#anyways this is all to say that Duke is friends with literally everyone in a way that other members of the batfam can’t be due to

[starlooove]

The way this has literally applied to every member of the batfam at some point and still does for most of them el oh el

[noisilyscreechingsong]

Tim and Danny are half-siblings

Champagne glasses shine in the light like jewelry on people’s wrists and necks and cuff links and literally anywhere else someone can fit. Honestly it’s giving Tim a headache.

Thankfully he wasn’t the only one suffering at this pointless gala. Not that the fundraiser for homeless kids in the city is pointless, but did they really need to throw an expensive party?

“You okay, Timmy? You’ve sighed like four times now,” Dick comments on the comms they all have in.

“Yea, I just-“

“Mr. Drake! How nice it is to see you again. Have you met my son, Daniel?”

Tim turns to find Vlad Masters, CEO of dalvco, dragging along a teen who looked like he would rather be anywhere else but here. The boy, Daniel, glares at the hand holding him by the arm.

“It’s Danny,” like it was the hundredth time saying the phrase.

Masters pretends he doesn’t hear it.

Tim is already working on how to get out of this conversation. He’s dealt with too many parents pushing their kids in his direction tonight.

He throws on a smile anyway and holds out his hand for a shake.

“Tim Drake-Wayne, nice to meet you, Danny.”

Danny hesitates for a second and it results in a tightening of the jaw and subtle glance to where he was glaring before as if Masters just tightened his grip on the teen. Tim says nothing about the awkward pause.

Danny shifts his weight to subtly step on Masters polish shoes, drawing the attention of the man and allowing Danny to slip a piece of paper into the handshake. Tim raises his eyebrows for Danny to see before falling back to pleasant neutral. He tucks the note into his pocket casually.

“Same.”

Tim’s smile becomes a bit more genuine at the teenage behavior.

“Now then,” Masters jumps in after getting himself situated, “I had been meaning to make an appointment with you, but every time I call you are always busy.”

Tim knew this was coming.

“I’m not receiving any calls about the Drake name, Mr. Masters, as you are well aware.”

“You would think that as a young businessman you would look to someone with more experience.”

He really wasn’t being subtle at all, was he?

“I wonder how Bruce would react if he heard you,” Tim warns even though he knows full well Bruce can actively hear the conversation. He turns to Danny while Masters is recovering from that reminder. “Our newest adoptee is about your age. Duke Thomas. He should be around here somewhere if you want to exchange numbers.”

Danny opens his mouth to reply, but is cut off. Masters’ hand goes from clenching the teen’s arm to squeezing his shoulder in what appears to be a warning.

“Oh no, I forgot to mention, Daniel’s entire family and his friends, along with an unfortunate teacher, all died recently in a terrible accident. I was given custody of the poor boy, of course. He’s like the son I never had. Anyway, we wouldn’t want to upset him by replacing what he recently lost, would we? He needs his space to grieve.”

The condescension with the insensitive wording left Tim speechless for a moment, and with the silence over the comms so were everyone else listening.

Tim finds Danny glaring down at the floor with clenched fists. The teen rips himself away from Masters, and when the man tries to chastise him, he turns and stares the man down with such a hateful expression that Tim had to keep from tensing. He had seen too many of those looks in the field, usually on the faces of those he was fighting.

Whatever silent conversation that was happening between the two was ended with Danny grinding his teeth and running away to what looks to be the direction of the restrooms.

“So sorry about him,” Masters apologizes like it wasn’t his fault Danny almost committed a crime. “He’s a bit sensitive right now. I honestly had hoped he would feel better after getting out of the house.”

Masters sighs almost theatrically, “Enough of that. Here is my business card for when you finally decide to-“

Tim walked away before he could finish.

It’s in the bathroom that he finds Duke talking to the door of one of the stalls. They make eye contact but all that’s there is concern and confusion. Danny wasn’t talking.

“Hey, Danny, right? How you holding up? That was kinda rough, huh?” Tim tries.

Silence. Then, “Did you read my note?” He hears come from the other side, small and thin.

Right. The note. Tim pulls it out of his pocket quickly.

“Yea, yea, I read your note,” he lies as he’s quietly unfolding said note. “It’s just, you know… oh.”

Duke raises his brows in surprise at Tim’s sudden change in tone and expression. Tim couldn’t even guess what his face was doing but it was the least of his worries. The younger leans in to read over his shoulder.

“Oh,” agrees Duke.

I think we are half-siblings. Please help me take him down. I’ll send DNA if you need it. It can’t wait.

Oh indeed.

“What does ‘oh’ mean?” Dick suddenly asks over the comms which Tim forgot were still in. “Guys, seriously, do I need to come in there?”

“No,” Tim answers quickly only to realize that Danny can hear it too. “Duke, can you cover the door?”

“Sure, man.”

Tim takes a deep breath and shoves his emotions way down. Danny was already upset and obviously trusting Tim with this, he needed to be a solid support that his little brother this teen can lean on.

It could also be a trap.

“Danny, can you come out please?”

There was hesitation in the air, but he finally hears the click of the lock and the door swings open. The poor kid was holding himself tightly and shrinking into himself, afraid of Tim’s reaction.

“Danny,” he says gently. Danny still flinches. “Why do you think we’re half-siblings?”

He lets the teen chew on his lip for a few moments before he has to repeat himself.

“I was going through my parent’s stuff,” Danny rushes out, “like paperwork and stuff… I found a box pushed way back with letters. At first I thought they were my parents’ old love letters, but it wasn’t my dad’s handwriting even though he signed it ‘Jack’. There was also a picture of my mom and your dad together on an excavation site. The date on the back made a lot of sense because when you add nine months, that’s my birthday.”

Danny looked at Tim with such a lost expression that Tim felt a bit lost himself.

“I never would have thought my dad would cheat on my mom. He was too afraid of what would happen if he did, I thought,” Tim says, leaning into it a little.

“Right? I never thought my mom would, my parents were infatuated with each other, but maybe they were having problems at the time? I don’t know, I didn’t actually read the letters.”

“Can I look through them?”

Danny blinks and then rubs the back of his neck anxiously.

“I mean, yea, but they’re back at my parent’s house in Illinois. I would have to find a way to send them to you, but Vlad is kinda watching my every move at the moment so-“

“What if I went alone?” Tim jumps in the suggest. “I have enough money to go on a mini vacation. I could sneak in when everyone’s asleep and find them.”

“Honestly I doubt it’s locked. You could just walk right in. If you don’t mind the wasted gas, then okay, sure. Need the address?”

Tim respects the confidence and trust.

“Nah, I got it, but I will still need that DNA sample.”

Danny swallows nervously.

“Right, um, what- what do you need? I don’t know how this works.”

Tim nods and a smile to calm the teen down. His nervousness was definitely noted though.

“That’s okay. I’ve done this plenty of times with women who claim their child is Bruce’s. Always ends the same.”

Funnily enough, Danny relaxes at the reassurance lined with warning.

“Oh, that’s good. Okay. Just tell me what you need. Can we do it right now?”

Danny glances at the door and Tim understands the rush.

“Sure, come here,” Tim waves them over to the little sitting area. He pulls out his pocket knife with a mischievous smirk. “Don’t tattle on me.”

Danny stares with a wide smile and even wider eyes. It’s kinda funny how excited he is when most people would wonder why Tim was pulling a knife on them. Maybe they were brothers.

“Whoa, how’d you sneak that in? There was a whole metal detector and everything,” Danny fans.

“A true magician never reveals his tricks,” he smiles at Danny’s pout.

“Lame. You probably paid off one of the waiters or something.”

He actually planted it in one of the plants inside before the event even started, but the kid was close.

“Or something.”

“I always wanted one,” Danny murmurs wistfully.

“I’ll get you one,” is out of his mouth before he knew it.

“What?” Danny jerks up in surprise. “No, you don’t have to do that. I wasn’t expecting-“

“I know,” Tim cuts off the guilty ramblings. “I want to. You should have one.”

“Aw, little Timmy is bonding with his brother,” Dick coos over the comms.

“We don’t know that for sure, Richard,” Damian reminds.

“He sounds pretty legit to me,” Duke adds.

Tim ignores them for the most part.

“Lift up your leg. I’m just gonna give you a small cut on your calf to get some blood. It’ll be quick, okay?”

“Okay.”

Danny doesn’t make a sound when metal meets skin and slices through. He presses down on the wound with his handkerchief to collect the blood. Of course that wasn’t enough for him to cover all the bases, so he asked Danny to spit in his empty champagne glass, which the teen complied with zero complaints.

“Is that it?” Danny asks curiously.

“Yep! I’ll run them down to the lab ASAP and compare against mine. I’ll let you know about the results when they come back. Let me get your phone number.”

Tim was quietly getting more hopeful with how cooperative Danny had been. He hands over his phone easily with a chirped “sure!” to also let Tim put in his number.

“We have to be careful though. Vlad’s been over my shoulder since I moved in. If he finds anything he doesn’t like, it won’t be good,” Danny laughed it off like that was normal.

Tim had suspected a heavy hand with the shoulder squeezing earlier bordering on abuse with what and how he said what he did, but it was looking worse than his original hypothesis.

“Danny,” he says softly, like when he talks to a victim as Robin. Which might ring true here and Tim was already getting angry about the whole thing, if the abuse is real, he might fly off the handle and Kon will be forced to reign him back in. “Do you want to tell me about Masters?”

Danny immediately goes on the defensive, looking around the empty room and shoulders going stiff.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” Danny denies.

Tim isn’t surprised, but he also isn’t happy.

“I have more power than you might think, Danny. I can help you.”

Danny shakes his head and squeezes his eyes shut.

“I don’t- You- It’s complicated.”

“Then explain it to me. Please trust me, Danny. I can help get you out-“

“This isn’t about me!”

His words ring off the tile, making it louder than intended. Danny flinches at the sound and looks to the door with anxious eyes.

“Hey,” Tim whispers. It still makes the teen jump. “It’s okay. We’re okay.”

“I know that,” Danny snaps, but Tim knows not to take it personally.

“Alright,” Tim agrees easily. That seems to make Danny relax a bit. “What did you mean it’s not about you? It’s your DNA we’re checking against mine.”

Danny bites his lip in anxious contemplation. Looks like Tim is gonna have to pull this one out like teeth.

“Is there someone else involved?”

Danny hesitates but finally nods.

“You can trust me, Danny. I won’t do anything that isn’t in your best interest. I promise.”

Danny’s lip is bleeding but neither of them say a word. He looks desperate and alone. It makes Tim’s skin crawl.

“Promise you won’t do anything yet?”

Tim nearly sighs with relief.

“Yes. I promise.”

“So you won’t tell? You can’t tell,” Danny insists.

Technically it wouldn’t be telling if they can hear him in real time.

“I promise I won’t do or say anything. Whatever is said here is confidential, alright? I won’t tell anyone,” Tim assures.

It seems to do the trick because Danny creeps closer to whisper after checking the door one more time.

“Vlad is my godfather. Uncle Vlad, right? He has always wanted a son and he was obsessed with my mom, so when he met me he, I don’t know, flipped a switch or something and his attention was on me all the time if it wasn’t on Mom. He wanted me to renounce my dad and go live with him. Obviously that didn’t happen so he tried the next best thing apparently and decided he was gonna make a clone of me.”

Danny pauses and Tim needs it to seriously contemplate what even is his life.

“It didn’t work out the way he planned and the only clone to make it was a girl, my cousin, Danielle. Yes, he named her after me. Some things happened, we worked it out, so Danielle was on my side and hates Vlad, right? Well, when everything happened,” he swallows thickly, “Danielle came back from traveling to be with me. Vlad took that opportunity to confine her to the basement. He never wanted a daughter. He never cared about her. So now he’s using her as leverage against me. If I try anything or don’t do what he says, she’s the one that gets punished. If I try to run away, he’d kill her. I know he would. And before I knew about you, she was the only-“

“The only family you had left,” Tim finishes.

Danny nods with a pleading expression.

Tim can understand the primal urge to be close to a blood relative that actually cares.

“Now you have me,” Tim offers with a small smile.

Danny makes the effort to try and smile back, though it falls flat quickly.

“We don’t know that yet. I could be wrong. I’m sorry I threw all this at you, I just- When I found those letters and thought that… I just-“

“I get it.” And he did. He really, really did. “You know, even if we aren’t related I still want to-“

Danny’s phone rings, making the teen jump. He glances at the name calling with a scowl. He doesn’t answer.

“Vlad’s looking for me. I gotta go, but, um, thanks… for taking my word for it and being so nice about it. I promise I’m not trying to pull something for your money. I didn’t even know you were rich until I looked you up-“

“Danny.” Tim was coming to the conclusion that Danny tend to ramble when nervous. He stands and guides the kid toward the door. “It’s okay. I know you’re not lying. I’ll text you the results, okay? We’ll figure this out. Just be patient for me, alright?”

Danny nods and fidgets with his suit coat. He doesn’t make a move to leave yet, instead he turns to face Tim.

“Um, you can say no. I just- is it okay if I hug you?”

Tim blanks for a solid few seconds. It’s only Dick’s cooing and Damian’s sassing that snaps him back to reality. This was real, he has to remind himself. He might have a half-brother and he wants a hug. Tim can do hugs. He can crush a hug, totally.

“Uh, yea. Hugs are okay.”

Danny must not care about his awkward response because he suddenly has thin arms around his waist and soft hair tickling his cheek. They were at the ideal height difference where Danny can rest his head on Tim’s shoulder comfortably. Tim wraps his arms around the teen’s shoulders and just felt.

If Danny really is his half-brother, then fate really is cruel to deprive him of this kinship all throughout his childhood.

Danny pulls away first, face to the ground, and ears red.

With a wavering voice he stumbles out an apology and a thanks before bolting out the door, narrowly running into Dick. He’s disappeared into the crowd in a blink.

“You okay, Tim?” Dick asks.

Tim blinks, “I have a brother.”

“A possible half-brother, but yea, still exciting.”

“The results will come back a match,” Tim says confidently.

“Don’t get your hopes up, Drake. This Daniel sounds pathetic, he would only hold you back.”

“Damian, there is nothing pathetic about trying to protect someone. Danny is thinking about his little cousin,” Dick argues. Damian doesn’t dispute.

“My parents never loved each other,” Tim confesses. “It was a marriage of mutual convenience. It is very possible that my dad found a lover outside their marriage.”

It was weird talking about his parents like that, but it was true. His mother told him once that marriage isn’t about love, it’s a contract between two people with mutual interests and values. His father was always somewhat withdrawn.

Danny had the black hair, the blue eyes, and even the skin tone to match his own. His jaw line was wider and eyebrows thicker, but honestly, they could be brothers if they stood side by side. Half-siblings isn’t even a stretch.

“He’s my brother. I know it.”

