger after doing this. She’s a pain to fight……they like to fight….but also I had to cause….she was causing trouble in my town……granted wishes left and right, like someone would ask for a dog, but she’s make this giant rabbit monster dog that would try to eat them…..”

“Is this common…. a common ability?” Mccoy asked, his tone of concern.

“Um…..everyone has abilities. I’d say her ability wasn’t common, at least not that I’ve seen. The common ones that everyone gets…. are invisibility, flight and intangibility. Everything else varies, depending on all sorts of stuff.” Danny replied. He didn’t want to get into obsessions just yet. This was a lot to explain at one time.

“What did you wish for exactly, lad?” Scotty asked, generally curious.

“Um…. ok, understand I wanted to be an astronaut, and I didn’t know she was close by……I just….it was an off handed comment…. I just said I wish I could go to space…...I didn’t expect to get flung into the future.” Danny explained.

"Ensign Fenton," Spock inquired, a rare note of curiosity in his voice, "is invisibility the extent of your capabilities?"

Danny hesitated for a moment before admitting, "No, I can do lots of stuff."

Kirk held up one hand, stopping any further explanation. “I would also like a full report on all the abilities you possess and a demonstration, but we can get to that later. Danny, where are you from?”

“I’m from Amity Park, Illinois. I imagine you’re gonna look me up. Can you not tell me what you find? I’ve been avoiding looking at history stuff and what happened to my hometown. Or if I make it back or not…... I’ve been scared that I don’t.”

“You believe you’re not stranded here?” Spock asked.

“Um….well….there’s this one ghost….his name is Clockwork, his main ability has to do with time. He watches the timelines and corrects them when they go wrong. I figured he’d pluck me out and send me home. But he hasn’t, so maybe I’m supposed to be here. I hope he’ll get me home, or maybe I have to find my way to the zone and ask him that way. But he’s really hard to find if he doesn’t want to be found. I was hoping he’d send me home, cause talking to him can be annoying, he likes to say things in riddles.” Danny explained.

The senior officers were looking at him with looks of surprise and incredulous stares.

“We’re going to come back to that ensign. Clearly, you’ve lived an exciting life.” Kirk said. “But I promise we won’t tell you of any……spoilers…. but yes, it would provide a way to confirm your story.”

“Danny, it sounds like these beings had access to your town?” Scotty asked.

“Yeah, the portal my parents built was never shut down, so it provided an open doorway for them to get through….now not all of them are like this……most tend to stay in the zone…..but some would attack my town…..and since I was really the only one that could stand up to them…..I’d have to fight them.” Danny replied, thinking nothing of this.

“What about you’re parents?” Kirk asked.

“They didn’t know…... I was scared to tell them.”  Tears pricked at the corners of Danny's eyes. "They believed that all ghosts are evil, as something to be hunted down and destroyed. I wasn’t sure they would accept me.” Danny admitted, his voice shaking. “They already hated my ghost form…...they’d shoot at me….and try to capture me and talk about dissecting me and tearing me apart molecule by molecule.”

The four older men around him looked at him in horror at this.

“Kid…..I hope you know, we’d never do that to you…..that Starfleet wouldn’t do that do you.” Mccoy asked with slow, measured words. He’d love to give the kid's parents a good talking to and set them straight for the neglect and abuse they put their kid through.

“The whole ghost thing, it's not something everyone gets. And I didn't want to end up some science experiment or, worse, kicked out of Starfleet." Danny replied, tone sad.

McCoy sighed, his expression softening further. "Son, do you really think we'd do that to you? Starfleet is about embracing diversity and finding strength in our differences. You should've trusted us."

"Guess I messed up, huh?" Danny's shoulders slumped.

"Let's not focus on that," McCoy replied. "Now, tell me more about this 'ghost form' of yours. What does that mean?"

Danny rubbed the back of his neck. "Uh, basically, I can switch between my human and ghost forms. Basically, I present more of one biologically when I do this change.”

“Was this change drastically different than your human form?” Kirk asked, wondering if the kid’s parents didn’t recognize him, not that it would excuse the hunting of a sentient being.

“I mean…...it’s not too different…look wise. I glow and have white hair and green eyes…... but I don’t look too different…... I think it was not something people would think is possible, so nobody made the connection.” Danny replied with a shrug.

“I think that’s enough for now……I’ll let you know of my decision later…...this is a lot to take in. In the meantime, Bones, keep Danny in medical for now until we get this sorted out.” Kirk focused his attention on Danny again. “Will you let Mccoy do an in-depth DNA and physical examination?”

"Yes, Captain," Danny agreed, his shoulders slumping slightly in resignation.

"Let's work on creating a baseline for your normal, shall we?" McCoy suggested, trying to put Danny at ease. "It might be slow going since you don't know all the details yourself, but it's important that we understand your unique physiology."

Danny nodded, swallowing hard. "Yes, sir."

"You're safe here. I promise we'll take good care of you," Mccoy told him, patting his arm.

The boy offered a tentative smile. "Thanks, I appreciate it."

McCoy nodded to Kirk, Spock, and Scotty as they left. He turned to his young patient and said firmly, "Now then, let's start getting a baseline..."

Chapter 9

[mythicaldemigoddess-of-deltarune]

Buttercup Lifts Couch & Mammon Becomes A Dad...? (2024)

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

Credit for Steven Universe Series goes to Rebecca Sugar

Credit for Hazbin Hotel & Helluva Boss goes to Vivienne "Vivziepop” Medrano

Credit for Invader Zim goes to Jhonen Vasquez

Credit for Undertale & Deltarune goes to Toby Fox

Credit for Transformers goes to Hasbro & TakaraTomy

Credit Transformers Animated Series goes to Sam Register & Matt Youngberg

Credit for The Powerpuff Girls goes to Craig McCracken

Credit for Danny Phantom goes to Butch Hartman

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

if anyone is wondering, Pink-Pearl is suppose to still look like her original gem humanoid but she is also suppose to be a Moth, and well if Lonely-Pearl was a Moth in her corrupted form, it would make sense that Pearls in a Crossover between Helluva Boss/Hazbin Hotel and Steven Universe, they would be Moths but still look a bit how they originally looked.

