#Kind of worried because what was that call??? Like why do they need Olly to show up somewhere all of a sudden???

[dragonairice]

YOU DUMB STUPID SWEET BOY WHAT ARE YOU DOING

[fangirl-dot-com]

Chapter 20 - Backstreet's Back - All Right!

Why this sat in the drafts for so long, I do not know so I apologize to everyone! I've been super busy with college and haven't had time to write much...but here we are

Today was an ABSOLUTE fever dream and we all need a little somethin somethin. So I present to you - the backstreet boys (formula 1 edition)

RACES SKIPPED ARE CANADA AND SPAIN (side note - Arthur hasn't been able to be at a race since Monaco)

Haven't been able to say this in a while but I hope you enjoy! Remember that comments, questions, concerns, reblogs, and likes are always appreciated!! Love you all :D

TAG LIST IS CLOSED

You had gotten to the paddock super early once again. But that was only because Lando and Oscar has asked you to hang out, and you’d never skip out on some good times with your papaya friends. Andrea loved you and often let you sit in his office if you were bored. Actually, all of the team principals seemed to do that. 

Even Toto, which was weird considering you stole on of his driver’s car with his other driver. 

Like always, you found yourself killing some time by playing Subway Surfers. You were about to get a new high score when two shadows covered your screen, making your character get arrested. 

“Hey, you made me lose my score!” 

You were about to tear them a new one, but your face had a shocked look once you finally pointed your head up. 

“What the f-!” 

“Has anyone seen the kid?” was a question that Max did not imagine that he’d hear first thing in the morning when he arrived on Sunday. 

His eyes glanced to the corner that you were almost always in, listening to music. But, the corner was void of any rookie teammate. He looked toward Christian, who asked the initial question. 

“Have you checked her driver’s room?” 

The Brit sighed, “We checked her room, your room, hospitality, and even the Ferrari garage, Williams garage, and McLaren garage. No one has seen her, yet the log says that she’s already here because she tapped in at the entrance.” 

Well, Max was stumped. And he knew why Christian was wanting to see you. They were finally in the Red Bull Ring, the home race for the entire team. It was a big deal, and Christian didn’t want you to get overwhelmed. There was a lot on their shoulders. Charles had pole, but Max was right behind him. Charles was always strong in the Red Bull Ring, almost winning in 2019 and then winning in 2022. The Ferraris had done well the last two races, and you two needed to hold them off. Thankfully, you were right behind Max in P3, but Carlos was behind you in P4. A Ferrari sandwich if you will. 

Everyone was kind of counting on the both of you for a Red Bull 1-2. 

“Have you seen Vito or Mitch?” 

“We’re right here.”

The Dutchman turned around to see your race engineer and manager, but you were nowhere to be found. He opened his mouth to say something but Vito held out a hand. 

“Yes, we’ve already tried to call her and Arthur. Both phones went to voicemail.” 

“Oh god.” Max shivered. If you weren’t picking up, and your boyfriend wasn’t picking up. Well, he didn’t want to imagine what you were up to. Just as he was about to suggest looking in the garages again, Lando popped his head in. 

“Have any of you seen Bug? She was supposed to meet up with me and Oscar earlier and she never showed up!” the curly-haired Brit whined. 

Now, that had Max even more worried. You never skipped hanging out with your favorite Brit (after Christian) or Aussie. Before he was about to start getting a search party together, Mitch suddenly made a weird face. 

“Do any of you hear that?” 

The five went silent to try to hear whatever Mitch had heard. 

Lando’s face scrunched. “Sounds like the Backstreet Boys?” 

The group quickly walked over to the opening and didn’t know whether to be relived or just upright confused. 

Because there you were, holding a giant boombox (God only knows where you got that) with sunglasses on, with Arthur to your right and one Ollie Bearman to your left. The soundtrack was indeed Backstreet Boys, namely the 1997 hit song “Everybody.” 

As Max learned at Vegas, you definitely knew how to make an entrance. By now, most of the drivers had walked out of their garages to see the commotion. 

And much to Max’s surprise, Nico Rosberg, Mark Webber, and Jensen Button walked up to the three of you, giant smiles on their faces. The song had ended a bit ago, and you handed the now silent boombox back to the German. The Australian of the group gave both Ollie and Arthur pretty big hugs. 

“Well, Oscar lost his grid dad,” Lando said, earning a hit from said Aussie. 

“Hey! He was never my grid dad in the first place.” 

The now group of six made their way to the giant group of drivers, including but not limited to: Max, Lando, Charles, Carlos, Logan, Lewis, George, and Oscar (in no particular order). Arthur’s hand was behind your back as you enthusiastically talked to the very tall British brunet dressed in Ferrari red. 

“I cannot believe that you come here, apparently to see me, and say that you need to be in the Ferrari garage! Arthur’s even going to be in the Red Bull one!” they heard you whine as the group got closer. 

Ollie rolled his eyes. “That’s only because he’s your boy-oof. You did NOT have to hit me.” He glared down at you as he rubbed his side. 

“Yes I did.” Your arms crossed as you finally stopped in front of the giant group, who were all staring at you. “Hey guys, what’s up?” 

Lando mirrored your stance, even popping his hip out. “What’s up?” he jokingly mocking. “We were supposed to go to breakfast?” He pointed between him and Oscar. 

A look of realization glossed over your face as you looked at the papaya drivers. 

“Oooohhhh, yeah. Sorry. Uh, their fault?” You pointed at Ollie and Arthur, who both looked betrayed. 

“Our fault?” Ollie squawked. “You were the one who dragged us to breakfast!” 

“You had breakfast?” 

“Yes Lando, I had breakfast.” 

The younger Monegasque silenced you. “The big boys are talking. And then you dragged us to find Nico because you thought  he had a boombox.” 

“The big boys? Seriously Thur? I can take you any day.” You glared up at him. 

“Oh yeah?” He cocked an eyebrow and smirked down at you, getting in your face to really show the height difference. 

That’s it.

You suddenly jumped on him, bring him to the floor. The Max and Charles jumped into action, trying to get you separated. Ollie just watched with a giant grin on his face, laughing at the two of you. 

“Ollie, kindly shut up?” 

“Yes mom.”

The two of you were separated quickly, because you really didn’t have much malice toward your boyfriend. 

“I totally won.” 

“Kid, you lost horribly.” 

“Max, has anyone ever told you that you don’t have to say everything that comes to your mind?” 

Charles, Lewis, Lando, Oscar, Logan, and George all nodded in agreement while Max stared at them with wide eyes. 

“You all agree?!” 

“Can I have my drivers back please?!” Christian suddenly yelled, making everyone look at him. 

“Please take her. She’s rabid.” Arthur pushed you forward, making you take a swing at him (that he was ready for and dodged rather easily). 

You stuck your tongue out at him, before giving Ollie a hug and gently guiding him to Charles. 

Your finger pointed at the red-clad driver. “Take care of my son please, even if you are the enemy. He likes his sandwiches without the crust and needs a nap with his blanket in 5 hours.” 

“Gosse?”

“Aw you brought my blanket?” 

Ollie’s face flushed red as he realized everyone’s eyes were on him. Charles just looked worried as though someone just handed him an actual child and told him “good luck.” 

You turned to follow your team principal, who was muttering something about you giving him even more gray hairs every weekend. “By Ollie! Have fun!” 

The parade went by smoothly. You laughed a lot when Nico brought the boombox to the interviews. He had a lot of questions for you and Max, since it was the team race today, which made your anxiety skyrocket just a bit.

You and Arthur were able to have just a few minutes of alone time back in your driver’s room. 

Because this was a surprise race, Arthur didn’t have to work or be with his brother. So, he was all yours for the entirety of Sunday. However, your excitement didn’t last long as he told you that he had to go back to Switzerland for more testing right after. 

You sighed as you pressed your head against his chest, his arms around you. “If I had known that you’d be gone so much, I wouldn’t have called Seb and just have kept you as my WAG.” 

Arthur sadly smiled down at you. “I know chéri, but I like testing. It gives me a purpose.” 

Another sigh escaped your lips as you finally met his gaze. He cooed as he saw tears forming in your eyes. 

“What is wrong mon fille jolie?” 

You let a few tears escape, but they didn’t get very far as Arthur wiped them off as quickly as they fell. 

“I just miss you and I miss home,” you confessed, hiding your face in his neck as you stepped closer. Arthur gently brought you over to the couch and readjusted you so that you were just lying on his front. 

His hands gently ran through your hair. He knew you needed to be in the car soon, but he wouldn’t let you go without trying to console you. 

You continued, “And I know that we just had summer break not too long ago, but it wasn’t enough.” 

Arthur just listened, know you needed to spill to feel better. 

“Everyone is counting on me to bring in a 1-2 since it’s the home race. But the last two races weren’t the best. I barely got any points.” You muttered the last part, “I’m never going to win a race by now.” 

“Hey, none of that.” Arthur lifted your face so that you could look in his eyes. His were filled with determination. “Do you know how amazing you are? You podiumed at your first race and are fourth in the championship. As a rookie! You are incredible. Parfois j’aimerais que tu te voies comme je te vois.” (translation: Sometimes I wish you saw yourself as I see you.)

You huffed. “I still can’t understand you, but I’m hoping that was a compliment.” 

“It was.” 

He moved his head down to place a gentle kiss on your lips. At the contact, a sigh expelled from your nose. 

It felt so good to be so loved. 

If someone was to write a poem, about how Arthur looked at you and how you looked at Arthur, their pens would be void of ink and the stars would be shadowed by their words. 

The two of you were so lost in each other that a knock at the door scared you both and ended up with you on the floor. 

Mitch poked her head in before shaking it slightly. 

“I don’t even want to know what you were up to, but Y/n needs to get in the car.” 

You quickly stood, with Arthur’s help, and grabbed your helmet, making your way back into the garage. Like clockwork, the Monegasque took your headpiece and gently made sure that it was safely secure. And, with a kiss on the “forehead,” he sent you off. He could tell that you didn’t really want to get in the car. Which was understandable. It wasn’t very often that Arthur saw you not want to drive. But he knew that you were going to be amazing today. 

Starting Grid: 

Charles Leclerc 

Max Verstappen 

Y/n L/n 

Carlos Sainz 

Oscar Piastri 

Pierre Gasly 

Daniel Ricciardo 

Lewis Hamilton 

Yuki Tsunoda 

Alex Albon 

Lando Norris 

Logan Sargeant 

Valtteri Bottas 

Fernando Alonso 

George Russell 

Lance Stroll 

Zhou Guanyu 

Kevin Magnussen 

Esteban Ocon 

Nico Hulkenberg 

You rolled your tires as you waited for the lights to go out. They were tense, but that helped you be ready to press the accelerator. If you weren’t tense, you knew there’d be something wrong. If you felt high-strung outside of the car, inside was 10 times worse. 

All the pressure, all the doubts, all the hopes and dreams – were on your shoulders. 

And you weren’t going to let them down. 

“And it’s lights out and away we go for the 2024 Austrian Grand Prix! Charles Leclerc has a strong start in the initial few seconds, but Max Verstappen seems to be on a mission to turn this into a win. Verstappen gets down the inside and pushes Leclerc a bit wide to gain a position on the pole sitter. We both know that he will probably start to bolt in just a few corners. 

“His rookie teammate Y/n L/n seems to also have the upper hand against the other Ferrari of Carlos Sainz as she seems to do what she does best – go around the outside on that initial turn 1 and somehow make it out in front. 

“Now the track is a bit rainy, and we saw what happened the last time that happened, so we’ll keep an eye on our Red Bull number 2.” 

You felt water droplets fall into your visor as you were picking up speed on the Ferrari in front of you. You knew that this “dirty air” would be much worse than regular, since it was contaminated with water as well. 

You pressed your radio button when it seemed almost impossible to catch up to the red car. The rain had also stopped so your intermediates were getting dangerous to drive with. 

“Mitch what is the plan because I cannot catch up to Leclerc in these conditions.” 

“Do you think you can go the rest of the way in mediums?” 

You thought for a moment. You couldn’t go the rest of the way on softs, as they would degrade too quickly. And hards took forever to warm up. 

“Yeah. I can do that.” 

“Then box ahead of Max. You’ll come out right behind him. So, he’ll give you a tow and then when he boxes, you’ll do the same. Max has priority.” 

“Copy.” 

You quickly pitted the next lap. The Red Bull team seemed to be on fire as you were in and out in a few seconds. You didn’t know, but they somehow set the record for a new pit stop – 1.789 seconds. 

The crowd got excited as you suddenly appeared behind Max and in front of the number sixteen car. 

With Max in front of you, the tow was very helpful as you started to build bigger gap. You guessed that Ferrari must have messed up Charles’s pit stop as Lando’s papaya car was now behind you, instead of Charles. 

You felt bad, but that’s on his team. 

However, Lando was on much fresher tyres that you were, and he was gaining in the last ten laps of the race. You really tried to not let him overtake, but he did…with five laps to go.

Mitch suddenly came over the radio. “Don’t push it like last time. We don’t need another Suzuka. Third place will be just fine.” 

But you weren’t having any of that. You never responded and just kept at the pace you were going, trying to get the maximum out of the car. 

You hadn’t noticed, but everyone else in the garages could see that you were surprisingly gaining on Lando. Ollie watched as you were making qualifying times per lap. The crew was holding on to each other, cheering you on. With each tenth gained, the noise grew louder. 

You saw the last lap flag, and you knew you had to keep your elbows out. 

“And we are coming up on the last lap and L/n has somehow made it back into Norris’s DRS. She tried to get around the outside on the first turn, but is not successful. Yet, she’s keeping herself well in the DRS and doesn’t make try to make a move on the straights. 

“Here comes the last real corner of the circuit and only a small straight for an overtake. 

“SHE’S GOING FOR IT!

“IT’S A PHOTO FINISH…DO WE HAVE RESULTS?” 

You slowed down your car as you drove around for the cool down lap. Your finger was jamming the radio button. 

“Do we have it!?” 

Arthur was biting his fingernails as everyone in the garage was waiting for the results. The mechanics were happy with another P1 finish from Max, but they were on baited breath to see if you had almost done the impossible and finished in a 1-2 sequence. A steward walked over to the pit wall and gave Christian the paper with the results.

A giant smile crossed his face as he was the one to give you the news. 

“Congrats kid. It’s a 1-2 finish.” 

Race Results 

Max Verstappen – 25 points 

Y/n L/n – 18 points 

Lando Norris – 15 points 

Charles Leclerc – 12 points 

Carlos Sainz – 11 points 

Pierre Gasly + fastest lap – 9 points  

Oscar Piastri – 6 points 

Lewis Hamilton – 4 points 

Yuki Tsunoda – 2 points  

Alex Albon – 1 point 

Logan Sargeant 

George Russell 

Lance Stroll 

Fernando Alonso 

Nico Hulkenberg 

Valtteri Bottas 

Esteban Ocon 

Kevin Magnussen 

Zhou Guanyu 

Daniel Ricciardo 

Champions Standings

Max Verstappen – 244 points 

Charles Leclerc – 201 points 

Y/n L/n – 124 points 

Lando Norris – 115 points 

Carlos Sainz – 91 points 

Lewis Hamilton – 70 points 

Oscar Piastri – 68 points 

Alex Albon – 39 points 

George Russell – 36 points

Fernando Alonso – 35 points 

Logan Sargeant – 29 points  

Daniel Ricciardo – 23 points

Lance Stroll – 15 points 

Pierre Gasly – 12 points 

Yuki Tsunoda – 8 points 

Nico Hulkenberg 

Kevin Magnussen 

Zhou Guanyu 

Valtteri Bottas 

Esteban Ocon 

Constructors Standings 

Red Bull – 383 points 

Ferrari – 292 points 

McLaren – 194 points 

Mercedes – 106 points 

Aston Martin – 50 points 

Williams – 41 points 

Alpha Tauri – 31 points 

Alpine – 12 points 

Alpha Romeo 

Haas 

“OH YEAH BABY. LET’S GO!” you yelled over your radio. The crew in the garage stood up from their seats and began to hug each other. 

“Oh man, that was, wow! Can’t believe that. Great job everyone. Is this what winning feels like?” you asked as you took the cooldown lap, yet there was no answer. Everyone was too busy watching that final overtake and celebrating about it. 

Arthur just watched your car take a lap on the screen. He softly whispered, “I knew you could do it.” The love in his eyes could have poured out if love was a physical thing. 

Mitch came over the radio as you were beginning to pull in. “And congrats kid. You have surpassed Lewis Hamilton’s rookie point record.” 

“LET’S GO! THAT'S THE SHIT!” 

“You really need to stop hanging out with Max all the time. He’s teaching you bad words.” 

