#but it ended up just being an urban jungle like always

[wolfavens]

priya's new ciudad enamorada place 🪴

[shamelesstragedyenjoyer]

Hi!! Do you have any fav Jason Todd- centric fic recs?? I like your taste in Jason's hc and takes hehe

Needles or Pines by Lanternwisp.

Sometimes Little Reds walk the path of needles, forbidden forests are urban jungles, the Woodsmen don't make it in time and disobedient children get eaten by wolves. It's when the story doesn't have the decency to end there that things get complicated.

No One's Son by Lanternwisp.

When it's revealed to Gotham's underworld that Red Hood is the second Robin and without the Bat Clan's protection, it's not long before every gang, cartel and rogue he's pissed off has him in their crosshairs. It's almost as bad as the "family"'s determination to find him first.

"Maybe Mike had been right after all - Jason is a Gotham kid. A real one, assembled and built with dirt and blood and dark alleyways, and he can't be washed clean of what's him."

Ugly Organs by One_Step_Closer_To_Death.

Jason Todd’s love is a wretched and terrible thing to be on the receiving end of. His grief, on the other hand, is incapacitating.

"How do you say – I think when you held me last, your rib fused with mine, and my marrow now creates your blood, my heart beats in tandem with yours – bones of my bones and flesh of my flesh, brother."

Things That Make it Warm by One_Step_Closer_To_Death.

“I’m not ordering Hawaiian,” Jason says immediately as he pulls up the menu for the local pizza place. [...] “Not even if I say please?” “Fuck that.” Jason says, and orders Hawaiian anyway.

All Roofs of Uncertainty by Kieron_ODuibhir.

For all the blood on his hands, Red Hood was never just a villain. And Nightwing never gives up on family, not for good.

Reclaiming Innocence by MurtaghMorzanson.

Jason Todd was kidnapped at nine-years-old and given two options. Work for his keep, or be forced to to work for his keep.

When Everything's made to be Broken by WorkingChemestry.

Nobody knows Jason Todd, not really, but there are a few who know these three facts: Jason Todd is a comet—frozen, poisonous, gas and fragmented rock that burns and evaporates as it passes closer to the sun. Jason Todd is a dancer—spinning spinning spinning on shattered bones and slipping on the blood that soaks through his slippers. Jason Todd is laughter—red streaked giggles ringing like tinnitus in a roaring crescendo that drowns out even his own heartbeat.

And since I know you are into SamBucky (stalker-ish of me to be aware of, I know) here's my top 5;

Not the End but The Start Of All Things by Notcaycepollard.

They keep driving, for lack of anything better to do. A mission, Sam had said, and maybe that's true; maybe wherever they're headed is the way out, the way up.

Guard The Angel by Silentnun.

"但警惕心还是有的，他尝试性掀起一边眼皮，然后发现整个眼球都肿胀得厉害，太阳穴底下像藏了个不正常的��子中士，一跃一跃，不得安息。"

A Couple Rebel Top Gun Pilots by Notcaycepollard.

That seems to be the thing that breaks the ice between them; Bucky's never really hung out with Sam before, past being jammed into a too-small car for six hours and then two uncomfortable months in a safehouse trying not to get on each other’s last nerve. [...] He doesn’t notice, is the thing; doesn’t notice how ever since Sam's slept on his couch that night, he’s been letting Bucky closer bit by bit. That, as Bucky’s been wondering about the boundaries and structures of friendship, Sam’s been drawing in.

"There are weeks where he and Sam don't talk, where Bucky realizes they've gone days and days without seeing each other, and it always makes him think of the interiority of Sam's life. All the people he must know who Bucky's never met, the friends he has that are just names in his mouth.

It leaves this strange ache in his chest.[...]And he remembers what it was like to pour himself into somebody, the boundaries of their life and his blurring until it’s difficult to find the edges."

Diving Blind by Yukla.

Sam's about to exit out of the page and nag at Sarah for becoming a gossip-rag-follower when a voice starts piping out of his phone’s speaker. “Breaking news on our favorite superhero couple,” says the host of the show, bright and plasticky under the studio lights. “That’s right, folks! We’ve got solid evidence that the Cap and Winter Soldier romance is real—” Sam’s finger slams down on the pause button. What, he thinks, the hell.

I want to Feel Your Hearlines by Notcaycepollard.

The first time he watches Sam fall asleep, they’re in the stupid tiny car on the autobahn. Bucky stares at the back of Sam’s head, ignores how cramped his legs are. Watches Sam’s head slowly sink back and sideways until it’s slumped into the gap between the seat and the window. If he triangulates between the wing and rear-view mirrors, Bucky can see Sam’s face, slack with sleep, mouth soft. He wants to look and he doesn’t. He doesn’t know Sam Wilson at all, knows only that he doesn’t trust Bucky - an accurate assessment of Bucky’s threat level, Bucky thinks - and that he does trust Steve (also accurate, although probably stupid). Sam looks vulnerable, like this.

“It's fine,” Bucky says again, and means, you're warm, and means, you make me want to be gentle, and means, touch me again like I'm a person. Like you can take comfort from me."

"They sleep, and they sleep, fitting together in every bed for months, breath mingling and heartbeats blurring together until Bucky thinks Sam must carry both their hearts in his own chest."

[zet-zets-blog]

Spring 2023- one of the darkest periods of my life. Why didn't anyone warn me of how much of a rollercoaster ride entering your 30s would be?! This was also my last semester in grad school. I did a very expensive and not really worth it (tbh) urban planning degree from Columbia- a university that truly sucks the life out of you. I am describing that feeling here as: imagine yourself living in an ongoing gentrified neighborhood that's OVER policed, a food desert with alot of New York transplants that also happen to be very wealthy and have huge egos. YEAH- that was the start of my 2023.

Broke off my engagement because my ex partner had the audacity to ask me for an open relationship BEFORE our wedding this year?! AND HOOKED UP WITH MY BEST FRIEND IN GRAD SCHOOL literally after a couple of days of us being broken up?! Him and this ex bestfriend were there during the funeral I held for my sister. Sooo, Yeah no...

Ended up starting the year with a broken heart, that's still grieving their sister's death WHILE ALSO writing a thesis so I can graduate my grad program! I honestly cannot emphasize how stacked life felt like during the beginning months of this year. I was in a really REALLY dark place, and its interesting too because these were the moments where I learned SO MUCH about myself and just life and love in general.

Grief has a way of asking you your whys. Why are you living here? Why are you in grad school? Why columbia? What are you doing with your life? Are you even happy? Is that prestige really worth it? What ARE your values and are you living by them? Do you like yourself? What do you truly want? What is life? Like seriously, what is life? Its as if, you had to answer every question all at once or else you just fall in an eternal abyss.

And yet, the journey of grief is SO WORTH IT. The amount of peace you find at the end of that dark dark tunnel is euphoric- A NATURAL HIGH.

Hello dear readers (well whoever you may be!)

My name is Zet, I'm a storyteller that's currently living the 3rd decade of her life in this charming neighborhood called Sunset Park. I LOVE IT HERE! After being surrounded by ivy league kids and out of touch professors I have officially got myself out of the hellhole that is Manhattanville. I'm living in a majority immigrant enclave now, where I can wheel my granny cart to TONS of ethnic grocery stores! I live in this prewar apartment building, where I will need to climb three flights of stairs everyday. Finally living a life where I am completely... alone. I've also become that JOMO (joy of missing out) Tita- I just like smoking with friends at my fire escape, I schedule 10-year plan video-call hangouts with friends that live in other cities. At 30, I am WAAY more reflective, chill and genuinely content with how life feels and looks like right now. <3 It's funny how much can change in just a year. How much CAN HAPPEN within a year. How your life can completely turn a 180, be at your lowest point where you truly let the darkness take over you to a period in your life where you're seeing the magic in life's everyday.

If you would've asked me when I was 16 if I see myself living in this CONCRETE JUNGLE new york city, living alone in a 1 bed apt. , and still pursuing my writing? I would laugh so much and might also tell you to pray for me. Yeah, how can this Palayog girl live a life just like in the romcom movies and tv shows that she grew up watching? It's WIILD! I think I really did underestimate myself back then. You see, I've always felt like I was just existing since I was four. Life has always felt so random and too dramatic that I had convinced myself that I am in just a VERY LONG life simulation. Yet, here I am, existing and thriving, surrounded by so much love and genuine friendships. <3 Still living a full life, working for that true post-colonial world that's driven by community care.

[thowawayuntilfurthernotice]

So I had originally planned on doing a Danny Phantom retrospective, mostly because I’ve been watching a lot of video essays on YouTube about old media and internet personalities, and Danny Phantom was always one of those shows that I had a complex relationship with. But during my research, a simple question kept popping into my head over and over again. 

What does Butch Hartman actually do? 

He constantly keeps claiming that he created Danny Phantom, and a lot of people do consider Danny Phantom to be Hartman’s best show, but how involved was he? 

I’m not saying Hartman just slapped his name onto a product and took all the credit for himself, as he is credited for writing, storyboarding and directing various episodes. But from all the interviews and clips I’ve seen of him, he doesn’t seem to know that much about the show’s lore or why people like the show to begin with.

For example, the show clearly establishes that there are ghosts who used to be human at one point, but Hartman has always insisted that every ghost you see in the series is a supernatural creature from an alternate dimension. And that his explanation for why some ghosts are more human looking than others is because they wanna be human? Um…..okay. 

Feels odd that Hartman had a problem with the ghosts being spirits of deceased humans but he originally wanted Vlad to be a vampire. 

It’s also pretty interesting how Hartman never wrote any season two episodes, as that season is when the show started to heavily incorporate elements of serialized storytelling into its main narrative. Something that was previously absent from Hartman’s other show, The Fairly Oddparents. 

And yes, I am still annoyed that we never got a legit payoff to the Ring of Rage and Crown of Fire, they were clearly set up as these major plot points that were gonna be important later on, but were completely dropped entirely after Reign Storm. 

Guess now is the perfect time to talk about Steve Marmel and the controversy surrounding him. Long story short, Marmel was a writer who helped develop the series. A lot of the best episodes were written by him and once he left the quality went down the shitter. 

Many people have speculated that he was fired by Hartman/Nickelodeon for wanting the show to go into a more darker direction, while others claim he left due to creative differences. 

None of these rumors have been confirmed by Hartman, Nickelodeon or Marmel. And as such, should be taken with a huge grain of salt. 

Regardless of what you believe, you can’t deny that Marmel wasn’t influential during his time on the show. He really helped flesh out a lot of the characters and lore. 

Say what you will about the Green Bay Packers jokes in Bitter Reunions, but I kinda loved that aspect of Vlad’s character. It was a nice little touch that helped him stand out from your typical Saturday morning cartoon villain. 

And if I’m being perfectly honest, I don’t think Hartman could pull something like The Ultimate Enemy or Reign Storm off on his own, as he’s not that good of a writer. 

Which brings me to season three, now I don’t usually like parroting out the default opinion but, season three of Danny Phantom is just…..really bad. 

I’m not going to go into that much detail about season three, mostly because it’s a topic that’s been covered to death and I really don’t have anything new to bring to the table. But I will say that, if season three does anything well it’s that it showcases just how terrible of a writer Hartman actually is. 

Take for example the episode Urban Jungle, Sam’s eco friendliness is taken up to eleven, to the point where she starts feeling less like a character and more of a caricature. All she does in this episode is complain about how terrible humanity is, get captured and brainwashed by the villain of the week before getting rescued by Danny in the end. 

Oh, and Danny gets ice powers because…..reasons. 

I genuinely do feel bad for all the Danny Phantom fans who want to see a legit continuation or reboot, I came across a ton of amazing fan art and AU stories/webcomics that are a billion times more entertaining than the shit we got in season three. 

But alas, Nickelodeon has made it clear that they aren’t interested in a Danny Phantom revival/reboot, as they seem to only want comedy shows. Plus even if there was some sort of continuation, I doubt fans would support it if Hartman was heavily involved. Considering that he’s spent the last couple of years destroying any good will he had left with animation fans. 

Still, while the show may never get a proper continuation or revival, it will continue to live on in fan media form.

[alexandriaisburning]

+003: Desert Strike EP

Addendums, Archives and Appendecies is extra, off topic writing in addition to the regular CANON FIRE entries. You can support more writing like this on Patreon.

Based on Electronic Arts’ game of the same name, Fatima Al-Qadiri’s Desert Strike EP is a “soundtrack to a virtual war”, based on her experience playing the game in her childhood home in Kuwait. But while she and her sister retreated to the virtual war, the effects of a very real war were being felt right outside her door. The Gulf War had concluded just a year earlier, and the effects of the occupation still reverberated through the country.

Based on the conflict in the Gulf, Desert Strike saw you piloting a helicopter taking down various targets under the control of a caricature of Saddam Hussein. Operation Desert Shield began shortly after development of Desert Strike began, with its development concluding shortly after the end of Gulf War. Its proximity to real war brought it a morbid sense of reality. 

For Al-Qadiri, playing Desert Strike with her sister was a way to wrestle back control of a situation that a child couldn't comprehend. A way to apply rules and order to a daily life whose routine was dissolved. 

That distant, unreal atmosphere pervades her EP. The synth backed melodies sound far away, hard to focus on through the violence of the percussion. Kick drums reverberate as if through a deserted theater, while snares mix amongst sounds of gunshots, exchanged magazines and clattering bullet casings. Mournful choirs gently fill the space, speaking for the ghosts left behind. 

Desert Strike conjures images of sub-bassments, rumbling with the sonic debris, digitally crushed gunshots mixed with real ones. It's a march through sunlight that no longer seems to brighten the day. The sound of a ticking clock that no longer tells time, not because it's malfunctioned, but because time has lost meaning to all its observers. 

At some point during the album, I always find myself drifting off, the melodies fading to the background, tracks bleeding into each other. The percussion becomes indistinguishable from the gunfire. Was that a snare drum, or a gunshot? Each cracks through my mind the same way. 

---

In an interview with The New Inquiry, Al-Qadiri mentioned she can no longer play videogames. “Every time I attempt it, I am overcome with depression. Immediate depression. Whenever I try, my skin starts to crawl, I just put it down immediately.”

It made me think about my own relationship with games. I was born at the end of the Gulf War, in Saudi Arabia, and shortly after moved to Chicago, where I'd spend most of my life. I grew up watching the invasion of Afghanistan and Iraq from a distance, and hearing about the Egyptian revolution through phone calls from my father's family. I grew up experiencing war through a screen. 

The Gulf War is said to be “the first war fought through television”, with channels like CNN making their money and reputation through its coverage. It only became more true for future conflicts, as I watched the media write and rewrite events in the Middle East, twisting them into propaganda. I watched videogames tell bigger lies in higher fidelity. I spent my teenage years pointing a digital gun at people who looked like me. 

I never played Desert Strike. But I did play one of its sequels, Jungle Strike. I have vivid memories of its first level, a siege on a Washington DC that's been overrun by terrorists. Another terrifying image that was fed into the imaginations of Americans in the coming decade.

Maybe that's why Al-Qadiri's second album, Brute, resonated so much stronger with me. It's of a piece with Desert Strike--urban chaos, gunshots and distant, rumbling synths--but made of snapshots of police violence and protests. Images familiar to me here in Chicago. The heart of the "enhanced interrogation" techniques exported worldwide. A city I've seen trap protestors by raising the bridges to cut them off, shutting down train lines and raising walls of armored cops to close ranks on them. I've seen the rhetoric that justified US wars return to assure us this is the only way to keep us safe.

That distance--the gap of a few years that kept me from experiencing the Gulf War firsthand, those miles that kept me out of a Middle East toyed with by US intervention--it feels a lot smaller these days.

I keep playing war. I keep picking up the gun. But sometimes the toy looks too much like the weapon, and I find myself hesitating. 

Desert Strike EP and Brute can be listened to and purchased on Bandcamp:

[shagunrana2244]

Experience Gateway to Luxury Living: Explore Flat for Sale in Mulund

Runwal Sanctuary

Nestled in the heart of Mumbai, Mulund has emerged as a coveted residential destination offering a perfect blend of urban convenience and serene greenery. For those seeking an unparalleled living experience, Mulund stands out as a prime choice. Amidst this bustling locale, where every corner exudes the charm of a vibrant lifestyle, lies an oasis of luxury crafted by the renowned real estate developer, Runwal.

Established in 1978, Runwal has been a trailblazer in Mumbai’s real estate landscape, with a legacy spanning over four decades. Their commitment to delivering excellence is evident in their portfolio of 51 delivered projects, each contributing to the city’s skyline while fulfilling the dreams of over 20 thousand happy families. Now, Runwal presents yet another masterpiece flat for sale in Mulund, reaffirming its status as the Masters of Mulund.

