#harvey is suffering sorry honey

[kaybzzart]

"Being the farmer's husband isn't always easy :')"

Inspired by my actual playthrough, almost dying in the mines one day, getting the junimo plush the next day.

(There's like - 3 different coloring styles here. I'm still trying to figure that out ahah)

[changingplumbob]

Foster Household: Chapter 6, Part 4

We spend some time with the adults during the week, Keira comes to visit, I attempt Football Team Day, and Reece and Samir spend some more time together.

Carson is still learning but has developed an angry mood from trying to ride. Kayleigh is trying her hand at a mathematical diagram. After practice Reece invites Lilith over to practice more as I don't mind if their relationship suffers from bad throws/catches.

Time to follow Harvey for his workday. While he tends the garden and cleans up before getting started, Kayleigh invites Keira over for a catch up. Keira is absolutely a mama's girl. Although being a geek as well she does eventually drift to the computer.

Harvey sets off for his shift as a fisherman. He takes his boat out to deeper water and uses leftover produce as bait. He caught three different types of fish today, one being a large Swordfish, but he didn't discover any new fish. He also caught the customary seaweed.

Kayleigh: So that's all my news, what about you

Keira: I managed to pass all my papers thanks to the watcher

Kayleigh: Give yourself some credit as well honey

Keira: You know Alexander's engaged?

Kayleigh: Yes, Bella called me with the news

Keira: I am happy for him truly, it's just...

Kayleigh: You thought you'd be the first of your friends to get married?

Keira: Yes. Not Morgan, I've moved on, but even as a kid I always knew I wanted to find my soulmate and get married

Kayleigh: You will, give yourself time

Keira: Alexander wants Joey and I to move into the mansion with him

Kayleigh: Really?

Keira: I love our small oddly shaped flat. But I don't want to deal with new roomates, so should I go?

Kayleigh: You need to make that decision for yourself honey

Reece returns home mortified so he goes for a jog to clear his mind. Harvey helps Carson with his bike riding. It's like a switch flicks and suddenly Carson speeds off, knowing what he's doing. I thought there was a cute animation for teaching but not for me it seems.

Football team day here we come. James is here as the competition judge, and the stall is manned, but apart from Reece and his parents no one else shows up... 2 students hang around inside the school but clearly don't want to embrace the cold.

In the end I invited Samir and tried to do some football practice, that's when things got really weird. Before they could finish 2 throws they were interrupted by "listen to judge" but no results. I tried again and the same thing happened with a pop up about milk?

Kayleigh: Good luck on the exams today

Harvey: Did you find any time to study

Reece: Some

Carson: Happy failing

Reece: Shut up dork

Harvey: Boys, lose the attitudes

Reece: Sorry dad

Carson: Sorry you exist Reece

Kayleigh: Do you want a time out? Don't push your luck

For the first time Reece is not alone in the exercise area this morning. I have a mini outfit crisis as getting the football uniform yesterday replaced his cold weather outfit, he almost freezes, thank goodness for old screenshots. Not all students make it to the morning exam.

Deanna: What is the point of exams anyway

Reece: I enjoy them, working under pressure is a rush

Deanna: You're an oddball

Reece: Hey wait, you're 16

Deanna: Yeah, and?

Reece: Shouldn't you have had a makeover?

Deanna: Joey said the watcher was too busy setting me up with Paris

Reece: Guess you can't complain about that

Deanna: If the price of having my girlfriend is a few extra days with braces, so be it Eventually Reece and Deanna manage to grab a seat. I tried to seat them earlier but their seats kept getting stolen by randoms.

Exams went well, Reece aced both! He wants to go with his friends to have a snowball fight but now that he's on the football team Friday afternoons are filled. He does manage to strike up the nerve to invite Samir to visit his house once practice is over though.

Samir: Wait, it's warm?

Reece: It never really gets too cold here

Samir: Nice

Reece: Want to see inside

Samir: Do we eat with your family

Reece: Not if you don't like strangers, I have no intention of torturing you

Samir: I'll try

Reece: Well, you survived strangers, well done

Samir: I guess I wasn't really thinking about them during dinner

Reece: No? What were you thinking about?

Samir: That would be telling

Reece: Come on, we're teammates, shouldn't we be sharing, for football purposes

Samir: Maybe you're in to sharing blondie but I tend to keep things close to my chest

Reece: And what a great chest it is

Samir: You think?

Reece: I just mean, you're so fit, how do you do it?

Samir: Years of training plus a good gene pool

Reece: I'm more of a wellness guy

Samir: Meaning what

Reece: I try work on my muscles but I'd rather be doing yoga

Samir: Yoga is good, makes you flexible

Reece: *giggles*

Samir: What did I say?

Reece: Nothing, my mind just went… someplace

Samir: Someplace alone?

Reece: Now THAT would be telling

Samir: Changed your outlook on sharing blondie?

Reece: Not at all, if you want to share your chest I'm all for it

Samir: That's not how biology works

Reece: Maybe not conventional biology but I'm not exactly conventional

Samir: You are not. It's getting late I should go

Reece: Wait. I just, can I?

*Stands up*

Samir: Can you what?

Reece: You're really going to make me say it

Samir: Maybe I like seeing you squirm blondie

Reece: There is something I'd like to share with you

Samir: Is there now

Reece: Your lips

Having run out of patience Reece gathers his confidence and closes the distance.

Samir seems shocked at first. But then he pulls Reece in deeper and Reece can feel him relax. After what seems much to short a time he breaks away. Reece notices Samir looks sad and worries he's screwed things up.

Recce: Was that okay? I mean, I enjoyed it, did you?

Samir: Blondie, I-

Reece: Tell me

Samir: I'm sorry. I have to go

Reece: In the middle of this storm?

Samir: Yeah. I forgot, I have a thing I need to do

Reece: Oh. Okay. See you later

Samir: Mm hmm

Reece watches him go feeling more than a little pent up and very confused. He can't figure out what just happened. Why would Samir leave?

Reece: And then he just ran off into the rain

Deanna: You're sure he was in to you?

Reece: He was absolutely flirting I tell you. Plus he kissed me back

Deanna: But that's good isn't it?

Reece: Not if he disappears right after for some imaginary thing

Deanna: Maybe there was a thing

Reece: *scoffs*

Reece: *silence*

Deanna: Yeah there was totally no thing

Reece: What do I do

Deanna: We should talk to my sister. She and Luna navigated closeted issues. Sounds like Samir might be having trouble accepting who he is

Reece: I knew you'd have a plan

Deanna: Always

So Reece spends his Friday night journaling his feelings, he wants to write down everything that happened before he forgets. That's it for the Foster household at the moment. Kayleigh has earned half of her 300k and Harvey has evolved 2 perfect plants.

Previous Part ... Next Part (Knightstone)

[like-rain-or-confetti]

Top 5

S/O taking care of a friend's kid and she's very good at that and he sees her with the kid sleeping in her arms. He makes a comment about it and asks if she has experience babysitting other's kids.

"Not only others."

"... You're a mother?"

"I was a mother."

Whenever asked if she's okay she says she has grown numb to it.

I was a mother once...

"You're really quite the natural with children. I was expecting you to panic and stand there awkwardly in confusion and a lack of experience." The rogue remarked with a smirk as he watched you with the infant sleeping in your arms. "I've been a parent before, honey." You replied. "What?" The Rogue looked to you in surprise. You nodded. "Yeah, I was a mother once." "You've never mentioned that...are...do you miss it?" The Rogue had many questions but that one seemed the kindest. You smiled sadly. "Every day, twice on holidays and birthdays." The rogues noticed how cold you seemed to turn. Although pain could do that to a person. The rogues knew all kinds of pain could turn people into ice. Their warmth dying out as their will is chipped away one piece at a time. "It's painful. The most pain I have ever endured and sometimes I still feel it." You continued lightly, gazing off into the distance with a slight nod. "It's doesn't happen over night. You don't just stop being a parent the moment you lose your child. There's a lot of pain and anger, loss of direction and whilst I've moved on and so has my life..." You turned to the rogue. "...you learn to live with the pain and that doesn't mean it doesn't hurt but it doesn't drown you. Not like it did in the beginning. It's like a empty hole left in you that your child once filled. It changes you. I had to stomach that the little life I made wouldn't be meeting the world like they should but that's alright." You smiled sadly. "They're memory is safe with me. Their mother."

The Riddler: Edward was silent for a moment. You figured he was upset you could keep such a thing from him. Take it as his own suffering rather than yours. Yet he put a hand on your arm and squeezed comfortingly. You met his eyes that shone with what you could have sworn was building tears. "They were so lucky to have you as their mother. You need to know that." He managed out through the lump in his throat. He knew what it was like to have a bad upbringing, a horrible parent. Yet he also knew with only a look that you were a wonderful parent. Even to a child who wasn't yours, you showered with love and affection. You were taken aback by Edward's emotion. "Edward..." You said quietly in disbelief. "Don't forget that, understand? Don't you ever forget that." He ground out firmly.

Scarecrow: Jonathan cupped your chin, forcing you to look at him. His voice quiet. "You're still a mother." He said firmly. "The second you had a child, you forever are a mother. Nothing can take that from you." He took your hand tightly. "I'm sorry that I wasn't there to meet them or see you with your child. That is most certainly my loss." He continued with a faint smile. "I'm glad that you've found some closure. That even through all of this you have a good heart. I would know. Not many of people do." Jonathan paused. "You have a lot of love for your child and that is wonderful. Keep that love close. Trust me, it'll do you so much good to adore the time you had with them over the agony of losing them."

Two-Face: Harvey's voice was low and sounded remorseful. "I'm sorry." You furrowed your brow in confusion. "For what? You didn't know." You shook your head. "For the longest time, you've listened to my struggle of losing everything but I've never lost anything like you have." Harvey explained. You shook your head cupping his cheek. "It doesn't matter. There's no need to compare pain. We know what it's like to hurt in the worst ways and that is enough. My pain is no greater than yours. It's just as real as yours. That's what it comes down to in the end." He looked down at the sleeping child and smiled at you. "You haven't lost your touch."

Black Mask: "You never told me." He stated flatly. "Somethings can be told, others can't be explained with words. I never said anything- not because I didn't trust you. It was because I can't bring my baby back and you not knowing made it easier to be at peace with that. A distraction even. Sometimes its just too hard to talk about, Roman." He got that, a pain too great to put into words. A feeling too strong for words to even suffice. Roman spoke. "Well the kid is in good hands. Even you help me." You hummed in amusement. "Like magic." He chuckled. "Yeah, sure. We'll call it that."

Mad Hatter: Jervis hummed, placing a hand on your knee. He leaned in to speak quietly as to not disturb the "Perhaps it wasn't fate that brought you to me then. Perhaps it was your little one. I need someone to love me unconditionally. It's what I've always wanted and apparently you're just the right person. I owe a lot to that little one, (Y/N) and I'll be sure to look after their mother as their mother has looked after me without question and without fear."

[rubysunnday]

Broken Hearted

Y/N Hargreeves had cut herself off from the world. 

She’d deleted all her social media apps off her phone, ignored the concerned messages and voice mails from her siblings and locked herself away in her apartment.

Heartbreak was never easy. Especially when you’d been cheated on. 

Y/N was suffering. The endless empty cups and bags of chocolate strewn around the house told as much. She had no energy to do anything other than watch crappy daytime tv and eat pot noodles.

And she was happy for it to remain that way until she felt a little better.

Unfortunately for Y/N, she had six very stubborn siblings - seven if you include Ben. 

The knock on her front door went ignored, Y/N turning the volume up on the t.v to drown out the sound. The person behind the door knocked again, slightly harder. Y/N turned up the t.v even more.

An even louder, slightly more frantic knock.

Y/N turned the t.v up even more.

They knocked again, so hard Y/N thought they were going to knock the door down. 

“Y/N Hargreeves, if you don’t open this door in the next five seconds I’m breaking it down!”

Y/N sighed at Diego’s yell and reluctantly turned the t.v back down, untangled herself from the numerous blankets she’d cocooned in and stomped over to the door.

She unlocked it but didn’t take it off the chain, opening it just wide enough to see out of. “What?”

Diego sighed, trying not to show the relief he had at seeking her in one piece. He’d even having countless horrible thoughts running through his mind ever since she’d ignored all his messages and phone calls. 

“What is going on with you?” Diego asked, raising an eyebrow as he took in her make-up free face, wet hair and tired eyes. 

“Nothing, alright?” Y/N said, moving to shut the door. Diego stuck his foot in the gap, stopping it. Y/N sighed, resting her head on the door. “Diego, just go... please.”

“I didn’t get soaking wet walking to your house for you to say no to pizza,” Diego said, leaning his head on the door to look at her. “I have beer too. I know you’re sad, so let me in.”

Y/N sighed, her eyes burning at the simple gesture. “Diego..”

“Y/N if you don’t let me in, I’ll let myself in,” Diego warned.

Y/N sighed again but unlocked the chain, swinging the door open as she plodded back to her nest of blankets on the sofa.

“Wow,” Diego said, letting out a whistle at the state of his sister’s apartment. 

“Don’t,” Y/N muttered, burying herself in her nest. “I don’t see the point in anything.”

Diego set the pizza and beer down on the table and sat down next to Y/N on the sofa, grabbing a blanket and wrapping it around himself. “What happened?”