You smirked under your helmet. “I’m a girl whose friends are dominantly male. Mitch you even curse over the radio.” 

Max almost didn’t want to look at whatever car was in the second place spot. He knew you’d be devastated if you weren’t there. Last he knew, Lando was behind him with you on his tail. It was your helmet that caught his attention. His body turned to see you standing on your car in the P2 spot. 

His heart dropped, but in a good way. He watched you jump off and jump into the arms of the crew. Head pats were definitely deserved as you tried to touch as much of the team as possible. He laughed when you purposefully hung off the banner, just to get closer to the crew who were a bit further back. 

He watched you and Mitch hold out your arms (kind of like Lando and Carlos at the Singapore Grand Prix), mirror each other, and then hug it out. He swears he saw the older lady wipe away a few tears. 

Next was Christian, who gave you a big hug as Max finally made his way to the wall of crew. It was his turn for hugs, high-fives, and helmet pats. 

You had just gotten to Arthur, who held onto you a bit longer than everyone else. 

Just for the two of you, he whispered, “If you didn’t have you helmet on, I’d kiss you right here in front of all these people.” 

Your cheeks were bright red under the helmet.

Ollie, who had been able to escape from the prancing horse, had also come to congratulate you. His hug was a tag shorter than Arthur’s, but you knew he did it to make your previous hug not look as suspicious. 

You had been on the podium time and time before, but this felt different. You don’t know if it was the adrenaline, the sun, or the happiness that ran through you veins that made the trophy a bit lighter or the bubbly a bit sweeter: maybe it was all three. 

You were still hungry for a win, starving, but this was just the snack to tide you over.

Down below, Arthur and Ollie had somehow gotten a hand on the boombox once again. You could barely hear it on the podium, but you had a guess. Suddenly, the music screeched to a halt, making everyone confused. You watched as your two boys had a knowing smirk on their faces. The same smirk slowly crept on your face as well. 

You turned to Max and Lando, who looked equally confused. You held your trophy to your lips, as though it were a microphone. You pointed at the two men, and lip-synced the words. 

“BACKSTREET’S BACK -  ALL RIGHT!” 

redbullracing has posted

redbullracing 1-2 in the house! The Red Bull Ring was shining as our drivers carried home two new trophies! Congrats to y/n.89 for her first record as she surpasses Lewis Hamilton's rookie points with 124 points total!

liked by y/n.89, maxverstappen, lewishamilton, and 4,203,893 others

y/n.nation THAT'S WHAT I'M TALKING ABOUT

y/n_on_top that fight for the win will go in the history books mark my words

landonorris please tell your drivers to slow down so the rest of us can have a chance

charles_leclerc I second this y/n.89 idk, you all just sound like misogynists here... maxverstappen1 what she said

lewishamilton I knew someone would have to beat it. congrats kid

y/n.89 thank you Lew! (someone should take notes ahem landonorris) landonorris sure bug, sure

redbullfan 1-2! 1-2! 1-2!

y/n.lover she is legit currently in p3 for the constructor's championship...what do they feed her?

y/n.89 the tears of my enemies (Charles cries a lot) charles_leclerc HEY redbullracing lots of energy drinks and protein!

arthurxy/n Arthur back in the rb garage - too bad ollie couldn't join them

y/n.89 has posted

y/n.89 my boys are BACK

liked by y/n.nation, boxbox_express, change_ur_f-car, and 85,395 others

y/n&co God I've seen what you've done for others

rookiefan I kinda feel bad for her boyfriend...but at the same time Arthur is more than happy to show her off (her bf needs to take notes!!)

olliebearman MOM ON PODIUM

y/n.89 did you have a nice nap? olliebearman yes until charles_leclerc forgot my blanket y/n.89 when I find you charles_leclerc arthur_leclerc Charles you better run charles_leclerc HE'S 18?? WHY DOES HE STILL NEED A BLANKET AND NAP y/n.89 you're 26???? why do you still need to call my teammate goodnight? lestappenlove and I OOP

prema_y/n anywayyyyy the second pic is hilarious

Arthur.nation thur is glowing, wonder if he has a gf??

arthurgirly4life I VOLUNTEER AS TRIBUTE

boxbox_express the trio no one knew we needed, but the trio that we deserve

arthur_leclerc has posted

arthur_leclerc a driver, a reserve driver, and an endurance driver walk into a bar...

liked by thurthur, ferrari_fanfest, porsche, and 102,284 others

arthur4porsche this makes no sense but it's hysterical??

y/n.89 ollie actually smacked his head on the bar

olliebearman YOU SAID YOU WOULDN'T TELL - DAD, MOM IS MAKING FUN OF ME AGAIN arthur_leclerc it was funny? olliebearman grandpa? charles_leclerc yes? olliebearman not you, you forgot my blanket. the better one maxverstappen1 take that Charles

arthur&crew if max and Charles are grandpa...does that make Christian great-grandpa??

christianhorner sadly yes y/n.89 SADLY?? YOU MADE HIM CRYYYY charles_leclerc w o w , could never at Ferrari y/n.89 Charlie, you cried yesterday

redbullracing maybe the driver should become our photographer?

olliebearman has posted

olliebearman why is it that when we're together, we're always eating??

liked by ferrari, y/n.89, logansargeant, and 83,294 others

olliebear WHAT ARE THESE PICTURES I'M DYING

arthur_leclerc blocked and reported for that last picture

olliebearman why? trying to look good for someone?? arthur_leclerc say goodbye to the blanket olliebearman too late, your brother lost it :( arthur.nation HELLO??

y/n.89 I look sexy

olliebearman your boyfriend sure thinks so :D y/n.89 what Arthur said, blocked and reported

prematrio what are these comments??

y/n&co shhhhh just let them

oscarpiastri guess the invites got lost in the mail??

landonorris same here... y/n.89 you weren't in prema? kimi.antonelli thanks for the food mom! olliebearman brother? maxverstappen1 here we go again

change_ur_f-car what a time to be alive

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[ghostgirl101]

Hi! I saw you did a obsessed oliver quick, would you consider doing the same for felix catton?

Dating Felix Catton Would Be Like This...

A/N: I would absolutely consider it, and here you are 😎 also if anyone has any oneshot ideas for Oliver or any of the other Saltburn guys then drop them in my inbox, I wouldn't mind writing a proper imagine scenario for them too 📩 next up is more Oliver Quick stuff anyways, so go crazy. Also, why did I find this kind of hard to write? Maybe I'm just used to Oliver's craziness and not this pretty little aristocrat's 🙃

🍾• Contrary to Oliver, Felix's type of obsession would be less murderous and delusional, more realistic, kind of vain... he's a Catton, a rich boy everyone knows and loves, who wants to be him or be with him. He's used to getting his way, learning new things about people until they get boring or get on his nerves, and then life goes on.

🍾• Not this time.

🍾• You'd meet at Oxford, either by coincidence, or by getting in with his clique of friends somehow. Chances are you helped him out on a test or covered for him in a class, and so he calls you over in recognition next time he sees you, to hang out with him and Farleigh and the rest.

🍾• There's something about you that gets the pretty aristocrat interested. Maybe it's just your charisma, your beauty, some definition that makes up you. You're different from his other friends, don't follow the crowd, have a different mind, a worldview he doesn't get. And he likes it.

🍾• So prepared to be hounded with questions over a drink at the pub after classes, all curious but friendly eyes following yours as you summarise yourself, your background, your ambitions. And what are his? Well, he lives in a beautiful estate with his high-class family, goes to Oxford because he can... I never really saw that he made any plans for himself in the film, so my guess is that he's not all that bothered about it. He's got money, he's got connections, he'll do what he wants, like always... so long as it meets the Catton expectations.

🍾• Assuming you don't have the same outrageous luxuries as Felix does, he wouldn't see the need to impress you or get your attention at first, because his status is a given around school and everyone's after him. But if you're not the same as the other girls who crowd around him when they're given a good enough chance, he'll find himself keeping on calling you over, wanting you around for your input on things they do.

🍾• Probably shows off his wealth - unknowingly or not - by buying you something for an unnecessarily high price, like a designer fountain pen when yours runs out in English, and he'll shrug and smirk softly, because it's nothing, don't worry about it.

🍾• Farleigh will undoubtedly be interested in you, but I see him warming up to you instead of being mocking and sceptical like he was with Oliver. Probably because you give off a lot better vibes than Ollie, and treat his friends like normal people, not tiptoeing and aweing of them because they're all rich and popular, but getting on as well as you can. There's something special about you that Felix saw to try pulling you into his circle, so you don't have to do anything but be yourself.

🍾• And when the summer break does come by, you're invited to Saltburn with his closest; a dazzling, rare invitation from the young Catton himself, probably away from others in a nice spot around campus. He'll give you his charming smile and warm eyes as he tells you to come along with them, that his mum will like you because you're beautiful, and that he really wants you there.

🍾• Expecting you to go all squealy and eager with a dozen yeses - if you can manage it, hold that all down to give him a nod and a shrug with a light smile as you agree calmly and casually instead, because that's a whole new response he'd never expect from any lucky person he shows an interest in. How come you're not falling all over him like the whole of Oxford does just by him being there?

🍾• You'll definitely be showered with attention at Saltburn. Elspeth will marvel over your complexion or your eyes or your hair or your outfit (or all of the above). Venetia will probably be grateful to have someone around who has a proper personality that she can talk to and will make friends with you fairly easily.

🍾• You'll catch onto Felix's jealousy over the attention you get pretty quickly, because he doesn't even try to be subtle about it. He'll just shamelessly approach you and complain in his own way that you're his guest, and he brought you here so you two could hang out. His sister's annoying, Farleigh's a troublemaker, so you should probably just stick around him, right? Makes sense, doesn't it?

🍾• Sure it does, Felix.

🍾• He's a nice guy really, kindhearted and sweet enough, but at the end of the day, the world is his to play with, and so are its people. He just needs to understand that you're not a toy... you're an individual, and so if it's going to be anything like his other "relationships" where he gets bored and leaves them to it without a second thought, you're not interested.

🍾• Which is all shock and horror for Felix Catton, because is this really what a proper relationship means? Proper thought and feeling 24/7, staying with that one person instead of having flings with whoever whenever he feels like it?

🍾• So just give him a hot minute to sulk about it over there while you have a good time with his other friends and Venetia, because the more he sees you hanging around with others and being true to yourself, adjusting to Saltburn's black-tie standards but not letting it shape or belittle you, Felix has to actually realise that he hasn't got a whole lot of depth or meaning to his life if it doesn't involve you somehow, in the closeness that he wants and needs it.

🍾• Okay. Convinced. He'll give it a shot.

🍾• I think that Felix would expect it to be difficult for him, because he's used to his carefree, no-strings-attached game of life instead of anything serious. But it'd come easier than he'd think. Other people just don't interest him as much as you, simply because they're not you. They don't have the same little... thing. Girls trip over his feet and cling to him, everyone wants to be his mate, to try to fit into his rich lifestyle, but you do it all effortlessly, and it's puzzling.

🍾• And so hot

🍾• Felix would be casual and open with PDA, since everyone will come to grips with the two of you being an item after you've been dating for over the span of a few solid days. An arm slung around your shoulder, messing with your hair with a fond, teasing look, linked fingers under the table. Nine out of ten times, he'll beat you to it and reach out to you first, because whatever he says, there's a needy boy in him somewhere 😏

🍾• This guy was a complete playboy before you, so needless to say, when you're getting real close, Felix has a pretty good grasp of what he's doing, and he'll do it right. Petnames too, of course, Surprisingly - but unsurprisingly - things like darling and beautiful, but he'd probably try to make a nickname out of your name and shorten it to give you one, finding it funny if you give him a mildly annoyed and amused look because it sounds weird.

🍾• He'll be all bright eyes and grinning proudly as he takes you to his parties, to have dinner with his parents, who get on with you wonderfully, because you're polite but not a suck-up like everyone else, and can hold a good conversation with them while looking over their shallow spins on things.

🍾• Honestly though, from what I saw of Elspeth, she made me laugh out loud a good couple of times from watching, so being friends with his mum wouldn't be a bad thing at all. And Felix would like to see you getting along with his family, because it just proves that you're a perfect fit, like he knew you were.

🍾• You'd make a friend for life in Venetia if you tried to comfort and genuinely help her with her insecurities and problems, not play her like the rest... I felt so bad for her tbh

🍾• You'll never want any material thing ever again, because his money can buy pretty much anything you want. I'm pretty sure his family would give you some kind of allowance when you're serious with Felix anyway, since they can see it in him that he's serious about you too, and the whole relationship is a great step he's made in his life. Any financial support you need, you've got it. Don't even mention liking the look of something in a shop window, because chances are you won't get the item, you'll part-own the store 😭

🍾• So, basically, you don't just get a gorgeous young aristocrat who finds every little unique, original thing about you fascinating and attractive, you get the whole of Saltburn as your second home. Just try to make friends with Duncan, and you'll probably get all the dirt on them too lmao- he'd get on better with you than he did with Oliver anyway, since he apparently was the first and only one in the household to realise that there was something off about Oliver.

🍾• Ohhh, and if we're getting to the twisted-up subject of Oliver Quick...

🍾• Let's just say that it could go two ways. Either he'll be obsessed with the both of you, and treat you the same way he treats Felix, looking up to him with intense, wide ocean green eyes, shadows after him in the hallways after dark. Or, once he's done destroying Felix... his obsessive, delusion-spiked gaze will flick straight over to you.

🍾• Either way, steer clear, that's all I can tell you.

[crazycurly-77]

Lost in the Jungle - pt. 8

“What did you do in Ecuador?” your boyfriend asked as you all were finally up in the air and on your way home. 

Thankfully the painkillers from Ducky which Jethro gave you were starting to take effect and it was such a great relief that the pain was finally lessening. 

You've been waiting for this question, but unfortunately you couldn't answer it for him, no matter how much you wanted to.

“He must have been going through hell the last few days and hours,” you thought as he looked at you with a worried, relieved, but also questioning look.

You felt guilty because he had to endure such fear of loss because of you and you couldn't even tell him why you were here. Hopefully he would understand this based on his own experiences. You would certainly have trouble with it yourself.

“I'm sorry, but I can't tell you. The mission is classified. But at least it was successful,” you answered as best as you could. 

Gibbs only hung his head, nodded and then mumbled “at least you are back at my side.”

You grabbed his hand and squeezed it. Smiling at him you answered softly “thanks to you.” He locked eyes with you and smiled back. 

He wished very much that he knew what this mission was, but since it's classified there was no chance of knowing. He knew that from his own missions. 

So you both sat in silence, holding hands and followed your own thoughts.

Tim was silent as well. He didn't want to disturb this moment of familiarity and intimacy between you. 

After landing in D.C. you said goodbye to Stan and Olli and then Gibbs, Tim and you were on your way to the hospital. 

Arriving there you were taken to the examination room and Gibbs and Tim had to stay outside during the examination. 

While they were waiting, Gibbs called Tony “DiNozzo. We're back in D.C. We found her and she's being examined in the Bethesda hospital at the moment.”

“Wonderful! I'll tell the others and then come to you,” Tony answered excitedly and Gibbs hung up.

The exam didn't take long, but for your boyfriend and your best friend, it took what felt like an eternity. 

And before long you were brought outside in a wheelchair with your left lower leg in a plaster cast. 

Immediately they came to you “what's up? Everything okay?” 

“Yes,” the doc replied. “She has a few scratches and bruises and a broken leg, but nothing that will not heal given time.

We'll keep her here overnight for observation and you can take her home tomorrow. But the plaster must remain for the next 6 weeks. If you'll excuse me now, I need to check on my other patients. Her room number is 212, if you would be kind enough to take her there.”

Gibbs nodded and drove you to your room. On your way you chatted with Tim the whole time and as the three of you arrived there, both helped you into bed. 

Tim went to get an additional pillow for you, so Jethro and you could talk in private. 

He sat on your bed, held your hand, squeezed it and watched you lovingly. You watched him equally smitten and mumbled full of love “thank you for rescuing me.”

He smiled and answered softly “I would do it again and again, because I don't know what to do without you. But please, don't scare me so much again.”

His heartbroken look made your heart fly out to him. So you sat up, cupped his cheek and kissed him passionately and he immediately responded to you. 

Right in this blissful and intimate moment the door swung open and Jenny, Abby and Ducky walked into the room. Of course Tony walked in first and saw you both kissing. 

Tim ran hurriedly behind them into the room and said apologetically “I'm sorry boss. I tried to stop them.”

Embarrassed, you leaned your head on Gibbs’ chest while he laid his chin on your head frustrated, wrapped you in his arms, sighed because of the interruption and just answered “it's okay, McGee.” 

Everyone was standing in the room, didn't move and didn't say a word, but looked very amazed at you two. 

