#dc street racing au

[winwintea]

tetris

PAIRING ↬ gamer!park jisung x fem!reader (feat. zhong chenle)

TAGS ↬ fluff, action, romance, some angst, hidden feelings, 80s au, video game competitions, unrequited love or so he thought, best friend's girlfriend trope, winwin shows up randomly i love you my winsung anon

SUMMARY ↬ living up to the pressures of becoming a famous tetris player might be hard for a guy like park jisung. but it's much more difficult when the girl he’s got a crush on may actually be his best friend's girlfriend.

WORD COUNT ↬ 10.1k words

AUTHOR’S NOTE ↬ happy birthday queen @viasdreams !!! hope you enjoy as much as i had writing this (i suffered) and thank you to @polarisjisung for usual for being my beta reader <33. also i know tetris came out late 80s and was popular during the early 90s too but for aesthetic purposes im saying 80s

PLAYLIST ↬ saturday night - bay city rollers; tetoris - hiiragi magnetite; jessie’s girl - rick springfield; working for the weekend - loverboy; shoot to thrill - ac/dc; don’t play games - martin jensen; i’m still standing - elton john; cherry bomb - the runaways; hold on tight - aespa; one way or another - blondie; i ran - a flock of seagulls; choose your fighter - ava max

THE FIRST TIME PARK JISUNG PLACED HIS HANDS ON AN ARCADE MACHINE, HE WAS HOOKED.

When he felt the rough texture of the joystick, he felt a tremor in his chest. It wasn’t fear, nor excitement, but something in between. The flicker of the screen pulled him into a world he didn’t yet understand but felt desperate to explore.

The arcade around him was alive, buzzing with the electric hum of machines, the crash of digital waves, and the clatter of coins. Yet, in this moment, all the chaos faded into one singular thing: the falling blocks on the screen.

His fingers hovered over the controls, trembling. When they pressed down, the buttons responded with a slight resistance that grounded him, pulled him into the world on the screen. The joystick was smoother than he expected, gliding under his unsure grip. The first piece—a long, yellow bar—fell into place. Then another. And another.

For Jisung, the world seemed to shift with each line he cleared. These weren’t just blocks; they were each a piece of himself, shifting and rearranging to fit into something bigger. Each ping from the machine was a quiet reassurance, telling him that for once, he was doing something right.

The weight of his usual insecurities were being lifted, then replaced by an unfamiliar confidence. His heart raced, not from anxiety but from a kind of joy he didn’t think he was allowed to feel. This machine didn’t care about how shy he was, how awkward his words sounded, or how he tended to shrink away when the world got too loud. All it asked was that he see the shapes, find the patterns, and keep going.

For the first time in his life, he felt like he’d found something. A purpose.

Jisung didn’t think of himself as anything special, and most of the time, neither did anyone else. He was the kind of person who slipped into a room without making a sound, his lanky frame perpetually hunched as if apologizing for taking up space. His dark hair often fell into his eyes, a convenient shield against the world’s attention. At school, he was known only as “that tall, quiet kid.” Teachers liked him for his politeness. Classmates tolerated him for his unobtrusiveness.

His best friend, Chenle, was the exact opposite. The sun to Jisung’s shadow, always shining and dragging Jisung into the light whether he wanted it or not. When Jisung hesitated, Chenle jumped in headfirst, loud and full of laughter. Their friendship didn’t make sense to most people, least of all Jisung, but somehow it worked.

“C’mon, slowpoke!” Chenle called over his shoulder, his voice easily cutting through the noise of the crowded street. “Pixel Haven’s gonna get packed if you don’t move!”

Jisung trailed a few steps behind, his hands stuffed deep into his hoodie pockets. Friday nights at the arcade were a tradition Chenle had started months ago, and Jisung tagged along because… well, because it was Chenle. He didn’t really play the games. Watching Chenle dominate the machines or charm the employees was enough for him.

Pixel Haven came into view, its neon sign glowing pink and blue against the dim evening sky. Inside, the arcade was a sensory overload of flashing lights, cheerful 8-bit melodies, and the unmistakable clink of coins being fed into machines.

Chenle pushed open the door, holding it wide. “Hurry up, man! They got a new game in!”

Jisung shuffled inside, his head immediately dropping down to look at his sneakers. Even though the arcade was bustling with busy teenagers, he felt like every pair of eyes could land on him at any moment. He stuck close to Chenle, who bounded ahead like an excited puppy.

The arcade was Chenle’s kingdom. He knew everyone. He always high-fived the regulars, playfully bantered with his street fighter competitors, and was always trying to introduce someone to Jisung. But Jisung was content being a silent observer, finding a quiet corner to lean against while Chenle made his rounds.

Unfortunately for Jisung, Chenle had other plans.

“Hey, Jisung, check this out!” Chenle pointed to the brand new Tetris machine, it’s screen cycling through vividly colored blocks. “Bet you’d be good at this.”

Jisung blinked at the machine, his lanky frame stiffening as if the suggestion were a spotlight being aimed at him. “Me?”

“Yeah, you.” Before Jisung could protest, Chenle shoved a quarter into his hand and practically dragged him toward the machine. The crowd around it thinned slightly, making space as Chenle announced, “Alright, people, make way for my boy here. Jisung’s about to show you how it’s done.”

Jisung’s ears burned as a few heads turned toward him. He could already feel the weight of their eyes, his anxiety prickling at the edges of his mind. “Chenle, I—”

“Stop overthinking,” Chenle interrupted, patting his shoulder. “Just play. I promise, you’ll love it.”

Jisung stared at the glowing screen. The cheerful music beckoned him, the falling shapes almost hypnotic. Taking a deep breath, he stepped forward, sliding the quarter into the slot. The machine chimed, and the first piece appeared at the top of the screen.

Although this was his first time, the controls felt familiar. The buttons responded with a satisfying click to his every touch, the joystick smooth under his palm. He hesitated for a split second before rotating the first piece and sending it down. It clicked into place.

Then another piece came, and another. His fingers moved instinctively, rotating, shifting, dropping. The lines started clearing, one after the other, and the game's upbeat sounds grew more frequent.

The world around him faded, the noise of the arcade blending into a dull hum. His focus sharpened, each piece fitting perfectly into a strategy that seemed to form effortlessly in his mind. Shapes became patterns, and patterns became solutions.

“Holy shit. He’s actually good,” someone murmured behind him.

“Good? Are you kidding? He’s crushing it!” Chenle exclaimed, his voice cutting through the growing excitement.

Jisung didn’t register their words, his eyes fixed on the screen. The pace quickened, the pieces falling faster, but he kept up. His long fingers danced over the controls, rotating pieces with precision and dropping them into place. A four-line clear flashed on the screen—a Tetris—and the small crowd erupted into cheers.

Jisung blinked, momentarily snapping out of his trance. He looked over his shoulder, startled by the group that had formed behind him. Chenle was at the front, grinning like he’d just won the lottery.

“Keep going!” Chenle yelled. “You’re on fire!”

A small smile tugged at the corners of Jisung’s lips, the rare feeling of pride warming his chest. He turned back to the game, determined to see how far he could go.

For the next few minutes, Jisung played like he was in a world of his own, the lines stacking and clearing in rapid succession. When the inevitable “Game Over” finally flashed on the screen, a ripple of applause broke out behind him.

Jisung stepped back, his cheeks flushed, his heart racing. Chenle clapped him on the back, his laugh loud and contagious. “What did I tell you? Tetris wiz, right here!”

Jisung glanced at the score on the screen—higher than he’d expected, but the number barely mattered. For the first time, he felt like he belonged, like he’d found something he was actually good at.

And judging by the awed looks from the small crowd, they thought so too.

Jisung didn’t know much about you, other than the obvious. You worked the counter at Pixel Haven most nights, moving between tasks with effortless ease. Always handing out quarters, fixing the occasional glitchy machine, and keeping the arcade running smoothly. And, of course, you were Chenle’s girlfriend. That part was impossible to miss.

Chenle had introduced you once, casually slinging his arm around your shoulders as he bragged about beating the high score on Galaga. Jisung remembered offering a small, awkward wave while you smiled politely, your attention more on Chenle than him. Since then, you’d only been a background presence, someone Jisung saw but never really thought about.

Until tonight.

He’d run out of quarters after his third Tetris run and found himself lingering near the counter, clutching a few crumpled bills in his clammy hands. Chenle was off challenging someone at Street Fighter again, leaving Jisung on his own.

You were busy at the counter, sorting a handful of tokens while chatting with another customer. The neon glow from the sign above cast soft shadows across your face, and for a moment, Jisung hesitated. Asking you for change felt… strange. You weren’t just the person behind the counter. You were Chenle’s girlfriend. That fact alone made this simple interaction feel like crossing some unspoken line.

But he needed quarters, so he shuffled forward, his head down, and placed the bills on the counter.

You looked up, and for the first time, your eyes met his directly. “Oh, hey,” you said, your voice light and friendly. “Need some quarters?”

He froze, the words stuck in his throat. You were smiling. Warmly, like you genuinely wanted to help. Jisung nodded, sliding the bills closer to you.

You took them, your fingers brushing his for the briefest moment as you counted out the quarters. “Here you go,” you said, placing them into his outstretched hand. “Good luck out there.”

That smile. It wasn’t just a gesture. It felt different, even if Jisung knew it probably wasn’t. You were like this with everyone, weren’t you? Friendly, approachable, easygoing. It was why Chenle liked you so much.

But still, Jisung felt something shift inside him. Your smile lingered in his mind as he turned away, clutching the quarters tightly in his fist. His chest tightened, but not with the usual pang of nerves. Instead, it was with something he couldn’t quite name.

It was strange, the way that tiny moment replayed in his head as he walked back to the Tetris machine. He told himself it didn’t mean anything. You were just being nice, just doing your job.

But as the night wore on, Jisung found himself glancing toward the counter more often than he meant to. He tried not to think too much about it, but something small and misshapen had taken root in his chest, fragile but undeniably there.

You were Chenle’s girlfriend. He barely knew you. And yet, your kindness had left a mark he couldn’t ignore.

The arcade quickly became Jisung’s second home. Every chance he got—between school, homework, and the occasional group hangout he reluctantly attended—he found himself back at Pixel Haven.

At first, it was a way to pass the time, a distraction from the things that weighed him down. But soon, Tetris became more than that. The falling blocks weren’t just shapes anymore; they were puzzles waiting to be solved, challenges daring him to do better, to think faster. He didn’t just play the game—he immersed himself in it, memorizing patterns, calculating strategies, and finding a strange sense of peace in the rhythmic clearing of lines.

The change didn’t go unnoticed.

“Dude, you’re, like, a full-blown Tetris addict now,” Chenle teased one night, leaning casually against the machine as Jisung started yet another round. His hands were full of snacks he’d grabbed from the counter, and his grin was as wide as ever. “I should start calling you ‘The Tetris Wizard or ‘TetWiz’ for short”.

Jisung flushed, his long fingers hovering over the controls as the pieces began to fall. “I’m not that good,” he muttered, barely audible over the hum of the arcade.

“Are you kidding me?” Chenle laughed, nearly spilling his soda. “You’re insane at this. Like, next-level insane. You’ve got the whole crowd thing going on, too.”

Jisung paused mid-game, glancing over his shoulder. Sure enough, a few regulars had gathered nearby, casually watching his progress. Their murmured admiration sent a wave of heat to his cheeks.

Chenle clapped him on the back. “See? WizKid status.” He took a swig of his drink, then grinned mischievously. “Hey, you know what? There’s a tournament coming up. Local thing. You should totally enter.”

The words hit Jisung like a truck. No, like someone dropped a T-piece on his head. He fumbled with the joystick, sending a block spiraling into the wrong position. “What? No. No way.”

“Why not?” Chenle’s voice rose in playful disbelief. “You’ve been killing it lately. This is your chance to show everyone how good you are. Plus, think of the bragging rights. I’ll tell everyone I trained you.”

Jisung’s heart pounded, the idea of playing in front of a crowd making his palms sweat. He’d barely gotten used to the small groups that gathered at the arcade. A tournament meant real attention. Real pressure.

“I… I don’t think I can,” he stammered, his gaze fixed on the screen.

Chenle rolled his eyes but didn’t push. “Alright, alright. Baby steps, TetWiz. But think about it, okay? You’d crush it.”

Jisung nodded absently, but the thought lingered long after Chenle wandered off to bother someone else. A tournament? It seemed impossible, unthinkable. Yet, as he continued to play, clearing line after line with growing precision, a small, persistent voice in the back of his mind whispered something different: What if you could?

The flyer for the Pixel Haven Tetris Tournament taunted Jisung from his desk, its bright colors and bold letters shouting promises of prizes, glory, and recognition. He’d stared at it for days, the weight of Chenle’s encouragement and your casual, kind words tipping the scales of his indecision.

“You’d do great,” you’d said just a few nights ago when Chenle joked about Jisung’s reluctance. There wasn’t much to your comment—just a simple smile as you slid quarters across the counter. But it stuck with him, a quiet nudge in the direction he wasn’t sure he could take.

When he finally signed up, his hand trembled so much he nearly misspelled his own name.

The tournament day arrived far too quickly. Pixel Haven was louder than ever, filled with spectators and players buzzing with excitement. The Tetris machine had been moved to the center of the arcade, its screen glowing like a beacon under the dim, colorful lights.

Jisung stood at the edge of the crowd, his heart pounding in his chest. His palms were clammy, his legs stiff, and every sound around him felt amplified—quarters clinking, machines chiming, people shouting.

Chenle found him near the snack counter, looking pale and uneasy. “Hey, TetWiz,” he said, clapping Jisung on the shoulder. “Don’t psych yourself out. You’ve got this.”

Jisung shook his head, barely able to meet Chenle’s gaze. “I don’t know if I can.”

“Of course, you can!” Chenle’s voice was loud, confident, and exactly what Jisung wished he could feel. “You’re the best player here. No one’s even close. Just… pretend it’s like any other Friday night.”

“Except with an even bigger crowd watching,” Jisung muttered under his breath.

At that moment, you appeared, slipping out from behind the counter to join Chenle. Your presence was calm, grounding. “You’ve got this,” you said simply, your eyes meeting Jisung’s.

His stomach twisted. You were Chenle’s girlfriend. 

Off-limits. 

But your words carried a strange weight, one that settled the storm in his chest just enough.

The tournament began. Jisung’s hands trembled as he approached the machine, the controls suddenly feeling unfamiliar under his fingers. The room seemed to close in around him as the first piece appeared on the screen.

The opening rounds blurred together, a mix of adrenaline and fear propelling him forward. Each cleared line earned cheers from the crowd, but Jisung barely registered them. His focus tunneled in on the screen, every move a desperate attempt to keep the pieces from piling too high.

By the time he reached the finals, his nerves were raw, his breaths shallow. Chenle stood nearby, shouting encouragement, and you offered a quiet thumbs-up that somehow cut through the noise.

The final match was intense. His opponent was fast, their moves sharp and deliberate. The pieces fell faster than ever, the music speeding up to a frenetic pace that matched Jisung’s racing heart.

You can do this, he told himself, gripping the joystick tightly. He visualized the patterns, the strategies he’d practiced endlessly. The lines cleared one after another, the Tetris flashes lighting up the screen.

When the final piece fell into place, and the victory chime rang out, the room erupted into cheers. Jisung blinked, his mind struggling to catch up with what had just happened.

“You did it!” Chenle shouted, throwing an arm around Jisung’s shoulders. “First place, TetWiz! I told you!”

Jisung stared at the screen, his name flashing in bold letters at the top of the leaderboard. His hands shook—not with fear, but with something new. Pride.

You approached him, your smile soft and genuine. “Congratulations, Jisung. That was amazing.”

He swallowed hard, unable to find the words to respond. But as the applause continued and the weight of the moment settled in, something shifted inside him. For the first time, he allowed himself to believe that maybe, he was capable of more.

Jisung wasn’t sure when it started. The way his chest tightened whenever you were near, or how your smile lingered in his thoughts. Maybe it was during one of those small, fleeting moments when you actually listened to him. Not the way most people did, with polite nods and half-hearted attention, but really listened.

You never looked bored or impatient when he talked. Never when he stumbled over his words trying to explain a tricky T-spin maneuver or the satisfaction of a perfectly timed Tetris. Instead, you leaned on the counter, your eyes warm and curious, asking questions that made him feel like his passion wasn’t just valid but worth sharing.