Tim spots a flash of silver hair from the crowd and narrows his eyes into slits.

“My brother who is being abused by his caretaker apparently,” he says in a voice that sounds like he’s planning a murder.

Huh. Now that’s a thought.

He could just kill Masters, that would certainly get him out of the way.

“I don’t like that look,” Dick says cautiously, leaning to bring Tim attention to him and not Masters hunting down his little brother. “We’ll help him, Tim. Don’t go overboard here. You can’t afford to get too emotionally involved.”

Tim sends a glare his way.

“Why don’t I prove what I already know, then?”

“Tim-“

He already had the champagne glass in his jacket pocket and his handkerchief in his breast pocket. He shoves past Dick and heads toward the front doors. No one stops him as he leaves the party early and hails a cab back to the manor to start his analysis.

It’s a half a day later when Tim sends a text with an emoji of two males holding hands and a green check mark. It’s an hour later that he gets a shooting star in response. He smiles widely and then gets to work on planning Masters’ demise and his brother’s and ‘cousin’s’ escape into his custody.

[luxaofhesperides]

“You know, I never realized how true the ‘eyes are the windows to your soul’ thing was until I saw yours.” + fluff + cafe AU ; requested by @kiv1!

He’s sure Danny didn’t expect to see him every other day after he casually mentioned that he had gotten a part time job at a local cafe. However, as his friend, it is Duke’s moral duty to only get coffee from that shop while Danny is on shift, specifically to annoy him. 

Also, so he can support his friend, but being annoying takes priority.

It’s a routine now, for both of them. Danny clocks in for his shift and an hour later Duke is strolling into the cafe with his eyes locked on Danny’s. The rest of the baristas always shove Danny up to the register when they see Duke, taking over whatever order he was making. Even some of the other regulars turn their attention up to the counter, hoping for another few minutes of entertainment.

Danny sighs as he gets ready to input Duke’s order. It’s never the same one, because Duke would hate to be predictable and make things easier for Danny, but it has the side effect of making him realize that some of the expensive, seasonal drinks are really good. 

It’s a bit hard on his wallet, but it’s a price he’s willing to pay for teasing Danny. 

“Hey,” he greets cheerfully as he leans against the counter, grinning at Danny.

Danny sighs again. “What can I get you today, random customer that keeps bothering me.”

“A latte, but make it sweet somehow. And iced.”

“What size would you like?”

“Let’s go with medium today.”

“Anything else?”

“Yeah.” Duke leans closer to Danny, watching as he fights down a smile. “I just gotta say that you got gorgeous eyes. You know, I never realized how true the ‘eyes are the window to your soul thing’ was until I saw yours.”

Danny considers this for a moment, then shakes his head. “It kind of sounds like your trying to steal my soul through my eyes.”

“Why is that what your mind goes to?”

“Well. I watched Coraline last night.”

Duke stares at Danny, taking in the dark circles under his eyes. “...Didn’t you say that movie gave you nightmares as a kid?”

“Yeah! And it turns out, it gives me nightmares even now!”

“And ruined my pick up line,” Duke complains playfully.

“It was too cheesy anyways,” Danny replies, putting Duke’s order into the screen. It prints a moment later, no doubt with some bizarre name since Danny refuses to actually name Duke on his orders, and then recites the price. 

He pays and watches as Danny slaps the order onto a medium sized up, then tosses it over to the barista making the drinks. He’s not actually sure what her name is since she refuses to wear a name tag, but she always gives him a wave and also a rating of how good his pick up lines are.

“Seven out of ten!” she calls out to him today, then gets started on making his drink.

“I don’t see why you don’t flirt with anyone else,” Danny says, “I’m pretty sure my coworkers like your pick up lines even more than they like me.”

“Why would I want to flirt with them? Danny, I’m literally only here to bother you.”

Danny rolls his eyes. “Yeah, trust me, I know. My good looks just keep pulling in business.”

He says it like a joke, but it’s true. Duke has noticed it. Danny’s coworkers have noticed it. His manager noticed it and now has him out on the floor every shift. If they can get him to work on the chalkboard sign outside, or wipe down the two tables out front, then they do it, because Danny is Midwestern to his core and it’s very charming in a place like Gotham. He smiles at people as they walk by, happily answers their questions when they ask him what the cafe serves, recommends food and drinks for them, is generally a bright and nice person to everyone who comes near the cafe. 

His cute looks draw people in, then his personality makes them stay. 

It’s all customer service, of course, because Duke never gets the cute, sunny Danny. He’s left with the sarcastic, rude, and funny Danny that’s been his friend since they met in junior year of high school. 

“Your eyes are really pretty, though,” Duke says, “Very blue. Sometimes green. It’s no wonder people keep falling for you!”

Danny reaches across the counter to shove Duke away, but he’s blushing, so Duke is counting it as a win. “Shut up. Now you’re just lying. My eyes are never green.”

“Yes, they are. Danny, I’ve seen them multiple times. They’re green sometimes.”

“No? My eyes have literally only ever been blue. They’re the bluest blue to ever blue. They don’t just turn green.”

They squint at each other for a long moment, trying to figure out who’s wrong and in what way. Duke’s pretty sure Danny’s wrong, since he can’t exactly see his own eyes, and Duke has spent an embarrassing amount of time just admiring how nice they are in different kinds of light. But also, they are Danny’s eyes, so he should know what color they are.

Then Danny’s coworker is setting down Duke’s drink on the pick up counter, giving Danny an excuse to get back to work.

“One medium oatmeal cookie iced latte for Cornelius Aggravating Douglas.” He holds up the drink and makes very direct eye contact with Duke, holding out the drink towards him.

“Did you really have to make the initials ‘Cad’?”

“Yes.”

“Fair enough,” Duke says, making Danny crack a smile. 

“Are you heading out after this?”

Duke grabs a straw and sticks it into his latte, swirling it around some. “That was the plan, yeah. Got a few library books to pick up. Why?”

“I got approval for a half shift today, so I’m off in like ten minutes, if you wanna wait for me.”

“Hell yeah, dude! I’ll wait outside so I don’t distract you with my flirtatious winks again.”

“Get out of here,” Danny laughs. Duke lifts his drink in a quick toast, then gets out of there. He takes a seat at one of the tables out front, content to just people watch as he slowly sips his latte.  

It’s cloudy out, but not raining, which is always a plus. As much as he’d like to see the sun, these kinds of days aren’t so bad, either. The wind still carries a bit of a chill, but the spring is steadily warming things up. There are tons of people out, a constant rush of movement, but a few do catch sight of him, then look towards the cafe, their steps slowing down as they think. Most keep walking, but Duke does manage to get a few to go in just by taking a long sip of his latte to really enjoy it.

Really, he should be getting compensated for the work he’s doing to draw people in. Danny’s not the only one who can do it. 

Bruce keeps offering him money, so he doesn’t need to get paid, but maybe he can convince the other employees to talk Danny into accepting one of his pick up lines so they can go on a date one of these days. 

It’s become a bit of a joke, but the first time Duke used a cheesy pick up line on Danny, he was being absolutely serious about it. He definitely shouldn’t have used a pick up line he found from a website centered on relationship advice, but he panicked and needed some extra help. 

Instead of smoothly asking Danny out on a date, Duke froze up, blurted out the pick up line, then had to laugh it off with Danny and pretend it was a joke. 

He still wishes he was able to ask Danny out properly before, but he’s also glad that they got to spend more time as friends, getting to know each other. It’s easier to be with him now, no longer so tongue tied and flustered. 

Duke gets to fluster Danny now, which is much better. 

And maybe one day his pick up lines will work! Sooner or later Danny’s going to question why he keeps doing this, and then he’ll connect the dots and understand what Duke feels for him.

As it is, he has yet to connect shit. 

“My eyes are definitely blue,” Danny says as he walks out of the cafe, messenger bag slung over his shoulder. “I checked while I was putting my apron away.”

“You’re still on that?”

“They’re blue.”

Duke gestures for Danny to come closer. He complies and leans down, letting Duke cup his face in his hands. He checks, considers, then checks again, and says, “They are indeed blue.”

“Told you they weren’t green,” Danny says smugly, pulling back. 

“And I said they were green sometimes. Now clearly isn’t one of those times, but they do turn green!”

“I don’t think you should be allowed to say any eye-related pick up lines until you admit that you were wrong and didn’t know my eye color.”

Shaking his head, Duke stands up and pushes in his chair. “Just wait, I’ll catch it sometime and prove it to you.”

“Sure, whatever. Don’t you have library books to get?”

“Yeah, you coming with?”

“Obviously. Why else would I leave my wonderful job where I am left alone to make drinks in peace?” Danny knocks his shoulder against Duke playfully, then reaches over and steals his drink right out of his hand. He takes a sip, makes a pleased hum, and drains half of what was left in the cup. 

“Hey!” Duke moves to take it back, which is naturally the exact moment Danny takes off running, effortlessly dodging everyone else on the sidewalk. He takes off after Danny, using his powers to make sure he can move out of the way of anything or anyone who gets in his path. 

They’re past the block when Danny starts to slow down, taking another sip of Duke’s latte. 

He puts on a final burst of speed and all but tackles Danny into the mouth of an alley, reaching for his cup. “Gotcha!”

“No!” Danny wails dramatically. He takes a step back and Duke watches as his power kicks up again, showing him a vision of Danny stepping on an empty can and falling back. Except he doesn’t really fall back? His foot rolls back on the can for a second, then goes through the can and settles back onto the ground where he catches his balance. Through the entire three second fall, Danny’s eyes are a bright green, brighter than Duke’s ever seen them.

His vision fades away and he moves to catch Danny, taking the chance to watch carefully as Danny’s foot does indeed go through the can. He quickly brings his gaze up to Danny’s eyes, which are green, but not inhumanly bright like they were in his vision.

Is the green not perceptible to normal humans?

He can probably only see it due to his powers. Which means he somewhat inadvertently outed himself as a meta.

Whoops!

Might as well just bite the bullet.

“Hey, do you have powers?” 

Danny chokes, shoving Duke away as he coughs and tries to clear his throat. He looks panicked, wild-eyed, searching for an escape route. “What? No. Why would I have powers? Maybe you have powers, have you ever considered that?”

“I mean. I do have powers. That’s why I’m asking.”

“Hold up. Stop talking. You have powers?”

“And your eyes are green sometimes.”

“That’s. No, they’re not,” Danny lies. It’s a very bad lie, seeing how on edge he is, and as much as Duke hates making Danny feel like that, he did get some bad habits while training with Bruce and this is one of them: the need to keep pushing, chasing after clear answers regardless of what the cost is. 

Duke shrugs, taking a sip of his latte, down to its last few mouthfuls, acting casual. “If you say so. But my powers don’t lie, man. As much as I wish they would, sometimes.”

“...Can we not do this out here?” The defeated tone Danny speaks with makes Duke hate himself. But he needs answers now. He needs to know if Danny is like him, if he’s safe, if he needs help. He needs it more than he needs Danny to like him at all. 

“Sure. I know a few quiet places we can talk.”

“I can’t believe this is happening,” Danny mutters. “Did my eyes really give it away?”

“Yeah. I mean, to be fair, I also didn’t realize until literally right now, so I don’t think anyone else will figure it out just from staring into your eyes.”

“See, this is what happens when you keep flirting when you don’t mean it. Secrets get pulled out into the open and it’s bad for everyone!”

Duke lightly punches Danny’s arm, trying to lift the mood. “Hey, who said I didn’t mean it?”

“What?”

“Who said I didn’t mean it when I flirt with you?”

Danny blinks at him, confused, then says, “I mean, no one I guess. But it’s pretty obvious?”

“I only flirt with you, you know.”

“Oh.”

“Yeah,” Duke says, trying to ignore how his voice shakes slightly. “There’s another one of my secrets. Can we call it even now?”

“Oh!” The shock of the revelation distracts Danny from his earlier nerves. Which is great, because now Duke is the one who’s nervous. It’s worth it, though, seeing the pretty blush come to bloom on Danny’s cheeks. “So all those pick up lines—”

“Yeah.”

“And the pick up line made you realize my powers!” 

“These pick up lines are doing the most,” Duke agrees. And then he realizes, “Hey, you what this means? I was right! Your eyes are windows to your soul!”

“I’m going to hit you,” Danny says, already winding back for a solid punch. He lets Danny hit him since it’s only fair for the stress he caused; as a meta, Duke knows how important secrecy is, how the difference between life and death can be just how well his powers are hidden. 

“Are we even now?”

Danny considers him for a moment, then sighs. “Yeah, I guess. Let’s be done with this for now, okay? Let’s go to the library.”

He refuses to entertain any conversation about powers or Duke’s feelings for him. It’s nice to spend time with Danny, but by the end, Duke is sure he can feel his heart start to crack in half. A sleepless night awaits him when he gets home, moving past his cousin’s attempts to talk to him in favor of flopping face down onto his bed.

But the next day, Danny grins at him when he walks into the cafe. He doesn’t have a new pick up line, choosing instead to act as calm and casual as possible to give Danny some space.

Also breaking routine, Danny insists on personally making Duke’s drink, writing something onto the cup before he fills it up with a floral tea. 

You’re so fine, you made me forget my pick up line, is scrawled on the side of his cup when he gets it. 

“Enjoy your drink, Cutiepie the Third,” Danny says with a shy smile.

“The Third?” Duke repeats, relief making him feel lighter than air, “Who are the first two?”

“Don’t worry about it, cutie. Get to class!”

Duke lets Danny chase him out, and holds in his laugh when he hears Danny’s coworker screech, “What was that?!”

Yeah, they’ll be fine. In the meantime, Duke needs to see if apology pick up lines are thing. Danny definitely deserves one.

[metis-iphigenia]

DAMIAN WAYNE SCHOOL HEADCANONS because school opened like 2-3 weeks ago and i need to cope

•since he is 15 years old, he is in 10th grade(not letting dc pull a tim drake and make him the same age forever)

•he used to love chemistry in the 9th grade because the first subject was alchemy if i remember correctly(dc can pry the "al ghuls are alchemists" hc(canon) from my cold dead hands)

but he lost interest in chemistry quickly after the subject passed.

•his all time favourite classes are math and art. im just sure damian's type of person that doesnt separate math and art from eachother

•why art is his favourite is a given but his favourite is math because math is a class based on problem solving(and also because he can do math easily)

but yeah ik his classmates are very very annoyed whenever he says "math is easy"

•I imagine him arguing with his english teacher the most for some reason. there is no reason other than damian is a very educated kid about the english literature(literature in general) so either he doesnt care or he correct his teacher on literally everything.

•i feel like he would either do a very detail research about the book he read and write a very long essay, or make a very short one and not enough detailed. no in between(because he misunderstood his teachers when they said to "keep it short")

•he begged his father to let him take an exam that lets him skil grades based on his level but his father refused so now he takes advanced math etc.

