#and the hero can be anyone as long as he's willing to fight for the zonai and is strong enough to use their weapons against their own magic

[shannonsketches]

do you guys ever think about totk and skyward sword

Like how between the dragons being named for the golden goddesses, the master sword being both a piece of technology and also healed by said dragon magic, the dragons being the result of eating a zonai secret stone, and ganon's quip about how the people must have thought the zonai were gods when they first interacted, and how there is a strong implication that Hylia was just a Zonai the Hylians chose to worship because they didn't know any better.

And how Demise was said to be something that came from beneath the Earth (the depths) and its Imprisoned form looks kind of like a Frox, and how Skyward Sword might be a Zonai legend spread to justify taking sanction over the mines and how in the story we hear he has dark skin and red hair even though according to Fi its true appearance is different to everyone who looks at it (which is an awfully convenient form for Evil(tm) to take).

And how TotK gave context that says Skyward Sword can feasibly be stripped back into a story of ancient Zonai queen having beef with an ancient Gerudo king over control of literal power (zonaite)

and how demise's curse was just 'this will happen again' because a gerudo king is born every one hundred years

do you guys ever think about that

[silverthehedgehogcharacteristics]

Silver the Hedgehog Key Characteristics

Strong Sense of Justice: Silver is a righteous hedgehog of justice that is outraged by suffering and devastation. Seeks to settle scores(Sonic Forces, IDW Sonic) to get back for those that have been wronged and make evildoers pay for what they’ve done. Is very confrontational because of this as he has zero tolerance for injustices or things like breaking promises and will quickly take on anyone or anything to right wrongs and help those in need, however “His wish is to maintain peace, not to eradicate evil”(Sonic Channel). Silver wants to become a hero because it means being someone that can “protect smiles”(Sonic & Silver).

Optimism: Silver is an optimist and embodies hope just as Sonic embodies freedom. He always looks to a brighter outcome, does not give into despair no matter how dire the situation and believes “There’s always hope as long as you don’t give it up”(JP Sonic Forces quote). Inspires hope in others during dark times(Sonic 06 last episode, Sonic Forces, helping Elise through her performance anxiety in Otherworld Comedy) and spreads happiness during peaceful times as he is said to engage in Cheerful Activities after the historical change in 06(Sonic & Silver). If he is down it does not take much to bring him back up(Sonic Rivals 2). Silver has a positive way of life that inspires people and makes them want to cheer him on(Sonic Channel).

Kindness: Silver is an Altruist with a strong desire to help others and is always thinking of someone else’s happiness rather than his own(Sonic & Silver). Silver wants to “protect smiles” and make people happy because he grew up in a world filled with despair. His altruism is the source of his mission and the only thing that can make him break from it as he can’t say no to a sad face or ignore those in need. Silver actively does things like serving apple slices(Wallpaper Comedy 2022) and giving gifts as Santa(Sonic Pict) because his greatest joy is seeing smiles. Silver put the spirit of the pilot Renzo to rest by pretending to be an airplane for him in Town Mission 4. Silver is selfless and acts for others, he has no regard for his own safety and is willing to sacrifice himself without even thinking(Sonic Comic Pumpkin Trigger). When Eggman attacks in Sonic Comic Act Final Stage, Silver instantly acts to shield everyone.

Honest: Silver is a pure and genuine person that is very Forthright, Straightforward and Honest to a fault to the point of being blunt. He can’t tell a lie, wears his heart on his sleeve and has an “Honest, unpretentious and kind demeanor”(Sonic Channel Staff Column). Silver is very humble and does not think of himself as a hero(Sonic & Silver). Silver is an Enhancer(someone that is determined and simple, never lies, hides nothing, is straightforward in their actions and thinking, whose words and actions are often dominated by their feelings and is very focused on their goals),

Brash: Silver has a brash and flippant personality that is even more brash than Sonic’s(even Sonic says Silver has an attitude in Sonic Rivals). Silver is so straightforward and honest that he is also rude and blunt. He has no filter and will call you an idiot to your face if he thinks you’re an idiot and is so direct that he can often ignore manners and social customs(06 NPC dialogue, Sonic Rivals series). Silver is very snappy, abrasive and sarcastic, being quick to insult or sneer at any opposition(06, Rivals series, Riders Zero Gravity, Olympic Games, Eggman’s theme park in Colors DS). Has a confident, somewhat smug attitude about his abilities and is very Competitive(almost fights Blaze when they start one-upping each other over who could deal with Orbot and Cubot on their own in Colors DS). Silver is said to have Mischievous Side(Sonic Channel Commemorative Illustration series). Silver is Headstrong(almost fights Blaze when she treats him like an amateur in Otherworld Comedy) and can be quick to start fights for both serious and petty reasons(Colors DS, Rivals series, Jet and Bowser Jr in Mario and Sonic, Infinite in Forces). Silver is very ill-mannered in general which is more apparent in Japanese where he has various informal rude mannerisms including using “Ore”(informal masculine “I”), “Anta”(Impolite “you”) that signifies he speaks bluntly, pointing directly at people he speaks to(confrontational gesture) and crossing his legs while sitting(roughly the Japanese equivalent to putting your feet on a table). Silver is rash and impolite in contrast to Future Trunks. Silver’s blunt rudeness, honesty and overall traits are the complete opposite of Eggman Nega’s over-politeness, deception and overall traits. Despite this however Silver is still outgoing and approachable.

Naive: Silver has a black and white perspective and is innocent in his ideals. Expects people to believe him when he says he’s from the future or explains outlandish situations simply because he knows them to be true(Which causes people to not believe him). Sometimes takes things literally and doesn’t understand jokes but has an angry “What’s so funny” attitude when he doesn’t understand things(Says “Yes, why?” when Espio asks “you want me to believe that?” in Sonic Rivals 2 and “What’s so funny” when he didn’t understand people what people were laughing at in Otherworld Comedy). Silver is young and immature according to Shun Nakamura.

Emotional: Emotionally immature, unregulated and unfiltered. Sometimes Silver tends to deal with things too head-on because of the strength of his feelings, or he tends to take everything on himself, which can make him reckless and rash/impulsive(In the Japanese version of 06 Blaze describes him as running wild rather than insecure). Short-tempered, easily angered and has a wrathful temper like Blaze. Gets indignant when people don’t listen to him(Sonic Channel) and punches things when he is frustrated(06, Mario & Sonic series). Feels joy and rage loudly but sadness and contemplation quietly. Silver is generally High-Spirited, puts his all into what he gets invested in(I’m giving this everything I’ve got!). Can get carried away or needs to be calmed down/held back when he gets riled up. Silver is hot-blooded and rash while Sonic and Shadow are calm and cool(Sonic & Silver Sonic Channel story).

Peace: Silver lives and fights for World Peace. Silver is devoted to peace because he hails from a hellish ruined future that was filled with darkness, devastation and suffering. Silver has great empathy for the state of both people and environments so devastation saddens and upsets him while beauty and prosperity leaves him breathless. Blue Skies and Smiles are especially important to him, blue skies make him feel at peace, and he can’t help but smile when seeing smiling faces. The quills on Silver’s head are patterned in the shape of a Japanese Red Maple Leaf which represents peace and prosperity.

Sentimental: Silver is also very Sentimental. He finds great beauty in nature and serenely appreciates both the wonders of the world and the little things that most people take for granted. Silver enjoys sightseeing and going on journeys(Sonic Colors DS, Olympic Games, Sonic Pict) because of this. Silver relaxes and chats with his friends during downtime(Sonic & Silver). Silver has a somewhat wide-eyed curiosity and likes seeing cool and interesting things(“Interesting”). Silver feels serene and at peace when seeing nature, happiness and prosperity. This side of him ties into his peace themes due to his ability to appreciate beauty and serenity which the Momiji/Japanese Red Maple also represents.

Fighter: Fought and struggled for half his lifetime(possibly since he was Cream’s age) through the disaster future(Sonic & Silver). Silver hails from an extremely hostile environment filled with darkness, large Iblis enemies and constant disasters. He has high aggression because of this and has very intense determined expressions and aggressive body language with constant fists even during competitions or just tasks he's focused on. Silver has angular sharp pointed eyes like Sonic’s other rivals which represent intensity and danger in character design. Shadow describes Silver as a Fighter in Team Sonic Racing. Silver is extremely powerful being able to evenly physically fight Sonic and Shadow to a standstill in 06 and the Rivals series, and repeatedly destroy both the gigantic Iblis and small armies by himself in 06 and Sonic Pict. Silver both Enjoys Fighting and has an Instant fight response when surprised in Sonic Generations. Silver “sometimes calls forth great power without mercy”(Sonic Channel).

Determination: Silver has relentless Determination that allowed him to fight through the apocalyptic future. Doesn’t give up easily(got exact hedgehog apple slices after 40 tries). Has no regard for pain/massive pain tolerance(Kept fighting undeterred after being kicked in the head by Shadow and skipped across the street like a rock by Sonic in Generations and endures excruciating "pain beyond description” caused by his powers in Sonic & Silver). Silver is bold and undeterred by any threat(says “We can take them all on!” when facing Eggman, Knuckles and Rouge in Rivals 2 and “I’ll just destroy him everywhere at once” when facing Solaris in Sonic 06) as he fought against disasters and large Iblis monsters in dark dangerous environments from a very young age and throws himself at every enemy from Iblis to Infinite without hesitation, even if they are stronger than him.

Straight-to-the-point mentality, hates distractions and petty details(Doesn’t care what the plan is called, only that it works in Forces). This can make him impatient towards things that get in his way or waste time. Silver is Goal Focused(even during things like competitions he says the Jade Ghost Wisp is the only item he likes because it lets him disappear and focus on racing in the Team Vector interview). Takes things much more seriously than Sonic and sometimes gets mad at Sonic for not taking things seriously or messing around(JP TSR, Sonic 4 Panel Manga). 

Silver is very direct and Proactive as he spent most of his life trying to defeat Iblis and find out how his future came to ruin when no one could tell him how and actively investigated Dodon Pa and Eggman in Team Sonic Racing.

Silver is pragmatic and somewhat ruthless. Opens both his fights with Sonic in 06 by trying to sneak attack and snipe Sonic with psychic energy balls. Has fought dirty by playing possum to hit Sonic in 06, snuck past Soleanna guards to get to Radical Train in 06. Mugs Tails in Sonic Rivals 2(he’s okay with stealing), has no qualms with fighting kids like Tails or Bowser Jr. Leaves his enemies to die even if they beg for life(Sonic Rivals 2/IDW Sonic). Has the “get-it-done” mindset of Future Trunks and will do whatever it takes to save the future.

Challenger: Enjoys challenges and ways to test himself(Sonic Colors DS, Mario & Sonic Series). Makes steady efforts to train and improve offscreen(Sonic Channel Comedy). Silver is a very skilled person that takes offense to being treated like an amateur(Otherworld Comedy) and is able to do various jobs around Soleanna(06 Town Missions), become a delivery boy(Sonic Pict), a butler, a top class ice skater, and a genius skating coach(Sonic Channel) and has sharp shooting among the best in Soleanna’s 1500 year history. One of his catchphrases is “I’ll take you on”. 

