#Drake - Make Things Right Lyrics

[artsninspo]

"JEALOUS TYPE" - Rio X Reader

Summary: The restaurant your date picked to take you out to is owned by Rio, and he’s there sitting at a table when you walk in. Just your luck. This ones a little steamy 🌶️.

Pairing: Rio (Good Girls) X Black Reader

Word-Count: 1.6K

Full Masterlist

RIO MASTERLIST

Read the first two parts of this Rio miniseries:

“Baby-Girl”

“Whisky, neat”

Biting the inside of your lip you stifle a smile looking into your date's brown eyes. His animated expression is feeding off of yours as he tells an arguably hilarious story. Honestly, you wouldn’t know. Your eyes sparkle at his and by some strange miracle you seem to break into a laugh at the right moment. Although handsome, well put together, kind and funny, your date doesn’t have your undivided attention. Three tables away Rio sits with a scowl staring daggers into your side profile. He was having dinner with an older woman when you arrived with your date. Rio’s eyes met yours then looked down to see your hand in your dates and frowned. Since the woman left you’ve been subject to his displeased looks. He hates the sight of you with another man. Especially after resisting his advances. He’s furious really that your pretty ass didn't spend time getting ready to look good for him. Having had enough he calls over a waiter, it's his restaurant after all.

“You’re gorgeous” your date tells you, picking up your hand to kiss it from across the table. He’s a charmer for sure. His dimples and smile are to die for but he’s not the one making your heart race. 

“You’re not so bad yourself” you smile, taking a sip of your wine. The waiter comes over with a bottle in a bucket.

“Vintage Cabernet” the waiter says, putting the bucket on the table.

“We didn’t order that” your date says as the waiter slips you a table card.

Wine by the glass your man’s a cheapskate huh?

Is written in excellent penmanship. You thought he was signing the bill when he started writing. It takes everything in you not to smile as you fold the card. The waiter looks amused. The use of a Drake lyric in such a petty exchange is all the more amusing. Casting a look over to his table Rio sits seemingly unbothered. 

“On the house” the waiter says and your date shrugs allowing the waiter to top him off first. You don’t like that. A man that doesn’t put the woman he’s with first is  a slippery slope. Sitting back you taste the wine as the waiter pours yours. It’s excellent, you raise a glass to Rio and your date is too self absorbed to notice your eyes aren’t on him. After a few minutes you take your leave heading into the ladies room. Your heels click on the floor and you take out your compact to powder the shininess of your forehead and top up your gloss. That’s how Rio finds you. He strolls in wearing all black, which seems to be his signature.

“This is the ladies room” you say mirroring his nonchalance.

“Don’t make any smart comments. I have a dick and it works” he warns casually. It’s crass but you’re amused so you smile anyways fixing your gloss in the mirror.  The look he gives you tells you exactly where his head is. The physical attraction is a ten out of ten. “Get all dressed up for a guy who can’t even buy you the bottle but you won’t get in a car with me” Rio says, offended by your rejection. You turn to face him and he stands there unimpressed with his hands in his pocket.

“I didn’t take you for the jealous type” you tease.

“You can do better” he swallows, stepping forward.

“I appreciate you looking out for my well being. I’m sure you have more important things to do, places to be '' you dismiss, and he nods a little irritated with your flagrance. It's been awhile since Rio had to put in any effort to bag the woman that had his attention for the moment. You pass him to get to the door and he takes your hand. You should be terrified but you aren’t. The energy in the restroom is electric. Your chemistry is undeniable. You feel your heart racing as his eyes look down at your lips, he wets his bottom lip before casting a look back into your eyes. You want it just as much as he does. Your entire body hates the riskiness of your current predicament.

Reaching around you Rio locks the door Rio closing the remainder of  the distance between. Leaning in his lips connected to yours, he purses his lips tight against yours chastely before pressing his body against yours in a dominant gesture, pressing you between himself and the door. Pulling back he comes in for a second time, this time parting your lips, goading you into a slow, sloppy and seductive make out session. His kiss is teasing and claiming, you feel your temperature rise as you indulge in forbidden fruit. His hands slip under the hem of your dress gripping your thighs, snapping you out of it. Pushing him away your chest heaves. You want him so much but it’s not right. You're on a date, Stan warned you about him and he carries weapons.

“No no no no no” you snap to yourself as you hear a knock on the door.

“Y/N” your date calls from the other side and you feel your heart racing in your ears.

“I got a call I’ll be right out, go back to the table” you say through the closed door and Rio smiles. He reaches for the lock and your eyes tell him not to. He smiles absolutely thrilled at the prospect of blowing up your spot.

“Are you sure?!” Your date asks.

“Yep, just give me 5” you say and there’s a long pause.

“Ok” he says and you breathe finally. It’s your turn to scowl Rio comes in for another kiss but you push him away annoyed with him and yourself. Rio laughs to himself completely unbothered by your predicament.

All trouble. You think to yourself about Rio as you touch your make up again and Rio smiles looking at his phone. He puts a finger to his lip signalling you should hush and when you walk over you see your date still waiting for you outside the bathroom from the security feed on his phone.

“Give me your number or I walk out,” Rio says, playing dirty. You put your number in and he calls making your phone ring. He looks satisfied.

“Pick up, own the lie” he whispers, coaching you in your deception. His eyes are full of mischief and amusement. You just may be in love.

“I swear I care but I’m on a date sis, please call mom” you say loud enough for your date to hear. Rio unlocks the door letting you out. You smile at your date and he takes your hand.

“I didn’t notice your perfume smells slightly like cologne” he says and you hope he really has no inclination Rio was all over you. His cologne is more sweet than masculine and musky.

“Hmm” you raise a brow.

“Who was calling?” He asks.

“Sister” you lie and he nods suddenly more attentively. Your phone goes off again, you know it's Rio without checking it.

“Family emergency?”

“Sister stuff” you dismiss getting another message and you put your phone on silent feeling terrible. Sitting in front of your date you can still feel Rio’s kiss on your lips, his body against yours, his big hands on your thighs. The rest of the night is more of the same. RIo keeps texting the entire ride back to your house and you end up at square one as your date stands outside of your condo door with you. You dodge his kiss, letting him kiss your cheek. He takes it like a champ and you sigh frustrated. Unlocking your phone you see a flurry of messages of Rio talking shit about you being a bad girl, worse than him, a player. Warnings not to lay up with your ‘lame ass date’ and more. The final tells you to call once you get in.

Smiling, you set his name to Crazy Christopher in your phone. After a steamy shower you head into bed alone. You're far too excited to be sleepy in spite of the time. Your phone rings and Crazy Christopher flashes across the screen.

“Hello?” you pick up.

“Are you home safe?” he asks like he cares.

“Yes, Christopher”

“Yes, Christopher,” he mocks, making you smile.

The phone line goes silent for a few moments and your smile never fades, you haven't felt this giddy about a situation in years.

“You tired? I was hoping to come and wear you out” Rio says, making you laugh. Honestly you want the same thing.

“That isn't how you speak to a woman” you correct him.

“Nahh, you don’t want me to pretend I have manners. That’s not you” he says, reading you right.

“Some other night Rio” you cave, deciding you won't deny yourself a good time.

“Alright, well you tell me when” he responds in his usual tone. It’s an odd relief he doesn't promise forever’s or any other ridiculous niceties.

“Why don't we make it interesting, the next time I run into you - you can take me to your place” you shrug, lying in bed looking up at the ceiling.

“Bet” he agrees. “Goodnight baby-girl” he says.

“Night Rio” you respond.

“Christopher” he corrects. “We’re on a first name basis” he says and you laugh.

“Goodnight” you respond, hanging up in a final act of defiance.

You smile looking up at the ceiling heart racing at the risk. Sitting in his car Rio smiles hoping you stay true to your word before heading into the warehouse to check on his operations. He has plans for you.

Big plans.

_________

Let me know what you think of this update and Rio's bad behaviour 😉😘

Authors note: TYSM 💖 to everyone who's read, liked, commented or reblogged any of my work and more particularly this 'series'. It's been a fun palate cleanser. If you're a writer and need a sign to purge your drafts you think no one will enjoy here it is.

xoxo

[paper-mario-wiki]

What is your favorite bar from the myriad of good bars from Kendrick Lamar involving drake, i.e. Euphoria, Meet the Grahams, & Not Like Us?

note: when I say "Drake" I mean the constructed pop star. when I say "Aubrey" I mean the human being and actor behind the narrative that is "Drake".

Euphoria my favorite bar from this track is the whole "I'm the biggest hater" refrain. i like it because that singular section alone completely obliterated Taylor Made Freestyle. by paraphrasing the late DMX's famous quote about Drake, he is demonstrating how you can respectfully and powerfully use words from the mouths of dead predecessors to discredit your opponent, further showing how much of a stupid tactless clown-show popstar-turned-con-artist Aubrey Graham is in using the AI mockery of Tupac's voice to taunt Kendrick, the current voice of the West Coast and-- to many-- the people's successor to Pac.

6:16 in LA with a slightly lighter tone than the other disses, i consider this song to be a person to person sit-down and final warning to Aubrey that Kendrick is willing to provide. he explains that OVO is full of moles and wires, Aubrey is being hustled with nobody on his side, and going as far as saying "you can't sleep, these images trouble you" hinting at the fact that he would be going after Drake's personal failings that he thinks about when he goes home at night and stops being Drake. which he totally did in meet the grahams. also, bonus points to my favorite rhyme scheme in the song, just cuz it's so much fun to say:

Your lil memes is losin' steam, they figured you out The forced opinions is not convincin', y'all need a new route

like, what a perfect little two-bar rhyme scheme.

meet the grahams in this song, the most powerful lyrics to me (and the ones that usually make me start tearing up) are the ones where Kendrick stops being sorrowful and starts being angry.

You a body shamer, you gon' hide them baby mamas, ain't ya? You embarrassed of 'em, that's not right, that ain't how mama raised us Take that mask off, I wanna see what's under them achievements, Why believe you? You never gave us nothin' to believe in

this reminds me of every traumatic scolding i ever received as a child. i think that the word "disappointed" isn't strong enough to convey the feeling here. something closer would be "let down", because Kendrick's whole thing recently has been peace and uplifting people. he was willing to tolerate the competition for the game, but there were so many times that he warned Drake to not mention Kendrick's family. ultimately, in this stage of their careers, what they were fighting for was not fame or power, it was their legacy. they were fighting over how they were going to be remembered, and Kendrick was not about to let his pacifism make him passive in watching someone pretending to be a part of his culture stain how he will be written about in the records of Hip-Hop history. in specific, i love the line "take that mask off, i wanna see what's under them achievements" because he is BEGGING Audrey to respond honestly, as himself. he is begging him to cast off the facade of "Drake" and speak with any amount of dignity, because at this point there was no more room to speculate on whether or not he actually was who he claimed to be with regards to his music. at this point, the consensus was pretty thoroughly in the camp of "the actor Audrey Graham has been co-opting the image of the American Rapper for his career".

Not Like Us i think i love the bar "he has all eyes on me and imma send it up to Pac" because it goes back to the core of what this is about to Kendrick in fighting for legacy. the media, specifically the white dominated media, sucks the culture (that is to say, Black culture) dry for all it's worth monetarily, and in the process there have been many twisted caricatures or unfair narratives left in the wake of black creatives who are no longer alive to defend their own names. there's an entire tangent about how tabloids disproportionately affect black creatives due to the very fact that white supremacy discounts the respect these names have to the (largely un-melinated) higherups in hollywood, and as a result there is less PR dedicated to keeping their image clean, but i think im not qualified to go off on it. the point is, Drake disrespected Pac's legacy (and continues to do so by owning his ring, really, instead of having it be in the possession of someone who's at least from the west coast), and Kendrick wanted to put some honor on his name. he made sure that he was not just mentioned in the shameful (Taylor Made) and angry (euphoria) parts of this beef, but also its most triumphant moment.

[saintescuderia]

pancakes (pt. 7)

AKA - the story of how the naive australian rookie befriended the gym junkie F1 hospitality worker with the shoe collection - and inadvertently broke the grid's most treasured and unspoken rule: you don't go for y/n.

series masterlist here :) // the pancakes recipe here :)

A/N: here we are! and CHARLES WON MONACO! (also sorry for the lance slander RPM influences me far too much)

P7 - 2.5L water bottle

"Oh for fuck's sake."

The lyrics rapping over the Metro Boomin beat were cut off as you turned off your engine. You huffed spotting the asshole in green getting out of the Aston Martin in front of you.

Mother fucking Lance Stroll.

Stroll got on your every nerve from the fact that he, as a paid driver, was the epitome of what you hated about F1 and the cash is king nature of the sport. It didn't help your opinion of him that his treatment of the Hospitality workers was very telling of his personality (i.e a spoiled little bitch) - but he also treated the rest of Aston Martin like that.

His engineers he bossed around. His PR team he bossed around. His fucking team principle he bossed around. You had never ever seen a driver be able to literally pick and choose what Media they wanted to do until Lance Stroll. Not even Räikkönen had gotten away with things that way Stroll did.

The worst part of it all, though, was that Lance's attitude of I can do whatever I want meant that he really thought he could get any girl he wanted.

Namely - you.

Your Supra wasn't exactly inconspicuous and Lance had (unfortunately) been in F1 long enough to make the connection that the flash JDM car parked in the lot tended to belong to you. And even though your windows were tinted a few shades darker than legal limit, Lance was getting out of the car right next to you. There was no chance he didn't know that it was you.

If anything, he likely made his driver park next to your Supra on purpose.

"Lord give me strength." You muttered seeing him come up to your window.

But then Lance Stroll had the fucking audacity to tap on your window.

You immediately reached for the handle and opened the door which caused him to stumble for the lack of space as you did so. "Oh, woah! Hey!" The Canadian accent pissed you off for no other reason than it reminded you of Drake. Someone else you fucking despised.

"Don't touch my car." You said, voice flat.

"Oh, er. My bad. Nice looking ride."

"Thanks." You said curtly, internally cringing at how he said 'ride' like that. You went around and grabbed the vast array of things you always hauled with you. Said items for today consisted of your gym bag, your workbag, your lunch bag and your comically large 2.5L water bottle. You always were carrying a lot.

"Need help?"

"No."

"I insist."

"Don't."

"Why you always gotta play hard to get?"

You said nothing, forcefully biting your tongue. You were out of practice with Lance Stroll's shit since Domenicali had finally relented and cut the amount of shifts you would be rostered on Aston Martin. Which had been a shame since the crew were quite nice and you really taking the piss with Nando.

Still, Lance Stroll was insufferable - and you were evidently out of practice dealing with his spoiled delusions. You were just glad his father wasn't around. God help you when it came to the European races.

"I have to get to work." You said and locked your car. There was a call from behind where some Aston Martin people were waiting Lance but he ignored them. Instead, falling into step with you.

"I don't see you around Aston Martin anymore." He said, trying to make conversation.

You kept ignoring him, hoping he'd get the hint. Pulling out your phone, you started to compose a to text to Oscar. He would coming here with Lily and had said something about finally introducing the two of you. Your eyes checked the time at the top of your phone screen. Based on what time it was, Oscar should've been here by now - and could save you from Lance Stroll.

to: piazzas 👼

where the fuck are u ?? lance stroll is trying to talk to me send help

"I don't know." Was all you said, typing away with one hand as the other held a bag, hoodie, bottle and lanyard. You lifted the arm to tap in through the gate and then continued to ignore Lance - who continued to walk beside you and speak.

"That wouldn't be because you're working for McLaren." Lance said. This made you fingers pause as the blatant comment caught you off-guard. You sucked your teeth and took a deep breath. You adjusted your grip on your bags and continued to type another message.

to: piazzas 👼

srsly im gonna fucking rage at this point

"I don't know what you're on about." You said and felt relief seeing the Read time-stamp arrive below your sent message and three dots finally pop up as Oscar typed a response.

Lance made that irritating sound - his laugh. "You know my dad will pay you double what they're paying."

from: piazzas 👼

I'm at the McLaren motorhome. In a meeting with some PR. Can you come?

You huffed and pocketed your phone. Your shift was at Ferrari today and so there was no logical reason for you to walk into McLaren. Then again, it was early and you were yet to get dressed. It should be okay. People rarely noticed you since you looked like some random trainer with the amount of stuff you always carried.

Except, right now, Lance Stroll was not getting the hint and pissing off. Meaning you couldn't exactly freely walk into McLaren no questions asked.

Especially after that comment about you working for McLaren.

"What do you say?" The annoying idiot stood there, still waiting on you apparently.

"What?" You asked, shifting the items in your hand and pausing in your steps. You were in front of Ferrari right now and considered going in to dump your stuff before sneaking off to McLaren. That would at least get rid of Lance.

"Just say the number. How much. Dad wants you onboard and so do I. And all that legal stuff we can sort out." Lance said with a nonchalant shrug that pissed you off more than it should've. "My trainer isn't really working for me anyway."