And that was the problem.

Because as much as he admired you, as much as his chest filled with warmth during those rare conversations, there was always Chenle. Loud, confident, and so completely your match.

Jisung couldn’t deny it: Chenle made you laugh in a way that lit up the whole room. He’d see you together. Your arm looped through Chenle’s, his jokes drawing out those bright, unrestrained giggles. All of it felt like a sharp, twisting ache in his chest.

He hated the feeling. The guilt. The jealousy.

Chenle was his best friend, the person who dragged him out of his shell, cheered him on, and believed in him when he barely believed in himself. And you—kind, patient, radiant—you were Chenle’s girlfriend. That was the unshakable truth.

So Jisung did the only thing he could think of to cope. He played tetris.

Hours at Pixel Haven turned into entire evenings, his focus narrowing to the Tetris machine like it was his lifeline. The rhythm of the game, the familiar patterns and strategies, became his escape. When the blocks fell into place, clearing line after line, the noise in his head quieted.

He didn’t have to think about the way his heart raced when you smiled at him or the pang of envy when you rested your head on Chenle’s shoulder.

Chenle noticed, of course. “Man, you’re really going hard lately,” he said one night, watching Jisung rack up yet another high score. “Not that I’m complaining. You’re basically a celebrity here now.”

Jisung forced a smile, his hands tightening around the joystick. “Just… trying to get better.”

Chenle didn’t press further, but Jisung could feel his gaze shift, a flicker of concern hidden behind his usual grin.

And then there was you.

Sometimes, you’d wander over to the Tetris machine during a quiet moment at the counter, watching him play with that same patient interest that made his heart ache.

“You’re amazing at this,” you’d say, your voice soft and genuine.

And Jisung would mumble a shy thank you, barely able to meet your gaze. He wondered if you noticed how fast his hands moved on the controls when you were nearby, or how the screen blurred just slightly because his focus wavered.

He told himself it didn’t matter. It couldn’t. You were Chenle’s, and he had no right to feel the way he did.

So he buried it, block by block, line by line, throwing himself deeper into the game as if sheer determination could erase the feelings growing stronger with every interaction.

But no matter how many lines he cleared, the ache in his chest remained.

Chenle wasn’t the type to dwell on things. He lived in the moment, taking life as it came, confident and carefree. But lately, something about Jisung had been bothering him.

It wasn’t just the obsessive way Jisung threw himself into Tetris, though that was part of it. Chenle had always known Jisung to be shy and focused, but lately, he seemed… different. Distracted. Like his thoughts were someplace—or with someone—else.

And then there were the looks.

Chenle didn’t want to read too much into it, but he’d caught Jisung’s gaze more than once when you were around. At first, he brushed it off. Jisung was awkward around everyone—why would this be any different? But the more it happened, the harder it was to ignore.

One night, after another long session at Pixel Haven, Chenle finally decided he couldn’t keep quiet.

Jisung was hunched over the Tetris machine, his face illuminated by the screen’s soft glow. The arcade was quieter than usual, most of the crowd having thinned out as the evening wore on. Chenle approached with his usual grin, though this time, it didn’t quite reach his eyes.

“Hey, TetWiz,” he said casually, leaning against the side of the machine. “Taking over the world one line at a time?”

Jisung glanced at him, his hands never leaving the controls. “Something like that,” he mumbled.

Chenle studied him for a moment, his grin fading. “You know,” he began, his tone light but laced with something sharper, “you’ve been acting kind of weird lately.”

Jisung’s fingers faltered, and the game over screen flashed before he could recover. He let out a quiet sigh, stepping back from the machine. “What do you mean?”

“I mean,” Chenle said, crossing his arms, “you’ve been avoiding me, for one. And for another… I’ve noticed the way you look at her.”

Jisung froze, his heart sinking. “What are you talking about?” he asked, his voice barely above a whisper.

Chenle raised an eyebrow. “Don’t play dumb, Jisung. You think I haven’t seen it? The way you watch her when you think no one’s looking? How you act all nervous when she’s around? Come on, man. You’re my best friend. If there’s something going on, just tell me.”

Panic surged in Jisung’s chest. He shook his head quickly, his gaze dropping to the floor. “There’s nothing going on,” he said, the words tumbling out in a rush. “I don’t… I don’t feel that way about her.”

Chenle’s eyes narrowed, his usual easy going demeanor slipping away. That wasn’t what he was suspecting. He actually thought you had said something to Jisung that made him uncomfortable. But having feelings for you? Chenle forgot that was even an option. He suddenly felt a surge of jealousy. “Jisung, I’m not stupid. I know you better than anyone.”

“I don’t!” Jisung’s voice rose slightly, the desperation clear. “I—I swear, Chenle. It’s not like that.”

The tension hung heavy between them, the arcade’s neon lights casting sharp shadows across their faces.

Chenle exhaled slowly, his expression softening just a little. “Look, I trust her, okay? I trust you. But if there’s something you’re not telling me… just be honest. Don’t let this mess things up.”

Jisung’s throat tightened, guilt clawing at his insides. He wanted to tell the truth, to admit the feelings he’d tried so hard to bury. But the fear of losing Chenle—his best friend, his biggest supporter—was too much to bear.

“There’s nothing to tell,” he said quietly, his hands clenched at his sides.

Chenle studied him for a long moment, his jaw tightening. Finally, he nodded, though the tension in his posture remained. “Alright. If you say so.”

But as he walked away, leaving Jisung alone by the Tetris machine, the rift between them felt wider than ever.

For the first time in years, Jisung wasn’t sure if Chenle still believed in him—or if he even believed in himself.

The state Tetris championship was a dream Jisung never dared to dream. And now, as his name sat proudly on the qualifying list, it felt more like a nightmare.

The arcade was quiet that night, the usual hum of voices replaced by the occasional beep of a forgotten pinball machine. Jisung sat slumped on a bench near the Tetris machine, the glow of the screen casting long shadows across his face. His hands fidgeted with the crumpled flyer announcing the championships, the bold letters seeming to mock him.

State Champion. The words felt impossibly big, like they belonged to someone else.

The weight of it all—the expectations, the pressure, the growing distance between him and Chenle—pressed down on him like a heavy block he couldn’t clear. His chest felt tight, his thoughts spiraling in an endless loop of self-doubt.

He didn’t even hear you approach.

“You okay?”

Your voice was soft, cutting through the quiet like a gentle melody. Jisung jumped, his head snapping up to see you standing nearby, concern etched across your features.

“I’m fine,” he said quickly, but the tremor in his voice betrayed him.

You didn’t buy it. Instead, you sat down on the bench beside him, leaving just enough space to respect his shyness. You glanced at the flyer in his hands, then back at him.

“It’s a big deal, huh?” you said, your tone light but understanding.

Jisung hesitated, his gaze dropping to the floor. “It’s too big,” he admitted quietly. “I… I don’t think I can do it.”

The words felt like a confession, raw and vulnerable. He didn’t know why he was telling you this. Maybe it was the way you always seemed to listen without judgment, or the way your presence felt steady and safe.

You tilted your head, your eyes warm. “Why not?”

He sighed, running a hand through his hair. “Because… because what if I mess up? What if I let everyone down? Chenle’s been calling me a ‘wizard,’ hyping me up to everyone. People actually watch me now, like I’m supposed to be… someone. But I’m not. I’m just…”

“Jisung,” you finished gently.

He nodded, his throat tight. “Yeah. Just Jisung. And I don’t think just Jisung is good enough for this.”

For a moment, you didn’t say anything. The hum of the arcade filled the silence, a soft, steady rhythm that seemed to match his unsteady breathing.

Then, you leaned forward, your voice quiet but firm. “You know, when I watch you play, it’s not just about the score or the tournament or any of that. It’s the way you light up when you’re in the zone, like nothing else matters. It’s like… you’re in your own world, and it’s incredible to see.”

Jisung blinked, his heart skipping a beat. “I… I don’t know,” he stammered.

“You don’t have to know right now,” you said with a small smile. “But Jisung, this isn’t about being a wizard or a champion or whatever anyone else thinks. It’s about you. Your love for this game, your talent. That’s what matters. Not winning. Just you doing what you love.”

“Thank you,” he murmured, his voice barely audible. Jisung’s heart raced as your words lingered in the air, wrapping around him like a lifeline. He hadn’t expected you to understand him so completely, let alone say the exact thing he needed to hear.

For a brief moment, he forgot about everything else. The tournament, the pressure, even Chenle. All he could focus on was you. The warmth in your voice, the way you looked at him like he was someone worth believing in.

The weight in his chest shifted, and before he knew it, his thoughts spilled over.

“I—” He paused, the words catching in his throat.

You tilted your head, curious but patient, your expression inviting him to continue.

He could feel it, the overwhelming urge to tell you. To say something, anything, about the way he felt—the way you made him feel. How his heart ached and soared all at once whenever you were near.

But then, just as quickly, reality crashed back in.

Chenle. His best friend. Your boyfriend.

Jisung swallowed hard, his jaw tightening. He couldn’t do it. No matter how much his heart screamed at him to say the truth, he couldn’t betray Chenle like that.

“It’s nothing,” he said quickly, his voice barely steady. He forced a smile, though it didn’t quite reach his eyes. “Thanks. For, you know… everything.”

Your smile softened, and you nodded, as if sensing that he wasn’t ready to say more. “Anytime,” you replied, standing up to head back to the counter.

Jisung watched you go, his chest heavy with unspoken words. He let out a shaky breath, his hands clenching the crumpled flyer in his lap.

But he wasn’t the only one watching.

Unbeknownst to either of you, Chenle stood near the doorway, hidden by the dim light and arcade cabinets. He had arrived just moments ago, intending to meet Jisung and hang out like they always did. But instead, he found himself rooted to the spot, watching the two of you.

At first, it didn’t seem like much—just a quiet conversation between friends. But the way Jisung looked at you… it wasn’t hard for Chenle to see what was really going on.

It wasn’t the look of someone simply grateful for support. It was something deeper, more vulnerable. Something Chenle had never seen in Jisung before.

His chest tightened, a mixture of emotions swirling within him. He wasn’t angry—not yet. But there was a pang of something sharp and unfamiliar, like jealousy’s distant cousin.

He trusted you, and he trusted Jisung. But trust didn’t erase what he had just seen.

Chenle stepped back into the shadows, his thoughts racing. He couldn’t shake the image of Jisung’s expression—the way his gaze lingered on you, filled with something Chenle couldn’t quite name but knew wasn’t meant for him.

For the first time, Chenle felt uncertain. About Jisung. About you. About everything.

And as he walked away from the arcade that night, the unspoken tension between the three of you began to grow, pulling tighter with each passing moment.

The auditorium buzzed with energy, the hum of anticipation vibrating through the air as rows of arcade cabinets lined the stage, each boasting the Tetris logo in bright neon. Competitors adjusted their machines, the crowd murmured excitedly, and Jisung stood frozen at the edge of it all, feeling impossibly small.

The state Tetris championship. He was really here.

Jisung’s stomach churned, his nerves nearly overtaking him. He gripped the strap of his backpack, his fingers twitching with a restless energy. His mind wasn’t just crowded with thoughts of the game but with everything else—Chenle, you, the weight of unspoken feelings.

Before he could spiral any further, a voice interrupted his thoughts.

“Hey, you okay?”

Jisung blinked and turned to see a tall, relaxed guy about a few years older standing next to him. The stranger held a can of pop, his messy hair framing a face that somehow managed to look both half-asleep and mildly curious.

“I—uh…” Jisung stammered, caught off guard.

“You look like you’re about to throw up,” the stranger said bluntly, taking a sip of his pop. “Big deal tournament jitters?”

Jisung hesitated, but something about the guy’s laid-back demeanor made him exhale a little. “Yeah, kind of,” he admitted.

“Let me guess,” the stranger said, leaning against a nearby wall. “Scared you’ll lose? Or scared you’ll win and, like, your entire life will change forever?”

“Both,” Jisung muttered.

The stranger raised an eyebrow, then shrugged. “Yeah, fair. Tetris is wild like that.”

Something about his casual tone loosened Jisung’s tongue. Before he knew it, he was rambling.

“It’s not just the game,” he confessed, the words tumbling out. “It’s everything else. My best friend…he’s been supporting me, but I think I’ve messed things up between us. And then there’s this girl…” His voice trailed off, his ears burning.

The stranger tilted his head. “Oh, so it’s love and Tetris. Double whammy.”

Jisung winced. “I don’t know what to do. I like her, but she’s with my best friend, and I feel like the worst person in the world. And now I’m here, and I’m supposed to play like none of this matters, but it does.”

The stranger stared at him for a moment, then sighed, setting down his soda. “Okay, look. I’m not great at advice, but here’s what I’ve got: You’re not gonna fix your love life today. But this tournament? It’s yours. You’ve got one job—play your absolute fucking best. Worry about the rest later.”

Jisung blinked, the simplicity of the advice sinking in. “That’s it?” 

“Yep.” The stranger smirked. “Oh, and maybe stop thinking about her for like, five seconds while you play. Otherwise, you’ll never clear a line.”

Despite himself, Jisung let out a nervous laugh. “Thanks, uh…”

“Sicheng,” the guy said, giving a small wave before walking off with his soda.

Jisung stood there for a moment, the stranger’s words echoing in his head. One job. Play your absolute fucking best.

The announcement of his name jolted him back to reality. Heart pounding, he made his way to the stage, the crowd’s cheers swelling around him.

He spotted Chenle instantly, standing in the front row and waving wildly, his energy uncontainable. “Go, TetWiz!” Chenle yelled, his voice cutting through the noise.

Jisung’s chest tightened. Despite everything, the tension, the doubts, Chenle was still there, cheering him on.

And then he saw you, standing beside Chenle. Your smile was quieter, softer, but it carried the same weight of belief that you’d shown him back at Pixel Haven. Your eyes met his, and you gave a small, encouraging nod.

Jisung took a deep breath, his hands gripping the controls as he sat down.

The countdown began.

Three.

The noise of the crowd faded away.

Two.

His fingers hovered over the buttons, his mind sharpening to a single point of focus.

One.

Play your absolute fucking best.

The game began, the familiar shapes dropping from the top of the screen like old friends. His nervousness melted away as he found his rhythm, the blocks slotting into place with satisfying precision.

The crowd roared as he cleared line after line, the tension building with each level. But Jisung didn’t hear it. For the first time in weeks, his mind was clear, his focus solely on the game.

This wasn’t about Chenle, or you, or even the title. This was about Jisung—the quiet boy who found a spark of something extraordinary in the chaos of falling blocks.

Then the final round began, and the stakes had never felt higher. Jisung sat at the machine, his hands steady but his heart pounding as the screen lit up with the familiar grid. Across from him, his opponent—a seasoned Tetris player with years of experience—cracked their knuckles, exuding a calm confidence that only added to Jisung’s nerves.

The crowd quieted as the final countdown began again.

Three.

Jisung tightened his grip on the joystick.

Two.

His gaze locked on the screen, blocking out everything else.

One.

The pieces started to fall, faster than in any game he’d played before. The early levels felt manageable, his fingers moving on autopilot as he cleared lines with precision. But as the speed increased, so did the tension.

His opponent was good. Better than anyone Jisung had ever faced. They kept pace with him, their screen just as clear, their movements just as calculated. It wasn’t just a game anymore; it was a test of endurance, strategy, and nerves.

The minutes stretched on, each line cleared pushing Jisung further into uncharted territory. His heart raced as he reached the kill screen level—the point where the game’s speed maxed out, and most players couldn’t keep up.

Most players.

Jisung’s vision narrowed, his world shrinking to the grid in front of him. His fingers danced over the controls, rotating and dropping pieces with a precision that felt almost otherworldly. The crowd was a distant roar, his opponent a vague shadow in his peripheral vision.

He wasn’t thinking anymore; he was flowing.

When the final piece dropped into place, clearing a line and bringing his score to a record-breaking high, the machine emitted a triumphant chime.

For a moment, there was silence.

Then, the auditorium erupted.

The crowd leaped to their feet, cheering and clapping, the noise echoing off the walls. Lights flashed, cameras clicked, and Jisung sat there, stunned, as the reality of what he’d just accomplished began to sink in.

