#but in general he was one of her best friends

[fleuriion]

✦ Chiming Bell ノ MODERN! High school hcs with the Chrysos Heir because I love them so much ⸝⸝ gn reader ⸝⸝ wc: 1780 ✦ Note ; The usual grammar error and spelling mistakes warning ⸝⸝ if they come across as ooc then I apologize because I'm still not very confident in my ability of writing HSR characters haha ⸝⸝ This can be interpreted as both romantic and platonic as your liking! ⸝⸝ will probably edit out some mistakes ⸝⸝ I'm very sorry for not including Hyacine TT

♡ Phainon ⸝⸝ I feel like he's kind of a jock BUT also not a jock. Like, he's not THOSE jocks that get angry at you if you cannot catch the ball that is beaming at 1000 mph to your face. ⸝⸝ Those popular kids that are actually super nice to everyone. I feel like he doesn't judge people much and if he does dislike someone, will not rub it in their face unless they deserve to. ⸝⸝ Basically just a ray of sunshine. Definitely has Mydei as his seatmate and I just imagine Phainon walking into class greeting everyone every morning and then Mydei is just sitting there massaging his temple, wondering how he's so bright this early. ⸝⸝ While he's generally super nice, I think Phainon is also pretty mischievous though. I can already imagine him getting into some light troubles and then having to sweep the hallway as a punishment LMAO. ⸝⸝ Probably enjoys learning history and literature, he just gets super sleepy and perhaps bored in them. Decent at math but HORRIBLE at science like chemistry. Phainon comes up to Mydei as lab partner and Mydei prays the two of them don't get involved in any sorts of explosion or chemical accident /j ⸝⸝ When Phainon is pinning on you, he will 100% turn into a golden retriever. Follows you around in a non-creepy way, helps you carry stuff, probably tries tutoring you the best he could, sometimes ask to have lunch together and then drags you to the rest of his friends. ⸝⸝ Gets super shy about it and it didn't escape his friends. Also gets not bullied but teased a lot for it, when you walked past them far enough, I feel like most likely Mydei would go "holy shit is that Phainon's lover walking past by just now?!" ⸝⸝ When he announced that the two of you are dating to his friends, they would hold their pearl necklace and pretend like they're shocked (except it's so purposefully exaggerated it's hilarious wow Phainon you're so slick!) ♡ Aglaea ⸝⸝ I hc'd that the Chrysos Heir is basically akin to the Student Council in the modern world, so expect no less that Aglaea is definitely the president or at the VERY least the vice president. ⸝⸝ That one strict classmate who always looks her best and behaves the best too. Probably a class president or rep too?? Would reprimand her classmates or the other students to mind both their attire and attitude. ⸝⸝ Teacher's pet, except she's one that you can't really walk over or trample. Girl just has that aura in her for not only being smart but also beautiful?!?! (My GOAT Aglaea as always) ⸝⸝ Looks scary at first glance, but if you need her help with studying she would help say no more! That one meme that goes like "would you let me copy your homework?" "no, but I'll help you with it" ⸝⸝ This may sound pretty personal and specific but hc that she excels and enjoys public speaking. Her words and articulations are probably amazing if you get what I mean... ⸝⸝ Honestly, if she is pinning on you? Nobody would pretty much find out about it unless she personally said so. I'm sorry but Aglaea strikes off to me as the type to be super good at hiding aka slick with her feelings for someone. (Ironically for being the bearer of Mnestia's coreflame in lore lol) ⸝⸝ So when she told her friends that you two are dating, their surprise is actually real and pure. ⸝⸝ It's still noticeable though subtle tho! Aglaea will be extra mindful of you and will no doubt worry about your grades and your performance. Would help you study even if it takes time say less! ♡ Mydei

⸝⸝ Similarly to Phainon, seems like a jock but isn't too much of a jock once you get to know about him. I think it's pretty much just a first impression since he's physically well built and healthy. For someone with his looks, Mydei is a pretty quiet and calm seatmate, ones targeted by people who is just full on comical nonsense (Trailblazer for instance…. They're so stupid I love them).

⸝⸝ Seemingly messy appearance (that slightly loose collar and messily tied tie fix that rn Mydei i hate hastily tied tie and sometimes spends 5 minutes redoing it if I couldn't get it right sobs), but is actually very discipline and a pretty decent student. Also hc that he uses reading glasses.

⸝⸝ Bluddy is probably the first to arrive at class and is usually pretty punctual with a few exceptions being made. Definitely that one friend who sleeps early and wakes up early. Probably lets you copy his homework just so you can get off his ass.

⸝⸝ Excels at history, terrible at math, probably decent at chemistry??? Hear me out though, he's terrible at math and physics but he's interested in them so it's kind of a party pooper LAMFAO (self projecting). Mydei doesn't hate it, he probably just doesn't understand it.

⸝⸝ Those type of guys that people are scared of because of his appearance, but is actually good with juniors. He helps them with studying and getting the subject's concept wrapped around their head and somehow patient for a man that doesn't look like he has patience at all.

⸝⸝ When Mydei pins on you, he won't look nor act THAT much different around you. If you're a much more comical or hilarious kind of person, he endures and tolerates you more. He will offer more lending hands though; for instance, explaining things you don't understand more, willingly tutors you, sneaks gifts into your desk or locker and then softly denies it when questioned (you're not slick bro.)

⸝⸝ Mydei doesn't announce it if you two are dating, rather, his friends found out on their own by the slight flush on his face when he's around you and the way his fierce eyes seemed to simmer down a little when you're around.

♡ Castorice

⸝⸝ SUPER quiet and probably finds it hard to communicate all the time. The reason people know her is mostly because she's apart of the Student Council, but that aside, she's also super kind and nice!

⸝⸝ Hangs around Aglaea a lot and acts as her 'assistant' or similar. Also a teacher's pet except on the more mellow side and one that even the meanest of the mean doesn't have the heart to mock.

⸝⸝ She probably could be vice president.. But that's just a rough gut and because I see her as one. Also reprimands her classmates and other students to be mindful of their attire and attitude.

⸝⸝ Generally good at any subjects given, but I hc that Castorice really likes art and music classes. The atmosphere is quieter and much more peaceful that even her mind could rest a little. Definitely joins clubs like sewing club.

⸝⸝ Sometimes sleeps on recess because I see her as those super-tired looking type of people who can doze off while standing but refrains on doing so in classes. Due to this, probably picks the seat closer to the window to hide away from the lights at the center of the class.

⸝⸝ When Castorice pins on you, she will subtly get super shy around you. Sometimes stutters on her speech and is extra polite at you much to the awkwardness. Be prepared for cuteness overload!!

⸝⸝ Castorice definitely makes things for you! A small crochet plush, flower crowns, or some fake flowers that reminds her of you. Surfs into flower language to express her affection to you by making said flowers for you!

⸝⸝ Castorice would reluctantly yet shyly declares her love for you one random evening, and the rest of the Chyrsos Heir is totally NOT spying at you two from behind some bushes. ♡ Anaxa

⸝⸝ This man is canonically a professor according to the in-game lore what else do I need to say??

⸝⸝ That one smart kid who's super snarky and sarcastic. If you think Mydei is pretty sarcastic for someone, then behold Anaxagoras and his sharp yet elegant tongue that totally does not remind me of a certain doctor.

⸝⸝ He definitely no doubt enjoys subjects science related. Chemistry, physics, biology, name it. Yet nobody really dares to approach him and ask him to be their lab partner due to, again, the aura that surrounds him. You feel like you're shrinking per second you stand next to him if you don't know anything about him. Also hc that he enjoys scientific debates.

⸝⸝ He probably goes overseas to attend science olympics like a lot, and obviously comes back with victory by his side. He's probably academic rivals with Aglaea haha. I can just see them competing for the school's 1st place.

⸝⸝ Anaxa gets avoided by plenty people because of his personality, but he doesn't pay any mind nor does he care about it. After all, his only interest currently is knowledge, isn't it..?

⸝⸝ Well that's until you, who doesn't seem to be that much avoidant of him, came along to his life. Anaxa is that one person that goes deep into denial when he has feelings for someone. "NO. WDYM I HAVE FEELINGS FOR THEM. FUCK."

⸝⸝ The rest of the Chrysos Heir found out about this when one random day, Anaxa suddenly came up to Hyacine and started asking her questions related to feelings that are leaning a little bit tooooo much on the romantic side (much to his dismay and denial). Even with his denial, he found himself coming up to the pink haired girl and asking her about this… Very foreign feeling of what she described as "butterflies fluttering in his stomach" and a suspiciously big grin on her face.

⸝⸝ Like Phainon, Anaxa doesn't escape the constant teasing from the Chrysos Heir for this, mainly Aglaea. She will devilishly giggle into her fingertips and make subtle jabs at him when she talks to you; "[name], do you have just any idea how breathtaking you are?" while giving Anaxa looks to which he responded with not only a glare but a suspiciously burning pair of ear tips <3

[witherby]

LW first crush??? Or first time being crushed on???

👉👈

I love it when the hive mind comes together 🤝

Listen, I took the general concept of what you guys are asking for and made this. It's 4100+ words. Don't look at me 🙈

Littlest Wayne: Piety

Masterlist is Here!

"True piety hath in it nothing weak, nothing sad, nothing constrained. It enlarges the heart; it is simple, free, and attractive." - Francois Fenelon

Growing up in a family of rich people moonlighting as vigilantes, you're more than used to chaos. Secret-keeping, combat training, socializing with the Gotham Elite, and helping your grandfather patch up one of your brothers or parents after patrol are some of the routine shenanigans you have to deal with on a regular basis, and you aren't even a vigilante yourself.

School is supposed to be your little slice of normalcy, where you can decompress as a civilian amongst other civilians. Just go to class, talk to your friends, and maybe participate in an extracurricular if you want! That's it! Nice and simple! You love it when things are nice and simple!

So the fact that a gang of arsonists are currently holding your class hostage during a field trip to Metropolis Conservatory and threatening to burn down everything and everyone inside, is really fucking annoying you!!

"Hi, dad," you mumble into your backup cellphone. The arsonists took everyone's phones when they raided the conservatory, but Bruce made you keep two on hand for this exact scenario. "Don't freak out. There's a —"

"I know." He sounds freaked out. You barely suppress a sigh. "It's on the news. Clark is off-world with Hal or you'd be safe by now. ETA is twenty minutes for me, and 17 for Jason. Are you hurt?"

"No," you whisper, "they haven't done anything yet. I'm in the Butterfly Garden with my —"

You quiet down when one of the men turns and makes eye contact with you. You hunch over and press your hands against your head as though frightened, but you're trying to keep your cellphone concealed.

Bruce calls your name, audibly stressed. You can hear his car picking up speed on the highway. You click your tongue to reassure him you're fine. When the man looks away again, you relax a bit.

"There's at least five of them," you whisper as softly as possible. "Probably more. The lighting isn't bright or dim enough to cast shadows in here."

Overcast days are your biggest pet peeve. The level of darkness required to manipulate shadows is lax, but for some reason, the very rare occasions in which a space is simultaneously too light and too dark make it impossible to use your ability. You can see shadows being cast on the floor. You can feel them, even. But they aren't solid enough to control. It's like trying to stop water from slipping through your fingers; it works for a minute until you inevitably watch it seep through the spaces in between.

"No talking!" One of the men barks. You exhale slowly and keep still.

"You're gonna be fine. Stay calm and do everything they ask of you," Bruce says. "I'm entering the city now, and Jason is thirteen minutes out. We'll be there as soon as possible."

You click your tongue again, then hang up and slip the phone up your jacket sleeve. You hug your waist and draw your knees up, scowling at the dirt underneath you like it's personally responsible for what's going on right now.

A dark hand reaches over to clutch your arm. You glance to your right to spot Chiffon, your best friend, frowning worriedly at you.

"You okay?" She mouths. You nod and place your hand over hers, giving it a quick squeeze.

"Are you?" You mouth back. She nods as well. She doesn't seem frightened so much as irritated. Chiffon told you on the bus ride over that she was wearing all new clothes for the field trip, and now the two of you are sitting on the ground with your other classmates so it's likely dirtying them up.

"Are ya done yet!? How long does it take to swap out a fucking flag..." One of the arsonists complains into a radio on his hip. "I'm gettin' itchy, man. I don't even care about the message anymore; I need to feel the heat. I need to see somethin' burn before some dumbass Meta shows up and ruins the fun. I'm about to just strike my matchbook!"

Oh, shit. That was good news and bad news. Good, because fire casts shadows you can manipulate. Bad, because the arsonists also have guns, and you might not be able to subdue them all before one gets a lucky shot off. You have a soft, squishy body and no kevlar to protect it right now, which your family routinely complains about every time you leave the house. The vindication on their faces after this is gonna suck hard.

"The flag's up!" The radio crackles. You and your classmates tense up. "Light this joint!"

The three arsonists in the butterfly room with you pick up the cans at their feet and start pouring the contents out. The sharp smell of gasoline hits your nose and your classmates start complaining and shouting at them to stop.

"You're not actually doing this, right!?"

"Oh my god...oh my god!"

"Hey! Burn down whatever building you want, but let us out first you psychos!!"

"I was gonna skip school today. I wish I had!"

"I don't wanna die!!"

One of the men takes out a gun and fires a round into the ceiling. Colors whip around you as the butterflies all take off in a flurry. There's some brief shrieking and screaming, which makes you cover your ears, but when he starts aiming at your classmates, everybody gets quiet real fast, nothing but quick breathing and wingbeats disturbing the peace.

"Good," he sneers. "Listen here, you little squealers: it's your very unlucky day today. We staked out this spot until we knew Superman wouldn't be here t'save the day, and that just so happened to coincide with your stupid field trip. We're sendin' a message to that alien freak to stop meddling in human affairs, and you all get the honor of contributing to that message."

"Who's ready to be martyrs!!" The second one shouts, splashing gasoline in yours and your classmates' direction.

You gasp and scramble to your feet when your arm and shoulder gets splashed. You tug Chiffon up and usher her behind you, scowling. Your temper flares, made worse by your current inability to stop any of this from happening, and despite your father's warnings you begin lashing out.

"That doesn't make any sense, dumbass!" You snap.

"The fuck'd you say?" The man growls. Your pulse jackknifes, heart hammering wildly in your chest, but you don't falter. "I asked you a question!!"

"Martyrs are killed for supporting a cause, not objecting to it. None of us want to be part of this! We're just here for a stupid field trip!"

Chiffon grips your wrist painfully tight, hissing at you to be quiet. You know you should listen to her, but if help doesn't come fast enough and you die, you're at least gonna die having fought back. You're gonna die having tried.

"Did I ask what you wanted, kid?" The man says, stepping so close that you feel like the gas fumes coming from his jerrican are getting you high. "Hmm? Did any of us say "oh, raise your hands if you don't wanna be hostages?" No, we didn't."

"Did any of you take a second to think "oh, maybe I don't wanna be child murderers today?" No, you didn't."

The arsonist snorts.

"I dunno. Sounds to me like you wanna be the kindling."

He reaches out and grabs your arm with more force than you anticipate, yanking you away from your group. You yelp in pain, instinctively lifting your fist to strike him in the neck. He chokes and coughs as you brutalize his Adams apple, but doesn't let go of your arm. Instead, he uses the hand holding the gas can to strike you back. It connects with your head, and when you blink, you're suddenly lying on the floor and your temple is throbbing.

Aw fuck, you think, vision blurred. It's so hard to tell up from down right now. You feel your clothes getting splashed with more gasoline. You hear your schoolmates screaming and shouting in terror for the inevitable. You see an indecipherable ocean of colors dancing around you, butterflies trying in vain to escape the fate you're all about to share. You hear someone strike a match.

Oh, please don't make my parents identify the remains. Please don't do that to them.

You close your eyes and try to steady the trembling in your limbs, hoping the pain doesn't last long.

The screaming reaches a crescendo, causing a sharp ringing in your ears. You flinch and press your hands to your head, just barely stifling a sob. There's a loud, crashing sound, and gunfire all around you. The ground reverberates when people start running, bolting in all directions, and you're unable to make yourself look at what's going on.

Heat licks at your side. The fire is spreading and the crackling drives a spike through your heart. You are deathly afraid. You want your parents. You want your brothers. You want your grandpa.

Something hits the ground beside you, right as you feel your sleeve catch fire, and you yelp when a pair of hands start to pat it out before it can spread.

"Hey, hey! It's okay! It's fine, look at me, you're okay!"

Relief makes your stiff limbs slacken, and you crack an eye open to find a stranger staring down at you. It's not your father, it's not Jason, and it's not one of your classmates.

It's...a boy wearing a Superman suit, but with a black, leather jacket thrown on top of it. He's looking at you with the widest, brightest blue eyes you've ever seen. They seem to become impossibly wider when he locks onto your own.

He's very handsome, your brain musters in between all the panic. Shiny black hair that was buzzed underneath and long at the top, clear, tanned skin, and near-effeminate facial features are the most eye-catching bits you pick up on.

He doesn't seem to be phased by the fire crackling around you, but you cannot say the same. When you try to breathe in, the hot smoke fills your lungs and you start coughing painfully, grimacing.

The boy frowns — you realize belatedly he'd been grinning before — and shrugs his jacket off. He drapes it gently on top of your head to block out the flames and smoke, then gets an arm under your back and behind your knees to lift you up.

"Hold on a second!" He says, and then you're suddenly outside and being laid down on the grass. The jacket is removed and your breathing gets much easier now that you're in the open air. He kneels next to you again, checking on your arm. "You okay?"

You give him a jerky nod and a thumbs up. You don't recognize this Meta. Did uncle Clark have a kid and forget to tell anybody? It wouldn't be the first time, like when he got engaged to Lois a couple years back and realized he'd neglected to send out any wedding invitations.

This boy looks your age, though. How would Clark have avoided bringing him up for so many years, even in passing?

"Who are you?" You mumble, voice still slightly hoarse from the smoke inhalation. The conservatory is quickly being consumed by flames, if the steadily brightening orange and red in your periphery is anything to go by. You hear sirens quickly approaching in the distance, and wonder where the arsonists went. You wonder where your classmates are, too. Did everyone make it out?

The boy smiles at you again, wide and proud, and gestures to the symbol on his chest.

"I'm Superman. You and your school buddies are safe now, I promise."

"Oh," you say, and wonder if the hit to your head is affecting you worse than you thought, because you are definitely not looking at Superman.

--

When Conner opens his eyes, the first thing he sees is Lex Luthor. He recognizes him immediately, instinctively, despite never having met before now.

"Can you hear me?" Lex asks. Conner nods his head. The motion is new. It feels practiced. The dichotomy is throwing him for a loop as he steps out of the capsule he'd spent weeks growing in. His eyes dart around the space, taking in the other staff members present in the lab. Some of their names and faces click together like scattered puzzle pieces in his mind, while others are strangers he holds no information about.

He knows these people. They've just been introduced this very second. He feels helpless. He feels his immense powers buzzing under his skin.

Lex is talking, and Conner listens. Conner is an experiment. Conner is the result of years of work and programming. Conner is a success in a long line of failures.

He would have had siblings if they'd survived. He wouldn't be alone in these warring sensations and feelings. He would've had someone to relate to.

Conner is a success, but he woke up early. Didn't age enough. Conner is less than an hour old, but he's physically a teenager. He is supposed to be older. He is supposed to be bigger. He needs to be better than Superman. He's a success, but there is more work to be done.

