#anyway if youre reading this read the abyss surrounds us

[fulloflambing]

࣪ . ִֶָ๋ KINICH: ❛ it's not the alcohol, i swear! ❜ ♡

pairing: kinich x reader (uses she/her) synopsis: kinich never touches alcohol. the one night he does, he has a very pleasant secret to spill. banner artist: @/Lion_2929 on twitter/x !! wordcount: 1.7k words warnings: lots of alcohol consumption, kinda crack, kinich is drunk the way i feel like he'd be like if he was drunk (talkative and childish) cho's notes: heavily inspired by beer by the itchyworms. hihi happy reads!

Maybe it was a bad idea to go to this party.

“Believe me! I AM the hydro archon!” mualani cried, weakly shoving at chasca’s shoulder.

Definitely a bad idea.

The ignited torches set a cozy atmosphere into the weary inn, the instruments being strung by performers and high spirits of the natlanese only made it more comforting. It was a cold night out, and you had been invited earlier in the day to a party to celebrate the victory of Natlan over the abyss, a week after the intense battle.

Mualani was the one who sent you the invitation, giving another one to kinich when your group were lounging together. kachina threw a small tantrum, whining: “why can’t I go?” making mualani sigh, patting the small child on the head, “sorry kachina, it’s strictly an adult party. And i mean it! I really can’t sneak you in this time.” “I can’t believe they’d send a kid to war, but not to a grown up party.”

Mualani mentioned there would be alcohol, which made your eyes immediately dart to kinich, your close friend along with the other two. You knew he absolutely despised alcohol and he didn’t want to be anywhere near it, given his past surrounding the vice. You noticed how his shoulders had slightly tensed, only to slowly relax again. 

“So? Are you guys going~?” mualani coed, trying to convince the both of you to attend.

“I dont know.. I don’t think it’d be fair if only the both of us will-”

“I’ll be there.” You and mualani’s jaw immediately hang, looking at the stone-cold kinich absolutely bewildered. You quickly composed yourself as kinich raised his brow at you, almost saying ‘do you want me to change my mind?’ with his expression alone.

“A-Alright. We’ll be there.”

It was supposed to be a calm party, with only a few drinks. 

You only indulged in a glass or two, to join in on the festivities and to really be in the spirits of the party. You were barely tipsy, just a bit flushed with slightly fuzzy thoughts.

Mualani had almost gulped down 4 bottles of beer on her own, thinking and speaking had become one action to her. But that was normal. Mualani was known as the party girl anyway, it was her who carried the mood and laughter, even when she wasn’t making sense. What wasn’t normal, was when kinich decided to become drunk too.

“You.. are not the hydro archon. Stop.. *hic* disrespecting Fontainians.” He mumbled grumpily, slamming his glass onto the wood table with a thud. It was a rare sight; Kinich with his hair a little messier, with rosy cheeks and sleepy eyes. You felt your heart beating a little harder at the sight.

You knew you liked kinich, but there was never a perfect opportunity to confess it. And in the end, you had just decided to keep all the sappy feelings to yourself, not wanting to ruin the perfect friendship the both of you shared.

It caught everyone off guard, when kinich had asked for a taller glass of cold beer after the initial toast. Then he ordered another one, then another.. Then some more. 

“But I am! It came to me in a dream!” Mualani continued crying, drunk-stupid tears flowing down her face, frantically turning to him.

“Well i dreamt that i had normal friends, do you think i do?” he spat bitterly, looking at her with narrowed eyes. Kinich was a bit meaner while he was drunk, but he didn’t mean it. 

Again, It was supposed to be a calm party, with only a few drinks. 

But mualani started trying to turn one of the tables into a surfboard, citlali encouraged her behavior and was even trying to show her ‘how to do it properly’, chasca was nowhere to be found, and kinich was about to release ajaw. The atmosphere was still borderline calm, but if the circus continued to unfold you knew it wouldn’t end well.

You quickly grabbed kinich’s wrist before he could do anything, and suggested a walk. “We do not need ajaw making things worse. Let’s go take a breather.” Kinich’s eyes seemed to fill with some sort of determination for a second, before going back to being expressionless. He took one last bottle of beer with him, and followed your steps.

You brought him out of the weary inn, the cold atmosphere stinging your skin for a moment— It was a beautiful night. The moon was suspended high into the sky, illuminating in its beautiful full circle. with only a few clouds around. It was the perfect night to greet after a party. You walked with kinich out of the stadium, following a random path of pavement.

“I didn’t expect you’d want to get drunk tonight kinich.” You looked at him with a small smile, and admired the new side of him no one really knew.

“Do I always come off boring and lame to you?—” he sighed, bringing the bottle close and popping the cork off with his fingers easily. A subtle flex of his strength. “—I just.. wanted to try something different.” he said, picking his words carefully.

Something about kinich was different.

“Are you alright? You seem.. A little out of it.” you mumbled. He looked like he was avoiding something, or his head was filled with thoughts he so badly wanted to address. His breathing was heavier, his hands were trying to find purpose, and he avoided your eyes. 

“I-i’m fine. Just drunk. What’s the big deal?” he mumbled, still apprehensive and shuffled his steps. “..Just drunk, nothing more. Nothing less. Not hiding anything. Hiding nothing at all.”

“Okay okay. Fine.” 

You decided to fall silent, and let your eyes linger in the nature around you; Your heart ached a little. The trees slightly swayed to faint music, chatter, and crickets. The stars twinkled high above your heads and it was almost the perfect night. One more thing was missing: Kinich, but sober. 

in your mind, the night would've been perfect, if kinich loved you too.

“I can do this.” you turned your head to the dark-haired boozer next to you talking to himself, only to see him drinking the large bottle whole. “ki-kinich! slow down!” You tried to snatch the vessel out of his grasp, but he only turned his head until it quickly ran half-empty, a loud gulp coming from his throat.

He stopped in his tracks and brought the bottle off of his mouth, and wiped the extra carbonation off of his shiny lips and let out a hiccup before meeting your eyes.

“Y/n. I like you.” 

“Huh?”

“I like you. Like.. the romantic kind of like. Not the friend kind of like, I mean that I really want to be your boyfriend, kind of like.”

Kinich was a lot more talkative while he was drunk, but you prayed he wasn't a joker too.

Your mind fell silent, running out of words to say. You could suddenly hear your heart beat in your ears, and feel like the world shrunk around the both of you. ‘he's just drunk-'

“And before you say anything.. No. it’s not *hic* the beer. It’s not the alcohol. In fact, i-it’s the beer that’s helping me say everything right now. And if you decide to reject me right now, it’s *hic* also what’s going to make me forget this i-in the morning. Which is why i’m *hic*  drinking so m-much.”

He looked so serious, you knew he truly meant his words. His deep emerald eyes stared right into your soul, you almost felt violated. A deep heat rushed to your face, but you were still out of words.

You tried to speak. “B-but.. How? I mean. You never seemed to take interest in me. I thought-”

Kinich quickly takes the bottle back to lips, drinking down the rest and tossing the bottle to the side, burying it into the tall grass. He breathes out a ‘ha!’ sound before his liquid courage started speaking for him again:

“Never took interest in you!? All I ever do is stare at you, *hic* and listen to your stories, and br-briing you fruit, and help you whenever *hic* you break something! All free of charge! And I am a man of mora! Its literally my ancient name!” he whined; it was so unlike him. He was always so composed, mature. He had transformed into a whiny child throwing a fit in 5 bottles of alcohol.

“I’ve always wanted to tell you, but it was you who never seemed interested.” tears started pooling in his lower eyelids, and you feel a sense of panic combining into the butterflies causing a frenzy inside of you.

“Y-you always seemed to *hic* stiff up when i-i tried to compliment you, or you’d always go to other people when you wanted to *hic* ask for an opinion on how you looked or what you should wear. I have opinions too!” tears started streaming down his face. You quickly take his arm and put it over your shoulders, supporting him before he’d drop face-down into the dirt.

“Okay okay! I’m sorry i never asked for your opinion!”

“A-and you always gave a forehead kiss goodnight to kachina and mualani during sleepovers. Why did i never get one!”

“B-because i thought you didn’t want one!”

“Well I did! I really, *hic* really did!” 

“okay i’m sorry please stop crying now!” your free hand reaches out to wipe a tear off of his heated face, before your lips planted a quick kiss on his skin. “Can that make up for it for now?”

His cheeks get impossibly rosier, and he thinks to himself, before humming. “...mhm.” his tears slowly coming to a stop, until he's just snifling.

an awkward silence fell between the both of you, as you continued walking down the path. your face still hot, your trying to piece every memory of kinich and you together, trying to see a different angle where he was trying to show you his affections.

“Wait..” his eyes look away from you, and its almost like he tried to piece together a jigsaw puzzle in his head. Like a lightbulb had turned on, he turned back to you with his eyes livelier than they’ve ever been before, a sparkle appearing back into his gradient eyes.

“So do you like me back?” he mumbled meekly, like he tried to hide while asking.

“I do. I really, really do.”

[yurunivo]

Combining two requests into one because yes

Synopsis: the beginning of war part 1 part 2 part 3

TW: yandere themes, SAGAU imposter au, gn!reader, multiple perspectives of the same goal, reader's perspective is not written, mentions of death, english is not my first language, bad grammar, bad writing, not proofread, not too many perspectives (sorry), mischaracterization, no use of y/n, very short, lazily written

Characters: Genshin cast x creator!reader (no romance in this one)

Understanding the gods was a hard thing to do.

Despite having been revived by Mavuika, Kinich found himself at a loss when trying to figure out your thought process.

What was going on in your head when you refused his assistance in keeping you safe? He honestly had no idea. A slight shove in his arm, telling him to stay away and leave you alone was imprinted in his mind.

He thought, what was going on in the dear Creator's head? He did know that you should have power beyond his own Archon, but shouldn't you be weakened? From the years of the chase you had to go through, shouldn't you be weaker than n Archon right now?

You paid a hefty sum of Mora to stay away, your expression one that he couldn't read. He couldn't really stop you in anyway as he was frozen in place, looking at the pouch of Mora you gave him. Did you feel determination? Anguish? Or did you think of a plan to seek out revenge? For all the suffering you endured?

Whatever it was, Kinich couldn't understand it. It was simple enough to know what Mavuika was thinking, considering that she too was a human like him once, that she knows all the emotions that one person can feel in a short amount of time. So, slightly idiotic as he was, he sent Ajaw to spy on you in your lonely walk. He of course grumbled at the request, however the fact that it was the creator that Kinich was worrying about was the only reason that he agreed in the first place.

Ajaw was on the sidelines, out of your line of vision. His small form looked at yours in the far distance.

Nothing out of the ordinary was really happening.

You were just feeding a few injured saurians, nothing strange. Yet, that melancholy expression of yours was worrying. Just as Ajaw was about to leave to report this to Kinich, he halted in his tracks as Fatui surrounded you. The saurians ran away in fear, and he could feel tiny amounts of your divine wrath seeping into the tethers of the grounds of Natlan. He still left though, just to bring Kinich to fight the Fatui.

Yet, something about your expression told him that you didn't need help. And, you were right, as bolts lightning surrounded you, knocking the majority of the Fatui back. They were light headed, likely slipping into unconsciousness. Even the grass around you changed colour, showing the affect of your sheer power. Again, Ajaw and Kinich both didn't understand what was the reason that you were behaving this way. They both didn't understand what you were thinking, and they probably never will.

Capitano found you strange.

When he first sought you out under the orders of the Tsaritsa, he couldn't feel any divine power of yours surging through his rotting corpse. No, it was almost as if you weren't the Creator at all. But now, he felt excruciating amounts of electricity running through his veins.

Perhaps his body got so weak that even from a reasonable distance he still felt the pain of elemental energy. The abyssal corruption wasn't really helping either. Or maybe it was that your power was strong enough to make him feel this way. Whatever it was, the feeling wasn't pleasant. Yet, he still had the energy to walk over to you in his significantly weakened form. He only had one question to ask you, and he wanted the answer clearly.

Why?

Why did you allow the destruction of one of your own nations? Why was it that he and his companions had to suffer? Why did Khanriah had to suffer the wrath of the gods?

He always knew that the imposter was a fake, he felt no resentment towards them, and certainly no terrifying amounts of power that he was now. So, when he was informed of your returning, he only had one thing in mind, to get an answer for his misfortune.

Yet, looking into your eyes, it seemed that you had no intention of answering his questions. The moment he looked at you, a voice boomed in his head. The average mortal would've died from the intensity alone, dying of madness at the loud sound. He could only handle it for the reason that he was cursed with immortality, yet that voice alone was enough for make him perish and never be seen again, his corpse immediately being absorbed by the leylines.

"Leave. Tell the Cryo Archon that I have no intention of taking the position of godhood," and he felt strangely compelled to do so by the voice. His henchmen were thrown at the ground next to him, and a second later, you vanished into thin air. He reached out his hand too late, touching the particles of your now gone presence.

He really couldn't understand you.

Ei couldn't really understand what you were trying to say with your confusingly worded message.

Centuries of being in Teyvat, her soul was practically intertwined with its ground principles. She could feel all the electro users using their elemental energy, or the strike of lightning that she had caused far away. So with this, she could always recognize your power, even after so long, even if it's on the other side of Teyvat. The strike specifically said, in her best understanding:

"Do not enter Natlan under any circumstances, do not wait for me."

She couldn't understand. You would be on the pedestal of your divine throne once more, why shouldn't she come to Natlan and put you in your rightful place? Hasn't she done enough, killing all those who didn't believe in you and even making a shrine for you in Inazuma? She couldn't understand, what part of you wouldn't like these gifts? She even planned an outing for the both of you! The thought of eating together and feeding each other made her all too giddy, wouldn't you feel the same? No, shouldn't you feel the same?

After all her years, decades, centuries of living, she couldn't understand your request. It sent a shiver down her spine, and not in a good way. It was just telling her that she shouldn't even be near the creator, the one she had dedicated her eternity to. It was absolute blasphemy! Why shouldn't she, a loyal follower of yours, be allowed to not enter Natlan? What does Natlan even have any way? It's leylines are weak!

So it would be expected for her to completely rebel against your message, no? The thought of it just went in one ear and out the other, most likely. She prepared her army to raid the nation of war.

She needed answers.

Why do you want her to stay away so badly?

Neuvillette felt a repulsive taste in his mouth.

The more in proximity he got to the Pyro Archon's abode, the more he felt your oncoming anger.

Or was it that the other nations were coming close too?

By the time he reached Natlan, all the Archons were there, each with their respective army. All except Buer, whom he thought was allying with you. The group of them shared a glare, before proceeding to step foot into the Nation.

The first step in and he already felt like vomiting.

The high concentration on the other elemental energy being used was making him sick. The thunderstorms, the vines, he could all feel it in his veins. The one and only thing that prevented him from giving up was you, only you. He could feel your presence, and it all disgusted him that you were in Natlan and not Fontaine. Wasn't his nation better than the one that constantly reeks of war and bloodshed? He really has no place of judging what you did, considering the unfair hiarchy placed by Celestia themselves, but he couldn't help judge your taste.

It seemed like he wasn't the only one that thought what he did too, considering the not so pleasant complection of the other Archons. Their face contorted, and he would have laughed if it weren't for the situation.

He was getting impatient, so just as he was about to use Hydro to attack first, a wall of Geo immediately went up to protect the Nation. They stared at you in disbelief while you returned the stare with disdain.

"Haven't I told you to stay away?" A strike of electro travelled through the ground, and using the current rain, the electro charged reaction attacked the puppet, Raiden first. The level of concentration being much more than what the puppet can handle, her arm fell off her torso, leaving a hollow hole in the area where her limb used to be. Dendro vines slithered and grabbed the Archons' and Dragon's leg, and as much as they tried to escape, they couldn't. The plant went up to Neuvillette's neck, threatening to choke him but just resting on his shoulders instead.

"Just when my identity was revealed you all scurried to me like dogs chasing their owner. It's pathetic really, how delusional you are to think that I would forgive you after everything you've done."

Your veins became more visible, and all of them could see the flow of golden blood throughout your body. Venti was about to say something to your words in protest, but the vines kept his vocal chords in check. You narrowed your eyes at the god of freedom.

"Seriously? Attempting to speak when I've already set boundaries? How lowly. However I'm not that cruel to get rid of your status," Venti got pushed into the walls with your own Anemo prowess; "you should just be weakened beyond repair."

There was a mad look in your eyes, looking for something. One thing that Neuvillette was sure that he couldn't understand was your wrath. The way you looked at everyone with such eyes that showed that you had lost all hope. The way your eyes showed the wanting of revenge. He couldn't comprehend that at all.

Your face held an expression that he never wanted to see in you.

Manic.

Now he was wondering himself, where did he go wrong?

Tried to make this as triggering as possible lol. Like showing off the archon's hypocrisy was fun but also hard to write

[skyfallslayer]

The Daughter of The (Dare)Devil - Story 9 (Part 3)

Series Masterlist

Series Summary: A Series of stories revolving around the MCU timeline of Matt Murdock and his Daughter, Kaila. Being the child of a vigilante can be hard and scary at times, but it doesn’t mean she ain’t going to enjoy the most of it.

(Can be read as Y/N if you’d like)

Story Summary: Part 3 - Matt, Karen and Foggy scramble to find out who their “official” first client was in an attempt to find their missing teenager; Meanwhile, Kaila finally sees what her father sees in her darkest time in Hell’s Kitchen, making her question everything she believed in (Set shortly after 2x03). 

Date: 4/5/23

Rating: Mature

Word Count: 13,243 (Super Long, Y'all)

Warning: Possible OOC (?); Karedevil; The Murdocks Are Stubborn People; Talks of Child Neglect; Attempted Murder; Allusion To Murder; Brief Allusion To Rape; Major Blood; Self Blaming; Heavy Guilt; Non Consensual Touching; Heavy Angst; Heavy Language; Crying; Mental Break (Down (?); Karen and Foggy Are The MVPs Here Again (Frank & Brett Are Added To That List); Possible Identity Reveal (?); Kidnapping; Allusions To Mental Illness; Bullet Wound; Child Abuse; The Murdocks Could Use All The Hugs In The World; I'm Going To Hell By Putting The Adults/Kaila Through The Wringer; Fluffy Ending (?). READ AT YOUR OWN RISK!!

- Let me know if I missed anything, please.

A/N: Yeah... still going to hell for this. But I swear their lives will get better maybe. Anyway, sorry for the wait, I had writer's block halfway. Hopefully this is to y'all's expectations. As always, enjoy!

“Kaila.” He said, smiling. “Kaila… Jackie Murdock.”

.

.

“What a lovely name.”

.

.

“Kaila Murdock.” Fisk tests it out. “You’ve got a lot… history in a name like that.”

.

.

She said with a little smile. “I’m assuming you’re Matt’s daughter?”

.

.

“And when you have no tears left to shed, then…” He sends another glare that sends a shiver down her spine. “Then we’ll come for you, Miss Murdock.”

.

.

She opened her tired eyes slowly, her spinning world coming to an abrupt stop. 

The teenager finds herself standing in a dark abyss, making her drugged induced self suddenly more aware of her surroundings. She finds herself looking around in a worried state of confusion. She saw and heard nothing in the void. It was just her in this room that didn’t seem like reality.

She tries to recall what happened last but is met with a splitting headache. She winces at the pain with her eyes growing shut, craning her neck down and gritting through her teeth.

Jesus. What… what happened? She fights herself to pry open those chocolate orbs with the blown out pupils, finding herself staring at her attire. She had on what looked like a blouse and a pencil skirt, something she didn’t even possibly remember owning. 

She frowns as that sets in before she starts to notice something else different. The hair on her head felt lighter than ever, a sensation she doesn’t remember ever feeling. She wanted to touch her locks, but couldn’t. When she looked at the source that had bound her wrists together she couldn’t believe it. It was stringy and white, and sticky like glue. It was–

Spider webs? She brings her hands closer to examine, ignoring how the hairs over her body stood straight up.

.

“They’re all gone.”

.

She jolts in her stance, jerking her body around to behind. She swears she could see some kind of dust lingering in the open air, some even brushing by her like a taunt or a warning. Or…

Maybe it was both.

What in the hell…? 

“What are you doing?” A familiar voice asked, sending her spinning on her heels again.

She shouldn’t be surprised but she is; Especially when her friend looks older than before. Jayden was taller, more defined in her arms, his hair a bit longer in the face. She blinks again, and tries to say his name only that she couldn’t. It felt like someone had jammed something into her throat.

He looked just as panicked as she was feeling, and took a step closer with his hands up defensively. “You know I can’t help you right now. That’s why I told you to wait until I felt better.”

She tilts her head, scanning him over again. None of this made any sense whatsoever, especially when she saw tiny little sparks of fire resting on his fingertips. All she could do was stare as he seemed unbothered by it.

He sighs. “I should know better by now. You Murdocks sure are stubborn.” He said that with a small smile. “But you need to get out of here. You’re needed out there tonight.”

What? What is he talking about? She tries to speak his name again. Nothing.

“Here, Kai.” 

She felt him shove something into her suddenly freed hands, something that felt oddly like… 

She gasps.

My dad’s helmet? 

“Can’t forget that. You’ve been holding off for a while.” He said, a look of pride on his face as she shakes her head.

Jayden… what are you… what is he talking about? She felt him step closer, his face practically hovering above her.

“The devil of Hell’s Kitchen’s been gone long enough. These people need you. You got this.” 

She looks at him before looking down at the helmet, looking polished and brand new. It didn’t look like it was shot through with a bullet. Her brows pushed together, perplexed.

This is my dad’s helmet, but… it… it doesn’t feel like it. She clenches the sides, a shiver running up her spine again.

What is going on–

.

“Ah, you’re awake. Good.” A slimy hand roughly grabs her chin, forcing her to open her eyes. “We can have a chat about how your father and his partner ruined my life.”

.

Her breath hitched itself in her throat as she stared at her capturer. His creepy stare seemed more intense than before.

“Come on, little devil, show me what you got.” 

.

.

.

She awoke with a muffled scream. Out of instinct she tugged on her restraints, wiggling in her chair. The thick ropes dug into her skin, irritating it in a way she never felt before.

Fuck. Fuck. What the fuck is–

“So you’re finally awake.” 

She froze again.

The man was sitting in a foldout chair, he had a pocket knife out that he was using to cut a bright red apple. Kaila watches him smile towards her before moving his seat in front of her, retaking his spot.

“Sorry if you feel cold. I had to use your shirt to clean up your head.”

Kaila pinches her brows together, looking down at herself. Her band shirt was gone, laying somewhere in this warehouse covered in blood, which left her just in a bra. Her cheeks flushed as she started to grow self conscious, but the man didn’t seem to either not mind or care about the state she was in (emotionally and physically).

“You bleed a lot. Which is good. Means you’re healthy, and I need you to stay healthy.” He continues, and cuts up a huge slice, letting it fall onto the plate in his lap.

“Hungry?” He asked, reaching over and pulling the gag off, watching her stare in discomfort. He stabs one of the slices of apple and holds it close to her mouth. She continues to stare, making him tilt his head. “I know it’s a little weird, but I can’t let you starve, you know? Come on.”

She felt her heart about to burst out of her chest. The sickening feeling was brewing in her gut. But there was something heedfully telling her to just play along. She opens her mouth, allowing him to slide the apple slice in. She carefully crushes it between her teeth, slowly chewing it.

“Good, right? Gala’s were always my favorite.” He boasted with a chuckle. “You got a favorite?”

She shakes her head leisurely at… what should she call him? Baldy? Yeah, Baldy would work. She shakes her head at Baldy.

“No? That’s surprising. I won’t take it personally if that’s what you’re worried about.”

No, not exactly. She thought, watching him eat a slice himself, and gaze around the room full of metal shipping containers (she was assuming they were at the port). Strange.

He’s acting paranoid, but he certainly doesn't look it.

