#and coincidently gangs are involved

[koralira-kira]

CAUGHT IN 4K ⋆✴︎˚｡⋆k. bakugo⋆✴︎˚｡⋆

pairings : k. bakugo x reader

genre : crack, slice of life, secret established relationship

synopsis : For months, Y/N and Bakugo have vehemently denied any romantic involvement, brushing off their friends' relentless suspicions. But when the duo continuously ditches group plans at the exact same time, the squad smells something fishy. Determined to uncover the truth, Mina and the gang launch Operation: Busted Lovebirds, a full-blown spy mission complete with disguises, walkie-talkies, and the worst secret-agent skills imaginable.

Their investigation leads them on a wild chase through cafes, parks, and trains—culminating in what they believe is undeniable evidence of a secret relationship. But just when they think they’ve cracked the case, Y/N and Bakugo drop a bombshell: they knew they were being followed the whole time. Oh, and they’ve been dating for five whole months.

Cue the collective meltdown.

warnings : nothing (but lemme know if there's any)

wc : 896

notes : Doing another fic! (as if i don't have my finals tomorrow🤡) Anyways hope you enjoy this one LOL. This not rlly one of my best works cuz of the upcoming finals situation going on, but hey! at least i got to write this thought out. I'm rlly finna be busy around this week and the next fam, cuz school rlly be hurtin me rn (pray for me).

---

“We’re Not Dating!”

It had been months. MONTHS of relentless teasing from their so-called “friends.” Every time someone so much as breathed in Y/N and Bakugo’s direction, there’d be smirks, winks, and not-so-subtle comments.

“Come on, just admit it already!” Kaminari whined, flopping onto the common room couch.

“We ain’t got time for your shitty fantasies,” Bakugo snapped, arms crossed.

“Yeah, you guys are delusional,” Y/N added, rolling her eyes.

And yet, something wasn’t adding up. Because every single time there were group plans—arcade nights, mall hangouts, even a simple movie night—both Y/N and Bakugo would mysteriously back out.

“I got something important to do.”

“Same, can’t make it.”

It had become a pattern. And patterns? Patterns were SUSPICIOUS.

The Investigation Begins

Mina was the first to piece it together. “Guys, do you realize that every time we hang out, they suddenly have an ‘important thing’?”

"These two have been avoiding group plans at the exact same time for months. MONTHS!"

"Coincidence? I think the fuck NOT," Kaminari added, pointing accusingly at nothing in particular.

Sero furrowed his brows. “You’re right. It’s like, synchronized.”

Kirishima rubbed his chin dramatically. “Ain’t that kinda… odd?”

“We need to get to the bottom of this,” Uraraka said, slamming a hand on the table like they were in some FBI meeting.

Jirou smirked. “Oh yeah? And how do you propose we do that? Interrogate them?”

Mina’s grin was borderline evil. “No, Jirou. We follow them.”

Silence.

Then a chorus of “OOOHHHH” filled the room as everyone leaned in closer.

“That’s actually genius,” Kaminari said in awe.

“Of course it is,” Mina replied smugly. “We’re going undercover.”

A few minutes later, the friend groups were split into teams, armed with walkie-talkies (because, obviously, espionage is nothing without proper communication).

“We tail them the next time they ‘coincidentally’ ditch our plans,” Mina explained. “Everyone, get your disguises ready.”

And so, Operation: Busted Lovebirds was born.

It started with Y/N leaving the dorms. Hoodie up. Casual outfit. Very suspicious.

“Target has left the building,” Uraraka whispered into her walkie-talkie.

“Copy that. We have visual,” Jirou responded from a different location.

Meanwhile, on the other side of the campus, Bakugo was heading in the exact same direction—also in casual clothes.

“Bro, he’s going the same way,” Sero said, squinting through his sunglasses.

“They’re so busted,” Kirishima muttered.

And so the chase began.

The squad, dressed in the most unsubtle disguises imaginable (think sunglasses, hoodies, and even fake mustaches for some reason), followed Y/N and Bakugo through multiple stores, on and off buses, and even into random side streets.

The entire time, the walkie-talkies were alive with whispered updates:

"Suspect is currently looking at flowers. I repeat, flowers. Is this a date thing? Are we looking at romance??"

"Negative. Subject has walked past the flowers. I repeat, NO FLOWERS PURCHASED. Romance is still questionable."

The groups followed through alleyways, parks, and even boarded the same damn train just to keep up with the two. They were like a squad of extremely unskilled secret agents.

“Status update?”

“Target is stopping near a coffee shop.”

“Target is ORDERING COFFEE.”

“SHE PICKED A TABLE FOR TWO.”

“…DO YOU THINK IT’S A DATE?”

Mina glared at Kaminari. “No, she’s obviously planning to have a deep philosophical discussion with herself. OF COURSE IT’S A DATE.”

Fifteen minutes later, the bell above the coffee shop dinged.

And in walked Katsuki Bakugo.

Silence.

Then—

“TARGET TWO HAS ARRIVED.”

“HE’S SITTING ACROSS FROM HER.”

“HOLY SHIT.”

Phones were out. Pictures were taken. Evidence secured.

Following the Lovebirds

The “couple” continued their day, completely unaware that their friends were on their tails.

Coffee shop? Check.

Walk in the park? Check.

Mini shopping spree? Check.

Train ride back to the dorms? Check.

The spies had seen ENOUGH.

---

The next day at school, Y/N and Bakugo sat at their usual lunch table, completely unbothered.

Too unbothered.

The entire squad, however, was dying to spill the tea.

“So…” Mina started, barely containing her excitement.

“So?” Y/N raised an eyebrow.

“We know, you sneaky little bastards,” Kaminari said, pointing dramatically.

Y/N blinked. “Know what?”

“We followed you,” Jirou smirked, pulling out her phone. “Busted.”

The two glanced at each other, then at the group.

And smirked.

“Yeah, we saw you idiots,” Bakugo said nonchalantly, taking a sip of his drink.

Silence.

“EXCUSE ME?” Mina nearly choked.

“Yeah,” Y/N added. “Like, after the second train, it was obvious.”

“WHY DIDN’T YOU SAY ANYTHING?!” Sero cried.

“Because it was funny watching you all stumble around like a bunch of morons,” Bakugo snorted.

Uraraka gasped. “So you mean to tell me we went through all that for nothing?!”

“Oh, it wasn’t for nothing.” Y/N smirked. “It was very entertaining.”

“But wait—how long have you guys actually been together?” Kirishima asked, eyes narrowed.

Bakugo leaned back with a cocky grin. “Five months.”

Five. Months.

Dead silence.

Then—

“FIVE MONTHS?!” Everyone collectively screamed.

“You guys are the worst,” Mina groaned. “We were out here thinking we cracked the case when you’ve been dating this whole time?!”

Bakugo just smirked, throwing an arm around Y/N’s shoulders. “Better luck next time, dumbasses.”

And with that, Operation: Busted Lovebirds ended in absolute defeat.

---

fin

[midniqhtt]

steve harrington

masterlist • stranger things • 04/01/25

˚‧⁺ ･ ˖ · ୨ৎ recs four

one I two I three I ao3

𑣲 christmas affairs I @maroon-cardigan

your christmas turns into a chaotic mess when your boss can’t fly back home and you end up stuck in New York City with him.

𑣲 three christmas wishes I @/maroon-cardigan

every christmas your worst costumer grants you a wish, and every christmas it surprisingly comes true.

𑣲 snow angels I @/maroon-cardigan

after steve almost drowns in lover’s lake, he comes back a winter morning to find an odd creature with cold skin and a laugh that sounds like bells.

𑣲 all is calm I @rosewaterandivy

the first time, it was an accident. the second time? a coincidence. but the third time… well, unfortunately it’s a habit.

𑣲 i’ll put us back together at heart I @sanguineterrain

It's 1987. You haven't spoken to Steve Harrington in nearly five years. Then Dustin Henderson tells you about a sweet deal he has at Family Video, where he can rent any movie he wants.

𑣲 how do i know it’s true? I @l0vergirlwrites

to steve, nothing involving the upside down could surprise him after everything him & the gang have gone through. until you get taken by vecna—the worst thing steve has ever witnessed.

𑣲 i never saw you coming and ill never be the same I @forevermoreharrington

Steve falls for a pretty girl in a coffee shop after she finds the cat he was supposed to be looking after

𑣲 we’re the best of friends I @/forevermoreharrington

𑣲 maybe this christmas I @headkiss

working as an elf during the holidays (which he isn’t a fan of) is not how steve would choose to spend his time, neither is doing a bucket list of your creation. you end up changing his mind.

𑣲 single thread part 2 part 3 I @/headkiss

steve has a big secret and convinces himself he needs to stay away from you to keep you safe. that’s tough to do when you’re his neighbour.

𑣲 request I @ervotica

steve finds you after the battle with vecna. you confess to doing something stupid, and steve cuddles you stupid

𑣲 don’t hate the game I @munsster

The girls convince you to play an embarrassing party game from your past. It’s nothing like you remember.

𑣲 cigarettes I @junezsq

you hate the way cigarettes taste and when he finds out he decides that maybe it’s time to quit

𑣲 virgin!reader I @rebelfell

𑣲 obsessed I @keerysfreckles

the five most recent times dustin henderson has been a "cockblock"

𑣲 shy!reader I @lovebugism

𑣲 king!steve & sick!reader I @/lovebugism

[nthspecialll]

Micah's involvement

You cannot tell me that Micah was not involved in the kidnapping of Arthur in Blessed Are The Peacemakers, it is, to me, as clear as day.

Firstly, we have the very obvious fact that Arthur being kidnapped was the whole point of the meet up, but him being seperated from the others was Micah's idea. There wasn't a guarentee that he would be seperated, nor that it would just be Dutch, Micah and Arthur who went. It might as well have been the whole gang, and if so then kidnapping Arthur would have been impossible. There would have been too many "what if's" for them to plan that whole idea.

Secondly, Pearson is not a known Van Der Linde gang member. He does not have a price on his head, he is not a known theif, he is not a killer, he does not leave the camp with anyone who is does often. How would Colm know he was with the gang? Yes I know Colm and Dutch worked together in some form, but it wasn't buddy buddy, it was just more of an aggreement if they saw one another they wouldn't attack. I doubt Colm saw the people who stayed in camp, and I doubt that they scouted the camp because no doubt those on guard would notice.

We also have the very obvious manipulation that Micah is doing on the way to the meeting spot. Starting to "doubt" himself in order to Dutch to get all poetic and feel like a big leader leading his people, I would guess this is Micah's way of preparing Dutch to leave when Arthur did not show up at the fork road. Dutch said that they went to wait there but that Arthur didn't show. Dutch is not completely gone yet, I do not believe he made the continuous decision to leave Arthur without anyone pushing him just yet.

It is too many coincidences and "what if" that went right for me to believe that there was not an inside man on it.

[quitealotofsodapop]

Wukong's reveal happened suddenly for him. He had simply been helping Pigsy and MK out with the food truck, making sure the truck was running smooth and helping with advertisement (look, as much as Pigsy loves the guy, he isn't letting anyone part of his oil and dirt covered fur near food he has to cook and serve to customers, that's a health code violation waiting to happen) and overall just being there to celebrate eith his friends. When the shop goes on break so that the family can eat and eatch the parade, he's right there with them, excitedly waiting for the fireworks and parade.

Only pandemonium and chaos begin as the Spider Queen attacks. I've mentioned this in dms before about how I believe Tang was passively creating a barrier of protection around MK simply because he is Tripitaka's reincarnation and therefore naturally masks and protects MK's own dao signature as a stone monkey and the Harbinger of Chaos and how it extends to other aus (namely TMKATI and peach soup). Well, in this case, it serves as a major negative because the spider bots are all attracted to his dao signature and that of the rest of the Noodle Gang, aiming to restrain and contain the msot powerful demons first so that Spider Queen can use them as her personal batteries.

Wukong may not be involved in Monkie Kid business and may have sworn off being the Monkey King, but he's still Wukong. He still has a martyr complex. So when he realizes that the Spider bots were attracted to powerful dao and that MK was useless against creepy crawlies due to his arachnophobia, he made a decision. MK and his friends need to run! It was the only way, but they can not escape with their own dao acting as a homing beacon for the tiny bots. But there was at least one person present who would be far too tempting for the Spider Queen and her posse. Someone who had spent many many lifetimes cultivating his dao and gaining power until his abilities and powers could rival and even defeat the very gods. He hadn't tapped into in centuries, and he quite frankly was worried what would happen if he did as there was no going back, ince he plays hishand and reveals his power there would be no way someone would not notice.

But MK and his family needed a distraction!

Wukong shoves Pigsy out of the way of a web, his own arm getting caught in it. But where other, lesser demons would have been pulled into the belly of the beast, Wukong stood strong.

"Uncle Wu!!"

"Go! GET OUT OF HERE!!"

