#dr and the ceo should have gotten so much hate for this | Explore Tumblr posts and blogs

frogtanii · 4 years ago

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your palms were sweaty as you adjusted your slacks, making sure the pleats were where they should be with not a wrinkle in sight. you wanted to look professional and put together, at least on the outside, because you knew you were actually about .2 seconds away from falling apart.

a quick glance to the boys at your sides notified you that they weren’t faring much better. atsumu kept fidgeting with his cufflinks, sakusa was so stiff you could knock him over with your pinky, kenma looked like he was about to pass out, bokuto was debating on squeezing under the table in front of you, kuroo was tapping a pattern on his pants (akeelah and the bee style), and akaashi kept reciting ominous poems under his breath.

the only people in the room who looked even remotely fine were osamu, oikawa, sugawara, daichi, and, surprisingly, yachi. osamu was munching on some peanuts that he pulled from... somewhere, while oikawa and sugawara were holding their own conversation by the window. daichi seemed to be minding his own business but you could never really get a proper read on him anyway.

well, you supposed yachi was okay because she knew what to expect. i mean, you were meeting her boss.

after you and kenma had posted your “exposing the hype(r) house” youtube video, an email had come to the both of you, inviting you to visit the “big boss” along with the rest of the crew.

you weren’t necessarily afraid of losing your job; the hype(r) house was already being dissolved and you were (finally!!!) getting to move in with makki and mattsun until you found your own place. you were genuinely excited to put the drama and literal hell behind you and begin to live your life again but...

that didn’t mean meeting the Man™ wasn’t terrifying. it was like being called into the principal’s office, complete with the existential dread and occasional bouts of gassiness.

the door opening made you flinch as you quickly moved out of the way to let the newcomers enter. while they walked past you, you couldn’t contain the shock that overtook your face, your jaw practically on the floor.

the man was massive.

built like a brick wall, the man who you assumed to be the “big boss,” had a chiseled jaw, broad shoulders, and massive fucking pecs, his white button up barely closing around them.

beside him stood a tall, lanky man who was dressed suspiciously un-office-like with a red buzz cut and wild eyes that seemed to cut into you as he took his place at the table.

the final man seemed a bit awkward in comparison to the other two, but he was trying to seem unaffected, his purple bowlcut, despite being rather juvenile, fitting perfectly with his slim but toned build and bright complexion.

yachi hurried to greet them, giving all three a blinding smile before motioning for everyone else to take a seat. you ended up between the redhead and atsumu, the former being way too entertained by just your general being. his eyes rarely, if ever, left your face sending shivers down your spine. the remaining members all hesitantly took their seats and “big boss” began.

“it is an honor to meet you all. i am ushijima wakatoshi but you can call me ushijima or wakatoshi or ushiwaka or toshijima or just ushi or just jima or just waka or just toshi.” for a moment you thought he was joking but his face never moved, not even with the awkward silence that followed. redhead seemed rather amused by the whole display and bowl cut looked like he was on the verge of spontaneously combusting.

it took an uncomfortably long moment for ushijima to proceed but he did as though nothing had happened. “these are my associates, satori—” redhead gave you a mischievous grin “—and tsutomu.”

“goshiki,” bowl cut interrupted, his voice wavering but his eyes gleaming with righteous indignation as though he was challenging wakatoshi to say something in defiance. instead, ushijima just gave him a nod and he visibly deflated back into his seat.

“goshiki is the social media manager for imla and satori is... satori,” big boss continued, not a hint of emotion on his face. the rest of the table perked up at his comment but atsumu was the only one who apparently had the balls to say anything.

“so yer the one who wrote that shitty among us tweet?” goshiki flushed horribly and sunk further into his plush leather chair, his body language showing he must’ve already gotten an earful about it. “thought it was a good idea,” he muttered while averting his eyes, completely ignoring satori’s cackle from across the wood.

ushijima put up a (massive???) hand to calm the both of them and it instantly worked. satori quieted down though he never lost the mirth in his expression and goshiki straightened up, a new wave of determination crossing his features.

you sat up as well, feeling the shift of energy in the room but you were startled to realize the boss had decided to focus his energy on you, his deep baritone voice calling your full name. “i am extremely sorry. we have failed you as a management team and as men. i have failed you.”

he sounded remarkably remorseful, his brown irises conveying heavy emotion and guilt. you had no idea what to say but he wasn’t done.

“although i do not have full control of the decisions that have been made here, i should have fought harder for what i believed was right and for that, i will forever be sorry.” you shifted uncomfortably under his weighty gaze, not that he noticed because his attention was swiftly taken by kenma at the opposite end of the room.

“who is in charge then? aren’t you like the ceo or whatever?” he asked. ushijima took a moment before nodding very slowly, his attention clearly on something in his head.

thankfully, satori rapidly took over the thread of conversation before the room could fall in tense silence yet again. “there’s a board of old, stuffy guys who basically kicked miracle boy wakatoshi to the curb and make all their decisions without him.”

...miracle boy? what did he have to do to earn that kind of nickname? you shook your head and tuned back in, just as the ceo spoke up once again.

“because i have not succeeded in doing my job properly, i have something to give to you,” ushijima deadpanned, sliding a thick envelope towards you. you carefully grabbed it and opened it up to reveal a thick, thick, wad of cash.

a gasp caught in your throat, words not coming to you as you thumbed through the money. there had to be at least $60k in there, your eyes filling with tears while you took in his generosity. “thank you,” you whispered, not trusting your voice to speak any louder.

wakatoshi nodded at you before addressing the rest of the table about something but you weren’t even listening.

you were so overwhelmed. for the longest time, you’d hated whoever management was for ignoring your pleas for help and trying to placate you with nice dresses and fancy dinners so meeting ushijima was quite the welcomed surprise.

despite everything that occurred, you could tell he felt horrible for letting things slide even though it was technically out of his hands and you couldn’t even articulate how much that meant to you.

the fact that he had gone out of his way to pay you extra, assumingly without the permission of the board, was heartwarming, confusing, shocking, and staggering all at once.

i mean, you could probably describe the past few months as exactly that. so much had happened, so much had changed, and while you could do without some of the life adjustments (the nightmares, spare trauma, and fear of public bathrooms to start), you felt blessed with new friends and the experiences that helped shape you to the person you were now.

the boys didn’t hate you anymore (well, not all of them at least and none were actively antagonizing you), you were seeing dr yamada again, you were getting to move in with your two best friends, you were just given enough money to expand your channel drastically, and you were finally feeling good. better than good.

meiko was behind you and though you missed the person she once was, you were so glad she was out of your life in a way where she couldn’t harm you or the boys any longer.

a grin spread across your face, your cheeks nearly burning from the intensity of it. things were definitely looking up.

a soft call of your name jolted you from your thoughts, your eyes landing on all the boys already standing as they got ready to leave the room. you could sense their worry and you shot them a genuine, reassuring smile before standing yourself.

you waved goodbye to the three men at the table, thanking ushijima profusely for his kindness but he shook you off, insisting that he had just been doing what he should’ve done a long time ago.

what a nice guy.

as you followed the boys out of the building, you took a moment to observe them together with fondness written all over your expression. they were laughing and joking around, the happiest and most carefree you had ever seen any of them. bokuto was begging yachi to get them ice cream, the rest of them piling on until she gave in with a playful roll of her eyes, giggling at the cheer that went up from the group.

atsumu seemed to notice you lagging behind, falling back to join you. “ya okay angel?” he asked, eyes focused on your feet as he slowed down to match your pace.

you didn’t answer for a while, instead focusing on the sun warming your cheeks, the cool breeze messing up your hair, and the sounds of pure joy swirling above you.

“i’m absolutely perfect.” you replied and you actually meant it. “race you to the van?” you sent him an impish grin before taking off, his yells of indignation making you laugh freely as the rest of the boys joined in, right on your heels.

this is it, you thought. no matter what, i’ll have this moment and i’ll be okay.

you’d been through hell and back and you’d survived. you’d been cursed at, choked out, hospitalized, and been beaten at mario kart more times than you could count and you had still made it through. you were resilient and strong and you’d never given up, despite how badly you’d wanted to, multiple times over.

things weren’t perfect, they rarely are, but you knew that if you could make it through all that, you could get through practically anything, especially with the boys by your side.

yeah. i’ll be just fine.

ʕ•ᴥ•ʔ

bonus!!

“told you it sounded stupid as hell.”

“gah, stop talking about it!!”

“you sounded sooooo old ‘shiki, what are you, 92?”

“AAAAAAAAAA!!!”

“satori...”

“what’s up miracle boy?”

“...what is ‘sus’?”

℗ poker face

i’ll be just fine

series masterlist

(●’◡’●)ﾉ

an - AND THATS A WRAP FOLKS 🥳 wowowow did the ending give me trouble but that’s ok SISJSK the endings will be coming shortly but they might not be daily just cs they may take more time, who knows lmfao i’ll let y’all know :3 AAAA ANYWAYS ILY I HOPE U GUYS LIKED KITH KITH don’t forget to feed me <3

taglist - if your name is in bold, i cannot tag you

@boosyboo9206 • @geektastic84 • @elianetsantana • @trashy-simp • @infinitebells • @6mattsun9 • @suhkusa • @katsulovee • @kotarosbabygirl • @fucktheworlddude • @insomniacwreck • @calumsfringe • @saltylettuce • @chai-blu • @al3x1ss • @hawksyoongi • @jooleuuh • @loubells • @kissungjae • @liberhoe • @tetsurocore • @animeoverdosee • @duhsies • @saiKishaircLip • @afire24 • @premiyagi • @kit-kat428 • @doctorspencereid • @daphnxy • @kyomihann • @maer-333 • @sinoflust19 • @peteunderoos • @peachiikichu • @iidanotlida • @yongboxerrr • @kac-chowsballs • @tanakaslastbraincell • @memorableminds • @risjime • @starry-magicshop • @sugavwara • @smuttyanimeslut • @kiwibirbs-library • @haijkk • @airybnb • @crybabygumi • @iwaisa • @decaffinatedtealover • @notameera • @kawaii-angelanne • @rintarovibes • @urlocalsimp • @keiarma • @shrimpypenis

the rest of the tags will be in the replies!!

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trexy225 · 3 years ago

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Three Hearts-Chapter 14: The Green Goblin

TW!! Comic accurate violence

Summary: Norman makes a terrible mistake that will affect all of Oscorp

10 months later

The Spider Menace and The Vulture were fighting head to head last night after the infamous Adrianna Toomes was found attempting to rob a bank. Unsurprisingly the Vulture got away, maybe Spiderman should take off the suit if he can’t even catch the bad guy?

Peter turned off the TV.

“Don’t you work for him now?” Olivia asked as she poured the first serum into its test tube.

“It’s only to make ends meet, I’m in college now Doctor, and Osborne doesn’t pay me so I need to make ends meet.”

“Well when I form Octavius Industries after I finish this serum, I’ll pay you.”

Peter smiled “I’d like that, do you think-”

“Octavius! I need that serum NOW!” Osborne stormed into the lab, Olivia sighed.

“Norman I just finished the first serum sample I need to run tests before-” Olivia started.

Norman grabbed the test tube out of Olivia's hand and downed it.

“WHAT THE HELL NORMAN?” Olivia yelled.

“I need to live Octavius, I never wanted to tell anyone about my disease but it’s gotten worse... Make more! The military is also wanting them, wanting to make some super-soldier or something.” he called out as he stormed out of the lab, leaving a speechless Olivia and Peter. Rosie and MJ entered the lab.

“What happened? We heard yells from Dr. Connors lab and came to investigate.”

“He was talking to Rosie about possibilities for bio-nanotechnology and showed us his progress with regeneration!” MJ said excitedly.

“That’s good. Norman just took the serum.” Rosies jaw dropped.

“The first-ever created formula? The one that’s never been tested?”

“It’s being tested now.” Peter chimed in.

“Oh stars,” Rosie muttered as she sat down.

“What do we do?” MJ asked nervously.

“You two continue working on the bionanotech while Peter and I continue the serum prototypes, apparently we are selling to the military” Olivia concluded.

Three weeks passed, the entire building was tense, Osborne was slowly turning into a loose cannon, yelling at employees, talking to himself, and Olivia swore she saw green scales on his neck and his teeth slowly turning into points, she was recording all of this, of course, she just needed a sample of his blood, to see where she went wrong, this was expected of course she was hoping to do at least a thousand trials before allowing the serum to be anywhere near another human being, but that was not in the cards, so all she could do now was watch. This decline gradually continued, and after 2 months it was unmistakable that Osborne was turning into a literal monster, he had a tail, increased size, and the green scales, claws, and pointed teeth were now prevalent, he had locked himself in his office, refusing to come out. Olivia was starting to have to take over business-wise, which she hated. She did recognize that Osborne was not dead, but at some point, people need to decide if being a monster is worse than death. After several failed business deals done by Olivia, the investors called her into a meeting.

“Dr. Octavius, as you know Norman Osborne, the CEO of Oscorp has been-”

Banging and distant wails interrupt the woman's speech, everyone looked at each other nervously.

“Unable to run this company and as you have demonstrated you are also unable to run Oscorp, however, due to several limiting contracts Osborne has in place, you are second to take over the company. It has been agreed upon by investors that you let Osborne go from the company and then allow us to take over the business side while you continue your scientific endeavors.” The woman proposed. Olivia sat in stunned silence.

“Well, I-”

Norman storms through the wall, causing Olivia to fly across the room and get knocked out.

“KICK ME OUT?” He roared, the investors looked at him in fear, this wasn't Osborne anymore, this was a huge, green monster who was out for blood. He picked up the main shareholder and gave a nasty grin.

“Do you know how much I’ve put into this company?!” He roared.

“And how’s that going for you?” A voice called out.

Norman turned around to see Spiderman leaning against the doorway. He dropped the shareholder and grinned.

“Spiderman! What an HONOR. I’ve been wanting to meet the masked hero for a while, how did you get your abilities? Would it be ok if I ran some tests?” Osborne charged towards Spiderman, who leaped out of the way.

“I feel like you’re mad at me…” Spiderman quipped as he dodged his attacks, everyone in the room was running out, leaving Norman, Spiderman, and a knocked-out Olivia.

Rosie looked up as she heard crashing from upstairs, soon she heard people yelling as they rushed down the stairs.

“What happened up there?” She asked a panicked woman.

“Osborne and Spiderman are fighting!”

“Was Dr. Octavius with you?”

“Yes, it was a business meeting-”

“Do you know where she is?”

“I don’t know I need to leave!” The woman got pushed along by the rush of people, Rosie scanned the stairs, searching for Olivia, when the last person rushed down the stairs Rosie cursed as she ran up the stairs.

“I’M GOING TO KILL YOU SPIDERMAN!” Norman roared.

“I’m just trying to have a conversation Norman, give some constructive criticism-” he dodged a table Norman threw, it flew out the window, Olivia groaned as she opened her eyes and quickly closed them as glass shattered around her. She saw that the two were fighting.

I need to get out of here! Olivia thought as she tried to move her arms but cried out, she looked down and gagged, her arm was broken and she could see the bone, after she saw it she screamed out in pain, the shock getting to her.

Norman whipped his head around and saw her.

“You.” he hissed as he picked her up like a doll, he was getting bigger… and angrier, and were those wings? Olivia couldn’t focus on that, she only felt pain as she cried out.

“Is this what you wanted Octavius? To make a serum that would turn me into THIS? And then to kick me out of the company?”

“I-I told you it wasn’t ready.” Olivia retorted, hissing in pain.

“Wrong answer Octavius,” Norman growled as he threw her out of the window. Olivia heard the whistle of the wind, a scream, and then saw black.

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ratherbefangirling · 3 years ago

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🦋Butterfly 🦋

Kim Seokjin x Reader

Episode 7

Masterlist

Previous / NEXT

You reach the charity function with Jin by your side.

It's in one of the nice establishments in the city sponsored by one of the pharmaceutical companies, also your husband owns it.

You both make it in through the flashing lights. Though Jin is old money and he's had his fair share of pap troubles it's nothing major, but since his dad became mayor the lights have become more blinding.

His hold on you tightens. He hates putting you through these vultures. It's not like you can't handle them, he's confident you could. He just hates the idea of you being picked up on.

That was why he came to shut your superior up. People often adored the idea of leeching of people who had more money.

He didn't want his reputation to ruin or overshadow yours. Especially when you worked so hard. He had told you he would support you whatever path you chose.

"We have like 10 people to meet before we can go eat." You inform Jin.

"Ok."

You had gotten used to his one word answers, at first you thought he said so little because he couldn't be bothered about you but now you realise it's just who is.

His face was hard set. He looked like a Greek statue. Maybe you could be his aphrodite.

Luckily most people were in groups. So it wasn't hard to find the people on your list. You stood by Jin's side staying quiet and pretty while only answering when addressed.

In reality there were only a few people you liked interacting with.

Park Chanyeol the CEO of the pharmaceutical company reached you.

"Hello Y/n. Having fun."

You looked up from the mocktail you'd been nursing.

"Absolutely, which girl doesn't like good food and dressing up and hanging out with a cute boy."

"Is that a compliment?" He teases.

"I mean, duh, have you seen my husband?"

Chanyeols eyes widened.

You bit your lip to stop yourself from smiling, or maybe smirking even

Jin came back to your side with a plate filled with desserts. He wrapped his free arm around your waist.

You were thankful for the makeup you'd applied this evening.

"Park." He said curtly.

"Ah Seokjin hyung. We were just talking about you."

"Well why don't you sweeten your bitter tongue chanyeol ah surely you don't want to be third wheeling between a newly married couple." You said a pointed smile on your face.

"As charming as always Dr. Y/n I will see you both later then."

You both sat to eat.

"You don't like Park." You commented. You'd honestly never seen him so territorial over you even if your still newly married.

Its not that you didn't like it. You felt like a leading lady in a Korean drama.

"We... uh .. its complicated." He replies.

"Oh well if you want me to avoid him I will."

"I'm not going to control who you interact with." He says. offended.

"I'm not letting you control, I'm giving you an option, I mean how else am I going to make you avoid other girls, my flower jin?"

His ears turning red make you whisper 'cute' under your breath.

Getting him flustered is everything especially since he is so calm and collected. You wonder how he was before.

What sort of teenager was he as a kid? On days like this you wish you had a mother in law. So you could know about all his embarrassing photos and would learn how to make him his favourite food.

How brave he is, you think to yourself, growing up to be so good despite his strained relationship with his father and dead mother.

"Y/n." He says.

"Hmm."

"It's time to leave you still have to complete packing we have to leave by midnight."

"Oh right." You say.

You sleep in the car, you were exhausted as you didn't rest after work and the party took out the rest of the life out of you.

Jin wakes you up gently. You let him guide you home eyes half closed.

"Should I pack for you y/n?"

"Please." You decide you could find your essentials later and that wouldn't take much time.

You sleep in your room cuddled to the blanket. He has the lamp on so he can see.

He picks up clothes for you.

A dress for the gala that he goes hangs with his suit.

Two night suits which you often wore lounging around during your day's off.

A yellow jumpsuit with white top.

Clothes to match his for the airport.

A jeans and two extra shirts.

He goes to your jewellery box picks up some to match the clothes places it in a travel kit. Along with basic makeup and your tooth brush and travel essentials kit which had little of all you might need for the journey.

Anything else he decides to leave to you and makes a list of things he packed.

You wake up groggy while Jin is already dressed and ready to leave.

You suppress a yawn.

Wordlessly he gives you the clothes he picked up.

You come out to find the list. You pack undergarments and one of the perfume bottles.

Jin brings you some fresh orange juice.

The drink wakes you up.

"When do we leave?" You ask sleepy.

"Just now, give me your bag I'll have it put in the car." He answers.

"Yeah sure, thanks for packing for me."

"You're welcome. After all, a good trophy husband must know how to take care of his wife."

You laugh out loud.

"Who said you're good. You're the best trophy husband in existence. I will rate you 0/100 cause I don't want anyone else to have this experience."

Jin laughs in return and in comfortable silence you travel together.

When you reach the airport. You drag Jin to the duty free to look around and eat as you don't like plane food and are planning to sleep the whole journey.

"I used to travel to Korea alone during my university days. I always wished I could have a boyfriend then. Its no fun window shopping alone." You tell Jin hand in his.

Walking around aimlessly while the ice-cream is in your other hand.

"Want a taste?" You offer.

He nods taking a bite of your ice-cream.

He offers you his and you happily lick it.

Later you think to yourself this was practically an indirect kiss, you almost blush at the thought.

After a long time, Jin doesn't feel empty anymore. For a long time after the boys he thought there would always be a hole in his heart.

The hole was still there but there was also a new place to escape.

He just wished you wouldn't become another gaping hole.

Out of all the boys Jungkook was always the most sensitive. He wondered how it would be if you met them then.

Being with you he almost believed you were his other half. It was Jungkook who was secretly the romantic. Jin wondered if he had a girlfriend now.

