#and i would punch lucius in the face because he's a piece of shit

[lilithofpenandbook]

Okay, on the one hand Lucius x Snape would be so incredibly toxic and abusive, Lucius would have literally groomed him in school and is obviously the main person who sucked Severus into the Death Eaters ring otherwise why else did Jkrita Skeeter have Lucius be the one who welcomed Snape to the table and then Sirius called Snape Lucius's lapdog, and it's not impossible to think Lucius abused and manipulated little Severus like that's probably exactly what happened, and even as adults they'd still have that weird dynamic, where Lucius would still have power over him, and so on, like I can imagine the worst possible things about them that Lucius has done.

On the other hand something in me gets new life whenever I think of Lucius actually taking care of Severus, and then Narcissa, and them both in a small part of their hearts think of him as their first baby, and Draco their second, and Narcissa can only see the little 12 year old who came crying to her because her cousin Sirius pushed him down the moving stairs whenever she talks to him, and Lucius secretly enjoys that Severus is still not quite as tall as him, it makes him feel protective and he knows Severus needs protection, even from himself. But at the same time Lucius did groom Severus into the Death Eaters, he groomed him like he groomed Draco, and yet he loves them both. Oh, and Severus is the one actually concerned about Draco, he's the one doing the worrying that's supposed to be Lucius's job, but Lucius says he used up his Worry Quota on Severus when Severus was small, and Severus just rolls his eyes because of course he's the one who got adopted by a human peacock and the only man more insufferable and self absorbed than Lockhart.

[crepuscularqueens]

writing pattern tag!

Rules: Share the opening of your last ten published works or as many as you are able and see if there are any patterns!

thank you so very much for tagging me @dr-lizortecho :) <3

would you come out and die for me

It wasn't that Sam didn’t understand what he was getting himself into. Okay? It wasn't that. He wasn’t naive or stupid. He’d read the files, he’d pieced so much of this shit together himself, spending long sleepless nights poring over accounts and linking events and blurry photos and making educated guesses that got proven right the more they dug up.

someday my pain will mark you

It starts with a fight. An argument, the pale, thin man’s incessant nagging wearing yet another hole in the thin skin Logan has over his temper. It never takes long for him to grow aggravated, to snap at the other man, but today proves different. Caliban usually needles at a point until he gets a reaction, then withdraws, but today he stands up to Logan’s temper and serves it right back.

when i walk into a room, i do not light it up

Quentin was trying to be mature. That’s what this was all about, he was an adult, as were all his friends and exes and half-way sort-of maybe-kinda-if-you-look-at-it-sideways exes, and they could manage being civil to each other. He was trying to show that he could move on from the absolute disaster he’d created, show up to a party with all of his friends and act just as he always had. In Q’s case that meant moping in the corner sulking and watching everyone else have a good time. Nothing out of the ordinary here.

i bit the fruit and all heaven broke loose

Silver did not expect Flint to come find him after what happened in the tavern in the sense that he was anticipating the captain’s arrival. Howell was tending to his leg, the barely healed wound irritated once more from the actions. But, Silver found, when he heard Flint’s steady footsteps approaching, he was completely unsurprised that the man would be at his side at a time like this.

perfect

“It really is the perfect paperweight.” Stede’s voice was pleased, a little hint of wonderment despite what could have been viewed as a complete disaster and waste of their time. Ed could see Stede balancing the petrified fruit on the tips of his fingers out of the corner of his eye before setting it on his desk. It had been fun for what it was, despite it all, and Ed could not help but be fond of the other man. Lucius’ words kept rattling around his head, that bizarre little man over there likes you very much, round and round they went, finding all different angles to come at him from.

held by you (felled by you)

Once the tears start coming, Edward’s knees pulled up in the bathtub, a blanket protectively over him like a shield from the reality he has to face coupled with the dark memories of his past, they don’t stop. Not when he’s taken from the grip of his painful memories, and not when Stede offers his immediate, unthinking forgiveness, that’s for certain.

take your sword, run me through

It’s not the initial wound that really hurts, you know? The blade punching through, slicing clean, you hardly feel it for what it is. Coming back out, now that’s never going to be quite as effortless and neat. Hurts like a bitch. But the care afterwards? Fuck, now that’s the excruciating part. Ed took a greedy swig of some of the expensive stuff Stede had in his quarters as the man tended to the wound with slightly shaking hands.

he kisses me softly to wake me up

The night was not quiet or still, because there was never a night that could be quiet and still on the sea. Strangely, that was something Stede adjusted to quite fast, the constant movement in and around his ship, whether it be tame and gentle as a mother nursing a child or wild and vengeful, he never found he had much trouble falling asleep on the water. So, it wasn’t the movement of the ship on the water that woke him on this particular night. But something had.

we bleed holy water

The evening had a cold crisp bit to it, a breeze rustling the scatter of fallen leaves on the pavement, sliver of moon hiding behind a thin veil of cloud, and Natalia was on the hunt. Through the scattered trees that meandered down the hill they were waiting on, a small group of grad school students were walking together, laughing with good spirits at a joke one of them told. Bucky could tell when Natalia had her sights set on someone she liked, a worthy prey, a trophy. It’s not that he’d ever been disappointed in her choices, it's just…

Shores Begging For Big Moons

It was hot and dry on this goddamn planet. It was always hot and dry on these planets, too close to their suns, relying on imported water and food, settled impractically on a rock that wasn't suited to support life on its own. Sam had grown up on a planet that was humid and teaming with greenery and life, when it wasn't entirely waterlogged. He hated being stationed on these outlying planets, far from SHIELD command and full of less than savory characters. Part of the deal of being on interplanetary rotation, which Sam had asked for a couple years ago, knowing full well what he was signing up for. But all the same he couldn’t wait to get back to base, spend a little time on a planet whose atmosphere wasn't thirty percent dust. Steve never seemed to mind being stationed out in these places, Sam couldn’t understand it.

no pressure tagging @sambambucky and um. anyone else that wants to for real you are tagged now if you want to do this <3

[curseofaphrodite]

Back Home Sirius Black x fem!reader (fluff)

Summary: Sirius and Y/N in Hogwarts + what happens after Sirius is in Azkaban. happy ending Requested by @silverose365 | masterlist

Sirius fell in love the second you yelled about rotten tomatoes.

You were usually relieved to get out of History of Magic because it was the only class you had with Slytherins. Which means it was the only class you had with Lucius Malfoy, and that dude irked you to no end.

You were used to stating your opinions even if that got you in trouble, but you knew you had to hold your tongue when it came to Malfoy. He wasn’t going to listen to your justifications anyway. 

Like last week, he was practically bullying Lily, and you almost punched him in the face, but Sirius had came out of nowhere and held you back, saying he didn’t want his best friend to be expelled anytime soon.

This time, you heard him calling Lily a mudblood, and all you now saw was red. 

Unfortunately, Professor Bins was watching so you resisted the urge to take your wand out. Instead you went up to Lucius with a devious smile and stamped on his feet with as much force as you could muster.

“You smell like rotten tomatoes, you disgusting piece of troll shit,” you said to his startled yelp.

I’m going to marry that girl, Sirius thought, his mouth falling open. While he wanted to laugh and hug you, he knew he had to make sure no one saw your little stunt.

“Y/N! What did I say about being expelled?” Sirius pulled you away, and you saw the irony in the situation. He was the troublemaker, and everyone else was pushing him away from getting caught. You were annoyed yet grateful for his interference.

“He deserved it! That dummy called Lily a-,” angry tears started appearing on your eyes. You tried to hide them but Sirius was quick to observe everything.

“Hey, hey, you okay?” he stopped and looked at you with concern.

“I’m not sad! I’m not hurt! I’m angry, and I cry when I’m angry!” You yelled, wiping the tears off.

“I know that, I’m your best friend, remember?” His words were light-hearted but he was mentally murdering Malfoy.

“No, that’s Moony,” you smiled softly, pushing past him.

“Okay, that hurt!” He followed you with no hesitation.

“I’m so sick of those shitty jerks,” you were saying, mostly to yourself. “Why do they think they’re the ones running this school? We should start a campaign with a focus on how blood status is bullshit so more people don't fall into Malfoy’s trickery. The last thing this school needs are more bullies.”

“You’re going the wrong way.” 

You were so preoccupied with your thoughts that you were going back to the Gryffindor dormitory. Sirius grabbed your shoulders and led you in the opposite direction, towards the Great Hall. It came back to you that you yet haven't had dinner.

“Maybe we should be targeting first year Slytherins,” you kept going, determination making you look like you had two mugs of coffee. “We can tell them that just because they’re in Slytherins, it doesn’t mean they need to act like their stereotypes! I know tons of first years who appear cold just for the sake of not being bullied by Malfoy! We can start a club, oh oh, we need a motto.”

“Y/N!!” You had reached the Hall and Sirius still had his hands on your shoulders so you wouldn't collide into a goddamn table.

You stepped back just in time and Sirius didn't seem as relieved as you did.

“You are doing that thing again,” he said, shaking his head. “Making too many plans in the speed of light and making me feel like I’m talking to a robot. You got to eat first. Like right now.”

You tried to open your mouth but he put his finger to your lips.

“Food first, okay? Food first.” He said firmly. You nodded and sat down on the Gryffindor table, going straight for the glass of water.

“How was the class with Malfoy?” Lupin asked, and Lily sighed.

“He was a jerk, as usual.”

“I did kick him in the leg,” you said proudly. Everyone at the table looked pleased.

“How did you manage to do that? I thought Sirius would be a buzzkill like always,” Lupin smirked.

“I was a bit too late,” Sirius cut a piece of pie with a scowl on his face, “Luckily, no one saw what happened. She would have been in a lot of trouble.”

“Hey, I never get caught,” you reasoned.

“Let’s hope it stays that way.”

-

15 years later.

“Tell me about her,” Sirius said, his head leaning against the taxi seat. Lupin knew who he meant. 

“She’s still the same, except more stubborn,” he laughed with a glint of sadness in his eyes.

Sirius wanted to ask the most important question, the one which kept gnawing away at him all the while he was in Azkaban. He wanted to know just how badly he hurt Y/N, and whether she thought he actually betrayed the Potters.

He opened his mouth to ask the question, then closed it again. The answer was within just enough reach anyway. They were going to the Grimmauld Place, his house which he left to his fiancée, Y/N. She knew he was coming back from Azkaban, but he wanted to surprise her by going a day early. He wanted to apparate as soon as he could after he escaped from the prison, but he was way too tired. After meeting Lupin at Hogwarts, they decided to hide back at his house. There was still a huge bounty on his head, but death eaters or the ministry weren't hiding inside muggle taxis, so he felt safe.

“We should have listened to her, you know,” Remus said, answering the silent question which hung in the air. “She was so sure there was more to the story. She loved you too much to not know the truth. Kept saying you weren't a murderer.”

The sigh that left Sirius’s lips was a mixture of relief and sadness.  Y/N believed in him.

He spent years in that prison thinking he had let down everyone. Azkaban took away 12 years of his life.

If that night never happened, Sirius and Y/N would have been married by now.  If that night never happened, he would have had tons of happy memories instead of dark tragedies. If that night never happened, he would still have had his best friends.

“How���s Harry?” Sirius asked, shaking the thoughts from his head.

“He’s alright. After knowing he had a godmother, he packed up his bags from the Dursleys’ and practically flew there.”

At the mention of you being his godmother, he winced. Just after the two of you were engaged, James and Lily had stopped by his house and said they had an early wedding present. They said they wanted the two of you to be Harry’s godparents, and though Sirius would never admit it out loud, he had teared up and tackled James in a hug. You were so damn happy too, and while you weren't married yet, Harry was the only connection you had to Sirius. After your friends and fiancée was taken away from you — all in one night — Harry was all you had. 

Dumbledore took Harry away from you too, saying Dursleys' was a better option for him to grow up until he knew about magic. You had protested, but he wouldn’t hear any of it. Angry that you now had a big empty house to yourself, you threw yourself to doing everything for others — whether that's Order work or holding meetings or cleaning the Grimmauld place from top to bottom — anything that kept you busy from facing your grief.

Harry finally moved in on his third year and you were thrilled beyond belief. But he reminded you too much of James and Sirius. You were forced to deal with the memories, yet you still made sure Harry was comfortable in his new house.

Lupin explained all of this to Sirius, who was listening to everything intently like it was his death sentence. By the time he was done, they had reached their destination and Sirius was more than a little shocked. 

How was he supposed to start talking to a woman who went through hell and back with a resilient smile on her face? How was he supposed to knock on the door when all of her demons probably looked like him in her nightmares? 

He could stand there all day and overthink, but Remus opened the door and pulled him in. 

Sirius felt the air being knocked out of him. The Grimmauld place he left you was sad, empty and looked like a funeral. It was now the opposite of that. There was not a speck of dirt anywhere as far as he could see and there were more lights, more books and someone finally took down all those ugly portraits. At their place now hung pictures of the marauders from their time at Hogwarts. He didn't look too closely at those pictures, because he was sure he would cry.

There was a light chattering in the house too. The place was now where the Order held meetings and on seeing Sirius Black enter the house, most of them came forwards to hug him or pat him on his back. Thousands of we’re-sorry-you-had-to-spend-most-of-your-life-in-a-prison later, he asked the question he had been dying to ask.

“Where’s Y/N?”

“Upstairs,” Molly responded, a slight frown on her face. “Its time for dinner and she hasn't even taken a break from writing that report for Dumbledore.”

“Should I tell her you came early?” Arthur asked, but Sirius shook his head.

“I’ll go.”

Feeling foreign in his own house, he skipped up the stairs to his room, the one he guessed would be now yours. He knocked softly, but words began appearing on the door by themselves.

Not hungry. Will be back later.

Sirius watched as the words fade away and impatiently opened the door. Y/N was crouched down in front of the table, concentrating hard on the words she was writing.

“I’ll be down in a moment Molly,” you said without looking up. He felt his heart speeding when he heard your voice again. 

“Food first, Y/N. How many times do I have to tell you that?” He asked casually and watched with amusement as the quill fell from your hands. 

You looked up and gasped, your eyes brightening. Or were those tears?

“Oh no, you’re crying. Are you angry?” Sirius let out a dramatic gasp but you rushed forwards and tackled him in a bear-like hold.

“I still need my bones,” he said but when you let him go, he pulled you back in for another hug. He was possibly crying too, but he didn't notice.

“You’re early!” You said excitedly, cupping your fiancée's face as though it has only been a day since you saw him. “You’re early but you’re here. Oh gods you’re here. Sirius, I missed you, don’t you ever EVER leave my side again, I will personally make sure to kill you.”

“Then I’ll make sure to not die,” he chuckled. He noticed your engagement ring on a silver thread around your neck, and looked at it curiously.

He carefully took it off and held your hand.

“I think we’ve been engaged for too long, how about we get married really soon? Like tomorrow? We can have a small wedding with just a few people. And us.”

You masked the happiness on your face with a look of shock. “I expected flowers!”

“You’ll get them tomorrow,” he slid the ring to your finger, and you beamed.

Sirius was here, you were finally smiling and the ring was back where it belonged.  The house you were standing in finally felt like your home.

[ragingbookdragon]

My Brother's Best Friend Is The One For Me

Wally West x Batsis!Reader One-Shot

Word Count: 3.6K Warnings: Explicit Language

Author's Note: Got to rereading my Batsis fics and came across the "What A Flashy Romance" and wanted to do another one with Wally because I love him. Enjoy! -Thorne

Being the middle child and also the only girl in the Batfamily meant two things:

1. She had four brothers that treated her like a porcelain doll, despite the fact that she could throw a punch at 336 PSI.

And

2. She followed an unspoken rule that Dick and Jason’s friends were off limits when it came to dating.

In all, neither of those things were major problems. She’d learned at a young age how to avoid Dick and Jason’s overbearing-protective-brother-modes, and Tim and Damian were younger, so she didn’t have to worry about them. The second one was also avoidable—most of her older brothers’ friends were the same, and she wasn’t around most of them to develop any feelings.

Well, there was Wally, but it was just a crush. A stupid, little school-girl crush—that she’d never really grown out of—that didn’t matter in the slightest. Except whenever Dick brought him over to the house and she had to pretend that sitting next to him didn’t make her heart race like she’d run a mile.

And the most annoying thing about the whole crush is that she couldn’t tell if Wally was ever interested in her or not. Most of Dick’s friends, Garth, Kyle, Roy, they treated her like a little sister—hell, they even said “Love you lil sis!” to her regularly. And yet, Wally didn’t. Now, there was the occasional head pat, but even that was an affectionate gesture that siblings and SO’s did all the time. It was infuriating, and so was Wally—but she was going to sort it all out the next time he came over because the worst thing he could say was “No”, and either she needed to hear that…or “Yes”.

***

Normal Sundays for the Wayne household usually meant Ultimate Waffle Breakfast and sitting on your ass all day until patrol—it was the one day of the week where they could do anything and nothing and didn’t have to stick to schedules. Everyone loved Sundays, especially (Y/N), because it meant that all of her family was home, even Jason (who tried to deny that he enjoyed coming home to hang out, but if that mile long grin was any help, he was lying). And while everyone was home, that usually meant that everybody’s friends were coming over too.

***

She swiped the syrup out of Jason’s hand when he swung it back around, grinning at him when he glared at her.

“I was gonna use that, (Y/N),” he griped, and she shrugged, uncapping the bottle.

She tipped it over and watched the syrup lazily pour out of the container onto her waffles.

“You were taking too long.” Her eyes twinkled with humor. “I guess you were as…slow as molasses.”

While most of the table groaned at her terrible joke, Dick snorted into his milk, causing it to splatter on his plate and across the table.

“Nice one,” he coughed, wiping his face and the dark oak surface.

(Y/N) bowed dramatically. “Well, I did learn from the best.” When Dick’s face lit up, she turned to Alfred and smiled. “Alfie, thank you for teaching me your ways.”

The old butler merely tipped his head, a hidden smile crossing his lips at the way the eldest son’s jaw went slack. She turned her attention to Bruce who was quietly chewing, eyes following along the research paper she’d asked him to check out.

“Dad, what’s on your agenda for today?”

He swallowed and flicked a line out with a red pen, etching his own comment in the margin. “Lucius has a few ideas about some new gadgets he wanted to run by me.” Another line went out. “I’ll call him after breakfast.” Bruce looked at her. “You?��

(Y/N) nodded at the paper in his hands, then slapped Jason’s who was reaching over to take a piece of bacon from her plate. “Waiting for you to finish tearing me a new one so I can redo the paper.” She cut into the waffle with the side of her fork. “Once I salvage what little scientific dignity you’ve left me with, I’ll probably laze around.”

“You mean what you do normally?” Bruce quipped, grinning when she glowered at him; his eyes went back to her paper. “You’re doing well so far.”

She huffed. “Tell that to every red line you’ve marked out in that paragraph.”

He flashed the paper. “I’m writing in the margins how to change it. This isn’t a dissertation, sweetheart. You’re allowed to make mistakes. We all do.”

(Y/N) grumbled as her cheeks warmed and she went back to her plate as the conversation flowed around her.

