#hECK need real tags whoops

[fish-with-more-eyes]

how do i even begin to explain this...

(i got rolled 'the snake' and 'the talking shrub' from the 'characters for an epic tale' graphic and...)

[normally-o-a-k]

Hey look a fanfiction

Scam/Jodie

Friends to lovers, multi chapter, no beta we die like Glenn, idk what to tag this I’ve never written fic before lmao, spoilers kinda? Some real light suggestion of Henry/Darryl.

Rating: still teen

Chap 7/? (I think it’s coming to an end soon though)

Previous chapter:

Henry was the sort of man who prided himself on helping others.

So when Scam Actually, known fun guy , stepped out of a portal a day early looking less than ecstatic he knew he had to do something.

After all not even an hour ago Jodie had confided in him, trusted him to help him romance Scam and now here he was. Something had gone wrong.

Glenn looked just as baffled “hey uh Scam, can we have a quick chat?” Glenn is not gentle about the way he shoves Scam away from the van.

Oh that was potentially bad, it wasn’t a secret that Glenn and Jodie had grown closer since he moved to the infernal plane. Co-parenting Nicky had them bonding enough to call eachother brothers. Glenn was definitely going to give him the ‘shovel talk’ or worse, he might give him the ‘shovel’.

Henry heads after them as fast as he can “Actually Glenn can I take lead on this one? I’ve led a few healing retreats for friends back in the day and I think what our friend Scam here can use is a little openness and understanding-“

“The only thing I’m going to open is a can of whoop ass on this motherfucker. What did you do?” Glenn shoves an accusatory finger in Scam’s face.

“Oooh let’s see now~ what exactly did I do?” He taps the side of his hat “I got caught~ That about sums it up I think~!” Scam grins, but Henry is more than convinced there’s a lot more to it.

“Glenn, remember, we’re listening….now, Scam what exactly did you get caught doing?” Henry puts a hand on Glenn’s shoulder, trying to keep him from outright strangling Scam

“Testing our good friend’s security~” his grin widens “even without magic it was barely a challenge, that is until I picked the wrong thing as a souvenir~”

“So you stole from him? Jeez Scam, that’s pretty hecking uncool! you know just this morning he was so excited to spend time with you and you blew it mister!”

“Yeah Henry, you tell him! How could you do that to Jodie? I knew it! I knew you were going to screw him over!” Glenn grabs Scam by the tie and pulls back a punch, but Scam is suddenly behind him, tie hanging loosely from Glenn’s hand.

“Oh how quickly you forget your own words! Weren’t you ‘listening’?~ I wasn’t stealing anything~ I was going to gift it him in the morning! It was supposed to be a show of skill and I’m beginning to see that no one is quite as impressed as they should be!”

Glenn visibly relaxes “Man can’t you just show off like a normal person? He’s not going to believe you for shit if you got caught in the vault”

“You know… Trust is a big part of every working relationship Scam, you’re going to really have to work on yourself if you want this to work buddy… I think It’s probably best if you give him some time and then try and talk to him about it”

“Sorry Henry I disagree… Scams not the type of guy to not do it again… don’t get me wrong, this idiot should definitely apologize, but I think we need to think bigger picture when it comes to him winning Jodie back. It’s not going to be the first or last time he does something like this without considering how it might come across if he screws it up.”

“I appreciate the backhanded support Glenn, I really do~ but unfortunately I just don’t think Jodie appreciates my alignment as much as I’d hoped he would~ he seems to have forgotten the ‘scamp’ part of ‘lovable scamp’~”

“Nah man, look I take like five percent, maybe seven percent responsibility for this. I warned him not to trust you and that probably got in his head… I mean you know Jodie, he doesn’t really let go of stuff. He likes you. So we just gotta figure out how you can show him he can trust you aren’t being malicious about your actions.”

Henry wasn’t as on board with encouraging Scam to make no changes to his behavior as Glenn seemed to be. “ I think maybe some reflection might be a good start… then we can worry about helping you with an Apology you actual mean and can maintain…”

Scam sits down on a log by the empty campsite, all four of his hands folded on his lap. Henry sits down next to him, putting a friendly hand on his shoulder. “You know… when my boys make a mistake and hurt someone’s feelings, I usually tell them to take a walk in the other persons shoes…. Really get into the core of what the other person might be feeling…how would you feel if someone you liked came and took something from you? Like your hat?” Henry tries to take Scam’s hat, but the second he lifts it a tiny bit it pulls back down onto Scam’s head on it’s own, Scam gives Henry a dangerous sort of smile. “Oh wow okay…that’s just part of you…maybe not your hat then.” He wipes his hand off on his cargo shorts and thinks.

“I don’t need imagination to know that He thinks I’m lying about my feelings~” Scams voice isn’t as playful as it usually is.

“Yeah well you having feelings is kinda news to all of us” Glenn shrugs.

“Glenn! That’s not helpful” Henry frowns

“It’s true though, I don’t think any of us expected Scam to come out and say he’s horny for my brother-“

“You know what I’m horny for Glenn? Acceptance. So maybe lay off a bit” Henry sighs “Look Scam, relationships are hard, but everyone here will help you, you just have to let us in pal! Open communication is key!”

———

Jodie closes the portal Immediately after he sends Scam through. And he regrets it.

Some part of him knew if Scam had succeeded in doing what he claimed he was, he would have found it kind of fun.

He wanted to trust him but he felt like he barely got the chance to try before it was tested…

He frowns and gets back to work.

——-

Scam sits in the passenger seat of the Odyssey next to Darryl who’s pulled him away from the campfire for a private talk away from the kids. It had now been over two weeks of each of the dads trying to have a heart to heart with him and give him ideas on how to apologize to Jodie in between intel gathering. It was starting to wear him out.

Darryl takes a deep breath and holds the steering wheel tightly even though the car wasn’t running. “A little over a year ago after we got back to earth I had a pretty big fight with Carol.”

“What about?~ I can’t learn any lessons from the story if I don’t know every juicy detail~” if he was going to have to hear him out he wanted dirt.

“ I told her about kissing Henry. And she was pretty pissed off at me for a while. I went to church a lot more after that, really did some soul searching and a lot of confession. I had to come to terms with the fact that maybe I’m a little curious about some things and that’s okay. I’m not ashamed of it anymore, and Carol is okay with me trying to discover more about myself…”

Scam sits up a bit straighter, he knew for a fact that Darryl was still happily married. This was potentially the conversation that could help him. “Ohh? What did you do? Church is hardly the type of solution I’m willing to try~ ”

“Well…we were going to a marriage counselor. There was a lot of stuff going on, it wasn’t just about me kissing Henry. And we talked… a lot …and I listened. I know Glenn’s going to tell you some big impressive showy thing will fix it, and Ron’ll probably tell you flowers will do it…or actually I don’t know what Ron is gonna tell you…but As much as I don’t want to admit it, Henry is right about the talking stuff. I mean, not that a nice romantic gesture will hurt the situation, but that talking stuff, phew, just knocks it out of the park…. Do you get what I’m saying?”

He hadn’t expected this advice from Darryl of all people, but it had clearly worked out for him. “I think I’ve got it just fine Darryl~”

“Good talk Scam. Oh and uh… I’ve got things for the night so… go do what you need to do. ”

Scam awkwardly pats Darryl on the back and climbs out of the van, opening a portal.

——-

Jodie was miserable.

Besides a few scattered phone calls to Glenn and Nicky he hadn’t heard much in the way of what was going on. Scam had only tried to take the phone once, but Jodie had hung up before he could say anything.

He regretted that too.

He missed Scam.

Most of all he was angry with himself. He should have just given him the benefit of the doubt. He shoves open his office door, stress eating peanut butter directly out of the jar, stopping with the spoon in his mouth when he sees a pile of junk on his desk.

He sits down and sighs, sorting through the pile. A red string, a few shells, an apple, some maple leaves, white feathers and a few roses sit in a sloppy pile on his desk. He picks up one of the feathers, twirling it between his clawed fingers. The second his hands clear the area a heart shaped rock drops from the ceiling above his desk and cracks the wood.

Jodie looks up, watching a long fingered hand disappear back into a portal oh the ceiling above his desk. “What is this?”

There’s no answer, the hand returns, dropping a heavy looking padlock onto the pile. Jodie grumbles and grabs Scam’s wrist, pulling him down through the portal.

Scam lands on his back on the desk, clearly surprised by being yanked through. “Ohh? This is a little forward Jodie~” he rolls to his side, smirking “I missed you too~”

Jodie doesn’t let go of Scam’s wrist, he looks down at him disapprovingly. “What’s with the pile of junk?”

Scam sits up “Well Actually-“ he shakes it off, now wasn’t the time… ”it’s hardly junk Jodie! That you’re holding is a feather from a dove~ each thing I’ve brought is a symbol of love!” He grins and puts a hand to his chest.

Jodie sits back down thinking about it for a second, a blush creeping up his face. “Look, I’ll hear you out okay? But you aren’t going to lie to me…. And I need to know you aren’t going to lie to me…”

Scam could feel the magic pushing out from Jodie, he doesn’t resist, letting himself be completely effected by his zone of Truth. “Oooh? I’m a ‘willing creature’ so no worries there~ if you hadn’t thought to cast it I was going to ask for it! we’re so on the same page~! ” he shifts on the desk to face Jodie and reaches out for his hand. “I wish you knew you could trust in me, but I know I’m not the type of guy to make it easy~”

Jodie let’s him take his hand. “It’s been weeks…”

Scam presses a finger to Jodie’s lips “I wasn’t stealing from you~ I thought you’d be impressed if I got in and out since you’d banned me from magic! I was only taking it as proof~” he grins “there now, see, it’s all fixed! you know I’m telling the truth so you can get back to being the fun Jodie that I’m so fond of~”

“It’s not ‘all fixed’ Scam… so dating me…. Wasn’t a game to see ‘if you could’ seduce me?” Jodie frowns. He’d been dreading the answer to this one for the entire two weeks.

“I have standards Jodie, I would never do something so reprehensible~” though it hurt a bit that Jodie thinks he’s willing to do something so awful, he supposes he’s not done much to show him otherwise. “especially not to you…you’re a pretty special guy~ I don’t think I need to tell you why~”

“You do though…you need to tell me why” Jodie sits a bit further back in his chair

“I’ve lived a long time Jodie…You know you’re the only person currently alive to have seen my true face?” Two of Scam’s hands grab the arm rests of Jodie’s chair and he leans in pulling the chair closer. “Do you know why that is?~”

“Because you take dares seriously” he was starting to feel a bit trapped in his chair.

“Bzzzzz! Wrong! I could have chosen to lose! And I would have if anyone else had asked~” he smiles “You’re a smart man Jodie~ think back…. Darryl asked once before…. Why did I say no? Hmm~??”

“You said… it was only for people you really care about” his blush creeps a bit higher.

“Bingo!~” he grins “I really care about you~”

“Scam….I…” he believes him…holding his hand a bit tighter.

“Wait, let me finish~ I need to let you know all of my feelings and then listen”

“Henry gave you a talking to huh?”

“All of the Daddies took a swing at a heart to heart~ surprisingly Darryl made the difference…it’s been awful! If one more person corners me to tell me how to apologize-“

“Scam…the ‘letting me know your feelings’ thing is working…” he smiles a bit.

“ well then~! I’ll keep going~” he lets go of Jodie’s hand, rolling the office chair to a bit of a distance from where he was sitting with his foot.

“What are you-“

“It’s for my safety~ Got to keep my looks if I want to be a good match for you~” he smiles sitting back on the desk “Jodie~ I love you”

Scam was right to move the chair back because Jodie instantly ignites.

“That really is adorable~” he watches Jodie’s expression shift from shock to affection and then settle on concern. “Relax~ I don’t expect you to say it back~”

Jodie can barely hear Scam over his own heartbeat drumming loudly in his ears. But he does relax, and after a bit of silence the flames slowly go out. “I’m… sorry… I like you a lot… I’m serious about you, I just-“

“Don’t apologize!“ He knew it was going to be too soon for Jodie but he wanted him to know. “I can’t change who I am, I can’t promise you I won’t upset you again with a poorly timed joke or a particularly artful scam gone wrong~ but I can promise you that I won’t ever lie about my feelings for you~”

“That’s … more than good enough Scam” Jodie smiles, reaching out for his hand again.

Scam climbs off the desk and puts a hand on The headrest of Jodie’s chair, spinning it as he circles him. “I also promise to wait until the right time to tell you about the more salacious things I feel for you~”

“And… now’s not that time?” Jodie smiles and pulls him close by one of his wrists, kissing him softly.

Scam smiles into the kiss and then breaks it, pulling back only a few inches “It’s absolutely not the right time~ you’d torch the entire room~”

Scam was probably right, Jodie could already feel the heat rising in his face again.

“Have I earned forgiveness~?” He watches him carefully.

“Yeah Scam, we’re good” Jodie smiles and pulls him down into the chair for a hug.

[nocturnefactory]

tagged by @eddie-rifff yay thanks!

what book are you currently reading? Actually I just finished one and I'm about to head back to the library today to renew my card and get a new one--hopefully not over 500 pages again lol

what’s your favorite movie you saw in theaters this past year? ...I don't see movies in theaters anymore whoops, we did sit down at the TV to watch the original Willow on New Year's Eve though, someone explain to me why I'd never heard of it until then

what do you usually wear? uhhhh pants. shirt. My job has conditioned me to be as boring and inconspicuous as possible and I need to change that so so so much, time to splurge this year on a new look

how tall are you? 5-foot-4, wheee

what’s your Star Sign? do you share a birthday with a celebrity or a historical event? Capricorn! I believe I share my birthday with Ted Danson and Dexter Holland of the Offspring, Ray Thomas of the Moody Blues...some more people...and Buck-Tick's Day in Question concert series always falls on that day for some reason

do you go by your name or nickname? I've been going by my own name for so long that I never actually stopped to think about an internet nickname and now I'm thinking of Squid (yes I know my avatar is an octopus I'm just really lazy and indecisive) :P

did you grow up to become what you wanted to be when you were a child? When I was a kid I wanted to be a paleontologist because I fixated on dinosaurs, I wanted to be a mangaka because I fixated on manga, I wanted to be a guitarist because I fixated on musicians...I don't know how to take fixations seriously lol

are you in a relationship? if not who is your crush if you have one? noop, single as heck. ...all my crushes are middle-aged musicians. Yeah.

what’s something you’re good at vs something you’re bad at? Good at? I can bust my arms hyperfocusing on something until it's done. Bad at? Socializing and having anything to say in general (cringe)

dogs or cats? I own neither but they're both beautiful

If you draw/write, or create in any way, what’s your favorite picture/favorite line/favorite etc. from something you created this past year? I drew a lot of Buck-Tick fanart that I mainly posted on Twitter/Instagram, not sure which one stands out to me the most but goshdarnit I need to post here more often even if no one understands lol

what’s something you would like to create content for? uhhh probably something that's not real people if I can just get into the headspace somehow

what’s something you’re currently obsessed with? hardly anything new, except for getting nostalgic over 90s video game music and following the lives of the composers on Twitter

What’s something you were excited about that turned out to be disappointing this past year? I never get my hopes up very much anymore since hardly anything ever happens around here anyway but I'm disappointed that I keep losing my creative muse...which I guess is inevitable at that point, lol I gotta change that

what’s a hidden talent of yours? How would I even know

are you religious? not in the way my parents would've preferred lol, it's private

whats something you wish to have at this moment? I have a lot of things that I'm not even taking advantage of so I think I just need my motivation hurr hurr also a warp portal to the stores in town would be nice

tagging @bjonka @wonderous-lawnmower have fun, no pressure :P

[willothewips]

(whoops I don't get tumblr tags AGain, but I was possessed last night so here ya go, hope I make sense)

maybe at first Danny is like "OH CRAP" bc that is a ghost haunting his sisters bf!? but also it's a ghost of a hero and how cool is that!?

and Robin is so excited someone is actually corporeal AND able to see him (!!) that all through the night he does flips and silly faces and little pranks - just anything to interact with Danny

so to everyone else, Danny is a little distracted and laughs randomly (batfam: "I didn't say anything funny?")

but he gets increasingly annoyed at some of the pranks (like jump scares and making him trip) until finally everyone sits for dinner and Robin makes Danny push his cup into his lap

Danny stands up and points a finger at him like "OK dude, you're starting to be a real jerk, what's your problem!?"

Then grabs his (fancy cloth) napkin and tries to dry off, mad and muttering "And they say /I'm/ immature" then a little louder "At least /I/ wear pants!"

Jazz hides her face behind the glass in her hand. Between the teeth of her strained smile she whispers "Danny! Shut. Up!"

Danny looks up and around the table. He puts on a nervous smile and sits back down, flicking the napkin over his shoulder. "Uh hm, sorry. Spilled my drink."

Batfam like "Uhhh you were pointing?" and "Who were you talking to?"

Danny tries laughing it off "Oh no, I'm uh one of those people who apologizes to chairs! You know, yells at the microwave when it beeps? Ha haa..."

Suddenly the napkin flips over his face, seemingly on its own

Danny stands and bangs his hands onto the table, screams "I AM YOUR KING!"

He takes a deep breath and pulls the napkin from his face. With an extremely calm and level voice, he Maturely says "Excuse me, please. I will be right back."

He goes and everyone turns to Jazz who is now very red in the face. She says "Uhmmmm sooo sorry. He's had a traumatic childhood. Sometimes things just... set him off? Did I tell you about our Uncle Vlad? He's also... weathly.... and-"

Meanwhile in another room, Danny is pulling a full seance with this ghost. Spiral notebook with the alphabet, a ton of decorative candles stolen off the nearby furniture bc there's a lot in this room for some reason? (idk power outages are a thing?) and it just Felt Right

"What the heck, dude! I change my mind, Gotham heroes are the worst! HOW has nobody noticed you, or is this a youngblood deal??" And yeah he's a little mad, but also, this isn't the first good ghost to cause him annoying problems so "What you can't talk? Can't even touch anything? Dang ok yeah that sucks. Just stop messing with me and we'll figure this out. What do you need? You want me to call batman for you? Kill the joker? No?"

But of course Danny isn't very discreet (never has been) and since this is the house of bats, Someone witnesses at least part of this and is just going "ok wait what was that last part?"

Danny meets his sisters boyfriend's family all goes well apart from the fact when he sees jason he see's the little robin ghost hanging on his back smiling

heres my attempt at a lil doodle. homie is completely oblivious

[razorblade180]

Interdimensional Moms pt3

Part 2 right here! <-

Team RWBY continue their interesting chat about their respective worlds. After the emotional roller coaster that was Weiss’s, a bit of light hearted stories would be welcomed.

Yang:Okay, does anyone have some real feel good things to talk about for their world? Just run of the mill pleasant life?

Ruby:Guess I’m going last....

Yang:Oh no!

Weiss:We’ll circle back to you then. Blake, I guess you’re up.

Blake:Wouldn’t you want calmer stuff at the end?

Yang:Blake, I would very much like to go at least ten minutes without wanting to cry.

Blake:Hmmmm I can guarantee you like...six I think.

Yang:I’ll take it! Blake Belladonna, tell me about a world where you and Jaune Arc are happily married. How did such stars align?

Blake:You make it sound crazy?

