#and she’s jumping on rooftops and shit and fighting people

[icouldsaythesameforyou]

So I’m reading the second book in the Mistborn series by Brandon Sanderson, and I’m only like 60 pages in but why do I feel like I’m being bombarded with constant reminders of how tiny Vin is?????

Like OKAY I GET IT she’s tiny and scrawny and looks really weak but at the same time she’s this really powerfull mistborn maybe even stronger than Kelsier but she LOOKS really weak but that’s to her advanta- *screams in frustrated woman because have to be strong but can’t look strong otherwise I’m no longer considered feminine but manly because looking strong can’t possibly be applied to women*

[qcomicsy]

Random convo I bet happen between civilians and vigilantes

Civilian: What hair product do you use man?? My man's hair is shiiiiining

Nightwing, chuckling: I just let it dry (lying)

Civilian: Naaaah, man I see you jumping from rooftop to rooftop everyday, tell me your secrets–

---

Gothamite: And who's gonna pay for this scratch on my car?!!!

Robin (Tim), trying damn hard to stay stealth: Don't you have insurance?

Gothamite, don't giving a fuck: No!

Robin: You should have–

Gothamite: You know what? HEY TWO-FACE–

Robin: No, no, no– Hold on–

Gothamite: HE'S RIGHT HE–

---

Gothamite: Okay- Cannabis is very much legal in L.A.

Batman: We're not in L.A.

Gothamite: Yeah that's funny because– *runs*

Batman: *Runs after him.*

---

Gothamite: See I don't hate you

Signal: Always good to hear that–

Gothamite: You doing a pretty good job.

Signal: I–

Gothamite, also a bus driver: But you gotta stop being thrown at my window–

Signal: I don't control where villains throw me.

Gothamite: Yeah bro– But you better start, otherwise there's gonna be one more out there–

---

Gothamite, also a security guard on his phone at 3 am: Yeah, no honey it's literally desert here–

Gothamite: HOLY SHIT

Batman:

Gothamite: Fucking warn a guy, mY GOD–

---

Gothamite: I thought you were taller.

Nightwing: I heard that a lot.

---

Gothamite: How do you see on that thing?

Batgirl (Cassandra):

Batgirl: I don't.

Gothamite, terrified: Oh okay–

---

Batman: Shouldn't you be at home?

Gothamite, who's also a teenager very much snicking out at four am: Shouldn't you mind you business?

Batman:

After being forcefully driven to home on the batmobile

Gothamite That was really unecessary–

---

Gothamite: Are you alone??? Where'd your dad? Where's Batman?

Robin (Tim Drake, early days): Batman's not my dad.

Gothamite:

Gothamite: See now I'm concerned.

Robin: Oh no–

Gothamite: What's is this a internship...? A job...?

Robin: You know what? Yeah, Pretty much.

Gothamite: Really? Oh okay, okay. I'm less concerned– Because–

Robin: Yeah I can see–

Gothamite: Like "is he kidnaping those children"?

Robin, chuckling: No, no–

Gothamite: You get paid?

Robin: Not really.

Gothamite: I'm back at being concerned–

---

Gothamite, from her window: Have you eaten yet?

Robin (Dick): No– (lying)

Gothamite: Oh, the poor child– Oh shame on you

Batman:

Gothamite: The poor kid– You're dragging him alone with you to fight crime on a empty stomach?

Batman:

Batman: I–

Gothamite: Unbelievable. I expected more on you– Hold on sweety I'll see If I have some cookies here to give you.

Dick: :)

---

Robin (Damian): Do I look like a fucking child?

Gothamite: Do you want me to answer that?

---

Old Gothamite being around the city since Batman year 1: You sound different.

Batman (Dick Grayson): No I don't.

Gothamite: Yes you do–

---

Gothamite: She looks different.

Gothamite: Mark is the same girl.

Gothamite: No honey, she looks different, she's was taller

Gothamite: Honey you're being paranoid.

Gothamite: She was a red-head!

Gothamite: Oh, Mark. Now the girl can't even dye her hair? Just because she's a Super-hero? Por girl can't even reinvent herself and people on this city start saying she's a different person?! Let her be! Her life must've be hard enough–

Gothamite: Jennet I swear to God that's not the same girl–

Batgirl (Stephanie), just trying to get some information:

Gothamite: You never notice when I change my hair–

[princess-of-the-corner]

My problem with Adrien's actions in Syren isn't his feelings, but the timing. Paris is flooded by an Akuma attack, thousands of people are DEAD and will stay so unless the Akuma is defeated, and THAT is the moment he threatens to quit unless Plagg tells him about the Guardian.

He's literally holding the city hostage for it.

He's literally fucking not he's doing the exact fucking opposite and the fact that I have to say this fcukign AGAIN about a years old episode is getting on my nerves so let's go over several facts here

1.) There is literally nothing Adrien can do right now.

Adrien already tried fighting Syren the old-fashioned way without the power-ups. He got his ass handed to him. So did Ladybug. That's why Ladybug fucked off to ask Fu if he had any ideas. If Adrien tried to do something again, he'd lose to Syren and get his Miraculous taken.

The only thing he can do is sit and wait for Ladybug and hope that she may have something for him to do. Which, for all he knows, she won't! Adrien doesn't know about the power-ups so Ladybug's probably going to come back with another Hero who has some water-themed powers who can save the day single-handedly!

2.) He's trying to do what he can

The whole GODDAMN POINT is that Adrien wants to help! He wants to do something! He thinks that if Plagg gives him all the information that Ladybug's being given, he may be able to find a solution and be a better and more useful Hero.

What else is he supposed to do right now? Jump in and fight Syren? I relegate you back to point #1! Think of a plan? He doesn't have all the information which is why he's trying to get Plagg to tell him!

3.) this is not the first time he's been relegated to uselessness.

Syren is early on but it's part of a long string of episodes painting Chat as very useless for anything other than Ladybug's emotional support cheerleader.

Adrien is making a point of how he isn't needed. Clearly! He can't do jack shit against this Akuma! He's just gonna sit on the rooftop looking pretty while Ladybug brings in yet another Hero to help where he can't. Chat is just one of many tools to her. What's the point of him when she has /better/ tools that are getting the job done and he's not even given basic respect?

4.) He's not even taking Chat Noir out of the equation.

Yes, Adrien threatens to quit as Chat. But he quite literally says why does it matter? Ladybug can just give the Miraculous to someone else! He doesn't matter! Not here, not in other fights! His presence means nothing to her outside of being a tool which can be replaced incredibly easily as shown with the other Heroes!

5.) This is not the first time Adrien has asked for answers!

Adrien has been begging everyone he can for more information in much nicer ways. But yes he finally hit a breaking point when it's thrown in his face how utterly he doesn't matter to the fight at all and all he can do is sit there and contemplate the situation instead of doing anything helpful because! Again! There's nothing for him to do! As the previous points show that fighting the Akuma is a bad idea and he can't make a better plan if he doesn't have more info!

It's not like he 'picked the worst time', he's been asking for a while now and is yet again asking and saying 'hey shits fucked I might be able to help if you tell me about it!!!"

All this to sum up is I want a genuine answer about what Adrien was supposed to do while Syren was happening that doesn't boil down to 'he should shut the fuck up about wanting to be an equal Hero Partner who is given info so he can handle things! How dare he want basic respect for the job he's doing! He should just sit and look pretty whule Ladybug handles everything until she needs her tool- i mean, until she needs him to use Cataclysm on something'.

[notdotspot]

Dp x Dc Stinky

Part. 1 Part. 2 Part. 3 Part. 4

Breakfast is never a quiet affair in the Wayne manor and Jason in his normal lateness expects everyone to be waiting for him to start. He takes his seat at the table and feels the emptiness next to him.

“Where’s Tim?”

“Sleeping,” Damian replies quickly. 

“Tim? Sleeping? Since when? He barely sleeps to start with much less sleeping in.” At Jason’s comment, the table seems to quiet, realizing just how odd it is. 

Steph speaks first, “I hate to admit it but Jason is right.”

“Hey!” He protests as she giggles into her hands.

Bruce jumps in before his children have the chance to turn the dining table into a warzone, “He has been having nightmares.” The group’s attention turns to him, so he continues, “Damian noticed he had not slept in days. By the time I approached him, he was delirious. I do not even know how he went on patrol like that.”

“B, it is not your fault. I can see you blaming yourself from here. You have to remember Tim was on his own for a long time. His parents did not care like you do and he is good at hiding his weaknesses,” Dick chimes in. The mood in the room is weighed with worry. 

“He will be fine. I told Titus to keep him in bed as long as possible. He will be better.” Luckily, everyone was distracted by Damian’s rare display of emotion, allowing them to shed some of their worry for their brother.

“Welp,” Jason stands, “Lovely family meal as always. Thank you, Alfred. See you later, losers. Places to be, people to see.” He then quickly made his way to the Batcave. Dressing quickly and grabbing his motorcycle. Crime Alley does not wait for him. Though Jason would be lying to himself if his only concern was fighting crime. 

Ever since he passed through that weird area in the Bat Burger two days ago, he has not seen a glimpse of the Pit Madness. Not even when he ran into a few Joker goons. An encounter like that would have meant lethal force, flashbacks, and a subsequent panic attack right there on the street, but it never came. He was in civilian clothes and did not even flinch to pull a phantom gun from its holster. He paused like any other person native to Gotham and was left scouring his brain for any clue about the miraculous cure he accidentally came across. 

It was not until he felt it again the previous night on a rooftop that he realized the affected air had an eerie green glow. So today, his mission is to find the source. 

Unfortunately for Jason though, other people do not care if he has something to do today. Now Jason is chasing some type of creature along the streets. 

“Why is this thing so fucking quick?” He yells into his helmet. He turns the corner to the alley it had disappeared down. Jason is forced to turn and brake quickly before he runs directly into the wall of the dead end. His gaze shoots up and the thing is waving at him. By the time he makes his way up the fire escape, it is gone. 

“Fast little shit,” he whispers under his breath. 

His earpiece cracks to life and he hears, “Need any help, Hood?”

“Are you not supposed to be having your little nap, Red? Where is Oracle?”

“Shut up! I slept enough. It is not like Dami or B will let me out on patrol anytime soon, and unlike you, Oracle has a day job. She is a functional member of society.” 

“I am dead to society. I am sorry I can not go work in a corner office at Wayne Enterprises.”

“Do you want help or not, asshole?”

“Yeah, sure. There is some creature racing around Crime Alley. Black tail, white hair, and Lazurus green eyes. I am sure Ras made it.”

“Green eyes?” Tim whispers. “I will come meet you.”

“No. No, you will not. You are on house arrest.” 

“In civilian clothes. I can ride on the bike with you. I need to see this thing.”

“No Red Robin?” 

“Yeah, no Red Robin.”

“Okay, meet me at the Bat Burger. You have to eat something first.”

“Be there in thirty minutes,” he says as the line disconnects. 

Jason signs. 

“Who are you talking to?”

If Jason were not trained to school his reactions, he would have lost his shit. He whips around to see the creature he has been chasing since he arrived this morning. He could now make out the features of a person. “Meta?” He thinks. “Oh? It has legs now, too”

“Who are you talking to?” 

“Red Robin,” he says cautiously. Jason can never be too careful. His hand finds his knife in his sleeve. “Why were you running?”

“Bored. No one to fight here.”

“Are you meta?” 

“Meta? I guess by your definition, yes.”

“Batman does not take too kindly to uninvited metas.”

“This is my first offense, though. No three strikes, you are out?”

“No.”

“Do not worry yourself, then. I am just on vacation. I only needed to stretch my legs.” The meta’s legs morph into a tail and back. 

“How long are you here for?” 

“I do not know. A few decades? A century? I lose track of time easily these days.”

Jason is slowly being lulled into a state of calm. He did not even notice his hand releasing his blade or his anxious caution leaking away. 

“You stink. Do you know that?” One sentence and Jason was snapped back to reality. He was questioning a potential threat and he was nowhere near able to defend himself.

“People keep telling me that,” he replies as casually as he can. His mind is panicking at how easily he lost his focus. He begins making up time. He observes the meta more, noticing the barely perceivable green fog leaching off of the person. A younger guy he is realizing. A young teenager maybe fourteen. 

“Wait,” he interrupts his own thoughts, “green glow and calming effect.”

“It might be the dirty ectoplasm you are carrying with you.” He does not linger on his newfound awareness. He is caught up in something entirely new.

“Ecto-what?”

“Ectoplasm. Glowing green goop. Radiating ghostly energy? Ring a bell?”

“Like a Lazurus Pit?”

“A what?”

Jason takes a breath to begin explaining but his phone ringing interrupts him. He answered without a second thought. 

“Where are you?” Tim says over the line. “I am here.”

“That was way less than thirty minutes.”

“No, it has been longer. Almost an hour.” Jason’s eyes flicker to the person floating in front of him. 

“Okay, I am not far. I am bringing a guest.” He ends the call as quickly as he had answered it. “What’s your name, kid?”

“You can call me Phantom.” He smiles.

“Do you eat burgers, Phantom?”

“I do!”

“Then, come on.”

---------

also on ao3

I am excited for the upcoming chapters

[olsenmyolsen]

Rooftop Meeting

maroon master list . dark master list . request marvel master list . short n’ sweet master list

Post Hawkeye - (Female Reader X Yelena Belova) [X Bishova if you squint]

Summary: You get saved in more ways than one. By more than one.

Word Count: 1.6K

Content: Suicidal Thoughts, Suicidal Tendencies, Feelings, Trauma, PTSD, CEO Kate Bishop, Protective Yelena

As the cool breeze of autumn slowly crept into the thin air of the later months did you finally stop caring.

About all of it.

This year... well, if we're being honest, these last couple of years hadn't been easy. It felt like one big fuck you after the other, and even when happy memories were made, and parties were celebrated. None of it seemed to matter.

And yeah, you tried talking to people. A therapist here or there. But they couldn't help you or understand you how you wanted. Or you failed to show up to them all together. They were nice but... you knew you had crossed a point with yourself.

So, with a deep sigh, you stepped onto the ledge of your employer's building in the middle of downtown.

Sure, there were other ways this could go. But stepping onto an invincible floor was more straightforward for your brain to process as opposed to shoving down pills.

So you step closer to the edge. However, the wind blew above the high rises, making you stumble back.

Were you scared?

"I wouldn't do that." A heavily accented voice spoke up behind you as a figure landed on the rooftop, making you jump and turn around with a startled look. You were expecting to see a security guard, but instead, you were greeted with the sight of a blonde in a green... superhero suit.

You quickly scanned the woman up and down and found the markings of the Black Widow on her weaponry.

Shit, she was hot and deadly.

"This would not be a cool way to die." The pretty blonde spoke as she stepped- no strutted past you to look over the edge. With a sigh, she shook her head. "Too messy."

Your eyes tracked her and her calm demeanor. She knew you were thinking about jumping and was making jokes?

She walked past you again and pulled out her phone.

Is she texting?

Was your suicide attempt boring her?

"Who are you?" You asked as a small part of you thought she might be a ghost from your past. Or just an actual hero. You haven't seen too many of them lately.

Well, aside from the one spider-guy.

The blonde finished typing on her phone before she put it away and looked over at you before smiling and walking towards you. "I'm Yelena." She stuck out her fingerless gloves hand and shook yours. Her touch was soft but firm. "What's your name?" She asked as she looked into your eyes.

Did people look at people like this?

Was she flirting?

Or was she thinking of all the ways she could save you?

"I'm Y/n."

Yelena smiled back before softly dropping your hand. She then began to walk around on the rooftop as if she had nothing going on. You kept your eyes on her.

"Are you just going to hang out?" You asked.

Yelena shrugged. "Are you going to jump?" Her voice remained stoic. "Why? Are you going to try and save me?" You asked a little more defensively than you meant to. The blonde noticed. "Do you want me to?" Yelena asked as she crossed her arms over her chest and tilted her face to you.

For the first time in a while, you felt a sliver of hope.

Yet you became quiet.

Did you want her to save you?

"Y/n?" She asked when you didn't answer. Your eyes found hers. She stepped closer. Her body language had become gentle. "Y/n..?" This time, you looked at her. Yelena saw tears in your eyes, but they didn't drop.

She wasn't going to let anything happen to you.

"Are you really a Black Widow?" You asked after a beat of silence. Your eyes stared at Yelena, and your mind was fighting between having someone save you or trying again...

"I was," Yelena answered. You tilted your head. "You're not now?" The blonde shook her head. "It's different... Not like the Black Widow you knew. Not like Natasha."

"You knew Natasha Romanoff?" You asked, a little shocked that this person knew a previous Avenger. She nodded, and her gaze moved away before returning to your eyes. "Why are you up here?"

You shifted away from Yelena.

"Y/n?" She wanted you to look at her. But when you didn't, she nodded to herself and backed a few steps away.

That action made you look up to her.

Was she leaving?

"Just so you know, if I really wanted to, I would've knocked you out already and taken you someplace safe." You looked at the Widow. You believed her. "So why didn't you?"