Most of it was the discussion of what everyone was planning on doing, Damian was going to play video games, Tim was going to join him (which she knew was going to be fun while the moment lasted until the petty sibling rivalry got in the way and their gaming dwindled into a physical fight that she and probably Dick were going to have to break up), Jason was going to use the workbench in the cave to upgrade some gear, and Dick apparently,

“Wally and Garth are gonna come over later and hang out.”

She paused, mid-stab of her fork and looked at up. “Wally’s coming over?”

He nodded. “And Garth. We were gonna go to the mall and get some new clothes.”

Jason snorted, laying an arm over the backs of Tim and (Y/N)’s chairs. “Spending money with daddy’s credit card, Dickie?”

Dick smirked. “Just like you.” Jason merely matched his grin, and while the entire table was cracking up at Bruce’s frown, (Y/N) was silent, heart beating faster at the thought of seeing Wally.

“(Y/N)?” She startled and looked up at Dick.

“Huh?”

“I asked if you were okay. You got quiet all of the sudden.”

She smiled and shook her head. “Yeah, just thought about all of the corrections I’m gonna have to do because somebody CAN’T STOP MARKING OUT MY PARAGRAPHS.” Bruce merely smiled and knocked out another line.

It was a lie. It was the biggest lie she’d told right next to the one she told when Bruce had asked her where she was on prom night her senior year a few years ago—she was totally not saving a different sector of the universe with Kyle Rayner, she was dancing with Sam Reilly all night—she strongly believed her dad knew the truth—Batman knew everything.

Bruce handed the paper back to her and she groaned as she scanned the red lines on every page. It was going to take her hours to go over this.

Jason leaned over and read the title, “Cellular Division and Mutation Under Extreme Elemental Circumstances…a composition by (Y/N) Wayne.” He cocked a dark brow. “Go big or go home, huh, baby girl?”

(Y/N) hummed. “Doctor Halberd wanted us to pick challenging topics for the research paper this term.” A crooked smile crossed her lips. “I’m nothing if not ambitious about proving I’m smarter than everyone else.”

“You need another source,” Bruce murmured, sipping the steaming black coffee. “One-fourteen is good, but I’d go for one-fifteen.”

She groaned and dropped her head. “Are you kidding me? I had enough trouble gathering that many.”

“Why don’t you use Barry?” Tim piped up, mouth full of whip cream and strawberries.

“Master Timothy, we do not talk with our mouth full,” Alfred admonished, and Tim blushed.

(Y/N)’s head shot up and she stared at her brother. “That’s actually a good idea. Speedsters would make for perfect references about cellular division.” An idea popped into her head and she glanced at Dick. “And since Wally is com—”

“Nope,” Dick interrupted, pointing at her. “Wally is coming over to hang out, not to be poked and prodded to finish a paper.”

She let out a whine and turned to Bruce. “Dad, tell Dick to let me at least talk to Wally about it.”

Bruce turned his attention onto Dick. “Let your sister talk to Wally about her paper.”

“Oh, come on,” he complained and (Y/N) stood from her seat, hurrying around the table to stand behind Dick’s seat.

She draped herself over his shoulders, tucking her chin in the crook of his neck. “I promise I won’t be annoying if you let me come with you. I’ll ask two questions every thirty minutes and I’ll go do shopping on my own, so I won’t be in the way.” (Y/N) craned her neck and pulled the most pitiful puppy eyes she could. “Please?”

Dick’s eyes darted to her face and then he looked away. Just one more push.

“Please frate?” she begged and when his eyes went wide from the usage of his native tongue, she knew she’d won him over.

He deflated and let out a sigh. “Fine,” he grumbled. “You can come with us.”

(Y/N) squealed and pressed a kiss to his cheekbone, as she grabbed the paper and hurried towards the door. She halted and spun around, looking at her father.

“What do I need to be most specific about?”

“Division under elemental circumstances.”

She glowered at him. “No shit Sherlock. Specifics.”

“Molecular division under terrestrial gamma-ray flashes.”

“That’ll work,” (Y/N) nodded and exited to room.

Jason looked out the door then back to his brothers. “She’s way to excited about science sometimes.” They merely laughed.

***

She raised the red lace, cold shoulder V-neck shirt to her chest before frowning, and switching it with the full lace blue shirt with mini golden lightning bolt charms hanging off the trim. After a moment, she pulled the blue one down and sighed.

“You know, if you want to impress him, I’d wear the red shirt.”

She jumped and barely managed to suppress the scream that was coming up in her throat as she swiveled around to face her door. Jason stood in the doorway, a knowing look on his face. She could play this one of two ways: she could be truthful, or she could lie—she chose the latter.

“What do you mean?” He snorted and walked into her room, taking a seat at her desk.

“I mean if you’re trying to impress Wally, wear the shirt that’s the color of his suit, (Y/N).” She looked away and into the mirror, but she couldn’t escape the eyes boring into her back.

“Is it that obvious?” she asked quietly, and he laughed.

“That you’re head over heels for Dick’s best friend? Oh yeah. Totally.”

She sighed and sat on her bed, pulling the red top over her torso. “It’s just a crush.”

“Seems like more than a crush to me, baby girl.”

(Y/N) pulled the fabric down and looked at him. “Are you gonna tell Dick?”

Jason scoffed. “Do I look like a narc to you?”

She cocked a brow and deadpanned, “Just the other night you told dad that Damian lifted Two-Face’s wallet when he was being put in a cruiser.”

“Well, that wasn’t something important,” he countered and nodded at her. “This is.” He paused and shrugged. “Nah, I’m not gonna tell Dickhead. Play this out however you see fit, baby girl.”

(Y/N) stared at him for a moment then averted her gaze and let out a sigh; Jason huffed.

“That sounds like a heavy sigh, (Y/N). What’s wrong?”

She shrugged. “I don’t even know if Wally would be interested in me. He’s him and I’m me.”

Jason stood and walked over, kneeling in front of her. “Hey, what’s that supposed to mean?”

(Y/N) met his eyes. “Anytime he’s had a girlfriend she’s always been super strong or really outspoken.”

“And you’re not?” he quipped, causing her to huff.

“You know what I mean, Jay.”

He nodded. “Okay, so you’re not an Amazon or shoving your head up someone’s ass for a story. But you’re you.”

“And that means?”

“You’re the only daughter of the World’s Greatest Detective who’s a wicked smart science major by day and a badass vigilante by night.” He cupped her cheeks. “You are intelligent, warmhearted, talented, and absolutely beautiful.” Jason smushed her cheeks together and grinned as she giggled. “And if Wally doesn’t see any of what I just said, then he’s a damn fool and not worth your time. You hear me, baby girl?”

She nodded. “I hear you.”

Jason gave her a firm nod and let go, standing to his feet. “Now come on let’s go do your makeup.”

(Y/N) blinked. “You can do makeup?”

“Baby girl, I can do a lot of things. Now hurry up. That razor sharp eye liner and golden eyeshadow isn’t going to do itself.”

***

She waited beside Dick with a pleasant smile on her face, and despite the fluttering heartbeat in her chest, Jason’s pep talk kept running through her head and with every passing moment, she felt her confidence rising. He was right, if she told Wally and he didn’t feel the same, then it was his loss and her gain to move on and find someone else.

A black sedan pulled up at the manor and the passenger window rolled down, revealing Wally at the wheel and Garth in the passenger’s seat. Dick waved at them.

“Hey guys,” he greeted. “How was the drive over?”

“Oh, you know, we saw three carjacking’s and one armed robbery,” Garth quipped. “I assume that’s normal for Gotham though.”

“It’s a bit below average actually,” (Y/N) piped up. “Hi Garth. Hi Wally.”

Wally smiled and Garth waved in return as the two siblings started getting in the car.

“You’re coming with us, (Y/N)?” Wally questioned and she nodded.

“Do you want me to lie to you or give you the truth?”

He chuckled. “I’m always open for a good story.”

“I wanted to buy out Victoria’s Secret and piss off any boyfriends who are in hot water with their girlfriends.” The guys laughed and she admitted, “Truth though, I need one last source for a research paper.”

“Gonna find that source shopping?” Garth asked and (Y/N) caught Wally’s eyes in the rear-view mirror.

“Actually, my last source is Wally.”

They fell silent and looked at her, though the speedster’s focus was on the road.

“What are you gonna source Wally on?” The Atlantean inquired.

“My paper is over cellular mutation under distress from elemental conditions.” She smiled at Wally. “Our speedster here, is a walking subject perfect for the paper. I can only hope that he agrees to be a willing participant.”

Wally chuckled. “I’d be willing to part with a few secrets for you. Of course, I’d have to—”

“Remain anonymous.” (Y/N) winked. “I’m sure my professor would be okay with me citing ‘The Flash’ so long as I had a picture with him to back it up.”

“I like pictures,” he murmured, pulling into the parking lot.

“That’s good to know,” she replied and when he put the car in park, she took her purse and added, “So I’ll leave you boys to do your shopping and Wally, I’ll text you any questions I have.”

“You’re not gonna hang around?” Garth asked and she shook her head.

“Nah, I don’t wanna be the annoying little sister who follows her older brother and his friends around.” She smiled at them. “Besides, Dick was kind enough to let me come along. Least I can do is stay out of your way.”

(Y/N) opened the door and waved at them. “Text me when you’re ready to leave and I’ll meet you back here.”

***

Despite the initial joke that she was going to buy out the lingerie store, there was actually some truth in the statement, and she drew her fingers over one of the lace baby dolls as she looked at her phone, grinning like a dope at Wally’s response.

Well, I wouldn’t say I’d grow a second skin from how fast my cells regenerate, but I can make my body heal instantaneously. -W

Can you regenerate limbs or major organs? –(Y/I)

Major organs or useful ones? -W

(Y/N) paused at his response and thought for a moment. It was risky. Sending the text, she was thinking about was risky, but it’d sure get her point across that she was into him. With her heart hammering in her chest, she pushed send and stuck her phone in her pocket.

Whichever ones are useful to you, Wally? ;) –(Y/N)

Her phone didn’t buzz for a good minute, and Wally took less than a second to reply, so he was doing one of two things: A.) Telling Dick that his younger sister sent a flirty text, or B.) Trying to figure out how to let her down easy. (Y/N) didn’t know which one was worse. Her hip buzzed and she inhaled shakily, pulling her phone out of her pocket with one eye cracked open to see how screwed she was.

Do you have a useful one in mind, beautiful? -W

She had to clamp a hand over her mouth to keep from letting out the biggest gasp any human had ever made, and she nervously looked around her to make sure no one else was staring at her. She grinned as she replied to him.

Oh, I could think of one…or two or three…Why? Is there gonna be a pop quiz over this later? I’ll have you know I’m an excellent test taker. –(Y/N)

Is that so? Well, what happens if you were to fail this particular pop quiz, (Y/N)? -W

I guess you’d have to stay the night for a study session and help me make a better grade ;) –(Y/I)

As she waited for another response, someone’s hand touched the small of her back and she reacted, immediately stepping away from the offending touch to spin on them. Her eyes went wide when she saw Wally standing before her, a grin on his face, phone in his hand.

“I think an overnight study session is possible, (Y/N).”

Her mouth opened and closed repeatedly, like a fish until she finally got her brain to work and asked, “I thought you were shopping with Dick and Garth?”

He shrugged. “Told Dick you asked me an advanced question that’d be easier to answer in person than over text.” He wiggled his brows. “You know, advanced equations and scientific gibberish.”

(Y/N) huffed a laugh and turned back around, trying to ignore the heat in her cheeks as she picked up one of the teddies. And when she realized what it looked like, she only felt more flustered. Crimson with baby blue trimming and was practically a shoelace.

“Well, that’sa hint if there ever was one,” Wally quipped, and she pulled the lingerie out of his line of sight.

“It was just the first one I grabbed!” she exclaimed, snapping her mouth shut when people looked over at them. Her cheeks felt like they were wildfires, and she pressed her head against the cool metal of the rack, sighing with what little relief it provided.

“You know, (Y/N),” he started softly. “If you’re not comfortable, this doesn’t have to go anywhere. I can forget this ever happened if you want me to.” (Y/N) opened her eyes and peered at him, at the concern but also the kindness in his gaze.

“I just—” she murmured and trailed off before letting out a sigh. “It’s kinda complicated.”

“Okay,” Wally nodded. “My mouth might work faster than my brain sometimes but lay it on me.”

She cracked a smile and thought back on Jason’s words. If Wally doesn’t see any of what I just said, then he’s a damn fool and not worth your time.

(Y/N) took a deep breath and looked at him, admitting, “Wally, I have…feelings for you.” His eyes widened and though she felt the sting of embarrassment, she pushed out her words. “It’s stupid, like one of those dumb childhood crushes that just sticks with you, you know?”

She averted her gaze and looked at her peep toe heels. “I just don’t wanna screw anything up because even if you don’t feel anything like I do, I don’t wanna lose you as a friend. Because I do value your friendship.” She sighed. “And Dick. I don’t wanna make you uncomfortable about coming over to see him if there’s a chance you’ll have to see me too. I just—”

“Woah, woah, woah,” Wally interrupted gently, a smile growing on his face. “You’re thinking way big here, (Y/N). Bigger than you need to right now.”

She met his eyes. “Right now?” she repeated, and he reached out, taking her hand in his. His fingers felt tingly against her palm and he smiled.

“I like you, (Y/N).”

She blinked at him, practically dumbfounded. “You…you do?”

Wally nodded and confessed, “Have for a couple years, but I didn’t wanna make a move not knowing if you were interested.” His cheeks tinged pink, and he said, “But I’m glad you are. Like super glad.” (Y/N) giggled, suddenly feeling really foolish for all her worry and Wally let out a chuckle too.

She stared at him for a moment, relishing the coolness of his skin before pulling away, toying with the teddy in her other hand.

“So, about tonight…you staying over?”

Wally let out a groan and looked between her and the lingerie. “Probably, but I don’t know if I’ll be able to get away long enough to spend some time alone with you.”

(Y/N) let out a ‘pfft’ and winked. “I’m sure you’ll figure it out, Flash. You are the fastest man alive.”

“You’re into quickies? Good to know,” he grinned.

“Shut up,” she giggled.

[dragonmuse]

@russetm said: ngl, this could work great as a 5 things style ficlet. 

(Well if you insist... this is five times Izzy or Lucius used their safewords for the first times in different ways. Does contain discussion of consensual violence gone temporarily wrong. everyone is fine and they talk about it) 

​​The first time it happened while they were being intimate, the word almost caught in Izzy’s throat. It wasn’t that bad, he reasoned. Lucius wasn’t even touching him. They were several feet apart. But the words ‘wring you out’ just started to ring badly in his head. The memory it triggered wasn’t even specific, just creeping over skin pulling at a string of them. He could endure it. They could get through it…but. Izzy had never had to ‘get through’ sex with Lucius before. The concept alone made it all feel worse.

“No.” He said and tensed, waiting for Lucius’ disappointment or anger. 

“Oh, shit, okay,” Lucius froze. “Come on, then.” 

He offered both his hands to Izzy and he took them, letting Lucius tug him up off the floor. They were in the living room, but relocated without discussion to the bedroom. The lights were off there and they sat side by side in the dark. 

“Can I touch you?” 

“Yeah.” 

He wrapped his arms around Izzy’s shoulders. 

“Can you tell me what triggered it? So I don’t do it again? Was it-“ 

“The words,” Izzy said quickly. He didn’t want to hear whatever guesses Lucius came up with. “It’s...Da…shit.” 

“You don’t have to tell me,” Lucius assured him. “I just need to know which ones.” 

“The ‘wring you out’ thing,” he closed his eyes. It was so much easier if he couldn’t see him. 

“Okay,” Lucius rubbed his arm. “Okay. Hey, I’m like…really proud of you, actually.” 

“Yeah?” Izzy blinked. “Why?” 

“I was worried you wouldn’t use it, honestly. Or you’d wait until things were really really bad. I’ve been trying to watch like a hawk because of that.”

“Told you I would,” he grumbled though he could admit it was a reasonable thought. 

“You did,” Lucius conceded and kissed his temple. “Good job.” 

“Uh huh,” that wiped away most of the remaining gritty feeling. “Can we still…” 

“If you want to,” Lucius said with some surprise. “Maybe a little more vanilla though.” 

Izzy considered that, then nodded reluctantly. Probably for the best. 

****

“Red,” Lucius said as Izzy’s head snapped back. 

It took a second for it to penetrate Izzy’s haze, but Lucius could see the second that it did. Regret ran over his face, but was quickly shoved behind his blandest mask. 

“Okay, pup,” he said softly. There was quite the red splotch already rising over his cheek. “You go on. I’m right behind you.” 

Lucius retreated guiltily. He shouldn’t just run away when he ran into his limits, but there was something about staying in bed when he got that churning sensation in his gut that would not stand. The blanket, always waiting on the couch, got pulled up and over him. What he should do, he told himself, was go take care of Izzy. Izzy, who he had just punched for fuck’s sake. If either of them should be upset, it shouldn’t be Lucius.  But…Izzy had clearly still been into it and Lucius had warned him it was very very yellow for him. Well, it’d be red now that was for sure. 

“Drink this,” Izzy said roughly, holding out a mug. 

“What is it?” Lucius took it anyway, the heat seeping into his palms. 

“Decaf.” 

“Are you mad at me?” Lucius frowned at the brown liquid. “Is this a punishment?” 

“You’ll have a hard enough time sleeping now,” Izzy shrugged. “You don’t need caffeine, but heat’ll help. I put a piece of chocolate at the bottom.” 

“Why?” Lucius took a sip. 

“You’ll see,” Izzy headed back to the kitchen, leaving Lucius to sip at the milky warm cup of coffee. The decaf was no as good as Izzy’s usual high octane brew, but the heat did feel good. 

A few minutes later, Izzy was back and he had a small plate of crackers anointed with cream cheese and a dollop of jam.  

“Is this your solution to no nut butter?” Lucius accepted the plate. 

“One of them.” Izzy did not sit next to him. Instead he grabbed his pillow, put it on the floor and knelt down next to Lucius. He didn’t rest his head on his knee like he usually would, just folded his arms on the couch and put his chin on top of them. 

Lucius popped one in his mouth. It was definitely not peanut butter and jelly, but it was good in a similar way, the salty with the sweet. He took another sip of coffee. 

“I don’t think I want to punch anyone. Ever.” 

“Yeah,” Izzy said softly. “That’s fine. I’ll do it for you.” 

“Great. Don’t punch yourself.” 

“Big ask, but I think I can manage,” Izzy gazed up at him with a faint smile. “Sorry, pup. Shouldn’t have even asked you to do that. Maybe got to figure out what yellow really means for you, huh?” 

“….fuck,” Lucius groaned. “You’re right. I think I went about it a little off kilter.” 

“You’re better at figuring out this stuff for me than yourself,” Izzy observed. He seemed utterly calm about all this.

“Who knew you’d be the one better at figuring out your limits?” 

“Barely have any, that helps,” Izzy said wryly. 

“Not true,” Lucius set aside the plate and concentrated on his coffee. “Would you really have gotten something out of it if I kept going?” 

“Yes.” 

“I…I don’t know if I can even ask this.” 

“I can say no,” Izzy reminded them both. 

“Right. You can. Just….is that what you used to do? With Eddy?” 

Izzy’s expression shifted, but not into upset, more like contemplative. Like he was searching for something inside himself. 

