#didn't realize that was such a touchy subject

[amused-bouche]

"Well... I realized when I was younger how much I enjoyed performing for people." Michael started with a shrug. "I liked making people happy I guess...." He really didn't realize how much more of it was him craving attention, love, and gratification. He needed that acceptance. He still did.

"It's going to sound real stupid but.... Had a few clients say I had a real pretty voice, so I decided to give it a shot." Granted, it was his own naivety there thinking what he had done with his adult dancing for some extra tips even remotely translated to singing. It was just dumb luck that he happened to be able sing at all. Not that he ever told Mayaken what he did before his singing career. It was a touchy subject. Not everyone could accept it, especially the more shy men he'd told before. The idea of that rejection terrified him. He'd hate to chase him off so soon.

While he knew that sometimes his photos were good, he didn't think that they were that good. Michael was just being nice, he convinced himself but still thanked him for his kind words as he took his phone. Looking at the photo once more, smiling at the image that looked back at him, he turned his screen off and put his phone back in his pocket.

Oh, now he was being really nice. "A lot of things." Mayaken relied sheepishly. "I can't get in front of a lot of strangers the way you do. How did you decide that music was what you wanted to do?" Mayaken wanted to know everything he could about Michael since the day he had come up to his food truck.

[fang11803]

*posts on instagram how the concept of people announcing their honeymoon plans to others is tmi for me and how I'd never do that myself*

[dreamwasdreamy]

I believe the new tommy video was just a satire, as insensitive as it was, I mean, I don't think Tommy would just do a complete 360 on his friendship with dream, especially not for q :/

[bet-on-me-13]

Ellie wasn't born a Halfa

So! Jason just found something weird. Or rather. Someone.

A little girl, no more than 6 or 7, crying behind a dumpster in an alleyway. Now, as unfortunate as it is, this isn't that strange a sight in Gotham. Kids are always running away from home, getting lost, being left homeless after a mugging gone wrong, but this time was different.

Because the kid was glowing.

When he found her hiding behind the Dumpster, a medical gown being the only thing she had to protect herself from thr frigid Gotham Winter, he didn't hesitate to give her his Jacket and take her to his nearest safe house.

(Actually it took a little while to convince her to accept the Jacket, and even longer to get her to agree to being taken to his safe house, but they got there in the end.)

When he had finally gotten her set up in a side room of the Warehouse, with the most comfortable bed and thickest Blankets he could find, he tried asking what had happened.

"Daddy lied." She said. "He said he loved me, but then he made another kid and said he didn't care about me."

And, once again, it was unfortunately not that uncommon to see runaway kids from neglectful homes, but the way she said it raised some flags in his head.

"...and, how did you end up in Gotham?"

"I ran. He said I was a spare, and that scared me."

Well, that was even more horrible than he had anticipated. What kind of monster tells their kid that they're a spare?!

"And, I'm sorry if this is a touchy subject but why are you glowing?"

She just buried her face in the Blankets and shook her head.

"Alright then, that's fine. You can tell me when you're ready, or even not tell me at all, I'll accept either or".

For the next few weeks, Jason juggled running his newly created criminal empire and raking care of the kid. He still hadn't gotten a name out of her, but she said to call her "Dp" instead. 'It's the best I'm gonna get', he thought.

It was only after a few more weeks, right before he was about to begin his Plan of confronting Bruce about the Joker still being alive, that she approached him and agreed to tell him everything. He was actually really glad that she finally seemed to trust him enough to tell him.

"Okay Dp, you can start wherever you want."

"...well, I guess I should start with my name..." She started, "...or rather, my lack of one..."

"What?" Asked Jason in a soft voice.

"I, I don't have a name." She explained, "Daddy never gave me one. He just called me DP-2."

"...what do you mean by two?" Asked Jason.

"It-It's my Experiment Number." She said, stuttering a little, "I'm not a normal person, I'm a Clone. I was made to be daddy's perfect child, but I was just the test run. He said that I wasn't needed after he made DP-3, and that all I was good for was spare parts."

Jason felt his throat dry up. Dp was a Clone? Of who? Who made her? What right did that guy have to reject her?! Who in their right mind would make a Clone and then reject the Clone?! How dare he!

The Pits perked up

He felt the Pits rising a little, but managed to push them down. Dp needed support, not the Pits.

"It's Okay kid." He said, holding her had reassuringly. "It's perfectly okay to be different. I accept you as you are, and I'm sure as hell not gonna abandon you that easily. Or, ever really. You're stuck with me, whether you like it or not."

She giggled, and hugged him. A thoughtful look crossed her face, and she pulled away.

"There is one other thing...you know how I glow sometimes?" She asked.

The Pits felt a sense of dread

Jason felt like he wasn't going to like this. "Yeah?"

"Well, when I said I was meant to be a Clone, I never mentioned who of." She explained slowly. "He's a kid named Danny, and when he was 14, he had an accident where he died and came back as a Half Undead."

No...

Jason really wasn't liking where this was going.

"When Da-Vlad tried to make me, he realized that those powers couldn't be cloned..." She paused here, seemingly gathering the courage to continue. "...they needed to be added afterwards."

NO.

He didn't. He had better not have, for his own Fucking Sake, he had better not have done what Jason thinks he did.

"So one day, he took he down to the Lab, and he put me in a big machine." He voice broke a little. "He locked me in there, and then I think...that I died..."

...

For once, Jason felt completely in tune with the Pits. He was going to Kill that guy.

...

Sorry if this feels a little rushed, I kept going back to add or change parts of it.

Basically, Vlad realized that you can't Clone a Halfa. So, he made a workaround. He just stuck his first Viable Clone into a Portal, and let the machine Kill her. When he realized that it worked, he knew he had no use for Ellie anymore aside from spare parts.

And he told her as much, Vlad is a fucking asshole.

Ellie, of course, got scared and ran away. She ended up in Gotham, and was adopted by Jason right at the start of his Criminal Career.

When Jason finally hears about the rest of his kids' Backstory, he decides that Batman can wait his turn. He needs to go Kill that Vlad Bastard.

[38riku]

𝐒𝐏𝐎𝐎𝐊𝐄𝐃

making the phantom bride final four feel things (it's my favorite event sue me)

warnings — suggestive? light flirting.

𝐀. 𝐓𝐑𝐀𝐏𝐏𝐎𝐋𝐀

"stop glaring or i'll mess it up."

as if to prove your point, his brows pinched further, causing you huff in irritation. "okay. what's wrong? you were psyched up like two seconds ago."

"yeah, well, that was two seconds ago and now is now." his rebuttal caused you to roll your eyes. 'boys' you thought as a viable excuse before trying yet again to straighten his eyeliner.

his eyes darted around the room where the others did similar things: riddle fixed his lapels, epel examined his bouquet, and rook practiced his lines, everyone was unaffected by the current circumstance.

not the rampaging bride that is going to doom a teenage boy to the eternal afterlife, no, the fact that you were straddling him in a small vanity chair.

why was such a compromising position seen so casually? now that he thinks about it, the two of you were rather touchy – piggyback rides, you holding his arms, hugs, etc. – still, this is really teetering the line of friendly affection.

"done!" beaming, you leaned back a bit, causing him to hold on to your waist a bit firmer to keep you upright. "riddle! you have a keen eye, is it straight or what?"

the house warden walked over to the two of you and ace was sure he'd call out how inappropriate this is, but he didn't. instead, he nodded and complimented you on your handiwork.

"no need to thank me." you snorted, getting up to go help the others.

riddle chuckled, patting his freshman on the shoulder as he spoke, "are you upset that they're casually intimate with you or are you upset they might act like that with someone else?"

"w-what?!" ace's cheeks flushed red.

"i may be romantically handicapped but i'm more perceptive to it than you think. i can only suggest to say something sooner than later."

he lowered his head, still blushing, diverting his gaze away from your swaying figure as his house warden's words sunk in.

damn. he did want it to mean something.

ace doesn't know which is more embarrassing: his crush on you or that riddle was the one to make him realize.

𝐑. 𝐑𝐎𝐒𝐄𝐇𝐄𝐀𝐑𝐓𝐒

"may i offer a suggestion?"

riddle hummed, meeting your eyes in the vanity mirror. "and what might that be? it's impossible to elevate perfection, you know."

ignoring his arrogant statement, you took a seat, propping his collar up and undoing his tie. "i think you'll stand out more it you tie it differently." you explained your actions, pausing momentarily until he nodded for you to continue.

he watched as you knotted and twirled the fabric, straightening it here and there, and you were done a minute later.

"a bow? it's rather ... cutesy."

"but you're cutesy."

riddle choked, coughing loudly and catching the attention of the other occupants of the room. as they began to walk towards him, he waved them off, effectively keeping them away from his flustered form.

"w-why would you–"

"the cuter you look, the less they'll take you seriously, and as one of the strongest mages left that's perfect for us to break their defenses."

of course, you meant it as a battle advantage – that is your area of expertise, after all.

"don't look so surprised." you joked, flattening out his collar and he hopes you can't feel the heated blush on his neck. "you were thinking the same thing too, right?"

"no, actually... i can't say that i was."

you tilted your head sideways, doubting his words but dropping the subject. "well, from now on don't look down on being cute, kay?"

standing from your seat, you left his vanity to tend to grimm, who, was arguing with ace about who knows what.

if he had half a mind he'd scold them both and cut off the small feline's magic, however, his mind was completely blank.

cute. you think he's cute.

riddle didn't take it as he usually would. for some off reason he felt giddy inside, wishing you meant it in a different ... more flirtatious manner. the poor boy has zero experience but wishing might work, right?

𝐑. 𝐇𝐔𝐍𝐓

"you need to talk normally to us so they won't be suspicious. try again."

if rook wasn't used to a strict training regime he'd undoubtedly call you a harsh teacher, but, as a lover of all things beautiful and magnificent he tossed the thought aside.

"no can do mon cherie. her actions are horrendous and nowhere near beautiful." he signed, placing a hand over his wounded heart. "but you, darling, are as heroic and magnificent as ever."

he watched as you rolled your eyes, placing a hand on your hip as you began to reprimand him for his lack of seriousness.

although he heard the words coming from your mouth, he couldn't help but focus on everything else.

despite not being a contender in this entire ordeal you were still dressed beautifully. the color is ethereal on you, he must make note of the hue for later ... and whatever scent you adorned had his senses on ten.

don't you know never to where perfume when there's a hunter nearby?

"rook! are you even listening to–"

all too suddenly he had your hand in his, the other gripping your waist firmly to keep your surprised form upright.

"let me give it to you straight then. the unseen beauty of your compassion and tender heart outshines that of a world class model. not that you aren't attractive, no, no, quite the opposite."

"how greedy can you possibly be?"

deep. rich. clear. his voice was positively enthralling when he dropped that phony accent (it does have a charm of its own in your opinion)

"perfect!" you beamed, his grip on you loosening in surprise of his own. "i knew you could do it. she'll be knocked off her translucent feet i tell you!"

rook allowed you to walk away, scolding epel who wiped his makeup off for the ninth time deeming it unmanly.

he couldn't help but laugh. he broke character, purposely, but he did nevertheless, and don't think he didn't notice the flash of attraction in your eyes.

never let your guard down in front of a predator, mon cherie.