His brain is packed full of theoretical knowledge with no practice. He knows what he can do but not how to do it. How to fly. How to control his super strength. How to shoot lasers from his eyes. How to summon ice breath. How to block out the overwhelming inputs to his brand new senses.

Lex is talking, and Conner listens. He gets coached through handling himself and reigning in his power. It's clinical and professional. He practices in another part of the lab for days. He does not learn how to speak for a week. No one had noticed beforehand.

Superman got years to do this. Superman got to grow into his body, not have it be grown for him and his consciousness injected into it. Superman got to take his time to become great. Conner does not have that time. He's told he doesn't need it.

Conner succeeds, because he is the better Superman as he was made to be. He is praised for his quick adaptiveness and brilliant control. He wishes he knew what a hug felt like.

He's given a suit and has to learn how to put it on. He's got knowledge of what he is and what he can do and who he is supposed to be, but they did not think to implant in him the knowledge of dressing or hygiene or socialization. He's got all the skills of a person with none of the experience. He's an egg shell walking on egg shells.

Lex is talking, and Conner listens. He's told that he is ready for action. Superman is not around to stop a crisis from occurring right now, so he must take charge and show Metropolis that a new hero has emerged. One that is reliable and mighty and belongs to this planet.

Conner is a hero. He is reliable and mighty and belongs to this planet.

"Make me proud, son," Lex Luthor tells him, flashing his teeth in a wide smile as he pats Conner's shoulder.

Conner grins back. He will not disappoint. He was made to do this. He is Superman. A better Superman. He is Metropolis' hero.

He knows the way to the Metropolis Conservatory, despite never having been there before. The layout of the city is implanted in his mind. He knows it like the back of his hand.

Nevermind that he's only known the back of his hand for all of three weeks.

He does not fly as quickly to the Conservatory as he's capable. The sensation of wind against his face is so new it stuns him in the air for a minute. The warmth of the sun against his body is so comforting that he learns how to cry in that same, stunned minute. The speed at which he flies dries any tears he might shed, and the excitement of getting to help save his city prevents an overload.

He sees the defaced American flag as he approaches, turned upside down and half-burnt, and the anti-alien flag hanging proudly right above it. He uses x-ray vision to spot the ten arsonists scattered amongst the Conservatory. He sees the class of students corralled into the butterfly garden, with one brave and impulsive soul daring to take a stand.

He knows he's impervious to flames, which gives him the confidence to swoop in and rescue everyone trapped inside the building. Only the three arsonists holding the students hostage need any medical attention ("Grip strength, Conner, we've been over this. You need to work on your grip strength!") due to how roughly he'd pulled them out of there. The rest, he's able to collect and deposit in a little pile of bodies, taking the rope off of the flag pole to tie them all up together.

Then he goes back for the civilians. The building is quickly evacuated and everybody moved to the large lawn behind the conservatory. He leaves the building to burn — he can hear firetruck sirens going off in the distance, piercing his ears and making his breathing quicken. He could use more practice tuning out the overwhelming sounds of everyday life. He will ask Lex to help him hone the skill.

There is one more civilian to rescue. He can see minor injuries on their body he doesn't want to exacerbate. When he kneels next to them to pat out the fire, he is as gentle as he can physically be. They're trembling and shaking from fear, and he musters up the words to console them.

This will be the very first person he's spoken to outside of the lab. He cannot afford to feel shy, despite the novelty of the emotion.

"Hey, hey! It's okay! It's fine, look at me, you're okay!"

And they do. You do. You open your eyes and ensnare him with your gaze.

Something deep, very deep inside him, clicks together, and the world becomes quiet.

There is nothing else.

There is no one else.

The only thing he can see is you. The only thing he can hear is you. The only thing he can feel is you.

Conner's world shifts so fundamentally to accommodate you, it's like he's never known anything else.

He is not Metropolis' hero. He is your hero. He is your anything. He is your everything. All you need to do is ask it, and he'll make it happen. Conner cannot live the rest of his pitifully short life without you. He simply won't survive.

Your mouth opens to reply to him. He leans forward, beaming, eager to hear the sound of your voice like a dog to his master's key turning in the door.

You start coughing. The rest of his senses kick back online, and he remembers that you are in a burning building that nearly burned you with it. He can hear your lungs straining against the smokey air, and that won't do at all.

"Hold on a second!" He says, removing his jacket to cover your face and mouth from the worst of the fire. When Conner gets his arms around you to take you to safety, his whole body seems to zing where you make contact. You fit against him perfectly. He memorizes your weight and warmth as he flies out of the conservatory.

Out in the daylight, under the bright sky, you are somehow even more stunning. The sight of your eyes shining under the light when he uncovers your face sears itself into his memory. It's a fight against his every instinct to stop cradling you and just sit in the grass (and isn't it something, that he's never felt how soft grass is and doesn't care in comparison to your presence) and admire you.

"You okay?" He asks, instead of "Do you feel this, too? Do I create the same, soft weight in your chest like you have in mine? Do you feel like we belong to one another?"

You nod and give him a thumbs up. It's better than any praise Lex and the other lab assistants have ever given him. He memorizes the shape of your thumbprint at just a glance and wonders if Lex will give him a pen and paper later so he can draw it.

"Who are you?"

You're talking to him. You're talking to him. You asked him a question and you're talking to him. Every word crashes into his ears like waves against the shore, and he almost drowns in it.

There's a brief war in his mind. He wants to hear you say his name. He wants to know what the word sounds like on your lips. He also knows that this is his debut as the next superhero. He needs to leave a good impression. He needs you to like him. He grins and points to the sign of Hope on his chest, because he was made to be —

"I'm Superman. You and your school buddies are safe now, I promise."

He clocks your obvious confusion, but it doesn't hurt his feelings. He is, after all, claiming someone else's title. The Superman you know is not the best one for you. Lex taught him that. Conner just needs to prove that he deserves to take that name, that he is worthy of the same accolades and respect that the alien predecessor is getting.

After all, the alien isn't the one that saved the day today. Conner is.

"Let's get you to a medic, okay?" He says, offering his arms to you, palms up. You glance around, then nod, and he's got you cradled in his chest again.

The knowledge of what uniforms a first responder would wear is already embedded in his mind. It helps him locate the proper people to hand you off to when the cacophony of colorful clothing and swarming bodies threaten to overwhelm him. He can pick out police, who are busy untying and detaining the arsonists. He can pick out firemen, who are hooking up hoses to extinguish the roaring flames. He can pick out journalists, who seem eager to talk to him after what he's just done.

More people to talk to. More socializing to be done. He spares you one last glance, memorizing the exact shade of your eye color with a fond smile, then focuses up to finish the job. He's got to make Lex proud. He's got to let the city know that a new player's stepped onto the board. He hopes you'll watch his interview segment.

In the aftermath, when all is said and done and he returns to LexCorp to report to Luthor, he realizes he doesn't know your name.

Late in the evening, after going over everything he did right and wrong, after more training, after honing his body even further to become the better Superman, he lies in his cot and tunes into the world, instead of tuning it out.

He listens, and listens, and listens.

He catches it. Your voice, not in Metropolis but its sister-city beyond the water. Gotham, if his implanted memory serves.

You're talking to your family, who sound like they're dressed to leave somewhere while you remain behind. He listens to them exit your home, one by one. He listens to you walking around different textured rooms. Hardwood. Carpet. Linoleum. He listens to you climb into bed and open a book, turning the page approximately every minute and thirty-two seconds. He listens to the rhythm of your breathing and matches his own to follow. He listens to your heartbeat, strong and steady in your chest, because he saved your life today.

Conner inhales when you inhale. He exhales when you exhale. He repeats this action until you eventually bookmark your place and settle down to sleep, then matches his breathing to your new, sleeping pace. This continues for hours, that deep, instinctual part of him just barely sated by listening to you from so far away.

He needs to meet you again. Properly, as Conner and...

Conner frowns.

He has to learn your name.

The next morning, he asks Lex if Gotham needs a Superman, too.

[pedgito]

february is over and i can feel the seasonal depression leaving my body as we speak, i was a little lacking on reading this month being so busy irl, but i still have so many goodies on this list. i'd also like to add that some lovely mutuals are spreading much needed love to our BIPOC writers, so if you have any recs that you'd like to give some extra attention to you can check out these posts linked below (& feel free send them to my inbox too! i'm always looking for more fics to read!) x — x also, i've said this a few times in the past but i do have a tracked tagged #useralii and that isn't just for gifs (so if you have fics or edit that you'd like to tag me in, please feel free!)

this key will help you figure out which fics are more your vibe, or if you’re just curious of the contents before you dive in:

smut = 🌶️, fluff = ☁️ angst = ☄️

total fics listed below: 21

✎ — 𝐉𝐎𝐄𝐋 𝐌𝐈𝐋𝐋𝐄𝐑

↝ prisonic fairytale by @kedsandtubesocks — 🌶️, ☄️

You’re looking for someone… what you find here in the fog instead has you staring into the abyss - and you discover it stares back (& wears the face of someone terrifyingly handsome)

↝ what remains of a man by @jolapeno — 🌶️, ☄️ (AO3)

Joel Miller doesn't care. Not about Pretty Eyes. Not how she feels beside him. Not when she's under him. Not when she's hurt and she doesn't come to him. Not. At. All.

↝ just this once by @punkshort — 🌶️

After yet another argument with your dad, his buddy across the street is there to help make you feel better.

↝ trashed by @gutsby — 🌶️

You fuck Joel in his filthy double-wide.

↝ see you at three (series - ongoing) by @/almostfoxglove — 🌶️, ☄️, ☁️

When your sister starts working nights, you're stuck with afterschool pickup duty for your eight-year-old niece. You love the kid, so you don't mind. And, sure—maybe you don't mind having an excuse to check out her classmate's dad, Joel, five times a week, either.

↝ the fuck it list (series — ongoing) by @auteurdelabre — 🌶️, ☄️, ☁️

During work at your father’s construction company, you’re inspired by your sexually liberated bestie to create a F*ck-It List of sexy experiences you’ve always wanted to try. But when the list accidentally ends up in the hands of Joel Miller— your dad’s best friend, the company’s co-CEO, and your immediate supervisor—things take an unexpected turn. Initially shocked by the discovery, Joel eventually agrees to help you tackle the list, leading to sexual adventures and undeniable chemistry.  However as you begin to fall for Joel the complications of your relationship come into focus, leading you both to realize that love may be one item you won’t be able to check off your list.

✎ — 𝐉𝐀𝐕𝐈𝐄𝐑 𝐏𝐄𝐍𝐀

↝ visitation by @gothcsz — 🌶️

Javier visits you in prison after putting you in there.

✎ — 𝐌𝐀𝐑𝐂𝐔𝐒 𝐀𝐂𝐀𝐂𝐈𝐔𝐒

↝ guilty as sin (series — in progress) by @ovaryacted — 🌶️, ☄️

Being the daughter of a Senator of Rome has it's pros and cons, you lived comfortably while constantly being reminded of your insubordinate position in society. However, upon meeting General Acacius, your life changes as you begin to grow fond of him. The question is, will he reciprocate your feelings, or cast you out to suffer your impending doom of unwanted courtship?

✎ — 𝐃𝐀𝐕𝐄 𝐘𝐎𝐑𝐊

↝ golden kisses by @mrsmando — 🌶️

Newly single, Dave finds comfort in life’s simple pleasures; among other things.

✎ — 𝐃𝐈𝐍 𝐃𝐉𝐀𝐑𝐈𝐍

↝ the mirage of a goodbye by @sawymredfox — ☄️

Forgiveness and healing are heavy words. They come with a price, one that may be life-changing tonight.

✎ — 𝐄𝐙𝐑𝐀 (𝐏𝐑𝐎𝐒𝐏𝐄𝐂𝐓)

↝ wash & hold by @ak-vintage — 🌶️, ☁️

After discovering some unfamiliar clothes in your laundry (and losing some of your own in return), you begin exchanging messages with another resident in your apartment complex.

✎ — 𝐎𝐁𝐄𝐑𝐘𝐍 𝐌𝐀𝐑𝐓𝐄𝐋𝐋

↝ of death and butterflies by @galway-girlatwork — ☄️

Everyone’s heard the stories of Lilith. Of how she came to be. But are the stories true? Is she really a demon or something else? She was not born of angels but created by Death himself. To walk between the land of the living and dead. But what happens when The Fates intervene and present her soulmate? Countless lives and re-incarnations have been lived and lost. Will Oberyn remember before another life slips between their fingers like sand?

✎ — 𝐂𝐋𝐈𝐍𝐓 (𝐅𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐊𝐘 𝐓𝐀𝐋𝐄𝐒)

↝ leverage by @/ovaryacted — 🌶️

Clint kidnaps you and takes you on a crime filled cross country roadtrip where you slowly start to fall in love with him.

✎ — 𝐌𝐀𝐗 𝐏𝐇𝐈𝐋𝐋𝐈𝐏𝐒

↝ sounds dangerous by @almostfoxglove — ☄️

When you reply to a bizarre craigslist ad, a stranger on the other side of the country charms his way into your life.

↝ the prettiest (series — in progress) by @/almostfoxglove — 🌶️

After a restructuring at the company, Max finds himself dead—this time for good—and haunting his old duplex. Lucky for him, you move in. Now he'll do anything it takes to have you.

✎ — 𝐋𝐔𝐂𝐈𝐄𝐍 𝐅𝐋𝐎𝐑𝐄𝐒

↝ double lovin' (+ dieter bravo) by @iamasaddie — 🌶️

You doomed yourself to spend Valentine's day alone, buried in blankets and sobbing over Bridgit Jones' love story, but a surprise visit from Lucien and his friend turns your plans to waste.

✎ — 𝐃𝐈𝐄𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝐁𝐑𝐀𝐕𝐎

↝ cowboy like me by @chaotic-mystery — ☄️, ☁️

Dieter is terrible at accents for his new cowboy role, and an even more terrible neighbor.

✎ — 𝐄𝐃𝐃𝐈𝐄 𝐌𝐔𝐍𝐒𝐎𝐍

↝ cherry stems by @gracieheartspedro — 🌶️

Eddie rejects your advances because his friends are around. So you use them to your advantage. Piss Eddie off and maybe you'll get what you want. Maybe.

↝ eat your heart out by @eiightysixbaby — 🌶️

In which Eddie masters Valentine’s Day through the art of eating pussy.

↝ make me feel (+ gareth emerson) by @/gracieheartspedro — 🌶️

You fly out to reunite with your rockstar boyfriend Eddie Munson. After a long day, you decide to return to his bed on the tour bus, but it seems like it is already occupied by his bandmate, Gareth.

↝ the hat rule by @ghost-proofbaby — 🌶️

When eddie dresses up as a cowboy to a night out with friends, you decide to steal his hat.

likes, reblogs, and comments keep the motivation alive, so if you’re taking a look at these for the first time, please leave a kind word for these writers or just reblog, even. support your writers <3

[lesbiansforboromir]

I remain fascinated by the sensation that like... the entire emotional plot of Lucanis' narrative was abandoned.

Like okay. There's this assassin right? He lost nearly his entire family in assassin civil wars. Because of this, his grandmother abused him as a child into becoming a killing machine. She didn't want to lose anyone else after the deaths of all her children, Lucanis needed to be the best assassin in order to survive. But it was still torture (Lucanis' words). And he used too resent her for it.

But Lucanis, by his own admission, is incapable of seeing other people outside of the structure of 'family, enemy, contract'. So, barring an extreme change in the status quo, his family was the only source of intimacy or belonging he was ever going to be able to have. That included those other crows close enough to him that they felt like family, but they were all still crows.

So this is a man who suffered massive injustice and loss extremely early in his life entirely at the hands of and because of the assassin order he was then forced to join, as an exemplary member no less! And he had to forgive all of it, because the alternative was to lose everything. If he held onto his resentment to his grandmother it would have been at the expense of the only caregiver he could ever have and probably his life to boot.

And then his cousin betrays him, with Lucanis' death being his intention. But Lucanis doesn't die, and instead is FORCED to commune with a demon of spite. Like, quite literally the most extreme version of the one emotion he is never allowed to feel at pain of abandonment and death.

The emotional themes should have written themselves at that point! Like Spite had to be forced on Lucanis, and even when they were literally living together in the same mind Spite still cannot even touch him. He can rage, he can hurt Lucanis (only him) he can momentarily puppet his body when Lucanis' control slips but Lucanis never allows himself to touch spite, to feel spite and that is tearing them both apart. Lucanis has imprisoned Spite in his head, as well as himself.

But there is a change in the status quo! Or at least there can be if your Rook decides to become close with Lucanis in spite of (hehe) all his walls and distances. For the first time in his whole life Lucanis can have friends who have nothing to do with the Crows. He can experience a relationship that he does not have to bury resentment for.

So surely like... at least one pathway in his questline should have seen him returning to that resentment and anger towards his grandmother and the crows in general right? Seeing them all in a different light, letting go of his need to defend them so avidly when he realises it was to cope with his inability to leave... Like how was the end of this theme just a choice between imprisoning Illario and imprisoning Illario (lite)? How were Lucanis and Davrin pitted together so emphatically and yet the Grey Wardens were the only ones to get a moral and emotional reckoning? (sort of) When Taash wants to train as a crow Lucanis seems actively distressed at the idea of putting them through that. How is there not a version of this story where Caterina once again attempts to force Lucanis deeper into the crow hierarchy and he instead just says no, and fuck you, and I can't do this anymore. I won't be the First Talon, I won't even be a crow, I'm leaving.

And like that should have then had consequences for your playthrough, the Crows are held together by these social pressures and if Lucanis rejects it then what help you can garner from them should have been drastically limited. Like a true choice between longterm good for one vs risking short term harm for the many. And if you chose the other option that is a reasonable descision, you need the Crows, it's the end of the world but that's also yet another confirmation to Lucanis that resentment is illegal and he is nothing without his family which would have longterm consequences for his relationships LIKE! IF THE GAME IS ABOUT REGRET AND LETTING GO OF IT OR SINKING INTO IT, IF IT'S ABOUT MAKING HARD CHOICES AND LIVING WITH THEM... WHAT THE HELL ARE WE EVEN DOING HERE RIGHT NOW? It's just bizarre how so many of these stories SEEMED to be going somewhere themactic and satisfying and interesting and then just take this sudden turn into the flaccid and incoherent. WHAT. HAPPENED!!!

[misssymina]

Yes, Kitten ? (Sylus x MC)

Disclaimer : MC has a cat girl. I tried to picture Sylus as best as I could, sorry if it's a bit OOC.

↑ Those are the insipiration btw. I just wanted to write a soft drabble about Sylus being loved by a kitten (knowing how much cats love to hate him). I imagine Sylus would be really happy to be loved by a kitten that keeps seeking him out and being clingy towards him, though he might be a bit shocked at first. And the fact that that cat is yours just makes it better.

TW : there is none, it's just fluff. Slightly jealous MC.

You've never thought of getting a cat for yourself, really. Considering your job and the amount of time it took from you, you always thought having a cat would be irresponsable.

You took a breather after fighting wanderers all day. As you laid down to rest, you heard a rustle being the bushes. On alert and pissed that another wanderer may have found you, you pointed your gun towards it, unmoving. You tried to steady your breath and focused on reacting at the right time. As it was moving closer and closer to you, you tightened the grip around your gun. You nearly pressed on the trigger but stopped right before shooting.

It wasn't a wanderer.

But a frightened kitten, meowling loudly as it made its way to you. It scratched your leg, pleading.

And for some reason, your heart ached for this sweet furrball.