“I don’t think it was the same,” he arrived at. “When we weren’t having sex anymore, it was what we did instead. I mean, during we got rough on each other, but not that rough. There was still a line between fighting and fucking. Don’t ask me what it was because we didn’t do all this nice negotiating shit.” 

“Important boundary setting,” Lucius corrected. 

“Yeah that,” Izzy agreed.  

“Did you…did you dish it out back on them?” 

“Sometimes. Depended on why it was happening.” 

“Huh,” he picked up another cracker and shoved it in his mouth to buy time for thinking time. He chewed, swallowed, “Are you going to bruise?” 

Izzy shook his head. “Sorry, pup. Might’ve upset you, but uh…you don’t really pack a wallop.” 

“Wow. Now I feel terrible and my masculinity has been insulted. What an evening.” 

“You’re strong enough to knock me for six if you knew what you were doing,” Izzy shrugged. “I’d teach you, but you don't really want to know, do you?” 

“No,” he agreed. “No I don’t.” 

A few minutes later, he reached the bottom of the coffee cup. The last few sips were sweet and rich. Lucius sighed and dropped his hand down into Izzy’s hair, idly running his hand through it over and over. They stayed there for a long time. 

***

It was a brisk winter afternoon and Lucius was bundled up against it up to his eyeballs. A scarf Stede had gifted him with several years ago was doing a heroic job of keeping the wind off his face, and his thick coat was warding off the worst of it. Too bad his legs were freezing. Stupid jeans. 

“Fuck this,” Lucius announced as their buffeted by another gust of wind. Izzy was walking beside him, barely dressed for the weather and apparently entirely unbothered. The only hint that the cold is affecting him is a very slight redness to his ears and the tip of his nose. “It’s like ten more blocks. I’m hailing a cab.”

“No,” Izzy said firmly, eyes ahead. 

“I’ll- no?”

“No,” Izzy repeated. 

Lucius shrank into his jacket, “Ugh fine. Can I ask why?” 

“You can take one if you want,” Izzy shrugged. “I’m liking the cold.” 

“You’re using your safeword so you can continue to become a popsicle?” Lucius asked, baffled. 

“No is a complete sentence,” Izzy said with a hint of glee. 

“It is,” Lucius had to acknowledge. “What do you like about it?” 

“Dunno,” he had his hands in the pockets of his coat, the leather did not look thick enough to Lucius’ eye. “Don’t usually, but it feels good today. Like it’s waking me up a little. And…Good memory, I think.” 

“Oh wow, not two words you put together a lot. Tell me?” 

“It’s not much,” Izzy shifted a little, so their elbows bumped together. “Faith and I used to go on these long walks. We were idiot kids, didn’t care what the weather was like. Put so many miles on our boots. And she’d freeze her ass off in the winter, she weighed like ten pounds soaking wet, you know?” 

“I didn’t, but I can picture it,” Lucius nodded. “So a particular day or just a feeling?” 

“She got these earmuffs,” Izzy was smiling and that was pretty warming, Lucius could admit. “Pink fluffy things. Ridiculous. And she couldn’t hear anything with them on, or at least thought it was funny to pretend she couldn’t, so we made up these hand signs. Stupid shit like ‘pizza’ and ‘keep going’ or whatever.” 

“Who flipped who off first?” Lucius snorted. 

“She did,” Izzy said without missing a beat. 

“That does sound like a good one,” Lucius shoulder-checked him lightly. “But can we get a cab after the movie?” 

“Yeah, pup. It’ll be full dark by then. I’m having a moment, not looking to freeze to death.” 

***

“This is…excruciating,” Lucius whispered. 

“You chose it,” Izzy said dully. They were crammed into too-small seats, the guy giving the lecture droning on and on. 

“It sounded better on paper.” 

They were fairly stuck, sitting in the dead center of the aisle. The lights were on in the small theater so leaving would draw a substantial amount of attention.

“How?” Izzy asked, blinking slowly. 

“I’ll show you later,” Lucius slumped down lower in his seat.  “Entertain me.” 

Izzy tilted his head and shit shit shit, Lucius realized his mistake just before something stupid happened. In his boredom, he’d been messing around with Izzy’s hand and wound up holding fast to his wrist out of sheer habit. Between the boredom and the grip…

“Red,” he hissed and Izzy jerked a little, but didn’t do whatever had passed through his head at least. “You know what? Fuck it, let’s get out of here.” 

“Yes,” Izzy said, flushed. 

And when Izzy was determined to get somewhere, crowds did have a tendency to part. Lucius followed easily in his wake. When they were safe in the lobby, Izzy slowed a little and Lucius caught up to him. 

“Sorry, goblin.” 

“You caught it,” Izzy waved that off. “I’m good. You?” 

“Yeah. What were you going to do?” 

“Nothing,” Izzy said quickly and then picked up the pace again. Lucius grinned to himself. He’d have to get that out of him later. 

****

It was a cloudy morning, the windows open to let in a warm breeze. Everything smelled good, like the bacon and pancakes that a very shirtless Izzy had made for breakfast while singing very quietly along with the radio. Lucius was done eating, but hadn’t gotten off the stool at the counter yet, just relishing the last of the peace and his coffee. 

Izzy was on the other side of the counter now, his own plate already washed and put away. He had his elbows planted, coffee in hand. There was a beautiful bruise blossoming along his left shoulder.  They were only a handful of inches apart this way, despite the counter between them. 

“Hey, goblin?” 

“Mm?” 

“Any place you’d rather be right now?” 

A slow smile curled over Izzy’s lips. “No.” 

“No…like….no?” Lucius blinked. 

“No where else and no, I don’t want to answer questions,” Izzy leaned in, eliminated those last inches and kissed Lucius once, liquid and slow. “Just happy like this, pup.” 

“Yeah,” Lucius could feel his returning grin, sloppy and ridiculous. “Same."

[delioncourtes]

I have no one to talk to about OFMD and I just need to know what you think about Pete and how he’s ‘coping’ now that Lucius is,, well,, like does Pete think he’s with Stede?? Does Pete think he’s just left him?? Does Pete pester various people asking if they’ve seen him??

Many thoughts but head empty

i had to go rewatch and check cause i was like 'hang on, did nobody mention that lucius was missing?!', but no, they did when they're getting dumped on the island. and since they realized they were getting marooned, i assume they and pete know that he's either still back on the revenge or that something happened to him. PLUS when lucius goes out on deck and finds ed, he says they've been looking for him everywhere, sooo...i'm thinking at least olu would put it together.

it's really interesting when you think about the fact that pete was so enamored by the legend of blackbeard with his head of smoke and shit, but then he's actually confronted with blackbeard doing something very...blackbeard-y (how many times can i say blackbeard in one sentence) not just to him but more importantly to someone he loves. so in my head pete is the one who's gonna hold the biggest and longest grudge against ed, because 1) what the fuck, mate?? and 2) that's some massive disillusion to deal with and come to terms with. it's all fine and dandy when it's just stories you can romanticize, but having it happen to you and the people you care about is something entirely different.

anyway, lucius is fine and they're just gonna find him floating on a piece of drift wood within 3.5 minutes, and when they get back on the ship, pete gets to punch mcr edward in the face :)

[dramionediscussion]

I honestly believe that antis don’t know what dramione is actually about, and believe we just ship a bully with his victim–and refuse to deviate from their reasoning.

But dramione is NOT about that, because literally NO ONE in the dramione fandom (except a few bad apples) would ship a childhood bully draco with hermione. We understand that yes, doing that would make it toxic/abusive. 

draco’s racism was taught to him, just like the weasley children were taught that muggles and wizards and muggleborns were equal. the first eleven years of his life, he grew up with lucius malfoy as a role model–one of the chief blood supremacists. we know that canonically draco worshipped his dad. he learnt that muggleborns were scum of the earth. why would he question that? when we’re kids, we don’t question what our parents teach us–we just assume they’re right and that’s how the world works.

the same concept applies to his classism. the first thing he said to ron was “red hair. hand-me-down robes. you must be a weasley.” now, keep in mind that this is the first time draco is meeting ron. how is an eleven-year-old who’s never met the other child before, know exactly who the child is, and how the child would look?

again, the parents. lucius malfoy worked with arthur weasley in the ministry. he would obviously go home and complain about the “blood traitor and his poverty” to narcissa, and draco would probably overhear, and assume that that’s how you treat the weasleys, because they’re “bad people” in his father’s book, and by extension, his. 

the second book: at the start, lucius puts draco down because his marks were lower than hermione’s. draco is obviously put off, but he understands why–he’s a pureblood. he’s a malfoy. he’s supposed to be doing better than the muggleborns, because according to his father, they don’t deserve to attend hogwarts. later, he calls hermione a mudblood–again, where would he learn that type of language? definitely not the internet, because that didn’t exist. that takes us to his parents. 

now, the question probably is why wouldn’t draco see other non-racist people in school and change? because he didn’t hang out with other houses. slytherins are very isolated, and usually pitted against the rest of the school. draco’s friends, children of death eaters, were probably raised in the same way he was. if his parents taught him pureblood supremacy, and his friends’ parents taught them the same thing, why would he think to question it? 

draco malfoy was taught right from wrong, but those values just happened to be the opposite of what everyone else, like the weasleys, was taught. but just as the weasleys went in knowing that draco was wrong for believing in them, draco went in knowing that the weasleys were wrong for believing in theirs. 

in the third book, I think the whole buckbeak incident was realistic. if a child provokes a dog, and the dog bites it, the dog is the one that’s put down no matter what the child did. I’m not saying it’s “right”–I definitely thin draco 100% deserved to be punched by hermione–but it’s how the world currently works–maybe it will change later but for now, it’s reality. 

and as for the slytherins’ hatred towards hagrid–I’d say it was justified, because hagrid himself was no sweetheart to them. don’t get me wrong–I love hagrid, but he didn’t like the slytherins–you can see this when he talks about them in the first book. again, the books are from harry’s pov, so even if hagrid didn’t like the slytherins and said something about them, it would be biased. but yes, the slytherins often took it too far. 

the fourth book–draco’s bullying wasn’t even that bad. he actually warned hermione to get away at the world cup, in his own twisted way. he accidentally hit her with a curse meant for harry. he made “potter stinks” badges–juvenile things. 

now for the fifth. let me get this absolutely straight: I hate umbridge. I hate the inquistorial squad. I hate that the slytherins joined them. 

but we have to go back to slytherin inequality for this. the slytherins are booed at quidditch matches. the whole school, including most of the teachers and their headmaster, are against them. in fact, I could say that the only teacher that favoured the house was snape, and have canonical evidence. it’s basically the slytherins vs the rest of the school. 

now, comes along a lady that actually seems to favour slytherins. for the first time, they’re made to feel important. she wants to form a little group to catch their worst enemy in an illegal act. who would say no? 

but again–the golden trio was no less. they purposely excluded the slytherins from the DA. forget malfoy and his cronies. not EVERY slytherin would be devoted to umbridge/malfoy. but the trio didn’t invite ANY of them–and not all their parents were death eaters. 

now, put yourself in their place. imagine your school formed a club excluding your house. why would you protect them, instead of catching them? they had no reason to protect the DA, so they didn’t. 

in the sixth book–I think at this point, draco’s grown out of his blood prejudice and realised that it isn’t a game. his father, probably the person he expects the most to protect him is in azkaban. voldemort has his mum, and will kill her if he doesn’t murder the wizarding world’s most powerful wizard. but why did he continue his discrimination? 

do you really think that draco malfoy, bully and blood supremacist for five years, suddenly stopped bullying muggleborns, that word wouldn’t reach his house? his friends/housemates would tell their death eater parents, and somehow, it would reach his father, or worse–voldemort, who would just find it an excuse to kill his mum. 

but admittedly, he didn’t bully the trio that much that year, and I think he called hermione a mudbblood only once–at the top of the astronomy tower, when he was trying to kill dumbledore. 

also dumbledore KNEW that draco malfoy had been ordered to murder him. he knew who had been making those attempts the entire year. and then five minutes before the death eaters got them, he offered protection. draco was expected to make a life-changing, life-threatening decision in five minutes? when he didn’t even know whether he could trust the order? for all he knew, they could hold his family hostage to draw voldemort out. 

but even then, he began to lower his wand, but it was too late. 

IMHO, I think draco only referred to her as “mudblood granger” at that time as a last-ditch attempt to constrain to his father’s beliefs–which would be VERY advantageous to him at that point, because then he would be able to find a reason to murder dumbledore. but we all know he wasn’t able to do it. 

in the seventh book, he refuses to identify harry, even though it’s obvious he recognises him and his family could gain EVERYTHING–but that’s a flimsy redemption arc at best. he stands by while hermione’s being tortured, yes, but that’s because it’s bellatrix lestrange–probably the most feared death eater of all time. would you do anything? I think not. 

draco malfoy was brought up in a different way, having different beliefs ingrained into him. do you actually blame a child for doing what his father said, when the child should have been old enough to make his own choices? do you still blame that child for having been exposed to only one sort of right their whole lives, and having a biased opinion because they were never taught to see from a different perspective? and do you still blame that boy, despite everything he’s faced, that he never went through with it? 

people who say “draco had a choice and he made the wrong one” are just wrong. what kinda choice would they make if a genocidal maniac was sitting at their dinner table, holding their mum hostage, until they killed the president of their country? 

 to me, I think draco and ron were both very insecure people, though for different reasons, and just had different ways of showing it. ron cut people off when he thought they were going to succeed without him, and draco made comments about the other person’s insecurities, probably to make himself feel better. ron was insecure about harry’s fame, but since he was harry’s best friend, he just had to put up with it (until the 4th book). draco had no such obligations. 

and to say that draco malfoy isn’t redeemable, is saying that people who mess up when they’re kids, will remain that way for the rest of their lives. it’s sending a message to all young people out there telling them the consequences of making a mistake–no one will like them. 

I’m not “excusing” draco’s racism. he was a piece of shit, plain and simple. but I’d say 98% of that is because of the way he was brought up. 

also isn’t it the whole point that we want people to wake up and realise their mistakes? half of america would have LOVED for donald trump to get up one day and realise that he’s a racist misogynist. ofc it wouldn’t change the past, but it would change the future.

now, onto the dramione argument. 

first off, saying that hermione wouldn’t forgive draco for the past is going against every aspect of her character. she had a soft spot for kreacher, the house-elf that grew up in a racist household and was therefore racist and called her and ron “mudblood” and “blood traitor” (quite similar to draco, actually). she understood where he was coming from, and why he was the way he is, and ultimately didn’t care. after that, how can you say that she wouldn’t forgive draco for having beliefs and values ingrained into him from when he was a child? 

second, who is the real enemy in HP? yes, you could say voldemort, but it’s more about what he represents, which is prejudice. having draco, a former blood supremacist and the son and nephew of death eaters, getting together with hermione, a muggleborn girl, would show that he’s thrown his beliefs out of the window. it’s his character growth and how he matures through the war and its aftermath. 

putting draco and hermione together as kids without any change to their characters is toxic and abusive, no doubt about it. but that’s not what dramione is about.

even in hogwarts fics like isolation, what the room requires, and clean, the authors make sure that he repents. they make sure to explicitly write his character arc, and to show that he is no longer a bully or blood supremacist. 

hermione is NOT draco’s redemption, since canonically he shows signs of awakening, if not actual repentence. she’s the conclusion of his redemption. it’s officially showing the world and society that he is no longer a blood purist. 

dramione isn’t about crazy fans thinking it’s adorable for a bully and a victim to fall for each other.

dramione is about change. and if you believe that people can’t change, that’s on you.

———-

Edit:

I agree with most of the points you’ve made except for the second paragraph. The majority of Dramione fans do indeed ship Hermione with redeemed Draco, but there��s nothing wrong with reading fics in which their relationship is toxic (I do that every once in a while) because neither Hermione nor Draco is a real person and you can put them in all types of circumstances. They’re both fictional characters and thus can’t be hurt.

- AgnMag

[whyisislikethat]

Lovestruck Idiots

part 1

part 2

Even as the night died down, the stares at the duo had never wavered. Draco and Harry have finally left the dance floor and migrated next to the food bar, drinking butterbeer and feasting on the massive supply of treacle tarts. 

“I cannot believe the amount of shit you’ve been through over the years Potter and here I was thinking my life was tough under my father’s scrutinizing gaze.”

“Lucius Malfoy is certainly a piece of work ...did i tell you about the story about your house elf-well ex house elf once-”

“Hold up Potter, you've got a bit of tart on your face. Honestly I thought you were the one with better manners out of your little golden trio.” Draco said all the while looking down to carefully wipe the smudge on the corner of Harry’s lips.

“Hello Draco” 

“Salazar’s right arm! Parkinson What do you think you’re doing!” the boy twisted his head in anger to look at his best friend, furious that she had interrupted his time with his Potter. Just as he was going to open his mouth to tell off the slytherin, he realized what he had just thought and reminded himself that no they were not together and that this was all a ruse.

“Why thank you for that very welcoming greeting Draco. Hermoine and I were just noticing how the both of you seem to be waltzing your nights away without even saying a simple hello to your best friends.” Pansy remarked idly while sipping on her tea, careful not to smudge any of her lipstick. “Did you forget to tell me something, Draco dear?”

“Yes Harry, I worked so hard to make sure your every strand of hair is in place for tonight and you ignore me for the whole night?” Hermoine added on.

“Pansy-”

“Hermoine-” 

“Hush. We’ll leave you two alone for now and leave the questioning for tomorrow, that is if you two lovestruck idiots end up leaving each other 's side tonight.” and with a very well executed wink, the two girls left the dumbstruck boys alone.

Harry suddenly thought the great hall’s floors looked very beautiful. Really ,Harry was awestruck on how well the marbling was done and Draco never thought the artificial night sky looked as beautiful as it did tonight. 

“Are you thirsty, Malfoy?” Harry suddenly interrupted the awkward silence that loomed over them.

“ I-” 

“Because I am feeling very thirsty right now, like VERY thirsty, in fact I see the butterbeer table right there, do you want one? You probably do, I’ll go get some for us, toodles!” And with that elegant greeting, our saviour practically ran to the drinks table, before his counterpart could get a word in.

Now alone at the table, a very confused Draco was trying to sort through his thoughts. Lovestruck idiots? No, they were hardly friends, barely acquaintances. This night, although not utterly terrible as he might have once predicted, was just part of their little charades going on to see who would break first. 

Although he must admit Potter was not as stuck up as he once believed, he turned out to be decent company, being able to keep up with his banter. 

He might be gay, be he wasn't Potter gay. 

Hpdmhpdmhpdmhpdmhpdmhpdmhpdmhpdmhpdmhpdmhpdmhpdmhpdmhpdm

He lied, he wasn’t thirsty at all. No Harry just needed a quick out to that increasingly awkward situation between himself and Malfoy. But toodles?, Merlin, he had to bury himself in a hole.

Nearing the drinks table, he spotted the bowl Seamus had told him about. Before he had left the lion’s den to meet Malfoy, Seamus had happily announced to the upper years that next to the “boring pumpkin juice” was a firewhiskey laced punch bowl. 

He quickly filled two glasses of the mixture and started his way back to their table. What was Hermione and Parkinson thinking, ruining their perfectly non-awkward talking.