“They fucking cheated, that’s what,” Y/N muttered, blinking away her tears. “And I found out very twitter.”

Diego sighed. “I’m sorry, Y/N,” he said, putting a hand around her shoulders.

Y/N leant into her brother, resting her head on his shoulder. “I just... feel helpless. And it sucks.”

“I know,” Diego replied, kissing her head gently. “Feels like the weight of the world is trying to crush you.”

“I feel like I'm drowning,” Y/N said softly. “And no one can hear me screaming.”

“Oh, is that pizza and beer?”

“No,” Vanya said, following Klaus inside.

“Klaus, you are not allowed to get drunk,” Allison warned as they stepped into the apartment. She looked over at Y/N and sighed sadly. “Hey, sis.”

Y/N felt her face fall as the tears suddenly overcame her and Allison came running over, taking a very grateful Diego’s place as Y/N sobbed into Allison’s shoulder.

Vanya perched herself on the sofa behind Y/N and rubbed her sisters back as she cried, silently taking the beer Klaus offered her.

“Oh, I know,” Allison whispered, stroking her sisters hair. “What can we do?”

“I want alcohol,” Y/N mumbled, sniffing. “And to get tipsy.”

“Woo hoo!” Klaus exclaimed, walking over with several beers and flopping down next to Y/N. He handed her one and looked her in the eye. “Listen, if you need me to scare them, I will do.”

“I’ll stab him,” Diego added as he helped himself to pizza.

“I can rumour him to punch himself like I did Diego,” Allison said, smirking as Diego began to protest. 

“I mean, I can throw him through a window,” Luther said as he finally arrived, carrying the rest of the pizza. “I got stuck in the staircase,” he explained at his siblings questioning looks.

Y/N let out a snort of laughter. “Did you leave a dent?”

“No,” Luther said quietly, setting the pizza boxes on the table. “I may have broken a light.”

Y/N giggled quietly. “When I first moved in, Diego punched that light because he smacked his head on it.”

“It got in the way,” Diego replied, sitting down on a chair next to the t.v. “I remember you laughing so hard you fell down the stairs and broke your ankle.”

“I also remember you having to carry me to the e.r and having to stay with me all night because I was high on pain relief,” Y/N replied, grabbing a slice of pizza. 

“Neither one us comes off well in that story,” Diego muttered.

“So, are we killing them?” Klaus asked, looking at Y/N.

“No, god no,” Y/N replied, shaking her head. “I mean... I do have an overwhelming desire to burn shit.”

Klaus nodded, pulling out a lighter and flicking it on. “Good, where do we start?”

“I don’t know whether to be concerned or frightened at how ok you are with that,” Allison said, staring at Klaus in slight concern. 

Vanya shrugged from behind Y/N. “At least she isn’t going to stick them full of knives like I did.”

“Don’t tempt me,” Y/N warned, looking up at Vanya. “The idea has crossed my mind.”

“OK, so, three of my siblings are psychopaths, one is basically a giant ape, the other is a housewife. Am i the only normal one here?” Diego asked.

“Diego, hun, you got shanked by our Father, you’ve been stalking Lee Harvey Oswald and your girlfriend tried to kill you,” Y/N deadpanned. “If anything, you’re the most fucked up person here.”

“I think that goes to me,” Five said, suddenly jumping into the room.

“Jesus!” Y/N exclaimed, dropping her pizza in surprise. “You made me drop my pizza, Five,” she said, pouting.

Five sighed, handing her a fresh piece. “And if i said that I may have just gotten your ex arrested...”

“I’d hug you so hard your cold dead heart might actually warm up,” Y/N replied. “I don't care how you did it, just that you did it.”

Five smiled at her. “Improper use of a firearm. Don’t ask,” he added quickly.

Y/N stood up from her nest, the blankets falling down around her feet as she hugged Five tightly, ignoring his noise of protest. “Thank you,” she muttered.

Klaus sighed. “Aw, you're so cute.”

“Don’t even think about it,” Y/N warned, pointing a finger at Klaus.

Klaus pouted, sitting back down. “I thought we were getting tipsy?”

“We are,” Y/N said, snatching a beer of Klaus and putting her feet on his lap. “It’s just a matter of who goes first.”

“Luther,” Diego said, pointing at him.

“Why me?” Luther asked, frowning.

“Because you’re the most innocent member of the family,” Y/N replied, shrugging. 

“What about you?” Luther asked, pointing at her.

“Oh, honey,” Y/N said, smirking as she took a sip. “I’m the least innocent person here.”

As an argument ensued about who was the most innocent in the family, Diego and Klaus silently raised a beer to each other, happy that their mission to cheer their sister up had been a success.

[prettyyoungandbored]

Becoming Mrs. Wayne [The Dark Knight] Eight

Pairing: Christian Bale!Bruce Wayne x OC

Summary: Demetria Gallagher knew her cozy life would change the second she became engaged to Bruce Wayne. But what she doesn’t know is she’s getting more than what she agreed to. (I am trash at summaries.)

Warning: None

Taglist: dragonballluver, disgraceful-marvel-trash, barikawho (Let me know if you want to be tagged in this!)

Previous 

Demetria laid in the hospital bed, toying with the thin, white waffle blanket the nurse had given her an hour ago.

The doctors concluded she’d had a severe panic attack, stemming from the trauma caused by The Joker’s attack. They gave her some medicine to put her at ease and stitched up her arm.

Alfred sat in the chair beside her. He rode in the ambulance with her and stayed with her throughout her stay.

While his company was deeply appreciated, the disappointment of Bruce’s absence sunk into her. How could he have left her? Where was he?

Just then, Harvey rushed in hurriedly.

“Dem, oh my god,” he said taking her hand. “Are you alright?”

“I’m alive,” she sighed. “How are you? What happened to you?” 

“I’m not entirely sure. I was talking with Rachel and the next thing I knew I was dragged into some kind of safe room. Next thing I know, the cops let me out and told me what happened.” 

“How’s Rachel doing?”

“She’s fine. No injuries or anything. I don’t know how she survived falling that far without a scratch, but I guess I have Batman to thank.” His eyes shifted to Alfred, his brows furrowing. “Where the hell is Bruce?”

“That’s the million dollar question tonight,” Demetria responded.

“Was he there when you were attacked?”

She shook her head. Harvey pursed her his lip, head shaking.

“He better have gotten locked in a room or I’m gonna kill him,” 

“Harvey.”

“He should be here with you.” He eyed Alfred. “Where the hell is he?! Where was he?!”

“Enough!” Demetria spat. “First of all, you need to calm down. Second, the reason I’m ok and here is because of Alfred so don’t attack him.”

Harvey sighed and eyed Alfred. “Thank you for helping her. I’m sorry.”

“Understandable, Mr. Dent,” Alfred responded with a nod. “It’s been quite the night for all of us.”

“Go be with Rachel, ok?” Demetria said, taking Harvey’s hand. “She needs you right now. I’ll call you tomorrow.”

Harvey nodded and kissed the top of Demetria’s head. “Call me tomorrow.”

He left the room and Demetria turned to Alfred. “I’m sorry Alfred.” 

“You have nothing to apologize for,” he reassured with a smile before returning to his newspaper. 

Demetria pursed her lips back. “Alfred?” 

He glanced up from his paper. “Yes, Miss Gallagher?” 

“Thank you, for being there.” Her lips curved into a small, grateful smile. “And for staying by my side.”  He gave her a small nod, smiling. “My pleasure.” 

She sat up a bit. “Are you doing ok?” 

He chuckled. “I’ve seen a lot of things in my life, Miss Gallagher. What happened tonight doesn’t compare to some of the other things I have witnessed.” 

Before Demetria could question what exactly Alfred had seen in his life, a female nurse with sandy blonde hair pulled into a low ponytail entered the room.

“You holding up alright?” the nurse asked, setting down the clipboard on the nightstand beside the bed.

Demetria sighed, leaning her head back on the pillow. “I’ve had better nights.” 

“I don’t doubt that,” she laughed kindly. She reached into the pocket of her scrubs and pulled out some makeup wipes from her pocket.

“We keep it for all the nurses, but I figured you could use it,” she said.

Demetria gave the nurse a kind smile as she took wipe. “Thank you. I knew I should’ve stuck with waterproof makeup.” She wiped her eyes and face before tossing it into the trash beside her. “Hopefully my face isn't as bad as it was before.” 

“For what it’s worth, I think you’re beautiful, even with smudged makeup.”

She snorted. “You’re very kind.” 

Demetria eyes then shifted tp the nurses standing around the desk area looking at her, whispering among themselves. The nurse turned to them, shooting a dirty look at them.

“They don’t mean any harm,” the nurse chuckled. “Just curious, that’s all.”

“I can appreciate that. 

“My daughter suffers from them too,” the nurse went on. “Panic attacks, I mean.”

“How old is she?”

“16. Diagnosed just two years ago.”

“It’s hard when you’re young,” Demetria acknowledged. “I was 18 when I started getting them.”

“She’s doing better at managing them. Some days are harder than others.”

Demetria hummed, remembering what the first few years of her panic attacks were like - how she spent time and money trying to find the right medicine for her, how they would come up during lectures in college and she wondered if she was going to drop dead in the middle of class. At times they reduced her to tears, consuming her mentality.  

“What’s her name?” she asked.

“Vanessa.” 

“That’s a pretty name.” 

The doctor, a male with silver hair and friendly eyes, entered, giving Demetria a warm smile. “How’s everything?”

“Alright for the most part,” she nodded. “The medicine has definitely kicked in.” 

It was then Bruce rushed into the room. “I’m so sorry, honey. One of the clown’s men locked me in the bedroom. As soon as the officers got me out and told me what happened, I booked it over here.”

He took her hand, kissing the top of her head. “Are you ok?” 

“She has stitches in her forearm,” the doctor explained. “She also suffered a pretty big panic attack so we gave her some medicine to calm her down.”

A sigh of relief escaped Bruce’s lips. “Thank you for taking care of her.”

“Make sure she takes it easy the next couple of days. Give us a couple minutes and we’ll get you home.” 

Demetria nodded, the doctor and nurse leaving. Bruce kissed the top of Demetria’s head.

“I am so sorry,” he said. “I was grabbing stuff for us to leave and the next thing I knew-.” 

She waved her hand. “It’s fine. As long as they didn’t hurt you.” 

Her tone, while relaxed, wasn’t completely reassuring. His eyes met Alfred’s, who glared at him from the newspaper. He gave the old man a nod before returning to Demetria. “We’re going to get you home safe and sound.” 

While he meant what he said, it was easier said than done. Outside of the hospital was a swarm of photographers and reporters. Demetria held onto Bruce’s hand, keeping her head low as he led her through the roaring crowd. 

“Demetria, how are you feeling?” 

“Was The Joker telling the truth? Is there something going on between you and Harvey?” 

“Did you see the Batman come in to the party?” 

“Show us the wound!!”

Bruce helped her into the passenger side of car before going to the driver’s side. He turned to the press. “My fiancé is fine. Thanks.”

Glittering flashes of light stood before Demetria, as she tried to keep her head low. The flashes died down as the car pulled away.

The silence in the car was deafening. Bruce kept his eye on the road while Alfred sat in the back of the car. In the passenger seat, Demetria pressed her head against the window, staring at the nightlife that passed by. 

Exhaustion from the medicine and the trauma wrapped around her like a blanket. Still, in the back of her mind, something felt off about Bruce’s alibi.If he was trapped in the bedroom, wouldn’t he and Harvey have gotten out at the same time? Wouldn’t Harvey had heard him or seen him? 

Also, what did Bruce need to tell her?

==========================================

When they arrived back at the penthouse, Alfred went straight to the kitchen and grabbed the kettle. Demetria followed soon after with Bruce right behind her. 

She went into their room first, Bruce watching her grab some sweatpants and a shirt before walking back out. 

She turned to him, her eyes watering again. 

“I’m...uh...gonna stay in the guest room tonight,” she said, letting out a sniffle.

“Dem-.”

“I want to be alone, ok?”

He nodded understandingly and watched her go into the guest bedroom. The second the door was closed, he eyed Alfred. 

“I messed up,” he admitted. “I should’ve grabbed her first. I wasn’t sure how much time I had and I knew he wanted Harvey-.” 

“The issue, Master Wayne, goes beyond you not saving her first,” Alfred cut him off, turning to him. 

“What was I supposed to do, Alfred?” 

“You already know.” 

Bruce scratched the back of his head. “Rachel...after she found out, said she couldn’t be with me because of him. Suppose Demetria does the same thing.” 

“Demetria is not Rachel, Master Wayne. Demetria has put up with the playboy facade you’ve created. She risked her sanity and comfort to deal with the people you both hate tonight. She’s given up the quiet life she loved to be with you. She’s made her sacrifices. It’s time you’ve made yours.” 

================================================

Demetria curled up in bed, the medicine beginning to wear off. She clutched onto the pillow, staring out into the dark room. 

Waves of exhaustion crashed over her body, but yet she couldn’t bring herself to fall asleep.

She cursed herself for pushing Bruce away, knowing deep down she didn’t actually want to be alone. She wanted to be in his arms, to hear him reassure her that everything would be ok. 

Still, she couldn’t shake how he treated her at the party, as well as his excuse as to what happened to him at the party. As much as she desperately wanted to believe him, she couldn’t.

