#Jason was trying to team up right? What better way to convince someone of your methods than manipulating them into killing someone | Explore Tumblr posts and blogs

shindayyume · 2 months ago

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Delirious .·:*¨ ✘♚✘ ¨*:·.

An introduction to a new character. Dean Harrington is the son of an infamous scientist that was capable of changing their dying species for the better. Now, It’s Deans job to follow in his footsteps. Unbeknownst to him, he is just like the rest of the Freaks they seek to wipe out.

『••✎••』

Dean swayed in the cushioned swivel chair, side to side as if he was experiencing the most boring event in his life. Because he was. He had his shoes propped up against the meeting table, seated all the way towards the end as multiple other men and women in dark suits paid close attention to the white board ahead. Meanwhile, Dean's eyes were firmly set on the ticking clock at the corner of the room, watching the numbers count down right in front of him. Impatiently, he chewed at the end of his pink pastel pen, the muffled words of corporate numbers and business plans going into one ear and right out the other.

“Mr. Harrington? Mr. Harrington?? Harrington!”

The voice of an older man stretched across the board meeting, and every single eye in the room was pinned onto the youngster who had been lost in his own world. Dean's response was a quick “Hm?” scanning everyone's faces like a deer in headlights.

“.. yeah! Yeah, let's go with that.’ He laughed in between “uh… what was the question?”

The older man at the opposite end of the table was the only one up from his seat, the one going over the oh so important presentation. He sighed with annoyance. “Mr. Harrington, it's important you understand the gravity of the situation. Your father’s research is extremely important to our proposal, we need an update. Is it ready?”

Crap. He muttered to himself. His father. His father was all they ever mentioned around this place. Not only was his dad a highly presetine business man around the place, but he was also a very successful scientist. It's all he ever focused on throughout Dean's entire life. With the world changing, and becoming more destructive towards mankind, Dean’s father was the man in charge of chemical and biological “testing.” Dean could never remember the exact words for it, but his father was practically the Oppenheimer of his generation.

“Right! Cmon chief, don't sweat it. We're still working out the… kinks and symptoms.. I'll meet the deadline.” Dean stood from his seat, adjusting the cuffs of his sleeves to a comfortable fit. “I'd say this meeting is adjourned, don't you think? We’re what- thirty minutes past our scheduled time?”

“Mr. Harrington, we still have so much more to discuss-” Before anyone could even try and convince Dean to stay, he was already maneuvering his way towards the door.

“Mhm! Tell Martha to add the next meeting into my schedule! Busy man, ya know.” He flashed a wink towards the entire crew before practically bolting out that office.

The team could only watch in disbelief and frustration. They dare not to talk back to Harrington, even in death, they fear the consequences of his parents.

Dean strolled through the long halls of the pristine building he attended. “Morning Susan!” he tapped against the lobby's main counter as he rushed past, catching the attention of the clerk behind it. “Good Morning Mr. Harrington!” was her response back, trying not to choke over her own words while she caught his smile. But it was nothing special, He did that to everyone he stepped past.

“Hey, Jason, love the new hair!”

“Oh- thank you, Harrington! Someone noticed!”

“Sara, is that a new dress? That color looks great on you!”

“It is! Thank you, Mr. Harrington!”

“Clark, saw your new debut! You're doing great, man!”

“You really think so?? Thanks, Harrington!”

These were all one sentence conversations he was bypassing, giving flirtatious waves and smiles from across the room. No matter who he was talking to, their eyes always panned in his direction with desire. Dean was well known around his company, not just for being the son of a pristine family, but boy, did he have a face blessed by Aphrodite herself. Not only that, but no one had ever seen him angry or sad a day in their lives. He was perfect.

He exited the large glass double doors, immediately greeted by a younger woman in a tight fit dress and clipboard in hand. She seemed to stumble over herself as she attempted to catch up to him. “Mr. Harrington! I see your meeting lasted longer than planned- I had some extra time to work on your upcoming speech at the gala-”

“Oh Meave, you work too hard, tell me about it on the way!” His hand lightly rested on her lower back, motioning for her to step into the car that was patiently parked in the valet. A team of security protecting their surroundings, and holding open the backseat door for the two.

“But Mr. Harrington-” as she was motioned inside the car before him, her instinct was to scoot towards the other end of the backseat, leaving space for him besides her. She adjusted the glasses on her face, anxiously trying to get his focus straight.

“Yeah, I know? Don’t stress, I'll read it over when I get home. Woah! Bad hair day?” As he entered the car, he reached over to lightly fix the few fly away strands of hair that had escaped her neat bun. Tucking them behind her ear with innocence. Her face burned pink, attempting to recall what she was saying. “Mr. Harrington can we please stay on topic-” She was getting nowhere. Only able to watch as he stretched over to speak to the driver.

“Daniel hey, hi, can we put a rush on it? As fast as you can go without getting us pulled over?” He patted his hand against the chauffeur's shoulder, grinning before relaxing back into his seat.

“As you wish, master Harrington.”

Once Dean was finally seated and the car was in motion, his secretary once again tried to get his attention. ‘Um, Mr. Har-” her words were interrupted by his, “Its Dean, Meave. Just Dean,” he chuckled, turning his head to look at her. “Hey! Job for you, you think you can set up an appointment with marketing? They're all over my tail, I don't think I can reschedule for the third time. Also, see if you can ask my tailor to adjust the cuffs on this suit- the sleeves are bugging me like hell” He once again started to adjust the ends of his sleeves, twirling his wrist to stretch it.

Defeated, she began to write those notes down onto the clipboard in her lap. “Yes sir,”

Meave was new to being Harrington's personal secretary. Honestly, it seemed like he had a new one every week. It was impossible for him to keep a steady right hand man, mostly due to the fact that he would end up sleeping with them in a one night stand and they would soon become too clingy. Her and Dean have yet to run into that problem however.

As quickly as the driver could take them, they soon arrived at a large manor. It was protected by tall, shiny black gates that held the family crest right at the entrance. It was a symbol of a white dove being entangled by a large python. The car circled through the complex roundabout at the front of the house, stopping perfectly at the main doors. An older woman waited patiently outside, approaching the vehicle's back door and holding it open for the younger gentleman. Greeting him with a monotone expression, “Welcome back, master Harrington.”

“Thank you, Martha. Daniel, take Meave home for me, would you? We’re done for the day.”

The second he was outside the car, Martha reached for his coat, gently removing it from over his shoulders.

“Mr. Harrington, wait your sp-” The car's door shut in Meave’s face, silencing the rest of her concern.

“God that meeting took forever! I thought I was going to be late!” The house itself stood tall with confidence, as if it was alive and aware of who it was housing inside. As Dean walked through the hallways with Martha tailing right behind him, Their footsteps lightly echoed off the walls.

“Did you meet their expectations this time, master Harrington? And before you ask, yes, I had already set up the theater for you.”

“Ugh, Martha, I love you! Hey, you think we can have teriyaki for dinner? Janice brought a bowl for her lunch today and I cannot get it out of my head!” He laughed in the back of his throat, starting to undo the buttons on his dress shirt as he entered a large bedroom.

Martha stood patiently at the doorway, respectfully turned around to provide him with privacy. “That is actually something of importance we need to discuss. I will find you later after your show.” She knew who she was speaking to, and calmly began to walk off.

It hardly seemed like Dean was ever listening. He was always lost in his own world and priorities, humming the lyrics to ‘Bye Bye Bye’ by *Nsync as he stripped down his clothing. Leaving nothing but the silver cross that hung from his neck. He replaced his outer wear with a thin white robe that would nearly be see through if it wasn't for the intricate designs and patterns of gold embroidered into it. He raised his hands into his hair, ruffling it out from its neatly slicked back style into its natural golden fluffy look. “Finally,” he took a breath, glancing over to the king sized bed that was neatly done. Specifically looking at the dusty colored stuffed animal of a rabbit that drooped in between his pillows.

“Eh,” he shrugged his shoulders, exiting the room and slamming the door shut behind him.

Only to reopen the door within seconds, and grab ahold of the still plushie on the bed.

He seated himself comfortably in the center row, the room mimicked a small, more home settled movie theater. And of course, that slouchy rabbit had its own seat right besides him, both of their chairs reclined up. With one gentle push of a button, his arm rest opened to reveal a remote mechanically engineered into the seat itself. For an item so simple, it looks far too advanced to belong to his world. Looking blankly at the HDMI settings that reflected back to him, he clicked down to HDMI2, getting greeted by a ‘no signal’ warning once he pressed the confirming button. “Oh damn, wrong one.” Double taking after muttering to himself, he ended up figuring out the right settings.

And finally, the grand moment he had been waiting for all day. The one thing that he impatiently sat through the meeting for was now right here in his face.

The newest episode of love island.

. . .

“What?! No!! She got booted off?? But she was perfect!” He whined, at the edge of his seat as the ending of the show played through on the giant screen in front of him. “Uuuuggghhh..” He then slouched back, melting into the seat in anguish.

“Another week until the next…”

It wasn’t until now that he realized how silent the room was. Sure, the TV was still playing out its commercials and filling the background, but his voice was still the only real one in the room.

Uncomfortable silence.

He shifted in his seat, his eyes darting around the room while he thought of his next move. Then, an idea struck like a light bulb.

‘Bye bye bye’

He slid down the long hallway, fuzzy white bear shaped slippers gliding across the freshly mopped floor.

“-I loved you endlessly, When you weren't there for me

So now it's time to leave and make it alone,”

He had his fist raised near his mouth, holding an imaginary microphone that he was repeating lyrics into. In replacement for an actual microphone, was a short metal bat. It was not meant for baseball.

Making his way down the endless hallways, he energetically mimicked the proper dances to the song. The Lyrics dumped loudly throughout the house, playing from multiple speakers hidden around.

“Don’t want to be a fool for you,

Just another player in your game for two,

You may hate me but it aint no lie,

Baby bye bye bye.”

It is important to note, before this, Dean's bright idea was to partake in a few shots of strong alcoholic mixes.

He has stumbled his way to the end of the hall on the top floor, pushing open two large doors to reveal the biggest bedroom in the house. The room itself was cleaned, but untouched. As if it had been dormant for quite some time, even bits of furniture were outdated. Lined up against the walls, were displays upon displays of trophies and framed documents. They made perfect decorations around the large photo portrait of a man and a woman. Both equally resemble Dean in features.

“Don't really want to make it tough,”

He tightened his grip on the bat in hand, raising it to rest against his shoulder.

“I just want to tell you that I've had enough,”

He then twirled the bat like a baton against his fingers, confirming his grip with now two hands, and springing his arms back.

“It might sound crazy but it ain't no lie

Baby bye bye bye.”

With all the strength his drunken mind could manage, he took a heavy swing at the golden awards. Their shelves immediately broke and snapped, only progressively getting damaged as glass, wood, and other materials split into pieces from Dean's repeated aggression.

He bopped his head to the rhythm still playing throughout the house, a smile over his face to confirm how unaware he was of his own actions.

Unfortunately, nothing was safe within that room. He ran that bat through the expensive furniture that held up chairs and dressers, shattering glass that protected diplomas and displayed papers.

“I've lived for you and me

And now I really come to see

That life would be much better once you're gone,”

The room was quickly being torn into a mess. The floor now covered in scraps and damaged decor. The walls had its paint chipped and peeled, even a few holes smashed in from any impact. He mouthed the lyrics, raising his free hand to form it in the shape of a talking puppet as he stumbled over the trashed ground.

He came face to face with a specific shelf hidden in the corner of the room. It held up a few crosses and unlit candles. To pull it all together, right in the center was a framed photo of Dean around the age of 7-8, and his parents at each side. He huffed, chest raising up and down out of exhaustion while he stared back at the younger version of himself. The smile from before had now faded into a meaningless glare. The child's eyes could not mimic the older ones ahead. Their gloss faded, and his mind was not all that there.

“I'm giving up I know for sure

I don't' want to be the reason for your love no more

…

I'm checking out, I'm signing off

I don't want to be the loser, and I've had enough.”

He took another frustrated swing, destroying the shelf of its prayer. The frame cracked and split into two, hitting the ground with the old family portrait still intact.

Dean left no item unturned. Even the sheets to the bed were draped off, and its pillows bursted with feathers spilling out the ends. The old clothing from the closet was torn and thrown about, and there was always a crunch of glass and debris following Deans steps.

. . .

Martha had later approached Dean's bedroom. The door was firmly shut and she didn’t have to try the handle to know it was locked. She lightly knocked on the wood with the back of her knuckles, “Master Harrington? I would like to discuss tonight’s plans. If you’re- done.”

The door swung open, and out rushed a dazed Meave stumbling to stretch down her dress. Her glasses were framed crooked on her face, and she no longer had that neat bun as before. She lightly muttered a polite “excuse me” while she bypassed the housekeeper.

Martha didn’t even have to see her face to know her mascara was running.

Dean, still being in the room, was in the process of retying the loop to hold his robe together. A few strands of hair stuck to the sweat on his forehead as he innocently smiled.

“Martha! Yeah yeah, what’s up? I’m not busy, I was just about to run a bath. Oh! Martha, do me a huge favor and fire Meave. Lay her down gently for me,” He chuckled, lowering his voice to a secretive whisper. “She's a crier..”

“Right… Master Harrington, did you forget that you are scheduled to attend the ceremonial gala tonight? They are expecting you to give a speech on your latest product release…”

She watched as Dean waltzed into his connected bathroom, running the water to the tub just to get it to the right temperature before filling it up. He immediately groaned over this information,

“Uuuuggghhhhh…

I'm not going.”

“Master Dean, you cannot spend your entire life alone in a mansion watching reality TV and listening to boy bands.”

“Uh, yeah I can” He shrugged, adding bubble soap into the filling tub.

Once the tub was filled, and hot enough to release steam, he turned off the faucet. Now undoing the loose knot that held together his robe.

“Well if you ask me, It might be a good idea for you to attend. Gives you the opportunity of branching out. And meeting new people.” She stepped inside the room, politely turned away from the bathroom doorway.

“Pfft, okay? Everyone knows my face, I doubt it's any different than work or stepping outside. Isn't that what I need? Some peace and quiet, protecting myself from the disgusting anomalies out there? Like hell to think I want to end up on that missing persons list.” He slowly dipped himself into the water, before sinking in further until suds were at his chest.

Martha hummed, grabbing ahold of one of the super hero figurines that had been displayed on his counter. Lightly dusting it off with the end of her apron before placing it back in its rightful spot. “You are not leaving the border, Master Dean. And besides, it’s not like you to turn down a party. Did something happen at work?”

“Uuhh-“ Resting his arms along the edges of the tub, he had a brief flashback to a few weeks ago- he had been downstairs in the lab with a few other crew members, and “accidentally” single handedly caused the contamination and destruction of their medical research planning to cure super viruses.

They were not the most thrilled.

“Nope! Just don’t think our product release is ready yet. Maybe for the next one!”

She sighed, giving her head a light shake from side to side in disappointment. “As you wish, Master Dean. But.. do take it into heavy consideration.” She began to make her way out the room, briefly stopping at the doorway. “Your father would be proud.”

Within seconds after, she quietly closed the bedroom door.

Dean sat in silence, using the nail at his fingertip to scratch at his thumb until the skin was red. He made yet another long whine, holding his head in his hand. “Martha! Can you please iron my suit? And have the car ready, I like when the A/C is blasting.. thank you!”

. . .

Dean swiftly stepped out from the limousine's backseat door, which had been respectfully held open by a security guard. Immediately, he was greeted by camera flash and microphones. Paparazzi shouted and catcalled to grab the attention of the face of Harrington enterprise.

Dean's smile was enough to make them all go wild. Not to mention that his golden hair was neatly slicked back, perfectly blending with the white tux hugged around his triangular frame. With a wave, he walked down the velvet carpet.

“Aww, I love you guys too! Stop, you flatter me!” He laughed, his words purring into the ears of the audience as their cameras followed his every step. However, they would soon lose sight of him the moment he stepped through the large glimmery double doors.

On the other side, was a grand ballroom filled with the most expensive looking people.

They laughed and few even danced, intertwined with each other like the perfect society.

Many of them caught eyes on the new arrival through the thick crowd. It was the same routine as work, where people would step out of the way for the young man, greeting him with high regards. And Dean fed into it. He loved stopping to have a quick chat about his oh so busy, perfect life, or to stop and share a drink with the sexy marketing director.

“Harrington!”

A voice from halfway across the giant room called for him, making Dean turn his head from the group of ladies that had roped themselves into his arms.

The second the corner of his eye spotted the dusty brown hair, he muttered a brief “shit” under his breath.

“Harper! Hey! Don’t tell me you’re-“

“Coordinating the speeches for today? Yes, I am. We were expecting you to ditch on us again.” A young male approached the other, he was smaller compared to Dean, with a more feminine look to him. Even so, Dean would be lying if he said he didn’t find the guy attractive. Harper had long, Lusciously styled hair. The tips and ends a chocolate brown, while the roots gleamed almost creamy white. Today especially Dean could not avert his eyes. Mainly due to the fact that Harper was wearing an extremely low cut V neck.

“Haha- whaaaat? No way, I wouldn't have missed it for the world!”

“Really? So did your 15th new assistant provide you with a proper speech this time? Or did you.. make this one yourself. Again.” Harper raised a brow, crossing his arms together.

Dean laughed, cursing at himself in the back of his head. He should have listened to Meave in the car this morning. “Oh you know me, I speak for myself. Sooo.. where did you place me in the presentation?”

“Last.”

“Huh?! Last?? Harper, I don’t know if I should thank you or send a mutant to your house! You’re going to keep me here all night??” He slouched like a sad puppy.

The smaller man shrugged, the corner of his lips smugly turning up. “Like I said, no one expected you to show. And that’s what you get for ghosting me. Besides.. I have a very important run down for you about how this is gonna go, so listen up and listen well.”

Dean gave a slow, fake smile filled nod, his eyes darting around the room for an easy escape- Harper was on a ramble.

Behind his ear, like a cold whisper, the orchestra's music hit the back of his mind. Though, it wasn’t the instruments that caught his attention. It was the voice that echoed from the center of the stage.

Suddenly, his entire world became silent. Harper’s voice drained out with the hundreds of others around him. Except for one. A singular female voice flowed against his ears like ocean waves. At first, he tried to blink away the odd sensation, only for it to grow louder, and more clear. He could’ve sword he even heard his own name being called through it. He eventually gave his body a turn around, the crowd now full of blurred faces and dark shadows. All accept.. For the bright spotlight that showered over the lady in a dark seafoam dress. Her extended hair was loosely pinned back, held by clips that mimicked seashells and starfishes. Even so, it was a perfect silky black that waved at the ends.

And oh did that dress hug her in all the right places, draping as low to the ground, with a small train right behind her. The poor standing microphone was a victim of her entrancement, her lips being mere meters away from touching it.

She was as beautiful as her voice. And to Dean, it felt as if she was singing directly to him.

Snap

“Harrington?? Harrington?? Dean!” Harper snapped his fingers once more, finally getting the attention of the blonde in front of him, who has been long spaced out.

The many voices in the room filled his head again as he looked back, as if he had been dreaming previously.. Everything felt real again. “Huh? Hm? Yeah, yeah I'm paying attention- hey um, who is that” He gawked over the pretty performer once more, starting to walk closer to the center stage where the orchestra resided.

Harper rolled his eyes, following. “You don't know her? Now that's surprising. That's Lady Odessa, a famous musical artist around these parts. She's got a pretty good voice, don't you think?”

“Odessa..” he repeated, keeping his eyes pinned straight on the lady as he politely excused himself through the crowd. He was just steps away from the stage, her eyes shifting from her audience to the singular man approaching her side.

But then, Dean was stopped by a very tall security guard. He was large, with darkened brown hair tied into neat braids. The most obvious feature about him was the disgusting scar that stretched across the bridge of his nose. All the guy had to do was place his hand against Dean's chest, blocking his view from Odessa.

Dean had to turn his head upwards for once, making a very nervous chuckle as he surrendered his hands up. It seems like Odessas security was not one to mess with.

“Hey big guy- woah, nice scar? Where'd you pick that one up? Ya know, I got a few around if you ever wanna take a-”

“Shut up and step back.”

Dean froze for a brief moment, staring dumbfoundedly at the larger man that had a very intimidating glare across his face. No one had ever told him to shut up before.

“haha- “

Dean felt another hand on his shoulder, pulling him back. It was Harper, with an irritated look on his face. “Don't be dumb. Besides, I need to talk to you more. I have a gift,” Harpers words sung out from his lips, dragging his hand upwards under Dean's chin to pull him into a trance.

Dean was enough of an idiot to completely forget about the lady on stage after that, raising a curious brow to Harper. “Oh? You didn't have to get me anything, birdie..”

“I know, you don't deserve it,” Harper hooked his fingers underneath Dean's bowtie, dragging him away from the stage like a dog on a leash. He pulled him into a more secluded area, hidden in one of the halls that only one or two other people passed down.

“Woah, don't you think we’re still out in the open? Maybe there's a bathroom or storage closet near by-”

“Shush, think with your head for once. Here,” Harper pulled out a small box from his pocket, carefully handing it over to Dean. “That's what I wanted to give you. As a- good luck charm. It was pretty obvious you were avoiding this presentation so.. Maybe it'll help boost your confidence.” Harper crossed his arms behind his back, looking up to Dean with a faint smile.

Dean instinctively took the box, he was a sucker for gifts and trinkets of all sorts.

Opening it, it revealed a shiny silver band, sitting on a dark blue cushion.

“A ring? Woah, Harper, you're not getting on a knee for me, are ya?”

“Of course not, I'm not that desperate. The ring is actually blessed by a magical entity.. It gives the wearer the ability of enhanced strength, knowledge, power, like an anomaly.”

Dean and Harper had a thick moment of uncomfortable tension between them. Until they both broke out in laughter “good one! You had me scared for a second there”

Harper laughed, waving his hand. “I’m just teasing. It’s from my family's collection, go on, give it a go.”

Dean removed the ring from its protective case, taking a closer inspection. Inside the ring had the tiniest engravings he had ever seen. With the words written,

‘Till death’

Yeah, not creepy at all. At this point he really was questioning if Harper was trying to sneak in a proposal. He should really start paying attention to the documents he signs blindly- but the ring itself showed no flaws, it was beautiful. Though, it seemed a little too big for his finger. Curiously, he slipped the jewelry onto his ring finger, and was surprised to find it was a perfect fit. He could have sworn it was a size too big, but it seemed to just.. adjust itself perfectly. Must be a trick of the eye.

He stretched out his hand, admiring how it perfectly blended in with his other rings.