𝐄. 𝐅𝐄𝐋𝐌𝐈𝐄𝐑

"i swear on the seven you'll have more problems than a poof of blush if you keep testing my patience."

epel felt a chill run down his spine at your words but he stood his ground. he let you do the liner, tousle his hair all nice, and even spray a painfully potent cologne – but he draws the line at that pigmented puff of doom.

"i'm telling ya i'm not wearing that!" he argued back from the other side of the table. the two of you were playing chicken to the amusement of the others who were nearly done with their preparations.

"stop being a big baby!"

"i ain't no baby!"

he flinched back as you narrowed your eyes in a glare. for a moment, he felt sorry that grimm had to live with such a scary person.

"fine. don't wear the blush." you slid the compacted container to his side of the table, raising your hands in surrender.

"let me redo your hair then. it'll fit the look better, baby."

yeah. that's right, you better listen when he — wait, baby?

you pushed him down in the nearest chair, undoing the small ponytail you had before in favor of something else.

epel thought this earlier but your hands did feel amazing as you twirled and pinned his hair. he nearly fell asleep the first time but he knew better than to let down his guard.

"what do you think of this, baby?"

you were teasing him but jeez, why did it make his heart race?

"doesn't matter what i think." he huffed, and you laughed softly at the statement.

"well, i'm no ghost bride with unnaturally specific standards but you look good, baby." this time, you drawled out the pet name, winking, and then leaving him alone to question everything.

in the end he came to the conclusion that he should've just let you put the damn blush on.

© 2024 — 38riku. Do not copy or repost or plagiarize my work. All Rights Reserved.

[mr-ribbit]

this isn't meant to soften or reduce the objective transmisogyny + additional hate action going into this, but since the people running these harassment campaigns are acting like they're literal baby children who need their hands held to understand anything, maybe this needs to be said:

what you're doing and how you treat trans women on this website is fucking MEAN. if you want to sit there and honestly convince yourself that you're *not* a transmisogynist or a transphobe or a misogynist or any other type of bigot - like if you genuinely believe that and are confused why people are calling you these things - then maybe we need to start from little primary colored building blocks and tell you that you're being fucking mean and rude and actively harmful to real people who read the things you say. im not sure why we need to start off with "trans women have feelings" - just kidding I know exactly why we need to - but maybe you don't.

no matter who you're talking to, do you honestly think accusing someone you do not know of being a pedophile, en masse, behind their back /and/ in a public forum, is a reasonable way to treat someone for making a tumblr post about video games or political opinions? even if you strongly disagree with the post, you think someone deserves to be treated like that by people they don't know? take a second please and sincerely imagine how that would feel. wouldn't it be scary? wouldn't you wonder who the people were who thought this about you - if they're people you know - if they're just a few people that will continue saying mean things to you forever or if there are thousands of people who choose to dedicate their time and energy specifically to making you feel bad? if you accidentally write a post in the wrong tone or unknowingly interact with a shitty person, that there are uncountable people that will keep track of that just to hurt you later? that's fucking horrifying

and to zone in on what's specifically happening here: do you think randomly accusing people of being pedophiles or sexual abusers has no effect on them? like a lot of you tend to excuse yourself in these discussions by saying "I didn't actually see the context of what they were saying" or "I didn't see that they apologized already" or "I didn't actually understand the post was a joke" or whatever other kneejerk response to make sure *you* aren't seen as a bad person. do you realize that makes you look even meaner? you didn't bother to actually follow up on a thought you had about someone before sending them hateful messages or making public accusations about them? those actions are harmful whether or not you like the victim at the end of the day.

believe it or not some people you send this shit to are survivors of abuse themselves, or have their own historical personal reasons to be weighing in on a touchy subject. when you baselessly decide it's ok to call someone an abuser of any type, that person is probably *also* disgusted by whatever horrible shit you're accusing them of. as someone that hates these things as much as you do in order to attack someone for them: what do you think it's like to have complete strangers think that about you? how many eggshells would you walk on if random people thought so little of you that they were ok doing this?

it's mean. it's heinous, cruel bullying, and if you genuinely think you are not doing it from a place of transmisogyny or hatefuk bias over the victims' identity, then you need to understand that that's not an excuse. "i didn't even know she was trans" ok, it was still mean to call her a pedophile with 200 of your closest friends in public. "im trans so it can't be transphobia" ok it was still mean to assume someone was endorsing abuse when they were talking about being accused of abuse. "i didn't see the post where she said it was a joke" ok it was still mean to actively harass someone without bothering to look into the full context.

at the end of the day, yes, obviously I still think you're all transmisogynist assholes who are clearly willing to gang up on a woman who has nothing to do with your problems simply because she dared to speak on them. i think you're bigoted and unwilling to examine that if it means giving up your vitriol against someone who doesn't like your favorite video game or whatever excuse of the week. but like even if you were just doing it for love of the hate game, it's fucking weird heinous shit and i hope you're happy having that be a central part of your life

to be clear: im not transfemme and if I'm overstepping or talking over anyone please let me know. im not speaking for anyone's actual experiences except my own, which is the experience of being angry at how much literal bullying and harassment I see excused on this so-called progressive queer blogging website

[entitled-fangirl]

Two idiots in love. (P10)

Joel Miller x anemic!reader

Summary: the reader gets taken by David. And Joel will do anything to get her back.

Warnings: bruises, creepy comments, kidnapping, manipulation, name-calling, cursing

Author's note: I think 3 updates in one day is enough lmao

Masterlist

Part 1 and 11

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

Y/N woke up with a labored breath.

In fact, all of her breaths were harsh and painful.

And now that she had truly came to her senses, she couldn't remember taking her medication since Jackson.

She left her medication in Jackson.

"I started worrying you wouldn't wake up."

She sat up slowly, now realizing she was laying on cold tile in a fenced in area of the room.

And she knew that voice.

David.

She hummed, trying to collect her thoughts. 

Her shivering frame no longer had her winter coat.

Her torso was just left in a tank top and Joel's flannel.

She finally managed to look up at David.

He smiled, "Tess… is it?"

Her eyebrows furrowed. "…Tess?"

He shook his head, "Apparently not." He held up the piece of paper again, "…Y/N?"

She couldn't stop the small instinctual light up of her eyes.

He smiled again, "There she is… pretty Y/N."

In David's hands was Bill's note to Joel. She remembers Joel keeping the paper, and it must have ended up in her backpack. 

"So, is Tess the girl?"

"Stop saying that fucking name."

His eyebrows rose, "Alright. Touchy subject." He set the paper down, "I just want to get to know you. Understand you? Is that alright?"

"L…Let me out."

"Well, that's certainly the goal." She saw him grimace, "Sorry for that bruising. Can't imagine it feels nice. I talked to James about it, and I truly apologize on his behalf."

The struggle to breathe.

It was the bruising on her neck from her attempted escape.

"Are you hungry?"

"Wh…why am I in a cage?"

David shrugged, "Have you ever had a pet bird, Y/N? You have to make sure it'll stay before you let it out. Otherwise, it may fly away-"

"-Fuck you."

"Or," he continued more harshly, "More realistically, a dog. You're wild. But don't worry. We'll domesticate you. Make you obedient and respectful. Let you eat the scraps off of the table. The others want to kill you. But I saved you. I can help you. Let me protect you."

She shook her head, "We both know I'm not really on my own."

"Right," he nodded, "your family. Your husband, how is he?"

"He's not my fucking husband."

"Well, I can see how much you care about him, so I know it hurts. But that part of your life, it's ending. And what I'm offering you is a beginning. But if you can't find a way to trust me, then yes. You are alone."

Y/N let out a breath, pushing herself against the wall.

"Can I ask about that?" David asked.

"About what?" She replied coldly.

"That bruise on your arm. Is that… from him?"

A bruise in the shape of Joel's fingers laid around her wrist in a deep purple. It was from cleaning his wound only yesterday, and at the time, she didn't think anything of it.

She looked up at him.

"I see." He said, "You know, people that love you- truly love you- they don't hurt you."

"How the fuck would you know about love?"

"Well, I wouldn't hurt you, Y/N."

"The same bruises are on my neck."

"Those are from James. Not me. I would never hurt you. I think you're beautiful. And beauty is meant to be treasured."

"Joel wouldn't hurt me. He's not like that."

David scoffed, "Did you see what he did to Alec at the university? Snapped his neck. You think he wouldn't do that to you?"

"No. He wouldn't." She reasoned. 

"Be serious with yourself, Y/N. That man is dangerous and cruel. You deserve someone kind and protective."

"And you think that person is you?" She scoffed.

He let out a laugh, "Of course, I wish the pretty girl likes me. Who wouldn't? But, I think that's up to you to decide."

And he left her alone with her thoughts. 

…

Joel was livid.

He could barely see through the red that clouded his vision.

In the scheme of things, they had somehow taken Ellie, too. 

And Joel didn't like it when people touched his things.

He continued to punch the man taped to the chair.

"Please," the man pleased, "I don't know any woman."

Joel stabbed a blade through the man's knee.

"Marco-"

"No, no, no, no" Joel said softly, "He can't help you. You focus right here. Or I'll pop your fuckin' kneecap off."

The man took a deep breath, "She's alive."

Joel nodded, "Where?"

When the man wouldn't answer, Joel twisted the man's kneecap with his bare hands.

"Fuck, fuck! The town!"

"WHAT TOWN?!" Joel yelled.

"..S…Silver Lake."

Joel pulled out a map, setting it on the man's lap.

The same map Y/N had used in Bill's truck.

"It's not a real town name," the man said out of breath, "It's a resort."

"A resort?"

Joel sighed and pulled the blade from the man's knee, shoving the handle of it in the man's mouth harshly.

"You're gonna point to where we are, and where your "resort" is. And it better be the exact same spot you buddy over there points to."

The man did as Joel commanded, then he spit the blade out, "Go ask him. He'll tell you. I'm not lying."

Joel nodded, then shoved the knife into the man's stomach with no mercy.

The other man held hostage yelled out at the violent act. "Why did you do that? He told you what you wanted! I won't tell you SHIT!"

"That's okay," Joel said calmly as he walked to him and grabbed a bat, "I believe him."

Joel swung the bat with no remorse.

…

Y/N was sat on the floor in a panic.

A human fucking ear laid on the ground not too far from her cage.

They were cannibals.

David came in with a plate, setting it on the ground and sliding it to the hungry woman.

But the last thing she could do was eat after seeing what laid on the ground.

He noticed her gaze and followed it, then looked back with a clenched jaw, "For what it's worth, this is just deer meat. I swear."

She let out a small cry, "Are you gonna fucking eat me?"

"I'd rather not."

"How… how could you do this?"