Yelena sighed. "Not everyone gets a choice sometimes. Sometimes, they think they have it one or the other. But still... I wanted you to choose." You swallowed and nodded lightly. "I would've jumped after you and saved you if you did it... or if you still want to go through with it." Her voice got quiet, and you knew she was serious.

You looked from her and back to the edge of the rooftop. Slowly, your feet started dragging their way. Each step feeling more daunting than the last.

Could you even go through with it?

You stood and carefully looked over the edge. "You're right!" You spoke loudly before turning your head to Yelena. "This would not be a cool way to die." She smiled at you and walked carefully towards you. "Messy." She stated once again.

You knew you wouldn't hop on the ledge now and jump, but that left you wondering what was next...

"Yelena..." You moved your head to your right to look at her, who was already looking at you. "What happens to me now? Do I just go home? Are you going to send me somewhere?"

Yelena shook her head. "No. I'm not." She reassured you even if a small part of her thinks she should. And yes, the irony is not lost on the blonde woman who went on a murderous rampage after she lost her sister.

You nodded. "I don't want to be alone..." You quietly spoke, afraid Yelena would leave you to your own exhausted mind. Yet she shook her head. "I know a place we can go." She carefully moved closer to your side. "Is it okay?" She asked as she lifted her arm over your body.

When you nodded, she placed her arm around you and walked with you to the door to the rooftop.

The two of you didn't talk as you rode the elevator down to the underground parking garage. You didn't speak when Yelena hot-wired a car from the lot. Instead, you sat in the comfortable silence hanging in the air between you. You knew you were safe, and that was just enough right now.

You looked at Yelena's side profile as she drove. Yes, of course, she was downright stunning, but the other part of you was surprised by her calmness to everything happening.

"Have you done this before?" You asked with tenderness in your voice. Yelena looked over at you before looking back to the road. "Done what?"

"Save someone from..." Yelena thought. "Kinda." She answered. "I've saved people, but it's rare. When you can do what I do... you don't do a lot of the saving." Yelena kept her eyes on the road, but you knew a story existed for another time. So you nodded and hummed.

Yelena glanced towards you. "Someone saved me." She said before clearing her throat. You pulled your eyes back to the blonde. "After..." Yelena snapped her fingers. "I was lost like a lot of people. More alone than ever. I went to do something that I thought would make a small part of it all better, but... I was wrong." Yelena glances toward you. "My anger turned into sadness."

You felt for Yelena. "It's better to be sad than angry."

She nods and laughs a little before she not so subtly wipes her eye. "But I'm taking you to the person who saved me. My girlfriend."

"Ouch." You quietly whispered as you looked out and onto the road. Yelena shook her head with a smile at your hushed words. "You're still charming in your own way."

You chuckled and blushed.

A few moments later, Yelena and you pulled up to an apartment above a pizza place. Yelena explained to you that it was her girlfriend's second home—a place to unwind and try to be her authentic self. You nodded as she let you in and laughed when two dogs came to greet you at the door. You couldn't remember the last time you stopped and petted a dog.

However, what happened on the rooftop wasn't even the most shocking part of the evening. No, it was when Yelena's girlfriend stood up to greet you. Because technically, she was your boss and heir to the Bishop's claim.

Kate Bishop smiled and walked towards you.

She was dating the Yelena, The White Widow.

"So, is that why you were on that rooftop tonight?" Yelena nodded, and her eyes gestured at Kate—someone who spoke with their hands and a bandage over their nose.

Was she The Hawkeye you've seen in the papers?

Kate looked at you, and after your initial shock wore off, she smiled wide.

She explained how, for the last few months, she had slowly seen how distant you've become, how you seemed to fall behind on work. Or not even be present. How you stopped being... you.

It hurt Kate as your boss and someone who could be your friend. After talking with Yelena about it over and over the blonde of the pair tracked you on tonight of all nights.

That night, everything changed for the better.

And now, five months later, you're sitting between your best friends.

Now, the question is: how do you tell them about your crush?

dividers by @/benkeibear

[op-sys-chaos]

DPxDC Danny and Jason Prompt

Phantom and Robin knew each other in the Infinite Realms. A newly dead Robin had helped the young Ghost King in a fight when a group of ghosts had tried to kill him. (Danny hadn’t done anything wrong in their eyes per se, they just wanted a fully dead king so they tried to beat him up enough for him to switch back so they could kill him.) Robin had jumped in to help, and the two 15 year olds had become fast friends.

For the 6 months that Jason was dead, the two explored the realms. Danny was often gone living his life, but when he had the time the two would explore the realms together. But eventually, in the middle of a conversation, Jason vanished, having been resurrected.

Being king, Danny sensed it and shrugged. They had barely told each other anything about their personal lives but Jason knew that Danny Phantom was a half a who protected a small town in the middle of nowhere that was shielded from the outside world by a curse and Danny knew that Jason was a superhero named Robin, sidekick of another hero called Batman, and worked in a big city called Gotham. (Dealer’s choice if Lady Gotham occasionally joined the two for tea during this time or if she doesn’t exist.)

The next five years, the two have no contact. They’re off doing their own thing. But then the GIW captures Danny and, being government, takes him to their main base in DC. They get him there, and begin vivisecting him.

The vivisection is interrupted by the Fentons breaking down the door, insisting that their little boy be given back (he was taken as a human after a transformation back after a rough fight happened in front of the GIW agents). When they see Phantom, though, they drop their weapons and ask to join the vivisection, even if only as observers. “If we can watch the vivisection, and you hand us back our son safe and sound afterwards, we’ll pretend this never happened,” they say. The GIW sees their chance and agrees, fully intending to break the deal. The vivisection continues.

But because two heavily armed crazy people broke into a government base, someone’s noticed. Wonder Woman saw the pair enter the building from the sky and asked Batman to research the place. He comes back a few hours later with horrifying results about who the organization is and what they’re up to. Wonder Woman starts tearing the place down with her bare hands.

In the chaos and confusion, the GIW agents and the Fentons go off to stop what they assume is an evil ghost. Danny takes the chance and, with a whole lot of effort and a little luck that the GIW was stupid enough to leave a “free the guy on the table” button in the room, he escapes. (Tiny balls of ice flicked at a button at a high velocity are apparently enough to press it. It just took him a minute to be accurate, especially since his powers were barely working at all.)

With nowhere to go, Danny decides to run to the only place besides Amity that he’s ever heard of.

Gotham City.

Holding his insides together with his hands, Danny flies out of the building and manages to find a map (probably from a friendly tourist that’s too used to seeing weird shit bc it’s the DC universe) that tells him where he is and how to get to Gotham. He reaches it in an hour. And promptly collapses on a rooftop. Turns out, flying hundreds of miles immediately after a vivisection while holding your insides together is exhausting.

He’s laying there when a few Bat people come upon him. They start panicking; who’s the glowing dude holding his insides together with his arms while passed out on a rooftop?

Moments later, more batfamily members join them. All are confused, until Red Hood grapples in, takes one look at the guy on the ground, and says “Phantom?”

Everyone looks at Jason, but he’s staring at the guy on the ground. He rushes forward and his knees buckle as he kneels next to Phantom. “Phantom!” Jason exclaims, giving him the gentlest of shakes so as not to disturb his injuries while still waking him up.

Phantom cracks an eye open. He sees the man in front of him and, despite the very different outfit and the face-covering helmet, whispers “Robin?”

From here, the fic goes into Danny healing from his wounds, Jason and Danny revealing how they know each other, Jason and Danny freaking out the Justice League because they straight up didn’t tell anyone that Danny’s the ghost king but Constantine recognizes the king and has a mental breakdown about it, and maybe even some Jason/Danny slowburn!

[audliminal]

It's Just a Game, Right? Pt 4 Redux

Masterpost

Tim turns his head at the soft their of a grappling hook, and a moment later, Steph joins him on the roof of the building.

"Not much happening tonight, huh?"

"Yeah, I guess," Cars rush past on the street below. The city is as alive as it ever is, but somehow the night feels unnervingly quiet. He knows he should be glad that everything’s calm right now; it meas people are safe, happy. There’s not a single sign of explosions or alarms going off in their vicinity, and that’s the goal.

"You don't sound very sure about that," Steph says, stepping up beside Tim and elbowing him lightly.

"Yeah," Tim watches as a stupidly expensive sports car changes lanes without signaling. The person behind them has to hit the brakes, and the blare of a car horn cuts through the relative quiet. It’s rude as hell, and technically it is illegal behavior, but it’s not the kind of thing a vigilante can solve, so he stays put on the roof.

"Okay, you're being weird,” Steph cuts through the prolonged silence. “What's up?"

Tim shrugs.

"Guess I'm just used to emergencies," He knows Steph wouldn't be weird about him bringing up Bernard, but he feels crazy enough, thinking about Bernard’s game. The last thing he wants is the other bats saying anything about it. And he really doesn’t want to make it sound like he’s compromised.

"Okay..." Steph trails off. "I mean I guess it has been pretty hectic for a while. Takes a bit of time to come down from all that?"

Tim is saved from having to respond by the sound of Oracle cutting into comms.

"Red Robin, Spoiler, looks like a store robbery in progress and you're the closest. Head for the intersection of 25th and Oak."

"Got it," Tim answers with some relief. He doesn't wait for Steph's response; just steps back, and takes a running jump off the building, glad to be on the move again.

Pretty soon they're both dropping in on a pair of goons. One of them is aiming their gun directly at a frazzled-looking employee, who doesn't seem interested in putting up a fight.

Two-on-two makes it an incredibly easy fight though, and it's almost over before it begins, with both of them able to sneak up on the distracted thugs as the cashier hurriedly pulls money out of the cash register. Once they're both in position, it's easy enough to grapple, disarm, and restrain them in a flurry of movement, and the criminals never get a chance to even process the arrival of the bats.

"Not today, I think," Spoiler says as she handcuffs her guy. "Threatening people with guns is a real dick move, y'know?" Tim gets his guy handcuffed and turns to the startled employee.

"Cops on the way yet?" He gets a frantic nod, and Tim surveys the shop as he waits for the sirens. They'll bounce just before the cops get here, but until then, he wants to look around for any signs of something bigger. The two would-be thieves seem too shocked and terrified at the appearance of bats to be proper goons, but they could still be bait, or a distraction of some kind. And the shop itself could theoretically have been targeted. He lets Spoiler guard the thieves, and makes a quick loop of the aisles, scanning for anything of interest, but when he finds nothing of note, he silently falls back in beside Spoiler.

"Right, the police are almost here, so we're gonna bounce!" Spoiler announces, just as Tim returns to her side. "Tell your boss I said you should get hazard pay for the night, 'kay?" and then she bounces out the same way they came in. Tim nods once at the employee and then follows.

He changes directions once he's on the rooftops again, though. He’d felt his wrist buzz approximately six times as he cased the shop, and that many messages means it’s either Bernard or one the Young Justice crowd. Either way, he’d rather check his messages in peace, so he grapples over to a nice out of the way spot, and checks his wrist computer.

Dude

Babe, holy shit

Like seriously

This is fucking crazy

Like I cannot believe they replied to us

Us!!!

Attached to the series of texts is a screenshot of Bernard’s phone, open to the forum he’d shown Tim. Falling back onto the flats of his feet, Tim closes his eyes and takes a deep breath, then looks closer at the screenshot.

At first glance, he can't tell what language it's supposed to be. It looks like it might be Romantic in origin, but a couple spellings look almost Slavic in nature, and there's only two and a half lines, which really isn't much to go off of.

It's certainly an interesting development, to say the least. He should be excited. This is a new clue for the mystery, after all.

No way! Tim sends back.

Yeah! U busy? Comes the immediate response. And like, technically the answer is yes, Tim supposed. But Steph literally just pointed out how calm things are tonight, and he can already tell he won't be able to focus, with this news.

"Um," Tim says into his comm. "I think I'm gonna call it for tonight."

"Something wrong?" Bruce asks immediately, all gruff-batman-voice.

"No, just- it's slow tonight, and Bernard wants my help with something so I thought it would be fine. If you want me to finish my patrol, I can." He can't help it. Even now, he always kind of feels like he isn't doing enough to be a good vigilante.

"Nah, kid. I think we'll be fine without you." Hood answers, unsurprisingly.

"You're sure?"

"Yeah go make out with your boyfriend or whatever."

Tim smiles at Hood's usual snark. It’s familiar in a steadying sort of way. He used to blush furiously whenever the others teased him about Bernard, but now it just feels like an easy constant. It’s maybe the most normal thing in his life, if he’s being honest.

"Okay. I'll make sure to get my report submitted by eight, promise." Tim is already en route to the nearest safe-house where he can change out of the suit, when he remembers he hasn't responded to Bernard yet.

Heading home rn. My place or yours? He hits send and then takes off once more. Excited to see his boyfriend, and determined to work through the newest puzzle.

[blood-red-hummingbee]

Young and Dumb

NOT TWST, THIS IS FOR MY YOUNG JUSTICE DC SONA

She’d known him her whole life. They’d lived in the same shitty, run-down apartment building, and become fast friends, bonding over their propensity for fist-fighting at school and love of books. Riley had been the first and only person Jason had told about his home life. Her family may have been just as poor as his, but their door was always open to him, a warm meal and love waiting. When Willis got hauled away and Catherine OD’d, they’d tried to take him in, but he didn’t let them, despite how he obviously wanted to. They were living on a single mother’s minimum wage budget. Even in Crime Alley, that wouldn’t support five people. He was still over as often as they assured him they could afford though.

Then it happened. He got picked up by Bruce Wayne. He’d called them from his own phone, explaining every detail. Riley found it suspicious, but he’d promised that he’d tell her if anything bad happened. He never broke his promises.

A year after Jason got taken in by Gotham’s sweetheart, a new Robin showed up. She’d read about how he was violent, more so than the last Robin, not hesitating to shatter bones and wreck people’s shit. She liked the new Robin more, to be honest. She met him for the first time when she was fourteen. She’d stopped by a cafe on her way back from a binge at the library, and of course, that’s when someone chose to hold it up. Minutes after the man in the ski mask had burst into the building, Robin was charging through the doors, dealing with the robber with a few well placed kicks.

The room was silent after watching the brightly colored teen wipe the floor with the man with a gun - except for Riley. She’d laughed, drawing attention to herself, though she didn’t particularly care. Even with the whited-out lenses of his domino mask, she could feel Robin’s eyes on her, his lips curled up into a smirk. She matched it, meeting his gaze - as best she could anyway.

After that, she’d kept an eye out for the boy, not that she expected to run into him again for real. Until, one night.

She was out on her apartment’s small balcony, just enjoying the fresh air (well, as fresh as Gotham air could get), when across the street, she spotted a figure. She cocked her head, glancing around for anyone, before indulging her intrusive thoughts, and waving at the silhouette. After a moment, the figure jumped to another roof, seeming to ignore her. If it’d even noticed her in the first place. She should probably be thankful if it didn’t notice her. It was Gotham after all, and no one wanted attention from random people on rooftops if they were sane.

She shivered, pulling her small blanket around her and turning to go inside.

“Cold?”

She jumped, turning and whipping her fist out at the sudden voice. Robin just barely avoided her hit, leaning back just out of reach, perched on the small railing. She had two thoughts at that moment and voiced both of them.

“You’re an asshole, that was rude. And get off of there, it’s old and flimsy, and we can’t afford to replace it!” She waved her hand at him angrily, while he gaped at her slightly. “I mean it, off! You break it, you buy it!”

He plopped onto the balcony, crowding her slightly. She narrowed her eyes at him. “What are you doing?”

He smirked mischievously, leaning back on the railing. “I dunno, you’re the one who invited me over. That’s a bad idea, by the way. There’re weirdos out there. It’d be a shame for a pretty lil’ thing like you to pique their interest.”

She raised her eyebrows at the compliment, noting the distinct Narrows accent. “Says you.”

He clasped his hands and brought them to his chest, then down to his waist, swaying slightly and grinding the toe of his boot against the concrete. She’s sure that he was fluttering his eyelashes under his domino. “Aw, you think I’m purty?”

She snorted, resisting the urge to punch him in the arm. “No, you’re a weirdo. You go around flirting with every chick that waves at you? You should know I’m a minor and have lots of pepper spray.”

He half-laughed half-squawked, an action that seemed very familiar to her…

While he spluttered out a defense - ‘Wha- I’m not- I don’t-’ - she studied him a bit closer. She sucked at names, but she never forgot a face. Not in Gotham where seeing a person more than once was most likely evidence of something bad.

The slope of his nose, the shape of his jaw and the chubby cheeks peeking out from under his mask. His wavy black hair, and the way his left front tooth stuck out just a bit farther than his right…

The realization struck her abruptly, and she didn’t quite know how to feel. Several things made sense suddenly, though. 

Her best friend was Robin.

… Was she gonna have to tell him about her powers now?

Part Two!

[sea-of-dust]

So you're not gonna give me any?

Sin, Giovanna, Bridget, Happy Chaos

Summary: You made food for yourself, not expecting them to want any.

Notes: Thought I didn't play Guilty Gear, did ya 😼. I have you know I've been stalking that game for bedman so I can go back to my fighting game addiction. (ignore the x reader hastag I beg of you)

Warnings: Suggestive humor, swearing, fought Bridget more times than I read her lore forgive me-

Mostly platonic

Gender Neutral Reader

You do this to him of all people? You got some guts I'll give you that. Casually flipping burgers that dude smells them miles away I shit you not.