Intuitive: Silver sometimes deduces things that other people do not and every central game role Silver has from 06 to TSR is about him searching for truth and he has successfully figured out the schemes of Eggman and Eggman Nega before anyone else each time. Silver can be very sharp, perceptive and crafty; he figures out Eggman Nega’s disguises by noticing small details in his mannerisms in Sonic Rivals, intuits Blaze trying to control her great power when seeing it for the first time in Sonic Channel and changes his fight with Sonic into a race to collect Chao instead to advance his mission in Sonic Rivals 2.

Often shown/implied to like Apples(he ate apple flavored calorie bar rations in the 06 Iblis future according to Sonic Channel Sonic Pict) suggesting they are his favorite food. Apples also symbolize sweetness, beauty, and hope for prosperity in Japanese and Jewish culture.

Lives in the good future the same way Blaze lives in the Sol Dimension when not in Sonic’s time(spends most of his time there as he doesn’t get to see Sonic very often according to Team Sonic Racing). Also implied to live in Soleanna(He was originally going to be named Venice simply because he lived there, implied to live there in Sonic & Silver and Otherworld Comedy Act 4 Sonic Channel stories).

[prlssprfctn]

Do you ever wonder why Jason wears a domino under his helmet? Well, it's to hide his eyes, obviously. They shine an unnatural green but not with anger and hatred as so many of those around him come to believe. Rather, something much more shameful, envy.

When he looks at Bruce he sees a man who has turned one of his greatest fears into a symbol people see hope in. Millions know it and so many wear it with pride, including the man himself. But when he wears it, it is a poor attempt to be one of those people. He will never be one of them, and so when he dons the bat it is an imitation of the man himself who wants to rip it off his chest himself.

With Dick it started when he was young and has only grown exponentially. Of course, he was the first Robin and son of Bruce, setting a standard the likes of Jason could never reach. But then as Nightwing he has become a role model that everyone, heroes including Batman himself, can look up to. He can lead like no other and he's left chasing his shadow.

Barbara was able to rise above the Joker, not letting her trauma define her future. As Oracle, she has reached so much further than she did as Batgirl. Her efforts going far beyond the walls of Gotham, which only ever seem to trap him. She never needed Bruce to do what she does but every action of his is defined by him.

Then there is Cass. She has so much raw talent, skill, and training. How is anyone ever meant to compete? And she is so empathetic. After her first kill and her "death" she vowed never to do that again. You would think someone who has actually died could feel the same, but he doesn't. She embodies the Bat while he seems to only defile it.

Next is Stephanie, who, much like him had a criminal father, but she chose to do whatever she could to stop him. While he seems to only follow in his footsteps. She also "died" but got to come back publicly and live life as Stephanie Brown. She gets to go to college and fight crime, something he once was able to do a lifetime ago.

His successor Tim, who took up the mantle with a noble cause, to save not only the city but to save Batman, someone no one thinks to save. A better Robin they he ever could be whose intellect is rivaled only by Bruce. He was also a boy who was simply enough to earn the love and respect from his older brother when he was and will never be worthy enough for it.

The newest member Duke, who is still able to stand on his own within a family of so many outstanding individuals, creating a niche no one can take from him. He comes from the same crime ridden streets as him but feels much more connected to them than he does. It's been so long since he had to live there. He's losing his roots. How can he say he fights for them when he can't even remember what it was like?

And the youngest of them all Damian. Who came from a life of assassins but has begun to move past it. To forgo killing and to even forgo the vigilante life, something that is killing him but something he doesn't know how to live without. But most importantly, he is the son of Bruce. Who has become a man willing to do anything and everything to bring him back from death. Why couldn't he do the same for him?

So he wears a mask to hide this shame he feels when he looks at his family. They manage to soar above it all together while he is sinking deeper and deeper into the pits alone.

And some bonus ones is the damn case where he sees the Jason everyone wants. No one really remembers who that was but they know its not like the one they have. He will never be like him and so he wonders if he should have ever come back in the first place if everyone wants the dead boy. As well as all the villains, rogues, and goons they face every night. How are they given more grace then him? Why are the Bats willing to give them chance after chance when they've shown no desire to change? But when he tries and fails thats it. Why do they treat someone they are supposed to love worse than his own murderer?

-🐳

------

Am I sorry for sending angst after angst? No because if I have to be sad about this man I'm making it everyone's problem.

"Maybe it would be better if we never came back" / "Yeah, maybe" — these lines from Outlaws still hurt me so much. because that's really the only conclusion a one could come up with given everything, isn't it?

and this, mixed with a headcanon that Jason is an easy crier, so domino mask conceal if his eyes eventually start to glisten from upcoming tears every time he catches a pure realisation of how his situation in the family in the midst of patrols—

/never apologise! i love your asks so much :3

[fanged-fanfics]

Hello can I request ancient Heroes raising a Kryptonian baby reader if that's possible?

Plot: basically the origins of Superman but instead of the Kents finding them it's the ancients.

☆ Successor To Greatness — Ancient Cookies & Doughbaby! Reader ☆

Genre: Platonic || they/them pronouns for reader || No warnings needed

──────.𖥔 ݁ ˖˗ˏˋ ★ ˎˊ˗.𖥔 ݁ ˖ ──────

ᯓᡣ𐭩 Pure Vanilla was likely who had found you, bringing you to the other Ancients at once. He was surprised anyone would be willing to abandon a doughbaby like this, and the second the other heroes saw you, they felt the same

ᯓᡣ𐭩 White Lily mentioned tales of doughballs falling from the stars, old anecdotes of mysterious arrivals and Cookies made of the stars themselves. With curiosity, the heroes concluded you must be of a similar fate

ᯓᡣ𐭩 Golden Cheese loved to have you around, she was one of the first to take to you and start picking up tasks. She'd ruled tons of subjects before, a doughball was practically the same thing... right-?

ᯓᡣ𐭩 Hollyberry was the most naturally protective of you. You essentially became their shared responsibility the second you stumbled into their lives, but your mood always seemed to improve when she was handling you

ᯓᡣ𐭩 Dark Cacao could sense the potential you carried when you started showing early signs of your power. He suggested early training to the others, but they all agreed you could be raised like every other Cookie just fine

ᯓᡣ𐭩 Pure Vanilla made sure any harm that came to you while learning your powers was healed immediately. He was a gentle parent to you, always one to talk things through with you and teach you how to use your powers responsibly

ᯓᡣ𐭩 White Lily helped you to learn patience, reassuring you when you felt discouraged that progress takes time. You were always encouraged to try, and she made sure you were never left out

ᯓᡣ𐭩 Hollyberry would make sure you'd follow your dreams, and to never lose sight of your ambitions. The passion in your soul jam is the best asset a Cookie can have, and she was always willing to try out new hobbies with you so you could find what you love

ᯓᡣ𐭩 Golden Cheese reminded you that you're worth the finest things in life, and that you should never settle for less. Prioritizing yourself should always come first, and Golden Cheese would give you gifts often to emphasize this

ᯓᡣ𐭩 Dark Cacao teaches you how to be firm when needed, that standing up for yourself is something you should never be ashamed of. As long as you're fighting with all you've got and with honor, he won't interfere

[fatkish]

Aisles and Class 1A x Fem Quirkless reader platonic hcs who’s cold, reserved, but still polite and nice to others. She’s a strict badass who’s also street smart and masters a bunch of weapons like throwing knives, guns, pole arms, etc, to replace her lack of a Quirk. One of the top students as well as the scariest girl in class as she gives it her all in class, sending anyone who challenges her to the infirmary anytime they fought her. Unlike Izuku, who at least grew up with a parent’s love, she had nobody and had to survive on the streets and illegal underground rings, earning many nasty scars that she hides behind her bandages and clothing which she always covers up with stuff like scarfs, gloves, even if it’s super hot out. She craves any love but backs down due to heavy discrimination, bullying, etc. hcs?

(So I’m gonna assume that Aisles is Aizawa because I don’t recall a character with that name. Also I’m gonna make the reader similar to Illumi Zoldyck from HxH)

Aizawa & Class 1A x Quirkless Reader

Growing up in the underground was harsh and brutal. In order to survive you had to be willing to do whatever it took

Whether it was stealing food, or fighting, you did anything that could increase the chances of your survival

Living on the streets, you grew up facing villains and thugs in the alleys, they would see you as an easy target so you had to learn to protect yourself

After years of fighting and being subjected to multiple quirks, you’ve built up a high resistance to physical pain. Not that you can’t feel pain, you just tolerate more of it better than others

You’ve learned various techniques and skills when it comes to fighting but you’re not just skilled with combat

Having no parents, you had to learn to cook for yourself and became somewhat skilled in the culinary arts

In order to make up for not having a quirk, you learned to wield every possible weapon and mastered the use of each

And in order to have money, you fought in illegal and legal underground fighting rings. These fights landed you plenty of scars to the point that you’re covered in them

You wear bandages and long clothing to hide the scars, however your choice of style can make you look suspicious

Due to growing up the way you did, you developed a rather cold and reserved personality but you maintained your manners and are very polite

You don’t really show a lot of emotion which can make people uncomfortable being around you, but you don’t really care

Originally, you weren’t going to go to highschool but you came across Aizawa one night when you were cornered by some thugs. He was about to step in when you seemingly appeared behind the thugs, then they all fell down unconscious. Aizawa thought you used a teleportation quirk. He understood that you were essentially homeless and had no family so he offered for you to stay with him for the night

As he began to understand your predicament, he was amazed at how quickly you picked up on things. You were incredibly smart and observant but that’s probably due to having lived on the streets

When Aizawa learned that you didn’t have a quirk he originally didn’t believe you. But after testing his quirk on you, he realized you were telling the truth

Aizawa actually gave you a recommendation to UA since he deeply believes that you would make a good hero

When you took the recommendation exam, you met Inasa who surprisingly quickly managed to worm his way past your walls and became your friend during the exam

After having passed the exam with flying colors you were given Inasa’s phone number since he learned you didn’t have a phone

Aizawa had later that day, bought you a phone for you to connect with the friends you would hopefully make

When school came around, Inasa had been coaching you on how to make friends, despite your cold personality you managed to befriend Izuku on the first day (more like he just didn’t have the balls to tell you you were scary)

You saw how Bakugou treated Izuku and you didn’t like how scared Izuku was so you decided to make an example out of Bakugou

During All Mights hero class, you were paired with Izuku and Uraraka. You followed Izuku and protected him from Bakugou. When Bakugou ignored All Might and used his stored up sweat, you decided that you had enough. You quickly went behind Bakugou and started to let loose on him, in the end, you accidentally sent him to recovery girl’s office since you didn’t know how to hold back

When Izuku saw this, he realized you weren’t that scary and you’re just not that good with social situations, he then took it upon himself to make you apart of the Dekusquad and you decided to keep hanging around him

Shoto and Momo have become some of your closer friends. Momo takes you shopping and loves to dress you up

Mineta, Koda and Aoyama are terrified of you. The girls all love that Mineta is too afraid to perv on you, so they use you as a shield to ward off Mineta

Kirishima and Ojiro are constantly asking you to spar with them as well as Bakugou. They don’t care that you can’t hold back most of your strength, the don’t care that sparring with you is a one way ticket to Recovery Girl, they admire your strength and they want to get stronger

When you’re relaxing, Shoto likes to hang around you since you both have the same cluelessness in the sense of social interactions

Although you have a hard time initiating affection, Aizawa makes sure you receive plenty of it whether it’s just a simple head pat or a small hug. Aizawa and Midoriya help you with learning how to express yourself since you’ve closed yourself off as a means to protect yourself

[enigmaedid]

Sonic and Shadow’s dynamic is one of the most absurdly compelling things in the universe, but trying to piece together how they ended up together? It’s like trying to make sense of a puzzle where half the pieces are missing, and the other half shouldn’t even be in the box.