You promised yourself that you won't keep it, you just wanted to help it. You took it to the vet the next morning. After a health checkup, the vet informed you that the stray kitten was in fact a girl and that she was doing well. "You just need to carefully feed her with some nutritive food and give her the antibiotics needed to reduce the infection in her wounds". And you promised yourself that no matter how much that cute kitten was clinging to you, you would bring her to a shelter where she would be taken care off. But no matter how much you tried, she kept screaming and crying, begging you to keep her. So you gave in. You grew found of her and loved her, trying to make as much time for her as possible. You couldn’t help but spoil her rotten.

And as cute and lovely she was to you, you knew her to not be very kind to strangers. She easily gets scared, and won't hesitate to hiss and scratch. None of your friends or coworkers managed to get close to her, aside from Tara who managed to pat her for a bit but your kitten never willingly let herself be carried. And they would all joke about how much she ressembles you. You often pretended to be offended and point out how nice and helpful you were to everyone. But your friends brushed it all off, "like owner, like pet" they would say.

As your kitten was nestled in your arms in front of them, Nero kept staring at her, sadness plastered on his face, sighing loudly.

"Well, be grateful to at least be around her. She doesn't like people" you said pointing your finger at him, as if to make your point across "she is picky with who she lets close".

"That's exactly what I mean" he responded deadpan and then he looked back at your kitten with grief, his shoulders slumped "but she is so cute, do you think she will come to love me one day ?" he asked pouting, thrusting out is lower lip so much it made you laugh a little.

"I do wonder which one of you she will come to love first." You asked yourself patting your kitten’s head.

---

That's why the first time you let Sylus into your appartment, you were slightly anxious. It’s not the first time Sylus came by, but it wasn't just your home now. You hoped your kitten won't be too scared of him considering his intimidating aura or pissed by his arrogance. You knew Sylus was an absolute sweetheart to animals, but you were still scared of what your kitten’s first impression of him will be. You didn't mind her not liking people in general but you still wished she would accept Sylus, or least tolerate him.

And because people kept pointing out how much you're both alike, your first encounter with Sylus kept replaying in you mind and you winced at the thought. Yeah, we might have to work on it a little.

Arriving at your front door, you explained once again to Sylus how to act in front of your kitten. "She is scared of everyone, really. Please don't take it to heart, just give her some time."

"As if I have never dealt with another fierce kitten before" he teased, his head on your shoulder "And a stubborn one at that" he continued kissing your cheek.

You huffed and tapped his shoulder lightly "you're silly" you rolled your eyes "but I'm being serious now".

Sylus looked at you, smiling "your worry too much, it can't be that bad. Should I use my own methods on her ? Would gifts help sooth her ? Or is she as merciless as her master is ?" he nudges his nose against your cheek, teasing. That man, really.

"As long as you don't scare her" you said back, whispering at his lips "I don't mind your methods" you kissed him and unlocked your door. He raised a brow at your, a challenging look on his face.

Your could hear your kitten already meowling on the other side of the door. As soon as you opened it, she rubbed herself against your leg, happy to see you back home. You immediatly crouched down to pat her and take her in you arms, entering the appartment to let Sylus come in behind you.

"I guess it’s time for some presentation" you turned to face Sylus "Sylus, this is my sweet angel" you said kissing her lightly "and sweet angel, this is my boyfriend Sylus".

Sylus stared at your cat at first, as if trying to understand its way of thinking. He then tried to approach her but she hissed back at him and growled. Unbothered by her reaction towards him and seemingly used to this kind of treatment, Sylus just huffed and crossed his arms "You spoil her too much. She has your bad attitude"

You mouth fell open, shocked "No she doesn’t. She is the sweetest. She is just picky."

"And in my book" Sylus took a higher pitch "it’s called ‘like owner, like pet’".

You blinked, your mouth agape. Did he just mock you ?

You narrowed your eyes at him "Your horse has terrible temper. My kitten is just picky. She's being careful, that’s not the same" you pointed your finger menacingly at him "beware or I am making her chase you out of my appartment"

"I am soo scared." He said slowly approaching you, a mischevious look on his eyes.

Not wanting to give in to his antics. You turn your back at him and put down your kitten on the couch. You take off your coat gesturing Sylus to do the same. As you passed by him, you approached him and yank him down to meet your eyes "don't forget you're in my territory now. And contrary to last time, I have backup."

"Your territory ? I thought we already settled that last time" you couldn't help but blush, remembering the make-out session you both had on your kitchen counter 'last time'.

"You've been warned" you tried to glare at him but you knew Sylus wouldn't be frightened by it. You pushed him back, wanting to get away from him before giving in. That man might be the death of you someday.

Trying to ignore the flush of your face and your agitated state, you went to the sink to wash your hands. After gaining some sense of composure, you tried to change the subject "Is there anything you want to eat in particular tonight ?" you asked him.

"What are you proposing ?" from the corner of your eyes you saw Sylus leaning against the doorframe, his arms crossed, staring at you.

"Let me take a look" you opened the frigde, trying to act as normal and calm as possible and ignoring your loud heartbeats. His teasing always got you but seeing him so confortable in your own appartment did things to you.

"I can make some salad, if you want" you craved for something light and fresh "but not sure I have something for dessert though" you said a little bit embarrassed "I ate everything yesterday".

"I don’t mind. I’m sure we could settle for something sweet for the dessert."

You gulped dryly, almost chocking on your own spit. Yup, definitily the death of you.

As you took out the ingredients from the fridge, Sylus came next to you to wash his hand. He signed you to let him help you wash the vegetables. As you were patiently waiting for him, you heard your cat meowling loudly. Pretty scared that something might have happened or that she was angry by Sylus apparence in your kitchen, your searched for her worriedly. And as you looked for her, you saw her standing next to Sylus, looking at him with the most pleading eyes you’ve seen her make to someone. 

Sylus first look at her then at you, his eyebrows raised, a playful look on his face. Then she meowled again more loudly, rubbing herself against Sylus' leg. She never did that and certainly not to a stranger. You tried to brush it off.

"She can be quite a lot, sorry."

Sylus shook his head, laughing "it’s fine. I guess I won’t have only one kitten to take care of tonight"

If you could pretend to not be affected by his words earlier, you certainly were know. But you cat's meowls helped you keep you grounded and not embarrass yourself in front of him.

You called her out, distressed by her tantrum, hoping she would get the message. "Be nice" you grumbled softly "he is a guest". As you scolded her, Sylus crounched down to pat her. "Be careful, she could scratch you. Or bite you". For some reason you felt incredibly defensive towards each of them.

Sylus smiled at you, softened by your care for him. He presented once again his fingers to your kitten for her to sniff before she eagirly rubbed herself against his hand, purring loudly. He patted her a bit before she tried to jump into his arms, a paw against his tight and another on his torso. He quickly lifted her up as she nestled against him. You looked at the both of them dumbfounded and at a loss of words. Everything was working better than you imagined.

He looked at your with raised eyebrows, his eyes wide and surprised, his smile growing bigger. You couldn’t help but stare at him and the way he was so gentle with her. You rarely saw the happy look Sylus' had on his face right now, one of the purest sight you've seen since meeting him. But his expression quickly changed into a cocky one as he looked back at you. "I guess I won't have to work my way through her heart that much. Like owner, like pet, huh ?"

You prayed for God to have mercy on your soul, because this sight nearly made you combust. As surprised as you were, seeing them bounding really stired up something inside of you. Those two might be the death of you tonight.

"I guess she doesn’t hate you" you said lightly, shrugging off your shoulders trying to play it cool and stay focused on the task at hand. As if you weren't scared earlier that your cat might try to make Sylus her next meal.

"I’m pretty sure she adores me at this point" he said almost purring. With Sylus smart mouth and confidence back, you knew you won't hear the end of it. You looked back at both of them and it reminded you of the time you and Sylus went to feed the cats. "Do you want to feed her ?"

Sylus looked at you "whatever the kitten wants" he said as he scratched her chin. You were sure he wasn’t only talking about her. "She does deserve a reward after for being so sweet and polite after all" he walked away and searched for something in his blazer. He took out a can of food, the same brand you told him your kitten loved. "her food is right here" you said pointing at your cat food spot "you can feed her there". You absoluteley didn’t mind your cat eating in the kitchen, but your heart couldn’t stand the both of them right now. You took a good minute to compose yourself before returning to your task.

-----

"Come here, kitten" you suddenly straighten up as Sylus calls out for you, his voice soft and velvety.

You walked towards him nonchalantly, trying to come up with some sly retort. Once you arrived in the livingroom, you stopped completely in your tracks.

Sylus wasn’t actually calling out for you.

He was slouched over your kitten, his hands gently spread towards her. She didn’t even fight against his graps and just let herself be put on his laps. You felt your face turn red from embarrassment.

Sylus just used the same nickname for you to your cat, it's fine, you told yourself. You wanted to make a run from it, to escape the awkwardness that situation might bring if Sylus sees you. But as you turned around, Sylus eyes landed on you. By the look on your face, he frowned and stood up, ready to come and help you.

He nearly asked you what was wrong but Sylus was a clever man. Too clever for your own good in that situation. Seeing with the way you looked at both him and your kitten ? He quickly understood. Damn him.

"So you can come to me if I actually call out for you, kitten ?" He tapped a finger against his temple, his smirk too wide for your liking "that’s tremendous information. I'm keeping that in mind for next time."

You bite the inside of your cheek trying to hold yourself back and not embarrass yourself further. But you knew you failed miserably as your entire face was flushed red. You didn't dare to look at Sylus and just turned around.

"The intel I have on you would make rampage in the dark web. Don’t act so smooth as if you don’t have anything to hide. I pretty sure your soft spot for straight kittens would please your ennemies. Besides, I just wanted to make sure you both were good since I didn't hear from you for some time"

"Wouldn't that be a good sign ?"

"I don't know. Maybe she would have biten off that smug tongue of yours."

Sylus didn't say anything back but you knew he was ecstatic. "Well, I'm going back to the kitchen. Tell me if you need anything."

----

You felt Sylus arms wrap around you, his lips kissing the back of your head.

"You will always be my favorite kitten." he whispered into your ear.

"How come ? you know other kitten ? How many ?" you tried to sound mad but a smile spread accross your face when you felt Sylus pressing himself further against you, kissing your neck and shoulder.

"Not much really. One's a cute furball" your kitten meowled loudly as if she knew you two were talking about her "But... the other, this one I can't seem to get away from… and she is the one I adore" he said sweetly, turning you around to kiss you, blocking you against the kitchen counter.

"And-" you said trying to part your lips from him "you think that will-" Sylus put his hand on your cheek and tilted your head back to deepen the kiss "make me-" he slipped his tongue between your lips.

After a moment he finally parted slightly from you "forgive you ?"

Sylus kisses always felt good. Gosh his lips of his were blessed and crafted by God himself but cursed and polished by some sort of demon. Something about his kisses were soft and sweet but also deeply passionate and dizzying, always making you breathless.

"How should I earn your forgiveness then, my lady ?" he asked teasingly, brushing your nose with his.

"I don't know" you bite your lips looking up at him, you wanted him to work for it "should i even consider forgiving you ?"

Sylus slightly frowned. You smiled, hugging his waist "what do you have in mind ?"

"Anything you want" he whispered against your lips.

"Shouldn't you be careful before making this kind of proposal ?"

Sylus tucked your hair behind your ear, a beautiful smile drawing on his features. "Do you plan on finally being greedy with me ? I wouldn't ask for much."

You pretended to think for a little. "And if I say I just wanted to cuddle and watch films ? Would you mind ?"

"Sounds amazing to me, sweetheart." he said kissing you once again.

Sylus never mind going by your every whims and demands. He actually loved it. As much as you loved spoiling your cat, Sylus loved spoiling his own kitten rotten. Having you asking him for things, spending time with him, leaning on him, clinging to him was more than he could ever ask for. And God knew he didn't ask for much. So he didn't mind you making a fuss or acting mad or being greedy, because nothing made him happier than seeing you finally claiming him as your own.

[fenya-scribbles]

Secret

♥--------♥--------♥

Pairing: bf!HanJisung, gn!Reader

Other Characters: Lee Know, Felix, Seungmin

Summary: You’re sneaking around and Han comes to his own conclusions as to why. 

Genre: angst, hurt/comfort

Content warnings: anxiety, mentions of infidelity

Word Count: 2,964

A/N: You wanted this :3

♥--------♥--------♥

The first time it happened, Han didn’t think anything of it. He’d been sitting on your couch with you curled in his lap, lazily running his fingers through your hair. “So”, he said, interrupting your mindless scrolling through Instagram, “you remember that I have the day off tomorrow?” “Sure babe”, you replied, turning so you could look at him properly. “I was thinking that maybe we could check out that new café you wanted to try?” You swallowed. “Oh babe, I’m sorry, I made plans with Yeji tomorrow. She’s finally back from her semester abroad.” Han looked disappointed for a second, but he understood. Yeji was your best friend and you hadn’t seen her in literally a year. “No, don’t worry, cupcake”, he said, brushing a loose strand of hair out of your face. “You sure?” He nodded. “I’m sure.” “I could come by in the evening? We can watch Howl’s moving castle”, you offered, putting a smile on your boyfriend’s face. “I’d love that, jagi.”

A few hours later, you were lying in bed. Han was sleeping soundly beside you, looking like the sweetest angel baby on the planet. Deciding it was time to sleep too, you went to plug in your phone on the charge beside your bed, when it lit up with a text. 

Seungmin: You’re sure he doesn’t know?

You smiled to yourself. 

You: He’s completely clueless. 

***

It happened again two days later. Han asked you if you wanted to hang out at the studio during his recording session. “I’d love to babe, but I have to run some errands for my mom”, you replied. And he shrugged it off again. It was no big deal right? It’s not like you tried to avoid him or anything. No, that was just his anxiety talking. “Alright babe, I’ll see you tonight then”, he said and pressed a sweet kiss to your lips. 

But as it turned out, that was only the beginning. Over the following weeks you started to blow him off again and again. You had a work project or met with Yeji or your parents needed you or, one time, you really didn’t want any company, which was concerning, coming from you. But Han didn’t want to doubt you. He didn’t want to admit, that it worried him, how you seemed to have less and less time for him. Because that was scary as hell, a fear that would set in his bones and make it absolutely impossible to breathe. So he brushed it off. You were still his girlfriend. His girl. His. 

***

“Girl, I’m telling you, this is so stupid”, Yeji said, her fingers tightly curled around the steaming cup of coffee in front of her. “It’s not that big of a deal”, you replied. “What if he gets suspicious, huh? He’s not stupid, you know.” Your best friend was not a fan of your current antics and you knew it. Most of Han’s members weren’t either, but you still stood by your decision. “I know, but he trusts me. He wouldn’t doubt me.” “I don’t know Y/N. Sneaking around with Seungmin like that...” Yeji sighed. “Just don’t come crying to me when it all blows up in your face.” “It won’t”, you said, trying hard to hide the hint of doubt that started to bloom in the back of your mind. 

***

Over time, Han turned needy. A lot more than usual. You didn’t mind, generally, because he was your boyfriend after all, but then he wanted to join in on your baking day with Felix. “Please, jagi”, he gave you his biggest boba eyes, “I’m sure Lixie wouldn’t mind.” You cupped his face and took a deep breath. It was incredibly hard to refuse him when he was pouting at you like that. “Maybe another time, babe”, you said, “I haven’t met up with Lixie alone in a long time and I want some quality time with my friend. You understand that, don’t you?” Han pouted even more, but eventually, he let out a defeated sigh. “But you bring home brownies, right?”, he asked. “Of course, babe.”

Later, when Felix opened the door, you still felt a bit bad for refusing Han. “He’s in his room”, Felix said, “And for the record, just because I’m baking you alibi brownies, doesn’t mean I like what you’re doing.” You pushed past him, leaving your shoes by the front door, and made your way to Seungmin’s room. Being judged by anyone was uncomfortable, but being judged by Felix just hurt your soul. Maybe they were right. Maybe you shouldn’t be doing this. With a deep breath, you pushed the growing doubts aside, and knocked on Seungmin’s door. After a moment, he called you inside. You found him sitting on his bed, guitar in his lap. With raised eyebrows he looked up at you, and said: “Are you still sure about this?” You nodded, doing your best to look certain. “I am. This is what I want.”

***

Three days later, you were at Felix and Seungmin’s place again, about to put on your shoes. Seungmin was standing beside you, lazily leaning against the wall. “Today was fun”, he said. You looked up from tightening your laces with a fond smile. “It was”, you said, “you’re a really good-“ You were interrupted by the sound of the doorbell. Both your heads snapped towards the door. “Are you expecting someone?” Seungmin shook his head. “No, must be for Felix.” He stepped past you and opened the door. “Han?” Your boyfriend looked at Seungmin - and then his eyes shifted onto you. “Jagi? What are you doing here?” You felt your heart sink, as an uncomfortable feeling settled in your stomach. Fuck. “Babe…I…uhm…”, you stammered. “She was bringing back Lix’s brownie box”, Seungmin swooped in. “Yeah, right”, you immediately agreed.

Han’s gaze shifted between the two of you, uncertain if he believed what he was told. “Right”, he said, drawing out the word. “Lix is in his room”, Seungmin quickly changed the subject, stepping aside to let Han in, but before your boyfriend could move, you squeezed past both of them. “See you at home babe”, you shouted over your shoulder as you bolted down the stairs, leaving both Han and Seungmin staring after you. That was too fucking close. 

***

It was late, way past midnight, and Han couldn’t sleep, the weird scene with you and Seungmin playing over and over in his head. He’d been watching you peacefully sleep beside him for roughly an hour now. You looked so pretty, so calm and innocent, so utterly unable to hurt him. And yet, something was stirring within him. There was this nagging feeling in the pit of his stomach, this persistent voice in the back of his head, telling him that something was up. Something was not right. You were hiding something. And he loved you, he loved you more than anything, and it hurt him to mistrust you. It hurt him to suspect you of anything bad. No, he wanted to believe things were fine. You wanted him to be with you by the end of the day, didn’t you? You asked him to spend the night, despite spending less and less of your days with him. You wanted him around, right? You still loved him. You still loved him? 

Han let out a sigh. Gently, he shifted towards the edge of the bed, making sure not to disturb you. Then he slipped out from under the covers and made his way to the kitchen. Maybe drinking some water would help calm him down. Seeing that the dishwasher had run, he opened it to grab a glass - and stopped right in his tracks. Sitting there, between cups and bowls, was a clear plastic box. A box he’d been eating brownies out of for the past three days. Felix’s box. The box you’d supposedly brought back to him earlier that day. But you hadn’t. It was right here. You’d lied to him. 

Suddenly, Han felt violently sick, as all of his fears seemed to come true at once. The picture of you standing behind Seungmin, utterly startled, staring at him like a deer in headlights, once again returned to Han, burning itself into the back of his eyelids. Why had you been that startled? What had you been doing there? With Seungmin? Han’s heartbeat accelerated so fast it left him dizzy, and before he knew it, he sunk down onto the kitchen floor, back pressed against the cabinets and knees pulled up to his chin. Oh no. Oh no. Were you cheating on him? With one of his best friends, no less? Was this where you went when you had no time for him? Han’s body started violently shaking as tears started to run down his face. This couldn’t be happening. You were his world, his heart, his soul. A part of him. You were everything. He couldn’t lose you. Han’s skin felt like it was on fire, his lungs struggled to let in air, his vision was beyond blurry. 

