#anyway joe took his own advice. the end.

[pharawee]

Just go back and finish your plan.

[askcalvinfischoeder]

Backstory Headcanons For: Calvin Fischoeder #1

Calvin Fischoeder's Full Name Is Calvin Elias Fischoeder Jr Having A Name Ending With Jr Wasn't Particularly A Fact He Took Much Amusement Or Enjoyment In, Nor Was He Fond Of Being Called Junior When He And His Father Were In The Same Room Together, No Matter How Much He Adored And Respected Him. Even Though Legally He Isn't "The Second", He Decided That He Would Rather Be Referred To As The Second. As An Adult, While His Father Still Lived, He Would Always Introduce Himself As Calvin Fischoeder The Second And First Born Son. Junior Was Not Exactly His Most Commonly Used Nickname Either As Many People Leaned Towards A More Affectionate Sounding Cal And In Much Rarer Instances Then Both, Vinnie. Out Of All The Nicknames From His Childhood, He Prefers The Usage Of Cal Over Them All, As Cal Has A More Personal Value Behind It.

Back When Calvin Had Two Eyes, He Had Heterochromia, Which Is In Most Circumstances Unharmful To The Person And Their Sight. What Heterochromia Does Is Basically Effect The Coloration Of Your Eyes, In That It Makes Them Possess Multiple Colors Or Be A Completely Different Color In Themselves. His Left Eye Is A Really Light, Beautiful, Blue And His Right Eye Was A Stunning Forest Green. It Was Deeper In Color And Contrasted The Blue Eye. When He Was Younger, His Eyes Were A Trait About Himself He Felt Self Conscious Of. The Reason Was For How They Contrasted One Another And How One Was Dark, When Calvin Much Preferred Lighter Colors, Pastel And Colors Close Too It. Having This Darkly Colored Eye Ruined His Sense Of Perfection And Though He No Longer Strives For It, As He Believes Himself To Be Perfect And Wonderful As It Is, During The Time Period In Which He Grew Up And Coming From Wealth, Being Absolutely Perfect And "Pure" Was A Must.

Calvin Fischoeder Senior Or Back In The Day, The Original Mr.Fischoeder, While Neglectful Of His Children's Needs By Accident Due To His Honest Working And Business Centric Lifestyle, Still Placed Great Care Into Them And When He Was Around, Often Said Phrases And Gave Out Good Advice. This Didn't Stop Calvin From Seeking His Fathers Attention, As It Was Something He Craved Since Felix Was Often Stealing Their Mother And By All Accounts Was Obviously And More Vocally Her Favorite. This Attention Seeking Nature Is Ultimately What Started Calvin's Lifelong Love Of Theater And Music, As Him Performing Always Seemed To Capture His Fathers Attention And His Immediate Approval, Even For A Second. Soon Enough, He Wrote His Own Songs And Lyrics, Then Expanded His Horizons Outside Of Piano. Though To This Day, Piano Will Always Remain Calvin's Favorite, Since It Makes Him Feel Genuinely Close To His Father, Who Is Now Deceased.

Calvin Is 63 Years Old, Born On December 4th, 1959. He Used To Brag About Having Two Christmases As A Child And Receiving More Gifts, As His Christmas Was Combined With His Birthday, Which Meant Over Double Of What His Young Brother Felix Had Been Getting. His Favorite Toys Back In The Year 1965, Were His: Ride On Horse And Buggy, His Archery Set, Honda Pedal Bike|Pedal Cars (If He Were To Tire Of His Rideable Horse), Tinker Toys Construction Sets And His Stormbecker Slot Racing Cars But Above All, Calvin Really Enjoyed His Electric Organ, Even Before He Knew How To Make Music. Pressing The Keys And Hearing The Sound Come Out Brought And Ensured His Own Happiness. GI-Joes Were Also A Toy Of Interest But Certainly Were Not His Favorites! Felix Kind Of Ruined All Of His GI-Joe Figures Anyways, Which Taught Calvin A Lesson In Allowing His Brother To Borrow His Things Unsupervised From An Early Age

Calvin Came From A Family Of German Immigrants. His Father Came To America In Order To Expand On His Wealth And To Become Rich. Wonder Wharf Is About 17 Years Older Then Calvin, Being Around 80 Years Old And Having Been Owned At One Point By His Father. So Calvin Must've Spent His Life Growing Up In Or Around The Wealthy Areas Of Seymour's Bay, Before Gaining Ownership Of Many Buildings/Businesses Within The Town. Wonder Wharf Was Built At Around 1946, Very Early 1947. His Father Is Fluent In English, However Other Languages Were Taught To His Children By Tutors. Calvin's Native Tongue Is Hard To Say, As In The House He Spoke German And Outside Of It He Spoke English, He Is Equally Efficient In Both Languages. One Other Language He Speaks Is Chinese.

Border Credit: Kawaii-lau

[cosmic-waves7]

What I send before, Cherry blossom from Sk8 Infinity meets and fall in love with a mysterious male skater who is incredibly buff and is build like a tank and skates shirtless but has an extremely beautiful feminine face with silky long hair and beautiful eyelashes; has to wears a mask in order to hide it similar to Inosuke from Demon Slayer. And his personality would be extremely loud, has a very violent temper, has a bad attitude and cusses a lot, but secretly likes flowers, cats, and pups 🐶

Note: I'm so sorry for being late, also this kind of reminds me of shadow lol, anyway enjoy bub.

(・∀・)

Well you're quite the package deal, aren't you?

A little bit of everything.

With your loud aggressive but loving nature always nagging at Langa, Reki and Miya when it came to skating and other little things they came to you for advice on.

"I don't get this move."

"WELL, FOR ONE YOU'RE NOT BENDING YOUR FUCKING KNEES RIGHT-"

You're kind of a lightly violent but encouraging parent.

Tough love really.

ಥ‿ಥ

Okay so maybe the cussing and temper took a while to get used to since cherry is quite put together and a bit formal with his talk.

But he still loves you anyway.

It just took a while to get accustomed to your ''No-funny-business-or- I'll-fuck-you-over" attitude.

(^～^;)ゞ

You bring out a bit of flare from him at times.

He's a bit more lively when you're around.

And races between you are always intense, you're both keeping count of how many times you've one upped the other.

He always gets a thoroughly enjoyed thrill when skating with you, it's almost addicting.

Everyone at S either ships you together or kind of just assumed you're togther.

Everyone's surprised about how you rub off a little on Karou in his daily attitude, it's subtle but it's there.

Oh you Kojiro and Shadow get along swimmingly.

You and Joe always compare muscles and butt-heads together jokingly.

(｡•̀ᴗ-)✧

At first you would both annoy each other by calling the other a copy cat.

"You're fucking copying my outfit, asshole."

"As if, I've been skating longer than you and I've always dressed like this."

It's all fun and games though and you race with him plenty, the crowd always goes wild for the both of you tank like men.

sometimes you even gang up to tease Cherry.

Joe is always the one who ends up scolded not you for some odd reason. 🤔

Kojiro's definitely gonna pick on Karou for this one, he's not letting him live his crush down.

Shadow's kind of taken you under his wing, you're both very much alike when it's skating time and he thinks you're mask looks sick.

Has even offered to to share drinks, which is obviously his way of abseloute life long friendship.

Don't worry you both go out to a pub eventually.

(ㆁωㆁ)

None of them ask about who you are even when in S, they found each other out of S by chance, personal knowing and the very weak disguises they have for skating.

Maybe the younger ones have pestered you about it a couple times but they know when to draw a line.

When they're off from skating no one can find you.

Only thing they can remember is your hair that would spill out of buns you'd put it in during races, other than that your face was fully concealed.

Cherry was completely enamoured and very curious on who you were.

He even tried asking Carla for more intel on you but came up with abseloutly nothing, you cover your tracks well.

So imagine his surprise when bumping into you for a random trip at an animal shelter. 〜(꒪꒳꒪)〜

The rest of the group, even you have been nagging him to get a pet since all who he speaks to at home is his AI.

You even told him you'd hook him up to a shelter you know.

Little did he know, you owned that very same shelter as well.

He caught onto who you were right off the bat, mask or not you aren't a person people can miss with your boisterously energetic confident nature.

The moment he walked in, Once glance at your face and he went stock still.

That couldn't be you.

Right?

He'd always thought that somone like you would have a slightly more firm face, maybe structured a bit sharper.

He can't say that the soft femininity didn't add a little charm to you. He honeslty thought your were still very much handsome, stunning to look at.

This man is whipped I tell you.

ƪ(˘⌣˘)ʃ

The moment you lock eyes he thought he'd see some form of surprise or fury but all he saw was recognition.

You knew he would be there.

You wanted him to see you.

Karou had never felt more honoured in his life, no calligraphy exhibition or skating race could compare to this feeling.

"Well, you're really late. Come on, I have a feeling you'll like kittens."

(‘◉⌓◉’)

Well, this has taken quite the turn of events.

He definitely didn't expect to find himself sitting on articifial grass in the middle of one of the rooms where precious kittnens played and scratched at toys, with you across from him.

You had settled three sleepy kittens onto his lap that dozed off with their pink mouths opened adorably and their soft paws in the air.

It's like your personality completely switched, you were much more soft spoken with the little creatures, gentle and patient even if they scratched you, your usual demnour melted away to somone more soothing and maybe slightly silly.

(づ｡◕‿‿◕｡)づ

There you were, cross legged infront of him and showing him how to bottle feed the furry little animal.

"Have you listened to anything I said."

No. No he hasn't.

He's to busy torn between swooning over you and being completely flabbergasted.

By the end of the little session you both had, he'd settled for the cute little runt of the litter which you we're very much proud of the choice.

"Everyone needs a bit of love, their strength shouldn't decide how much love they should be given."

And as you shooed off the receptionist off to a break to do the adoption paper work yourself, Cherry finally picked up the confidence for something he waited a long time to do.

"Want to go for coffee after this?"

This was worded much better in his head, he swears.

(｡ŏ﹏ŏ)

As he's thinking about all the ways you're gonna cuss him out and get him to leave the shelter, maybe even smack him, his jaw drops at your answer.

"About damn time Cherry." You hissed at him "You are so clueless. Forget coffee, pick me up at 7 pm tomorrow from here idiot."

What? (@_@)

"Also I prefer Carnations for flowers so get those."

You're just full of surprises.

Guess he's got a date tomorrow, and he can't wait.

😌👌

[vinvantae]

ᴛᴡɪɴ ꜰʟᴀᴍᴇ

Part 18/25

<< Previous Part

Rating - Mature

Warnings - Explicit language, alcohol, mentions of sex

***********************************************

The music was loud and you could feel the bass running through your body as you danced with your friends. Everyone, no matter what team, was high off the buzz of Mclaren’s win and the constant flow of alcohol coming from the open bar.

You watched fondly as everyone gushed over your boyfriend; the biggest smile on his handsome face. It made you feel so proud to watch him relish in this, in his win. He was positively glowing and when his eyes met yours from across the room you could practically feel your heart swelling.

“So uh, I’ve got a couple of things I’d like to say to all of you. Not often I get to be in a room surrounded by all my favourite people like this.” He smiled, nodding to his parents who were across the room who held their glasses up to him. “These past few years haven’t been the easiest for me, I’ve had my fair share of race results that I’m not proud of and plenty of nights wondering if I’d ever get to have this winning feeling again.”

He let out a shaky breath so you squeezed his hand, earning a soft smile.

“Leaving Redbull is one of the hardest things I’ve ever done, especially because I had to leave this one behind.” He brought your hand up to his lips and kissed the back of it sweetly. “But I feel like I’ve finally found my new home at McLaren and I can’t wait to see where the rest of the season takes us. Cheers!”

A chorus of cheers and the sounds of glasses twinkling filled the air. Your boyfriend looked at you with a fondness that you’d grown to love and pressed a tender kiss to your forehead. “Mum and Dad wanna see you. They’ve missed you.”

You nodded and let him lead you over to Joe and Grace - alongside your parents they’d practically raised you, so when his Mum pulled you in for a hug you felt so relaxed. “Hi Grace, I’ve missed you.”

“Oh my sweet girl. I’ve missed you as well.” She cooed, rubbing your back. “I hear you two finally got your acts together. Took you long enough.”

Your cheeks heated up. “I’m sorry you had to suffer through all of that. But I’m the happiest I’ve been in such a long time.”

“I just remember, when you were about 13 and Dan had a girlfriend and you just couldn’t understand why you were so upset by it and all I wanted to do was grab you by the shoulders, give you a good shake and tell you that it’s because you liked him.” She chuckled fondly. “But I knew you had to figure it out on your own.”

“I’m sure you weren’t expecting it to take another 15 or so years though.” You laughed softly.

“True but you’ve got each other now and I couldn’t be happier.”

“Did he tell you I’m moving to the ranch with him when we get back?” You looked up at Dan as he looped his arm around your waist to pull you closer. “I know we’ve only been dating a short while but-“

“Oh that doesn’t matter.” She dismissed you. “You basically lived there anyway. Your relationship isn’t ever going to be based on time because you’ve had this connection for so long. I know advice is always to take it slow but I’m fully supportive of you two diving straight in the deep end. There’s no girl better for Dan than you, y/n.”

“G-grace-“ Your bottom lip wobbled, you could feel the tears threatening to fall.

Joe put a hand on your shoulder and gave it a gentle squeeze, turning your attention to him. “I’ll be honoured to one day be your father-in-law.”

“Dad! You’re making her cry.” Dan’s voice was soft and fond as he wiped a tear off your cheek.

“Sorry, I just…” You sniffled, wiping your eyes. “I didn’t realise how badly I wanted to hear those things from you two y’know?”

“As far as I’m concerned, y/n, you’re already part of this family.” Joe continued. “Whether or not Daniel makes it official by putting a ring on it.”

“Dad, we’ve only been dating for a short while!” Your boyfriend blushed.

“As your mother said, time isn’t important. This girl is something special - not many people find the other half of their soul.”

“Their twin flame. That’s what y/n’s mum and I always called the pair of you.”

You looked up at Dan almost in sync with him looking at you. He smiled softly and pressed a soft kiss to your forehead before meeting your eyes; you could almost feel yourself melting under the warm glow of the amber. “Those two are right melts, aren’t they?”

“Absolutely.” You giggled softly, smiling as he leant in to kiss you tenderly, his hand cupping your cheek.

“Right, since this party is all about me, my lady and I are gonna go talk to other people before you two turn into wheels of cheese.” Dan hugged both of his parents tight. “Thank you both so much for coming out this weekend.”

“It’s like we knew, dear.” Grace chuckled, rubbing his back. “Go have fun.”

The Australian beamed and the pair of you made your way around the room - making sure to stop and talk to everyone who wanted to congratulate Dan. While your boyfriend was a social butterfly, the party was a little draining for you so you decided to settle yourself in a quieter corner with a drink.

Your teammate found you very quickly, also not being one for big crowds - it had taken a lot of convincing for Christian to allow you and Max to come to a McLaren party. You knew it was okay really but your boss was such a pain in the arse he liked to pretend he had power over your social life as well.

“You alright? Surprised you’re not glued to Dan’s hip.”

“Getting a bit much. My social battery is starting to run low.” You smiled tiredly, taking a sip of your drink. “I just needed a little quiet.”

“I can go if you want?”

“No no. You’re okay. How are you feeling? I know it’s hard for you to separate your feelings about the race to be happy for him.” You were worried about the Dutchman because he had ended up on top of Lewis, he was the only one to get the penalty - despite, to you, it seemed both parties were to blame.

He shrugged and took a swig of his beer. “Dan’s my best friend, I want to be happy for him… hell, I am happy for him but all I can think about is the next race.”

“You’ll be back on the podium, Max, don’t worry. This is your year.” You squeezed his forearm and he gave you a soft smile.

“Thanks y/n.” He looked over to Dan. “It’s been so long since I’ve seen him like this… I almost feel a little guilty for it. If it wasn’t for me-“

“Hey. Hey. Don’t think that way; it was Christian who made the environment toxic for him. He needed away from Redbull. Thankfully McLaren has been good for him, especially the second half of the season.”

Your younger friend smiled softly and the two of you chatted away quietly between yourselves for a while as the party slowly began to wind down. Most of the McLaren staff filtered out first, just leaving a couple of the drivers behind. Dan made sure to say goodbye to his parents as they were heading home in the morning but his attention was yours again before you knew it - his large hands finding their regular home on your waist.

“Hey pretty girl.” He purred softly. “Having a good time?”

“More so now you’re here.” You smiled, looking over your shoulder at him. He kissed you.

“You two really are gross aren’t you?” Max chuckled, a hint of fondness in his voice. “Get a room.”

“Oh Max, my sweet boy. You have no idea just how gross we can be.” Dan smirked. “The things I’m gonna do to her tonight…”

You blushed so dark and Max recoiled, nose scrunching up. “I’m gonna vomit.”

“Mate, don’t get me started. I had a close up view of their display on the podium.” Lando appeared behind Max, a beer in his hand. “We’re happy for you but don’t make us witness it.”

“I’m sorry.” You giggled softly, your boyfriend’s hands running up and down your sides. “I have no control over him, as much as I’d like to pretend I do.”

“Do we need to get a spray bottle for him? Because I absolutely will.” Lando laughed. “Down boy.”

As much as you were enjoying Dan’s attention; his wandering hands had also drawn unwanted eyes over to you - Alex and Pierre. Your former flame and not-so-secret admirer were watching the show unfold from across the room. You met Pierre’s eyes and he quirked a teasing brow at you, a smirk on his handsome face. Was he flirting with you while your boyfriend felt you up? Your gaze then went to Alex; you couldn’t read his expression - it was almost blank and it made you very uneasy.

“Baby girl… they can watch all they want but they can’t touch.” Dan chuckled in your ear. You looked back over your shoulder at him and smiled sweetly.

“I know, Danny.” Your voice was soft, sweet. You didn’t want to rile him up anymore than he already was, considering who was watching. “Can we save this for when we’re in private? I love you but I feel a little uncomfy doing this in front of them.”

You were worried he’d be annoyed but he nodded and gave you a tender kiss on the forehead. “Of course. I’m sorry, I’ve been pushing your limits a little too far today. You know I’ve always been a little bit of an exhibitionist.”

“Oh really?” You spoke, voice thick with sarcasm. “You? An exhibitionist? Never.”

He narrowed his eyes playfully at you and you giggled - you were well aware of how willing the man was to get naked for a dare. Or to swim… or just any excuse really. But you were a lot more private than him and you’d found out recently that he was eager to test how far you’d let him go in public.

“I’m glad she’s not like you, mate.” Lando spoke up, a teasing grin on his face. “She balances you out.”

“And by that” Max added. “He means she stops you getting your dick out just for laughs. Y/n, did he tell you about the time I was in a virtual conference call and Dan just stood in front of me with his nuts out and expected me not to laugh in front of Christian.”

It was now Dan who was blushing. “You looked bored. Dicks are funny.”

“Oh so if Max is bored during a conference with Christian next time, should I just get my tits out then?”

“Absolutely.” “Don’t even think about it.”

The two men spoke in sync and before you could say another word, Dan was chasing Max around the bar - the Dutchman laughing wildly. Lando lent across the table to whisper. “If you get ‘em out; make sure I’m there too, yeah?”

“Lando, you coward.” You giggled, amused he didn’t say it in front of your boyfriend - who currently had his former teammate in a headlock. “You just don’t want that to be you, do you?”

“Absolutely not.” He chuckled. “Only a few more months until we get to go home.”

“I’ve not been home since March… I’m so tired.”

“You should’ve gone home during the summer break but you were so focused on making sure we were all happy…” He gave your hand a gentle squeeze. “We’ve got two weeks before Russia; why don’t you go home for a couple of days? You and Dan.”

“It’s a lot of faff to go to Australia…”

“It’ll be worth it.”

Dan and Max returned to the table; the Dutchman was very red in the face from being tackled by your boyfriend. “What are we talking about?”

“I was saying y/n and Dan should go home for a couple days. We’ve got two weeks until Russia and I think it’d be good for them.” Lando said, smiling fondly at you.

“I’d like that.” Dan’s voice was soft. “Couple days on the farm would be nice. Can see Olive and Bear.”

You smiled privately - Olive and Bear were your pets back home. You missed them so much. Bear was your dog - an Alaskan malamute - and he was your best buddy to go on hikes with, so loyal. Olive was your sweet little calico kitty, she was the snuggliest cat you’d ever met and spent most of her time being carried around like a baby. “I do miss my little fur babies.”

“I miss them too. We should go… even just for the weekend. I know it’s a long flight but-“

“There’s no place like home right?”

“Alright, Dorothy, let’s go back to Oz.”

***************************************************

Next Part >>

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[paradoxunknown]

The Crown & The Collar Chapter 2

**Few things: Please note that this may not be word for word with what happens and certain events may be altered - I’ll try my best to follow the storyline(s) as best I can. Also please be aware this story is going to have some kayfabe elements bleed over backstage and into “real life” - this is by no means a reflection of a wrestler's real life character or actions. Thank you**

Word count: 4828

Any warnings: **Please be aware that this chapter discusses some triggering things/touchy subjects for some like body image & snarky comments about weight (are made to Kit); nothing is explicitly stated about EDs or such, just alluded to. Remember to take care of yourselves.**

Unofficial official tag list: @wrasslesmut @sassymox @elkitot @wrasslesmutreplies @starwithaheart

Chapter 2: Exploring the Kingdom

After Extreme Rules and the conversation with her father Kit had felt better. Her dad didn’t judge, only offered advice and gave words of praise on her debut. They ended the their long phone call with their usual ‘I love yous’ before she met Bryan and Brie in his locker room and then they split for the night; the trio going to their own hotel rooms to rest and prepare for RAW the next day.

The next morning the Brit woke up early, getting dressed and ready for the gym. Grabbing her water bottle from the small fridge she had placed in it the night before she scooped up her hotel key and headphones, slipping out of the room and making her way down to the gym, yawning as she woke herself up more.

Throwing herself in her workout, she didn’t realize the time until her phone buzzed with a text from Brie asking about breakfast. The question made her slow down on the treadmill before she responded to the brunette that she would be ready to join her and Nikki in about 30 minutes.

As she slowed to a complete stand still, she stepped off the equipment with a sigh, rolling her shoulders as she took some deep breaths to calm her loud huffs. After taking out her headphones, she reached for her water bottle and took a chug of water as she read Brie’s reply. The gym door opened, gaining Kit’s attention from drinking her water.

As she made eye contact with Jon, she internally groaned as she settled for a stiff nod towards him and his two companions, Colby and Joe as her greeting.

“Gents.” She muttered softly around the bottle, chugging some more water before pulling it away from her lips.