Sonic, the embodiment of joy, freedom, and unshakable optimism, has spent his entire life running toward the next person to help. He’s the hero who sacrifices his own well-being to make sure everyone else is okay, even if it means going head-to-head with the most dangerous forces in the world. That’s his thing—helping others, making them smile, and giving them a sense of hope. But here’s the twist: as much as he wants to be the happy-go-lucky guy everyone sees, there’s this dark undercurrent to him, this subtle tension between his desire to save and his need to keep people at arm’s length. Maybe it’s because he knows just how far he’s willing to go for the ones he loves, or maybe it’s because no one’s ever really looked past that surface-level heroism to see the weight he carries.

Then there’s Shadow. Shadow is pure contradiction—born from hatred, bitterness, and a deep sense of wronged pride. His entire existence was forged in the fire of suffering, revenge, and manipulation, and for a long time, that’s all he knew. He hurt people. He tore through the world just to sustain his own sense of purpose and to feel something, anything. When he wasn’t using his anger as a shield, he was using it as a weapon, but deep down, the emptiness was there. It’s always there, because it’s all he's ever known. He doesn’t trust anyone—not even himself—but somewhere along the way, he started pretending like he didn’t care. Like nobody mattered. Except maybe, just maybe, a certain blue hedgehog who wouldn’t leave him alone.

Their first encounter is nothing short of explosive. Sonic, ever the optimist, sees someone with a chip on his shoulder the size of a mountain and thinks, “Oh, this guy’s a challenge.” He doesn’t know why, but he just has to reach out to Shadow. Maybe it’s the hidden pain he can sense or maybe it’s just Sonic’s nature to see someone struggling and want to help them—but Shadow? Shadow doesn’t need help. Or so he thinks. What starts as one of their usual high-speed chases quickly turns into a twisted game of cat-and-mouse. Sonic’s persistence irritates Shadow to no end, but after a while, there’s this weird, unspoken thing between them. Sonic doesn’t give up, and Shadow? Well, Shadow's just too damn intrigued.

And before they know it—despite themselves—they’re tangled up in each other’s lives. Sonic wants to fix Shadow. He wants to show him there’s more to life than pain, revenge, and isolation. Shadow wants to break Sonic—wants to prove that no one can truly care for someone like him. They’re so opposite, so fundamentally wrong for each other, yet there’s a magnetic pull that neither of them can deny. They don’t fit. They shouldn’t fit. And yet… somehow, they do.

They start dating, and it’s utterly ridiculous. Sonic is all heart, wearing his emotions on his sleeve (even if he doesn’t always want to), while Shadow is trying to act aloof, like he’s above it all. But the walls start to crack. Sonic’s relentless positivity somehow makes Shadow drop his guard just a little, and Shadow’s complexity—his pain, his past—gives Sonic something to fight for. They clash. They argue. They’re insufferable at times. But there’s a strange comfort in it. Sonic gives Shadow the space to be vulnerable, and Shadow forces Sonic to confront the parts of himself he’s been hiding.

Nobody understands why they’re together. Not even them, probably. It's like watching a romantic comedy where the two leads are so mismatched, you can’t even imagine how they got together—but there they are. It’s dysfunctional. It’s complicated. It’s pure chaos. But somehow, that’s what makes it work. Because when you strip it down, it’s two broken souls trying to find a way to fit into each other’s worlds. It’s a love story where the line between hatred and affection is paper-thin, and neither Sonic nor Shadow quite knows when they crossed it.

It’s messed up, it’s confusing, and it’s a damn trainwreck—but that’s exactly why it’s so perfect.

[zuko-always-lies]

What makes a villain's fate "deserved" in the context of ATLA

Aang: [Cut to Katara, Toph and Sokka from the behind, as Aang speaks.] Roku was just as much Fire Nation as Sozin was, right? If anything, their story proves anyone's capable of great good and great evil. [Cut to an aerial shot of the hardened lava wave.] Everyone, even the Fire Lord and the Fire Nation have to be treated like they're worth giving a chance. [Shot cuts to a close-up of Aang's face.] And I also think it was about friendships.

There's little more common in fiction than villains suffering deserved, karmic fates. However, ATLA is a show which heavily focusses on the themes of redemption, which argues that everyone deserves being given a chance to do better. In this context, a villain's fate can only be truly karmic if they were given a chance to do better and rejected it. We can see this play out in the series.

Zhao

Zhao wants to kill the moon to become a legend. The heroes and Iroh explain to Zhao why this is a very bad idea, and nearly convince him, but ultimately he kills Tui anyways. Thus, when the Ocean Spirit kills him in retaliation, it feels appropriate and karmic.

Zhao is even given a second chance, if he's willing to put aside his hatred of Zuko, but he refuses to. That makes his fate even more appropiate

Long Feng

Long Feng fits this idea less well, but it's still there. When he explains that he's really in charge of the Earth Kingdom, the Gaang tries to tell him about the eclipse, but he refuses to listen, leading to their continued efforts to contact the Earth King personally. If he had just put aside him "no war in Ba Sing Se" rule for five seconds and promised to help them, he never would have faced his downfall. And, of course, he responds to losing power by allying with Azula, a sworn enemy of his nation, before trying to backstab her. His end is appropriate but perhaps not fully karmic.

Zuko

Zuko is someone who manages to avoid a bad fate in canon. However, given how many chances at redemption he gets that he rejects, how many chances the heroes give him, if he had rejected redemption yet again and suffered a very sad, tragic fate because of it, it would have felt very appropriate and karmic within the confines of the story.

Combustion Man

He's basically not a character, so this concept doesn't apply to him.

Edit: As @boomerangguy has pointed out, even Combustion Man has someone try to reason with him.

Ozai

Even though Ozai is the big bad of the series, the concept still applies to him. It's important that Aang gives him a chance, and it's important that Ozai rejects that chance. After that, Ozai's fate feels fully appropriate.

Azula

Azula faces one of the saddest fates in canon, but it doesn't really work within the themes of ATLA. Azula is a bad person who does some really bad things, but she's mostly just doing what she's supposed to. She's serving her father, her Firelord, her family, and her nation and following the path a young Fire Nation royal is supposed to. She lacks the sheer egomania of Zhao or the selfish corruption of Long Feng.

But she is never given a chance, never given a choice, either by the narrative or by the heroes. She is never shown kindness by the heroes. She never has her life saved by them. No one ever tries to reason with her or tell her she can pick a different path. No one ever tells her they don't want to fight her or that they wish they could be friends with her. She, through her actions, tells her brother she doesn't want to fight him, but he never really reciprocates.

In the end, she tells one of the heroes, her own brother, that she wishes things could be different, and he tells her to get fucked, instead of offering his hand the way he did for Zhao.

This is why Azula's fate can't be karmic, in the context of ATLA. She was never given a chance to chose otherwise.

[everestgale]

what if. what if I ask about Paranoid. huh what then-

(take your time lol)

Well, good thing you told me to take my time because it took me a while to formulate all of my thoughts on this guy. Damn you Paranoid- /lh

[Send Me a Character and I'll List Ask Game]

Warning: I have some strong opinions on Paranoid, and as a result, I'm worried that it might sound like I'm attacking people or bashing people's opinions/headcanons. So I need to preface this: I am NOT bashing anyone for having different opinions and headcanons from mine. And I am NOT saying that my opinions/headcanons are right/better and other people's are wrong/worse. This is nothing but me sharing my opinions, that's all :]

favorite thing about them

It is insanely refreshing and comforting to see a fictional character with anxiety symptoms, who copes through hyper-competence and vigilance.

Most portrayals of anxiety and anxiety-like symptoms tend to lean towards shy, socially awkward, quiet, and avoidant characters. And there is absolutely nothing wrong with that! I'm just saying this to explain why having Paranoid, a character with, well, paranoia, be demanding, argumentative, and competent, is so refreshing and, honestly, validating, in a weird way. His response to the horrors, to his own distrust and anxiety, is to laser focus on a solution/an action that he can take to make it all stop… and there is something very relatable in his persistence, in him trying so desperately to claw his way out of this self-imposed, distrust- and fear-filled prison, sometimes to the point of insanity.

And it's very much a self-imposed prison. His distrust, anxiety, and fear are what twist Nightmare into the lonely monster she is, power of perception and all. He is quite literally the source of his own problems, which he then tries so desperately to solve… all of which are immensely relatable. He is a very flawed character with a very skewed perspective… but he isn't a helpless cowering little thing, he is a coward, sure, but he frantically fights back despite it.

I don't even know if this makes sense anymore. But also yes, I project like all hell onto Paranoid. No, I am not sorry about it.

[Yeah, this is also getting long. More under the cut.]

least favorite thing about them

Paranoid, I love you, I would never say no to more Paranoid… but I have to be honest, he stole Skeptic's rightful spot in HEA.

HEA with Skeptic would've been such a nice exploration of his character, especially with how underutilized he still is, even after the Pristine Cut. And realistically, Paranoid didn't need another Chapter appearance, especially since, if I remember correctly, he was the voice with one of the highest number of Chapter appearances, he got an extended role in Apo, and he got an appearance in the Cage. My Paranoid-loving heart is screaming for saying that, but Deconstructed -> HEA should've been Skeptic.

favorite line

"The whispering and the coercion and the bickering — everything horrible about being alive has stopped. I could get used to this."

"Oh that's right! Yeah, fuck this guy. Don't trust him."

"Of course I'm not okay! I've never been okay. But maybe I needed to never be okay for us to make this happen."

"Who deserves something like this? She wants her freedom at the expense of ours, and she's willing to destroy us over and over again if it helps her. What kind of god does that? Stop deluding yourself. If we're going to make this work, all of us need to see the truth!"

…and of course, the classic "Heart. Lungs. Liver. Nerves."

brOTP

I am obsessed with platonic ParaBroken, especially with the new Apotheosis re-write. Seeing Paranoid absolutely lose his mind as you defy Apotheosis, seeing both him and Hero encourage Broken to see beyond his devotion to Apotheosis... I remember genuinely clapping my hands after picking [Still your doubts.] and hearing Broken go:

"But it's not enough to stop us, is it? We're going to make it to her."

They did it! My boys did it! They helped Broken to see beyond Apotheosis, beyond his perfect goddess... and believe in something other than her. Even better, to believe in them, to believe in him.

And this exchange too:

"That's what should happen. Why isn't it happening? Did we do something wrong? Were all these powerful, heroic thoughts not enough?" "I believe! I believe in us! Isn't that enough?" "Unless we got the rules wrong... I'm sorry. I think I messed this up."

The way these lines are said... Broken's genuine confidence and Paranoid's panic turned into guilt... UGH, I love how their relationship develops throughout this route.