“ I got us drinks! Seamus laced it with some firewhiskey so don't down it too quickly…”

“I know how to hold  my whiskey Potter, don't worry about me…”

No, they were not lovestruck idiots at all, just two friends going to Yule together.

[minervahopebeyond]

Blood Daffodils.

Hi! I wanted to clear some things up: now I’m really doing whatever I like with the cannon dates. The battle will still take place in the 2nd of May but this month in the middle is going to be altered and there is a reason for it✨I hope you like this one! I’ve been really nervous about this moment and presenting some things in this chapter. So let me know what you though, please 🙌🏻💕Ps. As always, I’ve checked but sorry if you find any errors in this one.

Chapter 17: The truth.

“Wormtail.” Lucius Malfoy’s face was horrible. Don’t get him wrong, he hated the prat, but he looked like he had lost his mind and he had to endure physical pain constantly.

Harry just bowed his head sightly, he was unsure about calling him ‘Lucius’ or ‘Malfoy’, so he chose to stay silent.

Narcissa wasn’t better either, she seemed tired, defeated. Most of the people said that Draco looked like his father but, now, looking at Narcissa, he couldn’t help but to notice the resemblance. Their eyes, the ones from the Black family, her aristocratic features, the ones that clashed with her kind eyes and soft lips. All very very Draco.

“Cissy! I think that the cat finally caught this rat’s tongue” Bellatrix said, almost singing the entire thing and skipping her way to where they were. “It would suit you well, if you don’t talk ever again.” Then, her eyes turned to Nott. “Good, you came, they must be hungry.” Something seemed to flash through the boy’s eyes, his posture was unmoved, but something inside of him wasn’t the same. Harry could sense it in his magic.

“It’s been four days, Bellatrix.”

“And that’s why I think they must be hungry!” She replied giggling, it almost made Harry want to throw up right the on the spot.

Ron and Hermione entered, taking their parts to heart, sucking everyone’s arse and asking when would the meeting start because they had ‘important things at Hogwarts to attend to’; when Narcissa asked what things, it was Ron who took the lead claiming that they stopped some liberal group trying to get in contact with someone outside. Harry was rather impressed with him... He tried not to think about the fact that Malfoy would be too.

Nott said that he needed help with the prisoners, given the fact that he had to feed three people (which made Bellatrix sneer just at the idea of calling them people) that had been starving for four days. It was a given that Wormtail would be suggested for the task, considering that no other wanted to come near the cellars, clearly.

So, now, they were at the kitchen. Preparing some eggs, milk and rice. Nott took a little jar in the bottom of the cupboard and opened it, taking out a little bag full of nuts and almonds, and hiding it in his robe pocket.

“I’m sorry if this seems like a waste of time... but you can’t apparate them without them eating first-“

“I’m not complaining.” He cut him shortly and the brunette mumbled something that he could not quite understand and grabbed his tray, gesturing with his head for Harry to grab the other.

When they got to the cellars, Harry was taken aback with Luna’s reaction when she saw Nott. Hope in her eyes, kindness, but then, she noticed Wormtail standing beside him, so she lowered her blue eyes.

Nott whispered the incantations, opening the grid, and made his way in, carefully putting the tray on the floor and Harry did the same, walking like Pettigrew still, because he didn’t know how was this going to work.

“Lovegood.”

“Hello,” she said as she offered him a smile, her upper lip had dried blood on it. Then her eyes went directly towards the tray, looking at the food. Harry could see that her pupils dilated as she put a hand over her stomach. “I’m not that hungry, thank you.”

The last part she said it while stealing a glance of Harry (or Wormtail). The brunette sighed and turned around to take his tray to where Olivander was.

The man looked almost in the verge of dying, he was beaten up, and much more thin than Harry had ever saw him.

“Thank you, boy...” The man said with a weak voice as he came closer to the tray that was being laid in front of him.

Nott looked at him, gesturing to take the other tray to Griphook. The Gobblin didn’t look much grateful for the food, he supposed that being starved for four days would take away the kindness of a person.

Then, the brunette walked towards Luna again.

“You haven’t eaten in days and you are picky about food.” He stated flatly.

“I’m not picky, I’m sure everything tastes wonderful. I’m just not hungry.” She said it in the kindest way possible. Harry was starting to think that Luna was refusing to eat just to give a little extra food to the others... Apparently he was wrong.

“This is your vegan shit.” The boy hissed as he reached his pocket to take out the bag full of nuts and almonds that he had taken out of the cupboard earlier. Luna hadn’t saw it when she replied.

“It’s veganism and no” Then she turned to look at Harry. “Mr. Pettigrew you’ve been rather quiet.”

Something shifted inside of Harry as he looked at her... It always surprised him how utterly kind Luna was. Even with people who treated her badly or weren’t good in general.

Nott just snorted and extended the bag with the nuts and almonds to her. She widened her eyes and took it from his hands.

“Eat.” And the girl nodded enthusiastically in agreement.

After some time, with Luna’s mouth full and her paying very little attention to anything besides the food, Nott called her name and pointed in Harry’s direction. “Not his stupid aura now, but definitely him.”

And Luna’s piercing blue eyes blinked, astonished. She looked at Nott, then at Harry, then back at Nott. She blinked again before a huge smile invaded her face. She crooked her head to the side to look at the brunette.

“You are a sneaky slytherin, Theodore. It’s the best thing about you.”

And Harry could not miss the blush that appeared in his cheeks, or the way that his body stiffened as he crossed his arms and tried to look away.

“Are you fucking kidding me?” Harry couldn’t help to blurt out. The other prisoners were now lifting their eyes from the food to look at him, Olivander specially. “You are in love and happy now? Is that it? What about Malfoy!?” And the brunette widened his eyes, looking frantic.

“Lower your bloody voice.” He hissed. “And what about Draco? You should know how he is better than me.” He spat out, reminding Harry that they still haven’t talked about how he was, because part of the deal was that they needed to be inside the Manor first.

“I know that he’s still sick thanks to you.” He hissed back. “While you are here playing house with Luna!”

Nott’s face frowned deeply. Then, something like terror appeared in his face before he grabbed Harry (well, wormtail) by the arm harshly, hissing madly at him.

“Are you telling me that he still has Hanahaki, you utter piece of shit?”

“Yes.”

“And you think that it’s me? Still? You are suppose to defeat the Dark Lord and you are so stupid that you can’t even distinguish what’s the truth.” Harry frowned, it seemed like the rant was more for Nott himself than for him. And then Harry was punched in the face. In front of everyone. He grabbed his nose in pain, all bleeding and hurting horribly. The brunette grabbed his wand and pointed it to his face. “Episkey.” And that hurt even worse than the punch itself.

“What was that for?” He asked, his voice strangled from the pain as he still pinched his nose.

“I told Draco that I loved him last year. I assure you, Potter, if it were me, he would have been cured since the stupid Quidditch match.” He spat out and Luna had to go calm Olivander and Griphook from yelling in excitement at the mention of his name. What...? “But it’s not me. It’s never been me. It has always been you, with your stupid glasses, and your stupid hair and scar, with all the things that I had to hear from him since we were eleven. Your bravery, your witty comebacks, how kind you are-“ His voice started to crack and something in Harry’s chest constricted because he was finally getting everything. “And you left him? With the Hanahaki? You are such a fucking arsehole. It’s a mystery what he sees in you.”

Harry felt like his soul left his body, like he wasn’t even on this plane, he was floating, dizzy, happy... Because, suddenly, every thing made sense. The coughing fits even when Nott wasn’t mentioned, the Quidditch match, Draco’s coughing whenever they talked about Ginny, how sick Malfoy had been after their first kiss until they kissed again, even the fact that Harry loved the smell of Daffodils... It was all because it was for him. All this fucking time...

And even though Nott was looking at him like Harry was the worst scum on earth, he couldn’t help but to smile, despite the terror and fear of them not being capable of going back at all. Draco loved him. Draco had Hanahaki for him. He loved Harry more than anyone in the whole world...

‘That means that last night he...’

It was real. Holy shit. It really meant that what Harry felt when they were together was all real. He wasn’t deluded, he wasn’t imagining things. The way that they touched was special for both of them, probably Draco had been biting his tongue not to blurt out that he loved him as much as Harry had been. The most perfect night in his entire life, now it was all true... And he left Draco alone after that...

Oh.

Oh shit.

Everything in his body froze. He really fucked up, didn’t he? Draco could take it as a rejection... He could even think that Harry used him-. No, no he couldn’t let him think that.

He had to get to him. He had to. If he died here tonight, then Draco would die in June. No. He couldn’t allow it. And now... Now they had a chance. How stupid was he? Padfoot and his dad tried to tell him... The way that they kissed last night... That wasn’t temporary, it never was. He could have it all, he could marry him, he could kiss him every bloody day if he wanted to. Draco could be the father of his children.

“We have to get out of here, I have to tell him, I have to tell him that I love him back.” Harry said, marveled with everything. Even being in those creepy cellars and even with half of his soul trembling in fear at the possibility of not coming back at all.

Pain flashed through Nott’s eyes before he rolled them in exasperation.

“Great. Fucking finally.” His voice sounded bitter. And, suddenly, he was seeing Nott in a whole new light... He couldn’t help but relate to him in some way. Until like ten minutes ago, Harry had thought that he was the one begging for a little bit of love from Draco, and it wasn’t something fun to feel, not at all. He didn’t wish it on anyone.

That was the Gryffindor in Harry talking, though.

The Slytherin in him was actually feeling rather smug. He was stuck in the fact that Draco wanted him, that he always had. He was even a little stuck in the idea of Nott trying to steal Draco away from him once he was cured, just like Harry had intentions of doing, or the idea of them having an affair behind his back...

He shook his head, trying to shake the thoughts away from it. No. He was going to concentrate in the important stuff: getting out, saving Draco. Those were the only things that mattered now. His jealousy of Nott could wait.

—————————

Harry gasped as they hit the ground after the apparition. The pain was unbearable. His vision was all blurry. He blinked, trying to clear it, looking at the rest of them, checking that the six of them had apparated to the same place. They were all there, good.

“Luna! Pass me the dittany please! It’s in my purse” Hermione yelled as she held Olivander. He felt Ron trying to help him get up.

“You alright, mate?”

No. Harry wasn’t alright. They had to duel all of them to get out of there. Apparently Hermione said something off, something that caught Bellatrix’s attention and that was that. Everything went to shit. They had left the cellars opened so Luna and the rest would follow them and hide until it was the moment to run to the fireplace. It seemed too easy, Harry had been in a goofy haze because of what Nott told him...

“Draco.” He said with a thin voice. Ron’s blue eyes looked at him with worry.

“...He is not here... Remember, mate?” And Harry shook his head trying to get up.

“The- The Hanahaki-“ he tried to explain. “Not... Nott. Me. Draco, I need-“ And his words started to fail him as his eyelid became heavy on his eyes. He blinked slowly.

At least they got the wand and the hair. In the middle of the fight, Hermione was the one who made sure of it. He was too busy ‘dueling Nott’, stealing his wand. They had to make it seem real, otherwise the brunette could have been punished with something worse than a cruciatus...

Hermione had casted a harsh diffindo on Bellatrix’s stomach, making her bow in pain and then she used that moment to cast an expelliarmus, the wand flying off her hand, and then she casted an stupify without hesitating, not even for one second. Ron covered for her to run, grab the wand, and to cut a short straw of hair off her head as well. Luckily for them, everyone was too busy fighting to actually understand what Hermione was doing. Luna had joined the fight and Harry passed her Pettigrew’s wand to defend herself. He could see the fear in Nott’s eyes when she joined...

Everything happened so fast, Harry was realizing that his face, his features were changing back. Hermione already looked like herself, Lucius Malfoy screaming for the rest of them to catch the mudblood as Ron pushed Olivander and Griphook to the fireplace. Harry grabbed Luna’s hand and ran towards them too. Still firing the spells, trying to be quicker. He casted a Fumos around them as he saw that his hands were really becoming his own.

“Is that...?” He heard Narcissa’s voice.

They threw themselves in the floo. Some of the snatchers did the same and they felt someone pulling them and tearing them apart through the whole thing. Now they were at the forest, just the six of them. Alive. He couldn’t fucking believe that they were alive.

“Mate, stay awake! Mione!!”

But it was too much effort to stay awake. Draco’s face appeared in his mind and he couldn’t help but to smile a little before closing his eyes.

———————————

When he woke up, he found himself lying in a cot. He had a blanket over him and a small pillow under his head. It took him a few minutes to realize that he was inside the tent that Hermione had safely put in his purse before leaving.

“Harry!” He heard Ron’s voice filled with relief. “Hermione!! He woke up!” And he pulled a face because the noise was killing him. “How are you feeling?” He asked, but Harry couldn’t focus on that right now.

“Draco.”

“Harry...?” Hermione’s voice interrupted him. She held her finger in front of his eyes. “How many fingers do you see?” Harry pushed her hand away.

“Three, Mione.” He said as he started to get up. “We have to go back.”

“Where?” Ron asked in confusion.

“To Draco.” He explained. “Nott told him that he loves him last year. Draco is still sick, it’s not him.” And he couldn’t contain the soft smile that appeared in his face. “It’s me. I can’t fucking believe it.”

Hermione widened her eyes, looking at him, shocked. And, honestly, Harry felt the same way.

“OH THANKS TO MERLIN, YOU OBLIVIOUS IDIOT.” Ron said and then yelled to someone that wasn’t there with them. “LUNA!! PLEASE TELL NOTT THAT HE IS MY FAVORITE PERSON EVER.” Harry blinked, confused. “Until someone had the balls! Honestly. Wait-“ The redhead turned around looking at him with severe eyes. “....You aren’t going to tell us again that you don’t have feeling for him, are you?”

“No, That was because...” He stopped talking as he started to connect the dots.

“Mate...?”

Fuck. Everything seem to fall into place, of course Ron knew. He had been sending angry looks at Harry since August, especially after they started their whatever thing. Some days before they left, Mione and Ron had sat him down to talk, trying to make him admit that he was in love with Draco, saying that it would hurt him not to know that before having the three of them disappear. Harry had denied every single thing, and asked them to drop the subject entirely. He had thought that his friends were worried about him... It never occurred to him that they were actually worried about Draco.

“You two knew that it was me??” He hissed at them. “And you didn’t tell me?? SINCE WHEN?” He demanded for them to explain.

Hermione tried to answer but her words died in her mouth, he could se her with her mouth opening and closing. Ron on the other hand...

“Hey! What were we supposed to do, huh? What if you rejected him? I didn’t want to see him hurt-“

“So, you decided to leave him sick for months instead of telling me?? Are you fucking kidding me? I’M IN LOVE WITH HIM, IT’S SO FUCKING OBVIOUS.”

“WE KNOW, HARRY! WE DIDN’T KNOW THAT YOU KNEW!” Hermione yelled right back at him.

And suddenly Luna joined the conversation too.

“I agree, it was rather obvious.” Then she smiled at Ron. “Theodore says that you aren’t his favorite anything. But he always lies, I wouldn’t listen to him much.”

He started to gather his things and walked out of the tend, he could feel everyone following him.

“Harry, where are you going??” Hermione yelled. “You can’t go back to him. You can’t. We need to get inside the vault first! That was your plan, remember? We talked to Griphook, he said that he could help-“

“Fuck the plan! I’m just going over there for a second and coming back, I can do that-“

“To Draco? You think that you can go over there, tell him that you love him, the one thing that he wished to hear for seven years and then be like ‘Hey, I actually have to go right now!’. You think he’ll believe you?? Out of nowhere? It’s important that he believes it Harry. It’s so so important because otherwise he could feel it like a betrayal or something out of pity, and the roots could get to the heart. I’m not joking, it’s his life.”

And... when she put it like that it made sense... He was actually unsure that he could tell Draco the truth and still gather in him the strength to leave again. No... He wanted to kiss him until his head felt dizzy, he wanted to lock himself in the bedroom with him and stay there, memorizing every part of Draco’s body and to repeat again and again that he loved him so much, that he was perfect.

Harry took a deep breath and turned around to see the three of them standing there, worrisome in their eyes.

“Fine... But as soon as we have that, we are going back.” He said, fucking pissed off that he didn’t listened to Padfoot, or his dad. Malfoy could have been cured already.

“That’s fine with me, mate.”

“Yes, Harry. But it’s going to take a few days okay? We have to be really careful not to get caught... And we need to rest, all of us.”

Harry nodded, internally cursing because it fucking sucked. But the had no choice, he still needed to defeat Voldemort, much to his dismay. Sometimes he really wished that his major concern would be normal stuff... Like what was he going to study for example. But no, his concerns actually were: ‘the love of my life could die and it’s my fault’ and ‘there is a blood supremacist that’s been trying to kill me since I was born and now I have to get all the horcruxes and kill him’ Fuck his life.

“Come back inside, Harry. Hermione made soup.” Luna said kindly and he sighed before following her.

He didn’t know if he should ask... He didn’t know if it was his place but he wanted to know if it had worked.

“Is Nott alright? Did they blamed him for us getting in?”

Luna shook her head gently and turned to look at him again.

“No, I’m sure he was punished but that was expected. He could talk normally, so I guess he is alright.” Then she chuckled a little. “He is really mad that you took his wand, It was smart, though. It made them think that he was really fighting you, but now he is wandless and he called you a few names.” Harry snorted.

“Yeah, I can imagine which ones.”

A fond smile appeared in Luna’s face as she skipped towards the tent again. Harry was very confused and amused at the same time.

[spacymuses]

🐅 - what’s your favorite thing about your muse? c:

Munday asks || Accepting!

For Claudia, it’s probably her moral code and sense of justice. There’s a sort of simplicity to Claudia–not to say that she is simple, because she does have a very rich and introspective inner world. But like, deciding as a writer how she would react to a particular situation and what she’s going to do for a thread is usually pretty easy, because there’s really one set of guiding principles that motivates her: 

Strength is a tool to help and protect others.

If you encounter suffering and have the ability to alleviate it, you do it. 

If you encounter injustice and have the ability to correct it, you do it.

Everything that Claudia is and does ties back to that. There’s something about that resolution to her convictions and her steadfast commitment to that core philosophy that just–really endears her to me. While I certainly expect and want her to have that worldview challenged in some ways, I also know that whatever way her development takes her, Claudia will always, always be the kind of person who refuses to turn away from someone in need. 

Reema is generally just so freaking lovable, but I think even more than their overall sunny disposition, I love how socially savvy they are. They have a natural talent for reading the room that outshines all the other OCs on my roster (including Luca, King of the Schmoozers, tbh), and they’re very adept at picking up on subtle cues and body language tics in others. They’re chipper as can be, but they’re also smart, downright cunning in some ways. 

And it’s a cunning they use for good! I feel like Reema’s the kind of person who’s known for being a Top Tier Matchmaker out of their group of friends–the kind of person who pieces together when two people are into each other, or might even just be compatible, and manipulates situations to get them to interact. They’re the kind of friend who always makes everyone feel Seen and Acknowledged, because they’re always super conscious of every other person in the room. They have the potential to be a really good leader in that way, which I think could come out really well in like my ATLA verse where they’re running their own traveling caravan. 