"Sol you mind if we go home early?" "We're in the middle of a bounty." "There's burgers being made..." "..."

You were pretty much done then your door almost goes flying off its hinges. "YOU MADE ANY FOR ME-" He comes into your house out of breath seeing two burgers. Naturally he presumes ones for him. "Oh...I thought you already ate" he looked at you like you said the most offensive thing to ever hit gods green earth.

You lift your plate and go to your living room proceeding with your day as if nothing had just happened while he's still there stunned.

First tactic! Sneaking it away! Leaning over you, he tries to reach over frightened when you grab his arm or push his hand back. You held his hand one of those times. You paused the show you were watching and turned to him. "Please?" The puppy dog eyes are out now. You didn't give him an answer, turning back around you, trying to hold back a laugh.

Time for tactic two! A trade. He hops over your couch leans over to you. "Hey... Hey! I'll tell you anything you wanna know. " "Like what? " he blushes before whispering in your ear. "Like how babies are made" you gave him the most narly side eye. "I already know" a long silence. "HUH?!" he jumps back in surprise, "so you know they come outta your eye?!" You turn to him fully with a slow, confused turn "So wouldn't that mean... you have a kid?" Now he's confused "no?" "so you got an abortion." "..." No burgers were obtained. You just laughed at him.

His last tactic, the most effective one, distraction! "Hey, look at this!" He shows you something on his phone. "Yea, that is pretty wild," as he reaches you push them away. "You know what's crazier?" You put your hand below his chin. "What-" Your smile widens. You lean closer to him he leans in progressively, getting more flustered. "Ho" "AH" ya breathed in his face. Lemme tell you burgers are good until you gotta smell ya breath afterward.

So far, all he got from you was teasing and burger breath to the face. Hes heartbroken . He knows this is how you like to tease him but like...really? With burgers? Certain kinda evil to do that.

As tries to get up, you stop him. "You can have it," you hand him the plate. He looks at you, his eyes sparking. "Really?" "Yea, never intended to finish it anyway." "So you did make one for me!" "Maybe I did." You smile to yourself, looking back at your show as he you hear him quite litterally tear the poor thing up.

"Thank you y/n!" He hugs you rubbing your cheek agenst his. "Eh! burger breath burger breath!" "What? Can't handle a taste of your own medicine?" You try to wiggle out of his embrace. "I'll repay you next time!" "You know how to cook?" You stop to look at him "Yea! Sugar water!" "....what"

Sleep with one eye open she's taking the other one.

She's not as angry as you think, but she is kinda internally upset.

You two casually sitting on the rooftop that she usually hung out on. You were both sitting together when you opened up a box of snacks eating them while looking off into space.

She looked at you baffled, chuckling a bit. "Any for me?" "Huh? I thought you ate" "....nope~" She opens her mouth expectingly "it's past your lunch break tho..." "I gave my food to Rei..." you look up at Rei the spirit agreeing with her.

"Alright I guess I could give you some" Both of them look up excitedly as you pull out one of the snacks. Giovanna slightly getting ontop of you.

"Feed it to me" "😨" Even Rei looks over at her confused before going back to snacks. "Think your getting too comfortable around me" "isn't that a good thing~" She leaves her mouth open leaning closer you placing one of the snacks in her mouth then Reis.

This went on for a while you had to open a few more. Your starting to think she isn't hungry but just messing with you so you stop feeding her. She didn't really care at first...no she does. "Could have just old me you didn't wanna share" "oh thank god"

Thinking you can go back to eating normally, you look back into the sky. The only thing you see is a cloud formation before Gio moves in front of you, her eyes squinted. "Just one?" "Wdym just one?!" "Gimmie another." "How much did you really give Rei?!?" You gave her two. She ate both of them Rei looking at her offended opens its mouth, you oblige. Your praying for someone to save you at this point. Praying for Leo to come outta nowhere and use his depression rizz on her.

You gave her the whole box as a peace treaty and pulled out your phone texting Leo. "Bro, get up to the roof. I think she might eat me next" "what happened-" "she ate all my food again..." "sigh...I'll be there" As you put your Phone away Reis staring into your soul with a second box that you had in your bag. "nooo" you whisper trying to make sure Gio dosent hear you. "Oh so you had another~" "AHHHHHH" as soon as your savior gets there its too late she's eaten your lunch only leaving two pieces behind for you. Least she's too busy fawning over him to bother you now

"It's that guy I was talking about!" She looks over at Rei your food still all over her mouth. "....do we take him home" Rei looks at her and nods "but last time you said knock him out why am I listening to you" she shakes her head. "Sorry dude" you text Leo before leaving the roof. "Worry for what?" He could barely finish the text before you heard something hit the ground along with really bad and sarcastic sounding flirting.

How could you do that to someone so cute!! Was mostly likely what was going on in her brain. Soft pancakes cooked to perfection and stacked so neatly the local Dennys would hire you in an instant.

She tries to reach her hand on to one of the stacks when you put it down with a gentle push. "Whatcha doing" "trying to have a pancake" "that's for my job tho-" "as a Dennys fry cook-" "no there giving out a promotion to the person who cooks the best" "oooo"

Slightly caring about that she tries not to take one but just the scent of the batter slowly cooking to perfection she's fighting alot of urges to just take one and run. Too bad you always notice...

"Bridget, there isn't enough to make extra dont." "You filled like 2 plates already ones to the ceiling!" "Good that's almost the department" "what if I apply to your job" "you would quit because it wasnt as fun as bounty hunting or they didnt allow Rodger in office" you know her too well...but do you know Roger!!

You indeed also knew Roger well. You sat him up like an elf on a shelf way too high for her to reach even when climbing something. Only reason you could get up there was cause you weren't afraid to jump high while looking werid-her words

Now, while also trying to snag a cake, she's whinging over Roger. You had to grab her out of the way of hot butter flying out. Casually flipping pancakes while holding her waist... you're a little too casual with this. She's also very used to grabbing you tightly. "Told you not to get in the way. You alright?" "....im..." a short silence after you let her go to flip over the pancakes before checking her. "IM TOO CUTE TO BE GRABBED THAT WAY!" "Pardon-" "No one should fling around a cute girl like that!" She flales her arms around. This is an inside joke between you two at this point, you fluster her and she becomes a child, it's like the air balloon that's labeled her brain finally landed.

"Your right I'm too attractive to fling around girls like that" you smirk "not funny!" She looks angry before you both burst out laughing. "Heh....you'll never get over that cute thing" you sigh checking on the pancakes. "You flustered me that isn't fair cheep shot" "oh please that was the first time that happened. 'I'm too cute to be carried!'" "AH" she covers her face when you mention that.

You were almost done shoving the pancakes into plastic containers, and you bring out the fruits and begin to decorate them. She's watching in total awe. The way all of them were perfectly placed made her even more hungry than before. As soon as she tries to grab one you grab her wrist a little too fast. You were like halfway across a table how did you get here so quick?!

"How about this... you go to my room wait there...and when I call you you'll come down" she was going to give you the good ol puppy eyes when she saw just how scary you looked. Your eyes void of purity, she's pretty sure she could see your eye bags getting darker. She walked upstairs as you grabbed Roger with the same scary face and watched him run up the stairs to her. You got back to packing and began to cook for a final time.

"BRIDGET!" You call out to her. "Yea wha- WOAH-" she spots a pancake stack on the table. Neatly decorated with light syrup and frosting. "This this is all for -" she looks at you excitedly. "It's for you," you nod tired. Roger looks up at you expectingly as you present him a smaller batch. You get something for them to drink and place it down, but Bridget still looks up at you. "What's up?" "..." You fold your arms before realizing what she wants. You peel a bannana to halfway and attaching eyes to the part that still had a peel while cutting off the unpeeled parts, giving it to Roger. "It's nannerpus!" You calmly exclaim, placing the banana on Bridget's pancakes neatly. She begins to eat, avoiding nanerpus on her pancakes, smiling widely. You smile at her and Rodgers satificastion and sit down on the couch, exhausted falling asleep right then and there. You feel a blanket come over your figure as you drift off as well as a pat on the head. "Sleep well k? You did alot" Bridget whispers.

Sleep with both eyes open

Wdym you're cooking and nones for him? Smelling up the damn house and expecting him not to want. WDYM, IT'S NOT HIS HOUSE TU CASA ES MI CASA-

Horid Spanish and jokes aside, he's looking over your shoulder the entire time. He's so excited he's like a toddler. "Watchu doin-" "making something that's not for you~" "but this is usually the time we eat lunch" "wdym we you don't even live here- watch out" casually moving him out the way. "And put a shirt on I bought you an oversized one." "Oh but I thought I don't live here" "you don't"

The guys pretty inlove with pissing you off. An entertaining reaction from such a reserved human...oh he's gonna keep doing this. He's gonna keep doing this till he gets bored...witch is great because guess who he's going to when bored!

He's like a blue shark gummy growing the sentience of a toddler...no he is one...too bad the shark gummies basically God too. "Hey so uh" he comes back into the kitchen one of your shirts on "I placed in IN AN ODVIOUS SPOT this time and you WO" thw foods casually exploding in front of you. "HOW THE HELL DID THAT EVEN HAPPEN? Swear i thought i did it righ this time..." "Does that mean we can make ice cream sandwiches now?" "...istg"

Why is he so...giddy? Forced to pull out the ice cream tubes, he also personally watched you buy for this exact momment, you make the ice cream into spheres while side eyeing him. "Get the cookies." "The frosted sugar cookies?" "...the ones in the fridge." "Alright, alright." Lord, save you. I-no left you with him for two seconds. Now he's more attached to you than the random gem on the floor he found.

You were finally done placing them into the cookies, gave one to him, and sat down. Peacefully... "So what came first the chicken or the egg the answer is the enigma" "OH MY FUCKING GOD"

You cover your ears, but he just gets closer and closer with more monologs. "We're just cowboy outlaws on this wild west" "I'm going to kick you in the face"

He goes infront of your face with a wide smile. Meaning what you say you kicked em in the face. "Woh ho ho. It seems the outlaw wants to be remembered instead of living to tell the tale~" "you wouldn't kill me" "what makes you so sure?" "Then you'd have no one to piss off daily after sol badguy left the world" "..." You caught him finally getting him to be quiet.

You use this time to walk upstairs and locking the door and going under the covers. "Finally freedom..." You smile to yourself. "That guy's so annoying..." "I know right!" "..." You turn to see the jolly blue man staring at you at the edge of your bed his head joining you under the covers "...."

[thebluestbluewords]

Anything You Like (the Jaylos-but-also-polyamory part)

More of my Soulmate AU! This section got wildly out of hand. Like, almost a third of my WIP-document out of hand. Loosely based on the Isle of the Lost book canon, so warning for bullying and terrible parenting.

+

"Get back here!" Jay shouts desperately at the kid disappearing as fast as his skinny legs can carry him, around the corner of the market street and deep into the maze of stalls. "I'm not--" 

Not what, his rational, thinking brain offers. Not going to hurt him? 

That's a stupid thought. Life on the island is all about hurting people. 

Jay hurts people for fun, and for class, and just because there are people in his way and he's finally starting to be one of the bigger, stronger kids who can get away with hurting other people instead of being the one who's hurt all the time. He's done his time as a little kid, and it feels... better to be the one in control, instead of the one who's always running and hiding and trying to avoid the people who want to hurt him. It's not like Jay can really run from his problems, not when they're all stuck on the same shitty island together with adults who want to leave him bleeding or dead or worse, but now that he's bigger, he can start fighting them instead of trying to run all the time. 

His soulmate isn't very big yet. Probably not big enough or strong enough to fight off an adult. 

Jay is not nice, and he is not kind, and he lives on the Isle of the Lost, so he doesn't, can't, care about other people like he cares about himself. He's not anybody else's top priority, so he's got to be his own number one. 

He's already got two soulmates to deal with, and a third one, especially a fast little third one who bites and squirms and has a knife and no sense of when he should use it shouldn't be something Jay is thinking about. He should make the smart choice, and swipe a new pair of gloves to cover the mark, and never think about it again. 

Yeah. That would be the smart thing to do. 

Conceal it, don't feel it, don't let it show. That's what they do on the mainland when they've got inconvenient feelings, and that's what Jay should do about this new soulmark and the inconvenient, annoying soulmate who comes with it. He should put it somewhere under his gloves, in the back of his mind, and never think about it again. 

He’s not going to, but it’s what he should do. Objectively speaking. It’s probably what Mal would tell him to do too, if she knew about this new soulmate. 

Jay should tell her. They’re each other’s first real marks. It’s not supposed to mean something on the isle of the lost, but it sometimes does anyway. They’re a villain-and-sidekick duo. Or, on their bad days, sidekick and sidekick. Sometimes everything goes wrong, and neither of them is feeling up to claiming responsibility for a scheme gone sideways, so they call themselves both sidekicks, trying to prop each other up without a proper villain to work around. Two useless lackeys with only each other to command. 

A pebble bounces off Jay’s head. 

Shit. If he were less lucky, the rock could have been a bottle, or a knife, or—

“Dude!” His soulmate shouts from the rooftop of the shitty cauldron store. The very easily accessible roof of the shitty cauldron store.  “Are you coming up or not?”

Right. 

One jump over the stack of third-rate cauldrons, and it’s an easy grab for the crumbling ladder on the side of the building. The momentum makes the ladder creak, but Jay’s been doing this for ages, and he’s not heavy enough to pull it out of the brick yet. He can’t quite get the leverage to do something cool, like backflip up onto the roof, but he can pull with his arms instead of his core, which is stupid and going to hurt later, but it makes his biceps pop. 

His soulmate probably doesn’t care what his arms look like. He’s probably some sad nerd who’s never looked at a guy in his life, and it’s just a coincidence that they’re marked for each other. Probably. Anything else would be almost good, and if there’s one kind of thing that never happens on the isle, it’s goodness. 

So, coincidence it is. 

+

Jay's new soulmate glares at him.  "You wanted to talk?" 

It’s probably not the best choice, seeing as the only reason they’re here is because Jay’s soulmate let him catch up, but it’s too fun to mess with him. “You don't?" Jay asks, keeping his face neutral. No point in giving anything away yet. He’s not above having fun with this. “Thought you’d want to get to know each other a bit. Seeing as we’re soulmates and all.” 

The kid glares back at him. Jay knows everyone at school, and he knows perfectly well who Carlos DeVil is, but they’ve never actually talked outside of school before. 

Actually, they’ve never really talked in school either. Sure, they’ve traded insults in the hall, and done their fair share of shouting at each other in class when Jay gets bored and starts throwing things into their weird science beaker, but they’ve never just…. talked. 

It’s weird, actually. 

Carlos folds his arms, defensive-like.  "Nothing to talk about. We're soulmarked, yay.” he rolls his eyes, somehow turning the ‘yay’ into the most sarcastic noise the isle’s seen in the last eighteen years. “You're still going to beat me up at school. I'm still gonna--" 

He stops, abruptly. 

"Gonna what?" Jay asks, fascinated despite himself. "Don't just stop there, man. What're you going to do now?" 

Carlos glares harder. "Nothing. Shut up." 

Jay is absolutely not going to do that. He's got another soulmate, and he's a fucking nerd, and he was definitely going to say something interesting. "Nope," Jay says cheerfully. His soulmate might be grumpy and nervous right now, but Jay's having a great time now that they're actually talking. "We're soulmarked now, so you've got to tell me. That's the rules." 

"We're on the isle. We don't have rules." 

"The cosmic rules of the universe. Soulmarks are like the one kind of magic we have over here, dude. Don't ruin the magic for me by saying you don't know the rules." 

Carlos looks pissed. "There aren't rules!" 

"Nu-uh,” Jay says, letting his voice fall into something light and almost singsong. “There totally are. The rules are that you have to tell me what you're thinking." 

"I'm thinking that you're a jerk." Carlos snaps. “And this is the stupidest thing I’ve ever done, and the stupidest thing you’ve ever done, and you should’ve just bought better gloves and never fucking touched me in the first place.”

"Cool.” Jay says brightly. He’s never had someone tell him when they’re thinking honestly before, and it’s sort of intoxicating. He could get used to his kind of thing. “I'm thinking that we should stick together. I'll introduce you to Mal tomorrow, if that's cool?" 

"I know who Mal is. Everyone at school knows Mal." 

“Nah,” Jay says, not even bothering to hide his smile. He’s definitely going to introduce Carlos to Mal tomorrow, and they’re going to get along like a house on fire, because they’re both assholes.  “You know about Mal. You don't know her. Nobody else really knows her, not like me. And you, cause I'm going to introduce you." 

"What if I don't want that?" 

He obviously does want it. Nobody at school except for an idiot would turn down an invite to get out of Mal’s bad graces, and Carlos isn’t an idiot. Jay wouldn’t have spent the last sixteen years taking stuff out of his locker if he were dumb, and it’s gonna be great. 

