#also give his little minions a little more personality

[speyerboot]

Sir babygirl with Eggs

[marsbotz]

i have to wait an extra week and a half to wathc dm4 than the us I HATE IT HERE HELL COUNTRY

[dahliakbs]

Retired Villain

(⁠ ๑Batfam X Reader - Dick Grayson, Damian Wayne and Tim Drakeﾉ⁠♡ ⁠)

Masterlist

╠You'd put your reckless lifestyle behind in favor of living a boring civilian life, knowing that you wouldn't get anywhere in life if you kept getting beaten up and sent to jail over and over like it was the only thing life had to offer.

You thought that putting your past behind you and creating yourself a fresh start would finally put the bats off your trail...

But sadly for you, it had only taken your cities vigilantes about two weeks to find out where you lived.

Even though they'd found out where you lived and how you'd decided to turn your life around they didn't believe it.

And instead of taking the information at face value they'd decided to check up on you in person.

And that they did.

Now you would've thought that they'd leave you alone after just the first few times but no, they'd started popping up everywhere. Using the excuse of your old atrocities to monitor you almost every waking moment of the day.

And when I say every I mean every.

Your at the supermarket, buying food like everyone else and Nightwing just randomly shows up out of nowhere. Bugging you and using the excuse of monitoring you to justify his presence.

"I know times are dire but stealing milk from the supermart?" you could see his outline in your peripheral, propping himself up against the fridge next to you.

He's shaking his head playfully before moving to take your cart away from you. You knew he was aware that you weren't gonna steal anything but apparently teasing you was his new favorite hobby.

"For the last time, I'm not stealing anything from this store" you huffed before dumping the carton of milk into the cart he'd taken from you.

"This store, so how about the next one?"

You could already feel the gray hairs sprouting, it was like he was sucking all the energy out of you and you could do nothing about it.

Well, at least he helped you with the shopping right?

While your on your way making your way to work one of the Robins will just mysteriously appear next to you, specifically the youngest one. Always giving off a clear air of distaste towards your entire being but still accompanying you on your way to work.

"Don't you have school kid?" you ask, it was like nine in the morning and he was casually walking next to you as if he didn't have somewhere to be right now.

"I don't need to go to school, besides I'm stuck monitoring criminals like you" he stated and you could already feel him drilling holes into the side of your head.

This kid really has no chill...

"Well if it makes you feel any better I also don't like having people watch me 24/7" you could feel your shoulders sag at the thought of having to put up with the bat and his tiny army of children.

Even when you were simply relaxing in your humble abode they'd still had the audacity come ruin your little alone time.

You were just relaxing in your pyjamas, munching on some popcorn and enjoying the fact that for once you were finally all by yourself when suddenly a figure hauls themselves over the edge of your window sill and crashes onto the floor of your apartment.

Of course your quick to push yourself off your couch and grab a weapon from the hidden compartment in your chair only to realize that your intruder was just another one of batman's minions.

"Red, you can't be serious" you immediately drop you weapon and walk over to his crumpled form.

He looked like he just went through hell, which was pretty sad since you knew he was just a kid on the inside but batman's sidekicks always seemed a little on the younger side.

"Are you crashing for the night?" He'd already done this before, always denying the fact that he was staying the night but always ends up staying anyway.

"No, I'm not" he muttered to himself, crumpling even more into himself but flinching when one of his wounds comes into contact with his detached gear.

"Right, your monitoring me" you played along, allowing him to believe that he was leaving anytime soon but you could already see his body relaxing it self.

"By the way, your crashing on the couch Tonight" you'd at least allow him to stay somewhere in your house, knowing that the supposed 'Batcave' that they always spoke about was somewhere on the other side of Gotham.

He should be lucky that he's your favorite, because ain't no way were you allowing any of the other bats anywhere near your house. Let alone inside of it.╣

[tropicalcryptid]

Ok so She-Ra pulled such a great hat trick with Hordak's characterization, and I LOVE it

One of my favorite things about 2018 She-Ra is Hordak's story and development (and Entrapdak cough but that's not the point of this particular post), and the cleverest thing is that so much of it is actually being set up and told to us in seasons 1 and 2 before we even realize that that's what's happening.

When we first see Hordak in the show, he's giving "generic evil overlord" vibes. Garden-variety baddie. Maybe a little more reasonable than some and clearly capable of long-term thinking, but that just serves to make him intimidating. Everything about him--the way he runs his empire, his armor, his color scheme, his minion, his Villainous Eye Makeup(TM), even his name--are all projecting to the audience "yup, Acme Bad Guy here. Move right along."

But then, backstory. And everything snaps into focus. Not only is it one of the first big oh SHIT moments of the show, where we suddenly zoom out and realize that there is SO much more going on than we realized--it's also the start of the audience seeing Hordak as a character rather than an archetype. Suddenly we realize that he's not conquering Etheria because he wants power, or hates happiness and sparkles, or whatever--he's doing it out of a desperate attempt to prove his worth to his brother/creator/god. This moment where Hordak lets Entrapta in is also the moment the show lets us in on what makes our favorite spacebat tick.

On top of that, we've also seen him bonding with Entrapta and opening up to this person that he respects and trusts...probably the only person he's ever respected or trusted apart from Prime. And she's Etherian--someone of a lower species, someone he's supposed to subjugate, someone who he has been raised and trained and programmed and mind-controlled into believing is below him in every way.

But instead she's brilliant and creative and mesmerizing. She's not afraid of him, and she's fascinated with his work. For the first time since being abandoned by Prime, Hordak finally has someone that he can talk to, who is on his level and both understands and cares about the science! (because he is a giant nerd). She's kind to him, a mere defect. And it just sends his whole worldview into a spin, and that's all before--

Bam, mans is a goner. Entrapta's "Imperfections are beautiful" comment punches right through all the toxic bs that Hordak has been steeped in his entire life. You can see on his face here--I think it's the moment Hordak fell in love with Entrapta, but this is also the face of a spacebat reevaluating his entire worldview. If Entrapta, who is amazing, believes something different from Prime...what does that mean? If Entrapta, who is brilliant, believes that he is worth something, and that she herself is a failure...

Well. We know what happens after that, and how Hordak begins to doubt, and eventually fights back against Prime (and remembers his love for Entrapta after TWO mind wipes help my heart ack). But we also get to see what life in the Galactic Horde looks like: the only life Hordak ever knew before coming to Etheria.

It's not nice.

It's really not nice.

Prime operates in a very specific way, and we learn a lot about it in season 5. Prime expects complete obedience, devotion and worship from his clones. He allows no individuality from his subjects, not even a name. Failure or deviations are punished, mind-wiped, or destroyed. We even learn from Wrong Hordak that facial expressions are considered a privilege reserved for Prime (apart from, presumably, expressions of rapture caused by being around Prime).

And once we learn all of this, suddenly thinking about season 1 Hordak becomes very interesting indeed. The time we spend with the Galactic Horde and Prime throws absolutely everything that we know about Hordak into a whole new context. Now all those traits that made him a generic villain are actually hugely effective characterization! And what that characterization is telling us is that Hordak had already moved much farther away from Prime than we (or, probably, he) had realized, even long before he met Entrapta.

Horde Prime does not allow his underlings to have names, personalities, or any differences of appearance. Not only does Hordak allow this among his own troops, he chose a name for himself as well! Season 5 tells us that his very name is an act of blasphemy against his god. And yet Hordak took one for himself, and that name is part of the core identity he is able to hold on to when rebelling against Prime.

Horde Prime cast Hordak out when he showed signs of physical imperfections. Hordak not only keeps Imp (who is by all appearances a failed clone or similar experiment) around, he treats Imp more gently than we see him treat anybody or anything before Entrapta. Imp is not simply "generic evil guy's minion," he is proof of Hordak's capacity for compassion, and evidence that Hordak cannot bring himself to cast aside "defects" as easily as Prime. Considering where Hordak came from, Imp's existence is a huge, flashing neon sign telling the audience this guy here is better than the hell that molded him, and we don't even realize it until 4 seasons after it's been shown to us!

Very cool, ND.

There's more, though. Hordak's red and black color scheme? His dark eye makeup and lipstick? Very Evil Overlord chic. But nope! Actually these are actually expressions of individuality on a level that Hordak knows would be abhorrent to Prime!

Reading between the lines, I see this as Hordak desperately trying to reconcile two diametrically opposed beliefs in his head: (1) devotion to Prime, whose approval he desperately craves, and (2) maintaining some degree of unique personhood, of Hordak, from which to draw strength. Because a failed, defective clone cannot survive on a hostile world, cut off from the hivemind and from Prime's light. A failed clone cannot create an empire to offer Prime as tribute, nor build a spacetime portal from scraps and memory to call Prime back. A failed clone cannot create cybernetic armor to keep his hurting, weakened body alive; to force himself to keep going no matter what, to fight through the pain and the doubt by sheer force of will.

But maybe Hordak can.

And so there it is. Hordak had plenty of time to gain and explore his individuality while separated from Prime, but I think the reason he did it so effectively (while still deluding himself that Prime would forgive him for these little sins, if only Hordak could prove his value) is because he had to.

Wrong Hordak gained his individuality surrounded by kind, quirky people who took care of him; Hordak was ripped from the hivemind by Prime himself and had to fight for his survival against all odds. And that produced a dangerous and damaging foe for Etheria. But it also produced the one clone with the strength of will to defy Prime himself.

This is long and rambling, but ultimately my point is that 1) I love Hordak, and 2) I love love love love that the show was so clever about his characterization. We learn so much about him and how much progress he's already made in breaking from his psycho abusive cult upbringing, and we don't even recognize it until the show wants us to. Hordak had come so far, all on his own, before he met Entrapta. She just helped push him over the edge and finally realize (at least consciously) that Prime's worldview might not be the correct one.

Idk, I just don't know if I've ever seen all the trappings of Basic 80's Villain(TM) so successfully subverted, where looking back 4 seasons later is actually a smack in the face with the "effective character building" stick. Amazing.

[perfectlyoongi]

OLDER-BROTHER!YOONGI who has been tying your shoelaces since you were little. Yoongi still had that image in his mind of you crying in the rain because you tripped over your shoes and got all wet. since that day, Yoongi has always made a point of tying your shoes before leaving the house. and now, even though you were adults with separate lives, Yoongi couldn’t control his habit whenever you slept at each other’s houses. “wait, you still need to tie the laces. you can fall, you know that. nevermind, i don’t mind bending down. it’s not like this is my first time.”

OLDER-BROTHER!YOONGI who still intimidates any suitor of yours. when you were just 5 years old, Yoongi remembered how that boy who bothered you so much started running away when he saw Yoongi picking you up from school. since then, Yoongi has made it his personal mission to fend off any and all suitors you might have. he was your older brother. somehow, he always looked out for you. and Yoongi guaranteed that he would continue to take care of you, no matter how old you were, no matter how many suitors you had. if they really wanted you, they could put up with an intimidating Yoongi for a few minutes. “oh? are you really sure you want to bring your new friend to lunch? well, if it’s just a friend, i’m okay with it. but if it’s something else…”

OLDER-BROTHER!YOONGI who still cooks lunch for you whenever you need. if you asked Yoongi, he would say he only learned how to cook so he could make your favorite dishes. during school, Yoongi always woke up early to cook for you, making a point of giving you something tasty and attractive — it was already his habit. so when you spent the night at his house or when you couldn’t waste time making lunch, Yoongi would show up at your work or doorstep with a small lunch box filled with your favorite lunch. after so many years, he still knew you. “your message was full of typos. i knew right away that you were late, that’s why i cooked this to you. it’s your favorite, i hope you like it. oh, and i also brought you a piece of fruit. enjoy, minion.”

OLDER-BROTHER!YOONGI who picks you up from work or school when it’s raining. every month, Yoongi had your schedule updated and posted on the wall of his studio, and when you were still busy and the rain became more and more intense, Yoongi would put everything on hold to pick you up. whether you worked next to him or studied on the other end of town, Yoongi always found the quickest route to you, to make sure you didn’t get caught in the rain or risk getting sick. “remind me how many umbrellas i’ve given you, and how many you’ve used. just to refresh my memory. it’s just that it’s becoming really old that i have to come and get you every time it rains.”

OLDER-BROTHER!YOONGI who offers you something whenever he is with you. Yoongi was never good with words. and Yoongi was shy in his actions. but what Yoongi always did to show you that he liked you was something as simple as giving you a gift. a new book, your favorite ice cream, even a four-leaf clover he saw on the way home — no matter what. ever since you were little, Yoongi got used to giving you little souvenirs to calm your heart and this act seemed to never die, no matter how much time passed. he just wanted you to know how much he truly loved you. “there’s an origami stall back there. a lady is teaching children how to make various animals and her husband was selling some and i thought you would like this crane.”

OLDER-BROTHER!YOONGI who is always willing to give you advice, or receive it. it was three in the morning and you had come home after a date and didn’t know if they were right for you? Yoongi was already accepting your call without realizing it. you just received two equally good job offers and don’t know which one to choose? Yoongi was already ready with a list of pros and cons. was Yoongi unsure of his new project? you were already inside his studio listening to his music. Yoongi didn’t know if he could hold on a little longer? you were already by his side reassuring him that he was loved. you or him, it didn’t matter. both of you gave and received in that mutual relationship of complicity. only Yoongi knew what was best for you. only you knew what was best for Yoongi. and that was enough. “i’m going for an interview now but as soon as i leave i’ll call you. it’s not supposed to take long, so you can think about what you really want to say and i’ll help you later. if you want, i can even write the message for you. i have to go. don’t make any stupid decisions before i get back!”

OLDER-BROTHER!YOONGI who looks at you with eyes full of pride just because you are you. watching you from afar only squeezed Yoongi’s heart. yesterday you were still a small child and today you were already signing the contract for your first job. time flew between your childhood and your adulthood, and all this time, Yoongi was watching you. you were such a pure, innocent child and managed to transform into this responsible, mature adult — only Yoongi knew how many heartaches it took to make you so grown up. “it seems like yesterday that i gave you a piggyback because you had hurt your knee on the slide. and now i’m inside your first apartment that you bought with your first job. you’re growing up too fast and i don’t like it. stop. stop right now.”

[chubs-deuce]

I absolutely adore your art style! It's so beautiful and soft looking! And your Design for Dawn is so so GOOD omg you really did such an amazing job of giving her features of both parents while also still standing out as her own strong character design

I also love your interpretation of Alastor as a father, I feel like I've seen so much of him being like, a shitty dad (and while yeah I could see him being a bad dad, It hurts me because I have a need for soft domestic family fluff 😭) and I just love your take on him!

Bad guys w/ a daughter they're soft for is my bread and butter and UGH your art of them just makes me smile so much because it's SO GOOD

(like the one with him and her having a tea party akayjdgdjwhshe ❤️❤️❤️❤️ like I could just imagine her pulling him by his hand away from something important he was doing and telling him he's been invited and he CANNOT be late and he just rolls with it or something lol)

And the other art you did of Vaggie helping her to learn how to walk and Angel wearing cool sunglasses with her. I can't. Too cute.

But yeah! I just wanted to say thank you for sharing your wonderful art/Headcanons with us :D

And I was also wondering, do you mind if people draw fanart of Dawn? Full credit given, of course.

(also sorry this message got a little all over the place 😅)

lkjsdjkfgsöldkjfgsödlkjgösdfkjgs

omg thank you so much for this?!??! This made me so emo to read omg,, ;w;

I'm so glad you like what I put out about her!!! And I agree!! Soo many people make Al this cold and distant father and like.. I understand where they're coming from, but I personally just can't see him deny an innocent little girl her whims, even more so when it's his own flesh and blood :'3

And imo the whole hotel would pitch in when it comes to raising her so it only made sense to draw other members of the cast interacting with her too :D

ALSO I'D BE DEEPLY HONORED ABOUT ANYONE LIKING HER ENOUGH TO DRAW HER!!!

This goes for any of my OCs tbh!! I never expect anyone to, but it absolutely makes my day when I get to see other people give my characters love in the form of art like that!

Thank you so much for this lovely ask <3<3<3

Have Dawn discovering that her shadow is sentient and putting it to use for shenanigans :'D

(she doesn't yet know that it can deform and strech along walls, she just treats it like kind of a secret buddy until she has better control over it)

Normally a shadow entity like this must be bound via contract, but since Alastor offered up one of his lesser minions during her creation ritual, it reformed as an extension of her! I realized I never established this before so have it as bonus lore I guess xD

Again thank you so much for taking the time to write me something so lovely <3

[godmadeaterribleerror]

Just Your Time - No Love Lost Bonus Chapter

Series Masterlist

Read on A03!

Author's Note: Silly, silly fluff. Title from ordinary things by Ariana Grande.

Word Count: 1.5k

Summary/Warnings: You give Ben internet lessons. Takes place in Chapter 14, Usual warnings.

Tags: Soldier Boy/Supe!Female Reader, canon divergence, fluff

“There are three major platforms. Instagram, TikTok, and facebook. We’re going to go one by one.” You glance up at Ben, who’s scowling down at his phone like it’s just made a very personal insult about his mother. “Why are you making your grump face.”

His glare turns to you. “I don’t make a fucking grump face.”

“You do. You get all pouty, and the lines here,” you reach up, tapping a finger between his brows. “Get deeper.”

“Shut the fuck up.”

“Tell me why you’re being a baby.”

“I am not being a goddamn baby-“

“Benjamin.”

“This is fucking stupid.” He snaps, glower returning to the phone. “I don’t need to know about Instagran or tiktak-“

“Tiktok,” you grin at him. “And Instagran was a big Freudian slip, Pretty Boy. It’s Instagram.”