Weiss:Blake, there’s list of people I could see you with. Now I’m not saying Jaune couldn’t be one of them, but he’d have to fight his way up that list.

Blake:You...that’s kinda fair. It’s a bit hard to explain really. It happened back at Beacon initially, or our bonding did. Some days his team was busy and I didn’t tag along for the crazy antics you three wanted to do all the time, so we occasionally bumped into each by circumstances. He’d go to the library for a book, I’d do training and he was there, or sometimes he’d knock on our door and not realize I was the only one around.

Weiss:Was he trying to sing to me?

Blake:That plan did show up at our a few times, yes. One of those times I asked him out of nowhere to sing the song anyways because I just had to know if it was any good. Hehe, it wasn’t sonically pleasing at times, but you could tell it was genuine. Eventually though...he just sort of gave up on you. It was actually a little sad to see, even you thought so. It was strange. Jaune was definitely stumbling through his flirting and it came off as childish, yet the day he gave up, it was easy to see his heart was breaking a bit. Like all his insecurities ate even the faux confidence away.

Yang:Ma’am, it has barely been three minutes and I’m getting sad about thinking of Jaune being sad.

Weiss:Yeah don’t tell me I broke his heart!

Blake:Whoops, sorry. It’s important though. Jaune kinda kept to himself a little more after that. He still chatted pretty regularly but it was easy to tell he dived more in studies as a way to keep his head clear, which lead to us being on a project together. I was the only person in our friend group that wouldn’t actively try to make him open up about how he feeling. At first I thought it was a bit rude when he told me that, but I didn’t room to talk when it comes to socializing.

Yang:One more time for the people in the back.

Ruby:I’m the back.

Blake:*smirks* I was very against socializing about my feelings at Beacon.

Ruby:Yeah you were.

Weiss:I couldn’t even ask if you slept well without a lukewarm answer sometimes.

Blake:I’m better now. That’s all that matters. Romance and feeling love is a personal thing and talking about it is uncomfortable. I think we both recognized that in each other during our project. Trouble is, there’s only so many conversation starters and small talk subjects. Talking only about the project was dry and eventually all the facts a person could say about themselves ran out. Favorite food, color, hobbies, etc. We eventually had to dig a little deeper into those topics. To our surprise, we actually more in common than we thought when it came to how we felt about certain pieces of literature and music.

Ruby:Awwww, bonding over smut.

Blake:*red* It wasn’t all adult literature! Some were poems and stuff. Even when the project ended, we began being less formal around each other and hanging out. We went to the bookstores we mentioned and he even got us tickets to bands I liked. It...it was nice. I never really got to have just a normal teenage experience before without it being political. He always felt bad about being average compared to everyone but average was so foreign to me that I welcomed it. I liked having a normal time out. It was a thing we all took for granted. Especially when Beacon fell.

Yang:Yeah, that probably put a real bind on your relationship.

Blake:Actually....we technically never officially started to date.

Ruby:What? You courted each other all of Beacon.

Weiss:Ruby, who the heck says courted? I’m a Schnee and even I have never used the word courted.

Ruby:Hush, I read a lot of bed time stories to a five year old.

Blake:We were a bit shaky on labels. Me for obvious reasons. As for Jaune, it’s really true about what they say about guys when they get heart broken.

Yang: “Never again.”

Blake:Hehehe, it’s funny to look back at it but he’ll tell you it’s a bit cringy. He was so on gaurd. I could tell all the time when he was mentally telling himself to not be excited whenever we hung out or I complimented him.

Ruby:Hey it takes guts to shift feelings to a teammate of your first crush. That could blow up in your face.

Blake:Yeah...about that. *looks at Yang* you...were another reason why nothing was official. You uhhh, we actually had some jumbled up emotions.

Weiss:*sarcastic gasp* You and Yang, liking each other? Who could’ve seen that coming?

Yang:Was it mutual or...

Blake:Very mutual. Also...intimate at times.

Yang:*red* Oh....yeah. Yeah that tracks.

Blake:That jumbled mess was only more confusing after you got hurt trying to rescue me from Adam. Meeting up with-

Ruby:Question, so was Sun just not on your radar?

Blake:Sun? We’re just friends. He’s cute and I’m glad he was there for me when I needed help but things between us were always pretty calm. I think he noticed how confused I was with other people in my life and chose to not add to it.

Ruby:Bless him. Please continue.

Blake:Learning about Salem and reconnecting with you all was a lot. I’d really been out of the loop and my Yang and I were on....shaky ground.

Yang:That’s what happens when you leave someone who’s been left their entire life.

Blake:Sigh...yeah. It was a trying time, but not with JNPR. It’s funny, Oscar and I also hit it off quite well from the jump. I think we were both glad to have each other learn on the craziness at once. Even with readjusting, Jaune and I fell back into a groove naturally. Instead of doing average things we day dreamed of the things we did. Once again we become this little slice of simple life in this crazy adventure. Still didn’t date.

Weiss:What is this, a slow burn!?

Yang:Weiss, you literally didn’t date your Jaune until Atlas.

Weiss:There’s a difference. I didn’t make any heart eyes at him until around Atlas. I say I may have been a little quick. These two were “courting” for over a year at this point.

Ruby:Stop making fun of me!

Blake:Well anyways, I wouldn’t say much was too eventful in terms of romance with world destroying things happening. Salem, she was way too much to deal with. Every move age did was calculated and unrelenting. Keeping our head above water wasn’t easy. In fact, it was boarder line impossible. Yang and I barely beat Adam after all.

Yang:How’d you two feel about that?

Blake:Relieved. Huge weight off my mind, and yet...a piece of me still wishes things never got so dire. At least now I know that in another world, things aren’t.

Ruby:Sounds like your world was put through their paces? You survived though.

Blake:Not conventionally. I gotta say, hearing the ages and how you beat Salem so far makes me feel more than a little embarrassed. To be frank, we didn’t have this grand battle that involved the entire world making a final stand. We had Atlas, and then we had Haven. With their might and a plan to gain more time, we managed to seal Salem in a vault.

Yang:*chokes on water* Y- cough what!?

Ruby:You put her in a vault!?

Weiss:Thah sounds harder than a last stand honestly.

Blake:No matter what way we looked at things, we just weren’t ready for her, so we locked her away until we were. Two years on constant defense from her followers and grimm until Ruby had trained enough to use her silver eyes and we were all strong enough.

Ruby:Two years!? How old was I then?

Blake:Twenty I believe.

Weiss:Hey, you beat mine by a year.

Yang:Not mine, I think we either tied or just narrowly beat yours by like a year. Honestly it hard to keep track of birthdays and stuff.

Ruby:Wow. No offense to myself, but that’s a little disappointing. I guess being the same person really doesn’t mean we were all at the same level.

Blake:Hey, my Ruby put everything she had into saving the world. There wasn’t a second she wasn’t trying her best to defend it!

Ruby:My point exactly. If that was her at her absolute best then by all accounts, she doesn’t hold a candle to me; at least back then anyways. But I have no reason to believe she would be at my level now.

Yang:Okay little miss prideful, care to tell us when you saved the-

Ruby:Seventeen.

The reaper took a long swig of coffee while the others processed that information. It took a her a couple of seconds to realize she may be acting just a tad bit arrogant.

Ruby:Uhh, sorry. I think I was tooting my own horn a bit there.

Weiss:Seventeen....why so soon?

Yang:Why? Don’t you mean how?

Blake:That’s....almost unbelievable.

Ruby:Really? I don’t think so. I’ll dive into it when it’s my turn but for now all I really gotta say is people needed help, and I was going to answer those cries. I bet your Ruby had a similar urgency in her, but for some reason or another just had different limitations. I got hurt a lot as a kid. Maybe an injury did more damage in one universe than another? Who can say?

Blake:I...wouldn’t know. Odd, I know if my Ruby heard this, then she’d probably be more than a little upset. Saving lives is still what she’s all about. I know when she put everything she had into fighting Salem when the day came. All that training paid off. Her skills were polished and her silver eyes eradicated the grimm essence in Salem.

Ruby:Wait, she’s not dead?

Blake:No. Salem roams Remnant with Oz keeping an eye on her until one day she can finally grasp the lesson the gods wanted her to have.

Yang:That uhhh sounds risky.

Weiss:Yet oddly okay?

Blake:Funny, my Weiss said that too. Those two get checked on in secret. Can’t be too careful. With Salem beaten though, Remnant entered a state of...let’s call it average chaos. All in all, it’s way more peaceful but you know, people will be people. Downside about a secret war is you don’t get the unity of the masses. Atlas and Haven working together was still a great step in the right direction though.

Yang:Woah, I’m a little jealous. My world felt like a race against the clock. The pressure either broke you or made you harder than diamond, with most people crushing under it.

Weiss:Yeah. The tension and meet of extremes I had on the frontlines was beyond imagination. The unity was great, but to feel it on the battlefield against the odds was feeling with way too much adrenaline and stress. Can’t say I enjoyed it. I simply lived through it.

Blake:Well it isn’t like I had a walk in the park. But I guess in comparison, my experience was a tad more mellow. Still, people were lost and hurt. Oscar isn’t himself anymore, don’t have Penny, former classmates and a few enemies turned allies fell in battle. Family.... it took a bunch to get the plan of containing, then it took a lot more to do it. In a way though, the two years of training is time I can’t regret. It tested bonds, strengthening and reestablishing others.

Ruby:I take it since love couldn’t bloom on the battlefield, it bloomed in the training yards?

Blake:*red* You can say that. That’s when Jaune and I got serious. *frowning* But.....

Yang:We fell apart?

Blake:Yeah. I didn’t learn my lesson well enough the first time about the potential problems of dating a partner. Only difference this time was I felt like I was the one being cruel. We had gotten into arguments and apologized more than once. Your fear of being left and my own insecurities just kept butting heads. I’d cry, you’d cry, our friends would be concerned. Then the day came where you put it all on the line. You confessed genuinely how much you loved me and how you felt a bit jealous when it came to Jaune. I had never seen you look so vulnerable; letting your gaurd completely down. And though a piece of me loved you and wanted you in my life for ever....this sense of genuine comfort Jaune gave was something I want-needed for so long. So I did the one thing I didn’t want to do. I broke your heart. I hurt you again.

Yang:Sigh....*leans back in chair* Okay, let’s see how well I know myself. My eyes went red automatically, followed by tears. I lashed out at you angrily out of pain and embarrassment until I was probably blue in the face. But to take make things worse, somebody probably overheard. No matter who it was, I yelled at them too for trying to calm me down and then I eventually run off leaving everyone unhappy. A good old meltdown. Sound about right?

Blake:To the letter. I don’t think I’ve ever seen you so distraught.

Yang:Of course not, I’ve never been in love before meeting you. I....did a similar thing with my Blake over the stupid Adam shit. *covers face* of all the things to be similar, it had to be my temper. Please tell me our team didn’t suffer too harshly?

Blake:The good thing about two years of training was it didn’t have to be together all the time. Team RWBY didn’t fall apart, but it didn’t feel comfortable either. Outside of missions, the four of us didn’t hang out as much. It was three at the most. Nobody pinned blame on me or Yang for it but it was obvious.

Ruby:I mean how can you blame someone for feeling sad or not in love with someone? Pointing fingers doesn’t do anything. However, I bet missions were rough.

Blake:Bumblebee was shelved. We did any other team up we could. When push came to shove, Yang and I did put feelings aside. Neither of us wanted our feelings to get anyone killed. That’s probably what kept us connected for awhile, especially with Salem. I don’t think we questioned each other when it came to watching one another’s back. Slowly, our relationship got a bit better. Until....we stopped speaking to each other altogether about a couple years later.

Yang:Wait, why!?

Blake:I got pregnant.

The three listeners’ faces scrunched up and they let in a sharp breath like they just got cut. No one had considered that bombshell.

Blake:Marriage was rough enough. Having Jaune’s kid and starting a family just...cut deep I guess. You didn’t make a scene or anything if that’s what you’re worried about. One day you told me “I just can’t do this” and exited my life. I wanted to keep you close to me, but you wanted to be closer. That was a thing I couldn’t do. Hehe, I can’t tell you how weird it is talking to you like this again.

Yang:So that’s it!? We just don’t see each other at all!?

Blake:Certain events and celebrations have us in the same room, but that’s all. Ruby is the only thing that regularly links us, but she’s busy living life too.

Ruby:Is it a good life?

Blake:The best. You’re the huntress you always wanted to be and a hero to many.

Ruby:*smiles* Really? That’s good. May she ride that high for as long as she can. Though I bet she wished she had a special someone to share that with.

Blake:Huh? Oh, you married Weiss.

Weiss:*red* What!?

Ruby:Aye, nice.

Weiss:Weren’t you upset about thinking of other people with Jaune besides you!?

Ruby:Yeah, but I won’t deny if I am going to be with someone that isn’t him, I’m very happy it’s the other special person in my life. I mean come on, the only reason we don’t get weird in your universe is because I married your brother and you already invited my sister.

Weiss:I mean...it’s mainly the brother portion. The second part...

Ruby:Weiss, that’s weird.

Yang:Eh...

Ruby:IT’S WEIRD! YOU CANNOT TELL ME OTHERWISE!

Yang:*sips coffee* Eh.

Blake:Anyways, Weiss, you’re running your company. The Schnee Dust Company was scrubbed top to bottom to remove as much corruption as possible. No department was overlooked. In times of money, there’s a notable decrease in how much the company used to make.

Weiss:Gee, I wonder if that’s because the other me is doing oh let me guess, paying all their workers and not cutting corners in safety?

Blake:The SDC people approval has gone up considerably, just so you know that too. Turns out people like it when the company they buy from have good morals.

Weiss:Am I happy though? I make time for my social life and hu- I mean wife?

Blake:Yea, you’re happy. In a way I think we’re all happy, but....

Yang:We’d be happier if we were all happy together? Yeah, that’s how it works. You’re only as happy as the most miserable person in a family or group; if you all care about each other that is. Ugh, I wanna punch the other me. I get how she feels but it’s fucking immature to just ignore years of teamwork and family. At the end of the day, team RWBY is a family! Can’t believe I’d runaway from it instead of figuring out...I don’t know! Something!

Blake:*small smile* Well if you feel that way then there’s no reason to believe she doesn’t. My Yang just struggles with it more I guess, but I hope she can come around one day. Not really for my sake, but for her own peace of mind. As well as Lucas’s.

Ruby:Lucas? Your son I take it?

Blake:Mmhmm. My strong and lazy young man. He got his father’s hair but my eyes and ears. I can’t think of a person who warms my heart quite like him. He acts uninterested in a lot of things, but his heart is so big.

Weiss:Ah, so he’s just you?

Blake:More or less hehe. Though I’d say I was passionate about things all my life. Lucas will sleep all day if he could and doesn’t like going out without a reason.

Weiss:Still sounds like you if I’m being honest. Teenager?

Blake:Seventeen, almost eighteen.

Yang:You said he’s need peace of mind too? I’m not...hostile towards him am I?

Blake:No, not by a long shot. On the occasions you two have meant, you were polite. It’s just he knows why you don’t visit or talk to me. That’s rough, knowing your parent’s closest friend stopped being apart of their life because you were born. I think sometimes he believes it’s actually his fault.

Yang:I really, really want to meet this other me and have a few words. She needs to know she isn’t trying hard enough. I’m proof.

Ruby:Yeah, but you’re only well off because the person that helped you get over Blake, was Jaune. Yeah she still can find love, but who that person will be would be uncharted territory for everyone.

Blake:Also I’m not entirely sure exactly if my Yang is even bi like you.

Yang:Sigh....

Weiss:Love.

Blake:Huh?

Weiss:As long as a person shows your Yang genuine love and a place in their heart where she’ll remain forever, Yang would fall for them. They just have to make it a point to make her feel like they’ll stay. Yangs are softies like that.

Yang:Wow, you an expert on me and all the versions of me now?

Weiss:No, you’re just a bleeding heart that’s super emotional. Let me guess, you fell for Jaune the moment you realized just how relaxed and vulnerable you could allow yourself to be around him.

Yang:*red*.......he holds me when I’m overwhelmed.

RWB:Awwww

Yang:Shut up! Blake, take the heat off me.

Blake:Not too much more. Lucas is a smart kid who generally stays out of trouble. Unfortunately, trouble finds him. Mainly because of his semblance.

Ruby:Don’t tell me...

Blake:No no, it’s not bad luck like your uncle, but Lucas can’t always control it so their similar in that regard. Premonitions, that’s his semblance.

Weiss:Like...the future? You child can see the future?!

Blake:Yeah. *sips drink* it’s terrible.

Ruby:What? That sounds so handy! Man, if I could someone fighting me before it happened, I’d be a monster on the battlefield.

Blake:Lucas isn’t a fighter. Well, he’s not aspiring to fight. He can fight, pretty dang well in fact.; but randomly seeing the future is not a gift. Imagine picking up a book and you suddenly know the ending, or watching a movie and you start seeing the middle of it right after you press play?

Yang:Ahhh, that’s why he’s lazy and unmotivated. His semblance is massive spoiler alert. Half the fun of new things is not knowing what will happen.

Ruby:Oof, you have a point. I’d be paranoid to no end.

Blake:To a point, he was. Ever since he was ten. Disasters happen at the drop of a hat. Lucas isn’t the kind of person to watch bad things unfold, so whenever it was possible or even if it was risky, he’d do whatever he could to prevent said disaster. But.....there’s only so much anyone person can do. There’s only so much information he sees. The constant strain and guilt that came from failing ate him up. The. There’s the incidents he’s seen that didn’t show him how it began or how it will end. *rubbing her hands* It’s bad...

Weiss:Hey, I...I’ve noticed your hands and frankly even your face are a bit....slim. Your skin isn’t as colorful as I’m used to either. Almost like it’s regaining color.

Blake:Hehehe.......I guess you were bound to notice of all people.

Weiss:Of course. I may not run a a company in my world but I keep tabs on my brother and have had my fair share of visits to a doctor. Why wouldn’t I notice.

Yang:So can we talk as if there are people who have no clue what’s going on?

Weiss:Blake has had one of two things happen to her. She’s either worked way too hard to the point she’s not taking care of her health, or she’s fallen very ill and her body is still recovering.

Blake:Yeah, it’s more of the second one, but probably because of the first one as well. Forwarding equality, I was overzealous with it. One day Lucas just started shaking and crying when he was twelve and I couldn’t understand why. Turns out he kept seeing me bedridden and unconscious without a reason. Day in and day out he simply cried and tried his best to get another premonition to learn more, but couldn’t. A week later I started feeling a little dizzy, and then blacked out after vomiting. At first I thought maybe I had the flu or something. Nope, a tumor.

Weiss:What?

Ruby:Blake!?

Yang:Oh shit, are you-

Blake:Perfectly fine! *smiles* I’m fine. Liver cancer, but it was caught early. No more tumor what so ever, but the meds and the entire process was really draining. Got sicker a couple of times. Not once did I feel like I was dying necessarily, more like...slipping? I felt myself getting drained. The whole time Lucas was so scared; blaming himself for not preventing this or knowing how to fix it. Though simply knowing he saw me like was a warning most people wish they got. I know I said seeing the future is terrible, but the scariest part through all of this was not knowing how it ended. Choosing medicine, doctors, surgery possibilities, it made me crack under pressure a little. I think he noticed that. I wasn’t sure if I picking an option that lead me dying or getting better. The stress alone may have killed me. Ever since then Lucas hasn’t been so outgoing.