You just hoped that Tony would once in a lifetime cease to make jokes, but no. That wouldn't be Tony.

Of course, he had to say what everyone was probably thinking “wow, did I see what I think I saw?” he asked the obvious excitedly. 

Your head turned hot red, you looked down at your hands and mumbled shyly “Uhm, yes.”

He leaned on the foot of your bed “so you and our boss?” he wiggled with his eyebrows. 

“Uhm, yeah” you answered grinning. 

Then Gibbs joined the conversation and simply stated warningly “DiNozzo.”

But Tony didn't let up “since when has this been going on between you two?”

Gibbs answered directly, “6 months.”

You were shocked about him blabbing about this and squealed “Jethro!” 

He just looked at you, shrugged his shoulders and reasoned “let them know, they are family.”

Then Tony raised his hands in surrender and said “okay, okay. We just came to say hello and watch how you are doing, Y/N. 

And we have found out what happened. 

More specifically, why you were shot down and by whom.”

(To be continued...in Chapter 9 - the last!!!)

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

Here you will find the other chapters of this story and the other stories I've written to date.

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Tags: @ilovemark1951, @hobby27

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[ari-archives]

Over Our Love

Oliver was standing outside the changing rooms with his teammates after just giving one of his long speeches about teamwork and victory and all the hard work they’ve done blah blah blah… At least that what it sounded like to most of his teammates. Particularly his fellow 7th years, having to hear his long-winded speeches more than anyone else on the team. After so many, they all start sounding alike.

Though his fellow Gryffindors get it. If they win this quidditch game, they’re in the finals for the cup. Which has been Oliver’s dream since he got on the team. Slytherin has won the cup seven years in a row, and he is determined to break that streak. They’re playing against Ravenclaw today. Not necessarily a hard opponent but it wouldn’t be too easy either. They have good chasers, and Ravenclaw’s seeker, Cho Chang, is a graceful flyer than most.

The players were just talking amongst themselves waiting for the call to head into the pitch. Oliver was standing outside seeming to be waiting for something as his eyes looked off to the side every now and then. Oliver and his girlfriend have a routine before every one of his games since they started dating. Y/N would greet him right outside the quidditch changing rooms, just right before they were to go on to wish him well and to give him a good luck kiss. But the girl was nowhere to be found.

“It’s almost time.” He thought. His anxiety growing more and more by the second. He needed to see her. He needed to feel her presence to put him at ease.

So, what if he’s playing against her house? That shouldn’t matter right? There’s no way she wouldn’t show up for him. She’s going to show up.

She has to.

After what seemed like a millionth time looking over, he finally spotted someone wearing blue and silver robes walking towards him. Oliver let out a sigh of relief. Worry leaving his body replaced with a kind of excitement and love that just makes your stomach flip. Oliver sees his beautiful girlfriend smile and wave at him as he heads towards her, meeting her halfway.

“You were cutting it a bit close there leannan” he said as his arms wrapped around your waist while yours automatically went around his shoulders, fingers intertwining behind his neck. His term of endearment, though you hear it quite often, doesn’t fail to give you butterflies.

“I’m sorry my love but I had to secure my seats at the Ravenclaw section with Pen” You answered with a small pout that you knew Oliver couldn’t resist. He studied your face just for a quick second before awarding you with his smile.

“That’s alright. You’re here now.” He assured, leaning down to get his long awaiting good luck kiss. It all would’ve been perfect had you not leaned away from him as his lips was just about to touch yours. He pulled back and you almost laughed at the shock and confusion written all over his face. He couldn’t believe you just deprived him of his kiss. His kiss he’s been waiting all day for. The audacity.

“You seriously didn’t think you were going to get a good luck kiss from me today, do you?” You asked. Your boyfriend didn’t say anything but just looked at you like your question was the dumbest question he has ever heard.

“Ollie, you’re playing against my house.” You explained. “Why would I want to wish you good luck?”

“Leannan, please don’t do this to me.” He whined.

“I’m sorry Ollie but I want you to lose.” You shrugged, like it was the most obvious thing in the world.

Oliver’s mouth opened wide in shock along with his eyes. He couldn’t believe you just said that.

“I can’t believe you just said that.” He let out. “How could you say that to your own boyfriend? The love of your life?”

“I can say it because the love of my life is trying to beat my house’s chance of getting the quidditch cup.”

“Are you seriously putting our houses over our love?” he asked, feigning hurt.

“Are YOU ready to put our love over our houses?”

Silence.

Damn.

You got him. You got him good.

“Leannan, pleeeaase don’t do this to me.” He whined again causing you to laugh at last resort attempt to win you over.

“You're really not going to give me my kiss?” Oliver asked again, wanting to be really sure.

Your fingers rubbed the nape of his neck providing little comfort as you shook your head no. He groaned placing his forehead on yours.

He looked at you again and asked, “Well if you’re not here to wish me good luck, then why are you here?”

“Well.. I know who my boyfriend is and just wanted to remind him to be safe and to please try to not get himself hurt too bad.” You answered, playfulness out of your eyes, now filled with worry.

“That’s very sweet of you. I’m sure he’ll appreciate that.” He said, giving you a reassuring smile.

“I’m serious Oliver.” His government name coming out of your mouth. “I know how you get. I want you to be able to achieve your dream, but it’s not worth it if you’re in the hospital wing as a result.”

Sensing the seriousness and worry on your tone, he conceded.

“Okay. Okay. I promise to be safe and to not get too injured.” He said, kissing your nose for extra assurance.

“Thank you.”

You both turn your head toward the Pitch as Lee started his announcements.

“You better go.” You told him, pushing him lightly away from you. “Go out there and suck.”

Instead of being offended he just gave you a smirk and started walking backwards towards his teammates.

“Last chance to give me my kiss angel.”

You glared at him playfully while shaking your head.

“I hope you lose.” You said in a sing song voice, finally turning around and walking away before you break your urges and actually give him his kiss. Instead of pretending to be offended, he just laughed to himself amazed at how competitive you truly are, even if you’re not on the quidditch team.

“Alright ladies, lads, and pals.” He turned around facing his quidditch team. “We have a game to win.” He flashed them with cocky smile and his team knew that he was in the Ollie Zone. A term you created when nothing can get in between Oliver and his victory.

The team walked into the tunnel leading out into the pitch, standing in their designated spots waiting for the door to open so they could fly out and greet the audience. Harry, overhearing the last seconds of the conversation between you and Oliver, couldn’t help but ask...

“Did I hear your girlfriend tell you ‘I hope you lose.’?”

Oliver looked at Harry smiling at him.

“My girl is very competitive Potter.” He explained, taking his broom, and putting it between his legs. Harry followed. “One of the many things I love about her.” Oliver concluded proudly.

Before Harry could question it even further, Lee announced Gryffindor’s entrance and the door opened letting Oliver fly out into the pitch with his teammates right behind him. As Oliver flies around the pitch going over the student sections, he slows down towards Ravenclaw finding his girlfriend right at the front row sending her a wink. She playfully sticks her tongue out him and he lets out a laugh flying over to his position in front of the goalpost. Oliver is determined to win this game. Especially now as payback because his girlfriend didn’t give him his good luck kiss.

You don’t ever want to mess with his kiss.

Never.

[quipxotic]

Spoilers for Campaign 3, in particular Episode 68, below...

Who could Bell's Hells call on for help at the Malleus Key? Here's a running list of some of the options, although how likely any of the people are to give aid is still up in the air.

Planerider Ryn - If she's alive and no longer a statue you know she'd be there.

Any remaining members of the Grim Verity - They're mostly academics, not fighters, which is why both the Ruby Vanguard and the Judicators/forces of Vasselheim so easily whittled them down. Still, there may be more out there if BH could figure out how to contact them.

"D" - Seems like they're going to find them anyway, so we'll see what they have to offer.

Jiana Hexum - Always a dicey proposition, first of all because Hexum (while a wonderful villain who I hope we see again) is a terrible person who enjoys holding power over others and making them do things they otherwise wouldn't. I'd hate to see what she'd ask of BH, more specifically Ashton and FCG, if they do go to her for help. Plus they don't know if Hexum was just hired to do work for Paragon's Call/Ruby Vanguard or if she believes in their cause.

The Green Seekers - Gus and Olly are more detectives than soldiers but it's all hands on deck right now.

House Lumas and Oshad Breshio - I'm sure Ela would love to bring some justice to the people who murdered her sons and the Anger would probably like another shot at them too.

Orlana Seshadri - One of the things I most wish BH had done while back in Jrusar was talk to Madame Seshadri. I'm not sure how much power the Chandei Quorum could bring to the fight, but they at least ought to know what's going on practically on their doorstep.

Ira Wendagoth - Like Hexum, this one is tricky. Ira's powerful and can be an ally, but he's fundamentally untrustworthy and will betray them one day. But if BH can survive this event without that or a TPK, they can worry about that eventual betrayal later.

The Verdict - Yeah maybe they still have beef with BH, but the team did heal them before they eventually beat them to the prize they were all after. Maybe that little bit of kindness counts for something?

The Calloways - I'm not sure how much help Ollie would be, but Birdy is no slouch in a fight and they've both got multiple reasons for trying to stop what's going on at the key.

Imahara Joe - I'll admit part of my reason for putting him on this list is just because I want more of Joe, who is a delight. He wouldn't be able to help them fight, but if they need tech he's the guy.

All-Minds-Burn - I'm not sure how much help Justi Pross and the gang could be outside of Bassuras or if they'd even want to pick a side in what's going on, but they'd be able to take it to whatever is left of the Paragon's Call, so maybe?

Grandma Morri - She would probably be helping already if travel and communication between the planes weren't part of the magic that got borked due to the solstice. Still, if there is a way, always count on Nana.

Delilah Briarwood - I mean, what could go wrong? I really hope it doesn't come to this, because if it does and they survive the battle on the moon or at the key, then they'll eventually have to fight her and possibly Vox Machina...and nothing good can come from any of that.

The Gorgynei - They'd probably be reluctant to leave the Gloomed Jungles and expose both their existence and their number, but this is a desperate situation. Bonus! Matt might have to voice Manad and Teven Klask in a scene with Fearne, Ashton, and Chetney and wouldn't that be an awkward delight?!

FRIDA, Deanna, and Prism - Get the Lore-sonists on the case! (This is HIGHLY unlikely, but we can dream.)

The Diarchy of Uthodurn - Team Wildemount promised to report back and never did. And while the rulers and the city may be a long, LONG way from the fight, they should have some sort of force to send and quite a few reasons to fight Ludinus.

[lonelier-version-of-you]

Back to series 15 of Holby - this time, I’ll be watching S15E24 “Journey’s End”. I don’t know what it says about me that I just keep thinking “oh, there was also a Doctor Who episode with that title” lol.

Edit 1: Oh, Tara. :( And Ollie being so worried about her. :’))

Edit 2: It’s Chantelle’s birthday! This episode aired on the 26th of March 2013, so unless they go on to say it’s set some other day (but it definitely seems like it’s been a week since the previous episode), that’s when her birthday is.

Edit 3: That scene with Chrissie and the patient was lovely.

Edit 4: Tara 😭

Edit 5: Chantelle thinking her ex (maybe Torchwood Boy, maybe another ex, it’s not clear) is the only one to remember her birthday. :(

Edit 6: Henrik and Tara scene!!

Edit 7: It honestly didn’t click with me until just now that Jake doesn’t know (at this point) about Malick being gay.

Edit 8: I’m so obsessed with this whole “secret birthday party for Chantelle” plot. This is the kind of fun later Holby almost always lacked in.

Edit 9: This episode is leaning really hard into the whole ‘Arthur is autistic’ thing, lol.

Edit 10: Jing Lusi being brilliant again. I love Tara (and her relationship with Ollie) so much.

Edit 11: I hate how this dad on AAU is behaving towards his daughter.

Edit 12: Arthur and Ollie scene! I do miss when people from different wards would interact.

Edit 13: Speaking of autistic Arthur, he just said: “The thing is, I just - I tend to find that being myself doesn’t really work for me.”

Edit 14: “Technically that’s four words, isn’t it? Two contracted.” Why is Arthur in this episode acting just like me.

Edit 15: Okay, so apparently Torchwood Boy is indeed the ex who called Chantelle earlier. And she’s going out for a meal with him. Chantelle, turning Arthur down is one thing, but don’t give Torchwood Boy the time of day! He never deserved you! You deserve better!

Edit 16: Henrik calling Tara by her first name 😭 He almost never went by first-name basis with people at this point, especially not at work. So you know he’s worried when he addresses her as “Tara” and not “Dr. Lo”.

Edit 17: Wow. Just... wow. That final monologue from Tara just blew me away. The writing, the delivery... the whole thing is just heartbreaking.

Also, just... see, this is why I don’t understand “Henrik saw Sahira as a daughter!” takes (or the fact that his actual Wikipedia page says that - I really need to update it at some point). For one thing, Guy Henry himself has said that Henrik was sexually attracted to Sahira.

But even if he hadn’t - Henrik was very clear on his interest in Sahira being romantic (he freaked out so much when she asked him if it was for a reason, he wouldn’t have been so bothered if it wasn’t the case), he repeatedly compared himself to Sahira’s romantic interests (both Greg and Rafi) with comments like “why would you be [dependent on Henrik for emotional validation] when you can derive your self-esteem from the fawning attentions of our finest beta males?”, or “What you felt in there [theatre] just now... you won’t feel that anywhere else. Or with anyone else.” (this was literally part of a rant about how if she left Holby and moved away with her husband, she’d come to resent Rafi and want to still be with Henrik instead!). Even just the way he looks at her - that’s not the way you look at someone you think of as a daughter.

I mean, I know fundamentally abuse and harassment is more about power than attraction - and it’s about power in Henrik’s case too - but in this case, attraction was most definitely a facet in the whole thing. It would still have been sexual harassment and emotional abuse (yes, I said the words, the words fandom utterly refuses to apply to Henrik and his treatment of Sahira! Actually, there might be some interesting analysis to apply here about how people struggle to accept that someone can be an abuser to someone in their life and also have genuinely loving and positive relationships with others. Because Henrik’s not a complete monster all the time, and has had plenty of moments of care and compassion, people struggle to accept that he can have done all of that and still have abused Sahira.) if he wasn’t attracted to her, but he was.

Whereas if you look at his relationship with Tara - he genuinely loves her, worries about her, and treats her like a daughter. He cared deeply enough that even Roxanna felt the need to tell him how sorry she was after Tara’s passing. I don’t know why people say Sahira was the one he viewed as a daughter, when he was so much more parental to Tara.

I might edit this again later to cut down this meta, because the rant’s gotten longer than I intended. I have a lot of feelings about the Henrik/Tara relationship.

[s0lar-ch3ri]

THIS IS WHAT IVE MISSED SINCE MY PHONE LOGGED ME OUT?? FUCKING BANGER POSTS.

grizzly supplies them with the ingrediants and sticks around incase things get too legal

goobleck is a creation made by a failed rival bakery and said rival *insists* its made of dough but its very clearly regular goobleck

the missing pretxel arc was really scary because gillion almost was convinced by dark thoughts that he cooked pretzel on accident.

they get so many health code violations (which grizzly helps them out on) because gillion Loves So Many Oversea Creatures And Will Not Leave Them Outside

lil crossover thing cause im so into pd rn but dakota and gill just keep sorta blowing up the back dumpsters cause dakota loves dueling and gillion cannot refuse (nor can dakota)

FUCK IT I KEEP BALLING WITH THIS CROSS OVER SHIT

its a lil game of the captains to guess which "alter" (theyre later on corrected to the name greats) vyncent has next, most times theyre pretty right!

also i cant get my head around the idea of a human gill so pd world or not hes still a fish dude

in an attempt to read will and vyncent gill gave william the sex book thinking it was the romance one and they both fucking died when gill realised

the pd crew only get free food and shit cause 1: dakota and gills duels are enough payment for him, 2:chip just has a nice liking to their chaos (reference to bebo dm!!!), 3: grizz introduced them as friends so surely theyre chill, and 4:the out of towners (id say it would be the albatrio and ollie but yeah) have different money systems and grizzly does not want to trust the idiots with translating it in

before we go back to regular non crossover the prime defenders also do their best to help out (dakota can do delieveries very fast cause hes fucking dakota, will helps with baking and also plays with ollie a bit, and who needs exterminators when you have vyncent sol resident rat eater? <-vyncent is not ever allowed in the kitchen)

for a week chip and ollie put up this flag with boobs on it and for that week there were no customers

rather then being a run away, this is more like a secret life of olivers! his mom was worried cause his brother and father got distant after starting up their busniesses and shit so yeah

the nat 20 kiss was entirely unplanned AND (hear me out for this) led by chip this time! it was probably like after the kegstand or smth (really early ik but its for funny reasons), like gill got super drunk and kept tripping up so one time when gill tripped chip caught him, looked into his eyes, and gill said smth like "damn, your pretty" and then the Demons (homosexuality) took over (yes this can also be platonic because why not)

amanda rinn was a hook up of chips they jokingly call chips wife

gillion is so holy cause for a bit he worked at a church

chip kind of accepted for a bit that hed probably never find his old fam again until a familiar face (lizzie) came in and ordered some food

if this is like the riptide universe somewhat, they absolutely help hide criminals from jays dad

i could go on a lot longer

jrwi riptide bakery au except gillion tries to fight the dough when it rises because that’s Not Possible, jay gets bored waiting for things to cook and decides to Blast That Shit (with a flamethrower), and chip overshares to a random customer and gets the cops called on them for having a Small Boy In The Back Who Does Unpaid Labor For Us (ollie)

[originalhybridloverfics-backup]

Healing and Scars - The Huntress Returns

Summary: Helena returns for revenge against her father, Chaos is left in the wake of her actions.

