#adult who’s supposedly ‘knows everything’ can’t deal with yourself?????

[lo-cinno]

Bloody fucking hell

Vent in tags

[shallowbreaths]

My sister was married to an abusive man for years and hid it from me because she knew I’d kill the guy. I considered him one of my best friends. I knew he was unreliable, had a tendency to lie, and would sometimes get upset when he didn’t understand something (which considering he’s an idiot was too often), but I NEVER had even a hint until the divorce when she revealed she had recorded him. The guy was a blundering moron in life and it turns out that he found ways to blame her for his every misstep, but that man NEVER lost control over the illusion to others of who he was! So much so that she had half convinced herself that she was making it up or simply imagining it. He used to beg and cry and promise that he’d changed. When she’d flinch he’d get mad because she “never let go of the past”. She was never as much his wife as she was the favorite toy of a spoiled child who sometimes liked to pull the wings off of flies.

Afterwards, he tried “explaining” things to me. He told me about his mom and dad and all the evils he’d endured in life. I said, “Ok, I see the examples you had, but I know my sister tried to be a good wife for you. So NOW explain to me how after you survived this tragedy yourself that you felt it was best if you passed it on again to someone else who just wanted to love you and never deserved the abuse. I would have helped you heal the best I could have from what you endured but that was when you were a victim and not a violent offender against my family. Now I don’t give a crap about your past because I see what you’ve chosen to do with it and who you “secretly” wish to be. You wanted to prove you’re a dangerous, tough guy and now I believe it. So be warned, I will not hesitate to react accordingly if you even hint at being that person around anyone I love again.”

That was the only time I ever saw him “lose control” and only for a second. For a split second I was looking at the man who thought abusing my sister made him strong. For a split second he thought about trying his hand with me, but it faded as quickly as it had come because in the end he was a coward. He needed someone he was certain wouldn’t fight back. She loved him, so she wouldn’t, and after years of abuse he had gained a control over her that others can’t understand. Don’t think I didn’t enjoy pointing out to him that with all of his anger and control that he’d still built nothing. He wanted everyone to believe he held things together but in truth he was the storm his entire family feared. Now they are happy and successful and yes, a bit damaged, but healing. He on the other hand? He lives with his elderly mom, he’s been arrested three times since the divorce for DWI (somehow always my sister’s fault still), he robbed his sister, he beat his mom up, he’s dating a girl who is severely addicted to drugs and supposedly using himself. He likes to go to bars and talk trash about us and now he’s graduated to fighting adult men rather than women and children. He walks around bragging about the fights he’s won.

I write all of this to make a point. He was a terrible, broken mess who felt out of control because nothing ever worked the way he figured it should. He let his frustrations come out on his family and there weren’t really any consequences that he felt he couldn’t deal with, so that became the way he handled his stress and frustration. It was the de-evolution of a man. He blamed her completely for everything including him forgetting to set his own alarm clock. When she finally left he had NOTHING to hold him up, no one to cover his lies, no one who loved him so much (aside from his mother) that they accept his BS. When his mom passes eventually, he will have nothing left and I’m sure most every happy memory he retains will have my sister in it. I imagine those moments will aggravate and upset him endlessly, and one day he will choke upon them.

Don’t kid yourself, they know exactly what they are doing and if there are no consequences then why would they ever change? They beg and cry and promise, I know, but even THAT is just more abuse! At least muggers and normal violent criminals have the decency to take what they want and leave! Violence is a choice.

Blogging again because we need to talk about this.

[hereforhalstead]

“I’m all yours”

*Gif not mine, credits to the owner*

• Pairing: Jay Halstead x Reader 

• Requested: No.

• Warnings: swearing/adult themes

• Summary: Whilst being in an unhappy relationship your mind often wanders to the thoughts of a certain detective who assures you he feels the same way and you struggle to keep from giving into him.

• Words: 3190

• A/N : Not requested but watching sex/life on Netflix (highly recommend) and I haven’t been able to stop thinking about this… do I like it? Lol no but enjoy! I do not condone cheating or the treatment of any relationship like this. My inbox is always open if you want to talk and I know it's very hard but remember you're worthy and you deserve the best. Please do not hesitate to let me know if anything in this is too close to the mark as that’s the last thing I want (i might be reading too deep into this but want to be sure I’ve made myself clear)

****

You poured what felt like your sixth coffee of the morning, grunting as you spilt some on the side due to not paying full attention and reaching to grab a paper towel to wipe the mess. Adding a splash of milk as you turned to lean your back against the side and enjoy the silence you had to yourself for those few moments, knowing it wouldn’t be long before it was interrupted.

You weren’t wrong, merely seconds go by when Hailey strolls in to join you in grabbing a coffee. Taking her usual mug off the shelf and pouring herself a fresh cup “rough morning?” She questions, bringing you out of your thoughts. You laugh to yourself before taking your first sip “something like that”. She turns to you as she brings the mug to her lips, raising her eyebrows at you as she does so “oh yeah?”.

You can tell by her tone that the pair of you clearly weren’t on the same page, her suggestiveness was nothing out of the ordinary and you could only wish of being able to fulfill her gossip needs but the truth was far from it. You sighed and took another sip of the dark liquid, sinking your back further into the ledge as she joins you in your stance “you gonna share or am I gonna have to stand here until you break?”. You look over to see her mischievous grin soon fade as you can’t help but stare with a disgruntled look “what did he do now?”. That was more like it, the mood of disappointment was something they were used to by now, your constant moaning was the usual talk of Intelligence which was hardly ideal.

You had been with your boyfriend nearly 4 months and this was seen as the honeymoon period, not being able to keep your hands off one another with the constant sex and need for each other but this was not the case at all. Sure the first few weeks were great and everything you could ask but for it soon changed when he got busy with work, finding yourself constantly on the back burner and truly being hung out to dry. Conversations were now about work and the ongoing deals he had, you’d even now convinced yourself it was a good day if he asked for your olio ion on something you couldn’t care less about.

That isn’t what it should be about, those little first moments of excitement of ‘oh did he mean to touch my hand?’ Or the endless kisses which would only lead onto more were a thing of the past. You had become a married middle age couple without you realising and you felt well and truly stuck.

This was only made worse by your team constantly poking fun at you for the supposedly ‘constant flirting and banter’ you had with Jay. You didn’t see it yourself but maybe because you were putting your flirtatious energy onto your partner as it was useless in your relationship. Not thinking much of it as he happily flirted back, falling into the placeholder role far too easily but you were not mad in the slightest.

You loved your boyfriend, well you thought you did anyway, who can really define love when you mean as much to him as just being a chef and maid at this point. Jay made you feel things, he gave you those sparks of electricity that you didn’t realise how much you craved until you would sit at your desk thinking about the last time he gave you one of his cheeky winks or when he’d next be sat at the edge of your desk as he always seemed to be.

You and Jay undoubtedly had the connection but you were too lazy to leave your ‘convenient’ home life as he put it, his patience wearing thin for being your soundboard of endless moaning about the guy he detested. He knew he could give you everything you wanted and too frustrated to think you couldn’t see it. The truth was you clearly could see it and he was the only reason you felt sain, knowing you’d be sat opposite him was what got you out of bed in the morning which obviously isn’t where your head should be at but when you’re made to feel as unwanted as you did in your ‘relationship’, could you really blame yourself?

“What was the topic of conversation this morning, another crash in the stock market?” Hailey chuckled to herself as she continued to drink her coffee, you didn’t realise how much you’d zoned out with your gaze fixed onto Jay’s empty seat just on the other side of the door. “Don’t even go there” you shook your head, hoping she wouldn’t probe but of course she was going to, it almost seemed a source of entertainment at how bad your relationship was.

It had to come to a point where you joined in on the fun you seemed to be providing, it seemed better than constantly beating yourself up and thinking you’re the issue when it was clear that someone else wanted you and not so deep down you knew you wanted him.

“So I got into the shower with him” you begin, earning Hailey’s full attention with just a few words as she turns to face you with widened eyes “so I’m stood there with him, butt naked with the shower dripping down my back” you continue as she leans in further “and he reminded me to get the light in the kitchen fixed as it’s been flickering when he gets up in the morning”. Her shocked expression is laughable and you can’t help but chuckle at your poor attempt at a relationship as by this point it was nothing less than normal for you to try and spice things up and for it to fail.

Hailey places her mug down on the side before folding her arms across her chest “Please tell me you’re joking”, she brings her hands up to her mouth as she shakes her head “please y/n, tell me you’re joking”. You can’t even bring yourself to verbally respond, instead you shrug your shoulders as you again take another sip “it gets better” you joke as she slightly squints her eyes in dread of what you’re about to say. “I walked into the kitchen, still naked in hopes he would bend me over the counter or something but he grabs himself a bagel without even looking at me and reminds me to white bread as he doesn’t like the ones with the seeds because they get in his teeth”.

This sends her over the edge, you can tell she doesn’t know whether to laugh or cry for you. Her sorrow eyes and pursed lips don’t faze you as you’re used to the sorry looks you get when you tell these stories, to the point they encourage you to tell them just so you can share the pain with others to make it easier to deal with. If anything it gave them more of a reason to tease you and Jay, hoping it will finally knock some sense into you and get you out of your dull and tiring relationship, if you can even call it that..

She picks up her mug from the side and places her hand on your back as you make your way out of the break room “you need to leave him y/n” she consoles, like she hasn’t said it so many times before. “You think it would that easy”, you come to a stop at the door as you see Jay sat in his seat, leaning back casually as he flicks through a file “10 bucks on who you fantasise about instead of your lame boyfriend” she tilts her head towards Jay and you scoff but her raised brows tells you she knows you better than you think.

You look over to Jay and sigh, it was true. In a twisted way if it wasn’t for him you don’t think you’d be able to cope with your dead end and pathetic excuse for a relationship. Nothing has necessarily happened between the pair of you but the tension was building and you found yourself sat at your desk most days thinking about what it would be like to finally feel wanted, picturing the ways he would take you into his arms and show you what you’re missing out on.

“Hailey, with me in the interview room” Voights rough voice booms from beside you as he storms out of his office, bringing you back to the bleak reality that laid ahead of you “end it and get some, god knows he’s waiting for it” she casually announces, attention still focused on Jay as she hands you her mug of half drank coffee and follows Voight’s footsteps down the hall.

You scan the room and it’s just you and Jay, soon to be accompanied by Kevin as he makes his way up the stairs and over to his desk “morning” he chimes to which you and Jay both respond as you stand behind his chair, you place a hand on his shoulder and he jolts “coffee?”. You ask as you hand him Hailey’s used mug “you don’t value me enough to get me one of my own?” He asks, standing from his chair and soon taking position over you “thought I knew you better than that y/n” he shakes his head with a look of sarcastic disappointment, you nudge his shoulder as he walks past you and into the break room and you try to ignore that wave of lust that often washes over you whenever your near him.

“When are you two getting it on?” Kevin mutters as he strolls past you to wipe down the whiteboard from the day before “don’t know what you’re talking about” you admit, taking a seat at your desk as he continues to pull off the CCTV stills from the previous case before again passing you to head back to this own desk “you do realise we’re detectives y/n” he slightly leans down to you with a quiet tone “we’re not blind and neither is Halstead” he flicks his eyes over to Jay who is walking towards the pair of you with a fresh mug of coffee.

“won’t even bring me a cup of coffee in the morning, what kind of partner” he moans to Kevin who in turn raises his brows down at you with a shake of his head “terrible, truly terrible”.

You roll your eyes up at him as he carries on his journey back to his desk, you fix your attention onto the huge mount of paperwork at the side of your desk. Silently glad it had stacked up as that meant more time spent in the office and less time watching paint dry as your boyfriend scrolls on his phone on the other side of the sofa, watching as he acts like you’ve got an infectious disease that he wants nothing to do with.

You lean over to grab another file when Jay reaches to pick up the pile of paper and move it onto his desk, soon perching himself in the spot where the paper just was. You feel your pulse quicken as he takes a sip of his coffee, boring his eyes down onto you as you try and ignore his gaze “so what’s this I hear about a shower incident?” He speaks up and you feel your heart drop, the last thing you want was for him to have heard, he often liked to tease you about the failure of your relationship so he hardly needed provioking.

“It’s rude to eavesdrop” you turn to face him, being sure to avert your gaze from the way his hand naturally fell onto his thigh whilst the other placed his mug on your desk. He ran a hand along his jawline as he chuckled to himself “something funny?” You ask, earning a signature toothy grin to show off his amusement.

“Someone’s in a chipper mood” you comment, standing from your desk to go and retrieve the files from your desk but Jay straightens his leg out to stop you from moving further from him “better than you”. He folds his arms and you keep your eyes fixed on his, quickly wiping the thoughts of the way his top clings to his muscles, looking like the seams could rip at any given moment. “Should really get that light fixed” he continues to tease, seeing the light in his eyes as he was enjoying this far too much but you couldn’t pull yourself away. “Just keeping up with the gossip” he shrugs, amusement plastered on his face to your dismay.

“Do you really think this is what I want right now?” You ask, popping your hip slightly to lean into your side. “Oh no” he brings his hand into your Jean pocket to pull you towards him “I know what you want y/n. Just waiting for you to do something about it before I do”.

You briefly see his eyes flicker between your lips and then back up to your eyes, convinced he could see behind them and into the endless thoughts you have of him to further boost his ego. “Don’t” you warn, his hand still draped on your side as he holds you firmly in front of him “don’t do what?” He innocently asks, the air between you was normally tense but this was different and you both knew it.

You’d been close to being in this position before but this was the first time one of you had acted on it, a sure sign the patience was wearing thin and you were both craving each other more than ever. You almost felt bad for not feeling that pang of guilt, instead feeling the intense burn wherever Jay touched you and further pushing your pathetic excuse of a boyfriend out of your mind which was where he belonged.

“You two, Voight wants you observing” Kevin breaks the silence from the hall, realising you’d been so consumed in Jay you’d completely forgotten where you were. Mind focused on the way he was looking at you and the hunger you’d pushed down making itself very much known. “Be right there” Jay calls out over your shoulder, patting you on the hip as he remains sat on your desk. You turn to follow Kevin but the grasp on your hip tightens, keeping you in place in front of him “if only you knew how many times I-“ he begins, his eyes roaming your body as you unconsciously straighten up on his gaze. Before he even finishes his sentence you hear Voight storming down the hall towards the pair of you. Your legs felt weak just at the thought of what Jay was about to say and much as you wanted nothing more to be held in front of him, you were quick to be walking towards the interview room with Jay hot on your trail.

“All I’m saying” he mumbles into your ear as you walk, keeping your arms folded across your chest at an attempt to hold yourself together “if I had you alone in this room” he reaches forward to open the door in front of you, holding it open to allow you to walk in front of him as you look up at him with doting eyes, slightly grazing him as you pass under his arm.

“let alone in the shower” he continues as closes the door behind the pair of you. You almost feel intimidated at the way he bounds over to you, his stance strong with his hands firmly in his pockets as you notice the smirk spread

“you wouldn’t be able to walk for a week sweetheart”.

You harshly swallow, feeling his seriousness peering down on you, suddenly wanting nothing more than for him to back you up against the wall and give you everything you’d wanted since the moment you’d laid eyes on him. The thoughts of your spineless boyfriend completely thrown out by the man stood before you who’d wanted and needed you more than your hopeless lover the whole time.

You glance into the interview room beside you, Voight towering onto the suspect as Hailey leans back in her chair to watch it unfold in front of her “good job it’s soundproof in here” you half joke, unable to control the way you were feeling and the words falling out of your mouth before you’d had a chance to think them through.

“oh don’t tempt me y/n” he lets out a dark chuckle “You have no idea how many times I’ve pictured what I’d do to you in here” he closes the gap between the pair of you, reaching to tuck a piece of hair behind your ear before tracing your jaw with his fingertips as you find yourself leaning into his every touch.

“All those times you’ve stood next to me as I play these thoughts out in my head, sat at my desk when all I can think about is you and don’t get me started when you arrive at work all frustrated and wishing someone would be able to fulfill your needs like you desire” he taunts, bringing his other hand to rest firmly on your hip whilst the other makes its way into your hair “you’re all I think about” he smirks “let me give you what I know you want”

His eyes scan your face for answers as you stand there speechless, hanging on his every word “you’re too good to be with someone who doesn’t appreciate you y/n” he presses his leg inbetween yours to part them slightly as you gasp in the sudden movement “just let me show you how much I want you” you instinctively move your hand to the nape of his neck to bring him down to you to say the words he’d longed to hear from your lips “I’m all yours”.

***

Inbox and requests open🥰

[robininthelabyrinth]

JGY and NMJ post-canon, as fierce corpses sealed up together in that coffin (as per novel), get freed from the coffin and go to Cloud Recesses on Baxia because NMJ is fed with having that little snake around all the time.

ao3

“I can’t believe you actually managed to get us out of there,” Jin Guangyao said when they reached air again.

“I can’t believe you’re still talking,” Nie Mingjue growled, his voice still raspy from the whole decapitated head business, which he was still taking far too personally in Jin Guangyao’s opinion. He’d already been dead at the time! It wasn’t like Jin Guangyao had caused him any additional pain by the dismemberment!

Anyway, Nie Mingjue had unexpectedly turned into a terrifyingly powerful fierce corpse – contrary to everything that should have happened, did he just skip the whole soul-calming rituals that all children of the gentry were supposedly getting? – and there had simply been no other alternative that would keep him from murdering Jin Guangyao right then and there.

Possibly, Jin Guangyao allowed, that was the problem Nie Mingjue had with it.

“Aren’t you tired? You’ve done nothing but talk since we got stuck in there!”

“It’s my finest talent –”

“Lying and deceit are your finest talents.”

“And those require talking!”

Nie Mingjue shoved Jin Guangyao as he tried to climb out of the coffin. He tried to catch himself with one hand, forgot that he didn’t have that arm anymore, and tumbled to the ground.

If it wasn’t for the fact that they’d realized some time ago that their sentience depended on regularly interacting with each other, and that without regular conversation they would both begin to lose their minds and revert to ravening beasts, Jin Guangyao swore that he would have murdered Nie Mingjue and torn apart his body a second time over.

“I should’ve ripped off your tongue instead of your arm,” Nie Mingjue complained. “I’d have had a happier afterlife if I did.”

“Too late now,” Jin Guangyao grumbled, getting up. It was very strange, being a fierce corpse. “I liked you better when you were wholly consumed with rage – oh, wait, that’s what you’ve been like the entire time I’ve known you.”

“Fuck you.”

“Fuck you, too.”

The prohibition on the coffin had been broken, but there was still one around the ruined temple to keep people out and evil creatures, a category currently including the two of them, although Jin Guangyao suspected that Nie Mingjue would argue that Jin Guangyao had always been included in that category. He might even be right, who knew? 

At any rate, they needed to break the prohibition to get out. Jin Guangyao tossed himself down on the ground to wait while Nie Mingjue examined it.

“Why did you start talking?” he asked idly. “I’ve always wondered. When I died, you were completely mindless.”

“Who knows?” Nie Mingjue said distractedly. “Maybe all you need for sentience is to marinate in rage for long enough.”

“That’s the stupidest thing I’ve ever heard.”

“Why? Works for the sabers.”

Jin Guangyao opened his mouth, then found he had nothing to say. He supposed that it did.

“Why did you always have so much rage, anyway?” he complained. “I understand the bit about your father being murdered, and of course your stupid cultivation style encourages it, but you always seemed especially irritated about everything.”

Nie Mingjue huffed. “You remember that I’m misaligned, right?”

“So what? Being misaligned makes you more of a shithead?”

“No, dealing with your father made me more of a shithead.”

Jin Guangyao considered the practicalities of having to deal with his father while possessing a physically female body and shuddered. It really wasn’t worth considering, especially since Lanling Jin did not believe in or especially respect Qinghe Nie’s tradition of misaligned souls. “Wait,” he said a moment later. “He knew? Why did he know?! I didn’t know, and I worked for you for years!”

“You worked for me as an adult, you dolt. He met me when I was still young.”

Jin Guangyao thought about it, then grimaced. “I can’t even imagine you as a little girl.”

“That’s because I wasn’t.”

“…I wish you’d have told me,” Jin Guangyao picked at the fraying hem of his robes.

“Why? Would you be less likely to murder me if you knew? Or was it just to spare yourself the unpleasant shock you received when you were dismembering my corpse?”

Jin Guangyao considered it. “Mostly the latter.”

“Good. If you’d said it was the former, I’d take my chances with insanity.”

Jin Guangyao rolled his eyes, then frowned. “Did he ever…?”

“Ever..? Wait, what? No!” Nie Mingjue turned to stare at him, looking scandalized – which was not an expression one really expected to see on a fierce corpse. “Why would you even ask that?”

Jin Guangyao shrugged. “Seemed reasonable, given everything else he did.”

“No,” Nie Mingjue grimaced. “He just thought I was a freak, and it seemed to especially irritate him when I didn’t just submit to whatever he wanted, that’s all. Nothing over the top...still, you clearly know what he was like. This was the man you were so desperate for the approval for?”

“I figured it out eventually,” Jin Guangyao grumbled. “Anyway, who are you to talk about father issues? You, with the whole you-killed-my-father obsession?”

“He did kill my father.”

“Big deal! So did I!” He paused. “Kill my father, that is. Not yours.”

“Did you?” Nie Mingjue snorted. “My desire to kill you went down one notch.”

“It did?”

“From several tens of thousands, but yes.”

Jin Guangyao drummed his fingers on his knee thoughtfully. “Can I kill other people to make it keep going down?”

“The fact that you even asked that made it go back up.”

Useless. Nie Mingjue was just completely useless.

“How long will it take you to get out of this one?” he asked instead, changing the subject. “I’d like to get to the Cloud Recesses to see Lan Xichen before, you know, he dies of old age.”