The boys were his soulmate but you were his better half. Someone might say it's early to say but he knows it's true, just like he knew with the boys. It was his gut instincts screaming at him. He promises then, to himself that he would never turn his back on you. You didn't deserve that.

You with your soft smiles and smart mouth.

You with your innocent laughs and teasing brows.

Life was better.

You reach the resort without further incidence and are provided one of the cabins by the sea. The main resort is to open after dinner tonight.

Both of you crash. Sleep through the morning, and both waking up in the evening.

You order some sandwiches. Knowing there's good food waiting for the party.

Both of you quickly goble up the food and get ready.

You leave after getting ready and arrive early since Jin needs to check the arrangements.

By eight everything is ready. There is a ribbon cutting ceremony. You smile forcing your eyes to remain open through the flashes. You still haven't gotten used to it.

The evening goes pretty uneventful except for a minor mishap named Park Chanyeol.

Previous/ NEXT

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magnoliapip · 4 years ago

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Ranked: Mother of the Year (Choices) Main Characters

I can’t sleep so that means I need to make another list that I’m not going to proofread before I post, right? Of course it does. But before we start, please remember this is my opinion on who I liked best. Not who impacted the story the most, not who was the best written fictional character of all time, yada yada. This is my personal opinion of the characters I liked best.

Spoilers WILL be featured below. You have been warned.

#13 -- Tallulah Copeland

Tallulah is a parent to a child at Bernhardt Academy, a friend of Vanessa Blackwood, and an active member of the PTA. Hugo is her partner.

This woman. I would flat forget this woman existed until she would show up again just to wreak havoc on MC’s day, usually at someone else’s urging. Every single time she spoke, I just wanted it to be over and she is just an awful, AWFUL person. She’s also the only awful person in this book who never pretends to be nice and/or never apologizes for her actions. Just an all around nasty person.

#12 -- Hugo

Hugo is a parent of a child at Bernhardt Academy and an active member of the PTA. Tallulah is his significant other.

If you’re actually reading these little blurbs, you have to be wondering “MagnoliaPip? How in the hell is Hugo ranked lower than two other unmentionables in this story?”

Thank you for asking, no one ever.

Put frankly, Hugo just annoyed the crap out of me. I know that’s supposed to be part of his character, but it went above and beyond the scope of acceptable annoyance. I grew to hate every second he was speaking. He never really contributed anything to the plot other than some irritating drivel. He wasn’t an antagonist, but he also wasn’t a pleasing good guy. He’s also the reason I’m considering not re-reading this book again right away like I want to.

#11 -- Guy Ledford

This man. This. Man. THIS MAN!

This part is going to include major spoilers, y’all, so if you haven’t read it and are still intending to, skip away now!! Again, major spoilers from here on out kids.

Guy Ledford is your main character’s ex-husband who has been absent for four years since the start of the book and wants to reconnect with his daughter. He is also a CEO of a snack food company/app, Nomme. He is the main antagonist of the book.

The reason I didn’t rank him lower is he genuinely adds something to the plot. He IS the plot. He’s the reason this book exists. However, he is such a scumbag he deserves nothing. He feels like a trope for quite a lot of the time, but at least he’s not physically abusive like a true trope could have been (at least, I never noticed him being physically abusive). Just, you know, a gaslighting, manipulative, arrogant, rude, selfish son of a-

I also love that they named him “Guy”. I’ve only ever met one man named this in my life, so it’s funny to me that they named this jerk “Guy” so it’s not only the most generic sounding name (did his parents also get a dog named “Dog” and a cat named “Kitty”?), but also one that a lot of men won’t likely have so they don’t have to get name checked in relation to him.

I like that you can get a good outcome (Guy ends up with joint custody with visitations every weekend and having to back pay) without spending diamonds in this game as long as you make the right choices, but for those who DID spend all of the diamonds, I would have liked to have seen Guy end up with worse. I would have liked to see, if you made most of the right choices and bought all of the diamond stuff, him ending up with every other weekend or maybe just visitation. I know he’s trying to be a good dad (but still an absolutely terrible human being), but every weekend seems like so much when your daughter is in school.

#10 -- Augustus Blackwood

August Blackwood is one of Vanessa Blackwood’s sons and is a student at Bernhardt Academy.

I’m not going to spend a lot of time on this one. But he hurt my daughter and that’s enough. I would have liked to have seen him fleshed out a little bit more beyond being basically just a schoolyard bully. His motivations for his actions are hinted on, but nothing is really ever done and he’s mostly just a prop for something to hurt your daughter.

#9 -- Vanessa Blackwood

Vanessa Blackwood is the president of the PTA, a single mom, and a lawyer and becomes an antagonist to your character.

I’m probably going to get hate for this, but I want to like Vanessa. Obviously, she’s hateful and offensive, in some very, very unredeemable ways, but there’s something about characters like that which makes me want to forgive them and teach them how to be better. How to rehabilitate their bitterness. I felt it with Olivia Nevrakis, I felt it with Victoria Fontaine, and I know certain people in the fandom felt it with Becca Davenport and Poppy Min-Sinclair.

**DISCLAIMER** Keep in mind, I’m not trying to excuse homophobia and racism here. They are both despicable things and should be accounted for. However, after having grown up in a homophobic and racist home and learning to leave that shit in the dust by the time I was eighteen and SLOWLY teaching my family to do the same over the course of the last 10 years, I believe people can change if you give them room and help to. Not everyone will, not many people will, but I believe in giving the chance. We need to force people to take responsibility and learn from their mistakes. Should the book have been approved as a series rather than a stand alone, I think this might have been a very real option within book 2.

#8 -- Ajax “AJ” Blackwood

Ajax Blackwood is one of Vanessa Blackwood’s sons and a student at Bernhardt Academy.

AJ is the quieter of the Blackwood boys, AJ is a shy kid who hates that his brother is mean just as much as your daughter does. He finally has enough within the book and stands up to him, which was more than a little satisfying and he does seem to have a genuinely good heart. I think it would be so cute for him, your daughter, and Luz to be their own adorable trio of friends.

#7 -- Levi Schuler

Levi Schuler is your neighbor who helps save the day for MC early on in the book and becomes a friend to both her and your daughter. He is also one of your love interests.

And if this list is going to invoke hate from the masses, it will be this entry that does it. I know how loved Levi is. And I love him too! I just find him, and his musician plot, to be a bit tiring. He’s a wonderfully supportive friend/love interest, just about one of the nicest people, and he’s great with your daughter. I swear, all of the love interests in this book would be god tier in any book. It’s truly unfair to the others that we got three amazing ones here along with a great cast of characters. However, since that did happen, Levi will sit here at #7. He can have a consolatory rugelach while I continue on.

#6 -- Faye Devore

Faye Devore is your ex-husband’s new girlfriend, a younger social media influencer.

I loved Faye. Right from the start, I loved Faye. I prayed they weren’t going to make this into one of those books where we were supposed to hate the “other woman” because those plots are old, outdated, and overused. Thankfully, MOTY lets us skirt right around it and we end up with a wonderful character like Faye, who is the human definition of having the best intentions.

She gets on well with your daughter, even pointing out to MC at one point that she thinks of her like a little sister, and goes above and beyond to make her happy. She is genuinely upset about going against MC’s wishes about your daughter appearing on social media and doesn’t appear to want to cause any harm or hard feelings with MC at any point during the book. In fact, she wants to be friends.

I would have loved for this and for it to be fleshed out more, again, if we had ever gotten a book 2. I’m also that jerk who would have totally romanced her in a replay and would have emptied my wallet to get a scene in that hypothetical book 2 where Guy finds out. Take that homophobe!

#5 -- Dr. Eiko Matsunaga

Dr. Eiko Matsunaga is a science teacher who teaches at the private school your daughter goes to and becomes friendly with MC because of your daughter. She is also one of your love interests.

If I would have had a teacher like Dr. Matsunaga when I was in school, maybe I would have cared about science at any point during my childhood. Eiko is so incredibly smart but has a heart of gold. She could be off teaching at colleges or writing published journals, but she’s teaching elementary science at a private school and honestly enjoying herself! She wants to see children succeed and will give any child who wants to do so, like your daughter, all of the help they need.

I want to romance her. I want to be her friend. I want it all because I’m selfish even when I don’t because I could never possibly be worthy of the supremacy that is Eiko. Thank you for coming to my TED talk.

#4 -- Your Daughter / Zoey

Your daughter is 9 years old at the start of the book and desperately wants to be an astronaut. She is a science whiz and moves from public school to Bernhardt Academy at the beginning of the book to kickstart her education.

It makes me so sad that I will never actually have this child. “Zoey” is just so smart and funny and sweet and I love her so much. I spent so many diamonds on her. She’s a pixelated little bundle of amazing and I would die for her. That’s it.

#3 -- Alma Velasco

Alma Velasco is your neighbor, best friend, and (for part of the time) co-worker.

What did our character do to deserve such an amazing ride-or-die friend like Alma? She never disbelieves MC, is forever supportive as a shoulder to cry on and a supplier of good wine, and also helps MC out of more than one pinch. Seriously an amazing friend, and I wish we could have done something equally amazing for her to reciprocate.

#2 -- Thomas Mendez

Thomas Mendez is a lawyer and a single dad who becomes friends with MC very early on in the book. He is also one of your three love interests.

A big reason for why Thomas is at #2 is because of who #1 is but we’ll get there in a second.

There’s also something about Thomas that speaks to me as a person. It’s more than just being interested as a love interest or as a friend. There’s something about who he is. His awkwardness, his humor, his kindness and his generosity all make him someone I envy as much as I admire.

He takes on MC’s case pro bono when he doesn’t have to. He shrugs it off like it’s no big deal, but stepping back and looking at the it, by all accounts he was walking into a handily losing situation. He was also super busy at this time being a single parent himself and working on his class action lawsuit. That’s not even saying anything about him still grieving for Soledad.

However, the biggest reason I love Mr. Mendez is...

#1 -- Luz Mendez

Luz Mendez is a student at Bernhardt Academy who becomes best friends with your daughter early in the book. She is a soccer and art fan.

This little girl is the best thing I have ever read in my entire life. She made the entire book. Every character that came before her pales in comparison to her majesty. She is a goddamn queen and deserves everything.

Every scene with her is gold and I wish we had more. This little girl was completely willing to curb stomp someone with her cleats at the courthouse if something would have happened to your daughter. She is so aggressively herself and it is a joy to see. The relationship between her and her father is what really kept me going through the book’s more difficult spots. There is such true love and acceptance there, as well as the drive and desire to do better for the other than I just...There is really no way for me to properly explain the perfection that is Luz Mendez so I guess you’ll just have to read it yourself.

---

I’m not sure why it took me so long to start reading Mother of the Year (MOTY), but I’m so glad I did. In 3 days flat I binged the entire book, wasted so many accumulated diamonds, and had the time of my life. The cast of characters in MOTY is perfect and I wanted to rank them according to my opinion on which ones were the best. I ranked all of the characters I found to be profound enough to matter to the storyline or that MC or “Daughter” had enough interactions with to matter. As a result, there are several characters who didn’t make this list.

Sound off below if you wish.

#choices spoilers #choices mother of the year #moty #choices moty #mother of the year #luz mendez #thomas mendez #levi schuler #eiko matsunaga #alma velasco #guy ledford #faye devore #vanessa blackwood #mother of the year spoilers #moty spoilers #spoilers

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spacetwiga · 4 years ago

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leave c!phil out of bullshit 2k21 -- a not so tiny post by a new enthusiast

As someone who finds both common fanon and actual canon to be quite fun, I really think the general DSMP fandom would benefit greatly from a few things in general: the greatest, in my opinion, is learning to accept that popular fanon won’t usually be the canon you receive. Another, of course, is that POVs are golden, but with these two things being flimsy in being accepted, they are the major flaws that cause about 90% of the absolute messy takes that gain traction, oftentimes poisoning a canon character's ability to exist in the story.

My biggest beef regarding this comes from how y’all treat c!Phil, so here I am, being annoying on main side!

TL;DR... Just because someone acted like like a guidance to others, doesn’t always mean that they'll want to be the father figure role for everyone that breathes. Similarly, pinning down a character on a single trope is wack, so don't be surprised if they grow away from it.

Baby’s first little dsmp rambling below!

(Warning: it's long as hell)

The Dream SMP plotline is not written out like most popular media. With so many moving parts in the form of daily streams and the wonderful tool of live improvisation, it makes perfect sense that such a giant cast would not always be on the same page. Adding onto that, it also makes more sense that a vast majority of the cast will be placed into supporting roles, as the story needs to have characters that serve as narrative anchors and others that function as the links in a chain, all weathering the storm that is the plot.

Screentime, of course, plays a major factor into canon exposure -- in terms of the Dream SMP, POV matters equally, if not more, too.

It’s a pretty neat way of showing things, but in the end, the fanbase has a lovely (read: godawful /lh) way of analysing characters, particularly when it relates to how they interact with others from their fave character’s POV. The tendency to analyse things from a single character's POV is fine, but not when attempting to critique the greater whole of a conflict. Both sides, no matter how wrong they may seem to be, matter.

Adding onto the fact that everything is live, there are things that will spiral out of control, casual words being skewed and thus having the potential of a single line seemingly contradicting the entire ‘story’ that the fanbase has made. If it directly affects a fave's POV in particular, one is more likely to take offense, as bias immediately bars one from trying to see the other person's side of things.

POV is important.

Which brings me to c!Phil, and how critics tend to ignore his perspective to prop up another character, or justify the tearing down of another.

Improvisation is both a blessing and a curse; the fanbase, however, loves to test out the latter. With it, the fanbase starts crafting tales to justify it...And so begins the mess that is c!Phil discourse.

Say it with me, folks: c!Phil is not supposed to be your fave’s fluffy father figure... unless you’re c!Wilbur!!!

😃☝🏾Dadza is good...👉🏾😎👉🏾 But fandom wants the excessive, idealized version.

-- birb 2k21

Family dynamics are generally loved for their potential for comfort, particularly those of a found family nature. Fandom in general tends to lean into them wholeheartedly, with most major bases having at least one prominent group present; SBI, of course, is no different. From fanart to popular fanfiction, it's arguably the biggest group dynamic alongside the Dream Team, and for that, a precedence was set.

c!Phil, if he ever joined, would fix everything! All of the ‘kids’ would turn to their new mentor and everything would turn out fine! This all knowing, morally just character will chuckle at their antics and wacky hijinks will follow! Fun times, right? /s

The hope for it, however, has long since been shattered, and frankly, good for him!

To go a little ooc, cc!Phil has stated multiple times that, while he was friendly with a lot of the cast as c!Phil, his only paternal link (at least biologically) lies with c!Wilbur. Simple, right? It should be -- there are multiple clips of him saying this -- but fans choose to ignore it in their critiques, generally citing favouritism or downright neglect for the character’s flaws. From 'favoring' Techno (who, in canon, holds the highest link in friendship outside of c!Wilbur's familal link) to 'neglecting' to visit Tommy (who he barely knew, and also assumed, like many others, that he was fine), these critiques weigh heavily on the scale that judges Phil’s so called father figure trope.

The story, however, has only leaned into (and persisted with) that for c!Wilbur alone, and adding onto it, there is an established acknowledgement from both ccs. That confirmation should hold the most weight, especially since both Phil and Wilbur seem alright with it. Even so, that familial has yet to be explored much for both characters, particularly regarding c!Phil, who has his debut (at least narratively) in a scene that feels opposite to the classic fatherly role.

c!Wilbur denounced accepting that helping hand to fall entirely into his explosive end, setting a precedence unlike most fatherly types arriving to save their kid. Usually, fandom narrative would love a close save, father and son uniting to heal and build up what was broken, but c!Phil’s entrance inks his story in failure. Angsty, right? We love angst!

And yet, as the story ticks on, the bad takes pile up.

Why? Well, I’l used to think that it is a “funny haha” type thing; a way to grieve for a character that was lost, as Alivebur was genuinely a great character. However, with the plot slowly progressing c!Phil’s story to evolve away from the ‘mentor the kids’ trope , I should have seen a storm on the horizon.

It should have been seen from the moment he stabbed c!Wilbur in the chest, but optimism is one hell of a smokescreen.

Built up fanon, however, is probably the greatest fog to ever exist.

There are lines before the button room confrontation that paint a picture of Wilbur seeking out the approval of his father (who seemed distant, at least from his POV), as well as hints to the SBI dynamic, but with the countless dismissals/retcons from CCs involved, as well as little to no consistent canon acknowledgement of this team dad role...Why base an entire hate piece of c!Phil just because popular fanon isn’t real?

Why, for the sake of building up a well rounded character, would one place the title of a communal parental figure on a grieving father who has little attachment to the community involved, especially when most of them are too busy delving into their own issues?

Furthermore, why go for Mr. Philza Minecraft: Angel of Death, CEO of KEKW, Functioning Immortal????

It’s madness, luv, and frankly, antis cannot let c!Phil process any of his grief (or flesh out his character) without his contributions being fatherly. His role has been idealized to the point where he is not a character on his own, but an accessory to the happiness of other characters. That is not how the world works, and in a conflict riddled server like the dsmp, arguing that it should be like that is counterproductive.

c!Phil had his own shit to deal with, and as he slowly uncovers how fucked up the server actually was, he merely adapts to it. He learns to play the game by his own rules, and people become mad that he’s succeeding in his own way. It's as simple as that, particularly when referencing his initial exposure to the world he now inhabits.

c!Phil is a man who used to hear of his son’s success from the letters he received, words spinning tales of won revolutions and newfound friendships. To a father, those letters are more than enough to assume that all is well, and with it, he had no reason to check on his son, who was already old enough to be carving his path alone. For him to arrive and see just how broken his son actually was, and then, in front of faces he only vaguely knows, kill said son... There's a lot to take in.

He shouldn't have had to care about L'Manberg in those moments, not when he had his son in his arms, dead by his own goddamn weapon; his son who, to his knowledge, was doing pretty well up until he caught wind of his plot. Yet, he does.

He gives them the benefIt of the doubt, even ignoring the one person he has shown to have deep history with (c!Techno) to assist the nation in defeating the withers and rebuilding what was lost.

c!Phil stays in a nation that has seemingly brought his son right into his demise, holding in that grief to help people who he assumes have the chance to rebuild, to reform. For a moment, he trusts that the system can turn into something positive, offering to hunker down and do what he can to help. That’s the start of a fatherly type role for most -- with many expectations rising from fans to ‘fix’ all these traumatized characters.

In another plot, perhaps critics could have gotten the tropes they want from c!Phil, but to blame the character for reacting negatively to a world he barely knew, right after seeing it ruin his son and target a friend...Maybe the need for a "father figure" only stems from making their faves happy.

Characters that don't directly support your fave are not inherently awful characters. Critique based on that alone is...flimsy, really, but honestly, you can use to to show how they process things.

Which brings me to the events leading up to Doomsday, and with it, the steady rise of c!Phil’s defining traits.

Say it with me, folks: c!Phil is one of the most loyal members on the server, but loyalty doesn’t mean he's blindly following along!

😃☝🏾Butcher Army take this L👉🏾😎👉🏾 Found it in the L’Mancrater

-- birb 2k21

The butcher army arc, while nestled among the mainline story of Tommy’s exile (which I will not even mention, because those dadza takes about visiting may deserve a post on their own), allows for c!Phil to see into the minds of those who had once been with (or even against) his son’s plans. Sure, he may be witnessing them after the eve of their newfound traumas, but this is an important observation to make when comparing how easy it was to denounce his affiliation to them and side with c!Technoblade.

Unlike the new Administration, slowly dipping deeper and deeper into their own form of power hunger, c!Technoblade’s base desires had never wavered. His trust in others, however, had, still nursing the sting of a betrayal, but with no conflict in sight. He is reforming, finding comfort in his solitude, and still maintaining contact with those he trusts.

Techno's Compass, for one, is a major example of their mutual trust. Despite being on opposing territories, they are civil enough to trust each other, just like old friends.

Thus, when you take two old friends who are more than used to conflict -- one grieving and one betrayed, but both seeking neutrality -- it shouldn’t have surprised the antis that c!Phil would place c!Techno’s whereabouts (and life, mind you) over some government he barely knew.

And yet, above all else, c!Phil starts off as a neutral party for everyone's sake, forgoing potential conquest for peace.

To c!Phil and c!Techno, it’s like fighting back to back, knowing that one can always trust the other to fend off those just waiting to take advantage of your blindspot, while also quelling the need to imagine your partner turning around and doing the same. That sort of friendship is forged through many, many hardships.

They betray what little trust he had built in them. That’s on them.

c!Phil is aware how untrusting c!Techno is, and while c!Techno feels safe enough to give his all for c!Phil, he never exploits it to get ahead, which is something L'Manbergians felt okay with doing.

They take a book out of the playbook used on c!Techno, for c!Techno.