She got up from thr bed and made her way to her and Bruce’s room. She opened the door to find he wasn’t there. She sighed, closing the door.

He must’ve gone to the gym, she thought.

“Looking for someone?”

She turned to see Bruce sitting in the chair. He was out of his part attire, instead donning a brown polo shirt and black pants. 

“I thought you would be at the gym,” she said, taking a seat on the coffee table that faced him.

“Took the night off.”

“You looked like your dressed to be somewhere.” 

He flashed a tiny smile. “I’ve got nowhere to be.”

She wiped her sweatpants with the palm of her hands, exhaling. Bruce straightened his posture, sensing she was fighting herself to speak up.

She bit the inside of her cheek, her eyes stinging as tears began to fill her eyes. “Tonight was just...”

She let out a defeated chuckle, shrugging. “I don’t know where to begin. I don’t. There are a million different things that I want to say but...” 

Bruce waited on bated breath, his heart sinking at the site of her crumbling down in each second that passed. Still, he was patient. 

Her eyes finally met his. “I felt like an animal in a cage for people to stare at. Like I had no purpose other than to be talked down to or ridiculed. And the one person I needed the most....” She exhaled. “I really needed you there.” 

He leaned in toward her. “I know. I know, and I’m sorry.” 

He took her hand in his. “There’s something I need to show you. Go grab a jacket.” 

“Where are you taking me?” 

“I’ll explain in the car.” His thumb grazed her chin. “I need you to trust me.” 

His pleading tone managed to win her over somehow. She excused herself to grab a jacket from their room. 

As Bruce waited, he could feel his heart race. The ambiguity of what would happen with their relationship after he would tell her broke him down. 

Demetria returned wearing her green utility jacket over her shirt and sweatpants and her paid of white Keds.

“Let’s go,” he told her, grabbing her hand. 

They went into the elevator down into the garage. The silence between them was deafening, both lost in their own thoughts. When the door opened, Demetria followed Bruce into his dark grey Lamborghini Murciélago LP640. 

The second the car left the garage, Bruce broke the silence. 

“Do you remember I told you I spent time traveling the world for a few years?” he spoke up. Demetria nodded. “Before I traveled, I tried to kill the man who killed the my parents. An assassin who worked for a mobster named Carmine Falcone beat me to it. So I visited Falcone who told me real power comes from being feared. So, I decided to spend some time studying the criminal underworld. I trained in combat under this group, the League of Shadows. I later found out they had plans to destroy Gotham, so I burnt down their temple.” 

Demetria stared at Bruce, wide-eyed and mouth gaped open. Although she knew of the trauma and grief Bruce had carried from witnessing his parent’s murder, never in a million years did she think he was capable of murdering the guy. It was one thing to wish death on the guy who killed you parents, but to go out and kill him was a whole other thing. 

She wasn’t sure how to respond, let alone process it, and judging by the deer-in-the headlights expression on her face, Bruce could tell. 

“I came back to Gotham because I felt like the city needed protection,” he continued. 

He pulled the car into an abandoned lot with a broken down warehouse bunker. He stopped the car and despite her hesitation, Demetria got out and followed Bruce. 

Her silence terrified him, but he knew what he had to do. He opened the door, letting her in first before closing it. 

Demetria’s stomach went weak, anticipation running through her. She followed Bruce into the dimly lit hallway before he stopped her. 

“Stay here,” he told her. 

Suddenly, the floor began to lower down into an underground room. Demetria’s heart rate picked up as she looked down. 

 The next thing she knew, she was in a brightly lit, spacious room with two, black military-esque Lamborghinis. 

“What the fuck is this?” she said, eyeing the whole room. 

This was it. No turning back. 

“Demetria...I’m Batman.” 

She whipped her head to Bruce, her mouth hung open. Her blood ran cold, her entire being knocked out by three words. 

“You...you’re....you...” Her words failed her. 

He motioned for her to follow him. He grabbed a remote from off the desk and pointed it at the wall across from him. A section on of the floor rose, revealing a glass case where sure enough, hanging perfectly inside was Batman’s costume. 

Demetria eyes went back and fourth between the costume and Bruce, trying to make sense of what was happening. Bruce watched her, waiting for her to say something, anything. As far as he was concerned, he was watching what would be the end of their relationship. 

“I....I don’t...I...I...” She shook her head. “I don’t know...what...what the fuck? Seriously, what the fuck? You’re Batman? You? Bruce Wayne?” 

She stepped back. “How the hell am I supposed to believe this? How do I know that’s not a just a really good replica of his costume?” 

“You told me on the rooftop that it was scary to have people take photos of you and that you feel like an animal in a zoo enclosure.”

She nodded her head, pressing her fingers to her temple. “Oh my fucking god.” 

“I wanted so many times to tell you,” he said, taking a step forward. “I promised myself to keep you away from Batman because I didn’t want you to get mixed up in it.” 

“But the balcony...”

“I didn’t want you out alone at night, even if it was on my balcony.” 

Then it hit her. The party. 

“If the suits in here, how did you have it for the party?” she asked. 

“I keep a spare in a private room.” 

She threw her hands. “How the fuck do you have so many private rooms? I know it’s a penthouse, but come on!”  

She started pacing back and fourth. “So instead of training for extreme hiking or whatever, you’ve been doing this?” 

“That’s correct.” 

She ran her hand through her hair. “I don’t know what to say. I mean, first you tell me you tried to kill the guy who killed your parents and then you tell me you’re Batman.” She threw her hands up. “I feel like....I mean...when the hell were you going to tell me any of this? Before or after the wedding?” 

He shoved his hands in his pant pockets. “ I was going to tell you when I was done.” 

“What do you mean when you were done?”

“Done with Batman. Gotham doesn’t need me anymore. It has Harvey.” 

Her eyes went wide. “That’s why you threw him the fundraiser.”

“He’s what this city needs and what it deserves.” 

Then it dawned on her. Her speech from earlier. “You’re one of the reasons Gotham has a brighter future.”

“You were upset with my speech,” she figured out. “That’s why you went outside.” 

He shook his head. “I wasn’t upset, it’s just that I’ve been at this for so long, Demetria. While I’m ready to give up Batman, on the other hand it’s easier said than done.” 

“Bruce, I said he was one of the reasons, not the reason.” She took a step toward him. “Don’t get me wrong, what Harvey’s doing is great, but it’s nothing compared to what you’ve done. Batman is the reason this city’s getting better.” 

“But he’s also the reason you got attacked,” he pointed out. “I went into our room to grab some stuff so we could leave and I saw on the security camera that The Joker was coming. I knew he was after Harvey so I rescued him first. By the time I came back for you, it was too late. When I came back as Batman, he’d already gotten to you.” He shook his head. “I should’ve saved you first.”

Demetria put a hand on his arm comfortingly. “I wasn’t the target. Harvey was.”  

“But-.” 

“Bruce,” her voice was gentle, but stern. “Stop, alright? You did what was right.” 

His hands cradled her cheeks. “You’re my home, Demetria. I just wanted to keep you safe.”

Safe. The word felt damning to him now.

He tucked a strand of her hair behind her ear. “If you want to leave, I understand.” 

She cocked her head back. “Bruce...” 

“It’s ok.” 

“Bruce, I’m not going anywhere,” she told him, a light chuckle in her voice. “I mean, yeah, I feel like I’ve been thrown off, but none of this changes the fact that I’m completely, stupidly in love with you.”

A small, amused smile formed on his lips. “Stupidly?”

She rolled her eyes at her own word being said back to her. “Stupidly.”

His hands fell down to her waist. “I’m stupidly in love with you too.”

They leaned in, their lips pressing together in a perfect synchronization. Both melted into each other’s touch, Bruce pulling her closer to him.

When she pulled her lips back, she ran her hands through his dark hair.

“Promise me no more secrets, ok? No more hiding from me.” She paused, realizing her own hypocrisy. “That goes for me too, ok? I need to stop hiding my panic attack and anxieties and other shit from you.”

“No more hiding” Bruce repeated in agreement. He cradled her cheek with his hand. “I’m sorry I didn’t tell you sooner.” 

“I’m sorry too.” She ran her hands through her hair. “We used to be so much better at communicating each other. What the hell happened?” 

“We got caught up in other things and forgot what mattered.” He kissed her forehead. “It’s just something we’ll have to work on being better at.” 

She threw her arms around his neck, when her eyes lit up. “Oh, and one more thing. The next time you decide to throw a party with those people and abandon it, take me with you.”

“How about no more parties with them, period?” he countered playfully.

“That is the sexiest thing you’ve said to me.”

He chuckled. “You’re joking me.” 

She shook her head patting his chest when it hit her. “Before I forget, there’s something else I need to tell you. You remember The Joker’s video from today? I know that location.”

“I know,” he said, shoving his hands in his pant pockets. “I found the letter in your drawer.”

“Oh?” She inquired, crossing her arms against her chest. “What were you doing in there?”

“I was packing us a bag and wanted to make sure I packed your anxiety medications. When I saw it wasn’t in the cabinet, despite having told you to put it in there, I grabbed it from the nightstand drawer.”

She put her hands on her hips. “Fair enough, I guess. Did it at least help?”

“I went to check it out after Rachel and I’s fall. Nothing was there except some traces of dried blood.”

“Could it have been that guy’s?”

“It’s possible.” 

He opened a desk drawer, revealing a piece of the brick with dried blood on it. “I was going to check it out tomorrow morning.” 

“Mind if I join you?” 

His hands met her hips. “I would love that.” 

She gave him a quick kiss, when the corners of her mouth curved mischievously. “Can I drive the batcar home?”

“No.”

“Can I sit in it?”

“Maybe.”

“Can I sit on your lap while we both sit in it?”

“It’s not big enough.”

Her mouth hung open. “Bruce!”

“I meant it’s not big enough for two people.”

“Hmmm, sure.” She pat his chest. “C’mon, let’s go home.” 

She went to walk away when he grabbed her hand and pulled it back, bringing her face to his as his lips crashed onto hers. Both of them were too lost to realize their bodies had found themselves on the floor. 

Needless to say, they didn’t make it home. 

[jeromesxreader16]

Such a Joker (53)

Part 52 Here!

~o0o~

I pack two sandwiches in my purse and proceed to cover my hair with the large silk scarf. "Where are you sneaking off to?" Babs asks walking past me and downing a drink. "Secret date? I figured you would get sick of the pale faced clown." I smile at my hands. I could never tire of my boy. I'm as crazy as him, maybe more, but he would never turn me away, and I could never leave him.

"I'm married." "Even better." I narrow my eyes at her. "Babs, I'm going to see my dad." She widens her eyes. "Now you're asking for a death wish." I walk out the door, my heels clicking every step. "If you say so."

I walk into the GCPD and can sense the chaos and tension thickly canned in the air. Not seconds later two individuals start brawling over bread. "Hey! Break it up!" My father pushes them back. "For all the new people here... everyone is welcome in Haven, but there are rules. And one of them is we leave the fighting outside. Government already thinks we don't deserve help. We have to show otherwise. Gangs want to tear themselves apart outside, that's their business. In here, in Haven... we help each other survive."  I hum with a slick smile as the two dispute the issue and the tension falls. Saved for another day.

I walk up to him nudging his arm. "Nice speech. I think it worked." He turns to me and gasps, but recovers quickly. "(Y/n). You're so big. No... Just-" "Pregnant, dad." He nods smiling. "So what happens when they find out the government abandoned them?" He sighs, shaking his head. I pat his back. "Come on paper man. You need some real food." I pull him into his office and remove the disguise. "Italian sub for you, and tuna for me." "You hate tuna." I smile sitting down. "They don't." I pat my swollen tummy. "So there are two of them?" I nod smiling.

"And you're happy? He treats you well?" I nod again smiling at him. "Of course he does. He's not a monster, dad." He grabs my hand over the desk and squeezes it. "I don't... like him. You know this. He destroyed the damn city for christ's sake, but he is the father of my grandchildren, and the husband of my only daughter, so I can promise you... I will never kill him." I kiss his hand and smile. "Who knew that'd be so comforting to hear."

~

I walk into the elevator with the smile ghosted over my lips. Crackling from the speaker erupts my mind causing me to shake and grab the wall in fright. "Aw, honey, I'm sorry." Ecco's voice pipes up from the speaker. I wave my hand in front of the camera with a smile. "No worries. All good here." I laugh placing a hand on my stomach. "Where is Jerimiah?" "Working down below. Would you like me to get him?" I smile up at the camera. "Let me go down."

"Uh... Miss, I think we should wait. He doesn't want you around the-" I press the button to the bottom floor faster than light. "Oops," I smirk up to Ecco as the elevator skips the main floor and descends below.

The two doors slide open revealing a steamed room with the funk of hard labor. I step on the uneven ground and see Jerimiah fanning himself as he watches his workers. I rest my hands on his shoulders and kiss his cheek. "You're working hard." He spins around with a glare. "And you're not supposed to be here." He grips my hips pulling me towards him.

"I missed you." I nuzzle into his chest. He hums as we rock back and forth. "I missed you, my love. Come on. No lady should be exposed to this heat." He places his hand on the small of my back leading me to the elevator.

Holding me the entire way up and then carrying me to our bed, never letting us go. "Are my darlings all suggled up?" He asks resting my head on his chest. The icy colored flesh proving wrong to the touch of fire on my fingers. "Yes, Jer." I mumble feeling my eyes draw to a close. "Never will I go a day without my family... even your father." He kisses my head before I can ask the question.

