#If you start acting up again he'll just put you back in the tower.

[snail-migraine]

Hello! I was reading the second part of your platonic yandere Malleus story and I was wondering if you could do a part three when Malleus realizes his child despises him and will do anything too interrupt his day or just annoy him aka be a menace such as trashing his room, sprinkling bird feed in his pillows, putting his clothes in the toilet, bang on the walls at night to wake him up, jam the door so he can't get into their room without magic, putting thumb tacks under their door, and so on.

I think malleus would deal with this in a really simple and easy way. More time up in the tower. This time though, you'll get educated on the proper ways children treat their fathers. And you won't be getting so much as a single millisecond alone because now you've fully proved to him that the only way to "fix you" is by teaching you himself. [He will let you go to the bathroom alone, he isn't that much of a creep]

-

Anon-Yan 💌‧₊˚❀༉‧₊˚.

[pinejayy]

╰➤ This is Goodbye...

featuring: trafalgar law

summary: law knew the dangers of being in a relationship, but he dread the day when your life was going to be put in danger...and when that day comes around he's shocked..not wanting to hurt you ever again he decideds to put an end to things...

warnings: angst!! established relationship, law is kind distance, blood mentioned , getting stabbed mentioned, law says some mean things in the end, break up..

✦•··········• 𝐀𝐍𝐆𝐒𝐓 𝐀𝐇𝐄𝐀𝐃 •··········•✦

Law knew the dangers of being in relationship, he knew the dangers of his life and what it brings to the people around him. But when he saw Bepo carrying you body...he couldn't move...this is his fault. He is supposed to protect you from the dangers of the world but he couldn't...

......

At the moment the Hearts Pirates were in a new island gathering supplies, while Law stayed back on the Polar Tang to finish paperwork, he told them he'll join them once he's done with his work. You tried staying behind with your boyfriend but Law didn't like that idea.

"You know… it's not fair for the others that you’re not bothering helping out." He mumbles, not looking up from his paperwork.

"Aw! Come on Law! I just want to spend time with my boyfriend." You couldn't help but pout at his words. "And I'm sure the Crew won't mind." Walking closer to him, standing next to him. Leaning down to where he was sitting and you began placing small kisses along his neck. "You know we have the ship to ourselves, you know what that means."

Law grumbles and shrugs you off. Basically shooing you away. "Come on Y/N-ya I'm trying to work here." He still didn't bother to look at you, he was too focused on his work.

'Do Pirates even have Paperwork?' You think to yourself. ‘What kind of paperwork does he even do?’

"Right...work." Mumbling and you stood up, your voice sounded defeated. Which made Law sighs and he puts the pen down, and his eyes finally meet yours.

"Come on, you know my duty as a Captain comes first. I love and appreciate you but I can't drop something I'm doing just to please you." He began saying, and he saw the frown and disappointment on your face grow even more. To which he sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. "Please, don't take my words the wrong way."

You look away, trying not to cry. You didn't want to make this worse for him. "I know...but it's been awhile since we've had alone time and us time. I know your duties as a Captain comes first, but I'm your partner. And you need to start acting like it because right now you're doing a terrible job at it." You say, mumbling the last part.

To which Law eyes darken as he stares into your eyes. "Excuse me? I'm doing a terrible job at being a so called boyfriend." And he stood up, his tall frame towering over you. "Would a terrible boyfriend deal with your constant whining and constant annoying clingy attitude." Scoffing at you, and you were about to open your mouth to speak but he quickly beat you to that. "Would a terrible boyfriend give you expensive gifts, a roof over your head, a bed to sleep on and affection?"

"I...no....sorry I didn't mean to say that, I'm sorry it just slipped out. It's just been awhile since we've been on a date or something like that..." You began to ramble, your voice cracking slightly. Which made Law sigh heavily and he took a step closer and he grabbed your chin so you could look him in the eye.

"Look.... I can admit I've been distant-"

"Very distant!" You spoke up, cutting him off mid sentence and he tightened the grip on your chin slightly.

"As I was saying, I know I've been distant but if it means that much to you we can go on date later on." He said, and to which your face immediately lit up. "Really!?"

Law couldn't help but melt slightly as he saw your face light up. Letting go of your chin he nodded. "But on one condition. You need to help the crew gather supplies and what not. Now please get going, I still have paperwork to finish." He said and sat back down on his chair and went back to his work.

To which you smile slightly, and you lean in and place a gentle kiss along his check. "If you say so Captain. I'll see you soon." You teased slightly and soon after you walked out of his office which left him alone with his thoughts.

Now the more he thinks about it he has been distant with you. No wonder your needy attitude has been through the roof lately. Sighing to himself, he went back to work. Maybe if he could finish faster he can help the crew out and after that you two could go on a date and get that needed alone time.

......

Law spent the next hour in his office alone, he was about to finish until his office door swung open and he was about to yell at the person that didn't bother to knock but when he looked up he saw Penguin panting and trying to catch his breath. "Captain! Trouble!"

"What!? What happened!" Law yelled out and he stood up and walked over to Penguin.

"While the crew was gathering supplies, Y/N was with Bepo. Both of them were gathering medical supplies and well....uh a group of low life pirates jumped Y/N when Bepo wasn't with them!"

"WHAT! WHERE ARE THEY! HOW BAD IS IT!"

Before Penguin could get a word in Law ran past him, and ran to the deck and there he saw you. Bepo was carrying your unconscious body, you seemed to be covered in blood and bruises.

"I'm sorry Captain! This is all my fault! I didn't mean to leave Y/N alone! But those men came out of nowhere and jumped them!" He began to cry softly, and held your body close. "I'm sorry." The poor bear began to cry even more, Law looked at Bepo.

"Bring her to the infirmary." He said, and with that Bepo quickly nodded and they rushed over to the infirmary and once in the room. Bepo placed you on one of the beds.

Law didn't waste no time to check on you, first he checked on your breathing. Which was a bit slow but other than that normal, then he checked all over your body to see if you had any broken bones and so far nothing. Until his hand brushed against your side and he felt something wet, looking at his hand he saw blood and immediately lifted your shirt and you had a deep cut. Most likely a stab wound.

He didn't waste no time to patch you up. And the more he looked you he felt dread...your beautiful face was brusied up. You were laying here bleeding out.

Why didn't he just go with you in the first place? Why did he have to stay back to finish his work! Why didn't he just allow you to stay in his office! All these negative thoughts were running around his head. But he quickly pushed those thoughts to the side and paid attention to you.

And after what seemed like hell for him, he finally patched you up. He made sure to wrap your side well. He cleaned all the cuts you had around your body.

He just sat besides you, holding your hand. Bepo was there. He didn't want to leave your side. "I'm sorry Captain...this is my fault." And to which Law immediately cut him off before he could say anything more.

"No, it's not your fault. It probably happened so quick. Please don't blame yourself, and take a look at Y/N-ya, they are safe and well.”

Bepo frowns and wipes his tears and nods. "Okay Captain.. please inform me once they wake up please."

Law nodded. "I will. Thank you Bepo." He said and with that Bepo walked out which left Law alone with you. He looked at your body, and frowns. He couldn't help but blame one person for this.

Him...it was all his fault. If only he could be there for you. In your time of need and he wasn't there. He was angry at himself, and angry at the men who did this. Law grumbled and rubs his head. And he stood up and he was pacing around the room.

You could have been killed today! And it would have been his fault..he knew this life was dangerous and he didn't want to drag you close to death. He cares about you too much. Law let out a heavy sigh, his eyes carried a mix of irritation and resignation. He pinched the bridge of his nose, clearly conflicted. He needed to keep you safe no matter what...even if that means letting you go.

Yes...he needed to let you go. Right? That's right choice. To keep you safe?

He couldn't help but feel a few tears slip out. He didn't want to let you go but he had to. He didn't want to lose you. And if you were to die because he couldn't protect you he would never forgive himself. As he was lost in his thoughts he heard a small voice.

"Law?"

He quickly snapped out of his thoughts and wiped his tears and turned his head over you. And you tried sitting up but he quickly placed a hand on your shoulder. "Hey.. easy. Please take it easy."

"What happened?" You whimper and lay back down.

"You got jumped. But lucky for you I patched you up. So you just need some rest. Please get some rest." He said and stood up to which you tried to grab his hand but he quickly moved his hand out of the way. No he can't...it's only going to make things harder for him.

"I need to go tell the crew were changing plans. Heading to a new island." He said and stood up and just patted your head. Looking down at you, he can tell you were hurt but he didn't want to make himself weak to you. Not now.

"Please get some rest. You're going to need it." He said and began to walk out. You were calling for his name but he ignored it. Leaving you alone in the infirmary. While he went back to his office and buried himself into more work. And as he was working tears began to pour down and to his work. Making his paperwork wet. He couldn't help but cry to himself. He had to break things off before it's your life.

....

A few days passed by and Law didn't allow you to leave the infirmary. He kept on telling you needed rest but in reality he didn't want you near him. You'll only make things harder once he breaks things off.

But the rest of the crew kept you company. They were all so kind, everyone would bring your favorite snacks and gifts. But Bepo wouldn't want to leave your side. He still felt guilty. Bepo would sometimes even sleep on the floor of the infirmary just to keep you company.

While Bepo got your favorite snacks for the day, he was telling you that you guys landed on a new island. "Captain said we're landing on a new island!" He said with a smile across his face.

"Oh that's nice, I could use some fresh air." You say and there was a soft knock and Law walks in the room. "Hey Law." You say sweetly to him.

He just nods. "Bepo can you give us some time, I need to apply new bandages for Y/N." He said and Bepo nodded. "Sure thing Captain. See you soon Y/N!" He said and walks off.

Once alone Law pulled your shirt up so he could look take a look at your bandages. Sighing to himself, he took the time to apply new bandages on you and cleaned the wound itself as well.

"So. We docked the ship and I'm sure you want some fresh air right."

And you quickly nodded. "Please."

Law just nodded and without saying anything else he grabbed your hand and began to lead you out of the infirmary and towards the deck of the ship. And once you guys were out in the open you couldn't help but breath in. He was still holding your hand, giving it a slight squeeze. He couldn't help but look at your face, your beautiful face. This is the last time he's ever going to stare at those beautiful eyes, smile and your face.

He sighed to himself and helped you off of the Polar Tang. And you look around the Island and your blood went cold.

This was your old home...why would Law bring you back here. You hated this place…it brings up too many painful memories..

Letting go of your hand, you guys didn't move to far from the submarine. "You're going to stay here."

"What? No...I don't want to. Law what are you saying." You began to panic slightly.

He didn't answer your question and suddenly there was a blue bubble around you guys. "Room.... shambles." He mumbles and suddenly your bags and all your belongings were behind you. And you began to panic even more and tried to take a step closer.

"Keep your distance Y/N.." He growls out which made you stop in your tracks.

Tears began to stream down your face. "Law...what are you doing."

"Being in this relationship was a mistake, this whole thing was a mistake. You're no longer needed. I already got my use out you." He began to say, but deep down he hated himself for saying this, he hated watching your face react to his harsh words. The way you were crying. "So please do something useful for once and get out of my sight and leave."

"Law...honey.." Your voice cracked and you cried even more. Once he heard your voice cracked it took all his will power not to hold you. But he stood his ground. He wanted you to hate him. It'll make this easier for him and this break up.

"Are you stuipd!? I said you're no longer needed! I already got my use out of you!" He snaps out, which made you back away from him. "Good you're finally understanding. Look I'm a pirate. And all Pirates are greedy."

"But ..I thought we had something..." You continue to cry.

He scoffs. "Oh please did you think you were the one? My true love? You thought I was gonna settle down with you?"

You couldn't even form a sentence, you always thought Law was the one for you...and he sighed and turned around. "This is goodbye.." And with that he began to make his way back to the Polar Tang not even sparing you a final glance.

You stood there, watching the love of your life walk into his ship and slowly the submarine began to emerge underwater and slowly the Polar Tang began to disappear from your vision. And once it was gone you drop to your knees and began to cry your heart out.

"Law....please come back..."

Crying to yourself and you crawl towards the water, wanting to throw yourself in the deep ocean, to follow Law but you couldn’t.

“Law….LAW! PLEASE COME BACK!” You began to cry out….but nothing.

You were left alone…the love of your life just broke your heart and you didn’t know what to do..

[wildheartsalwaysburn]

OP men taking care of their SO

Gn!Reader (I tried)

Characters: Trafalgar Law, Eustass Kid, Sanji, Bartolomeo, Corazon

CW: mentions of ED (starving, vomiting, overexercising), bad body image/body dysmorphia, cursing, SH, slight nsfw for Kid

Notes: I'm in a terrible mental state rn, kinda relapsing. OP hyperfixation fixes stuff so I decided to write some HC how they would act when noticing their SO is struggling with an ED.

Trafalgar Law

he had a bad feeling about your eating habits a while ago

noticing you rush to the bathroom after every meal and "showering" excessively

but didn't mention cuz he knows to leave people alone (he's the same tbh)

it hit him during the monthly physical examination

he listens to your heartbeat and notice it being really low

"y/n, would you step on the scale?" he asks in a cold but also concerned tone

as he notices you getting anxious when standing in front of that thing, he sighs and puts a hand reassuring on your shoulder

"it's ok. I'm here. Just step on it, please." his voice still concerned but warm and soft

he looks at the low numbers in shock and takes you carefully from the scale before you can see the numbers

"y/n-ya. What's wrong?" he'll take your cold hands and sits right in front of you

if you break out in tears, he'll just sit there and hug you tightly, til you calm down by yourself

if you stay cold and stubborn, he'll get annoyed but also takes care of you

either way, you talk a lot and will make a rehab plan, he'll watch over you as much as he can

he won't miss a moment to show you how much he loves and cares for you

"you're the most beautiful soul I know, y/n-ya."