Baldy seemed to catch her wary gaze in the dim lighting, and locked in. “This too weird?” He said, with a dry chuckle. “Don’t be shy. You can speak freely.” That spine chilling grin returns. “I don’t bite.”

You sure look like you do. She holds her tongue at the spicy words. She starts spinning the wheels in her head, trying to figure out what she can and cannot (or should not) say.

I’ve got to do this carefully.

“W-Who are you?” Kaila manages to say, which makes him straighten up in seat, expression fading away.

“Me?” He asked, voice low and cold. “I’m the brother of one of Nelson and Murdock’s clients they failed.”

She tilts her head, puzzled. “Failed?”

Baldy hums. “You got that right, sweetheart.”

She swallows, and starts feeling a sense of déjà vu from this. “You’re… you’re going to have to be more specific. My Father and Uncle can’t exactly… help everyone.”

“That’s true, but–” He sighs. “They could have helped him.”

She furrows her brows. “And… who’s your brother?”

“He was their first official client.”

First official client? Now she was even more confused.

He said he had a brother, right? And Karen was their first client who had a brother. She starts remembering the story the blonde told her after the whole Wesley thing.

Yeah… Kevin. Yeah, that’s right. But he’s dead. This doesn't make–

“Not clicking with you, sweetheart?” Baldy asked, interrupting her thoughts. “It’s probably hard keeping track of all your Father’s clients. And that’s okay, I didn’t expect you to know who I’m talking about.”

She gives him an odd look again. “Then…” She pauses. “Why am I here?”

He shrugs. “Ransom. Bait. My… personal punching bag.” He laughs at how pale she got. “Don’t worry, I won’t do anything… too reckless. Unless, you give me any reason to do the opposite.” Another laugh. “It’s just the Boss’ orders.”

Boss? So this isn’t independent. He’s tied to someone. But who? All she could do was wonder as continues to lose color in her face.

“Awe, don’t be so scared. Besides, you’ll be fine. You’ll be fine as long as you behave. Mmm, okay?” He brushes some of her hair from her face. “But if you don't… I’ll have to listen to my Boss anyway. Trust me. You don’t want me to follow his instructions.”

She bites the inside of her cheek hard to keep herself from trembling at his words.

Oh, god… please let this be another dream.

•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°

Foggy dumped another box of files onto the table, tossing it aside before sitting down again.

“Okay.” He breathes, mentally preparing for another round. “There’s gotta be something in this one.”

He didn’t even acknowledge his two partners nodding before they all dug into it, their minds were all in overdrive trying to find something useful. Their bloodshots orbs scanned the pages, their small, worried panting brushed against the ink, turning the inky fragrance into coffee. And they were all dealing with the excess jittery energy in different ways. Like Foggy was lightly bouncing his left leg under the table, and Karen was gnawing at the fingernail on her thumb, while Matt was almost still like a statue, except for the occasional twitch in his lip or hands.

Silence carried on again and again, but just like with every box they shifted through, one of them would break the focus eventually. This time it was–

“This is going nowhere.” Matt said, dropping his half of the file that was transferred in braille. He didn’t care if the pages were slipping out of the yellowish folder, and scattered across the table. Organization was not on his mind.

Foggy frowns, concernedly. “Matt–”

“No, he’s right, Foggy.” Karen said, also dropping her half. “This is hopeless.”

Foggy looks between the two. “Guys–”

The blonde shakes her head, stopping him. “No. It’s going nowhere. We’ve been through ten boxes already. Nothing is matching up with the ransom note.”

This got him to sigh, and rub his face into his hands. “Okay…” He rests his palms in the back of his head. “Okay. What have we got so far?”

Matt clenches his jaw. “All we got is some guy claiming we… failed helping his brother. Who so happens to be our first client.” He explains, hearing him nod, taking it in. “However, from our knowledge, Karen was our first client.”

“Right.” Foggy said, and focused his gaze on the woman across from. “But you told us you don’t have a brother who could have done this.”

Karen nods. “Yeah. I-I had one, but he’s… passed.” She replies, getting teary eyed.

“And… you’re not aware of having any others? No half siblings or…?”

“No. My father’s… life, after my mother passed, he practically just lived in the diner we owned. Never really doing anything outside work.” She shrugs. “I mean, if he had other children somehow I would’ve known since I was with him all the time. And then I’ve lived here for about… three years now, so if he had a kid after I left he would be about that old.”

Foggy hums. “And I doubt a toddler could commit a kidnapping.” He scratches his chin. “But it has to be you. You were Matt and I’s first client.”

She shrugs again. “Then I don’t know what else to tell you…”

Matt lets out a sigh, standing up in a way that makes his chair scrap across the floor. “I need more coffee.” Was his reply, and grabbed his empty cup. He leaves the office for their kitchenette, ignoring the two pairs of eyes on him.

Once he left, Karen made a move. “Go talk to him.” She said, quietly.

“Me?” Foggy said, surprised. “I don’t know, maybe you should–”

“If I really am somehow connected to this, maybe I shouldn’t be talking to him.”

That made his heart break a little. “Karen–”

“Please.” She begs, her blue orbs glassing over.

Foggy stayed quiet, only replying with a small shake of his head. He stands up and leaves the room, faintly hearing her sobbing. He finds his partner bracing himself against the counter, the coffee pot and lights weren’t even on. Foggy didn’t even correct that, instead he just came and silently stood next to him.

It wasn’t until the clock on the microwave turned from 11:38 to 11:50 when he decided to crack the ice wall his friend was putting up.

“What’s going through your head?” Foggy asked, voice strained with all sorts of emotions he tried to hide. 

Matt inhales slowly, blind gaze still on the countertop. “Guilt.”

“It’s not your fault, man.”

“You don’t get it.”

“Then explain it to me.”

“I did.”

“Explain it to me more clearly then.” Foggy rephrases, watching him closely. “What happened?”

Matt finally looks in his direction, thinking. “After the… you know…” He lowers his voice. “You guys found me on the rooftop. After you left, That's when things got… tense between me and Kai. I-I just wasn’t thinking about hers, or yours, or Karen’s feelings. I was just… pissed that I got hurt. Pissed that I didn’t stop the Punisher.” He swallows. “I… the gunshot made me… lose my hearing.”

Foggy’s eyes widened immediately. “What? You went deaf?!” He said just as Matt shushed him quietly. He quickly winces and takes a look to make sure Karen didn’t hear that. “Sorry.”

“It’s okay. Just… keep it down.”

“I will, but… you lost your hearing? What the fuck, man?”

“Only… only temporarily. I promise.” Matt reassures, truthfully. “Anyway, She, Kai, helped me but um… I was being stubborn as usual.”

“Shocker.”

“I know. Afterwards, I went to this guy who owed me a favor, said he’d fixed up the helmet and that’s when I got a text from her. It said it was an emergency, told me to get home quickly, so I did.” Matt sighs again and continues, “She… she lied to get me to come home. Begged me not to go out there to look for the Punisher. I told her it was my job to stop him, then that’s when everything went downhill.” He frowns. “She brought up an agreement we made after Fisk was put in jail.”

Foggy cocks his head, intrigued. “What agreement?”

“That she’ll help me balance my two lives. Which I… I didn't want to listen to it. And instead, I flipped it around on her.”

“How so?”

Matt's gaze flickered to their office, the one that Karen was in, pausing to hear if she was eavesdropping (She wasn’t from what he could tell). “Remember our argument after you found out my secret?” He asked, turning his attention back to him.

“How could I forget?” Foggy said, gloomily.

“Well, Kaila said she needed a break, so she decided to go stay at Karen’s for the night.” Matt replies, shifting his stance. “Remember when you went to find Kaila at her favorite coffee shop, did you notice anything… ‘off’ about her?”

Foggy ponders on that for a moment. “Actually… yeah. I did. She seemed down and in her head.”

Matt nods. “I noticed that, quickly for obvious reasons. When I asked what happened at Karen’s, she told me she’ll tell me when she’s ready. And… I respected her decision, and it became part of our agreement.”

“So… instead of listening, you try to turn it on her?”

“Yeah. I thought it should be a two way street. We went back and forth for a few minutes, eventually she accused me of the suit having a possession over me. I told her that the devil was a part of me, then she asked me if I was worried about not coming back to her. Then I…” He trails off.

“What?” Foggy asked, heart already aching before the answer. “What did you say?”

There was a small pause, and then– “I said, ‘Well maybe I wouldn’t have to worry if you weren’t here’.”

Foggy closes his eyes with a inhale. “Jesus, Matt…”

Matt swallows, throat closing up. “She told me she fucking hated me, Foggy.” He said, sounding so small and fragile.

Foggy sighs. “Matt, she didn’t mean that. Nor did you mean what you said.” 

“It doesn’t matter if I meant it or not, Foggy.” Matt says, looking down. “I thought she wanted space, so I gave her space. And the time she called for me was the first time I didn’t answer.”

“First off, she tried to call you, so it’s not like you ignored her call.”

“But–”

“And you were just respecting her wishes. What happened to her was not your fault.”

“But she’s my daughter, Foggy.”

“And we’re going to get her back.” Foggy touches both his shoulders. “I know it’s hard, but let's put this guilt aside and figure this out.” He lets a tiny smile on his lips. “And when this is officially over, we're temporarily closing up shop and going to Hawaii.”

That got Matt to chuckle a little. “Hawaii, huh?”

“Never been, and would love to go. We'll probably have to start a go-fund me to get the money, but we’ll make it work.”

“Yeah.” Matt’s face fell again. “Wait… you said ‘officially’?”

Foggy raises an eyebrow. “Yeah, I did. Why?”

Matt’s confidence started to come back at a realization. “Because I just remembered what the ransom note said. It says that we failed our ‘official’ first client.”

“Yeah… and…?” Foggy trails off, not following his partner’s lead.

“If it’s saying ‘official’ in the way I think it’s referring as, then…”

“Then…?”

.

.

.

“Then that means Karen isn’t our first client.”

•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°

Kaila silently watched him eat another apple by himself before leaning back in the chair, eyes glued to his phone. The volume was low, but she swears she can hear some kind of sports game playing. This causes her to pinch her brows together and get the gears in her brain to start turning once more.

None of this… this… 

Well…

Could she even call this a kidnapping? Could she tell herself over and over again that’s she being held for ransom? 

It sure didn’t feel like it. Sure, this guy was clearly unhinged to a certain degree, but he didn’t exactly (at least her in mind) scream kidnapper. I mean, her last one didn’t exactly fit the description either. James Welsey was just a right hand man with the best poker face on this side of the hudson. 

Maybe I’m just watching too many cop shows. 

But that’s besides the point. She was just waiting and waiting for something to happen. Like maybe he’ll start recording her for the news media to share, or maybe he’ll talk on the phone to negotiate with the cops. She didn’t expect him to feed her an apple and watch sports. 

This is really, really odd. But she can’t just sit here and keep guessing. Besides, he said that she was allowed to speak freely, and she might as well use this privilege to get some answers.

She swallows the heavy bile in her throat first. “So… a-are we just waiting for money to be brought?” She asked, carefully shredding the unclear water.

Baldy sighs. “No. No money. Boss didn’t want any.” He replies, still looking at his phone.

What? She blinks as her interests peak. He left a ransom note about her. How could he not want money?

“Then… w-why did you grab me if you’re not using me for money?” Kaila asked, confused.

Another sigh, but this time he looks up. “Look, sweetheart. I’m just following my instructions.”

“But you’re holding me hostage. What’s the point in you doing this if you aren’t going to get anything in return? Am I just some… some trophy at this point or–”

He suddenly kicks the chair he was sitting in over, the metal rattling against the concrete flooring, startling her. His nonchalant mood changes drastically as he strolls over. “Are you questioning my mission, sweetheart?”

She clenches her jaw. “You told me I could speak freely–”

“Are you–” He roughly grabs her chin, throwing her head forward. “Questioning my mission, sweetheart?”

She gulps down the urge to wince in pain as she keeps her confident gaze. “W-Who’s your Boss?”

He scoffs in disbelief. “Excuse me?”

“I said… who’s you’re fucking Boss? And what does he want with me?”

His lip twitched, and he found himself closing his eyes to take a deep breath. “I really wish…” He opens them. “I really wish you didn’t ask me that. I thought we had an understanding.”

Before she could say anything his whole palm covers her mouth, and he pushes her head back until it's against a crate, her chair tipping back along with her. 

What the fuck is he– Her thought died on her lips as she felt something cold against her thigh, followed by a small click and a loud bang. Pain ripped through her body as she let out an animalistic scream. Of course that sounded like she was underwater by his hand, which became even more when he squeezed down.

He shushes her soothingly. “I warned you, sweetheart. Now I gotta play into my Boss’ rules.” He said, holding up the gun to her watery view. “Don’t ask me questions like that. Okay?” He pauses to see if her scream had subsided, which it did (Now it was just really heavy panting). “Got anything to say for yourself?”

He removes his hand, letting the chair level back to the floor as she takes in a shaky gasp of air.

“Y-You’re…” Kaila chokes, and tries to give him a cold look. “YOU’RE FUCKING INSANE!!!”

Baldy shakes his head. “Me? ME?! I’M INSANE, HUH?! I’M THE CRAZY ONE?!” He starts laughing with hysteria. “Oh… I guess I am. Huh?” He scoffs and cups her face, ignoring how she tries to jerk out of his touch. “Oh, Miss Murdock, what am I going to do with you? Hmm?”

He uses his thumbs to wipe her stained cheeks cleaned, and earns another flinch. He then stands up to fetch his chair to plop down in front of her again.

He sighs. “Alright. Let’s have a look at this.” He starts touching the wound he caused on her thigh, and she whimpers loudly at the touch. “Alright. You know what? Let’s…” He reaches for the gag around her neck, placing it over her mouth and tying it roughly. “Let’s put that back on.”

He starts touching it again. “Well, the bullet’s still in there. But–” He gives her a smile. “You wouldn’t want me to go digging for it, would you? Don’t want to cause you any more pain, right?”

Kaila closes her eyes, more tears falling as he pats her cheek in his attempt to ‘soothe’ her. She wishes she had the power to burn that disgusting hand from his arm.

Suddenly, off in the distance of this gigantic building, you could hear a door closing loudly.

The two of them perked up for different reasons. One annoyed and one (slightly) hopeful. Could you guess who was who?

Baldy hums. “I don’t remember expecting anyone yet.” He quickly pulls out his phone, turning on the screen. He frowns. “Hmm… nothing.” He stands up once more. “I’ll be right back. ‘Cause last time I checked, Boss was supposed to call me before picking you up.”

Picking me up? She wonders as she watches him walk away while whistling some tune. She could only hope whoever came in was on her side, but she was scared for them. She now knew that Baldy was a lot more crazy than she thought, and didn’t know what he was fully capable of.

She closes her eyes and starts quietly crying.

I really hope that’s my dad…

•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°

She promised herself she wasn’t going to cry again, not unless they were happy tears; But here she is, doing the opposite. Karen had her face buried into her hands, feeling like the weight of the world was crushing her form. Unlike Matt and Foggy, Karen knew really what this kidnapping was (probably) doing to Kaila.

Although, the more she thought about it, the more she didn’t like the outcome. When the teenager stumbled to her door after killing Wesley, it sure felt different than now. Karen knew what killing another human being feels like. She knew how to handle the situation, knew how to comfort like nobody else would.

But this was different. They didn’t know who this kidnapper was. And even with the note they left there was no clear MO. Was it just revenge? Did they want money from Nelson and Murdock? What was it? And why was this person’s brother their first client? She was their first client. She remembers that day as crystal clear as it could get. And it couldn’t be her beloved brother Kevin because she killed him he died. Or…

Do I really have more siblings than I thought? That thought made her skin crawl, and Karen couldn’t help but choke down another sob.

Oh, god… what if I got that poor child killed?

“What exactly are you saying? Matt?!”

The sudden voice makes her look up, finding her colleagues coming back in.

“Matt?” Foggy tries again, but the blind man isn't listening as he sets another box on the table, opening up and digging inside.

“What’s going on?” Karen asked, wiping her eyes clean as she stood up.

Foggy jerks his finger towards their friend. “He just said something weird and won’t elaborate on what he meant.”

She looks his way. “Matt?”

Matt didn’t answer until he found the file he’s looking for. He holds it close like it’s his last life source. “In the ransom note, It states that we, Nelson and Murdock, failed to help the kidnapper’s brother. Which is…” He trails off for them to finish.

Foggy and Karen share a look of confusion.

“Which… is your guys’ first client.” She replies, stating the obvious.

“Which is Karen.” He adds.

“Correction. It says our ‘Official First Client’. That’s not Karen.” Matt said, getting even stranger looks thrown his way.

Foggy shakes his head, holding his hands up. “Hang on a second.” He said, processing. “What?”

“It’s not Karen.” 

“Explain.”

“Okay…” Matt nods with a small sigh. “Do you remember the beginning for us? We met Karen on the first day we opened after Brett gave us that tip that we desperately needed. Without any questions, we went down there with hope. However…” He cast his gaze at the blonde. “Karen. What did you say to us that almost made Foggy walk out the door?”

Foggy cocks his head in confusion again, as the gears in Karen’s head start to turn.

She pursues her lips. “That…” Her eyes widened. “I didn’t have any money.”

Matt points at her. “Exactly. Now, of course since you were our client, regardless if you paid or not, we still would have a file on you. However, since you never gave us any money, besides that one file, there’s nowhere else to tell anyone that Karen was a client of ours. Which means…” 

Now it was Foggy’s turn to understand. “It wouldn’t be something we write on our taxes. Or better yet, there’s no check from Karen in our bank account. There’s no statement backing her up as our first client other than word to mouth.”

Matt points to him now. “Now you’re both getting it.”

“Okay, okay.” Karen begins, holding up her hands, thinking. “So… your first client was a paying client. Something that you can prove. Who?”

“Yeah.” Foggy says, nodding. “Who? We did a lot of charity work before we started making bank, Matt.”

“Agreed. We did.” Matt admits, nodding as well. “So I really had to think about this one. But then it hit me. Our first client was someone who gave us a lot of money that day. And that was–” He flips the file over, showing off the name. “John Healy.”

Foggy cocks his head again. “John–” He gasps. “The bowling ball dude! Prohaszka’s killer.”

Another nod. “Exactly.” Matt said, setting the folder down. “He was our first paying client, which–

“W-Which we, quote-on-quote, failed… when he committed suicide.” Karen said, piecing it all together.

“Also correct.”

“B-But…” Foggy stutters into a sigh. “That doesn’t make any sense. Didn’t we learn later on that he killed himself because of Fisk?”

“Yeah.” Karen replies, pointing at her colleague, agreeing. “H-He killed himself. W-We didn’t have anything to do with that.”

“Obviously Mr. Healy’s brother didn’t see it that way.” Matt said, somberly.

“But I don’t remember seeing in the reports that Healy had a brother.” Foggy said, thinking again.

“Doesn’t mean that he doesn’t have one. Also, who knows…” The blind man shrugs. “John Healy could have been a pseudonym for all we know.”

“True.”

“Wait.” Karen said, holding her hand up. “M-Maybe it’s true. Maybe he really does have a brother. However, we can’t forget that John Healy was hired by Fisk to assassinate Prohaszka so that the Russians could take over his territory. What if… Fisk is behind this?”

Foggy looks at her with bewilderment. “Karen, Fisk is in jail, we put him there.”

“I know, but…” She bites her lip. “Once a mob boss, always a mob boss. Even if he’s in jail, it doesn't mean he doesn’t still have eyes and ears everywhere. Right?”

The question made the room fall into darkness. The silence was almost hard to bear as they all mentally trembled at the mere thought of Fisk coming back into the field.

Matt clears his throat. “So… we have two options, I guess. One, is that John Healy had a brother who blames us for his death. Or…” The next sentence felt ill on his tongue. “Wilson Fisk… is coming back with revenge for putting him behind bars. Both unfortunately seem likely.”

“So what do we do?” Karen asked, hugging herself.

“We call Brett.” Foggy replies, sounding more confident than before. “Tell him what we found. Maybe he could use it to find her, and hopefully he has leads already.”

She nods at this. “Hopefully. D-Do you want to call him or–”

“No, No. I’ll call him. I got him on speed dial anyway.”

“Really, Foggy. I can do it.”

“No. I got it. Don’t worry.” 

She tries to convince him again, damn well knowing what he was doing, but already left the room with his phone in his hand. She bites her lip.

Damn you, Foggy. She cusses and hugs herself a little tighter. Maybe if she stays quiet, he wouldn’t ask–

“Hey, Karen?” Matt said, which makes her close her eyes out of frustration.

“Y-Yeah, Matt?” She stutters, quietly.

“Are you okay?”

She opens her eyes to look at him, and even with his shades on she could see the genuine concern on his face towards her. For being a blind man he sure knew how to read people.

Karen finds herself shaking her head, getting teary eyed again. He seemed to figure that out as well.

“Karen?” He begins, but she finally replies.

“No… I’m not.”

And that was the absolute truth.

•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°

The door creaked open louder than he wanted, and cussed under his breath when it closed the same. The Officer had his gun trained on something imaginary infront of him, eyes carefully looking around the warehouse. A simple task of checking the port for anything out of the ordinary took a turn when heard a single gunshot. Just a single sound of one could mean a lifetime of choices. 

The man in blue started taking a slow and steady stroll, peeking around corners on the metal crates, listening intensely for anything out of place. Well…

He certainly found something out of place.

He lowers his gun slightly, eyes full of surprise. “Oh my god.” He mutters, his presence making the girl meet his gaze. “You’re that kidnapped girl.”

Kaila’s heart sank, and she swears she probably became even paler than she already is. The Officer obviously didn’t see that her expression wasn’t out of surprise but rather out of fear for him.

He uses his free hand to touch his radio, the device making a tiny crackling sound. “This is Officer Carmichael. I was at my post when I heard a gunshot, seeked it out. I’m at a warehouse, one closest by the water, I have a hostage situation. The hostage is the abducted girl we’ve been looking for.”

He lets go of the button, face softening on his strong features. “You okay, Ma’am?” He asked, taking a small step forward. She starts shaking her head, muffling saying something. “Don’t be scared. I’m here to help.”

She repeats the same motion again, praying he’ll get the message.

{Copy that. Is the hostage injured?}

The radio crackled again, and the Officer paused his steps to answer. “Hostage is…” He trails off to do a head to toe scan. “Hostage appears to be–”

She never knew metal hitting bone would sound so terrifying.

She had so desperately tried to say something before she watched the man get struck in the side of the head by a chair. Baldy had come out of nowhere, a rageful look in his eye as he knocked the officer down. She screamed as he hit him again, and again, and again until the man in blue stopped moving.

Baldy let out a sigh, dropping the chair painted red with a loud rattle, making her sob loudly. 

{-Carmichael? Officer Carmichael? Do you copy? Sir?}

Another sigh. “Stupid cop. Almost ruined all the fun.” He grumbled, and stepped on the radio a few times until it stopped spewing feedback. 

•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°

Frank’s been called a lot of things his entire life. Some of it was true, some of it was just a meaningless taunt, and some of it was just to get under his skin. But there’s one name that he’ll have to take to heart, one that he just has to accept.

Monster.

He was a monster. He knows what he’s done. From here to the war. A monster. But even this monster knows when to take a minute and show some kind of mercy.

He heard stories about a man in a mask long before coming to Hell’s Kitchen.

The Man in Black. The Man without Fear. The Devil. 

He heard stories about people fearing him. People fearing that they’ll end up getting thrown off a rooftop, or having both their legs broken by just robbing an old lady for her purse. He was the vigilante protecting this city, and it wasn’t until he stopped Wilson Fisk from escaping that’s when he started to earn some respect. They called him Daredevil. A hero. But one that people still needed to fear despite the good stuff seeping through the cracks.

But Frank didn’t care when he came to do his job. He didn’t care if he would get a visit from someone who plays dress up. And, to be honest, Frank wasn’t at all impressed. This so called… Devil of Hell’s Kitchen was a prissy.