“Charming.. Thank you, Harper. Does this mean I owe you one?”

Harper made a “tsk” sound with his tongue, shaking his head. “Consider it a thank you, for even showing up. Can’t wait to see your presentation. Which reminds me- I have to start the ceremony, don’t forget you start in 30!”

Harper was quick to trail off, giving Dean a wave goodbye as he disappeared into the crowded abyss.

Dean hummed, inspecting the ring once more. He swore that he saw the spotlights reflect off its surface, glimmering with.. approval.

He shrugged it off, turning to return back with the many people who now had all their attention on stage.

“Alright! Everyone give a round of applause for the lovely Odessa, her performance was breath taking!”

The crowd cheered with applause as she lightly bowed her head in thanks before she was escorted off the stage by her security. Alas- Dean saw his opportunity.

“Excuse me- ‘cuse me, thank you,”

Odessa had now been pulled onto the floor, still guarded, but open to interactions as she accepted a wine-filled glass from one of the bypassers.

“H-hey! You were stunning up there..” he cleared his throat, pressing his hand against his own chest as he introduced himself. “Dean Harrington, Billionaire, bon vivant, inventor, playboy, and the Capitals most eligible bachelor, like, five years in a row now-”

“I know who you are, Dean.” With a laugh, she returned a light smile to him, taking a drink from her glass out of interest.

His head cocked to the side, the expression on his face a tad shocked as she called him by his first name. No one ever did that. “Oh I'm sure you do. Oddly enough, I've never seen you before.. I guess I must be a lot farther behind in today's media than I thought. Even so, I've never heard a voice as entrancing as yours..”

She nodded, with another laugh. “Oh, you flatter me! It's truly an honor to make my way up to such a luxurious event. I was starting to get bored actually, but i've seemed to run into quite the sailor..” She inched herself closer, clearly enthralled by Dean's simple words. She pulled back when she noticed a shine from Dean's finger, “Oh- oh I'm sorry, I wasn't aware you were..” She pointed to the ring.

“Huh- oh- OH, no no, i'm not-” he cleared his throat, attempting to figure out a more professional explanation. Truly, he wasn't going to just expose that it was a gift from an ex. “I'm not tied down or anything, it's only a fashion statement. A gift- from a family friend, if you will.”

“I see… so, the capital's number one bachelor is.. Available?” her lips turned upwards again, lightly dancing her fingertips against the collar of his shirt. Dean felt his heart thump against his chest, his eyes tracking down every move she made.

“Far more than available, Miss Odessa.. You know, I know of a pretty secluded–” at the corner of his eye, he caught a glimpse of her hand. Her fingertips were suddenly stained back, like dark charcoal. His immediate reaction was to jerk himself away, blinking his eyes in a panic.

“Mr. Harrington? Is everything alright?”

Like nothing ever happened, her hands were completely normal. He could have sworn, he spotted an anomaly.

“I, yeah I,”

Then, there was a cold touch against his back. He could feel the palm of a person phase right through him, grabbing a hold of the breath in the back of his throat.

“Harrington! Harrington, there’s been an urgent change of plans, we need you up there first.”

It was Harper. He had grabbed Dean by the coat, forcibly snapping him back into reality. “Do you hear me?? We need you up there now!”

Odessa smiled, taking the open opportunity to excuse herself with her security “Goodluck up there, Harrington. I look forward to seeing you around.”

No one was giving him anytime to process. He felt hot, and panicked. But his mind was blank. “What?? Now?? Seriously?”

“Yes! Now cmon! The president is watching.” Harper pushed and shoved against Dean's back, getting the gears in his legs moving. Before he knew it, he was escorted backstage with minimal downtime. “Wait wait wait- but my tech, I didn’t bring any?? And the presentation is halfway done, I can’t just-“

“Martha sent it all to us.” As the opener on stage gathered the crowd, he spoke loudly through the microphone. And Harper was quickly adjusting a clip on mic to Deans collar.

“Attention! Attention ladies and gentlemen. It is an honor to have you here, and as you may have heard.. We have gathered a collective group of leaders, scientists, doctors, and senators to present to you.. the first look into our future. Ever since monsters and demons have awakened from our land, we have been at war. Determined to reclaim our home, and stand on top, everyone here today has taken a step forward. One more. Step forward. Into the downfall of anomalies.”

The audience roared and clapped, this was no ordinary Gala. This was the event Dean had been avoiding his entire life. A chance to prove one’s worth, in the eyes of the Capitals president himself.

“She.. brought it? She brought it??” Dean's voice lowered into a stern whisper.

“Yes. Leave it to me. Now go! You’re up!” With another Shove, Dean could step nowhere but into the spotlight.

“I’d love for you to all give a warm welcome to our first presentation of the night. The son of a man who changed the way we create. Changed the way we live. A legend among mankind.. he is here to follow in his footsteps, and enhance our world for the betterment of humanity. I present to you, Dean Harrington!”

Dean's eyes were flashed by cameras and glowing smiles. They gave their cheers and undivided attention as if he was in the center of a gladiator ring. His smile came naturally, raising his hand as a greeting while he walked in front of the podium centered on stage.

“Thank you, Thank you, everyone..”

His own breathing overwhelmed the crowd's voices. But soon, they settled into respected silence. Awaiting his next words.

Frozen, Dean's hidden hands trembled behind the podium. He had not taken Meaves suggested speech, and was nowhere near ready to commit to his project. But he had no choice.

“It is.. an Honor to be here, and your support is all too welcoming..” He paused again, his eyes covering over the entire room with fear. Then, he took a breath.

“As you know, my father was an amazing scientist. Him and my mother risked their lives, spending days, weeks, months- years. Researching outside of our walls. Obtaining all the knowledge they can on the dangers of the world. Our world..” behind him, displayed a large screen. Playing videos of the two parents he was mentioning and their success.

“My father used the biology of anomalies to better our own. For our medicine, weapons, and protection.��

Dean caught the reflection of the screen against the newly obtained ring on his finger. Meeting eyes with his own father.

“You don’t understand, Nancy, he is utterly obsessed with them. No matter how hard I try, all he wants to do is help it.”

“He is only a child.. he’s just- different.”

“No, Nancy. Our son is a Freak.”

The young eleven year old boy sat on the cold floor. His knees hugged close to his chest as he attempted to comfort himself in the dark room. His only light source coming from the cracked doorway. Even then, the shadows of two adults stood at the other side, blocking the light. Their voices stayed at a whisper, but it was still loud enough for the kid to hear.

Dean dropped his head down, sniffing tears away as he sobbed over the robotic rabbit at his feet. It had been crushed into pieces.

And then, a new person arose through his confidence.

“And yes, a great man he was. But what if I told you, we can do better.” He looked down to the microphone clipped to his collar, carefully removing it. Now presenting with his loudest voice, he held the tiny object up into the air.

“This is our future. This. will protect us from monsters.”

The crowd blinked, in uncomfortable silence. Honestly, there might have been a few laughs.

“I know it doesn’t look like much. I mean, how is a tiny microphone meant to save humanity against a beast with claws and razor sharp teeth? Because this, is a shield. A suit of armor. A sword. And a heart.”

The microphone burst itself into hundreds of tiny mechanical pieces. They were like millions of baby spiders, that seemed to duplicate and expand. like magic. Like living cells. They clustered around Dean's hand and forearm, gradually growing. And mimicking his clothing into hard metal.

“This. Is Nanotechnology.”

Within seconds, the mechanical organisms flowed down Dean's torso, to his legs. Within a blink- Dean was raised higher. They formed bridges underneath his feet. Creating stepping stones for him as he began to walk into the crowd. Above their heads.

“Like stuff out of books and movies, from prosthetics to a new level of transportation- If you can think it, nanotechnology can make it.”

The presentation that had been behind Dean began to display a collage of concept arts and designs. Suits of armor made up of the technology. Vehicles that could easily replace their current ones. Homes and buildings repaired and built to house the lower districts. And even Medical Devices that could flow through one’s blood stream and repair a virus within minutes. These were all the possibilities Dean wanted to share with the world. And these, power hungry humans got front row seats.

“No more second guessing! No more salving away in labs and offices. Look no further, than to the tiny robot that will cater your every need.”

They had lost their minds. Completely enthralled with the nanobots as they carried Dean effortlessly through the crowd. They scaled along the walls, holding him upside down as he confidently was carried on the ceiling, being taken back to the stage. If their cheers weren’t loud before, their gasp and awes covered it.

“And the best part? We no longer have to rip apart anomalies. We no longer have to tear into their biology! Nanotechnology is all of us. These bots are linked and transfused with my DNA. And they can be linked with yours too. One hundred and ten percent pure, human DNA. This, is our own source of energy to the world. Our chance to connect and expand- we no longer have to be afraid of what awaits us outside!”

Back onto the framed structure, the bots formed a tall, bold statue of a warrior. It covered the presentation that was once following the story.

And Dean stood in the center of it all, raising his hands with pride. “Together, all of us, can live in this world as equals. We can be stronger than what we are now. With nanotechnology!”

He huffed, waiting for the hundredth round of applause. But his smile began to fade, as he realized the admiration of voices were whispers and judgmental faces.

“He wants to be equal? With monsters..?”

“He’s trying to kill us, getting us out of these walls..”

“The lower districts do not deserve such a gift..”

“He wants us to live with those.. things out there?”

“What a Freak.”

Deans brows furrowed with uncertainty. What was happening? Why were they.. getting angry? Dean took a step back, hearing footsteps quickly approach his side. Harper had grabbed ahold of his arm, trying to drag him off the stage in a panic.

The audience grew snappy, with irritation in their voices. Booing and mocking the young male.

Their words painfully replayed in Deans head. He couldn’t hear anything else, let alone understand what he did wrong. All he could do was feel his body temperature slipping away, and his vision become too blurry to see through. He knew Harper was calling his name, and he knew he was being escorted to his car. But.. he could not respond.

“What did I do?”

He wasn’t even sure how he got within his seat, but now in the back of his limousine, a crowd covered each window. Paparazzi and news reporters shouting their questions and concerts like an angry mob.

Their faces looked distorted, resembling those of blood thirsty demons and creatures. His mind scrambled and shaken, he felt like he was on a roller coaster.

Dean watched as the vehicle drove through them, and they slowly faded out of view.

Dean did not wait for anyone to open his door. He had stepped out of a halfway moving vehicle, stumbling his way into his house while his chest racing with his mind. His lungs on fire, and his heart drumming in his ears.

“Master Harrington? Master Harrington? Dean, is everything alright??”

“Y-yeah Martha I just, I just need to lay down..” Dean used the walls as his support, dragging his feet down a hallway he felt he was phasing through. Eventually he made it to his bedroom, the corners of the walls draped in shadow. Yelling back at him with curses and angry tones.

He fell onto the mattress, his chest rising quickly with each breath he took. He could still hear it, their voices. The crowd mocking him and harassing his mind.

Before he knew it, his vision became nonexistent, fading into a dark cloud of black. He had only made it halfway onto the bed, with his feet still dangling off and his arm hanging off the edge.

A bright shine twinkled over the ring of his finger as his hand drooped off the end of the bed.

*.·:·.✧ ✦ ✧.·:·.*

#syume writes #oc fic #oc #oc fiction #ocs

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lord-of-dragons-2007 · 2 years ago

Text

(Reefside 2004)

"Ah ha! I found it." Haley exclaimed as she found what she was looking for,

"Let's see; Kim, Jason, Rocky, . . .Here it is Billy Cranston." Hayley said as she was scanning Dr. O's little black book that held numbers for past rangers; Hayley went over to the phone and dialed the number in the book,

"Hello?" came the voice on the other end of the phone,

"Hi, you may not know who I am but we share a mutual friend and he is in colorful trouble and I need your help." Hayley quickly explained in a cryptic way,

"Hmm, I understand . . . you can fill me in when I get there, where are you?" Billy asked,

"I'm at Tommy's house in Reefside." Hayley answered,

"I'm in Angel Grove, I'll be there in about three hours." Billy explained,

"Ok, I'll hold down the fort while you get here. Is there anyone else I should call?" Hayley asked,

"If you can, Kimberly Hart is in Reefside; she would want to know." Billy instructed,

"Ummm, she's kinda involved with is mess too." Hayley explained,

"Hmmm, I see. Right off hand I don't know who else could help us right now, just hold things together till I get there." Billy said,

"Will do and thanks." Hayley replied,

"Anytime, see you soon. Bye." Billy said as he hung up the phone,

"Bye" Hayley said as she hung up the phone.

"Man I hope that Mesogog doesn't attack while the team is away." Hayley thought to herself, as she made her way back down to the ranger command center to try locate where the ranger team had gone.

(Angel Grove 1993)

The dino-thunder teens had been wondering around Angel Gove for quite a while now, a few hours had passed since they made the discovery of landing in the past. Not just any past but their teacher and mentor's past,

"Well makeshift compass boy where do we go now?" asked Conner,

"Conner give it a break we're in town, its not like I know my way around Dr. O's hometown." Trent defended as the teens made their way to what was presumed as the famous youth center that Dr. O had always talked about,

"Hey guys isn't this the youth center that Dr. O was always talking about?" Ethan asked,

"Lets go inside and get something to drink, I'm dying for a smoothie." Kira suggested to the four teens standing around,

"Ok let's do it." Conner said as the four teens started to head inside the building when suddenly their bodies turned into their respective colors and where zapped out of the area.

(Angel Grove 1993)

Tommy, seeing as his adult mind was in his teenage body thought it was better to go to school first and ask questions later when he was free to do with whatever he saw fit,

"Man, what am I going to do? I mean sure Hayley knows what happened, but can she really help us out of this one?" Tommy thought as he slowly walked off to school,

"Hmm, November 18, 1993; why does it seem so important? I mean of all days I could have traveled back why this one?" Tommy wondered as he started to think back to what the meaning of this particular day, but before he knew it he was already at school,

"Oh well, if the events of the past continue as they have then meaning of this day will reveal itself in due time." Tommy thought as he entered the front doors of his old high school.

Kim was much on the same train of thought as she walked to school,

"Well if experience has taught me one thing on this matter its this: just go with it till someone back home finds a way to get me back." Kim thought as she walked,

"Uhh, I cant believe how fashioned challenged I was at this age." Kim shuddered as she looked down at what she had picked out for the day,

"Well the good thing about time travel is that whatever happens in past stays in the past." Kim thought trying to comfort herself,

"For now I just have to hold it together and act like my teenage self." Kim thought as she put her worried mind at rest to try and muster up an act to convince everyone of her past that nothing is out of the ordinary as she walked through the front doors of her old high school.

(Ranger Command Center 1993)

Immediately, four teens landed and fell to the floor in a darkened room that was surrounded by computer consoles all monitored by a little robot,

"Ooof!" all four teens called out as they hit the floor with surprise,

"Ay yi yi yi yi yi!" Alpha 5 cried out it distress as he saw how the rangers landed and scrambled to try and help them up. As the four teens slowly got up from the floor they were in awe in what they saw around them,

"GREETINGS HUMANS, I AM ZORDON AN INTERGALACTIC BEING TRAPPED IN A TIME WARP." Zordon said as his head was zapped into the energy tube,

"PLEASE DO NOT BE AFRAID; YOUR POWER SIGNITURES ARE NO DIFFERENT THAN THAT OF THE RANGERS THAT I KNOW FROM THIS TIME. TELL ME WHO ARE YOU; WHERE ARE YOU FROM." Zordon asked as the four teens looked between Alpha 5 and Zordon in confusion; not really sure if what they saw was true or a dream, but they decided to go with it anyway,

"My name is Conner McKnight and I'm the red dino-thunder ranger." Conner answered,

"My name is Kira Ford and I'm the yellow dino-thunder ranger." Kira answered,

"My name is Ethan James and I'm the blue dino-thunder ranger." Ethan answered,

"And my name is Trent Fernandez and I'm the white dino-thunder ranger." Trent answered,

"And we're from a city called Reefside in the year 2004" Conner finished,

"Is this all of your team? its only the four of you." Alpha spoke up,

"There are six of us, the fifth member of our team, Dr. Oliver is our black ranger; and the other Hayley, is not a ranger but our tech advisor." Conner answered, Zordon was silent but obviously contemplative to the explanation the rangers were giving,

"HMMM, THIS DR. OLIVER; COULD HIS FULL NAME BE DR. THOMAS OLIVER?" Zordon asked,

"Yeah how did you know? And " Kira asked,

"BECAUSE YOUNG KIRA, IN THIS TIME PERIOD WE KNOW YOUR DR. OLIVER AS TOMMY OLIVER." Zordon explained,

"RANGERS IF I COULD TROUBLE YOU, YOUR PRESENSE HERE INTREGES ME; COULD YOU TELL ME HOW YOU CAME HERE TO BE?" Zordon asked, the four rangers recounted the events of the past few days. Everything from the premonition dreams to being teleported to the command center,

"HMMM, I HAVE BUT ONE MORE QUESTION FOR YOU RANGERS." Zordon said,

"What is it?" Ethan asked,

"WHERE ARE THE DR. OLIVER AND KIMBERLY HART FROM YOUR TIME PERIOD? IT IS IMPAREITIVE THAT WE LOCATE THEM." Zordon asked,

"We don't know, like we said when we came to they where no where to be found. Why?" Trent explained,

"BECAUSE TRENT, IF THE TWO TOMMYS OR KIMBERLYS MEET, THE EVENT COULD CREATE A CHAIN OF EVENTS THAT COULD UNRAVEL THE FABERIC OF TIME AND SPACE AND DESTROY THE UNIVERSE AS WE KNOW IT." Zordon explained,

"Ay yi yi yi yi yi! What are we going to do Zordon?" Alpha 5 cried out it distress, as the four teens looked at Zordon with utter fear in their eyes,

"CALM DOWN ALPHA, FIRST YOU NEED TO SCAN ANGEL GROVE AND THE ADJACENT AREAS FOR A POWER SIGNITURE SIMILAR TO THAT OF THE DINO-THUNDER RANGERS THAT WE HAVE HERE." Zordon explained,

"Yes Zordon I'm on it." Alpha 5 said as he began typing away at the computer consoles,

"AS FOR YOU RANGERS, I NEED YOU TO STAY HERE FOR NOW; WE CANT RISK YOU ALTERING FUTURE EVENTS ANYMORE THAN YOU HAVE ALREADY." Zordon ordered,

"ok, but is there anything we can do?" asked Conner,

"FOR NOW RANGERS, I'M AFRAID NOT; THERE IS A BUNKER DOWN THE HALL AND DOWN THE STAIRS, THERE IS A TELEVISION AND SOME PRIVISIONS THERE." Zordon said,

"so you want us to just sit around watching tv in hopes that we can go back to our time?" Ethan asked sounding a little agitated,

"I SENSE THAT ALL OF YOU INDEED WANT TO DO SOMETHING MORE PRODUCTIVE WITH YOUR TIME HERE, BUT WE CANNOT RISK ALTERING THE FUTURE THAT YOU KNOW; I AM DEEPLY SORRY THAT IT MUST BE THIS WAY RANGERS, BUT FOR YOUR SAKE I NEED YOU TO REMAIN HERE UNTIL ME AND ALPHA CAN FIGURE OUT WHAT TO DO IN THE MEAN TIME." Zordon explained,

"Ok, but you'll call us when you need us right?" asked Conner,

"You need'nt worry rangers, Zordon and I do not intend to keep you here indefinitely, just until a temporary solution can be had. For now rangers just take a breather from your ordeal." Alpha said as the robot ushered the teens out of the main chamber into the bunker where they could relax and not be found out by the current rangers if they needed to be in the command center.

After the four teens left Alpha continued scanning for Dr. O and Kim's signal,

"Tommy seems to have picked and mentored a nice bunch of kids." Alpha surmised,

"YES HE HAS, I COULD NOT BE MORE PROUD OF HIM AT THIS MOMENT ALPHA. TOMMY OLIVER I AM SURE HAS BECOME A FINE MAN." Zordon concluded,

"I've found the signals Zordon . . . ay yi yi yi yi yi!" Alpha said,

"WHAT IS IT ALPHA? DID YOU FIND THE TOMMY OLIVER AND KIMBERLY HART FROM THE FUTURE?" Zordon asked,

"Yes but the signals are on top of each other ay yi yi yi yi yi!" Alpha answered,

"ALPHA CALM DOWN BRING UP THE MEETING ON THE VIEWING GLOBE." Zordon instructed as the robot complied, what they saw next made the old wizard look shocked.

(Angel Grove High School 1993)

Tommy had done a good job not letting anyone on to the fact that his adult mind was in his teenage body, he had come close to showing his hand in his science class when he had breezed through the class knowing every single question the teacher asked. School was now over and he was heading to his locker to collect his things in preparation of being stuck like this for a while,

"Hey Tommy, how's it going bro?" a voice asked behind him, it was Jason Scot his best friend,

"Hey man, nothing much just getting ready to home for the day." Tommy answered,

"Are you feeling ok? You were acting strange in class today and from what I've been hearing from everyone else is that you've been acting strange all day. You wanna tell me what's up?" Jason pressed; Tommy looked down in defeat and decided to come clean with Jason to a certain extent,

"Listen, this is one of those times when I cant tell you the full story but I need you to trust me when I say that I'm ok. Can you just play it off like nothing ever happened." Tommy explained,

"Sure but you are going to tell me the full story some time right?" asked Jason,

"Yes but some day." Tommy explained,

"Look right now I have to go." Tommy said,

"Ok, you take care of yourself bro." Jason said,

"Always do bro, later." Tommy said and with that he walked away from his friend.

Meanwhile on the other side of the hall Kimberly was going through the same affair as she was trying to get her things and make her way home in case she had to stay in this time period for a while as well,

"Hey Kim, hey what did you think about math class today?" someone asked behind her; it was Trini Kwan,

"It was ok, kinda easy." Kim responded without thinking about her answer,

"Hmm, ok who are you and what have you done with Kim?" Trini asked as Kim looked down as she decided to come clean with her friend,

"Ok Trini look, something is going on and as much as I would love to tell you the whole story I just cant and you need to trust me on this when I say I cant tell you now and I need you to play it off like everything is fine." Kim explained,

"Well ok, but you will tell me about this right?" Trini said,

"Yeah don't worry but I cant tell you now." Kim said,

"Listen I gotta go, I'll see you around." Kim said and with that Kim left her friend in the hallway confused.

(Mysterious Island Lair 2004)

"Zeltrax begin your attack with that monster of yours, lets see how tough he really is." Mesogog commanded,

"At once my lord." Zeltrax responded as he bowed,

(Moon Palace 1993)

"Uhh, what happened?" Elsa asked as she slowly came to,

"Wait I remember now." Elsa said as the previous events came back to her,

"Oh damm, I was set up; damm you Zeltrax." Elsa cursed out,

"Ohh who's down there?" came a gruff voice as Elsa scrambled to find a place to hide for the time being until she figured out what to do next.