Ciro is generally a very well-put-together adult. He has a stable career, he’s really good at that career, and respected by his peers for his expertise. But he’s also kind of a goof, and I kinda adore the ways in which he is just a total goof?

Like he works this job where it probably would behoove him to be pretty inconspicuous, but instead he’s like “Nah, gimme that long black trenchcoat and ass-length dyed white hair.” He practices cop oneliners in the mirror. He deadass walked into a yakuza bar just like “yo I’m an FBI agent, here’s my full name, what’s good.” He talks shit at so many people in so many threads and it’s gonna get him punched in his stupid face someday and I am waiting for it. 

tl;dr I guess, Ciro is an otherwise capable adult whose retained just enough of his teenage punkassery to still be kind of a giant idiot sometimes and I love him for that. 

Luca’s dialogue is by far my favorite to write. Beyond just really digging his whole 1920s fast-talking car salesman vibe, I love the contrast of his exterior Top Tier Schmoozer persona with his coldly cynical interior self. Like I love writing him in threads with Keith where on the outside he’s like “Haha, the crowd loves ya, baby! We’re takin’ this train straight to the top, ya hear, straight to the top!” and on the inside he’s like “Your music makes me want to claw out my own eardrums, but by god you’re making us money!” 

There’s a sense of maturity to Lucius that I really enjoy. It’s easy to forget sometimes that he’s actually like, tied with Reema as the youngest of my muses? Given the way he carries himself (general orneriness aside), the fact that he already owns his own business, and especially how he’s already adjusted to life as a single dad, I think he comes off as a lot older than he is. 

And like, his daughter was a primary motivator for that. Lucius got his life together fast, because suddenly there was someone there in his life who needed him. He’s steadfastly devoted to his daughter--to providing for her and to giving her the best possible life he can--and whatever it takes to make that happen, he’ll do it. 

Also I’m a sucker for a cajun accent. Objectively the sexiest of the southern accents, and that’s just a fact, Jack. 

[xxgred-weasleyxx-blog]

Stay With Me Freddie {Angsty Oneshot about Fred’s Death}

Explosions erupted all around her, her ears nearly bursting from how many times they had popped. Tonight was the night, the night they’d have to face Voldemort and his cult of death eaters. Y/n had been escorting all of the first through sixth years to the basement downstairs, heavily fortified so none of them would get a scratch. Y/n couldn’t bear to even think about innocent children dying tonight. After helping them all of them into the basement and giving them instructions on what to do while they were down there, Y/n closed the door and locked it, making sure that one of the stone guards from outside had been guarding the door with their life. It was when Y/n made it back up to the first floor, that a death eater had already entered Hogwarts.

“Damn it! They already took the charm down!” She cussed at herself, turning around to face none other than Lucius Malfoy.

“Avada Keda-” Y/n cut him off from his spell by shouting over him.

“SECTUMSEMPRA!” She recited, watching his robes dirty themselves with his disgusting blood.

Y/n then turned around, leaving him to bleed out on the floor. She then traveled all over the castle, trying to find any of the Weasley’s, Harry, or Hermione. She let out a sigh of relief when Neville Longbottom came into view, Y/n shouting his name to grab his attention. Neville turned around, jumping slightly as he raised his wand at the brunette in pure alarm. She raised her hands in surrender, not meaning to scare poor Neville at all. He relaxed when he saw Y/n’s glasses resting on the button of her nose, pulling her into a bone-cracking hug.

“I’m so glad you’re okay, have you found Fred yet?” Neville questioned, making her shake her head sadly.

“I’ve just seen him. He went over to the great hall I reckon.” Neville helped her, making her eyes light up with hope.

“Thank you, Neville! Thank you so much!” She squealed, giving him a quick kiss on the cheek before dashing off to the great hall to find her boyfriend.

She made it to the Great Hall entryway, nearly out of breath as her eyes scanned the area for a set of ginger locks that she knew and loved all too well. She didn’t find Fred, However, she found Setti and George, and she was more than happy to see them. Y/n shouted Setti’s name, making the light haired girl turn around and smile widely at the sight of her best friend. Setti engulfed her into a bone-cracking hug, not intending on letting go of her best friend anytime soon. She then let go of Setti to give George a hug, hearing him laugh in pure happiness as he spun his best friend around happily. Y/n was set down, looking at George with more hope that she’s had since the war begun.

“Georgie! Where’s your brother? I haven’t seen him yet!” She questioned, her eyes looking into his hazel ones.

George looked around nervously, tears welling up in his eyes. Before he could answer her question, a death eater’s cackling voice echoing throughout the great halls’ walls, the sound bouncing off of every single wall Y/n turned around to see exactly who it was. None other than Bellatrix Lestrange herself. Y/n’s face dropped at the sight of her white, nappy hair, her ugly stained teeth helping her pronounce the evilest spells known to witch/wizard.

“Ah! A Weasley, a blood traitor, and a filthy mudblood.” She began.

Setti had been considered a blood traitor due to her defying against her mother and deciding to not become a death eater, and Y/n was a mudblood. Plain and simple. Y/n snarled under her breath, as Bellatrix began to raise her wand. She pointed the small piece of wood at Setti’s chest, making Y’n’s heart pound with bravery. Before Bellatrix could even begin to recite her spell, Y/n raised her wand.

“DON’T YOU DARE POINT YOUR FILTHY WAND AT SETTI! YOU BITCH! AVADA KEDAVRA!” She yelled, gasping as she had just used the ‘Avada Kedavra’ for the first time in her entire life.

Bellatrix dropped to the ground instantly, her eyes already rolling to the back of her head as her lifeless body lay on the floor. Blood rushing out of her head from hitting it on the side of the Hufflepuff table when she fell. Setti and George gasped behind Y/n as she turned around. She dropped her wand and fell to the floor, tears coming out of her dark brown colored orbs. She quickly wiped them and sat there, trying to believe that she didn’t just kill a death eater right now.

“I can’t believe I just did that! Oh my god. Setti, I’m one of them! Oh my god, oh my god.” Y/n yelped, rocking herself back and forth as Setti and George both dropped to their knees to comfort her.

“I just want Fred. Where’s Fred. I’m so worried that I haven’t seen hi-” Y/n was cut off by Fred’s laugh ringing through her ears.

She perked up at the sound of her boyfriend’s laugh, immediately getting up and rushing toward the sound. She then continued to listen out for his laugh, so excited that Fred had been okay and was still cracking jokes. George and Setti screamed her name but Y/n wouldn’t listen, she continued to run towards the sound she had grown to love over the past 5 years that she’s known the twins. She then began to scream Fred’s name, hoping that he’d answer her desperate calls to see him. She finally found Fred, Macnair standing over him while he sat on his butt, scooching back whilst still keeping a firm grip on his wand. Macnair turned and noticed Jocelynn, smirking as his gaze went back to Fred’s. Y/n raised her wand as quickly as she could, but the spell had already been in motion. And before she knew it, Fred had been hit with the ‘Avada Kedavra’ spell, his smile still planted on his face as he lay before Macnair, lifeless, his body already growing pale. Y/n then let out a blood-curdling scream, making everyone around them cover their ears in pain.

“YOU-YOU-YOU KILLED HIM! YOU ACTUAL PIECE OF LIVING GARBAGE! DAMN YOU! DAMN YOU! EXPELLIARMUS!” Y/n yelled, catching Macnair’s wand in the air as she began to walk up to him.

Maybe Macnair could kill someone with a wand, but she was sure that he had never been trained in hand-to-hand combat before. Before he could say another word Y/n threw a hard punch to the Death Eater’s face, a crowd of fellow Hogwarts’ students beginning to crowd around her with their wands raised in case she needed help. She then threw Macnair to the ground, beating him senselessly, throwing punches left and right at his face. She then felt something inside of her that she had never felt before. It had been something completely new to her and she couldn’t control it, so she took Macnair’s wand and shoved it into his eyeball, loving the sound of his screaming as she dug it deeper into his socket.

“Y-you piece of shit. Look what you did to my Freddie. HE LOVED ME! DOESN’T THAT MEAN ANYTHING TO YOU? I JUST WANTED HIM WITH ME AND YOU HAD TO GO AND TAKE THAT AWAY FROM ME! NOW I CAN’T LIVE OUT THE REST OF MY LIFE WITH HIM, START A FAMILY, GROW OLD! YOU TOOK ALL OF THAT AWAY FROM ME! AND FROM GEORGE AND HIS FAMILY! HE HAD A FAMILY YOU BASTARD! JUST BECAUSE YOU WERE TOO WORTHLESS FOR YOURS DOESN’T MEAN YOU TAKE HIM AWAY FROM HIS FAMILY! I’LL KILL YOU! I’LL KILL YOU MACNAIR! LOOK WHAT YOU DID TO HIM! LOOK AT HIM! THAT’S GOING TO BE YOU IN THE NEXT FIVE SECONDS, D-DO YOU HEAR ME? I LOVED HIM! I LOVED HIM WITH EVERY FIBER OF MY BEING AND YOU KILLED HIM. DO YOU HAVE ANYTHING TO SAY BEFORE I STOMP ON YOUR USELESS LITTLE SKULL MACNAIR? HUH?” She yelled as she forced him to look at Fred, who lay pale on the floor, his charming smile still pressed onto his face.

Y/n could hear Setti behind her, yelling at her to stop, but Y/n couldn’t stop. She continued to shake Macnair, asking him what he wanted to say before he died, but all that could be heard was the small gurgles that erupted from his useless throat. Y/n threw him to the ground, Macnair yelling as he hit his head on the hard concrete floor. Y/n then stood up, everyone let out a sigh of relief. Then, she did the unexpected. She jumped into the air, her sneakers landing straight on Macnair’s head. All that was heard was the crack of his skull between the floor and her shoe and the sound of his blood splattering all over the floor. Y/n then stepped off of him, turning to look at Fred. She rushed over to Fred’s body, taking his body, placing his head in her lap as she began to sob over him.

“F-Fred. P-please, please wake up. You can’t leave Georgie and I, not like this. What about the joke shop, your family, and George and Setti’s wedding? M-m-maybe our wedding? God Freddie, please. J-just come back to me. Y-y-y-you’re all I h-have, p-please?” Y/n then lost all control and began to sob over his dead body, pressing her lips to his own, still formed into that devilish smirk that she fell in love with in her third year.

Y/n began to pepper her boyfriend’s pale face with kisses, her wet tears gliding down her cheeks like a waterfall, her head beginning to ache from how much she had been contracting. She then looked up, looking at everyone through tear-brimmed eyes, barely able to control her breathing. George began to sob into the crook of Setti’s neck, Setti rubbing circles on his back to comfort him, making her heart break even more. The crowd of Hogwarts students then walked away with their heads hung low, not wanting to make contact with the grieving friends and girlfriend of Fred Weasley.

“Georgie, I’m so sorry! It’s all my fault, I couldn’t stop Macnair and it’s my fault. I’m so sorry!” She sniffled, handing George’s brother’s dead body over to him with a slight hiccup.

George shook his head, a watery smile plastered onto his face as he looked at his twin brother with tear-brimmed eyes. He simply began to smile at his brother, knowing that he ahd fought well and hard to get to where he was.

“He loved you Y/n. With everything he had...”George sobbed, all three of the friends engulfing themselves into a hug.

Rest easy Freddie.

[theabominableblogger]

Rewatching “Gotham” S3E13

Cue all the “Face/Off” jokes for this arc.  All of them.

The rest of these reaction posts I’ll be uploading are not chronological order.  They’re like that because A) college and B) more college.

My sister watched it with me (as well as the other episodes left in my epic “Gotham” reaction series) so my comments will be in bold, and hers will be in regular font.  Author’s notes courtesy of me will be bolded and italicized. 

AN:   I managed to record our reactions to this episode and hopefully I can transcribe what I said into this post. 

*both immediately start fawning over Smol Bruce in the Netflix thumbnail*

“Previously on Gotham...”  Some bullshit.

SOME BS!

“What you call sanity... it’s just a prison in your minds.”  That is such an edgelord line, Oh my God!

*snaps fingers along with "Papa Oom Mow Mow” by Gary Glitter*

Why are they sampling “Elvira”?

AN:  “Elvira” by the Oak Ridge Boys actually sampled this song.  This version of the song is a cover and the original is by the Beach Boys.

“Three nines, and joker’s wild.”  *rolls eyes*

*sarcastically*  Geez, I wonder whose episode it is...

*laughs*

[Dwight appears]  *in best Christian Bale Batman voice*  Schmiff!  Thomas Schmiff!  He’s a paranoid schizophrenic from Arkham!

*starts mouthing along with song*

What just happened? 

They had to get in.

Yeah, I know, but how did that guy suddenly switch over to their side?

He was working for them the whole time.

OK.

*Dwight starts maniacally laughing once he finds Jerome’s body*  Oh damn... that’s a damn good laugh.

That is a really good laugh

*jams along with opening theme*

Does it open up with them stealing the body?  That better be where it opens up.

Yeah, it’s when they steal the body.

*smiles*

*Jim and Harvey find the empty vessel covered with the symbol*  Oh what the shit...

That's their little cult symbol.  Which has been popping up since a few episodes after Jerome’s death in S2, and you see that everywhere and you go “Wait a minute!”

*smiles when Lucius appears*

Is he security for Arkham or what?

No, he’s R & E.  Yeah, he still works for Wayne-

Ohhh OK...

-but he's like back up for Lee at the GCPD.

Oh OK.

And I’m like “Wait?  You’re also an ME?”  Everybody can be an ME in this show!

Everybody’s got like 15 different conflicts of interest on this show.

I know.

Nobody should be allowed to investigate anything.

*chuckles*

Where the hell are we?

That’s Wayne Manor.

I know that actor [who plays Cole] somewhere!  I know that voice!

I don’t know that actor.

AN:  He’s played by P.J. Marshall, who was in “Luke Cage” and was the cop that always got on Kit Darling in the first half or so of “American Horror Story:  Freak Show”

Alfred looks like he’s ready to punch a bitch.  *laughs*

He looks like he’s about to lay that guy the hell out.

I know.

And they established in the last episode that they [Bruce and Alfred] really like Selina and her mom coming back together.

Ohhh OK.

“Oh, no, no, no, no, no.  I [Cole] would never hurt a woman.”  *both give a dubious look*

“However, I [Cole] would feel justified in giving the police enough evidence so that your little girlfriend [Selina] could only talk to her mama every other Thursday through a screen for the next 40 years.”  Go to hell, dude.

*whispers*  He’s [Bruce] so much Batman!

“So, you [Bruce] give Maria the money, she gives it to me; I’m [Cole] out of your lives.  Cash, obviously.”  The only thing you’re owed, dude, is a bullet between the eyes.

Now see, look at this pose [of Bruce thinking in his chair].  Look at that pose.  Oh my gosh, that’s a Michael Keaton pose!

That is!

Oh my gosh...

“He [the cult follower Jim and Harvey arrested] should have been taken to a hospital.”  Oh yeah, and Jim and Lee are like *imitates two cats fighting each other while aggressively clashing hands together*

Why wasn’t he taken to a hospital?!?

“James Gordon.  The James Gordon.... wow.  It’s actually you.”  You sure know how to pick ‘em, Dwight.

Y’know, these extras playing the cult members must be having the time of their lives.  It’s like “Yeah!  We get to wear crazy hair and outfits!“

Oh yeah.  They’re gonna be like chewing the scenery within an inch of its life.

Oh yeah!

Look at that dude’s crazy eyes though!

I know!  He could have played Renfield in “Dracula”

I know.

*Dwight sets up his workshop with another cult member*  Looks like Rufio fell on hard times.

*Dwight strokes Jerome’s cheek*  Don’t do thaaattt....

Ohhhh my God.... LIFE!  LIFE, DO YOU HEAR ME?!?  GIVE MY CREATION LIFE!

LIIIIIIFFFFEEEEEE!!!

*both laugh*

*Dwight laughs*  Maniacal laugh... maniacal laugh...

GOD HE’S [Dwight] JUST HAVING SO MUCH FUN!  *laughs*

You know they’re getting paid like really well.

Oh I’m sure!

“’Unsurprisingly, there have already been calls "for the mayor's resignation. "The clearly disturbed Mayor Cobblepot-’”  ‘Clearly disturbed?’  HOW LONG did it take you to realize that?

“Mayor Crumblepot.”  *stifles a laugh*

“Is Ed here?”  *rolls eyes*

“Who cares what people think of the mayor?  The city runs itself.”  *chuckles*

You’re a dumbass!

“[Oswald] So get up, take a shower, do that disco vampire thing thing with your hair.”  *both crack up*

“[Barbara] Why are you helping me?”  Because you’re a walking garbage fire, Oswald, who needs all the help you can get.

*laughs*  Yes!

Get your priorities in order, Oswald.

*claps hands*  Duuuuuudde....

His [Bruce] voice is so deep and he’s such a smol bab!

I knowww!  I don’t know how old David is when they filmed this.  I think he’s like 16 or 17.

He’s a smol bab!

“Maybe they [the cult symbols] were here the whole time and we just didn’t notice..”   That’s probably a safe bet.

I’m pretty sure that’s the No Man’s Land map that they’re [Lucius is] using.

Niicee...

“That amount-”  “Would cause a power surge in the electric grid.”  “...I [Harvey] was about to say that would cause a power surge in the electric grid...”  *chuckles*

*chuckles*  Sure you were, Harvey.

“I’ll just... stay here... if that’s OK.”  Lucius, you’re amazing.

Feels like he’s the only person right now at the GCPD, besides Harvey, who has any common sense.

He’s great! 

Because I’m starting to really question what kind of goblins are currently inhabiting James Gordon’s brain.

It’s Season 3, I’m sure there’s a lot.

“Try turning it on and off.”  “I [Dwight] did!  3 times.”  *both laugh*

He’s the IT guy.

*laughs*  Have you tried turning it on and off again?

*pauses when Dwight electrocutes a guy for interrupting him*

Jesus God!  Was that a cattle prod?!?  What was that?!?

I don’t know.  Cattle prods are long and skinny though.

The hell was that?!?

They’re kinda like a fly swatter.

*Dwight starts cutting off Jerome’s face*  :[

Aauuuugghhh... nooooooooooo, we’re not doing this.

The production design and set for this [Dwight’s lab] is pretty cool, I gotta say.

Uh, somebody put that wire out before it sets fire to the whole place.

Oh please God!

“Holy smokes, is that Jerome?“  No, it’s Jeremiah.  *laughs*

Yeah, and they took his face...

*in unison*  Off!

*both laugh*

‘Cause they wanted to take his face...

*in unison*  Off!

*both laugh*

I couldn’t not, I’m sorry!

“Brothers and sisters, I [Dwight] promised you Jerome would return...”  *sing songs*  And I brought you his faaaccee!!

But it’s...

*in unison*  Off!

*both freaking lose it*

“The Prophet is here.”  But it’s just his face!

[breathing unsteadily]  *thumbs up*  Great.

“We are all... Jerome.”  Don’t think that’s gonna be good enough.

*The crowd takes to calling themselves Jerome*  Oh, OK.

“You’re Jerome.  And you...”  *laughs*  And you’re Jerome!  And you’re Jerome!  And you’re Jerome!

Oh, c’mon!  They were going for the obvious “I am Spartacus.”