"There are only a few of us that know." David said, "but, I would've told you. Sooner or later."

She let out another small cry.

"It was a last resort. You think this doesn't shame me?"

She sniffled lightly and looked up at him.

David grinned slightly at the eye contact, "Your friend is no different. Didn't he take another man's life to save yours?"

"He…he was defending himself."

"No, he was defending you."

Her eyes left his as she took in his words.

"Can I tell you something? Be honest with you, Y/N? I'm just a shepherd tending to my sheep. And all I want… is someone to share it with. A friend."

"What about my friend?"

He nodded, "I can tell the others to stop looking for him. They'll spare him."

"W…what?"

"If he leaves us in peace, they will just let him go. They do what I tell them to do."

"What about my daughter?"

He smiled, "About that…"

Her heart dropped, "Where is my girl, you sick fuck?"

"JAMES!"

James walked in with Ellie in tow. Her hands were tied behind her back and she fought against the man's movements until she saw Y/N.

David smiled, "A happy reunion, indeed."

Y/N stood and approached the bars as close as she could to Ellie. "Ellie! Are… Jesus, are you alright?"

Ellie nodded.

"Let her go, David. She didn't do anything. I'm the adult here. Blame me. Just… let her go, please. Don't touch her."

The preacher sighed, "Well, I really want to, sweetheart. But… I have to domesticate the dog, remember? So, I take something that the dog loves, like…. Ellie, you said?… and I dangle her in front of the dog's nose. The dog will now do anything I say to ensure it gets what it wants."

"I'm not a dog, David."

He smiles, "No…?"

James pulls on Ellie's hair, making her cry out.

"STOP IT!" Y/N yells, "STOP! Fine! I'll do anything. Anything, please. Don't touch her!"

"C'mere then."

She approached where David stood on the other side of the bars.

His hand wandered to her cheek.

It made her remember Joel's touch.

But they were nothing alike.

David smiled, letting his voice drop to in intimate volume due to the proximity, "And now, the pretty bitch bows to her master."

He turns around, "Put the girl in there."

When Ellie is thrown into the cage, Y/N immediately takes her in her arms.

They watch the men leave the room.

"Where are you hurt?!" Y/N asked frantically.

Ellie shakes her head, "I'm fine. Just… scared."

"And Joel?"

Ellie shrugs, "I heard voices, so I did what I could to lead them from the house. Got the horse shot. I'm sorry."

She shakes her head, "I don't give a shit about the horse. You're okay, and that's all the matters."

…

A few hours later, the two found themselves a little more relaxed.

David had left them alone for the last 4 hours.

"Y/N?" Ellie asked. "I have something to confess…"

The woman nods, "Okay."

"It's really bad…."

"Bad as in… you killed someone? That's not exactly considered bad anymore."

"No…I… I read the note."

Y/N froze. "What note?"

"The one Joel left for you in Jackson."

Y/N didn't know what to say, "How… when did you… Ellie…?"

"I saw it when I went to the bathroom before we left. I just… I don't know. Part of me hoped that Joel had left it for me. I understand why he left one for you, but…. I couldn't help myself. And I'm sorry for reading it."

"It's fine, Ellie. Really."

Silence.

"Did you want to know what it said?"

"Well," Y/N shrugged, "that depends. Is it something I have to know?"

Ellie considered the question, then shook her head. 

"Okay then. Is it something I'd want to know?"

Ellie immediately nodded.

"Hmm. Would this information change what I have with Joel? And with you?"

Ellie frowned in thought, then nodded, "Yeah. Big time."

Y/N sighed, "Well, I don't care then. I like what I have with you and Joel. I don't want to change it. I'd rather live life not knowing anything and having you two, then to know everything in the world and live without Joel and my daughter."

Ellie let out a shuddered breath at her response.

"Joel also said he loves you."

Y/N's head shoots up, "…what?"

"I won't get into details but… it was all mushy about how much he loves you and how you ground him… all the shit he'll never say out loud."

Y/N nodded. "I see. I hope Joel is out there looking for us then."

"Me, too."

If only they knew.

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

Tags: @lover-of-books-and-tea, @pedropascalfan221, @lottieellz101, @bambisweethearts, @hiroikegawa, @elliaze, @littleshadow17, @n7cje

[skiddlecat]

you know what? fuck it. the dynamic between taco and microphone is really interesting and dumbing it down to "evil terrible abuser and poor innocent victim" flattens both of their characters simultaneously.

they both hurt Each Other in ways that can't be undone!!! mic did her fair share of Fucking It Up Big Time as well and i think the way their fallout went down is the best example of times mic could have been better. and before anyone says it NO i'm NOT saying she didn't have a right to back out when she did but what i AM saying is that i think the way she handled cutting taco off showcases one of her biggest character flaws EXCELLENTLY:

when she's hurt by someone, she will hurt them back twice as hard. cheesy makes an insensitive joke? she calls him a monster. taco relapses in her bad habits? she weaponizes her past friendship with pickle. i'm pretty confident in saying both of these responses are Pretty Damn Disproportionate. and i think that's really interesting!!! we should talk more about this!!!!!!!!!

taco did a lot of bad things in their friendship and should absolutely be held accountable for it, but i also think simply calling her a heartless abuser is horribly undermining her character. like, imagine with me, if you will:

(post-writing note. HOLY SHIT this was way longer than i thought it'd be. putting the rest of this post under the cut because the previous paragraphs are pretty much all my thoughts but i kind of go into a full taco character analysis below. if you want to see that then keep reading i suppose LMAOOO)

you once accidentally formed a friendship with someone based off of a lie. you exposed the lie, sabotaged that relationship, and cut him off. that was the last conversation you had. a good while later you realize that, oh no, you actually DID care about this person, and you miss him! but he's GONE and it's YOUR FAULT!!! so you write. you write, you write, you write, hoping to get a response, but you never do.

and then. and then you find someone else. someone who's loud, chaotic, cast out. she reminds you a little too much of the lie you built for yourself. and so, you help her. for your own selfish reasons, sure, but you attempt to reign her in. she doesn't trust you at first, you don't trust her either, and you are... less than kind to her. it's not pretty, but at this point it doesn't really matter to you, because right now she's just a means to an end. she doesn't mean anything to you.

but slowly, over time, things start changing. she starts seeing past the brick walls you built around yourself. starts trying to break them down, little by little. you avoid, you resist, you do everything you can to prevent her from getting through, because vulnerability is frankly disgusting, and you don't want to talk about your problems anyway! but, this doesn't last. you actually apologize to her, for being so closed off, because you should be doing better, and she seems to appreciate it.

someone brings up that old friend to her. you get MAD. it's like rubbing salt in the wound, reminding you of every reason you're not happy, every reason you've been scared of getting too close. he suggests that you will leave her the same way you left him.

and. surprisingly. your ally does not side with him. she tells him you're changing. you're changing. she looks at you and all of your disgusting flaws, and she sees someone not beyond redemption. and you think that maybe. maybe you can trust her. maybe you CAN let your walls down. maybe you won't screw it up this time. and, and...

one mistake.

a pretty big one, granted, but a mistake nonetheless. you relapse into some bad habits, because the situation you entered was not the one you planned for. and she's mad. so mad, in fact, that she takes your old friendship, something she knows is a touchy subject, that hurts every time it's brought up, and she weaponizes it. she looks at you as if you mean nothing to her, and then she leaves. she leaves before you even have a chance to respond.

one. mistake.

one mistake is all it took for her to grow sick of you, for her to agree with all of the terrible things people say about you. and what hurts the most is that you TRUSTED her. you thought you could be open with her, you thought she was DIFFERENT. but no, she's not different. she's just like everyone else. and maybe, if the one person who believed you could be better gives up on you... maybe they're all right about you.

the walls are back up. they're thicker, stronger, and as far as you're concerned... it will take FAR more convincing to let anyone get through ever again.

...and then mepad comes along and says he doesn't even believe you're a bad person in the FIRST place, which is. astounding and very hard to believe but he's seeing you at your absolute worst being needlessly cruel to everyone and is STILL saying this with complete confidence so, fuck, kind of hard to keep THAT up for very long. then ii16 happens and you know the drill SHE'S DOING BAD.

hoo boy this went on for a lot longer than it was supposed to. anyway all this to say i think we should talk more about how they both hurt each other rather than push the narrative that one of them was "the abuser" and the other was "the victim" because frankly that's not even how it works in real life. thank you for coming to my ted talk i've been sitting on this for weeks afraid that i'd be told to kill myself over anons 👍

[literaryavenger]

Broken - final part

Summary: The wait for Bucky's trial is finally over.

Pairing: Bucky Barnes x Female Reader

Warnings: Minimal use of Y/N. Language. Innocent and broken Bucky. Mentions of Bucky's past and nightmares. A lot of fluff. My poor attempts at being funny.

Word Count: 3K

A/N: this is the last part of this story! I had originally planned on making it much longer but I honestly didn't have many ideas to go on, so I decided to use the ideas I did have and end it there. So here it is, hope you like it!

Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5

Masterlist

Slowly you start to forgive the team, starting with Peter that came to you one afternoon handing you some flowers and a teddy bear as an apology and making your heart melt. How can you stay mad at such a sweet boy? 

After about a month you're back on speaking terms with everyone, except Steve and Tony.

For some reason you can't get over the fact that they started the whole civil war and were the ones to decide to cut you out of it.

Everyone tried to make you see things from their side, even Thor and Bruce that were back from New Asgard along with Loki, who couldn’t care less about the whole situation but kind of enjoyed the chaos. 

After that night with Bucky’s nightmare you talked more about pretty much any subject, and he came to you everytime he needed comfort.

Bucky also isn't able to keep his hands to himself anymore, not that you mind, a feat that did not go unnoticed by the team.

You never miss the knowing looks they give each other every time Bucky hugs you or randomly grabs your hand.

Even though you couldn't bring yourself to forgive Steve yet, you start being around him more and more especially after Bucky asked you to start coming with him to his meetings with Fury.

The closer it gets to his hearing, the more touchy Bucky seems to be with you, as if his hands on you is the only thing that keeps him grounded to reality. 

The day before his hearing Bucky can't get himself away from you, following you everywhere since you woke up in the same bed, a thing that started to happen more and more every time he had a nightmare.

Some nights going as far as going to sleep directly in your room without even stepping foot in his.

Steve bides his time the whole day, trying to choose his moment, which came in the early afternoon when you left Bucky on Scott's floor with Cassie while you went to yours to get some Pop Tarts for Cassie since, not surprisingly, Thor finished the ones in their kitchen.

Scott thought that spending time with Cassie, which Bucky has come to be very fond of, would help the super soldier take his mind off the trial, and he was right.

When you get to your floor, and Steve sees you're alone, he doesn't think twice about approaching you.

He's speaking before you even have a chance to realize what's happening. "Listen, I know we’re not in the best terms right now, but I want to talk to you about Bucky."

As much as you want to ignore him you know he really cares about his best friend. And since he’s been nothing but respectful of your decision to avoid him, you think that him actively seeking you out means this is important.

