#he feels so guilty about not intervening in an incident when he was still a kid that he risks getting a hit put out on him

[verymuchsoyes]

Upon rewatching, it's clear that RayV is the saddest, wettest creature, but he doesn't behave in that pathetic way Fraser and RayK do, so his suffering gets overlooked

[hypewinter]

Early Accident AU

So Danny becomes Phantom at like age 8 or something right. And everything goes just about similar to canon, including TUE. The only difference is that instead of the meeting being called because Danny cheated on a career aptitude test, it's now because his teacher is just worried about him and is staging a sorta intervention thing.

So anyway, Danny cannot stop the Nasty Burger explosion and ends up going to live with Vlad. Which isn't going well. He's constantly crying and feeling guilty for not stopping the incident. There's also the constant fear that he'll become Dan. Vlad is doing nothing to address any of this. Instead he's showing off his godson to anyone and everyone and bragging about how smart he is. In fact, that's exactly what he does when he gets invited to a Wayne Gala.

The bats take one look at this kid, who's eyes are still red from crying, being dragged around by his guardian and alarm bells immediately start ringing. Especially for Tim who experienced what it was like being dragged around to special events even when he was incredibly ill.

The bats get even more concerned when Vlad pulls his charge into a corner to scold him for looking miserable instead of comforting him. He's telling the kid stuff like only babies are allowed to get away with crying and that if he continues making the man look bad, he'll be punished when they get home.

Danny does his best to suck it up. He tries to push down all the swirling emotions surrounding his powers, the death of all his loved ones, and even the unprocessed trauma of his own death. He ends up going to the bathroom to try to splash some water in his face and calm down.

As he's making his way back to Vlad, he is intercepted by Tim. When this kind stranger sincerely asks him if he's ok, he breaks down. This is the first person to genuinely ask him how he's doing since he's family's death outside of people doing it for the sake of pleasantries.

Now the boy is absolutely ugly crying in front of this whole party of people and Vlad is not pleased to say the least. He tries to snatch Danny up and whisk him away but the bats intervene. Bruce says something about knowing how to console children as Dick ushers Danny into a separate room where Alfred is already waiting with some hot chocolate.

After a while Danny starts to calm down and he goes to wipe his eyes. As he's doing this, his sleeve slips down a little, revealing an arm covered in bandaids. To explain, it hasn't been that long since Danny came to live with Vlad. Couple that with his healing factor being slower due to his emotional state and he has a couple of small wounds still remaining from his fights that have yet to heal.

Of course the bats don't know where those wounds are from. All they know is that there's no way in hell Danny is leaving this manor with Vlad.

[rendy-a]

Meant to Be

Someone liked this old post I reblogged from @writingforatwistedworld today and it brought this writing prompt back to my attention.  This was such a cool idea, and since Veil has chosen not to write it, I thought I’d visit the idea with my own spin.

Confusion was the only thought you were able to summon in your head.  You remembered lights and sounds.  Honking maybe?  And now you were just barely conscious of lying on the ground with your head spinning.  What exactly happened?

Your head feels like it is splitting but somehow voices are beginning to come though.  “Coach, I think they are waking up!” a black-haired boy says as he kneels beside you, hovering over you protectively.  Were you at school?  You can’t remember.  Nor can you immediately place the boy who is so concerned about you.  He is speaking to you but it’s too hard to focus.  All you can do is notice the guilty look in his eyes and wonder what he did.  Suddenly, he stops speaking and looks across your body towards the field beside you.  You turn your head curiously and follow his gaze to see a red-haired boy running towards you at top speed.  Something about this tickles your memory.  You look again at the black-haired boy and notice a strange marking you hadn’t been able to bring into focus before.  It looked like a spade from a playing card.  Then you looked back at the boy coming closer and closer to your location.  Suddenly, you had it.  It was impossible, yet you couldn’t shake the feeling that you’d miraculously transported yourself into one of your favorite phone games; Twisted Wonderland. 

As sort of a test, you hesitantly spoke, “Deuce?”  The black-haired boy, Deuce, looks at you and you think him on the edge of tears.  “Thank Sevens!” he whispers as rubs your arm comfortingly.  The red-haired boy slides the last distance to reach your side in an anxious kneel.  “Ace?” you confirm groggily.  Ace looks at you with what you feel is fear in his eyes, and when he speaks, it is towards Deuce.  “Just what were you thinking?  You know the Prefect doesn’t have magic!”  Deuce looks away, it is certainly guilt on his face.  “I didn’t mean to throw it that hard.”  Ace scowls at Deuce and shouts, “Well you did and see what a mess you’ve made!”  You force yourself to a sitting position and wave Ace down.  “I’m fine, I’m fine.”  Then, still feeling a bit woozy, you amend, “Well, I think I’m GOING to be fine.”

Ace looks at you with concern and says, “I’m taking you to the nurse’s office.  Right now.”  Deuce intervenes, “I’ll do it.  It was my fault for throwing that disk so hard.”  Ace appears ready to retort angrily, so you wave them both away.  “I’ll go myself.  Or you can both come with.  We’re all buddies here, right?”  You watch them cautiously to confirm that this is the case.  After all, you weren’t pulled into a game every day.  Who knows what might be different.  Deuce answers you right away in a relieved affirmative while Ace only frowns mildly.  “Ok, but if you feel bad at all, I’m carrying you.  No complaints.”  You give him a shaky smile and let them guide you to the nurse’s office. 

It’s a little embarrassing, but there is so much that you don’t know about Night Raven College, that you end up claiming selective amnesia from the impact.  Your professors appear suspicious, but no one can offer an alternative reason for why you’ve forgotten so many simple things, like the layout of the school, while retaining such vivid memories of other experiences, like Riddle’s overbot incident.  So ultimately, they accept this odd explanation from you and assign your friends Ace and Deuce to once again play your guide at NRC.  The cast slowly re-introduce themselves to you.  Some find it remarkable and others unbelievable.  Idia finds it amusing, “Khee he he.  This is just like the plot of the manga Ramen Shop Summer where the protagonist gets in an accident in gym and forgets their crush!  But then they end up working together over the summer in a ramen shop, and Boom Badda Bing, romance!”  Then he shyly adds, “Maybe you’ll have your own summertime romance.  All the tropes are right for it.”  You chuckle with him but privately think, ‘If only you knew.’

A few days later at lunch, you were sitting at a table and rubbing your bandaged head softly while eating the sad sandwich you’d been able to cobble together with the junk in the fridge back at Ramshackle when your friends slam a plate down on either side of you, “Here Prefect, eat this,” and “I got something special for you,” come out of their mouths at the same time.  You look up at them surprised.  Deuce looks at your hand on your head and adds in a soft voice, “I feel bad for what I did so I thought this would help make up for it.”  Ace scoffs and interjects, “I know what the Prefect likes best.  Don’t worry about it and let them eat mine.”  You look at Ace’s plate and somehow, he is right, he has gathered one of your favorites to eat.  “Actually, this looks pretty good.”  Then you turn and reassure Deuce, “I appreciate the offer too, but you don’t have to feel bad.  I know it was an accident.”  They both seem happy at the outcome, and you enjoy a nice lunch.

As you are leaving the lunchroom, you pass a floating tablet (Idia you know), and it surprisingly speaks to you. “It’s just like my manga,” Idia comments.  You turn and look at the tablet quizzically and it prompts him to continue, “If this was a story, that would be a flag event between the Male Lead and Second Male Lead for your affection.”  You stumble over your reply, “But..but it isn’t a manga.”  The unsettling, “Kwee he he,” that emerges follows you all the way to your next special lesson. 

You were used to thinking of special lessons as when Crowley randomly shows up to class and everyone suddenly finds the motivation to pay attention, but apparently, this was a Very Special Lesson that they wouldn’t give the students any prior details on.  The older students seemed to know what it was about as the first year’s had gotten several secretive smiles and leading comments.  Rook passes you right before you enter and remarks with an expression both sly and amused, “It is a fine day for fate, is it not Prefect?”  You look at him puzzled as he continues past you to class, and you shrug as you enter the room and sit beside your friends.  Ace scowls and remarks, “They’ve been doing that all day and it’s getting on my nerves.”  Deuce is fidgeting more than usual, and you raise an eyebrow as thought to ask what’s up.  “What if it’s a test?” he asks nervously before flipping open a notebook.  “A little late to study then,” Ace scoffs before looking at you out of the corner of his eye.  “Don’t worry, you’ll be fine.  I’m sure it won’t be a test.”  You smile at his gesture.  Tests haven’t been easy for you these past weeks as you’ve not actually studied any of the curriculum for the classes. 

When Crewel stomps into class and sets a crate of potions on the desk, it startles you out of your thoughts.  You hear gasps from around the class and realize that most students seem to understand what is happening.  It is only you in the dark.  Then the Professor smiles slyly and declares, “It’s Matching Day.”  An eruption of conversation spreads across the room and Professor Crewel, appearing as excited as the students, surprisingly allows it.  ‘I can’t believe its today!’ and ‘I wonder if I’ll meet my pair!’ reach your ears.  You turn to Ace and find him looking at you with an expression you just can’t place.  You nod towards the Professor and ask, “You know what this is about?”  He looks at you startled, “You don’t know?  Its Matching day?”  When you shrug and continue to look at him with questions in your eyes he goes on.  “You know, the day you can take the potion to manifest your red string and try to find your Soulmate.  Matching Day!” 

It hits you suddenly like a blow.  ‘My god,’ you think, ‘This isn’t TWST at all.  Idia was right, there are too many tropes in this story.  I’m in someone’s Fanfic!  This is a damn Soulmate AU story!’  You weren’t sure what to say, but luckily, Professor Crewel had decided he’s allowed the pups to misbehave enough and cracked his whip over his gloved hand, “Settle down you mutts.  Good pups need to know how to behave properly if they are going to impress their mate!”  Silence is quickly restored as the excited students obediently wait for the Professor to continue.  “Come up when I call your name.  I don’t think I should have to explain, but just in case, let me remind you what you can expect.  When you drink the potion, you’ll feel a tug on your heart as your soul manifests your bond to your Soulmate.  After that, you’ll be able to see your red string in the general area of your pinky finger.”  A groan comes from an over-excited student, “We know, we know.” 

Crewel doesn’t take the interruption well this time and cracks his whip again, “STAY!  Pups need to learn to take instruction before receiving a treat!”  The student bashfully looks away and Crewel continues, “Remember to not get your hopes up.  It is very rare to find your Soulmate the first day you take your potion.”  This sobering comment seems to bring down the mood of the students.  Crewel smiles more gently at the students he’s fondly guided, “But be happy you are proud students of Night Raven College.  Many mages find they have Soulmates who are also proficient in magic, so your chances of meeting your Soulmate while in school here are raised.”  You turn to see how your friends are taking this news.  Deuce is looking intently at his hands, as though he will find his courage in the focus.  Ace is only looking at you, again with a look you just can’t read.

“Now, come to the front of the room as I call your name,” Crewel instructs.  It appears the students are being called alphabetically.  You wonder when you might be called as you don’t recall “Yuu” having a last name.  You focus a long time, making sure you don’t miss it but before your turn, your friend gets called.  “Deuce Spade!” Crewel summons loudly.  Deuce gulps beside you and stands suddenly.  Then he holds his hand up as though trying to fire himself up and marches determinedly to claim his potion.  He drinks it down and you wait with interest to see how Deuce would react.  You’d seen several others take the potion at this point, but this wasn’t just some NPC, it was your friend.  He concentrates nervously for several seconds before gasping and grabbing his chest.  Then he looks down at his hand and makes a sound between a sigh and a laugh.  “There it is!” he says and looks out the door where the string must lead.  Then he laughs again and looks toward where you and Ace sit with a smile and makes his ‘honor student’ pose.  You give him a thumbs up and pat his back as he rejoins you.

You want to ask him what it was like but the next name, “Ace Trappola!” breaks your concentration.  You hadn’t realized your other friend would get his turn so soon after.  You turn to Ace and give him an encouraging smile.  Ace looks deep into your eyes for a long moment before giving you a mischievous grin, “Wish me luck, Prefect!”  You give him an excited smile and some jazz hands to cheer him on and he goes happily to the front of the class.  You watch as he takes the potion and waits in a quiet meditation before he makes a gasp and grasps at something that only he can see.  Then he looks up and smiles over in your direction happily, “I knew it!” he laughs happily.  He returns to his seat with a bounce in his step and you look at him eagerly.  “Was it cool?” you ask.  He smiles at you, “It was the coolest thing ever.”  You have a million questions that come to mind, but you ask none of them as Deuce taps you on the shoulder.  You turn to look at him and he nervously tells you, “Prefect, it’s your turn.”

You look up at Professor Crewel who seems none too pleased to have you ignore his summons.  Great.  Somehow, you’d missed your turn being called and garnered his ire.  You gulp and stand to answer his summons.  When you grasp the potion, a question occurs to you and you ask, “Will this work for me?”  Professor Crewel smiles at your worry, “Not to worry, Prefect, even people without magic have Soulmates.”  It was more that you wondered if people from other worlds had Soulmates but you figured that wasn’t a conversation to have right now.  So, you smile at him as though satisfied with his response and drink the potion down.

At first it was nothing but bubbly in your stomach and then you felt giddy.  Like a drunkenness that had nothing to do with alcohol which rose from your stomach to take hold of your whole body.  Your heart beat faster and faster until you feel as alert as though you were running for your life.  Then, it was gone.  Mostly gone.  A tiny tingle remained, and you followed the sensation down to see the bright red string wound around your pinky.  It really worked. 