"I know it hurts, but I cannot lose someone I love dearly, again."

"We get through this, ok?"

all in all, he's a doctor and acts like one, but he'll support you whenever needed

Eustass Kid

he notice during working out together

the last times you'd been skipping meals and even alcohol, working out without him even in the middle of the night

first he thought you'd simply want to get stronger than him and teases you daily

but on that day you've overdone yourself, your body can't take it anymore and you get dizzy and weak all of a sudden, letting the weights fall down with a thud

"y/n?! Fucking seriously?" he first yells at you (rule: never let weights fall down)

you sink on your knees, mumbling sth like you'd be fine

"Fine my ass!" he swears and lifts you up to carry you to his room

"what the hell are you thinking?!" he's clearly pissed

he'll put on his too big warm clothes and coat, still staring at you angrily

forces you to drink water and hot tea, he still stares at you

"so what the fuck is wrong with you, y/n?" angry, annoyed tone

when you start to cry, he's overwhelmed and feels bad not being able to help, so he just sits there and pets your head

when you glance back and pout/get angry you'll get into a fight and storms out throwing the door

just to come back and hug you tightly after finally understanding

his soft side comes out when you tell him you feel weak and ugly and fat

he laughs: "stupid girl/boy! you're the strongest pirate I know! and the sexiest! besides me"

if you don't or don't smile enough (which will be most likely the case), he'll just tower over you and wrap you up in his arms, roaming with his hands over your body and repeat how amazing you are

he'll get overprotective, remind you to eat enough through the day (sometimes forces you to)

He makes you different playlists to lift up your mood

also he'll seek help from Killer from time to time (but won't tell you)

Sanji

He’ll notice when you stop joining to cook in the kitchen

Notices your rapid weight loss really quickly

Sits down next to you, lights up a ciggy and asks worried what’s wrong

Poor boy thinks it’s his fault

Eventually he’ll tear up and just hug you, telling you how much he loves you

“You can tell me everything, ma chère!”

You instantly felt understood and tell him

He’ll look at you in shock, not understanding how such a beautiful person can think of themselves like that

“But you are the most beautiful woman/man, I know, y/n-swan”

He cups your face and gazes into your eyes before kissing you softly

“We get through this, together. I promise.”

And he’ll make it true. He’s the most supportive boyfriend

Forehead kisses, reassuring soft hugs and touches, always keeping an eye on you

Spa Days, telling you every second how much he loves and adores you, would never force you but beg you to try his food at least

Makes the most delicious looking meals

Reads all about EDs so he won’t accidentally hurt you even more

Will hold you in his arms when you’re freezing or crying

Hides the scale

All in all the perfect man

Bartolomeo

He’ll notice when following you to the bathroom after dinner

Already had a bad gut feeling about your bruised up and red hands

He holds them all the time so he knows their appearance by heart

“Y/n-chan? Are you ok? I’m here for you! Are you sick?”

Music plays from inside and the tab runs

When you came out after minutes, eyes swollen and red, hands wet and even redder than before you’ll earn a concerned look

“Don’t tell me you’re fine, y/n-chan.”

Weirdly sniffs and notices the smell of vomit

Eyes in shock and starts crying

“No no no no my dearest y/n-chan!! Please don’t tell me it’s true!”

Wraps his arms around you in a tight embrace, crying his eyes out

Overdramatic as fuck

Eventually taking your weak body to a quiet room, cleans your face and gives you something to drink

Will listen to each of your words really carefully to understand

Always pleasing you, always bring you water and tea, will not force but desperately beg to you eat something

Will accompany you to the bathroom any time, watching that you don’t hurt yourself anymore

Around you 24/7, will provoke and beat up everyone just trying to say something bad about you

Literally overprotective l, like a guard dog

Will try to lift your mood by telling stupid jokes and stories, tattle about Law and other “not cool non strawhats”, showing off his collection

Proud as hell every time he’ll make you laugh and forget that illness for a second

Corazon/ Rosinante Donquixote

He’ll notice when picking you up as usual

“Y/n, you’re so tiny?!”

Shocked at first and lifts you even higher

Can’t believe you’re that light, you’ve always been to him, but now it’s different

Immediately throws you over his shoulder, covering you with his warm feather coat

“We’re going to a doctor, no back talk.”

His tone is stern but also warm and caring

Carries you to different doctors and hospitals, always holding your hand or thigh to show you he’s there

Will yell at anyone who says that can’t treat you

Throws literal tantrums at some doctors for being “incapable”

Will end up trying to fix and heal you himself

Showers you in love and care, eg bringing you water, tea, let’s you borrow his lighter to fidget with (even lend you his cigarettes if you smoke)

Will always smile at you and be more clumsy on purpose to make you laugh again

Will cook for you, whatever you want, burns it a few times by accident

Let’s you wear his clothes, when you feel bad about your body

Or wraps you up in them to get you warm

Will be extremely careful when touching, hugging or lifting you up

Afraid he’ll break you

Will inform himself about EDs to make the best of it

Never leaves your side, towering above or behind you, so no one can hurt you

Even lends you hit hat from time to time if he can’t be around for a moment, so you won’t feel alone

Gets sentimental when you sleep and he drinks, petting your head, sits right next to you talking about how beautiful and amazing you are

"I love you so much! You deserve everything in this world, my heart!"

[lohotine]

*falls through your celling again*

I know you already did jealous shadow milk BUT I OFFER YOU THIS

Yandere shadow milk pls

Could be just hcs or sthm idc I JUST LOVE TUMBLRS DIFFERENT TAKES ON IT HCJDHDJFHF

AN: Yanderes <3 and I think this is before he got sealed, but after the corruption. (ALSO MY CEILING! FIRST MY DOOR, NOW THIS-)

Also, I'm def gonna make another one of these yan fics, just wait guys ♡

Yan! Shadow Milk Cookie x Reader

Oneshot (headcanons below)

Warnings: possessiveness, Manipulation, guilt tripping, toxic relationship, mentions of murder

-Only Me-

If only you could rewind time.

Back to the time where your lover wasn't crazy. Where he didn't have this unquenchable bloodlust, and where he didn't obsess over you.

The attention was nice at first, but it's long since become suffocating.

When will he finally let you breathe again?

Probably never. You'll die before he does, so this is probably going to go on until the day of your death.

What'll happen when you die? How will he handle it?

He can barely handle you leaving him for over an hour. There's no way he can handle you leaving forever, and to a place that, for once in his life, is unreachable to him.

He may still be alive after that, but maybe he'll finally stop 'living'.

He'll just exist.

"Dove, I'm back!" Called out an enthusiastic voice.

It would seem that Shadow Milk Cookie has finally returned.

You used to rejoice to the sound of his voice.

Where has all of the joy gone?

"Welcome back," you responded.

He wrapped an arm around your waist and placed a palm on your cheek, gazing with admiration towards your features.

"Oh dove, you truely are the only good in this rotten world~" He left a kiss on your forehead before returning to admiring you silently.

It would have felt nice.

This should have felt nice.

But it didn't.

"Um, I've been thinking about something, actually.." You'd bring up nervously.

"Yes?"

"Do you think I can maybe... leave this tower? Only for a little while?"

...

A silence filled the room before Shadow Milk Cookie started to snicker.

"Oh doll, you can't be serious! Why would you ever want to leave this place?" He gave you a condescending smile, hoping to feign even the slightest bit of ignorance or innocence.

"I've just been here for a long time. That's all.." You'd say.

"Don't be silly~ If you leave, then the outside world will destroy your perfect, delicate self. And you know I can't have my dolls breaking." He just kept staring at you with that sweet, sweet smile.

"But-"

"Oh, I get it. You're just leaving because you've gotten bored of me. Is that it?" His smile faded and was replaced with an uncaring glare.

"That's not what I meant.."

"You're so selfish, you know? I give you a nice place away from all of the chaos to keep you safe, I'm constantly giving you my attention, and now you want to leave me." He let go of you and looked away, a scowl present on his face.

"I never said I wanted to leave you!"

"If you loved me, you'd stay here with me, and not put up a fight about wanting to leave."

So that's how it is...

Such a shame that he could get you to obey him so easily.

Leading you on with your own love.

"Sorry, I won't ask about it again..." you looked towards the ground, a guilt seeping into your heart, even though none of this was really your fault.

"Say you love me, and only me."

...

"I love only you."

He placed a finger under your chin and made you look up to him.

The smile he always held was back, as if it never disappeared in the first place.

"Yep! Only me!"

《☆》 Fin

Headcanons

Obsessed.

That's really the only word to describe him

Burns down towns and kills people 'in your name'.

You've hinted that you don't appreciate the actions

He never gets the hint, and if he does, he ignores them

Uses your love for him against you

Guilt trips you into agreeing with him a lot of the time

Has come home covered in blood numerous times

Acts like it's insignificant

Loves seeing you cry

He thinks it's cute, but he'll still 'comfort' you in way

Will wipe his bloodied hands on your face and whisk your tears away

Holds you close to him, even when he's the problem

Never gives you space

Sometimes you wish for the old him

You told him about it and he just laughed

Talks to everyone about you, but if they say your name, he kills them instantly

Thinks your name doesn't deserve to be spoken by people like them

If you ever died he'd probably lose it

You're his lifeline

It's... really not healthy.

[sea-buns]

Headcanon that Pib visits everyone every now and then and mostly just chills.

He does that cat thing where you walk into a room and they're just on a very tall object and you have no idea how they got there. Rosamund walks into her room at the castle and hes sprawled out on the stone of her windowsill that's been perfectly warmed by the sun. None of the guards or servants ever see him enter and her room is at the top of a tower like 3 stories up. She acts like this is absolutely normal any time it gets brought up.

He lies under a tree with Timothy or sits in Henry's lap on the porch as he rocks in a chair. Sometimes he'll follow at Jack's heels during deliveries or just around town. Everytime Jack'll start to veer towards a not-so-great decision, Pib gives him a little nudge in a better direction and some advice.

He'll wander into Gepetto's workshop and just fuck with shit. The man is constantly having to put stuff back on tables, just for it to get knocked down again when his back is turned. He'll play games with Pinocchio as he grows older, offering him help and advice when it's relevant. Just spending time with him in general, whether it's hanging out at Pinocchio's house or getting into whatever shit he's schemed up that week.

He'll join Gerard on adventures and occasionally ask his help for something with the people of his kingdom. When he hears Gerard trying to start a gossip session with Timothy, he gladly chimes in with his own shit-talk about the various people he encounters. This quickly becomes a regular thing for them.

Pib schemes with Ylfa and joins her in her many endeavors to absolutely fuck shit up for adults and people in power. Anyone so much as breathes wrong in her direction and he's popping out of her hood like a second head to give the most seething, feral hiss. Anytime Pib, Ylfa, and the Baba Yaga are together, no one is safe. He'll occasionally join her, Gerard, and Pinocchio for gin rummy. As a rule, any game night at Baba Yaga's hut ends with toppled tables, holes in windows and ceilings, and at least one person sprawled out on the roof and/or front lawn with no memory of how they got there.

[randomly--accessed--memories]

Weirdly enough I think I disagree with Charlie and the hotel crew's choice to return Vox to Velvette and Valentino. Morally it's the right thing to keep Vox away from his abuser and return him to his friends. But I just don't think him going back to the tower is going to help with his recovery since he'll just be placed back into isolation. Especially if Alastor is chased out of the hotel, then there's really no reason why Vox shouldn't stay at the hotel full time and visit the Vees when he wishes to. He shouldn't have to lose either friend group but it just seems like Charlie is too guilty to keep Vox in her custody and Velvette and Valentino are too selfish to not have Vox solely in their custody.

@voxaholic likes to say that this is a story with no unambiguously good options, and yeah, that’s kinda true. Thankfully, this particular situation ends up working out, though.

After the battle with Heaven, the fact that Vox is alive leaks to the press, which leads to Charlie and Vaggie learning the truth and prompts the start of the third act. After Alastor is either killed or disappears again and the Vees get Vox back, they no longer see a point in keeping Vox in isolation; all of Hell already knows he’s alive, plus he’s no longer a danger to himself and others, so why bother? And, thankfully, after [whatever happens with Alastor], the mental block Vox has on retaining any information about Val and Vel lifts. He goes home to an environment where he actually has some freedom of mobility (he can’t leave the tower unaccompanied, but that was also the case at the hotel, and he’s no longer confined to the same handful of rooms) and can build new relationships with the other Vees.

Things actually go pretty well for a few years— Charlie’s even able to negotiate for her, Niffty, and possibly Vaggie to visit every once in a while. They only goes off the rails when Valentino dies in a fight with Angel, Husk, and Cherri. His death causes Vox to backslide and Velvette to shut down all contact with the hotel. The only reason Velvette doesn’t start trying to blow the hotel off the map is because of how it helped Vox. She never puts Vox back in isolation, but his regression is dramatic. She tries her best to help him recover, but as the years go on, he gradually shuts down, losing more and more of himself to the white noise in his mind until he becomes completely passive and non-verbal. Velvette knows that there’s a chance that taking him back to the hotel might help (he’s not aware that some of the residents were responsible for Val’s death), but her anger wins out, and she keeps Vox solely in her care until everything comes crashing down and they’re forced to flee there.