Ruby:....

Weiss:....

Yang....It was already said, but there was no way this wasn’t going to get sad was there?

Blake:Take it from me, there’s joy in pain. So many people came to visit me when I was recovering. Even Yang dropped by for a bit. After I got out, I don’t think Lucas ever hugged me so hard. Jaune tried to stay calm through the whole ordeal but it was rough for him too. He was all but spent emotionally when I came home.

Weiss:I’m surprised Lucas didn’t become an older brother.

Blake:The last thing a recovering patient needs is a pregnancy, but as far as missing me goes...

Ruby:You can stop right there with that tangent.

Yang:We’ll talk about that in private. I wouldn’t mind that story.

Blake:*playfully rolls eyes* These days I try not to over do things. I’ve only officially been deemed completely cured for about a year. I can feel that I’m still not entirely up to strength. It’s fine though. It gives me an excuse for Lucas to dote on me a little. He’s a mama’s boy at heart. My biggest worries these days is peeling him out of this shell his semblance had put him in. At the very least I want him to smile like he used to and find away to live in moment when possible. His entire life is ahead of him. Hopefully he doesn’t see all of it.

Ruby:I guess too much of anything really is bad. Knowledge included. I hope things work out.

Yang:Me too. A happy life is something you definitely earned.

Blake:Thanks. That seriously means a lot, which is why I made sure to not end this on a sour note.

The happy faunus pulled out her scroll to scroll through pictures and her friends eyes lit up. The first one was a beach photo. This Jaune was different from what they were used to. He let his hair grow a little bit longer and the back went down his neck, but it was definitely still him. This jaune was pretty toned and went for a lean look than bulky like Weiss’s, but a tad slimmer. On his shoulders was an adorable toddler with wide amber eyes and big blonde cat ears. Both men were enjoying the sunset on the waves.

The next photo was more recent with Blake right in the middle of hopping into Lucas’s arms. Weiss noticed the girl still had on the hospital bracelet. She must’ve just gotten cleared. Lucas had grown like a weed. He was now roughly Jaune’s height. His hair was messy and looked like Jaune’s in his younger years. Also like his father, Lucas was jacked! His sleeveless purple shirt should off his biceps as they wrapped around Blake’s torso for a hug. His baggy purple shorts had black and gold trim through the seams and the shorts stopped right below his knees; but showed of his well defined calves. A smile of pure joy and what could’ve been a few tears were visible as he looked lovingly at his mother. It warmed all of the ladies hearts. Still, the girls also could tell under his eyes were a little dark. Lucas must’ve been very tired.

The final picture had to be the most recent. It was Blake and Lucas sparring. Both looked at each other with excitement and ease as their wooden blades clashed. Their clothes mirrored one another by being black and white kimonos. They even wore the traditional shoes and everything.

Weiss:Yeah, that’s your kid.

Blake:Damn right. Unfortunately that makes him a little too stubborn. But I guess that’s okay. Without a doubt, someone’s gonna break through that shell of his.

Yang:Oh? It sounds like you already know who?

Blake:Well....I have a hunch.

xxxxx

RING! RING! RING! Lucas’s scroll chirped, in the middle of the night. The boy let out a long, agitated groan of sleepiness as he rolled over in bed; reaching for his scroll on the nightstand to answer.

Lucas:Hello?

???:Did you know you are mathematically more likely to choke on a hotdog than get attacked by a shark?

Lucas:....Serenity, who gave you my number?

Serenity:Your parents, and it’s Serendipity!

Lucas:Too many syllables. Also a bit ironic given who you are. With the way you act though, my name for you is better.

Serenity:Ooooo so we’re moving on to pet names? How forward of you.

Lucas:Five seconds before I hang up. Three...two-

Serenity:You’re late! You promised to guide me around the beach at twelve. That’s now.

Lucas:.....P.M. Twelve P.M. Serenity. Why in the world would I mean midnight!?

Serenity:It’s romantic and personal. Nobody else is around. I thought you were trying to use that Belladonna magic on me by acting all cool and aloof in the moonlight.

Lucas:.....

Lucas:Please delete my number.

Serenity:Not on your life, my whiskered bodyguard!

Lucas:Don’t have whiskers-

Serenity:If you don’t wanna move that butt of yours to hang out with a pretty girl in a floppy hat and sundress with a bikini underneath, that’s your loss. I’m still going for a dip.

Lucas:Do not go in the water when nobody is around.

Serenity:Pfft, I’m a strong swimmer.

Lucas:Sharks.

Serenity:It’s more dangerous to eat a hotdog.

Lucas:Sharks feed at night.

Serenity:Are you trying to tell me the statistics aren’t as reliable just because it’s nighttime.

Lucas:That’s exactly what I’m saying.

Serenity:Then you better move your butt just in case. Either you get a snack or the sharks do. Either way, I get attention.

Lucas:Difference is one wants to eat you.

Serenity:My goodness Lucas, oh brazen of you.

Lucas:......

Lucas:Tell the sharks I said hi.

Serenity:Okay! Byyyyyyeeeee! *hangs up*

Lucas:(She’ll be fine.)

..........

Lucas:*putting on shoes* This is bullshit. Who thinks midnight!? *walking down stairs* Can’t have a peaceful day or night....

Jaune:*watching tv* Hey Lucas, going some-

Lucas:I’m giving out your phone number to a homeless man the first chance I get! *walks out door*

Jaune:.....(Whatever gets you outside more.)

It took about fifteen minutes of aggressive walking for Lucas to wrap around to the back of his house towards their section of the beach. Where Serenity walked around humming and collecting seashells without a care in the world.

Lucas:The next shell you grab will have a crab in it.

Serenity:Huh? Oh hey you’re finally-ahhhh! Ow ow ow ow ow ow!

Lucas:Should’ve listened.

Serenity:Have a better warning!!!! It won’t let go!

Lucas:Pull it off.

Serenity:That’s hurt!!! Lucas, help!

Lucas:Fine, if you delete my number.

Serenity:*sniffling* Stop being mean!!! This really hurts, it’s breaking the skin. Isn’t a young and pretty girl’s tears payment enough!? I thought you were getting paid to-

Lucas:Oh my goodness! Okay, just shush. I’m too sleepy for this.

Serenity:You’re mean when you’re sleepy. At least your waking up voice sounds handsome though.

Lucas:Please....stop. Stop everything. *removing crab* Happy?

Serenity:No, you’re not happy. Also my finger is bleeding.

Lucas:Yep, looks like you can’t go swimming now for real.

Serenity:Eh, I lied anyways. I’m not getting in that water. There are sharks in that watery grave.

Lucas:So. Why. Did. You. Wake. Me. Up?

Serenity:....*red* I...don’t really, have friends here. Besides you. Umm *points to pail and shovels* sandcastles?

Lucas:*inhales*......I’ll get the water.

Serenity:*smiles* Yes! I’ll delete your number later.

Lucas:*red* You....can keep it of you really want.

Serenity:....Kek, okay Mr. Tsundere

Lucas:You can remove the next crab alone.

Serenity:Don’t joke like that! That was a joke, right?

Lucas:Welp that pail isn’t gonna fill itself. *leaves*

Serenity:What!? Lucas!!! You were joking right!? Right!? *looking around the sand* you’re a lousy bodyguard!

Lucas:Good, fire me.

Serenity:I...you....ugh!

Lucas:Cheer up, I’m happy now after all. *smiles*

Serenity:*pouting* This is why I’m a dog person.

[hyperpsychomaniac]

The Woodchuck Leader Assessment - Chapter 1

DT17 Fanfiction

Summary: When Launchpad’s ability to supervise children is called into question, Dewey tags along on a Junior Woodchuck trip to support his best friend.

***

“Dewey, I can’t believe you want to be a Junior Woodchuck! You’re going to have so much fun…”

Dewey glared at his sibling on the bus seat beside him. “Huey, for the last time, I do not want to be a nerdy Junior Woodchuck like you. I’m only here for Launchpad.” The bus jerked over a bump, and Dewey grabbed onto his seat. He was doing this Launchpad. Which meant he could put up with a bumpy ride, and bugs, and sleeping on the ground in a cold bed without all the excitement of an adventure or a treasure to find. Boring.

And, of course, Huey. “Sure, you say that now. But once you’ve really sunk your teeth into what it means to be a Junior Woodchuck, you’ll change your mind. After all, that’s what this trip is about, showing the wonderful world of Woodchucks to our potential new recruits!”

A couple rows behind them, Doofus Drake threw his head back and groaned. “I can’t believe my parents made me go on this stupid trip. It was so much easier when I could just boss them around. Urgh, no one understands how much my life suuucks.”

Well, at least he wasn’t the only one who didn’t want to be here. There were a few other kids on the bus who weren’t wearing the Woodchuck uniform. The lack of uniform made it obvious the turn out for the Junior Woodchuck open day/overnight trip was less than spectacular. Heck, if he’d had to wear the uniform Dewey would have been out of there so fast. And if a lousy turnout was all this was about, Dewey would have happily left his best buddy on his own. No, it was a somewhat more serious matter that had convinced him Launchpad needed his support.

The bus lurched as Launchpad hoisted himself into the aisle, steadying himself with a hand on the back of the seats either side of him. “Now, I know what you’re all thinking…”

“That we want to go hoooome,” groaned Doofus.

“What? Someone thinks your fearless leader is incapable of looking after children? Now, it may be true that a couple parents put in complaints over what I’ve heard is being referred to as ‘the bear incident’,” Launchpad toppled sideways as he made air quotes, then righted himself, “but rest assured, this happens sometimes.”

One of the new kids raised a hand tentatively. “Woodchucks… get chased by bears a lot?”

Huey huffed. “Seriously? The ‘bear incident’ was nothing compared to the stuff we do with Uncle Scrooge all the time. Sounds like those parents need to get outside a little more and have a real adventure.”

“Aw, Huey, that’s not really fair, they’re just worried about their kids,” said Launchpad. “I know you kids like me, and I always make sure you’re looked after. But not all Woodchuck leaders have always been… er, good with kids. Your parents need some way they can check up on us if they’ve got any concerns. And I certainly don’t mind having some assessor around to make sure I’m taking care of you guys properly. So, don’t be too hard on the parents, okay Huey?”

Dewey leaned over and lowered his voice. “Did Launchpad just tell you off?”

“What? No. Shush, he’s still talking.”

Dewey settled back in his seat with a faint smirk.

“But that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t take precautions. So, Senior Junior Woodchuck leader…” Launchpad nodded to Violet.

“I will implement Competent Woodchuck Leader Protocols,” she said with a curt nod.

“Right, and whatever those were again…”

“We’ve got your back, LP,” Huey clarified.

Maybe Launchpad did have this, Dewey thought, along with a sinking feeling in his gut he immediately felt bad for. So he was stuck out here a couple days, but at least it was for his buddy. If LP slipped up, Violet and Huey were… nerds… but pretty good Woodchucks, whatever that actually entailed, so Launchpad would be fine.

“So, yes, there’s going to be an assessor along; he’ll be waiting for us when we arrive. So I want everyone to be on their best behavior. Don’t be mean to him; he’s only here to help. All this means is you’ll have another Woodchuck leader for the trip, which is always fun, right?”

“Woo! Competent supervision!” said Huey.

Dewey rolled his eyes.

Violet raised a hand. “Did they tell you who would be performing this assessment?”

“Noo idea.” Launchpad glanced over his shoulder. “Whoops. Look at that, I picked that one up all by myself… I’m supposed to be driving.”

Dewey straightened. “Wait, what?”

Launchpad dove into the driver’s seat and threw them hard right as a blur of trees swung in front of the windshield.

Dewey pulled himself out of his brother’s lap as the bus’ suspension settled. “Are we sure he’s going to be okay with this assessment thing? I mean, you guys did get chased by a bear.”

Huey waved a hand dismissively. “At worse LP will scare them a bit. But no one’s ever said he couldn’t run our troop anymore. Plus, you might decide you want to be a…”

“Nope. Here for LP.”

The bus screeched to a stop and the door squeaked open. Launchpad leaped back into the aisle, a grin plastered across his beak. Dewey momentarily wondered if he was just excited to have another adult along to help on the trip. I mean, bad turn out or not it was still a lot of kids, and that had to be hectic to manage alone.

A short dog hefted himself up the stairs onto the bus. He too wore the Woodchuck uniform. Grey hairs sprouted around his muzzle. He barely came up to Launchpad’s chest. But Launchpad’s grin slowly slipped away, and he shrunk back. “Mr… Mr Russell?”

“Well, Launchpad McQuack,” the assessor drawled. “Haven’t seen you in a long time. Looks like it’s up to me to decide whether you’ve got a right to be here. Guess that’ll make it just like old times.”

***

Chapter 2

[kyber-crystal]

department of matchmaking || s.r

summary: in which you’re asked by aunt may to babysit peter while she’s away at a business conference & steve tags along. peter, being the innocent smol bean he is, tries to get you and the Captain together.

words: ~3.1k

warnings: none, just fluff & a little matchmaking spider-man :) and OH steve’s blue jacket heheh. tony’s your dad in this oop cant resist a stark child. shhh CW never happened bc i’m still in denial 

Peter: Aunt May says she has a couple errands to run so she won't be back until later this afternoon. Can you pick me up? School just ended.

You: Of course!

Peter: Ned and I are planning on building the Lego Death Star tonight. I know you're a sucker for building stuff :)

You: You know me so well, kiddo. I'm definitely in. How could I miss out on our weekly date nights?

Peter: You're the best! See you soon

You: See you!

"Where are you going?"

"May's busy, so I gotta go pick Peter up from school," you explained to Steve as you slung your purse over your shoulder and grabbed the keys to your (Tony's) Audi, sliding your sunglasses on. "We're having one of our weekly Friday movie nights, and he and Ned just got a new Lego set that they want me to help construct. You wanna come along?"

"Sure, I don't mind."

You headed outside to the car together, sticking the keys into the ignition as Steve slid in next to you in the passenger's seat. "I hope you don't have anything else planned for the rest of tonight. We might be there for a while...I know we were gonna see that new action movie in theaters tomorrow. I'm sorry."

"Nope, no plans," he smiled, "I'm free for the rest of this weekend. As long as I get to spend time with you, it's okay."

You couldn't help but feel your heart flutter a bit at his words. 

But you quickly brushed the thought off, knowing the last thing you were supposed to do was fall for someone after you'd just gotten over a nasty breakup.

Soon enough, you pulled up in front of Midtown High School and saw Peter standing with Ned by the curb. You rolled the window down and called out to them. "Hey, boys. Need a ride?"

"My favorite Avenger! Hi!" Ned greeted as he and Peter got into the backseat, strapping their seatbelts on.

"Ouch, I'm offended," Steve placed a hand over his chest and pretended to look hurt. "I thought I was your favorite?"

"Captain America! It's an honor!" he exclaimed. "I've heard so much about you from Peter!"

"Oh, really? I hope he only told you good things?" the super-soldier chuckled.

"Yup!"

"So, how was school?" you glanced back at the two teenagers from the rearview mirror. "Anything interesting happen?"

"No, except they actually served something edible in the cafeteria for lunch today," Peter rolled his eyes. "Which is a first."

You sighed, placing your hand back on the wheel, "School food isn't the best thing ever."

"So uh, I have a question," Ned spoke up as you headed down the street, "are you and Y/N a...thing? ‘Cause I hear a lot of fans are speculating that the kickass agent and America’s golden boy are dating."

"What? No," you and Steve replied in unison, exchanging a knowing look before bursting into laughter. "No."

"Okay..."

It was mostly quiet for the rest of the car ride back to the apartment. Peter pulled out the keys from his jacket pocket and slid it in the lock, pushing the door open and gesturing for the rest of you to come inside.

"So," he breathed out, setting his backpack down by the front door and dusting his hands off. You sat around the sofa together, glancing at the massive Lego set on the coffee table. "Here it is, in all its glory."

"How many pieces is this?" Steve questioned, looking at it in shock.

"Almost 4000."

A buzzing sound from his phone made Peter look down, swiping a few times before unlocking it and scanning over the new notification.

"May has an overnight business conference and she won't be back until tomorrow evening. She wants you to babysit," he explained as he looked up at you.

"Fine by me," you shrugged. "Cap?"

"Sure, why not."

"But I'm 15 and 8 months! I'm not a baby."

"Well, kiddo, I'm 28 and Tony treats me like a baby even though I’m not a baby anymore. Steve's going on 32, and acts like he's 12."

"I do not!"

"Yes, you do."

"I do not!"

"Yes, you do."

"Arguing like a married couple," Peter coughed, and Ned wiggled his eyebrows up and down. "Cute."

"For the last time, we're not a thing," you let out an exasperated sigh, but felt a blush creep up your cheeks as you spoke.

Two hours later you were a little over halfway done with building the Death Star, and fatigue was beginning to catch up with you after you neglected your sleep schedule and pulled three all-nighters in a row bingeing Netflix with Sam.

You let out a yawn as you flipped through the instructions pamphlet, stretching your arms up in the air.

"You tired?" Steve asked. You were too tired to respond, simply leaning into him and closing your eyes.

"You can take her to the guest room. Straight down the hall, then turn right," Peter said as he noticed you'd now fallen asleep on him. "We can continue this after dinner."

Steve scooped you up into his strong arms and carried you down the hall, pushing the door to the guest room open with one hand before carefully setting you down on the bed, tucking you in.

"Sleep tight," he whispered, a ghost of a smile on his face as he leaned down to kiss your forehead and left.

"Ahem. Now that she's gone," Ned cleared his throat, "time to plan on how we're supposed to get our OTP together!"

"Ned, really-"

"You should ask her out, Cap. I see the way you look at her," Peter raised an eyebrow at him, "I mean, it's clear to everyone how you feel about her, and the way she feels about you. Sam sees it, Mr. Stark sees it, heck, I think May has her suspicions as well because she wouldn't stop talking about how great of a couple you two would be over dinner last night-"

"Look, Peter, I don't think she's ready for a relationship."

"Why not?"

"She just broke up with her boyfriend two months ago. I doubt she'd be willing to date again."

"But you're her best friend! You're literally the perfect man for her!"

"It doesn't matter. I'm not taking advantage of someone when they're vulnerable. That isn't right."

He scoffed, crossing his arms over his chest and kicking his feet up against the coffee table, tossing a spare Lego piece up and down in one hand. "Yeah, I totally believe the great Captain America isn't in love with the great Y/N."

"She's my friend. A teammate."

"Friends with benefits!" Ned chimed in. Steve made a face at this. "No, not like that. I mean that as in, you guys do all the things that regular couples do, except you're not officially a couple. And I think that's big enough of an indication that you should get together for real."

"I'm just waiting for the right time."

"AHA!" both boys shouted. "So you are in love with her!"

"Keep it down!" he scolded. "She's asleep!"

"You didn't deny it this time..."

"Fine, whatever. What do you guys want for dinner? I'll go pick it up."

"Pizza."

"If Y/N asks where I am, just tell her I went to go get the food."

"Okay."

As soon as the door shut behind Steve, Peter and Ned's heads immediately whipped over and they faced each other, exchanging evil grins.