He’d won.

Not just the championship, but something deeper. For the first time, Jisung felt the rush of pride, not just for the victory but for the journey that had brought him here.

Chenle’s voice cut through the chaos, louder than anyone else’s. “You did it, Ji! He fucking did it!”

Jisung turned to see his best friend grinning so widely it looked like his face might split in two. Despite the tension between them, Chenle’s joy was pure and infectious.

And then his eyes found you.

You weren’t shouting or jumping like the others, but the pride in your expression was unmistakable. You clapped along with the crowd, your smile warm and genuine as your gaze met his.

Jisung’s chest swelled, the mix of emotions nearly overwhelming. He stood slowly, his legs shaky, and accepted the medal from the tournament official with trembling hands. The announcer declared his name, calling him a prodigy, a champion, but none of it felt as real as the faces in the crowd—Chenle, you, and everyone who had supported him.

As the applause continued, Jisung looked back at the Tetris screen, now frozen on his record-breaking score. For the first time, he saw himself not as “just Jisung,” but as someone capable of achieving something extraordinary.

The crowd had finally begun to disperse, the cheers fading into the background as competitors and spectators alike spilled out into the night. Jisung stayed behind, lingering near the now-quiet Tetris machine. His medal hung heavy around his neck, a tangible reminder that this wasn’t just a dream.

He turned the medal over in his hands, his mind still reeling. He should have been basking in the glow of his victory, but his thoughts kept circling back to you. How your smile had stood out even among the applause. How your quiet presence had kept him grounded.

“Jisung?”

Your voice startled him, and he looked up to see you standing a few feet away, hands tucked into the pockets of your jacket. The faint hum of the arcade machines illuminated your face in soft, flickering light.

“Oh, hey,” he said, his voice barely above a whisper.

You stepped closer, your gaze falling on the medal around his neck. “Congratulations,” you said, your smile warm but understated, as though you understood he wasn’t one for grand celebrations. “You were incredible out there.”

His cheeks flushed, and he looked away, scratching the back of his neck. “Thanks. I… I still can’t believe it.”

“You should,” you replied, your tone gentle but firm. “You worked so hard for this. You deserve it.”

The sincerity in your voice sent a wave of emotion through him, and he found himself meeting your eyes. For a moment, everything else fell away. The noise of the arcade, the lingering spectators, even Chenle.

“It means a lot,” he murmured, “that you were here.”

You smiled softly, stepping even closer. “Of course I was. I wasn’t going to miss this. You’re… special, Jisung. You have something really rare. Not just your talent, but the way you put your heart into everything you do.”

Your words hit him like a gentle but powerful wave, and for the first time, Jisung felt like you saw him, not as Chenle’s shy best friend, not as the Tetris Wizard, but as him.

He opened his mouth to say something, anything, but the words stuck in his throat. Instead, he reached up and touched the medal lightly, as if offering it to you.

“This… it’s not just mine,” he said quietly. “You helped me get here. You believed in me when I didn’t.”

You shook your head, your smile deepening. “That was all you, Jisung. I just… reminded you what you already knew.”

The air between you shifted, the unspoken feelings thickening the silence. It wasn’t the boisterous, high-energy dynamic you had with Chenle. It was quieter, steadier, like a river carving its way through stone.

You reached out then, your fingers brushing his lightly as you adjusted the medal around his neck. The small, intimate gesture sent his heart racing, but he didn’t pull away.

“You’re going to do even greater things,” you said softly, your voice carrying a certainty that made his chest ache.

For a fleeting moment, Jisung thought about telling you everything. Telling you how much he cared for you, and how much this moment meant to him. But he stopped himself, the memory of Chenle’s unwavering cheers still fresh in his mind.

Instead, he held your gaze and said, “Thanks. For… everything.”

Your smile lingered as you stepped back, leaving a small but undeniable space between you. “You’ve got this, Jisung. Don’t forget that.”

And with that, you turned and walked away, leaving him standing there, the warmth of your touch still buzzing on his skin.

Jisung let out a breath he didn’t realize he’d been holding, his hands brushing the medal around his neck. His feelings for you weren’t just a crush. They were something deeper, something that scared and exhilarated him in equal measure.

But for now, he would hold onto the moment, replaying your words in his mind like his favorite song.

As you disappeared into the crowd, Jisung stayed rooted to the spot, the medal’s weight now feeling symbolic of something much heavier. His fingers grazed the cool metal, his thoughts swirling in an uncontrollable storm.

He should have felt elated, on top of the world. And part of him did. But the other part felt like he was standing on the edge of something far scarier than any Tetris grid.

She believes in me. She sees me.

The thought filled him with a quiet joy, but it was quickly followed by a pang of guilt. Chenle had been there too, cheering the loudest, always his most loyal supporter. And Chenle was your boyfriend.

Jisung closed his eyes, trying to silence the war inside him. How could he feel this way about you while knowing it wasn’t his place? He’d spent years being the guy who didn’t take up space, who stayed on the sidelines, who let others shine. Was it selfish to want something or someone so badly now?

“Hey, champ.”

The voice startled Jisung, jerking him out of his spiraling thoughts. He turned to see the familiar figure of Sicheng standing a few feet away.

“I, uh…” Jisung stammered, wiping his palms on his jeans. “Didn’t know you were still here.”

Sicheng shrugged, “Yeah, well, figured I’d stick around and see how the hero handles his post-victory glow. Looks like you’re more ‘existential crisis’ than ‘glow,’ though.”

Jisung blinked, unsure whether to laugh or deny it. “It’s… complicated,” he admitted, his shoulders slumping.

Sicheng nodded as if he understood completely. “Love and Tetris, man. Both are way harder than they look.”

Jisung couldn’t help the small laugh that escaped him, the tension in his chest easing just a little. “I didn’t say it was about that.”

“You didn’t have to.” Sicheng grinned, leaning against a nearby arcade machine. “You’ve got that look. You know, the one that says, ‘I’m hopelessly in love and it’s ruining my life.’”

Jisung groaned, burying his face in his hands. “Is it that obvious?”

“Only to someone as wise and experienced as me,” Sicheng said, his tone deadpan.

Jisung peeked at him through his fingers. “What would you do, then? If you were me?”

Sicheng tilted his head thoughtfully, “I’d probably mess it up completely, to be honest. But here’s the thing—you’re not me. You’ve already done the hard part. You put yourself out there tonight. You faced something scary and came out on top. Maybe it’s time you do the same with… other things.”

Jisung frowned, the words sinking in. “But what if it goes wrong? What if I lose what I already have?”

Sicheng shrugged. “Maybe you will. Or maybe you won’t. But if you keep letting fear decide everything, you’re just gonna stay stuck at the start screen forever. And trust me, that’s no way to play.”

Jisung stared at him, the simplicity of his words somehow cutting through the noise in his head. “You’re… surprisingly good at this,” he said, half-joking.

“I have my moments.” Sicheng smirked, pushing himself off the arcade machine. “Anyway, I’m out. Congrats again, champ. And, uh, good luck with… whatever you decide.”

As Sicheng walked off, Jisung found himself standing a little straighter. The stranger’s words had left him with no concrete answers, but maybe that was the point.

Jisung glanced down at the medal one last time before tucking it under his shirt. For now, he’d focus on the present. The victory he’d earned and the path it was opening up.

But deep down, he knew that the harder game was just beginning.

Jisung didn’t see Chenle after the championship that night. 

The victory should have been enough. It was everything he’d worked for, proof that he wasn’t just the quiet kid in the background. But his mind kept circling back to you—your smile, your words, the warmth in your eyes that seemed to see right through his fears.

Why does it feel like this isn’t enough?

Jisung sighed, his heart heavy with the weight of unspoken emotions. He thought about Chenle. The guilt gnawed at him. Chenle had cheered for him louder than anyone, had believed in him when he couldn’t believe in himself. And yet, every time Jisung saw you two together, it felt like a knife twisting in his chest.

He shook his head, trying to push the thoughts away. This isn’t fair to Chenle. He deserves better than this.

But the memory of your touch, the way your voice softened when you spoke to him, was impossible to ignore. It wasn’t just a crush. It was something deeper, something that made him feel seen in a way he never had before.

“Hey, Wiz.”

Jisung jumped at the voice, turning to see Chenle standing behind him. His best friend’s grin was still as bright as ever, but there was something different in his eyes, something quieter, more serious.

“Oh, hey,” Jisung mumbled, trying to mask the whirlwind of emotions on his face. “What’s up?”

Chenle didn’t answer right away. Instead, he gestured toward the exit. “Come on. Let’s talk.”

Jisung’s stomach sank, but he nodded, following Chenle out into the cool night air. The buzz of the arcade faded behind them as they walked a short distance to a nearby bench. Chenle flopped down first, his usual energy replaced by a rare stillness.

For a moment, neither of them spoke. Jisung fidgeted with the edge of his medal ribbon, waiting for Chenle to break the silence.

“I saw you,” Chenle finally said, his voice unusually calm.

Jisung froze, his heart lurching in his chest. “Saw me?” he echoed, his voice tight.

Chenle leaned back, his gaze fixed on the starry sky. “You and her. After the tournament.”

Jisung’s throat went dry. “I—Chenle, it’s not what you think—”

Chenle cut him off with a small, tired laugh. “Relax, dude. I’m not mad. And I know you wouldn’t do anything. You’re too much of a pussy to make the first move.” He turned to look at Jisung, his expression softer than Jisung expected. “I mean, yeah, it stings a little. But I’ve been thinking about this for a while.”

Jisung blinked, confused. “Thinking about what?”

Chenle sighed, running a hand through his hair. “About us….me and her. Don’t get me wrong, she’s great. But... I don’t think we’re great together, you know? We’re fun, we laugh a lot, but it’s not... deep.”

Jisung stared at him, struggling to process the words.

“And then I see the way you look at her,” Chenle continued, his voice quieter now. “And the way she looks at you.” He let out another soft laugh. “I’d have to be blind not to notice it.”

“I’m sorry,” Jisung blurted out, his guilt spilling over. “I didn’t mean for this to happen. I swear, I tried not to—”

“Hey, stop.” Chenle held up a hand, cutting him off. “I’m not mad, okay? It’s not like you did this on purpose. Feelings are... messy. Trust me, I get it.”

Jisung’s shoulders slumped, the weight of Chenle’s understanding both a relief and a fresh wave of guilt. “So... what does this mean?” he asked hesitantly.

Chenle shrugged, a small smile tugging at his lips. “It means I’m stepping back. You two have something real, Jisung. Something I don’t think I could ever have with her.”

Jisung stared at him, his chest tightening with a mix of emotions. “Are you sure?”

Chenle nodded. “Yeah. I mean, don’t get me wrong. I’ll probably be a little salty about it for a while. But at the end of the day, you’re my best friend. I want you to be happy.” He clapped Jisung on the shoulder, his grin returning in full force. “And who knows? Maybe this means I’ll finally have time to beat your high score.”

Jisung let out a breathless laugh, the tension easing slightly. “Thanks, Chenle. For everything.”

Chenle stood, stretching dramatically. “Don’t get all mushy on me now. Just... don’t mess it up, okay? She’s too good for that.”

Jisung nodded, his heart lighter but still full. As Chenle walked away, Jisung sat for a moment longer, staring at the medal in his hands.

Jisung’s heart pounded like it had during the tournament, maybe even harder. He clutched the edges of the medal still hanging around his neck, his thumb running along the engraved letters as if they could grant him the courage he desperately needed.

He found you sitting at the counter in Pixel Haven, a quiet lull settling over the arcade now that the evening rush was over. You were tinkering with a small machine part, your brow furrowed in concentration, and Jisung couldn’t help but feel his chest tighten at the sight.

“Hey,” he said softly, his voice barely audible over the hum of the arcade lights.

You looked up, surprised but smiling as soon as you saw him. “Jisung! What are you doing here? Shouldn’t you be out celebrating your big win?”

He hesitated, shifting on his feet. “I needed to talk to you,” he admitted, his voice trembling slightly.

You set the part down, giving him your full attention. “Is everything okay?”

Jisung nodded, but the lump in his throat made it hard to speak. He took a deep breath, the memory of Chenle’s words earlier that night giving him the final push.

“I—there’s something I need to say. And I don’t know if it’s the right time, or if I’m even allowed to feel this way, but I can’t... I can’t keep it in anymore.” He paused, his hands gripping the medal tightly. “I like you. I’ve liked you for a while now. And I know Chenle’s your boyfriend. Well, was—but I had to tell you.”

Your eyes softened, and you stood, closing the space between you. “Jisung…”

“I’m sorry if this is too much,” he continued quickly, his words tumbling over each other. “I just... you mean a lot to me. More than I can explain. And if you don’t feel the same, that’s okay. I just—”

“Jisung.” Your voice was steady but gentle, cutting through his nervous rambling.

He stopped, his breath hitching as you placed a hand on his arm.

“I like you too.”

For a moment, the words didn’t register. He blinked at you, his mind struggling to catch up. “You... you do?”

You nodded, a small smile playing on your lips. “You’re kind, thoughtful, and ridiculously talented. And more than that, you have this quiet strength that I admire so much. I’ve been drawn to you for a while now, even when I didn’t fully realize it.”

Jisung’s cheeks flushed, his heart soaring as your words sank in. “Really?”

“Really,” you said, your smile widening. “But we’ll have to take things slow. This is all new, and I want to make sure we’re both ready.”

Jisung nodded quickly, his nervous energy giving way to a shy grin. “Of course. Slow is good.”

You laughed softly, the sound filling the quiet arcade. “You’re adorable, you know that?”

Jisung’s blush deepened, but for the first time, he didn’t feel the need to hide it.

As the two of you stood there, the arcade lights casting a warm glow, Jisung felt something shift inside him. It wasn’t just the joy of hearing you say you liked him too. He’d taken a risk and won.

And this victory? It felt like the best one yet.

This was it.

The moment he’d worked toward for months.

“Ladies and gentlemen,” the announcer’s voice boomed over the speakers, “Park Jisung is on the verge of breaking the world record for highest Tetris score! Can he do it?”

Jisung’s heart thundered in his chest, but it wasn’t fear anymore. It was adrenaline. Focus. Determination.

Out of the corner of his eye, he caught a glimpse of you and Chenle in the crowd. You were leaning forward, your hands clasped tightly in anticipation, your eyes shining with pride. Beside you, Chenle was shouting encouragement so loudly it drowned out the rest of the noise.

“Come on, Wizard!” Chenle yelled, his grin so wide it could’ve split his face. “You’ve got this! Show ‘em how it’s done!”

Jisung’s lips twitched into a small smile. Chenle’s voice, your presence, the energy of everyone around him, all pushed him forward.

The final minutes were a blur of movement and sound. The blocks sped up to an almost impossible level, but Jisung’s hands didn’t falter. His brain worked in overdrive, every decision precise and calculated. He could feel the rhythm of the game in his bones.

And then, with one last perfect Tetris, the machine let out a triumphant chime.

The words NEW WORLD RECORD! flashed across the screen, and for a moment, the room seemed to freeze.

Then the crowd erupted. Cheers and applause filled the arcade, the sound almost deafening. Jisung sat back, his hands trembling as he let out a shaky breath. He’d done it.

You were the first to reach him, weaving through the crowd with your face lit up in a beaming smile. “Jisung, you did it!” you exclaimed, throwing your arms around him in a tight hug.

For a moment, he froze, still overwhelmed by everything, but then he relaxed into the hug, his face flushing as a shy grin spread across his lips. “I... I guess I did.”

You pulled back just enough to look at him, your hands still on his arms. “No, Jisung. You didn’t just do it. You literally broke a world record. That was fucking incredible.”

Before Jisung could respond, Chenle burst through the crowd, practically tackling him with a clap on the back. “That was insane, dude! You’re officially a legend!”

Jisung laughed softly, his nerves easing as the weight of his friends’ support sank in. “Thanks, Chenle. I couldn’t have done it without you.”

Chenle scoffed, his grin turning playful. “Obviously. I mean, who else would’ve dragged your sorry butt to the arcade every week?”

You rolled your eyes, but you were smiling too. “And who else would’ve cheered louder than the announcer himself?”

Chenle puffed out his chest dramatically. “It’s called dedication. But seriously, man.” He leaned closer, his voice dropping to something softer. “I’m proud of you. I always knew you had it in you.”