You looked toward your friends, wanting to share the moment with them and felt the weight of Ace’s gaze.  He was looking at you so intently it was startling.  You couldn’t break eye contact for a moment.  Then you felt a small tug and looked down at your finger.  The red string was tugging slightly, as though wanting you to follow it.  You didn’t have far to go.  You raised your eyes and found Ace holding his red string in his hand and you knew it connected to your own.  Well, that did make sense in a way.  If this was a TWST fanfic, your Soulmate had to be a member of the main case.  And now you knew, it was Ace.  You looked at Ace clutching the red string and thought that he held it like it was a lifeline, something he couldn’t live with if he let go.  Well, that was silly.  You were right here.  Perhaps it was due to the plot of the story, but you suddenly felt like you couldn’t bear to see him worried like that.

You went to him and stood in front of him, “So, you and me, huh?”  He looked up at you and said in a chocked voice, “Yeah, you and me.”  A clapping sound comes from behind you and then all around.  You are embarrassed to find that all your classmates are celebrating your union with Ace.  “What a fine surprise,” Professor Crewel says with a smile.  You don’t know what to do but Ace has no such qualms.  He grabs onto you and pulls you into a side hug with one arm will giving a V with his other hand.  You bashfully wind your arm around him and repeat the gesture yourself.  It seems like you’ve really fallen into the perfect romance fantasy.

The transition from friend to significant other was jarring but anytime you felt unsure about your new ties to Ace, you had only to look at him to feel reassured.  He was always holding the red string.  It was cute in a way, as though he thought about you so often, he had to hold onto the string to remind himself you were there with him in spirit.  You still felt safe seeing the string in his hand back then.

Why is Crowley always at the start of all your problems?  On a late spring day, the headmaster summoned you to his office.  You found it was never good news when he did this, and this time would prove no exception.  “Ah Prefect, how lovely to see you today,” he began carefully, as though sizing up how big a fuss you would kick up this time.  You hummed at him in a noncommittal way.  “Indeed,” he acknowledges your evasion and gets right into his secret business.  “I was wondering what you planned to do over Summer Break.”  You look at him deadpan, “Not do chores for you.”  He huffs at you in pretend amusement, “Ah HA ha.  Uh-hem.  That is to say, where do you plan to go while the campus is closed?”  Now this was actually news to you.  “What do you mean closed?  I’ll just stay here like I did over Winter Break.”  Crowley turns, unable to meet your eye, “Ah-HA hem, its just that we do the annual fumigation over summer so we need all living residents to be off-campus.”  Then much quieter, “The insurance wouldn’t allow it…I checked.”

You left the office not certain which was worse, that the headmaster actually considered leaving you in a poisoned campus over break or the fact that you suddenly had no where to go.  You walked lost in thought, mechanically headed to lunch when you hit something solid, and a hush fell over the room.  You felt a moment of worry until you looked up and into the quizzical face of Malleus and smiled.  This might seem like a dangerous occurrence to the random students around you, but it was nothing alarming to you.  “Hi there Hornton,” you warmly greet your fae friend.  He puts a finger to his chin and ponders to himself, “You seem quite distracted today, Prefect.  Is anything the matter?”  Happy to have someone to discuss it with, you give him a run-down on your situation.  “And so, I just have no idea where I’m going to go!” you finish in a flurry.  “Hmm,” Malleus hums in consideration, “That is a quandary.  I’d invite you to join me in Briar Valley but unfortunately Lilia has decided we are to take a, how do you call it, road trip this break.”  You can practically hear the air quotes in his voice as he says, ‘road trip.’

You give your friend a small understanding smile, “I get it.  I’m fine.  I just need to figure this out.  I’ll find what I’m looking for, I’m sure.”  This seems to perk your friend up, “Why yes, that might work.”  Then he saunters to a nearby table and picks up a vile of liquid.  You weren’t sure if this was part of someone’s lunch or classwork.  Sometimes it was like that at magic school.  As Malleus holds the vile, a green magic seeps from his fingers to engulf it and the liquid inside boils ominously.  Then the magic fades and the boiling stops.  He hands you the vile and instructs, “I will bestow a boon upon you.  Pour this tincture upon a mirror and the knowledge you need will be summoned forth.”  Great.  This was even better than posting an ad online.  You thank Malleus and give him a grateful smile. 

That is when you feel an arm slip over your shoulder and Ace appears at your side, “Say Prefect, what is going on here?”  You merely gesture as thought to say, ‘I’m talking to Malleus.’  Ace gives your friend a look that is downright insolent and you mentally scoff that only your Ace would be so bold as to have such an attitude with Malleus Draconia.  “Thanks for your help,” you offer your friend to give him an easy way to end the conversation.  Regardless of Malleus’s wishes, Ace jumps in and distracts you easily, “Hey Prefect, I heard you can’t stay over break this year.”  It’s a relief to talk it out with another person and you turn to tell your beau all about the chat in Crowley’s office.  By the time you pause to take a breath, Malleus has departed unnoticed.  You grip the flask, resolving to thank him more earnestly later, and slip it in your pocket.  Then you let Ace lead you away to your next class.  He obliges you by listening to all your complaints and agreeing in all the right places.  Not that it solved the issue at all, but it did make you feel better to have someone fully on your side to complain to.

After class, you automatically hold out your hand to walk with Ace to the alchemy lab, but he asks you to go on ahead instead.  It’s an unusual request but the mystery is cleared up before Professor Crewel arrives to begin your lesson.  “Hey Prefect, great news!” Ace shouts as he slips into the seat next to you, “I called my mom, and she says I can bring you home with me over break!”  At first, all you feel is the pressure being lifted.  Then comes the guilt.  “Are you sure I wouldn’t be intruding?” you ask nervously.  “Nah,” Ace assures you, “Mom already knows about this.”  Then he holds up his hand where he is gripping the red string, “So it was easy to convince her.”  Then he gives you a mischievous smile, “Plus my bro has been away since he graduated, and I think Mom is getting lonely.  Won’t you come cheer up a poor lonely old woman, Prefect?” Ace says in mock sadness.  You swat him, smiling and chide, “Don’t talk about my future mother-in-law that way.”  Then you both laugh. 

Things seemed to finally be going smoothly, but of course, that couldn’t last.  The alchemy lesson had barely started when Headmaster Crowley arrives by bursting in through the skylight.  He was just as extra in-person as he was in game.  You chuckle to yourself as the rest of the class appears to become hyper-focused on the lesson.  Then, right before leaving, Crowley stops in front of your caldron and remarks, “Ah Prefect, will you stop by my office after your lesson?”  Ace leans in as Crowley retreats and whispers, “What is that about?”  You can only shake your head, “I have no idea.  Want to come with and find out?”  Ace gives the thread a stroke with his thumb, “Of course.  I can’t let a troublemaker like you out of my sight.”  You laugh at his joke and pat his arm, thankful for his backup.  You are sure you will need it.

When you and Ace arrive in the headmaster’s office, he looks up from his desk and lets out a squawk of surprise, “Ah!  Trappola, uh, I was not expecting you to be here as well.”  You feel like you’ve made the right choice in bringing him along.  “So, Headmaster, what’s this business you have with me?”  He looks away, avoiding your eye.  “Well, that.  So, you see…it turns out that our contract for the fumigation this summer does not include covering important school property with protective sheets.  Can you believe that!  Ah-hem, anyway, I’m going to have to ask you to stay until after the rest of the students have departed and cover the furniture in the classrooms before you go.”  The response from your boyfriend is immediate, “No.”  You pull back a smile you feel forming on your lips, “Well, there you have it.  I also have made plans for break, since you have so cruelly abandoned me.”  You can see the gears in his head turning as he thinks over the situation.

“Well,” you comment over your shoulder as you shake out a sheet over a cauldron, “At least he is paying us both to do this.  Thanks for keeping me company.”  Ace grins at you, “I can’t abandon my darling Prefect to be all by their lonesome right before a family trip!”  Then he sheepishly adds, “Plus I can use some extra pocket money to buy you a treat when we are back home.”  A family trip.  It had a nice sound to it.  You hum as you continue covering cauldrons with the large tablecloths Crowely had supplied.  “There,” you say and clap your hands once for emphasis, “That is the last one.  And…I think that is all the alchemy rooms.”  Ace gets a thinking expression, “Ah…so that leaves the elective rooms in the Senior’s tower and the botanical gardens.”  You shrug, “Wanna split them?”  Ace nods and you agree to cover the worktables in the botanical gardens while Ace climbs the tower to handle the senior’s classrooms. 

There are far fewer tables in the botanical gardens, so while it was a hike to get there, you finished fairly quickly.  When you add that to the fact that the mirror chamber was nearby, it didn’t surprise you that you arrived ahead of Ace.  Your small bag of clothes sat in the corner, ready to be taken through the mirror to the Queendom of Roses with Ace.  Until then, you had nothing to do here.  You circle the room, looking into the various mysterious mirrors.  Make a few faces and poses to pass time.  It was so boring.  You turn out your pockets, just looking for something to occupy your time and find two items inside.  One is the vial Malleus had given you to help you find a place for Summer Break.  The other was a candy wrapper.  You frown as you look at it.  This wrapper was left over from a candy you had on you when you arrived in Twisted Wonderland; one of the last ties to your old world that remained.  You haven’t thought about the old world for a while now.  Not since before you’d found your Soulmate.  Now, a feeling of melancholy washes over you.  Why had you stopped looking for a way home?  You didn’t even remember consciously giving up on that dream.

You hold the vial and consider it carefully.  What exactly had Malleus said this did?  Something about helping you find what you needed when you poured it on a mirror?  Well, there were plenty of mirrors available and you had time to kill.  Maybe, if you poured the potion, it would give you a clue on how you could return home someday.  You walked to the nearest mirror and uncorked the bottle.  The liquid flowed slowly out of the container as though it was molasses.  When it touched the mirror, it seemed to slip inside until a glossy shimmer coated the surface.  It rippled and you were aware that there were words to be seen inside.  You leaned closer and read the message.  Then you read it again.  And again.  By the fourth time, you were shaking so badly you could no longer read it.  It wasn’t a way to get home.  It was the summary of the fanfiction you were in. 

---

The Chain That Binds

When the Prefect of Ramshackle dorm is invited home with their Soulmate to visit the family, they never suspect the plan Ace has in store for them.  Sometimes the chain that binds you to a partner also binds you to a darker fate. 

TW Yandere, TW Imprisonment, TW Kidnapping

---

Just what kind of sick story was this? 

A click sounds behind you as the door closes.  Never had you heard a sound so ominous.  “Something wrong, Prefect?” Ace says carefully.  You notice he is gripping the string of fate tightly.  It no longer felt comforting but more like the hold a master would have on a dog’s leash.  “You seem kind of agitated.”  You try to downplay it, “Oh no, its nothing.”  He tilts his head, attempting to see past you and into the mirror.  You sidestep to make sure the view was blocked.  He gives you a cold smile, “Are you sure because I can feel your fear through the bond.”  You meet his eye for a moment and then bolt.  Ace is so much faster than you that you never had a real chance.  You scream out for help and Ace laughs and shouts with you, “Help! Help!”  You look at him in horror.  “Who do you think is left here to hear you, Prefect?  Its only us now.”  Then he pulls out his magic pen and casts a binding spell on you. 

You can only lay limply as Ace steps over to the mirror and reads what is inside.  “Hmm,” He finally says, “I don’t know where you get these ideas from, but I don’t think they are healthy for you.  You should stop consorting with people who put these things into your mind.  I’ll talk to my mom when we get home.  I’m sure she wouldn’t mind if you stayed there instead of coming back to school.  That will take care of all these intrusive thoughts you have.”  His grip on the red string was so tight that you were beginning to feel it like a phantom pain in your heart.  “Don’t worry about a thing, Prefect.  I’m going to take care of you.  I know what you need,” then he turns and looks coldly into your eyes, “you were made just for me after all.  You’re supposed to be mine alone.”

Then as you struggle against your bonds, he lifts you up over his shoulder and drags you and your belongings to the central mirror.  He gives the mirror the destination as you take one final look at the place you’d considered your second home.  Then Ace carries you over the threshold of the mirror into the beyond. Unfortunately for you, this wasn’t the ending.  Your story was just beginning. 

[4ngelholic]

"leave me.. don't leave me.."

ft. riddle rosehearts, leona kingscholar, azul ashengrotto

cw. angst, might be ooc(?)

! reader = prefect !

a/n. kinda got repetitive but at he same time not, sorry lmao 😭

“whispers could be heard, it's almost like they weren't even trying to hide it. he shrugged it off simply thinking it wasn't that important for him to intervene. soon enough there was an odd feeling building in his chest when the constant whispering doesn't seem to stop especially when he feels like the topic is about him. and when his close friend tells him the reason why, he can't seem but to feel guilty and not deserving you.”

¹ | RIDDLE ROSEHEARTS

"why are they together? he's so controlling and strict..."

"watch him start controlling them in their relationship."

"he's scary too.. what would happen to his partner when he forces the queen of hearts' rules onto them.."

─ he figured that it was about him and you when trey told him about it.

─ he wasn't happy about it. when he heard what they said from trey, he wanted to collar them all.

─ controlling? strict? after his overblot incident he was more lenient than he was before. but there's people still chatting their mouths about it?

─ but.. what did you think about all of this? did you think the same way as the others did?

─ please don't.. it hurts thinking about how you would look at him with such disappointment in your eyes.

² | LEONA KINGSCHOLAR

"did you hear about his unique magic? it's so terrifying.."

"it's even more scary knowing he overblotted with such a dangerous ability.."

"knowing that his partner is dating him even after the incident that probably could've gotten them killed is.."

─ ruggie didn't even need to tell him about what the other students were yapping about he could hear them from miles away.

─ if his unique magic is so terrifying why talk about it when he could simply do it to them?

─ not like he could anyways..

─ he barely uses his unique magic. so what's the point in bringing it up?

─ but wait, why did they have to mention you into this?

─ why did they have to mention you being killed by him?

─ what would happen if you were to hear this? would you think that your life is on the line when you're with him?

─ don't you dare cast him away and leave him in the shadows like the rest of them did..

³ | AZUL ASHENGROTTO

"how could they forgive AND date him after taking their dorm?"