You stared at him. Was he being serious right now? Your mouth fell open at the audacity and you glanced at his manager behind him who was looking up at the sky, clearly uncomfortable.

But, of course, unable to say anything.

"Ah, Stroll! Mademoiselle is with us today!" You turned your head to the French accent of your other favourite Team Principle. Fred Vasseur arrived with one half of the Scuderia drivers beside him. Your eyes widened on the sight of Carlos there, sunglasses pushed up in the head of hair that had its own fan-accounts and was the star of many, many Tiktok thirst edits.

Fuck.

Last night, your uncle had thrown you for a loop. Carlos Sainz had somehow infiltrated your uncle's sphere with a video of him refusing to sign a Barcelona jersey.

This, your uncle took as a good omen and a worth his approval.

"Approval for what?"

"None of these drivers are worth your time. But this one seems good." Your uncle's voice had sounded through the speaker function of your phone as you balanced a ball on your head. Last night you had present for his usual call to his sister and Dia was adamant you cop it.

And cop it you did. His newest idea was not Jude or Vinicius - but apparently Carlos Sainz.

"What? Because Carlos didn't sign a Messi jersey?"

"His name is Carlos?" Your uncle had asked and you had, in turn, just groaned. You half expected him to make some ridiculous comment about the similar names being a good omen or something.

"Yeah. Carlos Sainz."

"Sainz? Hm." There was a short pause from your uncle. "Is his father a rally driver?"

"Yes." You had frowned, not expecting that.

"Ah! I know him. Good family."

"What?" You said, still stuck on how your uncle knew the Sainz family. "How do you know him?"

"Why didn't you tell me about him before?"

"Because... I never noticed Carlos." The football you had been kicking slowed as you found yourself frowning at the phone on the kitchen table. "It's... I don't know. It's just Carlos."

"I want you to talk to him. To 'Just Carlos' as you say." Your uncle was not relenting. "Go have dinner together. He has a good face."

Your uncle's attempts to get you married to what he deemed was a 'respectable man' and not, in his opinion, 'some limpy Frenchman' (you would often remind him Charles was from Monaco nor was it was like that between you two) or 'some tatted up Australian wanna be Italian' (you would also remind that Daniel barely identified as Italian). However, all of your uncle Carlo's options had always been footballers which, you and Dia knew, was just a ploy to move you from car circuits to football pitches.

But last night, you found, Carlos Sainz apparently had the Ancelotti tick of approval and he was adamant you and Carlos apparently go out for dinner.

You took your uncle's comments to be why you suddenly found yourself feeling a little awkward seeing the driver in the flesh. The on you admittedly never paid much attention to before.

"Maybe next race you can have her." The Spanish driver - who apparently had your uncle's approval - said. Carlos took a sip from the small coffee cup in hand. He was on his piccolo, you noted.

Carlos came up to you and you felt yourself caught out and taken aback by him openly reaching for the strap of your gym bag and your bottle, prying them for your hands. The surprise had you letting go and once Carlos had a grip on them, he nodded at everyone in green. "See you guys on track." And put a hand on your back to guide you into the home. His clear dismissal towards Lance made you smile and it made your face warm up even more.

Your smile dropped.

What the fuck?

"Um. Thank you." You said, once you were out of earshot.

"He's an idiot." Carlos said, with a tired sigh. This made you laugh.

"You're telling me."

It was then that you realised your laugh was nervous. You cleared your throat. You were going to rip into your uncle. And then yourself for being so stupid. Because this was stupid. You barely ever noticed Carlos. What? You find out he really hates Barcelona and has really, really great hair and suddenly you're tongue-tied around him?

"Ha. Yeah. I get that. And I can hold that." You went to reach for the strap of your bag on his shoulder. Carlos moved away.

"Don't insult me." He said, tsking you with a grin on his face. "Let's go. Fred spoke all morning about your pizzas."

"Yes! I did." Fred said, reappearing with his assistant who was handing him a paper he was half reading as he spoke. "Guenther didn't let me have any last time."

You couldn't but smile, remembering Guenther's loud curses echoing throughout all of Haas when he found you plating some aside for Fred. You gave Fred a salute. "I'll get right to it. Let me just dump my things in the backroom."

"I'll take them there." Carlos said, evidently not relenting. You sighed and let him carry them for you as you both made your way to the backroom.

Unfortunately, this meant walking through the entire motorhome in which case many Ferrari staff did a double take seeing you walk with Carlos. Whilst it wasn't uncommon to see you around, nor for you to have any interactions with drivers - you literally made their food and coffee - but Carlos was holding all your many, many belongings and walking to the small backroom that were reserved for Hospitality.

"Thank you." You said, appreciating the chivalry. What you didn't appreciate, however, was how your body was reacting to Carlos.

You didn't get why you were suddenly so... hyperaware around Carlos. Seeing driver content wasn't something new to you. Why did it affect you like this? Maybe addressing it would just help.

And so your mouth just came out with it.

"My uncle likes you."

"What?"

You quickly elaborated. "He saw a video of you refusing to sign a Barca jersey."

Your uncle had even sent you said video of Carlos, the driver windswept in his Ferrari, driving off when a fan passed him a pen and the jersey. You had to admit he did look good in the video and the way he drove off like that had made your eyebrows shoot up, impressed.

"Your uncle... Don Ancelotti?"

"Yeah." You said with a laugh at the name. The Don. You were proud of your uncle and what he achieved, earning him such a nickname. Dia always said her brother's intimidating Don cigar smoking aura had been passed down to you - and not his own children/your cousins.

You weren't surprised Carlos knew about who your uncle was. It wasn't exactly a secret. And considering the world of Formula 1, that wasn't even the craziest connection for someone working in the Paddock. An Alpine techie was distant cousins with Mbappé, a Haas mechanic was close cousins with LeBron, and Valentino Rossi's babysister's best friend's brother was a PR manager for George Russell.

So, no. No one really paid much attention to you and your uncle. The most it had ever come up was the odd few comments of the Paddock's EPL fans coming to you lamenting Carlo Ancelotti moving from Everton to Real Madrid.

"Woah, that's pretty cool." Carlos said, his eyes widening. "I definitely need to let my dad know."

"Apparently they know each other?" You asked, hoping he might shed more light on the connection your uncle somehow had to Sainz Sr. Your uncle hadn't managed to explain that curious bit.

"Do they? He never said." He said and you blew a raspberry. You really were going to give your uncle a piece of your mind. You shook your head and Carlos laughed, saying something that went to deaf ears as he took his sunglasses off his head - causing some strands to fall across his forehead as he was looking down at you.

Fuck.

He used the other hand to run through said black locks.

Double fuck.

The man seriously could've made it as a hair model.

You looked down from his hair to meet his eyes and felt yourself flush even more knowing he'd caught you staring at his hair. You cleared your throat again - when had it gotten so dry? - and spoke. "You um, you could really make bank doing hair endorsements, you know?"

"Bank?" Carlos asked, not picking up the slang.

"Money." You explained the slang and then thought of the Spanish translation. "El dinero."

"Ah, so was it the Don who taught you Spanish?" Carlos asked, lips turning up to grin.

"Nah I don't really speak Spanish." You shook your head and explained. "I just know that word from some from lyrics and stuff."

"Stuff? From living in Los Angeles?" He asked, raising an eyebrow. You blinked, surprised he knew that tidbit about you. "I remember you telling Max about it back in Torro Rosso."

Carlos' observational skills evidently had you in surprise. First it was him remembering your Egyptian heritage and now this?

"I, uh. Yeah for a year and a bit. I worked in a garage." You explained, feeling more awkward and, well, something else that you refused to acknowledge as nervousness.

You didn't get nervous. You had literally served countless celebrities and prided yourself on not getting starstruck or fucking nervous.

And yet, here was Carlos running a hand through his hair catching you off guard with how hyperaware you were of him.

"Ah." Carlos laughed and you stared at the way a thin gold chain glittered around his wrist. "Well, if you know any hair sponsors you'd recommend, let me know."

"Oh, yeah. Done." You said, going back to the previous conversation. "But I'm expecting a cut, then." You said, opening up a locker and beginning to stuff the bags into it. "Hoy por ti - "

" - mañana por mi." Carlos finished the phrase, amused. "It's different in Spanish, though, you know?"

"What is?"

"English you say scratch my back or something. In Spanish it's more about generosity. You take care of me so I will take care of you next."

"Oh." You said, taking in the mini Spanish lesson. Admittedly all your Spanish came from working with Tyler in the garage on Fairfax Ave and, of course, song lyrics. There had been a few funny conversations with Fernando - but nothing intimate such as I will take care of you.

You didn't really know what to say next. Your face was already flushed and you'd probably be able to cook something on your cheek from how hot it was.

You were going to kill your uncle. Real Madrid could win Champions League without him. And even if they didn't - well, Guenther would be happy to see another team finally have a chance.

"Also," Carlos casually continued, unfazed - or not noticing - your lull, "there's going to be a game tomorrow night. I'm not sure if you were planning to watch it."

Thankfully, his words momentarily did distract you from the inner monologue. Real Madrid wasn't playing this weekend. Atletico Madrid was.

Maybe it was Carlos being from Madrid or following the Spanish league religiously but, either way, it wasn't a game you had intended to watch.

"Oh, I mean I like Griezmann." You said, referring to the famed Atletico player, "but I don't watch La Liga games unless Real Madrid is playing." Besides, if you showed any interest in any other team, The Don would have your head. Your uncle still didn't know you owned a jersey of another team. Even if it was only for Mo Salah.

"No, the Liverpool game." Carlos corrected. "They're playing Manchester United, are they not?"

This was surprising. There had been no indication in the past of Carlos ever caring about any other team besides Real Madrid - let alone being that interested a whole other league. If you ever were going to talk EPL with a driver, it was probably a passing conversation with Lewis. Maybe George if the Wolves were involved. And that was when the drivers themselves initiated the conversation.

Max, and his love for your team's biggest rival Barcelona, was who you used to talk to about football, who you used to stay up and watch games or play Fifa with.

And since that was no more, you sort of lost any passion for it.

So this was very much news to you.

Carlos Sainz. Talking to you about EPL.

More than that - asking you if you were going to watch an EPL game.

"Uh, yeah maybe." You finally spoke. During your drive to work, you had vaguely thought about changing your schedule so as to be able to watch the game. You had played around with the idea of doing a workout after your shift tomorrow so you could stay up after qualifying and watch the match.

The only issue was that this would you mean you wouldn't be able to work out before the race on Sunday - and you were definitely going to be stressed working a whole weekend at Ferrari.

But if you watched it you could stream it on one of the TVs in the driver's gym - that way Oscar could workout with you also.

Suffice to say, you hadn't yet made up your mind.

"Lando and I were going to watch it. He's a fan of Manchester United." Carlos said, looking at you expectantly. "Don't worry, I won't tell the Don."

It was that look which made your eyes widen slightly, the thought suddenly dawning on you: was Carlos asking to watch the game together?

Something erupted in your stomach.

However, your reflex to any driver interaction had immediately kicked in.

"Oh, nice. I'm not sure if I'm going to be able to watch it with the schedule. You guys enjoy, though."

Carlos opened his mouth but thankfully someone, a man dressed in the red uniform, appeared in the doorway calling for Carlos. The interruption was very much welcomed as the driver nodded and was resolved to leave you before your body gave you any more confusing signals.

You took a second, a steading second, before you slammed your locked shut and went out to look for Oscar.

“And there’s the young rookie, Oscar Piastri. Looking really good after his amazing win in Jeddah. 9th, outperforming everyone’s expectations!"

“Yes! He’s just arrived with his - is that his trainer?”

“She looks tough enough to be one. Wait is that — “

The commentators immediately realise and change the subject to something else to do with Fernando’s winning streak and Aston Martin’s upgrades. You sigh at the clip that had been playing on the TV in front of you where you could be seen handing him the Antinal Dia had been adamant Oscar have.

Zak had informed Oscar who had informed you about the conversations had between all the TPs about, well, you.

It was startling to say the least. 

"I'm afraid people are starting to catch on." Oscar's PR Manager said with a stern look as she stared at both you and Oscar. Her name was Sophie and despite her young age putting her in the same ball-park as you and Oscar... it still felt like you both were students in trouble, being told off by your teacher.

Oscar had asked you about a Sophie Wright a few months ago. You briefly knew of the girl from her interning days, following other PR members around the McLaren motorhome over the years. She was a little on the shorter side, the chubbier side and, unfortunately, these two appearance traits meant she was excluded from the other PR girls who definitely already had a group chat going.

However, you also knew this meant she would be good at her job. Sophie could blend in the background quietly, unnoticed and do her job well. You also doubted she would easily jump around for a better opportunity and do Oscar dirty. Then there was the fact that when you served her a skinny latte one time, she made sure to read your name badge and thank you with a genuine smile.

And so you had given Oscar the thumbs up.

Never, in a million years, did you think you would be here though. Getting a debrief from her as Sophie tapped on her iPad. You risked a glance at Oscar who looked indifferent and nonplussed.

"Sorry Soph," he said, "but I'm not exactly aware what this means exactly."

There was some noise at the door and in walked Zak Brown himself. He was still talking to someone outside in the hall and said a 'yep, bye!' and then finally turned to address the room he was halfway in. "Ah, here we are. Just the people I need to see." His eyes fell on you and you shifted uncomfortably in your seat.

"No trouble at all. I know you're friends with Oscar and just wanting to help him out." Zak said, coming to sit down. "Ah, so you've seen the clips." He looked at the TV where Sophie's iPad was still screensharing the clip from yesterday.

Thursday's media days was always the least loved day for everyone - save for the bloodthirsty journalists. Drivers hated all the mundane questions and the paranoia of microphones and cameras everywhere. And you hated media day because it meant extra long barista shifts.

"Yes, Sophie showed me before but I thought Tezza should see it." Oscar explained, using your nickname. Your heart warmed at how considerate that was. You met his eyes and smiled softly at him. Your love for the kid grew daily.

"Good thinking!" Zak said, nodding agreeably to his driver. You fought to keep your face passive as you regarded the McLaren CEO.

Your opinion of Zak Brown was that he got further than he ever dreamt to get from starring on Wheel of Fortune. And whilst you did admire him for not being brought up in the snobbery and pretentiousness of the generational wealth that F1 tends to circulate through... you did note how he sucked up to the those snobs and their pretentious generational wealth.

Namely, how he did anything and everything for to make Lando Norris happy. In your opinion, it was a lil cringe at times.

"Well, the problem is that it's getting harder and harder for me to just make it out to the rest of the Paddock that you and Oscar are just friends spotting one another at the gym." Zak said. "Christian Horner is running rampant, scared you'll turn Oscar into the next Max Verstappen."

You snorted at this. Unfortunately this drew everyone's attention to you and you knew you would need to explain. "Max and Oscar are polar opposites."

Oscar could very easily become a World Champion without you. He was smart, dedicated and very talented. And whilst Max was all those things, he didn't need someone to train him up so much as tame him down after all that Jos did to him. You guys had just as much sessions on anger management as you had sessions on endurance training.

"Either way, it's coming to be viewed as a breach." Zak said. "And if you breach your contract then - "

"I know." You interrupted him. He didn't need to explain that to you.

"There's also the issue that people think you two are dating." Sophie spoke up from the front. She tapped on her iPad a few times and up came up a few screenshots of Twitter threads hypothesising about the two of you. "Your Twitter had a followed increase of 150% since Oscar followed you. Which didn't help."

"And whose fault was that?" You said, looking at Oscar with an unimpressed look. "You're lucky I deleted that shit so quickly."

"Yeah look, my bad. The timing was off." He said, accepting responsibility. You still remember all the notifications of the Twitter shit-storm Oscar set off. You literally had to delete your account because of it.

"Yes, Christian did bring that up." Zak said. "And it's a good thing Oscar's lovely Lauren is here - "

"Lily, sir." Sophie quickly corrected her boss. You wanted to groan. Oscar just looked down to hide his smile. Under the table, you kicked at his legs.

"Lily! Sorry." He gave a sheepish look to Oscar. "Yes, you and Lily this morning was a good idea."

"Unfortunately, Daniel did like a few of these Tweets." Sophie added, bringing up the screenshots of a Tweet about you and Oscar that was liked by none other than @danielricciardo.

You clenched your fist, your nails digging into your palm as you thought of how fucking petty that was. Daniel wasn't a fucking idiot. Aside from the fact that he knew your type - (admittedly, the tall/dark features combination always got you) Oscar was so young.

If anything, you thought of Oscar, genuinely, as a younger brother. As you had Max. Daniel knew that. So he knew exactly what he was doing by liking those kind of fucking Tweets. Tweets you wouldn't put past Red Bull to send out themselves.

Because, if anything, they would be praying it wouldn't be true about you and Oscar. Otherwise Christian Horner wouldn't have any leg to stand on. That was how you got around being connected to Charles, anyway. Family was the exception.