~

Jeremiah POV:

My workers work endlessly day and night to break the walls of the under the earth. Slowing down each day, getting on my nerves in the end. You're pushing my men way too hard. "We're not gonna break through for at least a couple more days. There is absolutely no way to make it on schedule." The leader of the pack of sweat cogs comes in.

My wife doesn't need to be kept in this filth any longer. How dare he disrespect my future.  "Well, not with that attitude, you're not." I slice the man's throat, as he falls to the ground, blood flowing on the dirt.

"Now... everyone... let's reach inside and dig... a little deeper, shall we? 'Cause that's the only way you're all making it out of this hole." I hum watching their fear thicken.

Two taps on my shoulder break my gaze from the project. "Oh, Echo. Are these all the recruits?" Skinny, no brains, slim Whitted. These are my soldiers?

"Well, I thought you would want quality over quantity. Not everybody can pass a .38 caliber test of faith." I smirk thinking of the trials and tests they've suffered.  "Yes... you certainly have set a very high bar for devotion."

"Oh. Almost forgot. Bruce Wayne and his sidekick Curls... Or is he the sidekick? Anyway, they tried to infiltrate our little operation here."

"Oh?" " Oh. And Curls can walk, really well, especially... for a paraplegic. Ah. And she wants to kill you." I glare at her with a snarl. This doesn't help that my wife is being cared for in the same building.

"A lot, FYI. If I see her, I'll give you a shout. Oh... and kill her." I nod rolling my eyes. Finish the job and move on for the better of my wife and children.

~

I walk into the GCPD questioning room with my scarf wrapped around my head, and my belly protruding out. Quite the look I must say. I open the door to see Victor Zsasz pushed on to the table by Harvey.

"Ow. This is a really nice table." I snicker and take my glasses off. "You do realize her thrives on the pain." The three pairs of eyes look at me.  "We got a dozen witnesses that saw you walk out of that building before it went kabooey."

"Yeah. I heard some gangs had taken over." Zsasz says turning his eyes to me.  "Figured, with you guys occupied, I might help myself to some of your supplies. Hey, do you guys have any canned peaches? Man, I'd trade an arm and a leg for that right now. Not mine, somebody else's. Maybe little baby Maniax's." He laughs reaching for my stomach before Jim swats his arm down.

"If you're innocent, why shoot up a city block full of cops?"

"Because it was full of cops." Zsasz and I say at the same time.

"Who were also trying to shoot me. And, guys, those were warning shots. I mean, if I really

wanted to kill you... you'd be dead. You got a pen? I want to write this guy a thank-you letter. Do the math. If I blew up a building full of people, I would have covered

every inch of my body in sweet, sweet scars. Mrs. Valeska...  want to do a strip search?" He winks before my father punches him. "She's married, pig."

I lock arms with my dad and walk through the station. "Got Lucius on the horn for you, Cap."

"Lucius, talk to me." I grab the phone holding it close enough for the both of us to hear. "Haven wasn't destroyed by a bomb. It was an RPG, like the one that took down the chopper."

"You sure?"

I'm holding what's left of it in my hand right now. We found pieces of it in the rubble. It was fired through the basement window, detonated the fuel oil tank. And we're still trying to figure out exactly which rooftop it was fired from.

"Rooftop?"

"Yes."

"Dad, the only angle you could hit this place from is above. Zsasz was on the ground. Looks like you need a new suspect. I think we need to-"

"Jim! Ah. I know the wheels of justice turn slowly, so I'm here to provide- a modicum of grease."

Rushing up towards the front, Oswald, the Mayor of fallen Gotham, stands tall and proud.

"You need to leave right now."

"Still claiming he's innocent, is he?"

"Yes. And as much as I hate to admit it, the evidence is backing him up."

Harvey busts out, "What the hell's going on?" "Harvey, according to Lucius, Zsasz couldn't have done it."

Oswald huffs with a smile. "I did not expect you to go soft, Jim. Actually, I did. Behind a grandpa and all must've changed your ways. Which is why I didn't come alone." Several gunmen come out armed and ready to fire. My father huddles me close and shields me from the view of guns.

"Bring me Victor Zsasz!"

"Leave, (Y/n). Go home!" Jim pushes me away towards the doors.

~

Jeremiah POV:

I wave my hat fanning my pale skin placed upon the crippling bones. It's so damp and hot in here, but I'm freezing. My heart has gone cold without her scent around. Not a touch, not a wiff, not a glace for days it seems. Where is my angel with my bundles of joy?

"You see, a river cuts through rock not because of its power, but because of its persistence. So what do we do when we feel like giving up? Dig a little deeper. And what do we do when we can't possibly go on any longer? Dig a little deeper. And what do we..." A sharp blade stabs into my side crippling my speech. I look down seeing the masked figure in the striped coat. I gasp feeling my footing slide as the attacker shoves the blade into my stomach further.

"Deep enough?" The individual removes the mask revealing the little pussy of them all. "Well, Selina, I must say..." She pulls the blade out plunging it back in sharply.

"Don't say anything." Over and over again the blade is shoved into my side. The light dimming, the hot steam hitting my brow, the devilish laughter of my brother. This is near my end? Maybe so...

"Selina!" The rat is stripped away from me causing me to fall to the ground barely clinging to the life of happiness I have.

"Selina!" Bruce Wayne holds the fierce kitty back. "Stop. It's done! It's over."

~

The building is quiet. The entire place is quiet... Not one swing of an ax hitting limestone, making a light clink sound. Not the ring of my husbands voice calling to his men. Not even Echo meeting me at the door with my slippers and milkshake. Something is not right.

"Jeremiah?" I call out as if he could hear me from below. If not him then someone. One of the members at least, but no one came. I proceeded to enter the elevator only to see blood on the buttons and floor. They were having the graduation today, not everyone makes it.

The doors  open to the pool room and I could almost drop to my knees at the smell. Thick scent of blood coating the walls. I walk out of the elevator and down into the pool counting the dead. No Echo or Jeremiah. Good so far.

I make my way down to the tunnels where silence has taken over. Just a simple lone man sitting in a chair. "Where is Jermiah?" I panic pulling my jacket closer. Could he have left me?

"Mrs. Valaska!" "Where is my husband?" "He's off in the tunnels. He's got injured. I'm supposed to take you to him." "Well, go on!" He shuffles his feet in a pace of nervousness, tripping over rocks and pickaxes. "How did he get hurt?" "Someone came in and just stabbed the boss. She was taken away by Bruce Wayne." I feel fire ignite in my blood. Selina and Bruce. What a treat. Trying to kill my husband in my own home.

Down the tunnels I hear him. Groaning in pain as Echo stitches him up. "How could you let this happen?" I shout at her. "She was fast." "And you're supposed to be faster." I glare at her as she cowers at my words.

"Don't stress, darling. It's not good for the babies."

"Jeremiah." I kneel down next to him grabbing his face. "Are you alright?" He places his hands over mine, kissing them each. "I'm still alive. One thing I've still got on my brother. How are you, my love? I'm sorry. You must've been wrecked with worry." Jeremiah pulls me into his lap. I nod with my bottom lip out. "Yes, I was. I was so scared, Jer." He pulls me to him. "Aw my darling. I know. I know."

I shift my weight slightly causing him to jet in a sharp inhale. "Oh, honey. Stitches still sore?" He nods. "Never would have happened if you wore that armor I prepared." Echo hums, causing me to roll my eyes. "That bullet makes you sentimental of the wrong things." I huff out pushing her out of the view.

"Why would you not check who was working? You always do. You're always prepared." Jeremiah places his hand on my cheek again. "I had to let Selina thrust the knife into my flesh at least once. Verisimilitude trumps precaution, you see." "They think you're dead." I think putting everything together.

Echo stands to the side bouncing with information. "What is it?" She giggles jumping on her heels. "All systems go." Jeremiah lifts himself, placing a hand on the small of my back and leading us along behind Echo.

"You could've died." I whisper looking at the dirt. "I didn't." "But you could have, Jeremiah. That's my point. You have two children growing, and soon they'll be out in this world. They need their father. You've kept me safely away, but that won't mean shit if you're not around to protect your children." I move ahead of him in a fit of fire.

A hand grabs my shoulder spinning me around. Jerehimah dips me and pushes our lips together. His grip on my arm and hip so tight, keeping me pulled to him with no fight. He pulls away only an inch, looking at my eyes, looking into the soul. "Now, you may not understand everything I do, but I do it for you and these two kids. I think and I plan for hours. You sit up in the bed resting your feet like I tell you. When you start questioning if I'm going to make it, that's when this will fall apart. You're my darling. You've been mine for thousands of years. Never doubt me, (Y/n)." He places his hands on my stomach and pecks my forehead. "Come along now. We have things to do."

Leading me through the tunnels I start to see less of the dirt and more solid grey rock already formed into tunnels. "Where are we?" Jeremiah giggles pulling me alongside.

"Doctor. I'm hearing good things." Jeremiah says holding in laughter.

What is he up to?

The Doctor nods. "The bandages are ready to come off. Your assistant thought you'd like to see the results." Echo shakes her head in praise like a dog while Jer nods his head. "Indeed, I would."

He turns to me. "You won't want to miss this, (y/n)."

The Doctor unravels the bandages on the individuals faces revealing a profile built from professional lifestyle and diets. This is Thomas and Martha Wayne before my eyes... ALIVE!

"Oh, you two look beautiful." I smile looking down at her pearl necklace. "Down to the very detail with you." Jeremiah kisses my cheek. "I love family reunions, don't you?" "More than Christmas!" I cheer and giggle.

[stardew-goblin]

Could you do 13 from the prompt thing for Alex and the farmer?

#13 “How do you expect me to help you if you don’t let me in?”

Alex x Farmer

You know before you open your eyes that the spot next to you in bed is empty. It’s happened three times this week, not including the numerous times this month already. You knew that if you looked out the window of your farmhouse you’d see Alex sitting by the barn, sullenly picking at the grass around him.

He’d been so down lately and anything you did to try to help seemed to only make things worse. He didn’t want to eat, he wasn’t working out, he seemed to be just floating through the day but not really existing and it was terrifying. He was usually so lively and he never missed a workout day. By the phone sat a stack of messages from Evelyn waiting to be returned.

The worry built in your stomach as you stepped out of the warm house into the cool night air. You could hear a low moan cut off by a sob. You quicken your pace until you’ve reached him and immediately drop to your knees. You cradle his head to your chest and your heart breaks at the sound of him weeping.

You stay like that, him in your arms while you gently rock him, until his sobs quiet and his breath steadys. You had never seen him so distraught and his sadness flooded you with despair. Knowing that something was hurting him this badly but not being able to help crushed you.

“Baby, what’s wrong?” you ask him quietly.

“I don’t want to talk about it.”

“Honey, this can’t keep happening. I love you, please let me help you.” Your stomach clenches as you watch a blank expression spread across his face. He’s shutting down again. He’s shutting you out.

“I said I don’t want to talk about it!” He stands, practically knocking you onto your butt and into the grass.

You stay sitting there as you watch him walk back into the farm house. You let out a few tears before you follow suit. You missed your husband and his behavior lately was terrifying. You felt like you were losing him and something told you that one day soon, he would be gone.

The next morning you wake at six on the dot. You roll over to, again, find Alex’s spot in bed empty. You sigh as you get out of bed and flick on the coffee pot. It had been a lot of long nights and you could feel the toll they were taking on you.

You grab your mug and sit at your kitchen table to try to think of what to do. Something’s got to give, you think to yourself. You can’t keep going on like this. You think about calling Dr. Harvey to see what to do, and suddenly wish the town had a proper therapist.

The phone ringing startles you and you jump up to grab it.

“Hello?” You answer, trying to not sound as exhausted as you felt.

“Oh, hello deary!” Evelyn’s delicate voice says through the receiver. “I was hoping Alex was in? I haven’t talked to him in such a long while and I miss him dearly.”

“I’m sorry Evelyn, Alex is actually out right now but I’ll be sure to let him know that you called!”

“That’s alright, sweetie, I’ll try to phone him again tomorrow. You have a good day and don’t work to hard!” She says, getting ready to end the call.

“Actually, Evelyn, can I talk to you for a second?”

You fill Evelyn in on everything that’s been going on and express how worried you are about Alex.

“Oh, honey I’m so sorry. I thought you knew. Tomorrow is the anniversary of Clara’s passing. I can only imagine how hard he’s taking it.” She pauses for a second. “Please be extra kind hearted towards him. He’s never fully healed from her passing.”

Your heart clenches. You didn’t even realize. You go about your farmwork half heartedly while your thoughts remain on Alex. He shouldn’t have to go through this alone. He shouldn’t have to feel like he doesn’t have someone to lean on.

He comes home as you’re setting the table for dinner. “Hey baby, I made some salmon for dinner. Please sit with me tonight. I miss you.”

Alex nods and takes a seat at the table, his withdrawn expression making your stomach tighten again but you remind yourself that you need to stay strong for him.

You bring the plated salmon to the table and take the seat across from him. He stares blankly at the plate in front of him.

“I’m really not feeling hungry.” He mumbles.

“Alex, please.” You whisper. You can feel the tears threatening to escape and the tightness growing in your throat. “Please.” You whisper again.