“Would you like to break through this array?” Nie Mingjue growled.

Lan Xichen had always been very fond of communication. He sincerely believed that almost all the problems in the world were due to miscommunication, that the vast majority of the time people just needed to meet in the middle and talk things over and that they would be able to solve almost everything to their mutual satisfaction.

Communication, Jin Guangyao decided, had not helped things one bit.

“Have you figured out what you’re going to say?” Nie Mingjue asked, poking at one part of the array and not looking at Jin Guangyao in a way that had to be deliberate.

“Say?” Jin Guangyao asked. “When?”

“When we get to the Cloud Recesses. What you’ll say to Xichen.”

Jin Guangyao had thought a lot about that. “It depends,” he hedged. “I mean, what I say to him, there’s a lot of factors – for instance, will you be there?”

“Would you prefer to talk to him as mindless fierce corpse slavering for his blood?”

Jin Guangyao grimaced. “I’m still thinking about it, then.”

“Well, think fast, then. I found a gap.”

“Good!” Jin Guangyao scrambled to his feet. “That was fast. How do we break it?”

“It’s impossible to break from the inside.”

“…you couldn’t have told me that before I got up?!”

“You don’t even have muscles anymore,” Nie Mingjue complained. “Your entire body is powered by resentful energy. Why are you still whining?”

Jin Guangyao wished he had a second arm so that he could cross them over his chest and glare. Or put them on his hips and glare. Or even just use them to make a rude gesture more easily done with two hands. “Are we trapped here forever or not?”

“It can be broken from the outside,” Nie Mingjue clarified, rolling his eyes. “I’ll summon Baxia to break it, and then we can use her to fly to the Cloud Recesses.”

“Fine.” Jin Guangyao frowned. “Wait, won’t that alert Huaisang that we’re back?”

“Probably.”

“He’ll boil me alive!”

“Only pieces of you, probably,” Nie Mingjue said, sounding far too smug about the idea. “As long as he knows that I need some of you alive. Maybe I should be the one to keep your head in my closet, this time?”

“It was a treasure room. I didn’t keep you in a closet.”

“It was a fucking closet.”

“It wasn’t. It was in a mirror and everything, it’s much more sophisticated.”

“You’re the guy that had a murder closet. Accept it.”

“I refuse to be the guy with the murder closet. Anyway, you can’t let him boil me alive, you don’t know what’ll happen if you let him do that.” He thought about it, and specifically about Nie Mingjue’s prioritization between risk and reward. “Please don’t let Huaisang boil me alive.”

“I’ll consider speaking in your favor if you stop being so annoying.”

“On second thought, I don’t have nerves anymore and can’t feel pain. Bring on the boil.”

“Are we really going to have to do this for the rest of our lives?” Nie Mingjue wondered, sounding depressed.

“For the rest of eternity,” Jin Guangyao said, equally grim. “That’s why we have to get to er-ge in time to convince him to cultivate to immortality. If I had to wait alone with you until he reincarnates, I’ll go insane.”

“You’re already insane.”

“I’ll lose the ability to stop talking.”

“…Xichen cultivating to immortality it is.” Nie Mingjue thought about it. “Do you think we could convince Huaisang to…?”

“No,” Jin Guangyao said. “You couldn’t get him to cultivate to competent; who could get him to cultivate to immortality?”

The answer to that, as they discovered when they arrived at the Cloud Recesses, was apparently Lan Xichen.

“Did I need to know this?” Jin Guangyao complained, unable to believe that he’d returned from the dead as a fierce corpse and managed to regain his sanity and even work with Nie Mingjue to get to the Cloud Recesses in order to apologize to his sworn brother for all the wrongs he’d done to him, only to be stuck waiting outside in the rain while said sworn brother finished banging his other sworn brother’s little brother. “I didn’t need to know this.”

“Shut up,” Nie Mingjue said. “I’m practicing meditation in order to block out sound from my ears. Maybe I should remove my head again? Do you think that would help?”

“Nothing will help,” Jin Guangyao said as another set of enthusiastic shouting emerged through the too-thing walls. “Ever. My mind is scarred permanently.”

“Maybe that’ll improve it.”

“Fuck you.”

“Fuck you, too.”

They stood in silence for a little while, the only sounds the howling of the wind and also the howling from inside the room.

“…how long do you think it’ll take for them to finish and notice we’re here?” Jin Guangyao considered. “Maybe we could throw rocks?”

“It took five years for us to get out of that coffin,” Nie Mingjue said. “You can wait five minutes for them to finish.”

“It’d be funny if we threw rocks and then appeared in the window, dark figures silhouetted by lightning. Like in those scary puppet plays. They might never have sex again.”

“I value my brother’s happiness over your petty desire to ruin his sex life,” Nie Mingjue said, then grimaced at a particularly loud yowl. “As tempting as the thought might be.”

“We’ll wait, then,” Jin Guangyao said. “And then we’re all going to have some words.”

“Of course we are. Because you don’t shut up.”

[disasterfandoms]

This is Your Home Now ~ The Ryders x teen!reader imagine

@atjafshelby​ requested: “Okay so I was thinking maybe a teenage reader who was like Judd as a child, gets in trouble and needs help and stuff. But maybe she lives on her own so Grace and Judd take her in and try to help her? No rush though, thank you!!❤️”

A/N: I appreciate you sending me a complex ask. I’ll be honest, I had no idea how i was going to write this one when I first saw it. I tweaked it a tiny bit, and instead of being on their own the reader is in a group home. This may be part 1 if anyone is interested in part 2?

TW: foster care, mentions of violence, mentions of therapy.

Your POV:

Sitting in the principal’s office, you began to take in the various lame quotes around the room. “You miss 100% of the chances you don’t take” sure, whatever.

“You have to look through the rain to see the rainbow” this has to be the worst one of all. What rainbow? and why go through hell to be able to see a prism of light in the sky?

The door shuts loudly, pulling you from your thoughts. You roll your eyes when you see your social worker walking in with the principal.

“So, Y/N, you’ve been getting into more fights recently, including earlier today when you struck another student in the face for saying something about your family,” your principal read from the file, then looked up at you, “Anything you’d like to say for yourself?”

”yeah, they deserved it,” you scoffed, rolling your eyes at him again. Everyone here should know by now the topic of your parents is off limits, especially what he said about them. 

“Just because someone says something you don’t like doesn’t mean you can assault them.” Your social worker scolded, probably hating her life for having to deal with you. 

They went on lecturing you for another 20 minutes, but at that point you zoned out, focusing on the view out the window behind your principal. It was sunny outside, the trees on the outskirts of school grounds blowing slightly with the wind. You could see people walking out there, and instantly wanted to be anywhere but here, supposedly listening to how you’re a screw-up and if you “don’t get your act together” you’ll “never have a future.”

“Y/n, what do you think about the compromise?”

You snapped your head to the principal, trying to figure out what all you missed in the last few minutes so you could figure out to answer appropriately. You studied his face, before deciding agreeing would be the quickest road. How wrong you were, you wouldn’t have the faintest idea until an hour later.

“Sounds good to me, as long as I can go back to class. Ms. Neal is teaching about the wage gap and I want to see conservative boys lose their ever-loving mind.” you smiled, hoping they buy it for now. They both nod their heads, then you stand up to leave. 

“I’ll see you after school, Y/N,” your social worker spoke confidently, seemingly proud of herself for her part in the supposed compromise. With that, you left the two adults to work out the details amongst themselves.

Going to Ms. Neal’s class quickly, you started to wonder what you agreed to. It had to be something significant if you weren’t getting in trouble for giving the star of the baseball team a black eye, which he deserved, by the way. 

Class went by as a blur, your attention focusing in and out on class, except when it came time to debate your stance on the issue of the class. You loved to argue, especially with privileged, snotty teens who don’t know how well they had it. You were good at it too, you could be a lawyer if you had any shot of a successful life.

Sooner than you’d like, class was over, and you started to get up and leave. You were too occupied with making sure you had everything that you didn’t realize you were making a beeline into your social worker.

“Oh, I’m so sorry!”

“Hey, watch it!” You both say simultaneously, backing up and looking at who ran into you.

“Oh, there you are Y/N! Come on, I’m driving you back to the home to pack up your things” She signaled with her hand to come with her, and you obliged, confused.

“Pack my things? Why?” You asked while walking to your car. You know you’ve been in trouble recently, but being kicked out of the group home seemed a little extreme.

“Did you listen to the compromise at all when were talking about it? Before you agreed to it?” She asked, already knowing the answer.

“Not really, just figured agreeing would get me in the least trouble,” you replied, and you could see her smile a little as she shook her head at you.

“This last fight isn’t going on your permanent record, as long as you get anger management classes, and move out of the group home and into a foster situation with two loving people who know how to handle situations like yours,” 

“Crap, I really should listen more.” You sighed and leaned your head on the window. You didn’t see how moving you out of the group home would help at all, it’s more change and more adjustment, and you were tired of both.

“Want to know about the couple?” You social worker asked you, but you barely heard her. You shook your head and put a headphone in, hoping this wasn’t a mistake.

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

Judd’s POV:

“Are we sure about this, Gracie?” Judd asks, pacing between the living room and the kitchen, pausing every now and then to look at his wife. He stopped, turned to her, and rubbed his face before putting both hands behind his head, cradling it as he thinks about everything that could go wrong with this.

He knew they both wanted kids, and adoption seemed to be their only hope due to ther infertility troubles. But still, he argued to himself, a teenager? With this kid’s anger management issues, stubbornness, and troubled past, this isn’t what he necessarily had in mind.

“Yes, Judd, we’re sure. This kid needs our help, and a stable home to thrive. I understand you’re nervous, I am too, but we’ve been doing our research and interviewing with child protective services for months, and now they’re gracing us with a child that needs us.” Grace had walked over to him at this point, and taken his hands into hers. He looked into those beautiful, rust colored eyes of hers and took a deep breath. He knew she was right, she usually is, but he was still nervous.

He wrapped his arms around her, leaned down to kiss her on the cheek. “I love you,” he whispered. She looked up at him, grabbed the nape of his neck, and kissed him lovingly. After a few seconds, she broke away, and whispered, “I love you too, handsome.”

Before anything could further along, the doorbell rang. The two looked at each other, took a deep breath, and walked to the door. Grace opened the door, and they both saw the social worker, Malia, with a teenager that looked less than happy to be on their doorstep.

Judd quickly scanned the teen, noticing the frown on their face and the bruised knuckles they were sporting on their right hand. They had a suitcase in the other hand, and looked short in stature. Everyone looks short to Judd, though. 

“Hi Malia, Y/N, please come in.” Grace states, welcoming their guest and their now-forster child into their home. Once the social worker guided Y/N in, the pair sat on the couch while Judd and Grace sat on the other, clasping their hands together and looking at the child who’ll be staying with them, being nurtured by them, for next couple years.

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

Your POV:

The house is nice, you thought to yourself as you sit on the couch, waiting for someone to speak to you. You look at them, whose names you aren’t aware of yet, and study their features. The man was tall, and you can tell he’s been working for a while due to his build and the scratches and burns on his hands. The woman is much smaller, and seems softer, but you can tell they love each other just by the way they can’t keep their hands off each other.

“Judd, Grace, this is Y/N. Now, I know the department have given you their file, but do you have any questions about their history, or anything I can answer?” Malia asked, putting her hands in her lap. At least you know their names now, you thought to yourself.

“I don’t think so, ma’am. You’re welcome to stay for supper, though. Y?N, is there any allergies or diet restrictions we need to know about?” The woman, Grace, you remind yourself, asks. She smiles at you as she asks, and she has a pretty smile. You start to wonder why they wanted to take in someone like you.

“No ma’am, thank you for asking though. Can one of y’all show me to my room, though? I’d like to unpack and start on homework before supper.” You try to be polite, not knowing who they are once the social worker. Better to be safe than sorry, right?

“Of course, I’ll show you up there, and let you get settled.” Judd offers, standing up to guide you to where you’ll sleep.

You go up the stairs, and are impressed by what you see. This is better than the group home, at the very least. You head down the corridor he’s taking you through, and walk into a moderately sized room that had a full-sized bed, two nightstands, a dresser, closet, desk with a chair, and a door to what you assume is a bathroom.

“Take all the time you need to settle in. This weekend we’ll all go shopping and you can buy decorations for your room. Once supper is ready, we’ll call you downstairs to eat, get to know each other better. Alright?” He asked, looking as if he expected you to answer. You quickly nodded, and got to putting away your things and taking in the space. Maybe you actually belong here.

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

Once supper was ready, you were called down, you stumbled down the kitchen, washed your hands, and then took a seat at the table. Malia had left, hopefully to bother another kid and leave you alone, and you sat there quietly, eating the dinner they prepared.

“So, Y/N, is there any hobbies you enjoy? Anything we can look into getting you, like an easel or a video game?” Grace asks, making conversation.

“Why do you care? It’s not like I’m your kid,” You rolled your eyes, then looked down and played with your food. You wouldn’t let yourself get attached to the idea of having people truly care about you, especially not now.

“Hey, you-” Judd started to raise his voice, but Grace cut him off with holding her index finger up to him, then spoke.

“Y/N, I know this is all too new for you still. You don’t know us, you do not know our intentions, and you’re past makes it especially hard for you to believe anyone would love you and care for you. But, and I mean this, this is your home now, Y/N, and we will not abandon you, no matter the obstacles ahead,” she paused, and looked to her husband. Judd nodded, and took a deep breath.

“Y/N, I was just like you when I was your age. I was going through somethin’, and it left me violent and not knowing who to trust. We want you here so we can help you through the hurt you’ve been through, and make you into the young adult we can already see inside you. We have two rules, don’t disrespect us, and be honest with us. Got it?”

“Got it,” you spoke quietly. The rest of the dinner was quiet, and afterwards you went upstairs to your room, lying on the bed, thinking about how this is going to be good for you. Maybe, just maybe, everything will be okay.

[bakugoukatsukiswife]

I Hate Everything About You

A/N: I’m actually really proud of this fic so I hope you guys love it. It’s some good old hate fucking with Pro Hero Bakugou! 

Warnings: Hair pulling, spitting, biting, name calling, public sex, smut. 18+

Words: 2K

Katsuki Bakugou was… difficult. He was stubborn as hell and always had been, he would rush headfirst into danger, it didn’t matter that he was a pro hero now. You had the misfortune of being in high school with him, and had to deal with his constant attitude and arrogant personality. He always thought that he was going to become the number one hero and it grew old to hear his constant praises to himself. You thought that after high school, you would never have to deal with the hothead again-until you started working at the same agency he did and it was too late to transfer so you would smile at him through gritted teeth, wishing you could punch that cocky smirk off his face every time he ‘saved the day’. 

You admit that you had a crush on the bastard in high school, but you quickly grew over it. Even when Hitoshi and Denki pranked you, causing you to admit your feelings to the Bakusquad, Bakugou included. Bakugou never really acted on your confession, but there was always an unspoken tension in the air whenever you guys were around each other. Training together wasn’t any better. You would always try to switch with someone else, but Aizawa wouldn’t have it, shooting you a glare with his quirk activated eyes. One reason that you seemed to admire Bakugou so much was that he wouldn’t hold back against anyone, he treated everyone equally when fighting; even though he talked shit, he really did treat his opponent as his equal if he knew they were strong. You weren’t a pushover and he knew it. 

“Aren’t you tired, princess?” Bakugou teased as he hovered above you, his hands pinning your wrists down as he smirked down at you. You tried your best to ignore the shiver that ran through your body at the feral look he seemed to be giving you. 

“Screw off,” You muttered, your face heating up when Bakugou tilted his head, his ear closer to your face as he feigned not being able to hear your remark. 

“Hmm? What was that?” He chuckled, his hands still on your wrists and you bit your lip to keep a whine from escaping your mouth at the way that his legs were straddling you, his face close to yours. You mustered all the strength you could and wrapped your legs around his waist, watching his face twist in surprise as you rolled over and straddled his waist instead. You quickly grabbed his wrists with your hands and leaned in close to him, a heat forming in the pit of your stomach at the way that he looked up at you, his red eyes intense. 

“I win.” You said with a smirk. 

A snapping noise brought you back to the present, and you saw those same red eyes staring down at you. Your face heated up as you realized that you had been staring down at some papers on your desk, lost in the sex-tensed memories between you and the man that you supposedly hated. What a man he was, too. His unruly spiky hair had been styled into an undercut type, spiky hair still sticking out in the front, ear piercings now something that he had too. His body was droolworthy, his outfit still tight in all the right places. 

“Yo, you with us?” He questioned, his brow quirking in question as you nodded slowly. 

“Uh Bakubro, I think she’s broken.” You heard a familiar voice say behind him and looked to see bright red hair and familiar red eyes, smiling when you saw Kirishima. He was always nice to you. 

“Tch, she shouldn’t be working in a hero agency if she can’t even focus.” Bakugou said and you clenched your teeth, knowing that even if you did say something to the asshole, he would tune you out. Yeah sure, you hated him because he thought he was the best thing that the word had to offer, but you had no idea why he hated you. You were about to say something when you heard another voice speak up, two toned hair appearing in front of you. 

“Hey (Y/N), how’s work going?” Shoto asked you and you smiled. Shoto always seemed to come to your rescue whenever Bakugou was being a complete asshole. Your whole attitude changed when Shoto came around, he was so kind, the perfect hero. He was quite popular with the ladies in high school-although clueless to it then, and he had become even more handsome as an adult. You noticed that Bakugou’s mood seemed to change when Todoroki walked up but you brushed it off as you looked up at the two toned man. 

“Not too bad, what’s up Shoto?” You asked him, noticing that he had his car keys in his hand. 

“Me and some of the heroes are going out for some drinks, you want to come?” Shoto asked with a soft smile and you felt your heart squeeze. 

“I’d love to!” You said with a smile, grabbing your jacket to follow Shoto out to his car. 

“Since when were you and IcyHot on a first name basis?” You heard Bakugou ask and you turned around to look at him, anger boiling in your veins at his attitude. Why did he have to be such a dick? Why did he even care? 

“Since he wasn’t an asshole to me,” you said before turning back around, getting on the elevator to go out to Shoto’s car. Before the doors shut though, Bakugou’s boot caught the doors, pushing them back open as he got on as well. 

“Why are you following me?” You questioned, causing Bakugou to scoff. 

“I’m not. More than one person can ride the damn elevator, dumbass.” 

“Hmm, okay. Seems like you don’t want me going to get drinks with Shoto for some reason,” you said, your heart pounding at your sudden bravery. Where was this coming from? You didn’t care about Bakugou anymore, why would you? He never returned your feelings, he just toyed with how you felt. You hated the asshole. You didn’t care about him. 

“I don’t fucking care that you’re going out to get drinks with IcyHot,” Bakugou said as he crossed his arms, leaning back against the elevator, his eyes shining from Tokyo’s lights reflecting in the glass elevator. “Not everyone wants to fuck you, you know.” Bakugou said and you whirled to face him, your eyes narrowing as you looked at him. 

“Excuse me?” You said, cocking your head slightly to make sure you heard him right. 

“I said: “not everyone wants to fuck you.”.” Bakugou said as he looked at you, his eyes dark with some emotion that you couldn’t make out. 

“Fuck you, Bakugou.” You said and watched as Bakugou clenched his jaw. “You are the most self absorbed person I have ever met, you don’t give a shit about anyone except yourself. You push people away who actually like you and-.” Before you could continue, you watched as Bakugou hit the stop button on the elevator. “What are you-?” You started but were cut off by his lips crashing against yours, your body being pressed against the glass as Bakugou’s hand slid to wrap around your throat. 

His tongue slipped inside your mouth, his kiss was hot and commanding. You let out a moan as Bakugou released your throat to grab you by the hips, picking you up so you wrapped your legs around his waist. When you were settled against the glass, his hand came up to wrap around your throat again and you gasped as he squeezed slightly. He let out a chuckle as his lips barely brushed against yours, his cock pressing against your thigh. 

“I knew you always wanted me,” Bakugou said in a low voice and you hated the heat that formed in your stomach at the fact that just his voice could get you feeling this way. 

“Shut up,” you muttered, your hands going to thread in his hair as you pulled slightly, causing him to let out a groan. 

“What’s wrong, princess? You don’t want to admit I’m right?” Bakugou teased and you cursed yourself for moving against him at the old teasing nickname he called you stirring feelings in you again. 

“God, you’re so fucking annoying,” You said, gasping when Bakugou’s teeth bit down on your neck. 

“Feeling is mutual,” Bakugou growled, his fingers going to unbutton your jeans and your breath hitched at the feeling of his fingers against your skin. 

“Are you going to fuck me or what? Shoto would have already done it.” You said smugly. Big mistake. You felt a sharp pull on your hair and met fiery red eyes. You whimpered when you heard Bakugou’s belt unbuckle, his pants falling to the marble floor as he brushed his cock against your soaking folds. 

“Could he get you as wet as this?” Bakugou whispered with a smirk, his canines showing as he rubbed the head of his cock against your folds. You refused to answer as his cock teased against your entrance. “Answer me, or you get nothing.” He was such a little shit. 

“Someone’s jealous,” You said with a smirk, inhaling sharply when Bakugou growled before plunging into you. 

“Fuck you, I am not. I fucking hate you and that IcyHot bastard,” Bakugou said, and you believed him about Todoroki from the way his voice took on a rumbling tone. But his voice was soft when he talked about you, you could tell. Your thoughts were shut off when you felt as Bakugou’s cock hit against your g-spot perfectly and you couldn’t help the moan that escaped your mouth. 

“K-Katsuki…” you whined out, feeling as Bakugou smirked against your neck. 

“Oh, what’s this? Saying my first name after so many years? I’m honored my cock is what got you to moan it out, baby girl.” 