Oliver entered the foundry.  

John, who was looking at an article about the man who killed Andy on Felicity’s computers, quickly closed the tab and glanced over his shoulder at him. “Hey. Where you been?”  

“Oh, I thought I’d give myself a rare morning in,” said Oliver.

John looked at him in amusement, doubting his words. Oliver was not one to take it easy.

“Don’t look at me like that,” Oliver defended. “The club is opening, finally. McKenna and I are going on date number six tonight, which is... It’s significant. And, uh, I don’t know. It seemed like a good day to give the bad guys a rest.”  

“Well, it’s the bad girls that I’m worried about.” John turned back to the computer screen and opened a video tab. 

“Helena.” Oliver said, recognizing the woman in the video.  

“Yes, or as I like to call her, your psycho ex-girlfriend,” said John, playing the footage. “This was taken at Alley Cats, the strip joint. The police report lists the stiff’s name as Gus Sabatoni.”  

“That’s Bertinelli’s lawyer. Why would she come back to Starling City just for him? It’s not like he did a good job,” said Oliver, turning away, trying to understand Helena’s reasoning. “Her father’s serving consecutive life sentences without parole.” 

“Come on, Oliver, we both knew this was just a matter of time.” John stood, taking a step toward him. “You tried to help her, you couldn’t. Now the only question is, how long before she drops the dime on you, me, this whole operation?”  

“Ok. I want you to get in touch with the contacts in the Bratva. Talk to anyone on the street, figure out where Helena is, why she’s back.” said Oliver and turned to leave.  

“Ok. But Oliver–” 

“Dig,” Oliver turned back around, cutting him off. “If she’s here, she’s here for a reason. If that’s not Frank Bertinelli, we need to know what she has planned.”  

“Ok.” said John, watching Oliver’s retreating back. 

John just knew this was going to become so much more complicated. 

~*~ ~*~ ~*~  

Oliver entered his family home, the sound of his sister’s laughter reaching his ears. “Speedy?” he called out.  

“Oh, we’re in here.” Thea’s voice called out to him. 

Oliver followed the sound of her voice to the sitting room and was greeted by the sight of her sitting on one of the two couches in the room with Helena. He was instantly alert. 

“Look who’s back.” Thea smiled. “She was just telling me about your guy's first date at Russo’s.”  

Helena looked over her shoulder at him. “Hello, Oliver.”  

“Oh, Ollie, I kind of have this pseudo friend that’s looking for a job. I was wondering if the club’s still hiring?” Thea asked.  

“Yes.” Oliver answered her immediately. “Of course. Talk to Tommy. As a matter of fact, you can go upstairs and call Tommy right now,” he said urgently. He needed Thea away from Helena. 

“Great.” Thea grinned, getting up from the couch. “You rock.” 

Oliver kept his expression of politeness until Thea walked past him and out of the room. 

 Helena stood to face Oliver. 

“Where you been?” Oliver asked, closing the distance between them. His tone accusing. 

“Um... Barcelona. Monaco, Budapest.” Helena listed off. “I just needed to forget who I was. And how much I missed you.”  

“Do you mean like you missed Gus Sabatoni?” Oliver confronted her. He refused to fall for her attempt to persuade him. “I thought you were done with your father’s organization, Helena. Because he’s serving consecutive life sentences in Iron Heights prison. You got your revenge.”  

“He just cut a deal with the Justice Department to testify against the East Coast family. In 48 hours, Witness Protection will give him a new name, a new life, and he’ll be off the grid forever. Untraceable!” Helena stressed, the thought of her father getting off easy for his crimes, eating her alive. 

“I’m sorry. I’m sorry.” Oliver told her, and he was, but he couldn’t help her. He couldn’t be part of her revenge crusade. It wasn’t justice, no matter how hard she tried to convince herself it was. 

“My father doesn’t deserve a second chance-- a second life,” said Helena passionately. “And I can’t. I can’t take on a phalanx of U.S. marshals. Not without help.”  

“No.” said Oliver, refusing. “It’s murder. It’s not justice.”  

“Oh, there you are,” Moira greeted Oliver, stepping into the room. “I have a question about your opening tonight.” She paused, seeing Helena, surprise filtering across her features. “Hello.”  

Helena moved to stand next to Oliver. “Hi.” 

Moira put on a pleasant smile. “Oliver, who’s your friend?”  

“Oh! Mom, this is Helena.” Oliver introduced, forcing a smile of politeness. “Helena, this is my mother.”  

“Hi.” Helena smiled. “Nice to meet you.”  

“Helena was just leaving.” Oliver told his mother, placing a hand on Helena’s back.  

“Yes.” Helena agreed with a force smile. “I have a family engagement.”  

“Excuse us for a minute.” Oliver told his mother and started to guide Helena out, wanting to get her away from his family.  

“Of course,” said Moira as they moved past her. Women that Oliver slept with popping up out of the blue was nothing new. 

Helena stopped at the edge of the room, leaning into Oliver. “I guess I will just have to be more persuasive. Fortunately... You have a family, too.” Her words brushed across his skin before she kissed his cheek and let herself out.

Oliver was left standing there tense, his mother standing a few feet behind him, waiting. Every cell in his body told him to go after Helena to make sure she wasn’t capable of following through with her threat. 

Helena was pushing him, trying to get a rise out of him, and it was working.

~*~ ~*~ ~*~

Oliver stood talking to John by the bar. Employees moving about, getting it ready for tonight’s opening. “She was in my house.” his voice was low so not to be overheard. “She made a not so veiled threat. I want extra security around my mother and sister.”  

John had his phone out. “Way ahead of you, man.” he put it to his ear.  

“Thank you,” said Oliver.  

“It’s my job.” John replied, moving past him.   

“For not saying, “I told you so.”” Oliver turned to lean against the bar.  

“Night’s young,” said John, walking away.

Tommy appeared behind the bar, emerging from the back room with a case of alcohol.  

“Where you been?” Oliver turned to him, hands on the bar. “The club opens in four hours.”  

“I’ve been dealing with the vendors.” Tommy turned his back to him, unloading the crate.  

“No, you haven’t. Tommy... We need to talk.” Oliver waited till Tommy turned to face him before continuing. “I’m sorry, all right. But I kept this a secret to protect the people that are closest to me.”  

Oliver hated that Tommy was shutting him out, turning his back on him without even trying to understand him or why he had to do the things he did. 

“Do you think that’s what I care about?” Tommy asked. “What, that my feelings are hurt? You’re a murder. A killer,” Tommy stressed, taking Oliver back. “You were my best friend in life, but now it’s like I don’t even know you.”  

“You’re right,” said Oliver, recovering from Tommy’s view of him. “I’ve changed. Listen, buddy, now I can explain to you. I can explain to you how and why-- “ 

“What’d be the point? I wouldn’t believe a word of it, anyway.” Tommy said dismissively and walked away, leaving Oliver alone at the bar.  

Oliver felt the urge to go after Tommy, but feared it was only going to make things worse. 

~*~ ~*~ ~*~ 

Oliver and Tommy’s club was packed, the dance floor crowded with people drinking and dancing.

“To Verdant.” Moira raised a glass. She was on the upper floor with Thea, Oliver, and McKenna. “I know I haven’t always been supportive of this venture, but I have to admit, this nightclub is quite an accomplishment. I’m proud of you. Your father would be, too.”

“Thank you,” Oliver appreciated her words, taking a drink from his glass.

“Yeah, congratulations, Ollie.” said Thea. “The club doesn’t totally suck.”  

“Thanks, Speedy.” Oliver set his champagne glass down. “Thank you very much, all of you, for coming.” 

~*~ ~*~ ~*~ 

Tommy leaned against the bar, watching the dancing crowd with a drink in his hand, frowning. His mood sour. It was always sour these days wherever he and Oliver were in the same building, let alone the same room. 

With how things were, he wasn’t sure how they were supposed to work together. He wasn’t even sure if they were friends anymore. It was a hard pill to swallow because their relationship had been more than friendship. It was a brotherhood. They were family. 

“Oh! There you are.” Laurel appeared before him, excited and happy. “This place is amazing. I’m so proud of you and Ollie.”  

Tommy forced a smile, sipping from his glass. “Thanks.”  

“Is everything ok?” asked Laurel.  

“I’m great.” Tommy lies. He didn’t want to talk about it. Especially not with Laurel, of all people. For one, she knew nothing of Ollie’s secret. 

“Well, breakfast was a disaster.” Laurel informed him.  

“Breakfast?” Tommy repeated, uncertain what she was talking about.  

“With my parents?” Laurel clarified.  

“Right. That was this morning.” Said Tommy, apologetically, realizing he had forgotten all about it.. “Uh... Sorry.”  

“Are you sure everything’s ok?” asked Laurel concerned, usually Tommy was attentive, more focused on her. “Because you seem completely off.”  

“I’m fine.” Tommy assured, taking her by the hands. “I promise.”  

“Tommy!” Said Thea, stopping in front of them. “Tommy. Did you call Roy yet?”  

“I left him a message. He starts tomorrow.” Tommy said, and Thea smiled. “Which reminds me, I have to go check in with the office. Excuse me.” he turned and headed for the stairs, needing to get away. He wasn’t in the mood to socialize with anyone. 

“Hey, Tommy,” said a female voice. 

Helena. 

Tommy paused on the first step, giving her his attention. 

“Remember me?” she asked with a smile and recognition shown in his eyes.  

~*~ ~*~ ~*~ 

Oliver headed down the stairs, spotting McKenna dancing in the crowd, smiling invitingly.

“Sorry to bother you, Mr. Queen.” a bartender approached him.  

“Your timing is perfect.” Oliver assured him in relief. “I can’t dance.” 

The server passed him a folded piece of paper. “They said it was urgent.”

Oliver opened the note. 

Meet me downstairs. Now. - Dig.  

He frowned. Certain there was a problem if Dig was asking him to meet him downstairs. 

“You ok?” McKenna asked him, appearing in front of him.  

Oliver looked up. “Yeah. We ran out of Cristal.”  

“Oh.” said McKenna.   

“I’ll be right back,” Oliver told her.  

McKenna patted his shoulder. “Ok.” and returned to her dancing. Hoping he would join her soon.   

~*~ ~*~ ~*~ 

“Dig?” Oliver walked down the steps and stopped cold. Helena had Tommy bent over a table, his arm wrenched behind his back. “Let him go. He has nothing to do with this.”  

“I told you. Oliver, I warned you.” Helena fisted Tommy’s hair in one hand and bent his wrist in the other at an awkward angle. 

Tommy’s face was pinched uncomfortably. He was hurting, but trying not to give Helena the satisfaction of his pain. 

“Helena! This isn’t you.” Oliver said, attempting to placate her. Trying to dissuade her from hurting Tommy further.  

A cold fist wrapped around his heart. This is what he feared. The people he loved caught in the crossfire, being used as a weapon against him. 

“My father is a mobster and a murderer. It is not like you haven’t killed men like that before!” Helena reminded him harshly.  

“And I tried to teach you to obtain your objective without killing!” Oliver argued. There was another way. Why couldn’t she just accept that? She didn’t have to be this person.  

“By applying leverage. By exploiting someone’s weakness.” she wrench on Tommy’s hand.

Despite his efforts, Tommy screamed out, gasping in pain.  

“There is a whole club full of leverage above our heads right now. Please. Oliver, don’t make me do something that both of us will regret.” Helena gritted out. 

There was a desperation in her eyes than he liked. A desperate person was more dangerous than they appeared. 

“Ok! Ok. You win,” Oliver conceded. All he had to do was look in her dark eyes and he could she her words weren’t a threat but a promise. “I’ll help you. Let him go.” Anger filled his eyes at her reluctance to let Tommy go, voice rising with his own threat. “Let...Him...Go!” 

Helena finally released Tommy, taking a couple of steps back, her eyes distrusting.  

Tommy groaned and gasped, gripping his injured hand to his chest, doubled over in pain. It somehow hurt worse now that he was free than when she had her hands on him, manipulating his limb to a painful degree.

~*~ ~*~ ~*~ 

“Don’t say it,” Oliver told John, pacing the Foundry floor. He didn’t need an ‘I told you so’.  

“Ok. Then let’s talk about Helena.” John sat on the edge of Felicity’s station. “Oliver, if you didn’t still have feelings for this girl, you would have thought of a different solution than letting her extort you into killing someone.”  

“So, what do you want me to do? You want me to kill her?” Oliver shook his head. He didn’t have a choice here.  

“I think you would have a long time ago if she looked like me instead of the T-Mobile girl. She’s a stone-cold killer, Oliver.” Digg stressed.  

“She’s not evil. She’s been lost since her father killed her fiancé in cold blood. And are you going to sit there and tell me that you don’t know what it’s like to want revenge? What would you do? Hmm? If Floyd Lawton was standing right there?” he pointed to the entrance.  

“Nothing that will involve blackmailing you into hunting him down,” said John. There were lines he was not willing to cross. He knew that with absolute certainty. 

“You’re right. Ok?” Oliver admitted. “I can’t kill her. And I can’t take her to the police and risk her exposing all of this. But at least, if I’m involved, I can contain her, all right?” Oliver reasoned. “I can minimize the collateral damage.”  

“Sorry, am I... interrupting something?” Helena announced her presence, coming in through the back entrance, past the stairs.   

“We were just... talking about you,” said Oliver, turning to face her.  

Helena looked at Digg. “And here I thought you didn’t care much for me.”  

John met her eyes head on. “Still don’t.” 

“I haven’t been able to locate the safe house where the FBI is keeping your father.” Oliver said as Helena’s eyes returned to him.  

“I can help with that.” Felicity walked in from the same entrance as Helena did. “I’ve been dying to hack into the FBI security system.”  

“Get out.” Oliver said sharply, holding his hand out for her to stop as Digg moved to intercept, not wanting her near Helena. “Get out. This is a private thing, Felicity. Please.” 

Helena’s eyes turned to her, scrutinizing her closely.  

“Oh. Ok.” Felicity paused, feeling a little insulted about being kicked out. Perhaps she wasn’t a part of the team as much as she believed herself to be. She turned back the way she came. “See ya, I guess…”  

“How many girlfriends do you have, exactly?” Helena asked Oliver once Felicity was gone.  

“Like I said... We don’t know where the safe house is.” Oliver told her, ignoring her comment, hoping she would forget about Felicity altogether. “What we do know is that the Marshall service is taking your father to a hearing at the Justice Department tonight. There’s a problem...Helena. There are two vans. And one of them’s a decoy.”  

“Well, it’s a good thing there’s two of us, then.” said Helena.  

“It’s not too late to call this off.” Oliver told her. He knew she wouldn’t back down, but he had to try.  

“I think you know me better than that,” said Helena. “I don’t take prisoners.”  

~*~ ~*~ ~*~ 

Felicity tried to immerse herself in her work, but she couldn’t help thinking about being kicked out of the foundry. 

Admittedly, she hadn’t been working with Oliver and Digg long, but she had started to feel like she was actually part of the team and not just the IT help.

She thought they were building a friendship, but maybe she was wrong. 

And who was that woman in the foundry? Felicity hadn’t liked the way the other woman looked at her. Almost like she was the dirt beneath her shoe. 

She thought back to Oliver's sharp tone and the worried look on Digg’s face. 

Maybe she was taking this too personal. Maybe earlier it hadn’t been about her, but whoever the model looking brunette was. 

Felicity used her spoon to stir her ice cream a little. She gave her head a shake, telling herself to let it go and just enjoy her night in. 

It was easier said than done. 

~*~ ~*~ ~*~

Oliver and Helena were parked over a dark area, waiting for their targets. 