"I know your contract has you tied to only working for Red Bull and Ferrari's drivers but--"

"Red Bull and Charles Leclerc." You corrected in a tight voice, your eyes falling down to the table in front of you. "I was only granted exemption to work with Charles as he was considered family."

This caused him to frown as he pulled out his phone and began typing at it. "I thought you were allowed to work for Red Bull or Ferrari. No new teams."

"Yeah, no." You said, making Oscar chuckle at the Australianism. "No new teams outside of Red Bull and Torro Rosso." You specified.

"Christian didn't say that." Zak said.

"It was kept really quiet." You explained. "Charles was, um, he granted exemption from my Red Bull contract because he - well, he was considered family." You cleared your throat, not able to even look at Oscar. "I was signed for Torro Rosso and Red Bull. Never Ferrari."

"That's not what Toto said at the meeting." Zak said, shaking his head. "He made it seem that you could work for Ferrari."

You said nothing. Toto Wolff had approached you once or twice but your answer had always been the same, no matter what he offered. Eventually, he dropped it. You just didn't realise he dropped it because Toto had sought out the fine print.

"Wait so why aren't you Charles' trainer?" Zak asked, looking up from his phone. "He'd be insane to not have you!"

You froze. How were you supposed to answer that? For once, you had hoped the F1 rumour mill had properly run its course and Zak would know better than to ask that obvious question.

"Eh, Leclerc's loss." Oscar interjected with a casual shrug. "Let's be glad we don't need to worry about that."

The hidden meaning behind his smooth words were clear and you felt your love for the boy increase tenfold at his save.

"What - if I may," Sophie started, trying to be sensitive with her wording and her eyes darted between you and Oscar, "what were the grounds for family?"

You took a moment to think of how you might answer. You really didn't want to but if this might help the boy beside you, you would. "Charles - and I, like, I dunno. We grew up together? Everyone just knew." You pulled at your hoodie sleeve, feeling every bit uncomfortable with the question.

"You didn't date?" Sophie asked. Your face must've shown something very unpleasant because she was quick to amend. "I'm only saying because the grounds for family are always a grey area."

You pressed your lips together and went back to staring at the table. "There was nothing romantic between Charles and I." You said. The room fell silent for a moment as Zak tapped on his screen a few times and then he spoke up.

"You also trained Daniel. He told me in 2021." Zak said and put the phone down and you wanted to roll you eyes. Of course Daniel would say that. "And I don't want to get into all the drama but you were dating him back when you were training Verstappen."

Zak did have a point.

A key point that you had forgotten.

You paused and watched the screen in front of you and the liked by @danielricciardo Tweet. "Christian's always had a soft spot for Daniel so..." You trailed off. "But yeah, you're right. It was fine even though I was contracted to Max under Torro Rosso then Red Bull."

"Hm." Zak said, bringing a hand to his chin as he leaned back, pensive, in his chair. "I can see how romantic grounds could be argued." He said it with a laugh, looking between you and Oscar.

You raised an eyebrow at the comment. You honestly weren't sure if this was just Zak Brown being Zak Brown - i.e saying dumb things to suck up since he was out of his element - or if he actually meant that. Either way, it pissed you off.

Because there was no fucking way you'd let that happen to Oscar.

"No it can't. Contracts aside, I'm not forcing someone I think of as my younger brother into a PR relationship with me." You said.

"It could work, though." Sophie said, taking a professional tone as you turned your glare to her. "This is what I was trying to say before. The Twitter comments about you and Oscar are not necessarily negative. If anything you've helped increased Oscar's public image and Red Bull wouldn't able to say anything about you two on romantic family grounds."

You were seething.

Thankfully, Oscar was more level-headed than you.

"Yeah, look guys. Tezza's pretty but not my type." He finally chimed in, lighthearted. "Besides, I think we should focus more on the car and that way it's a fair advantage to both me and Lando."

You looked back at him and took a deep breath. Oscar smiled at you, chill as always, and you took another breath. You wanted to give the boy a big hug.

"Look, Zak," you said, looking back at the TP, calming down a little more, "I'm sorry. I'm causing you all this shit."

"You got Oscar into the points." Zak waved off. "Don't worry about it. I just want to find a way that works for everyone." You sucked on your teeth. Whilst it was nice to know that Zak Brown was willing to take risks on you also wanted to know how this conversation would've gone if Oscar hadn't finished 9th in Jeddah last weekend.

Such was the way of F1.

Sophie then tapped on her iPad and the TV showed a picture taken by Ky Millman. It was of Oscar hugging you after the win in Jeddah. Some comments were displayed and you found your lips turning up as you read them. They were, as Sophie said, sort of positive.

kymillman

liked by mclaren, saintescuderia and 15'483 others

kymillman SUPPORT FOR SUCCESS! Oscar surprised many with his amazing performance in Jeddah and goes to celebrate with a F1 Hospitality worker and friend @ynusername!

view all 76 comments

halaaaamadrid girl help his shoe game pls

ln44girlieee @mclaren we need content from this duo plssss u have them right there

logansversion as if mclaren is going to post a couple?

f1fanforever they're friends?

ln44girlieee idc the level of sarcasm between them would be SO GOOD

oscarpastries i love THIS! 😫😫😫

justanotherinchident omg charles finna be RIOTING!

team44roscoes wait why would charles be upset ?? i thought @ynusername was with dannyric?

maxiel4eva_16 yeh 😒 jumping on all them aussies

You rolled your eyes at the last comment. Maybe it was a good thing you were off Twitter and barely used Instagram anymore.

"It'll be hard to argue that Oscar is family since you haven't known him as long as you did with Charles," Sophie spoke up, bringing your attention back to her, "but we can maybe try to build it up from a PR point a view."

"That Oscar and I are family and not dating?" You asked. Sophie nodded. You looked at Oscar, wanting his confirmation.

"Yeah, sure thing Vin Diesel." He laughed.

"Hey, hey. Fuck you." The grin on your face was contagious and he broke out laughing also. You liked this new idea and turned back to look at Sophie a lot more positively. You were glad McLaren gave Oscar the girl.

"Okay, so what do we do to show the world I've adopted Oscar?" You asked.

"I think you'll find my dad's already half adopted you." Oscar corrected. "He wants to see your Supra."

"That's perfect!" Sophie said, excited. "Maybe Oscar can post a story of the interaction sometime this weekend? Make sure Lily is there. Maybe you can play the tired third wheel of them!" Sophie looked at you as ranted off her ideas. You nodded, suddenly less excited.

Whilst it was nice to know there was a plan in place to help you and Oscar continue to work together, you didn't like the way Sophie said for you 'play' a role. The one, sole consolation you had going for you these past few years was the lack of needing to play any PR role. Hearing Sophie speak was giving you flashbacks to times long gone.

"Happy with that gang?" Zak said, placing his palms on the table. "We'll work on building the PR and hopefully that will get Red Bull off our back as we also improve the car!" He stood up and left, not joining Sophie and Oscar as they said goodbye to the boss.

"Wait, does this mean I need to actually start using Instagram?" You asked.

"Yes." Sophie said. Then she looked up from her iPad. "Don't you? You were tagged in it?"

"Like, I have an account but I stopped using it. I'm pretty sure I deleted the app." You said, pulling out your phone to see that yes, there was no pink app downloaded. You pressed the download button, knowing what was in store for you.

"Download it. You're already at 2.4k followers." She said, bringing up your profile on the TV screen.

"The fuck? I had like three hundred last time I checked."

"Five." Sophie corrected. "Your growth has increased since you started training the F2 winner who follower Y/N Tessio after the most controversial Formula 1 Tweet that ever was Tweeted." Sophie said, eyeing Oscar with a raised eyebrow.

"I already said sorry about that."

"Do you know how stressful you made my first day? Helen scared me!" Sophie asked, humour on her face. "Though, nothing like jumping in the deep end."

The Instagram app had finishing downloading and you logged onto it - thank you pre-saved passwords - to be met with a fucking plethora of notifications that suddenly had you overwhelmed. As such, you immediately went out of the app and put your phone in your pocket. You could deal with that all later.

"I'm not using Twitter again." You said, thinking back to the Tweets Daniel had liked. "Fuck that."

"Yes, only Tumblr or Reddit over here." Oscar said, pointing to you.

"Tumblr?" Sophie looked at you, surprised.

"Yeah? What of it?" You asked, defensive.

"Nothing. Just surprised. I would ask to follow you but Tumblr is the safe haven of anonymity. I get it." She nodded. "Alright, perfect. I'll draft up a PR plan. In the mean time, do you mind if I review your profile and send you some tips?" Looking at you for the last bit.

"By all means." You said, half wishing you could give her control of it like Oscar and be done with it. You just wanted to be able to work with Oscar without causing him any trouble and not having to worry about this PR bullshit.

"Perfect!" She said, beaming.

Your phone buzzed. It was a text reminder about you needing to go back to check on some dough you'd prepared. Back at Ferrari. You sighed and stood up.

"Alright, sounds good. I gotta get back to work. Take your supplements and electrolytes. The green one." The last bit was aimed at Oscar as you met his eyes and then turned to leave the room and walk, head down, out of the McLaren motorhome.

You took a deep breath as soon as you made it into the open air. With how things were going, it was likely that you would be having another gym session today. You arrived at Ferrari and saw the back of Carlos' head. You felt yourself gulp and turned to hide behind the coffee machine. Maybe you would watch Liverpool play.

The mention of your connection to soccer was also pointed out in the room you had just rushed out of. Sophie made a small sound and rounded on Oscar, shoving something in his face.

"Did you know that half of Real Madrid are following her? Jude Bellingham just commented on the post!"

She stared at Oscar, hoping he might provide an answer. The young driver just shrugged. "She did say something about her uncle coaching a team." Sophie stared at him, incredulous. "How was I to know? I don't watch soccer."

< prev ch [6] | next ch [8] >

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[satcrvz]

CHAPTER TWENTY; soft launch

navi

the two of you drove down streets, city lights leaking into the car, illuminating your faces. you didn't plan on this being the way he hears the playlist you'd made for him. but rather this than over text, right?

"so," he finally speaks up, "did you want to go somewhere or just drive around?"

you glance at him, "it was your idea! but we could go to wendys?" he could hear the smile in your tone, despite not looking at your face.

for just a moment, a comfortable silence filled the car. that was until the familiar tune of ‘show me how’ started playing. you let it play not thinking much of it, but somehow every lyric seemed to be so much louder.

in a hushed tone you mutter out, "oh my gosh," while resting your head on the window.

yuta contains a smile knowing exactly what's happening and mentally punches himself for not realizing earlier. half the song went by before he mustered up the courage to finally say something.

"hey." you hum and lift your head to acknowledge him. "y'know i like you too right?"

your eyes quickly widen after you process his words. "wait, who told you? was it maki? i'm going to jump out"

he glances over at you and smiles, "you're just gonna ignore my confession huh? i almost shit my pants saying that!" you look down to play with your fingers out of nervousness. "and you're gonna ignore my question? it was maki wasn't it?"

he confirms your suspicion and knows he'll regret it later. he pulls into a parking space and looks over at you.

"can i be your boyfriend?"

it's hard not to smile but you immediately accept his offer. he shuts off the vehicle, and like he has many times before, runs to open your door for you.

the two of you walk toward the fast food building. "so is this technically our first date?" you ask while playfully sidestepping and nudging his shoulder.

he whines at you to not count this as your first date, "our first date will be something better. trust me."

the rest of the night consisted with the two of you eating and exchanging stories about how you acted when you liked each other. you giggled at one confession in particular, him thinking you and megumi had a thing going on.

"yuta? dude, you knew megumi before me, i think you’d know if he had a girl!" you say inbetween laughs.

"you could’ve been a secret girlfriend… and don’t dude me! we’re dating now"

that makes you laugh even harder, so hard that you missed his sly antics. he’d taken a straw and balled up the paper at the end and blew it at you.

any other time you probably would’ve thrown food at him, but you were in public so the tamest thing you could do was flick him off.

:3 confession guys

kendrick and drake beef a lil funny. i see why j cole apologized, i wouldn’t want to mess with kendrick either 😭

one more chapter and perhaps a bonus :p

DO YOU GUYS KNOW WHAT I’M TALKING ABOUT WITH THE STRAW THING? MY BROTHER USED TO DO IT TO ME

@saesofficialwife @k4romis @soy-garbage @sakyira @dreamxiing @swissy23 @shnzies @captaincyberqueen n @fantasycantasy @chuyasthighs0 @mixzimi @milza12 @nahoye @spookyrule @4phskingdom @sad-darksoul l l @morgyyyyyyy @smashingdollz z z @bubbles-the-ghost @lunavixia @gaychaosgremlin @jayathelostdragon @h3xi2g0n3 @lysaray @sereniteav @httpakkeiji i @histxricaldrama @aiieera @rieieieieieiei @tobaccosunbxrst t  @hvnyacoded @ohhyuuta @inupibaldspot t @diogodxlot @amenial @kzoyu @ancientimes @mochuchi @cerisescherries @sugurubabe @saltypuffin1040 @lunarbleedings @kamikokii @egoistars @r0ckst4rjk @arysbruv @bbladie @hobistigma @k1ttylvr @deeeeexx @arivsx @kyrofu9 @kereseth @clxvrs @dremerys @alluresenses @sak1l @just-a-girlblogger @m6tra @nyxlai @ecliiipsee @luvlybeom @nnnyxie

[gay4abby]

hii can i request a jordan li x reader comfort type thing? like maybe reader gets hurt during a fight or smth and jordan tends to her wounds & makes her feel better?

why would you want to fight me at cheesecake ??

masterlist. no y/n. requested, yes. warnings, angst (slight) & fluff. pairings, jordan li x reader. hope u enjoyyyyyy, i love me some caring Jordan. divider by kimjiho1.

Justine was the one who started it. If it wasn’t for the fact that she was talking shit about Jordan and how they quite literally dislocated her jaw, you wouldn’t be in this mess. Just like any other Supe, you have the ability of strength, but what differentiates you from the others is that your power is to manipulate dark matter. Essentially, you can take dark matter and change its particles. It is absolutely devoid of any kind of life you can imagine, but by being able to concentrate its compounds, you can create chemicals out of thin air.

This kind of power doesn’t come very often. Anyone from a mile away can recognise the significance this kind of power has. But, it doesn’t protect you from the occasional bruise and cuts whenever you find yourself in a fight. For Justine to step to you as if you wouldn’t manipulate her out of existence was very bold, however. “You fucking cunt!” You screamed before lunging at her, your fists balled up to land a clean one on her eye. The eyeball itself is severely pushed back into her skull, causing her to scream at the top of her lungs. You spat out some blood and wiped your mouth of any remaining traces of it left around your lips.

“Babe! What the fuck?” Jordan was approaching with haste, seeing blood on you was the last thing they’ve ever wanted to see. You can practically feel the worry oozing from them as they cupped your face in their nimble hands, their rings feeling cool against your heated skin. Jordan turned your face every which way to assess any other injuries that may have occurred that went unnoticed the first time. “What the fuck are you doing?” They practically yelled into your face. You clasped on to their wrists, slowly pulling their hands away. “Honey, I’m fine. I’m fine. I’m cool.”

“No the fuck you’re not. Come on, let’s get you cleaned up. Do you see yourself? You’re all cut up, fucking kidding me. “I’m fine” the fuck you’re not,” Jordan ranted on as they made their way out, Justine wailing behind them. “Did you see what they fucking did to me? This isn’t fucking funny!”

“You’re a self healer, Justine, get over it.”

“Look at me, this way.” Jordan instructed you to face them as their subtle hands gently wiping away at the dried blood that developed around the cut on your lip. You whined slightly, Jordan scolding you with a silent expression. “It’s not that bad.” You spoke, turning your head to the side so they can tend to the gash on your cheek. “Stop diminishing the situation. You got into a fight. No wait, you got into a fight, at the Cheesecake Factory! Do you realise how that sounds?!”

A sheepish expression graced your features, embarrassed at the accusation. “At least I lived up to the Drake lyric, am I right?” You chuckled, immediately stopping when you saw Jordan turning red. “I’m sorry.”

“Damn right you’re fucking sorry. You could’ve gotten hurt!”

You were taken aback by that a little. What was Jordan trying to say? That you can’t defend yourself at a moment’s notice? That you’re so weakling who needs their reduce every time you find yourself in a scuffle? “I can defend myself, thank you very much,” you spat. Jordan’s expression suddenly softened.

“That isn’t what I meant. I know you can I just.” They stopped a moment trying to find the right words to say without sounding like a complete douchebag to their partner. “I meant that…actually. I just. I don’t want to lose you, okay? I know you’re strong, you’re the fucking strongest between you and me. But, you don’t always have to fight every battle.” Their voice got lower at the end, cracking just a bit. You saw their waterlines slightly filling up.

Cupping their cheeks, you kissed them off guard, Jordan leaning into it immediately. Soft and tender, your lips moved in unison. A puzzle piece finally connected from its part after being away for so long. It went on like that for a couple moments before the both of you pulled back for some air. You were just staring at each other, your eyes flicking to their lips every now and then.

