#because i deserve it for hurting the people before them

[dissapointu]

hello! just read your sevika works and WOW, I love the way you write her so much!

whenever you have time could you dabble in some sort sevika? something like; having a bath together, or just bathing her, and she ends up crying because she's never felt anything like this before, ty!! ❤️❤️

OH. MY. GOD. FIRST OF ALL??? THANK YOU??? You have no idea how much that means to me 😭😭 Sevika stans are elite, I don’t make the rules. Second of all, yes, I will absolutely dabble in this for you because the image of Sevika just breaking down in a tub is so real that I had to write it out-

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Okay, so picture this:

Sevika’s never been one for softness, right? Like, she’s all sharp edges, clenched fists, and an unshakable poker face that screams, “Don’t even think about it.” But somewhere along the line, you weaseled your way into her heart (as one does), and now you’re in her life, showing her what it’s like to actually let someone take care of her.

So, you convince her to let you help her clean up after another long day of getting her hands dirty for Silco’s operations. She’s stiff at first, sitting in the tub with her back straight like she’s on a battlefield instead of in a warm bath. You gently pull her mechanical arm off (and she HATES letting people do that for her, but for you? She just grumbles and lets it happen).

You grab a sponge, lather it up with soap that smells way too nice for someone as rugged as her (but she secretly loves it), and start washing her back. You’re so careful around her scars, like you’re afraid of hurting her, and that’s when she starts to lose it. Her shoulders tense, and she tries to keep up the tough act, but then you start running your fingers through her hair to rinse out the grime, and—boom. Waterworks.

She doesn’t even know why she’s crying at first, but she just leans forward, her hands covering her face as her chest heaves with these messy, gut-wrenching sobs. And you’re just THERE, holding her head against your chest and murmuring things like, “You’re okay. You’re safe. I’ve got you.”

It hits her all at once: no one’s ever treated her like this before. Like she’s worth this kind of care, this kind of tenderness. She’s always been the one cleaning up other people’s messes—patching them up, fighting their battles. She’s never had anyone do it for her. And now she doesn’t know how to handle it.

When she finally calms down, her voice is so raspy and low when she mutters, “I don’t deserve this.” But you just shush her and kiss her temple, promising that she’s more than earned it, and she just… sits there in the bath, letting herself believe it for the first time in her life.

TL;DR: Sevika’s a big, tough baby who cries the second you show her the tiniest bit of unconditional love, and honestly, same. Thank you for coming to my TED Talk.

[solar4seekstron]

Before and So Forth Chapter Five:

Transformers One x Cybertronian!GN!Reader

Transformers One!Starscream, Soundwave, Shockwave, and Megatronus x Cybertronian!GN!Reader

Chapter Five: Megatronus and Shockwave

Chapter One, Chapter Two, Chapter Three, Chapter Four,

TW/Tags: Mild cursing, a couple make out sessions, Megatronus and Reader are so in love, Soundwave is trying people, Starscream is struggling, Shockwave is so cute omg, the idea of watching a drama series is such a dream I hope I did that scene justice, training sessions of course, what is sentinel up to? That should be all!!!

After Sentinels little “chat” in his meeting with you. You would return to your home once out of the building. As You made it home you teared up. All this was truly going to shit.

And you were only half way through this damn week….Why does it feel so long?

The next day you’d take the day off. Visiting the tower in order to meet Shockwave because of your agreed meet up a few weeks ago.

You both being fans of a certain series. He would take the day off as well. But everyone knows, even bots who don’t really know him that much know he’ll continue to work then sleep. As you made your way into the tower you’d wave to some bots and femmes.

You’d bump into Soundwave once you turned the corner. He’d look down at you as you looked up at him.

“Oh sorry Soundwave.”

He’d take a moment to reposed. His helm moving, he looked around for a moment and turned a bit to glance back. “You alright Soundwave?”

He’d look back at you and let out a small sigh. Before you knew it he grabbed your waist and pulled your frame against his. You’d then hear his intake guard open up.

Then you hear his deep voice as he whispered.

“Meet me in the meeting room past midnight. There’s something we must speak about. I’ll be waiting.”

He’d let you go as he walks away turning the corner. You’d stand there confused for a moment longer before letting out a sigh. This is really a strange week.

You’d make your way to Shockwaves lab. Seeing him messing with one of the Primes weapons.

You’d walk inside and sit in his work chair. His desk chair that he never really uses. Preferring to stand as he went over his notes and so on. After he noticed you were there. He seemed a bit startled for a moment.

He’d…clear his throat??? And walk over to you. “Ah Y/N Happy to see you finally made it.

“Are you ready to watch th latest episode?” He gets to work on the tv on his wall as you sat there. “You know it Shockwave. Are the cassettes still joining us?

Shockwave would then let out a groan from annoyance as he nods.

His little antennas moving up and down to show his annoyance. You’d let out a soft chuckle until you got a comm from Rumble. He tells you they wont be able to make it.

You let Shockwave know.

He didn’t show it but he was honestly happy about it as he looked at the tv.

And so the show started. Showing a femme bot barging into a fancy house as she had an Italian accent.

“Rico! Where are you you dog!”

“Man these names are definitely foreign. I can honestly never remember them.”

“Mhm.” Shockwave nodded.

You and Shockwave sat there in silence. Him seated in a patience chair as one of his cervos rested on his thigh. His legs spread as his canon arm rests on his lap. You next to him in his chair with both cervos on your lap.

You having a small smile on your dermas.

Just happy to not move for a good while being very sore from yesterday.

You both having the best reactions as you cringed and laughed at certain scenes. A part where the femme slaps some random mech causing you both to go.

”Oh! That’s gotta hurt!”

“HAHA most logical!”

”Ouch did he really deserve that?”

”Logical!”

After an hour. You both not in rush to do anything at the moment and for the next few hours. You’d eventually get a call by a secret and private call.

You’d look it over before excusing yourself.

“Sorry I have to step away for a moment. Tell me what happens during the credits yeah?”

Shockwave watched you walk away to take a call. His antennas down as he was. A little sad. But they went up once Shockwave heard one of the mechs of the show speak.

His optics turning to look at the screen before his helm turned fully to the tv then. His optic growing a bit brighter.

“I know I am not the sire of that sparkling. I know who it really was! It was my Brother!!!!” Shockwave then gasped. Bringing his cervo and canon to his optic as he gasped.

You’d answer the call. On the other line..is Megatronus. You heart started racing as he spoke. You missed his voice.

”Y/N…..my seetspark…. I hope to see you soon enough for our training this afternoon. 7.”

”O-Of course. I’ll see you then.”

”Until then sweetsaprk..” The call ends. You’d let out a soft sigh. Today will be the third day of your courtship.

So you’d start walking back to Shockwave who seemed mad. You’d ask what happened as the commercials played. After he catches you up, you both getting into the show more and more.

As you watched, you don’t notice Shockwave looking down. Opening his cervo as he stared down at it.

Flashbacks of him with Soundwave at the beginning for their work. A bit of drama between the two before just becoming “work friends”.

He’s then pulled from his thoughts as he hears the characters in the show talk.

”You are not my Conjunx! No More!!” The mech slaps a bunch of flowers out of another mechs cervos before running off crying.

”Come on tell him it’s a misunderstanding! Communicate goddamn it!!!!”

Shockwave would look at you. Letting out a soft chuckle. You’d sigh and check the time. “How many other episodes Shockwave?” He’d check. “About 3 more Y/N.”

”Hm I have training later tonight with a few seekers. How about you pause and I’ll get us some more energon?”

”Sounds good to me. “ He nods and makes his way to return to his work. “I shall wait upon your return.”

You’d let out a small chuckle and leave to the lunch room. As you made your way through the halls. It being well into the after noon. You’d walk in and grab some energon for Shockwave and yourself.

As you walked you’d notice the Primes walking past a hall causing you to stop. You’d stop and bow your head.

Them not noticing you as they go to another meeting and peak amongst their selves . But you do take note of Solus was staring at you. She seemed…almost upset.

You just bowed your helm as she continues to walk away.

You’d make your way back to Shockwave. He seemed to be holding something. But when you opened the door he was quick to put it in his desk and turn to you.

“Y/N! you got the..Uh…goodies!”

”Yes Shockwave.” As you hand him some energon and sits down. You could hear him munching. So when you looked back at him with your energon still in your cervos.

He was tapping his..”chin”??? With a napkin as his optic slowly blinks while he makes his way to you. Sitting back next to you.

As you ate your energon. Shockwave presses play as the shows intro started. You looked down at your energon as you ate with a smile.

You don’t notice again of Shockwave looking at you.

He thinks back, getting a flashback of when he first met you when still with Soundwave at the time. He still remembers. Your smile made him feel warm and you made sure to greet and include him in hang outs.

Though he always refused. He’d then return to the tv looking up as he scoots a little closer to you. His digits fidgeting as he got close enough.

There’s only a few inches between you two.

You didn’t notice until Shockwave spoke. “Y/N Do you have feelings for me?”

You’d choke a bit at is question.

“I- wa-How?!” You were very obvious when first coming here. Though sadly i was….occupied at the time to confront you. And well after sometime those…feeling…grew….too-“

You’d just stare at him as his optic moved around a bit and glanced at you every now and then. You’d then look back at your energon before speaking once more to him.

“Well…yes..Mostly because I admire you.. But I- Wait occupied? Could you mean you were already bonded with someone else??”

Shockwave would stutter a bit until he saw the TV.

He’d then gasp. “Look (character name) is going to kiss (Character name) and (character name) is right there with (Character name) while (character name) Is passed out!”

”WHAT?!” You both looked at the TV. You both watch as more drama unfolds. The two of you going. “Ooooh” “Whooooooh!!” “Oh that’ll hurt in the morning!”…

After the episode Shockwave honeslty hoped you have forgotten….But you didn’t.

”Shockwave, why do you ask me now of my feelings for you?” Shockwave would let out a soft sigh as he speaks. “I just….I noticed the way Soundwave has been looking at you. And…I’m just so…”

”Shockwave.” You gently set your cervo ontop of his as you stood up.

”We….we can only work together, we’re just work friends. That’s all we can be in the middle of this war.I’m sorry. Maybe…In another life.”

Your cervo gently held the side of his helm. His optic closing as he leaned a bit into your touch. You’d then check the time. “I have to go…But Ill see you again for the next meeting..Yeah?”