“Princess.” Jon replied, smirking as the Brit rolled her eyes.

“Don’t.” Kit warned, adjusting her headphones and water bottle in her hands. “It’s too early for this now.”

“Fiesty, fiesty.” He mocked back, amusement clearly lighting his face.

“I haven’t had my coffee yet.” The auburn haired woman warned. “Tread lightly, mutt.”

“Easy Kitty Kat.” The Ohio native said, holding up his hands with a smirk. “No need to bare your claws. We just came to get a workout in.”

“Uh..do you care if we have our music playing on speaker?” Colby asked, looking between the two amused.

“No, not at all.” She said, shaking her head. “Besides, I’m getting ready to head out anyways.” She added with a smile.

“Leaving so soon?” Jon cut in, raising an eyebrow.

“Well, I’ve been here since 6 this morning…it’s 8 now.” Kit answered with a shrug. “Plus, I’d like to eat at some point today. But don’t worry, Pup.” She leaned up and patted his cheek condescendingly. “I’ll be there to make your life chaotic on RAW. Don’t worry your demented head about it Poppet.”

“Hm don’t miss me too much, Princess.” He retorted, smirking down at her before she pulled away from him and turned to walk away.

“Not even in your dreams.” Kit shot back at him over her shoulder as she left the gym, feeling his eyes following her until she was completely out of sight.

“Dude.” Colby laughed out, nudging Jon as Kit disappeared. “Oh, you got it bad.”

“Got what bad?” Jon scoffed, rolling his eyes as he looked at his two-toned companion.

“You like her.” The man shot back, tone as if he stated the most obvious thing in the world.

“I do not-.”

“Oh please, you’ve been hitting her with those goo-goo eyes since FCW.” Joe cut in with a smirk, sitting down on the weight press bench. “Probably before that too.”

“You two are out of your minds. And that’s coming from me.” The self proclaimed lunatic fridge said to the two. “It’s fun messing with her. That’s it.”

“Uh huh.” Both Colby and Joe said in tandem, lips pursed in amusement at Jon’s defensiveness.

“I don’t!” Jon said, huffing as the two laughed at him. “Fuck off you two.” He hissed, making the two laugh harder as he walked away to start his workout, the loud echoes of Colby and Joe’s laughter following him as he did.

~~~~~

After breakfast with Brie and Nikki and spending a few hours, Kit left them to their own devices, heading to the arena to meet up with Bryan to just run the ropes and settle in before RAW. Dropping off her bag in a locker room she’d found far away from the buzz of the others, she shuffled down the hall and down the ramp, grinning at Bryan in the ring with John.

“Hey Kiddo.” John said warmly as she climbed into the ring. “Great to see you again!”

“Hey yourself Champ.” Kit said back, hugging the current title holder tightly. “Brilliant match last night.”

“Thank you.” He said, patting her back as they pulled back. “It was great to see you in that ring again.”

“Couldn’t let Bry get beat down.” She shrugged, laughing as the mentioned man playfully tugged her into a headlock. “Hey! Knock it you numpty.”

“Oh, it’s going to be like that?” Bryan laughed as Kit wriggled from his hold to lock him in a headlock of her own.

“Yeah it is.” The auburn haired woman laughed, tightening her hold playfully as he backed her up into the ropes. “You wanna make this a match, Bry? We can.” She added as he started to wriggle more with a laugh.

“I’d rather just warm up and work on some holds.” He laughed, shaking his head.

“I’ve got to head out anyways. I’ll see you guys backstage, I told Nicole I’d meet her for a late lunch.” John said, saying goodbye to the three.

“She’s super excited for it.” Kit called out as John walked up the ramp. “Have fun!” Her voice carrying through the arena drew attention to the ring, making her shrug and turn back to Bryan.

“Wanna work on some move sets?” She asked him with a smile.

“Yeah, let’s do it.” Bryan replied, nodding. “Wanna run the ropes first?”

“Please.” The Brit nodded, leaning against the ropes. “Let me toss my jumper and I’ll be back in.” As she slipped out of the ring and jumped down, she was met with the Shield talking to Stephaine, Hunter, and Randy.

“Gents. Stephaine.” Kit said politely as she shrugged off her jacket and placed it by Bryan’s water bottle.

“Princess.” Jon shotback with a smirk, making her roll her eyes.

“You running ropes?” Hunter cut in, stopping the two from escalating.

“Yeah, it’s a nice warm up and plus, I always feel better once I get a feel for the ring.” Kit answered, nodding. “So excuse me.” She politely said as she slipped away from the conversation.

“What was that about?” Bryan mumbled to her as she slid back in the ring.

“Just Moxley starting ruckus and Hunter stopping it.” The Brit said back softly as she bounced against the rope. “So, ready to run?” She asked, changing the subject.

“Yeah, you start?” He offered. “I’ll run opposite and we’ll go from there?”

“Sounds like a plan to me.” Kit agreed, shooting off the ropes to begin to run them.

After a few times of her bouncing between the ropes, Bryan joined her and the two zipped past each other as their movements seamless as they bounced from side to side of the ring.

“Meet in the middle to start the move set?” Bryan asked over the echo of the ropes, keeping his pace. “We’ll start with a slip under a clothesline into a drop kick and call some moves from there?”

“Works for me.” She responded, meeting him in the middle to start their sequence.

Grabbing her arm, Bryan used the momentum they had built to toss Kit against the opposite side of the ropes she’d been running. He lunged forward to perform a clothesline that missed because she ducked under it, stopping her own speed short to jump up and connect a drop kick to Bryan as he turned to grab her again.

As he fell to the mat, she jumped up from the mat and over him, allowing him to flip over to his stomach and push himself up in time to slip under her forward pushing momentum and twist her arm into a hold, stopping her short in the middle of the ring.

Kit grunted as Bryan put more pressure on her shoulder, leaning forward to try to relieve some of it. As she bent forward, he had to move up to keep the hold, making the auburn haired woman slam her foot down against his boots to shock him into releasing the grip.

Bryan dropped the hold with a yelp, stumbling back as he shook out his foot. His momentary distraction from the redhead gave her enough time to set up for a super kick, leg shooting forward to connect to the underside of his jaw and making him fall flat.

As he dropped Kit playfully scrambled for the cover, hissing in annoyance as Bryan kicked out at a 1 ½ count. Jumping up, they both made it to their feet, laughing at one another as they lunged again.

“Fuck.” She yelped as she felt the bearded man wrap her up in headlock, taking down the rest of her body to the mat to complete the move.

“Sucker.” Bryan teased, tightening the hold playfully as he released one hand momentarily to ruffle her hair, messing up the curls.

“You asshole.” The Brit laughed out, sloping blindly as she tried to get out of the hold.

As she flailed, her hands found his nose before she yanked at it playfully, making a honking noise that a fake clown nose would make. The action made Bryan laugh as well, letting go of his hold as he laid against the mat, the two of them laughing loudly at themselves, not caring how they looked.

“Um, are you two going to play around and hog the ring all day or are you going to give it to people who actually want work?” An uptight voice asked, cutting into the amusement escaping Bryan and Kit.

“Take it easy, yeah?” Kit said, stifling her giggles as she sat up, the glare of Eva Marie hitting her as she spoke. “No need to get your knickers in a twist, yeah?”

“Well you’re just joking around and it’s really disrespectful.” The false redhead said to the woman in the ring.

“Oh? How so.” The shorter woman sat up and crossed her legs, raising an eyebrow. “I don’t see a line of people clambering to get in the ring. I get your buzzin to hone your craft and that’s great, but you don’t need to get a bug up your ass because you don’t immediately catered to.” As Eva climbed the ring apron, Kit stood, lips placed in a firm line. “I’d think long and hard about your next step.” She warned, watching the fake redhead slide in the ring.

“Let her have the ring.” Bryan cut in, stepping between the two, tone diplomatic. “She’s new, she needs the warm up time more than us. We’ll come back later.” He glanced at Kit. “Let’s just go grab a bite, okay?”

The Brit said nothing but listened to Bryan, stepping out of the ring after him, hopping off the apron to grab her jacket from him as he held it out to her.

“Or maybe a run. Like I doubt she needs something else to eat.” Eva snarked, leaning against the ropes as she watched the two walk away.

Kit said nothing but whipped around, set on humbling the fake redhead about her comments on her body. She wasn’t able to make it far as Bryan scooped her up and over his shoulder, ignoring the auburn haired woman’s string of curses as he carried her away.

“Bryan I swear if you don’t let me down!” The younger woman yelled, ignoring the looks she got from the onlookers as her friend took her up the ramp. “Put me down you wanker!”

“Not worth it.” He called back, managing to keep his grip on Kit and hold their things as he took her backstage, not letting her down until they were far away from the gorilla and his locker room

Bryan said nothing to her as he sat her down on the bench and backed away from her and crossed his arms, watching her stand and begin to pace silently.

“Are you done?” He asked after a moment, watching her stop and look at him. “What she said was disrespectful but you can’t let your temper get the best of you, Kit.” He continued softly, shaking his head. “Then she’ll have the advantage and you’ll have nothing.” He placed his hands on her shoulders, squeezing lightly. “You’ve got every right to be angry but you’ve got to be smart about how you use it.”

“Okay?” He asked as he ended his mini-speech. “Make your anger work for you. Not the other way around.”

“Okay.” Kit sighed softly, allowing Bryan to pull her into a hug. “I want a match against that bitch.” She added as they hugged, face squished against his chest.

“And when you get it, I’ll be cheering you on.” Bryan agreed, pulling back from the hug. “Let’s go find Brianna and Nicole, okay?”

”Okay.” The auburn haired woman agreed, grabbing her jumper and zipping it up. “We’ll probably find Brie before Nikki.” She added as they left the locker room, looping her arm through his.

He laughed, nudging her as they walked to find the duo, mindlessly chatting as they searched for the twins.

~~~~~

They found Brie and Nikki quicker than expected, the twins chatting with John when they saw them in catering. The group hung out together until they needed to get ready for the show. Once they parted ways, Kit headed back to the locker room she had chosen.

After she changed and stretched out, Kit tuned into the show. She watched as Ryback hollered and screamed for an ambulance match against John Cena, Jericho beating Fandango, and as Paul Heyman introduced his newest client, Curtis Axel.

As that segment wrapped up with Triple H’s challenge to face Curtis in the ring, Kit stood as exited her locker room and began making her way down the hallway, coming to a sudden stop as she almost ran into a familiar black vested figure.

As she stumbled back, the auburn haired woman saw a camera out of the corner of her eye, signally this was the promo Stephaine had mentioned.

“Well well well.” Dean drawled out, gaining the attention of his two team members as he turned to look down at Kit. “Seems like you can’t get enough of me Kitty Kat.”

“Or you just happen to be lurking in the most inconvenient spots.” Kit shot back, looking up with her eyes narrowed.

“You always have something to say, don’t you?” Rollins cut in amused as she pushed past them.

“Only on days that end in a ‘y’.” She replied smartly, grinning without humor. “Not that you mutts care but I have a match to get to.”

“Hm, good luck, Princess.” Dean called as he watched her walk away. “We’ll be watching!”

Kit didn’t reply at his words, shrugging as she kept walking down the hall, only stopping when she reached the Gorilla and waited for her cue.

Nattie was already out in the ring, looking at the ramp with a grin, the smile spreading further as the Brit’s theme hit and she appeared at the top of the ramp.

The auburn hair woman’s eyes lit up in excitement as she met Nattie’s in the ring. She hadn’t seen the older woman in sometime but she was excited to catch up with her and perform in the ring, knowing both of them could give a great match.

The sheer contrast of her gear compared to Nattie’s made her chuckle. The older woman wore the famously known “hart pink”, the color combined with white for a camouflage effect while Kit was wearing the gear she had from NXT. The halter top was cropped at her midriff, her pants high waisted and fitted to her like a pair of skinny jeans. The matching set was faux leather and colored a dark, true purple, something that both her father and Dusty picked because it complimented her auburn hair.

Sliding into the ring, she beamed as the blonde wrapped her in a quick tight hug before pulling back and offering her hand to shake. The younger woman didn’t miss a beat as she shook Nattie’s hand, the audience cheering loudly for the show of sportsman’s ship. As the bell rang, they let go of each other’s hands, shuffling around the ring for a few beats before locking up and starting to wrestle.

The match was a flurry of hard hits on both ends, each move being met or countered by something just as hard as the next. A clothesline from Nattie had Kit flat on the mat, the auburned hair woman grunting breathlessly as she felt her legs being wrapped around the blonde's tightly before she was flipped over on her stomach and locked in the older woman's submission.

Kit yelled out as Nattie enforced her sharpshooter, the pain from the maneuver causing the muscles in her legs and back to tighten.

“Just tap, Kit!” Nattie yelled, pressing further pressure on the hold.

“Get bent, Nat!” The younger woman yelled, squirming as she inched towards the ropes. “I’m not tapping out.”

Just as she was fingertips away, a loud ripple of a mixture of cheers and boos from the crowd broke her focus and made her look up. She let out another cry of pain as her eyes met Dean Ambrose’s as he stood in front of the announce table, Seth and Roman standing slightly to the side, saying behind the barricade as they watched her.

To Nattie’s credit, she didn’t loosen her grip or break the submission, she kept her pressure firm and hold tight. Kit wriggled more, hands finally grasping the bottom rope, a huff of relief leaving her as Natalya dropped her lower half free into the mat.

As the older woman backed away, the younger one hosisted herself against the ropes, panting heavily as she fought the ache setting into her lower back and legs.

“Come on, Kitty Kat!” Dean yelled mockingly, watching the auburn haired woman pull herself up shakily into a standing position. “Get your head in the game!”

“Bite me, Ambrose!” Kit called back, whipping around to glare at the man. “Stay out of this you mangy mongrel!”

Holding up his hands in mock innocence, he did nothing but laugh childishly at the anger on the British woman’s face as she shot him one last glare before focusing back on her match.

Turning, Kit ducked under Nattie’s one coming clothes line and used her momentum to hit the blonde with a drop kick. Kicking back up from the mat she glanced back at Dean before smirking. Without hesitation, the auburn hair woman lent back and yelled loudly, imitating Roman’s warning call before his spear.

As Nattie charged toward her, Kit shot her leg forward, kicking the older woman in the gut to stop her momentum forward. As the blonde slumped over, the younger woman grabbed her and slammed her down against the mat head first, mocking Ambrose’s screwdriver DDT finisher before making her cover.

As the ref counted the three count and her theme sounded, Kit stood and looked directly at Ambrose as her hand was raised in victory. She watched him as his eyes darkened and lips pulled up in an emotion she couldn’t identify. The self proclaimed mouthpiece of the Shield walked away with his teammates in tow, the Brit watching them until they completely disappeared.