“M’ feels good.” You pant out, feeling as his teeth bite down on your neck again before his tongue comes out to soothe the inflamed skin. 

“You’re such a filthy slut, wanting my cock so badly.” 

“Your cock isn’t that good, don’t get so full of yourself.” You shoot back at him, gasping when his index and thumb gripped at your jaw, causing your mouth to open. He pursed his lips before allowing his spit to fall into your mouth as he quirked a brow at you, as if challenging you to say something else. His hips thrusted against you sharply, a moan falling from your mouth as your nails dug into his back. The sounds of skin slapping against skin and the lewd sounds of your cunt being pounded filled the elevator as Bakugou tangled a hand in your hair, pulling slightly. 

“F-fuck,” You stutter out, filling as your walls clench around his dick. 

“Yeah, you like that? You like when I pull your hair? I can feel you clamping around my cock, fuck.” Bakugou growls, his feral eyes meeting yours and you're pulled back into his clutches. The way that he’s groaning is music to your ears, the tight grip he has on you has you wishing he would never let you go. You want to stay like this forever, to feel him rut against you and leave marks all over you, claiming you as his own. You love it. You absolutely hate how much you love it. 

“Katsuki, fuck.” You moan out, your nails digging into his skin as he places open mouthed kisses on your neck and you shiver at the way that his hand travels down to rub circles around your throbbing bud. 

“Cum for me, princess. Cum around my cock,” Bakugou pleads and soon you’re doing just that, your walls clamping around Bakugou’s dick as you feel lightheaded from the pleasure coursing through your veins. You feel as Bakugou’s dick twitches and soon he’s spilling his seed into you, his cum painting your walls white. 

“Fuck,” he pants out, his face buried in your neck as he pumps out a few more thrusts before stopping. He gently helps set you down and pulls your pants and underwear back up, pulling his own back up before pressing the button to let you guys continue the trip back down. When Bakugou opens his mouth to say something, the doors open and you both walk out to see some of the heroes still in the parking lot before Kirishima comes rushing up to you both. 

“We were worried when you guys didn’t come down-.” He starts but is cut off by Denki. 

“But it seems you guys were busy up there, so…” Denki teases and you feel your face heat up as Bakugou raises a popping hand. 

“You didn’t happen to take a peek at her, did you?” Bakugou asked, and you noticed how he stepped to get in front of you slightly, your heart fluttering at his protectiveness all of a sudden. 

“No, never!” Denki said as he ran off, Bakugou growling as he started to chase after him. You pulled him back though and his expression seemed to soften. 

“So… that was fun.” You admitted, trying to ignore how hot your face was. Bakugou smirked, chuckling a bit when he caught Todoroki angrily getting into his car before driving off. 

“Same place tomorrow?”

[itsclydebitches]

RWBY Recaps: Volume 8 “Fault”

Hello, everyone! We’re not even bothering with an introduction today, let’s just get straight to the only thing that matters.

HERE HE IS, THE MVP OF THIS EPISODE, OF THE WHOLE VOLUME, THE SERIES, THE ONLY ONE I CARE ABOUT RIGHT NOW

I’m joking… but only a little. In all seriousness we will get to Ren, but you all want to hear a funny story first? I somehow got it into my head that there was no RWBY episode this week—the holiday and all—so I poured all my meta time and energy into a ridiculous Ironwood analysis as a placeholder, only to wake up this morning and find the strongest (and most complicated!) episode this year waiting for a recap. Like some sort of grimm nosing into my inbox. 

Okay, so it’s not a funny story, but if RT would just do a better job with their website my life would be a whole lot easier.

So here we are, taking a look at the episode “Fault.” Quick question, is every episode this volume going to have a one-word title? It’s not a criticism, I’ve got nothing against a punchy name, I’m just curious since RWBY has never done that before. If anything, they’ve gone more for symbolically significant phrases like “A Brawl in the Family,” “Players and Pieces,” and “The Lady in the Shoe.” I wonder what sparked the change.

Anyway, we open on Robyn laughing about some story she’s told, something about Joanna losing a fair fight for the first time, presumably to her. This is what we’ve learned about Robyn since this volume started: she refuses to acknowledge that she had a hand in Clover’s death; she was asked by Blake and Yang to keep the Amity secret but, according to May, couldn’t keep her mouth shut about it; and she tries to cheer Qrow up by bragging about her own skill.

Alrighty then.

Obviously, this little story fails to land. “Tough crowd tonight.” Robyn looks to Jacques as well as Qrow when she says this and since she clearly doesn’t care about cheering him up, she must want to get a rise out of him. Create something, as she says at the end of the scene, that’s exciting. Robyn just really loves to start fights. Against Ironwood, Clover, bickering matches with Jacques—stories told about winning them! If she’s not fighting someone she’s not interested.

Qrow does eventually give the smallest smile though and Robyn cheers. “Did I win?” They both quickly grow serious again though and Robyn says she’s “sorry for what happened. It wasn’t your fault.” Her apology would mean more if she was apologizing for her actions, not providing a generic ‘Sorry for your loss’ like she had no hand in this.

Qrow then insists it was his fault… but, of course, not for the reasons why he’s actually responsible (also, didn’t we do this two weeks ago?). For starters, Qrow blames his semblance for everything that went down, despite the fact that his semblance is not responsible for him breaking Clover’s aura, or Tyrian stabbing him. The most we’ve seen his semblance do is cause minor mischief, which in and of itself is absurd considering we’re meant to believe that it has kept him from his family most of his life, and informs choices like whether he’ll travel with the group in Volume 4. Still, it’s not unexpected that he would blame his semblance and think that having friends is a “childish dream”—depression is one hell of a liar—but rather, it’s frustrating that no one is helping Qrow see the truth of the situation, both the good and the bad. He certainly doesn’t need Robyn providing generic platitudes that absolve them both of their choices.

You know what the worst part is? The two kind, level-headed adults with enough distance to help Qrow acknowledge his mistakes while also correcting him about his misconceptions… are Ozpin and Clover. The former is still ignored by the cast, the latter barely got to be a character before he was killed.  

Qrow goes on to say that he “made a deal with the darkness and [Clover] paid the price.” I’m sorry, what does that mean?? Outside of referencing his team-up with Tyrian, that’s the most dramatic, nonsensical thing he could have said. Qrow doesn’t admit to the team-up though, rather he starts blaming Clover for his own death.

Precisely like a good chunk of the fandom has done 🙃

He says that Clover just “wouldn’t let up” (translation: he wouldn’t agree to let me go when I was under arrest) and that they could have “worked together against Tyrian if Clover had just—”

There’s a lot to cover this episode, so I’m not going to dive into another explanation of all the justified reasons why Clover didn’t trust Qrow in that moment and why Qrow was the one who “wouldn’t let up.” If you’re interested in that rundown, head here.

Side note: can RWBY please stop with the weird mouth closeups? I’m begging the animators. Especially when so much else in this episode is gorgeous.

Yes: 

No: 

Robyn’s response is to make it all about her. I say, as a hypocrite, because my instinctual response in comforting someone is to also bring up a way that I might, sort of, know what they’re going through. It’s something to work on and, as always, I’d be more receptive to Robyn’s attempts if she weren’t failing so spectacularly in every other aspect of her characterization. Case in point: she says that having a truth semblance tends to make people push her away, but we’ve never once seen that. We’re introduced to Robyn as she’s adored by Fiona. The people celebrate her. Yang and Blake trust her immediately, for no reason, and comment on how useful her semblance is—they’re not concerned with it. Ironwood likewise works with her and allows her to use her semblance on him in public, at least for a time. May spoke fondly of Robyn last episode. She just finished a story about Joanna… where is this pushing away you speak of, Robyn? I really wish RWBY would consider things ahead of time and actually show them to us, rather than just having characters announce that they’re (supposedly) there.

Nice symbolism though with Robyn touching the electric bars and pulling her hand back. You reach out, you get hurt, curl in on yourself, blah, blah, blah. Too bad it’s not a moment attached to an actual struggle of hers.

Qrow buys it though, saying he’s never thought about it that way before. 

You know, I get why a lot of people in the fandom hate Clover. I can’t even claim I’m much interested in him as an individual. I’m sick of straight, white, able-bodied men getting the spotlight, which is one of the things that drew me to RWBY in the first place… so theoretically Robyn should be the better choice for Qrow’s BFF, right? Especially in a world where FairGame only existed in RT’s social media queerbaiting. Give us the badass gender-bent Robin Hood instead of the boring military man!

On paper it sounds great… which is why it’s astounding that RT bungled that so badly.  

Qrow never finishes his thought about Clover because the Ace Ops come in to return Watts to his cell. Interesting. The writing has definitely made Ironwood stupid, but perhaps not as stupid as he could have been? If he got Watts to hack Penny (we don’t yet know what’s going on with her during all this) and then promptly shut him away again, that’s just about the best way you can follow up on your worst decision.

Harriet spots Clover’s pin and tells Qrow “You don’t get to keep that,” but then doesn’t take it from him. See, that right there is a better motivation for potentially opening the cell. Qrow says he didn’t kill Clover, Harriet shoots back that his blood was on Qrow’s blade (again, focusing on the wrong way that he’s guilty), Robyn challenges her to get the truth via her semblance… and Harriet considers it? Why? She’s not the one struggling with her loyalty here, that’s Marrow, yet he’s the one who has to pull Harriet back with “What are you doing?” when she looks at the keypad. Have Marrow almost be swayed by Robyn’s taunting, or have Harriet almost open the door because she’s furious and desperate to get Clover’s pin back. Either one of those would make more sense than this.

Also, no one checked Qrow during his arrest/before he was thrown into his cell?

Also, note that Marrow uses a nickname here—“Hare”—so I’m continually unpersuaded by the ‘They’re not friends’ claim. Yes, Harriet hits his shoulder on her way out… and Ren will later scream at Jaune about cheating. Harriet being in a bad mood because their leader was just murdered isn’t evidence that they’re not close, no more than Ren responding to Everything Traumatic Ever is evidence that he doesn’t care for his friends.

Also (x3), Robyn calls Harriet “mohawk”?? Can’t this woman come up with a single good insult?

As the Ace Ops leave Robyn lays back down on her bunk, exactly as she was before, and says, “Well, that was almost exciting.” Kind of like this scene! Luckily, the episode is about to get a whole lot better.

The music immediately picks up as we segue to Ren, Jaune, and Yang chasing after Oscar. On the whole I really enjoyed this scene, largely because it shows the group doing their best—in a way that feels persuasive. I’ll admit that others have a point about them just standing around while the Hound changes form—yet still failing because, you know, our villain is actually powerful! However, there are, as always, some nitpicks.

One of the first bits of dialogue we get is Ren noticing that the bikes can’t stand being in the cold for very long. It bugs me that bikes suffer more from the cold than the civilians do. To say nothing of the fact that it once again doesn’t amount to anything. Their bikes carry them through the whole battle and Jaune looses his because of a grimm. Then Yang manages to fix the totaled bike with a single part, despite the continued cold. Why bother introducing this as a problem when it’s meaningless each and every time?

The three do demonstrate some great teamwork though. When Yang yells that she wishes one of them could fly, Jaune uses his shield to launch Ren at the Hound… so that he can get dragged through the air, hitting rocks. This poor guy. I like that though because no, these teens shouldn’t be perfect, strategic masterminds and yes, they’re in the kind of situation where they just have to try something and see if it works. Jaune can’t think ahead to what Ren will do once he grabs the Hound, they just have to get him to that point and go from there. Which they do. Ren snags a boulder to slow them down further (that’s smart) and Yang goes higher to fire at the Hound’s face (don’t hit Oscar he doesn’t have aura!!). They’re at a crazy disadvantage here and still trying their best to get our boy back.

The overall tone is… fine? Again, love supportive Yang—that high five with Jaune was wholesome—but it continually feels weird to get that when Oscar is in the literal jaws of death here. On the whole though the scene keeps to the action and seriousness of the situation, which I appreciate. We’ll talk more about tone during the outpost scene.

It's looking like they might be making some sort of headway when the Hound lets out a roar that, as Yang puts it, calls for backup. 1. Yay giving this grimm even more power to mess with the cast, 2. Holy shit there are so many grimm around. See, scenes like this is why I’m side-eyeing the anti-army rhetoric in the show (a stance I’d otherwise agree with 100%). Because do you see how many there are? That’s not Salem’s army, that’s just the normal grimm hanging out around Atlas. The cast is screwed if anyone were to, say, order them to attack the kingdom…

Kudos to RT for bringing back the centipede grimm though. I honestly thought they’d just be a one-off action sequence in Volume 7.

While everything is falling apart Ren catches a glimpse of Oscar, complete with rosy cheeks to make him look super young, and the sight fills him with 

He starts climbing towards the Hound and we cut away. 

Meanwhile, Jaune’s bike is hit with some of the centinel’s acid (again, not the cold causing problems) and he takes a tumble, managing to keep his feet before Yang snags him. Moments like that really do show how far he’s come and I’m glad we got to see such a moment in an episode where his cheating was brought up. Jaune then uses his shield to fly over one of the dragon-y grim, but... wait. The shield is flexible?

Literally what is the point of that? As a shield, I mean (it clearly works fine as  a ramp). If you can just tip it over like that then so can the grimm or another fighter. Forget how tiny the shield is, all a monster would have to do is boop it and it would fall over. In fact, it probably should have with the grimm scratching at it before. Seems rather useless, unless you’ve got writers crafting convenient situations. Also, does Jaune have multiples of this thing? He picked it up before, but there’s no way he found that one again. Idk, I’m really not feeling this addition to Jaune’s arsenal. Better to give him a range option so he’s more versatile.

Still, they fly over the grimm and the two let out a sigh in synch. Whatever else we might have to say about this volume, RT is definitely giving us different interactions and team-ups. Well done there. Why, Jaune and Yang have managed to survive all that together!

Oh wait, never mind. They’ve gone off a cliff.

Honestly, I’m shocked they actually went over. I thought Yang would stop in time, or we’d have a classic moment of them tumbling off the bike and ending an inch from the edge, maybe going off slow with time for one to hang on. But nope, they plummet and it was done with such confidence by the camera that for a split second (the illogic of killing them both off aside) I thought that was it. They’re done for. Lucky for them, Ren catches them at the last second, managing to snag Jaune’s sword and them and immediately use his semblance so the grimm doesn’t eat them. That’s skill, baby!!

But you can see why he’s pissed, beyond just the fact that his semblance is holding this group together. It’s not Jaune and Yang’s fault that there was suddenly a cliff, but last we saw Ren he was heading towards Oscar. He had a plan. Granted, not one that was likely to lead anywhere given the Hound’s power (and the plot needing Oscar to reach Salem), but that’s not the point. He was pulling himself towards their kidnapped friend and then at the last second had to cut himself loose to save two others. This moment wasn’t anyone’s fault, but it would take someone with no emotions at all not to be frustrated by it. 

So we leave the trio literally hanging out and return to Ruby’s group who is threatening kids! 

Seriously though WTF, Weiss? Look, I haven’t always been kind to Whitley. In fact, I think there’s a Volume 7 recap where I really laid into him for his attitude and for supporting Jacques. But then—with the help of some friends and other anon perspectives—I thought about it for a hot second and considered how little power this child has. I was wrong to blame him for so much given the various circumstances here. It took, like… five minutes of thinking, and that’s for a fictional character, not a real life brother. Weiss clearly hasn’t given her brother five seconds of thought. He’s in the same abusive household that she was. He wasn’t blessed with combat abilities and a semblance to easily escape. He didn’t have Weiss there to guide him like Winter guided her. He had to watch BOTH his sisters abandon him to Jacques… so when exactly was he supposed to learn to be better? Why would he be inclined to? Weiss was an entitled racist when she got to school and needed new friends to show her a new path. She admitted as much last volume! Yet the fact that Whitley is completely alone in this house while their mom locks herself in her room to drink doesn’t register at all? This woman, an adult out to save the world as we’re frequently told, never once considered what it took to get her here and realize that Whitley has had none of the resources she did? 

I want to emphasize that Weiss threatens him with her weapon. It’s not just that she’s dismissive of him and his plight, she’s also happy to use violence if Whitley doesn’t do exactly as he’s told. Violence… against her brother… who is a child… without any training. Again: WTF, Weiss? You know how I was praising RWBY last episode for not having the group beat up the Atlas personnel? Yeah, we get this instead.

Then she tells him to go to his room??

Speculation is that Whitley is about 2-3 years younger than Weiss. Or, to put it another way, roughly the same age as Weiss’ leader, Ruby. She’ll follow Ruby unquestioningly into world-changing decisions, but sends her brother to his room like a toddler? Which is it, RWBY? Are 17 year-olds leaders you should listen to, or babies who must leave the room while the grownups talk? He certainly can’t be any younger than Oscar, so again, she’ll fight beside him, but treat Whitley like this? Whitley isn’t exactly going to offer help in a respectful, eager manner, but that “Fine. What do you expect me to do?” was incredibly open given his situation. He was willing to help and that was the perfect opportunity to have him, you know, do something. Something small and innocuous that wouldn’t threaten the team if he betrayed them, but kept him around so he could talk to someone. But nope. Weiss just sends him to his room after criticizing him for not understanding that they’re “busy trying to save Atlas.” Weiss, what does Whitley know about all that? He’s locked up in this manor after your father was arrested and the one news clip we’ve seen said that no one knows why Ironwood recalled his forces, or what’s up with those grimm overhead. She’s acting like he should have any idea what’s happening right now.

Also, all of this is coming on the heels of Willow begging Weiss not to forget her brother, so that’s just great. RWBY has the rest of their time in the manor to fix this, because if Weiss comes out of that scene having only been handed the means of arresting Jacques… that’s just bad all around.

Finally, should we talk about how strange this choice is? Last episode we saw the group flying away and I assumed it was them leaving Atlas to go back to Mantle. It certainly looked that way, but now they’ve decided to stay until Nora is awake. Why? Isn’t it more dangerous here? I mean, they didn’t know the staff was gone and there are still arrest warrants out. Was Weiss just going to threaten anyone who dared report her? Where are these shields Ironwood spoke of? Have they gotten through them somehow, or are they currently trapped in Atlas?

This is “Oscar is in the slums, leaves the slums, learns they’re going to the crater, but the slums are actually the crater, so we’re heading back now” all over again. 

The one good thing about this scene is that Blake and Ruby talk! …for about two seconds lol. Eh, better than nothing. Blake says that if Ruby is worried about Yang she could try calling her. Ruby has, and Yang isn’t picking up.

Does Ruby think she’s in danger or ignoring her? Unclear. We, however, know that Yang is now lost in the middle of nowhere with no reception and no transportation back to Mantle. The three of them start trudging towards an outpost Ren spotted, needing to find shelter “before this weather drops our aura levels completely.” So what about everyone without aura?? I wish that I could check off the bingo space again because this is ridiculous.

Ren, once again, isn’t in the mood to talk, but unlike Jaune, Yang can’t leave something alone. So she coaxes him to tell him what’s wrong and you know what? She does a real good job at first. She’s encouraging, but her voice is level and she doesn’t come across as accusing. Well done, Yang.

Things quickly fall apart though as Ren says EVERYTHING I’VE EVER WANTED TO SAY TO THIS GROUP. Holy shit, everyone, let’s count ‘em up:

Nothing is going smoothly so let’s stop pretending it’s all fine

Oscar has been horrifically kidnapped that’s #bad

This is not a normal part of being a huntsmen

We don’t know the first thing about being huntsmen!

Every time we’ve had to make real decisions we got them all wrong, yay us

We’re trapping a city here for Salem to destroy whenever she feels like it, yay us x2

Our leader is barely more than a kid and one of us cheated our way here

People are going to die because of us

“I’m just saying what nobody else wants to”

Yang’s response? Incredibly weak imo. Just as weak as the fandom’s has been since this conflict started in Volume 7. Her argument against letting Atlas go is that Salem won’t just let it fly away with her whale… but no one knows that. She’s certainly just letting it sit right now! Assuming that something won’t work because you expect the worst is not a compelling reason not to try.

Her argument against their ineptitude? They saved Haven, took down a leviathan, and got the lamp to Atlas. Let’s break that down a little more.

Did they fight well at Haven? Yes… overlooking that Weiss would have died if not for a timely semblance reveal. But the real point here is that they “saved” the school by getting the Relic. Problem is, they never won the relic, it was handed to them. Literally. They retrieved it not because they were capable of overpowering Salem’s forces and a Maiden, but because Raven decided she’d rather her daughter be a target than her. That doesn’t tell us anything about the group’s skill, only about Raven’s flaws.

They took down a leviathan… after drawing it to Argus in the first place. That’s kind of an important detail when Ren is trying to make the point that their decisions suck. Also, how did they take it down? Using Ruby’s silver eyes, which only worked because Jinn randomly decided to let her stop time. Oh, and also using the rest of Cordovin’s mech that they hadn’t yet destroyed. Again, nothing about that fight demonstrates their skill, only others’ abilities, resources, and the strange favoritism they benefit from.

Getting the lamp to Atlas. Well, you drove Ozpin away who was your ticket across the border. Then Maria told Ruby how to save you all from the Apathy (and Ruby herself was the only one able to resist long enough to demand you get the Relic back in the first place). You started that leviathan fight and ended it surrounded by Cordovin’s fleet. So how did you get to Atlas? Because she let you cross. How did you reach Ironwood? Because he dropped your arrest. Yang stopped Adam, yes, but that was its own, separate fight. Regarding the “getting to Atlas” point they botched that up completely. 

Basically, this resume of victories is unpersuasive, to say the least. Yang highlights the end goal rather than acknowledging Ren’s point: have we, as individuals, actually made things better lately?

They absolutely have not. 