In the end, it probably would’ve been better if Vox had stayed at the hotel, but it’s one of those situations where you can’t really blame everyone for acting the way they do.

[chloe-spade]

Tangled Up Act One: When Will My Life Begin

Seventeen years have passed since that faithful day and the young boy has become a young man with an open window, looking around. He was playing hide and seek with a lovely chameleon he adopted years prior, and now was looking for him.

The Tower's height never scared him anymore as he used his hair to look around for his friends again. It was a morning activity that was fun and helped Silver relax for the day, as predicted. But that wasn't going to deter him from winning the game.

"It seems like Epel isn't hiding out here," Silver hummed as he entered the tower once again.

He stopped for a moment before using a strand of his hair to pull the camouflaged chameleon from his hiding spot and he giggled. "Gotcha!"

"That's so unfair!" Epel pouted, "You always know to find me."

"What did you expect?" Deuce, a bluebird, questioned. "Silver became an expert after a while."

"He's good," Ace, a red hedgehog, added, "You keep underestimated him, and just because you are a chameleon doesn't mean you can't hide from him."

"But I was actually practicing," Epel groaned again.

Silver laughed again and took Epel into his hands, sitting on the window. "Sorry about that. I just like playing this game in the mornings, helps me wake up as well." He paused for a moment, "Well, is it a two out of three?"

Epel made a sour face in response.

"Ok,ok," Silver relented, "What do you guys want to do?"

"Oh, how about we go outside? Like outside, and I mean, outside this tower." Ace recommended, "I heard the grass is much softer when spring slowly turns into summer and I could smell all the flowers."

"And fly around the blue sky." Deuce chirped.

"And maybe I can actually win at hide and seek," Epel added, "This tower is becoming predictable for hiding spots. I need more space and atmosphere."

"No," Silver objected, "Come on, I like it in here and so do you guys."

"Not really."

"I wouldn't so."

"I hate that place."

Silver rolled his eyes, and lifted Ace and Epel, "For you guys, it's not, but it's nice and homey for me, like Father intended. Now, are you going to help me clean?" Silver smiled and grabbed his broom looked at the clock and watched how the clock struck 7:00.

☀️

7 AM, the usual morning lineup

Start on the chores and sweep 'til the floor's all clean

Polish and wax, do laundry, and mop and shine up

Sweep again and by then it's like 7:15

☀️

Silver sighed as he looked up at the clock, it was exactly 7:15. He was almost exhausted from how fast he worked, but he was done.

"Already?" Ace questioned, "That was fast."

"Time flies when you do chores, I suppose," Silver chuckles, "Let's have some fun."

☀️

And so I'll read a book, or maybe two or three

I'll add a few new paintings to my gallery

I'll play guitar and knit and cook and basically

Just wondering, when will my life begin?

☀️

"Ace, stop," Silver huffs, "They're warm, and you need to wait," he puts down the tray, "I don't want you to have a tummy ache before lunch."

"You also ate all the cookies before everyone else," Deuce added, "which sucks."

"You glutton," Epel scoffed.

"It was good," Ace pouted, "and that means eating cookies as well."

"No fighting," Silver lectured, before he looked above the fireplace and stood back, "Hey, don't you think that looks, uh, bland?"

The Animal Trip looked over at the area and examined it.

"Pretty bland," Ace agreed, "It needs something, like your touch. Like, a…"

"Like, a portrait! Or a beautiful painting." Deuce cheered.

"I even have some ideas!" Epel beamed.

Silver smiles and gets up onto the furnace, Deuce delivers his paints and paintbrush, and he starts to examine and looks around, and starts to paint for a while until lunch begins.

☀️

Then after lunch, it's puzzles and darts and baking

Papier-mâché, a bit of ballet and chess

☀️

"Checkmate," mumbled a dazed Silver, on the floor, wrapped around his hair. But it was worth it to finally beat Deuce in chess, even though he'll bruise later.

"Are you ok!?" Epel gasped in worry.

"I told him that dancing while playing what a bad idea," Deuce sighed. "But he was stubborn."

"..at least he wasn't sleeping," Ace piped up.

☀️

Pottery and ventriloquy, candle-making

Then I'll stretch, maybe sketch

Take a climb, sew a dress

☀️

"I hate this," Ace muttered, "It's tight." He struggled as the dress slowly began to tighten his quills, causing some of the fabric to break apart.

"…well, you are ripping it apart," Deuce muttered, resting on Silver's shoulder.

Silver smiles and looks back at the book, "This is what the book says. And it looks nice, and I made sure it'll be good for you."

Epel laughs, "It's nice and funny. And I think it fits you so well."

Ace pouted, looking down, "Stop it…this was embarrassing. Why couldn't Epel wear this?"

"He knows that if he were to touch me, I'm about to bite him," Epel answered with pride.

Silver watched and yawned, having a feeling of a more boring day. He walks upstairs, grabs the books rests on his bed, and yawns once more, looking down at the books with boredom, already prepared to reread everything.

☀️

And I'll reread the books if I have time to spare

I'll paint the walls some more, I'm sure there's a room somewhere

And then I'll brush and brush and brush and brush my hair

Stuck in the same place I've always been

☀️

"Thank you," Silver took the brush from Deuce and sighed, "You guys are right. Outside would be much more fun than all of this. It's got so tiring, being here all day. And with everything here all at once, I need something new, and I want that."

☀️

And I'll keep wonderin' and wonderin'

And wonderin' and wonderin'

When will my life begin?

☀️

Silver climbs down walks over to the window and looks up at the sky, watching the sky filled with different stars above, whenever his birthday comes. He wants to feel it. Feel the fire within the lanterns and feel the breeze that'll allow them to be carried to the heavens.

☀️

Tomorrow night, lights will appear

Just like they do on my birthday each year

☀️

Silver slowly began to paint himself with his new painting, watching the strange stars from beyond the trees and wishing to be there with his friends and his father, enjoying his birthday. The one wish he always wanted to ask every year and he concluded that it was that year he won't hesitate.

☀️

What is it like out there where they glow?

Now that I'm older, Father might just let me go

☀️

Silver sighed as he rested on the window again, but with a more somber face than his previous happiness from earlier. To think he would laugh his friends off about how boring the tower was but now he sees it, feels it, and hates it. He just sighed sadly again, looking up.

Deuce, Epel, and Ace go over to Silver and begin to comfort him, by nuzzling him.

"Hey, it'll be alright," Ace spoke, "maybe this year, he'll stop treating you like a prisoner and let you go."

"Maybe," Silver agreed, "but I know my father. No matter what I said, it would be told on deaf ears. Like last year, and the many years before that."

"Silver, know that you'll get your wish, and we'll be right here beside you, watching those lanterns fly up into the sky." Silver giggles softly and pets Deuce's feathers.

"Hey, I'll be fine," Silver yawned and walked away to his bedroom, "I'll ask him soon…I promise."

He entered his room, looking at the paintings he made when his hair was long enough too. He lay down on his bed, looking up at them before he felt his eyes gotten heavy. He hums and slowly falls asleep, using his hair as a soft blanket, as he tends to do.

"He's been up here for years," Deuce mourned, "I hope he can finally walk on the grass and have fun." He nuzzles Silver's head, "It'll be better than just being cooped up in here."

"Yeah," Ace groaned, "He's so…I don't want to say this but he's pretty clueless about the world. I mean, he didn't know what I was when we met, and he called me a small mini dog, with spikes."

Epel chuckled, "He was only 7, Ace, but it did cement his living situation. Now, come on, we should rest before Crewel comes back." They walk over and carefully rest themselves within Silver's hair and slowly drift to sleep, enjoying the soft hair.

☀

The Kingdom of Sol was not so far, especially to an outsider. With King Lilia in charge, the kingdom is a thriving location with every celebration becoming a long-awaited tradition that everyone knows of.

Another known thing was the thieves.

Three wanted thieves were now on top of the kingdom, ready to go one of the most horrendous crimes of all time.

"Look at the view," Fang hummed, "I could never get old of it."

"Indeed, but we have a job to do," Jade reminded, pulling Fang towards an open window that Floyd had opened, "and don't forget, you owe Azul after that horrendous stunt of yours. It was either this or your tongue."

Fang groaned, "I get it, I get it."

Fanf was a thief, a thief who accidentally stole from Azul Ashengrotto, a man who works for himself, and now has to repay his new debt, the only thing he could steal is the kingdom crown, and it was either his own life or a luxury he could steal.

Many do not know much about Fang, the other being known as the Beastman. He wasn't feared, per se. Just wanted since childhood to steal anything he could eat, wear, and steal. He was caught occasionally, but he had some small allies that always got him out.

"Don't worry," Floyd giggled, "if this is valuable to repay your debt, then you steal it. It's quite simple."

Fang huffs and wraps himself with a rope, "You doubt me?"

Jade and Floyd roll their eyes and begin to move Ruggie down into the crown room. Fang carefully looks around to make sure the guards are around the crown, making sure that nobody comes in or out. The crown sits ideally onto a special case, with the name "Silver" engraved on the podium it remained on, and looks like it hasn't been touched in years, well, until Fang's hand grabbed and stuffed it into his satchel.

He didn't know why Azul wanted such a remarkable yet clearly sentimental item. Fang was appalled when he was told about the job and almost got his tongue ripped out. He was a thief, but he was not low enough to steal something that meant so much. But he had to do it, regardless of his feelings.

He almost jumped as a guard sneezed.

"Ah, spring fever, right?" Fang teased.

"Y-yeah, not the best at the mom-," The guard answered before quickly turning around, locking eyes with Fang.

It was only a moment before his spear almost gutted Fang, and the thing that saved him was a quick pull from the twins.

Fang laughed as he landed on the castle roof, with glares from Jade but a giddy smile from Floyd.

"Was that really necessary?" Jade sighed as they began to climb down.

"Who cares! It was fun, almost seeing Fangy getting gutted," Floyd added with a laugh.

"Guys!" Fang laughed, "Sneaked into the castle, through the guards, and stole the most valuable item all in one morning, and if that doesn't tell you that this was going to be a great day, then you'll be extremely wrong! This just become a very great day!"

☀️

"Today's the day," Silver announced, "Today's the day I'm going to ask him."

"Finally," Ace groaned, "you've been cooped here for years, and now's the day you asked. But I have a bad feeling about this."

"How so?" Questioned Silver, putting away his art supplies, "I think now that I'm older, he's bound to be more understanding. I'm almost 18 years old, and I'm strong and responsible enough to help out."

"We know," Deuce chuckled, "We watched how you trained for this day."

"All the bruises and splinters are all worth it, "Silver smiles and carefully set the paintbrushes down, "I'm excited, and I'm so prepared for this, but I have to be very convincing/"

"Have you practiced in the mirror?" Epel asked.

"Of course I have, not that it works as my impression of Father is not the greatest." Silver admitted. "But I know what to say and what to do and if things do go south, I know how to distract him."

"Silver!" A man called from below, "My little flower!"

Silver gasped and helped the animals behind the curtains. "Ok, just stay here. I got this…just pray for me."

"Our little paws are crossed." Epel whispered as Silver walked away.

"Silver, I'm not getting younger down here," Silver's Father, Crewel announced, fixing his hair. Silver peaks out and quickly set his hair on the small hook and released his hair, watching it fly down onto the ground, easily for Crewel to grab it and use it as a rope, Silver pulled it with all his strength, raising Crewel to the top of the tower's window. Silver helps Crewel inside takes his cape, and proceeds to hang it on the nearby hanger.

"Oh, Silver," Crewel cooed, cupping Silver's cheeks, "how could you do that without fainting? It must've been so tiring for such a delicate flower such as yourself."

Silver chuckled, "I know but I'm used to it, and besides, it makes me stronger every day." Crewel smiles and pats Silver's head.

"That's why I'm so proud of you," He laughed, "such a cute young boy."

"Not that young," Silver protested.

"Tomoto, Tomato," Crewel laughed, smelling the air. "Oh! What delicacy you baked today?"

"Oh, the usual, chocolate chip cookies."

Silver answered, set down his stool, and gave Crewel his brush. He sits down and gives Crewel his hair to brush. Silver begins to hum, but unknowingly to him, he is humming so fast that the magic of his hair comes and goes within a few seconds. That caused a small panic in Crewel as he brushed quickly and gasped as the magic surrounded him.

"Silver," Crewel lectured, "What has gotten into you? That was…oddly fast. What's the deal?" Silver flushes a little, and looks over at the hidden painting, watching Ace, Epel, and Deuce egged him on.

"Well, I was just excited about something."

"Hmm, what about?"

"Well, my birthday, Father," Silver spoke up, "Um…we both know that my birthday is tomorrow, and I have one massive request that would make me very happy."

"Other than the paints, sewing supplies, hair supplies, gardening supplies, and the newest brush after you broke your old one?" Crewel teased and laughed. "Aw, don't worry, if its for my sweet little flower, anything."

Silver took a breath and said, "I want to see the floating lights…"

"Floating lights?"