Not quite as rooted in canon (more so inspired by the dynamic written by one of the Discord mutuals), but I also like to imagine that in the post-ending (where they would recover all of their in-game routes as memories), Broken remembers and appreciates Paranoid's persistence during the Apotheosis... and so in turn, he helps the anxious voice with his panic in whatever ways he can. I love my platonic ParaBroken HC <3

Honorable mention goes to ParaCheated, with Cheated being a near-permanent resident of Paranoid Medical Center™, and Paranoid trying his best to patch Cheated up when he falls apart... they hate how often they have to see each other there, but besides that, they have a pretty good friendship :]

OTP

...it's ParaHero [2]. I already talked about it for a while in Hero's character ask. If you wanna know why I like ParaHero so much, check it there :]

...actually, I feel like I didn't do ParaHero justice in my Hero post. It's just so hard for me to explain my thoughts on why I like this ship so much. Just the way they interact during the Nightmare route, with all their bickering and back-and-forth, especially the "I thought you needed me to run the autonomic nervous system" conversation. Despite Paranoid's clear annoyance (and Hero's awful chant), he still gently (but still with his signature snark) guides Hero on how to do it properly. And throughout the route, when Paranoid kept losing control of the autonomic nervous system (either because he kept trying to comment, or because of Nightmare), Hero was there to guide him back, to keep them all alive. Like I mentioned in the Hero post, there's a certain degree of comfort between them that really appeals to me, and I can't quite explain it. It feels like they are protecting and helping each other. It feels like there is trust and respect between them. It just feels like they would get along well.

And during the Apotheosis! How both of them (more so Paranoid than Hero, but still) are trying to convince Broken to join them, how they eventually all do join together for "One. Last. Try"... how in the old Apotheosis dialogue, Paranoid's curious "I'm interested" sort of calms clearly pissed-off Hero... and how in the new dialogue, Hero gently asks Paranoid if he's okay... These BIRDS, UGH-

...the goal of this was to elaborate on my ParaHero thoughts, but instead, I feel like I'm talking in circles. I don't know if anything I said makes sense! Grr! Why are words so hard /lh

nOTP

This is probably one of my only actual nOTPs... it's ParaCold. And the more I think about it, the more I realize that it's mainly for personal reasons </3

And to be clear, this is specifically for ParaCold as a romantic/semi-romantic ship. ParaCold in general is a very interesting dynamic, and I love exploring it, so long as it's not romantic <3

random headcanon

Oh! My Paranoid is the only voice that doesn't have eyes with irises, and instead, he has "glassy eyes full of static" (as a nod to all of the crackly static noises in the Nightmare route. I sort of talked about how his eyes "break" in this post :]). And because of that, I HC that he kind of has a bad vision, loosely inspired by the visual snow syndrome. It just makes sense in my brain that Mr. "More eyes, too. You never mention the eyes" would be the one with noisy vision.

unpopular opinion

I am not a big fan of fem!Paranoid headcanon. It personally just makes me a tad uncomfortable to write my Paranoid as fem, given the fact that he is the most anxious voice, who has a tendency to lose his mind and act what's commonly described as "hysterical", all qualities that are often stereotyped and associated with women and femininity. Plus, I really like Paranoid's representation as a guy with anxiety/paranoia, so writing him as fem feels doubly awkward.

It's a popular community HC, so I feel I should clarify again: this is just me trying to explain why I don't feel comfortable with writing my Paranoid as fem. I am NOT trying to accuse anyone with fem!Para HC of misogyny or anything like that. If you write and HC Paranoid as fem, I respect and support you! This is just my thoughts and opinions <3

…plus, as I already mentioned, I project onto Paranoid a lot. And as a transmasc/genderfluid/not sure nonbinary person, I identify with masc!Paranoid a lot more than fem!Paranoid <3

song i associate with them

I genuinely don't remember how I found this song, but it fits Paranoid really well: "something wrong" by NomnomNami

"those eyes, they continue to spread on the walls on the ground and i don’t think that any place that’s safe is left"

"i know i wasn’t wrong! how can this be my fault? my blood is spilling out your eyes are full of doubt…"

favorite picture of them

Of the art that I made (because canonically disembodied voice and all), this is probably my favorite:

...yeah, it's ParaHero angst. I just like how I drew Paranoid here <3

[yanderes-galore]

Heyyyy can I request romanticly Lloyd Garmadon×reader, Prompts 1 and 4 because I can really see Lloyd also being an yandere who would sacrifice the world for their darlin

I didn't realize how much trauma Lloyd went through until I watched a video on it... Oml man is NOT okay.....

Yandere! Lloyd Garmadon Prompts 1 + 4

"I'd burn this world and everything in it for you."

"My heart belongs to you, I'll adore anything you do to it."

Pairing: Romantic

Possible Trigger Warnings: Gender-Neutral Darling, Obsession, Overprotective behavior, Possessive behavior, Unhealthy coping mechanisms/attachment, Threats, Clingy behavior, Kidnapping, Attachment issues, Dubious turned forced relationship.

The child who is not embraced by the village will burn it down to feel its warmth

Lloyd has never experienced proper love. Lloyd hasn't even experienced a proper childhood. He was instead forced to take the mantle of hero at a young age... forced to fight evils no normal person should face...

Of course he wasn't going to be okay.

Lloyd's biggest fear is becoming like his father. He knows he's done horrible things in the past and he still can't forgive himself. He's witnessed many he's cared about die... He's watched himself harm others.

So, of course, the moment he feels anything positive... It's normal to latch on, right?

When Lloyd met you, he was hesitant to get attached. He's so used to being used or watching those he cares about get hurt.... The moment you're kind he panics a bit.

But over time... Your kindness feels genuine.

It's the one thing he's always wanted... Genuine love.

Love to someone who has never had it is an addicting thing. It's such a foreign yet familiar thing to him. Yours is so warm and sweet.

However... The problem with addiction is this...

Addicts will do anything to get another hit.

Lloyd's attachment to you was because you paid attention to him. You saw past his heroic acts... and his not so heroic acts.... Lloyd felt you saw him for himself.

Unfortunately... It didn't seem like you were ready for his strengthening attachment.

You saw Lloyd as a friend. Maybe even a sibling due to what he's gone through. You wanted to comfort him... support him...

But it seems you were just making him worse....

To Lloyd, it didn't matter what happened to him or anyone else when it came to you. As he was around you, he found himself unable to be away from you. Even when you asked for distance... He was unable to give it.

Why would you want distance anyways...? Is he not good enough? Does he scare you? Are you going to leave him?

He'd do anything to prevent that.

The moment you try to drift away or distance yourself, Lloyd just tugs you back. He's never far from you. He's always dedicated... scared you'll leave if he doesn't.

"My heart belongs to you, I'll adore anything you do to it."

He says such words like a prayer to you. Like it's a promise he'd come back no matter what you did. You were not a fool to his feelings... You just knew you could never reciprocate them.

He'd never stop loving you though.

It didn't matter how you loved him. Lloyd would always love you. As long as you give him attention, as long as you look at him, he'll take anything.

He'll be forever loyal...

He'll sacrifice anything...

As long as you're there to hold him. As long as you won't ever leave. As long as you're his...

He could care less how you see him... and he could care less if the world suffers for it at this point.

Lloyd may be a hero. However, to him, you always come first. Lloyd doesn't know what he'd do without you.

He'd sacrifice anything and everything if it meant you'd be all his. He'd cling to you even more if it meant he'd secure you. It didn't matter what it took...

"I'd burn this world and everything in it for you." Lloyd had said that to you to show you his desperation. You had suggested to take a break from one another, to be away from each other. The implication hurt...

Yet Lloyd was willing to wait as long as it took... and sacrifice everything... just to keep you to himself one way or another.

Sure, you can have some space for now... but he'll always be back by your side eventually.

Doesn't he deserve something good for once? Doesn't he deserve to be selfish? He's been forced to be hero for so long....

Lloyd's biggest fear is no longer becoming his father. His biggest fear is being alone. When you threaten to put distance between you and him...

Suddenly... being a bit of a villain doesn't seem so bad... Maybe he should just... drag you to be beside him forever...

As long as it means he's never alone... maybe he should give into his villainous roots.

[marinettesaltprompts]

I don't really have an official prompt with this post, but I have had this idea for a while involving Adrien losing his ring because Ladybug doesn't think he's a good holder. It doesn't matter what is the reason, all that matters is that Ladybug never learns who Chat Noir actually is when she comes for the ring.

At first Adrien is both angry and upset about the situation, but eventually he manages to heal from it. He's eventually able to get over losing Plagg and finds himself having more free time without having to deal with akumas or patrols. He's able to connect with others again due to the lack of a secret identity, including Kagami (whom he previously messed up with due to said secrets).

On the flip side however, Ladybug can't find anyone to wear the Black Cat Miraculous for more than a few battles. Outside of those who simply didn't have the combat experience needed to use a miraculous, the few that Ladybug was able to last on the battlefield eventually quit, either because they couldn't handle Ladybug's "strategies" or because they had gotten traumatised after one of Hawkmoth's akuma effectively killed them.

However, despite all her failures, she never once attempts to find or get in contact with whoever was Chat Noir. Despite everything she has gone through, he was obviously still a bad choice!

Eventually, another Hawkmoth attack leaves Ladybug without anyone willing or capable to use the ring of the Black Cat, so when the next akuma appears, she tries a gamble.

Adrien is running away from the akuma battle with Kagami when Ladybug lands in front of them both. Adrien is calm (though inwardly still hurt), when Ladybug gives Kagami the Dragon Miraculous, but any calm he has is shattered when Ladybug turns to him, carrying an all too familiar miraculous.

Apparently Ladybug wants Adrien to be the next Cat Hero. Who would've thunk it?

To Ladybug (and Kagami's) shock, Adrien refuses the ring outright. At first Ladybug tries to butter him up with the opportunity to use the power to help others as well as save his friends, but Adrien still refuses. Eventually, whatever composure Ladybug has vanishes, as she all but begs Adrien to take the ring and help, to the point even Kagami is semi-helping, wondering why Adrien doesn't fight given his own physical skills.

Eventually, the akuma approaches their location, and Ladybug is all but screaming for Adrien to take the ring.

Adrien: I don't care! There's other people who would be more than happy to have superpowers! Go after them instead.

Ladybug (half crying): I-I don't have anyone else! (Adrien and Kagami are shocked at learning this) I've already tried finding other people to wield the Cat Miraculous and none of them worked out. E-either they couldn't handle the miraculous or they couldn't work as a partner. You've already shown that you are strong as a fighter and I don't have anyone else to ask! You are literally the last person I can ask that to take the ring so please take it!

Adrien: ... always the last person you want to talk to? Right Ladybug?

Ladybug is confused by this statement, but then lets it pass when he see's Adrien nod and takes the box. However, that smile fades when Adrien speaks again.

Adrien: ... just to be clear, I'm only doing this once, and that's because the akuma is close by. Once we are done here, don't ask me to come back again.

Adrien opens the box to find Plagg coming out of the box. Ladybug attempts to explain the power to him, but he doesn't listen, merely putting on the ring.

Plagg: Don't suppose this is a reunion?

Adrien: Not for long. Sorry.

Plagg: I figured. Bridge is too burnt huh?

Adrien sighs, then transforms.