As they left from her sight, Kit turned to help Nattie up, holding the blonde's arm up like the referee did hers. As the auburn haired woman gently let go and dropped the older woman’s arm, Nattie wrapped back in another hug before pulling away and leading them both up the ramp and backstage, the audience cheers and chants from their match echoing as they left the ring.

~~~~~

For the majority of the Shields promo, Kit had ignored it, standing next to Bryan and Kane with an excited bounce. She waved as Kofi joined them, murmuring hello just before Bryan and Kane’s theme sounded and she walked out with them.

The audience cheered and yelled as they saw the short auburn haired woman in between the former tag champions, smirk on her face as she mockingly waved to the Shield, rolling her eyes as Rollins held out his tag title, goading Daniel and Kane.

“And their opponents, being escorted by Kit Regal, at a combined weight of 533 pounds, Kane and Daniel Bryan; team Hell No !” Justin Roberts announced, the crowd chanting and cheering as they watched the trio strut down the ramp and slide into the ring only for the Shield to roll out of it.

Kit smirked as Ambrose stared at her harshly, laughing as they flinched when Kane lit the ring post on fire. As the flames died down, Kofi’s theme hit, the former United States champion making his way down the ramp.

As Kofi slid into the ring, she greeted him with a high-five and ducked between the ropes, onto the apron. As she slipped out of the ring and onto the sidelines, the Shield stepped up and Dean slid in, starting the match against Kofi.

Kit paced ringside, watching the match unfold with bated breath, each move the teams came up with were countered and fought back against.

She kept out of the match until Seth pulled Kofi into their corner and tagged Roman in. As the referee pulled Roman away from the former champion, Kit watched as Dean leaned into the ring and struck him with a cheap shot.

Not thinking before she acted, she clenched her jaw as she moved over to the Shield’s side of the ring, past a slumped over Rollins to yell at Ambrose.

“Keep off him!” She shouted at Dean, backing away as the ref warned her to, not wanting to cost Daniel his match. “Don’t touch him.” She brushed past Rollins, raising an eyebrow as he glared at her, not moving further until she heard Bryan calling for her.

Kit trudged back to her side of the ring, grimacing as Kofi began to get beaten down by Ambrose. The former champion's beating continued until he managed to get back to his corner and tag Daniel, the shorter man bursting out of their corner with energy as he laid into Seth Rollins. She cheered as Daniel tore into Rollins, his pace quickly shifted to handling Dean as he was tagged in by his teammate.

Multitude of tags later and Kane and Roman charged at one another, their hits and punches echoing as the powerhouses of both teams wailed on each other as the match boiled down into its final moments. She watched as the Shield gained the advantage, Rollins stunning Kane with a knee to his temple off the top rope.

“Kane move!” Kit yelled, sliding into the ring without thinking as she shoved the taller man out of the way, the powerhouse of the Shield landing his finisher on her instead of Hells favorite Demon.

The breath instantly left her lungs as Roman slammed into her with a vicious spear, her head and body hitting the mat with a thud. She could hear muffled yelling around her but couldn’t make any words out of the loud noises, everything blended together as she gasped for air and rolled out of the ring on the floor.

“Kit, Kit are you okay?” She heard Bryan asked, her head nodding as she coughed breathlessly. “Can you breathe?”

“Not at the moment.” She croaked out, shifting from her back to her front to push herself up. “But getting there.” She added, getting to her feet despite her body screaming to not move.

“You shouldn’t be-.”

“I’m okay.” The British woman huffed, cutting Bryan off. “I’ll go to the trainers after. I promise.”

As she stood upright with the help of Bryan she watched Kane get hit with a spear from Roman, allowing the Shield to take the three count and victory. Her lips twisted in annoyance as Kane rolled out of the ring and the Shield held their titles high.

As they slowly backed up the ramp, she ignored the eyes burning into her skull as Bryan helped her backstage and down the hall to get looked at like she had promised him. She made no argument as Bryan sat her down at the trainers, shooing him away with the promise of staying until she was looked at.

The wait wasn’t too bad to get looked over and after a stern talk over and the conclusion that she’d just be sore, Kit parted ways from the room, she made her way down the hall to the tiny hole in the wall locker room she scoped out before the show.

Gently and as fast as she could, she changed from her gear bottoms to her sweats and just as she was about to slip on her old band tee over her sports bra, a knock sounded from her door.

“Bryan, I told you I’m fine.” Kit huffed out, reaching the door and opening it. “Seriously, you and Brie don’t have to…” she trailed off as her eyes stopped to look over all three members of the Shield standing in her doorway. “I- hello?”

“What the hell were you thinking?”

“Man that was bold.”

“Are you okay?”

As the litany of questions hit her, she stood there stunned for a moment, eyes wide as she figured out what to say.

“I- I’m fine.” Kit began, looking at Joe with a nod. “No broken ribs or concussion. I’m fine.” She glanced at Colby. “I didn’t want to be bold, you three never fight fair so I figured I’d try to even the score, not so lucky.” She looked down at her wrapped abdomen with a shrug. “And I wasn’t thinking.” She finished, eyes snapping to Jon as she answered his rhetorical question.

“I’m sorry, I was aiming for-.”

“For Kane.” The shorter woman cut in, stopping Joe’s tangent. “I know, I pushed him out of the way. That’s on me.”

“You shouldn’t have gotten involved.” Jon interrupted, eyes dark. “You’re lucky Joe didn’t seriously hurt you.”

“Why do you care?” Kit hissed back, finally sliding her shirt on with a low grunt. “I really don’t have the energy to listen to you bitch at me right now. I’m sore, tired, and hungry.”

“Come get food with us. And we can drop you off at the hotel too, we’re going to the same place.” Seth suggested to the British woman. “On us, our apology.”

“Please.” Joe cut in as he saw her begin to protest. “It’s the least we can do and I know you said you’re fine but it would make me feel better that I at least did something for you after hitting you with that spear.” He explained calmly, eyes shining with sincerity.

Hesitating a moment, Kit weighed her options as she slipped her shirt in over her head. By now Bryan and Brie would be gone. Nattie too. Her only other choice for a ride would be a cab or an Uber and she’d have to wait to eat until the hotel.

Letting out a long sigh, her lips pulled up in annoyance as she turned leaving the door open as she shuffled to pack her things up in her duffle and carry on suitcase. Looking up as she zipped up her duffle, she slowly nodded as she looked at the three of them.

“Okay. Fine.” She verbally answered “But I get to pick the place.”

[iamanartichoke]

I started typing this in the tags of this post, and it got too long, and then I was going to just reblog the post with this as an addition but that got too long too, and I've been meaning to make a post addressing free will vs. predestination since the premiere anyway, so - here we go. Spoilers, obviously.

Cut for length and spoilers. Please blacklist #loki tv series spoilers, #loki series spoilers, and #loki spoilers.

This is kinda rough and I'm not sure it actually makes any sense but I'm posting it anyway.

I realize that the post is a joke, obviously (and it is hilarious) but I started thinking about the implications and couldn't stop because it's honestly a goldmine of existential reflection and an inevitable crisis or three.

Let's look at a scenario.

Say you're late to work for reasons totally beyond your control: your neighbor stopped you to ask a question on your way out the door; you swung through the drive-thru for a quick coffee but the person in front of you is ordering a full continental breakfast ffs (this happened to me this morning); there was an explosion and then the Winter Soldier randomly dropped from the sky and landed on the hood of your car. Whatever. Shit happens.

So you're late, but on this particular day, your lateness somehow has consequences that lead to and create a nexus event and the next thing you know, you're being arrested, tried, convicted of time crimes and ultimately (a version of you is) erased from existence.

And this is if it's not even your fault you're late.

Now say that you're late and it is your fault. You took a new route on a whim and drove a little more slowly because you passed a particularly pretty meadow; you hit the brakes at a yellow light instead of speeding through bc you wanted the quick chance to check your email; you sat in your car for a few extra minutes in the parking lot, because maybe your job sucks and you really needed those extra minutes today to psyche yourself up into getting out of the car and going inside and clocking in.

These little choices are you exercising your free will. Because to me, free will is all or nothing - it doesn't just apply to the big decisions.

On the other hand, predestination means that regardless of the choices you make or if it's a big decision or not, everything you do is ultimately going to lead you to a set point or position or place (your destiny).

And I can kind of look at it like a GPS - that is, there are a number of "insignificant" choices you could make and they will still lead you to where you're predestined to go. Like how a GPS will reconfigure your route if you miss your exit on the highway. It doesn't matter if you took Route A or Route B, you're still going to end up at your destination.

But say sometimes the route does matter. Say that there are certain scenarios in which there's only one road (for example, 14 million losses vs 1 win) and you can only get on it by following a specific series of events and what determines the ultimate outcome is whether or not you're late to work that day.

If you decide to wait those extra five minutes in the parking lot, that means that you weren't in your cubicle at 9:03 when Stanley from Accounting wandered by with his giant stack of papers, and when Mary Sue said hello to him, he got distracted and tried to wave and ended up dropping those papers. Had you been at your cubicle, you'd have swooped down to help him but since you weren't there, Stanley is crouched on the floor alone and doesn't notice Joe coming at him with a paper trolley so when he stands up, he and Joe collide and Stanley loses his balance and goes face-first toward the trolley and breaks his nose when he hits the metal handle on his way down.

Now Stanley has to go to the hospital to get his nose set because you wanted to sit in your car and spend five extra minutes hating your life that morning.

If the sacred timeline says that Stanley is supposed to be in that ER at that specific time on that specific day, and no other set of circumstances would get him there, because this will ultimately take Stanley down the road to whatever greater journey he's supposed to go on, then it has to happen. But say you exercise your free will and decide not to wait those five minutes, because the free will applies to every choice you make, even the tiny, insignificant ones. You chose to put on your big person pants and took a deep breath and just head inside - and because you chose to do that and because you were at your cubicle to help Stanley with his papers, Stanley never ends up in the ER and the timeline that's supposed to happen is suddenly at risk and the TVA has to get involved (I assume).

So having free will introduces way, way too many variables into a fixed timeline to ever keep track, because you're taking these tiny, seemingly insignificant choices that people are making every minute of every day, and you're multiplying them by trillions of sentient beings in the universe, and you're saying the fate of the timeline and reality itself depends on all of these beings either always making the choice they're supposed to make or constantly sending the TVA out whenever they don't.

It's fair to conclude, then, that both free will and a fixed, single timeline can't exist at the same time. Either you adhere to the fixed timeline and everyone does exactly what they're supposed to do every second of every minute of existence, or you have free will and autonomy over all of your decisions, no matter how big or small, and those decisions can result in a number of outcomes, ultimately leading you to one of several possible destinations.

Case in point: Tony didn't have to snap his fingers in Endgame. He chose to. Had he not, Thanos would have won. It doesn't matter if there was one way to victory or 14 million ways to failure; the timeline could ultimately only go one of two ways and the choice Tony willingly made determined that Thanos lost. It wasn't predetermined because if Tony had not chosen to snap his fingers, the timeline would have gone the other way.

My personal belief - and this isn't necessarily for the MCU, but in general - is that we do possess free will and the future is ever shifting and changing because nothing is written in stone. It holds up against most, if not all, of the world's belief systems. For example, if you believe that people have guardian angels, the rule is generally that your guardian angels can help you but you have to ask them; they can't decide to intervene without your permission because to do so would infringe upon your free will.

Similarly, you can go on etsy and pay $5 for a funsies psychic reading or pay a lot more money for an in-depth, specific tarot reading and both will tell you that the outcomes may change depending on the paths you take, and that their ultimate advice is for you to keep your focus on your goals and your own self so that you can be subconsciously manifesting the best possible future for yourself. (Not that I know this from experience. It was one time. It was a few times. My point stands, and also stop judging me.)

To get back to the MCU, though - if you determine that both a single, fixed timeline and free will can't simultaneously exist, and your ultimate purpose is upholding said timeline and not letting anyone fuck it up, lest it break off into lots of different branches, then it poses a pretty serious moral and/or ethical question of - who decides what choices we make and what paths we're destined for? The time lizards? Who gave them that authority? Did anyone, or did they just manifest themselves into existence one day, create the universe, and then decide all of the rules (and, if so, where does that leave the norns and the gods and other super powerful beings who are generally thought to be in charge of things)?

If free will doesn't exist and everyone is acting based on what has been predetermined for them by some higher being (or, in this case, time lizards), it takes away our autonomy, and if everything we do and every single tiny step we take is decided for us, what makes us any different than cogs in a machine just following orders? What separates us from robots?

Speaking of robots, it's interesting to me that the TVA's screening process (if you can call it that) has a failsafe against robots specifically. Any robot that might come through is destroyed immediately and in this case, “not a robot” is defined, more or less, as a sentient being that possesses a soul. What does the TVA have against robots if their ultimate goal is ensuring that the robotic machinations of the time lizards are consistently carried out to protect the sacred timeline?

A soul makes you human; the energy of the soul is what you, at the core, are. It can be assumed that having a soul also means that you have some sort of moral and ethical code by which you live your life but, if you don't also have free will, then what is the point of possessing a soul and a moral and ethical code?

Loki is a villain and he's told by Mobius, the TVA, Odin, and pretty much everyone who ever meets him that the only thing he's good for - the only reason he exists - is to cause pain and suffering and death. This has been predetermined for him; this is not his fault and he did not choose it. And every single choice he makes has either already been destined as the choice he was supposed to make, or will be pruned so it won't grow into the wrong timeline. Ultimately Loki can change neither his final destination, nor the purpose and meaning of his existence.

Which leads me to the theory that the several Loki variants that the TVA keeps coming across are the result of Loki consistently resisting against his predetermined path; he's trying to find the timeline where he is able to latch onto and keep his own free will in defiance of the timekeepers but, so far, he hasn't been successful. This could segue into why the current Variant is now going scorched earth and just obliterating the main timeline completely - because if there is no sacred timeline, there's nothing dictating who or what Loki can be, and free will is regained. If there's a multiverse that branches and branches beyond anyone's control, then there must be a branch in there, somewhere, where Loki can exist on his own terms and decide how his own story goes.

This also might be a theory for why Loki is already setting his sights on taking over the TVA (assuming that's not just something he told the variant for reasons). But my original point in delving into all this is to ask: if Loki is predestined to always be a villain whose story plays out exactly the same way because that's what's supposed to happen, then how can anyone ever hold his misdeeds against him? He's literally just existing as the timekeepers decided he would exist and everyone is blaming him for it.

And this leads me to ask, as well, if one's soul is generally good, and one possesses more good traits than bad, what is the logic in making them exist only for pain and destruction? If it's for a greater good, then it stands to reason Loki is not the only one predestined for misery, and what greater good could come from all that suffering?

Conclusion: the existence of the TVA as an organization means that there is one fixed, sacred timeline but the existence of said timeline is immoral and unethical because it means no one actually has any free will at all in the MCU. The very notion of heroes and villains is pointless because it has nothing to do with your own qualities or morality, it's literally the luck of the draw. In order to have free will, the sacred timeline has to be destroyed, and so my prediction is that the Big Bad of the Loki series is not the TVA and not the time keepers but the actual timeline itself, and the entire fate of the MCU rests on whether or not Loki can ultimately succeed.

Also, don't be late for work.

[bestillmyslashyheart]

butterflies on the wind

Booker

Nile gives herself a weekend. Three days, counting Friday because she needs that extra day, to grieve, to cry, to scream and shout at the unfairness, to drink her misery away. It’s been months since she woke up from having her throat cut and for the most part, she’s adjusted pretty well, if she did say so herself. Andy, Joe, and Nicky had helped, had been wonderful support really, but Nile had had to leave her entire life behind. Everything and everyone she had ever known; it was all still out there and she had to stay away, she had to cut herself out of her life and somehow be okay with that.

She wasn’t. No matter how much she pretended she was. So she gave herself a weekend to mourn and rage against her new reality, to let it all out, and then she’d be okay.

She’d be okay.

Nile woke cold and gasping on the banks of the river on Sunday. The last two days were mostly a blur of tears and anger and alcohol but she didn’t remember being near the river. There was a moment of clearness, the disconcerting breath of fresh air after coming back, before her head revolted violently. Nile twisted to the side and vomited into the river.

“Death by alcohol,” drawled a familiar but unexpected voice. Nile spun, or tried to, in shock. Booker smiled crookedly. “It is the only one that leaves a mark.” He tapped his head. “Even we cannot avoid the hangovers.”

“What,” Nile’s teeth chattered when she tried to speak. “What are you doing here?” She tried again.

Booker looked around them, like the walls of the Seine had all the answers. “It is Paris.”

“I know it’s Paris.”

He laughed. “Nile,” he said gently. She almost felt like he was being condescending but not quite. “I am French.”

Right. Napoleon. 

“Aren’t you sick of it yet, then?”

“A little bit,” he confessed. “But where else would I go? The rest of the word is painfully inferior.”

Nile groaned. She stood up and shook her limbs, the warmth returning to them. “You’re French.”

“For better or worse,” he agreed. “So what brings you to my fair city?”

“I needed to get away and I’d never been here before,” Nile shrugged. She resisted the urge to rub even more warmth into her arms but Booker must have seen it on her anyway because he took off his own jacket and handed it over. “Don’t you need it?”

He shrugged. “I am used to it.” She waited for him to ask again why she was here, why she’d gotten so drunk she’d somehow ended up dead in the Seine, but he didn’t. “Need another drink?”

Nile thought about it. She couldn’t truthfully said she didn’t. “I shouldn’t.”

Booker accepted that with a nod. When he turned to leave, Nile found herself following. They walked quietly side by side until they’d made it back up to the streets and Booker turned left when Nile needed to go right. 

She stopped. A few steps later so did Booker. “I’m that way.”

He nodded. “Stay away from the booze,” he warned. “It will not do you any favors.”

“I don’t want it to,” Nile confessed. “I wanted to not think. Just for a little while.”

A hint of a smile appeared on his lips. “I know the feeling.” He didn’t say anything else so Nile turned away. They still had over 99 years to go.

“Nile,” he called softly when she was almost too far away to hear it. “Not thinking for a little while will turn into not thinking for a long while if you are not careful. A lifetime of oblivion is not nearly as much fun as it sounds sometimes.”

Nile accepted the advice with a careful nod and watched as Booker disappeared down a side street. 

It was only when she got back to her hotel, she realized she still wore his jacket. No one said a word when she turned up at the latest safe house with it in tow so she kept it. The next time she wanted to not think, she curled herself in the jacket instead.

Nicky

It was late, late enough that even Andy had succumbed to sleep. Nile headed for the kitchen when she passed Joe and Nicky’s room. Through a crack in the door, she saw Joe curled up on the bed, alone. Nile wasn’t sure she’d ever seen either of them sleeping alone; they were always curled up around each other, even when one needed to sleep and the other didn’t.

Nile forwent the kitchen in favor of searching for Nicky. It took only a matter of moments to clear the small house before she stepped outside.

A few yards from the house, on the edge of the cliff which offered stunning views in the daylight, was Nicky, his body casting a small shadow in the moonlight.

“Nicky?” She called softly. He didn’t respond and Nile instantly went on alert. She couldn’t see any danger but that didn’t mean there wasn’t any. The others’ senses were far beyond hers, honed over many many more years, and she’d learned to trust them more than her own. “Nicky?” She hissed.

Slowly, Nicky turned his head to indicate he had heard her. “Everything’s fine,” he told her softly. “What are you doing up?”

Letting her shoulders relax slightly, Nile crossed the yard to where Nicky stood, not saying a word until she came abreast of him. He had his eyes closed, his head slightly bowed, and he didn’t so much as glance at her as she came into view. “Couldn’t sleep,” she replied softly. “You?”

“Praying.”

Nile startled slightly. “You pray?” After what Andy had said the first time she caught Nile praying, she hadn’t expected any of them to believe in God.

Nicky’s lips turned upwards. “I do.”

“Andy said-”

Now, Nicky laughed. “Andy hasn’t believed in anything in a very long time. She has not had reason to.”

“But you do?”

“I do,” he bowed his head a bit more in acknowledgement. He still hadn’t opened his eyes. “Though what I believe in, I cannot say.” Nile cocked her head in confusion. Before she could ask, Nicky continued, “I have had my faith my entire life, I see no reason why I should abandon it just because I live longer than I expected to.”

Nile suddenly remembered that Nicky had fought in the Crusades, the most famous of religious wars. “You fought for God, once,” she wondered.

“Of course,” he smiled. “I had already pledged my life to His service, fighting for it was a given.”

“Pledged your life?”

Nicky finally looked over at her. “Before I died the first time, I was a priest,” he told her. Nile’s eyebrows rose in surprise. Nicky laughed. “Priests then were not quite like priests now. The rules were different.”

“Apparently.” Nile returned Nicky’s kind smile. “How do you reconcile our lives and your faith? I’m having trouble.”

“I cannot tell you that,” Nicky told her. “It is something you must decide for yourself. But for me? I discovered what was most important. My faith and my prayers. I don’t always know what I’m praying to but the act of it gives me comfort. If you ever need to talk about it, I am here, but I have always found faith to be of a personal nature.” He paused. Nile watched in amazement and confusion as a look passed over his face that she had only ever seen directed at Joe. “Or you could abandon your faith like a heathen.” His voice raised slightly and he leaned back into Joe’s arms as they wound around him. Nile hadn’t even heard him approach.

“You believe in your God,” Joe said teasingly. He nosed at Nicky’s hair. “And I will believe in mine.” From the look on his face, Nile inferred that Joe was not talking about a celestial god. From the look on Nicky’s face, she knew she was correct. “I can’t sleep, Nicolo,” he whined.

Nicky rolled his eyes but let Joe pull him back into the house without complaint. 

Nile listened to the door close and turned back to the view. She was familiar enough with it by now that she could imagine the sight before her, even if she could not see it. Taking a deep breath, Nile let it out slowly and felt some previously unknown tension leave her with it. Her faith had always been important to her and a part of her had feared the day it wouldn’t be any longer. But if Nicky could still believe even after a millennia...

Andy

When they’d first met, Nile could not have guessed how old Andy was. Depending on her behavior or her clothes, she could appear of a similar age to Joe and Nicky, or as their older sister, or even as their mother, at least in relation to Nile. She had an ageless look to her that Nile had marveled at, especially after realizing just how old she really was.

But that was no longer the case. Andy had found her first gray hair this morning. Or rather, Joe had found it and immediately teased her about it until she rushed into the bathroom to stare at herself in the mirror.

When she didn’t come out after 20 minutes, Nile knocked on the door. “Andy?” The door opened.

Nile eased it open to find Andy still as a statue, her hands braced on the edge of the sink, and her eyes fixed on the strand of gray hair that fell just on the edge of her hairline. “Andy?”

“I never thought I’d get old,” she whispered. “Even before. I only ever knew two people who were old enough to have gray hairs and I knew I would never be one of them. I was a warrior and warriors didn’t get to grow old.” Her voice was barely audible. “When Lykon died and I knew that one day I might get to, I never even considered the possibility that I would get to actually live with my mortality. I just assumed-”