So you nod at him to go on and, with a relief sigh that you're actually gonna listen to him, he does. "Here’s the thing, we both know Bucky’s been through a lot…" he starts, choosing his words carefully as to not give his best friend away completely.

"He’s been doing so much better, and even I realize that’s largely thanks to you." you’re about to protest, but he raises his hand to stop you. "It is. We all see how he is when you’re around, but you don’t see how he is while you’re away on missions. He’s like a puppy just waiting for you to come back, brooding away everytime someone that isn’t you walks through the door."

You can tell he’s trying very hard not to smile as he thinks about it, but fails miserably, before shaking his head a little and getting back on track.

"Anyway, my point is you’re important to him. Tomorrow is gonna be a really hard day for Bucky and I want to thank you for being there for him. Not just for the trial, but for everything I know you do for him. And, I realize it might not be my place to say but, as the only family Buck has left, I feel like I have to tell you: please be careful with him. After everything he’s been through the last thing he needs is to get his heart broken."

Steve knows maybe he said a little too much, but he needs to know Bucky's in good hands. Even if he does trust you with his life, he also wants to know he can trust you with his best friend’s heart.

He doesn't expect you to answer, your face staying neutral the whole time he spoke, and he's about to turn away when you basically throw yourself at him, giving him the tightest hug he’s had since you started avoiding him.

All you can think about was how glad you are that Bucky has someone who cares about him as much as Steve does.

Now more than ever you can see Steve’s reasons behind his choices, how he was motivated by his love for a guy he sees as a brother, the only family he has left.

You get it, you truly do, but seeing it makes you almost cry on Bucky’s behalf.

"I promise you the last thing I’d ever want to do is hurt him." is all you say as you let go, a wordless understanding between you both that you forgive him.

You grab the pop tarts you came here for and go back to an awaiting Bucky and Cassie, who are wearing tiaras and giggling making your heart melt.

The rest of the day goes fast and soon you’re getting into bed with Bucky, not wanting to sleep by himself tonight.

"Hey," he says as he wraps his arms around you. "I just want to say, in case things go wrong tomorrow-"

"Don’t say that, Buck." you interrupt him. "Everything’s gonna be okay, and you’ll come home a free man." you say firmly.

"Doll, we both know there’s a very real chance that I’ll be found guilty and sent back to the Raft. If that happens, I don’t think I’d be able to live without you knowing this…"

Before he can say anything else, you put your hand on his mouth, effectively shutting him up. "Don’t say anything, please. You can tell me tomorrow, after we come back home together."

You can tell he’s trying really hard to hold himself back, but eventually he agrees and you take your hand away, getting more comfortable in his arms and falling asleep in each other’s embrace for what Bucky prays won’t be the last time.

The next morning comes and Bucky’s a bundle of nerves, so worried that time seems to go by in a flash.

Suddenly he’s in a courtroom, asking the judge to please repeat his rouling one more time.

A full pardon.

He can’t believe it. Yes, he has to go to court mandated therapy and has a probation period to go through with the team, but still.

Now he feels like time’s going in slow motion, all he can see it’s you as he turns to your seat next to him. You hug him with tears in your eyes as you tell him how proud you are of him and that you knew he was gonna be okay.

Somehow, you made it real for him. Hearing you acknowledge it makes him believe it and then he’s crying too, not able to hold back.

Steve puts a hand on his shoulder, making you let go of each other and turn to him, a smile so big on his face that you can see all his stupidly perfect teeth.

You all finally get home and, as soon as you enter the living room on your shared floor, you hear a chorus of “congratulations!” followed by loud noises and confetti falling everywhere.

You’re as shocked as Bucky and, as you turn to Steve you see a surprised look on his face too, which turns confused when he looks at you mirroring his own reaction, the same question in the tip of both of your tongues.

But before you can ask each other, Bucky beats you both to it.

"Did you do this for me?" he's amazed, overjoyed and then as confused as you when you both shake your heads no.

Then the mystery is revealed.

"I did it." All three of you are shocked when you turn around to the voice, thinking you were imagining it, to find a very real Tony Stark standing in front of you, the rest of the team behind him.

"You did this?" you have to make sure you heard him correctly.

"Yeah, I did. I’m amazing, get over it." And with that Tony walks away towards the bar. There he is.

You turn to Bucky and Steve and since all they do is stare at you, you just shrug and go to join the rest of the team in celebration, the super soldiers right behind you.

You joke and laugh and dance all together for hours, until eventually you find yourselves sitting scattered around the living room, various conversations going at the same time.

You're sitting on Bucky’s lap, his arms around you and your head on his chest as he jokes with Steve and Sam when you notice Tony going behind the bar, where nobody else is.

You feel the need to follow him so you kiss Bucky in the cheek and tap his arms twice signaling him to let go of you. When he does, somewhat reluctantly, you get up and walk after Tony.

You lean on the bar, crossing your arms in front of your chest. But before you can say anything he speaks, not even bothering to turn around.

"Don’t need to thank me, Cyborg deserves it.- You roll your eyes at the nickname, but decide to let it go for the time being.

"So what, you’re his biggest fan now?" You know you were kind of pushing it, but you just need to know what changed.

He turns around and you get ready for him to yell at you again, but instead he smiles in a way that was too sweet not to be genuine. Yep, Tony Stark is full of surprises.

"I’m not. But I see the way he looks at you." you raise your eyebrow at him.

"How does he look at me?"

"It's the same way I look at Pepper." He answers without skipping a beat. "I know he knows he's not good enough for you, but I can see he's trying to be. That's all I could ask for." he shrugs and turns back around.

You know he means it, as much of a genius as he is, even he couldn’t come up with a lie like that, that fast.

You stare at the back of his head while he works on his drink, both of you thinking of a way to approach the next subject the right way.

When he turns back to you he puts a glass in front of you, your favorite drink in it, and takes a sip of his own drink. After a few more moments of silence, he decides to speak first.

"I’m sorry. For keeping the whole war thing from you and for how I treated Barnes. I had a lot of time to think about it, I read all the Hydra reports we found on him, I rewatched the footage… I can see now it really was out of his control. I shouldn’t have blamed him for something he had no way of stopping. And I shouldn’t have kept something so big from you. I really am sorry."

You’re glad he finally sees things the way you do, but you can’t help yourself as you say "I appreciate it, and I forgive you, but I’m not the one you have to apologize to."

"Trust me, I know." he sighs. "Pepper already gave me the speech…" he says sheepishly.

God, you love that woman.

He makes his way around the bar and stops in front of you.

He gives you a hug and whispers in your ear. "I’m doing this for you, too. I don’t like it when you’re mad at me and I need you to know I meant everything I just said.-"

You’re a little confused at what he’s talking about until he lets go of you and walks towards the couch where Buck’s still talking to Sam and Steve.

"Bucky," he starts, and the room goes silent "I just want you to know that I’m sorry for blaming you for my parents’ death. And it’s not just because the government believes you’re innocent, after everything I’ve learned about your situation the past month I can’t not believe you were a victim and still call myself a genius. I also read some of dad’s old journals from when he worked with the Howling Commandos... You guys were friends. I realize you wouldn’t have hurt him if you had a choice. And I’m also sorry for the name calling, Terminator."

You roll your eyes with a smile at his last sentence while the others snickered at the nickname.

You go to stand next to Tony and wrap your arm around his waist and, when he wraps his around your shoulders and looks down at you, you gave him a squeeze, letting him know you're grateful to him for doing this.

You look at Bucky who doesn’t quite know what to say so you let go of Tony and make your way to sit back down on his lap, his arms going around your waist automatically. That seems to snap him out of it.

"Thank you, Tony. You don’t have to apologize, I understand why you were angry, but I appreciate it. Howard was a good man, he didn’t deserve an end like that." Tony doesn't say anything back, merely nodding and going to sit next to Pepper.

Well, that’s a start.

Everyone goes back to their own conversations and you turn back to Bucky, who's already looking up at you.

"Thank you." he says low enough so only you can hear.

"I didn’t do anything, it was all him. I told you, anyone with a functioning brain can see that you’re a good person." you tell him with a smile.

He smiles back at you, holding you tighter as you lay your head back on his shoulder while looking at your friends talking and laughing amongst each other. You're happy that things are back to normal, with the added bonus of Bucky finally being completely free.

The party eventually ends and the living room slowly empties out, the last people remaining being you, Bucky and Steve.

"Well, I’m going to sleep. You guys should too, today’s been a long day." Steve says, giving Bucky one last pat on the shoulder and, with a smile to the both of you, he gets up and leaves.

You’re sitting in a comfortable silence, not really feeling the need to get up just yet, when you feel Bucky leave a soft kiss against your shoulder, which makes you sit up a little straighter and turn to look at him, your arms going around his neck.

"We still have a conversation to finish… Are you gonna let me talk now?" He's much more confident than he was last night and you nod, curiosity now taking over you.

"Great… I’m just gonna get to the point. I like you, doll. The longer I spend time with you, the more I feel like myself. I feel at peace, like the last 70 years never happened because I know that’s not what you see when you look at me. You’ve never been scared of me, never looked at me like I was a monster. You spend  time with me because you want to, not because you have to. You don’t mind having me around even when we don’t talk and all I do is look at you. You comfort me when I’m sad, calm me down when I have a panic attack and hold me until I fall asleep after I have a nightmare. You never judge me or make me feel guilty or like I’m too much, and you never push me to talk about anything, you’re always patient and let me take my time. I truly appreciate everything you do for me and I need you to know that. And to be clear, when I say I like you I mean it in the ‘I’d like to take you out on a date’ way."

You’re almost crying now, your heart melting as you look at an expectant Bucky. You honestly have no words to reply, so you do the only thing you can think of.

You lean down and kiss him softly, feeling him kiss you back almost right away, his lips are so soft you almost moan into the kiss. After a few moments you pull away, forehead resting against his.

"I really hope that means you like me back." he says with a goofy smile, making you giggle.

"Yes, I like you too." you gave him another kiss. "You make me feel seen. You make me feel important. You make me feel safe. I love spending time with you and having you close. And I’d love to go on a date with you."

This time he’s the one to initiate the kiss and you can’t help but smile into it. Suddenly he gets up, picking you up bridal style and making you squeal in surprise.

He laughs at your face while he takes you both to your room, where he lays you gently on the bed.

"I could’ve walked, you know." You tell him while chuckling.

"I know." he answers before basically lying on top of you while you laugh, smile seared onto his face.

You hang onto each other as you fall asleep, more than glad to have found the other and both silently planning your future together.

Bonus part

Requested taglist: @aesthetic0cherryblossom @buchi91 @sapphirebarnes @ordelixx

[certified-sleep-deprived]

◇Agatha Harkness x Ink Demon! Reader P2◇

Warnings: mentions of death, drowning in ink, violence, slight choking (not in a kinky way), PSTD, mentions of torture, reader gets the shit end of the stick

Part 1 here

You have been living in Agatha's home for a couple weeks now, and she's done everything in her will to make you feel at home. She's gotten you to open up a little bit, but not as much to the point where you've told her why you are the way you are. You weren't born like this, obviously; but, the memory of it all is too painful to speak of, and you wake up every night from the same nightmare, which is that of how you came to be like this.