Ripping the web from his arm, there was an explosion of golden power unlike anything any of the Noodle Gang had felt, all except one who could only staring in awe as his Little Big Brother poured the entirety of hus power out, blamketing the area in an aura of birnong protection and soothing light that he hadn'tfelt in centuries. A feeling he had sorely missed. Wukong glanced back at him, golden eyes gleaming as he silently urged Sandy to go with them. He took his cje and grabbed everyone, taking the distraction Wukong gave him as he wished his brother the best of luck.

The plan worked a little too well. Instantly, nearly every bot in the city began to converge on his location. He managed to play a game of cat and mouse for a good long while, leading the majority of them away and allowing several demons to escape, PIF and a certain Vixen included in that number altho he had never realized that particular fact. But he can't keep it up forever. It's inevitable he gets captured. After solidifying her takeover, Spider Queen was eager to take a look at her spoils, especially the mysterious source of that godly dao that coveres the entire city for a few brief moments! She didn't imagine she'd see a greasy little monkey in an oil stained white tank top who looked far too familiar to her for it to be a mere coincidence. And the moment she recognizes the face under the oil and grime, her day just got a whole lot more interesting!

Prev.

Yesss

Wukong accidentally breaks his 500+ years of cover to protect his loved ones!

Also the whole fam esp MK seeing dear "Uncle Wu" burst forth with a divine/demonic energy unseen in hundreds of years. All while wearing a stained tank top and stinking of gasoline.

However, this very same selfless act announces to every demon inside that Spider Mech and beyond; that Sun Wukong The Beautiful Wise Monkey King, The Great Sage Equal to Heaven - IS ALIVE!!!

DBK cannot believe his eyes.

Macaque can barely believe his ears.

And Wukong can't believe his big mouth/hero complex!

[atlasthegreatest]

Trèfle à Quatre Feuilles/ Cassandra Cain, Laura Kinney, Cindy Moon x Male Reader

Headcanons about Cassandra, Laura, and Cindy being in a relationship with the unluckiest lucky man in the world.

A/n: This was requested by @earthboundguythatlikesmother1 hope you like this. And sorry for the long wait.

Cassandra Cain



— How did they meet? —

It was one of those brutal Gotham nights where things just spiraled out of control. Cassandra had taken down a gang in a warehouse, but not without sustaining a nasty stab wound to her side. Refusing to involve Bruce or Alfred, she slipped away to avoid being tracked back to the Batcave.

Y/n was finishing up a long shift when he decided to stop by a small diner for some late-night coffee. Cassandra in her batgirl suit stumbled into the alley next to the diner, trying to catch her breath. She hadn’t expected anyone to be there, but Y/n heard the faint sound of her staggered steps and immediately rushed over to check.

Cassandra was defensive at first, wary of the man’s intentions. She didn’t want help—she was trained to take care of herself. But when Y/n introduced himself as a paramedic and calmly explained he was just there to help, she hesitated. There was something about the sincerity in his eyes that made her pause.

Without asking too many questions, Y/n quickly assessed her wound and patched her up with supplies he had on hand. Despite her stoicism, Y/n could tell she was in pain. He cracked a quiet joke about how Gotham’s nightlife wasn’t all it was hyped up to be, and Cassandra gave him the faintest hint of a smile.

Once she was stable, Cassandra thanked him quietly and disappeared before he could ask for her name. Y/n chalked it up to just another strange Gotham encounter.

A week later, Cassandra spotted Y/n again—this time in the middle of chaos. A fight between Batgirl and a villain had spilled into the streets, and Y/n was one of the unlucky bystanders caught in the fray. Except, true to his weird luck, everything that could have hurt him either missed by inches or was deflected by sheer coincidence.

After the fight, she approached the man to make sure he was okay. Y/n recognized her instantly as the woman he’d helped, even in her Batgirl suit. Y/n couldn’t help but tease her a little: “Hey, you’re a lot better at taking punches than you are at avoiding stab wounds.”

Intrigued by the man’s ability to stay alive in Gotham’s chaos and impressed by his calm demeanor, Cassandra began to keep an eye on him. At first, it was to ensure he didn’t get hurt, but over time, she found herself wanting to know more about him.

— How did their relationship develop from strangers to more? —

Whether it’s coincidence or her silently protecting him, Y/n keeps running into Cassandra during her patrols. Each time, he strike up a conversation, trying to get her to talk more. Slowly but surely, Y/n earns her trust.

Cassandra eventually starts visiting him after tough nights. Y/n offered her a place to rest, patched her up when needed, and always treated her with kindness and patience. He doesn’t push her to talk about her past or her work, but he makes it clear she’s always welcome.

It took months, but Cassandra finally felt comfortable enough to meet Y/n outside of her Batgirl persona. She showed up in civilian clothes, nervous but determined. Y/n, of course, greeted her with the same easygoing smile and suggested grabbing coffee.

— How is their dynamic as a couple? —

On paper, Y/n and Cassandra don’t make sense. Y/n’s just a normal guy in a world of capes and criminals, and Cassandra’s one of the most dangerous fighters in Gotham. But in reality? They make each other feel safe in a way that no one else can.

The protective one x The “it’s fine” one trope.

Cassandra is hyper-aware of danger. She sees threats before they happen and constantly watches Y/n’s movements, trying to anticipate where he might need protection.

Y/n, on the other hand, is the human embodiment of “Don’t worry, it’ll work out.” And annoyingly… he’s always right.

Cassandra once tried to train Y/n in basic self-defense, but halfway through, a pigeon randomly flew into the training mat, distracting her long enough for Y/n to dodge one of her attacks. ���See? I’m fine,” he grinned. She just stared.

Neither of them is overly wordy when it comes to love. Cassandra struggles with verbal expression and Y/n? He believes actions speak louder than words.

Y/n’s way of saying “I love you” is patching Cassandra up after missions, making sure she eats properly, and leaving little notes in her gear with reminders like “Don’t forget you’re amazing.”

Cassandra’s way of saying “I love you” is leaning against Y/n while they watch TV, bringing him coffee during long shifts, and quietly fixing his collar before he leaves for work.

At first, Cassandra was deeply confused by how Y/n always survive situations that should at least leave him injured. Whether it’s a collapsing building, a stray bullet, or a villainous ambush—somehow, he always come out of it without a scratch.

“You should be dead,” she says blankly after Y/n walks out of a burning building holding someone’s pet cat. Y/n just shrug and say, “I guess it wasn’t my time.”

Y/n’s just a guy who loves Cassandra.

Despite the insanity of Gotham, all Y/n really wants to do is be a good paramedic and support Cassandra. Y/n knows she struggles with emotions and words sometimes, so he makes sure to show her love through actions—bringing her food, patching her up, and just sitting in comfortable silence when she needs it.

— How does everyone react to Y/n's “luck”?—

Y/n’s luck baffles the entire Bat-Family.

Bruce runs tests. Tim investigates. Barbara tries to analyze his movements. Damian assumes he’s some ancient being with hidden abilities.

But no. Y/n was just lucky.

Cassandra still instinctively tries to protect Y/n—standing between him and danger, keeping him out of crime scenes—but somehow, Y/n always end up saving someone while dodging death himself.

One time, she tries to push him out of the way of a falling streetlight, only for Y/n to trip, dodge it, and land perfectly on a mattress someone dumped on the sidewalk.

“…Did you plan that?” she asked. “Nope. But that was convenient,” Y/n replied.

Gotham’s villains thinks he’s cursed.

The Rogues Gallery is deeply unsettled by Y/n. Joker tries to throw him into a death trap? The mechanism jams. Scarecrow douses him in fear toxin? Y/n sneezes at the exact right moment and miss the full dose.

Even Ra’s al Ghul is unnerved. “This man… he cannot be just a man,” he mutters.

One time, Y/n gets knocked out during a hostage situation. Cassandra panics, thinking this is it—only for the ceiling to collapse exactly on the bad guys while leaving him completely fine.

In the end Y/n wake up dazed, looking at Cass’s worried face. “Did we win?”

“…Yes.”

Y/n had accepted that things just… work out for him. But Cassandra? She doesn’t trust luck. She trusts skill, and she worries that one day, Y/n’s luck might run out.

“You’re not invincible,” she reminds him.

“I know,” Y/n say, wrapping an arm around her.

Y/n’s luck rubs off on others (sometimes).

It’s weird. When people stick around Y/n, they also seem to avoid disaster. Cassandra finds herself dodging things she didn’t see coming, and even Jason once grumbled about how Y/n saved him from getting shot—purely because he tripped and accidentally knocked him out of the way.

“I don’t like this,” Jason mutters. “It’s unnatural.”

“Hey, I work in emergency response. I’m basically a professional at avoiding death,” Y/n jokes.

Bonus Headcanons:

Dick: “Okay, but what do you do when something bad happens?”

Y/n: “I just… move?”

Dick: *Squints*

Barbara: Low-key worried Cassandra is dating some kind of cosmic glitch but sees how happy Y/n makes her and approves.

Damian: Highly suspicious. He’s tried to throw things at Y/n to “test” his reflexes, only for a strong breeze to blow them off course.

Bruce: Ran so many background checks on Y/n. Eventually, he just had to accept he was just a normal dude with abnormal luck.

When Y/n cooks, he always guess the perfect amount of seasoning—even without measuring.

That on-time Cassandra and Y/n ran into Bruce Wayne at a restaurant? Y/n just happened to have saved the life of one of his board members earlier that day, so their meal was covered.

When Cassandra forgets to grab an umbrella? Surprise, Y/n randomly found one on the street right before it rained.

There was one time when Y/n’s luck nearly gave Cassandra a heart attack. Y/n fell off a rooftop (long story, blame Gotham), and she thought for sure this was the end—only for him to land in a pile of mattresses that had been thrown out earlier that day.

Cassandra was not amused. She didn’t let go of Y/n for a solid five minutes.

After that, she started keeping an arm around Y/n whenever they walked near ledges.

Laura Kinney

— How did they meet? —

It all started with a dog fight.

Laura had been tracking down a group running illegal underground animal fights. When she finally found their hideout, she did not hold back. By the time she was done, the whole operation was shut down, and every animal was freed.

But one dog—a battered, half-starved pit bull—refused to leave her side.

Laura didn’t know what to do with the dog. She wasn’t exactly an animal person, but something about this one made her hesitate.

She had no idea where to take it, so she just walked into the nearest veterinary clinic—which happened to be the clinic owned by Y/n.

Y/n took one look at the beaten-up dog, then at the bloodstained (but completely uninjured) woman holding it, and sighed.

“Rough night?” The man asked, already grabbing medical supplies.

“Not for me,” Laura replied, setting the dog down carefully.

Laura was fully expecting the man to be scared or suspicious. After all, most people took one look at her and knew she wasn’t normal.

But that man? He didn’t ask how the dog got hurt. He didn’t even flinch at the blood on her clothes. He just focused on helping.

When Y/n finished patching up the dog, he handed Laura a water bottle. “You okay?”

The mutant blinked, caught off guard. “I wasn’t in the fight.”

“Didn’t ask if you were,” Y/n said simply.

The dog became the first excuse Laura used to see Y/n again.

Laura didn’t plan on coming back, but the dog needed check-ups… and she didn’t trust just anyone with it.

Y/n, meanwhile, had started mentally labeling her as a mysterious badass with a soft spot for animals.

Over time, Laura started lingering a little longer after appointments. Watching Y/n work. Listening to how he talked to animals like they were people.

Y/n noticed, of course. “You’re welcome to stick around,” he told her once. “Though I’d appreciate a name to go with the brooding presence.”

“Laura.”

“Cool. I’m Y/n.” Y/n extended his hand, but Laura just stared at it. The man shrugged and went back to work.

— When did their relationship develop from strangers to more?—

One night, Laura was walking past Y/n’s clinic when she saw a robbery in progress. A guy had a gun on Y/n, demanding money.

Before Laura could even react, the guy tripped over absolutely nothing and knocked himself out on the counter.

Y/n blinked, looking down at him. “Huh.”

Laura, still hidden in the shadows, just stared.

When Y/n noticed her watching, he waved. “Hey, Laura. You’re here for a late-night check-up?”

She stepped into the light, eyes narrowing. “How did you—?”

“Oh, the robber? Bad luck, I guess.” Y/n grinned. “Or really, really good luck on my part.”

After that night, Laura started dropping by more often. Not just for the dog, but to observe Y/n.

Y/n was just… so normal. But at the same time, completely unaffected by the craziness around him.

“You live in a world of mutants, monsters, and super-soldiers,” she said one day, watching Y/n bandage a cat’s paw. “How are you still alive?”

The man shrugged. “Maybe I’m just lucky.”

“That’s not a real thing.”

“Tell that to the guy who tripped and knocked himself out.”

One night, Y/n found Laura waiting outside the clinic after his shift.

“You okay?” he asked.