•him and duke see eachother in the morning regularly(insomniac duke, and damian who wakes up at 5.30 is real) and they sit down to talk about random shit till 7 am mostly(duke explained him the fnaf lore and damian talked about creepypastas real)

•he texts with maps both on their way to their separate schools and make plans to meetup after school to just hang out

•damian usually reads or draws in most of the classes since he already knows everything they are teaching but when asked a question, he does yap a lot(dc should bring back yapper damian ngl)

•bathroom breakdowns were very real for 9th grade damian(literally canon event for everyone with social anxiety or people who get overstimulated at school)

•still bullied just doesnt care about it and insults them/messes with them back to get back at the bullies(it stops after him also messing with them)

•he loves playing football and volleyball but not with his teammates(ik hes #3 frat boy hater i just feel it) so he only gets along with 2 of his teammates. i imagine their personality as scott and stiles from teen wolf so yeah

•has one(1) friend and two(2) teammates he doesnt hate in total(girlfailure and girlsuccess damian youre real to me🙌😼)

also he got multiple friends outside of school anyways lmao bro is anything BUT anti-social(to me hes also the type to join his schools projects etc or debate teams)

•he always calls his mother when he makes it to school and whenever hes leaving it because talia worries and he wants ease her worries(ultimate mother daughter duo)

•after school he has a yap session with nika and they talk about everything that happened to them that day(yapper4yapper gravebird my beloved)

•him and stephanie rant about school daily and talk about how much they hate it(but they both wont drop out since steph wants that med school degree and damian also wants it in the future(med student sisterisms real))

•jon may be going to a journalism school(i think??) but hes still a science nerd so their study sessions always turns into an argument about an equation or a science problem

>>> so i think thats it!! please tell me your headcanons too and help me cope with school also because i love reading about hcs(esp thosr about damian) <<<<

[averagewriter-inthedark]

Barbie Girl 💄 | Jake ‘Hangman’ Seresin Imagine

Takes place before, during, and after the events of Top Gun Maverick

TGM Masterlist

Characters & Pairings: Jake ‘Hangman’ Seresin x Barbie!reader (romantic), dagger squad (platonic)

Content warnings: light profanity, fluff | female!reader (she/her) | wc: 4.3k

Requested 📨 yes/no (for @kayla-swiftly)

Premise: They say the sky is the limit and anything you set you’re mind to will be achieved as long as you’re dedicated to it. For most people that testimony is nothing but a mere fantasy. But for one woman, with too many dreams to count on her fingers, she took that statement to heart. Proving you can be anyone you want to be and maybe even a few others give or take 😉

Note: Anyone else obsessed with Barbie lately?? Omg y’all I saw the movie last week and absolutely fell in love and i had this request from around the time the final trailer dropped and knew it was the perfect time to write this. I know I know I haven’t been living up to my promise of being consistent but man they having me working my ass off at my job. Also I’ve been traveling and I saw Big Time Rush last night (i felt like a teenager again and it was amazing 😭) anyway I hope you enjoyed this and let me know what you think!

—————————

“Hi, Barbie!” The familiar greeting fills Y/n’s ears as it does every morning she arrives at the hangar. With it comes an instant smile, hand raising to wave at the person responsible for it, “Hi, Phoenix!”

“Hey there, Barbie,” winks another friendly face.

“Hiiii, Hangman,” her tone is playful like his, turning energetic for Bob when he goes, “Hiya, Barbie!”

“Hi there, Bob!”

“Hey, Barbie.” “Good morning, Barbie.” “What’s up, Barbie Girl.”

“Hello, Rooster.” “Good morning to you too, Fanboy.” “Nothing much, Pay. And yourself?”

Unlike her fellow pilots, clad in their deep green flight suits, Y/n stood out in the crowd for hers was a little unorthodox when one thinks of a naval fighter pilot's uniform.

It was pink. Completely as in her combat boots were also the bright color and the patchers were white and pink tones rather than red, blues, black and any other color seen in the ones attached to her coworkers arms. ‘Barbie’ in pink cursive writing instead of traditional bold Times New Roman lettering.

And don’t forget the little flower dotting the ‘i’.

Growing up, Y/n took ‘you can be anyone and anything you want to be,’ quite literally. At no point was it a joke to her when she would tell her friends and family, “oh I’m gonna be a fashion designer and Olympic Gold medalist when I’m older,” “I wanna go to space, fly in planes, and see all the wonders of the world,” “I’ll be a doctor, a teacher, and movie star!” They’d smile and laugh, thinking it was adorable for a little girl to dream big. No way would it be possible to achieve all of those careers. Everyone only gets one life to live and time goes so fast one can only set their eyes on one path and hope for the best.

But Y/n was a dreamer. And if you’re going to dream, might as well dream big.

All through middle and high school people took Y/n’s intelligence for granted. Focusing more on her beauty rather than brains, it came as an under shock to everyone when Y/n had the credits to graduate at the ripe age of 15. Exceeding in her standardized test scores with a high school resume taking up three pages with extracurricular and academic achievements, she had colleges from all over the country begging for her to apply.

Stanford. Cornell. Pratt. Juilliard. NYU. John Hopkins. Harvard. UCLA. Duke. Top medical and law schools. Ivy League universities. Performing Arts schools calling for auditions after sending scouts to watch her perform in school plays and dance recitals. Coaches from high ranking NCAA gymnastics teams sending emails after emails.

So many to choose from….And so the story of Y/n L/n becoming a real life Barbie Doll begins.

Setting her eyes in New York, Y/n attended not one but two of the best schools in the country. While obtaining her bachelor’s in both astronautical and aeronautical engineering at NYU Y/n also completed a two year degree in Fashion Business Management at the Fashion Institute of Technology. During this time she continued training for the Olympics in hopes of making the 2008 Beijing team in gymnastics.

“How do you do it?” Her roommate at NYU constantly asked. “You go from here to FIT, working on two degrees that are completely on opposite sides of the spectrum and career paths,” she emphasized with hand expressions, “and still have enough to time to go to the gym to practice, eat three meals a day, have all your assignments done early, and sleep a reasonably about of hours each night.” Letting out an exhale, her roommate looks at Y/n as if she’s an alien from another world, “What’s your secret? Are you some kind of Barbie doll the government created as a test robot?”

Each time Y/n would pause, think for a moment before smiling, “I don’t know if I should find that as an insult or compliment, but I’m gonna chose it as a compliment and say it’s because I want to live a life where I can look back on and go, ‘I took a risk and tried something new even if it didn’t look possible but it was all worth it.’”

By the time Y/n turned 20 she had accumulated a vast list of credentials to her name. The list included getting her fashion business degree at 17, Bachelors in astronautical/aeronautical engineering at 19–receiving her Master’s for it at 20–An Olympic Gold and Silver medalist, dancing with the Radio City Rockettes, performing with the NYC Ballet Company in their rendition of Swan Lake, landing a role on Broadway, walking a runway at NY fashion week, and appearing on episodes of SVU, 30 Rock, All My Children, Sex and the City, and Ugly Betty.

So yeah, New York was a success in experiences for Y/n.

Following the high note, she packed her bags to leave the golden apple for the flashing lights of Hollywood, California. This time Y/n was working on her doctorates at USC, running her own business with her fashion degree called ‘Dream Closet’, and auditioning for film and tv shows.

Hollywood was a dream come true just like New York. Again she attended two different schools, this time flight school and USC. During the day she was occupied running from class to the hangar and then the observatory. Coaching dance and gymnastics on the side, designing clothes for her online shop which developed into a pop-up chain store in malls across America.

It wasn’t long until Y/n’s name grew into nationwide popularity. People started realizing the Y/n L/n who won the Gold and Silver medals in the 2008 Olympics was the same one responsible for the most recent fashion trends and guest starring on their favorite tv shows. What really set it in stone was when Y/n landed the role of an engineer officer in the 2009 reboot of Star Trek, going on to appear in both the 2013 and 2016 sequels.

Impressive was the only word her costars could use to describe her. What else was there?

Anytime there was a question involving, “who’s most likely to become president?” “Who’s most likely to try something new or create a new hobby?” “Who’s most likely to win a Nobel Prize?” Along those lines…the answer was obvious.

“Oh Y/n,” Zoe Saldana waves her hand, “Always.”

“Yeah,” Chris Pine agrees with a laugh, “That woman, I-I don’t know how one has the energy to do all that she does—a-and still want to do more.”

The Interviewer laughs with them, “didn’t she just race in the Daytona 500 last year?”

“Yes!! And she did a song with Lady Gaga when they were on American Horror Story,” Zoe’s tone is in absolute awe, “All while teaching at USC and creating new technology at NASA.” Chris lifts a finger.

“Don’t forget she had her own Mac Viva Glam line a couple years ago.” Zoe made a sound along the lines of ‘see what I mean,’.

“I’m telling you, she’s gonna be a name in the history books.”

What all has Y/n accomplished career wise? Let’s take a look.

Model, dancer, actor, singer, fashion designer, entrepreneur, athlete, engineer, race car driver, and professor.

And now she can add pilot to the list. Although she got her license to fly way back in 2009, Y/n didn’t put it to use full time until 2016, wanting to wait until after the release of Star Trek: Beyond to say goodbye to Hollywood for the time being and set forth on her next adventure.

Boy did it come as a surprise what she had planned.

The Manila folder containing her resume hit the desk of the Admiral, his eyes wide as saucers. “You wanna join the Navy?” Reading the front page for a fifth time, Cyclone glanced back at the woman in front of him. Doctor Y/n L/n. Or is it professor L/n? “And you wanna be one of my pilots?”

“Yes, Sir.”

”Ma’am, I apologize if this comes off as offending,” he really didn’t know any other way to put it. “But you are more qualified than any person on this base. Doctorates in aeronautical and astronautical engineering from the University of Southern California,” he counts off on his fingers, “you recently developed a groundbreaking advancement in space technology that’s going to help our astronauts—on the road to becoming a Nobel Prize nominee.” He raises his eyebrows, “And this is only what relates to this career field. I’m not even mentioning your acting, athletic, and fashion credentials. Why join the Navy?”

Y/n only offers a shrug, “I think the better question is, why not?” Cyclone lets out a sigh.

“What did you say your callsign was again?”

“Barbie.”

There was no stopping the small smile trying to break free, “I should’ve guessed.”

After completing OTS there was much debate on what Y/n’s rank would be coming into the Navy. Civilian lawyers and physicians often are Lieutenants (O-3) right away, but considering Y/n had two doctorate degrees and her pilot license they felt it was only fair for her to come in as Commander (O-5). From there Y/n was sent to North Island to attend Fighter Weapons School.

Better known to its flyers as Top Gun.

Y/n was used to the looks she received on a daily basis. From head to toe she was covered in variations of pink depending on what she was feeling. When teaching her briefcase and pantsuit were baby pink, in the labs her coat was hot pink, at auditions she wore pink leather jackets. Even her race car for the Daytona was pink.

Shoutout to Mac cosmetics for the sponsorship.

So it’s no surprise her flight suit would be the color she was known for—despite it being out of regulations.

Being more qualified than your superiors had its perks.

If she could have a pink F-18 she would but unfortunately that wasn’t possible. That was okay for Y/n. After all, she managed to get her own custom flight suit. One which had everyone having to do double takes whenever she walked into a room.

“Is she wearing…?”

“How the hell did they allow that?”

“Does that mean I can have mine in purple?”

Her first day at Top Gun Y/n met Natasha ‘Phoenix’ Trace. They were paired as roommates in the dorms and quickly became good friends. Phoenix was beyond amazed with Y/n’s accomplishments and experiences. Every conversation led to a new discovery. “Do you ever burn out?” Nat stag criss crossed on Y/n’s satin pink bed sheets, admiring her wall of photos from when she traveled to see all the wonders of both the ancient and modern world. “I feel I’d be a walking corpse from exhaustion. And you mentioned you’re still running and designing clothes for ‘Dream Closet’?”

Y/n removed her diamond studs, placing them on her desk she was using as a vanity. “I have a team dealing with the business side of things for the brand. I’m still CEO and creative director—usually I work on designs for a couple hours before bed to prepare for the next launch.”

Nat was in awe, “I have to ask….what’s been the best career you’ve done so far?” A common question Y/n heard, there was never a true answer. She loved every career. They all had their perks and their flaws, but at the end of the day it left her satisfied she achieved them.

“I don’t know yet,” she spoke truthfully, “I still have a few to check off on my list. When that happens I’ll let you know.”

Fast forwarding to 2019, Y/n answered the phone to Admiral Simpson’s voice with the news she needed to report back to North Island for a highly confidential mission. The details were unknown, but Y/n packed her bags, loaded her pink vintage corvette convertible and high tailed it to sunny San Diego.

The squeals initiated by Y/n and Nat the moment she stepped foot in the Hard Deck had heads whipping in their direction. “Hi, Barbie!” Nat’s arms opened for a hug.

“Hi, Phoenix!” Y/n accepted the embrace, still grinning ear to ear. The guys around them were looking at each other like, ‘what the…?’ Y/n wasn’t in her standard Khakis like they were—minus Rooster. She bore a pink denim number with matching boots with her hair curled and pink eyeliner surrounded by tiny rhinestones.

“You got selected too?” Nat complimented her outfit before cutting straight to the point.

“For the special detachment? Looks like it,” she winked.

“What happened to the Artemis program? Weren’t you up as a candidate?”

“Oh I still am,” Y/n affirmed proudly, “They’ll be announcing who’s to be selected in the coming months. So for now I’m still with the Bounty Hunters. Plus,” she leans in to whisper, “this will look good on my resume.” The two giggle before Y/n drifts her gaze to the boggling gazes in front of her. “Oh! I’m sorry for being so rude. I’m Y/n L/n,” extending her hand to the first person who’s name tag read Fitch, Y/n added, “But you can call me Barbie.”

“Barbie,” the blonde holding a pool cue repeated like a question, “like the toy Barbie?” Nat chuckled, throwing an arm around her friend after she was done shaking everyone’s hand as they introduced themselves.

“Fellas, if there is anyone who is a life sized version of Barbie, it’s this one right here.”

“Now, Phee…” Y/n’s tone was that of, ‘Don’t start.’

“It’s true,” the pilot defended. “Not only is she Commander Y/n ‘Barbie’ L/n,” jaws drop, “but she’s Professor and Doctor L/n.” The jaws hit the floor, “On top of founder, creative director and CEO of ‘Dream’s Closet,’” Javy makes a sound, familiar with the brand, “Emmy nominated actress,” Fanboy chokes on his water, “Olympic Gold Medalist and soon to be astronaut for the Artemis program.” By now all the guys are on the verge of losing their minds.

Bob rapidly blinks, “uh—.”