#paradox rangers in time #power rangers fan fiction #chapter 8

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crowtwink · 2 years ago

Text

today my brain has decided that the only thing I'm allowed to think about is "Red Hood/Ghost-Maker Team-up comic" and I'm about to make that everyone else's problem.

So it all starts when Khoa decides he wants to get to know the only Bat whose stance on murder he respects

Bruce, internally: Oh this is gonna be so good

Bruce, externally: Sure I'll set up a play-date for you

The play-date is smugglers (or idk something Bruce can trust these two loose cannons to play nice around)

Jason fucking hates Khoa for being someone who Bruce likes better than him (objectively this is not true but Jason has RSD so try convincing him of that) so this is already going badly on his side

it takes Khoa approximately two minutes to realize he was so so wrong about Jason

because surprise Jason is actually not a calm sensible person who realized that Bruce's strategy was incomplete

instead he is twenty billion emotions right out in the open at all times and it is giving Khoa a headache

literally any Bat could have told Khoa this but he didn't want to talk to the Bats he wanted to find out for himself

dammit he was trying to play nice instead of just going out and randomly attacking Bruce's family as a way to get to know them

and now Bruce is probably laughing at him somewhere in his stupid cave

(cut to Bruce definitely laughing)

plot happens idk they accidentally stumble into a much bigger web of crime than planned etc

Jason does something stupid and reckless and gets kidnapped for his trouble

Khoa: oh shit Bruce is gonna kill me

Khoa: oh shit I might actually care about this little twerp on his own terms too

Khoa: I mean obviously not but either way rescue time

Khoa Does Some Murder To Rescue Jason

They Are Not In Gotham So It's Fine

Jason: *surprised pikachu*

Khoa: dude are you good?

Jason starts looking to Khoa for approval on the rest of the mission

and he gets it!

not a lot, but Khoa is the sort to be brutally honest which means that when he does show approval it matters

and bonus he doesn't seem bothered by Jason's "I am an angsty murderous dead boy" routine

or at least not any more bothered than he is by Jason showing any other emotion

Jason: so this mob boss needs to die

Khoa: you're absolutely right do you want an exploding bullet to make him extra dead?

Jason, crying: yes please

they're halfway home when Khoa realizes what happened

goddammit Bruce tricked him into adopting *another* angry kid with clown trauma

Khoa: Bruce? Bruce?!

Khoa: what the fuck have you done to me??

Bruce is laughing so hard

Khoa: have you somehow transferred your child collecting curse???

Khoa: are you outsourcing the murderous ones to me?????

And then Jason and Bao join forces and Khoa never knows peace again

#ghost maker #minkhoa khan #red hood #jason todd #dc

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soulmate-game · 3 years ago

Text

Not related to the other two Bio!mom Harley AUs that I did. Just... similar. I wrote this instead of sleeping, as per the usual.

—*—*—*—*—*

“I need your help.”

No accent, no threats of violence, no beating around the bush (figurative or otherwise). No fighting or unconscious bodies.

Just Harley Quinn with her hair down, no makeup, and completely serious, in the center of the Bat Cave. Even though her usual exaggerated Brooklynn accent (circa 1950s) had become a pretty inseparable part of her personality over the years, every now and then she forcibly stuffed it down and used her mostly unaccented voice. The one reminiscent of days with less colors on her face, a high bun, and a pristine white lab coat.

Every single one of the Bats and Birds present, fresh from an interrupted patrol thanks to her, could count the number of times they had seen Harley like this on one hand. Bruce would have the most recollections, but everyone else would have plenty of fingers left on said hand. So they all knew, especially when Bruce willingly pulled down his cowl so he could look Harley in the eye, that this was the start of something they were not likely to forget. And maybe their chances of survival were slim too.

“Harley,” Bruce’s voice was still gruff, seeing as he was still mostly Batman at the moment, but his eyes were soft. “Maybe you should tell us what you need help with first. And sit down. You look exhausted.”

Sure enough, there were dark circles under Harley’s eyes. She let Bruce-man lead her over to one of their debriefing tables and sit her down. She let out a huge sigh, her fingers tangling in her loose blond locks.

“I have a confession, and it isn’t gonna leave this cave, capiche?” The slight return of her accent relieved a little of the tension, but not much. Taking this as their cue, the rest of the bats spread out into their usual seats at the table. Bruce stayed near Harley, keeping a hand on her shoulder in silent support. Harley didn’t continue talking until he gave her a solemn nod in agreement. She gulped— an action that immediately returned the tension.

“... fifteen years ago, back when I was still with Joker, I disappeared off the Gotham scene for a few months. I’m sure a few of you remember,” she looked up, and a couple of the older vigilantes nodded. Really, Jason has still been Robin back then. But the memory stuck out in his head now that he was thinking about it.

“Yeah, you were breaking away from him a little bit, which was weird at the time,” Red Hood mused aloud, arms crossed. “I think you helped us out a couple times and did some of your first team ups with Ivy before you vanished. Then a few months go by and you were back in action with Joker, so we mostly ignored it as you just being you.”

Harley nodded. “Ah, my Ivy’s a lifesaver, even back then. She helped cover up the timeline by keeping me in action for longer than I should’a been without putting me at too much risk.”

“Timeline…” Red Robin spoke up, eyes huge even behind his mask. “You don’t mean—“

“Harley,” Bruce breathed, having also caught on. “You were pregnant?”

The air went still. Harley sniffed, eyes watering even as she smiled.

“Oh yeah. Shouldn’t have been possible, ya know? Me ‘n Joker being dumped in that damn acid should have made us both more sterile than an operatin’ room. But I knew I couldn’t raise a kid, so after she was born—“

“You kept her?” Damian interrupted, earning a gentle cuff over the head from Dick. Harley just snorted.

“Yeah. Not gonna lie, I thought about abortion. But the baby didn’t do nothin’ wrong, and I was still in love with Joker back then so I was ecstatic that I was able to make something new with part ‘a him in it. Still, I knew a baby didn’t deserve to be raised in Gotham. Especially not my baby, not with my enemies and history. Not with who her father was. I knew he’d never want her, never let me keep her. So I spent the last five months of my pregnancy lookin’ around for the best possible family to take her in. And I found them in Paris, France. A sweet couple, both of them bakers. Sabine, she’s both adorably sweet and super kickass. Comes from a Chinese family that is crazy about teachin’ their women martial arts. But nothing shady about it, I triple checked. Just bonding through kicking people in the face. Which is perfect, I wanted my baby to know how to defend herself. I knew she’d need those skills eventually. And Tom, that’s Sabine’s wife, he’s a gentle giant. Same size as Bane, but as harmless as a puppy and makes the best croissants ever. Seriously, the best.”

“Harley,” Bruce gently prodded, but there was a tiny grin on his face. Seeing her behaving so… so normally, so proud and reminiscent, was a rare treat. Bruce would be lying if he said he wasn’t proud of how far the woman had come. How she had freed herself and become a better person, mostly on her own.

“Right, right. The point,” Harley took a breath, rubbing her forehead. “I came clean to Tom and Sabine, but apparently they knew who I was the whole time. They just didn’t care— did I mention they are perfect? Anyway, once I explained everything, they agreed immediately to adopting my baby. They’d been wanting kids, but it would’a been too risky for Sabine’s health. That’s how I found them anyway, they were in the market to adopt. We named her Marinette. She took Tom and Sabine’s last names, hyphenated. We decided Quinn would be her middle name. And after that, I came back to Gotham and told myself that she was in good hands and I needed to forget about her. Cuz I was no good for her. I knew that. I went back to my old tricks. And then…” Harley chuckled, but it was self-depreciating.

“Then a few years passed, and I started breaking away from Joker for real. Then we broke up, I blew up Ace Chemicals while you guys were outta town doing Justice League and Young Justice shit. I started dating Ivy. And—“ she smiled softly at the table, clearly seeing something the rest of them couldn’t. “Then Ivy convinced me to go see her. Visit my baby, see how she’s been. And I did. Marinette was seven years old, but damn it to hell she was gorgeous. And say whatever you want about me and Joker— most of it will even be true— but neither of us are stupid. And she inherited all of our intelligence. All of it. She got my blue eyes. But she got his hair, which meant Sabine teased me relentlessly about ‘are you sure she isn’t that Wayne’s kid?’ And don’t make that face Bruce, you’d be lucky to have a kid half as beautiful as my Mari-pie. No offense, Damian. Anyway. Anyway, this is the important part. Or part of it.

“She sat there and listened to everything I had to say. Everything. A little seven year old, who could barely understand English at the time, and she listened without interrupting once. She never threw a fit, she wasn’t angry or confused. I told her about the things I’d done in the past— well, G rated versions— and she didn’t care. She called me Momma Harley right away, said she wanted to meet Aunt Ivy sometime soon, and started telling me everything about her that I’d missed. From that day on, she became my sunshine. The light of my life, and I still call her at least once a week every week. When I disappear for a few days out of the city? I’m visiting her—“

“You’re banned from international travel, Harley,” Dick scolded, but he sounded way too amused for it to work. He knew she had her ways, anyway. Nobody could actually stop Harley damn Quinn from doing whatever she wanted.

“—Ugh, she tells me the same thing every time! Disappointed glare and everything. I don’t know how I gave birth to such a goodie goodie, but somehow I did. Not important though! The important thing is, I’m always the first to hear when something new happens in her life. And we had decided that she wouldn’t visit me in Gotham until she was at least eighteen, but apparently she disobeyed me— which I should have expected honestly— and entered you guys’ WE international scholastic competition.”

“Oh no,” Bruce pinched the bridge of her nose. “Marinette Dupain-Cheng? The contest winner?” He finally pulled out a chair and sat down. “The winner gets an all-expense paid trip to Gotham for them and their whole class.”

“Exactly!” Harley threw up her hands. “Mari told me last week, and I’ve been trying to talk her out of coming ever since. But she’s inherited both of our stubbornness too, and she isn’t budgin’ a bit. ‘Momma Harley, I wanna see you and Auntie Ivy though!’ And ‘Momma, Gotham’s nothing I can’t handle,’ or my favorite, ‘Maybe you’ll finally get to see me dropkick someone three times my size then, and I’ll prove it.’”

“So that’s what you meant by you need our help,” Tim said as he leaned forward over the table. “Joker just broke out of Arkham yesterday. You want us to protect her.”

“I’d prefer if one of you was with her outside of the mask too, as often as possible,” Harley confirmed. “I can’t stop her from coming here anymore, but I also don’t trust Joker for a second. As soon as he sees her, I’m afraid he’ll make the connection.”

“She looks like him?” Damian asked, scrunching up his nose at the ugly mental image of Joker as a teenage girl. Harley shook her head, solemn.

“She looks like a dark-haired mini-me,” she corrected. “She even keeps her hair in pigtails as her way of showing support for me. And I know Marinette can kick ass, Sabine’s trained her well. But Marinette inherited more than I’d like from me,” Harley ran a hand through her hair. “I didn’t notice it until she was thirteen. She got a crush on a classmate, and it was almost like watching videos of me back during the early days of— well, of Harley Quinn. Just without the crime and insanity. She didn’t even realize that she was almost stalking the poor kid until I pointed it out, and luckily I was able to put my doctorate to good use and we nipped that right in the bud ASAP. She never meant it that way, anyway. As soon as I explained things to her, she was horrified and immediately asked me to help her learn how to have a healthy relationship. That was a fun discussion,” Harley grimaced. “But she still gets attached to people really, really easily. Once she grew out of her crush on that boy, she adopted him as her unofficial brother. She already calls Selina “Auntie,” even though I’ve barely mentioned her to Marinette. She gets attached fast, and deeply. And I’m afraid that even after all the warning I’ve done, all the stories I’ve told her—“

“You’re afraid she’ll get attached to Joker just like you did,” Bruce finished for her, closing his eyes. “Because she knows he’s her father.”

“Yes,” Tears were slowly dripping down her face already, her hands curled into fists so tightly that her knuckles were paper white. “You know how he is. If he finds out she’s his biological daughter, he’ll immediately try to take advantage of that. And he’s far too good with his words for people like me and Mari. I’m worried outta my mind. Please. Help keep my baby safe from him.”

“We will,” Jason no longer had his helmet on, or the domino mask that he usually wore underneath it. All of them knew masks were merely formality with Harley nowadays. And he needed to look her directly in the eye so she could see how serious he was. “I can sign up as a bodyguard for the class. It won’t be weird, seeing as they’re tourists and this is Gotham. They also have several rich kids in their group if I remember right.”

Bruce nodded, agreeing with Jason. “That’s a good idea. I can lead the class on their tours of WE personally. That’ll serve the purpose of keeping an eye on her and shutting up the investors that keep begging me to make more public appearances for the sake of the company. Marinette’s name is already released to the news as the winner of the contest, so we can’t keep her out of the spotlight long. Tim, you’ll have to keep an eye on any and all pictures of the class. Try to erase or doctor the images with her in it well enough that connections between her and Harley can’t be easily made. Dick, you and Damian will be in charge of keeping an eye out for any activity from Joker. The slightest hint, and you notify all of us. We’ll decide on a case-by-case basis who is necessary to stick with the class and who goes after the clown.”

“She’s gonna sneak out of her hotel to stay with me and Ivy,” Harley admitted, bringing the (now slightly judgemental) attention back to her. She raised her hands up in surrender. “She didn’t tell me that, and I didn’t approve or suggest it! I just know my baby too well to not realize that that’s her plan. Could ya provide an escort?”

Bruce sighed. “This is gonna be an eventful month.”

#maribat #ml x dc #mlb x dc #soulmate-game #bio!dad au #bio!mom harley quinn #bio!dad joker #maribat fanfic #maribat fic #platonic Harley x Marinette #platonic Ivy x Marinette #platonic brucinette

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lovelycleon · 3 years ago

Text

So I decided to make an analysis about the last scene of Infinite Darkness

But before I start with the fun part, I just want to tell you that my history with “angst ships”

I had a bad experience with another ship, soul mates full of angst tropes and true love, beautiful... and a really bad ending because the showrunner fought with the actors (I wasted years watching and I regret it).

Anyway, after suffering that kind of pain, no other ships and angst scenes can hit me hard enough. I'm numb or just got used to it. You choose.

So maybe the scene of Leon and Claire's argument wasn't that impactful for me because of that. But for all the fans who felt hurt, I understand and it's okay to feel that way, because the scene was meant to hurt. The scene exists because of that. And your feelings are valid.

So let's get to the fun part.

spoiler alert, it's not that fun, it actually hurts 😅

The scene starts with Leon going to meet Claire at the gates of the White House.

I don't think anyone denies the fact that, whatever Leon is doing, he just wants to protect Claire. And he doesn't want her involved because of it.

But this dialogue makes this even more evident if we analyze how it begins.

Nothing in a show or movie is by accident. Everything is handpicked for one reason or another. The meaning is not always that deep, but there is still a meaning behind it all.

So when – of all the ways a conversation can be started – they decide to make Claire joke that she sneaked out of the hospital, Leon takes it seriously and she has to clarify that it's a joke, there's a reason:

Show that Leon is taking what happened to her too serious, and Claire not that much.

When Claire makes a comment about when he's going to stop treating her like a kid and he says probably never. There's a reason:

Show that Leon wants to protect her (or being overprotective) and Claire doesn't like it.

Of course, some might argue that this specific line is capcom trying to show that their feelings aren't romantic and sink the ship completely. And, ok, people are free to think that.

But if they really wanted to sink cleon forever, they shouldn't have done the scene of Leon saving Claire the way they did. They did it because they knew it would tease a certain part of the fans... They knew exactly what they were doing...

And there's simply no reason to tease a ship you want to sink.

So no, I don't think that's it...

For me the scene means the classic and simple: "stop being worried about me🙄" "noooo🗣️"

Another way to intensify Leon being overprotective is Claire's broken arm. A reminder that she was injured following his plan. Just as she was hurt the last time they saw each other in Harvardville.

And yes, I know Degeneration made Claire hurt to take her out of the action. It is undeniable. But somehow I don't think the same situation and reason applies to Infinite darkness.

Because Claire was already out of combat, following Leon's plan and showing no intention of doing anything different. It's not like she's going to attack the monster that is several platforms higher than where she is. She couldn't fly around and there were no guns where she was anyway.

So why hurt her to get her out of combat if the story itself has already done that?

Again, you are free to think differently. Capcom made Claire dirty, she was underestimated and they wasted her potential. I won't argue with that, I'm also on the team Claire deserves better.

I just don't think it fits this specific situation.

The injured arm is there and a awkward conversation about Leon being overprotective starts because of it. I think it makes sense.

So moving on.

Claire mentions the chip and Leon looks disappointed for a moment and says he thought they were going to dinner.

This is to indicate that he didn't come to see her with the intention of breaking their friendship. Leon just wanted to spend a good time with her and nothing more. Some place a little more normal, maybe?👀

But Claire wants the chip and tells Leon her plan. The same plan that Shen May was killed trying to convince her partner to follow. Is there a parallel here?

The only difference is that Jason broke her neck while Leon decided to break Claire's heart.

Okay now I could show more parallels between them, but I won't because this is already too long and I know maybe I'm reading too much into this. Resident Evil isn't that deep most of the time 😂

Anyway, Claire asked for the chip and Leon said no.

And that's the point, right.

The climax of the conversation and the turning point in their relationship.

Note that Leon took a few seconds to say he couldn't. That was the moment when he made his decision...

He went to meet her for dinner, remember? He didn't expect to have this conversation or make a decision like that. But he had to.

Now, I'm not from the US and I don't trust politicians in general, fiction or not. But I admit this sounds realistic.

Just imagine if the president makes a speech about peace and prosperity and whatever and the next day the media reveals that members of the government are involved in BOW and planning an attack on another country.

At the very least, it won't look good.

In the worst case, it will be a catastrophe 😂

So... I don't agree with Leon, but I understand why he chose this.

It's an important decision, however. And how long it takes him to say something and how he's quiet after saying it shows he knows what's on the line. Not just the security of the country and “peace”, but also his relationship with Claire.

And despite everything... He didn't lie to her.

It would be much easier for Leon to simply say "the chip was destroyed in the fight" when she asked. Claire would never know about it and probably never doubt him. And they would still be fine with each other and having dinner.

But he didn't lie. Why?

Because their relationship is not based on lies. And it's not based on betrayals.

And while it may be hard to believe right now and it hurts to think about it, this relationship is still based on truth and trust in each other. And now their relationship is being tested.

It's easy to trust someone you're on good terms. How hard it must be to trust someone who has let you down.

There is a lot of room for development here.

Obviously Claire felt hurt in this moment. Maybe even betrayed. Heartbroken. I think we all feel that same way.

But Leon played fair there. He said he had the chip, showed it to her, and then said he wouldn't give it to her.

He was honest with her. And this act also shows respect.

They are two people with different points of view and that truth hurts.

There is silence as they look at each other. She never asked his reasons and he obviously never told them. The exchange of glances is enough for them to understand what was happening.

When Claire says “you do things your way and I do mine” it's almost like “do you know what that means? ”

Then Leon nods and another moment of silence. The time they need to accept that the relationship is broken.

Now that's angst

Interesting choice of camera angle. Showing her broken arm as a visual reminder of why he was pushing her away like that.

Claire leaves, but looks back and says again that his outfit doesn't suit him.

What's interesting here is that the director has done a few interviews over the past few weeks and he always said that the suit is a representation of Leon's position in government.

Claire commenting that it doesn't suit him is basically the writers/producers/directors admitting that this position doesn't look good.

And while all the characters praising Leon for his success, Claire is the one who sees this reality and who he truly is out of the suit (position)

And that's good angst.

Claire walks away and Leon with a sad look watching her leave and he has to say to himself "I will stop this".

Could it be just one of his one-lines? Yes.

Could it be a way for him to remind himself why he's doing this, even if it means sacrificing his relationship with Claire?

It's already done, now he has to make it worth it.

Whatever happens after that is a mystery.

I don't think Claire believes that Leon is going to cover up the government's involvement in things (their discussion would be much more intense if that were the case), she probably thinks he's going to resolve it internally without taking anything public, which is precisely what she wants to do.

I also don't think Leon believes Claire is going to give up on the investigation, he probably thinks it's going to take some time to her to get real evidence and he has time to carry out his plans.

But this is capcom... They are masters of forgetting plot points. So who knows.

Angst is only good if it has a good closure. I hope they keep that in mind.

In any other tv show that used this kind of angst trope and drama I would be completely fine...

I would expect a sequel to this plot. The characters find each other unexpectedly, having to work together and acting awkwardly because they don't know how to stick around each other after the argument. Then the story would develop and they would gradually mend their relationship.

That's the trope.

So that's all I can hope for.

#cleon #this just got too long and l didn't write half of my thought 😅#I only watch the show once but I've seen this scene a thousand times #I'll probably have more to say after rewatching everything again #leon kennedy #claire redfield #resident evil infinite darkness #leon x claire #claire x leon

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writingtoforgetreality · 4 years ago

Text

I Remember (Malcolm Bright x Reader)

Request: uM hi saw ur request post while i was scrolling through malcolm bright x reader tag lol so may i request an x reader w malcolm where reader's gil's niece or smth so she and mal know each other before he joined the team- and one day where mal was being a dumbass and reader was told to drive mal home and when she was securing his restraints he jokingly asked her to sing to him aNd she did sing and fell asleep on the bed by opposite mal aND he got a good amount of sleep like no night terrors and next day he accidentally slipped that reader ''slept'' w him and gils just like excuse me wtf?? Djkdkdlsjsjs idk i got this idea when i was staring at the ceiling at 4 am instead of doing my essays that were due in the morningxD sorry its p long. Thanks and have a good day/night (by @iwillboilyourteeth), [Prodigal Son-Masterlist]

Summary: Malcolm got hurt again. What a surprise. And, as always, you were right there to take care of him. Tonight, though, things took a turn. For the better or for the worse? Only the future would tell.

Words: 2,142

Warnings: language, love me some sarcasm, fluff, so much fluff, I love writing for Prodigal Son (keep the requests coming)

Song used: “I Remember” by Jason Manns

If you like my work & wanna support me: a coffee would be highly appreciated ❤

You were sitting in your apartment when your phone started ringing loudly, interrupting your movie marathon. Sighing exaggeratedly, you checked who decided to annoy you at this time. It was not too late but you liked your alone time a lot. Gil. Oh no. That could never be good.