Jisung blinked, his throat tightening with emotion. “Thanks, Chenle. That... that means a lot.”

“And me,” you added, your gaze locking with Jisung’s. “You’ve worked so hard for this, Jisung. You deserve every bit of it.”

Jisung’s face burned, but he managed a small, grateful smile. “I... I couldn’t have done it without you either. Both of you.”

Chenle grinned, clapping Jisung on the back again. “Okay, enough sap. Let’s go celebrate! First round of drinks are on me!”

“Chenle, you’ve never paid for drinks in your life,” you teased, raising an eyebrow.

“Today’s a special occasion!” Chenle shot back, already heading toward the counter. “Besides, I’ll just borrow some cash from Jisung’s prize money.”

Jisung chuckled, the sound lighter than it had been in months. He looked between you and Chenle, his chest tightening with a strange mix of gratitude and joy.

In this moment, he realized that no matter how far he went. No matter how high he climbed in the Tetris world. He wouldn’t be alone.

He had Chenle, his loud, chaotic best friend who always believed in him, even when he didn’t believe in himself. And he had you, the person who saw him, really saw him, and made him feel like he could be more than just the quiet kid in the background.

For the first time, Jisung felt like he wasn’t just playing to win. He was playing for the people who mattered most.'

Though it stung at first, Chenle proved himself to be the supportive and selfless friend Jisung had always known. It didn’t take long for him to bounce back—literally. A chance meeting at a K-TV bar introduced him to a bubbly, energetic girl named Yizhuo, whose laughter was as infectious as his own. Their chemistry was instant, and soon Chenle was filling the arcade with stories of his new escapades. He still teased Jisung relentlessly, but it was clear he harbored no ill will.

The trio’s bond remained intact, stronger than ever, though their lives began to diverge.

Jisung, now a bona fide legend in the gaming world, found himself swept into a whirlwind of tournaments, sponsorships, and interviews. Though he remained shy and soft-spoken, his quiet charisma and undeniable skill won over fans around the globe. He still made time to visit Pixel Haven, the arcade that had started it all, but his visits were less frequent now, as his journey took him to stages he’d only dreamed of.

You, on the other hand, had left Pixel Haven behind for a new chapter of your own. Inspired by the energy and community of the arcade, you decided to pursue a career in game design. Late nights were now spent sketching out ideas for games that combined strategy and storytelling, with a little bit of heart and soul, something you’d learned was just as important as the mechanics.

Jisung was your biggest cheerleader, always eager to hear about your latest ideas, even if his input sometimes boiled down to, “As long as it’s not as stressful as Tetris.”

Chenle, ever the social butterfly, had shifted his focus to broadcasting. His infectious personality made him a hit on television screens, where he’d commentate on retro games, pull off absurd challenges, and occasionally rope Jisung into appearances. “The TetWiz and Lele Show,” he called it, though Jisung mostly just sat there, looking flustered as Chenle stole the spotlight.

Still, every once in a while, the three of you would reunite at Pixel Haven, now under new management but still holding its nostalgic charm. You’d share snacks, reminisce about the good old days, and maybe even challenge each other to a game or two—though no one dared to take on Jisung in Tetris.

And as Jisung watched you and Chenle laughing over some ridiculous bet, the soft glow of the arcade lights reflecting in your eyes, he realized that life was a lot like Tetris. The pieces didn’t always fall the way you wanted them to, but with patience, a little bit of courage, and the right people by your side, you could make something beautiful out of the chaos.

GAME OVER.

TAGLIST ↬ @lyvhie @aquaphoenixz @galacticnct @yizhrt @polarisjisung @multifandomania @spacejip @peterm4rker @viasdreams @mango-bear

[strong-with-the-sarcasm]

Part 4 - Show me those issues

Dp x DC AU: Regent!Jazz & Vigilante!Jazz

Masterlist Part 3

"Show me those issues, how you've been misused. Yeah girl, I'm with you." -Train Wreck by Divide the Day.

Previously on The Regent: 

It wasn’t as if the Pit Madness could just be gone, right?

Right? (Jason Todd was no fool, the Madness was still there.)

(Just… sedated. Like it didn’t need to boil to the surface anymore where it concerned his murderer.)

And for the first time in a very long while, Jason felt like himself again.

Until the agony began.

In a strange synchronized motion, both Jazz and Danny twisted their bodies towards the spirits who began screeching in the air between the two, ghost speak intertwined with screams of the damned, demanding the Regent and the Prince help the Robin.

“Broken Robin, bloody bird, help, help, help. Agony, pain, corruption” 

Danny didn’t hesitate for a moment to transform into  Phantom, calling over his shoulder for Jazz to bring her last few pure ecto vials along as he phased out of the apartment. 

Jazz sighed heavily as she unlocked the safe in her bedroom, three vials remaining within. All the supply the Regent had left for the month, until Wulf was able to deliver more. 

In any other circumstance, Jazz would have refused to hand over something so vital to her health- escpecially since she was burning through her ecto-levels acting as a vigilante and a Regent, with frequent travels to the Infinite Realms to work on paperwork and attend Council meetings. 

However, Jazz felt the tugging in her chest, the instinct that she had to give up her ectoplasm for the agonized Robin. And she was not one to ignore such strong instincts. 

Vials tucked safely into her bra, Jazz summoned her ecto-sword with only a thought and cut into the air, opening a portal in the between to take her to where the spirits demanded she go. 

Jazz stepped through after a heavy sigh, bones feeling as if they were filled with cement. 

No rest for the wicked after all. 

Danny had already arrived ahead of her by the time Jazz stepped through her portal, fussing over what seemed to be the local unfriendly neighborhood vigilante, Red Hood, without his signature helmet and sweating green droplets profusely. 

Oh.

So that’s how she’d been sensing him. He’s got ectoplasm in him and (by the rancid scent lingering in the air) corrupted at that. 

“Did he go swimming in the Realms sewer?” Jazz asked, half-seriously as she willed the portal closed behind her and leaned her sword against a wall before pulling out the vials of pure ecto. 

Danny struggled to laugh at her attempt at humor however, chirping and warbling at Red Hood’s prone form. Jazz offered the vials to her little brother, “Will these flush out the corrupted ecto?” 

He didn’t answer her, poking at Hood’s chest plate, a warble of worry-horror filling the air. 

“Danny.”

Jazz reached for her proto-core (tucked behind her heart) and chirped back with concern-worry-resignation.

Which worked to get Danny’s attention and he snapped his focus to her, “Jazz, give him the pure stuff! He’s starving!” 

Oh again. 

In Hood’s current state, could he swallow it on his own? 

No, he couldn't. He'd likely choke on it or spit it back out on reflex. One of them would have to administer it by mouth.

Jazz sighed heavily before she uncapped the first vial and tipped its contents into her mouth. The familiar battery-acid taste was heavy on her tongue as she tried not to reflexively swallow it in her hunger.

(She tried to ignore how her heart raced.)

Jazz leaned over Red Hood's prone body, gently carded one hand into his hair, and set the other onto his throat before she pressed her lips onto his own.

To stay in my shadows you must aid my Knight, Regent.

Of course, My Lady.

I speak of the one born in my streets and unburied in my soil, hidden under Red.

The Red Hood?

The Once Bright Light of Gotham, unavenged. Care for him and he will care for you.

Frostbite had been quite shocked at their sudden arrival to the Far Frozen with Red Hood in tow. Jazz’s sword made quite an entrance after all, and Danny’s choice to drop hood’s sweating and shivering body into the Yeti’s arm was enough to get him into motion. 

“Great One, Regent.” The Tribal Leader greeted them as he turned on his heel with his cargo firm in his grasp. 

“Hey Frosty. Gotta doozy for ya.” Danny quipped with some warmth. Being in Realms again seemed to cheer him up ever since the move to Gotham, even if it wasn’t a common occurrence anymore. 

(Jazz kept him far away from the Observants since taking the crown.)

(Nosey one-eyed bastards.) 

“Hi Frostbite.” Jazz offered her own greeting as they followed behind the Yeti into the tribe proper. 

It had been some time since Jazz had been into the Healing tents, but Danny had always enjoyed Frostbite’s company so he easily maneuvered his way around the equipment and tables towards the sectioned off beds in the back, which were Yeti sized and easily dwarved Hood’s own six foot brick house frame. 

Frostbite hummed as he examined his new patient, having heard Danny explain their treatment thus far of Hood. 

“Great One, you were correct in this regard. Red Hood was dying of Corruption due to ectoplasm.” 

“But?” Jazz proded.

“His proto-core has accepted the pure ecto and has begun to stabilize.” 

Both siblings breathed a sigh of relief. That was good news, especially to hear of a new Liminal that could survive Gotham- means Hood was a survivor in more than one regard. 

“However, there is something more concerning…” The Yeti trailed off, a soft growl left in the wake of his words. 

“Frosty?” 

“Pardon me, Great One. It seems that Red Hood’s proto-core isn’t ice-based, it needs warmth.”

Danny, despite the seriousness of the situation, laughed at Jazz’s resulting blush at Frostbite's words.

(Oh I can keep him warm.) 

Not to mention how she they had gotten the pure Ectoplasm down his throat to begin with

“Regent?” 

Jazz sighed and answered the Yeti, “I can offer him my warmth until he can be returned.” 

Frostbite pondered for a moment, “Ah, yes, the Regent has a Fire-based Proto-core. That should do well.” 

(Danny had laughed himself sick when it had come to light that Jazz was his opposite in core too.) 

(Fire and Ice) 

(Hero and Villain) 

With a passive glare at her now-chuckling little brother, Jazz approached Hood’s bed and carefully climbed in alongside him. 

(She did her best to block out how her body wanted to curl into him, grasp onto him and never let go.) 

Turned onto her side away from him, back pressed to his form, Jazz forced her body to relax and let her natural warmth seep out from her core into the vigilante at her back. 

(Little did Jazz know that she would cuddle him in her sleep.) 

(And that a pesky younger sibling would coo and take a few pictures to save as blackmail.) 

Jason dreamed. 

He dreamed of his mother, the good days when she would read to him softly and wrap him in her arms. 

He dreamed of late night patrols with his dad, tucked under his cape when he wanted to feel safe. 

He dreamed of a red haired woman who kissed him softly, held him gently, and… chased the cold away. 

Why had he been so cold? 

Why was his heart aching? 

It wasn’t supposed to ache. 

He wanted his dad. 

He wanted his books. 

He wanted his dream woman to kiss him again and tell him her name, just so he’d have something to hold onto when he woke up. 

(If he woke up.)

A/N:

Alright, part four! With a glimpse into Jason and Jazz's natural bond as, well, maybe... soulmates? Who knows. I'm a sucker for that trope.

If you want a spoiler for what's happening to Jason, check out the original prompt!

And make sure to subscribe to the master list when it's created.

[kiachiako]

july nct recs

my library of favorites from JULY <3 all creds to authors

[ sorted by word count ]

series

MARK | volleyball for dummies (in love edition) | @ddeonuism — Mark Lee has been called many things. Dedicated was one of them and that dedication lead him into joining NeoTech College's well coveted Women's Volleyball team, the NeoTech Tigers, as their manager in hopes of winning the infamous setter, Y/N's heart. But there was one problem, being academically inclined did not come with the extensive knowledge of anything related to the sport and to put it simply, Mark Lee doesn't know shit about Volleyball.

[m] JOHNNY + JENO | switch | chain | @neopuppy — Johnny x female reader x Jeno, Jeno’s dad has got it going on AU, pwp, dc/nc, some angst, fluff

oneshots

MARK | safety zone | @cherryeoniis 19.1k — Mark Lee. The most perfect roommate and best friend that you could have asked for - except for the fact that he constantly messes up your laundry and can’t cook eggs very well. Even then, that doesn’t quite stop you from falling for him in your final year.

[m] HAECHAN | energizer bunny | @smileysuh 19.1k — hybrid au, brother!mark, bunny!reader

[m] MARK | give me the green light | @fadedncity 19k — street racing au, childhood friends to lovers, non idol au, college au, lil angst, fluff

JAEHYUN | contrariety and confluence | @hannie-dul-set 16.9K — there was not an instance in your life where your judgement was proven to be mistaken— especially with regards to infatuations outside of your own. after an unpredicted introduction with a far too remarkable farm boy, you took it upon yourself to find a suitable match for him, not realizing that perhaps this time; your usual correct judgements might have been incorrect.

JAEMIN | can't handle this | @hannie-dul-set 16k — how are you supposed to explain that you and na jaemin started dating just to prove each other wrong and ended up catching feelings.

JAEMIN | top of the world | @hannie-dul-set 15.6k — things had always been the same in the world of na jaemin— him sitting on a throne above everyone else. that was the natural order. but the world as jaemin knew it began to shake after a few fated encounters with someone at the bottom of the food chain.

JISUNG | the things i know | @byunbaekby 14.8k — jisung has never been keen on growing up, or even understanding what adulting means. at seventeen, all he knows is: he loves soccer (and he’s damn gifted at it), and girls are very pretty but also plenty scary. then he met you, his first love who turned his life upside down and made his stomach roll like the soccer balls he loved to kick around the field. but when your cancer comes back after years in remission, jisung thinks, he doesn’t really want to grow up anymore.

MARK | where do broken hearts go? | @rrxnjun 12k — you know what they say about past lovers that can remain just as friends - either they're still in love with each other, or they never were in the first place.

HAECHAN | home is a feeling | @neonun-au 8.2k — Fresh off a break-up, not willing to stomach spending Christmas single with your family, you book a last minute trip overseas to escape the impending loneliness, not realizing that perhaps running away from your feelings will only serve to intensify them. You arrive at your home-away-from-home only to find you’re not the only one staying there. Through some unfortunate (or not so unfortunate) mistake, the AirBnB you booked has also been booked by a handsome young man looking for a similar escape from his own life. Now you have to choose whether or not to stay and spend your Christmas with a stranger or scramble to find a lonely hotel room last minute over the holidays.

[m] JAEMIN + JENO | the walls are thin | @springseasonie 7.4k — both Jaemin and Jeno have always had a thing for you and were never shy about it either. You always play hard to get, but all of your playing was going to catch up with you sooner or later.

[m] HAECHAN | dirty mouth | @jjsneo 6.9k — Haechan is the best roommate anyone could ever ask for. He’s good company, he cooks, he cleans, and he always pays his rent on time. But just like any roommate, he has some quirks. And your favourite is when quiet Haechan turns into a loud, foul-mouthed dirty gamer.

[m] MARK | the best man | @mrkis 6.5k — meeting the one for you at your best friend's wedding wasn't exactly how you imagined this day turning out, neither was fucking him in the bathroom of the venue.

[m] HAECHAN | pretty in pink, but my head's in the dark | @ddeonuism 6.1k — afab!reader, roommate au

JENO | i (have/had) a crush on you | @hannie-dul-set 5.8k — running into a past crush at your best friend’s birthday party wouldn’t have been so bad if he wasn’t— well— all that.

[m] JISUNG | flowers | @jjsneo 5.8k — jisung is completely fine with a friends with benefits arrangement with you. at least that’s what he thought — until he spots a mystery bouquet of flowers at your place (that he definitely didn’t send) and he can’t quite shake the thought. now his behaviour is starting to shift in unexpected ways.

[m] MARK | drive | @lisired 3.5k — behold mark lee - your hot uber driver who you keep getting. very embarrassing. you also fuck him.

[m] JUNGWOO | citrine | @smileysuh 3.2k — life with your surfer boyfriend only ever sees blue skies, and plump lips glisten with the citrine juices of summer

CHENLE | can't spell sex without an ex | 2.4k — you and chenle are broken up. except the both of you are just not very good at remembering that.

. . .

sry for the delay in recs :(( but! i'll have more coming soon DONT U WORRY

xoxo

[booksrbetterthanpeople]

Nathaniel and Marc date night in the DC AU!

It’s a quiet, peaceful noon in Paris… Or it would be if Marinette weren’t behind the wheel of a sports car she managed to hotwire. Civilians jump out of the way as the car races through the streets, the howling laughter of the five villain kids making chills go down their spines

Juleka: Can’t this go any faster? She points to the two police cars tailing them

Marinette: Relax, kitty, I happen to be an excellent driver. She drives through three red lights and nearly runs over a crossing guard Fuck! I missed! Alix, light my fireworks cannon, would ya? It’s under my seat.