If you’re in search of a sanctuary amidst the urban jungle, look no further. These flat for sale in Mulund offer an unparalleled living experience, where luxury meets tranquility. Step into the realm of Green Living, where every corner is adorned with lush greenery, promising a retreat from the hustle and bustle of city life. Imagine waking up to the soothing views of verdant hills and being greeted by the chirping of birds — such is the essence of Green Living.

Designed to perfection, these spacious 2 BHK, 2.5 BHK & 3 BHK homes boast perfect cross ventilation, ensuring a constant flow of fresh air and natural light. Moreover, with over 350 trees adorning the landscape, residents can immerse themselves in nature’s embrace right at their doorstep. But luxury doesn’t end there. With over 40 lifestyle amenities including a Squash Court, Indoor Games Room, Mini Theatre, and Landscaped Terrace, every moment spent here is bound to be filled with joy and relaxation.

Location-wise, these flat for sale in Mulund offer unmatched connectivity and convenience. Situated just minutes away from the Eastern Express Highway, Thane, and Mulund & Nahur Railway Stations, commuting becomes a breeze. Whether it’s a quick trip to the office or a leisurely drive to explore the city, you’re always well-connected. Plus, with recreational hubs like Johnson & Johnson Garden and shopping destinations like R Mall and Dmart in close proximity, entertainment is never far away.

For families with children, education is a top priority. Thankfully, Mulund boasts reputed educational institutions such as JJ Academy, NES International School, and St. Mary’s Convent High School, all within a few minutes’ drive from these flats. This ensures that your children receive quality education without having to travel far from home.

In conclusion, if you’re looking to elevate your lifestyle and experience luxury like never before, these flat for sale in Mulund are your gateway to a world of opulence and serenity. With Runwal’s legacy of excellence and Mulund’s vibrant charm, your dream home awaits. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to make Green Living a reality. Embrace luxury, embrace nature, embrace Mulund.

This article is also submitted on Medium:- https://medium.com/@shagunrana2244/experience-gateway-to-luxury-living-explore-flat-for-sale-in-mulund-d4455e613f5d

For more Visit Us-https://sanctuary.runwal.com/

[themysticmaverick]

🌆 Alright, fam, let's dive deeper into a topic that's all too real in today's fast-paced society – the relentless pursuit of success, and the notion that getting comfortable is a big no-no. 🚀

In this urban jungle, it seems like we're all caught up in the hustle. The pressure to keep pushing, never slow down, and achieve bigger and better things is ever-present. 🏃‍♂️💨 And while ambition is a powerful driver, there's a fine line between ambition and a never-ending race with no finish line. 🏁

We're often bombarded with messages that say becoming "regular" or "plateauing" is akin to failure. 📉 But let's break it down. Isn't it a bit ridiculous to think that we can never find a comfortable place in our lives, a point where we can just catch our breath, enjoy the view, and savor the fruits of our labor? 🍉🌇

The truth is, being comfortable doesn't mean we're settling for mediocrity. It's about finding a balance between our ambitions and our sanity. It's about hitting a rhythm where we're not constantly on the edge of burnout. 💥

Success should be measured by our personal growth and fulfillment, not just by society's definition of it. 📏 It's about the journey, not just the destination. There's a lot to be said for finding joy in the little things, embracing the mundane, and taking time to reflect on how far we've come. 🌄

So, let's break free from the chains of hustle culture that keep us sprinting on a hamster wheel. 🐹 Let's champion the idea that comfort isn't the enemy of progress, but a necessary companion. Being comfortable doesn't mean we're lazy; it means we're smart. It means we're taking care of our mental and physical well-being. 🧘‍♂️💆‍♀️

In a society where we're always chasing the next big thing, let's not forget that life is happening in the now. 🕰️ It's okay to embrace the regular days when we're not breaking records or achieving monumental milestones. It's in those regular days that we find our humanity, our connections, and our sense of self. 🌟

So, let's keep grinding, but let's also remember the value of balance. 📚 Let's work hard and dream big, but let's also take a breather when we need it. It's okay to pause, reflect, and appreciate where we are in our journey. 🛑

We're all on different paths, and it's perfectly okay to find comfort in your own unique way. 🌈 Let's redefine success on our terms and prioritize our well-being. After all, the most valuable thing we have is time. ⏳

Stay true to yourselves, fam. Keep chasing your dreams, but never forget that it's okay to be comfortable along the way. 💯 #RealTalk #BalanceIsKey

[linuxgamenews]

The Lamplighters League: Action-Packed RPG on Linux and Steam Deck

The Lamplighters League strategy RPG game launches on Linux and Steam Deck Verified with Windows PC. Thanks to the genius team at Harebrained Schemes. Now available on both Steam and Humble Store with 84% Positive reviews I've got some exciting news to share about a fresh strategy RPG game from Paradox Interactive and Harebrained Schemes. These are the folks who previously wowed us with classics like the Shadowrun trilogy and BATTLETECH. They're back with The Lamplighters League, and I'm here to break it down the details of this launch. Since the game runs on Linux via Proton, it's even Verified for Steam Deck. The year is 1930, but not the 1930s you've read about in your history books. This is a world full of unexpected twists and turns, bearing the feel of those old-timey adventure stories. At the heart of it all is The Lamplighters League, a crew of individuals that society might look down upon, but whom you'll come to admire. They range from gun-slinging bank robbers to powerful individuals who can control minds. Your role? Assembling the dream team from these fascinating characters. You're against the Banished Court, a formidable group with a massive advantage in terms of manpower, weaponry, and resources. They're all about global domination, so you've have your work cut out for you.

The Lamplighters League — Release Trailer

The The Lamplighters League challenge doesn't end there, though. As you navigate the story, you'll find that the experience tailors itself to your decisions. If you're too good at what you do, the opposition gets tougher, bringing in more enemies or making them harder to beat. It's all about keeping you on your toes! What makes The Lamplighters League even deeper is the incredible audio backing. The music, put together by the talented Jon Everist, truly captures the essence of this alternate 1930s world. It's the kind of score that not only sets the mood but evolves based on your actions. Quite impressive. Now, onto the The Lamplighters League gameplay. As you plan and execute your strategies, you'll be making use of each member's unique abilities. Some might prefer a stealthy approach, sneaking past adversaries, while others go in guns blazing. Plus, with the landscape of each mission being unpredictable, it's crucial to scout and strategize. I can't stress enough the importance of exploration in The Lamplighters League. From bustling urban areas to wild jungles, there's a rich tapestry of settings to immerse yourself in. And with each map also offering a unique layout, you're always in for a fresh challenge. The Lamplighters League strategy RPG title is not just about battles; it's about stories, characters, and a world that begs to be explored. You'll soon find yourself invested in the fates of these unlikely heroes. So, gear up and embark on this thrilling journey. If you're interested in knowing more, there's plenty of additional info out there. Launching on Linux and Steam Deck via Windows PC. Priced at $49.99 USD / £41.99 / 49,99€ on Steam and Humble Store.

[badonkeykong]

@dandelicn (x)

      ⸻ THE BRANCH HAD left her reeling, just a little. It hadn’t hurt, but her pride was certainly injured. She was grateful that he’d stopped for a moment so that they could pick foliage out of her mane. The trouble with having so much fluff was always getting stuff stuck in it, or getting it caught in things.

“Y-Yeah– I’m okay. Ahah…sorry.” She waves a hand dismissively, embarrassed but unharmed. “I’m actually in the area lookin’ for cousins of mine, but no dice so far. I’m from a different kingdom. It’s a lot more URBAN than this one is. We do have jungles, but…not really this dense, anymore.” She decided, then, that tucking her ukulele in her bag might’ve been a better idea. Two hands to fend away vicious branches were always better than one.

“My name is Dandelion - but, uhm. You can call me Dandie. Donkey Kong is a cool name - it seems like there are a lot of gorillas ‘n monkeys around here!”

——————————————————————————-

“Ohhh, you’ve got family out here?” The Kong heir had seen a plethora of lions within the jungle in his time adventuring through it, there was no telling which ones she happened to be related to. “Does one happen to have a big ol’ scar on his face and a bad attitude? I’ve ran into that guy a few times and he’s kind of a jerk.” His anger might have been justified though considering DK would often have to trespass on his territory in order to get to his favorite oasis in the jungle, (which he admittedly visited often),

“Hey, thanks! You can say DK for short if that’s easier.” he offers. “Some people try to call me by my first name only and it gets confusing.” …Cause he’s an ape and not a donkey.

“Okay, Dandie, nice to meet ya!” DK smiles, turning and beginning to move again once the lion had gathered her bearings. He moves slower this time just to ensure that she can keep up without being throttled by the never ending brush, his attention on her as they continue on. “That’s a pretty neat name, guessin’ your parents were fans of dandelions? Those things’re amazing in salad.” That was getting him thinking about food again…

“We’re almost there!” He tells her as they come to a river stretching through the jungle. The only way across was either swimming against an incredibly strong current or swinging on a vine. The large tree looming over the river on their side dawned several thick vines and DK takes to tugging on them experimentally in order to see which ones were sturdy. Sure enough, he finds two that aren’t immediately suspicious and offers one to Dandie.

“Careful, there’s a waterfall at the end of that river. If you need help, feel free to ask!” He had learned his lesson the hard way.

[buckysfaveplum]

it’s up that i fell

summary: the five years after the snap has changed a lot. with y/n on the run, her and Bucky have to make the best of the one moment they have together (based on As Long As Your Mine from Wicked)

pairing: bucky barnes x female reader

word count: 1.5k

warning: swearing, i think that’s it? idk maybe it’s not a happy ending

a/n: i just wanna start by thanking you all soooo much for the love you showed my first oneshot. y'all are too much! i hope you love this one too, it’s a short one. if you guys ever have requests or things you wanna see, feel free to message me!

and YES! part 2 of forcefield is coming!

masterlist

You never thought you’d miss the stench sidewalk garbage. The deafening car horns. Especially the turbulence on the subway. You’d taken the city for granted for too long. It brought you so much. It brought you to him.

Life on the run wasn’t so bad. A new city almost every month, country after country. You were never in one place for long. Guess that’s what happens when you go against some of the world’s biggest governments. The GRC always rubbed you the wrong way. Those five years were the darkest of your life. Friends, family, everyone gone in seconds. They were long, lonely years, but you made it through. Maybe you could’ve done a better job of staying connected to the family that stayed with you. You practically had to smash your phone to get some peace from Steve’s constant ‘how are you?’s or ‘i know you miss him’s. 

Perhaps ambushing a GRC relocation unit wasn’t the best idea. That amongst other things. But you couldn’t just let them get away with displacing so many people. When the snap was reversed, everything got crazy. Good people shuffled around like cattle, left without homes, jobs; it was chaotic. Maybe that’s why you wanted to stay away from him, well other than the US government breathing down your throat.

A few burner phones had kept you in contact with Sam. You stayed away from the fight with Thanos, avenging far in your past. He’d caught you up to speed in your short chats through static flip phones. He kept pushing you to come back to the city. Come on, you know you miss it! I can get you pardoned. Don’t you wanna get back to normal? You knew what it was really about. Bucky.

You wished you could see him, God, more than anything. But how? With his pardon, therapy, new apartment (all information relayed to you by your birdy friend). How could you jeopardize that for him? You missed him, five years worth of missed him. That, however, wasn’t just enough of a reason to put him in danger.

Surprisingly enough, New York City wasn’t the worst place to hideout. With eight million people roaming around the urban jungle, it was easy to blend in. Besides, it was only for a few days, not too long anyway.

Slipping out of your air bnb, you headed down the street to the farmers market. It was nice to pretend like everything was normal for once. You and him, back in Bucharest, grabbing plums at 7 am. As stressful as they were, you longed for those days. Huddled under a blanket on your worn-out mattress, tearing through articles and books hoping to jog his memory. You went on the run for him once, you do it again. Even if it meant going alone.

The market wasn’t too busy. Guess that was one nice thing about Brooklyn. You weaved your way through the small cluster of teens gathered in front of the peach stand, making a beeline for the plums. A smile eased onto your face as you picked through the royal fruits. All the memories came flooding back. You wished you could see him, more than anything.

You tossed the plums in your bag as you made your way back to your block. You’d been out for too long, long enough to risk being noticed. Wasn’t hard as a former Avenger. Cutting through the crowd of people crossing the street, you quickened your pace. You couldn’t seem to shake the gnawing feeling of being watched. Glancing over your shoulder, you caught the ducking of a tall man, dressed in black. Shit.

There went your normal morning. You hadn’t had a close call since Venice four months ago. Lucky, you’d been able to hide under a canal tunnel for long enough to getaway. Where were you supposed to find a canal tunnel in Brooklyn? You made quick to cut a sharp turn down the coming avenue. You had to lose this man. You’d be fine. Just ditch the creep, grab your bag at the apartment, then dip. Simple. Nothing you hadn’t done a dozen times in the past year. It’d be fine. Just keep going. Don’t slow down. Don’t turn around. Don’t-

Before you could process your next move, a stiff arm gripped your waist, pulling you back into a nearby alley. You tried to catch your breath as the tall man forced you into the corner against the eroding brick. Your mind began to spiral. Where were all your survival instincts? You were an avenger for crying out loud, and you were caught off guard by some stranger? In all your years, you’d only known one man who was able to catch you off guard.

“Y/N?” 

You froze. It had been years. There was no way. That voice had only come to you in dreams, nightmares in the beginning. Lingering in the back of your head every time you fled a new country. You’d been so careful to stay away. You needed to, for his sake. So how could he be here now?

Shaking, you glanced up. Any doubt you had was gone. Inches away from your face was the man you loved. He was different; slimmer, his beard and long treks gone, a sense of unfamiliar calm radiating off of him. He was getting better, you could see it. How you wished you had been there by his side through it all.

“Bucky,” your hands flew straight to his face. Caressing and searching, as if any moment he’d disappear under your fingertips as he did five years ago. Slowly, his hands snaked around your waist, light and careful. It was strange and foreign. 

“Where have you been?” he asked, his voice betraying him as it shook and cracked. You could feel his heart breaking in your chest. The tears building in his eyes, the tremors racking his frame, the worried creases by his brows. You did this to him. 

“Hiding. I’ve been on the run, Buck.”

“Why didn’t you reach out when you heard? I’ve been looking for you,” his words broke you. Tears of your own began to flow and you slid a hand to the nape of his neck.

“I… I couldn’t put you at risk. I’ve made some poor choices since you’ve been gone. Sam told me how you’ve been doing. I’m so proud of you. I just couldn’t drag you into this with me.”

Desperately, his hands made their way up to your face. You frowned as you felt a soft leather where the familiar cool of vibranium unusually was. You took his hand and slowly worked the glove off. Through your tears, you forced out a smile. 

“Please don’t hide this, it’s you,” you said, peppering soft kisses into his palm. You knew he couldn’t feel them but if anything that made you more desperate to make him understand you. “Please don’t hide any part of you. I love all of you.”

Bucky’s tears turned to sobs at your words. Without a thought, he pulled you to his chest caging you in his arms. Perhaps if he held you close enough, loved you hard enough, you wouldn’t leave him. Your throat burned. How could you do this to him, leave him like this? It hurt him and there was no way around it. But it had to be done. You had to keep him safe.

“Stay with me, Y/N. Please don’t leave me.”

“Bucky…”

“Doll, please. You’re my everything. Please stay.” 

“I can’t stay, Buck.” Pulling back, you took a good look at his eyes. Through all the years, all his changes, they stayed the same. Kind, beautiful, and welcoming. Leaving him was going to be so much harder this time. 

“Hun, you’re gonna be okay,” you said, pressing your forehead to his. He began to stir, gripping at your waist fearfully, like if he let you go, you’d disappear. He struggled to find words, mumbling, and stuttering, searching for something to say to make you stay with him. Nothing turned up. Just more tears.

“Please, Y/N. I love you,” he said.

“I love you, too. That’s why I can’t put you in danger,” you said, giving him a kind smile as you played with his short locks. 

“Doll-”

 “Can’t we just enjoy this moment, Buck?” You pulled him close, the last effort to try to convince yourself to stay. You wished you were more selfish. You wished you could follow him out of the alley, back to his home, and lay with him forever. But you knew you had to leave. You had to keep him safe. Maybe one day you’d find your way back to each other. But for now, you had one moment, and even if it wasn’t enough, it was there.

[pransesdp]

2, 3, 11, and 12 for the latest meme?

2) What’s your favorite fic?

Ack, tbh I haven't really been too up-to-date on reading DP-related fics these days 😅... but I do remember this one fic about an AU-version of "The Ultimate Enemy" (where Sam ended up surviving) was an interesting story to read through from what I recall.

3) If you could canonically rewrite any episode, which would you chose?