“You should lock your doors,” the mutant said instead of answering.

“I do.”

“Not well enough.” She handed Y/n a brand-new, heavy-duty lock and security system.

The man raised an eyebrow. “Laura, are you… protecting me?”

She crossed her arms. “You’re bad at it.”

Y/n smiled. “That’s sweet.”

“It’s not.”

“It definitely is.”

(She didn’t argue, but her ears were a little red.)

— How did they start dating? —

They started going on “not-dates” (Laura’s words). Coffee after work. Walks with the dog. Laura stopped by just to “check on things.”

One day, Y/n was treating a bird with a broken wing when he muttered, “Man, I wish I had your healing factor.”

Laura, watching the man from the corner, casually said, “I’d give it to you if I could.”

Y/n paused. “That might be the most romantic thing anyone’s ever said to me.”

The mutant went silent for a long moment before quietly saying, “That wasn’t… a joke.”

That’s when it hit Y/n—Laura Kinney, the unstoppable X-23, actually cared about him.

Y/n just smiled. “Well, I don’t need a healing factor. I’ve got my luck.”

The mutant rolled her eyes. But she also didn’t correct him.

The X-Men didn’t get it. Logan pretended he hated it (but secretly approved). Deadpool was obsessed with Y/n’s luck.

But to Y/n? Dating Laura felt natural. Like the universe had somehow balanced things out.

Y/n wasn’t strong like her. He wasn’t a fighter. But he was steady, reliable, and unfazed by the chaos around him.

And Laura, for the first time in her life, found someone who made her feel safe. Even if she still refused to believe in luck.

— How is their dynamic as a couple? —

The protective one x The “I’ll be fine” one trope (once again).

Laura is hyper-vigilant. If someone so much as looks at Y/n wrong, she’s already sizing them up. Laura is always ready to fight for Y/n. Someone looks at him wrong? She’s already sizing them up. A villain attacks? She’s got her claws out before Y/n can blink.

The problem? Y/n literally never gets hurt. He once walked straight through a fight between two mutant mercenaries, completely unharmed.

“You can’t just walk through danger like that,” Laura grumbled afterward.

“Why not? It worked,” he said, completely serious.

Laura just stared at Y/n like he was an unsolvable puzzle.

Laura doesn't know how to handle Y/n’s luck.

She doesn’t trust luck. At all. Life has never been kind to her, so she relies on skill, instincts, and planning.

Y/n? Y/n just roll with whatever happens.

One time, a car nearly hit him, but then the tire randomly blew out at the last second.

“How,” Laura muttered under her breath.

“No idea,” the man grinned. “Kinda fun, right?” the woman just squinted at him.

Laura isn’t big on words, and Y/n’s not a dramatic romantic.

Their love is shown in small, everyday gestures.

Y/n makes sure Laura eats properly. Laura fixes Y/n’s collar before he leaves for work. Y/n patches her up after missions, even though she heals in seconds. And Laura checks his clinic’s security every single night without telling him.

Laura is used to taking lives. Y/n, on the other hand, spends every day saving them. That contrast calms her. She likes watching Y/n work and seeing his gentle approach to life.

“You could’ve been a doctor,” she comments one night.

The man shrugs. “Animals are nicer.”

Laura considers that for a second. “Yeah. They are.”

— How does everyone react to Y/n's “luck”? —

Villains have given up on using Y/n as a hostage.

Someone tried once. Big mistake.

Before Laura could even rescue Y/n, the villain slipped on a spilled drink, fell into some exposed wiring, and electrocuted themselves unconscious.

“…You did that on purpose.” “I swear, I didn’t.”

Now, criminals actively avoid kidnapping Y/n. He now has a reputation.

Logan doesn’t trust Y/n at first. “A normal guy? No powers? Dating Laura? In this world?” But when he sees how Y/n keeps dodging death like a cartoon character, he just gives up trying to understand it.

Beast has run every test possible on Y/n. “There must be some scientific explanation.” Nope. Y/n was just that lucky.

Deadpool thinks Y/n’s some kind of “cosmic joke” and fully supports it. He once followed Y/n around for a day just to watch his luck in action. “This is better than TV,” he muttered as Y/n dodged another explosion without even noticing.

Laura does not trust luck. She trusts skill, instincts, and brute force. The fact that Y/n doesn’t have any of those and still survives stresses her out.

“Luck isn’t real,” she grumbles after Y/n casually avoids a Sentinel attack because he stopped to pet a stray dog.

“Maybe not,” Y/n reply, scratching the dog’s ears. “But if it is, I think it likes me.”

Gambit is a gambler. The moment he realizes Y/n’s luck is real, he starts taking Y/n to poker games.

“Mon ami, just sit next to me. I don't even need ya to play.”

Y/n doesn’t even gamble, but somehow everyone else at the table starts losing except Gambit. (He splits the winnings with Y/n, of course.)

Bonus Headcanons:

Logan does not like most people around Laura. But Y/n? He’s not a threat, and he makes her happy.

He’ll still act gruff. “If you hurt her, bub, I’ll gut ya.”

“Fair enough,” Y/n replies cheerfully.

He once saw Y/n walk through an explosion without a scratch and just muttered, “This guy ain’t normal.”

But he’ll never admit that he likes Y/n. He just tolerates the guy very enthusiastically.

Laura doesn’t do traditional romance, but she’ll casually lean against Y/n while he works. That’s her version of cuddling.

Y/n’s fridge is always stocked with protein bars because she eats like a wild animal.

Y/n has so many animals around him, and at first, Laura acted like she didn’t care… but then Y/n caught her secretly naming the clinic’s strays.

“Laura… did you name this stray cat ‘Murderclaws’?”

Silence. Then: “…It fits.”

Y/n got caught in a building collapse once. Laura saw him go under.

For a solid minute, she thought he was actually gone. Then, Y/n casually climbed out of the rubble, completely fine.

She didn’t say a word—just walked up and hugged him tight.

“Okay,” Y/n said after a moment. “I take it that was a close one?”

“I hate you,” she muttered. But she didn’t let go.

Y/n’s luck even works on animals.

Vicious dog? Loves him.

Angry stray cat? Purring in his lap.

A literal rampaging mutant bear? Somehow, it calms down when Y/n talks to it.

Laura, covered in blood and scratches from trying to take the bear down: “What the—how did you—”

Y/n, petting the bear: “I dunno. I just have a calming presence?”

Cindy Moon

— How did they meet? —

It all started with one lucky shot.

The Daily Mail wanted exclusive photos of Silk, the new web-slinging hero in town.

Y/n’s boss— J. Jonah Jameson— sent him out to get ANY shot of her in action.

“She’s fast, hard to track, and doesn’t stick around. Just get something we can use.”

Y/n figured, why not?

Cindy was mid-fight with some low-level criminals when Y/n randomly snapped a photo.

The shot? Flawless. Perfect lighting. Dramatic action pose. Background blur just right.

Y/n wasn’t even trying that hard. He just happened to be in the right place at the right time.

J. Jonah Jameson went nuts over it.

“HOW DID YOU GET THIS?!”

“Uhh… just lucky, I guess?”

Cindy noticed him. And when she saw the front page article with her as Silk, she thought: “How the hell did someone get that shot??”

She started keeping an eye on Y/n, convinced he was either: A secret agent. A private investigator or some kind of meta-human.

Cindy then decided to test him.

Cindy (as Silk) set up a fake crime scene—just some staged webbing on a rooftop to see if Y/n “just happen” to be there.

Y/n was walking home from work… and somehow stumbled onto the exact rooftop she was watching.

“You have got to be kidding me,” Cindy muttered under her breath.

Meanwhile, Y/n just looked around like, “Huh, a weird place for a crime scene.”

Cindy finally dropped down in front of the man and asked straight up: “Who do you work for?”

Y/n just blinked. “Uh… the Daily Mail?”

Y/n explained that he was just a photographer, trying to get good shots.

Cindy stared at him, processing.

“So… you’re not a spy?”

“No?”

“Not secretly a mutant?”

“Nope.”

“Not working for some shady organization?”

“I mean, the Daily Mail is kinda shady sometimes, but nah.”

Cindy kept running into Y/n (completely by accident).

No matter where she was—swinging through the city, fighting crime, grabbing coffee—Y/n was always there.

Not stalking. Not searching. Just existing in the exact right place, every time.

One day, Y/n was at a coffee shop, reading his new camera manual. Cindy (out of costume) sat next to him without realizing it.

When they both noticed each other, she blurted out: “Are you a glitch in the Matrix??”

Y/n laughed and said, “I think I’m just really, really lucky.”

That was the moment Cindy realized: Oh crap. I like this guy.

— How did their relationship develop from strangers to more? —

Cindy asking Y/n out in the most awkward way possible.

She tried to be casual. She failed.

“Hey, so, like, you’re funny and stuff. And not a spy. And, um… do you like food?”

Y/n blinked. “Yeah?”

“Cool. You should eat food. With me. Sometime. Or now.”

Y/n grinned. “Are you asking me out?”

Cindy froze. Then blurted: “MAYBE.”

Y/n just chuckled. “Alright. Let’s go get some food.”

They started dating. Cindy pretended not to be into Y/n at first, but everyone could tell she was.

“I mean, he’s just some guy.”

“Cindy, you literally watch him like a hawk.”

The fact that Y/n kept surviving ridiculous situations only made her fall for him harder.

— How is their dynamic as a couple? —

Cindy acts first, thinks later.

Y/n goes with the flow but somehow always ends up in the right place at the right time.

If a fight breaks out? Cindy is already swinging into action, while Y/n just steps to the side and avoids an explosion without noticing.

Cindy: “You should be panicking right now!”

You: “Eh, I had a feeling I’d be fine.”

She’s so stressed, but she loves that Y/n is the calm to her storm.

Cindy worries about Y/n constantly.

But no matter what happens, Y/n always survive unscathed.

“Babe, stay behind me!”

“I think I’ll be fine.”

Five seconds later, a random lamppost falls and blocks an attack heading for Y/n.

Cindy: ”…I hate you.”

Y/n: “Nah, you love me.”

She has danger-sense, super agility, and reflexes—and she still takes hits sometimes.

Meanwhile, Y/n walked through crossfire, explosions, and falling debris without a scratch.

“I train every day to survive fights. What is your excuse?”

“Just vibes.”

Cindy once made Y/n wear protective gear on a date. It somehow got damaged, but he was completely fine.

“I give up,” she mutters as Y/n sips his coffee.

Cindy has major anxiety and trust issues from being locked in a bunker for years.

Y/n reminds her to breathe, take breaks, and enjoy life.

Cindy pretends she’s the cool one in the relationship.

But the moment Y/n’s not around, she’s like: “Has anyone seen my boyfriend?”

“Cindy, it’s been five minutes.”

She loves how easygoing and funny Y/n is, but she will never say it to his face. (Until she’s half-asleep and mumbles, “You’re my favorite person.”).

— How does everyone react to Y/n's “luck”? —

Cindy is incredibly protective of the people she cares about.

Y/n? He just keeps walking through life unscathed, and it drives her nuts.

“I swear if you get crushed by a collapsing building—”

“Babe, I won’t.”

The building collapses. Y/n stepped to the side at the exact right moment.

Cindy just squints at Y/n. “This is NOT NORMAL.”

“Neither is web-slinging, but here we are.”

Spider-Man thinks it’s hilarious.

“Bro, I have Spidey-Sense and I still get hit. How do you do it?”

“No clue, man. Just vibes.”

Black Cat desperately wants to steal Y/n’s luck.

“Are you sure you don’t have powers? No magical artifact? No deals with demons?”

“Nope. Just a guy with a camera and a dream.”

Someone tried taking Y/n into hostage once.

Before Cindy could even come to the rescue, the villain accidentally knocked himself out trying to tie him up.

Another time, Y/n was trapped in a burning building… but then a freak rainstorm put the fire out.

At this point, villains actively avoid Y/n because something always goes wrong for them.

J. Jonah Jameson doesn’t know how Y/n does it.

“How do you ALWAYS get the perfect shot? Do you have a sixth sense?”

“Nope. Just good timing.”

Bonus Headcanons:

Cindy forgets to eat a lot, so Y/n always make sure she has food.

“Babe, have you eaten today?”

“Uhhh—”

“That’s a no.” Y/n hands her a sandwich.

Y/n has so many photos of Cindy (both as Silk and just as herself).

She acts embarrassed but secretly loves them.

“You make me look cool.”

“You are cool.”

Cindy keeps trying to test Y/n’s luck.

She throws things at Y/n just to see if he’ll avoid them.

Y/n always accidentally dodges at the last second.

One time, she tried to catch him off guard by webbing his foot mid-walk.

Y/n tripped—but landed on a discarded mattress on the street.

Cindy just stared at him. “That. Should. Not. Have. Happened.”

Y/n shrugged. “Maybe the universe just really likes me.”