She assumed that she’d discover she could finally die when she didn’t come back. 

Nile closed the door behind her and sat on the edge of the tub, unsure what to say. Even in the face of Andy’s mortality, Nile had long resigned herself to never aging, to never seeing her own hair turn white. 

“You can stop,” she found herself saying. Andy looked at her in the mirror. “Joe, Nicky, and I can keep going. You can stop. You can grow old.”

Andy smiled and it wasn’t brittle. “No.”

“Andy-”

“I’m not going to stop,” she said firmly. “And I will grow old.” Her smile grew. “The two are not mutually exclusive.”

Nile stared at her. “You don’t have to do this, Andy. Not anymore.”

Andy rinsed her hands in the sink and dried them. She placed the towel carefully back on the rack and opened the door before facing Nile. “Neither do you. But you’re going to.” She left without waiting for Nile to reply.

It was true, Nile supposed. She didn’t have to do this, this job of theirs. But she was going to, because it’s who she is. 

Something settles inside her at the thought. She’s not here with these people, doing these jobs, because she has no other choice. She does have a choice. She’s chosen this.

Joe

The anger felt good. It felt right. Andy was dead. The skies should rage and the ground should quake at her absence but the earth stayed silent and the skies stayed clear and Nicky knelt quietly over her in prayer and Nile wanted to scream. Andy was supposed to have more time. She hadn’t even gone gray yet.

Nile left. 

The compound was empty, everyone else already dead, and Nile ignored the bodies in her way as she sought clearer ground. A ways away, death in her rearview mirror, Nile screamed. Loud and long, the sound pierced the air. When she stopped, her chest heaved and her hands clenched in tight fists. There was no one left to fight but oh did Nile cra-

Her head whipped to the side with the force of the punch. She went with it in a faint attempt to lessen the blow. When she spun around to face her attacker, her gun was in her hands and pointed at Joe’s face. He ripped it from her without a thought and Nile lashed out.

Her hits landed hard and his landed harder. When her leg snapped and she fell to her knees, Joe went with her. Their bout lasted a few more seconds before Nile just stopped. 

The anger fled her as if it had never been there and left only sorrow in its wake.

Joe’s arms were around her before she even realized she was crying. He held her as her leg knit back together and then he held her longer. When her tears ran dry, Nile noticed the wet spots on her own shoulder and reached up to hug Joe back. 

“I’ve never felt so angry in my life,” she confessed in a breathless whisper. In hindsight, she hated the feeling, knew it had no place in her.

“Grief is funny like that,” Joe replied. He put his chin on her head and held her closer. “Makes you feel things you don’t want to. But it’s all part of the process.”

“Breaking my leg is part of the process?” She asked sardonically.

She felt him smile. “If I hadn’t, what would you have done? You wanted a fight, Nile, and there is no one else around to give it to you.”

Nile knew he was right. She had felt the rage under her skin and the itching for violence. It was gone now and despite the grief, she felt better for it. “Thank you.”

“No need,” he replied immediately, like he always did. 

She pulled back to look at him. His cheeks were shiny with spilled tears. “What do you need?” She asked, even as she knew the answer.

Joe smiled. “The only thing I have ever needed.” He glanced over his shoulder and Nile followed his gaze to find Nicky kneeling next to a covered body. “We have had time to prepare for this and we will be okay. We have each other.” Joe turned to her. “You’ve had Andy all these years. Will we be enough?”

Nile wanted to say yes, wanted desperately for these men who had become her family to be enough, but they all knew that Joe and Nicky had a habit of forgetting the rest of the world when they were together and Nile wasn’t sure she could survive on her own right now. She looked up at Joe, unwilling to admit it aloud.

He read it on her face anyway and nodded. “Alright,” he sighed. “We’ll go find Booker.” But it hadn’t even been ten years, yet, and Joe was the one who had needed the time apart.

“Joe-” she started to say.

He shook his head. “It’s all part of the process,” he said, echoing his earlier words. Nile cocked her head in question. “I needed to grieve the man I thought I’d known and the relationship and trust I’d thought we’d had. Anger was part of that,” he confessed. “But so is forgiveness.” He stood and pulled her to her feet. “We will find Booker.”

Nile swallowed the lump in her throat and sent a quick thanks to God for giving her these people to spend forever with. She wouldn’t have made it on her own, or with anyone else. “Let’s start in Paris.”

[p-artsypants]

The Ghost of Smokey Joe (1)

Minnie the Moocher

Adrien Agreste was acting bizarre. Stilted body language, plastic smile, and he seemed to have forgotten how close they were. Before she can get the truth out of him, Marinette finds herself as the sole heir to the Gabriel brand and the mansion, following the murder-suicide of both Adrien and Gabriel Agreste. The mystery continues as Tikki explains that Adrien was Chat Noir...but if Adrien is six feet under, why is Chat Noir still running around?

Ao3 | FF.net

This was started before season three ended, though I was busy at the time and couldn’t finish it. Basically, season 4 never happened, and the Peacock Miraculous is still broken. 

—

At the age of 22, life had a good projection for Marinette Dupain-Cheng. She finally got her big break, somewhat thanks to Adrien. She was working at Gabriel, as one of Gabriel Agreste’s lead designers, though she was still technically an intern. Though Adrien didn’t directly have a hand in getting her the job, his continued praise of her work in front of his father probably had something to do with it. 

Though it was never confirmed, Marinette would never have to worry if she got the job on her own merit or not. She did. 

In fact, Gabriel was continually impressed with her work, even after she had landed the position. His harsh criticisms ended with her. Where he never hesitated to rip another designer to shreds for a mistake, Marinette never had to face that rage. 

He just honestly respected her too much to do so. And it helped that she was so gracious with his critiques. Never taking anything personally, and doing everything for the brand. 

Co-workers probably could have been resentful to her, but if they were, it was never outwardly shown. It helped that she readily got along with and tried to be friends with everyone. She took advice to heart, and accepted criticisms professionally. So it was hard to dislike her. Even when she was the one that was accepted into the Agreste Manor to work with Gabriel in person. A rare treat for any employee. And she got to go at least twice a week.

There was just one little tiny problem. 

8 years later, Marinette no longer had a crush on Adrien. Oh no, she was head over heels in love with him. The deepest, most pure, sweet, and sincere love there was. And he had no clue.

It was her curse. As they got older and matured, so did her feelings. He only got more handsome, more friendly and outgoing, and more perfect to her. He learned he was allowed to be affectionate with his friends, her, Alya, and Nino, and didn’t hold back. Marinette was showered in hugs, cheek kisses, and hand holds. All punctuated with the dreaded phrase, ‘you’re such a great friend, Marinette’. 

It’s like he wanted her to suffer. 

As they graduated Collegé, Adrien confessed that he was afraid they’d all grow apart as they went off to University. Marinette took that as a challenge and made sure to invite them to weekly get-togethers. And so friends did they remain. 

And only friends. 

Marinettte came home to her shared apartment with Alya. Her long time best friend was sprawled out in the middle of the living room, surrounded by swatches. 

Marinette laughed at the sight. “Wedding blues?”

“Yes!” Alya shrieked, sitting up. “We’ve been together for 8 years, engaged for six months, and I still haven’t picked our colors yet!”

“I thought you were doing burnt sienna and forest green? You know, a call back to your stint as Rena Rouge and Carapace?” A supposed secret between them up until a few years ago. 

“I can’t. I don’t like the combination anymore. And no matter how temporary, our superhero run should remain a secret. I shouldn’t have even told you.” She started cleaning up the swatches, resigned to know that she wasn’t getting anywhere tonight. “How goes the apartment search?”

Marinette winced. “Not as great as I was hoping. A lot of places that I could afford, but I could afford better with a roommate. I want to have savings, you know?” 

“Did you ask Adrien?” 

Marinette blushed. “You know that’s not a good idea.” 

“Why not? He’s still living at the mansion. And you’re such good friends.” Alya smirked at her. “Or, you could just ask him out. Then live with your parents for a few months until he realizes how perfect you are and proposes.” 

“That’s not going to happen.” 

“Says you! Look, you’re my maid of honor, he’s Nino’s best man. At least ask him out as a pretense to have an official date to the wedding.” 

“A wedding that’s six months away?” Marinette asked, as she hung up her purse and coat. “And what if something catastrophic happens between then?”

“Then you kiss and make up at my wedding.”

Marinette rolled her eyes before heading over to the kitchen. “Alya, he hasn’t dated anyone since Kagami. I think he’s holding out for someone.” 

“Yeah! You!” 

Marinette fondly shook her head. “He’s not.” 

“He is!”

“Did he tell Nino, and he told you?” 

“Well, no. Nino’s been trying for years to get his crush out of him.” 

“Then, there you go. If it was me, Nino would have found out by now. No, it’s someone else. Maybe a married woman, or a man.” 

Alya laughed at that. “Girl, you always go to the worst case scenario. Just…flirt with him a little, prod him with your womanly wiles.” Then she batted her eyes. “Please? For me?” 

“Alright. I’ll see what I can do. You know it’s going to go so well this time, right?”

“That’s the spirit!”

“I was being sarcastic!”

Folks here's a story 'bout Minnie the Moocher,

She was a red hot hoochie coocher,

She was the roughest, toughest frail,

But Minnie had a heart as big as a whale.

The next day at work, Marinette forgot all about flirting. It was a race to finish her project. She had gotten the design approved, and now it was on to start assembling the piece. 

There was a knock at her office door. 

“‘Ome ‘n,” she said with a mouth full of pins. 

Who would arrive except for handsome, angelic, and...pale? Adrien. “Are you busy?” He asked with a small voice. 

Quickly, Marinette shoved the pins into the fabric to hold it in place, and dumped the rest back into the tin. 

“I can take a break.” Anything for you. She thought, offering him a chair. 

“Thanks,” he nearly collapsed into it. Then he looked around the office, for what, she didn’t know. 

“Soooo...what’s up?” 

Adrien didn’t answer right away, still scanning the room, eyes narrowed. He rubbed his palms on his pants. 

“Are you okay?” She pushed a little more. 

“Huh? Oh, uh…” He clenched his fists and swallowed harshly. “Do you…want to have dinner with me tonight?” 

A blush stained her cheeks. “Really?”

“Yeah, um…somewhere private. I want to talk to you about something, but um…it’s a secret.” 

“Well, Alya is going on a late night date with Nino, if you want to come to our apartment. I could just order some Chinese?”

He exhaled slowly and smiled at her. “That sounds awesome, thanks Marinette.” 

“What time? I get out around 6.” 

“I’ll meet you at 7 then?” 

“Yeah, yeah that sounds perfect.” Spurred on by the fact he was finally asking her out on a date, Marinette leaned in and pressed a kiss to his cheek. 

Adrien blushed furiously before standing. “Um, I’ll see you tonight then. Thanks for um…yeah, I’ll let you get back to work.” 

Marinette continued to grin at him shyly until he left. Then she collapsed in the chair he had occupied. She didn’t have to flirt or do anything! It was finally happening! A date! With Adrien! 

She ran to her purse and snatched up her phone. “Alya!” She called. “Alya, it finally happened! Clear the next 15 minutes and get the popcorn, I need to panic!” 

He gave her his townhouse and his racing horses

Each meal she ate was a dozen courses

She had a million dollars worth of nickels and dimes

She sat around and counted them all a million times

That night, Marinette sat ready and waiting. The apartment was spotless. She had ordered his favorite dish, and wore a cute little green dress (his favorite color.)

“Alright, I’m leaving,” declared Alya. “You two behave.” 

“It’s a first date, Alya. Like we’re going to do anything at all.” 

“Puh-lease, the sexual tension between you two is unbearable. He’s going to be on you like white on rice!” 

“Don’t be so vulgar!” Marinette laughed. “Adrien is a gentleman.” 

“Sure. Anyways, I hope you have fun!” 

“I’m sure we will.”

“Bye girl, bye.” 

“Bye girl, bye!” 

And the door closed. 

Any minute now, Adrien would be knocking. And then what? Would he kiss her cheek like she had? A hug maybe? Or both? What was appropriate for her? Offer to take his coat? Yes yes, that sounded right. Was her hair okay? She brushed her teeth, right? 

“Wine!” She announced. “What wine pairs with Chinese food?” 

“Might I suggest Riesling?” Said Tikki, from her hiding place. 

“Riesling! Riesling…I don’t have Riesling! I don’t know what that is!” 

Tikki laughed at her. “Marinette, just relax. Just do a Rosé. It’s fine.” 

Marinette hurried to the cabinet and fetched a bottle and two glasses. Then she poured one for herself and downed it in one go. “I don’t know if I can do this! I’m so nervous!” 

“You and Adrien are great friends, it’ll go great! Just relax and enjoy it. He’s not even here yet, there’s no reason to panic.” 

“You’re right! I’ll just…I’ll just wait!” 

So she sat and fidgeted. Nothing to do but wait.

And wait she did.

8 o’clock came before she knew it. And she checked her phone. Nothing. 

Did you forget about dinner? She texted.

There was no reply.

“It’s alright Marinette, he’ll come. Maybe he got held up in traffic, or his father needed him for something?” Tikki said encouragingly. 

“Yeah, maybe…he’d at least call, wouldn’t he?” Not waiting for an answer, she called him first. 

“Hey there, it’s Adrien, I’m not available to answer right now…” 

She hung up.

She poured herself another glass. “He wouldn’t just…ghost me?” 

“He cares a lot about you, of course he wouldn’t.” 

“Hey there, it’s Adrien, I’m not available to answer right now…” Another voicemail. 

9 o’clock. 

Poor Min, poor Min, poor Min

“Hey there, it’s Adrien, I’m not available to answer right now…”

The Chinese went cold, and the bottle of Rosé was emptied. 

He never showed up.

--

I can’t guarantee prompt updates for a little bit. I have some logistics to figure out, but I have a few chapters ready, so I figured I’d start posting! All the chapter titles are songs from my spooky halloween playlist that inspired this fic (and their lyrics will be in the chapters)! You can find that playlist here. The playlist will be updated as the fic goes on.

I hope to post the last chapter on Halloween!

[jasmehraj]

This is for Flashpoint week 2020, day 1, hosted by @maribatgetin

"*Sigh* this is the third time in this week." The man whose body was half machine rubbed his human temple when the guard informed him of the arrival of-

His train of thought was cut by the sound of heels indicating the arrival of his guest.

"Mrs. Allen." He greeted her.

She shot him a smile. "Victor."

"It's Cyborg for you mam." She ignored what he said and continued to pull out a box.

"Here are some cookies and macaroons for you and I gave some to the receptionist to distribute so that you don't have to share." Cyborg smiled and took the box. This was the favourite part of her visit. Her treats were heavenly. He scolded himself to get distracted and wore a tough expression.

"So what did we do for the goddess of fluff and happiness to come here and meet us." There was a moment that something flashed in her Bluebell eyes but it was gone before he could decipher it.

"We both know what it is." She stated, the smile on her face never flattering.

Oh boy, this is going to be a long day. He sighed.

Even after 15 minutes, nobody had come out of the office. The conversation was either casual or not there at all since they couldn't hear anything from the outside.

"What do you think Joe? What's taking them so long?" Michael, the guard at the door looked at his partner.

"I don't know, she is a very calm and collected lady. They say she delivers rainbows wherever she goes, some unicorn in disguise." Joe just joked, shrugging, which caused Michael to raise an unimpressed eyebrow.

"I don't think so, she must be some witch in disguise who made her way to the top seducing other rich people. I mean she's got looks and a perfect body, anybody will pay a fortune to kiss those lips." Michael licked his lips subconsciously.

"I gotta say that too. That Allen guy is very lucky. But I don't think she is some whore. She cares deeply about everyone around her. I say she will even apologize to a pole to bump into her." Joe didn't like the lust in his partner's brown eyes or the way he was insulting everyone's favourite person who treats them with so much respect.

"Hmm. I say she is some Amazonean who will seduce the soldiers and then after having some fun, kill them like the witch she is." The brunette on his side frowned.

"Okay, enough of that s*** Michael-" the raging guard was cut off by a loud sound of something colliding with the table from inside. Everyone went near to be able to hear the heated conversation.

"MRS. ALLEN, we can't just take random people in!" Cyborg tried.

"So random people are crazy enough to be wanting to fight alongside 'the supposed to be heroes' in a world ending war." Her blue eyes sparkled with joy as she raised the glass of water to her lips.

"No Mrs. Allen. I- the president won't approve of us endangering civilians?" Cyborg tried again but it sounded like a question.

What happened next surprised everyone. The sunshine incarnate woman's ever lasting smile fell and she narrowed her eyes at tin man.

"Try again." A nervous look took over Cyborg's face.

"Tell me why you are trying to keep me away this bad?" She spoke every word clearly as if she was talking to a kid.

"You don't have any superpowers." A gasp escaped her naturally pink lips.

"So this is what this all is about? I'm not a meta, so I'm not good enough." She made hand gestures as she talked.

Cyborg looked troubled. Everybody knew not to start an argument with Marinette Allen because it would be over before it even got started.

"It sounds bad if you put it like that-"

"Soldiers are made from strong will, determination, their dedication to the cause." She slammed her hand on the table. "You can't expect everyone to become like you."

Cyborg hit his thigh in annoyance, "Mam, we are just trying to protect you!"

Marientte opened her mouth to say something but Michael bursted in having enough of their conversation.

"Why can't you just shut the f*** up and leave? You are just a billionaire wanting to take credit of the work we do while we will be stuck protecting your a** instead of fighting the real enemies. This isn't some video game! This is real life. You want to seduce the soldiers into turning away from their real goal but that ain't happening. Go f*** your daddy dear in that little castle of yours. Your money ain't going to get you past us. If you want to I can-" The Glass of water in her hand was now laying on the ground in pieces.

Before anyone knew, Michael was on the floor struggling to get up as the ravenette put her heel on the man's chest who was desperately trying to get up.

"How. Dare. You?" Her tone sent chills down everyone's backs. Michael felt sweat run down his forehead.

"A piece of advice. Do a background check before you assume things about a person. I was born to two middle class bakers in Paris, who I saw burn in front of my eyes at the age of 10. I survived on the streets. Made money by fixing clothes. Paid my school fees myself. Got sold at the age of 15, nobody came to help me. I helped myself. I raised to the top with my sole hard work. The only trustworthy person I have in my life is my husband. And you don't wanna know how much I'm trained, this was just what I learnt while living on the streets. What you are doing is your duty. Don't think of yourself as high and mighty for doing your duty which looks like you need practice in."

She glared at the speechless guard once more. She made her way to the door and everyone parted to give her some space having seen her wrath. She stopped at the door and without looking back said,

"You are saying that you are not taking me in because I don't have superpowers and going out without powers on my own is a crime-"

"I didn't-" She raised her hand to stop him.

"-which makes me a villain-" She looked at her side but not at the paralyzed cyborg.

"-Then I guess I am a villain." With that she made her way towards her car, not even sparing a glance at the star-stuck expression of the people around her.

She relaxed in her driving seat. She knew one thing. She is not going back in there. She sighed and traced the steering wheel with her fingers. Yes, she is a billionaire but she doesn't want a driver, at least not after the last three times she hired a driver due to her busy days who just gave her off to some random mob-boss for money.

She opened the pocket watch Barry gave her and smiled fondly at the picture of her husband. When she met him, she kicked him in the shin and how the tables have turned. She chuckled.

The alarm brought her out of her daze. "It's time to pick Barry up."

She smirked when the engine roared to life and slammed her heel into the accelerator. The world is coming to an end anyways, why not have some fun?

Taglist: @nathleigh @jalaluvsu @togetherwekill @stackofrandomstuff @qualitypeacepainter @greatcatblaze @shewhorises-tjyj @myazael

[theyearoftheking]

Book Seventy-Nine: If It Bleeds

“There’s an underlying truth in it which I believe you will grasp even at your current age Films are ephemeral, while books- the good ones- are eternal, or close to it. You have read me many good ones, but others are waiting to be written.” 

This is it... the second to last book in the challenge. I’m really dragging my feet reading Later (although it is a spectacular book). But this challenge is over, and I don’t know what I’m going to do. I have a ton of books on my shelves and Kindle to read, and writing that needs to be done (characters are all but screaming for me to come back to them); but this project really gave me purpose in a rudderless time. 

I had started this project as a fun conversation piece, but quickly turned into something bigger. During quarantine, this challenge gave me a purpose. I’d challenge myself to read one hundred pages a day, and remind myself to drink water between chapters. Sometimes writing these posts dragged me out of bed. In winter months I’m extremely agoraphobic, and it’s tough for me to leave the house some days. And other days it’s all I can do to wash and brush my hair. Mental health is a bitch, sometimes. But I didn’t mean to make this about me... although I’m sure some of my readers can relate, a lot of us took a hit to the mental health during 2020. While I will look back on quarantine fondly (it gave me excuses not to leave the house, or change out of my pajamas), my mental health will not. But just as it’s time to leave the house, I suppose it’s also time to start focusing on new projects once this one is complete. I have no idea what that will look like. Maybe I’ll start with Steve’s movies. Maybe I’ll re-read Joe Hill. Who knows. But I do know I’m going to indulge in some trashy fiction reading. 

Ok! 

If It Bleeds is a collection of three novellas, and a Holly Gibney story. I shouldn’t discount the other three stories: they’re extremely well written, and thought provoking. But the real star of the book is the Holly story. 

The first story, Mr. Harrigan’s Phone turns grief on it’s ear. A lot of people call their loved one’s cellphones after they pass... they want that experience of hearing their voice just one more time. But what happens when the phone is buried with your loved one and continues to ring? And what if you get a text from them after their death? It’s a sweet story, with your typical Steve twist. 

The second story, The Life of Chuck is told backwards, and “contains multitudes”. It also has a post-apocalyptic vibes, with California falling into the ocean, and the Midwest burning. It also has college kids storming the White House looking for answers, which is just another example of Steve predicting the future. 

Steve was inspired by a random billboard that read, “Thanks Chuck!” along with a guys picture and “39 Great Years”. Again, something mundane with a great Steve twist. He’s proven this is his sweet spot. 

The third story is If It Bleeds, which picks up almost immediately where The Outsider left off. There’s a tragic bombing that takes place inside an elementary school, and Holly can’t stop watching the television news reports. There’s something tickling at her brain, and she can’t figure out what it is. 

Eventually we find out there are more monsters like the one Holly killed in The Outsider. Jerome makes the best comparison, and says evil is like a bird that randomly flies from person to person, infecting them as it goes. There’s one section of the book when a character refers to the monster as, “It”. So it makes you wonder if this is one big tie-in, where we find out Holly is killing pieces of the monster that plagued Derry for so long. 

The mystery itself is secondary to Holly’s larger-than-life character. She is dealing with family issues; her Trump-supporting mom needs Holly’s help putting her uncle in a care facility, and Holly is struggling to cut herself out of the co-dependent relationship she has with her mother. But Holly has grown. She knows her worth, and she doesn’t let people talk down to her anymore. Her evolution is best described as, “Holly would do well to remember...who she is. Not the child who nibbled Mr. Rabbit Trick’s ears. Not the adolescent who threw up her breakfast most days before school. She  is the woman who, along with Bill and Jerome, saved those children at the Midwest Culture and Arts Complex. She is the woman who survived Brady Hartsfield. The one who faced another monster in a Texas cave. The girl who hid in this room and never wanted to come out is gone.” 

The final story is Rat. And I’m just going to tell you... an actual rat quoting Jonathan Franzen is perfect. He’s problematic enough to be an actual rodent. Yeah, I’m going to say it. The Corrections was absolute garbage, and I don’t know why it was lauded the way it was. He’s a condescending misogynist and he’s not nearly as good a writer as he thinks he is... says the girl writing a blog on her Stephen King musings. But whatever! I own what I’m doing, and the significance of it.

I will gladly re-read all of Steve’s books again before picking up another Jonathan Franzen book. If you want to dive into all the reasons he’s disgusting, this Bustle article will explain it to you. Like, legit explain it. Not mansplain it. 

Anyway, Rat explores why it’s not a great idea to make deals with rodents during major weather events. And when you’re at your isolated cabin and a major snowstorm is on the way- heed your wife’s advice and come back to civilization. 

This collection included plenty of Constant Reader mentions:

Derry

Shawshank Prison

Castle Rock

Gunslinger