"….ah, well, I could be more specific." Silver stammered, "I want to see the floating lights that I see every night on my birthday. And I mean, by seeing them, not just from the tower, but outside. Out there, and I know you think I'm not ready for it, but I know I'm ready."

Crewel's eyes darkened for a moment, but kept a kind smile, "You mean those bright stars?"

Silver sighs, "They're not stars, Father."

He climbed up and showed Crewel a star diagram he created years prior, causing a small gasp from Crewel. "I recorded every moment of star movements depending on the year, but these stars only appeared on my birthday as dusk appeared, it's a repeating pattern and I know that." Silver climbs down and shows his newest painting, which surprised Crewel again, "All I'm asking is for this one day to see these in person and that it'll make my life complete."

Crewel was silent for a moment, before sighing. "I understand you, I truly do," he stood up and asked Silver to get down to stroke his hair, "You are already capable but…you want to go outside? Why, Silver."

Crewel chuckled before walking towards the window and closing the doors.

"Look at you, as fragile as a flower. Just a little sapling, just a sprout. You know why we stay up in this tower?"

"Yes, I do, but," Silver began but was interrupted.

☀️

That's right, to keep you safe and sound, dear

I always knew this day was coming

Knew that soon you'd want to leave the nest

Soon, but not yet

☀️

"But—," Silver protested but was interrupted by his father again, finger on his lips.

☀️

Shh! Trust me, pup

Father knows best

☀️

A hip to the tower and the smallest window close, leaving the tower dark but Silver was prepared as he prepared a candle to look around for Crewel but didn't expect a scare from him as he looked. He was now annoyed but kept his composure.

☀️

Father knows best, listen to your father

It's a scary world out there

Father knows best, one way or another

Something will go wrong, I swear

☀️

Silver wasn't exactly convinced, especially when Crewel had to grab his hair to cast an illusion of a thief, trying to steal his hair, that was until he tripped onto the floor and all spooky shadows of things he should fear. It even ended with a crude shadow of a man, ready to grab if it wasn't for Silver's quick reflexes.

☀️

Ruffians, thugs, poison ivy, quicksand

Cannibals and snakes

The plague

☀️

"Wait no!" Silver gasped.

"Yes!" Crewel cackled, shining the green light onto Silver's face.

"Father, please-," Silver begged, only to be pushed onto the floor by a mop, and face to face with a horrible painting of a shared tooth man.

☀️

Also large bugs

People with pointy teeth, and

Stop, no more, you'll just upset me

☀️

Silver sighs and looks around for his father again. He sees Crewel and walks toward him, but once he does, it is just a mannequin. Silver frowns and looks back at the stairs, lights leading up and Crewel walking down with a smirk.

☀️

Father's right here, Father will protect you

Darling, here's what I suggest

Skip the drama, stay with Papa

Father knows best

☀️

"Father, I think you overreacting," Silver groaned, "I am fully aware of those horrible things. I am not stupid, nor naive."

☀️

Go ahead, get trampled by a rhino

Go ahead, get mugged, and left for dead ("Father, enough..")

Me, I'm just your father, what do I know?

I only bathed and changed and nursed you

Go ahead and leave me, I deserve it

Let me die alone here, go on be my guest ("You are pushing it, Father,")

When it's too late, you'll see, just wait

Father knows best

☀️

Silver gasped as he looked up again, and Crewel was gone, only the scent of the candle wax by the stairs. Silver sighs grabs a match and starts to light the candles again, completely unaware that Crewel was putting them out simply with his fingers.

☀️

Father knows best, take it from your popsy

On your own, you won't survive

☀️

A mirror appeared in front of Silver, and Crewel appeared on its side, looking Silver up and down as if he was judging him up and down, which in hindsight, is not a great move.

☀️

Your sloppy, underdressed, immature, clumsy

Please, they'll eat you up alive

☀️

Crewel grabbed Silver and started to wrap his hair all around him, causing Silver to become entrapped, muffling towards his Father to let him out, with Crewel laughing.

☀️

Gullible, naïve, positively grubby

Ditzy and a bit, well, hmm, vague

Plus, I believe, gettin' kinda chubby

☀️

That was until he flung Silver like he was a spinning top toy, which annoyed Silver as Crewel grabbed his chin, so they met eye to eye. "You are not…," Silver whispers, trying to hide his nausea, "…funny.."

☀️

I'm just saying 'cause I love you

Father understands, Father's here to help you

All I have is one request

☀️

Silver finally loses his balance and lands in Crewel's arms, feeling Crewel comforting him.

"Silver?" Crewel spoke softly towards him.

"What is it?" Silver groaned, looking up.

"Don't ever ask to leave this tower again," Crewel demanded, his grip becoming tight around Silver's shoulder.

"Yes, Father…" Silver finally yielded.

"I love you very much, my child," Crewel cooed.

"I love you more."

"I love you most."Crewel grinned and kissed Silver's hair, his hand now caressing it.

☀️

Don't forget it, you'll regret it

Father knows best

☀️

Silver didn't know what to say after that conversation after all that had happened, so instead, he went to his room to get his mind off it.

"Maybe Father is right," he spoke to himself, looking at the mirror, questioning if he was even ready to go out of the old tower, a place that he lived in for so many years. "Maybe I'm asking for too much from him…" He sighs, lying down on his bed.

☀️

I've got my Father's love

I shouldn't ask for more

I've got so many things

I should be thankful for

Yes, I have everything

Except I guess, a door

Perhaps it's better that I stay in

But tell me, when will my life begin?

☀️

"Silver," Crewel called out, "I'm ready to leave again," He announced, getting ready. Silver takes a small breath and walks downstairs, trying his best to look unaffected by Crewel's cruel words, and grabs his hair to let down.

Crewel frowns and hugs Silver, "Oh, don't be like that, my flower, I know what I was was horrible but I need you to know that I'm worried about you."

"I-I know," Silver stammered softly, and started to let his hair down.

Crewel sighs and looks at Silver again. "I never meant to hurt you, my flower, but this world is not ready for someone as extraordinary as you or your hair." He grabbed onto the hair, "I'll be back, ok? I love you, my dear."

"I love you too," Silver mumbled softly.

"No more mumbling," Crewel managed to say before sliding down. As he departed down, he called out, "I'll be back with lunch!"

Silver watched him walk away before letting his hair down and mumbling, "I'll be here."

Silver noticed Deuce on his shoulder and sighed, "I'm sorry. I thought I could convince him, and I just froze up. Like I always do."

"I wouldn't blame ya," Epel talked, climbing onto the window. "Your father seems very mean."

"No, he isn't. He's just…overprotective." Silver defended, "…I hope he's wrong. Maybe I still have a chance."

☀️

Despite running what felt like an eternity, the royal guards are still right on their trail. "Jade, can we do something about these annoying guards," Floyd said, annoyed that he was running away from them instead of doing the chasing. "I just want to squeeze them now."

"As much I want to say yes, we are unfortunately outnumbered," Jade responded, sounding extremely out of breath.

They hear the stomping of the guards' horses getting close, and they all quickly run to the left and hide in the thick brush of the forest. They finally were able to breathe for a moment, just as long they didn't give their location away.

"Okay, once the coast is clear we'll take the long way back," Ruggie whispers to the twins.

"What? I don't want to do that," Floyd answered, "this mission was incredibly boring from the start."

"It's either we have a long walk or get captured."

Their short conversation ended when they heard a horse's whale coming right for them. And as the thieves got out of their hiding spot, a large horse destroyed the bush. Looking more furious than the captain himself "I found them!" The apparent captain shouted, alerting the rest of his team.

Once again, Ruggie and the twins begin to run away. While he and Floyd throw many insults at the guards. They ran farther and farther into the woods, able to lose most of the guards but some were very close by. They were able to stop once again, this time behind oak trees, with some old and withered, wanted posters, of them.

"I didn't expect to see these far out here," Jade remakes.

"I guess it shows how popular we have gotten over the last few months," Floyd responded, somewhat admiring the well-drawn wanted papers.

"Azul better keeps his end of the bargain of his deal, because I'm not going to die over some stupid crown," Ruggie mumbled to himself. "Well that's what you get when you try to steal something from him," Jade said with a smug look on his face.

Before stealing the royal crown, Ruggie was already in hot water when he decided to steal a valuable item from Azul. For him not to get squeezed to death by Floyd, Azul offered him a deal.

"If you want to live for another day, you would have to steal the lost prince's crown, after all, a lot of people are willing to buy it at a high price," Azul told him those few days ago, which at that point Ruggie is starting to wish he didn't take the offer. Ruggie hopes that Azul might be generous enough to lend him some of that money after he's risking his life for this act of service. As they pay attention to their surroundings, Ruggie notices his wanted poster…and gets irritated seeing it.

"Oh come on you got to be kidding me," he spoke, ripping off the poster from the tree.

"What is it, Fang," Floyd asked.

"…they got my ears wrong again." Ruggie showed the twins the poster, showing them a drawn picture of himself, only that his ears looked more like cat ears than his hyena ones. "Are they that hard to even draw them?" Ruggie asked, offended by this discovery.

"I'm rather surprised that finally made you upset, you did have to deal with my brother for the past 24 hours and he didn't make you this annoyed," Jade spoke.

"Compared to your guy's wanted poster it looks fantastic, and then there's mine, they always mess up the ears."

That's when the conversation stopped once more, as they heard the familiar voices of the guards, they all stood low and quickly moved. That's when the three reach a large piece of earth, blocking off their path.

"Well crap," Floyd spoke. "It's best that we think of a plan now before the guards catch up," Jade informed. Ruggie noticed this little cliff was much taller than the twins and himself, but not too tall to lift someone over.

"Okay, I have an idea," Ruggie said. "Are we going to lift someone up?" Floyd asked.

"Glad you caught on," Ruggie stated, "since you two are tall enough, you can help me get over the ledge and I could lift you two up with me." The twins looked at each other, suspicious about Ruggie's idea, but since they had no choice they had to do it.

"Alright, just give us the satchel first," Jade spoke.

"Really?"

"Just because we've known you for a few days doesn't mean we trust you, so you can either hand it over or we make you lift the both of us." Jade threatened with a calm smile.

Ruggie sighed and handed over the satchel, and they quickly made a human tower, Floyd being the support while Jade lifted Ruggie over. Once done, Ruggie looks down, seeing his teammates.

"Alright, pull me up," Jade spoke "I would, but I got my hands full."

"What-" Ruggie showed the satchel, the strap cut and him holding a small dagger along with it.

"Since I have a sneaky feeling that Azul is going to cheat his way out of the bargain, I wanted to do it first," Ruggie stated getting up quickly.

"Why you little-"

"Tell Azul I said thanks for your guy's volunteer work."

With that, Ruggie began to run off, hearing the twins cursing him out, slowly fading away when he got deeper into the woods.

But unfortunately for him, he was still being followed by one of the guards. "And here I thought I was going to get a break," he thought to himself when he heard the cries of the royal guard's horse. Ruggie had to be quick to get this guard off his trail, so he decided to go under steep hills, and duck under some branches while avoiding the many arrows that were trying to hit him.

That's when he saw a perfect opportunity, not only there was another hill to go down but some tree branches were low enough for him to grab on. As he runs towards it, he gets his momentum ready and focuses. Right before going down the hill, he jumps onto the branch, with his speed as well he swings around the branch and surprises the unexpected guard. Kicking behind the head was enough for him to fall off his horse, who ran down the hill in the meantime. But stopped when it noticed his owner fell off. Ruggie lands and is shocked and dizzy.

"I didn't expect that to work but man, that was incredible." Before he could do anything else, he realized that not only did he recognize the horse from earlier, but it stopped in his tracks, turned, and glared at him.

"What are waiting for?" Ruggie asked, then grabbed the reigns, "Let's go!"

The horse continued to glare but his eyes slowly drifted to the bag knowing that the stolen crown was hidden in it. He went to snatch it but was pulled away from Ruggie.

"No. This is mine." Ruggie laughs, "It's not nice to steal from- Hey!!"

The horse took another snap at Ruggie's bag, which began a struggle between the two, pulling the satchel back and forth and it seemed like the horse was winning, the unfortunate enemies anciently let their guard down as the satchel was flung to a nearby tree branch over a cliff. Both stare at each other as if to keep an eye on the other.

Ruggie looks over at the horse before jumping off and sprinting towards the satchel, the horse following suit. This was now a war between the hyena and the horse as they pushed, pulled, punched, tripped, and kicked to prevent the other from going near the satchel. The horse had the upper hand, pushing Ruggie off the branch, but backfired as Ruggie grabbed onto the log with strength.

Ruggie gripped the tree log for dear life. The growl from the horse informed Ruggie that he shouldn't be there for long, so like a little bug, he scurried, also trying to avoid the horse stomping his hooves to purposely break his hands while he climbed.

"This is such a weird day!" Ruggie called out to the horse, "I just wanted to get rich and now I'm trying to escape a horse. Today is not my day."

Ruggie took the satchel in his hands, having a mere moment of victory, only moving to take the satchel away from the horse. A small creek was heard, as the branch slowly tumbled down due to the two fighting and the extra weight they brought. Both stood still, hoping if they stood still, the branch would not break.

But it was false hope as the branch snapped and fell. The enemies looked at each other before screaming as they tumbled down the cliff. A rock broke the branch, separating the two. The horse immediately got back up after he tumbled, looking for Ruggie, and sniffing the area for him.