Note how, in contrast, Ren includes himself in this criticism. He doesn’t just lay responsibility at Ruby and Jaune’s feet, he’s second on the list for being underprepared. For messing up. He’s just an “orphan from nowhere” and this tells us that, unlike Qrow, Ren is actually concerned with this problem and his own place in it. He’s not just blowing off steam and running from his responsibility. Rather, he’s making important points here yet, as he says, no one else wants to listen.

And that’s why the scene ultimately sucks. “But, Clyde! It’s a speech straight out of your metas!” Yes it was and it was beautiful to witness, but the problem is that Ren’s supposed to be wrong. Jaune glares at him before leaving. Yang clenches her fists and asks if he just wants to push everyone away. He’s left hanging his head. Then later they talk about how “broody” he is and provide advice about how to stop doing that. The takeaway here is not, ‘Holy shit, Ren is right and we should rethink our choices,’ but rather that Ren is wrong and needs to come over to their ‘correct’ perspective.

I love that this was laid out. I love that the group is actually fighting for once (way better than Ruby and Yang’s ‘fight’). I also love that we finally see what’s bothering Ren… but we all know this isn’t leading anywhere. The scene ends with Jaune dismissing everything by stating that if Ren doesn’t want to be a huntsmen, fine, but he has a job to do. Ren is supposed to feel guilty here for… telling the truth? Jaune is supposed to look like the hero for soldiering on with his responsibility while moody Ren drags behind. The scene is great, but the purpose of the scene sucks.

Actually, I’d like to talk about a portion of the outpost scene real quick. Skipping ahead, because we really see here how little RT believes the words that they’ve put in Ren’s mouth. Jaune admits that he’s right about cheating into Beacon… but nothing else. Indeed, that “mistake” is swept away because he’s earned his right to be here now. You shouldn’t care about that anymore! Ignoring the point Ren was making about how much they’re in over their heads. Yang apologizes to Jaune on Ren’s behalf, making it clear that she cares more about his potentially hurt feelings than any of the points Ren made. Remind you of anything? Like oh, say, that time Yang cared more about Jaune’s feelings than whether he’d hurt Oscar after slamming him against a wall? All of this despite the fact that Yang JUST accused Ruby of the horrible situation they’re in. Now Ren acknowledges that they’re in a horrible situation and Yang… doesn’t care?? Again, RT is good at giving us the pieces we want, the surface level stuff, but is rarely able to combine it into something fulfilling. If anyone actually takes Ren’s stance seriously, changing their ways rather than talking him out of it, I’ll be shocked.

Especially since the real nail in the coffin of this scene is Jaune telling him that “The more you hide from what you’re feeling, the more alone you’re going to feel.”

Jaune………..buddy……….pal…………were you asleep during that scene? Ren DID tell you what he was feeling. For the first time he did come clean about everything he was experiencing and you both rejected him for it! He’s not pulling away because he’s hiding from what he’s feeling, he’s pulling away because he did show it and both his friends reduced it to “pushing [them] away.” Which is it, Jaune? Should Ren be more open, or should he stop saying things you don’t want to hear? It’s a more complicated version of telling your parents about your interests, them mocking those interests, and then they’re surprised when you don’t share things with them again. I mean, the gall of Jaune to reject everything Ren said in the moment, ignore it after he’s calmed down, and then lecture him about being hiding his emotions.

Jaune and Yang (and the story) don’t want Ren to say what he really thinks, they want him to say what they think. Ren should speak up, but only if he’s going to agree with them.

So Ren sits out in the snow because potentially dying from cold is better than staying in a room with Yang and Jaune. I can’t really blame him lol.

One last thing about the fight scene. Remember how May was put in her place last episode for not using Penny’s name? Well, Yang doesn’t either. Granted, “the Maiden” isn’t as overtly insulting as “tin can” (or whatever it is May said), but it amounts to the same thing: both are replacing Penny’s individual identity with her status as a tool they can use. May sees Penny as the cool tech girl who can get them into the military base. Yang sees Penny as the cool magic girl who is the answer to all their ‘How do we win this?’ problems. Everyone is using Penny. Ruby to launch Amity, Ironwood to open the vault, but you know RWBY will never have a scene where Penny corrects Yang about her name and Ruby looks on, smug. Because the group can continually make the same mistakes as the adults/antagonists around them, but aren’t called out on it in the same way. Ren calls them out and he’s told he’s wrong. 

Anyway, the tl;dr of this scene is that Ren is the best. Too bad the story doesn’t realize that.

We then move to my poor Oscar who wakes up looking at his own feet, Ozpin’s voice is as reassuring as it can be under the circumstances. “Oscar? Don’t panic. We’re going to be okay.” I mentioned two weeks back that I hoped the show would explain why we didn’t see Ozpin try to take control during the Hound fight and we still don’t have an explanation, so that’s disappointing. This line is all we get from Ozpin because that’s the norm now. We moved from him being written out of the story entirely to having one or two lines an episode (excluding a speech meant more for the audience than the characters). So, improvement? But a lackluster one, I think. Especially given that he is the focal point of this entire situation with Salem. 

I’m avoiding the elephant in the room though. Oscar’s torture is horrifying. In the sense that it should be horrifying. Salem might still inexplicably not be attacking Atlas—and what she’s after at any given time might be getting more and more muddled—but she’s absolutely terrifying here, which is what we needed. The mix of assault with that nurturing tone is just skin crawling. “My long lost Ozma. Found at last” while she (I think?) shows images of their daughters. Honestly, I only heard that from friends, didn’t catch it myself, but then my eyes are shit to begin with. I couldn’t see a thing in this shadowed shot.

(It’s like watching Game of Thrones all over again.)

Oscar tries to pretend to be Ozpin and he does a damn good job with “I’m sorry the reunion isn’t living up to your expectations.” It’s not enough to fool Salem though. She says he’s “not him” yet and I’m again reminded that the show continually references this merge without showing us any change. They’re apparently closer to one person now, but they still speak as individuals. Oscar has Ozpin’s magic, but hasn’t used it, even when his life was on the line. The closest we get to evidence that the merge is underway is that Oscar attempts to lie about knowing Jinn’s name… but what the hell else is he supposed to do here? I suppose he could go the action hero route and shout that she’ll never get the answer out of him, but trying to lie is by far the safer option. That doesn’t tell us that he’s becoming like Ozpin, or even that they’re truly “like-minded souls” as Salem claims. It just tells us that Oscar has two braincells to rub together and can say a short sentence without totally giving himself away. Maybe the kid played a few rounds of Remnant’s Among Us.

This moment highlights another justification for Ozpin’s secrets though. He lives an existence where he is not in control of his own (“own”) body. At any point the host he’s with could falter, fail, turn on him, and in doing so give crucial, world ending information to the enemy. It’s already happened on a small scale, with Oscar successfully taking control, stealing the Jinn information, and giving it to the group. Now here he’s being tortured. How long can he last? Will Oscar give up Jinn’s name? If Ozpin didn’t have the location of the Relic locked up tight in his own consciousness, would that information be lost too? I’m not looking to blame Oscar for anything here—I don’t want to imply that this situation is karma for him taking Jinn’s name, or some such nonsense—I just want to acknowledge that this is the sort of stuff Ozpin has to worry about. If he shares these secrets then that’s more fallible people who are capable of giving that information to Salem. If he keeps them…well, he’s the only one who has to keep his mouth shut during a torture session. His host might want information about the Relics, there’s an argument to be made that they’re entitled to them, but if I were Ozpin I wouldn’t want to take that risk either. The question has essentially become, “Would I trust a 14 year old to keep quiet while tortured by a witch?” Maybe Oscar will! He’s enough of a BAMF to manage it… but that’s still not something I’d want to bet on. Better that Oscar simply doesn’t have that information to give Salem, period. 

So obviously this “working relationship” that Salem wants isn’t going well. When Oscar lies she jumps straight to torturing him.

This was legitimately hard to watch and I’m torn about that. On the one hand it’s what I wanted: a scary, powerful Salem who uses the tools at her disposal to get what she’s after. That’s great! Yet I’m still reminded of how far this show has gone to literally beat up the child of the group. Oscar is the one punched into a tree, attacked by a friend, shot by an ally, the star of the show’s most horrifying kidnapping, now the first to be outright tortured by Salem. I don’t really have a point here, I’m not looking to level any specific accusations at RT, I’m just commenting on the pattern and acknowledging that it makes me uncomfortable. There are parts of a story where you’re supposed to be uncomfortable—like the villain torturing a hero—and then there are parts where you’re uncomfortable because the writers seem overly focused on showing images of a specific kid suffering and that’s… weird.

I’m not sure what to make of that just yet. 

Anyway, Salem’s magic here is surprisingly pretty. Pretty and painful, but I expected more red and blacks, perhaps some spikey imagery, so the rainbow was an interesting surprise. Given the amount of pain Oscar is in, I suspect too much of that would kill him, so Salem calls in Hazel to continue the interrogation. The first few hits he deals are for Haven, the others for his sister.

See, this is why RWBY needs to actually embrace its “life isn’t a fairy tale” theme. You cannot show me child torture in one week and then move to Ruby “We’ll win because we’re the good guys ^_^” Rose the next. The whole reason why Ironwood (and Ren now) was right is because this is the shit reality they’re dealing with. You didn’t run when you had the chance and now Oscar (and Ozpin) is being tortured. You keep talking about saving Mantle, but the only reason why they’re not already dead is because the writing randomly turns the cold danger on and off. This mix of horrific, real world danger and unjustified confidence doesn’t work.

…also, I officially don’t want any redemption arc for Hazel. This guy is beating on a child because he’s convinced that he’s Ozpin, blaming Ozpin for his sister’s decision, all while forwarding a genocidal maniac’s plans. Hazel and his ridiculous shirts can just get on out of here, thanks.

Finally, I just want to say... this is the woman a lot of the fandom defended. This is the woman you wanted raising those girls and blamed Ozpin for trying to escape with them.

This is how Salem treats children.

Oh, and all of this is without his aura because it just broke. So Oscar is in serious, non-fantasy trouble here. 

Someone please rescue him soon 😭

We finish up with some frankly boring stuff with the rest of the villain cast. We learn that the Hound is an “experiment” and a new one given that Cinder has never seen it before. Salem’s dialogue is admittedly great—“Do you hear that, my pet? She thinks. She wants.”—but Cinder just rehashes everything we’ve heard from her before. She wants the Winter Maiden power. She has trouble remembering that she’s playing at Salem’s slave. She even rehashes the exact same line, “Without you, I am nothing.” Why are we wasting time on this when we had that tantalizing backstory before? 

Bleh. 

Salem tells her in no uncertain terms to stay put.

So Cinder immediately leaves LOL.

She just wants to “check on” Amity tower because she “knows those kids” in ways Salem doesn’t. I’m admittedly slightly confused as to how Cinder knows to go there? Did she believe Ironwood’s lie that it was finished even though it apparently IS finished now? Has she overheard something? I’m not sure. Frankly, keeping track of that stuff in RWBY is headache inducing, so let’s just roll with it.

Neo, the only one with a brain around here, makes it clear she thinks Cinder is an idiot for going. Emerald, always the Cinder fan, offers to go in her stead. She’s been working on her semblance, so I expect we’ll see something cool with that soon. They head off, apparently not worried about what Salem will do to them when they get back.

Which is when we move to the outpost for our final scene, most of which I’ve covered. I only have two more things I want to bring up here.

The first is the tone. As said earlier, the tone of the Hound chase wasn’t horrible, but I find myself disappointed in the overall attitude of Jaune and Yang. Yang is making jokes about how they can’t fly, high-fiving Jaune, and they’re both shrugging off Ren’s concerns. Jaune says he won’t be able to sleep due to worrying about Oscar, but neither of them act particularly worried. Which isn’t to say they need to be sobbing the whole time or whatever, just that Ren is the only one who feels real here. They may not agree with his stance about everything else, but they’ve all experienced the same event: watching a grimm that can morph, talk, and think horrifically kidnap a teammate. Shouldn’t there be more emotion attached to that? Things have gotten better with Oscar than they’ve been in the past, largely due to details like Nora’s hug at the beginning of the volume, but let’s be real, they’re still not perfect. Do we think Jaune and Yang would be this nonchalant if Ruby were kidnapped that way? Say all you want about Ruby being her sister, or others being teammates for longer, but the fact remains that Oscar has been taken to Salem herself and the only one reacting to that in any meaningful way is Ren. 

Who they say will “brood himself to death.” That right there. The one guy freaking out about your kidnapped friend should not be described as “brooding.”

All of which segues into my second point, namely that Yang doesn’t seem to care about Ruby anymore either! She asks Jaune, “Do you think she thinks less of me?” for not going to Amity and when Jaune reassures her that Ruby will always love her, Yang’s response is, “Yeah… Ruby.”

She was thinking about Blake.

The kicker? I thought she was talking about Ruby too. Because Ruby is her sister. Because she and Ruby had the fight (“fight”). Because Ruby was trying to call her to check in. Because Blake and Yang didn’t even acknowledge that they went on different missions here. I thought Blake was like Jaune, not really taking a side and just heading with Ruby because the team is splitting down the middle. Where did this worry come from?

And I want to praise RT here (I really do) because I can see the effort. I said Blake and Yang needed to spend time apart, they have. I said they needed to work through their co-dependent identities, now Blake is reminding Nora (and theoretically herself too) that someone you love is just a part of you. I said that the group couldn’t be a hive-mind, now there’s disagreement. I said the show needs to make Blake/Yang canon at some point and you can’t do that if they don’t talk about and to each other. So I fully admit that this is everything I asked for… so why does it feel so badly done? No matter how many boxes it checks off, it’s still a moment where we thought Yang was finally worrying about her sister again—like she used—and then it’s ‘Sike! It was really just about Blake! Again. Yang is worried about a problem that was never even introduced.’

I suppose that’s why it doesn’t work for me. Yang and Ruby had the falling out, but Yang and Blake, somehow, become the focus. Is it really so hard to write Yang as a sister and a potential love interest? Yang apparently can’t care for Ruby and Blake, Weiss can’t care for her team and her brother, Ruby can’t care for Mantle and Ironwood… it’s like each character gets one (1) thing to put their emotional energy towards at any given time and that’s it. That’s all they get.

On the flip side, this is why Ren feels like a person this episode. He cares about Mantle, and the future fight, and their past mistakes, and his place here, and the problems within the team, and Nora… He feels like a well-rounded person! vs. Yang and Jaune who don’t even consider his perspective, vs. Yang having a fight with her sister but only cares about Blake. They’re one-dimensional in comparison.

It is, as always, disappointing. 

As the group “broods” then the camera shows us a piece of the ice nearby, slowly cracking as Jaune says that “Things always seem to get worse before they get better.” Well, that’s unexpected. I didn’t think our opening would be literal. I’ve been worried about Atlas falling on everyone, not everyone falling… to whatever is underneath the kingdom as a whole. Is the kingdom falling apart? Or is something waking up and moving towards the surface? If RWBY can reproduce the characterization we got with the Hound, I wouldn’t be opposed to another leviathan grimm rising from the snowy deep to assist Salem…

Though how the fuck group will survive everything and that, who knows lol.

And that’s our episode! Issues aside—most of which have been ongoing issues. We knew they were there—I think this was our strongest episode so far this volume. Well done! There are still problems, no doubt, but at least I was only bored for a small portion of that 20 minutes. Let’s just keep heading in that direction.  

Exciting Saturday, huh?

Regarding bingo updates:

RWBY actually re-used a grimm I thought they’d abandoned, so well done there.

No civilians around for the giant grimm army to attack, so that was fine. Kind of strange though that they completely disappeared after the Hound left.

The timeline is starting to get wonky. For example, what kind of stakes am I supposed to expect when Cinder decides to head to Amity? Is it currently empty? Is Pietro there? Has Penny made it yet? I said weeks ago that RWBY would need to follow multiple groups to fill out fourteen episodes in just two days—and they’re definitely doing that—but that means we don’t have a clear sense of what events are happening simultaneously and what are meant to be linear.

No Winter or Ironwood this episode.

Watts is back with Jacques! Potential for team-up 2.0? That will admittedly be hard with Qrow and Robyn there, unless those two escape.

(Oh yeah, I thought Qrow and the others would be held in the military base and Ruby would find him during her heist… but she doesn’t even care that Qrow is in jail.)

Maria is still a ghost. If we hit the halfway mark with her not doing anything I’m calling the space.

I definitely wouldn’t call this cliffhanger needless. That’s actually a cool way to end things, even if Jaune’s line was pretty on the nose.

Neo may be getting closer to backstabbing Cinder if those expressions are anything to go by. 

Still waiting to see if Amity works.

And finally, drumroll please! …

“More obvious Blake/Yang implications without confirming a relationship.” Yup, I’m marking that this week. After Blake’s ‘just a part of you’ comment and now Yang only being worried about her reaction? Definitely calling it. If RWBY confirms a relationship this volume I’ll eat my words—and some celebratory cake — but until then salt prevails. Especially after the fiasco that was Supernatural.

Still no bingo. Ah well, maybe next week lol.

Until then! 💜

[Ko-fi]

[omniswords]

Seeing Scarlet [Lila Rossi; Marinette Dupain-Cheng]

Adrien is with Kagami. Gabriel has a new agenda. Marinette's back in school, and everyone adores her.

And Lila? Well.

Lila is just about ready to snap.

Mentions of end-of-S3 events, but not too spoilery. Vent piece. Also, please let me know if I should tag this as Lila salt? I’m not 100% sure, but I’ll defer to other people’s judgment, and if it has the potential to be hurtful, then I can certainly go back and fix that up.

Gabriel Agreste doesn’t need Lila anymore.

He told her so yesterday afternoon, the way he always speaks—spoke—to her: at the Place des Vosges, from the comfort of his car, while she listened in from a nearby bench. She didn’t turn to look at him, no matter how much being supposedly relieved of her duties meant she could break every bit of their agreement as much as she wanted. All she said was, “I don’t follow. I thought you only wanted good influences around Adrien. He even said we’re friends. Isn’t that what— “

“What we agreed on, Miss Rossi”—he cut her off rather coldly then—“was that you would do your utmost to keep certain bad influences away from my son. To date, I have failed to see you do so.”

She stayed quiet, but only for a spell. She liked to think she was above begging for chances. No need, when she had every tool in her pocket that turned those chances over to her so willingly. “So you think I’m a bad influence, too,” she said. Final. Sour. It always worked.

“I have my own agenda,” he said. “I’ll let you see to yours.”

Lila had no idea what that was supposed to mean—and she prided herself on knowing what adults meant most of the time. But before she could ask, Gabriel Agreste had already rolled up the window and driven away.

She could have screamed, but really, that was the other thing she was proud of: quietly biding her time to exact the worst revenge. That always worked, too. Besides, adults had taught her how to play the manipulating game. Some of them had even lost to her. He would just be another one. Eventually.

It was supposed to be that easy, anyway. Except she spent the whole train ride home stunned with a silent and otherwise indescribable rage. Except she woke up the next morning to nothing but an apple on the table and a sticky note on the fridge, again. Except she took herself to school and got an eyeful of Chloé goddamn Bourgeois gloating about something or other, and another eyeful of Adrien and that fencing girl holding hands of all things, before she’d even made it to the front steps. And then, as if the universe had decided she just hadn’t had enough to ruin her life, there was Marinette talking to that blue-haired boy again, the one who always carried his guitar around like some stupid security blanket. And they were smiling, and he had his hand on her shoulder, and what right did any of them have, getting to be so happy?

Lila composed herself just in time for Guitar Boy to salute and pedal away on that cheap bike of his, and she pushed into the school building before she had to endure any more of that nauseating expression Marinette had on her face. Anything to get away from her stupid friends, and her stupid smile, and her stupid happiness. Anything to get away from her.

She found herself in the empty, echoing silence of the restroom just down the hall from her class before the bell rang. Found herself staring down every hard line in her face, the grit in her teeth so firm they might break, knuckles white from gripping the edges of the sink. The hate in her eyes. The hate everywhere.

Don’t break, she told her reflection in the daggers she glared at it. Don’t you dare break.

Her teeth didn’t break, but she did, in spite of herself. Her cheeks flared, and her jaw stayed tight, and her heart twisted on itself so many times that it was almost unbearable. she hated it, hated them, hated her, right from the first angry, poisonous tear. And the next, and all the ones that came after that.

Her name was Lila Rossi, and she was not supposed to drown. She would stare herself down to death if she had to. And if she took anyone down with her, well. That would only be for the better. If she had to hurt, then so did everyone else.

She was so focused on crushing the growing weight in her chest that she almost didn’t notice the creak and swing of the restroom door. Half-wildly, she jerked her head toward the door with no time or chance to compose herself, nearly ready to scream because no one would believe it if it got around the school—she would make sure they didn’t believe it.

Apparently, the universe wasn’t done with her just yet. Because of course it was Marinette standing there, her expression caught somewhere between sour and exhausted and... concerned. Not even a hint of glee at the corners of her eyes. It made Lila sick all over again.

“Miss Bustier’s taking attendance,” Marinette said simply, her words echoing hollow off the tile. “She’s looking for you.”

Lila steeled herself, turned back to the mirror. The angry wrinkles in her mouth. The hair in her eyes. “Get. Away. From me.”

“For the most part, I’d love to, trust me.” Out of the corner of her eye, Marinette folded her arms, hip cocked. “But I can’t. It’s kind of my responsibility. Class representative?” A pause. A sigh. “Look, do you need me to—”

“Do you want to know what your problem is, Marinette?” God, Lila even hated saying her name. Tasted like sour milk. Like plaque. It took everything in her to tear away from the sink and stare her down. Maybe if she did it long enough, Marinette would finally screw off.

But Marinette stood unfazed; even the quirk in her brow barely budged. “I’m sure you’re gonna tell me anyway.”