He stares at you and you watch as his face struggle to remain composed. “Please don’t cry. I’m sorry. I just… I’m sorry.” His voice trembles.

“Alex, you aren’t alone. Please let me help you through this.” The tears are flowing freely now and you try to suppress a sob. “I love you so much. You are so loved please let me help you.”

Alex buries his face in his hands while you cry. His shoulders quivering as the tears drip off of his chin.

“I’m sorry.” He says so quietly you almost think you imagined it.

“I’m sorry. I’m so sorry. I want you to help me. I feel lost and so alone and and I don’t know what to do.” He cries.

“Alex, how do you expect me to help you if you don’t let me in? You’ve completely shut me out and I don’t know what to do but I can’t watch you suffer anymore.”

You stand up and walk around the table to him. He slides his chair out and you drop into his lap. His arms instinctively fold around you as he lets out a long sigh. You cup his face in your hands and wipe his tear stained cheeks with your thumbs.

“You don’t have to talk about it but please, just let me be there for you. You don’t have to go through this on your own.”

“I’m not used to letting people in.” He says. “I’m sorry. I love you so much.”

“For better or for worse.” you remind him.

“Can you just hold me right now?” He asks softly. “I need you.”

You both move to the couch and he lays his head in your lap. You run your fingers through his hair and whisper reminders that you love him as he drifts to sleep.

He looks peaceful for the first time in weeks. His mouth slightly ajar, a spot of drool forming on your lap. You let out a sigh, releasing the stress you had been carrying the last month. You revel in his beauty, at how his chiseled features soften in his sleep.

You don’t know what’s to come, but you know that you’ll get through it together.

[lady-divine-writes]

Klaine one-shot - “Sparking Joy” (Rated G)

Summary:

Kurt wants to Marie Kondo their home, but Blaine is struggling with how to deal with things that 'spark joy'. In the end, Kurt discovers that Blaine's method might be the best. (1966 words)

Read on AO3.

Thunk!

Blaine startles in his seat when an object drops out of nowhere and lands heavily on the living room floor. He’d been spending a relaxing morning and most of the early afternoon catching up on the latest issues of Variety!, his daughter Tracy hanging out with him, watching re-runs of Total Drama Island on her phone. He’s embarrassed to admit that, till that moment, he didn’t know what his husband was up to. Kurt usually spends his weekends designing new outfits or hitting up second hand stores, searching for inspiration.

Seeing Kurt standing in front of him, hands on hips, staring as if expecting an answer to an unasked question, Blaine realizes - not this weekend.

At Kurt’s feet sits a large cardboard box, edges white, corners worn from age, lopsided due to a decade sinking into the carpet at the bottom of a closet.

Blaine looks at the box, then at his husband, eyes glued to Blaine’s face.

“Uh … what’s going on, honey?” Blaine asks.

“It’s April 6th, darling.”

“Yes, it is,” Blaine agrees, looking over at his pre-teen daughter, who shrugs and goes back to her iPhone screen. “And that means …?”

“Today is the day we said we’d Marie Kondo the heck out of this place!”

“Oh.” Blaine nods, recognizing the reference vaguely in his confusion. “Yeah. Right. We’re … Kondo-ing our condo.”

“I knew you’d forget!”

“I didn’t forget. I just … didn’t exactly remember until now.”

“You promised you’d help me with this! This place is turning into a hoarder’s paradise! Lifetime is going to break down our door any day now and put us on TV!”

Blaine scans their stylish but minimally decorated living room – an impressive space that contains two sofas, a coffee table, and a piano. But aside from a slew of family photos on the walls (organized by date in color coordinated frames), there’s little else, definitely nothing that would warrant the label ‘hoarder’. Other rooms are much the same: clothes and shoes in closets categorized by use, subcategorized by season and color; with bookcases and cubbies to handle everything else. “What? Where are you getting that from?”

“I get that from your stack of magazines by the toilet in the master bathroom and our combined army of boxes in the top and bottom of every closet.”

“That’s it? That’s your definition of hoarder?”

“This is box number one of fifteen that you are responsible for going through,” Kurt continues. “Just follow the KonMari method: go through the box and touch every object. If it sparks joy and you can visualize a place to put it, set it aside. If not, thank it and put it back in the box. Once you’re done, put the box in the hall with the rest of our donations and move on to another box.”

“Got it.” Blaine moves from his comfy spot on the sofa to the hard wood floor. “I’ll get on it.”

“See that you do.” Kurt pivots on the ball of his foot and shuffles back to the master bedroom, where he’s been going through his own fair share of boxes to see what sparks joy. Blaine honestly forgot, but he remembers now – he and Kurt watching Marie Kondo explain her method on Ellen, and them reminiscing how they had boxes in their closet they hadn’t opened since high school. In the moment, Blaine was as excited as Kurt to begin. But after giving it thought, he wasn’t sure he wanted to part with anything from his past.

Plus, the whole process seemed incredibly overwhelming.

“Welp, one box at a time,” he mutters, opening the soft flaps. “What do we have in here? Oh … my … God …”

“What is that?” Tracy takes a seat beside her father on the floor as he pulls a thick gold chain with a circular amulet hanging off it from the top of the box.

“It’s part of a costume I wore for an ABBA routine the Glee Club did back in high school.” Blaine shakes his head, a slow smile spreading across his lips. “It was kind of a bittersweet time because your dad and I weren’t together, but I always knew we’d end up this way in the end. I can’t believe he’d expect me to give this up.”

“Desperate times call for desperate measures, Daddy. Can I have it?”

Blaine stares at his daughter, hand already extended to receive. “Just like your mother,” he says, handing the necklace over since he can’t imagine when he’d ever wear it again. “Subtle as a sledgehammer.”

“I’ll take that as a compliment,” she says, slipping the chain over her head. “What else is in there?”

“I think these are … yeah …” Blaine laughs as he pulls out what looks like a fighter pilot’s helmet “… these are all parts of old costumes I wore back in high school.”

“How many musicals did you guys put on?” Tracy asks, rifling through the contents of the box.

“Two. But a lot of impromptu stuff went on in the choir room.”

“I guess.”

“Look at these! My yellow sunglasses! Oh, and my Dalton blazer!”

“Were you a cheerleader?” Tracy snickers, holding up a white and red shirt for her father to see.

“Yes,” he says, snatching it away. “Don’t judge. So was your father.”

“No!”

“Yes, ma’am. He was also on the football team.”

“My Papa? Sorry. Can’t see it.”

Blaine spots a copy of their school yearbook from his junior/Kurt’s senior year. Kurt’s father had purchased a two page spread with pictures of Kurt from kindergarten through graduation. He knows there’s a pic of Kurt in his football uniform in there somewhere. He flips to the back and finds it. “See for yourself …”

Tracy takes the book and squints at the page, looking for any resemblance between the boy in the photograph, so thin that his protective gear amounts for two-thirds of his body, and her Papa. “Awww! He’s so cute!”

“Yes,” Blaine says, pulling out another yearbook and flipping through the pages, searching for another picture of Kurt, this time as a member of the Warblers. He grins, and adds under his breath: “Dirty cute.”

***

Kurt slides another box down the hallway and tetrises it into place. He stands up straight, stretching his sore back as he surveys the boxes he has compiled by the front door. He runs a hand through his hair, wincing when he feels it weighed down by dust. He’s going to have to take a shower before he makes dinner. He’s too hungry to shower, and too exhausted to cook. He could order in, but by the looks of those boxes, he may have accidentally blocked the door. He could ask Blaine to cook, or to move the boxes for the delivery guy, but he’s too bitter to do either. Kurt has spent the whole day tackling the job they were supposed to do together. By Kurt’s calculations, he’s pared down a metric ton of junk.

Blaine has possibly rearranged the contents of one large box. Kurt won’t know until he checks in on him.

Kurt should give his husband a chance to prove him wrong. They haven’t spoken for hours, so he doesn’t know what Blaine has or hasn’t done. But considering he never voluntarily came to the bedroom in search of a second box, he has his doubts.

Kurt trudges down the hall towards the living room. He hears Blaine talking and Tracy giggling, but he can’t make out what they’re saying. When he turns the corner, he’s pleasantly surprised to find Blaine’s box closed up and waiting patiently to take its place by the front door. Kurt smiles, relieved. Blaine did take this seriously after all. Good! But Kurt feels a small pang of guilt. He should have given Blaine a bit more credit. He should apologize.

He hears Tracy giggle again and decides to take a break from working to see what’s so funny. Both his husband and his daughter are sitting on the floor, hidden from view by the sofa. Kurt tiptoes in, but a few steps closer, he stops, crosses his arms, and sighs a long, exasperated sigh. Without saying a word, Kurt goes back to Blaine’s box and picks it up. It’s light as a feather. He gives it a shake to confirm his suspicions, then tosses it aside.

It’s empty.

“Blaine!” he groans, storming back into the living room to confront the man sitting amid a pile of every single item that had been packed in that box, and wearing most of it. “We talked about this!”

“I know,” Blaine says, putting up his hands in surrender and huddling closer to his daughter, hoping for the protection that comes from hiding behind an innocent child, “but I can’t help it, Kurt! Everything in that box sparked joy! It was from one of the best times in my life!”

“Blaine! Those things were from high school!”

“A-ha …”

“No one in the world thinks that high school is one of the best times in their lives!”

“I do!”

“How!? You got jumped outside a school dance, remember?”

“Yeah, but it’s also when I met you!”

Kurt stops ranting. He can’t argue with that. He’s often said that only a handful of good came from having to suffer the hell that was high school, and one of those was meeting Blaine. He has to admit, giving away mementos from that time was excruciating for him. But it had to be done. They have way too much stuff sitting in boxes. Kurt isn’t throwing them in the trash or sending them off to Goodwill. They’re not even giving them away away. The majority of his old costumes and props are being re-homed to the theater arts program at Tracy’s school. The next time the Harvey Milk School puts on a performance of West Side Story or Grease, Kurt will be able to revisit his old costumes and remember the good times.

Obviously, Blaine doesn’t feel the same way.

Kurt can’t be mad. He knows how sentimental his husband is. That’s one of the reasons he loves him.

Kurt looks at his ridiculous husband and their daughter, both decked out in everything Kurt had seen in that box – feather boas, a furry red jacket, Blaine’s old cheerleading top, a black top hat. Spread out around them are the only things he thought Blaine might keep – yearbooks, scrapbooks, journals, all open to various pages, displaying pictures from “the good old” days … and days Kurt didn’t think were so good at the time.

The New Directions the year they won Nationals.

Kurt as Officer Krupke tucked beside a picture of Blaine as Tony.

A candid of Blaine dressed in his cheerleading uniform, hula hooping with Tina in the school gymnasium.

Kurt and Blaine at prom the year Kurt was crowned queen.

Seeing these years of their lives spread out in the open on the living room floor, Tracy’s giggling makes sense. Not only was Blaine rescuing the things he felt sparked joy, he was sharing that joy with their daughter … something Kurt, in his haste to clean before the end of the weekend, had neglected to do.

Kurt steps around the sofa, picks his way through the books and the costumes, and joins Blaine and Tracy on the floor.

“I’m sorry, Kurt. I guess I’m not good at the KonMari method,” Blaine says, offering a hand to help his tired husband to the ground.

“Don’t worry about it. It’s not that big a deal.”

“Didn’t you find anything that sparked joy?”

Kurt puts a hand on his husband’s knee and rests his head on his shoulder. He peeks up at Blaine’s face and smiles. “I sure did.”

[blueyesandleatherjacket]

Our last winter, 20/31

► Our last winter - Human!Ninth Doctor/Rose Tyler. ► Written for @doctorroseprompts 31 days of ficmas. Day 20: Candy canes. ► AU Verse, Teen. ► 1,535 words. ► A/N: This is a prequelle to Ghost of you.

“Winter is the time for comfort, for good food and warmth, for the touch of a friendly hand and for a talk beside the fire: it is time for home.” - Edith Sitwell.

The bells had long stopped chiming when Rose slowly led him out of the graveyard. She doubted he was hungry but she would still buy him a little something. She had seen a shop of frozen yoghurt earlier. It wasn’t the good time of the year to eat this but they had a new sort of yoghurts with candy canes and they had to try this. It was an exclusive yoghurt that wouldn’t last long since it was just a Christmas thing. As a gourmand, Maxence needed to taste that and maybe that would help him feel a bit better for the rest of the day. She wanted him to relax. She didn’t mind if he wasn’t working and Harvey wouldn’t be too hard with him if he knew how badly he was affected by the loss of his mother. He hadn’t had any time off to properly mourn her and they should have given him some days off instead of burying under lots of work.

They sat down at an empty table of the shop. Maxence hadn’t even reacted to the smell of food or to the fact they were in a food shop. Rose gently squeezed his shoulder and ordered two Christmas specials with extra candy canes. When she brought them back to the table, Maxence was staring off at the wall in front of him. She put the yoghurt in front of him and sat down by his side instead of picking the seat facing him. He pushed the full cup away.

  “I’m not hungry.”

  Rose picked a candy cane from her yoghurt and licked it clean before biting into it. She took her time to chew it. She didn’t know what to tell him that would make him feel better. There were days like this where she felt useless and powerless. If only she could take away his pain…

  “You need to eat something, Max.”