WE ARE JEROME!  We are Jerome and so’s my wife!

OK, that actually worked better than I thought.

If he [Jerome] just gets straight off that [Lee’s] examination table, I am gonna flip shit!

:]

*points and yells excitedly when Jerome’s hand twitches*

“So, let’s find out who the traitor is, shall we?”  Jesus God...

“Good bluff.”  “Thank you, sir.”  That was awesome!

*softly*  I know...

And that was a bluff?!?

Yeah, there’s moments like that where it’s like “Man, Jim!  You’re a badass!” 

*chuckles*

*both chuckle when Barbara dramatically puts a hand to her chest*

“They don’t respect you, Oswald.  In fact, you probably want to kill Tommy Bones and the Duke.  Just clean house.”  *chuckles*

*both start to giggle when Oswald does*

“[Barbara] Do you really think I [Oswald] would be so easy to manipulate?”  YES!

YES!

YES!

YES YOU WERE!

YES!

You are not nearly as clever as you think you are, Oswald!  You are the Cersei Lannister of Gotham City!  You were down on the count for God knows how long.

For like an episode.

A lot happens in an episode!

True.  In the span of like 5 minutes probably.  I dunno, maybe like 10 or 15.

*shakes head*

“Your day is done, freak.”  *raises eyebrows in surprise*

“Then Nygma dies.”  “What?!?”  “Walk away quiet.  Maybe we’ll send him back in one piece.  We’ll even let you [Oswald] keep being mayor.”  *shakes head*  Hey look, you are that easy to manipulate.

Can we like take a shot every time Penguin goes into rage spitting mode?

Yeaaahhhh!!

Oh my gosh.  Take a shot!

See, Barbara just played you [Oswald] like a freaking fiddle, dude.

I’m sorry... the schadenfraude of it all.

*both end up discussing the correct pronunciation of ‘schadenfraude’

*mutters*  Freaking Germans...

*laughs*

I’m German [descent], I can make fun of myself.

He’s [the mole] doing a Batman voice.

“No one ever stops being a cop.  You [the mole] were here when Jerome and the Maniax attacked.”  ‘Maniax?’  That’s what they’re calling themselves?

Well, Jerome and his little group [in the beginning of S2] were like *in best Jerome voice*  “We’re the Maniax!” and whatever.

‘Maniax,’ with an X.  Because edgy.

No one can spell!

*Jim decides to switch from good cop to bad cop on the mole*  Oooh!

*Jim punches the mole across the face*  Jesus God!

*both freeze in shock when Harvey takes over for punching*

OH MY GOD, Jim’s just like *puts hands on head*  “Oh my God...”

I don’t think you’re allowed to do thaaat...

I mean, they bring it up in the show.  There’s certain interrogation laws that you have to follow.

Yeah, manhandling a suspect is a no-no!

“Damn...”  Damn instead.

She’s [Lee] like “Yeah, whatever.”  STONE COLD!

“[Jim] Don’t touch me [Lee]!”  *so done*

“Really?  Did I [Lee] not just see Harvey punch him in the face?”  *finger guns at screen in agreement*

“[Jim] You brought a wounded suspect into the precinct instead of taking him to the hospital, because you wanted to interrogate him.”  *claps hands with each word*  GO OFF, LEE!

Yes!

“Look, you [Lee] want to blame me [Jim] for Mario’s death, that’s fine.”  *so done*

“But don’t let your hatred of me turn you into something you’re not.”  And plus the funeral for Mario was a few days ago.

*claps hands with each word*  It’s way too soon!  It’s way too soon for her to be back at work!

I’m like “Lee, no!”

*sings*  Take a break!

Like I said, all of her character development comes from people screwing her over.

I know!

“[Jim] Don’t ever touch me [Lee] again or tell me what to do.”  You know, it’s your fault, Jim.  This is entirely your fault.

Yeah. It is.

“We’ve got a show to do, people!  And, as you know, the show must go on.”  *starts singing “The Show Must Go On” from “Moulin Rouge”*

*Jerome surprises Lee from behind the door*  Oh Jesus.

It’s allliiiiivveeee!!

“Hey, maybe you’re [Jerome] dreaming.  Try shooting yourself.”  Pfftt!

“Nah!”  *both chuckle*

*mouths along with Jerome saying “Lunatics AND idiots?”*

“You know, I [Jerome] was just reborn.  Last year was nothing but darkness... as far as the eye could see.”  *softly*  God, you’re so edgy.

“Hey, did you and I ever, uh...”  *slightly disgusted, trying not to laugh*

*scoffs in hilarity*  Did he just use the gun-

Yeah, yeah he did.  *ends up giggling anyway*

Oh my God...

AN:  And it was totally improvised at the moment by Cameron.  Because OF COURSE HE DID.

AN:  Hi, welcome to my blog, where we have to keep kinkshaming Cameron Monaghan.

*both make loud disgusted noises when Jerome tries licking Lee*

“How’s it going between you [Lee] and Jimbo?”  It’s not.

“Oh that’s a shame.  I really liked you guys.”  *giggles into her sleeve*

Jerome shipped it.

*absolutely cracks up at Jerome’s reaction when Lee tells him about Jim killing Mario on her wedding night*

He’s like “Whhaat?!?”

Oh my God....

“I see your point.”  *scoffs in hilarity*

“Theo Galavan’s dead.”  *sighs*  For how long?

“Ohhhhh.... who beat me to it?”  “W-Which time?”  *giggles*

Oh just wait until you get into the regular Batman canon.  Death is gonna be about as permanent as a hiatus.

It always looked like it has rained in this city!

They should shoot in Seattle for now on.

Didn’t I tell you [Cole] to go to hell the last time, dude?

“Hey.... smile!”  No.

No!  Bullshit.

No.

“Selina!  Please... don’t.”  Yes.  Do!

*cracks up when the cult members write down Dwight’s speech on giant note cards for him to use*

“The cult will never follow you, Dwight.  I [Jim] saw you... at the theater?  You don’t have what it takes!”  Oh.  Really?

“Well, for the record, you’re doing one thing Jerome never did:  boring me.”  *both lean back in shock*

Whoooooooooo hooo hoooooo!!

Daaammn!  That was pretty great.

Ohhh my God!

See, James, when you’re not being a complete dumbass-

He’s amazing!  He’s great!

“We’ve [Barbara and Tabitha] got Option A:  appeal to their reason, convince them we alone can protect them from Penguin-”  “Seems unlikely.  They are men.”  Pfft!

*both crack up when “Ave Maria” starts playing when Tabitha guns down all the other gang leaders*

“Yeah, yeah, Option B.”  *chuckles*

*Dwight goes on air with Jerome’s face on*  That’s creepy as shit!

That is really creepy, just the [gesture Dwight did when he corrected himself]

“Look at that.  No charisma, no stage presence.”  I dunno, he’s [Dwight] doing pretty well.

*laughs reading the news bulletin bars on the TV being changed to ‘HahAhaHAhaHA’*

Oh my God!

Jesus God, where are all those wires attached to?!?

I don’t know...

If he [Jim] shoots his [Dwight’s] ass on live television, that would be the most karmic thing...

*Jim and the Strike Force infiltrate the studio*  Oh my God!

*Jim tackles Dwight to the ground*  Boom!  Hoo hoo!

That was a great quick panning shot.

Niiice...

*in dramatic voice*  Meanwhile at W Manor...

*raises eyebrows in shock when Selina tries to goad Bruce into fighting her*

“You know, the only reason she [Maria] came back to Gotham, the only reason she tracked me [Selina] down... was you [Bruce].”  Here’s my question:  how did she know her daughter and Bruce were a thing?

Yeah, that doesn’t add up.

How did that happen?  How did she figure that out?

*laughs at all the fans telling Dwight they love him*

This actor is having the time of his life.

Oh, he totally is.

“Where’s Dwight?”  “I saw a uni walking him that way.”  Ohhhh...

*Jim and Harvey find a dead cop*  Ohhh what is that [sticking out of the dead cop’s chest]?!?

Oh my God!

What is that?!?!?

*both yell and reel back in horror when Jerome starts stapling his face back on*

And that’s a prosthetic.

Jesus God.

And he [Jerome] actually sounds different from the first time we saw him because Theo stabbed him in the neck [in S2] and it hit his vocal cords.

Yeeeppp...

“Say... you’re not mad, are you?”  “Mad?  What could I [Jerome] possibly be mad about?”  “Y’know, the whole... cutting off your face...”  Pfft!

“Oswald?”  *leans back in surprise*

*Oswald loses contact with Ed*  Ed’s probably like “Hell yeah!” and snaps the phone.

*chuckles*

“Kane Chemicals!  Let’s go!  Move!”  You are walking right into a trap, Oswald.

“Hi.  Some you you may know... I died.”  *scoffs in hilarity*

“Tonight, Gotham, in the darkness... there are no rules.”  You keep pulling out these edgelord lines!  I know you can do better than that, dude.

“I [Jerome] don’t forgive you [Dwight] for my face.”  *tries to stifle a laugh*

“We need a bird [chopper] to go now!”  You guys aren’t gonna make it!  You’re not gonna make it!

*pops hand toward screen when the power plant blows*

*All the power goes*  Ohhhhhh schnap.

Oh shit!

*Closing title pops up*  Ohhh hoo hoo....

*reels back in surprise*  OK...

OK...

ONTO THE NEXT EPISODE!

[itsthesinbin]

My Only Desire Is To Kick Your Ass (Chapter 4)

breakdances

Wysira gets Very Angery because the Templars are fucking assholes

also at Cassandra because Wysira ain’t too diplomatic when she’s angry

People were yelling in front of the Chantry, when they finally returned to Haven. Mages and Templars crowded around the doors, screaming and blaming each other. A Templar began to draw his blade, causing Cullen to run into the scene and separate them. One of them gasped- “Knight-Captain!”- as he approached. Cullen sneered.

“That is NOT my title. We are NOT Templars any longer- we are all part of the Inquisition!” “And what does that mean, exactly,” Roderick asked, sauntering up to the steaming Commander. Cullen barely concealed an eye roll as Wysira walked up. Roderick ignored her entirely, although he definitely knew she was there.

“I’m curious, Commander, as to how your Inquisition, and its’ “Herald”, will restore order- as you’ve promised”. Commander muttered something, before commanding the crowd back to their stations.

“We intend to seal the damned sky first, Roderick,” Wysira finally said, moving to stand closer to the disgruntled Commander. She ignored the way he tensed up, focusing her attention on the worm in front of them. She heard Cullen sigh, running a hand through his hair.

“Mages and Templars were already at war, and now they’re blaming each other for the Divine’s death”. “Which is why we require a PROPER authority to guide them back to order!” Wysira barked out a laugh, startling the men near her.

“And who do you suggest, Roderick, dear? You- or the other clerics who were insignificant enough to be at this Conclave?” Cullen let out a snort, using a hand to cover a smirk. Wysira didn’t bother hiding her grin- more intimidating than amused, as she saw Roderick’s eyes flick to the fangs poking past her painted lips. Roderick spluttered, standing straighter to look her in the eye.

“And you suppose this rebel Inquisition, and you- the so-called “Herald of Andraste”- are better suited? I think not!” Her grin fell, and she crossed her arms.

“I don’t believe I’m this “Andraste’s” Herald anymore than you do, Chancellor”. “That… laudable humility will not stop the Inquisition from using this misconception, when it suits them!” A growl erupted from her chest, but Cullen stepped forward before she could argue with the little pest.

“The Inquisition only claims that we must close the Breach, or perish trying,” Cullen confirmed, standing straight and glaring down at Roderick. The Chancellor sneered.

“You say that now, Commander… We shall see if the sentiment remains true,” he growled, before storming off. The two soldiers watched him go, before Wysira started laughing. Cullen looked up at her, a mix of mildly annoyed and amused.

“I thought the man’s head was going to pop, from how red he was getting. Do humans here change color that easily when they’re angry, or is it just him?” Cullen let out a tired laugh, shaking his head. Despite the jokes, she could tell he was still wary of her.

“... Cullen, may we talk a moment?” He hesitated, before nodding. He followed her down the path, away from eavesdroppers.

“I want you to be honest with me, Commander. Is your issue with me personal- as in you dislike me, personally- or is your problem due to something in your past,” she asked bluntly, putting her hands on her hips. She stared at him, as he sucked in a breath. She held no anger, or contempt, in her eyes or body language. Genuine curiosity was the only thing driving this question.

His mind wandered, as he thought about her question. Back to Kirkwall. Back to the Circles. Back to… He shook his head, trying not to think about it.

She recognized the look in his eye.

“I… no, it is not personal, milady,” he finally said, voice too quiet for the leader of the Inquisition’s armed forces. “It is… It’s-” She held up a hand to stop him.

“I did not ask for clarification that you can’t give,” she said. “I merely asked if it was personal or not. You don’t need to tell me your life story, if you don’t want to”. He was more relieved than he could say.

“All I ask is that it does not interfere with us running the Inquisition. We need to work together- will this past problem ruin the chance for present cooperation?” He looked up at her, those piercing yellow eyes staring into his soul. For once, they didn’t remind him of the demon he mistook her for to begin with. He took in a small breath, standing to attention and meeting her eye without hesitation.

“No, He- ma’am, it will not get in the way of the Inquisition’s leadership,” he said. She smiled at him, patting him on the shoulder. To his credit, he barely flinched this time, instead of outright twitching away.

“Good, then let us get to the war room. The others are sure to be waiting,” she laughed, taking him back to the Chantry. He let his face fall, now that he was behind her. He won’t let his hatred ruin the Inquisition, yes… doesn’t mean he has to like the beast, though.

-----------

Val Royeaux was… gorgeous, if a bit gaudy in places. Reminds her of the Harpies’ home city. Full of snobs and flashy buildings. Wysira did love Hildegarde- the Harpies’ queen- but god she needed to redecorate. It hurt going into her castle.

A scout told them, upon entering, that the Chantry Mothers were waiting for them- along with Templars. People in Orlais seem to think Templars will protect them from the “Demon-infested Inquisition”. After the scout was dismissed back to Haven, the group moved towards the market, where the Templars and Chantry were waiting.

They walked into a small crowd that was slowly growing. A woman was holding a speech, faltering only slightly when she caught sight of the newcomers. Her frown deepened, and her tone grew nasty.

“You wonder what will become of her murderer,” she said loudly. “Well, look no further! Behold- the so-called “Herald of Andraste”! Claiming to rise where our beloved fell!” She pointed to Wysira, making peoples’ heads snap towards her.

“We say this is a false prophet! The Maker would send no… no DEMON in our hour of need!” Wysira growled, despite knowing the noise would not put anyone at ease. She stepped forward. The people around her stepped back out of fear.

“I’ve made no such claim! I am not sent by your Andraste or your Maker,” Wysira yelled. “I am trying to close the damn Breach- something your Chantry seems to ignore. It threatens everyone, but you just seem fit to point fingers at an innocent-”. Cassandra yanked her arm back roughly, glaring at her.

“That is enough, Demon,” she hissed, before turning to the Chantry mothers. Wysira yanked her arm back with a snarl. Cassandra ignored her.

“What she says is true- the Inquisition only seeks to close the Breach before it is too late!” Armored footsteps approached, and everyone glanced towards the noise. Templars, marching towards the stage. The Chantry woman looked smug.

“It is already too late- the Templars have rejoined the Chantry! They will face this Inquisition! The people will be safe once more-” she was cut off by a cry as one of the Templars punched her in the back of the head. She went down, people in crowd screaming in shock. Wysira’s ears pressed against her head angrily, and she glared at the Lord Seeker with slitted eyes.

“What is the meaning of this,” Wysira demanded, stepping forward again. Cassandra put a rough hand on her shoulder, but the demon shook her off. The Lord Seeker sniffed, looking down at her.

“Her claim to “authority” was an insult- as is your own”. He started to step down. Cassandra tried to talk to him about closing the Breach, much to Wysira’s frustration. The man he commanded just assaulted an older priestess, and she wants his help?

“Creating a heretical movement? Raising up a puppet as Andraste’s Prophet? You should be ashamed, Pentaghast”. He glanced at the other three in Cassandra’s group.

“You should all be ashamed! The Templars failed no one when they left the Chantry to purge the mages!” Cassandra opened her mouth, but Wysira snarled and stalked towards the Lord Seeker.

“You are the ones who have failed, you self-righteous piece of shit-” “Herald!” She whipped around, glowing eyes tearing into Cassandra’s very soul.

“I have had ENOUGH of your Seekers and Templars! You will shut your mouth and let me speak for once, Cassandra, or you can simply go!” She turned back to the Lord Seeker, smoke rising from her mouth- much to everyone’s shock. Her neck seemed to begin to glow a bit, as well.

“Your Templars, from what I know, are supposed to defend the people against injustice- not JUST mages. You have failed your entire Order by terrorizing the very people you have sworn to protect!” She grabbed the armor around the man’s neck, making the other Templars draw their weapons. She yanked him forward.

“How can you call yourself a soldier when you assault the innocent civilians under your protection?” Lucius gagged as smoke billowed into his nose, pulling himself back.

“If you have come to appeal to the Chantry,” he coughed. “You are too late. The only destiny that demands respect… is mine”. She let out a low growl, sparks flying from her mouth. Varric, hesitantly, put a careful hand on her arm. She glanced at him, before letting out a sigh.

“What we need is an alliance to seal the Breach,” Cassandra intervened. Wysira snarled at her, but she pointedly ignored the taller woman. The Lord Seeker huffed out a laugh.

“Oh, the Breach is indeed a threat- but you do not have the power to seal it”. Another Templar came forward, quietly talking to the Lord Seeker. A third man snapped at the second, essentially telling him to shut up.

Eventually, Lucius called for his Templars to leave- claiming Val Royeaux was unfit for their protection. Varric ran a hand through his hair, letting out a tired laugh.

“Charming fellow, isn’t he?” Cassandra groaned, running a hand over her face. “Has the Lord Seeker gone mad?” Wysira hissed, a small plume of fire rising from her mouth. She heard Solas mutter something to himself- fascinating- but she ignored him.

“Forget these poor excuses for soldiers”. “We should not write them off so quickly-” Wysira nearly roared with frustration, turning to Cassandra.

“You saw the same thing I did, Seeker! The man had his own assault a defenceless woman- he’s talking about making his faction into a power to be feared! He claimed a mourning city is “unworthy” of their protection- what more does he have to do to make you realize he is a piece of human garbage?!” “There may be some in the Order who have seen what he has become,” Cassandra hissed in reply. The women glared at each other, before Cassandra began walking.

“Either way, we need to return to Haven and inform the others. Let us return to our Inn”. Wysira stepped in front of the Seeker, blocking her path.

“Another thing. I am not claiming I am in charge, but you will NOT yank me around and speak over me as if I was a child. I admit I let my anger get the better of me, but you have no fucking right to lay your hands on me and pull me around. If it happens again, I cannot guarantee that I will not retaliate,” she hissed. “Furthermore… you will stop calling me “demon”. I call you by your name, or your title, now. I demand the same respect”.

“... Understood, Herald,” Cassandra bit out, walking towards the Inn before anyone could say anything. The three watched her go, Wysira pulling out a flask of water and gulping it down.