"I can't imagine what would happen to them if he breaks up with them for his benefit.."

"watch him use his contracts on them again."

─ no one had to tell him at all about the whispers that was carried and flooded around the school.

─ he accidentally overheard everything when he was returning to octavinelle along with the tweels.

─ jade suggested that he and floyd could take care of them for him so they wouldn't dare to cross azul again.

─ at first, azul almost agreed allowing them to do whatever what they were going to do.

─ then in a flash, your face appeared across his mind.

─ what would you think of him if you found out?

─ would you disagree? or agree with them? even though he doesn't want to admit it, he knows that you deserve better and you shouldn't have forgiven him after what he did to you.

─ what would happen if you do agree..?

─ he doesn't want to lose you. because he knows damn well, you were the best thing that happened to him in his whole life.

─ it didn't matter to him if he had to face his past over and over again. don't leave him.

|| comments and reblogs are highly appreciated! ||

[sineala]

More canon about Tony Stark's secret identity

So I looked this up because @kiyaar asked me it the other day and I knew vaguely where the answer was and that it was in comics I hadn't read, so I read them and I'm presenting my book report to the rest of you, for reference.

The question is: Tony comes out publicly as Iron Man in mid-v3. He also does this a couple years later during Civil War. How did the public stop believing in him as Iron Man in the intervening time?

The basic facts about 616's Tony's secret identity as we all generally know them in fandom:

Tony becomes Iron Man (ToS #39) and promptly decides to keep this a secret. His friends and occasionally enemies find this out, a few people at a time, over the years. There's a span of time shortly after Armor Wars (IM v1 #225-232) in which he fakes his death, but only as Iron Man -- he pretends that the original Iron Man has died and that the guy in the suit now is not the original. This means that he is lying to his friends' faces about being Iron Man, but for the most part he's not fooling anyone at all and all his friends are pretty damn sure Iron Man is still him. There are multiple panels of Steve being like "Tony, I know that's you." (After that, Tony fakes his own death as Tony, eventually coming back publicly in IM v1 #292.)

There are some more secret identity shenanigans in the late 90s (by which I mean the Cap/IM 1998 Annual) -- mindwipes are involved -- but the first big public move is in IM v3 #55. He gives up his secret identity because he wants to go save a puppy. You all know this. Probably.

He also gives up his secret identity a couple years later, in Civil War: Front Line #1, because he's supporting Registration and he wants to put his money where his mouth is.

So the question is, what the hell happened in the middle? He's pretty clearly publicly Iron Man for the latter half of v3 -- did people just forget that? How in the world did they buy that he wasn't Iron Man?

The answer is that this is a Disassembled thing. Specifically, it's in the Iron Man tie-ins to Avengers Disassembled, which I had never read because the only thing I knew about them was that this was the arc that Rumiko died in, and I didn't want to be sad. But it turns out this is also where Tony gets people to stop believing that he is Iron Man. This is Iron Man v3 #85-89.

So Disassembled kicks off in Avengers #500 with the mansion exploding and Scott Lang dying. Tony, who is at this time Secretary of Defense, is addressing the UN when he suddenly feels like he's drunk and starts insulting and threatening the UN representative from Latveria. This, along with many other terrible things, is Wanda's fault; she does this to him with magic. He doesn't know that, though, and the public, of course, thinks he's drinking again. Several of his friends (not Steve) actually think he's drinking again.

The IM tie-ins start with IM v3 #85 after the UN thing has happened, and it turns out that Tony's life is even worse. At this point, he's already facing a lot of public disapproval about the UN thing. Someone steals a suit of his armor and, in #86, murders the Stark Enterprises board of directors. Given that everyone knows that Tony is Iron Man, that Tony has just been drunk and belligerent at the UN, and that the board's shares in SE revert to Tony, everyone now thinks he is guilty of murdering the entire board. There are crowds of angry people with signs, at his house, protesting… him, I guess. The UN/SecDef thing, and the murder thing, I guess.

Tony, at this point, has now shut himself up in his house and is trying to figure out what the fuck is wrong with him. He doesn't actually know who has his armor and is attempting to frame him for this, or why they're doing it, but this isn't his main concern at this point. His main concern is the incident at the UN, because at this point he has no idea that Wanda is responsible for doing this to him, so he keeps doing things like scanning himself because he thinks something must have gone wrong with his brain.

This is when Ru shows up at Tony's house, in IM v3 #87. Ru and Tony have been off-and-on, and are currently off, and Ru would like to get back together with him. So she goes in, looking for Tony, and is immediately shot by the guy who has stolen the Iron Man armor, who is also there in Tony's house now. Tony walks in just in time for Ru to die in his arms; she very possibly dies believing that Tony was the one who shot her, since as far as she knows, it was Iron Man.

Then we get one of the key parts enabling Tony's new identity shenanigans. The guy in his armor is still in his house, and in #88, the guy starts fighting Tony. What happens is that he pushes Tony through a window into the swimming pool below. Since Tony's house is surrounded by a mob of angry protesters, he's pretty newsworthy right now, and a news helicopter is passing overhead at the exact moment in time. So now the entire world has footage of Tony fighting a man in an Iron Man suit, who therefore cannot possibly be Tony.

So because of this, Tony is basically exonerated for the murder of the SE board, because obviously it was this evil guy who stole the suit who did all the murders, which is in fact true. So this also plants the idea in everyone's mind -- and certainly in Tony's mind -- that Tony and Iron Man could, theoretically, be separate people. They obviously don't have to be, but it's clearly possible that someone else might become Iron Man.

At the end of #89, Tony gives a big speech to the media. He says he's apologized to Latveria and he's resigning his post as Secretary of Defense. He also says that he's resigning as Iron Man. He says he's just going to be Tony Stark, but "there will always be an Iron Man."

So the story is that Tony was Iron Man. He used to be Iron Man. He admits that. That's a thing people know about him -- no one's been mindwiped of that information or anything this time. But he also swears he's not Iron Man now; he swears that Iron Man is someone else. So if anyone sees Iron Man from here on out, that won't be him. That'll be someone else.

I mean, yeah, he is completely lying when he says that, as we know.

This is a lot like the thing he tried to pull on the superhero community after Armor Wars, but apparently the public believes him this time, unlike how his friends did not. By the time we get to Avengers Finale, which is the last issue of Disassembled, all his fellow heroes clearly know he's still Iron Man -- he's hanging around in the armor without a mask, around the Avengers -- but, as he tells them, he clearly thinks the public is buying this.

And they apparently are buying this, to the point that it's news to everyone when he says he's Iron Man again in CW Front Line #1.

So, yeah, that's how this goes.

Unrelatedly, from #87, here's a panel for your collection of panels about how Tony is really kind of queer.

If Ru thought Tony wasn't ever going to date a man, that would have been a great time for her to say something in reply. I'm just saying.

[pirateswhore]

Her White Wolf

With Rumple gone, Belle is left to pick up the pieces on her own. Could a certain wolf help mend her heart? Mid season 4 AU (aka giving Belle the brain cells she needs and resolving my first queer disappointment on the show).

thank you @xarandomdreamx for being a lovely beta !

for - @caliburn-the-sword

Prologue and Chapter 1 published on Ao3:

Prologue - In the Aftermath.

It hurt like nothing had hurt before. Finding the gauntlet that she thought he had traded for her years ago. Using it, foolishly thinking it would simply point towards her, only to be led to the dagger. The dagger? Didn’t he give her the dagger? She picked it up and felt its heavy weightin her hand and an intense pull, nothing like she had ever felt before with the dagger she was given. A fake. Obviously. He lied to her, like he had so, so many times.

The next few minutes now feel like a blur. Appearing before him, seeing him holding Hook’s heart in his hand, squeezing it. Commanding him to take them to the town edge. Forcing him over it. His cowardly cries and pleas for forgiveness. And then he was gone, and she dropped on her knees and buried her face in her hands so she didn’t have to see him scramble away like a pathetic, injured dog.

The next thing she remembers is a hand and hook on each shoulder, urging her to stand up, leading her to the back seat of a yellow bug. She couldn’t quite remember or care for what they told her, spending the entire car ride back to her house staring out the window. They helped her out of the car, led her to her front door, told her something about reaching out if she needed help, and squeezed her shoulder in support. And then she walked into the flat, took her coat off and climbed into bed, pulling the covers over her, hoping it was all an awful, awful dream that she would soon be waking up from.

“Hey, Belle.”

She lifted her head from the coffee cup in front of her to see Hook standing next to her table. 

“Mind some morning company, love?”

She sniffled and nodded and he scooted into the chair opposite of hers. He ordered a coffee himself and they sat in silence for a while, her gaze dropping back down to the table.

“Thank you. For saving my life,” he spoke quietly, treading carefully through the conversation, “I wouldn't be here if you had not intervened the other day.” Days? Has it been that long? This was the first time she’d left the flat since… the incident, having spent all her time sobbing in bed. She looked up at him, meeting his gaze - gratitude, pain, remorse. He strained a little smile and tilted his head down slightly. She returned the smile and straightened her back, sniffling back a sob.

“Of course. The least I could do.” He reached out his hand to meet hers. 

“I’m not sure how much of this you heard when Emma and I took you home, but just know that we are here for you, whatever you need, okay? You have both our talking phone numbers, we’re just a call away,” he squeezed her hand and she was barely holding back tears. How was he still so kind to her after all the crap her husband had done to him? When she was too blind to see through his lies and do anything to stop him for such a long time. She didn’t deserve any thanks from him, or anyone. She could have stopped all this so long ago. All she could do now was squeeze his hand back and nod.

They drank their coffee in silence, commenting about their day and plans every so often. She confessed her remorse over not stopping Rumple sooner and Killian stated how guilty he felt over doing his bidding, at which Belle shot him a smile. 

“I'm sure we could find a way to release the faeries.”

“You think?”

“Sure! We have everything originally used to trap them, the hat, the dagger-”

“Me,” he chuckled. She rolled her eyes and continued.

“I'm certain Rumple has some books on it. Or maybe Regina does. We could set up a base camp in the library, it’s not like either one of us has anything better to do, and it could help us relieve some guilt.”

His smile dropped a little. “You’d be okay with working close to me?”

“Of course I would! Why shouldn't I?”

“I… I tried to kill you. I shot you.”

Her shoulders relaxed and she placed both hands over his. “Killian… I don’t hold that against you. You’ve changed since then. I’ve forgiven you.” 

He smiled, tears stinging the corners of his eyes. They ordered breakfast and talked about the details of researching the hat and its magic and she actually managed to forget the pain her ex husband had caused her and others. Maybe she could make up for not seeing through his charade sooner. After they finished their food, they ran down to the sheriff's station and told Emma about their plan, who seemed proud and enthusiastic, and Regina, who seemed dismissive but still offered them help if they needed it. She still had keys to Rumple’s shop, so she asked Killian and Emma to take out any books they may find useful - she couldn't bring herself to go in there. Within the hour they were walking past Granny's again, stopping to pick up a to-go order for the lunch she had placed before they left. 

She walked into the diner, seeing as Killian was trying to balance a stack of books with his hand and hook and couldn't carry anything else. Granny waved her down and said her order would be bagged in a minute, so Belle took a seat by the bar. She could hear people talking behind her, throwing a few glances her way before whispering amongst each other.

I heard she pushed him over the town line herself. Yea she finally came to her senses about him. Wonder if the pawn shop is still open? I feel sorry for her, he manipulated her. 

The pity in their voices sounded almost derogative to her. She should have been smarter, seen through his lies way sooner, left him before he could hurt her and others the way he did. But she didn't. She gave him chance after chance only to be met with deceit and disappointment. She was stupid. She knows that now. She pushed the thoughts back, trying her best not to focus on them. Just pick up the order and go, Belle. Five minutes. 

"Order for Gold?" A voice called out. She winced and made a mental note of annulling the marriage as soon as possible and getting back to her maiden name. 

She looked up and her mouth dropped open a little. Ruby. She hadn't seen her since they all came back from the Enchanted Forest (granted, she was busy) and couldn't help the smile that spread across her face. 

"Oh- sorry, is it still Gold?" The woman handed her two paper bags.

"Yea… I need to go down to the mayor's office to revert it to my maiden name. It's good to see you again Ruby."

"Yeah, it's good to be back."

"You left?"

"For a little bit, I was feeling restless and hoping to find someplace I belong. That didn't really pan out so I'm back here. Plus Granny needs my help with the diner."

"Maybe we could catch up sometime soon."

"I'd like that."

They exchanged smiles and see-you's and Belle walked out of the diner and headed to the library with Killian. Moving on and picking up the pieces was going to be hard, but perhaps she didn't have to do it on her own. 

________________________________________

Chapter I - Moving On

Ruby's return to Storybrooke brought with it mixed emotions. She didn't feel like she was part of the town, or fully accepted by the townsfolk. But there was nothing for her in the Enchanted Forest and here she at least had her grandma. Even if it meant working in the diner all her life, it was better than nothing.

Today, she was on delivery duty. Which meant driving around town in Granny's run-down delivery van all day, trying her best to not get the orders mixed up. She got back into the car and looked at the next delivery's notes: B. French, 2 grilled cheese sandwiches, 1 large fry serving, 1 medium onion ring serving, 2 sodas. Deliver to Town Library at 12:30pm

Belle.

The brunette had made herself a regular at the diner over the last week, stopping for coffee and a bagel every morning. Talking to her made the otherwise insufferable morning shift actually pleasant for Ruby, even if for just a few short minutes. Belle usually had her order to-go, saying that Killian was waiting for her at the library.

"What are you two up to in there anyways? Killian often doesn't come back to his room until after dinner time." Ruby had asked her once. The question made Belle stir in her seat for a moment.

"We're uh... We're trying to undo some of what Rumple had done. Starting with getting the faeries out of the hat."

"Oh! That's so sweet of you. Any progress?" Belle's face sank at that and she shook her head slightly. "Ah... well I'm sure you two will figure something out. You're smart."