He could have chosen another outfit or an alias, but Adrien is too fed up to care anymore. In this moment, the only thing he wants to do is show Ladybug WHY he's angry, and why he doesn't want the ring.

Kagami and (especially) Ladybug both can only stare in shock as Adrien transforms, as a million thoughts rush through their minds and both girls finally realise why Adrien didn't want the ring back.

In Adrien's place stands none other than Chat Noir.

And he's not smiling.

"...Well, you got what you wanted. Lets save the city then. One last time, right partner?

(That's all for now, please let me know if you want this prompt continued. Happy new year.)

[witchygagirlwrites]

How Dare You- Part 6

Jay Halstead x Reader (nicknamed Deuce/ surname of Barlowe. No first name used)

The building tension finally causes an eruption and all truths come out

Warnings: ⚠️ MENTION OF MISCARRIAGE BECAUSE OF AN EXPLOSION ⚠️ Fighting, Blood mention, broken bones, concussion, depressive episode, blaming oneself for earlier mentioned miscarriage, talks on infidelity, accusations of infidelity, lots of cursing, I think thats it? ⚠️

“Davidson, have you hit every hole on the way here?” you asked between gritted teeth when the humvees finally rolled through the gates of the base. He cut his eyes up to the mirror “Sorry Deuce, these things aren’t exactly made for comfort sweetheart” you gave him a pained smile back “It’s alright. Just screwing with ya. Can you tell your squad leader I want everyone in the conference room so I can make sure of the condition all of you are in before you’re dismissed?” he nodded “Yes ma’am” and slid out of the humvee.

The medic looked over you at Travis “Should I take her to the medical wing?” you shook your head “No, he’ll take me once I check on the team” “She’s stubborn to a fault but just as loyal” he told the medic and shook his head “Come on Deuce, the quicker I let you put your eyes on the squad and the rest of our team, the quicker I can get you to go get fully checked out”

You smiled “At least you have finally learned. Took me long enough to train you” he grinned and slid out then waited on you “Come on” you slid out and he slipped an arm around you “Put however much weight you need to on me, I got you” you smiled “I know Trav”

The two of you headed for the door of the main building and he looked down at you “You know it says something that the FBI and the army has handed a team of sixteen to a five foot something woman. It says even more when that woman refuses to get herself checked out before she makes sure everyone else is ok” you smiled “I just want to see for myself, five minutes then we’ll go. I promise” he nodded “I’m holding you to it, I will carry your ass out if need be”

When you made it to the conference room, you made a point to walk in by yourself. Travis was right next to you though. Samantha cut her eyes at you and you knew she was ready to tear into you about not being in the medical wing. “I just want to check on everyone first” “And if something happens to the person over this whole thing?” Marcel questioned. “I’ll only take five minutes, I promised Trav or he threatened to carry me out if need be” you laughed.

You walked further in and the squadron stood to face you. You looked around, eyeing the soldiers and dogs alike. “Is everyone ok? Anyone have any injuries that need to be attended to?” “No ma’am” came a few replies. “You shoved me out of the way ma’am” Franklin replied with a small smile. You nodded to her K9 “Rex is a life saver day in and day out. We need you, I’d do it again with no hesitation”

“Such a hero” Jay muttered and you felt yourself stiffen along with Travis who had stepped up even closer to you “Halstead is there an issue?” you asked and he shook his head “Nope, we’re all fine. You did your job let your boyfriend take you to medical” 

“You son of a” Travis didn’t even finish the thought before he threw a punch, catching Jay square on the jaw. You took a step back, knowing both men and damn sure not willing to be caught in the cross hairs. Jay swung back and his punch connected soldily too then Travis lunged taking Jay to the ground and soon both men were just beating the holy shit out of each other. 

“SEPERATE THEM!” you hollered to the men. It took three men a piece to pull them apart and you were pretty sure Jay clocked Davidson at least once and Travis hit Marcel in the process. “Does it piss you off that bad seeing someone actually give a damn about her?” Travis asked him, eyes boring into his as he spit out a mouthful of blood.

Jay scoffed “Does your wife know you’re fucking her? Cause mine divorced me for it” that set you off, you flew between Davidson and Jones and hit him hard enough you felt the knuckles in your hand pop and it split his lip even further than Travis already had “WHO LIED TO WHO? WHO TRICKED WHO INTO BED YOU BASTARD?” 

About that time Nolan walked in “What the hell is going on?” and you spun and without thinking caught him across the face with a punch “I told you this was going to be a fucking shit show! You wanted the best? You fucking got us!”  Marcel let Travis go and you felt his arms slip around you “Come on sweetheart, you’re gonna hurt yourself further”

You were struggling against his grasp “NO, JAY WANTS TO AIR DIRTY LAUNDRY!” Nolan looked at Travis “I understand all of you just got out the field, tensions are high. She got hurt, take her to medical”

You winced when Travis asked if he could let you go. You were still glaring at Jay “Yeah, I need an xray of my hand now too” 

______________________

As soon as you and Travis walked out the squad let go of Jay. “That was out of fucking line Halstead” Samantha told him and he knew better than to start another argument in front of Nolan. Hell he didn’t know why he’d said that shit.

“I didn’t…” he tried but Marcel cut him off. “You meant to humiliate her, make her look like the bad guy but look around at your squad. They’re not looking at her. They’re looking at you” the two of them walked out, followed by the rest of his squad. He tried to leave but Nolan stopped him “Halstead, go to Medical. Bailey fucked you up pretty good and Barlowe rebusted your lip. You’re bleeding everywhere. Then I want to clear the air between all three of you” 

“Yes sir” he replied and walked out.

You were sitting on the bed in the exam room. “So, according to your line of duty injury report, you were hospitalized earlier this year?” you felt Travis slip his hand into yours and squeeze it lightly. “Yes ma’am” “As a result of an explosion correct?” you nodded “I had a concussion, a sprained wrist, busted one of my ear drums, a couple dislocated ribs and I had a miscarriage because of it as well”

“What?” you turned towards the door and Jay stood there, pale as a ghost. Oh fuck. You never wanted him to know this. “Jay” you whispered his name. He slowly walked into the room, “You were…you never told me…why didn’t you tell me?” 

Travis started to step towards him again but you shook your head and looked at the doctor who was looking between you and high, probably highly confused at the moment “Can the three of us have a few minutes to talk please?” she nodded “Of course” and patted your hand before walking out.

Jay felt like he may throw up, pass out…he didn’t know what. You’d been pregnant, and by the way you were looking at him…it was his baby…you’d gotten pregnant with his baby and you’d lost it in an explosion?

“I didn’t know Jay, not until I woke up in the hospital and they told me…not like I was going to interrupt your life just to tell you the baby was gone…I’m sorry for hitting you by the way” your voice sounded so small even to your own ears. Travis sat down on the side of the bed and slipped an arm around your shoulders. His eyes were locked onto Jay’s “I’m not sorry I hit you man. I’ve listened to you berate this woman for weeks, I was with the team that dug her out. I found her, bleeding from her right ear and her…she was bloody…I watched her have to sit in that hospital and mourn a baby she never knew was there…I watched her have to second guess every decision she made that day because she blamed herself…you have no idea half of what she went through”

“Travis isn’t my boyfriend Jay. He was there for me at every doctor's appointment after. He would stand outside the curtain while they examined me and stretch his arm out to hold my hand. He’s my brother in every way that matters. I couldn’t tell Logan. He’s got enough on his plate with a wife and kids, he already had to learn I got caught in an explosion…how the hell was I supposed to tell him I got his niece or nephew killed too?”

“Sweetheart no..” Jay whispered, taking a step closer. You shook your head, feeling tears slip down your face and seeing tears forming in his eyes “Just so you know I would have kept the baby, regardless. No matter if you lied to get me into bed that night I have always loved you. I would have loved that baby the best I could have, my team would have helped me raise it” 

Jay could feel his heart crumble in his chest then and there. The way he’d been acting towards you…the way he’d talked to you and about you…the way he’d lied to you..here you were the one woman that had given him your heart, the one woman that he should have given everything to and he was too chicken shit. You’d gone through losing your child without ever having known it was there, through blaming yourself for the loss and yet you were still standing, still fighting.  How the hell were you still this damn strong? Why the hell had he not done everything to be the man you deserved?

He spoke your name low and you slowly raised your gaze to his, eyes red and puffy from crying. “I’m sorry, I know that doesn’t even begin to be good enough but my god I am so sorry. I can’t ever make amends for the wrongs I’ve done to you” he wiped the tears flowing from his eyes, thoughts of you, pregnant with his baby filling his mind. Thoughts of a tiny little baby with your smile and his eyes. He loved you, he had never stopped loving you. Even when he was with Hailey, he could never fully be in the moment with her. Half of him was always living in the what if with you. Now that half would be haunted by even more. 

“Ever talk to her or about her like that again and I’ll kill you” Travis told him and he nodded “I’ll let you, no fight needed man” the two of them shared a long look. This man that Jay had held so much animosity towards had actually been there for you when you needed him the most, he’d done what Jay should have. He was there to comfort you. 

“I would have wanted it, just so you know” he whispered and you half smiled, running a hand across your lower stomach. “Fate had other plans” then you took a deep breath “I need to finish getting checked out, you both need to get cleaned up from your fight. Let’s just stick a pin in this. I can’t deal with any more of this right now. Ok?” Jay nodded and Travis did too.

It was your idea after Nolan said no one was getting reprimanded to talk to the squad. You didn’t want them thinking there was any tension between their leaders or any more tension than there was.

You stood at the front of the conference room. Travis and Jay stood at opposite ends of the room but at least they weren’t glaring at each other and didn’t look like they wanted to kill each other.

“The fight that happened between Jay and Travis was over me but not how it seemed” you spoke and Davidson smirked “So you’re not screwing your best friend?” you winked at him “Nope” then Samantha laughed lightly to ease the tension. 

“The mission we’ve undertaken is one me and my team have been fighting against. A man who presented himself as working with Los Guerreros del Illimani and being willing to give information on them approached us for a meeting. It was set and the day of, I walked in following him and he disappeared a half second before the building blew apart. My team along with a squadron of soldiers had to dig me out. I was unresponsive and covered in blood. I later found out I lost a baby that day” you took a deep breath “The baby belonged to Jay, that’s where the tension between us has come in. We’ve talked and while we by far are not friends we will be easier to work with from here on out. Your contracts are for eight months and we’re already months into that then you’ll have the option to leave and we’ll get a fresh squad or you’ll have the option to stay on.  With that being said you all now have a three day leave, take some time and catch your breath. Bolivia is a beautiful area. I will be home but you all have my number if I’m needed, I’ll see you in three days”

Everyone seemed slightly dumbfounded. You couldn’t blame them, you just dropped a lot on them at one time. “So, did you apologize for how you treated her?” Franklin asked, looking at Jay. He nodded “I did, I know it’s not enough but I did. I’m going to put in the work to match the words as well”

One by one the squad either spoke to you or Jay before leaving. Once the squad left it was just you, Jay, Travis, Samantha and Marcel. You took a deep breath and looked at Jay “Enjoy your leave? I’ll be home with Samantha and Roxie. Trav will be home with Val and Marcel shares a place with Sirius so we’re around” 

He nodded “See you in three days. Enjoy the break” 

Travis, Samantha then Marcel walked out. You started to follow then stopped and looked at Jay “I don’t hate you, I never did. I’ve just held everything together with bubble gum and bandaids for far too long” he nodded “I get it, you deserve to hate me, I never loved you like I should have. You are the best thing that ever happened to me and I was too blind to see it”

You shrugged “We can’t change the past, can we?” then turned and walked out.