You would always catch yourself before you went into a scream after waking up, as to not wake Agatha.

Speaking of Agatha, she always let you take her bed, and she would do everything for you, while balancing practicing her spells.

She was very open with you from the beginning, knowing you wouldn't judge as you had no position to either way, and you wouldn't even if you were "normal". She showed you some spells, and even let you practice to see if your condition granted you magic abilities; but they seemed very weak, and it was a touchy subject for you, so she left it alone and just left you to observe.

While your ankle was healing, she wouldn't let you our of bed unless it was to go to the bathroom, but even then she was nearby if you needed anything. You found it weird, thinking she was into you, but you chalked it up to your tiny crush on her messing with you. There was no way she could love someone like you, or could she?

She was able to manipulate the ink over your eyes enough to the point where you could see, like actually see. It improved your demeanor, as you weren't constantly blinded anymore.

Overall, she was very attentive to you the past few weeks, and you loved it. The feeling of getting touched in a non-harmful way was something you were getting used to, but it felt nice to have someone touch you and not be hurt for once.

There was a couple times where you had fallen asleep in her lap as she read one of her spell books, practicing her magic, and she didn't seem bothered. If anything, she encouraged it.

She was touch starved herself, so she was relishing in every moment she had that involved coming in contact with you, and before she realized it, she was developing a crush.

At first, she wanted to push it to the backburner, but as you started warming up to her and started to break through to her soft side, she knew she was fucked.

She would constantly find herself staring at you while you were turned away. She didn't care how you looked, if you looked like the Spawn of Satan or if you looked like a zombified one-footed Cary Elwes. No matter what, she definitely cared for you in a way beyond the way she does for most.

Currently, your in the nightly nightmare, again. Only this time, you found yourself violently turning in the bed, whimpering and muttering in your sleep. You felt as if you were reliving the memory instead of standing by in it from an ominescent point of view.

Agatha heard your soft voice echo through the door as she walked past it to go brush her teeth for the night, and she was concerned, so she opened the door, only to be met with your flailing form. She panicked, so she rushed to your side and tried waking you up out of your dream.

As she was doing this, the dream shifted to your demise. A slow, agonizing demise.

You shot up from the bed in a blood curdling scream, and in your blind moment of vulnerability, you grabbed Agatha by the throat, seeing her as a threat.

It was only when she choked in surprise, did you let her go with a horrified look on your face.

You backed away to the edge of the bed as she turned to approach you.

"Oh god. Oh god! No, I'm so sorry. Please, don't hate me I didn't mean it!" You desperately sob, thinking she would kill you or throw you out. But, she simply shook her head and scooted next to you, placing her hand on your arm in an attempt to ground you.

You looked into her eyes as she turned on the lamp, snuggling into her when she wrapped her arms around you in a protective embrace.

After calming down some, you speak up. "I suppose I should tell you everything, why I'm like this."

You take a deep breath after hearing her tell you to go on, and you begin your story.

"I was a normal human. Well, normal as one can be these days" you chuckle. "It was my... twenty-fourth? Maybe twenty-third... yeah, twenty-third birthday, when a couple of my friends suggested that for my birthday we should check out an abandoned animation studio from the 30's. Like the naiive fool I was, I agreed. We all split up to search the place to see if we could find any memorabilia, because why not."

Your voice trembles during the time you speak, and you feel her rubbing your arm in a comforting manner, letting you know it's okay. You let out a shaky exhale before continuing,

"I was alerted to the sound of danger when I heard one of my friends let out the most horrifying scream I've heard in my life. I was scared shitless. When I went to go investigate the noise, I was hit on the back of the head, hard, and I was knocked out. When I woke up, I was in a glass box, with no way out, and there was a man in the room who introduced himself as 'Joey Drew', although I know that wasn't really his name." You tame another pause before going on.

"He explained how I would serve as his last test for the night, and when I inquired what the hell he meant, two goopey ink creatures grabbed my arms and held me down. I looked at their faces and I saw how much they resembled my friends. When I asked what the hell he did, he simply said trying to bring cartoons to life, and that was his goal then with me. My blood ran cold, and before I could speak again, the box started to fill with ink, and the two creatures that were my friends kept holding me down. I tried fighting to swim up, but once I was submerged in the ink, my lungs were filling up, and I was suffocating. I couldn't breathe, and it was so painful, oh god!"

You sobbed out the last part, your hand clawing at your chest as if you were feeling it over again. Agatha brushed some hair out of your face to press a soft kiss to your forehead.

"Go on only if you feel comfortable, bunny."

The pet name made you feel butterflies. But you nodded and took a few moments before continuing.

"When I gained consciousness next, I was shackled, and I couldn't see. I felt around my body and found my whole appearance had changed. I wiped some ink from my eyes and found a mirror in front of me, showing me the beast I had becomed. I screamed in agony as the pain came rushing back, and that's when 'Joey' came in the room, smirking at himself at his handy work. He mocked me, tortured me, mindfucked me. He left me in that room for five years, until a few weeks ago when I escaped and ran right into your fence. That would place me at about twenty-eight now." You breathed the last part with a chuckle.

"I was rarely fed and hydrated, and he kept trying to shape me into his twisted image of his ideal cartoon character. I was supposed to resemble a character he created, named 'Bendy', but I came out all deformed and barely resembling him at all. I'm so glad to have run into you, Agatha. You saved my life without even knowing it."

I finish my story with a smile as I look in her alluring, baby blue eyes. And those same eyes stare down at me with so much adoration and love, they looked so soft compared to the hard outside she showed to everyone else.

Before you knew it, her lips were on yours in a tender kiss, with her arms pulling you slightly closer as a hand came to rest on your cheek.

When you both pulled away, all you can manage to say is "why". She smiles at your uncertainty, and she answers in the way you've always wanted to hear someone speak of you,

"Because I don't care for your looks. I don't care if your a fucked up version of a cartoon character. I love you for who you are, not your appearance. I love the way you can make me soft in an instant, or keep me in a calm state. I love you for you, bunny".

Tears welled up in your eyes, and you threw your head in her neck, sobbing muffled "I love you too"s. She traced her fingers up and down one of your horns, soothing you as you shook in her arms.

It was probably at least half an hour of staying like this, sobbing, until you calmed down and your sobbing ceased. Once it did, Agatha gently cupped your face in her hands, looking into your eyes as she spoke once more,

"I will help you find a way to reverse what that asshole did to you. Seeing you in so much pain breaks my heart, and I want to help you in every way I possibly can. You just say the word, and my wish is your command".

Her words almost put you in a sobbing fit again, but you were too tired and all your tears have been cried, so you simply reply to her before falling asleep,

"I will follow you to the end of the earth and back if it means I am able to be with you, Agatha Harkness. I love you so much."

The rest of the night was spent holding eachother in the other's embrace, gentle kisses shared between the two of you.

[izels-writing]

s. black — the herbology weakness

Pairing: sirius black x fem!potter!reader

Summary: being james potter’s little sister was tough, it was even tougher when you had a crush on his best friend

Warnings: she’s so in love it’s school girl crush, fluff, angst toward the end, mentions of death

being james potter's little sister meant one of two things. one, you were pretty popular, and it helped that you were beautiful and smart as well. two, you weren't allowed to fancy his best mates. more specifically, his best friend, sirius black.

usually, you didn't complain, you didn't care, you could care less than not caring. that was until the end of their fourth year, when you realized that you were falling for the one and only. which was hell all on its own, no need to add on the fact that if he did fancy you back, you wouldn't be able to date.

now, you were in your fifth year, while your brother was in his sixth. over the summer, sirius had moved in after his family disowned him, and it made your crush worse, but in all, you were glad he was safe. as of right now though, you were in the library with lily evans, your best friend since your second year, a friend you had acquired with a funny story.

you had introduced yourself, using your full name, and at first she was about to turn you away, thinking you were exactly like your brother, but you quickly proved her wrong. all you did was politely ask if you could sit and talk with her, considering your brother had left you in the dust to join his friends. she quickly accepted.

james, of course, was jealous.

"y/n? you there?" lily chuckled, waving a hand in front of your face. you snapped out of your daze, and chuckled, nodding at her.

"what? are you thinking about black again?" lily teased quietly. she had been the only one to find out about your crush, though she did tell you that everyone could see it besides your brother and the boy you fancied himself.

you shook your head quickly, feeling a blush grow. "no! just thinking about exams this year." you replied nonchalantly.

lily sighed, "they're not so bad." she replied quietly. you felt a pang of guilt, knowing that time period was a touchy subject. sure, james and sirius had humiliated snape, but what you had done after finding out what he called lily was much worse.

you smiled, grabbing her hand gently. "hey," you said softly, "it's his loss."

lily smiled reassuringly and nodded. quickly, her sadness faded. "you're right. anyway, we've got more—"

a thump interrupted her words, making you both snap in the direction of the noise. it had been at the entrance of the library, where you two were near, but slightly hidden.

"padfoot! come on! focus! what's got you all unfocused? we've got pranks to execute in a couple of weeks." a boy with messy hair asked, looking at the handsome boy beside him. sirius shook his head, "nothing, mate, nothing."

remus chuckled, "a certain lady got your interest, pads?" he asked.

you felt your heart sink, despite not hearing sirius' response yet. if he was in love, it surely wouldn't be you. the thought alone made your heart break.

"moons, st—"

"n/n! hey! what are you doing?" james said, walking over to you, swooping down to kiss your head.

one thing about you and james, you grew up with tons of affection, so this was common between the two of you. not to mention, you two were only a year apart and rather close — despite being polar opposites.

"hey, jamsie. i'm just here with lily. what are you mauraders up to?" you asked, smiling at them, pretending as though you hadn't heard remus before. sirius beamed back at you, making your smile grow.

"practicing for DADA and stuff. real material here. want to join in, evans?" james asked, his genuine kindness actually seeping through.

lily, however, shook her head. "no thanks, potter. i've got to get back to common room anyway, some other time?" she suggested. you and sirius shared a look, impressed by her much kinder words.

james smiled and nodded. "yeah, alright."

lily gave him a small smile, and gathered her things, walking off. finally, when she was out of earshot, you and sirius broke.

"wow! she was actually nice to you!" sirius said, giggling like an idiot.

you chuckled, "yeah! she even addressed you by potter and not a toerag!" you added.

james scowled at you two. quickly, remus stepped in.

"alright you two. enough teamwork. let james have his moment." remus chuckled. james grinned, patting remus' back. "thank you, moony."

"anytime, prongs." remus breathed out, patting james' back as well.