“You could never lose me, you know that?” Jordan nodded, pressing their forehead against yours. Your warmth radiated off to them, Jordan basking in its comfort before moving back to continue tending to your wounds. “But,” they began pausing for a moment to look at you with narrowed eyes, “Cheesecake Factory, really?”

“Oh my god, you’re not gonna let this go are you?”

“I’m sorry! It’s just, so fucking comical. Like of all places, you guys fight at the Cheesecake fucking Factory.” Jordan’s laughter rang through the room as they placed a Queen Maeve bandaid on the gash on your cheek. Although they were making fun of you, you couldn’t help but feel your heart soar beautifully at the laugh that could light up a thousand street lamps. “Whatever, I was defending your honour!”

“My honour was defended enough when I broke Justine’s jaw.”

[amber-lucca44]

Couldn't sleep and was bored, and kinda hate Drake so um

Drake's biggest fuckups I've caught on this beef

He loves trying to diss Kendrick for his height. Yk like a toddler would.

He tries to say Kendrick's Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers was a bad album. If we're talking critical reviews, it had a Metacritic rating of 85/100, compared to Drake's highest ever rating of 79/100 for Nothing Was The Same. In fact, Kendrick's lowest Metacritic score so far has been 80/100 for Section.80, again over Drake's highest.

...and if we're talking sales or streams, well first, no one ever challenged Drake's sales compared to Kendrick. I think we all know Drake is pretty much unmatched when it comes to that. Second, if sales were a factor to determine quality of music, then holy shit "Despacito" must be an all time magnum opus like nothing anyone ever heard before lol.

Trying to call Kendrick a sellout for doing songs with Maroon 5 and Taylor Swift? Drake calling someone else a sellout? 🤡🤡🤡

The line where he said Kendrick isn't on the big three because SZA, Travis Scott and 21 Savage "got him wiped down". Okay, first, I'm pretty sure this guy thinks big three means just "the three best selling" and uhhh no not quite. And second, and most obvious, SZA? SZA isn't even a rapper, why are you trying to bring her into this? 🙄

The AI to imitate 2Pac's and Snoop's voices. A few points here. First of all, the fucking disrespect to 2Pac, what the fuck. Glad Pac's family threatened him to remove it. Second, Snoop Dogg is alive. You just used his AI voice cause you know damn well he wouldn't be caught dead doing a verse on a Kendrick diss for you. And as a third point, it's just funny you felt like you had to use AI to make a diss track. Ghostwriters weren't enough for this one ig lol.

"Taylor Made Freestyle" was all just him begging on his hands and knees for Kendrick to reply something and give him some attention. Drake took almost a month replying to Kendrick's verse on "Like That". And he's begging for a response to "Push Ups" like a week after it was leaked (and the same day it was even officially released in the first place)

He tried to say the things Kendrick would diss him with. He was mostly right but oh boy did Kendrick do so much more.

Is he a Swiftie too? Cause he wouldn't let her go for "Taylor Made". In his mind, he swears Kendrick wasn't dropping a diss cause he didn't want to interrupt Taylor Swift's album's success, which is just a funny and dumb conclusion to make.

Spends the end of that track just talking, trying to praise Taylor for "managing Kendrick's schedule". 🤡

Drake beginning "Family Matters" with an n word and then going "yeah I said it I know that you mad" really came off sounding like when 12 year olds play online and say the word to seem tough. 😂

"Always rapping like you trying to get the slaves freed". Dang so making songs that actually have substance and meaning means you wanna free slaves, okay.

About these next lines...

Kendrick said he hated the girls you fuck referring to your dumbass being a pedo and hated you trying to hook up with underage girls. Not at any point did he say anything about their color tf.

"I've been with black and white and everything that's in between" okay so all underage girls okay got it. Again that was never the point. 😐

"You the black messiah wifin' up a mixed queen" Drake seriously missed the whole entire fucking point. Kendrick never said he didn't like you for hooking up with white women, what the fuck. And again the messiah thing is just funny.

He mentioned Whitney on "Push Ups", and some gave him the benefit of the doubt thinking he might have just done some wordplay about Whitney Houston being called the same as Kendrick's wife, wasn't clear enough. But these lyrics here are what made it abundantly clear he did want to try to mess with his family. I'm sorry but at this point that's not a rap beef, you intentionally tried to make it personal. Maybe you knew you never had a chance so you thought going there would make it possible to win? As if you didn't have a horrible fucking record already.

"Why you never hold your son and tell him 'say cheese'?" Maybe he doesn't want to expose him too much to the public while he raises him, decent human beings would understand that.

"We could've left the kids out of this, don't blame me" Kendrick said you don't know shit about raising a child based on information that was already abundantly public (see "The Story Of Addidon") and also based on the fact that you, despite having that child, love playing tough on IG and dropping disses using AI begging Kendrick to reply. Trying to get Kendrick's children involved is totally on you, buddy. Kendrick wasn't the one dealing with being exposed with having a child no one knew about and you wouldn't acknowledge.

He loves baselessly claiming that one of Kendrick's children isn't his. Again, baselessly, so literally just gossip lol.

And speaking of baseless stuff, he's really keeps running on his claim that Kendrick has beaten his wife. THERE IS NO EVIDENCE OF THIS. Like at all. In his mind, he probably thinks that since his easily provable bullshit was exposed, he'll try to invent some bs on Kendrick too to make it seem like they're both horrible people. The only piece of shit we know of in this beef is you, Drake.

Not at Kendrick but in a diss aimed at The Weeknd, Drake had to pull out his homophobic card. Disgusting. Fuck, it's so easy to dislike this guy. 🙄

Saying that Kendrick's music only "hitting hard" when Baby Keem writes on it. Is it cause he has writing credits on "N95"? He does ad libs on the song so I'm pretty sure that's why he's listed. Are the ad libs that fire? Lol

"Kendrick just opened his mouth, somebody go hand him a Grammy right now" awww he jealous bout Kendrick's Grammy's lol 🥺

He brought up Kendrick's transgender uncle, and was transphobic to try to diss Kendrick. Just plain ignorant and disgusting as hell. But of course he did. 😑🙄

Tried to blame Kendrick for 2Pac's family threatening legal action for his "Taylor Made Freestyle". Bro what you did was plain disrespectful and it was just bound to happen.

Did he really try to brag about the video leaked of him masturbating? 🤡🤡🤡

And this nonsense right here, was it cause he visited Ghana or something? He's trying to pin Kendrick as a racist? Huh?

...and follows this up with an ignorant, racist, weird ass comment dissing Michael Jackson too for no reason whatsoever. 🤡

Talking to the mirror here lol

Naming his diss track "The Heart part 6" was almost clever. Except for the fact that yk the song is fucking trash.

The first line on this song calls Kendrick "the Pulitzer Prize winner". Yeah pointing out an accolade as amazing as that one at the beginning of a diss towards him will definitely do it. 😀

Having a comment by Dave Free as the cover for the single. Is this his evidence for a kid being his? 😂

Saying you "plotted to give Kendrick information" doesn't even help you much when it's all easily believable based on your background lol.

Denying the child Kendrick is exposing him to have, again, doesn't help your case at all after Adonis.

Goes back to saying Kendrick beat his wife and one of his children is not his, again with no evidence or hint whatsoever, only to go and say he's all about "facts". 🤡

Okay so, be careful everyone, don't leave heart emojis to any child or baby post ever, cause Drake is going to think you're the father.

Why is he even bringing up Kendrick's confessions on "Mother I Sober"? How is bringing up a traumatic potential sexual abuse incident a good way to dodge your own sexual abuse allegations? And that's not even exactly what Kendrick said on the fucking song! It's just disgusting.

And then tries to ridicule Kendrick for being a victim of this. What the fuck is wrong with this mf.

Okay and this one is just cringe. He tried to spin Kendrick's jab on "Not Like Us". B sharp isn't even a thing btw. 😂😂🤡

"I'd never look twice at no teenager" there is literally video of you kissing a teenager on stage, for starters. So you just look at them once before you creep on them how does that work

"Only fucking with Whitney" ah yes the old "I'll fuck your bitch" trope very clever and original Drake

Drake believing some bullshit he saw around about Kendrick using bots to boost his view count is just hilarious. He really thinks Kenny sat down and took some time to actually do that. 😂😂

He thinks people will cancel Kendrick over his baseless battery accusations. 🤡

He ends it with another minute rant like the one he did on "Taylor Made", and starts by saying the beef was "some good exercise". Ngl it is the first time I hear Drake rap at all in a while. So yeah gotta thank Kendrick for getting Drake to actually TRY to do some good music at all. (It's not even good but yk better than whatever trash he was doing before the beef)

"Just let me know when we getting to the facts, everything in my shit is facts" *doubles down on baseless claims of battery and one of Kendrick's children not being his*

[not-a-matopoeia]

HEAD CANNON HILLS I PERSONALLY CHOOSE TO DIE ON:

Fight me (lol)

Bruce Wayne

Gray Hairs are mostly in and around his temples and beard- also he won’t dye it

Asexual but not sex repulsed (it just feels right)

Definitely experienced with makeup, sure to cover bruises and stuff but also he definitely had a phase where he wore eyeliner cause why not

Autistic

Dick Grayson

Crooked nose

Speaks some Roma still but has forgotten most of it, which makes him upset

People deffo thought he was gay all through school, and they weren’t wrong…or right (he’s some form of queer)

Gymnastics teacher as a side job

ADHD

Oldest Daughter SyndromeTM

Jason Todd

I think that Jason runs a book club with a bunch of middle aged women, and they talk about classic lit

Theater Kid (gay)

Good with kids, reluctantly

Has freckles

Hair is caused by Marie Antoinette syndrome

Struggled with body dysmorphia after being revived

Keeps all his receipts (they’re in a box in the kitchen) and is stingy with money

Tim Drake

Wears a Medical Identification bracelet for the spleen thing (it’s recommended guys I looked it up cause I’m normal)

Has acne

Chased Batman and Robin around with that damn camera (I fucking love this)

Has anxiety

Bisexual (not a HC but I thought I’d mention it)

Would eat the coffee grounds

Listens to video game osts

(Bring the skateboard back)

Damian

Strong nose

Just very strong features generally

Giggles, or full on cackles but there’s no In between

I think it’s be cute if he became an art therapist or a vet

Autistic

Cass

Cuts her own bangs, they look horrible<3

Lesbian

Tired to dye her hair once (with Steph and Babs)never again

Steph

Grew up in crime ally (idk where she lived so I choose to believe this- this could also be the truth, again I cannot remember rn)

Freckles

Butterfly Clips

Bisexual

Curly hair

Alfred

Had chased multiple people off of Wayne Manors premises with his shotgun ‘

Got second place in a chili cook off one time and still hasn’t recovered

Extra:

Dick and Jason are big into Taylor Swift, Jason because I think he’d like ballads/the lyrics in songs and Dick because he’s Dick

Selina Kyle actually likes the Robins, and her and Steph got along well

Jason and Steph have really thick Gotham accents, which I like to think is like a Jersey accent, Jason’s shows up more when he’s upset in any capacity, Steph’s is always there and was never trained out of her

Dick has this weird accent where it’s very clearly not anything American, but it’s not not American, and it’s because he moved so much and was around people woth so many different accents that his voice never settled on one

Damian talks to himself in Arabic- Jason knows a bit of it

Cass is a messy eater (this isn’t cannon is it?)

I think it’s be funny to imagine Tim, Cass and Steph going to High School together

Steph was that one girl in the Cookie Monster pjs in high school, and Tim was like this weird goth/skater kid

[ultimate-marysue]

I really like the idea of Catatonic Jason taking care of baby Damian. Like, yes, he's traumatized beyond belief. He's being trained to kill, and yet there's this softness in him. Talia recognizes the instinct to protect the innocent, allowing Jason to care for her son. She hopes it will ground him and in a way it does. It's almost natural to him. But then he's resurrected by the pit.

This new Jason is confused, half mad from the process. Most importantly he doesn't remember anything. His body does, all of his training coming through well practiced moves. But this boy is too angry and volatile, and Talia will not risk his baby with him. No matter how much her heart wants to believe he would remember holding him too.

Jason leaves. Talia and Damian follow his progress watching him progressively calm down. The effects of the pit can be combated, and Talia was relieved her initial assumption had been right: Jason Todd was still in there. It was harder on Damian. It's one thing to rationally understand why his brother couldn't remember him, and another thing entirely to accept it.

Once he moved to the manor, the absence felt even greater. Everything was so backwards, and the only person he could have found some sense of comradely with didn't remember him. What's more, he didn't even seem all that interested in reconnecting with his family at first.

Damian watched him struggle from afar, dealing with grief, anger and guilt on his own. He watched seething with jealousy as Jason tried to mend his relationship with Tim. "He's only nice to you because he feels guilty about punching a kid", he pettily thought. It wasn't fair at all, so he stuck to calling him Todd instead of Jason.

Richard was the only saving grace in the whole family, and thus the only one capable of making him feel included. It took a while, especially when his father and Drake came back, derailing their lovely routine. He wasn't going to complain about having another chance to prove himself to father, but he missed Richard.

Live continued, and slowly he felt more and more like he truly belonged. The feeling not coming from a single cathartic experience but a myriad of small domestic moments. It is one of those moments when it happens.

He has hurt his leg fighting Killer Croc, and Jason had offered to help him to his room since Bruce still needed to finish something on the computer. It was getting less and less rare to see Red Hood in the cave or Jason Todd upstairs. Everyone still treated him like a loud noise would spook him and Damian wondered if that's how they'd seen him once.

Jason jokes around when he grabs him in bridal carry and Damian threatens the safety of his reproductive organs. It's an old song and dance, and they quickly go back to ignoring each other. It is Jason who breaks the meditative silence again, starting to hum a familiar melody halfway through the stairs.

Damian can't place it at first, and Jason doesn't seem to realize he's doing it. He's walking down the corridor when he actually starts whispering the lyrics, almost in a trance. Damian tenses, recognizing the nursery rhyme Jason used to sing to him back when he was a kid.

The movement seems to snap Jason out of his reverie, standing completely still for a moment. Damian watches enraptured as the realization dawns on him, his brother's head snapping back to him. His eyes are wide open and slightly shiny as he regards Damian like it's the first time he's truly seeing him.

"Habibi?" Jason asks, still sounding far away.

Damian contorts himself to hug him, the pressure on his chest finally releasing as his brother finally comes back to him.

It takes him a while to recover his memories of their time together, but for the first time Jason actually wants to remember. He's had to wade through enough green-tinged half memories, filled with grief and shame. Damian's memories are different. They're from a time when he barely existed, reduced to pure instinct. And yet, that version of himself had the instinct to care for this child. To love him.

Maybe there was hope for him.

[mangoisms]

circle k (back to you)

summary: in which you're just the graveyard shift employee at circle k bombarded by vigilantes.

━ chapter five: i am found on the ground | read chapter four

━ pairing: tim drake x f!reader

━ word count: 4.5k

━ warnings: none

━ masterlist

━ a/n: if you'd like to see my notes (and my thoughts behind a certain inclusion of a character in this chapter), you can find them here <3 (also i'm on fire is playing in the last scene the formatting of the lyrics just killed me so i had to get rid of it thank you all)

“You just can’t beat it.”

“It was okay.”

You turn sharply to look at Tim, who shrugs, a small smile playing on his lips. 

In the kitchen, Steph snorts. “Here we go.”

You ignore her. “Okay? Inception was okay—”

“Uncalled for—”

“But true. This?” You gesture to his flatscreen TV, where the end credits for Interstellar are playing; you’re a little bit red-eyed from the end scenes with Cooper and Murph but no less passionate. “This is more than okay. It’s—”

“Not technically scientifically accurate.”

You grab a pillow and gently whack him with it. He tries to hide a growing smile. You don’t understand what exactly he’s smiling at but you don’t care in this moment.

“It’s not about scientific accuracy, duck boy, it’s about love.”

“Yeah!” Steph yells from the kitchen. “Go love! Woo!”

You gesture in her direction. “He literally said it in the movie, Tim. How can you miss it? And Brand, too!”

“It wasn’t enough to save who she loved, though,” he points out—ever the devil’s advoactate, honestly…

“But it was there and she knew that, too, and she was okay with it. And it was enough for Cooper and Murph, too. I mean, literally to the point that she was able to save humanity. Right? Brand said it—love is the one thing we are capable of perceiving that transcends dimensions of time and space.”

Tim looks… well, far from upset or annoyed. He seems amused, almost… almost fond, the way he looks at you, but it’s too much for you to handle, so you look away, pouting a little.

“And also, okay, I know entering the black hole wasn’t ‘scientifically accurate’ but that’s the point, that some higher being switched them out so he didn’t die. You do have to admit, however, that the depiction of the black hole, which I’ll give Nolan props for, was great.”

“Okay, true,” he concedes. “The score was pretty good, too.”