"Are you thinking what I'm thinking?" Ned practically squealed.

"Yeah, I'm thinking what you're thinking!"

"Romantic dinner and movie night setup!" both boys whooped and hollered.

"I'll light the candles and get the napkins. May always keeps a stock of scented ones when Y/N comes over because she loves the smell of cherry blossoms."

"...I'll grab the rose petals and tablecloth."

"Rose petals?"

"Mind if I tear apart the flower on your desk?"

"Yeah, yeah, go ahead. Also, the regular tall candles are in the cabinet below the sink in the bathroom."

"Yessir."

Twenty minutes later, Steve came back with the pizza in hand, setting the keys on the counter and closing the door, stopping dead in his tracks as he observed the scene before him.

"What is going on?"

"We set up a date night for you two because we know you've been working hard this past week and deserved to relax," Peter explained happily. "So, here you go!"

"Peter," Steve sighed, rubbing his forehead, "I appreciate your effort, but Y/N isn't ready for a relationship and neither one of us has feelings for the other."

"But you guys deserve a break! After working nonstop you should at least rest or something."

"Alright, alright. I'll go get Y/N. You guys set the pizza on the plates for everyone, okay?"

"Got it."

You yawned and rubbed your eyes, then stretched your arms up into the air, skidding to a halt as you observed the sight before you.

“Wh...what’s going on?”

Peter and Ned grinned from where they sat on the couch, paper plates on their laps. “We thought you deserved a nice break, so we set up a little something for you guys!”

“A romantic dinner? Why...”

"It looks pretty and gives off a relaxing mood. Why else?” Peter laughed nervously. “Now eat!”

“Okay...” you started growing suspicious, but didn’t question it, “alright, then.”

You fell into an awkward silence after that, aside from the occasional sound of silverware clinking against plates and drink glasses being set back down on the table. The atmosphere felt heavier than before and you couldn’t help but wonder what it was. 

“So, uh...how have you been holding up?” Steve asked you tentatively. He knew the topic of your ex-boyfriend was still that of a rather sensitive one - you’d come storming through the elevator doors and gulped down half a bottle of vodka (you never drank, so this had everyone genuinely worried), before heading upstairs and taking a forty-five minute shower, then afterwards, proceeded to lock yourself in your room for the rest of the afternoon. 

When you wouldn’t come down for dinner, he had to carry up your food to you and when you refused to eat, he was the one to force-feed you. When you suddenly broke down sobbing when he asked you if you were alright, he was the one who held you in your arms. He was the one who got you out of bed to bring you downstairs for some fresh air and to interact with the others, and not once during the time he was having to take care of you for, did he question any of your behavior. You were hurting and that was all that mattered. If you were hurting, he was hurting, too.

“It’s been a rough eight weeks...” you sighed, rubbing your forehead with one hand as you took a sip of wine. “Could be better, but...I’m alright. I just wish I could’ve seen that coming from the moment I went on that blind date with him.”

“What do you mean?” Steve was confused - you’d never mentioned any details of your relationship, you were a very private person, for that matter. You rarely ever opened up to anyone. “I thought you were...”

“Happy? Hell no, I don’t even know why I stayed,” you scoffed as you took another swing of your drink. “It was so easy to fall into a routine. There was this gaping hole in my heart, and...I needed it to be filled somehow. Then Agent Williams comes along, a seemingly perfect new SHIELD recruit, almost everything a girl could possibly want in a man standing right in front of me...how could I not fall for his façade? I didn’t realize it was doomed from the start until about a week into the relationship...but I held my tongue. I knew if I dared to speak up against him, he’d somehow manage to use my words against me, twist everything I said into a whole new lie...he manipulated me, day after day...yet I still didn’t leave because I genuinely believed he’d change. 

“But I was wrong. I was naïve, I stayed because I was so desperate to experience true happiness that I went as far as to stay with someone I knew would do a number on my mental health in the long run. I shouldn’t have been surprised when I walked into HQs one day to drop stuff of for Coulson, to see Williams on top of someone else...in the gym. In the gym...of all places. I only didn’t blast him because I didn’t want to destroy Fury’s property. So I slapped him and left. That’s it. This whole...fling, or whatever the hell you want to call this shitty relationship, lasted only twenty-six days before everything fell apart. God, I’m so stupid - I should’ve known. I was so stupid, I’m such a horrible person for doing what-”

Steve felt his blood boil with anger. Williams had cheated on you - that’s why you’d broken up. All this time he’d been thinking that you simply fell out of love, or maybe ended it on friendlier terms - when in fact, it was anything but.

Nobody deserved to be treated this way, especially you. I could treat you much better, he thought to himself.

“Hey, sweetheart,” he said softly, reaching a hand up to wipe the stray tears that fell from your eyes. Instead of letting his hand fall back at his side right away, he let it linger there for a moment, gently stroking your cheekbone with his thumb. The feeling sent electricity up his fingers. “It’s not your fault. You’re not a bad person...he is.”

“Shit, I think our plan’s backfiring,” Peter hissed into Ned’s ear as they watched the scene unfold from the couch. “What the fuck, Ned!”

“Shh! Hold on, they’re having a really deep conversation. Let them be for a second.”

“I was stupid enough to stay, when he was giving off all the wrong signs...I should’ve listened to Tony and Nat. They knew. They knew from the moment we first got together, but I didn’t listen...”

“It’s okay. You didn’t know any better,” he reassured you, absentmindedly taking your hand in his and rubbing circles across your palm, “you just wanted to be happy. To experience that feeling that came along with being in a relationship. Frankly, I think I would’ve done the same thing.”

“And what makes me feel even worse,” your voice caught in your throat as you spoke, “...were my true intentions of staying. I wanted to be happy, I really did. But I realized I’d never achieve that with someone like him...in a way, I was using him too, I guess. Not for my personal gain or anything, not to boost my social status, like he did...he always made a point of walking around and declaring that he had an Avenger girlfriend. But...”

“But what?”

“I knew if I was in a relationship with someone, that’d prevent me from thinking about being with anyone else. Well...that plan failed...horribly.”

“...What are you saying?”

“Of course, I didn’t figure that out until not long ago...but yeah. The heart wants what it wants...and it didn’t want him.”

“Then who was it?”

Your gaze flickered down to your now-intertwined fingers. You hesitated for a moment before speaking again. “...I think you know who it is, Steve.”

“See!” Ned kicked Peter in the shin as he was in the middle of finishing off his second slice, and he winced. “It’s getting saucy!”

“Ow!” 

“I think we both know,” Steve murmured. 

You let out a sound that was a cross between a laugh and a sob. “I don’t know why I tried pursuing a relationship that wouldn’t fulfill me in the long run. I should’ve known it was you all along, huh? You know me like the back of your hand. For Odin’s sake, you remembered every detail of my SHIELD file, my favorite color, my exact birth date, everything there is to know about me. It’s always been you-”

“...It broke my heart to see you with someone who wasn’t me,” he said quietly.

“Then why didn’t you say anything?”

“I didn’t want you to feel like I was meddling in your love life. I know you hate it when people do that.”

“Steve-”

“I knew you weren’t as happy as you let on. I shouldn’t have stayed silent...I should’ve at least said something. I was terrified to speak up, thinking that you wouldn’t reciprocate my feelings-”

“You...you what?”

“Yeah,” he chuckled lightly, “I’m in love with you.”

Peter let out a squeak. Ned chucked a pillow at him, a giddy look on his face.

“Good news,” you laughed, “because I’m in love with you too.”

“FINALLY!” Ned whooped, unable to contain his excitement for any longer. He and Peter exchanged a fist-bump. “FINALLY FINALLY FINALLY! I can’t believe our ship finally sailed! Though I gotta be honest, I had no idea pizza could bring out people’s true feelings like that.”

“We’re geniuses!” Peter squealed, pulling out his phone.. “Oh, wait until Mr. Stark hears about this!”

Your eyes widened in realization. “Peter, don’t you dare c-”

Too late. A buzzing sound came from your phone, alerting you of a new notification, and you unlocked it to see a text from your father. 

Mr. Stank😡: Took you long enough, honey. I expect a grandchild soon.

Mr. Stank😡: But I’m gonna be honest, I wouldn’t want any other man for you than Capsicle himself.

You let out a loud groan, shoving your phone back into your purse. “Oh, come on.”

A buzzing sound came from Steve’s phone as well, and he took it out of his pocket to take a look. 

Stark: You better not knock her up until after you get married and then leave. I learned that lesson too late. I’m being serious when I’m telling you to treat her right - she hasn’t been the same since her mother walked out all those years ago. You make her happy, though, so I won’t try to intervene.

Stark: But if you hurt her in any way, I’ll break your face. Capiche?

Steve: ...Capiche.

“Ooh! I just got a promotion for telling him about you guys!” Peter clasped his hands together. “I’m joining you on your next group mission!”

“That’s great, Peter!” you congratulated, “but...why would he give you a promotion for...this?”

“Because he’s been waiting for this to happen for the longest time! Oh and also, your food’s getting cold.”

“We could just reheat it. Or...if you guys are still hungry, do you want to go to Olive Garden?” Steve looked over at the two teenage boys. 

“YES.”

“Y/N, what about you?”

“It’s a date,” you winked. You let out a small laugh upon seeing his cheeks flush red.

[creativityobsessed]

Be Brave Adachi, or the musical shaping of episodes 1-4

Part 1: Episode 1

Ok folks, buckle up. @ohmypreciousgirl asked me for more music meta and I need exactly ZERO arm twisting for that to happen, so I immediately put on my listening ears and musicologist hat and started my eleventy first rewatch. Since I’m currently only through episode 4 on this rewatch, and I have a page and a half of notes, I’m gonna put in a Read More so that I don’t take up the next 5 miles of the tags. You might be interested if:

You like music

You’re interested in detailed analysis of character development

You’re wondering why the heck those scenes where Adachi is having all the anxiety are so dang effective.

The answer, of course, is that the music helps to shape the exact moments that Adachi makes steps towards character growth. Under the cut, you’ll find out exactly how it’s doing that.

This will be a 4-part series, running over the next 4 days because I got halfway through episode 3 and realized that yall did NOT want a 10 page paper in a single tumblr post. Plus then I can extend the series to include the rest of the episodes later.

So. Without further ado.

Episode 1  (If you’d like to watch/listen along, cue up 19:45 in episode 1* now.) 

At the beginning of the show, we’re introduced to Adachi, the shy, introverted, anxious klutz. He tells us lots of things about himself, most of which include some reference to either his lack of bravery or his self-esteem which is currently so low that it seems to be floating somewhere in the Marianas Trench. Aside from the opening scene with the bike (which many of us, myself included, have hypothesized comes from some kind of future) the music is mostly laid-back, a little jazzy, and repetitive. Adachi’s office scenes come with a walking bass/guitar line that never really finds a melody, and reminds me of nothing more than generic 90s/early 2000s slice-of-life “this is every day” music. His Adachi-at-home music is gently strummed guitar, slow and kind of lethargic, mirroring the way Adachi just floats through life. The main exception is Adachi’s monologue on Kurosawa, which is fast paced, march-like, and jaunty - a reflection of how Adachi sees Kurosawa before the events of the show.

And then, at the end of the episode, that changes, and we get something new for the first time. Adachi is processing the new revelation that Kurosawa actually does like him, and he has just finished telling himself that Kurosawa must have gone crazy to like someone like him. There has been no musical accompaniment since they were in the office together. Kurosawa wraps the scarf around Adachi’s neck and Adachi hears Kurosawa’s inner monologue, cataloging the things he likes about Adachi.

This speech is obviously a turning point for Adachi, but we can be more specific than that. For Kurosawa’s first couple of points, we’re still in silence, and Adachi is looking down. We can imagine that he’s doing his own mental list that starts something like “yeah but…” But after the line “He’s actually an extremely kind and nice guy,” Adachi looks up at Kurosawa, and finally, after two whole minutes of silence in the soundtrack, a new kind of cue comes in.

This new cue is the antithesis of the rest of the soundtrack. It’s fully acoustic (with a little bit of reverb) and played on the piano, an instrument that the composer has not yet used. What’s more, the fragment that the piano repeats is completely unstable. We have no idea what key we’re in (yet. Spoiler, it’ll be A-major, eventually). [warning: technical stuff starts here, if you don’t care about specifics, jump to the /endTechnical tag] It starts with a first inversion D-major chord (in later iterations, IV^6) that attempts to resolve to G-D-A which is NOT a chord, or rather, it could be any number of chords but without a 3rd somewhere in there we don’t know which it is.

Ok, ok, so, resolution failed. Let’s try again! D-major^6 and then instead of going down to D, the A goes up a M3 to C-sharp, making G-E-C-sharp - WHOOPS that’s a tritone, less resolution than the first time. To be fair, the tritone is pretty far apart, and there’s an E floating around in the middle, so it doesn’t feel as teeth grinding-ly gross as your average Danse Macabre, but it SURE AS HELL doesn’t feel resolved either. [/endTechnical]

And we go back and forth between these two VERY unresolved phrases. It’s like we’re (read: Adachi is) stuck asking new questions that he doesn’t have any answers for. It’s unsettling and we spend almost 30 seconds just sitting there feeling unresolved, trying again and again in different octaves, with slightly different notes in the (almost inaudible) string parts-- nothing works. Adachi is not ready to move beyond the questions themselves, so the music doesn’t either, ending on a high unresolved note with Kurosawa’s “Wait.”^

And that’s IT. No resolution. The next musical cue is after enough dead space that our metaphorical ear palate has been cleansed (which is good, cause we jump from quasi-A major to a sequential figure with at least FOUR FLATS - about as distant a key as you can get). To get resolution for the Questioning cue, we’re going to have to wait.

And wait and wait, because that’s it for tonight yall! Episode 2 coming tomorrow!

Continue to part 2

[Although, real quick, before we move on to Episode 2, I just wanna mention that I love that Adachi’s fears about Kurosawa’s crush are scored with a very speedy bebop style cue while Kurosawa’s actual fantasies might as well be a Bach Oratorio COMPLETE WITH METRONOME, because if you needed to shorthand “antithesis” musically I’m not sure I could think of a better way of doing it, short of using screamo metal and Hildegard von Bingen lol.]

*All video timings and quotes are from Irozuku Subs videos. If you’re watching somewhere else, your mileage may vary slightly.

^As an English speaker I love the parallelism in how American English speakers use a rising tone to indicate questions, but I don’t know enough about Japanese to know if that transfers.

[kingofthewilderwest]

9, 10, 12, 19, 20, 21 for the fandom asks! (i'm gonna create the question for 21. it is "which fandoms have you inadvertently become a part of through osmosis from friends?" or "which fandoms did you infect your friends with?" whoops two questions, whatever. enjoy, nerdface. my specialty is being a nosy fucker with too many questions)

Love you too, you obnoxious fucker. <3 <3 <3 <3 <3

Fandom Asks Memes

9. Do you like prequels?

I find absolutely nothing wrong with prequels! My philosophy is that, for any universe that can be cleverly and beautifully expanded upon with heart, doing so is a positive effect. The key to this is that it has to be done with inspiration and good intent. Crappy prequels that have nothing to say are bogus. Good prequels that provide a positive contribution? Yeah, sure, totes, go for it. I’d be interested in checking them out.

There’s lots of inherent dangers to writing prequels that mean some of them can be crappy. But I’ll enthusiastically endorse any contribution to media so long as I think it holds merit to its existence in the broader franchise.

10. Characters that deserved worse? >:]

I don’t believe in “deserves worse” for real life humans, so I think about that even less when we’re talking fiction. So long as it’s written well narratively, I’m fine with villains getting away with anything, antiheroes not being reprimanded for questionable actions, etc.

That said. Watching FMA 2003? I fucking wanted Shou Tucker fucking dead 3,000,000,000 episodes ago. WHY DID YOU GUYS KEEP HIM ALIVE!?!?!?! UAHGHGHGHGHGHghghghghghghg. Every time he was on screen, I was seethingly thinking, “I want that motherfucking thing dead, I am so sick of seeing him on screen.”

12. If you could change one ending to a book/show/game/etc, what would you change about it?

Alright! Let’s see. Can we call “The Hidden World” the “ending” of the broad How to Train Your Dragon franchise? I don’t want to change just the end of HTTYD3; I want to change HTTYD3. I would write a movie in which the villain had more apparent impact to the world around him, I would focus on Toothless having leadership problems with the dragons as a whole rather than centering a plot around him and one female, I would write Hiccup interacting with more sense of leadership over the whole tribe instead of hanging out merely with his group of young buds, and I would axe (intentional choice of words) the will-we-won’t-we subplot regarding Hiccstrid and marriage. For starters.

19. If you could be a part of any story, which story would you want to tag along in?

Take me to Narnia.

20. Name a song that reminds you heavily of a specific fandom or character.

Mars by Sleeping at Last. It describes the Ishvalan War, the fear of the Ishvalans, and the young Amestrian soldiers like Roy, Maes, Alex, and Riza who found themselves, to their horror, on the wrong end of a genocide.

“We were full of life. We could barely hold it in. We were amateurs at war, strangers to suffering. We made our families proud but scared at the same time. We promised we'd be safe--another lie from the front lines. Our backs against the wall, we're surrounded and afraid, our lives now in the hands of the soldiers taking aim. Our questions ricochet like broken satellites... how our bodies, born to heal, become so prone to die.”

21a. Which fandoms have you inadvertently become a part of through osmosis from friends?

How dare you ask me two 21′s. ;)

I’m not sure on this one. Maybe Doctor Who. In high school, a bunch of my friends invited me over for a movie night. Well, when I got there, they were cooking a bunch of foods. They decided to watch The Eleventh Hour, and when it came time for the Doctor to try eating a bunch of foods, my friends started eating fish fingers and custard, like some sort of fucking ritual. And I was like, “What the HECK is happening?!?!” My friends had been talking about how great this show was. This was my first exposure to it. Over the next few years, I did get a bit into Doctor Who, and followed it through the first half of college. XD

Also in the junior high, I had multiple friends who talked about Runescape so frequently that, even though I never even saw a SCREENSHOT of the game, I knew so much about it that I was able to follow along and contribute to their convos. Never played Runescape though. 

21b. Which fandoms did you infect your friends with?

[cackles] now that one? quite a ton!

I don’t mean to. I hate people coming up to me and saying, “You should watch X!” or “You NEED to watch Y!” I don’t like being judged for my tastes instead of letting me decide my own taste. I have so many things I already want to watch and I don’t want someone else trying to change my priorities around, even if I know they’re just trying to recommend something fun to me. I don’t have time for these things and I don’t want people assuming that I have time for those things. I’ll never get to anything someone says. I don’t like recommendations. Especially after this tumblr blog got big and I got a ton of unsolicited recommendations, it became a pet peeve. So I try hard not to force friends to watch anything. I don’t want to annoy them either with unsolicited recs. I want to be nice. <3 But I guess my natural, unending enthusiasm for things has gotten my friends curious and pulled into the same fandoms I love. XD XD XD Whoops! XD XD XD XD XD One second I’m screaming about a fandom... the next, three of my friends are screaming to me about it, too!

I have seen groups of friends follow me into...... Undertale, Voltron: Legendary Defender, Mass Effect, Deponia, Gravity Falls, and Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood. And I guess also bluegrass. If that can count as a “fandom.”