Heh... weell there's actually a few that's always been on my mind for potential "rewrite" material (not counting "Phantom Planet" 'cause I mean, everyone does that lol). Here's the three that's been most on my mind atm:

-"Teacher of the Year" (S1) = Had a good premise going with Lancer getting more development + the videogame adventure aesthetics looking cool... but I really could've done without that random "Danny and Tuck act sexist to Sam outta nowhere" subplot :/. Like... weren't these three friends since like, 2nd grade? Why would they act so condescending about her playing games as they do (+especially knowing how Sam is, I doubt she would've let this slide if she's gonna keep hanging out with them)? It just felt so OOC & unnecessary to the story that I honestly think it'd be best to just scrap it (and instead replace it with like, a story of the trio just playing the games on equal terms without much conflict (except maybe getting more "casually" competitive or something for high score-purposes)? Idk-)

-"Urban Jungle" (S3) = While I do still enjoy this one alot based purely on entertainment-value (+all the cool aesthetics like Plant!Sam & Danny's new ice powers), a part of me does feel like it would've benefitted a lot more by being a full-on movie than a regular episode. More time to give the heroes some big stakes, character development, more intense fights (+Plant!Sam being more "active" of a threat), yknow all that jazz .3.

-"The Ultimate Enemy" (S2) = I know this is a fan-favorite by the fandom and all... buuuut yeah, I'm still not all that impressed by it tbh :p. Like, okay sure having that darker atmosphere and Danny's biggest "enemy" being the fear of growing up is a good idea in-theory... but, again how does it make sense for him to turn to Vlad when losing all his loved ones?? Like... you couldn't have just had Danny doing the "splitting-my-halves-apart" ritual himself out of his own personal guilt? Honestly I feel like that angle could've added more weight to the story + show how much Danny's ghostly side has become a core part of him than he realized (think of it like how Steven Universe became so drained/close to dying when his "Gem" side got taken out in the "Change Your Mind" special). Then I guess if you had to include Vlad, it'd be through this now-separated Phantom!Danny chasing him down for "revenge" and absorbing his powers, forming into the "Dark Danny" you see today. Or... idk, maybe thats just me lol.

11) Most underrated fic trope?

It pains me that I still have yet to see that many others exploring more of the family backgrounds for some of the characters outside of Danny... like, cmon especially with a case like the gloomy goth girl Sam growing up with preppy/controlling rich parents, it always made curious of how she must've coped with that growing up :c. Sam with those like Tucker as well since we only see his folks in snippets in the show, wonder what they must be up to?

12) Most overrated fic trope?

Idk if this is still a thing "regularly" by the current fandom but... could never really get the appeal of "dissection" fics tbh (let alone performed by his own parents ._.). Like, don't get me wrong I'm all for exploring a bit of "dark" themes here and there fanfic-wise but... really? Danny's folks? The same people who accepted their son wholeheartedly when he first revealed the truth in "Reality Trip"? Idk, just feels too OOC for me to see them doing such a thing to their own kid (ghost-researching jobs or not) .-.

[worldsover]

Judgement to the Desiccated ft. Karina

length ✦ 5573

genres ✧ sm type future; asphyxiation; blackmail; virtual_servant!Karina;

✦✧✦✧✦✧

Air did a poor job of not being polluted so Lee Soo Man flooded the world instead. The man himself certainly must be long gone and could not have been in charge of that decision but the legacy of his company far exceeds the legacy of any other human collective in history. Once on this planet, gas was the fluid of choice for respiration and breathing was an unconscious reflex. Now there’s Aether by SM. How very on-brand of them to have the liquid air you breathe follow perfume naming conventions.

Open your eyes and exit the sleeping chamber. Aether has you work for each inhalation, it desaturates the color of the bedroom—maybe there’s a subtle but uncomfortable tinge of yellow—and it makes your nose itch. Your muscles wield much less force than they used to because of the lack of resistance the fluid provides. Moreover, it smells like hairspray as though the ozone layer is taking sardonic revenge.

Screens impersonating windows track your eyes to ensure realistic parallax, playing the scene of divine blue heavens that could not exist. An azure sky is a reward for those planets that have an atmosphere and a sun for light to scatter. Your walls are either chrome or drywall white and your whole bedroom is plainly decorated just like the day you moved in.

“Etymology of bedroom,” you think out loud, though it falls on no ears.

“Bedroom is a compound noun consisting of bed and room. Bed goes back to Old English bedd ‘sleeping place, plot of ground prepared for plants,’ which goes back to the Germanic-”

Plants and sleep are both strong words to use nowadays. The former doesn’t exist in nature and it seems you’re the only one who bothers with the latter. Faint buzzing distracts you from the AI’s response and signals you to the nano drones that swim throughout the liquid to process carbon dioxide from your lungs. This whole ordeal could’ve been much worse if you didn’t have brain interfaces doing the hard part of controlling your diaphragm. The most you need is a purposeful thought. Still, it gets tiring having to think the same thought every three seconds. In. Out.

Was the metaphorical Soo Man teaching a lesson in perseverance? You love K-pop and imagine it’s how trainees used to practice dancing, singing, being charismatic. Being an idol had to be as natural as breathing air. Inhale and exhale. Right now with any antiquated programming language you clung on to, you could write a single for loop that did the same job. For every three seconds: breathe in, breathe out.

“What’s for breakfast today?” Not loud enough. “What’s for breakfast?” you think it louder.

“Welcome, master. Ae-Karina is ready for service.” It’s quite a kindness for SM to blur the bland dystopia you live in by augmenting reality through your neural device. A bosomy woman in a gold-lined but otherwise modest maid outfit appears from the corner of your eye and she bows. Ae-Karina is bewitching and almost becoming of her basis as its graphics have gradually upgraded over the rotations but you wouldn’t misconstrue the avatar as human.

“I said, what’s for breakfast!” It feels impolite to scream in your head, there’s other residents there, but finally the fridge lights up.

“Of course master. May I remind you eating is unnecessary?”

In. Out. Every day, she does remind you, yes. How kind of the company to put all your nutritional requirements in the new air. Aether goes in then Aether goes out. You wish the thoughts of breathing could fade into the background but they’re just like your cravings for food. Always hungry but never starving, whole though not once satisfied. Your eyes pause at her gorgeous face and she tells you there’s bacon. Take it from your fridge. Bacon goes in. Well, the drones take care of the out.

Your assigned living space is the entire 207th floor of a tower. Two hundred and seven floors below the surface. The neighbor a few floors upstairs says that he thinks living deeper is a sign of status. What a luxury. That guy should check the status of his facial muscles, maybe improve his code that lets him tell lies while he’s at it. A couple hundred flights of stairs to swim up is a useless skeuomorphism of skyscrapers in the days of the sun. In fact they were more than useless, you would've preferred a single vertical hallway as it would have let you propel upwards unimpeded. Each floor is the exact same, a glass door that affords no privacy for its residence, a false tree on each side. At the upper levels, malls, convenience stores and other gaudy retail, but it’s the gyms that mock you that you mock in return. They’re always empty.

Finally reaching the top is no true break even if it is a change in scenery. Inhale. Aether tastes a little different up here. Exhale. Can’t say you like it.

Countless satellites form a parody of the star from which the planet flew away, the false image refracted by the upper boundary of Aether. They can’t take away your memories of this star. Looking up at the sky once blinded you with ultraviolet radiation, burning your cornea. It was beautiful. Now everyone’s decided that if they’re playing the part of corporate dystopia, they might as well fit the aesthetic. In a way, it’s self-fulfilling. They wouldn’t have chosen a neon pink sun to compliment the blue and metallic gloom of the cityscape if it weren’t so ingrained in popular media already.

Still, you would’ve expected Google or Walmart to become the megacorp responsible for the state of the world, not a Korean entertainment company. Must’ve been quite the red paperclip scenario. Instead of material design or utilitarian architecture, tacky artistic structures line the streets. The same advertisements for albums that they’ve been selling for the past however long. It's all so obvious, the city could've been designed from scratch to accommodate new forms of travel and goddamn liquid air but instead they went with futuristic Tokyo.

Dubstep permeates your inner ear implants. A notification informs your thoughts that it’s “Hip-hop EDM dance pop with a strong jungle house groove and urban influences.” It’s dubstep. Liquid carries barely any sound so SM affords the option for implants if you're nostalgic for one of the senses. Even though it’s a slower form of communication than direct neural transfer, the noise comforts you. Of course the company would choose dubstep as their background music, but maybe they make money off refunds somehow. It switches to Ice Cream Cake. Much better.

You walk the not so busy roads towards a short brick warehouse in the distance and heavy rain soaks your clothes. No such thing as weather without the sun and water but it’s all simulated anyway.

A warm Seulgi adlib and you know it’s Psycho that starts playing. No, none of your senses are real. The most you could trust is your vision but even that’s being lied to. You could be living in a vat and fed all these thoughts, but then why make it so mediocre? Not paradise, nor torture but a lukewarm in-between. Guess that's what happens when SM Entertainment manages the post-apocalypse. Good on them for trying. The alternative would be a frozen hellscape without solar radiation. Can’t deny their work with geothermal and nuclear energy to keep the Aether warm so that you didn’t have to live underground for the rest of human history. It’s quite great PR to save humanity.

“Hey now, we’ll be okay,” repeats a few more times than you remember.

The Idea Factory Alpha White Delta Green says the neon tubes lighting the front of the brick and mortar building. Your ID card bears a name but it’s not yours, not until they approve your name change. Those usually get processed faster with how often people liked changing their names.

Sit at a desk with a sterile white keyboard and slick new monitor. Type and empty words appear on the screen: “Think for the many, not for the one. We need to think ahead.” A thumbs up. The company appreciates the input. That’s probably enough work for one day. Some SNSD live stages help the time pass, SM certainly appreciated the streaming numbers and it would net you some social points.

It’s hard to say what comes to mind when they ask you to envision a world without the sun and air, especially since it’s what you’ve known for... Two hundred years? There’s no frame of reference, that much you can tell from when you counted seconds to see how often the satellites completed their orbit. SM really took time to have them propel at random speeds, they love withholding sensitive information like that from citizens. To be fair, time is sensitive. Guess the meaning of that phrase changes like all parts of language.

Look around. Dozens of employees at identical workspaces all try to answer the same questions. Naturally, there’s no need for manual labor anymore but there will never be a replacement for human ingenuity. Nice slogan but you know you’re only here for data. Can’t see a need for customer retention though—what’s the alternative, skip Earth? See you on another planet?

“Hey bro, you come up with anything new?” Dave says. Two desks away, you see the enthusiastic, surprisingly spry man play around with a Newton’s cradle. The balls at each end bounce back and forth, not slowing down their rhythm any time soon.

“I think I got something,” you say, “Earth is not the answer. It can’t be, long term.”

“Ooh, I like that. Actually, I really like that.”

“What are you gonna do, copy me?”

“Of course not. You know how much SM hates plagiarism.” Click. Clack.

“Ha. As if there’s a single original thought left in the world.” Click. Clack. The imaginary sounds of metal spheres bouncing play in your mind. They got the volume wrong, no way it’d sound that loud from that distance. “You’d think with all their resources, they’d have figured out space travel by now.”

“I don’t think they want to leave, bro. Wouldn’t be great for profits.”

Your mouth opens to laugh and causes laugh8942.mp3 to play in Dave’s head. “I love it. SM probably hates that sass too,” you say.

“Oh no, they’re gonna arrest me for thoughtcrimes. Nah, they love creativity, just when it suits them. Also, if they actually did bust you for wrongthink like rumors say, I wouldn’t have this on me.” Dave twirls a finger and points at you and you thank his absurd flair for the histrionic that keeps you amused with such drab work.

“NewDrug.mp6. Would you like to play it?” the dry system voice notifies you.

“Woah woah there tiger, hold on.” Dave must’ve noticed your intrigued eyes and holds his hands up. “You might wanna experience that at home. But if you’re interested in more, ask for chicken parm at the vegan place. You know the one.”

Dave leaves his desk. He doesn’t return. You finish your work. Inspire. Expire. You’d rather not.

In contrast to your commute to work, the roads fill with others on your way home. You have to know. Take solace in the comfort of a bench where a huge McDonald’s arch bathes the surroundings and its people with a yellow glow. Really shouldn’t watch it now, especially if Dave says it’s a home type of watch but you have to know. A family of five watches you pass out. They, along with every other passerby, ignore your still body draped over the chrome outdoor seating as you look like yet another junkie. The title is correct after a fashion, the simulation is some sort of new drug. The details of the exploits that happen in the immersive replay wash over you but you don’t need them to know that it’s the sort of lewd that SM would not allow—at least not publicly and not without the right exorbitant payment.

Suit pants and underwear go straight to the laundry. That must’ve been an embarrassing sight but no one bothered to stop you, so it doesn’t matter. Look up where this vegan place was that Dave so presumptuously assumed you knew about and you find that it’s about four Avengers’ stores down from work. He must’ve eaten there before.

“Yo Dave, just wanna make sure, what’s the name of the vegan place called?”

“What are you talking about, man? You telling me there’s some secret underground farms that SM wouldn’t know about?”

You can’t tell when you got to work, a lack of standardized timing would help as well the haze of living in a monotonous dark. “Nah, I mean, for the-”

“I have no idea,” Dave emphasizes each word, “what you’re talking about.”

“I see.”

Work flies by, unusually.

“Hey, can I get a chicken-”

“Uh, this is Maron’s Veggies Only, it clearly says on the sign.”

Clear your throat. “Parm.”

The shifty part-time worker looks around and rubs his fingers gesturing for money. “No digital.”

Over the counter, you pass him a gold coin stamped with a holographic 1 and he hands you a USB stick and a laptop in return. How old-fashioned.

“It’ll sync with whoever you have set as your avatar experience aspect,” the worker says.

“Thanks.”

Ever vigilant as the patrol is, the alleys are the last place you want to go to hide with the obvious criminal element within them all but you head to one anyway. Dump the anachronistic technology in your storage pocket dimensions. Looking at its contents, you’d have to clean that mess up later, but the more you look like an average slob the better. The biggest problem with the inventories is all the people squatting in them. Inspectors wouldn’t care about the archaic ruins you left in yours.

“Welcome, master. Ae-Karina is ready to service.”

“I’d like to go on a date. A special date.” You highlight the key word special and sit on your living room couch. No one’s going to look in your glass door and regardless, you wouldn’t be the pervert for glimpsing into someone’s home.

“Ah yes, master. Ae-Karina is ready to fully service,” she says with a provocative tint in her tone, her sclera disperses to black to match. A pole drops from the ceiling while parts of her maid outfit dissolve which reveals more of the silky skin of her thighs, her lissom arms and most importantly her overflowing breasts. Ae-Karina wraps her legs around the pole and spins around, teasing fingers trace curves on her body to harden you. Her dance is precise but sultry regardless. She pulls up her short skirt to flaunt more of her ass beneath white panties and then pulls down to flourish her cleavage, not trapped by a bra. “Are you enjoying your maid’s show?”

“Very much so, yes,” you say.

Half of a smile forms before a glitch occurs and she teleports next to you, fully nude. It doesn’t pull you out of the illusion however. You just stare and drink in the splendor of her created body.

“You’re not going to touch?” Ae-Karina says.

A feel of her tits and you find it softer than pillows you used to rest on. Soft isn’t much of a character that exists anymore when the whole world is engulfed in liquid. No one has beds, especially with the rarity of sleep. Therefore, her mounds are a consummate dedication to the texture as you squeeze and pinch at her cute nipples.

Her maid outfit rematerializes as she straddles you. It provides more friction to your pants as she begins her lap dance. The weight of her body dragging across your legs and clothed erection induces your carnal impulses further. If only you could fuck the virtual idol. You have to make do with the imprint of her pussy lips on your bulge sliding up and down. Breath in. Breath out.

Ae-Karina pulls down your boxers and spits on your erection. It's not real but her hands so slick on your cock and you let reality slip. Real is for the past, you have desires gratified in the present. There is no real person nibbling at your neck but your nerves activate in sexual desire without discernment for truth. No, she doesn't love you, but when the voracious mass of ones and zeroes says it loves its master, you say it back.

"I love you."

ILOVEYOU infected ten million computers in 2000. An explosion. Calibration engaging. It’s 1:21 PM, Sunday, July 18, 2286 and hypothetically the sun would be out in its full rage. At this latitude and longitude, you’re at what was once the epicenter of all—Seoul, where a fountain caused a chain reaction allowing the hopeful remnant of a world to exist. It lasted a surprisingly long time without the sun and without Aether but the dying planet would succumb inevitably to the ever-increasing contamination so SM of all corporations took charge. A different kind of chain reaction occurred when they acquired a restaurant chain that discovered the recipe for liquid air. The law is on its way and prepared to punish you to its full extent.

You reel while your ears ring. An even sexier version of the woman you already fantasized about appears from your peripheral vision in the crater of your floor. A skimpy cop outfit, striated with reflective material that seems to wane black at different angles, outlines Karina’s curves. She has a tool belt with absurd gadgets, such as a knife baton hybrid, a taser combined with a spray bottle and a Tamagotchi. None of this is necessary. They could just immediately arrest you, impose limitations on your devices. Sure, SM cloned people to deal with underpopulation, but why Karina would be the enforcer is a whole nother issue. Maybe the entertainment company loves their irony?