"aw, it's all in good fun. right, love?" sirius said, looking to you for reassurance. you paused for a moment. he hadn't ever addressed you as love. but, perhaps he was getting accustomed to being part of the potters.

you took a subtle deep breath, nodding and smiling. "right you are, hon." you replied. he smiled at you, but worrying you'd blush or give yourself away, you looked down at the book in your lap.

james narrowed his eyes at the two of you, but said nothing. remus and peter struggled to fight the urge to just yell out about your feelings for each other.

"so, y/n, how's studying coming along?" remus asked.

you groaned, "don't even get me started! i know all of this stuff, i know i do, but i'm afraid that i'll forget it as soon as i get to the exams! now, herbology though, it's a nightmare. i know nothing."

"why are you studying so early anyway? it's barely january." james mumbled, shaking his head at you. you glared at him, but turned back to remus, who had a small smile on his face.

"well, if you'd like, i can help you study? i mean i've taken the exam so i know what to expect." remus suggested. you grinned, "yes! of course! please!"

sirius crossed his arms and leaned against a bookcase, rolling his eyes at the two of you. remus pretended not to notice, while you stayed oblivious.

"okay! why don't you come to our dorm on saturday? the boys will all be at hogsmeade so we'll have the dorm to ourselves." remus suggested. you nodded with a bright smile, "yes! of course! thank you so much!"

you threw yourself at him, hugging him and kissing his cheeks gently. he hugged back with a laugh, then let you go so you could get back to your common room.

once you had left, james overcame his shock.

"are you planning on being in a dorm alone with my little sister? are you mental?! no!" james exclaimed. madam pince scowled and shushed him loudly before walking off.

"yeah! you're insane if you think we're gonna let you be alone! i mean what exactly are you thinking? you alone with a beautiful girl like her?!" sirius exclaimed. madam pince shushed him again. james didn't seem to notice sirius' comment.

remus rolled his eyes. "calm down you two! i've got a date with someone on saturday, i was actually hoping sirius could fill in."

sirius glared at him, knowing what remus was doing, but james hadn't, and probably would never catch on.

"why?" james asked dumbfounded.

remus sighed, "if you haven't noticed, she's mainly studying herbology, her weakness. it so happens padfoot is spectacular at herbology. get where i'm going with this?"

"oh..." james stretched out the 'o' sound, nodding slowly. "well, i suppose that is pretty reasonable. as long as pads doesn't make any moves."

sirius scoffed, "as if." he told them. remus gave him a look, to which he ignored.

sirius was utterly in love with you. it started in the beginning of his fifth year, he hadn't realized it right away, in fact, he thought it was merely a familial connection. then he started noticing the little things. the light blush when you talked to him. the way you bit your lip when you were concentrating. or, whenever you were excited about something, you'd immediately go to james to tell him. usually he'd dismiss it, like the older brother he was, but sirius wouldn't. sirius would listen for hours and hours, until you got every single point across. in his eyes, you were the most amazing person he knew.

that's when it had hit him.

and merlin had he been falling hard.

——

saturday has rolled around quickly for you. classes had flown by, with the shit ton of homework, like usual. finally, after lunch, you made your way to your brothers dorm.

as you pushed the door open, expecting the lone werewolf on the other side, you immediately started yelling/singing the beginning of bohemian rhapsody. you and remus always greeted each other this way. unfortunately for you, it was not remus on the other side.

"is this the real life?! is this just fant—oh my god!" you exclaimed, your eyes widening as you looked at the raven-haired boy in front of you. he was smirking at you, as if he was amused by you.

"sirius! uhm, where's remus?" you asked with a nervous laugh, tugging at your large sweater, that happened to be sirius'. you had stolen it as a joke, but he let you keep it, mumbling something about how it looked better on you. and you didn't exactly object.

"had a date with a lady. he asked me to tell you that he's sorry about that by the way." sirius replied, smiling at you now, glancing at your fidgeting hands.

god this is very embarrassing, you thought.

"oh! well, i'll just study with him another time then. thanks for letting me know! b-" you said quickly.

"woah, woah, woah! hold on! we're studying together, baby potter!" sirius exclaimed, rushing over to you before you could completely disappear out of view.

you tilted your head to the side, "we are?"

sirius chuckled, "yeah! why do you think i waited here? besides, i happen to be amazing at herbology." he replied boastfully.

you knew studying with him would somehow make you fancy him even more. you were so sure of it. anything sirius black did was like angel's singing to you. well, that may have been a bit of an exaggeration, but still. you wanted to object, turn him down, and just study with remus.

but again, your words failed you.

"...okay. but i'd better get a good homework grade and exam grade. i've been failing herbology, getting p's and d's. not exactly my style." you said. he nodded with a small smile.

"alright then." he replied, bringing you back into the dorm.

—

thirty minutes in, and you were already lost. you were lost in one of two things. his words and what he was trying to explain, (you didn't understand mostly but you loved hearing him talk), and his eyes. merlin, his eyes. they were a beautiful grey color, and you always did love the color grey. you wouldn't stare at him for too long, but it was long enough for you. but you were careful in getting caught.

"alright, now, touching the trunk of a wiggentree protects you from what?" sirius asked, looking up from the textbook. you looked down at your textbook blankly, before looking back up at him.

"um...dark creatures?" you guessed. he smiled and nodded.

you grinned and took a deep breath. finally you were getting somewhere. despite only having guessed that. it was a start, because you usually never even guessed right. professor sprout had given up on trying to force you to focus ages ago.

"now, from the top..."

——

wednesday had been the day you were dreading. after studying with sirius, you wrote your essay the next day. then you handed it in monday, and now, you were going to be receiving it back. you were beyond nervous. you hated failing as it is, but you also didn't want sirius to think you had wasted his time.

"miss potter," professor sprout said, handing you your essay with a small smile as you were about to leave the greenhouse, "well done."

you furrowed your eyebrows, walking past the other students and stopping on the way up the hill. you slowly opened your essay, fearing the worst, until you noticed the actual grade.

an E.

you never got an E in herbology.

you gasped in shock, feeling a burst of excitement. you hoisted your bag over you shoulder, and began running toward the castle, where you knew sirius would be. it was about lunch time now.

you ran as fast as your feet would take you, pushing past people and smiling like an idiot. you scanned around the corridor, until your eyes finally landed on a tall, handsome boy with remus, your brother, and peter.

you ran over, not caring if you looked like an imbecile, and stopping suddenly in front of him. you frantically opened the essay again, turning it around to show the boy.

"you got an E!" he said excitedly.

"i got an E!" you repeated, matching his excitement.

you threw your arms around him, hugging him tightly. he hugged back happily, laughing into your shoulder.

"that's my girl! i knew you could do it!" he said. you blushed, giggling softly.

"thank you." you mumbled, pulling back from the hug, keeping your arms around his neck. he pulled back a little too, but kept his arms around your waist as well.

then, it happened.

you weren't sure who leaned in first. in fact, you weren't even sure who instigated this. all you knew was that you were kissing sirius black right now and it was nothing like how you imagined it.

it was better.

he was gentle and sweet. his hands were on your hips, resting softly. your hands were intertwined around his neck.

finally, you both pulled back, slightly out of breath. you would've forgotten about the boys behind you, had it not been your brother yelling.

"what?! what's—?! i-" james stammered, glancing between you and sirius. remus and peter sighed in relief and also in tiredness.

"take a walk, james..." peter mumbled, turning james around and patting his back, pushing him toward the great hall.

"my sister and my best mate...my best mate and my sister...y/n and sirius...sirius and y/n..." james mumbled.

remus chuckled, "we'll leave you to it then..." he said, walking off with the other two.

you turned to sirius, who was smiling the happiest smile you had ever seen. you were happy too, because merlin was he was amazing, but your defenses quickly came up.

"listen sirius, i don't want to be some fling or whatever—" you mumbled.

sirius chuckled and shook his head quickly, "trust me, y/n, you're not a fling. i fancy you, more than i've ever fancied anyone."

"you sure?" you asked softly, despite already feeling like you knew the answer. he never called you by your name, it was always baby potter or n/n, never y/n. deep down you knew he wasn't lying.

"of course! you're the best person i've ever met! i fancy you for you! why do you think i gave you that sweater? why do you think i make you tea when you're not feeling all too great? why-"

you kissed him quickly, smirking at him when you pulled away.

he laughed, and you noticed a pink tint on his cheeks. "alright, i get it. point is, will you, please, go out with me?" he asked.

you shrugged, "only cause you said please." you replied with a smirk. sirius chuckled, ruffling your hair up and wrapping his arm around you.

"love, you'll be the death of me." he said.

"i'm a potter. it's what we do best." you grinned.

bonus:

harry reached for the photo that was sitting on the table. sirius had left it, likely on accident because it seemed to be the only lively thing in grimmauld place. but it was also intriguing. he had never seen this woman before. she was standing beside his mother and father, and sirius, smiling like there was no tomorrow. she looked a lot like his father, black hair and hazel eyes. her hair, however, looked rather tamer. this had to be his parents wedding day, mostly because lily wore a white dress, and james wore a nice, black suit.

"harry? have you seen—oh thank merlin, you have it. where'd you find it?" sirius asked, smiling lightly at the boy. harry gestured at the table, but didn't tear his eyes from the woman.

she looked familiar. oddly familiar. though, he knew he had never met her.

"sirius...who is this?" he asked tentatively, still staring at the woman on the picture.

sirius walked over with a sad smile, feeling his heart break more and more as he saw your bright smile. he hadn't seen your smile in almost sixteen years.

"your aunt, on your dads side. she and james were closer than i could've ever imagined in siblings. and she and lily were the best of friends, rarely saw them apart in school." he spoke gently, noticing harry's shift in demeanor. he looked sadder, like this was another thing he'd never get to experience.

"what's...what's her name?" harry asked quietly.

sirius felt his heart break more. it was saddening, knowing you would've loved to see harry now, and he didn't even know your name.

"y/n. y/n potter. your dad would call her n/n. she..." he hesitated for a moment, wondering if it was right to say this, but he wanted harry to know her, the way james and lily and you would've wanted. "she was the love of my life. in fact, we were even going to get married. after the war."

the memory felt bittersweet. he remembered proposing, at home, with just the two of you. you were ecstatic, blubbering 'yes' over and over. he remembered the way you kissed him, like it was the last thing you'd ever do. he remembered james crying tears of joy and sadness the next day as he realized his little sister was getting married, but he knew she was in good hands. he remembered you and lily rambling on and on about a small bachelorette party. even when things were chaotic and scary, you always found a way to lighten the situation. to make everyone feel safe.

to make him feel safe.

"what happened to her?" harry asked, finally looking up at sirius with a broken look. just the way sirius talked about you, harry knew how important you had to have been to everyone, but you and him would never get to meet. not in this lifetime anyway.

sirius swallowed the lump in his throat. while it hurt to mention, he knew you'd want harry to know. you'd want harry to find the good in the situation. in your situation.