If she didn't know any better, Ruby could've sworn she saw the blood rush to the other woman's cheeks as she mewled a small "thank you".

She rounded the corner and parked the van near the library. Ruby knew from the order that Killian was probably there as well, but a part of her hoped it would be just Belle. She couldn't pin down exactly why she wanted that and she didn't want to think too much into it. She walked to the library and pushed the heavy door open, calling out that the delivery was here. There was no response and after stepping inside, Ruby was met with an empty reception desk and no sign of either Belle or Killian. There was a corkboard in one corner with photos and notes and red string pinned into it.

"Belle? Hook?" she called out again and waited for an answer, focusing her ears to any sound they would pick up. She both liked and despised her heightened senses. They were useful most of the time but she could do without overhearing certain conversations and comments, especially the ones pertaining to her. Some people still feared her, feared she would turn into a wolf and ravage the diner's clientele at random.

She's been getting better at controlling it, or at least subduing it. She cut off a trim of her cloak and wore it on her at all times, in her hair, around her neck, or tucked into a pocket. It helped prevent any emotional outburst from triggering a transformation. She still hated the full moon however; being turned against her will and having to hide herself away all day, trying to contain the beast. Before the Moon rose into the sky at night, she was snappy, aggressive, every little inconvenience made her blood boil. The new moon, in turn, left her weak and lethargic and all she wanted to do was sleep. It had its ups and downs but she was doing her best at managing it.

Her ears picked up on the faintest of sobs and her head turned towards the back of the library. She left the order at the reception desk and made her way into the library, through the shelves and towards a back room. The sobs got louder and standing in front of the door with a ‘Employees Only sign, she could hear them clear as day.

"Belle..." she could tell it was her, the sweet perfume she wore lingering in the air. It hurt Ruby to hear her cry, and not just because it was so loud for her - Belle crying was not something Ruby ever wanted to see. "Belle?" she called out a little louder, tapping on the door. The sobs and whimpers stopped and the inside lock released, creaking the door open just a smidge. Ruby pushed it open wider and saw Belle hunkered down on the floor, sitting on a book stack with a tissue in hand. "Hey," she whispered out weakly, straightening her back but not looking up at the woman standing in the doorway.

Ruby crouched down, running her hand up and down the woman's shoulder, hoping to soother her. "I came in with your food and heard you crying, is everything okay?" Her eyes wandered to a book lying on the ground (it was unlike Belle to drop books, she treated them like sacred items). It was a Disney book, based on this world's version of "Beauty and the Beast" movie, featuring art and scenes from it. Ruby glanced back at Belle and urged her with a small smile.

"I found the book while sorting something," she started, "and it just... it hurts. That's how we were supposed to go, he was supposed to change and be a better man because of love. But I wasn't enough for him, no matter what I did."

"Oh Belle." Ruby moved closer and sat down next to Belle, putting an arm around her. "Some stories are just that - stories. And some stories have different versions, in yours it simply didn't work out." That caused another sob to escape Belle's chest and Ruby's clenched at the sound. "I'm so sorry he hurt you, but you can't put all the blame on yourself. When we love someone, we do our best to look past their flaws and see the best in them."

"Even if there isn't any good?"

"Belle, you have the wonderful tendency to see the good in anyone. Please don't let what Rumple did discourage you from it."

"What if I'm wrong about them again?"

"You weren't wrong about me, were you?" That seemingly calmed Belle's crying so Ruby went on. "When the entire town was dead set on hunting me down, you stayed by me. I'll never forget that.

Belle went silent for a while as Ruby continued to rub her shoulder. She hadn't noticed how close to one another they were, how their thighs pressed together or how good Ruby smelled until now. She also didn't realise that, with the way her head was hung, she was staring directly down the she-wolf's cleavage. Blood rushed to her cheeks but she made no attempt to move away, choosing instead to just lift her head to meet Ruby's eyes. She smiled down at her but concern was still painted on her face.

Belle had always been fond of her. She hadn't forgotten that Ruby had helped her in the past, and she was forever grateful for it. Ruby was fun, outgoing, openly flirtatious and spontaneous at times - all the things Belle had trouble expressing. She'd spent too long suppressing who she was and what she wanted in favour of coaxing Rumple to the side of good, hoping to calm the beast down long enough for the man to come out, thinking that, if she appeared more appealing than magic, he would give it up for her. Some good that had brought her.

"You good?" she finally asked, cocking her head to the side slightly. It reminded Belle of those videos of dogs, tilting their heads when intrigued by something. It made sense, she figured, considering Ruby was part wolf.

"I just don't know where to go from here," Belle confessed, "I spent so long doing everything I could to make myself good enough for Rumple. And now that he's gone? I have no idea what to do with myself."

Ruby's smile widened at that and she stood up. "There's time for you to figure that out. You won't have to do it on your own, you have friends to help you through it." She extended a hand and helped Belle up.

"Emma and Killian have been very supportive. It feels like they're the only two people in town who don't pity or resent me over Rumple."

"Wrong," Ruby stated. "There’s at least three people who feel that way."

"You?"

"Of course, silly. You're dear to me, would I have helped you if that wasn't the case?" Belle opened her mouth to say something, but simply nodded in agreement.

Ruby wasn't lying, but she wasn't being completely honest either - Belle was dear to her, but it went deeper than just friendly affection. If she had to put a name to it, it would probably be 'crush', although that felt too inane. From the moment she met her, she felt a pull towards Belle, a primal desire to help and protect her igniting deep inside her. Something about her made Ruby's heart dance; the way her face lit up when she was excited, how her eyes sparkled with an ever present hope she had for people, her undying loyalty to loved ones and her inability to give up on them. Ruby admired her for that but it hurt her too, seeing the physical embodiment of sunshine be rained on and pushed around time and time again. The love and support she had for others abused and mistreated.

It was exactly that love and devotion that had her running back to Rumple, believing all his lies and promises. Ruby respected that, she knew that Belle truly did love him (even if, in her mind, that love was misplaced and ill-appreciated) so she never made a move. However, now with Rumple gone and Belle left to once again, pick up the pieces, Ruby wished for nothing more than to be there for her. She knew she'd have to tread carefully so as to not come off as predatory, seeking to take advantage of Belle's heartbroken state.

Ruby smiled and tucked a strand of hair behind Belle's ear. "I'm here for you, whatever you need. Just as I was before."

"Thank you, Ruby. And I for you, alright?"

The two smiled at each other and for a moment Ruby felt like leaning just a little bit closer, closing her eyes and just throwing caution to the wind (she wasn't a stranger to that), but the ring of Belle's phone whisked that daydream right away. She glanced down at it, pouting at the message.

"Killian says he got caught up sailing with Henry so he's running late, but he'll be here in a few minutes."

Fuck, Ruby had forgot all about her delivery duty. Granny was going to kill her.

They made their way to the front of the library, Belle checked to see if the orders were correct and handed Ruby the money for it."

"I should get back to delivering orders, but please, Belle, know that I'm here for you. Don't be a stranger, reach out whenever." She reached out and squeezed her hand, smiling at her. Belle smiled back and pulled her into a hug, squeezing tightly. Ruby's cheeks reddened, surprised at the sudden (but very welcomed) contact.

Walking back to the van, Ruby couldn't help but feel warmth radiating off of her entire body.

[mayhemakinguser]

Can I request a oneshot with Primis and Ultimis Richtofen x Reader where the Reader absolutely loves both Richtofens and is obvious about it (like they hug them and touch them a lot more than anyone else (not in that way lmao-) and everyone can clearly tell they favor them (also they sometimes flirt with them if they have the confidence-)

Maybe both Richtofens know they favor them but they don't know they have a crush on them or something?

Thank you in advanced if you write it!! :3

OHOHOHO this gonna be fun to write hehe

Something Just Like This! Primis + Ultimis Richtofen x Reader!

No pronouns, gender neutral.

I literally scrolled through my playlist to find the perfect song because I lack the creativity to come up with a title haha-

Alright, story begins underneath the cut!

"C'mon, Eddie! You're gonna burn yourself out!" you exclaim, tugging on the German's sleeve.

"Just one more..." he mumbles, scrawling in his notebook.

You pluck the pencil out of his hand and he complains loudly. "Later! You promised me and Rich that you would bring us to lunch! Are you going back on your word?"

"Of course not!" Eddie protests. You eye him, hoping to make him feel guilty. He sighs. "Do we have to bring that psychopath?"

"Like you're any better!" Rich sings from the other room.

Eddie and Rich are the same person. I kid you not, they are literally the same person, first name and last name exactly the same, same appearance (albeit Rich was older-looking). Their personalities was what set them apart. Eddie was more tentative, quiet, like a school nerd. Rich, however, was pretty... peculiar. The kind of guy people veer away from.

But you? You would never. You loved them with all your heart. You noticed every tiny detail about each of them. How Eddie chewed on his pointer finger when he was nervous. How Rich tapped his foot when he was excited, like he couldn't contain himself.

However, they didn't get along much.

"Verdammt..." Eddie rolls his eyes. He stands up from his chair and smiles down at you. "Well, liebe, are you ready to go?"

Liebe. Love. Hearing him say that always made your heart melt, even though he said it nearly every day.

You nod earnestly, grabbing your keys and tossing it to him. Eddie catches it with one hand. He turns and heads out the door to start the car.

"Rich, you better hurry up before we leave you!" you call, shrugging on your sweater.

"You wouldn't! You love me too much!" Rich teases, appearing at the other doorway, leaning on it with a full smile.

You blush lightly and step on his foot. He laughs and manuevers around you to get his own sweater on. It was early spring, so it was still a bit nippy out.

"Whatever Doc," you say, yanking his arm towards the door. He chuckles, letting your drag him outside.

Eddie is leaning on your f/c car, arms folded over his chest. The wind made the little curl across his forehead sway, and you were hit with (yet again) the fact that he was handsome. He frowns at his Ultimis counterpart, but says nothing.

"I call shotgun!" Rich exclaims, beelining for the passenger seat.

"Hey! No fair!" you shout, running after him to bump him away from the car handle. You two scuffle for a bit, laughing so obnoxiously the neighbors gave you the side-eye.

"No, Y/N is taking the passenger, I refuse to let you sit beside me again," Eddie says with a point of his finger at Rich. Rich glances up and you yank the door open, hopping in it with a giggle.

"Are you still upset over the little incident we had?" Rich cooes with a smirk.

"Of course! We almost crashed!"

"Perhaps you should let me drive then."

"Absolutely not, that would've signed our death wishes!"

"Boys, as much as I love hearing ya'll bicker, I'm starving. I wanna eat," you intervene before they start strangling each other.

Eddie hops in the driver seat with a relieved sigh as Rich climbs in the backseat. Eddie turns the key so the car fully starts this time as you punch in the destination.

Rich leans forward to watch you with a grin. "Sooo, what is it? A resturaunt of some sort?"

You giggle, "It's a surprise! I think you both will like it."

"Anything you choose I'll always like. You have good taste," Eddie responds, driving out of the driveway.

"Naturally, you're the best at everything, liebling," Rich adds.

You laugh with a blush. Anything these two say are just so cute. You reach one hand to touch Rich's, and the other to meet Eddie's at the steering wheel. "Thanks guys. You're too sweet."

They smile back at you, making your heart skip.

TIME SKIP WOW

The three of you arive at an old-fashioned diner from years ago. Eddie exits out the car, looking fascinated. It was very shiny and really did give off old vibes. And people still visited it!

"Remarkable!" Eddie says.

"Oh, I remember going to some of these," Rich speaks, drawing out his words. "People would always stare. The famous doctor, coming to an old-timey diner! How absurd!"

"They should've taken a picture. Lasts longer," you reply with a snort.

"That would've costed them an extra fifty," Rich says smoothly with a wink your way. "However, you can take as much photographs as you'd like, liebling."

"Bitte," Eddie groused, opening the door.

You trot in with a 'thank you' to Eddie, who nods, and you look around with awe. So shiny! And clean! Much better than some of the resturaunts you went to.

A waitress walks up to you with a wide smile. She was a very pretty woman. Dimples and bright gray eyes, along with curly black hair. She smiles at Eddie and Rich, and the two look away shyly. You wish you hadn't seen that and you selfishly wish she wasn't there.

"Hello and welcome to our humble diner! Please, follow me to get your seats!" she says cheerily, walking away towards an empty table.

It's a rectangular table, so you wouldn't have to choose who to sit with, to your relief. You sit on the short side so Eddie and Rich sit across from each other.

"Drinks?" she asks, flipping to an empty page on her small notebook.

"Water, thank you," Eddie answers and Rich says the same thing.

"And you-?"

"Water," you interupt, tone clipped. Rich immediately heard the sourness in your tone, watching you at the corner of his eye. He always seemed carefree, but in reality, he noticed the tiniest of things. That's what made him a doctor after all, and also, your friend.

She nods in acknowledgment before scurrying off to get her order done.

Your eyes trail after her for a moment, before returning your gaze to your boys. Eddie's humming, skimming over the menu, oblivious. Rich was not so easily detered as he studies your expression. Can't get anything past this man.

"Liebling, do you think she's pretty?"

"Who?" you ask, avoiding his gaze and looking at the menu, but not really reading it.

"The waitress. I think she's very pretty, nein?" he prods with an innocent smile.

"I think Y/N is much prettier, if you want my opinion," Eddie chirps without looking up. Rich nods with a grin.

"I agree. You are always the prettiest!" Rich sings, making the people near by turn to give him a look. He decides to stand up and acknowledge the stares coming from the table next to you. "Would you agree that this wunderbar person here is attractive?"

The man at the table pauses. "Uh... yeah?"

"How about you, Miss?" Rich asks with a wave of his hand dramatically. "Attractive or no?"

"Well, yes. I think so," the lady mumbles with a nervous smile. Eddie is face-palming, internally groaning and hiding his face behind the menu. You're blinking rapidly, processing what the hell is happening. Rich always makes spectacles, always. But he was doing this for you, for you to realize that you're just as great as any great person.