[mintchocolatechipnut]

kirishima's wedding

Note: This is for my sunshine boy, he deserves all the love in the world and what better way to show that through headcanons for his and his s/o’s wedding? I was inspired mainly by flash mobs and wedding dances, in particular this one, so here you go!

Tags: pure fluff, dancing, Kirishima is a sentimental man, I was projecting a little too much on this

Word count: 2.0k

To be honest, it isn’t that Kirishima isn’t interested in his own wedding

It’s more like he’s interested in marrying you

And at this point, when you’ve already given him the green light when you said yes to his proposal, he really couldn’t ask for more

So he’s actually pretty content with letting you pick out most things

His being one of the top 10 heroes (see: big bonuses) is just an added perk that he’s grateful for

You want that dress you saw in that top-grade wedding magazine? Sure. You want a multi-cuisine buffet for your reception? Go for it.

Boy’s honestly just really ecstatic that you’ve agreed to marry him

Though, if you did want input from him, just say the word and he’ll offer his ideas

He wants the best for you, but if you’re adamant on wanting this wedding to be a two-person thing, he has no qualms against that

However, it’s just that his schedule doesn’t really allow for all-day wedding planning—people still need saving, reports still need to be made, it ain’t the honeymoon yet, sweetheart!

But he’ll do his best to contribute in whatever ways he can, be it the direct planning or supporting you from the sidelines by attending wedding dress sessions with you, or checking out the venues you have in mind

Heck, he even makes sure you’re eating three full meals a day when you lose track of time planning

Meanwhile, people at work have been congratulating Kirishima for becoming an engaged man

And with so many warm-hearted regards, not just from his co-workers, but even his fans (Red Riot has the best fans ever), it’s hard not to stop him from looking forward to his own wedding even more

So from then on he finds little breaks in his routine so he can help you out

His favorite part about the entire process, though, was learning your first dance

You’d asked him if he was up for learning a fun little routine as your first dance during your wedding

Now Kirishima isn’t a great dancer by any means, but he is eager to please, so he said yes quite readily

Only when he saw the video did he blanch a little

He’d thought it’d be a sweet sensual waltz that wasn’t too hard to learn (based off what he heard from others), but you’d instead chosen a fast-paced, twisty sort of dance

What was it called again? Lindy hop? Swing? He’s not sure, but the song is catchy and cheesy enough for him to tap his foot to

But oh no. He can’t dance, he thinks. This is going to take a while

And it did. You enrolled the help of Mina, who graciously extended an offer to teach you an improvised routine for the likes of you and Kirishima despite her own busy schedule

Mina’s a strict teacher. Kirishima doesn’t know why he has never thought that before. Probably because he hadn’t danced under her tutelage during the cultural festival, but whatever

She pushes him to the limit, making sure he isn’t stiff with his movements, and to coordinate with you on timing and movements

The first class is a little of a disaster though. You end up stepping on each other’s toes a lot, and Kirishima feels unnatural and awkward as he dances

This wasn’t on his resume! He’s not cut out for this kind of agile, flexible movement. In fact, all he has to do sometimes during his hero work is stay in place as a shield. He doesn’t have it in him to twist and jive like you and Mina!

You can see that Kirishima is a little discouraged, and suggest a break

Kirishima’s quiet for those few minutes, staring down at his toes and flexing them, wondering if he can ever really do this right

It’s not like you don’t notice, but Mina is busy teaching you how to improve your own steps

When he sees you dance all on your own though, a surge of pride wells up in Kirishima because you’re doing your best even though this isn’t your territory

But you’d wanted to do it, and here you were putting your back into it

And—technically he wanted to do it too, right? Since he’d agreed.

Kirishima then realises that he hasn’t been giving this his all, considering he never thought it was in his nature, or part of his expertise, to do this

But there’s always a first time, right?

You feel a tap on your shoulder and turn to see a grinning Kirishima, holding two thumbs-up to say ‘Let’s go!’

After that practice goes a lot more smoothly, with Kirishima finally getting the rhythm in his veins and you two even having successfully danced through the first verse on just memory

When you get home, Kirishima’s so eager to get it right all over again that you have to tell him to tone it down because you yourself are aching all over from Mina’s spartan training

You begin having weekly sessions with Mina, always practicing in between when the both of you have the time, because it’s not like it’s the same when you practice on your own individually

And Kirishima realises he likes doing this with you, taking big new steps together out of your comfort zones, to do something different

Just like how you were soon to be taking a whole new big step into the future as husband and wife

And suddenly all these private dance sessions with you he brings a little closer to his heart

For one he’s never one to pass up the chance to practice with you, and what’s more, he thoroughly enjoys himself when he twirls you around the room and see the endless joy in your tired, satisfied smile at the end of it

Pretty soon he’s wanting to make sure that you put on the best performance for wedding day

He’s even resorted to bopping and doo-wopping in his office sometimes, even when Bakugou comes around for work things

In which he snorts and tells Kirishima he’s acting like a total idiot and should get off cloud 9 real quick, or else he’s gonna make him

But Kirishima really can’t bring himself to care, because he just knows that he’s going to make you proud on that day with his moves

When the day finally rolls around (or perhaps a few days earlier), Kirishima’s getting the wedding jitters

To which he copes with going out with his friends from high school, and to which Kaminari and Sero decide to hold a stag party for him

Just him and the boys, after so long

He has a great time of course, and forgets about his worries for a little while, but when he comes home and noticed you’ve gone to sleep without him, he’s brought back to thinking about the day you’ll finally sleep in the same bed as husband and wife

And there he goes again

It takes a good nag from Bakugou that ‘you don’t need to worry about a thing, Shitty Hair, or else she’ll be embarrassed for you’ for him to regain his spirits

It’s really not that he doesn’t want to marry you, but his insecurities, having just found an outlet in you, have resurfaced once more to plague him with the idea that he doesn’t deserve you

But maybe it’s precisely because he doesn’t deserve you that he’s got to do everything he can to make you happy, so you don’t regret this choice you made with him

Wedding day finally arrives, and Kirishima’s got the nerves again

But the good kind this time

You can have his hair done however you like, but I like to headcanon that he wears it down in its natural state, with half of it done up in a ponytail like how Aizawa occasionally wears it. It’s a tribute to how he’d shed his old self to be a new version of Crimson Riot, with the vibrant red hair, but also not forgetting his roots and origins

He waits nervously at the altar, where Bakugou crosses his arms impatiently to his side (because of course Bakugou is his best man)

He sees all the guests you’ve invited: pro heroes, mutual friends, your own colleagues, and of course, your families

Not to mention some of the press are lingering outside the venue in order to get some photos in for the news of Red Riot tying the knot

And he’s terrified and thrilled at the same time by the prospect that the two of you will be joining together as one in front of so many witnesses

When you finally walk toward him in a dress as radiant as your smile, Kirishima sheds a few tears

He definitely cries. He can’t help it! When you take his outstretched, trembling hand and stand next to him, you decide to tease him a little

You whisper, “What? Already can’t handle the prospect of marrying me? Are you going to break it off?”

“No!” His outburst is loud enough for the people in the front pews (namely your families) to hear, which startles you, but when you turn to face each other, both of your hands held in his, he leans forward and whispers, ‘No. I’m never going to let you go from now on.’

‘Come on Eiji, we haven’t even said the vows yet.’ But he can’t stop the tears, and it takes a few embarrassing yet endearing moments for you to calm him down and proceed with the ceremony

In the end, your first kiss as husband and wife at the altar is, as he tells the boys later, ‘indescribable’

There are just so many feelings running through him when he kisses you that he’s tempted to cry again

But the cheers all around you remind him this is a joyous occasion to be celebrated, and Mr and Mrs. Kirishima make a run down the aisle while petals are being thrown and congratulations echoing around them

It finally comes down to the first dance, and Kirishima’s got adrenaline pumping through his veins even before the music starts

He’d had a few glasses of champagne earlier to calm his nerves but the alcohol hasn’t been kicking in and it’s almost time—

He feels a hand clutch his and the moment he looks at you, all inhibitions fade

He’s ready to kill it on that dance floor with you

Needless to say, the dance goes superb and gets rave reviews from the guests, if the whoops and the whistles are anything to go by

By the end of it everyone is up and dancing and Kirishima just can’t keep the beaming smile off his face

The second time Kirishima cries is when he’s dancing with you to a ballad, as he holds you close to him, feeling every inch of your body against his and having your wonderful, beautiful self so close

You notice the silent tears dripping down his face and place a hand to his cheek, ‘What’s wrong, Ei?’

‘Nothing’s wrong. That’s just it. Everything’s so right in this moment that I feel I’ll never experience this ever again.’ And since he’s not so sober at the moment, he blurts out the whole of what he’s really thinking. ‘I just think about how I got here, with you, and I don’t know if I’ve unknowingly traded all my life’s happiness away for this one day.”

He waits for the usual pep talk you always give him when he tells you he doesn’t deserve you or any of this, or a ‘don’t be silly’ kind of logical dismissal he might expect from Bakugou, but you look him in the eye, and through his blurry vision your smile is still as bright as it was on the day you first met

‘Well, even if you’re forever sad from now on, I know I can only feel eternal happiness after this. So I’ll be nice and share some of that happiness with you, because we’re one now.’

This time the tears really come pouring lmao

Everyone mocks him for being such a crybaby afterwards but all Kirishima can think of is now that he’s given you his last name, he’s going to continue giving you all the happiness in the world

[anotherbeingsworld]

Friends till the end.

Pairing: Bryce x F!MC (Casey Valentine) 

Book: Open Heart

Warning/Rating: None/G

Word Count: 2163

Disclaimer: All characters belong to Pixelberry, I do not own any of them.

Summary: A day out with good friends. 

A/N: Hiii!! So, I am back with a new fic!! This is just a happy-go-lucky fic that I really wanted to write. With OH still being on hiatus, I really missed the dynamic from the friendship, and I decided to write it all down. I hope I did the characters justice! I have some hardships (a few breakdowns and just, a tons of writers block) so, I hope it came out good. Hopefully! Soo, ENJOY!! 

Tags: @soederberg ; @choicessa ; @annekebbphotography ; @dcbbw ; @bitchloveskcbaseball ; @princess-geek ; @storyofmychoices ; @mvalentine ; @n-whas ; @mrsbhandari 

LINK TO MY MASTERLIST 

It was a rare occasion for the second year resident of Edenbrook Hospital with a fellow EMT to be seen at the long roads in the states. One day, Casey has an amazing idea to bring along her friends along with Keiki to a 3-day weekend road trip. Their final destination would be a vintage beach house to have a bonfire as their final days on the road. It sounds ridiculous since their jobs would never allow them, but by taking up most of the week cases and begging to Dr. Banerji. They were given a green light.

They ended up renting a van, for the whole trip. Bryce and Rafael were assigned as designated drivers for the whole trip. All of them had visited the wonders of the states, in the duration of the last 48 hours as they made their way to the final location. A secluded beach, where they would rent a beach house for a bonfire.

After what felt like an eternity, they finally arrived at their final location of the trip. The Gildosa Strand Beach looks majestic, with the beautiful blue waters as the sun shines across the golden sands. Casey felt herself smile at the beautiful sight as she immediately pulled Bryce into a hug, as he places a small kiss on her cheeks.

‘Finally, we are here.’ Jackie let out a scream as Elijah and Sienna immediately make their way to the beach. Rafael laughed at their antics along with Aurora as they cleared the trunk that was filled with their baggage.  

‘Race ya to the shore Jackie!’ Keiki shouted before sprinting ahead as Jackie followed her from behind making the whole gang laugh.

‘Hey, the beach ain’t gonna play itself! C’mon guys!’ Elijah shouted from a distance, as the others took out the baggage. Rafael and Bryce carried most of the bags to the beach house, whilst Casey and Aurora settled on the lighter ones.

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The beach house is spacious, the kitchen was filled with supplies and the living room is furnished and the view is spectacular. It was everything that they needed to get away from the real world.

‘Honestly, I want to stay here forever.’ Aurora said as her gaze falls to the beach.

‘Wow, I thought you were a mini Harper who enjoys work and not relaxing?’ Bryce assumes as he earns a glare from Aurora, making him put his hands up in a defensive manner.

‘Lay it off her Bryce, we all needed some time away. So, for now. Let us enjoy paradise.” Rafael said as he went to check out his room.

‘Okay, okay. I didn’t mean it that way Aurora. I just somehow, you looked like you never had a vacation and..” Bryce was stopped as Casey smack his arm causing him to shut up earning a soft chuckle from Aurora.

‘I get it Lahela, so the next 24 hours is going to be dedicated to me having the vacation of my dreams.’ Aurora replied before leaving to find her room as well.

Casey and Bryce stood there, as they stared at their friends and Keiki playing in the sun. Casey felt a pair of eyes are staring through her. She tilted her head and saw Bryce was staring at her.

‘What are you staring at Lahela?’

‘You.’ He replied with a smile whilst Casey felt her cheek burn from the heat.

‘This is our first vacation together, and I can’t believe it's going to end soon!’ Casey said with a sad tone in her voice.

‘I am not going to let your negativity ruined it for the both of us, we should enjoy it. With the bonfire tonight, it's going to be one of the best nights in our lives. Let’s live for tonight.” Bryce said as he pulled her into a sweet kiss.

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After all the preparations are ready, all of them were seated in a circle around the bonfire. Casey was sat between a Lahela sandwich with Keiki and Bryce on both of her sides, followed by Aurora who is seated beside Bryce and Rafael, followed by Jackie, Elijah, and Sienna on their side.

The fire is bright as the darkness appears, all of them were silence enjoying the beauty of nature before Bryce cleared his throat.

‘Cheers to an amazing group of friends, and making amazing memories.’ Bryce said while raising his glass while glancing at the others.

‘You know when I first came to Edenbrook. I never would have thought that I would meet a bunch of amazing people who I am proud to call as my friends. You guys are really amazing. Cheers to all of you.’ Casey continues raising her glass as Keiki smiles feeling giddy inside.

‘Guys, this is supposed to be a vacation. Not, an emotional wedding toast or something.’ Elijah said as the others laugh at his comment.

‘Well, some of us maybe will end up on the aisle. We will never know.’ Sienna commented as her eyes gaze at both Bryce and Casey making them both blush.

The moon was shining above them in its finest as they all enjoyed their last night on the road together. Aurora clears her throat as well, commanding for the attention.

‘Soo, I figure I would like to prepare a toast as too. Cheers to this vacation, where we could take a breather from the hospital once every 365 days. I also wanted to say thank you for accepting me into this circle of friends, especially after everything we have been through. It feels nice, and somehow it felt like home.’ Aurora said as she met Casey’s eyes who nod in approval.

‘Aw, we are lucky to have you here Aurora.’ Sienna lets out a squeal as she pulled her into a small hug making her smile.

‘Raf, anything to add?’ Elijah asked as Rafael was lost in thought thinking about what to say.

‘I would like to propose a toast for this group also, for accepting me for who I am. Honestly, I somehow feel a bit out of my league among amazing doctors but, you guys accept me for the person who I am today and I couldn’t be more grateful. This has been an amazing time for us and well, I couldn’t have it any other way.’ Rafael cheered in happiness as the others let out a whoop from the speech.

‘Hey, buddy. You are a superman! I would kill to be like you.’ Elijah said patting his Rafael’s back.

‘The way you saved those people that is really admirable!’ Sienna squealed in delight as Rafael let out a small laugh.

'Yeah man, you are amazing!' Bryce exclaimed as they fist bump one another which is making Casey smile at the encounter.

'Okay, okay. It's my turn. I would like to cheers to another year of our residency and our life. When I first came to Edenbrook, my mind was set to the prize; being the best doctor. Without any distractions, and attachments. But, you guys prove me wrong. I need all the support I can get if I want to reach the top. I appreciate what we have here and honestly as Rafael said; I wouldn't have it any other way either. So, cheers to us.' Jackie raised her glass aswell, as Casey felt herself tearing up.

‘Jackie, that is beautiful.’ Casey commented as she wipes a tear that has fallen.

‘We love you too Jackie.’ Sienna exclaimed as she makes a heart with her hands towards her making her blush.

‘You guys are saps, but the craziest saps a girl could find.’ Jackie said as she lean in her chair. 

‘Hey, sappiness is good. This is a golden moment, and sappiness is required.’ Casey said as the others laugh.

Bryce glanced at his sister who is itching to say something, he lets out a whistle capturing the others attentions as all eyes fall on him. Keiki looks at him, and lets out a small smile.

‘I think Keiki here have a few words to say aswell.’ Bryce gestured to Keiki who gave a small nod to him in appreciation. Keiki clears her throat and starts,

‘I am not an official member of this friend group, but I just want to lay out a few words here. I’m not much of a master in words, so I am winging it. No pressure, I have been here, living with Bryce for a few months now and I have never been happier. Its not a huge mansion at home, or a field full of unicorns but it is an equivalent to home. Let’s raise one for my annoying brother Bryce who is a bit full of himself but at the same time has the biggest heart a person could ever have...’ Keiki paused before continuing. 

‘Elijah’s right, this sounds like a wedding toast but what the heck, its a good night to pass it on. I also, want to thank Casey for being the big sister that I never had, you really feel like family and in this moment,it feels perfect.’ Keiki concludes as the others lets out a sniff, even Jackie is crying over her tough demeanour. The whole minute was dedicated for wiping their own tears, as Sienna continued. 

‘Since we are all saying all good things, I would like to join myself in the party. Last year, we were just wide eyed interns who is starting in life and honestly, we still are. But, now we are second year residents trying to stay strong despite everything. To put it short, I love each and everyone of you. After everything we have been through, I never could imagine doing it with anybody else. The adventure with Mr.s Martinez, to Casey’s hearing and everything. It brought us here together, and life couldnt get much better than this. So, here is to friendship!’ Sienna beamed at all of them as she leans her head on Elijah’s shoulder from the exhaustion and satisfaction. 

Elijah rubs her back and raised his glass too. 

‘I might not get sappier than all of you, but I really appreciate each and everyone of you. Sometimes, I wonder what if we worked at different hospitals and, just never had a chance to have this...’ He pursed his lips before continuing.

‘It would feel incomplete, and I owe you guys a lot for all the good times and even bad times. I have grown a lot in these years and its because of this circle of people here. Cheers to right here, right now.’ Elijah concludes his speech as the sound of the water crashes through their eardrums. 

The circle around them are silence as the bonfire crackles to life, as everyone is capturing the moment around them. Casey felt herself leaning against Bryce, as he held her in his arms. Bryce placed a kiss on her forehead, followed by clearing his throat once more.

‘So, let’s save the best for last. I won’t get sappy here..’ Casey lets out a scoff as he winks at her. 

‘As I was saying, I really am happy here. Med school was okay, but nothing could top this moment; good friend, great vibes. Period. But, through it all, I really am grateful to meet one of the most amazing girl a guy could ever asked for. These two years with her are the best years of my life and honestly, I couldnt wait for what our future will hold, so I decided...’ Bryce took out something from his back pocket and in dropped to one knee facing her. The others let out a chorus of gasps. 

‘Casey Valentine, I may not be the guy from the magazines, but I am here as I am and it would be the greatest honor to be your husband. The world is still young for us, but I couldn’t imagine life without you in it. So, I told myself, what the heck, and lets do it. Everything from that leads to this moment, which leads to an important question. Will you marry me?’ Bryce lets out a small breathe as his eyes gaze into hers. 