"she died trying to protect your father...she was on a mission with him. the two potters, they were the dynamic duo. more than your dad and i honestly. a deatheater was trying to get away, and james wouldn't let him, so the deatheater shot a horrible curse at him. but your aunt, a brave woman she was, she jumped in front of james. it injured her badly, and she didn't make it, but she did it because you were going to be born soon. and she wanted you to have your father. even if it meant her dying. it's why your middle name is james, she's the one who suggested it, before she. . ."

harry felt a pressure in his chest, almost as if he wanted to cry. he didn't understand why he was so emotional over you, he hadn't ever met you. but it felt like he had. you sacrificed yourself for his dad. that was one of the bravest things he had ever heard.

"she sounds amazing." harry finally said, ignoring the pressure. sirius looked at the picture, his eyes fixated on you.

"she was."

[huggyhughesy]

slow mornings | quinn hughes

a little dad!quinn blurb for your sunday evening <3

The house was quiet. Too quiet for a Saturday morning.

Usually, Saturday mornings started early with Sophie climbing into Quinn and I's bed. This morning, though, I was the only one laying under the duvet. As I racked my brain, trying to remember if there was a reason I had been abandoned in the bed, I remembered that I'd never seen Quinn last night. He was supposed to get home after midnight, flying home from a five-day road trip.

The panic began to set in when I realized that I had no messages from Quinn, his phone wasn't on his bedside table, and -- most importantly -- he wasn't lying in bed next to me. Flinging the covers off, I made my way down the hall to Sophie's room, where I discovered that she too was missing. Deciding to venture downstairs, I could hear the faint sounds of music coming from the living room.

As I entered, my heart swelled at the sight in front of me. Laying on the couch, both asleep, was Sophie and Quinn. Sophie was cuddled into her dad's side and didn't appear to be waking up anytime soon.

I quickly snapped a picture of the two of them before leaning down and placing a kiss to the top of Quinn's head. His eyes fluttered open and a lazy grin came over his features.

"Hey," he mumbled. "Can I have a real kiss?"

I smiled at his request.

"You want me to give you a kiss after you abandoned me in our bed?"

He just continued smiling at me, knowing that I'd give in eventually. And I did, leaning back down to give Quinn a 'real kiss' before walking around the couch and sitting on the unoccupied side of Quinn's body. I leaned onto his side as his arm came to wrap around my waist. I was looking at the movie currently playing on the tv; Winnie the Pooh was currently one of Soph's favorites. She especially loved Eeyore.

"Eeyore's actually such an underrated character," Quinn said, as if he could read my mind.

"You and Soph are too much alike," I replied, earning a nudge from my husband.

"Who's your favorite then?"

I didn't reply, which was an answer enough for Quinn.

"There's nothing wrong with liking Eeyore, you know. His grumpiness is funny. And realistic."

"Fair point."

We both laid in comfortable silence for a while, watching the children’s movie, when I figured I’d bring up the potentially touchy subject of Quinn’s road trip, during which they’d lost two games and won one.  

"How was the trip?"

The involuntary sigh that escaped his lips was all I really needed to know. Quinn had already confided in me about how frustrating it was for his team to be having such an awful season, especially compared to Jack's, but to also have to see so many of his teammates and people he considered to be good friends get traded away. He didn't talk about it in front of his parents or his brothers, specifically Jack, because he didn't want to make everyone listen to his pity party when he knew they really just wanted to be basking in the glory of Jack's first really good season in the NHL.

"It sucked," Quinn admitted, his arm gripping my waist a little tighter. “But it’s over now, so it’s whatever.”

I looked up to him, communicating with just my look that it, in fact, wasn’t whatever.

“Fine, fine. It just wasn’t fun overall. I didn’t play very well, and I missed you guys.”

Quinn had a pout on his face when I looked up at him. I couldn’t help myself but to lean up and kiss his jaw.

“We missed you too,” I informed him. “Soph watched every single minute of every game.”

As if she could hear us mention her name in her sleep, Sophie stirred. Wiggling around and rubbing her eyes. Upon her opening her eyes fully, she looked at Quinn, then at me, and did a double take back to Quinn, letting out a little gasp.

“Daddy!” she squealed and wrapped her arms around Quinn’s neck. Quinn chuckled but pulled her closer to his chest.

“Hey sweetheart. Have a good nap?”

The massive smile on Sophie’s face and the hands that were still clutching onto Quinn’s shirt were enough indication that she was more preoccupied with her father than to answer his question.

“Daddy, are you home now?”

The grin that graced Quinn’s features wavered slightly. While Soph was asking if Quinn was home, she was really asking if he was going to stay home.

“No baby, not yet.  I’m home this week, and then I’m going to see Uncle Trevor.”

She tried to mask her disappointment. After a moment, though, her features changed to one of curiosity and excitement.

“Oh. But can you ask him to bring me some candy? He always brings me candy when you see him,” she informed us.

I raised an eyebrow and side-eyed Quinn, who looked guilty.

“Uncle Trevor always brings you candy?”

“Yes!” she exclaimed. “Daddy brings it, but Uncle Trevor gives it to him to give to me.”

“Ah, I see.”

I decided to leave the subject of Trevor and Quinn conspiring to sneak our kid candy another time. Right now, though, I was going to spend the morning watching Disney movies.

[trashland-llamas]

Mother-Hen

x gender neutral! reader

Reader who has those over the top mother-hen vibes colliding with the grumpy asshole that is Logan Howlett. Who at first avoids Reader like the plague. Growling out how he wants nothing to do with them. To which they don't take any of it to heart, having done this dance a dozen times over.

Seeing it for it was. He didn't want anyone to get close as it meant caring and if he cared about someone, it could then be used against him. And that was simply more unnecessary heartbreak to drown in a bottle of whiskey over. Oh, but it doesn't stop Reader from bulldozing that down.

It all starts when Logan brings a relatively new mutant down to their room instead of the infirmary after a group mission. 'Scared of hospitals and the like. You were the next best thing,' he gruffs out. Seeing the extent of the injuries from how torn up the mutant's clothes are, Reader clears the table, grabbing their first aid kit. Logan laid them down.

Watching from the sidelines as Reader prepares a needle and thread, stitching the mutant's skin together. 'Your turn,' Reader wets a rag to get rid of the dried blood around Logan's already healed wounds. 'I can do that myself.' Too tired to fight against it altogether, Logan takes the rag. 'Thank you, now go. I'll watch over the kiddo.' Their foot now in the door. Letting him leave to the shadows.

The next time they cross paths is late at night when Logan’s abruptly awoken by a nightmare. Deciding to go take a ride on his motorbike when he smells spices in the air. His nose leads him to the kitchen where he sees Reader cooking up a large pot of soup. Their hair tied up into a lump, resting on the nape of their neck. Sleeves rolled up as they chopped vegetables and chicken to go into the broth. The sick season was close upon them.

'Why are you still up, cooking soup?' Logan spoke up after leaning against the wall, his tone accusatory. 'Because of how often everyone forgets to eat. Plus sometimes after missions, it's nice to have something you can just heat up.' Reader answers, watching out of the corner of their eyes as Logan sits down.

'Not to pry, but what's keeping you up?' They had always thought he had a weariness to his bones, outside of the added adamantium. ‘Couldn’t sleep,’ comes his short reply. Not really wanting to talk about it. ‘Touchy subject, got it. Well, you can stay if you like and I can dish you out a bowl when it’s ready. Need someone as a taste tester anyways.’

Logan doesn't respond but ultimately stays, the coziness of the kitchen was better than how he'd feel, standing alone, under the stars. Genuinely desiring company for once; Reader's company.

'Here you go,' pushing a bowl towards him. 'Thanks,' not bothering to blow on the still hot soup. Reader nods, going back to packaging the soup in deli containers. Moving stuff in the fridge around to make room. Logan, after finishing his bowl, takes up the mantle of cleaning the dishes.

Waving away Reader's 'oh, you don't have to do that.' Saying that he wanted to. That and his calloused hands were accustomed to manual labor. It was the least he could do in exchange for some well cooked food, as shown by the grin on his face.

Logan realizes they’ve wormed their way into his heart when he finds them passed out cold on the couch in the common room. Chuffed that at the very least, Reader seemed to have been taking a moment of relaxation for themselves. The battered old tome he had lent to them had fallen to the ground mid-reading.

Their neck at an awkward angle that would definitely hurt in the morning. ‘Really got yourself into a pickle here.’ Taking a minute to argue with himself, running the pros and cons of what he was about to do. Cause yes, he could simply toss a blanket over them and call it a day yet his gut was telling him that wasn’t enough.

‘C’mon, wake up bubs.’ Jostling them by the shoulders, helping them up to a standing position as they’re still half asleep and groggy. ‘Logan?’ Hands guiding them by the shoulders. ‘Yea, it’s me.’

Not realizing in their state that Logan was guiding them towards his room and not theirs. That is until they see all the Americana type decor. ‘What are we doing in your room?’

‘Was closer…the common room’s no place to get sleep with all the busybodies trudging in and out. That and your neck looked like it was killing you.’ Explaining like it was obvious. Sitting on his usual side of the bed, Logan held up the duvet. A silent way of telling Reader to get in.

Too tired to argue with how homy the atmosphere is, they oblige. Climbing over to rest their head on Logan’s chest. His heartbeat easily lulls them back to sleep.

[livesworthlivingau]

Lives Worth Living Chapter 25

Isat/Two Hats spoilers below! CW: Light pining I guess? I'm sorry it's not heavier pining 😔

(You sit awkwardly in the common area with Nille and Vale, having asked for some privacy today to have a conversation alone with them. The other's all left to take care of some errands or personal activities they'd like to get done, Bonnie sticking around in the kitchen to prepare snacks for the next leg of our journey.)

"So... you already know about the loops and all, huh?" (You finally break the awkward silence with your mostly recovered voice, glancing over at Nille. She responds with a comforting yet bittersweet smile.)

"Yeah... Vale told me about their time in them, and in turn yours." (She explains, reaching out to place her hand on their fidgeting ones. Their tension seeming to fade away just a little.)

"So you know we've uhh... kinda already met then?"

"What?... What do the loops have to do with us meeting?"

"I may have forgotten to mention that part, Stardust." (Vale finally chimes in with a nervous chuckle.)

"Oh... Well... I'm kinda, still in the loops sorta?..."

"What's that mean exactly?" (She asks with a cautious tone, recognizing that it's a touchy subject. You let out a sigh, deciding to rip the bandage off.)

"... In 30 years, Odile dies of old age... I was there for it, and when it happened I... I got yanked all the way back here, the day after we beat the king..." (Her expression looks horrified for a moment, just staring in shock as she processes it all. You give her all the time she needs, looking away. You hate how that stare feels, but you can't blame anyone for doing it.)

(You perk up as you notice her moving out of the corner of your eye, before you know it her strong arms are tightly wrapped around you again. You slowly raise yours to place onto her back.)

"Sorry, I just... Wow... How are you holding up?" (She says as she releases the hug slowly, realizing she may have overstepped a bit.)

"N-No! It's fine!... Your hugs were always really nice." (You say with a little chuckle, it's so weird to tell a 'stranger' things like this.)