"See?" Rich plops down with a wide grin. "You're perfect!"

You stare at him before tackling him in a hug. He grunts, surprised by the sudden display of affection.

"Thank you, Rich."

Rich chuckles, messing with your hair. "Anytime!"

Little did he know, you fell for him even harder. Both of them as Eddie looks over with the most gentle and kind smile in the world. You swipe a finger over Eddie's cheek, over his scar, because if one gets affection, the other will too.

The waitress comes back, smiling. "You all are adorable! Ready for an order?"

You blush furiously, getting off Rich and sitting back in your own chair. "U-um, yes! Yes we are." Not gonna lie, you kinda felt bad for being so rude. Hopefully you could make it up by being nice back.

TIME SKIP AGAIN BC AUTHOR IS LAZY

You three had already recieved your food and was chowing down happily when the same waitress who had served you guys before, fell and spilled water all over the floor. Instantly, you rush over to help, picking up the plastic cups.

"You should confess," she whispers.

"What?" you ask, confused. She nods at the two boys who are watching you.

It dawns on you what she means and you blush profusely. "I don't know what you're talking about."

"Oh, please. It's ovious. You have puppy love eyes."

"One more word and I'll stop helping you."

She laughs quietly and gives you a shoulder nudge. "But in all honesty, you should. I can see your relationship growing more than what it is."

"What are you, some sorta love guru?" you joke with a smile.

She eyes you with a sly twinkle in her eyes. "Perhaps."

She cleans up rather quickly and disappears back into the kitchen.

"That was kind of you to help her," Eddie says with a small smile.

"I thought I should help her. Don't want her spitting in my food," you joke with a little laugh. He gives a small hum before going back to eating his lunch.

Maybe you should think about what she said and maybe confess soon. But not now. In the future.

For no reason whatsoever, you embrace the two in an embrace, startling them both.

"I want something just like this, all the time."

haha end ending go brr

I had to literally rewrite this bc it didnt SOUND RIGHT

This is so horrible I swear I've written better but I'm not as creative as i used to be *le sigh*

Nonetheless, I hoped you enjoyed it lmao

I didnt proofread it so if theres any errors I apologize

[pain-suffering-even]

Hey um... 👉👈 do you have any other... uh... religious trauma hcs? Specifically for Izawa?!?! I definitely won't go feral if you post some :'3

hm... i don't have anything off the top of my head for him, but i'll whip up something real quick. i already have a few head canons for him, which i'll just mix into this, but i'll try and keep it as plain as possible for anyone to add on/be able to input what they think <3

content warning for religion/religious trauma and mention of oc character death and internalized homophobia/transphobia (very brief mention)

i would guess he's about 20, maybe 21 now - so he would be young when the gates appeared, 10 or 11. around this time he would maybe start leaning a bit harder into his faith since he's young and is terrified about what is happening. not to mention he would also be reawakened as an S ranker

for about several years, he'd ask god to protect his sister and his family - while he doesn't have a good relationship with his dad, he still sees him as a human being and values his life, and his step-mom has always been kind to him and gave him a sister, and later on, a brother

(if you really wanted to add in angst, his step-mom or step-sister could die in a gate break related incident - that could be the thing that really breaks his faith)

there are things that happen in canon, tragic incidents known world-wide because of the sheer amount of death and destruction. Kamish, Tokyo's Red Gate Incident (not canon; i whipped it up for goto ryuji's backstory), and all around any tragic stories involving people being lost or dying in gates would continuously shake his faith

coupled with the teenage angst hormones, his outlook on religion might do a 180 as he gets older - while he still believes in god/a higher power, its clear whatever he's praying to doesn't value human life

around this time he would be attempting to move out on his own, since his home life would be getting progressively shittier with time, only making him more and more frustrated

he would definitely feel guilty as well, because as an S ranker, he can definitely stop all of this death, but he can't do anything because he's still technically a child

(also - i headcanon ippei as being born intersex, which i know is out of left field, so i'm just going to mention it briefly - his gender/sex/all that would cause conflicted feelings about his faith as well, because he wants to trust god, but he also feels as though he's wronged him by being born the way he was - internalized homophobia/transphobia and all that)

in the present, he would probably hold grudges against god for not being there or not intervening. he might sit down for a prayer out of instinct/as a last resort before a tough gate or something similar - it would be tough for him to break old habits, as much as he doesn't like it

so... there you have it! growing up close to god, feeling betrayed and abandoned when shit got real, yet still reluctantly believing in god and praying/talking to him despite also feeling anger and resentment towards him. (and, an optional splash of internalized homophobia and transphobia or a dear family member dying due to a gate for maximum angst)

[fandom-junk-drawer]

The Witcher Headcanon - Learning the Hard Way

Lambert is one of those people who actually nice, but gods forbid anyone know it. He goes out of his way to be an absolute ar**hole to everyone, until he gets to know them better. Then he's still an ar**hole, just in a 'caring way'.

He just can't seem to drop the prickly exterior, even with people he likes. Not even with Jaskier. He actually likes Geralt's annoying Bard,

Of course he couldn't let them know he liked the Bard. That would ruin his image. It was hard though, especially after the first time he heard The Voice Crack.

Lambert spent many weeks taunting, teasing, bullying, and picking on Jaskier. But then he kind of stopped all that after Jaskier broke both his arms the following winter. Lambert felt kind of guilty about it since it had happened on his watch.

Of course, he pretended that he was only being nice to him because Geralt said he had to.

Lambert's prickliness got worse because he always seemed to make an a** of himself when he was around Jaskier. He blustered and bluffed, and snarked, but it always ended with his brothers laughing at him.

Like with the Love Bite.

And the whole Splinter Incident.

And Geralt laughing at him the first time Songbird made that stupid hand sign at him.

Lambert becomes even more of an ar**hole when he notices how protective Yennefer is of the Bard. The Witcher doesn't know why, but it annoys him that she seems so...close with Songbird.

One morning he starts in on Jaskier as he sat with Geralt and Aiden, waiting for Eskel and Coen to return from hunting. He starts out with his usual bullying, and Jaskier does his best to ignore it.

Then he starts making little comments insiuating that surely there must be something going on between Jaskier and the witch. Jaskier had glanced sharply at Geralt, and made a series of angry gestures. His eyes were oddly cold and hard.

Geralt made a few gestures back, then calmly sipped his ale. Lambert glowered. They were doing that thing again. It just p*ssed him off even more. He started insulting the witch, and Jaskier was practically vibrating with indignation.

Geralt just has this odd look in his eye, almost like he knows something, but he just hmms quietly and says nothing.

Jaskier made a smarta** comment because he just couldn't keep his mouth shut.

And before anyone could stop him, Lambert had hauled the surprised Bard across the table.

He should have known something was off when neither Geralt nor Aiden moved from the table to intervene. All Geralt said was "Lambert, you don't want to f**k with him. Just let it go."

Songbird can't fight, can't hunt, can't swing a sword...he's pretty much helpless. All he can do is sing and look pretty. What's he gonna do, Geralt? Stab me with a quill? Write a mean song about me?

"For starters, I won't give you any more Love Bites-!"

"Hah! Maybe I can get your precious sorceress to give me one instead!"

Geralt gave him one more cryptic warning "You really don't want to f**k with him. Especially about Yen,"

Lambert was to angry to care. He wasn't going to hurt him, just slap him around a bit and scare him a little.

Lambert started out with threats and insults, pushing him and slapping him about the head, getting a little more physically aggressive when Jaskier tried to joke his way out of the situation. He squeaked something about that d**n witch and what she was going to do if he hurt him.

Lambert let him know what he thought of his threat with a punch to the face, followed by a punch to the stomach. Then he let him know his opinion of the witch. Jaskier's eyes had gotten dark and he'd demanded that Lambert shut up.

Lambert had laughed, then boasted and bragged, and said a few things that he probably shouldn't have said with Geralt sitting a few feet away.

He could tell the little sh*t was feeling cocky because his Witcher was watching. He could tell by the way his eyes flashed and the way he'd started smiling at him. Lambert couldn't believe the audacity. The little b**tard was actually grinning at him!

Jaskier's voice was eerily low, almost a growl "Say one more word about Yen, and I will do worse than bury you, Lambert. I will write a song about you so savage that you will never be able to leave Kaer Morhen again!"

Lambert had seen red. He decided it was time Songbird learned his place. He snarled and shoved Jaskier to the floor. He kicked him once in the chest, held him down and growled all sorts of nonsense about the horrible things he was going to do to the witch while Jaskier watched.

Then Lambert made a very bad decision: he teabagged him.

Geralt and Aiden howled with laughter as Lambert suddenly started shrieking. There was no other word for the sound Lambert made when Jaskier bit him on the goolies, and didn't let go.

Lambert was still shrieking when Jaskier finally did let go, and there was a quick flash of steel before a line of searing fire replaced Jaskier's teeth, and then the Bard was knocking him flat to the ground.

There was suddenly a bloody knife at Lambert's throat, and Jaskier's face was inches from his, his mouth bloody and with too many teeth showing. There was an absolutely feral look in his eyes. It was like looking into the face of snarling wolf

Lambert didn't need to see the blood on the Bard's face to know the bite had broken the skin. And the blood on the knife...Lambert had a very unsettling mental image of his...boys...barely hanging on.

He was vaguely aware of Geralt and Aiden discussing something, but making no move to help him at all. The b**tards!

The Bard leaned down and snarled deep and ugly in his chest "You won't touch her! You won't talk to her! You won't so much as even look in her direction!

Lambert was stunned. That feral look had him frozen. And why the f**k did he have a knife??? Jaskier was a Bard. As far as they all knew, he didn't carry any kind of weapon, unless his lute counted as one. He supposed you could bludgeon someone to death with it in a pinch.

The trapped Witcher grabbed Jaskier's wrist and tried to twist it away, but stopped when that feral grin got wider and he felt the prick of a second knife in his ribs. How many of those d**n things did he have???

Lambert couldn't let Jaskier know he was scared caught off guard, so he bluster and spat "F**k that stupid witch, she's-!"

"Say something again! Say something again about Yen! Say something again, and see what happens!" Jaskier snarled, both knives pressing a little harder against skin.

Lambert didn't even dare swallow in case he accidnetally cut his own throat.

Jaskier.

A new voice sounded next to Lambert. Ah, Geralt had finally gotten off his a** and gotten reinforcements.

Yennefer had knelt right next to Jaskier, completely unafraid and gently touched his arm. "Julian, come away,"

Aiden *silently confused* Wait, his name's Julian??

Jaskier had blinked and wavered. Yennefer put her hand on his cheek, and turned his face towards her.

Julek...

Aiden *internally screaming* 'Julek'? F**k me, that's adorable!

Yennefer started playing with the hair at the nape of his neck, "Julek, look at me."

And like magic, the little sh*t went from feral b**tard to baby. The knives flicked out of sight and Jaskier's eyes turned soft again. He'd crawled off Lambert and leaned into the sorceress with a little "yEn..." letting her wipe the blood off his face, and check his bruises.

Ah, F**K! Not the Voice Crack! I should have let him cut my throat because now the witch is going to kill me!

Lambert's injury had definitely required stitches. Yennefer had healed him as best she could, but had mercilessly b*tched at him the whole time for cracking one of Songbird's ribs.

Geralt and Aiden made him promise not to tell Eskel or Coen about the Feral Bard Incident, and they promised to tell Eskel and Coen that Lambert was limping because he had injured himself in a training accident, instead of almost losing his balls to a Bard.

Wait, Geralt, did you f***ing know that he was going to go feral??

"As soon as you threatened Yennefer, Yes." And Geralt pulled off his shirt and showed Lambert the three knife scars on his upper body. "He gave me these by accident. Yen was sick. He was guarding her, and I startled him. "

Lambert looked at Aiden, who nodded. He agreed to keep the secret. And he'd been openly nicer to Jaskier from then on.

He'd learned the hard way not to f**k with the Bard.

[prankprincess123]

Due to a conversation with @princess-of-gondor on my Dolores/Mariano headcanons post, I decided I needed to elaborate on a few of the headcanons and then that spiraled, and now I have a list of headcanons regarding each of the Madrigal grandkids interacting with children, whether siblings & cousins, random kids from town, or their kids & neices & nephews. So:

Madrigal Grandkids + Interacting With Children Headcanons:

Part 2

Part 1 - Isabela

Even before she got her gift, her earliest memory is making a flowercrown and placing it on Luisa's head.

When Camilo and Mirabel were babies she'd make trails of flowers for them to follow to encourage them to practice crawling and learn to walk.

Any time one of her sisters or cousins got hurt while playing, she'd be the one who calmed them down and took them to the kitchen to be healed.

Isa has always been good with kids. She's just not confident with them. At least not after Mirabel's ceremony, and no amount of flowers could cheer her up.

Her pre-teen insecurities 'rationalize' that she couldn't make even her baby sister smile, so she must not be good with kids.

Between her stress from being 'Senorita Perfecta' and said insecurity she's a little distant when Antonio is tiny. She still loves her primito fiercely, but she doesn't have alot of time to spend with him and doesn't know how to react when he cries.

After everything happens though, it's normal to see her and Antonio disappear into eachother's rooms or into the jungle for hours, and emerge covered in mud, leaves in their hair, laughing hysterically about something that happened.

Literally overnight she goes from the perfect princess who hardly knows how to interact with even teenagers, to being the 'bad influence' chaotic cousin to the whole town. It practically gives everyone whiplash, but she’s happy and playing with her sisters and cousins again so the whole family loves it.

Even while pretending to be perfect, she constantly made swings with her vines. Now she's practically the center of a mobile (literal) jungle gym.

She's not babysitting. They're just playing with her plants. (As she swats a child's hand away from a pitcher plant)

There's definitely debate over whether she's too old to be grounded for a few things that she initiates and the younger kids definitely deserve grounding for.