“Now I’m not an astronaut yet,” Y/n points out, “I’m a candidate for one.” Nat scoffs lightly.

“They’d be stupid not to pick you, Barb,” she then slaps her side, turning back to the guys, “Oh and how could I forget Broadway, Vogue, and the Daytona 500.”

“Daytona 500!?” Payback practically screeches.

“You were on Broadway?”

“—featured on Vogue—?!”

“Wait a minute I recognize you from Star Trek!”

“—How in the hell—.”

“Guys, guys!” Y/n laughs with her hands slightly raised, “Please, one at a time.” They were in for a long night of questions and story times. And just like Nat was years prior when she first roomed with Y/n at Top Gun, the officers were in complete amazement over the woman in front of them. Never had they met anyone like her.

“Wow,” Jake whistled once she finished bringing them up to date on her most recent careers. “You really are a real-life Barbie.”

“Shhhh,” a finger went to her lips, followed by a wink, “don’t tell Mattel.”

And thus the dagger squad was formed. Two and half weeks of hell bearing training preceding a face-with-death mission brings people closer. Every morning Y/n arrived at the hangar to a chorus of “Hi, Barbie.”

She waved at Reuben, “Hi Payback.”

“Hey there, Barbie Girl,” Javy threw her a peace sign.

“Hiya, Coyote!”

“Good morning, Barbie,” Rooster tipped his hat.

“Mornin’, Rooster.”

“Hi, Barbie!” “Hi, Barbie!” Her favorite duo harmonized.

“Hi, Bob! Hi, Phee!”

And for some closer than others….

“You know I was thinking,” Jake commented, taking Y/n’s hand before leading her to the pottery class he signed them up for. Every Friday night was reserved for date night. Dinner and a movie. Walk on the beach. Spending $20 worth of quarters at an arcade. Attending a comedy show. Paint and sip. Following the successful mission, Jake and Y/n hit it off and began seeing each other.

“Famous last words.”

“It’s not bad,” a chuckle left his lips, stopping at the door. “I just thought it was funny. You know how you’re basically Barbie?” His cheeky smile resulted in her mirroring it.

“Yessss.”

“This means I’m pretty much your Ken, right?” The question makes the woman visible ‘awe’. Jake ruffles a hand through his hair and gives his best blue steel, “we kinda look alike. Don’t you think?”

Laughing, Y/n kisses his cheek, “I mean…name a more iconic duo than Barbie and Ken.”

“Barbie and Hangman?”

“Exactly.” It was safe to assume what their Halloween costumes were going to be.

Time went on, missions were run. And after a year of anticipation—though it felt like forever, it was finally announced in 2020 Y/n would be one of the astronauts selected to be part of NASA’s Artemis program launching in 2024.

Making Y/n the first woman to go to the moon.

The call came in from a restricted number when they were in a meeting, and knowing she was to expect a call within the month everyone quickly shut up so the pilot could answer.

She excused herself to leave the room, staying in front of the window so the team could see her. Throughout the conversation Y/n’s expression remained neutral to the point none had a clue whether the news was good or bad. Only when she reentered the room did they get the answer.

“I’m going to the moon!!!”

“Ahhh!!!!” The team exploded in an array of cheers, Y/n jumping up and down, careful not to drop her phone that was in her hands when Jake lifted her in his arms.

“I’m so fucking proud of you!” Despite being unauthorized to show pda in uniform, Jake gave her a big kiss on the lips, not caring who saw. “You are the most exceptional human being on this planet.”

“Jake,” tears welled in her eyes, which he kissed away. Her heart filled with warmth and gratitude. Feeling on top of the world with her closest friends supporting her.

Once all calmed down and they finished the meeting, Mickey jumped from his seat, “Come on Barbie, let’s go party!” Everyone sped to the Hard Deck to celebrate the news. Mav bought the first round, followed by Payback.

“Guys you don’t have to do all that,” Y/n said once she realized they all agreed to buy her drinks for the night.

“We want to,” Nat tapped her beer with Y/n’s cocktail glass, the guys voicing agreements. “For years you’ve been dreaming about this and it’s finally happening. Your hard work is paying off and we want to celebrate—show you we love and appreciate you, Barbie.”

Y/n fought back tears, never afraid to show her emotions. Some may find it childish or thinned skin, but to Y/n that was what being human was all about. “I love you guys.”

“We love you!” The voices echoed together.

The night had been going well with the squad hanging out by the pool tables like they usually did when Y/n approached the bar to pick up the next round Mickey was paying for. Not paying attention to those beside her, she smiled at Penny and repeated the order before waiting patiently.

But what’s a night at a bar without someone who lacks boundaries.

“You must be the one they call Barbie,” a voice says, flirtation seeping through the words. Glancing to her right, Y/n recognizes a gentleman from the flight line whose name she could not recall. “You’re quite the talk around base. In fact, weren’t you in some Hollywood blockbuster?”

“Yes,” she politely responds, keeping the answer short. Though she was known to be a sweetheart and kindhearted to anyone she met, Y/n could tell where the interaction was heading toward and did not feel comfortable entertaining it any further. “A long time ago.”

“I’m Lieutenant Paul Billings,” he extended his hand, and she immediately clocked he was trying to show off his rank. ‘Boy he’s in for a treat.’

Not wanting to make a scene, she accepts the handshake. “Commander Y/n L/n,” there was emphasis on the Commander, displaying the woman was of higher rank and therefore a silent warning to Billings to not cross a line.

There was a flash of surprise on his face. Y/n held back an amused laugh, ‘guess you didn’t hear everything.’

“Something the matter, Lieutenant?”

“No,” he brushes it off, “Nothing. Say,” he nods to the bar, “can I buy you a drink.” Did he not just hear her order a round for the people she came with?

“That’s kind of you,” she starts just as Penny arrives with a try full of cold beers and her usual cocktail. “But I’m all set, thank you.” Hands moving to take the tray, she jumps slightly at the feeling of his own coming to her wrist.

“What about lunch this week?”

“I’m sorry but I am spoken for, Lieutenant,” removing his hold, Y/n takes a step away.

Now Paul had lost his reasonable composure. Scoffing, he says, “What? Am I not enough for you?” The question results in her raising a brow.

“I beg your pardon?”

He makes a face, “You think because you’ve done all these careers and occupations that you’re better than the average person? I’m not a pilot and an actor or researching the cure for cancer while creating a documentary series,” venom seeps through his tone, obviously depicting his jealousy, “Basic is not up to your standards, so you have to throw our failures in our face as if we don’t already know.”

By now a crowd has formed. Jake started moving the second he noticed Billings etching too close to his girl, followed by Nat and the others who were ready to back him up. Behind the bar, Penny was fixing to ring the bell until being stopped by Y/n’s wave of the hand.

“Are you done?”

Paul’s expression was that of, “what?” No audible response was voiced therefore Y/n continued.

“Okay, I’m gonna go ahead and say this, Paul,” Y/n drops her shoulder. The change in body language let Jake and her friends know she wasn’t taking anything that the man said personally. “I know I should be offended by your insults and insinuations, but the truth is I’m not.” A small smile forms on her lips, “I don’t view myself higher than anyone because of what I accomplished. The only person I do that to, is myself—because I don’t have to prove to no one but me that I am capable of achieving what I set my mind to. And yeah,” a light chuckle escapes, “I’ve set my mind to a lot of things—way more than the average person. But that doesn’t mean you or anyone else can’t do the same.”

Pausing Y/n takes a breath before exhaling, “You look at me, and hate the way it makes you view yourself. Makes you believe you’re a failure because you didn’t follow the path you hoped to make for yourself.” Paul’s expression shifts to one of solemnity, like he was thinking of his younger self who had dreams and aspirations. Mourning what could have been.

It made Y/n sad for him. Empathetic despite him attacking her. “One thing I’ve learned over the years…is time is what you make of it. Life is about taking risks. You can still set out to do whatever it is you wish, as long as you’re committing to taking the risk no matter how scary it is. Sure you’ll find obstacles and it’ll feel like the whole world is against you. But determination will guide you through the walls, and you will be successful so that you can look back and think, ‘it was worth it.’ As cliche as it sounds,” she couldn’t hold back a laugh, “Barbie isn’t a person or an object you can obtain. Barbie is a mindset. And you have to unlock it in your own way, Paul.”

It was so quiet in the building, a pin could drop and everyone would hear it. Their looks of awe, admiration, and even newfound motivation by Y/n’s speech. Impressed by how classy she handled what very well could have been a scream match between rival squadrons.

Behind Billings the Dagger squad stood with proud smirks at their friend. Especially Jake, who caught Y/n’s eyes and threw her a wink. Nat gave the woman a salute, a silent gesture to say, ‘you inspire me everyday.’

And Billings? Well he was at a loss for words.

Patting his shoulder, Y/n grabbed the tray of drinks, “I wish you luck, Paul.” Thanking Penny, who gave her a proud nod and replied, “this ones on the house,” Y/n returned to her friends where she was met with a sweet kiss from Jake, claps on the back and “You go girl!” “Tell them who’s boss.” “Damn, you made me wanna go out there and live life the way I should.”

“What’s stopping you, Javy?” she handed him a beer, “the world is your playground.”

A couple hours later it was time to call it a night. Hugs went around, promises to meet up the following night and tabs were closed.

On their way out, Jake dropped a kiss to Y/n forehead, pulling her close to him as he led her to the door of the parking lot, “So what’s next for you, doll? You’ve proved you can be anything and anyone you chose to be,” he grins at her, “What will you set your mind to now after space?”

“First, I want to write a book—I think that’s something a lot have been waiting for me to do. Afterwards, well, I’ll have to wait a couple more years, but,” The corner of Y/n’s lips lift up before flashing a dazzling smile, “I’m thinking….the Oval Office is in need of a makeover. Don’t you think?”

Then, before he could answer, Y/n turns her head in the opposite direction as if she’s trying to find a hidden camera. Makes eye contact with you, the reader, winking before turning back to Jake where she sets off on her next adventure.

…………….

TGM Tag List: @avaleineandafryingpan @caitsymichelle13 @poppyalice2001 @cutelittlepotatofry @luckyladycreator2 @americaarse @elenavampire21 @back-tooo-black @wildellaa @artemissunn @pinkpantheris

[book-girl4evaaa]

╰┈➤ ❝STEP INTO MY CANDY STORE ❞ ˚ ☽˚ ｡⋆.

(Aka my 250 follower event!)

Gjdgdgkkddykh 250 people like me? This is wild! I love you all so much, you guys are awesome and you are like my best friends, thank you so so much <3

Here's my intro for the newbies

Anyways onto the event!

Hey new kid, greetings and salutations! Welcome to Westerberg High: the only high school on the planet that might literally have you dead before the second semester. The school where teen angst bs usually has a bodycount.

Yeah, this place is... A lot. Parties, hallway fights, lots of gossip and a little murder. I guess everyone here is a little damaged.

But, worry not, newbie, I've summoned my best friends and/or worst enemies (same difference!) to help you around this little thunderdome of a school.

Good luck! You'll probably need it...

Rules: 1 request per ask (although send as many asks as you want), and if an option has a "☽˚｡⋆." next to it, it's mutuals only! Also I'm quite slow at answering, sorry!

(Also the quotes are from memory so they might be a bit off lol)

╰┈➤ Veronica Sawyer

But I know, I know, I know / life can be beautiful / I pray, I pray, I pray / for a better way

Veronica knows a lot about this school, from whatever your angle

I'll give you some advice: you can give me a specific thing, or I'll just do something general stuff

╰┈➤ Heather Chandler ˚ ☽˚ ｡⋆.

I'd normally slap your face off / And everyone here could watch / But I'm feeling nice / Here's some advice / Listen up beeyotch

Heather Chandler has the whole school in the palm of her hand, and dresses like it

I'll pick you an outfit from Pinterest!

╰┈➤ Heather Duke

It's my turn / It's my prize / I spit lightning / Crack, boom!

Heather Duke is dangerously confident when given the chance

I'll give you a pep talk, either general or about something specific, and give you an inspirational quote

╰┈➤ Heather McNamara ˚ ☽˚ ｡⋆.

And I'm like, "damnit, I'm on the stupid bus again because all my rides to school are dead!"

Heather McNamara is a sweetheart, and can overshare

Ask me any question and I will answer

╰┈➤ Jason Dean ˚ ☽˚ ｡⋆.

We can start and finish wars / we're what killed the dinosaurs / we're the asteroid that's overdue

Jason Dean likes murder and poetry

I'll write you a poem (please give me a topic)

╰┈➤ Martha Dunnstock

What can I say? I'm a sucker for a happy ending

Martha loves stories, and has a huge heart

I'll give you an extract of one of my many wips :)

╰┈➤ Ram and Kurt ˚ ☽˚ ｡⋆.

"Did you actually just speak to me?" "My buddy Kurt just asked you a question." *Grunts of respect*

Kurt and Ram are inseparable

I'll assign you a book or character (please specify which you want)

Well pick wisely, new kid, if you want to make it through the year. But I hope things work out for you. If you need a hand anytime, call me; maybe we could grab a slushie.

Oh and by the way, me and the group are going for a movie night tonight, watching the princess bride. Stop by if you want...

And who knows? Maybe, this year, our school could finally be beautiful.

.⋆｡˚☾˚ We can be seventeen

We can learn how to chill

If no one loves me now

One day somebody will ˚ ☽˚ ｡⋆.

[annabelle--cane]

okay. collection of disparate thoughts on the good hal/bad hal thing:

-> I get, mechanically, why they went for it as a creative decision. I can buy the hal we see in the cutler flashbacks and the hal we see in the present day as being the same person because they're separated by sixty years, people change with time, but clearly what they wanted was for hal to go full villain mode in the last episode, and simply making him have a breakdown and do a heel turn on his personality wouldn't make sense. and like, last episode evil!hal is really fun, he's a smug villain who does dance numbers and is blunt enough to deliver the show's thesis as parting wisdom, I see the reasoning.

-> but I'm not sure how much of that was planned from hal's introduction? he says things like "I've been so many people" and "you've got the wrong man, I'm not him anymore," but it always reads as more metaphorical until s5. hal always says "me" when referring to his Evil Self, up until the middle of s5 where he starts saying "him."

-> and because (in my opinion) this element was added for a mechanical function, it overwrites thematic ground we've already covered before. when george split his monstrosity off from himself and called the wolf "it," that was a problem he had to overcome; when mitchell tried to deny his own agency and say he wasn't in control when he hurt people, that was a flaw that got corrected. then in hal's case they flip the script and say it really isn't him who does the atrocities. they try to work around it a bit, having good!hal kill someone and feed in secret so he does have things he's responsible for that lead into the change, but it still feels weird.