“I don’t fucking care what they’re called, this is fucking pointless shit for shallow pussies-“

“Oh, fuck off, I’ve seen you flexing in the bathroom mirrors, Ben.”

“That’s different. You fucking love it, and it’s to make I haven’t lost any fucking muscle-“

“You are biologically incapable of losing muscle. And this is shallow,” you shrug. “But it’s fun. And you promised you’d do it.” 

He scowls. “Fine.”

“Can I get a little more enthusiasm-“

“No. Start talking.”

You wrinkle your nose at him, scooting closer to reach over his arm, pointing to the apps as you speak. “Instagram. TikTok, Facebook. There’s also YouTube, but that will have to be a whole other thing, and Snapchat, but you’d hate that-“

“Why.”

“Have you ever wanted to have all your messages instantly deleted and look like a puppy dog in the camera?”

“No, that sounds dumb as fucking balls.”

“Then no Snapchat. That’s Twitter, but-“

“Says X on it.” Ben drawls your name, giving you a smug look, and you sigh.

“Well, that’s why we’re not talking about it. If I tell you about Elon Musk and Tesla, you’ll have an aneurysm and that would just be huge bummer for me.”

“Aw, Sunshine,” he leans down, bumping your nose with his. “Would you fucking miss me? Get all damn sad if I died?”

It’s very difficult to hold your ground. Ben’s hand has moved to your thigh, and his mouth keeps brushing yours, and you feel his hunger running from his body into yours. But you manage to raise a hand and push his face backwards with a scoff, sticking your tongue and ignoring how to hunger flashes in his chest. 

“You know I would, don’t be a cunt.”

“Brat.”

“Uh huh,” you tap the phone, still in his hand, and don’t allow yourself to meet his eyes. If you meet Ben’s eyes you’ll start climbing on top of him, and you’ll lose. “Pay attention.”

Ben scoffs, but falls silent, waiting for you to continue. 

“No Twitter. Just these three.” You risk a glance up at him. He’s still distractingly handsome—the world didn’t like you enough to change that—but glowering at the phone, and you nudge his shoulder with yours. “Tell me their names.”

“Instagram,” he grunts, raising a finger to point at them one by one. “TikTok, and…” His eyes narrow, and he pauses for long enough that you’re not sure he’s going to figure out that the names are right there on the display. 

“Ben-“

“Facebook.” He looks up at you with a smirk. “Fucking nailed it.”

“Yeah, you’re a genius.” You mutter, but still smile at him. Something warm grows in your gut, and you have to stop meeting his eyes again. “Facebook is probably the least important one, but you would like it-“

“Why would I-“

“Because it’s for old people.” You grin at him, and Ben rolls his eyes. 

“Shut the fuck up.”

“No. I think we’ll do Instagram today, because TikTok will break your brain and I’m not ready to explain the Minions to you yet.”

“What the fuck is a minion-“

“Nope. Not today.” You lean over him, opening Instagram. “And remember, the less of a little bitch you are about this, the faster we finish and the sooner we can do something else.”

“We could just do something else right fucking now, no one’s damn making us do this-“

You give him a flat look. “I am, Benjamin. Eyes on the phone.”

He gives you one last glare, and turns back to the phone. “What the fuck am I looking at.”

“Instagram,” you sigh, hanging over Ben’s arm to frown at the screen. “Essentially, it’s a photo sharing app. People post about their lives, pets, memes-“

“What the fuck is a meme.”

“It’s like a funny photo or Internet joke. We’ll have to talk about it later as well. There’s a lot of business accounts, celebrity accounts, celebrity fan accounts-“

“What-“

“It’s an account that posts a bunch of photos and news and videos about one specific celebrity.” You tilt your head at the phone. “There are probably some for you, actually.”

“For me?” Ben blinks at you. “The fuck are they doing on them?”

“Posting photos of you.”

“How did they get fucking photos of me-“

“The internet, Ben.” You grin at him. “Believe it or not, there are photos of you on the internet.”

He pauses, frowning between you and the screen. “Are they good photos?”

Every photo of him is a good photo. Ben has a stupid, amazing face that looks like it was carved by Michelangelo, and every photo of him is a good photo. He doesn’t get to know that.

“They’re fine.”

“Just fucking fine?! The hell did all the good ones go-“

“Jesus, Benjamin, they’re good.” You give him a flat look. “Who’s shallow now?”

“You’d be worried about how you look if your face had to be fucking everywhere,” he snaps your name, but it’s fake anger. You can feel his amusement, and any annoyance is coated in a layer of complete comfort that makes you a little dizzy. “My job was my damn face. I’m not a vain pussy, I’m a business man-”

You snort. “You are not a fucking business man, Pretty Boy.”

“Fuck you, Sunshine, I made millions-“

“I’m sure you did,” you pat his arm, and Ben glares at you. “Are you going to keep being a huge baby, or can I keep talking?”

“Whatever.”

“That’s the spirit.” You take the phone from his hand, and start to swipe through the app, talking Ben through the what turned out to be the many nuances of Instagram. You’d—incorrectly—thought this would take twenty minutes, but Ben wouldn’t stop asking questions. You made the mistake of showing him a Soldier Boy fanpage, and that alone took ten minutes to explain and move on from. By the time you hit livestreams, Ben looked like he might start throwing something—what the fuck is the point of this shit, I don’t care about what these pussies have to say about fucking nothing—so you called it. He knew how the explore page worked, not to answer strange DMs, and if someone promised him hot MILFs in his area that it was probably a lie.

“I’m not an idiot,” he grumbles your name, closing the app. “And I don’t even know what a fucking MILF is-“

“Mother I’d Like to Fuck.” You grin at him. “But you might be more into GILFs.”

He frowns. “The fuck’s a GILF.”

“If MILF is an acronym, I think you can figure out GILF yourself.”

It takes a second of Ben glaring at you—the gears of his brain slowly turning to find the answer—and you can see the moment he gets it, because he rolls his eyes and a flash of indigence runs through him. “Brat.”

“I don’t know what you could possibly be referring to-“

Your words die in your throat as Ben tosses his phone somewhere across the room and hauls you onto his lap, burying his face in your neck and grumbling against your skin.

“You’re fucking stuck with me, beautiful, no damn GILF on the internet is taking me away.”

You hum. “What if they’re horny, and in your area?”

“Only old lady in my area is Mallory, and I’d rather cut off my goddamn dick than fuck her.”

“That’s not very nice, Benjamin-“ Your word turn into a long, breathless sound as he starts to leave open, wet kisses along your shoulder, and he’s so hungry, and it’s all fucking on purpose. YYour heart is racing as his hands tangle in your hair, and words start to feel a little far away, and you can feel how smug he is about it. “Cunt-“

“We’re done with the internet shit today.”

Not a question, but his muscles flex around you as he pulls you closer, so you don’t argue. “Yeah.”

“Good.” Ben flips you over in one, smooth movement, moving up to your mouth and smirking as you moan. “Next time, we’re doing this shit first. I don’t give a fuck about the internet,” he lets out a low groan as you tug at his hair. “But I can get the fuck on board if this is how we start.”

You answer a little too fast to be dignified, but he’s dropped back down to your neck, and you feel a little high. “Deal.”

“Deal.” Ben looks up at you, grinning as you start to try and tug him back to your mouth. “Let’s get started on it right fucking now.”

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@manicjk @lordofthunderthr @artemys-ackles @brtodd

[palskippah]

Hi! @hyperfixatingonbowuigisohard had this idea of Mr. L but preggy and I loved it jsdisd

I know nearly nothing of this game, but here's some ideas anyways for it!

-Mr L does his little presentation number, turning around, balancing his weight on one foot, and almost giving Bowser a heart attack when he clearly was barely keeping his balance, fearing that his husband would stumble and fall.

-Bowser immediately recognizes him, and Peach mutters to herself that Mr L reminds her strongly of someone, but she's not sure who. Bowser looks at her in disbelief, not sure if she's messing with him or not.

>Mario doesn't recognize Luigi at all at first, and Bowser genuinely asks him if he's an idiot. That's clearly Luigi! Same hat (a bit different though) and his overalls (although darker...) and that's his mustache! (looking as dashing as ever, by the way), and he's exactly as pregnant as Luigi! (Mario signs that Luigi isn't the only pregnant person in the world, and Bowser gets exasperated).

>Bowser keeps trying to convince Mario to not fight his expectant husband (AKA, Mario's brother!), and even if it wasn't Luigi, the man was clearly very pregnant, how was he going to fight him?!

>Mr L overhears and takes it personally, jumping into battle. He loses, of course. And when he's on the ground, tired and out of breath (from what Bowser's just sure is just the baby tiring him up, because Mario was really tame on his attacks), the koopa hands him a Shroom Shake so he feels better, and Mr L angrily accepts it and then sends Bowser straight to hell. When he tries to stand up and fails miserably, he lets the koopa help him to his feet, and then sends him to hell again and leaves, to work on his Brobot. (I can't remember what else happens during that fight asdkaj)

>I can't remember how Mr L leaves after the first battle, but imagine he's waddling very slowly away and Bowser's like 'Babe?? Luigi?? Please come back :C' and Luigi is literally within arm reach (especially for Bowser), but he's also very angry and telling the koopa weirdo (AKA, King Corny, King Incompetent, Mr wrappedaroundyourhusbandsfinger, King Bootlicker) to back off or he'll kill him. And well, Luigi is very capable of doing anything, and this is a brainwashed, evil Luigi, so the koopa isn't taking any chances. And the 'Green Thunder' is even more cranky because Mario didn't even break a sweat and Mr L was all huffing and puffing when the battle ended. The whole waddle away, when he wasn't insulting Bowser, Mr L muttered to himself about the stupid huge baby that didn't let him do anything and the horrors of motherhood and pregnancy.

-Mr L doesn't care for the baby, because he just came to existence and found himself heavily pregnant. He doesn't know this baby; he doesn't feel anything for them! But still there's the muscle memory or maybe it's the feelings that Luigi has for the little thing or something, because sometimes Mr L would find that he had been stroking his own belly or resting his hand on it. He'd move his hand away as if burned, and quickly look around hoping none of Count Bleck's other minions saw him showing such weakness, feeling embarrassed.

-Normally Bowser is all over Luigi to be of assistance for anything he may need, to, y'know, make his life easier now that he's pregnant. And Luigi is always glad that he has his husband right there to take care of him, but that is not the case with Mr L. He's angry that the idiot koopa thinks that he needs to be monitored like a baby, when he can take perfectly good care of himself! But also, he claims so and all, but is clearly struggling.

>Like at some moment he presents his brobot control remote (or something? How does he even summon that robot?) and then accidentally drops it. All of them, Mario, Peach, Bowser and Mr L stare at it for a few seconds. When Bowser makes a movement of going forward to pick it for him, the green one swats him away, he can pick it up himself, thanks fucking very much. Cue Mr L doing the pitiful preggy crouch while Mario and Peach pointedly don't look (after he yells that they can stop staring!) and Bowser tries to get closer to just pick the damn thing himself so Luigi can stop straining himself (getting yelled at in return).

-On Super Dimentio form, know that brainwashed Luigi (Mr. L) and Dimentio don't give a single shit about the baby, the first obviously having the set goal of being of assistance to Dimentio or whatevs, and the late one wanting to fulfill the prophecy. But well, Luigi sure does, so he subconsciously makes sure to protect his bebi Magma. The new form is huge, but the baby is still normal sized, it's just that Luigi made sure to give them some extra padding because it looked like they'd need it to be safe.

>By the way, the idea of one side of his face being a crying Luigi and the other being Dimentio is directly from @galaxygermdraws' design of Super Dimentio which is so cool :'''v

>Super Dimentio form may have only some physical characteristics of Luigi and only Dimentio's mind controlling it, but Luigi has been pregnant for many months now, and he can't help muscle memory, so the Super Dimentio form waddles like he does, and maybe Mario, Peach and Bowser would find it funny, if they weren't so horrified by the whole ordeal and the huge hands trying to squish them like bugs.

-As soon as Luigi is out of the Super Dimentio form, he's lying on the ground and wiping the streak of tears from the only cheek that has them, while wondering aloud why is he crying and on his side on the floor, and the next second after that, he's wrapped in Bowser's arms and Mario's holding his hand and Peach is touching his face, all of them fretting over him, while Luigi doesn't know what has them with such worried expressions, or why Bowser's weeping so much.

-If before Bowser was all over him, since the whole Chaos Heart ordeal he doesn't take his eyes away from Luigi, neither does Mario, who's glued to him for long weeks until he can feel that his brother is going to be alright.

>Anyways, baby's born, they're all happy yey :D Also pls look at that paper Magma I drew, that's my best drawing up to date.

ALSO alternate thing where the Chaos Heart remained with the baby in some weird way, but they don't notice because she's literally just a baby but she has the potential to destroy the universe, but Magma never does because she's a chill girl her whole life who doesn't have reasons to unleash the doom of the universe JSJDK silly idea in the same way that Luigi -the bestest guy around- is supposed to help destroy everything (??? or something like that I read somewhere? Maybe it was a headcanon aksdladk)

Thanks if you read till here!

[mya-valentine]

Hello! Could I request platonic Class A with reader who is strong as hell and has a bone quirk. They can summon bones, make bone structures, create bone-weapons and even skeleton armies to fight for them. They fight with a pair of sickles (like Death, from the Puss In Boots: The Last Wish) to add some variety to their fighting style. They come off as a bit cold and intimidating at first because of how brutal they are on the battlefield and to villains, but they’re actually surprisingly sweet ^^.

Bones of Fury, Heart of Gold

When you first joined Class 1-A, your bone quirk immediately set you apart from the rest. You could summon bones from your body to create weapons, structures, or even skeletal armies to fight for you. The sight of bones materializing from thin air, forming intricate and sometimes gruesome shapes, unnerved some of your classmates at first. Combined with your cold and intense demeanor during battle, you quickly earned a reputation as intimidating and even a bit scary.

Your fighting style was brutal and efficient. Wielding your dual sickles, reminiscent of a grim reaper, you carved through villains with deadly precision, summoning bones to trap, impale, or crush enemies without hesitation. Your skeletal minions were an added terror, creating a battlefield where chaos reigned as you commanded your forces with eerie calm. Some of your classmates—especially people like Mineta—would shudder after seeing you in action, unsure of how to approach you outside of battle.

But off the battlefield, you were a completely different person.

The first person to notice was Tsuyu. She caught you in a quiet moment after training, sitting alone, tending to some small wounds. “Hey,” she said in her usual calm, straightforward tone. “You okay?”

You looked up, surprised that someone had approached you so casually. You had become used to people giving you space because of your intimidating quirk. “Yeah, just a few scrapes,” you said, smiling faintly. It was a small gesture, but it was the first time anyone in the class had seen a glimpse of your softer side.

Tsuyu tilted her head. “You fight really hard out there, ribbit. But you seem different when you’re not fighting.”

You blinked, a little thrown off by her observation. “I… guess I don’t like being too harsh with people unless I have to be.” You chuckled, rubbing the back of your neck. “The villains don’t really give us a choice though, do they?”

That conversation marked the beginning of the class realizing that beneath your cold, battle-hardened exterior, you were surprisingly sweet and thoughtful.

After that, more of your classmates started warming up to you. Momo admired your discipline and dedication to mastering your quirk, often discussing different strategies with you during training. She found your ability to create bone structures fascinating and started brainstorming ways to combine her creations with your powers during team exercises.

Kirishima was all about your strength. “Dude, you’re so manly!” he’d shout during training, his eyes practically sparkling whenever you summoned your bone sickles. “I’ve never seen anyone fight like you! The way you’re able to turn your quirk into weapons is insane!”

Even Bakugou, who rarely gave compliments, would grunt approvingly after seeing you in battle. “You’re not bad,” he’d mutter, which from him was practically a glowing review.

Your skeletal army also caught the attention of the more strategic thinkers in the class. Izuku couldn’t stop muttering to himself about the potential applications of your quirk, imagining scenarios where your army could be used to protect civilians or overwhelm enemies in large-scale battles.

Outside of battle, you made a conscious effort to be kinder to your classmates, which didn’t go unnoticed. You’d offer to help with studying or step in to assist someone struggling during training. Your sweetness caught them off guard, as it was such a stark contrast to the brutal way you fought. You'd offer words of encouragement when someone was down, or give small but meaningful compliments that always lifted spirits.

“I never thought you’d be so… gentle,” Ochako admitted one day during lunch.

“Yeah,” Kaminari chimed in, “you’re like, totally terrifying on the battlefield, but you’re actually kind of a softie, aren’t you?”

You couldn’t help but laugh, a genuine, lighthearted sound that made a few of your classmates blink in surprise. “I guess I save all the scary stuff for the villains,” you said with a smirk.

Even though you had started out as intimidating and cold, your true personality began to shine through as your classmates got to know you. They realized that the brutal, bone-wielding warrior who fought with sickles like Death itself wasn’t the whole story. Beneath that exterior, you were kind, supportive, and deeply loyal to your friends.

When the class had to face a particularly tough villain during a training exercise, everyone was ready to stand by your side. “We’ve got your back,” Todoroki said, cool as always. “You don’t have to do this alone.”

With your bone army at the ready, and your classmates rallying around you, you felt more supported than ever. You might have been intimidating on the battlefield, but here, with your friends, you didn’t need to be scary. You just needed to be you.

And that was more than enough.

.

.

.