And then his body started to move on its own. He couldn’t stay here, in your apartment, for a second longer. He snuck back into your bedroom, grabbing his hoodie and his phone, avoiding to look at you at all costs. Then he slipped on his shoes and rushed outside. The way home was a blur, he got there purely by muscle memory, as his mind was racing with made up images. You kissing Seungmin. You in Seungmins lap. You tangled up in bed with Seungmin. It made him sick, his heart breaking over and over in his chest. This couldn’t be happening. You were his one and only. His forever. How could you do this? How could this happen? It couldn’t. He couldn’t lose you. No. No. 

He didn’t bother to be quiet when he entered his own home, the door loudly closing behind him. It didn’t take long for Minho to come out of his room, despite the late hour, looking like he’d just fallen out of bed. Because he likely had. “What the fuck, Hannie”, he said, rubbing his eyes. But as soon as he took a good look at his best friend, he knew. “Fuck”, he mumbled, rushing over. And then Han fell apart, utterly and completely, turning into a sobbing, shaking, broken mess in Minho’s arms. 

30 Minutes later, Han was still crying, curled up in Minho’s arms on his bed, as the older one rubbed comforting circles on his back. No word was spoken, Han was unable to even think of speaking, and Minho already knew what was going on. He knew what you’d been doing, and he’d also disapproved, precisely for this reason. But you had insisted, and now Han was inconsolable. Broken. Unnecessarily hurt. Minho cursed you in his head, pulled out his phone and shot you a text. 

***

You woke up early to an empty bed. Confused, you tapped your hand in the spot where Han should be. But he wasn’t. You let out a groan. It wasn’t unheard of that Han disappeared before you woke up, but you still hated when it happened. Groggily, you reached for your phone. Usually, Han sent you a text when he had to leave early. And there was a text on your phone, but it wasn’t from Han. It was from Minho and it had you sit up straight in a flash.

Minho: Tell him or I will. 

The time stamp read 3:47am. Even with your mind not fully awake yet, you could put the pieces together. Han had left your place in the middle of the night. But why? What had happened? Why was Minho telling you to spill your secret? Confused, you got out of bed and made your way into the kitchen. The dishwasher was still open - and there, sitting in the top drawer, Felix’s brownie box was basically staring at you. “Fuck”, you muttered, frantically running your hands through your hair. Han had seen that. And he’d run to conclusions. Oh no. No, no, no. Yeji had been right. As had Felix and Minho. You’d been so stupid, so careless. How could you have ever thought that sneaking around like that with Seungmin would work? Why did you allow Seungmin to lie? And then you agreed? Fuck. Fuck.

At light speed, you got dressed, grabbed your things and rushed out the door. Your heart was hammering in your chest as you made your way to Han and Minho’s place, hands sweaty and mind racing. The thought of Han hurting had your chest clenching painfully. He was the love of your life, your person, your Hannie. You cursed yourself over and over for your foolishness. This was not what you’d planned, this was not what you’d wanted. When you arrived at their place, your hands were shaking, and silent tears were streaming down your face. Nervously, you rang the doorbell. 

“About time”, Minho said when he opened the door. “How is he?”, you asked, voice shaky. Minho huffed. “What do you think?” He was staring daggers at you, but stepped aside to let you in. “He’s in his room. He slept a bit, but I couldn’t leave his side all night. You really fucked up, Y/N.” “I know”, you replied meekly, unable to meet his eyes. “Then go fix it.” Minho shoved you towards Han’s room, barely allowing you to take off your shoes. 

When you entered Han’s room, your heart broke at the image in front of you. Han was curled up in his bed, knees drawn up to his chest. His face was puffy and streaked with tears, his whole body looking utterly exhausted from crying all night. He looked defeated. Broken. A quiet sob escaped your lips as the weight of what you had done crashed down on you. Han didn’t move, but his eyes were open, staring at nothing. 

Cautiously, you made your way towards his bed, perching yourself on the edge. “Baby?”, you said softly, not yet allowing yourself to reach for him. You knew you wouldn’t be able to handle him flinching at your touch, so you didn’t risk it. At the sound of your voice, his gaze shifted towards you. His eyes were so swollen, so red, it sent daggers through your heart. He didn’t say a word, just blankly stared at you. The silence in the room was deafening, a heavy veil of unspoken assumptions.

“Do you love him?” When Han eventually broke the silence, he sounded rough and shaky. “Who?” It was a stupid question. You knew who he was talking about, you knew what he was thinking. But your stupid mouth was faster than your brain and so you made him say it. “Seung-“ He couldn’t finish, as his body convulsed with an earth shattering sob. At that, you threw all caution to the wind and rushed to his side, crawling into his bed beside him and wrapping him in your arms. “No”, you said, “no, baby. I don’t.” 

Han was crying again, unable to push you away, even if part of him wanted to, but the craving to be close to you was bigger. “I love you”, you said, “only you.” You tightened your grip on him. “I’m so sorry”, you said, “I was so stupid. I’m so sorry, baby.” And for a while, you stayed like that. Han slowly melted more and more into you, despite the bad thoughts screaming in his head, as you apologised over and over, reassuring him of your love, tightly holding him close. You didn’t know how much time passed, didn’t care either, you just wanted to comfort your boyfriend, who you had hurt so foolishly. 

When his sobs eventually died down, you allowed him to move back just enough to look at you. “Why did you lie?”, he asked, “About the box?” You sighed and brushed the tears from his face, his flushed skin hot under your fingers. “I’m so sorry about that”, you said, “it was so stupid. I should’ve just said that I met up with Minnie. We panicked, both of us. It was stupid.” Han looked at you, still utterly confused. “Why were you meeting up with him then?” You sighed again. “It was supposed to be a surprise”, you said, “but that’s not an option anymore now, I guess.” “A surprise?” You nodded. “Minnie was giving me guitar lessons. And singing lessons.” 

Han fully sat up, removing himself from your embrace and you immediately missed his warmth, half chasing after him. “He was teaching you?” You nodded again. “I wrote a song for you. For our anniversary. I wanted to be able to sing it.” Han stared at you, searching your eyes. But you held his gaze effortlessly. There was no sign of dishonesty, none of that look you had when you had lied the day before. Slowly, Han took in what you said, putting the pieces together. “That’s why you were so busy these past weeks?” Again, you nodded. “I’m so sorry, Hannie, I should’ve handled it better. I just wanted to surprise you.” You reached for his hands and he let you, curling his fingers around yours. “I love you so much, baby. I’m so sorry. I never meant to hurt you.” It was Han’s turn to nod, his gaze wandering to your intertwined fingers. He took a deep breath, as he decided to believe you. 

“You wrote a song for me?”, Han asked eventually, giving you those big boba eyes you loved so much. A soft smile spread across your face. “Yeah.” “Can I hear it?”

♥--------♥--------♥

Fenya’s Masterlist

[baphometsss]

(i was gonna send this in an ask but it got too long lol sorry) @mythalism re: your tags i'm not esp into the idea of the madonna complex re: mythal bc i think, like a lot of freudian ideas, it's insufficient at best and downright harmful at worst

like YES he did put her on a pedestal and yes that's part of the madonna complex, but i think it kind of does solas a disservice when it comes to his intellect bc his thinking is not really black and white enough for that imo. i think he was deluded about her but that was mainly borne from extreme devotion, and that level of devotion can only come from someone who is deeply emotionally unfulfilled

i think it's a lot more likely that he grew to distrust so many people during the war that the only person he really felt he could trust was mythal. mythal used him and kept him on a string so she could use his intellect as a weapon. he was a tool that she believed to be obedient and unconditionally loyal to her. then she went and betrayed him too, which was too much for him to accept, because it meant that he really couldn't trust anyone at all, and that screwed him up majorly and 'broke' him.

unfortunately it's similar to a really common thing that men do w/their emotions irl. i'm not trying to make a 1:1 comparison here because the context is wildly different, but we know that the ancient elves were highly emotional beings so i think it tracks. men have this culture of being emotionally shut off from their friends because vulnerability is seen as a weakness, so they put all their emotional vulnerability into their romantic and family relationships w/women. they see women as the kind of epitome of emotional vulnerability, so they unload on them in this really unhealthy way that leads to more emotional turmoil bc it's just too much. they bottle things up and don't share it with any of their male friends, and so they overwhelm the women in their lives with their emotional needs. when that woman inevitably fails to be able to meet them, she falls off the pedestal and she turns into the awful she-devil for not being there for him. or god forbid she has needs of her own that take precedent or are put on him to fulfil bc that's not allowed for someone with no autonomy. it is partly madonna complex but there's a lot more to it on the guy's part too.

like i said it's not a 1:1 comparison bc we're talking about a war and a genocide and mythal was probably never as 'good' as solas wants to remember her being, but it really makes me think of that. rather than toxic masculinity however it's a matter of repeated betrayals and traumas that fosters his behaviour re: mythal. solas didn't have anyone he could trust with his most intimate thoughts and feelings like he once did with mythal and other spirits long passed, and he's desperately clinging to that relationship bc his ability to trust has been broken so completely and he can't handle the trauma and guilt of the war alone. and ofc unlike mythal and the evanuris, solas holds a LOT of guilt about the titans and the blight. so no matter how much she screwed him over, she always stayed on that pedestal bc the alternative (dealing with it alone) was so much worse. (there's also the fact that mythal understood him as wisdom unlike the others who brought out the worst in him, and that mirror is important for him to retain his nature as wisdom and not pride, the latter of which which his trauma pushes him towards more and more)

essentially he's put all his emotional eggs in one basket regarding mythal. by the time inquisition rolls around, he's also been betrayed by his general and close friend, and he really doesn't trust anyone at all, so he's regressing even further. it makes the romance/friendship all the more special because the inquisitor shows him that it's only by opening yourself up to trust other people (the key being multiple people) again that you can really start to heal and move on instead of wallowing alone forever in your pain and grief.

The whole 'refuge for Mythal' thing is really interesting bc it shows that Solas really saw Mythal as being on his side when it couldn't be more obvious that she enjoyed the power of being queen of the Evanuris. He calls it a 'struggle' in the regret memory, but I don't think she was struggling as much as he thinks. Even Felassan realises how delusional he is about her. It's one of many things Solas is in denial about.

That said, it does seem like he was much more aware of Elgar'nan's evil than she was; I truly believe that Mythal found a kindred spirit in Elgar'nan and thought that she was the right one for him. She tempered him and mitigated the harm he did as much as she could (which doesnt seem to be that much, in all honesty). Whether or not they had romantic feelings for each other is up for debate, but I think it's very possible. There was likely an element of tension at being evenly matched in the way they were that gave their relationship a pathological edge. It was only when Solas told her about the Evanuris using the power of the Blight that she finally decided to take him seriously and challenge her husband and the rest of the Evanuris head-on.

It's also really revealing that the Blight was her final straw. Mythal obviously had no issue with slavery as long as her slaves were treated well. It's very reminiscent of real world attitudes some had towards their slaves ie that as long as you don't abuse them it's okay. They don't understand the fundamentally unethical nature of owning another person. It's why I don't buy the benevolence retcon because slavery is inherently cruel--something that both Solas and an elven Inquisitor can argue with Dorian about.

Yeah, Solas really is an unreliable narrator with Mythal and I really wish we'd had more perspectives other than his. I long to see Mythal in all her cunty glory but alas it will never be

[charliedawn]

Hi Charlie! I recently came up with an interesting idea about the Hannibal family. The reader (the murderer) somehow found out that the Hannibal family were cannibals (maybe she was friends with Peter and he admitted it to her) and she decided to give them a present. How will they react when she comes in with a live connected person and says, "I wanted to surprise you, but, I didn't know which organ do you love, so I brought you a whole person” 😁

Hannibal Lecter Sr.

He’d be pleasantly surprised but would mask his amusement behind a polite, knowing smile. He'd step forward, examining both you and the terrified person you brought with a certain curiosity.

"My dear little lamb, what a…thoughtful gesture. One does not often acquire such an exquisite present without great trouble. Tell me, how did you acquire them ?"

He would take this as an opportunity to assess your potential. If you did it cleanly, efficiently—he’d be impressed. If it was messy and impulsive, he’d chuckle and offer you a bit of guidance, like a refined mentor shaping a promising protégé. Either way, he definitely considers this a sign of loyalty.

Hannibal Lecter Jr.

He’s find this fascinating. His eyes would settle with interest on the future dinner, and he'd step around the person like an artist inspecting a fresh canvas.

"A whole person, indeed…a truly generous gift. But the question remains—do you know how to carve, or shall I teach you ?" He said before taking out a knife and the person started screaming in fear—muffled of course.

Hannibal Jr. wouldn’t waste this opportunity to test you. If you show hesitation, he’d smirk, amused. If you show skill, he might actually let you assist in the preparation. Regardless, this is a bonding moment for him—proof that you belong in his inner circle.

Morgan Hannibal

Morgan would be the most pragmatic about it. He'd remove his gloves, exhale sharply, and give you an evaluating look.

"You’re either very bold or stupid. Either way, I like it."

He’d check the victim’s vitals, ensuring they’re still fresh and worth consuming. Then, he'd gesture for you to follow him into the kitchen. He’s not wasting a good resource. But this also tells him something important: you’re willing to go to extreme lengths for them. He won’t forget that.

Kevin Hannibal

Kevin would burst into laughter. Not just a chuckle—full-blown, incredulous laughter.

"Oh, princess, you really did that ? For us ? For me ? That’s…that’s insane—I love it." He’d walk up to you, tilt his head, and grin. "Did you enjoy it ? Did it feel good ?"

He’s way more interested in your experience than the meal itself. He might even praise you.

Him *smiling at you* : "Are you trying to impress me ? Because it’s definitely working."

Peter Hannibal

Peter…oh, Peter would cry. He’d look at you with wide, teary eyes, his hands clasped together.

"You—you did this for us ? You’re the best !"

He would immediately hug you, completely ignoring the horrified victim you dragged in. He’s just overwhelmed by how much you care. No one’s ever done something this meaningful for him before. It wouldn’t even occur to him to question your methods—he’s too busy adoring you.

Message from Author:

You have officially won the Hannibal family’s favor. They now see you as one of them. Whether that’s a blessing or a curse…well, that depends on how much you enjoy their company.

[australet789]

TLK: Kings and Successions Gen 9

Generation 9 had a Queen, one of the most memorable ones, Queen Uru...but not Lion Guard. Not officially.

Manzili ("sent by God") tried to follow on the footsteps of his father and help his cousin, but Kudura's death left a deep pain in his heart and soul. It didn't help that the Spirits didn't choose him either. Pacha ("one of twins") and Mapacha (same meaning as his brother's) did their best to support their "leader", mostly because Pacha had feelings for Manzili and Mapacha wanted to help his brother and be a good wingman. Manzili never reciprocated Pacha's feelings, sadly, and the latter knew it: he was content in being his closest friend.

The "Lion Guard" of this generation was mostly those 3 for a long time, until another drought hit The Pridelands and Uru went in search for water. In her journey she found Kambuka ("become weak") and Tetemo ("tremor") whom were also searching for water and agreeded to protect her when she shared the knowledge with them - and Uru beat their asses for trying to sneak on her.

It's not until Askari The Second is born that The Pridelands have again an official Lion Guard and the animals rejoiced, calling it a miracle, specially since the conflict with the hyenas was reaching a breaking point.

Little did they know of what Askari, later Scar, would do to the lands...

<< GEN 8 │ GEN 9 │GEN 10 >>

[howlinglore]

Miss Rhiannon’s Home For Peculiar Children: a Marauders Story 🕰️

(An AU heavily inspired by ‘Miss Peregrine’s Home For Peculiar Children’!)

Just a little note beforehand! All characters except Miss Rhiannon (which is my very own version of Miss Peregrine 🤩) belong to J.K Rowling and were not created by me, as well as Lottie, who’s a character that in no way belongs to me. I personally headcanon her as a part of the marauders era characters as of recently, but she has been created, written and developed by @motswolo in the fanfiction ‘The Cadence of Part-Time Poets’ on AO3 exclusively ☺️ I suggest you check it out if you haven’t, it’s easily the best Wolfstar fic of all time (or best Marauders fic in general, it’s THAT good!!!!)

(Also, no pictures or gifs were made by me or belong to me! Only the collages, with pictures taken from Pinterest, probably 😅)

…

Remus Lupin didn’t believe in the stories his father had left behind. But when that last postcard arrived after his death, he had no choice but to follow it — to Bath, 1951.

Setting: Swansea, Wales

Timeframe: Late spring, 1997

Remus Lupin had all but five years of his life with his parents. A faint memory of warmth, spices, soft wool, golden locks of hair, and the tongue twist that was the Welsh language. All of that, until his mother was gone, and his father left him with his aunt and uncle with no explanation to be had — never to return. His presence lingered only in postcards sent with little effort put in that Remus detested receiving, pictures of a world he himself would never see.

No friends. No hobbies. No place to belong — even among the farm of his father’s closest friends, who raised him as their own. Unwanted, unimportant, invisible to all and anyone — ordinary, and boring.

Until the last postcard arrived. Until his father’s death. Until the strange people, the cryptic maps, the faded pictures, and the letters that didn’t make sense. Until Remus ran — fleeing to a place he’d never known, to a “loop” in England, where time itself seemed to be as broken as everything else he knew.

Setting: Bath, England

Date: August 17th, 1951

The loop in Bath meant nothing changing. August 17th, 1951 — forever. The same streets, the same faces, the same air, day after day. Nothing changed. Not the weather. Not the people.

Because in 1951, people started noticing. The oddness of the children’s home, the strange inhabitants, the unnerving presence that made the air thick with whispers. There was something off —too much of one thing, not enough of another. Eyes lingered, questions went unanswered far too often, and people talked. Oh, they talked.

Not only that, but those with a bigger wish for power, for something bigger than themselves — that’s when it came. Came the murder, the stalking, the gouging of eyes and disposing of little bodies which had had no better fate anyways, abandoned by normal families who hadn’t hesitated turning a blind eye.

Miss Rhiannon couldn’t let that happen. Not to her children. Not if she could help it. She waited for the right moment — a perfect, sunny day, a light breeze, a good mood. And then, the loop. August 17th, 1951. Time stopped. The world froze for those who chose to stay, and Bath was theirs — forever so.

Characters (main);

James Fleamont Potter

;”I would love to be ruined if it means I am sacred enough to be kept close.”

{Born: March 27th, 1934}

{Age: 17 (as of August 17th, 1951)}

{Origin: Colombia 🇨🇴}

{Skin Color: Caramel Brown}

{Eye Color: Chocolate Brown}

{Height: 5’11”}

{Peculiarity: 😵‍💫}

{Type; Communicator}

{Abilities; Heart Reading (the ability to see one’s soul and intentions) — Mind Reading (the ability to see one’s thoughts and emotions).}

Sirius Orion Black

;”If there is a light, I’m going to swallow it. If there is a god, I’m going to make him cry.”