“Halt. You’re under arrest. Any resistance will be penalized according to the combined Terms of Service of all SM and SM associated products.”

Fucked anyway, you figure you might as well go for it. Escape into your inventory and only seconds later you’re forced out. You manage to get what you need regardless.

“Violation of access rights will be charged to your account.”

It’s so obvious but there’s a reason you kept so much gold in physical storage. As you swim away, the sides of your apartment start to bubble. Bubbles? Already, your limbs feel unsteady. Something’s wrong in the Aether.

“This is standard procedure for escaping suspects that are indoors. Again, this is all agreed to under the Terms of Service.”

“When the fuck did I ever click accept to that shit?”

“When you were born in this world and decided you want to stay in it,” Karina says out loud. You hear her say it. Your physical ears process the vibrations in the air that come from her mouth. Gravity thwarts your desperate escape as your limp body floats on the limit between liquid and air. The atrophy of your muscles becomes apparent within the gaseous atmosphere. She watches you sink down as the room drains of all the false air though her eyebrows crease when she inspects you closer. Your breaths are involuntary. Despite your muscles shorting out, the force of gravity and the pressure of the gas bearing down on you, you’re breathing and you don’t mean to. Her eyes wander farther down. On your pants, a concrete rod stamps the fabric.

“Oh, you like what you see?”

“Shut up, criminal. Anything you say can and will be used against you.”

“Your pussy,” you say and she scoffs.

“Original.” Karina bites her lip as your erection continues to grow behind its prison. You use all effort to put your hands up.

“Please, miss Karina. I’ve been bad.”

“I could punish you even more for sexual assault.”

“Then do it.”

Heat radiates the room in a way you haven’t felt in a while and droplets of sweat form on each of your bodies, especially on the thighs that her revealing outfit parades. Her facial features contort in deliberation and the wait kills you. You bat your eyes at her before Karina takes off her tight shorts and drops herself into your anticipatory face. This makes no sense but none of this life made any sense so you decide to go with the tides.

Centuries of training your respiration has led to this moment, but when you finally have real air to breathe, you spit at the opportunity and choose to suffocate. Then you spit at her pussy and lap it up. Karina’s nectar transfixes your olfactory glands, for once a smell that isn’t the sterile Aether. Your eyes are mesmerized in parallel because of the perfect design of her pussy, a single crease that leads into her hole that your tongue emphatically explores. Karina spreads her thighs wide to reveal a small nub that craves attention. So give it. Suck and swirl and flick your tongue, and the woman provides you the tight clench of her legs as a gift. And the sounds, rediscovered glorious noise. Loud, almost too loud, and clear is how they assault your ears, even surrounded by the flesh of her thighs. Muffled by the weight of her legs, you hear Karina moan in approval but she’s still clearly in charge with how she chokes you with her legs. This is not about your pleasure but hers, and any satisfaction that you derive is not only incidental but probably punishable by SM copyright law.

Karina squirms her hips subtly on your mouth. Her eyes are sharp and she’s just about to stop your hands from moving but she notices them clasp together.

“I’ll do anything to make you cum, please.” you say sloppily as her pussy juices fill your cheeks and drip down your chin.

“God. I can’t.” She takes deep, contemplative breaths. ”That’s more time added on for inappropriate behavior.” Her groaning and brief squeals make her words sound incogent.

You give her a concluding lick and a kiss on her slit. “So what have you been doing right now then?”

Point to a corner of the room and a subtle red light indicates a recording camera. At once, she pulls out a hose from a pocket that could not fit it and the vacuum submerges the room with noise. Her expression shifts quickly to serious.

“We don’t play games here in SMTOWN unless it’s SuperStar so don’t fuck with me.”

“Look who's trying to be a comedian. How about you fuck with me any further and the video gets released.”

“That’s funny, you think you have any sort of power-”

“Yoo Jimin, I suggest you don’t push me more.”

“Where do you know that name from? Right now.” She weighs herself down on your neck.

“You think I don’t have contingencies for if I die too? Karina, we can make this a  win-win scenario. We both get to cum, we both get to walk away unscathed.”

“Fuck you.”

Your weak arms wander between her thighs. At any moment, a feeble punch towards your face or another ten seconds of asphyxiation and she could call your bluff. Even if you did have the ability to expose her perversions in any way, there would be no permanent recourse, not as long SM was in charge. So it surprises you when Karina takes off her shorts. 

“Goddammit. Your cock just looks too good. And your mouth, how are you so good with it?” Put up five fingers when she motions to remove her top as well, and instead she opts to take off your clothes, seizing your pants and throwing them to join the rubble in the room.

A finger slips in, then two and a third dares. Her flawlessly architected pussy lips clings to your digits and Karina shudders in reply. You explore her wetness and find it’s smooth to the point of having no faults, but her juice inside is gloppy and causes your fingers to stick more than the liquids she spills from her slit.

“Who said you’re allowed to have more?”

You lap up the nectar on your fingers. “Then why’d they make you taste so good?”

Your thumb teases her sweet tight asshole and puts just the slightest amount of pressure on it while you finger her with more intensity. The mass of her butt burdens your torso the closer she gets to orgasm. Her eyelids squeeze close and you see her body ripple in anxious pleasure. Karina shows off her pearly whites, teetering on the cliff of hysteria.

“Yes, yes! I’m so close,” she screams.

"Not yet."

“Fuck." Karina sobs, "God. Damn, fuck I'm sorry. I'm sorry. Just fuck me.”

“My pleasure,” you say. There’s no need for you to grab her since she brings herself down to your groin, which you’re thankful for as your arms are as good as jelly now. Fortunately, your cock throbs as hard as ever while Karina’s slit rests on it.

“Say you’ll delete it all, all the evidence, promise me.”

“You’re gonna fuck me first or what?” Your breath hitches while she makes a strangled noise as her velvety walls swallow your cock whole to leave no room for comfort. Her tightness is stifling and you have to start counting just to breathe again.

“One two-”

“Be quiet.”

But there is no quiet when pleas for your cooperation intersperse her excessive profanities when she seats herself into your cock and ricochets up and down. Sweat emanates from her creamy skin while her legs widen to find a better angle for her supporting knees in her cowgirl position. Grapefruit and other citrus mingle with the scent of the sweat, fruits you haven’t seen except on billboards in music videos. As much as your mind crackles and your blood roars for every atmosphere of pressure Karina’s walls provide on each thrust in and out, you can’t help but reminisce on sweeter, more innocent times.

The white fluorescent lights in your apartment sputter. For all the advancements in technology, some among many things never change. Light refracts differently in air, less bright, but you can see the pure enjoyment on Karina’s face no matter the luminescence. Karina slows her ride to pull her hips down harder instead and she jolts when your cock finds the most tender spots inside her pussy and it interrupts her babbling.

Karina almost hyperventilates when she gets up to spit on your cock. She pulls out some kind of meter from her tool belt and sighs when there’s no beeping and you recognize it having to do with carbon dioxide. She gets back to dribbling saliva and the filament trailing down to your shaft mesmerizes you. This spit is real, not simulated, and it wettens your erection in a mix with her pussy juices to paralyze you further in your already listless state. Her bare thighs jiggle and you can’t exert much force with your hands but her buttcheeks are firm with just a bit of give.

“Thank you for this cock, thank you for being bad,” Karina says as you watch her ass sink deeper while her pussy holds your dick taut. She’s frenetic when bounces up and down to play an unadulterated orchestra of slick noises between your groins.

“You’re welcome,” you accomplish getting out the words between planned breaths. Your hands cup her buttcheeks but you fear they may break with how she strikes her ass into you.

Karina turns around once more to give you the spectacle of her facial expressions as she fucks herself into you. Knead her calves laying on your torso and they take no energy to spread them though she brings them back together, compressing your hard shaft within her pussy. A new game you play with her, a separate rhythm of loosening and tightening. Her feet press on your chest to help her bounce, but the way they bear down on your lungs against the timing of your breathing causes you to fumble. Your cock bends straight forward as she plunges herself into you and it sends prickles to your entire skin, making the new angle difficult but worth it. Karina takes your hand and starts sucking on your fingers.

“You want my promise that bad?” you say.

“Yes, as bad as I want your cum. I swear, I need it.”

She draws her knees up to her torso and hugs her legs to keep thighs as tight together as possible. Karina couldn’t keep her word, she was trying to kill your cock with constriction.

“Fuck, your pussy is so fucking tight. God, Karina, fuck. You’re so good.” Even if good isn’t the word you want to use to describe her.

“Do it, please, please. I’m sorry, I’m so sorry, baby. Karina can be a good girl, a good maid, a good cop, whatever you want. Just don’t get me in trouble, please.”

Karina’s mouth stops saying words though her lips writhe, drunk in increasing lust. Her cheeks flush, before the rest of her skin joins in redness while she grapples your chest and whatever spare limb she can find. You still struggle wresting control of your body but nature seems to take over when you drive yourself into her and match her needy cadence. The air in the room is replaced by a new air but it isn’t Aether. Passion, sweat, heat and all fluids that you both exude join squelching sounds, slaps and moans in harmonic bliss when her body tenses and she screams. As her body tightens, her pussy especially holds your cock for dear life and endeavours to wring out all your semen as her wetness throbs and spills. Karina starts counting to three repeatedly and you laugh though your amusement quickly subsides when you feel her juices become more viscous and she continues her ride, even in the dying pulses of her climax.

“Was I good?” Karina asks.

Just a moment goes by before you mentally send her a screenshot of all the recordings being deleted. Karina hasn’t stopped fucking you yet so at least it wasn’t a ploy.

“Thank you, thank you, I love you.” The flexion of her pliant legs brings them all the way back to rest on top of your legs. Karina lays prone above you and finally give you a kiss. The citrusy flavor may be closer to lime than grapefruit but it’s been so long that you can’t remember which scent is which. Lips crash and her tongue lashes out at yours trying to establish dominance. Keep still to let her investigate your mouth while her pussy does the same to your shaft.

You savor the way Karina’s top emphasizes the bouncing of her tits synchronous with the rebounding of her waist on your cock, but your mouth waters when she frees them. Take the shortest moment to relish in the sight before Karina smothers you with her plump globes. You wriggle your face to try to breathe. Inhale, up and exhale, down, but all you inhale is the scent of her orbs’ sweat. Her hips undulate with a pace at least double yours breathing and the echoes of slapping flesh resonate throughout the air-filled chamber. The loudness is unlike any you’ve experienced in a long time. It’s almost a flashbang every time her ass slams into your lap, especially as you start to see white when orgasm threatens to overload you with preludial pulses.

The last words you hear infected ten million computers in 2000. Fade to black. Cut. You’re slammed out of existence back into existence as a sun rebirths both within you, heating your core to a dangerous high, and from your eyes, dazzling you in an unforgiving white light. In the throes of unconsciousness relapsing to consciousness back to tenebrosity, your streaks of semen suspend in the Aether like a dead tree resting from the wind. What flashes your mind in its orgasmic state are two things only you would remember, plants and weather. Your hyperventilation is unconscious but not unwelcome, as it’s the first time in a while your breaths were reflexive even in the liquid air. However, basking in your newfound power, you start to choke. Right. You breathe in and out again. In and out. In. Out. In. Out. Back in.

“Replaying KarinaArrestsYou.mp6.” A hint of vexatious glee in the system’s otherwise dry voice. You don’t stop for it.

✦✧✦✧✦✧ 

AFF, AO3

It’s pretty silly but the idea danced around in my head ever since I saw the absolute Black Mirror concept that SM had for aespa and I concur that Karina is insanely hot.

As I’m writing this, this Kurzgesagt video on the idea of a rogue Earth comes out and now I have to rewrite stuff to make it at least a little consistent. I’m obviously already going nuts with all these ridiculous sci-fi concepts but this video almost feels too targeted to me writing this for me to ignore it.

[bump1nthen1ght]

Pack Tactics (Werewolf x Reader)

Pairing: Fem!Reader/Male!Werewolf

Genre: Urban Fantasy, Established Couple, Angst with a happy ending

Warnings: None

Word Count: 2896 words

Summary: You are in a wonderful relationship with your sweet partner, Gray. But this far into the relationship, you’ve yet to tell him you have no intentions ever of having kids. You can’t help but wonder, how will your child-loving werewolf boyfriend will react?

Request: I live for very specific comfort! No pressure if this doesn’t inspire you or if you just don’t want to write it obvi.... but could I have a f!reader x m!werewolf where the reader is 100% sure she doesn’t want to have kids ever never ever in any capacity and is worried about how her werewolf bf is going to react, worried she’ll be dumped or something (ya know cause idk I feel like werewolves are built with a breeding kink and like into the whole having a lot of pups) there can be smut if you want!! I love me some dramatic angst comfort :)))))))

A/N: Sorry this took so long y’all, school and stuff has been kicking my ass. But writing this sweet little fic has been a nice reprieve from my work. Hope you enjoy!

“Alright, I’ll get the chicken, the asparagus, and the pasta. You’ve got the wine and the dessert?”

“Sure thing.”

The two of you nod, Gray stepping away from the grocery cart before you call out to him.

“And not one of those huge tubs of ice cream.”

Gray emits a dramatic whine, pouting.

“But the big one is 25 cents cheaper than those little pints. It’s practically free!”

You furrow your brow and pat him on the shoulder.

“Not if we don’t finish them, they aren’t. Now go.” Gray rolls his eyes, clutching his heart and throwing his head back. You playfully push him, walking away with the grocery cart and towards the deli section. You can see the top of Gray’s wild brown hair as he moves into the next aisle, his 6’5” form towering over all the little old ladies who usually crowd the store.

You’re browsing the chicken, trying to decide between 2 breasts or a full rotisserie, when a familiar sound reaches you.

“Oh! If it isn’t ____.” You forcibly paint a smile, fingers automatically clenched around the stellafoam package as you turn to see your next door neighbor Mrs. Star. Her teased, bleached blonde hair teeters on top of her head, bobbing back and forth with the clack of her neon blue heels. While you can respect the 60-year old for digging her feet in and refusing to update her wardrobe from the 80’s, her pension for gossip is a little less admirable. “Shocked to see you out and about, what with that big ol boyfriend of yours.” She says, blue eyeshadow crinkling into a wink and nudging you with your elbow. You wheeze a bit, quickly covering it with a laugh. “Back in our honeymoon phase, Richard and I barely left the bedroom. And he was half-way balding back then, not the babe-a-rama you got going over there.” Mrs. Star’s laugh reaches a pitch almost too high for your human ears to pick up, maybe even giving Gray 2 aisles over a headache.

“Well, y’know, gotta keep our energy up.” You wince, immediately berating yourself for that comment. Mrs. Star throws her hand up in a “oh, you” gesture, letting out another half-whistle half-screeching chuckle.

“Oh I do, honey, I do.” She sends you another dramatic wink, which you return with a shaky smile. The corner of your cart bumps into hers as you begin walking along the meat aisle, trying to forcibly end this interaction. But Mrs. Star pulls off an impressive turn with her cart and strolls alongside you. She does little to hide her wandering eyes, trying to piece together any juicy info from your groceries. “So, are you two trying for kids yet?”

The wheels squeal to a sudden stop, forcing you to choke on your saliva as the shopping cart’s handle digs into your stomach. You keep your gaze locked on the frozen steaks  and turkeys, already way past the chicken you meant to grab.

“Uhhh, no. We’re not really in the phase of our relationship yet.”

Mrs. Star clicks her tongue, pressing her hand to her chest in a show of embarrassment. “I’m sorry, dearie. Old habits you see, whenever a new couple moves in together I assume they’re halfway to the wedding already. You young kids like to take it slow, huh?”

You nod, hastily grabbing a package of buffalo wings, hoping for an excuse to escape this conversation.

Mrs. Star continues to walk by you, her cart blocking off any convenient means to leave unless you significantly pick up her speed. Her eyes glance over the sweats sat in a display in the center of the aisle, humming a small tune.

The end of the aisle is approaching, you’re almost home free! You ready your feet to book it with an excuse, but Mrs. Star clears her throat and begins to speak.

“Now dearie, I don’t mean to pry-”

What do you call these last 3 minutes, Star?

“But I’d at least pop on a ring on that finger soon. Someday someone’s going to snatch that boy up like a piece of meat, saying all the right things. Men got all those suspicions about over-the-hill pregnancies, his eyes might start wandering. That’s how my first divorce went, so I should know.”

You pull your cart to a stop, breathe catching as you look at Mrs. Star, shocked. You can handle some inappropriate questions, but to question your boyfriend’s loyalty and insulting your relationship is crossing another line. Your brows furrow with a simmering anger, your cheeks heating up as you're ready to let loose.