Masterlist

[areislol]

xiao as spiderman headcanons 🕸️

►— pairings. spiderman! xiao x gn! reader

► — warnings. slight angst (?), fluff, modern! au, spiderman! au

► — a/n. guyss this includes xiao as spiderman and also your classmate (you don't know that, shhhhh) art by @niilar on twt

wordcount. 3.3k

𝐱𝐢𝐚𝐨 𝐚𝐬 𝐬𝐩𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐦𝐚𝐧... / general hcs / meeting you

i. xiao definently stays quiet throughout the day, he doesn't really want to make himself all that known in society (hard to when you're literally spiderman). his only job is to protect the city and its people, he doesn't have "time to do other things other than saving the city" as he says.

his mysterious nature and how he keeps his life and well, himself, so private only makes people want to know more about him, reporters and people who are dedicated to finding out more about his life would try to follow him whenever he's done saving the city or just webbing a robber on a wall but whenever they try to follow him they always end up losing him after a few turns around buildings.

and xiao knows this, he doesn't get why they're so interested him and his life, it's bothersome really. but then again, he understands at the same time. i mean.. who wouldn't get so curious about one's life when they leave straight away after fighting some bad guys? it only makes them more interesting!

ii. he's so quiet and doesn't talk much, even when he's fighting. his opponents are always egging him on to talk and teasing him but he only gives them one snarky comment or scowl in response. even when he's not fighting, even when he's just roaming the streets to see if anyone is up to no good (and many people watching him), he doesn't speak.. not once.

when someone asks a question he gives them a short answer because he can't be that rude, but if it's too personal then he'd just start walking faster and if they keep on pestering him he'd just swing away.

iii. he's so, so chill. nobody really hears that much from him and they can tell that he's really chill because?? whenever somebody alerts xiao as he's walking the streets that there's somebody trying to steal a bag of grapes he's sighing and nodding his head, thanking the person beforeswinging towards the place like it has happened more than once (it has)

the way he swings and thwips his webs is so elegant and has such a.. calm and chill vibe/manner? of course any spiderman who has been spiderman for a long time gets used to swinging and gets good at it but the way he does is different.

it's probably how he swings from one building to another with such ease and it looks like he's cutting through the air...

iv. HE MULTITASKS!!! he would be fighting with some bad guy, for example, a reptile mutant! and then all of the sudden his minions start to run towards xiao from different directions and he is so quick with it.

he quickly looks around his left and right before webbing them to the wall while also avoiding the attacks of his opponent, (that's so hot of him) AND HE LOOKS SO GOOD DOING THAT AS WELL!!!! the way his face is so concentrated on trapping his enemies to the wall yet also avoiding the punches of the reptile mutant and sometimes even using the webbed enemies to whack the mutant as well.

thanks to his spidey senses, xiao can easily swiftly avoid the attacks and land a blow towards his enemy. and by the end can you just imagine every single one of the enemies minions webbed to the walls, squirming and cursing while xiao's just stepping on the reptile mutant who's wrapped in web with one leg, some of the web wrapped aroun the palm of his hands and whenever the reptile would move, even just an inch, he would tug on it, narrowing his eyes at the mutant.

"be quiet and don't move."

even if it's something simple like webbing a bagel for him to eat while also webbing a theift who stole some old woman's purse nonchalantly. the little things you guys. the little things.

v. he has a soft spots for kids. and people know this. you can often spot him just minding his own business before stopping in his tracks, watching a couple of children play soccer or any games. and even though he's wearing a mask, you can notice the way his white eyes soften and the jawline softening. it's adorable.

he gets really shy whenever anybody asks if he has a soft spot for children. always blinking stupidly at the person before shaking his head.

"no, what makes you say that?"

vi. texts with fighting like it's nothing. (just like miles honestly) this links in with multitasking but.. i'll keep it separate. could be fighting some big ass monster or robot but he'd be texting you, his friends, getting in tune with today's drama or even watching the live video of him fighting the monster.

[1:15] "hey Y/N, what are you doing?"

[1:15] "... atlas, aren't you meant to be fighting off that dude? 😭😭"

you're literally watching the live video on youtube right now on your laptop. and he's fighting some big monster dude that's wrecking buildings and throwing cars while xiao's effortlessly avoiding the cars and texting on his phone, texting you. you can see how he looks away from the phone to web the guy's arm to the back before texting you back.

[1:20] "yeah, sorry for the late reply. was busy"

??? but he looks so hot while doing it so it's fine.

vii. xiao would try to distance himself a little from you since he's spiderman and he doesn't want you to get hurt but at the same time he wants to be with you. he then remembers that he's spiderman, he has spidey senses, he saves people.. he can easily prevent any danger coming towards you!

so that easily solves the problem.

vii. when he first met you (as spiderman), he had saved you from a group of boys who cornered you in a dark alleyway, and it just so happened that xiao was patrolling that area. when he spotted the odd scene of a group of boys surrounding someone, he immediately, and quietly, walked over to the alleyway.

and when he heard your scared and wobbly voice, pleading for them to leave you alone he clicked. stepping into the alleyway, making sure not to make a sound before gripping onto one of the guy's shoulder tightly.

"and what do you think you're doing?"

the guy turned around so fast he almost got whiplash and his eyes widened at the sight of the spiderman. before any of them could move or think or their next move he quickly webbed them two by two onto a wall, making sure to tape their mouth with webs as well.

that's when he saw you. his crush. you were crouched down, cheeks wet with tears and hair sticking on your forehead from sweating too much from being afraid. he slowly stepped towards you, making sure not to freak you out. he felt anger and rage travel throughout is body, they made you feel this way?

"are you alright? what did they do to you?"

you explain to him how they have been following you for a while now, only for you to be cornered into an alleyway. an that's when he found you, and xiao understood how scared and terrified you were so he offered you a hand to get up, he made sure you were stable.

you were sniffling and your eyes were slightly puffy from all the crying, xiao just couldn't leave you like this. his job was to protect the city and its people, nothing else. but.. he wasn't just spiderman, underneath the mask was a normal human being who was just like everybody else. and so xiao decided to cheer you up by taking you a calm and warm café.

it was a bit odd, for spiderman to offer you a treat but you couldn't deny that you were hungry and you agreed. you two ended up chatting from walking to the café, inside and sitting down and even till you two left.

xiao had to admit that it was quite fun to chat with you, you listened and had many stories to tell him, even drama from your school (that he somehow already knows..). he eats with the lower mask lifted up to reveal his lower part of his face and wow, was he attractive.

you were so wowed and taken aback by his... pretty lower face? you tried to eat your donut but it would miss your mouth and you just stared at him in awe as the donut missed your mouth like three times. and only when xiao stops eating his own food and looks at you quizzically and clear his throat, do you snap out of your thoughts and begin to eat your donut.

your gaze definenetly made him red and nervous. he didn't know why but something about you drew him towards you, was it your friendliness? how you were patient and kind towards him? how you treated him like a real person than just spiderman? it surprised him that you were this kind. maybe.

he paid for everything despite your protests and to your dismay. you two walked out of the café and he made sure to walk you home to make you were safe. you were thankful for him saving you and walking you home since you never felt safe walking home alone.

and plus, you got to talk to somebody as well! xiao didn't mind listening to you ramble on about your day, it's... as if he's used to it already.

when you're by your apartment door you're thanking him profusely and he's just taking it with a nervous wave, telling you that it's alright. opening your door, you're about to step inside when you turn around and it almost frightens xiao by how quick you turned.

"how about– we.. as a thanks we go to that café again? i'll pay, this time."

your face is slightly red from inviting him to that café, since you've never really invited anyone to anywhere, let alone spiderman, a very handsome one.

xiao dislikes the idea of you paying but then again, throughout the time you two were at the café he felt so comfortable around you even though you two were strangers and barely knew each other, well, that's what you think anyways. plus.. he gets to spend even more time with you!

since then, the café became a place you two would frequent to get together again, to talk and discuss about your day. thing is, you two start to grow closer and closer the more you two meet in the café, and it went from just a day in a week to like three-four days in a week to going to the café.

and that's how xiao, as spiderman befriends you! funny how he's both your friend as spiderman and xiao, isn't it?

𝐱𝐢𝐚𝐨 𝐚𝐬 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐜𝐥𝐚𝐬𝐬𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐞

i. he was one of your first friends when you both first arrived to school. xiao wasn't the "friends for life!!" type, but like spiderman xiao, he was drawn to you. your cheery smile and aura made him feel so welcomed and safe, like he would never be judged.

ii. xiao doesn't have many friends, like maybe two or three. but you're his closest friend. and no matter how many times you try to help him gain more friends (because so many people always give him an interested look), he always turns the offer down and shakes his head, saying that you're enough. (which never fails to make you blush)

iii. he sits next to you, always. if somebody takes HIS spot, he will glare at them until they get the message and get up. and sometimes his leg moves to the side, touching yours. obviously you notice but don't say anything. and if you happen to sneak a glance at xiao while he does this you can notice a very faint blush on his cheeks.

iv. he is VERY smart, like impossibly smart. so he always helps you with your questions, like you don't even have to ask, one glance at your puzzled face and he's already helping you. also takes this opportunity to inch and move in closer to you to the point your shoulders are touching.

if the teacher EVER picked on you to answer a question (that she knows you absolutely do not understand) xiao will whisper the correct answer, and to make sure the teacher doesn't notice he looks down and rests his cheek on his palm, making sure to face you before muttering the answer.

loves to see your happy and confident face when the teacher is astonished by how you got the answer right, that is until she calls you up to explain how you got your answer.

tutors you for free if you need it, he's a great tutor. he takes your pace and understands what he needs to do to make you understand, whether it be visually like a video or a drawing or if you need it to be physical.

gives you his homework answers, but also explains to you how he got them since he wants you to understand. lets you cheat off his paper, and he is ALWAYS prepared for his tests so if you need a study/revise buddy, he's your top pick.

if the teacher ever caught you cheating off a text (which, will never happen) he would take blame, saying that he knew and allowed you (true but still).

v. he's very protective over you. always keeping you close by (to the point where he's either lurking right behind you or pulling you in where your shoulder and hips are touching, you don't complain.)

xiao glares at any boy who decides to give you the look, he wants to keep you safe so he never leaves you alone unless you need space or feel uncomfortable.

vi. when he first got bit, you immediately knew something was wrong when he came to school all sweaty and nervous. you questioned him if he was okay or sick but he said it was nothing, obviously it more than nothing since he continued to profusely sweat and looked around at the people around you like they were crazy.

you brought him to a classroom where nobody was and tried to calm him down, he did, gradually. of course he didn't tell you that he was bitten by a spider and that he may or may not be spiderman.

but overtime he started to started to get the hang of being spiderman and could control his nerves around you, but that also meant that he more sensitive with his new abilities. he could tell when you were about to get intro trouble or whenever you were going to get hurt

he is so so thankful for his spidey senses, although even without them (before he was bitten) it was like he could sense whenever you were about to get hurt.

because of his training to become spiderman and saving the city and people, you two spent less time together, but it didn't mean he makes up for the lost time!

vii. this is out of topic but... that's right folks, in apology for not spending enough time with you (which is like, every hour of the day) he stays over at your place, watching movie with you, studying, baking, or just sleeping over. he gets to be even closer with you without anyone to disturb him.

he also gives you little gifts sometimes, whether it be little snacks you like or cute keychains on your desk. or sometimes you'll see your favourite drink or some heated food on cold days on your desk, and when you look over at xiao like "???" he's all like ":)))"

viii. sits with you during break all the time, sometimes buys you lunch and eats it with you. if you're feeling confident and cute, you can feed him. he's in shock at your question if you could feed him and he's EMBARRASSED, but he still lets you feed him with a grumpy face, it's so cute.

people are always questioning whether or not you two are dating or not. it's honestly so cute seeing you two eat together, the way you two talk about whatever for so long and you two NEVER run out of things to talk. normally it's you that's doing the talking and xiao listening.

ix. lends you his blazer every winter season, when you lose/forget to bring yours or just gives it to you for no reason. and he finds you so adorable when his blazer is slightly big on you (if you're shorter than him)

sneaks a photo of you in it without you knowing.

x. HHHH IF YOU'RE INTO LIKE CUTE LIL ACCESSORIES HE TOTALLY LETS YOU PLACE THEM IN HIS HAIRRRRR, whether or not it matches his appearance or not xiao will still wear them no matter what because it's you.

xi. if you ever gift him keychains, and EVEN though they don't match his whole appearance/vibe, he'll still place them on his bag cause?? he finds it cute.. like if you have a whole different style compared to xiao he definenetly finds the difference... cute.

xx. switches sides with you when you two are walking on a pavement near a road!! like originally you were on the road side but xiao quickly switches sides with you so you're on the safe side with all the buildings while he's on the road side. (plus with his spidey senses he can just protect you 100x more)

xxx. when you two are on a bus going to school together, if there's no more seats he would either, one, glare at someone until they give up their seat (it works), two, holds you close by the waist with one arm while he uses the other to hold the handle.

or you're in front of him WHILE he's holding you by the waist and using his other hand to hold onto the handle, if the bus ever shakes or halts abruptly xiao's quick to hold onto your waist tightly and makes sure you're okay. it always makes you blush.

if you two are going on the regular bus to go to a city or some place, he hides you from the creeps!! hiding your body (the back) with his front. or the other way, except, since he can't cover your behind with his hands or arms he pulls you into a hug and covers it with his bag (AAAAAAAAAAAAA).

he shares one of his earbuds with you, he probably buys a new pair of earbuds so it's brand new and not dirty, he makes sure he only uses one side while you have the other side.

xiao asks what songs he should add into his playlists so you can choose any song when you two are listening on the bus on your way to school or anywhere. doesn't matter if your songs aren't his type, if it makes you happy he could care less.

xl. he holds your bag. it's the bare minimum, i know, yet so attractive. heavy or not he WILL hold your bag so your shoulders aren't affected by your straps at all.

lx. totally unrelated to this topic but, he definenetly keeps and sticks polaroid pictures of you two (or you) on his wall, anything you take with him he puts on his wall, right next to his bed so whenever he wakes up, he's either met with the face of you (yes he's that whipped for you) or he can just turn around to be reminded of you again.

when xiao invited you over to his place, he kinda forgot about the pictures on his wall so when you noticed them when you entered his room xiao was SO shy and embarrassed, stuttering and stumbling over his words as he tries to explain himself but you laugh and shake your head, telling him it was cute.

dies inside when you give him some polaroid pictures of you, just you.

note: if you would like to be added to the genshin impact spiderverse! au taglist pls just ask me!! dont be shy <3

taglist 🏷️ : none so far

liking + following + reblogs are very much appreciated!!

another note: i just needed to get something out honestly, don't know if anyone has done this yet so, here we are! starting another wip after i post this.

[annes-andromeda]

⚠️Spoilers for Wish⚠️

While I am excited for/ planning to watch Disney’s Wish, I honestly wish (heh) they had gone with the original plan for Amaya’s character and made her a villain alongside Magnífico.

Like, I genuinely think it could’ve been cool to see them as partners in crime and be inspired by classic Disney villain traits: vain, narcissistic, power-hungry, cruel, and enjoyable to hate.

I could’ve seen their relationship as something similar to Scarlett and Herb Overkill from the Minions movie, where it’s two married villains who are clearly terrible people, but are still heads over heels for each other.

I’ve read the golden book and kids book of the movie that some people have uploaded on YouTube, and while those books tend to omit things from the actual film, they give us a basic synopsis of the overall story.

(SPOILERS FOR THE MOVIE BELOW)

——————

Essentially, the story ends with Magnífico being sucked into his staff, Amaya rules Rosas and Star gives Asha a wishing wand (essentially making her a Fairy Godmother sort of character mixed with elements of Snow White)

It’s a pretty basic, cut-and-dry story and I’m not saying I expected Shakespeare or whatever, but imagine how much better the story would’ve been with both Magnífico and Amaya as the villains:

The story could’ve been that the kingdom of Rosas was ruled by Magnífico and Amaya, who both seemed charming and generous on the outside, but were greedy and self-serving on the inside. They essentially didn’t care for anyone but each other.

I’d also add Amaya’s cat Charo from the concept art book, cause it think it would be cute that these two are absolute shitheads, but are still cat parents who spoil their cat and take it everywhere.

Anyways… Magnífico, like in the actual story, only granted the wishes that benefited him (and his wife), while the majority of wishes were stashed away in his tower.

Asha wants to become Magnífico’s apprentice and when introduced to the wishes, wants to grant her grandfather’s wish and finds the kings (and queens) whole wish-granting system unfair to the people (again, like the canon material).

The story would then go like the actual movie: Asha makes a wish on a Star and Magnífico sees her as a threat to his power and hunts her down (only with Amaya by his side).

I’d like to think that while Magnífico has his moments where his true personality shines, I feel like Amaya wouldn’t truly snap until the very end, having a little more composure than her husband (similarly to the Evil Queen or Maleficent or Ursula)

In the end, the King and Queen are defeated and banished into Magnífico’s staff. Asha is named the new Princess of Rosas (or Queen, whichever you prefer), and she actually joins the Disney Princess lineup and it’s not just advertisement. Like the real story, Star gives her a wand and Asha becomes the new wish-granter.

It’s not perfect, but I think it may have been more interesting and entertaining to see rather than the typical director the creators went with the story

These are just my thoughts, however, I’m still gonna watch the movie and see I think about it.

[watchmegetobsessed]

NO HEARTBREAK

A/N: i can't believe i actually finished this fic, but here we are! hope you can still take some holiday spirit, this was originally planned for fanficmas, but i got stuck with it, so i put it aside, but now its here!

PAIRING: Harry x PA!reader

WORD COUNT: 9.7k

WARNING: mention of alcoholic parent

SUMMARY: You planned to spend the holidays alone, just like you always do. However, your boss had other ideas.