"Too bad. I'm introducing you two anyway.” Jay says cheerfully. Having a new soulmate is fun. Having two soulmates has been great for him so far, and it’s going to be even better once they get to know each other too. “Hey, maybe cause we share a mark, you’ll share one with Mal too!” 

Carlos mumbles something mostly-inaudible. Jay can’t be sure, but it sounded suspiciously unlike the words “I’m so excited to meet your other soulmate” and a lot more like “if there’s two of them I’m going to fucking kill myself.”  

So. That’s a little worrying. 

Honesty seems to be the way to go. At least when he’s with Mal, honest questions about the gaps in their plan usually lead to less stabbing of their essential body parts, and more of them stabbing the other guys. So there’s that, and also the refreshingly honest answer he got out of his new soulmate last time, soo….

"What?” Jay asks. He’s still trying to keep his expression normal, but it’s hard to focus on that when there’s so many other things to worry about. Like how he’s going to explain to Mal that they’ve got a new gang member, and how he’s going to drag the two of them into the same space long enough to like each other. Maybe he should treat them both like the feral cats that he caught for his cousin, and lock them in rooms next to each other for a while so they can both shout at him until they get tired and decide it’s better to ally together.

Carlos sighs. It’s almost like Jay’s starting to wear down some of his prickly edges already.  "I said, I don't want to get to know Mal. You two have been tormenting me since kindergarten. Nothing is going to change just because you have a mark on your hand." 

Jay taps the new mark with his fingertips before he even realizes he’s doing it. It’s technically on his wrist, not his hand, but it’s going to be hard to hide either way. "You've got one too."

"Yeah, and my mother is going to try and cut it out of me as soon as she finds out,” Carlos says. He’s not glaring anymore, which would be cool if his face hadn’t gone totally blank instead. Like a mask, or like the thing that Evie, the pretty new girl that Mal’s been obsessed with since she showed up to school does with her face when she’s not thinking about it. “It'd be cool if you would stop fucking up all my shit at school, but I don't actually expect you to like, change or anything. We don't have to be anything because of this." 

Ouch.  "We don't fuck with that much of your shit."

"You soulmarked me by accident because you were trying to shove my head in a toilet," Carlos says, patiently. He's standing just out of arm's reach, with his back to the open rooftop. They're within easy sprinting distance to three other houses with low roofs, and Jay can count a handful of small, open windows that Carlos could probably dive through without issue, but are small enough that Jay, with his wider shoulders, would have to slow down and slip through more carefully. "I don't think you'd be able to stop fucking up my shit if you tried." 

"Hey!" 

"Just being honest. And hey, if you want to try, be my guest. I'd love to actually keep some of the shit I make for myself."

There’s a weight in Jay’s pocket that feels a lot like a handmade crossbow pen. And another one in his boot that might be a handful of tiny button batteries, and okay, maybe a third weight shoved in the secret pocket in the back of his vest that’s stuffed full of the wire contraption that he snagged without thinking right after his hand slipped and the soulmark showed up. 

It’s not something he’s gonna keep doing now, obviously. 

"We do take a lot of your shit, huh.” Jay admits. “I uh, I have some of your stuff. If you want it back.” 

Carlos’s face is still blank. "Yeah. I know. And I also know that Auradon psychology textbooks say it's because nobody loves you at home, but it'd be really cool if you could stop taking it out on me."

Ouch. That one lands, and Jay has to work to keep his face blank over the instinctive spike of hurt that wells up in the dark depths of his chest. He's not exactly his dad's favorite person, but there's the other two girls who work in the shop sometimes, and they're friendly enough. Someone to help clean the dust off the junk and swap jokes with while they're handing over their weekly cut of the earnings is almost like having a friend, and Delphine even sticks around to flirt sometimes after her shift ends.

Delphine is nearly thirty, and keeps more knives on her person than Jay's ever managed to slip out of her pockets. She's also sort of scary if he tries to slip out before she's done talking with him, but she pays attention to his new bruises, and she once brought him a cup of stew from the spicier stall two streets down, and didn't even spit in it first. So she's basically the closest thing he's got to a friend at home. 

"Mal takes her temper out on everyone," Jay points out, instead of defending his home life. It's the Isle of the Lost. They're all stuck here together with the same shitty parents, and explaining that he's got one person who usually doesn't throw anything at him on the way out the door isn't exactly a resounding defense. "I don't think I could stop her if I tried." 

Carlos rolls his eyes. Now that Jay's looking, there's a ring of old bruises around his left eye. "I know. The whole school knows. It wasn't this bad last year, but ever since you two got dumped by Uma's pirate crew, or whatever–" 

"We broke it off with them." 

"Or whatever,” Carlos repeats, rolling his eyes again. “It's not like it makes a difference what actually happened. She's been kind of a raging bitch since then."

Jay lifts an eyebrow, partially at the language choice, and partially because he’s sort of being thrown for a loop here. Everyone wants to meet Mal, and he’s not really sure if he’s got anything to offer outside of his connection with her. 

“Yeah, well,” he tries. “I bet if she had another soulmate, she’d probably be a lot less…” 

“Bitchy?” 

“I was gonna say irritable. Look, we lost half our crew when we dumped Uma’s gang–” 

“When they dumped you,” Carlos whispers. 

Jay shoots him a look. “Whatever. When we broke up, we lost a lot of our crew. And it’s not like we’re having trouble keeping things under control on our own, but we wouldn’t turn down company, if you’re interested. We have a hideout and everything. You could come and stay the night, if you want. Just to try it out.” 

There’s a flicker of interest in his soulmate’s face. 

“I guess,” Carlos says slowly. “If you’re offering, it would be not the worst thing to get out of my mom’s house for a night.” 

Bingo. 

“We’re offering.” Jay says, before he can think twice about the offer. He’ll lock Mal in their storage room, keep her out of the way until he’s got his new soulmate acclimated to the place. “Come on, if we go now we can make it home before Mal gets there, and you can give her the scare of her fuckin’ life.” 

There’s a tiny hint of what might be a smile on Carlos’s face. “Sounds fun.” 

It’s a risk, but they’re doing so well now that he can’t resist. 

Jay holds out a hand. “Come on. Let me show you the way.” 

Carlos takes it. “Lead on, I guess.”

[thefriendlyferretwriter]

A new side of you: Waltz of emotions

Pairing: Eugene 'Flash' Thompson x reader

Summary: Surprised, again and again.

Warning: 13k words, Tension, tension, tension, angst, a bit of fluff, OCs, don't know what else to warn you about.

A/N: I feel like this is standard by now but sorry again for being such a slow writer, I hope the fic is enough to be forgiven for my usual tardiness. Might have edited but I'm not a native speaker so get ready for plenty of mistakes, enjoy!

Tags: (Don't hesitate to tell me if you want to be added or removed, and thank you again for your feebacks ❤️) @loxerclu8 @wheelerzluv @ray-of-sunrise @m00nkn1ghts

People's view of the costume is accurate. The fabric is thin and flexible but unfortunately, it is quite a cold way to fight crimes during the chilly nights of New York.

"That was awesome! I wonder if it'll end up on the internet?"

"I doubt it. If it does end up there it'll be out of frame and shaky. The police were quite insistent when they were shoving people to safety," I say feeling the breeze as I swing around at full speed.

Landing with a huff I realize I'm out of breath, "Ned." I pant, "Remind me to get a custom binder, this one is killing me."

"I told you! You can't just buy any binder from the internet. It's like corsets, of course they are uncomfortable if they are not tailored for you!"

Your vendetta against Hollywood has reached another level," I say taking another deep breath.

With a leap I swing from the American Museum of Natural History and land on a school's rooftop.

A buzz makes me pause and crouch to check my phone and see a second call coming in from May.

"I got to go May is on the other line."

"Okay, 'night."

"'Night."

Swiping on my phone I wait for the inevitable.

"Where are you?!"

I try to defuse the damage as I look around, "I am at the park close to the flat," I draw out slowly.

"…Which park?"

…

"Do not tell me you're close to Central Park which is on the other side of the city."

"Okay, I won't say it."

"Damnit! you know I don't want you farther than Long Island at night!"

"I know, I know!" I whine, "But there was this guy with a huge Scorpion armor and he was doing mass destruction! The police couldn't do it alone they needed help!" I protest.

"Before being Spiderman you're my niece and my niece will obey the very few rules I put in place for her safety."

"Don't you think the fact that I can knock out people 3 times my size should allow me a bit of indulgence on those rules?"

"No young lady I read a ton of books on this and I know how this ends."

"How?" I ask curiously.

"Mostly teen pregnancy."

"Wow! Okay let's not be dramatic now, shall we?"

"And juvie," May continues her list.

"May I fight crimes, I don't commit it."

"Listen we have a system and it works, I don't get sarcastic with my boss and you don't go farther than Long Island past 11 PM."

"In retrospect, I think we should've thought harder on those rules."

"Too late, the system works and it's flawless. Now swing your ass back home before Spiderman gets grounded."

"Yes ma'am."

"Love you," she says smugly.

The line dies and I breathe out the annoyance I feel to then breathe in the fresh evening air.

Tearing off my mask I try to crack my neck and let it hang down to massage and release the night's tension when my eyes catch a familiar sigh.

Flash?

He sits on a bench with his phone in hand looking perplexed.

It's been a week since we last saw each other, or even talked. I didn't want to bother him and I have the feeling it's the same for him.

I look down at my wrist and fumble with the different settings before I find and activate the voice modificator.

Swinging down, I drop on the cemented ground and accidentally startle him as he jumps and stumbles to the floor.

"Oh shit, sorry I didn't mean to scare you," I say genuinely with my voice coming out deeper thanks to the device.

Stumbling around to step back up, Flash looks at Spiderman with wide eyes and his jaw on the floor.

A torrent of curses comes out of his mouth along with an excited laugh of disbelief.

"I can't believe it, it's you!" he says and motions to me up and down.

"Oh yeah, it's me!" I say rethinking my decision to offer guidance disguised as Spiderman in front of Flash Thompson.

"Oh my god I was having such a bad night and now I'm talking to Spiderman!"

"Yeah, that's awesome! Listen, I saw you from up there and you looked troubled and honestly a bit underdressed," I point to his light shirt.

"Oh yeah," he says more calmly looking down at his outfit, "I just needed to take a walk to think about-"

He hesitates.

"No that's not important."

"No way, tell me, that's why I came down here," I say sitting on the bench inviting him to join me.

It's not the first time that Spiderman has a sit-down with someone in distress; words being as useful as a handful of punches.

He sighs and sits down, "There's this um-Charity thing and my mom told me I had to bring a date and I told her I would but let's say it's easier said than done."

"Why's that? Having trouble finding a date?" I tease.

"No," he chuckles, "No actually I already know who I want to invite, but I don't know if she would say yes, and even then I don't really know where we stand. Inviting her could compromise everything," he says sliding his hands down his face with a pained sigh.

Is it me?

Who am I kidding? It's not because we kissed once that I'm his only date choice.

"Alright, so you have an idea. Why not ask her?"

"Because she could say no and I really do not want to have the conversation that would follow after that."

"What conversation?"

"You know the conversation!" he shouts full of frustration as he stands up from the bench, "The one a girl gives you when she's not interested in you. The one that goes 'It's not you, it's me' or the 'We're just friends' except in this case I'm not even sure we're friends to begin with!" he finishes his rant pacing left and right.

"That seems complicated," is the only thing I can say after a few moments of tense silence.

"Yeah and also what kind of date would be a charity event?"

"A date?" I choke out.

"I just-I've always been good at reading people, I know whether they hate me or they tolerate me. But recently it's been hard to read her."

I listen silently nodding my head from time to time.

"Before, she just rolled her eyes or would just snap back at me but now she listens to me and she worries about me and I just-I like being around her. I just worry it is all just a front and she's simply gonna drop me or tell me we're not actually friends and she just had pity on me and took me for some sort of charity case."

He finishes sitting back down his head in his hands.

"It's my fault. I shouldn't have kissed her." he groans.

I'm thankful for the mask covering my flushed face.

So it is about me.

It couldn't be anyone else. Flash Thompson is a lot of things. Sometimes an idiot, an asshole, even a jerk at times but what everyone always seems to agree on is that Flash Thompson is no player.

"You could always invite her as a friend," I loudly blur out after an awkward pause.

Flash frowns.

"You ask her to be your date and you precise it's as friends," I precise my thought.

"I guess I could try but what if she says no?"

"Well, best case scenario she says yes and you do have a friend. Or worst case scenario, she does pity you and says yes allowing you to hang out with her and convince her to see you as more than that."

He stays silent staring out into the void before snatching his phone out of his pocket.

"What are you doing?"

"I'm calling her right now before I chicken out."

Oh shit!

"Wow! Hey there how about we think about it before we make any rash decision," I say standing up from the bench in a hurry.

"What do you mean? you just told me to ask her."

"Listen," I panic and rack my brain for any last-second plan, "Here's what I propose. You walk back home and think about what you're gonna say to her on the way there, and then you call her once you get there."

He pauses, "Yeah okay, that makes sense."

A buzz startles me and reminds me of my curfew.

Trying to stay calm I hurriedly try to bid my goodbyes.

"O-Okay well, I got to go. Hope it works out for you!" I say carefully stepping backward, "As for me I'm expected somewhere so I'm gonna head there!"

"Oh yeah for sure. That's crazy man, I've always wanted to meet you, and now that it's the case you've just helped me!"

He looks back down at his phone's contact and slowly takes a few steps back nodding to me as a goodbye.

"You know what they say. I'm just your friendly neighborhood Spider-Man, emotionally and physically!" I shout jogging back.

When I'm sure he's far enough, I leap into the air and swing away.

"Wait! Can we take a picture-?!" his demand fades as I shoot my next web.

Answering the phone I reassure May I'm on my way and get a few more calls from Flash that I cannot answer.

The last swing sends me to my bedroom window with a thud as I slide the glass panel up and throw my phone in first before climbing inside in a hurry as my cell buzzes again.

"Is that you?!"

"Yeah, I'm home!" I say sliding my mask off before trying to unzip my suit as I stomp around attempting to slip out of the gear.

Jumping on one foot I try to snatch the blue and red material off my feet and trip falling on the cool wooded floor.

"What was that?"

May's panicked tone and the incessant buzz coming from my phone is overwhelming.

Out of breath and my head still on the floor, I raise my hand and blindly pat around my covers before they brush against the device.

I sit myself up with a grunt and bring the phone to my ear.

"Hi!" I say enthusiast and breathless.

"Hi," he answers back abruptly.

"Everything okay?" I ask dipping my elbow amongst my blanket and burying my hand in my hair to ground it.

"Yeah!" he says back quickly with a lighter tone, "Sorry I just thought I would end up leaving a voicemail and now I just don't remember what it is that I wanted to say," he awkwardly confesses.

"Oh yeah sorry about that I was taking a shower," I skillfully lie.

"You often run out of breath after a shower?"

"No! it's just, I left my phone in my room and I heard it in the shower and started panicking the third time it rang I thought something horrible happened," I spew out.

I'm getting really good at this.

"Oh crap, my bad I didn't think it would-" he sighs, "Of course you would think that, I shouldn't have called at this hour I'm sorry I didn't think."

"No! Really it's nothing. What did you call about?"

Silence on the other line. I let it run until I start thinking he must've hung up and asks if he's still there.

"Yeah um, okay so here I go. There's this charity event that happens like every year and it's kind of badly seen to go alone."

My heart speeds up and hammers against my ribcage. It feels like my blood skyrockets through my body leaving an ice-cold feeling behind that gives me chills. This feeling gets stuck in my throat making me believe I'm struggling to breathe.

"And you'd like me to be your plus one?" I attempt to finish the sentence for him.

"Not like a date or anything like that! More like as…friends?" he ends his sentence with hesitation.

Leave the blood impression right now it feels like I was punched in the guts as the air escapes my lungs in a swift.

"Friends?" I repeat meekly to make sure he is comfortable with the term.

"Yeah if you're up to it?" he asks anxiously in return.

I feel frozen for a moment before my eyes are drawn to my wardrobe.

"Yeah of course. I'd love to go with you," I say putting my phone on speaker before laying it down on my bed.

Standing up with a grunt and newfound confidence, I skip to my closet and push stuff back and forth.

"So what type of event is it exactly?"

"Well, it's a charity but it's a charity on the Upper East Side so…there's going to be a lot of snobby people," he says with an awkward chuckle, avoiding talking about our apparent new friendship.

"So," I draw out, "Dressed up."

"Yup," he confirms.

I sigh pushing a few hangers back, "Well I don't think they'd be much impressed with me," I chuckle embarrassed, "When is the event exactly? Maybe I could go grab something that won't cause a public humiliation," I chuckle throwing yet another hanger back with a huge cling.

"That's where you hate me," he says with a pained voice.

Frowning I look at my phone still lying on my bed.

"The event is tomorrow."

My eyes bulge. I don't feel angry, I'm more surprised than anything else.

"Oh, so that really was a last-minute decision to invite me," I try to say light-heartedly.

'Actually, I already know who I want to invite.'

"It wasn't," he replies softly.

I'm getting better at making him open up. A fact that makes me smile, but I realize that I can't push my luck at the risk of going too far and having him close back up in a blink.