“Uncle Gil. I hope whatever you’re about to tell me is more important than Harry Potter.” pausing the movie you were currently watching, you did not even give him enough time to greet you. A loud sigh could be heard over the phone. One, that made you laugh.

“(Y/N).” his voice was stern & you knew better than to mess with him. Yet, you could not help yourself.

“Yeah, that’s me. You called me, after all.” joking to ease the tension, your giggling was cut short by his next words.

“Malcolm is a dumbass.”

“What a revelation.”

“He’s hurt.” Gil stated. Throwing your head back in frustration, you knew he only called you if he knew it was not too bad. But bad enough to need your help. “I need you to come get him.” it was not even a question, more like an order. Immediately, you grabbed the stuff you needed & headed out of your apartment towards your car.

“Can I yell at him for being reckless?” opening the door, you got inside but before you started the engine, you waited for the call to end. Could not risk getting youself hurt. Malcolm was the stupid one, not you.

“I already did that but I’m sure he’ll appreciate to hear it again.”

“Good.”

“Drive safe.” Gil noted.

“See you in ten.” & with that you drove to the precinct where he would most likely wait for you.

Growing up, you spent a lot of time at Gil’s. Malcolm was there almost always, so you got to meet each other pretty early on. Deep down, you cared for him. More than you should care for a friend. And because of him being a profiler, you were sure he picked up on that as well. Malcolm was just nice enough to not comment on it. Besides, he would tell you that he was too broken anyway. The thing was that it never scared you away. It did the exact opposite, actually. It only made you want him more.

Did you ignore almost every speed limit? Possibly. Your knuckles were white because you had gripped the steering wheel so tightly. One of these days, you would kill Malcolm. He kept getting himself hurt & you were tired of being the one to drive him home afterwards. Of course, you knew Gil only called you because Malcolm trusted you enough but that did not change the fact that you were exhausted.

“What happened?” approaching Gil, your eyes looked around for a sign of Malcolm. “And where the hell is he?”

“Bathroom.” his finger pointed over. “He didn’t call backup & thought dealing with it alone would turn out fine.” Gil was, you could tell, almost as tired as you. Not only of Malcolm acting recklessly but also because of a long day at work.

“What a surprise.” your sarcasm got the best of you. But it helped you coping with your feelings sometimes. “Uncle Gil?” his head snapped up when you said his name.

“Yes?”

“Go home & get some sleep. I got it from here, promise.” your sweet smile was convincing enough & with a nod, he turned around & walked away.

“(Y/N)?” Malcolm noticed you when he walked out of the bathroom. His face was covered in bruised & by the way he was limping, you were sure that his entire body had to be sore. “Where’s Gil?”

“I sent him home.” shrugging as if it were nothing, you gave Malcolm a look. He knew what it meant but apparently, he wanted to play dumb.

“What?” his head tilted slightly & if it were not for his damn puppy eyes & for the fact that he was hurt, you would be the cause of his bruises. Not quite literally but still. Rolling your eyes at him, you crossed your arms over your chest.

“You’re stupid, I hope you know that.”

“I do, but we caught the killer, so it was worth it.” he casually stated.

“Is it really worth risking your life, Mal?” shaking your head shortly, you were not in the mood to discuss this any further. A simple gesture of your hand was enough to show him that you wanted to get going. “Come on, I’m gonna bring you home.”

“You’re mad.” Malcolm noted when the both of you walked outside back to your car. Sighing loudly, you stopped for a brief moment.

“Yes. I’m mad because I can’t even count how many times we’ve been in this exact situation anymore. And it sucks. Because every single time Gil calls me, I think he’ll tell me that you didn’t make it out like you always do.” Malcolm’s eyes widened when you explained how you were feeling. Your body brushing past his made him turn around & follow you without another word. It was silent between you two until you arrived inside Malcolm’s apartment.

“I’m sorry, (Y/N).” he spoke up, his voice much softer now. When you saw him struggling to pull off his coat, you walked over to him to help him out.

“You don’t owe me an apology, Mal.” your back faced him when you went to put his jacket away.

“I do. You always take care of me when shit like that happens. And I wanted you to know that I don’t take that for granted. If I were you, I would’ve stopped caring a long time ago.”

“You know as much as I do that this won’t ever happen.” & it was true. Malcolm could mess up over & over again. Could get himself hurt & all that. But you would always be here to catch him, no matter what.

“I don’t deserve you.” his eyes bore into yours & by the look he gave you, you knew he was not talking about you taking care of him when he was hurt. He was referring to you as a person. Basically, he wanted to make you understand that he was not worthy of your love. Which was bullshit to you.

“You deserve so much & it hurts that you don’t see it.” the conversation dropped for the time being. Navigating your way through his apartment, you looked for something he could wear to bed. Soon enough, you found something suitable & when you walked back into the room ,you found Malcolm already sitting on his bed, head hanging low. He stopped you when he noticed your hands grabbing the shirt he was wearing. Sending him a confused look, your eyebrows raised in question.

“I think I can handle it from here on.” taking the clothes from you, he went to strip himself out of his workwear. Surprisingly, he could not move his body enough to achieve anything.

“Yeah, I can see that. Come on, don’t act like that, Malcolm.” it was not the first time you had helped him undressing. As mentioned earlier, the two of you had been in this situation too many times to count.

It did not take long & he was wearing comfortable clothes. After asking if he needed anything else, you went straight to his restraints & helped strapping him in. It amazed Malcolm how you were not weirded out by the fact that he had to be held down in order to have at least a few hours of sleep.

“(Y/N)?” his voice was barely above a whisper but your humming let him know that you heard him. “Can you sing something for me?” it was meant to be a joke, he simply wanted to ease the tension between you guys. Thinking about it for a second, you came to the conclusion that it would not hurt to do that. Maybe it would help him fall asleep? Malcolm eyes widened when you actually started singing quietly. It was soothing & he closed his eyes to focus solely on your voice.

Hey you, when I saw you walk in there

And I couldn’t help but stare

At the way you move your hands

‘Cause it’s the little things you do that drive me crazy

And now, let’s forget about the crowd

And just concentrate on us

So that you can know what I want you to know

I remember how it started

You had everything I wanted

I was helpless to resist

But I didn’t want to

Only if you would hold me tight

As we talked all through the night

About those things you won’t tell no one else

I know that we’ve got long ways to go

But I want you to know

That I’ll be there till the end, so don’t you worry

I remember how it started

You had everything I wanted

I was helpless to resist

But I didn’t want to

‘Cause I fell in love with you-ou-ou

After you finished, Malcolm still had his eyes closed, he just laid there for a while, recalling the words of the song. He knew what you were trying to tell him but if he had to be honest, he was scared. If the two of you were to try something, he thought you would leave him the moment you realized his demons were too much for someone to handle. Malcolm did not hear you leave his apartment, neither did he feel a movement. Opening his eyes slowly, he found you sound asleep right next to him. Your peaceful form made him smile brightly. Contemplating if he should wake you up, he decided against it in the end. Deep down, he knew you would not judge him he if he had a night terror next to you. And if he were honest, having you with him made him incredibly calm. That night, he fell asleep almost immediately, without any nightmares invading his dreams. The reason for it was you. Only you.

Malcolm woke up early the next morning. Work called. Okay, maybe Gild had told him to take a few days off but everyone who knew Malcolm, knew that he did not listen to such orders. Or any orders, in general. You were still asleep when he loosened his restraints. He left you a note behind before leaving his apartment for work.

“Didn’t I tell you to stay at home?” Gil questioned the second Malcolm entered the office where the rest of the team was already up & working.

“You did but I’m fine.” Gil rolled his eyes at his words. Usually, whenever Malcolm insisted on being fine, he was everything but. Examining his face closer, Gil was shocked to see him so…well rested?

“Wait. How much did you sleep last night? You look unusually awake.”

“Oh, yeah. That’s because I slept with (Y/N) last night.” Malcolm spoke casually & went to examine the pictures that were displayed on the table in the middle of the room. Gil’s eyebrows raised at that. Dani only sent him a weird look & JT almost choked on his coffee at Malcolm’s confession. There were some things he did not want to know & his love life was one of it.

“Excuse me, what now?” Gil was the first one to press the topic further. Everyone knew how protective he could get when it came to you, his niece. When Malcolm turned around, he found three pairs of eyes looking sternly at him. Wait, what did he say? Realization washed over his face & he only now noticed how wrong his words sounded without any given context.

“No, wait…That came out wrong.” closing his eyes briefly, he prepared an explanation for his confused co-workers. “(Y/N) drove me home yesterday & she helped me with my restraints & all. She fell asleep & I didn’t wanna wake her up.” Malcolm’s hands gestured wildly, not wanting to give them the wrong impression of last night’s events. JT pretended to understand what he explained even though he had no idea & frankly, he did not care too much. Malcolm had lost Dani’s interest a while ago, she continued working on the next case. Only Gil was left. He gave Malcolm a knowing look, went over to him & patted him on the shoulder.

“You better take care of her, Bright. Or you have to deal with me.” his threatening smile creeped Malcolm out but he knew Gil was only trying to keep you safe. Maybe you were the right one for him. Last night was proof enough. It was scary to take that next step but on the other hand, he wanted to take that risk. He wanted to give it a try. For the both of you.

Published (04/20/2021) by Cathy

Tags: @octopus5555 (thanks for your support <3)

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igotanidea · 2 years ago

Text

Outside the box: Spencer Reid x reader

A/N: OC in this story is Gideon’s daughter, Sienna, aged 28, part-time college lecturer, full time helping the BAU team, cause yes, she’s about to be the profiler like her father. Reader is a college student, aspiring to join BAU, friends with Sienna, but not her student (cause befriending your teacher would be unethical, right :D), she’s somewhere around 21. Spencer is 24, just like in season 1.

Reader and OC are obviously two different people.

Also, my first Criminal Minds fic, and I;m still on season 1 so please don't eat me alive cause I can sense heavy OOC.

Summary: someone had a stressful week, filled with task and cases and one failed exam which became the last straw in the mental breakdown. So what can be better than searching help from a friend?

@somest1 I really hope this will make you feel at least slightly better.

***

“Look who decided to show up! Did your students finally killed your enthusiasm for teaching them something?”

“Haha. Extremely funny, Morgan” Sienna scoffed and threw her backpack onto the nearest chair, stretching her back “Maybe I should ask you if my father finally killed your self-confidence, but from what I can see it’s clearly impossible.”

“I’m sorry, dr Gideon” Derek stood up and came closer to her, grabbing her waist and pulling her into his chest, making her squeak in the effect “I missed you, babe.” He added, breathing in her characteristic fresh smell.

“Stop it.” She punched his chest playfully “I had enough trouble convincing everyone I’m good and I got here only because of my knowledge and skills and not because of my father. I don’t need you trying to make my efforts futile.”

“Oh, come on. Us being together is not a secret.” He caressed her back and she shivered involuntarily.

“Sienna.” Jason’s Gideon voice came from behind and Morgan had no choice but to let her go. Normally he had no problem with PDA, but not exactly right in front of his girl’s father’s eye.

“Hello dad. Professor Brown send his regards. He’s missing you dearly.”

“I’m sure he is.” Jason muttered. Brown was the first one to show his happiness when Gideon was called back on field.

“How’s the case going?”

“It would be going faster if you were helping…..”

“That is precisely why I am here” she grinned sending a wink towards Morgan, who just sighed deeply “Where is Mr IQ?”

“In the conference room with Elle. They are trying to put some pieces together.”

“I’m on my way to help. See you later, hon” not caring about her father gaze she raised on her tiptoes and kissed Morgan on the cheek before rushing to join Spencer and Elle.

“Don’t you got job to do as well, agent Morgan?” Jason smirked at the other man who just turned around and went to search for Patch. It was pretty funny how this macho man was turning into shy kitten whenever Gideon caught him with his daughter.

***

When Sienna got to the room the only person she found was Spencer, no Elle in sight.

“Hello, Spencer.”

“Hello Sienna. Your father mentioned you might be joining us.”

“My pleasure, so what are we working on here?”

Reid started to explain the case to her but before they got to the good part sudden commotion got their attention.

“Sienna!”

“Oh, shit, what the hell happened this time?” she muttered standing up, trying to look above the heads what or who might be the source of the furore. “WHAT?” she yelled at the top of her lungs making Reid cringe

“You are so different from your father, you know…. “ he muttered

“Yes, obviously, it’s my natural charm.”

“You got a guest, Sienna.” Patch showed himself up, crouching figure mincing behind him

“A guest? Here? Who would…..?”

“Sienna……” said figure sobbed

“Oh my god, Y/N? What happened? Why are you here?”

“I …. I had nowhere else to go….. I;m sorry. I know it’s your work and I should not interrupt, but …..”

“Oh, don’t be ridiculous.” Sienna put an arm around her friends arms and led her to the nearest chair making the girl sit down out of the prying eyes of Reid and Hotch. “Go away” she mouthed at the later. “How did you get in here? I gotta admit I’m impressed, you know. Normally the security would just go through the whole procedure to let you in.

“I told them I came to see you….” Y/N sobbed “And seeing me like this….”

“Yeah, I get it. It was easy to believe you were a victim of some crime.”

“Mhm…..”

“Ok, so, stop crying and tell me what’s wrong.” Sienna put a hand on Y/N’s arm. Come on, whatever it is, I;m sure we can handle.”

“It’s professor Boston. He…. He….. I failed his test. And this whole week has just been a mess and I can’t handle all the stress….”

“Wait till you get to work…..” Sienna muttered

“Maybe you can talk to him? Convince him to cut me some slack?”

“Boston? Even my dad could not persuade that old prick to do a thing. I’m sorry, Y/N. But you know what, I got an idea” she almost jumped from her chair due to the excitement. “Just…. just wait here, ok? I’ll be right back.”

“It’s not like I have another choice, do I?” Y/N shrugged knowing her friend too well. Once Sienna set her mind into something there was no way of things going differently.

***

“Spencer. Spencer, Spencer, Spencer”

“Are you catatonic now?” Reid raised eyes onto Sienna who was now right in front of him, smiling as wide as ever.

“Not that I would know that, but no. I got a favor to ask.”

“A favor?”

“Mhm. You remember my friend, Y/n there? You have meet......”

“At the university. I know you have very little faith in me, but I remember people I work with.”

“Do you now?” Sienna raised an eyebrow, testing his patience. Around a month earlier, she forced convinced Reid to give a lecture to the students. Y/N was one of the most interested in the subject and when it ended she shyly approached him to ask some further questions. They spend like two hours talking and exchanging opinions. Also, later on, Y/N and a few more students joined some extracurricular classes that Reid also joined (meaning of course that Sienna made him join knowing it would be good for his people skills).

“She gave me some food for thoughts. She's a smart one."

“Really? What a great coincidence then. Cause I’m gonna need you to help her.”

“What? Why? With what?”

“She failed a test.”

“So? If she was studying more…..”

“Don’t be prick!” Sienna swat his head lightly “Didn’t you ever fail….. Oh, sorry, of course you did not. You got IQ of 175….”

“187.” He corrected with flat face

“you never done a thing wrong in your life.” She continued, unimpressed “You’re a genius, blah, blah, blah.”

“Now you’re just being mean.”

“Really? You don’t say." she mocked "I’m serious Reid. She could really use your help with studying.”

“I don’t think I have enough time …..”

“I can’t believe I’m doing this, damn my honor. Please, Spencer. If you refuse to help how about some comforting words at least, hm? You know, she admires you. All those things I just mocked? She believes you to be an amazing, interesting person. An all-rounder with extensive knowledge and even if I hate it I have to admit that you truly are. You’re like some role model for her…..”

“I am?” he raised an eyebrow, quite suprised.

“Sure. And I saw that look on your face when she approached you after class. You like her.”

“I don’t….. want…..”

“Go talk to her. Just that. Maybe something good will come from this or maybe not, but you got a chance to do something good to another living being. How does that sound?”

“Um…..”

“Come on, Spencer. Take a leap of faith….”

“But she’s a student….”

“She’s three years younger than you. I know relationships with bigger age difference and they work well….” She looked across the room and her gaze focused on Morgan who was covered in some paperwork “he’s so handsome when he’s working…..” she muttered like a love sick puppy “just glowing…..”

“Ok, fine, I’ll go! Just please stop…. Whatever this is you’re doing. “

“Thank you, Reid.” She grinned turning back to her normal self. Oh, she was a sneaky one.

***

“Y/N?”

“Yes? Doctor Reid?” the girl looked up at him, surely not expecting that this was the “idea” of Sienna. “I…. I ……”

“dr Gideon mentioned to me what happened. May I?” he asked pointing at the spot next to Y/N who eagerly nodded.

“Did she?” I’m going to kill her.

“Mhm. You know, it’s …. normal for people to mess up sometimes.”

“Speaking from experience?” she chuckled and he followed “Maybe I am just stupid…..”

“You’re not stupid.” He panted without any hesitation. ”This is just an inconvenience. Like in the investigation. We are begin misled dozens of times. We are being played with, questioned, fooled at times, forced to change the approach, the strategy. But all those little obstacles are what steer us in the right direction. Mistakes happen, sometimes regardless of us. And you are not stupid. You would never make it this far if you were.“

“How can you tell? You don’t know me.”

“I know enough from your classes and Sienna’s stories."

“She’s been talking about me?”

“sometimes. Quite impressive things. And I know first-handed she’s not the one to get easily impressed. Did you know she laughed at my IQ?” he blurted without thinking. Why was this girl affecting him like this?

“Sounds like her. “ Y/n laughed “But that doesn’t make me feel any better.”

“ For now. “

“How so?”

“Moliere once said the greater the obstacle, the more glory in overcoming it. And you seem like a strong person. You…..you would be a good addition to the team. You have analytical brain and good instincts.”

“Again, how can you tell?”

“You asked me good questions back at those lectures. And I saw you working on the cases Sienna assigned to you as extra tasks. You are resilient, not giving up easily. And I'm sure you are not going to give up now."

"Now I can tell you are working with the profilers." she smiled sadly “but I don’t think that me putting in effort and being stubborn is enough. This class is ..... " she sighed, a few unmentionable words on the tip of her tounge "If I fail......"

"And what if you pass? Why not focus on the good outcome?"

"Oh, you;re a scientist. Don't bullshit me with wishful thinking."

"It's scientifically proven that good thoughts stimulate production of serotonin. And that helps you relax and focus better on the task."

"Hm." she muttered "I;d rather just have a piece of chocolate. I can't mess it up again."

“You won’t” he blurted out

“How…..?”

“I’ll help you. “

“You what now?” she spat angrily but quickly realised her wrongdoing “I'm sorry….” Her eyes widened in fear when she realized she was talking to the guy who was so much smarter and more esteemed than her “sorry, dr Reid, I did not mean to ….”

“You can call me Spencer. It’s … nice to be treated like a normal person, for once.”

“So…..” she looked at the floor “you’ll help me?”

“Yes. And then you’ll see that if anything you are rather too smart for this. Someone once told me to think outside the box….”

“Thank you!” she smiled through tears and without thinking hugged surprised boy who held his breath for a second. Just for a second and then relaxed.

“You’re welcome.” he patted her back awkwardly. This was suprisingly comforting. Maybe he could get used to that.

#spencer reid x y/n #spencer reid x oc #spencer reid x reader #spencer reid x you #spencer reid fic #spencer reid fanfiction #spencer reid fluff #criminal minds fanfic #criminal minds x you #criminal minds x y/n #criminal minds x reader #criminal minds x oc #criminal minds

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mcmusing · 3 years ago

Text

😲....... 😵.......... EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE 😍😃

Zack: Hey, take it easy, Tiger Zord. No need to fall out. We're all family here.

Billy: Though your enthusiasm is commendable.

ATG: I.... I cannot believe this.

Jason: We're flattered, but we figured you'd be used to your OG Support Squad answering your distress calls by now.

ATG: Oh, I am. I just can't believe you guys didn't pop in when I was in mid-rant like the others.

Zack: Nah, we taught you better than that.

Tommy: Also, the others came to pry you from the pit. With the sky so grey, we thought you could use a burst of real color.

Trini: We're also here to say how sorry we are.

ATG: What??? No way. You guys are the last ones needing to apologize. For years, you were my siblings; my legit family.

Tommy: We know. That's kind of the reason we're sorry. We took care of you for so long and we thought we molded a better world for you than this.

Jason: A peaceful and friendly world.

Kim: With no hatred.

Billy: No prejudice.

Trini: No crime.

Zack: And no wars.

Billy: Admittedly, we were young and unrealistic, but none of us could have predicted a modern day so backwards.

Zack: Yeah, anything our big bads dished out looks humanitarian next to this mess.

ATG: I know, right? Give me Rita and Lord Zedd any day over this transparent tyranny.

Billy: History is being erased at such an inconceivable rate that I almost suspect a spell.

Kim: Erasure is the more merciful option than what the media is doing. These dweebs are seriously out to demolish all of our legacies.

Trini: Walt Disney, George Lucas, Stan Lee....

Zack: Saban. What was up with that Power Rangers parody they called a reboot?

Tommy: That flick is worse than any evil ranger clones we've tangled with. They assassinated our characters and stuck them in some YA dystopia. That's what kids relate to now?

Zack: That and race swapping, apparently.

ATG: Ugh, some idiots still act like it was a federal crime that you and Trini were black and yellow.

Kim: Yeah, how was that a hate crime but no one griped about pink being associated with someone as girly as me?

Tommy: Or when they thought I was white and had the same ranger color. Then, when they found out I'm native american, suddenly I wasn't allowed to be the red ranger anymore.

Billy: That overblown racial falsehood somehow forgets the fact that our show and action scenes originated in Japan. Color symbolism over there is significantly different than that of the US. For instance, our team never had a purple ranger due to the color's negative connotations within Japanese culture.

Trini: And before my actress got the role, they casted a white girl for the yellow ranger. Things just got shifted around. There was no nefarious motive involved. Except for how underpaid our actors were.

Zack: Because Saban's one and only motive is the almighty dollar. But I remember a lot of black boys looked up to me.

Billy: The same way introverted kids with low self-esteem looked up to me.

Kim: Seriously, our team rocked diversity before it became forced. The Power Rangers actually gave boys and girls a common interest they could enjoy together.

ATG: Trust me, I remember well. Playing rangers with the boys was one of the few bright spots of school. But no one ever wants to talk about wholesome aspects like that.

Jason: Least of all, suburban mothers. They were convinced we were negatively influencing kids with violence.

ATG: That makes less sense than the race hustling thing. Unless you were under a spell, you guys only ever fought monsters trying to destroy the city. In your spare time, you taught sports to preteens. And what about all of your PSAs? Anti-bullying, don't imitate tv stunts at home, fight only for self-defense, don't talk to strangers....