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You unpack the chicken sandwich you planned to eat hours ago, but you haven’t gotten around to actually do it. Now it’s past six and you’re finally having a breather and have the chance to eat your lunch. It’s gotten saggy, kind of melted together, but you’re famished at this point and you’d eat just about anything.

Just as you bite into it, the door you exited through just minutes ago flings open.

“Y/N? Harry is asking for you,” an assistant from the venue walks up to you with an apologetic look when she sees that you’re eating.

“What could he possibly need?” you groan with your mouth full.

“H-He didn’t say, he just—“

“Of course he didn’t, because he is being a brat,” you roll your eyes, swallowing the bite before taking another one. You decide he is alright waiting one more minute, his dressing room is probably not on fire, so it can’t be that urgent.

Seemingly, the assistant is shocked that you just called him a brat, for one because he is your boss and for two because he is literally known to be the nicest person alive.

He really is. But sometimes he just knows exactly how to get on your nerves.

While still eating, you head inside, dodging any questions flying in your direction.

“I’m on my lunch break!” you tell everyone, waving at them in dismiss.

“It’s six twenty,” you hear someone mumble in confusion, but you just shrug as you eat your sandwich, heading to Harry’s dressing room.

You don’t knock, just walk in and though the assistant that’s been following you like a minion sprints right out of the room when she sees Harry only in his underwear, you don’t even flinch as you step inside.

“Yeah, you’re not on fire,” you sigh, to which he gives you a puzzled look, but you just shake your head. “What did you want? I’m on my lunch break,” you say, kicking the door shut before taking another bite from your sandwich.

“It’s almost half past six.”

“And I didn’t have time to eat since my so called boss left his phone in his hotel, so I had to do an extra round back there aside my usual tasks,” you answer with a fake smile.

“Come on, don’t be so grumpy!” He steps closer, wanting to cradle your face in his hands but you swat them away.

“What do you want!” you repeat.

“I can’t find my shoes.”

You stare back at him with a blank look on your face before speaking up.

“Have you checked in the box that has ‘shoes’ written on it?” you ask.

“Yeah, but I didn’t find it.”

Bullshit. You already know it’s there, he is just doing this to get on your nerves, because that’s his hobby. He loves pissing you off as if it was his job and then he also loves begging for your forgiveness, which you give him every damn time.

That’s your dynamic. And you love it.

“Hold this,” you say, handing him the half eaten sandwich before walking over to the shoe box. “You’re giving me a raise if I find it in here.”

“I’m already paying you a ridiculous amount.”

“Because I deserve it for putting up with you.”

You dig into the box, knowing exactly which pair he needs for tonight’s outfit and in the meantime, he stands over you, still in his outfit and you’re trying to ignore that tiny little fact. Pushing a few shoes aside you catch a glimpse of the pair you need and you pull it out with a sigh.

“How about a Christmas bonus?” you ask, holding the shoes up for him as you stand up, hand them over and then take your sandwich from him before flopping down onto the couch.

“You know you always get a Christmas bonus,” he comments as he steps over to the clothes rack with the lazy intention of getting dressed. Over your sandwich, you allow yourself to steal a few glimpses of his naked torso and legs before they get covered by his outfit.

You hate how it makes you feel every damn time, even after four years of knowing him. How your body betrays you when your head is trying to do the right thing and forget about the feelings you’ve been harboring for your boss for so long. It’s such a cliché, almost kind of ridiculous, but luckily, no one knows about it and if it depends on you, you’ll take this to the grave with yourself.

“Speaking of Christmas, you know when you’re leaving?” he asks, tugging his shirt over his head.

“What do you mean?”

“When are you going home to your family?”

“Oh, I’m not going anywhere,” you nonchalantly say before swallowing the last bite of your sandwich.

“What? So… your family comes here?”

“Nope.”

“Y/N, what are you talking about? Where are you spending the holidays?”

“At home.”

“But you just said that you’re not going home.”

“No, you asked if I’m going home to my family. I said I’m not going anywhere.”

“Would you stop pulling my leg and just tell me what I want to hear?” he groans and for once he’s the one who’s annoyed with you.

“I’m not spending Christmas with family. I’ll be just… in my apartment, probably watching The Office, eating gingerbread.”

“You’re fucking with me, right?” he asks in disbelief. “You mean to tell me you’ll be alone for the holidays?”

“Yeah. Just like for the past few years. It’s no big deal,” you shrug, but it blows his mind.

“The past—what?! You’ve been alone all these years? Why didn’t you tell me?”

“You never asked.”

“Jesus, woman!” he scoffs. “What’s… Why? I know that you never met your dad and your mom… has passed, but you must have some kind of family.”

“Not really,” you simply say. Harry stares at you and it’s obvious he has a lot of questions, but he remains silent for a couple of minutes before speaking up.

“Spend it with me then.”

Now it’s your turn to look at him with a puzzled expression.

“Huh?”

“Come home with me for the holidays,” he repeats, squeezing himself into his pants.

“Uh-huh, nice joke,” you snort out a laugh.

“I’m not joking. I know my mum would be glad to have you for Christmas, Gemma has been asking me about you too, she would love to see you again. So just spend the holidays with us.”

“I’m not family, I won’t just… crash your time at home.”

“Oh come on! First of all, you are family. You’ve spent more time with me in the past four years than my actual mother and sister. And second, you wouldn’t be crashing. I’m inviting you, so I obviously want you there.”

You stand from the couch and dump the wrapping paper of your late lunch into the trash before walking over to him.

“No,” is all you say to him.

“No?”

“No, I’m not going home with you. Now don’t disturb me unless your pants are on fire. I have shit to do before you go on stage.”

And with that you just walk out.

The show passes by smoothly and you watch part of it from the pit like you usually do, following Harry’s jumping form around the stage, ignoring how wildly your heart is beating every time he’s scanning over the crowd where you’re standing. In an arena full of thousands of people, you can still feel like you and him are the only ones.

It’s clear to you that you can’t spend the holidays with him and his family. It would cause your heart to break beyond repair and though you’re good with keeping up the tough look, you wouldn’t survive a hit this painful.

Harry has the most loving and supportive family you’ve ever seen, that’s why he could become the person he is today with a heart bigger than life. You would get a glimpse of what you never experienced and what you’ll never have. Him, all the love he receives and gives, the big happy family that surrounds him even in his worst moments. You’d have to come home to your lonesome, work filled life and realize just how much you crave to be loved like you were never before.

Your job is your life, because being around Harry brings you some warmth and life, a sliver of what you’ve always craved.

You go backstage before the show is over to get everything ready for him to leave once he zooms off the stage. Busying yourself so when he bursts into his dressing room he doesn’t have the chance to bring your visit up again.

“You’re oddly silent,” he comments in the car, riding back to the hotel that you’ll be leaving in the morning.

“Just tired,” you shrug, hoping he wouldn’t push you, but you should know it by now that’s not possible with him.

“Is it about my invitation? I meant it, I want you to come and—“

“I’m not going, Harry,” you snap, probably a bit harsher than you intended. When you get his silence in reply, regret sinks into the pit of your stomach, but you keep your mouth shut.

Tour carries on and you dread to reach the end of it, because it means Harry will go on a break so you have to go on a break too. It’s the downside of being a personal assistant, you need to line your life up with your boss’.

Harry hasn’t brought Christmas up since you declined his invitation so you’re convinced he accepted your choice.

The last show blows the arena up, he sings Kiwi three times and you watch him with a swelling chest as he puts everything he has into pleasing his fans. You drink up the sight of him on stage, because you won’t see it until you get back on the road next year.

“How was it?” Harry asks out of breath as you match his fast steps towards the dressing room.

“You’re always great, why do you ask me every time?”

“Because I like hearing it from you,” he grins, shaking his jacket off himself and you catch it before it could land on the floor.

Everything goes as usual, you pack up, head back to the hotel and get ready to leaving in the morning only that this time you’re going home and Harry leaves to the UK. There’s one week left until Christmas and according to his schedule that you know like the back of your hand because you put it together, he won’t return to the States until the third of January.

You ring him up in the morning, making sure he is up and then you meet everyone at the lobby for checking out.

“You have your tickets ready?” Harry asks, a smug grin on his annoyingly handsome face as he pokes at your bag.

“What, did you turn into my assistant?” you sass at him, which just makes him laugh.

“Just making sure,” he shrugs and walks away to talk to Mitch and you eye him with suspicion.

And you should have gotten more into it, because the picture clicks together when you part way at the airport. Harry is taking a private jet home while you fly commercial so you need to go to your gate from the lounge after your rounds of goodbye.

You hand your ticket to the flight attendant, she scans it and then comes the shit storm.

“I’m sorry, Miss, but it seems like your ticket has been cancelled.”

“What?” Blood dries out of your face.

“It’s not valid anymore.”

“Shouldn’t I have been notified about such a change?”

“It was a customer cancelation, not from our side.”

“A customer… That fuck…” you growl as realization sets in. “Great, amazing. If you excuse me, I’ll just go and kill my boss.”

You step out of the line and grabbing your carry on you march back to the lounge where Harry is supposed to me. And he is, smugly sitting in the same spot you left him, sipping on a drink.

“What the fuck did you do?!” you stand in front of him with your hands on your hips, but all you get is a grin.

“Y/N, aren’t you gonna miss your flight?”

“Stop with the bullshit, you cancelled my ticket!”

“Me? Oh, I would never do such thing!” He puts the glass down and stands, tucking his hands into his pockets as he looks down at you with a smirk you’re not sure you want to slap or kiss off his face. “So, you’re gonna have to come with me. You can’t get stuck here, there’s no other flight back to New York today.”

“And how would you know that if you didn’t check?”

“Just a feeling,” he shrugs. “Come on, we can board the jet now. You’re coming home with me!”

He wraps his arm around your shoulders, but you shake it off and stand still. He is not getting away with it this easily.

“Harry, I’m not going home with you.”

“Yes, you are. I already arranged everything,” he shrugs and it just infuriates you even more.

“Fuck off.”

“Y/N, board the jet with me. You’re coming home with me.” His tone drops and you swear you’ve never seen him this determined about anything. Looking around you notice that people start to pick up the scene that is about to unfold, but you’re not one to cause public drama. Harry knows that.

“You’re a fucking child, you know that?” you hiss through your teeth as you catch up with him, a smug grin plastering across his annoyingly handsome face.

“This child is your boss and you love him.”

“I fucking hate you.”

He tries to put his arm around your shoulders again, you shake it off and go ahead, hearing his laughter that just makes you hate him even more.

Or love him.

The flight is long, but you sleep through most of it. You wake a few hours before landing and pulling out your laptop you try to work some on Harry’s schedule for January, but before you could get into it, he slams it shut and takes away.

“Hey! What are you doing?” you groan as he sits across you, hugging your device to his chest with a smug look.

“No working, we’re off the clock. I’m holding onto this until after Christmas.”

“No, you’re not. That’s my personal laptop so I need it back.”

His face falls as he realizes it’s not something he got you for the job and not too willingly, but hands you back.

“Put it away though. No work until after Christmas, I mean it.”

“You’re awfully obsessed about how I spend my holidays all of a sudden.”

“Just want you to have a good time.”

“And what makes you think I’m not good on my own in my apartment?”

“Because I know you,” he simply answers before standing up and walking to the back of the jet.

You land safely and make it through the airport, meeting Gemma as you walk through the doors of the terminal and you’re not even surprised she’s been expecting to see you. It was all planned out probably way ahead.

“Good to see you again!” she smiles, pulling you into a quick hug.

“Same, though it would be better if you didn’t play along with your scheming brother,” you narrow your eyes at her.

“You belong here, Y/N. I would have hit him if I found out he let you alone for the holidays.”

“Great, both Styles kids are against me,” you scoff.

“Stop being a drama queen and get your ass into the car,” Harry pokes your side before wrapping his sister in a hug.

You sit in the back on the ride and listen to the siblings catching up, occasionally chiming into the conversation. You try to focus on the scenery that’s passing by you, but you often find yourself stealing looks at Harry. The change in him is already visible, he has switched out of work mode and into break mode, he’s a lot looser and carefree and you wonder if he’s been dreading this break for a long time. He always stretches himself to his full capacity and you find yourself worrying about him overworking himself and not giving himself enough time to recharge.

“Wait, where are we… Where are we going?” you ask when you finally process that this is not the way to Anne’s.

“To my place,” Harry simply answers. “Why?”

“Why not Anne’s? You always spend Christmas at hers, don’t you?”

“She doesn’t have enough room to accommodate both of us, one of her girlfriends is temporarily living with her until January, so we’re staying at mine and just go over,” he explains and your heart starts racing instantly. You’ll be locked in Harry’s London home, just the two of you. Alone.

It’s not your first time in his London home, but definitely the first time staying over, being his guest. It’s already stressing you out.

“Thanks for the ride, Gem,” Harry hugs her upon arriving at his place.

“No problem. See you at mum’s on the twenty-fourth?”

“Of course.”

You’re busying yourself with your bags, but you catch her whispering something in his ear and you wonder what kind of secret can’t you hear, but you don’t want to be nosy.

“Bye Gemma,” you smile at her as she gets back into her car.

“Try not to kill each other!” she chuckles through the rolled down window.

“Give me that,” Harry snatches your big suitcase from your hands, leaving several of his bags on the porch just to bring yours in first.

It hasn’t changed since you’ve last been here a few months ago, but Harry himself was only one time here since then. You always feel in awe here, because it’s so uniquely Harry, this house reflects his taste the absolute most. His LA home is humongous and modern, but this is what feels the most like him with mismatched vintage furniture mixed with some modern ones, lots of trinkets and decoration everywhere you go and a bunch of framed photos of him with friends and family. Walking around in here feels like invading his mind in a sense, but you were invited here, so you’re just enjoying the intimate glimpse for now.

Harry shows you his guest bedroom that’s right next to his room, it’s nice and cozy and you have your own bathroom.

“Don’t get too comfortable,” he warns you just when you sit on the edge of the bed, bouncing on it gently.

“Why?”

“Because we have things to do. Come on, let’s go.”

“Harry, we literally just arrived, what could be so important that we can’t even unpack?”

Christmas shopping.

Harry drags you on a shopping spree where you buy all kinds of Christmas decorations, ornaments, garlands and lights to cover every possible corner of his house. When you’re done with that, you go grocery shopping to stock up the fridge and pantry that’s now empty. You buy so much food it would be enough for three families until the end of the year. On the way you find out only half of it was meant to make it home, on the way Harry simply stops at a homeless shelter and drops everything off. He doesn’t try to document it or draw attention to himself, you know it’s not what it is about for him.

He even asks for a list of things they would need and promises to drop by with them later. When you’re heading back to his place you can’t stop staring at him and he notices it too.

“What?” he chuckles with a tint of blush on his cheeks.

“Nothing,” you shake your head, but then add: “You’re such a good man.”

He doesn’t say anything, just nods shortly, acknowledging what you said.

Arriving home you carry everything inside and you want nothing than to take a nap maybe, jetlag is starting to kick in, but Harry has other plans.

“What, how do you think all this decoration will be put up?”

You groan and act like a drama queen, but of course, help him with anything and everything. You work for hours, but it doesn’t feel that long. Harry does everything he can to annoy you, but it always turns into fits of laughter and you start sabotaging him too. Your banter is perfect and you totally forget just how tired you were feeling not long ago.

“I’ll order dinner while you finish these, what do you want?” he asks while you’re hanging the stockings over the fireplace.

“We literally just restocked your fridge, why don’t we cook something?”

“Because I always crave fast food when I’m jetlagged,” he shrugs, opening up the app on his phone. “Pizza?”

“Sure,” you nod.

About thirty minutes later you’re sitting by the kitchen island, eating extra cheesy pizza and drinking wine.

“You’re not actually mad at me for bringing you here, right?” he asks, peeking at you over his slice.

“I was at the airport.”

“Okay, but what about now? If you don’t want to be here I can book you a flight back or you can take the jet…”

You know you have all those options, he would drive you to the airport without hesitation at five in the morning and it might have occurred to you to leave, but now, as you’re sitting here with him you realize there’s nowhere else you’d rather be.

“No need. I’m… I’m happy to stay if you’ll have me.”

“Of course I will have you!” he chuckles in relief. “You’ll always have a place here or wherever I am. I told you, you’re family.” Reaching over he tickles your ear, something he knows you hate, because it makes you giggle like a toddler, but he just laughs as you smack his hand away.

“Stop! My ears are off limits!” you protest.

Even though you’re around Harry 24/7, there’s not much alone time you actually get to spend with him. He’s always surrounded by people, his life is constantly buzzing and you don’t want to bother him when he has some private time for himself. But this time, it’s just the two of you having the most one-on-one time you’ve spent together probably ever.

Sitting by the kitchen island, the pizza is long gone when you’re still talking, the last drops of wine chilling in your glasses. The conversation flows easily and you hop from light topics to heavier ones and this is the version of Harry that truly makes it easy to fall for him.

“Can I ask you something?” he pops the question, turning towards you with his whole body on the stool.

“Sure.”

“Why were you so against spending the holidays with me? We’re friends, right?”

“Yeah, we are,” you nod, avoiding to look at him.

“So then why would you choose going home alone instead of being with me and my family?”

Pursing your lips you push them from one side to the other, trying to come up with an answer, but there’s nothing that you’d willing to say out loud.

“Okay, I see this is a touchy subject. You don’t have to answer.”

Slipping off his stool he starts cleaning up and you feel bad for not answering his question, but you just can’t bring yourself to reveal this part of you to him just yet. You’re not one to get vulnerable easily even though Harry would be worthy of it.