Shockwave would stay quiet for a moment before letting out a soft sigh. And then nods.

You’d kiss the top of his helm. His optic watching you as he’d then watch you leave as you waved goodbye to him.

He’d stand up after you left…and went back to work.

———————————————————————————

As you made your way to the Megatronus training room. You’d cross paths with sentinel who this time only has a couple data pads in his cervo.

He’d look at you as you tried to avoid optic contact. He’d have a smirk on his dermas as he continues walking. You path passing each other without make any other form of contact.

He’d then stop once turning at the corner as you kept walking.

Soon making it to the training room. Sentinel watching as his optics narrowed with intrigue. You’d keep walking as you walk into the room. You turned your back to the room so you can keep an optic out.

Not noticing Sentinel since you were trying to be quick.

As you closed the door gently and was about to turn around. You then bumped into a torso. When you looked up you see…Megatronus?!

But- Smaller. He was almost twice your size. Literally an entire 3 feet taller than you. He just stared down at you with those white optics.

Still towering over you as he looked down at you. “Megatronus..What have you..”

You’d then see his cog was out of his chest. His cervo holding his cog as the other has the spear. His optics narrowed as he stared down at you.

”I’ve missed you…little one..” He’d then kneel down as he sets his cog and spear down. You’d look at the doors across from the room. They were locked.

Megatronus needed to speak to you about something..possibly. As his cervos gently held your waist. Not as big as they once where before. His helm just a little over your chest.

“How was your patrols yesterday, Megatronus.”

One of his cervos moved to the doors. You didn’t get far so he was able to lock the doors as he rests his forhelm against the top of yours chest.

Your cervos gently holding the side and back of his helm as he spoke.

“It went well my sweetspark…..I thought hard along with what I’ll give to our third day of our courtship my sweetspark….and so…”

He’d then stand up. His other cervo still on the side of your waist as his other cervo gently grabbed his mask.

Taking it off as he let out a soft sigh.

You’d have your usual smile as he also smiled down at you. He’d then lean down and connects his dermas with yours.

You soon returning the kiss. It’s so strange feeling how smaller his dermas are now against yours.

Your cervos now resting on his shoulders as he picked you up. Your legs moving around his waist as he moved to a seat.

He then makes his way to one of the chairs. Taking a sit as he holds you close. But you couldn’t enjoy the kiss as much.

Soon getting flashbacks of when Sentinel pulled you close and forced that kiss upon you the night before.

You’d move your cervos to his chest as you try to pull away from the kiss. He looked don at you worried.

”Is there something that hunts you my sweetspark?”

”Megatronus there’s something I must tell you. And I don’t know if you’ll forgive me or..”

You’d then feel his digits hold your chin. Making you look at him. “You cant say anything that can truly upset me…I’m afraid I have something on my shoulders as well that I must speak to you about as well.”

Megatronus then asked. ”Would you like me to go first sweetspark?”

”Yes…Please.” Megatronus would let out a soft sigh.

Letting you sit on his thigh as one of his cervos rests on your lower back. And the other on his own thigh. He then spoke about his journey and few encounters during his patrols.

He’d seem sad as he then mentioned Solus once more.

”Me and Solus were seperated from the others. The two of us then started…talking….” You’d tilt your head as he looked down at you.

”We’d..start fighting and during it all. She…was able to catch me by surprise and…kisses me.” You just stare at him. Staying quiet as you clench your cervos. “And for a moment..I didn’t stop her. But when I came to my senses I shoved her away of course! Then I just walked away. Eventually we found the others and….continued with out mission.”

You’d just stare at him.

You can tell he’s sorry and hates himself for what he did…at least you have somewhat of a similar story to tell then. But on the other hand. It could be much worse. At least that’s how you thought.

”Megatronus…”

”Why don’t..you go next.” You let out a soft sigh. His optics narrowed. Mostly sad as he has a frown on his dermas.

You’d then speak.

“The other night. Our second day of our courtship. Before I came to you I was helping Sentinel with taking data pads to Zeta Prime. Before Zeta would come to the door. I’m not sure why but….but he grabbed my arm and pulled me into a kiss. Zeta was able to see. I was so stunned and when he pulled away. He just acting like nothing happened.”

”I wanted to tell you the night before…but. You were just so stressed! A-and I didn’t wish to upset you more.”

His cervo moved to the side of your helm as he gently whispered.

“Shh shh. Sweetspark. You don’t have to believe that you must hide something from me because of my temper. Especially something like this.”

You two remained silent for a moment and he spoke.

“I suppose we both dealt with the same infidently..But…” His cervo once holding the side of your helm soon moving down to your chest.

”Once our sparks are bonded. We shall put an end to this Solus and Sentinel situation..and by then.”

He leans his helm down to be next to yours. Gently kissing your shoulder as he whispered once more. “And so. Let’s continue with our courtship shall we?”

You’d turn your helm a bit to look at him. Your dermas soon connecting as both you optics close. His cervos pressing you closer to him as the kiss slowly becomes more and more hungry.

Your kisses heard in the room. After a few moments you’d think. “Why was he so small? Is this part of the courtship.” You’d pull away once more.

Megatronus looking at you once more confused.

“Megatronus why are you this small by the way? Is this part of the courtship?”

He lets out a deep chuckle.

“Well today as our third day of the courtship. Me being in this small form. Defenseless without my cog that gives me my size and weapons. The thought came to me in clear view as me and the others spoke about the end of the war. and so if I am to be with you my spark…..I shall do it in whatever form. Either I’m a Prime….or not.”

You optics widened as you took is words in.

Processesing as he just stared down at you. “So your saying…” You placed a cervo back on his chest.

”You’d stay like this…to show you wish to be with me?” His cervo gently grabs yours over his chest.

Gently holding it as he looked at you with a soft smile. “I only wish to show my faith in us and my loyalty. As long as you show yours. Nothing can stop us on our awaited path.”

Your small smile only grew larger as his forhelm rested against yours. You let out a soft chuckle as he just looked into your optics.

”I love you, Megatronus..”

”I love you most, Y/N.”

Another make out session insues. This time him pressing his glossa against your dermas. Asking for acceptance.

You’d accept as the kisses became more heated and hungry. Your arm strapping around his neck the best they can.

His arms around your waist keeping you close while time passes by. Your soft sighs and moans being heard along with your kisses.

He’d then be the one to pull away this time. You looking at him confused as he then spoke.

”If you wish for more my little one. You’ll have to show much you got what it takes to keep up with me. I hope you have been keeping up with your training.”

He said that last part in a more…seductive tone as his whispere in it your audio sensors.

You’d let out a soft laugh and got off his lap. His cervo staying on the side of your waist as you walks to the middle of the training.

Then looking at him as you pull out your swords.

“Then lets make this a lot more interesting then. Shall we?”

You’d point one of your swords to him as you take your usual stance. He’d stare at you with a small smile and narrowed optics.

Soon standing up as he walks to get his spear. Ignoring his cog that’s still on the floor.

He’d then walk to stand in front of you. He’s about to put his mask on until you stopped him by running and giving your first move.

Your sword almost slashing at his chest. He was fast to move back. Still holding his spear and mask. You’d continue jumping in the air and trying to get at least one good hit into him. You moves sharp but diversed with the swings and your kicks.

He continued to dodge your attacks.

Even using his spear to block some attacks. He didn’t move until you made a move to trick him. When his spear blocked your swords you made a fast kick to the front of his thigh.

Causing him to back up a little and kneel as he lets out groan.

You’d then try to hit the side of his helm with the handle of your sword only for the cervo once holding his mask grabs your cervo and handle. He looked at you as his other cervo is still holding the spear, blocking your sword as you tried to hit him with that handle as well.

This goes on for a good while. Both of your grunts being heard in the room along with groans as you both got a good few hits into each others frames.

Before you knew it, it was almost past midnight. You and Megatronus looked at each other. You were out of breath as he didn’t seem to be struggling much with standing but he did hold his arm as bit. That kick actually hurt him.

He’d help you up and praise you for your progress in training.

Before separating he’d give you one last log kiss. It was ou reward after all. Once you both pulled away you both had a smile on your dermas..

Tomorrow will be the last day of your courtship.

———————————————————————————

As you left the training room. Megatronus putting on his cog as his body transformed from the cog. He then makes his way to the other doors of the training room.

As you walked you remembered what Soundwave told you this morning. You’d then make your way to the usual meeting room. You quietly opened the door only to see…an interesting sight.

Starscream chest to chest with Soundwave as the two spoke. Both at each others face.

You’d sigh and about to take a step until Starscream soon said something that caught your attention. “You can’t keep me from this Soundwave! I made my choice and so have you. Learn your place!”

”Learn your place! Making it to the point of courting them after war! You think that’s what anyone needs right now?” Starscream bit back.

The two remained silent for a moment.

”We didn’t work out because you had to have a damn ego. Don’t bring them into this endless pit. At least not while we are still working.” He spoke with a tint of anger but mostly sound the same.

“Oh what do you care? I learned my mistakes after being with a stuck up like yoyu of all bots! And I even learned from the mistakes of seeing you and Shockwaves relationship before ours. And that wasn’t even enough when dealing with you!…..So. Excuse me for wanting to have an actual relationship with someone that doesn’t include a whole. Damn. War!!”

When it appeared like the two are about to throw their fists at each other. You’d then slam the door behind you. Catching their attention.

“What are you two talking about??” The two looked at you. The two would then look at each other. That’s when it came to you. Soundwave walking closer to you. “We…..Y/N we have to tell you something.”

You’d stay silent for a moment before saying. “Go on.”

Soundwave would let out a say as he gathers his words. Starscream showing to be holding something in. “Y/N we-“

”When I said wait for me. You do know I meant don’t ‘flirt’ with others. Right?!”

He walked up to you as his cervo grabbed your arm. Looking down at you with a frown as you stared at him confused.

Soundwave made his way up to you two. You’d watch as Soundwave then grabbed the arm with the cervo holding your arm. Trying to make him release your arm as he gets between you both.

“Starscream calm yourself! Remember what we agreed upon when meeting here!”

You’d then pull your own arm away giving Soundwave more room to stay between you both. This only upset him more as he stayed in front of you. His optics narrowed with an angry expression. Soundwave stayed quiet until he walks to you both.