Zack: We figured you were the only one who listened to those. But let's face it, you're the only one who even remembers them.

ATG: More than I realized growing up. Yep, coolest kid ever- that's me.

Jason: No matter how lonely you felt, deep down you knew you didn't care about popularity. Not at the cost of losing who you really are.

ATG: What I am struggling to remember is who that person was.

Kim: Is. Yes, you've been unwell for the last few years, but you're still you. You still want to fight back by doing good.

ATG: And I feel outnumbered a billion to one. I can't single-handedly usher in that better world you guys talked about.

Jason: When did anyone ask you to? As idealistic as our hopes sounded, don't forget what else we said. Everyone has to do their part.

Trini: It's a frustrating conundrum. People feel discouraged, believing nothing they do makes a difference.

Billy: It easier to conform than to correct.

ATG: I love how all of you OGs are coming from different fandoms and dimensions yet you're all the living embodiment of the 'anti-conformity tag'.

Jason: Because none of us are saying it for edginess clout. People can say what they will about what unrealistic, good-natured teenagers we were, but we only wanted to set an example.

Kim: There is so much more to heroism than cool costumes and robot battle royale. I think you knew that even back then.

Tommy: Take it from someone almost swallowed by darkness. Regardless of my skills, for so long I felt unworthy of standing alongside these guys. Do you remember all the turmoil with my green ranger powers?

ATG: I could never forget that. It was one of the most intense storylines.

Tommy: Tell me about it. I was miserable when it first happened; more lost than my powers. When Zordon managed to restore some of my green energy, it was hard to be happy about it. I lived in constant dread of potentially losing them again.

Zack: Huh, sounds like somebody else we know....

ATG: I really want to kick whatever crackhead who says you guys aren't relatable.

Kim: We know it's hard, but it's definitely not hopeless. Your entire life is proof of that. We remember the little girl we used to shelter. The one who loved the people inside the suits way more than the powers themselves. Everything has changed for you for the better.

Tommy: We've walked such similar paths, Princess. You think you're fighting for your powers, but you're actually fighting for your life. Through whatever pain and sadness, the will to live is greater than any ranger power.

Trini: More than that, you're fighting for life itself. In a world that's made you feel so out of place. You still comprehend the sanctity of life. You still respect and desire to preserve it. One ranger in particular would be honored to learn she served any small part in helping you forge such a mindset.

ATG: Trini....

Trini: Honey, I know. It's okay.

Kim: You're going to be better than okay.

Jason: To paraphrase a wizard we all once knew, the world is lucky to have you and so are we.

ATG: I really hope so. I was sure lucky to have all of you. Thank you.

Zack: I really hope you give that head of yours a rest. You know you need to tackle that laundry that should've been put away yesterday.

ATG: 😑........ Thank you, Zack.

God Bless, God Rest

Thuy Trang

1973-2001

💛Cherished Sister-Ranger💛

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americancowgirl19 · 4 years ago

Text

Old Times

Summary: You find your purpose in hopes of easing your conscious.

Warnings: angst, fluff, this is a part 2/sequel

Reader: Female Reader

Pairings: Dick Grayson x Reader

Word Count: 1,878

A/n: I thought I would tag you two since you mentioned you guys wanted a part two; @pleasestophoney @graysonswonder

Masterlist - Part One (Eight Year)

Fuck whoever said knowing was the better choice. Knowing sucked and you wished that you were back to being in the dark about the things you’ve done. Sure, when you couldn’t remember your mind filled in the blanks for you. You would imagine what you had done. You’re imagination was far more merciful compared to the truth.

Your memories returned to you mainly at night, although you got flashes during the day if you were ‘lucky’. As time passed you became more and more aware of how dangerous and deadly you had become. In the last eight years, you were a merciless killing machine that made the Joker look like a fucking kitty cat.

The more you remembered the more you considered handing yourself over to the members of the League that wanted your head. You understood their need for revenge. Hell, if someone had done to you what you had done to them, you’d be demanding justice yourself.

You shared your father’s rule of no killing, at least you did before you were taken, but you knew you’d break that rule if someone killed anyone in your family. In fact, if you weren’t so scared of reverting into a mindless beast you would have torn the Joker apart for killing Jason. But you feared if you killed him, you wouldn’t be able to stop yourself.

“What’re you doing out here?” Dick questions groggily. You turn your head just enough to see him in your peripheral vision. You had been sitting on the balcony of your shared apartment in Bludhaven for a couple of hours now.

It was one of the rare nights Dick had come home early. Bludhaven was quiet thus prompting Dick to return home to you sooner than usual. Since your return a couple of months ago, Dick continued being Bludhaven’s Nightwing.

You weren’t ready to join him as Nightshade. Although, that didn’t stop you from using your enhanced hearing to keep track of him. If he was in a trouble he couldn’t get out of, you could get to him within a minute. Luckily he hasn’t needed you yet. You doubted he would. He has survived eight years without you.

You felt guilty for not staying in bed with him. You only got him to yourself so often but you didn’t want to keep him up with your restlessness. He needed his sleep.

Dick joins you on the patio loveseat. He looks at you before sliding his arm around your waist. You shuffle as he pulls you onto his lap. His natural warmth engulfs you. You almost moan as you settle into his comforting embrace.

“I have the day off tomorrow,” Dick mutters, resting his head on yours. You hum snuggling closer to him.

“You have the day off or you’re taking the day off?” You wonder.

“Either way you’ve got me all day tomorrow... later today,” He corrects himself noticing that it’s technically early morning instead of late at night.

“You don’t have to take off work to babysit me,” You mumble.

“I don’t have to do anything but I want to spend the day with you tomorrow,” He tells you. Having grown up with his stubbornness, you let it go. “It’s gonna be a sunny day. I thought I’d take you to a market in the next town over,” A small smile comes to your lips. “Do you wanna try and get some more sleep?

“I was actually debating pouring a stiff drink,” You admit. “I’m gonna have to see if Wally will talk to me and give me some of that strong shit he drinks cause what you have tastes like water,” Dick scoffs.

“You used to get fucked off of three beers,” Dick mutters.

“Then I got super metabolism and cheap drinking went out the window,” You grumble. Dick kisses the crown of your head.

“I’ll give him a call,” He whisper.

“Diana sent you an email while you were asleep,” You tell him. He hums questionably. “They’re making a memorial for the fallen... I wonder if they’ll ask me to be a guest speaker,” You snark sarcastically. Dicks grip around you tightens. “I guess they figured since I’m ‘back-to-normal’ there won’t be anymore mass superhero killings,” Your eyes become misty. “She was nice enough to put a list attachment,” You voice shakes. “Katherine, John, Oliver... Donna,” You clench your eyes as you slowly breakdown.

“Hey, hey, stop,” You shift to straddle his waste. You cling to him, your head falling into his neck. He pets the back of your head and rub circles into your back. “Shh, sweetheart, it’s alright,” You try to keep collected even though you’re falling apart. “Y/n, look at me.. Please, baby,” You reluctantly pull from his neck. He presses his head against yours. “Tell me what to do, how can I help?”

You didn’t know how to answer, so you just move your head back to the crook of his neck. His arms lock around you as tightly as he can hoping that he can hold you together.

How could you come to terms with what happened? It’s not like there’s a shrink that could be trusted with the information in your mind. It’s not like that many people knew what you were going through. You just wanted to be normal again.

When you calmed down, Dick continued to hold you tightly. You would sniffle here and there but other than that neither of you made any noise. When you slowly began to drift off, Dick stood from the loveseat. His hands held you securely to his chest as he carried you back to bed.

When you both laid down, you faced each other. There was hardly space between you but enough to look at each other. The light of the moon gave just enough light to be able to see prominent features of his face.

“It won’t be like this forever,” He promises, brushing his fingers across your cheek. Your eyes slowly begin to close.

“Do you think there’ll be an antique shop by the market tomorrow?” You wonder.

“I’m sure we can find one,” He whispers, tugging you to his chest. You snuggle close, lightly kissing his peck.

When the sun rose, neither of your were necessarily in a hurry to leave the comfort of the bed. It wasn’t until a little past noon did you two finally get up. You tried to be uplifting and happy as you went through the market but settled for content and not sobbingly falling apart.

You had nearly a half an hour of peaceful normalcy until you picked up on someone following you. You didn’t know if Dick noticed but you began directing him to a secluded alley. You were halfway down when you sensed something coming toward you.

Instinctively, you spun around and pushed Dick behind you. You hand flew up and caught the red arrow. Toward the end of the alley stood someone you used to get along with but now looked at you with murderous intent. You pushed Dick a good few feet away from you seconds before the arrow exploded. The explosion only singed parts of your outfit.

“Roy!” Dick snapped, glaring at the redhead.

“Why do you get to walk away?” Roy snapped, gripping his bow. “You hunt us down and kill us for eight years.” He snarls.

“That wasn’t her, Roy” Dick tells him. “She didn’t have a choice,”

“How convenient for her,” Roy snaps. You cast your gaze to the ground in shame.

“What are you doing here Roy? What do you want?” Dick asks, standing with you shoulder-to-shoulder.

“I want justice,” Roy snaps. “You don’t get to slaughter people and just walk away,”

“It wasn’t her,” Dick growls, clenching his fists. “She wasn’t in control, she-”

“I’ll stand trial,” You cut Dick off. His head whips around to you. “The league will decide what happens,”

“They’ve already voted on what to do with you,” Dick reminds both you and Roy. “They know you weren’t in control. You’re just as much a victim as the others,” You look at Dick, your mind reeling.

“Then lets get the bastard that pulled my strings,” You say. You turn your head to Roy.

“They’ve already tried finding the ones that took you,” Roy says.

“Yeah, well they didn’t have me,” You tell him. “I have a better chance than anyone at finding them. You want justice? I want redemption. Let’s avenge those that died,” Roy stares at you, obviously intrigued with the idea. “I can’t do it alone, I’ll need help,”

“We’ll need a team,” Dick says. “Those we trust,” He emphasized. The last thing he wanted was someone convinced you were the problem and trying to kill you in your sleep. He would already have his hands full with the mission and keeping an eye on Roy.

“Have anyone in mind?” Roy tilts his head.

“A few,” You mutter.

Within a couple of weeks, your team was put together. You convinced Conner to come so that you would have added muscle and someone strong enough to stand against you should the ones you’re going after rescramble your mind. Wally joined mainly to keep the mood lifted and tensions as low as possible. His naturally happy aurora would hopefully keep Roy from turning against you all and to keep him fighting with Dick.

Plus him and Conner were your friends before all this happened and were the few that remained by your side after all these years.

The last to join was Jason. You added the Joker to the list of people you needed to take down. You wanted him because one, he’s your brother, and two, he’s willing to kill. He knew how to do what needed to be done and most of the people you were going after didn’t deserve a trial nor a second chance.

The six of you were a large and qualified team. You knew not to underestimate you opponent. You knew how to work together. And you all had a reason to fight.

For the first time you felt like you had a purpose, a true and righteous purpose.

“Are you sure you’re up for this?” Dick, dressed in his Nightwing, costume questions stepping up to you. You smile, readjusting your mask.

It didn’t feel right to become Nightshade again. You weren’t that person anymore. You were someone else now. Tim redesigned your costume as you donned a new name.

“This is something I need to do,” You tell him. “I don’t know if it’ll settle the nightmares or ease the guilt but hopefully it’ll give others a sense of closure if we get them and prevent this from happening again,”

“Ok,” Dick mutters, nodding. “If this gets too much, step back and let us handle it,”

“Please,” You smirk. “Without me, you idiots would be running around like chickens without a head,” Dick smirks widely. “Don’t worry so much, baby, it’ll be like old times,” You wink kissing his cheek. The simple kiss isn’t enough for him. His arm instantly slings around your waist and pulls you against him.

Dick presses his lips against yours. You breathe slowly through your nose and lean against him.

“Just like old times,” He murmurs against your lips.

#Dick Grayson #Dick Grayson x Reader #Dick Grayson x Female!reader #x reader #x fem!reader #x female reader #Nightwing #Roy Harper #Conner Kent #Jason Todd #DC Comics

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consumeconstantly · 4 years ago

Text

The Only Antidote is a Kiss

Summary: Scarecrow always did come up with the most whacky chemical formulas to test on people. Red Hood gets dosed with his latest toxin, and the only way to cure it is with a kiss. The only candidate? Long time rival and almost enemy, Ladybird.

____________________________________________________

“No,” Red Hood said, resolutely. “No way in hell.”

Red Robin’s exasperated voice crackled over the comm. “Hood, if you don’t, you’re going to die.”

“Do you think I care? Death is better.”

“I would say that’s insulting if I didn’t feel the exact same way.” Ladybird nonchalantly twirled a yoyo at her side. “Besides, ten minutes is plenty of time to get him someone else.”

“You two are in the middle of nowhere. It’s thirty minutes to the nearest city.”

“Yeah, but the suburbs are always an option. You Bats always seem to miss the obvious solution.”

“I’m not kissing her,” Red Hood repeated.

“I know that you two are…” Red Robin tried to find a more delicate way to word their relationship, “Not always on the best of terms, but you are on the same side right now. Ladybird, you don’t want Red Hood to die, do you?”

Plying Ladybird was always easier than trying to convince Red Hood. The woman had a heart of gold. Today? No such luck.

“He’s not going to die,” Ladybird scoffed. “If he dies over this instead of the many, many, many assassination attempts that I saved him from, I’ll feel insulted. But I’m also not going to help. I’m not going to kiss an unwilling party, and certainly not one with a mug as ugly as Red Hood.”

“You’ve never even seen my face!” Red Hood argued from safely inside his beauteous red bucket.

“Yeah, well you’ve never seen mine either, and yet somehow, you have no issue with calling me disfigured every time our paths cross.”

“You’re wearing a mask. Only people who are horribly scarred wear full face masks.”

“Oh, so you’re admitting you’re ugly then?”

“No, I’m wearing a helmet, not a mask. Big difference.”

Ladybird barely stopped herself from bashing her head against the cement and steel wall. If the action didn’t break her mask, she would have considered going through with it. “God, this is why I’m not going to kiss him, Red Robin. Can’t you use one of those zeta things and drop in a girl for him to make out with?”

“You know they don’t work like that.”

“I wouldn’t know, it’s not like I’m in the Justice League.”

“Not for a lack of trying! We’ve offered you the position at least ten different times.”

“Yeah, on the condition that I get Red Hood to join up too. That certainly doesn’t sound like you guys actually want my help.”

“Nine minutes on the clock,” an automated voice reminded them.

“I say we blow this popsicle stand,” Red Hood pointed a finger up at the cement ceiling.

“Wow, what a stupendously original idea, Red Hood. It’s almost like the next thing out of your mouth might be something vaguely resembling intelligence. Oh wait, that’s right. We can’t get out of this hell hole because there’s three feet of cement on every side of us and we have no weapons that can help.”

“I haven’t had a crack at it, yet.”

“Be my guest. I’ll sit back and laugh at your failed attempts.” Ladybird reclined on a wall. “We both know that between the two of us, I’m the one who’s better at escape and solutions that don't require firearms. You don’t think with either one of your heads, you think with your AK-47.”

“My babies are all I need to get the job done. Your plans are always so unnecessarily convoluted.”

“They’re convoluted so I can cover my tracks instead of leaving evidence, debris, and dead bodies behind.”

“Uh, guys? Can you have your spat after Hood’s life is out of immediate danger?”

“No,” both of them chorused, immediately glaring at each other for speaking in sync.

“I doubt Scarecrow actually came up with a formula that will make you die if you don’t kiss someone of the opposite gender within ten minutes. That seems like the kind of chemical compound that’s featured in all of those really trashy romance novels, except instead of being unable to control your instincts, you die.” Ladybird considered the empty vial on the floor. “I’m confident that Red Hood can ride this out with minimal damage. Even if he does get horny, it’s not like he’s going to go for me-- drug induced state or not, he can’t stand my guts.”

“Can I just say that I don’t want to bank his life on that assumption?”

“It’s not like your life is the one at stake. Just try to get someone out here that can break down this welded door for us sooner, rather than later.” Ladybird gives Red Hood a once over. “Besides, if he does try anything, we all know that I’m more than capable of tying him up.”

“Hey, why don’t you use that Lucky Charm of yours?”

“Do you think I didn’t think of that already? That was one of the first things I considered.”

“So why didn’t you use it?”

“Oh, I don’t know, maybe the fact that after I do, I detransform within five minutes? Not a big fan of exposing my identity, plus it’s not like anybody’s in any real danger because we’re locked up here. Scarecrow’s tied up, the goons that welded the door shut on us aren’t capable of using their brains, and a team is going to bust us out in thirty minutes anyways.”

For the millionth time, Red Hood pounded his shoulder against the steel weld, hoping that something would give. Nothing happened.

A beep sounded.

“Ten minutes have passed.”

“See?” Ladybird crowed triumphantly. “I was right. Nothing’s--”

Red Hood fell to the floor, clawing at his chest.

“... happening. I jinxed it, didn’t I? I guess I’ll use it, then.”

Ladybird called for a lucky charm. No antidote fell into her hand. Just a sheet of paper, saying Kiss him.

“You’ve got to be kidding me. Tikki, don’t do me dirty like this!”

“Tikki? Who’s Tikki? What did the Lucky Charm give you?”

A wet cough sounded from underneath Red Hood’s helmet. He started to gasp for air.

Ladybird didn’t like Hood, but Red Robin was right. She had grown fond of him after saving his ass so many times. She wasn’t just going to let him die, especially not when she could help him. With a bone weary sigh, she knelt next to Red Hood.

“I guess we’re doing this, aren’t we? Red Robin, comms off.”

“Off? But Hood sounds like--”

“Off,” she repeated, firmly. “Or I’ll break them.”

The telltale sign of static ceased in her ears.

Ladybird held Red Hood by his shoulders, maneuvering his mask off.

“I hope you’re ugly,” she whispered.

He was not.

Even with blood on his lips, Jason Todd was unfortunately attractive.

“Gonna--” he coughed again, the spray of blood accompanied by a wheeze. “Bless me with your face before I die?”

“I can’t believe that you’re still snarky while you’re on death’s door.” Ladybird touched the full face mask that she added during her years as a vigilante in Gotham. She still has the usual Ladybug eye cover, so her identity is safe. But the noh mask provides a sense of safety to her. She’s loathe to take it off, but in order for a kiss to work, it needs to be put aside. With a sigh, she places it on the ground and places a hand over Red Hood’s startlingly blue eyes.

“Kinky,” he spat. Ladybird grimaced. Why she ended up on this mission alone with Red Hood was beyond her, but they always ended up in the worst situations together somehow, anyways.

Her lips descended on his.

Iron and sweat.

“Okay,” she said, wiping her lips with the hand that wasn’t preoccupied with shielding Red Hood’s eyes. “You feeling any better?”

He coughed again.

“Great, so Scarecrow was lying and I didn’t have to kiss you. You were just going to die anyways.”

She placed her noh mask back on, then pressed a button on her comm. “You’re going to want to speed up the whole backup team. Looks like Scarecrow was lying.”

“You’re kidding me. Scarecrow never lies--”

Red Hood sat up shakily.

“I’m fine, Replacement. Throat’s a little sore, but I’m fine.”

“Good to know his MO hasn’t changed,” Ladybird remarked. “I’d suggest that you wipe your face with something. It’s covered in blood.”

“And Ladybird cooties.” Red Hood used his forearm to wipe the blood off. Ladybird had to admit that the man was objectively good looking. The artist in her wanted to take a picture or sketch him. The shock of white hair, symmetrical features, and prominent nose. His eyes had a certain darkness in them, like he had seen the worst of the world, but there was still a clarity to them that said he was fighting against those injustices. “C’mon, you’ve seen my face, don’t you think it’s time to exchange the favor?”

“Backup’s arriving in three,” interjected Red Robin.

“There’s nothing in it for me.” Ladybird tugged the hood of her cloak down lower.

“Isn’t it weird that we kissed and I don’t know your face?”

“No.”

“You really are into some kinky shit.”

“Also no on that.”

“Then why not show me your face?”

“Stop being such a brat.”

“I know I’m older than you.”

“Bratiness isn’t measured in age, but in mental maturity. Which you have none of.”

“Please?”

“I’m almost tempted to take off my noh mask if only because that’s the first time I’ve ever heard you say the word please.”

“If I say it again, will you?”

“I’ll consider it.”

“Pretty please, Ladybird?”

“... Fine.” She’d get a laugh out of this anyways, and the team was minutes away from picking them up.

She took off her noh mask to reveal the red and black domino.

Red Hood cursed.

@jasonette-july-2k20

it’s wild that yall are liking my fics when i basically vomit these things up im honestly scared to look back at some of the ones that have been posted because i do not proof read or edit

#poison #jasonette #you ever want to see what's under a mask?#only to find another mask?#Marinette's masks are like those russian dolls #never ending #maribat #jasonette july #jason todd #marinette dupain cheng #miraculous ladybug #dcu

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ahtsumu · 4 years ago

Text

cOuNtRy BoY i LoVe YoUuU–– miya atsumu.

GENERAL HEADCANONS

☆ y’know that kid everyone hates but all the parents love? that’s miya atsumu for you

he’s such a mama’s boy ugh

she’ll see him with mud all over his jeans and be like “miya atsumu! what’d i tell you ‘bout goin’ muddin’!?” and he’s like “sorry ma! just got too excited”

and what’s she gonna do? nothing. absolutely nothing. she just laughs and shake her head because atsumu’s boyish charm is adorable

osamu hates this !!! they’re always competing for mama miya’s heart LOL

☆ says “mornin’ ma'am how’s your day been so far” to the gas station lady and then roasts the life out of his friends

anyone older than 30 adores atsumu to death and anyone his age thinks he’s the annoying dumb hot guy LMAO

☆ plays quarterback on the football team and he’s damn good at what he does !! he’s taken the team to nationals three times already and he’s hoping to end senior year with a first place trophy

☆ teachers also love him to death bc he’s such a sweet-talker and asking questions as if he actually cares about differential equations and antiderivatives but nooo LOL bby’s just trying to make the GPA cut for travelling

it’s a 2.2

☆ on days without practice he’ll hang out around the school parking lot with the Gang™, leaning against his pick-up truck and blasting music from his car speakers to look “cool”

rlly he’s just wasting his time and even his friends think it’s stupid asf like omg no one is looking. atsumu how r u not embarrassed

☆ drives stick shift and thinks he’s hot shit 😭😭😭 he’s not wrong it is hot tho

☆ plays country trap around the boys

when “old town road” first dropped lil nas x was on repeat for 2 months

atsumu has a playlist of EVERY SINGLE REMIX and he’s like “they’re differENT juSt liSTen!!!”

out of all of the boys he has the WORST taste in country music it’s deadass just lil nas x, florida georgia line, luke combs, and morgan wallen

sometimes he’ll spice it up with a little luke bryan but that’s pushing it 😭

his guilty pleasure is that one farmer song by lil tracy and lil uzi vert

do not trust him with the aux

someone come collect him pls

☆ atsumu’s favourite southern meal undoubtedly has meat in it–– ribs, fried chicken, pulled pork, you name it

but he’s weak for peach cobbler and a side of vanilla ice cream for dessert bc homeboy’s got a massive sweet tooth

☆ he may be helpful in helping out with farmwork but this boy cannot fish to save his life

he has a picture of him holding a MASSIVE trout on his instagram and tinder (which he downloaded illegally for his ego lmfao) but really osamu caught it for dinner one night while camping and atsumu stole it for a 30 second photo

☆ owns camouflage but ironically !

whips it out on days he thinks suna might pull up in camo

why? no one knows. it cracks him up tho LMFAO

☆ atsumu actually dresses quite well–– his style is the typical southern prep:

a pair of jeans/shorts and a crisp button-up paired with double monks

loves a good leather belt

his favourite leather is BROWN leather, thank you very much !