I want to call Pink-Pearl by the nickname "Vollie" but it's okay not everyone calls her that, and it would be interesting in a Crossover Fanon Timeline she forms a friendship with Verosika.

and yes I gave that Soundwave a bow on their head, it is suppose to be one of those Sound-Wave copies of the Original Sounwave.

I have had the idea for a while, that Lancer mistakes Mammon as his Dad, just in a different outfit...

I worked on this drawing around January and I'm just now posting it on February...it was not great a few days ago, I know during my trying to write a theory that has to do with Sari that of course has to do with a Crossover with Hazbin Hotel and TFA...

the connection kept going on and off, and yeah I ended up noticing a bit too late that I forgot to put the word "just" and well it is called "Hazformers Theory: What Sari Could Be Doing With Her Autobot Friends MIA" but even when I was trying to write it, the connection kept going off on me, and it was only making me more mad and feeling not so happy...so even when I got lucky and was finally able to post it, but when I wanted to log back on to fix and edit what I notice I forgot to put down on it...and yeah I had finally got around to it today...

but I was having some trouble logging back on, which I think it was because of the connection going off and on me again, and it might of possibly messed up my password, cause when I did try to use it again today......it didn't turn out too well, I still couldn't get on and at some point I had to make a new password just so I could post not only some new fan theories, but also this drawing and that

I seriously wasn't having a good day, I couldn't really get to sleep and well I do feel a little tired right now, it doesn't help that what happen was I guess a bit stressful...

and anyway Peridot is being Feral and is suppose to have Doe Ears and a Tail, like Peridots end up with Deer like appearance.

Alastor ending up adopting her and having her on that very thing that we see her have on her in one of the episodes of Steven Universe, well it can be one of the ways to keep her from running off when she gets all feral...like it only comes off if she calms down and doesn't act all feral.

and even when you make the drawing big, to read what is being said...

here is what Mammon is saying...

"when did I become a Dad…? I don't remember having a kid…unless Stella has been keeping it a secret from me. oh man, do I need to marry Stella?! I'm NOT ready yet!!! I need to call Stella and tell her to pick up our little acciden-…cough I mean Son."

also in this drawing, Buttercup Utonium is 22 years old, so this is the much older future self of Buttercup.

I think I will post one more thing, than I will be heading to bed to get some sleep...I rather post it now than wait until either tomorrow or in a few days...plus if I'm able to, I may talk more about that Hazbin Hotel/Helluva Boss Theory that has to do with Soul-Partnership Contract...

anyway hope some find it funny that Lancer thinks that Mammon is his Dad, and making Mammon very confused...also I like the Mamtella ship between Mammon and Stella.....their ship name still sounds like a type of food you put on toast, and I don't know if many will end up using that Mamtella ship name or not, so far I'm the first to call those two by that ship name. XD

[dp-marvel94]

It was an Accident, I Swear. Part 8

For EctoberHaunt day 11, Dread and Calm

Summary: Elle finally meets Jack and Maddie.

Word Count: 3,376

First -> Previous

Also on AO3 and Fanfiction.net

Note: Surprise! Who thought this story was dead? *author raises hand* In all seriousness, I figured I'd brush off this story in celebration of finishing Face to Face (epilogue still to be posted!) Plus Ectoberhaunt gives me helpful prompts and more excuses to write! The dread/calm prompt for October 11th is pretty loosely used here but hey, I tried. 🤷 Anyway, enjoy!

The confrontation with Valerie behind them, the three half ghosts flew off into the night… and towards Fentonworks. 

Elle’s stomach churned with nerves at the thought. Fentonworks. Where Danny lived. With his ghost hunter parents, the Drs. Fenton. 

The half ghost had seen both of the adults before, of course. During her short stays in Amity, the girl had caught glimpses in passing, despite her efforts to avoid them. Jack and Maddie, barreling down the road in their RV, in pursuit of a ghost. The blue-suited hunter’s aim was scarily accurate. And the man…. His boisterous laugh rang in her mind, effortlessly swinging a massive bazooka on his shoulder. From the little she’d seen, the two were a terrifyingly good ghost-hunting team. And she was a ghost. 

Normally, those two thoughts together would be dread-inducing. But…

“Long story short. Dad accidentally cloned me….. they know about me being Phantom now.”

They knew. Jack and Maddie knew about Danny’s powers, the ghost hunting, about Phantom. Not only that but… they knew about her.

“And he and Mom have already said they want you as their kid.”

When Elle had first met Danny, she’d overshadowed Maddie and Jack to get him and his friends out of trouble. She’d felt so much more than a flash of each parents’ worry for their son. 

The overwhelming motherly love…the MADDIE program, Vlad’s sad attempt to copy the woman, was a painfully dull imitation in light of the real thing; The contrast shocked her, enough that her control of the overshadowing wavered. 

And Jack…she’d caught a whiff of memory. Late at night, the man peering into Danny’s empty bedroom. A chilling dread in the pit of his stomach. Where was his son?

The Fenton parents loved their children, without a doubt. And…the off-hand comment Danny had made, about Jamie’s origin…..

The girl blinks, mind sputtering. “Your dad cloned you.”

“Technically he’s your dad too.”

That was true in the technical sense. Maddie Fenton was her biological mother, Jack Fenton her biological father. They were her parents by blood. And they wanted her.

But did she want them?

Elle pushed the thought away, the Fenton house now looming large in her vision. This was it…

Danny and then Jamie turned invisible, both half ghosts’ outlines shimmering in her vision. Elle followed, invisible herself, as the two boys flew down and phased through the front door. 

For just a moment, the girl took in the scene. The living room, suspiciously clean and organized, compared to her last time seeing it. Maddie, mid-pace, worrying her lip. Jack on the couch, face just as tight, fiddling with something on his lap.

“Mads, they’re fine.” The man was saying. “The kids will be back any second- Ow.” He cut himself off, pricked finger going into his mouth. Needlepoint… that’s what he was messing with.

“We’re back.” Danny said, he and Jamie wavering back into visibility. 

Both adults startled at the sound, turning. 

“Boys.” The woman gasped. “Don’t scare me like that.”

“Sorry.” The oldest half ghost blushed sheepishly.

Maddie waved it off. “No need to be sorry.” She hurried forward. “Are you two alright? What happened?” 

A hand reached under Jamie’s chin, concerned eyes looking for… something. Bruise? Cuts?