Unaware of the horse, Ruggie hid behind a boulder, big enough to hide his small form.

Ruggie panted, only hearing faint sounds of the horse walking past, before accidentally falling through the vines behind him. Confused, he walked through, which led to a small cavern, and at the end was a huge tower, it wasn't even that old and abandoned, but nicely decorated, especially with the vines growing around it.

"Why is there a tower all the way out here?" Ruggie questioned, walking over to it, and looking up at the length.

"I mean, if it's hidden, I should be safe from the knights and those pesky twins." Ruggie grabbed two arrows from the knights and started to climb it, surprised at how huge this tower was, and questioned why it was built in the first place. By the time he got to the window, he sighed to himself and entered the tower. Ruggie looks around for a little bit, surprised at how decorative it was, considering it was an old tower hidden from society.

"..well," he laughs, "this is a perfect place for me to hide in. And," he opens the satchel, "we are alone at last." The last thing that happened was a huge clang and a body was now on the floor unconscious.

[cyber-corp]

A summary of Homestuck: Acts 2-3

by someone who keeps reading it despite warnings

Part One: Jade

I'll summarise the intro to Act 3 and then delve into the two newly introduced character's stories individually. If I write any more, my gecko head will implode.

Let's start... somewhat simple.

We get a written message from John's nanna (whose ashes fused with the kernelsprite last time) in his dad's copy of the Colonel Sassacre book, saying that he's becoming wiser and can grasp the nuance of the book. There's also a lot of stuff about a prophecy, and Timeless Expanses, and Kernelsprites, etc. After that, we get the true beginning of Act 3.....

an eepy.......... This whimsical girl's name is Jade Harley (most definitely not Farmstink according to her letter). She's got quite a bit of interests, most prominently her small garden and fauna, I think.

After proving that she is the best character with her amazing flute skills and actually doing the asinine requests the audience tells her to do, she goes upstairs to her bedroom.

She plays some bass, cooks up something for her pet and then pesters her friends for a bit (she is GG, the green text chatter from earlier in the comic). This is set sometime at the beginning of the story, as she pesters John with a birthday message.

Rose pesters her about if today is the right day to play a fun game that would help "answer some questions". Jade gives some optimistic word of advice, then hops off Pesterchum and descends to the lowest floor of her house (house? observatory?).

She encounters this thing. It is hideous and I'll leave it at that.

After getting a "troll message" (I wonder if these guys will appear later?) she scampers into the grand foyer and gets herself a rifle. For being the "cutesy" character, she knows pretty well to keep herself strapped.

After an encounter with her strict robo-granddad, she goes out on her big ol' island to find her devilbeast to feed it, with no such luck yet. She notices that the birthday package from John finally arrived near the crumbling monument. But before that, she has to get past the devilbeast itself, Becquerel!!!!!

(These battle sequences are getting real elaborate, you can tell Hussie's putting a lot more effort into these)

(We also get a song composed by Andrew Huo and a complete unknown. I wonder what he'll do later?)

After a wholesome bonding moment between Jade and her favourite beast, she goes eepy yet again and Bec takes her back to the bedroom, where she begins to dream through the power of her Dreambot.

She doesn't open this package just yet, as what she does is send the package to her past self by sending it to the Wayward Vagabond in the future, who promptly gives it to Peregrine Mendicant, who promptly sends it to Jade's past self. Wibbly wobbly indeed.

Anyway, back to present Jade. She's got a whole dream city to explore!

She encounters a dream friend, who kinda looks like Peregrine? Might be.

Afterwards, Dream Jade decides to inspect the neighbouring tower, home to Dream John Egbert, who is sleeping.

She wonders if he ever ended up getting his birthday present from her, but she better get inside before the Dream eclipse occurs (is this another world entirely or just a dream hub?)

She pesters John about the gift before a large noise occurs outside her house, which she goes to investigate but Bec stops her from doing so (deeper motivation maybe?). After that, it's revealed that Jade's gift was the one in John's dad's car which was dropped off the cliff some time ago.

(this one) John then catches up Jade on everything that's happened to him thus far (meteor blowing up his neighbourhood, can't find his dad, Rose losing battery power, etc.) Jade encounters John in the Dreamworld, then they both wake up simultaneously.

She then pesters John in the real world, saying that

GG: well..... GG: its hard to explain!!!GG: but...GG: i know what it is now!GG: and now i know everythings going to be ok!!!

Apparently she's had quite a few premonitions, and this very dream suggests she needs to go to the Mystic Ruins. Harpoon in hand, she makes her way down.

She places John's present in an exact spot and writes a letter to the future WV. The present suddenly disappearifies due to what happens in the future.

Jade leapfrogs her way to the main tower of the ruins (complete with beautiful artistic rendition by Hussie) and heads inside. On page 1148, she finds a flower timer thing that is definitely related to SBURB, watches it appearify Dave's copies of the beta, and that is where her part of the story ends for now.

Asides from her being a cryptic, Jade is such a fun character to watch. Her excited reaction watching the Tangle Buddies, her rather eccentric bedroom, and the weird cyberspace she gets into while on Pesterchum are all very good examples of 'show don't tell' instead of 'this person is very weird and whimsy'. She is showing signs of knowing more than she lets on, which will be interesting to see play out later.

Anyway. Be the cool guy.

My man.

[gloryride]

Stature and informal for Isao and face and night for Enzo? :3

Thanks for asking, friend 💕 As usual, you ask for Isao ... and now, you have a crush for my nomad racer ? 😏 can't blame you !

[OC ASKS : CHARACTER DESIGN EDITION] ask if you want, love this one

ISAO

stature: What's your OC's body type? How tall are they? Do they wear clothing to accentuate their look or do they try to mask it?

172cm, mesomorph, shaped like an inverted triangle, muscular without being bulky. He has a V-shape, with visible muscles because of his bone-dry body, while remaining fairly slim. His muscles are noticeable under his well-tailored suits and slim-fitting shirts, with suit waistcoats accentuating them more. But as he wears black every day, it remains subtle. It's obvious when he's standing from the back, well cut, the jacket drawing the V to perfection. When he drops shirt for Arasaka's polo shirt, chosen as close to the body as possible to avoid creases, there's no mistaking his lean musculature. His organic arm is exposed, muscular, with visible veins barely hidden by the imposing tattoo that runs the length of his body.

If you want to see what he looks like, all you have to do is go to the gym in the Arasaka tower, where he sometimes works out shirtless. You can see that while he's not imposing in terms of height or huge muscles, he's well-trimmed, with well-defined muscles. He's charging without really looking like it. It makes you want to touch it.

informal: What's your OC's lazy-day look? How do they like to dress when they're winding down?

He's never really lazy. Even in comfortable clothes, he wants beautiful materials and to be able to open his door without shame. This man likes to control how others see him. If he's not going out, Isao wears an indoor outfit based on pyjama trousers and an open robe/kimono. Or maybe wide-legged trousers with no shirt. But not ugly trousers or overly baggy ones, just what you need to be relaxed but clean. Comfortable, easy to put on, but not too lazy! If he's going out, he'll choose a plain T-shirt and the same loose trousers. Often all black or red. Nothing flashy, as usual. It's all very casual.

ENZO

face: Describe your OC's face. What's their smile like? Are their orbs cerulean? What would someone notice first when looking at them?

A sleek Greek nose, sculpted cheekbones, mischievous green eyes, a rosy mouth with a thin upper lip and a fleshy lower lip that makes you want to kiss it, framed by an undergroomed beard on a delicate jawline, all held in place by chestnut hair with auburn highlights in the sun, medium-length curls and rebellious locks, some of which fall over her forehead. At the age of 24, Enzo's skin is tanned under the desert sun, with freckles and scars on his cheeks and forehead, resulting from accidents in life and on the road. His eyes are circled, and he doesn't sleep much because he can drive for hours in the middle of the night, stop to sleep for 3 hours and then start again for the pleasure of driving in the rising sun. He's used to waking up early at the camp, no matter how late he goes to bed. He's up at 5.30 a.m. to be at the garage corner to work with his father in the fresh air, and then he has a siesta in the afternoon when it's too hot to work. He often leaves afterwards to run an errand or have some fun… His dark circles signify a busy life for this active man!

As for his grin, I'd like to say his grins. This cheeky fellow often wears a mischievous smirk, as if he's always got something on his mind. This reveals a dimple in the right corner of his mouth. The discreet smile, almost shy without being coy. Enzo often doesn't know how to act with the person in front of him but doesn't want to lose face. It can also be forced, with lips pursed, a sign that something is affecting him. Or annoys him. The bright, luminous, happy smile. It's the smile of good days, victories and happy moments too. It's also the smile of celebrations with friends and family.

But what people see first are his eyes. A perfect green, neither too dark nor too light, sparkling and penetrating. It's hard not to look into his eyes, especially as they are the perfect mirror of his mood, betraying his emotions!

night: What does your OC wear to sleep? Do they have a favorite pair of PJs, or are they more the birthday suit type?

A good nomad will tell you that it's a risk to sleep naked in your tent. You never know what might happen in the middle of the night, or who might turn up in the morning uninvited. Enzo is well aware of this, and that's why he always sleeps either in his boxers or in one of the sports shorts he sometimes wears around the camp. He rarely wears a top, and despite the coolness of some nights, he prefers to wrap himself up in his blanket rather than sweat in his bed! And even when he sleeps in motels after a race, he won't be completely naked, out of habit. He'll only do that when he's with Jay, who's probably too tired to look for his clothes!

He also sometimes sleeps in his car after driving for several hours. He often just takes off his jacket and gloves, and sometimes his shoes, but remains fully dressed. Once again, it's for practical reasons and to avoid being caught unprepared.

[sliverpelt-cats]

Journey of Oak and Red || Chapter 1 || Warriors AU

AU Prompt: Oakheart and Redtail survive the Battle for Sunningrocks, and leave the forest territories for a life out of Tigerclaw's threats.

Characters: Oakheart, Redtail, Tigerclaw, Dustpaw(pelt), Stonefur and Mistyfoot (not mentioned by name)

Warning: Loose description of battle,

Author's Note: I have planned out the clans Oakheart and Redtail will meet, so you'll start meeting one of them next chapter!! (and somewhat this chapter)

Timeframe: The two chapters of Into The Wild after Redtail's body is returned to camp (which doesn't happen in this AU), as this chapter is over the span of a moon since the battle.

°°°

"After Sunningrocks, you leave. You get a quarter moon before I start hunting you down." Tigerclaw hissed. "If you ever come back, I'll kill you."

The brown tabby's words flooded his mind, as Redtail crouched in the riverbank. He could see the pine forest from where he was, displaying the other side of ThunderClan's territory.

A few fox-lengths away, a twoleg nest stood towering. Perhaps he could just live there. No cat would be the wiser, nor would Tigerclaw ever consider Redtail becoming a kittypet.

Coughing caught the tortoiseshell tom's attention, and he crawled closer. "Oakheart," he called quietly.

"What in StarClan's name-" The soaking, brown tom rasped as he sat up and looked around. "Where are we?"

Redtail stood, his ears twitching. "Far enough; for now. Let's get going before any cat sees us, or a twoleg grabs us."

"Where?" Oakheart jumped up to follow, looking over his shoulder. "Redtail, the clans are that way."

"I know."

"And we're walking towards the old twoleg barn."

"I know that."

"So we're walking away from the clans."

"I know that too."

Oakheart stopped with a huff. "Redtail. Where are you going? If you're leaving ThunderClan, I won't stop you or tell any cat."

"You're coming with me, so you definitely won't."

"You're going to kidnap me?"

"No-" Redtail groaned, turning around to face Oakheart. "You ask a lot of questions for a grown cat. We're leaving the forest. Tigerclaw wants to be deputy, and he'll stop at nothing."

"So, you're just going to let him be deputy? And what's this got to do with me?"

Redtail frowned. He had a point. None of this really had to do with Oakheart at all. The deal was only meant for Redtail to leave, not any other cat. But he was here now, and his clan has probably assumed him dead by now. "If he's willing to threaten his own deputy, I wouldn't put it past him to threaten another clan's deputy."

"I have kits back in RiverClan, I can't just leave them." Oakheart reasoned, running to catch up as Redtail started to walk away again. "They're my kits."

"I didn't peg you to be a father to young kits."

"I'm not," Oakheart corrected. "They're warriors, and at the battle for Sunningrocks."

Redtail looked over his shoulder. "Well then, they will be fine and they will already assume you've drowned."

"If Tigerclaw is a threat to you, then isn't he a threat to Bluestar?"

No response.

Muttering under his breath, Oakheart followed the tortoiseshell tom along the beaten path. His hackles rose as a black and white tom.emergwd from the barn. "Who are you?"

"This is Barley," Redtail answered, turning back to the barn cat. "Hey, Barney. What brings you out so early?"

"I heard voices and decided I'd come see who it is. I knew I recognised your voice, Redtail." The tom purred, before gesturing a nod at Oakheart. "Who's this you've brought with you? He doesn't smell like any ThunderClan cat I've seen around here. Or a WindClan cat for that matter."

The tortoiseshell threw a nod over his shoulder, "that's Oakheart. He is- was RiverClan's deputy." He lifted his head, his chest puffing slightly. Maybe if he acted tough with Barley, Oakheart would trust his plan to runaway. "We were just leaving."