They went after yet another person who was close to him, using their power and influence to hold an execution under the guise of seeking justice. If c!Wilbur, at least pre-corruption arc, sent letters to his father, one would at least expect some of his old ideals of freedom and fairness to leak through into his friends, right? To see those c!Phil assumed would hold similar ideals immediately skew towards a darker, brutal side, particularly in threatening others to get what they wanted...Well, shit hit the fan.

c!Phil does not have that strong relationship with any former L’Manbergians, and despite there being potential for such, it didn't work out that way; instead, however, those characters manage to mistake his kindness for weakness. They take his preferred neutrality as a way to exploit him, to gain in such a way that he lost agency...

No more Mister Nice Dadza, and honestly, he’s justified in that notion.

They’ve lost his trust, time too short to have gained that strong link like c!Techno’s or c!Wilbur’s, and with it, came the inevitable association with Doomsday.

c!Phil knew c!Techno’s intentions from the beginning -- which had only wavered into dormancy because he had grown tired of fighting, understanding that the cycle he wishes to break is not worth his efforts -- so the agreement in participating is effortless.

c!Dream was there too, of course, but in their mutual quest for eradication, it’s made canon that c!Techno and c!Phil hid away most of their arsenal, despite seeming overprepared. They have no loyalty to c!Dream; they’re smart enough to play along, however. He was a means to an end.

There’s no lies present in their relationship; c!Phil needed someone who didn’t try and pull wool over his eyes, and c!Techno let him see.

c!Techno needed someone who wouldn't stab him in the back, and c!Phil stayed true as his hidden sword.

Which is why, as the two joined forces, ideals aligning and power synergized, they didn’t think twice about nuking the nation to bedrock. Mutually agreeing that the system needs to die, they did what they could, and they succeeded.

How cool of them, tbh LMAO.

New L’Manberg tugged too hard at the sleeping tiger’s tail; they shouldn’t have expected it to roll over.

Their openness to each other was known.

There was no need for underhanded plays, for hidden betrayals, for undisclosed words.

Their loyalties were strong.

They were in sync.

In conclusion (maybe, maybe not...this shit is long holy heck)

😃☝🏾 I may hate this analysis in 30 minutes👉🏾😎👉🏾 Or I may make a part 2. Fuck it!

-- birb 2k21

And that’s what makes c!Phil an interesting character: He tends to be critiqued in reference to chatacters who have very well wronged him, have no affiliation to him or get associated to him through popular fanon. There's a lot to cover that I haven't (from Ghostbur to the whole Tommy 'dilemna') but overall I'm digging what I have now and if I ever get more energy, I'll continue!

c!Phil enthusiasts, I hope I did you proud LMAO. It's my first forray into this side of tumblr 👉🏾👈🏾 I'm a lurker.

c!Phil antis, you can either act respectful or go argue with a wall. I got experience dealing with antis on Tumblr; I am immune to BS.

Anyway, I hope you all enjoyed. Signing off!

- BIRB.

#dream smp #dsmp #philza #ph1lza #this one's for the c!phil enthusiasts hello hi ily all #I have spent the entire afternoon writing this while the power is out lmaoo #fandom leave my mans philza minecraft alone challenge #god i don't even know how long this is I'm so sorry #i let a little bit of my c!techno enthusiasm shine through too

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drariellevalentine · 4 years ago

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Medically Inevitable

Meet Our Mc- Arielle Valentine

(This is after Chapter 7)

Name:- Arielle Cerise Valentine/Raines (professionally known as Dr. Arielle Valentine, celebrity-wise as Arielle Raines)

Birthday:- June 5th, 1995 (Age-25)

Zodiac Sign:- Gemini

Face Claim:- Nina Dobrev

Background:- Part Italian and French

Education:- Johns Hopkins School of Medicine

Main Profession:- Intern at Edenbrook Hospital, residency of Internal Medicine

Side Professions:-

Actress- Played a leading role in a medical drama during high school

Model- Models her sister-in-law’s clothing lines whenever she can

Influencer- Has over 40 million followers on Instagram, posts about her daily life

Singer- Has sung and posted on YouTube with female icons like Ariana Grande, makes a guest appearance in some of her MV’s. (Don’t worry, you’ll see how later!)

Nicknames:-

Rookie (Ethan)

Ari (Elijah & Sienna)

Elle (Bryce)

Sunshine (Naveen)

Cherry (Mark & Adrian)

Family:

Adrian Raines

Brother

Age- 31

Background- Italian and French

Profession- co-owner of Carson & Raines and Criminal Defence Attorney

Married to Alyssa, father to Arabelle

Relationship- Extremely close with each other. Whether it’s personal problems or work issues, he’s the first person who Arielle turns to for advice. He would do anything for his sister, and so would she.

Alyssa Raines

Sister-in-law

Background- American

Age- 28

Profession- CEO and Head Designer of Fashion Empire ‘Flair’

Married to Adrian, mother to Arabelle

Relationship- Very close to each other, Arielle considers Alyssa as her older sister. Lived with each other for two years when Arielle was in med school. Later, Alyssa moved in with Adrian as her company expanded and Arielle bought her own apartment.

Arabelle Raines

Niece

Age-5

Background- Part American, French & Italian

Nickname- Belle (everyone)/Amorina (Arielle-means little love)

Relationship- Arielle’s and Arabelle’s relationship is one of a kind. Both of them love each other so much, Arielle looks at her like own daughter. Alyssa jokes that her daughter is very lucky, not because they are well-off, but that she has two amazing moms. Arielle loves to spoil her, but makes sure she learns the importance for everything.

Mark Raines

Cousin- (Arielle’s father’s brother’s son)

Profession- Professional chef, owner of several restaurants and chains in various areas

Age-31 (older by four months from Adrian)

Background- Italian

Boyfriend to Blair

Relationship- This pair is very notorious and well-known in the family for their prank wars from a very young age. They still play pranks on each other, but not as much. Once Mark learned that Arielle’s middle name stood for cherries, and she just happened to be snacking on them at that time, he gave her the nickname ‘Cherry’, which caught on to Adrian.

Blair Carson:-

Best friend/cousin’s girlfriend

Profession- co-owner of Carson and Raines (Blair’s and Arielle’s father originally founded the law firm. Two years ago, Blair’s father died and she took over his position) and Women’s Rights Attorney

Age-26

Background- British

Girlfriend to Mark

Relationship- These girls have been joined to the hip at a very young age, due to the fact that Blair was left at Arielle’s house when both their fathers had to work. Their emotional bond and connection only increased when Blair’s mother died when she was 3, as they both relate to never have had a mother’s love.

Amelié Valentine:-

Late mother

Professional singer/pianist

Background- French

Relationship- Amelié died just a day after Arielle was born. Though, all of her family members say that Arielle is a striking image of her mother. They share the same vivid violet eyes, perfectly pink lips and numerous other resemblances. Naveen is the one who told stories about her to Arielle.

Alessandro Raines:-

Father, although not on speaking terms

Profession- Retired, co-owner of Carson & Raines (multinational law firm)

Background- Italian

Relationship- Arielle and her father have not been on speaking terms for 7 years since their huge fight on her 18th birthday. Although she was not close with her father during her teenage years, they were quite close during her childhood.

Naveen Banerji:-

Godfather, although Arielle considers him as her actual father

Profession- Retired, former Head of Diagnostics Team, Edenbrook Hospital

Background- Indian

Relationship- Naveen and Arielle were like father and daughter until her second year of med school. He taught her everything there is to know about life, love, and laughter. The two are slowly mending their broken bond, even though their love and affection for each other has never diminished.

Bennet Wilson:-

Ex-boyfriend

Profession- Neurosurgical Intern at Mass Kenmore

Age- 27

Background- British

Relationship- The pair met at Johns Hopkins, Bennet was in his 2nd year and Arielle just started. They graduated at the same time, as Arielle completed her education in only 6 years. The pair went to great heights with their relationship, made it official for almost 4 years and Bennet was also planning to propose later that year. Then he learned that Arielle had gotten matched with Edenbrook, as she wanted to work with her medical hero and inspiration, Dr. Ethan Ramsey. But he hadn’t, he was extremely disappointed as Dr. Harper Emery was the main reason he had gotten into neurosurgery. This lead to huge fights and disagreements, leading to Bennet cheating on Arielle with her best friend. The pair broke up three months before the start of their residency.

A to Z with Arielle

A is for Actress

Arielle is known for playing a leading role in a medical drama during high school. She plays a young paediatrician on the show, and is known very well for handling kids on set. The cast would joke about her being an actress and babysitter at the same time!

B is for Blush☺️

If there’s one one makeup product Arielle never needs, it’s blush. She blushes quite easily and sometimes for no reason (according to herself), though I’m sure you know why!😏

It also is her favourite colour. Her bedroom, from top to bottom, is a picture perfect aesthetic of the colour blush, with hints of gold and a shimmery pearl. Fun fact, Arielle painted her bedroom herself and chose all the furniture and decor with Alyssa. She wants her room to be perfect, as it’s home and should be a place of comfort and solace at the end of her tiring shifts.

C is for Chocolate🍫& Cerise🍒

Chocolate- Arielle absolutely loves and adores chocolate. She cannot go a day without eating something which has chocolate, claiming that instead of coffee, she prefers a sugar rush. She jokes that her first love wasn’t Bennet, but chocolate.

Cerise- ‘Cerise’ is the French word for cherries. Her mother named her ‘Cerise’ because the moment she was born, her lips were cherry red (after that they weren’t though) and her main pregnancy cravings her cherries. Fun fact, Arielle hates maraschino cherries and anything cherry flavoured. She only likes juicy, fresh cherries.

D is for Dance💃🏻

Dance- Arielle loves to dance, whether it’s under the stars swaying or learning BLACKPINK’s new dance from their MV’s. She is quite flexible, and has been dancing from a very young age. Arielle also dances as exercise, saying that it’s a fun way to keep your body fit, while at the same time jamming out to your favourite tunes.

E is for Exercise

Exercise- This is something that is really important to Arielle, especially since she gained a bit of weight when she was 12 or 13. Since that, Naveen had taught her healthy ways to watch her diet and to easily exercise. Arielle says that her yoga sessions with him were one of the best, and she still continues till today. She is never embarrassed about her weight when she was young, and actually has talked about it on some of her guest appearances on shows and her Instagram. Moreover, she loves to encourage and motivate people to lead a healthy lifestyle. She isn’t much of a fan of sports but is a great swimmer.

F is for Fame

Fame- Arielle is known for many things, being a top influencer, an actress, a model, an icon for fashion and her beautiful voice. One of the things that fans like about her is she is very down-to-earth and never hides away about the problems she’s going through. Also, fans like that she doesn’t advertise different brands or products, nor always posts with a full face of makeup.

G is for Gelato

Being part Italian, it’s only fair that Arielle’s love for gelato is real. She prefers gelato rather than ice cream, although that doesn’t stop her from binge-watching and finishing a tub of rocky road with her friends.

H is for Helpful

Arielle loves being helpful. She goes to great lengths to provide care for her patients. When a friend’s in trouble, they always know that they can count on Arielle for helping them.

I is for Instruments

Arielle learned to play the piano at a very young age, as for singing, it was something that just came naturally to her. She later learned to play the guitar, but not as well. She was classically trained for 10 years on the piano, before she stopped and only learned her favourite tunes.

J is for Jewels

Arielle does love a little bling now and then, and treats herself to a few accessories sometimes. Her family members, who know this, love to gift her with a pair of earrings on a special occasion. She also spares no expense in picking out something for her loved ones. But any accessory she picks always has a meaning to it.

K is for Kids

Arielle is a natural with kids, she absolutely adores them having a niece of her own. The funny thing is Arielle was the one who cried when she found out that she was going to be an aunt. Alyssa shed a few tears at first, later full on sobbing because of the hormones.

She always keeps her pockets full of candy, and always keeps a stash in her locker. She loves handing out candy or even sing whenever she gets a younger patient. In addition to that, she loves going to the paediatric ward and giving everyone a little something.

L is for Looks

Although Arielle doesn’t believe in covering her face full of makeup, she always makes sure that she’s dressed to the nines for every occasion. Her style is quite feminine and flirty, though she does like to rock some badass outfits.

M is for Medical Hero

There’s no doubt that Naveen was her main inspiration to become a doctor. But later on, the person who inspired her that she could be able to make a difference in people’s lives was Dr. Ethan Ramsey. After she met him once when Naveen had taken her to one of Edenbrook’s charity galas, she was even more inspired and in awe.

N is for New York

Arielle was born and brought up in New York City, New York. Although having lived there for most of her life, many people don’t believe her due to the fact of her very kind and affectionate personality.

Being a true New Yorker, she loves going there once in a year or two. She’s been to Central Park, Times Square and the Statue of Liberty many times, she doesn’t remember.

O is for Optimistic

One of the things about Arielle is that she’s very optimistic, and always sees the good in everyone. Being optimistic for a person for someone like Arielle is a huge challenge, especially when having been through so many traumatic events. But Arielle likes to see the positive side of things. She believes that if she always focuses on the negative, she’ll miss out on life. Although,sometimes her sunny optimism can lead her into trouble.

P is for Protection & Polyglot

Ever since being kidnapped during the second year of med school, due to the fact her brother was dealing with a very high profile case, she vowed to make sure she knew how to handle a gun. She currently owns 3. One near her nightstand, one in her car, and another extra just in case she goes out somewhere. Nonetheless, she has been learning self-defence for quite a while. Though she doesn’t like hurting people, she admits that it always provides a feeling of security.

Arielle is very fluent in English, French and Italian. She can understand and converse in Spanish and Hindi, Naveen having taught her. Surprisingly, her desi accent is quite on point!

Q is for Class Queen

Arielle here was the Class Queen in college. Working very hard to ace all her classes, she still managed to find time a create a social status for herself. She was known as the Center of Attention because of her background, even though she is kind and affectionate.

She later on earned a name, Triple Threat. This was given when she completely roasted one of her bitchy classmates. Also, she was known as the Heartbreaker among the boys.

R is for Relationships

Arielle dated one of her co-stars when she was acting in high school. It later ended in a mutual breakup, saying that they both wanted different things in life but are still friends. Currently, he is now one of the most top paid actors.

Her fist love was Bennet Wilson, which ended 7 years later very horribly. Though she says that being in that relationship had taught her something, “If you have worked hard to earn your place where you are right now, no one, and I mean absolutely no one should have the right to tell you what to do.”

Her friendship with Dr. Ethan Ramsey is quite close, but it might turn into something more... although both of them are completely unaware, except for their best friends, Sienna and Naveen.

S is for Singer

Arielle has an exceptional voice, she can sing quite high and belt out quite a few notes. Her meeting with Ariana led to both of them being huge friends. They have filmed and uploaded a few videos of them on YouTube. Some of them duets on Ariana’s songs and a lot of other crazy battles. The fans absolutely love the friendship between these two icons, especially when both of their personalities and dynamics match!

Arielle loves to sing, she says that it’s a way to express yourself and what you’re feeling. She sings when she’s happy, sad, angry, and somehow manages to beautifully showcase her emotions in every song she sings.

T is for Traditions

The Raines’ family have quite a bit of traditions. Every Christmas, they all make different types of hand-rolled pasta as a family. They all play Secret Santa, although everyone ends up getting a gift for everyone. Arielle is very particular when it comes to gifts, she doesn’t care about the price, she always takes a long time choosing something that is meaningful and personal. Another tradition is going on a huge shopping spree and picking out tons of clothes for children, then donating them to orphanages, along with small gifts.

One of Arielle’s favourites is the feast they make for Thanksgiving. Between Mark and Naveen, with a little help from others, the food they end of making is delicious, even if somehow Arielle’s the only one ending up looking like she just played the ‘Eat it or Wear it Challenge”!

For New Year’s, they all share their achievements and regrets by writing them on a paper, and then folding them into a boat, they let them go at the lake near Naveen’s house.

Even though Naveen is the only one who is Indian, the whole family celebrates Diwali together. Naveen picks out a dresses and outfits for every single person, with Alyssa’s approval of course, and somehow manages to make mountainloads of desserts.

U is for Unwind

When Arielle has time to unwind, she has a lot of methods. When she’s alone and it’s a beautiful summer day, she goes for a long swim. If it’s a day off with her friends, she loves to indulge in self-care, making a whole spa day at home. And last but not least, Arielle loves to colour. Some might find it childish, but she loves to pair colours with each other. Playing a list of soothing tunes, she finds solace.

V is for Vegan

Vegan- Arielle cannot imagine being vegan for even one meal. She’s a huge fan of seafood and meat, but doesn’t eat much red meat, and has a crazy love for cheese. Her friends joke about her eating so much cheese, but still staying so fit.

W is for Watch

Arielle loves to wear watches as part of her accessories. Although she has many watches, she never uses them to tell the time, mostly only as a fashion statement. She doesn’t like to wear them to work, because then she’ll be checking the time every five minutes!

Y is for Youngest

Arielle is the youngest in her whole family, excluding Arabelle of course. But oftentimes, Arielle’s the one handing out advice and hosting get togethers. She’s never been seen as the youngest and everyone in the family has a huge level of respect for her, especially after what she’s been through.

Z is for Zealous

If you asked anybody who knows Arielle and ask them to describe her in 10 words, zealous or determined would definitely be one of them. Her zeal and perseverance is one of her main factors what got her this far in life, and it will continue carrying her through life.

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agathaarts · 5 years ago

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Spidersonas forever!!!!!! Though she’s become less of a Spidersona and more her own weird spiderspinoff at this point, complete with a name change.

Some more Itsy stuff outta basically nowhere! Her spider-human hybrid form is where she’s most “comfortable” and ultimately where she winds up resting most of the time, though she’s still a pretty competent were-spider-shapeshifter-sort. She has a number of different and modifiable outfits, perks of living with a seamstress, and....I also wanted to draw a bunch of her, uh, rogue’s gallery together, though admittedly the Black Cats could be considered friends before long. Or at least, associates.

This is far from all of them, but these are the guys I have concrete looks for at least! Maybe I’ll do one of her allies soon. As is, most of her issues stem from the monsterous OZCORP, the company that not only created her, but continues to create it’s own forces, meddling in the nature of reality to do so!

Tiny blurbs below the cut for each of them, and if you’d like to know more about any of ‘em...let me know! I have an unfortunate amount of ideas for this AU!

ITSY-BITSY AKA SPIDER-WOMAN aka Aggie Appleton. While working for the unscrupulous OzCorp, unlucky intern Aggie Appleton is caught in the backlash of an experiment that fuses her with unstable realmatter and the test subject- a hyper-adaptive spider created using the same unstable realmatter! Now, she fights to protect her city from OzCorp’s increasingly dangerous experiments and the beings created by their experiments as ITSY BITSY aka THE INCREDIBLE SPIDER-WOMAN!

THE GREEN GOBLIN aka Norma Osborne. The CEO and leader of OZcorp, Norma Osborne has sacrificed everything for her company and their work, being a gifted and brilliant scientist in her own right. It has cost her family ties, friends, her social life, and now- her sanity and stability of form. Able to transform into the corrosive GREEN GOBLIN, she becomes a destructive force of chemical reactions and decay, with no more limits standing in her way! At least, until that annoying spider shows up...

THE KLYNTAR, represented by units VENOM and CARNAGE ~ Inter-dimensional beings, symbiotes (or, perhaps, parasites) who feed off of living beings, the KLYNTAR are horrors from beyond who’ve made a deal with Norma Osborne: a place to stop and feed in exchange for OzCorp to poke and prod and take samples to use their unstable realmatter forms to create new techniques and horrors! Of course, once mold gets in....it’s almost impossible to get it out, even if said mold is far more than anything native to Earth!

BLACK CAT is a mystery. A force of corporate espionage, a cat thief, a rumor, and mystery, a funny joke to poke fun at unsolved thefts and leaked information- of course, it’s very hard to find Black Cat. They slip in and out of secure warehouses, files, and companies with nary a trace, virtually impossible to spot. Especially unless you know they’re not one person, but three. At least, that Itsy-Bitsy comes to know of...

THE BUGS are a group of ne’er-do-wells who took up an offer to be bonded with biotech armor by OzCorp, all for their own various reasons, and now they’re beholden to OzCorp...and on an impressive payroll, that motivates being guards, bullies, and thieves as necessary.

SCORPION aka Mac Gargan. Once a private detective of disrespectful status, Mac Gargan was hardly in a place to turn down OzCorp’s offer after befalling tragedy and desperation. Unlike his fellow bugs, he tends to question a lot of his commands, and is well aware of the quote “hinky crap” going down behind the lab doors of OsCorp- but the pay grade is nice. And the benefits, well, the benefits are killer. Besides, he’s gotten to know the personality of his symbiotic armor well...and wouldn’t abandon him back to OzCorp’s nonexistent mercies by quitting.