“Mom, I’m fine.” The boy didn’t pull away. He didn’t even sound annoyed, just tired. “A lot happened but we’re all fine.”

The woman just looked more worried. Jack joined her, standing in front of both boys. He hugged both while Maddie continued fussing over non-existent injuries.

And Elle… she still floated there invisibly, mouth agape. This was unreal. Danny and Jamie were in spectral form, both glowing and floating in the ghost hunters’ living room. And the two adults… weren’t blinking an eye. They were hovering, concerned, affectionate even. But… they were acting like this was completely normal.

Jack and Maddie knew. They really knew.

The man pulled out of the hug with his two sons. His head turned, searching. “Where’s Elle-bug?”

Elle- bug….?

“That’s right.” Maddie stepped back. “Your little sister was supposed to be here today. Did you find her? Is she alright? Where is she?” Her gaze flickered, just a hint below frantic. Why…

Right. Elle was still invisible.

She popped back into sight. “I’m uh… right here. Hi.” The girl gave a tentative wave.

Both adults turned at the scene, eyes widening. 

“You must be Elle.” Maddie’s lips crinkled, a warm, relieved smile spreading on her face. “Danny told us so much about you.”

And Jack… “You’re here, kiddo!” His jovial voice boomed, all previous anxiety gone. 

Before the clone girl even registered, strong arms swept her up. She squeaked, pulled to the man’s steady chest.

“It’s great to finally meet ya, Elle.” The laughter shook her. “Your mom and me have been so excited. We already starting setting up your room and-”

“Jack, honey.” Maddie cut in. “Don’t overwhelm her.”

“Oh. Sorry, girlie.” The man let her go.

Elle dropped, too overwhelmed to even try to keep herself in the air. She stumbled, managing to land on her feet.

Jamie drifted over, a comforting hand resting on her shoulder. “You alright?”

“Fine.” She shuffled awkwardly, half-standing behind him. “‘S just a lot.”

Both adults’ brows furrowed, for just a moment faces flickering between something like hurt and disappointment.

Then Jack reached up to rub the back of his neck. “Sorry, kiddo.” He smiled apologetically. “I got excited. Just so happy you’re here.”

“We’re both very relieved you’re safe.” Maddie added kindly. “How about we start again? I’m Maddie Fenton, Danny and James’ mom.”

“And I’m Jack! Fenton family patriarch. This one’s lucky husband and dad to two… I mean three… err, four? Beautiful kids.”

Elle winced at each of those slips up. Four… he wasn’t counting her, was he?

“And you are?” The woman gently cued her on. 

“I’m uh… Danielle. But I go by Elle. I’m half ghost. I like burgers and traveling and playing tag with Danny. And uh… I don’t have a favorite color because they’re all great. And uh… what else am I supposed to say?”

The woman chuckled. “There’s nothing you’re supposed to say, sweetie.” She shook her head, a fond smile on her face. “It’s wonderful to meet you, Elle.” She motioned to the couch. “Would you like to sit down for a bit? Maybe something to eat or drink?”

“I’m sure you want some fudge!” Jack turned, enthusiastically stomping towards the kitchen.

“Uh… a snack sounds good. I guess.” Ellie shrugged.

“Yeah!” Jamie agreed. With a flash of light, he turned human. Danny and Elle did the same. “We didn’t get to finish our burgers and shakes.” He pouted, arms crossed.

“Oh, I’m sorry, sweetie. I’m sure we can fix that.” Maddie turned, also walking into the kitchen. “Burgers and shakes I can’t do tonight but…” She opened the freezer, brow furrowing in consideration. “How do pizza rolls sound?”

“Pizza rolls?” The girl perked up slightly.

“That sounds great, Mom.” Danny answered, at the same time Jamie nodded eagerly.

“What are pizza rolls?” Elle looked between the two boys, picking up on their excitement.

The oldest grinned. “It’s this crispy crust pillow thing.” He motioned with shape with his fingers. “With cheese and sauce and little bits of pepperoni inside.”

“They’re so good.” Jamie gushed, stars in his eyes.

Well, Ellie was sold.

The three half ghosts watched, wide-eyed and practically drooling, while Maddie lined up the tiny pockets on the tray. She placed it in the heating oven.

“It will take at least fifteen minutes.” The woman waved the kids off, fondly exacerbated. “Go sit down.”

“Fine, fine.” Jamie huffed, eyes still smiling. 

He and Danny obliged, Elle following with a curious look. The three kids sat on the couch, the girl in the middle. Maddie joined, taking the armchair.

“I’ve got the fudge!” Jack announced, almost reverently placing the tray onto the coffee table. He grabbed a piece, flopping into the recliner. Then, popping the piece into his mouth, he chewed excitedly and swallowed. “Good old Fenton Family recipe!”

Both boys grabbed their own pieces. 

As soon as Jamie took a bite, he groaned appreciatively. “So good.”

“I know, right?” Danny agreed, mouth full of chocolate. 

“Danny, don’t talk with your mouth full.” Maddie reprimanded lightly. 

“What’d ya say?” The boy answered playfully, opening his mouth wider.

“Gross.” Jamie laughed, a hand held up to block his brother’s mouth. “I don’t wanna see your food!” 

“You don’t?” Danny’s head titled, tone exaggeratedly innocent. “How’s this?” He blinked invisible, another piece of fudge disappearing from the plate a second later. “Problem solved.” Came the witty response, through loud chewing.

Elle giggled at the scene, something in her loosening. 

Jack’s eyes widened, excitedly fixing on her at the sound. “Go ahead and try some, kiddo.”

Without hesitation, the girl obliged. The soft confection touched her tongue and she melted. Not literally, of course. Her eyes practically rolled back in bliss, her body untensing.

Beside her, Danny laughed. “It is good, huh?” Popping into visibility, he ruffled her hair.

At that, Elle straightened up a bit, crossing her arms in a pout. Still…. Her lips twisted, pleased.

For a long moment, the group ate their own pieces of fudge, a contented quiet falling over the room. The youngest half ghost hummed happily, eating her third piece. Jack Fenton could make good fudge; she had to give him that.

Finally… Maddie wiped her fingers on a paper towel and broke the silence. “I’m very relieved that Elle found us safely and you three were able to spend time together. But you are back later than expected. And I’m sensing that wasn’t from just losing track of time. James, Danny, what happened?”