The air went cold, and Lila counted the steps she took toward the other girl. She wouldn’t dare get so close that the tear streaks would be obvious, but her limbs locked with every threatening click of her shoes. “Everyone just fucking adores you. All you have to do is walk in a room—you don’t even have to lift a goddamn finger—and eeeeeveryone wants to be around you. I bet you don’t ever have to think about it. You just get to be so popular, and so loved. You just get to be a goddamn blessing to everyone, don’t you?”

Her voice was rising even though it didn’t need to, but she didn’t care. She didn’t care. She was beyond it. She’d scream if she could get away with it. Somehow, backing her into a corner was starting to be enough. “And I bet you don’t even care, do you, Marinette? You don’t even care how much everybody loves you, because you’re just basking in it. You probably don’t even hear it. But I do. I hear it all the time, because it’s like no one can stop talking about how great you are for two seconds. Don’t you get how sick you make me? Don’t you get how much I can’t fucking stand you?!”

Take it, she wants to scream. Take every last goddamn word, because if I have to deal with it, then so do you. Because if I have to destroy myself, then I’m taking you with me. Because if I can’t have control, then neither can you. Because if I can’t be happy, then neither can you. You don’t have the right. You did this to me. You did this to me, Marinette Dupain-Cheng, do you hear me? You did this, you did this, you—

Marinette was tense, standing in the corner with her arms still folded. Lila would take even that as a victory. But her eyes were searching her face, looking for all the unsaid things, and if she found any of them, she made no sign of it. Eventually, all she said was, “Are you finished?”

At first, Lila was too stunned to do anything but look at her incredulously. “Excuse me?”

Marinette shrugged; it was just barely visible. “Did you get it all out?” she said none too sweetly. “Do you feel better now, taking that all out on me?”

Of course she didn’t. She wouldn’t feel better until she never had to see Marinette’s sorry face again. That, or until she finally crushed her under her heel. She didn’t say anything. She only glared.

“Because if you’re not,” Marinette went on, “I’ll just tell Miss Bustier you’ve got some weird, totally-not-contagious stomach bug or whatever, and you had to leave school early. That’s right up your alley, isn’t it?”

Lila still said nothing. There was nothing to say. There was no reason for Marinette to do something like that for her. If anything, it only made her more furious. “Didn’t I tell you to get away from me?” she spat.

“You approached me,” Marinette said. “And you’re mad that I’m right.”

“You’re a liar too.” It was the first thing Lila could think of, and maybe it would hurt enough to make Marinette go away for good. “You tell her that, and you’ll be just as bad as I am. Don’t you hate liars, Marinette? Do you hate yourself now?”

The only little victory was that Marinette actually paused for a moment. And that her arms loosened, and she seemed to go… disgustingly soft around the edges. “No,” she said. It didn’t matter how quiet it was; it still rang through the bathroom and scurried into the stalls, hauntingly matter-of-fact. “I don’t hate myself. And I don’t lie because I want people to like me.”

“Of course not.” Lila narrowed her eyes. “You don’t have to.”

“Neither do you,” Marinette said. “No one does. And for what it’s worth to you, not everybody loves me.”

“Good.” Lila said it without thinking, but she couldn’t bring herself to care. Why should she? “It’s about time someone didn’t.”

Marinette winced, either because she was hurt or because she was holding back what she really wanted to say, and Lila loved every nanosecond of it. But otherwise, she kept her composure, and turned on her heel. “I’ll just go tell her—”

And then she paused, and Lila saw exactly why.

A butterfly.

Hawk Moth’s butterfly. Phasing through the bathroom door, all royal black and purple, and fluttering towards her.

Perfect. She’d show him. She’d show all of them how much they needed her—

“Get down!” Marinette yelled, and Lila saw and heard her tackling her to the bathroom floor before she actually felt the impact. When she sat up, Marinette was already standing up, arms spread out, firm from head to toe. Shielding her.

Lila scrambled to her feet. “What is your problem?” she nearly screeched, reaching out for the butterfly.

Marinette swatted her hand away before she could touch it. “Don’t.”

“What do you care?”

For a moment, the butterfly hesitated, and Marinette turned back to look at her. “I’m not gonna let you use your feelings to hurt other people,” she said. “And I’m not gonna let you use your feelings to hurt yourself.”

Lila rolled her eyes. “Oh, forget it—” But she’d barely taken a step before Marinette shoved her back again—surprisingly, she was stronger than she looked—and she stumbled backwards, slamming into the wall with nearly all the wind knocked out of her. Her head throbbed, and she stumbled to find her balance again, and Marinette was still standing there, still protecting her as though she could actually do anything about it. 

“What? She gripped the edge of the sink, didn’t bother to look at her reflection again. “You think you’re Ladybug now or something? What are you, her best friend? Don’t tell me you’re doing this because you pity me all of a sudden.”

“I don’t.” It was… almost exhilarating, hearing Marinette talk through her teeth like that. “I don’t pity you. Not for how you’ve strung people along, and not for how you’ve treated me. And I don’t have to be Ladybug to know what she values. But when Ladybug says that everyone deserves to be protected, she means you, too. I don’t care how much you hate her. I don’t care how much you hate me. But I’m not gonna just stand here and be okay with you making choices that hurt people.”

“People?” Lila sneered. “Or Adrien?”

Marinette didn’t give her an answer. Instead, she turned to face the butterfly again, stood stock still. Its wings were still fluttering, though slower now. She took a few deep breaths, mumbled something to herself. Numbers, it sounded like. Over and over, she said them, and eventually the butterfly balked and flew backwards, through the door, away again. 

She went lax, sighed in what sounded like relief, and turned toward Lila again. She looked… almost exhausted. “Your move, Lila,” she said. “I’m going back to class. As far as Miss Bustier is concerned, you went home sick.”

Finally, Lila spared herself a glance. Well. At least she looked the part. “Why?”

Marinette looked her up and down. Not a hint of judgment in her eyes. It was almost sickening. Almost. “Because you’re hurting,” she said, voice shaky as she made for the door. “And I was hurting once, too. And if someone being nice to me helped, then maybe someone being nice to you will help, too.”

The bathroom door swung open and shut behind her, and Lila was still left by the stalls, the echo of the words still taunting her. And when she was sure no one else was coming in or out again, she cried. With her back to the mirror and her fist pounding the edge of the sink, with every emotion and none she could actually name. She drowned. She’d go home, and that sticky note would still be on the kitchen counter. Adrien would still have that fencing girl, and Marinette would still be his friend, and have that guitar boy to boot. And Gabriel Agreste wouldn’t actually need her. Gabriel Agreste didn’t need her anymore.

By the time she wiped her eyes and walked out of the school building, she had already decided to prove him right.

And if Marinette Dupain-Cheng thought that some empty words and seventy seconds of shielding was going to do her any good, then she had another think coming.

[pucksnsticksnhockeyboys]

professional pest

summary: Matthew Tkachuk and a relaxing night don’t belong in the same sentence. Or, in other words, your boyfriend is a nuisance and he knows it.

warnings: mentions of sex

word count: 1.6k

“I’m pretty sure I genuinely hate you.” 

There was absolutely no malice behind your words, and your boyfriend knew that, so that’s why he deemed it safe to laugh loudly. You turned to glare at him, but he lunged forward and pressed his lips to yours in a kiss so sweet you almost forgot why you had been so annoyed at him in the first place. Key word being almost.

You had come over to Matthew’s apartment to cook dinner and spend some well-earned time with your boyfriend, but you seemed to forget one crucial detail that could throw your whole plan out the window. 

Matt was a professional pest, on and off the ice. 

Cut to you standing in his kitchen, trying to get him to keep his hands to himself. It was almost like he couldn’t help it, he saw you minding your own business, cooking the spaghetti dinner for you both and he just had to annoy you. 

Instead of doing the typical romantic boyfriend thing, like wrapping his arms around you from behind and resting his chin on your head as you worked, he decided to be twelve years old again and give you jumper cables. 

“Matthew, I swear to god, if you don’t knock it off—” You threatened, pointing your spoon in his direction as he giggled manically. 

“You’ll what?” He called your bluff with a self-satisfied grin that had you pouting in annoyance. Sometimes, you just wished that he wasn’t as good at being a shit-disturber as he was if only for the selfish reason that you wanted to win one of your typical back and forth teasing fits. “You love me too much to do anything.” 

“I’ll call your mom.” You turned back to the stove, stirring the noodles in and attempt to hide the grin that was quickly forming on your face. 

“And what, get me grounded?” He laughed loudly, slipping the spoon out of your hand and spinning you to face him. His smile was softer now, it was the one reserved for when he wanted you to know that despite all his teasing, he adored you. “Besides, if I’m grounded that means I’m not allowed to hang out with you.”

“Well, we can’t have that.” You played along, acting as if you were even contemplating telling his mom how much of a nuisance her son was. No doubt she knew, she had been subjected to having Matthew and Brady under the same roof for years. And even now, both boys grown adults you could still spot her growing a headache when the boys were together and started to bicker.

Matt grinned down at you, wrapping his arms around you kissing you soundly. You felt the love down to your toes, and everything around you seemed to melt away. You were so content pressed up against him the way you were that you didn't even realize he was smirking devilishly into the kiss, that his hands went from tugging you close to him to resting loosely on your hips. 

But you did feel him pinch your sides, fingers once more digging into the flesh there.

“Matthew!”

Hours later, you found yourself sitting on the couch with your feet propped up on Matt’s coffee table and his head in your lap. Your fingers had been threaded in his curls since the moment you both had settled into your spots, neither one of you all too eager to move. 

“Would you still love me if I shaved my head?” 

The question caught you off guard, you had been too engrossed in the movie he had picked. Plus, what kind of question was that? The hand that had been tangled in his curls froze, and you looked down at him with a goofy grin. He, however, looked serious, which made your brows tug together in confusion.

“Matty, please tell me you're not thinking about shaving your head.” You pleaded, tugging on his hair for added effect. His expression turned devious and you were rolling your eyes before he even spoke. 

“Nah, I won't cut it off. What else are you supposed to hold onto when I'm doing down on you?”

“Matthew.” You whined, shoving at his shoulder as he laughed. You never could understand why he found so much joy in annoying you, though what was even more confusing was how he managed to be endearing at the same time. “You’re such a perv.”

“You love it though.” He giggled, snagging your hand and pressing a kiss to your palm. You rolled your eyes once more, but were smiling nonetheless. “Come on, let’s go to bed. You’ve been yawning for the past ten minutes.” 

“Aw, he can be nice.” You teased, grinning as he took the chirp with a chuckle while he sat up. Once he was standing, he turned to you with the same devilish smirk you had been the victim of for the entirety of the night—actually, more like your whole relationship. Before you could even begin to tell him to not even think about whatever it was he so clearly wanted to do, you were upside down over his shoulder. “Matt! Put me down.”

“Can’t have people thinking I’m nice, now can we?”

If you thought that Matt would stop being such a pest while he slept, you would be wrong. Even when he was knocked out cold, if you tried to move away from his grip he would tighten his arms around you and pull you deeper into his chest. 

You’d learned to deal with it, but sometimes it got annoying and inconvenient when you had to wake him up in the morning so you could use the bathroom. On the days when he had to be up early for any reason, he'd pester you until you were awake too and sitting up against the headboard, just to be able to talk to you as his bounced across the room getting ready, occasionally stealing kisses and tickling your sides if he felt you were falling back asleep. 

But today you were the one that had to leave at a specified time, and that wasn't something Matt was all too thrilled with. Which was exactly why you, a grown adult, were standing with your hands on your hips scolding your boyfriend, who also was a grown adult. 

“Matt, where did you put them?” You questioned, looking down at your loving boyfriend who had been watching you search through his apartment for the past ten minutes for your lost items. 

“Why do you think I had something to do with it?” He threw his hands up, trying to play the part of an innocent bystander. He knew his acting skills weren't up to par and that you caught his fib just by the way you raised a pointed brow at him. It reminded him of how his mother used to scold him when he was a kid, but there was no way he was going to compare you to his mom when you were already annoyed as is. He may have liked to push your buttons, but even he wasn't stupid enough to draw attention to the comparison. 

“Well, for starters, sneakers don't just move on their own.” You huffed, continuing a futile search of his living room. Behind the couch, under the chairs, and you even looked under the throw pillows you had made Matt get for his apartment. And if you happened to toss it at his head while he was too busy laughing at you to defend himself, no one could truly blame you. “Seriously, Matthew, where are they? I’m supposed to meet everyone for brunch in fifteen minutes.”

“Fine.” He conceded, knowing you were reaching the point between amusingly annoyed and flat out upset for making you late. You cheered in silent victory as he stood to his feet, only faltering when you recognized that damn smirk on his face. “It's on top of the fridge.”

“Matthew.” You whined, slipping into the kitchen, his chuckling figure following behind you. You cursed him under your breath, craning your neck to look up on top of the appliance that supposedly held your shoes. “I can’t even seen on top of there, let alone reach.”

“Oh, wow, if only you had this really amazing six-foot three boyfriend who could get it for you? I’m sure he’d totally help if you asked.” He teased, crossing his arms over his chest and leaning backwards against the island counter. You rolled your eyes, checking the time on your phone to see if you had any time to fight him on this. 

“Okay, okay, before you start listing your scoring stats.” You joked, fighting off a smile to keep up your veil of annoyance. Matt didn't even try to hide his amusement, his barking laugh loud in the quiet kitchen. “Can you please get my sneakers down? Despite the fact that you put them up there in the first place?”

“Eh, we’ll take that for now.” He was grinning, but before he reached the fridge to get your sneakers down he stopped and pressed a quick kiss to your pout. Now, you really couldn’t fight the bright smile that grew on your face. 

“I don’t understand why you insist on annoying me all the time.” You huffed, no real malice to your tone, as Matt chuckled at your words. He handed you your shoes, having gotten them down with minimal effort on his part. His grin was wide and teasing, the very same one you had fallen in love with the day you met him.

“What can I say, I’m a professional pest.”

[traincat]

Hi traincat! Hope you're doing well. I figured since you have an extensive knowledge on all things Spider-Man, you would know your way around his rogues! I wanted to ask if you have a favorite or one that you find most compelling and why. Thanks a million!

I think my answers for which rogues are my favorites and which I find most compelling and which are widely viewed as the best and why are all pretty wildly different. I do think the popular assessment that Spider-Man has one of the best rogues galleries in Marvel canon is true. Like, I think the absolute best Spider-Main villain story -- the one that gives you the best sense of the villain as a character and also the one that works best at uniting villain and is Kraven’s Last Hunt, which is just incredible on every level. (Content warning for suicide.)

(Web of Spider-Man #32) Also, like, in terms of design, Kraven is great. Love a big Russian game hunter perpetually bare chested and wearing leopard print cropped leggings. That’s not something you get sick of. Only Kraven Sr. for me, though -- I’m less fond of his son, although I think the whole family affairs in Grim Hunt and Scarlet Spider v2 are pretty fun.

On the other hand, though, I think that some of the biggest villains in Spider-Man’s gallery, namely Norman Osborn and Doc Ock, are overused, although I know why they’re overused and it’s because they’re really good villains. (But also you can only make people pay for the same story so many times with only minor variations before it starts to get old.) I think Norman and Peter are pretty perfect opposites, whereas Otto and Peter are mirror images -- although I think generally Norman stories pull off that opposite nature better than Otto stories reveal him as a mirrored image of Peter. 

I think it’s interesting that Otto is kind of the first “big” villain Peter encounters -- he makes his debut in ASM #3, so there are villains that come before him, but they’re like, the Vulture and the Chameleon. And there are great Vulture stories -- love that flying octogenarian -- but like, I would not put the Vulture in the absolute top tier Spider-Man villains. And the Chameleon is a freak.

Same, girl. (Web of Spider-Man #65) 

More villain talk beneath the cut.

By comparison, Otto is the first villain to actually serve Peter a real defeat, the first one to humble him. So I think it’s interesting that they come from very similar backgrounds -- both geniuses, both lonely as children, both people who were in danger of becoming very solitary, isolated adults, which Otto did and which Peter did not. They had a mother figure who verged on at times or was actually smothering in her affections, and a salt of the earth type father figure. And Otto gains his powers after suffering an accident with radiation much the same way Peter does. It’s one of the things that disappoints me about Superior Spider-Man, because I don’t think it plays into the idea of Otto and Peter as mirrored images of each other nearly as much as it could have. Even Otto’s Parker Industries originally showed up in a “bad” version of Peter’s life, where he never got bit by the spider and instead becomes a CEO:

(Sensational Spider-Man #41) “You prove yourself to everyone -- except yourself.” Which is what Otto is continually trying to do, and which is what he always falls short of. So it’s interesting that there’s kind of all this set up here and that the actual comics sort of continually fall short of it. 

Green Goblin stories live up to their rep a little better, in my opinion, and they’re better at playing into those parallels. Norman and Peter are both self-made men, but Norman is rich and Peter is not. Peter accepts responsibility and fault; Norman does not. Norman’s life is devoid of women, while Peter’s is full of it. If Norman and Peter are both studies in masculinity, then Norman’s is toxic and Peter’s is not. Peter is capable of growth; Norman is entrenched in this role he’s made for himself -- he is not capable of sustained growth beyond the role he’s made for himself. There’s a reason I think Norman gets used so much and it’s because it’s a heady dynamic to kind of play into -- especially when you go with the relatively more recent angle of things where Norman kind of views Peter as the perfect heir, worthy where Harry is not. Honestly, it’s a good time whenever you’re involving Harry in the mix at all, as someone caught between these two very powerful figures and how the tug-of-war there for ownership of him is just completely soul destroying. 

(Spectacular Spider-Man #180)

But I do think Norman is overused, and it’s gotten a point where in Amazing Spider-Man #800 it was like -- oh, what, he’s going to kill Flash? He’s going to kill someone else Peter loves? He’s killed like half the main-main cast at this point. He’s behind the murder of Peter and Mary Jane’s baby, he’s responsible for Ben Reilly’s death, he killed Gwen Stacy, Harry’s death goes directly back to him, he’s kidnapped May and Mary Jane and Flash and blah blah blah it’s JUST TOO MUCH. It can’t always be this one guy! You can’t just bring him back every 50 issues like “this time Norman Osborn’s gone too far” when he went too far in the ‘70s. Everything since then has just been trying to recapture the moment he threw Gwen Stacy off the bridge. It’s exhausting. I’m begging Spider-Man, as it starts hyping up yet another Norman story for ASM #850, to do something new.

In comparison to Norman, I think Harry’s run as the Green Goblin is fairly flawlessly executed as far as villain stories go, especially in its final hour. Spectacular Spider-Man #200 is really one of my favorite single issues of all time. Harry has the pathos that Norman really never does -- you can feel for Harry in a way that you can’t feel for Norman. And it’s because Harry loves Peter -- really, truly loves him -- that his acts of villainy take on that special edge of cruelty. It doesn’t just hurt Peter that these things are being done; it hurts Peter that these are being done and that it’s Harry doing them and that, in a lot of ways, they both blame Peter for why Harry is doing them, even if at the end of the day it’s in no way Peter’s fault. And then there’s the utterly perfect moment as Harry dies in Spectacular Spider-Man #200, that his act of triumph is that he can’t bring himself to kill Peter, because he loves him too much. It’s perfect. I live in fear they’re going to make Harry a villain again and try to replicate it only to fall painfully short. 

I think the Jackal is actually underutilized because he is in my honest opinion the scariest Spider-Man villain, or at the very least the creepiest. Where Norman can only dream of remaking Spider-Man in his own image, the Jackal actually does that with Ben Reilly -- and, to a lesser extent, with Kaine, his first damaged clone. He’s a good lurker, too, less show-y than either Otto or Norman. He lurked in the background for a while. And in a series where I think you can pick a lot of the villains apart as men who take advantage of their power, having the Jackal be a college professor whose villainous career stems from his obsession with one of his students fits right in. And he’s just creepy. He’s upsetting! The things he does to the clones -- both the Peter and Gwen clones, although I think the comics are not so great at letting the Gwen clones shine as individual characters, which is something I wish someone would actually do something about -- are very upsetting, especially since you can extrapolate from a lot of Kaine’s stories and the things we know bother him and how he’s consistently paralleled against Janine Godbe, that both Kaine and the Gwen clones were sexually abused by the Jackal. (Spider-Man’s not typically shy about examining darker subjects, and while we can only extrapolate from canon with Kaine, it’s extremely there on the surface with the Gwen clones. I mean, he married one.) And honestly, the villain who’s whole schtick is cloning makes more sense as someone who can repeatedly come back from anything than Norman’s deal of Corrupt Businessman Surprisingly Hard To Kill. I’ve said before that Peter appears to have a bit of a loophole in his personal moral code when it comes to violence that either has no consequences or lessened consequences, like when he cuts loose against Wolverine, someone who has a healing factor, or when he buried the Juggernaut, supposedly indestructible, in concrete. The Jackal as someone who could and has clone himself repeatedly opens up similar doorways -- what’s to stop Peter from cutting loose if the Jackal isn’t confined to this one body? There’s a lot to play with there and a lot more interesting spaces to go than, say, having to invent increasingly poor excuses for why Peter hasn’t taken more permanent action with Norman if Norman is always going to return to do harm to someone beloved to Peter.

Finally, I’m in a weird spot with personal favorite villains because honestly my instinct is to say the Lizard. And that’s an issue because of one fairly recent storyline and everything that’s spun out from it: Shed (Amazing Spider-Man #630-633), the storyline where Curt Connors loses all control over the Lizard, kills, and partially devours his son Billy. Like, I LIKE grim dark Spider-Man comics, and Shed is honestly too much for me -- not because of the Lizard’s actions, but because in the story Peter fails to save Billy. And I say not because of the Lizard’s actions because I think, as fun as a giant lizard man in purple pants and a lab coat can be, I think Curt Connors makes for one hell of a supervillain metaphor for domestic violence. 