Placing his cervo against Starscreams chest and his other setting on your shoulder.

“Starscream! We spoke about this the other day! If they wish to be with you or anyone else. It’s completely their choice.” Soundwave yelled at Soundwaves helm.

“Oh sure but you actually meant you when you say anyone don’t you?”

“What is it you two are talking about?” The two then looked at you before looking back at each other. That’s when it was slowly coming to you. “Y/N we have something to tell you….”

As you looked at the two. Starscream looking down as he has a frown on his dermas. Soundwave looking at him before looking back at you.

Those old feelings for them slowly coming back to you as you wait for their answer. Soundwave lets out a sigh as he looked down for a moment. Only for a moment…Before speaking.

”Look…we may not..be able to ‘be together’ and are very different in…many ways.”

He glanced at starscream who crossed his arms. “We hope that after the war…”. You would sigh and just speak. “Just spit it out Soundwave, please.”

Starscream then spoke. ”We know of your feelings from many years ago..and we..well we just didn’t know how to. Respond. We hope at the end of the war. We can..work things out.”

The two of them looking at you. You could only sigh an look down.

”I….need to go…” You tried to turn around and walk out only for Soundwave to grab your arm and speaks. His helm close to yours as he stands behind you.

His voice close to your audio sensors as Starscream stood there with his frown and narrowed optics still there. His arms still crossed. “Y/N Please we need to talk about this!”

You’d only pull your arm away form him and turn to face him once more.

“There’s nothing to talk about alright! You’re…Youre too late! So leave me the hell alone. The both of you! I moved on! And you two should too!”

After that you leave. Leaving the two standing there. Soundwave seems to gently be hyperventilating as his helm moves a bit as he seems to be trying to gather his thoughts.

His cervos clenching as Starscream faces away from Soundwave. His cervos clenched as his optics looked around as he stared at the ground.

Soundwaves cervos moving up and down slowly.

”Well that went well!!!” He yelled at Soundwave who looked at him angry as you made your way out of the tower.

Flashes of your time with Megatronus. You dermas connecting with his. Then the kiss you gave Shockwave to comfort him and giving him small affections. The kiss Sentinel forced on you the other night. The way Soundwave got close to you when rubbing his digit in the side of your neck. Wiping away Starscreams kiss. The when Starscream pulled you close and placed the kiss himself before leaving the training room…

Primus..what the hell is happening.

As you walked out of the tower. You’d miss a certain light. A blue and purple one making their way up to the surface as you walked the rest of your way home. A small frown on your dermas.

But…when you thought about Megatronus smile..

That smile you had for days. Soon returned as you think about tomorrow. Your last day of the courtship.

You and Megatronus will soon be one. ”Tomorrow will be a big day…I’m certain…”

And with that…You turned in..Late into the night.

Sorry that this is so late I ended being sick a bit longer but it’s finally here along with the blurr fic!!! The bayverse introduction is taking a bit longer since I’m not fully happy with it.

Overall I hope you all enjoyed this and hope to see you guys in the comments! As always a repost is appreciated and having a good rest of your day!!!!!

[cece693]

The Better Brother (Damon Salvatore x M! Reader)

A small pet peeve of mine regarding Damon Salvatore fics is how people sometimes gloss over the wave of self loathing this man possesses. Since childhood he's had to bear constant comparisons with Stefan—how he wasn't enough, not as kind, etc.—so in my mind, if he does find someone he would absolutely push them away. That gave rise to this fic!

Summary: Damon finally found the one, however, thoughts of self-hatred and the constant comparison to his 'better' brother had him doubting if he even was deserving of such future.

tags: sad, in my feelings, break up, Damon thinking he's underserving, self hatred

Damon leaned against the bar of the Mystic Grill, the amber liquid in his glass catching the dim light. He swirled the bourbon absently, his mind not on the drink but on the man standing at the dartboard, a soft laugh escaping his lips as he teased Stefan for his missed throw.

M/N had come into Damon’s life like a hurricane—wild, passionate, and with a kindness that made him feel human for the first time in decades. He wasn’t supposed to fall this hard. But now that he had, every insecurity Damon carried weighed heavier on him.

He drained the glass and set it down with a little too much force, drawing a glance from M/N. Damon met his eyes and forced a smirk, but it didn’t quite reach his own. M/N tilted his head, his expression softening with concern, and made his way back over. “What’s got you brooding over here?” he teased, bumping Damon’s shoulder as he slid onto the stool beside him.

Damon shrugged, reaching for the bottle to pour himself another. “Just thinking about how life is unfairly cruel to us handsome, brooding types.”

M/N didn’t laugh. He didn’t fall for Damon’s deflections anymore.

“You’ve been distant all week,” he noted, his voice quieter now. “What’s really going on?”

Damon’s grip on the glass tightened. He hated how easily M/N saw through him, hated how good he was for him. And most of all, he hated himself for ruining what they had before it could even bloom. But Damon knew how this story ended. It was always the same. Stefan was the hero, the savior, the one who got the happy ending. Damon was the shadow lurking behind, destined to lose.

“You should go back to your darts game,” Damon said, his voice cold now, deliberately so. “I’m fine.”

M/N stared at him for a long moment, then sighed. “I know you don’t believe this, but you don’t have to push me away every time you get scared, Damon.”

Scared.

The word stung because it was true.

Later that night, Damon found himself alone in the Salvatore boarding house. The fire crackled in the hearth, casting long shadows across the room, but its warmth didn’t reach him. He sat on the edge of the couch, elbows resting on his knees, a photograph clutched in his hand.

In the photo, they were both smiling—genuine, unguarded. Damon hardly recognized himself in that moment, caught off guard by M/N’s infectious energy. The picture had been taken at the Mystic Falls Winter Festival, a day Damon had reluctantly agreed to attend. M/N had dragged him to the Ferris wheel, teasing him about being afraid of heights.

Damon hadn’t been afraid—not of the heights, at least. But the way M/N had looked at him at the top, with so much trust and warmth, had sent a different kind of fear coursing through him. For a brief moment, suspended in the sky with M/N’s laughter ringing in his ears, it felt like the world wasn’t so bleak.

He clenched his jaw and stared at the photograph for a long time, his fingers trembling slightly. “You don’t deserve this,” he muttered to himself. “You don’t deserve him.”

With a sharp breath, he shoved the picture into the drawer of the side table and slammed it shut. This was the right thing to do. Even if it hurt. Even if it tore him apart.

The next day, Stefan found Damon in the parlor. The sunlight streaming through the windows only emphasized how wrecked the oldest Salvatore looked. He was slouched in the armchair, a near-empty bottle of bourbon in front of him, his eyes distant and unfocused, as if he had been staring into nothingness for hours.

“What did you do?” Stefan’s voice cut through the oppressive silence of the room, sharp and demanding.

Damon let out a low chuckle, the sound bitter and hollow. “Relax, Saint Stefan,” he drawled, his voice dripping with sarcasm. “I did you a favor.”

Stefan’s brows furrowed as he stepped closer, his tone tightening with frustration. “What the hell does that mean?”

Damon finally lifted his gaze, his trademark smirk flickering onto his face. “He’s all yours now,” he said, the words carrying a mix of resignation and self-loathing.

He didn’t need to ask to know what Damon meant. “You broke up with him,” Stefan said, his tone flat, more a statement than a question.

Damon shrugged, his nonchalance forced and brittle. “Better for everyone that way,” he muttered, grabbing the bottle and taking another swig.

Stefan wasn’t having it. He crossed the room in two strides and snatched the bottle from Damon’s hand, setting it firmly on the table out of reach. “Better for everyone or better for you?” he snapped, his voice cutting through Damon’s feigned indifference.

Damon’s smirk flickered. He slouched further into the chair, rubbing a hand over his face. “Don’t get all noble on me, brother. This is what you wanted, isn’t it? A clean slate? No more complications? No more me standing in the way?”

Stefan stared at him, incredulous. “You really think I wanted this? That I wanted you to destroy the best thing that’s ever happened to you?”

“Spare me the lecture, Stefan,” Damon said, his tone sharp, though it lacked its usual bite. “He’ll be fine. Hell, he’ll probably thank me someday.”

Stefan shook his head, his frustration mounting. “You don’t get it, do you? M/N doesn’t want me. He never has. He chose you, Damon. And instead of fighting for him, you pushed him away because you’re too much of a coward to believe you deserve him.”

Damon’s jaw tightened, his hands curling into fists on the armrests of the chair. “Coward? Is that what you think I am?”

“Yes,” Stefan shot back without hesitation. “You’re so scared of being happy, of someone actually loving you for who you are, that you’d rather sabotage it before they can leave you. You think that’s noble? It’s not. It’s pathetic.”

Damon stood abruptly, his chair scraping against the floor as he loomed over Stefan. “Don’t you dare lecture me about love, Stefan. You’ve been handed every happy ending on a silver platter while I’ve had to fight for scraps.”

“And this time, you didn’t even fight,” Stefan countered, his voice soft but firm. “You just gave up. And you hurt him in the process.”

Damon’s shoulders slumped, the fight draining out of him as quickly as it had come. He turned away, staring into the dying embers of the fireplace. “You don’t understand,” he muttered, his voice barely audible. “He deserves better. Better than me.”

“Maybe that’s not your choice to make, Damon. Maybe he already decided that you’re what he wants. And maybe…just maybe, you should let yourself believe it.”

Damon didn’t respond. He couldn’t. The words sat heavy in his chest, pressing against the fragile walls he’d built around his heart. He clenched his jaw, his eyes burning as he stared into the fire, willing the tears to stay where they were. Stefan sighed, his frustration softening into something closer to pity. “You’re going to regret this,” he said quietly. “And when you do, I just hope it’s not too late.”

He turned and left the room, leaving Damon alone once again.

The silence that followed was deafening, broken only by the faint crackle of the fire. Damon sank back into his chair, staring at the empty spot on the table where the bourbon bottle had been.

Deep down, he knew Stefan was right.

But knowing didn’t make it hurt any less.

And that was the curse of being Damon Salvatore.

[mvrkieboo]

queen you know ily but i still want y/n to be bitter and resentful pleeeeaaaaase

One moment you were texting with Kyungsoo, the next you were lying on the floor of the apartment you shared with Yoonsu, ears ringing from how hard he had hit you on the side of your head from behind. You saw his feet appear in front of your face, then he pulled your head up by your hair, making you wince.