The woman asked gently, with no hint of accusation. And yet… dread dropped again in Elle’s stomach. 

The boys traded worried looks. “Well….” Jamie bit his lip, drawing out the word. “Skulker kidnapped me for Vlad.”

“What?!” Both adults exclaimed at the same time.

The boy winced. “Apparently the fruitloop was mad you haven’t been answering his calls.” He frowned at Danny.

“Of course I haven’t.” The oldest teen crossed his arms. “He just wants to rant about how much better he is than Dad. And how I should have joined him when I had the chance.” His voice drawled, a grating impression of Vlad. “And ‘Daniel, how is your dear mother? Has she left the oaf yet?”

“Danny.” Maddie cut in softly, pained eyes flitting to her husband. 

Elle’s gaze fell on the man and she winced. Instead of the happy, boisterous man she was getting used to, he was pale, face fallen and misty-eyed, like someone had shot his puppy. 

“Oh.” Beside her, Danny looked down guilty. “Sorry Dad.” 

“It’s alright son.” Despite the words, Jack Fenton did not look alright. But… he wiped his face, expression hardening. “James, son, did he hurt you?”

“No.. umm…” He rubbed the back of his neck. “I mean, he got in a few ectoblasts. And he slapped me…” The younger boy looked down, rubbing one of his cheeks.

A hint of Jamie’s discomfort and hurt brushed Elle’s consciousness and her core buzzed in sympathy. She understood. All too well. Vlad had yelled at her too, slapped her, and… done much worse. She shivered at the thought.

Across from them, Maddie sucked in a breath, a fire lit in her eyes. “That man…”

“I’m going to hurt him.” Jack’s fists clenched in his lap, shaking slightly.

“Jamie captured him.” Danny cut in. “In the thermos.” With a flash of light, the object appeared in his hands. He carefully placed it on the table.

Elle eyed it warily. “I still can’t believe you got him in that.” She said quietly, insides still twisting fearfully. Vlad was in there. In there, right in front of her and-

Meanwhile, both adults blinked, surprised by the sudden appearance. “Where did that come from?” Maddie pointed.

“From wherever my clothes go when I go ghost.” Danny shrugged. 

“Anyway.” Jamie continued. “That’s one less thing to worry about, I guess.”

Jack just stared at the device. “That’s the thermos I made for Vladdie for Christmas.” He then shook his head, face hardening. “How long can he stay in there?”

“Jazz had me stuck in there for a whole day once so he’ll be fine for a while.” Danny said.

“No, I mean… can he break out?” His eyes narrowed.

Elle’s gaze whipped from the thermos. That tone. He didn’t mean…

“Probably not?” Danny eyed the device dubiously. 

“Good.” Jack said darkly. 

And the clone girl gasped, taken aback. Where was the bubbly man she’d just meet? Or… 

“I want to bury that in the backyard and forget about it.” The man’s voice shook with anger. 

Her stomach turned, sour. Was this the vicious hunter she’d seen chasing ghosts at all hours?

“Punt it to the farthest corners of the ghost Zone.” His fists clinched, eyes sharp. “Shoot it with ever ghost weapon we’ve ever made.” 

Elle’s mouth was dry, her heart in her throat. What...

The man’s voice finally wavered. “He hurt my kids.” Something was glistening in the corner of his eye…  “He’s tortured Danny-boy. Made Jazzy-pants fight her brother. Just met Jamie-bean and already hurt him. And… and…” That something fell. And it was… tears. “He almost killed Elle-bug, before we even knew she existed. ”

Jack Fenton was… crying.

“He tried to kill Elle.” Jack’s shoulders shook. “I hate him. I want to make him pay. I want to hurt him but…” His voice lowered, a near whimper. “I can’t. I can’t do it. He was my best friend. This… this wasn’t supposed to happen…” The man trailed off, sniffling quietly

The words sank the room into heavy silence and Elle’s head swam. Jack was crying. He was crying… over her.

“We’ll figure this out Jack.” Maddie finally cut in, placing a comforting hand on his arm. “It will be okay. We wouldn’t let him keep hurting our family.”

Another silent pause. Jack lifted his head, meeting his wife’s eyes. Still watery eyes, he nodded and squeezed her hand. 

Then… he lifted his chin. Whipping his face, a determined gaze fixed on the three half ghosts huddled on the couch. “He won’t touch any of you. Never again. We’ll protect you.” Guilt flickered again, behind his eyes. “We should have been long before now. But we failed. We failed you kids. Especially you, baby girl.”

Baby girl… Something in her cracked at the affectionate nickname. “You didn’t… you didn’t even know about me though…” She looked down, wringing her hands. 

“We should have.” The woman emphasized, eyes serious. “We should have made Danny and Jazz feel safe enough to come to us about anything. This should have been your home from the beginning.” She shook her head. “We can’t do anything about the past. But we will do everything we can to make it up to you now.”

Just then, the oven timer beeped. 

“That’s the pizza rolls.” Maddie stood, walking over to the kitchen.

And Elle stared down at her hands, feeling her world turn on its head. The excitement, the kind words. The hug. The fudge. The nicknames. Promises of protection, a home. 

The girl sniffled, her core aching. It was too much. 

She barely registered the movement around her, mind consumed. 

…Won’t touch you. Never again. Protect you…

Voices speaking. “...idea… do with him…. Lab… for now…”

Your home from the beginning…  do everything we can to make it up…

The thump of metal against wood. Jack’s heavy steps, walking away. 

Your mom and me have been so excited. We already starting setting up your room and-

Movement in front of her. “Here’s… rolls.” 

Elle-bug. Baby Girl. Sweetie. Kiddo.

Red hair, kind purple eyes. “And… water.”

Mom and Dad said they want you as their kid.

“Elle?” 

The girl blinked, the word finally perforating her watery brain. Her eyes focused on… Oh. It was Maddie, kneeling in front of her. A small plate was offered to her from one hand, a cup of water from the other. 

Numbly, Elle nodded, reaching for the drink. A shaking hand enveloped the cup, pulling it towards her and… Water splashed onto her shirt. She dropped it.

In front of her, Maddie’s brow wrinkled… “Are you alright, sweetie?” with a motherly concern.

Elle broke. 