The atmosphere around them was thick, as time seemed to slow down for a moment. Bryce sat there with a huge amount of fear as he suddenly regrets, until... he saw the small nod from her.

‘Yes..’ she replied quietly as the tears started to fall .

‘Yes?’ Bryce stood up in excitement as Casey nods excitedly. He quickly pulled her for a kiss as he slip the ring on her finger. 

Their friends let out a celebratory screamed as Bryce and Casey was engulfed in hugs by their friends. In that moment, everything is perfect. Although the tears blurred her vision, the silhouette of each of her friends. The smiles and tears as they celebrate the night were tattooed in her heart where they will be forever. As they will become friends until the very end. 

THE END. 

A/N #2: Hii again! I really hope you all enjoy reading it as much as I enjoy writing it!! The friendships that choices has given  is really amazing and I want to acknowledge that somehow since the friendship group in OH is one of the reasons why I fell in love with the book. This fic is somehow dedicated to all the friendships that occured in life.  I have met so many amazing writers, artists, and amazing people  here that I was lucky enough to call my friends  and all of you who took the time checking out my stories  !!! I LOVE EACH AND EVERYONE OF YOU. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR READING.  ❤❤

[sociallyawkward--fics]

I forgot I existed here for like a full month and I’ll explain more on that in another post later, but I came back tonight exclusively to talk about Destiel because what the HECK just happened tonight, I haven’t even watched the show in years and I’m so behind but I just went through such a series of emotions lol

First, I heard it through tiktok and I LOST it for like 10 minutes shouting in shock (which I can do very loudly because I’m housesitting until December). Then I realized, nah, the writers are too homophobic to make it that easy, 11+ years of queerbaiting doesn’t just get fixed so I looked into it and like

Y’all are really praising them for this huh lol. Y’all really out here giving them woke points when it’s just as homophobic as before???? Bruh, they literally out here “oh here’s some gay stuff, WHOOPS he dead” like that’s such bury your gays BS, they don’t deserve ANY praise for that?? Also, I couldn’t fact check it because the tags are a mess rn, but I saw a picture of a supposed script and after the “I love you” bit it had something like “Dean couldn’t reciprocate his feelings, but Cas didn’t need him to” or something. If that is real, then THAT AINT CANON DESTIEL??? THAT IS UNREQUITED LOVE BURY YOUR GAYS QUEERBAITING BS????

Idk I have had a really super Rough Night, and a Rough Week before that, and a Rough Month before that, so I am a little more bitter and aggressive than I think I would usually be, but like. No. Those writers do not deserve praise for that. Not unless they bring Cas back to life, have him and Dean be in love and live happily, and don’t pull anymore BS. They already buried their gays with Charlie, now they’re pulling the same sort of bullcrap with Cas? Really?!

Also, was anyone going to tell me that Putin is apparently stepping down or was I supposed to find that in my frantic Destiel canon searches myself.

Also, don’t let my aggression fool you. Even though I’m not invested in it anymore, I still love SPN. I love the characters and the actors. I just think the writers are terrible and also extremely homophobic and certainly don’t deserve praise for not even doing the bare minimum lol.

[miracle-sham]

When Sitting on the Roof, We are but Coffee Sleuths.

| {Sequel to Death is the Stage, My Art is Your Grave.} |

| [Ao3 Link] | | [Masterlist Link] | | [DitSMAiYG Link] |

| {Repost due to original post disappearing from tags.} |

| Triggers/Warnings: Mentions of drugs/drug ring (in regards to a case), Mild language. |

| After a long day of boring casework, there's nothing better than getting a new commission, and then drinking coffee and having a chat on top of a roof with a certain bat. |

| Word Count: 3051 |

==–==

| A/N: First of all, I'd like to quickly thank everyone for all the positive response and support the original oneshot got on both Tumblr and Ao3! It really motivated and inspired me to continue with this Au (expect at least another sequel, maybe more if I get more inspo but even if I don't there's definitely gonna be one sequel minimum to this). I'd also like to mention, that this took a lot longer to write as I got a cold halfway through writing it and also it's romance based fluff (which is not my forté), but thanks to those who've waited for this! And finally, for reasons that I'll explain in a separate post later, it might be a "little" while before I can start work on the sequel to this one but it will get written at some point. |

| If you want to be tagged in future oneshots/fics, or a specific Au, then send me a DM or an ask! |

| Also side note, Don't Like? Don't Read. Also also, please do not criticise any of my writing. This was written for fun and receiving criticism, even in a compliment/criticism sandwich, is the exact opposite of fun. |

==–==

It's been a month since Marinette got kidnapped, kissed Red Robin, and solved the Elemental Park Serial Killer case. For three weeks she's been held off active duty to make sure her bruised ribs heal but now that she's able to be on active duty again, all the available cases are those that are paperwork heavy. A small part of her misses the immediate healing of the Miraculous Cure but she's not Ladybug anymore and even if she was, it would raise too many flags for her to even use it anyway. But logic doesn't stop her from missing the days when she could literally and metaphorically magic away her aches and pains.

Marinette groans and slumps into her chair, it's been a surprisingly slow day at the GCPD, so when her phone beeps rapidly for a few seconds, she thinks, please be something interesting, and can't help but take a quick glance to see what new notifications she has. The screen reads: '3 new messages from Red'. So she taps the notification and reads through each message.

>RedRob: Hey, found some new evidence on our case, want to meet up for coffee to discuss it?

>RedRob: Rooftop coffee after dark, of course.

>RedRob: I mean I could waltz into a coffee shop during the day in my suit but that might get too much attention for case talk.

Marinette snickers to herself as she reads the messages over a second time. She quickly taps out her response.

>MariBlue: Will we need to worry about one of the other Gotham vigilantes crashing our coffee not-date?

Almost instantly she receives a response.

>RedRob: I'll bribe Oracle or Batgirl, maybe even Black Bat, into keeping the others away.

She sends a heart emoji back, then returns to sorting out her boring paperwork.

Detective Grayson raises an eyebrow at her from over the desk, clearly having caught her looking at her phone. “Red Robin again?”

She flashes him a sheepish grin. “How'd you guess.”

He gives her a deadpan stare. “He's the only person you respond to when working.”

Marinette bites her lip. “Whoops, that obvious?”

“Yes.” Detective Grayson hesitates for a second, he leans in closer—and like a teenage girl at a sleepover in a cheesy teen drama, asks, “So are you dating yet?”

She shrugs. “Well neither of us have asked the other so not really.”

“But you guys are perfect for each other!” He exclaims, gesturing towards her with an outstretched arm—very narrowly avoiding knocking anything off the desk.

It's Marinette's turn to raise an eyebrow. “We literally have only seen or talked to each other when working…”

“So? What do you call you quote unquote "not-dates"” He huffs, making air quotes as he speaks.

She huffs and shakes her head. “There's a reason they're called "not-dates" and that's because we discuss work at them. And anyway it's too early to rush our relationship.”

“Fair.” Detective Grayson stills, frowns and then almost hesitantly, he asks, “Is it because if the mask? The whole not knowing his real identity?”

Marinette rolls her eyes and shakes her head again. “Nope, I couldn't care less about finding out his real identity—at least not without his consent that is.”

He hums, a pensive look on his face. “So you're not curious?”

She shrugs. “Not particularly, why?”

Detective Grayson shrugs back. “Just wondering,” he leans back on his chair and for a split second, Marinette fears he might topple over but somehow he seems unaffected by gravity, “I think you're the first person I've met, who doesn't want to know who's behind a vigilante's mask.”

A smile tugs at Marinette's lips. “I think it's kinda dumb that so many people are obsessed with the people behind the masks because if they're doing good, unmasking them will only deter them from continuing fighting the good fight and all that, y'know.”

He nods slowly, “huh, that's one way of putting it I guess but I agree, the vigilantes do more for this city than people think they do.” Detective Grayson then tilts his head towards the Commissioner's office. “Anyway back to work, don't want to get in more trouble with the Commish than we are already!”

Marinette huffs in amusement and rolls her eyes but complies nonetheless. Wouldn't do to get in trouble so soon after getting back onto active duty!

==–==

It isn't until gone seven pm, that Marinette finally gets home. She slips through the door, locking it behind her. Now that she's in, the first thing she does, as she does every day, is check her online portfolio and commission site.

Marinette plops herself down in her wheely chair and logs onto to her computer, going through all the verification and security Max had kindly added. A new commission notification grabs her attention. With three clicks, she brings up the new commission's details. She scrolls down to the name of the commissioner: one Mr 'T. Drake-Wayne'.

Curious as to why the name sounds vaguely familiar, Marinette opens up a tab on Google with a hum and types in the name. Upon reading the top results, she half chokes in shock and thinks to herself, Are you kidding me? She blinks and breathes in, a small part of her very glad she wasn't drinking anything otherwise she definitely would've fully choked on that or spat it all up from the shock. I know a bunch of well-known celebrities have all commissioned me many times before, but still why the heck is a fortune 500 CEO commissioning me? I'm not Audrey Bourgeois, Gabriel Agreste, or even Valen-hecking-tino. I do celebrities, not fortune 500. The heck. What. The. Actual. Heck.

Eyes wide and gobsmacked, Marinette shakes her head and clicks back to her latest commission's details page to read through the actual commission. After reading the first line, she scrambles for her sketchbook and begins jotting down notes and scribbling down ideas.

Half an hour in, Marinette takes a break to sort out and eat dinner, no point designing on an empty stomach but once she's done eating and washed up, she goes straight back to designing.

Even at a quarter past midnight, she's still at it—surprisingly only three drafts in and so thoroughly lost in her own head in designing, Marinette nearly misses the knocking against her window facing the fire escape.

The rapid rap-tap-tap spooks her so much that she falls out of her chair with an “Eep!”

Marinette, face flushing bright red, scrambles up and scurries over to the window in question. Shoving her blinds out the way, she stares through the window and is greeted with the absolutely glorious sight of a beaming and uninjured Red Robin holding two takeaway coffee cups on the fire escape. He waves at her with one hand and gestures for her to join him on the fire escape.

She can't help but grin back at him and deftly opens the window and slinks out onto the fire escape. He hands a coffee cup towards her and instead of taking it, Marinette gives him a good ol' bearhug—smooshing pressing her face into his Kevlar armoured chest. Which is unsurprisingly, very uncomfortable. She shifts her head to stare up at him (as he's at least whole head taller than her) “Hey,” she greets.

Awkwardly hugging her back, as to not spill either of the coffees in the process, “hey yourself,” Red Robin responds, pressing a tender kiss to her forehead.

Marinette pulls back from the hug and nabs the coffee cup that had been offered to her before their hug. “Thank you~!”

“No problem.” He then gestures towards the fire escape stairs leading to the roof, “after you.”

“So which of our cases did you manage to get a lead for?” She asks, making her way up to the roof.

“The one pertaining to the new drug ring in the fashion district. I've narrowed down where they're storing the drugs to potentially three warehouses near Miller Harbour.” Red Robin answers, following after her.

Reaching the roof, Marinette sits down on the half wall around the roof edge. She glances over at Red Robin as he joins her on the improvised seat. “That's the drug ring dealing Miraclo right?”

“Yeah, that's the one.” He pauses to take a sip of his coffee, “I got the intel from an old friend of Catwoman's called Mackey lives in an apartment that overlooks the Harbour and saw a shipment of the drug arrive at the warehouses.”

Taking a sip of her own coffee, Marinette raises an eyebrow. “And will Detective Grayson and I will be able to get that intel as witness statement?”

Red Robin nods. “Yep, Catwoman's vouching for you both.”

She jerks back in surprise, nearly toppling off the half wall but managing to cling to the edge in time to keep her from falling. Miraculously somehow managing to avoid dropping or spilling her coffee. Oof, if it wasn't for my stint in Spandex I definitely would've made a fool of myself in front of Red Robin. And here I thought that part of my life had since passed. Marinette thinks to herself, wincing at the newly gained superficial graze across her palms. She clears her throat and attempts to look like she didn't just nearly fall off a half wall. “Catwoman's vouching for us? Since when? I've literally never encountered her before.”

Red Robin, the traitor, snorts at her predicament. “You are the epitome of elegance. And Detective Grayson's bumped into her a few times on the job.”

“Thanks.” She responds drily, layering on the sarcasm thickly. She shakes her head and sighs. “So do you know what the addresses are for the warehouses and this Mackey's apartment?”

He takes an excruciatingly slow sip of his coffee before speaking. “Of course I can, what kind of vigilante do you take me for?” He then proceeds to rattle off the addresses.

Which Marinette jots down on the napkin that came with her coffee, and puts it into a pocket for safekeeping. “Thank you.” With it written down, she pauses then starts kicking her legs in the air. She sniffs. “And I take you for the kind that flirts with innocent police officers.”

Red Robin grins at her as he gently elbows her in the ribs. “I don't hear you complaining.”

Marinette scoffs and slaps her hand to her chest in an overly dramatic mock of shock. “Unfair! If I complained I wouldn't get any hugs or kisses from you!”

Humming he wraps an arm around her shoulders and presses a kiss to her temple. “That's true, what a shame it would be for you to miss out on all those hugs.”

She hums back and the two ease into a comfortable silence; leaning against each other and sipping their coffees whilst staring at the night sky.

Once Marinette gets halfway through her coffee, she glances at Red Robin and hesitates, her earlier conversation with Detective Grayson springing to mind. “Communication is key in healthy relationships,” she prefaces, “so are you okay with our current relationship? Y'know the flirting, the not-dates, the whole me not knowing your identity?”

Red Robin laughs, sounding slightly bitter. “Of course I'm fine with the flirting and not-dates but I'm not going to lie and say I don't have any worries over you not knowing my identity. It's one of the reasons a relationship I had with a fellow mask didn't work out.” Rubbing at his jaw, he tilts his face away from her slightly, as though reminiscing about something. He then shakes his head and turns back to her. “Really, I ought to be asking you that. So what about you, are you okay with how our relationship is?”

Marinette hums. “This isn't the first time relationship I've had with a masked hero.” Then takes a calm sip of her coffee.

“So you've got a thing for masks then huh? Lucky me I guess.” He responds, smirking mischievously, and whilst she can't see the rest of his face thanks to the cowl, Marinette just knows that he's wiggling his eyebrows at her from underneath that cowl.

His comment nearly sends her tumbling off the half wall—again. She coughs and splutters in laughter as she nearly spits up her sip of coffee. It takes her a full thirty seconds to recover and mock gripes, “remind me why I love you again.”

Red Robin cocks his head to the side and grins. “Because I bring you coffee?”

She huffs, “good point.”

“So back to the mask thing, can I ask what happened with your masked hero relationship?” He asks, tone hesitant. He stares at her, ready to back off the topic at the slightest sign of discomfort from her.

Marinette hisses through her teeth and states, “I can trust you.”

His stare conveys an 'I would hope so' whilst he bobs his head a little in a 'yes you can' and a 'please continue' gesture.

She takes a deep breath before speaking, “I used to be a hero, back when I lived in Paris.”

“Oh?” Red Robin freezes, thrown off guard by her admission.

Nodding, Marinette continues. “It was difficult. We started when we were barely teens and had no training and no support except for temporary heroes we could bring in when the battles got too hard for just me and my partner to handle. When we started, we were repeatedly told to never, under any circumstances, let anyone find out our identities. My partner and I, neither of us knew who the other was beneath the mask. And we only knew the identities of the temporary heroes because we gave them the ability to become superheroes. But even then we didn't always know their real identities and they certainly never knew ours.”

“Yikes.” Is all he can respond with, mind racing with questions. “That can't have been good, at least I had Batman and Nightwing when I was starting out, but you had no one to talk to about being a mask, outside the mask.”

She flashes him a watery smile and sighs. “No, I did have someone. Tikki. But we're uh, not in contact any more. Since I retired.”

Still, Red Robin makes a noise of concern at that.

“Anyway, one thing led to another led to another, and my partner found out my identity.” Marinette puts her coffee down then tips her head back and closes her eyes. “We started dating not long after that. But once we defeated the BBEG terrorising Paris and some… concerning things came to light, our—we,” She shakes her head, “we realised that because of that, neither of us were emotionally able to continue our relationship in a romantic way. So we decided to stay friends and I—uh, I retired and moved to Gotham.”

He puts his coffee down as well, and pulls her into a tight hug, although making sure it wasn't too constricting as to not make her uncomfortable. “I'm sorry.”

She leans into the hug, rests her head on his shoulder, and delicately wraps her arms around him in return. “What? Why? It's not your fault.”

Red Robin frowns, not that she can see in their current position, “I know but no one should be forced into becoming a hero at such a young age with no support network.”

Huffing, Marinette buries her face in his shoulder, somewhat muffling her voice but not enough to make her unintelligible, “what about Spoiler? She became a hero around that age and had no support network.”

He sighs. “Spoiler chose to become a vigilante, she wasn't forced. And anyway, she had Robin and the rest of the bats to support her once they realised what she was doing.”

“Hmm… fair.” Marinette pulls back from the hug and pauses. “On a lighter note, I got a commission on my fashion site from Tim Drake-Wayne!”

Red Robin raises an eyebrow and with poorly concealed amusement, responds, “Oh? And what's so special about him”

She rolls her eyes at him. “He's the youngest fortune five hundred CEO, founded the Neon Knights among other charities, and often donates to various charities around Gotham! Plus Wayne Enterprises is one of, if not the most ethical company in the fortune five hundred bracket. Employees get living stipends, and training and higher education paid by the company. They get healthcare and dental insurance. They get flexible work hours, paid breaks, and receive above minimum wage pay!”

He laughs. “I guess he is a pretty decent sounding guy then.”

“Mhmm.”

“So what's the commission then? Or is it a secret?” He teases, leaning towards her.

Marinette dramatically places her hand over her heart. “I guess I can spare you the details this one time.”

“Wooh!”

She bites her lip before launching into a long ramble about the commission, gushing over what design and colour palette she's thinking of going with, what bots and bobs and patterns to add, what stitch to use and how to make sure it fits his style, etc.

Red Robin spends the entire time listening attentively, despite not really understanding half the fashion terms, and staring at her like a love-struck puppy.

“Damn, I love you!” He exclaims once she finishes speaking, then leans in to kiss her on the lips.

Marinette bursts into giggles and kisses him back. Her giggles are seemingly infectious, as once they part from the kiss, both are giggling and flushed red.

A bright flash of white followed by a camera shutter sound immediately distracts them both. They just manage to catch sight of Nightwing swinging away.

She gives him a look, which is somewhat less effective as she's still smiling from the kiss. “What happened to bribing Oracle, Black Bat, or Batgirl?”

Red Robin groans and drops his face into his hands. “Clearly Nightwing was able to one-up my bribe. Probably in the form of giving them copies of the photos both he and Detective Grayson have taken.”

“You mean to tell me those two are working together? No wonder Detective Grayson was asking about our relationship earlier today at work!” Marinette gasps, sounding mildly horrified and betrayed.

“Are you thinking what I'm thinking?” Red Robin asks, lifting his head up and grinning deviously at her.

She smirks back, “Revenge?”

He nods—the sagely kind of nod. “Revenge.”