Trying to brush off his confession I decide to joke.

"You know Flash, when people invite you to events they tell you days beforehand," I laugh, "Now I don't even have anything worth wearing to your fancy charity!"

"I'm sorry."

"No I'm not mad it's just-I don't want to walk in with a summer dress on," I chuckle trying to reassure him, "And it takes more than a few hours of shopping to find a dress that looks expensive but is not."

"You don't own a black dress?" he asks confused.

"No."

"Not to generalize but I'm ready to bet every girl owns at least one plain black dress."

"I mean I do but it doesn't fit me anymore," I say putting the black dress at least three times too small against my much-grown self.

After a few moments of silence, I start thinking the invitation is gonna be retracted.

"I might have a solution."

"What is it?"

"Can't tell you."

"And why is that?" I frown trying to conceal my offense with a teasing tone.

"Can't tell you either."

"I'm not liking this."

The other line stays silent for a moment.

"Does that mean you don't want to come anymore?"

"No, that's not what I said," I clear up.

"Good, I'll take care of it, and thank you again. Would you like me to pick you up? Tomorrow I mean."

"Oh no, thank you but I'm sure I can find my way around."

"Okay," I wouldn't bet on it but I think I hear the hint of a smile in his words.

"Hum, when does it start? When do I have to arrive exactly?"

"Oh well you know, there is no designated time but people generally arrive later and leave earlier so no pressure."

"Okay so let's say around 9 PM? How does that sound?"

"Awesome."

"Cool," I smile.

I look around my room sheepishly waiting for a goodbye or any other signs he would like to continue the conversation.

Walking to my bed I spin around and let my ankle bump into my bed's rail letting myself fall back on my covers.

"Cool," he repeats.

"Cool," I reiterate chuckling.

"Thanks again, really."

"It's no big deal I'm sure I'm gonna have fun anyways," I say with a smile.

"Well you know it's a charity event so people are gonna do a LOT of talking."

"Why are you making it sound bad," I chuckle.

"I wouldn't say bad, I'd say boring," he says nonchalantly.

"I think I can handle boring for a night."

"I'll take you on that one," he says almost as a challenge.

My door creaks open and May's frown makes my smile drop.

"Hum I'm sorry but I have to go, see you tomorrow."

"Yeah, see you tomorrow."

"Bye."

"Bye."

When the line goes silent I awkwardly sit up waiting for a scolding or a rant or anything else.

"So?" she asks with her brows raised.

I know she's waiting for an explanation but the news is too important, "I might've been invited to an event tomorrow."

The warmth is too much and in the heat, I throw my cover to the side with the help of my feet to turn around and try to go back to sleep in my haze.

Having opened my blinds and window during the heated night to let in the fresh breeze, the sunlight shines through and highlights my cluttered mess of a bedroom.

The usual New York rumble is accompanied by a merry voice.

"Wakey wakey night owl!"

"May," I whine sleepily, "It's the last days of summer, can't you let me oversleep?"

"Nope because you have a package and I've been trying to guess what's in it for about twenty minutes now."

"Huh?" I say with a hoarse voice.

"Come on, stand up!"

"I don't remember buying anything," I try to reason.

"And I don't remember buying anything either so come on up, up!" she says jumping up and down.

Sliding off my bed a box is thrown onto it. A huge white rectangular box closed and flattered by a black bow wrapped around it like a Christmas present.

I groan.

"I know what it is."

"What?"

"I have nothing to wear for the charity and Flash proposed to help but I thought it would just be a quick drop off not…that," I say with a gesture to the box.

"How nice."

"I guess but I'm uncomfortable getting a dress from him. If it wasn't so last minute I would've bought one for myself but-"

"Didn't you say it was a fancy event?"

"Yeah?" I answer not getting her point.

"Rich people smell a fraud it's better if he's the one dressing you up for tonight."

"Dressing me," I bark a laugh, "Flash would not dress me, maybe his mom helped or-"

I'm cut off by the phone going off in the other room.

As May walks out to reach it I admire the simplicity yet classiness of the box. I smile as I fidget with the bow before tugging on it and letting it loose.

Half-listening to May's phone call I push off the ribbon and lift the lid.

"Holy fuck!"

I throw the lid back on top of the box the corner not fitting back properly and let it slide aside.

"I'll call you right back-what?! What happened?!" May says in a hurry with the phone still glued to her ear.

I face her with my back turned away from my bed where the dress is sitting, "I can't wear that."

"Can't wear what?" she asks walking to my bed and opening the box back.

"Oh wow."

"I know."

"This is gorgeous."

"I know, I can't wear that."

"Wait-why not?"

“It’s too much. It’s the kind of dress you wear to attract attention, not just to walk around at a charity event,” I spit out at full speed as May puts the phone back to her ear and asks the person who is on the other line and who has not bothered to hang up to come forward and open the front door which is not locked.

"I think you're overreacting a little bit. It's just a pretty dress."

Listening to her I gather up the courage to turn back around and have another look at the black glittery dress.

"It's too much! He told me it's an event full of snobby rich people and you know what's gonna happen if I wear this around snobby rich people?"

May straightens up and takes a posh accent, "What a promiscuous little lady you are," she scolds before laughing.

"I'm serious!" I whine taking the dress out of the box.

The dress's length reaches the ground and the long sleeves hang loose. As the front of the dress faces Aunt May, the back view horrifies me.

I choke on my gasp and swiftly turn the dress around.

At the view of the open back of the dress May's eyes match mine as they widen like sausages.

"Oh wow now that's promiscuous," she says with no accent or tease this time.

"What was he thinking?!"

"Nothing. I doubt Flash handpicked this dress himself," she speculates feeling the fabric of the dress.

Her observation is followed by the front door shutting and a voice calling out to May.

"We're in here Happy!"

With a frown, I watch as Happy Hogan appears at the threshold of my bedroom.

"What is he doing here?" I question as I point to him with the dress still in my hands.

"Your aunt said you're going out tonight and she didn't want to stay alone so I proposed to stay with her," he says all the while analyzing the dress up and down before pointing to it, "Where did you get that?"

"It's a gift," May explains.

"No! No no no no no, it's temporary, a temporary borrowed and very expensive looking dress."

"Not just looking," Happy informs me.

My body proves that it is in fact possible to get even more tense.

"What do you mean by that exactly?" I ask with a meek voice.

Seeing my distressed face Happy makes eye contact with May, gauging the situation.

"Well I mean," he draws out walking up to me and grabbing the dress raising it to examine the fabric, "It looks like the kind of dress Tony makes me pick up for Pepper so I figured-"

"Oh my god!" I shout throwing the dress back on my bed.

I walk to my nightstand and reach for my phone.

"What are you doing?" May ask.

"I'm canceling," I say hurriedly.

"What? No!" she protests.

Flash's number is already dialed and the phone is placed at my ear as I shoo both of them out of my room.

Hurrying May out I close the door as the fourth dial rings in my ear.

Somehow the sound of his voice allows me to breathe out.

"Hey, what is it?"

"What the fuck Flash!"

The warmth leaves his voice and worry takes its place, "What is it?"

"The dress!"

"What? what's wrong with it, you don't like it?"

"It's too much!" I exclaim.

"Oh crap, I'm sorry."

"What were you thinking?" I said feeling a little guilty knowing he couldn't have guessed that I wouldn't like the dress.

"Hey in my defense I didn't choose the dress."

"Then who did?!"

"Well I wasn't sure so I kinda asked Lea to choose," he hesitates to say.

My brain freezes and a headache is right around the corner, "Wait, isn't she supposed to be on her honeymoon?" I ask pinching my nose and scrunching my eyes closed.

"She was but she's a big part of the charity so she is flying back for tonight and is gonna finish her honeymoon here in New York."

"Oh and so you let her choose a dress for me not thinking that our way of dressing up might be way different?" I ask incredulously.

"You make it sound bad."

"It is Flash!" I shout hyperventilating, "She's a model and this type of dress is made for the runway, not charity, and not on me."

"Wait so the problem is that it doesn't fit?"

"No!" I groan falling back on my bed beside the same dress that is making me break down.

"I'm sorry but I'm having a hard time understanding the problem right now, do you hate the dress is that what it is?"

"No, I don't hate the dress," I say.

It's true I like the dress, it's a pretty dress.

"Have you tried it on?"

I pause and answer 'no' in a tone that says it should be obvious to him that I would never try on a brand-name dress.

"So what's the issue exactly? You don't dislike the dress and you haven't tried it on so you can't complain that it doesn't fit, so what's up?"

"It's not a normal dress," I explain as a matter of fact.

"A normal dress?" I can hear the tease in his tone.

"Yes, a normal dress." I reiterate.

"And what is a normal dress exactly?"

"A dress that doesn't look like it was made in a studio in a fancy part of Beverly Hills!"

"Okay, I understand, Lea has a particular style."

"And Lea knows how to walk around with people's eyes on her!" I shout convinced that he now understands my point of view, "I just-" I sigh, "I don't want to walk in there and have people looking at me and judging me, especially rich snobby people."

"Oh if that's what scares you I can reassure you right now and tell you that no one will pay you any attention."

"You haven't seen the dress," I say as a matter of fact.

"No, but I can tell you that standing beside me as my da-my plus one, everyone will obviously be too busy admiring me to be paying you any mind."

I snort and try to muffle the noise by cupping my mouth but the unflattering cackle reaches the other end of the phone.

I know he's reassured now that I laughed but it doesn't erase my worry.

I calm down and weigh my request before verbalizing it.

"Could you drive me to the event?" I decided to just come out with it hoping for the best.

"What happened to taking the bus?" He asks genuinely.

"Again, you haven't seen the dress and I'd rather not travel around Queens dressed to the nines. I just want to be safe, you know?"

I know that my safety isn't at risk but dressed like that, a judging stare would be as dreadful as a wandering hand.

I can't hear him but I'm certain he nods agreeing with me.

"Well, it would be an honor to be your knight in shining armor for the night knowing you're actually my savior," he jokes, "But sadly there isn't any carriage available so we will have to settle for my car, I hope that's alright."

"Oh what a shame, I expected nothing less than the fanciest vehicle," I chuckle.

"Sorry Cinderella but fairy godmother only managed to get the dress."

"And I still wonder how she managed to do that," I say turning on my side and feeling the fabric.

"That's a secret…Try the dress on and call me back to tell me how it fits. Or better yet text me, It's kind of crazy around here today."

It is only now that I realize there is noise around him, a lot of noise and that makes me gather that he must already be over there helping to set everything up and I'm here having a meltdown and calling him having a tantrum about a dress.

"I'm so sorry I didn't, I mean if I knew you were busy I would've-"

"No no, it's alright really-" He tries to chime in.

"No I mean you're probably busy, I can't believe I didn't think of that-" I ramble before he cuts me off.

"No really, you're a life-savor Parker. Those events are old-fashioned and you're like forced to have someone with you and I really didn't want to spend my entire night answering the same question over and over again-"

It's his turn to ramble and I find myself listening on liking the idea of him opening up to me.

It is not every day that I get to listen to Flash Thompson ramble, let alone to me.

"It's annoying when people crowd you and ask why you don't have a date with you and they end up dissecting what must be wrong with you to not have a girl on your arm."

"Sounds annoying."

"It is. Sometimes I manage to avoid that kind of event but for this one my family is in charge so," He finishes dragging his word.

"You are forced to participate."

He confirms and gets interrupted by another voice. I frown trying to listen and make up a bit of the conversation going on before he comes back to the line with a sigh.

"I'm sorry it's a bit crazy right now. My mom always goes nuts the day of these events," he says as I can hear Mme.Thompson shouting in the back.

"Okay, that's my cue. Try the dress on and text me okay?"

"Sure," I say with a smile.

"Bye," he says along with another sentence that I cannot decipher, presumably aimed at someone else before the line dies and I'm left lying on my bed retracing the conversation.

I look at the dress once more. The sparkles look more and more inviting instead of revolting and I stand back up fixing myself before I open the door to face both May and Happy.

Making awkward eye contact I see that they are half bent toward my door before they stand straight up and cough to ease the tension.

After a moment of silence where my gaze is enough judgment, I speak up and ask for help.

"Can you help me do my hair?"

Meddling with the final strand of my hair May stands back to admire her work as I add the final touch to my makeup applying the red lipstick with precision.

Closing the cap I stand up and have an overall look at myself as May squeals and hands me my jacket. She asks a few more questions when I head to the door and check if I have everything I need placed in the pouch she lent me for the night.

My brain barely has time to register the questions before I hum and give a half-assed answer as I put my jacket on and try to exit the apartment.

I turn around to hear her give me rule after rule for the night.

"Flash drives you to the event, you stay at this event," she points out referring to the birthday incident where the only reason I wasn't grounded was the fact that my exit saved me from a potential wound from the blowout of fireworks.

"You have your fun and you come home at 1 AM. Not 2, not 3, 1 AM, got it?"

I nod.

"And Flash drives you back, no one else, Flash."

"Yes," I say a bit exasperated.

"And you stay glued to him all night."

"Yes, Aunt May I promise! Can I go now he's waiting for me outside," I lie.

He's not waiting for me outside, as a matter of fact I haven't even sent him a message informing him I'm ready for him to pick me up.

"Okay be careful-And text me both when you arrive and when you're coming home."

I nod at her as I walk backward to the elevator and watch as she smiles before closing the apartment door. I huff loudly and turn around to look down to my phone texting Flash that I'm ready and will be waiting for him outside.

It's when I'm halfway down the elevator that my phone rings.

"Yes?"

"Hey, I just got your text and huh," he draws out.

I don't answer and just let him bask in the silence of the line.

"I'm sorry things were crazy. I'm just now getting ready."

"Wait you're getting ready?! Then when are you coming to pick me up?" I ask walking out of the elevator and pushing the door of the apartment building open letting the New York ambiance bask me in its hurriedness.

The breeze reaches me and I rub my arm getting used to the weather slipping up the back of my jacket and biting at my open back when I notice a…no way.

"Flash what did you do?"

"What-what do you mean what did I do?" he stutters.

"I mean why is there a guy looking at me waiting by a car that looks like it's worth more than the neighborhood," my question is more of a statement.

I hear him curse under his breath.

"I'm really sorry. She told me she would be subtle."

"Who?" I ask taking my eyes off the supposed driver.

"My mom. I told her I had to come to get you but she still needed me around so I insisted and even said I'd call you to push back our meeting but she said it would be disrespectful and that she would send someone."

I stay silent processing all of it.

"I'm sorry I wanted to call and tell you but I just got to my room."

I look back up to the driver and make eye contact before we exchange hasty smiles.

I sigh thinking of this all over walking down the stairs one by one slowly.

"Okay, I guess it wasn't really in your power. But you better be here when I arrive I will not show up and walk around alone." I say firmly.

"Of course," he says in all seriousness.

Telling him I'll see him soon, I hang up and focus my gaze on the driver as I approach him.

"Miss Parker?"

I nod before confirming my identity verbally.

He then motions to the car before opening the door and gesturing for me to step in.

When it clicks shut I am left with the silence of the empty vehicle.

As the buildings go by and I get closer to the venue my stress level rises and I start fidgeting and falling into a cycle of grabbing my phone, second-guessing texting Flash, and then abandoning the idea and letting my body fill up with more anxiety.

The arrival doesn't stop that nagging feeling that causes goosebumps to rush down my spine, that or the wind nipping at my back through my coat.

Walking up the stairs my nerves run wild through my body as my legs shake walking up the stairs.

Reaching the top, I make eye contact with a man standing in front of the doors. Approaching him carefully, I struggle to find my voice and I am cut off in my stutter as he guesses my last name.

Confused, I confirm his guess and my frown must ring a bell for him as he turns to the door, "I was informed that one of Mme.Thompson's guests would arrive alone and I'm guessing it's you," he says as he buzzes me in.

I nod to him as a thank you and continue to walk ahead this time on a soft and long red carpet instead of stone.

The voices, which were mere mumbles turn into booming voices coming from every corner of the room and my coat is starting to make me sweat reminding me that I'll have to discard it soon.

The thought makes me sweat even more.

Like fate, my eyes scan my surroundings and immediately fall on him standing in front of the counter right beside Lea.

He's fidgety and I see Lea receiving a glass of alcohol before making eye contact with me as she nods in my direction.

I feel hands on my shoulders and jolt stepping aside to see who touched me. I see a man who stumbles back apologizing and realize he is trying to gather my coat to let me join the crowd and a cold sweat replaces the regular sweat.

As the fabric leaves my shoulder my voice stays stuck in my throat and instead, a small squeak manages to slither out.

Still looking for my voice, I turn to him walking away with my coat.

I'm left standing there helpless.

When I see the man disappear I turn back to my previous position to look back at Flash when I see him getting hit behind the head and scolded by Lea. I also notice the glass now empty on the counter as I hear his voice more distinctly dismissing Lea with a 'Whatever' as he rushes to my side.

"He took my jacket," I husher panicked but still trying to be subtle.

"I'm sorry," he says sincerely taking off his jacket.

"I feel naked," I whisper.

"I'm so sorry," he reiters putting his jacket on my shoulders before ushering me to walk ahead leading us towards Lea at the bar.