“Well, Mrs. Star, if you must know I have the most wonderful boyfriend on this side of the planet, and unlike your deadbeat first husband, he’s as loyal as they can be.” Mrs. Star looks at you, eyes widened and right hand halfway to grab a pack of oreos. You huff, pushing your cart away from hers and towards the cash register. Right before you leave her sight, you turn back to her with a simpering smirk. “Have a great day, Mrs. Star!”

Your heart is heaving with anger, prepping a rant to Gray about the horrible interaction you just had. On the other side of the store, you spot Gray, his curly hair all tussled, holding a large Rosé and a package of ice cream sandwiches. Just the sight of his back calms you a bit, excited for some delicious food and late-night cuddles. You jog a little towards him, but slow down when you see him crouch down, looking at something hidden from your sight.

You turn your shopping cart slightly, trying to peer behind his massive form, and freeze.

Gray’s sticking out his tongue, pushing up his nose, and making many more silly gestures to a baby in a stroller. The baby laughs, it’s chubby cheeks bright red as Gray blows another raspberry, thrashing its arms up and down with joy. The dad is laughing at Gray’s antics, leaning down and patting his kid on the head.

Gray promptly stands up, sending another big smile to the kid, before waving goodbye. The six-month-old waves back, uncoordinated and decidedly adorable. Gray laughs, turning away and walking towards you.

Your feet feel cemented to the floor, heart down in your stomach.

He’s a natural, you think, nausea building up in your throat.

Gray was the oldest of eight, not a large number for a werewolf family. You adored them, and they you, but Gray had a way of dealing with his youngest siblings. Whether it was letting them climb all over him like a jungle gym, or attending imaginary tea parties, Gray was a pro. He was the guy to cram himself into a tiny chair at the kids table, eating tiny cookies and cracking jokes. ‘Dad’ seemed to be stamped into his very being, the cuddly werewolf with a love of children. He’s any mother-in-law’s dream.

But all those sweet things turn sour when you think about what Mrs. Star said. Gray, moving on without you.

Gray’s eyes light up when he sees your cart, jogging over and holding up the bottle of wine like a prize.

“Hey!” He says, quickly sliding an arm around your waist and giving you a peck on the cheek. “I got your favorite, and those delicious mint-chocolate sandwiches.”

His happy voice and comforting touch help abate whatever it is your feeling, but the way Gray’s brow furrows tells you your  discomfort is present in your eyes. “Is everything okay?” His large hand comes up and rubs your shoulder. You give him a shaky smile, fighting away negative thoughts with a bat.

“Yeah, let’s go home.”

---------

Wet fur presses up against your bare neck as you lazily stir the boiling water, Gray’s shifted muzzle now snug in the crook of your shoulder, the white flecks across his dark fur peeking into your periphery. Your free hand instinctively goes back to scratch between his ears, causing him to let out a satisfied huff, hot air blowing across your chest.

“That smells good baby.”

“It’s just salt and water Gray. The pasta’s barely al dente.”

Gray laughs, turning his head  slightly so he can press a small kiss onto your cheek.

“You could make even that taste delicious, ____”

You dramatically roll your eyes, pushing away his chin as he continues to peck and nip at your neck. After showering Gray always made sure to rub in some cherry-blossom leave-in conditioner into his fur. The artificial perfumes just lightly touch your senses, but the mental connection they have to Gray make them smell that much sweeter. You turn and give him a quick kiss on the lips, patting his shoulder once more.

“Do you mind setting the table? Maybe get started on those messy dishes?”

“No problem.” Gray mumbles, reluctantly pulling away from you and tugging up the towel that hangs loose on his hips. He barely needs to reach for your fancy plates on the top shelf, his chest muscles flexing and bicep taut. Even with his thick fur, you can see the bone of his clavicle which accentuates his long neck.

God, he’s so hot.

You think, smirking a bit as you continue stirring.

And all mine.

You hum, but the cheery mood you’re in quickly sours once you remember your conversation with Mrs. Star. That small seed of doubt seems to grow and leech from your chest.

2 years into this relationship and the two of you have only danced around the conversation of the future. You of course had agreed on living together, what your career paths looked like, even the potential of getting married in a couple years, but never kids. As two 20-somethings, you felt like you had all the time in the world.

But the thing was, you didn’t really need all the time in the world.

You didn't want kids. Even with your family or your neighbors needing that your opinion “might change some day,” you were confident in that decision. Not that you hated them, you just could never picture yourself being a mom. A fun aunt, maybe, but never a mom. It wasn’t even a point of contention in your own mind; The picture of you, your partner, and maybe a couple of pets thriving into your elders was bliss enough.

You sneak a glance to Gray, now clothed and back turned to you as he sets the table. He’s diligently folding the napkins into  fun shapes, a ritual he does every date night. From the hole in his jeans you can see his tail wagging, content as he hums to the low radio playing on the window sill.

A smile crawls onto your face, a small giggle escaping you as you watch Gray’s hips bob to the beat, silently mouthing the words. You snort as he does a dramatic little shoulder shift, Gray’s head whipping back towards the kitchen as you throw your hand over your mouth.

“What, don't you like my moves?” Gray says, shimmering his shoulders again, a large grin across his face.

“They could use some work, Kevin Bacon.” Gray clutches his chest, throwing his head back in mock pain.

“You wound me. After all these years, you would cut me so deep?”

“Sure would.” You turn back towards the simmering pasta, setting the wooden spoon on the rim and brushing your hands on your jeans. “Oof!” You squeak as you yanked away, Gray wrapping his arms around your waist, twirling you in a stumbling circle.

“And how ‘bout now, m’lady?” Gray simpers, eyebrow cocked. Your hands slap his chest as you laugh. He lets your feet back down on the floor, but keeps his arms locked around your waist. The two of you slow dance to the beat, and when the chorus hits, Gray gives his worst rendition possible. You bemoan and feign plugging your ears, but find yourself singing along anyway.

Everything about Gray is warm and bright, from his goofy grin to his excitable tail to his two left feet. He adds that pep of energy to your daily routine, pulling you out of an exhausting cycle for a quick jog to the beach or an episode of your favorite drama. Gray fills out all of those little spaces, makes them a little less gray.

Your head rests against his chest, feeling the fur through the fabric of his t-shirt as the two of you sway back and forth.

You want it to stay this way.

But that pestering weed squeezes your heart again, forcing images of Gray with a kid on his shoulders. Showing up to little-league football games with a big cooler and a “#1 dad” T-shirt. All those little moments, all without you.

You can’t fight the deep sigh, pressing your face even deeper into Gray.

Just let me have this. Just this moment, just for now.

-------

“Ugh, I think my stomach is going to explode from excess-pasta.”

Gray huffs, laying his head on your lap as the two of you slump onto the couch. His tail wags lazily, flickering back and forth as his legs swing over the coach's side, his long torso bunched up as he curls into you. The fur of his head is soft as you twist your fingers into it. “But I gotta say, what a way to go out.”

You giggle, losing your thoughts in his soft fur. Gray lets out another deep breath, nuzzling his face into your hand. You brush over his cheek with your  thumb, admiring the cheekbone you feel just underneath.

But that burning question refuses to leave your mind, and you ask it without even thinking.

“Do you want kids, Gray?”

Gray’s eye’s stay closes, his posture relaxed as he sinks into your massaging fingers.

“Hmmm, maybe. Never really thought too much about it. Why?”

Your throat dries up, mind reeling. It wasn’t even a definitive yes, but your heart is still reeling. Your fingers pause and Gray's eyes open. He shifts his head when he sees the look on your face, concerned. “Babe?”

You nod, eyes still wide, trying to fight off the inklings of a panic attack. Gray pushes himself up on his elbows, paw quickly coming to caress your cheek. “Baby, is everything alright?”

You find the energy to breathe, and suck in deeply. Your heart begins to slow down as you look into Gray’s yellow wolf eyes. You dig your cheek into his large palm, smelling the perfume of his conditioner.

“Yes, sorry, I just-” You pause, taking another deep breath. “I ran into Mrs. Star in the grocery store, and-I’m sorry I’m overthinking things.” You mutter, patting yourself  on the cheek as to snap yourself out of your mood. Grays other hand rubs the back of your neck.

“It’s okay, baby, I’m here. Did she say something?”

“No-Well, yes. It’s silly, typical Star things. She just brought up how ‘ought to get started having kids, and it just-” You let out a shaky sigh, pulling away Gray’s hand with your own and looking him straight in the eye. “I don’t want to have kids, ever.”

In Gray’s eyes, you expect to….something. Confusion, disappointment, maybe? But instead, all you see is relief. Gray rests his paw on your thigh, squeezing it.

“_____, is that what you’ve been worrying about?” You nod, throwing your eyes back down, but Gray tilts your chin towards him. “If you don’t want kids, we won’t have kids. Simple as that.”

Your eyes widen and you pull your face back.

“Seriously? But-what if-”

“____, I grew up with eight siblings. I’m going to have to deal with more nieces and nephews then I can count on my fingers and my toes, I think I can handle not having kids.”

A weight lifts off of your chest and you slump forward into Gray, pressing your forehead against his clavicles as you let out a long, relieved sigh. He laughs, patting your back and kissing the top of your head. “I’m sorry you had to deal with this all day, I didn’t even realize you were so upset.”

You slap his chest, letting out another frustrated sigh. With him? No, but yourself, and Mrs. Star, for stirring up nightmares for no damn good reason.

“It’s not your fault, it’s mine for being so paranoid.” You press your chin up, pouty lips admiring your boyfriend's face. “I’m sorry for freaking out. She really got me into my own head.”

“No apologies needed baby.” Gray says, giving you a small peck. You send him a cheesy smile, chasing after his lips with a couple of small kisses. A low rumble growls out from his chest as you nip at his jawline. Behind him, you hear his tail begin to hump on the floor.

“Hmm, does that mean you feel better?” You nod, pressing another kiss into his pulse point.

“Yes, thank you for letting me get that out.” Another kiss, now on his Adam’s apple.

“Welp,” Gray says, quickly adjusting himself. In another second, you yelp as he picks you up by your butt, legs quickly wrapping around his waist, “Let’s give Mrs. Star something to talk about, hmm?”

You throw your head back with a laugh, clinging tight to his chest as Gray blows a raspberry into your neck. “That good with you, my lady?”

You nod, giving him another kiss on the lips as he carries you off into the bedroom.

Yeah, you have it good.

[maybe-itll-be-someday]

How We Raise Them

This is a birthday gift for the most wonderful human being and writer that I get to have the pleasure of being my friend? @jetaime-jespere you inspire and support me in so many ways. 10/10 would recommend being her friend. 

This story, of puppy kisses, margaritas, and tooth-rotting domestic!Hotchniss is just for you. 

Read on AO3

--

Emily always had a knack for caring and nurturing.

The house plants in their home were all bright green, a hobby she had gotten from JJ after too many nights spent fussing over Jack. Jack had seemingly grown up in the blink of an eye - far from the toddling two year old that Aaron had first brought into the office, his steps uneven and hand tightly wrapped around Aaron's finger. He was now almost 17, finally starting to grow into the long, gangly limbs he had no doubt inherited from his father. He was a great kid, but no doubt a teenager now, complete with the home-grown embarrassment for his parents' PDA and a sense of false confidence that he knew better than his parents' combined 80 years of experience.

Jack was starting to take charge of his own schedule, planning out his soccer and baseball practices and time with his girlfriend and was now rarely at home outside of eating dinner and sleeping. Sometimes, they liked to joke that their home was more of a hotel, only utilized for meals and a warm bed.

"He's grown up so fast, Aaron." Emily had lamented, curling a warm leg around his as they listened to Jack pitter around the kitchen before school. Emily had a rare day of no meetings, her new job as Section Chief agreeing well with a more attainable home life balance. Aaron had been teaching at the Academy for two years now and he didn't have his first class until 2 PM, granting the two of them a morning spent lazing in bed while Jack fended for himself before school.

He was old enough to drive now and have a girlfriend, and that fact took Aaron's breath away every time.

Aaron remembers when Jack was born, a wriggly screaming bundle of joy that entered the world with the loudest wail Aaron thought he'd ever heard. Now, he was driving, sending applications to colleges, and in a relationship with a nice girl.

He had grown up so fast.

Now, both of them had a plethora of time - time that used to be spent shuttling Jack from school, practice, and birthday parties between cases, making sure that his homework was fully done, PTA meetings (which Emily insisted on being a part of) and coordinating Jack's  schedule with precision, slotting in play dates and trips to the mall to buy new khakis because he shot up like a weed.

All the time spent taking care of Jack, now exchanged for hours searching for different plants and nurturing them until their home was an urban jungle.

So Aaron starts doing some research while Emily is asleep, hoping to bring something a little more difficult than plants to take care of.

Before their entire home had turned into a greenhouse.

--

The house was quiet, too quiet, when Emily arrived home from a day spent in meetings discussing budgets. She was exhausted and would do anything for a glass of red and a foot massage from her loving husband.

"Aaron? I'm home." She calls out, shucking her shoes and purse by the front door.

There was silence that permeated from the house, followed by a sharp yelp from what she can decipher is Jack.

"Jack? Aaron?" She calls out again, following the source of the sound only to be met by an out-of-breath Aaron.

"Hi honey." He says, his breathing heavy as he presses a kiss to her lips in greeting. She cocks an eyebrow suspiciously, glancing over his shoulder to see if Jack would pop out from their den.

"Hey. Is something the matter?"

"No, no. Nothing's the matter." Aaron says, shaking his head. He wrapped his hand around hers, a bright smile on his face and she couldn't help but feel lucky that this is where they had ended up. Married, raising Jack together in a row house in Dupont Circle. Now Jack was nearly an adult - their duties as his parents were slowly dwindling down to providing advice and making sure he made the right decisions.

On those days, when she and Aaron are left in the empty rooms of their house, devoid of Jack's sounds of make believe as he pretended to be an astronaut or a G-Man like his father, she can't help but let a small pang of regret hit her.

She didn't know how much joy she would derive from being his step-mother, and a small part of her wishes that she and Aaron had created a brood of their own.

But it wasn't part of their journey, and she was okay with that.

"I have a surprise for you. Look, I know we've never talked about it..." Aaron starts to ramble, leading her to the den at the back of the house as her confusion grows.

He stops right by the closed door, hearing the shuffling going on on the other side of the door.

"But you're an amazing mother to Jack and I know that he's leaving for college soon. I don't want our house to be quiet."

"Aaron..." She says cautiously. "What did you do?"

The den door swings open, revealing Jack with a bright smile on his face and a small bundle in his arms. The tiny ball of fluff makes a soft mewl in Jack's arms, popping its tiny head up to reveal long floppy ears and the sweetest eyes she thinks she's ever seen. Aaron smiles, dropping her hand to pick up the puppy in Jack's arms and drop it right into hers.

There's a tiny jingle and her fingers brush against cold metal, reaching down to reveal the tag that hung around the puppy's collar.

Finn Hotchner

"This is Finn."

--

It turns out, despite all the research that Aaron had done for puppy rearing, it was still much harder than they had anticipated.

Emily groans as she hears a sharp whine come from their living room, where they had set-up Finn's crate. Aaron was adamant about them crate training Finn, despite the fact that Emily and Jack would have been fine letting Finn sleep with them in their beds.

This was the third, no maybe the fourth time, that night that he had whined in his crate like he had been abandoned on the side of the road instead of sleeping next to their fireplace.

Aaron pops up a sleepy head, eyes blearily adjusting to the faint moonlight streaming from the window and glances as the neon numbers that shone on his bedside table.

5:30 AM

"Good God, does he ever sleep?" Aaron groans as Emily let out a large yawn, patting a soft hand on Aaron's shoulder to tell him to go back to sleep.

"I've got him." Emily says as Aaron sinks back under the covers, quickly drifting back to sleep as Emily rolls her eyes and throws on her robe. She pads out into the living room, her soft footsteps enough to catch Finn's attention and get his cries to stop.

"Hey sweet boy." She coos, letting him out of his crate as he pattered out, his limbs still floppy at 10 weeks as he let out a large yawn, Emily's heart melting as he curled up by her ankles. He was clearly just desperate for attention.

More specifically, desperate for her attention.

Finn had latched on to her, claiming her as his human the moment Aaron had placed him in her arms almost three weeks ago. The puppy was always quick to dart to Emily when she came home, eager to expose his belly to her for pets after a long day at work. He followed her around at home, hearing the soft tapping of his paws against their hardwood floor as she cooked dinner or made coffee in the morning. He curled up right at her feet in her office as she worked through mountains of paperwork, content on sleeping right at her feet as she filled out reports.

"Come on." She coaxes, moving from her spot by his crate to let him out into their back garden.

The sun was softly breaking in the horizon, the long summer days already evident by the soft light that streaked the sky. Finn zoomed out onto the grass, quickly tripping over the limbs he still didn't have much control over and Emily let a small smile play on her lips.