Shit. You didn't even hear him coming. He caught you red-handed, then—like you gave a fuck. The blackmail was gone now, there was nothing he could use to threaten you anymore.

He scrolled on your secret phone, reading the messages you exchanged with Detective Do.

"Wow, you're one disloyal bitch. You've been talking to another man behind my back." Yoonsu seethed, letting your hair go.

Your head dropped to the floor, and you could finally move freely again. As you struggled to get your bearings (why the fuck did he hit so hard this time?), Yoonsu sent a reply to Kyungsoo's text and threw the phone out of the window.

You were trying to crawl away from where he was, your head spinning too wildly to let yourself stand back up, making him scoff at the pathetic sight. He followed you closely, actually curious to where you were heading.

You were heading to the kitchen, it seemed.

"Good for you for getting rid of the blackmail, Y/N, but you do know what this means, right?" He sounded off—talking to you like you were an audience member of his own live TV show.

When you could finally stand up again, getting to your knees as you began to stand on your feet, he kicked you in the stomach. Cheap shots and low blows—Cha Yoonsu, how he has fallen so far from his fearsome status. Pathetic and cowardly was all that remained of the man who had been subjugating you through blackmail.

You had to laugh at it—how could you not? Never mind the stabbing pains in your stomach as you gurgled in laughter while writhing in pain on your back.

"Fuck—do you remember when people used to fear you, Yoonsu?" You giggled out.

That earned you a kick to your arm.

"Are you gonna talk about how much of a coward I'm now? Wanna talk about how I have no dignity left?" He hissed, crouching down next to you.

He watched you closely as you sat up.

"You know how to read minds now?" You bit out and that earned you a punch to the face.

He didn't give you a chance to recover, pulling your hair up so your face could face his. He was beyond angry, you could clearly see that, but he had always been angry. This time, he was being reckless with his anger, explosive instead of simmering. You held your cheek, the warmth of your hand easing the pain.

"Well, maybe I am a coward now, but so are you. You have always been a coward, Y/N. Sure, I pushed you to isolate yourself from your people, but it was you who still did it anyway—all because you didn't want those slutty pictures of you to spread. And you wanna make me believe you pushed them away because you were being selfless? Didn't want them to get involved in our mess? No! You were being selfish, Y/N, so stop deluding yourself that you're anything but." He tugged on your hair so your face was pulled closer to his.

Your spunky behavior from just a moment before was wiped out of you. No more gutsy comebacks, no more smart quips. No more being a smartass. When fear surfaced in your eyes, Yoonsu didn't dare to delude himself that you were getting afraid of him—he knew it was actually you fearing what was coming out his mouth.

Because both of you were taking what he was saying as the truth.

"If only you were actually brave enough in confronting your past, accept that it happened to you—but you didn't want to. You wanted to live in a fantasy land where none of it even happened in the first place, all the while whining 'You don't know what I've been through! I don't deserve this! Wah! You hurt my feelings! You don't know that the things you said just hurt me!'—GOD! Those guys were saints for putting up with you." He laughed, patting your cheek.

"You're so selfish, you fled Gangnam after that botched operation to arrest me—because you couldn't stand facing Detective Kim anymore when everyone knew that Junyoung got killed because of you. Because that idiot cared too much for a selfish, cowardly girl like you. He's probably rolling in his grave at your school's abandoned plant nursery, Y/N, because you ABANDONED HIM." You shrieked when Yoonsu began to yell at you, and it annoyed him so much, he slapped you.

"I did your brother a favor for making you isolate yourself from him. He's better off without you. A rising star like him would be better off without a dead weight. I did everyone in your life a great favor. Since you love them so much, you should be grateful to me, you selfish bitch."

He threw your head to the ground, watching you break down in tears. Since you were already in the kitchen, he headed to the counters and took out a knife.

ooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

Kyungsoo pressed on the gas, knowing the way to the apartment you shared with Yoonsu like the back of his hand—he's been prowling around the apartment for days now, of course he'd know. He cut off a Ford F150, tuning out the honk directed at him.

"Detective Do!" Taeyong let out, and Kyungsoo pressed on the gas more.

"We're running out of time, Taeyong!"

Geonwoo held his breath when a car suddenly cut him from his right, while Woojin let out a string of curses that would have his own mother petrified if she heard it. Mark and Yuno held on their seatbelts, shocked when the car almost did a break check.

"You both okay?" Woojin asked with a firm tone, Geonwoo still focusing on the road.

"Y-Yeah. What was the guy's problem?" Mark choked out.

"Who fucking knows—but don't mind it too much. We have a big celebration tonight. We're almost there anyway."

ooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

You stared at Yoonsu bleeding out right before you, as you pressed on your own stab wound. It all happened so fast, and you wanted to yell at him, ask him why he so suddenly stabbed himself in the throat after stabbing you in the stomach.

But to watch Yoonsu bleed out while wearing Junyoung's face was a stuff of your nightmares, and Yoonsu was staring straight at you until the light in his eyes was finally snuffed out.

It felt like you were watching Junyoung himself dying in front of you.

You crawled over to his body, taking out his phone. You stared at it for a while, your hands shaking from the shock of the pain. With the amount of blood you were losing—was it gonna make a difference if you called 119 now?

Were you going to die this way?

You dialed Yuno's number, devastated when he didn't pick up after you tried three more times. So you gritted your teeth and started to put in Mark's number instead.

If you were going to die, you at least wanted to talk with your loved ones before you...go. You put the phone to your ear, tears dripping down your face, like the blood that dripped down your wound.

"Listen, Jaehyun's gonna sue you if you—" You hear Mark's heated voice, and you realise that since you were calling him using Yoonsu's phone, it was an unknown number to them. They probably assumed you were one of Jaehyun's stalkers.

"Minhyung." You slurred out.

Mark on the other end of the line froze in his steps, standing stupidly near the truck as the others were already entering the café. He pulled the phone away, but it still displayed the unknown number. Why were you calling through an unknown number? He then realised you had called him 'Minhyung' instead of 'Mark'.

"Y/N, why are you calling through this number?" Mark sighed, pinching on his temples.

"Can't find my phone. Is Yuno with you?" You slurred on your words, staring out the windows, feeling weaker by the moment. It made it sound like you were drunk, and Mark seethed at your inebriated state.

"Are you drunk? At 7 PM? Seriously?"

"Please just give the phone to Yuno, I—"

"No. If you really want to talk to him, you'd come here. No one's gonna lock you and your Junyoung out the doors, Y/N. Just show up, for fuck's sake." Mark held himself back from raising his voice, and that's when he noticed Haechan was beckoning for him to get inside the café already through the windows.

Mark held up a hand, then pointed at the phone, mouthing your name. Haechan rolled his eyes when he understood Mark was on call with you, and left him alone.

"I can't come, Minhyung, but I...I still want to congratulate him. Just please—"

"No, I don't wanna do that, Y/N! Jaehyun wants you to show up, not hear you drunkenly give out a half-assed congratulations through the phone. You'd just make him sad at his own party. If that's all, goodbye."

He dropped the call, turning off his phone and shoving it into his pocket before getting into the café.

ooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

Kyungsoo kicked on the door, but it didn't budge, so he rammed at it instead. It resulted in him falling into the apartment face first, but he got to brace the fall with his knees and hands—so he didn't faceplant into the floor this time, thank you very much. When he raised his head, he saw the blood trail in the kitchen area.

Taeyong saw it from the front entrance and he beat his partner to it as he raced into the kitchen. He felt his breath getting stuck in his throat when he saw the two bodies on the tiled kitchen floor, blood everywhere. He went straight to you while Kyungsoo from behind him went to Yoonsu as Taeyong was already checking for your pulse.

Taeyong felt your pulses, it was there, but it was weak. He took out his walkie talkie and immediately called for the ambulance.

As you were getting wheeled into the ambulance with Kyungsoo by your side, Taeyong got into the car, determined that he would be the one to inform the people you wrote out in your list. He opened his jacket, and—the list wasn't there. Feeling himself panic, he began to search the whole car, as Kyungsoo was already getting into the ambulance.

The list was gone.

The list was gone.

ooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

You woke up to the sound of the heart monitor beeping, and you turned your head to the side to see Kyungsoo getting up from his seat to look at you more closely. You were wearing an oxygen mask and you pulled it to the side.

"Taeyong, get the doctor! Shit—keep the mask on kid. The bastard stabbed you through your lung. Do you—do you wanna say something?"

You nodded, placing the mask pressed against your cheek.

"Have you reached the people on my list?"

Kyungsoo felt his heart constrict at your question. Dumbass Taeyong—he lost the list. And even when they did retrieve your brother's address and contact information, he neither picked up his phone nor was he at the condo. He was currently unreachable—and so was your dad.

He shook his head, regret marring his expression.

"I'm sorry, Y/N, but we lost your list. If you could—"

"Good."

Kyungsoo snapped his head at you, eyebrows furrowed.

"What?"

"I said good. I don't want them to be here, and I don't want you to try and reach them anymore. I'd rather be alone right now, so I would appreciate it if you kept it this way."

Kyungsoo was just about to ask you what you meant by that, but that's when Taeyong came in with the doctor and nurses. They pushed the detectives away as they checked on you, and Kyungsoo finally noticed just how empty you looked.

You looked utterly defeated.

A/N : since y'all wanted to see Y/N be bitter so much, here you go then 😒

[robinsegghead]

Danny's Daycare Part 15

Masterpost

Jason didn’t enjoy killing per se. It wasn’t like, a favorite hobby of his or an addiction and he had to get his fix, but every once in a while there would be an asshole so completely deserving of a bullet to the brain that Jason couldn’t help but feel a bit of peace the moment they stopped breathing. Had he been a bit worried that Miguel and Santiago would hate him for killing their dad? Yes. But was ridding Gotham of one more child molester worth it? Yes.

After he’d pried Danny off of the body of someone he’d never seen before, he’d held the man close until his rage died down. He thought- well he thought he and Danny were different. Danny had some kind of explanation for how he’d come back to life and he seemed at peace with the whole kinda-sorta-ghost-thing but when Jason had first found Danny beating the shit out of another person, his eyes had looked… Lazarus green.