“It was excellent.”

Steph steps out from the kitchen, looking at her phone. “Give me a sec, you guys, my mom’s calling me.”

You both give her an affirmative and she steps out the front door. You and Tim quickly resume your discussion.

“Inception’s score was good, too,” he points out. 

“Bah. They both had Zimmer. Of course it’s going to be good. But Interstellar has the benefit of being enhanced by it because it’s already a good movie. I mean, it surprises even me that Nolan could manage to pull off something like this.”

“He has the range,” Tim protests. 

“Yeah, yeah, whatever, you Nolan stan. I’m still a bit hung-up on you saying it’s just ‘okay.’ I mean, sure, it could just be me projecting my own grief about my dead parents onto the story about a dad crossing space and time to get back to his daughter but still!”

That’s the understatement of the century. The scenes between Cooper and an old Murph never fail to make you tear up. Any of the scenes between them, really. 

The prolonged silence from Tim tips you off and it’s only when you look at him do you realize your mistake.

His eyes are wide as he looks at you, surprised, with something else. 

“Oh, it’s fine—”

“Your parents are—”

You both stop. 

You clear your throat, waving a hand. “It’s fine. I… I mean, sorry if it made you uncomfortable, I joke about it sometimes.”

“No,” he says. “It’s okay. It just surprised me. I guess… I don’t want to—I mean—I’m, uh, sorry?”

You shift on the couch, turning more toward him. “It’s okay. It was… well, not that long ago, but—”

You stop, because your instinctive response is ‘I’m over it’ but that’s not totally true, is it? You don’t think you’ll ever be over it. One part of you still feels horribly robbed of them, and some days, their deaths feel so monumental you can barely get through the day, while others, you can function normally for the most part. 

“No, I understand,” he says softly. “My parents, too. My mom when I was younger but my dad died when I was sixteen. It’s… not really something you get over, I think. No matter how much time passes.”

A quiet moment between you. It’s not like he’s tried to make you feel ostracized—if anything he’s gone out of his way to make you feel welcomed here, to make sure he and Steph don’t get too caught up on their own and they include you—but… This is a common thread between you and you know he knows and you know he knows you know. 

“Yeah… Yeah, exactly.” You pause, glancing at the TV, where the credits are rolling now. “It happened when I was fifteen. The, um, earthquake.”

“I’m sorry,” he says again and you know he means it. 

“I’m sorry about yours, too.”

Tim nods, the look on his face still soft, still gentle, then he glances back at the TV. 

“I was kidding, you know,” he says next. “It, uh, really was good. Better than I thought it would be. Scientific inaccuracy aside…”

“It’s good,” you press, ignoring the last comment. “And I don’t think it was trying to fool anyone into scientific accuracy.”

“Also true. I just…”

“Wasn’t expecting it to hit that hard?” you guess, smiling. “Yeah, I get it. Cried like a baby when I first saw it. You’re stronger than me for getting through it dry-eyed.”

“Oh, I’m just waiting for later,” he says. “Saving my sorrows for my pillow. That kind of thing.”

You laugh loudly. He smiles. 

“It does unearth all the dead parent trauma, though,” he says. 

“Oh, tell me about it. Cooper wanting to try to go back home after they find out Dr. Brand never intended to help those on earth…”

“And then having to sacrifice himself to give Brand a chance,” he finishes, shaking his head. “Only for it to turn out well in the end. If only real life was like that.”

A shade too dark for right now but you can’t say you disagree. 

The front door opens. Steph slips back inside, raising an eyebrow at you two. Though she hardly means what you think she means, you find yourself inching away from Tim, turning back forward slightly. You’d hate to give her the wrong impression.

And of course, that is not at all what she is thinking about.

“Why do you two look like someone just died?”

“Well, we were just talking about our dead parents, so,” Tim responds without missing a beat.

You burst out laughing. Steph groans. 

“I was wrong. You two shouldn’t be friends.”

“It’s too late for that, I think,” Tim says, grinning. 

You can’t help but grin, too.

She groans again.

Catwoman is your next vigilante visitor.

All skin-tight latex and a coquettish attitude that makes your face hot.

Luckily, she doesn’t appear to mind. She even pays for her stuff. 

(“I was told,” she purrs. “And I don’t much like being told what to do but… you’re cute enough to convince me to go along with it.”

You don’t think the noise you made was human but it amused her enough.)

Alongside that, you have the others who regularly drop by. Your vigilantes, but then, as you pick up a few weekend afternoon shifts (much to Steph’s disapproval), some normal faces, too.

Barbara, a red-haired woman with sharp green eyes who has a stately and intimidating aura to her but is always pleasant when you two chat. Sometimes she has another woman with her, a pretty blond Barbara calls D. Then, that one man, the stocky blonde with the tortoise-shell glasses and a quiet but kind disposition, who eventually introduces himself as Jean-Paul. 

You spot him during one of your weekend shifts, waiting his turn as you finish ringing up a harried-looking lady. Another man joins him, a little bit younger, you think, with dark hair and an odd white streak at the front; they’re both dressed in scrubs. 

“It’s been a while, Jason.”

“You know how it is, JP. Work doesn’t stop. How’s Leslie?”

“Doing everything at once and somehow managing to pull it off. I’m sure she’d like to see you, if you could find the time.”

“Sure. I’ve got a couple days off from the hospital. I could drop in. Lend a hand.”

A soft chuckle. “If she doesn’t turn you around and tell you to go rest.”

“I’ll rest when I’m dead.”

He coughs. The other man snickers.

Just as the lady leaves, Jean-Paul says, “Let me pay.”

“I won’t say no.”

They both step up to the counter. Jean-Paul gives you a small smile in greeting and seems to decide to forgo your usual small talk—probably because of his new company, which you’re a bit grateful for. The other man—Jason?—nods, eyeing you curiously. Why, you have no idea. But that’s the only thing odd about it. You ring up the coffees without issue and soon, they’re stepping out, Jean-Paul giving you another small smile in goodbye. You return it. 

Having regulars like that reminds you of the ones you had in Keystone City. Kind Mr. Garrick, who stopped by about once a month for lottery tickets, his wife typically in tow; they were always kind to you, always a little bit concerned over your wellbeing, whether you were getting enough sleep or eating well. Painfully reminiscent of grandparents you never had. 

A little more frequently, there was Linda Park-West, a face you easily recognized from WKEY-TV for the Channel 4 News. She didn’t miss much, always so perceptive, but kind to you, sometimes testing your PR skills as a reporter. She usually stopped by for coffee before work but on occasion, she brought along her kids, Jai and Iris, to let them pick out something for themselves, too. Quite literal balls of energy, they were a handful but always good-intentioned. 

You miss them all a lot. More than you thought you would. The Flash, too. Especially these days. What you’d give to talk to him about all this stuff…

But you’ve managed on your own since your parents died. You can keep doing it. 

The following week, Tuesday night, you get another new vigilante visitor.

This one?

Robin. 

He is, admittedly, a figure you are considerably more scared of. It’s a bit… silly on your part, too, because he is a kid, you think, a teen at least, but, well, teens can be scary. This one certainly is. If only because of his close proximity to the one who scares the most. The one who you are happy not to have visited you thus far and Robin’s appearance… well, you don’t entirely know if it’s a good thing. 

But it might be foolish to assume that Batman doesn’t know this is happening. 

But then thinking of him knowing you exist makes you horribly anxious, so, you shelve the thought for now and try to focus on the situation.

Which is…

The three dogs in tow collapse in front of the door, panting, tongues lolled out, appearing to enjoy the air-conditioned bliss of the inside of the store. Robin stares at you, his face a blank mask. 

“Water?”

“At the back. Far left.”

He nods and turns.

You wait there, uncertain, glancing at the dogs. They look worse for wear, fur dirty and matted, old scars healed over; the sight tugs at your heart, so you step around from the counter, heading to the coffee machine. The store doesn’t carry bowls but the extra-large soda cups are wide enough to work for now. 

Robin appears near you, several big bottles of water held in hand. He doesn’t say anything, just looks at you and the cups.

“Don’t have any bowls,” you admit. “So, I thought this might work.”

He wrinkles his nose. “Styrofoam. Wasteful. But it’ll do.”

“Yeah, Circle K isn’t breaking barriers in terms of eco-friendliness.”

He says nothing to that, just turns and heads for the dogs. You follow him, not that turned off. You’ve heard rumors about this particular Robin. He does a good job but can be… rough around the edges. Like Bat, like Robin, you guess.

Glancing at the cups, you get an idea, stopping to duck around the counter and grab a pair of scissors. You cup off the top half of each of them, Robin taking them as you go, until all three cups are cut, allowing for the dogs to have better reach. 

You join him with the last one, filling it with cold water. Most of the dogs are so heat tired, they only lift their heads to drink, seemingly unable to stand.

You and Robin stay kneeled in front of them, filling the cups when necessary. You gently stroke the head of one nearest to you, smiling as his tail thumps against the tiles. 

Robin says nothing else and neither do you. That’s how his time there goes, spent in silence, petting the dogs, letting them cool down and rest. 

Eventually, he starts to leave, and you can’t help but ask, “What’s going to happen to them?”

He regards you for a moment and you get the unnerving feeling of being picked apart and analyzed. Still, you hold steady. It’s good practice, you try to tell yourself. One day, you’ll be faced with bloodhounds for journalists and you have to keep it together. Let yourself practice with Robin because if you can pull it off with him, you can do it with anyone. 

“The shelters are closed for the night,” he eventually responds. “I will take them somewhere safe, off the streets. Then in the morning, they’ll go there.”

“That’s good. Thanks for doing that. It’s kind of you.”

He pauses, looking back at the dogs, who are rejuvenated by this point, stretching and standing up, tails wagging as they look at you two. 

“It’s the right thing to do,” he says at last. “And… thank you, for your help.”

You glance away, picking up the cups. “Sure. No problem.”

A nod and Robin is soon corralling the dogs out of the store, murmuring more gently to them than you would expect, but from this experience, you suspect he has some kind of soft spot for animals. It’s endearing, in a way. 

You hope you made a good impression on him, too. 

(And if your good impression keeps Batman out a little longer, well, that’s just a lucky coincidence.)

The start of July creeps on you. 

There is still achingly little contact between you and Tim. By this point, you haven’t seen him in person for more than a month.

You miss him, in the same way you miss a limb. Scrolling through your social media, whenever you find something funny or that he would like, your knee-jerk reaction is to send it to him. But your conversations on those respective platforms are made up of messages from you and none from him, so you have to stop yourself, because it wouldn’t be worth it. He wouldn’t see it. 

Steph tries to preoccupy your time, though her behavior regarding Tim grows increasingly skittish, to the point where you almost think she might know.

She might know that you’re in love with him, him, her ex-boyfriend and first love. The thought brings on the usual amount of soul-crushing guilt and disgust with yourself. How can you do that to her? She’s your best friend. You love her to the ends of the universe and back and… How can you do that to her?

But… something else about it all niggles at you, too. She switches between reassuring you he’ll come around, and dismissing him the other times, saying you ‘don’t need him to have a good time.’ It makes you think they may be having their own issues, too.

The thought is sobering. 

You’ve always thought of Steph and Tim as—as insane as it sounds—a pair of bonded kittens. Not exactly getting along all the time but…

You couldn’t separate them. You shouldn’t separate them. 

And it feels so wrong for it to be just you two, sometimes. Like you’re missing another piece of the puzzle and it’s noticeable. This empty space between you two that he usually filled. Your group chat, at his insistence, is called the three musketeers. Well, you’re missing your third. Desperately.

“We can rebrand,” Steph says to you one day, the two of you at the mall’s food court. Tim said he was busy. Again.

“No,” you sigh. “That’s not… no. Anyway, Big Belly?”

“I—oh, you have got to be kidding me.” She sounds annoyed, voice sharp.

“What?” you ask, your eyes still on the menu in front of you. 

She grabs your arm. “I think we should eat somewhere else.”

You frown at her. “But you said you wanted to get—”

“We can get Big Belly somewhere else. Maybe a little more quiet, you know, it’s kinda crazy in here,” she laughs, though it sounds strained as she tugs you over to the exit. 

“Crazy? It’s not that busy—Stephanie!” You yelp as she drags you forward before you can take a look around. “What is going on—”

“It’s just—I think I see Jordanna—”

“Where—”

“Let’s not look! Don’t want her to see you or me, you know how she is, so, let’s get out of here…”

“Well, I—okay—you don’t have to—”

She tugs you all the way through the exit, out into the burning mid-afternoon heat. Humidity swallows you whole, turning your skin tacky, sun bearing down on you full-force. Outside, it smells sharply of gasoline and hot blacktop.

“Honestly, Steph,” you say, shaking your head. “You didn’t need to drag me out like that.”

She gives you an apologetic smile. “Sorry. I just… didn’t want to deal with Jordanna. She’s been really annoying me recently.”

“Has she?” You can’t imagine why Jordanna would even be talking to her since it’s the summer, but to be fair, there isn’t much Jordanna wouldn’t do in the name of annoying her. 

“Yup. Just… acting way out of line. So, let’s go somewhere else.”

“Alright, that’s fine. Let’s get out of the heat before you have to scrape me off the pavement.”

“Food’s on me,” she promises, looping her fingers through the belt loops of your jeans, tugging you gently; too hot to hold hands or twine your arms together like usual. 

Though the whole thing bothers you a little bit, you are too used to Steph and Tim’s sometimes strange ways. Leaving abruptly, missing scheduled hangouts, a penchant for tardiness. The occasional bruise or cut that they both wave away. The exhaustion that wears them down sometimes.

It’s odd.

But stranger things happen in Gotham, so, you heed their wishes for that stuff to be ignored. 

Just like you let this one go, too. 

Really. The things you do for them.

Oddities aside, as Tim remains virtually radio silent, you miss him more. Think about him more. 

Dream about him more.

“Steph’s going to be late,” is what Tim says as soon as he steps inside your dorm. 

You snort. “Of course she is. You’re both terrible at being punctual.”

“I… am less bad at it than she is.”

“Right,” you say, smirking, pointing to your clock. “You’re only twenty minutes late, compared to what her forty minutes to an hour will be.”

Tim grimaces as he shuffles off his shoes by the door, then steps in further. “She said she was showering.”

“So, we have even more time. That’s fine. I wanted to paint my nails.”

In the bathroom you share with your ‘roommate,’ the shower turns on. It’s really just the bathroom you two share. Your small dorm is entirely private. The perks of being a junior. 

You go over to your dresser, where your collection of makeup and nail polish is. Above it, your window looks out to the grassy quad, the sky clear of clouds, unusually blue today without the typical smog; the sun shines in, dust motes dancing in the rays.

Tim comes over, too, but he goes for your phone instead, which is connected to your Bluetooth speaker, music playing lowly; he got that for you this past Christmas. 

“Gonna play your old people music?”

“Bruce Springsteen is a treasure to this country and, to quote my dad, one of the few good things to ever come out of the state of New Jersey.”

You laugh. The song changes. The upbeat notes of Hungry Heart start. You’ve heard this one more than a couple times since meeting him. It’s not so bad. 

You fiddle with the bottles of nail polishes. Tim sets your phone down and leans over, dropping his chin to your shoulder as he watches you, humming quietly under his breath. 

The contact makes your heart skip a beat, tendrils of his cologne wrapping around you, the heat of his body palpable through your thin t-shirt. It’s a contradicting sensation, with the AC working hard to beat the May heat that’s settled in. Maybe too hard, as your fingers are a little bit cold. You warm up quickly with Tim so close to you, your heart thudding in your ears. You desperately hope he can’t feel the heat that expands in your face.

That’s a more recent development. One you hate looking too closely at, for fear of what it means.

(You do know what it means. You’re just still in denial. Because admitting it means you have feelings for your best friend’s ex-boyfriend. For your best friend.)

You keep fiddling, not sure which color to pick. Tim huffs softly, reaching past you, picking out a bottle of wine red nail polish.

“Fine. But you have to help,” you say, taking it from him, then grabbing another bottle for the top coat. 

“Don’t I always?”

You just nudge him back, stepping away from the dresser and taking a seat on the floor. The floor is hard, polished concrete; not pleasant to sit on or walk on, so you’ve invested in several cushioned rugs to cover as much as you can. 

Tim grabs a Zesti from your mini fridge, then joins you as you set to painting the nails of your left hand. This one is easier since you’re using your dominant hand and you manage to paint your nails without catching any of the skin around them. 

The shower in your bathroom hums underneath the sound of the song as you finish your left hand. The first coat, anyway. Tim passes his Zesti to you, wipes a hand on his jeans to get rid of the condensation, then takes the bottle of nail polish. 

You sip the soda, extending your right hand to him. He carefully balances the bottle on the rug and sets to painting your nails. 

Like with most things he does, Tim dedicates himself to his task wholeheartedly, cornflower blue eyes trained on your hand, tongue poking out in concentration. The sight makes your heart skip a beat. Warmth unspools in your chest like cotton candy.