-> I also get where this comes from, metaphorically. there is a trend in sci fi/fantasy of portraying addict characters with this sort of jekyll-and-hyde dualism, literalizing internal struggles and the way people change while under the influence of mood altering substances, you find shades of it as far back as medieval morality plays where an everyman's vices and virtues manifest into physical form to duke it out. I don't love it, but I see where the emotional core of it comes from, and I also think it works best when (like with jekyll and hyde) the story comes to the conclusion that the two aspects aren't ultimately different people, and that's not really what they do with hal. unless...

-> how different are good hal and bad hal, anyway? obviously their moral codes are different, but are they different people or two aspects of the same person? bad hal isn't a neat freak, but he shares good hal's passion for vintage showtunes and werewolves who visibly want to do him harm. he's genuinely distraught when lady catherine dies, he keeps up appearances with lady mary for 250 years, young leo gets right under his skin, and he was willing to let let tom and alex have a nice send off from him. and, as should probably go without saying, good hal can also be a bastard, too. he almost attacks people several times, he says awful things to tom, he recruits ian and hides it, he kills larry and hides it, he feeds and hides it even when directly asked, etc. if the show had had one more season, I think the obvious next step for this arc would be bad hal joining the gang and everyone realizing that he's still just hal. this isn't a stranger, their friend hasn't died, this is the same man they've been living with for months and he still thinks the lute is the coolest of all medieval stringed instruments. the only real difference is that now he's decided to stop trying, but he's perfectly capable of changing his mind back.

-> what actually is his deal? what, specifically, is the good hal/bad hal thing? other vampires don't do that, other old ones aren't like that, the closest another character comes is herrick's whole amnesia arc but that was because he came back from the dead. I've seen other people go through and track how hal does actually show a good number of symptoms of a dissociative disorder (traumatic early childhood, out-of-body experiences, some amount of amnesia, etc.), but given that he says he feels like "both" and "neither" of himself when the devil tricks them all into thinking they've been un-cursed, I think we're supposed to read it as something supernatural. the best headcanon I've got is it is a dissociative disorder but hal thinks it's supernatural so the devil took it away as part of the whole too-good-to-be-true thing, but I don't think that was the intention and the show leaves it super unclear, they just drop it in and expect us to roll with it.

[mumms-the-word]

In Fathoms Below - Ch. 8

Ch. 8 - Cloakers

Characters: Gale, Karlach, Wyll, Lae'zel, Shadowheart, Astarion, Halsin, Minthara, Gortash + other OCs; pairing is Gale x fem!Tav Plot: The island city of Nautera disappeared over 4500 years ago, if it ever existed at all. Now not a single, legitimate record of Nautera exists, save for one. The Nauterran Account. Long thought lost, it has recently been retrieved from the depths of Candlekeep’s archives and placed into the capable hands of one Gale Dekarios. With the Nauterran Account in hand and an eclectic team of Baldurians and other allies mounting an official expedition, Gale journeys to find the ruins of Nautera…but hopes to find so much more. A/N: You guys voted and now we're here! Time for a cheeky Underdark encounter with a few beasties. Hopefully everyone makes it out alive. But you'll have to read on to find out!

Previous Chapter | Next Chapter | BG3 Masterlist | Read on AO3

Gale gave a small bow in deference to Minthara—she was the general after all—before he left to go find Karlach. Thus far on the trip, Karlach had been the one person he could honestly call friend, even after so short a time together. The others were warming up to him slowly too, he supposed, or perhaps he was warming to them. He wasn’t certain. But Karlach had been a constant warm presence down here in the Underdark, both literally and metaphorically. 

He found her lounging against a rock with Wyll, both of them chatting and taking swigs of water from their canteens. Since arriving in the Underdark, both Karlach and Wyll had taken to wearing a weapon at nearly all times, except when bedding down for the night. Karlach had a large, lethal-looking battleaxe strapped to her back now, while Wyll had taken to sheathing a rapier at his side. Neither of them had used their weapons yet, aside from Wyll practicing his parries and ripostes or what-have-you before bedtime, but both seemed to think it was only a matter of time.

Karlach smiled and waved Gale over as he approached. “Just in time, Gale. You always miss the best stories from Wyll here. He was about to tell me about a fight he had against a wyvern or something.”

“A wyvern?” Gale asked, raising his eyebrows. “Was this some sort of…nobleman’s sport or…?”

Karlach laughed, while Wyll merely looked a touch sheepish and proud at the same time. “Well, actually, it happened during my time as the Blade of Frontiers,” he admitted. “That’s what I’ve been doing the last few years. Hunting monsters, fighting brigands, that sort of thing.”

“A hero of the Sword Coast, the Blade of Frontiers is,” Karlach said, nudging Wyll with her elbow. He merely chuckled and rubbed the back of his neck, though Gale could tell he took pride in the name. 

“I had no idea,” Gale said. Then again, glancing at Wyll’s scars, he ought to have known. The scars he bore were from battles and monster fights, not noblemen’s duels and slumming adventures. They were scars from his time as the Blade, not as the son of Duke Ulder Ravengard. “Your, ah…reputation hadn’t yet reached Waterdeep, I’m afraid.”

“One day it will,” Wyll said breezily. “Anyway, what did you need?”

“Minthara wants Karlach to accompany me to scout ahead and find a new path for us,” Gale said. “Shadowheart, too.”

“Sounds like a party. Mind if I tag along?”

“Ooh, say yes, Gale,” Karlach said, brightening. “You haven’t seen anything until you’ve seen Wyll here fight.”

“And you have?” Wyll asked, grinning at her.

“Well, no, but your stories are amazing. I bet you could go toe-to-toe with a dragon and come out just fine.”

Wyll laughed and even Gale had to smile at their banter. Karlach made fast friends with everyone, it seemed. 

“And if there’s nothing to fight?” Gale asked.

“Then we can find something to fight,” Karlach said, like this was the only obvious answer. “Besides, I hear Astarion’s been lurking around. Maybe we’ll run into him.”

Gale tilted his head. “How did you know that?”

“I told her,” Wyll said. “All the signs are there. The dead creatures, mainly, each of them completely bloodless. I think he’s sticking close to us. Though whether that’s for protection or to eventually make us his prey…” He trailed off with a shrug.

“Hmm…well if we’re about to encounter a vampire, perhaps having a monster hunter on our side wouldn’t hurt,” Gale said. “That just leaves Shadowheart, then.”

“I’ll get her,” Karlach said. “Meet you up front!”

She waved to them both and jogged away, heading toward the back of the convoy. Wyll shook his head fondly, watching her go. “Ah Karlach. I doubt even the darkest depths of the Lower Dark could dim her spark.”

Gale glanced sidelong at Wyll, noting the fondness in the younger man’s eyes as he watched Karlach’s flame-flickering form disappear down the convoy, toward the medic carts. Gale smiled faintly to himself and kept his opinions quiet.

“We’d best head toward the front, then,” he said instead. “We’ll meet our drow scout there. I really ought to learn his name…”

Moments later, Gale, Karlach, Wyll, and Shadowheart fell in step behind the drow scout, whose name was Nevrin, though he had parted with that name tersely and quietly when Gale asked. Together, they left the convoy behind and ventured deeper into the awaiting tunnels. As the darkness enveloped them, Gale cast dancing lights around them to help illuminate their way forward.

Nevrin scoffed. “Humans,” he muttered under his breath. “Now everything down here will spot us.”

“Oh, let it come,” Karlach said. “We can take whatever it is. Besides, they would have seen me anyway.” She gestured vaguely to herself, indicating the softly-glowing vents in her shoulder and the pulsing glow of her engine beneath her skin. 

Nevrin merely made a soft hmph and continued on. 

Gale cast a slow look around them as they walked through the passage. These tunnels appeared rough-hewn by tools, not naturally forming, so clearly they were on the right path. Though he couldn’t help but wonder when they were made, and whether they were made by the githyanki explorers or the author of the Account, who had journeyed down here to try and find Nautera’s ruins. He supposed in the end it didn’t matter, so long as there was a road to follow.

But sure enough, after several moments of walking, they reached a cave-in blocking the majority of their path. Rocks and boulders of varying sizes lay in a heap from floor to ceiling, the source of the cave-in lost behind them. There appeared to be a thin route along the right-hand side, spaces where they could see the possibility of the path continuing beyond, but on the left, a crude, burrowed passage disappeared into the darkness, leading off to some unknown space. 

“Too bad we didn’t bring Halsin,” Shadowheart said, eyeing the gaps in the rocks on the right. “He could have turned into a mouse or something and scurried on ahead to see if the path continues on the other side.”

“Perhaps you can illuminate the space beyond?” Gale asked. “Then we could see what we may be working with.”

Shadowheart pursed her lips, as if she didn’t want to respond to Gale directly, but then shrugged. “I suppose. One moment.”

She climbed up onto the rocks and stuck her arm down one of the larger spaces, whispering a light spell. Light shone out through the gaps between the rocks, but when Shadowheart squinted through them to the other side, now illuminated, she retreated with a shake of her head.

“No use. Everything just keeps getting blocked the farther you go. We’d spend days trying to dig out this path.”

“We do have a lot of smokepowder,” Karlach suggested. “Plus the gnomes’ constructs are rothé. Aren’t they supposed to be good at clearing rubble or something?”

“Wouldn’t they just get damaged trying to unblock the path?” Gale asked. But Karlach merely shrugged, unsure. 

“Let’s investigate out other option first, before we make any decisions,” Wyll suggested, gesturing to the left. “Shall we?”

“Smart thinking. Lead the way, Mr. Blade,” Karlach said. Wyll chuckled.

“Just Wyll is fine.”

They were mostly quiet as they ventured farther down the passageway, though the air between them was generally comfortable...Nevrin's serious demeanor aside. The walls here were rougher, with signs, even to Gale’s untrained eyes, to suggest that claws and other bestial markings had created this tunnel, rather than ancient tools. Gale wasn’t sure he wanted to meet whatever it was that was capable of carving through rock like this. Hopefully it was long gone and not lying in wait at the end of this tunnel.

The passageway eventually widened out into another cavern, this one made up of a series of rocky platforms that seemed to have shifted and broken over time, their rubble lying along the cavern floor in the gaps between platforms. Gigantic flat mushrooms grew along the cavern walls and on the sides of these platforms, glowing softly in blues and reds. Wyll and Nevrin split off from the rest of them, with Nevrin deftly climbing onto a series of wide mushrooms while Wyll clambered up the rocks onto a platform. They both peered into the darkness toward the other end of the small cavern.

“No luck,” Wyll said. “Unless Nevrin sees something I don’t, I think this place is a dead end.”

“There is a small cave on the far side,” Nevrin said. “But I do not think our wagons can fit through it.”

“Not without magic, in any case,” Gale said, already thinking of solutions. Levitation spells to get the carts across the platforms and mushrooms, spells to make everything smaller for a short time…

“Will it lead us back to the original path, though?” Shadowheart asked.

“Only one way to find out,” Karlach said, flashing her a smile. She climbed up to join Wyll and then pointed to a nearby mushroom that spanned the distance between her current rocky platform and the next. “These are safe to walk on, right, Nev?”

“It’s Nevrin,” the drow said, scowling. “But yes. Usually.”

Karlach had already hopped onto the mushroom when she froze and looked over at him. “Wait, usually?”

He simply shrugged and didn't elaborate. Karlach half-rolled her eyes, though she didn’t seem particularly annoyed, and jumped to the next platform.

“Come on, then,” she said, turning and beckoning to the others as she walked backward along the platform. “Last one to the cave is a rotten—”

Her voice cut off as she stumbled back over something and fell backward. She let out a surprised yelp as the ground below her hissed and moved—only for a giant stringray-like creature to raise its wings out from underneath her.

“Karlach!” Wyll yelled. 

She rolled quickly to one side, off of the creature and over the edge of the platform. She fell a short way down and landed hard, her knees buckling briefly, but kept on her feet. On the platform, the creature flew upward and spread its wide, leathery wings with a sharp hiss. Though its face was mostly obscured by the semi-darkness, even Gale recognized the creature from old bestiaries he’d glanced through during his studies at Blackstaff.

“A cloaker,” Wyll said, drawing his sword. “Careful, it can—”

“Less talking, Wyll, more fighting,” Shadowheart snapped, summoning a ball of glowing, golden light to her hands. Taking quick aim, she lobbed it at the cloaker. It shattered against its leathery hide with a shower of golden light, causing it to hiss and recoil. 

Karlach unlatched the battleaxe from her back and got into a fighting stance. “Come on, then, bring the fight down here ya fucker!” 

Instead, the cloaker flew upward near the stone ceiling and let out an ear-piercing screech. In the darkness of the cavern, only partly illuminated by Gale’s dim dancing lights and the glowing mushrooms, they could hear other creatures stirring and taking flight.

“Watch out!” Wyll warned, but it was too late. 

A large, dark shadow swooped down from one of the upper platforms toward Karlach, wrapping around her from behind. Her battleaxe clattered to the ground with a metallic ring as the cloaker pinned her arms to her body and wrapped its tail three times around her legs. They both fell in a struggling mass, Karlach wrapped up in the cloaker like a black cocoon. When Wyll tried to run to the edge of his platform to help, another cloaker flew upward at him, blocking his path. He swore loudly and flung out a hand with a sharp dolor! Sickly green energy blasted outward from his hands, slamming into the cloaker and sending it reeling backward.

Gale didn’t have time to be surprised at Wyll’s sudden use of magic. His allies were in danger. He summoned a fireball to his hand, ready to cast at the cloaker, only to hesitate—what if he hurt Karlach? Or Wyll, if he tried to help Wyll? What if he couldn’t remember how to sculpt his spells to protect his companions? It had been well over a year since he'd been in battle; the last time had been before he'd acquired the orb and all its cursed side effects. He suddenly felt about as skilled as a young apprentice.

He clenched his teeth as the doubt drowned out rational thought. He stopped the spell and switched to a simple firebolt, aiming for the cloaker smothering Karlach as she struggled to escape the suffocating grip of the beast’s wings. He just needed an opening—

But he waited a fraction of a second too long. Another cloaker appeared near Nevrin, swiping his feet out from under him with its tail, and then screeched, summoning three more around Gale. Gale stumbled back, throwing his firebolt at the nearest one to him, but it dodged easily. The next one flew at his legs, knocking him off his feet. The third loomed over him, ready to smother him, but he conjured a chromatic orb of lightning and threw it right into its face. The lightning hit and skittered over the creature, causing it to screech and then disappear.

A phantom. A copy of the cloaker, easily defeated by just one hit, but just as capable of dealing damage and just as deadly as a normal cloaker. If the other cloakers had the same idea—

But of course, they did. Screeches rang out around the cavern as other cloakers called phantoms into being, surrounding all five of them.