{Born: November 3rd, 1933}

{Age: 17 (as of August 17th, 1951)}

{Origin: France 🇫🇷}

{Skin Color: Alabaster}

{Eye Color: Passive Light Grey}

{Height: 5’9”}

{Peculiarity: 🌀}

{Type; Mixed}

{Abilities; Mind Control (the ability to dominate the thoughts and actions of others, forcing them to act against their will) — Abyssal Gaze (the ability to stare into someone’s eyes and show them the “abyss”— a horrifying void that makes one go mad, leaving them in a state of permanent catatonia) — Necromancy (the ability to communicate with, summon, or manipulate the dead — which can also involve raising corpses or spirits to serve the necromancer’s will) — Echo Of Death (the ability to make someone experience the sensation of death repeatedly, forcing them to feel what it’s like to die over and over without actually killing them) — Siren’s Call (the ability to enchant and seduce others through one’s presence, voice, or aura, compelling them to become infatuated or obedient) — Trust’s Mirage (the ability of otherworldly beauty and charm that evokes an immediate sense of trust and admiration — able to make those around them feel inexplicably drawn to comply with their requests, regardless of personal ethics or morals) — Cursed Blood (the ability of lifelong despair, death and suffering by inheritance of the tainted, evil blood).}

{Classification; Lure — a rare type of peculiar with both abilities of ‘Trust’s Mirage’ and ‘Siren’s Call’. This gives one a natural facility to charm and make others trust them, along with the power to hypnotize or influence people at will.}

Peter Charlton Pettigrew

;“Please don’t forget me and all the things we did.”

{Born: December 21st, 1934}

{Age: 16 (as of August 17th, 1951)}

{Origin: England 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿}

{Skin Color: Cool Sand}

{Eye Color: Light Blue}

{Height: 5’6”}

{Peculiarity: 🧬}

{Type; Morphological}

{Abilities; Shapeshifting (the ability to transform into anything) — Invisibility At Will (the ability to go invisible and visible at will).}

Charlotte Elizabeth Pettigrew

;“I love happy me, she’s so pretty.”

{Born: December 21st, 1934}

{Age: 16 (as of August 17th, 1951)}

{Origin: England 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿}

{Skin Color: Cool Sand}

{Eye Color: Light Blue}

{Height: 5’5“}

{Peculiarity: 🧬}

{Type; Morphological}

{Abilities; Transmutation (the ability to change the composition of objects, transforming one material into another) — Extreme Flexibility (the ability to contort and manipulate one’s body in often impossible ways).}

Dorcas Jade Meadowes

;“I was born for something greater than I was — and greater I would become.”

{Born: April 24th, 1934}

{Age: 17 (as of August 17th, 1951)}

{Origin: Mixed (Jamaica/Haiti 🇯🇲🇭🇹) + (England 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿)}

{Skin Color: Cool Espresso}

{Eye Color: Chocolate Brown}

{Height: 5’8“}

{Peculiarity: 🌩️}

{Type; Elemental}

{Abilities; Photokinesis (the ability to control light, shadows and generate light constructs).}

Marlene Arienne McKinnon

;“If you dance, I’ll dance — and if you don’t, I’ll dance anyway.”

{Born: June 3rd, 1934}

{Age: 16 (as of August 17th, 1951)}

{Origin: Mixed (Scotland/England 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿)}

{Skin Color: Warm Porcelain}

{Eye Color: Hazel Brown}

{Height: 5’10“}

{Peculiarity: 🌀}

{Type; Mixed}

{Abilities; Superstrength (the ability of superhuman strength) — Mimicry (the ability to adapt and copy powers or skills of others temporarily).}

Lily Juniper Evans

;“I’m sure there are aspects of my personality buried within me that will surface as soon as I know I am completely loved.”

{Born: January 30th, 1934}

{Age: 17 (as of August 17th, 1951)}

{Origin: Mixed (England/Ireland 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿🇮🇪)}

{Skin Color: Warm Natural}

{Eye Color: Emerald}

{Height: 5’5“}

{Peculiarity: 🌩️}

{Type; Elemental}

{Abilities; Pyrokinesis (the ability to create and control fire).}

Mary Jean Macdonald

;“Happiness is not fulfilling every pleasure or getting every outcome you desire — happiness is being able to enjoy life with a peaceful mind that is not constantly craving more. It is the inner peace that comes with embracing change.”

{Born: September 16th, 1934}

{Age: 16 (as of August 17th, 1951)}

{Origin: Mixed (Egypt/Mali 🇪🇬🇲🇱) + (England/France 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿🇫🇷)}

{Skin Color: Dark Espresso}

{Eye Color: Cognac Brown}

{Height: 5’9“}

{Peculiarity: 😵‍💫/🌀}

{Type; Communicator/Mixed}

{Abilities; Prophetic Dreams (the ability to see the future within dreams) — Petrification (the ability to turn others to stone with one’s eyes) — Sonic Scream (the ability to make others go insane with one’s shrill scream).}

Pandora Love Rosier

;“A woman who is art cannot be replicated. You cannot trace an image of her soul and make it your own — she runs deeper than the eye, she’s a feeling.”

{Born: April 17th, 1933}

{Age: 18 (as of August 17th, 1951)}

{Origin: Mixed (Egypt/Tunisia/Seychelles/Sao Tome and Principe 🇪🇬🇹🇳🇸🇨🇸🇹) + (England/France 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿🇫🇷)}

{Skin Color: Dark Espresso}

{Eye Color: Chocolate}

{Height: 5’8“}

{Peculiarity: 🌀}

{Type; Mixed}

{Abilities; Wish Granter (the ability to grant small, simple wishes) — Nature’s Whispers (the ability to hear the thoughts of nature and communicate with it).}

Evan Xander Rosier

;“I can’t make you understand. I can’t make anyone understand what’s happening inside me. I can’t even explain it to myself.”

{Born: March 8th, 1934}

{Age: 17 (as of August 17th, 1951)}

{Origin: Mixed (Egypt/Tunisia/Seychelles/Sao Tome and Principe 🇪🇬🇹🇳🇸🇨🇸🇹) + (England/France 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿🇫🇷)}

{Skin Color: Dark Espresso}

{Eye Color: Chocolate Brown}

{Height: 6’1“}

{Peculiarity: 🌀}

{Type; Mixed}

{Abilities; Phantom Touch (the ability to create invisible hands that can manipulate objects from a distance) — Eternal Torment (the ability to trap others in a state of perpetual suffering, causing them to relive their worst experiences continuously).}

Barty Crouch Jr.

;“Stop looking at me like that, with pity on your glassy eyes — all I am to you is a tragedy, right? Stop it. Stop fucking looking at me like that. Do you hear me?”

{Born: June 5th, 1935}

{Age: 16 (as of August 17th, 1951)}

{Origin: Mixed (San Marino/Monaco 🇸🇲🇲🇨) + (England 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿)}

{Skin Color: Ivory}

{Eye Color: Hazel Brown}

{Height: 5’10“}

{Peculiarity: 🌀}

{Type; Mixed}

{Abilities; Dreamwalking (the ability to enter and influence the dreams of others) — Reality Warping (the ability to bend the fabric of reality, creating twisted versions of the world or altering perceptions) — Decay Manipulation (the ability to accelerate the aging or decay of organic matter, causing rapid deterioration).}

Regulus Arcturus Black

;“Tell me, which should I ask forgiveness for: what I am, or what I’m not? Which should I regret: what I became, or what I didn’t?”

{Born: June 25th, 1935}

{Age: 16 (as of August 17th, 1951)}

{Origin: France 🇫🇷}

{Skin Color: Alabaster}

{Eye Color: Passive Light Grey}

{Height: 6’0“}

{Peculiarity: 🌀}

{Type; Mixed}

{Abilities; Mind Control (the ability to dominate the thoughts and actions of others, forcing them to act against their will) — Soul Absorption (the ability to absorb the life force or soul of another being, gaining strength or abilities from them) — Corruption Aura (the ability to corrupt anything one touches — turning plants to ash, metal to rust, and infecting people’s minds with madness) — Cursed Blood (the ability of lifelong despair, death and suffering by inheritance of tainted, evil blood).}

Remus John Lupin

;“I feel like neither a child nor an adult. I am a botched, failed creature, combining the worst qualities of each. All the helplessness and dependency of a child, with the cynicism and despair of an adult. My mind is stunted, malformed. My body outgrew me and now I wield it clumsily, hitting others with my overgrown arms as I stumble over my own feet. ‘I’m sorry,’ I say, ‘But I was treated as something less than human and that is what I’ve become.’”

{Born: March 10th, 1980}

{Age: 17 (as of late spring, 1997)}

{Origin: Wales 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿}

{Skin Color: Honey Tanned}

{Eye Color: Amber}

{Height: 6’5“}

{Peculiarity: 🌀}

{Type; Mixed}

{Abilities; Feral Intuition (the ability of possessing heightened instincts and senses, allowing them to sense danger or read the emotions of those around them with acute accuracy) — Aura of Fear (the ability of exuding a presence that instills fear or unease in others) — Pack Bonding (the ability to build mental and emotional connections with other werewolves or pack members, allowing for shared thoughts and emotions — this bond strengthens their abilities when they are together) — Superstrength (the ability of superhuman strength).}

Side Characters coming soon! :))) (As well as my face claims for all characters I’ve added yet!!!!)

[bellysoupset]

The Superbowl - II

Considering it was 20ºF outside and the wind was howling, now that they had put the halftime show on mute, the living room was feeling quite stuffy.

Vince was so warm, he felt like he couldn't breathe and he stripped his sweater, so he was just in his undershirt, balling it up in his fist and looking around the room in astonishment.

Leo was still sitting down, seeming frozen in place and Wendy had gotten up and was by the staircase which Lucas had just ran up, following Bell.

"Vince?" Jonah's voice was uncharacteristically soft and his unexpected touch caused Vince to jerk. He searched Jon's face — had he known? Was he furious? — but found only commiserating confusion and compassion, which made Vin feel all the more suffocated.

Never in all the six years he had known Bell he had made her cry and it was killing him. Never, in all seven years he knew Lucas, had his best friend kept something from him, let alone something of this magnitude.

He felt nauseous. Vince gulped down, wiping the sweat suddenly dotting his face, clammy hands on his jeans, "she said- She said three weeks, right?" he asked, for lack of a more coherent thought. Jonah nodded and Leo let out a groan in affirmation.

"I'm going to go talk with them," Vince decided, turning around, and Wendy shook her head.

"I'll do it..." She hugged herself, eyes downcast and avoiding all of them, "I knew already, I think- I think Luke will be less pissed if it's just me."

The sheer betrayal of it all still stung like an open wound. Three fucking weeks and Wendy had been with him, apparently, on the exact day it had happened and yet-

"We should go," Vince said, strongly, gridding his teeth and Wendy nodded, still looking like she wished the ground would swallow her up as she turned around and bolted up the stairs.

"Vince," Jonah's voice now wasn't as soft or compassionate, his general attitude returning, "it's not her fault."

Vince opened his mouth to retort, annoyance and guilt clouding his judgment, but Leo interrupted them both letting out a heavy sigh and rubbing his face as if he could physically disperse his thoughts, "about four months ago, when we went to get my new car-" the blonde looked pointedly at Jon, who nodded to show he remembered, "Bell got carsick, remember?"

"Uh... Sure, I remember that," Jonah turned to look at his boyfriend and Vince paced the room, fingers curling on the roots of his hair and tugging. He wanted to go upstairs, but the glare Lucas had sent him had been clear.

"Afterwards, on the drive back, I asked how she was and she kinda hinted she thought it was morning sickness, not- Not carsickness," Leo's voice got all squeezy and weird and he cleared his throat, swallowing against the knot in his throat, "and she seemed so happy... But she said she hadn't done a test yet and when Luke never said anything and neither did she, I just assumed it had been a negative..."

"Bell said three weeks," Jonah reminded him, while Vince was too busy spiraling over all that had somehow passed him by. Just how long had him and Luke been drifting apart, if he hadn't ever been told about this either?

His stomach churned, uneasily, and Vince gulped down, watching as Jonah sat back down next to Leo and the blonde promptly collapsed against him, burying his face against Jon's neck.

Jonah's face was a grey tone and he looked sick too, which Vince sympathized with. He wasn't feeling well at all.

"I told them we're leaving," Wendy's voice came from behind him. She was standing on the last step of the staircase, coat already on, arms crossed defensively at her chest, "let's go?"

Vince nodded, putting his sweater back on and looking around the room one last time, "if- If Luke comes back down, can one of you just tell him I wanna talk? Please?" He requested, once again inching closer to the staircase, considering if he should all but disregard Lucas' fury and just barge upstairs anyway... But he had been the one to say that awful comment, he had made Bella cry, he couldn't just bulldoze there over his own feelings.

"I'll tell him," Leo promised, the took a deep breath and said in a firm voice, "but you should go."

It wasn't anything Vin didn't know, but still his eyes prickled and he had to look away, shame washing over him.

"Yeah... I'm sorry," Vince repeated, uselessly, and Wendy shoved his back gently, pushing him towards the door.

Outside, the wind nearly knocked them out immediately, so they jogged to the car. Not looking at each other until the doors were slammed closed and the heater turned back on.

Vince stared at his lap, stomach burning and head swimming. Next to him, from the corner of his eye, he could see Wen opening and closing her mouth twice, as if she wanted to say something, but instead she put her seatbelt on and drove off the Atwood's property.

"I couldn't tell you," Wendy said, five minutes later, as the tension in the car grew so heavy it was suffocating, "I know you're pissed, Vin, but I couldn't-"

"Did Bella tell you?" Vince interrupted her. His stomach was burning and his voice was deep and raspy from the stomach acid licking at his throat. He tried to clear it, only for the weird taste in his mouth to grow nastier, "how did you know?"

Wendy shook her head, quickly looking away from the road, then back at him, "No! No, she didn't, I-"

"Luke?" He felt positively nauseous now, not just nerves. Vince squirmed on his seat, wishing he could just roll down the window, but it was snowing out.

"NO!" Wendy repeated, sharply, "I was on shift when they came to the hospital. It was really early, like six or seven AM, and- And I ran straight into Luke and they had just taken Bell away for exams, so he was distraught- I wanted to tell you, Vin, I swear, but it was not my secret, not my place at all... I don't think they wanted anyone to know, not even me-"

Typically, Vince would write that off as Bell. She hated any sort of medical attention or victimization, it made sense... And yet there was a nagging voice in the back of his mind that reminded him that Luke hadn't said a thing either.

His stomach churned, letting out an angry whine, and Vince leaned forward, wiping his sweaty hands off once more. He breathed out slowly through his mouth, while his belly grumbled and struggled to digest the dip, making him feel overly stuffed, despite the fact he was far from it.

"Vin?" Wendy's voice was weak, half worried, half hurt, "Vince?"

He opened the glovebox in search of a bag, but found none. His stomach rolled once more and this time a little burp came up, which he muffled against his fist, looking at the backseat. Wendy always had shopping bags there...

"You cannot be angry at me," Wendy decided, voice much firmer now, "I wasn't told anything, I found out by sheer luck, and it was a private matter and I'm a doctor. It would be beyond unethical for me to run around and tell you-"

"I don't give a crap, Wendy!" Vince exclaimed, before he could think it through. He was burning up and he tugged at the neckline of his sweater once more, muffling another, much deeper, belch against his hand, "I don't care if it'd be unethical, I don't care if they didn't tell you-" he gulped down the sticky saliva in his mouth, giving up the search for a bag.

"I'm not going to apologize," Wendy leveled him with a glare, then wrinkled her nose, "you're green."

Vince scoffed, squeezing his eyes shut as a cramp gnawed at his stomach, the car came to a slow stop, making him slightly carsick, "you don't say," he bounced his leg up and down, "how far are we?"

"Uh-" Wendy sounded unsure and Vince frowned, opening his eyes.

"What is it...?" there was a car ahead of them in the road, which by itself was already weird, given the suburbs route was pretty empty. To top it off, it wasn't moving.

Vince's stomach let out another nasty growl and he felt a cramp so painful that it stole his air. Now, he allowed his body to overtake his mind, conflict forgotten for a second as the nausea rolled through him in waves.

Vince wrapped both arms around his middle, folding as much as the little space in the car allowed him to, and letting out a sickly burp towards his feet. There was a soft weight on his back and he realized with a second of delay that it was Wendy's hand. Another stab of guilt joined the swirling mess in his stomach.

"Wen-" Vince started to say, but his weak attempt at an apology was interrupted by a knock on her window.

She rolled it down just a smidge and Vin turned his head, ignoring the vertigo that assaulted him, to see the face of a deputy.

"Yes?!" Wendy exclaimed over the wind, the snowstorm picking up strength and nearly swooping away the officer.

"The road is blocked, ma'am!" The man all but screamed to drown out the wind, "a tree collapsed!"

Oh shit.

Vince let out a groan, gulping down the sickening saliva that flooded his mouth. He could taste the dip in the back of his throat and, much to his despair, he felt a cramp squeeze his intestines, bubbles rushing down as well.

Wendy was still talking, although he couldn't make much sense from it. Something something at least three more hours something something snowstorm something something something she was a doctor, they didn't need help. Damn he must look awful if the officer had noticed even through such low visibility...

The car's engine revved up and Vince forced himself to turn his head, slurring, "what...?"

"We can't go this way, it'll take hours to remove the tree. I'm driving us back to Bell's."

Vince wanted to cry. Not just because of how awful he felt on top of the guilt, but because he was nervous to go back to his best friend's house, when he should've felt relief. For a split second he thought it'd be better to be horribly ill stuck in the car, instead of facing Luke and Bell, and that sheer realization hit him like a brick wall.

"Do you need me to pull over?" Wendy's voice was more gentle now, a hand haphazardly pushing his curls away from his clammy face, "honey?"

Vince nodded, unable to form words with how heavy his jaw was feeling. Wendy removed her hand from his back and he felt the car speed up, then slow down as she found a better spot to park it.

"Alright-" Wendy started to say and Vin interrupted her with a harsh gag. Nothing came up, except the motion squeezed the air in his stomach and a frothy burp rolled up. Wen reached over him, pushing his door open.

The cold was biting, but Vince pushed himself fully out of the car, standing up and leaning his back against its bodywork, as he stared at the frozen side of the road grass, quickly getting powdered with snow.

There was a horrid taste in the back of his throat and he cleared it, spitting the ropey saliva and breathing in and out, slowly... His stomach gurgled angrily and Vin pressed a hand against it, groaning as his belly felt sloshy and tender, the slight pressure sending up another burp that fizzled out in his mouth-The gag took him by surprise. So sudden that Vince didn't have any time to fold forward, projectile vomiting on the gutter.

He gasped for air, chest heaving, and wet deaf as another heave squeezed him by the middle, now crumpling with his hands on his knees as he coughed up more chunky mouthfuls of the tortillas and dip, as well as the frothy beer.

His nose was running and his eyes watering, stomach still rolling and the unrelentless nausea making it hard for him to string together a sentence as Wendy circled the car and planted a hand on his arm, passing him her water bottle.

Vince swished it in his mouth, but didn't dare drink it, wiping his nose on his sleeve, manners be damned, "what the fuck..." he whimpered, closing his eyes as another cramp squeezed his intestines, "fuck."

"Do you think you can get back in the car?" Wen's voice was more gentle than he deserved and Vince couldn't be thankful enough. He nodded, but didn't move a muscle, shivering violently as the snow started to collect on his shoulders.

"C'mon," Wendy ushered him, throwing his door open once more, "we'll back at the house in no time and you can lie down-"

"Luke and Bell-"

"-Will understand," Wendy scoffed, sounding frustrated, "they're your friends, they love you, they wouldn't want you sick on the side of the road, Vin."

She made perfect sense and yet Vince couldn't bring himself to believe her. He leaned his head forward and it met Wendy's tummy, so she wrapped her arms around him, dusting the snowflakes off his jacket and running her gloved fingers through his sweaty hair in a soothing manner, "it'll be alright, honey," Wendy promised.

Vince nodded against her stomach, groaning as another burp rolled up and all he could do was press it against the fabric of her coat, "m'sorry..." he slurred, struggling to think clearly, "we gotta go."