His hand is placed on my back flaring shiver with the new sensation of his hand on my back, or maybe it is just the fresh jacket on me?

My brain focuses back and sets on Lea greeting me.

With her asking how I've been I let my hand play with the jacket and nod along with the conversation. Flash himself messes with the blazer by first securing it over my shoulder and then playing with the sleeves that hang loosely.

When my mind stops fixating on him, I blink in surprise when my ears register an apology coming from Lea about the dress. I try to protest and instead thank her for the last-minute save when Flash's mother appears to join and inform us that we need to scatter around.

I stand clueless for a moment before I feel his hand on my back gently pushing me to walk alongside him.

Led around once more I decide to stop being dragged around like a clueless puppet and tug the hand placed on my back to entertwine our arms and walk together instead of letting him direct me around.

I don't talk much. I mostly nod and answer small questions here and there.

The evening runs along pretty smoothly as each interaction the two of us have only lasts few minutes before Flash skillfully finds a way to bid our goodbyes and walk us to yet another couple beckoning us over.

"Oh no."

"What is it?" I ask him trying to glance in the direction he was looking at to see an older lady standing there motioning us to join her.

"That's Garret's grandmother."

"And she's a mean old lady," I deduct.

"No worse, she's a passive-aggressive bitch."

I'm taken aback by his name-calling and look back at the woman waiting impatiently for us.

"I think she's waiting for us," I suggest.

"Okay, don't talk and stay close to me," he instructs.

"You mean like I've been doing for the past hour and a half?"

My teasing provokes a smile to appear on his face for a moment but it quickly disappears when his head turns back to the lady as he walks us toward her.

I hug his arm getting closer to him as he uses his opposite hand and brings it to our linked arms as a sort of comfort I'm guessing.

"Eugene," she beckons us over with a honeyed voice.

Her mask falls for a moment and I can see a glimpse of irritation before, like any other influential figure, she morphs her face into a more pleased expression.

"Madam Pennington," Flash says with an edge.

I first think that his tone might've been hesitation, but that changes when the woman gets that sour look back on her face and I realize his tone is subtly bitter.

Without trying, my brain does the math in a matter of seconds and I realize that if Flash refers to her with another last name than Garret's it must mean she is divorced.

She makes eye contact with me as my face must've shown that I figured Flash's comment out and her burning stare drives me to get closer to him for protection.

He clears his throat driving her murderous stare back to him as I abandon the idea of nodding along to their conversation and instead subtly look around the room.

The buffet, the people, anything other than the two of them.

"My grandson seems to be upset. When I tried talking to him about it he refused to speak but I did overhear that you two fought over a girl," she ends her sentence looking at me up and down.

"And by overhear you mean that you snooped around against your grandson's wish," his argument is aimed not only at defending himself but McCoy's privacy as well which surprises me.

"Excuse you?"

Her voice getting louder I notice McCoy himself standing just a few feet away from us looking at his grandmother about to blow a fuse and I decide to diffuse the tension.

"I believe your grandson is looking for you," I say nodding toward him standing there frozen, "And Flash your mother is looking for us over there."

Pushing him into motion I look back to see Garret approaching his grandmother but decide to not dwell on the talk they're about to have.

"Are you okay?" I ask as we hurry away from them.

He doesn't answer and just nods with a hum. He does however ask where his mother is and that's when I frown.

"You know I made it up so we could flee the conflict, right?"

He stops in his tracks before turning to me and I can see the gears turning in his head.

"Oh, yeah."

We keep eye contact and it must take a toll on him because he then avoids my stare and decides to look forward, all stiff.

I'm guessing the only reason he doesn't flee is the fact that our arms are still tangled together but I don't want to let go.

Maybe it's selfish but since the last time we talked, or more precisely the last we talked and I was not in gear, he ran away and ghosted me.

I want an explanation.

"This place is beautiful," I say looking around at the structure trying to pry a conversation out of him.

"I have something to tell you."

His tone is particular and I can't make out if he's hopeful or desperate.

My own tone embarrasses me as I egg him on full of anticipation.

"There's this type of dance and-" he cuts himself off and stares behind us.

Turning around, I spot McCoy staring right back at him.

"Not again," I hear him say under his breath.

I want to ask him if he's gonna be okay or if he'd like me to stay with him to talk to Garret but he shakes my hands off his arm and grabs it before taking off in the direction of the stairs.

"Come on follow me."

I can only let out a small squeal of surprise before catching up with his footing as the previous noisy venu dies down when we reach the second floor.

Once up there he doesn't stop and continues to sprint down the hall before taking a turn and tugging me to a corner away from McCoy.

My back is placed against the wall and I rearrange the jacket on my shoulders as I see Flash look around the corner to see if Garret is following us.

I suppose he gave up the idea as Flash visibly relaxes and turns back to me.

The proximity reminds me of that night at the laser game and the sudden look on his face tells me he must reminisce as well.

He knows that I know what we're both thinking about because we avoid eye contact and I let my eyes bounce between the multiple decors as a decoy.

"This place is beautiful. I wonder what it would feel to go to sleep in a place like that," I try to deflect from the tension.

"It's like any other place, you go to bed and you fall asleep," he brushes off trying to avoid the tension as well.

The simple statement makes me turn back to him and make eye contact as the realization slowly sets in.

"No."

"No, what?" he frowns.

"You slept here before?" my question sounds more like a statement.

"Yeah."

"But you live like 20 minutes away."

"Oh so now you know where I live Parker?"

My eyes widen at his insinuation.

I'm not a stalker!

"Well after you pointed out that I didn't know where you lived I was curious. If anything you're the one who told me I should know where you lived."

"Yeah and by that I meant coming over not googling my address."

"I did not Google your address!" I lie, "You're making me look bad!"

My restlessness makes him laugh.

Still chuckling he points ahead silently asking me to follow him.

"It's more of a tradition. My mom wants us to stay and sleep here every year," he says walking peacefully beside me.

It's a change compared to his erratic running just a few minutes ago.

"So you also slept at the fairytale mansion?"

"Fairytale mansion?"

"Yeah, the one where Lea got married."

Confused, it takes him a few seconds before his frown disappears and his mouth opens with an 'Oh'.

"Yeah," he simply says opening a door as I stand here frozen.

I know he probably wants me to enter but I'm confused and look at him waiting for an explanation.

He doesn't answer and instead walks inside reaching the other side of the bed to retrieve something.

With hesitation, I take a cautious step in looking around as if the room is full of boobie traps when I hear a dull thump and look back to see him throwing a gym bag on the queen-sized bed.

It must be the glamour of the night inhibiting my ability to be logical at times because it takes me a few seconds before my confusion turns into curiosity.

"Is that your bag?"

"No, I just love going through other people's stuff."

I don't answer or laugh and just raise my brows.

"Yes Parker, It's my bag."

I relax and close the door behind me before walking toward the bed warily and sitting down softly as the mattress sinks under me.

"I thought if I have to run away from Garret, why not pause before going back out there?" he explains throwing a book on the bed covers.

He dives back into his bag as I grab the book.

"Hey, I know that book!" I note joyfully.

I see him stop scrambling through his bag and look back up at me.

"Really?" he hesitates.

"Yeah I talked about it with Susan on your birthday. Usually, she's not into these kind of books but she's been watching a show similar to it so I mentioned it to her."

When he doesn't answer and doesn't make a move to dive back into his bag, another question comes troubling me.

"By the way, how did you hear about this book?"

"Oh um, someone told me about it," he says fumbling with the clothes inside the bag.

"Really? Who?" I ask knowing this isn't his type of book.

He doesn't answer and I assume it must be Garret who told him about the book and he simply doesn't wanna talk about him.

"You know as much as I don't like Garret, he's been your friend for years," I tip-toe around the issue and remember that he must not know about the video I saw where he's going off on McCoy and his clique.

"And?"

"And. With such a great taste in books, how could you not forgive him?" I try to turn the tension into something lighter with a chuckle gesturing to the book.

His frown turns into surprise, "Oh yeah, yeah! It's Garret who told me about it a few weeks ago."

"I never thought Garret would be the kind of guy who reads outside of school," I try to say without sounding mean.

A flash of red in my peripheral vision attracts my attention to turn away from the papercover and fills me with excitement when I recognize the sight.

"You brought him!" I say gripping the plushy and letting the book fall back on the covers.

He seems satisfied with my reaction and tugs his bag to fall back down before he too takes a seat beside me.

I lean down with my feet dangling as my back makes contact with the lavish bedding.

I take a look over at the Spiderman plushy wondering if in the small period of time any harm came his way. My detective work comes out dry as the plush doesn't seem to have been put under any distress when I hear him lay down as well.

I turn my gaze to him ready to make another joke and congratulate him on the plush's wellbeing when I see him already looking back at me and lose my smile as the memories flash back.

The muffled music, the way his curls were laying on his bed. He's been growing them out.

I like his hair long.

I like his lips too.

The calmness I feel is cut short when the bedroom door swings open and the sound of heels thud on the carpeted ground.

I raise up in my seat in a rush and grip the plushy hard against my chest in a panic as if I had just been caught having sex.

"Jee! Ever heard of knocking?!" he shouts sitting up after me.

"Coming from you?" Lea says looking up and down at him with an incredulous expression.

He sighs. I don't know if it comes from annoyance or relief from the previous scene.

"I've been looking for you two, your mother sent me to get you, come on now it's about to start," she says turning back on her heels and pulling the door behind her to leave it half closed waiting for us to join her.

"What's about to start?" I wonder looking at him after admiring her walk away.

The face I find makes mine fall. The paleness and distress plastered on his face makes me feel like I'm about to be the butt of the joke.

His blank stare angers me and figuring out I won't get any explanation from him I jump on my feet straightening the jacket on my shoulder to run after her.

Any other day it would've been to get an autograph but right now my only hope is to get reassured that all of it is just a huge misunderstanding.

Surely 'It's about to start' cannot be that bad? Maybe just a toast, or a speech?

"What's about to start?" I say trying to catch up to her but my question goes unanswered when we reach the top of the stairs and I see the Thompson matriarch taking the venue by storm as she speaks up in the middle of the stairs with her voice reasoning through the immense space.

"Ladies and gentlemen!"

I hear her call out before my arm is engulfed and my gaze is redirected to him.

"I'm sorry, I wanted to tell you really, but I kept being interrupted and then there was Garret and then we had a moment of calm and we started to talk and-"

"This evening has been fulfilling and I enjoy each and every one of your presence-"

My ears cannot keep up in between the two speeches. I'm even more overwhelmed when I realize that Lea has left us at the top of the split stairs, walked beside Aliyah, and joined her newlywed husband down the stairs.

"The time has come, and I know you enjoy it as much as I do," she says with a cheeky smile and a look of knowledge across the room sending the surroundings into a fit of chuckles.

"So now. I invite you to take your partner by the arm, and let's join each other in the other room so the waltz can take place."

The end of her speech sends a cold sweat down my back and I turn back to him unable to scream.

I'm speechless and incapable of voicing my anger and frustration.

The words want to come out but my brain is mushing together my two arguments, the one where I tear him a new one for not warning me or the one where I yell that I don't know how to dance.

Why didn't he think of inviting someone who knows how to dance?!

"A waltz?! I don't even know how to dance!" I say loudly enough to share my panic and frustration without attracting any looks.

His newest excuse gets cut off by his mother reaching us at the top of the stairs, " What are you two still doing here, come on chop chop," she finishes clapping her hands to drive us to hurry downstairs.

Another gasp fights its way into my lungs when I realize I'm about to disappoint her as well.

It's only logical for her son to dance in an event she organized.

I'm standing here looking like an idiot with my mouth wide open when my own voice surprises me, "I don't know how to dance!" I say point-blank.

"Of course you do! You went to the same elementary school and I distinctly remember your grade took ball lessons," she says proudly.

The new information confuses me and I doubt the woman's memory.

Maybe she's confusing me with another girl.

Not knowing how to question her or flatly deny her version of the event, I start to babble as I notice Lea walking back up the stairs with her arm under her husband's.

"No-I. I don't. I mean-I never," I ramble, any argument dying on my tongue leaving me a stuttering mess.

I don't know how to word my sentence when my eyes notice Flash's face getting sour the more his mother insists.

"Mom she said she doesn't want to," he says dryly.

I don't know if it's out of annoyance or out of shame but both possibilities are taking a toll on me and I feel the tears coming alongside the lack of oxygen.

"Well, what do you propose we do? Your father isn't here so I can't dance and one of us needs to!"

"We've been hosting this event every year for 5 years now I think we can sit this one out," he says somewhat confidently.

"I would've liked a bit of a heads up Eugene," Aliyah scolds him through her teeth.

Yeah, me too.

"They're waiting for us. Flash come on, come dance with me," Lea says extending her hand to him and taking a look at her proposal I see Mme.Thompson's bulb light up atop her head.

"You didn't even tell her there would be a dance?!" Her accusation seems rhetorical as the deep frown on her face doesn't seem ready to welcome any excuses.

He scrunches his eyes close and rubs them but doesn't answer and opens them back up to look at me.

I see regret and wonder if he regrets inviting me. A ball clogs my throat and I try to stay as stone-faced as possible instead of making a scene by dropping on the stairs and starting to ball like a baby.

He breathes in before following Lea's lead and I stop him. Placing my hand on his chest, I then shrug off the jacket he gave me and hand it back to him, my subconscious somehow realizing he would need it to look put together.

He walks down the stairs as his mother softly takes my arm under hers.

"I'm sorry, I would think my son would have the decency to tell you about this," she sighs as we walk down the stairs.

"But then again I should have known better with how different he's been acting lately."

I didn't intend to answer but that last bit of rant resonates with me and the wave of embarrassment and sadness I feel take a step back to leave place to my curiosity.

"Yeah I think Lea made a comment about it," I say looking at his back.

He suddenly turns his head around and looks at me following him before he turns back around and walks ahead taking his place with Lea in the middle of the room with the others.

Mme.Thompson stops us to stand around the crowd around the room and leave enough space for the others to dance in the middle of it.

Taking her attention away from me, she nods away seemingly to someone before music starts resounding in the area.

"I shouldn't burden you with that," she says with a warm smile while she rubs my arm in comfort.

"Oh no it doesn't burden me. I just hope he gets better."

My well wishes widen her smile.

"I'm glad he has you to hang out with," she says warmly.

"You're a good influence on him. and I can only hope you two stay close, it's not every day my son doesn't complain about this event."

"Yes, he told me about that. He was very thankful for saving him from those stares about him not having a date," I remember our conversation.

"Stares? Why would anyone stare at him fo not having a date?"

I frown, "You know. The rule about having a date for this charity in fear of being the talk of the night," I say trying to nudge her to remember.

"There was never such a rule. Who told you that? Eugene? Léa?"

I'm left speechless and with my mouth hanging open as the frown orning my face doesn't subside.

Her own frown is quickly replaced by a smile before she abruptly apologizes when a woman motions her over.

The loss of her arm is like a warm blanket has been ripped away making me notice the stares I was previously blind to.

A couple stares at me while another switches their stare back and forth between me and Flash, probably wondering why his date is not the one in his arms.

I look at him and see he's arguing with Léa while they waltz around and the sight would impress me if I wasn't confused as to why they look like they're ready to bite at each other's throat.

Another peep and I see that same man watching me with a nasty look before not-so-subtly whispering to his wife who makes eye contact with me before she answers him with a snarky smile.

I look around trying to convince myself I'm being tricked by my own paranoia when I start hearing my own intakes of breath and know it's a sign that it's all getting too much.

In my panic and without Ms.Thompson around to take my mind off things, I search for his face and find him already looking at me.

The panic sets in my chest and I know I need to step out for fresh air but I hesitate to do so in worry of the scene looking bad to the public.

Feeling the meltdown creeping up closer and closer, I look around and notice an arch under the stairs leading to a hallway and remember seeing multiple people passing through during the night and I conclude it must be the path towards a bathroom.

Sending a tense smile his way, I turn around to walk away.

Getting closer to my goal I step aside to let someone exit before walking in and locking the bathroom door behind me.

With the door shutting off most other noise from outside, I stand in front of the mirror and take a deep breath filling my lungs and trying to shake my head off those thoughts before hanging my head down and blowing out.

I raise my head and look at myself in the mirror to see the tears pricking my eyes and silently scold myself before reaching for a towel and trying my best to chase away the tears without messing up my mascara.

Another breath in and I take in my appearance one more time giving myself a pep talk before straightening my dress and deciding to go back out there before anyone starts to whisper about a possible date on the run.

I wouldn't want him to be surrounded.

Or maybe he'd like me to go.

I remember his face, the one he had on those damn stairs where I wondered why I accepted his invitation and why I let myself believe it could be that easy.

I violently shake my head off those thoughts and unlock the door ready to indulge the rest of this night before cutting all contact with Flash Thompson as I hear the distant music flooding back in my ears.

Lost in my thoughts I run straight into someone.

"I'm so sorry I-" My automatic response is cut short when I recognize him and the words get stuck in my throat.

"Hi," he blurs out.

I can only say hi back coldly as I believe any other response would send me back into the bathroom to place another tissue under my eyes.

"I swear I was gonna tell you."