  Him not eating was an indicator of him being unwell and she wanted more than ever to take all his pain on her so he wouldn’t be so lost anymore. Maxence was an angel to her and he didn’t deserve to suffer as much as he did with all the good he was doing around him.

  “Maybe you should ask Harvey for a couple days off. He wouldn’t refuse to give them to you.”

“What would I do? Pacing around the house thinking about it again and again?”

“You’re right.”

“Maybe I could have saved her.”

  He picked a candy cane and sucked on it distractedly. He just needed to think about something else. What was done couldn’t be undone. Death was part of life as sad as it was and he had to accept it. The only person that had ever been here for him was gone but she hadn’t left him alone. He had his wife, his friends, his colleagues, his job. She had seen him becoming a great scientist, getting married to a fantastic woman. She had watched him grow up and live his own life after witnessing him on the edge of death.

  “You can’t go on thinking like this, Maxence.” Rose pulled him closer to her and rested her head on his arm. “The doctors have told us there was nothing to do. She fought until the end.”

“I know. But if we could…”

“Find a cure? We all dream of that day but we don’t even know what’s causing our DNA to develop that nasty thing.”

“What if it’s hereditary?”

“We can do tests. Make sure you’re safe.”

“I don’t know how I’ll take it.”

  Rose kissed his temple and began eating her yoghurt slowly. Maxence was still sucking his candy cane. She would be devastated to hear he was sick but she had promised him forever and she would be there whatever came on their way. She smiled when he drew the yoghurt back at him and dipped his finger inside. He licked it clean. It made him realise that he was hungry. He grabbed the plastic spoon and devoured the yoghurt. There were bits of candy canes inside and it made it all delicious and crunchy.

  “I was hungry actually.”

“Sure you were. You devoured it in no time.”

  Now he was glancing at her still half full pot and she took it away from him. He wasn’t gonna steal her food. He was doing it way too much already. She slapped his hand with her spoon when he made his first attempt.

  “If you want another one, you buy it.”

“But Rose, I can’t only eat frozen yoghurt.”

“Then, buy something on the way back to work.”

“Speaking of it, we should hurry up. We’ve been procrastinating for too long.”

  He was joking but it was all his fault if they were gonna be late. Rose managed to finish her yoghurt without having any stolen from her and they both headed back to the CRCD. Maxence stopped on the way to buy a sandwich for himself and stuffed his pockets with candy canes. This act made her smile. Only him would do such a thing.

They arrived to the lab just in time to get back to work. They separated on a kiss and Maxence walked back to his office. This time, he fully focused on the document he had been sent and wrote down his remarks. He typed them and joined them to the mail he sent to his team for them to make the necessary changes on the formula of this cure. When he was done, he opened his lessons for his engineering degree. He was gonna work a bit on them and write that essay he was supposed to have begun already. He put his hand to his pocket to grab a candy cane. That would motivate him quicker. He only met an empty pocket though. He checked the other ones and found just a little note from Rose: ‘Sorry, honey, that was too tempting. Come to me to have them back.’

  “When has she…”

  The only moment she could have done that was when they had hugged before walking to their own office. Why hadn’t he felt anything? Why hadn’t he noticed it earlier? He was gonna have to take his revenge on her for that. No one could steal food from him. Never. He rushed out of his office and was heading to Rose’s office when he met Colin.

  “Max, just the one I was looking for.”

  Colin was a friend but also an enemy of Maxence. They were best frenemies like their colleagues always said. They followed the same courses and they were both genius but Maxence was better with people than Colin would ever be. That was why he was head of the biology department and not Colin. Another reason for Colin to hate him.

  “What’s happening?”

  Colin’s answer was given in the form of today’s newspaper open on the minor news item. There was an article that caught Maxence’s attention immediately and he understood better what was concerning Colin that much.

  A scientist kicked out for unconventional methods of work. Myrtle Appleton, 42, is a brilliant scientist known for her researches on the Xeroderma Pigmentosum – most known as the sun disease – was dismissed from the laboratory she has been working in for the last twenty years. The spokesperson of the laboratory reported that “[the doctor] Appleton was using unconventional methods on her test subjects. When we found out about it, we had no other choice but to put an end to her contract.” No statement has been given by the concerned party yet.

  “Have you spoken to her?”

“Not yet. She must have turned off her phone to be left alone.”

“Is this true?”

“I can’t tell. Missy’s always been weird.”

“Go to her. I’ll speak to Harvey.”

“Thanks, Max.”

  Myrtle was Colin’s sister and for Maxence, family was precious so he wasn’t gonna stop her frenemy from going to a member of his when she was in troubles. Colin took the newspaper back and quickly left with a nod to thank his superior. This simple fact was enraging him but he had better things to do.

Maxence had a clear frown on his face when he knocked on Rose’s door. This news was disturbing him. He hated this when scientists were going mad. It was tarnishing the image of other scientists. Mad scientists were a cliché in the popular culture and it could be funny in movies but not in real life. Rose smirked at him. She thought his frown was because of his missing candy canes.

  “Do you need anything?”

  She wasn’t opening the door yet. She liked teasing him. She picked a candy cane from the heap of sweets on her desk and unwrapped it before putting it to her mouth and sucking on it.

  “Oi! That’s mine!”

“Come and get it.”

“You know I can’t come in. the master key wasn’t mine.”

“Poor little Maxence.”

“I need my candies.”

  Since there was no one around, he pouted to coax her. She eventually gave in and let him in. Candy canes were good but the taste of the sugar was even better on his wife’s lips…

Our last winter © | 2018 | Tous droits réservés.

×××

Buy me a coffee?

[ncfan-1]

Gotham 04X18, ‘That’s Entertainment’

Last week: hardly anyone in the Legion of Horribles had a comprehensible motivation. This week: chaos. This is Gotham.

- We open with an extreme close-up on the interim mayor. Apparently something happened to the old mayor. And there are a bunch of other higher-ups at a dinner. Including the chairperson of the Gotham Moral Authority office… What decade is this show set in again?

- And Victor Fries and the other Horribles break into the dinner.

- And we’ve established that Bridgit does remember all the shit that happened to her, and that because of that, “there is no Bridgit anymore.” Okay, so we’ve established that. Thank you, show, for putting the bare minimum of effort into explaining why she suddenly wants to rip the city apart. If only you could have done a better job building up to this moment.

- Oswald could not look less happy to be in that van, and even less happy to have Jerome wrapping his arm around his shoulders.

- Okay, Alfred’s story about Bruce’s seventh birthday is kinda sweet. And Alfred has given him car keys. To a proto-Batmobile. Alfred, stop enabling him.

- …Alright, the hugging was sweet. I don’t have a heart of stone.

- And poor Oswald has slipped away long enough to warn Jim of what’s going on.

- The story is still very much treating Jonathan as… basically, the Tagalong Kid with a flair for mad science. There’s the way Oswald phrases it—he says that Jerome has Freeze, Firefly and Hatter working with him, and that Scarecrow made a gas for him. He differentiated between them; Oswald’s assessment, apparently, is that Jonathan is performing a different function than the others. Like, I know I keep beating this horse, but it’s striking the way the show, even though they aren’t interested in treating him as a character anymore, let alone a sympathetic character, he still comes off like someone who isn’t here on his own initiative, very much comes off as a subordinate, like even more so than the others (I don’t think Jerome recognizes equals). I noticed in the van, too, he was huddled in the corner up until the moment it came time to gas someone, with Jervis standing right in front of him. It’s just an interesting visual detail.

- “He scares the living hell out of me, okay!” Oh, Oswald, sweetheart.

- Oswald is unreasonably pretty, and I say this as an aro ace. He’s just… vaguely luminous.

- Old school Gobblepot, complete with Oswald limping away hurriedly when Harvey starts calling for Jim. My heart is glad.

- Jerome crashes a concert and does the old “bomb strapped to a hostage” trick.

- And Tabitha has apparently been her charming self.

- Tabitha’s also done with this League of Assassins business.

- Fries and Jonathan have busted into… a chemical laboratory, apparently. How much do you wanna bet this is the only scene in the episode where Jonathan has any lines?

- Jerome reveals who his two “guests of honor” are—Jeremiah and Bruce, to the surprise of no one. Jim tries to offer himself up in place of Bruce (which, okay, it’s a nice moment, even if it doesn’t redeem him), but no dice. As for the Police Commissioner… off with his head!

- Baby Batcat is still good. Even Alfred looks happy to see Selina. And Selina thought the brat thing was just an act.

- Alfred and Selina experience a rare moment of solidarity over Jim and Lucius’s horrible plan.

- Barbara follows the League to a house of Ra’s’s. Apparently there is a secret door, and more of the glowy hand. What’s behind the secret door? Uh, not sure, actually, but the music thinks it’s impressive. On the far wall, there is a portrait of Ra’s with a woman. Is this supposed to be some sort of reincarnation thing?

- Back to Jeremiah. Jeremiah is not nearly as charitable as Bruce, and doesn’t want to go along with Jim and Lucius’s plan. But Bruce moves him to going along with it. Jeremiah doesn’t seem terribly sympathetic towards the suffering of others. There’s still something just a bit… off, about him.

- Harvey goes to the lab, and a woman there reveals that Fries and Jonathan made them make the Joker venom. So maybe Jonathan’s not the one who’s been making it after all? Or maybe he just doesn’t have the skill level needed to make a more refined version.

- Jeremiah’s color scheme is very… Joker. I’m sure that’s not clumsy foreshadowing. I should also note that a more subtle bit of foreshadowing was Jeremiah lying about Jerome trying to kill him as a child last episode. I don’t know about other versions, but DCAU Joker lied about his past all the time.

- Bruce’s not flinching when everyone ducks when shots ring out seems reminiscent of 1989’s Batman. Seeing as Michael Keaton is my other favorite live-action Batman, that’s fitting.

(Yes, I said other. I really do like David Mazouz’s portrayal of Bruce Wayne, though we haven’t seen too much Batman from him yet.)

- The Horribles have commandeered a zeppelin. Jonathan had more lines! Jervis and Jonathan continue to be a duo, Jervis still sounds a bit like Jonathan’s minder/babysitter, and Oswald’s betrayal was anticipated.

- Tabitha’s assessment of Ra’s is a cult leader. Given the way Barbara is acting, it’s hard to argue.

- I’d say I feel sorry for Tabitha, but Tabitha’s so awful it’s hard to feel much of anything. And Tabitha, honey, I can’t even remember how many episodes it’s been since Selina last interacted with you and Barbara. At this point, I don’t think she’s coming back.

- Jerome’s comedy act is not very comedic.

- “You’re as crazy as I am.” And Jerome’s about to make sure Jeremiah is, by giving him the knife.

- Jeremiah doesn’t need a lot of persuading to try to kill Jerome. Given the way he screams, yeah…

- Jim and Oswald think the same way. :)

- “Time to kill this maniac once and for all.” Lucius doesn’t look like he approves of you’re taking the law into your own hands, Jim.

- The zeppelin of doom has arrived.

- We cut back to tied up and none too happy with his surroundings. He breaks his bonds and tries to get the hypnotized pilot to turn the zeppelin around. Unfortunately, the hypnotized pilot has a gun.

- Oswald calls Jim for help, and is, I think, convinced to try to help them.

- Jerome is on top of a building.

- And, not for the first time, Jim commits murder.

- Oswald gets into a fight with the pilot. Poor man doesn’t even drive his own car, how’s he supposed to fly a blimp? Very poorly, I assume. (He called it a blimp, I’m gonna assume that’s what it is.)

- And Jerome isn’t dead. He’s dangling from a drain pipe.

- “Lawman or murderer?” Jerome, Jim’s already a murderer, I wouldn’t appeal to him that way if I was you.

- But Jerome chooses to let himself fall, saying “I’ll be seeing you soon.” Unsubtle reference to Jeremiah, I presume.

- We cut back to Jerome’s dead face. People are gathered around his body, collecting his blood like he’s some sort of medieval saint.

- Bruce seems overcome. Poor kid.

- And Oswald picked up blimp-flying on the fly.

- Poor, poor Oswald.

- Tabitha vs. The League of Shadows. Pretty one-sided after about thirty seconds, with a mysterious man who is totally not Ra’s al-Ghul looking on from a distance.

- And it wasn’t Ra’s al-Ghul, as it turns out. Another faction of the League of Shadows. They promptly drug and kidnap her. Okay, now I do feel a little sorry for Tabitha. Today’s been the day that fun forgot for her.

- Jeremiah back in his sterile, creepy maze-house. He seems to be trying to cope with everything that just happened, only to find a present waiting on his desk. (It had better not be Ecco’s head in a box.)

- Okay, it’s not Ecco’s head in a box. Good; I’ve gotten entirely too used to this show pulling cheap tricks like that. It’s a spray of Joker venom. And we see Jeremiah’s face turning white, his lips turning very, very red, and we here a familiar-sounding laugh…

[incredibeale-archive]

When Mitchsen child is nervous to tell her moms that she is likes boys, and one boy in particular.

“He’s staring at you again…” 

“He is not…” Charlotte tries to sneak a glance at the dark haired boy from behind her open locker, but she can’t without looking like a creeper.

“Oh my god, Charlie, he’s coming over!” Her friend says through clenched teeth. 

“Oh my god, oh my god, okay.” 

“Hey, Charlie.” Charlotte turns, closing her locker and coming face to face with Jack Harvey, the boy she’s had a crush on since the beginning of the year. 