☆ owns cowboy boots and he’s so proud of them

they’re steel-toed and decorated by a simple stitch pattern but it gets all the city folks fawning over him so it’s his most prized possession

HE USES THEM TO IMPRESS CITY FOLK LOL he’s like “howdy” and they’re like 😍🤤😍🤤😍🤤

flirts by asking if they’d like to see his horse i––

☆ like his twin, atsumu is undoubtedly great with animals

dogs love him !! like they’re just naturally attracted to him plus he gets so smiley and happy around them

he was probably a golden retriever in a past life lmfaoo

he’s a phenomenal horse-rider too

he rides the horses out at night bc he just loves the wind in his face,,, like a dog

where he differs from osamu is that he hates the actual work of taking care of an animal lmao

☆ works a summer job at six flags because he loves going on rides for free he’s so cute ugh

DATING HEADCANONS

☆ aside from football atsumu also starts the inarizaki high school slam poetry club, which is, coincidentally, also just the entire football team

listen it’s rlly cute how the slam poetry club was founded ok don’t laugh

after developing a massive crush on you, atsumu realises that he’s got too much of a meathead reputation to stand a chance LOL so he goes out of his way seem more “intellectual”

basically he’s like “i’m gonna venture into poetry bc girls love sensitive guys” and convinces the entire football team to host slam poetry nights in hopes you’ll show up at the shows

he starts leaving little poems in your locker and it’s like rupi kaur shit 😭

“you’re the brightest rose

in this garden

and you

don’t

even

know.

---a.m.”

☆ anyway you don’t even show up to the slam nights (you have ✨taste✨) but you do show up to his games!

☆ and eventually he works up the courage to actually ask you out and ofc you say yes bc he does it in such a cute way ugh

he stops you in the parking lot after a game and goes like “hey, uh, yer in my econ class and all yer comments are always so funny and..” and he’s just word-vomiting and eventually he gets to the point where he’s like “anyway i was wonderin’ if yer free friday night?”

☆ your first date is actually at an empty field near school

you’re just talking and getting to know each other better in the back of his pick-up truck under a bright moon, covered in blankets, each of you cradling a hot mug of cider

it’s kinda chilly but atsumu is literally a furnace

and atsumu just opens up the notes app on his phone and he reads you six poems and they’re all like 4 lines with weird enjambment HAHAHA

“you look.

just like the moon.

---a.m.”

most of his lines are actually plagiarised from popular country songs and you definitely recognise them but he just looks so darn cute awh you can’t rlly call him out rn (but you definitely do later in your relationship)

around two hours into the date he’s like “actually i’m the president of the slam poetry club” and you’re like “oh that’s cool!” (no it’s not omg ur praying he doesn’t start slamming right then and there bc you’ve heard rumours of what horrors the club has produced)

☆ if you like driving be prepared to Not Drive once you start dating atsumu (... or at least drive Less Frequently… unless you cut him a deal of some sort...)

he LOVES picking you up for school and this is the only time he’ll change the music playing in his car !!

he puts on the little playlist he made just for you and it’s got songs like:

cruise by florida georgia line (he literally always runs up to you and randomly sings “baby you a song” 😭)

burnin’ it down by jason aldean

play it again by luke bryan

but your song is “our song” by taylor swift ugh he knows every single line and he’s been dreaming of having a relationship like the one she describes ever since it dropped

ps: he’s actually the world’s biggest swiftie and thinks her earliest albums were the best

he got osamu on board too LMAO they go to her concerts whenever she visits their state. now you do too!!

☆ always drives with one hand on your thigh bc he’s just like that 🥰

☆ tried to learn how to play the guitar to serenade you but it was a miserable fail (he just can’t do the barre chords bc they’re so hard and what for !!)

☆ he’s such a good line-dancer tho

he’ll take you out to dance and it’s just such a vibe to see him smiling under lights, spinning you around at the barn dance with the goofiest smile on his face

☆ any time you guys fight or argue he’ll head out to the pasture behind his house and brood under the moon in the back of his pick-up truck LOL he’s so dramatic but it’s so cute!!

#miya atsumu #miya atsumu x reader #miya atsumu hcs #miya atsumu headcanons #haikyuu!!

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princess-of-the-corner · 4 years ago

Note

Ok, so I remember Dragon coming up with a Chloe DP au, and for some reason that combined in my head with your post about Vlad and the rich kids and the S4 spoilers so... imagine Chloe at Vlad’s party during a ghost attack, feeling depressed and useless and generally just thinking about being replaced. somehow she ends up in Vlad’s lair, self reflecting in front of the portal when it gets hit by a power surge. Most of the class just sees her being carried out to the ambulance, but 2 know better

Me: “I need to work on all my other fics.”

Also me: “Time to work on several pages of Chloé half dying!!! And another bootleg version of one of Dragon’s AUs!”

Vlad and Danny are on kinda friendly terms in this mostly because I wanted to write them snarking at each other.

Chloé was glad to get out of Paris for a while. A decision her father had made after, well. Certain incidents. Making her feel unsafe in Paris. So she was sent away to a place without Hawkmoth or Akumas.

Smoothing out the skirt of her pale yellow, nearly white, dress, she contemplated the place she ended up.

She would have been prepared for New York. But of course Audrey said she was too "Unexceptional" yet. But as Audrey had to go on a business trip to meet other rich business people at some fancy party, Chloé's dad convinced her to take her to this place.

Not that business parties full of other rich people were something she really wanted to deal with. They were usually too condescending at best. A few of them could be creepy. Giving her looks that made her want to take a shower for a year.

It was almost enough to make her want to stay in Paris. But the one thing that made her decide it wouldn't be too bad was who was hosting the party.

Don't get her wrong. Vlad Masters definitely gave off some strange and downright intimidating vibes. But the few times Chloé had met him at events like this, he was one of the few adults who seemed to respect her, despite her age. And he only used his threatening vibes on any of the other men looking at her.

That said, Chloé wasn't expecting much conversation with Vlad. They didn't usually talk much anyway, just polite conversation common at these things. And as Audrey was currently attempting to engage with him, almost as if she were blocking Chloé from getting near, it was unlikely she would.

"If you're going to commit a murder could you wait another twenty minutes? I have a bet going."

Chloé jumped, realizing someone was speaking to her. When she found who, her initial instinct was to glare. Blue eyes and black hair making her think of someone else.

However, as she took in the rest of the context, she found someone new. And male. A boy about her age.

"Who are you?" Chloé asked.

"Head of security," the boy said.

It was obviously a joke, from his tone and lopsided grin. And Chloé almost laughed at the idea of a teenager being any kind of security.

But she noticed the way he stood, the way he analyzed her. It reminded her of Adrien, in a way. Seemingly all smiles and laid back, but far more capable than he looks.

There was something else about him too. It actually reminded her of Vlad. The general vibes he gave off. But Vlad felt more… firey. Heat under his skin, waiting for the temper to snap. This boy felt more cold. Not emotionally, but like a snowfall that could quickly engulf you in a blizzard.

"I think a name would be better," Chloé said.

"Call me Danny then," the boy said, offering a hand.

"Chloé Bourgeois," she replied, politely taking it. "So, judging by the fact that you didn't give me your last name, you don't want me guessing who you're connected to."

"You probably wouldn't know them," he said. "My family's known for their studies on the paranormal. They're scientists. And not really the kind for this kind of party."

"But you are?" She raised an eyebrow.

"Absolutely not," he said. "But hey. Vlad's trying to buy his way to an apology by giving me money if I hang out and make sure nothing spooks the guests. Other than him, of course. Might as well put it in my college fund. So, you actually planning a murder or not?"

That almost made her laugh. A small smile on her face, Chloé's gaze drifted across the room to her mother.

"No murder yet," Chloé said. "If I do kill someone, it'll be the local supervillain back in Paris."

"Heard something about that," Danny said. "My parents keep debating on checking it out. It's obviously paranormal and magical, but they specialize in Ghosts."

"Are they the Ghostbusters?" She did actually laugh at that one.

"Something like that," he chuckled.

All of a sudden, Danny stiffened up. It had to be a trick of the light, but she could've sworn a mist came out of his mouth. He frowned, looking around carefully.

"Sorry, I have to go," Danny said. "A disturbance in the garden. See you around."

"Yeah, see you," Chloé sighed.

As he ran off through the crowd, Chloé wondered how he knew about the "disturbance". Maybe he was actually part of the security team and had an earpiece in?

Brushing the thought off, Chloé grabbed a drink from a passing waiter. Then she headed the opposite direction.

She wanted some time alone. It had been nice, talking to Danny. But the party was still overwhelming. She might be out of Paris, which meant less stares and whispers. But still too much interaction for her liking lately.

Chloé headed out of the main ballroom. Few paid attention to her. Those that did were quickly dragged back to their conversations.

As she wandered the halls, Chloé wondered if she could get lost in here. If her mother would notice. Maybe she could just. Not go home and just secretly live in Vlad's mansion.

A tempting idea, if she could figure out how to do it. But for now, she settled for exploring.

There was a library. Very nice. Bookshelves along every wall, except for a spot for a fireplace. Comfortable chairs and a couch to read on.

She looked through the bookshelves. It seemed well stocked, despite the impossibility of ever reading them all. Most were nonfiction, texts on various subjects. A few seemed to be typical fiction, though Chloé didn't inspect those too close lest she judge Vlad's collection of trashy romance novels.

What intrigued her was one large shelf, right across from the fireplace. These books actually looked well-used. Texts on the paranormal. Hadn't Danny said something about that? Between this and the familiarity with Vlad, perhaps it was a family-friend situation.

Dragging a finger along the spines of the books, she picked one at random. Pure curiosity more than actual interest.

The book was soon dropped and forgotten when the shelf slid open to reveal a doorway.

Now that had her curious and interested.

A look over her shoulder at the door, and Chloé was in the new room. No, a new hall of stairs. Descending down stone steps.

She was suddenly worried she would find some sort of kinky dungeon type place. Perhaps she should quit while she was ahead.

It was the buzzing in her fingertips that made the decision for her. Something… familiar.

It wasn't like the buzzing she felt near an Akuma, or near someone using a Miraculous. No, this felt more like Vlad. Like Danny. Whatever she was feeling from them, there was more of it down here.

Eventually the stairway opened to a room. It looked like a laboratory of some kind. Weapons and tools of shiny metal and magenta accents lined the walls. There were a few that traded magenta for green, but not as if two people consistently shared a space. More like one occasionally left objects behind.

The one thing in the room that was overwhelmingly green and not magenta was against one wall.

It almost looked like a doorway of sorts. Or a Magic Portal, really. Swirls of green that she couldn't see into. And if she hadn't spent the last year and a half being attacked by Magical Supervillains and becoming a Hero herself, she would've assumed it was just a large tv screen embedded in the wall for aesthetics.

The reminder of her time as a Hero brought back some bitter memories.

She might not have been the best person, but she was a good Hero. Chloé would have gladly continued being Queen Bee, despite the risks, because she had felt like she finally found a purpose. But Ladybug told her no, she couldn't have the Miraculous anymore. For her safety of course.

What a joke. Not only had Chloé been in more danger without it, as there was no way she could defend herself against Hawkmoth. But the other Heroes were still active, even with their identities known.

With a sigh, Chloé attempted to distract herself. Walking around the room and investigating the weapons around the lab. They were strange. She wasn't a gun expert, but these didn't look normal. Not regular guns that shoot bullets.

Were they alien weaponry? That didn't seem right. Chloé wasn't an expert, having never met an alien(as far as she was aware). But the weapons seemed very based on Earth designs, their sizes intended for average Human use. Maybe weapons for Humans to use on nonhumam creatures.

Whatever it was, Chloé was now a bit curious. What did Vlad get up to when he wasn't hosting business parties like this? Did he perhaps moonlight as a superhero? With that Danny kid as the Robin to his Batman? Perhaps she should stay. Be the Jason Todd of the family. Though with less dying.

She almost laughed at the idea. But as a crack of thunder rang through the mansion, loud enough to be heard from this basement laboratory, she jumped, instinctively spinning around to look for an attack.

A second crack of thunder, and all the lights went dark.

Chloé was not afraid of the dark. She never had been, even as a child.

But she was afraid now. Because this wasn't a normal blackout. In a mansion like this, there would be emergency generators. They didn't kick in, which meant this was likely something else.

Amity Park was different from Paris. No Hawkmoth. No Akumas. But that didn't mean there was no danger.

And the thing Chloé had become afraid of, after so many Akuma attacks and even Hawkmoth himself coming to her home, her room, and confronting her. The thing she was afraid of was being unable to fight back.

Her breath began to quicken, the only noise she could hear in the dark room. Heart hammering in her chest, Chloé tried to calm herself down. This wasn't Paris. Whoever or whatever it was wasn't after her.

But what if it was? What if this person had decided she would make a good target? What if Hawkmoth had followed her, hoping to get revenge for failing him as Miracle Queen? What if it was someone else, furious about what she had involuntarily done, knowing that if something happened here, Ladybug's Miraculous Cure would be too late?

Hands trembling, Chloé remembered the weapons on the wall. It wasn't her Miraculous, but it was something. She refused to go down without a fight.

The only problem was that, in her panic, she had gotten turned around she couldn't remember which was she was facing.

Blindly choosing a direction, Chloé kept a hand out in front of her, slowly moving it back and forth hoping she'd hit a wall. Her ragged breathing and the click of her heels on the floor being the only sounds. A good sign, she hoped.

Her hand hit something. A wall, she thought. Somewhere to her left. Keeping her hand flat against it, she hoped to follow it until she found the weapon rack again.

She kept walking, barely noting how the sound of her footsteps changed from heels-on-tile to heels-on-metal. Had the floor been metal? She couldn't remember. The stairs up had been stone so obviously she was still in the lab.

The lights suddenly came back on, the blackout over. Yet Chloé wasn't nearly as blinded as she should have been by the sudden brightness. It was coming from behind her. Had she somehow found a different hallway out of the lab?

As she turned to head back to something familiar, a different brightness flickered on. But she was completely unaware, as all she could focus on was pain.

Burning, crackling under her skin. Through every inch of her. Worse than anything she had ever felt, as Civilian, Hero, or Akuma.

The pain began to subside. Not going away, but no longer the intense agony. Just an ache, but as if she had run a marathon around Paris without being transformed. Her throat still burned the worst though. Had she been screaming? She couldn't remember doing so, but it seemed likely given the pain.

Stumbling forward, she managed to find herself back in the lab. Yet her vision was blurry. So blurry, in fact, that when she looked down her white dress appeared black.

The pain and exhaustion was too much for her. Pitching forward, everything went dark again.

--------

The next thing Chloé knew, she was somewhere soft. Everything still hurt, which made her not want to move. But she could hear two male voices arguing.

"You should let me explain it to her."

"You will confuse and scare her with your morbid humor."

"And you'll just freak her out!"

"I have more experience in this."

"Not in explaining it!"

"I explained it to Danielle."

"And I explained it to everyone else because you had to be a fruitloop!"

"Are you still using that insult?"

"It still fits."

Registering that she should probably see what's goin on, Chloé went to get up.

Her right arm must've slipped off whatever she was laying on, as she almost immediately slammed back down. The feeling that had her jolting upright instead of trying again to be slow, was that it felt like something hit the inside of her arm?!

Inspecting the limb, she didn't find anything wrong with it. It was there. No burns or bruises. The worst thing was a chipped manicure.

As her gaze went further up her arm to her shoulder, she noticed something. A discoloration in her skin. It was hard to see, having to look nearly straight down and only being able to see what skin was showing. But there were thin lines across her shoulders and chest. She couldn't tell how far they went up her neck, or how much further they extended under her dress.

The lines looked almost like lightning. It was then that she remembered the lab. The pain. But she swallowed down her fear.

"Well say goodbye to swimsuit season," Chloé muttered, her voice still a little shaky and her throat still raw.

"Perhaps your humor will be helpful after all," one of the voices from earlier mused.

Chloé jumped, having completely forgot that there were people in the room. One was Vlad, the other was the "head of security" kid. Danny, wasn't it?

"What happened?" Chloé asked.

"You received quite a shock," Vlad replied.

"Oh, and my humor is too much for her," Danny glared.

"Kind of used to puns in horrifying situations," Chloé said. "One of my best friends loves making puns to deflect dealing with things."

And okay yes she also did that. But she was not going to tell them that. Even if the looks they gave each other probably meant they guessed as much.

"Where am I?" Chloé asked, looking around.

"One of the guest rooms," Vlad explained.

"Not a hospital?" She asked.

"A hospital isn't quite equipped to handle… this," he said.

"One of the guests was a doctor who did a general checkup," Danny said. "She was sure you probably just fainted from low blood sugar or something."

"And… and my mother?" Chloé asked.

"She is back at her hotel," Vlad said, visibly bristling. "I may not be father of the year, but her lack of concern is appalling."

The exasperated look Danny gave him said there was a long story there. Chloé wasn't sure she wanted to hear it right now.

"So why would a hospital be bad?" Chloé asked instead.

"That is quite a story," Vlad said. "Do you know what you were messing with in the laboratory?"

"I know it had weapons," she said. "Then the lights went out and I tried to find my way around."

"I think that makes her smarter than both of us," Danny said.

"I didn't enter an unstable device on a dare," Vlad glared. “I knew what I was doing.”

"You stuck your face right up to a prototype device not knowing if it was stable or not," he retorted. "You're lucky you only half died.".

Vlad glared at him again. Chloé could have sworn he man's eyes flashed red. It was more than just a trick of the light.

He said a hospital wasn't a good situation for her now. He implied that he'd had something similar happen to him. And those books on the paranormal, leading to a lab…

Vlad wasn't Human. At least not anymore. Danny wasn't either, most likely. And Chloé realized, with mounting horror, that she probably wasn't either.

Once more she focused on her hands. What… was she now? Chloé flipped through her knowledge of the paranormal. It couldn't be a Vampire or Werewolf. She didn't get bit or infected with anything. Most other creatures she could remember Humans becoming had very specific circumstances or longer processes.

Then, she recalled something Danny had said. His family deals with Ghosts.

As if to confirm her suspicions, her hands flickered out of existence. An involuntary whimper escaping her throat.

"I… I'm dead, aren't I?" Chloé asked.

"Only half way," Danny said.

"That is nowhere as reassuring as you think it is," Vlad said.

This time it was Danny's turn to glare. But his eyes flashed a green color instead of red.

Meanwhile, Chloé was having a crisis. She died. She fucking died. But she was still here.

She was vaguely aware of their voices. Both males had come closer, sitting beside her on the bed. She knew one, or maybe both of them, was telling her to breathe. To focus.

She tried to focus on how strange it was, sitting between them. One burning, one freezing. Was that related to�� This?

It helped ground her. Remind her that she wasn't alone.

"That's right," Danny said. "You're not alone in this. Which is already better than what we got."

"You could have had a mentor," Vlad said.

"But you were still evil back then," he smirked.

Oh boy oh boy. This was going to get oh so complicated.

#danny phantom #miraculous ladybug #never let Danny and Adrien in a room together they will murder everyone with puns #phantom chloé au

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danny-chase · 4 years ago

Text

Dick Grayson Week Day 4

Prompt: Bruce hits Dick and doesn’t get away with it

Summary/Notes:

A Spyral fixit where the family finds out about Nightwing 30. Perspectives are from Tim and Jason, but Steph, Cass, and Damian make an appearance. Quotes taken from Forever Evil 7 and 8, and Nightwing 30. Tw for swearing, angst and domestic/child abuse (because canon is terrible and I can’t leave it the way it is).

Edit: I have an AO3 account now yay! Read here

“I’ll be right back.” Tim chirped as he left to pull some files out of his room. He could feel his friends’ gazes lingering on him as he left. He had to suppress an eye roll. He was fine. Your pseudo-dad/adopted-father-before-you-emancipated-yourself loses his memory and suddenly everyone thinks there’s something wrong with you. Figures. Bruce was happier this way. And maybe, one day, he’d be able to get to know him again. Maybe not as sorta-father and son. But Bruce 2.0 liked volunteering with kids, running charity events. Maybe they could be business partners, or coworkers. It wasn’t like last time. But that didn’t mean Cassie, Bart and Kon weren’t worried. No matter how many times he tried to explain, they wouldn’t listen. It was better this way. Bruce was happier without them. Without him. It stung at first sure, but he was over it. He could handle it. Even if the knot in his stomach told him otherwise.

His fingers brushed the lines on the hallway as he strode through Titan’s Tower. The halls seemed so much smaller than they used to be. Logically, he knew they were the same size. But they weren’t the same walls as when he’d first visited. And those hadn’t even been the first wall either. “We’ve had to rebuild this place like at least a million times.” Dick had told him. The knot tightened. Don’t think about it, he reprimanded himself. He’d been having a nice afternoon. It was relaxing, staying with his friends. But he couldn’t walk through the halls without feeling like a trespasser. This was Dick’s team. This was his home away from home. Who was he kidding? He was no Dick Grayson. Dick’s friends used to look to him for guidance, for advice, for help with problems, personal and business related. Tim used to look to him for guidance, advice and help. Stop thinking about him, he tried again. Forget the Crime Syndicate. Forget the funeral. Don’t stress, repress. He paused for a moment, stared aimlessly out the window, took a few deep breaths, cleared his mind and continued on his way.