“Karlach!” Wyll yelled again, dispatching a phantom with another eldritch blast. “I’m coming!” But as soon as a second phantom fell to his blade, a third phantom, along with another cloaker, swooped in for another attack. Shadowheart was soon at his side, blocking one of them with her shield, but soon the two of them were surrounded, trapped on their platform.

Still on the ground, Gale fired off four magic missiles to take care of the two phantoms nearest him, and then rolled over and scrambled to his hands and knees, just in time to see another figure leap down from a platform near Karlach. White-haired and pale, the figure landed on both cloaker and Karlach with two daggers in each hand, stabbing downward into the cloaker’s hide. The cloaker writhed and shrieked, unfolding its wings to try and shake off its attacker, but the figure held on, wrenching one dagger free before stabbing it back down. 

Karlach rolled away and snatched up her battleaxe. As soon as she was on her feet, she lifted the axe high and shouted, “Watch your head, fangs!”

The figure—Astarion—wrenched his daggers free and leaped away, just as Karlach brought her axe down over the head of the cloaker, chopping its head clean off its body. The head bounced away with a dull thud as the body collapsed, jolting once before going still.

But the battle wasn’t over. Nevrin struggled to duck and dodge the attacks of another cloaker and its two remaining phantoms, while Shadowheart and Wyll battled two more. A cry in the distance told them more were coming, sweeping through the darkness. Gale scrambled to his feet as Karlach hauled Astarion up. They barely glanced at one another before separating to rejoin the fight.

Gale couldn’t get the upper hand of any creature down on the cavern floor, so he misty stepped up onto a platform well above the fight. From there, he gathered more lightning in his hands and aimed it at one of the cloakers attempting to bite and attack Wyll and Shadowheart. 

“Perure!”

Blue lightning illuminated the cavern with brilliant light as it blasted forth from his hands, heading straight for the cloaker. The air suddenly smelled of ozone and tasted of metal, but Gale focused on shaping the spell so that its only target—its only victim—would be the cloaker. It shuddered and shrieked as the lightning struck it and caused it to seize up, tiny crackles of lightning flitting around its body before it hit the ground in a smoking, lifeless heap. Two of its phantoms instantly disappeared. 

Both Wyll and Shadowheart cast surprised looks up in Gale’s direction. He spared them a half-hearted wave before pointing behind them. “Watch out!”

They both were back in the fight in an instant, blocking the next creature that flew down to bite or capture them.

Down below Gale, Astarion and Nevrin worked in tandem, with Astarion feinting and dodging its attacks while Nevrin went in with his blades. One phantom fell to their strategy, and soon the cloaker itself was dead, too. Wyll and Shadowheart made quick work of their last cloaker, using a combination of Wyll’s sword, Shadowheart’s mace, and both of their magics, while Gale misty-stepped closer near Karlach, who was going solo against a cloaker and one of its phantoms. A well-aimed chromatic orb of fire dispatched the phantom while another guiding bolt from Shadowheart and a wide-arcing hit from Karlach’s axe silenced the final cloaker forever.

Then all was still. The cavern seemed oddly quiet, the noises of their battle fading in distant echoes around them, leaving naught but the six of them panting and looking at each other.

“Is everyone all right?” Gale asked. 

Karlach, just a few feet away, nodded and turned her axe blade-side down, planting the head of it into the ground and leaning against the handle. “Phew…nothing like a quick turn with a few beasties to get your heart going, right? Just me?”

“Careful,” Shadowheart said, moving to the edge of where she stood on a platform with Wyll. Her eyes were on a wide mushroom across the way. “We might not be done with all the beasties just yet.”

Gale turned to look up at the mushroom, only to find Nevrin standing with his sword at Astarion’s throat. The vampire stood with his hands up, near his chest, his daggers on the ground at his feet.

Astarion had the good grace to try and alter his grimace into a charming smile. “Is all this really necessary?” he asked. “After all, we were working as a team just now.”

“You were a convenient distraction for the creature, nothing more, spawn,” Nevrin said. “That does not mean I owe you my life, nor have any cause to trust you.”

“Hang on, you can’t hurt him,” Karlach protested, straightening up. “He just helped us out.”

“But why?” Nevrin asked, his red-eyed gaze never leaving Astarion. “He must want something from us.”

“Perhaps if you let me speak, we can come to an arrangement?” Astarion suggested, lifting a finger to edge the sword just a tiny bit away from his neck. Nevrin sneered and pressed the blade even closer. A thin line of blood ran down the column of Astarion’s throat. He swallowed, growing still, and flicked his eyes toward Karlach and Gale. The silent question, or perhaps plea, in his eyes was clear.

“Nevrin, wait,” Gale said, stepping forward. “Let us handle the vampire. You go scout the cave ahead and see if it connects back to the main path. While you scout ahead, we’ll determine what should be done about him.”

The drow flicked his gaze briefly to Gale and then back to Astarion. “And why should I take orders from you, iblith?”

Gale frowned. He had a point, but it didn’t make his remark, or his insult, any less irritating. “Perhaps because Minthara gave me leave to decide what to do with him if we encountered him. Or did she not impart that specific detail to you before we left? If you doubt me, ask her yourself upon our return.”

It was a bit of a bluff and a bit of a lie, but Gale was hoping that the drow would weigh the risks of asking Minthara to explain her orders and decide against angering her. He held his breath, waiting to see if his words had any effect. After a moment, the drow relented, slowly lowering his blade and glaring at Astarion.

“Fine,” he said, sheathing his blade. “But if I return and find one or most of you dead, I will report to the Nightwarden that it was due to your own foolish mistakes.”

He turned on his heel and retreated toward the back of a cave, to an inky black spot that was darker than the rest of the surrounding darkness. The cave, Gale assumed. Soon he was entirely out of sight.

Astarion rubbed his throat with a wince before bending to retrieve his daggers. Tucking them into his belt, he hopped down from the mushroom to the cavern floor below and walked over to Karlach and Gale looking, if anything, a little sheepish.

“I suppose a thank you is in order,” he said, glancing between them.

“A thank you?” Karlach asked. “I should be thanking you. You saved my life out there. I’d probably be dead, or closer to dead, if you hadn’t swooped in when you did.” 

“Yes, well, don't expect heroics like that all the time. Consider it…” He trailed off, looking conflicted a moment before lowering his gaze with a slight clearing of his throat. “Consider it repayment for…well, saving my life on the submersible. You could have easily left me to drown or be blasted to pieces aboard that wretched thing, but you…took me with you, instead.”

He frowned, as if he couldn’t quite puzzle out why Karlach had done such a thing. After a moment he shook his head slightly, as if clearing his thoughts, and looked up at them again. “Honestly, I think you're probably a little mad for doing that. And I know you're all mad for whatever the hells it is you're trying to do down here. But I’m grateful for not dying in a horrible underwater explosion nonetheless.”

“Aww…consider us even, then, fangs,” Karlach said, smacking him affectionately on the shoulder. Astarion flinched at the blow and then rubbed his arm with a kind of pained smile. “Oops. Sorry, Astarion. Don’t know my own strength sometimes.”

“Clearly,” he said, glancing down at the dead cloaker nearest them.

“Is that why you’ve been following us?” Wyll asked, as he and Shadowheart joined them on the cavern floor. “So you could say thank you to Karlach?”

Astarion gave an awkward chuckle. “Well…actually I’ve been following you because I don’t know where else to go. You seem to be heading toward some specific location, so I figured, why not tag along? In the shadows, of course, and only until I find somewhere better to be. I know when I’m not welcome.”

“Well you’re welcome now, if you want to join us,” Karlach said.

“Hold on, we can’t just adopt a vampire in the middle of an expedition like this,” Shadowheart said. “What would Gortash say? Or Minthara? And aren’t those blades from the weapons supply?” She pointed at the daggers he had tucked into his belt.

Karlach waved this off. “We have plenty more blades. As for Gortash and Minthara, we’ll talk them into it. Astarion’s on our side now, isn’t that right, fangs?”

“Er…in a manner of speaking,” Astarion said reluctantly. 

“And who is going to volunteer to feed him?” Shadowheart asked, crossing her arms. “I don’t exactly relish the thought of any of us having to become this vampire’s bloodbag.”

The question gave them all pause. Karlach scratched the side of her cheek, looking apologetic.

“Well I can’t do it,” she said. “I’d burn you to a crisp, Astarion. Sorry.” 

All eyes turned to Gale next. He felt a chill at their expectant gazes and couldn’t help but rub the mark on his chest out of habit. It seemed to ache at the very thought, as though reminding him of its presence.

“I, er…have a blood disease, I’m afraid,” he said. “I doubt he’d find my blood very nourishing. Or tasty, for that matter.” 

He tried to ignore the way their looks turned to curiosity or doubt. But he was speaking the truth…mostly. Since the orb sat so close to his heart, it had slowly tainted his blood over time. He’d known that for well over a year, now. He could taste the bitter acidity himself, when he mindlessly gnawed a hole in the inside of his cheek while studying, or when he cut his finger while cooking and licked the blood away out of habit. He bled as red as any other man, but internally, he was altered. Poisoned.

Blighted.

He met Astarion’s gaze, trying to look sincere. Though the pale elf looked a little doubtful, something in Gale’s expression must have convinced him. He turned his crimson gaze toward Wyll and Shadowheart instead.

“I suppose that leaves me, then,” Wyll said thoughtfully. “Assuming we can’t find anyone else.”

“Not to sound ungrateful,” Astarion said, holding up his hands. “I appreciate the sweet offer, but I’d rather not make more enemies out of the lot of you than I already have. And if I recall, they say you’re the son of one of Baldur’s Gate’s grand dukes. I’d hate to anger anyone’s daddy back home.”

“‘Daddy’ has already toss me out in my ear,” Wyll said, crossing his arms. “I don’t think it’s possible to disappoint him more than I already have.”

“This wouldn’t happen to have anything to do with your being a warlock, would it?” Gale asked, curious despite himself.

Wyll just shrugged. “It’s a long story, and not an important one. The point is, Astarion, I don’t mind giving you some of my blood every now and again. Really. So long as Shadowheart or Halsin can give me a pick-me-up on the days you need to feed, that is.” He glanced over at Shadowheart as he said this.

She sighed through her nose. “Oh...fine. Since you’re all so determined to keep him. Just as long as he keeps those fangs well away from me.”

“Noted, darling,” Astarion said, a hint of a smirk on his lips. “I won't bite where I'm not wanted. Promise.”

“Well, now that that's settled,” Gale said, eager to move on. “We should get back to the task at hand, shall we?”

“Which was…?” Astarion glanced around at the rest of them.

“Finding a way through or around that blockage in the main passageway. Ideally we'd like to say on the ancient paths down here.”

“Ah, well you're in luck, actually.” Astarion pointed toward the cave that Nevrin had disappeared down. “Follow that through to the end and you'll find it comes back out on your ancient road. I didn't venture too far ahead and I have no idea what other creatures might try to bite your head off, but I did notice that much before I heard all the screeching and came back to save the lot of you.”

“Astarion, you're a godsend,” Karlach said, grinning. “Come on, let's catch up to Nev. We'll see this new path for ourselves, report back to Minthara, tell her all about how you found the path, and bam—you're part of the expedition.”

“That simple, huh?” Astarion chuckled and shrugged. “If you say so. Let’s—”

His next words were cut short as a distant, echoing shriek traveled down from the cave ahead. The five of them glanced at each other in surprise. Then Karlach hefted her battleaxe onto her shoulder with another grin.

“Come on, then,” she said. “Let's go save Nevrin's hide and smash some more beasties!”

[odinsblog]

So I took an unexpected trip down memory lane today. Something I haven’t thought about for almost two decades…

After work, I decided to avail myself of the nearest happy hour with some acquaintances, and me being me, ofc the conversation eventually turned to politics (generally a no no for me, but what can I say - blame it on the alcohol, right?)

Someone I’ve known for some years now, a white person, abruptly asked me if I had ever seen an actual burning cross before. If I’m being honest here, my initial instinct was to be angry at them because we don’t know each other like that. We were in a large group, and while I know he didn’t intend to, it’s “innocent” questions like that that put Black people on the spot. Kinda like asking the only Black student in a classroom full of white people what their thoughts are on slavery. Don’t get me wrong, some exceptionally gifted Black people would knock that question outta the ballpark. But many of us, caught unawares, might struggle to find all the right words. Even though I’ve taken many such public speaking classes to prepare me for just such an eventuality (extemporaneous public speaking is part of my job, currently), not everyone is prepared to be an on-demand public speaker. And definitely not on such personal subjects.

Anyway, I was actually kinda vibing with the mood in the bar and I didn’t really feel like making a scene, so decided to pull my “friend” aside to answer him.

And here’s where I got dragged down memory lane.

I was in high school. I don’t remember the exact year, but it was before I graduated, so that puts it somewhere (maybe a year or two) before 2002.

I went to the great (racist) state of Alabama, and the city of Shorter, for a week long visit with my then-girlfriend and her folks. Absolutely NOTHING could have prepared me for the abject poverty I had read about but only then witnessed firsthand.

I was born in Florida. I literally have memories of walking blocks and blocks barefoot on hot asphalt to go to the nearest corner store. BUT … Imma city boy at heart. Because of my father’s job, we were constantly moving all up and down the West coast of the country. I’ve lived and gone to schools for at least a year in major metropolitan hubs like NYC, Boston, Raleigh, DC, Hartford, Philly, Atlanta, and Nawlins*, etc. When I arrived in Shorter, it was the first time I had ever seen dirt roads that were the major routes between (Black) inner cities. The very first night when I got there, THE FUCKING SHERIFF (literally the only white person I saw in my week long visit) made it a point to stop by my gf’s moms house because, “I heard we were getting a fancy out of towner here today,” and even though I wasn’t a full grown man yet, I can still remember the feeling of incredulity and utter disbelief I had in those few minutes of being interrogated by the mf sheriff, who btw, arrived at my gf’s moms house with his lights on and sirens blaring. If you’re wondering, yes, he was white, and if I had to do a sketch of him today, it would look EXACTLY like the sheriff from that old tv show with Bo, Luke and Daisy Duke. “Dukes of Hazard,” I think.

And later that evening, the first time I had to go to relieve myself, I asked my hosts where the bathroom was, half asleep , the youngest brother, a kid of about 9 or 10, took me by the hand, led me to the back door, and pointed into the darkness at some weird looking treehouse a few yards from the house’s back door—except there was no tree and whatever it was that I was looking at was on the ground. I said, “No, where is your BATHROOM?,” and still half asleep, again he pointed at the weird looking tree house and said, “That’s it.”