BEETLE aka Abby Jenkins. Previously an engineer with white collar criminal aspirations, Abby Jenkins was hardly in a place to turn down OzCorp’s offer after befalling tragedy and desperation. Having bonded well with her symbiotic armor, she’s enjoying the steady work and respect she finds with OzCorp, and gets to spend her spare time tinkering with projects amongst brilliant inventors she’d have never had a chance to rub elbows with before!

FLY aka Richie Deacon. A career small-time criminal, Richie Deacon spent most of his life in and out of prison, halfway houses, and shelters, and was hardly in a place to turn down OzCorp’s offer after befalling a particular tragedy and desperation. Now they don’t care much about the work they do, happy to do whatever OzCorp asks in exchange for living a cushy life, even if it means having to wear the gross symbiotic armor. Still, small price to pay to fly!

SHR- i mean -SHOCKER aka Herman Schultz. Another career criminal, Herman Schultz worked as muscle for a few crime families in various cities, before getting bounced out of almost all of them and directly into OzCorp’s loving arms. No tragedy or desperation needed to convince him to get into a suit of powered armor (even if it’s more or less a giant lobster as far as he’s concerned) and start breaking things at a whim! Besides, everything at OzCorp is so damn weird, he’s never been more entertained anywhere in his life!

ELECTRO aka Max Voltage. Once one of OzCorp’s many test animals, an electric “eel” cobbled together out of various types of electric fish and a hodgepodge of other animals, Max taking on human traits was, well...an accident, but a happy one. Now settled into a form distinctly human, with intelligence to match (though some would argue otherwise) Max is capable of incredible feats of electrical manipulation and sensitivity beyond any creature in it’s creation!

DOCTOR OCTOPUS aka Octavia Otto. Respected young researcher and lead scientist of many OzCorp projects, Octavia Otto was caught in the backlash of an experiment that ultimately fused her with a number of test subjects, hyper-adaptive octopuses...except she’s continued to mutate and change, in ways nobody else can quite pin down (but it’s okay, she’s keeping rigorous, detailed notes on the process! For science!) and has assisted OzCorp’s goals since, happy to have a constant source of supplies and test subjects to work with. Her and Aggie Appleton had...history, before this all went down, too, so that’s not awkward at all!

RHINO aka Aleksei Sytsevich. Arriving in America as Anna Kravenoff’s bodyguard, Aleksei found himself out of work before long as Anna hastily shucked her father’s protections of her and kicked him unceremoniously out of her life. Once OzCorp decided he’d make a fine test subject, well, he’s been a professional mook for most of his life and didn’t have many complaints about the improved size, strength, and toughness. Aleksei may put on a blithe, dopey exterior, but he’s far too controlled to be an actual fool...which makes him quite dangerous, even if he only does as OzCorp asks.

THE SPOT aka Joon-Woo Ohnn. The Spot’s creation is a sort of mystery, even to himself and to OzCorp. An experiment, a failure, and...Dr. Ohnn is still certainly alive and aware, but some sort of bizarre 3D shadow cast by, well, wherever he is. While unable to speak, Ohnn is still fully capable of serving OzCorp, with his ability to function as a series of wormholes and perform strange acts of teleportation.

MYSTER.IO aka Mysterio aka thecrystalball aka The Mystery aka ??? aka aka aka aka aka..... Myster.io is a digital character- either a face for someone distant and anonymous, or many someones, or perhaps some sort of self-aware AI, Mysterio’s story changes every time he tells it and that’s just how it should be! This bizarre digital being pops up on people’s devices and is an information gatherer and peddler, always happy to tweak reality to better suite someone’s needs for a price.

KRAVEN the HUNTRESS aka Ana Kravenoff aka Kraven Jr. aka Lady Anastasia Kravenoff. Kraven the Hunter was a star, a legend- a man who battled beasts and travelled to impossible places and rose to reclaim an ancient family legacy, he was famous and infamous alike, and regardless of if you loved or hated him- he was a household name across the globe. Ana would like that. Ana might have been shipped off to America to live a carefully tailored “normal” life by her father and his estate, but Ana has aspirations that greatly outstrip those of her brothers and a goal to match her father’s infamy someday! But until she can secure a show, she hunts monsters for YouTube and enjoys her modest cult following- especially since she’s found a way to attend college in a sleepy Midwestern City that just happens to have a lot of monster-related issues. Her current target? Spider-Woman!

#spidersona #itsy-bitsy #itsyverse #spider-woman #green goblin #venom #carnage #black cat #scorpion #beetle #fly #shocker #electro #doctor octopus #rhino #the spot #mysterio #kraven #ana kravinoff

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neednothavehappenedtobetrue · 3 years ago

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under the cut, a long update on Today When A Dude From Work Yelled At Me

tl;dr my boss is being even more spineless than usual, has explicitly told his two disabled female direct reports that if we experience more ableist nonsense from some guy who has already yelled at us he will not intervene or back us up because “conflict is healthy”

however, the director of another team was also there and at least she is not spineless!

also I fully hate my job and have resigned from interviewing applicants for staff positions here, because I’m worried that the next time someone asks what it’s like to work here I will tell them.

(I do know that “previously never having been yelled at in your workplace” is a big privilege few people have and I know I sound here a bit like my boss does every time he goes “wow I didn’t realize there was so much ableism,”)

(also yeah, he has repeatedly this week been like “I’m so surprised that ableism is so entrenched and people are so unwilling to talk about it,” and it’s like, buddy, you are surprised all by yourself here)

anyway, this meeting’s key players:

-my boss

-me

-my favorite coworker, who does a similar job to mine

-the woman who does my boss’s job, but in Canada

-the woman who does my job, but in Canada

-the jackass who yelled at us

-two women from his team, neither of whom said much, although one of them did decide, at a point well after her team member literally yelled at us, that the conversation was “over time, we’ve gotta go” and ended the call abruptly.

(I would pay money to see any backchannel conversations those team members were having during this call, like, do they totally agree that we’re being Extreme and Adversarial or are they like “uh, buddy, maybe we could back this up a step?” do the two women have a chat thread the asshole’s not in and what does it say?

but also I don’t need them to see the backchannel my team had that started out with “this is a lot of jargon, what does this mean?” and finished with, like, it’s a work software and if they wanted to IT could see it so there’s a line to be mindful of, but there was mild snark all around, and a few instances of me using the word “buddy” in the way where I would use “asshole” on a non-work chat software.

(Cool Colleague and I did at one point start a text message thread on our personal phones that’s just completely impolitic and 50% full-on swearing)

I would not be delighted if other people saw our Teams backchannel, but I would be willing to defend all of it, if I had to.

we haven’t fired one lady for “bullying other team members so bad that two of them quit explicitly because of her bullying and said so on the record,” so I feel like “being sarcastic on the work chat” is not a firing offense here.

also, like, they’d have to fire at least 2/3 of my department, which would be… kind of hilarious, actually? no one of us is individually irreplaceable, but if our whole department collapsed it would be a Bad Time For Everyone.

Cool Coworker is for SURE quitting as soon as she can line something up, so probably she’ll be replaced before I quit, but also, do you know how funny it would be if we quit simultaneously and the whole office was like “oh fuck, we needed those two people pretty bad, actually, maybe we should have done something the fifth or sixth time they said they were feeling undervalued and demoralized? whoops!”

anyway, as I said earlier, this meeting consisted of our three person team, the two-person team who does our job in Canada, and the team of which Yelling Man is the director

(today I learned that Yelling Man actively wants to quit working here, but can’t because “the CEO won’t let him,” is that a thing? how does that work? I’m sorry you hate it here, buddy, but you still can’t yell at me)

anyway, Canada’s department head had to leave the meeting early (by which I mean like 30 minutes after it was supposed to end, it continued after that) so I think she missed the yelling (now I wish she hadn’t, I feel like she was the person most likely to say “guy, you’re yelling at us, what if you didn’t?)

so the meeting ended, we debriefed.

I asked my boss to interrupt this guy if he raises his voice in future meetings. my boss said no, because conflict is healthy

I asked my boss if he would back me up/cover for me if I need to leave a meeting for 90 seconds to calm down because a dude is yelling at me. no, he will not do that either, because conflict is healthy.

there will be at least one additional meeting on this subject with a dude who yelled at us for calling out ableism and my boss has informed his two junior female disabled staff members that if this guy yells ableist nonsense at us a second time, he will do literally nothing to intervene or help us and he won’t try to call out this guy on how he behaved today, either.

I do genuinely appreciate the vast amount of off-the-record paid sick time I’ve gotten, but also, I am maybe ready to stop saying “my boss is so great, but sometimes…”

like, my boss is a spineless asshole, but sometimes he does nice things.

anyway! you know who is <not> a spineless asshole? the head of the department from Canada! she missed the yelling, but noticed how needlessly hostile and also incredibly ableist this dude was being, so she got the other Canadian to fill her in on the part she missed.

she is horrified and using words like “harassment”

she wants the folks on my team to meet with her individually to discuss and document how inappropriate this guy was, so she can do something about it.

I don’t know what our options are. despite being an org with somewhere in the neighborhood of 250 staff, I’m not sure we have an HR department?

we have the Talent people, who oversee our definitely garbage probably illegal hiring process (with interview questions like “what is your relationship with your mother like?” and “oh, but aren’t most disabled advocates just so mean all the time?”) so my hope is we can get Almost Anyone Else, but I don’t think there’s anyone else, it’s probably them.

-the Integrity team might be good, but as far as I know the three members of that team either just quit, are secretly quitting very soon, or are on sabbatical, and also I think they deal more with legal issues than just “some asshole yelling at work”

-and there’s Yelling Man’s boss, our CEO, who is not… famous for being a reasonable guy with a good understanding of workplace norms, acceptable behavior, nuance, etc. he’s also the guy who refuses to let Yelling Man quit, so I don’t know if he would be at all helpful here

but at least somebody is trying!

also, for a while I was interviewing candidates for jobs here, and I thought I could do a little bit of harm reduction. I would skip the wildly inappropriate interview questions, and I would be as honest as possible with people who asked what it was like to work here.

a woman I interviewed in January is quitting as soon as she can because it sucks so much here. her job is to tell people when we’re breaking the law, usually in ways related to privacy laws, but also I think some equity stuff.

I knew when I interviewed her that her job in particular would suck, I watched how people treated the other people who did it, ignoring them at best, belittling them sometimes. fuck rules, we’re innovators!

I definitely told her we had some strong personalities and it wouldn’t be an easy job.

in the meeting where everyone who interviewed her met to make a decision a dude tried to stop us hiring her because, essentially, fuck rules, we’re innovators, why do we need someone who cares about complying?

-the boss of her team, who has since quit, was like “we probably should try not to break the law, though”

so she got hired and now both of them are quitting because it sucks here and I feel complicit in getting her here.

- so I’m resigning from doing interviews with job candidates, theoretically because of “limited capacity” but actually because if someone asks me what it’s like to work here, I will not be able to hedge, I will absolutely be like “it sucks so much to work here. we do occasionally manage to do good work, but the process of making that happen in this incredibly dysfunctional environment grinds down staff. it is bad to work here, I am quitting the second I can, go somewhere else”

and, like, if I got lucky I could get away with that once, and also it would be a fun way to get fired, but instead of that I’m just not helping bring on staff anymore, because it makes me feel complicit when this place grinds them down”

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ifeveristoday · 4 years ago

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Angel + Spike is dead, long live Angel + Spike

A postmortem on Boom’s Angel + Spike. The final issue of the series dropped today and I wasn’t going to write anything about it, because I had gotten increasingly disappointed with the direction the series took. With some exceptions, I don’t actually enjoy hate watching/reading/experiencing something because life is too short (especially NOW) to waste time on things you don’t like. My snark is better used elsewhere, you know?

But with this final issue and the topic of bad endings in 2020 fresh in fandom, I felt something had to be written.

A spoiler filled recap and thoughts underneath the cut as always.

tl;dr: the Supernatural of comic book endings but at least no one goes to superhell.

Angel + Spike and a series finale was listed on Boom’s website as early as three months ago, but only confirmed to be really, really finished by the second writer recently.

And that’s a shame, because it started with a lot of potential that got squandered over its sixteen issue run. The new creative team only had three issues to wrap up what came before them and the direction they chose to go..really didn’t mesh with what was established. If they had more time, maybe they would have been able to solidify their vision and make those different characterization choices stick.

Unfortunately, they didn’t.

The problem that consistently plagued the series overall was that it felt like the writers (both the original and the new one) only took the most superficial of interpretations of the original show and completely forgot about what made it special. Even as a non-fan of Angel the series, I can appreciate the show for what it did really well.

The comic reboot completely lost the plot midway and neglected the characters, particularly Angel and his interpersonal relationships with Fred and Gunn. Then the decision to make Kate the reincarnation of Angelus’ lover/evil right hand and violating Fred and Gunn with possession (spoiler alert: Gunn survives his possession and then is sidelined for the rest of the series, Fred becomes possessed by a representation of the Devil *and* an ancient earth goddess and basically the human Fred is dead WHAT A SHOCKING TWIST said no one who’s experienced the original canon ever), Spike the voice of reason and Angel cut off from his team and only focused on Kate, while feral werewolf packs and Wolfram and Hart belatedly schemed in the background.

There was just Too Much.

And yet not enough of what should have been the most important part - the characters. By the time the second creative team took over Angel, I was caring less and less about Angel and what his crew were up to, because they were so separate (Angel’s characterization really suffered after the Hellmouth event. The estrangement and sudden disregard Angel had for his team didn’t really go anywhere meaningful other than to set up Spike as a bemused greek chorus.)

Not only did Angel’s character/motivations suffer, so did the other characters, namely: in all universes, women who are in Angel’s orbit/world SUFFER.

No agency for anyone!

Fred gets possessed by Baphomet and takes over Wolfram and Hart as defacto CEO and does a bunch of ooo girlboss/evil things. Then she has a competing spirit take over her body, an earth goddess/entity who overpowers Baphomet and expels him out. But ordinary Fred with her math and never to be discussed experience in a mental institution/trauma is gone. She’s more powerful now. Angel only remembers to rescue her after Gunn brings her up in an earlier issue and after intimidating the evil Brachen version of Jeff Bezos, Angel finds out it’s Wolfram and Hart behind her disappearance.

Kate conveniently gets memories of her time as Angelus’ lover/second in command and is conflicted about starting a relationship with Angel, who conveniently has forgotten he has a curse and is reallllly eager to kiss and reminisce about all the outdoor sex they had in a past life. Lillith and Lilah, the two deliberately drawn as femme fatale/cool characters have zip to do with the story as it wraps up - Lillith says some of her usual mysterious Angel you have a deeper purpose blah blah new concept of the dream sea or body of water with importance and then promptly disappears from the narrative. Lilah showed up in some swanky suits and gets murdered by Angel in this issue, after doing very little except to follow Fred/Baphomet around.

And we get a surprise Harmony cameo, which is not only unexpected but completely unearned, because she calls Spike Blondie Bear, which begs the question, when the fuck did Spike get close to Harmony? Harmony is in the Buffy comic (or showed up once in the early issues and then blip) and so, presumably still a teenager. What is she doing receptionist work for Wolfram and Hart for? Is time in the Angel comic operating faster than it is in the Buffy comic? Are we in the future? Is this hell?

The cavalry arrives but Fred’s inner goddess has saved her, at the cost of her original characterization and as they flee from the Wolfram and Hart’s security demons, they get taken to a multiverse dimension which looks mighty familiar -- a hotel, which is looked after by a familiar pair of vampires - Angel and Spike. Spike has long hair that’s tucked up in a bun and full tattoo sleeves on his arms, while Angel just looks scruffier.

Have these last three issues just been a weird convoluted path to get to canonical Angel/Spike? Is this the worst slash fic ever?

But that’s where it ends, the Angel team with Kate still hung up on being Angel’s reincarnated lover, Goddess! Fred, Spike being the cool Uncle you ask about sex (we get Lemon as Spike’s safe word, which....I will allow as an incredibly dumb meta joke), Gunn and Oz just being there and not in recognizable character, and Angel.

Some other details:

There’s a Brachen version of Jeff Bezos in this verse and a joke about all the money in the world and he lives in a glass fishbowl, all the while Angel, a vampire has a glass house in the hills of Los Angeles. With a secret armory in the basement. That Spike knows about. Make your obligatory joke about the bottom here.

BUT. Did you even read the early issues, bro?

Angel has a glass house. Evil millionaire has a glass house. Don’t throw stones.

Gunn is basically written out and only pops up to fight by their side and his whole reason for getting involved with is explained as being a lawyer for Wolfram and Hart and will never get punished.

Werewolves appear to be universally shunned by other demons and wow I’m glad we didn’t have long with the series before it turned into this whole tortured allegory of oppressed peoples because it’s always great to line up mythical creatures with the plight of real marginalized people suffering, I’m talking about you Rob Thomas and your zombies yes I am.

Women get killed and fridged and basically exist to further men’s storylines and I wish this wasn’t a hold over from canon. Thank fuck Darla didn’t get involved in this universe, or anyone from Buffy.

So with that multiverse ending - does that mean Jordie can sweep them into a crossover with her multiverses in future issues? Perhaps. These are important characters, particularly Spike and Angel, so I doubt that we’ve seen the last of them.

But at least now they’ll be written by other people.

#angel in boom! land #where do we go from here #spoilers and speculations #spoilers and reactions #boom! verse

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wisterispidey · 5 years ago

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this was written for the lovely @cherry-will-regret-this, since her birthday’s today! happy birthday kaila, ily—i hope your birthday’s a good one! <3000

prompt: pre infinity war and tony having amnesia after getting hurt in a fight, he can’t remember anyone and it makes him realise how much he cares about peter

—

It really should have been an easy fight—Tony and Peter were doing fine.

But then Peter watched Mr. Stark get hit by one of the robots and that did not look fine.

He swung over, wincing when he saw the blow to Mr. Stark’s head.

“Mr. Stark? Mr. Stark!”

He sighed with relief when he saw the suit’s faceplate lift up, but something didn’t seem right.

“Who are you?”

Peter froze. That was obviously Mr. Stark but it also wasn’t Mr. Stark.

“Karen, scan please,” he murmured, he hated the way Mr. Stark looked at him blankly, almost like he never knew him.

“Scans show possible retrograde amnesia,” Karen informed him, “but nothing permanent, maybe you should call Dr. Cho, Peter.”

Peter nodded before turning towards Mr. Stark again.

“Um, do you—do you remember me? You?” Peter fidgeted with his hands.

“Uh, nope, nada, sorry kid, my name’s Tony though.”

He knew that. And the word kid didn’t sound warm to Peter anymore, and he hated that.

“Yeah, well,” he paused, “Dr. Cho’s going to help you, so we need to go now—I’m Peter by the way.”

Mr. Stark grinned—all sharp and just like the press smiles he gave to the public, it was just unlike him.

“Nice to meet you, Pete.”

Peter ignored the stab of bitterness at the nickname. Shit, how would explain this to Ms. Potts, or May or Colonel Rhodes or Happy.

If only he had just webbed the robot away before it hit Mr. Stark, then he wouldn’t be an amnesiac and he’d be okay.

Stupid Parker Luck.

—

Tony didn’t know who the hell this Dr. Cho was, but she seemed nice enough

“Your memory should return within the week, Ton—Mr. Stark,” she corrected.

Tony nodded, he didn’t really like the plain hospital room, or the scratchy fabric of the hospital gown, it too quiet, too clean.

He knew three things.

He knew he was Tony Stark, Iron Man, and he could remember a few names as he wracked his brain.

There was a Pepper, he knew that name, and Rhodey and Happy and maybe a May too.

But who was the kid?

Tony just knew that the kid was important to him—but he couldn’t remember who he was and why he was important to him.

“Thanks Dr. Cho,” he nodded, and she gave him a small smile before heading out the door.

He watched another person enter the room, heart catching is his throat.

The redhead was beautiful, and he felt like he knew who she was—flashes of movie nights after work was finished, or as finished as it could get.

“You’re…” Tony trailed off, he knew who she was, he had to, “You’re Pepper.”

Pepper smiled, all relief and unshed tears, they’d be okay, Tony would be okay.

“Yeah,” she agreed, “I’m Pepper.”

Tony saw the shiny engagement ring on her hand and it came back to him—Pepper Potts, CEO of Stark Industries, his fiancée.

He didn’t know how he was going to do it, but he’d get his memories back, amnesia be damned.

He was Tony Stark, it couldn’t be that hard.

—

“May, Dad doesn’t remember me,” Peter mumbled.

Two days had passed by and he hadn’t gotten a wink of sleep—he didn’t even notice his slip up.

May did, but she didn’t point it out—she didn’t know Tony well enough yet, but she knew that Tony cared for Peter and right now that was enough for her.

His aunt looked to him with concern, immediately pulling him into a hug.

“Honey he will,” she reassured, “you know Tony, he already remembers mostly everyone now.”

Peter looked at her, he loved May he did, but Dad remembered everyone but him.

And holy shit, he called Mr. Stark Dad—out loud, right in front of May.