Part 7

@allisonargent144

@nevaehstreater18

@elvenpirate51

@alterna123

@leavemealoneplsandthx

[legendoftherisingtide]

[intro]

Bakugou is a prideful, arrogant person. He holds himself to the highest standard; he is the best and everyone else is simply below him. Everything he has ever done was in pursuit of being number one, shining above the rest. He has to have a perfect victory, he has to be a perfect student, he has to win to save.

He pushes and pushes and won’t let anyone see his weaknesses or his insecurities. He can never lose, he can never fail, he can never show that he regrets or hesitates or that he hasn’t thought everything through. He must never be vulnerable in every sense of the word.

Then why is he standing in the rain.

To apologize shouldn’t be a sacrifice, but it is for Bakugou. To pour his feelings, to admit his wrong, to let down all of the walls he has built and be vulnerable. And in front of his whole class.

He is willing to sacrifice his pride, to fully sacrifice any superiority he could have, to bare his soul and even risk rejection. Because he knows Midoriya is more important. Because he wants him to come home, he wants him to know his true feelings, because he wants things to change. 

Because Midoriya has changed him. Midoriya has opened his eyes; by showing him he’s allowed to be open, that his feelings should be expressed, that he has so much to learn, and so much of that was learned through Midoriya just existing.

He isn’t sacrificing his safety frivolously because he’s expected to as a hero; he is doing it because he has grown. He is doing it because he has finally admitted to himself that he wants Midoriya to be with him and safe.

So I will sacrifice this for you. Not because it will change anything, as much as I want that I know that I can’t just fix all the wrong with just this. And I am willing to do as much as it takes to earn your forgiveness. But I don’t need that from you, not now and not ever if you don’t want that, I just need you to rest. I did so much wrong. And I am sorry for everything. You don’t have to do this alone. Lean on us. You are so strong and being supported doesn’t discount that. You’ve taught me that. 

I hate the rain. But I will brave it for you. 

He would do everything in his power, admit so many things, just to get Midoriya to take care of himself. We see him being the most vulnerable he has ever been in front of people that aren’t Midoriya. He does so much completely out of character, all in pursuit of being there for Midoriya. 

For Izuku.

He finally gets over himself and finally tells Midoriya the feelings he has felt for so long.

He lets go of this idea he is inherently better and finally acknowledges that his hatred for Midoriya has always been about his own shortcomings and insecurities. But he still wants to be better, they are still rivals. He isn’t going to sacrifice that part of him because that is just who he is; he is still going to push to number one.

But now it’s different.

There is verbal and vocal acceptance and respect. Before it was unspoken; their relationship had changed ever since Ground Beta. They were proper rivals, with mutual respect and care, they were actively making each other better.

But Bakugo finally verbalizes it and tells Midoriya, not only is he sorry, but he wants to actually have a proper friendship; he wants to continue to become better and earn his forgiveness. He wants them to push each other to be better, he wants to continue to fight for the top spot, he still wants to be the best.

But when did it become something else? 

When was the turning point when it started to shift from wanting to surpass Midoriya and be the best, to wanting to keep up with Midoriya and stay by his side?

Bakugou has already sacrificed himself for Midoriya before. His body moved on its own; with no hesitation, he would save Midoriya. He has already risked his life for him. But there is a layer to it that I don’t think people talk about. 

He tells Midoriya he shouldn’t try to win this on his own. 

He disguises his concern with an insistence that he’s in it to fight for himself when he initially joins the battle. But it is to fight by Midoriya’s side and support him.

But taking the hit for Midoriya, jumping in the way isn’t just support. This is sacrifice. This is giving yourself to ensure the safety of someone. And it was second nature. 

There are two reasons and both are a sacrifice of something in the moment.

It is knowing someone is so valuable, so great, in all senses of the word, that they must be protected. Bakugou is sacrificing his body and admitting that Midoriya needs to stay alive, for personal reasons and/or for the world. He needs Midoriya to be okay, Midoriya can’t fight alone and Bakugou will do anything to make sure he will be okay. 

But the sacrifice of ideology. 

With every development, he has relinquished parts of himself. When he sacrifices himself he is not only sacrificing his body but is admitting that he can’t do this on his own; he needs Midoriya too. This isn’t him wanting to be better than Midoriya, it’s him wanting to do it together.

Midoriya changed him.

He doesn’t die for Midoriya. He wakes up and just as his last thought was Midoriya, so was his first as he woke up. He runs to his side. People are dragging him back, trying to have him rest, knowing before he even said anything that he would lose his mind over Midoriya’s situation. 

Everyone sees how Bakugou feels about Midoriya.

He sacrifices himself because Midoriya can not die on him. Midoriya has to stay alive. Midoriya has to keep fighting. 

There can not be a world that doesn’t have him in it.

This is the culmination of what has been developing ever since the final exam where Bakugou finally works with Midoriya; the day that win to save, save to win was noticed. Then furthered after Ground Beta where they finally talked to each other and something changed within them both.

But the final sacrifice is the culmination of Bakugou’s character.

He knows what this decision will mean. Everyone screams for him not to. He knows that he is going to die. He knows he will not win this fight.

This isn’t dying for the cause. This isn’t just a hero complex. This is because he can help Midoriya and he will. This is for Izuku.

I will sacrifice myself for you. To give you more time, to give you even the slightest chance of winning. I will sacrifice myself for you because you are who can win. I am going to die. I am going to die and in my final thoughts, I will ask if I will still be able to be by your side.

It is no longer can I beat you. It is no longer can I surpass you. It is can I still catch up to you. It is can I still even be equal to you. He has already sacrificed the idea that he could beat Midoriya, that isn’t what he wants anymore. What he wants is to stay here with him.

I will sacrifice everything I am. I have wanted to be the best. All my life I have wanted to surpass you and everyone around me. But you. I will let that go for you. I let it go in my mind for so long now and I have never wanted to admit it. Is it even possible? Is it even possible for me to catch up to you? Is it even possible for me to stay by your side. I can’t be that anymore. I am sacrificing even that now. I will never be number one now. I will never become the person I always dreamed to be. I will never surpass you. I am forever sacrificing that now. I will die here.  

But can I still be with you?

The sacrifice of his life is him fully relinquishing everything he is, admitting that he can’t keep up, losing all of the progress he has made, letting go of everything that made up his character.

And the last thing on his mind is if he can still be able to be by Midoriya’s side.

He won’t let him go again. 

[typewritingyip]

The Arcturus Missions

Part One - Arcturus One

For @keferon mecha AU, my sister and I have been talking about this for days.

Pardon any characters seem OOC, I am trying my best.

———

September 17th of 1984 was the first time anyone saw one of those bastards, it had been small and seemed non-threatening off the shore of Honolulu. It had made the cover of a handful of newspapers and got looked at by someone in the US government before they chose to leave it be.

Weeks had passed and it was forgotten, just as passing day of news for most people. It wasn’t until they hit the California coast that people became concerned. When they started to kill people and cause property damage to the extreme was when there was government response.

Then they started to attack other countries and eventually inland cities. Basic military response was not cutting it. There needed to be a bigger and more coordinated response, though the powers that be kept that off the table for a while. Cold War and all.

Most of the first generation pilots are either long dead, generals who can hardly move, or in long term care facilities. The first few generations of “Mechanical Enemy Challenging Housing” were terribly ineffective and highly dangerous. Over a thousand people took the challenge and didn’t live to see the end of that first generation of war.

Even now the suits are incredibly dangerous to operate, but they learned a great deal over the years. It took almost a decade for the US to start tying up the fight, and now there is some chance at success.

Back when the fighting first started, the world knew every pilots name. There was a sense of glory in it, for you and your Mecha to be known by the masses. The first hundred or so pilots will always be named in history textbooks, whether locally or for the bigger international battles, everyone watches the footage in school and every child dreamed of being those pilots.

Only now though do they realize how pilots drop like flies, a man whose call-sign was Zeta, was one of the first pilots ever. He made it barely through that first year and died on national television with millions watching; no one would forget how blood poured through the chest seams in his Mecha. It turned that shining white to pink and red. Most of them died on the news, so the government began to realize that making these heroes into idols might not be the brightest of ideas. The suits though, those could be re-used after the death of the pilot.

Now the numbers painted almost haphazardly on the front of the Mecha are to identify the pilot, for the sake of any family they may have watching. To know whether your family member is alive or dead, or what suit they’ve been assigned to. Rather gruesome when you think about it long enough.

—

The program was going on for decades when they finally started to have to properly hire people and stop taking volunteers off the street, the volunteers were wanting in more often for the wrong reasons and were getting killed in their first fight. Finding pilots, actual pilots, became a lot harder when their standards went up. For every program and organization across the globe, it was getting harder to find the people who’d be able to go the distance.

An organization based out of the United Stared called Mecha became the top performer, above the US government and its military units, above Japan, and every other private company especially. They hired the best of the best, the ones who could become one with their suit. Of course, a great deal of their funding came from the United States government contracts, so they had to answer to them to an extent, but when both organizations were willing to pay out the nose to your family to become part of Mecha, why not go with them?

They had some of the most ambitious projects and most advanced suits the world had ever seen. A company that preferred to stay in the shadows with their geniuses and all stars, for what reason, who knows or cares. They dressed everyone up in BDU’s and hid behind the cover of their command structure with the US. But they were the ones ready to end this fight and that was good enough for most of the pilots to hear.

When you have government contracts, plus private funding from who knows where, you can hire the best in their crafts for whatever you might need. Whether bringing in the pilots from the military, scientists from their think tanks, engineers from national labs, or who knows. You can start to do some pretty amazing things.

Like space travel, to bring the fight to them and hopefully get it off Earth. The first space suit that went up lost contact just two weeks into their mission, pilot 1061, call-sign Jazz. He’d been inside his custom to him Mecha when they’d lost contact, his vital signs cut first followed all other connections, as if the reaction had simply just died.

Most of the active pilots had known Jazz in some way, especially the pilots at Mecha who’s trained and tested with him. One of the current longest standing pilots and someone a lot of other pilots looked up to. When he went mission, a group volunteered it be the recovery team whenever Mecha was ready to send another suit and pilot to space.

His loss was swept under the rug and kept from the media, he didn’t have much in way of family and those he did have were either in the world saving business or happy to take a check to keep their silence. The family that he did have that cared were the ones willing to risk their lives day in and day out to fight the same bastards he had. To take the weight of one of the suits and go out there to save the planet.

—

It took five years for the first team to be ready to head for the stars, to where ever those things were coming from and this time the media was invited. NASA was supposedly running the operation, giving it the title of the Arcturus mission. Arcturus One, though most of the pilots felt that they were more so Arcturus Two, biting their tongue whenever they wanted to mention Jazz and his sacrifice. Remember the big checks that would be sent to their families on the first of the month for the rest of time practically, if they kept their mouths shut and accepted to being team one.