I walked out, still not knowing exactly what to expect when I got closer to whatever it was in their backyard, and when I got close enough to recognize the smell, I stopped dead in my tracks … was this … waitaminute … is this an OUTHOUSE??!! I held my nose and cautiously opened the door, and sure enough, yes: it really was an outhouse. Like for real. In real life. I didn’t want to be rude, but there was no fucking way in hell I was going to take a dump in an outhouse. I went back to the house and awkwardly asked if there was another bathroom, and I was a little bit amused when he said, “Yeah, if you want, I can walk you over to the neighbor’s house and you can use their outhouse.” It turned out that everyone in the hood had outhouses.

I’m not sharing this to dunk on Alabama, it’s just what happened and it was all incredibly jarring for me. Shorter, Alabama was incredibly poor at the time, and there was no possible way for me to be prepared for all of the abject poverty I witnessed firsthand. And, lol, it’s not like I grew up wealthy or anything. But this was the norm for where I was visiting. I would later learn that my gf’s mom sent her daughter to Florida literally for a better life that she couldn’t provide her. My gf lived in Florida with her (comparatively) “very wealthy” aunt and uncle, who lived in what was essentially one step up from the projects. Truly some heartbreaking shit. I was humbled, but this experience gave me perspective like no history book could ever do.

AND YET …… I was a young teenaged boy, who was far away from home with his girlfriend, who I believed I would one day marry, so I somehow managed to brush almost all of that aside, because while my gf’s mom had to work double shifts at the dog track, we were assigned a chaperone—and he was literally thee coolest older cuz’n everrrr. He went out of his way to make sure my gf and I had enough time alone to make out pretty much whenever the mood struck us! Things were a little rougher than I had anticipated, but the time I had alone with my gf made it worth everything.

And then one night, Cuz’n Feaster (yes, that was his real name) took us to a hole in the wall bar. Don’t worry, he didn’t take us inside or give us liquor or anything, he just went inside for about an hour and left two teenaged virgins COMPLETELY alone in the backseat of his Chevy. FOR AN HOUR!!!

And when I tell you that we went all the way, I mean we went ALL the way—to third base!! Hands everywhere exploring everything, heavy kissing and making out! WITHOUT ANY SEX. (We were both two good little Pentecostal kids who had taken a stupid “purity” pledge, what did you expect?)

HA! But I will never forget that night though. I can still hear “Do Me Baby,” by Prince playing on the radio. Good times, man.

But I was telling you about the first time I saw a burning KKK cross, right??

So when cuz’n Feaster finally came out of the “club,” it was super late and dark outside. I remember him and my gf laughing at me because my neck was craned up looking out the window like a dog with the window rolled down. There were absolutely no lights outside on the road. No streetlights, no road lights, no house lights, no nothing except for the headlights and the stars above. I couldn’t believe all the stars I could see. I even recognized part of the Milky Way. It was an amazing sight. An amazing ride home. And an amazing way to top off an amazing night.

I was young, I was in love, I was happy and holding my girl’s hand, the stars were out, and just… Everything was perfect. Perfect.

And that’s when we started getting closer and closer to …. something?? Burning in the middle of an open field? As we got closer and closer, for the second time on my trip, my eyes and my brain recognized what I must be seeing, but my mind couldn’t comprehend or accept what it was: an enormous burning cross in a field, with men in white pointy hoods. It was the Klan!! I couldn’t fucking believe it. This was something that I knew and understood existed, but that was supposed to be history book stuff, right? I couldn’t wrap my head around it.

“Feaster, is that…”

-The Klan? Yup, that’s them. Leave them alone, and they’ll leave you alone.

Pfft! I scoffed. Messing with Black people who aren’t fucking with them is pretty much their job description.

And he and my gf were sO fucking calm about it. They acted like they saw that shit every day and twice on the weekend. BUT MY BLACK ASS WAS FREAKING THE FUCK OUT.

“Feaster, we’re all Black! What if-”

-Calm down. They do that all the time. And even if they wanted to, nobody can catch me in this car.

And my only thought was, we’re all gonna get lynched and die because this fool thinks his car is faster than bullets. We had to drive RIGHT BY that cross. I know it was probably my imagination working triple time, but it looked like it was 100 feet tall. It was less than a football field away, and that cross was burning so bright that it turned nighttime into daylight, disappeared all the stars, and I could very clearly see men in white robes holding guns. I was fucking terrified. Talk about sights you won’t ever forget. And Idk why, but the fact that Feaster and my gf were so damn calm about it just really added that extra something to my freaking out. It was unnerving af.

Me and my gf caught the bus back home to Florida the next day, but yeah, that was the first (but not the last) time I had ever seen a KKK cross before. Such a mix of emotions, that night was.

[satinechristian]

Okay but do you want to talk about how absolutely treated like shit Satine gets from her so called friends and family?

She is constantly propped up and asked to perform in order to keep the club and everyone’s livelihood going. She’s reprimanded by Zidler if she doesn’t fall into line to solve his debt issue.

I have so many thoughts on how horrible of a person Zidler is and I think it often gets lost in the show because he’s “on” the bohemians side and the “fun character” because of welcome to the moulin rouge and more more more. But if you think that he didn’t know Andre’s history before offering up Satine when Nini did, then you’re absolutely wrong. There’s no way he hadn’t heard as many if not more whispers than nini did about the Duke. And I don’t think this talked about enough, if at all?? In the movie he’s also similarly evil in the way he literally withholds satines death sentence from her until she tries to leave and basically it’s like you can’t leave because you’re about to die anyway. In the musical she’s the one that gets the news first and the one that uses it for leverage when she’s getting (verbally) beaten down for not pleasing the Duke. Which is also why I like to think this is part of an elaborate plan she came up with to escape these pressures and fake her own death but that’s another essay.

Even when she finds out she’s going to die, her focus is on putting others first, as we see her pressured to do throughout the entire show. It’s to put on Christian’s show, and it’s interesting she emphasizes Christian’s show and not the show to save the moulin rouge (and to add in her defiance of the Duke to reclaim her personhood when she says no one owes me basically is a death blow to club given he has the controlling interest in the club and is not a forgiving or good person and would not let this go even if satine is still not alive to deal with the consequences). She wants to put on Christian’s show, so Christian’s music can be heard.

This is not a pressure that comes from Christian. We never see christian ask her to perform or push her to play the part or make sure the show goes on. He doesn’t give a shit about the show, because his world is centered on her. The entire reason and purpose for the show for him is a connection to her. By putting Christian first- one of the few if not only person in her life that has not asked her to put his interest above hers- (and yes christian is jealous and yes he does not handle her relationship with the Duke well, but in the scene for elephant love medley he says let me be your lover in secret, let me come second. Can he handle that emotionally? No not really) she is putting herself first.

[areax]

for good and for bad for laika 🥰

OC ASKS: RELATIONSHIP EDITION

For Good: Is there anyone in your OC's life who had an undeniable positive impact on who they are as a person? How did knowing this person improve your OC's life?

The specific person is dependent upon the setting, but in both her source material and BG3verse it’s someone from among her companions. In her original campaign I’d say the people who had the most impact were her best friend, her son, and her love interest… her son (his name is Duke) might be the most straightforward to explain. He started out as a teenager that she saved in a kind of split second decision (it was either him or his mentor and she didn't really know either of them, I think about that moment all the time and how if she had saved his mentor instead her character arc would have been so different) who, because of this, started to look up to her and idolize her and she was like oh no I have to be responsible for this child now. That made her start to question all her past decisions because she saw a lot of herself in Duke and didn’t want him to make the same bad choices that she had, so she had to confront her own mistakes and who she had become. It was an eye opener in thinking about how she affected other people and how actually she does care about them. Eventually at the end of the campaign she formally adopted him and he is her best and only child and she loves him very much and she is very proud of him.

Her interactions with her best friend (Lunaris) and her love interest (Zatlaft) were similar in that kind of learning to care about other people way. She’s experiencing feelings for the first time since she was sixteen, you remember feelings, right? Zatlaft was the first person she’s ever been in love with beyond infatuation (and now they are MARRIEDDDD) and Lunaris is the closest friend she’s had in 20 years. That’s all very scary to her but love is beautiful!

BG3 spoilers below this point!

In BG3verse her journey is similar: she comes to know these people that she’s traveling with and through caring for them she finds herself caring for the world again and becoming less selfish. I should write up a list of all her dynamics with everyone but special mention goes to Astarion for being like “You did all that to help free me and recognized who I am with all my faults and loved me anyway and now you’re just going to stand here and let him (Cthulhu, the Emperor, etc.) control you like Cazador controlled me? You expect me to stand by and watch while that happens to you? You’re going to let a bald guy speak to you like that?” as that is the real climax / turning point for Laika’s character, the rejection of power in favor of freedom. Lae’zel is also important because she’s the one who consistently challenges Laika and forces her to reconsider her opinions at the same time as Laika does the same for her. Laika’s character growth is primarily driven by self recognition through the other tbh.

For Bad: Is there anyone who had an undeniable negative impact on your OC’s life? How did your OC deal with that change? Have they been able to move on?

I’ve written about it on here before but literally her patron lmao that’s just how it is when you’re a warlock. In general Laika is also attracted to (not necessarily in a sexual sense) / has a weakness for / is easily seduced by displays of great power, people in powerful positions whose influence she can siphon from, anyone with knowledge beyond what’s normal, but she hasn’t had too many encounters with people who take advantage of her without her knowing that and doing the same back to them. So it’s kind of like Laika is the one doing the evil things to others and not often the other way around (obviously those actions take a toll on her but they’re not the fault of her victims, it’s her problem) so honestly she’s more likely to be someone else’s “meeting you changed my life for the worst” person. But for Laika, it was Tuesday. Undeniably her patron is the person / being who has most changed her life for the worst, but unlike with people like Wyll who were given an impossible choice and gave themselves up for the greater good, it was kind of Laika’s fault in the first place that she went looking for forbidden knowledge and then got her entire village slaughtered. She knows this deep down but tries to deny it for a long time or justify their deaths by using her powers as much as possible. Once she’s finally free from her pact she’s able to kind of move on, but that’ll always hang over her. 

It’s an interesting situation to bring both to BG3verse and to her original campaign because when we pick up with Laika here, she’s already done the worst thing she will ever do and is like past the point of thinking she can ever be a good or happy person again, and so basically everything she does is like “fuck around and find out” until there’s a slow dawning revelation that she doesn’t have to be defined by her worst moment or even if she is, she can still do something good for the world after.

[starlooove]

Ok like i know the whole no metas in Gotham thing is a lot more nuanced than most fans take it BUT I kinda like fanon interpretation here just bc I want Duke to have a network of metas connected in Gotham

Edit: I always make the full post in the tags but honestly it derailed so much that I think my point isn’t even necessarily entirely abt Duke and metas but basically I like Duke and everyone else does by default now. If y’all won’t woobify him the way I want I’ll do it myself

[luciditymoonsstuff]

Something fun that I ended up thinking about for ages

[me and a group of friends are doing a l o n g rp]

"cool asf though [It was based off a tik tok, the picture]

i want to implement it into here tbh-

only for a while

:0

ROMAN GOES INSANE AND CONTROLD THE DARK SIDES FOFJSNSNCNDDNDN

LOGAN IS NATURALLY A LIGHT SIDE SO HE DOESN'T COUNT—"

-Me

[logan became a dark side in this rp for a while]

"I REALLY WANNA IMPLEMENT THIS INTO THE WORLD FOR A WHILE.

roman going insane, for some unknown reason.[we'll get there later]

He decides to use his power, controlling the "dark" sides. Not including logan since he was made a light side, unlike virgil.

He's had that power for a while, not wanting to use it cause he thinks it bad.

Thats why hes going insane.

Why? no idea.

How do we fix that? No clue.

YET."

-Me

"Oml-

That would actually make really good since rn cause Roman has been spacing out for long periods of time rn so we could shape it into where it's like he's trying to keep being perfect and sane but he's breaking from the insane out"

-friend

"exactly.

He could be losing his sanity..

Maybe because he's geting corrupted..

Like the rp where virgil ducks out.

He's been in that space for to long, and it just builds up.

Logan isn't as affected since he's now technically a "dark" side.

Yet, patton and roman are still lights so they are affected.

The "corruption" from that ep maybe didn't break down and still lurking.

Roman getting more "corruption" than patton."

-me

"He could also be getting more because of Remus, with them being related and all"

-friend

"how are we gonna continue the plan?

I think we should go one at a time,

virgil first, then [whichever one you choose next, remus orr janus]

bUT.

What are you planning right now?

why is roman passed out?"

-Me

"He can just pass out for anything- we can just say it was cause the insanity and him hitting his head on the wall

anyway-

Idk I thought you were planning smthn-

I mean

We could do it to where Roman could kinda force Virgil to him and just kinda manipulate him into being his- idk- captive by saying he'll kill Janus and Remus or something if Virgil doesn't cooperate-"

-friend

"that roman has always had control over the darks, considering he pretty much made them. The lights are sort of no so much his creation so he doesn't have control over that.

I'm thinking more of hypnosis type thing.

Manipulation using hypnosis.

Controlling, or programming, them to do whatever he pleases."

-me

"How does he active it?

Not entirely sure.

Thinking of a few possible theories on how he controls it and how he actives it.

He could just have a controller, literally.

It could be controlled by anger, or loss of sanity.

Something similar to the orange side.

Or, just something he could do with his hands.

Like a puppet master."

-me

"My mind automatically went to "fight to the death" after reading that and idk why

Mmm-

Maybe Roman can try to control them to become "King" since he's been a 'prince' since he was made?-

and-

You said 3 things, so maybe he could have a different thing for each one? Like Virgil being controlled by loss of sanity, to begin with, then Janus could be controlled with a controller of sorts and Remus being like a puppet since Roman is a Prince and Remus is a Duke, it's kinda like puppeteers with a puppet-"

-friend

"I was thinking maybe virgil and remus could be switched.

Due to thr fact remus and roman are brothers.

With telepathatly at that, which would make the most sense.

Able to control your own sibling with loss of sanity... a stretch but it makes somewhat sense.

Virgil could be the puppet.

He seemed to be viewed by people as a puppet to Janus' games and remus' tricks.

He is the 'puppet' in everyones strings, as everyone says."

-Me

"he feels disrespected and wants the respect he deserves and he feels like everyone secretly hates him and then the insanity is making those thoughts worse"

-Friend [the reason he's doin' this]

He could make the 'army'

[literally just the dark sides {minus logan since he was made a light-}]

He could feel like he was a part of something again.

The light sides have been failing apart since logan left... not so much because of Virgil.

He could try and get 'the band back together'

by getting the people around logan to manipulate logan into joining the lights once again

-me

The reason using the puppet hurts virgil.

The puppet is of course, connected to virgil.

Virgils soul, if thats what you want to call it, has been sort of went into the puppet. How? No clue. [yet]

Now, using the puppet will let whoever uses it take control of virgil.

Of his body.

Not himself fully.

His actual self is just stuck in his mind, tied down with the strings.