(ASM #365)

(Spectacular Spider-Man v2 #13) And it’s very compelling. There’s a lot of things to explore down that alley. But once you actually go as far as having the Lizard kill his son, you can’t take that back. And the problem is, that’s what Spider-Man comics have tried to do post-Shed. It feels weird and deeply out of character to have writers assume that Peter could forgive the murder of any child, let alone a child he knew, and have him continue his relationship with Curt Connors. It’s a weird message to go “yeah, he ate his kid, but he wasn’t in control, and he made up for it via cloning, so we’re all good now.” Like imagine trying to spin that in any horror movie. It doesn’t work -- that your villain kills his kid and then clones him and pretends everything is okay now would be the plot of the horror movie. Spider-Man is a series fundamentally built on the fact that actions have consequences, and sometimes those consequences are utterly unfixable. Peter can’t go back and intercept the burglar to prevent Uncle Ben’s death. He can’t clone Uncle Ben and wipe that incident out of history. So to have a story like Shed in continuity as something that doesn’t alter Peter’s perception of Curt Connors forever doesn’t work.

Anyway that’s why my favorite villain is the Shocker. Love that quilted bastard.

[scrambled-eggsed]

1 + 2 for one of your WIPs?

1 - give short descriptions of all your current WIPs

Ahhhhhhh this might get slightly long so sorry in advance [I apologize for NOTHING]. They dont really have names so this is gonna be fun to keep track of

There's one that's basically almost autobiographical lmfao, where a genderqueer lesbian teenager is figuring himself out. It's really self indulgent bc the two main characters are the nb girl and her teacher, and they get p close, and the teen in basically in love with their best friend (romantically? Platonically? Who can say [=maybe I'll decide when i figure out my own feelings about my friend]), and her story mirrors the story of the teacher, who is in a qpr with another woman. Basically it's self indulgence about how i need a dependable adult figure in my life. I'm gonna move on to the rest cuz they're not nearly as depressing as this

Space pirates - i still haven't worked out everything but I'm thinking of maybe doing two parallel stories, where basically one group of overworked workers on a spaceship are considering a mutiny so as they're planning the thing they're telling the story of the first space pirate crew from earth to overthrow the captain of the spaceship and take command for themselves, and how they oparated and how those supposedly legendary people were actually just people. Like they have the auras of greek heros but all the stories people tell about them are actually about tenderness and care and the simple goodness of humanity

WITCHES - I'm still tryna figure out a plot that isn't entirely a The Owl House rip-off, but basically the world is where magic is fundamentally about a connection w nature. And not everyone has that connection and that's okay bc nature can't provide everything so there are essentially two coexisting societies with ties that benefit everyone (it's a utopia - witches basically have "shifts" in the fields to grow an infinite amount of food, and the non-witches give them essential products). When it comes to characters, the main character is a girl who comes from a non-witch family and basically Has The Connection With Nature (which is not uncommon) but her family is relatively conservative so she gets a lot of Looks and mild disapproval from them (yah this is basically a queer metaphor). And basically she goes to live with an old lesbian witch couple at the parallel witch town. And I'm thinking maybe the witchs' son will be a non-witch and will go live with the girl's family (thats also a queer metaphor although i haven't figued exactly how. Anyway he's gay. The witch girl is also gay)? Basically Found Family Shenanigans. But it's not exactly a plot yet

Magic World™ - i have a few ideas for stories in this world (maybe I'll just write a bunch of short stories? I dunno) but i really like this world!! Basically magic is entirely about curiosity and kindness. The world will literally sense your intentions and will not let you do anything Evil with magic. And there's this whole thing where if you become evil out of good intentions the world will not let you pass it on to anyone. So if you don't redeem yourself, the world will not let you have kids (as in, adoption basically - there's no biological reproduction [i started thinking about this when i was twelve okay]. If you want a kid, the world will sense that. And when the infallible world will sense that you're ready, you will just wake up one morning and there'll be a fucken baby outside). So every idea for a story i have in that world is basically about villians redemption arcs but fun ig? Listing all of them would genuinely take forever so im Not Gonna Do That Here. Also the way i explained the world is a bit rudimentary and there's more depth to it but it's hard to explain without a plot lmao

Seedbombing gone wrong - this is my most recent one i think. Basically a bunch of kids try to do seedbombing at school bc the school cut down a beloved tree and then there are So Many Flowers Just Everywhere bc the ground was Magical. Also one of the teacher is a witch/fairy and will explain shit to the kids. Idk i haven't thought a lot about this one but it's a fun idea for the future

My fucking god that was so long. Goddamn

2 - give short descriptions of the main character from one of your WIP

Well fortunately for those of you who decided to read this far i dont exactly have many fleshed out ideas for main characters. The only one from a story where the main character isn't literally me that i know what they're gonna be like is the captain of the legendary original space pirate spaceship from the space pirates story. Basically I'm imagining her like Lovelace from wolf 359 (a combination of her pre and after trauma. Also I'm only about halfway through the podcast so no spoilers) - so generally a fun person and cares deeply for her crew, but feels like everyone's fate rests on her shoulders and is dealing with So Much. Oh if the question was about physical description then idk really? I just know that she's gonna be a woc (it makes so much sense for the worldbuilding but i could talk about that for hours. In the same vein, she was also in prison at some point. Bc the system discriminates heavily and deliberately against people who were in prison. Again i could talk about that for so long lmao). Also she's gonna have a romantic arc with the ship's appointed doctor bc Tenderness and h/c. Cuz basically she needs to learn to let herself rest and what better way to do that than the cliché of a loved one pulling the doctor card on her

That got WAYYYYYYYY longer than i expected so sorry lmfao (fr tho i apologize for nothing)

[capricornus-rex]

Hey hi!! I just wanna say first that I love your writing and you just capture Cal so well and your talent oml we stan 🙌 would you take a prompt of Cal being very confused as to why his girlfriend keeps crying every five seconds because he has no idea at first what's even happening and like it takes him a minute to put it together (it can be that time of the month or it can be pregnancy hormones, whatever's easiest, I'm sorry hormones made ya girl emotional and moody) pls & thanks!🙇

Hi Anon! First of all, thank you so much!! 🥺💞 Second, I AM SO SORRY that this took a while!! I know I shouldn’t be overusing the excuse that I’m swamped with requests and my fics tend to be more than just oneshots, but that’s the predicament right now. I hope you understand 😭😔 Anyways, I’m glad you still took the time to write to me ;;w;; I just feel reaallly bad that I made you wait long. Still, I hope you enjoy the fic, anon and thank you too!

Chapter 4: Untimely Blessing | Cal Kestis x Reader

Summary: After a long time of running and fighting, you and Cal decided to finally settle down after all these years to raise a family. However, it was never a life of peace whilst the shadow of the Empire looms over your heads.

Other prompt/s in play: Anon 1′s prompt, Anon 2‘s baby prompt & Own fic idea

Also posted in AO3

Tags: Scruffy! Cal Kestis, Daddy! Cal Kestis, Adult! Cal Kestis, Jedi Family, Jedi Offspring, Force-Sensitive Offspring, Settling Down, Rebel Alliance

Chapters: 1 – 2 | Previous: Part 3 | Next: Part 5 | Masterlist

4 of ?

The weather was nice in Cerinda. Cal had been practicing with a self-made obstacle course in the forest, west of the lake where your wedding was held; meanwhile, you decided to take a breather by your wedding venue. You almost hated to admit that you couldn’t walk for perhaps a day and a half after that little private time you had in the Mantis with your husband.

About three weeks have already passed after that.

And for those three weeks, there was this feeling swirling in the pit of your stomach. Cal had noticed you craving for a lot of sweets—especially Jogan berries and space waffles—and you yourself felt sluggish, so you decided to sit by the sidelines of the training course.

While he had physical training, you meditated by the lake’s shore where it was tranquil. The peace helped you in getting into focus.

Your skin suddenly crawled in a good way, even though you were taken aback, you kept your eyes closed trying to keep yourself concentrated; but you ended up reminiscing how Cal’s lips trailed along your body, how his hands wandered and sank into your flesh. The feeling of his lips suckling at the exact same spots where he left his love bites jolted your nerves—your hand rubbed across your neck, chest, and shoulder and then crawled downward to your abdomen. You chuckled to yourself as the memories replayed in your head, struggling to remain focused.

“BD-1, over here!” Cal’s distant voice rang among the trees, but that didn’t distract you enough.

Suddenly, something was bubbling in your stomach and you could feel it rising to your throat each second. Your eyelids shot up and you fumbled onto fours, crawling away to anywhere until your entire body gave way, and allowed yourself to retch behind a tree trunk.

You coughed and spat out the bile, you clumsily crawled towards the edge of the lake, scooping a handful of water to your mouth to wash off the sour acidity that lingered in your cheeks. You did this for a couple of times until the taste was truly gone.

“Oh my…” you gasped, crawling away from the spot where you had your little accident and lay flat on the grass.

Your hand hesitated to crawl downward, to your lower abdomen just below your navel; your heart pounded with mixed emotions—you can’t pinpoint if you’re excited, nervous, or completely taken by surprise. But you’re primarily the latter, you just needed a second emotion to balance it out.

“Could it be…?” you mumbled.

You took a deep breath before your hand slithered below your navel, calming your heart of the eagerness—just to avoid breaking it if it wasn’t the case—and when your whole palm padded against your lower abdomen…

You felt it.

A tiny kick.

A little pulse.

Your heart leapt. You gasped—supposedly a laugh, but you were overtaken by emotion—your fingers rubbed across your tummy again.

There it is again!

“Aww…” you fawned, on the verge of happy tears.

Cal came out of the trees’ trail, spotting you lying down on the grass with your hand on your stomach. He bobbed his head to the side, quizzically looking at you wiping away a tear while standing at a distance.

“[y/n]?” he called to you, kneeling by your side on the grass.

Your attention shifted to his direction. He sat there next to you with a slightly confused look—mixed with a hint of concern for you.

You quickly propped yourself on your elbows, and then shifted to your knees. His nervous eyes followed your position.

“Are you alright?”

“Cal…” you started. Unable to say the words—even though they’re already at the tip of your tongue—you take both of his hands and reeled them to your stomach.

Your husband’s eyes widened. His smile stretched from ear-to-ear when he felt the ripple of life coming from within you. His heart bounced in perhaps the fastest beat it has ever beaten in years.

“Cal, I’m pregnant!” you announced.

BD-1 trilled a long note in reaction, the little droid is just as surprised as his owner is!

The redhead stammered and blinked away several times, struggling to gather all the words he needed to express; when he cradled your face in his hands, you could feel just from his touch that he was bursting with sheer, indescribable happiness. He exhaled sharply, his breath warm as he touched foreheads with you.

“This… This is wonderful!” he gasped. He couldn’t speak further, acting purely on impulse, he closed in to kiss you—he pressed his lips long and hard to yours. “We’re having a baby!”

The forest echoed with your laughter. Cal snatched you into his arms and held you for so long as he buried his face into your neck, muffling his continuous laughing, and slowly rocked you back and forth.

Cal remained with you by the lake for the rest of the afternoon, he couldn’t take his hands off of your stomach; he wanted to keep feeling for the faint pulse of the conceived child in your womb. He started to daydream about the games he and the baby would play, how they would turn out to be—if they’ll have your eyes or his, if they’ll take after their mischievous father or their headstrong mother, whatever the case, he has already loved them the moment he felt the smallest beat.

—–

It was your third month since the conception of your child. The first few weeks were difficult and overwhelming, considering that this is your very first pregnancy. Luckily, you had help with Merrin and Cere. Still, it felt like your energy was slowly ebbing way as the weeks went by.

To avoid getting rusty with your combat skills, you continued to practice your swings, spins, and flourishes without using getting to the more acrobatic moves that required jumps and wide strides. Cal also kept a close eye on you when it comes to practicing, seeing that you’re still eager for sparring.

“I am so against this!” he exclaimed.

“Come on, the training droids aren’t really doing much help!” you whined.

He wagged his finger at you as if scolding a child, “Only one round, okay? Whoever wins, that’s that.”

“Deal!”

Even if you were still itching for action, you moved with the greatest caution and care—both for yourself and your baby—you improvised the moves that were usually lively, you replaced the low ducks and slides with spinning, dance-link evasions that still eluded an attack in the same grace.

However, the power and strength of your sword arm didn’t seem to dull over time. You fenced with your husband—the contrast in the lightsaber techniques have become more obvious now, and he was being careful himself, he knew that you didn’t want to take it easy and so he came at a compromise.

“Aha!” he exerted as he had you at swordpoint.

“Okay, you got me. Deal’s a deal,”

“That’s my girl,” he cooed.

“Don’t be so smug, love. I want another try next week,”

When you got back to the Mantis, you staggered on your footing for a few seconds. It was a good thing Cal caught you before you slammed your back against the ship’s wall.

“How are you feeling, [y/n]?” asked Cere.

“A little lightheaded, more often than I probably should,”

“Usually, that becomes quite the norm, especially when a mother’s at her third month,” Merrin added.

“Is that so…?”

A few seconds later, the lightheadedness was gone and you settled yourself on the couch next to Merrin. Like the entire crew, everyone was so delighted to hear the news. First the engagement, then wedding, and now a baby!

But the most excited one is Merrin; if not Cal, the Nightsister was constantly by your side. She was practically your sister ever since. She offered to mix up potions that would help in easing your pregnancy without harming both you and the child; she was also the one who gave the most advice.

“My mother herself was a midwife, besides being an acolyte. She taught me everything, even if I never saw myself being in the same position as her,” the Nightsister disclosed.

Nevertheless, she was still delighted for your bundle of joy. The two of you traded secret wishes and future daydreams revolving around the child.

One evening, in the middle of the night where everyone had gone to sleep, you jumped out of bed, rushing towards the bathroom to vomit… again. For the second time this day. Earlier, Merrin had concocted a potion that was said to help ease the tensing of the belly, so the cramping would lessen for a few hours. For a while, that potion seemed to have worked—but it didn’t stop you from running to the bathroom just to retch it out again.

Cal was awakened by the abrupt shuffling of the bed, he heard the faint pitter-patter of your bare footsteps leave the room and followed you to the bathroom.

“No, not again…!” he heard your hushed voice as you rushed out of the room.

The sound of your retching was muffled behind the door. Bile exited your stomach, leaving a stinging feeling in your core. You ended up crying in exchange of not straining yourself and hurting your baby in the process. You struggled to cough out what’s left, but only clear saliva spat out of your mouth.

Your kneecaps suddenly softened, your grip around the sink’s rim was your remaining support to keep yourself from falling to the ground. Suddenly, you felt an arm coil around your waist and a hand rubbing across your back.

“Hey,” your husband cooed. “Are you okay?”

You sniffled, washing away the dribble on your nose, but you didn’t answer.

“Are you hurting?” he continued.

“I keep feeling sick,” you sobbed, rubbing the bridge of your nose as you try to fight back the tears. “Merrin’s potion works, but only for the cramps.”

Anxiety was also a constant in your visits to the bathroom during the wee hours. You hated yourself for stressing out on bad dreams, you always had to bite your knuckles when breaking down to muffle out the cries behind the bathroom door.

Swallowing the lump in your throat did little in repressing your tears, some droplets escaped your eyes, Cal spotted them instantly and wiped them away with his thumb.

“It’s okay, I’ll stay with you until you feel like sleeping,” he consoled as he guided you out of the bathroom when you were ready.

“You don’t have to do this, you need to go back to sleep,” you gently scolded.

“You’re my wife,” he said firmly, a steely yet gentle look in his eyes glinted. “I’ll be here for you. Anything you need, okay?”

You hoisted and folded your legs, leaning against Cal’s shoulder as you try to calm yourself down. He feels for your stomach again, speaking to his unborn child through his mind.

Don’t give Mommy a hard time, sweetheart. He prayed as his lips nuzzled your temple while stroking your hair.

Two more months have passed. It’s the fifth month now, your belly had grown significantly. The morning sicknesses have seemed to lessen as time went on, however, in exchange it has become a little bit more difficult to move. The weight that you carried along with you has become more apparent; but that didn’t matter to you, all you could think about is the baby and you looked forward to its kicking. You and Cal sat together in the couch by the holotable, he now uses both hands to hold your stomach and found that they could no longer contain your belly.

“Oh, there’s a little kick,” he giggled.

You bobbed your head to the side, leaning against your own arm as you stare at Cal. You didn’t even realize that he must have shaved his stubble for just a little bit. Your knuckles stroked his beard and then your skin suddenly felt the smoothness of his freckled cheeks; his lips followed to where your palm is and nuzzled in for a kiss. When turned to you, his smile dissolved when he spotted a tear that you yourself didn’t even notice.

“Something the matter?”

“I’m a little scared, a little nervous. I mean… I’m so close now, Cal. I don’t even know if I—”

“Hey, you’re gonna be great,” he cuts in. He gingerly caressed your nape, fingernails raking the bottom of your hair, “I promise.”

He leaned closer to plant a long and tender kiss on your forehead. He kept his hands on your tummy, feeling for his baby, and he started guessing.

“It’s definitely a boy,” he beamed. “A kick that hard? Definitely.”

“Oh-ho, so someone’s gonna take your title of being the ‘One Who Kicks Ass’ in the Mantis?” you played along.

“Aww, he’s gonna have to get through me to steal my crown!”

[literatehiss]

Trust Fall - Peter’s 18th

Read on AO3 here Peter considered to himself, that really, he shouldn't have to hide at his own birthday party. He was sure that wasn't what people normally did. Not that he ever been to a birthday party before.            

Not that he had ever had one of his own.            

But he was eighteen now, not only an adult, but a full avatar as well. Cousin Conrad was three years older than him and he hadn't managed it yet, hadn’t been taken down to the basement of Moorland House, hadn’t been shown the secrets of their family.

Peter hated having to pretend not to feel smug about it                                each time they met. 

Anyway, he was expected to meet with some of the other, older worshippers of the other fears and he didn't know why they insisted on this charade when they all hated parties so much.

Whether he liked it or not, it was his birthday. He was off to go work on one of the Solus Shipping freighters in a few weeks time, his Uncle had said he had to work under someone else until he knew what he was doing well enough to captain his own Ship, and he was all dolled up in a suit for the party. A room full of strangers and he was pretty sure that what few family members had bothered to show up had also vanished into the depths of the old house within minutes of arriving.

He was in one of the smaller lounges that split off from the main hall where the party was taking place. He had a plate stacked with as much as he could get his hands on from the buffet table and an entire tray of the glasses of champagne and he intended to spend the rest of the night eating and drinking and avoiding people while he watched the rain lash down outside.

As per usual on his birthday. He never got what he wanted.

The door creaked open and a familiar laugh drifted through the door.

"Hello Peter, thought I might find you in one of these little rooms."

Peter rested his head so it rested on the back of the sofa, his floppy blond fringe, already greying at the temples, shifting away from his eyes so he could see the only person other that himself he could really stand.

"Hello Simon. It's almost like you knew I'd find this whole thing unbearable" Simon laughed and collapsed onto the sofa next to him.

"Yes well, it's a tradition in your family, as you know. Anyway, I don't usually get to see you on your actual birthday, locked away in your room as you usually are. Was looking forward to introducing you to some of the more interesting members of our little community."

"That sounds horrific. I’d rather not. And you'll see even less of me soon enough." Simon had laughed at his comment at first but grew a little more sombre at the reminder that Peter would be off soon and while he could just appear on the ship, Simon didn’t want to actually hurt Peter’s chances of Captaining his own ship one day.

"Yes I heard from Nathaniel. Off to sea I hear! Are you sure you wouldn't like to come work on one of my ships? I can’t promise better pay but I can promise better company"

"Ha! No thank you. Very kind of you to offer Simon but I think a ship full of people who actually want to talk to me will send me right over the edge. And not in a way you’d find funny either."

They sat in comfortable silence, Simon kicking his feet up onto the priceless wooden table and Peter knew his mother would be furious when she found the scuff marks and that only made it funnier to Peter.

Eventually Simon reached into the inside pocket of his jacket, pulling out a little package and pushing it into his hands. Peter was not sure how Simon seemed to always be able to fit anything he needed in his pockets, regardless of their size or how many items were supposedly in there. Peter had never asked, he wasn’t sure he wanted to hear another discussion about how everything was just made up of space.

"I probably should have given this back to the Lukas's a long time ago, but better late than never I say." Peter fumbled with the wrapping paper before something small, made of wood and metal, tumbled out. Simon continued as Peter examined it.

"I won it off one of your ancestors a long time ago though for the life of me I can’t remember when. Anyway I think it's time it came back to you"

It was a beautiful whistle, old and a little scratched, but otherwise will looked after.

"It has its uses that I'm sure you'll find out by yourself"

Peter had never received a gift from his family that actually took into account the things he liked. Uncle Nathaniel only let him onto the ships because he was useless at anything else. Peter unravelled the leather twine and tied the ends around his neck.

He fought hard for his voice not to tremble as he thanked Simon. "oh it's no problem lad. Happy birthday"

Peter sat examining his gift as Simon sprung out of the chair.

There was a small cough from behind him as Simon waited by the doorway.

"I'll be in the main hall if you want me to make introductions. So try not to get too drunk on that champagne before you come out, I don’t trust Wright not to take advantage of you in that kind of state. He's the last man you want to sign an unread deal with."

With that, he left, leaving Peter to wonder over his gift. He blew gently into the mouthpiece and the fog in the room that was idling by his feet once Simon left, began to grow and swell around him. He tucked it under his shirt, took his plates back to his room for when he inevitably ran out of energy for the demands of social interaction and followed Simon back out into the main hall.

[inupibaldspot]

Saviour: Chapter 23

The atmosphere was completely different here.