Sure, I guess he’ll give it to him that he knows how to put up a fight, but that’s it. Just the man talking wanted Frank to melt his own ears off. That shit about hope made him want to strangle Red until he stopped moving. 

These vile people needing redemption is a bunch of bullshit. He scoffed.

His plan was just to let Red hear his voicemails before shooting up the gang’s hideout, letting Red listen to the scum crying for help as he couldn’t do anything but just sit there tied in chains. But plans change. He’s a soldier, he expects the unexpected. Yet…

None of that training could prepare him for what happened next.

Red had a friend. A friend who sounded hysterical, one who was begging him to answer the phone. And slowly those pleading voicemails turned into every parent's worst nightmare. 

Red’s child was missing -no- taken. Taken by some… low life prick in this city. It wasn’t just Frank’s exterior that changed, but Red’s did. His whole hero front fell as he started to beg, beg him to let him go and find his child.

Now Frank may be a monster, but he loved nothing more in this world than his children. 

And from the sound of it, so did Red. And what kind of father would Frank be if he didn’t let him go?

The police radio he had started crackling, a new signal coming through. Frank paused his task of cleaning his rifle to listen, silently hoping that this is the lead he needs.

{S-Shots were fired. Officer Carmichael is not responding after sending in his call. Calling all available units to the port. The Officer states the kidnapped teenager is at one of the warehouses closest to the water.}

{Copy that. Did the Officer state what’s going on with the teenager?}

{Nothing to be reported. The teenager, Kaila Murdock, is five-four, one hundred and ten pounds, with brown hair and brown eyes. The suspect charged with her abduction may be armed. Proceed with caution.}

{Copy that. Heading over there now.}

Frank takes the information in, thinking his plan over extremely carefully.

The port, huh? He stands up from the ledge he is sitting on, turning off the radio.

Time for me to pay Red a visit.

•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°

Matt could hear the hurt in her voice. The guilt. The pain she was feeling from all of this. He finds himself standing in front of her, smelling the new and old salt on her delicate cheeks.

“What’s wrong?” He asked, gently. He heard her lip quiver as she said,

“I really thought it was my fault, Matt.”

“Karen–”

“I really, really thought this was because of me.”

“Karen, Karen.” He tries to soothe. “Even if it was your brother, I could never blame you for this.”

She shakes her head. “But Matt, It’s your kid, I can’t–”

“Karen–”

“I really love her, Matt.”

Of course she does. Matt knew this. He senses this. However, her confession felt… different then when Foggy says it. Why would it be–

“She’s an amazing kid.” Karen continues, oblivious to his overthinking. “She’s been nothing but nice to me. Polite. I always have good conversations with her and… I love her. I love her enough that I don’t want anything happening to her. So… If this really is my fault then… I don’t know what I’ll do to myself.”

All of a sudden, her confession reminded him of a case he took early in his career. It was a custody case, one that Matt knew right away that the father wasn’t going to win; But his client, the mother who he knew would win without any worries, broke down in the most painful way. The love she had for her son was off the charts, she would do anything to keep him in her arms, even if it was only for one more night. And that woman… reminded him of the blonde standing before him. Matt came into a sudden realization that Karen–

Loves my daughter. And that was like a one and million chance for him. His past few dates or people who were almost his girlfriend never stuck around when he told them he had a kid. Now it’s not like he expected them to be a mother to his daughter, but all he asked was a little respect that none of them could provide.

Until now.

“Karen, That’s–” Matt begins, a little smile growing on his lips. “The nicest thing that anyone has said to me about my daughter.” He felt her look of surprise, and slight confusion.

“Wha– really?” She asked, getting a nod.

“Yeah.” He couldn’t keep the happiness off his face. “Thank you.”

“Matt–”

“Relax.” He takes her by the hand. “Everything’s going to be fine. We’ll get her back.”

She squeezes his hand as the words sink, her red lips curling into a smile. 

Foggy suddenly comes back in, cell phone in hand. “Alright, I called him.” He said, expression somber.

“What did he say?” Matt said, hopeful. 

“Well, Brett didn’t take the call, someone else did.” He frowns. “I told them what we found but they didn’t have any updates yet.”

Matt’s face falls and Karen squeezes his hand.  “Of course…”

“I’m sorry, Man.”

“No. It’s fine.” It’s not but, “I can just–” He was cut off when his phone started to ring. He digs it out with his free hand, listening to the automated voice.

.

[Unknown Number]

[Unknown Number]

[Unknown Number]

.

“Excuse me.” Matt said, swiping the screen and bringing it to his ear. “Hello?”

‘Didn’t think I’d ever get your attention, Red.’

He felt the wind get knocked out of him. “Frank?” He said, and immediately felt eyes on him.

‘Don’t sound surprised. Listen, Red. Take a left out of your building, and I’m on the roof of the coffee shop.’

“Frank–”

‘Don’t waste any more time.’

The call cut off and Matt was just left standing there with disbelief. 

What the fuck is he–

“Who’s Frank?” Foggy asked, already sensing something is off.

Matt starts conjuring up a lie on the fly as he puts his phone away. “Uh, that was a police officer. They found something at my apartment that they wanted me to look at.” He replies, letting go of Karen’s hand.

“An officer?” 

“Yeah.”

“But you called him by his first name?” Karen said, suspicious. 

“I-I did.” Matt said, shifting his weight. “I became acquainted with him a while ago. So, um, I… gotta go.” He starts shifting past them.

“Go? Do you want me to drive you?” 

“No, No. I’ll be good.” Matt touches Foggy’s shoulder he passed, a silent message that he’s got Daredevil business to deal with. “I’ll give you guys a call afterwards.”

Foggy nods, playing along. “Okay, man. That sounds good.” He said, watching his friend gather his things by the door. “Keep us in the loop.”

Or that was loosely translated to, ‘Be careful or I’ll kick your ass black and blue.’

Matt gives them a nod before heading out the door. Foggy inhales the breath he was holding, and starts rubbing his face with disbelief.

“Foggy?” Karen said, staring at the now closed door.

“Yeah?”

“Wasn’t that strange?”

He stares at her. “Wh-What do you mean?”

She gives him a look like he has two heads. “Did you not see what I see? He’s hiding something.”

“I-I didn’t see anything.”

Karen crosses her arms, looking stern. “Foggy.”

“What?” He raises his hands. “I didn’t see anything.”

She frowns and starts looking around for her belongings. “Well, I’m going after him.”

Foggy felt his stomach drop. “What?” He said, confused.

“He shouldn’t be walking alone.” She explains, grabbing her purse. “I’m going to find him and drop him off at his apartment.”

“What?” He starts following her as she heads for the door. “Y-You can’t.”

Karen sighs as she opens the door. “Why not?” She asked, looking his way.

Now he was like a deer in a headlight, and for some reason he couldn’t come up with a good lie. “Uh…”

She cocks her head, realizing something. “Wait. Do you know what’s going on with him?”

“Uh, well I, um–”

“Oh my god.” She mumbles before hustling out the door, enough to shock Foggy out of his state.

“Wait! Karen!” He yells, quick to snag his keys and runs after her. “Karen! Hold on! Karen!”

But he knows he’s not going to catch up with her in time.

•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°

All her hope was squashed like a bug.

Crushed like a can.

Stepped on like trash.

Every little bit of hope she had of getting out of here was discarded out the window now.

Kaila trembles under his gaze after Baldy uses the front of his shoe to touch the officer’s back. The little movement didn’t even seem to faze the cop who was either unconscious or–

Oh, god. Is he…? 

He seemed to have read her mind as he grins and says, “Don’t worry sweetheart, he’s fine. He’s breathing.” He shrugs. “Barely. But it’s there.”

And you’re okay with that, you sick fuck.

Baldy starts walking over to her, and with little movement she had with her hands, she ends up gripping the chair. She casts her eyes to the floor, too scared to even look at him. Of course he didn’t seem to like it as he tilted her chin up at him.

“Did you say anything to him?” He asked, curiosity and cold make a terrible mix. She shakes her head eagerly. “Good.” He ruffled her already tangled locks. “Good job, sweetheart.”

And she started to cry.

•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°

Matt finally climbed up the fire escape once he knew the coast was clear. Throwing his walking stick aside, but kept the bag he was carrying on his shoulder as he speed walks towards the figure staying in the shadows.

“You got a lot of guts calling me on my phone.” Was his reply, watching the Punisher look at him calmly, despite the large sniper rifle in his calloused hands.

“Well, you didn't look like you were going to be leaving that office of yours any time soon. I had to get your attention somehow, Red.” Frank said, serenely. “I’m surprised you’re not out here with your costume looking for your daughter.”

Matt frowns, hurt. “The devil is the reason my daughter’s in this mess.”

Frank scoffed. “Really? ‘Cause in the police reports I’ve read, it sounded like it was your job that got your daughter in this mess–”

“What do you want, Frank?” The blind man asked, quickly. He just wanted some straight answers at this point. No run arounds.

Frank straightens his stance off the wall. “Followed a police call. An Officer found your kid down by the ports.”

Matt���s heart skipped a beat from the news, his tough exterior cracking immensely. “What?”

“Yeah. The report says the Officer became unresponsive, so they don’t know what’s going on. But your daughter’s there, Red.”

Someone…

.

““Your daughter’s there, Red.””

.

Someone found his kid.

Someone found his kid while he was–

“And…” He almost laughed with disbelief . “And you went through all this trouble to tell me that?” He asked, still not fully processing this yet.

Frank nods slowly. “I expect you to do the same.” He admits, with a sadness in his undertone. “Father to Father.”

Matt cracks just a little smile on his downcast. “Father to Father.” He said, and gestures to the open air without any hesitation. “Lead the way.”

I’m going to save my daughter.

Frank chuckles under his breath, fingers tightening on his weapon, a sign showing he's open for business. “Let’s go get your kid.” He replies, pushing off the wall and heading in the direction with Red right on his–

“Matt?”

The two grown men stop in their tracks, a cold sweat on their necks.

Shit. Matt felt his stomach drop.

He swears he didn’t even hear her following. He was so caught up in his own thoughts he didn’t even get the chance to slow down and really listen. He turns around, hiding his surprise as senses Karen standing at the top of the fire escape; He could almost picture the look on her face. The look of shock, confusion… betrayal(?). All of it. And all of it made his throat tighten up.

She seemed to realize she was just staring, and started moving to stand on solid ground. “W-What are… what is this?” She asked, looking between him and the gunman she quickly recognized. “W-What’s going on?”

Matt wants to bow his head in shame, he wants to start running away but he couldn’t. His feet felt glued to this rooftop. 

This is not how I want her to find out. He must have stayed quiet for too long because she started shouting his name.

“Matt!” Karen said, arms moving in frustration, enough to make the heels in her hand start thumping loudly together. “What is this? What’s going on? How’d you even get up here?”

Matt takes a deep breath, coming up close, careful not to step on her bare feet. “Karen. Don’t get mad, I–”

“Mad?” She said, almost scoffing. “I-I f-find you with the criminal that is after our client a-and you’re telling me not to get mad, and–”

“Karen.” He said, calmly enough to cut off her rambling.

“What?” She said, a hiss in her tongue.

“He…” He swallows. “He found Kaila.”

She stares, stunned. “What?”

“He found Kaila. He’s asked me to come with him.”

Another long stare. “What?” She shakes her head. “C-Come… come with you? Matt, are you crazy?! You can’t go with him! You’re not–”

Her words die quickly when he opens up his gym bag. 

Shock was probably not the strong enough word to describe what she was feeling all of a sudden.

Inside she saw a very familiar looking helmet. Painted a nice shade of red and black with a stitching mark near one of the eyeholes. The mask that’s…

Oh my god, He’s–

“I know this is a lot to take in right now, and I’m really sorry.” Matt says, getting her attention. “I-I promise… I'll explain everything later, But right now… I need to go get my kid.”

Karen tilts her head, trying to make sense of this. “Matt–” She croaked.

“I know.” He whispers softly. “I know. But I need to go. The officer who found her non responsive, so I don't know what's going on. But my daughter's in danger, and I need to go get her.” He swallows. “Okay?”

Matt was ready for her to counter back, expecting her to. But she didn’t. He heard her nod very subtly as she sealed her lips, hiding what she had to say. Yet, that was enough for him to take it as a sign to leave.

He closes his bag, and with every promising bone in his body he replies, “I’ll be back.”

Then he left, following the Punisher in the direction of the ports.

Karen was left just standing there, standing there wondering what she should feel. Anger? Sadness? Shock? She wasn’t sure. She wasn’t pulled from her thoughts when she heard someone calling her name very faintly. Somehow she found herself back on the ground floor, briskly strolling out of the alley and onto the sidewalk, not even bothering to put her heels back on as she stared blankly in the open space.

“K-Karen!” Foggy shouts, with a heavy underline of breathing. “K-Karen…” He starts slowing his pace upon seeing her. “Jesus, you walk fast.” 

She stayed quiet as he stopped to put his hands on his kneecaps, taking a moment to breathe some air. Once he started to cool down, that’s when he realized how silent she was being.

He looks up at her with a slight tilt in his head. “Karen?” He asked, straightening up. He then takes this chance to look at her, quickly noticing the shoes were in her hand and the torn gaze in her eyes. It took all his strength not to let his heart drop to his ankles.

Oh… His hazel eyes widened slightly, pursing his lips.

“Oh.” He mumbles verbally. “So… you know.” He watches her meet his gaze and nods. He inhales loudly. “Okay. Um–” He runs his hand through his hair, thinking. “Y-You–”

“Matt was with that…” She bites her lip. “That Punisher guy. I asked him what and why, and…” Karen throws her open hand in the air. “H-He showed me his costume so… yeah.”

“Oh.” He blinks. “So that’s how– wait… The Punisher?”

“From what I gather I think he’s that… Frank fellow on the phone so… um–” She sighs, throwing her head back. “He told Matt he knows where Kaila is.”

Foggy felt his eyes widen again. “What?” He perks up at the news. “He does?” He waits for her to nod once more. “T-That’s great! Oh my god, that’s…” He felt his joy burn away instantly. “Karen–”

“How long have you known?” Karen asked, locking her blue orbs with his. She was starting to look torn between two worlds again. “How long have you known that Matt was… that.”

He frowns, a bitter memory coming to haunt him. He takes a deep breath, and takes a small step forward. “Do you remember around the time before we took down Fisk, and Matt and I were… resenting one another?”

She copies his expression. “I do.”

“Well… it was around that. Uh, Matt had uh… tried to go after Fisk when he killed Ms. Cardenas. Uh–” Foggy starts waving his hand around, like he was trying to conjure his thoughts. “I-I got… drunk at Josie’s if you remember. After that, I went to his apartment. I wanted to talk to him about getting justice for her. Before you know it, I find him in his black outfit, bleeding to death. That’s when I realized why Matt looked so… used all the time. He had another life.”

Karen lets out a sigh, closing her eyes to take a moment. Once she opened them again she started shaking her head. “And… y-you argued with him, after that?” She asked, trying to make sense of this all.

Foggy nods eagerly, hiding no shame. “I was angry at him. I mean, we’ve been best friends since College, to find out that’s what he’s been doing every night just… baffled me. I couldn’t believe it.” He replies, sounding hurt just by talking about it. “I said things that should be said, and I said things that I probably shouldn’t have said to him. It was just… hard seeing him like that. Hard to see what he was becoming and what it was doing to his life and his family.”

“Wow…” She whispers, before paleing. “Wait. D-Did… Did Kaila figure that out that night? Or…”

“Oh! No, no, no.” Foggy chuckles dryly. “She found out… about a year before me.” He almost shakes his head again upon picturing Matt’s face. “In fact, he told me once he tried to hide that from her.”

That actually got Karen to snicker a little. “Oh my god, that sounds like something he would do. I mean, I guess I could understand keeping it from his friends, but his daughter? How would he be able to do that?”

He gestures at her. “Right! God, he’s so… stubborn, it’s ridiculous.” He listens to her laugh, showing off her pearly whites which lifted his spirits. It was only for a minute or so before he had to break this emotion. “So how do you feel about this?” 

She shrugs. “Honestly… I don’t know. I really don’t.” She looks at him again, her mixed expression resting on her features again. “What do we do now?”

Foggy frowns, hurtfully. “All we can do right now is wait. We did our job. Now it’s Matt’s turn to finish.”

Silence came again, but it was one that was going to stay until they got that important phone call.

•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°

“Great news.”

Kaila looks up at him with bloodshot eyes. Baldy seemed so bubbly now, like he had just won the lottery or something big like that. She knew whatever he was going to say wasn’t going to be good despite his appearance. 

Unfazed by her disheveled appearance he continues, “Boss is sending someone to come get us.” His reply makes her body grow cold, shaky fingers gripping the armrest. “Awe, don’t look so down. It’ll be fun.”

The dim lights above them suddenly went out, and with them, so did Baldy’s happy-go-lucky attitude. 

He points at her furiously, rage filling his already dark orbs. “You.” He snarled, preying closer. “You told me you didn’t say anything to the cop.” She tried shaking her head but was met with his fierce back hand, causing a small whimper. “Fucking bitch.”

The same door from earlier slams shut, echoing off the wall and scaring him straight.

“Fuck.” He grumbles, pulling out his knife. He starts cutting her free of the ropes, looking around worriedly. When the last limb was free, he pulled the disoriented girl to her feet by her hair. “Come on.”

Kaila would have toppled over from her injured leg if it wasn’t for his arm wrapping around her waist, keeping her upright as they moved. The whole moving process became a blur from the pain. She knew she was wincing every time they abruptly stopped to hide behind a crate, or to make a jerky turn somewhere; Every time they did he would curse something under his breath, occasionally looking around again, knowing someone was in this warehouse hunting them down. Who though? That’s the sketchy question.

Somehow, she knows the direction he wanted to go was inevitable, judging by the way he reacted. This hunter of theirs was trying to cage them in, keep them in one place for who knows what reason. So he chose their detour to be some stairs leading to the roof. What was going through this crazed man’s head was beyond her, as she stared at the dark river and city skylines that had started to become really fuzzy.

They got close to the edge, stopping right before their toes went over. Dread crept up their spines, and Baldy spun them both around, pressing the gun into her temple making her whimper. She shuts her eyes out of instinct, afraid to see who was following them.

“Looks like this is the end of the line for you.” 

Kaila shot open her eyes at the familiar voice, and never has she been so relieved to see him in that suit. He really looked like the devil was out hunting by the way he was illuminated in the moonlight, which was showing off just the right amount of rage he didn’t dare to hide this time. She called out his name, but of course it was muffled.

“Quiet.” Baldy hissed, pressing the barrel in more, making her sob (and her father clench his fists). “What the fuck do you want, freak?”

The fact that Matt could smell his daughter’s blood and taste the salt on her skin was enough to make him boil. “I want you to give me the girl you're holding.” He said, low and cold, enough to rattle anyone in their boots.

“Not a fucking chance, Devil Boy.” Baldy snaps, squeezing her around the waist tighter. “I’ve got orders.”

“Orders which you’re going to disobey. Give me the girl.”

“Not a chance.”

Matt grits his teeth. “Listen to me. I’m giving you one chance to do this on your free will. I suggest you take it.”

“Bite me.”

“Listen–” Matt begins to take a step but that seemed to be the wrong move at the moment.

“Don’t you fucking come any closer!!” He yells, taking a step backwards so that his heels are off the ledge… and that Kaila was being held over.

Her scream was enough to make Matt’s skin crawl. He holds up his hands defensively. “Whoa! What about your orders?!” He asked, urgently (alarmed).

“These are my orders! If anything gets in my way I can get rid of her.” Baldy explains, disgusted. “I-I mean... I get paid more if I deliver her alive though…”

“Then keep her alive!” Matt shouts, hearing the way this man was loosening his grip on his kid. “Just give her to me.”

Baldy shakes his head. “No.”

“Last chance.” Matt replies, hearing a certain someone starting to press their finger on the trigger. “Give me the girl.”

He shakes his head again. “I told you. I’m not–”

The vigilante remained as still as he could to let the bullet rip by and lodge itself in the man’s skull.

Kaila finds herself screaming again as the floor gave out and her captor started dropping too. She closed her eyes out of fear again just as she felt a familiar grasp. She felt his hands around her forearms as her body scraped against the side of the building, slowly rocking back and forth from the sudden momentum. 

Matt dug his feet into the roof, grounding himself enough to pull his kid up with all his might. The impact of his daughter to his chest made them both stumble to their knees. He could finally let out a gasp of relief feeling her in his arms. He never thought he would be happy to feel his daughter shaking uncontrollably in his embrace. It almost felt too good to be true.

“Kai. Kai.” Her name felt like heaven on his lips as he used one hand to hold her upright, while the other was used to discard his helmet. He could feel her shocked expression on him as he removed her gag. “Kaila?”

“D-Dad…?” She said, throat all scruffy from the hours of yelling.

He lets a smile play on his lips from hearing her speak. “Kai.”

“D-Dad.” She sobs, eyes trailing to his mask. “Y-You’re helmet, you–”

“Hey. Hey.” Matt cups her face gently, making sure she was looking at him. “It doesn’t matter.”

Kaila starts looking puzzled. “But… you’re identity–”

“I don’t care.” He shakes his head. “I don’t care about that right now.”

“Dad…”

“Listen to me, Kai. I am so, so sorry.” Matt almost broke right here. “I am so sorry. I should have never said what I said. I never meant it. I swear. I am so sorry.”

Kaila's lower lip quivered. “Dad.” She sobs. “I’m s-sorry too.”

He shakes his head once more. “You have nothing to be sorry about.” And he meant that. “You hear me? Nothing at all.”

She makes a sound between a laugh and a cry. “D-Daddy…”

Matt’s heart broke all over again before pulling his daughter closer, showering her face with kisses. He only starts silently crying when she does, which makes him pull her back into his arms, carefully cradling her head into his chest. She starts wailing, tightening her grip on him like she was afraid he would disappear.

Matt shushes softly, rubbing soothing circles on her bare back. “It’s okay. I got you. You’re safe. You’re okay.” He said, which was supposed to be for her but to put some comfort in himself too. “You’re okay…”

She’s okay. She’s fine. She’s in my arms. He closes his eyes, pulling her closer.

She holds back a sob a few moments later, feeling like someone was watching them heedfully. Kaila nestles her head, looking over her father’s shoulder to someone off in the distance. She didn’t recognize the man with the large rifle, and although he looked pretty threatening with it, his face was holding onto the emotion of relief; He looked satisfied with his mission. She opens her mouth to question who he was but ends up whimpering in pain when her father moved her the slightest.

Matt pulls back, worriedly cupping her face again. “What’s wrong?” He asked, scared. He wasn’t mentally prepared for what’s next.

She lets out a shaky breath. “L-Leg…”

He pauses to figure out what she meant, using his senses to figure it out. It didn’t take him that long to figure out why he smelled so much blood on her. He could even hear the tiniest sound the bullet made when she moves.

“I-I…” Kaila begins, trembling again. “I-I said something I shouldn’t have and… h-he s-shot me and–”

“Oh, Kai.” Matt said, quietly. He should have prepared for something like this. He shouldn’t have suspected she was going to be in some kind of painful state. “Oh, Baby girl.” She freezes under his touch, and Matt fears he did something wrong. “What?”

“You… haven’t called me that since I was kid.”

Matt chuckles at how surprised she sounded. “Ah, well… maybe I didn’t call you that enough.” He admits, sensing her smile. Now it was his turn to pause, tuning in on something loud nearby. “The police are here. In the distance.”

“I honestly didn’t think they were coming.” Kaila said, sounding small.

“Well there’s ten of these warehouses by the water so…” He trails off, the guilt returning again. “Listen, I can’t… I can’t take you home with me. I have to hand you over to them.”

She nods slowly. “I know. I suspected.”

“Good. But I’ll be there when they call me. Okay?”

“You better.” She teases, getting him to laugh again.

Matt plants another kiss in her hairline. “Alright, I���m going to pick you up, okay? It’s probably going to hurt. You ready?”