The strings are colored to whoever is using it.

Patton = light blue

Logan = dark blue

roman = red

Janus = yellow

Remus = green

you get the point.

It's tying him down, not letting him take control of his own body.

Until the puppet is taken away from that person

Yes. Anyone who gets it, is able to control virgil.

A big uh oh for our emo man.

-me

uhm-

my Creativities are workin' today ladies and gentlemen.

[queen--kenobi]

Congrats on the Duke win!! 🥰💙🏀 Been very MIA lately, but I'm trying to get back in the swing of things. Playing some serious catch up. 😘 I know you've got an OC for HoT/HotD but tell me more!!

Welcome back!!!

Hell yeah!!! I didn't end up watching it because I had to get up way too early for work, but I'm happy with the results sfsgsh

Okay so this might get long, I hope you're okay with that. I have a shit ton of lore. Not even just for Elayna but for the Reynes. They're my OCs now

I've got two because they're stories are intertwined but not in a "we will always find each other way" (romantic) but in a "we will always find each other" (hateful) way

My main one is Elayna Reyne! She's the only daughter and third child of Lord Alon Reyne. She has one surviving older brother, Seban, and a younger brother, Ryman. Her other older brother, Reynard, died in a mine collapse that killed him and Seban's mom. Alon got remarried, so Elayna and Seban are half-siblings (or are they? Dun dun dun). Elayna is absolutely a Daddy's girl and Alon's favorite whoops

Alon gets really sick when she's a preteen, and Seban sends Elayna to be a Ward of the Lannisters. Now, Elayna doesn't necessarily like the Lannisters but it's not full on hate at this point. It's more like "oh. Them"

Enter Tymon Lannister

Tymon is a fuckhead to end all fuckheads. It's canon in a modern AU Tymon is the played lacrosse in high school (probably even competitively in college), khakis and a polo, legacy family at Harvard and Yale, "it's not pink it's Nantucket Red", "I'm a nice guy just give me a chance", top honors frat boy kind of guy

Anyway. Elayna gets warded to the Lannisters, and Tymon sees Elayna and is just like "She's mine. I'm gonna marry her some day, and she's gonna have my kids and be my wife. She was made for me." Elayna doesn't hate him at first, and even gets a tiny bit of a crush on him, because he is legitimately nice to her. It's just when she starts noticing how he treats literally everyone else she's just like "mmmmhhhmmmm. No." Unfortunately Tymon is the only Lannister that's been halfway decent with her, and when Tymon feels like Elayna is pulling away, he starts to get. Unpleasant

Eventually, Alon recovers. Alon asks Elayna is sent home if only for a few weeks because he's missed his daughter. The Lannisters let Elayna go back to Castamere. Alon takes one look at Elayna and realizes oh, she is miserable. It's been about 3 or 4 years of her with the Lannisters, and Elayna is clearly not doing well. Also Elayna ABSOLUTELY hates the Lannisters at this point and has decided her purpose in life is to bring that whole fucking family down to the ground

Alon, being a loving father and the GOAT, says fuck that and instead of sending Elayna back to Casterly Rock, sends Elayna to the Red Keep. Alon was at Court for a bit in his preteen and teenage years and was actually fairly decent friends with Viserys and had friendly rivalry going on with Daemon. Alon knows Viserys will find a place for Elayna, and he does. I'm leaning towards Elayna being one of Helaena's ladies in waiting, but I'm not sure

Elayna ends up befriending Helaena! She and Helaena end up very good friends. Elayna also meets Aemond and phew boy. Elayna falls hard and fast. Thankfully for her, Aemond does too. Unfortunately Aegon also kind of falls for Elayna. Yes Elayna has three of Alicent's children wrapped around her finger ssssshhhhh

Now. Remember how I mentioned Tymon has decided Elayna is his? Yeah, uh, he pops up at Court. He tries to claim it's so he can learn from Tyland blah blah blah, but it's blatantly obvious Tymon has no interest in that. Tymon is just there to persuade Elayna to "come home" and "come to her sense". And Tymon is a Lannister which means he's decided Elayna will be "back where she belongs, with who she belongs", and he will do anything to make that happen

I don't want to say too much more because I don't want to spoil what's coming. I will say this, though. Elayna's story is a tragedy because, ultimately, she is the reason the Reynes are massacred. Obviously she's not the inciting incident, but she sets everything up, if that makes sense? It's obviously not her intention but Elayna's actions ultimately doom future generations and her entire family/bloodline

Canon is not a happy story. I have a bunch of other AUs that are happy but. Canon is an absolute tragedy

[fancoloredglasses]

Smallville (a 10-year origin story)

[All images are owned by DC Comics and Warner Bros-Discovery. Please don’t sue me]

(Thanks to jimgerakaris)

A bit of history of Superman before the actual review…

(Thanks to DC)

When Superman was created in 1939, no thought was given to Clark Kent’s life before coming to Metropolis. One day, he decided to wear a blue body suit with red underpants on the outside and a giant S on his chest.

However, after the second World War came to a close, Superman co-creator Jerry Siegel decided to expand on Superman’s origin, saying that he actually donned the “Captain Underpants” look as a teen.

(Thanks to Comics Archaeology)

I would like to note that Smallville looked like a town of less than 10,000 people. This would be the type of town where everyone knows everyone, so there’s NO WAY Clark’s secret would remain a secret for long (in fact, Clark’s best friend Pete Ross DID find out)

However, following Crisis, Superboy was removed from the continuity and once again, Clark Kent first donned the tights as an adult…

…after he was forced to reveal himself to the public.

But what about his life before he came to Metropolis? In 2001, the WB Network (which would later merge with UPN to become the CW Network) sought to answer that question with Smallville, which was to chronicle the life of a teenage Clark.

Warner Brothers executives has two demands to green light the series: No tights and No flights (meaning Clark couldn’t “suit up” over the course of the series and couldn’t fly.

However, in the second episode we see Clark floating over his bed)

The series started as you’d expect (with baby Kal-El landing in Smallville, Kansas) However, he didn’t come alone.

(Thanks to Varun Hans)

The meteors that fell on Smallville (three guesses what those meteors are made of) have radiation that has mutagenic properties (in addition to being poisonous to Kryptonians) Season 1 was pretty much Clark Kent vs. the Kryptonite mutant of the week (they started easing up on it starting with Season 2)

Anyway, let’s meet the stars of the show…

Young Clark Kent (played by Tom Welling), who starts the series as an awkward teen starting at Smallville High School. He spends much of the first four seasons discovering his powers and heritage (more on that later)

Clark adopted parents and Martha and Jonathan Kent (played by Annette O’Toole (who played Lana Lang in Superman III) and John Schneider (who played Bo Duke in The Dukes of Hazzard)), who try to instill in Clark small-town values while teaching him to use his powers to help others.

Clark’s best friends are Chloe Sullivan (played by Allison Mack [FUN FACT: Chloe was created for the series; due to her popularity, DC brought her into the comics]) and Pete Ross (played by Sam Jones III)

While Pete is the first to learn Clark’s secret, Chloe is editor for the school paper and has an obsession over the strange happenings around Smallville that started the day of the meteor storm (so naturally she eventually finds out as well)

Clark has a crush on Lana Lang (played by Kristin Kreuk, who would go on to play the title character in Street Fighter: The Legend on Chun-Li), whose parents were vaporized in the meteor storm. She wears a pendant made of meteor rock to remember them (which means she is literally toxic for Clark)

Naturally, you can’t have Superman Clark Kent without Lex Luthor (played by Michael Rosenbaum) Lex lost his hair due to Kryptonite radiation during the meteor storm. At the beginning of the series, Lex was more or less banished to the Smallville fertilizer plant owned by his father…

…Lionel Luthor (played by John Glover, who played Daniel Clamp in Gremlins 2), founder and CEO of the multinational corporation known as Luthor Corp.

Lex and Clark start out as friends after they meet…

(Thanks to Varun Hans)

While Lex initially tries to do the right thing, he eventually goes down the dark path we all know he will as he and Clark become enemies.

There are others who join the cast as the series moves beyond a teen drama with super powers after season 4 (it ran for 10 seasons), including future members of the Justice League…

…such as Green Arrow

Martian Manhunter

…and the Flash.

However, Krypton exerts influence on Clark and the Kents, as the spirit of Jor-El (played by Terrence Stamp, who played General Zod in Superman II) repeatedly tries to push Clark to a destiny he’s not sure he wants.

But Stamp and O’Toole aren’t the only callback actors, as we have one more cast member from the films…

Christopher Reeve (the Man of Steel himself) in his final role as an astronomer with insight into Krypton.

Clark eventually finds his way to Metropolis (which is visible from Smallville’s water tower. So would that place it in Kansas, Nebraska, or Missouri?) and the Daily Planet, which would put him working with…

…Chloe’s cousin Lois Lane (Played by Erica Durance, who would later play Dr. Reid on Saving Hope)

…and Jimmy Olsen (played by Aaron Ashmore, who would go on to play Johnny in Killjoys)

Despite skirting the issue (Clark would use his abilities without the tights, moving so fast that the Daily Planet dubbed him “The Blur”), they gave in to the inevitable for the series finale.

(Thanks to smallville21KAL)

However, that would not be the last we’d see of Welling as Clark Kent, as he got closure 6 years later.

(Thanks to TV Promos)

If you would like to watch the series, it’s available on Hulu or behind your favorite paywall.

As always, if there is an episode you would like reviewed, please let me know!

[all-hail-trash-prince]

They say curiosity killed the cat... But hey, Jason had already died once, and he'd survived it.

Jason: I know, right?

As Jason waited for several minutes, he became increasingly sure that the texter had realized their mistake and blocked him. But just as he decided he couldn't put off his morning routine any longer...

???: srry man was in the shower, had to wash the vlad off me

???: anyway hes back on his bullshit again, really thinks he can convince me and mom to replace dad with him after literally trying to murder the guy for like the eighteenth time. not that mom knows it was him but still. i cannot deal with this on top of the geometry exam

Vlad? Murder? Geometry exam...? Was this a high schooler?? There was so much to unpack in every single message this kid sent. But Jason couldn't push too hard or he'd give himself away.

Jason: That sucks.

???: ugh yeah it's annoying as hell but at least my mom has the good sense to know he's a fruitloop even if he's offering her his giant mayor mansion

Oh, now he was getting somewhere. There couldn't be too many mayors out there named Vlad, right?

Jason: Good for her. Mansions are hard to resist.

???: tuck i know you've hacked the cameras a million times but trust me the obnoxious packers theme is SO MUCH WORSE worse in person

Packers theme...?? So it was pretty likely this fruitloop was in Wisconsin... or, wait, no, he could have lived in Wisconsin but then moved to another state. That could also explain the kid's hatred of the theme... Or maybe the kid just really hated green and yellow. Wait, Jason needed to respond, it had been too long.

Jason: I can only imagine.

???: yeah it's bad. he tried to pay for a new phone for me after i smashed mine too but after last time i don't ever want to hear him gloating over me """accepting his kindness""" again

???: i just hope mom and dad don't notice that this is the third phone i've bought this month :I

Ah, so that's why they didn't notice they were texting the wrong number for so long - no contact names. Well, Jason was pretty sure he had enough information to find this "Vlad" guy now, even if he would have liked a more specific location to start looking. But first...

Jason: Third phone? We're only a week into this month??

???: exactly.

-----

Danny, still stewing on last night's... annoyance, only briefly nodded to his friends when they met up in the halls of Casper High. Sam had offered to tell Tucker, who had been absent, what went down, since Danny's phone had been smashed in the fight. Luckily, Danny was able to find a store that was open just late enough for him to fly over and grab a new phone right before they closed, and was able to give his friend his own update.

"So," started Tucker, "how are you doing?"

Danny snorted sarcastically. "You know how I'm doing."

Tucker tilted his head with a look of slight confusion. "I mean... It's always frustrating fighting Vlad, right?"

"Tucker, I've been texting you about it all morning, I'm ready to drop it now."

Tucker stopped dead in the middle of the hallway. "What? No, you haven't."

"I have!" But as he said it, Danny felt a sinking feeling. "If I haven't been texting you, then who...?"

At just that moment, Danny's phone pinged with a notification.

???: That's a lot of phones.

Danny: you're not tucker.

???: I know, right? ;)

???: But I've got enough info to track down this "fruit loop" guy now. Amity Park, right? Don't worry, I don't let any old asshole go around beating up kids, especially ones that seem as... apparently traumatized as you. Just give me a few days.

After that, the mysterious wrong number wouldn't respond, no matter what Danny sent them. But if after a few days, THE Red Hood was sighted in their little town duking it out with Plasmius, immediately followed by a single smiley face from the number? Well, Danny and friends weren't about to look a gift horse in the mouth.

-----

This should hopefully be everyone who asked to be tagged:

@hnymp @spidey29phangirl @malice-of-the-sunrise @profoundsoulsong @asphyxia778 @haziel669 @skulld3mort-1fan @emergentpanda-blog @d4ydr34min9 @meira-3919 @echo1sposts @temporalhunter @fisticuffsatapplebees @krzys2000 @thewondersoflebanon @blackroselina @everystarstorm @dannyphantomphan @willakk @phoenixdemonqueen @moonlightheart11 @mimilikey @apointlessbox @redhoneysugarorange @idontgetpaidenoughforthisshit @slapphapp1 @thedepressedrobin @gin2212 @balladoftime @roseinbloom02 @kitty-page @starmee-lodurrson @mnemovoid @hallowsden @satanicrutialspecialist @kyrianclawraith @lunadoll36 @ae-vixrose @olivethetreebitch @lostlightandfoundcrazy @theeclecticenquirer @stargirl1331 @somera-rubina @lazy-bouqet @chaos-n-kindness

Wrong Number AU

“I SWEAR TUCKER IF I HAVE TO DEAL WITH THE “I WANNA END YOUR DAD, MARRY YOUR MOM, AND TURN YOU INTO MY EVIL STEPSON/HEIR AND IF YOU DONT IM JUST GONNA TRY CLONING YOU ONCE MORE” FRUITLOOP AGAIN FOR A SECOND TIME THIS WEEK I AM GOING TO LET MY ROUGES END ME, DONT CARE WHO, JUST GONNA LET THEM FINISH WHAT THE PORTAL ACCIDENT STARTED”

-sent by Unknown Number

When Jason Todd woke up that morning to check his texts. He wasn’t expecting this.

When Danny sent that rant text to what he thought was Tuckers number (his old phone got smashed in a recent ghost fight, Sam gave him a new one she wasn’t using, and Tucker was out of town for a while so he couldn’t help Danny transfer his data yet) he wasn’t expecting a rather cyptic response

“Wrong number kid. But just for my own curiosity and concern, who is and where can I find this Fruitloop? I just wanna have a chat with him.”