Practically throwing herself at the woman, she blubbered, cried. 

With a gasp of surprise, the woman hugged her back. “It’s okay. It’s just a cup of water.” She soothed.

No. No. That wasn’t…. She wasn’t…

“Do you… do you really…” Elle’s chest heaved, panting out the words. “Really want me?”

Silence. Maddie’s hushing cut off. The girl’s heart skipped. No. No. She’d done it now. She’d messed up and-

One hand reached, cradling the back of her head. “Yes. Yes, of course. We want you.” The sincere, intense conviction in those words… “You’re our daughter.”

“You’re our baby girl.” Jack agreed, strong but gentle arms enveloping her. “We love you.”

Love. They loved her. The words rung in her head. Impossible, unbelievable. They didn’t even know her and she didn’t know them. But…

Jamie and Danny moving to either side of her, their hands on her back, her shoulder. And… their conviction, determination. Her brothers loved her. They wanted her to be safe and happy and here with them. And…

Reassurance. A silence vow. This was true. It was real. Jack and Maddie. Mom and Dad did love her. They wanted to be her parents, this her home. And she could have it. Those things could be hers. If she could just have the courage to take them.

Elle cried harder, her core trembling. She… she wanted to believe but… Vlad’s red eyes, his sneaking face rang in her head.

You exist to serve me.

He’d… he’d been her parent.  He’d made her. He’d been her father. And… and he threw her away. She’d just been a placeholder, a failed proto type to him. Vlad had never loved her. 

So how could she believe…

But… Jack Fenton’s face, crying over her. 

“He tried to kill Elle.” Jack’s shoulders shook. “I hate him. I want to make him pay.”

Anger. Not because he hated ghosts inherently. Not because he personally felt betrayed but… 

He hurt my kids. His kids….. His kids. And… Elle counted in those, didn’t she?

The girl gasped, more tears coming. It really was too good to be true but… a touch of bravery from her brothers. It licked at the doubts, ready to burn them away. And…

Elle grasped the courage, fanning it into flame. “I… I want to stay.” She managed out. “I want to stay.”

The arms holding her tightened. “Of course you can stay. We… we want you to stay.” Maddie… Mom promised. 

“You’re going to be okay, kiddo. I promise.” Jack… Dad said.

The girl nodded, relaxing more into the hug, into the caring arms around him. Soft words, reassurances washed over her. Love made manifest. The longer she stayed in the embrace, the more calm settled. A much needed peace. 

Elle let herself believe her new dad’s words. She was going to be okay.

Note: Sorry for the rushed ending. I'd hoped to address where Jazz is; Jack and Maddie were supposed to get her when her younger sibs got back but they forgot. 😂 (Actually, I didn't want to add anymore characters to a full scene.) Also, the confrontation with Valerie still has to be addressed and the actual plan to deal with Vlad. Hopefully I can address that at some point. And maybe not with a three year gasp between chapters this time. That's it for now! 😅

But that's it for now. I really wanted to finish and post this before starting on my Ectoimplosion fic! I got my assignment tonight and I'm very excited!

[twoidiotwriters1]

The Curse of Oenone (Leo Valdez xFem!Oc)

A/N: Honestly I love deranged women -Danny Words: 2,089 Series' Masterlist Previous Chapter // Next Chapter Listen to: 'Keeping Your Head Up' -by Birdy

XLV: We Gaslight Gatekeep Girlboss Through

It must be sturdy down here because Hazel isn't insisting on going in first before Ara. Unless she's so pissed that she's hoping Ara will die on accident. This wouldn't be the first time in Ara's life that a child of the Underworld prays for her downfall.

The girl walks forward while Leo tries to cheer Hazel up. Ara has a goal and a plan, and that keeps her mind clear, so she's okay... as okay as she can be after hearing her dead sister talking to her. A squeak makes her stop making the two kids behind her collide against her. Gale the gassy polecat is glaring at them from the ground. 

"Not the farting weasel again," Leo groans. "If that thing lets loose in close quarters like this, with my fire and all, we're gonna explode."

The polecat goes off on Leo in a series of irritated screeches and Hazel hushes it. "Be ready," she tells them. "We're getting close." 

"Close to what?" Leo questions.

"Close to me." Answers a fourth voice."Welcome. I've looked forward to this."

The decoration in this new room is screaming: YOU'RE DYING TODAY! But Ara's attention isn't on that. Right in the middle of the chamber, is a set of elevator doors that remind her of the ones leading to Olympus.

"That's it," Ara breathes.

"Yup," Leo sounds less enthusiastic about it. "Those are doors, all right."

Ara spots the chains on each side and her hand reaches for Almighty, but she doesn't move. It can't be this easy.

"Where are you?" Hazel asks tensely.

"Don't you see us? I thought Hecate chose you for your skill."

A dark cloud forms and vanishes just as quickly leaving a tall giant in its place. He's not too different from his brethren, except that he's all black and made of smoke. He's weaponless, which concerns Ara.

Leo whistles under his breath. "You know, Clytius... for such a big dude, you've got a beautiful voice."

"Idiot." 

A woman shows up next to the giant: Full Greek attire, a high updo that reminds Ara of that movie Silena used to love—Pride and Prejudice, the one with Keira Knightley—and a necklace with a miniature maze. 

"Oh!" Ara lets out in understanding. "You're the minotaur's momma!"

"Arae Jackson," the lady sneers. "I have a name."

"Pasiphaë," Hazel replies.

"My dear Hazel Levesque," the woman nods politely.

"You two know each other?" Leo asks. "Like Underworld chums, or—"

"Silence, fool. I have no use for demigod boys—always so full of themselves, so brash and destructive."

"Hey, lady, I don't destroy things much. I'm a son of Hephaestus."

"A tinkerer," Pasiphaë scoffs. "Even worse. I knew Daedalus. His inventions brought me nothing but trouble."

"Daedalus... like, the Daedalus? Well, then, you should know all about us tinkerers. We're more into fixing, building, occasionally sticking wads of oilcloth in the mouths of rude ladies—"

"Leo." Hazel interrupts him. "Let me take this, okay?"

"Listen to your friend—Be a good boy and let the women talk."

Ara's eyes go past the giant and to the doors behind him. She tries to figure out how to run past him, but if he doesn't move, she can't tell how to one-up him. "Easy, child of Olympus," the woman speaks like soothing an energetic puppy. "We'll get to that in a moment."