After the initial shock of the fact that they now had a dog, despite almost no previous discussion prior, Emily found herself completely enamored with the puppy. She found herself thinking of the tiny ball of fluff often, taking time out of her day to check the camera they had installed in their living room to see what he was up to when they were at work (it was mostly sleeping) and watched with a fond smile as Aaron let him out during lunch. He would crouch down, despite the hell she was sure it caused on his knees that were now worn with age and trauma, and play tug with Finn or attempt to train him in what would only cause frustration for both of them.

She had always seen the softness that lined Aaron's interactions, despite the steely demeanor that had hardened like calluses after too many tragedies. But she saw the gentle way in which he raised Jack, always insistent on talking and sharing - a far cry from the slamming doors and harsh hits that were consequences of his father's temper. She felt it in the way his hands drifted to her lower back when he felt a need for connection. She heard it in the soft tones that he'd use when talking to children, a sparkle in his eye as he interacted with them.

It had filled her heart with a new measure of love she didn't think was possible, watching him soften to Finn in a way she never expected.

Aaron yawns, stretching his limbs to ease the sleep from them when he realizes that his wife's side of the bed had gone cold. He glances up at the clock and realizes it had been almost two hours since Emily had gotten up to let Finn out. A bloom of warmth grows in his chest when he realizes where they could probably be.

He finds her on their couch, stretched across in a deep slumber as Finn dozed quietly on her chest. It was a position he had found her in often, Finn always opting to sleep anywhere where he was physically touching Emily.

Another Hotchner wrapped around her finger.

When Emily is jolted from sleep by a loud clink, the warmth of Finn is nowhere to be found. She props herself up, sounds slowly coming into focus and she can hear the sounds of Aaron's soft whispering and a familiar scratching of utens. There's the sweet aroma of coffee wafting from the kitchen, and she follows the scent to catch Aaron red-handed.

Aaron is reading the paper on the counter, not noticing Emily walk in, and slips a small piece of his bacon to Finn who is sitting patiently by his side.

When she chastises him, he just laughs and passes her the cup of coffee he prepares for her on Saturday mornings.

"This is the only way I can get him to love me, Em."

--

As it turns out, having a puppy was a little too similar to having a baby. 

Their days now revolved around Finn - their sleep schedules were disrupted by crying in the middle of the night, their daily list of tasks including someone having to be home to let him out every three hours whether it be them or a pet sitter and on top of Aaron’s classes and Emily’s workload. It had only been a month since they had gotten Finn and they were exhausted.

Emily had never had a dog and Aaron had never grown up with any animals, so both of them severely underestimated the amount of work that went into keeping a tiny ball of fluff alive and healthy. 

Aaron finds her in the living room, sprawled out on the couch with relief on her face at the silence she worked so hard to cultivate amidst the chaos.

“He finally passed out.” Emily whispers and Aaron eyes the puppy who is sleeping peacefully in his crate after being forced in for a nap. 

He produces a margarita from behind his back, salt lining the rim.

“I knew I married you for a reason.” She says happily, taking a grateful sip and moaning in delight as the sweet liquid hit her tongue and the tequila stung her throat. He clinked his own glass of whiskey to hers before taking a seat next to her, both of them needing the alcohol after weeks of sleep deprivation and tending to Finn’s every need. 

“I think we’re getting too old for this.” Emily muses, watching Finn shift in his sleep. 

“I don’t know about you, but I feel young and spry.” Aaron jokes, pressing his lips to her shoulder as she takes another sip of her margarita. His lips slowly trail from her shoulder, dancing across her collarbone before settling at the base of her neck. He feels Emily tilt her head slightly to expose more of her skin to him and a breathy moan escape from her lips. 

“So this is why you made me a margarita.” Aaron knew that certain kinds of alcohol produced different reactions from Emily. Wine always made her sleepy, whiskey always made her angry. 

Tequila, on the other hand, made her very mouthy.

“I just thought my beautiful wife deserved a drink.” He mumbles into her skin, taking the glass from her hand and placing their drinks on the console table behind them. “Also because Jack is sleeping over at Tyler’s tonight and Finn is finally asleep.” 

It was the first free night they had in a while, out of earshot of their very perceptive teenage son and Aaron thought that deserved some sort of celebration, one that hopefully involved making her scream and not caring who heard. 

“So no ulterior motives?” She teases, but Aaron’s lips are very persistent against the pulse in her throat. 

“None whatsoever.” 

--

They barely make it back to their bedroom, clothes hastily strewn against the carpeted bedroom floor with Emily’s legs straddled across his waist and his fingers dancing across her underwear when he hears it. 

“You’ve got to be kidding me.” Aaron groans when a familiar high-pitched whine comes from the living room. They freeze like two teenagers caught by their parents, hoping that the whine would just be Finn waking up for a brief moment before going back to sleep. 

It isn’t long before Finn’s wailing at the top of his tiny lungs and Emily giggles, hopping off his lap as Aaron flops dramatically back onto their bed. 

“It’s your turn.” Emily says, pushing Aaron towards the direction of their door as he pouts like a petulant child. Aaron grumbles as he goes towards the living room, slightly annoyed when Finn bounds out of his crate like he hadn’t just interrupted the one solitude moment that they’ve had in over a month. 

“Kid, I could kill for less than this.”

--

Finn slides into their family like the final piece of a puzzle they didn't know was missing.

He quickly becomes Jack's best friend, chasing him around in the garden and attaching himself to Jack’s hip when he was home. When Jack leaves for college a year after they get Finn, Emily finds him on Jack’s bed, a sullen look in Finn’s eyes at the profound absence of his playmate.  

Aaron finds an unusual confidant in Finn. There are nights that are difficult, the memories of Foyet amplifying the phantom ache in his chest, especially when Jack graduates high school and when he gets accepted into both Georgetown and Yale. 

He raises Jack to grow up just fine and he still hates, even after all these years, that Haley wasn’t around to see the kind of man Jack has become. Despite losing Haley at such a young age, too many of Jack’s mannerisms made him believe that he could have only gotten those traits through genetics. The way his left eyebrow twitched when he got angry, one of Haley’s tells when she was beginning to lose her temper. Jack fidgeted with a pen, clipped between his fingers, the same way Haley did when she was concentrating on a test back when she first caught his attention at 16. 

On those nights, he steals away to the kitchen and sips a fingerful of whiskey. It was a habit he’d developed years before, a quiet moment just for himself. He was used to doing it alone. 

Until they had Finn. He remembers the first time Finn had done it, a floppy 6 month old with disproportionate limbs and an attitude that was driving both him and Emily crazy. 

He could only ruin so many of their expensive leather shoes before they had a problem with it. 

It had been the night of Jack’s graduation and Aaron poured himself his whiskey, raising a glass to an empty kitchen with a hollow ache in his chest on days like today. 

On days that she should have gotten to see. 

“We did it, Haley.” 

Finn had walked in then, intrigued by the clinking of the glasses that was coming from the kitchen. It was as if he sensed the sadness that lived in Aaron, walking up to give gentle licks to his palm and refusing to leave Aaron’s side as he sat at the dining room table nursing his drink. 

He hasn’t spent a night in the kitchen without Finn since. 

But despite the fact that they knew that Finn loved all of them, Jack and Aaron both knew that there was something special about the way that Finn loved Emily. 

Finn was her shadow - always glued to her side whenever she was around. He often favored Emily’s company on the couch over anyone’s, huffing in disapproval when Aaron would come over to sit next to Emily. He was a constant presence in any room that Emily was in, either laying at her feet or pressed up against her somehow. They had often joked that Finn would choose Emily over boiled chicken, which aside from Emily was Finn’s greatest love. 

When Elizabeth dies, suddenly and with no warning, Emily is inconsolable. She had always wished that their relationship was better than it was, despite the fact that it had improved in spades as the years went on. But it didn’t stop her from wishing for just one more day with her mother. 

Finn is steadfast by her side from the moment she finds out. They all hovered over her, but Finn was practically tied by an invisible tether to Emily, refusing to let her leave his sight. He stays still when she cries into his fur on a quiet afternoon, grief heavy in the air. He licks the tears from her face and lays on her lap when their house is full of guests giving their condolences. He doesn’t bark at Aaron, like he normally did when he was hugging Emily, and instead lets her find comfort in his arms. 

“Emily? Have you seen Finn?” She hears Aaron call out from their kitchen. She glances around their office and is about to call out that he wasn’t with her when she hears a loud crash and an exasperated Finn Hotchner.

She opens her office door to find Finn staring up at her, his fur caked in dirt with a trail of mud tracked on their hardwood floor. Jack comes into view, home from college for the summer, with a sheepish smile on his face. They had probably played with the hose in the garden - one of Finn’s favorite past times on hot days. She can hear Aaron yelling expletives in the kitchen and she simply bursts into laughter. 

This was her family.

Mud on hardwood floors and all.

And she wouldn't change them for the world.

--

[dreamwraith]

DxS did actually develop in canon

Before I get started, I gotta be upfront, I don't ship it. I prefer to avoid it, in fact. My friends and I rewatched the series last year, though, and watching the episodes all together like that made something stand out to me. The criticism the ship gets about lacking development is...off point. It develops! Even in the third season, the growth is there and it's beautiful and subtle because it builds upon each episode so you really only see it when it's watched all together.

And I think part of the problem is the popular idea that Sam and Danny were crushing on each other before the series began or even just early in the first season, and, like, if you ship these two, please believe me, you don't want that. You don't want to start at the finish line, you'll have gone nowhere, and that is why people assume it didn't have any growth.

But you can see in the first instance when Danny and Sam are called a couple in Mystery Meat, Sam sounds and looks offended while Danny is incredulous. Even in Parental Bonding, Sam doesn't show a preference for Danny over Tucker, she just wants a friend to invite her because her ideals aren't going to let her go to "some stupid dance" unless she has the excuse she's doing it for someone else. The narration is obviously moving her and Danny in that direction, but they're not feeling anything yet. She and Danny dance, and there is none of the blushing you see in later episodes.

Why is this?

Because GROWTH

I don't think the romantic subplot really even starts to affect them until the fake-out-make-out happens in Shades of Gray. They're still only friends after it happens, it's incredibly awkward, they're cringing because they just crossed a line, necessary or not. If you watch the scene without any expectations for the coming relationship, Danny is very alarmed that Sam is kissing him. He’s freaking the freak out, he lost control of his powers (just as Sam had hoped) and he’s wide-eyed and pounding his fists on the ground. He did not expect this AT ALL. Any of it. And even when he sits up and he has that half-lidded look on his face, he’s not looking at Sam, he’s just looking off into space in a very “a girl just kissed me” boy daze. Congrats, Danny. He snaps out of it once Sam speaks, and then they both get this grimace on their face. I don’t think it has anything to do with secret feelings, I think it’s because people have been teasing them about being lovebirds and now they’re going to get mocked and teased mercilessly, and oh fudge. 

So they don’t feel anything there, BUT the simple act of kissing gets them thinking. It must get them thinking because the next episode is Fanning the Flames.

The important detail isn't the love spell, it's how receptive Danny and Sam are to each other at the beginning of the episode. Last episode, they kissed out of necessity, and now they're blushing when they hold hands, smiling shyly at each other, giving compliments, staring at each other, blushing, blushing, blushing. It's as though that fake kiss flipped a switch and now they are aware of each other in ways they never were before. In fact, Sam is shown to be very taken with Danny flying in the sunlight, a very clear moment in the series where there's a shift in the shading, the angle of the camera, and we the audience are allowed to see through Sam's eyes as she looks at Danny and sees him in a different light in what might be to her the first time.

And quick aside here, you have probably heard the argument Sam loves Danny for his powers, but you may not have heard this isn't necessarily a bad thing. It's an expression of Sam's character to, not only delight in the unique and odd, but to appreciate action when it's called for. Danny is a half ghost hero who refuses to sit on the sidelines when someone is in trouble. These are things Sam values, and Danny being who he is and what he does is going to make her heart pound with admiration. He's her dream guy, but more than that, he's her friend. She knows his flaws and who he is as a person. There is absolutely nothing wrong with her loving his powers and how unique it makes him in addition to liking him. I see it a little bit like having a thing for drummers and then your friend develops an aptitude for drumming. It's not going to change the friendship, but you might notice him a little differently. The only problem here would be if she liked him for the powers and not because there is something more there. For Sam, I think, it’s not just the powers. Danny Phantom isn't a stranger who is half ghost and saving people, he's Danny, her friend. She has watched him develop into a hero, starting from episode one, when Danny decided to do something with his powers.

It's a wild, new perception of Danny that would be hitting her in this moment, and if Ember hadn't interfered, they may have actually gotten together much sooner. But she did. She placed a spell over Danny and threw into question everything they have been feeling and made things move too fast, way too fast, for Sam, who, as you’ll remember, couldn’t even admit she wanted to go to a dance a few episodes ago.

Idk if you guys have noticed this or if anyone else agrees, but I fully believe it's Sam who sets the pace. For all the clueless jokes and teasing, Danny has shown from the get-go he's receptive to the idea of him and Sam getting together. Just look at the way he smiles whenever something happens between them-- it's usually Sam who pulls away or ducks her head. Such as in this episode, when the love spell is broken and she, not Danny, makes an excuse for why they hugged for so long. If we focus on Danny in this relationship, the progression of his feelings aren't very linear. There are moments when he notices her or learns to appreciate her, but they aren't major shifts for him. Like he said in Urban Jungle, "I always thought you ruled, Sam." When I rewatched it, I didn't see Sam waiting for Danny, I saw Danny waiting for Sam. You might see it differently, tho, idk, I don't ship it :P But for this meta, I'm going to say it's her. She's not ready. And there's many reasons why.

For one, we saw in Parental Bonding she isn't comfortable admitting she wants the same things other girls want. Even though she really wants to go to the dance, she pretends she doesn't. It's important to her that she is different, even when it's an act. It's possible too then that she's not ready to give in to romance, especially one that others have been pressing on her. I don't think that would have stopped her in the long run, given how she was responding to Danny, but...Ember. That love spell. Idk what was fully intended to be going through her mind after that, but I believe it assured her it was best they stay friends, which is why she pulls back and makes an excuse. Danny's obsession under the spell was annoying, creepy, and it ruined what they had as friends. It's reasonable she wanted to take a step back. I think Danny looks like he understands? He was the one who caught on she wanted to go to the dance despite her denials, he must understand her pretty well on some level, so he probably recognizes that she isn't ready. He’s smiling when Sam makes the excuse. Or maybe he suspects that's the case. I might be basing a lot on his little smile and blush at the end there, but he also blatantly flirts with Sam at the end of Memory Blank and she's the one who smiles and ducks her head while he beams and raises his. They seem to be on the same wavelength here as far as his feelings and hers go, and it doesn't make sense for all these blushes and smiles between them to be something Danny... just... didn't pick up on when he's often responding to Sam's reactions. He's not clueless between these episodes, but he's not pushing her. He's not pushing himself. They're letting their friendship take priority.

So what changes? How does Danny go from knowing to clueless?

I'm thinking it was Reign Storm.

This, I think, is the moment Danny starts to think he had it all wrong. Since they've never actually spoken about how they feel, he can revisit the events of Fanning the Flames and the "Sam? But I thought..." "I thought too..." and start thinking Ember really did ruin things after all because at the climax of Reign Storm...Sam turned him down. Or she let the chance slip away. He didn't admit his feelings, but he indirectly asked her about hers, giving her a chance to say something before he faced his toughest fight to date, something she was afraid he might not survive, but she didn't say anything. She couldn't. She wasn't ready. Valerie had come onto the scene, and the burgeoning romance between her and Danny made Sam insecure. Valerie is beautiful, comfortable flirting with Danny, and Danny is responding to her. Valerie is what Sam isn't, but she isn't cruelly shallow like Paulina, there isn't an easy dismissal here. It's the first time Sam is faced with competition for Danny's affection and she... doesn't know if she wants to fight for it or not. She's hesitant to meet Valerie's challenge in that final scene, and whenever she opposes Danny's friendship with Valerie she uses Valerie's ghost hunting as the reason. It's a fair excuse, I just don't think it's the only reason. She's too angry and too hurt for there not to be personal undertones. But she can't admit it out loud, maybe not even to herself. It's the dance situation all over again, but this time Danny is distracted by Valerie and doesn't think Sam wants him back. Why would he? In a life or death situation, she didn't say anything. Silence carries its own words. Danny must have assumed she doesn't like him back after all.

Obviously, things come to a little bit of a head when Danny starts to get serious about Valerie. Events are manipulated by Technus, of course, but the feelings are Danny's own. Technus didn't make Danny stay up talking to Valerie all night; he chose to. Technus didn't make Valerie lay her head on Danny's shoulder; she chose to. So, when Danny responds to Sam's "Do you really think the universe wants you two to be together?" with "I don't know...I might." It's significant. Sam knows it too. Her voice actor did a great job putting pain into that gasp.