The people who were with Garp were friendly. Everyone was smiley and some even fought back at Garp when he did something weird. Sure they were not that accepting towards Emilia in the beginning but it was only because they thought the child would not be able to take care of herself, increasing the burden on the ship. But spending about 4 years with them made Emilia like them a lot and vice versa.

However, in Akainu's ship the atmosphere here, for the lack of better words, was tense. Everyone seemed to be on the edge and most of the crew members, themselves were quite cold towards each other. After observing for few days, she realized that they were made that way by Akainu. Everyone near him had their back straightened and made sure everything they did was given their 100 percent. They even had training routine in the morning!

And it did not help at all that Emilia was handpicked by the admiral himself. Apparently this was the first time it happened because usually the members are send by a team who does the entrance test and those members were weak or useless, they would be kicked out by Akainu.

Akainu would also train her whenever he was free.

"Why" Emilia would ask.

"Because you would be a powerful weapon if trained properly." Would be his answer.

Other members would always use the word favoritism around Emilia. And because of that jealousy, they would always make sure to give the works which everyone usually avoided such as peeling the ingredients, washing the dishes or cleaning the toilets to her. Not to mention the accidental pushes. Emilia could not believe what she was faced with at first. She was a child. She was a 13 year old child and was being pushed around by full grown adults. Oh the pettiness of these people!

However she did not complain or fight back because alas, her rank was simply a 'sea man', one of the lowest rank in the marine, and the people around her were all higher ranks, at least compared to her. Not to mention that they were her seniors so for now she decided to just suck it up.

Akainu mainly focused on training haki more than anything else. He said that as you keep on progressing further along the Grand Line, many of the powerful people were Devil fruit users.

"If you were to ever find a Devil Fruit would you eat it?" Akainu asked one day as he walked back into the ship. They just saved a village which was being attacked.

Emilia walked fast, besides the Admiral and then stood at the decks as the waves took us to their next mission spot. She brought her hands on her chin as she thought for a bit. "No...I'd rather not." She finally said. If she were to meet up with Ace or Luffy later on, she didn't want to be someone who would be held back due to presence of water.

She lifted her head and her eyes met with her superior. His didn't say anything further and continued looking at her as if to make her justify her answer. "I personally don't have much knowledge on Devil Fruits so if I were to eat it, it would be a gamble." Emilia explained. "On top, not all Devil Fruits are powerful."

"But I would consider it if I have a Devil Fruits which can give me aerial abilities." Emilia added.

"And especially in the ocean , which is surrounded by water flying above water will be useful, if not for those type of devil fruit it'll just make us weak and it is more of a minus-" Emilia stopped. Crap! She forgot that the man next to her was a devil fruits user. Emilia shook her hands in panic. "That's is just my opinion! People, strong as yourself probably don't have to worry about these-"

"No." Akainu cut her off. "I was also going to advise you against eating a devil fruits as well."

"Your progress regarding both your haki and strength is quite fast." The tall admiral complimented, making Emilia mutter a small 'Thank you'. "When you get stronger, I plan to make you my right hand man at least that is if you are able to continuously get stronger. I have no need for a weak right hand man."

When the man spit those words out, the current right hand man who was behind them visibly flinched, making Emilia feel bad about him.

"And when that happens I want a strong individual who won't be affect by the ocean waters" Akainu stepped into the ship and stopped. He then turned around and and then stared at Emilia right at her eye. "I hope you understand what I am saying."

"Do you expect me to be a dog?" Emilia looked back at Akainu in the eye. "Who will do whatever you orders obediently wagging my tail?"

"Yes" Akainu huffed "This is the exact reason why I am training you."

Emilia eyes opened slightly in realization at how Zack and Akainu were complete opposites.

The man in front of her right now was dead set into training her into a human weapon who can be used against pirates.

However she remembered how Zack had a long talk with her once. Zack insisted Emilia to return back home and that she could return when she was older.

"You are a child, Emilia..." Zack eyes lowered, his hands laced together, frown evident on his age. "Children your age are to be playing around, having fun and not stay in the ocean. The ocean is a very dangerous place and we never know when we get attacked or engage in a battle here."

But Emilia refused profusely. The reason she didn't go back even when Garp asked her was because the marine is an organization where your rank can depend on people's opinion of you. She already had Garp and Tsuru by her side making her have the attention of the higher ups. As long as she completed all her missions with huge success, she would undoubtedly climb up in ranks fast which will definitely be useful later on. Now she can also use this man in front of her as long as she gets stronger.

Become your weapon who will shoot at your command. Emilia thought. Don't be delusional!

"Well It won't be happening, Admiral" Emilia stood her ground. Emilia was scared but she still stood her ground. Her heart was hammering against her chest, her hands which was clenched undoubtedly now developed sweat.

She needed to be stand against him. Human for if they continue to remain submissive will soon lose their confidence and be unable to take their own path. They would forever then walk under their peer's command.

Going against the scary Admiral was seriously frightening especially knowing the fact that this man can just chop her head off, and he won't be facing any punishment due to his high rank.

Akainu didn't say anything for a minute and then turned away. "Keep on training for now, cheeky brat."

"Huh?!" Emilia jutted her jaws out and rolled up her sleeve, hands made into a fist "What do you mean Cheeky Brat? Make sure to be careful when you're sleeping old man!"

Emilia shook her head violently at her thoughts. As if I can say that!

"Yes, sir" Emilia obediently nodded, before she smiled nervously and rubbed the back of her head. "But it might take quite a while for me to reach a high position to become Admiral's right hand man."

"You don't have to worry about that." Akainu huffed as he turned away and walked away, towards his office. "I have already been putting words of your contribution when we fight against the pirates in my reports so expect promotions."

"It seemed as we arrived." Akainu walked towards the exit as the ship finally landed. They were currently on pursuit of a pirate crew. They weren't strong or anything but was definitely slippery. They robbed places and then quickly disappeared making it severe.

However one of their crew member, their captain named Cross was particularly a very strong man boasting a bounty of 430,000,000 belli which was the main reason Akainu was leading this mission.

Emilia looked at a small house where the pirates they were after were supposedly hidden.

"How strong is your haki now?" Akainu asked as the other soldiers were waiting for their Admiral to give a green light to attack.

"I like to think I'm fairly strong since Admiral was the one training me." Emilia smiled. Of course both of them knew these were just polished words with no actual meaning.

"Hmm...."Akainu look at her. He then pointed at the house. "Why don't you cut down the house at once?"

Emilia turned her head quickly. "But the pirates might be inside, Admiral."

"Yes, I know. I want you to deal with them in one swoop." Akainu said. "It doesn't matter if they are killed."

Emilia unsheathed her word and held it. She started breathing heavily. This was an immediate order from a higher up. Sure during the past two years she got promoted in a high pace but she was still far away from Akainu.

She took in a deep breath and bend her knees developing her stance. Her haki grew from her hands and covered her sword.

You can't take life for granted... Once you kill someone you are simply a murderer.

Zack's words suddenly flew though her mind and just before she swung her sword her wrist tilted lightly but that was enough to cause a huge deflection.

I don't want to kill anyone!

She watched the haki's force from the sword swing through the roof of the building instead of going through is as she was instructed.

She let out a sigh and straightened her posture. Her body felt cold yet she was sweating.

Akainu who was beside her gave her a disapproving look. "You're still too weak." Such a waste.

The man gave a signal and ordered his men to go capture the pirates who were probably shocked at the sudden attack.

Emilia stood still for a moment and smiled defeated. To think someone else words would have such an influence on me.

The rest of the team rushed in and easily and quite quickly captured the pirates.

"We have been able to capture the crew mates however Cross was nowhere to be found. It is not sure if he was there from the start or not. "All the pirates except their leader was captured.

"But the crewmates said the captain was there with them just minutes ago. He may have escaped upon knowing Admiral was the one after him." Emilia continued.

"Cross is a man with a bounty of 430,000,000 Belli so he is a strong and dangerous man...We can't have him loose for long." Akainu replied as he walked back towards his office.

"Yes however I have issued a-" Emlia was stopped from explaining the documents half way.

"Captain Emilia, I apologize for forcing a sudden decision on you however from next time I want you to be mentally prepared. I want not a single moment of resistance."

"I apologize for my actions earlier." Emilia stopped and bowed deeply in apology. "Because of my actions the captain, Cross might have escaped."

As she straightened herself, she noticed white particles falling from the sky. She lifted her head and then looked at the sky in confusion. "...Feather?"

Emlia reached out her hands and when those feathers landed on her hands it melted leaving a tiny water droplet behind.

Her eyes glimmered in amazement as the sifted turned to look at Akainu "Admiral, Its snow! I've never seen them in such a shape!"

Weathers in Grand line was weird, from fire rain to tornadoes of different shapes and even the ocean suddenly splitting in two but Emilia has never seen anything as beautiful and simple as this. Since everything else would always be something which can kill her.

Emlia walked away and still looked around her in amazement then turned around and smiled at Akainu, one hand putting her hair behind her ears as the wind blew making her hair sway.

A sudden memory flashed by Akainu.

A woman who held out her hand in awe as snow fell on her hand and she then turned to him and smiled. "Aren't they beautiful, Sakazuki?"

Akainu's eyes widened. "Keira..."

He then shook his head and massaged his temple. What was he saying...She isn't-

"Do you know my mother?"

Akainu lifted his head quickly as he stared at Emilia in shock as she also looked back at him with the same expression. "What?"

"You said Keira, right Admiral?" Emlia said as she walked towards him. "That's my mother's name. Did you know her? She was also said to be in the marine years ago..."

"You're...you're her daughter?"

For the first time Emilia has been with Akainu, this was the first time she heard such a broken voice coming from the man.

"Where is she? Is she still fiery and stubborn? To think her child has grown so much and look so much like her..." Akainu raised his hand and placed his hand on Emilia's face. The first time Akainu saw her in the training ground he knew this girl resembled her. Maybe that is why he felt the need to take care of her and keep her by his side...

"Is she happy?" He asked.

Emilia opened her mouth and then closed it. Her fist behind her tightened as her memories flashed into her mind. "She passed away..."

Akainu's eyes widened.

"She passed away trying to protect me and the village." Emilia bit her lips.

Akainu stood still before he laughed. However Emilia could feel the pain laced with laugh. "Why did she even try fighting?..."

"Wasn't she a marine?" Emilia asked in a small voice. "I was told she-"

"Yes...A Marine cook!" Akainu replied making Emilia sweat drop a bit. When she heard her mother was part of the marine she automatically assumed she was a soldier not a cook. This was quite a twist.

"I guess that part of her that believed that her spatula can cause a concussion didn't change hahaha...."

"That idiot...." Emilia looked up to see Akainu's eyes slightly red. "That fucking idiot...." But that boldness and the way she wouldn't ever hesitate in her action is exactly the reason why I turned towards her.

"By the way-" Akainu suddenly turned towards Emilia. "Do you know your father?"

Emilia shook her head. "My mother never brought up anything related to my father and even when I asked she refused to talk about him."

"She always had a sad expression on her when I asked about him so I stopped bringing any talks related to my father." Emilia played with her fingers as she explained. "I guess the memories regarding him hurt her a lot...."

Akainu stood in silence for abit before he started. "Your father...His name is Ainsworth Eliott."

"Ainsworth...I thought the family name was my mother's." Emilia bit her lips in shame. Even though she lived with her mother for nine years, Emlia never really knew anything about her family.

"No..." Akainu shook his head. "Your mother was an orphan who was taken in by one of the marine chef after he lost his daughter."

"And your father was a pirate but then he also became a crewmate I worked with..."

Emilia's eyes widened at the sudden revelation.

Keira was always a cheerful and beautiful woman so many approached her however she never reciprocate their feelings.

Akainu loved Keira deeply. But she never looked at her with the same gaze.

But when a man named Eliott suddenly joined the crew her eyes changed when she looked at him.

They first started talking when Eliott refused to eat the carrot in the curry Keira made making her argue with him holding his spoon with carrots close to his mouth. Eliott with his rather quiet personality closed his jaw shut and head shook refusing to at it no matter what.

Akainu remembered looking at the scene with amusement.

Slowly they would have their food together. Keira would be cheerfully chatting while Eliott would stare at her and nod at her talks at times. When her spoon feel,Keria bend down to grab it, Eliott would quickly place his hand on the corner of the table so Keira would not bump her head on the edge of the table.

Akainu remembered wanting to do the same.

After spending months together, Akainu remembered one day walking out of a celebration to see Keria and Eliott on the deck of their ship one night.

Eliott stared lovingly at Keira as she continued to talk about random stuff but then stopped noticing the man look at her. Both of them held eye contact before Eliott raised his hand and held her chin, leaning in.

As much as Akainu didn't want to admit, back then before Keira closed her eyes and leaned in to kiss Eliott, her eyes had the most beautiful shade of blue with full of love and gentleness which was not directed at him. Akainu then turned away and walked away.

But the couple did not last long.

It was found that Eliott was a former pirate who had escaped from his crew. His crewmates did not leave him alone and tracked him down since he had too much inside information. Eliott was killed.

Akainu remembered the state Keira was in. She was so heartbroken and would cry a lot. Akainu even though he was a man full of ego would sometimes approach her and try to provide even the tiniest bit of comfort.

"Thank you, Sakazuki. You're a nice man."

She said but Akainu knew he was only doing this because it was Keira. If it were anyone else he wouldn't bat an eye.

But one day Keira packed everything and the hand over her resignation letter. Akainu didn't not want her to leave but...

"I'm pregnant..." Keira smiled as she caressed her stomach. "I'm leaving behind this painful past so that I can give this child a happy future."

Akainu had so many things to say but then the only thing which left his mouth was. "Take care..."

"Thank you for everything, Sakazuki." She smiled.

Akainu remembered her once bright blue eye were now dull...

....

(A/N): Re uploaded this

Also I received a message asking if I'm going to discontinue the book and the answer is no.

I'll complete it however the updates maybe slow at times.

Thank you once again and see you guys in the next chapter.

I also drew a now grown up Emlia but I suck at it lol. 

[lovelyirony]

This Might as Well Happen

“So let’s let things come out of the woodwork/I’ll give you my best side, tell you all my best lies” Homemade Dynamite, Lorde 

Tony was a curious little shit ever since he could remember. He remembers trying to sneak into the meeting rooms when Dum-Dum Dugan and Peggy Carter would meet with Dad. (He failed at this because he never really learned how spies actually gathered information.) 

His knowledge was highly encouraged by tutors that could never keep up and Jarvis, who would buy him the most obscure books he could. 

(“Jarvis, this book is in Japanese!” 

“Are you saying you can’t figure it out?” 

“Well, no...”) 

And now this has royally screwed him over because he’s still figuring out how he’s hacking into shit and he just found...something. 

The thing about computers and him is that Tony understands computers on a level most don’t. Hell, he’s built most of the systems that he knows to be better than the commercially available ones. 

This is how he figures out that there’s a hit out on his parents. For the night that he said he wasn’t going to go to because “it was super lame” and the fact that Howard’s already disappointed in him and he’d rather not try to awkwardly bond with him in public because that’s what people expect from him. 

But now he has to go. 

Which sucks, by the way. Because he’s not telling his parents that they’re going to be killed because that’s just...Howard wouldn’t believe him and Mama would probably wring her hands out of their sockets and ring up the president or some shit like that. 

Besides, it’s easy to change what’s going to happen, even if he is only a young adult or however you categorize a twenty year old. 

He simply updates the file. It’s not like anyone can tell, especially when the system that the organization is using was mainly designed by him with minimal input from other sources. 

He says that the Stark family will be leaving at midnight, even though the function carries on much later and his parents often like to stay out quite a bit later than midnight. 

Tony then tells them that he’s decided to go. 

“Why?” Howard asks suspiciously. “You said it yourself that this was supposedly ‘the most boring thing you would ever be doing’.” 

“Teenagers change minds all the time,” Tony says with a shrug. “And it’s not the most boring thing I could be doing. I could be asking Beatriz in accounts how she files paperwork.” 

Tony’s not even surprised that his dad doesn’t know all of his employees. He hires a lot of people, but still. 

“Please wear the shirt I’ve laid out on your bed,” mama pleads to him. “Please. Don’t let it be like last time.” 

“And here I was thinking you liked that I wore a rock t-shirt with a suit.” 

“You looked a mess, darling.” 

“That’s a trend now, mama.” 

“Not for my boy.” 

“Okay, fine. I won’t wear it. By the way, I’m taking a separate car. Just don’t want to be stuck there when you and dad decide to talk to someone for, like, three hours.” 

(He still wears plaid pants. His mother hates him for it.) 

As he’s watching the party, he’s kind of amazed at how much he knows. 

Mama and Howard are having a good time at the gala. So good, in fact, that they don’t notice at midnight when Tony switches keys and takes Howard’s car. 

He doesn’t know what the fuck he’s doing, honestly. He just knows that Howard drives like he wishes he was a turtle and his mama refuses to drive anywhere. 

There’s a motorcycle behind him, and Tony counts on them thinking that he’s Howard. 

And then he turns left. 

- 

Hydra doesn’t know what the hell is happening. They’ve gotten too confident--no one was in the gala or investigated Howard before any of this. He should never have made a left turn 

But Winter Soldier is hunting him down. And Winter Soldier never misses a target. 

...right? 

- 

Tony’s currently panicking and also the Beatles are on the radio--which is weird, by the way, it’s not even a well-known song--and he’s trying to outmaneuver a motorcyclist who has a gun and has fired it once, the bullet whizzing into the front glass and cracking it. 

He has a crazy idea. Well, it’s not the craziest you could have. He could’ve flown the car off a ditch and tried to jump out the window. But he can’t keep turning forever and he can’t keep ducking his head to try to avoid shots that are a little too close to his head to ignore. 

He brakes and he brakes hard. The guy runs into the car, falls, and Tony gets out and runs for it. 

That’s stupid. Very stupid. And it wasn’t supposed to happen. 

None of this was supposed to happen. 

Disoriented and confused, Winter Soldier sits up and tries to refocus on the target. 

Even if he just smashed his head against a bumper and shit, was that a dent? That was definitely a dent, Winter Soldier knew one thing: that that wasn’t the target, and somewhere along the way something got messed up. 

Hydra didn’t know that Howard and Maria were safely exiting the gala at two in the morning and grumbling about taking Tony’s entirely-too-showy vehicle that had the volume blasting and music that was too vulgar for both of their tastes the only sort of music that was programmed into the radio stations or on the CDs of music that were stuffed in the passenger side-door. 

Hydra didn’t know that they were going to have to deal with, mainly because Tony’s a gigantic asshole who knows more than them but also doesn’t know how he’s going to break the news to his parents that they might die? 

He honestly might just make himself a target for them. 

But he also needs to figure out how to shut down Hydra because clearly Cap going down into the ice didn’t just automatically fix it all. 

-

This involves going to SHIELD. And then as he approaches the building, realizing that the only reason he found out about Hydra is because he hacked into SHIELD databases mainly because he just wanted to see what it was like and if he could get into the deeper encryption is because they were probably a part of the organization. 

Tony sighs to himself. This means changing literally everything about his life. 

Honestly, he wishes he hadn’t even discovered this because he has this sense of “something needs to be done” and he just does not care for that shit at all. 

Except he does. 

So instead he calls Rhodey. 

“Only you could ruin Christmas,” Rhodey grumbles. “I’ll meet you at the coffeeshop. I hate you for this.” 

“I know, love you too,” Tony says. “Fate of the world depends on it or whatever.” 

Rhodey has no idea why he’s friends with this crazy fucking millionaire kid, but they meet at a coffee shop and Tony’s wearing plaid pants, the shirt is dissheveled, and he says that he ditched a car and took the subway. 

“Wow, good for you,” Rhodey teases. “Taking the subway like us commoners.” 

They don’t say anything for a beat. 

“Get your coffee. We’re taking a walk.” 

“At three a.m.? Seriously?” 

“Short walk. Don’t be such a baby about it.” 

They get coffee and start walking. Tony links arms with him. 

“So you remember learning about Hydra when you were a kid?” 

“Eh, somewhat. Something about being an offshoot of Nazism?” 

“Not...exactly. They were more of supportive of the Nazi agenda and the Nazis were chill with that. No, they were more proactive on world domination and making sure that they also overpowered the universe or whatever. Yeah, they’re still here.” 

“...fuck. Well, what do you want to do about it?” 

That’s what Tony appreciates about Rhodey. He’s just ready to kick ass whenever. 

“I can’t talk to SHIELD about it. So I’m gonna try to do it with some people outside of it. You ready to infiltrate Stark Industries with extra employees?” 

“Oh my god, so you’re actually gonna take the company at twenty-one instead of letting Obie do it?” 

“Yes, unfortunately. Our trip to Cabo will have to wait.” 

“To be completely honest with you, I didn’t want to go anyway.” 

“Rhodey, you bitch. I even had a good place to stay and everything!” 

“Doesn’t matter now, sweetheart,” Rhodey says, smiling. “Now we have to hire people before SHIELD does.” 

-

It takes a while. Tony has to go to MIT and take business classes for credit (barf) and look at other, scarier parts of the internet. 

He and Rhodey also keep practicing fighting after-hours and Tony’s pretty sure that he could create a flight-suit if he so desired. 

(And if his projects for engineering would Stop Being Due All the Time, things would be better.) 

They meet a girl named Pepper Potts who’s trained in ballet, could kick God’s ass and have God apologize, and was looking at recruitment at SHIELD or joining a sorority. 

“Or, there’s a better option,” Tony adds. “Taking down an organization that’s a conspiracy thread on Reddit with surprisingly solid evidence.” 

“You’re making this sound worse,” Rhodey says with a snort. “Listen, Pepper. We’re going to take down an organization that people say doesn’t exist. Tony survived an attack from an assassin that technically probably should be dead. It’ll go on your resume and you legally could never be fired ever or else it would be all over the news and you would ruin a company without contributing to it. Join or lose the opportunity.” 