Sunlight pours in from the window above the dresser, bathing him in warm, golden rays; it makes the shade of his dark hair warmer, the blue of his t-shirt, too, softening the pale of his skin. 

“So… how was that date?”

The question jars you. You avert your eyes. 

Ah. The date you agreed to go on with a guy in your communications class in an attempt to… you don’t know. Distract yourself from Tim? Try to find someone else to latch onto? All… not so great reasons, you know, but needs must. 

Not like it worked out, anyway…

“Terrible.”

He stiffens, pausing in his work to look at you, eyes narrowing, and you send him a small smile, privately pleased—though you shouldn’t be—at seeing him get all protective. You can take care of yourself and he knows that, too, but… one can appreciate having a cute guy be like that for you. Within reason, anyway. 

“He didn’t do anything, Timmy, relax. He was just… well, seemed nice initially. But when we got to the restaurant, he was horrible to the waitress. I already wasn’t feeling it, but after that, no way. So.”

He glances away, thumb rubbing idly at the back of your hand from where he cradles it in his. “Sorry to hear that.”

“It’s okay. It wasn’t a good idea.”

“To go with him or—” he clears his throat, turning back to his work “—dating in general?”

“I don’t know. He just wasn’t what I was looking for.”

“What are you looking for?”

You, you want to say, but don’t. 

Frightening to realize, really, that the answer to that question is immediate, as sure as the day. 

It’s Tim. 

Always Tim. 

But you’ve never felt this way for someone. This strongly, like you want so much, you could never be satisfied. 

“I don’t know,” you say quietly, watching the brush of the handle glide over your nail in easy, practiced sweeps. “Does anyone?”

“I guess not,” he concedes softly. “But still. I hope you can find it.”

The song changes. Something calmer, with the strum of the guitar. Familiar croons of I'm On Fire.

I have found it, you want to say. It’s you. It’s this. Right here, right now.

But just because you found it doesn’t mean it’s yours.

“Do you?” you find yourself asking because apparently you’re feeling extra masochistic today. “Know what you’re looking for, I mean.”

Steph sometimes teases him. Tries to point out nice boys and girls he might like. You used to play along. You don’t so much these days. 

He would always wave it off, anyway. Just shake his head and change the subject. He has dated before. Obviously. Someone as gorgeous as him… all of Gotham wants a piece of him. You do, too. Well. You want all of him. Which is another thing you are just now realizing. But anyway, since you’ve known him, he hasn’t dated anyone. He used to date a boy—Bernard? Steph said he was a character—from one of his old high schools but that didn’t work out. And now he still has the occasional date, but it never pans out. He says they just aren’t compatible. 

Makes you curious.

You’d never match up to it, you know, but you want to know, anyway. 

Tim looks up, his eyes slowly scanning your face. This close, with the sunlight, you can see the shadows his lashes cast on his cheeks, the flecks of silver in his eyes, like mercury, the odd scars, too, that he excuses behind clumsiness as a child. Everything inside you squeezes.

“I guess you can say that,” he eventually says, voice soft. 

The words hurt, but distantly, like it’s all far away from you. You’re too caught up here, now, close enough to smell his cologne. 

Tension thickens the air between you. It’s unfamiliar, unknown, but not unwelcome with how your stomach swoops like you missed a step, heart pounding in your ears. 

Tim looks… contemplative. Your eyes are immediately drawn to the movement of him biting his lip, teeth sinking into plush pink, and the urge to soothe away the indents with your own lips is fearsome, monumental, like a hurricane. 

His fingers tighten on your hand. You want to get swept away in this moment, no matter the consequences. It’s a dangerous kind of feeling you aren’t used to. 

But the shower abruptly shuts off in the bathroom, plunging the room back into silence with the strum of the guitar and the croon of the song as it ends. The moment is broken. 

Tim clears his throat and returns to his work. 

Neither of you say anything. 

Too much for you to want. 

Too much you cannot have.

Too complicated.

reblogs are appreciated!

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[foreverisntenough]

For your listening pleasure as I get closer to publishing the first chapter of 'Movie Night'...

Here’s 10 tracks that I think embody how this fic is feeling whether that be lyrically or otherwise ✨

Patience is a virtue. But it's virtually useless to text me how you feel. The feelings mutual, come see me. Girl, come see me. | All them risky text that you be sending not a screenshot. Down for the cause, that's what I love, it's so easy

Baby if you need it, show it And if you ever need it or want it, I got you, you know this. And, if you ever home alone and need a little compagny, I'll swing right over 🥵

Girl, I need you the most when you're gone. I've tried to keep you holding on 'cause I don't wanna see you with no one else.

Would you make it alright? Or maybe that much better? If you wanted you could make it all worth it.

Girl, you must be doin' magic Turn fuckin' you to a habit I could name a lot of things any other man. Won't do for you, I do for you 😮‍💨

How can I snooze and miss the moment? You just too important. Nobody do body like you do. I can't lose when I'm with you

I ain't really got much on my mind. Other than I knew it when I first saw you.

Dreamin' of sharin' worlds. Held this feeling for way too long | I know I dream about her all day I think about her with her clothes off. 🫠

So lost in these diamonds. So lost in this paradise. Don't speed on that highway. We need you to shine bright. When life gets too complicated. Please stand with me after dark. I'll stay in the limelight. Like a beautiful afterthought 😩

I'm sorry these Barbies all over me.I need something real. Girl, your body so sincere We could be at your house Now, girl, why are we still here? 😵‍💫

Trent Alexander Arnold x Reader | Brother's Best Friend | This series will be 18+ MDNI

[kad3spad3]

Which batfam member fits Nobody’s Soldier by Hoizer the best?

The easy answer here is Jason because that was kinda his whole thing. And trust me I love this idea but this song could genuinely work with almost every member

Dick

He was put on a pedastool and framed as the golden child, and because of that he was expected to take over as Batman. He obviously doesn’t want to be Batman, you can see his turmoil over this in many media forms. The most talked about one being battle for the cowl. There is even a conversation about it in the young justice show when he’s Robin where he states he doesn’t want to be THE Batman.

Jason

He is the most common one to see with this song. Not wanting to be remembered as a soldier instead of a child and trying to stop the ‘Robin’ mantle because of all the children Bruce is letting be put in positions of danger. Also the fact that his memorial case is marked as ‘a good soldier’ which really feels like it’s supposed to rub salt in the wound for Jason.

Tim

Tim was the Robin that forced himself in, he wasn’t chosen by Bruce and when he originally became Robin, Bruce didn’t want him. He has also always been (in my opinion) the most interesting to dissect on a more mental level. He has always had identity issues and is a great actor. Not only is his acting skills shown in the disguises he uses (ex. Caroline Hills) but also as THE Tim Drake. Everything he does has always been some sort of act. Especially when Bruce was missing and Dick took Robin away from him because ‘Damian needs it more’. This was the origin of ‘Red Robin’ as Tim didn’t know what to do or how to be useful if he couldn’t be Robin. The lyrics “I don’t want to chose between being a salesman or a soldier” make more sense when you thing about his identity issues, salesman representing ‘Timothy Jackson Drake, teenage CEO’ and soldier representing ‘Red Robin, the worlds greatest detective’

Cassandra

Cassandra’s use of this song is pretty straight forward in my opinion. She was raised as a weapon, she was trained to kill. She never had another purpose in life to the point that she was never taught to talk, because why would she need that skill if her main focus was to hurt. Then when she finally escaped that life and was given the choice, she became one of the strictest enforcers of the ‘no kill rule’ because she had been taught that all she was good for was to kill her whole life.

Damian

Damian is another character that I love with this song. His comparison to the lyrics of this song are very similar to Cassandra’s. He was born into the league and was raised to be his grandfathers heir. He knew nothing but training and never did anything without purpose, then suddenly his whole life was changed when he was sent to go live with his father. Having to change everything he’s ever known, having to abide by a single rule that goes against his entire existence. He always tells people that he is the blood son, and that he will be the one to take his father’s place. Yet he isn’t sure himself if he is right for the position as he had single handily gone against everything his father stands for.

Anyways that’s the end. I think I’ve thought about this a bit too much..!

[bluejay-the-geek]

DC characters/moments as Tortured Poets Department songs/lyrics bc i have a light concussion and am very bored (in the album's chronological order)

(disclaimer before someone is triggered- some of the lyrics are taken out of context or interpreted differently than what they actually mean. this is just for fun don't come for me. also this gets pretty angsty towards the end so proceed with caution)

"I was supposed to be sent away, But they forgot to come and get me"- tim drake very obviously bc neglecting parents/boarding school

"I love you, it's ruining my life"- early harleen quinzel about joker

"My Boy Only Breaks His Favorite Toys"- the whole song is just harley quinn idc (pre-harlivy of course)

"Now I'm down bad, cryin' at the gym"- nightwing def cried at the gym at some point

"I stopped tryna make him laugh, stopped tryna drill the safe"- dick grayson about bruce after moving out of wayne manor

"You swore that you loved me, but where were the clues? I died on the altar waitin' for the proof, You sacrificed us to the gods of your bluest days"- remember the whole selena leaving bruce at the alter thing? yeah

"I'd rather burn my whole life down, Than listen to one more second of all this bitchin' and moanin', I'll tell you something 'bout my good name, It's mine alone to disgrace"- I'm just getting red hood vibes from this no specific reason

"Now, pretty baby, I'm runnin' back home to you, Fresh out the slammer, I know who my first call will be to"- almost every gotham rouge to batman right after escaping arkham/prison. especially joker, catwoman and riddler lol

"At the park where we used to sit on children's swings, Wearing imaginary rings"- this one specific panel of tim and steph

"And this city reeks of driving myself crazy"- everyone who's ever been to gotham

"All my girls got their lace and their crimes, And your cheating husband disappeared, well, No one asks any questions here"- it's giving gotham city sirens

"Am I allowed to cry?"- maybe it's just me but i thought about clark kent discovering he had different biological parents and grieving about them even though the parents that actually raised him are alive and well

"So I leap from the gallows and I levitate down your street, Crash the party like a record scratch as I scream, "Who's afraid of little old me?", You should be" red hood's debut

"The scandal was contained, The bullet had just grazed, At all costs, keep your good name, You don't get to tell me you feel bad"- jason todd about the whole making batman choose between him and joker at the end of under the red hood

"You wouldn't last an hour in the asylum where they raised me"- this is 100% Bane bc he was born and grew up in prison for a crime he didn't even do!! also cassandra cain and damian wayne

(^this is actually the lyric that inspired this entire post lol)

"You caged me and then you called me crazy, I am what I am 'cause you trained me, So who's afraid of me? Who's afraid of little old me?"- kind of a stretch but remember that time they put jason in arkham?

I Can Fix Him (No Really I Can)- again the whole song is harley about joker

"Your arson's match, your somber eyes, And I'll still see it until I die, You're the loss of my life"- bruce about jason. out of all the robins that died, jason's death hit him the hardest. even now when bruce sees red hood, he still sees that happy little kid that he lost

"I can read your mind, "She's having the time of her life", There in her glittering prime, The lights refract sequin stars off her silhouette every night, I can show you lies"- bc we all know Nightwing is always dying on the inside, and it was very true in the discowing era bc it was right after he left the manor

"'Cause I'm a real tough kid, I can handle my shit"- jason pre-bruce

"I'm so obsessed with him, but he avoids me like the plague"- ok so we got joker about batman, cupid about green arrow, hush about bruce wayne... and a bunch of others but it's too many to write lol

"And you deserve prison, but you won't get time"- fucking tarantula that bitch

"The smallest man who ever lived"- the atom! not any of the messages in the song tho ofc he's just very small

"What if I told you I'm back? The hospital was a drag, Worst sleep that I ever had, I circled you on a map ,I haven't come around in so long, But I'm coming back so strong"- joker to batman after escaping arkham again

"I haven't come around in so long, But I'm making a comeback to where I belong"- jason coming back to protect crime alley after being away from gotham for years after his resurrection

"Even if it's handcuffed, I'm leavin' here with you"- batman and catwoman<3

I Hate It Here- imagine the whole song as homeless jason todd taking shelter in the library💔

"I built a legacy that you can't undo, But when I count the scars, there's a moment of truth, That there wouldn't be this if there hadn't been you"- bruce built a legacy as batman, and created a huge family he loves, and it hurts to think about but he wouldn't have any of it if joe chill hadn't murdered his parents

"Please, I've been on my knees, Change the prophecy, Don't want money, Just someone who wants my company"- kid bruce grew up all alone in a huge mansion, but he'd give all his billions away in a heartbeat if he could change his parent's fate

"So, they killed Cassandra first 'cause she feared the worst"- ok so you might think i chose cassandra cain for this only bc of the name, BUT- cass notices things others don't (like cassandra the prophet...), bc of her skills and abilities she is feared the most (Ik the song said "she feared" not "she is feared" but idc lol). like if someone knew so much about you just by looking you'd think she's some kind of a witch too

Peter- picture this: jason had a childhood friend back at crime alley. he left to live in wayne manor and become robin, and said goodbye to his old friend, promising they'd reunite again in the future. 3 years pass and his friend reads an article about jason's death. now listen to the song and try not to cry (if someone writes that fic send me the link IMMEDIATELY this has been haunting me) here's the link to the song with lyrics bc ik you're too lazy to look it up. also jason's middle name is peter:)

"Splendidly selfish, charmingly helpless, Excellent fun 'til you get to know her"- brucie wayne vs batman

"Started with a kiss, "Oh, we must stop meeting like this" But it always ends up with a town car speeding, Out the drive one evening"- catwoman and batman of course<3 the town car is the batmobile speeding out the batcave to catch catwoman (to arrest her or make out with her? probs both)

Robin- ofc we have to go robins for robin! imo that's bruce to dick and jason's robins, and dick to damian when he was his robin. dick and jason- despite the hard times they went through that led to them becoming robins, they were still mostly happy curious kids that run around covered in mud while bruce tried (unsuccessfully) to maintain the innocence they had left. as for damian- it's more of a stretch than the other 2 bc he had no childlike innocence before robin, but dick tried his hardest to extract the child that was hidden inside the ruthless assassin the league created, finally allowing him to experience normal kid things. idk

"He said, "I'm not a donor but, I'd give you my heart if you needed it", She rolled her eyes and said, "You're a professional""-to me this is clark kent completely in love and lois with her sass

"And at last, She knew what the agony had been for"- almost every hero. they suffer, they sacrifice, they fight, and sometimes they want to give up- but at the end of the day, they save lives, so it's all worth it

and that's it folks! feel free to add more/share your insights!!

sorry for any spelling/grammer mistakes, English isn't my first language plus like the title said i had a minor head injury a few days ago and I'm tired soI'm not proofreading this bc I'm going to sleep rn goodnight to all✌️

[bluejaysandblackbats]

A Stone's Throw

Fandom: DC Comics, Batfam

Summary: The night Jason wakes up in the convalescent home, he's accompanied by his favorite nurse (Nurse Kathy). Nurse Kathy follows her instincts and decides to foster him in the nearby city of Blüdhaven. Soon, her partner and roommates become Jason's new family despite hopes that he'll regain his memories.

Chapters: 1/?

Characters: Jason Todd, Original Characters, Bruce Wayne, Dick Grayson, Tim Drake, Barbara Gordon

Additional Tags: Disabled Jason Todd, Bruce Wayne Doesn't Know Jason Todd is Alive, Angst, Fluff, Found Family, Jason Todd Has a Foster Family AU, Jason Todd Moves to Blüdhaven, Original Asexual Characters, Original Lesbian Characters, Amnesiac Jason Todd, "Missed Him By That Much" Trope, Hurt/Comfort, Resurrected Jason Todd

Chapter One: The First Week of His Life

Save for the rhythmic beeping of monitors and Nurse Kathy’s hard plastic fork scraping against her Tupperware. The gentle brushing noise of her white tennis shoes dragging against the faded, scuffed blue algae tiles interrupted the predictable symphony of nighttime sounds. She always sat at Jason’s bedside to eat lunch during her shift, especially at night. The nurses whispered about the strange goings-on in John Doe number two-sixty-five’s room. They complained about an ominous feeling they got being around him at nighttime, but Nurse Kathy was not a superstitious woman. Actually… Nurse Kathy had a motherly fondness for him. 

Sometimes, she’d come in on her off days and read books to him, stopping to discuss themes and talk about movie adaptations. She spoke softly about the world outside, carefully mentioning pleasant things and never upsetting news. Doctors doubted he would wake, but her supervisor encouraged Nurse Kathy’s attentive nature, believing it would improve Jason’s condition. 

A police helicopter flew over the hospital, disturbing the quiet of Huntington Convalescent Hospital. Jason’s nose wrinkled, and his hand twitched as he stirred. Nurse Kathy quickly set her Tupperware aside and stroked his cheek with her finger. The gentle contact he would’ve received from a family member. “It’s alright, sweetheart… It’s okay,” Nurse Kathy replied. 