"Where you goin'?"

He gulped. If Tigerclaw heard from Barley that he'd left, Redtail wouldn't be hunted. On the other paw, if Barley told Bluestar, she'd look for him herself. Or send someone who could. "We don't know, but you can't tell anyone you saw us."

"Why?"

"Tigerclaw threatened to kill Redtail for deputy, and he might come after me," Oakheart explained, earning a glare from Redtail.

I should've left him to drown. The tom shook his head and turned back to Barley. "No cat can know. Not even WindClan, or Bluestar."

"If he's a threat to you, then wouldn't he be a threat to Bluestar?" Barley frowned, the plump tom sitting in the leaves at his paws.

Oakheart piped in, "that's what I said."

"StarClan wouldn't allow it. They hadn't done anything to prevent Tigerclaw from threatening me, so it's a sign that I have to leave."

Redtail didn't hear another word for Oakheart as they said their goodbye to Barley and headed further from the forest territories. It wasn't until dawn the next day that Oakheart would say something. "Are you upset with me? That I took you from your clan?"

"Technically, you didn't take me. That would be catnapping. And no."

"Then, why have you been so quiet?" Redtail pushed, looking over his shoulder at the larger tom.

The brown tabby sighed. "I'm tired- exhausted, even. I'm sure Tigerclaw won't be looking for us this far from the forest. We're that far you can't even see it. You can barely see the mountains we crossed. We've probably been walking for half a moon, maybe a whole moon."

The tortoiseshell stared at him for a moment. "Yeah, sure. This old twoleg nest looks comfortable enough," Redtail hummed, looking through a hole in the wall of the old building. He listened for Twolegs, and when he heard nothing but a light breeze and mice scurrying across wood, Redtail crawled into the building and shook himself. "Nothing here but cobwebs and mice."

Oakheart purred in content, "a warm meal ready for us to catch. Lovely."

"Let's patch these wounds first," Redtail murmured, retrieving the few herbs he could find and bound them on or around his wounds. Once he was finished with his own, the tortoiseshell gestured for Oakheart to come towards him. "Spottedleaf taught me how to treat wounds in case we were too far from camp to get to her in time."

Oakheart chuckled, "smart."

"You know, I never had kits..." Redtail started, crouching as he stared at an oblivious mouse. "My apprentice was the closest I've ever had to a kit. Dustpaw, well, he was strong but stubborn."

Oakheart snorted, "sounds just like you."

"Oh, okay, mouse-brain."

The RiverClan tom laughed. "My kits are the strongest warriors RiverClan has ever seen."

"Probably because their father has such a big head."

"Ha ha. Very funny, Redtail." He stared off for a moment, watching the tortoiseshell catch mice around the nest. "They were the happiest kits, I swear on StarClan... probably got it from Bluestar."

Redtail frowned, dropping a couple of mice at Oakheart's paws before sitting to eat his share of the kill. "Why Bluestar? Are you related to her in some way?"

"My kits are hers." Oakheart whispered, deciding to silence himself to eat. His ear twitched in Redtail's direction, but the tom didn't say a word.

He couldn't say anything, he didn't know what to say. Bluestar's kits had gone missing or died right before Sunstar named her his deputy. They couldn't have- unless Bluestar took them to Oakheart. Mosskit was the only one of her litter ThunderClan recovered; the other two had never been found, and were presumed to have been eaten by the foxes found a day later.

"I'm going to sleep," Redtail murmured, tucking his nose under his paws. He could talk to Oakheart about it tomorrow. For now, he was as exhausted as Oakheart had said he was and Redtail knew he needed sleep. They both did.

°°°

Smelling the scent of unfamiliarity, Redtail dared to open his eyes and search the area he could see without moving his head. Pawsteps echoed through the old twoleg nest.

"What herbs do we need to get?"

"Panthereye said she needs borage leaves and burnet for Wheateyes." Another voice answered, and a speckled apprentice couched down near Oakheart's sleeping body to grasp at a bundle of green leaves with his mouth. He looked up at Oakheart, then stared at Redtail.

Another voice hissed, "why do we have to come though? Can't you get it yourself, Mousepaw?"

"You heard Brushstorm, it's too dangerous with the scent of rogues on LionClan's border." The first voice murmured.

"As if it's still safe to send two warrior apprentices with a doctor's apprentice. Mousepaw doesn't even know how to defend himself."

"That's why we're here, Newtpaw."

Mousepaw gulped, staring Redtail in the eyes. "Firepaw, Newtpaw...I think I found them."

"What, the herbs?" Newtpaw's voice hissed. "Finally, I'm hungry."

Firepaw's voice grumbled, "you're always hungry. Come on, Mousepaw. I don't like the feel I'm getting from this place. It's making my fur stand up."

"Not herbs - the rogues."

"What?" A ginger point apprentice-sized tom appeared from behind a large box. "Newtpaw-"

"Who are you?"

[thehollyverse]

@godsdefied asked: [ GO ]  for the taller muse to pick up the shorter one and carry them away from a potential/just started fight. / fen & xi

                When    is    he    ever    going    to    get    a    normal    night    at    work    ??    Most    likely    never.    Not    when    Xi    is    around.    Not    ever    since    this    little    thing    stole    his    heart    and    refused    to    give    it    back    to    him.    And    he    wants    that    damn    thing    back.

                Often    he    acts    as    if    he    doesn't    care,    hardly    saying    a    word    and    waving    the    dancers    off.    He's    had    a    few    flirt    with    him,    whether    it    was    favoritism,    attempting    to    get    him    to    fall    for    them    in    an    attempt    at    him    prioritizing    their    safety    over    others,    or    genuinely    trying    to    get    him    into    bed,    he's    unsure    of    it.    Though    he'll    tell    you    one    thing,    he    makes    sure    they're    all    safe    regardless.

                Xi    is    hard    to    keep    track    of,    though.    Ever    since    they've    began    speaking    it's    fight    after    fight,    awkward    man    after    grabby    hands    after    too    drunk    to    stand,    and    he's    struggling    to    juggle    her    and    every    other    woman    in    this    place.    Though    he'd    be    damned    if    he    let    someone    put    a    hand    on    anyone,    let    alone    her.    It's    not    unccommon    for    them    to    fight    each    other,    either.    Stealing    a    client,    new    girls    who    think    they    already    own    the    place,    whatever    the    fuck    it    was,    he's    not    sure.    Women    have    their    own    locker    room    banter,    but    he    was    never    knowledgable    on    women    to    begin    with.

                And    as    he    heard    the    loud    yelling,    he    steps    over,    towering    over    the    crowd.    Of    course    it's    Xi,    who    else    would    it    be    ??    He    parts    bodies    like    the    red    sea    and    before    anyone    can    really    understand    what    was    happening,    he    has    one    arm    around    her,    holding    her    off    the    ground    and    away    from    her    spot,    his    other    hand    pressing    to    the    other    womans    head.    It's    not    every    day    he    has    to    break    up    these    fights,    but    he    is    damn    good    at    it.

                Fenrir    hardly    speaks,    but    it    might    come    as    a    surprise    when    his    deep    voice    says    loud    enough    over    the    speakers    to    'Knock    it    off'.    Sometimes    it's    even    a    surprise    to    hear    his    own    voice.    Not    that    he    doesn't    like    it,    he    just    doesn't    have    much    to    say.

                He    gives    the    other    dancer    a    look,    one    that    says    'stay    put    or    leave',    as    his    arm    is    grasping    at    Xi's    waist.    Instead    of    waiting    for    a    reply    from    her,    he    takes    the    smaller    lady    and    leaves,    pushing    his    way    through    people    again    and    taking    her    to    the    back    where    he    sets    her    down.    He    doesn't    ask    any    questions,    he    doesn't    say    a    damn    word.    Instead    he    just    stares    at    her,    arms    folded    across    his    chest    like    a    disappointed    father.

[iviarellereads]

The Great Hunt, Chapter 39 - Flight from the White Tower

(THIS PROJECT IS SPOILER FREE! No spoilers past the chapter you click on. Curious what I'm doing here? Read this post! For the link index and a primer on The Wheel of Time, read this one! Like what you see? Send me a Ko-Fi.)

(Avendesora leaf icon) In which we ride.

PERSPECTIVE: Egwene. There are many women from outside the Tower today, merchants' wives and ladies and their serving women, so the four young women don't stand out too much, especially since they've put on their riding clothes,(1) and Min is playing the servant, carrying their bags. They're almost spotted a few times on the way to the stables.

They find Bela, effectively Egwene's horse now, and Nynaeve's horse. The stableman has clearly been bought off, but says he was told two, not four. Nynaeve tells him he'll get all four horses ready or he'll need Liandrin's healing, if she'll give it him.

Liandrin is furious and says they weren't supposed to tell anyone, but Elayne says they overheard, they weren't told. Liandrin says she had made arrangements for Elayne and Min to be taken care of, but fine, four can make the journey as well as two. Elayne wonders what she means by taken care of. Liandrin asks if they think they'd be safe, when it was found out their friends had left. The Black Ajah would not be gentle with them, they may not have lived the night.(2)

They follow her to the Waygate and the four are nervous but none backs out. Egwene wonders why Rand can't get into the kind of trouble that doesn't require her to act the heroine in a story. They all make their way into the Ways, and Liandrin consults a parchment at the Guidings. While they wait at one of the stops, Egg realizes she can still feel saidar, but she has a sense that touching it here would feel like how we the reader have seen Rand’s channeling described. Eventually, Liandrin stops on one of the islands, tells them there's food on the packhorse, and to parcel it out for everyone. It should last two days. She doesn't even do it herself, but waits for one of the young women to take her some of the food. She sits separately, and when Egg raises the question of channeling in the Ways to protect from the Black Wind, which Moiraine said couldn’t be hurt or killed really, Liandrin says she could “go as mad as a man” if she did.(3) She’ll deal with the Black Wind if need be, and she gets a little smug that she knows more than Moiraine on this subject.

Min starts complaining, and Egg says she could have left. Min says the Pattern has its own plan for them all, and asks what if after all this, Rand doesn't marry you?(4) What if he marries some woman you've never seen before, or Elayne, or Min herself? Egg thinks about how Rand might not live to marry anyone, and if he does, he'll surely go mad unless she can find a way to fix it… Aloud, she says she doesn't suppose she'll marry him at all, being Aes Sedai. But if he does marry someone, she wishes them well, even one of them. He's stubborn and wrongheaded but he is gentle. Elayne teases that Egg'll have only herself to blame if Rand gets away, El might face down her mother and Egg both to marry him herself given half a chance. Min just watches them both with a frown, and Nynaeve watches Min thoughtfully.(5)

Asleep, Egwene dreams again of the man with the fiery eyes, laughing at her. After that, she dreams of being lost in the Ways. She's grateful when Liandrin's toe nudges her awake.

Liandrin drives them hard, but eventually they make their way to another Waygate, and Liandrin says they've arrived as she removes the Avendesora leaf and the gate opens.

=====

(1) The term RJ uses is "skirts divided for riding". Do you know what those are? Those are pants. A skirt, but divided down the middle between the legs so you don't need to sit side-saddle to keep your skirt from getting pushed up and exposing your legs, but still with enough fabric and supporting underneath that they poof out like skirts so they're not form fitting and ~indecent~… that's just JNCOs. Nicole Rudolph, Bernadette Banner, and Morgan Donner (among many more I'm sure, but these I remembered immediately) have made divided skirts and talked about their context in varying degrees if you're curious. (2) Liandrin has been acting suspiciously since the beginning of this book, using that little Compulsion on Amalisa to make her more amenable to Liandrin's desire to find the lads, then running off after Moiraine and Verin on the trip from Fal Dara to Tar Valon, now this little venture. And she's the only one willing to acknowledge the Black Ajah besides Mo and Siuan in their little private chat. Now, this. What curious phrasing. She still didn't answer what kind of "taken care of" she was going to make them, she Aes Sedai'd around it, she stated a truth and lets you make your own assumption. "Your friends are in danger, from agents of the Dark One, you're connected to them, do you want to help them?" Not "I can take you to help them." I see "you might not have lived the night" and I can't help but wonder whether she wanted to help them live or die. She hasn't said anything untrue, but she's definitely let the girls come to their own conclusions and not challenged them as long as they filled in the blanks for the purposes of coming with her. And this little setback in her plan, she's annoyed but smooths it over so quickly. If she really wanted to help, why would she balk at having more hands on deck? (3) It would make a sort of sense. The Ways were build with saidin-wrought tools after the taint was imposed upon it, and they're not precisely of the "real" world, some kind of parallel or adjacent pocket dimension. Why not have a bubble of taint around them, too. (4) Min's doing an awful lot of thinking about Rand and his love life lately. Is this related to the Pattern's orchestrations, or a subject change? She knows he and Egwene won't end up together, but she keeps commenting on who he will marry. And there was that one weird little line about herself being in his picture… (5) What do you think Nynaeve is thinking about here? How much would she guess from Min's words?

[cybersvoid]

:: What He's Like As A Yandere ::

──⇌••⇋──

♡ Pairings: Huggy Wuggy x Reader

Request: Yandere Huggy-Wuggy headcanons please!💛❤️💙 [Anon]

Warnings: Stalking, Hunting, Kidnapping, Murder, Blood, Threats, etc.