His voice breaks the silence and when my ears register his words, I can't respond and instead walk around him to the other side of the hallway with my mind fixed on the idea that tonight was a mistake.

"No need to say sorry Flash-" I say nonchalantly, done with this poor decision of mine to accept his invitation.

"But I want to!"

I mess with a bust displayed on a table and let my finger slide on the statue trying to avoid his stare.

"Listen, it's completely my fault and I'm an idiot for not telling you. I was freaking out when I asked you to come here with me and I had my mind set so hard on you telling me you wouldn't come that when you said yes I was taken by surprise and the dance completely slipped off my mind."

I listen on with a frown. I stop messing with the bust and turn around leaning on the table as I look down avoiding his stare.

"My mom was the one who reminded me of it and then you called freaking out about the dress so I focused on that and I forgot again and then you walked in with your dress and then there was Garret's grandma and then Garrett and everything else followed so when there was just the two of us I just couldn't remember. And then Léa came in and you looked so sad and scared and angry I didn't know what to do."

I stand there listening to him spit out everything weighing on him before he suddenly breathes in for the first time and looks at me.

"I'm so sorry. I really am."

His gaze traps me and the remorse drowning his irises drains the anger out of me.

"You also lied about the date rule," I say, my voice barely able to convey any emotion.

I don't even find it in myself to yell at him, any scolding coming to mind being one he already gave himself.

"I'm an idiot and a coward and I completely get it if you never want to talk to me again."

At that I don't even know what to answer.

I did say I'd cut all contact with Flash Thompson after tonight but just a few weeks back I would've also said I'd never talk to him outside of schoolwork.

"Okay," I say after a while of silence trying to set us back in a way we can both be comfortable discussing with each other.

"If we're going on an apology spree I think I should be apologizing as well."

"What could you possibly have to apologize for? I'm the one who invited you last minute, so last minute that you didn't even have anything to wear."

I hear his step closing up on me before I put distance between us and walk back and forth down the hall.

"You invited me here to be your partner and I couldn't even participate in the important part of the night. Then there were the stairs and then people were talking and looking at you and Lea and then at me and it was all just so-"

My apology turns into a ramble and the simple retelling of the event produces that same panic inside of me.

Getting ready to excuse myself to go to the bathroom a second time, I turn around to see him standing right behind me. I can't look at him and instead focus my gaze on the floor trying to breathe properly when I feel his arms gently wrap around me and pull me in for a hug.

My finger messes with the fabric at the back of his jacket as my face is buried in the front of it trying to hide my face and not make eye contact.

I fool myself into thinking if I avoid eye contact with him we will stop talking in circles or better yet stop avoiding each other like the plague.

I also hope this way he won't see me on the verge of crying for the second time tonight.

"If anything," he says using my words as I feel his hand come up to stroke my hair, "I'm the one who should've thought better than to think you would still remember those dance classes," he says in a lighter tone.

I recognize his attempt to lighten up the situation and change the topic.

His comment makes me frown and against the warm feeling blossoming in my chest, I lift my face from the depth of his jacket to look at him.

"Yeah your mom talked about that but I don't think I ever took any dance classes, I think she mistook me for someone else."

His face, previously relaxed, falls and a sympathetic smile appears, "No you did," he says quietly, matching the hushed hallway.

My knitted brows are enough indication for him to continue his explanation.

He exhales through his nose and looks down messing with my hand to avoid making eye contact, "It was back when we were…around six? Seven?"

My confusion only deepens as I'm unable to rack my brain for a memory when I feel him tug on my hand gently drawing me closer to him and my frown turns into a muted gasp.

I don't have time to ask what he is doing when he laces our hands together and asks me in the quietest voice if he can.

It is then I realize he's asking to put his hand on my bare back to, I assume, teach me how to waltz.

I can't find my voice, the situation taking me aback so much so that instead of voicing my consent I decide to instead nod and place his hand myself to reassure him of my agreement.

I did not realize that my back was cold, most likely due to getting used to the lack of coverage but I feel it now as his hand feels hot against it.

My full attention is on him before my eyes are drawn down as I see him taking a step forward driving me to respond and step backward.

The motion has me uncontrollably giggling as my left foot follows his right to step to the side.

"Why exactly are we doing this right now?" I ask with another titter.

"Doing what?"

"Dancing Flash," I laugh, "Waltzing in the hallway."

"Dusting up memories. Proving to you that you do know how to dance or if you're right, to teach you how to waltz to apologize for not telling you there would be a dance."

My previous smile falls and I tilt my head back with a loud sigh.

"I apologized again," he awkwardly notices.

"Yes Flash, stop apologizing," I say looking at him straight in the eyes and raising my brows to emphasize my demand.

"I can't, I feel bad."

I reposition my hand on his shoulder with a light stroke as I squeeze our hands letting us continue swaying gently.

I find myself frustrated at his confession when my brain clears up and suddenly remember our last time together.

He feels bad about not telling me about the dance but he doesn't feel bad about running off the last time we saw each other?!

I remember waiting an entire week for a call or even a text. Jumping to my phone at every notification hoping it was him giving me an explanation for running off on me.

I force myself to brush it off when the feeling of his thumb stroking my back envelops me in a daze I want to hold onto until the night inevitably ends.

"Let's call it even then. You didn't tell me about the dance and I couldn't fulfill my side of the bargain."

"It wasn't a bargain, you just did me a favor."

I can't argue back and decide to look away.

"See, you're doing it."

I look back at him with panic thinking he's going to call me out on my avoidant stare and start a new argument when I see him smile before I notice that he's talking about us dancing and it is then that I look down and realize I'm naturally mirroring his movements.

I laugh impressed at myself before looking back at him as we acknowledge my accomplishment.

Our shared smile diminishes as he stops our dance.

"I didn't invite you because I was desperate," he confesses, "I just really wanted to hang out with you."

I stand there frozen before he gently nudges me sending us back into a soft waltz.

His honesty stuns me and I follow his lead again.

"I think it might be the first time you've been honest with me," It's my turn to confess.

"I don't always lie," he defends himself.

"No, but you never opened up like that before."

I see him trying to avoid eye contact and I silently scold myself as my words seem to drive him away once again.

"I like that," I quickly follow up.

That does it. his eyes raise back to meet mine.

"Why don't you do it more often?"

At that, he seems to hesitate as we gently sway side to side.

"You know friends share their feelings," I remind him of our conversation yesterday where he invited me to come here as a friend.

I can see that the memory rings a bell as he stops our movement once more.

I see his eyes desperate to say something but he's struggling with himself to find the right words as I witness his mouth open and close over and over again.

"See, like riding a bike. It comes back naturally," he manages to say stepping back trying to avoid the subject.

"You're doing it again," I say trying my best to not sound frustrated.

He huffs and slides his hand down his face.

He huff?!

How is he the one pissed off right now?!

I cross my hands taking a harsher stance.

"Okay, you said open so I'm gonna be open," he says fidgeting around.

"If you want us to be friends, you can't expect me to just tell you everything that goes through my head at every moment."

I sigh, "I guess it's fair."

My response appears to relax him.

"But," he interjects, "I guess I could make an effort."

I smile despite myself and look away to try and hide the fact that he turned the situation around once again.

My attempt fails when he looks for my face to catch me smile.

I turn away but he walks around me trying to catch me.

In a last attempt, I hid my face on the verge of laughter.

"Hey wait, you're cheating!" he protests with a chuckle.

I feel his hand on my wrists and yet he doesn't use force to uncover my face.

We stay like this for a moment before I muster the courage to slide my hands away from my eyes and meet his.

He smiles back and that feeling comes again, the one where I feel electricity run through my body.

Like the night he kissed me.

I feel frozen in space like I'm only able to breathe and blink.

He gets closer, so close that our forehead touches and I instinctively close my eyes waiting to feel his lips on mine like that night.

He's so close and yet doesn't make a move to close the distance between us. It makes me groan internally when I remember he's probably waiting for me to make a move.

He's literally two inches away from me and I'm still here what more does he need? for me to swing a flare in the air? Scream at him at the top of my lungs to kiss me?

The tension is suffocating and it's cut short when I feel a breeze of air where I should feel him.

"Thank you, I really wanted to dance with Lea. And don't be mad, I promise, you'll get a dance too," he says cheekily as I stand there completely confused.

He's quick to hold my shoulders and push us to the side. It's when I get my senses back and see a man walk past us to access the bathroom.

I get the answer I'm looking for when I look back at him and see him smile at me.

That's when I have to hold back my laugh with him as the bathroom door closes.

Placing my hand on my mouth, I snort before I see an arm presented to me and look up to see Flash waiting for me.

With the tension now gone I happily hold his arm as he directs us away from the lonely hallway to the booming evening when we cross paths with Mme.Thompson.

"There you are!" she says joyfully.

"I was talking to a few colleagues and they were adamant that I at least ask you to join us."

I open my mouth trying to find the words to politely decline when her son beats me to it.

"No Mom I think it's time for her to go home. Her aunt will kill me if I don't drive her back before 1."

Sharing her chagrin, Mme.Thompson bids me her goodbyes before she shares a look with Flash and tells him to come back as soon as possible telling him he'll be spending time with Garret.

The end of her sentence isn't met with agreement or joy but silence as I'm ushered outside with the cold temperature that doesn't get to reach me before I feel his jacket engulf my shoulders once again.

Another gesture he makes is to offer his hand to help me walk down the stairs of the building. I pause and look down at my heels and conclude like him that it's going to be harder to step down the stairs than it was to climb them.

The thought makes me laugh to myself before I accept his hand and carefully make my way down with another set of giggles.

"I'm never borrowing heels from May ever again," I manage to let out in between giggles.

"Miss Parker forgot to calculate the probability that those heels were gonna be a problem?"

The remark takes me by surprise and makes me stumble.

I crouch to make sure I don't end up face-first on the concrete and my position makes me snort as I hide my face behind my hands and kneel in the middle of the stairs to ground myself.

From any other perspective, I look drunk and I'm being chaperoned by Harrison Thompson's son.

My laugh turns into a fit and I'm left laughing out loud, gripping my aching stomach and praying the feeling doesn't kill me.

"Okay I think I got it, sit down," he says laughing about my situation.

Lost in my euphoria I barely manage to sit up on one of the stairs waiting to see his plan to help me down.

I try to calm myself down when he stands in front of the stairs and places my hands on his shoulders. I finally understand his idea when I'm lifted in the air by my hips and grip his shoulder in a reflex as I'm left gasping when I land on the ground.

I gaze at him and his previous smile falls a bit as he stands there with a blank expression.

I'm almost sure I see his eyes switch to my lips.

"Sorry," he apologizes for his sudden plan to get me down those stairs with a small smile trying his luck at diffusing the tension.

I reassure him before he gently directs me to his car.

The silence is calming and comfortable and I notice I had never been in his car before.

I bask in the comfort, all giddy as I look outside the window admiring the city I love to swing in so much.

He chimes in with small talks here and there and in my new feeling of serenity, I mindlessly make one-word answers.

After a while of admiring the scenery, I look back inside the car when I notice him fidgeting around looking tense.

"Is everything okay?"

"Are you mad?" he asks as his hand tightens up on the steering wheel.

"No, why do you ask?" I return the question fidgeting in my seat to get more comfortable.

"I don't know, you don't talk much. Usually I can't get you to stop talking," he says scratching his face before returning his focus to the road, his side eye gauging my reaction.

I guess the comfortable silence wasn't shared and so I rattle my brain to find a topic we could discuss to fill the apparent discomfort he feels.

Trying to take the attention away from the topic of 'us', I remember the look he and McCoy shared and decide to ask hastily.

"Are you gonna reconcile with Garret?"

"Is that what you're mad about?"

"No Flash, I'm not mad. I'm just trying to make conversation since you seem to think my silence means that I'm angry."

"So you're not mad," he affirms one more time.

"No, I'm not mad."

"Cool," he finishes before he falls himself into silence.

"So? Garret?" I ask after a few beats of silence.

"Let's not talk about Garret."

"Too late, now I'm curious," I say turning on my side to give him my full attention.

"I reminded you how to dance cut me some slack," he whines.

"No," I laugh, "You taught me how to dance. I told you I didn't take dance courses."

His own laugh is short-lived, "Yes, you did."

"When?" I challenge him.

He pauses and takes a deep breath as we reach a red light, "It was during that time you moved to your Aunt May's."

The confession throws a cold in the vehicle.

"Oh," is all that manages to come out of my mouth.

"I remember," he says messing with his steering wheel waiting for the light to turn green, "You looked out of it during that time. It was what? 1st grade? 2nd grade?"

I wish he wouldn't pause in between bombs because the multiple aspects of the current situation make everything point to us being forced to look at each other.

I audibly exhale and wait for anything to come and fill the heavy silence of the car.

I even think about reaching over and turning on the radio.

"Why would we talk about my friendship with Garret?" he tries to distract from the conversation with a new topic.

"Oh, so there IS a friendship," I point out jumping on the occasion to step away from the previous topic, proud we have succeeded in shifting the subject.

In a streak of luck, the light turns green, and new chatter fills the car with a newfound lightness.

He sighs, "I don't know. Would that be a problem?"

"Why do you ask me? I don't manage your friendships."

"I don't know. I thought about just leaving that friendship behind but who knows," he says glancing at me with a teasing glint in his eyes, "If you root for him I could find it in myself to grace McCoy."

I chuckle as I change my position deciding to hug the headrest with my arm to rest my head on it.

"Sounds to me like you're afraid to choose for yourself."

He scoffs and laughs it off, "No, I'm just asking for someone else's opinion. Second opinions are important too."

It's silent as he shifts gears and I realize we're getting closer to my neighborhood.

"I thought about just ghosting him for a while. And with what happened last time, it feels like he's never gonna change," he confesses, "And maybe that's how it's supposed to end between us two."

"Ghosting?"

"Yeah, I don't think a discussion could get us anywhere useful. Garret is not the type of person to apologize anyways."

His demeanor is nonchalant but his expression shows a rare vulnerability.

"Some people just don't grow up," I barely manage to hear him mutter.

I hesitate but the observation kills me.

"That's very wise of you," I notice out loud.

He realizes I must've heard him and chuckles mostly at himself.

"I am wise," he proudly states as he turns the car again.

"That's just something Léa said," he adds.

He notices when I frown, "Believe it or not but my problems with Garret started before his attempt on your life," he jokes as he parks.

With the car now off I place my hand on his shoulder as a silent encouragement, squeezing and smiling at him before letting go of the headrest and looking out the window to see my apartment building.

I don't think much of it and open the car door to slip out of the vehicle.

"You know I'm supposed to be the one that opens the door for you, right?"

I turn my focus away from the building to see him getting out of his car, his head poking up from his car's roof.

He gets closer and stands right beside me at the bottom of the paved stairs.

He faces me and with newfound courage, I try my luck.

"Didn't you say we were going to this event as friends?"

"Opening a car door doesn't mean anything. It just says I have manners."

I hum impressed by his quick answer and see his hand already out for me to take.

Frowning, his smile turns my grimace into a bright smile when I recall the stairs incident.

I chuckle and grip his hand as he leads me up the stairs.

"See," he says as we reach the top of the stairs, "Just a gentleman."

My laugh dies down as we face each other with an awkward silence that I break when I slip his jacket off of my shoulder and hand it back to him.

He grasps it and looks down at it. He seems to hesitate before he looks back up at me clutching the fabric in his hands.

"School starts back tomorrow. See you there?" he asks.

"Yeah," I let out, my voice softer than it should be, "See you there."

I end the night with a kiss on his cheek, taking the risk of letting it last longer than it should.

The silence isn't tense or awkward and I know this time it goes for the both of us as we share a smile and I grip his shoulder squeezing it one last time.

"Good luck with McCoy."

His serene expression turns sour as he scrunchs his eyes shut and rolls his head back.

"You didn't have to bring up McCoy," he whines as I let a quick laugh escape me one last time tonight.

"Good night," I say with a smile, satisfied with how fulfilling this evening has been.

"Good night."

I let go of him and step back towards the door before I have to inevitably turn around and leave him there.

My last view of him is his figure standing right there looking back at me with a charming smile.

I'm not sure but I could swear he grazes his cheek where I kissed him goodbye in-between the smallest gap of the building's door as it shuts close.

[crack-art-n-stuff]

Valentine pressed her boot down on his arm, with a proud smirk, “You’re getting predictable, Nightbutt. Need to keep me entertained.”

Nightwing grunted as he pretended to reach for his escrima sticks. The villainess’ attention followed his reach, giving the vigilante an opening to sweep his leg under her free leg. Taken by surprise, the wind was knocked out of her after he flipped them over so he could pin her down. His tight grasp on her wrists forced her pistol to clatter away from them when he slammed them against the stone rooftop.

Valentine clenched her teeth as she was forced to absorb the hit. She playfully glared up at Nightwing, not wanting her confident and flirty front crack.

He gave her his own playful smile, “I could say the same about you, Cupid.”

Thinking fast, the villain tried to knee him in the stomach, but her simply pinned her leg down with his own.

Shit. This isn’t good, is it?

Valentine and Nightwing were both panting, feeling the energy spent in their fight.