Cindy has been through so much trauma. She’s used to losing people.

But Y/n? He always comes back, no matter what happens.

And even though she teases Y/n about his luck, she’s grateful for it.

Because, for once, she doesn’t have to be afraid of losing someone she loves.

“Hey, Cindy?”

“Yeah?”

“I think I might actually be the luckiest guy in the world.”

She rolls her eyes. “Yeah, yeah. Shut up and kiss me, Lucky Boy.”

[4sh-n4]

Scenario for a Batman Identity Reveal™-

Takes place before Batman has revealed his identity. The rest of the JL know each other's identities, except Batman's. They've just received news of a threat against Bruce Wayne.

Maybe a rogue or an intergalactic enemy or someone has found out that Bruce Wayne funds a majority of the League and thinks that killing him will severely weaken it. Fair enough, I mean it's easier to kill a civilian known to be an idiot as compared to the greatest heroes, right?

So now obviously the JL feel obligated to protect him. They don't particularly want to do it, and usually they'd just set up police protection, but everyone knows how corrupt Gotham police are, and Wayne is being targeted bc of them. They'd ask Batman, but he only comes out at night and has publicly expressed disdain for Bruce. So they've got to do it themselves.

They take it in shifts, and while Wayne seems very welcoming on the outside, it's a little obvious that he doesn't want them poking around his house. In addition, the first night they were on shift, Batman gave them a very strict warning about what is and isn't allowed in his city. He tried to get them to leave, but they overruled him.

At first, Bruce spends all his time acting like an air headed idiot, flirting with everyone that tries to talk to him and refusing to cooperate bc he doesn't believe the threat. 'Coincidently', he's always in the room every time one of them try to talk to talk to any of his children.

Then as time passes, he lets his guard down. They start to see a gentle, kind, Bruce Wayne whose children are his entire world, not token trophies. He speaks in a soft voice, one made out of cotton and clouds. He cares about the underprivileged in Gotham and genuinely works to make life better for them. He's smart and actually involved in his company. He's also incredibly slippery and tries very very hard to lose their tail at all times. The only reason they can keep up with him at all is because most of them have special powers (and because he's constrained by the fact that none of them know his identity).

One day, while they're trying to look for him after he's lost them yet again, he gets kidnapped. The entire JL rushes to find him and rescue him before the person they've come to honestly respect and enjoy the company of gets murdered for trying to help them. They search for and reach the place he's being held after 2 days, only to find him tying up the criminals- who definitely all have broken bones- surrounded by the horde of younger Gotham vigilantes.

He turns to look at them and growls, "You're late. Civilian rescue time needs to be much shorter, these people weren't even experienced kidnappers. You're lucky it was me they were after otherwise you'd have found a corpse. We're running drills back at the watchtower."

They're all shocked because... that's Batman's voice?? Coming from the richest man alive, known playboy, not so known gentle father, BRUCE WAYNE??? BATMAN HASN'T EVEN BEEN OFF DUTY SINCE THEY BECAME BRUCE BODYGUARDS????

Turns out his children all ganged up on him and forced him to reveal his identity, especially since the JL had become friends with him both inside and outside the mask.

[justmeinadaze]

Little Girl Gone Part 7 (Steddie X You)

Warnings: Doms Officer Steve Harrington/Gangster Eddie Munson & Sub Doctor Fem Reader, SMUT, light smacking, some degrading (whore, slut), dirty talk, etc

*inhales, exhale, shouts* ANGST! ANGST EVERYWHERE!

These three deal with time apart, Eddie is acting a bit irrational due to the last chapter, mentions of torture and death but none detailed here, Eddie does talk about a couple of his victims but they are bad people, Y/N is slightly interrogated again, mentions of Eddie's abuse from his father so child abuse trigger, lots of apologies and promises. Reader gets slightly spicy here. Cliffhanger ending (You're welcome.)

Word Count: 5259

Series here/ Donate to my Ko-Fi

“Don’t make me repeat myself.”

Eddie’s intense eyes penetrate yours, his chest rising and falling as he breathes heavily in anger.

“I am in charge of you.”

“You control me in bed, yes, but out here I am your partner to and your doctor. You need to rest, Eddie.”

Grumbling under his breath, the gangster grabs his jacket and heads for the door. 

“I can heal at my own place. I don’t need either of you getting in my way.”, he growls before stomping out of your apartment.

As you glance towards Steve, you notice his facial features harden as he silently begins to clean up the mess they both made. Once your living room was clear of any evidence of Officer Douglas, the other man pulled a pack of cigarettes you didn’t know he had, lighting the end and leaned against the back of your couch.

“Do you want me to leave to?”

“I didn’t ask him to go; he chose to. I want you both here.”

“Maybe I should leave… Maybe this was all a mistake, bringing you into this.”

“Fuck you.”, you hiss causing his head to jerk your way. “Yeah, Steven, fuck you. I just lost someone I cared about, I was attacked, and I told you both I loved you but THIS may be a mistake?! FUCK. YOU!”

Fuming, his jaw clenched as his eyes became glassy and he rose to his feet without saying another word, leaving your apartment, and slamming the front door.

***

A month later, you found yourself in a police integration room again this time completely unsure of what they were going to ask. You hadn’t heard from either man but you knew they had to have been busy from what you saw on the news. 

“Hey, Y/N.”, Detective Hopper sighed with a smile your way as he entered the room alone. “I’m sorry to be bothering you again.”

“I haven’t seen Eddie in a while so I don’t know how much help I can be.”

“You two are no longer together? Hm. Is that why Allen Munson’s associates are seemingly disappearing?”

“I don’t even want to know how you got from A to B and I still don’t understand how you became a Detective.”, you sneered. “Is that why you brought me down here? I told you that Eddie’s not a killer. Why don’t you ask the rival gangs like the Carvers or some shit?”

“Because Jason Carver and some of his men left down. We don’t know where or exactly but his father said he went on vacation. Personally, with other gangsters and police disappearing I’m not surprised.”

“Police?”

“Mhmm… we lost 3 other uniforms in the past month and upon searching their homes found some incriminating evidence that they were working for Edward’s dad. It makes me extremely nervous, Y/N, the things we’re uncovering.” Jim’s eyes scan you over as you fold into yourself and sigh. “Y/N, how well do you know Steve Harrington?”

Your head shot up as your brows furrowed at the question. 

“Your partner? He’s a dick who’s always rude to me. Why? Do you think he’s involved with Eddie’s dad?”

“Honestly, no, but I have to take into account that he’s been building a case against The Munson’s for a while and hasn’t gotten any head way in over a year. Add in some coincidences I can’t ignore like him being jumped by the Carver’s and then a week later a few of their members turn up dead. He, um, also went to you for treatment and a couple of months later you’re dating Allen Munson’s son.”

“Well, Detective, like I said…I’m amazed you’re allowed to still work cases with the conclusions you jump to. May I leave now?”

“Yes you may.”, he grumbles. “We have a car watching every move he makes so don’t do anything stupid, doctor.”

“Hm. You have a cop watching him yet you didn’t know we broke up. May want to check your intel or become a better liar.”

After collecting your things, you power walk to your car and as soon as you slam the door shut, you break as you begin to sob. A soft tap on your passenger side window made you jump before you realized it was only one of the men responsible for your broken heart. 

“What do you want, Steve?”

“Is everything ok? I didn’t know you were coming down here.”, he replied as he climbed into your vehicle. 

“Don’t worry. I always told you two I would never rat either of you out so—”

“That’s not what I meant…”, he whispered before heavily sighing. “Usually, they keep me in the loop when it comes to things involving Eddie. No one told me they were integrating you. Did someone break in again?”

“No. No one broke in or has come after me. Probably because Eddie is slaughtering them all.”, you say with distain making him flinch. “You need to tell him to be more careful, Steve. He’s being too obvious with what he’s doing.”

“Yeah, well, I haven’t talked to him in a month so it’s not like he’ll listen to me.” As your head swiveled his way, he turned to gaze out the windshield not willing to meet your eyes for fear of you seeing how hurt he really was. “I call and he doesn’t answer. I went to the compound and they told me I’m no longer welcome.”

“Steve…”

“I guess that whole year we were together and he told me he loved me was all bullshit. Especially if he can throw me away so easily.”

“He’s in a lot of pain—”

“And we’re not?”, Steve snaps. 

“You don’t get to do that. You don’t get to play victim when you left me to. I haven’t heard from you either, Steve. Why have YOU stayed away?!”

“Because it hurts too much! I love you both but what he’s involved in right now could get you killed. It almost did! You guys think I’m this big tough cop but seeing him get beaten the way he was… seeing you fucking shaking in his arms with those bruises on your neck… it kills me! I feel like I failed you both.”

As he wiped the tears he tried to hide, you did the same before turning to fully face him. 

“They, or at least Hopper, thinks you may be working for Allen.”

“What?”

“The dots he’s connected brought him to that conclusion and with the three cops that have apparently wound-up dead—”

“I guess it’s not that big of leap but, Jesus, I’m not that much of an asshole. From the research I’ve done, I think those three plus Officer Douglas were the only ones in my precinct who worked for him. He may have some guards in the prison on his side especially with how easy it was to move Gabe and Eddie around to get them in the same block.”

When you become silent, he can’t help but release a heavy sigh. 

“Thank you for telling me what they know. I’m still always working to keep you both safe.”

As he reaches for the door handle, your hand grabs his wrist. 

“I may have an idea of how we can help him and we may only have to kill one more person.”

“We?”

“I want to help, Steve. I love him to.”

#############

“Miss Y/L/N, I’m sorry but… I was told to not allow anyone that isn’t a part of his crew up to the loft especially you or Mr. Harrington here.”

“I’m not asking for permission, Marcus. We’re going up there whether he likes it or not but I was hoping we could avoid any theatrics.”, you replied with a hard tone. 

Sighing, he leaned over to call upstairs but before he could say a word you took the phone from his hand. 

“Eddie, Steve and I need to talk to you.”

“I have nothing to say to either of you and there’s nothing I want to hear.”

“You said you loved us. The least you could do is face us one more time. Or is little gangster too scared?”

His growl reverberated through the receiver before you handed it back to the gentleman who nodded and tilted his head towards the elevators. 

“Y/N, are you sure you want to do this?”

“More than ever.”

“Ok. If for any reason, you get uncomfortable or scared, tell me and I’ll—”

“Protect me. I know, Steve. Don’t worry. After the month I’ve had, I can handle anything he throws my way.”

When you both finally arrived on the top floor, you took one last long breath and entered his apartment. The smell smacked you in the face immediately, the scent of sweat, alcohol, and blood. His loft was a mess with papers and clothes thrown haphazardly everywhere. There was a chair placed in the middle of the living room with dried stains of his last victim underneath. 

What killed you was the photos strewn along his coffee table of a young Eddie with his mother with a big smile painting his face. 

The man himself was in his kitchen with a seeming calm demeanor as he poured himself another glass of whiskey. Wearing only his black sweats, you were able to see that his bruises and burns were all mostly healed.

“I see you DO listen to me sometimes when I talk.”, you start as you gesture towards his chest. 

“Is that why you’re here, doc? For a checkup? That usually doesn’t require a police escort.”

“That’s not why we’re here but it’s good to know physically you’re feeling better since you didn’t feel the need to update either of the people who love you.”

“Hm. Well, I’m busy so what the fuck do you both want?”

Steve chuckles beside you but even you can hear the pain hidden underneath. 

“Still easy to cast aside huh? Even with us right in front of you.”

“You two have each other and I have my team. You’ll survive.”

“I haven’t seen either of you in over a month.” Eddie’s demeanor falters slightly at your admission giving you slight hope you can reach the man you met before. “Steve said it was a probably a mistake bringing me into your world and like you he left. I get to watch you fall apart all by myself.”

“Is that really why you haven’t reached out to her? To keep her safe?”, the gangster asks. 

“Was I wrong? Between your fucking killing spree, detectives accusing me of working with your father—”

“What?”

“Hopper called me in today asking about the most recent deaths and then asked about Steve. The coincidences he sees drew him to that conclusion.”

“Fucking idiot.”

“I know.”, you agree with Eddie. “We want to use that to our advantage though. I was thinking Steve could make Allen believe the same thing.”

Eddie cackled at your suggestion to a mocking degree as he placed his hand on his stomach to control the laughter. 

“Oh my god, sweetheart. That is the best joke I’ve heard in a long time.”

“Why? Why would it be so unbelievable for him to work with your father?”

“So you’re going to go undercover, Stevie? You’re going to do what he asks to get him to trust you like murdering innocent people; people like Y/N.”

“I’m not innocent. Not anymore thanks to you two.”, you growl. 

“You’d be surprised what I’m capable of after finding out a year of my life was wasted on a man who didn’t fucking love me.”

Again, the gangster’s hardened image faltered, visibly so as his eye lids fluttered and he sauntered backwards to refill his drink. 