“Jack, hi…” She says with a smile, pushing a strand of blonde hair behind her ear. 

He leans against the locker and smiles down at her and Charlotte tries not to look as though her heart isn’t tattooing itself to her breastbone. “So, I was thinkin’…” ohmygodohmygod, this is it. He’s going to– “Maybe you’d want to like… hang out Saturday?

“Oh, totes! I’d love to!” She says with a smile, though mentally berating herself for sounding so eager. 

Jack smiles, one brow raising slightly. “Cool,” He gently takes her arm and pulls out a pen, writing his number sloppily down her arm. “Text me.” He turns to leave and Charlotte stands there staring after him, dreamily. 

“Close your mouth, you’ll catch flies.” Izzy, her best friend says. Charlie blinks and shakes her head while Izzy takes her friend’s arm and stares down at the number before rolling her eyes. “Has he not heard of paper? Like honestly, I could have handed him a piece of paper for him to write his number down on.” 

Charlotte chuckles and takes her arm back. “Whatever, I don’t care. He could have written it on my forehead and I’d still be happy.”

“Your infatuation with him would disappear immediately if he did that, and you know it.” Izzy replies with a smirk. 

“You’re right.” Charlie agrees with a laugh. “But ugh, he’s just so handsome.”

Izzy shrugs. “If you’re into that boy next door kind of thing, sure.” The strawberry blonde leans down to pick up her satchel. “So… what do you think the mamas gay are gonna say?”

Fear immediately crashes through her. “Oh my god… I didn’t think about that. Shit. Mom and ma are gonna freak.”

Izzy looks thoughtful for a moment. “Nah, I bet Beca’d be cool with it.”

“Are you kidding? Ma is going to be the worst!” Charlotte sighs. “Maybe Chloe or Stacie could talk to them…?” 

“I mean, maybe. I’m sure moms would be happy to try…” Izzy shrugs. She knows her moms are pretty different from Aubrey and Beca, even if they are all best friends. Still, Beca was always the most chill between Charlie’s parents, so Izzy didn’t understand how Beca would be worse. “When are you going to tell them?”

Charlotte shrugs. “I guess tonight.”

–

Charlie bites her lip nervously as she sits at the dinner table. Her mother is dishing out food while her Ma is setting out forks and knives. She watches as they move seamlessly, anticipating the other’s every move and knowing what the other needs with just a look between them. 

She’s spent 15 years watching them love each other and it still amazes her that after all this time, they still look at each other like teenagers, or what she imagines how they looked at each other in college. Her aunt Chloe and Stacie assure her that nothing has changed between the two of them except that their bond has only grown stronger(and there was that stint there in the beginning where they could barely breathe without yelling at each other). 

Charlie wants a love like theirs. She knows of course, that she has plenty of time, but eventually, when the time is right… she wants the kind of love they share. 

“Earth to Charlie… Come in, Charlie, do you copy?” Her ma waves a hand in front of her face and Charlie blinks, shaking her head. 

“Huh? I’m sorry, I guess I spaced out. Did you say something?” She looks up at her brunette mother, offering her a sheepish smile. 

Her ma smirks and raises a brow. “I asked how your day was.”

Charlie pushes a strand of blonde hair behind her ear nervously. “Oh, it–it was uh, it was fine.” She says, reaching out to take a sip of her water. 

Her mother raises a brow and Charlie already knows that she’s figured out that Charlie is omitting a few details. She never could keep anything from Aubrey, the woman knew all of Charlie’s tells. 

“Something on your mind, Charlotte?” Her mother leans forward in her chair, taking a bite of her chicken. 

Charlie glances away from piercing green eyes, lip getting caught between teeth. “I–well, a boy asked me out today.” She says, heat rising to her cheeks. 

Her ma’s fork pauses mid-bite as she stares at Charlie in surprise. Her mother smirks a little at her wife’s reaction, Charlie catches it before the older woman schools her features. “Oh? Do you like this boy?” Her mother asks carefully, face expertly neutral. 

Her ma finally sets her fork down and just sort of slumps back in her chair as if she knew this day would come and she was accepting it in bitter resignation. 

Charlie ignores her ma’s reaction and brings her gaze back to her mother’s. “I do, actually… quite a bit.” She admits, her blush deepening. 

“You’re too young,” Her ma starts at the same time her mother asks, “Well what’s his name?” They both give each other hard looks before her ma just glares down at her plate, apparently having lost the pointed stare contest.

Charlie takes a moment to glance between them before answering. “Uh, his name is Jack. Jack Harvey. He’s really sweet. He uhm, he asked me out for Saturday, is–is that okay?” 

Her ma looks like she’s about to object but her mother shoots her a withering glare and her ma just huffs and crosses her arms. Her mother offers Charlie a soft smile, but she can see the no nonsense behind her eyes as she begins to speak. “You may, but we have to meet him first, and we’ll need to know where you’re going and how long you’ll be out.” Her mother states simply. “And if you continue to see this boy, your grades better not suffer.” 

Charlie is grinning and nodding emphatically. “Of course, mom. I’d never allow my grades to suffer over some boy.” 

Her mother nods once and picks her fork back up to continue eating. Her ma sighs and does the same, but she stays silent throughout the rest of dinner. 

–

“She’s too young, Bree!” 

“She’s almost sixteen, Beca. She’s got a good head on her shoulders. She’s smart and responsible and I trust her to know what’s right and wrong.”

Charlie hears an exasperated sigh as she listens to her parents from the top of the stairs. “It’s not her that I don’t trust. It’s this boy that she’s so infatuated with. What if he hurts her?”

There’s a pause and then her mother is speaking once more. “That may very well happen, it’s young love, after all. We can’t protect her from everything, honey.” Her mother’s voice softens and Charlie imagines that they’re probably touching in some way, her mother offering up comfort. 

“I know…” Her ma sighs. “I wish we could.” There’s another pause before her ma is speaking again. “If I can’t keep her from dating, I’m going to at least scare the shit out of that little punk. I’m buying a shotgun and you’re gonna teach me how to take it apart and clean it so I can clean it in front of him and stare angrily into his soul.”

And her mother outright laughs and Charlie smirks and rolls her eyes. “You are not, Beca Mitchell! You’ll embarrass her.”

“I will. He’s going to know that he better treat my baby with respect or they’ll never find his body.”

–

“How’d they take it?” Izzy asks on the other end of the phone. 

“Well, mom took it better than I expected… Ma, on the other hand, she acted exactly how I thought she would, but… they’re letting me go on Saturday! I’m so nervous and excited!”

Izzy chuckles. “I’m sure it’ll be fine, Charlie.”

“I hope so.” 

[sebeth]

Legion Of Super-Heroes #12

Warning, Spoilers Ahead…

 Legion of Super-Heroes #12, “Rebirth”, by Keith Giffen, Tom & Mary Bierbaum, and Al Gordon.

The previous issue saw Roxxas ambush and decimate the newly-reunited Legion.

The Medi-Center of the Lightning Ring Plantation, Winath:

Brainiac 5 ruminates at Celeste’s bedside: “In a way, life makes perfect sense.  We open our hearts to the muses.  We follow our souls, find our own paths.  We respect the paths of others.  We celebrate their diversity.  It’s all so simple.  Life is good. Life works.  Yessir, Mr. Dox.  You’ve got life all figured out.  So how come you don’t have a clue about death?  Why does Celeste Rockfish have to die?  Why did Jo have to die?  How does any of this fit your neat little equation of life?  How can you apply a 12th-level intelligence for all these years…and still be so utterly incapable of dealing with death?”

Sorry, Brainy, death will remain the eternal mystery of life.

We see “Possibility of mystic treatment?  Powers of available mystics inadequate.”

Brainy’s grasping for straws if he’s willing to consult mystics.  I don’t think Mysa (the closest mystic) would be “inadequate” power-wise but she’s clearly unable to summon the mental focus a healing spell would require.

Brainy leaves the medi-center as a ball of green energy streaks downward.

Reep, clothed in the traditional Durlan robes, bemoans the Roxxas attack, believing it dooms the reformation of the Legion: “We just let him do it, we just let Roxxas waltz onto the plantation and slaughter us…we were so pumped up about staring down Mordru, we just lost our heads…we forgot that Legionnaires never stop being targets…now we’ll never get this damn group together.”

Rokk calmly interrupts Reep’s recriminations: “Listen, Cham, while you were under, we had to put together a plan of action so I split the team into two squads.  Most of us will protect the plantation.  Here’s the squad that’s gone after Roxxas (Ayla, Vi, Jan)”.

Reep is flabbergasted: “Bloody nass!  You sent them on a mission and they all went?”

“Absolutely.  We’re back, Cham.  The Legion is back.”

I’m going to put Cham’s defeatist attitude toward the physical traumua and extensive recovery ahead that he – and others - suffered at the hands of Roxxas – when has the Legion ever backed down from a challenge or given up after a defeat?

A comatose Celeste undergoes a few flashbacks.  It’s revealed Celeste is a cousin of Leland McCauley – she left the family and assumed the Rockfish identity because “we’re just not the same, Daddy…just can’t let money rule my life – like it has for you and Leland”.

Celeste went to an isolated planet after leaving the family.  A meteor, “or something”, hits the planet.  Celeste discovers an alien corpse with a familiar ring: “Some kind of weird ring…that glow…what’s happening to me?”

We switch to Kono and Devlin.

Devlin is under doctor’s orders to “lie low” until the allergic reaction subsides: “Those rose honey-bees pack a wallop, y’know.”

An impatient Kono wants Devlin to help find the missing Furball.

Devlin mentions the presumed deceased Ultra Boy.

Kono: “Jo? Dead? Nah. Couldn’t be. If he were gonna die, he’d a’ told me first.”

The green light flares through the building – heading towards Celeste’s room.

Kono and Brainy race to Celeste’s room.

Garth arrives and questions Devlin. Devlin informs Garth that Brainy has gone ahead to investigate.

Garth: “Well, then, we might as well just wait here. If anybody can puzzle it out, it’s Brainy.”

The green light dims and Brainy and Kono encounter a healed Celeste.

The location changes to the far side of the plantation. We see Furball for the first time in his human form: Brin Londo! The writers dropped hints in earlier issues but it is now confirmed.

Brin: “What is it…the phases of the moon…or what? Why does this happen to me? Ha! Some big mystery – the Zuunium. Dad had to play around with that damn Zunnium, had to use me as his guinea pig…Jo’s kept my secret this long. I’m not going to let them know now that their big, stupid Furball is really Brin Londo, the great Timber Wolf of the Legion of Super-Heroes! I don’t need their pity…don’t want to be another Legion tragedy.  I just want Ayla to remember me the way I was…They don’t need any help, not from their pet.”

Jan, Ayla, and Vi, along with the Science Police, are searching the Bloomfield District of Winath for Roxxas.

Vi finds Roxxas beside a pile of burning corpses. Roxxas’s face is sporting a “Harvey Dent” appearance after his encounter with Jo at the plantation.

Roxxas faints at the sight of the Legionnaires.

Jan: “Wow. Jo must have really pounded him.”

Ayla: “You know, if we don’t do something, he’s going to die right there.”

Vi: “After what he did to Blok and Jo, I really don’t think I give a damn.”

Ayla: “It is better than he deserves.”

Jan: “No. This isn’t about him, or his atrocities. Or even justice. It’s about us and how much of us would die in this room with him.”

Jan is too good for this universe. The intense discipline it must take not to murder Roxxas on sight! Roxxas is not only responsible for Blok’s murder and the Legion ambush – he massacred Jan’s entire race!

The missing Jo has realized he’s not on Winath anymore: “Vegetation’s all wrong…Constellations are out of whack…the moons are out of place.”

Jo discovers a vehicle: “Bloody grief! A Khundish 306 transport! I’ve only seen fossils of this baby! Must be a mockup…”

Jo encounters the owner of the vehicle: “Hmm…some kind of Khundish dialect. And those ears – maybe I’m on a Khundish outpost or something!”

Jo needs answers: “What the grief. Take me to your leader.”

The 5YL series does a great job of establishing Joe’s cunning and intelligence. Before this series, Jo was considered a powerful but not so bright hunk.

The news of Roxxas’s capture makes the interstellar news. Much to the dismay of the Dominators: “You – you and your discrete agent!”

Cham, on the other hand, has a much different reaction: “We did it, by damn!”

Cham congratulates Rokk: “Yeah, I gotta hand it to you, Rokk. You knew what you were talking about. We just picked up right where we left off.”

Cham shows Rokk the new uniforms he had Marla design.

Rokk: “These are not bad at all, Cham, but do you really think we’re gonna get anybody to wear ‘em?”

Cham: “Listen, Rokk, if you wear yours, they’ll wear theirs.”

The writers’ establishment of Rokk as the backbone of the Legion would carry on into the next three reboots.

Quarantine: The Persuader is attacking the lower levels. The Science Police hope the “ex-Legionnaire” can stop him.

The readers are introduced to Richard Kent Shakespeare, a.k.a. DC’s original Impulse.  Kent and Bart debuted very close within a year or so of each other. Kent pretty much never used his code name.

Kent has a super-strength, heightened durability, and regenerative healing powerset. He’s also a medical doctor.

The Persuader asks Kent to step aside: “I’m not after the Ranzz kid”.