"Yep," Wendy pressed a kiss on the top of his head, undoing their hug and waiting as Vince curled up on his seat so she could slam his door closed.

The front door was unlocked and Thank God it was because Vince was shivering violently and struggling to stay upright as they walked back inside the place.

The living room was deserted and Wendy ushered him to the half bath downstairs, only for Vince to open the door and immediately jump back as Jonah retched loudly.

"Shit," Wendy whispered, while Vince's stomach clenched with vengeance at the gruesome sight of Jon bringing up his lunch in the toilet.

"What- What are you two doing here?" Leo asked, rubbing Jonah's back, crouched down next to his fiancé.

Wendy gestured around, "uh- there was a tree in the road-"

"Wen..." Vince all but whimpered, curling up more as his intestines cramped. His sweater was glued to him thanks to the cold sweat and he was feeling nauseous all over again.

"Oh no, not you too..." Leo groaned, paling and Vince let out a little burp, a splash of sick rushing up and falling on the hand he tried cupping his mouth with. He lurched for the sink to wash it off, trembling like a puppy as the cramps continued to steal his air away.

"There's a second bathroom upstairs," Wendy planted a hand on his arm, rubbing it, "you think you can hold it?"

Oh it was embarrassing. And humiliating.

Vince lowered his head, but couldn't help but nod as his stomach felt even more bubbly. Jonah, draped over the toilet, let out a groan, palming his bloated belly as if he wanted to sink his fingers in and get rid of the food poisoning manually.

"Vin?"

He really didn't have any agency in deciding, as the urgency of a bathroom grew greater than any shame or fear of going upstairs where he was certainly not invited.

They passed by a room with boxes and the suite's door was open and Vin could catch a glimpse of red, which he assumed was Bella's hair, but all that mattered was getting himself sat in a toilet before disaster.

Embarrasment be damned, Vince had no time whatsoever to kick Wen out and he was thankful he didn't, because as he sat down with the runs and sobbed as his intestines seemed to want to fold into themselves, Wendy planted the plastic trash bin on his lap just in time for more frothy vomit to rush up.

"God..." he spat inside the bin, resting his forehead on its edge and staring at his lap. His belly was so bloated it was pushing against his sweater and Vince tried, fruitlessly, to tug at it, before giving up.

There was a knock on the door and Wendy sighed, squeezing his shoulder as she walked to it and opened. Vince saw a glimpse of Luke's face, worried and confused, before Wen closed the door behind her, stepping outside.

Hushed whispers outside his door and Vince's head swam as he empty heaved inside the bin once more.

It seemed like it took him forever to stop getting sick, but finally he was just wrung out. Nothing was coming out, from either end, and there were black spots dancing in the corners of his vision and a weird buzzing in his ear.

The minute he stood in front of the sink to wash his hands, the whole world tilted left and Vince nearly collapsed, bracing against the granite and taking deep, slow breaths.

He stumbled outside, grabbing on the walls to keep himself upright. Wendy was nowhere in sight and he wanted her, but she was probably downstairs getting him medicine or checking on Jon...

The staircase was an impossible obstacle and Vince gave up on the first step as everything blurred together, instead he changed routes straight to the suite, instinctually seeking out Luke's comfort, to hell if his best friend was pissed or not.

Luke wasn't in the room, but Bell was. She was curled up in bed, a weird shade of washed out beige, and with a heating pad pressed to her tummy. The black graphic wool dress, with red flames licking up from the hem, was gone and instead Bella was stuffed inside one of Luke's hoodies, with the hood pulled up and shielding away her mane of auburn hair.

She raised her eyes as Vince braced against the threshold, taking deep breaths to keep from collapsing as his knees were wobbling, "you look great," Bell said dryly and it was really all invitation he needed.

Vin stumbled further in, half sitting, half falling against the king sized bed. There were boxes scattered around the room that Vin knew were probably driving Lucas' crazy. Bella's shoes everywhere.

"Bell," he turned to look at her and she immediately waved him off.

"It's okay, you couldn't have known," Bella dismissed his apology before it was out of his mouth and Vince scoffed, curling up on the bed and falling on his side, head resting on his hand, elbow on a pillow.

"I'm really sorry, I shouldn't have made that joke. It was stupid," he said, regardless of her dismissal, and Bell shrugged, looking down and tugging at the embroidery of their duvet cover.

"Yeah, it was," she mumbled, sounding like it pained her to say it. As if on cue, her stomach let out a nasty growl and Bella curled up even more, pressing her face to the duvet cover and blowing out a burp under her breath, "sorry..."

Vince rolled his eyes and reached, haphazardly, so he could pat her head much like he would his sisters, "did you poison all of us?"

"Believe it or not, I went out of my way not to poison you," Bella scoffed, scooting on the bed so she could press her head to his bicep as Vince rolled to face up, a new wave of nausea washing over him.

"Uhm..." he swallowed the saliva pooling in his mouth once more, trying to figure if he should be getting up or if he even could get up, given how dizzy he was.

Bell squirmed against him, rolling on the opposite direction and fishing out a bowl from the ground, planting it on her lap- She jerked with a violent, empty heave and Vince's stomach churned harder at the noise. His limbs felt like they were weighting a thousand pounds, but still he scooted closer, fishing out the curls that escaped from her hood and puling them back.

Bell's horrid heaves tapered out in a cough attack and finally she stopped, panting as if she had just run a marathon and spitting in the bowl, "Aw..." she whined, clutching her throat, "hurtssss..." her voice was raspy from the effort.

She went to put the bowl down, but Vince stopped her, squeezing her wrist and causing Bella to turn and look at him.

"Oh man, here-" she passed him the bowl, seeing Vince's green complexion and him struggling to gulp down. He drooled over the bowl, letting out a groan as he felt Bella drape on his back, not quite rubbing it seeing she was boneless, but trying to.

He shook with a burp and then another, a splash of frothy vomit coming up at its tail-end. Vince hung over the bowl, erratic breath and hands so sweaty the plastic was slipping in his tight grip.

"Hey, Wendy said you can try some pepto no-" Lucas' voice faded as the words came out and suddenly there was a much stronger set of hands on his back. Luke moving to cup his forehead, thumping his back with his other hand and sighing.

"Let it up, Vin..."

He whimpered, not due to the nausea now, and tried to get a good look at Luke's face, but he was too dizzy and lifting his head that quickly was no good. Vince swayed and Bella let out a curse, her long nails sinking in his arm like claws as she kept him put and said in a strong tone, "Luke!"

Lucas' arm wrapped around his back and Vince collapsed fully against him, pressing a burp against his collarbone, "I don't feel well..."

"Yeah, I know," Luke said calmly, rubbing his arm, "get it out of your system, Vin."

TBC

[stories4eve]

★ THE NEXT GENERATION OF HEROES, PARENTAL DYNAMICS!!★

( excuse me for any mischaracterzations of the beasts... I don't know their characters all that well yet!)

(★ @batshikns ... feels nessecary to tag you in this)

Pure Vanilla + his children.

★ Frozen yogurt, being his first child, already establishes a heavy attachment to each other. He absolutely loves his eldest. No matter how much he grows or how he changes, he will always be there to extend a hand to him and welcome him back into his open arms. Pure Vanilla, however, has concerns about his isolation. He tries to get him to make more friends, introduce him to other cookies, and what not. But he watches as they all misunderstand and leave Yogurt behind all alone. So, he picks him up, holds him tight in hopes that he gets the message that "I will always be here for you." But that isn't always something Frozen Yogurt remembers. When both his children do end up spiraling down, he can't help but still blame himself for not trying enough. Maybe if he had been there with Yogurt during that first revelation, this wouldn't have happened. He's not a perfect parent. No one is. There are times when he messes up, times when he has to look to both Hollyberry and Dark Cacao for help. But one thing will always remain: He will have himself ready for his children no matter what happens to them. He is always ready to lead them back on the path if they stray.

★ Cream Vanilla and him are close enough. She's his little angel. Beautiful little girl, whose smile is as bright as the sun. However, he seems to be too careful with her sometimes, and that can frustrate her. He's careful of what he says, but sometimes that little slip of the truth can hurt her by accident. It's not something that's huge, but over time, it can do something to Cream Vanilla. She knows she's not as great as her older brother, but can't understand why Pure Vanilla can't be honest to her about it.. I mean, it's what everyone thinks, right? But Pure Vanilla believes wholeheartedly that she is capable, just not in what Frozen Yougurt's able to achieve. Elsewhere, she will thrive, and he wants to tell her that, but the misunderstanding of his words is something that sticks to Cream Vanilla because because the mindset she's grown to have. Nontheless, he will love her no matter how much she grows to disdain him or curse him. He just wishes that she would wake up from the lies that she's built to protect herself and see that maybe she too has a chance at a fulfilling life.

Shadow Milk + his children

★ Shadow Milk never thought he'd ever be a father, but now here he stands. Despite all the knowledge he's collected over the years, nothing would have ever prepared him for fatherhood to this extent. He, truthfully, tries his best with Frozen Yogurt. Tries to teach him how to hone his magic, and they do form a relationship. One that's genuine, however, with flaws. Shadow Milk is more pushy with him to certain extents, too weary of him ending up like him someday. And when he finally does, Shadow Milk can't help but wonder - was it his insistence that he get out and really show out, caused this? After all, his son can only take so much, he wasn't born to be alone. With raising him, Shadow Milk takes a little bit of a different approach. With Vanillas' all-too-caring nature, someone has to be there to also be a little firmer. That doesn't change the fact that he loves his son. And when the end of his manic episode comes, when push comes to shove, and all has been said.. Like his husband, he will be ready to welcome him back. Albeit, he'll be a little more scolding, ruffling his hair and shaking his head, telling him to never attempt something like that again, all in good nature, though! He was definitely an emotional parent the very least. Part of him kept the joker side of himself, so trust me when I say that Frozen is tired of the badly timed dad jokes. He knows that he says them to spite him, and that's what he hates. They do love each other though.

★ Cream Vanilla? Oh they were the closest with each other! When she was younger, he'd dress up with her, make puppet shows, and other things for her to enjoy. She truly was his little princess. He sees a lot of Candy Apple in her, and that sort of endears him a little, so willing to learn and understand everything around her. However, he can't help but notice as she got older, she tried to avoid him. Was it something he said or did? Was it because he managed to call her out on every lie she told..? I mean, being his daughter, and him being the master of lies, it wasn't hard to tell-- atleast to himself-- when she was lying. What did she want to lie about anyway? Maybe it was how she truly felt, abandoned.. Not enough, never enough for everyone else? He hates the thought of her self-loathing. Does she even know how much he adores her? How much will he give up for her and her brother? Albeit, he is a little blind to her jealousy towards her older brother, and doesn't understand her reasonings then. When she turns away from them for good, he can't help but feel conflicted. He learns of how she feels truthfully, how she lied just like him to protect herself and others from the world that they live in. He then finds that he understands her, and he will use that understanding to drag her back into the light, just as his other half did with himself.

Golden Cheese + Her children

★ Golden Cheese adores her first son dearly. Her children are her dearest treasures through it all! Goldie is a very involved mother within her child's life. Always checking in, always making sure Pepperjack has enough of everything. She even offered to train him in his combat, seeing as he uses a spear too! She teaches him to hold his head up high, never let the world make you kneel, instead make the world kneel to you. However, she can't help but sense the slight itch of doubt he has. He can't act as tall as he does around her, for she will see it. Golden Cheese makes it her goal to make him fully believe that he is capable of taking on her throne. Leading his people as he should, but sometimes, they can and will argue about it. Pepperjack is too careful. He needs to be bolder. Being too safe will only get so far. He needs to find a balance between the two as she has. Because they're both such large personalities, there's bound to be clashes in between and some distance. In the end, they resolve it through Spice having to convince her to try again with him. After all, that's what she did with Spice. Why not lend a hand to their son?

★ Her and Saffron have a good bond. Not nearly as close as she is with Pepperjack, as Saffron is most definitely more attached to Spice. That does not change that they have a loving relationship, however. She finds his determination to be admirable and his spirit? Just as bright as hers, maybe even more! She's proud of him in a way. However, with his stubborn mindset, destructive tendencies- even if they are unintentional - she is a little worried about his future. However, Golden Cheese will let time work its magic, as it has with her and everything else, and let the lessons he's learned change him for the better. She knows that with enough pushing, she'll get him on the right track. It's just a matter of getting him to listen... Quite honestly, Golden Cheese herself is still new to this whole parenting thing in the end and is trying to learn and figure out this new chapter of her life. As perfect as she tries to be, parenting can be challenging.

★ Kofta is her little mini me, her darling little princess that she spoils to no end. She'll dress her up in the finest of clothing, gift her everything she seems to ask for. Of course, there's a limit, Golden Cheese needs to set boundaries somehow. Kofta is a mommy's girl through and through. They go shopping for things together, they do spa days together - everything! There are points of tension between the two, just your average bickering between child and parent; you know, letting the girl take her own steps, let her be more independent. And sure, Golden Cheese understands that her children will leave the nest one day, but she can't help but want them to stay, at least Kofta to. Pepperjack was independent enough and matured faster than she expected. So it has just been her and Kofta for a while because Saffron will mature as well. Kofta, of course, understands her mothers longing for her children, but does remind her that she will have their father too. Eventually, Golden Cheese will let her go, maybe after arugement or two. Only to find that they will still be her babies, no matter how much they grow. Her precious little jewels through and through.

Burning Spice + his children

★ Spice was even more surprised and even more unprepared to be a father than Shadow Milk was. He was already a little uneasy around children, fearing that he'd unintentionally hurt such fragile things. When Pepperjack was first born, he was oh SO careful holding him, feeding him and what not. He was terrified of ever hurting something he finally created. Eventually, the scare goes away, and he adjusts to have little Pepperjack around. He often teaches him the history of the world around him, how the cycle of change begins and ends, how he has a very large responsibility on his back of upholding it when he's old enough. He tries his best to guide Pepperjack in the way Burning Spice thinks he should have gone before corruption. Teaching him that destruction is necessary for new roots to grow in place. But still, there is that overlooking fear he has that he will fail his children, and in turn, his wife too. Pepperjack and him don't argue a lot about much, but when they do, it does get messy. He kind of has to knock sense into him to try and reconnect with his mother during points of distance, but it's just for his sake in the end. Very much huge papa bear vibes from him <3

★ Spice and Golden Saffron are tight-knit. He teaches the boy how to fight and use an axe or other close ranged weapons! He worries the most about his future, though. Because he recognizes his thinking process, he recognizes that little part of himself in him. So he will sit him down, warn him and tell him that all that he had worked for, all that he has done to better himself would have been for nothing if Golden Saffron looses himself to destruction. He is a storyteller at heart and takes Saffron through the historic ruins of his temples and what not to bond with him. For the most part, growing up, they had a good relationship. Spice would help Saffron with those powers of his.. But the older Saffron got, the more pressure was applied on him, and that seemed to sort of cause a little rift in the relationship they have. Small arugements over outbursts turned into larger disagreements. Finally, everything comes out, and they resolve it through an intense spar. This time, Golden Cheese is the one to smack them both into sense to get along. They eventually reconnect and find peace.

★ Kofta is his pride and joy.. No, literally, he is doting on her from day one. From allowing her to dress him up in pink, huge bows, and telling her exaggerated stories about him and her mother.. Those are some of the better memories they have together. Just enjoying each other's company, Kofta looks up to her father. She thinks he's strong, one of the strongest people she will ever have the pleasure of meeting. That doesn't really change the older she gets. Sure, they turn their hangouts into more mature things-- like sparring or running errands together. However, they do tend to argue over Koftas own ever expanding ego and how she might need to tone it down a little. Other than that, it's a loving relationship between them, probably the one child Spice fights with the least, much to Golden Cheeses pleasure. Overall, she trusts him and looks to him for help, too. She enjoys messing with him as well, as much as she loves him. I mean, sure that gets her chased around, but it's all in good, loving nature between her and her papa <33

White Lily + Her child (and reaction to her untimely death)

★ Nodding Lily was White Lily's little miracle, her blessing from above. She adores her baby girl and finds their similarities in physical appearance, in almost everything so fascinating. She's always wanted to be a mother, wanting to know how it felt like to raise a cookie from the start. So she tries her best to be mentally prepared for her, to be there when she needs it. She absolutely encourages her creativity, and Nodding Lily finds her mothers support to be her stone when creating. They don't argue at all. Rather, they will sit and talk it out because they aren't the type to aruge. Whatever issues they have, Lily and her can resolve through peaceful conversation.. To a degree. White Lily isn't a perfect mom, but she sure is trying her hardest.. As for how she takes Nodding Lily's death? Oh, she's grieving, mourning her every hour of the day. There's a sort of bitterness that grows within her towards the others. How come their child wasn't subjected to Nodding Lily's own self-sacrificing power.. Was it her? Was it her fault that she let her child be pushed to the edge? She only now has her partner and can be seen holding onto them tighter ever since their child died. She had her whole life ahead of her, and now this? Was this how it felt like to loose too..? Maybe she understands the bitterness that Golden Cheese holds against her better now that she's experienced loss of her own. White Lily will leave her flowers every time, hoping that her baby, from wherever she's watching, will understand that she's still looking out for her.

Silent Salt + their child (and their reaction to her untimely death)

★Silent Salt.. How should I put it? Was it somewhat prepared? I mean, they understood this is what White Lily wanted the most, and who are they to deny her of anything? Come to find, they absolutely adore her too. She teaches them how to be more open-minded, stop oppresing certain parts about themselves, and teaches them how to be creative. In return, they teach her how to fight, use her powers, and try to guide her through a path of unity and solidarity instead of the crushing path of oppression. Often, they would be found walking together, painting or doing other things. They have this special spot near the old silver tree, where her and them have planted three lilies. One large purple one, the other a medium-sized white lily, and the last a small magenta Nodding Lily in the middle. Its a reminder that the three of them are a family forever. With the lessons she has taught them, they instill in her that her biggest source of support are the people that she holds close to her heart, and she reminds her to always look to them for everything, including themselves. They, too, don't argue, but they take concern to her, wearing herself out by being too much of a giver to everyone else. Remind her that she still is someone and a daughter to them besides being everyone's doormat. But.. to their utter, utter dismay, they still lost her. Failed her. Let her die, especially when it was in front of them and Lily. They couldn't save her from it, from the slow and painful wilting she took to her demise. They couldn't stop it. Her death was traumatic to her parents. Silent Salt had a hard time coping. They didn't know what to do or how to even come to terms with it. They just held onto White Lily even tighter, trying to keep her close, as close as they could so that they didn't lose her too. They sit in silence at her grave, at that special place they had together. Their silence speaks volumes, though. The wind howls, and it seems to convey the agony they feel. They light candles in her honor and even lay their helmet beside her grave as a reminder that she isn't alone.. even in the afterlife. They will carry her legacy within them, but that doesn't change the fact that she is gone.