"Your—your friend doesn't say much," Hazel points out. 

"Pray he stays silent, my dear. Gaea has given me the pleasure of dealing with you; but Clytius is my, ah, insurance. Just between you and me, as sister sorceresses, I think he's also here to keep my powers in check, in case I forget my new mistress's orders. Gaea is careful that way."

"Whatever you're planning," Hazel continues, "it won't work. We've cut through every monster Gaea's put in our path. If you're smart, you'll get out of our way."

"You don't look like much," the woman continues unbothered. "But then you demigods never do. My husband, Minos, king of Crete? He was a son of Zeus. You would never have known it by looking at him. He was almost as scrawny as that one." 

"Wow," Leo grumbles. "Minos must've done something really horrible to deserve you."

"Oh... you have no idea," Pasiphaë's eyes flare up. "He was too proud to make the proper sacrifices to Poseidon, so the gods punished me for his arrogance."

"The Minotaur," Hazel brings up Ara's only memory of the myth.

"Yes. My disgrace was unbearable. After my son was born and locked in the Labyrinth, Minos refused to have anything to do with me. He said I had ruined his reputation! And do you know what happened to Minos, Hazel Levesque? For his crimes and his pride? He was rewarded. He was made a judge of the dead in the Underworld, as if he had any right to judge others! Hades gave him that position. Your father."

"Pluto, actually."

"I knew Minos," Ara declares. "Big-time loser."

"Irrelevant," the woman scowls. "I hate demigods as much as I hate the gods. Any of your brethren who survive the war, Gaea has promised to me, so that I may watch them die slowly in my new domain. I only wish I had more time to torture you properly. Alas—"

The Doors of Death light up a sign letting them know someone is coming. Ara's heart nearly jumps out of her chest.

"There, you see?" Pasiphaë sighs. "The Doors are in use. Twelve minutes, and they will open."

"More giants?" Hazel's voice trembles.

"Thankfully, no. They are all accounted for—back in the mortal world and in place for the final assault... No, I would imagine the Doors are being used by someone else... someone unauthorized."

"Percy and Annabeth," Leo states.

Ara draws out Almighty. "I'm sorry, but there is little you can do to keep me from making sure they get out alive."

"Oh, not to worry." Pasiphaë shrugs. "Clytius will handle them. You see, when the chime sounds again, someone on our side needs to push the UP button or the Doors will fail to open and whoever is inside—poof. Gone. Or perhaps Clytius will let them out and deal with them in person. That depends on you."

"How exactly does it depend on us?" Hazel asks.

"Well, obviously, we need only one set of demigods alive. The lucky two will be taken to Athens and sacrificed to Gaea at the Feast of Hope."

"Obviously," Leo makes a face.

"So will it be one of you two and that annoying boy, or your friends in the elevator? Let's see who is still alive in twelve... actually, eleven minutes, now."

Ara runs into battle only to be swallowed up by darkness. Just like in her dreams, she gets spit out in the middle of a different scenery, with Hazel and Leo on each side of her.

"What the heck? Where are we?" Leo looks around in confusion.

"This is an illusion," Ara turns to Hazel with urgency. "Get us out of it."

Hazel scowls. "I'm trying."

Leo lightly hits a wall with his fist. "Pretty solid illusion."

"Annoyingly realistic," Ara agrees. "But it's beatable. It has to be."

"Got it," Hazel replies grumpily. "Would be more useful if you could just shoot around until you hit Pasiphaë?"

The woman laughs, and the illusion becomes stronger. "Oh..." Ara backtracks until she's right up against the wall. "No no no..." Her eyes widen. "Not this place again..."

"What? What is it?" Leo gets closer. "What's wrong?"

"The Labyrinth," Hazel says with a stringy voice. "She's remaking the Labyrinth."

It's the only thing in the world that makes Ara's skin crawl this way, and now she's back in it.

"What now?" Leo asks anxiously. "I thought the Labyrinth collapsed during that battle at Camp Half-Blood—like, it was connected to Daedalus's life force or something, and then he died."

"Ah, but I am still alive," the sorcesses replies bemusedly. "You credit Daedalus with all the maze's secrets? I breathed magical life into his Labyrinth. Daedalus was nothing compared to me—the immortal sorceress, daughter of Helios, sister of Circe! Now the Labyrinth will be my domain."

"This place was indecipherable," Ara's knees buckle. "I can't beat it!"

"It's an illusion," Hazel reminds her. "We just have to break through it."

"Too late, too late," Pasiphaë taunts them. "The maze is already awake. It will spread under the skin of the earth once more while your mortal world is leveled. You demigods... you heroes... will wander its corridors, dying slowly of thirst and fear and misery. Or perhaps, if I am feeling merciful, you will die quickly, in great pain!"

Ara remembers what it did to Chris and Clarisse, and how it got Lee Fletcher killed. She wants no more suffering, her people have seen enough of that. "You petty psycho!" The girl hisses. "You're gonna sit there in your centuries-old mummified ass and antagonize a trio of TEENAGERS? You can stick your loathing up your crinkled butt!"

Ara turns to Hazel with vengeful, wild eyes. She's been cornered and hates when others make her feel small. Nemesis told her she'd be a massive pain in the ass for others one day, Pasiphaë's about to find out.

She holds Hazel's face and uses charmspeak. "Hazel, this is your labyrinth. Build us a way out." Hazel raises a hand, opening a hallway before them. The girl runs tugging them forward. "Give her what she wants!" Ara encourages her.

The floor opens and Hazel jumps in, pulling Ara and Leo along. Both scream as they fall, but they land much faster than expected, and it doesn't hurt. The walls around them flicker and Ara spots Pasiphaë.

"You'll rot in your hatred!" She grabs her flintlock and shoots. "Hazel's so much better than you! "

"Eight minutes now!" Pasiphaë speaks over her, the walls building back up. "I'd love to see you survive, truly. That would prove you worthy sacrifices to Gaea in Athens. But then, of course, we wouldn't need your friends in the elevator."

Ara whispers directions to Hazel every time the walls flicker so the younger girl can build a path. Hazel does make a show out of it imagining traps, poisonous gas, and debris that collapses around them, which delights Pasiphaë so much she puts less effort into the illusion.