Jason knew for a fact that Danny’s eyes were blue (how many times had he gotten lost staring into them while the man raved about space or Gotham or some other special interest of his?). So despite not knowing the situation, Jason had fought Danny away from the man and held him close until what he assumed was pit rage went away.

He knew it was confusing, disorienting, to come out of an episode and instead of getting answers to the questions he so desperately wanted to ask (What happened? Do I need to kill this guy? Are you hurt? Are the boys hurt? Why are your eyes Lazarus green? Was the Pit Rage? Do you know who the league of Assassins are? What is your relation to them? how-), he told Danny to get cleaned up and checked on the boys.

It was both surprising and completely unsurprising that he found Santiago locked in a closet with Miguel crying in front of the door. He got the younger boy out in seconds and immediately had an armful of angry and scared thirteen year old boy. They only spoke for a few minutes before Danny had come back and he decided to give the family some time to talk.

But his eyes were BRIGHT green and he couldn’t shake the feeling that- was it just a dead person thing? That would make sense, right? His eyes glowed green but they’d always thought that was the Pit’s influence. But that guy- Phantom- his eyes had been green too. So three dead guys walk into a daycare with glowing green eyes- it was like the setup of a really bad joke.

No one asked him what happened to the kid’s bio dad which was good because while Jason was glad he’d stopped Danny from fully killing the bastard (Danny didn’t need to have another murder on his conscience, even if both would have been justified in his and most people’s books), he had no intention of letting the bastard get away alive. He’d looked into Miguel and Santiago when he’d first learned of their existence and the only reason he hadn’t killed their sperm donor then was because he was behind bars.

So he’d placed the man’s unconscious body on the fire escape outside the hallway and grabbed it on his way out. Once he was far enough away that the boys and Danny wouldn’t hear the gunshot and connect it to him, he put a bullet in the man’s head. He dropped the body in an alley near a police station and intended to call it a night before remembering he had to debrief with the bats.

Maybe it was his disappearing act or his short responses or something in the way he held himself, but for once B seemed to listen when Jason told him off.

No he wasn’t going to give B the card Phantom had given him- “Did he ask YOU to coffee? Didn’t think so, fuck off.”, no he wasn’t going to explain why he’d been trying to get a moment alone with Danny after the fight- “My personal life is none of your business, fuck off.”, and he definitely wasn’t going to explain why he’d left the daycare and come back to the cave covered in blood- “My personal business is none of yours, fuck off!”.

And after it all B had just let him. He pushed less than usual and not in the ‘afraid you’ll go into a pit rage if I push’ way but in a ‘you’re clearly not going to tell me so why bother’ way. (Maybe even a ‘you’re my son and I trust you to make the right decision’ way? Was that too much to hope for?) 

He’d definitely confused the hell out of Duke with his questions but he just- he needed to get answers and he couldn’t rationalize getting them from Danny at the moment. He’d call Phantom tomorrow, tonight seemed too… forward. Especially since the ghost (King wtf) had essentially asked him on a date (that’s what was implied with the flirting and mention of coffee, right?!). 

So if he had green eyes sometimes, and Danny had green eyes sometimes, and Phantom had green eyes, and they also were all dead at some point, then maybe there was a connection? And Duke understood that kind of thing way better than he did because the kid could see auras and shit so maybe he could tell Jason something useful. And he did. 

Useful and entirely meaningless at the same time because what the fuck did it mean that they all had toxic green auras?!

He’d patrolled for a few more hours, contemplating what it really meant, what he should do, if he should ask Danny, and so on and so forth, until he felt out of his mind with questions. At some point he decided to call it a night and head back to his apartment to sleep. But he had so much energy still- nervous energy too- he hated nervous energy. 

When he was feeling… feeling too much, he baked. Or cooked. Usually he made more than he could ever eat and brought the leftovers to the safe houses he’d let homeless kids live in or down to a shelter or something else like that. Tonight he had one goal in mind with the food he made.

So he baked. He made a pan of brownies, a tray of cookies, three dozen muffins, a pie of all things, and he cooked. He made a pot of stew, a lasagna, two different soups, vindaloo, and a breakfast casserole, and when he was done he packed up as much as he could carry and took it to Danny’s. 

Sneaking into the apartment was easy, he’d done it often enough for the last couple of months and despite warning Danny that he needed to get better security, the man never did. He probably forgot honestly, Jason didn’t think he’d ever met a man quite as busy as Danny. Whether that was because Danny was actually busy or because he didn’t know how to delegate, he wasn’t sure, but he always seemed like- well like Bruce levels of busy. Like he had a job and a secret other job and also he took in random kids and helped everyone he could as much as he could and gave away every part of himself without a second thought.

So. No security system. 

Jason put the food away, some went into the fridge while others went into the freezer, and noticed the apartment felt empty. It would be weird to check if he was in his room but he had a feeling he knew where the man was if not his own home.

Keeping the breakfast casserole and a plate of cookies, Jason swung around the building and landed carefully on the boys’ fire escape. Sure enough, when he peered through the window he found Danny being absolutely drowned in cuddles from Miguel, Santiago, and their cat, Curiosity.

(He’d never admit it but every time he stopped by to drop food off or check in, Jason pet the cats. What? They looked lonely and he wasn’t heartless. He’d been confused and worried out of his mind when he visited for the first time unable to find Curiosity- that cat always came running first so where the ever-loving fuck was he?! But he’d had to leave before finding the orange cat and vowed to find him the next time he visited.

Unfortunately, he couldn’t find Curiosity the next time either. He’d come so close to asking Danny where his fucking cat went ((Curiosity was the one who’d been sick when he first found them what if he’d died?!))- should he leave a post-it note asking about the kitten? But again, he’d gotten pulled away by vigilante stuff and had to leave without an answer.

It was only when he’d come over as Jason the tutor that he figured out Danny had given Curiosity to Miguel and Santiago and the cat was over in their apartment most of the time. He was relieved that the cat hadn’t gone missing or died, but now he’d need to stop by and find that cat in their apartment and how had he not noticed the boys had a cat he literally visited their apartment more than Danny’s at this point!)

He slid the window open easily and slipped into the apartment stealthily. None of the boys stirred as Jason quietly put the casserole in the fridge, with a quickly scribbled note on top, and the plate of cookies on the counter. After he finished he moved back towards the window but paused as he sat on the window sill. 

Miguel mumbled something and pushed his face further into Danny’s shoulder and all three of them shifted slightly until their limbs were more entangled than they’d been a moment before and it was hard to tell where one of them started and the others ended. He didn’t know how they didn’t see it- that they were a family- he really didn’t. Danny corrected anyone who called him their dad, they corrected anyone who called them his sons, and yet here they were, cuddling after a traumatic incident where Danny protected them with everything he had.

(He didn’t think about how he and Bruce fit into the exact category he was placing Danny and the boys, he DIDN’T.)

Curiosity chirped and looked around suddenly, seeing Jason and offering him a yawn. That was his cue to leave. He… he didn’t want to, not really. Something about Danny had made him feel safer than anything else had in- in years. The twink he found standing over the body of his murderer, the guy who’d taken on twenty-five goons without a weapon because they’d dared to hurt Miguel, the man he’d pried away from a child molester only hours prior- this was a man anyone would feel safe with.

But Jason wasn’t used to feeling safe and slipping out of the window and grappling back to his own empty and suddenly very lonely apartment was familiar enough. He didn’t feel as safe here as he had in the run down apartment of a practical stranger, but he should. It was his home. He should.

He didn’t sleep.

~~~~~~~~~

“I don’t know how to tell him!” She shouted, hands gripping her hair tightly.

“Just tell him. It will all work out.” He responded calmly.

Scoffing and rolling her eyes, she shouted back. “Easy for you to say! If things are going to turn out so well, why don’t YOU tell him? It was your idea after all!”

“It would not do well if I told him, he’d only be angry at me. He has a difficult time being mad at you.” Again, with a calm response.

“He’s not going to take it well- I wouldn’t and I’m literally him!” Dani reasoned.

Clockwork huffed. “You are not ‘literally him’, you are your own person and you have been for years. Do not diminish all of the hard work the two of you have put into being your own people. Tell him.” 

“He’s gonna kill me! It’s not just him anymore- he’s got the boys to worry about you know this!”

“Tell him.” CW responded idly.

Face palming, Dani groaned. “I’m so dead.”

~~~~~~~~~

Shortly after Miguel’s explanation and panic attack, Danny convinced him to take a nap and spent the next few hours cleaning the apartment and putting things in order. He sent out another message saying the daycare would actually be closed for the rest of the week and he’d update the parents as soon as the building was safe enough to open back up. They were surprisingly understanding for people who were being inconvenienced in a big way.

After that he checked his email and reached out to three people who’d applied to the daycare to set up interviews. If all of them worked out he’d have three more full time employees, one who was old enough and experienced enough that he might be able to leave her in charge sometimes. 

By one thirty he realized he didn’t know where his phone was and should really message Jazz and Dani about what had happened. Searching the couch cushions, he found his phone buried under where he’d slept the night before.

(17) Missed Calls

(38) Messages

(5) Voicemails

Well. Shit. Danny started with the voicemails, the first being from Jazz.

“Danny? I saw the news- are you okay? Are the kids okay? It’s all over the news- apparently some kids were out nearby and recorded what happened through the window? Oh my Ancients- call me back Danny!”

She sounded more worried than mad, that was good, he could work with a worried Jazz- and angry one? Not so much. An angry Jazz would tear him apart molecule by molecule until he was nothing but a puddle of separated atoms.

The next one was from Sam.

“Danny Nightingale what the actual FUCK-”

Tucker cut in. “Holy shit dude! Did you actually fucking TACKLE the Scarecrow?”

“Tucker! More importantly- did your clone tackle Scarecrow? Cause the recording got fuzzy after that but not so fuzzy we didn’t notice the GLOWING FUCKING PHANTOM!”

“Sam’s right dude, the cameras caught more than usual- maybe it was because they were farther away? Or just because your energy was being expended keeping a clone around? Not sure, but the videos show a vaguely humanoid vigilante flying around and kicking ass.”

“Call us back Invisio-Bill.”

Okay, so people being able to see Phantom wasn’t great, but it wasn’t that big of a deal. It wasn’t like he planned on going out as Phantom again- he hadn’t come to Gotham to be a vigilante and team up with the birds and bats. Valerie and Wes left similar voicemails to Jazz.