He couldn’t really deny it anymore.

Mr. Stark just immediately translates to Dad in his head now—he did dad things right?

Mr. Stark helped him with his homework, he gave him hugs and one time Mr. Stark helped him when he threw up all over the lab floor.

But now Mr. Stark didn’t even know who he was anymore, everything after the Vulture incident. Not the lab days or the movie knights or the patrols, nothing.

And that really fucking hurt.

“Mr. Stark remembers Ms. Potts, and she’s his fiancée and she’s one of the most important people to him.”

“And he know Colonel Rhodes and Happy are his best friends too May, they’re important,” he continued, finally voicing his fear, “why would he remember me?”

Peter looked at her, and she felt her heart break at his pain.

“Peter, you’re important to him too,” she hugged him tighter, “you’re his kid as much as you’re mine—of course he’ll remember you.”

Peter opened his mouth to protest but May quickly cut him off.

“Don’t,” she looked at him sternly, “you are important, don’t say you aren’t.”

Peter nodded into her shoulder, all the frustration and exhaustion finally pouring from his eyes.

“Can we go see Mr. Stark tomorrow?”

May smiled, “Of course honey, Happy’ll finally stop texting me about it.”

“Okay,” he mumbled, “wait you text Happy?”

A faint blush graced May’s face, “No, you’re hearing things honey, you need sleep, we’ll see Tony tomorrow.”

—

Tony remembered practically everything now.

He knew that Pepper was his fiancée, the love of his life and that Rhodey was his Platypus and Happy was definitely not like his namesake.

He even remembered May, a very scary aunt that he was pretty sure Happy liked but he’d have to ask about that later.

But he still couldn’t remember the kid.

He knew his name, he knew he was Peter Parker and Spider-Man and that he helped cats and everyone on patrol.

And he knew he cared for the kid, but he didn’t know why and that was bothering the hell out of him.

“Tony,” Helen entered the room, “you have visitors here for you.”

Tony glanced up. It was May and Peter.

“Mrs. Parker,” he greeted, “you’re looking as beautiful as ever.”

May rolled her eyes. Typical. But Tony didn’t miss the small smile she gave him.

“Kid,” he started, “um, how are you?”

“Do you remember me?”

Tony looked away from him, he wished he did, he knew the kid but at the same time he also didn’t.

There was just some wall blocking all his memories of the kid and he was one second away from going fuck it and breaking it down.

“Pete,” May started, “I’ll let you guys talk, okay?”

Peter nodded, reluctantly sitting in the chair by Tony’s bedside.

The two sat there, surrounded by awkward silence—what do you say to someone when they didn’t know who you were to them anymore?

And Peter was tired, it’s been three days and Mr. Stark still didn’t know who he was and if he heard someone tell him it was going to all be okay again he’d snap.

“Kid, I’ll remember, it’ll be ok—”

Peter snapped. He was so tired of hearing that.

“No, no it can’t,” he cried, “three days and my Dad can’t remember me, how is it going to be okay?”

Maybe Peter calling him Dad broke that wall—Tony knew who Peter was and why he was important to him, Peter was his kid.

“And May said you would because you’re Tony Stark and I know tha—”

There was a small oof from Peter as Tony grabbed him into a hug.

“Peter,” Tony whispered, “kid.”

Peter stared at him, and damn it his Bambi eyes were full of hope—how could he ever forget his kid?

“Mr. Stark, you—you remember?”

Remember all their lab days where DUM-E kept using the fire extinguisher and movie nights arguing about what movie they should watch.

Hell yeah he remembered. He missed Peter’s rambling he’d grown to love and his bright ideas, no wonder a part of him felt lost.

Tony couldn’t live in a world without his kid.

“Oh, we're back to Mr. Stark now, huh?” he teased, kissing the crown of Peter’s head.

Peter’s face flushed with embarrassment.

“Um, well, yeah,” he shrugged, “but y’know it’s okay if that's like, weird or something—you don’t have to be my dad or whatever.”

Tony never really thought about being a father. It’s not like he had any good influence for being one.

But then the Vulture happened and something changed. He wanted to help Peter more, and not just for Spiderling related things.

So he talked with May after the whole her finding Peter in his suit situation.

And now they had their own little patchwork family thing going on—he was happy.

“Pete,” he hugged Peter tighter, “it’d be an honor for me to be your dad.”

Peter grinned into his dad’s shoulder.

They’d be alright.

#my writing #gift fic #my fic #fluff #angst #just a lil #irondad #spiderson #irondad and spiderson

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grayroman · 5 years ago

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⌠ OSCAR ISAAC, 41, CISMALE, HE/HIM ⌡ welcome back to gallagher academy, ROMAN GRAY! originally hailing from BLACKTHORNE, this alum specializes in RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT. when i see them walking around in the halls, i usually see a flash of (dark curls above scratched up reading glasses, milk and sugar with a hint of coffee, a multitool in the pocket of a worn brown leather jacket). it’s the pisces’ birthday on 03/09/1980, and when they were still in school their most requested dish was SPINACH AND RICOTTA RAVIOLI from the school’s chefs. hopefully their presence can help ease the minds of gallagher students.

𝗥𝗢𝗔𝗠𝗜𝗡’…

ACESS: GRANTED FILE NAME: GRAY, R.; 40; NO AGENCY

Roman Gray has had many ups and downs, sadly typical for someone in this line of work. Still, he likes to think he’s a pretty upbeat, healthy, friendly guy, though he may just be doing a good job hiding all the trauma in his life– again, sadly typical for someone in his line of work. He grew up without the knowledge of the spy world, and never attended a spy prep school. In his public high school in Queens, New York, circa late 90′s, he's the smartest kid in class, leagues above any of the other students. Coming from a low-income family, Roman figures the only way he’d be able to go to college was through a scholarship, so he works hard, thankful for his sharp intellect and aptitude towards technology. Naturally, the president of Robotics Club, he goes on to win several awards, and become nationally recognized– well, in the student robotics and technology community. But that, and his high IQ, puts him on the radar of Blackthorne Institute.

A letter arrives at the Gray household, asking for a chance for Roman to meet with recruiters from a boy’s university in Virginia. The family all jumps at the chance, and Roman meets with two of the buffest and suavest guys he’s ever seen in his life at a nearby coffee shop. They seem to eye the way Roman engages in polite conversation with his favorite barista, how he takes his coffee with 60% milk and sugar, and the way he kindly offers to pay for their drinks. Nonetheless, they disclose to him how his age and intellect would make him a great fit for their school, that even has a Research & Development major that would put his unique skills to use, as well as give him an additional new breadth of skills. However, if he enrolls, he would have to move to Virginia full-time and because of the nature of their private school, he could not withdraw until his degree was complete. But if he so chooses, Roman has a full four-year ride.

It’s a hard decision, to leave his family, but they all agree that this would be the best for all of them. He could go to a university that would not only allow him to pursue his passion, but not cost him or his family a cent, and put him on the road to being able to help provide for their future. So, despite the red flags and the slightly off-putting nature of the recruiters, he accepts.

When Roman first shows up to the Blackthorne Institute For Boys, he’s instantly in for a culture shock. The school is nothing like he’d imagined– bleak and dark, rigid and rough. And when he learns of it’s true purpose, of the world of spies, he feels betrayed. But the problem is there is no getting out now, he's stuck, feeling trapped and tricked by the institute and the people in charge. Still, they promise him that with his proficiency for his major, they could guarantee him a job upon graduation, and that if he tried to leave beforehand, everyone would be sorely unhappy. So Roman stays, in desperate hope to provide for his family, focusing on honing his craft, and channeling all his anger at the cruel nature of the school into all the physical training.

When his third year of school rolls around, he’s gotten good at throwing punches and shooting firearms, though he’s still definitely not the best in those departments– not to mention he hates it. But he’s at the top of his class when it comes to his major, making huge strides and taking advantage of the resources at his disposal, all while managing to keep his goodhearted disposition despite the harshness of the school. But this is also when he starts to hear rumors of the institute’s graduation process, and all this comes screeching to a halt, sick to his stomach. There’s no way out, he knows that, he doesn’t have to ask his instructors. So does that mean…? Roman barrels on ahead, refusing to think about it, refusing to accept that future.

By the time of his senior year, his father gets laid off from his low-rung corporate job, the only thing that had been keeping their family afloat. Loans are taken out, his family is put under more strain than ever before, and Roman resents both the capitalist assholes that had cut corners to line their pockets and the school that was keeping him hostage away from his family. Towards the end of his last year at Blackthorne, the CEO of the corporation is on trial, for revelations of embezzlement and even other heinous physical crimes committed against individuals in his employment. He’s at his peak of frustration, and with all the pressures of the school crushing him, he sets out on his graduation. After executing a hit on the CEO, Roman is silent the entire drive home, and upon reentering the school, runs straight for the bathroom to vomit.

Blackthorne pulls through on their promise, setting up a now emptier Roman with a job at an agency, working on developing and building new weapons. He hates it, really, but it pays extremely well, allowing him to support his family on his salary alone, and it gives him the space to later become one of the foremost experts in his industry. After years there, his murder farther in the past with each day, Roman starts to become more himself again, a humorous hotshot and quick as a whip. He even meets his best friend at that agency, a field agent who understands him better than anyone else.

Nearly a decade ago, while out on a mission, this best friend is caught in a struggle with his opponent, and as a result, the enemy gets a hold of his gun– a model Roman had made himself– and shoots him.

Roman quits immediately.

Since then, he’s become a freelance worker, taking jobs all over the globe, always moving. He’s been consulting on research studies and developing tech for hire, making a good earning for himself, and enough to keep sending his family back home money every month. On the outside, he’s his regular self– jovial, extroverted, cracking jokes and staying on top of his work, but he’s acquired a fear of staying in one place too long, making it impossible to commit to anyone or anything.

Fresh off a juncture in Berlin, he gets a call from one Laura Sutton, offering a mentoring job as a Blackthorne alum and expert in Research & Development at her school, the prestigious Gallagher Academy. While he’s not jazzed about being back in Virginia under Blackthorne’s name, and having to see the many faces of students he was once like, he takes it anyway. To Roman, this should be just another consulting job, and nothing more.

TL;DR - THE FACTS

the R&D alum who would have been here since January lol

was a Blackthorne graduate in order to support his family, since they promised him work after graduation

hates Blackthorne and all it’s memories, did not fare well there, and the hit he had to perform in order to graduate is his only direct kill, and one of the worst moments of his life

worked at agency for many years developing weapons

became a freelance agent after the death of his best friend, works on research and tech for anyone in the spy world who would pay

a bit of a nomad, doesn’t like to stay in one location too long; roaming loner with a heart of gold

generally friendly and easy-going; does his best to ignore all past trauma with humor and smiles

likes to pretend he’s tough, but he can’t take coffee black, has to have alcohol that’s sweet and fruity, and is obsessed with some musicals, so

not super happy about being here as a Blackthorne alum, but he does want to help the students

weary of all this Brotherhood nonsense, can’t help feeling guilty for all the kids, he doesn’t feel strange in wishing there wasn’t so much violence

protect the kids! he’s ready to adopt them but not really he can’t handle commitment, he refuses to like the kids too much

CONNECTIONS

Elise Park

Jack Stone

Irene Bradford

Naomi Powell-King

Hal Hardy

Allie Beckett

and that my friends is what you missed on glee!! hmu on disc to plot!! this has been another strud special!!

@gallagherintro

#gallagher:intro #abt #vis #i rly spent too long on both writing the intro and making the graphic but what else is new!#oof i havent done one of these since september truly crazy my resolve

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larryfanfiction · 6 years ago

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Movie! AU

🎬 The Proposal by curlshire (20k)

Louis is a tetchy editor and Harry is his unfortunate assistant. After Louis is threatened with a demotion, he quickly makes plans to fake a marriage to Harry. (Based off the movie The Proposal)

🎬 Supposed to Be by kikikryslee (26k)

“I’m making a movie for a film competition, and I want you to be in it,” Harry told Louis. “I think you would be a great leading actor in it.” “Why?” “Because it’s you. I mean, who wouldn’t want to know all about the amazing Louis Tomlinson? It would be a great movie.” “You don’t have some weird crush or, like, secret obsession with me, do you?” Louis asked. Harry bit his tongue so he didn’t say “Ew, I have standards.” He didn’t think that would go over well. Of course, that was assuming Louis understood what that meant. — Or, the Geek Charming AU where Harry’s a film geek, Louis’ a popular jock, and they both need each other to get what they want.

🎬 If I Should Stay by gloria_andrews (31k)

Louis is a television actor who suddenly needs a bodyguard. Harry is the bodyguard he ends up hiring.

A fic loosely based on the classic 1992 movie The Bodyguard.

🎬 Elysian by wonderlou (81k)

“What could be it, Niall?” Harry asks gently with a sigh. He slouches down further into his chair, crossing his arms lazily across his chest. He is bored. He has been bored for five years straight, but even more so now that his one interest has shut himself out entirely. Harry had not even heard from Louis, not since last night, not since he had gotten on his nerves so much that he was torn between knocking him out and smiling in surrender to the slight awe he felt. Louis is opinionated like no one he’s ever seen, but his voice is honeyed; high-pitched and indignant. Harry is nothing short of entranced.

Or, Harry is running out of time to fall in love, but with Louis, it seems as if there’s all the time in the world.

🎬 Because You Saw Me When I Was Invisible by supernope (32k)

A (not so) loosely-based Princess Diaries AU, in which Harry finds out he’s the heir to the throne of a country he’s never even heard of.

🎬 Dangerous Liaisons by IWillSingWithYou (42k)

Niall is the master of deceit and Harry is the master of seduction. Louis is just a very strong willed male model who happens to be straight. When Niall tells Harry he wouldn’t be able to seduce Louis, the bet is on, but Niall’s schemes are hard to avoid.

🎬 Leave Before The Lights Come On by Velvetoscar (15k)

Louis’ never had a one night stand in his entire twenty-one years of existence. Not once. That is…until now. And OF COURSE this is how it happened.

🎬 Let’s Fall in Love in a Place You Want to Stay by embro (134k)

A George of the Jungle / Tarzan AU where Louis is a model who meets Wild Man Harry in the Congo. He was raised by apes and barely speaks a word of English and turns Louis’ life upside down.

🎬 If You Wanna Try Me On by zimriya (18k)

To be fair, Harry’d been half asleep when Niall convinced him to put in his CV in the first place. Like, Harry wants to be a proper serious journalist–he’s not about to give up that dream in favour of becoming a personal assistant at a fashion magazine, or…whatever. Harry’s not actually all that sure what Tomlinson Styles even is, beyond his ticket to fame or any of the other things Niall’d spouted off at him, but when he shows up for the interview and is unceremoniously shoved into an office with the Tomlinson part of that equation, all Harry can really think about is that he would like to be a Tomlinson-Styles.

…or the Devil Wears Prada AU that no one wanted. Sort of.

🎬 when the city shines (like the sun at night) by fondleeds (37k)

In a different universe, a parallel dimension in which Harry is a braver version of himself, maybe he’d cup the back of Louis’ neck softly and melt their mouths together.

Maybe they’d tread on light feet up to Louis’ room because the house would be empty and they’d just kiss-and-kiss-and-kiss until their lungs burst, and then Harry would press his face into Louis’ neck and whisper I know you’re Blue, and Louis would do the same in turn, breathe that sentiment into Harry’s skin like a relief, and all the bad weight would lift, just the hot pressure of feeling so much remaining.

Love, Simon AU.

🎬 Now In A Minute by thealmightyavocado (150k)

13 feels like yesterday for many people, but for Louis it actually was.

More than anything in the world, Louis Tomlinson dreams of growing up. Simply skipping over all of the awkward, embarrassing years of teenage existence and getting on with life. Real life.

So when thirteen-year-old Louis wakes up in the body of his thirty-year-old self, he expected everything in his adult life to be picture perfect. And maybe it is. He has it all…or so it seems.

Except his favorite person and lifelong best mate, Harry Styles, is totally missing from the equation and Louis doesn’t understand why. He has a lot of catching up to do and as adult life turns out to be more than what he bargained for, Louis can’t help wondering why a life that seemed so perfect, feels so empty.

Or the 13 going on 30 au that should have been done years ago.

🎬 got the sunshine on my shoulders by hattalove (124k)

five years ago, harry styles left his tiny home town to make it big as a recording artist. he didn’t have much regard for what he left behind - a life, a family, and a husband, who woke up one morning to find him gone.

now, harry has everything he could possibly want: he’s rich, famous, and adored by everyone he meets, including his boyfriend. but when said boyfriend proposes to him, he’s forced to face the uncomfortable facts of his past - and louis, who’s spent the last five years returning every set of divorce papers harry sent him.

(or, an au based on the movie sweet home alabama.)

🎬 like cabbages and kings by you_explode (60k)

When Louis was a kid, he had a series of very vivid dreams about a place called Wonderland. There were rabbits wearing waistcoats and talking cats and ridiculous tea parties, and amidst all the absurdity, there was a boy. A boy with dimples, big green eyes and the sweetest soul Louis has ever known. Louis has always kept a place in his heart for that boy and for his funny dreamworld, and when he’s twenty-five and his life falls apart, it turns out Wonderland might not be so imaginary after all.

🎬 You Drive Me Crazy (but it feels alright) by MrsStylinson (102k)

Bridget Jones’ Diary AU.

“Harry is not short for Harold,” he corrects, his voice as thick as molasses. He lowers his eyes to Louis’ sequined lapels, rubbing one between two fingers. “Is this small or extra small? It looks lovely.”

Louis breaks away from his grip with a petulant huff and pushes him back with two fingers.

“You’re mocking me. Again.”

Harry smiles and it’s a real honest swoop of his lips this time. Louis’ stomach swoops with them.

🎬 Just a Walk in the Park by comingbackhometoyou, forehead (124k)

It’s 2015, the first time dinosaurs walked the earth in over 65 million years. The multi-billion dollar company, Twist Corporations, is planning a summer opening for their world changing attraction, “Jurassic Park”.

They take an interest in the history making duo of Dr. Louis Tomlinson, a stubborn paleontologist, and his partner, paleobotanist Dr. Liam Payne, giving them the chance of a lifetime to work for the new theme park. Louis is apprehensive, but Liam has a “gut feeling” that it will change their lives. He isn’t wrong.

Featuring Niall as the top engineer to get the park up and running, Zayn as the raptor expert, and Harry as the grandson of one of the most influential men in the world.

🎬 Drowning In Your Eyes by smittenwithlouis (45k)

“Capt’n Styles, are you certain of this? They be attracted to man-made light.” “What is? Sharks?” The young blonde asks in terror. “Worse than sharks, lad. There’ll be flesh eating mermaids upon us in minutes, mark my words!” Paul huffs as he continues to wave the bright lantern in front of him, “And Captain Styles here, has us bait!” Or: The Pirates of the Caribbean inspired au where Harry is a fierce pirate who holds the heart of a beautiful merman.

🎬 everything that shine ain’t always gonna be gold by sarcasticfluentry (49k)

Inception-inspired AU. Louis Tomlinson is the most respected and skilled extractor in the dream-sharing business; together he and his point man Zayn have been hired countless times to steal hundreds of valuable secrets straight from the minds of CEOs and politicians. One day, a mysterious and wealthy client contacts Louis and Zayn, offering them triple their normal rate in exchange for successfully completing a job that other extracting teams have deemed "impossible.” The one catch is that this client wants the very best - so he’s decided to team Louis’ skills up with those of Louis’ most hated rival, another highly-respected extractor named Harry Styles. Can Louis and Harry work together to complete the job and get the payout, or will they lose their minds along the way?

🎬 Friendly Neighborhood Spideypool by shitucute (18k)

“Don’t fuck with me, I’m not in the mood.” Louis’ got the urge to punch him in the face, but he knows deep down that if anything it’ll just add fuel to Harry’s innuendo fire.

“You know I only fuck you, not with you. There’s a difference. It’s slight but still there.” He’s joking, but it’s sincere in a way that only Deadpool could make it. It gives Louis a strange mix of emotions, his body doesn’t know whether to fill with butterflies or to knee Deadpool in the balls again for insinuating them fucking.

or, Harry is Deadpool and Louis is Spider-Man and they’ve got way too much history

🎬 Paint The Sky With Stars by kiwikero (62k)

On 10 April 1912, Harry Styles boards the finest ship the world has ever seen. Still grieving the death of their mother, he and his sister are being sent to America to live with a callous uncle who cares more about his business connections than family. Harry prepares himself for a long, disappointing voyage alone in his stateroom.

Louis Tomlinson has borrowed and saved, and finally has enough to purchase a Third Class ticket to America. With all of his belongings in a single ruck sack, he boards the Titanic filled with hope for a brighter future. Never one to sit still, he can’t resist exploring the massive ship, and soon goes sneaking into First Class in a stolen steward’s uniform.