==–==

| Thank you for reading! I hope you enjoyed this little oneshot! Comments, likes, and reblogs are much appreciated! |

@casual-darkness

[spectacled-renegade-writes]

Title: A Logic’s Work is Never Done

Notes: Oh? My goodness? Is this real? Is this actually happening? Did I finally make it? I just want to give a HUGE thank you and shout out to @heck-im-lost for being the very first person EVER to send a fic request to me! I’ve always wanted to have fic requests but I’ve never been big enough or popular enough for it. So, a GIANT thank you to you! You made my day! I do so hope you enjoy this fic!

Summary: Logan is sleep deprived. How long can he keep it a secret?

Pairings: Platonic CALM/LAMP

Trigger Warnings: Sleep deprivation, Sensory overload, Crying

Other Tags: Fluff

Words: 2246

Ao3: Here

Virgil was the first to notice. It was more than just the ever so slightly sluggish movements he began exhibiting, too. It was the way he tried to cover up his nodding off by proceeding to pull out his phone, the lack of appetite, and most importantly, it was the quite pristine knot in his tie becoming crooked. If there was one thing Virgil was an expert in, it was sleep deprivation, and Virgil had no doubt in his mind that Logan was sleep deprived.

Arguably, Logan was far more stubborn than him. Thus, Virgil did not know how to gently bring it up to Logan without making him feel attacked. So, instead, Virgil decided to simply keep a close eye on him for now.

-

Thomas’ next video would be going into a very heavy and very serious subject matter, and he had been quite anxious about making sure he had all the facts correct. Logan had taken this to heart and began staying up later and later, making sure he was nothing short of an expert on the subject. He spent hours upon hours of sitting at his desk, skimming books, reading articles and taking notes. There was no time for sleep when he had a deadline to make.

Logan knew that the others, especially Virgil, having been created from the left side of Thomas’ brain just as himself, were far more perceptive than they let on, and he feared that they might take notice of his new little habit. It was never a matter of if, but instead a matter of when… Of course Virgil was the first to see it.

Just as Logan knew the others were quite perceptive, he was as well. Which meant that he took notice of how Virgil’s gaze began to linger on him longer than normal, or how he would stare at Logan when he thought Logan wouldn’t notice. Logan waited for the figurative other shoe to drop. He waited… and waited. He was quite perplexed when it never happened. Even when it was only Virgil and he in the room, with no indication that Patton and/or Roman would be entering any time soon, Virgil never spoke up about it. It remained one of those things where both of them knew about it but they pretended the other didn’t know. Logan carried on with his research while sitting at the dining room table, fourth coffee in hand, and Virgil remained on the couch, scrolling through Tumblr on his phone, keeping watch on Logan out of the corner of his eye.

-

It took a long time for the problem to be acknowledged. When it did get acknowledged, however, it happened at the most inconvenient of time.

Logan stood in the kitchen, leaning against the counter, while he waited for his coffee to brew. He stood with his eyes closed, inhaling and letting the smell of the coffee ground him in place, never realizing quite how relaxing and comforting the smell really was, or how at home and safe it made him feel.

A snap right next to his ear jerked him awake. When had Logan closed his eyes in the first place? He honestly couldn’t say.

“Lo.”

He couldn’t have nodded off while standing up. That would be preposterous… Right?

“Logan!”

Logan was abruptly brought back to his senses and he practically stumbled while regaining his composure. “Virgil? When did you arrive?”

Hands stuffed into his hoodie pockets, Virgil had the most unimpressed look Logan has ever seen. Something about his posture though showed that he really didn’t feel like getting into it right now. “Go to bed, Logan.”

“Virgil, I-”

“Virgil, I don’t know what you mean. Don’t even try me with that. I know. You know I know. Go to bed. Let’s call it a day.”

Logan scoffed. He did not need this. Logan did not need this. His patience has been thin lately anyway. He turned and grabbed the entire coffee pot from its stand and brushed past Virgil. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.” He sunk out before Virgil could even retort back.

-

At the end of every week was “Fun Night Fridays” as Patton so loving named it. He had gotten the idea soon after Virgil was accepted, so that the four of them could grow closer as a family. They played a different game every week and sometimes multiple games in one night.

Tonight was Roman’s turn to pick. It came as a surprise to no one when he picked Mario Kart. He was second best to Logan and was determined to be number one.

“Are you ready to be left in the dust, nerd?” Roman challenged while hooking up the console.

“I don’t… I don’t see how dust has to do with this.”

Roman sighed, “Honestly, sometimes I swear you do that on purpose. Are you ready to be second best? Tonight is the night I will best you!”

“So you think,” Logan smirked. “Tonight, if I remain victorious, then you must give up on this dream of besting me.”

Roman finished setting up and sat next to Patton on the couch, controller in hand. Last time he sat next to Logan during Mario Kart, it almost ended in an all-out brawl because Roman kept nudging Logan to try and throw him off. After that incident, Logan and Roman had to have Patton and Virgil sit in between them. “Well,” Roman replied. “If we’re making this a challenge, then if I win tonight, I get to choose the game for game night on your night as well as mine for the next year!”

“An adequate trade,” Logan said. “It’s a deal.”

-

Well, Roman was beginning to panic. Once again, he was losing. He was right on Logan’s tail, so close, but for the life of him he could not catch up! “Curse you, Logan.” He gritted under his breath.

Logan was quite enjoying beating Roman as he flew through the course. He had long ago calculated the perfect angles and timing of each button for each map. It was muscle memory to him at this point.

On the third lap of Wario’s Gold Mine however, Logan’s adrenaline from the beginning of the game had begun to wear off. His movements became slow and mere feet from the finish line, the controller slipped from his hands and fell to the floor. His digital kart rolled to a complete stop exactly right behind the finish line. Roman’s kart flew right by his character and the word, “finish” appeared on Roman’s screen in bright, bold letters.

“Yes!” Roman jumped from his seat and threw his arms in the air. “I did it! I’ve finally beat you at your own game!”

Logan hadn’t even registered the loss yet. He had once again nodded off, however awakened suddenly by a heavy hand clamping down on his shoulder. “No need to cry about it, Logan. It was only a matter of time before you lost your crown.”

“Lost my crown…” Logan repeated in a confused daze. He saw the screen behind Roman and caught up with his surroundings. By this point, Patton and Virgil had crossed the finish line as well.

“I don’t think that’s very fair, Roman,” Patton spoke up. “Logan dropped his controller at the last second.”

“Yeah,” Virgil agreed. Logan was acutely aware of Virgil’s eyes burning holes into the side of his head. “Who could have predicted that?”

Roman merely shrugged. “A win is a win! It was never specified in the rules that dropping the controller disqualified the round.” He danced around the living room, bragging about his win through song, cheering about the fact that they wouldn’t have to play Scrabble for a whole year.

Logan knew Patton and Virgil were still staring at him, so he adjusted his glasses and said, “Roman is, unfortunately, correct. It was not specified in the rules and, therefore, a valid win.”

Roman’s response was to whoop and Logan excused himself to the kitchen.

It was too suspicious to make coffee at this hour in front of everyone else so, against his better judgement, Logan got a sugary but more importantly, caffeinated soda from the refrigerator, and chugged it, before returning to the living room. He would not lose again.

-

Logan was not an emotion. He was not emotional. He was not supposed to feel. But lately, he feels like he is going to figuratively fall apart at any moment now. He is just so tired, he cannot stand it anymore. He can’t go to sleep though. There is work to be done. There is research to be done. He must finish before the deadline.

Logan could barely walk, could barely register that he was walking. Somehow though, he ended up from his bedroom to the dining room table. He sat down at his chair and practically collapsed onto the table.

“Logan?” Patton asked as he set plates of food down. “Are you okay?”

Logan merely nodded in response. He no longer thought he could lift his head.

“Are you sure?” Patton had genuine concern in his voice. It was unsurprising, coming from him.

Logan used every bit of his energy to lift his head and look Patton in the eye. “I’m quite all right, Patton.”

Patton smiled gently, “Well, if you’re sure.” He went back to the kitchen to get the rest of the food.

Roman and Virgil came down shortly after and took their own seats at the table. Patton came back with a pitcher of orange juice and took his seat too.

Breakfast was a quiet time for the small family. It was waking up and preparing for the day, having one last moment of calm before the storm to come.

For Logan though, right now, with skin itchy from simply the air, it was loud. Every clank of fork against plate, sip from a cup, and thump as the cup was set back down was nothing short of loud.

Loud.

Loud, loud, loud!

It wouldn’t stop either. It just kept going. Clank, sip, thump. Clank, sip, thump. Clank, sip, THUMP. CLANK, SIP, THUMP!

Logan slammed his hand on the table. “Stop it!”

The entire table went silent. Logan closed his eyes and basked in it. No more sound. No more loud. No more… He opened his eyes. He looked at his family. They were staring right back at him. He looked at Virgil. Virgil’s eyes held nothing short of sympathy. In that moment, Logan knew Virgil that has been exactly where he currently is, and knew what he was feeling.

Patton spoke up first, voice as soft and gentle as possible. “What’s wrong, Logan?”

The words seemed to break him. Logan pulled off his glasses and buried his face in his hands. He felt his shoulders shake, his breathing quicken, and he knew that despite what he wanted, he was crying. His voice shook as he said, “I apologize for my outburst.”

“It’s okay, Logan.” Patton said patiently. “But please tell us what’s going on. We’ve… noticed that you’ve been off lately. We were hoping you’d come to us with it. I guess we should have gone to you instead.”

“Come on, Logan,” Roman spoke up. “I’ll even forfeit my win in Mario Kart if you tell us.” It was a lame attempt at a joke, however it seemed to work. Logan allowed himself a moment to breathe before wiping his face, and looking back up.

“Virgil figured it out a while ago. I think he’s been hoping that I’ll come to my senses. Apparently even Logic can lose sight of what is right.” Logan took a deep breath and replaced his glasses. “I have had almost no sleep for the past two weeks.”

Patton gasped. Logan continued before Patton could do anything else.

“Thomas’ next video deals with a very important subject matter and I must get all the facts right, and we have a deadline, there is no time for dillydallying.”

“So you’ve been over-studying.” Patton said and did not ask, putting the rest of the pieces together.

Logan nodded. Something about this situation made him choke up again and his voice cracked against his next sentence. “I’m just so tired.”

“Oh, Logan,” Patton whispered. “You’re right. The video is important… but not more important than your health. Thomas would not want you pushing yourself like this. None of us do.” He got up from his chair and crossed the table to pull Logan into a hug. “It’s okay to take breaks. In fact, it’s encouraged. How many times have you told us that sleep is vital?”

Logan knew it was a rhetorical question. It’s not like he had any energy left to answer anyway. He practically sunk into Patton’s embrace, something he would later deny ever doing.

“That’s it,” Roman said. “Forget whatever plans we originally had today. We’re getting blankets, we’re having a slumber party in the living room, and we’re going to make sure Logan goes to sleep.

“I guess it’s a good thing we’re still in our pajamas then.” Virgil added.

So, Patton gently led Logan to the couch while Roman and Virgil got the set up ready, and when it was time to lay down, Patton turned off the lights and joined their little cuddle party.

With his family surrounding him, and with the world once again silenced, and the warmth he felt, the last thing Logan said before he fell asleep was, “Thank you.”

-

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General Taglist:

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[jennycalendar]

2019 fic roundup

december was INSANE and i spent most of january dealing with the aftermath of Terrible Parents, but i am finally doing this! in nearly-february! good grief!

tagged by @catty-words​! always a delight, cori <3

Total 2019 Word Count: 541,906 Total 2019 Hits: 29,555 Other 2019 AO3 Stats: Kudos: 3,184; Comment threads: 787; Bookmarks: 509; Subscriptions: 223.

Total 2018 Word Count: 338,835 Total 2018 Hits: 22,374 Other 2018 AO3 Stats: Kudos: 2,192; Comment threads: 453; Bookmarks: 280; Subscriptions: 69.

links and titles to 2019 works (buckle up, folks.)

[btvs] imperfections (148,374 words) y’all know about the braveryverse already but i’ll bring up some good points: jenny and giles accidentally adopt the entire scooby gang. also faith gets some actual support and is actually eventually stable enough to date buffy. good times.

[btvs] deliberate obstruction (5,492 words) the one where jenny is petty as fuck and attempts to sabotage every single one of giles’s dates after their breakup. not her best look, but it was really fun to write jenny being Not Great. she deserves to have that option.

[btvs] arch-nemeses (2,171 words) who doesn’t love some of that good old-fashioned ripper au nonsense? particularly when it’s spike and ripper being confusing nemeses who sometimes drunkenly make out (jenny thinks this is very funny).

[btvs] sick day (3,097 words) written because someone should take care of giles, damnit! probably not jenny, tho. she’s not the best at it. lucky for her giles loves her so much.

[btvs] simpatico (10,096 words) sister fic to the grieving process! set circa btvs season six! jenny is connor’s awkward aunt! giles is a repressed disaster who’s still pining but refuses to admit it! 

[btvs] honesty’s the best policy (3,830 words) that one where giles and buffy are hit with a Truth Spell that means they say exactly what they’re thinking. is that all that bad for buffy? not too much. is it a little iffy when you’re a repressed watcher man who still haven’t told your girlfriend how much you love her? uh.

[btvs comics] i router, you giles (1,111 words) GOD this was written BEFORE i knew that giles and jenny were dating in the reboot comics and isn’t that a concept? a snarky-cute first meeting! ok not really that cute bc they just yell at each other a lot! but definitely snarky!

[btvs] transitional (3,152 words) good golly this is cute and i honestly forgot that i wrote it. which makes sense, bc there is a lot of stuff on this list. set in between season one and season two, in an attempt to bridge the giles/jenny gap between “awkwardly friendly coworkers” and “oh my god i think i like you”

[btvs] across the pond (5,323 words) FUN FACT this got nominated for a headline award and i’m SO PROUD OF THAT?! epistolary fic! giles leaves for england in s6 but without his wife! his wife is very mad and writes him VERY MANY LETTERS TO YELL AT HIM! perfect for those people who sometimes think “god, i wish jenny had been in s6 to yell at giles.” 

[btvs] very really married (66,987 words) giles and jenny got drunk-married in las vegas and are keeping the marriage going so they don’t look like terrible authority figures. giles does not want buffy to know about his fake wife. giles does not want his fake wife to know about his real slayer. giles has a lot of problems and it doesn’t help that he might be catching feelings. big mess.

[btvs] bad dreams (2,267 words) GILES/JENNY/ANYA IS BEST SHIP NEXT QUESTION

[btvs comics] an open mic enthusiast (2,250 words) yet another giles/jenny comic-reboot meet-cute written before i knew they were dating!!! this time: jenny gets to see giles playing guitar. repeatedly. because she keeps going back to watch him at the open mic.

[btvs comics] blindsided (2,024 words) my first (and definitely not last) giles/anya fic! a shorter version of a plot bunny i hope to chase down in 2020 (ahaha did i say that WHOOPS)

[btvs] uncharted (16,469 words) my jenny calendar day fic! also known as “jenny calendar has a guilt complex: a novella.” no prophecy dream outs jenny to the group -- but she tells them anyway. and blames herself. and breaks up with giles while she’s trying to Fix Things. absolute mess. (thank god there’s a happy ending, right?)

[btvs] on the mending of hearts (9,236 words) that giles/anya fic where giles shows up at anya’s failed wedding and sweeps her off her feet and they have sex in his hotel room! except uhhh there’s a lot more drama and crying and anya really just needs some cuddles, tbh.

[btvs] extracurricular activities (1,003 words) straight up this one BARELY counts as a 2019 fic. i wrote it back in 2016 and forgot about it and found it on my hard drive and wrote an ending to it. it’s tiny, but it’s cute! lots of early-relationship calendiles fluff, as is My Brand.

[btvs] cookie dough and boy talk (a remix) (3,976 words) dawn, but in the ripper au! she’s a precocious little bab and ripper babysits her and gets semi-adopted by joyce. it’s a thing.

[btvs] a history lesson (698 words) a brief ripper au interlude between jenny and dru. dru tries to point out that jenny and ripper are in love. jenny very unconvincingly denies it.

[btvs] faith, hope, and pancakes (3,236 words) ripper au, now with faith! and she gets to hang with college-age jenny! who is dating her idiot boyfriend ripper! the Most Fun of times.

[btvs] compromises (750 words) this....was supposed to be a three-sentence prompt but I Can’t Do That. giles and jenny discuss (read: jenny yells at giles about) giles attempting to attack angel on sight.

[btvs] valentine buzz (3,422 words) i wrote this in may lmao but i just REALLY WANTED to write fluffy braveryverse valentine’s day nonsense!!! lots of cuddles and kisses and softness abound in this fic.

[btvs] days in goodness spent (5,893 words) this fic's point was a little more abstract and a little less blunt than most of the rest of these, but i wanted to explore the concept of giles slowly going from idealizing jenny to genuinely loving her. i hope i did it justice.

[btvs] to have and to hold (7,861 words) giles and jenny get married in the braveryverse. that’s really all there is. also i posted this on my birthday (may 23rd) AND it is the 23rd fic on this list!!!! WILD!!!!!)

[btvs] saw her in the streetlight, making all the world bright (5,738 words) took me like a year and a half to write the first fic in the ripper au, lmao. in which jenny is a snarky eighteen-year-old, ripper is a snarky college dropout in a band, and neither of them are at ALL good at communicating. especially not ripper.

[btvs] perfect (1,465 words) ripper au: it’s revealed that jenny hasn’t had sex before. ripper handles this with his characteristic maturity and grace (just kidding lmao he FREAKS. but it’s bc he loves her.)

[btvs] respite (1,106 words) i wrote this after issue 5 of the reboot dropped bc i was very emotional about canon power couple giles and jenny. in retrospect, i gave giles’s emotional maturity WAY too much credit--esp. given what’s going on now--but it was still fun as heck to write.

[btvs] shouldn’t we be getting together (3,193 words) this fic’s existence is a combo of me reading a summer camp ya novel and liking the Aesthetic but not the Culture & me talking endlessly w/ @jackalopingintothevoid​ about ripper and jenny’s teenage dynamic. so many of these fics have her galaxy brain takes woven in and i KNOW she knows that. lov u, jack.

[btvs] fragmented (6,158 words) written because of that one time my brain was like “but what if jenny WAS haunting the school?” happy ending because it’s me and g/j deserve some kisses.

[btvs/hp crossover] buffy summers, muggle-born (22,070 words) i CAME BACK TO THIS in 2019 and wrote a few chapters and DROPPED IT LIKE A HOT POTATO. hopefully 2020 will bring me the courage to pick it up again!!!!!! who DOESN’T want a carelessly-mashed-together crossover where the scoobies and the golden trio are all going to hogwarts together for some reason????

[btvs] in bloom (8,452 words) this was SUPPOSED to be the end of the jenny-anya-tara trilogy. it was not. (more on that later.) this was also supposed to be a fic where giles and jenny get together. jenny and anya got together. writing things is wild sometimes.

[btvs] i still want to be your girl (35,165 words) straight up i am so proud of this fic! s7 au: jenny was chased out of town by angelus. giles does not know this. jenny has been working with angel in la, but left with faith to try and help defeat the first. giles is not the guy she remembers. (but jenny’s not exactly the lady giles remembers, either. so maybe things might work out.)