“Can’t even keep off the news as Danny, eh Nightingale? Let me know if you’re okay.”

At least Valerie’s message was teasing and not angry. Seriously, why were all of the women in his life so terrifying when they were angry?

“Dude! So Phantom’s back, huh? And you got to meet Batman, Robin, Red Robin, and Red Hood? Seriously man- that’s- that’s wild! You know it’s pretty funny that that guy -Duke Thomas- works for you and was there that night because-” There was a loud honking sound cutting him off. “Oh shit, I’ve gotta go, I’ve got a hot date. Let me know you’re okay! Bye Danny!”

The last voicemail was from a number he didn’t recognize but with a Wisconsin area code. 

He deleted it without listening.

The messages were similar to the voicemails, Jazz, Sam, Tucker, Valerie, Wes, Tim, Damian, Jesse, and a few others just checking in. Jason had messaged to cancel their tutoring last minute citing a family emergency- thank Ancients he’d canceled because Danny had completely forgot they’d had an appointment. 

He deleted the text messages from the Wisconsin number he didn’t recognize.

He didn’t care to read them.

At some point people from Amity Park and his past life were going to find out he’d moved to Gotham and set up shop so to speak, but he’d hoped it wouldn’t be so soon. Maybe after he’d been here for a full year, with an established ‘business’ and connections and friends and whatnot, but not earlier. Even then, he’d hoped the only people who would really notice were peopel who didn’t care that much.

Flash, Pualina, Kwan, people who would go ‘did you hear Danny’s in Gotham now?’ and then have a laugh and move on without reaching out.

He didn’t want to hear from Vlad.

He didn’t want to think about what it meant that Vlad was reaching out.

If Vlad knew where he was then they knew where he was ant that meant he wasn’t safe. Worse- it meant the boys weren’t safe around him. Danny had grown accustomed to his life being in danger at all times a long time ago. He’d grown used to it when lab equipment malfunctioned throughout his childhood, when he’d died, when his parents' security system started targeting him, he’d always known he was in danger at all times. But he was supposed to be the one stable and safe thing about the boys’ lives and he couldn’t be that if he had the GIW and the Fenton’s breathing down his neck.

So, knowing it was something he should have done a long time ago instead of banning ghosts from coming into Amity, Danny sent a text to the group chat.

Crime-Fighting, Night-Stalking Vigilantes

The-Next-Bruce-Wayne: Get in losers we’re going to take down the GIW

The-Next-Bruce-Wayne changed the group chat name from ‘Crime-Fighting, Night-stalking Vigilantes’ to ‘Operation Take Down the Plastics’

Chaos is typing…

TooFine is typing…

Cassandra is typing…

The-Next-Gotham-Rogue is typing…

The Midwest Princess is typing…

And with that taken care of, Danny shot quick responses to his Gotham friends before turning off his phone. He told Tim, Damian, Jesse, and any parents who’d privately messaged him, that he was all right and would be getting the daycare in order as quickly as possible. He messaged Duke to check in and let him know that therapy was included in all of his employees’ benefits and that the teenager should take full advantage of it. 

Jason had first messaged to cancel their scheduled tutoring session and later (much later he noticed) messaged to ask if he was all right and if there was anything he could do to help him or the boys out. Danny apologized for not getting back to him sooner, thanked him for the offer, and returned it due to his own family emergency.

Setting his phone down he started planning how they’d do it. He’d need to talk to Clockwork and the rest of his council about how to go about getting the Justice League on their side. He could do it without them probably, but Danny had a strong suspicion that if he brought the Anti-Ecto-Acts to the JL’s attention, they’d get them abolished faster than any other route they took.

Except for war, maybe.

But Danny had overruled that suggestion years ago and instead banned Ghosts from Amity Park. He couldn’t stop them from coming through altogether or he’d be preventing many of them from their obsessions which was dangerous. It also wouldn’t really be fair to ban them from a place that might have once been their home.

He’d instead cracked down on their behavior. Any ghost who wanted to come to Earth needed to be approved by someone Danny had selected for that exact purpose. They needed to know enough about human culture to not cause chaos everywhere they went. Of course some of them *cough* Skulker *cough* didn’t listen to these rules and still caused chaos on some scale.

It wasn’t a perfect system but it was the best Danny had been able to do while also recovering from severe injuries and learning to be the King of the Infinite Realms. It had been a lot and he could admit that not all of his decisions had been winners.

“Danny?” A voice cut through his thoughts and he realized he’d been sneaked up on.

Offering Santi a smile, Danny moved his feet and offered the spot to the boy. “What’s up Santi?”

“Miguel’s bein’ weird.” He made a face. “What’d you two talk about after I left?”

Licking his lips, Danny tried to decide how much he should share. He didn’t want to break Miguel’s trust by revealing too much, but Santiao deserved to know that Danny knew certain things about their dad and oh god- was this what it was like to be a parent?! “We talked a bit about… about your dad and his feelings. Is he all right?”

Santi nodded slowly. “He’s… fine. Kinda… clingy. Din’t want me ta leave the room but not-” He considered his next words carefully. “Not for the usual reasons.”

Ah, yes. Danny remembered Miguel admitting to never leaving Santiago alone with Danny intentionally and why he did it. A part of him melted to know that Miguel wasn’t worried about that anymore. “Sometimes people need comfort but don’t know how to ask for it. Miguel seems like he might be one of those people.” Danny whispered conspiratorially. “I was like that when I was his age.”

“Danny?” Santiago started hesitantly.

“What’s up kiddo?” 

The boy shifted uncomfortably. “Did Hood… Is- Is my…” He inhaled sharply. “Is my dad dead?”

There was something about the way he asked it that Danny couldn’t put his finger on. His voice was fearful, afraid, worried, and it was also hopeful, anticipating, relaxed and it seemed like he couldn’t figure out which set of emotions were his true feelings.

“Honestly, Santi?” Danny filled his lungs and let out a deep breath. “I don’t know.” He looked the boy in the eyes when he answered, unwilling to miss even a single microexpression. “Hood said he took care of him and I don’t know exactly what that means.”

The boy looked at his hands. “Red Hood kills.”

“Sure, but he doesn’t always kill.” Danny tagged on. 

Santi squirmed as if deciding whether or not to say what he was thinking. Deciding to share his thoughts, the boy looked away from Danny. “He kills people who hurt kids,” Before Danny could respond, he whispered, “an’ rapists.”

Closing his eyes tightly, Danny pushed back the red that threatened to overtake his vision like it had the night before. He wouldn’t go there- couldn’t go there- not again. Hopefully they’d never have to see that piece of shit again. Ancients he hoped Hood had killed him.

“Yeah.” Danny felt his throat drying out by the second.

“Good fuckin’ riddance.” Miguel said from the hallway that led to their rooms.

Santi’s head whipped up to see his brother and they studied each other for a moment before Santi nodded once. “Good fuckin’ riddance.” He decided.

Danny wanted to sit in this moment, bask in the fact that these boys who’d been through hell and back were finally rid of their tormentor emotionally and physically and would be able to heal and move on eventually. But it would seem Hood had other plans for him as he felt the tug in his gut of a personal summoning.

“Shit.” He cursed. The boys looked at him, confused. “Sorry, sorry to ruin the moment.” Danny stood up, slipping his phone into his pocket. “I want to tell you boys something but I don’t really have a lot of time so I promise I’ll explain everything when I get back, okay?”

“What?” Miguel frowned.

The tug in his gut was getting stronger and Danny wished he could ignore it but a personal summoning was pretty difficult to refuse. “Listen, I’m- well- I’m not a meta exactly, but that’s the quickest way to explain it right now and I have to transform and go meet someone who’s calling me right now. Don’t do anything crazy, stay in the apartment please, I should be back in a couple of hours tops, okay?”

“Uh…. Okay…?” Miguel shrugged, looking between his brother and his guardian.

With a nod Danny let the summoning pull him away and transformed before arriving in a shabby alley. 

“I thought we were going to get coffee, eh sugar?”

Prev. Next

[maddiem4]

Well, I wanna be working on a novel right now, but apparently it's time to make a certain kind of post again, as is periodically necessary, because young queer folk keep trying to reinvent the Hayes Code for a variety of misguided reasons. So you know what? Let me lead with the TLDR, and then give my reasoning. If you DNI stuff like incest, I am not just going to unfollow you, I am going to block you.

Now, if you're the type to make assumptions, you might be surprised to hear that I'm not into incest. Sorry to disappoint. Well, unless you count selfcest, but people don't usually lump those together except by technicality. But incest is really not my thing.

That said, I have mutuals who are into it, and harmless about it. Whether it's fictional, RP, or consensual, it's not my business and it hurts nobody. Get used to those words, they're gonna be a mantra here. Further, I've seen how Hayes Queers (hey, I needed a term for them) talk about harmless members of their own community who give them The Ick. The post I'm writing here is a direct reaction to seeing a Hayes Queer post from someone I followed! Reading that, and the comments on it. And lemme tell you: y'all are very quick to throw your peers under the bus with the exact same logic (respectability politics, personal disgust, "making a bad name for us as a larger group", lurking threat to our moral purity) that the conservatives are using to argue for the mass extermination of queer folk. You are bringing pitchforks and tiki torches to the party. So no, I am not going to give you access to my vulnerable mutuals. That's the heart of it. You are a danger to your community, and I'm going to limit the scope of harm you can do. The broader queer/kink communities have worked hard to define harm more carefully than "well I just personally think it's gross." Scat and piss are gross to me, but my mutuals who are into those things do still deserve love and safety, not to be sacrificed on an altar of conservative family values for imaginary "one of the good ones" points. I have a responsibility to look out for my people. So do you, FYI.

So here's the recipe for living online with people whose kinks aren't your business and hurt nobody: learn to scroll past those posts or block those tags, or even block that person. Be an adult. The world does not exist to be personally palatable to you. You are not being harmed, you're being inconvenienced. If you can't handle that, you're the one bringing real-world (rather than imagined) danger to your community. Fuck's sake.

This also finally convinced me to look up what "proshipper" means after seeing it in discourse for years, these dreaded dangerous devils who apparently must be purged from the internet, and... holy fuck, how is this contentious? It literally just means you can disagree about fandom pairings without harassing people? That's just mature behavior in a shared space. That's what the argument is about? Oh my god. If you're arguing about this in 2024, your Aunt Maddie is fully ashamed of you for real.