“How did you do the, eh… the smoke and fire thing,” Varric asked finally. Wysira pulled herself away from her water, panting to catch her breath.

“My father was a dragon,” she said simply, starting to walk as well. Varric yelled out a “WHAT”, before demanding an explanation. Solas did the same, although more politely. Wysira smiled, chuckling a bit, feeling her mood lighten slightly.

She loved when Otherworlders reacted like that.

[drarryruinsmylife]

Nights

Request by: @demonhuntermalfoy

“Could you do one where Harry cheats on Draco? I haven’t been able to find any like that, and when I finally did, the artist took it down"

————–——

“Why are you always so jealous?!”

It was one of those nights again, where Harry returned home very late. His husband, Draco, usually spent the night on the sofa to see when Harry comes home, but instead of a “I’m sorry, love” it always ends up in a fight. Because as soon as Draco asks questions, Harry snaps.

“Maybe because my fucking husband spends every goddamn night out and I have no fucking clue where he is!!”

Draco usually didn’t cry, he really had quite some self control, but when he fought with Harry, he couldn’t stop himself.

Harry was the first person he’s ever opened up to, the first person he loved and he believed it was forever.

But lately he started to doubt that.

The blonde man felt used. He knew Harry didn’t feel the same way anymore, and the only way to keep him was to have sex with him.

He felt like a whore.

“You treat me like shit and then call me out for asking where you’ve been?!”

“Maybe if you wouldn’t be such a prick in the first place, I wouldn’t have to spend the nights somewhere else!”

That was it.

That was the spot where Draco couldn’t take it anymore.

That fucking hurt.

Silence overcame the room, and for a split second, Harry stared at him in horror, realizing what he just said.

And as Draco sank down to the floor, Harry grabbed his car keys and hurried out of the house they shared.

——

The night was cold, it almost stung in Draco’s nose as he took a couple of deep breaths.

The stains of tears on his cheeks dried, and felt like glue.

Draco closed his eyes for a second and then began to walk towards his husband’s office where he was working as a game designer.

He already knew what he was gonna find, but there was no way to prepare for that sight.

You see, ever since this all started, Draco smelled perfume on Harry’s clothes, saw lipstick stains and even would catch a hickey from times to times, that he surely didn’t make.

So it was obvious what his husband was doing every night, and Draco felt so sick.

But this was the right choice, and after that Draco would pack his things and go.

He already contacted his mother, who welcomed her son with loving arms.

She moved out of the mansion into a nice, small little house that had a lot of bright colors and actually felt like a home.

His father was still behind bars, but he wrote letters to Draco (Lucius was finally allowed to do so), and he really changed into the father that Draco never had.

Only if life would feel better.

It was when Draco has arrived at the building, that another tear rolled down his face.

Every step he took felt so heavy as he entered the building and walked up the stairs towards his husband’s office.

He’s been here so many times.

At the beginning of their marriage, Harry always called Draco and asked him to come over.

It usually ended in sex on the desk, but a lot of cuddling afterwards.

He never admitted it, but those moments made him feel so loved and, fuck, he didn’t want to give that up.

But he knew he had to when he grabbed the door handle and opened it.

What he found was what he expected.

Harry Potter, his husband and love of his love, was on top of a red haired girl, Ginny Weasley, laying on the desk that he used to lay on, naked and very busy with each other.

It took a couple of seconds for her to notice Draco in the doorway, and she gasped, and Harry turned around and went pale.

Draco didn’t feel like screaming or punching him, he felt more like dying right on the spot cause his already broken heart was shattered to pieces and he knew that this heartbreak would last forever.

The tears were rolling along his res cheeks nonstop now, and when Harry tried to reach for him, he took a step back.

“Why I am so jealous?”, he asked, his voice broken and pitched. “Because you’re fucking your best friends sister behind my back.”

Harry opened his mouth, but Draco shook his head.

“Shut up just shut up…once you get home, I’ll be gone. Don’t ever try to talk to me again.”

“Draco-”

“We’re over.”

And before anything could happen, he turned and ran faster than he thought he could, down the stairs, out of the building, to the place he used to call home, packed all of his stuff and used the fireplace in the living room to get to his mothers house.

When he came flying through the fireplace, his mother already knew what happened, and she hugged her son and wrapped him in a blanket before she left to make some hot chocolate for him.

But Draco wasn’t even realizing it yet.

In his mind, he still stood in that church and said the binding words “I do”.

——– -2 years later-

The daily prophet was still the most annoying newspaper in the world.

Not only did they write utter bullshit, but they also wrote every fucking thing that was happening.

“Harry Potter got married with Ginny Weasley, or should we say Ginny Potter?”

“Daddy? Who’s Harry Potter?”

Startled, Draco looked down to his son.

“Harry Potter is no one you need to know about.”

Just in time, Draco’s wife walked down the stairs and smiled at him.

But Draco couldn’t smile.

Because his smile still belonged to a man that took it to give it to another woman. ——–

This hurt me as I wrote it omg, but there you go!💞

[perfectdagger]

Okay here we go 3, 13, 15, 17, 46

Sorry it took us forever to answer this, anon! But here we go:

3. name three favorite writers

Steph: I was just going through the fics I’ve read the other day and I realized that the authors I have actually read more works from were: green_feelings @greenfeelings, stylinsoncity @alienproof and cherrystreet @cherrystreet, and I really like their stories very much (I cry thinking about Empty Skies, To the Ends of the Earth and 7 Up), so there we go. (AND ALRIGHT, YES, YOU ARE MY FAVE SYN, EVEN THO YOU HAVEN’T WRITTEN  MY BDAY FIC YET)

Syn: unbelievable you didn’t answer it was me steph go away and think about your life choices but know you’re mine either way  it will be a cold dead day in hell before i put anyone besides my absolute GODDESSES so i know this shit should be about larry but listen…….. Lightning on the Wave literally molded me as a person and if you like drarry you should YOU SHOULD read her work. it’s literally been 8 years and i’m still not over this Arc. also if you’re a slytherin? you should do it because of the sheer sly pride it oozes. lucius/narcisa is the GODDAMN BEST THING like they fight while they dance tango? honestly please do yourself a favor and read this i beg you. also harry is slytherin and has a twin but don’t get freaked out because of it i swear the connor thing is actually very interesting. anyway, then I have the love of my life Annie_D (scaramouche) because i’m still destiel trash  AS FUCK even if i don’t even watch spn anymore. about larry now……….. the first fic i ever read and that is still to this day one of my fav ones is Gods and Monsters by @mizzwilde and tbh i love y&b but i can’t belieb people sleep on gods and monsters so much HONESTLY PEOPLE (steph: YAS GODS AND MONSTERS!!!!!!!!!!!!)

also VERY SPECIAL SHOUT OUT TO EVERY WRITER OUT THERE DOING GOD’S WORK AND WRITING GIRL!DIRECTION I LOVE YOU (steph: I second that)

13. hardest character to write

Steph: I don’t know, I’m more used to writing only Harry and Louis and they are always somehow similar in my fics, I guess. But it’s been a little roller coaster of feelings to write them in IYEWBIL hahaha (syn: little roller coaster? YOU’VE CRIED TWICE ALREADY that’s an euphemism if i ever heard any)

Syn : i was talking about this with steph and tbh i struggle a bit with harry? i love his quirkiness and shit but i guess i kinda understand where louis comes from more

15. hardest verse to write

Steph: (I’m assuming this is verse as in a part of the fic and not verse as in universe, ‘cause then it would be ABO LOL) I don’t wanna say it was hard, because it flowed naturally, but the break up scene in ELTHDIM was very heavy. Also, Marcel appearing at Louis’ again after 2 years in the interludio: I cried writing that. Not that it was hard, but it was very sentimental. (if we’re talking about having a hard time writing anything, then I did have a hard time with writing my fic for the Potter Direction Exchange, but that’s a whole other thing). But I guess, the hardest thing for me to write is yet to come, so I’m bracing myself and people who are reading IYEWBIL should too lol

Syn: (but when have you ever written abo steph? (: (steph: i wouldn’t know ehehehehe)) fighting scenes are A BITCH and i don’t mean verbal fighting because i ace at those, i mean actual fighting punching and shit. don’t ask where this is coming from tho

17. favorite AU to write 

Steph: So far I’ve written: a single parents au, a coffeeshop au, a fake relationship au and two hogwarts aus (Mistletoes & Wrackspurts Series and the one for the Potter Direction Exchange) and I think it’s because M&W has been the longest one, I’m having more fun writing it. But also the fake relationship au was great to write hahaha

Syn: HARRY POTTER AU HANDS DOWN because i live and breath hp and muggle!louis/wizard!harry is the best of both worlds HOW CAN I NOT DIG THAT but now i discovered a new love in writing my catwoman!au so i guess y’all should ask about those fighting scenes i guess

(steph: i hope you’re all ready for this catwoman!au, that’s all i’m gonna say)

46. share a scene of a story that you haven’t published yet

Steph: I don’t think I have any story written that I haven’t published? Syn has tons lol I’ll leave this one to her.

Syn: don’t expose me like that steph but yeah i do my draft has right now about 5 works in progress HAHA and yes one of those if your gift u cry baby

ok so er under the cut is a piece of my god-knows-when-will-come-but-i’m-currently-on-chapter-3-of-who-the-fuck-knows-how-many catwoman au in which yes harry styles is catwoman y’all know why exactly

also if there’s any dc fan out there please hmu cuz i’d love to have some help haha

Louis heard a small click, their earpiece connection turning off. He rolled his shoulders inside his uniform, suddenly wary of the silence echoing inside the empty store. Normally the black (and dark blue) of his Nightwing costume worked as a camouflage in his environment, much like Batman’s did as well, but he felt exposed inside the lighten up vault as he looked for anything that could help catch the bastard behind the 3 X’s. He took his time, checking the floor, the empty cabinets, the empty shelves, anything and everything. Still, nothing. So he went back to the door, analyzing the scratches there (he still couldn’t believe it, fucking scratches) with his gloved hand caressing them softly.

“Glad to see you admire my work.”

Louis quickly threw a batarang to where the deep, drawled out voice came from, taking his sticks out when he saw the silhouette had dodged his attack. He’d heard no one come in, where did the fucker come from? Fucker was silent, silent like…

He saw a movement come from his side as he exited the vault, blocking the punch with his forearm, getting kneeled in the stomach a second after, too surprised he was by the fast attack. He gasped and stepped backwards, raising his sticks to avoid being clawed - what the fuck, his brain registered in confusion - at, blocking every time, left, right, left, right, right, left, both, the clank of the claws against his shatterproof sticks echoing in the empty store. He was glad his mask had nightvision, otherwise he’d be even more susceptible to the attacks, his reflexes matching them and being able to hold his own in the darkened store, the streetlights weak, reflecting on the empty jewelry display around them, not enough to show much of the person trying to rip his face in two. Speaking of which, Louis concentrated, paying attention to the silhouette in front of him, narrowing his eyes to identify what-

His mistake. Between a block from his hand and another, Louis felt a kick in his stomach, strong enough to push him back into one of the glass tables that held jewelry before, the sound of shattering glass hiding his groan of pain. Fuck, that’d hurt. He blinked, a grimace from pain in his face as he tried to get himself up and look at what he was sure looked like-

A slick noise and then he was on the floor, pieces of glass dragging beneath him as he was pulled by his feet towards his attacker, who was suddenly looking down at him from above, faces inches apart, a smirk in place and black mask covering half of his face.

“Catwoman.”

Satisfied, he smiled bigger, maliciously, leaning down to lick Louis’ cheek. Louis turned his head in disgust, enough to recognize it was a long whip Catwoman secured in her hand and had used to lock his feet and drag him forward.

“Meow.” She whispered in his ear that was just in front of Catwoman’s face as he turned it more to the side. Louis used the distraction her smugness must be to punch her to the side, taking her out of top. She scuffled sideways, gracefully going back to her feet while Louis took the whip from out of his feet.

Then he took a moment to realize what was in front of him.

“You’re a man.”

“My, my, Nightwing, shouldn’t an agent of law and good know better than to designate gender to his comrades?” Catwoman teased, his (her?) voice deep, a small pout forming in his lips.

“You’re not a comrade.” Louis answered irritated, fucking pissed the fucker was teasing him after everything he’d put him through the last months.

Also, he’d licked him. Who even does that.

“No, I’m not.” Catwoman moved his hips slowly, as if he was preparing himself for an attack, as if he was having fun. “I am, however, a man.”

Louis hummed, twirling his sticks in his hands, watching every move the man made in front of him, waiting for the right moment to strike.

“Should I be calling you Catman, then? Instead of Catwoman?”

He scoffed, as if the notion was ridiculous. “Of course not. Catwoman is a title that was so gracefully bestowed upon me, why would I change it? Besides,” he stopped his moving, standing still - too still - in the middle of the floor. “I like how you say it.”

[ecotone99]

[AA] Dark lights 1. First time on the subreddit, and first story I've posted

This is an introductory story I started writing during quarantine. This is the first story I've posted here, and I'm probably very rusty when it comes to writing. I used to be an active member of my school's creative writing club, but that's been over 3 years at this point. Appreciate the criticism and thanks for reading!!!

P.s. I'm in Canada so Canadian spelling for some of these words.

Chapter 1

If heaven exists, I probably won’t be let in. Not like I care too much though, don’t even know why that thought even came across my mind. As Lucius chewed on his gum, he had fallen into a deep thought about himself. He had not been this introspective in a while, so this was quite a strange occasion. Who knows, maybe I’m just in a weird mood. I got fucked over pretty hard anyways, but might as well just go with it. It’s not like I’m dying anytime soon. That being said, maybe I should go to that movie that I wanted to watch for a while. I’ll probably end up kicking myself in the afterlife if I don’t get to it. Gotta get done with what I’m doing right now though, sort of got my hands full right now.

He walked up to a man laying on the floor, who honestly looked quite pathetic. Most of Lucius’ targets ended up this way, but that didn’t stop him from thinking it. As Lucius put a gun against his head, he felt the man trembling with fear. It made sense, Lucius had put a bullet through both knees, elbows and shoulders of this man and his fate was entirely in the fate of a person who honestly just wanted to kill him and get it over with.

Why the hell does Brian want me to keep this guy alive until he gives me the cue? Brian was the man who hired Lucius to kill this man. If he was honest, Lucius would say he's kind of a dork. He had contacted Lucius earlier in the week with the job request to deal with this man. At that point Lucius didn’t think there was anything to be suspicious of. The job was a simple and straightforward capture of a dangerous criminal with a history of violence, nothing that special. All they had to do was bring this dude to Brian’s basement, and then they could leave Brian to do whatever he wanted with the guy. The problems appeared when Lucius and his friends brought their target to the basement.

When Lucius and his friends arrived at Brian’s basement, they found a massive underground complex that resembled a maze more than a basement, which Lucius was not told about. Then Brian asked each of them to go to different rooms and do different things, which he had definitely not been told about. So now each of his friends were separated, Suzy with Brian, Vaughan with some sword dude and Jonathan with a group of bodyguards. Of course, Lucius was stuck dealing with the crazed lunatic that wanted nothing more than to kill him. Oh, by the way the instructions mentioned that this guy was to be brought here unharmed. And the cuffs Brian put him in broke as soon as they left. So Lucius had to deal with a murderous madman by himself, which he did with ease. Lucius just hoped blood didn't get any of this idiot's blood on his suit. He had worn a pink shirt for a big pay day; Lucius thought pink looked really good on him.

It’s not like this loser’s survival gives him much of a strategic edge. I’m distracted babysitting him, and I’m really not much help right now. He’s probably trying to hide something from me, but what would it be? If he’s trying to set me up, somebody should have told me already, it’s not like I don’t have people keeping an eye on him right now. An ambush? Maybe, this whole thing’s a bit too obvious and he didn’t seem like the smartest guy in the world. Brian could also just want to watch this guy die, but if that was the case I could have just brought him here with me. He knows this too, so that’s not even an option.

So here he was, drinking soda with one foot on a crippled psychopath’s head and wondering what happened. Obviously this whole thing is a set up. Well, he had a pretty good idea of what happened and that ticked him off. Lucius knew him and his friends could deal with whatever Brian had in store for them, and the only reason why he went with this obvious and stupid plot was because he knew that, but still. Lucius didn’t like it when people tried to fuck him over, and he was going to make sure Brian paid very well for it.

Under his feet, the fallen man started to moan in pain. Oh yeah, that must hurt. Who’s fault was that again? Oh yeah, you for trying to kill me. This guy was really starting to get on Lucius’ nerves. Every other second the formerly threatening criminal was whining and moaning about how he couldn’t feel his arms and legs, going on and on about his pain. And occasionally he’d start crying. That was the worst. He took a look at his shirt sleeve to make sure it was clean, and saw some blood got on it. This was his favourite shirt, this jackass had ruined it and now he needed to vent some steam on the piece of shit.

Lucius repeatedly stomped on the man’s head with great annoyance and shouted, “Shut up, you know why you’re in this spot. All you had to do was sit down and behave, and what did you do? You broke your cuffs and tried to kill me as soon as the adults left. Well now your joints are blown off and you’re probably crippled for the rest of your life. Are you proud of yourself? Are you proud of your decision making skills? How the fuck did you think you were gonna kill me barehanded when you couldn’t do it with a fucking knife? Are you actually retarded?”

Lucius walked away from the prone man to contact one of his teammates and friends, though he kept an eye on the target. He could never know if he could escape through some unknown means. There could also be a blowpipe hidden inside the man’s mouth; Lucius had fallen for that trick once when he was much younger and dumber, and he was not about to let it happen again.

Lucius took out his phone to dial Suzy’s number. Suzy was one of his teammates, and had been a friend of his since they were children. Lucius was not the biggest fan of calling her however, since most of the time she just tried to scold him about his supposed immaturity.

Maybe I should wait. She's just gonna yell at me again. "Oh you should have done some research. Why didn't you look up the guy before taking a job from him. Blah blah blah." Or maybe she’d say “Grow up and stop being so whiny. It’s like this all the time with you. Always whining about this and that. Just do the job, you’re getting paid for it anyways, myeh myeh myeh”.……………. Nah, I'm not in that much of a hurry.

In reality, Lucius actually was that immature. Oh well, he thought as he went back to just lounging around. His friends would be able to take care of themselves, so there was nothing for him to be worried about.

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It had already been an hour since Brian asked Suzy to follow him, and she had started to get tired of it. They had gone through several corridors, and they had taken so many turns that she wasn't even sure where she was anymore. Every wall looked the same and every turn just faded into the next. She had tried to stay focused, but that was getting really hard for her. It was so dull and she was just ready to be done with it.

When Brian hired them, he had wanted each of them to do something different for him. For Suzy, that was trailing him and acting as a bodyguard. She had an idea about why he wanted her there, but she was hoping Brian was not scummy or stupid enough for that.

Brian was a short man with black greased-back hair and chubby cheeks. He seemed like someone who believed they were the hottest thing on Earth. He really wasn’t. He looked even smaller compared to the rest of the people surrounding him, including Suzy. His face was slimy, and his constant smirk made Suzy want to punch him in the face. His bodyguards, on the other hand, were massive human beings with all of them being at least 6’2’’ or taller. They were all very muscular, and Suzy guessed each of them had to be over 200 pounds. They were very imposing, enough to make most people think twice about messing with him.