The plan was to send up four suits, all attacked to a shuttle that held all the necessities the pilots would need. Not terribly different from how the ISS function with the attached pods, though instead of pods it was giant Mech’s that were made to kill aliens.

A crew of four people, whose names would be known along with their numbers, for the first time in over a decade.

Call-sign: Hound, pilot 1124

Call-sign: Breakdown, pilot 1457

Call-sign: Sunstreaker, pilot 2450

Call-sign: Sideswipe, pilot 2451

Actual names would not be released until a later date to protect their families, it was already a deadly job that they were now taking to an unfamiliar environment, they didn’t need reporters following them everywhere. It was certain that they’d be in the history books no matter the outcome of their mission anyways.

Launch day was scheduled to be the same as when these things chose to attack Earth, a day that each person who ever stepped into a mech suit hoped that they’d make these freaks regret.

Hound was the primary pilot for the shuttle, with Breakdown as chief engineer, then the twins were the primaries for battle, come to be known as the front-liners. They were likely to remain in their suits the most. It was an imperfect mission, but one that they’d take on just as they had all those on Earth.

The night before take off, the four all sat together in Mecha’s barracks, unable to face what little family they each had left as they prepared for their fate. One of no return and if not most certain death, coming to accept that didn’t take long but it was still needed. After a while, they raised their glasses to Jazz, determined to find whatever one of these things that had taken the great pilot from then and tear it apart.

—

A/N: Alright, it’s the day after I initially posted this and realized I made a lot of spelling/grammar mistakes while typing on my phone. So I took it and re-typed it and now had put it back here with the slight updates. Sorry for those who read it before I fixed it. Look out for a part 2 soon though, hopefully.

Also, I did think about putting First-Aid on Arcturus One, but I felt he’d fit in better with his haunted suit on Arcturus Three so.. yeah. He’s coming, promise.

[batmen-and-birds]

Batman or Bats in the Batentity crises is everything Bruce aspires Batman to be.

Because Bruce is human but when he dons the cape and cowl he tries his hardest not to be. Batman reflects this through pushing the limits of a mortal human far more obviously. He’s the night, the knight and even more rigid about justice than Bruce

It drives everyone nuts. Bats is far stricter about protocols and rules and neither the JL or the Batfam realized how much Bruce let them ‘get away’ with stuff. This obviously strains his relationship with everyone, he expects his kids to listen to him 24/7 no questions, which they obviously won’t do. Then they fight, then the kid in question will storm off, and then Bats won’t follow them.

Is Bats more willing to let them do dangerous stuff? Yes, actually. It surprises all of them and that’s mostly the reason the kids can get along with him. He may be more of a hard ass when they push the limits but the threshold is at least far higher than before.

He also exclusively refers to them as their hero moniker, even in spaces like the batcave. Even Alfred he more often than not calls Agent A. It unsettles them after a while and then they flee upstairs to the manor. (Then they either flee the property, stay in their rooms or come back down after a while, since they can’t stand Brucie for too long either)

Damien, Duke and Steph are always on the fence at all times because sometimes Bats will let them do stuff Bruce would never think of allowing but they can’t stand being commandeered like some mindless puppet. Babs and Tim handle the whole thing the best.

Jason can’t stand him and neither can Dick, they both have always had problems with Bruce being controlling and Bat is that times ten. Cass, she always understood Batman in a way that the others can’t, reading his body language and relating his guilt to hers, but Bat doesn’t have the motivation that Bruce has. He might comfort a victim as good as Bruce but she can see that none of it has the underlying guilt, care, affection, love that Bruce always carries with his every action.

He does have an easier time working with the Justice League, sure the morale is lower due to his standoffish attitude but he can respect them for the competent heroes they are. They all do miss their friend tho, since the watchtower is more often than not the only place they can meet on the regular, but Bats is only comfortable doing stuff on a professional basis.

He gets along best with Superman and Wonder Woman, he knows them best. The three of them had the most team ups together, worked side by side for the longest and those times are the ones that Bats can actually remember.

On the topic of remembering, he and the other personas only clearly remember the things Bruce has done while being them or stuff that the personas should know, so Bats actually spend a lot of time going through the files of everyone that he works with, because he tries to make working as a team as easy as possible. If he can’t get along with anyone, then their performance as a team will be compromised and he can’t afford that.

And so what if he watches video tapes of Bruce as Batman, smiling, joking bantering with all of them between or even during high stakes situations. So what if bats starts resenting the fact that he can’t recall those memories? then that’s between him and Bruce, who didn’t even had the decency to let Bats keep at least some of these moments for himself.

[ripeindecember]

Little oneshot thing based on this post because Nico-Will soulmateism makes me wanting to chew plastic (in a good way)

He’s born Wilfred Alexander Semper, on a hot day in the late summer of 1929, in Sioux City, Iowa. 

He’s born breech. It’s a hard labor. Dangerous. He doesn’t cry when he comes out - not at first. The doctor spends a long time trying to get his little lungs working until finally, finally, he lets out a tiny whimper, and everyone in the room breathes a sigh of relief. 

The doctor hands him off to his father, so he can help his mother with the afterbirth.

His father was a gunnery captain in the Great War, stationed near the Seine, before his birth. He holds his son, (all of his sons, really,) like they’re made of spun glass. “Hello, Will,” His father murmurs, christening him with the new nickname, here just minutes after his birth. “A man of few words already, I see.” 

Will stares back at him, baby-blues shining with unshed tears, and whimpers softly again. 

— — — 

His childhood is rough and tumble, but they’re always okay. 

The depression is hard, but his dad doesn’t lose his job. A pay-cut, maybe, but no-one in Sioux City would be willing to fire Dr. Semper, medaled war hero, and only dentist for miles. 

He remembers once, his parents talking in hushed tones about a hotel in Washington DC getting hit by lightning. How his dad thought it was actually the Germans, how he was afraid they were going back to war. How his mom said that wasn’t going to happen. 

Then, a harbor gets bombed.

Will can recall, years later, his Mother, gray faced, and his Dad, with his mouth pressed into a stern line, crowded around the radio, telling him and Mark to go to their shared room, because he was twelve and Mark was fifteen, and they didn’t need to hear this, not right now.

Lloyd was eighteen, though. He got to stay. 

Two days later, when Will and Mark are throwing a baseball outside, there’s a fight. His Mom and Dad are yelling, and so is Lloyd. He doesn’t know what it’s about at the time. 

Three years later, when a soldier comes to the door, and Will’s Mom falls to her knees with a wail, as his Dad accepts a small box and a slip of paper with a white face and trembling hands, Will understands why they were fighting. 

They have the same fight with Mark that night. Mark, freshly eighteen, and so passionate, so hot headed, so deeply loving for his brother, wants revenge.

He comes home the same way Lloyd did seven months later. 

— — —

Will decides that he can’t do that to his family again. He can’t try to follow in his Father’s war hero footsteps, and come home as a medal in a box and a slip of paper. 

He turns 18 in 1947. Goes to college for biology. Doesn’t meet anyone, doesn’t get married like so many of his friends do. He moves to San Francisco instead.  

He gets a job teaching at a middle school. 

It’s enjoyable. The people he teaches with are fun. He goes to staff parties, makes friends.

Some of the single, female teachers flirt with him politely. He doesn’t know why, but he rejects them, just as politely. 

He makes close friends with the gym teacher, Francis. They go for drinks after school, sometimes. 

“Do you ever feel,” Francis says quietly, one of those times that they’re out. “That you can’t find anyone?”

Will tilts his head. “What do you mean?”

“It’s like…” Francis continues. “I know I should like the women who talk to me. I do. They’re great friends. But it’s like something isn’t right.”  

“Do you think,” Will leans in close, lowering his voice. “That you’re a homosexual?”

Francis laughs at that under his breath. “No, it's not that. I know some guys who are,” He cuts his eyes to Will in an appraising motion. “But it’s like a feelings feeling. Like I'm a double-timing a person I don’t know.” 

“Like there’s someone you belong to, but they don’t know it yet.” 

Francis nods his head. “Exactly.” 

“All the time.” Will responds. “Like there’s this piece of me that’s missing, and I don’t know where it is, or how to find it. Like it’s been locked away somewhere that I’m not allowed to go. So I just have to exist without it.”

“Like a trained horse without a jockey,” Francis snorts.

“Yeah.” 

— — —

Will and Francis stay close friends. 

San Francisco changes. People get looser, dress looser, act looser. 

On the weekends, Will makes short-lived friends in parks, clubs, and bars.

People - men and women - with long black hair and big, brown eyes. He climbs into their beds and leaves before sunrise. He doesn’t look back, and tries not to look into it.

A month before he turns forty, Francis shows up to his house with good weed, a good bottle of liquor, and they watch Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin walk on the moon. 

— — —

Francis is doing his best impression of Nixon, saying “I am not a crook!” in a wheedling little voice when the school principal steps into the lounge.

“Mr. Semper?” He interrupts.

Will looks up. “Yeah?”

“Your Mother is on the phone. It’s important.” The principal’s eyes are sad. 

Will’s heart drops into his feet. He knows what this is. He leans over and grabs the receiver off the wall, and raises it to his ear with a shaking hand. “Mama?”

“Oh, Will, baby,” she cries. “It’s your Father, he-”

“When?”

“This morning,” She sniffles out. “Stroke.”

“I’ll be home as soon as I can,” he whispers into the phone.

— — — 

Will’s Mom moves in with him, after his Dad dies. 

“So there’s no one in your life?” She asks him curiously, one afternoon.

“I’ve got you,” He deflects.

— — —

He’s distracted, driving home. He’d rolled a TV into the classroom, so his students could watch the launch of the Challenger shuttle, only for it to blow up on screen. He’d spent the rest of class comforting them.

It’s hard, dealing with gruesome death. Especially at thirteen years old.

So he doesn’t notice the light at the intersection turning red when he pulls up. He doesn’t notice the other car, barreling down his little hatchback. It takes a second to register that his car flips.

He doesn’t scream when he’s in the air. When his neck breaks, he doesn’t feel it.

— — — 

“Hello, Wilfred.” A soft, deep voice greets, from high above him. He looks up, and is greeted with a face that's all angles and pale skin.

“Where am I?” He asks. He looks out over a landscape of black sand and sagging poplar trees, growing next to a river that flows milky white. 

“The afterlife.” The man explains. “Behind you is Elysium. In front of you is the River Lethe.” 

Will blinks. “I was baptized. I should be in Heaven.” 

The tall man sighs, and purses his lips. “Believe me, I know. It was a nightmare of paperwork, getting you here.”

“Why am I here, then?”

“I have… an offer for you.”

“An offer?”

“Yes. You were alone, your whole life, were you not? You felt as if there was something missing. I’m offering you a do-over. Where I can assure you, that this time, you will not be alone. That something will not be missing. I can promise you that.”

Will stares up at the man, with his angular face, and something inside of him aches. “How? Why?”

“It is for selfish reasons.” The man admits. “But we will both benefit, in the end.” 

“What do I do?”

“You must swim in the river. I will take care of everything from there”

He looks from the man’s face, and into the calm, milky-white current. It calls to him, like a gentle lullaby. 

Wilfred Alexander Semper, who died on January 28th, 1986, at the age of 56, goes into the river. 

— — — 

He’s born William Andrew Solace, on a hot day in the late summer of 1999, in Pflugerville, Texas.