By a twist of fate, Louis finds himself in Harry’s stateroom, entranced by the most attractive man he’s ever laid eyes on. He keeps returning day after day, even if he doesn’t understand what it is about Harry that continues pulling him in. That’s all right; Louis has a week to figure it out, and Harry is plenty willing to help.

Except they don’t have a week. They have four days. Because on 15 April, their entire world will be turned upside down.

Or, the historically accurate Titanic AU with a happy ending.

🎬 The Dead of July by whimsicule (117k)

Being an Avenger means continuing to be Captain America and smiling and being honorable for the public and Harry does his best. But it doesn’t give him time to figure out who he is supposed to be once he takes off his uniform and puts the shield to the side. Just being Harry had always involved Louis, and Harry fears he doesn’t know how to exist without him.

or: Harry is Captain America, and Louis’ been dead for 70 years.

🎬 through struggles, to the stars by thedeathchamber (80k)

Louis is a Starfleet captain trying to find his place in the universe. Harry is a prince just trying to do what’s right. A Star Trek-inspired AU.

🎬 Who Painted the Moon Black by throughthedark (95k)

“People died,” Harry whispers so quietly Louis strains to hear. “People died, and I killed some of them. How does life just go on after something like that?”

Louis shakes his head. “I don’t know. It just does.”

Hunger Games AU where Louis Tomlinson is district six’s victor from the 69th Hunger Games and Harry Styles is district seven’s victor from the 72nd Hunger Games.

🎬 It Had To Be You by FullOnLarrie (45k)

Harry and Louis are strangers who share the long drive from Chicago to NYC after college. They don’t have anything in common, don’t get along, and at the end of their trip, they’re both glad to say goodbye.

During a chance meeting five years later, they find that nothing has changed, and they part ways expecting never to see each other again.

Ten years after their post-college road trip, Louis and Harry meet once again, but this time they become friends. Eventually, things get complicated.

A When Harry Met Sally AU.

🎬 Fool’s Gold by freetheankles (55k)

Leaflet for Over Again Inc.

“In relationships, there are three types of people: those who are happy, those who are unhappy but accept it and deal, those who are unhappy and in denial.

Handling this last category is our job: we are professional couple breakers.

To reach our goal, we use all means necessary.”

Or the Arnacoeur AU in which Harry is scheduled to be married to Liam in 10 days and Harry’s mother hires Louis and his team to break them up.

🎬 Light My Fire, Blow My Flame by messofgorgeouschaos (98k)

“In New York, you can be a new man.” Broadway actor Louis Tomlinson has it all. An amazing flat, a wonderful friend group, a Tony under his belt, and the world at his fingertips. Yet there’s one thing that’s missing. And it might be in the shape of the curly haired lawyer who becomes Zayn’s new roommate.

Or, the One Where…. Louis is a Broadway actor, Harry is a newly graduated lawyer, Liam is a radio DJ, Zayn is an English Professor at NYU, and Niall is a music producer. A Friends AU.

🎬 King of wishful thinking by Star_Henderson (38k)

“Don’t umm don’t get on the bus, come inside.” Louis blurted the words out, speaking quickly.

Harry looked startled.

“Just. Look I don’t know if I want..” Louis scrubbed his face with his hand. “I’ll pay for your time. Just come in.”

Harry stepped away from the bus stop and the bus sailed straight past.

“What’s umm what do you guys make these days?”

Harry shuffled his feet. “Depends. Like two hundred an hour.”

Louis hummed. “Reasonable.” He gestured towards the hotel. “Come up for a drink or some room service or something.”

Harry scraped the toe of his already scuffed boots on the floor. “You don’t have to do this, I feel like… like you’re a nice person who feels bad but it’s fine. I get it. You don’t have to make it up to me.”

Louis stared at Harry. It’d been so long since he’d even spoken to a guy let alone hung out with one. He’d enjoyed the banter and the flirting.

“Come up.” Louis’ voice was soft.

Harry’s face bloomed into a smile. “Ok.”

🎬 Supposed to Be by kikikryslee (26k)

🎬 The Edge of the Stars by casuallyhl (16k)

Louis laughed. “You think you can convince some random guy to want to go out with me?”

“Oh baby,” Jay chuckled. “I can convince all of the UK to want to go out with you.”

Or, a Meet the Parents AU where Harry is the man of Louis’ dreams, and it’s up to Jay to convince him to date her son.

🎬 Keep on Dreaming, This is Hollywood by popfly (31k)

Louis Tomlinson, a pop star manager, makes his way to LA with a pop star (and his new music demands) and a very busy schedule.

Harry Styles came to Los Angeles with a dream and ended up sharing a flat and an occupation with a male prostitute from Ireland.

What happens when Louis meets Harry, and makes him an offer he can’t refuse?

AKA A Pretty Woman AU where Louis is the high-powered businessman and Harry is the hooker. No, there is no necklace scene, but there is definitely piano sex.

🎬 a promise lives within you now by sarcasticfluentry (45k)

A Lord of the Rings-inspired Middle Earth AU. Louis is an Elven prince, next in line to become King of Mirkwood, and Harry is the orphaned Human boy who grows up alongside him. They fall in love, but Louis’s obligations to the throne, Harry’s mortality, and impending war threaten to tear them apart.

🎬 don’t be afraid, it’s only love by threewhitehorses (14k)

A proposal!AU where Louis is at risk of being deported back to England and Harry just really wants a promotion.

🎬 I won’t be afraid (Just as long as you stand by me) by larrycaring (49k)

Harry leads an ordinary life, and he’s totally okay with it.

So, of course, when it all changes and he learns he is the actual Crown Prince of a whole country he’s never heard of, he doesn’t welcome the news with open arms.

Thankfully, Louis is there by his side, and that? That, will never change.

or a Princess Diaries AU that I just really, really needed to write. No regrets.

🎬 There’s Such a Lot of World to See by crinkle-eyed-boo (125k)

“Why do you keep looking at me like that?” Harry asks, thumbing at Louis’ hip. “Like what?” Louis asks breathlessly. “Like you’ve seen a ghost or summat,” Harry muses. “You did it all the time the other day and you did it just now.” Louis swallows hard, studying him intently. “You remind me of someone,” Louis says softly, tucking a curl behind Harry’s ear. “Someone I lost.”

Louis has seen a great many things throughout his travels in time and space, but only one he can’t explain: He keeps meeting the same boy, who says the same thing to him each time. The boy should be impossible.

Maybe he is.

A love story that defies the boundaries of space and time. Doctor Who AU.

🎬 Music To My Eyes by twoshipstiedup (23k)

A closeted actor and a struggling musician meet one night.

They fall in love.

A Star is Born AU

🎬 After Hours by Velvetoscar (26k)

Harry Styles and Louis Tomlinson are the bane of each other’s existences. Unfortunately, they’re already in love–even if they aren’t completely aware of this minor detail.

[A “You’ve Got Mail” AU]

🎬 Simply Irresistible by Rearviewdreamer (12k)

Louis only comes to town to start up a successful restaurant, but finds he can't quite leave once the job is done. Though, that might have more to do with him falling for his quirky neighbor than anything else.

A fic loosely based on the movie Simply Irresistible. A silly and funny movie with Sarah Michelle Gellar about witchcraft, cooking, and sex that everybody needs to watch at some point in their lives.

🎬 A Study in Love by Rearviewdreamer (24k)

Louis knows everything about everyone which has put him at a great and weird advantage over nearly all of them since the very beginning. He can solve any puzzle before most people know where to begin. He is rarely perplexed, mistaken, or wrong, and obviously, Louis is never ever surprised. And yet, his new flatmate after a very long string of failed ones has Louis questioning how he ever did any of it without him.

#movieau #movieauma #ma #moviema #masterpost

645 notes · View notes

raywritesthings · 5 years ago

Text

Mended Hearts 3/3

My Writing Fandom: Arrow Characters: Oliver Queen, Laurel Lance, Thea Queen, John Diggle, Quentin Lance, Barry Allen, Cisco Ramon, Henry Allen, Sara Lance Pairing: Laurel Lance/Oliver Queen Summary: When Felicity refuses to take part in the plan to capture Cupid, Oliver must find something else to lure the love-obsessed archer in… or someone else. The trouble with the best laid plans is that they often have unintended consequences. *Can be read on my AO3 or FFN, links are in my bio*

Oliver’s heart plummeted as Laurel’s eyes slipped shut.

“Laurel, come on! You have to stay with me.”

The device stopped sparking and he finally managed to rip it off of her. Then he went back to cradling her head.

“Please, Laurel.”

Someone crouched in front of him. “Oliver, wasn’t it?” The only man he didn’t know here, but he had some of Barry’s features. God, Barry. He couldn’t believe his friend had just… disintegrated in front of his very eyes. “I’m a doctor. Let’s get her upstairs so we can see what she needs.”

Mutely, he nodded and picked her up. The last time he’d held Laurel like this, he’d been carrying her over the threshold of her apartment. He wished he could go back to that time, hold it close and appreciate it like he should have.

Dr. Allen directed him to one of the lab rooms. Oliver was forced back as the man felt around Laurel’s throat where an ugly bruise had already formed in the shape of the speedster’s hand. His own fists clenched, hating the powerless feeling he always got going up against what amounted to practically gods. Even if he’d had his bow and arrows on him, he wouldn’t have risked handing over a weapon the way he’d nearly done to Darhk mere weeks ago.

“We’ll need to run an x-ray, and then I need to help Wells with his daughter,” Barry’s father said. Oliver nodded numbly. He didn’t even know this new Wells had a daughter, or why she needed help.

“You might want to contact her next of kin, if any of them are aware of all this. In case some decisions need to be made.”

“Decisions?” It hit him a moment later, and Oliver swallowed. “I’ll call her father. But, um, please go forward with the x-ray and anything else you need to do until I can reach him. I’m her husband,” he said, voice cracking a little on the word. “I’ll take responsibility.”

Dr. Allen squeezed his shoulder, his eyes full of kindness and old pain. “I’ll do everything I can for her.”

“Thank you.” He was left in the room with Laurel after a short time, able to reflect back on what had happened for the first time.

Laurel had attempted to use the Cry device to destroy Wells’ machine like Oliver had requested, only it had gone wrong. She’d been struck by something, some kind of energy. But she’d seemed mostly unharmed as he’d helped her up off the ground.

Then that other speedster had appeared. At first to mock them for Barry’s demise, then singling Laurel our for some reason. He’d looked about to kill her.

But Laurel had reacted on some kind of instinct, screaming in his face. Only it hadn’t been like her normal Cry. It had sounded harsher, louder, and in that short burst he’d thought he’d seen something like rippling air.

The speedster had escaped long before it had had the chance to hit him, and Laurel had sunk to the floor, her device sparking with that same energy she’d been hit with. Now Oliver didn’t know what to think.

He needed to call Quentin. He knew that, but he just couldn’t bring himself to. How did he explain that after surviving Darhk, Laurel was now suffering some unknown injury thanks to a mistake of their allies?

“Hey, any changes?” A voice asked quietly in the doorway. He looked up and saw Cisco standing there with red-rimmed eyes.

“No. I think Dr. Allen’s waiting on an x-ray and some bloodwork.”

That got a nod. “I’m gonna work on her suit, cause she’ll need it,” Cisco told him with confidence Oliver suspected the engineer was forcing himself to feel. “But, uh, I found some personal items in her belt she might want someone to hang onto.”

Oliver reached out a hand to take what Cisco passed to him, only for his eyes to water anew upon seeing the items. The ring he had made her and the photograph he had once left behind. The letter in her desk wasn’t forgotten, wasn’t a mistake. She had kept them for herself.

He turned away from Cisco, a silent request to be alone that was fortunately granted. He took up Laurel’s hand in his, pressing the knuckles to his lips.

“Please wake up,” he murmured to her. There was so much he needed to say to her.

He was a coward. He should have asked her the moment he found the letter, not let it hang there between them this last month.

But he’d worried about being wrong. He’d worried about being right, too. How could Laurel still love him after everything? How did he even deserve it?

He didn’t, but in equal measure, Laurel deserved to be happy. If that happiness included him, how could he keep depriving her of that just to feel he was being appropriately punished for all the terrible things he had done in his past? All he’d ended up doing was hurting them both and seeking solace with a woman he truly hadn’t known as well as he’d thought he did.

“I’m so sorry,” he told Laurel. They could’ve had years by now, they could’ve been married without any pretext of needing to catch a criminal.

Movement in the doorway had him looking up again. Dr. Allen was back.

“I have some answers, but it’s caused a lot more questions. Cisco tells me she isn’t a metahuman.”

Oliver nodded. “That’s right.”

“Was she ever tested for the gene?”

“Not that I’m aware. She wasn’t in Central when the particle accelerator exploded. She’s never had any kind of powers.”

Dr. Allen nodded. “Then we might never know for sure, but the fact is she now has an active meta gene. If it was dormant before, I have to assume that the interaction with- with the reattempt to give Barry his speed triggered it.”

Oliver tried to wrap his head around it. Laurel, a metahuman? “And that’s what that was, when that other speedster attacked her?”

“We won’t know for certain until she wakes. Have you called her father yet?”

Oliver shook his head. “I was meaning to. I will. Um, thank you, Dr. Allen. Please get some rest if you can. I can’t imagine…”

But the doctor shook his head. “If I stop moving now, all I’ll be able to see is — well. I need to go check on Jesse again. Excuse me.”

Oliver say there for another minute or two, then got out his phone. He couldn’t keep putting it off.

Quentin picked up after a couple rings. “Oliver? Something the matter?”

“Yeah. Um, it’s Laurel. She was affected by this, uh, this experiment the Flash’s people were running. She’s stable but she’s not woken up yet.”

“Well, what- what kind of experiment? I mean what kind of effects are we talking here?”

Oliver took Laure hand again with his free one as he explained, “They’re not totally sure yet, but it had to do with the particles that, um, that create metahumans.”

There was silence for a moment on the other end. “Are you trying to tell me what I think you’re trying to tell me?”

“We won’t know for certain until she wakes up what’s happened. They don’t know when that would be. If you wanted to come out here—”

“I can’t. Wouldn’t look good to the IAB if I leave the city while under investigation,” he explained, regret clear in his voice. “Keep me updated. And look after her, alright?”

“I will. I—” He nearly spoke the words he was thinking, the words he hadn’t let himself say for such a long time. But it wouldn’t be right. He wanted her to hear it first.

“I care for Laurel very much,” he said eventually instead. “If I could have prevented this—”

“I know you would’ve. Listen, just…” Quentin didn’t speak for a moment; it seemed like he was weighing his words. “When all of this marriage business is over with, in a year or however long there’s left, you’ll be a standup guy about this, right?”

His heart missed the next beat. “What?”

“I mean you’re not just gonna disappear this time, right? Cause Oliver, I respect the man you’ve become. Don’t fall back on old habits.”

He shook his head. “I wouldn’t.”

“Well, good. You know, I may not have gotten to walk my girl down the aisle—” the slightest hint of ire in his tone made it clear this was something that, fake wedding or not, bothered him still. “—but I’m gonna be there for her every step of this divorce.”

Oliver swallowed. “I understand, Quentin.”

“Good. You get back to watching over her.”

“I will.”

He sat there for a long time, thinking over that last part of the conversation. Everyone, including Laurel, was under the assumption that their marriage had an expiration date. Even if she still cared for him that way, loved him, that didn’t necessarily mean she wanted to remain tied to him legally the rest of their lives, did it? She might not even want to be with him at all. Love didn’t fix all the things that he knew were wrong with him or the ways that he’d hurt her in the past.

He stayed by Laurel’s bedside as she continued to sleep, listening whenever Dr. Allen came back with some new piece of information or to run a basic check on her condition. Oliver was shown the x-ray which revealed an oddity in her larynx, one the doctor wanted to monitor to make sure it didn’t negatively impact her breathing.

He was told to get some rest, which for him meant leaving to make use of the bathroom before returning to sleep in a chair. Laurel remained unconscious through the night as far as he could tell. By morning he knew he needed to find something to eat soon, but he didn’t know what the lab had and didn’t want to head out into the city for that long. Not until something changed in her condition for the better.

He checked the news for Star. Nothing out of the ordinary and no mention of the team, which likely meant Thea and John had done little more than the basic patrol and interceding on any small crime they witnessed. One name in a headline jumped out at him.

Palmer Tech ousts Felicity Smoak as CEO

Against his better judgement, he clicked on the article. It contained statistics about the company from the last few quarters, the last one Ray had been in charge of versus when Felicity had taken over. From the little he knew of business, even he could admit it didn’t look good. If anything, it mimicked his own numbers as CEO. There was also a statement from the head of the board at the company.

“Our decision was based on a number of factors, but simply put, Ms. Smoak had not the experience nor the decorum to helm a company at the forefront of the age of technology such as Palmer Tech.”

Oliver winced. He was sure that had to sting. As upset as he had been with her the last few weeks, a part of him could look back on the friendship that had existed before their rushed romance, and he wondered if he ought to reach out. Then he remembered that all other evidence pointed to the fact that Felicity had blocked his number. He exited out of the article with a sigh instead. Maybe John would be able to do something for their former teammate, or Laurel might have ideas once she woke up.

Trying to focus on more productive things, Oliver borrowed some graph paper and started sketching out a few rough ideas and designs. He knew he needed arrows that couldn’t readily be turned into weapons for the use of his enemies, but how to still make them effective when he used them? Tranquilizers like John sometimes fired, or perhaps blunted tips like rubber bullets? He thought of his improvised use of a boxing glove to soften the blow when he’d once fought Laurel’s old teacher and smirked to himself. The idea of being able to punch someone without even being near them had a certain appeal hard to deny… he’d have to see what Cisco made of some of these rough concepts.

At some point during the wait, he received a call from an unknown number. He ignored it. Sometime later, Thea called.

“Hey, I just heard from the city council. They say they tried contacting you?”

“I’ve been — it’s been busy,” he said.

“Okay, well, they said it was kind of important. You know, Ruve’s office has been kind of quiet lately, since…”

“Yeah.”

“I’d call them back as soon as you can. How’s the new suit coming?”

“It’s, um, I haven’t seen it yet,” he said, glancing out at the empty hallway. He hadn’t seen Cisco for a while now. Or much of anyone.

“Ollie, is everything okay?”

He paused. How much did he really want to get into this?

Voices outside in the hall drew his attention. “Uh, let me get back to you on that. I’ll talk to you soon, Thea.”

Oliver hung up and started to stand, only to sit back down hard when Barry walked through the archway.

“Laurel’s in here?”

“Barry?”

His friend grinned at him, full of life. “Yeah. Sorry about the scare.” He then walked to Laurel’s bedside and touched her hand. A crease formed between his eyebrows. “I was hoping since it worked on Jesse... it must have been a different set of particles that hit her. She probably just needs more time to adjust.”

“You died.”

Barry shook his head. “No, just ended up in the speedforce. Iris and Cisco got me out.”

Oliver wanted to protest and say that was impossible, but then he was talking to a man he knew could time travel by running fast. He buried his face in his hands.

“I’m glad you’re back, I swear, this is just… a lot.”

“Yeah. But it’s gonna be okay. Zoom, I know I can stop him now. And Laurel will be fine, too.”

“How can you know that?”

“Because she’s a fighter. She wouldn’t be on your team if she wasn’t.” Barry was watching him with an easy smile when he looked back up, and his eyes were kind as he added, “Most people wouldn’t marry someone for the safety of others, but that’s just the kind of people you both are.”

Oliver took out Laurel’s ring, staring down at it rather than respond.

“You look like there’s a lot weighing on you, Ollie.”

He sighed. “Yeah. I don’t expect you to understand. For as long as you’ve known me, I’ve tried to ignore it or downplay it or — I don’t know. But Laurel, she’s…” He looked at her face, peaceful and so, so beautiful in sleep.

“She’s your first love.”

He turned back to Barry, who didn’t look the least surprised.

“Joe said once, it never really goes away. And maybe this whole wedding thing got away from you before you realized, but Oliver, all you can really do now is try.”

“I’ll screw it up.”

“Maybe,” Barry admitted. But his newfound confidence returned in the next instant as he added, “But that’s why they say for better or for worse. She’s stuck through it this far, right?”

Oliver felt himself return it with his own soft smile.

Barry was soon called away, leaving Oliver to those thoughts.

If he wanted — if he dared — a life with Laurel, the life she had believed they could have once, all he could do was try. It was as simple as that. He couldn’t ask for more than she might be willing to give, but he could ask. Someday, once he had proven himself worthy of it. And she deserved to be asked, to have a say in this.

If she would only just wake up.

---

Laurel couldn’t remember if she dreamed at all or not. All she remembered was Oliver’s voice calling her name, and then the feeling of a steady presence at her side through the span of time she’d spent in darkness.

Now she registered other things. A mattress at her back. The brightness of fluorescent lights even behind her eyelids and thin sheets covering her.

She could still hear his voice not far away.