The dumbest part is that people get doxxed for saying the stuff I'm saying, and maybe it'll happen to me. Guess I'll roll the dice. Which comes full circle: if you're looking at this post and trying to decide how to punish me for it IRL, you are literally being the danger. Stop and think for 30 milliseconds. Maybe I have a point that you are a bigger threat than two trans girls who like to pretend to be sisters for sex reasons. And I don't wanna hear no trauma excuses from any of you little monkeys, fetishes come from trauma a decent percentage of the time, so a lot of the people you're persecuting are victims of the same kind of assault as you.

This is more words than I ever should have to write about a self-evident topic. I know if you're young enough and still figuring out a lot of life stuff from scratch, it may not be self-evident to you. But hopefully it is now before you fucking hurt somebody. Thanks.

[boszbichblitzo]

"I'm not the only one....." Blitz mumbled, thinking back to the party, to seeing all of the people there beating, cutting and burning effigies in his image and delighting over it. He was fairly certain at least half of that guest list would love seeing him get what was coming to him, even if the worst he did to some of them was.... tell them to fuck off when he found out they had a lame fucking name like Dennis.

As Fizz went on to explain the ways in which his life had improved because of the accident–– or perhaps in spite of–– it did help to some degree. He hadn't influenced the positive aspects of Fizz's life as directly as the examples Millie had given, but it was.... something. Of course, on the flip side of that, there was an old, familiar longing that bubbled up at hearing the words 'love of my life' and a pang of jealousy. Once upon a time, Blitz had imagined a future for the two of them together, maybe it wouldn't have been as rich and glamorous as all this, but they'd be happy and together and in love and that was all that really mattered, right? But he'd gone and fucked that up like he fucked everything else up and now, even if Fizz did want him in that way, he didn't deserve him and he could never live up to what he had with Ozzie. Fuck, of all the things to be spiraling about, this should be at the bottom of the list right now.....

"I figured you might know...." He checked back into the conversation as Fizz began over-explaining his non-attendance to that stupid fucking party. Honestly, at this point, Blitz couldn't exactly blame him if he did go. Of all the people he'd hurt in his life, Fizz deserved to hate him the most. It was a miracle that he didn't–– well, didn't anymore, anyway. "It's fine, Fizz. I'm not really surprised."

The next line of questioning caused Blitz to huff out a bitter little laugh and he shook his head. "I assume he was there 'cause he hates me too now." He started, his voice wobbling a little at the end. "We never even got to use any of the shit I bought that night. It's still..... up there in his palace somewhere, probably being used by him and whatever asshole he's dating now." There was a pause as Blitz tried to regain a bit of his composure and took another sip of his coffee before continuing, the story tumbling out all at once. "He confused the shit out of me, made me think he was throwing me away and gave me this damn crystal and then told me he wanted.... a relationship or something out of nowhere and then threw me out when I thought he was just..... fucking with me. I tried to talk to him the next day but I fucked it up and he didn't wanna hear it anyway and told me to get lost. Then when I found him at that fucking party and tried again and tried to actually.... apologize for being an asshole, he was drunk as shit already and walked off halfway through to go dance and make out with some asshole right in front of me. I know we weren't..... fucking together, but fuck, man, I was trying and it didn't mean shit to him....."

The urge to just slap the other was growing inside of the jester, but of course he didn't do that. It was just that he slowly was at his wits end in trying to comfort his friend. "He was fucking wrong. The only one who says you're not deserving shit is you! Well... maybe I did.. but that was under false assumptions!" he tried to defend himself. "You fucked my life up... reeeeeal good. I give you that. Buut~ objectively speaking, it led to me finding the love of my life. To become a fucking legend. To have a nice home and a job I love." he finally decided to speak it out, even though he wasn't sure if it would help as he could already guess that the date with his bird didn't lead to anythig good or he'd have told him already. The the question about this party he just scratched the back of his neck. "We're being honest here today, right? I'm got an invitation since that party started, but I only ever did video calls with Verosika. You know, Mammon didn't want me to show up at a party for free. I skipped this year's though!" And the the elephant in the room got mentioned. Finally. Because he hadn't dared to bring that topic up seeing in what state he already was. "Why on earth would your bird be there? Never really crossed me as a party animal to be honest... Was it.. the toy? If it was a malfunction I'm sure we can set up an apology letter stating it wasn't your fault to hurt him."

[ethan-bears]

God I just

[dollypopup]

"Colin should have grovelled more!" "Penelope folded too easily"

I think statements like this typically come from people who like Penelope. . .but don't really understand her. And don't really understand just why she cares for Colin, and just why him groveling would not in any way bring her peace.

Penelope and Colin are kindred spirits in their loneliness, in season 3 more than any others. Penelope had lost her friendship with Eloise, and Colin didn't really have a close friend circle to begin with. Except with Pen. Pen was the person he could put the mask down for, could open up to, (in particular with their 'dreams' discussion) and that's why he couldn't even entertain the idea of giving up talking to her in Season 2. She is a vital part of his life, and holds so much significance and importance to him.

I imagine that's what made their silence over his travels especially painful for him. They spent such a long time talking after Season 1, and he even informs her that her letters were so encouraging, that it helped him heal something inside of himself. That if she could see him in a gentle way. . .so could he. (And he repays this, because he is honest to god out here acting and looking at her like she hung the moon in the sky). But without her presence in his life, he spiraled. Didn't feel confident in being who he is, and thus put on his persona more firmly. We know this because he wrote in his journal that "I want to be less needy, less insecure, while still maintaining the core of my vulnerability that makes me who I am". That he misses his family, that he misses home.

And we know, from the books, that Home? Home is Penelope. Penelope is his North Star, is his guiding force, and who I argue he feels he needs. In his very first scene, he looks toward her house, tries to find her in the window. When he does not, he returns to his family. In the outdoor gathering, he looks for her and finds her, eager to talk. He states aloud that he misses her, and I imagine he wrote it, too. Not hearing back from her over the course of his travels was surely something that hurt him, but he doesn't hold any ill will toward her for it, only wants to reconnect again. In fact, the one and only time he brings up how he misses her and that she didn't respond, she makes very clear the reason why: she heard what he said and it hurt her. And he's ashamed of it.

Colin hears her call him cruel, and instead of ruffling his feathers about it, instead of getting upset, instead of having a chip on his shoulder as I feel so many men would about it. . .he understands why she does so.

Penelope is a woman who has been largely treated poorly in her society. She feels unheard, she feels undesired, and in her circumstances, and I can't help but ask myself. . .has anyone ever truly apologized to Penelope for hurting her, before? Her mother? Her sisters? Eloise, likely, but. . .anyone else? And the way Colin did? Because of all the characters in the show, Colin? Colin knows how to apologize. He has a lot of practice in it. And very importantly: Colin, a man of privilege in his society, apologizes. . .predominately to women. To Marina, to his mother, and multiple times to Penelope.

Ultimately, Penelope wants to be heard, Penelope wants to be understood, Penelope wants to feel desired.

And Colin checks every single one of those boxes. He informs he is not who he was before, and then he proves it to her. He hears that he hurt her, and he comments on it directly. An entire night apart, and he comes back to her 'Because I embarrass you' with 'I am most certainly not ashamed of you', replies to her 'I am a laughingstock' with 'you are clever, and warm, and I am proud to call you my good friend'. He hears her proclaim her own insecurities, and empathizes so deeply with her. He listens. He understands. He makes clear that he cares for her, and that she *is* desired. 'You lift my spirits' 'I seek you out at every social assembly'. That she helps him see the world in ways he loves, that he sees HER and how much she has cared for HIM, that she makes him feel appreciated, that he appreciates her, in turn.

And then? Then? He shows her. He tells her, and he shows her. His actions all throughout Season 3 reinforce this apology. He continues looking for her in every corner of every ballroom, he continues complimenting her, he laughs at her jokes and respects her boundaries, he is ever so gentle with her, he listens to her with an attentiveness that no one else has ever given her. To Lady Whistledown? Sure. But to Penelope? Who else in the entirety of that ton has listened to Penelope the way Colin has?

Absolutely no one.

Penelope Featherington ghosts Colin Bridgerton for months with no explanation, and Colin comes back wanting to reach out to her, and she finally tells him why.

And he apologizes. Because he listens. Really, truly listens. And really truly cares.

I need you to understand how rare that is, even nowadays, but especially back then. That Colin is the kind of man who can put his hurt to the side and realize he made a mistake, that he said something callous, and he adores her, and he can't lose her, and he has to see her and make it right.

Because that's why Penelope fell for Colin. Not because he's beautiful, not for his charm, not for his family. But for his heart. Because he shows her kindness in a world that so often disregards her. Because he seeks her out and tries to understand her, truly hears what she has to say and compliments her, says he's sorry and looks at things from her perspective.

Because he saw her when she was invisible.

Penelope Featherington, who grew up in a house that made cruel jabs at her, has Colin Bridgerton come to her and say he regrets what he said, and that he was wrong, and that he understands why she's mad at him. Penelope Featherington who has so rarely had much of anyone tell her that they're sorry for what they said about her, sits before Colin Bridgerton as he professes how much she means to him. That he cannot even spend a full day away from her knowing they're on bad terms with each other without making it right. That he sees how she is hurting and he has to in any way he can amend it. She is lonely, with no one really in her corner at the start of season 3, and she feels like she lost it all, and Colin comes to her and says 'no, I'm here and I appreciate you and you are special to me, please let me in and let me prove it'. Is it any wonder why after she shakes his hand, she stands in the sun, and she feels the warmth of it, she can smile? That she can breathe, again? That she can be truly content for the first time in the season?

Because Penelope Featherington does not want Colin to beg. She knows him. She knows the tender, full heart he hides behind the new cavalier persona. She knows the soft underbelly of Colin Bridgerton.

He never had to grovel. All he had to do was love her. Assuredly. Fervently. Loudly. Unapologetically.

And he does.

[swampthingking]

oh! oh </3 oh!! okay!