You silently stand rom your stool and grab the wine glasses before loading them into the dishwasher. He is standing with his back facing you and for a moment you fight the urge to hug him from behind. It would be way too intimate and you’d never be in the position where you get to be that close to him, and the thought is so excruciating.

“Good night, Harry,” you mumble under your breath, heading out of the kitchen, but his voice stops you.

“I meant it, Y/N.”

You turn around at the doorway and see him watching you, leaning against the edge of the counter.

“You’ll always have a place with me.”

You have no words to answer, so you just turn around and walk out.

Eleven hours of sleep completely wipes out the awkwardness of the last bits of your conversation from last night. Despite the long sleep, you feel disoriented, the jetlag is still kicking your butt and most likely Harry is fighting the same battle, because when you appear in the kitchen he is sipping on what smells like the strongest brew of coffee as he sits by the kitchen counter with his phone.

“Mornin’,” you clear your throat and grabbing a mug you pour some for yourself from the vintage pot before joining him.

“Good morning, how did you sleep?”

“Like a truck hit me,” you chuckle, rubbing your eyes.

“Do you have plans for today?”

“You’re asking that as if I planned to be here.”

“Alright, then get ready, we’re leaving in twenty. We have a busy day ahead of us.”

He did not joke.

After a quick breakfast the two of you make a round to get everything from the list the shelter gave you and you drop it off as promised. It gives you an insane boost for the day, seeing the volunteers be so grateful. He chats for a bit, gets to know the problems they face around winter time and you already know he will donate a fat amount to the shelter before Christmas morning.

He takes a group picture with the volunteers, but asks them not to post until after the holidays. People tend to look for the bad in pure acts and he knows well they would call him out for wanting clout.

Then you’re off for a last minute gift shopping, it’s quick, because Harry knows exactly what he wants to buy and where he can find them, so you get done with it before he could be spotted.

He has to drop off something for a friend at the ice rink that’s in front of the town hall for the Christmas Market, so that’s where you’re headed next. You don’t want to stay in the car so while Harry disappears, you wander to the side of the rink, watching the skaters, mostly kids. You watch the joy on their faces, the screams and laughs, you’re witnessing some great memories being made.

You wish you had some of these as well.

“You want to skate?”

You were so deep in your thoughts that you didn’t even notice Harry’s return.

“Huh?”

“You’re watching them so intently. We have time to skate a bit if you want,” he offers with a small smile.

“Oh, no. Let’s just go. People will recognize you and it will turn into a shit show,” you shrug, stepping away from the rink.

“I mean, there are about fifty people at most, don’t think it would get that bad. Come on, I’ll get us both a pair of skates.”

“Harry, I can’t skate,” you admit, not too willingly. “I never… I never learned how to skate.”

He looks back at you stunned, opens his mouth to say something but then closes it and your need to get away from the rink grows.

“Your mom never took you skating?” he then asks and you shake your head.

“She was busy getting drunk or pretending she was getting better at rehab for the third time,” you shrug, acting like it’s no big deal, but your childhood or the lack of a normal one has always stung. You just learned how to mask the pain.

Harry doesn’t speak as he nods shortly and the two of you head back to the car in silence. Arriving back to his home you’re desperate for some alone time so you lock yourself up in your room and end up taking a nap. 

It’s dark outside when you wake up, your throat feels dry like a desert and you swear it feels like you slept for days, but when you check the time on your phone you see that it’s been just about two hours. 

When you make your way downstairs you find Harry in the living room with a fake tree, ornaments and decorations littering across the floor everywhere you see as he is putting up the lights first. 

“Hey,” you softly speak up to get his attention. He looks over his shoulder before finishing up with the lights before stepping back.

“Hi! Was I too loud? I’m sorry if I woke you up–”

“No, I didn’t hear a thing,” you smile back at him. “Can I help?”

“Sure!”

The two of you slowly dress the tree up, he has all kinds of ornaments, silly ones, vintage ones, even handmade ones, so it turns out colorful and mismatched, but it fits him and his home perfectly. You can’t even picture him to have one of those perfectly decorated modern trees. 

“Hungry?” he then asks when you’re finished.

“Yeah.”

You cook together, though it’s mostly him, you’re just working under his hand because you don’t want to be useless. It’s quiet, usually your chit-chat is ongoing, but now you both keep away from conversing and you know it’s because of your comment about your mom earlier. You shouldn’t have been this blunt, it must have come off the wrong way.

“Hey, I’m sorry for what I said,” you speak up, leaning against the edge of the counter.

“You have nothing to be sorry for.”

“I shouldn’t have been that blunt, you couldn’t know… and I shouldn’t have said it, it’s not something I should be sharing…”

“Y/N, don’t think you have anything to be ashamed of,” he says, finally looking at you as he puts the knife down. “And I don’t want you to think that just because your past wasn’t that good your future can’t be different. I told you, you’re family for me and for a lot others in the crew.”

“It’s… You don’t know what you’re talking about,” you mumble under your breath, refusing to look at him.

“But I do know, I know that you are part of my family and you don’t ever have to feel like you’re alone. Christmas, Easter or birthdays, you’re always welcomed here.”

There are no words that can describe what you’re feeling as he is looking at you with those beautiful eyes filled with warmth. There’s a sense of belonging that’s pulling you towards him, but you still have your walls up so you keep your distance even despite the strong urge to just throw yourself into his arms. 

“Thank you,” is all you manage to say. Harry nods before turning back to the food.

You don’t talk about it again. By the time dinner is ready the mood has lightened and you’re back to your usual dynamic. 

That night you go to sleep with mixed feelings. It’s great to spend the holiday somewhere where you’re wanted and welcomed. It’s been a long time since you felt this at home at Christmas, it’s been seven years since your mom died and for a while you spent the holidays with a friend of yours, but even then, you didn’t feel like you belonged there, it was more of a pity invite you got. You had a fallout not long after and the lonely times began. But Harry is not changing it all, for the first time in your life you actually feel like you’re surrounded with love and he didn’t just fly you out because he felt sorry for you, but because he actually wanted you here.

On the other hand however, you can’t ignore the bitter taste in your mouth, because the tiny voice in the back of your head keeps reminding you that nothing is forever and you should save yourself from heartbreak. No one loves you enough to stay long, that’s just how it’s always been and it will be like that in the future too. If you let yourself believe that Harry will be in your life forever, you’ll end up crying when he leaves, just like everyone else in your life did. You need to keep your distance, that’s why he can never know about your feelings for him you’ve been harboring.

“You’re here! Oh, I’m so happy to see you again!”

Anne pulls you into the most bone crushing hug ever when you walk into her house. Chuckling you wrap her in your arms as well.

“Hi Anne, thank you for having me.”

“No need to thank me, you’re family!” she waves in dismiss and you swallow back the bitterness, stepping to the side so she can greet her son as well. “I missed you so much!” she sighs and you can’t help but smile as you watch them hug. Harry’s embrace practically swallows his mom, it’s the cutest thing ever. You wonder what it’s like to have such a great mother.

Gemma is already there, cousins, aunts and uncles and a few of Anne’s friends as well. The place is packed, there’s food everywhere and though you know most of Harry’s family, you still feel odd on your own. However, you don’t spend much time left alone, Harry sticks to your side, easing your fears about crushing their family celebration. He is more touchy too, that you notice, his hand often lands on the small of your back, your shoulders or arm, physical connection is continuous throughout lunch and even during game time after. He always insists on being your partner whenever you have to team up for a game and you crush it every time. You spend so much time together, you can understand each other from just a look.

“It’s not fair!” one of his cousins groans following another one of your wins. “There’s a no couples rule and you are definitely one!”

You freeze right away, even though it was just a joke and everybody knows that. No one bats an eye, but Harry notices how tense you’ve become.

“Y/N, is everything–”

“I’m gonna have a breather,” you cut him off and get up from the floor. Grabbing your jacket you rush out to the back porch that’s empty, since it’s freezing cold out.

“Fuck,” you mumble under your breath as you zip your jacket and fold your arms over your chest. You can never be seen as a couple by others, you will never be together with Harry, not even if he happens to feel the same way you feel about him. This can never be more than just a friendship. It probably shouldn’t have turned into that in the first place, he is your boss, not a friend you hang out with for fun every day. You’re his assistant, you plan his trips, you buy his plane tickets, book his hotel rooms, keep in contact with his accountant and manager and housekeeper and everyone else that’s part of the Harry Styles show. 

The sliding door opens behind you and you want to curse again when you see Harry stepping out.

“Hey, are you alright?” he asks, putting his coat on as he walks over to you.

“I’m fine,” you answer shortly, staring ahead of you, out to Anne’s backyard. 

“You should know by now that I know when you’re lying,” he chuckles softly. “Is it what Jonah said?”

“We’re not a couple, Harry. We should never be.”

“Wow, okay, you took it to your heart.”

“I just don’t want people to think it’s something that could happen. Because it can’t and won’t.”

“I’m sorry that thinking of me in a romantic way is so fucking painful to you,” he snorts out an offended laugh and you instantly regret being so harsh.

“I’m… It’s not…”

“You’ve been so weird, Y/N. Acting like spending the holidays with me is like the last thing you wanna do, and now you get all worked up because of one silly comment.”

“It’s not… It’s not what it looks like. I promise I’m happy to be here it’s just…”

You can’t explain yourself without telling him the truth about your feelings. You’ve been cornered, oh shit.

“Are you… trying to avoid me?” he guesses and you shut your eyes closed, praying he would just disappear so you don’t have to have this conversation. “Okay, don’t answer, but I’ll come clean and maybe that will make you feel better…” he continues and your eyes pop open as you look at him. 

He looks nervous, like before his first solo Wembley show, but there are no thousands of people waiting for him eagerly to perform, it’s just you and him, yet he is fumbling with his fingers as if he was about to go on stage.

“There’s a part of me that hopes you’ve been acting like this because you feel the same way… Y/N, I—fuck, I should have prepared a real speech,” he chuckles anxiously and you can’t decide if you want to run away or jump into his arms. “We spend so much time together and we get along so well, I feel like it was bound to happen… I would love to—Um, gosh, this is so bad,” he chuckles again.

“Harry, no…” you plead quietly, but he either didn’t hear it or chose to ignore it.

“Y/N, you are so much more than just my assistant, you’re one of my absolute best friends, but even more than that… I mean I want you to be more than that and I’m hoping you feel the same way… We’re so good together and you know me better than anyone and I know you like the back of my hand too, that’s why… I have hope that you might feel the same way. I mean, I feel like there’s been sparks and… I really didn’t plan this out, fuck,” he exhales as he finally looks at you now that he has said everything out loud, but then he sees tha panic on your face. “I was wrong, oh shit. You don’t… Fuck,” he curses, running a hand through his hair.

“N-No, I…”

“It’s fine if you don’t feel the same way, I won’t go crazy about it, I mean it will hurt like hell, but it’s fine, or it will be fine.”

“It’s not that. I’m… Harry, I do feel… the same,” you manage to say, but there’s no relief, only pain. 

“You do?” his face lights up.

“Yes, but… We can’t… We can’t do this.”

“Is this because you work for me? I’m sure we could figure it out, don’t stress about that.”

“It’s not about that,” you shake your head. “Please don’t make me… I don’t want to talk about it.”

He is confused, he doesn’t understand what’s happening and how he should feel about it, because you just admitted to having feelings for him, but you’re pushing him away at the same time, it doesn’t make any sense to him at all. 

“Did I do something? I can’t make it right if you don’t tell me what it is, Y/N, I–”

“I don’t want to talk about it,” you repeat yourself and he is more confused than ever, but he wouldn’t make you do something you don’t want to.

“Okay,” he nods. “It’s okay, I won’t bring it up again.”

“You won’t?” you ask with wide eyes, it’s definitely not the reaction you were expecting from him.

“If that’s what you want, yeah.”

“I don’t want this to ruin everything between us, Harry. I don’t want anything to change, I can’t… I can’t afford to lose you too!” The last part comes out barely as just a whisper and they hit him hard in the chest. Lose him too? You could never lose him, no matter what. 

“Hey, you won’t lose me, okay? It’s all good, let’s just… I won’t bring it up again. We don’t have to talk about it if you don’t want to.” Stepping closer he cups your jaw in one hand, the other one resting on your shoulder as you try to control your panicked breathing. 

“I’m sorry,” you breathe out in defeat. This shouldn’t have happened, he will now distance himself from you and you’ll lose yet another person you love and who is supposed to love you back. You want nothing more than to be with him the way he just proposed, but your fears root too deep to let yourself get into a relationship that would hurt you so badly eventually.

“There’s nothing to be sorry for. It’s alright, don’t worry. Come on, let’s get back and drink some mulled wine, how does that sound?”

“You’re not mad at me?” you ask in disbelief.

“Of course not,” he smiles and you can tell it’s genuine. He holds a hand out for you and you’re hesitant to take it, but eventually do and the two of you join the party.

You can’t shake the tension in your bones at first, you’re on the edge, waiting for Harry to change, but it never happens. If anything, he is even sweeter with you, always checking in on you, making sure you’re alright and it confuses you even harder.

You just rejected him, he shouldn’t want to be around you. This is not what usually happens, because no matter what, people always leave you. No one has ever loved you enough to want to stay.

You have a few drinks, just enough to ease your anxiety and enjoy the gathering again, like before your talk with Harry. You play more games, sing songs and dance to Christmas music and have some amazing talks with Harry’s family. You’ve never felt more at home, Anne treats you like her daughter, Gemma is like your sister, though Harry… he does not feel like a brother to you. Not when you shiver every time he touches you, not when your eyes meet and he gifts you with a warm smile, mouthing “Are you alright?” every time. Not when he pulls you into his arms and dances with you in the kitchen, your legs tangling together so you almost fall to the floor laughing. 

When the party is dying down you’re in the kitchen helping Anne clean up. 

“I’m sorry I couldn’t host you this year, but next year you’ll have a place here, Y/N, I promise,” she tells you and you stop as you look at her.

“Next year?”

“Yeah. You’re coming next year too, right?” she smiles at you warmly and it feels like a tight hug. “I hope my son didn’t get too much on your nerves,” she adds chuckling.

“No, I… it’s been amazing. Thank you for having me…” Your voice dies down as your throat closes up and tears dwell in your eyes.

Anne notices the change in you and she drops the kitchen towel from her hands to move over to you.

“Darling, what’s wrong?” she asks, her eyes searching your face as she takes it between her hands. You want to talk, but the words don’t roll off your tongue, so you just shake your head, urging yourself to stop crying like a baby.

“Honey, what got you so sad? Did I do something? Or Harry? You want me to whoop his ass?”

A laugh bubbles from your throat and it feels like it broke the restraint that’s been holding your words back.

“You didn’t do anything. You… Well, you did,” you hiccup, “but not in the sense you asked.”

“Tell me what it is, come on, let’s sit down and chat.” She pulls you over to the kitchen island and you both climb up to a stool as she patiently rubs your back.

“I’m sorry for… breaking down,” you breathe out when you finally gain control over your breathing.

“No need to apologize. Just tell me what the matter is, Darling.”

“I’m just… It’s so stupid,” you shake your head with a bitter laugh. “I didn’t want to come here, because… it’s everything I never had.”

“What do you mean?”

“I never had a Christmas like this. I never had a big family, I never experienced so much… love.”

It’s like your chest has been opened and now you’re unloading your deepest thoughts that you’ve been harboring deep down probably your whole life. And Anne quietly listens and lets you talk. 

“We barely celebrated Christmas with my mom, because… she usually wasn’t really in the condition to do so, it was a miracle if she remembered what day it was. I never felt this warmth and I didn’t want to come because I knew it wouldn’t end well. For me.”

“Just because your past Christmases weren’t good, you can still have nice ones now. You have all these people around you that love you and want to spend time with you, this is your chance to make up for all the bad memories.”

“I know,” you breathe out. “But it’s like… my brain is not letting me have it, I keep thinking that if I settle in this feeling and let myself have it, it will hurt more when I lose it.”

“But why do you think you’ll lose it?”

“Because I always lost it,” you answer without missing a beat. 

“Oh Darling…” she breathes out and the next thing you know is that she has her arms around you, pulling you into her embrace, your head resting on her chest. 

You’re not a hugger, you usually try to avoid close physical contact, but now you instantly melt against her, even put your arms around her waist, letting her warmth wrap you in a cocoon. 

“Love is a tricky thing, because as good as it can feel, losing it could break your heart. But you can’t deprive yourself of it fully. You can’t push away everyone from yourself because there’s a chance they might step out of your life one day.”

“But I don’t think I can handle it,” you admit truthfully. “Everyone has left me and I don’t think I can handle it one more time.”

“Of course you can,” she replies, giving you a squeeze. “You have to, because it’s worse if you push everyone away and end up alone. That’s no way to live life.”

“Feels more stable,” you shrug, making her laugh as she lets go of you so she can look at you.

“Yes, but you won’t be happy.”

“I won’t be happy if I get my heart broken again either.”

“No, but when you receive the love, you’ll feel like you’re on the top of the world, that’s what gets you going. Without love, you’ll… lose yourself.”

You’re chewing her words thoroughly, adding everything to what you’ve thought so far and it’s putting it all into a different perspective, though you still can’t shake your deeply rooted fears.

“Have you ever had your heart broken?” you then ask.

“Oh, a million times!” she chuckles. “It’s the way life is, you live, you love and sometimes your heart gets broken. Then you heel and go on from there, appreciating the love you have, looking for other people to give you more. Easy as it is.”