Jason’s body relaxed, but his tightly shut eyes stayed that way until Nurse Kathy sang a song. Whenever Jason seemed agitated, Nurse Kathy sang a song that trapped itself in her mind. She wondered if it was her voice or the pacing of the lyrics, but it soothed him without fail. He opened his eyes, staring at Nurse Kathy, and she smiled.

The gentle stroking of a single finger against Jason’s cheek turned to four fingers down the side of his face. The line of his jaw felt familiar to her. Nurse Kathy felt naturally inclined toward Jason, like a mother and son. She’d fostered her share of children, but Jason was a different case. She expressed interest in taking him in as a foster child once his condition improved, but his improvement wasn’t promised. But tonight felt different. Jason sat up and removed the monitor on his finger. “Wait, no. Sweetheart,” Nurse Kathy pleaded. Jason leaned forward, and Nurse Kathy tensed. He stared close to her chest. It startled her until she realized he wanted to read her badge. She held it close to his face. “My name is Katherine. Everyone calls me Nurse Kathy,” she whispered. She smoothed his hair down on the right side of his head, and he craned into her touch. Jason’s face remained expressionless as he stared at her. “It’s bedtime… Okay?” She tenderly nudged him backward. He wrapped his arms around her, and she tensed up. “Ohhh… Sweetheart, it’s okay. Let’s tuck you in. Alright, hon.” A light in the hallway flickered, making the same fluorescent buzzing noise. Nurse Kathy tucked him into bed. “Stay put—.” Jason reached past her, narrowly grasping and missing something the first time before grabbing her Tupperware. She reached for it before watching him eat the rest of her pasta with his hands. Nurse Kathy giggled, stepping backward to crack the door. “John Doe number two-sixty-five is awake,” she whispered to a male nurse passing by. He entered the room, watching Jason scarf down Nurse Kathy’s pasta. 

**

DAY 2

Nurse Kathy clocked in the following afternoon to hear the sound of a violent struggle down the hall in Jason’s room. She rushed to him, wincing at the bruises on Jason’s arms. The restraints irritated the skin on his wrists as he struggled. The monitor beeped as his oxygen level dropped, and Nurse Kathy adjusted his cannula and turned the oxygen up. Jason wriggled and wrestled as he tried to free himself. Tears streamed down his cheeks as he gave in to fatigue. “Has anyone tried to talk to him?” Nurse Kathy asked. Jason’s unemotional expression was interrupted by a subtle change in his eyes as he stared at Nurse Kathy. The other nurse didn’t answer. Nurse Kathy ran a gentle hand down Jason’s forearm. “Let me see… Shhh… It’s alright now. Let me help.” He stopped struggling and allowed her to release his right hand from bondage. The edges of the restraints left a ring-shaped cut around his wrist. 

She cleaned and bandaged his cuts one arm at a time before pulling him into a comforting hug. “Poor baby… It’s alright,” Nurse Kathy whispered. The other nurse tried to explain herself, and Nurse Kathy shook her head. “Don’t speak to me right now. Please don’t.” Jason’s chest rose and fell as he watched her. Only her.

Nurse Kathy wiped his tears and pouted. “I am so sorry. I’m sorry,” Nurse Kathy whispered. He shut his eyes and dozed off. Nurse Kathy rushed to her supervisor’s office and pounded on the door until the man answered. 

“Katherine—.” 

“They’re torturing him. Whoever has him during the day is hurting him. He’s a little boy. Just a little—.” 

“Katherine, slow down. What’s the patient’s name and where is his chart?” her supervisor asked. 

“John Doe two-sixty-five. Here’s his chart,”  Nurse Kathy replied. 

Her supervisor read the chart, asked Nurse Kathy to stay put, and left the room. Nurse Kathy bounced her leg, waiting for the supervisor to return. The supervisor took so long to return that Nurse Kathy fell asleep in her chair. She awakened to the sound of the door opening. “Do you mind waiting with him while I fill in a report?” her supervisor questioned. “We can fill out the report together there. You have a soothing effect on him.” Nurse Kathy went ahead of him while he made a few phone calls before meeting with her in Jason’s room. 

“Did the police ever find out who he is?” Nurse Kathy questioned. Her supervisor shook his head. “I want to speak to the social worker when they arrive.”

“You’re still interested in taking him on?” he asked in reply. 

“I am… I don’t know… I feel—. I think I could help him progress if he’s in a more natural environment. And I—. I feel connected to him. I can’t explain it, but I feel like I was meant to take care of him. I talked it over with my girlfriend, and she agreed,” Nurse Kathy replied, “What do you—? Do you think I shouldn’t?” 

“I can’t say what you should or shouldn’t do… He seems to respond to you,” he answered. Jason turned on his side, curling up in the fetal position. “Katherine, I’ve known you for a long time… You’re a good nurse and an even better parent, but this might be a lifelong commitment. He may never speak or remember his identity.” 

“That’s alright. He deserves a home even if he doesn’t remember where his family was,” Nurse Kathy whispered. “What are you going to do about Izzy?” 

“Terminated… I gave her name to the police. What would you do if you were able to bring him home?” he questioned. 

“George, I’ll be honest with you. I might quit to take care of him at home… I’ve been thinking about retiring for a while now. You know that,” Nurse Kathy confessed, “I’ve had a strange feeling about this kid ever since he arrived. He’s special. I think he’s going to surprise everyone.” 

“I’d hate to see you go. You’re one of my best nurses,” said George as he filled in the incident report. Nurse Kathy held Jason’s hand. Jason’s fingers twitched and shut around hers. She didn’t hear a word George said after that. Her fate was tied to Jason’s from that moment on.

[shefaniquotes]

SHEFANI PLAYLIST (Spotify 🎧)

Songs that have been referenced by Blake or Gwen in connection to their relationship or are otherwise associated with them

1. Hotline Bling – Drake

💬 Blake: "Gwen sang it to me on 'The Tonight Show' one night, so ..."

🎼Call me on my cell phone Late night when you need my love I know when that hotline bling That can only mean one thing

2. Step By Step – Eddie Rabbitt

💭 Blake often sang this song in BSers Lounge – fans associated it with Shefani

🎼First step, ask her out and treat her like a lady Second step, tell her she's the one you're dreaming of Third step, take her in your arms and never let her go Don't you know that step by step, step by step, you'll win her love?

3. Leather and Lace – Stevie Nicks

💬 Blake: "We should [cover that song]." Shefani fans favorite since Gwen performed the song in December 2015

🎼But I carry this feeling When you walked into my house That you won't be walking out the door Still, I carry this feeling When you walked into my house That you won't be walking out the door

4. I've Been Lookin' – Nitty Gritty Dirt Band

💭 Back in summer 2018, Blake’s mom posted a video of them singing this song while driving in OK

🎼I've been looking for a love Someone to hold as I lay sleepin' I'm not talking 'bout someone Who's scared of promises Or keepin' 'em I'm just looking for a love To stand the test of time I've been lookin' for someone To be all mine

5. Baby I'm-a Want You – Bread

💬 Gwen: "What’s that song that I love…?" - Blake: "Baby I'm-a Want You by Bread?"

Blake on The Voice: "Gwen's not kidding. We listen to Bread all the time."

🎼Used to be my life was just emotions passing by Then you came along and made me laugh and made me cry You taught me why Baby, I'm-a want you Baby, I'm-a need you

6. There’s No Stoppin’ Your Heart – Marie Osmond

💬 Blake: "I love that song ‘There’s No Stopping Your Heart."

🎼I plan to be the one who sticks around Ooh your love could lift me up above the clouds I get so high when I'm with you, I may never come down When forever starts, There's no stopping, no stopping, no stopping your heart

7. I Want To Know What Love Is – Foreigner

💬Gwen: "You took a song that’s actually on my makeout playlist"

🎼I wanna know what love is I want you to show me I wanna feel what love is I know you can show me

8. So Small – Carrie Underwood

💬 Blake on The Voice back in 2016: "I completely got wrapped up in the lyrics of that song. You delivered the message to me tonight, and I totally related to the lyrics of that song."

🎼And what you've been out there searching for forever Is in your hands Oh, and when you figure out love is all that matters after all It sure makes everything else Seem so small

9. Haven’t Got Time for the Pain – Carly Simon

💬 Gwen: "I would dedicate this song to @Blakeshelton gx."

🎼All those crazy nights when I cried myself to sleep Now melodrama never makes me weep anymore 'Cause I haven't got time for the pain I haven't got room for the pain I haven't the need for the pain Not since I've known you

10. Stricken – No Doubt

💬 "She asked me if I knew the song Stricken and told me she recently sent it to Blake."

🎼I love you completely I guess I'm kinda mad about you I love you, I love you I do Love overcomes all of my senses Lowers all of my defenses, yeah

11. Defenseless – Kirk Jay

💬 Blake: “This is my life right now.”

🎼Oh, I'm defenseless Like a drought to a flame I’m defenseless Girl, when you say my name But the thing is I have never felt safer than this

12. Lookin' For Love – Johnny Lee

💬 Blake before playing the song: "I’ll try. I gotta do it for Gwen."

🎼Well, I spent a lifetime lookin' for you Single bars and good time lovers were never true Playing a fools game, hopin' to win And tellin' those sweet lies and losin' again You came knockin' on my heart's door You're everything I've been looking for

13. Turn Your Lights Down – Bob Marley and the Wailers

💬 Blake: "Gwen and I have a playlist. I want their version." - John: "It's a good love song for when you guys..." - Blake: "You're talking about loove."

🎼This potion might, this ocean might, carry me In a wave of emotion to ask you to marry me And every word, every second, and every third Expresses the happiness more clearly than ever heard (uh) And when I play 'em, every chord is a poem Tellin' the Lord how grateful I am because I know him (what? word) The harmonies possess a sensation similar to your caress (uh)

14. In Your eyes – Peter Gabriel

💭 The first dance song

🎼In your eyes The light, the heat (Your eyes) I am complete (Your eyes) I see the doorway to a thousand churches (Your eyes)

15. Islands in the Stream – Kenny Rogers and Dolly Parton

💬 Gwen: "That song would be my dream if me and Blake could do that song together one day."

🎼I can't live without you if the love was gone Everything is nothing if you got no one And you did walk in the night Slowly losing sight of the real thing But that won't happen to us and we got no doubt Too deep in love and we got no way out

[the-bar-sinister]

Deicide: Red Shift (58212 words) by VickytheSnake, thesavagesabretooth Chapters: 13/?

Summary: A mysterious signal is drawing ships across the Grand Line to a place called Elegia for the first ever concert by the rising star singer, Uta. Following the signal are Cross Guild and fallen emperor Shanks, the Charlotte family, the Donquixote Pirates and the shattered remnants of Law's crew, and Kid's crew, and Cavendish and Bartolomeo.

And the Straw Hats and their captain Luffy, who hasn't seen Uta since they were both little children at their idol Shanks' knee.

Perhaps this meeting was ordained by fate. Perhaps, in the end, there was only ever one tragic outcome possible.

But Luffy has other plans.

catch up here

-

Tashigi's first week as a pirate was not going at all how one might have expected a devious and traitorous turn to the side of injustice to go. 

It had started with pulling a very drunk, very sad Emperor Shanks out of the sea and somehow it had escalated to going to see a concert. Frankly, it didn't feel all that different from being a marine, on a minute to minute basis.

Had she been a bad marine?

She was starting to think she might have been a bad marine.

"This reminds me a little bit of the pirate festival, sir!" she said over the sound of the music. Captain Crocodile had split them into groups before they came ashore, and here she was with her fellow marines, Smoker, Hina and Drake, as well as some of Crocodile's pirates, a few of whom she even recognized. There was Iron Mace Alvida, as well Daz Bones and a couple of the other old Baroque Works mercenaries.

One of them, a tall and deadly looking woman with dark hair and a smoking pipe, had wandered up to murmur something to Alvida as she lightly bobbed her head to the music.

Hina had struck up another cigarette, grinning widely around it as she bumped Tashigi's hip. "Can ya believe this, Tashigi?? Uta. Hot damn. For our first big job as pirates this is a blast! That festival don't hold a candle to this!"

Their little circle was an absolute biohazard of mingling smoke. Cigarettes, whatever drug Zala was puffing down, and Smoker's cigars blazing as he laughed sharply. "Reminds me of it too, Tashigi. Little bigger, and probably ain't gonna end in a madman slamming his way through half of it—least until the marines get here."

"I certainly hope so!" Tashigi agreed, glancing up at the stage. Especially outdoors the smoke didn't bother her– she was long used to that sort of thing in much closer quarters after working under Smoker for so long. "I mean I hope not? I hope the marines are the worst we have to contend with! Do you think it'll be bad, sir?"

Smoker looped his arm around Tashigi as he watched the young singer bounce around on stage framed by the prosthetic wings she wore, cheerful lyrics blasting out from the stage and filling the air around them with strange and flashy pyrotechnics—dancing creatures in the sky and glittering starscapes.

"It'll be bad, Tashigi. They're probably gonna send an admiral, possibly even a Buster Call if she pisses off the Celestial Dragons enough. They're already probably pissed about the signal hijacking."

"Eugh…" Hina hissed through her teeth. "Let's hope they don't send all of them." 

"Well, at any rate they're at least down a few, right?" Drake offered. "Us."

-

The set went perfectly— the rising excitement of New Genesis, a promise to everyone watching, came to a crashing crescendo in 'Backlight', riling the crowd up with a declaration of rebellion against everyone who dared abuse them. The crowd was excited—she was excited!

The whole world was watching, and her fans were full of joy, which was good. She'd give them the show they promised before she had to make her decision. Before she had to decide if Luffy's offer of a place on her crew was something she could forgive pirates at large for.

She had to figure out if she could still be a pirate like she'd once dreamed of being—after the show. After the festival ended. She hopped backstage and headed to her dressing room with a smile—only to find the Dream Guardians, her stalwart constructs, standing with a rather sizable group of…

"LUFFY! There you are, you pain in the butt! You snuck backstage again!" 

Luffy crossed his arms. "Well, obviously! I told you I was gonna introduce you to my crew! Oh and Mingo wanted to tag along I guess."

Donquixote Doflamingo, the man from the poster she'd collected, loomed at the back of the group, feather cape and all. He gave an excited wave.

"I'm a big fan," the famous pirate said.

Uta froze as she looked up at Donquixote Doflamingo with wide eyes. "Oh wow…oh WOW!"

DOFLAMINGO from her POSTERS! She had a pair of the same glasses, and he had that great coat. 

Excitement bubbled up inside her. When she'd seen his posters she KNEW he must have been misguided or something—and now she was wondering if he was even that. Maybe he was just a good pirate? After all—a monster of a pirate wouldn't ever be a fan of her music.

"Doflamingo, you like my music? I own your poster! I have it on my wall!"

The dark haired and scruffy young man leaning on Luffy's shoulder stared dubiously at her. "You're fucking kidding me. You're fans of one another??" 

Doflamingo clapped his hands together excitedly. "I love your music! I've been sharing it with everyone, isn't that right, Law?"

Luffy stuck out his tongue. "Everybody thinks your music is cool, Uta. A bunch of my crew are fans, too. Sanji's a huge fan! You have his poster too!"

Her brother reached with a stretchy arm and hauled a blond haired man with a cigarette in his mouth to the front of the group.

Sanji sputtered, little puffs of smoke leaking from his mouth as he was yanked to the forefront of the crowd—but he composed himself really quickly, taking his cigarette from his lips with a charming smile.

"I never thought I'd get to meet the beautiful goddess of music in the flesh. If you'll have me, I'd be happy to serve ya as your knight in shinin' armor~."

Uta's smile grew a bit wider. He looked JUST like his wanted poster—and who could say no to a bit of praise like that? 

After that, Luffy introduced her to his crew. There were a lot of them, and they were all very strange. Strange, but charming and kind. They weren't anything like she'd expected pirates to be— like the people of Elegia told her they'd be. Nami was a thief, but she was gregarious and clever, telling her that 'gals like us have to stick together, right' as she snickered and promised her embarrassing stories about her crewmates. 

Franky—he was a LIVING ROBOT, or a Cyborg , as he put it. A big, really interesting and completely odd man made of metal who kept calling her a 'rebel heart'. Usopp was funny, constantly telling tales she could TELL were lies all through his introduction.

The whole crew was kind and welcoming—Robin, the quietest of them, leaned over to tell her that she secretly hoped that Uta would take up her captain's request.

She was also introduced more formally to Doflamingo– "Call me Doffy", he said, despite Luffy calling him 'Mingo'-- and his crew, which apparently included Law, the guy who Luffy was hanging all over, and Bepo, a big bear mink man who was wearing a bunch of her merchandise and seemed shy.

It was an idol's job to try to be there for a fan, wasn't it? She beamed widely as she called Doflamingo Doffy as he wished, and eagerly asked him about how he found her music—and leaned over to loop Bepo in as well. He was shy—but she'd draw him into the party atmosphere!