It was an excellent collection, and I can’t get enough Holly. Steve talked about how she started out as a small, minor character and her presence just grew and grew. I don’t know about the rest of the Constant Readers, but I’d totally read another Holly book. Hell, I’ll take a whole series at this point. 

So, my final book is Later. I’ve got about 100 pages left to read and then that’s it... until April. 

Total Wisconsin Mentions: 48

Total Dark Tower References: 76

Book Grade: A+

Rebecca’s Definitive Ranking of Stephen King Books

Doctor Sleep: A+

The Talisman: A+

Wizard and Glass: A+

11/22/63: A+

Mr. Mercedes: A+

End of Watch: A+

Under the Dome: A+

Needful Things: A+

On Writing: A+

The Green Mile: A+

Hearts in Atlantis: A+

Full Dark, No Stars: A+

The Outsider: A+

The Bazaar of Bad Dreams: A+

If It Bleeds: A+

Just After Sunset: A+

Rose Madder: A+

Misery: A+

Different Seasons: A+

It: A+

Four Past Midnight: A+

Stephen King Goes to the Movies: A+

The Shining: A-

The Stand: A-

Finders Keepers: A-

Bag of Bones: A-

Duma Key: A-

Black House: A-

The Institute: A-

The Wastelands: A-

The Drawing of the Three: A-

The Dark Tower: A-

Dolores Claiborne: A-

Blaze: B+

Hard Listening: B+

Revival: B+

Nightmares in the Sky: B+

The Dark Half: B+

Joyland: B+

Skeleton Crew: B+

The Dead Zone: B+

Nightmares & Dreamscapes: B+

Wolves of the Calla: B+

‘Salem’s Lot: B+

Song of Susannah: B+

Carrie: B+

Creepshow: B+

From a Buick 8: B

The Girl Who Loved Tom Gordon: B

Sleeping Beauties: B-

The Colorado Kid: B-

Storm of the Century: B-

Everything’s Eventual: B-

Cycle of the Werewolf: B-

The Wind Through the Keyhole: B-

Danse Macabre: B-

The Running Man: C+

Cell: C+

Thinner: C+

Dark Visions: C+

The Eyes of the Dragon: C+

The Long Walk: C+

The Gunslinger: C+

Pet Sematary: C+

Firestarter: C+

Rage: C

Desperation: C-

Insomnia: C-

Cujo: C-

Nightshift: C-

Faithful: D

Gerald’s Game: D

Roadwork: D

Lisey’s Story: D

Christine: D

Dreamcatcher: D

The Regulators: D

The Tommyknockers D

Until next time, Long Days & Pleasant Nights, Rebecca

[starryknight09]

Unforeseen dangers ch 10

Summary:  As Peter recovers from his capture by Ross, a photo of him with Tony and the Avengers leaks and is splashed all across the media. Luckily, no one can figure out who he is and everyone thinks the buzz will die down. However, the public’s interest has been ignited. While Tony worries it’s only a matter of time before Peter’s identity is exposed, Peter isn’t as concerned. Besides, what’s the worst that could happen anyway?

Read on AO3.

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“How did they figure it out?” Tony growled as soon as he walked into the conference room.  He’d tampered his anger down for Peter’s sake, but now that Peter was safe upstairs, he felt it was fine to finally let it out.

Everyone made faces at each other around the table but no one answered his question.  So, it was going to be like that.

“Well?” He asked, this time aiming his question at Pepper.  She wouldn’t be afraid to tell him the hard stuff.

Pepper sighed but met his eyes unflinchingly.  “You’re not going to like it.”

“I already don’t like it.” He snapped and sat down heavily in the empty chair at the head of the table, Pepper to his immediate right.  Just like old times.

“Somehow they got ahold of the name change paperwork.”

“What?”

“I told you you wouldn’t like it.” Pepper pursed her lips.  “It gets worse.  They dug deeper and found the adoption paperwork as well.”  

“So there’s no way we can deny this.” Tony rubbed a hand roughly over his forehead and eyes.

“No.”

“So what do we do now?  Besides figuring out who leaked this and suing the hell out of them.”

“Naturally.” Pepper agreed.  “That’s already being looked into as we speak.”

“Good.”

“But as to how we deal with this…” She sighed.  “I’m open to ideas.”

“You’re kidding.”

Pepper stared him down.  She obviously wasn’t kidding.

“We don’t have anything set up for this?  No contingency plan?  Nothing?  It’s not like we haven’t been flirting with this exact disaster for the past two months.” He looked at all his employees lined up on either side of the table.  “What do I pay you people for?”

“To be fair, you didn’t want a contingency plan.” Pepper said, tone sharp without raising her voice.

“I never said that.”

“Yes you did.  When the first photo leaked I gave you options for how to deal with this and you wanted to deny it, and then later when I wanted to talk to you about putting together a contingency plan just in case, you told me ‘you didn’t want to think about it and you’d figure it out if something happened.’  Is that ringing any bells?”

“You don’t have to air quote me.” He complained as Pepper’s hands fell from doing just that back to their loose clasp on the table.  He actually did remember that conversation now.  It’d been about a week after the first photo leak.  He’d been in a terrible mood and Pepper had wanted to talk about coming up with a plan for what to do if one of his worst case scenarios happened, if Peter’s identity leaked, and he, well, he hadn’t wanted to think about it at the time.  He’d wanted to stick his head in the sand and hope for the best instead.  Not one of his better decisions, clearly.

Pepper raised an eyebrow at him.

“And you listened to me?” He asked as he threw his hands up and practically jumped out of his chair.  “You never listen to me.  This is the one time you decide not to go behind my back and come up with something on your own anyway?”

Pepper glared at him.

“What?  You know it’s true.  You do do that!” He held a finger up in defense.

Melanie, his head of PR, sitting to his left, cleared her throat.  “I think maybe we’re getting a little off topic here Mr. Stark.”

“Yes.  Yes we are.” He broke away from Pepper’s death glare and rubbed at his eyes again before turning to her, “Melody, tell me what you’re thinking.”

“Melanie.” She corrected automatically without surprise or displeasure, more than used to his antics by now.  

“Yeah yeah.” He nodded and waved his hand in a circle as an indication for her to start talking.

“We need to make a statement.”

“Yes, obviously.”

Melanie gave him a look that was such a mirror image of Pepper’s that he felt dizzy for a second.

“What I mean is, what do you suggest we say?” He tried to be civil and looked over to Pepper for her approval, but she still had her stony business face in place.

“We confirm that you adopted Peter this summer.  We should give them a little bit about his background, how you got to know each other, the circumstances that led to his adoption—”

“Do they really need to know all that?  I don’t really want to splash my kid’s life across the tabloids.”

“That’s what I’m trying to keep from happening Mr. Stark.” Melanie said in a carefully controlled tone.  “If we give them nothing then it’ll only be worse.  They’ll be relentless digging for more information on him.”

“They’re going to do that anyway.”  God, they were.  His poor kid’s life was going to get turned inside out.

“Yes, but this way we can control it.  We set the context.  We give them enough information to satiate their curiosity but not so much that they know everything about Peter.”

He hated the idea of giving the vultures anything.

“Melanie’s right Tony.  This is how we need to do this.” Pepper agreed.

“Fine.” He held his palms up in defeat.  He knew they were right, but he still didn’t like it.

“I would also suggest that we release a few handpicked photos of the two of you together.” A brunette to the left of Melanie piped in.  Tony would’ve admired her courage if her suggestion hadn’t set his temper alight.

“No.  Absolutely not.” He wanted to yell, but he grit out the refusal at a low level volume instead.

More hesitant glances amongst his employees around the table ensued.

“You should listen to her.” Natasha spoke up.

“Oh I’m sorry I thought you were here to listen, not offer up advice on how to deal with my kid and my company.” He sniped, annoyed that she was taking their side.

Nat met his anger coolly.  “If you don’t, they’ll keep doing what they’ve been doing these past couple months.  Photos of the two of you together and photos of just him now that they know he’s your son.  If you don’t give them something they’re going to hound both of you until they get it, and you know it.”

He hated that she was right.

“Dammit.” He swore and stood, knocking his desk chair over in the process.  Pepper didn’t so much as flinch.  Tony grit his teeth as he turned his back on the table and took a couple steps toward the wall, where he stood facing it while he closed his eyes and took a few calming breaths.

He hated this situation with a burning anger he hadn’t felt in a long time, like a smoldering flame deep inside his belly growing white hot as more oxygen was added to it.  He’d never wanted this for Peter.  He loved him.  He was his son but somehow he’d foolishly thought he’d be able to keep him separate from all the evil and burdens that came with that.  He had to accept that it was impossible now.  And he needed to stay strong and collected for Peter even if on the inside he was having a breakdown.

“I’m sorry.” He said, the words coming out strong even though he felt anything but strong at the moment.

He took another deep breath and turned back around, moving to calmly set his chair upright again before standing at his spot at the head of the table.  A few of the newer employees looked a little shellshocked but he ignored it.  “Fine.” He leaned forward, his hands splaying out in front of him on the table.  “I’ll make a statement and release a few pictures.  What else?”

“At the end of your statement, you should be sure to ask for privacy.” Joe, the wizened white-haired head of his legal team, suggested, not cowed at all by his minor outburst.  He’d been on staff since pre-Ironman times.  

“Of course.”

“It’s too bad you don’t still live in California.” Joe added.  “Because of Peter’s status as a minor, it would give him some protections.  California passed a law in 2013 that makes it illegal to intentionally harass children of celebrities, such as for the purpose of taking photos.”

“And that’s only a law in California?” He frowned.

“As of now.” Joe nodded.  “But if you want, I could write up a proposal for the governor to pass a similar law here.  It’s a long shot but it wouldn’t hurt, especially if you don’t want to move.”

“We’re not moving to California.”

Joe shrugged.

“But yes, do that.” A law like that sure would’ve been helpful when he’d been a child.

“Of course, sir.”

“Tony,” Cap spoke up from his seat at the opposite end of the table, “have you given any thought to taking Peter up to the compound instead of staying here?  At least until things calm down?”

Tony blinked.  He hadn’t.

“I mean,” Steve continued when his suggestion wasn’t met with an immediate refusal, “it’s not like he’s not going to school tomorrow, right?”

He hadn’t thought that far ahead either.

“Right.” He said with uncharacteristic hesitance.

“That’s a good idea.” Natasha agreed.  “We can do the press conference here and then go to the compound.  It’ll give everyone a little more room to breathe.”

He nodded absently.  Sure.  So apparently now he was taking his kid out of school and high tailing it to the compound.  Peter wasn’t going to like that.  He let out another heavy sigh and sat back down in his chair like a puppet with its strings cut.

“How long do you think this media frenzy is going to take to die down?” He asked, aiming his question at Melanie.  Maybe they could wait out the worst of it at the compound.

“Hard to say.” She hedged.

“Best guess.”

“Months.” She deadpanned.

“Jesus.” He ran a hand through his hair.  Definitely too long to wait it out.

“It may be even longer than that.  Peter’s currently trending on every social media platform out there.” A younger guy with blonde hair dressed in a hipster suit added.  Tony didn’t recognize him but figured he must be one of their social media guys.  “The numbers I’m looking at are almost unprecedented.”

“Wonderful.”

“I recommend not letting him post anything until we have a chance to advise him.” The guy added.  “I see he’s currently active on Instagram and Twitter.”

“Sure.  I’ll take your word for it.” Tony huffed.  He didn’t know what kind of social media presence Peter had.  He’d never really needed to worry about it before.

Melanie cleared her throat and piped in, “I’d also like a chance to advise Peter on some things.  And give him a short debrief on all of this.”

“I’ll be doing that.” He countered.

“Um,” Melanie glanced over at Pepper for some help, “I really think I should at least have a sit down with him.

“Tony.” Pepper prompted, throwing her support behind Melanie.

“Fine.” He shook his head.  “But I talk to him first.”

“Of course Mr. Stark.”

“When Melanie’s done, can I schedule sit down with him as well Mr. Stark?” The blonde guy asked.

He turned to Pepper for help, trying not to feel like his own SI team was competing for his kid’s time like the media vultures out there.

“Of course Alex.” Pepper answered for him.  “How about I put together some sort of schedule for Peter so we don’t all completely overwhelm him?”

Heads nodded all around the table.

“And I think we can all agree none of this has to happen today.  We can at least give him a little time to let it all sink in first.” Pepper added.

Everyone nodded again.

“I’d like a few minutes with him Ms. Potts.”

“Me too.”

Tony rubbed his eyes again, feeling a splitting headache coming on.  Just great.  A migraine was exactly what he needed right now.

“I’d also like to reach out to a few of the more reputable media sources and set up some interviews.” Paul spoke up and then clarified, “For you.  Not Peter.  Obviously.”  Paul was one of the longer standing workers on his PR team who dealt with managing relations between himself and various media sources, which was the reason Tony knew him by name.  They’d had some good times in the past, particularly behind the scenes on Letterman back in the nineties.

“Is that really something we need to do right now?  It can’t wait until tomorrow, or hell, next week?” He snapped, quickly losing his patience with the entire situation.

“No.  It can wait.” Paul gave him an easy going shrug as if he hadn’t just gotten his head bitten off in front of everyone.

“Sorry.” His headache was rapidly ratcheting up in intensity.  “I know we’re at defcom one right now, but can we just deal with only the things that are of immediate importance today?  We have the rest of the week to sort everything else out.”  He dug through his suit pockets and found the tinted sunglasses he’d put on Peter earlier.  Now he slid them over his own eyes.  They weren’t quite dark enough to help with the light sensitivity, but they took the edge off.

“Mr. Stark’s right.” Pepper supported him.  Thank god.  “We’ll draft a statement for the press and we’ll make sure Peter doesn’t post anything on social media until he talks to Melanie and Alex.  Besides that, what else can’t wait and needs to be dealt with right now?”

“Security.” His new head of security, Hans something or other, said.  

Tony just stared at him for a couple long seconds, the statement not computing.

“For the kid.” Hans added as if sensing his confusion.

Tony’s brow’s furrowed briefly before he realized it was a completely legitimate concern.  Shit.  No one knew Peter was Spiderman besides the Avengers and his two nerdy school friends.  Of course Peter would need his own security detail, just like Tony had when he was a kid.

“Yeah.” He gave his head a little shake as if clearing the fog.  “Of course.”

“I’ll put together a proposal for his personal security.” Hans continued.  “And I’ll speak to his school about what security measures we can take there.”

Tony pulled his glasses off and tossed them onto the table before putting his face in his hands, elbows resting on the table in front of him.

“Yep.” He agreed, not sounding happy at all.  “Mmhm.”

“We’ll also need to put together different protocols for when he’s ready to go back in public, and I’d like to have some time to discuss certain scenarios with him.” Hans continued.

“Tony.” Pepper prompted when he said nothing.

“I’m listening.” He said into his palms.

“I also think it’d be prudent for me to spend some time with him one on one to teach him some basic hand to hand combat moves.”

“I can do that.” Natasha spoke up.

Hans inclined his head toward her in respect.  “Then I’ll leave that to you.”

“Great.” Tony dropped his hands down swiftly and squinted as he looked around the table.  “Anything else?”

Everyone glanced around at each other but no one spoke.

“No?  Can we be adjourned then?” Tony asked, turning toward Pepper.

“Let’s take a short break everyone.  We’ll reconvene in ten minutes.”

It took everything in him not to legitimately whine to her that he wanted to be done.

Everyone gathered up their things and brusquely left at the dismissal.

“You guys can go.” Tony dismissed his Avengers team, who’d stayed behind.

“You sure?” Steve asked.

“Yeah.  You need to go let everyone else know about the compound plan, so if any of them want to join they can get busy packing.  I know how much luggage Sam travels with.”  He tried to joke but it came out sounding flat even to him.

Steve gave him a small smile as he and Natasha both stood and left.  Once the door had shut behind them, he turned to Pepper and suggested, “You don’t really need me for the rest of this, do you?”

Pepper raised her eyebrows at him.

“Come on Pep.  We both know you can deal with all the nitty gritty details on your own.  Draft up a statement.  I’ll read it.  And then we can talk about everything else tomorrow at the compound.” He rubbed at his temples and saw her eyes soften.

“Fine,” she agreed, “but only because I can tell you’re getting a migraine.”

“You know me so well.” He gave her a weak half smile.

Pepper checked her watch. “The press conference starts in an hour.  Why don’t you lie down until then?  And take some Excedrin.”

He hummed in agreement.  That sounded like a great idea but it warred with his guilt about leaving Peter alone.  He should really get back to his kid.

“Peter can wait.” Pepper continued as if she’d read his mind.  “He’ll be fine.  You need to take care of yourself too.  Besides, this way you’ll look better for the cameras.”

“Hey!  I always look great for the cameras.”

“I can give you several examples of when you did not.” Pepper smirked and gave a small shake of her head.

“Name one.” He challenged.

“Ibiza 1999.”

“Ooo ouch.  Going for blood.  To be fair, I was up for almost 72 hours at that point.  And I didn’t know that one girl’s ex-fiance was the captain of that yacht.”

“Mmhmm.”

“Fine.  I’m going to go lay down for one hour.” He held up a finger.

“Forty five minutes.” Pepper corrected.

“Ok fine.  Forty five minutes then.  FRI?”

“Alarm set Boss.”

He started walking out of the conference room.

“And take that Excedrin.”

“Yeah yeah.”

“I mean it Tony.”

“I will.” He said as the door shut behind him, and surprisingly, he actually meant it.

*******************************

A constant obnoxious low volume beeping, slowly increasing in volume every few seconds, woke him up.

He groaned.  The pounding that’d taken up residence behind his eyes still hadn’t abated, but it wasn’t any worse than when he’d laid down so maybe the Excedrin had actually helped somewhat.

“Boss, you have thirteen minutes to get dressed and downstairs for the press conference.”

He groaned again and buried his face in his pillow.

“Boss.” FRIDAY prompted again.

“I heard you the first time.” He rasped into his pillow.  “And they’ll wait.  It’s my press conference, isn’t it?”

He didn’t know how FRIDAY’s silence could sound so disapproving.

After a few long breaths he finally managed to push himself up.  He just needed to get this over with.  Like ripping off a bandaid.  He made his way to the bathroom and splashed some cold water on his face.  It helped the headache for the brief second it was in contact with his face but then all the relief faded as quickly as the water washed away.  Once he toweled off, he examined his reflection.  At least he didn’t look half as terrible as he felt.  The slight squint between his eyes gave away his discomfort, but that could be cured with a well chosen pair of sunglasses.  He fixed his hair so it looked like its classic well manicured bedhead instead of his actual bedhead.  That helped.  Now all he needed was a good suit and he’d be presentable enough that not even Pepper could complain.

“You have five minutes.” FRIDAY reminded him as he walked to the closet.

“Yeah well tell them I’m going to be a little late.” He grumbled as he rifled through his clothes.  “Knowing me it shouldn’t come as too much of a shock.”

“Very well.”

He donned a crisp white shirt and burgundy tie under a dark navy vest and suit and topped the look off with a pair of oversized sunglasses with black frames and blue shaded lenses.  They were just borderline too dark for inside wear but they helped his headache so he refused to care.

“Ms. Potts would like to know when to expect you.” FRIDAY said.

“Tell her I’m on my way down right now.” He said, doing one last check in the mirror to make sure he looked put together.  Usually he wouldn’t care so much, but he recognized the importance of this moment.  This was how he was going to look when he told the world he had a son.  This look would probably be memorialized on the internet and across all the newspapers of the world tomorrow.  And not only that, but he knew his appearance for this moment would reflect on Peter, so he wanted to be at his best.  Migraine be damned.  He’d done press conferences in way worse shape than he was in now.  Although this one was probably one of his most personally important.  He gave his tie one last adjustment before he decided he was good.

Walking past the kitchen, he practically tripped when the smell of fresh coffee emanating from the pot stopped him in his tracks.  His Rolex said he was already five minutes late.  Whatever.  What was another five?  Besides, he was fairly certain that Pepper had been the one to brew it for him while he’d slept.  That was something thoughtful she used to do when she knew he had a migraine.

“FRIDAY tell Pep thanks for the coffee.” He said as he poured it into a thermos.

“She says you can thank her by getting your ass downstairs.  And that’s a direct quote Boss.”

“Obviously.” A corner of his mouth turned up in fond amusement.  “Tell her, I’m coming dear.”

He pressed the lid on and took a sip.  Perfect.  Brewed just how he liked it, and hopefully the caffeine would help with his headache.

The elevator doors closed behind him and it dropped like a stone.

“Whoa FRIDAY.  Slow it down a little.”

“Sorry Boss.” FRIDAY responded and the elevator slowed the velocity of its descent.  “Ms. Potts requested I expedite your arrival in every way possible.”

“Yeah well I’m guessing she doesn’t want me to lose my lunch all over my suit in the process because that’d definitely defeat the purpose.” He grumbled and took another drink of coffee, hoping it’d help calm the background nausea that had suddenly flared up.

“Would you like me to contact Dr. Banner?” FRIDAY offered.

“No.  Just…shhh.” He winced and rubbed at his temples before closing his eyes and resting his head against the wall, letting himself have a vulnerable moment while he was still alone.

“Arriving.” FRIDAY announced a handful of seconds later, although at a much softer volume than before.

He straightened up and put on his public eye mask as the doors opened and he walked out, taking an immediate left down the hallway that would lead to the auditorium they used for almost all their SI press conferences.  He ducked into a side door right before the double doors at the end of the hallway.

“Is it actually impossible for you to be on time for something?” Pepper asked as soon as the door closed behind him.  Her tone held no bite, so he knew she wasn’t actually mad.

“Maybe.”

She rolled her eyes, arms crossed in front of her chest as she looked him up and down.  “You look hungover.” She decided.

“What?  No I don’t.”

She peered closer at him.  “I can barely even see your eyes.  At least take the glasses off.”

“Well since it feels like a miniature miner is going to town with an icepick in my head right now I’m going to have to pass on that.”

Pepper sighed but the lines of her face softened.  “Do you need me to reschedule?”

He took another long drag of coffee, half of it gone already.  “No.  We both know I need to do this today.”

She nodded but still looked unsure.

“Don’t worry.  I’ve done these things in way worse shape than this.  I think I might’ve even done one or two while I was actually asleep.”

That got a true smile out of her.  “Oh, I know.”

“So this’ll be a piece of cake.” He said even though he knew the opposite was true.

“If you say so…”

“I do.  So where’s this statement I’m reading?”

“Here.” Pepper handed him a piece of paper with the words typed out on it.  Any other day he would’ve made some quip about how they were using paper when they were the most technologically innovative company in the world, but he just didn’t have the energy for it today.

He skimmed it over quickly and set it down on a table nearby.  “Can I have a pen?”

“Oh no no.  You’re not changing anything.” Pepper shook her head adamantly.

“Just a few things.” He held a hand out while re-reading the paper in front of him.

“No.”

He looked up at her.  “Pep I promise it’ll be fine.  Just give me a pen.  If it makes you feel better you can read it before I go out there.”

She pursed her lips and let out a long sigh but acquiesced and handed him her Mont Blanc pen.  “Fine.”

He quickly reworded a few phrases, cut a sentence out here and there and then added another few sentences.  Once he finished, he re-read it a couple times before handing it over to Pepper along with her pen.  “Here.”

The noise of the auditorium could be heard through the closed door at the other side of the room.  It was the door that would lead him directly into a narrow hallway behind the podium from where he’d make his entrance.  He took another long drink of coffee as he waited for Pepper to read over his changes.

“Ok.” She said when she’d finished.

“Just ok?” He prompted with a teasing grin.

“It’s good.  We should be fine as long as you actually stick to the script for once.”

“You know I’m allergic.” He smirked.

“Believe me, I know.” She smiled in amusement.

“But this time, for you, I promise I will try to stick to the cards.”

“Good.” She gave him a nod and handed the paper back.

He took it, folded it, and tucked it into his suit pocket.  She was right.  He almost never stuck strictly to the cards, his announcement as Ironman a prime example, but actually only one of many.  He had no intention of veering off script this time, though.  Not with something this important.  Not when it impacted his kid.

They walked toward the door of the auditorium together and paused before it.  He turned toward Pepper and she gave him another quick once over, reaching out to fix a few errant hairs and straighten his tie ever so slightly before brushing down his shoulders, a well choreographed dance they’d perfected after so many years together.

“Ready?” She asked.

“As I’ll ever be.” He smiled but he knew she could see through it, that he was nervous and trying to hide it.

“Tony.” She said gently.  “It’ll be fine.”

“Of course it will.” He agreed boldly.  It had to be.  Before either of them could say anything else, he yanked open the door and stepped out.

[austarus]

Nash Wells x Reader The Beguilement of Barry Allen

**A/N: The picture/edit/gif does not belong to me. It belongs to @moonymartell​

*Yes, I’ve finally gotten around to writing for Nash. Ya’ll are really in for a treat~ Back to studying for my Medical School Admissions exam. Wish me luck

Word Count: 3870

“Ah!” Nash yelped, recoiling from your touch.