“You really make it sound easy,” you chuckle. 

The two of you sit in silence for a bit, deep in thoughts until Anne speaks up again.

“Harry’s confession scared you, didn’t it?”

“You know about it?” you ask, eyes widened.

“Of course,” she laughs. “He is my son and he shares an awful lot with me. Like his feelings for this one particular girl,” she winks at you, heat crawling up your neck. The thought that Harry told his mom about you awakens the butterflies in your stomach right away.

“I don’t want to lose him,” you mutter, refusing to look her in the eyes. “It’ll hurt less if we… don’t get involved.”

“You really think your heart wouldn’t get broken if you parted ways now?”

You want to answer yes instantly, but you can’t when you actually think about it. It doesn’t matter that you’re not dating him, losing him would be just as hard and painful at this point, because he is your friend. Your best friend, to be exact. He is such a huge part of your life already that it would be impossible not to have your heart broken if you lost him.

“I know you to be the kind of person who takes risks. That’s what you have to do too when it comes to love and you just have to hope for the best. And if you end up hurt, take it as a lesson, build from it and continue stronger.”

She pats your hand and slips off the stool before leaving you alone with your thoughts. 

You needed this conversation and you’re glad it was Anne you could have it with. It’s bittersweet, because you wanted your mom to be just like her, to give you this support and wisdom, but she could never be the mother you needed her to be. 

Your thoughts are racing when you say goodbye and you and Harry head back to his place. It’s dark, the street lights are gently illuminating his face as they pass by and you’re working up your courage to talk to him when you arrive. 

He is still not showing any signs of anger or disappointment about your previous conversation, he is not bitter about getting rejected and it’s sending you a message, loud and clear.

He loves you enough to bear with the pain of being rejected rather than to lose you. 

“If you’re not too tired we can watch a movie, if you want,” he offers arriving home.

“Can we… talk?” you ask, your inside shaking from anticipation and fears. 

“You can talk during the movie, I don’t mind,” he shrugs, not taking the hint what you meant.

“No, I mean… can we have a talk?”

His eyes finally meet yours and he realizes that it’s something serious.

“Oh. Sure, let’s sit down.”

“I can’t,” you blurt out. “I’m… I’m too nervous,” you add.

“Okay, then we’ll stand. What’s up?”

You take a deep breath staring at him, getting lost in those beautiful green eyes for a moment before you force the words out of your mouth.

“I love you.”

It’s relieving and scary at the same time to say it so openly, but you can’t take it back now. Harry’s lips part, but because of your talk earlier, he doesn’t say anything, just waits for you to add more.

“I’m… I’m sorry for the way I reacted today. Truth is that… I’m scared to death, Harry,” you admit, already feeling your eyes tearing up. “I’m so used to people walking out of my life, people who were supposed to love me, that I reject the idea of giving someone the power to break my heart like that again. I thought that I’m protecting myself by pushing you away, but I was so wrong,” you breathe out a bitter chuckle. 

You’re a mess, your hands are shaking and you feel like throwing up, but you know you have to put it all out. It’s now or never. Stepping closer you continue.

“I had an eye-opening talk with your mom,” you smile. “It’s gonna be hard to change my point of view, I’ll have to work on that. But I do take risks and– Sorry, I’m rambling,” you chuckle, scratching the back of your neck.

“It’s okay,” he smiles softly. 

“What I’m trying to say is that… I love you and I… I want to give it a chance. Give us a chance.”

“Really?” His whole face lights up as he takes your face between his hands.

“Yeah,” you smile through your tears. “Just please… Don’t break my heart,” you add in a whisper.

“Oh Y/N…” he exhales, resting his forehead against yours. “You have the right to cut my balls off if I ever do that,” he says, finally making you laugh.

“But I already have the right to do that if you ever miss a flight or don’t answer my texts in less than 24 hours.”

“Add this to the list too,” he grins, nudging your nose with his, his lips are now just a breath away. 

“We have to set boundaries though,” you say, though it’s the last thing you want to talk about.

“We will. But we’re on vacation, so no more work talk,” he warns before his lips finally press against yours. 

You’ve imagined kissing Harry so many times, but fantasy is nothing like reality. Like feeling his hungry mouth discovering yours, his hands pressing into your back or the moan that slips through his delicious lips when you tug on his hair to pull him closer even though you’ve melted together and you can’t tell where you end and where he starts. 

He somehow backs until he bumps against the couch and he falls to the soft cushion, pulling you with him and you settle on his lap, pressing your front against his eagerly. You’re ready to go all the way, right here on his couch, you’ve wanted him for so long, you don’t want to wait any longer, but fate has different plans for you.

Harry’s phone starts buzzing in his pocket breaking the moment, though neither of you are eager to acknowledge it and pull back, but when it doesn’t stop, Harry grunts against your lips and reaches into his pocket with an annoyed frown. You attempt to climb off his lap, but his free hand is quick to grab onto your waist and pull you back.

“No moving,” he warns you before answering the call. “Mum? It’s not a good ti–” he starts, but Anne cuts him off.

“Harry, be patient with her, okay?” you hear her voice in the quiet. Harry’s eyes snap up to meet yours as he answers.

“I am. Well, not right now,” he cheekily says referring to the situation the two of you are in at the moment and you can barely bite a giggle back. 

“Right now is what matters!” Anne sighs. “Listen, I talked to her and she is–”

“Mum.” This time Harry is the one interrupting. “Now is not a good time. We are actually smoothing things out with Y/N, like, right now.”

There’s a silence in the call while Harry is eyeing you with hunger and passion, his free hand relentlessly massaging your hips, waist and thighs.

“Oh… Oh! Great! I’ll get out of your hair then. Come by tomorrow to tell me everything!”

“Are you sure you want to hear everything?” Harry chuckles and you smack his chest playfully, giving him a hard look, but it quickly turns into a smile.

“Oh you wanker!”

“Bye mum!” he laughs, ending the call and letting the phone drop to the cushion next to him before eagerly returning all of his attention to you. “Now, where were we?”

“Get those in order, right now!” Your voice beams through the hallway as you’re jogging to Harry’s dressing room, the whole backstage buzzing from the show that just ended minutes ago. You have a looser schedule since you’re only leaving in the late afternoon tomorrow, but you want everything to be ready in time as usual. 

Questions are thrown at you on your way by different crew members and you have an answer to all of them because you are probably the only person around here who knows everything, even the stuff that’s not even your responsibility to take care of. 

Reaching his dressing room you walk in without knocking, a habit that’s not new, you used to come and go even before you started sharing a bed with the star of the show. 

“You have about…” you start, checking the time on your phone, “ten minutes to get ready so we can get going,” you announce as you walk in, expecting him to be running around in his underwear, either about to shower or freshly out of the shower, because usually that’s the state you find him.

Not this time though.

Surprisingly, he is already dressed, his things are packed, ready to leave.

“We can get going, but not where you’d think,” he smirks at you, grabbing his backpack as he walks over to you, stealing a quick kiss.

“Huh?” you narrow your eyes at him.

“Come on, we have somewhere to be.”

Confusion etches onto your face as he takes your hand and starts pulling you out of the building, to the parking lot, but he doesn’t head to the car, instead the two of you are walking over to the sports center that’s right next to the arena he has just performed at.

“Harry? Where are we going?” you ask with a nervous laughter.

“No questions, it’s a surprise,” he smirks.

The building is closed, it’s quite late at night, but he just simply walks up to the entrance and you spot a security guard there who unlocks the door for you without hesitation. 

“Good evening,” Harry greets the man. 

“Good evening. Everything is ready for you,” the man nods with a smirk.

“Thank you so much.”

“Are you going to murder me? If you want to get rid of me you should just fire me and break up with me,” you mumble, but he just laughs at your comment.

“I’m never getting rid of you, baby,” he says, kissing your temple as the two of you turn the corner. 

And slowly, you realize what is about to happen.

“Harry? Is this…” you breathe out, the two of you approaching an ice rink.

“It is,” he chuckles, squeezing your hand as he pulls you over a bench that has two pairs of ice-skates waiting for you. “I know I’m not a parent, it won’t be a good childhood memory, but it can still be a nice experience. Learning how to skate.”

You’re touched by the thought and the gesture. It’s been almost two months since that one time back in England when you blurted out how you were never taught to skate. He remembered and he is now eager to turn it into a nice experience rather than a bitter part of your childhood.

“It’s gonna be a lot better,” you smile at him, curling your arms around his neck before kissing his rosy lips. “Thank you.”

“Am I doing this no heartbreak thing right?” he smirks, wrapping his arms around you tightly.

“You’re doing it perfectly.”

Thank you for reading, please like and reblog if you enjoyed and buy me a coffee if you want to support me!

[cocoa-rococo]

Koopaling Headcanons: Lemmy

Larry | Morton | Wendy | Iggy | Roy | Lemmy | Ludwig

The clown prince of crime and everyone's favorite circus performer! Gosh he's adorable.

Right-handed.

Fairly sensitive about his height. The rest of the Koopa Troop know better than to bring it up. Just. Don't call him short. Last guy who did ended up with more than a broken nose.

Allergic to peanuts, which is unfortunate, because a lot of folks like them roasted at circuses. He likes other nut butters better anyway.

Likes collecting old circus memorabilia, such as posters, small trinkets, and flyers. He started it when he was younger, and has kept it going ever since.

He purposefully lets people underestimate him due to his silly personality and clown aesthetics. Makes it all the sweeter when he ends up with the last laugh.

Can and will juggle just about anything. Ludwig had to stop him on multiple occasions because he was tossing around something dangerous for fun (and profit).

Is very fond of caramel corn and citrus candies, as well as fruit gummies.

Favorite cookies are snickerdoodles and classic chocolate chip, but he loves fruit pies and sweet crêpes for dessert, really anything flaky with layers.

An excellent roller and ice-skater, given his balance. He, Wendy, and Larry like to skate together sometimes.

Very tactile person! Likes giving and receiving hugs, pats on the back, head scratches, and secret handshakes.

Similarly, a tactile learner; if you want him to remember something, give him something he can hold.

Because of his smaller size and how much he moves, any sickness he gets hits him like a truck, but also burns through his system pretty quick.

The only member of the castle with permission to enter Iggy's lab at any time without prior warning or knocking.

Has an almost terrifying amount of emotional intelligence and is very good at sussing out the crux of a relationship problem, sometimes even before the other person does.

Always rehearses his tricks in front of Iggy before anyone else, because he knows he’ll always be guaranteed a laugh, as well as critique on what he can improve on.

One of the lesser strict generals, which the minions are thankful for, but will also ask them to assist in his tricks. This can range anywhere from "hand him something" to "balance on a ball while juggling flaming hammers". The minions are not so thankful for this.

His proficiency with stage illusions actually helped him grasp the concepts of his wand's abilities. Out of the Koopalings, his strength lies in how precise his magic is, able to pull what he needs right when he needs it, as well as being able to divide and manage his concentration.

Likes to exercise with Roy, though he leans more towards yoga and calisthenics than weight training.

He likes all kinds of flowers, but likes seeing cosmos and marigolds the most. Poppies are nice, too.

He can be just as bad as Iggy when it comes to pulling pranks, mainly because no one suspects him; he manages to get out of 99% of situations by pulling the "ohhhh I'm just a lil guy" card.

An alarmingly good impressionist. More than once he fooled the guards into doing something for him by pretending to voice someone else.

Given his small size and how active he is, his metabolism is working overtime to fuel him. He eats almost as much as Larry.

Mastered the art of making the perfect hot chocolate drink, inspired by his trips into the ice lands. Wendy is determined to learn his secret. Lemmy is an adorable steel vault.

If you pick him up or he falls over, he has this… almost ragdoll-like heft to him, with dangly limbs and a little flopping from where you grab him, like he's made of sand or a weighted stuffed animal. The only time this doesn't seem to affect him is when he's on his ball. No one can really explain why this is.

Favorite fruit is any kind of berry, as well as peaches (formed before any interaction with a certain princess).

Morton used to carry him under his arm when they were younger. For what purpose? None know. Lemmy, though, was happy to stay there until he was put down again.

He likes sleeping where he's suspended, like swings, tree tents, and other such places. There was a notable instance where Kamek once found him tucked in his shell and snoozing in an empty hanging plant holder.

Really good at shuffling cards and coin moves, really any sort of street magic or little parlor trick. He's been learning tarot interpretation from Kammy because it's always a hit at parties.

His bombs are his own invention. Iggy helped him develop the combustion system and ratio of powder to use, but the shape, style, and make are all his own. Similarly, the tires he sells for his business are made from the same rubber as his balancing balls.

One of the most agile of all his siblings, and one of the best climbers.

He used to share a bunk bed with Iggy when they were young, but once they got older and had their own separate rooms, he used a hammock instead of a bed. It's quite cozy, with lots of blankets and pillows.

One of his favorite snacks is roasted sunflower seeds with a little salt. Crunchy, and especially tasty after an energetic routine.

The one most likely to lose things. Not because he misplaced them somewhere, but because he made them vanish via magic trick, and can't remember if he re-summoned them again.

Takes any sort of dance class he can. He's energetic and likes being able to move around a lot, but he's especially fond of tap, hip-hop (no pun intended), and ballet. The latter he practices with Wendy.

[artbyblastweave]

Thinkin’ about The Siberian

I was sitting on a draft that said something to the effect of “Worm AU where Manton pulls an NBC Hannibal and moonlights as The Siberian on top of being a globally respected parahuman studies researcher. Is this anything.”

Then I thought about this a little more and realized that this might not be far off from what actually happened. There’s a throughline in Manton’s interests, in his trajectory through life, where he’s trying to figure out what you can use powers to get away with doing to people- about identifying constraints and overcoming them. 

He’s the guy who somehow credibly catalogued, and got his name associated with, the fact that powers generally can’t be used to pop people like balloons, and he did so reasonably early in the timeline, in the nineties at the latest. That’s.... an interesting direction to take your research! When people are just coming to terms with the fact that parahumans are real he’s out there taking careful note of whether they can manifest their powers inside people to instantly kill them. How did he test that? What capes did he collaborate with to test that? What did those conversations look like? Did the IRB at a minimum issue any revise-and-resubmits?

And then, of course, he gets picked up by Cauldron (also known as the infinite untraceable victim depot) to work on improving the vials- gaining a sufficiently in-depth understanding of what they are, how they’re made, and what they can do to people that when Cauldron told Legend that Manton had gone rogue and was the one creating C53s, he found this plausible. You’ve got the guy who’d later become the backbone of the Slaughterhouse 9 basically systemically cataloging every conceivable way a power could violate someone’s physiology- first from without, and then, at Cauldron, from within.

Then, when he pulls the trigger and gives himself powers, the resultant ability is essentially a distilled refutation of the Manton Effect- a minion that can obliterate anything, eat anything, delete any material from existence, viscerally dismember people in a unity of conventional and esoteric, power-enabled violence. And he’s insulated from the consequences of his actions on two levels- in terms of Siberian’s invulnerability, but also in the discrepancy between his form and that of his minion. He mixed the vial that gave him that power himself.

Essentially- I don’t think Siberian is something that just happened after a psychological break following a messy divorce. I think Manton basically pre-committed to becoming something like The Siberian, spent most of his career working towards some form of transcendence through superpowers, and the messy divorce was downstream of the cracks starting to show as he got closer and closer to what he’d been chasing.

Now to segue into a complication that’s more directly supported in the text- it’s Worm, it’s always complicated- Master powers spring from loneliness. My theory is that while Manton wanted apotheosis, and while he’d probably been gearing up for a rampage for a while, he genuinely didn’t want to do it alone; he wanted a sidekick. Hence why he bothered pursuing a family in the first place, hence why he fed his daughter a vial, hence why his own projection ended up looking like his daughter after he accidently made her explode or whatever with the bad vial- a monkey’s paw restoration, giving him back a facsimile of the person he wanted to take along for the ride, and making his capacity for violence inseparable from her presence.

This is why he joined up with the Nine rather than remaining a solo act; it’s why he engages in a bad imitation of the Parent/Child relationship with Bonesaw; and it’s why he seeks out Bitch as a candidate. His interest in her candidacy parses to me as genuine- Even moreso than Bonesaw, even moreso than Jack, Bitch has arrived at a no-frills fuck-you-I-do-what-I-want outlook that’s very appealing to Manton. He wants to have a murderer-daughter relationship!

But Rachel got where she is the hard way, by having a life that sucked a lot, by getting near-constantly kicked around! She has a clear reason to be so angry! Even if all my postulations about Manton having a long game are complete bullshit, there are several stages at which Manton had to actively opt in to the same lifestyle and reputation that Bitch was forced to adopt as a basic survival tactic. He didn’t have to start eating people! He’s a tourist! His “freedom” is inseparable from his distance, his disguise. Rachel’s “freedom” is just the freedom of having nothing left to lose.

All of this to say- In an interlude in which Bitch has an extended internal monologue about how people with families have the opportunities to be assholes and monsters to a captive audience, it is absolutely not a coincidence that she’s scouted by a would-be parental figure who proceeds to be an asshole and a monster in front of a captive audience, before trying to buy her affection with a puppy. In rejecting Manton, Rachel dodged an esoterically-packaged but ultimately very familiar bullet.

[spaceorphan18]

The Rogue and Gambit Project: Previously On X-Men... Gambit

It's time to talk about Gambit! The nice thing about Gambit is that he was, at the time, a relatively new character, having only been around in the comics for about a year. Which means there is way less to cover! Boy, are we going to have to deal with some questionable art, though.