So Sam does what she has since Fanning the Flames; she puts her friendship with Danny first. If this is what he wants, she's not going to get in his way. Events may have continued apace in this fashion, with Sam silently pining as Danny explores a relationship with Valerie, BUT things aren't as simple as Danny or Valerie would like them to be. Misunderstandings and secrets undermine them from the start, and Sam's self sacrifice sees an immediate payoff when Danny trusts her with the ring he was going to give Valerie.

I...don’t really want to get into the WES ring thing, but Jack’s assumption here that Danny is dating Sam (not Valerie) is probably due to him seeing Danny dip and kiss Sam in the lab during Memory Blank. Sam wished for Danny to keep his DP symbol, so this whole scene probably still played out, and Jack likely still remembers he saw Danny kiss Sam, only now he remembers her name wasn’t actually Paulina. 

Idk if I’m grasping at straws or not with this, I’m just trying to give meaning to Jack’s mistake haaaaa...

I'm not going to get into the WES ring thing, I'm sorry. It hurt my feelings and it has Butch vibes all over it. Tucker’s “What is this, the eighties” has me freaked because yeah and the fact that it’s Jack’s class ring and not Danny’s because Danny is too young to have a class ring? I don’t like it I don’t like it ahhhhh

But. That Sam tosses a ring that has her name on it into the air and yet calls Danny clueless is an ironic joke I'm forever going to snicker at. Well played. Even if the rest of it was a dick move.

Sooooo...Valerie has withdrawn, Sam is smugly triumphant, but Danny is still pining after Valerie. The relationship between Danny and Sam is at a standstill because Sam's preferred status quo is back, aside from Danny is now blind to her.

Enter Gregor.

Oh, this little shit...

My personal opinion on this episode is that it wasn't necessary to pull the jealousy angle on Danny when he already had established feelings for Sam in the earlier episodes, but it does let Sam explore romance without risking her friendship. That's really all it is, you can see it in the way she behaves with Gregor. She's infatuated, but there isn't anything deeper than attraction and shared interests (or so Elliot makes it seem). Gregor's color scheme probably played a part in catching Sam's attention by making her think of him (a stranger) in a positive light. It's Phantom's color scheme from top to bottom. I'm pretty sure the writers made him that way, not for Sam, but for Danny. "This could have been you" they're saying "you should be in his place."

Ahh jealousy...

While Sam is exploring her sexuality, the romantic parts of herself she's been denying for so long, Danny is losing his god dang mind. If I focus on Sam, I like this episode much better. Danny is an absolute dick here. Someone stop him, pls, omg. The jealousy arc in a friends to lovers trope is pretty easy to understand. This is meant to make him recognize he could lose Sam to someone else if he keeps chasing after Valerie, it's supposed to make Sam the focus of his attention again, to make him aware of his feelings for her, make her desirable, a possession, objectified ect., ect.. Jealousy is a bad look on all romances, please don’t do this

Sam, though, I like her potential here if I continue with the idea she's been afraid to open herself to the idea of dating until now. It's a little fast, given that she's crushing within five seconds of seeing the guy (Danny at least was given two episodes and death defying adventures), but that's sort of the idea? She's not thinking here. She's... taking a plunge of sorts. She's letting herself follow her emotions instead of trying to beat them down, possibly because Gregor is new to the school, possibly because he also claims to be Goth so there is a sense of community she's responding to. Possibly because some part of her is tired of tormenting herself over crushing on Danny, and Gregor offers a fresh new take on something that has, so far, only caused her pain. Idk. It depends on how you want to interpret her feelings here. In my mind, she jumped on dating him so fast there had to be something else prompting her to open herself like that. It's not very consistent with how she has approached relationships and feelings in general up to this point, so I have to assume it was some sort of breaking point.

Regardless, she snaps out of it when they kiss. 

And she does kiss him back. Before it cuts to commercials, she closes her eyes and wraps her arms around his neck, he pulls her close, and that's when we zoom in on Danny's shocked face. I suppose this is the moment where he's meant to feel the most pain. Unlike Sam who put friendship over her feelings, however, Danny lashes out. He does come around when he's talking to Gregor in the locker room, though. Fair points to Danny, he does come around in the end. It's just a little too late.

I would feel bad for him, but he annoyed me a lot in the episode. 

Sam already looked like she was rethinking the relationship with Gregor after the kiss. He smoothed things out after she shoved him away, but she still looks uncertain when they walk off. In my mind, she was cool with the relationship because it was fun and everything, but she wants Danny, and Gregor isn't him. When he kissed her, it felt good, but then it didn't feel right and she pulled back. The romance was fun for her in this episode, but I think this was the moment she committed to Danny as the one she wants, despite the risk to their friendship. She still defends herself from Danny and walks away from school holding Gregor's hand, she's not giving up on Gregor yet, but she doesn't seem nearly as into him as she did before. Him snapping at Tucker and revealing his true colors just made everything easier.

Bye-bye tacky Danny substitute.

Danny recovers some ground then by complimenting her as a person. Sam might be able to see his feelings for her shining through, I think. The whole moment just felt wholesome and gooey sweet lol.

They still don't talk about it, though. Poor Tucker. I would be screaming in his place.

That brings us to season three.

Sam and Danny have both committed to how they feel about each other at this point, they just haven't said anything. They don't know that the other feels the same, only that they really like their friend.

Mutual pining, fully engaged.

Danny, in particular, has gone full blown. He's not even trying to deny it anymore, he's just shy and nervous about it, trying to hide it because he doesn't want to get hurt. He's usually bold when it comes to matters of the heart, especially by this point in the series, so he's holding that ember pretty close to his chest like he's afraid someone is going to blow it out. He has reason to be. He's been crushed in Fanning the Flames and disappointed in Reign Storm. He's all in, now, and very vulnerable because of it. When Johnny and later his dad ask about his "girlfriend," he stutters and shies away. He's not confident about anything except how he feels. Sam hasn't shown him any indication at this point in the series that she feels anything for him outside of friendship.

Urban Jungle pushes things, but Sam is a puppet. Undergrowth is speaking through her, using Sam to bait Danny into a trap. He can't trust the things she says in that state, and, kindness points to him, he doesn't. They don't blush when he gives her the ice crystal; they won the day, and he let's her off the hook like she had for him back in Control Freaks.

No, nothing for them changes until Frightmare.

Frightmare is the most important episode for their relationship. It is, in fact, in some ways more of a climax than Phantom Planet. They have spent the entire series not talking about how they feel. Sam has kept her feelings for Danny so tightly guarded he didn't know she still felt anything for him. The dreamwalking let's him see what Sam has hidden for so long, and once it's out, it's out. Danny knows. Sam knows he knows. Sam doesn't know that Danny dreamt about the same, she's only responding to the idea Danny now knows about her feelings for him. And Danny's actions after he finds out is positive, accepting, encouraging. But not pushing. They're still waiting. They're balanced on a pinhead and comfortable and happy to be there again after all they've been through since Fanning the Flames.

You can see the change in their relationship during Claw of the Wild. They're acting off each other. They haven't spoken still, but they're working in tandem. Danny is confident enough to do that arm move, a far cry from the boy in Girls Night Out who was trying to hide how he felt.

Sadly, D-Stabilized happens after, and as everyone knows, canon ends there. How Danny and Sam ultimately get together (assuming they get together at all) is up to you :3

............

Okay fine...

Phantom Planet is a fanfiction given canon status, but it does fit into the development of their relationship fairly well.

Danny and Sam know how they feel and how the other feels, they just haven't made anything official yet. It's kind of a foregone conclusion at this point, and they're kind of acting like it, such as when Danny lays his hand over Sam's after he loses his powers. There's his confidence in romance again. You love to see it.

It is a bit rocky here. Danny isn't listening, Sam isn't communicating, there is a lot of passive aggressive shiiiiiit going down before Sam becomes overtly aggressive and Danny finally notices something is wrong. That idiot...

I don't remember the whole speech. I remember thinking there were undertones because they know how each other feels now, but I can't remember the words exactly. Sam was frustrated and Danny finally gets his head out of his ass and starts listening, and he starts to consider just what it was he lost. What he gave up. And for what? Sam makes him look beyond the immediate problems, and there is value in that.

Being dissed by Dash after he failed to save him might have been the final nail, though, to be fair xD

Sam obviously likes Danny's unique powers, but she was at her most thrilled when he started trying to be a hero again even without his powers. His attitude was what was frustrating her, and once he stopped caring only about himself, she forgave him.

I will still hold, however, the dialogue was not great. Her reaction to seeing Danny's ghost form again was something like "Danny, it's you! I mean it was always you, but you're you again!"

It wasn't great, combined with everything else. It's just not. Since she just saw him (almost) die, I might have had her go with "Danny, you're alive! Er, ish! Alive-ish!"

She's actually going to see him (almost) die again a few minutes after this too! Ahhhhhhhhhhhh! Poor girl.

I believe they hook up shortly after this in Antarctica. Idk. I blanked out on a lot of the movie. Sorry. I do remember, there wasn't a huge confession or anything. The only real, um, shock? Reveal? Was Sam noticing the ring had her name on it when she tried to give it back to him. They've known for a while how they felt, they're just finally (FINALLY) addressing it, so it's kind of low-key. Just. Finally giving voice to what they've felt. That must be so freeing. It wasn't a reveal, it was an acceptance.

(Does this play into Danny saying nothing is official until he gives [Valerie] the ring back in Flirting with Disaster? I think it might be.)

If you ship it, you can probably fill in the emotions of this moment better than I can. My experience was to laugh. I'm aro, lads, I did not give a hoot lmao. Can't help thinking now that the spinning camera angle, plus the 3D asteroid, is probably what tanked half of the third season's budget.

Urban Jungle's advertising got the other half lol

It was effective, though, I've seen how well loved that moment is for its fans. It was a long time coming, it took a lot of build up and courage to reach this point, well done you two.

And of course you got the hill scene. Sam's ring officially placed on Sam's ring finger (remove it this instant and put it on the correct hand, omfg, BUTCH, you had one job--The boyfriend's class ring goes on the right hand, ring finger, I'm screaming THEY’RE TOO YOUNG TO BE ENGAGED) and they talk! I don't fully remember what it was about, Danny coming to terms with his ghost half, probably, and how Sam has helped him accept himself. It was very sweet and cheesy lol. But the climatic moment for this ship during the finale was in Antarctica. It culminated what they've left unsaid for so long.

And then Danny lifts Sam into a bridal carry (gdi Butch) and they fly off into the sunset, and that’s the end of the show!

... my messy interpretation of Phantom Planet aside, hopefully this has helped you love your ship more, though I understand this is just my interpretation of things. I really wanted to write this for myself, to help me understand the ship better. I enjoy analyzing things as a writer, but with this ship, I often focus on the negative, not the positive, and I wanted to give it it's dues. It is a very sweet ship when taken all together.

I do want to talk about how canon failed this ship and just didn’t hit its full potential, but for this at least I wanted to focus only on what they did RIGHT. There was actual progression in the relationship, although it wasn’t always linear due to what I suspect was Sam’s hesitation to give up friendship for romance and Danny’s attraction to Valerie. In the end they worked things out, and I think the defining moment for Danny was a callback to Sam’s worth to him in Memory Blank, when he discovered she made him a hero, and then in Phantom Planet she did it again by pushing him to be more than your average citizen, more than who he was before the accident, and he was like alright, that’s it, it’s you. It has to be you. 

[popculturebuffet]

Danny Phantom Reviews Poll Winner: Kindred Spirits!: Danny Really, Really Hates Clones

Hello all you happy people! I”m Jake , I review animation comics and film and today marks the return of one of the most popular segments on this blog: My Monthly Danny Phantom reviews! To make up for the lost review I had you fine folks pick from one of four episodes, two of which are selected by my patrons, over on Patreon. 15 of you fine folks voted, as well as myself though I do not look at any results till I have just to make it fair, voted and while every episode got some love...

The winner by a LANDSLIDE was Kindred Spirits, picked by good friend of the blog and patron @weirdkev27. If you’d like to throw your own dog in the fight next time, join by the end of the month! 

Any level backer gets a REVIEW OF THEIR CHOICE on joining, two months after and 5 dollar backers get a half hour or single issue review of their choice EVERY MONTH so if there’s some danny you want to see sooner rather than later, sign on up. Not only that every person who does gets me closer to my stretch goals. Next one is monthly reviews of owl house season 1 and a few after that nets an EXTRA DANNY PHANTOM REVIEW A MONTH. Guarnateed till I finish it. So if enough of you join, i’ll be happy to double down on your monthly percription of SPOOKAY GHOST BOYS! 

So come on RIGHT OVER HERE AND BECOME A PROUD PATRON!

And if you’d like to help with my next poll click this link to pick one of 5 insane superhero weddings!

This one’s overwhelming win dosen’t suprise me though: While there were other fan favorites in the mix with Identity Crisis and Fanning the Flames and one of my own favorites with What You Want, they simply can’t compete with the million dollar debut of one of the series most popular characters: Danny’s younger clone/”Cousin” Dani. Despite only having two episodes, Dani left a huge impression on fans for reasons we’ll get into. 

It’s also the first episode i’ve reviewed that I saw all of ONCE as a kid. 

Yeah shocking isn’t it? I still saw it, but due to being later in season 2, i.e. right before the network stopped caring about the show, I didn’t catch this one until AFTER D-Stabalized, which was one of the ONLY danny phantom episodes from season 3 I caught in the initial run along with Urban Jungle, Forever Phantom, Living Large and Phantom Planet. That also makes it the ONLY chapter in the brilliant seasons long saga of Vlad and danny I missed prior to season 3. 

And it’s also the first time in that saga we’re skipping ahead slightly since I haven’t gotten to my next story arc, covering Jazz’s knowledge of Danny’s secret identity and the episodes around that, yet. Thankfully this one dosen’t follow up on the previous Vlad episodes Secret Weapons and Masters of All Time, even though it was produced after both so you got me there, so we’re fine to jump around jump around jump up and jump up and get down. It still builds off previous events in intresting ways and still slaps though like always so join me under the cut as I recap as we send in the clones, those laughy daffy clones.

So we open.. with a really dope opening. Had I seen this one more as a kid it probably would’ve stuck to my brain the way Vlad’s speech to danny in his first apperance and chess speech and reign storm did. Vlad watches over some recordings of fights between Val and Danny.. and we find out besides having a pawn stored for later there was yet ANOTHER purpose to giving Val equipment:  Her helmet has been recording field data on Danny and his biological structure this entire time. It’s brilliant and unsettling all at once, letting us know both how Vlad’s had such detailed info on Danny and that there’s something far worse at stake he’s been working on since season 1 and to finish his ghastly project he sends three other ghosts, one under a bed sheet, one looking like a frankenstien and one that’s pym sized to go get Danny. It’s an ominous as hell opening and knowing exactly what he’s up to.. dosen’t make it any less creepy. Knowing h’es CLONING danny and has been working toward it this whole time honestly makes it even MORE creepy but we’ll get into that more later. 

So one title sequence later, Danny is late meeting his friends for mini golf and tries making up a story about fighting Pariah Dark again.. but since that’s like saying Darkseid omega beamed your homework he’s forced to admit he simply slept too long. But Tucker and Sam are annoyed for more than just half assed excuses: Lately Danny’s been ditching them and leaving them with the aftermaths of his ghost missoins, treating them mroe like sidekicks. And this.. COULD be an intresting plotline, having Danny deal with the fact he exploits his friends good will a bit too much secret ID or no, especailly with how vital they are to his superheroing. Instead this plot falls a bit short but we’ll circle to why soon enough. 

For now he admits he’s been a bit much and vows to change it.. just as the sheet ghost attacks, leading to an awesome fight. We also get an awesome reveal as Danny is unimpressed with the ghost.. till it removes the sheet revealing a HORRIFYING LOOKING SKELETON 

The design here is just top notch and deeply terrifying.. especailly once you know this is a version of DANNY. And that’s another key part of the design: while the failed clones look diffrent enough to not give the game away there are subtle hints like the face structure and eyes that tell you this is danny.. or at least a warped horrifying near mindless versoin of him. 

Danny wins the fight by DOING A GODDAMN KAMEHAMEHA. Like no really, his beams have gotten so strong he can do that now. Like I know he had the charge ball from desire but holy shit. 

This leads to .. Danny booking and leaving his friends to get blamed for it. Also they don’t you know, blame a ghost since their public and that happens for no reason. And this is one fo the big reasons why this plot dosen’t work: they CONTRIVE reasons for the others to be left holding the bag to make Danny look worse. They have to actively work to make him be a shitty friend. 