Another nod. “I am.” But before he did, she carefully reached over for his mask, holding it towards him. “Helmet, Dad.”

He takes and slips it on, then carefully takes her in his arms bridal style. She cries out weakly, shutting her eyes when he tries to adjust the injured leg somewhere comfortably. 

He apologizes which she tells him off politely. Matt begins carrying his daughter towards the roof’s entrance, listening to the law enforcement get closer to their location.

“I want a vacation after this.” She says into his neck, dead serious.

Matt finds himself smirking at a fresh memory. “You know, funny thing, Foggy mentioned something like that earlier.”

“Well he’s not wrong.” She smirks too. “I mean it, I want to go to the beach, do absolutely nothing while drinking something fruity.” She tilts her head enough to look up at him. “Does Florida do fruity drinks too?”

“Your Uncle was thinking more like Hawaii.” He explains, shifting his weight to open the door without jostling her.

Her eyes widened. “Hawaii? Can we even afford that?” She scoffs playfully. “Well, this can be one hell of a Go Fund Me story.”

Matt shakes his head. “Okay, you two are scary.”

•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°

Officer Brett Mahoney rolled his vehicle to a stop, quick to get out. Flashlight in hand he strolls over to what he thinks is a person on the ground. He sees a small pool of red around the man’s head, eyes closed and limbs spread around. He had a feeling he knew who this man was, but it was still his job to check for a pulse. He puts two fingers to his neck, feeling a very, very faint flutter underneath them.

Brett shakes his head. “You lucky, lucky bastard.” He mumbles, bitterly as he comes to a stand. Then he hears someone walking towards him, and out of instinct his hand goes to his holster. He honestly shouldn’t be surprised that he was there, but still was. 

“Mr. Daredevil.” He said, eyeing him as he came into view, the flashlight shining upon him to give him a better look. He perks up what’s in the vigilante’s arms. “You found her.”

“She’s injured, and the officer who found her is inside. He’s unconscious, but breathing.” Matt explains quickly, feeling his daughter shift her head to see their acquaintance. 

“I’ll send some men over.” His eyes land on the teenager, softening slightly. “You alright, Miss Murdock?”

Kaila nods. “I’m better now.”

“Good.” Brett gestures to the man behind him. “I’m assuming this ain’t your doing.”

“You know me well then.” Matt said, grateful that he wasn’t going to be pinned to that (despite him being okay that that vile man got a bullet to his head).

Brett hums, thinking. “Then who then?”

He shrugs. “Your guess is as good as mine.” He replies, playing dumb.

Brett says nothing more on that, instead taking care of what he was here for. “I’ll take Miss Murdock now. Get her some help.” He says, putting away his flashlight.

Matt nods and starts slowly setting her down onto her feet, just as she grabs him by the wrist.

“Thank you.” Kaila says, which was underlining the real sentence: ‘I’ll see you soon’.

Matt’s serious exterior melted visibly. “You’re welcome.” He helps her grab onto Brett before backing away. He stays for a few seconds just until he knows she’s settled in, then he turns on his heels to disappear into the night.

Brett stared with knowing eyes in the direction he left in. “He seems different.” He says, as Kaila looked at him funny.

“How?” She asked, confused.

But he shakes his head, getting a good hold on her. “Nevermind. Let’s sit you in the car. Ambulance’s on their way.”

•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°

Three sets of footsteps came bursting into the room, the heavy door practically came off the hinges from their impact. They shouted the girl’s name who immediately looked up from her gaze at the nurse who was changing her IV.

Kaila smiles, only twitching a little from the bruise on her cheek. “S’up?” She asked, the woman in scrubs slipping away.

“K-Pop!” Foggy said, coming over to give her a bear hug. “Holy fuck, that was scary.”

Her happiness sounded more like a groan when he gave her a tight squeeze. “Uh, Foggy, my leg, please.”

He pulls back from confusion. “What?” He watches her lift the sheet up showing up the bandage job. His eyes widened. “What the fuck happen?!”

“Eh, kind of my fault. I said something I probably shouldn’t have.”

Karen came up next, giving her a more mild version of his hug. “Hi, sweet girl.” She said, earning a hum.

“Hi, Karen.” Kaila's facial expression grows upon seeing her dad (again). “Hi, Dad.”

“Kai.” He said, cupping her cheeks carefully and kissing her forehead. “How are you feeling?”

“Honestly… nothing. This pain meds doing its job.”

“Good. I would hate seeing you in pain.” Foggy said, truthfully.

Her face falls into something bittersweetly. “It is what it is.” Kaila sighs. “The police come by yet?”

“Not yet. Brett mentioned something about giving you some time.” Matt explains, a slight anger in his undertone, not directed at her.

“That’s… honestly surprising. I’d thought they would want answers on a looney like that.”

“Well, that looney of yours is in a coma right now. So I doubt he’s going to try to run anywhere any time soon.” Foggy replies, frowning bitterly.

“Exactly.” Karen said, nodding. “Just don’t worry about him and just focus on recovering.”

“Agreed.” He smiles. “We’re just happy you're okay. I’m glad that the Punisher guy gave Matt a tip to save you.”

Kaila felt herself lose air from that sentence, stiffening immediately. “Wh-What? W-What are you talking about? M-My… My d-dad didn’t save me, i-it was Daredevil and…” She trails off when the three of them looked away from her, making her realize–

“Wait.” She points at the blonde. “You know?” She watches Karen nod before she points between her and her Uncle. “You both know?” Another nod, and Kaila let her tense body relax. “Oh, thank god.” She breathes, throwing her hands up. “Do you know how hard it was to not say anything to you about it?”

Karen laughs. “Oh, I can imagine.” 

“Wow.” Kaila said, taking it in. She looks at her father, curious. “Did you tell her, Dad?”

“Uh…” Matt shifted his stance before giving a half shrug. “Well–”

“She walked in on him talking to the Punisher, then to clear it up, your dear old dad showed her his suit.” Foggy clears it, Matt nodding along.

Kaila raises both eyebrows in shock. “Accidental? Again? Dad, you got to work on that.”

Matt chuckles dryly. “I’ll… I’ll try.”

“Well, I guess that’s a better way to find out.” She said, now gazing over towards Karen. “At least you didn’t find him bleeding half to death.”

Her blue eyes widened at the news. “What?!” Karen snaps her neck towards the blind man. “She found you bleeding too?”

Matt holds on hand up in defense. “I have no comment.”

She sighs. “Oh my god…”

Suddenly there was a light knock on the open door, a nurse poked her head inside, holding a clipboard. “Mr. Murdock?” 

“That’s me.” Matt said, turning his attention towards her.

“I just need to go over a few things with you.”

“Okay. Um–” He cocks his head towards his friends. “Hey, can one of you help me to…” He makes a writing motion with his hand.

“Yeah, I’ll come with you.” Foggy said, and placed a hand on the man’s shoulder to guide him away.

Now it was just the two girls looking in their direction they left in, both having different thoughts running through their heads. Their brewing minds were put to the stop soon enough when one of them finally broke.

“Now you see why I didn’t want to tell him.” Kaila suddenly says after she watches them step into the hallway, quietly talking.

The older woman turns her attention to her, confused. “About what?”

The teenager frowns. “About the incident. What my father does, that’s the main reason why I have trouble telling him.”

Now it all makes sense to her. Karen now realizes why it was so hard for the kid to come clean about Wesley. She was afraid of…

“That’s why you were afraid.” Karen begins, piecing it together. “You aren’t afraid for your father, you're afraid of what your father’s going to do.”

Kaila nods. “Yeah. You’ve seen him in action. You know what my dad can do.” 

“But, Kai, your dad wouldn’t go that far. Would he?”

The teenager’s frown deepens. “You haven’t seen what I’ve seen. My dad he’s… he’s got this… darkness inside. He tries to hide it from me but I still see it sometimes.” She explains, sadly. “Like, I-I think if… the situation with me earlier was different, like if he found me tied to that chair and not dangling over the edge of a building, I think I would have seen that side of him tonight.”

Karen copies her expression, coming closer to sit on the side of the bed. “Listen, your father really loves you and what I think you’re describing is just a normal feeling for a parent. No parent wants to see their child get hurt by anyone else.” 

“Yeah, I understand that. However if my dad–” Kaila lowers her voice. “Kills someone because of me, not only will I feel guilty, but I might lose him.” She starts to get a little teary eyed from this. “Don’t get me wrong, I love you and Foggy, and I wouldn’t mind living with you guys, but I still want to be able to live with my dad until I’m that age. You know?”

“Kai–” Karen takes her hand. “Don’t worry about this too much. We’ll figure something out, I promise. But for now, just focus on getting better, okay?” She waits until the girl shakes her head, satisfied by it. “Okay. Are you hungry at all?”

“I could eat.” 

“Alright. I’ll go get you something.” Karen stands up and makes her way to the door just as the boys were coming back.

“Where you heading?” Foggy asked, curious.

“Cafeteria. I’m going to get her something to eat. You hungry?”

“Famished, actually. Matt?”

“Yeah, that sounds good.” Matt replies. “You know what I like.”

“Yes! Hospital food! Here we come.”

Karen snorts. “Come on, Cowboy.” She starts tugging him along. “We’ll be back.”

When they left Matt made his way over, taking the same spot Karen was sitting moments before. “How you feeling?”

“Fine.” Kaila said, truthfully. “I wish I was in my bed though.”

“We’ll get you there soon. You just need to rest.” He said, grabbing her hand gently. 

She inhales through her nose quietly, almost afraid to say what she was thinking. “Dad?”

“Yeah?”

“I think I finally understand why you do what you do.”

He tilts his head, confused. “You mean with Daredevil?”

“Yeah.” She swallows. “That man was crazy. Unhinged. I don’t think I ever… felt evil like that, despite that one time I met Fisk. I understand why you… want to protect this city now. I can see the… the void that’s suffocating this place.”

His heart broke hearing how scared she sounded, and started to become mad at himself over it. He sighs. “I didn’t want you to see that side.” He replies, coming up to wipe a stray tear off her cheek. “I wanted to keep that from you as much as I could.”

“B-But why?”

“Well, you’re daughter. You’re the only good thing that’s come out of my mistakes over the years. Even though I never had a good thing going with your mother, she still gave me something I’ll cherish until I die.”

“But, my m-mother–”

“Enough about Mary. I’ve long forgotten about her.” He said, squeezing her hand delicately. “My only priority in life right now is keeping you safe as long as I can. And…” He smiles. “I’m going to be better about listening to what you have to say. So promise me you'll help me out with that.”

She raises an eyebrow. “You’re actually willing to put your pride away?”

He chuckles. “What can I say? I’m stubborn.”

Kaila couldn’t hold back a fond grin. “Well, you know what my great-grandma says…”

“‘You gotta watch out for those Murdock boys’.” He replies, remembering her saying that like it was yesterday. “Lucky for you, you seemed to escape that.”

She hums in disagreement. “I don’t know. Just because I’m not a boy doesn’t mean I escaped the ‘Murdock Curse’. I’m still stubborn as hell and looking for trouble.”

“Don’t do that.” He lightly pinches her in the arm.

“Ow. Okay, I won’t do that.”

“Good.” His smile faltered slightly. “Are we good now?”

“Dad, I couldn’t stay mad at you if I could.” Her expression grows. “I love you too much.”

He squeezes her hand again. “And I love you more.”

They sat in a comforting silence for a few minutes before the others arrived, plates and drinks in hand.

“We got food!” Foggy announced boisterously. “Frankly it looks like prison food, but it’s edible.”

Kaila laughs loudly at his childish antics. “I’ll eat a sauce packet at this point I’m so hungry.” 

“What do you got?” Matt asked, shifting his weight on the bed to sit straighter.

“Well, let’s see…” The man begins, drifting off into one of his colorful rants.

Kaila’s got a lot of questions about tonight. Some thoughts she needs to share. Some things that need to be done. The first thing she promises herself is she’s going to find out what that dream meant, and who really was that guy who took her away. But her family’s right, she needs to take it easy, relax, heal. She’ll worry about that later.

Right now she’s just going to enjoy the nice moment the universe has granted for her.

A/N: Jesus that was a long one! Hopefully ya'll enjoyed it... and paid a little attention to some details. Trust me, they'll come handy later. If you think you happened to catch one, let me know, I would love to hear it! :D

-Taglist is open if anyone wants to join-

@stinkywhore @invinciblerikkai @glass-ghost

@your-not-invisible-to-me @ohtacosindrome

@mirkwoodshewolf @dreamscandys

@omniromanticbitch @987coley

@hearts4murdock @katnisspeetaprim

@astrobees @cg94 @simpingforpeterparker3000

@cg94 @winterschildren17 @wolfgirl-205 @hallecarey1 @mademoiselle-marquise-blog

@graciegoeskrazy @magsmilk

[frankensteined]

31 Days of Dragon Age (Days 18-20)

Oct 18 - Favorite DA2 NPC

i'm not gonna go find a picture of her because her makeup is terrible. but i'm really fond of orana, hadriana's former slave that you can rescue and employ at the hawke mansion. she really ends up becoming a part of the family if you hire her, from the little lines you get about her music skills, to sandal's keenness towards her (she smells like cinnamon buns!), to the genuine sympathy she displays after leandra's death.

and i know that gamlen is far from a likable dude, but i still find him to be a sympathetic character in a lot of ways as well. yeah, he sure did gamble away his sister's inheritance, but i really don't like the attitude that surrounds it because not only had leandra not intended to ever return to kirkwall for it, but it was gamlen who'd taken care of their ailing parents until their passing, to no credit. the chip on his shoulder makes a lot of sense if you look at his perspective there, and he is also capable of softening up towards hawke as the game progresses as well, so i find it hard to really dislike him. he feels human. introducing him to charade is a highlight for me, as is his interactions with hawke after leandra's passing, and if he's all that they have left after the legacy dlc. lowlights for him really do circle around his commentary re: your love interest, and how he acts toward isabela to the point where she complains about him in MotA, but i also need to keep in mind how gross a lot of the dialogue can get in that game (the amount of slut shaming from both your companions, and even hawke themself? woof), so it's not just a gamlen problem, and it doesn't negate the nuance of his character that i appreciate.

Oct 19 - Favorite DA2 scene/dialogue

orsino's transformation at the end of the game is utterly nonsensical if you side with the mages (so much so that it's lampshaded in inquisition!), but the scene leading up to it is heartbreaking and shows the desperation that even a mage who'd "done everything right" can feel when faced with the hatred the rest of the world has for them. his dialogue -"why don't they just drown us as infants? why wait? why give us the illusion of hope?"- with the unspoken implication of they're just going to kill us all eventually anyway, is so memorable and so devastating that the scene has stuck with me since 2011.

and. of course. gotta toss in flemeth's big line here too. it's a classic: "we stand upon the precipice of change. the world fears the inevitable plummet into the abyss. watch for that moment… and when it comes, do not hesitate to leap. it is only when you fall that you learn whether you can fly."

Oct 20 - Favorite DA2 lore/codex entry

this game gave us a deeper look at the qunari and their societal structure from a variety of viewpoints, so while i can't pinpoint an exact codex entry, i'll definitely give this one to: alla that. from the arishok, to ketojan, to seamus dumar trying to understand them, to even tallis and her lore dumps in MotA, i really appreciated getting to understand more about the qun from the people actually operating within it. i haven't yet read the comics that delve a bit deeper into this stuff, so i still hold this game up as my standard in terms of Qunari Stuff. for now. hopefully there'll be more in the future!

[adventofheroes]

Kamen Rider Ryuki-Crossover Ryuki Chapter 9 (Final)

Ryuki arrived outside of ORE Journal, there was just one thing he had to check. A reporter always knows to follow up any loose ends. He saw Tatsuya in the same spot. 

“Tatsuya!” Shinji said. 

“Ah yes, Shinji. How has your case been going?” Tatsuya asked. 

“I figured it out, its Odin or at least someone using Odin’s power. I just need to find him. I was hoping you could tell me anything.” Shinji said.

“Odin? Odin is gone. He doesn’t exist anymore.” Tatsuya said.

“Well if I use the card I found, it’ll lead me to whoever has been attacking the riders anyway..!” Shinji said. 

He took out his deck. 

“Wait… Shinji is that such a good idea? Let’s think about it before we try something.” Tatsuya said. 

“Henshin!” Shinji said as he transformed. 

He took out the card of the blue Rider from before. 

“Abyss? You have Abyss’ card?” Tatsuya asked. 

“Adobento!” his visor said. 

Then next Kamen Rider Abyss landed next to Tatsuya. 

“I had my suspicions, but I didn’t want to believe it,” Ryuki said. 

Tatsuya’s eyes darted towards Abyss, who awaited orders from his master. His face turned from a naive look to a more cold one. 

“Good work Ryuki,” Tatsuya said. 

Suddenly Tatsuya broke apart into mirror shards revealing himself as Odin. He then took out a card from his visor that read 

“Illusion Vent.” 

“Single-use but long-lasting enough to hide myself and who owned my cards, I didn’t expect you to keep your memories, however,” Odin said. 

Ryuki’s stance became more confident as he put his hands on his hips, “I’ve been through this before. I wrote everything down this time..!” 

“You were only supposed to stall and annoy the riders so nobody could figure out my plan in at least a day,” Odin said. 

“Were you ever really Ryuki?” Ryuki asked. 

“Little of what I told you was true. I tried to run away from Kanzaki, but he forced me into becoming Odin. And there I was a mindless puppet t-till I was��.. Murdered! And why? Just so you Kamen Riders could fight. Pathetic. When the Time Vent happened, I really did fall through the cracks as I kept my memories. Gold Phoenix sought me out. Thus I became Odin once again, but this time I am the one who is in control. Abyss kill him.” Odin said. 

Kamen Rider Abyss charged forward as Ryuki threw a punch at him. Abyss was knocked back as Ryuki took out a card. 

“Freeze Bento!” 

Abyss became trapped in ice as Ryuki took out another. 

“Guardo Bento!” 

Ryuki charged forward with his DragShields and he broke through the ice destroying Abyss. 

“Alright..!” he said. 

Odin then floated in front of him hovering just above his head. 

“Ah yes, those new cards I gave you. I only gave them to you, so you wouldn’t die early. I’ll be taking those back now..” Odin said. 

Suddenly the three cards flew out from Ryuki’s belt back towards Odin. Ryuki tried to grab them, but they were too quick. Odin took out the Time Vent card. 

“Now let’s reset time and I’ll kill you yesterday. It messes with my plan a lot, but I’ll figure something out.” Odin said. 

“Final Bento!” 

Suddenly Knight flew down hitting Odin. An explosion covered the scene as the Time Vent card flew in the air dissolving into pieces. Knight glided out of the flames towards Ryuki. 

“Ren!” Ryuki said, “…thanks.” 

Knight nodded, “I can feel my memories from before coming back.” 

“I guess destroying the Time Vent card did that,” Ryuki said. 

Odin then walked out of the flames dazed, “No! My plan!” 

“Let’s stop fighting Tatsuya, you have no reason to,” Ryuki said. 

“Yes, I do! You Riders preyed on me, an innocent man! There’s no justice. I didn’t even have a pure wish when Kanzaki stole my lif! And my killers stand before me escaping punishment? I’ll kill you all!” Odin said. 

He then pulled out a bunch of Advent Cards, each one showed different monsters. 

“Adobento!” 

“Adobento!”

“Adobento!” 

“Adobento!”

“Adobento!” 

“Adobento!” 

“Adobento!” 

Ryuki and Knight were then surrounded by six different monsters. Each one Ryuki had seen before. The Owl Lord, the Falcon Lord, the Crane Orphenoch, the Bird Dopant, the Bee-Woman, and the giant four-legged monster Faiz was fighting. Behind them was an army of Shocker Grunts. 

“Time to prove yourself, Kido..” Knight said. 

Ryuki swallowed in nervousness. The four-legged monster charged first Knight jumped upward as Ryuki rolled out of the way, he turned around to see Knight was on top of the monster leaving Ryuki to fight the horde. Odin watched from above before teleporting. Suddenly Ryuki was slashed from behind him pushed forward towards the Crane. She smacked him backward. 

“Arghh!” Ryuki grunted. 

“What’s the matter Shinji? You heard the man, prove yourself! This was all about you wanting to impress the Riders!” Odin said as he laughed. 

The Bee Woman flew forward slashing Ryuki as he fell.

Those.. Cards.. I need them. If I didn’t survive the Rider War..

Ryuki tried to get up but was kicked by the Bird Dopant. 

“This is pathetic..get out your Survive card or something!” Odin said. 

Ryuki then pulled out the Survive card as flames erupted around him he stood up, then suddenly Odin teleported in front of him and slapped him knocking the Survive card out of his hands. It fell on the ground and Ryuki’s transformation was broken. Odin laughed. 

“You really are just a guy with a card deck,” Odin said. 

Shinji looked down grimly. 

I don’t want to die again..! They were right, I am weak..! 

Just then Shinji heard the familiar tune of the Den-Liner as it appeared behind him. Ichigo and Nigo jumped out kicked the Bee-Woman and the Bird Dopant back. 

“Ryuki!” said Ichigo. 

The other riders jumped out of the Den-Liner rushing into battle to fight the Shocker Grunts as Ichigo held out his hand towards Shinji. He pulled himself up. 

“Stand tall, you’re the one who led us here,” Ichigo said. 

Shinji saw as Den-O appeared nearby and slashed the Crane Orphenoch. 

“And we brought some reinforcements.” Momotaros’ said. 

“Rejoice!” Ryuki turned around as he heard the booming voice of the man with a book and scarf, “The overlord of time is here! Kamen Rider ZI-O!”

Decade and ZI-O jumped forward.

“So we use Ryuki’s power to beat this guy right?” the rider asked Decade excitedly.

“Right.” Decade said. 

“Kamen Ride Ryuki!” 

“Final Form Time Ryu-yu-yuki!” 

Shinji saw as the two Riders were clad in armor similar to his. He could tell that Odin was ready for them. Odin took out one of his cards as Decade used Strike Vent to attack him. 

“Sword Bento!” 

Odin teleported away and slashed Decade’s back with his twin swords. ZI-O dashed forward and clashed with Odin’s blades. Decade got up and jumped forward with a Rider Kick, in which Odin teleported behind ZI-O and pushed him into Decade’s kick! ZI-O was knocked back into his base form as he clutched onto a watch-looking device that had Ryuki on it. 

“You know last time I fought this guy it was a lot easier,” Zi-O said looking up at Decade. 

“Keep trying, he can’t teleport his way out of all my attacks.” Decade said. 

“I believe I can,” Odin said taking out another card. 

“Final Bento!” 

Odin then floated up laughing as he pointed at Decade. The Gold Pheonix burned brightly as it combined with Odin. He then flew down crashing into Decade and emerged unharmed. Both Decade and ZI-O were completely knocked out of their transformations once again. Momotaros stomped his foot on the ground. 

“Even with Ryuki’s power they still can’t beat him! He’s too fast!” Momotaros said. 

“All Kamen Riders that oppose me will die, clearly I cannot be stopped!” Odin said. 

“Ryuki.” Said Ichigo. 

Shinji looked up and saw Ichigo was looking at where the Survive card had landed.

“You should fight him,” Ichigo said. 

“But I can’t! I’m sorry, but all of this time I’ve been in over my head! I’m not a chosen one, a cyborg, or have any sort of superpowers. I really am just a guy with a card deck. A weak one too.” Shinji said. 

“Toh!” Ichigo said as he jumped over and grabbed the Survive card, “That’s not true!” 

“Listen, kid, you may have died but you’ve impressed me. I connected the dots you tricked me earlier!” Momotaros said. 

“Ryuki!” shouted Agito as he fought the Owl Lord, “You don’t have to be special to make a difference.” 

“Yeah, I’m just a man in an armor suit who doesn’t give up!” G3 said emptying out his gun. 

“A journalist isn’t the same as a detective, but you sure solved the case,” W said as he punched a Shocker grunt. 