The Basics:

Name: Remy Etienne* LeBeau

*Okay, so, this is the funny thing about the name Etienne. Apparently, it started out as fanlore, and - as so many things that happen in fandom - gained popularity as fanon from a particularly well known piece of fanfiction from way back when. I believe it's actually been used in canon at this point. It is on Marvel.com - which is the official site. I'll keep a look out for it to show up.

Also, in case you didn't know (and I'm sure you did), Le Beau is French for The Beautiful.

Backstory: Just like Rogue, Gambit's backstory is shrouded in mystery. He's a thief. He's from New Orleans. He's Cajun. That's all your getting for now. Don't worry, we'll peel back the layers. ;)

Power Set (via uncannyxmen.net):  interkinetic power allows him to produce bio-kinetic energy within his body and use it to convert any inorganic object's potential energy into kinetic energy on contact, making the object highly volatile and explosive on contact, internal energy also grants him heightened agility and creates static interference that shields his mind from detection

I should also give the obligatory comment of - these powers are toned down from his full abilities because of /reasons/ which we'll get to eventually. He had Mr. Sinister give him a lobotomy and, we've all been suffering the consequences sense.

Alright, let's dig into Gambit's pre-Rogue run...

Uncanny X-Men 266-267

Uncanny X-Men #266

I have to start by appreciating the fact that Gambit is a thief who wears bright pink and metal boots. It's a bold look.

Anyway, the funny thing about Gambit is that the character he turned out to be ended up being a lot different from creator Chris Claremont's initial ideas. Apparently, he was supposed to be, ultimately, a villain and, while he was supposed to be a love interest for one of our characters, it wasn't Rogue, it was... Kitty Pryde. He was also supposed to be a Mr. Sinister creation and a third summers brother. Yeah, I'm kind of glad Claremont left before any of this stuff really came to fruition.

Also, I once read that Claremont claim that original artist Mike Collins made Gambit too pretty. Which is funny, because ngl, I really am not a fan of the look in his debut, and it will be a while before he really earns his name.

Uncanny X-Men #266

I also want to note that Gambit's powers were a little different back then. He didn't have playing cards yet, and instead used metal spikes as throwing devices. The powers were designated in green. And were charged from his eyes. Also, interesting to note - his eyes aren't red on black yet, either.

There's also 'hypnotic charm' thing that was kinda used in the early appearances. He does use it in his first appearance to tame some of the Shadow King's Hounds.

Uncanny X-Men #266

He's gonna be calling her 'Stormy' for years. She's gonna love it. ;) (Btw - he calls her Stormy 4 times in this issue alone.)

Okay, so... Gambit shows up, crossing paths with Storm at a mansion of some rich person. Storm is de-aged (for... reasons) and is running from the Shadow King and his minions. He's busy stealing art from the rich dude (who apparently is not home and has no security, lol).

And thus, one of my favorite comic book friendships is born. And really, this first appearance is a lot of fun as Gambit and Storm play off each other's strengths to get away from the Shadow King.

Uncanny X-Men 267

Jim Lee is going to add some of Gambit's more iconic features -- such as throwing playing cards (Gambit's Ace of Spades shows up in this next issue) and using some kind of staff (hilariously, it's a broom in this issue).

Storm and Gambit's adventures continue. He takes her to New Orleans for a while so she can recover from the Shadow King. They go thieving -- playing Robin Hood -- stealing from rich people because they can. And then the Orphan Maker comes along, who makes Storm a teenager? (Idk - the whole thing is weird - she'll become her real age again in the next story arc.)

Uncanny X-Men #267

And then Storm is like, hey, I have a crazy idea....

Uncanny X-Men Annual #14

Fun fact: Because of release dates and such, Uncanny X-Men #266 wasn't the first comic released to have Gambit in it. The Annual technically came out first, though it clearly takes place after Uncanny 266-267. But this is the first time we see Gambit among the X-Men team. Not that he does anything remotely interesting during this whole thing. He doesn't even speak, kind of hides awkwardly in the background.

X-Tinction Agenda (Uncanny X-Men #270-272; X-Factor & New Mutants)

Uncanny X-Men #270

Welcome to the X-Men, Gambit! Hope you survive the experience!

He's in the credit roll now, must be official. ;)

Gambit joins the team just as the mega X-tinction Agenda crossover starts. (Uncanny X-Men joins New Mutants and X-Factor for this one) And, I'll be honest, this isn't one of my favorite crossovers. The whole thing revolves around the nation of Genosha, how they're using mutants for slaves, and how all the teams come together to change the status quo. And of course, mutants get capture and tortured and a few killed. Fwiw X-Men: The Animated Series did do this storyline.

Uncanny X-Men #270

Gambit and Cable don't (won't) get to cross paths very often, so I found this an interesting panel. Anyway... Gambit really has very little to do during this crossover. When Storm gets captured, he is really concerned for her (as he considers her his partner at the moment) but he's not really vibe-ing the whole team dynamic yet.

Uncanny X-Men #272

This is arguably the coolest thing Gambit's done as of yet. Dude pulls a spike out of his leg to use as a lockpick and gets himself rescued. I'm glad they give him this, because, again, for the most part he's just kinda hanging around in the background not doing much.

I will say - he and Jubilee get to cross paths, which is going to be a source of fun in the next arc.

Space Shenanigans (Uncanny X-Men 273-277)

Uncanny X-Men 273

Some of my favorite issues are when the team is regrouping. Post- X-Tinction Agenda, it's clear that things in the X-Office were changing. Claremont is at this point sort of being pushed out, while Jim Lee and Co are becoming more the driving force behind the books. On panel, the teams are kind of merging. X-Factor's first era is drawing to a close, and the X-Men are resolidifying after being in flux for so long.

We're about to get a Space Soap Opera, as Claremont so dearly loves, but this issue is a bit of a breather between the arcs. And we get this bit of tension between Storm and Gambit - where Gambit is ready to move on, but Storm is back on solid footing again. They don't explicitly state why Gambit sticks around, but he definitely does...

Uncanny X-Men 273

I swear, this is Chris Claremont's favorite joke. He's used it before this moment, and he'll do it again. It's impactful the first time, but it does get old the more Claremont does it. However, we get the first highlight of the dynamic between Gambit and Wolverine -- which will be antagonistic for a while, but is fascinating.

Uncanny X-Men #274

Doesn't Gambit look sexy in his yellow team uniform?? ;)

Btw - as I mentioned earlier, this is the first issue Gambit and Rogue appear in together. Though they be miles and miles and miles apart.

Uncanny X-Men #275

The whole crux of this arc, that I've been kind of ignoring, involves Xavier being brainwashed in space (or something) and of course the X-Men get involved in space politics (again). Honestly, space stories are Claremont's favorite trope, so it doesn't surprise me that the end of his run are filled with a couple of them.

Anyway -- if there's one person impervious to Gambit's charms - it's Jubilee. They get to hang out a lot during this arc, and it's really delightful since they team up to kind of figure out what is going on with Xavier acting weird and all the odd space kool-aide people are drinking.

Uncanny X-Men #277

I actually really like this cover. Gambit's got a sword and a spear! Plus, he looks like his 90s cool self now. The blue and yellow uniform doesn't suit him AT. ALL. But we don't have to deal with it too much longer...

Uncanny X-Men #277

See... I told you Claremont was gonna do this again, lol.

Uncanny X-Men #277

The nice thing about this whole space arc is that Gambit really gets to come into his own. He now looks cool (note the red eyes are here!). He's doing fun stuff. He's taking on Wolverine and holding his own. He's being smart and tactical and an asset. They've paired him with some great X-Men to start off with, and it's paying off.

Meanwhile, we don't really know much about him. As many of the other characters state, his background is shrouded in mystery... (whether you like what it actually is can be debated as we get to it). But for now, he's intriguing as a new comer.

And this is where we're at as two story lines come crashing together and our two romantic leads get to meet for the first time.... off panel.

But I'll get more into that next time when I discuss... The Muir Island Saga!

[cielcreations]

Spectrum's Doll (VSAU Story)

Based off/Inspiration from the amazing @rhapsoddity and their Vigilante Sheriff AU as well as their Head Empty Sheriff AU! Their art and story is just *chef's kiss* Definitely check them and their stuff out, it's amazing and lovely and I just can't get over it.

Also, implied hermit/empireshipping in this story. Nothing too drastic, just characters mentioning how they were exes or how they like each other, but still, it's there.

Also, also, TRIGGER WARNING: Hypnosis/Mind Control. That's kinda the whole point of this story. Cool? Cool.

When Stratos asked Sheriff for help in finding Sausage, he didn't think he would have to make a trade, intentionally or not.

Sheriff tied the llama hybrid up, the man struggling the whole time.

"Are your informants really reliable? It just seems like no one is here." Stratos asked, "Well, besides Spectrum's minions."

"Yes, I'm sure my information is correct, my informants wouldn't give me false info or lie." Sheriff said. They may be pigeons, but they see everything. He thought. He put the llama hybrid against the wall, who continued to struggle.

"You won't get away with this." The man hissed.

"Hey, that's my line!" Sheriff teased, taking out a deputy's badge sticker and sticking it on his head, "Boop!"

Stratos rolled his eyes before he and Sheriff moved to the next room of the warehouse. It was dark, making the two already on edge. Suddenly, a single light flipped on, revealing Sausage.

"Sausage!" Stratos ran over.

"Wait, Stratos, be careful, I don't like this! It could be a trick!" Sheriff exclaimed, taking out another lasso.

"Oh, don't be uptight, it's Sausage, he wouldn't hurt-" Stratos stopped in his tracks as the brunette lifted his hand, a large vine nearly stabbing him but only brushing past his cheek, "-me..."

"What the-?!" Sheriff watched as Sausage began to fight Stratos, the hero dodging and yelling at the other to stop. He took out his grabbling hook, spinning it in his hand, "That's Sanctuary's power! How could Spectrum use it? Unless Sausage is- oh god, that would make sense, but then why-"

"Too many questions~" Someone whispered in his ear, hugging his arm and wrapping their arm around his shoulder, "Don't worry that pretty little head of yours~ Just sink deeper and listen to me~"

Sheriff blinked as the colors in the room began to blur. He groaned and pulled away from the person quickly. His vision was slightly clouded by a mix of colors, but he fought against it, seeing the colorful villain. He had teal hair with heterochromia eyes, one teal and one orange. He wore a simple black bodysuit with a chest window, black jeans, and a colorful jacket, his black mask covering his face.

"Woah man, take me to dinner first!" Sheriff laughed, trying to ground himself.

"Gladly!" The villain, Spectrum, smiled, "But I don't think this location is very fitting!"

The colors moved and Sheriff saw tables and chairs appear around them. He groaned, holding his head and focusing on Spectrum. If he did that, he could see the warehouse, he could hear Stratos's yelling and Sausage using his power. He needed to focus.

"I-I'm flattered, but one shouldn't mix work with play-!" He groaned.

Spectrum stepped forward, "Awwww, come on handsome, a little break wouldn't-" He gasped, stepping back to dodge one of Sheriff's punches, the dirty blonde dropping his lasso and grappling hook, "Oh, so you like it rough, huh?"

"Gotta keep you on your toes, don't I?" Sheriff chuckled, trying to punch him again.

Spectrum dodged. Sheriff couldn't tell if he was moving slower or if Spectrum was just that fast, but he kept trying to hit him. He focused on fighting Spectrum, the villain seeming to get more bored by the minute.

"You know, I'm surprised and impressed you managed to endure this for so long!" Spectrum cooed, stepping out of the way.

Sheriff panted, smirking, kind of proud of himself, "Yeah, well, I know villains like you prefer a show and I don't mind an audience!"

Spectrum again dodged, managing to get behind Sheriff, "That's cute, but we should really wrap this up." He kicked the dirty blonde in the back, Sheriff stumbling and falling to his knees, "I don't do this for everyone, but you're quite a special case!"

Spectrum moved in front of Sheriff, cupping his cheeks, "Now, do me a favor and scream."

Sheriff gasped as he was blinded by colors, a voice in his head telling him to give in, to let go, to relax, to let Spectrum in. He tried to resist it, he tried to think of things to ground himself. Norman, Flick, he two cats. Grian, his awesome brother when he's not being annoying. Sausage, Sausage still needs help! And Stratos needs him and-

"Stop thinking. You don't need to. Let me do all the work." Spectrum's voice rang in his head.

Tears formed in Sheriff's eyes as they fluttered. He tried to fight back, but the voices telling him to give in overtook him. He closed his eyes as tears ran down his cheeks.

Spectrum groaned, holding his head as he looked down at the dirty blonde, Damn, why did I have to use so much power on him?! He thought. He stared down at the other and smiled, cooing as he wiped the tears away. Sheriff's blue eyes were glowing purple, a blank look on his face.

"Nothing but a cute little doll." He giggled before looking at Sausage and Stratos.

Spectrum smirked, picking Sheriff up bridal style before slipping out of the room. He blinked and laughed, seeing the llama hybrid still struggling in the ropes.

"Yeah, yeah, laugh it up! Your arm candy is stronger than he looks!" The brunette hissed.

"Oh, I know, trust me, Owen." Scott walked over, using a knife to cut him loose, "Come on, I got what I want. The hypnosis on Sausage will wear off the farther I get away."

Owen looked at Sheriff in his arms, "Oh my god, you must've used a lot of power. There are no thoughts behind those eyes!"

"That's the point!" Spectrum chuckled, "He was really good at resisting, even tried to put up a fight. But when I finally got him to stop thinking, he finally was mine!"

The two continued chatting, slipping into the night, disappearing with Sheriff.

***

"Home sweet home, my doll!" Spectrum giggled as he placed the dirty blonde on his bed, Owen rolling his eyes.

"I'm stealing your bathroom for an hour." He grabbed his civilian clothes, walking to the door.

"That's fine! I'll be here!" Spectrum giggled as the brunette closed the door. He smiled, removing his mask and jacket, placing them on a chair.

"Yo, Scott, I heard Owen." His bedroom door open as his sibling came in, "How did- oh, you got him."

"Xornoth, this is Sheriff!" Scott exclaimed, making Sheriff turn to face his sibling, "Sheriff, say hi!"

Sheriff lifted his hand and waved a bit.

Xornoth rolled their eyes, "Whatever. Just keep an eye on him."

"I will! He's going to just be either arm candy or a doll!"

"Yeah, I get that, but you also let your toys wander, sometimes. Just keep him away from my stuff."

"I will, geeeeez!"

"You okay?"

"Huh? Oh, yeah, I-"

"Scott." Xornoth looked at him, raising an eyebrow, "Are you okay? Injured? Broken?"

Scott chuckled, "I'm fine, Xornoth. Head hurts a bit from using too much of my power, but I'm fine."

"Kay. Just making sure." Xornoth waved, "Alright, I'm going back to terrorizing 10 year olds."

"Have fun!" Scott called as they shut the door and left.

Scott then changed into some pajamas before facing Sheriff, who was still staring at where Xornoth once was. He chuckled, tilting his head to face him. He removed the dirty blonde's hat, vest, and scarf, placing them on a chair before opening his closet.

"What to put you in...?" He hummed, "Hmmm... I mean, I could leave you in boxers, what do you think?" He chuckled, laughing at his own joke.

"Mmmn-"

Scott turned and saw Sheriff's face was twisted.

"H-H-Huuuh-"

"Shhhhhhh~" Scott cooed, quickly closing the distance between them, holding the other's cheeks, "No thinking for you~ Just sit there looking pretty~"

Sheriff slipped easily, his face relaxing as he once again fell under Scott's control. Damn, even now, he's still trying to fight. I have to watch what I say and order of him if me asking what he thinks can bring him back. Scott turned back to the closet, deciding a clean white shirt was all Sheriff needed.

He unbuttoned the dirty blonde's shirt and widened his eyes. Winged... surgery scars...? He looked at Sheriff's back, eyes getting bigger, Small canary wings...?! Scott was in shock before he gently removed Sheriff's mask.

"Holy- Is that-?!" Scott cupped the dirty blonde's cheeks before smiling brightly, "Oh, my god! Jimmy Solidarity Gaming is Sheriff, aye?! That's so cool! No wonder I like you so much!" He then put the new white shirt on the dirty blonde, unbuttoning and removing his jeans, "We sure live in a small world, huh? That's crazy! I can't believe you became a vigilante! And a confident flirter too! I guess that's my doing, you're welcome everyone! I mean, I am sorry I have to take this handsome hunk off the streets, but he's miiiiiiine~!" Scott giggled. 

Owen walked out, sighing, "Alright, I'm done.

"Thank you so much for your hard work, Own! You're dismissed, minion!" Scott teased, playfully clapping his hands together, "That will be all!"

"Yeah, yeah, I'm going!" Owen laughed, waving as he left, "See ya tomorrow!"

"See ya!" Scott chuckled.

He smiled, looking at Solidarity's face, still blank. He gently laid the other down laying beside him.

"Cuddle me."

The dirty blonde did.

Scott smiled, "So handsome, doll. And all mine. Go ahead and sleep."

Solidarity's eyes fluttered closed and Scott smiled. He turned off the lights and fell asleep himself.

***

Stratos paced, biting his bottom lip, occasionally biting his nail anxiously, his whole body stiff.

"Stratos, please calm down..." Sanctuary tried.

"I-I just can't, I'm sorry!" Stratos groaned, "I-I mean, Sheriff helped me find you and now Spectrum has him! He's been missing for three weeks and-"

"Excuse me!" The two turned as two heroes came towards them, the avian placing down the brunette, "Stratos, Sanctuary, pleasure to see ya!"

"Hey, Hotguy, Cuteguy." Stratos smiled.

Sanctuary waved a bit, "Thanks again for the help, Hotguy!"