She totally has a minor panic attack at being asked to be madrina to Dolores and Mariano's oldest, and freezes up almost hyperventilating at the little boy being placed in her arms the first time.

She loves this kid, no doubt about it. And if he's asleep or happy, she's thrilled to just hold him and entertain him with flower petals. But the moment he starts fussing she panics.

It's never a problem because someone always intervenes, but every time it happens she feels really guilty. Truthfully they only intervene because they see how anxious she gets, and decide to slowly ease her into it.

Once he's older they're partners in crime though. All of the younger neices and nephews join in frequently, but he trails along after her just as much as her plants do.

There's again debates on if she's too old to be grounded after a certain incident resulting in the entire town square being stained tie-dye for months. She's 35, they can't ground her but most of the family agrees that it's not fair to punish just the 11yo. The compromise is that Pedro II is grounded from his Tia Isa for a week, and both of them spend the entire time pouting while trying (futily) to scrub pollen and sap off opposite sides of town.

Everyone young enough to not remember 'senorita perfecta' sees her almost as a benevolent forest witch. A being of chaos who emerges from Casita and brings the jungle into town with her. Her presence is announced by explosions of color, wild and sometimes sharp or snapping plants in her footsteps, and giggles of children following in her wake.

She is almost unanimously the favorite tía. Even when her little shadow is elsewhere, there is almost always at least one little Madrigal swinging from her vines or having flowers braided into their hair.

One of Mirabel's daughters spends a month as a baby refusing to go to sleep for anyone but Isabela. The first night everyone is tired and no one can soothe this baby, and she’s woken up some of the other kids too, and it's just kinda a "...your turn..." moment. And then she stops crying.

Isabela's shocked both because she was able to calm her sobrinita, and because there wasn't any of her usual panic around crying children. No one else is surprised in the slightest.

She still claims she's not good with most kids at least, despite the overwhelming evidence otherwise.

"Have you ever thought about getting married and having your own kids?" An incredulous laugh "Me? Who would I marry? Besides, I'm horrible with children!" She says as she shifts a tiny sobrina to her other hip, and instinctively reaches out a net of vines to catch the sobrino falling out of a tree behind her.

[senseearly]

Big Sister Zenko AU Headcanons

GENERAL HCs

Zenko (25) is 8 years old than Badd (17). She works as a professional pianist and is well known in the music industry. Still adores Amai Mask.

She’s always worried about her younger brother, Badd, who was known as a trouble maker/delinquent in their neighborhood. But after Badd became an S-class hero, she worries more about his job.

Badd may sound like he is annoyed by his big sister, but he adores her very much. He attends all her concerts, buys her CDs, cooks her favorite food even when he complains about it, etc., etc.

He has to pinch himself so he doesn’t cry inside the auditorium cause Zenko will never let him attend her concerts askdfls

Fun fact: Badd’s hero work was supposed to be a part-time job. Their parents died in an accident involving a monster, an incident which Zenko survived. While she was recovering in the hospital, Badd decided to register in the HA to earn some extra money for the both of them. Soon after, HA recognized his strength and promoted him into a full-time, S-class Hero.

Zenko was not informed of that promotion until later. And wew, the argument that they had about it was intense.

In this AU, I would imagine that Zenko does not only dislike violence, but she dislikes the job that Badd has. She tries to dissuade him from continuing his hero work, but also knows that this is Badd’s passion - to help and protect people - and something that only Badd, and a few people, are able to do. Becoming an S-class hero is not easy.

(She always wonders if she is being a good sibling, letting Badd do this. Isn’t she earning enough for the both of them? Why won’t Badd let Zenko protect him this time?)

Zenko is known to visit the HA from time to time, mostly to negotiate of Badd’s vacation hours (which are practically non-existent) and has the contact numbers of several HA personnel which she can call to demand her brother’s whereabouts.

Zenko knows first-aid because she’s used to treating Badd’s wounds. Badd used to hide it from her, because she’d get angry. She learned that it was better to be calm about it, so Badd won’t hide anything from her.

Badd still feels guilty, having her see him like this. It makes him feel small, like a little kid. He wants to prove to her that he’s strong, that he can take anything. So, she doesn’t have to be stuck taking care of him and she can live her life.

Zenko adores Amai Mask because, when she was hospitalized for a long time, his songs would make her feel better. And Amai Mask CDs were the first thing that Badd bought using his paycheck.

WITH BATAROU

I think Zenko would be very disapproving of Badd’s relationship with Garou, at first. She thought that Garou was aiming for the k!ll, that’s why she intervened during their fight.

But eventually, she warms up to Garou. She realizes that Garou was the perfect friend for her little brother (maybe even more). If they met earlier in the past, Zenko believes that things would’ve been better for the both of them.

She still likes to tease Garou though. She’d give him the shovel talk just for laughs. Apparently, Garou can get flustered.

Garou just respects Zenko a lot. Not just as Metal Bat’s sister, but as an authoritative figure. Garou has to deal a lot with Metal Bat’s intense adoration for his sister.

Zenko at some points starts helping Garou woo her brother. Badd can be perceptive, but he is completely oblivious to anything about romance and relationships. Garou is, unfortunately, like that.

Zenko is very protective of Garou. She knows the repercussions of hiding him in their home, but she doesn’t care. He’s family now. She may not be a hero, nor is good at fighting, but she’s not going down without a fight if anyone tries to take her family away.

She finds Tareo (who’s older than Garou in this AU) to be a close confidant. She rants/tells stories about Batarou to Tareo who is a good listener. They bond over taking care of their little brothers.

Maybe Tareo here is a reporter, who knows a lot of info about heroes. Because he is a reporter and is on the scene during monster fights and natural disasters, I’d imagine Zenko will ask Tareo to keep an eye on Badd, just as she does with Garou when he’s around. 

[madcatdaderpydrawer-blog]

Sun feels very responsible for Moons death in the eclipse au, because it’s one of those situations where in hindsight you really regret your actions but at the time they seemed so innocent. Starting with of course not going with his brother to find the kid and make sure he’s alright. It seemed fine at the time; Sun just wanted to avoid a scolding, and the argument they got into in general was rather tame. Moon teased Sun a bit asking if he was scared to leave and that it was childish, and Sun told Moon that he was going to get himself in trouble again because he sucks at listening. Innocent stuff really, but enough to make Sun feel very petty and refuse to accept his brothers internal messages out of spite. 

Moon managed to find Gregory in an interesting situation with Vanny, and quickly intervened as she was going to cause immediate harm to a child. Gregory ran off during this time but all of his attention was on the dangerous intruder so he didn’t notice him leave. Now, Vanny is still a human, and Moon is quite literally made to be partly security based, so needless to say restraining her was insanely easy. He couldn’t access the main office as his connection wouldn’t work, so he pinged Sun to do it. Buuut Sun ignored him, because he was still pouting about being called childish, so he decided to take her to the head office himself and use the phone their to call the police. 

Now, being in the literal WORST situation she could’ve gotten herself in, she needed to get rid of Moon IMMEDIATELY if she wanted to avoid getting dragged to the head office and shortly arrested. There’s no way in hell she would beat him in a fight like this, when she had so many disadvantages, so she used the one advantage she did have: her controller. She barely managed to press the button while being pinned down, and had to be discreet which was luckily easy as Moon was preoccupied planning the fastest route to the main office. So she ordered the command “Disassemble daycare attendant Moon”, but quiet enough that Moon himself couldn’t hear and thus couldn’t prepare for it. 

Moon sent out another message to his brother, oblivious to the fact that she basically just sealed his fate. It’s the last contact he did make with his brother, which started with a mildly irritated “stop being a brat” and then explained the situation of there being a dangerous intruder. But the message was cut short when he got his head swiftly bashed in from behind, leading to him letting go of Vanny and being too disoriented to realize what the fuck was happening before it was too late. The AI chip was destroyed from the damage done to his head both in the initial strike and after when it was hammered in, until it came off. 

It didn’t take long for Sun to get over his dramatic poutiness, but he forgot to check the messages. It just didn’t occur to him, he has a very short attention span. So when he was pulled into parts and services in the morning, he was really confused. The technicians wouldn’t explain what was happening, but the air felt thick- even before Sun got the news of what happened, he could immediately tell something was wrong. That’s when he finally remembered the messages and checked them, and started to get worried. He begged the employees to know what happened to his brother, but they basically ignored him entirely and talked about the incident without paying any mind to him. That’s how he found out that his brother died, that he was irreparable and that Sun was going to take his role on now. It didn’t help that they treated the topic with a detached apathy, like a toaster got broken instead of a complex sentient AI.

He felt horribly guilty. All of those innocent accidents built up to make it feel like it was all his fault that he was dead. That he should’ve payed attention to his messages, shouldn’t of let him leave the daycare alone, should’ve responded sooner. If Moon wasn’t alone, then he wouldn’t of died. But now it’s too late to change it.

[maddiwrites]

Secret Lives (Part 3)

Pairing: JJ x Reader

Summary: You and JJ never got along so your friends trap the two of you on a boat in the middle of the marsh to work it out. Only it doesn’t go as planned. 

Note: Hey guys! Remember this little series I wrote? A lot of people asked for a part three and I truly had no plans to write one, but I came up with one for you if you if guys are even still interested, who knows. I don’t know how I feel about it. Kinda seems dramatic of me, but oh well. Its been in my drafts for forever so I’m finally posting it. Let me know!! If I tagged you, its because you were tagged in part 2 or asked to be tagged in part 3! 

Word count: 6k

Warnings: mentions of abuse, drugs, violence, and death

 Part 1   Part 2    Masterlist

The relationship you and JJ had transpired into something no one saw coming. Your friends thought your friendship was unsalvageable after what happened when they trapped you in the middle of the marsh with one another. You had reached your breaking point and they didn’t think you’d ever come back to them. But you did. Not only did you come back to them, but you came back to JJ. 

The two of you, once closed off around each other, were now inseparable. You spent almost every day together. You followed him around his work schedule and he snuck through your window any chance he got because he didn’t want to spend one night without you. Your family was surprisingly very accepting of JJ. Your mother was first worried, knowing how men on the Cut can grow into something/someone no parent would want for their daughter. And Andrew knew of Luke Maybank from word of mouth and was afraid JJ might be just like him. But the first night you invited him to dinner at your house, your parents welcomed him into your family. He was polite, mature, and personable throughout the whole meal. You remembered that night well. The morning of, he  called you panicking because he didn’t know what to wear. You told him to wear whatever he wanted, but he was afraid the Kildare County T shirt and cargo shorts wouldn’t send the right message. So you took him shopping on the mainland. Together you took the ferry and made him play dress up in stores you knew he couldn’t afford. He felt bad that you were paying for his new wardrobe, but you promised it was something you wanted to do because you would do anything to make him feel better about this night. That night he came to your door with a bouquet of flowers for your mother and a bottle of Scotch he told Andrew his dad bought for him for that night. Your little sister absolutely adored him, barely giving him enough time to kiss you hello or goodbye. 

You and JJ were more alike than either of you could even imagine. Your temper wasn’t as short as JJ’s, but you weren’t afraid of a fight when it presented itself to you. Your mother always said that’s what happens when you grow up on the Cut. You learn to fight for what you want and need. Most of the time JJ liked that about you. Seeing you standing up for yourself was a huge turn on to him and he felt prideful when onlookers would watch impressed because they didn’t expect a girl from Figure Eight to fight like that. He never let it get physical though even though he always thought it would be hot to see you in a cat fight with some rich bitch from your school. He cared too much about you to let you get hurt. 

You and JJ have another similarity no one outside of the Pogues know about. Although you hate it more than anything, you and JJ live through the trauma of having an abusive father. As if dealing with your father alone wasn’t stressful enough, he created a few fights between you and your boyfriend. JJ was constantly on your case when you were hiding a new bruise or silently frustrated from a previous conversation with your father. You tried not to find it overbearing because JJ was just concerned. You promised you’d stop seeing your father. It was easier for you than for JJ because you had another family to fall back on. A loving mother, a generous step father, and a boisterous little sister. The perfect family. Which is why you felt so guilty that they didn’t seem like enough. ‘Cause it didn’t matter how much money Andrew had, or if he said he loved you like his own, or that he promised you he would never hurt your mother on the day he proposed. He wasn’t your real dad. Your real dad was out there, living in filth and drugs. Without a second income, he couldn’t pay his bills or own a car to drive himself to work every day. He blamed that on you and your mother and you fell for his pity party every single time. 

JJ knew when you were lying. You’d wearing more clothes on the days you were hiding your skin and quieter on the days when you were thinking back to the hateful things your father yelled at you the day before. He hated that there was someone out there laying their hands on you and there was nothing he could do about it. JJ knew the kind of damage that could happen if he tried to physically intervene and it didn’t work. Every time he brought it up, it would only start a heated argument. You would bring up his own father and how JJ wouldn’t let you say anything to Luke, even on the days you two were face to face at Barry’s home with your own father. You hated that JJ thought he could come between you and your father, but you couldn’t do the same. It was hard to believe you two were using your own father’s against each other to prove a point.

Today was no different. It was sunny, cloudless day in the middle of the summer. Which meant the perfect boat day for you and your Pogues. John B was excited to fish, JJ and Pope were excited to swim, Kie to tan. And you? Well you weren’t excited all at. Because last night was a particularly bad night between you and your dad. 

He had taken you out to Barry’s again, forcing you to come inside so he could show you off like his own personal wallet. He drained you of another four hundred dollars after Barry threatened to shoot your father in the head if he didn’t get his money. And you hesitated. Not because you wanted your father to die, but because you had never had a gun pointed at another person in your vicinity. Ever. But that’s not how your dad took it. When you dropped him off, he had you come inside so he could give you his unpaid utility bills. When you least expected it, your dad shoved you hard into the countertop, the corner of it jabbing into your side. Even when you fell to the floor, your father didn’t stop kicking you in your stomach. He called you ungrateful and disloyal. He told you he wished you had never been born - how you ruin everything. You cried into the tiled floors until your dad tired himself out, grabbed a beer, and went to bed.