──⇌••⇋──

+ The moment you wandered inside, he readied himself to dispose of you just as quickly as he had the other

+ There had been many people that were lured back to the factory before you, but none had evoked such a strong feeling of familiarity within him

+ He wasn't even sure he still possessed the ability to feel emotions associated with humanity, something he believed was no longer present within him, until he saw you

+ He knew you from the past, not just as an employee, but as something he couldn't remember. His old memories were somewhat blurred, stored away in a place he couldn't reach

+ Still, he wanted to find out if this foreign feeling was what was left of his humanity, or nothing more than his imagination

+ He's a strategic hunter. Watching and stalking you from afar as you explore the factory, waiting until you're cornered before revealing himself

+ He knows every corner, vent, and room in this entire factory, there's nowhere you can escape to without him being ten steps ahead of you, but you still try

+ He lets you run until he can tell you're getting exhausted, then he'll maneuver you into a dead-end, officially ending the hunt.

+ He towers over your cowering figure, his pupils growing in size and sharp teeth creeping their way out from behind his lips, strands of saliva forming as he takes in your fearful scent

+ When he looks down at you, that feeling from earlier returns full force. It's almost... warm?

+ So it wasn't his imagination. You are the only connection he has with his lingering humanity, and he's not going to let you slip away from him

+ You can never leave again. Don't piss him off by even trying to escape, or call for help. Anyone who walks through the entrance of that factory door, will meet the same fate as everyone before you

+ He keeps you in his 'nest', a room in the factory he seemed to make his own. He brings you there when it starts getting dark and locks the door.

+ He doesn't sleep, but he seems to be aware that you need it. Even though there's no mattress, he compiled a few stuffed animals and put them in a corner for you, so you assumed that was meant to act as your mattress every night.

+ Sometimes you'll wake up in the morning to find him only inches away from your face. It terrifies you, but there isn't much you can do about it if you want to keep breathing

+ He'll bring you expired snacks and cans throughout the day. You aren't sure where he gets them, but you're also too hungry to care.

+ Ironically, he almost treats you like a toy yourself, which almost made you lower your guard, but you should've known better

+ One day you tried to escape his grasp. When he caught you trying to flee, he immediately snatched you into the air, screeching and dragging you back to the nest

+ He threw you onto the floor, your back colliding with the concrete, causing you to cry out, but he showed no remorse. Slamming the door and leaving you there. Not coming back until a few days later.

+ You heard screaming and struggling, waking you from your slumber just as the door was swung open. Huggy stood there with a man, one you recognized as an ex-employee like yourself.

+ You didn't get a chance to comprehend what was happening before the stranger was getting held in the air above Huggy's head, and then swiftly brought into his mouth, horrifying screams filled the room as the monster tore him limb from limb, right in front of you. Blood splattering across the floor in the process

+ You sat there shaking, in complete horror as Huggy stalked over to you, a bloodied mitten hand being pressed against the top of your head, more harshly than before. After a few seconds, he turns away and leaves as if nothing had happened.

+ It was a warning. One that you took to heart. Even if you made him feel slightly more human, more than anything... he's still a bloodthirsty monster, and he's not afraid to reveal it if you continue to misbehave.

[angelamajiki]

Damn that Bully Dabi and Hawks fic was an amazing read! I love it when you write them full on bastard mode!

Pro Hero Bakugou sexually harassing his weak quirkless secretary who does her very best at her job. She's good at it but Bakugou always looks mad (read: sexually frustrated). High on success after a good rescue, he wants to celebrate....

OR

Cop Bakugou sees a pretty little thing outside a club. She looks sus so he decides she needs a pat down. Maybe he'll plant something to blackmail her into doing certain favors. Very bully, very bastard Bakugou.

PARINGS: Pro Hero! Bakugou x Secretary! Quirkless! AFAB! Reader

CW: yandere, dubcon/noncon, dirty talk, choking, cunnilingus, overstimulation, scumbage bakugou, use of the word rape, quirkless reader, size difference, age gap, death threats, sexual harrassment, bullying, mindbreak, masturbation, office sex

AN: I’ll probably write the cop Bakugo at some point too! For now, mind the tags and enjoy :)

They say to never meet your idols and in retrospect, you wished you would have listened.

Try as you might, it seemed like Mr. Dynamight was never satisfied with your work. Admittedly, you joined his agency as his office secretary based on having a crush on the pro, but you assumed his brash nature would calm down in an office setting. You did everything he asked, obediently followed his every word, which was all met with harsh glares and what you thought were dissatisfied grunts.

Surely you thought it wouldn't be about your being quirkless, but rumors were high strung in the office about the blonde’s feeling towards those without quirks. It would explain the harsh glares and judgment he passed on you despite your work effort.

The man even went as far as to ask for your personal phone number, only to leave scathing voicemails whenever you couldn't show up to work or miss out on work gatherings he put together. You couldn't help but flush at the thought of him missing your presence. Maybe you were just bad at reading his signals? Or maybe he was just hell-bent on bullying you more than the rest of the staff.

The job paid very well, so you couldn't exactly up and leave based on his behavior. However, you did notice how...handsy Mr. Dynamight has become with you. It was subtle at first, brushing shoulders in the hallways, letting his fingers ghost against yours when he handed you paperwork.

It soon escalated to always having a hand on your shoulder, holding your hips when he had to brush behind you, towering over you from behind your chair when you showed him something. You couldn't say that you weren't flattered, but his rough demeanor remained.

It started becoming uncomfortable when he made passes at you, making sure you were cornered and alone when he did.

“C’mon, am I really that fuckin’ intolerable that you can't get lunch with me, pipsqueak?”

You assumed that he was just messing with you, so you always turned him down with a flushed face and ran back to your desk, leaving him blue balled and more desperate by the day. There's no way a pro hero like him would actually be interested in someone quirkless and weak like yourself.

But that's the reason why he liked you anyway. So small, so weak, so obedient, so perfect for him to fuck up. God, if he didn't want just to rip your tiny pencil skirt to threads and spear you on his cock like no tomorrow. A pretty thing like yourself shouldn't be working. No, no, no. You should be at home, in his home in his bed with his ring on your finger. You belong to him, don't you see that?

Katsuki only ever gives you the time of day, not those other stupid bitches who crawl up his ass every morning trying to get a crumb of attention. And what do you do with his precious time? Waste it. Always whining about how you really shouldn't, that he shouldn't be seen with someone like you. As if he gives a fuck about what the media has to say.

He even checks up on you when you're not at work! Isn't he such a gentleman? Sure, he's a bit vulgar, but he's trying to show he cares. But if you want to act like a stuck-up bitch, then he’ll gladly treat you like one.

After a particularly tough fight with a villain, the blonde wanted nothing more than to use and abuse you to get some steam off his chest. It was late, but he prayed to whatever gods were out there that you were still in the office. He left you a voicemail for good measure, hoping that you would do what you always did best and stayed obedient for him.

It was locked up for the night, but he could see your office light on from the street. Perfect. Such a good girl for him. Little did he know that you stayed late quiet often.

You hadn't even seen his previous call come through; you were too busy listening to an old one with plenty of derogatory terms being spat your way. A hand shoved in your skirt, you couldn't help but finger yourself the sound of his voice calling you moronic for skipping out of work. Mr. Dynamight was your childhood crush after all, you had jerked off to plenty of interviews of him in the past. Sure, it was creepy but no one had to know. The older man was so big, so strong and handsome. You couldn't help but feel fuzzy from the voicemail, even if it was degrading you, it was for you alone.

Speak of the devil and he will appear.

“Well, shit. Whadda we have here, pipsqueak?”

A rough chuckle came from behind you as he pulled your desk chair out and swiveled towards him.

“Caught ya red-handed, huh? Who knew you were such a little slut for me.”

Taking the phone from your hand, he hung it up on the receiver and took your hand out of your panties. He snatched your fingers greedily in his mouth and sucked your wetness off of him.

“You know what, I’m feeling a bit hungry. And you taste like something in the vein of what I’m tryin’ to have for dinner.”

Katsuki devoured you in a hungry kiss, lifting you out of the chair and onto your desk. He tossed aside the papers messily and spread your legs to see your slick moistening your sheer tights and panties.

“Bend over and spread that fuckin’ pretty pussy for me, pipsqueak.”

You shook your head, already feeling humiliated enough by being caught with your pants down, literally.

“That wasn't a question, that was a command, you bratty bitch. What happened to your manners?”

God did his words stir something deep inside you. Waiting was no longer a priority; catching you like this was proof enough in his mind that you were just playing hard to get.

“You should consider yourself lucky that I want you to sit on my face, you know that? I have bitches trying to get on my dick every day, but it only gets hard for you, pipsqueak.”

“I-I thought you didn't like quirkless people!”

“It's all the more reason I want to be balls deep in your cunt right now. So weak and pathetic, it's fucking cute.”

You could feel yourself tighten around nothing just at his words. He was right, you were just a pathetic plaything for him. Not hesitating any longer, he ripped off your skirt and threw it behind the both of you. Your tights also got ripped to shreds, leaving you in your blouse and panties.

“Fuckin’ gorgeous.” He muttered, mostly to himself as he took your panties off and pocketed them. For later, he thought.

Katsuki didn't hesitate to spit on your already wet cunt before diving into his meal. Each stroke of his tongue sent fire straight to your core, each suckle of his lips drew a whimper from your mouth. Hips bucked into his mouth before he held them down, using just one hand to cover your torso. So small and petite for him, how cute would you be up against his massive form.

“M-Mr. Dynamight!”

“Heh, so fuckin’ cute. Call me Katsuki, sweet thing. Or daddy, if you're nasty like that.”

Your hips were held taught against his face, not allowing you to squirm or inch away from his searing tongue fucking your hole. He continued to ravage you with his mouth, pulling away only a few times to give your pussy a nice spank. Groaning into your cunt, he stroked himself at the same time.

Humiliation had dissolved into pleasure as he serviced you, tears springing in your eyes as he gripped his head tightly with your hands and thighs. Having already masturbated before getting caught, it didn't take long for him to make you see stars and roll your eyes into the back of your head.

“K-Katsuki, I’m cumming!” You shouted, squirting onto his tongue as your body shook around his head. Your fingers threaded deeply into his hair and tugged as he continued to work his tongue into your hole, riding out your orgasm.

He didn't stop, though.

“Too much, it's too much!”

“I’ll stop when I’m finished, little girl.”

You tried to push his head away, but he gripped your wrists from under your legs and had you pinned against his mouth, shaking and screaming from overstimulation. Once he brought you another good nut, he pulled away and gave your clit a kiss, chuckling when you jumped.

Standing up, he pushed his mask up to pull his back and took his rock-hard cock from his pants. He spat on your dripping hole once again before lining up his fat head with it.

Katsuki hissed as he sank himself into your cunt, holding your hips in place as you whined and squirmed under him, still overly sensitive. God, were you gripping him in all the right ways. Your legs around his waist, your hands on his forearms, and your cunt around his cock.

“Relax, pipsqueak, or I’ll end up breaking you.” He chuckled. “But you might like that, huh?”

Seeing your teary, fucked out face while teasing you? He nearly jizzed himself on the spot. But he had to hold out for you. A choked gasp was all you could respond with as he got right in your face, breath tickling your cheeks as he looked in your eyes.

“Such a dirty slut, getting off to the sound of my voice. It's better in person, isn't it?”

“D-Daddy!”

Was all you could whine as his thumb made his way to your clit, drawing slow, gently circles with his roughed-up finger.

“Oi, oi, oi, did I break ya already, pipsqueak? Y’know, you coulda just asked for my cock like a good girl if you were gonna get this drunk off it.”

His hips slowly drew back, almost pulling out all the way before slamming back in, earning a squeal from you.

“Or maybe you wanted me to take you by force? Show ya what the fuck happens to quirkless little girls who tease their fuckin’ man so much that he just has to come and take their little cunt to show ‘em who’s boss, eh?”

You couldn't help but tighten around him from his words, squirming under his hot breath as he started to grind his hips up into yours slowly.

“Good girl, letting daddy rape your cunt so willingly.”

Katsuki chuckled, sealing a hot kiss on your mouth while he gripped your throat. His hips began to piston in and out of your pussy, thick veins grinding against your spongy walls.

His brutal kisses swallowed your moans and tears while he squeezed your throat. His other thumb continued to swipe against your clit in fast motions, causing your to clamp down and flutter against his thick cock.

“Shoulda known you were a whore from the start, wearing those skirts that hugged ya in all the right places. Bending over and letting me touch you how I pleased, it's like you wanted this to happen.”

The pace of his thrust increased as he started to chase his orgasm, holding your throat and hips down to use you like the hole he knew you were. He growled and snarled into your mouth as he choked you, even more, watching the blood flood to your face.

“Yeah, baby, I've got your life in my hands now. If you won't be mine, I’ll fuckin’ kill you. Then nobody can have you.”

“Y-Yours! I’m yours!” You managed to gasp out, gripping his forearm and digging your nails into it, hoping he’ll let you up for air

“Damn straight, now cum for me, you quirkless little bitch.”

The haziness from the lack of air and the pleasure pooling in your gut sent you over the edge a third time, making you cry out his name as you came. Katsuki was right behind you, eyes screwed shut and practically foaming at the mouth as he came deep inside you, finally letting you breathe once he finished himself off.