"Seven minutes now—If only we had more time! So many indignities I'd like you to suffer."

Ara still feels like a scared ten-year-old, she still thinks of herself as the short, vain girl she was seven months ago when she met Leo. It may feel like she has nothing to offer, but she does.

"I'll show you indignity," Ara turns Almighty into a bow. She uses her charmspeak again. "Show yourself, Pasiphaë!"

Ara's voice comes out stronger than the woman's defenses, so distracted that her mind can't reject the orders. The walls flicker away and Hazel sees Pasiphaë, and when the woman lifts the illusion again, it's too late.

Hazel creates a ramp and pushes them forward to throw them into a large pit. This time, the fall doesn't last at all and the trio drops right on top of Pasiphaë. "Ack!" The witch squeals under them and tries to crawl out.

Ara tackles her again and presses her knee on Pasiphaë's chest, then raises her bow and tenses an arrow on it aiming at the woman's head. 

"Three minutes," she speaks, her gaze cold and calculating. "Any last words?"

"You miserable wretches!" The sorceress cries.

"Leo, tie her hands."

"Gladly." The boy gets to work while Ara still aims at the woman.

"You must really hate demigods," Hazel smiles mockingly. "We always get the best of you, don't we, Pasiphaë?"

"Nonsense! I will tear you apart! I will—"

"We're always pulling the rug out from under your feet," Ara doesn't know why Hazel's taunting Pasiphaë when she's already subdued, but she won't complain. "Your husband betrayed you. Theseus killed the Minotaur and stole your daughter Ariadne. Now three second-rate failures have turned your own maze against you. But you knew it would come to this, didn't you? You always fall in the end."

"I am immortal!" She wriggles against the ropes. "You cannot stand against me!"

"You can't stand at all," Hazel grins.

"You're dying," Ara's gaze darkens as she tenses the bow again.

"Are you killing her?" Hazel asks with genuine curiosity.

She freezes, then lowers the bow. Hercules's words come back to her: all children of Olympus are killers. Ara eyes the witch with apathy, turning away from her. "I'm better than that."

"Okay," Hazel points at the floor where the woman is kneeling. "Bye!"

The ground swallows her. Leo stares at the girls with his mouth wide open. "You make a spooky team!"

The elevator doors ding again, Ara glows silver and shoots the arrow at the button to let her friends out. Smoke comes out of it like it's been severely overused, and Percy and Annabeth spill out onto the hard floor.

Next Chapter –>

Taglist.

@siriuslysirius1107 @ask-giggles1303 @asnyox-the-hoarder @im-planning-something-look @bandshirts-andbooks @coolninjapaper @thewaterlily @whenisthefall @1randomcomic @you-bloody-shank @sunflowergraves @owlalex44 @taylordaughter @typicalsolangelolover @writingmia @espressopatronum454 @slytherinnqueen @orbitingpolaris @obxstiles @ellipsisspelled @thepixiechicksh @ebony-reine-vibes

[dragonmasterhiccup]

Shaking her head, she replied, “No need, I can do it myself.” It’s not like she was deliberately trying to push Hiccup away… Well, okay, maybe in a sense it was, but not like that; she just wanted to do it on her own.

“Mhm, sure whatever you say.” She still firmly believed that he wasn’t being one hundred percent truthful. “I shouldn’t have to lean on anyone, I should be way past that by now.”

Her eyebrow raised as he spoke, listening intently to what he was saying, her eyes fixed on the sand.

The other dragon riders, those were the only people that knew at the time; Astrid, Fishlegs, Ruffnut, Tuffnut, and…

Snotlout.

“Oh for Thors sake, it was Snotlout! You seriously weren’t going to tell me that?! Are you kidding?!” She glared at him. “No. You do not get to take the blame for him, the only thing you should blame yourself for is not telling me when I had every right under the d*** sun to know!”

She stood up abruptly, anger etched across her. “I can’t even describe how mad I am at both you and him right now! And what do you even mean they would’ve found out sooner than later?! No they wouldn’t! Not if Snotlout hadn’t gone and ran his mouth off!”

“Oh yeah? And how did you ‘deal with him?’ Give him a little slap on the wrist and send him on his way? Would you have done that if Spitelout executed me? Just let him go even though he would’ve been an accomplice to murder?!”

“You know what? No, I can walk home, I don’t need a ride, especially not from you.”

He knew she'd be angry, but he hadn't quite prepared himself for her being this angry.

"I didn't want to say who because I knew how you'd react!" Mostly. "And you know if I had told the people myself, that whole situation would have been avoided. That's why I blame myself, Danny. You even said you thought everyone already knew..."

Standing up, he started pacing, running a hand through his hair in frustration, his breathing becoming more rapid.

He whirled back around to face her again. "Of course not, Danny! Do you really believe that? That-that if you had been killed, I'd react so...so heartlessly? I'll have you know, firstly, yes, I already dealt with Snotlout, he not only got an earful from me, but he'll be shoveling dragon poop til Thor knows when. The dragon race today was his last as well, for an undetermined amount of time. I can't do anything more, because then Spitelout will come back with a vengeance."

His voice was getting louder as he paced and rambled, his breathing still rapid, his hand movements still animated, but incredibly tense and almost stiff.

"I may be chief, but I can't go around doing whatever I want! There are laws I have to adhere to, I know you know that already. If Spitelout had killed you, he'd have gone after me next, he made that much clear. If I survived and kept my role as chief, he would have faced trial and most likely an execution, and thank Thor he didn't kill you...but unless he breaks a law, my hands are tied. I can't do anything." At the last word, his voice sounded almost broken.

Gods, he hated the politics of it all.

"Do you think I like keeping things a secret? It's necessary, yes, but I'm a terrible liar, and everyone knows it." He stopped pacing, his voice getting a tinge of desperation to it. His hands were up, but curled inwards, like he was trying to find something lost within himself, and he didn't know what to do. "I'm on thin ice with the people as it is right now, one more slip up, and...they might decide that Berk is better off without me. They'd get rid of me, and then Spitelout would be next in line and you know he'd go after you first thing..."

Running a hand through his hair again, he let out a defeated sigh. "I can only do so much..." Turning back to her, he quickly added. "Now, I know you, don't you start saying or thinking that you never should have stayed in the first place, that you think you're nothing but trouble, because those are all lies, and you know I won't stand for it."