"Of course. Actually, speaking of help, um... Cuteguy?"

The dirty blonde seemed hesitant, nervous even, anxious? "...Um, well... I was wondering, do you guys happen to know someone in your civilian forms? His name is Jimmy or he sometimes goes by Solidarity?"

"Yeah, we do! Why?"

"He's missing."

"WHAT?!" The two yelled.

"Wait, wait, wait, how do you know this?!"

"Well, Solidarity is m-"

"What he means to say-" Hotguy interrupted, "-is that Cuteguy and Solidarity are really close in civilian form!"

"Uh, yeah, right!" Cuteguy exclaimed, "Anyways, I went to check on him two weeks ago cause he wasn't answering me and we had plans, but he wasn't there. I tried calling, texting, calling his and my friends, no one knew. I looked everywhere and his cats..." He sighed, "His cats kept meowing and whining at me. I fed and gave them water and they acted like they hadn't been fed in days. Which is just not Solidarity! He would never just disappear on me! And he loves those cats more than anything, he would put them over everything else in an instant! There's no way he would just abandon them!"

Sanctuary nodded, standing up, "Listen, we'll help you find Solidarity, but can you guys help us find Sheriff?"

"Sheriff? The vigilante?" Hotguy asked, "Isn't he, like, your archenemy, Stratos?"

Stratos looked away, "I owe him. He awas the one who helped me find Sanctuary, but... Spectrum took him while I got Sanctuary back. He's been missing for three weeks."

Cuteguy flapped his wings, beginning to fly, "Okay, so Solidarity and Sheriff, right? I'll do a sweep of the city again, just to make sure neither of them are hiding in plain sight and we just overlooked them."

"I'll come with." Stratos flew to stand (float?) beside him.

"Hotguy and I will ask if anyone has seen them and for details. We'll meet up in a couple hours."

The four split up and began searching.

As the sun began to set and the moon rose, the sky darkened. Stars shined in the night sky as the four met up once more, sharing what little information they had. No one has seen either of the men, and no one had any idea where they could possible be.

"Uggggh!" Cuteguy groaned, "Dammit!"

"Woah, calm down Cute-"

"Don't tell me to calm down, Hotguy!" The dirty blonde hissed, "Ti- Jimmy is missing and no one has seen him, he just poofed out of existence and I can't do anything about it."

"Actually, I know where he is."

The four turned and immediately became on edge.

"Hephaestus!" Stratos glared, "What're you doing here?!"

"Not here to fight!" The redhead exclaimed, "Temporary truce?"

"Yeah right-"

"I know where Sheriff and possible Solidarity is being held."

The four widened their eyes and looked at each other, before back at the redhead.

"And why should we trust you?!" Sanctuary exclaimed.

"Spectrum kidnapped you as part of his big plan, knowing Stratos would come for you. And Sheriff being Sheriff helped Stratos saved you, but Spectrum now has him. Right?"

"How do you know all this-"

"Doesn't matter, he took Sheriff and he also has Solidarity, but I don't exactly know where he's keeping him since I've only seen Spectrum lugging Sheriff around."

"If you know this, why ask us to help you?" Hotguy questioned.

Hephaestus looked away, "Well... truth is, me and Sheriff have some... history. We know each other in our civilian forms but our relationship is... complicated." He looked at them again, "But that doesn't matter. Spectrum has him deep under hypnosis and I won't be able to bring him back alone. Even if I could, I doubt he'd listen to me. I need your help to bring him back. And I can help you find Solidarity."

Cuteguy bit his bottom lip. He summoned an axe and pointed it at the other, "If you're lying, I will actually kill you."

"Noted. Now, come on, this way."

Hephaestus led the way, the four heroes following him, albeit from a bit of a distance. They arrived at a warehouse, the five standing on the roof and looking through the roof windows. The lights showed Spectrum, his orange clad sidekick, and a dirty blonde sitting on a box.

"Who-"

Hephaestus broke the window with his giant robot hands and fell through, glaring, "Spectrum, give Sheriff back."

"Hephaestus..." Spectrum glared, "I should have know you would find me eventually, you've always been obsessed with Sheriff."

"I'M OBSESSED?!" The redhead growled, pointing at the other, his giant robot hand doing the same, "You made a whole plan to kidnap a hero, just in case Sheriff would show up as support, and then kidnapped him instead so you can have some fake boyfriend!"

"Oh, he's not fake, he's my real boytoy!" He then looked at Sheriff, smirking, "Right, dollface?"

Sheriff merely nodded, blank face.

"Son of a-"

"Wait, wait, wait!" Stratos yelled as the heroes stoof beside Hephaestus, "That's Sheriff?!"

The dirty blonde's hair was brushed back, a little diamond clip holding back his bangs. He wore a simple sleeveless black bodysuit with black arm bands, black jeans, purple boots, and a purple belt.

Hotguy drew his bow, Cuteguy summoning a weapin beside him, "You and your sidekick surrender now, Spectrum. It's five against two, you're outnumbered."

"You're right, we are outnumbered, but you're mistaken. It's five against three." Spectrum smirked, "Handsome, take care of Hephaestus and Stratos for me."

Sheriff stood and unlatched a black lasso from his belt, spinning it.

"Sheriff, listen to me, you don't-"

The dirty blonde interrupted Sanctuary by wrapping the lasso around Stratos and throwing him into Hephaestus.

"Sheriff, stop-!" Cuteguy called before he noticed the colors start to move. He groaned, closing his eyes as he flew up, "Hotguy, be careful!"

Hotguy seemed unaffected by the colors, smirking, letting his vex wings out, "Sorry, colorful man, doesn't affect me."

"That's fine, I got three of you distracted." Spectrum smirked, "Orange, take care of Sanctuary."

"You got it!" The llama hybrid snickered.

Spectrum took out a knife, Hotguy trying to shoot at him, trying to disorientate him. Spectrum easily dodged it and got close, trying to slash at the other. Cuteguy kicked Spectrum back, the colorful villain looking at the avian and trying to manipulate him. Cuteguy groaned and held his head, closing his eyes once more. It was a dance of Hotguy and Spectrum fighting with one another, Cuteguy trying to step in only to close his eyes to not get effected by the hypnosis. Orange and Sanctuary got in a heated fist fight, Orange also using a knife to cut the vines Sanctuary summoned.

Meanwhile, Sheriff was using his own weapons, trying to stop Stratos and Hephaestus, mainly trying to lasso one of them and then throwing them into the other. Hephaestus stayed back, knowing how dangerous his weapons could be and mainly acting as support as Stratos tried to grab Sheriff or dodged the dirty blonde's attacks. Stratos flew forward and pinned him down on the ground, the brunette staring into Sheriff's eyes.

"Sheriff, come on! Don't let Spectrum take over you! You're stronger than this! Come on, get out of your head!" Stratos yelled at him. 

Sheriff blinked, the glow in his eyes flicking.

"Sheriff?!" Hephaestus called, kneeling beside Stratos, "Come on, Sheriff! You're an idiot, but you're not weak! Come on!"

Sheriff groaned, eyes twitching as the glowing dimmed more, "N-Nnnngh-!"

Spectrum looked over and growled. He kicked Hotguy in the stomach, the hero groaning. He then threw him towards Cuteguy, both yelping as Spectrum ran over to the other two. He manipulated the colors, Stratos and Hephaestus groaning. Spectrum pulled Sheriff away from the two, the dirty blonde groaning.

"Nnngh, w-wha-"

"Shhhhhh~" Spectrum cooed, "Shhhh, shhhh, no thinking for you, dollface~ Calm down, slip deep again~"

Sheriff panted as he tried to fight a bit, but he easily gave in, face blank once more as he once again turned numb.

"You-!" Hephaestus growled, his eyes narrowing.

"He wants to stay with me, Hephaestus. Right, Sheriff?" Spectrum stood up, holding Sheriff's hand and standing him up.

Sheriff nodded.

"See? He wants me, not you."

"That's it!" Hephaestus held one of his arms up, pressing a couple buttons, "Stratos, cover your ears."

"Huh-"

Hephaestus pressed a button and, suddenly, a loud alarm began to blare. Everyone but Hephaestus and Sheriff covered their ears. Sanctuary, however, lifted some vines up and threw Orange against the wall. Spectrum yelled, glaring at the hero. He glared and looked at Sheriff. He pulled the dirty blonde towards him whispering in his ear. Sheriff's eyes glowed a bright purple as he fell to his knees, Spectrum running towards the brunette.

Hotguy groaned and drew his bow, ready to pin Spectrum to the wall. However, before he could let go, Sheriff used his lasso to take his bow.

Hephaestus stopped the blaring, "Sheriff-"

Spectrum helped his friend up, smirking, "Good boy, Sheriff! I'll be back for you later! Do whatever you need to do, kill them if you need to."

Sheriff stood up, protecting Spectrum and Orange. He panted, eyes glowing a bright purple, twitching as he gripped his lasso tightly.

"Sorry Sheriff, not dealing with this!" Sanctuary wrapped a vine around his leg and threw him against a wall. 

The man cried out in pain, eyes closing as he fell unconscious. Stratos flew over and picked the dirty blonde up.

"Great, we got Sheriff-" Cuteguy looked at Hephaestus, "-now where's T- Jimmy?"

Hephaestus went to say something but they heard police sirens. He cursed, "Fuck, I'll go after Spectrum and Orange and get him, but I gotta go!"

"WHAT?!" Cuteguy's wings flared up as the other climbed out the roof windows, "YOU'RE LEAVING?!"

"Listen, we may have a temporary truce, but police and villains don't mix. I'll get Solidarity, you help Sheriff!" He then left.

"YOU LITTLE-" Cuteguy went to fly after him.

"Cuteguy!" Hotguy grabbed him, "He's right! He helped us find Sheriff, but the police won't care. Besides, all four of us will get in trouble if it's found out we were working with a villain."

Cuteguy's wings slowed down as he landed, "....Right. I'll stay back, explain what happened to the police, you all help Sheriff."

"I'll help you." Sanctuary stood beside Cuteguy.

Stratos picked Hotguy up, "Alright, we're heading to headquarters. See ya both later."

Stratos flew to headquarters, the two going inside and heading to the medbay. They laid Sheriff down on the bed, a staff member healing his back. Hotguy knelt beside him, holding his head in his hands. His eyes began to glow a light blue, his vex wings extending as he tried to use his magic to break Sheriff out of it. He groaned, focusing as much as he could. Suddenly, he pulled back, groaning as he held his hands.

"Hotguy?"

"I-I can't break him out of it, it's not that easy. Every time I try, I just feel Spectrum's power trying to overtake mine."

Suddenly, Sheriff's eyes shot open. He screamed and went to punch Hotguy, Stratos catching him and pinning him down. Sheriff struggled, glaring, kicking and screaming.

"C-Calm down, calm down! F-Fuck, what is going on?!"

Hotguy widened his eyes, "Spectrum's last order was to kill us..."

Stratos widened his eyes, cursing, "Sorry Sheriff." He headbutted the other, Sheriff falling unconscious again.

Hotguy picked Sheriff up, "This is going to take a lot more focus, I need to go to another room."

"What?! But, Hotguy, what if-"

"I'll be fine, I just need peace and quiet and no distractions." Hotguy reassured, going into a different room he knew had no cameras.

He locked the door behind him before he laid Sheriff on the couch, kneeling beside him. He took a deep breath, taking off his glasses. He held the other's face, closing his eyes. Light blueish-grey marks appeared around his hands and eyes, his vex wings extending slightly. His eyes glowed a bright blue as he completely focused on the dirty blonde's mind. I should be able to reach in, weave some memories together and bring him back up. Hotguy thought.

He was inside Sheriff's mind, tugging and pulling memories of the vigilante messing with Stratos, the vigilante saving the day and catching the bad guys, the vigilante... talking to some pigeons? Oh, and there he was, helping Stratos find Sausage and then there he was, talking with Spectrum and fighting his control. Finding those seemed to break Spectrum's hold a bit, as he heard the dirty blonde groan. He ignored it, focusing more. He reached deeper into Sheriff's mind, pulling more memories up, these ones more specific.

Sheriff seeing a little girl crying. The girl was lost, she couldn't find her mom or dad. So, Sheriff picked her up, calmed her down, even bought her some ice cream, before helping her retrace her steps. The girl's mom and dad were extremely grateful, thanking the man profusely. He just smiled and reassured them it was no trouble.

Sheriff almost getting caught by Stratos after helping catch a bank robber. The brunette had grabbed Sheriff's wrist, attempting to get the dirty blonde to put them behind his back. Sheriff merely spun them around, telling Stratos he loved to dance and to just ask next time. That flustered the hero and he let go, allowing Sheriff to run and playfully wink.

Sheriff arriving home. In a... familiar home. Sheriff taking off his mask, hat, and scarf, setting them down on a familiar table... Sheriff walking down a familiar hallways, two familiar cats running over and greeting him. He picked the cats up, went into a familiar bedroom, and took out his phone. He sat on the familiar bed, turned on the camera, made it face him and-

JIMMY?! Hotguy gasped as he stared at the memory playing out, O-Oh my god, no wonder Sheriff and Solidarity went missing around the same time, they're the same person! Wait, fuck, Hephaestus says he knows who Sheriff is, meaning he knows that- Oh god, no wonder he ran! He wasn't going to reveal who Sheriff was! Oh god, what am I suppose to tell Cuteguy?! 'Hey, your missing brother? Turns out, he's a vigilante! In fact, he's Sheriff! So we found both, hurray!' Oh god, if Grian ever found out, he would kill Jim for doing something so dangerous! Hotguy groaned, shaking his head, Focus. Focus, it's okay. Just... focus.

***

Sheriff's eyes fluttered open, his head pounding, body aching. He groaned, looking around the room. He saw he was in some sort of office and-

Dollface~

He gasped, sitting up straight, looking around. 

"Hey, you're-" 

Sheriff stood and out his fists up, glaring.

"H-HEY! I come in peace!"

"Wh-What the?! Hotguy?! Where am I?! Where's Sp-" Sheriff stopped himself and shook his head, "Where's the villain?!"

Hotguy smiled kindly, sitting down and patting the seat beside him, "He's not here. It's just you and me. Sit."

"...Am I being arrested?"

"No, not at all. Just sit."

Sheriff hesitated, but did so.

"Listen, so..." Hotguy sighed, "Spectrum's grip on you was really, really, really strong."

"Yeah, I know." Sheriff hugged himself a bit, "I... I would try to fight it, but he would just... I don't know. I don't remember anything. I just remember his voice..."

Hotguy nodded, "Yeah, I know, I could tell. See, because Spectrum's grip on you was so tight, it wasn't as simple as me just challenging the power. I tried that, but his last order was to kill us, so when it didn't work, you woke up and tried to kill us."

"'Us?'"

"Cuteguy, Stratos, Sanctuary, Hephaestus, and I all found you, but Stratos and I took you back here." He explained, "Anyways, when I realized that didn't work, I had to go deeper into your head, root around, and pull you out. And, upon doing that, I... I saw your memories. Memories of you... without the mask."

Sheriff widened his eyes and stood up, stepping back, "Y-You-?!"

"Listen, it was the only other thing I could do and I don't feel good knowing, especially under these circumstances!" Hotguy stood up as well, "I don't want to expose your identity to more people, Solidarity, it's why I took you to a private room."

"Wait, you know me?" Sheriff asked, "Like, by name?"

"Yeah, um, soooooooo-" Hotguy removed his glasses, "I may or may not live with your brother...?"

The dirty blonde widened his eyes, "...HOLY SHIT!" He sat back down with the hero, "Scar? How could I not tell?!"

"Well, to be fair, we have tech in our masks and glasses that the hero industry made. It helps conceal our identities more. So, when I put my glasses on-" He put them back on, "-the tech makes it so your brain can't accurately pinpoint features. It confuses your brain, therein making it hard for people to recognize us!"

"Yeah, that makes sense, you look completely different with those on. Weird." He leaned back into the couch before widening his eyes, "Oh my god, how long was I gone?"

"Three weeks."

"OH MY GOD-" He quickly quieted down, looking at the brunette, "Please tell me Norman and Flick are okay?!"

"Grian and I took them in when looking for you." Scar reassured, "Cuteguy and I went looking for you, er, you as in Jimmy, and Stratos and Sanctuary were looking for Sheriff."

"Oh thank goodness." The dirty blonde sighed in relief before he seemed to realize something else, "Oh god, Grian and Pearl..."

"Yeeeeeeeah, they're freaking out... Don't worry, I didn't tell them!"

"Great! Now I gotta make up how I escaped Spectrum and make it look believable..." He sighed, "So, Cuteguy and Hotguy found Sheriff, but Grian and Scar are still looking for Solidarity, right?"

"Yeah. Listen, I could sneak you out and-"

"Nah, I got this. At least Pearl is safe from all this!"

Scar smiled awkwardly, "Hehe, yeah..."

***

The colorful villain growled, tapping his foot angrily.

"Sorry man, I was care-"

"Don't apologize, Owen, Sanctuary was playing dirty."

"Thanks for saving me, Scott. Even if it meant loosing your doll."

"You're my best friend, Owen. I can capture Sheriff again. I can't replace you."

The brunette smiled up at the other, "Softie."

"Alright, next time I'll leave you." The other teased.

Owen laughed, humming, "...You know his secret identity, right? Are you going to use that to your advantage?"

Spectrum chuckled darkly, "Oh Owen..." He smirked, eyes glowing as he manipulated the colors in front of them, "Scott is going to reconnect with an old friend and see how he's doing. Whatever happens after, I can't say."

Owen just laughed.