“You think I didn’t love you?”

“I haven’t heard from you, Edward. After everything I’ve done for you and you just disappear without so much as a fucking goodbye? To be honest, after what I’ve witnessed recently, working for your dad will be a piece of cake since you want to be like him.”

“That shit… doesn’t hurt me anymore. Do you know why?”, he asks as he steps closer to you both. “Because I am better than my father ever was and now everyone else will know that to. If you cross me and align yourself with him, I have an answer for that.” Eddie pulls out his gun and places it under the officer’s chin. “And if you want to go play with his team have at it but if I find you robbing one of MY buildings or killing anyone on MY team, I’ll make an example out of you to.”

It was your turn to laugh as both men glanced your way. 

“I don’t mean to laugh but it’s just so cute. Little gangster playing tough like his daddy. God, Eddie, when I first met you, you were a man to be respected. So many people were in your corner because of how you ran this city. Now you’re just this little boy pretending. You became exactly what Allen believed you were…weak.”

Stomping in your direction, his fingers wrapped around your throat as he pushed you back hard against the wall. 

“You need to shut your fucking mouth before I do it for you.”

“Yeah? Do it then.”

Something flashes through his eyes then, a mixture of the man you fell in love with and the boy wanting justice against the person who continually hurt him from childhood to now. Releasing his grip, he slowly backed away from you but right as he turned around, you placed your body in front him. 

“Come on, Eddie! You said when I met you that you and Steve had tempers that most women couldn’t handle. Well, I can, trust me. I can handle anything after what you both have put me through!”, you huffed as you shoved his chest hard. “What about you, Steve, huh? Or are you as much of a pussy as he is now?!”

The officer knew what you were doing. If you couldn’t engage the gangster, maybe, pushing his partner would entice him enough. His beautiful eyes penetrated yours and you saw the question within them. 

Are you sure?

“Please…”

As soon as the words left your mouth, his eyes darkened and you were once again confronted with the version of him you hadn’t seen since he pointed a gun in your face asking you to help the man he loved.

######################

Steve’s feet slammed loudly against the hardwood as he made a beeline your way and grabbed your throat just below your jaw. 

“You think we’re pussies, little girl?” When your head tried to turn to see if Eddie was even paying attention, the officer forcefully yanked you closer till his nose was practically touching yours. “No. Don’t look at him. Look at me. I’m asking the fucking question. I said do you think we’re pussies?” Answer. Me.”

“Yes.”, you answered roughly as you clung to his wrist. “You made me believe you loved me. You told me I was safe with you! You lied to me!”

“No.”, Eddie’s rugid tone responded beside you. “We warned you. We kill people. I kill people and don’t even think twice about it. I’m a bad man, sweetheart, raised by an even worse one. This past month I have proven to him and everyone else that I’M now above him. I’m someone to be feared. You should be afraid of me, Y/N.”

You’d be lying if you didn’t say the way he was speaking was scaring you but you tried to keep your resolve. 

“I’m not.”

“You will be.” Abruptly, he shoved you to the sofa and climbed on top of you. You fought against him, your hand connecting to his face hard before he returned the favor and pinned your wrists above your head. After pushing your legs open with his knee, he rolled his hips allowing his hardening cock to rub against your pant covered core through his sweats. 

Even with all the layers, he ground himself in just the right way to hit your clit making you groan. 

“Eddie.”

“Fuck, that’s it, little whore. Moan my name.”

Fingers appeared above you and you glanced up to see Steve leaning to lift your shirt while the gangster took the opportunity to yank off your pants blocking his way. After pushing down his sweats enough to free his length, he maneuvered up your body till he was hovering over your face. 

“Open.” You try and push against his hold on your hands but he doesn’t relent. “Open. Now.”

When you do what he commands, he mercilessly guides his cock between your parted lips. The sound of your gags mixes with his grunts as he thrusts his hips. 

“Goddamn it. That’s right, Y/N. We trained you good. Fuck. Breathe…breathe through your nose—”

When his voice cut off, you opened your eyes to see both men passionately kissing each other above you. Steve’s face softened for a moment as if he was glad to be able to taste the man he loved again before remembering everything he had been through as well. 

“Look at you, baby. Being in charge…just like your father…a ruthless killer.”

“I’m better than he—mmm—ever was.”

“Oh, yeah? Show me. Show me what better looks like.” Eddie’s palm curled around the back of Steve’s neck and in return the officer leaned his forehead against his. “Come on, honey. You’re someone to be feared now, right? Show me. You already showed me you don’t love me; that you could use me. Use me again.”

At the accusation, the gangster tackled the other man to the ground and pinned his arms to the floor as you coughed, panting trying to catch your breath. You watched as they wrestled each other before Eddie flipped him onto his stomach, reached underneath him to unbuckle his belt, and pull down his pants to his ankles. 

The sound they both made when Eddie guided his cock inside of him was a mixture of passion and pain. The pain of them missing how the other felt but the euphoria of being able to feel them again. You slid down to the floor, placing yourself beside them and tenderly ran your fingers through Steve’s hair as he moaned while the gangster slammed into him roughly. 

Eddie’s breath warmed the back of your hand as he laid down flat on the other man’s back and rolled his hips as he clung to his chest. 

“This is…who I am…Steven. Who—fuck—who I have to…be.”

The officer shook his head as his own fingers above his head squeaked as he dragged them along the floor beneath him. 

“Excuses… Y-You’re afraid.”

“What the fuck do I have to be afraid of.”, Eddie grumbled in his ear.

“…Dad.”

The gangster delivered a couple of hard thrusts that had a high-pitched whine leaving Steve’s lips. 

“I’m NOT afraid of Allen Munson.”

“No, you’re not.”, you clarified. “You’re afraid of your dad. You’re afraid of the man that hurt your mother and called you both weak. The man who sent adults after a child to jump him after school. Who hurt and tortured a little boy for not being what he deemed as perfect.”

Eddie’s rhythm slowed to almost a stop while he listened to you speak. His long hair was blocking his face but you could tell you were getting through. 

“A coward who abandoned his only son with his brother to manage a gang of men who cared even less about his child than he did.”

 A broken sob left his throat as he pushed off Steve and leaned his back against the couch. You crawled towards him, climbed into his lap, and pushed his hair back with your fingers as you kissed his forehead. 

“Baby, you’re not that same little boy. You have more control now than you think and that scares him.”, you whispered as he wrapped his arms around you and held you tightly to him. “That’s why he did what he did, Eddie. You’re stronger than he will ever be so he had to make you feel like a child again. Don’t let him win. Don’t become him.”

When Steve sat up and laid his head on the man’s shoulder, he turned and smashed his lips messily to his. 

“I’m sorry. I’m so fucking sorry. I do love you, Steve. I never once used you or Y/N. It killed me not having either one of you next to me. I’m sorry. I love you to, Y/N.”

Steve’s hands suddenly gripped your waist as he laid you back down on the floor and ran his cock through your folds before guiding himself into your cunt. Amber eyes locked with your own when he felt ring laced hands land on his shoulder and he grunted loudly as Eddie slid into the man above you again. 

Your legs tried to wrap around them both as they pumped their hips. Steve fell against your body as his cock hit every sensitive nerve inside you, building you up as you ran your nails through his hair and down his back. 

“I’m s-sorry, honey, for—mmm—for hurting you. I love you, Y/N.”

“Cum, Steve. I need to feel it.”

His pace hastened, his ass pushing back into Eddie who groaned and his length pushing deep into you. The sound of his heavy pants in your ear had you clenching around him till you came and he quickly followed, moaning your name as he warmed your walls with his release. With a few more rough thrusts, the gangster grunted as he spilled into his partner before collapsing on the floor beside you.

As soon as Steve pulled out of you, both men’s eyes followed you as you rose to your feet and headed to the kitchen to a get a rag to clean yourself. Coming back into the living room with a bottle of water, you threw on your shirt and panties as they quietly put on their boxers. 

“So, Steve and I were thinking that he could pretend to work for your father so we could him in front of you on your own terms so to speak.”

When you spoke your tone calm but there was a shake behind it you prayed they didn’t hear. As a doctor you were trained to hold it together under pressure. This was no different. 

“You can do whatever you want; torture him, kill him, I don’t fucking care. Whatever gets him to leave us alone. After that you can stop all this chaos and I can go back to my own life.”

“Alone?”, Eddie asked.

When you didn’t responded, their gaze shifted towards you just in time to see your eyes glaze over and your bottom lip tremble. The gangster kneeled in front of you, taking your hands in his. 

“You left me… I wanted you to stay but… you left…”

“I know. I know, sweetheart and I will spend the rest of my life making it up to you; both of you. You were right. I became that little boy again and just…”

“How many people have you killed in this last month, Eddie?”

His Adam’s apple bobs as he swallows in fear knowing you won’t like his answer. 

“Me personally or my team?”

“Jesus Christ.”, Steve sighs as he rubs his palms over his eyes. “My department clocked a total of 23 men. Three of them cops. How many were by your hand, Ed?”

“Eight were killed by me but I tortured them all for information.”, he answers flatly as his eyes remained locked on yours. “Those eight knew about Y/N or you, Steve. Pat Chase, a lawyer for a few of the gang members around town had pictures in his suitcase of you in your cruiser and Y/N…crying behind her clinic. Calvin Thomas, junior police officer at Steve’s station, threatened to murder a couple of your patients including that little girl with asthma. Mason Fletcher, manager at one of the local mechanic stores and a friend who I helped when his wife passed away, said when Steve’s chief sent the cars for a tune up, he planned to tamper with the brakes.”

Eddie’s jaw tightened as he continued. 

“I remember each and every one of them still. Out of those 23 people, ten of them were people I trusted and do you know who commands them? Allen Munson. This is the kind of man they follow even after everything. Y/N what you’re suggesting is very dangerous but even more so because… I don’t know if I could follow through with killing him if given the chance.”

“What if you don’t have to kill him but we can still separate him from his allies. Cut the head off the snake.”

They listen as you speak, allowing the details to sink in before agreeing with what you have in mind. Taking his hand in yours, you start to head towards the stairs to guide him to his bed but are tugged back when he doesn’t move. 

“You never answered my question. When this is over…will we be over?” When your gaze shifts to the floor, Eddie wraps his arm around your waist and brings you closer to him as he leans his forehead on your own. “I understand if you want to leave but if you stay, Y/N, I promise I will do whatever it takes to make sure you never feel alone or hurt like that again. I love you so much. I’m so sorry.”

Your lips meet his as hug him tightly to your body while he continues to whisper apologies. 

“I’ll stay, Eddie. I forgive you.”

After the gangster prepared a bath and slowly placed you in the water, he paused when he noticed Steve’s moving was a bit more rigid than he normally is. Rising to his feet, he scanned the man over. 

“Steve, are you ok, sweetheart? Did I…was I…too rough?”

Shaking his head, the officer carefully climbed in behind you before taking you in his arms and pulling you against his chest. 

“I forgive you to, Steve Harrington.”, you murmur as you lean back to kiss his cheek. 

Placing a finger under his chin, Eddie tilts his head till Steve’s eyes meet his. 

“I’m sorry, baby. I—”

“It’s ok, honey. I’m just…sore…and tired. I missed you both.” 

The three of you sat there in silence fully absorbing the events of the last month and how things were about to get a lot harder. As you were being dried, your fingers ran over Eddie’s remaining bruises and burns.

“I’ve still been doing what you said, keeping the wounds iced and clean.”

“They look a lot better.”

Steve passed by you both and placed himself on the edge of the bed as he pulled his shirt over his head. The other man kneeled in front of him and took his hands into his own. 

“My Paladin. You do so much for me and yet I pushed you to the side. This past year, I’ve been the happiest I’ve ever been and not because you help me with my organization but because you loved me for me, Steve. You don’t see a gangster or a Munson. You always saw Eddie.”

The officer’s eyes water as a heavy breath escapes him. 

“This will never happen again, baby. I promise.”, the other man coos as he straddles his lap and circles his arms around him and you watch with a small smile while they cling to each other. “I love you. I missed you so much.”

“I missed you to, nerd.”

When they finally detached, they laid down in bed, reaching for you and putting you between them. 

“Are you sure you want to go through with your plan, Y/N? It’s not going to be easy…for you or Steve.”

You nod as you tenderly reach out to caress his face and fold the officer’s hand that’s resting on your hip. 

“I’m sure.”

########################

Three Days Later

Allen grunts in frustration as he steps up to the glass partition and throws his body into the chair across from the man he believes to be his son’s best friend. 

“Mr. Harrington, how can I help you today? Any friend of my son is no friend of mine.”, he says all too casually as he chuckles under his breath. 

“Yeah, well, I’m not your son’s friend anymore.”, Steve growled in anger. “He took something that belonged to me. I warned him but that fucker didn’t care.”

“Oh? What did he take?”

“Y/N.”