"It helps a lot having everyone for support... and having Vale back." (You admit giving a little smile before glancing over at them. They don't allow themself to meet your gaze...)

"Back? Wait, I'm lost now." (She asks, glancing between the both of us before Vale starts to explain.)

"After the loops, my job was done... I didn't need to exist anymore... So I simply ceased to be. I guess once the loops began again, I was plopped right back down... 30 years missed and it was merely a blink of an eye for me." (You all sit in an awkward silence yet again, unsure how to continue from there at first. Nille finally decides to break it.)

"Alright, well what's our next step then?"

"Uhh... Next step?"

"Well yeah, we gotta end your wish, right? So what next?"

"Oh... I hadn't really thought about that yet." (You blink, realizing this was so far from the top of your list you kinda just forgot all about it.)

"Maybe we could ask Jinn for help!" (She says, turning back to Vale, who immediately tenses up at the name.)

"Jinn?"

"Yeah! We met-"

"I think it may be best of we don't go spouting that information about freely!" (They interrupt, clearly unsure about the topic.)

"Oh come on, what's the harm in it? Besides don't you kinda wanna brag about it~?" (She asks with a grin and chuckle. They simply sigh and sit back in their seat, arms crossed, nodding begrudgingly for her to continue. She turns back to you, beaming excitedly.)

"We met the universe!"

"... Y-... You what?..."

"Yeah! It was just some traveler basically, but it knew things it couldn't possibly know otherwise! It was kinda spacey and weird, but what can you expect from a god really?" (You take a second to process all of this, chuckling a bit in disbelief finally.)

"I'm surprised Vale didn't try and take a swing at it."

"Oh trust me, the temptation was surely there... until it apologized for everything."

"It... It apologized?"

"Yes, we had a lovely chat actually. It's been just as affected by the island nonsense as any of us have been. That's why the wishes have gone so haywire."

"So it really was just... an accident?"

"More or less..."

"Heh... Well I guess that makes us even now!" (You joke playfully, the other two looking at you in confusion.)

"I met the Change God during the loops, remember?" (You ask, looking to Vale. They then let out an annoyed chuckle as it hits them.)

"Right, I think I tried my best to forget that little detail."

"Change, y'all have really had some wild lives, huh?" (Nille trails off, shaking her head some with her arms crossed. This was all really insane to say out loud now that you think about it. Everything's been so crazy that it almost feels normal at this point.)

(You continue chatting, filling each other in on what's happened. A few topics are avoided, mostly the future as to not mess with it too much, the topic of your nightmare feels oddly tense to Vale, and neither of you can dare bring up the topic of how you last looped...)

(Vale gives a yawn and leans back on the couch, rubbing at their good eye.)

"Didn't sleep well?" (You ask, though you're sure you know why.)

"No, not especially..." (They respond before Nille playfully nudges them.)

"Hey, you're doing great Vay. I'm glad you stuck around." (She remarks with a proud, bright smile. They look away but smile the tiniest bit in response. Before long they've wound up passing out, their head lazily drifting to rest on Nille's shoulder, which she allows happily.)

(You smile, happy to see them looking so relaxed for once... You can't help but pry a little, looking back to Nille and asking.)

"You really care about them, don't you?" (She perks up, realizing she'd been staring at them as well.)

"... Yeah, I really do. Poor thing's been through so much, and they're such a kind soul deep down. I just want them to see that too, y'know?" (She starts to explain, laying her head against theirs after a moment.)

"Heh... I commend your efforts so far, you've made a lot more progress than I ever could."

"Thanks. It helps I've had to beat myself up plenty about getting in my own head, learned the signs to spot I guess?" (She explains, giving a tired sigh herself.)

"It might be weird to hear but... Thank you. You helped me out a lot too... I don't think I'd be handling all this as well as I have been if not for all the times you've helped me..."

"As an expert on time loop shenanigans, I can confirm you're allowed to, yes~." (You both laugh at that, trying to keep it down as to not wake Vale.)

"Hah, man this time loop stuff is so crabbing wild. Am I allowed to accept thanks for something I haven't done yet?" (She asks with a chuckle.)

"Thanks again for taking care of Bon, I'm glad they were in such good hands."

"I can only take so much credit for all that, but I'm glad I could help with it~."

"SNACK TIIIIIIIME!" (Bonbon shouts from the kitchen, marching in with a big tray of various treats prepared, grinning proudly as they display it for you all.)

[shantechni]

I noticed this a looooong time ago, but I didn't mention it and sort of kept pushing it aside as an unimportant detail. After coming across this for, like, the fifth time though, something finally strikes me as supremely odd, and it's these two simple lines Leo says in the first episode of S2.

Between the S1 finale and the S2 premiere, Splinter told his sons that he defeated the Shredder when they faced off in the hideout. Not only that, he told them they'd never see the man again because he lost his honor, but both of these statements are immediately proven to be contradictory to what actually took place, as well as to what Splinter believes about the Shredder's way of thinking.

Anyone who has watched the S1 finale, specifically the second part, knows that the fight was brought to a screeching halt when Karai ran in to stop Splinter from finishing off the Shredder. And, after seeing just how deeply influenced Karai has been to hate him, Splinter left in a hurry to avoid fighting who he now knows is his thought-to-be-dead daughter.

Now, it makes sense that Splinter didn't tell the boys Karai interrupted the fight considering she was a touchy subject, one he didn't approach all of his sons with until midway through S2 in The Manhattan Project. He was still coming to terms with the revelation himself, and his avoidance of everyone's questions tells us that he genuinely didn't want to explain why Karai believed he killed her mom. In the process, he'd have to get into the reason Shredder led Karai to believe that lie and yadda yadda.

So, not telling them Karai was there makes sense. But why tell them the Shredder was defeated?

Something like that would be believable if he didn't imply any finality by telling them the Shredder was taken down, because he goes on to wonder outloud if their enemies were truly defeated and even reaffirms that, "The Shredder is a crafty and patient foe who bides his time." But Leo clearly says that Splinter told them they'd never see him again after he apparently lost whatever honor he had left. And we can't point fingers at any potential dialogue or writing error because they make sure the audience hears that Splinter did indeed facilitate this calm behavior of theirs.

One can wonder if he didn't truly intend to flat out lie, but rather to placate his sons by withholding a harsh truth and giving everyone the time they need to revel in their victory. However, that's another odd decision for Splinter to make since he's usually the one to remind his sons that none of their enemies will stay gone for long, the first and most notable instance of this being when they first encountered Bradford and Xever.

Anyways, after Leo says what he says, Splinter takes offense to Raph casually adding that they'll take care of the Shredder if he does come back, and, upon realizing that his prior statement has heavily blanketed them with a false sense of security, he harshly tells his sons the month long celebrating is over.

Honestly, even though I said sugar coating is very out of character for someone like Splinter, it's the only sensible answer for him lying to the guys. And probably himself for a minute there, too.

He knows the Shredder isn't honorable. He's traitorous, underhanded, and full of spite for those he feels wronged him. Oroku Saki is a vengeful man who has been undeniably wronged in his past, but refuses to learn from it and will shift the blame onto those undeserving. He's tenacious in the way he literally left Japan with a singular image of a Hamato clan shuriken as proof that he has another chance to kill someone he used to call his brother.

Splinter knows all of this, but he still went ahead and made the morally dubious decision to construct a perfect, short-lived world where he could tell his sons they wouldn't have to worry about the Shredder again.

And where he doesn't have to face the gravity of the changes yet to come.

[corvusphilia]

Hey!! Can I please request headcanons of how Oikawa, Kuroo and Atsumu ask you out? Maybe even first date headcanons thrown in as well. You can write for one or two of them if you don't want all three. Thank you in advance <33

★ ASKING YOU OUT

୨ৎ featuring: oikawa tooru, kuroo tetsuro, atsumu miya

୨ৎ notes: FIRST RQ AND ITS ALREADY MOST OF MY FAVORITE BOYS!! ty anon hope u like it <3

★ TOORU OIKAWA ?!

This guy has no shame — he knows he's hot shit. Honestly, it's a miracle he didn't ask you out sooner. The only reason is that he doesn't want to mess things up with you. Getting broken up with by his last (and first) girlfriend hurt a bit more than he'd care to admit.

Butters you up throughout the day before actually asking, and he's SO obvious about it. "Have I told you that you're amazing, beautiful, drop-dead gorgeous, and—" okay Tooru we get it.

As for what the first date is... I want to say the movies, but I feel like he's the type that wants to actually talk instead of just sitting in silence for an hour or two. So maybe a coffee shop. (He doesn't like coffee at all but enjoys the tranquility of the place so he just asks for a hot cocoa or something).

Throws the weirdest questions at you to get to know you better. They're not weird, per se, but definitely unusual, and he gets a little poetic with it. First one he asked was "If you had to pick a favorite moment in your entire life, what would it be?"

Insists on taking you home after. One, because he wants to make sure you get there safe, two, because he's a total romance sap and will try to kiss you at your doorstep after thanking you and emphasizing that he had such a great time.

★ KUROO TETSURO ?!

Okay look... I know this is supposed to be how they ask you out but Kuroo is such a sneaky fucker I feel like he'd somehow turn things around and make it look like YOU'RE the one asking HIM out.

See my vision: you ask him for help with chemistry because he's a total nerd, and he does that coy "Hmmm dunno, will I help you?" thing even though he definitely will, he just wants you to look a little desperate. When you insist he just kind of sighs and goes "Fine, fine. I'll go on a study date with you. Don't keep me waiting, tiny." and he just LEAVES while you're standing there like ???

The date itself is pretty much what you would expect in a study date — just him explaining the subject and looking incredibly hot doing so for absolutely no reason, but he's a bit more touchy than usual. Sitting next to you and wrapping an arm around your shoulder while he uses his free hand to leaf through the book. Tucking a strand of hair behind your ear while you write stuff down. I'm going to be sick.

Doesn't do anything too forward, meaning he doesn't try to kiss you unless you do first, but he will suggest "We should do this at my place next time," with a shit eating grin on his face.

★ ATSUMU MIYA ?!

He tries his best to be casual about it and bring it up naturally. The last thing he wants is to look desperate (even though he definitely is), so he just keeps dropping hints until he finds a good opening to ask.

Restaurant date! No way Osamu is the only one who loves food. He just kind of mentions offhandedly that a new place just opened nearby and they have the best tempura. You say that you're hungry and he just grins. "Perfect. Let's go, then." He's already walking so you don't have time to think about it too much and change your mind.

For some reason I feel like he's a bit of a clown when he likes someone. You know the type. Will probably have you choking on your food a few times that night. But he's also a damn show off, so he insists on paying (even though he doesn't have money to spare like that).

He's already internally sighing when he realizes he's gonna have to borrow money from Osamu to make up for what he spent on your date, but he immediately forgets about it when he sees the happy look on your face.

© ─ corvusphilia ; do not steal, copy, edit, translate or reupload

thanks for reading!