“The sun isn’t always around, others can be a light as well,” Kabuto said dodging every attack his way. 

“You know sometimes it’s nice to just talk with a well-meaning humble guy like you Ryuki,” Gatack said. 

“You can’t live your life moping around,” Faiz said he flew firing at the 4-legged monster. 

“Ryuki..friend!” Amazon said. 

“We’re calling you to defeat evil!” Stronger said. 

“You can soar into a new tomorrow,” Skyrider said.

Faiz flew down and grabbed Knight dropping him off near the other riders. 

“Kido maybe you were brought back for a special reason,” Knight said. 

“I didn’t wanna admit this, but while I admit your fighting style is silly, but you have a different way of thinking that can turn the tables on the enemy. We need that about right now.” Decade said. 

“I’m like what you said, “just a kid too!” but I’ve met you in the future, your powers and heroics are well remembered!” ZI-O said. 

Shinji looked around at each of the riders as his spirit began to lift up, “Really everyone?” 

Ichigo pumped his fist, “We’re all just men, but at some point, we made the choice to become Kamen Ri-ARGGHHHH!” 

Ichigo then fell over as Odin had thrown one of his swords into his back. 

“That was a lot of riff-raff. Who does he think he is? Captain America?” Odin asked as he examined his other sword, “I hope I can get that cleaned.” 

Shinji grabbed Ichigo, “Kamen Rider..! Come on finish the sentence! Hang in there!” 

Weakly, Ichigo held out the Survive card. Shinji could almost feel tears in his eyes as he snatched the card and stood up. 

“Riders regroup!” shouted Momotaros.

Shinji stepped forward as he heard the jumps and running of the other Riders. He took out his Advent Deck as flames erupted behind him. He heard the transformations of Decade and ZI-O from behind him. His Advent Deck turned from black to red. Shinji moved his arm just like Ichigo. 

“Henshin!” he shouted. 

“Survive!” 

He stared at Odin as all of his monsters had regrouped as well.

“Wait! Wait!” an excited but familiar voice shouted. 

Ryuki turned around as he saw Kamen Rider Build running towards him down the street carrying cards. 

“Sorry I’m late, but Philip and I examined your cards and Decade’s cards, and well… I’m a genius!” he shouted jumping up with glee. 

Shinji then quickly slotted a card into his DragVisor Zwei as he heard something being thrown at him. 

“Gaurdo Bento!” 

DragRanzer flew down and protected him from another one of Odin’s sword strikes. Ryuki looked up. Odin’s hands were on his face as if he was bored. 

“Look I’m just tired of interruptions,” Odin said. 

Kamen Rider Build handed Shinji the cards, as Ryuki examined them each card were Advents and abilities of other Kamen Riders. 

“We got the idea from when you used Den-O’s sword the other day, and I couldn’t just help myself..!” Build said. 

Everyone really did believe in me, I was just thinking too much! He thought. 

“Thank you! Let’s try these cards!” Ryuki said as he grabbed them. 

Ryuki looked at his selection of cards and chose one that had Faiz on it, he then loaded it in. 

“Just attack already,” Odin said. 

“Shoot Bento!” 

Faiz’s gigantic gun from his Blaster form flew down into Ryuki’s hands as both riders and monsters charged forward. Ryuki fired the gun downward at three Shocker Grunts and the Crane woman, then upward towards Odin. Odin promptly teleported out of the way. Ryuki then loaded in another card, this with Den-O. 

“You’ll never be able to properly hit me.” Odin gloated. 

“Sword Bento!” 

Den-O’s sword fell into Ryuki’s hand as he slashed forward knocking back another group of Shocker Grunts. 

“Oh, I’m just having fun! For you don’t know my joy.” Ryuki said. 

Odin then teleported behind him and slapped him forward, however, Survive form proved more resistant to his attack. 

I need some way to distract him! 

Just then Gatack ran past him. 

That’s it! 

“Gatack.. Clock Up and fight Odin!” Ryuki said. 

Gatack nodded and activated Clock Up. 

“CLOCK UP!” 

Gatack then ran at super speeds at Odin, who then teleported once again away, however, Gatack quickly switched gears as he continued to chase after him. Odin was forced to constantly teleport out of the way. Ryuki heard him yawn. 

“You won’t be able to catch me,” Odin said. 

Ryuki then slotted in several cards. 

“Rider Adobento!” 

“Rider Adobento!”

“Rider Adobento!” 

“Rider Adobento!” 

Next Agito, Den-O, W, and Wizard were teleported doing their Rider kicks flying towards Odin. 

KABOOM! KABOOM! KABOOM! KABOOM! 

There were multiple explosions but it was not enough to hit Odin, who then kicked Gatack away. 

“The area of effect isn’t large enough!” Ryuki said. 

“I feel like I can help with that,” ZI-O said holding a golden watch. 

“Grando Time! Grand ZI-O!” his belt said. 

 “I think I see your plan Ryuki.” Den-O said, “Kabuto! Faiz! Help Gatack!” 

Kabuto and Faiz nodded. 

“Start Up!” 

“CLOCK UP!”

“You’ve got ten seconds Ryuki!” Den-O said. 

Odin can handle one-speed Rider, but can he handle three? Ryuki thought. 

Kabuto and Faiz dashed forward and Odin was completely distracted this time.

“Alright now I’ll bring him down..!” ZI-O said. 

Ryuki watched as ZI-O pressed the statues of the other Riders all over his body including Ryuki’s. All of the main Heisei Riders (except for the ones chasing Odin) were now in the air ready to Rider Kick. They all came down like meteors as the explosions didn’t stop coming.

“Urghhhh!” Odin said. 

The smoke began to clear as Odin emerged. His armor was cracking and the golden colors had faded more, Ryuki felt like this indicated he was weak. Odin took out another card and slotted it in.

“Gaurdo Bento!” 

Odin then caught the shield as he put it up to protect himself. 

“This guy just doesn’t know when to stop,” Momotaros said crossing his arms.

Ryuki then noticed two other Rider Advent cards, they were of Ichigo and Knight. He felt a hand on his shoulder as he turned to see Ichigo. 

“Kamen Rider..? You were faking?” Ryuki asked. 

Ichigo laughed, “If there’s anything I’ve learned from you Heisei Riders, it’s how to be more dramatic!” 

Another hand on his other shoulder, “Kido, let’s go.” Knight said. 

Ryuki then jumped up slotting in the two cards, Ichigo and Knight appeared behind him as they all three jumped forward, their feet crashed into the shield as it broke, Odin was then hit.

The impact knocked him backward rolling onto the ground several feet away, yet he continued to stand up. 

“How could he withstand that?” Knight asked. 

Odin held up a single card, it read “Confine Vent.” 

“He must have slotted it in as we were kicking!” Ryuki said. 

“Rider Punch!” Ichigo said dashing forward. 

“Freeze Bento!” Odin’s visor said. 

Ichigo was then frozen, Odin then slotted in another card. 

“Clear Bento!” 

From the air, Knight was hit by Odin’s twin swords. He was knocked backward out of his transformation before appearing before Ryuki. 

“These new cards prove that you’re useless with your own power!” Odin said pointing at Ryuki. 

Ryuki paused for a moment. 

Could he be right?…No! He thought. 

Ryuki then laughed. 

“I’ve always been a formidable fighter, I understand that now. Besides everyone needs help sometimes!” he said taking out the Survive card from his DragVisor Zwei. Ryuki then reverted into his base form and kicked Odin away. Odin then charged back, fist forward, and let out a frustrated grunt. Ryuki quickly slotted in one of his cards. 

“Guardo Bento!” 

Ryuki then held up his DragShields and charged forward crashing into Odin. Splitting apart the shields, Ryuki then headbutted him, and then crouched downward slamming the shields onto his legs. He heard Odin grunt in pain as he kicked him again. Odin backed away holding his hand over his chest. Ryuki then took out his sword vent card and caught his sword, clutching it. 

“I-I-I can still teleport..!” Odin said. 

Ryuki could hear the desperation in his voice as he nodded. Golden feathers then fell in front of his face as he quickly turned around and slashed Odin. 

“ARGGGGHHHH!” Odin screamed again. 

“Strike when you see golden feathers!” Ryuki shouted. 

Odin was then on the ground, tired and weak. 

“Kill me. You Riders always wanted that.” Odin said. 

Ryuki stared at him, “I’ll never kill anyone Tatsuya. You’re just a guy who got mixed up in all of this.” 

“No!” Odin said, “I’ll die on my own terms then!” 

Odin disconnected his cracked deck and smashed it on the ground. Ryuki then heard the Golden Phoenix screech from behind him. It flew towards Tatsuya intending to eat him as the Contract had been ended. 

“No, you don’t!” Ryuki said. 

“Adobento!” 

DragRedder flew downward shooting a fireball at the Phoenix before opening its mouth to chomp upon the bird. 

“WHY?!” Tatsuya asked, “How could you let me live after all I’ve done?”

Ryuki turned around as he saw Ren picking up Tatsuya, “That’s just how Kido is. Now.. Get lost!” 

Ren threw him into a mirror forcing him to leave the Mirror World. Ryuki then looked at his arm as it was fading away. It was time for everyone to leave. Ryuki left with Knight and Ichigo. (The ice had cracked as soon as Tatsuya had left transformation.) Everyone boarded the Den-Liner. 

—————————————————

There was a massive Rider party aboard the Den-Liner. Ryuki sat at a table with Ren, Hongo, and Momotaros. Naomi served them coffee. In the background, the other Riders were dancing with the Imagin. 

“Thank you Naomi,” Shinji said smiling. 

“You’re welcome Shinji..!” she said winking at him. 

“I’ll pass,” Ren said. 

Naomi then gave him a mean glare. 

Shinji saw as Momotaros covered his mouth, “That’s right we never told her it was you and not Knight-jerk who refused her drinks.” 

Shinji sipped Naomi’s drink before spitting it out, “I accepted this time to be polite. Also, I have a date with her on Saturday.” 

Momotaros laughed, “Good luck Drag- Shinji!” 

Shinji then looked at his watch as his eyes widened, “I’m late for work!” 

“You know this is a time travel train right?” Momotaros asked. 

“Yes, but you always chose the wrong time..!” Shinji said. 

“Alright..alright,” Momotaros said. 

“I’m first this time?” Shinji asked. 

Momotaros nodded as he exited to another part of the train car. 

The train came to a halt as Shinji hopped off, Ren followed. 

“Ryuki!” Ichigo’s voice said from behind. 

Shinji turned around to see all of the other Riders waving goodbye. Shinji smiled as he waved goodbye. 

“I’m going back to Eri. See you around Kido.” Ren said as they went separate ways. Shinji composed himself and walked to the front door, but he heard someone beside him. He turned to his left to see Tatsuya holding out a cup of change. Shinji pulled out his wallet and gave him some money before stepping inside. 

If he had stayed a moment longer he would have heard Tatsuya say, “Thank you.. Ryuki.”

-------------------------------------------------------------------------

Epilogue

Shinji was sitting on the Den-Liner as Momotaros, Urataros, Kintaros, and Ryutaros all crowded around.

“So you can make Decade more cards based off of me..?” he asked.

“Certainly! We send him new cards all the time based off of the newer riders. ” Momotaros said.

Ryutaros covered his face, “Momo that’s supposed to be a secret!”

Urataros leaned into Shinji’s ear and said, “Sempaii isn’t the most efficient leader.”

“A secret is a secret!” Kintaros declared.

“SHUT UP!” Momotaros said stomping, “SHUT UP ALL OF YOU! SHINJI IS THERE ANY IMPORTANT MOVES YOU DO BEFORE BATTLE?”

Shinji rubbed his chin, “Well there is one thing.”

Later…

Decade ran forward as he chased after an Mirror Monster.

I thought Ryuki was supposed to have taken care of all of these things?

The Mirror Monster was based off an Rhino and was quite large. It jumped into a mirror to escape Decade, as he quickly chased after it.

This will be the perfect time to try out those new cards the Imagin gave me.

He took out his cards and opened the Neo-Decadriver. The card he read was called “Attack Ride- Sha!” Decade looked at it puzzlingly and put it in the driver.

“Attack Ride..! Sha!”

Not being in control of his movements, Decade forcefully copied Ryuki’s signature fist pumped and shouted “Sha!”

The Mirror Monster looked at him confused as it charged into him throwing him into a wall before escaping. Decade groaned and held onto his stomach.

“Those idiot Imagin and their cursed catchprhase cards!” he said.

Elsewhere Metalgelas returned to his master Kamen Rider Gai as the beast held out an card stolen from Decade. Kamen Rider Gai snatched the card.

“The fool probably didn’t even know what hit him. This will do nicely.” Gai said.

He held the card up to the light, it read “Kamen Ride RYUKI Survive.”

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Hey, everyone message from the author. Thank you for reading! Crossover Ryuki was my first big writing project I completed. It has been readded to Tumblr as part of expanding my reach. Please follow this blog to check out my original content and future tokusatsu and Kamen Rider fanfics.

[aerovah]

Prompt #4

[WP] We've been trapped in the research wing of the station for two months now. All contact lost, powered down to minimum, no open windows. Only thing for sure is the knocking. Their knocking. I watched what happened. The others, they got, changed. Contorted. It isn't them anymore. I'm not going outside to check, either.

Ration stocks are running out, the life-support is on the fritz. Two of us have already blown our brains out with our lasguns. A few of us are considering joining them, but I've tried to stay resolute.

Communication just came back in. It's patchy but we parsed something. We did not take it well.

Knock.

I used to remember their faces. Now I only remember their names, and yet I want to forget them. Their names invoke fear within my brain, their misbegotten forms all too discernable in my mind at the mention of them. Kevin was friends with one of them- his charred brains are scattered along the walls of the lab, though. It was once sterile, I think, but blood, grime, and bodily fluids trail from every corner. Some of it was infighting. The guys can’t seem to agree about who should go out first.

Idiots. We should at least wait for the radio.

They’ll only be sending a man to his death, anyways. The lesions on their bodies, the way their joints snapped and creaked with every swift movement- their bodies wrinkled and bones contorted as they fashioned themselves into a meaty sock puppet of death- they were grotesque. The lasguns didn’t work, either- energy sliced and burned through them, but that’s all it did, as if they were a hollow shell. Their claws tore through flesh like steel through paper; we were no match.

Knock.

Despite it all, I was optimistic help would eventually come. The radio didn’t mean all that much, either. They would know something is wrong, and they wouldn’t just leave us in the abyss of space with all this valuable research. I just hoped they came before the life support buckled, or our supplies went dry. Each passing day brought us closer to the inevitable.

We wouldn’t need to wait for that, though. Communications kicked back in; our guys scrambled to denoise and normalize the signal as soon as we received it. We were able to get a transcript out of it. We were all itching to hear it.

Knock.

Something didn’t seem right. He was supposed to read it for us, yet he simply started blankly at the paper, his hands shaking and lips quivering as his eyes skimmed the contents. We couldn’t bear the suspense any longer, everyone peering over his shoulders to read it for themselves. The message was clearly legible.

Vessel Belua,

We have received your report. Considering current domestic developments, we are unable to expend the facilities necessary for a rescue oper- My hand ripped the sheet in half.

I couldn’t stomach reading any further. My hands clenched in anger, the provocation of their refusal being impossible to bear. The others read it too. Shouting and sobbing echoed off the walls, some of the researchers pushing another against a wall, some reaching for their lasguns, some just trying to break that damned window into space- as if somehow it would be the path of least resistance. Beakers shattered, chemicals flew, and walls were punched.

Something made sense to me in that moment- surrounded by calamity- and the previous suspicions I had formed while cramped up in this dreaded room slid into place. I had realized that- on this cheap vessel that provided the lowest accommodations, with the most primitive technology, and with the smallest barrier to entry- we weren’t researching.

We were the research.

Knock.

I stepped closer to the door that barred away the mutilated.

I wish this incessant knocking would stop.

[rhysintherain]

Smoke and echoes filled the dark chamber, until it felt like a place belonging to another world.

Which is why it seemed so jarring when Apollyon, Prince of the Abyss, Bringer of the End, appeared looking surprisingly human, in jeans and a black leather jacket.

They stood still for a moment, frozen in confusion as their eyes flicked around the room, landing on the bleeding girl in the summoning circle.

"You alright?" They asked.

"No," she replied through sobs. "I'm dying."

Apollyon raised one hand in a simple gesture. The bleeding wounds across the girl's face and arms started to close, leaving only cuts and red stains in the fabric of her white dress.

"Well, now you're not. Best stop crying about it, because somebody needs to tell me what the everloving FUCK is going on here!"

"Obey me, fiend!" Boomed the man in the black robe, the one who held the knife. "I have summoned you! I am your master!"

Apollyon sneered. "Now technically speaking, she summoned me," they gestured towards the girl, now on her feet and crying a bit less.

"I control you! The binding spell -"

"And what exactly were you using to power that binding spell?" Apollyon asked, with a smile that showed white teeth just a little too sharp. "It wouldn't be virgin's blood, would it? Because she's not bleeding anymore, idiot."

"Hey, who are you calling a virgin?" The girl protested.

Apollyon shot her a look. "What are you, twelve?" They asked.

"Fourteen!"

"yeah, well shush." Apollyon stepped easily over the salt line that surrounded the summoning circle.

"I command you -" the man's voice was shaky now, and he took a step back from the demon.

"As was done shall be returned threefold," Apollyon's voice filled the room, echoing off the walls and filling the air. It cut the cultists gathered around the circle, quick, deep gashes opening until they fell, one by one, and the room went silent.

"Fucking assholes," Apollyon muttered. "What's your name, little miss?"

"I'm Summer," the girl replied tentatively.

"Want to get out of here, Summer?"

"I... My sister..."

"Probably doesn't know you snuck out, huh?"

The girl shook her head.

"Well, we better get you home before she notices." Apollyon rifled through the cult leader's pockets and came up with his keys. "If I've got a read on this twat, there's a shiny motorcycle sitting outside. Probably red."

"You're not going to destroy the world?"

"Do you want me to destroy the world?"

Summer shook her head.

"Good. I happen to like the world. It has fizzy drinks, and television, and surprisingly robust public infrastructure for a place run by assholes like him," they gestured towards the body of the cult's leader.

"Anyway, I work for you now."

"What's the price?" Summer asked.

Apollyon raised an eyebrow. "Aren't you clever, knowing about prices and shit?"

"My sister knows about this sort of thing. She's not going to be happy about me making a deal with a demon."

Apollyon waved a hand at the crumpled forms on the floor around them. "The price is already paid, little miss. Bad deaths on this scale will keep me comfortable on Earth for years yet."

"And then what?"

"Then you decide if you want to send me back or keep me here. If you choose that option, just remember that there's plenty of people like them in this world, who would happily watch others bleed for a shred of power. Their souls are worth just as much as yours."

"And you'll do as I say? You won't hurt anyone if I ask you not to?" Summer asked.

"Hey, you're the boss. Wanna know a little secret about chaos and destruction?"

"um... Sure?"

"In a world ruled by people like him, chaos is far more likely to shake out in your favor than theirs. Play your cards right, the only suffering I'll cause will be to the people who started it."

you'd think that demons would have a lot more sympathy for the virgin sacrifices and a lot less for the guy holding both of them captive against their will

[sweethoneyrose83]

Nerdy Goth Girl Dialogue Prompts

"Oh, you're into horror movies? That's cute. Let me introduce you to some real nightmares. Ever heard of The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari?"

"I'm not obsessed with death. I just think it’s fascinating how people spend their whole lives avoiding the inevitable."

"Did you know that Edgar Allan Poe was terrified of being buried alive? Imagine waking up in darkness and realizing you’ve been sealed away forever. Fun thought, right?"

"I was reading about the multiverse theory last night. Imagine—there’s a version of me out there that actually likes sunshine. Horrifying."

"So, is this your idea of flirting, or are you genuinely interested in discussing the finer points of Gothic architecture?"

"If you think my room is dark, wait until you see the abyss where I store my emotional attachments."

"Listen, I'm not saying curses are real, but if you suddenly feel like you're being watched tonight, don't say I didn't warn you."

"I actually find the sound of thunderstorms comforting. It’s like nature is finally expressing how I feel inside."

"I could explain the paradox of Schrödinger's cat, but that would require you to appreciate both metaphysics and the macabre."

"My favorite season? Autumn, obviously. Everything is slowly dying, and it’s beautiful."

"The concept of eternal life is cool and all, but if I had to spend it in fluorescent lighting? Pass."

"You know, the universe is constantly expanding. But it still can't contain how much I dislike small talk."

"People always say, ‘Don’t judge a book by its cover,’ but let’s be honest—it’s the dark, leather-bound ones that have the best secrets."

"I’m like a black hole of useless trivia. Did you know a group of crows is called a murder? The goth aesthetic practically writes itself."

"Are you one of those people who think black is just a phase? Because I’ve been perfecting this look since middle school."

"Oh, this old necklace? It's not just a fashion statement—it’s also rumored to be cursed. But hey, I like a little danger."

"You can call it ‘creepy’ if you want, but I just think it’s efficient to plan my funeral playlist ahead of time."

"You say I'm morbid, I say I'm well-read. There's a difference, trust me."

"Not to be dramatic or anything, but if I could live in a crumbling Gothic mansion surrounded by ravens, I would."

"I just think there’s something inherently romantic about stargazing. You know, staring into the vast, cold void of space, realizing our insignificance… really sets the mood."

"Do you ever wonder if the universe is just an endless library of forgotten stories, each of us just a page about to turn?"

"People say 'embrace the darkness' like it’s an edgy trend, but I say it's better to invite it for tea and let it tell you its secrets."

"Goth isn't just about wearing black. It’s an aesthetic commitment to staying enchanted by the things most people are too afraid to understand."

"I don’t read tarot cards because I think they tell the future. I do it because they tell me the truth I’m not always ready to see."

"There’s something oddly comforting about stargazing. You look up at a vast, uncaring cosmos and think, ‘Yes, this is my aesthetic.’”

"Yeah, I collect old, dusty books with titles in Latin. But no, I’m not casting curses… not yet, anyway."

"I could’ve been anyone in any time. But apparently, fate chose to make me a walking vampire playlist in the year of our lackluster reality."

"Life is basically one giant 'Choose Your Own Adventure' book, but someone tore out all the pages with the happy endings."

"Call me morbid, but I like to imagine every shadow I see has its own little story. We’d all look a little closer if we thought shadows could feel."

"I’m a hopeless romantic, really. I just think love poems sound better when they’re whispered in graveyards."

"Some people see black as absence, but I think of it as potential. Like, what do you want to fill that void with?"

"People call it morbid curiosity; I call it appreciating the part of life no one else wants to think about."

"I’d say I’m a realist, but realists don’t usually hang around places that remind them life’s a fleeting speck of dust in an indifferent universe."

"Sure, my room might look like a museum exhibit on Gothic literature and existential dread, but you can’t tell me it doesn’t have style."

"People always think goths are lonely. It’s more like we’re friends with the parts of life most people are scared to look at."