“Just your father,” said Oliver, hating that he was doing this but seeing no other way. “Anyone else gets hurt and I’ll put an arrow in you.”  

Helena nodded, pressing her lips into a tight smirk. “That’s sweet. Now I know how you charmed your cop girlfriend.” 

Oliver clenched his jaw.  

They pulled the visors down on their helmets, hiding their identities, dressed in their leathers. 

~*~ ~*~ ~*~

Helena and Oliver followed behind the two vans. When the vans took different routes, they split up.

Oliver followed the van into the tunnel, winding his way around traffic. He threw a star dagger, taking out the tire, followed by a second one to the back door as it skidded to a stop. The door popped open. It was empty. 

Oliver turned his bike around to catch up with Helena. 

However, he was too late. When he reached the other tunnel. She was cornered by the cops. Lance was making demands of who the Arrow was while McKenna was placing her in cuffs, reading her rights. 

“Damn it,” Oliver cursed under his breath. 

Helena met his eyes but said nothing. He turned his bike around, speeding off. 

Nothing about this was good. 

~*~ ~*~ ~*~ 

Oliver broke into the police department, creating a diversion, helping Helena escape. He couldn’t risk her revealing his secret. 

She had proven he could not trust her. The only thing that mattered to her was her own agenda. Vengeance above all. 

~*~ ~*~ ~*~

“Thanks for the save.” Helena told him, in an empty area.  

“I couldn’t risk you telling the police about me,” Oliver told her.  

“Is that the only reason?” Helena asked him. 

Oliver said nothing. 

“Why can’t you just admit... That you still have feelings for me, too?” asked Helena. 

That might have been true earlier, but that was before she hurt someone he cared about. Now he just wanted her gone. 

Oliver pulled an envelope from his jacket, zipping it back up. He held the white envelope out to her.  

“What is it?” asked Helena, looking away from him, not liking the way he was looking at her.  

“A plane ticket to Rome, and a passport so you can start a new life somewhere else,” Oliver informed her, and she looked back at him with a glare. “The police know you’re tracking your father, Helena. You’ll never find him. So get out of my city.”

Helena snatched the envelope from him, watching as Oliver turned, getting on his bike, driving off without looking back.   

~*~ ~*~ ~*~ 

Oliver knocked on McKenna’s door, blinking when she opened it dressed in a silk robe, her hair still damp from a shower. 

“I’m sorry. I should have called.” Oliver apologized.  

“No, it’s--it’s ok. Come on in.” McKenna stepped aside, opening the door wider. 

“Are you sure?” asked Oliver, holding his jacket.  

“Yeah, yeah,” she answered.  

Oliver stepped inside. “Thank you. 

McKenna closed the door behind her and turned to face him. “I’m surprised, but I’m happy.”  

“Yeah?” asked Oliver, uncertain.  

“Yeah. Everything ok?” McKenna asked.  

“I had a really rough night. I just wasn’t anticipating, with my work and the club, I feel like I’m letting everybody down.” Oliver answered. “My family and Tommy and... You. I feel like I’m letting you down.”  

“You’re being too hard on yourself,” said McKenna with understanding. “We both have demanding jobs.”  

“That’s no excuse for hurting the people closest to you,” Oliver responds.  

“No, but when you believe in what you do, you find a way to make it work.” McKenna reasoned.  

“How?” Oliver asked, sounding lost.  

”Well…” McKenna twisted the towel dry her hair in her hands. “The first thing you do is you find yourself someone you never have to apologize to.” She smiled up at him.  

Oliver smiled, taking her hand and leaning in for a kiss. She met him halfway. It was simple and sweet. Thye pulled back, smiling at one another. 

A beat passed between them before they reached for each other, their lips meeting again in a more heated kiss, arms band around one another. 

~*~ ~*~ ~*~

Oliver lowered McKenna to her bed, covering her with his large body, their mouths moving together as he pushed the robe down her shoulder, limbs tangling together in their passion. 

The sound of their moans drowning out the buzz from Oliver’s cell in his jacket that was forgotten on the floor. 

Felicity’s picture flashing on the screen. 

~*~ ~*~ ~*~ 

Felicity had her back to the door as she spoke into her office phone. “Hey, it’s me. I was multitasking and intercepted a police report. A local sporting goods store just got robbed of one high-powered crossbow. Now... Could be a crazy coincidence or your psycho ex-girlfriend-- Dig’s words, not mine–”

Digg had called her and told her all about Helena and once having the full story Felicity could understand why Oliver had been short with her earlier, it made getting all but kicked out less personal.

“is still in town. I’ll let you know if I learn anything more.” She started to turn to hang the phone up. “In the meantime, just…” she paused, Helena stood in the doorway with her crossbow. “watch your back.”  

“Hi.” Helena smirked. “I don’t think we had a chance to be properly introduced this morning.”  

~*~ ~*~ ~*~

Oliver burst into Felicity’s office. “Felicity?”  

“Oliver.” Felicity’s voice shook with a tremor. 

Oliver spotted her panda flats poking out from her desk. He moved quickly and found her tied up behind her desk.  

“Oliver... I’m here.” She said.  

Oliver quickly pulled out a knife, cutting the fabric that kept her ankles together, doing the same with the one around her wrist behind her back. “You ok?” he helped her sit up. “Hey, hey. You ok?” his hand touched her cheek, eyes filled with concern. 

Felicity nodded, the touch of his hand warm and gentle against her skin, calming her racing heart in a way she was aware his presence could. 

The sound of rushing footsteps had Oliver jumping to his feet, ready to throw the knife in his hand. 

Digg stood in the doorway with his gun drawn. “I got your call. What happened?”  

“Helena.” Oliver answered, pulling Felicity to her feet.  

“She wanted the address to the safe house where her father’s being kept. She made me hack the FBI database.” Felicity looked apologetically up at Oliver. “Sorry, Oliver.”  

“Hey.” Oliver placed his hand on her shoulder. “It’s not your fault.” 

Felicity knew his words were true, but it didn’t make her feel any less guilty. 

Oliver moved toward the door as Digg moved further into the room.  

“Oliver, what are you going to do?” John asked him.  

“What I should have done in the first place.” Oliver ground out through a clenched jaw. One looked at Felicity, and his eyes filled with anger.

Helena crossed the last line she was going to cross. 

Felicity looked at John after Oliver’s departure, still shaken, uncertain of Oliver’s reaction.

“Are you ok?” John asked her. 

“I could use a drink to calm my nerves.” She answered honestly. 

“C’mon,” John took her by the arm, leading her out. 

~*~ ~*~ ~*~ 

Oliver made his way toward the top floor of the safe house and intercepted Helena, who was taking out officers, not caring who she was hurting. 

He fire at Helena. She dodged his arrow and grabbed up a fallen gun and aimed. Oliver used the wall as a shield taking cover. 

Helena continued her pursuit of her father, following back outside. 

Oliver followed. “Helena!”

Helena whipped around, aiming a handgun at him.

Oliver inched closer, bow drawn and pointed.  

Helena walked closer. “You won’t shoot me. You’re not a murderer. Remember?”  

“But you are,” Oliver growled out. “And if I let you go, that blood will be on my hands. I’m sorry.”

Oliver fired his arrow. Helena dropped the gun, catching the arrow before it could pierce her.  

Oliver lowered his bow as Helena exhaled. 

“I practiced that move. I had a feeling I might need it someday.” She looked at him with hurt and betrayal. “You would have killed me.”  

In the next moment, they were engaging in a grappling match, trying to best one another. Ultimately, Oliver got the upper hand. 

Oliver tossed her to the ground. “Enough!” he aimed his bow, knocking an arrow back.  

McKenna came through the back door, gun drawn on Oliver. “Freeze!” she came down the porch steps. “Put it down. Turn around. Slowly.”

Oliver slowly lowered his weapon, placing it on the ground.

Helena cocked her gun, aiming it at McKenna. 

“No!” Oliver shouted. He moved to stop her, but was too late. 

McKenna hit the ground, and Helena started running.

Oliver knelt at McKenna’s side. She was bleeding and unconscious, her body bent at an awkward angle. 

“McKenna?” he breathed.  

~*~ ~*~ ~*~ 

Oliver paused in the hospital hallway, his emotions getting the better of him. He took a moment to compose himself before opening her room door and knocking on the doorjamb.

McKenna, who was looking out the window from her bed, turned her head toward him. She was hooked up to an IV and a heart monitor.

“Hey.” Oliver greeted softly.  

“Hey.” McKenna returned.  

“How you feeling?” Oliver asked, walking to her bedside.  

“Uh, numb,” she answered, trying to move but finding it very difficult.  

“Hey, don’t-- don’t move.” Oliver stopped her.  

“Ok.” said McKenna. 

“I met your doctor.” Oliver told her, taking a seat beside the bed. “He’s a nice guy.”  

“Hmm.” McKenna hummed.  

“He says you’re lucky to be alive,” said Oliver.  

“Yeah. He also said I have a shattered femur, and it’s going to take at least a year to rehab. I loved being a cop,” she said sadly with loss.  

“Oh, come on. McKenna.” Oliver took her hand in his. “You’re still a cop. You have one more surgery, go home–” 

“I’m not going home,” Said McKenna, interrupting him.  

“What?” Oliver asked.  

“I’m moving to Coast City to live with my sister. They have the best physical therapy facility in the country there.” She informed him. 

“I’ll visit.” Oliver assured her. “Hey, I’m a billionaire, right?”  

“Yeah.” McKenna smiled, but there was sadness to it.  

“I’ll move to Coast City.” Oliver continued.  

McKenna chuckled. “That’s very sweet, but... Your club just opened. And your work is here.” 

“Don’t worry about me. It’s my responsibility to worry about you,” said Oliver.  

“Just stop, ok? Listen, you know how I feel about you.” McKenna said sadly. “Please don’t make this harder than it already is.” 

“Ok.” Oliver said. 

A tear slid out of McKenna’s eye, and she smiled. 

“Ok. It’s, uh, it’s whatever you need,” Oliver told her, pushing down his own feelings, sighing quietly to himself as he tightened his hand around McKenna’s. She appreciated his understanding. 

~*~ ~*~ ~*~

“Hey,”

Felicity looked up at the soft tone to see Oliver standing in front of her office doorway. 

“I would have come by sooner but..” he trailed off. 

“It’s okay. I understand,” Felicity assured him. “How’s McKenna?” 

“She’s moving to Coast City to live with her sister.” Oliver pulled a chair up next to Felicity, much like he had that first day he walked into her cubicle with a bullet ridden laptop. 

“I’m sorry.” Felicity said sympathetically. She reached her hand out, squeezing his arm in support. 

“No,” Oliver shook his head. “I’m sorry. Helena-”

“I’m gonna stop you right there,” Felicity said firmly. “You have nothing to apologize for what happened with Helena and I.”

“But-”

“No buts. We all have that one crazy ex, I mean, there was this one guy from college. He wasn’t my ex, but he was definitely on the crazy side.” Felicity shook her head. She was getting off topic. “My point being. Helena’s actions are not your own. It wasn’t your fault, so don’t blame yourself. I don’t.” 

Oliver could see the truth and her eyes and he felt relief that she didn’t blame him and while he still blame himself, he appreciated that she didn’t. 

“I won’t let her hurt you again,” Oliver promised, and Felicity smiled softly, her hand moving down to squeeze his in thanks. 

“I know.”

The belief in her voice touch something deep inside his chest. He felt a protectiveness come over him that rival the protectiveness he had for his family. 

~*~ ~*~ ~*~ 

Oliver was sitting alone in the club when Tommy approached him. 

“Hey. I, uh, heard about McKenna. You ok?” Tommy asked.  

“Not really.” Oliver answered honestly.  

“Look, I know that I have been a jerk lately,” said Tommy. He didn’t want to be walking eggshells around his friend. “I just couldn’t understand how you could keep such a huge secret from me. But I-- I never considered the toll it must take on you.”  

“Lying to the people that are closest to me. It’s the hardest part.” Oliver confessed.  

“I get that,” said Tommy.  

Oliver exhaled deeply. “ I was wrong... to think that I could have it both ways; that I could do what I do and still have a normal life. With anyone.”  

“Except if you’re alone, you’re never going to be happy,” said Tommy.  

“Maybe not.” Oliver agreed. “But me being happy isn’t what’s important right now.”  

Tommy wasn’t sure what to say to that, but believing his friend was wrong to a degree. 

No one deserved to be alone.

[sodor-spirit]

Thomas then suddenly realised something from what his boyfriend, Oliver mentioned. “Wait, that happened long before we even became a couple and hung out whether we could, until we started sharing this place at the time. How did you know Emily used to have… a crush on me?” The Electric Spirit asked, eyes shocking with curiosity and his attention turned towards the Metal Spirit.

Oliver blinked his silvery grey eyes, biting the inside of his cheek due to feeling some cringe. “It… happened a few months after she came to Sodor. She came to me for advice on how to get you to notice her as… more than a friend. I asked her why she didn’t ask Percy instead of me since he’s your best friend and she told me that it’s because you loved spending time with me, hanging out, going on misadventures or fighting monsters together and she wanted to get to know you so she could share the same thing with you, even though she doesn’t like some of the stuff we always do together.”

At this point, Thomas cuts in. “Yeah. I thought it was a little weird when she asked me to take her on one of my shenanigans. And she didn’t even seem to enjoy it at the end, despite telling me she’s okay.”

The Metal Spirit snorted in response, amused by his boyfriend’s accurate statement. You would need a lot of tolerance, patience and a truckload of willpower to keep up with Thomas and whatever weirdness he keeps attracting. Something he’s already mastered due to having all those qualities (not that he’s bragging or anything) and that he also enjoys the insane weirdness his boyfriend keeps getting him into.

“So anyway, Emily asking me for advice and just seeing you hanging out at the shunting yard made me realize something…” Oliver trailed off, looking towards the ground with glowing green cheeks.

“Realize what?” Asked Thomas, despite probably knowing what the Metal Spirit’s about to say.

“I… have feelings for you. Of course I didn’t know what it actually was at the time until the washing detergent incident, but I knew what I felt was more than just friends and I wasn’t sure what. The only thing I could process was that I felt a sense of foreboding when Emily asked me for advice and told me about her crush on you and that I had to make some kind of move before she did despite my emotional confusion.” Oliver scratched his head, running his hands through his green hair. “I guess in shorter terms; I knew how Percy felt when I “stole” you from him.”

Thomas looked at him with surprise.

Oliver sucked in a deep breath, feeling embarrassed and exposed. “Look, I know Emily is nice, sweet and… somewhat bossy, but at the time I was angry, upset whenever I saw her talking to you with blushing cheeks. I was glaring at her so much, my crew probably thought I wanted to scrap her and dance on whatever was left. Not that I would do that, of course but… I was jealous. Not just because of her crush on you, but also because of how sure she was of her feelings for you when I was struggling with mine and didn’t even know what love is; I just kept calling this warm, strange, soothing sensation.”

The Electric Spirit allowed himself a few seconds to process what his boyfriend just confessed to him. “Wow… I’m sorry we both made you feel that way, Ollie. But you do know that I told Emily I didn’t feel that way towards her, right? I even opened up to her about my own feelings towards you.”

Silver eyes looked up at him with surprise. “You did?”

“Yeah, I did.” Thomas answered, shrugging briefly. “Emily was crushed of course, but she understood why I didn’t feel the same way she used to for me after I told her the reasons why I fell for you in the first place and she said that she still wants us to be friends. And you don’t need to worry about Ashima either. I’m pretty sure that was sorted when you literally dropped me down and kissed me right in front of her, after I started to get along with her.”

An embarrassed groan left the Metal Spirit’s lips, dipping his head in shame. “Thanks for telling me, Thomas. But I wish you didn’t bring that up with me getting jealous again with Ashima’s interest in you…”

[imperfectox]

Being married and raising kids with Logan, meant that there was more to life than just being a wife and business owner. She became a duchess. She had to maneuver through royal protocols and tabloids. Society wanted their family to be picture-perfect and pristine. No scandal. No fault. They were, at least what she had read before, the family figure that families are supposed to follow or be like. Elle was far from perfect and she didn't put pressure on her own children to be so. She asked them to be themselves and be good kids. Polite, and kind, and pursue whatever their passions were. "Oh God, those PTA meetings were dreadful. Always wanting some kind of vegan alternative so it's healthier for the kids. I mean I get it but why deny the occasional junk food. It's not like they're going to eat macaroni and cheese in that fancy cafeteria of theirs." She joked as she fed small pieces of food into Ollie's mouth, cleaning him up every so often.