Toothless hesitantly stepped forward, eyes wide, hoping to persuade Danny to change her mind, to come for a flight.

Hiccup shook his head. "You said you were tired, and your hut is a long walk away, especially in the dark. Toothless and I can get you home in just a couple minutes." He held out a hand towards her. "You can be mad at me all you want, but please let me give you a ride home."

[myveryownfanfiction]

18+ MONORS AND THOSE WOTHOUT AGE IN BIO DNI

requested by: @onedirectionlovers2014

request: The reader is a judge and has to fill in for Harry for a couple of weeks and Dan is absolutely smitten with them and the reader teases Dan really bad, like when Dan had to watch his bosses niece, and when Harry comes back, they finally let Dan take them home and smutttt

tags: @illiana-mystery, @eclecticwildflowers

warnings: smut, unprotected sex (wrap it before you tap it kids), swearing, teasing

"$50 fine and time served." I banged the gavel and ran a hand down my face. Catching Dan's eye, I smirked and shifted in my seat. I purposely ran my fingers through my hair and bit my bottom lip, smiling when I saw Dan shift in his seat and look away. "And that's lunch folks." I stood up and stretched, making sure Dan was watching me as I did. He squeezed his eyes shut and I watched as he crinkled the file in his hands. "Mr. Prosecutor, in Judge Stone's chambers for a minute please." Dan's head shot up and he nodded.

"Of course, Your Honor." His voice cracked as he got up and started to head over. I smiled to myself at the voice crack while Dan scrunched up his nose. I walked behind him before closing the door to Harry Stone's chambers. "What did you...Whoa!" I wrapped my arms around Dan's neck, leaning in to kiss along his jawline.

"Don't pretend you haven't been staring at me all night." I mused as I played with the ends of his hair. "Don't you want me as much as I want you Dan?" Dan put his hands on my hips and gently pushed me away.

"Your Honor, we can't. Please." Dan whimpered. I pressed against him and hummed as I felt his dick hardening against me. "Your Honor. I would like to keep my job. Please." I ran my hand down Dan's suit jacket and hummed to myself.

"I won't say anything if you won't say anything." I teased him as I wrapped his tie around my hand. Dan bit his lip to try to stop a moan. I smiled at him as I leaned in and kissed his nose. Dan started to lean into me and I caught a glimpse at the clock behind him. "Maybe later Dan. We have to get back to court." I pulled away, letting Dan's tie drop. He followed me as I backed out of the room.

Throughout court for the rest of the night, I tried my best to set Dan on edge. He had asked for a break and I had granted it only to have him come back with his pants soaked. After that, I did not let him leave for a break. Just before we went took a recess to wait for someone from Bellview, I saw Harry Stone walk into the court room.

"Judge Stone! Welcome back." I greeted him as I sent us on break. Dan visibly sagged when he noticed Harry. "How was your trip?"

"I had to cancel half the trip but what I did get to do was great!" Harry said as he shook my hand. "How have things been here?" I nodded with a smile.

“it’s been going really well.” I said, knowing Dan was standing behind me. I could feel him wringing his hands against my back. “It could have been worse.” I backed up slightly and subtly rubbed myself against Dans groin. I smirked at the slight intake of breath from behind me. I could feel dans hands flex against my hips as he groaned lowly. “You taking back over judge?” Harry nodded and patted my shoulder.

“you’re released of duty.” Harry joked. “I have to go change and we can take a dinner break.” Harry winked at me before heading towards his chambers. Smiling, I spun around and wrapped my arms around Dans neck.

“hear that Danny?” I mused. “Sounds like you won’t get in trouble anymore.” Dan squirmed for a second before grabbing my hand.

“fuck trouble.” He muttered as he practically dragged me through the halls to his office. “Against the desk alright?” I nodded as I stripped as quickly as I could. Dan locked the door and shed his clothes as he made his way back over to me.

“Come here Dan.” I held my arms out for him and he wrapped his arms around my waist, lifting me up and setting me on the desk. “Finally.” I whispered as he leaned down to kiss me.

“I’ll say. You’ve been torturing me all day.” Dan whispered as he slipped into me. I moaned and tugged on his hair. “Finally sweet relief.” Dan started to thrust hard and deep, making me hold him to me tighter.

“This is just the beginning Dan.” I groaned as Dan snapped his hips against mine. “Just wait…” I broke off as dans hands started to explore. “Just wait until you…” Dan growled and kissed me again. I ran my fingers through his hair, tugging on the ends.

“don’t tempt me.” He moaned as he buried his face in my neck, nipping at the skin there. I moaned as he slowed down, deepening his thrusts as he sucked a hickey to my collarbone.

“Dan. Please.” I whined, digging my nails into his shoulder.

“patience. Patience.” Dan chuckled as he pulled back to look down at me. He brushed some hair off my face before leaning down to kiss me. “We’ve got all break.” I wrapped my legs around dans waist and he chuckled into the kiss.

“so hurry.” I whined. Dan chuckled again as he ran a finger down my cheek. “Please Dan. Fuck. I need you.” Something snapped in Dan and he started to thrust quickly again. I ran my nails down his back, making Dan moan in my ear. “Dan. Dan. Dan.” I chanted as I came.

“oh fuck.” Dan groaned as he followed me over the edge. He pressed his forehead against mine as we came down from our high. “Sweet sweet relief.” Dan whispered before kissing me.

“please tell me we’re going to do that again.” I said, gazing up into his eyes. Dan smiled at me and shrugged as I brushed his hair out of his face.

“as many times as you want.” Dan confirmed. “When do you leave?” I sat up, gently pushing Dan up, making him slip out of me at the same time.

“I’ve been assigned to this building permanently.” I told him, running my hand down his chest. Dan nodded. “Night court. Appeals.” Dan smiled at me.

“so…” Dan mused as he ran his hand over my shoulder. “I won’t get disbarred for seeing you.” I nodded as I wrapped my arms around him.

“right.” I confirmed, letting him pull me tightly against him. “And I won’t lose my bench.” Dan kissed my head and pulled back.

“good.” He smiled at me. “We have enough time for round two then.” I laughed as Dan laid me back again and started to kiss along my body.