Your torso was covered in blue and purple bruises when you woke up. Even the warm water from you shower this morning felt like a million little needles pricking your skin.  You contemplated texting the Pogues, telling them you felt sick and that you couldn’t go today. But when you looked out the window and saw the perfect day, you didn’t want to miss out on the sun or a day out with your friends. Your father’s taken a lot from you, but you wouldn’t let him take this.

You wore a one piece bathing suit you had no intention of showing anyone today. JJ greeted you first when the Pogue pulled up to your dock. His arm wrapped around your waist, his hand lightly squeezing your side. You inevitably flinched but forced out a giggle to make it look like JJ had only tickled you. Not hurt you. No one thought anything of it. No one but JJ. He watched you with a narrowed gaze as you said your hellos to the others and popped a squat next to Kie and Sarah.

When John B docked the boat, everyone immediately undressed to get into the cool water.

“C’mon, babe. You’re my partner for Chicken,” JJ walked up to you, the two of you the only ones on the boat.

You looked up and admired his shirtless, toned body. His tan skin glowed against the North Carolina sun and you couldn’t understand how you got so lucky to call him yours.

Then you remembered your predicament and looked out towards your friends to avoid his stare. “I’m not feeling that great today, J.”

“What’s wrong?” JJ asked but he didn’t need to. He already knew what was wrong. He just wanted to see if you would lie about it again.

“Just nauseous,” you said, “I think I ate some bad eggs this morning or something.”

“Some bad eggs, huh?” JJ scoffed.

“JJ...” you sighed. You knew he didn’t buy your lame excuse. You wouldn’t either if it was the other way around.

“You went to see him again, didn’t you?” It wasn’t a question it was a statement.

“Can we not do this here? Please.” You practically begged. You knew this argument could get heated. It usually always did. Neither of you meant to get mad at one another. In the end, it was your dad who was in the wrong. But you guys didn’t like seeing the other one hurt. It was both frustrating and exhausting.

JJ rolled his eyes. “Whatever.” He dove into the water head first and swam out towards his friends.

You dropped your head on the boat’s steering wheel, your forehead thumping against it. You wished cutting ties with your dad was as it easy as it sounds. But now you know that Barry would kill your dad if you didn’t show up for him with the money he owed. And you couldn’t let that happen. It would feel like murdering your own father.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ 

A week later, you found yourself at another boneyard party with your friends. You tried your best to enjoy the night despite your boyfriend giving you the cold shoulder. He was still mad about the incident on the boat. The two of you fought about it when you got back to the Chateau. He knew you were holding something back from him. And you were. You never mentioned Barry or the drugs or the gun to him. As far as JJ knew, you paid your dad’s bills and took him out to lunch every once in a while. And you wanted to keep it this way - afraid of what he might think knowing you were spending time with not only a notorious drug dealer, but his own father.

“I’m gonna get another drink,” you tell Kie as the two of you watched JJ and John B play beer pong against two Tourons.

She nodded and kept her eyes trained on the winning Pogues.

Before you reached the keg, a hand wrapped around your wrist and pulled you away from the crowd, towards the water. When you looked up at who it was, you ripped your hand away and glared at the blonde Kook.

“Y/N -“

“What the hell do you want, Rafe?” You could tell he was high. His eyes wouldn’t stop flickering back between yours, his balance was off, and his pupils were dilated.

“I - I screwed up. I don’t have the money - I didn’t make enough money for Barry’s blow. He’s gonna kill me.”

“Hey, hey. Calm down,” you looked around to make sure no one was eavesdropping.

“You need to help me. You need to sell this -“ he tried shoving small baggies into your hands but you pulled yourself away like he was offering your a lit flame.

“Are you out of your mind. Put that away!”

“I wasn’t - wasn’t keeping track of how many people were using my shit. And then there was this girl -“

“Rafe, I can’t do this.”

“JJ can help. Yeah? His dad -“

“JJ stays out of this,” you took another step towards him so you were face to face with the Kook and he could see how serious you were, even through his high state of mind. “You hear me? JJ’s nothing like his dad and I swear to god I’ll kill you first if you say anything to him.”

“What am I supposed to do?” Rafe raised his voice, frustrated that he couldn’t come up with any other ideas of how he was supposed to get his money back.

“Hey!” You froze when another voice broke you and Rafe apart. JJ walked up from behind you and pointed his finger at the Kook. “What the hell do you think you’re doing? Get away from her.”

You let JJ pull you behind him but kept your eyes on Rafe, trying to warn him from saying anything to your already fired up boyfriend.

Rafe sniffled and took a step back. “Nothing, dude. Relax. Okay?”

“Didn’t look like nothing.”

“Rafe was just leaving,” you said and kept your eyes on Rafe.

“Y/N, you don’t understand. Barry -“

“Rafe!”

JJ’s head snapped in your direction and his brows furrowed in confusion. He knew that name. His dad’s mentioned that name before. It’s usually followed by coke prices.

Rafe just glared at you. “If I die, it’s on you.”

You swallowed the lump in your throat and looked down at the sand as Rafe walked away. JJ slowly turned to look at you as his brain scrambled to put the pieces together.

“Y/N...”

“I don’t want to talk about it.” You said quickly.

“How do you know Barry?” JJ pushed. He didn’t care if you didn’t want to talk about it. He was tired of letting you push him away.

“He’s my dad’s dealer, J. We’ve been over this.” You tried walking away from him but he grabbed your wrist to make you look at him.

“You been to his house?” JJ asked. When you didn’t answer, he took a step back and looked at you incredulously. “You work for him now?”

You glared at him. “Of course not!”

“Then -“

“My dad makes me pay for his shit, okay? And I can’t stop or else Barry will kill him.” You snapped. Tears pricked at your waterline and threatened to fall.

“Barry won’t kill -“

“He pointed a gun at his head the other day! I was there! I had to scoff up hundreds of dollars to save his life.” You shook your head. “And that still wasn’t enough to save myself from a stupid beating. So please stop telling me how much easier it is for me to escape him. Stop telling me how lucky I am to have such a great family to rely on. Because I don’t! If I don’t help my dad out, I might as well sign his death warrant myself.”

JJ’s heart physically cracked in his chest at the sight of you. You were falling apart. Here at a boneyard party, where you should be having fun and forgetting about your problems. But instead he pushed you too far, and although he was relieved to finally hear the truth from you, he wished it had been in the privacy of your home or the Chateau. When he looked over your shoulder, he saw the worried looks of the Pogues looking at them. He didn’t know if he heard them, but he hoped they hadn’t. He still needed time to process this without the pestering questions from his friends. Even if they meant well.

“Okay,” JJ said softly. “Okay. I won’t say anything. I’m sorry. Can we just - “ he sighed. “Can we just go back to the Chateau? I just wanna hold you.”

You sniffled and meekly nodded your head. You were angry and frustrated. But not at him. At Rafe. At your own father. At the world. And you just wanted your boyfriend too.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

That night, you fell asleep pretty fast. From your sore body, to the sleepless nights thinking about Barry and his threats, and the warmth of JJ’s body held against you, your exhausted state quickly took over you. You felt like you could sleep for hours.

JJ, however, did not. He stared up at the blank ceiling with his forearm tucked under his head as his other arm stayed wrapped around you. He couldn’t stop picturing you at Barry’s home with a bunch of old low lifes, scared and innocent. He wondered if his dad was ever there - if he ever said anything to you.

He hated that there wasn’t anything he could do for you unless your dad was gone.

Gone.

And idea popped into his head like someone flicked a light switch on in his brain. He turned his head, back and forth, looking for your phone. When he found it charging on his night stand, he stretched his arm out for it, careful not to wake up your sleeping figure.

He secretly knew your passcode after subtly watching you type it in a couple weeks ago.

His fingers tapped against your screen until he found the app he was looking for. Glancing down at you one last time, he shared your location with his phone.

When you squirmed in his embrace, JJ quickly put the phone back where he found it and pretended to be asleep in case you peeked an eye open at him. He hoped you didn’t feel his heart racing against his rib cage or his uneven breaths. He knew if you found out what he was doing, you’d be pissed. But before he fell asleep, he promised he was going to do anything necessary to keep you safe.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

On the day JJ knew you were going to be busy all day babysitting your neighbor’s kids, he rode his bike to Kildare County’s police station. He stared at the entrance for a long couple of seconds, hating every second of being in near proximity to this place. Basically going against every natural instinct he had to stay away and not trust the police.

But he was doing this for you.

He walked in, ignoring the couple of looks from officers he’s encountered over the years. They were mostly surprised he wasn’t being forced through the doors with his hands cuffed behind his back.

“I need to see Sheriff Peterkin, please.” JJ says politely.

The older woman looked JJ up and down. “Do you have an appointment?”

“It’s the fucking police station. Since when do you have to make appointments? You assume people are just gonna know when an emergency is going to happen?”

“Look kid -“

“JJ.” JJ turned and relief washed over him when he saw Sheriff Peterkin in the hallway looking at him confused but also concerned.

“I need your help.” JJ admitted. He hated cops. Probably always will. But he trusted Sheriff Peterkin. She’s always tried to help John B through his DCS struggles. She actually cared about what he wanted and never took the easy way out just to make her work load lighter. She remembered why she took the oath every day.

Peterkin never really liked the Maybank kid in particular, but she was able to see something in him pretty much every cop couldn’t. She saw the loyalty and the determination his friends saw. She could tell he didn’t want to grow up to be like his father.

She led him into her office and shut the door behind them for privacy. She gestured towards the seat in front of her desk and asked him to explain what was going on.

JJ’s mouth moved a hundred miles per minute. He told her how your mother didn’t know you would sneak out to see your dad despite the custody agreement. He mentioned the bills he made you pay and the bruises he would leave you despite your efforts to help him. He teared up when he mentioned his own dad - and how his father and your father had the same dealer. How your dad would make you go inside Barry’s home and use you like a a community bank account. He even told her about the gun Barry threatened to use on your dad right in front of you.

“Why are you tell me all of this?” Peterkin says slowly. She studied the boy in front of her who was slowly falling apart and felt sympathetic for the young blonde. It didn’t take a genius to know why JJ was telling her this.

“Because...y/n... she has a heart of gold,” JJ sniffled. “She won’t leave her dad behind to be homeless or killed because that man is her blood. It doesn’t matter if he beats her black and blue. She always goes back because she thinks she owes him.” He sighs. “I want him gone. I don’t care what you do to him. Arrest him, kill him. I don’t really care. Although the second choice sounds more strategic -“

“JJ -“

“And I don’t want her getting in any sort of legal trouble because it’s not her fault. She doesn’t do drugs or deal them or anything like that. She just stands there and watches her dad blow his money on coke and who knows what else. And her mom? Her mom has no clue what’s going on but it’s not her fault. Y/n is really good at hiding her pain. She forces a smile every day and -“ JJ’s breath hitched in his throat when he thought about how you faked your happiness every single day and how a girl like you should never feel as worthless as you do. “Her mom’s a good mom. And I don’t want people blaming her or taking Y/n away from her because they think she can’t control her -“

“Hey, look at me,” Peterkin says softly. She wanted to reach over the desk and squeeze his hand to comfort him. “I understand.”

“You do?”

“Yes. I remember having to visit their home when Mrs. Y/L/N was still married to him. Y/N mother’s a good woman. I wouldn’t let anyone come between them.”

“What about her dad? I tried convincing her to never see him again but she won’t do it. She’s afraid Barry will kill him.”

“I can’t bust into Barry’s home without probable cause -“

JJ stood up. “That’s bullshit! You know -“

“Without probable cause or evidence that proves Barry is holding drugs or being violent, I can’t barge into that home.”

“That’s -“

“Here,” Peterkin writes her number down on a post it note and hands it to JJ. “Without probable cause, I can’t arrest Barry and the men who work or buy from him.” She stared at JJ, hoping the boy will understand her hidden message. She points at the post it in JJ’s hands. “Now. If you need anything from me. Call that number and I will find you.”

JJ looked down at the number and slowly nodded his head, understanding what he would have to do.

“And JJ -“ the blonde turned. “Be aware of where your father is when you call me. I dont want you ending up in the same situation as your friend John B if that’s not where you want to be.”

JJ nodded. “Thank you Sheriff Peterkin.”

Peterkin nodded and walked him out of the station.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ 

Three days later, JJ met his friends at the Wreck for lunch. He slowed his pace when he noticed the seat next to Pope wasn’t occupied and neither was the one next to Kie. 

“Where’s Y/N?” He asked them.

Kie looked at the others with furrowed brows. They all got the same text. The one where Y/N apologetically told them that something came up and wouldn’t be able to hang out today. They thought JJ would have known that. 

“She said she couldn’t make it,” Kie says. “We thought you knew.”

“Did she say why?” 

Pope shrugged. “Just that something came up.”

JJ ripped his phone out of his back pocket and scrolled through his messages with you. You didn’t text him - you didn’t even answer his good morning text. He knew what this meant. You didn’t like to lie, so you’re way of dodging questions you didn’t want to answer honestly is to make sure no one can ask you them. By avoiding them all together. JJ knew that. It made sense to him. 

“JJ, what’s going on?” John B asked his friends, recognizing the look on his best friend’s face. He was furious but also anxious. His leg hasn’t stopped bouncing up and down since he asked where you were. 

JJ clicked on the app that showed your location and saw you were deep into the south side of the Cut. He recognized the area of his father’s drug dealer. 

“We gotta go,” JJ stood up and motioned for his friends to follow. “Now. JB, you bring the Twinkie?”

“Yeah, but...” John B stuttered as he grabbed his stuff off the table. “What’s going on?”

“We're saving my girl from that douche bag she calls a father,” JJ says. “For good.”