“I understand that the decision needs to be made quickly, but I can’t leave Central City until I know my wife is okay. She’s in the hospital.”

Laurel licked at dry lips as a warm feeling spread through her body. A thumb rubbed over the back of her hand and her fingers twitched, gripping onto the hand loosely holding hers.

“Excuse me, I need to go,” Oliver said. She heard him shift and lean closer. “Laurel?”

“Hey.” She grimaced and coughed, hoping to clear up some of the hoarseness in her voice. “How long was I out?”

“Almost two days.”

Her stomach growled. She chanced a sheepish glance at Oliver, who smiled softly.

“I think there’s a couple things I need to take care of, actually,” she decided. He helped her out of the bed, holding her steady when the room swam for a moment. Then she walked on her own to a small bathroom to the left.

After taking care of that and splashing some water in her face, she evaluated a couple things. They’d been here longer than they meant to, she’d been hit by some weird science stuff and then attacked by a speedster before something else happened and Oliver was putting off important phone calls to post sentry at her bedside. And calling her his wife. Her cheeks turned a little pink in the mirror and she narrowed her eyes at her reflection.

“Get a hold of yourself.”

“Laurel? Everything okay?”

“Yeah,” she called back through the door. Then she opened it. “Just could really use a shower.”

He nodded in commiseration. “Barry’s father will be here in a minute to check a couple things and explain what they think happened.”

Sure enough, Dr. Allen soon arrived. “Hi, Laurel. It’s good to see you awake. I’m Henry. I don’t think we had the chance to get introduced before.”

“That’s okay. Sorry to just pass out on all of you like this.”

He shook his head. “Sometimes when the body goes through significant trauma, it needs time to rest without interruption.”

“So what exactly has happened to me?”

“Well, what we know is that you have, whether as a result of the incident two days ago or some earlier incident, developed an active metahuman gene. We can’t know for certain how that will choose to manifest, but I believe we may have seen a hint of it when Zoom attacked you. Like a survival mechanism kicking in.”

“Okay. And it’ll just keep coming back?”

“Yes.”

She sat on the edge of the bed, trying to process that. Her DNA had been changed in such a level that she had, for lack of a better term, powers. How crazy was that?

“You’re welcome to stay as long as you need to in order to figure this out.”

“No, we need to get home.” She looked back up at Oliver. “Who were you talking to on the phone?”

“A city councilman. Ruve, um, she’s disappeared. Must have taken her daughter and left the city.”

“Oh.” She supposed it made sense. With her husband dead, whatever plan they had had was effectively defunct. Then it hit her. “They want you to step in?”

“I don’t know yet. They want to talk to me in person.”

“Then we definitely need to get home. Thank you so much for all your help, Dr. Allen.”

On their way out, Cisco promised to send her the new suit as soon as possible. Seeing as how busy the Flash team seemed to be these days, she didn’t mind so much. And she had a feeling she was benched from the field until they figured out what this meta gene situation meant.

Thea got Oliver into a suit and off to City Hall as soon as they returned while Laurel headed over to her father’s after he sent an invite to lunch.

Though that lunch wasn’t just for the two of them.

“Sara!”

Her sister grinned wide as Laurel moved to embrace her. “Hey, I’m glad you made it back when you did. I can’t stay long.” Then Sara pulled back, grabbing onto Laurel’s left hand. “Well, where is it?”

“What?”

“The ring! Dad told me all about your sham wedding. I’m proud of you, that’s like something I’d have done in college.”

Laurel shook her head. “It’s really nothing.”

Sara snorted. “Look, the last person you’re gonna fool with that is me. I mean, I’m glad you both finally got your act together even if it was totally by accident. Really wasn’t sure what was going on with him and Felicity when I got brought back, you know? Don’t get me wrong,” Sara added, both hands raised. “Felicity’s cute, but Ollie just doesn’t do cute, you know? Especially now.”

“So you’re glad the playing field to Felicity is clear?” Laurel remarked, partly to deflect.

Sara gave an easy shrug. “Hey, if she’s up for it. But I’ll talk to her some other time. You tell me what’s going on with you.”

Laurel let herself be pulled down onto their dad’s couch with Sara but insisted, “Nothing. I’m serious. It was a sham wedding like you said, and once the year is up it’ll be over. I’ve been meaning to start preparing the papers, but things have just been busy.”

“Uh-huh.”

Laurel rolled her eyes. “They really have. But I’ve got time now so I’ll get started on it. Maybe I’ll have them ready for Oliver to sign for his birthday.”

“Some gift,” Sara muttered.

“It would be. It doesn’t matter that things didn’t end up working out with him and Felicity, that doesn’t suddenly mean he wants to be married to me.” Even if he’d been calling her his wife on the phone and waiting at her bedside while she was an invalid. Even if he was living in her home and making them dinner most nights. She couldn’t let herself get caught up in those things, because the minute she did would be the minute they were all taken away. Laurel was sure of it.

“If you say so,” her sister finally sighed, but she perked you a moment later. “Can I still see the ring?”

Laurel might have shown it to her to get her to leave it be, but then she remembered, “I, um, had it in the belt of my old suit. I’ll have to make sure Cisco sends it back with the new one.”

“Getting a new suit yourself? Nice.”

They were able to pass the rest of the time while waiting for their dad to finish preparing lunch on other topics, like Sara’s adventures through time so far and the various eccentric personalities she was essentially roommates with.

Just as they were finishing up eating there was a knock on the door. “I’ll get it,” their dad said. He went out to the front of the apartment and returned a few minutes later with Oliver and Thea.

“Sara, hey.”

“Hey yourselves. You both look fancy.”

“Just came from City Hall,” Thea informed them. “They’re looking for an interim mayor since Ruve skipped town.”

“So they did offer it to you?” Laurel asked Oliver. It was strange; he didn’t look happy they way she thought he would have been.

“They did. I, uh, told them I’d think about it.”

“Nearly turned them down outright,” Thea revealed, though she didn’t seem angry about it.

Laurel exchanged surprised looks with her family, but it was her dad who asked, “How come? Thought you really wanted the job?”

“I did — do. But for me to accept… they don’t like the idea of the mayor being married to someone in the DA’s office.”

Oh.

“They want to kick Laurel out?” Asked Sara.

“That’s why I said no.”

“But Thea stepped in?” When both Queens nodded, Laurel said, “Good. Ollie, you’re going to go back there tomorrow and tell them you’ll take the job.”

“What?”

“Laurel.”

Both her father and Oliver had spoken. Laurel stood up from the table, the better to make her point. It was habit. “We all agreed after you started your campaign that the biggest thing Star City needed from its leadership is stability. We can’t control for that with any other candidate. But we know you can protect yourself and can get in touch with any of the team if things get out of hand.”

“But that shouldn’t mean you have to leave the DA’s office,” Oliver insisted.

“But maybe it does. Ollie, when you came back and became the Hood, it was to get rid of a group of elites that had the city in a stranglehold. The people that exploited the system and got away with murder. The people that let the Undertaking happen.” She walked around the table. “I trust you, and I trust us, but I can see why people might be worried about corruption, about a new group of elites coming in and taking the place of the old.”

“But Laurel, this has been your dream.”

“My dream is to help people. I’m doing that as the Black Canary and I can do that as a lawyer in or out of the DA’s office.”

“You want to join the ACLU or something?” Her dad asked.

“Or start something specific to the needs of the people here. Like CNRI.” She looked down for a moment. “After the quake and Tommy dying there, going back to something like that was just too hard. But I think I’m ready now.” She turned back to Oliver. “And I could still help you while doing it.”

He looked at her conflicted. “It’s just for the interim. There’s no guarantee you’d win a real election.”

“Except you were guaranteed to win before Darhk interfered,” Thea spike up. “And we’ll all work twice as hard to make sure you win this time, Ollie. Laurel’s right. This city needs a mayor who cares and who can stand up to the threats that are out there. That’s still you.”

She noticed the grateful look he gave his sister before turning back to her. “You’re sure?”

Laurel nodded. It was maybe only a seed of an idea in her head at the moment, but the more she thought about it the more certain she was. The DA’s office was a good place to work, but there was far less of that personal touch CNRI had had. She missed being out there amongst real people she was helping.

“Oh yeah, she’s definitely made up her mind,” Sara remarked. “There’s nothing for it now.” She stood up and stretched. “Wish I could stay to see you set things up, but I’m pushing it as it is.”

Laurel and her father both hugged Sara, followed by Thea and even Oliver. Though Laurel thought she saw Sara’s lips move by Oliver’s ear…

It was later on the way home that she decided to ask, “What did Sara say to you?”

Thea leaned into the front to look at her brother in interest as well.

“Oh just, you know, some advice.”

Laurel resisted the urge to rest her head on the steering wheel. “She threatened you, didn’t she?”

“Not in some many words.”

Thea sniggered and sat back. “Better watch out, Ollie. Or it won’t be the terrorists our new mayor has to worry about.”

“It can never be simple.”

The next morning, Oliver was up just as early as she was, already pouring over some papers on the coffee table. “Do you think you could take a lunch meeting today?”

“I could. Why?”

“I’m meeting with the city council at 12:30. I’d like you to be there, because I’ll be giving them our decision.”

She fought down the little flutter in her chest and nodded. “I’d be happy to.”

Laurel made sure to set a reminder on her phone for the meeting, as she ended up getting caught up in prepping her office for her impending resignation. She wouldn’t hand in her two weeks notice until Oliver’s appointment as mayor was confirmed by the city council, of course, but she could organize her papers a little better.

As it was, she made it just on time. Oliver looked up with a smile and opened the door to the office for her. Inside waited the full city council.

“Councilmen, councilwomen, I believe you’ve met my wife,” Oliver said, his tone casual and light. It garnered a few smiles around the room. He led her to a seat at the table and sat beside her.

“We understand you’ve reached a decision regarding what we discussed yesterday?”

“I have, and thank you for allowing me the time. I needed to talk with Laurel before deciding anything. This wasn’t just about me. So I can tell you that I am happy to accept the position of interim mayor of Star City.”

Various members of city council nodded or smiled, clearly glad to have that matter settled.

Oliver continued, “Laurel has graciously agreed to step down from the position of ADA, which is good because I’m planning to have her run the nonprofit I’ll be pushing for the creation of as my first act as mayor.”

The assembled men and women looked at each other with surprise and interest. “And this nonprofit is?”

“A successor to the unfortunately scrapped CNRI. The Citizen Action Network and Resources Initiative. Otherwise known as C-A-N-A-R-I.”

Laurel bit her lip as Oliver met her eye and gave a wink.

“CANARI,” a councilman said with raised eyebrows.

“Yes, if you want to shorten it that way,” Oliver agreed, as if the idea hadn’t even occurred to him before.

“That move may signal to the public this new administration’s openness towards vigilantism, Mr. Queen, which would be a stark reversal from Mayor Adams’ stance.”

“I’m not saying that vigilantism will be legal or even tolerated under this administration, councilman. But there’s no denying the effect those individuals have had on the public. None more so than the Black Canary. I hear the kids especially love her,” Oliver said, and if he was planning to keep this up she was liable to kick his shin under the table to get him to stop. “Besides, a new and expanded CNRI deserves its own name.”

“A legal aid office for those of lower income has been sorely lacking since the earthquake,” one councilwoman pointed out. “It wouldn’t be a hard sell to allocate those funds.”

“We’ll need to see a proper plan for the organization of course,” a second councilwoman added.

“Of course,” Laurel agreed. “Oliver and I will be drafting a proposal for the council to read as soon as possible.”

“Very good. And thank you, Ms. Lance, for making the necessary choice for the sake of this city,” the first councilman said.

She nearly jumped when Oliver took her hand. What was he doing? “Few people have made as many of those choices as Laurel has.”

There were a few more technicalities to discuss before the meeting ended, then she walked out of the building with Oliver to grab a quick bite before heading back to work.

“So what was that in there?”

“What was what?” He asked.

Laurel opened her mouth to respond but that was when she noticed a man in a strange gray shirt and pants like pajamas step out from behind a dumpster with a knife.

“For the new world and for Damien Darhk!”

“Oliver!”

Laurel had only meant to shout in warning. What resulted was something entirely different.

Her scream exploded outwards from her, hitting the attacker like a physical force and sending him flying back into one wall of the alley. Oliver himself has reeled back out of the way of the blast and slowly lowered his hands while staring at her as glass from windows in the buildings above rained down around them.

“I think we know what those particles did to you,” he said, loud in the otherwise complete silence.

They moved together to check on the man. A large bruise was forming where his head had impacted the wall, and blood trickled out of his right ear.

“There’s no real way we can explain this. We’ll have to call it in anonymously.” Oliver took her arm and pulled her the rest of the way down the alley and a few blocks away. Oliver dialed the police and quickly left the tip.

He hung up and looked at her. “Talk to me.”

“Should I?” She let out a breath she hadn’t realized she was holding when her voice came out sounding normal.

“It must have been the stress. It’s like some kind of trigger. We should see what STAR Labs thinks.”

“I’ll go see them after my resignation.”

“Okay. We can—”

“Oliver, you don’t — this doesn’t have to be some kind of, of political marriage. Where we act like everything’s all picture-perfect in front of the cameras but secretly you’re seeing your secretary and I’m a day drinker. Everyone already knows that’s not what we are, so just—”

“You thought I was acting,” Oliver said, less of a question and more of a horrified statement. “I — God, I’ve been going about this whole thing wrong.”

“What are you talking about?”

Her phone beeped, the second alert telling her she needed to be back in her office. Laurel nearly wanted to scream it into oblivion since she could apparently do that now.

“I have to go. Keep me updated on whatever was happening with that guy back there, okay?” She hurried away before he could reply.

Laurel spent most of her remaining workday cursing herself for that little outburst. She shouldn’t have let it get to her. But then, the more like a real husband he acted the harder it was to accept she was never really going to have that kind of partnership in her life. Didn’t he get that?

They all met up in the base. From what Oliver had been able to get from the SCPD database — it was a good thing Felicity had left a lot of her programs downloaded onto their computers — the man was claiming he was one of the ‘chosen few’ for Darhk’s new world. He’d been planning to destroy the old one, and now a lot of people were angry they didn’t get to live in solitary paradise anymore.

“We’re gonna have to round these people up or we’re gonna have a mob on our hands,” John remarked.

“Yeah, and it sounds like they need some serious therapy,” Thea added.

“Alright, we’ll suit up. Laurel, if you could run the comms? At least until we have a better idea about—” Oliver gestured at his throat.

“Yeah.”

“Speaking of suits, I did find this waiting here for you. Probably a speedster delivery,” John said. He passed a wrapped package of decent weight her way.

“Thanks, John.”

Laurel waited until the others had suited up and left before opening it. She kind of wanted the first look all to herself, childish as it sounded. The suit was still mostly black, but she could tell the material covering her torso was now a dark navy blue and much more reinforced than her black top had been. Her boots were more flat with a steel heel she was sure would do some serious damage. He’d also added some mesh on the outside of each leg of her pants.

Underneath all of this was her jacket, totally restored, and the remnants of her old suit. Lastly, there was a note.

Sorry this took so long. But in the meantime, we met your doppelganger and I got some ideas. There’s a ripcord in the sleeves of your jacket. If you pull them, it’ll release the panels I added and give you some control over a controlled fall — which you should be able to do with those sonic scream powers. Theoretically. Maybe even fly. This is so awesome. Call me for questions. -Cisco

Laurel read the note over again, her head shaking in wonder. Flying? She couldn’t even imagine it. Regardless, she put the new suit away for now.

As she was shutting the case, John’s voice came over the comms. “Heading back for the night.”

She went over to answer. “Sounds good.”

Laurel then went back to the package, taking out her old boots and top. She’d have to find some other purpose for them now. She lifted the belt out and opened each pouch, frowning when every one of them came up empty. Looking through her new belt showed all the usual supplies, but the old photo and her wedding ring were missing. Where had they gone?

Laurel took up her phone and walked into the little side room to call Cisco, not really wanting the others to walk in on this.

“Hello?”

“Hey, Cisco, I just got the suit.”

“What did you think?”

“It’s great. I was just wondering, in my old belt there were some things of mine that I can’t find. Were you still hanging onto them?”

“Oh. No, I gave them to Oliver for safekeeping.”

Laurel’s heart flipped over. “Oliver?”

“Yeah, so I’d ask him to see what he did with them.”

“Okay, I guess I will. Um, thanks again for everything. I’ll try and get out to see you and the others soon.” She hung up and hung her head.

Oliver had the ring. Worse, he knew she’d had the ring and kept it in a special place with an old memento of their love. What did he have to be thinking? She just didn’t understand. If anything, he should have been trying to distance himself instead of growing closer. Shouldn’t he?

Laurel walked out to the main room and nearly collided with him standing there. The others were nowhere to be seen.

“I — how much did you hear?”

“Enough. You, uh, would like your things back?”

“Yes, thank you,” she said with as much dignity as she could muster.

Oliver took the old photo out of a pocket on his own belt. He looked at it for a moment, his eyes soft. Then he held it out. She plucked it from his fingers.

“And the other…?”

“If I’m going to give that to you, there’s some things I need to say first. If that’s okay.”

Laurel nodded.

Oliver drew in a breath. “Laurel, when we agreed to this plan, I was rushing into something I didn’t realize would become so much more to me. I was just focused on my own pain and my own life, and that wasn’t fair to someone I was asking to share my life.”

“Oliver, you weren’t—”

“But I found some clarity the night of the wedding. Not just from your vows or mine, but a pledge I made to you years ago. To never doubt my love for you.”

She froze. The letter in her desk. She’d never had the heart to throw it away even at times when it had felt like it was mocking her.

“I’ve thought a lot about those words since that night. What I meant then, what I still mean.”

“Still?”

He smiled ruefully. “Laurel, it’s been a journey, trying to move on from you, and every time I end up standing back in the same place.”

“But you keep trying to leave,” she pointed out softly.

“I know. And I’m so sorry. There’s this fear I have that I’m just going to keep screwing this up, and then I leave which screws it up anyway. I’ve always been a coward about that. But the wedding, seeing what a life with you could be like if I just let go of that fear, it’s helped me more than you could know.”

Laurel had no response left to give, too overwhelmed. Her eyes felt heavy with tears she was trying to stop from falling and her throat felt tight. Her face was hot. She probably looked a mess.

Oliver took out the ring. “So, if that’s a life you could possibly still want, I’d like to do this properly.” Then he got down on one knee.

Laurel sucked in a sharp breath.

“Dinah Laurel Lance, will you stay married to me?”

Now she was dreaming. Had to be, right? But the more she looked at him, she could see the nerves underneath the calm, and surely her head wouldn’t be pounding if this were her dream proposal. He was still in his Green Arrow suit, they were in the Bunker and she had on her workout sweats. It was that strange combination of them that told her this was real.

“I — well, I have to until March,” she pointed out, stalling for time.

“And after?”

Staring into those blue eyes, she could really only hold out for another moment. Laurel nodded, not trusting herself to speak for it might come out a scream. Oliver’s smile spread across his face, and so she whispered anyway, “Yes.”

He stood up, taking her hand and slipping the ring back on as he did so. It was still a perfect fit. Then his finger tilted her chin up towards his own face. Laurel’s eyes fell closed.

“Yes!”

They both looked towards the source of the noise to see Thea had come out of hiding around the cases for the suits. John was poking his own head out as well.

“Aw, we should’ve had you change, Ollie. I wanted pictures!”

“Pictures later. Do you mind?” He asked his sister.

“Right. Sorry,” Thea said sheepishly. I’ll just be in the car.” She and John slinked away, and Laurel shook with laughter as she rested her forehead on Oliver’s shoulder.

She felt him clear his throat as well as heard it, so she looked back up again. “Sorry, where were we?”

“I think about here,” he replied, leaning in. His lips ghosted over hers, an echo of the past and, with any luck, a promise of the future. Laurel pressed back just as lightly, wanting to savor this moment. A part of her was still in the habit of hoarding their days.

He nosed along her jawline and towards her ear. “I owe you a proper wedding kiss.”

“Mm-hm.”

“And a wedding night.”

Laurel’s breath hitched as goosebumps rose along her arms and tickled the hairs at the back of her neck. Then she threw her arms around his neck.

“Yes, you do.”

It was the last thing she would say for a while, since he sealed his lips over hers in the next instant. It was better than all her closely held memories.

#lauriver #laurel x oliver #laurel lance #oliver queen #arrow #green arrow #black canary #my writing #so i'm maybe considering a smut tie-in to this story #it'd probably be an archive exclusive #since this site is so weird about that kind of stuff #i guess let me know if there's interest

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takadasaiko · 5 years ago

Text

Second Chances: Chapter Eight

FFN II AO3

Summary: Steve has every intention of returning the Infinity Stones to their correct place in the timeline and heading back to his own. His problems start when he makes an impulse decision to jump over to 1946 and Peggy decides to go back home with him. It only gets more complicated from there when Howard tags along with them to 2023. Tony lives fix-it fic. Pepperony.