“Sorry,” You cringed at his wincing, placing the H2O2-soaked cotton ball back on the cuts on the side of his face. Ragdoll really did a number on the geological explorer earlier that night. You proceeded with patching Nash up with the first aid kit that you kept at home. Sanitizing the cuts on his arm, you made sure to roll up his sleeves to remain comfortably around his elbow. “I told you it would sting.” I mean, hydrogen peroxide is a powerful liquid formula to eradicate bacteria on cuts and wounds. The pain just means that it’s working.

“Anything from Barry on Joe?”

“No, last I heard was that Joe was transport safely out of the city.”

Nash ran a hand through his brown hair, his body aching with every movement. You handed him some pain medication and a bottle of water to help alleviate the pain reverberating throughout his body. “Good, I’m just happy that- that contortionist meta’s put away. I don’t know what I would have done if I knew he got away.” You knew what he was referring to.

“Tonight, you did your best- protecting her from Ragdoll.”

“He still ended up getting to Allegra, knocked her out and everything. If only-”

“Nash,” You cupped his face gingerly to get him to fully look at you. He stopped rambling at the softness in your voice, “that mind of yours can go on for years on the ‘what if’s’ of every situation with Allegra and her safety, but the results will end up being the same.”

“Did… Did I not do enough?”

A heartbroken look crossed through his blue eyes as he lowered his face slightly in your gentle grasp. His sullen expression crushed your heart, but you stood strong. For him. “No, Nash. You did everything in your power. Allegra… She just needs to recognize that she can’t just judge or be angry at you without understanding your reasoning on why you kept her doppelganger a secret.”

“I-I want to explain everything to her, but she-”

“I know. You just… need to give her some more time, I guess. As frustrating as that sounds. Patience just seems to be the key now. Allegra will have to look at this like an adult.” Rather than acting out every time he tried to interact with her. Honestly, it frustrates me.

“Not gonna stop?”

“Never.”

“You Wells men and your stubborn attitude.” You started putting the equipment of the first aid kit away, mentally noting that you’d have to bandage him right before bed as to not waste supplies. “Have you asked Harry?”

“For what? About Allegra?”

“Yeah? Has he not told you about Jesse?”

“I don’t- really like hanging around Harry too much… in my mind. If anything, it’s a miracle if I can get some peace and quiet. They’re all so rowdy.”

You giggled at his quieting voice with each statement he made. “Jesse was Earth-2’s own Flash. Incredibly bright and determined like her father, but so high-spirited. She was truly a force to be reckoned with, especially with all of us with her.” You sighed, retracting your hand as you spoke about the young speedster. Nash gingerly held your hand, knowing that you were close with the two Earth-2 beings. “Harry’s a father too. You never know when his advice can actually swing things around for your approach to handling Allegra.”

“I know she’s not Maya. Allegra’s her own person, but… I can’t help but feel the need to protect her. I wasn’t able to protect Maya, even after all those years of taking her in and keeping her around.”

“This is your penance for Maya?”

Nash nodded, you gave him a sympathetic smile as he answered you, “I can work through the fact that Allegra can hate me, but I will never be able to live it down if I let anything happen to her.” His blue eyes seemed to pierce right through you, rubbing his thumb over the patch of skin on the back of your hand. “Or you.” Your breath hitched a bit.

“Don’t worry you about me. I can handle myself just fine.” You grinned with twinkling eyes and rouge cheeks. “Besides, a charming adventurer gave me one of these in case I needed to make a hasty escape.” You pulled out the smoke bomb he had given you. Nash smiled proudly to himself that you opted to keep what he had given you.

“I should teach you how to make them, it’s fairly easy.”

“Maybe when we don’t have a secret organization backed by one of the biggest and richest labs in the city trying to kill us. Then you can teach me whatever you want.”

You pecked his lips causing the brown-haired man to cheekily smile down at you. “As long as I get more of those, precious.”

“Deal.” You stood up and stretched out both hands to the taller man, curling your fingers to him. Nash took your hands and allowed you to pull him up, towering over you. You tilted our head to the direction of your bedroom. “Now let’s go get ready for bed. I think a shower and beauty sleep is long overdue.”

“Babe, you shower every night though.” Nash quirked a confused eyebrow at you.

“I know. Want to shower with me?”

“No,” the Wells doppelganger deadpanned. Never again. “You turn up the water all the way and it made me feel like I was swimming in one of the deep, rocky pockets of lava within the pits of Hell. I thought my skin was going to melt off my body.”

You blinked at Nash as the both of you entered your bedroom. “I’m not even going to ask why you know and vividly described the environment in Hell. Anyway, I get really cold and the heat helps with it.”

“How do you not feel like you’re getting suffocated from the steam?”

You shrugged. “I don’t know, the heat just feels really nice on my skin.” You pointed to the bathroom connected to your bedroom. “Why don’t you shower first?” You normally take quick showers anyway.

“With pleasure,” Nash padded towards the drawers that kept some spare clothes he leaves at your place when he plans to sleep over. You flopped onto your bed, mentally pulling out your change of clothes while he had entered the bathroom for his shower. The days that Nash doesn’t stay the night usually ends up with you cuddling up to a pillow in bed while wearing his shirts or long-sleeves. Goodness, you love the way his cologne and earthy musk mixed together to cling on his clothes. Nash, of course, knew of your secret guilty pleasure, but makes no complaint of it.

You blinked your eyes languidly a few times, the sounds of rushing water soothing you. One thing you noticed was that Nash doesn’t really wear any suits or dress shirts, a stark contrast to the other Wells doppelgangers you’d met. Curiosity fluttered around within you as you attempted to conjure up an image of him in a suit tailored to his own tastes. Nah, that won’t work either. Maybe formal wear just isn’t for him? I mean, I’ve yet to actually see him in casual wear either. Getting bored, you started flipping through your phone before settling on Netflix. You knew you shouldn’t be starting a new series with Nash over, but damn were you tempted to start ‘The Umbrella Academy’. And that’s exactly what you did while Nash showered.

In less than 10 minutes, Nash had finished up. Upon exiting the misty bathroom, he found you laying on your bed with your legs kicking in the air as your upper body inclined on a pillow with your phone propped up on another. Hair mused up messily than it had been all night. A soft smile plastered itself onto his face as he dried his hair. The taller man could only guess that you gave into Cisco and Barry’s whining on starting a new TV series. Tapping on your screen, you paused the pilot episode. You turned your head when you noticed his figure step into the room from your peripheral. Cheeks automatically heating seeing him adorn a fitting short-sleeve shirt that wonderfully showed off his biceps and pajama pants.

“Like what you see, precious?” He called in a low voice, intentionally doing a little arm flex as he continued to dry his hair. Nash knew you had a thing for his muscled arms… And literally everything else about him.

“A dork in his pajama’s? Yeah, I guess the view’s alright.” You teased him, earning a playful scowl.

“You wound me.” You just smiled cheekily at him, heading to take up the rest of the hot water for the night. Bumping into him on purpose before silently indicated you wanted a kiss, Nash leaned down and kissed your forehead. Before entering for your shower, you had already instructed your boyfriend to apply a bacterial ointment along with bandaging himself up. To which the brown-haired man pouted, wanting to watch you do that for him instead. What a dork. Smiling happily, you shut the door behind you with a content sigh. You started up Spotify, the song Diamonds by Megan The Stallion and Normani played before stepping in under the hot water. “I’m super shero bitch, don’t try me hoe-” You hummed heatedly in the shower, escaping into a music video of your own. Nash snickered to himself as he heard you sing through the thin walls.

***

Padding out of your heated shower, heart appeased with the intense temperature of your shower. You had a towel turban on your head and another one wrapped around your body like a dress. Your eyes spotted Nash, his eyes moving back and forth between two areas in your room before he let out a rough sigh and shut his eyes tiredly. “Nash?”

“Hm?” The blue-eyed man cracked his eyes open and tilted his head towards you as you stood by the door-frame.

“Where you with the boys? Do I need to-” You gestured to yourself.

“They just left to respect your privacy,” I, however, will not look away.

“Oh, okay.” You shrugged, stepping over to the other side of the bedroom as you slowly shed off the towel. Nash’s eyes followed you, eyes darkening a bit and a wily smile on his face. You knew he was watching you. Nash did every time, so you decided to give him a bit of a show. Swaying your hips as you started to lowly hum a song that came to mind, bending over when you needed to get something before fully getting dressed in your sunflower-printed pajama shorts and shirt set. Turning around, you gave him a seductive wink before re-entering the bathroom to commence with your skin-care routine.

“You know,” Nash spoke up as he stood and strode up beside you. He crossed his arms and leaned against the door frame. “I still think you’re a beauty without all those skin-care products, right?” He pointed to the corner of the skin filled with dermatologist approved products.

“As flattering as that is, you won’t be thinking that when you see me with dry and cracked skin all over my face like a dried-up zombie from those old movies.”

“Bet.”

“I’m not taking that bet.” You frowned, shaking the bottle before pausing. Then you shook it more vigorously. Nash inwardly laughed at your frustration to get what seemed to be the last remnants of the skin care solution.

“Do you need me to go get you that hydrating cleanser tomorrow?”

“Yeah… I think I’m out.”

Nash snickered before pulling you to bed with him after the two of you washed up for bed. You beamed up at the geological myth-buster when he had followed your instructions to bandage himself up. Your eyes caught Nash staring, going off into his mind and wandering thoughts.

“Nash.”

“Hm.”

“You’re thinking about it again.”

“I-I can’t help it. I…” He trailed off. “I should have been better. Done more. For her and Maya.”

You ran a hand through your damp hair before pushing him onto his back and straddling his hips to fully draw his attention away from his thoughts momentarily. His blue eyes widened slightly as his hands gently grasped your hips. “What do I need to do to make you think that you’re enough? That what you’ve done is enough?”

“I can think of a few things currently.”

“…You’re an idiot.”

“That I am not.”

“Yup, you are,” you tapped his nose before cupping his face and giving him a couple of sweet kisses. The Wells doppelganger hummed cheerily against your lips. “What’s done is done. We can only look to the next day and focus on how to better ourselves. It’s just a hard lesson we all need to learn.”

“Speaking of hard-”

“-Let me finish, then we can continue what we started earlier.” By earlier, you meant this morning. You glanced over at the clock. You meant yesterday morning. You had gotten the smart- and by smart, you mean dumb- idea to sleep over at the labs with him. That morning the two of you were… feeling particularly frisky with one another. Bottom line, the two of you almost ended up almost getting caught thanks to Nash biting down a particular sensitive spot on your neck while thrusting himself in. The both of you had to stop when your phone went off which caused you to push Nash off you and accidentally off the bed while you attempted to silence your phone. They can never know, or they’d hold it over my head forever. Especially Iris and Cisco. “Living in the past won’t do you any good, ok?” Nash reluctantly nodded, bringing one of your hands up to kiss.

I’ll try to be good. To be better. For Maya, Allegra, and You. My precious gem. Nash sighed through his nose as you saw raw emotion take over, darkening those baby blue eyes with a certain haziness. “Now can we bang?” The blood rushed to your cheeks at his imminent question before nodding subtly at your horny boyfriend. Well, I mean I’m pretty horny too. Especially since we both never got to finish and today just happened to become the longest day ever. A wide, mischievous grin laced itself onto his face as he pulled you down for more than a couple of kisses.

***

Vrr, vrrrr

Who the fuck needs me up this late? You scrunched your nose grumpily, shutting your eyes even tighter until your mind registered the sounds from your phone. Laying on your stomach, your leg was hooked over a fluffy pillow while your arm was under the pillow beneath your head. “Mmm,” you groaned in annoyance at the noise, haphazardly reaching for your phone from on the bedside counter and cracking an eye open at the sudden brightness of the screen. The phone revealed Barry’s number and goofy pic on the caller ID that you had set. You blinked a few times before swiping on the screen. Um?

“Barry?” You croaked, wincing at the hoarseness of you voice from… earlier activities with your boyfriend. You were greeted by a somber-toned voice, one that didn’t match the happy-go-lucky speedster’s persona.

“(Y/N), C-can you open the door? Please.”

“Yeah, give me one second.”

You heard his soft sniffling as you ended the line, you brain kicking into overdrive as you tripped in the dark to find something to put on. You ignored the echoing dull ache of your body as you moved. Luckily in the dim light that your phone had provided you were able to find Nash’s shirt.

“Hm, what’s wrong?” Nash groaned, waking from the movement and noise before turning to lay on his back. He rose his head to look at you as you got dressed, blinking a few times to fight back the haziness of sleep.

“I don’t know but stay put.” You padded over to leave your room, closing it behind you. Please go back to sleep. You had to make sure Barry didn’t find any trace of the myth-busting explorer.

You hurriedly went to unlock your front door and opened it. What you saw broke your heart. Barry, your closest friend, in tears and puffy, red eyes. “Oh my god, what’s wrong?” You pulled the Scarlet Speedster into your humble abode as you turned on the lights. Locking the door, you brought him into your living room area.

“Did I come at a bad time?” 

“No, of course not. I’m here whenever you need me.”

“Are you sure? You look...” Barry trailed off, subtly gesturing to you causing you to look down. Your cheeks flushed at the amount of marks visibly littering your body.

“D-don’t worry about that”

Barry awkwardly nodded. “It’s Iris, she-”

“Babe, who was at the door?” Nash yawned as he ran a hand through his brown locks, walking in sleepily and shirtless before freezing in his spot. You froze at the voice. The taller man blinked a few times, his mind starting to work now. Your eyes widened as the two men made eye contact. You were screaming internally at the awkwardness that had filled the air between the three of you. “Hi,” Nash did a subtle wave.

“Wells?”

Shit, shit, shit, shit, shit~ “I can explain-” You started. Oh my god, I want to crawl in a hole and die. The thing is, with everything going on you and Nash decided to stay a secret because it’s really irrelevant with the Carver situation and Barry trying to deal with his lack of speed.

“You and Nash? What? When? How long??” The speedster was mind-blown, giving you an incredulous and stunned look. “Why didn’t either of you say anything? How did I even miss this?”

To be fair, you are pretty oblivious at times Barr. “Barry, focus. Iris first.” You stopped the speedster in his tracks before he rambled on a series of other questions. Turning around, you pointed at Nash with a finger and frown. “And you, we are so going to have a talk later.”

“I welcome it.” Nash grinned cheekily and took a seat next, watching you face-palm in response.

This smooth fucker. “Of course you do-

“-Ew-” Barry cringed at the two of you.

“Ignore him. Anyway- Barry, what happened?”

Barry went on to explain what happened that night. How he did his best to protect Joe and Cecile. How Iris had went off at him for not doing enough for Joe. About his powers and Carver. That he wasn’t there to protect her. How her words had carved a hole in his heart as she kicked him out of their home. “I’m barely hanging on with my powers. She- She said I wasn’t her home anymore. But… that’s the abnormality. Iris- We’d work through it. We’d try to talk it over. She- she wouldn’t do that to me.”

“I’m sorry Barr,” You patted his shoulder as he was seated beside you. You shook your head, mind mulling over everything he had just told you. You were essentially Barry’s confidant when it came to things like this from Iris because he knew he needed another person’s point of view so he wouldn’t be jumping head into anything and risk screwing things up even more. “I fucking knew something was off.”

“What do you mean?” Nash questioned beside you.

“The odd behavior towards you, starring off into space at oddly random times, encouraging you,” you gestured to Barry, “to do things you’d normally never do, the cooking all of a sudden-”

“-Thank you!-”

“-Barry, that’s not your wife. I don’t know who or what that is or why they’re doing this. But that’s not your Iris, Barr.”

“I don’t- I don’t know what to do. What am I going to say to the others? How do I act? Where do I go from here? How am I going to protect the others if I can’t even see the anomaly in front of me? I mean, what if she intentionally sabotages our work to stopping Carver.” Barry started rambling again, his speed gauge watch starting to blink.

“Barry-” You tried to stop his train of thought.

“How did I miss the signs? I was living with an imposter for God knows how long. How am I so gullible?”

“Barry, Nash finally called out. The speedster looked up at him and pursed his lips from his rapid-fire free fall of worrisome thoughts and guilt. “Slow down. Take a deep breath and calm down.”

“Tonight, you need to need to rest. This took a lot out of you, and your anxiety is fueling your speed to be use up.” His speed gauge watch was blinking an orange-scarlet color. “I have a spare bed in the guestroom, you can spend the night here and the three of us can brainstorm. How does that sound?”

Barry nodded at your words, avoiding your eyes as he wrung his fingers together in anticipation.

Nash spoke up, “Allen, I have some clothes you can-”

“Ah-I-I’m good. I’ll just sleep in these and get some clothes from Joe’s tomorrow morning.” You watched with a look and raised eyebrow as Barry walked into a random direction of your home before coming back to where you and Nash were seated. Smooth, Flash. A sheepish look was on the speedster’s face. “Where’s your guest room?”

“Down the hall to the left.”

“Right.”

Once you both heard the door shut Nash leaned in close to whisper in your ear, “It’s a good thing we decided not to keep our nightly activities an all-night this time. Love the new look, who’d you steal it from?” His veiny, but prominent hand had reached over you, lightly trailing the tips of his fingers on your hip under his shirt.

You lightly hit his shoulder, as he snickered at you, “I told you to stay put.”

“I didn’t hear you,” Nash pouted slightly before smirking, “And it’s not like he wasn’t going to find out. My bag is sitting right there by the couch. I mean I’m not much of an artist, but-” The Wells doppelganger trailed a hand over the love-bites on your neck, causing you to shiver. “Even I know that those hickeys were painted beautifully on your skin.”

“And I returned that favor two-fold.” You gingerly grasped his strong jaw with an innocent look on your face. “How’s your back by the way?” You asked him tauntingly.

But Nash didn’t back down, instead his grin widened as he turned his head to kiss the inside of your palm. “Deliciously aching from a precious kitty’s claws. How are those bruises on your hips?”

“Oh hush, you!” Your cheeks burned as the memories of earlier resurfaced. Nash chuckled at you, wrapping his strong arms around you before picking you up and heading back to the bedroom. The multi-versal explorer placed a sweet kiss on top of your head with that smug-ass grin on his face. “Let’s just hope, he doesn’t decide to tell anyone tomorrow,” you muttered to your boyfriend, already secretly dreading what the day will bring.

[knives-out20]

The One With All The Relationships And Surprisingly Good Advice - Chandler Bing x Male!Reader - FRIENDS

Fandom: FRIENDS (1994-2004)

Pairing: Chandler Bing x Male!Reader

Warnings: This Shit Is LONG, Spoilers For Season 3 Episode 19, Fluff,

Notes: This Shit Took All Day To Make, Oh My God. It’s Long Since It’s Literally Every Chandler Scene In That Episode Except For One. But, Uh, Obviously, Enjoy!

"Hello, people who do not live here.”

Phoebe, Ross, Chandler and you turned to the front door of Monica's apartment, to see her standing there, eyebrows raised. “Hi" Phoebe and Ross greeted in unison, Chandler saying "hel-lo" and you merely waved.

"I gave you a key for emergencies" she reminded, hanging up her bag.

"We were out of Doritos" Phoebe told, Chandler and you looking back at the book he was reading, as you shifted on the arm of the sofa he sat in.

"Hey, how'd the date with Mr. Millionaire go?" Ross asked, watching Monica take off her coat.

"'Mr. Millionaire, new from Snooty Playthings'" Chandler teased, altering the pitch of his voice to sound like an infomerical announcer." “Third wife sold separately" he raised his eyebrows, then nodding proudly.

You snickered, lightly pushing his shoulder and looking back to Monica."Seriously, how was it?" You asked.

Monica groaned, walking over. “He's great! I mean, we have such a good time together. He's so funny, and so sweet, and I'm not attracted to him at all!" She exclaimed.

"Still?" Ross then asked.

"No! It's driving me crazy. I mean, in every other way, he's like the perfect guy. He has everything. Plus, he actually has everything.”

Chandler leaned back in his seat, book closed and on his chest. “Life-sized imperial storm troopers from sharper image?" He suggested, head tilted slightly.

"Two." Monica smiled, holding up two fingers.

"Wow." Chandler sat up again, amazed. “Can Joey and I put them on and fight?"

"Why can't I put it on and we fight?" You pouted, turning to Chandler.

"Because you know I'd never wanna hurt you. Joey's my best friend, and he's a real idiot sometimes" Chandler replied, looking up at with with his bright, pretty blue eyes. “Not like you'd ever try to hurt me, anyway.”

You pulled a sturgeon face, "yea, true." You turned back to Monica, ready to ask her another question. But, before you could, Joey came prancing in, singing something.

"Oh mommy, oh daddy, I am a big old baddy!" He cheered, circling the kitchen table."Oh mommy, oh daddy, I am a big old baddy!" Joey repeated, quickly out the door.

Chandler, confused out of his mind, blinked as he turned from Joey, to you, and over to Monica, expecting any reaction or explanation from the woman with the hand on her chest, who had an equal amount of shock on her face.

"I, whole-heartedly, never want to hear Joey say 'daddy' ever again" you stated, raising a finger.

"I guess he must have gotten the part in that play" Ross cleared up, earning an "Oh!" Of realization from Phoebe and you.

"Yea, either that or Gloria Estefan was right- eventually, the rhythm is going to get you" Chandler added, you nodding in agreement.

***

Joey, Phoebe, Monica, Chandler and you all sat around at Central Perk, with the Mr. Millionaire man that Monica recently went on a date with.

"So you're like a zillionaire" Phoebe commented, having you chuckle at that.

"And you're our age, your our age" Chandler squinted, one leg crossed over the other. He had an arm around you, gesturing with that hand as he tried wrapping his head around the fact that Monica's date is richer than rich, but also their age.

"You know what?" Phoebe asked, "you should, like, you should buy a state and then just name it after yourself.”

Monica's date, Pete, scoffed. “Like, Pete Dakota?" He suggested.

Phoebe and Monica laughed. “Yea, or- or Mississipete" Phoebe joked, letting it be Pete's turn to laugh.

"Oh, oh, I got it" Joey pointed at Pete, with an idea. “Pete Chicago.”

Chandler and you exchanged looks. “That's not a state, Joe" Chandler broke it to him, locking eyes with Joey.

"Oh, and Mississipete is?" Joey asked, scoffing.

Chandler, 100% done, turned over to you, looking at you badly concealing a laugh at the look of defeat on his face. “Y'know, (Y/n)'s quite the money man himself" he pointed out.

"Really? What do you do, uh, (Y/n)?" Pete asked, turning to you.

You sucked your teeth, rubbing the back of your neck. “Not myself necessarily, it's- it's my dad, he has this oil company, y'know, uh-”

"Oh, oh, (L/n) North?" Peter asked, you nodding in amazement. “Pretty popular company." After a beat of silence, he announced "I gotta go, so, uh, I'll see you guys later." getting up and out of his seat, going over to the door to grab his coat.

"You're our age!" Chandler repeated, watching Monica follow him.

"So, uh, we still on for tomorrow night?" Pete asked, grabbing his coat and turning to Monica.

"Absolutely" Monica answered, leaving them in tense silence. Until, that is, Monica, out of fear, ruffled his hair and said "now, get out of here, you!" With Joey's, Chandler's, Phoebe's, and your eyes on her. When Pete left, Monica came back over, putting her hands on the arm of the sofa Chandler, Phoebe and you sat on. “Okay, I'm running out of places I can touch him" she forced a smile onto her face. “I mean, is there something wrong with me? I mean, why am I only attracted to guys where there's no future? E-Either they're too old, or they're too young, and then there's Pete, who's- who's...crazy about me, I mean, he's absolutely perfect, and then there's like, zip going on. I mean, seriously, does it sound like there's something wrong with me?" Monica stressed, eyes wide with fear.

"Yea, kinda" Phoebe replied, nodding slightly.

You leaned back, laying on Chandler's chest, who automatically wrapped his arms around you. “Maybe it's because you're rushing into literally every guy you meet, you're trying to make something happen, out of fear. Just go with the flow for a while. I mean, I didn't immediately try to date Chandler when I first met him. I saw he was cute, got to know him, fell for him, 'n' look at us. Perfect stuff takes time, Monnie, c'mon.”

Chandler looked down at you. “You said you didn't think I was cute when we first met".

"Yea, well, I also told you I'm a sucker for floppy hair. You had floppy hair. I thought you'd have put the pieces together by now" you mumbled, smiling up at him.

***

Ross, Chandler, and you were in Chandler's apartment, now. Ross stood glued to the door, looking through the peephole as Chandler and you lay stomach-down on the recliners, holding hands and watching a basketball game on TV.

"Ross, you've got to stop, okay?" Chandler called, making no effort to actually turn and look at him."You can’t just stare through the peephole for three hours!".

"You're gonna get peep-eye!" You added, proud when you heard Chandler giggle and praise you with "nice one, babe.”

"I knew it, I knew it, I always knew she liked him" Ross started. “She'd say no, but here we are, right?" He asked, watching Chandler and you spin around in your seats to face him, "we just broke up first thing she does-"

"You didn't just break up-" Chandler corrected, Ross butting in again.