Bepo remained shy, but it was clear he was having fun. He told her about his favorite songs and asked if she'd mind signing one of the little fanbooks someone had been selling, for his friend Buffalo.

Everyone was excited, and eager to talk to her, and it had all taken on quite a party atmosphere. Zoro, who Luffy had introduced as "my swordsman" jokingly asked if she had any of Luffy's baby pictures.

Sadly she didn't—but she DID offer Zoro embarrassing drawings of some of young Luffy's most ridiculous moments. Better than anything Luffy had ever drawn, too!

Things were great—she'd signed the fanbook, and the whole group had moved from her dressing room and out into one of the festival areas for her to grab a bite to eat as they joked, mingled and laughed.

The crew treated her like one of them—even the other crew, the Donquixotes who were there, treated her the same way. 

Eventually, she couldn't help herself. For old times sake she challenged Luffy to a contest to see if he could actually break his losing streak. 

Luffy pointed to her with a huge grin. "You're on!!"

And so they'd been on. The only question had been whether or not to screen the competition on the big monitors for everyone.

At first Uta wasn't gonna do it—this was their favorite old game after all, a private affair. But— the pre-competition smack talk had only escalated and escalated until she grinned and projected the image of themselves the entire concert wide with a cheerful proclamation.

"Hey everyone! Who's ready to watch my little brother LOSE another competition with your favorite U~T~A~!"

It had gotten the crowd pumped, that was for sure. Even if it was probably a little confusing to some of her fans. That was fine, what was important was having a good time. It was important that her fans were having a good time. That was the most important thing.

But maybe Luffy was right and her having a good time was a little bit important, too.

-

Crocodile and Mihawk had been searching the crowd for the Donquixotes for an hour or more with no sign of them.

He didn't expect to see Doflamingo's big stupid sunglass wearing face in a crowd of Straw Hats behind Uta in her latest transponder projection across the island.

"......oh." MIhawk had taken to squinting at the screen with a quietly perplexed expression as the 'contest' played out.

Uta, the world famous singer and Shanks' estranged daughter, had challenged Straw Hat Luffy to an eating contest of all things. The dainty and cheerful idol had set up a complicated mix of the classic grand line children's game of 'chicken', aka: whoever chickens out of a potential injury first is the loser—and an eating contest.

The first to finish their plate won—all while a monstrous bull with 'Uta' painted along the side charged towards them from behind. 

Crocodile stared at the screen for a long moment. In fact, he did not take his eyes off the events unfolding as he asked his dear partner in crime for an objective take.

"Mihawk. Am I hallucinating?"

"I do not believe we're able to share hallucinations, Captain," Mihawk murmured. "and I feel as if I must be, myself."

Uta declared a START!!

And she and Luffy started eating with abandon—scarfing chicken wings as the bull charged down the inexplicably rainbow colored track while fucking Doflamingo and the Straw Hats watched in amusement. 

"And you're seeing Straw Hat and Uta doing an eating contest while Doffy sits with the Straw Hat crew? Cause that's what I'm seeing."

"Yes, that is what I am seeing, Captain Crocodile," Mihawk droned. "It would seem that he's also got Law Trafalgar with him. And there is a bull."

The eating contest was neck and neck—both of them able to eat with an absolutely astonishing and admittedly alarming amount of skill and speed. The bull was getting closer—and somehow Uta had manifested a mug of beer in her hands, which she cheerfully offered to Luffy mid-meal.

And Straw Hat, of course, took the beer obviously and drank it. Crocodile struggled once again with the fact that if he had met Luffy first in Alabasta, before Vivi did, things might have gone very differently.

"Something's off, Hawky," Crocodile grumbled, watching Luffy get attacked by a bull live on stage.

"I suppose it could be falsified footage," Mihawk mused quietly, "though that isn't easy to make."

Taking advantage of his distraction Uta finished her plate and leapt out of the way of the bull as it barreled closer, laughing cheerfully as she did. 

"And why the hell would she put Doffy in it of all people?" Crocodile demanded, watching the farce play out. "Alright well at least we know he's around here somewhere. Even if it's weird we haven't seen any of his family."

There was a lot more weird than just that, but hopefully if they found Doflamingo he could answer some of those questions.

Uta on the screen was rolling around, kicking her feet on the ground as she laughed and Luffy clearly lost their ridiculous contest on mass-broadcast transponder snail.

She looked up with a joyful smile and raised her hands like she was miming claws, squeezing her fingers at him and sticking out her tongue "And that's another loss for you, Luffy! Looks like you still can't beat me after all!"

"Well, Doffy is a big fan, isn't he? He told me a few times. Perhaps he used his charm to get a backstage pass." 

"Maybe," Crocodile murmured. "Alright let's find the fuck out."

-

The contest had Shanks smiling again for the first time since Uta had gone off stage at the end of her set. Since then, he'd been nervously wondering why Uta would be mad at him, and what he should do.

Buggy had no fucking clue how to answer either of those worries. It was weird, right? Sure, he was pissed when Shanks left, and he was sure Uta felt the same way, but why would she have told him that she'd wanted to stay in the first place? And how the hell do you fix that?

He'd been lost in trying to figure out how to navigate that minefield when the contest blared out in front of him and set his eyes bugging out of his skull.

What the FUCK was Doflamingo doin' there?? With Luffy and his gang of all people too? The whole crew—and….and…

His eyes lingered on Princess Vivi for a long and baffled moment. Hoo boy, ooh, ouch, oof, that was gonna be a whole other can of worms. He'd seen her wanted posters, he knew she was a pirate but—

Hooo boy. Aborting hard from that line of thought he turned his attention to the contest instead. Holy fuck, that kid could eat. Was Shanks really sure that she wasn't actually Luffy's birth sister? Because he'd never seen someone actually rival the notorious glutton other than whats-her-name the newbie pirate who vanished. Bonney. Yeah. 

"She beat him again!" Shanks chuckled. "Should have expected that, really."

"Did she uh, usually beat him at this kinda thing?" Buggy asked, looking at the guy who wiped the floor with him in the East Blue—who he helped during Marineford—lose spectacularly to Shanks' bubbly daughter. 

"Every time. Because she played dirty, and Luffy played fair. Just like that." Shanks was grinning widely.

"She really is your daughter, ain't she?" Buggy laughed with a shake of his head, rubbing the back of his neck. "They look like they're really havin' fun. That's a good thing, right?" 

"Yeah. Just like old times."

-

"I can't believe you cheated!" Luffy huffed, hands on his hips after the end of the contest.

Uta giggled, scrunching her fingers at him again like she used to as her smile stretched across her face. "I didn't cheat! I'm just playin' the way a pirate would. You're a pirate aren't you?"

This was wonderful—wonderful! It felt just like it had back at the village, back when it was the two of them playing and talking about their dreams every night they were in town. Their old contest, the rivalry, the well of affection she'd had bottled up for years!

"Well, maybe, but, ugh!!" He stuck his tongue out at her, stretching it long. "I guess you still like the pirate way after all!"

After his momentary frustration, he threw his arms around her in a hug.

Uta hugged him back, her arms looping around him and holding him tight as she burrowed her face against his shoulder. "Seems t-that way, huh?" she murmured against his neck.

Even after so long pushing that down, maybe she still had that pirate's spirit buried inside her heart? Was that—was that a bad thing? 

"I'm glad," he said softly, tugging at her hair. "Oh yeah! Hey there was something I was supposed to ask you about."

Uta lightly poked at his back, the smile still wide on her face as she just—relished the contact with someone she'd cared about. She'd been here for so long, just her and the people of Elegia—she'd missed this.

"Yeah? What is it?" 

"We were just wondering if there was something weird about the island," he told her earnestly. "We have a friend, Violet, and I guess she passed out and said there was something up with it?"

Uta's eyes widened as her heart nearly stopped. 'Something weird about the island', a guest had passed out? Her brow furrowed in concern. 

"...do you know why she passed out? I don't know what about Elegia would make her pass out like that! Did she just get too much sun? Or—she said it was the island?" 

Luffy scratched his neck and looked back at the others as if looking for input. "Uh, she said she was blind? And there was something wrong with the island. And then she passed out. She has a devil fruit power?"

Law leaned over and explained. "She's got a devil fruit power, yeah. Basically she can see everything. Within a certain radius she can extend her 'sight' to cover it. She tried checking up on her sister who's somewhere out there on the sea, and she yelled she was blind and passed out—it sounds like something was interfering with her devil fruit. Maybe seastone or something."

"Seastone??" Uta's brow furrowed. "We don't have any of that on the island. I mean—it'd get in the way of me, too."

"Oh yeah," Luffy nodded sagely. "I bet you like, wouldn't even be able to sing at all if there was seastone around. So it must be something else."

Doffy stepped over from nearby, cocking his head. "So you don't have any idea what could cause it? Well, our doctors will just have to get better at their job, then."

Uta bit her lip, her brow furrowing as she looked between them. She had an idea—admittedly she did. There was a nagging part of her that told her that even if she trusted them she shouldn't say a word, though.

"Well—it's possible that another devil fruit in the area is interfering with it?" she offered. 

Luffy cocked his head. "You think so? There are a lot of people on the island!"

Doffy stroked his chin. "That's a fair point."

Uta clapped her hands together. 

"That's right—lots of people and lots of devil fruits—the problem is devil fruits is you never know how they're gonna interact with one another, you know?" She pointed to Luffy. "Like—I dunno, maybe your stretchy power would malfunction in the face of something that rubber doesn't like." 

Luffy wrinkled his nose. "I guess."

Luckily, Uta had a way to dodge the rest of this conversation. She was going to have to get back on stage any minute.

She gasped out loud. 

"Shoot—I have to get backstage and get ready for my next set!!!" She grabbed Luffy's hands tightly "Luffy, I'm so glad we met again, and I'm so glad I got to meet the crew. I—" she hesitated, looking over her shoulder at the stage. 

Luffy squeezed her hands. "I know you gotta do your concert thing. We can talk more later, right? I'll tell you if we find out what's up with Violet!"

"We'll talk more later! Let me know what you find out, ok?" She smiled fondly at him. "---and maybe we'll talk more about that offer you gave me. I really like your crew…a lot." 

-

Headed back from Uta's dressing room to the bridge, everyone was naturally talking about meeting the pop star, and her contest with Luffy, and what might have been up with the island.

Luffy had pulled Sanji aside with a big grin. "What did you think now that you met her in person?"

"She's a hell of a girl, Luffy! I'll say that much." Sanji grinned back at him. "---didn't know how much like you she was until the two of you started goofin' around. Wouldn't have expected it, but—she makes it look good." 

"Makes eating chicken look good?" He stuck out his tongue. "I looked better! She cheated!"

Still, he laughed, hanging himself around Sanji's shoulders.He wrapped his arms around him with a wry smirk around his cigarette.

"Captain, captain, you both looked gorgeous. But she did cheat—which is surprisingly pirate-like behavior for such a sweet lookin' girl." He took a long drag off his cigarette "and I gotta respect her showmanship and dedication on the stage—but how are you feelin? Excited that she's back in your life?" 

"I'm really excited," Luffy nodded. "I hope she's really gonna join our crew. I think she will! She acts way more like a pirate than a pop star."

-

She acts way more like a pirate than a popstar!

Bepo overheard Luffy's conversation as they walked the long, winding way through the concert grounds back toward the bridge.

He wasn't wrong! Meeting Uta had been shocking– though not in a bad way at all. He glanced around the group, everybody seemed to be in a good mood for the most part. Hopefully this thing with Violet wouldn't turn out to be such a big deal…

He looked Law over, gauging his mood.

Law didn't seem to be in a bad mood—he had a kind of bemused expression on his face as they left Luffy behind with his crew—contented and happy, though with that edge of worry for Violet still lingering.

In fact, he seemed kind of amused by that whole conversation with Luffy. "I can't believe he's trying to recruit the Grand Line's biggest pop star." 

"I'd say maybe we can snatch her up first, but…" Doffy trailed off, laughing. "So that was Uta. I like her even more, now."

"But Luffy would lose his shit if you stole his big sister?" Law smirked at Doffy as they walked. "That was Uta—honestly, same. I didn't know what to think of her besides her music—but now that I met her? She seems like a hell of a gal." 

"I'd love to ask her more about her thoughts on the world government," Doffy said, idly. "But I didn't want to kill the mood, huh? And yeah, don't wanna set Straw Hat off by stealing his sis. Fun addition as she might be.""

"Yeah," Bepo nodded thoughtfully in agreement. "As long as Violet turns out to be okay everything is going pretty great."

Law patted him on the back with a smile. 

"Damn right—-and if it really is just a conflict of devil fruit powers, then she should be fine once she wakes up and realizes that something isn't, like, actually wrong with her." He looked up at the sky with a wry smile. "and Doffy, it's a three day long concert, I'm sure you can snag her for a little more time to talk about that kinda shit." 

Doflamingo chuckled. "If she's not too busy doing her pop star things. No, you're right. I'm sure she'll have a little bit of time for lil ol' Doffy."

"I—" Law was about to continue when suddenly a voice cut through the crowd. 

"---CAPTAIN??!" The warm, slightly scratchy feminine voice was incredibly familiar to Bepo, even if its source wasn't immediately visible. 

Bepo's ears flicked, orienting toward the voice. It was a familiar voice. A voice he hadn't thought he'd ever hear again.

He turned. Surely he had to be mistaken.

Law's brow furrowed. "That sounds like—"

All doubt was chased away when an unmistakable young woman shoved her way past grumbling concert goers to lock eyes with Law–and then with Bepo.

Dark, coiled hair bounced around Ikkaku's face as she stumbled to a stop with her hand to her lips and a wide-eyed expression of surprise. 

"I thought I'd heard your voice—I'd thought—you actually…." She was wearing something new, not the boiler suit of the Heart pirates, but a black crop top and a pair of loose fitting pants cinched by a belt containing a bunch of completely empty tool loops, .but it was the same Ikkaku, right down to the tears welling in her eyes as she said "I thought you'd fuckin' died! Both of ya!" 

"Ikkaku??" Bepo couldn't believe his eyes. She'd thought they were dead? They thought that she was dead. He looked between her, and Law and back again in complete shock.

That was when he noticed the crowd behind her. More of the Heart Pirates! Almost all of them!

Law froze where he stood, and Bepo saw the smile light up his face. "...I'll be damned… I'll be DAMNED! You guys—almost all of you! How the hell did you make it?"

Ikkaku held her arms out towards them. "Bepo! Captain, you wouldn't believe how much of a shitshow it was down there! We barely survived—I got dragged through the fuckin' ocean! But—but…"

She hesitated, and then turned to the others. "SEE? I told ya Law would be fine, you limp dicked morons! Now we can all go back to bein' the Heart Pirates!" 

Now Bepo looked between Law, and Doflamingo, and the Heart Pirates with a sinking and conflicted feeling in his belly.

[takemetomyfragiledreams]

Some background on Bruce and Tim's relationship in searching faces and the songs that helped develop/inspire it part 1:

I'm a very playlist oriented person when it comes to the creation process so I figured I'd share some of the story behind the songs of the searching faces playlists. While all the songs have inspired in some way or other, some stand out almost word for word.

You think you know what's best for me/ Self-righteous hypocrite/ I won't go along with it

You told me I was broken/ That I never even stood a chance/ And I don't wanna hurt you/ But I'm gonna fight to keep the upper hand

You see the world in black and white/ I've never been that way/ I live in the shades of gray

I'm scared of what you'd sacrifice/ If you thought you needed to/ Rather than bend the rules/ Would I just be/ A casualty?

You'd rather clip my wings/ Than ever let me fly/ It might be safer on the ground/ But baby I was meant to be up in the sky

The lyrics themselves are pretty self explanatory for those that have read searching faces. Bruce likes to control things and emotions in particular are uncontrollable in ways he doesn't know how to handle. It's why he clashes with Dick and Jason so much, as they're both very passionate and open people. He gets along much better with Damian and Tim because they approach emotions similar to how he does, due to their upbringings (and his influence.)

Part of why he does so poorly with Tim after he's rescued is because he doesn't know how to deal with a Tim Drake, a Red Robin, that doesn't have his emotions locked down. He's never seen Tim with all his walls down and he does horribly when it comes to handling the soft bits of Tim that are no longer shielded and so obviously broken.

In his mind, this is all due to Junior. This isn't actually Tim. The Tim he knows is always in control and he will get him back, even if it means locking him up and whittling away at Junior's psyche. He's relying on the idea that Tim will be better when Junior is gone. Bruce will accept nothing less because admitting that things are different means that he's wrong, that he never knew Tim at all, that he failed again and he can't face that.

(To be clear: this is an explanation, not an excuse)

On Tim's side of things, much like how Jason's showdown with the Joker went, he knows deep down that if Bruce had been the one with a gun put in his hand, staring down Red Robin helpless and bound and with no alternative other than a mad man pulling the trigger himself, he would've done nothing. Another dead Robin was better than breaking his rules, right? The proof was in the scar slashed across Jason's throat.