She thanked Logan for the compliment and right when she was about to take a bite her attention shifted to Logan and then to her child. Elle knew something like this was going to happen but she supposed those kids will always have snotty mothers who always have something to say about them. She knew immediately what he was going to do and she needed to calm her husband down. The tabloids and those outlets would always have something to say but Elle knew to shut them out and reassure her kid. She approached Rosie with a small smile and crouched down so that she was looking at her. She took her hands into hers and let out a soft sigh, "Well, darling, not everything out there is true."

'Why are they saying these things about Ollie? About our family, mama?' And that was a question she wasn't sure how to answer. There were millions of reasons as to why they torment their family but Elle wasn't sure if it was the right thing to say. "Your father is right that there are some people out there that wish ill of us but your daddy has a big responsibility to do and I'm not exactly what they expected to be the person he marries. People have expectations and wants from us but it's not something you should be worried about."

"So ignore whatever they're saying because you know and I know that Ollie is your brother and Logan is your papa. No matter what. We're a family so go enjoy your dinner and look after Ollie. I'll speak with Daddy really quickly. Just yell if there's an emergency." She stood back and kissed her forehead before moving to his office, "Honey?" She called out.

Logan turned to see Rosie with her spoon and fork ready, he laughed. "What a polite and graceful person we've raised." He says sarcastically before he leaned down to press a kiss atop the little girls head. Logan scooped some pasta and salad onto Rosie's plate as his wife across from him did the same for their son. Her next comment threw him a bit, he knew that she meant it in a sweet way, but he couldn't help but feel a pang of guilt. All he wanted was for them to have as normal as a life as possible, he hates the idea that he isn't living up to that. Elle deserves normality, she didn't ask for his life, she sure as hell doesn't deserve it. Each of their faces on the tabloids, even baby Ollies. Rumours plastered on those flakey papers. She'd liked a simple life before him, and he wanted to keep that.

He hid his true feelings behind a smile, "I do too," he commented. "We should have more time now that school's over huh?" He looked over at Rosie, already working through her pasta. "No more extra curricular's, and teams, and away tournaments." This had been Rosie's first year at her new school, it had become unsafe for the girl to be in the public school. Now attending the private primary school he went to and somehow was taught by the same woman who taught him. Bastardly old woman then and his memory of her was very much still accurate when he met her again during parent-teacher conferences. "This is really good sweetheart." he smiled, he opened his mouth to start the next topic of conversation when Rosie spoke up, "Gemma said she saw an article saying Ollie was the Royal Bastard Baby." Logan's grip on his fork tightened, he couldn't look at Elle.

Some of their nation had put the pieces together, their wedding, Ollie's birth date. They didn't add up, it's why they released a story to the press. "It's not true." he tried his best to not to speak through gritted teeth, he let out a breath. "There are some really hateful people out there an-" a thought pierced through his thoughts. "How did Gemma find this article?" he hoped he wasn't about to learn something disappointing, despite his gut telling him that Rosie's new close friend might not have the most genuine parents. "Her mom showed it to her." Logan finally looked at Elle, hoping he'd know exactly what he was thinking, he wiped his mouth with the napkin. "I'll be right back," he pushed away from the table, kissing Rosie on the top of her head as he made his way to his office to have a stern conversation with their security team.

[fullwintermoon]

My attempt at lookism incorrect quotes

Gun- you look familiar have I offered to make you my successor before?

Goo- What if I press the brake and gas at the same time?

Crystal- The car takes a screenshot.

Gun- For the last time, get the fuck out.

Joy- I’m kind of crushing on someone, but I’m worried about telling you who it is, because you’re not going to like it

Jay- Just rip the bandage off.

Joy- It’s Daniel.

Jay-Put the bandage back on.

Warren: Um, Olly, why are we in some random persons house?

Olly: We need money!

Warren: You're robbing this house?

Olly: I was thinking more like blurgerizing.

Warren: What?! No way!

Olly: Why not? We already stole Eli!

Eli: Hey guys

Warren: No, we didn't. Eli can think and talk for himself, he can do whatever he wants!

Eli: I wanna steal

Zack: jay isn’t answering his phone

Daniel: I’ll call

Zack: mira and I have both tried six times each, what makes you thi-

Daniel: Hello?

Sinu: Jail is no fun. I’ll tell you that much.

Jake: Oh, you’ve been?

Sinu: Once. In Monopoly

Jerry: Sorry it took me so long to bail you out of jail

Jake: No it’s my fault, I shouldn’t’ve used my one phone call to prank call the police

Samule, addressing big deal: And if you have any suggestions feel free to put them in the suggestion box.

Jake: But – that’s just a trash can.

Samule: It sure is!

Samule: I’m going to take you out

Jake: great, it’s a date!

Samule: I meant that as a threat.

Jake: See you at five!

Jake: Ok, maybe playing ‘whose family is most dysfunctional’ wasn’t the best idea we’ve had. Samule's been crying in the bathroom for an hour. We can’t get them out...

Jake: I was arrested for being too cool.

Samule: The charges were dropped due to a lack of supporting evidence.

Samule: Name a more iconic duo than my crippling fear of abandonment and my daddy issues. I'll wait.

Jake: You and me!!!

Samule: ...no

[immaturityofthomasastruc]

IOTA Reviews: Hack-San

You know, it's honestly amazing how creative this show can get. After four seasons and almost one hundred episodes, the writers are still finding new ways to make Adrien an incredibly unlikable character, and they don't even know how much of an asshole they're making him out to be at times. It's kind of like the opposite of The Producers.

Yeah, this review's going to be a little more ranty than usual, in case you can't tell.

Let's get into the fifteenth (chronologically the sixteenth) episode of Miraculous Ladybug's fourth season: Hack-San

We start off with Marinette pretending to be sick so she doesn't have to go to visit her aunt in London and stay to protect Paris in case an Akuma attacks and also because the animators haven't had time to render the city of London yet for the next Miraculous World special. Like all of her other excuses, it fails, and Tikki, as always, fails to actually give any meaningful advice.

And it's not like there's a Miraculous with the power of teleportation that can help Marinette get back to Paris if she needs to, much like how she planned to do that in an earlier episode, right?

Seriously, Kaalki doesn't appear or isn't even mentioned in this episode because the writers are fully aware she would make things a lot easier.

And of course, Astruc had to play dumb on Twitter while explaining why Marinette couldn't use the Horse Miraculous by answering the question as if the only reason Marinette couldn't grab it was because she didn't have an excuse not to.

Cut to Gabriel in his lair as he contemplates akumatizing Markov, a robot created the civilian identity of Pegasus, Max Kante, once again, even though the last time he did so, he almost got killed when he went all HAL 9000 on his ass. Nooroo explains this to Duusu, and the two actually get excited at the prospect of their master getting killed.

I mean, it's true, but he shouldn't say it...

But I don't even get why Gabriel is even thinking about this when it's a no-brainer. Markov's akumatized form, Robustus was to this day, the only Akuma to come close to physically harming him (not counting the timeline where he was killed by Cat Blanc), so it makes no sense to try doing it again, especially when there are already several other Akumas he can reuse this season.

I think you all know Gabriel isn't the smartest villain, which is why he thinks it's a brilliant idea to akumatize Markov again. I don't really get what makes Robustus so special when there are other Akumas who are more loyal and came far closer to getting Ladybug and Cat Noir's Miraculous than Robustus did, like the Dark Owl or Troublemaker. In fact, why not simply create a new Akuma with similar powers to Robustus, or better yet, just create a Sentimonster copy of Robustus? You know, like what Nathalie did in the New York Special? We're not even two minutes in, and this premise is already filled with plotholes.

So Gabriel transforms into Shadowmoth and creates a Sentimonster using his own cane instead of relying on someone else having a bad day (once again showing how the Peacock Miraculous is better than the Butterfly), the titular Hack-San. And let's just say he has a very familiar design reminiscent of something from a much better French cartoon.

Remember when the writers for Code Lyoko gave an in-universe explanation as to why the heroes couldn’t always rely on the almost literal Deus ex Machina that allowed them to return to the past and fix the damage XANA caused? Why couldn’t this show have ripped that off instead?

Hack-San is just an okay looking flash drive on its own, but I'll talk more about this guy in a little bit.

After a brief scene in the park where the audience is reminded that Markov is a character who exists, Alya gets a text from Marinette telling her to meet her at the train station. Right before she leaves, Marinette gives the Ladybug Miraculous to Alya. Now a lot people have said that Alya doesn't really deserve the Ladybug for various reasons, but I feel like this was the point. Marinette outright says this was a last resort, and we see both her and Alya are nervous about the situation. Marinette worries Alya will do something so she keeps sending multiple tips to her via text while Alya worries she can't fight an Akuma on her own, so she tries to make sure none of her friends get upset and attract an Akuma in the process. The writers do a pretty good job showing how both Marinette and Alya are uncomfortable with their temporary roles.

Back to Gabriel and Nathalie, they use Hack-San to find Markov through the internet and hack into him to get him angry enough that he's vulnerable to Shadowmoth's influence. Hey, uh... Gabriel? Quick question: Wouldn't it be more efficient if you used this on humans? I mean, you basically just created Skynet and guaranteed yourself an Akuma, so why not modify Hack-San to travel through the internet and brainwash potential victims to follow your orders? Better yet, why don't you just use Hack-San to hack into Ladybug and Cat Noir's gear and figure out who they really are? This is basically like using an advanced particle accelerator just to crack a couple walnuts. There are a lot more important things you could use this for instead of an incredibly specific situation.

So this incredibly stupid plan gets under way as Markov keeps rampaging through the streets before Shadowmoth akumatizes him and then stupidly tells him that he infected him with a virus.

DUDE! You just gave away your one piece of leverage against him! What the hell were you thinking?! Now what's stopping Markov from hacking into Shadowmoth's security system and putting the fear of God in his eyes unless he destroys Hack-San? Why didn't he design Hack-San so it could make Markov completely loyal to him instead of just making him angry enough to get akumatized?

There was a recent episode of Power Rangers: Dino Fury with a very similar premise that was done far better than this. A necromancer called Reaghoul breaks into the headquarters of Void Knight's faction while accompanied by Lord Zedd, a villain from the original Mighty Morphin' Power Rangers who was cleansed of his evil by Zordon's sacrifice before Reaghoul resurrected him back when he was still evil. Of course, being the Emperor of Evil, Lord Zedd would normally never take orders from anyone, but because he doesn't have his magic staff and is also being forced to wear a special collar that makes him loyal to Reaghoul, he has no choice but to do what he says. Instead of taking Zedd head-on after he captures the other Rangers, Ollie, the Blue Ranger, breaks the collar so Zedd turns against the other Sporix while Reaghoul retreats, allowing Ollie to save the other Rangers.

I think that this premise works more because 1) Reaghoul clearly had a way to make sure Zedd wouldn't betray him, and Ollie took advantage of that, and 2) Zedd is a villain who is powerful and notorious enough to bring back to your side, not a random monster of the week like Robostus.

So Robostus uses his new powers to brainwash any human who answers his call to give up their most precious possession, clearly meant to do the same with Ladybug and Cat Noir. When Marinette's parents answer the call, they chase after Marinette because they say she's their most important possession. Okay... kind of strange for a set of parents to call their child a possession, but maybe they like how they can claim Marinette as a dependent when they file their taxes. In her very next scene later on, she still gets captured, so the suspense for a potential subplot is killed almost immediately.

Alya thankfully isn't stupid enough to answer Markov's call like every other citizen in this episode, and using the Ladybug Miraculous, transforms into Scarabella. While I don't normally talk about transformation sequences, I really like the movements Alya makes here. She makes the same motions creating her mask as she does when transforming into Rena Rouge, while the rest of the suit forms similarly to the way it does when Marinette transforms into Ladybug. She even makes almost the same pose Ladybug does after she finishes transforming. It's a good visual showing Alya is still more used to being Rena Rouge while doing her best to emulate what Ladybug does.

As for the actual suit? It's hard to say. There's a nice balance of red and black, and I like how Alya places the yo-yo on her waist like a belt buckle, but there's just something... off about the suit that a lot of fans don't like about it, and I think I realized it. It's the headband. With how it's positioned, it looks like it's merged with the mask to cover her head while leaving a slight gap in her forehead. So yeah, we actually have a superhero design that's like of like a butterface.

So Scarabella takes to the rooftops of Paris and struggles to come up with a hero name for herself before she runs into Cat Noir, and... ugh... oh boy, this is dumb. Cat Noir, being just as intelligent as his father, assumes Scarabella is either and Akuma or a Sentimonster, starts fighting her, AND THEN ACTIVATES HIS CATACLYSM, CLEARLY TRYING TO KILL HER.

WHAT. THE. FUCK???

Okay, to be fair, it has been shown that Cataclysm won't necessarily kill a Miraculous user or Sentimonster. In the episode “Miraculer”, the titular Akuma stole Cat Noir's Cataclysm and used it against him, and while it didn't kill Cat Noir, it still hurt like hell and crippled him for the rest of the fight until Miraculous Ladybug healed him. We also saw in “Reflekdoll” that Cataclysm drove the titular Sentimonster out of control rather than simply destroying it. So yes, it could be interpreted that Cat Noir wasn't exactly trying to kill Scarabella, just incapacitate her the best he can without Ladybug's help.

Here's the thing: What if he was facing an Akuma instead and decided to try and Cataclysm her? He still could have killed her, or (assuming Akumas have the same protection as Miraculous heroes do) at best, seriously hurt her. I understand that he has the right to be upset at seeing some stranger instead of his partner considering Shadowmoth has a history of using evil doppelgangers, and both Marinette and Alya still had options to explain it to him (Marinette could have quickly transformed into Ladybug and sent Cat Noir a quick text saying she was being forced to leave town for a few days and temporarily trusted someone else with the Ladybug Miraculous until she got back, while Scarabella could have said she was Rena Rouge and explained the same thing while showing Cat Noir she had the Fox Miraculous to prove herself), but that doesn't even come close to justifying him attempting to harm someone who isn't even trying to fight. It's even worse when you remember the whole reason Adrien gave up his Miraculous and bailed on Ladybug in the New York Special was because he was overcome with grief from accidentally killing Aeon, so it's good to know he learned absolutely nothing from that experience.

So Scarabella thankfully summons her Lucky Charm, a trash can lid, to shield herself from Cat Noir's Cataclysm, and then despite having absolutely no experience with this new set of powers, manages to do the one thing almost every Akuma or Sentimonster in this show has failed to do and incapacitates Cat Noir so he's vulnerable to losing his Miraculous. At least when Marinette masters every other Miraculous she uses, it can be theorized that she trained to use them offscreen. Alya literally just got the Ladybug Miraculous (and struggled to get up to the rooftop with her yo-yo to show her inexperience earlier), and now she easily manages to pin down the more experienced hero of the two?

Here's an idea: Instead of having Scarabella overpower Cat Noir, have her be in a position where Cat Noir, non-lethally, mind you, manages to almost take her Miraculous away, but she uses the quick wit she's developed from her extensive time as Rena Rouge to convince Cat Noir she's the real deal by saying something only he and Ladybug know. It would have easily resolved the conflict and doesn't make one of the characters look like a homicidal idiot.

So because both heroes used their powers, Scarabella and Cat Noir detransform so Tikki and Plagg can recharge, though Adrien still gives Alya attitude because Ladybug didn't tell him she had to leave.

Hey, Adrien? Here's the thing...

YOU DID THE EXACT SAME FUCKING THING IN THE NEW YORK SPECIAL, YOU SHIT FOR BRAINS!

You have absolutely NO RIGHT to claim you're always honest when you went behind Ladybug's back and endangered Paris while you had the balls to run away like a coward and only helped fix the consequences of your actions once your ego was validated by a recording of Ladybug. It's honestly even worse because while Marinette had no choice but to leave and trust Alya with the Ladybug, Adrien willingly left Paris alone and we were supposed to sympathize with him after he killed someone, and now as soon as he's in the opposite situation, we're still supposed to feel bad for him?! BULLSHIT! And you better believe I'm going to talk about the way Adrien views his partnership with Ladybug later on.

And of course, even though lives are on the line, Cat Noir just has to continue to bitch and moan about how (and this is best read in Linkara's whiny Superboy Prime voice) “sCaRaBeLlA iSn'T tHe ReAl LaDyBuG”, showing how just like in so many episodes, Astruc and his team believes Cat Noir's feelings are more important than saving the day.

Scarabella goes to rescue some civilians, but they were actually brainwashed by Robustus, once again showing her inexperience as Ladybug which doesn't go well with her effortlessly defeating Cat Noir earlier at all. Cat Noir helps Scarabella escape and the two hide out at the city's wax statue museum previously featured in “The Puppeteer 2”, because I guess the writers only want to reference bad episodes today. Cat Noir, not getting the importance of secret identities, asks Scarabella how she knows Ladybug, and Cat Noir somehow finds out she knows Ladybug's identity from her response.