"Hey, it's been like, three weeks.”

"You slept with somebody three hours after you thought you broke up!" Chandler reminded, gesturing a hand over at him and getting up. “I mean, bullets have left guns slower" he added, helping you up.

Ross shushed him, whispering "here they come, here they come. Oh, if she kisses him goodnight I'm gonna kill myself, I swear. I can't, I can't watch this-" he told, turning to shake his head at Chandler and you, but immediately going back to look through the peephole.

Chandler put his hands on his hips, watching Ross in a disapproving manner as you looped your arms around one of his, holding onto him.

"Come on, date over, date over" Ross silently chanted. “Oh, oh, here we go, she's going in, she's going in-" he giggled, Chandler replying "okay", glad that this would be over. But then Ross' tone changed. “Wait-" he pressed both hands against the door, "he's going in.”

Chandler raised his eyebrows, lowering them as he scoffed and glanced at you.

"He's going in!" Ross repeated, "the door's closed!" He explained, turning to face Chandler and you. “I can't see anything with the door closed!" Ross whined, walking away from Chandler's door.

"And the inventor of the door rests happily in grave" you remarked, earning a quick smile of amusement from Chandler as you both turned around to look at Ross.

"Okay, I have to do something, I mean, I have to- I have to stop it" Ross groaned.

"Stop what?" You asked.

"I don't know! But the- I- I have a feeling that my being there will do it" Ross stuttered."I'll go over, and I'll borrow something...Juice! I need juice!" He declared, going to walk past Chandler, who grabbed him and yelled "no, you can't!"

Chandler pushed you out the way, jumping onto Ross' back as another way of stopping him.

"Look, they must be stopped!" Ross exclaimed, trudging past the fooseball table.

"I am your friend, and I am not gonna let you do this!" Chandler then proclaimed, grabbing onto the table, which he ended up pulling with him as Ross got to the door. “You are surprisingly strong" he looked confused as he said this, almost scared of how strong Ross was. “(Y/n), c'mon, help me, baby!"

You held onto the kitchen counter to stop from falling to the floor from laughing, shaking your head. “Oh, no, no, no, Channy, this is TOO funny!" You cackled as Chandler growled at you, still on Ross' back.

"I need juice" Ross weakly repeated as you calmed down, stepping forward. “People need juice!"

"Look, man..." You started, as Ross repeated what he said while Chandler struggled to finally close the door. “Listen to me!" You called, Chandler's legs walking backwards up the door.

"Juice! They need juice!" Ross cried, one of his own legs on the door, now.

You crossed your arms, watching in bewilderment. “This is so fucking weird to look at" you raised your eyebrows as the two men paused. “Can I please have my boyfriend back- y'know what-" you groaned, pulling Chandler off of Ross and held onto him, keeping your boyfriend close with your arms around his waist. You kissed Chandler's cheek, one of his hands flat on your chest, the other on your shoulder as he looked at Ross like the elder Geller sibling was a madman. “She's moving on, okay? If it's not this guy, it's gonna be somebody else! And unless you're thinking about subletting Chandler's peephole, you are gonna have to get used to the fact that the relationship is over" you explained, banging the counter a 'get used to'. “Okay, man? It's over.” You and Chandler stood in silence, both of you now ready to pounce back onto Ross in case he made a sudden run for it.

Ross sighed. “Yea, okay" he succumbed, "it's just, I miss her so much.”

"I know" you nodded, quickly patting his head.

"You're surprisingly...good at whatever that just was" Chandler mumbled.

"I've had to tell myself similar things in the past, Channy. I'm a natural at this point" you muttered rubbing his side soothingly, kissing his cheek again.

***

Chandler and you sat in his recliners, wearing his loose bath robes over plain shirts. You both faced the TV, then spun the recliners to face each other.

"I don't think this town is big enough for the both of us to relax in" he pointed out, as if the two of you were cowboys about to showdown in some Western movie. He awkwardly raised his fist to his face, lightly blowing it while maintaining eye contact with you. Chandler blinked and rolled his shoulders back then announcing "draw!"

At the same time, you both kicked up the feet of your recliners like cowboys would bring out their guns about now. Chandler and you started to laugh, nodding proudly and heads darting to look towards the door when Joey walked in, slamming it shut behind him.

"We weren't doing anything" Chandler blurted out, eyes wide.

Joeys slammed his bag down on the fooseball table, following his roughly-taken-off coat.

Chandler raised his eyebrows as he got up, offering a hand to help you up as well. “Uh-oh, what did she do now?" He shakily asked.

"Just because she went to Yale drama she thinks she's, like, the greatest actress since..." Joey opened the fridge, "since- since sliced bread" he finished, grabbing a bottle of beer and closing the fridge door.

"Ah, sliced bread" Chandler nodded knowingly.

"A wonderful Lady Macbeth" you nodded along, Chandler and you then giggling and nudging each other.

"God, I just- I hate her. I hate her, with her 'oh, I'm so talented' and 'ooh, I'm so pretty' and 'ooh, I smell so good'" Joey complained, mocking the girl in a weird voice, getting higher with each statement.

Chandler and you shared knowing looks with one another, then turning back to Joey. “I think somebody has a crush on somebody" Chandler teased, a hand on the counter.

"Hey, Chandler, can we please try and stay focused on my problem, here, y’know? Also, no shit you have a crush on (Y/n), you're dating, for crying out loud" Joey groaned, gesturing to himself.

You leaned onto the counter with one hand, your other on your hip. “He’s talking about you, you big, big freak" you insulted, looking at Joey with disbelief.

"Oh." Joey shifted on the spot, looking the both of you up and down in judgement. “Oh- oh, you're out of your mind" he cringed, walking past the two of you.

"Hey, you have done nothing but talk about her for the last forty-eight hours" Chandler followed Joey close behind, stopping at the wooden shelf Joey made once Joey walked into his room. “If you were in a schoolyard, you'd be pulling her pigtails and pushing her down now!"

"Because society has you at a young age that if you're mean to a girl, it means you like her" you added, tilting your head up intelligently. You approached Chandler, who instinctively wrapped an arm around you.

"Oh, yea?" Joey asked, now at the doorway of his room. “Then how come I keep thinking about her in all these sexual scenarios and stuff, huh?" He asked, raising his eyebrows as he pointed at Chandler, like what he said was just the smartest comeback in the world.

When, in reality, it made all three of you furrow your eyebrows in a mix of confusion and disgust.

"Maybe because what you feel is only sexual attraction towards her-?" You suggested, Chandler nodding and mumbling "okay-" to end the conversation.

***

Chandler lay on his back on the long couch of Monica's apartment, half-asleep with you fast asleep on his chest, the book he was reading now over your head like a hat.

"Hey," Phoebe called, instantly waking Chandler up. 

He blinked wildly and looked around at where he was, then down at you. Slowly, Chandler picked up the book and set it on the table, using a finger to fix your hair and brush it out of your face. He smiled lovingly, hugging you like a body pillow, or like his arms was your blanket. Chandler gave Phoebe a shaken double-take.

"Why isn't it Spiderman?" She asked. “You know? Like Goldman, Silverman?"

Chandler cautiously adjusted how he lay on the sofa, careful not to wake you up, but to no avail. He pursed his lips, looking down at you apologetically as you groggily opened your eyes. “Ah, sorry, baby, I wasn't trying to wake you up-"

"'S okay, what's up?" You groaned, squinting over at Chandler with a sleepy smile on your face.

"Uh- Uh," Chandler cleared his throat, momentarily rendered speechless whenever you had that sleepy grin on your face. “Phoebe just asked me 'why isn't is Spiderman'. Like Goldman, or Silverman" he repeated. “Anyways, Phoebe, because it isn't- it's not his last name" Chandler answered, turning to Phoebe with furrowed eyebrows.

"It isn't?" Phoebe looked genuinely surprised.

"No. It's not like...Phil Spiderman" he shook his head.

"Yea, if that was the case, it would be 'Chandler Perfectman', not 'Bing'" you sleepily added, Chandler's cheeks flushing.

"He's a spider...man" Chandler explained, ignoring the heat in his face. “You know? Like, uh, like Goldman is a last name, but there is no gold man.”

"Sometimes, last names derive from what your ancestors were. Goldman and Silverman probably mean your ancestors were gold or silver miners, or silversmiths. Spiderman, if this is the case, would mean your ancestors fucked spiders or something" you noted, lazily raising a finger but quickly dropping it.

"Oh, oh, okay" Phoebe nodded, as if she just learned the true, real meaning of life. “There should be a gold-man!" She told, eyes going wide in realization.

Chandler nodded and raised his eyebrows, turning back down to you quickly.

"Hey." Rachel greeted, walking in and closing the door behind her

"Hey, Rachel." Monica smiled.

"Yo, Monica's here?" You asked, lifting your head up and turning towards the kitchen. “Hi, Monica!" You tiredly waved, not catching Chandler gazing at you in adoration.

"Hi, Chandler's boyfriend" Monica teased, waving back. “How was work?" She asked Rachel, turning back over to her.

"Oh, great. Although, I did sit down where there wasn't a chair" Rachel replied, hanging up her bag and walking over.

"By the way, Ross dropped by a box of your stuff" Monica reminded, turning to quickly point at a white box on the table.

"Oh, well, I guess I had that one coming" Rachel sighed, walking into the living room and around the small table. “I'm just gonna throw it out, it's probably just a bunch of shampoo, and-" she stopped talking when she opened the box, finally seeing whatever was inside.

Confused, Monica, Chandler, Phoebe and you all looked over at her, after you quickly reached up to kiss Chandler's neck.

"Something wrong?" Monica asked.

Rachel didn't answer, silently reaching into the box and pulling out a singular, white shirt, which you were just about able to read 'FRANKIE SAYS' on it, not being able to read the last word. Rachel took a deep breath as she stared at it, her hair hiding her smile as he flipped it to read the words on the front. She chuckled blankly, "no, nothing." Rachel turned and walked into her room without saying another word.

You were still confused, so you looked up at Chandler. “Who's Frankie?"

Chandler pursed his lips and dramatically shrugged, mumbling "I don't know.”

***

Chandler and Phoebe sat on the recliners in his apartment, you sitting securely on his lap as Phoebe sat cross-legged and rocked back and fourth in her recliner like a child. “So, uh, what kind of powers would Gold-man have?" Chandler asked, smiling like an excited kid.

"Okay, well, he would turn things to gold" she stated in a straight-forward manner.

"Ooh, ooh, like King Medias from Greek Mythology!" You recalled, fists balling out of joy. You saw the look on Chandler's faced and decided to clear up his confusion by saying "I sorta had a small Greek mythology phase, growing up.”

Chandler nodded, looking back to Phoebe. “What about things that are already gold?" He challenged, eyebrows raising expectantly.

"Ah, his work is done" is all Phoebe returned.Chandler smiled and nodded, adjusting how he sat as he said "okay, let's play my game now.”

"Okay" Phoebe agreed, uncrossing her legs to sit on the chair properly. “Arr, you yellow-bellied, lily-livered...draw!" She called, Chandler and her both pulling up the feet of the recliners.

You giggled as you bounced when Chandler pulled his feet up, your boyfriend sitting up to wrap his arms around you.

[musedblues]

Born To Love You [Part: 7]

summary: When Gwilym ropes you into a lie, the truth becomes painfully obvious. When Joe makes things harder, there’s no telling if he even has a clue

a/n: I can't really believe I've finally finished this. If only you all knew how long this story sat in my drafts before I even considered sharing it. I'm eternally gratful to those of you who’ve stuck around and shared your thoughts and shown me and this fic such sweet love. I can only hope I've done some kind off justice in bringing this wild ride to a close. As always, and especially now,  I really can't wait to hear what you lot think. So here you have it.... The End! 💖

w/c: 4k

∘₊✧──────✧₊∘

Even after all this time, not a moment passed that didn't dazzle you. No little gesture slipped by unnoticed, or underappreciated.

From across the room, you adored the way his eyes glowed as he laughed. How they shined and crinkled in a pattern you'd memorized long before you were brave enough to stare. How they always sparkled just so when he spun into a fit of giggles, a sound you couldn't help but turn toward.

Joe tossed his head back, letting out a hearty chuckle as James and Andy filled him in on the details of their recently disastrous road trip. For their anniversary, they planned to cruise around the countryside for a week. But a flat tire, and a run in with a couple wild animals sent them running back to London before the week was up.

You couldn't have gotten luckier, when you found the perfect house in the safest part of the city with the best schools; just a half an hour drive from where James and Andy had moved a couple years before- after living with you for longer than you could recall in a flash.

They helped you move boxes from your old flat, and stood with you in the empty place, taking a  silent beat to say goodbye to all the life you each lived there. You'd fondly remember the parties, and even the tears. The day you found out about Olive. The room you brought her home to. The place you loved. But it was never the same after your dear flatmates found a home of their own.

On their generous drives to help you unload boxes in an all new place, that's when your pair of best pals really got to know Joe. They (like everyone else) laughed at most of his jokes, and beamed when he laughed at theirs in turn. When they weren't helping you unload boxes, they were off cackling with Joe, too awestruck by shared conversation to help you move your sofa into a reasonable spot.

And when you and your man with fossil colored eyes were settled, James and Andy still managed to stop by for plenty of surprise breakfast visits. And every time they stopped over, they each took turns insisting that their location was the sole purpose you'd been so keen to move to this part of the city. And while they might have been half right, you'd never let on that it was one of the many reasons.

London just made sense. It was closer to Gwil's new place. He'd been traveling to and from the city for work so often that he'd felt like his usual train car was more of his home than the one down the road from your old flat. So he found a cozy space just outside of London and loads more work within the first few days of settling in. When he wasn't busy on set, or away for an audition, he was just a few streets away- ready and willing to come and take Olive on days he hadn't planned to, at her beck and call.

Some days you missed when all Olive knew how to say were a handful of words. But you knew you'd soon miss all of the girls never ending questions, too. "Why can't cats talk?" "Where do all the badgers sleep at night?" "Why do I have to wear socks with my shoes?" She had a knack for asking the silliest questions when you least expected it. She'd come out of no place while you were busy making dinner. While she should have been practicing tying her shoes. In the dead of the night, at the edge of your bed. She'd stop everything just to ask a question or two, and some days you reckoned she fancied getting you to giggle more than hearing an actual answer. You always chuckled before you could muster the brain power to give any semblances of an educated response. And when you were too busy, getting ready for work, or hurrying about the market before it closed, Olive would ask Joe.

You loved the way Olive made him laugh then, too. Just like you. But before ever giving a reasonable answer, he'd always ask her the same questions back. "Well, what do you think is at the bottom of the ocean?"

And as she decidedly rambled about imaginary creatures and cities, Joe would listen. He'd even remember the names of some of those made up monsters long after Olive had moved through several more memorable questions. You couldn't believe how patient he was. It was astounding to you, the way Joe dropped everything to bend at Olive's will, as she wrapped her fist around his wrist and yanked him across a bookstore toward the children's section.

You'd find them after getting what you strolled in for, and join in for story time, before checking your watch and ruining all the fun. Joe was usually more disappointed for those moments to end than the kid who was hooked on his every fictional word.

You loved Joe's heart. How you could tell when it was in the right place. When he offered help and advice and suggestions to anyone who trusted him enough to pour their heart out to his open ear. How he at least pretended to be excited when your friends begged the two of you to join in a night out at the end of a particularly busy week. Neither of you were keen on letting them down, because you'd come to value those rare nights out with the people you loved. You'd made a sacred, personal decreed to never let your friends forget how vastly you'd cared for them. So you were right behind Joe each time another offer came to sit among your pals and listen to their lame jokes and drunken singing.

But it was no secret that nights in were your favorite. You might have marveled even more so, over Joe's heart, then. You relished how it hammered under your palm, as his pulse raced from your touch. You loved the sound of its steady beat under your ear, as you rested against his chest till morning. He'd run a lazy set of fingers through your hair while the quiet of the new day threatened to lull you to sleep again. Then he'd say something so ridiculously hilarious that you'd laugh your drowse away.

You never took for granted Joe's countless attempts to get you to smile, despite yourself. In the middle of movies, at the end of long hard days- and during times you wondered how much stress you could endure before your head exploded and your dramatic expiration ruined the upcoming holidays.

When you and Gwilym argued over Olive's imminent school year and how many summer holiday trips were one too many, Joe waited for the bickering to end. Then he'd say something that made stupidly perfect sense. He'd make you and Gwil  apologize to each other, and you did with all the grace of two grumpy toddlers. Then you'd all go to some posh brunch place and try and enjoy the last of the perfect summer weather that crept into the first few weeks of London's picturesque autumn.

Olive would stop eating to ask one of her latest queries to the sweet elder waitress who dropped off another round of drinks. You'd all take turns giving the kid answers, and steal bits of the chips she'd left over. When your meal was finished, Joe and Gwil went off to see a game together, and you were left with your darling girl for a whole glorious day.

Times with just the two of you weren't very rare. When you could, you made sure to take afternoons off work and save the laundry for later to spend a day with Olive. Of course, some were just as difficult as ever. But between odd growing pains and missed nap times, were icecream dates and trips to the aquarium. The latter, a place she always begged to spend hours strolling through. So when you could, you'd be quick to take her.

And when Gwilym took Olive along to visit his mother's family in Wales, you'd gotten used to the tiny wave of melancholy that came when your girl wasn't attached to your hip. But unlike all the other times before, you weren't nearly as lonely.

When it was just you and Joe, and a handful of days to waste however you pleased, you had to stop yourself from wondering how you'd gotten so lucky. You knew if you thought too long, you'd start to feel bad about how everything came to be. But you learned to let go of the regret attached to the mess you'd made during your first month long visit to London. You realized that it was silly to wish for a redo. Because everything worked out anyway, didn't it?

Joe was always quick to remind you how lucky he felt, too. Sometimes he'd say so, when he worried about the future and stopped rambling long enough to let you promise everything was going to be okay. Or first thing in the morning, when you got to wake up with the sun instead of a blaring alarm. But most of the time, he showed it. He'd leave silly little notes for you to find while you brushed your teeth. He'd bring your knuckles to his lips while waiting in the queue at the market. He'd take photos of you walking through the park and pointing to a pair of birds flying close overhead. He'd upload them in the middle of the night- when he said he was staying up to finish writing a script, or memorizing lines of another.

You'd get the notification and smile to yourself while you pretended to be asleep in the other room. When it was just you and Joe, it felt too good to be true. But that feeling didn't go away when your time alone was over.

Ben asked you to fetch him from the airport after he'd spent months away filming in another country. You and Joe fought over who got to hug him first, but when the blonde materialized from baggage claim, his arms were too stuffed with packages to dream of embracing either of you. He'd collected far too many presents during his time away- all of them for Olive. You scolded him, reminding Ben of the article you read about how kids with fewer toys grew to become more creative and resourceful. Ben argued that since you weren't going to spoil her that he was just going to have to. He'd leave the dozen gifts in the back of your car, and drag you and Joe out to a pub until you could hardly keep your eyes open.

Life felt too good to be true on nights like then, too.

And the feeling remained when Lucy and Rami got back from acting their hearts out in America. They stole Olive away as you and Joe ambled behind them on trips through high end shopping centres. When that day turned to night, your remarkable friends settled onto your sofa to tell all the stories they'd been saving up. Then they crashed there, when the night turned to morning and the sun threatened to rise before you'd stopped giggling long enough to sleep.

Those times were cherished. When your friends came around. When you went out of your way to go and see them, because it had been too long. You knew you were lucky to have mantiatiend a handful of connections with some of the most adoring and admirable friends that must have ever existed.

And on some especially rare, but guaranteed occasions, everyone got together.

The thought of joining forces was usually a never ending sentiment exchanged through the group chat that kept you all in touch. But it was Lucy's eventual doing, of course. She went about renting that darling little cottage in the countryside- the one she'd found last minute for Joe's birthday.

She got there before everyone, before Rami, even. The paint was a little more chipped, and the trees seemed even more mighty, guarding the home nestled miles away from the nearest town.

"You're just in time!" Lucy squealed as you lugged a bag into the house that hadn't changed a bit since your stay a few years back. You snorted a laugh as you stepped closer to the den full of mismatched furniture.

"For what?" You wondered. No one else had shown up yet, the night was very young.

"To keep me company, duh." Lucy shrugged as she moved to wave out of the open front door.

"Does bigfoot live out here?" Olive asked, as she skipped inside, her beloved worn down stuffed penguin tight in her clutch.

"He might." You chuckled. Because hell, you'd come to believe anything was possible at this point. And you didn't realize Olive even knew about the mythical creature, but you had a hunch about who'd been the one to tell her.

"I can't believe this place is still standing. It's charming as ever." Joe marveled, shutting the door behind him. Lucy beamed, turning to glance around.

"Yes! Remember last time?" Lucy asked, like she really wanted to know. Like it wasn't something the lot of you thought back to often. And right when you considered responding, she spoke up again. "Well forget it because this time is going to be the best ever."

The bubbly blonde recruited Joe to help her finish unloading all the treats she'd brought along to store away for the entire weekend you planned to stay. Olive trotted ahead of you toward one of the dozen tiny rooms you remembered struggling to sleep in last time, finding no reason to bite back your smile now.

It was too cold to think of going out back to enjoy the chest full of sporting goods, or the tattered net that somehow still remained. Olive was already complaining about the chill, so you abandoned your bags and tossed her a sweater, deciding to start a fire in the stone place while you awaited everyone else.

Ben was the next to arrive, bringing his usual ton of liquor and a brand new set of books and crayons to keep Olive entertained. You flashed a middle finger his way when the kid wasn't looking, and called dibs on his most expensive bottle of booze he brought to decorate the counter tops much like the time before.

By then the kitchen had been stocked, and Lucy was on a new mission to make some Pinterest worthy snacks. You scolded Ben for encouraging Olive to dance around the countertops and banished them to find some new trouble to cause. Lucy kicked you and Joe out soon after, following close behind with her plate of savory treats.

Rami dashed in from the cold around then, chucking his bags away and rushing to join the rest of you in record time. The fire you'd maintained was starting to die, and the home was too perfectly warmed to dream of starting up another, for a while. So as the evening shifted, you and Ben offered to clean up and carry everyone's rubbish away, while Joe offered to pour everyone a drink. While you went about your duties, Olive was busy yanking on the strings of Rami's hooding, begging him to join in some imaginary game the two of them made up long ago.

"I'm really glad she's joined us this time around." Ben grinned, catching a glimpse of Olive, her curls peeking around the corner, her laughter floating from one room to another. You agreed with the sentiment as you tossed your collection of rubbish in the bin. And as he followed suit, Ben rambled about his high hopes to have a couple of children of his own one day. It was something you'd always suspected Ben was keen on, but a subject he'd only just ventured into discussing lately.

"You ever think about having anymore?" He wondered in passing.

"Sometimes." You smiled to Ben, offering an innocent shrug, before catching Joe's eye from across the kitchen. He balanced a trio of glasses of wine on his way out, shaking his head of coppery hair. He shot you a look you knew well, an eager grin below a set of fiery eyes. "Sometimes" was an understatment. But Ben didn't need to know everything.

By the time Gwil showed up, Olive was on cloud nine. She ran to attach herself to his ankle, so you took his bags while he bent to scoop her up. Then, you reckoned, that this might have been the first time everyone was together that Olive might be able to recall for years to come.