Only now did she notice how close they were, their breaths mixing together. Holding her facade was getting harder. Her brain was slowly frying, scrambling to find a way out and ignoring her pounding heart. Even behind his mask, she could feel his eyes burning into her own.

She opened her mouth to say a smart quip, but was immediately shut up by Nightwing. His lips suddenly slammed against her own. She was frozen, trying to decide on what to do. She could use this as an opening, but god, did she want to melt into it. She wasn’t stupid. She had a skill in self-reflection. However, that doesn’t mean she likes to admit it. She was supposed to be like a black widow, using and disposing people after she no longer needed them. Alas, Nightwing liked to disrupt her plans, didn’t he?

For a millisecond in her distracted state, she kissed back. This caused Nightwing to deepen the kiss. Letting go of one of her wrists, he used that hand to grasp her jaw. Taken aback, she let out a noise in surprise and her face faded into a deep red, growing more flustered.The hand that still held her wrist slowly moved up to lace his own fingers with hers.

Shit!

When he finally pulled away, they stared at each other. Valentine used the sudden space to slam her head into Nightwing, dazing him. She flipped them over and hurried to her feet. She quickly scooped up her guns and ran to jumped to the other rooftop. She didn’t stop running or look back.

Shit! Shit! Shit! Shit!

Still on the original building’s roof, Nightwing slowly sat up as he turned his head to watch his foe run off, with her tail between her legs. Noticing his nose bleeding, he licked the blood that fell to his lips.

With a dark smirk, he was satisfied for the night.

Baby steps. But he knew it was working.

He’d control his little cupid’s heart strings in the end.

When he wanted something, he stopped at nothing to get it.

Always.

[icybreaths]

Steampunk AU GrimmJe really has some Tom and Jerry moods the more I think about it.

-Jewel's airship pirate ass out there tricking her warden into opening her cell for a split second and their scuffle lands him locked in there instead while she makes her getaway, having stolen a precious knife of his.

-She jumps ship and he finds out later, thinks she's dead, until he crosses paths with her on a separate ship they both target and he's the one captured (without her help this time!)

She makes prolonged eye contact and leaves him there while snooping through the ship's boxes and chests with her butt up in the air, legit just diving into shit.

Ignores his griping right up until she's done and she goes up and cuts sOME of the rope binding him, knowing he'd still have to put in a helluva lot of effort to get free. Uses his knife she stole to tip his chin and say, "Yer welcome~" Pokes the knife against her own cheek and makes a kissy gesture before dashing off.

-Her reputation's garnered some traction and he's not the only one after her or the crew she was a part of. Doesn't see her for months... until he sees an all too familiar face in an unfamiliar town serving guests in a shady bar. Got a different getup on but he recognizes her.

They're both like

while she's like, "What can I get fer you, sir?"

Brings him his drink, spends extra time focusing on other people because fucking great of course he's here, how the fuck--

They make small talk when she 'has' to stop by his table. She can tell he's just waiting for the right moment to get her and boy she's just waiting to make her getaway at this point.

Makes up some excuse about feeling sick to get out of work and leaves out the back way lmao bye.

But he's on to her!!! And gdi she's not gonna get away. It's happened TOO MANY TIMES.

A separate fight breaks out in this bar because weewoo he wasn't the only one on to her in there. He's so. mad about it.

It gets so bad that a fire starts in the building. People are scattering, calling for help. Multiple hunters are scrambling to find Jewel's lil pirating ass.

Grimm catches her hopping rooftops and BITCH he's going after her. He's wants the things she's stolen and he wants the bounty on her head.

She thinks she's in the clear because she had a head start but she didn't expect Grimm to be good at climbing shit.

He catches up to her, corners her even. She can't make the next jump. He thinks this is it, that he's finally got her.

She looks ready to fight, but then tries to make him look over his shoulder. He's not convinced in the slightest.

She has to tackle him down as shots ring out in their direction.

It's another one of the hunters, aiming across the way. It was evident that she was the target but Grimmjow was in the way so he was getting fired at too.

They both seek cover and try to shoot back at their attacker.

It's only between quick glances that they hatch a plan to get away from this person. One would cover fire while the other backtracked across rooftops to the nearest one they could scale down from. They're successful, but not without sustaining shots.

He follows her to one of her underground hideyholes.

When she stops she points her gun at him. Her aim wavers because her arm's bleeding profusely. "I'm not goin'. Wherever yer wantin' a'take me m'not doin' it."

He's also wounded, aims at her at the same time. "I'm not takin' you anywhere."

They have this silent standoff for a moment.

She says, "Empty yer clip; I'll empty mine."

They both do.

She immediately rushes over to grab medical supplies. She only helps him because he helped her. Their neutrality here was only temporary.

[astridellejo]

Baldur's Gate 3 Playthrough - Episode 3

Head empty. Only Karlach. I wonder if it's possible for a monk and a barbarian to have a happy and healthy relationship? Beau? Yasha? Your thoughts?

Okay. It's been a week and I've had time to think about my play style. As usual, it's all below the cut:

The presence of the tadpole has established a sense of urgency in the game that I felt pushed me to try and get through the game as quickly as possible. I had this same problem when I played Breath of the Wild the first time. The urgency of Zelda's plea pressed me to try and finish the game quickly.

But I have to remember that urgency in the story does not necessarily mean urgency in the gameplay. So I reset my playthrough to just after my first long rest, and instead of going straight into the goblin camp, I set out to find one more person for my adventuring party. Oh, look! I found a doggo! Maybe I'll see the pupper later at camp?

Shit. I can't get across the river. So annoying. It's not even that far across. If only I could jum ... p. Duh. I can jump! Okay, people, over the river we go! No, Lae'zel, don't jump back. We're going this way. Lae'zel, come on! I know you want to talk to your gith allies, but they massacred us three times in another timeline. So, no. We're not going that way.

There's someone by the river. Oh my glob, it's Karlach! she's everything I hoped she'd be based on the fanart! That chipper and bouncy cherry red tiefling has melted me with her glowing furnace heart. (Better be careful, though, or she'll also literally melt me with her glowing furnace heart.)

Lae'zel and Shadowheart continue to flirt with each other with their banter on the trail. "I'll kill you," says Lae'zel. Shadowheart comes back with, "Yeah right, bish. I'd like to see you try." You two can get hot and sweaty together later at camp! Now focus! There's some bad guys you can kill.

I had my ass thrown from a rooftop in a fight with the folks Karlach has beef with, but somehow we won the battle. Hooray! This battle didn't kill my party! Immediately decided to take a long rest afterward only to discover someone at my campsite who wants to kill my new girlfriend. I don't think so, bucko. Wait, you want to join my party?

[Side-eyes Wyll.]

[futurespeed]

Running through the speedforce is like nothing Bart has ever experienced, yes he's run fast, very fast, but never this fast. if he wasn't terrified by what's chasing him, he'd say it was pure peace.

Looking back, Bart feels his heart skip a beat, they're getting closer, he has to go faster. Pushing himself to the absolute limit, Bart knows he has to lose these creatures, he has to save his world.

Looking back again, he loses his concentration for a spilt second and trips. Crashing to the ground, Bart rolls and skids out of the speedforce. Crashing into a wall, Bart lays on the ground and covers his head.

shit shit shit, he's dead. he fucked up. His world is going to be destroyed all because he fucking tripped like some kid still learning to run.

Bart lays on the ground waiting for death when... nothing happens. Slowly, Bart uncovers his face, and looks up. He winces at how bright everything is, before he adjust and looking around. He has no idea where the hell he is, looks like some sort of lab?

"A-Are you okay?"

Bart nearly jumps out of his skin when he hears someone speak. He quickly gets up and faces the person who spoke. There standing, staring at him confused, are two people, a man and a woman.

"uhh, yo! how's it? I uhh... sorry about the.." Bart motions to the sizeable dent he left in the wall when he crashed, "I'd totally fix it for you but... I don't know how..."

"It's okay, we just want to know, who are you?" the woman speaks

"oh! I'm bar-- uh, Impulse. totally crash name, huh? the guys at the resis--uhh my friends, they came up with it. They say it's because I'm stupidly impulsive, but I like to think it's because of that cool lightning pulse thing I can do... uhh... on very rare occasions..."

Suddenly, The Flash shows up, and Bart feels his stomach drop. oh no, he's here and he found him. He has to leave, and he has to leave now. but, he can't just leave the two scientists behind, Flash will probably kill them or worse.

Quickly, Bart runs behind the two and grabs their shoulders, "Hey, don't worry, I'll get us out of here, okay? I'll drop you off somewhere, he'll continue to chase me, you'll be fine. If you ever find anyone from the resistance... Tell 'em I'm sorry I failed and uhh.. make sure you embellish the story to give me a totally crash and inspiring death. Ready?"

"wait what are you-" The man speaks up, being cut off as Bart starts running.

As soon as he starts running, he can tell the Flash starts chasing him. He needs to drop these people off quick because he knows it's just a matter of seconds before Flash catches him. He stops for half a second and leaves the two on the side of a road, before taking off again.

Looking behind him, he sees the Flash still following him and catching up quickly. Stopping on a rooftop, Bart turns and faces Flash, if he's going to die here, might as well go out with a fight.

"Listen! I know you're mad, I know you're going to kill me. I betrayed you, I get it. But you took things too far, Dad! I thought we were doing good, I thought the world of you! but... you killed Nora all because she what?! wasn't fast enough?! Saw who you really were?! Doesn't matter, I know who you are now, and even if I die here, you won't get away with all that you've done." Bart frantically tries to explain

"woah! woah! wait wait, what are you talking about? who are you? I killed Nora? no, no I'd never do that..." Flash replies, baffled

"uhh, wait..." Bart looks around before realising this doesn't look like the Central City he knows at all, " what uhh what year is it? did I time travel?! Yo! that's so crash! I had know idea I could do that!"

"it's 2023, wait you called me dad? are-are you my son? what are you doing here?"

"oh, oops, haha, spoiler alert! I'm Bart Allen, your son from the future! if it's 2023, then you're still a hero huh? pretty crash... I've always wanted to meet you before you went crazy! I'll explain everything, can we just umm.. get off this rooftop? I'm not a huge fan of heights."

"uhh, yeah, sure. let's go back to Star Labs, I'll get everyone there. You can tell us everything."

"awesome! Race you back!" Bart laughs slightly before running off.

[wolfwing04]

As Above, So Below - The Discovery

Rin Okumura x OC

Chapter 3

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

The tension surrounding Mr Noihaus and Rin is so thick you’d need a saw to cut it. A thick tension that is cut when Sir Mephisto Phelis bursts from the roof of the room, kicking Rin in the forehead.

He explains how “This was the Exquire exam” and “You were always safe”. But most importantly we will get our results in a few days.

We are all taken to one of the many spare rooms which is now fashioned as a makeshift infirmary. However, since almost everyone was hooked up to IV drips, I find refuge in my room instead. A divine soldier of life and death…is terrified of needles and can feel the phantom sensation of them.

Yukio still comes in and checks on me though. He’s joined by Bon who’s brought some jellybeans and juice. “Since you can’t handle needles, we found another way to boost your body back from the exam.” So while Yukio gives me a check over, Bon and I share snacks. He’s not too bad.

——

That night, I’m awoken by loud gunshots. I quickly throw on some shoes, grab a few daggers, and race to rooftop, whereupon I find Yukio in battle with Mr Noihaus. Without a second thought, I join in the fight. Against the smaller demons, we both prove effective.

It isn’t until Noihaus’s large ghoul forms in the middle of the circle when Yukio and I are definitely out matched, but still we try and fight it off. Bullet wounds do nothing and my blades even less, all we’re doing is pissing it off. It soon has enough. With one hand it’s grips around Yukio’s neck and with another flings me off the edge of the roof.

Down…

Down…

Down…

Stop.

I don’t fall far. My subconscious doesn’t allow it and pushes out my wings automatically. Technically I am of more use like this, but it comes with the trade off of Yukio and Rin knowing…well…could be worse.

Up I go to join the fight again. Dagger right into the neck of the ghoul. It bursts into blue flames. It can’t be… I stay in the air, ready to either dodge or fight. But the owner of the flames is someone I’d never expect. It’s Rin. Tail and horns, and everything. He catches my eye and we both take a second to register each other as we are. Shit.

Noihaus takes the opportunity to spritz Rin with holy water, diminishing his power. “Well now Miss Turner, this is a surprise.” Noihaus smirks. Cocky, misgendering asshole. Yukio takes the commotion as an opportunity to destroy the summoning circles. “Mr Noihaus please…you’re loosing a lot of blood.” I try to soothe. “Why are you doing this?” Yukio cries. Confusion and anger dripping from his words.

Noihaus explains everything. About the Blue Night. His family. His wife. “Kind of like Heracles…” Putting the blades away, I slowly make my way towards Noihaus “Would you like me to help heal you?” He slowly stretches out his arm that’s dripping with blood, however, as soon as it’s in my grasp he fires a ghoulish arm from the wound and it punctures right into Rin’s stomach. “Rin!”

“Did that make you feel better?” He grimaces. The arm retracts and I push Noihaus away. Rin sheaths his sword, “If you wanna kill me. Kill me. Pick a time and place and I’ll be there. Just promise me this…that no innocent people get hurt!” Noihaus just grumbles and walks away.

After waiting a few seconds to ensure the fight is properly over, I race to Rin’s side “Shit Rin are you ok?” “Y-Yeah I’m ok. I heal pretty quick.” I softly hover my palm over the wound and focus. Think of a golden light. Feel the warmth closing up the wound. When I pull my hand away, only a small cut is left. “I’ve never been able to fully heal things larger than a child…sorry.” Looking up at Rin, his eyes are wide with awe. I step back and tuck the wings away.

“Rin!” It’s Shiemi. When she sees the blood on Rin, she gets concerned and jumps into action. While she and the Twins are conversing, I slip away to my dorm.

——

Later that night, the anxiety of how Rin and Yukio will now treat me eats away at me so much I can’t sleep.

I quietly walk down to the main kitchen, “Ookabok? Are you there?” The little demon pops out of the shadows and grunts a hello. ‘Would it be ok if I had some tea? I don’t mind making it, I just wanted to ask first.’ Ookabok chitters in agreement and begins making the tea. “So, what’s bothering you?” He asks.

I tell him everything. It’s a comfort too. The tea is a sweet, calming chamomile. Ookabok brought out some shortbread too. Walkers. My favourite brand. A part of me feels like the little demon doesn’t fully understand or is even fully paying attention, but it’s nice to say everything out loud anyways. “Hey…sorry to interrupt.” Turning around, I’m met with Rin who’s sheepishly standing in the doorway. ‘Can I join you?’

Ookabok leaves the two of us alone, saying he wants to go to bed. “So…you’re an Angel-“ “Soilder!” I correct a little too harshly ‘Sorry…soldier is the more preferred term. Humans tend to over glorify the term ‘Angel’.’ “So you’re a…Soldier then? How about that.” I take a sip of my tea “And you’re…a son of Satan.” He looks at me confused “A son?” “Yukio” “Oh yeah.”

We sit in awkward silence for a few minutes. “How long have you known your fathers…?” “A few months. Did you always know you’re a …?” “Since I was quite young. It reached a point where it couldn’t be hidden any more.” “So you never picked up that I’m a…?” Rin leads. “No not really. To be honest, I just thought you had ADHD and/or autism and that’s why you act the way you do. And since I’ve also got both it didn’t strike me as weird.” I take a sip of tea. “Huh…cool.”

We sit in not-so-awkward-anymore silence for a few more moments. It’s broken when I sneeze and my wings fluff out of my back. Rin bursts into laughter so hard he’s crying. “Stop it!” I join in the laughter, but still try and tuck them back away “No no, I’m sorry. You can keep them out” Rin isn’t hiding his stares. Though, it’s hard to not at the grey, feathery mounds protruding from my shoulder blades.

“How do they work?” I turn around carefully to demonstrate. It’s a racerback tank so it’s easy to see the shoulder blades. “So, it’s kinda similar to your blade, but instead of steel and a sheath it’s wings and skin flaps that are tattooed. I’m able to ‘retract’ them in a way, like you with your flames.” And so I retract them. They slip into their slots in my skin, disappearing under the flesh and vanishing away.

I turn back around, slightly adjusting my tank as I do. Rin is staring wide eyed again. In pure awe. It turns me a sunset pink at the sight. “Well I uh…should probably get some rest.” “Yeah! Yeah I’m gonna head off too.” We both stand up and leave. It’s not until the doorway where we remember our rooms are next to each other.

Another few minutes of awkward silence. When we reach our doors, Rin breaks it. “You know…I’ve got a tail…” he untucks in from his shirt ‘now we don’t have to hide ourselves anymore.’ And with a smile, we part ways.

——

“Congratulations! You all are officially Exquires!” Mephisto announces triumphant. ‘And as a reward, I’m treating you all to a feast!’

The so called feast wasn’t…well a feast, but it it was paid for by the Director so yay free food! We all eat and talk and for the first time in I gather ever, genuinely enjoy one another’s company. And when I look over at Rin, he’s looking at me, and there’s a spark.

Interest and duty are beginning to conflict.