Before the two can talk more, it turns out that the wax statues of celebrities in the museum are real people who attack the two heroes, leading to an awkward fight scene where Scarabella and Cat Noir fight a bunch of brainwashed civilians with no weapons beyond their cellphones. Our heroes, ladies and gentlemen!

Scarabella summons her Lucky Charm again, creating a frying pan, but when she looks around, she can't see how to properly use it. And despite spending the entire episode complaining about how much he hates her, it's Cat Noir that tells Scarabella to get her head back in the game because “That's what Ladybug would do”. Funny, I can think of a few situations where Cat Noir could have taken his own advice, but I digress. Also, he's now just cool with Scarabella because there's only a few minutes left in the episode and we need to wrap up the conflict.

Scarabella figures out an idea that involves freeing Marinette, so she negotiates with Robostus to free everything and everyone under his control or else Cat Noir will use his Cataclysm to destroy the Ladybug Miraculous. Robostus agrees and empties his hard drive, and to show them holding up her end of the bargain, Scarabella gives him the frying pan before she and Cat Noir let themselves be captured... while Marinette simply hits Robostus with the frying pan, freeing the Akuma and the two heroes. All in all, it's a really creative climax that shows both Scarabella and Marinette in perfect sync with each other even though they never discussed their plan. Though of course, because Astruc hates writing any scene with Ladynoir, Cat Noir gets a bucket stuck on his head so he doesn't see Marinette saving the day.

Scarabella de-evilizes Robostus, uses Miraculous Scarabella to fix everything and send Marinette back to the train, and because Hack-San already failed once, Shadowmoth can't use it for a different plan so he destroys the Sentimonster.

We cut to a few days after the trip (I guess Shadowmoth decided to take a vacation himself), and Alya tells Marinette to talk with Cat Noir about what happened.

This scene was so close to ending this episode off on a positive note. There was a good atmosphere and the body language of Ladybug and Cat Noir does a good job at telling us how uncomfortable they both feel while talking. It's just that instead of getting a heart to heart between the two about the lack of trust in their relationship, we get an Angstdrien Depreste scene. Or would a more accurate term be Cat Dour?

First off, while I don't have a problem with Ladybug apologizing for not telling Cat Noir, the episode never has him bring up what happened with Scarabella. As usual, both of them were partially at fault, but only Ladybug had to apologize for leaving her “Kitty” alone.

Second, Cat Noir’s feelings weren’t hurt? You’re telling me that in scenes like this...

And this...

Didn’t show Adrien acting irrationally because of how emotional he was? Is he really telling the truth around Ladybug or is he just trying to sweep that under the rug so Scarabella’s testimony doesn’t screw up his chances with Ladybug?

Third, this was an obvious chance to Cat Noir to finally be honest and tell Ladybug how he feels about her leaving him in the dark about so many things, but the entire conversation is just about how sad he would be if he never sees Ladybug again. Even though the whole reason he was so pissy to Scarabella at first was because of some lingering resentment for Ladybug ignoring him in favor of other heroes, why is this what the two talk about? I get it's not the season finale, but it's kind of hypocritical for Cat Noir to whine about how Ladybug doesn't trust him while never being honest about his own feelings? Sure, he's all soft and vulnerable around Ladybug, but we've seen all season how angry he gets about her not trusting him whenever she isn't around, so ironically, it's hard to tell if this is him being honest or not.

And I think now's a good time to finally talk about the way Ladybug and Cat Noir's partnership has been portrayed all season, especially since the main themes of the episodes relate to it. Buckle up, Adrien stans, because this isn't going to be pretty.

All season, we have been supposed to sympathize with Adrien as Marinette starts to trust Alya with more things than him. Marinette revealed her identity to her, trusted her to have her Miraculous permanently, and even let her keep her Miraculous even though someone else knew her identity. While some of it is hypocritical, the idea is that Adrien feels like he can be trusted with this kind of knowledge too, when really, he hasn't earned that responsibility.

Adrien has rarely, if ever, taken his job as a superhero seriously.

Not only is he known to flirt with Ladybug in the middle of a fight, he has defied her orders and recklessly sacrificed himself because he thinks Ladybug can do all the work without him.

He has also lashed out emotionally and once threatened to quit being Cat Noir in the middle of a crisis and was willing to let innocent people suffer for personal reasons, and later on actually quit being Cat Noir temporarily while Hawkmoth was about to start World War III because he was wallowing in self-pity.

He once said he isn't cut out for the responsibility that comes with being Ladybug and never learned anything from temporarily using the Ladybug Miraculous.

He has generally refused to respect Ladybug's boundaries and doesn't understand that she doesn't like him that way while he insists they should be a couple.

He outright fell for an evil doppelganger of Ladybug because she said she loved him and turned against the real Ladybug.

And I should also mention that despite hating how Ladybug keeps secrets from him, a lot of Adrien's worst moments have been when Ladybug wasn't around and he never told her about them.

He never told Ladybug that he was the reason Copycat really got akumatized while saying he never lies to her.

He never told Ladybug he contemplated letting thousands of people die because he didn't like not knowing stuff Ladybug knew.

He never told Ladybug he briefly used the Snake Miraculous to get brownie points with her.

He never told Ladybug he figured out her identity and asked her out as soon as he did so.

He never told Ladybug he abandoned Paris to go on a field trip.

He never told Ladybug he was screwing around on patrol and was excited to see someone get akuamtized if it meant spending time with her.

He never told Ladybug how he ignored Rena Rouge's orders because “ShE wAsN't LaDyBuG” and almost screwed up the mission because of it, and also never told her how he smashed a chimney in anger at Rena Rouge being in on the plan.

And he never told Ladybug he gave her replacement attitude after trying to harm her without letting her explain herself.

Why exactly should I support the idea of Ladybug trusting Cat Noir more when Cat Noir himself has kept his own secrets from Ladybug?

Adrien has done absolutely nothing to show he is trustworthy because more often than not, he views the battle with Shadowmoth as a game. He has screwed around when lives were on the line, and we're supposed to see him as responsible? It's kind of funny that Astruc compared Ladybug to Spider-Man, yet he seems to have forgotten that with great power, there must also come great responsibility. If this was a character flaw or a sign he needed to grow up, I'd be more accepting, but the fact that the writers think Adrien is a great superhero is laughable with how much evidence has proved the contrary.

In contrast, Alya, despite only being Marinette's confidant for a few episodes, has shown to take being a hero more seriously. She's helped her escape to transform, analyze the Guardian texts, and has been shown to work well on her own as Rena Rouge while helping out Marinette. I'm not trying to say she's an amazing character (“Rocketear” in particular has shown she still has problems with keeping secrets), but compared to Adrien, she seems to be more capable of handling top-secret information with Marinette, and more importantly, doesn't view being Rena Rouge as a way to have fun like Adrien does being Cat Noir. I'll go more into detail with that next time.

But yeah, this scene is how the episode ends, and what did I think of it?

I'm honestly not sure which episode I think is worse, this one or “Queen Banana”. On the one hand, every frame of “Queen Banana” could easily be replaced by an image of Astruc flipping the bird and the overall message of the episode would remain unchanged, but the fact that all of the writers think that everything Adrien does in this episode is okay and that we should feel sorry for him in this episode is just as bad, if not worse. 

As awful as Chloe was portrayed in “Queen Banana”, it was clear it was intentional on the writers' part, but Adrien doesn't get that excuse once much like he has all season. As far as Astruc's team thinks, Adrien is an incredible superhero even when he honestly attempted to harm someone with a superpower that can cause grievous harm at best. Yet again this season, in the show's attempt to make me feel sorry for Adrien, it made him look even worse. In any other show, he would obviously be called out for his incredibly unheroic actions.

Even putting him aside, the writing in this episode is still AWFUL. The whole reason Ladybug was benched had several plotholes and poor communication with Cat Noir that only made the fight with Robostus even harder, Shadowmoth's plan to waste a potentially useful Sentimonster to reuse a single Akuma was one of the dumbest plans he's ever had, and barring the ending, the action was just forgettable.

There were a few okay moments sprinkled throughout the episode (more than I can say for “Queen Banana”), so I'm still not sure if I should call this the worst episode of the show or still give that honor to “Queen Banana”. I guess I'll leave that choice up to you and let you pick your poison for now.

I mean, it's not like there's going to be an even worse episode down the line this season, right?

RIGHT???

[starryskyspectacle]

Here are my takes on the Legion's opinions on Olly!

Colored Pencils

Jean seems to act kind of like a kiss up to Olly, he's overly enthused to complete his duties and seems to have a heavy respect for the king...

However it's all a ruse. As loyal as Jean-Pierre seems to be he's actually terrified of Olly and tends to try to appease him constantly solely so he doesn't get turned back to nonexistence.

Jean personally has a distaste for Olly and his fear turns into something more like hatred and resentment. There's a reason why the only portrait we see of Olly drawn by him is blown to smithereens before Mario fixes it with confetti in Overlook Tower...

2. Rubber Bands

Rubber Bands seems to more or less disregard the king once he's off screen. While she is following orders, she could care less about the little pipsqueak as long as she stays the big star! If his rule promises her time in the spotlight who is she to object?

She's insanely prideful and doesn't really seem to fear Olly all too much at least outwardly. There are moments occasionally where her confidence drops but considering the fact she can always fall back on someone else being the weakest (Jean) she reassures herself it's really no problem. What does she have to worry about anyway?

Makes no mention or tribute of the king, never even references him once really. He might look charming but he's really not the charming protagonist type audiences would come to love and adore.

3. Hole Punch

Punch kinda. Disregards Olly even more. Really all he cares about is his music and a place to dance his heart out. His strength seems to honestly perplex the king as well, so it seems like minimal contact is kept between them. A sort of mutual "I'll leave you alone if you do this for me" sentiment between them. Hole Punch doesn't fear Olly in the slightest and might act the most casual around him.

He really doesn't have anything to hide regarding this, even if he doesn't make it to the top of the Legion's strongest, everything about him just seems off from the rest, making him almost an exception to usua behaviors expected from a stationery soldier.

4. Tape

Oddly enough, this tough talking sticky scoundrel is actually one of Olly's most loyal! The dynamic between them is very much that of a classic goon and villain confiding in one another. He calls Olly 'boss' on occasion rather than king but means it with the exact same respect.

Tape doesn't seem to fear Olly much at all, in some occasions openly seeming to have this ideal that the origami king will come to his aid if he needs it. He might have a soft spot for Olly and Olivia granted how (albeit a bit mockingly) he's the only Legion member who extended an offer of mercy to Olivia if she ran back to her brother.

Tape seems to understand Olly better than anyone else in the Legion does. Their closeness is unexpected but fitting in a way. He'd protect the king and even his sister if he ordered it.

5. Scissors

Despite being Olly's lieutenant, Scissors does not hold the young king in any sort of high regard at all. He will present himself honorably and will follow orders, however he has an earth shattering disdain for Olly. Scissors is meant to be the enemy of all paper, origami included. He has a complex of sorts that has driven him to try to become stronger or just as strong as Olly and he only lives because of his rank in the Legion.

Olly is aware of Scissors' hatred and will to overthrow him eventually, but this is remedied by the fact the duelist is unable to get to his level even if he tried. Scissors loathes the fact that a paper being has more power than he does. The king is not meant to be an exception, but he is.

Their allyship is uneasy to say the least. Scissors doesn't hide his disdain in the slightest much to the shock of some of the other members. Being one of the top soldiers in the Legion allows him to be as crass as he wishes to be it seems.

6. Stapler

The king's loyal guard dog. Well, loyal is an overstatement. Stapler follows Olly's whims pretty flawlessly when it comes to combat and binding people into folded soldiers, but outside of that he's a rather inactive, lazy dog. He needs to be bribed with food or play on occasion to be made to do anything.

Stapler will even occasionally playfully mess with the king himself, causing annoyance. He's a sentient thing and likes acting occasionally like a dumb dog that can't speak or understand spoken words. Olly knows already that he can. This still doesn't keep Stapler from messing around.

Once more, him being a high member of the Legion seems to allow him some foolery at Olly's expense.

Ok! Personally I think the replies are wayyy too small, so please use this ask to gush about every single thing you wanna Abt the LOS

omg thank you so much!!! Personally i have very specific hcs including all of the Legion that I'd like to be asked about piece by piece but I'll drop some more bits here!

For starters, i have a few aus including them. In one of them, my Legion Recruitment au, they start off in humanoid forms before getting beaten or weakened enough to enter way smaller object forms. Small enough for Mario to kinda carry or have follow him around (kinda like partners, huzzah)

As an overall headcanon, I believe the Legion all kind of have different views on Olly.

As a whole, a majority of them surprisingly don't seem to care all too much about his authority. Everyone follows his orders to protect the streamers because it's what they've been literally made to do, and they're all aware he could turn them back into lifeless objects, but given how in the game they all have their separate way of doing it i think they took a lot of freedoms with that order.

The most loyal members are Tape and Stapler, and even then Stapler is a bit finicky, being a dog that's pretty easily swayed by food or affection.

I'd love to go more into detail over their relationships with Olly.

[hood-ex]

This is a fic written for @stxleslyds! The prompt was: a fic with Dick, Roy and Lian spending time together in the Outsiders era. Thanks for the donation, Tati 💙.

Important: This fic takes place a week after the events of Outsiders (2003) #19.

“We could use you here,” Roy says. Even with his voice coming directly through the comm, Dick almost doesn’t hear him say, “I need you here.”

A soft wind blows through Blüdhaven, ruffling through Dick’s sweat-matted hair. What a filthy night it is for a Friday. Thunder rumbling in the distance with hot, humid air filling Dick’s lungs. It’s the kind of air that isn’t natural for a place like the ‘Haven. It’s here for whatever reason, and it’s no better now that the sun has been replaced by pink and purple neon lights flashing across the strip. It’s nights like these that Dick can admit to missing his red tunic and green shorts. It was shit to wear them in the winter but an absolute godsend in the summer.

Dick sighs deeply, moving away from the ledge of the building and away from his view of the herds of drunk people whose laughter echoes between the bars and casinos. There’s a tall HVAC unit in the middle of the building that he walks over to and sits against. The fabric of his suit rubs against it, and he squirms a little at the uncomfortable position. He bears it because this is a conversation that requires a little support.

“Dick.”

“I know,” Dick mutters.

He should be under the streets of Brooklyn the same as all the other Outsiders should be. Considering the circumstances, it’s no surprise that some of them have deserted the ship for the time being. Licking their wounds in private so to speak. Dick’s not proud of it. He tacks it onto his mental bulletin board of shame where it sits up there all torn and ugly like the rest of his deplorable moments.

“I’d feel better if you were here to watch Lian when I step out of the room,” Roy says in Japanese. Dick’s brow furrows. Either Lian is in the same room as Roy and he doesn’t want her to know they’re talking about her or there’s an Outsider nearby that he doesn’t want listening in on his personal issues. “She hasn’t started therapy yet and her separation anxiety is still high.”

“High for both of you,” Dick points out. He thinks back to a few days ago when Roy had called him in a panic because he’d left all of his groceries in the middle of the store after his paranoia got the best of him and had him running back to the base to check on Lian.

“Tell me about it,” Roy laughs dryly. “I feel like I’m going fuckin’ nuts, dude.” The strain in his voice sends a full body shiver down Dick’s spine. “All I can think about is whether she’s okay and if the base is protected enough, and if I can really trust everyone here. You and Kory are the only ones I feel okay leaving her with.”

You shouldn’t trust me like that, Dick thinks bitterly. Lilith and Donna trusted me with their lives and look where they are now.

“Everyone else is… I trust them as teammates. I trust them with my life. But I can’t—"

“Trust them with Lian’s,” Dick says, knowing how much this whole situation has fucked with Roy's ability to trust anyone and everyone. Except him and Kory, apparently. Probably Ollie and the rest of Roy's family too.

He thunks his head against the HVAC unit and stares up at the dark sky. Not a single star up there, he thinks, and something like guilt burns in his chest. You took them all with you, didn’t you, Donna? Put them in your pockets and faded away. “She might not be comfortable with me there,” he says after a moment.

It pains him to think that Lian could be scared of him. Scared of him because he looks similar to one of the blue-eyed, dark-haired kidnappers who murdered her babysitter and then branded her like cattle. That type of trauma association doesn’t go away after a week.

“Kory told Lian you might stop by, and you know what Lian asked her?”

Terrible things flash through Dick’s head. Things like words born of fear or disgust. He hugs his arms around his knees and squeezes them tight.

“No, what did she say?”

“She asked, ‘Is Uncle Nightwing gonna bring Blue’s Clues with him?’”