Dark Cacao + his daughter

★ Choco Oat and him have such a complex relationship. He sees a lot of him within her, but also not. He understands the need she has to keep her kingdom and her people safe, but wants her to understand so desperately that she needs to stop and take it easy sometimes. But she is stubborn and unreltning, and he is too. That causes frustration that boils down into a huge argument. They also tend to bicker about smaller thing.. Choco Oat never really found it in herself to truly forgive her father for what he's done to Dark Choco. There's that, too. But she knows that he's trying. There are sweet moments between them where she'll climb onto his back as he sits.. filling out documents and whatnot. He'll braid her hair for her or style it when she can. They are still loving, and she has a somewhat better childhood than Choco had. Because he has learned from his past mistakes. He's as patient as he can be with her in the end, but sometimes it gets frustrating to talk to such a perfectionist. He does not understand why she must overthink every minute detail until he steps back and realizes he, too, in a way, was like that. But he cannot voice his sympathy for her without her retalating.. Insiting that she was fine and could handle it on her own. When her powers first came in, he was terrified that she would misuse them and end up like Dark Choco. So, he would encourage her to put its use to a minimum and try her best to repress it. Choco Oat somewhat understands, but doesn't as well.. Part of her wants to be free to use it, and feels slight bitterness about her father's response to it, the other part of her undersands that her and Dark Cacao share a common goal of wanting to protect the kingdom.. And that includes protecting them from her own power, too. But Mystic Flour takes notice of this, and rest assured she and Dark Choco will not tolerate this distance between them. After a long and angsty argument, they finally are honest and open-minded with each other, embracing one another as father and daughter do.. and with the help of Mystic Flour and his son, they build a better bond and learn to be there for each other when it was needed.

Mystic Flour + her daughter.

★ Choco oat and her are closer than she is with Cacao. Mystic Flour understands her baby girl and was actually the most prepared one to have a child as Cloud Haetae is not far from one. Though she has her own fears, she knows that under the right guidance, Choco Oat will turn out just fine. They spend some quality time together, weaving shrouds, tapestrys that tell stories. She often weaves silken robes for her daughter, and most of the clothes Choco Oat wears is from her mother. Because Mystic Flour seems to be the only one who understands her sense of style and comfort at the same time. Mystic Flour and her often pray and meditate together, too. She teaches her how to be a good tender to the pagoda and introduces her to Go and whatnot. As for points of tension, mainly it is Choco Oats' ever lasting perusit perfection for herself. Mystic Flour thinks it is.. well, outlandish at times, but she is not one to outright harshly judge her daughter. She will sit her down and talk to her sternly instead about reconnecting with her father and taking a break once in a while. It's only really up to her if she wants to listen now or later, but Mystic will take a page out of her husbands book and will be patient and unreltning with her. As for how she handles Choco Oats powers, unlike Dark Cacao, she tries and encourages her to use them freely in a safe area. Be in tune with them, channel them so that she too can use it for the greater good. Though Cacao is not fond of the idea at first, Mystic convinces him later on after that argument, and soon enough, Choco Oat will learn how to accept even the ugliest parts of herself. For chosing to be ignorant will only lead her down a path of Apathy.

Hollyberry + her twin children

★ Candied Berry and her? Absolute partners in the more daring activities! Hah, there would even be periods where her and Holly would run off together for a bit, go on a hunting trip for a week or two, and come back with spoils to share! Needless to say, they are very close. Hollyberry has finally found an equal with her for her passion, her bravery, her hope is so inspiring. Ever since Candied was a little girl, she would get herself into dangerous situations most of the time, and yes, that would concern Hollyberry. There are points where Holly thinks she's a little too bold, and that cause tension between them, they either spar it out or have a messy talk about it.. Candied Berry also tends to sort of nag her on taking so much Berry juice in daily.. She loves her mama, but too much is too much sometimes, and Candied wants her to know that! Of course, Holly stops when her children ask her. She's not the type to prioritize her juice over her kids, of course. Eventually, through her help, Holly will cut back on that addiction of hers.. But it's going to take a while between the both of them to help each other improve and be better. Hollyberry is willing to be there for her every step of the way, and she can only hope that Candied finds bravery within herself to face her own inner challenges just as she has faced her own long ago.

★ Sugared Berry reminds her of Royalberry in a sense. She finds his calmness to be equally grounding as her wife's own and finds that he and Eternal Sugar are voices of reasons to her and Candied. However, Sugared Berry is more insistent that his mother should take on healthier eating habits, take better care of herself, and what not. He often feels concern for her, and Hollyberry appreciates that. She too also finds that his burn out days can be rough on him too, and reminds him as well that he is still a cookie as well and needs his own rest periods. They don't find much to argue about, except for days where they just can not understand each other eye to eye.. However, Hollyberry is a good listener and will listen to her sons cries and calls, whatever their current state of tensions are. Also, it is worth noting that Hollyberry is one of Sugared Berry's biggest supporters musical career wise, she's always there clapping the loudest during his performances, and will encourage him to be passionate about it too! No matter how discouraged he may get. She will always be there to remind him to keep moving on and to stay passionate for the things he loves. Because she has been a mother before, and having new children doesn't mean she loses the lessons she learned with her first child.

Eternal Sugar + her twin children

★ One of the ones who are less prepared for kids.. Twins at that. She wasn't expecting two kids, but she would love them both deatly anyway. Candied Berry is much like her wife in a lot of aspects, passionate, brave, bold, and daring. For that, Eternal Sugar feels sort of endearment towards her. But she doesn't know where to start with teaching them anything, what to say - how to lead them to a life of happiness. She often looks to her wife for advice and tries her best to channel it, too. However, for Candied, she finds it harder to connect with her because of her nature being so different from Eternal Sugar's own. She still loves her, don't get me wrong, but there's a clear distance between her and Sugar sometimes that they're trying desperately to overcome, but it seems near impossible at times. Eternal Sugar can't quite wrap her head around the activities that Candied deems fun and was worried out of her mind when younger Candied got herself into situations where... It was near life-threatening. The scoldings she gave were a little firm and assertive, but she only wanted to protect her baby. However, now that that rambunctious child has grown into an even more off the walls teenager, she just sighs and shakes her head... Whatever is Eternal Sugar going to do with her?

★ Sugared Berry and her are extremely close, though. She finds his love for the harp, the lyre, instruments in general to be a lot like her passion for them too! She teaches him how to play the lyre and even the harp, and he has her to thank for his great skills. They definitely sit down and relax together when the day calls for it, and she even gives him little bracelets and necklaces she happens to have found from her old status as a virtue. However, they do aruge a little about his tendency to just give up. She can not allow him to go down the same path of sloth as she once did, and he does not understand what is so bad about slacking off from time to time. It's not as major as most of the other kids' issues.. but it does worry Eternal Sugar a lot, especially because she has never been a parent before and does not know what to expect of this. Do not fret, Hollyberry will help her, ease her worries, and allow her to find a way to communicate her concerns to her children in another way besides incessant nagging. Other than that, Eternal is a caring mother and is good at soothing and comforting her children to a degree at the very end.. Even if she isn't the most educated on the topic of parenting.

[basaaragon]

"That's one of the best versions of the original tale honestly," he nodded. Bas let his sister pick what movies they watched as kids because he didn't have much of an opinion on any of them. "Have you shown her any of the like weird old ones? I remember loving Fantasia as a kid, but I know some of my friends were scared of it." He missed thinking about the good days when he curled up watching movies with his sister.

"What kind of fiction? More literary or general fiction? I read a ton of history books. I think most of the books that I really like have to do law, like how certain cases changed laws." He was really strange. "That makes sense. Those are good subjects to read about, I think."

Bas nodded. "That's the plan."

"She really likes the live action one. She still likes the older Disney movies too, like Lizzie and I showed her the Aristocats recently and we've watched it several times since." Wes chuckled softly. He knew that the constant rewatches of movies was going to be a major thing in parenthood but at least he liked Disney movies. They kind of made him feel like a kid again.

"I mostly like to read fiction. I used to love horror but ever since I became a dad I have a hard time reading stuff like that." He wasn't sure why that was exactly, but he couldn't watch horror movies anymore either. "I like fantasy as well so I've been sticking with that lately."

"I say you take advantage of your time off and try it." Wes laughed.

@basaaragon

[downthe-f4ndom-rabbith0le]

Always Been You (Dick Grayson x Reader) - Chapter 11

Always Been You (Dick Grayson x Reader) Reader Insert: she/her pronouns Word Count: 6347 Warnings: death, violence, fighting, bloody wounds, angst, infuriatingly oblivious love interest, slowburn Spoilers: Young Justice Seasons 1-3 plot partially, but it ended in 2022 so catch up.

Y/N Prince - miracle daughter of Wonder Woman and Steve Trevor - and Dick Grayson - first adoptive son of the Batman himself - have been best friends since day one. They went to school together, trained together, kept each other's alter ego secret from everyone else, and they founded the Young Justice alongside their friends together. 

But as time progressed, Y/N and Dick grew up and Y/N found herself wanting more than friendship with Dick. But he never seemed to indicate that he reciprocated her feelings. And when Wally died and Dick abandoned the team, Y/N realised he never would. So she heads to the one place she knows will help her become a stronger warrior so that one day she can take her mother's place: Themyscira.

Two years after his leave, Dick reaches out to his old friends to help him with a mission. But when he finds out Y/N left too, he chases after her in the hopes to bring her back.

However, when the two finally reunite, it isn't as warm as he hopes. Not to mention Themyscira becomes under siege as they go to war against Echidna, the Mother of Monsters in Greek Mythology, and her army of monstrous children.

Will Dick and Y/N be able to put their past behind them and save the Amazonians' homeland? Or will they fall, unable to tell one another their true feelings?

~~~

In the early moments of the morning - at the point where the sky has lightened enough to know day is coming but the sun hasn't broken the horizon just yet - Y/N sat on the balcony edge of the Strategy Room staring out over the rippling ocean.

Her eyelids were heavy from the long and sleepless night of planning and preparing for what was to come at dawn, but she forced herself to look out. To take in the serenity and peace one more time before she broke it. A yawn threatened to slip out, but now was not the time for rest.

Y/N let out a sigh, her mind spinning with thoughts. So much to do, so much to consider. Her, Dick and the other generals had spent the last few hours discussing and preparing the best way to dispose of the hydra and it was a solid and stable plan.

And yet Y/N's stomach churned with uncertainty, her fingers gripped the marble balcony edge as if bracing for the impact that was to come. Because it would come, she just didn't know in what form it would.

You have the makings of a True Warrior, Y/N... All you have to do is lead...

Y/N let go of the balcony for a moment to inspect her open palm. The conversation between her and her grandmother played over in her head. Despite knowing her heritage, Y/N couldn't quite understand how she of all people could possess such a power as the one she'd wielded the other night. She wasn't her grandmother, and she most certainly wasn't her mother.

'A True Warrior, huh?' Y/N muttered to herself, returning to overlook the ocean. Y/N felt no power flow through her, not even a shred of it. But her grandmother was right about one thing: she had to lead today, regardless of how it would turn out.

Looking out to the horizon, Y/N thought of her old home. Her apartment in Washington DC; her mother's home just a few blocks away; the now destroyed Justice Mountain; the Watchtower. She thought about the people and pets that occupied those spaces of her life. The fond memories she shared with them, and the memories that she would possibly never get to make with them if today turned out badly.

Her heart yearned for the loss that hadn't happened. It was only hitting her now, on the final day of Echidna's war, that she may never see all of her loved ones again without even a chance to say goodbye.

Because today was the last day of the war. Y/N would make sure of it. One way or another, it ended today.

'It's beautiful. I can see why you like it here so much.'

Y/N didn't have to turn around to see who was speaking to her, and a small smile crept onto her lips. Okay, maybe her grandmother was right about one more thing.

Y/N twisted in her seated position to see Dick standing a few steps behind her admiring the ocean, but also smiling at her. Since he'd arrived, he'd worn nothing but the clothes that had been on his back. Just jeans, a plain white t-shirt, a jacket and boots. But now he wore Amazonian armour specifically tailored for him. Leather and steel guards covered his broad chest and strong wrists, and his feet were adorned with leather sandals similar to the women.

To Y/N's amusement he wore a skirt too, made of separate strips of leather and studded with steel. His escrima sticks hung in a loop on the skirt, but in his hands he held a helmet. He looked straight out of an Ancient Greek painting. If Y/N didn't know any better, she would've thought he was a demi-god.

'Indeed,' she replied and twisted around to jump down from the balcony and walk towards Dick. Looking him up and down, she couldn't help but say, 'Wow, I never thought the day would come that I would see you in a skirt, Dick Grayson.'

He chuckled as well, swishing his hips slightly to emphasise the skirt. 'Neither did I, but I kind of get the hype now. Very breezy down there, it's good!'

Y/N shook her head but couldn't help but smile. 'Surprisingly, it suits you. Maybe when you go back to Bludhaven you should change your Nightwing costume to incorporate a skirt.'

At the mention of his home, Dick's smile dropped a little, as if remembering why he wore a skirt right now. But he fixed his smile and nodded. 'Sure. When I get home.'

He looked over her shoulder, nodded to the horizon. 'You don't get views like this back in Washington DC, hey.'

Y/N twisted to see the sun had finally peaked beyond the horizon and the sky was layered with reds, oranges and yellows as the sun slowly but surely rose.

'You sure don't,' she agreed, but her sights were set on something that laid beyond the horizon. Something she wasn't sure she'd ever see again. 'But that doesn't mean I don't miss it.'

A soft and gentle sea breeze blew up from the waves crashing up against the mountainside way down below. Y/N breathed in the salty air and closed her eyes, steeling herself to start the day.

'Would you ever go back?'

Dick's sudden question had Y/N opening her eyes to see him looking at her, his expression half-serious and half-anxious. As if he was scared to hear what she had to say but had to ask her anyway.

'As in go back to Washington DC?' she asked. 'To Man's World?'

He nodded, and Y/N found herself struggling for an answer. 'I don't know, Dick,' she finally responded. 'If we survive today, I... I don't know.'

The look on Dick's face told her that wasn't the exact answer he was looking for, but he nodded silently in acceptance. 'We should go and get everyone into position. The sun will fully be up soon.'

He was right, they said that at dawn they would set their plan into motion. But her grandmother's voice whispered in the back of her mind.

Whether he knows it yet, he loves you. And I think you better tell him how you feel in case this war goes further south. Don't you?

'Wait!' Y/N grabbed Dick's wrist as he turned to walk away.

Stopping in his tracks, he turned around, confused. 'What is it?' he asked.

Y/N really couldn't believe what she was about to do, but if there was one thing that she'd learnt while living there it was that her grandmother was always right.

'If today goes badly,' she started, forcing her erratic heart to calm down because it was beating faster than a hummingbird flapped its wings.

'It won't go badly, Y/N' Dick interrupted. 'You can't think like-'

'If today goes badly,' she insisted, cutting him off. 'I don't want to have any regrets.'

Dick looked down at her curiously, the slightest tilt of his head sending a loose strand of hair falling across his forehead. 'Regrets? What do you mean, Y/N?'

Y/N's throat threatened to close up, the usual fear she had when approaching this topic forming a ball in her throat, clogging the words up. But instead of letting it, she swallowed thickly, kept her eyes locked with Dick's. She kept holding onto his wrist to ground herself, to make sure he understood what she was about to say.

'I love you,' she said, her voice so breathless and fearful and relieved all at once. The words had come out so softly that, in her mind, she thought she hadn't said them at all but imagined it.

But Dick smiled and said, 'I love you too, Y/N. You know that hasn't changed since we met.'

Her heart sunk a little at his misunderstanding, but instead of going with it, she shook her head and said, 'No, Dick, I mean that I love you.'

She watched him, watched as he went from happy to confused to truly realising what she'd said. His smile gradually faded until he was just looking at her wide-eyed and speechless. It was a heart-wrenching, gut-sinking look, but Y/N wasn't done.

'You don't have to say anything back, Dick,' she explained. 'But I have spent too long denying this. It's partly why I am here and why you're now in this mess. Because I was too afraid to tell you how I really felt. If my fate is to die today, then I would feel more content knowing that you knew the truth. That I feel you bring out the best in me. That I get butterflies every time you laugh with me. That I will do everything in my power today, even if it means dying, to see that you get home to Bruce and the others because I love you. I just wished I had found the courage to do so long before now.'

After all that, Y/N took a steadying breath in and when she breathed out it was like all the weight held in that one secret finally lifted from her. It was such a relieving feeling that she could've cried, but instead she just smiled because even if he didn't feel the same, she was finally telling the truth after so many years of lying and suppressing.

Dick's expression was unreadable. She couldn't tell if he was angry, sad, indifferent, because he just kept staring at her with a slightly opened shocked mouth. But if he wasn't jumping for joy, there could only be one other option.

He doesn't feel the same.

She could sense tears were building and she really didn't need that in that moment. She had a war to go fight.

So she cleared her throat and said, 'That's all I wanted you to know. We should go now. They all will be waiting for us.'

As if he had been lost in his own thoughts, Dick mindlessly said, 'Right...'

Y/N quickly brushed past him but heard his slow foot steps following her soon after. The rejection wasn't as painful as she thought it was going to be. But, subconsciously, she'd made peace a long time ago with Dick's un-romantic feelings for her.

But something felt different now, inside Y/N. A new sense of reassurance and certainty that wasn't there before. Whatever it was, it spurred Y/N on towards the palace courtyard where the remaining warriors and generals were probably waiting for them.

One way or another, this war ends today.

~~~

The dawn had fully risen now, casting the quiet island in rays of warm hope despite their city's ruins. Y/N was crouched atop one of the buildings back near their destroyed camp, eyes locked onto the beast that had desecrated it.

Y/N wasn't sure what she expected from a hydra, nor from any monster child of Echidna, but even monsters had to rest it seemed. The tents they once slept in were piled and structured in a way that resembled a nest of sorts where the hydra now huddled and slept soundly in.

From where she crouched hidden, the monster almost looked harmless. Until she looked around at the scorch marks on the walls of buildings cobblestone streets. The screams of her fallen sisters still rung in her mind, but she gripped her sword tighter to ground herself. Their deaths will not be in vain.

The first phase of the plan only involved Y/N and a couple adept warriors so she hid alone. It was still early morning, and this part of the city was still drenched in shade. She had to wait for the signal.

She hated the waiting, if only because it left her with her thoughts too long. Dick was hidden somewhere around the nest as well, and she could've sworn she felt his burning blue gaze on her.

While Y/N had made peace with her decision to tell him, she couldn't help but wonder how he was feeling right now. Was he angry? Sad? Disgusted even? Or maybe - like the good soldier he was - he wasn't feeling anything at all. Maybe, like it had always been, Y/N thought about him too much, while she had never crossed his mind like that.

Come on, stop that now, she scolded herself, turning to her shield that was propped up against some rubble. She needed to distract herself, get her head back in the battle ahead. Dick Grayson would not be the reason she lost them the war.

Y/N caught her own eye in her reflection on the shield. She wore a helmet like Dick had held, and a similar outfit too. However, her armour gleamed black compared to the usual steel the other warriors used. It was obsidian-infused steel, forged specifically for the Princess of Themyscira a millennia ago.

The leather and studs of her skirt were dark too - it was as if she were a shadow, a wraith. Artemis, the Goddess of the Hunt - according to their myths - possessed armour just like it. If her grandmother was telling the truth, it was also blessed by Athena.

As she looked at herself, Y/N felt both the strength of the armour, but also the weight and pressure that came with it. She was no Athena, nor Artemis or even Wonder Woman. But she was the Princess of Themyscira now, and she'd be damned if she didn't try to fight for her home.

Y/ Npressed her sword long ways and flat against her front, the hilt pressing against her chest. 'Athena, bless us,' she whispered with her eyes closed, praying that her plea reached the goddess' ears. 'Mother... help us.'

When she opened her eyes, a flickering light from across the courtyard flashed at her. It was Dick, twisting his shield this way and that to catch the sunlight.

He was flashing the signal.