Climbing the stairs, he decided it was better to use his mental faculties to go through the case he was working on. Jason had called two days ago asking about some of his old informants in Gotham, Penguin was apparently moving back onto the scene and reorganizing the structure of some of the newer gangs. Cleaning house. Informants were switching names, following their own protocols. Bruce had written some contingency in a classified file somewhere. The issue was where. The damn batcomputer had like a billion files on it. And Barbara knew the system, but was busy coordinating for the JLA and had put them on “Do not Disturb” mode for the foreseeable future. He could write a program to search for it. Stupid Bruce and his stupid files that he’d kept secret from them. “It was on a need to know basis.” He could almost here the defensiveness in Bruce’s voice if he tried hard enough. He nearly face planted as he miscalculated the number of stairs. Maybe they should just go back to their old Young Justice base. Or wait till the building inevitably explodes again and just make it better. That would be fun. Designing a Teen Titans base with slides and escalators. Bart would be thrilled. Bart could probably build it in 5 minutes. Dick wouldn’t approve, his brain felt the need to remind him. Tim nearly huffed. Well Dick is de-.

He abruptly lost his train of thought. There was noise coming from his room. Someone was sniffing, was someone crying in his room? Who was even in his room? Everyone was downstairs. Cissie and Steph were visiting in the lounge, Greta left a few days ago, the new kids were in the gym getting a feel for the equipment. The hell? His heart pounded a bit louder as he silently slunk towards his rooms. If Dick decided to haunt him from beyond the grave this was not cool. The lights flickered. Tim nearly screamed. He could feel cold sweat gathering in his palms, his heart racing, thoughts pounding in his skull. It’s just one of Bart’s pranks, no one can get in without access. He slid next to his door and pulled up the camera feed on his glove’s embedded computer. They weren’t in lockdown, but it couldn’t hurt to check. Few clicks here, few taps there and…Damian? Tim burst through the door, half relieved and fully confused.

“What are you doing here?” Tim half yelled, Damian startling on the bed as he burst into his room. Tim flicked the lights on as the gremlin crossed his arms in response. Tim shut the soundproof door, no need to bother Kon with this.

“I was given access to the tower as well.” He stated monotonously. Tim frowned; something was off. Damian didn’t just show up in his room. Come to think of it, he hadn’t seen the kid in weeks. Not since Bruce went all amnesiac on them. Where was he even staying. Damian shifted uncomfortably under his gaze. There were dark circles under his eyes, he was paler than usual, but flushed, his eyes bright. Had he been crying in here? “Quit gawking at me, Drake.” He spat, jolting Tim back into reality.

He almost opened his mouth to throw some insult back. Almost. He saw the kid’s lip tremble just so slightly, and he bit his tongue. The kid’s hands were shaking. “What’s up?” He replied cautiously. Keeping the demon brat in line wasn’t in his job description. But the kid had had a rough couple months. Dying, coming back to Dick being dead, Bruce losing his memory. He could help with whatever this was and-

“Grayson is alive.”

-send the kid back to Alfred, he knew the kid better than he did. He had his pets at the manor to keep him company, maybe he’d see if Jon would be willing to have a sleepover or something. Spring break was coming up soon, maybe he could take a trip out to Kansas-

“Drake!” Damian was waving a hand in front of his face. Tim blinked a few times. He hadn’t said…had he? That wasn’t right Dick was-

“Richard is alive, I can prove it.” There was desperation in the kid’s voice, water in his eyes. The trash can was filled with tissues, it had been empty when he left. His shirt was on inside out. Tim inhaled sharply. Fuck. Tim had been there. He’d done that. Denied reality. Gone on a wild fairy tale goose chase. Chased insane dreams. Sure, it had worked. But this was different. They had a body. We had a body then, his mind helpfully supplied. There was no real evidence. It had worked hadn’t it? Denying Bruce’s death out of reality? But Dick couldn’t be alive. Bruce had seen him die. Clark saw Bruce die, his brain again helpfully supplied. Tim studied Damian’s face carefully. He looked two steps away from a mental breakdown. Was that how I looked? He wasn’t exactly looking in any mirrors at the time. Dick had try to talk him back down, that was the wrong move. He’d doubled down. But Damian wasn’t him and Tim had no idea what to do. Damian stared at him, studying his face carefully. Tim could feel his palms sweating again, when had he started clenching his fists? His brain was ticking through options, tell Damian he believed him – high chance of heartbreak, low chance of kid running off and doing something stupid on his own. Try and talk him down – still some heartbreak, but can mitigate, medium to high chance of him running off. Call Alfred – should he really do that though? The kid came to him. Alfred’s busy dealing with amnesiac Bruce. Call someone else? Why did the kid come to him in the first place? Damian hated him, he wouldn’t come to him unless he was really sure, or really desperate. Does he think I can replicate what happened with Bruce? Time seemed to move like molasses. Tim swallowed. Now or never.

“I believe you.” He replied. Damian’s eyebrows furrowed, but his shoulders fell ever so slightly, and he rocked back on his heels, uncrossing his arms and leaning into a less defensive stance. Mixed results. He prayed he sounded convincing enough. If he was going this route, he had to go all the way. It didn’t matter that he’d seen the body. It didn’t matter that Bruce saw. He needed to be on Damian’s side with this one. Just like he’d needed somebody on his side back then. Even if it was a crazy side. Even if it was a leave everyone behind and run around on a whim side. Even if it doesn’t work out, at least the kid would have someone to catch him at the end. Why did it have to be the brat though?

“You do not. But you will.” Damian said solemnly, a bit of an edge to his voice. He pulled a laptop out of a bag on the floor and hopped up on the foot of Tim’s bed. Tim quietly settled next to him, careful to not touch him. He was careful. The kid didn’t appear to be looking for a fight, but you never know. Tim glanced at the laptop screen.

“DAMIAN NO WHAT THE-” He screamed. Damian nearly leapt of the bed. His face turned red.

“-tt- Grow up Drake, this is for research purposes only, that is not-” He started mumbling.

“You’re on DICK GRAYSON THIRST POST WEBSITES for RESEARCH!” Tim half screamed, attempting to lower his voice. Damian flushed harder.

“SHUT UP DRAKE!” He countered. Tim took deep breaths. Dear god, he needed to bleach his eyes after this. He did not need to know these threads existed. Fucking reddit. Humanity has gone too far. There were 20k followers. He peeked over again, the latest posts were from this morning. His mouth was dry. These people were lusting over his dead brother. It was sick, it was fucking disgusting it was-

“Wait what’s that picture?” Tim asked.

“-tt- If you would allow me to explain instead of losing your head, I can show you.” Damian grumbled. He clicked on the picture to enlarge it. “I’ve run the calculations, biometrically, the body shape is a 99.97% match.” Tim let out a low whistle. It wasn’t much to go on. You couldn’t see the figure’s face, he was turned away from the camera. Whoever took it was definitely aiming for a certain portion of the man’s body.

“Have you talked to the poster?” Tim inquired. Damian nodded.

“This subreddit is dedicated to…” Damian made a revolted looking face, “capturing casual images of Grayson in unsavory positions.” He nearly squirmed as he finished the sentence. “I was attempting to research the details of Grayson’s perceived passing and came across this website.” That was a different kind of trauma in Tim’s opinion. “The image caught my eye. He has fans in Ireland, that is where it was taken. These fans are apparently experts at picking him out.” Damian scrolled through some earlier posts to prove his point. “It is odd.” He added pointedly. Tim’s mind was racing. It was hardly evidence. It could have been anyone. But he was right. The perverts were good. They even had a few of Dick in disguise doing undercover work, none of his face of course. But Dick couldn’t be in Ireland. Tim went to the funeral. Bruce went to the funeral. Bruce saw Dick die. Bruce wouldn’t lie about something like that. He never told you about the Joker. His mind supplied. No. Bruce wouldn’t. Bruce couldn’t. He wouldn’t put them through that grief. Not after Damian. Not after all the lies. He promised he wouldn’t lie to them like that. The picture couldn’t be real. But Damian kept scrolling. There were more. In multiple countries. It couldn’t be possible. There was no way. People joked his brother’s butt was iconic but this was ridiculous.

“Drake?” Damian sounded so cautious. Tim was confused. The pictures all looked so real. So accurate. Could they be photoshopped? That could explain it.

“Did you get any of the original files?” He asked much too hastily to appear calm. A smile flicked on Damian’s face for a millisecond.

“You believe me.” Damian stated, half disbelievingly. Tim bit his lip. He didn’t want to. He couldn’t. If he did, then he didn’t believe Bruce. Damian cleared his throat. “I have already examined a few of the original photographs. Their phones were laughably easy to hack.” He looked smug for a mentally unhinged eleven-year-old. “They do not appear to be tampered with.” Tim could feel his heart thudding in his chest. Dick couldn’t be alive. It wasn’t possible. He saw the body. Bruce was in the cave for a week going over it. Not allowing anyone in. No… Fuck…

“What did you do?” He muttered under his breath. Damian looked at him inquisitively, a determination burning in his eyes. Tim hadn’t seen any of the proof himself. And he believed Bruce unquestioningly. That was the opposite of what the man had taught him. But there was still something off. He looked searchingly at Damian. “Dick wouldn’t do that to us.” He couldn’t. Dick would never do something like that. He would tell them. He wasn’t like Bruce, he was reliable. Dick didn’t keep secrets like that. He wouldn’t fake his own death and leave them to fend for themselves. Not after Damian died. After everything they’d lost, after everything he’d lost. Dick wouldn’t do that to him. Damian’s eyes flickered toward the ground, and he frowned.

“Maybe he can’t tell us.” Is all he had to offer. It seemed like a sore spot. Tim didn’t push it. It was probably driving the kid insane. Dick, galivanting across the world, not checking in, not coming back to tell them he was okay? The odds were astronomically low. Dick was a constant. He was their brother. He was a Robin. Robins don’t do that to each other. Steph did, his brain helpfully supplied. But that wasn’t Steph’s fault. Tim dug his nails into his palms. He needed to know. He needed proof. He needed to see the footage, go over the evidence. He didn’t doubt Dick, but his mind was itching. He wouldn’t be able to sleep unless he knew for sure. Hell, Damian probably couldn’t either.

“Look, here’s the plan.” Tim said, his mind racing. Damian stared at him intently. Wow the kid really was desperate if he was willing to listen to him. “I’ll tell Kon I’m taking you home, that you need some help on a case, then will slip out. Maybe, maybe someone close to the family is compromised.” He said, a bit unsure. That could explain the lie. If there was one. Please let there be one. Damian nodded, stuffing his laptop back into his backpack. Tim crossed the room and grabbed the door handle.

A barely audible “Thanks.” reached his ears as he flipped off the lights.

Jason groaned as he checked his messages. He really didn’t want to go through the batcomputer files. It would be faster if Tim did it, plus he had a lower chance of accidentally messing something up. Not that the file system wasn’t already a disaster. Touch the wrong button and you’re locked in the cave till Alfred realizes something’s wrong.

Tim had stopped responding to his messages two days ago, and well, he couldn’t wait any longer. And so, he found himself zipping through the tunnel systems that led into the cave. It was better to avoid the manner if possible. Happy Bruce wasn’t high on the list of people he wanted to see. That dude was fucking weird. It made him feel weird. It did feel good to cross amnesia off his yearly family bingo though. Now he just needed someone to trip during an interview and he’d break Cass’s winning streak. At the rate they were checking things off, maybe he should start a second batch and make it biannual. That or change the prompts. They were getting predictable.

He rolled to a stop inside the cave, and nearly rolled his eyes seeing the mess of skid marks on the floor. Seriously, tires are expensive, why his siblings couldn’t park like normal human beings was beyond him.

Someone was clacking away on the upper platform. Oh, thank God Tim was probably here, figuring it out before he could mess everything up. Cass poked her head over the railing, Jason cocked an eyebrow at her as he removed his helmet. She grinned and jumped over it, catching the fireman’s pole and sliding down. Someone was going to break an ankle doing that, could he add that to the bingo cards? Stupid non-work related injury was already on there, maybe upgrading it to stupid broken bone would suffice. Dick broke his nose outside Denny’s at 3am last year during a post mission party. Hands down one of the best nights of Jason’s life. Too bad his family members decided to die at least once a year.

“I’m about to win bingo.” Cass whispered as she brushed past his shoulder. That jolted Jason out of his bittersweet thoughts.

“Bullshit.” He growled back, bingo was his this year. She smugly wrapped an arm around his shoulders.

“Sorry brother.” She said sweetly, leaning her head into his shoulder. She let out a long sigh. And then Jason finally remembered that it most the squares weren’t exactly fun.

“Wait, the fuck’s going on?” Fuck, he really didn’t want to deal with this right now. Nobody could have died Dick checked that off, amnesia was gone, Gotham destroyed was gone, natural disaster was checked, Joker breaks out and does dramatic shit was gone too. But that wasn’t a good sigh, that was a ‘I’m so tired of this family sigh’, which could narrow it down a bit. Cass squeezed his shoulder.

“Family secrets.” She admitted, giving him a melancholy look. Jason groaned. This family was the fucking worst. Bruce wasn’t even really part of it right now, who the hell was keeping secrets? Damian. Had to be Damian. Little monster was just like his dad. Fuck. Dick taught the kid better than that. What kind of mess was he in?

Cass took him by the wrist and started dragging him towards the stairs. He resisted briefly as they got to the base. He needed to know. “Who’s is it?” He asked, planting his feet on the ground.

Cass bit her lip, looking extremely uncomfortable. Jason pulled back his arms and crossed them, keeping his expression as neutral as he could, but she could probably read his mood anyways.

“HA. HAHAHA HA. FUCK YOU BRUCE! TAKE THAT SHIT-COMPUTER!”

Jason nearly jumped out of his skin at Tim’s screeching from upstairs, Cass was running up the stairs, not waiting to see if he was coming. Jason sighed. It was going to be on of those days. He took a deep breath and headed up behind her.

Tim was doing a victory dance in front of the computer. Damian was crawling out from under the computer, a shit eating grin on his face. They both looked (and smelled) a mess. Definitely neither had showered in a few days, probably hadn’t slept either.

“Todd, you are just in time to witness our victory over father.” Damian greeted, formal as ever. The brat didn’t even through an insult in there. Must be in a good mood. Well that at least explained who was keeping secrets. Stupid Bruce, keeping secrets even while an amnesiac. Screw him.

“Shall we?” Tim asked, offering a hand to Damian, which shockingly the kid took. The fuck did he miss?!?

“Uh, what the fuck?” He managed to get out. There was cowl footage pulled up on the screen. Cass was pulling chairs over from the table. He tiredly took the seat she offered him.

“Waaaaiiiiiit I have popcorn!” Steph called, pounding down the stairs.

“Steph no!” Tim moaned. “This isn’t a joke!”

“What’s family drama without popcorn?” Steph sung back. Damian huffed. Cass snickered. Jason had to smirk to himself. Dark humor was the best coping mechanism in this family. “Besides you haven’t told us what this is!” She accused. Well at least Jason wasn’t the only one who didn’t know. Tim shifted guilty at the computer, his eyes darting from Damian and then back to the group. Damian responded by huffing and crossing his arms.

“Drake did not ‘want to get your hopes up’.” He began, mimicking Tim’s voice perfectly, “-tt-His concern is unfounded, my research has been impeccable, Gr-” Tim shoved a hand over Damian’s mouth. Damian looked downright murderous.

“Look we want to watch the footage beforehand it might be-” Tim squawked as Cass lunged off the table, hopped over his shoulders and hit play on the batcomputer. “Cass wait!” He got out as the video began to play. Steph grabbed Tim from behind and dragged him into a seat.

The screen showed footage from a first-person perspective, they were walking through a doorway into a large room.

“I’m tired of secrets.” Muttered Cass as she slipped in a chair next to Steph. Damian staid standing, glaring intensely at the screen, looking strangely anguished.

“Hey, kid you can…” The invitation died in his throat. The camera moved forward into the room, revealing a beaten Dick Grayson in the center, hooked to countless machines, suspended in a metal cocoon, only his face and chest peeking out.

“Oh my God.” Came a familiar voice from the screen. A growl reverberated in the cave.

��Well Batman…” Luthor materialized on the right, “…You’ve found Nightwing.” He said, stalking forward.

Something clattered on the floor. The camera was rushing forward. Voices from the cave mixed with voices on the screen.

“Why would you want to watch this!?” shrieked Steph.

“Dick? Everything’s going to be all right. I’m here.” Bruce’s gruff voice sounded oddly strained.

“Shut up Brown!” Came Damian in a high-pitched voice.

“He never showed us the evidence.” Tim’s voice squeaked. “We have to watch till the end?”

“I’m sorry I shut you out. All of you. I didn’t want you getting hurt…I’m going to get you out of this.” Came Bruce’s shaking voice. Jason could feel a lump growing in his throat. He didn’t want to see this.

“Fast-forward?” Cass suggested, her voice equally shaken. Jason could barely see the others in the cave, his eyes were glued to the screen.

“No…You need to…leave.” Came Dick’s horse whisper of a voice. “You need to go…”

Damian made an inhuman noise, which allowed Jason to tear his eyes off the screen.

“I’m sorry, I’m sorry.” Muttered Tim. “We can’t fast-forward we need to know what happened.” He forced a sense of determination into his voice. “This is why I didn’t-”

THOOM. The sound rumbled through the cave. Jason jumped out of his seat. The camera whipped around revealing the exit sealed off, with Luthor, Selina, and Bizzarro trapped inside.

“-you guys can still leave.” Tim said shakily.

BA-DEEP. Blared through the speakers. BA-DEEP.

“What is that?” Came Selina’s voice, her usual smooth and silky persona dropped. BA-DEEP.

“It’s a countdown. This isn’t just a fancy pair of handcuffs, Catwoman. It’s a bomb.” Came Lex’s gruff voice. The camera turned again showing a timer counting down from 5 minutes. Jason’s stomach painfully twisted at the reminder of another countdown in another sealed building.

“We’re staying.” He managed to get out. He might have heard noises of affirmation.

WHAM. “The door. The walls. Why can’t we break through them?” Came Luthor’s voice.

“This cell was designed to hold Doomsday, Luthor.” Came Bruce’s voice again. The camera showed him messing with the panel. BA-DEEP.

“Is the countdown monitoring his heart?” Selina asked from seemingly far away.

“Yes.” Boomed Bruce’s voice. BA-DEEP.

“Why?” Replied Selina.

“The detonator is hooked into it.” Bruce responded. Jason’s heart sunk. “He died in a death trap. There was no way out.” Bruce had told him before the funeral. BA-DEEP.

“Batman…The bomb…” Dick whispered. BA-DEEP. Jason spared another glance at Damian. There were tears beginning to form in his eyes, but he stared, glued to the screen all the same. “…It only disams…If my heart stops.” Jason could feel his chest tightening painfully. “I die…or we all die.” BA-DEEP.

“Maybe Bruce had a reason for not showing this to us.” Steph said shakily. Jason glanced over. She looked green. Her sleave and eyes were both wet. The sounds of the heart monitor echoed in the cave.

BA-DEEP. “Please…Listen to me…” Dick’s horse voice started again. Tim was muttering frantically to himself. “You still have time to get yourself out of here.” The camera was so close. Jason could see every cut on his brother’s face, could see the sweat on his brow, the blood trickling down from his nose.

BA-DEEP. “I am not leaving you, Dick. I am not abandoning you.” Bruce sounded much more confident that Jason felt. Too bad Bruce didn’t sound confident.

“You aren’t Bruce. And you never have.” Dick replied. Jason’s vision was blurring. All he wanted was some stupid computer files. He didn’t come to the cave to watch this.

BA-DEEP. “The only way we’re getting out of here is together…No…The wires…” Jason dug his fingernails into his palms. “…Every time I disconnect a relay, it fixes itself.” Jason bit his lip.

BA-DEEP. At some point those in the caves had gone silent. “Then there’s only one way to disarm this bomb, Batman.” Came Luthor’s voice. The video jolted violently and Bruce’s cry reverberated through the cave. Chaos erupted on the screen. A cacophony associated with their customary brand of violence echoed through the speakers, obscuring some of the voices.

BA-DEEP. “I’m saving our lives.” Jason made out. The screen was black. Jason glanced around the room. Everyone was tense. Damian was crying. Tim looked horrified. Cass was perfectly still, her expression blank. Steph looked one step away from throwing up in the empty popcorn bowl that lie on the ground at her feet.

BA-DEEP. The camera was moving again. “LUTHOR.” Boomed Bruce’s voice again. Jason caught a glimpse of the man pressing a hand over Dick’s face. “LUTHOR, YOU HURT HIM AND I WILL KILL YOU.” Cass let out the faintest gasp. Bruce wasn’t lying. How the hell was Luthor still alive? The heart monitor was stuttering. BA-DEEEEEP

“Nonononononononononono.” Came Tim’s voice. “It wasn’t supposed to-”

EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE

“DICK.” Screamed Bruce. The camera rushed forward.

EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE

“NO!” Yelled Bruce and Tim at the same time. Damian had sunk to the floor.

EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE

A fist kept pounding Luthor in the face relentlessly. “Batman, wait-” Luthor pleaded. This was not how Jason had wanted Bruce to break his code.

EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE

“YOU MURDERER!” Screeched Bruce, righteous fury echoing in his voice. The heart monitor cut off. A hand reached down to cut off Luthor’s windpipe.

“I have this…” Came Luthor’s strangled voice. He looked terrified. “Under control…Grayson…” The hand squeezed harder. “-kk-!” The man chocked. Bruce lessened up slightly. “It’s not too late, you idiot.” Spat Luthor. Bruce was apparently passed the point of listening.

“YOU MURDERED NIGHTWING.” He growled, tightening his grip once more. Luthor was going bug eyed. The man was going to actually die if Bruce pushed it much harded.

“Batman-” Came Selina’s voice.

“Luthor killed Dick, Selina.” Bruce said, his voice strangled.

“You said this lightning rod was from the future! Maybe we can use it to save him or something? I don’t know-!” She cried desperately.

A flash of light and crackle of electricity resounded through the cave. The screen went black for a moment.

Jason could hear metal clinking on the floor.

“Why are we still watching this?” Jason asked hoarsely. Tim looked at him palely.

“I need to know what happened next.” He whispered.

“If I hadn’t stopped Grayson’s heart, this ‘Murder Machine’ would have detonated and we all would have died. I had to make a choice, Batman. I made him flatline…after I forced him to swallow a cardioplegia pill.” The camera slowly tilted back up to focus on Luthor.

“A what?” Asked Steph and Selina at the same time.