He screams his way into the world so loudly that the attending nurse swears up and down that the windows rattled in their panes. 

“Hi, baby,” his Mom says with a watery laugh, once he’s placed in her arms. She clings to him tight and kisses the tears off of his angry, little red face.

“Death would turn his head at a yell that loud,” The doctor jokes. 

His mom laughs again, exhausted. He blinks his eyes open, and they catch in the sun, radiant baby-blues. “If he’s anything like me,” she murmurs confidently, pressing a soft kiss to the top of his head. “I bet he could get death to fall in love with him.” 

[tteokdoroki]

✩࿐TRACK 02: ONOFFONOFF. eijirou kirishima (2K)

about. by day, kirishima fights crime to keep everyone he loves safe. by night, you’re fighting to keep your relationship alive, even while everything else is crumbling to pieces.

warnings. minors, ageless and ageless blogs do not interact! suggestive, angst, hurt-comfort, hopeful/open ending, toxic relationships, dry humping, civillain + fem!reader, pro hero!kirishima.

things to note. happy saturday homies, i hope you enjoy this second instalment !! i adore writing angst pieces so it was nice to go back to that, enjoy mwah ! <3 - masterlist / series masterlist / playlist ✩

how could anyone ever hate eijirou kirishima. 

by day, he’s everybody’s favourite pro hero. though number five on the ranks, red riot has a comforting charm that dazzles the public. fear dissipates almost instantly whenever he was on the scene, as if there was never anything to be afraid of in the first place. he is calm while he works, caring. holding crying babies to his plush chest as he breaks through burning buildings, pulling dazed strangers out of the way of speeding cars, taking out criminals with brute force and bright banter. 

he’s wonderful with kids as well, which by extension, makes kirishima popular with the parents — often using their starry eyed little ones for a chance to get close to the bulky hero. of course, your boyfriend doesn’t realise. he doesn’t take note of the lingering touches during touching family photos with him, numbers slipped into his hero costume or how people lean against kirishima desperate for a messy signature to be scrawled across inappropriate parts of their bodies. 

eijirou is too nice to say no, to set boundaries. he’s warm and friendly — the perfect aura of sunshine. in some ways, you can understand the way the world almost revolves around him. why all the people and their planets make him the centre of the universe. after all, it’s part of the reason you ended up dating him. 

but the press adore him too, they really do. their beloved red riot is always willing to stop for interviews even when he’s busted and beaten, they love the way he leans down (all 6’5 of him) to hear the reporters better. they eat up the way he blushes and bumbles humbly whenever he’s asked about the status of his relationship. to which he answers “i wouldn’t say there’s anyone in particular that’s in the picture right now…” while sheepishly rubbing the back of his neck, accidentally showing off his bulging muscles and firm chest. 

how could you ever hate eijirou kirishima. 

by night, he’s supposed to be yours and only yours. but you can smell floral perfumes on his collarbones from fans that get too close and you can feel the distance grow between you like an invisible barrier.

you hate that kirishima lies about your relationship to the public just as a ‘precaution’ when it’s clearly a ploy from eijirou’s marketing team to keep him the lovable, single, himbo hero. you hate that it makes you want to push him away. 

it’s not just you and him in this partnership. it’s you, eijirou and the whole world that eagerly watches his every move — and it’s starting to make you feel like a third wheel, like less of a priority, like more of an accessory.

you don’t know when loving eijirou kirishima becomes difficult and starts to feel like a chore — in your mind, you’re under appreciated. he comes home from work, sleeps, and leaves before the sun rises without giving you an ounce of attention (aside from the money dropped into your bank account as an apology). the dates that you plan become less frequent too, or when they do happen, kirishima leaves halfway through with a lopsided sorrowful grin. 

“the world isn’t gonna save itself, yanno. someone’s got to be on the scene.”

you fill the void in your heart with your work, spending time with friends who don’t offer the same comfort as your long-term partner and lazing about the house. but being alone gives you the space to begin resenting kirishima, giving into the toxic comparisons of your relationship against that of others — todoroki and his girlfriend are getting married soon, why aren’t you and eiji?

it’s not like you haven’t brought this up before, over quiet dinners interjected with snide remarks — it only ever leads to screaming matches that end with your throat raw and kirishima slamming doors so loud that the house shakes. but brought back together by the toxic cycle of love, you end up back in his bed and he ends up back inside you — taking root in your ribcage right where your heart lies, the thorns on his roses piercing the beating muscle. 

you cough up perfumed petals like you would blood, kirishima leaving fatal wounds on the inside  of your chest cavity. 

it doesn’t stop the way you so brokenly make love, tearing one another apart and piecing you back together like patchwork. 

“careful.” your boyfriend mumbles through swollen lips as they press against your own. he lets your tongue slide into his hot mouth, your noses pressed up against each other — breath ragged. 

your hands reach for eijirou’s shirt to tear through it. each of your movements are calculated to replace what traces from others linger on him. you pull, bite and scratch at golden skin that is already littered with scars from his battles. those where he protected the country he loved, the people who loved him. “slowly…” kirishima ushers, you gently, tilting his head back when you tug on the black roots of his hair to gain access to his neck.

“d-darling, what’s the hurry?”

you love him so much that you think you might hate him even more. he’s so perfect, he doesn’t colour outside of the lines, he touches you like you’re a house made of cards even though his fingertips set your entire body on fire.

blood rushes through your ears, carrying a heat that blossoms in your lower tummy and intoxicates kirishima as you kiss him again — teeth sinking into his lower lip until it bleeds. 

“c-can we talk?” kirishima stutters out as your tongue glides under his earlobe next and your hips slot against his perfectly, grinding down into his hardening cock. “w-what’s going on? fuck,” he curses, hips bucking up instinctively. “what’s going on with you?” 

“nothing.” stop talking.

“darlin’, you’re being a little rough…” shut up.

“you usually like that.” you utter breathlessly, switching sides to leave marks on the unmarred portions of his neck. 

this time, however, the red head grips your hips a little tighter — halting your movements and pushing you back so he can get a better look at your face. “baby, let’s just—“ 

“what, kirishima?” finally, you snap — glaring at him long and hard. “what could you possibly have to say now? that you can’t fuck me tonight because you’re too busy working? cause you’re busy thinking of bending over that pretty, ditzy little reporter from work today ‘cause she’s a little more tolerable than me? what is it eijirou?” you punctuate each of his words with a jab to his muscular shoulder, though the man is sturdy enough not to feel it. 

you’ve had this fight before, dozens of times and on more occasions than you can count on both hands. eijirou either tunes out to play innocent or he snaps  back with all teeth bared and fangs on display.

“you’re being unfair.” is all he says, tone dull and lifeless just like it’s been before. it’s like he’s given up on the two of you, not that you’d blame him. there’s no more fight left in the two of you for your love, only fuelled by the anger and resentment  you feel towards  each other. 

“what next? bet you’ll think i’m being unreasonable.” 

“you are being unreasonable.”

“oh i’m sorry, is that a problem for you? am i inconveniencing you, riot?” 

“come on, what’s with the attitude?” 

“excuse me?” 

kirishima exhales shakily, letting go of your hips to pinch the bridge of his nose. his ruby eyes shoot everywhere but you, he can’t even stand to look at you when arguments like this come up. those eyes of his, they carry too much shake and guilt.  “you always get like this. when i come home and i just want to be close to you and you get all…aggressive.” he spits out harshly, like the words are poison on his tongue, like he can’t stand to see what your love has soured into. “angry like you want to hurt me when i’m trying to love you.”

you scoff, rolling your own jewelled eyes. “love me? don’t make me laugh, eijirou. you don’t know the first thing about loving anyone except for you and your job.” 

“will you at least fucking explain what i did tonight, ‘cause i’d love to know what’s got you so bitter, sweetheart?” hurt echoes in his timbre voice. you wish that you could tell him, but you flounder for words and react with rage instead — how can you tell the man you wanted forever with that you hate the hero he’s become? 

“fuck you, red!” you stand, retaliating instead of communicating your needs properly. “fuck you, mister red ‘righteous’ riot, mister eijirou ‘incapable of doing wrong’ kirishima.” 

kirishima’s face crumples but he follows suit, standing, but he doesn’t make a move to come closer. “what’s your fucking problem? what did i do?” 

“the blame is never on you, is it?” 

“well i’d like to know why it should be! if you’d just—“

“it’s like you have no sense of accountability—“

“i’m trying—“ 

“—like honestly, fuck you, eijirou.” 

“you’re not letting me talk!” the redhead damn near screams, the base in his voice shaking your house, bouncing off the walls. he sounds drained, pained and no amount of medication can fix it. you’ve blackened his heart with scorch marks and danced amongst the flames and now you’re finally seeing that it’s not just you who this relationship is crushing. 

each word you spit kirishima cuts him into the shape you want him to be, wounding him deeper than any battle scar. 

“and you’re not letting me fucking breathe!” you shout back rather than listening to logic. it’s a low blow, you’re highly aware — a reference back to the early days of your relationship when kirishima overcompensated his absence for affection. he thought you’d worked through it. you liked to throw it back in his face when you were mad. you’re stubborn, you always have been, but for some reason you want to hit kirishima where it hurts. you want to cut him up into the perfect shape, until he feels exactly how you feel. 

when he finally makes a move, you become aware of his sheer size for the first time that night. eijirou would never hurt you, he couldn’t harm a fly even if he wanted to but that doesn’t mean you’re not scared of his presence. kirishima touches every corner of the room, his anger flooding through it and pushing you under so that you’re drowning in your own mistakes and his too. 

“you’re suffocating me too,” he mumbles, voice just above a whisper and you relax into his arms. “i’m trying so hard to be the man that you want me to be. you take so much, you want even more. you want a house and you want kids and i want to give you that too but you make it so hard. when you hurt me like this.” he’s being honest, the truth scratching at his throat as the pro-hero vocalises what you’ve failed to communicate for months. you’ve been selfish and he’s been avoidant, the pair of you only hurting one another, carving cuts so deep the wounds won’t heal and the blood won’t stop pouring unless either of you do something. and fast. 

“where do we go from here?” you don’t even realise that you’re crying until your boyfriend swipes the pad of his thumb underneath your eyes, leaving no time for the salty droplet to hit your skin. 

your teary gaze is tied to his as kirishima’s ruby eyes glisten under the moonlight. “i don’t know.” he hesitates. “i don’t want you to leave me. you need me.”

you whimper and curl up against his chest. “i don’t want that either.” 

kirishima wraps his arms around you like a safety blanket, shielding you from the ugly truth of your own relationship. it’s always on and off with the two of you, but this time you’re determined to make it work — you hope that he is too. 

“we have to work on this, on us.” he says firmly, but he squeezes you close as if you might disappear — holds you as if you’re a flower that might wilt if it’s touched. “none of this on and off, we…we gotta talk to each other from now on. yeah?” 

“yeah,” for the first time in months, you sink into kirishima’s touch — accept his rough edges and hardened shell, and turn your pain into a promise. “we will.” 

a promise to keep dancing together like it’s the first time even when the world around yourself and eijirou kirishima is burning.

꒰ end. — all rights reserved © tteokdoroki 2023. do not copy, repost, translate & recommend elsewhere.