Eventually the group came to a dead end and stopped. Immediately Brian quickly turned around and walked up to Suzy. He put on a smug smile and gave her a seductive look, and slowly walked around Suzy as he seemingly sniffed her scent. In fact, it looked like he was almost hopping around her. Gross. He was starting to get on her nerves. Just a little bit. Eventually he stopped in front of her and attempted to brush her hair with his trigger finger. Suzy almost instinctively leaned away in disgust, and her face reflected that feeling.

This guy's lucky he’s paying us. As much as she hated Brian right now, Suzy had a sense of professional pride. She and her friends were paid to help this little greasy weasel, and she was going to go through with it. That being said, this guy was making it really hard for her to do that.

Brian leaned towards her and said, “Come on, don’t be like that. I’m just trying to have a little fun here” and attempted to rub Suzy's leg. She pushed his gut with her foot and turned around to walk away. At this point, she was just a pinch away from snapping. She was not getting paid to get harassed, and she’d had just about enough of Brian. As she attempted to go back to her friend, his other bodyguards blocked her path. She sneered at them with disdain and turned back around.

During that time Brian had somewhat recovered from her slight tap and was rubbing his stomach. He seemed to be actually hurt by that. This guy’s soft. He stared straight into her eyes, his face full of pain and hatred from the agony caused by her “kick.” He yelled at his henchmen to surround her to keep her from hurting him again. How brave.

He walked slightly closer to her and said, “Listen you little bitch. I’m trying to be nice to you here, but you’re making it really fucking hard. I’m trying to protect you right now, okay? If I wasn’t here to keep them in check, these boys would eat you up. I know you think you’re pretty strong, but even you wouldn’t be able to take all of them at once. No, you’d probably get pummeled in a second. So just do as I say and we can all leave happy.”

Brian pulled out his phone and turned it towards Suzy. He started going through it, looking for something. Eventually he turned the phone as it showed what seemed to be video footage. “If you stay like that, I can’t guarantee your little friend here doesn’t get hurt. I put him with my strongest fighter, so one little mistake out of you and your friend is finished. This guy’s the real deal, I once saw him cut down a whole room full of armed men in a minute. He’s never lost a duel in his life, and I don’t think he’s going to lose one anytime soon. So I would recommend you do as I say,” Brian said with as much menace as he could put into his voice.

Suzy stared into the footage for a few seconds in silence. Vaughan was with their strongest fighter. As stupid as she thought Brian was, he had thought out everything in this whole plan. She was isolated from her friends and now he had taken them hostage. If she didn’t do what he wanted, he was going to make his strongest fighter try to kill Vaughan. He really was a terrible human being.

Suzy asked, “Are they alone in that room together?” “Damn right they are, and there’s no escape if something happens,” Brian smugly answered. “So there’s just the two of them, no one else nearby?” “None, and if I give the order, my man’s going to cut your friend down. Now be a good girl and get on your knees.”

Suzy let out a sigh and relaxed. This was going to happen, and she might as well be calm. Then, as Brian unbuttoned the top of his shirt with a smirk on his face, looked up at the ceiling. Now that she looked at the walls more closely, she realized they were soundproof. Then she punched the bodyguard on her left in his ugly face. She felt her fist crush his nose, shatter his teeth and break his thick skull. Brian was more of an idiot than she thought he was. She thought he was at least good at spending his money.

As she was punching the bodyguard, she turned an eye towards the snot who tried to have his way with her. Her face filled with anger, eyes wide open and teeth clenched so hard it looked as though she was about to break them with her own jaw. She was absolutely pissed, both from his inexcusable behaviour and his complete utter incompetence. She stared a hole through Brian’s skull as she said, “You’re fucking dead.”

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Lenon was annoyed at his current predicament. He had trained under the greatest masters for years and mastered the way of the sword. He traveled the world, fought the strongest he could find and conquered all of them. He was as skilled and powerful as one could be. And he was stuck babysitting this weird child.

In front of him in this small, dusty grey room was a blond boy of about twelve years of age with big bushy, messy hair and bags under his eyes. He was playing games on his phone, and seemed to barely acknowledge Lenon’s presence. This twelve-year-old boy wore a baggy, crumpled up hoodie and carried an ornate sword in a sheath by his side. The hilt was beautifully designed, decorated with gold, rubies and emeralds. Its shape was vibrant yet balanced to make sure it was usable in combat. This was not a sword that someone like him should have. Yet the most disturbing thing about this kid was not the weapon. This twelve-year-old boy was smoking a cigarette and was currently finishing his third one.

Lenon had to pull in all of his restraint in order to stop the boy from smoking. He knew smoking was bad for the development of a child, but his client had told him not to touch the boy unless told otherwise. He had a job to do, and he was going to finish it. His sense of honour demanded he do so. He would wait until the job is over, find the boy and discipline him in order to stop him from smoking. Until then, Lenon would patiently wait.

As Lenon was meditating to keep himself from losing his mind, he noticed his phone ringing. Finally, his client must have a new task for him to do. Something worth his skill and talent. Maybe he’d cut down that arrogant man with the pistols, or maybe he’d get to face the woman that the boss took with him. He had sensed great power from her, and he knew there was no way those goons could handle her. He had hoped he would not have to deal with the other gentleman, a taller man who seemed sweet and gentle. He would do it, but not without guilt.

He picked up his phone and answered the call. Across the line, the boss yelled “Kill the fucking Brat!” and hung up immediately. As he heard this, thoughts started running through Lenon’s head. How could he ask such a horrendous task of him? To kill a small child like this, it would be a disgrace to his name. He’d have to pray and meditate for weeks to cleanse himself of his sin. But he had to do it, he had promised as such.

The boy did not seem to be paying attention. Good, then this will be painless. The boy will feel no fear, no pain. Lenon would make sure this boy’s life would end quickly. The least he could do is keeping him from suffering. Lenon drew his sword and prepared to swing. He would cut the boy’s neck with one clean swing of his blade. Yes, that will do.

As he swung his blade in one straight and graceful motion, the boy fell face first onto the floor and accidentally avoided the attack. The fool seemed to have tripped while not paying attention to where he’s walking. It was no issue, the next strike would do the deed. Lenon raised his divine sword Tsukuyomi to stab the boy through the heart. This sword was passed down through generations of swordsmen at his old dojo, and he was blessed with inheriting its might. Now he was using it to slay a defenseless little child. He felt shame travel through his body as he thrust his weapon in a quick strike towards him. The child rolled to his left, dodging the attack.

How could this be? Is luck on this child’s side? How could the divine blade Tsukuyomi miss twice? Could he have dodged those attacks? No, it couldn’t be. Those were not the actions of one who tries to dodge. They were accidents. Lenon shouted, “Boy I must end your existence, for I was ordered by the man I promised to serve! Please do not make this difficult. I will make it painless, so do not fear.” The boy answered, “Well, at least call me by my name if you’re gonna kill me. Name’s Vaughan.” with a booming baritone. Lenon did not expect such a low voice to come out of a small child’s mouth. He guessed that the boy’s smoking habit artificially changed his voice.

“Very well then. Vaughan, I hope your next life is a happier one,” said Lenon with grim resolve in his voice. Vaughan yawned, and as he did replied, “Oh, by the way you shouldn’t be using your sword like that. You’re gonna break it.”

Lenon was befuddled by this boy. How could he attempt to lecture me like this? Is he not afraid of death? And what could he possibly know about using a sword? How dare he act as though he knows the way of the sword better than I do. I was trying to be gentle with this boy, but now I shall teach him a lesson.

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Vaughan was lying on the floor, staring at this man trying to stab him with a katana. That sword was meant to be swung, not thrusted. That also meant it was designed badly, but he didn’t think that was worth saying. Well, if this guy’s gonna try to kill me, he might as well do it properly. Vaughan stood up, brushed the dirt off his clothes and turned to the man with a sword. The man seemed to be confused by what just happened. Vaughan was hoping the man’s mental state was not as weak as his sword strikes.

Vaughan looked at the man and asked, “Are you that slow or are you trying to take it easy on me?” The guy seemed agitated by this statement, as his face changed to that of anger. He changed his grip to a more proper one and readied his stance. The man said, “If you wish to mock me, I have no choice but to fight you with my full strength. As you die, repent and pray your next life doesn’t end as violently as this one, young fool.” What a weirdo.

As the weirdo charged him with a vertical strike, Vaughan moved slightly out of the way and tapped the man’s face. This guy wasn’t going easy on him. He was just that slow. No, this crazy man has to have some sort of hidden power. If not, he wouldn’t be considered the best fighter out of all of them.

After Vaughan touched the nutcase’s face, the crackpot immediately backed off and hopped back to his original position. Now the weird man seemed embarrassed by what just happened. He shouted, “I WILL NOT LET THIS ACT OF DISRESPECT GO UNPUNISHED. BY THE HONOUR OF THE SAMURAI, I, LENON RICHARDS, SHALL CUT YOU DOWN!”

Oh, this guy’s a weeaboo. The weeaboo once again charged him with a slow and sloppy sword strike. This time Vaughan passed behind him and kicked his leg out. Vaughan was starting to get bored of this guy. He was hoping this was not all that the strongest man in their crew could do.

Vaughan put his face on the madman’s face, yawned and said, “I’m bored. Show me something cool.” Vaughan hopped backwards to allow the creep to get up as Lenon stood up frantically and gathered himself. He gripped his sword and went back into his stance. He stared into Vaughan’s blank eyes, and said, “If you wish to die so badly, then so be it” as he strengthened his grip onto the sword.

Lenon took a deep breath, focused himself and said, “This is a power that’s been passed down through the generations of my family. Be honoured that you bore witness to its greatness.” As he finished his words, a green glow appeared around him, covering himself and his weapon. An aura of power flowed through the air, and with each of his movements the air itself seemed to change in property.

“This is the Emerald Dragon. It increases my speed, power and defense to the highest possible levels. I am unbeatable in this form,” said Lenon. Vaughan prepared himself. If the weirdo was going to go all out, it would only be fair if he did so too. He gripped the handle of his sword and got ready for a quick release. Also, Vaughan noticed that the idiot’s grip was wrong.

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Lenon charged at Vaughan with great speed and determination. He would teach this boy a lesson for disrespecting him like this. He shouted, “Feel the wrath of my divine power!” and went for his most powerful technique, the speed slash. Its speed was so fast that no man was ever able to react to it. Its power was so great it could cut through steel like it was butter. He would put his heart and soul into this attack, and there was no way this little boy could dodge this attack. As he brought his blade down, he felt a gush of air. There was a trail of violent, yet graceful energy from where the boy was to right behind him. It was powerful, loud and its colour was the brightest yellow he had ever seen. The next moment he realized that his hand had been cut off, and the little boy said “My power is electricity.”

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Disappointing, Vaughan thought as he turned towards Lenon. Vaughan had expected at least some sort of resistance when he cut the weirdo’s hand off, but it felt like just any other hand. All that bravado, and now this man was screaming in pain on the floor. Is he really the strongest one? If this man was the strongest in their crew, then the rest of them must have been pathetically weak.

Vaughan reached into his pocket and lit a new cigarette. One complaint he always had with his power was that his ciggies would never stay lit. Oh well, he thought as he took a puff of his cigarette. It couldn't be helped, so there was no point in getting mad. Vaughan tapped the man on the shoulder with his sword and said, “You're pretty weak, man.” The weird creepy man replied, “How dare you say that to me! I have traveled around the world, spent countless hours honing my craft. You’re just some lucky talented brat! This isn’t fair, I worked so hard and I lost to some random twelve-year-old? This is bullshit!”

He might as well know before he dies, Vaughan thought as he said, “By the way, I’m thirty years old.” and sliced the man’s head off.

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Johnny always prided himself on being able to read anyone. The eyes were the way into a man’s soul, and he was the best he knew at reading them. Just one look into a person’s eyes, and he’d know just about everything about them. Even as a child, he could figure out what anyone was thinking from their looks. That’s how he figured out Santa Claus wasn’t real. This skill helped him get through life. He was popular in school, good at interviews and great at interrogating people. That’s how he got his current job, after messing up big time at that country fair. He was forever in debt to the man who saved him from his fate, and would do anything for him. Of course, he used that skill of his to help convince the man to give him the job. That skill of his never failed him. He could figure out anyone in the world. But it didn’t work on this man. This guy named Jonathan was a mystery to Johnny.

Jonathan was a tall and fair-skinned man around 6’2’’. His hair was short, brown and well-groomed, his eyes were deep green like the water in a tropical ocean and his skin was soft and smooth like a baby’s. His face was gentle yet alluring, and had a soft smile that girls would die for. In short, he was the most handsome man that Johnny had ever laid eyes on. It really seemed like a waste, a guy like him being in a business like this. Johnny wondered how this guy ended up here. He had to have had other opportunities. Model agencies would kill each other to get this guy.

This man was separated from his friends, put in a strange room with armed men, and kept from leaving. If this was any other person, Johnny would be able to see the fear in their eyes. The problem was that Johnny saw none in Jonathan’s eyes. In fact, he was just comfortably having a pleasant conversation with the other guards as if there was nothing wrong. He was not scared; in fact, he didn’t have a single hint of worry in his eyes. He was calm and collected in a situation that would make a normal person fill up with fear and anxiety.

Johnny was about to take out his phone and start browsing, when Jonathan approached him and started a conversation with him. Jonathan stepped close to him, brought his hand out to offer a handshake and said, “I don’t think we’ve talked yet. Hi, I’m Jonathan. I’m assuming you knew that though. What’s your name?” Johnny stood in silence, ignoring Jonathan’s attempt at small talk. “Oh, was I a bit abrupt about this? Sorry about that, social interactions were never my strong suit,” continued Jonathan while maintaining his upbeat and chipper voice. Johnny replied with more silence. He was being paid to watch over this man, not make friends with him. Jonathan kept going and said, “Oh come on, don’t be like that. We’re both just stuck here anyways, might as well talk to pass the time, right?”

What’s with this guy? Johnny didn’t get why this pretty boy wanted to talk to him so much. Is this how he deals with fear? I mean, there’s no way this whole situation isn’t getting to him. Johnny looked into Jonathan’s eyes again to see if he had missed something. It was deep brilliant green, almost like a tropical oceanscape in movies, and he felt like he was getting sucked in every second he looked into it. It was astonishing just how warm he felt while staring into those eyes. I never knew that eyes could be so…….. Gorgeous. Wait, I gotta focus. Read his eyes Johnny, figure out what this man’s feeling.

As he regained his focus, he stared into Jonathan’s deep eyes to attempt to read him. He looked for any semblance of fear, any anger towards the men that abducted him, or any sign that this man’s scheming anything. He kept looking and looking, but he found none of those things. Maybe he’s just stupid, thought Johnny as he changed his focus to figuring out his character.

Conversation was needed for this task, so Johnny decided to give this guy what he wants. Johnny kept focusing on Jonathan’s eyes as he said, “You know what, why not. It’s not like we have anything to do.” “Exactly, what’s the point in sitting around doing nothing? Let’s get to know each other a bit. Who knows, maybe we could even be friends,” replied Jonathan with an innocent look in his eyes.

This guy’s weirdly optimistic, isn’t he? Well, he could be just so stupid that I’m outsmarting myself. It’s not like that hasn’t happened before. Johnny continued, “Yeah man, you never know with people. I’m Johnny by the way.” “Oh really? We basically have the same name! That’s kinda crazy,” said Jonathan. Johnny replied, “You’re right about that, it’s a weird world. By the way, why are you hanging with these guys? There had to have been better job opportunities than mercenary work. What got you into this dangerous business? Any special reasons?” Jonathan stood for a bit as if he was thinking, tilted his head slightly and replied, “No special reasons. If I’m being honest, I just found all the other jobs boring. And this line of work lets me take the most advantage of my abilities, so that helped too.” “Abilities?” asked Johnny. The handsome man in front of Johnny answered, “Well, healing and stuff. I’m the one that patches up my friends if they get banged up.”

A healer for a mercenary group eh? Tough job, it’s real easy to get hurt in a dangerous field like this. We do need people like him though. That being said, if you have healing abilities there’s gotta be other safer opportunities. What’s really going on here? Johnny relaxed a bit before focusing back onto those eyes and said, “There’s gotta be other ways you can take advantage of that kind of ability. Why not become a medic at a hospital or something? Gotta pay better than doing this.” "Well, I guess that's true. Honestly, I just couldn't stand by and watch my friends get hurt. They're just so important to me," replied Jonathan.

Still nothing. What’s with this guy? Wait, let’s focus a bit more. As Johnny stared deeper into his eyes, he finally noticed something special about Jonathan. With most people, there were pieces of their soul resonating in their eyes. That’s how souls work. However, Johnny saw nothing in those eyes. It was a dark, bottomless pit with almost nothing filling it. These weren’t the eyes of a human. This guy was something else.

Jonathan walked up closer, and started feeling Johnny's face. He observed his face as if it was a statue and said, “You look hurt.” Johnny replied, “What, what do you mean?” He was confused. What did he mean by that? Johnny had no noticeable injuries, and most of his previous injuries were either covered up by clothing or internal. Unless Jonathan could somehow sense other people’s health, there was no way he could know about those. Jonathan stared closer at Johnny’s face, pinched his cheeks and said with an unexpectedly cold and indifferent voice, "I'm a healer, silly, I know things. Don't worry, it won't take long."

As Jonathan finished speaking, dark fluid started flowing into every orifice Johnny had on his face. The next thing he knew, Johnny's vision had gone completely dark. Soon, pain filled his every being as he felt every injury he's ever had. He felt every bone he's broken, every muscle he's torn and every bit of flesh that's been stabbed. It was complete agony, every pain he's ever felt in a single second. Then suddenly all of it was gone. All that pain, gone. And all the lingering injuries he had were gone too. Johnny was in the best shape of his life.

How'd he, what was, huh? That was amazing. A guy like this in the hands of people like that, no that's too dangerous. I need to take care of this guy, for the boss. Johnny secretly took out a knife from his back. As bad as he felt, he needed to get rid of him. Someone that powerful could be a threat to Brian, and he couldn't let that happen.

Johnny secretly muttered a prayer under his breath, and approached Jonathan to stab him. Jonathan looked down and smiled as he saw the knife. Shit, he saw it. Wait, what the hell’s he…. As Johnny hesitated, he felt a powerful shockwave to his left with the booming sound of an explosion. As he turned his head, he noticed that the wall had been destroyed, and in the middle was the woman that Brian had taken with him. Her face was covered in little bruises and cuts, and her clothes were a crumpled, torn mess. In her arms was a beaten and battered Brian, and in her eyes he saw a great amount of anger towards Brian and himself. She looked like she had just been in a fist fight with a gang, and by the look of things, she had won.

The girl dashed up to Johnny, clenched her fist and shouted, “What do you think you’re doing to him?!”And then slammed her fist onto Johnny’s face. The shear force of her punch broke his jaw, shattered four teeth and pushed his head so hard his neck almost broke. It was the hardest punch he had ever taken in his life, and he could not believe it could come from a person. As he collapsed, his consciousness fading from the pain and the loss of blood from his fractured face, Johnny thought What the fuck are these guys?

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