[jujurose222]

The Long Haul/ Baker Cemetery

Any time I feel anything deeply

I find you at the bottom of the abyss

I wish I could put my perception of you

Inside of your mind

I cannot describe this feeling you ignite

Or the pain I feel to see you

Be someone you are not

I know who you are

I know what you are

I shook hands with your truth

And your ego was not even looking

He was hidden behind a pay wall

The currency was asking for something

I did not have

Anyway

My only currency was love

And while it is beautiful

It takes so much time

Before efforts are reaped

Try to recreate the movie

With different characters

It cannot be done

You know

I am very clever

If you just let me be

The fae raised me

Nobody else

But those little ladies

Gnomes crawled on my

Bedroom floor

I had a pink and green rug

With flowers on it

I had a big closet

When you opened it up

It was like

Bridge to Terabithia

If I slept with the door open

Well my planets would mix

I would lock myself in

The closet

And play all day long

I never had anyone to play with

At home

So I would tell stories

To my stuffed animals

I had a tiny television

I could only watch DVDs on

The only movies I had

In my room

Gnomeo & Juliet

Bridge to Terabithia

And for some reason

The entire Austin Powers collection

I would watch them

Over and over again

I cried every time

I watched the first two

My backyard was large

If you went far enough back

There was a cemetery

Hidden in the trees

All the graves were from

The 1800s, some even 1700s

I would play back there alone

Read all the names I could

Your name is on majority

Of the ones I can remember

Very common name

Back in the day

Mr. Seaman

You and him

Have the same first name

I could only read a few

They were so old and worn down

I loved to be in the trees

I felt something out there

Surrounded by dead bodies

Nobody but me and them

I felt something opposite

Of sitting in a classroom

Something gentle that tickles

Your soul

Things danced back there

The leaves and the grass

Before the tornado

It was beautiful

I can still see parts of it

So green and full of life

I would giggle relentlessly then

After it got dark enough

I would run back home

I sat by my bedroom window

I could see it from there

I tried to get

The neighbor girls

To go back there and play with me

They were terrified

I sighed

I can still feel the gentle breeze

Flowing through the trees

After the tornado

It has become so bleak

It looks like any other backyard

But believe me

Once it was a small

Woodsy area

Where I could be free

My dad planted pine trees

All along the perimeter of our home

Except where I could

Enter into the graveyard

My first cat

Noah

Died beneath one of those pines

Now they belong to

Someone else

Just like the rest of it

The owls used to chase

My cat Tiger

Through the backyard

Tiger disappeared one day

Completely gone

My Russian Blue babies

I long for their love

Their purring

The shake of their heads

My tiny hand in their soft fur

[narcoticwriter]

I have some opinions on this. Don't take them too seriously.

Should go, won't go:

Dori - Her grindset is also her unhealthy coping mechanism. Her Character Story 5 is full of turmoil.

Yelan - Is not going. Will not go. It would serve no use to her at all. The thrill and the pain is her version of being alive.

Heizou - See his Vision story and his reaction to the events surrounding it. Also play his hangout event.

Childe - There's no way that this man is going to get therapy because becoming the strongest is his therapy. If he can completely dominate every creature in Teyvat, then he doesn't have to be scared of the Abyss anymore.

Will go if prompted, will not work:

Bennett - Therapy will not fix Celestia shitting on you constantly. If you also read his Character Story 5, it's kind of depressing. His dads would tell him to go and he'd give it a try.

Cyno - From what little lore this guy has, all I know is that having a Herbanubis or whatever possess you in your childhood, and then getting prodded by the Akademiya will absolutely do something to your mentality. Tighnari would tell him to go if it seems like it was too much for him to bear.

Zhongli - I'm going to make the defense of he has seen too damn much. It's not like he could even talk about it anyway with his heaven-ordained non-disclosure agreement.

Will go if prompted, will work:

Arataki Itto - The repeated trauma of being assaulted with soybeans by people he wanted to have accept him as well as his deathly allergies to them would absolutely fuck him up. He will deny that he has any problem with them until someone flicks one at him and he has a full mental breakdown. Shinobu will ultimately be the one to tell him to go and it would take a long-ass time, but he won't flinch away from them anymore. See: 2.7 Chasm Quest.

Ningguang - When you sacrifice your home and your dream, you will be hollowed the fuck out. In canon, she was not seen for quite some time after the event and has only come back to how she used to be recently. She has gotten closer to people and has some support, but therapy would make the process easier. A tentative suggestion or a straight-up 'go to therapy' will suffice.

Gorou - War is no joke. He lead people to their deaths and he watched his comrades die or get killed by the enemy. Kokomi would likely suggest it and he would follow through with it. He's already kind of doing that with his advice letters.

Further notes:

Lisa has made peace with the fact that her life will be ending soon, but she might want someone to talk it through once it hits those terminal stages.

Hu Tao is constantly surrounded by death and has seen it all, but there are bound to be a few cadavers that she can't get out of her head. Simply being able to talk about it would help a lot.

Yanfei would likely have a therapist on a 'per-session' basis as there are some cases in court that you would absolutely need therapy for.

The twins are so deep into their delusions that nothing short of closure would work.

FUCK IT, GENSHIN THERAPY TIERLIST

SOME NOTES:

should go won't go is people who will actively refuse to to go to therapy, will go if prompted means they're told they need it by a trusted person.

Therapy is not just about trauma but also problematic behavior (which is why klee is in will not work) and problems socializing, as people irl do get sent to therapy to learn to socialize (Fishl)

I put tartaglia in chooses to go because he'd care about therapy due to his siblings and shit.

By therapy I mean long term therapy. A lot of them would go to therapy at least once in their lives but I'm talking like... long term shit you know?

Al Haitham is in should go because, while i do hc him as autistic, maybe learning to be a slight bit nicer would help him. Not, like, to masking level but at least not calling people assholes to their face would be good. Not because he needs to learn to have friends since that's clearly something he doesn't care for.

Yae Miko needs to learn to be nice as well. She a bitch sometimes.

Shenhe I wasn't sure but I feel like she's a medication girlie but she could, I think? At least if she's promptred. I feel like her trauma would be too severe for her to think about that much tbh...

Diluc choose to go once because Adelinde pestered him and he didn't feel like refusing. Idk how receptive he was though...

If your fave ended up in doesn't need it and actaully has insane trauma drop it under this post and I will look into it and update my decision. I love learning about trauma all the character have experienced.

[zahroreadsthings]

Listen I know I’m talking into the void here but here’s my top 2018 reads split per quarter that also functions as my 2018 book recs that none of yall asked for.

January-March

The Fifth Season by N. K. Jemisin: Essun finds that her husband's killed their son and kidnapped their daughter just as an apocalyptic event begins. She sets out to save her daughter while battling to survive a dying land. The most creative world I've read in ages and definitely the best this year. Highly recommended fantasy if you don't mind the uglier side of things. You know those books where you can gradually feel the plot threads and characters tie into each other? Yeah.

Macbeth by William Shakespeare: An otherwise morally upstanding Macbeth goes from no murder to yes murder in an evening. Fast-paced, high stakes and vivid. I swear this didn't make the list just because he's Billy Shakes. This was one of my favourite high school books and revisiting it without my English teacher stopping us all the time to talk symbolism and themes brought out everything I loved about it. I'm so glad I decided to pick it up again. (If only so that now I had some analysis behind me I could begin mentally directing it.)

The Art of Language Invention by David J. Peterson: An introduction to building your own language, designed for people who've never done it before (me) and have no kind of formal training (me). I'm no linguistics student and don't even have it as a strong side interest I read about beyond a couple of articles and I understood most of what was happening. I'll be honest, even though I don't agree personally with the sentiment this won its place on the list when it said adding onions to a dish was ‘the culinary equivalent of multiplying by zero.’

April-June

Hamlet by William Shakespeare: You know what the problem with classics is? Their summaries always go ‘YOU KNOW HOW THIS GOES’ and yeah sometimes you do, but sometimes you only have a vague idea because you live under a rock? Anyway, Hamlet’s got his suspicions his new stepfather/uncle killed his dad and while he plots his revenge he’s just… really going through it. It doesn’t end well for anyone.  I’ve only ever watched the 2015 production starring Maxine Peake (oops) and finally got off my ass and read it and listen. ‘Was kidnapped by pirates - not dead - I’ll explain everything later. Forever yours, Hamlet.’ How could I not love this.

American Street by Ibi Zoboi: Fabiola and her mother leave Haiti to live with family in the US, but her mother’s soon detained by Immigration. She’s left to navigate her new home more or less alone, and is faced with a hard bargain when the opportunity to get her mum back arises. This was in the ‘3.5 star book that stays with you’ realm. Fabiola’s such a sweetheart and having a character draw strength from spirituality is so refreshing, especially when contrasted with the world around her. Simon Vs. The Homo Sapiens Agenda by Becky Albertalli: Simon’s a high-school kid in the closet but he finds himself on the receiving end of a blackmail threat when emails he sends fall into the wrong hands. The story follows his growing relationship with Blue, who he only contacts through emails, while trying to not get his ass exposed by his blackmailer, dealing with increasingly complicated friendship dynamics etc. It’s a really solid, sweet book and I caught it soon before I watched the movie. My final take is that the pop culture references can be a bit much sometimes but really, I also willingly read Shakespeare so I don’t have any grounds to complain. Zeroes trilogy by Scott Westerfeld, Margo Lanagan and Deborah Biancotti: Six teens have six different powers but they're certainly not heroes and they're definitely not using these powers for good. (To be fair, not evil either - just a bunch of self-serving bastards trying to get themselves out of hot water.) It turns out my ideal book has an ensemble cast of teens who don't get along but are forced to work together - essentially, high school group work but higher stakes. Star of Deltora series by Emily Rodda: Britta enters a trading voyage competition to try and win back the ship her universally-hated dad lost after he abandoned their family. Things quickly go south as it becomes clear every player on the ship’s got their own intentions and the ship itself seems like it’s cursed. I didn't have time to read the first three before the last book came out so I finally got around to the whole quartet this year and I don’t regret a thing. Rodda outdoes herself with her characters and plots again and again and I’d straight up die for Jewel and Sky.

July-September

The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid: Reclusive Hollywood icon Evelyn Hugo is ready to open up about her decades-long, scandalous career and the seven husbands along the way. She picks unknown journalist Monique Grant for the task and no-one’s more confused than Monique herself. I took a chance on this book, not expecting to even finish it, but it came out to be one of my top three 2018 books so? I love everything about this book and can’t recommend it enough. Mortal Engines by Philip Reeve: After a war wipes out civilisation as we know it, humanity rebuilds, with a significant chunk doing so on roving cities that ‘eat’ other cities. (Yes, they also shit waste.) Hester gets herself on the traction city London seeking revenge on the man who killed her mum, but before she can get properly stabby she’s stopped by Tom. Both are soon stranded outside of London and Tom’s dragged along for the revenge ride that takes a quick dive into joining what he always believed was a terrorist organisation. Yall this was so fun. I love that Hester’s not a good person and she doesn’t even always try, and that Tom needs to deal with his whole world being flipped upside-down in about half a minute and struggles every step of the way. Also Anna Fang big time heart eyes emoji. His Name Was Walter by Emily Rodda: A boy called Walter grew up with nothing but his own name. His story is recorded in a long-forgotten hand-written book in a haunted house, never read until four teens and their teacher find it and read it through for the first time. Firstly I really love covers with little illustrations of objects relevant to the story - ‘Oh the chandelier! Hey there’s the cat! The roses! Oh my GOD what’s the knife going to be for?!’ Other than that, this was pretty different to a lot of other Rodda books I’ve read but it was a touching, heartbreaking read and even if I didn’t like every step it took I loved the characters and how the mysteries gradually pulled together.

October-December

The Rebirth of Rapunzel by Kate Forsyth: An exploration of the history of the Rapunzel fairy tale, following its possible inception through different cultures, centuries and popular adaptations. Forsyth wrote a Rapunzel retelling herself, Bitter Greens, and the book often breaks down her decision making process for the novel after exploring the roots and effects of key elements in the fairy tale. (This does mean, of course, that if you read this first you will know #everything about the novel, but I didn’t realise at the time lmao.) A very different book from what I usually read but still very interesting. I’d only wish she went into Barbie as Rapunzel but she had a word limit to stick to so! Night Flights by Philip Reeve: When I first watched the Mortal Engines trailer my heart was stolen by the cool lady in the red coat who built her own ship, and when I first read the book it was stolen further by Anna Fang Big Time Heart Eyes Emoji. I poked around a little and found out Reeve was releasing three whole ass Anna Fang short stories before the movie was released so of course I borrowed it. Under the Udala Trees by Chinelo Okparanta: The quote on the cover said this book was 'utterly heartbreaking' and that was exactly it. A coming of age story set against the Nigerian Civil War and a girl's struggle with her sexuality in an unforgiving world and family. I could see myself in almost her exact situation with my family, down to the yearning for an approval you know you'll never get and a bittersweet ending that isn't entirely happy. I do wish the ending felt less rushed but the rest of the story was as phenomenal and heartbreaking as promised. I think it's one of those books that benefits greatly from the reader bringing their own experience into it - and the author's bio says she wrote this story partly to give hope to lgbt Nigerians, so I see why she wrote it this way. The Abyss Surrounds Us by Emily Skrutskie: Lesbian pirates and sea monsters. That's enough to put it in any top five list was far as I'm concerned but ANYWAY. Cas is on her first solo mission escorting a cruise ship with the help of a giant murder turtle but the pirates she's supposed to be protecting the ship from take over, and now she needs to figure out how to live among pirates while rearing her own sea monster pup. I think this would’ve benefited from being longer and going into more detail of the world and some quieter scenes between the more intense ones. But it's been weeks and I'm still thinking about this duology. It's an absolute travesty the fandom's effectively non-existent.

[karasukakikomi]

𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐖𝐨𝐥𝐟 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐋𝐚𝐦𝐛

“𝗧𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝘀𝗮𝗶𝗱, 𝗵𝗲 𝘀𝗲𝘁𝘀 𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗼𝘁 𝘂𝗽𝗼𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗹𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁, 𝗙𝗼𝗿 𝗹𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗹𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗱𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗹𝘆 𝗲𝗻𝗲𝗺𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝗦𝗵𝗮𝗺𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗹𝗱𝗲𝗱 𝘂𝗽 𝗶𝗻 𝗯𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗱 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗰𝗲𝗮𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗻𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁, 𝗪𝗵𝗲𝗻 𝗺𝗼𝘀𝘁 𝘂𝗻𝘀𝗲𝗲𝗻, 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗻 𝗺𝗼𝘀𝘁 𝗱𝗼𝘁𝗵 𝘁𝘆𝗿𝗮𝗻𝗻𝗶𝘇𝗲. 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝘄𝗼𝗹𝗳 𝗵𝗮𝘁𝗵 𝘀𝗲𝗶𝘇’𝗱 𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗽𝗿𝗲𝘆, 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗽𝗼𝗼𝗿 𝗹𝗮𝗺𝗯 𝗰𝗿𝗶𝗲𝘀; 𝗧𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗵𝗲𝗿 𝗼𝘄𝗻 𝘄𝗵𝗶𝘁𝗲 𝗳𝗹𝗲𝗲𝗰𝗲 𝗵𝗲𝗿 𝘃𝗼𝗶𝗰𝗲 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗿𝗼𝗹𝗹’𝗱 𝗘𝗻𝘁𝗼𝗺𝗯𝘀 𝗵𝗲𝗿 𝗼𝘂𝘁𝗰𝗿𝘆 𝗶𝗻 𝗵𝗲𝗿 𝗹𝗶𝗽𝘀’ 𝘀𝘄𝗲𝗲𝘁 𝗳𝗼𝗹𝗱”

𝗣𝗮𝗶𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴: Carla Tsukinami, Female Reader 𝗚𝗲𝗻𝗿𝗲/𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴: nsfw. 18+ only. 𝗪𝗼𝗿𝗱 𝗖𝗼𝘂𝗻𝘁: 3.4k 𝗦𝘂𝗺𝗺𝗮𝗿𝘆: Trying to escape Banmaden is proven more arduous than it appears... Especially when Carla is insistent on showing you your proper place as his mate 𝗪𝗮𝗿𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘀: (If you are not comfortable with this please do not read) NSFW Minors DNI, Noncon/dubcon, breeding, use of chains as restraints, degradation, bloodplay, biting, marking, impact play, power dynamic, use of “Master”, size difference, slight fluff at the end   𝗔𝘂𝘁𝗵𝗼𝗿'𝘀 𝗡𝗼𝘁𝗲: For my lovely best friend of 4 years. @omlsheen​ As an unashamed Carla simp myself I dedicate this to you xx 

The low flames of candlelight danced over the regal wallpaper casting shadows across the ceiling. Outside, the night remained dark. The shadow of the night broken only by the occasional flash of lightning rippling throughout the blackened sky. The powerful glow of moonlight spilled into the room from arching windows which rain tapped against. There never was any sunlight here, something you came to miss from your own world. You felt torn away from your previous life, even though you were treated merely as prey for vampires, at least they offered you certain freedoms. You were granted no such luxury in this place.

It had been only a month since those two men had trapped you in this hellish labyrinth of walls. A castle they called home, surrounded by spiraling stonework walls trapped you inside. They were less than accommodating for your needs. Hardly extending even an ounce of respect let alone kindness for you. But who would? A pitiful human was all you were, you thought. A pitiful human who was in a world not made for her. 

Carla and Shin their names were. Two Founders you had come to learn. Their motives were still not entirely clear to you. All you did know was that they were hellbent on keeping you in the confines of their castle. Their rules were simple, obey and just maybe you will be graced with the privilege of going outside. However these rare freedoms were few and far between. Too scarcely rewarded to even present themselves as viable escape opportunities. You could never even try anyways, with either Shin or Carla keeping their aureate gaze locked on you at all times. 

This moment proved to be a rare one. No chatter was heard in the halls and no sound of boots thudding against floors was heard. The thundering rain and crackling of flickering flames, licking at logs in an ornate fireplace was the only sound which filled the otherwise deafening silence. “Stay in this room and do not leave until I return” was the only order Carla had given you. And it was an order you most certainly would disobey. 

Creeping cautiously towards the looming door, you rested your shaking hands upon the golden handle. You heedfully pulled the handle downwards to find it unlocked. A small victory for now. The door creaked open. You peered out into the vacant abyss of the hallway. Empty. A beacon of hope lit itself within your trepid body. Tiptoeing, you made yourself down the hall. There was no one to see you. Your guard lowered slightly. Surely if this was a trap you would not have made it this far already. A sudden crash of thunder made you jump. But still, onwards you continued. Leaving the warm glow of the room behind you. Its gentle candlelight swallowed entirely by the dimness of the stretching hallway. 

Coming to a window in the hallway, you pressed your palms flat against its panes as you pushed upwards. Surprised to find it unlocked, It slid open with ease. Being only on the first floor, the drop was not too extreme. Without further hesitation, you slid your first leg out of the opened window and dropped yourself onto the ground below you. Mud immediately swallowed your feet upon impact causing you to lose your balance. You fell onto the sodden ground, blow shielded by your hands instinctively protecting your face from the sudden fall. You shakily rose from the damp ground. Your clothing was effectively soaked through, the torrential downpour did not help your situation. Your uncomfortable state was an afterthought. Your body surged with hope for reclaimed freedom. Taking a small step, you suddenly froze. 

A low growl resonated. 

No, not one. 

Many. 

The low throaty reverberations surrounded you. 

Closing in. 

You stood frozen. Unable to move. Wolves, around ten in number you counted in a panic circled your fearful figure. 

Shin’s familiars. 

You had been caught. 

When most unseen, then most doth tyrannize.

They continued their advance. Stepping backwards you slipped landing hard into the waterlogged ground beneath you. One wolf lunged forward. Teeth sinking into the firm material of your shoe, teeth threatening to break through to tender flesh. A pitiful shriek left your agape mouth as the creature began dragging you towards the entrance you so dreaded to return. 

The wolf hath seiz’d his prey, the poor lamb cries;

You twisted in its cruel hold. The jaws of the beast clamped tighter. You were drug across the dampened soil, dirtying your clothes even further. Screaming was to no avail. No one would help you. No one could hear you. Your vision grew blurry. Black dots encapsulating your vision. Until everything was gone.

-----

When your senses returned something felt different. You were in the pouring rain no longer. Nor was there a wolf. You were alone somewhere entirely different. A dungeon. You began to try to move your arms. They were stuck. Chains rattled. Your wrists were chained taught against a wall of stone. Cold manacles threatened to dig into soft flesh. The room smelled of damp iron. The possibility of it being blood was very probable. The light was limited in the space which surrounded your captured state. But you could easily make out the cell you found yourself in, nothing but a wooden table placed in the corner. Its purpose unknown.  

Suddenly a heavy door was pushed open. Footsteps approached your cell. Through the dim light you made out the sight of strawberry blonde hair and golden eyes. Shin, you thought.

“Nii-san won’t be too pleased with this one,” he cackled mockingly. 

“P-please let me out. It was just a misunderstanding I sw-” You were cut off in your desperate plea. 

“I know exactly what you were doing. You’re lucky my familiars didn’t tear you apart. But there’s always next time,” He continued to laugh, “Since you seem to like escaping so much.” “Regardless, the treatment you received at the mercy of my familiars isn’t anything in comparison to Nii-san’s anger.” He paused to pace the area outside of your cell. “I’d love to stay and chat with you but I’m rather busy,” He sauntered towards the door in which he arrived. “Enjoy your stay,” he mocked once more. 

“Wait! Please!” You called after him. But he was already gone. Footsteps receding to the upper levels.

It was unknown how long you remained lingering in your own silence. Not even the thrumming of rain to comfort your sorrows or aching leg from the Wolves jaws. Your wrists shifted in the tight grasp of metal. They too ached but not unbearably so. The sound of footsteps stopped your thoughts. They were descending the stairs. These footsteps were not Shin’s. They were much heavier, much angrier. The door opened again. A tall frame strode into the damp room. Boots resounding against the cold stone. The door to your cell was pulled open, rusted metal groaning in protest.

Carla. 

You gulped. Sensing the hostility before you. 

“Did you truly believe you could get away?” He asked. His husky voice held no emotion but you could sense the anger boiling within him. 

You stayed silent.

“It appears you underestimated me quite a bit.” He spoke. “I will ask you this one time, and one time only,” Carla began, “Why did you run?”

“I- I was afraid.” You admitted.

“Afraid of me?” He asked. A genuine question it seemed.

“Yes,” you answered pitifully, your gaze still not looking into his eyes. 

“I understand even less of why you chose to run. If you were truly as scared as you claim, you would have realized by now that there is no way you can successfully escape me.” His tone did not change as he responded. 

You pondered over what to say in return. The truth is you wanted to be free, but you could never tell him that. He would never allow that. Such a response would only worsen the situation at hand. 

“It seems as if some training is required.” Carla said matter of factly.

“Training?” You inquired. A puzzled look painting your features.

He grasped the cold iron of the chains connecting your wrists to the wall behind you. With an effortless tug they came free. As if they were nothing but an annoying string attached to a sweater. You stumbled forward, the cruel chains no longer holding you. His hand grasped the base of your neck harshly, the feeling of his crushing grip evident under his leather gloves. You gasped as your body was pushed. You were pressed against the dilapidated wooden table in the corner of the cell. Forced over it so that your chest was flush against the unpolished wood surface. Attempting to push yourself up from this position was of no use. His hand remained firmly holding your nape. 

“It is of best interest to not resist me right now,” Carla voiced. His tone much darker. “The key to training lies in repetition. By repeating the process, your body will react involuntarily. Whether you want it to or not.” 

“Carla, please.” You let out a feeble voice.

“Silence. You have disobeyed me enough tonight. You do not have the right to use my name as freely as you do. From this moment forward you will address me as Master. Is that understood?” He demanded.

“Yes Master,” you complied, not wanting to fuel his anger further. 

You could feel your shorts being pulled downwards in a fluid motion. You gasped. Unable to move from your current position.

“I want you to listen to me. And listen well. I will not show mercy. This is part of your training. You need to understand that your foolish actions lead to consequences. Your disobedience will result in punishment. With that said…” Carla paused. “I want you to count until 10. I will repeat this as many times as necessary.” 

Carla slid his leather glove from his hand, releasing his other from your neck. One hand pressed firmly against your back. Not that you were in any position to move away from him now. Uncertainty wavered in your eyes. Without a warning his hand came down, smacking against the plush of your ass. A deafening smack sounded following the feeling of searing, burning pain. A squeal left your throat.

“Count,” He growled.

“One!” You managed still recovering from the shock of the impact.

A second strike resonated. This one harder than the last. 

“Two!” You choked out fighting tears from slipping from your eyes.

Leaving no time for recovery he placed another well aimed spank on the other side of your ass. The deafening sound of his palm meeting your flesh rang out once more. 

“Three! Ca-Master! Please stop!” You pleaded teary eyed. 

“Did I not tell you to shut your mouth? I do not wish to hear your pleas or petulant excuses,” He said.