Alix: FUCK YEAH! She grabs a handheld cannon and lights the wick. In a few seconds the firework shoots out of the cannon and hurdles for the police cars. Before they veer out of the way, the firework is suddenly stopped mid-air in a floating sphere of water Fun’s over.

Rose looks in the rear view mirror and sees the Hero class after them

Rose: Ugh! We didn’t get to rob the jewelry store yet! She summons several vines that spurt from the ground and grab hold of Aurore and Mireille. A few try to ensnare Simon, but he manages to outrun them and get them tangled

Jean: Serit rieht nettalf!

When the purple aura of Jean’s magic encases the tires of the sports car, they quickly flatten and the car stops in the middle of the road

Marinette: FUCK! Do you know how hard it was to make Juleka sneak into that rich dick’s mansion, then mess up the security system and then let us in?! She pulls out a tank of laughing gas and sprays it toward the heroes

Reshma rapidly flaps her wings to fans the laughing gas away, and Lacey, in the form of an octopus is thrown by Denise at Marinette

Marinette: Trying to pry Lacey off of her face GET THIS CTHULU MOTHERFUCKER OFF OF ME!

Ismael zaps the vines with his laser eyes while Denise fends off against Alix, blocking her scratches with their bracelets. Juleka repeatedly avoids Zoé’s bird-a-rangs.

Noticing Ismael coming up behind her about to use his ice breath, Juleka leaps into the air, and Ismael ends up freezing Mireille instead from the neck-down.

Ismael: Sorry, ‘Reille!

Mireille: Shivering I-I’m good. I’m good.

Aurore summons a geyser of water from a fire hydrant and morphs it into an arm to fight Rose’s carnivorous plants. When the water arm doesn’t seem to have an effect, Cosette electrifies the water and the plants are soon incapacitated

Meanwhile, Marc and Simon are getting civilians to safety, however, Marc finds himself unexpectedly trapped in Nathaniel’s massive fist. Unable to free himself, he resorts to a different tactic

Marc: Nathaniel, let me go, or else!

Nathaniel: Smirks Or else, what?

Marc: Or else, I’m canceling date night!

This declaration catches everyone listening off-guard. The villains and heroes even pause mid-fight

Marinette: With Lacey still on her face Wait, what’s happening?

Nathaniel’s eyes widen in alarm at Marc’s threat, and in not time, he releases the Tamaranean, not wanting to risk a nice evening with his boyfriend. He even gives Marc the puppy eyes for good measure

Marc: Aaw. He kisses him on the cheek Okay, I won’t cancel our date. You’re lucky you’re so cute.

Ismael: Wait… You two are dating?! Since when?!

Later that day

Lacey: You’re absolutely sure you want to go on a date with Nathaniel?

Marc: Brushing his hair It’s not like this is the first time we’ve gone out. Now you all just know about it.

Ismael: Yeah, but… It’s Nathaniel, you know… A VILLAIN!

Marc: I’m aware he’s a villain, Ismael. Puts on his boots

Zoé: Yeah, a villain who can crush a sixteen-wheeler with his bare hands.

Cosette: And makes Godzilla look like a whiny little bitch.

Ismael: And who made me have to twist and bend twenty lampposts in order to make handcuffs big enough for him

Jean: And… Oh, shoot, what’s one?… Gimme a minute.

Denise: Leave him alone, guys. Nathaniel obviously loves Marc, and Marc loves him. And there is nothing we can do about it.

Marc: Thank you, Denise.

Denise: Yeah, and if Nathaniel breaks his heart, I’ll break his titan-sized kneecaps.

Marc: … Thank you?

Reshma: … Alright, I’ll ask him. Do you have any industrial-sized pepper spray? Scarab wants to know before you leave.

Meanwhile

Marinette: So, what’s the plan? Make him feel all loved and vulnerable, and then POW! She shoots one of her ‘POW!’ guns That’s when you ambush him! One less crazy-strong alien for us to deal with!

Nathaniel: No, there’s not gonna be any ambushing.

Kim: Ah, I see. There “isn’t” gonna be an ambush.

Nathaniel: There definitely isn’t.

Nino: I hear you, bro. Wink.

Lila: You clever bitch.

Nathaniel: I’m not gonna ambush my boyfriend.

Chloé: But here’s a hero! It’s what we do!

Nathaniel: If it were any of his other classmates, then yes, I’d gladly ambush them, but not Marc. Also, one of you is gonna have to fight him during our weekly battles.

Adrien: We can’t fight him! He has laser eyes!

Juleka: Are you asking us to choose death?

Ivan: We can’t all be immortal like Denise is, I assume.

Max: We need your freakishly strong hands to hold him and Ismael hostage!

Nathaniel: And that comment earns you a time out. Picks Max up and holds him captive in his fist

Max: Muffled I’ve gotta learn to shut my mouth.

[mxtantrights]

famous dc!au (dick's version)

TRACK ONE - HEAD OVER HEELS

You weren’t expecting to get a call back. In all honesty you were expecting to hear nothing from the casting crew. This was your last ditch effort before you gave up and looked for another job, a more practical job as people would say. 

Being in the industry was hard if your parents weren't already in it or if you didn't have enough money. You've barely been getting by with doing advertising. And while you still weren't sure what specific field you wanted to go into, you thought that music videos could be cool.

So that's why you sent in a thumb drive of photos of you. Which wasn't the weirdest thing you've had to do to pay rent but it was still a bit iffy.

It had been a week or so. And in that time usually the rejection is already setting in so really there was no need to hear the word ‘no’ or read it in an email. You got the gist. You weren’t chosen. 

Just when you’re about to click on an application for a desk receptionist job in an office space downtown, you hear the ping from your phone. Thinking it’s just another senseless ad you open your phone. And to our surprise its not an ad. Or a phishing link. 

You got it. You got the lead role in the music video. You let out a scream and then cover your mouth with your own hand. Then you scream again, it’s muffled this time. You put your phone down and jump to your feet. Jumping around is the most cardio you’ve gotten this week.

You reach for your phone again and read the email again.

“We’re please to offer you the role of the love interest in an upcoming music video. Of course because of the artist’s large stature we’ll need you to sign an NDA if you agree to come on. Please contact us at the number below if you have any concerns…” 

You scream again. 

This is it. You can feel it. In your bones, something is starting right now. And you’re at the center of it. This means you can't give up, you won't give up.

-

Dick didn’t want to come off as a creep. He’s already known as the heartthrob of Hollywood and that’s not doing him any favors. It’s not that he wants to be a heartbreaker. And nine times out of ten he isn’t. It’s just that he’s looking for something real. Not some fleeting PR relationship. 

Of course the casting of a love interest in a music video isn’t really something he needs to concern himself with. And for the past two albums he hasn’t. But he decided to take a chance this time—and Damian straight up told him to do it.

The youngest Wayne had enough of his endless chatter of failing at love and ending up old and lonely. First it was Barbra and then it was Kory, at some point it might have been Donna but that turned out to be more platonic. And then there was Zatana. Damian had had enough.

So he told Dick to look for someone that wasn’t in the music world. Someone who might not even be in the entertainment industry. Which was hard because who would want to enter the hectic Hollywood life for a possible relationship? And what if it didn’t work out?

Dick knew it was out of the question. Jason had been lucky to fall in love with his co-star who was up and coming and shared his love for acting. Dick hasn’t had that luck and he doubted he ever would.

But when he asked to see the finalists that would be playing his love interest, he was shooting one last shot into the universe. A call out into the ether for anyone to hear. And someone did. You did. 

He was sent a thumb-drive with five folders. All the four other applicants had professional shots. Like professional backdrops and themed pictures. The works. But you? You kept it simple, you kept it real.

There were only five snapshots of you in the folder but they managed to get Dick’s heart to race. A cafe photo, a fun beach shot. There were two of you out on the street amongst a flower shop. And lastly, the not that did it, a picture of you on a porch taken off guard. The way the sun hit you and the way you seemed so at ease, it made Dick take a moment.

And then he was texting his casting crew that you were the one. Those exact words. And they had agreed and said they would ask if you wanted the role. Dick was happy they did. He couldn’t wait to meet you in person though. 

Maybe you would be the one. He hadn’t written a song in six months besides the one he’s filming a video for. And that’s why he’s doing the video in the first place, to placate fans and business execs. At least long enough for him to write an album.

And you had a face to write a million songs about. You seemed like a genuine and kind person. At the least he'll be able to write a song or two and satisfy his label. At the very most? Maybe he'll fall in love with you, who knows.

[megaaceofspades]

Hi its me again the anon who talked about Tim and Duke's privilege also influencing their narrative arcs. First of all- thank you so much!!! To be honest i kinda hesitate to analize dc comics because i am not well read on them at all, most of my info comes from wiki, and fandom (sources i know are NOT reliable at all) and that ask was based on what i know about them and my 2 cents on how their race, economic status, religion, and sexuality would have affected. So it really means a lot to me that you liked my idea!! Also on second note- another Timlonnie shipper! Same hat! God if dc had let me be incharge (they shouldnt) i would really like to make a sitcom style Tim and Lonnie college roommates au where yes they know who the other is and yes they do fight each other in their vigilante identities and yes they are still roommates cause what else to do? Move out? Find a new dorm? For Gotham Uni? Lmao

omg it has literally been eight months i got a weird explicit message one day and just stopped checking my inbox until now i’m so so sorry. look i’ve been a comic reader since i was a kid (inherited, my father was a big fan as well) but i love however people get involved with narratives and what not.

AS FOR TIMLONNIES. they can pry the idea of tim and lonnie living together during tim’s i-have-a-fake-uncle era even though they’re fighting in the streets out of my cold dead hands. genuinely am obsessed with their potential and chemistry can’t believe more people don’t see it.

[a-cat-in-toffee]

pd racing au masterpost

because i finally got around to it :3c basica premise of this au is what if they guys raced scifi hoverbikes. and got gay about it. yeag.

THE MAIN CAST <3

The Racers !!

Vyncent Sol, “Virion,” started racing as a street racer using the great’s bikes, but he wanted to do more and get into more professional racing. Met William because he was looking for a mechanic in order to enter a race, and they stuck with each other after that.

Ashe Winters, “Grimoire,” just recently started racing, and started out professionally. She had always been interested in it since her mother was a racer, but Mark didn’t want her to because her mom died in a crash. Met Dakota after he crashed into her backyard, and she tagged along with him to a race.

Summer Dileo, “Slinky,” strictly professional racer, though the name isn’t finalized. Haven’t finalized anything backstorywise for her lol, but her mechanic is Doug.

Xavier Gonzales, “X,” primarily a street racer, but does a few professional races for funsies. Basically like in canon, underground racing track where he met Jade.

The Mechanics !!

William Wisp, got super into mechanic work as a sort of escapism from Deadwood, and really got himself acquainted with the innards of David’s old bike. Moved to Rockfall and got a job at Rusty’s to afford a shitty apartment (because he refused to let David pay his rent) until he met Vyncent and finally got the mechanic job he had been looking for.

Dakota Cole, “DC,” started out as a mechanic for Kat, who was a street racer. He met Doug in this time period, too, and became close friends with him. Following an incident that resulted in Dakota being out of a track and out of a racer, he realized he wasn’t exactly living in a sustainable situation and called up Tide after putting Alaska in rehab. He wasn’t exactly able to find a new racer for a while, but after sneaking out of the house and taking freelance street racing jobs, he accidentally stumbled into Ashe’s yard after running from a street racing track got busted.

Doug, “Inferno,” used to be a street mechanic until aforementioned incident, then met Summer and started working as her mechanic. Briefly did a little racing with Jade, switching off which of them was racer or mechanic.

Jade, “Cantrip,” both racer and mechanic, does an assortment of street and professional, works as Xavier’s mechanic after meeting him doing street racing.

General Context And Important Posts Or Art !!

PC Lineup

NPC Lineup

Types Of Races (street vs professional)

How The Bikes Look

Vic Talking Abt Motorcycle Stuff

How Ghostknife Met

The Winters Family Deal

Gayass Losers, Gayass Losers Pt.2

What's Up With The Prime Force?

What’s Up With The Prime Force? Pt.2

Jason and Harlem Fic

Clarence and Mal's Deal

Clam Writing Thing

Other Racers/Campaigns !!

Prime Rifters

TMK

Suckening

Apotheosis 

Riptide

[ineedsleepsoleavemealone]

this is like the third one I've made but whatever.

Hi, I'm Ray or Rainy. I use she/her pronouns. I write fanfictions sometimes. My Ao3 account is ineedsleepsoleavemealone. I have an art blog: @ineedsleepsoleavemealone-art

Feel free to use my ask box, there's a 95% chance I'll respond!!

Here's my masterlist (or whatever you call it)

PJO Fics

I'm Crying (I'm so Tired) - Percabeth Gods Au Part 1

I Hate That You're Near But Not Here - Percabeth Gods Au Part 2

Where Are You? (I'm Sorry) - Percabeth Gods Au Part 3

I'm Home Again (I Feel Alone Again) - Thalia is in Mark of Athena, Jason is jealous

Marvel Fics

See The Ghost of You (In Her Eyes) - Tony dies instead of Peter in Infinity War, and consequences of it. (Unfinished, I Probably Never Will)

Losing Face - Tony gets snapped instead of Peter (Final Chapter Coming Soon)

Long Road to Ruin - May and Peter fall into debt, Peter takes up street racing to make money (Main Fic)

Amoung Us Fic

In the Midst of Ourselves - self insert among us fic. I'm sorry

Gilmore Girls Fics

i don't wanna be lonely (so tell me you'll come home) - AU that takes place in between seasons 2 and 3

so in love (that I might stop breathing) - Rory receives Jess' letter while in Washington DC

TSITP Fics

I Watch the Moon (Let It Run My Mood) - What if Belly's Prom night went well?

[bluejaysandblackbats]

The Spin Out

Fandom: Batman, DC Comics

Summary: Jason Todd returns to Gotham after three years for the final time to win enough money to pay off Sheila’s debts.

Chapters: 14/?

Characters: Jason Todd, Sheila Haywood, Original Character(s), Bruce Wayne

Relationships: Jason Todd/Original Character

Additional Tags: Street Racing AU, No Capes AU, Jason Todd-centric, Hurt Jason Todd, Bad Parent Sheila Haywood, Bruce Wayne Tries to Be a Good Parent, Bruce Wayne is Bad at Communicating, Bruce Wayne is Bad at Feelings, Hurt/Comfort, Organized Crime, Jason Todd has Trust Issues, Jason Todd is Not Okay, Good Person Jason Todd, Stalker Bruce Wayne, Secret Identities, Secrets, Angst

Chapter Fourteen: Meatball

Jason met with Father Andrew after his Saturday race for confession and mass on Sunday. He would’ve stayed behind to talk, but he had to go to the grocery store before watching his cousins. Miranda gave him a list of numbers to call in an emergency, and he hugged them before the kids sent them off. The kids were fairly quiet when Jason arrived because Ethan lay sleeping on the couch. “Hey, is Ethan alright?” Jason asked. 

Mason opened his mouth to speak, and Lindsay grabbed his hand. “Hey… That’s fine. I’m gonna go ask him,” Jason reassured them as he approached Ethan on the couch and tapped his forearm. “Ethan?”

Ethan groaned and opened his eyes. “Hi, Jason,” Ethan mumbled. 

“What’s your comfort food, E?” Jason whispered. Ethan covered his face with his forearm. “Hey… Hey. Please? Please? I wanna make something that I know you guys like tonight.”

“Spaghetti and meatballs,” Ethan answered. 

Jason fixed Ethan’s blanket. “With salad or breadsticks?” Jason asked. 

“Salad. I don’t like bread,” Ethan replied. Jason raised an eyebrow before bumping fists with Ethan. 

“I love a classic… Get some rest. I wanna watch that movie with you tonight,” Jason grinned. Ethan grabbed Jason’s arm, his face twisting into a frown. “C’mere.” Jason hugged him. 

“I don’t want Mom and Dad to worry, but I feel really bad,” Ethan whispered. Jason nodded. 

“You wanna cry?” Jason asked. “I wanna cry sometimes, too.” Ethan trembled as he started to cry, and Jason held onto him. 