Allen’s eyes widened in amusement as he crossed his legs and leaned back in his chair. 

“Jesus. This woman must be fucking special. How did she end up with him and not you?”

“I saw her first when she helped me at her clinic. After Eddie was hurt, I took him there so she could help him to. I didn’t expect it to become romantic. I told that fucker I loved her and she was mine but he still went after her. I did everything I could to split them up but, unfortunately, she’s loyal.”

“Hm. Sounds like my wife; weak. So what exactly do you want, officer?”

“It’s not so much what I want but what you do. I want to help you take Eddie out of the game.”

Allen laughed as well as a few of the guards who could hear the conversation. 

“You want to help me? Why don’t you just arrest him again and bring him in?”

“On what? All the charges we have aren’t sticking and even though he’s running around killing your people, he’s not leaving anything incriminating behind.” At Steve’s mention of the men he was losing, the prisoner grumbled low as he glared at him. “He’s going to keep coming at you till either all your people are dead or he is. I can help you, Allen.”

The man thinks for a long moment before smirking his way. 

“How do I know I can trust you? How do I know this isn’t something my son conjured up.”

“Well, one, Eddie isn’t that fucking smart and two, I did something you haven’t been able to in almost 2 months.”

“Yeah, Harrington, and what’s that?”

“I killed Y/N.”

Allen’s head tilts as he tries to hide his shock at the officer’s statement as the other man smirks his way. 

“How’d you do that?”

“I slit her throat in his apartment.”, Steve answered as his smile grew. “You should have heard the way Eddie cried over her. That’s what that selfish asshole gets. She was mine.”

No longer amused, the prisoner leaned on his elbows and met the officer’s angry expression with one of his own. 

“I don’t believe you.”

A loud thump filled the area as Steve smacked a Polaroid picture against the glass. 

“I thought you might say that. She’s buried next to his mother if you want to go look. Oh wait…”, he teases sarcastically as he gestures to the prison. 

Loud shouting startles the guards as a door flies open just in time for Eddie’s father to see them tackling Wayne to the ground. 

“What the fuck did you do, Allen!? She was a good woman and you took her away from him! You fucking asshole! Get off me!”

“Self-righteous prick.” Allen thinks for a moment as he fully takes in the man in front of him. “Ok, Steven. Ok, I may have some use for you.”

###################

@5tud10-54r4h @munsonzgf @eddiesguitarskills @supraveng

@lilaclazer @ima1986 @micheledawn1975 @foreverminliv @corkadymu

@lemme-slytherin-that-dick @joannamuns9n @dashingdeb16 @sashaphantomhive @corrodedcoffincumslut @aactuaaltraash @nailbatanddungeon 

[markantonys]

s3 trailer mini-analysis

a LOT of this trailer seems to be either standard rand-in-the-waste stuff that's exactly what i expected to be happening this season or moiraine AU visions that don't tell us anything about the season's goings-on in Reality, so i'm just going to ponder a handful of shots that are currently intriguing me!

i've zoomed in on this wideshot of two people talking in the tower, and also added brightness and color enhancement. the seated figure appears to be wearing red and the other figure white. my current suspicion is that this is lanfear talking to liandrin, or, wild shot, elaida - i can't tell if the lighter blobs over the red figure's shoulders are blonde hair or just part of an outfit. but the white figure does seem like a lanfear-y silhouette to me! if true, this could maaaaybe point to lanfear getting involved with the white tower to set her up to absorb mesaana later; or it could just be her having a chat with her minion liandrin early in the season before liandrin heads off to tanchico and gets wrapped up with moggy.

closeup of the big room with 3 statues. the outfits of the group on the left make me wonder if this could be an age of legends scene in rand's glass columns sequence - they look similar to what LTT and other male aes sedai have worn in the flashbacks in the first 2 seasons. but i'm not sure what to make of the group of walkers on the right!

rand and egwene in a location that seems waste-y. they both look surprised, which makes me wonder if this is some kind of dreamworld fuckery; maybe they unexpectedly crossed paths in TAR, or maybe egwene unexpectedly managed to physically transport herself to the waste via dreamworld fuckery. it's giving:

next up!

elayne and min both sporting hair-wraps. could it be that they're in tanchico together and hair-wraps are the style there? or it could just be coincidence and not a sign of a shared location. i'm surprised by how long min's hair is, but i wonder if that indicates some version of her elmindreda disguise making it in? but also, how could so much time have passed between seasons for her hair to grow that much? rand and egwene's hair is both only a little longer than their s2 chops, i think. maybe min's hair actually ends just below her shoulders and it's only the angle here that gives it the illusion of being even longer.

mat in a frustratingly nondescript location (i brightened it up in hopes of revealing architectural details, but nah). his neck is definitely injured, and surely if mat has an injured neck in s3, it HAS to be from hanging. but i can't judge whether it looks like a fresh wound or a semi-healed, scarring wound. brightening the shot did reveal that he seems to have a nice pattern on his shirt/robe/coat, good for him!

presumably rand having a channeling explosion in what appears to be a reasonably nice bedroom at night. this one really intrigues me because i think it's just about the only shot of rand that isn't part of the waste or an AU vision (at least, i assume this is reality), and thus perhaps the only shot we have of the very start of the season when the gang is all still together, as they reportedly are. it would make sense to me for rand to have some channeling disaster early in the season to set up his storyline of needing a channeling teacher at any cost, even if it's a forsaken.

and now, what you've all been waiting for, window architectural style analysis!

first, elayne with the crown is definitely white tower windows with that almost floral pattern. why is elayne putting on a crown in the white tower while wearing her novice dress? i doubt she'd have one kicking around in her luggage. did her brothers and/or elaida bring it with them for some reason? is it actually a (ter')angreal? is this a dream sequence, or an AU within her or egwene's accepted test?

now more windows to try and figure out where people are in mysterious shots. left to right: the windows behind rand as he's having a channeling explosion; tiny fragment of the window behind mat; the window to elayne's right in the shot of her with the hair-wrap.

overall i can conclude [drumroll]..........nothing! none of them seem like white tower windows, at least, and rand's window and elayne's window are definitely different from each other (no surprise there, since my guesses for the two shots are 3x01 location & tanchico respectively). if i had to pick, i'd say mat's window looks more similar to elayne's and thus that shot might be him in tanchico, but it's impossible to say since we don't get a good look at his window.

although, if i compare to falme, could it potentially be a somewhat-similar style of ceiling beams with a semi-circle of holes for the top of a window underneath? haha probably not, at this point i'm just reaching to try and invent evidence for my "mat finds the doorway in 3x01 and rand is around to give him cpr" hopes. who knows if falme will even be their starting location anyway!

after all, rand's window, which i hazard a guess is in the starting location, doesn't match falme windows. nor does it match tar valon or cairhien windows. perhaps it's a new location - like caemlyn? maybe they all arrive there in 3x01 and meet elayne's fam, then perrin heads off to the two rivers, rand heads off to the waste, and elaida carts the girls back to the tower with the brothers (and maybe mat?) in tow (so potentially the girls going back against their will rather than choosing to go back - i do have somewhat of a hard time imagining them voluntarily going back now that there are more important things than school to worry about, unless perhaps they decide to go back in order to warn siuan about the black ajah. but i'm sure i'll have more wondergirls speculation later since them being at the tower was definitely my biggest surprise of the trailer and i need to mull it over some more!)

stray thoughts

where is gawyn? is he safe? is he all right? they are edging me BIG time with him, goddamn! we saw galad and faile in the trailer, but they were the ones we already had the castings for anyway! gawyn is the one whose existence we need evidence of!!!! my fears of a Brother Merge are returning even though i know it's absurd since they namedropped gawyn in s2 while the brother we saw in the trailer is clearly galad and was named galad on the actor's CV.

me: all the marketing materials will be geared towards show-onlys and thus rooted in relationships we know from the first 2 seasons rather than revealing too many new relationships also me: [panics over all the focus in the trailer & interview on rand's relationships with moiraine/egwene/lanfear with nary a hint of him meeting elayne and avi]

but of COURSE they wouldn't be giving away anything on the avirandlayne front already haha so this is only logical! we've only seen a tiny fraction of rand's season activities; plenty of time for him to be hanging out with avi and elayne (and his friends!) in scenes we haven't yet gotten glimpses of. rand-moiraine and rand-lanfear were his biggest dynamics in s2, which makes me impatient to see his other dynamics return (or get created) in s3, but it also means that those are the dynamics it's most sensible to focus on for early promo.

i am quite surprised there wasn't a single shot of avi in the trailer (bar a potential wideshot of her from behind) since she IS a returning character whom show-onlys would recognize, but then, even characters who've had a bigger role than her thus far (such as 3/5 emond's fielders) only got 1-2 shots; the focus was definitely on rand, moiraine, and lanfear in this trailer, with a touch of egwene as well.

[tokyo-daaaamn-ji-gang]

I was thinking about the original timeline and realized that if Toman didnt happen it means that none of the Toman members (except Mikey/Baji and perhaps Mitsuya/Draken) met, which is kinda obvious but that also means Kazutora probably remained friends with the guy who was taking advantage of him and was still under his father influence (since Mikey or Baji didn’t "save him") My poor baby

But it’s interesting to think about all the things that didn’t happen in the original timeline and the consequences

No I don't think so? Kazutora and Baji met at an arcade independently outside of toman. Baji may not have gone to the arcade instead but we don't know what lead him there on that day in the first place so have no way of 100% knowing either way. Baji's personality was also a little different after everything but I could still see the two of them becoming friends though maybe not as close. The big issue they'd face is when Junpeke went to a protector gang for revenge (even if the black dragons never ended up in Izana's hands and never went bad, I'm sure this guy would've found another gang or a bunch of guys for revenge). Idk if just Kazutora and Baji would've been able to deal with that, though Baji may have gotten Sanzu involved too.

As for the others, Mitsuya knew both Draken and Hakkai before toman (and given how involved and interested Mitsuya and Draken were in gangs I'm pretty sure they would've created their own eventually).

Pah and and Peh grew up together and were shown attending the same school as Mitsuya. But because this was after toman formed we don't know if they attended the same school because they knew each other was going there or if it was a coincidence. So there's a chance they meet Mitsuya in school.

Chifuyu and Baji also attended the same school but we know Baji doesn't go in this timeline so they likely don't meet unless Baji starts going.

Kazutora and Takemichi also attend the same school so there's a chance of them meeting too.

Meanwhile the whole Takemichi/ Hina/ Kisaki plot is playing out in pretty much the same way with Kisaki still trying to beat Takemichi but this time he has to use another delinquent to get to the top instead of Mikey (possibly Izana here assuming he ended up getting into gangs here too). So he still meets Hanma. Though Takemichi may never run away in the first place here since Kiyomasa was in toman but that doesn't exist so Kiyomasa's life would be a bit different and it's impossible to tell how different/ what effect that would have. Either way Takemichi is probably being killed by Kisaki in the future.

[allwormdiet]

Arc 1: Gestation, Concluding Thoughts

Two days in the life of Taylor Hebert, with a bonus one night in the life of Danny Hebert. Let's break it down.

Right now, initial feelings are really positive. I like this arc, I get why people are in on this in such a hardcore fashion, like it's making sense to me as I'm reading it. The characterization is really strong, the A to B plot is cool, and the first fight scene was a fucking banger to open up with.

And like, shit, I get why Taylor is throwing herself into cape life, right? Civilian life is already such fucking misery for her, utterly alone and the only person who's theoretically in her corner is sympathetic but just as helpless as she is. Yeah sure, mortal peril, but if she had nothing to do I feel like the bullying would've killed her eventually. Death versus Lung is at least marginally more noble than death by Emma. And isn't that fucking bleak.

Looking ahead a little bit towards Arc 2 and I'm immensely curious how long it'll take Taylor to do cape stuff again. I feel like I'd need a solid month to process the whole "near death experience" thing and then spend time sweating over whether I even put the mask on ever again. Meanwhile I wouldn't be surprised if Taylor went back out in like a week, because she's a hardcore maniac.

It's also very interesting looking at this and considering the exact sequence of events that went through these chapters. If the bullies didn't wreck Taylor's notebook, or if Taylor took a different message away from its destruction, there might be one or more dead Undersiders right now, and to a lesser extent Armsmaster wouldn't both get credit for a major capture and also owe this rookie hero a favor. Both of those things are going to matter a lot, and it's, I dunno, some people would call that contrived but real life is so full of weird coincidence and happenstance I can buy this no problem.

...Honestly now I get why so many AUs that diverge before this point still include the Lung fight and the Undersiders and Armsmaster meetings, like yeah at that point it's contrivance but I'm not going to sweat an author too hard because they don't want to figure out how fucking dramatic the butterfly effect (hah, butterfly) would be on the rest of the story. Like yeah it's contrived, but that's a lot of work they'd have to do otherwise.