Carla continued. His hits growing stronger. The sound no match for the searing pain they left behind. You were most certainly going to be bruised from this. One after another, he marked your tender skin with the brutal impacts of his hand. Your choked broken sobs did not faze him, only spurring his violence further. You continued d to count. You counted through the blistering pain all the way until 10 was ripped from your throat in a scream. You sputtered, face glistening from your tears. 

“I did not think a woman like you would let out such pitiful noises in response to a mere spanking,” Carla commented.

“Please, Master. I'm so sorry, I didn’t mean to run,” you tried to reason between sobs. 

“Did you not hear when I said I did not want to hear your pathetic excuses? It seems as if your lesson still hasn’t quite gotten through to you,” He spoke deliberately. “While you are not bound by those chains on your wrists any longer It does not change anything about your current situation. I’m sure you understand how powerless you are against me right now. More than you may like to admit.” 

It was true. Every word he spoke. You were completely and utterly powerless right now. There was nothing you could do, nothing but accept your fate. Yet part of you did not yet want to give up. For as long as you were still human you would never give up, never give in. You struggled. Attempting to push up from the table. You stopped suddenly. Something solid was pressed against your backside. Your eyes widened in shock. 

A dark chuckle reverberated above you. 

“As I said. You are completely powerless against me. You will understand your place here, you will understand your place as my mate whether you choose to accept that or not.” He said. 

You felt your panties being ripped away from you. Your core exposed to the cool damp air. You shivered, whether in fear or from the cool, musty air you were unsure. You heard the movement of material behind you.

“Now. If you choose to behave… I will make this a pleasurable experience for you.”

You nodded in response, tears wetting the wooden table your chest remained pressed against.

You felt a hardened tip pressing against your entrance. His cock glistening with precum slid along your slit. 

You whined with the sensation of his cockhead nudging against your clit. 

He pulled his hips back, aligning himself once more with your leaking entrance. 

“If you simply entrust yourself to me like this, I do not mind drowning you in pleasure.” He rasped. 

He sunk himself into your dripping cunt, grunting in response. You whined, against the feeling of his thick cock stretching you around him. He pushed himself further into you, bottoming out. The burning stretch hurt but it was not unbearable. You felt yourself growing wetter for him by the second. You did not want this. But reason was cast aside when he withdrew his throbbing member from you and plunging himself back into your squelching cunt. A scream emerged from your throat quickly being silenced by his hand over your mouth. Muting your voice. 

He thrusted at a harsh rhythm, the table groaning in protest against his brutal thrusts, wooden legs scraping against the stone floor at every movement. 

“Just as I thought…” Carla grunted. “This is a much more effective way to shut your pathetic little mouth than to use words.” 

His fervent thrusts continued as he pounded himself into your tight hole. Skin slapping against skin a lewd sound filling the room. Your whines muffled against his hand still firmly pressed against your mouth. You pushed yourself back against his hips to meet his thrusts. You did not want to give in, to entrust yourself to this man but it was getting harder to resist. The feeling of his cock massaging you tightened walls was proving too much. The pleasure was making your head spin. All you could think of was him. 

Not escaping him. 

Not running away again. 

Just him. 

You had never felt pleasure this intense. It was a delicious, burning pleasure. 

“Just like that,” He growled into your ear. “Submission feels good doesn’t it? When you fully submit to me, to the point where every time you see me… You will start to offer your body to me and me only- then your training will be complete.” 

You moaned against his hand. Two of his thick fingers curled themselves inside of your mouth. Your tongue encircled his digits, tasting of musk and sweat. You could not get enough. 

His thrusts grew stronger, hips jutting sharply against the marked flesh of your ass. You could not hold back your noises. Unashamedly letting out wanton moans for him. He pushed his fingers deeper into your mouth, saliva dripping from your lips. Your cunt swallowed Carla’s cock eagerly, every time he pulled back, it pulled him back invitingly, willingly. 

“Mas-Master!” You choked out.

“Are you getting close?” He panted, “I can feel it. Come for me. Come all over my cock like the little slut you are.” 

You screamed out, his fingers still pressed against your tongue. The pleasure of him hitting your deepest spots was unbearable, the sweet burn of his cock massaging your walls. You felt a unfamiliar intense tightening in your abdomen, like a rope being pulled to its very limit. With a harsher thrust his throbbing member pulsated. He was growing closer as well. The sensation caused that rope to snap, your form shook against his large body holding you into place. The sheer pleasure causing your head to go blank. Your orgasm milked his cock as he shot thick ropes of his seed deep into your greedy womb. He withdrew himself from you. 

Without warning you were flipped over onto the table. Your back now flush against the rough surface.

“You did not think I was nearly finished with you yet, did you? Silly little girl.” Carla snickered. 

You did not know when he had discarded his remaining clothing but before your eyes he leaned over you. Toned form flexing as he looped your shaking legs over his broad shoulders. He plunged his cock back into your depths, slick coating his member. He slammed himself into you over and over once again. No mercy. Not even an ounce of holding back. Carla did not seem worn out in the slightest. You desperately whined, both of you covered with a thin layer of sweat sheening from your joining bodies. 

He had you in a mating press pulling out almost completely and bottoming out as he forced himself back in. You tried to pull him closer, arms surrounding his neck. His harsh grip left your hips to pull your arms away and force them down on either side of your head. 

“Did you forget that this is a punishment? I gave you no such permission to act so tenderly.” Carla spoke voice deep with lust. 

He leaned forward breath fanning over your neck before plunging his fangs into your throat. You gasped in pain. The searing sting of fangs mixed with the pleasure of his ravishment. He greedily sucked your blood. 

“Your blood is truly as disgusting as always,” he groaned. “Your cleansing is nowhere near complete.” 

You winced from the still stinging pain of where his fangs were. The pleasure of his brutish thrusts became too much again. You tried to move away. 

He leaned over you again, forcing your body still. 

“Do. Not. Move.” Carla’s words annunciated with his harsh pounding into your cunt. 

His fangs reentered the side of your neck. Like sharp needles penetrating through the thin flesh covering your vulnerable pulse. He continued to suck at your blood. Lapping greedily at the flow which trickled down your neck. Your vision was beginning to fade. Slowly losing consciousness. 

Carla pulled his head back from your wound trickling with fresh, hot blood. “You will be filled with my seed once more, you will fulfill your duty as my mate. I do not care how long it may take. You will accept your place by my side. Is. That. Clear?” 

“Y-yes Master. I- I understand,” you grimaced. Your vision faded. Blurring in and out. The ceiling above you losing definition. The marred stone becoming one blurry dark grey mass.  Your eyelids fluttered shut.

-----

You awoke groggily. Rough table surface replaced by soft bedding. You sat up slowly. A soft comforter was pulled around your naked body. The bed was shifted unnaturally. You looked to your left, Carla lay slumbering next to you. His breathing calm. He was in a deep sleep. His features were almost kind whilst he slept. His scornful gaze now soft, his lips almost a smile. His platinum hair feathered around his head gave him an almost angelic appearance. 

It was a rarity. To have a moment like this. Moving was a burden as you felt entirely sore everywhere. But you did not care. If you could spend another moment laying next to Carla under the moonlight once more you would take the offer without hesitation. Maybe becoming his wasn’t the worst thing in the world. It was moments like these where you felt safe. Knowing he would not let anything else hurt you. That he had gone through the effort to clean you and lay you tenderly in his very bed. If this is what accepting your place with Carla was like, then you were happy to do so. 

To be his. 

Whatever may come. 

[suns-out-sleeps-in]

Rollo's got a Dirty Mind

I have no justification for this other than I think it's funny to make this bastard man so astronomically down bad for a fem!Yuu. If you want someone to blame, blame @mymainwastoocluttered and @marisakumi because I basically lifted this exact prompt from their post. Like y'all I literally got possessed to write this last night at like 930 wtf plus @adrianasunderworld I think you would like this too since we've been bullying Rollo

@mymainwastoocluttered I know I promised you hellfire scenarios and I swear I will give you them once the whole event is translated but I needed to get this out of my system. Also like wow I made this super depraved and Rollo is a big ol' yikes. 2.2k words of him being yikes plus plus implied Malleus x Yuu because I can.

tw: Rollo being Frollo, Delusions, Obsessive behavior, Yandere, Kissing, Tickling, Tickling used as foreplay, Malleus being a simp, Threesome MMFM, Dirty Talk, Praise, Cunnilingus (Fem receiving) Hickeys, Groping, Titty Sucking (please someone tell me if there is a better name for that), Strip Tease, Male Masturbation, Dacryphilia, Fingering (Fem receiving), Rough Sex (MxF), Degradation, Post Nut Delusions, Regret, Gang Bang, More Delusions. Basically, very NSFW so if it ain't your thing then scroll away.

🔞 NO ONE UNDER 18 CAN READ THIS 🔞

I forgot to add this the first time so I'm editing it in now but I do not care. If you are a minor go away this ain't for you.

None of the sexual stuff actually happens Rollo just has a fucked up imagination.

p.s. I wrote this as a fem!reader in mind so I only used words like (she/her/the girl) to describe the reader so...I don't know, you'll see what I mean and hopefully it isn't confusing but tell me if my grammar is off.

Also I didn't know about what happened in part 3 of the event because I wrote this the night before and just finished editing in the morning. Only to go on TikTok and see Rollo being 😬 y'know? So imagine my slight surprise at him being THAT crazy. But still I think this interpretation gives more possibilities even if it's not totally accurate to his character.

How could this have happened?

Rollo Flamme was the prestigious student council president of Nobel Bell College. He was a man both men and women feared and respected as he met their eyes. Yet they dare not to stare into the abyss of his gaze lest they be pulled in.

So how? How could he feel so…undone by a single magicless girl?

His plan was perfect. He finally had THE Malleus Draconia in his grasp by imploringly debasing himself in a letter to that blundering headmage, Dire Crowley, that they simply must have Malleus attend the symposium. Even though he had thought they would send Malleus anyway if not for that blasted lottery system the headmage decided to employ and the fact that Malleus was apparently not even in attendance of the selection anyway. But no matter, he is not above having his assistant give out some meaningless flattery in a letter if it means his plan falls into motion.

Yet the moment the students arrived in the common area and he met her gaze, everything began falling apart.

A…girl? A girl was attending Night Raven? Not even one of Trein's daughters, no! She's simply a student paired with a feline familiar who can speak! Surrounded by all of these delinquent men, floundering for her attention AND she can't perform magic? What has Night Raven College become?! What is that headmage thinking?!

He cannot help how his gaze wanders toward her. She chats so casually with the first year known as Deuce Spade, the two of them are obviously very close. He lets his vice president and assistant speak for him as he imagines the freshman's love-struck gaze filled with longing and beginning to lean in to-

He nearly startles when Azul begins questioning him about the history of the college. He refocuses his mind as they begin the tour.

Why in the world did his mind wander like that? Men and women can be friends and not have feelings for one another. He knows this, and yet, he ponders. 

She is a quiet girl, no doubt. Taking in the scenery so unlike that of Night Raven as they continue the tour while her feline companion badgers with questions aplenty. Him and the sophomore known as Ruggie Bucchi seem to bond over food related inquiries as they question when they will receive sustenance, with the freshman known as Epel Felmier chiming in with more savory options.

Rollo's mind wanders again as he sees Ruggie pull the girl close to him by the waist. The contact is far from friendly yet he can see her relax in his grip as Ruggie whispers conspiratorially in her ear before attempting to tickle her with his clawed fingers. Epel was about to join in before a sharp cough from Trein and Riddle made the three pause and laugh guiltily.

Yet, Rollo sees something more salacious in those two. He sees them restraining her and assaulting her with tickles until she cries out for mercy. Would they grant it to her without question? Or would it come with a price? He takes out his handkerchief and breathes in the scent before he can question just what that price may be.

The worst event happens in the bell tower. His mind had already wandered when she became winded alongside Azul and Idia, with Jamil offering her some water to quench her thirst, but Rollo was quick to shake his head at the image of her grateful smile towards the Scarabia sophomore. But the seed of madness was planted with an offer from Malleus to carry the girl back down the tower lest she becomes unsteady and falls. An offer she was apparently happy to accept.

These two…were friends? Not only friends, but close enough to joke about such displays of skinship with each other?

No. There was no joke. That was love in the ancient fae's eyes.

Malleus Draconia is in love with her.

The very thought makes Rollo want to scream.

The freshman guardsmen known as Sebek Zigvolt tries to dissuade his liege by offering to carry her instead but is rebutted by his senior guardsmen Silver, stating that Malleus could carry her if he so chooses to.

The most lascivious and depraved image fills Rollo's mind as he pictures the three men all but clawing at her bare form. Her whimpers of pleasure are unbidden and raw as Malleus sits her in his lap, whispering words unknown yet passionate in the language of the fae as his two guardsmen drive her mind and body to the brink of ecstasy. Malleus guides the younger fae to lap at her core causing her to squirm in his grasp yet his grip is steady and true on her thighs as his comrade teases her body with softer touches. Silver mindlessly praises her for being able to handle them all at once as he parrots Malleus' words in human tongue. The sophomore litters her neck and collarbone in kisses and lovebites as the girl lets out squeaks and moans of pleasure. Malleus' hands slide across her body to grope her chest and play with the soft mounds of flesh in order to tempt the human into taking one into his mouth and sucking on it. Her hands are stuck in Sebek's hair as he begins to bring her to the brink of ecstasy. Her cries reach a fever pitch in his mind just as everyone decides to descend the tower.

And just as he fears, Malleus Draconia sweeps the girl off her feet as they begin their descent. Her laughter sounds even sweeter than the Bell of Salvation as she admonishes the fae for not giving her a warning first. He teases that it is his duty to playfully startle her when he can. He sees her loop her arms around the fae’s neck and pulls herself closer to him, close enough for him to whisper in her ear something that makes her voice titter with a laugh.

Rollo takes out his handkerchief once more from his pocket. His grip almost tearing the fabric in two. 

He simply must get a hold of himself. He is a man dedicated to fulfilling the duties of the Righteous Judge, for Seven's sake! He is above such debauchery and lust that simply being in a girl's presence would bring a lesser man. He feels himself begin to calm down once they exit the bell tower and return to the square where they gift everyone their festival wear.

"How do I look?" Oh no…

See, the plan was to give the Night Raven students ceremonial outfits to fit the theme of the festival. Knights, merchants, and performers were the inspiration yet how could he have known there was a girl in attendance at an all-male school? So they gave her a slightly altered costume.

He knows the question isn't directed at him. Gods above he knows it. But he can't help the way his mind races at the image before him. Her costume fits perfectly in all of the right ways and Rollo feels his face burn as she smoothes the fabric around her waist, accentuating her figure as she parades around to her friends, playfully tipping her hat towards the upperclassmen in respect. The junior known as Rook Hunt all but bursts into song about her beauty and Rollo can't help but agree with the blonde. Now he pictures himself dressing her down until she-

The students turn themselves out into groups before they head out into the city. Trein takes responsibility for the girl and her cat as Rollo gives the excuse of needing to attend to other duties before he can join them. His Vice and Assistant get no chance to question his off behavior before he retreats to his private dormitory.

As soon as the lock is turned, Rollo flies towards the bathroom. He nearly rips the clothes off his upper body before he pulls his belt loose enough to pull down his pants. He hesitates for barely a second, there is no going back once he begins his sin, but he is far too pent up and his heart is racing too fast to stop before releasing his cock from the confines of his boxers and beginning to stroke to the thought of her.

His pace is rough and fast as he pumps himself to her visage. What she would look like if she went to Nobel Bell instead of Night Raven. Seeing her in their traditional garments. What she would look like in his garments? He groans in arousal at the thought and hisses at the burn of his cock in his hand.

"See you later, Rollo!" Her sweet voice as she waved to him before she left. Her cute smile as she walked off with Trein and Grim. How he wished he could guide her through the city alone, free of that cat monster and the old man. He would show her the sights, taking in her awe-struck expression and her curious nature as he tells her of the history of the city. 

Cute. Cute. Everything about her was cute as Rollo's mind revisited his visions from before, this time with him as the one longing for love. He pictures her gazing at him as he leans in for a kiss. How sweet would her lips taste as he swallows her moans of his name? He would give anything to know.

He pictures himself tickling her as her laughter fills his mind until she's all he hears. How adorable would she look with tears in her eyes as she cries for him? Perhaps he should invite his Vice or his Assistant to keep her pinned as he pushes her to her limits and makes her cry out for mercy. But he has no mercy to give for one so sinfully cute.

He can feel his cock nearing to burst with his final vision. He can see himself spearing the girl on his cock, one hand groping at her chest with practiced precision while the other plays with her core like a violin. Her skin is so smooth, he thinks, as she keens under his touch and she begs for him to take her properly. Would his whispered words be praises for a job well done, or would he admonish her with filthy rebukes for tempting a pious man with her sinfully seductive body? Either way, she screams with pleasure for more. More of what, he did not know, but he would satisfy her until she was painted in his lust.

Painted. His mind clears from the haze of sin as he realizes he has painted his toilet with his semen. He takes a moment just staring at himself, covered in his own fluids and struggling to breathe.

"What have I done?!" Rollo panics and washes himself off as quickly as possible to get rid of any evidence of his perverse desires for the girl from Night Raven College. 

Perverse. Never did he think he would use that word on himself. Just what manner of curse did that girl put on him to make him obsess like this? She must secretly be a witch, he reasons. He has barely known her for half a day and already he wishes to have her for his own. At first, all he wanted was Malleus Draconia. Now, he couldn't care less about the fae prince and only desires the girl. He finishes cleaning himself off and goes to sit on his bed. He hangs his head in shame at what depravity he has committed in such a short time span.

The problem is, the images don't leave his mind. His lust turns to anger at the persistent reminder of his sin as his thoughts replace him with the other students once more. Now it's Riddle Rosehearts kissing her so sweetly, Rook Hunt and Jamil Viper teasing her with sweet words and playful touches, and Azul Ashengrotto alongside Idia Shroud as the two of them debauched her. He imagines her taking all of it with such an innocent smile on her face, the trust she has in those heathens unwavering as she sighs in bliss. His mind then conjures more scenarios, The freshmen kiss her in faux sweetness before the sophomores dirty her with their grubby mitts. All to prep for the juniors to sully any purity she might have had left. Different individuals mix in new lewd and licentious combinations and she takes it all. She fuels their lust with her own with a smile as she encourages their lecherous behavior.

Rollo can feel the blood burn through his veins as he becomes hard once more, thus starting another cycle of lust. He feels like a voyeur in his own mind and growls as his mind spirals.

None of them deserve her. She is a pure light of innocence and beauty and those hedonistic brutes would only tarnish her.

If only he could show her that none of those men would be able to love her like he could. He would devote himself night and day to her, treat her like the goddess she is, worship her with every breath in his body and spill the blood of any who would try to take her from him.

Wait, love? Is that what he feels towards her? Is this insatiable, burning feeling actually love?

It burns like hellfire. But if he must burn, then so shall she.

She must choose to love him and join Nobel Bell College as his goddess or burn at the pyre like the witch she is.

[apompkwrites]

I just read your story, the one with Xiao and Albedo, its really good! I love it! Is it ok if you do the same thing but with Kaeya, Zhongli, Childe and Diluc version. I can see how excited these guys are since Kaeya first appeared is clapping his hand, the way Childe call Lumine 'Hey Girlie', Zhongli with how handsome he is especially his eyes and with Diluc how mysterious he is when he appeared out of nowhere

Feel free to do it if you're not busy or you can ignore this :3

reader impact || first meeting cont.

series masterlist characters: kaeya, diluc, childe genre: fluff summary: a game has been released entitled genshin impact, consisting of otherworldly abilities relying on the basic elements of nature. the game follows the story of an interdimensional traveling twin in search of their other half. along this journey, they meet different characters that live in this world. including you. notes: i’m glad you liked it! i’m having a lot of fun writing these so expect some more coming out :D i plan on doing more first meeting hcs and then branching off to other scenarios, so if there’s something specific, please request it! also, i’ve already done one for zhongli!

kaeya's playthrough -

he's more of a variety streamer, honestly.

most of his viewers watch him because of his carefree nature (as well as his looks).

obviously, he'd do a bunch of drinking streams whenever he could where he would just talk to his viewers about whatever came to mind.

during those streams, his viewers often try to ask him questions, which are only answered in vague statements.

his gaming streams are pretty rare compared to his chatting streams, but they're there nonetheless.

his viewers jump when they hear he's planning on playing genshin impact.

just neverending messages about a character they are convinced he will love.

he's so tempted to ask but decides not to, wanting to learn who this mystery character is on his own.

honestly, he was expecting you to appear way later in the story.

he's very interested in the looming threat of stormterror.

his character lands on the ground and he leans back to watch the cutscene play.

then he hears footsteps and sees his character look to someone offscreen.

this man practically LUNGES INTO HIS MONITOR WHEN THE CAMERA PANS UP TO YOU.

you walk in clapping at a calculated pace, which is when he leans forward and stares at your character model.

"i can't believe you have the power to stand up against that dragon... that said, are you a new ally... or a new storm?"

"oh, hun, i can be whatever you want me to be."

HE'S ALREADY FLIRTING WITH YOU PLEASE HIS CHAT IS IN HYSTERICS-

he knows his chat is freaking out, so he turns to the camera and sends his signature smirk.

"now i know why you guys wanted me to play this so bad."

"(name), kaeya, you've come at the right time. we must..."

"now now, don't forget to introduce us."

"oh... right. this is (name), our cavalry captain. these two are travelers from afar."

"ooh, they're a person in charge, too?"

HE KNOWS WHAT HE'S DOING TO HIS CHAT BUT THEY HAVE NO IDEA WHAT YOU DO TO HIM.

he genuinely likes you. like genuinely. he's fallen deep and he doesn't plan on leaving anytime soon.

if your costume has that long v-neck like his does...

hOO BOY HE'S THANKING EVERY DEVELOPER OF THIS GAME.

anyway, he's heard that there are characters you can only obtain throguh wishes, so he's kind of nervous to find out if that's the case with you.

he just really wants you in his party so y'all can be mysterious together.

"let me show you how the knights of favonius conquer our adversaries!"

"oh, yes. please do."

his viewers can and will make compilations of him flirting with you.

ngl, he's looking forward to those.

sometimes, your voice gets all quiet and he melts when he hears that.

he will pay to have voicelines of you flirting with him--

when he enters your trial domain, he will purposely avoid completing it just in case he doesn't get to keep you.

he sees some of his viewers talking about how you're a bad character and that the other characters are so much better.

too bad, they're banned now.

no (name) slander in his chat, thank you very much.

he loves your quips whenever he uses your elemental skill.

he loves you even more if those quips are puns based on your element.

finally, he's nearing the end of your domain. when that happens, he will slowly turn towards the camera and stare.

"if they aren't a permanent member on my team, this'll be the last stream of genshin."

"let's continue our adventure, shall we?"

obtained (name): a thinker in the knights of favonius with a somewhat exotic appearance.

"okay, so we'll continue streaming genshin soon."

he'll put you in the first slot of his party, moving his traveler character to the second.

his streams will always include him flirting with you, even if you don't reply.

diluc's playthrough -

his streams are mainly bartending based, so he likes mixing drinks on stream for his viewers.

he doesn't drink them, though. he gives them out to his friends and family once the stream is over.

it's pretty rare for him to play games but he'll do an occasional gaming stream if his friends and family don't want any drinks.

his chat always makes fun of him because he's a bartender that doesn't like the taste of alcohol.

he's very blunt, so he's not afraid to drop a game immediately if he isn't interested.

in fact, that's almost what he did with genshin.

it's not like the game is bad or anything, diluc just didn't care for it because of all the hype his chat shared.

he keeps playing, though, because someone promised he would really enjoy a character that comes up in the prologue.

granted, it's over an hour or so but it doesn't matter--

when he gets to the domain teaching him how to use cryo, he hates every minute of it.

he hates the character he's given and just wants to leave.

the demo character is one he doesn't really care for, especially because he's the type of person he dislikes coming to the bars he works at.

his chat is laughing at him when they reach the end because the cutscene continues with the character he hates.

he feels a bit better when he learns the abyss mage is in the domain because he gets to see and hear something that isn't the cryo character.

then he meets you.

you run into the domain out of nowhere, quickly defeating the abyss mage and tossing it towards the corner.