Jason crouched there until Ethan let go of him. Ethan turned away to wipe his face, and Jason knocked on the coffee table. “Spaghetti and meatballs,” Jason whispered. 

“With salad,” Ethan added. 

“Croutons?” Jason asked. 

“No thanks. I just like lots of veggies,” Ethan answered as he cleared his throat. Jason nodded. 

**

Lindsay and Mason stood on stools on either side of Jason while he cooked. “Jason, do you like to cook?” Lindsay asked. 

“I love to cook. I used to cook for my mom all the time at home,” Jason answered.

“What’s her favorite?” Lindsay asked. Jason looked up as he tried to think about her question. 

“My mom likes BBQ. She likes a little slab of ribs and baked beans. Maybe I can come over and help your dad barbecue on the fourth of July,” Jason replied. Mason tugged on Jason’s shirt. Jason casually scooped Mason onto his back. 

Jason sprinkled a little bit of minced bell pepper into Lindsay’s hand before sprinkling some of the excess into his mouth. “Mason, you want some?” Jason asked. 

“I okay,” Mason replied.

Jason sautéed the veggies in a pan with garlic powder, rosemary, oregano, thyme, fresh basil, and parsley. “Can Ethan eat spicy food? Or does it make his stomach hurt?” Jason asked. 

“Ethan didn’t eat yesterday,” Lindsay stated. 

Jason made a soft noise and frowned. “Does Uncle Jeremy know that?” Jason questioned. Lindsay shook her head. 

“I promised not to tell Mommy and Daddy. I didn’t promise not to tell you,” Lindsay replied. 

Jason faked a smile for her, shaking his head playfully as he replied with a silly, “You’re so right, Lindsay Bug.” 

**

Jason gently nudged Ethan awake. “Dinner’s ready, Ethan,” Jason whispered. Ethan rubbed his eyes, and Jason sat beside him while the other kids sat together on the other side of the coffee table. Ethan twirled the spaghetti with his fork. Mason had pasta all over his face, and Lindsay ate the meatballs with her fingers. 

Ethan took a little bite and a sip of water before smiling. Jason dug in once Ethan started eating a little more, and he checked his phone. He’d received a text from Father Andrew. Jason’s heart jumped into his throat, and he put his phone in his pocket. “Mm,” Ethan wiped his mouth with a napkin. “Who was that?”

“My priest,” Jason whispered, “Do you want some more spaghetti?” Ethan nodded, and Lindsay followed Jason to the kitchen. He used tongs to make Ethan’s plate before looking at Lindsay. 

All the kids looked at him like he could do anything. It made him wish he was their brother and not their cousin. “Daddy says you have tattoos,” Lindsay stated. 

“I have one tattoo,” Jason gently corrected her. 

She held her plate out while Jason gave her a little more spaghetti and half of a meatball. “Are you gonna get more?” Lindsay asked. Jason paused as he thought about her question. 

“I wanted to get birds on my side, but I don’t know what else I’d get… I’d like to have a lot of tattoos. Maybe some happier ones,” Jason replied, “What do you think I should get?” 

“Lobsters,” Lindsay replied. Jason chuckled. 

“For Maine. I’ve never been to Maine,” Jason whispered.

“But it’ll give you a hint for where to find us when you go away again,” Lindsay explained, “And you won’t forget us.” 

Jason picked her up and sat her at the chair near the kitchen island. “How could I ever forget you? You’re my family,” Jason whispered, “But I’ll get the lobsters because I love you so much. It’ll give me something to look at when I’m missing all of you.”

**

Jason kneeled between Mason and Lindsay’s bed and prayed for them, and Mason got out of bed and tugged Jason’s sleeve. Lindsay was fast asleep, facing the wall, but Mason lay on his side, watching Jason. “Why you doing that?” Mason asked. 

“I’m praying for you to have good dreams,” Jason replied. 

“What’s praying?” Mason asked.

Jason gave his answer considerable thought because none of them were raised religious. “Praying is a conversation between a person and God if they believe in a god. That’s the time we thank our god for things we believe they’ve done for us, and we ask for help and forgiveness for bad things that happened or bad things we did,” Jason explained, “And for me, He is like a father that’s always there. When I need Him, he’s always there.” 

Mason knit his brows together. “Where is God?” Mason asked. 

“Well, the god I believe in lives in heaven which is invisible and in the sky,” Jason replied. 

Mason yawned and let Jason tuck him into bed. “Okay. Love you, Jason,” Mason whispered. 

“I love you too, Mase,” Jason whispered as he kissed Mason’s forehead and left the room. 

Jason plopped down on the couch beside Ethan and sighed. Ethan chuckled. “If you’re too tired—.”

“Nope. I’m wide awake,” Jason interrupted, “What are we watching?” 

Ethan lay back with the bowl of popcorn in his lap. “ Nightcrawler ,” Ethan answered. Jason reached over and grabbed a handful of popcorn as the movie started. “Have you seen it before?”

“Nuh-uh… I haven’t watched TV in a long time, so I’m a little bit out of the loop,” Jason replied. 

“How long?” Ethan asked. 

“We haven’t had a TV since I left the United States, so I don’t really watch movies anymore. It’s been almost four-ish years,” Jason replied. 

“What do you do for fun, then?” Ethan questioned. 

Jason smiled. “I fix cars, I go swimming if I live somewhere with a nice beach, and I read more,” Jason answered, “It’s not so bad. I’ve seen more of the world in three years than I’ve seen in my entire life. I’d never even left the state of New Jersey before all of this.” He said it to convince himself, and Ethan knew it.

[itsupermanti]

RWBY DC AU #1; Race of the Century!

Lisa Lavender: I’m Lisa Lavender with Vale News, and we are live in Vale at the starting line for the charity event people are calling, “The Race of the Century!”

Lisa(walking over to the start line where the Justice League, Justice Society and Young Justice are chatting with each other): This charity event is being held to raise funds for Beacon’s curriculum and the upkeep of Vale’s borders against the Grimm.

Lisa(as she approaches the participants of the race): As well as answer the question many have asked concerning our beloved heroes, just who is the fastest?

Lisa(as she walks up to Sage Ayana): Here with me is the Justice League’s Huntsman Representative, Sage Ayana, can you tell our viewers about the contestants Mr Ayana.

Sage(smiling): Well not only are we raising funds for Beacon and the upkeep of Vale, we’re also determining who amongst these heroes are the fastest!

Lisa(as the cameraman faces the each participant of the race, starting with The Justice Society’s Flash/Bart Oobleck as he warms up): The Justice Society’s own speedster, the original Flash?

Sage(Superboy/Adrien is shown stretching and channeling aura throughout his body and into his perf-boost semblance): Young Justice’s own Superboy, the Teen of Steel?

Lisa(Harriet is shown inspecting her weapon and angrily glaring at the heroes around her): Atlas’ Ace-Op member, Harriet “Hare” Bree?

Sage(as Kid Flash/Oscar is seen adjusting his red gauntlets and red soles of his black boots, before making sure that his silver mask is perfectly adjusted for his high speed run with help from Robin/Whitley): One of my preferred contestants, Young Justice’s Kid Flash, the Fastest Teen Alive?

Lisa(as Superwoman/Yang is shown going over the route for the race on a map with Batwoman/Blake and Star Sapphire/Nora): His mother, the Justice League’s own Superwoman?

Sage(as The Flash/Jaune is seen eating an energy bar and memorizing the route with help from Green Lantern/Ruby and Green Arrow/Sun): Or will the Flash prove himself worthy of his title, “Fastest Man Alive”?

Lisa(as the camera pans back to them): We should go over the route for our viewers at home.

Sage(nodding his head as he motions to a screen behind him, showing the continents of Remnant): Right! The racers will start here in Vale.

Sage(Aquaman/Neptune bursts up from the shores of Menagerie with Red Tornado/Penny observing from her place next to the first checkpoint): They’ll have to race across the ocean to reach Menagerie, potentially breaking the sound barrier as they do so!

Sage(as the screen shows Troia/Pyrrha and a large crowd at the second checkpoint in Mistral): They’ll then race to the next checkpoint in Mistral.

Sage(Wonder Woman/Winter is shown on the streets of Mantle at the third checkpoint): Brave the harsh blizzards of Atlas to reach the third checkpoint in Mantle, marking the halfway point.

Sage(while Dr Fate/Ozpin and Cyclone/Glynda are shown at the fourth checkpoint at the edge of the Grimmlands): Cut across the borders of the Grimmlands, passing the fourth point as they go.

Sage(Superman/Taiyang is seen hovering by the fifth checkpoint in Vacuo with Constantine/Qrow zipping from his flask nearby): From there, they’ll continue going as they cross the scorching sands towards Vacuo!

Sage(as the starting line is seen once again): They race across the continent in a full on race back to the starting point here in Vale!

Sage(as he is seen once again): Whoever crosses the finish line first, well be declared the fastest!

Lisa(as Green Lantern/Ren hovers above the start line): It appears as though the race is about to begin!

Lisa(as the racers take their places upon the start line): Each contestant has been given a special bracelet to help track their progress from here.

Sage(as one of the bracelets is shown on Jaune’s wrist, as he pulls his glove back into place, hiding it): These bracelets also provide them with the route they’ll take, as well as record they’re highest speed.

Green Lantern/Ruby(kissing her husband on the cheek as he lines up on the start line): You got this sweetie!

Superwoman/Yang(offended by her sister picking Jaune over her): What am I, chopped liver?!

Green Lantern/Ren(making a construct flare gun once everyone is lined up): Ready?!

Green Lantern/Ren(as Superboy and Superwoman crouch slightly): On your marks…

Green Lantern/Ren(as Harriet assumes a three-point stance and lightning emits from her eyes with a scowl on her face): Get set…

The three Speedforce users’ vibrate in place, generating a great deal of lightning each as Ren finally fires of the green flare to send them on their way.

Green Lantern/Ren(as the flare shots up into the sky): GO!!!

The six contestants take off with a huge gust of wind, lightning and a boom left in their wake.

Only one will win!

[plscallmeeren]

PLAYLIST | THE MESSAGE

• Raven's Endless Mix •

Lash Out by Alice Merton

I've got something to say

Might start a riot

Rip that tape from my mouth

I won't be quiet

'Cuz everything is nothing 'til you realise it's something you want

Sound of Silence performed by Disturbed

In restless dreams I walked alone

Narrow streets of cobblestone

Dreams by Fleetwood Mac

But listen carefully to the sound of your loneliness

Like a heartbeat; drives you mad

In the stillness of remembering what you had

And what you lost

Personal Jesus by Depeche Mode

Take second best

Put me to the test

Things on your chest

You need to confess

I will deliver, you know I'm a forgiver

All I Want Is To Be Your Girl by Holly Miranda

We could fuck in the sun and dance 'til dawn

And all I want is to be your girl

Black holes in the skies to the ends of the world

Put rocks in your pocket, take the boat for a whirl

Lady Marmalade by LaBelle

Touching her skin, feelin' silky smooth

Colour of café au lait

River Lea by Adele

But it's in my roots, in my veins

It's in my blood and I stain every heart that I use to heal the pain

So I blame it on the River Lea

We Gotta Get Out Of This Place performed by The Angels

We gotta get out of this place

If it's the last thing we ever do

There's a Ghost by Fleurie

Am I afraid to be alone?

That nobody will ever know this death I'm dying

bury a friend by Billie Eilish

What do you want from me?

Why don't you run from me?

What are you wondering?

What do you know?

Why aren't you scared of me?

Why do you care for me?

When we all fall asleep, where do we go?

Green Onions by Booker T. & the M.G.'s

Then you put on your crying

Like you never cried before

Babooshka by Kate Bush

But how she was before the tears

And how she was before the years flew by

And how she was when she was beautiful

Mustang Sally performed by The Commitments, Andrew Strong

Those weepin' eyes

This Old Heart by Gin Wigmore

Breathe, the streets without a name

These burning clouds don't always look the same

Midnight moon, you are my thunder

I am the glass in which you wonder

Still, I keep falling on, babe

Highway to Hell by AC/DC

I'm on my way to the promised land

I'm on the highway to hell

And I'm goin' down

I Like It Heavy by Halestorm

If the windows ain't shaking

Making my heart race

If I can't feel it in my chest I'm in the wrong damn place

Got a demon in my soul and a voice in my head

Saying go, go, go, I can sleep when I'm dead

The Great Gig In The Sky by Pink Floyd

I am not frightened of dying

Any time will do, I don't mind

Why should I be frightened of dying?

There's no reason for it, you've gotta go sometime

Girls Got Rhythm by AC/DC

I've been around the world

I've seen a million girls

Ain't one of them got

What my baby she got

Edge of Seventeen by Stevie Nicks

And the days go by, like a strand in the wind

In the web that is my own, I begin again

Said to my friend, baby

Nothin' else mattered

Sisters Are Doin' It For Themselves by Eurythmics, Annie Lennox, Dave Stewart, Aretha Franklin

Mothers, daughters

And their daughters, too

Woman to woman

We're singing with you

Black Sheep by Gin Wigmore

Making my own road out of gravel and some wine

And if I have to fall then it won't be in your line

Everybody's doing it, so why the hell should I?

Kool Girl by Seasalt

Totally untouchable

Cool girl

The kind your mother thinks is trouble

Amen by Halestorm

Someone's gonna hate

It's never gonna change

It gets harder every day

It's a hell of a place

To keep your heart from freezing

To keep yourself believing

brutal by Olivia Rodrigo

And I'm so sick of 17

Where's my fucking teenage dream?

If someone tells me one more time

'Enjoy your youth' I'm gonna cry

And I don't stick up for myself

I'm anxious and nothing can help

And I wish I'd done this before

And I wish people liked me more

Do Not Disturb by Halestorm

I'm on the very top floor, room 1334

There's a king-sized bed

But we can do it on the floor

Starstruck - Single Version by Sorry

Pressure, poets

Priceless smiles

Cutting edge

Entertainment

Foolish antics

Antique evenings

Fragile, frugal

Breaking even

Uppers, downers

All rounders

Back in Black by AC/DC

Back in black, I got the sack

It's been too long, I'm glad to be back

Yes, I'm let loose, from the noose

That's kept me hanging about

Dog Days Are Over by Florence + The Machine

She hid around corners and she hid under beds

She killed it with kisses and from it she fled

Only Happy When It Rains by Garbage

And though I know you can't appreciate it

I'm only only happy when it rains

You know I love it when the news is bad

Why it feels so good to feel so sad?

Doom and Gloom by The Rolling Stones

I had a dream last night that I was a pilot in a plane

And all the passengers were drunk and insane

Everybody Talks by Neon Trees

I found out that everybody talks

Everybody talks, everybody talks too much

It started with a whisper

And that was when I kissed her

Gloria: In Exelsis Deo by Patti Smith

Meltin' in a pot of thieves

Wild card up my sleeve

Thick heart of stone

My sins' my own

They belong to me, me

People say, 'beware!'

But I don't care

Riders on the Storm by The Doors

There's a killer on the road

His brain is squirming like a toad

Take a long holiday

Let your children play

If you give this man a ride

Sweet family will die

Killer on the road, yeah

Wade in the Water by Eva Cassidy

And God's gonna trouble the water

I Hate Myself For Loving You by Joan Jett and the Blackhearts

Hey man, bet you can't treat me right

You just don't know what you was missing last night

Why'd Ya Do It by Marianne Faithful

I had my balls and my brains put into a vice

And twisted around for a whole fucking week

Man Like That by Gin Wigmore

Did he bite you on the neck right before the job was done?

And does he ask about your mama?

Does he sing your song when you get mad?

Well, I been there, done that many times

And all the kicking and the screaming won't bring him back

Teenagers by My Chemical Romance

'Cause they got ways of keeping you clean

They're gonna rip up your heads

Your aspirations to shreds

Another cog in the murder machine

Shoot to Thrill performed by Halestorm

Pull the trigger

Shoot to thrill

Play to kill

Too many women with too many pills

People Are Strange by The Doors

People Are Strange when you're a stranger

Faces look ugly when you're alone

Women seem wicked when you're unwanted

Streets are uneven when you're down

hey little girl (live) by sophiamarie.b

There's a ghost inside of you but it's hidden too deep

Hey, little girl, you'd never imagine

You get a little older, you'll get abandoned

Hey, little girl, you know smoking kills

You don't really care, 'cuz you love how it feels

Big Bad Wolf by Roses & Revolutions

Funny how it all works out in the end

You're playing with fire

Living in sin

Nothing's ever free

No, nothing's ever free, is it?