“I’m in.” 

“Rhodey, I hate you,” Tony pouts. 

Rhodey is barely over twenty-one and trying to figure out how to tell his superior officer that he should stay at home when he had expressed overseas interest, Pepper’s just celebrated her twentieth birthday and has five cents in her bank account, and Tony’s only nineteen and forgot how to spell ‘experience’ on more than one occasion. 

They’re gonna take over the world. 

[empty-dream]

Just watched 13 Reasons Why S4

Ended up making a full blown commentary per episode because this is finally the last season and I’ve been enjoying this mess since S1. I even forgot that it was released until a friend brought it up to me. So in short,

Ep1

OKAY WHO DIES AGAIN HUH??

Clay, narrating: *I'm good at hiding shits so my parents don't notice at all." His parents: *concernedly looking at him pale and mushing food on the dining table*

The concequences of investigating murder cases and creating conspiracies instead of studying your ass off because it's a damn school really caught up huh.

Charlie holy shit I love you he's so chill and good.

It's been years I still can't believe Justin is really adopted by the Jensens. Funny that now the table is reversed, with Justin finally actually doing better and taking care of the increasingly-ill Clay.

SCOTT!! OH MY GOD! SCOTT REED!! OH MY FUCKING GOD!! AAAAAAAAAAAAA HOLY SHIIITTTTTTTTT AAAAAAAAA!!!

Wow my headcanon is approved, he already graduated by S3. No reason he didn't hang out with the gang after all the shits in S2 if he was no longer around in the first place.

He's still so nice even in Clay's trippy nightmare. Is that what Clay remembers about him? Well not really surprising, considering Scott actually was worried about him in S2.

Good god finally Clay meets a therapist- Wait a minute that's the guy from CSI:NY?!?! Isn't Clay just gonna get clobbered instead.

Okay I knew they are really close and I do adore their relationship so much but HOLY SHIT THEY ACTUALLY GO AT IT WITH ALEX AND ZACH???

Alex: *panicking over the kiss* Zach: Ayy don't worry let's just continue perhaps-suicidally hanging out on dangerous rooftops that you were almost fall to your death from. Alex: ????

Ep2

That narration of Clay ranting about college applications. I'll drink to that bruh.

Ya I too make my applications and other supposedly important matters at 3AM instead of any other more sensible time.

Oh my fucking god that is the creepiest smile I've ever see.

I feel like as Justin gets better and better with his life, Clay goes worse.

Justin is so excited about going to college! You deserve the future man. 

The old-time stoners and drunkards are rehabbed or dead. Enter Zach.

Winston: *eyes and ears up to your shit 24/7*

Nobody likes Tyler in S1 but now everybody likes him.

Okay. Cops doing shit jobs at protecting. This feels too real with this situation right now.

Clay's adventure to put the trash into the trash bin.

Omg they got the paint to the lab this is going real CSI.

Idk about u but at this point I don't exactly want to pay attention to Jessica/Justin problems anymore.

I know Zach and Clay don't get along and that's why I need their adventure together.

Clay drunk-puking on Justin. Well well well how the turntables.

The return of Monet!!

"I have 2.8. If I work hard, I'll get 2.9" Winston omg same.

Tht held gaze between Alex and Winston.. Is this slow burn fanfiction???????

Yes Mr. CSI it will definitely get worse.

I know writing about your feelings can make you feel better but probably not in your college essay form.

Ep3

I'm starting to think Clay is the one who dies in the end? Idk tho.

I guess the toll of busting ass trying to save everyone by yourself is catastrophically high, huh, Clay? Funny that he now goes from 100 in S3 to 0 in here and that's actually realistic.

Alex and Winston are really pining each other with Zach in the background lmao.

"You don't wanna go on the Valentine Dance with me? Even as friends?" Well sometimes there are moments when you just don't go back to being friends. It's an actual normal thing.

And besides the last time Alex goes with Jess for something she wanna do, he ends up murdering somebody. So.

"Hey Zach. Hey punch me. Hey you pussy now? Hey hey. Bitch." *poke* *poke* *poke*

No Zach he's trying to save all of your asses. You can't just say that.

Charlie is really just there trying to do his best in this shitshow and like Justin I wanna laugh but also am proud.

Everyone: *being paranoid and unto each other* Alex and Winston: *having the date of their life*

I wish everyone doesn't have this level of trust issues but then again we won't have a shitstorm drama like this.

When did this become "what is love?" philosophy class?

"You know love but you love so fiercely and sometimes it hurts."Wow Mr. CSI you hit the mark.

How many parties can the Liberty High hold in a year?

"You go with Charlie to get back to Justin, right?" Wow Diego you HIT the mark.

I still have problems with Ani as a character, but I do like her casual banters with Clay.

You know, with all these trust issues, I'm surprised nobody actually tries to peek on other's phone. Like, I know that's low. But, you know, faster solution. And better than having mass hallucinations.

Oh God the football team really is a bunch of jerks. Good fucking thing Scott is outta here.

Alex and Winston almost die like couples in a cheap slasher movie.

"Fuck Love." Clay Jensen, 2019 (according to the movie timeline)

Ep4

Why is Charlie talking? Why is he wearing the football jersey? Who on earth dies?? Is it Zach? Justin? Somebody else from the football team? But the content of your speech man...

Ah yeah. Clay did survive a great big deal of many ugly shits. Single-handedly thanks to adrenaline, mostly.

Jess got a point tho. Ani could have followed Clay to stop him, by herself or with the gang. What did she do? She spied on Winston and Alex, and then went back to the dance. So much for handling anything themselves.

Or maybe, the gang shouldn't have let Ani and Clay take care of it themselves.

Does anybody in this show ever figure out Clay has dead people hallucinations?

Domestic Jensen family is my everything.

Charlie really out there bribing Zach with his homemade cookies I-

Ah yeah, I kinda forgot that in reality Alex and Winston have a really difficult situation. With Bryce and Monty stuff.

"Looking back on your time at Liberty, do you have any regrets?" Really? Isn't that all they have?

"Who do you trust most in your life and why?" Everybody: *immediately side-eyeing each other*

Clay c'mon wtf Justin is really just worried sick and trying to help you. Aaand he's gone.

Jess you don't put your hands into something without checking it first...

Why would you only send 2 adults to supervise 30-50 kids on a camping wildlife trip? They wouldn't be able to do shit.

"I thought you were a football player!" "I AM a football player! And so are YOU!" Gold.

Dream!Monty and Dream!Clay really sit like that and I almost laugh were it not for the fact that I do that too. It's strange to see that for once, they talk normally, heart-to-heart, without the usual snickering, chiding, all that venom.

Oh shit they really make Monty and Clay mirror each other like that. They both protect people they love but have tendencies to snap, one way or another.

Zach, dude, I know you've been a real good friend. But Alex almost died. Twice. Because of your drunken ways. And you laughed. Didn't you spend an entire season trying hard to not let him die again? What's wrong with you?

When did this become a horror movie?

The Standalls :((

CHARLIE MY MAN WITH HIS COOKIES. And incidentally, a wild Zach appears.

"So are we gonna fall apart or trust each other now!" Justin my man.

Clay dude that would have been an amazing entrance were it not for the fact you looked insane.

I can't fucking believe they just go normally at campfire like that. Two people almost died. Several got beaten. What the fuck.

Does it come from the bottom of your heart or it doubles as a threat, Clay?

Alex you had us at the first half not gonna lie.

GR A NO LA CA MP C O OKIES? ??

Wait. So who has been fucking around with the football team? Who moved Clay?? Huh??

Ep5

GUYS THERE IS A THING CALLED GPS ON THE PHONE?? What are you? 3?

Justin finally breaking down after 5 episodes being the most decent and healthy person around. Well Charlie is too but he's new, so.

Finally an obligatory meeting at Monet.

CYRUS AND THE PUNK GANG!!! God I love you guys where have you been. And you guys are computer geeks?!?!?! Perfect.

My question exactly, Clay. Good replies tho, Cy.

I'm still thinking how for a nerd, Clay knows A LOT of people and knows who to ask what.

"How am I even friends with you?" Ya Alex that's my question too. How are you suddenly bff with Zach? I don't remember you two being close in S1?

Hm. If you aren't holding his family at stake, there is no way Tony would even think to rat out.

Mr. CSI starts going CSI on Clay.

I almost forgot Charlie's last name is St. George. The cast goes by Charlie mostly so.

Justin really shows up at the party with the angry mom pose and disappointed look at Clay. The turntable, people. Flynn's voice got raspy.

Oh no no Clay you don't go there. Please don't split my Jensen-Foley brothers like that. Meanwhile the punk gang be like just watching there.

C O O KI E S??? Goddamn Charlie do you bring cookies everywhere you go??

Charlie my boy you T_T I was kinda suprised that the cookie baking actually had a sad backstory.

Clay-Zach bonding that I fucking wish for oh yeah. I definitely didn't expect it with piano and drunk singing tho.

While Clay is having the time of his life, Tony is seeing life flashes in his eyes.

Yassss he winssss!!!!

Caleb's expression when the sherrif hugs him lmfao

Nice try Sherrif but Tony knows your tricks.

"What of any of this is okay?" Wow things you'd never hear Justin says in S1.

Meanwhile, Charlie and Alex are high on weed cookies as fuck. Their conversation is the most interesting thing I've seen beside the Scott cameo till now.

The look on Justin's face when Clay pushes him :((

MY DUDES HAVE YOU FORGOTTEN ABOUT JEFF'S DEATH? WHAT HE WAS ACCUSED FOR?! You do not, under any circumstances, drive drunk.

Ep6

Clay be spitting truth.

They really be discussing Clay's chronic hero syndrome huh.

Okay. Operation Clay-Zach failed.

Weren't Zach all fuck it all yeah! kinda guy? Guess when you are the one who faces death it's not that fun anymore huh.

"One Clay Jensen is enough" Jess truth.

Do Alex and Charlie really study Spanish in front of Tony who is not helping at all? That would be embarrassing lmao.

Clay: Fuck off. Hallucination!Monty: *sits next to him*

Gotta hand it to Timothy Granaderos. He could go venomous to puppy eyed in 1 second. Amazing.

Man. School shootings are fucked up. There are many things I wonder about mankind and one of them is why is school shooting even possible?

Hallucination!Bryce: Hi I’m sorry I’m late. I hear this is time for Clay’s dead people hallucination party.

"Are you a hero or a martyr?" Wow they really throw the question.

And here is Clay sitting under the desk between his two most hated dead people hallucinations whispering moral dilemmas to him.

Meanwhile Winston and Zach got high.

Charlie helping Alex to breath.

The talk with Estella and Tyler.

"No offense, you are cool, but I don't wanna die with you." Zach chill lmao.

Are.. Are you sure outing that to Winston is a good call, Zach? For a guy who was super paranoid that his gang would narc him, he sure is loose mouthed himself.

I like how everyone from Tyler to Zach to Winston, admits that Alex is a really kind guy.

Wow Tony did you really expect anyone could do anything in that situation, in fucking Evergreen situation, for that matter?

Charlie is a great friend wow.

Cl-CLAY DON'T GO OUT that is EXACTLY what you are NOT supposed to do!!!

Goddamnit Clay. Holy shit Clay. 

Dylan Minnette really worked hard in this scene.

.......... WAIT A MINUTE IT'S NOW ACTUALLY CHARLIE ALEX????? Tony be just walking in.

Ep7

Clay really got into a psych ward. Talk about darkest hour. And it’s only ep 6?

Wow Ty that's some brave lines.

Which hallucination-induced person is Clay talking to before Ani gets there?

Ok that therapy session made me tear up.

These kids are having college interviews at the worst time possible. They are all fucking breaking down one way or another.

And Charlie just, really never gives up on Alex huh.

What's most important to Clay is his friends. Real quick to answer that question huh.

God Justin lashing out at the Jensens. It's the first time he does it and it hurts.

Zach holy fuck. I appreciate you didn't out it but holy fuck you didn't have to do that are you trying to die

Clay-Tony combo is back baby I miss them so much. Although perhaps Tony you would mind a bit about Clay's health because clearly he was out of it.

This is so short. I too really don't like application essays and interviews and the inevitable revisit of the sadder parts of my life because of them.

Ep8

When did this become sci-fi apocalyptic story?

God I miss the time when Clay's dreams are just Inception-styled trippy shit with Scott randomly says hello and gets him water.

Okay. Everyone's got their own way to cope with existential and moral crisis huh.

You know what, I would like one movie out of this sci-fi dream.

I knew it Tyler was a bait to smoke out illegal gun dealers. Is that... An okay thing to do for a high schooler? Sounds fucked up, all things considered.

Yaaay Justin's got the college! I'm super happy!

Wow Estella good question.

Wow Tyler good statement. If they trust each other a bit more, everything would have been a bit better.

Ah shit. Justin relapses again.

Does Tony need to be pummelled first before he finally goes all off to finish his opponent or what?

Is this going Big Brother Is Watching

What the fuck. That locker fight scene is disgusting.

Jess and Clay might throw shades at each other but together they share one brain cell.

"I think it's a walkout, Sir" Tyler lmao

Wow Zach and Alex heart-to-heart.

Cyrus really steps on some pedestal to make his point.

Aaand Zach and Alex really go all out on "doing it right" huh.

They really have students vs cops riot at this time. Talk about timing.

It's nice to see the punk gang enjoying the fighting again.

Dude what happens if you don't have anything on your bag tho.

Aaaah the punk gang with Tyler again!!

"Why are you with me and not with Charlie?" Zach ouch that hurts.

Zach no no no Zach get out of there too Zach pls

Clay really becomes 2nd in command to Jess huh.

Charlie tries to save Clay but gets whacked on the head instead. 

Tony you came back!! Oh so that college scout was.. Oh.

Oh shit Clay. Oh. Shit. I should have realized that. Goddamn.

Ep9

"I like sleep." Charlie me too. 

God Alex and Charlie literally sleep together jaldjwaownaljewoalsj that some cute shit.

Wow Clay really takes Mr. CSI's advice to round up the gang and confesses. That's a step.

Charlie sometimes has a good idea, huh.

The Jensens meeting is probably the reason why the idea of parenthood scares me.

Also Clay and Justin really put the practice of "tell the parents the less-harsh-but-still-harsh truth, then ask them to get prom back" by the book. And it's awkward.

Aww Charlie coming out to his dad and the response he gets... When you put the rich fams like Dempseys, Walkers and Saint Georges together, the last one is really the only healthy one huh.

Way to go Jess!

Ah I forgot Alex has an older brother.

Aaaahhh Charlie has dinner with the Standalls! Their reaction is so sweet!

"Does he make you happy?" "Yeah. A lot." AHDKWJWOAKDUWLAOEL I mean after everything that has happened to Alex, man I am so happy he can say that with a fond smile.

WHAT THE FUCK HAHAHAHHA CHARLIE WHAT THE FUCK HOLY SHIT LMFAO I THOUGHT THIS WAS JUST AN TRIPPY ANIMATED IMAGINATION THING and Alex is so done with his extra shit.

Wow Ani you do karaoke good, asking Jess out even better.

OH MY GOD IT ESCALATED. Also Alex is right that one is creepy Charlie.

I thought by special doughnut Caleb means some diet-related stuff fit to Tony's menu for fighting. Why didn't I expect a literal Will You Go To Prom doughnuts?

CHARLIE PLEASE STOP AHAHAHAHA you dumb rich kid where did you get all those lamps and prop candles.

"Would you love me any less?" Aww Clay knows Justin loves him.

"You three all look adorable" Ya Jess, same.

Tony really out there doing the "I'm here because he's here" to Caleb.

Clay, Alex, and Charlie be like judging Zach hard.

Oh right that one kid from Cyrus's gang is gay and he brought his boyfriend!

Zach: You two sitting here like it's a funeral. Also Zach: *proceeds to continue sitting as well*

"We deserve to live." Finally something from Zach's mouth that I can agree for this season.

I love that Tony and Caleb are such good friends to Clay.

And now it's Winston turn for dead people hallucination.

..... The door to the other side again.. :'''((

CHARLIE AND ALEX WON THE PROM KINGS AAAAAAHHHHHH I mean with all those extra efforts, it'd be hard to not to. And there goes Alex finally giving in to dance.

I don't like Luke the football guy when he's the enemy but I like him when he's a friend. He's a hype man lmao.

Alex I'm so happy for you man. I'm glad you are finally happy. My heart was tight at the dance part .

Everyone: *dances* Clay: *sits there, monologuing philosophically*

I like that Clay and Ani finally being honest that they don't fit each other romantically. As romance goes there is not much romantic tension between them. And they have way too many flawed traits that when paired, would turn the relationship sour and possibly toxic in the end.

Justin do u like to show up and make everyone step aside for you or what.

I like that Clay was just watching from a distance. Then at last minute decided to join the crowd with his mother, whom he had a few trust issues with in all seasons.

Charlie: "Foundry's gay?!" Alex: "Mind's blown" Me: Same.

There has been nothing wrong going on in one episode, aside from the Zach one that's timely stopped by Charlie and Alex. I'm suspicious.

Ah. Yes. Of course.

Oh my god Justin's the one dead huh?

Ep10

Oh thank God he hasn't died. Yet.

Oh God Justin no. No no no.

Get your shit together Zach. Even Charlie tells you that.

No no no not like this not after everything oh god.

Somebody would you actually please run after Clay too.

Oh my god Clay.

Oh my god Alex you. Even when he admits it to Winston, he still covers for Jess. I- oh god.

It's been only 15 minutes and it hurts.

Charlie and Alex, the moms of the group.

You know, for a guy who says he doesn't love Justin, Alex gives a lot of shit about him. I guess you can still be around people you don't like?

I know the kiss is huge news Charlie but that's not the issue here lmao.

Zach: *hugs Clay* Clay: ????? Alex and Charlie: ?????? Zach: *pats Tyler's head* *leans on Clay*

The Padillas :''')

Clay Jensen. Class speaker. Wow.

Yeah Mr. CSI's voice is really calm, rather chilling, actually.

"You've looked at death too many times for a young person." Damn right Mr. Jensen.

Ah so that's the reason why Zach stole that letter. Makes sense, emotionally.

You know, I did say Idc anymore about Justin/Jessica problems but when it gets to this point, I can't not care.

So many people come to the hospital...

Clay and Justin's talk. I'm sorry I can't hold it in anymore. I'm fucking sobbing at this moment.

He's dead. He's dead. He's dead just like his mom. But he died not in the same way. He died holding his bro's hand. He died surrounded by his family. He died with people who loved him around.

"After everything, this is how it ends." Fucck

DID HE HAVE TO DIE??? DID JUSTIN FOLEY-JENSEN HAVE TO DIE?? Did you really have to put yet another sucker punch in the last episode of the season?? Yeah I know real kids and people do die from AIDS but really? After a whole season of Clay screaming kids wants to live to the point he lost his mind???

I spent the entire funeral screen crying. I couldn't even scream again when Scott is present in the funeral. I know he'd be there but god I can't right now.

Mr. CSI sure knows super effective ways to make Clay react.

"If Justin's dead, the none of the rest of it matters. " Clay..

He opens up.

Oh yeah I forgot Charlie is a junior.

AAAA COURTNEY AND RYAN ARE HERE!!! I MISS YOU GUYS!!!!!

SCOTTTTT!!!!!! And CHLOE TOO!! It’s nice that they come together. But they aren’t like, together, right? I mean if he is her boyfriend she would say his name right away to Zach instead of a mere ‘would you like to meet him? He’s outside.’

These 4 are such good friends to attend their friends’ graduation ceremony.

The punk guys in toga are so... Refreshing to look. Such hype men.

"It's easy to hate. It's easy to fear. It's goddamn hard to love. But it's not optional. It's essential." Jessica Davis, everybody.

Jeff, Hannah and Justin really died in the span of 2 years. Add to that is Bryce and Monty, whose deaths left uncountable traumas on top of existing traumas. Yeah. It was hellish time.

Scott’s proud small smile when Clay gives his speech. Im love.

"Choose to live. Even on the worst day, life is a pretty spectacular thing." Clay Jensen, everybody.

Ma boi Zach really teared up at Clay's speech. 

Luke and one of the punk kids talking about some geek thing I am not familiar with I-

“No offense Luke. You’ve got great arm but you haven’t been known for your brain.” PETER That BURNS LMAO

Poor Winston just being alone. OH HELLO RYAN YOU ARE FAST.

Zach is gonna study music! Nice foreshadowing since he plays a lot of music this season.

Clay having a gratitude moment with his parents and Scott be like munching cupcakes in the background.

Oh god Hannah ...

Wow the old tape gang is here!! The nostalgia hurts.

They bury the tapes on the same hill again asdfwosaiofai.

Kinda salty Sheri and Scott aren’t here. But then again I guess back then Scott was just helping Clay and co when he could and mostly minding his own business. HOWEVER isn’t Sheri like in the tape and pretty prominent too :(( Like she was really cool with Clay (despite the whole guilt over Jeff), tried to make amends and really helped with the polaroid cases.

Also you can't just insert Scott in Clay's dream and then not have them interact in the end. The dream was such a perfect bait. Like we know at least they apparently get along well.

Everything in Jessica’s final conversation with her Bryce hallucination. Everything in it.

Ryan: “Gordon Lightfoot?” Ha Ryan you miss a whole lot of drama.

Fuck I'm tearing up again at Justin's essay. He deadass makes an entire essay about Clay and how he is his savior I- 

Oh my god they end it exactly like S1 with Tony and Clay riding away. They are really each other’s ride or die.

That’s it. It’s over. It’s been a long trainwreck. So the 2019 class graduates, so does Justin, they are doing uni right now and keeping in touch with everyone. Bye.