You sputtered and coughed, desperate to fill your lungs with air as he pushed some stray hairs out of your face.

“Ya did good, pipsqueak.”

He praised, giving your ass a spank before pulling out and tossing you over his shoulder like a sack of potatoes.

“You’re coming home with me, so don't worry about the mess.”

“By the way, you're fired.”

TAG LIST: @tomurasprincess @suzuki-violin-school @sightoru @alrunemara

[peachys-archived-posts]

Spooked

Summary: Injured, Jigen makes his escape to the readers apartment, little does the reader know, she's in for a scare.

Warning: Blood, gunshot wound, mentioned death, slight angst?

My AO3

One of your later nights, watching the news for any sign of your thieving gunman and his crew. Jigen could protect himself nonetheless, but you were still worried, with a world of possibilities out there, anything could have happened.

Your phone lights up on the cushion beside you, the caller ID on the screen making your heart stutter. Fumbling the phone at first, you steady your hand and pick up.

"I'm on my way, I'll be there shortly." Jigen's gruff voice barks at you. "Jigen, wait-"

The phone beeps in your ear, indicating that the call has ended. letting out a frustrated sigh, you drop your phone back down on the cushion.

Jigen would most likely be coming in with some sort of injury, saying that he's hurt. Jigen always did that. Standing, you collected all of the tools you may need and promptly plopped down on the futon. Anxiously your knee bounced, a number of things might have happened, you preferred not think about it though.

Snapped out of your daze, sirens wailed past, the screeching of tires braking hard on pavement moving you to throw open your window and peer out. Your heart thumped lowly in your ears, eyes searching for your boyfriend's hat among the sidewalk, stomach beginning to churn only moments before a door opened behind you.

"Jigen," you addressed him, closing the window and turning your attention to the lanky gunman, who stumbled towards your couch.

"Good to see you too," Jigen groaned. Sitting down finally, he takes his jacket off in the process. You grab it from his hands, resting it on the table beside your medical supplies.

"What happened?" You asked as you leaned down on your knees before him.

Jigen began to unbutton his shirt, the bright red against the baby blue fabric making you grimace.

"Bullet wound. I didn't move in time." Jigen answered bluntly. He laid his head back, mouth agape trying to catch his breath still.

"I'm getting too old for this." He mused. Looking up at him unamused, you spoke. "You're not even in your thirties."

Jigen didn't speak from there, allowing you to work as quickly as you could. You were all but okay during that time, the amount of blood that had to be cleaned up was almost sickening. It worried you that he was losing so much, it might cause him to be put in the hospital. As much as Jigen would have liked to say that he was okay, he knew he was far from, he would only be lying then. Having already lost so much blood, he was beginning to feel dizzy, his breathing becoming rapid.

"Jigen? Are you okay?" Your hand firmly shook his shoulder, snapping him from his daze. Surely he would have passed out if not for you, he didn't want to scare you anyways.

"I'll be fine." Jigen waved off your concern. Laying his head back once more, closing his eyes.

You watched him wearily, looking up as often as your steady working hands would allow, Jigen looked as though he had seen a ghost. He was so pale. You finally finished with everything, so focused on just getting his wound treated, that you never noticed him drift off to sleep. At first you nudged him lightly, calling his name with no response. You waited, allowing enough time for him to have responded.

"Jigen." You said sternly, nudging his shoulder. You waited again, your heart beginning to beat lowly in your ears. The thought of him having died in that time without you noticing, scared you to death. Grabbing his shoulders rather roughly, you shook him.

"Daisuke!" You yelled.

Jigen awoke with a start, his hat falling off, and his hand instinctively reaching for his gun. His eyes scanned the room before they landed on you, your eyes wide and just beginning to water. Confused, Jigen reached forward, grasping your hands and holding them gently.

"What's wrong?" He asked

You sat beside him, removing your hands from his, wiping the tears from your face. Reaching out, you slapped the gunman on the chest, the fear from before now turning into mild anger.

"What was that for?" Jigen whined. You crossed your arms.

"Asshole. I thought you died!" You fussed. Jigen paused, processing what you said, then leaned back against the couch. He flinched lightly, having moved roughly when he first awoke must've strained the wound. Heaving a sigh, he spoke. "Well, I'm okay."

Deciding not to say anything else, you huffed and leaned against his shoulder. After a few minutes he nudged you, asking you to lean forward; you complied. He draped his arm around your shoulder, pulling you closer to him and laying his head atop of yours. You closed your eyes, from weeks of late nights spent worrying, and little to no sleep, it was starting to catch up to you; That or it was because Jigen was finally home, and okay. Nonetheless you were happy and content right where you were, close to falling asleep against him.

"Are you not going to clean up?" Jigen pondered.

Cracking open your eyes and shutting them again, you shifted against him. "I'll do it in the morning." You responded groggily.

Jigen hummed, knowing that he would have his clothes washed and your supplies cleaned before you woke, and then he would be gone again. As much as he hated to leave you waking up alone, he had a job to do. When the time would allow, he would stay for as long as possible, and maybe once you're ready he'll take you with him; But that was a lifetime away. He would just enjoy this while he could.

You woke the next morning in your bed, the sun shining through the curtains and the sound of shuffling outside your door. Sitting up with a yawn, you took the moment to gather your thoughts and get up. Moving towards your door and stepping out into the hallway, you were greeted by Jigen pulling his previously bloody clothes out of the dryer.

"You're up a bit early. Don't you think so?" He asked as he threw his jacket on the couch and began to pull on his shirt. You shook your head, stepping closer behind him, slipping your hands around his waist you nuzzled into his warm back.

Jigen glanced back at you, a small smile on his face.

"So Daisuke, huh?" He teased lovingly.

Letting go of his waist and moving to see his face clearly, you remembered the events from last night and the scare that followed.

"What? You like that or something?" You mused, settling down on the cushion beside his jacket. You snatched up his jacked and held it close.

He raised a brow at you, grasping at his jacket and trying to tug it away from you, only for you to roll away. "No, I just think it's cute." He admitted. Towering over you from behind in an attempt to grab his jacket, you giggled at his failed attempt.

"C'mon give it up." He urged, tickling at your sides. You wiggled and squirmed underneath Jigen, smiling up at him, your grasp on his jacket still strong.

"Stop!" You squeaked. He prevailed with a smile much like your own. "Not until you give me my jacket." He stated.

Seconds of tickling passed by before you gave up, claiming. "White flag, I give up!"

"Finally," Jigen smiled lightly, taking his jacket from your arms and pulling it on. "About time." He teased you. Sitting up and crossing your arms, you pouted.

"Please stay, just a few more minutes." You begged.

Jigen stopped what he was doing to look at you, his smile dropping and his eyes dimming. Sighing, he knelt down in front of you.

"Y/n, you know I have too. We both don't want me to leave, but I have no choice." He explained.

You avoided his gaze, your bright eyes saddening with the thought of him leaving, again.

"Here," Jigen suddenly said. "Keep this." Placing his hat over your face and pulling it down just below your eyes, he placed a chaste kiss against your lips. He didn't linger there for more than a few seconds, the barking of tires outside requesting his company.

As he pulled away, you lifted the hat from your gaze, stumbling to race him towards the window. Grasping his arm tightly just before he was about to jump onto the fire escape, you pulled him back in. Moving your hand to his cheek, you placed a quick kiss on his lips.

"For good luck." You said.

"C'mon Jigen! Hurry up!" Lupin shouted from the street below.

Jigen hastily turned his head to the window, "I'll be there in just a moment." He yelled. Once he had his attention back on you for the moment being, you gave him a hug.

"Please be safe." You said.

Hugging you back softly, he smiled. "Of course."

"Pops is on his way!" Lupin yelled again.

Letting him go, he slipped out onto the fire escape, jumping into the yellow car below. You leaned out the window, "I love you!" You shouted. You could see him look up at you with a bright smile on his face, and a small wave before they raced off around the corner.

You stepped back into your apartment, closing the window and pulling the hat from your head. It was special to him, it surprised you that he even handed it to you. Thankful, you were glad he trusted you with it. The weeks ahead would be boring, draining, and lonely, but soon enough he would be back; in which you would be able to take him up on the offer of joining him. Until then you would wait for him, like you always did.

The wind brushed through Jigen's hair, and he sank into the seat. It wouldn't be too much longer before he would be coming back for that hat, and hopefully if you agreed, he would be coming back for you too. Either way he would be happy to see you again.

Lupin glanced at his partner, a smile on his face.

"Down bad huh?" Lupin teased. Jigen's peace of mind was shattered, bringing on his usual scowl.

"Don't act like you're not down bad too you womanizer." He fussed.

[ave-on-main]

Dick Grayson in 2022: Comic Musings

Dick is getting a lot to do in the first quarter of 2022, and I have thoughts.

The War for Earth 3 (Comic Event)

I'm most excited about this one! I'm a Titans fan and I would really like for them to get a good event and, you know, a good book in continuity.

There is so much to play with in terms of Dick Grayson alone in this event, so I hope it'll start on-going storylines. A cover already revealed that Dick is going up against Talon and Owlman as it should be, but there is also a former Spyral agent in the current Suicide Squad! (If she doesn't get killed before the event, which I hope not.)

That the current Earth-3 Superwoman is a counterpart of Donna Troy just adds to the misery the Titans should be feeling and overcome during the event.

I just hope the writers actually do something with all of this.

Batman/Superman: World's Finest

In his Wordballon Interview, Waid said Dick would be in World's Finest as comedy relief but mentioned in the same breath that he isn't just there to crack jokes and basically functions as the third lead. He'll be present in every storyline (at least those Waid has already planned). Furthermore, Dick isn't just starting out as a crime fighter. He'll be 16/17 years old.

I really hope Waid writes a more experienced Robin Dick similarly to how he wrote Nightwing in his Flash run and the one-shot Flash Plus Nightwing.

There's also a chance - if minimal because it's still a Batman/Superman book - that there'll be some Teen Titans mentions. Dick at 16/17 should be heavily involved with them, and Waid is a Titans fan as far as I can tell.

Detective Comics

I'm surprisingly quite interested in the "Shadow of the Bat" event. It's always good to see Dick interact with the Bats/Gotham characters he doesn't get to meet often or not anymore.

"But what happens when Helena Bertinelli really does need some healing? With Nightwing and Batwoman also on the inside [of Arkham Tower]"

Hoping for those good Dick and Kate and Helena interactions. It's the undercover Bat trio I need.

"M. Rosenberg and F. Blanco take us into the seedy underbelly of Gotham's criminal elite through the lens of the original Robin (Dick Grayson), and reveal what it takes for a young man to survive amongst the deadliest killers in the DCU."

Uhhh, "deadliest killers of the DCU" is just such a blatant lie. Anyway, I love Blanco's art so that's great, but I'm not convinced Rosenberg is going to write a good Dick after reading his take on him in DC vs Vampires and the Grifter story in UL.

Can Nightwing get to the bottom of this mystery before the people of Arkham Tower are put in peril again?

Mystery and Nightwing in one sentence always make me hope that he'll get to do some actual detective work.

Nightwing is on the precipice of cracking the whole scheme wide open! But with the maniacal Party Crashers waging war against the Bat-Family across Gotham, Dick must choose between helping a tower full of villains and helping his family!

Just let Dick crack the scheme wide open in peace while he calls some other Bat who doesn't fall into DC's nebulous term of Bat-Family, so they can help whoever needs it.

It's Nightwing versus Psycho-Pirate in the grand finale of "Shadows of the Bat" act two of three!

Please just let Dick be competent. Please don't nerf him

Nightwing is carrying 175 pounds of smarmy jerk on his shoulder

Something about this phrasing just appeals to me. I hope we get "absolutely done with everyone's shit" Nightwing. I thought this was Psycho-Pirate at first, but then I realized I have no idea how heavy 175 pounds are.

But with security down, Huntress, Nightwing, and Harley Quinn are no longer quite so outnumbered...here come Batwoman, the Batgirls, and Tim Drake to the rescue!

Okay, but can I get Nightwing and Harley "acrobating" everyone away while Helena hopes they stop making awful jokes soon. Also hi, Tim, you still have no new codename.

Batman is back! And just in time to save the life of Nightwing, who was given a fear toxin super-dose and tossed out of a skyscraper

And here we go again, doing the same as every event in which Batman and Nightwing are involved. Though the fear toxin a-fucking-gain offends me more than Bruce saving Dick. I just hope this is an important moment and not just there to show Bruce has to save the day.

Future State: Gotham

I enjoyed how Andrew Constant wrote Dick in Future State: Nightwing immensely, and it's been sad to see that none of it mattered. While Dick is the leader of the Bats in this title, his dynamic with Jace from FS: Nightwing was entirely thrown out the window.

I have my problems with this book in general - especially that DC forced it to be a 3.99$ book by adding once before published stories to every Issue instead of just making it an affordable black and white print.

So why did this make it on the list?

Plus, Talia makes a move that will change Nightwing forever!

I hope this means that Dick is getting a bit of spotlight. Good written Talia and Dick would be great. Their interactions are always a treat, and if this leads to the Resistance we saw in FS: Nightwing that would be really cool.

Nightwing

I saw the March solicitations, read them, and realized nothing is going to make me excited for this one anymore. It's not that I dislike all of Taylor's ideas, it's that I can't stand the imo dull or bad execution.