She bounced from one person to another, showing off nicely colored pictures in the books Ben had brought along. He shot you a wink from across the room before she fell asleep with a dozen sunset toned crayons in one fist. You gathered her from the floor and carried the girl to the room you'd chosen hours earlier.

And before you'd even finished tucking the kid away in bed, another set of feet creaked into the room behind you.

"Here's this. And some things she forgot last time." Gwilym extended Olives favorite stuffed penguin in one hand as he rested a bag decorated in cartoon drawn bats on the chair in the corner. Your tradition of trading the girls things might never end. You'd be rattled if it did, actually.

"Oh, thank God. I mean, I know I asked you not to forget that, but I'd forgotten." You chuckled in a whisper, tucking Olive's ratty old penguin beneath the covers at her side.

Gwilym chuckled too, saying something about how he'd nearly left her bag behind on his rush to get here before nightfall. And then a silence fell, as you both waited a beat to make sure Olive was out cold. It was second nature, something the pair of you became accustomed to after the first year, when leaving Olive alone for a minute was usually followed with unhappy, ear piercing cries. And as you thought back to then, you seemed to think back to everything all at once.

"Lucy said that last time we stayed here won't be worth remembering, because this time will surely be the best." You said with a lithe grin. "And I think she may be right, but last time wasn't so bad."

"It wasn't?" Gwilym turned to you with a quizzically raised brow, a hint of a smile on his lips. You knew he was asking if you were sure. If you remembered correctly. How he'd said things he didn't mean, last time you were here. How you hardly slept that night. How it haunted you for days afterward. How he knew that.

"It wasn't." You kept your smile, sure. It could have been much worse. You could have been alone through all of that shit. But you weren't. You had Gwilym. And you hoped he knew what you meant, now. How grateful you were for him, and the kindness he'd show you, how it still remained. You couldn't go on worrying that his company might fizzle away in the years to come. Because it couldn't. You wouldn't let that possibility come to pass. So you bumped your shoulder against his arm and nudged Gwilym to leave the room.

"Let's go have some fun." You whispered. Gwilym let his smile linger as he studdied you for a beat. Then he nodded, and led the way back to everyone else.

The coloring books had moved to rest on the mantel, and bottles of alcohol had moved to the coffee table for easier access. And then you all took turns cleaning up for the evening and flipping through stations on the telly till some classic film flashed across the muted screen. And it was lots better than last time, with familiar drinks mixed in fancy new ways, and favorite laughs decorating the old unchanged home.

By the time Ben had drunken himself into a fit of random laughter, and Gwilym was nodding off between Rami and Lucy, Joe was saying something about American traditions. He demanded everyone's attention, and insisted the lot of you confess at least one thing you were thankful for. And after Lucy shouted the name of the drink in her hand and Gwilym sat up to clink his cup to hers, you all started giving actual answers. Each revolving around family, and friends, and health and happiness. But before anyone could get too choked up, Ben stood to shift gears with his favorite game of drunk history that never really went the way he wanted it too.

But it wasn't till the next morning that you realized it must have been that silly American holiday. And when you rolled over to find Joe was already awake, you announced how poorly you felt for not realizing when he made everyone say thanks. You hadn't even said good morning before you started yammering promises about how you'd remember to have a proper celebration next year.

But instead of saying good morning, or acknowledging your apologises, Joe broke into a laugh. The kind of laugh that reaches his eyes, the way you love so much. Then he told you he loved you, and you said it back; and then you sprung into another lucky day among friends.

You spent the weekend watching Gwilym teach Olive how to bake and assisting her in passing around treats she helped pour spoonfulls of ingredients in to create. Rami was most often roped into her imaginary games, and he played along with ease. You and Joe were invited to join in one morning, but neither of you could grasp the ever changing rules to Olives satisfaction, and you were swiftly kicked out of the loop while she and Rami played on.

Lucy made sure Olive was perfectly content snuggled up with Ben to watch cartoons, before she pulled you into her room with a bottle of wine for each of you to sip from. You spent a whole afternoon there with her, taking turns spilling your guts over all things you could only discuss with your dearest darling Lucy.

And when the getaway was over, everyone left in separate hurries much like before. But unlike then, you weren't so worried about where everyone might end up. You weren't worried about where you were going, either. You'd all managed to keep coming back together so far, and with an established faith that your group would keep finding excuses to do so, you didn't despair.

You remembered everything, on your drive back to London. The time you'd closed your eyes on this ride, years before. How you and Gwilym survived the nonsense you'd swept yourselves up in. Lucy's unconditional friendship. Rami's strong hugs. Ben's strong feelings.

You thought of what Joe said to you, when you met. How he said he saw a future with you, before he even knew your name. And the thought tore you away from remembering everything to look ahead. To look over, and settle your gaze on Joe. His pretty profile, and the shine of his moonstone eyes. You couldn't quite picture the places you'd end up, but you realize that you couldn't dream of a day without Joe at your side. He was always meant to be there.

While you drove, he entertained every one of Olive's questions that echoed from the back seat. You turned a grateful smile his way every now and again and savored the way he smiled back, in the way you loved so much. In a way that you didn't have to wonder how he felt, or what might come next. Unlike before, Joe made up a million of your memories. And unlike before, you knew he always would.

∘₊✧──────✧₊∘

taglist: @sonic-volcano @imtheinvisiblequeen @redspecialty @itscale @stardust-killer-queen @joemazzelo @dancetohotspace @kiwi-hardy @joeneslee @borhapqueen92 @im-an-adult-ish @johndeaconshands @seven-seas-of-ham-on-rhye @beepbeephardy @slutforbritdick @joemazzmatazz @almightygwil  @sadhwstudent​ @freakibanana @lelifesaver @drummah-in-a-rocknroll-band

[natesfm]

❛ ✶ ( DYLAN O'BRIEN , CIS MALE , HE / HIM ) . who the hell is blasting SUNFLOWER by POST MALONE & SWAE LEE at one in the morning ? nevermind , that’s just NATHAN “NATE” CARPENTER from 1515 . apparently , they are a TWENTY - FOUR year old LITTLE LEAGUE COACH from QUEENS, NEW YORK , and they’ve been living at the complex for FIVE YEARS . i heard they can be a bit - FIXATING , but they make up for it by being so + STALWART — which makes sense , considering that they are a ARIES ! when i think of them , i imagine WELL - WORN BASEBALL EQUIPMENT , SHELVES OVERFLOWING WITH FIRST PLACE TROPHIES , & NIKE SWEATPANTS WITH LOOSE HANDFULS OF SUNFLOWER SEEDS SPILLING OUT OF THE POCKETS . and of course , don’t forget to follow them at ( @TWENTYNATE ) ! ooc . sam , 23 , est , she / her .

hello everyone!  i’m sam and i’m super excited to introduce my muse! he’s a temporarily sidelined baseball player who’s currently coaching his childhood little league team. cue the 🥺 emojis there’s some info about him under the cut. if you choose to read, then please enjoy and feel free to message me if you would like to plot! 

STATS

FULL NAME: nathan gage carpenter. NICKNAMES: nate, penny. GENDER + PRONOUNS: cis male + he / him DOB + AGE: march 31st, 1996 + twenty - four ZODIAC: aries HOMETOWN: queens, new york ( queens village ) OCCUPATION: mlb player ( shortstop for the new york yankees, #28 ) little league coach FUN FACTS: he’s ambidextrous and has a pet cat named benny

HISTORY

nathan gage “nate” carpenter  was born and raised in queens, new york. his mother is an nyu - educated botanist who runs a popular gardening blog and his father owns and operates a sports bar in their neighborhood. he’s the eldest of two children as he has one younger sister who was adopted. 

he’s the paternal grandson of drillin’ duvall carpenter, a notable power hitter and hall of fame inductee who won three consecutive world series titles while playing for the oakland a's in the 70s, and the son of joziah “joe” carpenter, who played for the new york yankees and won four world series titles with the team — the most notable of these being his first in 1996, as it was also the year that his eldest child and only son was born. ( nate was just a few days shy of seven months old when he witnessed the game 6 victory at yankee stadium. ) 

his father officially retired from baseball in the year 2000. with most of his final earnings put into purchasing the family home and funding his new business venture ( opening up a sports bar in their queens village neighborhood ), it was a comfortable, but modest life from then on. nate was five years old when his parents adopted his sister, who would be the fourth and final addition to the family.

he was being taught how to swing a bat before he could even walk, but nate officially started playing baseball when his father signed him up for little league at the age of four, and he took to it immediately. he was good at it, his natural talent soon enhanced by skills achieved through lots of practice. as he grew up, baseball would go from a beloved hobby to his main focus, as well as his favorite thing in the world.

nate’s dad is the quintessential overbearing sports parent, except for the fact that he was never necessarily trying to live vicariously through his child. four - time world series champion joe carpenter didn’t feel unfulfilled ; he was training his son to carry on the family legacy just as his father had done with him. he meant well. he wanted to see nate succeed, but as a child on the receiving end of the relentless and often harsh criticism, nate couldn’t see that. their relationship would grow more and more strained with each passing year. 

from winning the little league world series to the 18u baseball world cup with the united states national team, his impeccable record + stats were garnering a lot of attention before he was even in high school. he received several scholarship offers and wound up at a posh private school in the area where he made the varsity baseball team as a freshman and became team captain as a junior. ( fun fact : he was also running back on his high school football team but he wasn’t as good at that. ) credited with leading the team to two championship wins during his captaincy, rumors were swirling as his graduation approached : talk of him being drafted by the mlb right out of high school and he was.

he was chosen as the first round draft pick of the new york yankees in the 2014 mlb draft. he chose to sign with the team right away instead of accepting one of the many offers he had received from universities all over the country, entering the minor leagues where he would be named an all - american athlete and continue adding big numbers to his record. 

he was called up to the yankees in 2018 and he was doing great ( although he could do without the constant comparisons to the other carpenter men of baseball ) … until about six months ago, aka when he tore his right ucl ( his elbow ) during spring training. with the injury, surgery, and healing time he would require, it was predicted that he would have to miss most of the season, which has rung true so far. the last six months have been the longest he’s gone without playing baseball since the age of four. he was crushed when he first received the diagnosis, but recently he’s become a lot more impatient and, most prominently, bored.

he needed something that would keep him occupied, but where he wouldn’t be risking undoing any of his healing, so he’s currently coaching his childhood little league team! he should be cleared to return to training soon, and he’s really looking forward to that, but he’s also worried that he’s really gonna miss coaching. :/

nate is married to desirae “dizzy” kim, who lives in his apartment with him. they’ve known each other their entire lives, starting out as best friends who literally lived right next door to each other and then later on developing into high school sweethearts. they’ve been exclusively dating since they were teenagers and finally got married right before moving to astoria, so a about five years ago. despite all of the time that they’ve known each other and been together, most people still think of the pair as being stuck in the honeymoon phase because they’re just so mushy and in love. their friends probably roll their eyes at them all the time, but then they’re also the go - to couple for relationship advice even though they’re not even really good at it.

PERSONALITY

do no harm but take no shit

he’s the go - to call when one of his friends needs help moving furniture or a ride home at two in the morning because he’s the kind of person who’s happy to help and who always follows through when he says that he’s going to do something.

HOWEVER, mistaking his kindness for weakness would be a huge error. he’s a little bit of a pushover, but take it too far and he’ll notice and he won’t just accept it.

the type of person to wake up at 5am to go for a run and just pop a dislocated bone back into place all by himself. he’s tougher than he seems and tougher than he thinks, so this injury situation has been really difficult for him.

kiiiinda socially awkward : baseball is his entire life so it’s basically all he knows how to talk about. he’s naturally shy and doesn’t tend to initiate conversations anyway, although when he is approached he’s always polite. 

once he befriends someone, he tends to instinctively take on a slightly playful, protective older brother role with them. 

WANTED CONNECTIONS 

his adoptive sister * wc on the main!

cousins ( most likely from nyc / the east coast, but otherwise anything goes for this! )

friends ( from childhood, unlikely, protective, drifted apart, etc )

someone he’s a good influence on

someone who tries to be a bad influence on him

fans

frenemies / former friends / enemies

these are just some base ideas and i’m definitely open to brainstorming!

[popculturebuffet]

OK K.O.! Let’s Be Heroes!: You’re Everybody’s Sidekick Review

OK KO was easily one of the best animated series of the 2010′s and i’ll stand by those words. The brainchild of Ian Jones Quartlery, voice of Wallow in Bravest Warriors and more importantly former head writer for Steven Universe, and current longtime romantic partner of that series creator Rebecca Sugar. That part isn’t AS important, but I still find it sweet.  Anyways OK KO was the story of K.O., a 6-11, not my own laziness for once but the show’s own way of doing age, year old boy who wants to be the best like no one ever was. In this case i’ts being a hero in a world that’s basically like if someone took the marvel universe and smashed a retro game collection and a pile of manga on top of it and then blended up the result and shot it full of gamma rays. Full of heroes of all kinds ranging from those fighitng crime to those who just want to loiter outside strip malls or cut hair.  To achieve this goal KO gets a job at Gar’s Bodega, the combination of your average bodega (for those unfamiliar with the term, i’ts a convience store) and a video game item shop, so the slurpee machine is right next to the power ups and ninja stars, and everything from skateboard polish to Spread Guns is avaliable. The bodega is owned by Mr.Gar, a mustachiosed muscle man whose basically a shoutier mexican version of MIke Haggar but with shades and a mustache. So a somehow better version of him, though with him being busy watching over the plaza itself, doing secret hero missions and what not the day to day operations are left to two teens: Rad, a muscle bound dude bro alien with telekenisis and a secret heart of gold and Enid, a cynical, slacker ninja whose also bilogically a witch because her parents are a vampire and a werewolf. So the series follows these three as they run the boedega, grow as people and fight the robots that frequently attack the plaza sent by the evil Lord Boxman who hates the place literally because it’s there and it’s existance annoys him. This is the canon explination and it is utterly hilarious.  The series was funny, had great character work, decent ongoing stories, great jokes and a fun tone that could go from meaningful and well thorught ot utterly batshit from episode to episode and was sadly canceled after 3 seasons because Cartoon Network is kinda stupid right now and dosen’t know how to handle a superhero show that still makes action a priority, but it did get a solid ending, a slew of great crossovers and a decent amount of representation under i’ts belt.  WHich brings us to today and the start of RED ACTION WEEK: A week dedicated to the series most prominent gay character and the bisexual ninja witch who loves her. I’m covering all 5 of Red’s more prominent apperances... I was just going to do the red/enid episodes but decided this was a better introduction to the series itself, as well as the fact it allows her character arc to better tie together by her final episode, which directly uses this one as a major plot point. I also threw Plaza Prom in there since, even if she’s only a supporting character, it’s still one of her few major apperances, is part of her final major episode, is one of my faviorites, and the climactic dance fights is one of the most intentionally homoerotic fight scenes i’ve seen in some time. With all that out of the way, let’s do this after the cut. 

We start at Gar’s Bodega, just after the opening two parter, with KO starting his first day of work, part of the reason this episode is a fairly smooth introduction into the show. Not even in the door he accidently shoryukyn’s joe cuppa, a stand up comedian with a cup of coffee in the big time for a head... I told you anything goes and I meants it.  After that accident, we find Enid at the counter, ignoring the customers before shooing them away and when KO asks for work, plays along with his enthusasim and tells him to clean the store.. which he does in minutes, before being told to sort the penny dish, and while he does the two discuss KO’s love of helping people: KO just genuinely thinks that’s part of his job, the right thing to do and feels good while Enid.. dosen’t feel it’s worth the effort and people are just generally ungreatful and not worth it.  I really like this scene for showing off their character dynamic beautifully: It starts showing that while at this stage Enid is largely an asshole, she does care about K.O. and while he’s cleaning, despite usually turning customers away, still let’s Ginger, an elderly patron and one of KO’s mom’s dojo customers, not only check out but pay in freaking pennies. It shows that try as she might, Enid really isn’t a cyncial or heartlesss as she claims. It’s also nice setup for later in the season as, and as i’m sure Ian Jones Quartlery and crew were preparing for, we later DO see why Enid hates people so much: her best friend, possibly more, Elodie, who i’ll certainly be covering eventually, betrayed her for a spot at Point Prep, basically UHA or Xavier’s for this world and claimed their friendship was just a ploy (It wasn’t, but again, story for another time), while her one date with Rad went terribly due to him acting like a huge jackass at the advice of his even bigger jackasses of friends. It’s easy to see why she stopped carring: When she opened up in the past it only lead to her being hurt and alone. K.O.... is the opposite. He genuinely belivies in everyone and tries to help them because, as said above, it’s just what he does and what he belivies a hero should be... he hasn’t been hurt or influenced by assholes like his friends, and thus is able to get them to open up. It’s a wonderful dynamic and I love it.  And naturally, KO is determined to help Enid see the light, with Enid responding with the wonderful line “You’ll never melt my icy heart”... give him a few more episodes Enid, give him a few more episodes.  So K.O. Decides to set out helping people, shouting about it to enid back at the store as he does because he’s 6-11 and kids in that age range are many things, but subtle is not one of them. He starts with Geoff and Nick Army, a monk and gay duke nukem reflectivity who despite having polar oppositie personalities, are both a couple, as confirmed by the creative team and then the finale, and a crime fighting duo who are having a dispute over opening a pickle jar with the good old ultra violence or non violence, which KO solves by letting both do it once, which results in a pickle jar explosion, both men in their underwear and everyone happy, especially the shippers.  KO continues his quest, going to Logical Cuts where we meet Mr.Logic, a robot who has a rather moving and well done backstory we’ll certainly get to, and is voice by James Urabanik, aka the voice of Rusty Venture on the venture bros, to my utter delight. And yes i’ll be covering the venture bros eventually, and might be this month. His customer, another one of KO’s mom’s regulars, is upset because her haircut isn’t right while Mr.Logic is upset, well as upset as a monotone robot can convey, that his usually 100% mathmatically perfect haircuts are off. KO pitches in and the new result is perfect, with both being greatful. 

KO’s next stop on his good will help people crying for help tour, after the above bit of wonderful art shift as that version of ko moveds like a south park character for some reason. Anyways, it turns out best friends, co workers and the dante and randal of this show, i.e.two best friends working a dead end job who despite arguing a lot need each other, A Real Magical Skeleton, self explaintory and Greg, a bear, are having an argument because RMS is trying to do their job and frame a baseball for a guy while Greg is being a dickhead and playing the drums constantly. As you can probably wager, I do not like Greg, probably more than rusty, partly because a future episode has him making KO doubt his macaroni art gift for his mom so he can eat it, yes really,and partly because he’s less intresting than his buddy and yet the two are shipped frequently despite my honest assumption they’d kill each other.. much like if dante and randall finally banged. However if you do ship them, I have no hostility with you. Unlike say loudcest or shipping sam with lincoln over at the loud hosue, there's nothing wrong with RMS X Brandon, it’s just not for me.  Anywho KO solves it in the hilarious and awesome manner of just putting Brandon inside one of those baseball cube things... it’s a shame he apparently gave him air holes but whatever. Proud of himself, K.O. plans to head back when he runs into the Ally Teens: Red Action, rude teen warrior from the future who just had a bad haircut, Drupe, a sentient strawberry because of course, and Greg, Drupe’s nonbinary best friend and combination of one of the bone cousins and Woodstock. K.O. offers to help and , with the trio being huge steaming bowls of elephant piss at this point, they instead trick him into waiting in a lava flow and then have drupe whip him every time the lava causes him to cartoonishily jump in the air.  Yeah despite both Red Action and Drupe going on to having supporting roles, like our good pal tom, who I will get back to this month, there isn’t nearly as much wiggle room in their first apperance. With Tom Lucitor, he was a dick.. but you could make the case, even just off that ep that he genuinely dosen’t know HOW to be a good person or that what he’s doing is sketchy at best. Here, it’s fairly obvious the ally teens know setting a child on fire and using vine whip on him super effectively is wrong, that’s why their doing it. Red, being that special brand of asshole, posts it on social media. I mean posting a video of yourself hurting a child, that’s Tucker Carlson level’s of dickery right there. Stone cold. Enid sees it and is understandably concerned, and goes over to see if KO’s allright when he returns and is forced to explain to him that no they weren’t laughing with him, they were laughing at him and were just being dicks. Also he wasn’t in lava, it was magma. It was above ground. 

K.O. glumly wonders why and Enid reitrates this kind of shit is why she dosen’t help people. K.O. also wonders how she saw it and we find out Enid is basically facebook stalking red action on her social media, as you do, and that Red’s been on a bit of a tear lately, smashing up shit and farting in Geoff’s face all because she got a bad haircut, with K.O. , likely going thorugh more of her posts, realizing theirs a pattern: When bad things happen to her she lashes out at others.. just like Enid. I do like the parallel there: Enid likely has a crush on her because the two are fairly similar.. but Enid runs cold and tens to be standoffish as a result of her past, while Red tens to take out her anger and frustration on everyone else and runs red hot. But they come together because opposities attract... it’s what noble laurite MC Scat Kat taaught us after all.  K.O. however, having Steven Universe level’s of empahty and an equal sense of wanting to help, and just as few boundries as he had as a tween, decides that it’s clear the ally teens have underlying issues to adress and gets Enid help to look at their social media. Returning to the ally,and seemingly unphased by earlier, K.O. sets out helping them, starting by helping red get her haircut fixed by Mr. Logic. Red is adorably delighted. Moving on K.O. notes that Drupe basically just follows Red’s lead but has a fashion blog and clearly an identiy of her own and we soon learn she believes no one reads it. K.O. showed it to the not at all ambigiously gay duo and Geoff and Nick thank her> That’s two blushes and two wins in K.O.’s court.  Finishing up, K.O. realizes Gregg stays quiet because they have low self esteem and feel they have nothing to be proud of. K.O. however found lots to be proud of and framed Gregg’s valdectorian certificate for him, again with some help from earlier.  Instead of graditude red just calls him weird and leaves and KO slumps back depressed. I’ts a good lesson though: people DON’T change just because you did one weirdly kind thing for them. That takes time.. as we’ll see with Red and as we see with Drupe, who has less of an ons creen journey but is far nicer after her next apperance. While Enid is grossed out over having helped someone, Gregg comes in.. and after some great deranged animation thanks K.O. and Enid admits after some prodding that it does feel good to help, and K.O. is happy to have helped her int he process. The two playfully mess around as the episode ends. Final Thoughts: This was a really good one. Reaching back this far into the series, I didn’t think it’d would be nearly as good as it ended up: It serves both as a good proper introduction for a lot of the plaza regulars, a good setup for Enid’s character arc, and was also really funny with great animation. LIke Tom, I don’t think the creators knew exactly what they were going to do with the Alley Teens and thus take the two they end up focusing on in opposite directon: Red keeps her assholishness for her next apperance and grows from it, while Drupe’s drops off by the end of this season, likely due to her fashion blog taking off, but we’ll get into Red more in a review or so and Drupe more later this month.For now this episode was good and next up we have their next apperance in Plaza Prom. Until then, follow this blog for more reviews and nonsense, like and reblog it if you enjoyed this, hit me up with asks for review suggestions or comssions and until next time, later days!