[btvs/leverage crossover] what’s in a name (4,421 words) sophie’s & jenny’s relationship to their names & identities always so totally fascinated me! this fic was my way of exploring that. (also i got to give giles and jenny a toddler. that was fun too.)

[btvs comics] live a little (6,700 words) i had so much fun coming up with a backstory for giles and jenny in the comics that i am kinda tempted to eventually try and do it again. this one was fun to write, tho.

[btvs] kind of like hydrogen peroxide (7,501 words) THIS was FUN. ripper au, but it explores both jenny’s longing for High School Normalcy AND ripper’s fucked-up relationship to magic. also senior prom is a thing.

[btvs] mending fences (6,093 words) sequel to the aforementioned epistolary fic! lots of first-person self-loathing from giles, but also a LOT of love for jenny and his kids. also the man really truly needs to stop repressing.

[btvs] her father’s daughter (1,982 words) 2020 will bring us another chapter of this fic i swear to GOD. literally there’s only one chapter up so i cannot even TALK about my plans for it but uhhh if you want giles and jenny and their three daughters pls feel free to go to that prologue and check it out.

[btvs] a thousand different ways we fell apart (4,888 words) the au fic to encompass all au fics! inspired by the comic reboot and me being like. christ. do they go through this ridiculous shit in EVERY universe? ....and then i wrote a fic where jenny was a space traveler looking through multiple universe to try and fix her marriage with giles. extra fun.

[btvs] no such roses (4,814 words) this one turned out a TINY bit rushed, but the concept of jenny bringing giles back from the dead is always something that i love exploring. i might come back and rewrite this, someday.

[btvs comics] no perfect choice (4,801 words) OOF. wrote this one after issue 8 dropped. a lot softer and more tender than what actually happened, tbh. maybe i will reread it again to make myself feel better about comic calendiles and their brutal split.

[btvs] family (3,545 words) wrote this one p early in the year and came up with an ending to it much later! ripper au: the story of how xander came to live with giles and leave his parents. angst-with-a-happy-ending abounds.

[btvs] a california january (2,206 words) jenny and giles attend a funeral together. that’s pretty much it. this is defs one of the best things i wrote this year, tho.

[btvs] how i survived my summer vacation (volume two) (25,027 words) swear to god this is gonna be the next thing i update. the braveryverse NEEDS to continue. it’s got married calendiles, for god’s sake.

[btvs] clear and impartial judgment (3,977 words) that fic i wrote when i got mad at a lack of resolution wrt helpless. like!!! giles drugged buffy!!! do we not get to talk about the psychological ramifications that would have on her???? (well. canon doesn’t. but i do.)

[btvs] sunshine ladies (10,188 words) THIS FIC WAS NOT SUPPOSED TO HAPPEN and i say that with incandescent love in my heart. i intended for the ‘verse to be giles/jenny, and then i intended it to be jenny/anya, and then i was like....jenny has two goddamn hands, and there’s foreshadowing here for endgame giles/jenny, and i wanna write some giles/anya. let’s fuckin go. (DEFINITELY writing another installment in 2020 about this iconic ot3 of mine.) 

[btvs] spirit-touched (4,769 words) the first smut i write and it’s calendiles ghost sex. i really think this is on brand for me, esp. considering that swath of asks in 2016ish where everyone wanted to know if ghosts could jack off. incredible.

[btvs] dear friend (28,865 words) this fic had such a rushed ending :( it’s a cute premise (you’ve got mail giles/jenny au!!!!!), but i lost interest halfway through, and as a writer i can rlly see that when i read it. another thing i might like to go back and rewrite at some point, tbh!

[btvs] familiar (2,034 words) AUGH i am SO proud of this fic. SO SO PROUD. it’s a concept i really can’t explain and the little twist at the end is something i really really like, so...just read it.

[miss fisher’s murder mysteries] unbearable (5,670 words) i need to write more mfmm in 2020 but the amount of good fic out there is deeply intimidating/delightful. this one was my little “what if it was phryne who thought jack was dead” and tbqh i had a lot of fun with it? bc pining phryne (who makes brief but extremely poignant appearances throughout the series) is an awkwardly, heart-meltingly sincere lady.

[ace attorney] man’s duty to society (544 words) wrote this as my first foray into aa fic while getting emo about miles edgeworth. would absolutely still die for that man.

[ace attorney] fancy running into you (5,887 words) lots of schmoopy narumitsu fluff! gregory edgeworth is alive! miles is trauma-free! phoenix is an artist! just!!! goodness!!!!!!!

[ace attorney] big sister (2,741 words) set in the same gregory-edgeworth-is-alive ‘verse: babey franziska comes to live with miles and his dad. she is a little impossible but miles kinda does love her.

[ace attorney] prince charming edgeworth and his incredible tux (8,042 words) this fic came from me being like “i want to write phoenix swooning over miles in a tuxedo and being like HE LOOKS LIKE A DISNEY PRINCE” and spiraled into something much longer!

[ace attorney] fate, choice, and everything in between (4,384 words) SOULMATE AU. nothing i love more than deconstructing soulmate aus. but like. in a romantic way. also phoenix and miles ARE soulmates and that is JUST facts.

Favorite Fic: I WROTE SO MUCH STUFF THO LIKE !?!??! how can one expect me to distill it to just one fic? i’ll make it my top threeL

a california january (I AM SO PROUD OF THIS FIC. it is soft and angsty and silly and devastating and tender. all the calendiles feels.)

i still want to be your girl (same mood!!! i’ve wanted to write this fic for literal years, and it’s one of those rare occasions where the picture in my head actually turned out BETTER when written out!)

sunshine ladies (this is like my giles/jenny/anya ship manifesto and it still makes me happy to think about them all co-running the magic box together and smooching a lot.)

Hardest Fic: OOF uh i went through a rocky period of writing when transitioning into college? no such roses and dear friend were hit the hardest by my insecurity & my desire to Finish Things rather than actually spend time on the craft. but i’m much more settled in now and my writing is DEFINITELY in an upward swing (as my newest fic -- as day follows night -- attests to quite nicely, imo)

Do You Plan to Take Prompts in 2020? always always yes! (i’m bad at following through with them, but am ALWAYS accepting them.)

What was the best thing about 2019? there were almost too many good things to COUNT, but i think all of them were made possible by me working extremely hard to get myself the FUCK out of my abusive parents’ house and into my first choice college!! i’m thriving, y’all.

What was the worst thing about 2019? realizing that both of my parents are fundamentally terrible people. that part kinda sucked.

Any last thoughts for 2019? i finally understand what it’s like to fall asleep feeling safe, and to notice the way the leaves change color, and to get excited about self-indulgent things like food and cuddly stuffed animals and my own fic and art. 2019 brought a lot of happiness into my life, and oh yeah also i’m in love! lots of cool stuff going on.

Goals for 2020

finish the latest braveryverse installment!

MORE ART JUST IN GENERAL. i love drawing, but there’s not a lot of free time for artsy celia when they prioritize writing so often!

write one of the many incredible longfic ideas that’s floating around in my head. it’s honestly probably only like two or three big ones, but at least DECIDE which one i’m gonna focus my energy on.

more giles/anya this year!

more giles/jenny/anya this year!

diversify! still gonna be writing about jenny forever, but like. it might be fun to write about a few new things here and there.

maybe some more ace attorney fic? maybe even some mfmm fic again? phryne and jack are never far from my heart.

not tagging anyone bc this is....january. but if you wanna do it, feel free!

[that-was-anticlimactic]

Ninjago The Good Place AU Headcanons:

Okay so after yesterday, I decided to write headcanons because I wanted to and it sounded like fun so since you guys helped me out / seemed interested… @cakeking-cole @aeonthedimensionalgirl @darcpython @gayvoidprince (I hope these are worth ysince I’m tagging people oof)

“The Good Place”

It has been designed by Wu, who is the architect

Everyone in the town aside from the four humans (five if you include Lloyd… still trying to figure him out…) are demons, or idk Cloud Kingdomists or something? Like the Master Writer is the Judge, you know? oo or what about The First Spinjitzu Master as the Judge??

On the topic of soulmates, yes everyone has a soulmate there, but, it’s more of a friendship soulmate thing and a you have your legit soulmate here too, you just have to… find them over time… you’ll know

I still haven’t decided legit soulmates… I can’t figure out what ships to use whoops... like... do I want to go Bruise or Glacier or Techno or Opposite or Lava or Plasma or jinxdybwgeycfkubgewlu

lol this section is short haha

Kai

Kai is Eleanor in the AU

He was not the best person. He was conceited, rude, he treated everyone poorly and he blamed a lot of it on the fact that his parents left him and his sister. He was not a good person. And that’s why he ended up in The Bad Place. He was even trashy to his sister and friends.

He died at a restaurant with his friends and sister. He had just been super rude to the waiter and then choked on their appetizer and died.

So, Kai, like Eleanor, was told he was in The Good Place and that he was remarkable. But, it was the wrong Kai Smith.

The Kai Smith he was supposed to be this incredible Rehabilitation therapist who worked with people who needed a lot of help. He volunteered and went on mission trips and donated all of his money to charities... you know all that good stuff to make the real Kai Smith feel so much less than.

Kai was platonically paired with Zane, who he didn’t always like since he was so serious.

He told Zane about him not belonging in The Good Place and ended up asking him for help and to teach him how to be a good person

He hates the lessons at first, like despises them. Kai is more of a go out and do person rather than sit and listen so it takes some time to get used to it and to absorb and enjoy it.

Kai honestly hated Cole for awhile, not going to lie. He thought that Cole was so stuck-up and was a real, well, in Good Place language, a bench.

He ended up meeting the real him though and they got along fine afterwards.

He disliked Jay for awhile too, but they ended up becoming real great bros.

The others help improve Kai by teaching him how to be kind and selfless and understanding and empathetic and how to stop living in the past.

Kai ended up figuring out that they were in The Bad Place.

He also ended up confessing to Wu about him not actually belonging there.

He also helped Jay get the courage to confess.

The first night there, Kai ended up doing some stupid things like stealing all of the shrimp and calling Cole and some others name and that provided for the chaos sequence the next morning.

Kai was always loyal, it was one of his few redeeming qualities, and through it all, once he befriends the ninja, he stays loyal to them and would protect them with his life.

He actually still runs the Balcksmith shop, but since he hates his parents for leaving him and Nya and is a bad blacksmith, he makes terrible weapons and sells them at a super high price.

Some torture methods for Kai include: making him feel less, making him feel like he doesn’t belong, putting him in situations where he does things he hates like swimming or a fancy dinner where he has to be the happy welcomer or something

Zane

Zane is Chidi.

Zane isn’t an indecisive ethics professor. He is a teacher, though. Zane teaches science like physics and chemistry and such.

He has a super good moral compass and cares about others a lot and does study some ethics in his spare time.

The problem with Zane, though, and the reason he ended up in The Bad Place is that he is way too serious! He takes life much too seriously and doesn’t ever have fun. He could go weeks without smiling or laughing or taking a break because he believes that life is too important and serious to be take lightly. He tries too hard to be this perfect human being.

His intensity and seriousness often drive people away from him because they don’t like being around him.

He actually died from a heart attack from worrying too much about trivial things and being too serious and such in the staff room at his school.

Like I mentioned, Zane is Kai’s platonic soulmate.

Zane was so excited to meet Kai and like... have a friend, and then he learned that Kai didn’t belong there and was like are you kidding me?

Because he didn’t want to be in this situation, but he didn’t want to not help

He ended up deciding to help, and did the best he could to teach Kai and eventually Cole and Jay about ethics.

he didn’t teach ethics in school, like I mentioned, but he knows enough about them and can do research and study and make a good course, and he knows how to teach since he was a teacher.

The others help Zane become a better person by teaching him how to loosen up and see life less as this perfect systematic thing and more as a, yeah being a good person is important, but so is having fun and being weird and accepting that you can’t always be perfect

Zane also clicks with Cole rather well

Some torture methods include: having to keep Kai and eventually Jay’s secret, having students who don’t always listen to him, being pushed out of his comfort zone and being too all out, etc...

Cole

Cole is Tahani- hear me out!

I’m not saying Cole is this rich model that raises money for charity and is super conceited and arrogant

It’s more of... you know Tahani’s bad relationship with her family? That’s Cole’s relationship with his dad.

Lou expects a lot out of Cole. Lou is also relatively rich, and ever since this big injury that prevents him from dancing, he expects Cole to exactly like him.

He sends Cole to Marty Oppenheimers, makes him dance a trash ton, never lets him have a break, and always compares him to literally everyone.

Like. Dancing and performing is his job.

Because of this, Cole feels like he has to be a dancer and that he has to be this amazing guy who can do the triple tiger sashay and literally anything, He feels like he has to host fancy parties and be sophisticated and such.

Cole actually dies by practicing the Triple Tiger Sashay. He was doing his weekly update on how it’s going for his dad, when he messes up and hits his head on a rock, and in his dazed stance, he ends up stumbling in the middle of the street and gets hit by a car.

He is in the Bad Place because he is never truly himself. He hides his true self and is a completely different person on the outside than he is on the inside. He never ever thought for himself. He is super fake all of the time to literally everyone because he isn’t himself. He is literally the most fake person on the planet and people can tell. Like, most of the people he hangs out with are super snobby dancers and trash, so they expect that from him, but like Zane, Kai, and Jay can tell how fake he’s being, even though he doesn’t want to be fake. He’s not trying to. So, like Tahani, everything good he did kind of had the wrong motivation behind it. He wasn’t good because he wanted to be, he was good because he felt like he had to.

Heck, the first night, Wu had him throw a big welcome party. Wu was like “we just know how much you love hosting parties” and Cole on the inside was like ‘ohh great’

Plus, he hates his house. Wu gave him this huge mansion because that’s what “he” wanted, when really it’s what his dad would have wanted

His platonic soulmate is Jay, which sucks because Jay doesn’t talk for awhile and Cole talks to himself a lot when he’s alone, and living with Jay is essentially being alone.

He and Jay actually torture each other a lot, but then they end up becoming the best friends

Cole isn’t the biggest fan of Kai for awhile because he’s trying so hard to stick to his reputation and being this sophisticated, fancy person his dad wanted and Kai tries changing that once he realizes what Cole is doing and is like no stop and Cole’s like but I need toooooo

But they end up liking each other

The others help Cole by showing him how to be himself. They teach him how to have his own thoughts and that he doesn’t have to be anything for anyone but himself. That he doesn’t have to be fake and they essentially show him who he is.

Heck, Kai, Zane, and Jay are the ones who teach him how to climb trees and help him discover his love for the outdoors!

They also helped him come to terms with his sexuality and being gay!!!

Cole was the last one to get ethics lessons with Zane. He was also the last one to find out Jay wasn’t a monk and that’s what made him learn about the classes and asked to be a part of them because he felt like he needed to learn

Torture methods include: forcing him to be what he was forced to be on Earth, having certain citizens recognize him as Lou’s son, being forced to host and throw big parties and events because that’s what he had to do on Earth so he must love it here, etc...

Jay

Jay is Jason

No, I’m not saying Jay is on the dumber side and does illegal things. I personally believe Jay is incredibly intelligent but I won’t get into that now.

When Jay gets there, Wu comes out and is like ‘Jianyu, come on in’ and Jay is like ‘??’ so he says nothing and then Wu says stuff about how he was a Buddhist Monk who took a vow of silence at the age of eight and would he like to keep it and Jay panics because uhh his name isn’t Jianyu, it’s Jay Walker and nods.

Jay likes talking. A lot. It calms him down, it keeps him sane, it helps him destress and connect since he is a more extroverted person, so not being able to talk is- get this- torture.

Jay on Earth wasn’t a terrible person. He worked with his parents at the junk yard while he had an engineering internship in the city nearby. He invented a lot and he was good at it.

What put him in the Bad Place, though, was that he was super conceited and condescending. He knows he’s smart and he knows he’s a good inventor, but he likes to rub that in. He is a rather arrogant person. He doesn’t always mean to be, but he is.

He also belittles people based on their intelligence and speaks to them like they’re dumb, treating them kind of like they’re stupid. Sometimes it;s intentional, sometimes it’s not.

It actually becomes a big problem with his relationship with Cole once he starts speaking. Cole went to a dance school and never really got a proper education so he wasn’t always the smartest person, and Jay does that to Cole more than he realizes until Kai calls bullshirt.

Then Jay realized and flipped he felt so bad

Anyways, Jay died from an electrical accident on an invention he was showing off at his internship that he had been bragging about to some of the others interns.

Jay hits it off with kai really well, he and Cole fight a lot and struggle to get a long at first because, well, we all know how they used to treat each other on the show, and he and Zane like talking to each other.

Jay is actually really freaked out about not belonging in The Good Place. He didn’t think he was a rotten person who deserved to be in The Bad Place, and so the constant wondering what happened to make the, think he was Jianyu and whether he belonged in The Good or Bad Place was- get this- torture.

When he found out about Zane’s classes, he was kind of unsure about it, especially since he was like Kai and had trouble sitting and listening instead of doing, but he ended up agreeing and he loved it! He learned a lot!

Plus, he enjoyed learning from Zane.

He actually did leave Kai notes saying that he didn’t belong here and ended up asking him for help because Kai definitely drunkenly told Jay about not belonging.

And Kai helped give him the courage to confess along with him.

The others help him by teaching him how to be more understanding, more caring, more open, less overreacting. He is also taught how to loosen up, since he tended to panic at the drop of a hat, and they helped him see the brighter side of things, making him even more of a positive thinking person, because he did think positively, he just... also panicked a lot.

Jay definitely thinks he deserves a Medium Place.

Torture methods include: not being able to speak for awhile, Cole always talking to him, wondering where he truly belongs, etc...

Others

okay so Wu is Michael, the architect, like I said. he hates humans for awhile, but then ends up legit learning from them and liking them in the end

Garmadon is Shawn, the Bad Place leader guy. He hates humans, especially the four and wants them in The Bad Place.

Pixal is Janet. She knows everything and with every reboot Wu puts her through, she becomes more human, much like the Good Janet in the show. Also, to call for her, just say Pixal.

I saw someone say Harumi is Bad Janet and I love that ?? So much?? I’d say she’s either Bad Janet or like, Trevor. I like that.

Skylor honestly seems like a Mindy St. Claire who lives in The Medium Place type, you know? She helps them out and stuff.

I think I might stick with The First Spinjitzu Master as the Judge...

Lloyd was a tricky one. Like, he doesn’t fit in with the four humans, so I was thinking, maybe Lloyd as Vicky? Like he pretends to be the Real Kai Smith? And then instead of staying an evil demon the whole time, he ends up joining the group as a good guy. Maybe? Anyone else have ideas?

Nya is also tricky. I think she doesn’t die. She was the person who tried making Kai a better person. Like, she tried really hard. And (SEASON THREE SPOILERS) she would be the person Garmadon selects to be in the testing neighborhood to make Kai angry because that’s not fair and they have to wipe her memory because Kai really wants her to get to The Good Place and needs to prove that she can improve with the others (END SPOILERS)

What if Dareth was Derek? hA

anyways, that’s all for now! I’m super tired! I hope you guys like these, and that they don’t suck! Does anyone agree? Disagree? Etc... (sorry I am so tired but FSM I forking love this show so much guys)