That aside, I'm gonna get back on topic and meditate on my current gripes. 1.3 was a legitimate low point in this arc with the description of the Docks and its residents and their circumstances, and the total clusterfuck of the Azn Bad Boys, which. By the by this is the last time I'm going to say the full name of that gang, ABB is shorter and is less embarrassing for everybody involved. Wall-to-wall racism, classism, and an utter lack of sympathy for the lesser-thans. Like we're talking about crack whores in the year of our lord 2011, or, they were written about in 2011 and I'm hollering about it on the internet in 2024. When this kind of thing comes back up (when, not if, I'm not that optimistic) I just hope I can work around it, like eating everything but the bruise on an apple.

To close this out, I'm thinking about the people in Taylor's life. Emma, a former friend turned bully, and her cronies Madison and Sophia. Pretty shallow characterization at this point, just that they're cruel to the point of hospitalizing their victim. Danny Hebert is supportive, but has all the strength of a sponge when it comes to holding up against the pressures that weigh on Taylor, and he knows it but he's not doing anything differently. The Undersiders, criminals who mistake Taylor for a criminal, but identify her correctly as a comrade and potential friend, who realize she was fighting for them and went to fight for her. Armsmaster, who offers her very genuine and very sought-after praise as an authority figure, and then leans on that authority to get what he wants out of a freshly traumatized and exhausted teenager.

Is it any wonder that Taylor takes the path that she does? Would anyone have it in them to be surprised if they could see all of this from a bird's eye view?

I wonder if Armsmaster ever thinks back about this night, lying awake in bed. If he ever wonders what he could or should have done differently, or if he couldn't have done anything to divert course.

I was talking to my girlfriend about something related to this the other night, actually. If it's worse in a tragedy for there to have been a chance to avert it all, or if it's worse for the end to be inevitable. Looking at Taylor, looking at Brockton Bay, looking at Earth Bet? I dunno. If someone had acted early, with knowledge and intention sufficient to actually provide aid, maybe it would've been enough, but hell. Maybe not. I don’t know which possibility is more damning.

...I get melancholy when it's late, but I don't think it'd be right to delete all that; it's how I'm feeling about the novel, and that's what this blog is for, so even if it's a bit dramatic it'd be self-defeating to pretend I didn't say it.

Arc 2... probably starts tomorrow, assuming nothing comes up. Glad to say I'm looking forward to it.

[nyc3]

Canon possum is a joke but one thing I never forget is how decay IS powerful, sure a powerful quirk with an idiot is not a good thing in many fronts but...

Cinder (I'm loving him already) has to know a guy who can decay stuff with one touch even if he is an idiot.

Would cinder be worried about the quirk ?

Again, shig is an idiot and a bad leader and all that but one thing we can't deny is he knows how to fight.

So I think cinder would make a point to avoid him like the plague.

In canon Cider is the kind of person who knows he shouldn't bite off more than he can chew, since after all his plan during his debut was to steal during a very specific moment in which heroes aren't present, so is more reward without having to fight and less risk.

It was just a coincidence that A.M was there with Bakugou and Todoroki.

I guess his mentality also applies to fight dangerous villains, and the lov had some big names attached them. Their reputation probably was enough for Cider to not have his gang involved with such group of psychos.

But... I disagree on Shigaraki being a good fighter.

Maybe before all the bs power ups given by the doctor he at least knew how do surprise attacks and such, but Decay being such a one-dimensional quirk also means the user doesn't require a lot of skill to put it in use. It is basically just run towards the enemy and touch for instakill.

Which became even more braindead post awakening. Like even Overhaul has more room to be creative and need skill to put in use.

Decay is just a broken and boring quirk that requieres nothing to be effective. Crusty asshole somehow manages to be more plain than he already was at first, is like he evolves in reverse.

[truly-sincerely]

One of the things I'm changing in Snakehead is how Alex gets involved.

In the book he sort of just happens to be in the area (after falling out of space off the Western coast of Australia) and the Australian Secret Service are like "hey that's a freebie, let's make him do a job for us even tho we have doubts about his credentials" and then whoops, there's an international incident happening in the area.

So what I'm gonna do is have Alex and the gang on vacation in Singapore because Kyra has turned 18, and is no longer technically a ward of the state but still too young to inherit her family's fortune. She can now hire a lawyer who can make sure her shit stays in escrow for her to inherit when she's 21. Or whatever, I'll figure out the legalese for Jack Starbright to pull out later.

Anyway, the fact that Alex is in Singapore right when SCORPIA is transporting a bomb thru Indonesia has SCORPIA convinced that he's onto them, so they arrange for Ash to keep him busy which ironically puts him onto them.

There's a meeting in the book after Alex (allegedly) destroys a building where SCORPIA exec Zeljan Kurst meets with Major Winston Yu in London to tell him to stop playing with his food and Yu declines to stop playing with his food. I'm putting the meeting at the top of ep2 before Alex does or does not destroy anything and it's gonna go something like this:

KURST: Regarding the Alex Rider situation.  YU: Alex Rider won't be a problem. KURST: You understand that he was involved in the failure of our last three operations? And now he's in Singapore. I do not believe in coincidences. YU: He is not, in fact, in Singapore. He is well on his way to Bangkok by now. And I'm telling you, he won't be a problem. I've got Laertes on it. My best agent. KURST: I believe this warrants additional resources. Our reputation is at stake. Send [code name, code name] or Cossack. Cossack worked on the operations that Rider thwarted. He would have a personal motivation.  YU: (scoffing) Cossack was Julia Rothman's agent, not mine. Let's not mix our peas and carrots. Laertes can handle this on his own. Besides, Cossack doesn't do personal motivation. [Cut to: Yassen listening in with a bug on the table]

Horowitz introduced the concept of code names by telling us that John Rider was called Hunter and Yassen Gregorovich is Cossack and then as far as I can tell, never brought up the concept of code names ever again.

In the book, Yu says he's got someone pulling Alex's strings but refuses to tell Kurst who--when the opportunity to give Ash a code name is right there so I'm correcting this. Now Yassen will have a code name to give to Alex and Kyra for who is coming after them.

I'm still trying to decide if I should spell out why Laertes is a particularly apt and also kind of cruel name to have given Ash, or if I should just leave it on the table for the Shakespeare/Alex Rider crossover fandom to analyze.

[thatguywhodoesstuff]

Some Unsorted Thoughts Regarding Murder Drones Episode 7 & Episode 8

Hopping back online for a moment to post a bunch of unsorted thoughts & mini-theories about the upcoming episodes:

Nori and Yeva are well and truly dead, and didn’t fake their deaths like I’ve seen others theorize. Despite this, I can picture them directly being involved with the plot via some convoluted Absolute Solver related shenanigans.

Personally, I like to think all Drones can save, edit, & transfer copies of their memories in a manner akin to saving files onto a flash drive to transfer over to another computer to be modified. This isn’t all that far fetched given how V and N’s memories were altered and how Uzi managed to help recover them.

Going off of the above points and the fact that each episode lampoons a different horror genre, I feel that we are due a good ol’ fashioned psychological thriller. I can easily imagine the under depths of the labs being loaded with all sorts of Eldritch nonsense (like those decidedly organic hands that drag off N during the trailer) that will undoubtedly push everyone to their breaking point before episode 8 even happens.

I’ve always had the long-standing theory/belief that Khan actually knows more than he lets on. I know there isn’t a lot to back this up, but it’s just something I always thought would make sense given everything he’s managed to live through.

I am of the mind that Nori was not the one to cause the core collapse that wiped out the humans on Copper-9. If anything, I think it would be neat if the core collapse was a complete accident that actually prevented/delayed the Absolute Solver from destroying Copper-9, with the event simply happening to coincide with whatever hell Nori was undoubtedly raising at the time.

I’ve seen a number of people point out how Uzi seems to be in control of herself when she grips N’s hand, and while a number of people seem to interpret this as her being mad at him for keeping secrets, I’m not convinced that’s the case. My crackpot theory is that Uzi is going to learn some hard facts about her mother and she is not going to handle them well and, with everything else going on, needs N now more than ever for emotional support, probably at the expense of his own mental well-being.

The cathedral under Cabin Fever labs was either built by Drones already under the thrall of the AS or Drones like Alice who got trapped in the facility and went insane from the experience.

As for what purpose the cathedral actually serves, I feel it could’ve an actual place of worship for the Absolute Solver, just as easily as it could be a conduit to broaden the area of influence of the malevolent “program”. Then again, it could just as easily serve as both, sort of like a giant transmitter/receiver with a decidedly gothic style to it for added flair.

There is this weird feeling in the back of my head that we won’t get a proper confrontation between the gang and Doll and, in true subversive horror fashion, something will happen to her that takes her out of the plot, at least for the rest of the season.

Part of me wonders if the reason Tessa acted so strange during episode 6 is rooted in the trauma from CYN’s massacre. After witnessing that and implicitly having been seriously injured, it wouldn’t surprise me if Tessa is poorly coping with the situation at hand. I also can’t help but wonder if she’s got a touch of robophobia directed towards Solver infected Drones.

Out of everyone, I feel that N is the least likely to perma-die in the upcoming episodes. In pretty much every horror series I’ve ever watched the nice one (when they aren’t one of the first people to die) typically lives the longest so that the narrative can torment them, regardless of whether or not they eventually earn their happily ever after. I doubt that N is any different, and I fear that his suffering has yet to begin in earnest.

Doll also doesn’t seem likely to die just yet (but given how Liam doesn’t seem all that shy about killing off major characters when needed…), and I have a feeling that if given the chance she could become a valuable ally, even if the alliance itself would be pretty unstable at best.

Of the four, Tessa and Uzi have the highest number of death flags waving around them. One has to wonder which is worse, losing an old friend who didn’t dehumanize your every action, that you just recently remembered/reunited with or losing the first friend/love you have had in a long time, who has also helped you recognize your own self worth. Either way, N is going to be crushed by the loss, especially given the likelihood of it being at his own hands.

If Tessa dies, I imagine her final moments will involve her bemoaning how N has doomed everyone… only to impart words of encouragement to him and assure him that his loving nature isn’t a weakness and may be instrumental later down the line.

If Uzi dies (I wouldn’t put it past Liam to pull this), it will be in an intense heat of the moment situation that won’t immediately register to her or N. I also think that if Uzi does die, it will only happen in a physical sense. My logic being that since Uzi became N and V’s new Administrator in episode 5, she could continue existing as a voice inside N’s head (sort of like Zane and Pixel from Ninjago), which could also result in N developing Solver powers. Alternatively, Uzi just straight up dies and N has to live with the pain of losing two of his closest friends and his first and second loves… Not to mention the fact a dead Uzi gives the Absolute Solver the perfect ammunition to use against N in the future.

TLDR: That trailer gave me a lot of thoughts and with everything going on in real life, I haven’t been able to put them into text until now. Thank you for taking the time to read the inane ravings of a burnt out college student/part time shut-in. Likes and Reblogs are greatly appreciated…

…I really hope Uzi and N kiss in the season finale.

[robotravanger]

Solo Leveling Female G!P Sung Jinwoo x reader: Episode 8: This Is Frustrating

Y/n's current hairstyle and outfit:

Jinwoo and Y/n arrive at the hospital to visit Jinwoo's mom.

Jinwoo thinks to herself about the Exlir of Life and how it can cure all diseases and shit.

The couple realize that they need to get stronger, so they meet up with Jinho to renegotiate the deal he made with them.

They state they'll agree as long as no strike team is involved. Just the three of them go in.

Jinho points out a minimum of eight hunters are required or in this case ten are required for dungeons.

Y/n tells him to play with Dongsuk's cards and hire hunters to meet quotas.

So, that way there's fewer casualties and more rewards.

After that, Jinwoo and Y/n do their daily quest and then get a message on their phones about requesting hunters for a D-Rank dungeon.

They ultimately accept and return home to get ready.

Y/n's current hairstyle and outfit:

As they get ready, Jinah asks why they're dipping.

Jinah: I can't believe you're working on a holiday. You two sure keep busy lately.

Y/n: I know, but it helps a little.

Jinwoo: Like Y/n said.

Jinah: What universe is this? You two used to have some downtime after every gate cause you got injured.

Jinah flexes her left bicep while acting smug.

Jinah: Is all that training paying off?

Jinwoo: Uh-huh, probably. In any case, we have a stable income now.

Y/n: Be happy.

Jinah: Uh, okay. Also, Y/n, what's with the skirt? You trying to distract Jinwoo while you guys are in the dungeon?

Y/n begins to blush heavily while flustering.

Jinah: You planing to make out with Jinwoo in that dungeon?

Y/n: Jinah, shut up and go study! Or whatever you do?

Jinwoo and Y/n walk out the door and head out to the dungeon.

While on their way, Jinwoo and Y/n meet up with Chiyul Song.

Chiyul: Jinwoo? Y/n?