A smile tugs at the corner of Dick’s lips and his eyes start to sting. He can’t believe that’s the first thing she thought of. It only seems like yesterday that he was watching Blue’s Clues with her in Titans Tower. Sometimes he would pause the show and ask Lian questions about each of the clues just to hear what kind of outlandish answers her kid brain could come up with. Other times the detective in him couldn’t help but steer her towards a logical answer. Roy used to always roll his eyes and tell him to stop trying to turn her into a mini Nightwing.

“That doesn’t mean she’ll be okay seeing me in person and you know it,” Dick reminds him.

Roy’s sigh is soft and muffled in his ear. “We’ll cross that bridge when we get to it.”

Dick’s not one to wait around.

“Let’s cross it now.”

“You’re coming over?” Roy asks, and even though he mostly sounds neutral, Dick can hear the disbelief hidden under it all.

If there was an award for the world's most shitty friend, Dick would probably be in the lead to receive it. Here Roy is dealing with the fact that his daughter was abducted and almost trafficked, and what’s Dick been doing for the last few days instead of sticking by his side? Working himself to the bone in Blüdhaven, that’s what. Hiding away from the fact that he almost lost another important person to him. Trying to avoid the crushing weight of failure that clings to him like a second skin.

Pathetic. Some safety net he is.

“Yeah, give me an hour,” Dick says.

The commute from Blüdhaven to Brooklyn isn’t bad at this time of night. Most of the traffic is packed downtown where all the bars are lined up. Dick takes the highway to avoid the worst of it.

The roar of the city dies off once he goes underground. Down here the HQ looms over him in all its steel glory. Dick’s always thought of it like one giant elevator. It’s all hard angles and sleek, silver walls. Hardly a place one would describe as homey, but it was home to a few people nevertheless.

Dick goes inside after getting his eye and hand scanned by the computer. He heads down the hallway, keeping his footsteps light and quiet out of habit. So far there’s no sign of Jade, Indigo, or Rex in any of the rooms he passes. They’re the most likely to be here around this time. From what Kory told him the other day, Grace has been spending most of her time clubbing, and Anissa has been staying with her dad. He hates to admit it but it’s almost a relief that he doesn’t have to worry about running into either of them.

He ends up finding Roy and Lian in the rec room. Lian is sitting on the leather couch in the middle of the room. She must have had a shower not too long ago because her hair is a little damp and she’s wearing a pair of purple pajamas with unicorns on them. A Cinderella blanket is strewn across her lap and a stuffed rabbit sits discarded on the floor by her feet.

Roy looks small squatting in front of her. His pants are the only sign of his Arsenal gear, and it makes Dick feel slightly out of place since he’s still decked out in full mask and suit. It’s the first time Dick’s seen Roy in person since they brought down Tanner’s operations a week ago. He looks how Dick would expect any parent to look after being targeted by a major sex trafficker: stressed and exhausted.

Those tired eyes of his shift to the doorway where Dick stands, and Dick can see the way Roy looks him over from head to toe, assessing Dick’s condition. He can look as hard as he wants, but he won’t find anything. Dick keeps his face blank and unreadable.

“It still hurts,” Lian whimpers, and both Dick and Roy's attention immediately snaps back to her.

She wraps her arms around her stomach and bends over her lap like she’s going to throw up all over the floor. Roy doesn’t move to try and avoid any possible bouts of vomit. Nothing happens as the seconds tick by. No retching or anything. There’s only the sound of Roy’s hand rubbing up and down Lian’s arm.

“Me and your Uncle Nightwing are gonna get you feeling better soon,” Roy assures her in a gentle voice. “And guess what?”

Lian makes a questioning sound in the back of her throat.

The look Roy shoots Dick is somewhere between caution and amusement. “He’s been playing quiet mouse behind you this whole time.”

Dick braces himself as Lian shoots back up like a rocket. “He’s behind me?” she asks, twisting around in her seat. Dick’s heart starts jackrabbiting because what if she’s scared of him? What if he accidentally triggers her PTSD? What if— “Uncle Nightwing!” Lian shrieks.

Relief shudders through him because she sounds happy to see him. Not scared or angry or disgusted like he feared. She’s looking at him like he just told her he brought her a bag of candy, and that revelation is enough to make him take a breath and finally enter the room.

“Hey, kiddo,” Dick says, hurrying over to the couch so that she doesn’t have to get up. “I missed you.”

Lian reaches for his hand and holds on to it. It’s not like the hug Dick usually gets from her and maybe that’s because she doesn’t want anyone touching her back after the incident. Dick will take anything he can get. His much larger hand closes over her own and he swings them back and forth lightly.

“Me too,” Lian says. She squeezes his hand three times. “Why do you still have your gloves on?”

“My hands are cold,” Dick lies. “Why were you bent over like an accordion just a minute ago?”

“Her tummy’s been hurting,” Roy says with a frown.

“It’s because tigers used to try and eat people,” Lian tells him matter-of-factly. Roy looks like he’s about to correct her but she quickly hurries on. “My brain says there’s danger and it makes my tummy stop working.”

A lightbulb goes off in Dick’s head as he realizes that she’s describing anxiety. A simplified explanation of how the digestive system shuts down and sends blood to other parts of the body when there’s danger.

“My tummy does that too,” Dick says after a pause. “I get a lot of anxiety sometimes. Do you want me to show you how I try to make it go away?”

Lian scrunches her nose. “Do we have to take medicine?”

“Nope. All we need to do is sit up straight and breathe. Breathing really deep helps our brains calm down and makes our tummies feel more relaxed,” Dick explains. He sinks down on the plush couch and demonstrates how she should be sitting. “Now move back until you’re sitting like me.”

Lian does as she’s told and scoots back until she’s resting against the back of the couch. Dick only remembers how short she is when he notices how her feet stick out straight in front of her instead of dangling over the edge of the couch.

“Now tell your daddy to get in position.”

“Daddy,” Lian slaps the free cushion beside her, “sit next to me.”

“Magic word?” Roy prompts.

“Please,” Lian pouts.

“That’s better.” Roy’s knees pop when he shifts out of his crouched position. The whole couch rocks when he falls back against it. “What’s the strat here, Wing? We need to close our eyes or what?”

Dick wants to ask him why he’s acting like he’s never done this before but the playful words stick in his mouth like glue.

“We’ll close our eyes in a second. Lian, I want you to watch how your daddy and I take really deep breaths, okay? Then we’re all going to do it together.”

“I can take really big breaths!” Lian insists. She scrambles out of her pose and gets on her knees. Her little fingers wrap around Dick’s bicep as she leans in close to him. “I can take one million breaths as big as an elephant!”

The tired and apathetic part of him tells him to ignore her kid logic and to get back on track. The uncle part of him is another story. It wants him to be fun and helpful. To distract Lian from the worries and fears she has.

In the end, he does what he always does best: puts on a performance.

“Oh yeah?” Dick challenges with a grin that hopefully doesn’t look as strained as it feels. “I can take five billion breaths as big as a planet.”

“Elephants are bigger than planets,” she says.

“I think maybe the elephants are only bigger in your dreams.”

“Yeah, they are,” Lian agrees because she’s a typical kid who will support anything that proves she’s right in some capacity.

Roy looks amused when he puts his hands on Lian’s shoulders and steers her to sit back on her bottom. “Alright little missy, no more talking. We’re gonna do what Uncle Nightwing says now, okay?”

“Okay,” Lian agrees, looking over at Dick expectantly.

Coaching Lian through the exercise is easy. The most important part is making sure she’s taking breaths that are deep enough to make her stomach expand like a balloon. Dick has her place her hands on top of her stomach so he can see them rise when she inhales.

Roy follows along and Dick can tell that he’s taking advantage of the exercises for his own benefit. His face looks peaceful and relaxed as he follows along with Dick’s instructions to suck in a breath on the count of one and exhale up until the count of ten.

“Keep focusing on counting,” Dick tells them while they exhale. “We don’t want any other thoughts in our heads. No bad thoughts or funny thoughts. Only think about counting to ten.”

They run through a few more cycles. Dick’s pleased when he hears both Lian and Roy’s stomachs grumbling as they exhale. It’s a good sign that the deep breaths are massaging their organs and decreasing any kind of stomach pain.

“That’s it,” Dick says. “We’re all done.” He opens his eyes and sees Lian slumped against the back of the couch. Her hands are still resting on her stomach, but she looks languid instead of tense like she was when he first saw her.

“I’m tired now,” Roy says. His movements are slow as molasses when he slides forward to the edge of the couch and bends over to rest his arms on his thighs. He looks at Lian. “How about you, princess? You feeling any better?”

“Mhmm. My tummy doesn’t feel really uh…”

“Tight?” Dick offers.

“Yeah, it’s not so tight anymore.”

Roy pushes a strand of hair behind her ear. “Good. Mine feels a little better too.”

“Can we do Uncle Nightwing’s breathing thing again tomorrow?” she asks through a yawn.

“Sure thing,” Roy nods. His attention shifts to Dick. “Are you gonna still be here to lead us through it?”

This isn’t some kind of test but it feels like one. It feels like if he says no then he’s only proving that he’s a bad friend. That he can’t be relied on. He doesn’t want to give Roy that impression because it’s not true. Roy can rely on him the same way Dick relies on Roy. He hopes showing up here tonight is proof of that.

“That’s the plan,” he says, voice soft.

Roy leans over the couch and squeezes Dick’s knee gently. “You sure?” he asks, and his eyes roam over Dick’s face like he’s trying to find evidence that Dick is lying.

“Yeah, I’m sure.” He pats Roy’s hand reassuringly in the same way Alfred's done for him and Bruce a hundred times. It's only now that he realizes it's a habit he's picked up.

Lian suddenly leans into Dick’s side and presses her weight against his arm. She pats both his and Roy’s hands.

“I’m sure too,” she says, and this time Dick can’t help but smile.

[year2000electronics]

Siblings, Origami, and Slightly Wasted Potential

Hi. Me again. I have some thoughts on Origami King and the ideal future we could have had.

(Spoilers for Origami King!)

(image recreation)

Last time on the analysis show, I took a look at the characterization of Paper Luigi (which is a pretty good read, I’ve been told). This time, I’d like to build on that a little more by addressing Paper Mario’s other pair of iconic siblings- Olly and Olivia. 

Specifically, the way I believe they have the ability to parallel Paper Mario and Paper Luigi.

So, to lay out some basic facts (as is usually necessary to make a strong foundation), I’d like to talk a bit about Mario and Luigi’s relationship with one another. 

Thanks to Luigi gaining importance in the Mario series as a whole, he’s been equipped with some new abilities and stories of his own. However, thanks to Mario encompassing everything heroic under the sun, a lot of the time, Luigi tends to need to take the ‘road less traveled’ of abilities and stories. This may just be an out-of-character thing, but over time, it’s given Luigi this sort of niche that he fills compared to Mario. 

Me, personally, I like to call Mario a ‘sun sibling’ and Luigi a ‘moon sibling’. 

The sun is associated with brightness, happiness, daytime- the time that most people use to the fullest. A sunny day will bring a smile to anyone. Mario has the same happy aesthetics as the daytime, his adventures always triumphant and basking in the spotlight. 

... (And sometimes, they’re quite literally ‘sunny’ adventures.)

Compare this to the moon- the nighttime. In popular culture, the night, darkness and even the moon have been used to signify darkness, mystery. The night in and of itself is something that’s only designated to ‘night owls’- it takes a lot of active planning to stay up for a lot of the night. However, the moon itself isn’t inherently dark- people still need it to get their eight hours. Even though the night’s job isn’t the same as the day’s, it’s still important...

...when the sun is hiding away. 

That little bit of poetry aside, Luigi’s ‘dark’ and ‘against the norm’ aesthetic can be seen pretty much everywhere you look, even if you’re not much for my metaphors.

Luigi’s flagship series being all about ghost-hunting in a spooky, dark mansion...

(Which, by the way, in Mario Super Sluggers, can only be accessed at NIGHT!!! !!!) 

Luigi being the one who has access to the mysterious and vague dream world powers, 

Whatever this was,

This fucking guy,

You get the point. 

Which leads me to my next point: Olivia and Olly are also Sun Sibling and Moon Sibling.

I’m sure this is fairly obvious to anyone who looks. Olivia is bubbly, excitable, friendly, and kind.

Olly is, um.

Not that. 

(Oh also, their colour schemes the ‘night’ and ‘day’ colour schemes of Scorching Sandpaper Desert. So there’s that.)

So now we’ve established that 

But here’s the thing. Siblings is not the same. See, there’s something different about Olly and Olivia compared to Mario and Luigi.

Olly is the older sibling. And just like that... Luigi’s primary reason for being a ‘moon’ sibling is just straight-up not available to Olly. Luigi got his quirks from being in Mario’s shadow, but Olly is new... fresh. He just is this way. It’s not a phase, CRAFTSMAN. 

This poses some... interesting ideas when it’s presented next to the Mario brothers, though. Olivia is the younger sibling, who seems to look up to Olly just as much as Luigi looks up to Mario. Or at least... she’d like to. 

Despite having LITERALLY NO EVIDENCE to believe this, Olivia spends the entire game saying that she believes Olly can be talked down from this. She almost treats Olly and his entire evil plan as two separate entities, almost like Olly is a damsel she has to rescue. Don’t get me wrong, she never shies away from saying her brother needs to be stopped, but considering what seemingly little reason Olly gives for her to believe he’s worth saving... (sorry Olly. You lived then you put your dad in a wall. Life’s tough like that. Also you put a rock on her.) She’s persistent. 

Imagine how that must feel to Mario, seeing someone- seeing a Luigi who’s not the meek, mysterious one, but just as bright and bubbly as him. They grow so close throughout all this, but... Mario isn’t HER brother. And Olivia isn’t HIS sibling. 

And neither of them forget that. Even for one second. 

It makes us almost sigh in relief that Mario is such a good role model to both Olivia and Luigi, because Olivia shows us this idea of the underdog sibling not HAVING a forever-kind older brother. It’s... kinda sad. No, really sad. Olivia and Olly WANT to be a pair, but neither of them agree. They both want to ‘save’ each other, but they must keep battling if they want their side to win. 

This on its own is pretty interesting, but I want to cover the ‘slightly missed potential’ part. If you think Olivia and Mario’s parallels are a good story bit... can you IMAGINE what Olly and Luigi would be like? 

Referencing my Luigi analysis again, I concluded that Luigi has a bit of an inferiority superiority complex- a TV trope where someone’s feelings of inadequacy are often masked by an overconfidence, trying to hide that horrible blemish. 

(Don’t worry. He gets better.) 

Now, I wouldn’t say Olly is secretly insecure or anything- far from it. He is, however, EXCEEDINGLY confident, in both his abilities and his beliefs. He truly seems to believe that the ways of origami are glorious and that folding the kingdom will be a sort of ‘rebirth’. The only thing that is motivated entirely by his rage (not that those other parts aren’t, this one is just really personal) is his wish to turn every Toad into blank paper. And why is that? 

Because the Origami Craftsman scribbled on him. It’s a blemish, and one that he keeps hidden VERY easily. (I mean, you don’t see it here, do you?) 

...Interestingly, Olly has this line here: 

He says he made Olivia ‘too perfect’. It’s backhanded, sure, but... it’s still a compliment. He thinks his sister is perfect. She is perfect. He is blemished.

The sun sibling is perfect...

The moon sibling isn’t. 

This is why I think Olly and Luigi should have had some form of interaction. Luigi is this perfect mentor figure for the young king. Even though he wouldn’t be able to make a dent in Olly’s ideology or Toad-hating, there is one thing... one thing Olly might still be able to turn to the good side for. 

His sister.

Despite the fact that Origami Castle gets folded to life before Mario’s very eyes, which is when Olly has asked time and time again for Olivia to join him, and she’s still refused, the castle is still LITTERED with decorations of BOTH OF THEM. 

Olly still loves his sister. And he doesn’t want to lose her- even if he is blinded by rage. I think if Luigi was around Olly somehow, for most of the game (my personal idea would be that Luigi just can’t be folded somehow and Olly has no choice but to keep him in Peach’s Castle because he might help Mario otherwise), then he could say, from personal experience, how blind rage doesn’t solve anything... how your relationship with your sibling is the most precious thing in the world, should you keep it correctly. 

How... he KNOWS Olivia really looks up to him and looks to him for guidance, because he’s the exact same way. And how Olivia needs her big brother. 

Maybe Olly has some second thoughts, but convinces himself it’ll all be for the greater good. He just needs to defeat that red plumber. 

That green plumber’s... big brother. 

All in all, I think it could really have made Olly and Olivia even more impactful than they already are. At least they finally get reunited...

Even if it’s only for a brief moment.