"knights of favonius... always so inefficient."

his chat goes insane when your character appears, especially because of how dumbfounded diluc looks.

he's known for not really emoting and it's the same case for this scene. however, his chat knows he is in love with your character.

he takes a few minutes when he's kicked out of the domain but he clears his throat and looks over at the camera.

"i'll be streaming this game again soon when the others don't want any drinks."

YOU SINGLEHANDEDLY SAVED THIS GAME FROM BEING TOSSED AWAY WITHIN A MINUTE OF APPEARING

THE POWER YOU HOLD OVER THIS MAN AND HE DOESN'T EVEN KNOW YOUR NAME--

cut to after he's stolen the lyre and is sent to the tavern.

he's a bit excited because he gets to visit mondstadt's tavern but then--

"master (name), this is this week's accounts."

"they're back."

HE'S SO NONCHALANT BUT WE ALL KNOW HE'S FREAKING OUT

he gets second-hand embarrassment when venti talks to you asking for the... least conspicuous table.

he's kinda sad when your character is suspicious of him, but he understands.

when the knights leave the tavern, he really wants venti to just shut up.

please you're embarrassing the man.

when he hears how you feel about him joining the knights, he is so willing to quit--

man just wants you to be proud of him and trust him :((

he's relieved to hear that you will help him and you don't hate him.

please give him validation--

childe's playthrough -

man is still rich he can do whatever he wants.

his gaming streams would definitely be pvp based games. honestly, just any game where he can fight someone, he'll play.

his chat also has a few little games they like to play together like guessing what the hell this man does to have so much money--

also his siblings crash in on his streams sometimes :D

those are pretty much the only times you'll see him be soft and not so competitive.

teucer likes crashing his streams to show off his plushies :))

anyway, genshin time!

he definitely tried to fight paimon the first time he loaded the game.

please expect lots of genshin stream from this guy because he needs to make his team deal the highest damage he can get.

also his wallet doesn't even have a dent in it despite all of the money he's spent on characters and weapons.

please sir what do you do for all that money

ok so onto your first meeting

he was really excited when the exuvia fell during the rite of descension because he thought he would get to fight whoever killed the great archon of liyue.

he really wanted to fight the millelith but then his chat convinced him to dodge them first.

one of his viewers explains that there's a character they know he'll like and he was very... intriguied to say the least.

he moves forward in his chair once his character is heard by the millelith, prepared to fight the various soldiers surrounding him.

"hang on, sweetheart. i've got this."

this man will squeal when you flip over the stairs in front of his character.

he doesn't know who you are and what you do but he knows for a fact that you are his new favorite character.

you take down all of the guards in two seconds, leaving him (and his in-game character) dumbfounded.

"come with me."

"o-okay..."

he's smitten.

he absolutely loves the way your character fights even if he met you about... a minute ago.

his siblings definitely come into his room to check on him because he's so quiet.

once he realizes you're a part of the harbingers, he's even more obsessed.

he hates the options the game gives him when he needs to respond because 2/3 of them are insulting you.

anyway he really likes listening to your voice.

he will give anything to hear you call him sweetheart again.

his chat informs him that the traveler he chose changed the nickname you give him, which makes him very happy.

when you send him off to talk to the other adepti, he's kind of disappointed he doesn't get to hang out with you.

but when he gets back to you...

"welcome back, sweetheart. how was your trip to jueyun karst?"

HE'S SOFT ALL OVER AGAIN PLEASE KEEP CALLING HIM SWEETHEART!!!

when he learns you're rich just like him... he gets all pouty. his chat, of course, wants to know why.

"... i want to be able to spoil her."

PLEASE HE'S SO IN LOVE WITH YOU <3

[maxwell-grant]

Excuse Me what is pulp and why is it importan?

Good question! And probably one I should have answered sooner. Time to put on the historian hat for this one.

"Pulp" is a term used mainly to describe forms of storytelling that sprang out or were dominant in 20th century cheap all-fiction American magazines from the 1900s to the 1950s. The pulp magazine began in 1896, when Frank Munsey's Argosy magazine, in order to cut costs, dropped the non-fiction articles and photographs and switched from glossy paper to the much less expensive wood pulp paper, hence the name. The pulp magazines would mainly take off as a distinct market and format in 1904, when Street & Smith learned that Popular Magazine, despite being marketed towards boys, was being consumed by men of all ages, so they increased page count and started putting popular authors on the issues.

It was specifically the 1905 reprint of H.Rider Haggard's Ayesha that not only put Street & Smith on the map as rivals to Argosy, but also inspired other companies to start publishing in the pulp format. Pulps encompassed literally everything that the authors felt like publishing. Westerns, romance, horror, sci-fi, railroad stories, war stories, war aviation stories. Zeppelins had a short-lived subgenre. Celebrities got their own magazines, it was really any genre or format they could pull off, anything they could get away with.

Nowadays, although they came quite late in it's history, the American pulps are most famous for it's "hero pulps", characters like The Shadow and Doc Savage that are viewed as a formative influence on comic book superheroes. The pulp magazines in America lasted until the 1950s, when cumulative factors such as paper shortages, diminishing audience returns and the closing of it's biggest publishers led to it dying off, although in the decades since there's always been publishers calling their magazines pulp. That's the American pulp history.

But pulps are a phenomenon that spans the entire world and has a much bigger history to it, because pulps have become synonymous with cheap fiction magazines and those have a much bigger history. In America, before the pulps, you had the dime novels, the direct predecessors of the pulps, as well as the novelettes. England had it's penny dreadfuls and story papers, and continued publishing pulp-format magazines past the American 1950s, and that's how we got Elric of Melniboné. France and Russia arguably got to it first with it's 1800s coulporters, chapbooks and particularly the feuilletons which lasted all the way to the 20th century and created characters such as Arsene Lupin, Fantomas and The Phantom of the Opera. The Germans published pulp under the name hefteromane. Japan also published pulp magazines both original as well as imported, and the current "light-novel" phenomenon started off as an equivalent of pulp magazines (it's even on the Wikipedia page). China has wuxia, Brazil has cordel, Italy has gialli. There were Indian, Persian, Ethiopian, Canadian, Australian pulps and much more. Look anywhere in the world and you'll find examples of "pulp" happening again and again, under different circumstances and time periods.

Even if we stick to American fiction, it's impossible to state that all pulp heroes must come from the 1900s-1950s pulp magazines, because that forces us to exclude some of the most popular pulp heroes like Indiana Jones, Green Hornet, Rocketeer and The Phantom. Pulp may have once been a term meant to refer to pulp magazines exclusively, but it's morphed and lost structure and it's become the closest thing we have to a general umbrella term that allows us to try and consolidate these under a shared history. It's a lot, as you can see, and it's why several pulp historians that broaden their scope outside of 1930s American fiction have adopted Roland Barthes's definition of pulp as "A Metaphor With No Brakes In It", which is still the closest thing to a true working definition we have.

Why is it important? You tell me. I don't like to stake claims about stuff being "important", everyone's got their own priorities in life. Surely a lot of people would scoff at the idea of old populist fiction published in what was functionally equivalent to toilet paper having any sort of "importance". On the other hand, some people definitely want to talk big about the pulps as a cultural bedrock of fiction, something that's baked into the lifeblood of all fiction as we currently know it. Which it is, mind you, but I don't like to talk about pulp fiction's value being derived mainly from merely the things it inspired.

There is definitely a historical importance to be had in cataloguing them. According to the US's foremost pulp researcher Jess Nevins, 38% of all American pulps no longer exist, and 14% of all American pulps survive in less than five copies. Many libraries have very scant, if any, records on them, many collectors are hard to locate and are uncooperative when it comes to sharing information and letting outsiders view their collections. A lot of them are bound up in legal complications that prevents them from taking off in the public domain, and a lot of them ARE public domain but are completely inacessible as research material. And that's the American pulps, foreign pulps have fared far worse in posterity, with records inaccessible to people unfamiliar with the language or locations, many existing merely in mentions on decades-old records, and hundreds if not thousands of them being completely gone beyond recovery or recall.

Gone, dead, wasted, destroyed. They can't be found in barbershops or warehouse or bookstores, not even in antique stores. Hundreds, thousands of characters, stories and creators, gone. Time and posterity have crushed them to dust, forgotten and ignored by their successors. Unfettered by pretenses of respectability that repressed their glossier counterparts, in packages meant to be destroyed after reading, proudly announcing itself as trash. Things that should have never even lasted as long as they did have died many times now. It's heroes peripherical shapeshifters, nearly all of whom seem dead, quite dead, as dead as fictional characters can possibly be.

But they do not die forever. Many of them have, maybe most of them have, but many of them linger on.

"The strange red flickering of 1930’s fiction seems distant now.  You hold in your hand the product of a time too remote to recall, and feel a slow stir of wonder.  The smell of pulp pages, an illustration, an advertisement, these fragile things mark the slow hammering of time and display what it has done.  About you are today’s machines, today’s shadows.

Outside the window, leaves hang against the sky, as did leaves during the 1930’s.  The sound of voices are no different then than now.  You hold the magazine and feel something quite delicate slipping past. These solid forms surrounding you are all insubstantial. Time’s hammer will also pass across them, leaving little enough behind." - Spider, by Robert Sampson

Many of the things people call dead are just things that have been sleeping for a while or haven't had the chance to be born. Pulp fiction is dead on the page, inert, unless your imagination breathes live to it, and every now and then, one way or another, these characters dig themselves out of dustbins. Maybe it's a brief revival, maybe it's a successful reboot. Maybe they find publishers, or maybe the public domain allows them to find new life. Maybe new creators do interesting things with them, and maybe, just maybe, they live again because some won't shut up about them online. Some curious impulse led you to me, did it not? 

We all have our Frankensteins to obsess over, and these are some of mine. As someone who's lived a life perpetually restless over pursuit of knowledge, pulp has lured me like a moth to flame, because I literally never run out of things to discover within it, I never run out of possibilities. As the years pass and the public domain starts being more and more open to the public, more and more narrative real state is brought forth for writers and artists and creators to play around.

Pulp is the dark matter of fiction, the uncatalogued depths of the ocean, the darkest recesses of space. It's the box of your grandfather's belongings, the treasure you find in an attic, a body part sticking out from an old playground. It's the things that don't work, don't succeed, the things that don't fit, that are out of place. That shouldn't live and succeed, and did so anyway. The things that slither in the cracks, the shadows behind the curtain.

Aren't you interested in peering on what's behind the curtain?

The exquisite workmanship of the head, of a pre-pyramidal age, and the hieroglyphics, symbols of a language that was forgotten when Rome was young–these, Kane sensed, were additions as modern to the antiquity of the staff itself as would be English words carved on the stone monoliths of Stonehenge.

As for the cat-head–looking at it sometimes Kane had a peculiar feeling of alteration; a faint sensing that once the pommel of the staff was carved with a different design. The dust-ancient Egyptian who had carved the head of Bast had merely altered the original figure, and what that figure had been, Kane had never tried to guess.

A close scrutiny of the staff always aroused a disquieting and almost dizzy suggestion of abysses of eons, unprovocative to further speculation. - The Footfalls Within, by Robert E Howard, quoted by Stuart Hopen’s The Mythic American Culture

[janecrockeyre]

scum villain is a greek tragedy disguised as a regular tragedy disguised as a comedy disguised as a danmei

this is going to be long, and this is only PART ONE.

a.k.a, Analysing the plot of Scum Villain’s Self Saving System through Aristotle’s Poetics, because I Have Mental Issues

Part One: Introduction and the Tragic Hero

Scum Villain’s Self Saving System is a tragedy disguised as a comedy, unless you’re Shen Yuan, in which case it’s a mixture of a romance and a survival horror. It's a fever dream. It's a horrible, terrible book that made me feel new undiscovered emotions when I finished reading it. 

The thing is... SVSSS shares characteristics with some of the most famous tragedies in the West, such as Oedipus Rex, Medea, Antigone, the Oresteia... if you haven’t read these, I’ll explain everything. But the gist of my argument is this: SVSSS is the perfect tragedy. In triplicate. 

Tragedy as a genre is old as balls and so it has meant slightly different things to different people over the last few thousand years. I'll be focusing on ancient Greek tragedy, which was performed at the yearly Festival of Dionysus in Athens during the 500-350s BC (give or take a hundred years). Aristotle, when writing about this very specific subset of tragedy, had no idea that one day Scum Villain would be written, and then that I would be using his work as a way to look at Shen Qingqiu’s Funky Transmigration Mistake. Anyway!

Greek tragedy greatly influenced European dramatic tradition. I have a lot of opinions about white academics idolising and upholding the classics as the "paragon of culture" but I'll withhold them for now. I have no idea if MXTX has read Greek tragedy or not, so don't take this as me saying they are writing it. 

In my opinion, tragedy is a universal human constant. We are surrounded by pain and hurt and none of it makes any sense, so we seek to process that pain through drama, art, literature, etc. We want to understand why pain happens, and how it happens, and try to make sense of the senseless. The universe is cold and cruel and random. Tragedy eases some of that pain. 

On that note: Just because I am analysing Scum Villain through a Greek lens doesn't mean that it was written that way. I'm pasting an interpretation onto the book when there's probably a very rich and deep history of Chinese tragedy that I just don't know about. If you ever want to talk about that, please, god, hit me up, I would love to learn about it!! 

Anyway, tragedy. MXTX is excellent at it! Mo Dao Zu Shi? Painful dynastic family tragedy. Heaven Official's Blessing? Mostly romance, but she managed to get that pure pain in there, huh? 

But in my opinion, Scum Villain holds the crown for the most tragic of her stories. MDZS was more of a mystery. TGCF was more of a romance. Neither of them shy away from their tragic elements. 

Scum Villain would fit right in between the work of Sophocles, Euripides and Aeschylus. How? Let me show you. Join me on my mystery tour into the world of "Aristotle Analyses Danmei..."

Part One: The Tragic Hero

What is a tragic hero? Generally, Greek tragic heroes are united by the same key characteristics. He must be imperfect, having a "fatal flaw" of some kind. He must have something to lose. And he must go from fortune to misfortune thanks to that fatal flaw. 

There are two (technically three) tragic protagonists in SVSSS and all of them are tragic in different but formulaic ways. Each protagonist has their own version of “hamartia” or a “fatal flaw”. 

Actually, hamartia isn’t necessarily a flaw - rather, it is a thing which makes the audience pity and fear for them, a careful imperfection, a point of weakness in the character’s morality or reasoning that allows for bad things to happen to them. For example, in Oedipus Rex, the king Oedipus has a “fatal flaw” of always wanting to find the truth, but this isn’t exactly a flaw, right? Note: this flaw can be completely unwitting, as we see with Shen Yuan. It can also be something that the protagonist is born with, some kind of trait from birth or very young. 

Shen Yuan

Shen Yuan’s “hamartia” is his rigid adherence to fate and his inability to read a situation as anything but how he thinks it ought to be. He believes that Bingmei will grow into Bingge, and it takes several years, two deaths, and some truly traumatising sex to convince him otherwise. 

Shen Jiu

Shen Jiu’s fatal flaw is his cruelty. It is his own sadistic treatment and abuse of Binghe which directly leads to his eventual dismemberment. This is kind of a no-brainer. Of course, it isn't all that simple, and as an audience we pity him for his cruelty as much as we fear it because we know it comes from his own abuse as a child. This just makes him even more tragic. Delicious. 

Luo Binghe

Luo Binghe’s fatal flaw is a complicated mix of things. It is his position as the “protagonist” which compels him to act in certain ways and be forced to suffer. It is his half-demonic heritage, something entirely out of his control, which sets in motion his tragic reversal of fortune when he gets yeeted into the Abyss. He also, much like Shen Yuan, has the propensity to jump to conclusions and somehow make 2 + 2 = 5. 

As well as having their respective “flaws”, all three protagonists match the rough outline of a good tragic hero in another way: they are in a position of great wealth and power. Even when you split the different characters into different “versions”, this still holds true. Yes, Luo Binghe is raised a commoner by a washerwoman foster mother, but his dad is an emperor and he also ends up becoming an emperor himself. 

Yes, Shen Jiu is an ex-slave and a victim of abuse himself, but Shen Qingqiu is a powerful peak lord with an entire mountain’s worth of resources at his back. 

Shen Yuan is a second generation new money rich kid. 

Bingge is a stereotypical protagonist with a golden finger. Bingmei is a treasured and loved disciple with a good reputation and a privileged seat by his shizun’s side. 

In a tragedy, having this kind of good fortune at the beginning of your story is dangerous. Chaucer says that tragedy is (badly translated into modern english) “a certain story / of him that stood in great prosperity / and falls out of high degree / into misery, and ends up wretchedly”. If we follow this line of thinking, a good tragedy is about someone who has a lot to lose, losing everything because of one fatal point of weakness that they fail to address or understand. 

If we look at Shakespeare, this is what makes King Lear such a fantastic tragic protagonist. He is a king in control of most of England, who from his own lack of wisdom and excess of pride, decides to split his kingdom apart to give to his daughters, favouring his murderous, double crossing progeny, and condemning his only actually filial daughter to death. He loses his kingdom, his mind, and his beloved daughter, all because of his own stupidity.

This brings us to:

Part Two: Peripeteia

This reversal of fortunes is called peripeteia. It is the moment where the entire plot shifts, and the hero’s fortunes go from good to bad. Think of it like one of those magic eye puzzles, where you stare at the image until a 3D shark appears, except you realise the shark was always there, you just couldn't ever see it, waiting for you, hungry, deadly, always lurking just behind that delightful pattern of random blue squiggles. 

Each tragic hero has their own moment of peripeteia in SVSSS, sometimes several:

Shen Qingqiu

In the original PIDW, SQQ’s peripeteia presumably occurs when he finds out that Bingge didn’t perish in the Abyss but has actually been training hard to come and pay him back. There’s really not much I’m interested in saying here - as a villain, OG!SQQ is cut and dry, and the audience doesn’t really feel any pity or fear for him. As Shen Yuan often mentions, what the audience feels when they see OG!SQQ is bloodlust and sick satisfaction. There is also the trial at Huan Hua Palace, which I will talk about in Shen Yuan’s section. 

Shen Yuan (SQQ 2.0)

One of SY’s most poggers moment of peripeteia is the glorious, terrifying section between hearing Binghe for the first time after the Abyss moment, and getting shoved into the Water Prison. 

“Behind him, a low and soft voice came: “Shizun?”

Shen Qingqiu’s neck felt stiff as he slowly turned his head. Luo Binghe’s face was the most frightening thing he had ever seen.

The scariest thing about it was that the expression on his face was not cold at all. His smile wasn’t sharp like a knife. Rather, it showed a kind of bone-deep gentleness and amiability.”

This is the moment of true horror for Shen Yuan, because he knows what happens next: the plot unfurls before him, inevitable and painful, and he knows that death awaits him at Luo Binghe's hands (lol). Compare it with the bone deep certainty with which he faces his own downfall during the sham of a trial later in the chapter (I’ve bolded the important part):

“In the original work, Qiu Haitang’s appearance signified only one thing: Shen Qingqiu’s complete fall from grace. [...] Shen Qingqiu’s heart streamed with tears. Great Master… I know you’re doing this for my own good, but I’ll actually suffer if she speaks her words clearly. This truly is the saying “not frightened of doing a shameful deed, just afraid the ghost (consequences) will come knocking”!”

After the peripeteia is usually the denouement where the plot wraps up and the threads are all tied together leaving no loose ends, but because this tragedy isn’t Shen Yuan’s but the former Shen Jiu’s, it’s impossible to finish. 

Shen Yuan cannot provide the meaningful answers that the narrative demands because 1) he doesn’t have any memory of doing anything, and 2) he wasn’t the person who did them. Narratively, he cannot follow the same path as the former SQQ because he lacks the same fatal flaw: cruelty. 

This is why Binghe doesn’t kill him - because he loves him, rather than despises him. And this is why Shen Yuan has to sacrifice himself and die for Luo Binghe in order to save him from Xin Mo: because the narrative demands that denouement follows peripeteia, and SQQ’s fate is in the hands of the narrative. 

(Side note: I believe that this literal death also represents the death of OG!SQQ's tragic arc. The body that committed all those crimes must die to satisfy the narrative. SQQ must die, like burning down a forest, so that new growth can sprout from the ashes. After this, Shen Yuan's story has more room to develop instead.)

It must happen to show Bingmei that SQQ loves him too. And this brings us to Bingmei.

Bingmei

Bingmei has two succinct moments of utter downfall. The first is a literal fall - his flaw, his demonic heritage, leads his beloved shizun to throw him down into the Abyss. From his point of view, SQQ is punishing him simply for the status of his birth. He rapidly goes from being loved and cherished unconditionally, to being the victim of an assassination attempt. 

He realises that he is totally unlovable: that for the crimes of his species that he never had a hand in, he must pay the price as well: that his shizun is so righteous that no matter what love there was between them, if SQQ sees a demon, he will kill it. Even if that demon is Bingmei. 

The second moment is when SQQ dies for him. Again, from his point of view, he was chasing after a man who was struggling to see him as a human being. Shen Qingqiu’s death makes Bingmei realise that he has been completely misunderstanding his shizun: that SQQ would literally die for him, the ultimate act of self sacrifice from love: that SQQ loved him despite his demon heritage. 

Much like King Lear holding the corpse of his daughter and wailing in sheer grief and pain because he did this, he caused this, Bingmei gets to hold his shizun's cold body and cry his eyes out and know that it was his fault. (Kind of.)

(Yes, I’m bringing Shakespeare into this, no I am not justifying myself)

Maybe I'm a bit sadistic, but that scene slaps. Let me show you a comparison of scenes so you get the picture. 

Re-enter KING LEAR, with CORDELIA dead in his arms; EDGAR, Captain, and others following

KING LEAR

Howl, howl, howl, howl! O, you are men of stones:

Had I your tongues and eyes, I'ld use them so

That heaven's vault should crack. She's gone for ever!

I know when one is dead, and when one lives;

She's dead as earth. Lend me a looking-glass;

If that her breath will mist or stain the stone,

Why, then she lives.

[...]

 KING LEAR

And my poor fool is hang'd! No, no, no life!

Why should a dog, a horse, a rat, have life,

And thou no breath at all? Thou'lt come no more,

Never, never, never, never, never!

Pray you, undo this button: thank you, sir.

Do you see this? Look on her, look, her lips,

Look there, look there!

Dies

Versus this scene in SVSSS: 

Luo Binghe turned a deaf ear to everything else, greatly agitated and at a loss of what to do. He was still holding Shen Qingqiu’s body, which was rapidly cooling down. It seemed like he wanted to call for him loudly and forcefully shake him awake, yet he didn’t dare to, as if he was afraid of being scolded. He said slowly, “Shizun?”

[...]

Luo Binghe involuntarily held Shen Qingqiu closer.

He said in a small voice, “I was wrong, Shizun, I really… know that I was wrong.

“I… I didn’t want to kill you…”

PAIN. SO MUCH BEAUTIFUL PAIN. Yes, I know Shakespeare isn’t Athenian, but he was inspired by the good old stuff and he also knew how to write a perfect tragedy on his own terms. Anyway. I’ll find more Greek examples later.

This post was a bit all over the place, but I hope it has been fun to read. Part Two will be coming At Some Point, Who Knows When. This is a bit messy and unedited, but hey, I’m not getting paid or graded, so you can eat any typos or errors. Unless you’re here to talk to me about Chinese tragedy, in which case, please pull up a seat, let me get you a drink, make yourself at home.

ps: if you want to retweet this, here is the promo tweet!