Y/N stood up, as well as the other warriors who had been hiding, and she raised her sword high. 'Aim!' Those with bows and arrows notched their arrows into the string and pulled back. 'Fire!'

Eight arrows released simultaneously, and the few seconds they flew silently was that brief moment of the calm before the storm. Everything was quiet and unmoving. But when the arrows pierced the hydra's scaly hide, the air thundered with its roar as it roused from its slumber.

But it wasn't up just yet. Y/N called out again. 'Aim... Fire!'

Another round of arrows flew down to the monster, and this time it was fully awake, clawing its way to its feet, all three heads hissing with fury. The central one seemed to spy Y/N, and as its open mouth lit up with fire, Y/N ran along the rooftop screaming, 'Move!'

Y/N narrowly missed being burnt to a crisp as the hydra fired at her, the fire burning so hot that when she snuck a glimpse behind her she saw it had melted the marble. She hated to think what she would've looked like if she hadn't moved.

Y/N leapt from that rooftop to the next, banging on her shield like a madman with her sword. 'Hey ugly! You hungry? Come catch us!'

Whether the creature understood her or not, all three heads gave her a furious glare that told Y/N she had gotten their attention. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Dick and the other warriors of their group either running along the rooftops like her or down on the cobblestone streets.

Dick bashed his shield too, screaming, 'Hey! Over here!'

The left head lunged at Dick but his acrobatic skills helped him easily avoid the attack. The other warriors started doing the same, keeping the hydra looking and lunging in different ways. Constantly being disoriented.

Just what they wanted.

'Keep it moving!' Y/N called out, then started running along the roofs again, banging her shield. The others followed suit, being as loud and obnoxious as they could. The hydra did not appreciate its food running away, so it chased after them all, bulldozing through any building that did not accommodate its size.

Y/N saw the right head open its mouth to blow fire down the street at the warriors on the ground. They wouldn't survive the heat, nor outrun its reach. So she stopped for a brief moment to throw her sword at the monster. Her aim was strong and true as it pieced one its eyes, causing the hydra as a whole to stop as green blood leaked from its wound. It tried clawing out the sword but it was embedded too deep to get any purchase on it so it only managed to scratch and harm itself even more.

In its agony, it spewed fire everywhere, unable to guide its attack in so much pain. Y/N dodge-rolled out of its range once more, but one of her skirts tassels caught fire so she ripped it off before it could catch any further.

'Keep going!' Y/N called out. 'Get to the training grounds now! I'll keep it distracted!'

Y/N leapt down from the roofs finally, with nothing but a shield to protect herself, and stood before the hissing hydra. She felt the heat from the fire still spewing from its right mouth, squinted at the morning sun glinting off its talons and serpentine scales. But she just raised her shield in front of her and banged her own guarded wrist against it, over and over again. The resounding clangs that reverberated through the street drew its five remaining eyes on to her miniature figure.

And yet, Y/N didn't feel small as the monster of myth encroached on her. In fact, she'd never felt taller, stronger.

'Hey!' she screamed up at the hydra. 'Hey, ugly! You hungry?'

The monster bellowed in response, getting more aggravated with her every second that passed.

'You'll have to catch me first,' Y/N said, then slingshotted her shield at the left head. It made contact with its temple and rebounded into the central head. The impact it made sent the central head colliding into the right head as her shield rebounded back at Y/N.

If it wasn't pissed off before, it certainly was now as it reared onto its back legs, hissing and blowing fire every which way in anger. Y/N didn't waste a second more as she turned and bolted up the street. The way the houses around her rattled along with the street told her it was following her. Just as planned.

As Y/N looked around she couldn't see Dick or any of the other warriors much to her relief. Now she just needed to make it to the training grounds to finish this off.

She narrowly dove out of the way from a blast of fire and smelt singed hair as she kept running. Too close, she thought, but the street started to make an incline as marble stairs replaced flat ground. Almost there.

Just as Y/N went to climb the stairs, a large claw came crashing over her head and onto the stairs, crushing them into rubble and blocking her path. Y/N turned to face the hydra, which now sneered down at her with its small victory. With the stairs up the hill in ruins and the hydra's body blocking the way back in to town, Y/N was soundly trapped.

But she was the daughter of Wonder Woman and the Princess of Themyscira; she would not be so easily beat.

Before it could open its mouth to fire at her or eat her or both, Y/N leapt above the hydra's head just to land on it again and use it as another jump pad to leap higher.

She'd forgotten what it felt to fly, to not be weighed down by gravity and her own limitations, and so Y/N found herself smiling as she arced above the mountainside then back down again to land on the top of the stairs to the training grounds.

The hydra below hissed in fury, sinking its claws further into the stairs and began its ascent up the mountainside. Y/N didn't wait for it to reach her, instead choosing to run across the empty field as fast she could.

But she could hear the hydra reach the top, felt it chase her as the ground thundered beneath her feet. She just about reached the very middle of the training round when she felt it tower over her again.

Y/N leapt high again, as it made to squish her beneath its talons, arcing backwards this time to land atop the right head of the hydra. With one hand she clutched a horn on the hydra's head, with the other she hastily pulled her sword out of its injured eye, fluid and green blood leaking from it more as she did. It howled in agony, thrashing its head from side to side and almost sending Y/N falling to the ground.

But she held her ground, plunging her sword into its other eye. As it writhed in pain, the central head lunged at her with an open mouth, to which Y/N reefed the sword out of the eye to slice its vulnerable tongue off. Just as the third struck out at her, Y/N leapt onto its head and plunged her sword into its head.

The piercing screech that she extracted from the beast almost sent Y/N deaf, but she leapt one more time off the hydra completely, landing far away to see the now blind, tongueless and brainless hydra heads flail about in agony. All that was left was to finish it off.

Y/N dropped her sword and raised her shield above her head, allowing her power and strength to build up and concentrate before slamming the shield down on the ground.

The sound of the impact was like thunder, booming throughout the area as if a bolt of lightning struck the ground. The ground cracked around the shield, then spiderwebbed its way towards the hydra. As it did, the ground fell away, sending the hydra hurtling down into the depths of the mountainside. It screeched and roared and hissed as it fell, but no matter how much it clawed for purchase, there were no walls nor ground to cling onto.

So it fell, and a resounding thud rattled the ground as it connected with the bottom.

Y/N waited for the dust and her heart to settle before she dared look over the edge. The hydra laid unmoving at the bottom of the pit, every inch of its body pierced by rocks and spikes. The three heads splayed out unmoving, and the sight of the lifeless eyes allowed Y/N to sigh with relief.

Hundreds of rushed footsteps alerted her to more company, but when she looked behind her she was glad to see her warriors, her sisters, and Dick running towards her, cheers now echoing across the training grounds.

Calliope rushed at her, legs surprisingly healed, and embraced her. 'You did it! You actually killed a hydra!'

'No, we killed a hydra,' Y/N corrected her as she pulled away. 'If it weren't for you guys setting up that pit, I'm not sure how else we would've defeated it.'

'Are you kidding?' Dick said, drawing her attention to him. He looked weary underneath his helmet, but his smile was radiant as always. And his eyes shone with an adoration that Y/N hadn't ever noticed before. 'You singlehandedly blinded, cut off its tongue, stabbed its brain, and sent it into the depths of Themyscira. You did that, Y/N. You won us this fight.'

As Calliope and everyone around them cheered and hugged in celebration, Dick and Y/N shared a look that spoke volumes of relief and joy and everything around them faded. Dick took a step closer and that one movement had Y/N remembering what she'd told him before the battle and her heart stirred up again.

He opened his mouth to speak, but he was cut off as the ground suddenly shook so badly as if it were an earthquake. Y/N grabbed on to Dick to hold herself up as others fell over. When it settled, Y/N and Dick shared a confused look.

'What was that?' Dick asked, but the ground shook again, harder this time.

Y/N turned towards where the shakes were coming from and saw dark clouds forming over the ocean as a whirlpool seemed to form in its depths. A green light emanated from the whirlpool and slowly, rising from within it was Echidna, but also not. She didn't look human anymore, more like her monstrous children as scales replaced her skin and her hands were more like talons. With a great leap that shook the ground again and sent waves lashing at Themyscira's shores, she landed on the edge of town, decimating homes and shops as she did.

She stood taller than all the buildings in town, and with a great big swipe of her hand, Echidna knocked marble columns down and roofs off houses. But she didn't seem to care what she destroyed as she slowly made her way towards the palace.

Towards Y/N's grandmother.

'We haven't won the war yet,' Y/N said, turning to speak directly with Calliope. 'Take half of the crowd to look after those who have evacuated and hidden themselves in the northern caves. I'm going after Echidna.'

'I will not leave you, Princess,' Calliope tried arguing, but winced slightly as she took a step towards Y/N.

'You are in no condition to fight,' Y/N stated. 'I will take a handful of warriors, but if I am to not return from this fight, it is you I place my faith in to keep everyone alive.'

'But Princess-'

'Please Calliope, do as I say and go. Go!'

Calliope looked between Echidna and Y/N a few times, frustration and understanding warring on her face. Eventually she nodded, then turned to those near her and started spouting instructions.

'Andromeda! Celeste!'

Two women amongst the chaos emerged and stood before her, ready to take orders. 'Gather the remaining warriors and follow me. We're going after Echidna.' All they did was nod before leaving to rally those that remained.

'I'm going with you,' Dick said, coming to stand beside Y/N, determination hardening his beautiful features.

'I can't ask that of you, Dick,' she said facing him.

'Then don't.'

Dick raised his hand to gently cradle Y/N's neck and head, and in that one gesture she felt completely disarmed despite her holding a sword and shield.

'We started this journey together, we will finish it together, too.' he said, and Y/N knew what he meant.

He meant that from the very beginning he was by her side, when they first met at Bruce's mansion and she judo flipped him. That they had stayed by each other's side through the good and the bad, the horrific and the beautiful. And he would stay now. Regardless of if he reciprocated her love for him, their bond ran deeper and stronger than any complicated feelings could ruin.

Y/N had never felt more grateful, so she nodded her head, not daring to speak of her gratitude in case she cried.

Andromeda and Celeste came up beside Y/N and so Dick dropped his hand as she faced them the warriors that stood ready to fight behind them.

'We are ready when you are, Princess,' Andromeda said.

Y/N nodded, then looked out over all the women that watched her, looked up to her, awaiting her command. No doubt they knew death awaited most of them, perhaps all would not survive Echidna's wrath. But they would not be able to call themselves Amazons if they gave up without a fight.

Silently, Y/N raised her sword above her head and watched as slowly each and every warrior raised their weapon with her. Even Dick beside her raised his escrima sticks in solidarity.

'For Athena!' Y/N cried out.

'And for Themyscira!' the warriors cried in response.

And with that Y/N turned and began running for the palace, Dick and Andromeda and Celeste running beside her with hundreds of women warriors following behind in a stampede of steel and strength.

Y/N lead them through the decimated town, wandering through the devastation Echidna had left in her wake. It didn't take them long to reach Echidna, who stood just outside the enchanted palace gates.

'Echidna!' Y/N cried out as she threw her shield up at the giant goddess.

The weapon bounced off her effortlessly, but it did make her turn around, and it was then that Y/N was able to take in Echidna's new form.

Almost as tall as the palace, she looked down upon their small army with green snake eyes, a forked tongue flicking out here and there. A black tail with a talon on the end curled up behind her as if readying to strike. Now that she was closer, Y/N spotted fangs poking out of Echidna's mouth as she sneered in disdain and anger.

'Stand down!' Y/N continued. 'End this war now and we will spare you!'

'Spare me?' Echidna said, her voice sounding more snake-like than her original voice. 'Like you spared my children? I warned you I would make sure your kind never lived a day after I was through with you. Well... that day has come!'

Echidna held her hands out to the army and green liquid seemed to pool from her hands then flow like tar waterfalls to the ground. From the pools rose monsters from the initial battles, gnashing their teeth in absolute hunger. Without hesitation they charged at the Amazons, and the two sides collided in a mighty clash of steel and teeth.

Y/N palmed off a rat-like creature as it leapt at her face, then swung her sword at a striking serpentine monster, effectively slicing its head off and dissolving it to goo once more. However, it didn’t matter how many they killed off, the pools of tar were infinite and so the monsters kept coming. 

Y/N spotted Echidna above punching at the enchanted gates in an attempt to open them. Her impact sent the invisible walls shuddering, and Y/N swore she heard glass fracturing with another punch. The world thundered as Echidna struck the gates one last time, and the protective dome that had kept the cornerstone of Themyscira safe for millennia finally shattered. With no enchantment left to face, Echidna kicked the gates down and wandered into the palace courtyard.

‘No!’ Y/N sliced at the surrounding monsters, trying to escape their onslaught but they seemed to understand her urgency and kept coming to stop her. 

Out of nowhere, Dick leapt onto the back of an equine-like monster, bringing one escrima stick around its neck and pulling on either ends of it back towards him. He effectively severed the creature's head, leaping to the ground as it dissolved into goo. Andromeda and Celeste came swinging in too, knocking back the remaining monsters to clear the space around them.

’She’s broken through the gates. We must not let her reach the Queen,’ Y/N said, breath haggard and forehead dripping with sweat.

‘We won’t,’ Dick said, and the certainty in which he spoke made it sound more like a promise. He looked briefly around him. ‘Everyone else can deal with this. Lets go, we have a goddess to kill.’

Y/N nodded, then turned to Andromeda and Celeste who nodded their confirmation that they would follow. ‘Let’s go then,’ Y/N said, and she leapt just enough to gain some momentum before thundering back down to earth and slamming her shield into the ground. It was enough to knock over the oncoming wave of creatures, clearing a path through to the gates to the palace. 

The four of them ran to the gates and was greeted by the sight of broken statues and walls, of destroyed gardens and, most horrifyingly, lifeless warriors who’d stayed to protect their queen. The blood that spilled from them only angered Y/N more, and so when she saw Echidna about break down the last doors before she reached the palace’s centre, she launched herself from where she stood with a battle cry on her lips and flew at Echidna with her sword raised.

Echidna turned just in time and batted Y/N away, slamming her into a nearby wall. Y/N grunted from the harsh impact, but quickly pushed herself off the wall and charged again.

‘Feeble demi-god,’ Echidna hissed, punching at Y/N this time and sending her high into the air. ‘You think you can defeat me?’

Though struck with pain, Y/N pointed her sword down at Echidna as she came flying down. As Echidna made to swipe at her, Y/N timed a hard slice to the goddess' palm, cutting from the base of her fingers to her wrist. The goddess hissed with disdain as YN landed on solid ground again. An arrow fired into Echidna’s cheek, earning an annoyed wince from the goddess. Y/N turned to see Celeste, a well-trained archer, had gotten herself into the best possible position atop a broken chunk of wall. 

She notched an arrow quickly and sent it flying, this time landing near Echidna’s eye. She hissed again and made to lunged at Celeste when a spear pierced her upper arm. That drew a more pain-filled cry from Echidna as she clutched at the wound, smearing green blood over her hands. Y/N followed Echidna’s angry glare to find Andromeda almost opposite in height to Celeste on the opposing broke walls of the palace. 

Y/N’s heart almost stopped beating as Dick leapt from pillars that rose high above Echidna - how he got there, Y/N didn’t want to know - and on to Echidna’s shoulder. ‘Hey Monster Lady!’ he cried into her ear, narrowly missing a talon as she clawed at her shoulder. Using his acrobatic skills, he swung from one shoulder to the other and managed to land a few blows on her vulnerable cheek. He looked so small, so ridiculous, Y/N would’ve smiled were they not in the situation they were. But a sense of pride filled her as she watched the three of them. It made her actually begin to believe they could do it. They could defeat Echidna.

‘Enough!’

Echidna’s tail whipped quicker than lightning, and before Y/N knew it Celeste was being impaled by the giant talon on its end. A broken cry had barely fallen from Y/N’s mouth before Echidna was grabbing hold of Andromeda and crushing her in her bare hands. Dick leapt from Echidna’s shoulders before she could grab him, he didn’t fall fast enough to avoid her whacking him into a nearby wall. The impact was so hard that large pieces of rubble fell off with him as gravity pulled them both down. 

‘Dick!’ Y/N cried as he and the rubble hit the ground, dust spiralling everywhere so she couldn’t see anything. When the dust finally settled, she saw him lying down on his stomach, his bottom half pinned by heavy rubble.

He didn't move.

Furious tears spilled down Y/N’s cheek as she surveyed her fallen loved ones, as she looked back up at Echidna with an ire she hoped would burn the goddess to hell. Only able to see red, Y/N cried out in agony as she leapt at the goddess again, sword at the ready. With only Y/N to deal with, Echidna easily swiped Y/N into a nearby wall. Y/N clawed herself out of the hole she’d made and launched herself at Echidna again, managing to land a few blows on the goddess’ face before being punched into the air again. This time, Y/N cried out from the pain that rattled through her bones, from the muscles that were no doubt tearing and snapping. 

‘I am Echidna. Mother of Monsters!’ Echidna bellowed, and as Y/N started her descent, the goddess landed the final blow as she punched Y/N into the ground. 

Y/N could barely manage a scream as her body seemed to light on fire in agony. Get up. Get up! She mentally screamed at her body to move but her limbs did not respond. Even breathing was an effort as blood dripped from her mouth down her throat excruciatingly slowly. All she could do was look up at the broken roof above her, and Echidna as she leaned over her unmoving body. 

‘You never stood a chance,’ Echidna hissed, although the words came in different volumes. No doubt Y/N’s hearing was busted, but she still understood the monster above her, the taunts she presented. ‘The Amazons will die today. As soon as I kill your precious queen, the gods will know to fear my name. Say hello to your dear grand-uncle Hades for me, now.’

Y/N waited for the final blow to come, to see darkness and welcome it. But she was dealt an even worser fate. Echidna left, her steps vibrating through the ground, but they became softer and softer the further away she became. Get up. Get up! Y/N couldn’t let Echidna win, not when they had so much to save, so many lives on the line.

But Y/N could feel her injuries catching up to her, felt the blood pooling in her lungs faster, felt all the broken bones and torn muscles. Echidna had broken her, physically, mentally, and spiritually. Athena… Mother, please… She was sure no one heard her prayers, not even the almighty Zeus would waste time on a measly person such as herself. Someone who had failed her people and therefore condemned them either to death or a life worse than death under the rule of Echidna. 

But she did selfishly wish for one final thing. Echidna had punched her so much that Y/N laid in a crater of rubble. She couldn’t see Dick, couldn't check if he was okay. She highly doubted it after seeing Celeste and Andromeda be killed. Echidna had no mercy it seemed, and for that Y/N mustered up one last tear to fall down her face as she prayed by some hope that Dick would live.

As it did, her eyes closed, her chest stopped rising, and her body stopped feeling. 

~~~

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[lingeringscars]

I think spencer had a crush on caleb before they left high school, but it wasn't really about him then. She thought he and hanna were perfect for each other, and she craved that type of relationship. She saw how caleb was as a boyfriend, and that was what she wanted for herself. She knew it was unobtainable, and that also made it safe. She felt disconnected from Toby and foundational parts of their relationship were no longer true. She didn't think he cared where she was or even remembered that they were in a relationship most of the time. She no longer felt safe with him, but she did feel safe with caleb. She watched caleb work on himself and try to help hanna, while roby was nowhere in sight and not checking in with her. He represented everything she wanted before she realized he was everything she wanted.

[gnomewithalaptop]

Rereading the Our Worlds at War tie-in again and God I miss their friendship every day