Khe Sanh by Cold Chisel

You know, the last plane out of Sydney's almost gone

And it's really got me worried

I'm going nowhere and I'm in a hurry

The Swing by INXS

It marks the moments as the years go by

In an innocent phase

jealousy, jealousy by Olivia Rodrigo

Co-comparison is killing me slowly

I think I think too much

'Bout kids who don't know me

I'm so sick of myself

Rather be, rather be

Anyone, anyone else

Ballad of a Thin Man by Bob Dylan

You try so hard, but you don't understand

Just what you will say when you get home

Because something is happening here but you don't know what it is

Do you, Mister Jones?

So Hott by Kid Rock

You got a body like the devil and you smell like sex

I can tell you're trouble, but I'm still obsessed

Insomnia 2021 - Epic Edit by Maceo Plex, Faithless

I only smoke weed when I need to

And I need to get some rest

Yo, where's my sense?

9 to 5 by Dolly Parton

Workin' 9 to 5, what a way to make a livin'

Barely gettin' by, it's all takin' and no givin'

They just use your mind

And they never give you credit

It's enough to drive you crazy if you let it

Living in the 70s by Skyhooks

I feel a bit nervous

I feel a bit mad

I feel like a good time that's never been had

I feel a bit fragile

I feel a bit low

Tomorrow, Wendy performed by Concrete Blonde

Underneath the chilly, grey November sky

We can make believe that Kennedy is still alive and

We're shooting for the moon and Jackie's driving by and

They say 'good try'

Tomorrow Wendy is going to die

Bang Bang Bang Bang by Sohodolls

So we put on our eyeliner

And a bit of glitter dust

Life at night is always finer

Neon streets are full of lust

A Little Wicked by Valerie Broussard

No one calls you honey, when you're sitting on a throne

Beware the patient woman, 'cause this much I know

No one calls you honey, when you're sitting on a throne

Girl With No Name by Jules Larson + AG

I don't want to write another sad song

I come undone from everyone I'm doing wrong

I call you up at night when I'm driving home

Will I die alone?

Maybe I don't mean it when I say 'goodbye'

Forever loses meaning for me all the time

Girl With One Eye by Florence + The Machine

That's the price she'll pay

I took a knife and cut out her eye

I took it home and watched it wither and die

Well, she's lucky that I didn't slip her a smile

Destination Anywhere by The Commitments, Niamh Kavanagh

Oh, destination anywhere

East or west, I don't care

You see my baby don't want me no more

They Say I'm Different by Betty Davis

My great-grandpa was a blues lover

He be rockin' his moonshine to B.B. King and Jimmy Reed

Rock on

That's why they say I'm different

all the good girls go to hell by Billie Eilish

'Cause even God herself has enemies

And once the water starts to rise

And heaven's out of sight

She'll want the devil on her team

Bloodletting (The Vampire Song) by Concrete Blonde

There's a crack in the mirror

And a bloodstain on the bed

Oh, you were a vampire

And baby, I'm the walking dead

I'm Not Calling You A Liar by Florence + The Machine

I'm not calling you a liar

Just don't lie to me

I'm not calling you a thief

Just don't steal from me

I'm not calling you a ghost

Just stop haunting me

And I love you so much

I'm gonna let you kill me

Milk and Cookies by Melanie Martinez

I'm fucking crazy, need my prescription filled

Do you like my cookies?

They're made just for you

A little bit of sugar, but lots of poison, too

Somebody to Love by Jefferson Airplane

When the garden flowers

Baby, are dead, yes and

Your mind, your mind is so full of red

The Fine Print by Stupendium

That's provided at generous prices

Your worth is determined by your sacrifices

A small term of service when down on the surface

Internment's a freebie that comes with the purchase

We work

To earn the right to work x4

To earn the right to give

Ourselves the right to buy

Ourselves the right to live

To earn the right to die

Bullet With Butterfly Wings by The Smashing Pumpkins

The world is a vampire

Sent to drain

Secret destroyers

Hold you up to the flames

And what do I get

For my pain?

Betrayed desires

And a piece of the game

Days and Days performed by Concrete Blonde

That's hours of forever

Running all together

Like the crossroads of a minute

And you and me were in it

And I never saw it coming

Never saw it fade away

Today, today, today

Zero by The Smashing Pumpkins

My reflection, dirty mirror

There's no connection to myself

I'm your lover, I'm your zero

In the face in your dreams of glass

Hounds of Love by Kate Bush

Afraid of what might be

Hiding in the dark, hiding in the street

And of what was following me

The hounds of love are hunting

I've always been a coward

And I don't know what's good for me

Comfortably Numb by Pink Floyd

I can't explain, you would not understand

This is not how I am

I have become comfortably numb

Starman by David Bowie

Waiting in the sky

He'd like to come and meet us

But he thinks he'd blow our minds

Let the children lose it

Let the children use it

To Love A Boy by Maya Hawke

Like a hidden cave, I am always open

I hold the space you made, I'm empty, but still hoping

I have a feeling, a terrible fear encroaching

That I'll never love a boy the way I love the ocean

Little Dark Age by MGMT

The humour's not the same, coming from denial

Oh-oh, I grieve in stereo, the stereo sounds strange

I know that if you hide, it doesn't go away

If you get out of bed and find me standing all alone

Open-eyed, burn the page, my little dark age

White Rabbit by Jefferson Airplane

When logic and proportion

Have fallen sloppy dead

And the White Knight is talking backwards

And the Red Queen's off with her head

Remember what the dormouse said

Feed your head

Are You Satisfied by MARINA

Do I need to lie to make my way in life?

Are you satisfied with an easy ride?

Once you cross the line, will you be satisfied?

Sad inside this life, unsatisfied, prayin'

Everybody by Cold Chisel

Everybody wants complete fidelity from two or three lovers simultaneously

Everybody wants to be an individual

Everybody else does, too

All I wanna be is idiot-free and out of here with you

What's Up? by 4 Non-Blondes

And so I cry sometimes when I'm lying in bed

Just to get it all out

What's in my head

And I, I am feeling a little peculiar

Wish You Were Here by Pink Floyd

Do you think you can tell?

Did they get you to trade

Your heroes for ghosts?

Hot ashes for trees?

Hot air for a cool breeze?

Cold comfort for change?

Did you exchange a walk-on part in the war

For a lead role in a cage?

• Worth Listening To •

[eirian-houpe]

TMI Tuesday

It’s Tuesday, the sun is shining...

…fandom is being the storm cloud on my horizon.

So, I’m breaking out my rain gear and my umbrella, and my lightning conductor, and forging ahead.  Anything else would be to admit defeat, but between the engagement issues (again/still), and the ugliness in some (not all, but some) fandom groups right now, it would be so easy to just throw up my hands, and give up.

Anyway... The Rumbelle Showdown first round voting period comes to an end at midnight tonight.  I hear it’s a tight race, so if you haven’t already voted, please head on over to the showdown blog and vote, vote, vote!

Yesterday I posted chapter 55 of Disparate Pathways.  There are only two more chapters left to post now, and I’m looking at Thursday, and Sunday to get them posted; also… repeating the warning for this fic:

Major Character Death

Please feel free to ask about that fig, or any other of my fics. I’m hoping to get some work done on Modern Wonders, for Rumbelle, and Laer o Faen for Tolkien.

Otherwise, here are some other suggestions for you…

Ask suggestions

Ask something about any of my fics (full list is below the cut). If you want specifics from some fics that are already outlined, you can ask about:

All Our Past Mistakes, Chapters 11 through 44 Lover’s Leap Series, Stories 15 through 31 Time’s Curse, Chapters 5 through 10 Laer o Faen, Chapter 27 & 28 Stargate: Atlantis, Harms Way or any of the 20 fics in the series.

Ask something of any of my characters in general or you can get really specific if you like - for example you might want to ask Gold from Pawn Shop a question about a chapter, a thought, a feeling… (the world is your oyster really)

Ask about my process as a writer, what makes me tick,, or even ask about me personally. Almost nothing is off limits.

Also, if you want to see a specific character or fic featured in Three Things Thursday, or Saturday Secret, feel free to send in prompts, if no one does, then either the choice will be random or they just won’t happen at all. I made an analogy for why that might be in a different post about a car stuck in the mud with spinning wheels. Those wheels are still spinning!

Please remember: if you read a fic you enjoyed on AO3 or on Tumblr (not just mine), please take the time to comment and/or leave kudos, and to reach out on TMI Tuesday. It means a lot to the writers and artists.

You can find all my fics currently on AO3 here, and there is a full list under this cut.

Storybrooke’s Best Kept Secret - Rumbelle

Darkness In Hyperion Heights - Woven Beauty au

Seven Tastes - Rumbelle

Tuesday - Rushbelle AU

The Language of Flowers Series - Rumbelle

Disparate Pathways - Rumbelle AU

Scattered - Rumbelle AU

All Our Past Mistakes - Rumbelle AU

What the Actual Fuck! - Sutherelle

Breathe - Rushbelle

The Lover’s Leap Series - Rumbelle

Awakening - Rumbelle

War Is Coming To Storybrooke - Rumbelle

Given No Choice - Rush

Thoughts On A Happy Ending Series - Rumbelle

Darker Hearts Series - Wish!Rumbelle

Modern Wonders - a OUAT/Alice crossover

Time’s Curse - Rumbelle

The Pawn Shop On Main Street - Rumbelle

The Mansion On the Edge of Town - Rumbelle with a side of Jefferson

Cobra: In Your Prayers - Cobra/FatWS/UC:Undercover et al

To See Series - Rumbelle

Nobody Knew (Bingo) - Rumbelle

Secret of the Seas - Rumbelle AU

Butterfly and Phoenix - ST:DSC

Laer o Faen - Tolkien

Ship’s Rats - ST: DCS

I Amar Boe Men Heb - Tolkien

Coming Down - Halt and Catch Fire

Armor of Ice - Halt and Catch Fire

Duath i-Achas Eriol - Tolkien

Balance of Terror - Sleeper Cell

What To Believe - UC: Undercover

If: In The End - UC Undercover

Precious - The Mummy Series

Forbidden - The Mummy Series

Power Is - The Mummy Series

Angel of the Heart - The Mummy Series

Star of the Morning - The Mummy Series

Not Yours To Keep - Foundation (TV)

No Saving Throw - Stranger Things

ILP (or IEP) for Rumple.

“Only Remembered For What We Have Done.”

Here are fics that haven’t yet been started, but are in the Muse’s bucket.

The Miner’s Day Festival - Rumbelle

Aftermath - Rumbelle (with a side of madness)

Saving The Dark One (WT) A twist on a twist of Rumplestiltskin.

Brought To You By The Color… (Red)

Calcul(us)

(In)consistent equation

The Boston Storybrooke Line

Breaking the Waves (Movie AU)

One Last Wish

In Service to My Son

Playground Games

Bright Eyed and Bushy Tailed

Librarian: UC

Exquisite Harmonies

Resolutions - Rushbelle in the Deck the Halls universe.

[myundeadgayson]

DC Street Racing AU — Bart Allen’s Backstory

alright, i know practically nothing about cars. i’ve also never even seen a Fast and the Furious movie, but SOMEONE has gotta fill the void on lack of DC Street Racing AUs, and i’m gonna do it. (if there are some out there though, please let me know! i can barely find ANYTHING, and i’d love to see stuff for this kind of AU!)

so,,, i’m just saying,,, the Teen Titans and Young Justice Crews as Street Racers.

we’ll start off with the characters that sent me into this spiral in the first place: Bart Allen and Wally West.

again, i know practically nothing about this kind of stuff. i know nothing about street racing, or cars, but i’m just saying… i really love imagining Street Racer!Wally being Bart’s inspiration for wanting to race.

even though Iris was never approving of Wally’s racing (she’s supportive, but extremely concerned for his safety), Wally would occasionally bring Bart along to the races that he’d have with friends. sometimes Bart would sneak his way into going without Wally realizing, but either way, Bart would come along.

after years of growing up and watching Wally race, Bart decided he wanted to race too. (note: to save myself a headache since this is No Powers AU and Time Travel doesn’t take place, we’re just gonna pretend that Barry and Iris adopted Bart. i want to say that his parents were close family members of Iris and Wally. perhaps one of the parents was another cousin of theirs, but both Bart’s parents ended up dying in some sort of accident. since then, Bart’s been living with Barry, Iris, and their newly born twins.)

i have so much more to say about this AU, but i want to warn you because this is about to be a VERY long post. however, if you wanna know Bart Allen’s Street Racer AU backstory and more about Wally (and his racing group, The Titans), please read more!

      (TW: small car accident — completely non-graphic, no injuries involved, everything is okay, but it does happen)     Bart’s been interested in racing for YEARS. ever since he was a kid, he’s always craved to know what it’s like — to feel the wind in your hair, the rush of adrenaline in your veins, the feeling of your heart racing as you watch the speedometer go up and up and up. the exhilaration filling your lungs as some part of you realizes “this is dangerous”.

he wants those feelings. he wants that experience that makes Wally’s eyes light up like there’s pure lightening rushing through his veins.

he wants to go Fast.

when Bart was thirteen, Wally let him sit in the driver’s seat for the first time.

Wally didn’t let him drive it, of course. Bart wasn’t tall enough yet to reach the petals even if he wanted to, but he was excited nonetheless. Wally had laughed at him as he grinned, asking how to work everything.

the car wasn’t on — Wally wasn’t dumb enough to give him even the slightest chance of trying to start it. it was a good choice. Bart would be a liar to say that he wouldn’t have instantly tried to drive it. instead, Wally let Bart mess with the gears and pretend he was in a race of his own. he’d adjust the mirror to try to see himself. he was too short to fully be seen in it, but if he sat up tall enough he could see his eyes.

years later, Bart would do the same. he’d look into his reflection and see his eyes, sparkling with that same determination that he had all those years ago.

Wally had explained everything to him. Bart started off by eagerly pointing at things (like the gear, the numbers, and all the weird symbols he could see) and ask questions, and Wally would answer every one. Wally explained other things too, like what made Wally’s special car better for racing than some random car. Bart hung on every word, trying his best to imagine all the pieces, even if he didn’t know what some were at all. he tried to commemorate every bit of information to memory bc maybe one day, he could make himself a cool car too.

the first time Bart actually drove a car was a disaster.

he was barely fourteen. it was hardly even a few months after Wally had verbally explained to him how to work a car.

no one expected him to put that knowledge to use so quickly.

somehow he got ahold of Iris’ keys. he would never explain how he got him (they were RIGHT THERE on the counter. how was he supposed to say no when they made it so easy?), but somehow it happened.

his joyride didn’t last long enough. for a short moment though, he was beyond excited to be beyond the wheel. after lots of adjusting the seat and awkwardly shuffling to sit as close to the wheel as possible to be able to see over the hood, Bart started to drive.

he managed to get down the street. he was a little slow at first. the car wobbled in an unsteady line as it trudged down the road at barely 10mph. Bart’s eyes flickered constantly between the road and the mirror, his small hands gripping the wheel like a lifeline.

the anxiousness he felt subsided as he reached the end of the neighborhood. there was no sign of Iris in sight, and he managed to drive just fine. stunned laughter bubbled from his lips as his eyes flickered back down to the road ahead— he was doing it! he was really doing it! he was driving!

with a newfound confidence urging him on, he turned onto a connected street to keep going. he started pressing on the gas pedal more, trying to gain some speed. the car started going from a slow crawl to a decently safe speed. Bart started pressing down on it harder and harder, going faster and faster. he remembered laughing in delight. the windows were cracked halfway, allowing the air to rush in. it tousled his hair, and for a moment he felt like he was flying.

until he wasn’t.

he hadn’t really considered the thought of other cars. he hadn’t considered a lot of things actually, such as the fact it was the middle of the day and people would be driving.

he didn’t crash into anyone, but it was a close call. when he started getting closer to the main road and noticed the cars zooming across, he panicked.

he hit the brakes. he did what Wally said. he didn’t slam them, but he was still going too fast. the cars were getting closer! Bart pressed his foot door harder and finally, stomped on the brakes altogether.

he yanked the wheel away from the road, shutting his eyes tight.

the wheels spun. he went off the road into the grass, tire skidding rough tracks across the grass and dirt. he didn’t hit a car, but he did hit the stop sign at the end of the street.

it was a miracle he didn’t get hurt, or worse. he ended up a bit banged up hitting the wheel and the seatbelt yanking too tight, but he was overall fine. unfortunately, Iris definitely wasn’t happy.