Kent: “You know I can’t let you hurt anyone else, not as long as I’m still standing.”

Captain Gim “Hands On” Allon of the Science Police, aka Colossal Boy, arrives on the scene. Science Police Command isn’t thrilled when Gim goes all “Colossal Boy” during cases but he insists he’s “permitted a little discretion”.

Gim started out as a recruit for the Science Police. It makes sense he returns to the Science Police after the Legion disbanded.

The issue ends with the Persuader poised to behead Kent: “Give my regards to all the heroes on Shanghalla.”

The ending pages are a memo between Marla Latham and Murphy Caldwell – the production manager of the company that produced the new Legion uniforms. Cham’s notes are highlighted on the memo. Bottom line: “Just tell them to do it the way we told them to do it.”

The final page is an all points bulletin on Nyuen Chun Ti a.k.a. the Persuader.

Highlights of the A.P.B.:

The Persuader is the prime suspect in the murder of Char Burrane (a.ka. Starfinger II).

Underworld contacts have contracted the Persuader Char Burrane Jr, the son of the second Starfinger. Char Jr. is currently an inmate at the Luc & Perla Ranzz Memorial Clinic on Quarantine.

The Science Police suspect, but can’t prove, that Molock Hansom, the third Starfinger, is the individual who ordered the hits on the Burranes.

Burrane Sr. is believed to be behind the murder of Lars Hanscom, the original Starfinger.

This is a lot of death and vendetta for the lame moniker of “Starfinger”. It’s not even a good name.

Burrane Jr is believed to have a ring that contains the weaponry and data storage of the Burrane Family Crime Empire.

The Science Police believe the Burrane family has connections to the “Black Dawn” case on earth.

The Persuader is considered “extremely dangerous”. He has been convicted for “murder, extortion, racketeering, and other felonies”.

The Persuader obtained the Atomic Axe in mid 2960s at Minerstown settelement in the Rimborian asteroid belt. The Persauder killed Wolf Benback, the previous owner of the axe.

The Persuader became a mob enforcer and later joined the Fatal Five.

The Science Police state the Persuader stayed loyal to the Fatal Five due to his feelings for Sarya of Venegar, aka the Emerald Empress: “Suspect’s actions are more irrational and sadistic since the death of Sarya in 2989.”

[inappropriatefangirlneeds]

Gotham s3ep12 “Ghosts”  Personal Review

“Okay. Weird” ..  “But not illegal.” Warning spoilers below

“Please don´t leave just yet” BRUCE WAYNE says to Mrs. Kyle. Before that the ornament OWL gets examined, the one they stole and people died for. And yes I do very much like to know why this thing is so important as well and thank you Gotham that might have been the most interesting seconds of this plot: Bruce puts the owl aside and sun shines on it, revealing a map or something. I´m curious! Better be useful, Luka died for that.  Anyway it´s all about SELINA KYLE´s mother who was an orphan and left at the same step as she did leave Selina and now tries to make up for over a decade of neglect. Selina is not having it she is angry. Her mother brings a box to the Wayne Manor that they should give her daughter and omg Bruce is so precious in this, he tell her to stay and try reaching out once more! Well done Bruce! He brings mother and box to Selina and they hug. They all have dinner and get along well. Daughter and mother bond over robbing Alfred and it´s glorious. It feels like a happy family and I really like that but why do I got a bad feeling about this.. Bad feeling gets some fodder when Selina accompanies her mother going into her hotel room. Some guy wants money. At first I thought Mrs. Kyle might work together with that guy but she does seem truly worried? Selina is quick to offer Bruce´s money. Like when did that happen, at first she did not even take the offer of a shower and warm place to stay now she is spending his money. Okay it´s not for her but someone else but still. Mother says this is her past and that the Wayne boys should be warned because they are not to be messed with ..  Dear, ALFRED PENNYWORTH is really into Mrs. Kyle, and .. really?! .. I thought he would look down on her just as much as he does on Selina and despise her, but then again both are horrible with the parent role so maybe that connects?   

“Let the vultures have at me.” Okay now I do call bullshit how does OSWALD COBBLEPOT  not know that he has been doing good for the city. He seemed to have been involved as much that he knew he was doing good for the mob interests he gotta know that stuff at least some tendency. Like yes, he did not know how to do the bar thing with Butch but now I´m starting to get annoyed. Once he finally gets the memo that things are alright he is all smiling and “How´s my hair” and that´s more the penguin I want to see. Also for fox sake can´t they have him be happy for more than a second. They just throw shit at him that keeps piling, this is not fun anymore. Being mayor could have been so great and good for him why always skip that stuff. Anyway TARQUIN, deputy chief of staff elegantly offers his assistance and also arranges some national TV interview. Meanwhile “someone” digs up Elijah van Dahl´s corpse and gets spooky. Oswald´s sanity certificate shatters, how symbolic. Oswald sees his dead father wandering around and even warning him about a birthday boy that should not be trusted. Tarquin gets some birthday cake and Oswald finds a corpse in a bag,  one thing leads to another. Tarquin gets murdered.  “You are a sick man! What are you plotting? What's the angle? Who are you in on this with?” Yes Oswald that´s what you should be asking but honey, dead people can´t give you answers. I feel sorry for the both of them, this is a mess. Oswald thus is late for his TV interview, which of course can only take place in this mere moment, but makes it “Sorry I´m late, mayor stuff”. TV lady told him she is no fan of him and wow she really isn´t, she suggests Oswald murdered his family to inherit the money. NO! You don´t do that lady. I mean from her point of view yes you do very much do that and question the whole thing but god damn it. Anyway I´m pretty annoyed as well that Oswald did not seem to be able to answer her question about how he has archived doing good for the city but I can let that slip because I so deeply relate to that “Well ..” I really don’t like this plot, what annoys me most is probably the question of: Don´t other people see Clayjah van Spook ? Like have him spook around in Oswald´s place at night okay, but have him show up at the TV interview?! Why isn´t Oswald all like .. stop, hold that man that looks like my dead father. Or just stop that man. Like it does not make him look much more insane than running of and even saying “to hell with the people” This is annoying me so much. On a bright side: I like TARQUIN the way he presented himself was just lovely. And I adore his elegant reaction of *gets hit .. well, better place this cake carefully, so it won´t go to waste falling on the floor. Why did he have to go so early. I´m a bit pissed at Ed for setting him up like this. EDWARD NYGMA is still in full rage mode and wants Oswald to suffer plenty before putting him out of his misery. BARBARA is still all excited about getting a new empire to play with and meanwhile CLAYFACE is worried about his performance, the voice issue again ..

“That´s the law, this is family” HARVEY BULLOCK explains to Jim Gordon who is watching Mario Falcone´s funeral and is absolutely right. Jim feels guilty, wants to do something but for once thinks about his actions and leaves. Damn it LESLIE THOMPKINS really fits into that mob family. I´m more and more thinking about her being at least as much into the family as into Mario. And damn it Mario, he deserved better. Least I´m glad that seemingly he indeed was a decent person. [Why the heck did Victor not like Mario??!] LESLIE shows up at the GCPD “You´re the real virus, Jim”  and I think what a drama queen but then again she is right. Nathaniel and Mario had the same infection, one is dead and one isn´t. Jim could have shouted at her instead of shooting Mario. She might have died then, or not. Given the way they showed Jim last week I do blame him up to a certain extent as well but that whole thing is annoying too. LEE & FALCONE have a mob moment discussing the death of Jim Gordon. “Blood for Blood”  Falcone say and wants Jim dead. Falcone also says that Jim was more like his son than Mario in some way and, really?! Like they had some thing, but they barely met. What kind of judgment is that?! Anyway Lee spits hate and wants him dead too but Falcone says Jim is his, and that it anyway is a decision Lee has to live with without doing it herself, he is used to it. “Everything bad that's happened in my life has happened because of him.” “If Gordon dies, it's a weight we'll both have to carry. I'm used to such burdens.” LEE later visits BARNES to get to know more about the infection, thinking she might have had a life with a cured Mario but Barnes gets into full, no okay about 60% executioner mode (I´m surprised that he stopped the screaming that annoyed Jervis so much,  maybe the blood just did not prepare his vocal cords for this) and Lee changes her mind. She tells Falcone to spare Jim. Falcone tells her she still loves him.   Why is listening Falcone to her?! It´s still about his son and he is still dead.

* Leslie wants Jim dead for killing her love interest. Edwards wants Oswald suffering and then dead for killing his love interest.  Don Falcone tells Leslie she talks of hate and revenge because she does not want to acknowledge  that she still loves Jim Gordon. Is this meant to be a parallel?

 “It's inevitability, Jim. Embrace it.” We have gone from S1 Everyone loves Jim to everybody wants to kill Jim. What a development. NATHANIEL BARNES declares he still wants to judge, jury and execute Jim and he is pretty confident that he will get out of Arkham and do as he declared. And omg that was great acting! Then VICTOR ZSASZ visits Jim Gordon and raids his kitchen. He warns him about Falcone wanting him dead but drops a hint that he does not. “Nice shot on Mario, I never liked him.”  [Why?!] Omg, omg .. Zsasz could have an own agenda?! Do we finally get to know things about his loyalties about how he works and all that stuff we have been wondering about for so long?! I´m totally excited. Also I´m totally worried. This could get so messy. Also I can´t quite wrap my head around why he would hint something like this but still carry out orders like usual business. Like does he care about his own opinion?! Anyway I guess I got to wait for more answers. [But please Jim & Zsasz .. gotham you´d make me happy] Later Falcone orders Jim to get killed and Zsasz goes after him with two new fellow hitmen, who promptly get probably killed. Zsasz does not even bat an eyelash anymore when Jim uses one as cover and puts several bullets into them, seems this has become usual business. Why do people still work with him? [Or did he pick some he did not like anyway and was plotting to have Jim get away all along, for Mr. I do good work that was pretty much not good work there in the kitchen] Jim beats him, biig surprise, and points a gun at him, it clicks and it´s not loaded .. would Jim have shot him if?  Jim leaves. Round two happens in his place but Falcone calls the whole thing of. Victor Zsasz leaves without any of the usual words of  “oh please boss, let me kill, and murder, pretty please” ... this is suspicious, okay maybe I just want to see it as suspicious.

“These days I no longer say impossible. Unlikely.” LUCIUS FOX says when examining a dead/again girl. She was stabbed, she was fried with electricity, took a walk and died again. The morgue is more like a motel HARVEY says and he and JIM make their way to it. DWIGHT does not know how  the corpse could escape but he worked at Indian Hill so he might have a clue and the Detective Dream Team follows him to a weird but not illegal gathering. Dwight got a Jerome patch on his back (someone tell me again patches are stupid and insignificant.) The crowd is dressed in Jerome memorial straight jackets and in for a good laugh. Guy on the stage shows some cut together Jerome material. Everyone is blind, bla and just believing the establishment´s lies, bla sanity is just a prison, bla .. wake up and be super duper enlightened and chant the same stuff as your fellow cult members. The GCPD Boys put a stop to the laughter but can´t catch Dwight. Instead VICTOR ZSASZ shows up and Jim is oh, shit! while Harvey is all oh shit?! and legitimately pissed about the question mark. As he tells Jim later, Jim should have told him. While Jim thinks it´s just his business because Zsasz is a professional, has great work ethics and only after him Harvey points out that he pretty often stands beside him and dear please tell me Harvey was aware of that great double meaning. Harvey always got Jim´s back. Jim should honor that with giving him a bit more of that quite vital information. Falcone appears and calls Victor back. Jim approaches him and all I can think is whatever comes out of your mouth better be an apology and he does say “I´m sorry”. Phew. Basic decency. I´m relieved. Falcone says that if it were his choice he would be dead .. giving Jim something to think about. Lee. God please no.

“You´re a good egg” I am so glad that Gotham is keeping this man that could kill you shows up in your kitchen eating your food thing, like I´m really glad this keeps happening, I love that .. also I might really have to move, this .. and all the fancy bathtubs..

* Diseases & Viruses 1. Alice Tetch´s Blood = Virus in the literal sense  “This virus isn't the disease. It's the antidote.” Nathaniel Barnes says to Lee about being infected with the blood. Lee believes in a cure but Barnes does not want to have that. There is an interesting parallel to the second kind of Virus they have established.

2. Jerome´s Cult = Virus in the metaphorical sense “There is nothing more contagious than laughter.” Jerome announced in Season 2 and established the grounds for what we see now. People spreading and adding to his message. They see it, such as Barnes sees his infection as the antidote: “What you call sanity, it's just a prison in your minds that stops you from seeing you're just tiny little cogs in a giant, absurd machine, Wake up!” Moreover with them trying to bring back Jerome from the dead there is an additional little parallel established when Barnes talks about the Virus restoring his body “I've never felt better in my life. Clearer, stronger. More focused. Even now, I can feel it coursing through my veins. Restoring my body.” With Barnes it’s the blood infection and Jerome will be resurrected by the contagious laughter he spread.

3. Jim Gordon  = Virus as moralist (mis)interpretation ?  “You're the real virus, Jim. You seep into people's lives until you destroy them.” Lee says.

 I´m tempted to apply the bible exegesis thing here but I´m struggling with the fourth type of interpretation and who cares anyway. And there has been disease talk in Gotham before all this but I´m too lazy to look stuff up .. for now..

* Omg that mouse running through the storage house