“A drug that paralyzes the cardiac muscles surrounding the heart.” Replied Tim and Bruce in sync.

“Then…” Trailed off Damian. The boy looked up hopefully at the screen.

“And if this boy’s heart doesn’t get a shot of adrenaline right this very second he’s going to stay dead.” Luthor finished.

*kaff*

That small cough was the best sound Jason had heard in his entire life.

“YES!” Shouted Tim.

Damian swallowed. “As I expected.” He said shakily. No one called him out on it.

“Dick?” Came Bruce’s voice from the screen.

“Batman?” Dick’s wobbly voice whispered.

Cass tackled Steph into a bear hug, and Steph laughed widely as they clattered to the floor. Jason just sighed deeply and let his head drop into his hands in relief.

“Drake-” gasped Damian, “-get off.”

“You were right! Damian was right! Dick’s alive. HAHA Dick’s ALIVE!” Jason glanced up to see Tim squeezing the crap out of Damian who was going slightly blue in the face. There were words coming from the speakers still but they fell to the wayside in the celebration. Jason walked over and turned the volume down.

“I’m going to kill them.” Jason muttered under his breath. But he’d save that for later, for now, he just paced back to his chair and sunk into it. The cave was quiet for a few minutes, Dick and Bruce continued on whatever the fuck adventure they were on was. The rest of the video was a blur. By the end, Jason’s racing heart had settled, and the kids had stopped clinging to each other.

“But wait.” Said Steph as the video ended. “If Dick’s alive, where is he? How did you even know to look?”

Jason turned to see Tim babbling. “Well I have a few theories, we recovered more footage as well, you know? Like Damian found pictures of him all across the world so like, we don’t know for certain where he is, but like I don’t know for sure what happened, but maybe someone was compromised so like, he had to stay hidden or like…” Tim continued babbling as the next video began to play. It was once again footage from the cowl. “Bruce shut off all the camera’s in the cave for the next week, I thought he was sulking but like we were able to find some cowl footage that he deleted, and like hopefully from that we can figure out what happened and how to track him down-”

“Turn up the volume.” Demanded Cass from her seat. She was looking at the screen with an odd expression. Damian moved without hesitation. Jason’s eyes followed up to the screen. Dick was glaring into the camera his fists raised and wrapped.

“So, one more time Dick. But now there’s only one rule…You have to win.” Came Bruce’s gruff voice. The pair was in the cave. Dick lunged towards the camera. “You let the crime syndicate capture you. Let them torture you. You let them give your secrets to the world.” Bruce accused.

“Bruce man, what the fuck!” Steph yelled, masking Dick’s response.

Bruce continued “You let them turn you into a bomb. You let them kill you. Before Luthor rescued you, you let everyone WATCH YOU DIE.” He boomed.

“YOU GOTTA BE FUCKING KIDDING ME!” Jason bellowed, knocking over his chair as he stood. He walked away from the screen. Only fucking Bruce. Only fucking Bruce would blame someone for their death. Jason knew that all too well. He walked away from the screen, giving himself distance to clear his head.”

“I trained you to LIVE, and I watched you DIE!” CRACK. Jason flipped around to see Bruce elbow Dick in the face, drawing blood. Bruce’s words cut like a knife. It wasn’t Jason’s fault he died. It wasn’t Dick’s fault either. Neither Steph’s or Damian’s. Damian had unconsciously taken cover behind Tim, who was standing between Damian and the screen with an arm hovering over the kid’s shoulder.

“WHAT THE FUCK BRUCE!” Screamed Steph at the screen, she was also on her feet at this point. Only Cass’s hand prevented her from trying to fight the digital apparition. “WE DON’T JUST GO AROUND DYING WILLY NILLY, IT’S NOT MY-, IT’S NOT HIS FAULT!” Her voice shrilly echoed around the cave, drowning out the audio temporarily.

Dick was on his knees, wiping his bloody nose, looking up confused. WHACK. A powerful kick sent him flying off the platform, crashing into a costume display case. “I have a mission for you, Dick. I need you to do something that will hurt your friends. Your family.” Bruce commanded. He could hear Damian inhale sharply. Tim stopped hovering and pulled Damian tightly into his chest, rushing forward to pause the video, with the boy in tow. His hand was over the button before Cass sprung forward and grabbed his wrist. Jason had never seen Cass look this angry without the mask.

“I deserve to know.” She said with conviction, anger deep in her voice. “I deserve to know what kind of father he is.” She spat. Jason wasn’t going to touch that with a ten foot pole.

“But he shouldn’t, I mean I don’t know if, I mean I don’t know what, I mean-” Tim sputtered glancing from the screen to Damian and back again.

“I want to know the truth.” Came Damian’s tiny reply. He looked so young, he pushed away from Tim’s chest, but leaned into his side.

Cass pulled Tim’s hand back. “I fought him once.” She admitted. “I need to know.” She repeated.

Tim looked at her pleadingly. Bruce and Dick raged at each other on screen. Blood flowed from the cuts on Dick’s back. “I…I…” Tim stammered.

“We all deserve to know.” Steph piped up, leaning against the side of the computer.

“Fight like you’re alive!” Bruce yelled on the screen. CRACK. An oversized die broke on impact with the back of Dick’s head. Dick retaliated, throwing a question mark back.

The words were blurring in Jason’s head, his rage clouding his thoughts, and overtaking his senses. The rest of the world was disappearing, leaving only the screen behind. His vision tunneled. He crossed his arms as tightly as he could, willing himself to stay in place. Stay calm. His hearing cut out. But he could still read his name on his brother’s lips just before Bruce delivered an uppercut powerful enough to knock Dick off the dinosaur.

The next thing Jason knew Cass was sitting on him. People were yelling at him.

“-on’t break the screen-”

“-up I need to see-”

“-op fighting-”

Cass smiled apologetically before tapping a pressure point. Jason allowed himself to fade into the darkness.

He came to in a medical bay of the cave, with an intense desire to get out. This place was cursed. He needed out, he needed to think, he needed to process, but he needed to get out. He pushed himself up and swung his legs off the bed.

“Wait.” Came a voice from behind him. He spun off the bed to see Tim, awkwardly standing on the other side of the cot. Jason edged towards the door. “We know where he is.” Tim offered. Jason glanced at Tim, and back to the door.

“Can we talk somewhere else?” He asked quietly. He didn’t want to be in the cave for this. Tim awkwardly bobbed side to side.

“Uh about that. We’re moving out.” He said quickly. Jason opened the door.

“OMGIT’SREDHOODHIMR.REDHOODSIRPLEASEDON’TKILLTIM-”

Jason slammed the door in the kid’s face. He stared at Tim, who was banging his head into the wall with a hand covering his eyes.

“Do I even want to know?” Jason asked. Tim groaned.

“I called my team to help us move out, we’re going to use the bunker for Gotham operations from now on.” Tim explained. A loud crash came from outside. The door whipped open.

“Heythegiantpennyisn’t-” The kid started. Jason growled at him. “-nevermindbyebye.” The speedster zipped away and slammed the door.

“You decided this without me?” Jason asked, raising an eyebrow at Tim. Tim looked back at him sheepishly.

“You’re already out voted. Besides you really want to stay here?” He replied evenly. Jason shrugged, that was fair. He’d already tried to leave. “I know you said you don’t want to talk here, but I don’t know when I’ll get you alone again.” Jason sighed. That’s valid, he was planning on avoiding the family for a bit. “Please don’t pull a disappearing act.” Jason looked up at him.

“Why not?” He challenged.

“We don’t need Bruce to be a family.” Tim replied. It sounded rehearsed. That was also fair. “And we need each other too. We found some communications from Dick, Bruce left him stranded when he got amnesia, he’s coming back in a few days.” Jason couldn’t look Tim in the eye anymore.

“I don’t know what to do.” He said honestly, looking at Tim’s shoes. What do you say after something like this? After watching something like that. After knowing the truth.

“Neither do we, but we’ll figure it out together.” Tim offered. He looked sad, tired, his face fell before he spoke again. “He…he misses us.” He spoke softly. “On the recordings. I, I don’t think Bruce even told him about Damian.” Jason swore softly under his breath. Bruce was one fucking piece of work.

“Is there anything else I should know?” Jason said after a moment, catching Tim’s eye once more.

Tim shook his head. “The rest of the tape was mostly the same.” He said quietly. “He won.” He added as an afterthought. Jason snorted. Tim gave a warry smile. None of them ever won. Not in the ways they wanted to. Only when the prizes were more pain, more guilt, more heartbreak.

Jason leaned back against the wall. How was this the way things ended up? Was Bruce always this cruel? The man was unrecognizable to Jason. It was inexcusable. After Willis? After Cain? After Brown? Hell, even Tim’s father was emotionally abusive before he died. Why couldn’t any of them have a normal father? A stable parental relationship. It wasn’t fair. And it hurt more because he didn’t even know where it started. Bruce had been a good father to him. Had that been a lie? He’d never looked to closely at why Dick had left home, could it be that…that…? Had Jason missed something like this? Would he ever even know what he’d missed? They didn’t have as many cameras back then.

Tim had crossed the room and put a hand on his shoulder. “He’ll be okay.” He said confidently. “As long as we have each other, we’ll all be okay.” Tim squeezed his shoulder gently before disappearing through the door into the chaos that used to be his childhood fantasy. When had it all gone so wrong, he had to ask himself. He hated that he knew the answer. His death was this fucking family’s original sin. But you know what, that wasn’t his fault. Even if it felt like it. Even if Bruce still blamed him. Dick didn’t look at him like a ghost, he didn’t look at him like a kid in over his head, like a regret, like a mistake. It was time for Bruce to grow the hell up and move on. Bad experiences don’t justify beating your kids. Maybe from here, they could move on. Maybe from here on, they could heal. Maybe they could start over. Maybe they could make their own new family. Bruce had abused them, lied to them, manipulated them enough. It was time to rise from the ashes like a phoenix and fly again. He wouldn’t know unless he tried. He didn’t have to give up on Gotham. But maybe it was time to give up on Bruce.

Jason swung open the door, descending into a future unknown, diverging from the circle of heartache and abuse. He had broken the cycle once before, on his own, with a new family made of friends, one of his choosing. And now he chose to break it once more, and this time he resolved not to leave his siblings behind.

#dickgraysonweek2021 #dickgraysonweek #dick grasyon #nightwing #batfamily #my writing #tw domestic abuse #tw child abuse #tw swearing

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popculturebuffet · 4 years ago

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House of Mouse: Max’s Embarrassing Date Review

Hello House Mouses and welcome back to the house of mouse. Another comission by Kev and my second House of Mouse for the valentine’s season. This time we’re not tackling a Valentine’s Episode necesarily, but a romantic one all the same as fan faviorite couple Max and Roxanne finally go on a date. I always liked Max. Even as a kid when I wasn’t the biggest fan of “A Goofy Movie”, didn’t like the darker patches like the principals office scene or the Pete Hot tub scene.. though in hindsight both had legit greviances with Max... it just dosen’t make either less terrible as the principal still told an innocnet man who wasn’t responsible for what his kid did and was trying his best that his son was going to become a crminal because of one stupid but mostly harmless prank, and Pete.. is just an abusive, unlikeable and unlovable ass in both Goof Troop and Goofy Movie, and I hate how he treats his son, don’t blame his wife for leaving him or taking their daughter and dog, and am really sad he got custody of PJ somehow. And for the record this isn’t ALL petes, just this version. The rest are fine and just the right level of asshole.

Point is despite my problems with the first film, I had none with the second and even now I like it due to having some really good ideas and concepts while also being gloirously rediclous due to the loveably dated X-Games element. While I do have a spot in my heart for the Dana Hill and Shaun Fleming versions, especially the latter once upon a christmas is awesome, Jason Marsden’s version is the best by the mile having the right amount of ego mixed with self doubt to make him likeable enough to brook him being an ass to his dad a lot. He’s a good character.. and it baffles me Disney NEVER uses him nowadays. No really, the last time he showed up was in twice upon a christmas and no one liked that because he was dating someone who wasn’t Roxanne just to rehash the same plot they’d already rehashed better in Extremley Goofy Movie. I REALLY need to rewatch that one. Hmm.... gonna see if I can squeeze that one into May or later in April. That’s for another time.

But yeah while he’s at one of the disney parks, that’s it. The character just .. vanished, and hasn’t been brought back in any way shape or form. Though I could see either a Disney Plus reboot of goof troop or a goofy movie with max having his own kids. That could be intresting. Also bring Roxanne back as weirdly this episode i’m reviewing, a goofy movie and now her ducktales cameo are her ONLY apperances.

Seriously I get she’s not the most fleshed out.. but then flesh her out. Like Max she’s crminally underused and while I get her absence as a character in the sequel, the plot really didn’t need her, he still could’ve been dating her off screen. Though clearly the two worked things out and tried again as this episode came out AFTER extremely did. But did this episode work out? Join me under the cut to find out.

As i’ve decided is my standard for House of Mouse Episodes, shorts first, then wraparound, then Mickey Mouse live sex celebration. Though I will say i’ve picked up there are two kinds of formats for the show: They either use two of the longer Mouseworks shorts or just one close to 11 minute short, a medium one, and one of the little two minute segments. There might be a break from this in the future, we shall see but for now those ar ethe two standards. This time we have two longer shorts.

Pluto’s Penthouse Sweet:

I’ve mentioned in the past I dont’ really get why Pluto is part of Disney’s sensational six along with Mickey, Minnie, Donald, Goofy and Daisy. And I stand by that: While he’s had his own cartoons they just aren’t as entertaining and creative as MIckey’s or hilarous and relatable as Donald and Goofy’s. He’s just an average cartoon dog. He works fine in tandem with Mickey, but on his own he’s just nothing and his spot should be taken by pete, who while not a goodie all the time, again the goof troop version needs to step on a rake and fall into a well.. somehow. i didn’t think my insult through. Point is pete is better. And this short isn’t BAD .. but to me it’s what some fans THINK the disney shorts are: Bland, maybe one or two good jokes but almost nothing new or intresting. As I found out last year, that’s far from the case, as a lot of the Donald shorts are still hilarious today and a lot of the mickey shorts are shockingly creative, like Thru The Mirorr where he goes .. well thru the mirror into a wonderland like world where all the inanaimate objects are alive and he can shrink and what not via astral projection, or Mickey’s Mechanical Man, which I sadly didn’t know about when I did the MIckey Birthday Special and for some reason isn’t on disne plus. In it Mickey creates a robot and has it box a monsterous looking gorillia.

How has Mickey piloting this thing but giant sized against various kaiju been a thing yet? And if it has someone tell me. Seriously with all the comics and animated series how. I’d even settle for a Wonderful World of Mickey Mouse episode. Just bring this guy back. Point is there was far more invetnion than it seemed.. at least at first as it slowly died out as they went by the late 50′s. But Pluto just seemed even in their hayday like your standard pet gets into antics thing without the creative slapstick of tom and jerry or the likeablity of sylvester who never could get that asshole Tweety Bird. This is just weak sauce and whiel I could forgive the older shorts, as their from another time and likely lead to say Tom and Jerry... I can’t forgive this which was made probably in 1998 and released in 1999 originally. Comedy had evolved a LOT by that point and unlike the Goofy how to shorts, which are a format that is immortal and still evolved to match the times and felt fresh, these just feel stale and boring and like the last Pluto short I covered this one was a chore to sit through though not nearly AS bad.

Still though the premise is about the same, Pluto’s left to his own devices, and finds a female dog, though in this case she’s VERY intrested in him. I”m also not entirley convinced she’s a dog, but instead one of Jumba’s experiments and that Lilo and Stitch later had to journey to.. wherever these shorts take place to fetch him. Or more likely the house of mouse. I mean Proud Family, Recess, American Dragon Jake Long and Kim Possible all take place int hat universe, why can’t house of mouse? Also tell me you wouldn’t watch an avengers style team consisting of Kim, Ron, Jake, Penny, Probably TJ, Lilo, Stitch and Donald Duck. If you wouldn’t i’d call you a liar because you would be.

Seriously the eyes give her away.... just look at them. Very experimenty. But before Pluto can do it like they do on the discovery channel he has to get past the guard dog.. though how he does produces the one great gag of the short, as he BUILDS A GIANT, TROJAN HORSE ESQUE PLUTO OUT OF JUNK. Just holy shit that’s awesome> It gets him inside, only for him to find his lady friend is a bit TOO affectionate and he has to escape, he does so, and MIckey wonders if he missed him etc lame button. This short was a vacuum of comedy outside of GIANT PLUTO. Seriously where’s my disney giant mecha series. YOu have five main characters, and Pluto among with MANY, MANY side characters, frmo scrooge to the boys to hopefully Della, to even possibly pete and mortimer who could have their own mech against the heroes but maybe join them in the last episode. Maybe max and pj could have some, have a father vs son thing with PJ and Pete. I”m just saying, i’d watch it. I know my nieces would watch it. I know my nephews would watch it. Greenlight it. Or i’ll make it.. somehow.

How to Ride a Bike: Speaking of the How To Shorts, as usual for the House of Mouse era ones.. this was awesome, pretty much what you’d expect, some goofy, pardon the pun, gags about goofy riding a bike and then a fun climax of him in a bike race. Not a ton to add, other than that hamster bike above is genius. Just needs some tweaking. Really funny, really simple, and really good as you’d expect from a good Goofy Short. Easily the best part of the episode.

Max’s Embarrassing Date: So this was a disapointment. Like i’d try to be nice.. but I had high hopes given this brought Roxanne back, and while the premise was stock maybe they’d do something funny with with it.

But no the plot is pretty standard, very predictable and fairly obnoxious. Max has a date with Roxanne, and is playing it cool and what not, but is worried his dad will find out.. which he somehow did offscreen. Probably Clarabelle.. I mean they do go out sometimes in this one, wouldn’t surprise me.

So Max pleads with the rest of the HOM staff to keep him away because he fears his dad will overdo things, which.. is fair and one of the few things I like> He dosen’t want him to overdo it on the mood because this is well.. a first date. He dosen’t want to pressure her or himself and just wants it to be nice and calm. The problem is it’s framed like him once again being embarassed by his dad and having to learn better.

At this point we’d had TWO movies do this already, one of which was only two years old at the time of this episode. This plot is stale as old toast even if it dind’t have goofy in it. And the twist is predictable: the HOM crew end up also overdoing it: Minnie comments on how cute they are and wants candles brought, Daisy gets them a bigger table forgetting how dates work,t hough we do get a great gag of hte 7 dwarves stacked, and Mickey while having .. some.. gopher? I honestly can’t tell who it was, usually i’m better at the cameos. Speaking of which they also have a runner of beast going on a date with Cruella Devile.

I mean is he cheating on his wife? Is she holding his wife hostage? Is this before belle because we see a post transfomratoin beast too so maybe the House of Mouse is an intersection of space and time? That’s.. actually the most resonable answer I can think of honestly and when i’m focusing more on how the hell your gag works than how funny it is, you clearly failed somewhere along the line.

Point is Mickey puts his good friend in a pothole, and not only calls max little max, which while an understnadably close family thing to do is still embarassing, but also takes pictures while their eating the spagetthi.. which i’m 100% sure was Huey’s idea nad had Mickey not interrupted, would’ve been tied up down the middle for a lady and the tramp thing. It’s his signature move. Well that and having a panic attack. That’s also one of mine the others being lettterkenny refrences and sex jokes about disney characters. But yeah this just.. dosen’t work. Them being as embarassing? that’d be fine.. if they weren’t wholly unsympathetic for not only keeping their friend from WELL INTEITONEDLY trying to help his son on his date, something his son shold have no problem with since ROXANNE’S MET HIM. AND IS FINE WITH HIM. AND NEVER CARED ABOUT YOU BEING HIS SON LIKE THE DICKHEADS AT SCHOOL. MINUS BOBBY WHO YOUR FRIENDS WITH FOR SOME REASON. My point is this plot bothers me a lot, and it makes the mickey crew come off like assholes for doing this to thier friend instead of just talking to him like a person. Especially since only ONE of them is a parent and Conviently donald is mostly absent. Likely because he realized this was going to end badly and just agreed to tie the spagetthi like huey taught him to keep his involvment in this shit show and gaslighting his best friend to a minimum.

Eventually Mickey takes things a step too far and has Sebastian almost sing kiss the girl. Max cuts him off though yelling that he just wants them to back off, he just wants them to relax and he TOLD them this, which makes them come off worse as they KNEW he didn’t want this and did it anyway and never apologize becaue apparently the first rule of house of mouse is never apologize for anything, huh huh. Goofy naturally steps in, tells them off and agrees to serve them and Roxanne finds him entertaining and gives him a nose kiss for being a good dad. He’s a good guy that Goof. Roxanne then whispers something in max’s ear at the end of the date... which gives him an audible erection. No really. And given his age is vauge here I’m suddenly super duper uncomfortable so let’s move on.

So max tells them she liked it and wants to come back.. 100% sure that wasn’t what she said but what she said isn’t fit to print and you’ve seen what i’ve said and what I put in the we’ll be right back. Point is he’s happy, though Mickey says we’ll try to make it extra special next time. Mickey.. did you do a space mountain’s worth of pills and cokea nd just forget the entire evening? Did you take some of those hangover roofies/ Why would you do that? Was that pete’s new plan to steal the house of mouse? To drug you guys and make you forget you already paid the rent? Did PJ stop him? Inquiring me wants to know.

Final Thoughts: Yeah this wasn’t a very good episode. Roxanne is wasted despite having a suitable replacment Roxanne voice in Grey Delise, with no real depth just to rehash the plot of the first and second goofy movies. And this one didn’t have an inexpilicable beatnik cafe, PJ getting laid and finally being happy for once, a standard college fraternity plot surgeically infused with an out of nowhere obession with xtreme sports that was nowhere in the first film, Goofy in an afro, Goofy finding love, That disco sequence, and a climax in which Goofy carries Brad Garret out of a fire, then Brad Garret probably kills the villian of the film who certainly deserved it. My points are this episode was an underwhelming rehash only saved by some good shippy moments and a good goofy short. It was weak, not all that funny, and not all that intersting.�� My other point is that an extremley goofy movie is awesome and also kinda insane and I love it for that. I’m glad I saw this one but i’m really disapointed in how bleh it was. Next time I visit the house of mouse is.. actually in a few days as Pete Does a One Man Show. So yeah already 100% better just by having THAT musical number in it, see you then and if not, there’s always another rainbow.

#house of mouse #max goof #roxanne #the goofy movie #max x roxanne #goofy goof #goofy #donald duck #mickey mouse #minnie mouse #daisy duck #cruella de vil #beast #disney #comissions

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