Chapter Summary: Things don't go as planned when Tony and Steve visit Hank Pym.

Chapter Eight

She'd missed his call while in one of the five back-to-back meetings she had set up for the day, and when Pepper managed to find two minutes to call him back she heard jet engines in the background. Well, that hadn't been what she expected. Of course, neither was the fact that Steve Rogers had brought Tony's father into their time from 1946. No, she was pretty sure that there had been no way to prepare for that one.

"So why are you getting on a plane?" she asked, motioning at the impatient board members that she would only be a moment more.

"Because Cap used the last of the Pym Particles up getting them here," Tony answered, sounding tired.

"Howard coming was not intentional," she heard Steve argue and the smallest of smiles perked her lips.

"Tell Steve welcome home. Are you going to San Francisco then?"

"Yeah. Might be late for dinner."

"Just a little."

"We should have it all wrapped up by tonight though."

"Don't go jinxing yourself."

"Ha."

She adjusted the phone in her hand, risking a glance at the men waiting on her. "How are you doing with it?"

"I feel fine, Pep. Promise, I —"

"I mean with Howard," she clarified, her voice barely above a whisper. He'd struggled so much with the ghost of his father over the years. Every time she thought he had finally been able to put it to rest something came along to reopen old wounds. This last time, when they'd traveled to find the Infinity Stone, it had seemed to help heal them just a little more. She hoped that this wouldn't undo the closure he'd gotten.

She heard a small sound of acknowledgement. "Get back to you on that?"

"I'll hold you to it."

"Listen, hon, we're about to take off. I'll grab a car here when I'm done, so don't worry about me getting home. Could you…. when you're done with everything, could you send Pete over to Cap's place?"

"Sure. Why?"

"Uhh… just left Howard there and he —"

"He doesn't trust Bucky with him," Steve's voice filtered through. "What? You thought you were keeping that a secret?"

"Play nice, boys," she chided softly. "And yes. I'll make sure the kid stops by after I release him from Morgan duty."

"Thanks, Pep. What would I do without you?"

"Oh we've seen it. There tends to be a lot of wallowing. Pretty sure you still don't know your full social."

"I love you."

"You too. Be safe." She ended the call and loosed a long breath. One more meeting, then she had to handle Tony's father. Things were never dull around the man she loved.

___________

Steve had spent over a week just trying to navigate through the web that made up Pym Technologies to get to Hank Pym. He'd even tried to reach his daughter a couple of times, but he'd been blocked at every attempt. That was when he had sent Sam out to find Scott, but even that was turning up empty.

Tony, on the other hand, had them on a private plane, flown across the country, and walking through the front doors all in the same day that he'd discovered the problem. As Steve followed behind he was reminded that he'd taken a step into a world Tony navigated well. He should have just told him. It would have saved them both a lot of headache.

"Hey?" he called out. The younger man paused mid-step through the lobby, but it took a long moment before he turned. Steve shook his head. At least some things never changed. Tony did love making a show of things. "This is my fault. I know you and Pym don't exactly see eye to eye, so I'll—"

"I have literally never met the man."

"Really?"

"Rea…. no wait. No. There was one time when I was really young. Like… four. I don't know. It was before I went off to boarding school. It's fine." He stopped as if he were trying to recall a specific memory. "Mostly fine. I'm sure he's over it."

Steve wasn't entirely sure he wanted to know. Even if he did, Tony didn't seem to be interested in telling him. Instead he barreled forward again and Steve had to quicken his pace to catch up.

The security guard at the elevator stopped them until Tony removed his sunglasses and flashed a smile, leaving the guard sputtering and apologizing. He hadn't recognized him. "Hank still up on the top floor?"

"Yessir. He didn't mention —"

"Okay, thanks."

"Mr Stark, you'll need a key card to get up there," the guard managed as Steve passed by.

"No I won't."

He was already pulling his phone from his pocket as Steve followed him into the elevator and the doors snapped shut. Tony pried open the pannel and he was in the system faster than Steve could follow his fingers flying across the clear screen of his Stark phone. "Well, this probably isn't going to garner any good will."

Dark eyes flickered up from the screen and over to him. "I'm sorry, how long did you wait on hold with his secretary?"

"I didn't make it to his secretary," Steve admitted quietly.

"My point exactly." The chime sounded as they reached the top floor. "And if he used Stark Industry security, nobody'd be able to do this."

Steve quirked an eyebrow. "Not even you?"

"Oh, I always can. He just made this too easy." He looked over to the approaching, frenzied secretary. "You use Hammer Tech for your security, don't you? Explains a lot."

"I'm sorry, Mr Stark, but Dr Pym is very busy. You don't have an appointment."

"Don't need one."

"I'm afraid you do."

Tony snorted, amused. "Why don't you ask Dr Pym what it was like to be snapped out of existence one second and back in five years later? Oh yeah. He can tell you because we got him back. I think he can spare ten minutes."

The woman stared at him, and she was at a loss for a response even as the large office doors behind her opened and Hank Pym stepped out, chuckling the whole way. "It's okay, Vicky. This won't take long. Tell Bryan I'll be on the call in ten."

She nodded and Pym motioned for them to follow.

Tony moved immediately, and Steve found himself eyeing every corner of the large, expensively decorated office. It was different than the ones at Stark Industries or even at SHIELD. His attention immediately snapped back to Pym as he spoke, dark blue eyes fixed on Tony.

"You do know how to make a stir. You always have." Pym turned to Steve. "Pleasure to finally meet you in person, Captain. I hear you've been trying to get ahold of me."

"For over a week now," the blond confirmed. He knew he'd been reaching out but hadn't bothered to answer. That didn't look good.

"Listen, Hank. We won't take up too much of your time," Tony started in as Pym circled around his ornate desk and took a seat in the chair, steeping his fingers.

"Or any of it, really. I'm sorry you came all the way across the country to leave empty handed, but you're not getting what you came for."

"You know what we're here for?" Tony asked with a quirked eyebrow.

"Well I know your patriotic friend there isn't here to return the Pym Particles I loaned him to make sure he got home in one piece. I hear he wants more. Or you do."

Steve's expression hardened a little watching the CEO who looked like he thought he was sitting on a throne rather than in a desk chair.

"Alright. You know what we want. You know why?" Tony asked after a long moment.

"Why doesn't matter," Pym huffed. "Listen, I appreciate what you kids did. I know you… sacrificed to bring us all back. To beat Thanos." His gaze flickered to the visible scars that the Infinity Stones had left Tony with. "But I'll be damned if I let my tech, my life's work, fall into the hands of a Stark."

The two men were locked in a silent battle of wills that Steve could only watch. He had known that Pym hated Howard and likely held a grudge against Tony for it as well. They had both hoped for a better reception than this. Granted, neither of them had known what Pym knew until that moment. If they had, they might have taken a different approach.

If they had known, it could have changed their minds. He pulled in a breath. "You hate Howard Stark that much -"

"He and SHIELD tried to steal my research."

"Then you're going to want to lend us a vile."

Tony turned to look at him, a warning silent but clear. Steve ignored it. He knew Tony would want to keep the number of people that knew his father had jumped into their time as limited as possible, but this was the only way Steve could see winning Pym over. "I went back to 1946. Howard Stark hopper a ride back with me."

The room fell silent and Pym sat back. He hadn't known that piece of the puzzle. Good. Maybe the gamble would pay off.

"Pre-SHIELD Stark?" Pym confirmed, his voice thin.

"Yes."

"We just want to send him home," Tony added quietly. "We don't want to steal your tech, Hank. We just want to set things straight."

"Maybe you already have."

"What do you mean?" Steve asked carefully.

"He's here. He can't start SHIELD. Can't add his influence to it."

Tony sighed, massaging the bridge of his nose in the first real sign of stress Steve had seen since they'd entered the building. "You're not going to change your past. That's not how —"

"You think I don't know that?" Pym snapped. "But Rogers here opened up a branch timeline. There's another me out there that will never have worked for SHIELD, never have to deal with your father. From the look you gave him, you're trying to keep him underwraps. I can live in a world with him hidden half a country away if it gives another me that chance."

"You've got to be kidding me," Steve managed.

Tony took a step forward, leaning against the desk, his fingers curling around the outer edge. "You're taking petty to a dangerous level here, Pym. The intention was never to bring my dad forward. Having him here—"

"What were you doing in '46?" Pym asked Steve with an irritating smirk. "I mean, that wasn't one of the stop off points, was it?"

"So you're not willing to help us?" Steve asked tightly.

"Nearly anything else, gentlemen, but not this. Security will see you out."

Steve looked to Tony who gave the smallest shake of his head. Not until they were out. They remained quiet as they were escorted downstairs and out the front door. It wasn't until they were halfway down the street to where they had left the car that Tony reached up to his glasses. "FRIDAY, be a dear and activate the decryption program from the little present I left in Pym's office."

If the AI system acknowledged him, Steve couldn't hear it, but if the amused look on Tony's face was anything to go by, she was doing just as he asked. "So what? He doesn't give it to us and you'll just take it?"

Tony shrugged. "I'd rather not, but we need his tech to get Howard back. Don't look at me like that. I have no interest in keeping his formula. I'll crack the code, cook up a vile, and send him on his way. Everybody's happy."

"You're not a chemist."

"But I am a genius. I catch on, and for what I can't, the kid can help. He's got a knack for this sort of thing."

Steve watched him for a long moment before finally nodding. If Tony thought he could safely recreate the Pym Particles, he'd trust him on it. He'd have to.

___________

Peter liked to think he took things in stride. Sort of. Kind of. Most of the time. It was really all about perspective. Compared to hopping onto an alien spacecraft and flying to some other galaxy to fight a big purple dude who snapped him out of existence for five years, he couldn't think of much that should be hard to wrap his mind around. Even Captain Roger's sudden appearance back, while surprising, had to have some sort of explanation that made sense. He just hadn't thought that explanation would include two other people from the past coming back with him and Mr Stark on a plane with Cap flying cross-country.

"I, uh…. so is there anything I should know about his…. dad?"

Pepper - who had called Happy to watch Morgan so that she could go with him to Brooklyn - glanced over from the driver's seat. "Tony was worried about his safety."

"Because of Bucky?" Peter tried, and at the look he received for it he shrugged. "I mean, I know that he and Cap got into it over something having to do with his parents' death and Sam said Bucky had moved into the spare bedroom in the apartment that he went back to so…. Am I right?"

"Yes," she admitted softly, the car hitting the slight bump that signalled the end of the bridge.

"But Captain Rogers said he's not brainwashed anymore, so he wouldn't hurt him, right?"

"It's really just to give Tony some peace of mind."

"He wouldn't want you there if he thought it was going to get dangerous."

"Probably not, but I doubt it will."

Okay. So Mr Stark wasn't sending his wife to babysit him. Good. That was good. Peter pursed his lips, struggling to find the right way to ask without it coming across as rude. "So, uh… why are you going?"

"For my peace of mind," his mentor's wife answered tightly, and that focused look she wore left him fairly certain that he shouldn't push any further on it.

He didn't know a lot about Howard Stark. He and Tony had had a strained relationship when the older man had been alive, but Tony seemed to care about him even if it was complicated. There was a painting in the lobby of the Stark Industries building they were just coming from and apparently he'd been the one to start the company from scratch right around World War Two. He'd known Captain Rogers and had been killed by a brainwashed Bucky Barnes. That was it. All the knowledge the teen had on his mentor's father, but that was still more than the man himself would have, from what he heard. Cap had pulled in from the 1940's.

"So, uh…. did you ever meet him?"

"He was gone by the time Tony and I met," Pepper said as she pulled the car over and allowed it to parallel park for her.

Peter stepped out and looked up at the building. "This place must cost Captain Rogers a fortune."

"Not too much. His landlord has a soft spot for him, no matter how angry they get at each other," Pepper said, amusement lining her voice.

"Mr Stark owns the building?"

"Don't tell Steve. Tony'd never forgive us."

Peter flashed her a grin and followed her up. She seemed to know just where to go, but if he were honest he couldn't recall a time when Pepper Potts had been anything but prepared. They stopped at the door and she squared her shoulders back, pulling in a deep breath. She didn't knock though.

"Are you nervous?" he asked quietly and she turned to look at him, her expression softening a little.

"No, more worried."

"About what?"

"Tony," she answered and tapped her knuckles against the door without further explanation.

There was a beat. Then another. Finally Peter heard the sound of locks being undone and a woman he didn't recognize opened the door. "Yes?" she greeted them in a British accent.

"You must be Peggy Carter. I'm Pepper. Tony's wife."

The woman looked her up and down as if she weren't immediately ready to believe her. Finally her expression softened a bit. "Steve mentioned the boy."

"I'm Peter. And, uh, I'm fifteen."

Those soft brown eyes came to rest on him. "Are you now? I'd have wagered younger."

The teen gaped as Peggy Carter stepped aside. "Won't you come in?"

Peter scurried after Pepper, feeling more than a little intimidated by the woman that stood only a couple of inches shorter than Pepper, both taller than him in their heels.

"I wanted to drop by. See how things were going," Pepper offered, her voice pleasant.

"Sergeant Barnes isn't here," Ms Carter said stiffly. "Steve hasn't told the full story yet, but I got the distinction impression your husband isn't fond of him."

"The disagreement over him landed Tony with several cracked ribs and a fractured arm. Not to mention a rift between him and a good friend that had only just started to heal when he went away."

Peter blinked hard. Pepper's voice was ice cold, almost dangerous. Maybe there was more to the whole fallout than he knew. Probably. He hadn't known that Cap - or maybe Bucky? - had hurt Tony during the fight. Maybe it was after he'd been delivered back to Queens. It wasn't like Mr Stark had given him a followup on everything that happened.

"A valid reason then," Ms Carter acknowledged and Pepper backed down ever so slightly.

"Howard Stark…"

"Tinkering with something in the back room over there. There's no pulling him away when he's fixated. He'll come out eventually."

"Like father, like son."

A small smile tilted the British woman's lips. "From the brief few moments in which I met him, I'd say so."

Pepper's gaze swept the apartment. "I know Sam and Bucky were staying here…"

"It's been a full house," the other woman acknowledged. "I had my share of tents and close quarters in the war, as everyone in this flat has. I suppose if they're successful, though, we'll be down an occupant."

The sound of a door opening drew their attention and a dark haired man sauntered out. He looked a lot like Mr Stark, but somehow less like his older self that Peter had seen by way of photos and the painting. That man was stiff and stern, while this one bounced a little when he walked, a curious look at everything his gaze touched. His smile broadened when he caught sight of Pepper. "Well hello."

"Howard, this is Tony's wife," Ms Carter said pointedly.

The smile didn't falter, even if it turned a little sheepish. "Ah. My future-present daughter-in-law. Pleased to meet ya. Howard Stark, but I'm sure you know that."

"I do," Pepper said, reaching out to take his offered hand.

Instead of shaking it, he pulled it to his lips. "My son has great taste."

Pepper looked like she was trying to talk herself out of popping him upside the head. "Howard — If I may?"

"I insist."

" — this is Peter. Tony's been mentoring him."

"Are you as clever as my boy?" Howard Stark asked, and Peter couldn't help but think he looked genuinely proud at the statement, absurd as it was that a man that he was certain couldn't have been as old as Mr Stark - and from everything he was hearing had come from a time long before he'd been born - was owning any sort of influence over the man Mr Stark had become.

"No sir, but I'm learning a lot from him." There, that seemed like a safe answer.

And apparently one that Howard like. He cuffed Peter in the arm. "Ha! Good kid." He turned back to Pepper. "So, you two here to make sure I don't go running off, because you don't have to worry about that. Peg's been keeping me on lockdown."

"We just wanted to stop by and see how things are going," Pepper answered diplomatically.

"Ah. Well, better if I could leave this tiny little place. Stuff five people into a two bedroom apartment. Who does that?"

"Plenty of people," Ms Carter answered sharply.

Pepper's cell phone rang and she offered a quick excuse meas she stepped away. Those dark brown eyes that looked like carbon copies of Mr Stark's latched onto Peter. "So, kid, how'd you get wrapped into this? You seem a little young to be in the super hero biz. Even in our day you're s'pose to be eighteen to serve your country."

"Oh, I, uh…. intern for Mr Stark. I'm just learning from him."

"So no fancy costume for you, huh?"

"Well….." He swallowed hard, turning back to Ms Carter. "How are you liking New York?"

"I've actually been in New York for a while. It's the twenty-first century I'm getting used to."

"I busted her trip," Howard chuckled. He looked like he thought it was all a joke, while Ms Carter thought it was anything but that.

"So are you on your way back?" Pepper asked, cradling the phone to her ear. "I can…. oh. Should I let the lawyers know or not? Okay. I know nothing. Fly safe. I'll see you when you get here." She ended the call. "The boys are on their way home."

"How did it go?" Ms Carter asked.

"They didn't get what they wanted in the way that they wanted it, but Tony is nothing if not creative. It'll just take a little longer this way."

It didn't take Peter's Spidey Sense to catch the wave of disappointment wafting off Ms Carter, nor the pure excitement radiating from Howard Stark. Pepper didn't seem to miss the former either. "You know, it's awfully crowded here, and we have a spare room at our place. It's a couple hours out of the city, but I know it'd help Tony not to worry if he knew Howard was safe and —"

"We couldn't impose," Ms Carter said quickly.

"You think he'd be alright with me coming out to your place?" Howard asked, his tone more hesitant than Peter would have thought he had in him.

"I think it might be the best solution we have with the hand we've been dealt," Pepper answered. "What do you say?"

"Sounds perfect."

"Howard," Ms Carter warned softly.

"Peg," he said, his voice so quiet that only Peter's advance hearing picked it up, "please. Give me a chance to make this right before I gotta go?"

She shot him a conflicted look, but finally caved. "It would open up some space here."

"Then it's settled," Pepper said firmly. "Howard will come home with us."

___________

Tony had known something was wrong - or at the very least not going the way he would have liked it to - the moment that Pepper met them on the tarmac, and it hadn't taken her long to let him in on what that was. He listened, holding his tongue and his potentially hasty feelings of betrayal as in check as he was capable, as she walked him through her thought process. Barnes was living at that apartment. That was his home, and they were overcrowded as it was. Taking Howard outside the city would limit his exposure and keep Tony from hiking in and out until this was resolved. He could work from home - less likely to alert Pym to what he was doing - and they could keep an eye on Howard. She knew it wasn't ideal. This whole fiasco was anything but ideal. From where she stood it did appear to be the -

"Okay."

Those beautiful blue eyes turned on him. "I thought you'd fight this harder."

"I don't have to like it for it to make sense. We should probably get straight what we're telling Morgan though."

"She'll be sound asleep by the time we get home."

"Right." He was exhausted, the day weighing on him. Well, at least he got to go home to his own bed. That was something.

Pepper reached up, her fingers against his cheek. "You're not facing this alone, you know that, right?"

A small smile tugged at his lips and he leaned in, feeling her meet him halfway. "I know."

She nodded, offering him a smile of her own and he wrapped an arm around the small of her back to walk with her. "Hey, Cap? You need a lift?"

"Wrong way, isn't it?" Steve asked. "Hi, Pepper."

"We're taking Howard with us. So says the missus."

Pepper rolled her eyes at the teasing tone and popped him lightly on the shoulder. "We thought we'd open up some space at your place."

Steve caught Tony's gaze as if he were searching for some indication that this was alright. Tony shrugged. "When have you ever seen me do something I wasn't willing to do?"

"Fair," Steve chuckled. "I'll take that ride as long as Pepper drives."

"What are you trying to say, Rogers?" Tony groused as they started for the car.

"I'm trying to say that I've faced the worst of the worst and your driving terrifies me more."

Pepper snorted a laugh as she released her hold on him to aim for the driver's seat. Tony shot her a look of pure indignation. "Traitor."

"I can't help it if Steve's right."

He gave them both a melodramatic groan as he circled around to the passenger's seat, pausing as Steve pulled open the door behind him. "Hey." He waited for the older man to look over. "Good to have you back…. even if you brought the chaos with you."

"That's not going away anytime soon, is it?"

"Nope," Tony answered cheerfully and hopped in the car. The trip hadn't gone as planned, but nothing had that day. They'd take Howard home with them and regroup in the morning. The sooner he could get what he needed from his decryption programs, the sooner he and the kid could start synthesising what they needed to send Howard home. He just had to be patient and this would all be over soon.

___________

TBC

Notes: I feel like these chapters are getting longer.... Originally I was planning to keep them around 2K or so to write quickly. This one is over 4K. Ah well. The chapter wants what it wants. Who wants to start placing bets on if Hank is going to figure out that Tony's in his systems? :P

Next Time: Howard tries to gather some information while Tony struggles to focus on the task at hand.

#Endgame fix it fic #Tony Stark #Steve Rogers #Pepper Potts #Peter Parker #Howard Stark #Peggy Carter #Hank Pym

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