[syrips]

really bums me out when people say that a character cant be redeemed. like sure, but that's so easy to explain. give me your unhinged theories about how the most disgusting vile little meow meow has a tiny ounce of humanity or hope that can be rekindled through the use of sheer luck, determination, and/or divine levels of intervention

[mad-hunts]

no, but have i talked about this on here before? because i don't think i have yet. though i was just thinking about all of the different people that barton has been interested in romantically, and one of them that definitely stands out to me is auriel. because even he doesn't really know what it is, but in the main story for barton, she's been missing for quite some time. i'm talking like ever since his final year of undergrad. so, it's been more than a decade since barton has seen her and yet, he still checks whether anyone with her physical description has suddenly shown up again in gotham.

and he has actually made an effort to compile whatever evidence he could pertaining to auriel's disappearance, which... although there hasn't been anything new as to where his character is in the timeline of events right now? barton may be the only person in gotham who is actively looking for her anymore. plus, before auriel went missing, she had actually lent one of her coats to him and i swear to god... this man has never taken care of an article of clothing better than he's taken care of her coat. so, this kind of makes me wonder how barton's usual behavior could be so contrary compared to him doing something like this.

i mean, judging by how he behaves around most people (which is basically TERRIBLY, to put it simply jsjsj), i think that he must've felt like they had a deeper connection between each other somehow. though auriel herself is certainly not a villain. so i'm saying this in terms of barton perhaps trusting her enough to tell her things that he wouldn't normally tell a soul, like how he was (and still somewhat is) afraid of his bio father as a kid. but yeah — seeing as i know what had happened to her character, this hits especially hard for me 😭 because she may not be dead but auriel certainly hasn't been in a good spot for a longgg time

[sunflowersinheaven]

.

[olymphianblood]

ok guys its not funny anymore when is d&p hard lauching im starting to getting anxious /hj

[inamindfarfaraway]

Perhaps the funniest League of Legends character interaction that's also highly plausible in-universe, thematically appropriate and emotionally charged is Rell and Veigar teaming up.

They’re both extremely magically strong and skilled. Rell controls metal, a product of the earth from which she can directly rip ore. Veigar draws his celestial magic from the stars.

They both have dark, tragic backstories: because of their magical talent, they were taken into custody by powerful, corrupt Noxian authorities, isolated, abused and forced to use their magic harmfully for a long time, at least relative to their respective lives. This traumatized and broke them so much that they now see inflicting pain as the only thing they’re good at, even capable of. They have no friends. They've never known or have forgotten what it feels like to be loved, joyful or carefree. All they were left with once free was so much guilt and grief and so much power. From that, they have forged new identities - roles to play - built around singular, combative ambitions that they cannot imagine lives or futures beyond. Rell identifies as a gritty, edgy antihero, having noble intentions but using brutal, destructive and downright gruesome methods. Veigar identifies as a villain, but is good at heart despite not comprehending this himself.

They’re both currently roaming around the Noxian countryside in order to find and defeat as many powerful, corrupt Noxian authorities who mistreat people as they can. Rell does this to make the guilty pay for their crimes and liberate and protect the oppressed. Veigar does it to replace the authority and prove that his evil is greater and cooler than theirs, but in practice doesn’t really bother hurting anyone innocent and just ends up making the guilty pay for their crimes and liberating and protecting the oppressed.

They’re both connected to Mordekaiser, and would be primary enemies of him holding personal grudges if his plot about trying to dominate Runeterra is ever developed. Rell was such an important project for the Black Rose because they hoped that she would be able to defeat Mordekaiser. He embodies everything she stands against. Mordekaiser was Veigar’s captor and abuser, responsible for who he is today. Rell can manipulate metal; Veigar wields incredible cosmic magic; and Mordekaiser is a magical suit of armour, so if anyone can finish him off, it’s these two working together.

Rell is practical, pragmatic, cynical and consumed by bloodthirsty, vengeful rage. Veigar clings to and imitates an immature ideal of Villainy, fashioning his outfit after Mordekaiser’s stereotypical fantasy evil overlord aesthetic, his behaviour after all the most theatrical tropes that archetype can be associated with and having very dramatic and flashy magic, but inwardly lacks the cruelty (not to mention dignity) to back that presentation up.

They both want the Noxian people to respect them as a threat. Rell has wanted posters and become widely feared by the elite army less than a year since her escape. Veigar has been ‘conquering’ for centuries and is still not taken seriously.

Their respective magic colours are yellow and purple, and the rest of both of their colour palettes is grey, silver and black.

Everything about Rell is played completely straight. Almost everything about Veigar is played for comedy.

Rell could come across a village that Veigar has seized and accidentally benefitted, like Boleham in his story on the website, and try to challenge him. Or they could both arrive to kill the same tyrannical warlord at the same time. She realizes that he is a) really bad at being bad, b) just a silly little guy and c) an extremely useful asset to her quest.

So she directs him at the Black Rose and they go and utterly fuck Noxis up while helping the downtrodden. There's so much comedy to get out of their contrasting personalities and perspectives. Rell always acts like the protagonist of a grim, action-packed young adult dystopian series and Veigar is standing right next to her emanating campy children's cartoon villain energy; they both think the story is a different genre and the acting and tone should reflect that. This premise is hysterical with the proper execution.

But it isn't just funny! They can genuinely bond and learn, or in Veigar's case remember, what loving and being loved is, and begin to process their trauma and help each other cope with their C-PTSD and be kinder to themselves and have fun and become fulfilled. And then kill Mordekaiser, whose return is one of the subplots. And then live happy, safe, peaceful lives together, because they were never meant for all this violence.

Other subplots besides Mordekaiser include LeBlanc, Rell's mother and the Black Rose's operations; the wider Noxian politics they tie into; Samirah hunting Rell; Annie also wandering around Noxis causing trouble and eventually getting adopted by Rell as a little sister (they deserve it); maybe the story of a Yordle who knew Veigar before and thus can supply some of his backstory that he's forgotten, a 'normal Yordle' foil to him; and generally lots of Noxian and Yordle worldbuilding and lore.

While I'm talking about Veigar, here are my ideas for a redesign of him, because his design is... not that great:

As yordles are generally animalistic or at least furry, he strongly resembles a black cat, with gold eyes with slit pupils and a dark purple nose. Black cats are associated with the supernatural, magical arts and misfortune, they're bad omens to some, but they're also fluffy little babies. He is covered in fur. You want to scratch his checks. You want to kiss his little forehead. He's so adorable and he hates it. His large pointy ears, visible under the brim of his hat, move to signal his emotions for more expressive animation. They both have notches, which help him look pitiable and allude to his past as a prisoner and victim of abuse. He has big 'weathered street cat hissing and growling at you when you try to pet it because it's reflexively afraid of people and shows that through aggression' energy.

@ohnoitstbskyen's idea in his "What's the deal with Veigar?" video that Veigar's face (his cute kitty face!) is never fully in the shadow of his hat despite him trying to look mysterious and ominous is brilliant. He’s very lively, since he acts like a classic cartoon villain who’s so excited and gleeful about being evil, so he has a habit of jostling his hat or lifting his head to reveal his whole face and then hastily pulling the hat back down.

His robe no longer has the spiked metal hem and is of a soft, loose, flowing fabric. It’s dark indigo with silver sparkles all over it like he’s wearing the night sky, in homage to the stars he draws his power from. Except the beautiful pattern is interrupted and partly obscured by a leather belt - not spiked and black, a bolder and more ‘evil’ colour than brown and a Noxian colour - with a tasteless spiky silver buckle that clashes with the stars. I love what TB Skyen said about the armour and spikes working best as a parody of Mordekaiser’s aesthetic, so I want those aspects to look tacked on and out of place. To feel wrong. Inadvertently on Veigar’s part, but deliberately in a meta sense. Between the robe, his big purple wizard hat matching his nose that also makes his body look smaller and cuter and the black cat associations, you’ve got a perfectly good yordle celestial mage design; but the influence of Mordekaiser is intruding on it, corrupting it, even. That is the clear conflict of this design. While the robe is comfortable, the armour doesn’t appear to be. This impression is helped by it all being at least a little oversized, because Noxian armour doesn’t come in yordle size and therefore Veigar has cobbled his together out of scraps he scavenged (I mean, he STOLE, how wicked) and he isn’t really a great blacksmith. His boots aren’t clown shoes or anything, but they’re big enough that his attempt at an imposing villainous stride is awkwardly clunky. They could have black leather straps on them to hold them tighter than their metal fasteners will allow. His spiked pauldrons were cut out of human ones and still jut out too much, one of them having an irregular shape that gives him a dash of Noxian asymmetry and marks him further as a flawed imitation of a fantasy supervillain. The message that he’s incompetent at something and did it anyway out of passion, perhaps not even realizing his mistakes or at least too proud to acknowledge them, makes him come across as comedic and yet an endearingly earnest, hardworking underdog, and adds to the surprise of his genuine incredible cosmic power - he couldn’t learn to smith properly before forging his own armour, but he can command the energy of the stars to smite you? Yeah. That’s Veigar. There’s one silver ring around the base of his hat that has five spikes on it, thick, long and evenly positioned so that from above, they form a star shape. Specifically, an inverted star with one spike pointing directly forward. Symbolism! His belt buckle could also be an inverted star to establish that as a motif of his; it’s spiky, but more personal and iconic than just spikes themselves.

Moving onto Rell... she has her sigils. I don't know why she doesn't in her model or artwork, they're such a crucial part of her character design! Her biography and short story both bring them up. There are even bare sections of her arms, which would only make sense if her sigils were visible in them because it's impractical and she's so averse to vulnerability, but the sigils are missing? What? Why, Riot? So yeah, in my redesign she has sigils right down both her arms. A few more recent ones are on her back (symbolic of her betrayal by her family, the Black Rose and the government). They're always hidden, even in her lighter armour on horseback, as she's deeply uncomfortable around the concept of being exposed and seeing them herself. We and Veigar only see them in dramatic character exploration scenes when a) she feels safe enough to take her armour off, b) she needs to due to injury or to hide her identity or c) someone else damages or removes her armour. Taking TB Skyen's advice again, her outer armour and therefore horse are spikier and less polished and regular, products of her undiluted heartbroken rage in the moment she destroyed the academy. They're highly distinctive, almost organic-feeling and definitely don't look like the work of a smith.

[fragglerockopinions]

The worst thing about suffering is that it still hurts when the danger is over but no one cares about it anymore because it shouldn't hurt. No one will ever say "I'm sorry that happened to you" especially when they barely say "I'm sorry that's happening."