Another problem.. is that they’ve ALREADY DONE THIS PLOT AND BETTER BEFORE. It ended up being fitting I put “What You Want” in the poll for this episode because this subplot rehashes part of that. In that underrated Gem, Tucker also is left with consequence after consequence due to Danny having powers. But in What You Want instead of contrivances, they think of less over the top but still understandbly frustrating ways Danny accidently, key word being ACCIDENTALLY screws over his best pal (Sam is out of comission with a cold for most of this one). He has to bail at a football game and leave tucker as mascot to suffer the teams wrath, has to bail on the movies to stop an attack there leaving tucker with a less good film, and in general has something Tucker DOSEN’T after they’ve shared their whole life in his secret powers. It’s used to resonably build up some resintment in tuck so when Desirree gives him powers of his own, her wish has something to warp, some reasonable things Tucker was annoyed by but shrugged off that get twisted into rage and egotisim. 

Here? Danny’s just kind of an insenstivie dick and in this case especially left his friends. He says it was to protect his identity.. but his ID isn’t in any danger here. While he keeps it secret for good reason the fact is NO ONE suspects he isn’t a full ghost while gone ghost. Even Vlad didn’t know till he’d nearly beaten Danny to death first. It’s like with Superman: most people don’t go sniffing for Superman’s other life.. because they don’t think he has one. He dosen’t wear a mask, he dosen’t talk about another life, and he even has a well known if remote HQ that people assume is his home (and he likely has slept in on ocasion).  Most people who found out who he was were either really perceptive like batman or new 52 lois, or he outright told. The fact he he HAD another ID was a huge shock to most people when he went public. 

It’s the same here: while Danny Phantom is a heroic ghost, no one has ANY reason to suspect he’s only human. There were only two halfas before this episode and BOTH keep it secret. And they only know each other’s id’s because Vlad nearly pummled danny to death and saw him transform back to human and then decided, of his own accord to reveal his secret identity. So while yeah Danny’s id’s in danger if he goes missing or something like that, it’s not in danger from him happening to show up after a bit dust up at the golf course and nothing stopped him from simply flying a distance away, changing back and taking full responsibility. It makes him a dick for no good reason. And the baffling thing is both this episode and what you want HAVE THE SAME WRITERS.  Series architecht and real dad Steve Marmel and Sib Ventress. So how they fucked up THIS BAD boggles the mind. 

Thankfully we get to the good part of the episode as Danny returns home.. and finds an 11-12 year old sitting on his bed. 

He’s understandably put off by his supposed “cousin” danny, especially since she seems to like everything he does from Nasa to Dumpty Humpty, a nice call back to Val’s origin story ep. She books it though when he tries to bring his parents into this because you know, lost homeless child, kinda need their help to take care of her. 

Being a good guy and having questions, Danny rushes after her.. only to run into a frankenstien because that’s how his life goes. Try to do something personal, get beat up by a ghost, rinse repeat. I do really like frankendanny, from his finger claws to just how DIFFRNET he is from the original and how intimdating he looks. Frankendanny fucks regular dannys’ shit up.. till Dani shows up... and reveals she’s ALSO half ghost. Danny’s reaction is understandable. 

So Danny decides to table his questions about.. all of this and the two easily hold back Frankendanny working together. It’s a damn cool scnee that shows Danny is just as capable as her brother from another mother. Her mother is a purple pod with Danny’s dna jammed inside. She loves PodMom. 

So the next day Danny tells tucker about her annnndd... instead of focusing you know on the fact there’s a second ghost kid and she seems to be on their side, they focus on.. Danny ditching them the other day. 

Their right to be mad.. but a SECOND hybrid showed up, is seemingly on their side, but also knows everything danny does and has all his powers, meaning if she’s not as friendly as she seems she COULD be really dangerous. And their thought is “we’re still pissed off about your golf assholery?!” This is.. badly out of character. I buy they’d still be mad.. but I also buy they’d at least pivot to this new mystery person. Their STILL more pissed abotu the stuff when Dani does show up, and Dash frames them for the distruction she caused... than the fact THER’ES ANOTHER GHOST KID. 

So this time it’s the tiny ghost, but Danny soon has bigger issues.. as Vlad has arrived and we get a truly awesome scene, for all parties involved. Danny tries using Vlad’s own mental blindspots against him, asking why he’s not talking about wanting maddie or making danny his son or hating jack.. but for once.. Vlad is all business. And the reason for this is very simple: if he beats Danny this time.. he’ll be able to clone him perfectly and thus be done with his arch enemy once and for all. For once he has no buttons to press, no tricks to play, and no desire to SPARE danny and save him for later: just to beat him up and take his dna so he can make a better danny and throw out the old model. His fighting style dosen’t really change to reflect that.. but it dosen’t need to. Until now he’s always had the advantage over danny, only loosing because his own ego and deranged obessions blinded him. 

But this time.. Danny fights back equally. And i’m glad this scene is here as it’s Marmel’s last Vlad episode, sad I know, and thus the last time someone would CARE about how far the characters have come. Something I love about the show, something I feel a GOOD superhero work about anew hero like this should do.. is progress. Learning new skills and powers, making them better, getting better bit by bit and the joy of seeing this young hero you respect only get better and better and fight better and better, going toe to toe with those who would once curbstomp them. Not by cheap power ups, but by hard work, traning and dedication. THe best shows of this time did this and Danny is the gold standard of that. 

While we don’t see him train every episode, tha’td be boring, we see him running improvised Danger room style training with Tucker and Sam every so often, and we see subtle progress. While he struggles with powers the first time he gets them, having the ghost ball thing backfire, having his pants fall down due to intagablity that osrt of thing, that stuff slowly peters out as he gets better at each skill. It even shows here: he’s gone from doing maybe a few beams an episode to being able to do a giant one that can level a building. And it all cumilates here as this time, when fighting vlad they have a dbz style beam struggle.. and both hold it. Danny struggles with it sure.. but the fact is earlier on.. vlad would’ve won without a thought and easily curbstomped danny by now. Every victory he’s had over vlad has beeen due to cleverly exploiting vlad’s flaws. Here while he’s close to defeat.. he still stands a chance... until Dani back blasts him and we get a great reveal line  “did I do good daddy?”

Genius. So after the commerical break, which I didn’t have because paramount+... though if I may rant for a second. While I don’t get most commericals with Paramount+, when I watch stuff aimed at kids... they ALWAYS air an ad before it. Always. It’s really annoying. It’s bothersome enough right now when it’s for Rumble.. aka a film I was already going to watch and now have for  a review, and likely woudl’ve at some point anyway out of curosity. But it was even more annoying when it was for the Jojo Siwa movie or The Loud House christmas movie. On the formrer I have nothing against the person I just don’t want to watch a J-Team unless it’s lead by Jackie Chan and the latter just looked awful and I already watched one terrible loud house movie last year. I didn’t need to go for two. I probably will eventually because they apparently half assedly break up Luna and Sam OFFSCREEN

And yes I know i’m not who their aiming at but  1) Dosen’t mean adults don’t watch this and ads free MEANS ads free you dicks. I dont’ see Hulu, Prime, or Netflix pulling this kind of thing. HBO Max does.. but it’s skippable and only in front of HBO Content. So it’s mildly annoying sure but it’s standard policy and again SKIPPABLE.  2) More importantly THEIR ONLY PUTTING ADS IN FRONT OF CONTENT FOR CHILDREN. I.. I shoudln’t have to explain WHY that’s scummy right? Trying to shove kids over to your original stuff by implanting it in their heads right? I get this was standard practice on a cable network, having adds for a show inbetween shows.. but this isn’t it. If they want to watch it they’ll watch it. Don’t try and hedge your bets. 

Okay... got that out of my system

So Tucker and Sam come out to find.... Vlad and Dani carrying an unconcious Danny in the alley behind the school now. When they were in the street earlier.  Something @jess-the-vampire  pointed out and still confuses me. Guess the street was behind the school?

So yeah the two feel RIGHTFULLY like dicks for not having you know, actually thought two seconds about any of this. Then Lancer comes in.. and yells at them for not being in the cafeteria.. even though the two came out to put trash in the cans. 

So not having time to deal with an aging balding idiot or a situation they got themselve into by agreeing to get the mop instead of at least TRYING to defend themselves, they instead call Lancer old and run off. Well Tucker does.  I’m going to get this part of the plot out of the way now. After some more Dani stuff we’ll circle back to, they run into the fenton’s house, and then the basement to steal the specter speeder and the boo-merang (because it can still track Danny from having his DnA during the events of The Ultimate Enemy) and bounce, getting into trouble.. because Danny needs them. And we needed a subplot about Danny taking them for granted to get here .. why?

No really, while I apricate TRYING to add some character depth in stuff, it’s so half assed in execution that really makes me wonder.. why not just have Tucker and Sam save him and get in trouble? If your not going to put in the effort you have in other episodes to make it work, why have it at all other than to pad out the episode.. oh okay there we go. And if your wondering why so harsh.. it’s Steve Marmel. He’s had off days sure, no writer is perfect and splitting images is proof of that, but this is the MAIN WRITER OF THE SHOW. It’s head. The reason it was so good for two seasons and his absence is why it went off the rails without his direction.. or rather because Butch wanted to change the direction clearly. I love the guy dearly and while he’s botched subplots before, their usually covered by better writing. Here the better writing in the other story.. just exposes how half assed this plot is and how unecessary it feels. He can do better.. so I EXPECT better. While I don’t let a writer escape because I don’t expect much from them, hi butch, I’m more pissed when a writer I know can do better half asses it. 

Now REALLY back to the good part. Danny wakes up in the cube from Bitter Reunions and finds uh oh, he’s back to the lab again. And Vlad has plans. As i’ve made no attempt at hiding because anyone reading this likely knows and if you don’t.. sorry about that... Vlad is trying to make a perfect clone of danny. He used Val to get biometric readouts and data on Danny and apparently got his Dna.. at some point. I won’t mock this though: having covered most vlad episodes up to this point he had PLENTY of opportunity to get Danny’s Dna samples

Danny stayed at his house overnight, god that does not make it sound better, he stayed at Danny’s house overnight, even worse, and they’ve fought 5 or 6 times at this point. While Danny dosen’t shed like the majestic moongoose, he still likely left something Vlad could use...and just.. i’mg oing to stop. Point is he has the dna to make his perfect boy AND I TOPPED MYSELF OKAY MOVING ON. 

Problem is he ONLY has 2/3 samples he needs: he has morphed and unmorphed.. but cleverly he needs Danny MID-MORPH. It’s why the kidnapping: it’s the one bit of his dna he CAN’T get casually without Danny knowing. 

The other clones were failures in Vlad’s eyes... both for being mindless.. and for having a short life expectancy as using their powers causes them to burn out quick. So to stabilize it he needs that sample.. and Danny resisting isn’t a problem as he has micro danny OVERSHADOW HIM. For the first time in the series Danny is on the receving end of overshadowing and it is CHILLING. 

So after more Sam and Tucker stuff, we cut back to Danny who has been fighting it every step of the way. While Danny is badass for holding off something only his dad has been able to, and only for a minute, before, it also makes sense: Jack was fighting off Vlad, who as we learn in this ep has decades of experince with overshadowing people and has likely done so for far longer. Danny is fighting off someone who not only has the same brain if not thoughts, but dosen’t have a will of his own that we’re aware of. It’s a lot easier to fight someone else trying to take control of your mind when they don’t have much of one. 

And yes we do get some nice backstory with vlad as we found out HOW he got so rich as Danny taunts him for being a fruitcake “Could a fruitcake rob countless banks without being caught? Could a fruitcake overshadow countless billionares to build his empire?” 

It’s called being a supervillian dude. Just because your a master manipulator, scientest and combatant.. does not make you any MORE sane. Lex Luthor’s solution to dying of cancer was to make a younger clone and pose as his own australian illegitmate son, Norman Osborn let his arch enemy think he was a clone just to fuck with him while chilling in Europe, Doctor Doom BUILT A FREAKING TIME MACHINE and runs a small nation yet once faked a diary to try to turn the FF against reed, recently stuck Johnny Storm in nova mode for sleeping with his future wife BEFORE he asked her to marry him or be in a relationship (Though that’s also a whole other can of stupid stupid worms to get to another day. “SIGH”), and stiffed Luke Cage on 20 dollars just to be a dick.  Being a rich super genius and cool as hell as a villian.. dosen’t mean you don’t do stupid shit. 

So Danny escapes by shorting it out and Dani arrives. Vlad spins him a story and while Jess questioned why she bought it I have a simple answer: she has no reason to doubt it. She likely hasn’t been around THAT long, and as we see Vlad’s been putting on a front of geninely carring about her. And if he can manipulate someone like Val whose naturally skeptical and has every reason to be wary of a creepy old man taking an intrest in her, if THANKFULLY platonic, can easily be fooled.. why woudln’t a 12 year old who only knows him as her loving father? Vlad is a master manipulator: he knows exactly what buttons to press on a person to get what he wants. So manipulating someone whose life story he’s written from birth.. that’s child’s play. 

So he naturally just tells Dani the reason for the dna is to fix her, not to make another clone, and she buys it. A fight ensues between the two with Danny TRYING his best to convince her of the truth... and while Dani is clearly worried she’s wrong she decides the best way to fix this is to give Danny back.

So Vlad’s just about won.. and as usual that means it’s time for him to shoot himself in the foot. The ghost from earlier burnt out, horrifically and in front of Danny. So logically, as Jess once again pointed out, Vlad could just overshadow danny himself. But he dosen’t WANT to. And that’s one of his biggest flaws I didn’t think about till now, even if I always knew it was there: Vlad is entitled. He feels he’s owed everything by the world because of the accident. It’s why he can never see Maddie never was attracted to him: To him him he DESERVES her more and jack by being smarter and better looking. That by being who he is he gets what he wants.. not getting that’s not how people work. They make their own choices.. and Maddie choose jack because she loves him and while he’s a moron.. he’s a good man. Vlad isn’t. It also explains something i’d wondered about in the past: his minons. Why are his only minons three hapless vultures and skulker. ANd the answer is simple: the rest of the ghosts likely wouldn’t put up with his controlling bullshit. The Vultures are old and clearly loyal and DO carry out their tasks with absolute obdience, something an enttield control freak needs, while Skulker.. gets paid well in upgrades. It’s mutually benifical: Skulker robs some places or designs a device for vlad once in a while, Vlad gives him shiny new toys. Vlad is basically alone because he’s an ineherntly selfish manchild. 

And that’s why he looses her, telling Dani to overshadow her brothercousin and not carring about the risk to her “I made you, you obey me!”. Vlad can’t fathom that Dani geninely LOVES him, and that had he asked nicely or just done so himself, he might not be alone. Instead he sacrifices her.. because she’s not what he wants and he wants a perfect obdient danny clone. And because he can’t EVER accept what he has.. because he’s a selfish entitled bastard.. Dani frees Danny and we get a badass transformatoin sequence as the two team up against vlad. The fight, as you’d expect is impressive and damn fun to watch, and this time Danny dosen’t have to trick vlad to win.. he simply uses his own talent: the Ghostly Wail, destroying the lab and making sure this won’t happen again any time soon. Also Vlad’s maddie program tells the dick she never loved him. He had a maddie hologram. Are you suprised?He also made a jack program for some reason. (Shrug)

Sadly this isn’t enough to totally beat vlad, so Dani valiantly gets ready to fight even if it kills her... only for Vlad to get run over with the specter speeeder. 

They save Danny who geninely apologizes and thanks them. But now they have bigger issues as Tucker and Sam broke a lot of laws to pull this off. Thankfully for once.. our heroes aren’t severley punished. I know right.. that NEVER happens. This is thanks to Dani who, while not wanting to stick around, is greatful and thus overshadows Maddie and Lancer into saying “kids will be kids etc”, confusing both enough to get the kids off. As for Jack.. she dosen’t bother instead just pointing out as Lancer he can just make a cooler ship thingy because she knows her dad. 

So our heroes head to Danny’s room and Dani pops by both to reveal she did that and to say goodbye.. and see ya real soon. And thus Dani Phantom flies off into the sunset. I REALLY wish we’d seen what Steve Mamel would’ve done with this character.. as for what Butch did.. that’s a long ways off

Final Thoughts:

This is a decent episode. It’s not AS good as it could’ve been for reasons i’ve already hashed out plenty, but taking another page from spidey and having a clone saga was a great move and Danny Phantom’s own take on it was brilliant.  Dani is also a great additon to the cast: a younger, more naive verison of danny who also has her own touches, being more sarcastic and playful than her big bro. It’s a REAL shame we never got around to her being adopted by the fentons or joining the main cast as planned and a bigger shame the one who got to write her again was not the man who created her. Hopefully a reboot or revivial fixes that. 

Next Time: We take a break from polls and storylines for Valentine’s Day as Danny and Val hook up, and Technus decides to use the distraction of a new relationship to their advantage.. and also gives Val a terrible new costume. Also we go to space. Zoom! If you want to hear more nonsense from me here’s my twitter and my discord server. Thanks for reading and see ya real soon. 

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