Jinwoo and Y/n face Chiyul, reuniting with their old hunter pal.

Jinwoo and Y/n: Mister Song!

Chiyul walks up to the couple as he smiles.

Chiyul: So it is you! Wow, I hardly recognize you both!

Y/n: It's been a while, huh?

Chiyul: What are the odds we'd just meet on the street? I gotta say, though, what happened to the gentle Jinwoo and sweet Y/n I used to know? It's only been a few short months, but you're both like new grown women!

Jinwoo and Y/n nervously chuckle.

Chiyul: Especially... since I recall you lost your right leg, Jinwoo.

Jinwoo: Uh. I did, but when I woke up in the hospital, it was still there.

Chiyul: Well, I heard the White Tigers found you guys. Bet you anything there was a high-ranked healer among them.

Chiyul then places his hand on Jinwoo's shoulder since he can't place his other one on Y/n. Cause he's missing an arm.

Chiyul: Whatever the case, you two have way too much life to live, so it's a relief you're healed!

Y/n: That's very kind of you to say. Just wished you were, too.

Chiyul then clenches the left sleeve where his arm should be.

He states that while that would be nice, he's happy with what he's got.

And then expresses how happy he is to see Jinwoo and Y/n.

They then walk down the street while conversating.

Y/n: Uh, so what brought you to this part of town?

Chiyul: The Association messaged me. Said it's urgent.

Jinwoo: We got the message too.

They finally arrive at their destination and see the gate closed off.

Jinwoo and Y/n pass through the tape closing off the place.

They even help Chiyul go through.

Chiyul: Hah. Now how is that for a coincidence?

They see Joohee, Sangshik and Jeongho all gathered up.

Chiyul: This is quite the little reunion.

Joohee sees Jinwoo and Y/n standing there, alive and well.

Jinwoo: Joohee, hey.

Y/n: Look at that. The gang's all here.

Sangshik and Jeongho look away in shame since they practically left the couple for dead.

Chiyul's thoughts: (Of course, they're ashamed. We escaped with our lives, but sacrificed Jinwoo and Y/n in order to do so. And Sang-shik also threatened me at sword point. No wonder neither of them can't look me in the eye. That aside, five of the seven survivors being reunited like this, makes you wonder.)

Joohee: (To Jinwoo and Y/n) Oh, my gosh. This is surreal. You two are Jinwoo and Y/n, right?

Jinwoo: It's us.

Y/n: We swear.

Joohee sees Jinwoo's leg has fully healed and also notices how Jinwoo has her right arm around Y/n's waist while Y/n has her hand on Jinwoo's chest with her head on Jinwoo's shoulder.

Joohee smiles to herself, realizing her wingman skills got two E-Ranks together.

Joohee: You two look like the perfect couple.

Y/n: Thanks, Joohee.

While everyone is chilling outside and talking, a van pulls up and a bunch of prisoners walk out in handcuffs.

Random prisoner #1: We got some fine little ladies in this group, fellas.

Jinwoo stands infront of Joohee while holding Y/n closer into her chest.

Random prisoner #1: Ditch that loser. Why not come get hot and heavy with me, pretty things! Especially you, beautiful!

Random prisoner #1 points directly at Y/n.

Random prisoner #1: I can make your world a whole lot better. I know all kindsa games to play--

Taeshik: Shut your dirty mouth.

Taeshik appears behind the prisoners.

Taeshik: This isn't a "play date".

Random investigator #1: If you step this way, I'll brief you on the unique circumstances of your raid today.

Chiyul: (briefly looking at the prisoners) Yeah, that'd be nice.

The investigator also mentions the prisoners here are acting as substitute hunters since there's a shortage of hunters around.

Plus, Taeshik Kang, from the association is a B-Rank hunter, so they're in good hands.

A/n: Who gonna tell her?

Y/n: Something isn't right.

Jinwoo: Agreed. Joohee, maybe you should stick this one out.

Joohee: Are you guys bailing, too?

Jinwoo and Y/n: No, we're going.

Joohee ends up gaining some confidence and decides to go as well.

Joohee: All right, then so am I.

Y/n: Fair enough.

The prisoners are released from their cuffs and stretch their limbs.

Random prisoner #2: Damn, it's good to be free, even if we gotta work for it.

Random prisoner #3: Chainin' us like animals. You're the good guys, so why so evil?

Taeshik: Shut up. You're chained 'cause you're convincts. And you know what happens if you act up while the chains are off.

Taeshik introduces himself to Jinwoo, Y/n, Chiyul, and the gang. Stating he's there to keep the prisoners on a tight leash.

He asks who'll act as raid leader for today's raid and Chiyul is picked as leader.

Chiyul then apologizes to Jinwoo and Y/n for what happened at the double dungeon.

Soon enough, the whole party heads inside the gate to fight every foe in the dungeon's deepest depths.

A/n: Hope you guys enjoyed and as usual God bless and peace out 😗🫡👊🙏🤝🤔✌️✋️🖖✔️.

[gothamnewsnetwork-official]

Bruce Wayne; Nightwing or Red Hood?

Earlier today an anonymous tip was submitted to the journal insisting that our resident billionaire and Blüdhaven’s favourite vigilante could, in fact, be one and the same.

At the same time we’re seeing much speculation around the identity of Crime Lord and vigilante Red Hood, with many netizens citing the connections between Mr. Wayne and crime alley alongside Mr. Wayne’s seemingly endless wealth as proof of these claims (see related posts).

These come after the Bruce Wayne/Batman rumour was squashed by none other than the socialites son, Tim Drake, when he admitted to have seen Mr. Wayne and our local caped crusader getting busy during one of the latest charity gala’s. So, with this in mind, we must take this all with a grain of salt, as rumours of the Wayne’s being involved in the vigilante scene have been spread and subsequent squashed for years now.

Though this journal believes that the Bruce Wayne/Nightwing theory has little support, we are obligated to follow up on all tips provided to the journal.

The main evidence used by these theorists is that Nightwing’s noticeable leave of absence from Blüdhaven (see related articles) was paired with Mr. Wayne increasing his social presence and vice versa with Mr. Wayne being notably absent from multiple gala’s and social events in the months following Nightwing’s return (see related articles).

After Nightwing’s return many citizens of both Gotham and Blüdhaven remarked on the hero’s drastic change in physique; trading in a traditionally acrobatic build for a heavier, more muscular one. Many of Mr. Wayne’s former flings attest to the physique of the hero around this time being a near perfect match for Mr. Wayne’s.

Though these two points could be considered compelling if given further evidence, at the moment the possibility of this theory being true is simply hinged too much on coincidence. Because of this we place little credibility in these rumours.

In the same vein, the Bruce Wayne/Red Hood theory holds little more sway than the prior. They key points of evidence in this theory rely far more on emotional connections than times and traits, though many believers of this conspiracy like to claim that the emotional link increases its credibility rather than decreases it.

The first main component to this theory is Mr. Wayne’s connection to emotional and familial crime alley (see related articles). Park Row, better known as Crime Alley, is a region of Gotham City known for being a predominantly poor area and being host to many gangs and criminal organizations (see related articles).

Given the area’s reputation it comes as little surprise that this is where Mr. Wayne’s parents, Thomas and Martha Wayne (see related articles), were tragically murdered nearly four decades ago in an armed robbery on their way home from the theatre (see related articles).

What is far more surprising is that this is where Jason Todd, the second eldest son of Mr. Wayne, grew up. According to multiple interviews (see related articles) Mr. Wayne found Mr. Todd himself and, after notifying authorities, adopted the boy. Mr. Todd was allegedly living a life of petty theft at the time, being only 12 years of age, to support both him and his mother (now deceased).

Many theorists cite Mr. Wayne’s connection to the alley and his witnessing of the atrocities that lie within it to be reason enough for him to don the red helmet and attempt to clean up the alley himself one way or another.

Though we cannot rule this out in its entirety, we would like to stress that this is a very out there take and requires a fair amount of question into Mr. Wayne’s moral character to make work.

This however does not seem to stop theorists as many people have compared Red Hoods physique and voice to that of Mr. Wayne. Multiple ex’s of the socialite who have seen glimpses of or been rescued by the infamous crime lord have said that their strength and muscle tone as well as general demeanour are quite similar, though we would like to question the later half of this given Mr. Wayne’s propensity to being rather air headed at times.

Finally, some fringe theorists do not believe Mr. Wayne could have achieved the level of wealth he has simply be being born into a well off family and making good business decisions, rather they believe that the majority of his wealth comes from the cartels and gangs (see related articles) under his control as the Red Hood.

This is by far the most far fetched piece of ‘evidence’ in this thread, being that even if Mr. Wayne was Red Hood the profits made in his short time in the spotlight would barely make a dent in Mr. Wayne’s fortune.

All in all, though the idea of the Wayne’s and the Bats being connected is a rather interesting notion, it is just that; a notion. There seems to be no solid proof on the matter nor any reason to suspect them.

Please let us know your thoughts on the topic (here)

Gotham Reports is certified in unbiased, reliable, and fair reporting

We apologize for any errors in this article, our editor is currently unavailable and we are unable to find a replacement.

[ladyshivs]

Thank you SO much for your asks about Josiah! I would like to reciprocate a bit :) What were the days between escaping the Farm and becoming a hero like for Richard (or any Step that you'd feel like exploring)? What was freedom like to him? How did he come to be a hero and in what circumstances did he get involved with the Rangers?

Hey 💖 I love learning about Josiah! Thank you for taking the time to indulge my curiosity.

I’ll have to put this under a cut—I love to ramble and rant about Richard. Thank you for asking about him! 💞

Richard was bright eyed and adrenaline driven during his early days after the escape.

It’s worth mentioning, he hit 200 cm (roughly 6’6”) just a year after being decanted, which makes it harder to escape into a crowd. Add to it his bright orange hair and overall intensity? Los Diablos seemed like a natural fit for him to hide in, what with all the freaks and weirdos.

He wanted to make his way towards the biggest city he knew—a place where he could slip through the cracks with more ease than he might in a smaller town or settlement. A few days were spent sleeping in the supply closet of a truck stop before he managed to convince a trucker to drive him into the city properly.

For a few months he kept his head low and did his best to make as few waves as possible. Freedom was overwhelming at first, the inundation of choice and consequence and, even more striking, a lack of consequence when he was careful about it.

Being able to choose what he wanted to eat and when, a nominally small choice, was nearly paralytic when he realized that no one was coming to punish him for ���doing it wrong,”

No one cared.

A marvelous revelation that briefly soured before steadying out. No one cared. A liberating invisibility—the loneliness was something he was so used to, it wouldn’t even begin to bother him until years later. More important was the safety and anonymity. It almost was enough to make him feel shielded from the farm.

Vigilante work came quickly, even if he didn’t really acknowledge that it’s what he was doing at the time. Small time interference with local thugs and extortion rings. More than any noble conscious cause, it felt good. Being able to interject himself in dangerous (or semi dangerous) situations and have the result be someone benefiting from it? Someone actually feeling like he’s helped them? Undreamed of. So far beyond the realm of possibility that the first time he was thanked for getting into a back alley brawl it genuinely sent him into a slack jawed silence.

People started to be happy to see him. People felt safer when he was around. It was a giddy, wild feeling.

The farm knew he ranked high with protective instincts—Richard would and still will gladly throw himself into harms way to save someone else. It’s as much as instinct as breathing. Except with his newfound freedom, it didn’t feel like it was being taken advantage of. He was in control of it.

As for how he encountered the rangers, it started purely by luck.

Richard and Ortega met in a corner convenience store completely by coincidence. He had been following a small gang that was harassing local shops and businesses. As it turned out, and what he didn’t know at the time, they were low grade members of a new syndicate that was trying to get started.

Ortega had heard whispers that their little group was just competent enough to maybe have ties to hg, so he was doing his own casual tracking. He followed them into a small pawn shop and was perusing the back shelves, keeping an ear open.

Richard had set up in the side alley, planning on a sneaky snatch and grab, when the threats inside the building sounded like they were escalating. He picked up on increasingly panicked thoughts from both the thugs and the shop owner—Richard moved to intervene, just at the same time as Ricardo began moving inside the shop.

A quick, almost sadly easy, fight later, Richard found himself face to face with the Marshal of the Los Diablos Rangers. In his civvies, sure. But it was hard to miss a man like that.

And Charge was looking at a tall fidgety vigilante with a homemade suit and badly dyed ski mask.

To Richard’s slight mortification, Ricardo recognized his outfit. New vigilantes on the streets were worth keeping track of, after all, and Richard was more competent than most.

They parted on that occasion with a tense (on Richard’s part) and quietly interested (on Ricardo’s) goodbye. Richard was terrifyingly aware that he couldn’t read Ricardo’s mind, and Ricardo was more than a little invested in this new fighter that fit in so well with his own fighting style.

It wouldn’t be long before Ricardo intentionally reached out to ask Richard to team up.