Bart didn’t drive for a long while after that.

occasionally, Wally would still take him on drives though.

some of Bart’s best memories are riding in the passenger seat late at night. along barren backroads and empty highways, Wally would race through the streets. with the windows rolled down, the two of them would laugh, voices carried through the wind that whipped their hair like reckless flames.

under the passing lights, Bart would grin wide and holler his excitement into the night sky without a care in the world.

the world would need to try pretty hard to catch them.

Bart would also get to attend a few of Wally’s races. it isn’t as often as he used to with Iris and Barry watching him more closely, but he still got to go some times.

he’d only really watch Wally race against friends.

they called themselves the Titans. Wally said the name wasn’t planned, it just happened to stick. Bart assumed it was more because as time went on, they really did become like the titans to beat if you wanted to prove yourself as a racer.

it was who made up the team that once surprised him.

Dick Grayson, Wally’s best friend of many years and infamous son of Gotham’s Bruce Wayne, was the unofficial leader of the group. The Dick Grayson, with his car as dark as the night. the darkness of the car was only disrupted by a few brilliant blue decals. the most memorable one was always the striking blue silhouette of a bird on the hood. (“Nightwing,” Dick affectionately called the car.)

Koriand’r, an incredibly kind woman with hair that was almost more fiery than Bart’s own. her car was a vibrant purple with flames racing along the sides as if it’d caught fire. (“they call me Starfire”, she told him once when caught him fawning over the car, awed as ever. “i like to imagine that if i drive just fast enough, i can see flames.”)

Victor Stone, who indulged all his questions and answered every single one with the same enthusiasm. he’d lost an arm to an accident, but replaced it with an amazing cybernetic one. his designed his own car to have similar robotic style. incredibly futuristic and constantly updated with the best parts he could find. (“someone called me Cyborg,” Victor told him once while working on the car. he let Bart sit in the garage with him, occasionally offering whatever help he could. “i think it was an insult at first, but the name sort of stuck, kind of like with the Titans. so i made it my own.”)

and at last, Garfield Logan, the youngest of the group. with his dark green hair and toothy smile, Garfield was always quick to make him feel welcome and make him laugh with an endless amount of dumb jokes. his charisma and bright personality showed in his car. like his hair, it was a deep green. when he turned it on, the underneath glowed a neon green. black pawprints walked along the sides towards the end of the car. (“they’re actually tiger pawprints,” Gar corrected him once, looking excited as ever to explain. “there’s a few other animals too. i wanted it to look like the animals were really here, or like maybe i’m the animal? i dunno. i told everyone to call me Beast Boy, so i guess this would be my beast.”) they had another friend, Raven, that never raced with them. dressed in black with dark hair that he swore shone purple in certain lights, Raven was much more quiet and reserved than the rest of the group. Bart enjoyed her rare company, despite it being more of a companionable silence. he’d take it none the less. sometimes if Bart was able to hang out with Wally and the group outside of racing nights, he’d occasionally he’d bring along homework, a book, or a comic to read if Wally was meant to be busy at some point. he’d end up hanging out in one of their apartments while they were busy, and sometimes Raven would be there. they’d quietly read in each other’s company, never having to say a word. he’d asked Wally once why she didn’t race too. Wally had only laughed. (”we’re lucky that she doesn’t,” Wally told him, “if Raven raced, we’d all be doomed, trust me. you should never underestimate her.” Bart figured that meant that Raven was an undeniable part of the group too. he hoped he’d see her race one day.)

all of them were amazing, but Bart was a little stunned by each of them had their own unique style. they all had their own story and reason for being inspired to race. the one thing they all shared though was that same spark in their eyes Wally had.

needless to say, Bart would try to spend as much time with them as possible to try and learn from them.

his dream was to race, but his other dream was now to become just like them. he wanted to be a Titan.

he was too young at that time, but he would aim to prove that he could be good enough to join them one day. he would be a Titan.

or at least, he’d be close enough to being a Titan, he’d decide upon meeting a few other faces around his age, but that’s a story for another day.             ...and that’s all we have for now, folks!

if you’re wondering why i chose only those Teen Titans, i didn’t want to make the group too big. i originally considered the OG Young Justice group, but found that i really wanted to save Superboy (Conner Kent, my beloved) to be apart of Bart’s friend group later. (not to mention, i REALLY wanted to talk about Street Racer! Kori existing in this AU. Beast Boy’s another favorite that i just HAD to include, thus we have the animated Teen Titans team, just with Wally and Dick having the same kind of friendship as kids like in YJ.)

let me know if you want any more from his idea! i’d love to know what you guys think of all this so far. if you ever want me to talk about anyone in particular, please feel free to ask! i’d totally be up to come up with more ideas! i’d also love to know if anyone has any thoughts about other characters might be like from this AU!

i really just came up with all this on the fly, but i’m honestly becoming attached to this AU already, so i’d be more than excited to talk more about it!

thanks for reading!!

[pippinoftheshire]

thanks for the tag @justabigoldnerd

(I'm going to have to organize by fandom lol, because I can't seem to stick to writing for just ONE, because that would be too easy now, wouldn't it😅)

The Man From U.N.C.L.E (2015)

The Istanbul Affair

Salvation Prequel

5+1 things Wingfic installment

A Ballad of Silver and Swords

I Will Burn Your Country Down, If You Try to Conquer Me and Mine

Now You See Me, Now You Don't Part 8 John Wick AU)

Avian Solo

Canon Divergence- East Berlin

Eldritch Illya/Vampire Solo

Ghost Solo (failed flufftober attempt)

You Don't Own Me

Steel Wingfic #2

TMFU Horses AU

Mutant Illya (X-men AU Part 2)

Mutant Gaby (X-men AU Part 3)

Mutant Solo #2 (X-men AU Part 4)

Broken Pieces

Victoria's Promise (Versions One and Two)

"I thought you said you walked?"

---

DCEU

Father, Son and Holy Ghost #2

Man Of Steel Canon divergence

Flickering Chapter 2

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DC Comics

Dark Knights of Steel fic

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Middle-Earth

The Evenstar

A Song of Swans

"But Melkor's plea was denied."

-----

The Witcher (TV)

Modern Ranch Boys AU

Venting about Valdo

Song of the Sea Chapter 3

On The Streets of Novigrad

Fae Jaskier AU

Goats

Cafe Kaer Morhen

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Transformers ONE

In which nothing gets resolved...

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Disney's Planes

Alternate racing AU

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My Little Pony

A Saga of Lightning and Rainbows

Skywishes fic

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Tristain and Isolde

Inner thoughts

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PHEW😅

tagging @huggiebird, @too-young-to-fall-in-love, @prettyboynapoleonsolo, @freddiepurrcury,

@cha-melodius, @heytheredeann, @mybelovedillya, @inherited-by-ocelot,

@the-golden-comet, @susiecarter, @vnyu73, @nicijones, @happybean17, @bighandsforabigheart, @ikeepwatchinghelicopters and anyone else who wants to join!

✨️WIP Folder Game ✨️

Thank you so much @kcscribbler for the tag!!! I think I've added enough WIPs to warrent doing this fun game again!!!

Rules: make a new post with the names of all the files in your wip folder, regardless of how non-descriptive or ridiculous. Tag as many people as you have wips. People send you an ask with the title that most intrigues them, then post a little snippet or tell them something about it!

Now, I'm gonna do things a little differently. I have WIPs, but I also have a few more types of Docs:

(ALTERNATE) - Scenes from fics that never made it into the final product, or that I changed around a lot, or that I just decided didn’t work the way I wanted them to

(ABANDONED) - WIPs that have been laid to rest 🕊 Fics that will never be finished

(FIC IDEA) - Usually just notes on what the fic would be ablut

(VAUGE NOTIONS) - Usually something I started writing that I have no idea where it will go or even if it will go

If you send an ask about any of the types above, I'll just post the entirety of what's in the Google Doc!!! 💕💕💕

First, the proper WIPs:

"Are You Afraid? (However Could You Not Be?)"

"Children of The Discreet"

"Knife-poleon Solo"

"Illya unbuttons Solo's vest"

"How To Cook A Wolf"

"Gravity Falls/TMFU"

"Stranger Things/TMFU"

"Single Dad Solo / Ballet Instructor Illya"

"The X-Men From U.N.C.L.E."

"Feather Gifting"

"Gentle Vices"

"I Am Your Lover (I Am Your Jailor)"

"Illya Remembers June 10th"

"Isle of Flightless Birds"

"Michelin Star Spy"

"Nanites Library AU"

"Never Fall In Love With A Stranger"

"Scorching Out Thine Sovereignty"

"The Most Dangerous Game [Extended]"

"Which Side of The Wall Really Suffers That Cost?"

Next, the (ALTERNATE)s:

"Alternate First Date"

"Bewitched"

"Bonnie and Clyde"

"Bright Lights 2"

"Alternate Children of The Discreet"

"Alternate Drinking Sunlight"

"Alternate Feather Gifting"

"Finding Illya"

"First Meeting"

"Alternate Isle of Flightless Birds"

"Merc Solo Backstory Art Class"

"Spicy Times After Club"

"Alternate Winter Exchange"

Now the graveyard, (ABANDONED):

"An American Werewolf In London"

"DubCon Ford² feat Bill (I don't wanna finish)"

"My Teeth And Ambitions Are Bared"

"Ring Kissing"

"That's The Way It Is"

"The Soviet Russia Memes Incident"

"Uhhhhh that one dream"

"First Time Fic"

(FIC IDEAS):

"Illya is WAY more comfy on a nude beach than Solo expects"

"Resurrection? Kinda?"

"Sailor TV Napollya"

"Sleep Paralysis"

(VAUGE NOTIONS):

"Grandma"

"Waverly/Blanc"

I don't think I even know enough people to tag LMAO so I'll no pressure tag my usual list; @huggiebird @happybean17 @falling-into-peril @heytheredeann @pippinoftheshire

@bighandsforabigheart @mybelovedillya @cha-melodius @the-golden-comet @thattripleabattery

@too-young-to-fall-in-love @times-up-alone-tonight @vnyu73 @nicijones @prettyboynapoleonsolo

And an Open Tag for anyone who wants to join!!! 💕💕💕

[blueflipflops]

Been deep into dp x dc rabbit hole these days. Don't know how those two fandoms got together like this but damn do they make good stuff. So heres my little hat in the ring.

I know we love @tourettesdog's Little Baby Man! Danny but how about we pitch in an Eldritch Nightmare! Jazz in the same au?

Imagine while Damian takes in Little Baby Man!Danny, he sometimes disappears and reappears back at the mansion at weird intervals like a stray cat that invites itself to your house, demands to be fed, naps, and then leaves to roam around in the streets.

Damian tries his best to entice the creature to staying permanently in the mansion with food, bed, toys, etc but while Danny likes to stick around him, he doesnt stay for more than a week before he leaves the mansion to roam again. One time Damian tried to stop him, he just gave him big teary eyes and Damian folds like a wet paper towel.

He can't exactly keep him in the mansion when Danny keeps doing this so he tries to follow him instead to know who/what is keeping this creature's attention more than him. It should've been easy but Danny keeps losing Damian either with his powers or he just flies too fast or to small narrow places.

He is so invested on keeping this strange creature that the others are noticing Damian's weird behavior. When they do, they inevitably got invested as well that they actually make bets on catching the weird flying creature their little demon brat of a brother wants to keep as a pet.

They noticed that the creature was going to same area everytime, no matter how far he came from. So they investigated this on their free time until they narrowed it all down to an abandoned warehouse near the sewers.

One of them (y'all pick which batkid, I like to imagine Tim cuz i love tormenting the lil guy) followed the trail to this warehouse and hear the familliar happy excited chirping of the flying menace but the vibes are off. They held their breath as the air suddenly feels heavy. Like one wrong move could be fatal. Like they're in the prescence of a predator. For a minute, everything is silent. Until... something chirped back.

It was a deep and guttural echoing sound that they felt deep within their bones. Their heart raced as they realized that this might have been a bad idea. Nevertheless, they took a deep breath as they turn around to peek at what the actual fuck made that sound.

Their breath caught as their face rapidly lose colors. Before them was a huge creature with a long orange hair that pools onto the floor, similar ears and tail to their brother's little pet, a humanlike face and upper body--well, until the torso which was showing ribs and the creature's insides barely being held together by a thin membrane across its 'stomach' but some intestine like thing is dripping down. Its arms and hands are boney with a thin purple blue skin and long sharp claws.

It hummed as the little guy flew around the eldritch creature with excitable chirps and it felt like the wall he's hiding behind shakes in vibration.

Throwing caution to the wind, they sent a messege to their group chat with a slightly blurry and static-y picture.

'Found your flying noodle. Also found its mother/sister/something??? What the fuck, Damian. What the fuck did you brought back to the mansion?'

Next

Heres without the green haze

[msfcatlover]

My favorite thing about the reversed!Robins AU is how obvious it makes it that as time’s gone on, DC has had to increase their justifications for having a small child fight crime. Because in the reversed!AU, you get to watch the Robins become LESS qualified over time:

Duke:

Has superpowers he needs to learn to control.

Has already gone up against a couple supervillains on his own before being recruited.

If it’s early enough in Batman’s career, Bruce might just think they need to get the Joker off the streets so they can focus on curing Duke’s parents. And in the meantime, he’ll keep an eye on the kid.

Damian:

Bruce’s biological son, so there’s no chance of just turning him away.

Raised by literal assassins, so there’s no question about whether he can hold his own in a fight.

Desperately needs someone to help him form a moral compass and learn to express himself in other ways than “condescension” & “stabbing.”

Duke is basically immortal, so there’s no worry about Damian permanently damaging him during deprogramming.

Stephanie:

Her father is a supervillain.

She was already vigilanting on her own, with NO training, and nothing Bruce can do will stop her.

She doesn’t even have body armor, at least this is safer!

She’s actually a pretty smart kid who could use some real support, and she won’t take shit from anyone (so Damian won’t scare her off.)

Tim:

Stephanie’s best friend, so there’s no way to keep him away from all this. (I like to think even if they didn’t meet through superheroing, they’d end up being penpals through one of those inter-school community things, or meet on a Batman forum, or something.)

An actual, literal child genius.

Still stalked Batman & Robin, and figured out their identities on his own because of Robin. (Lined up Stephanie’s “scheduling issues” with patrols or something, probably.)

When Stephanie’s out of commission, shows up insisting he can help out & refuses to leave until Bruce gives in.

Turns out his home life is shit. Wow, Alfred, we can do better for him, he deserves so much more—

Jason:

Smol, violent, and full of rage.

Street kid with the guts to take a tire-iron to Batman.

Has the WORST luck, and just keeps ending up in terrible situations every time Bruce tries to find a stable not-the-manor home for him.

Once again, this kid is really smart, and nobody appreciates him? Someone needs to nurture & cherish him, Alfred, someone needs to give him the support he deserves!

Statistics suggest he’ll either end up a criminal or dead in a gutter before he’s 20, and Bruce just can’t let that happen.

Dick:

Master Bruce, that is a child.

No, no there’s no excuse here. He could be rehomed. He could get therapy. He could be sent back to his circus.

I don’t care that the boy ran away multiple times to pick a fight with mobsters. You’re BATMAN. And you are far from the only vigilante in this city. There is no way you cannot keep ONE CHILD away from crime scenes!

I’m not saying you should throw him out. I simply wish you to acknowledge there is a nine year old in a cape in our living room, and that this is a problem.

(Dick, in the background: “I can kick your ass. I can kick anyone’s ass. I’ll prove it right now, lemme at ‘em!”

Jason: “…If anything happened to this child, I would kill everyone in this room and then myself.”

Duke: “Maybe we should think—”

Tim: “I already texted Dami.”

Duke: “He’s not a pet—”

Stephanie: “He’s adorable, and we’re keeping him!”

Damian, racing in at top speed: “WHERE IS THE NEW LITTLE BROTHER?!”)

(And then it was too late.)