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ 

John B pulled the Twinkie to the curb outside of Barry’s house, making sure to use the trees to hide his vehicle. The Pogues immediately recognized your car parked in Barry’s driveway. Confusion bubbled through their heads, but rage ignited in JJ’s.

“Why is she here?” Kie asked. 

JJ didn’t answer. He picked up his phone and clicked on Peterkin’s name. “It’s JJ.” The Pogues paused as they listened to JJ to talk to the Sheriff. “I -” He stopped when the sound of a gun shot being fired silenced all of them into panic. 

“JJ -” Peterkin called for him but JJ didn’t answer. He dropped the phone so fast and sprinted out of the van, towards the house. He didn’t care what kind of danger he was running into. He just knew he had to get you out of it. 

JJ ignored the calls from his best friends behind him as he ripped open the screen door. He stopped, looking left, right, up, down - anywhere for you.

He heard the commotion coming from Barry’s living room along with shouting and glass smashing. The first person he saw was Barry holding a gun up to the ceiling, pointed at the hole he left above him only seconds ago. He was glaring in the direction of you and your father, barely taking notice of the new kid in his home. Luke Maybank was the first to notice his son and narrowed his eyes in his direction. JJ gulped nervously - he didn’t know if it was because he was afraid of the guy with the gun or his dad. But what he feared the most was you not being okay.

Your eyes grew wide with fear when you saw the new face. You looked between JJ and Barry nervously, not knowing how Barry would react to the new member in his house. He was already pissed as it is, threatening to shoot you in front of your dad because neither of you could fork over the money your dad owed Barry. He was getting tired of the same old bullshit, and Rafe didn’t help. He stood silently in the corner with his fingers racked through his hair.

“Who the fuck are you?” Barry pointed the gun at JJ when he finally noticed him. 

“Hey, hey, hey, he’s good!” Luke came closer to Barry and said, “That’s my son.”

“What the fuck is he doing here?” Barry asked him. 

Luke looked past Barry at JJ for an answer he couldn’t give him. JJ glanced from Barry, to his dad, to you and gulped again as he tried to come up with answer. That’s when you understood what was going on. He was following you. 

You didn’t know if you should be mad or not. All you could focus on was the gun in Barry’s hand that’s still pointed in JJ’s direction. 

“Look, kid,” Your dad said to Barry, gaining his attention all over again. “I’ll make it up to you.” He put his hand on your shoulder and shoved you slightly forward. “You want to have her for the night? She’s all yours.”

Your head snapped in your father’s direction with your mouth open agape. Did your dad seriously just try to pimp you out? You felt betrayed, vile, used, and worthless. This isn’t something you do when you love your kid.

JJ seethed and clenched his hands in fists, ready to rock the shit out of your dad. “You son of a bitch -”

Luke, however, caught him in time, holding him by the arm and pulling him away from your dad. JJ tried fighting him off to get to your dad or you - to get you out of this entire home. He saw the scared look on your face and it made him want to set the entire house on fire. He’d do anything to protect you - to keep you safe. And right now, he thought he was failing. 

Then, red and blue lights flashed through the open windows, followed by loud sirens. Barry crossed the room to stand next to you and your father and looked out the window. When he saw the cops, he immediately swiveled around to point his gun at your boyfriend. 

“You called the fucking cops?” Barry sneered. 

“Stop!” You yelled to try and get Barry’s attention and away from JJ. 

You dad tried to use Barry’s distraction to his advantage and snuck up behind him to try and reach for the gun. Barry spun around and tried pulling his wrist away from your dad’s grip. As they fought for the gun and an upper hand, you ran across the room for JJ who immediately wrapped his arms around your waist. He kissed the top of your head and motioned for the front door, mumbling about leaving.

You nodded and grasped his hand in yours. When he turned to lead you out of there, another shot rang out and you flinched closer to JJ as he ducked and pulled your head down with his arms and shields your body with his. 

You heard a thump and the floor vibrated under your feet. 

“Shit -”

“Fuck -”

“What did you do that for -”

“Jerry? Hey! Jerry!”

Everything kind of moved in slow motion after that. You turned around to see what had happened and that’s when you saw your dad laying on the floor with a puddle of blood growing around his body. Your feet moved faster than your brain did to get to your dad. 

JJ tried reaching for you but you swiveled out of his grip and dropped to your knees in front of your dad’s body. His eyes were closed and his mouth open. You placed your hands on top of the wound in his stomach to get it to stop bleeding. You cried. You didn’t know why you were crying but you did. Hard and heavy, barely able to get your own breaths in. You didn’t pay attention to Rafe fleeing from the backyard, or Barry being stopped by the cops who stormed into the house with guns raised. You barely felt JJ place his hands on your shoulders to try and coax you up. All you saw and could feel was your dad’s dead body and his blood on your hands. 

“Honey,” You felt another set of hands touch your back as they knelt down next to you. You didn’t look at her but recognized the familiar voice. “He’s gone. It’s over.”

“No -” You voice was barely above a whisper. 

“I’m sorry. Let’s get you cleaned up. Okay?” 

Sheriff Peterkin nodded at JJ to help you up and lead you out of the house. He was  finally able to pull you up from your knees and placed a comforting hand on your lower back. 

Your friends watched from the barricade the police set up around the house. When they saw you, all of them either started to panic or cry. They thought your were hurt until JJ nodded at them to tell them you were okay. But they could see in your face you were anything but okay.

Another cop lead you to the back of an ambulance. You don’t even look at Luke being handcuffed next to Barry or Rafe disappearing in the trees. All you can think about is your dad. 

The EMT did a quick check up on you after realizing the blood on your hands was in fact not yours. Then they took a quick look at JJ and asked if there was someone they could call for you.

“My mom -” You whispered. 

The EMT nodded. “Do you have a number?”

You told the EMT her number and waited patiently as she walked away to call her. When the two of you were alone, JJ turned to look at you and reached out for your hands and held them in his lap. He rubbed his thumb up and down over the back of your hand and waited for you to say something. He didn’t know if any words could make this right. He didn’t know how to comfort you after you just witnessed your dad died. It didn’t matter if you hated him or not. You literally watched him take his last breath. Your own flesh and blood. That shit’s traumatizing. 

“I’m sorry,” JJ said when he realized you were not going to say anything. “I didn’t mean for any of this to happen. I just - I just wanted to make sure you were okay.”

“This is my fault.”

“No,” JJ shook his head. “No. It’s not your fault. It’s Barry’s. He was the one with the gun -”

“I should’ve walked away. From my dad. From all of this.” A single tear rolled down your cheek. “I enabled him. I allowed it to get this far.”

“You were doing what you thought was best for your dad.”

“I got him killed -”

“He did this to himself, Y/N. You were more than the perfect daughter. You literally couldn't be more perfect if you tried.” JJ wrapped his arm around your shoulder and pulled you closer into his side and kissed the top of your head. “He didn’t deserve you. There’s nothing you could have done to prevent this.”

You cried into his shoulder, letting the sobs wrack through your body and your heart tear into millions of pieces. JJ held you tightly against him and whispered comforting words in your ears. 

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ 

JJ stood by you through your grieving process - through the good and the bad. He’s took your harsh words with a grain a salt when he noticed you were just trying to pick a fight, he held you when you cried into your pillow in the middle of the night, he was by your side for a hand to hold when you told your mother what happened and why you were at Barrys for the millionth time, and he was there to tell you he will always be there for you when you think he’s just going to up and leave like your dad did.

After your dad’s funeral, you stood in front of his tombstone with a solemn expression. Your dad was a piece of shit and didn’t deserve your love, money, and attention. You wished you could go back and time and never give it to him. At least that way you wouldn’t feel all these complicated emotions that made no sense. Love, hate, grief, relief. You didn’t know how to feel. 

Coming up behind you was JJ. He weaved his fingers with yours and kissed your temple. You couldn’t believe there was ever a day where JJ Maybank was your enemy. You didn’t think you’d be able to get through this without him.

“JJ,” You said and looked up at him. “Thank you.”

JJ nodded. “I love you.” He would never admit this, but he was glad you dad was dead. Because now he knew you were safe. 

“I love you more.”

JJ shook his head. “Impossible.”

Tag List: @allycat449-blog​ @zarahsloves​ @redknight9​

[danny-chase]

Do you think that Tim saved Dick in a way? Because we see Dick getting better as he gets closer to Tim and healing and getting back into the family, and ig it’s Tim who initiated that.

I literally don't have a yes or no answer for this... like most things in the Batfam - it's complicated. (Following answer is informed by 90s-00s comics, i can't really speak for new52 because it just... has so many issues one of which being erasing the relationship between Dick and Tim for *checks note* no discernable reason other than possibly *checks note* Didio hates legacy characters and wants only bad things for them so he could have excuses to kill them off or cancel their comics... idk just a guess)

Warnings: for Bruce stans - just look away i'm about to bring up bits of canon you most likely don't like, for Dick stans - Devin Grayson's run is mentioned, for the lovely anon - i wrote an essay, hope you are prepared

Tim coming into the family gave Dick a reason to occasionally hang around Bruce and i'm not sure if this is an exaggeration or not but he did sort of save that relationship - but whether that was a good or bad thing at the time, i can't really say. For sure - it starts off good, Bruce is actually trying to be a good dad (he comes down to Blud to check on Dick, adopts him, trusts him with his own city, calls him for backup, etc.). But we also see throughout Bruce Wayne: Fugitive/Murderer how unhealthy the relationship between the two can be. Dick built his core values around Bruce - if Bruce had actually killed here it would have been devastating for Dick (he was pretty much on the verge of a mental breakdown simply because they couldn't find proof Bruce wasn't guilty). The two literally got in a fist fight during the arc because Bruce was being uncommunicative and Dick couldn't take it anymore, snapped, and punched him when Bruce said "Bruce Wayne is dead only Batman now" - this tied into Dick finally having the relief and validation of being adopted and he couldn't handle Bruce stripping himself (and by extension, his fatherhood of Dick) away. In this era of comics Bruce had gotten physical with Dick before (here's me venting like an annoyed loser), and here's a clip from Bruce Wayne Fugitive that i just, *sigh*, canon Bruce, my detested.

Now on the other hand - getting Dick involved in the batfam more doesn't just mean he was hanging out with Bruce. His relationship with Tim is pretty great and I can definitely see where it was healing for a while - but also - to give credit where credit is due, the healing he goes through during this era of comics can also be attributed to Barbara and the Titans (the fab five specifically). Wally literally joins the Titans to give Dick a "social life" (me - it's because he's gay and wants to spend more time with Dick, actually, screw you DC you know i'm right). Donna plays a major part in keeping Dick's emotional well being in check. So like everything was going fine - Dick was healing, spending more time with friends, spending a lot of time with people he loved, like Tim, except he was neglecting his health and not sleeping - but overall he was in fact, managing, and moving past the deaths of Jason and some of the other Titans. With the current Titans - he was a hardass (which like ~trauma~ so I understand), but like things were going relatively okay.

And then Donna and Lilith died. And hooof Donna dying was like really really bad for his mental health.

Teen Titans/Outsiders Secret Files (2003) #1

[Image ID: Dick sits in a room staring at a photo, the phone rings in the background, and he doesn't even acknowledge it, the voice mail plays: "I'm not here. Leave a message after the beep." The photo is shown closer in the next frame, it's of the five original Teen Titans - Roy kisses Donna on the cheek, tipping his hat his other hand making the okay sign, Donna has an arm around Roy, the other hand on Dick's shoulder, Garth proudly stands beaming with his hands on his hips, and Dick has both his arms around Wally's neck. Everyone is smiling in the photo. A voice plays over the answering machine: "Dick, it's Roy - pick up the phone... c'mon... please... I know you're there... just pick up. Dick, we need to talk... you can't just... please..." End ID]

For context - the previous page noted that this is Dick SIX WEEKS after Donna died. Usually Dick's the one who moves on quickly, but Donna dying broke him in a way nothing else had before - and that could be partly because he was still recovering from everyone else's death.

Up to this point, Dick had been healing and Tim was definitely a part of that, but then DC decided to throw the absolute book, bookshelf, and library at him. Reading Outsiders (2003) it's very clear he's very traumatized, and around the same time, Devin is literally whumping him like it's the whump Olympics, breaking him and Babs up, burning down his childhood home, blowing up his apartment complex (killing all but like two of his neighbors), he's literally sleeping on fire escapes using newspapers as covering because he has nothing, and the bad thing i don't like to think about (i'll let you know if you ask but that one needs lots of tw, but if you know where i'm going you know what it is already), Blockbuster is killed and he blames himself - and loses it over breaking Bruce's one rule, Bludhaven is nuked, and he pretty much tries to kill himself.

So basically, he was on the path to healing (with Tim as part of that) before he got absolutely destroyed (and almost killed off by Didio in one of the crisis). Tim in his own right, was also going through a lot in the meantime, his dad died, Steph died, Kon and Bart died, i don't remember what else happened and i haven't read that era of Robin yet. Things were good until they weren't anymore, and sometimes i think Dick would regret ever exposing Tim to the life they live, and questions whether he should have just sent Tim packing x2. They do get to spend a year together on a mental health cruise, but then Damian comes into the picture, Battle for the Cowl happens, and they have their falling out. But whatever happened on that cruise must have been really healing for Dick because he actually kind of rocks it in this era - he keeps things light with Damian, Alfred notes at one point how he makes things easy because he has lightness in him, and he patches things up with Tim - catching him in that panel of Red Robin - from there they kind of go back to normal, there's a lightness to the way they banter with each other (also here) and Tim returns the favor (from the Red Robin incident) by pulling Dick out of the water.

They've saved each other multiple times over (physically), and in both in the Black Mirror and Gates of Gotham, Tim helps out in a period where Dick is starting to fall apart from the pressure of holding things together for so long (something Tim might feel guilty for, because he did run away from Gotham on a wild goose chase for Bruce). In that period, it's really clear that Dick saves Tim (he reminds him in RR, that someone does actually care for him) and then Tim saves Dick from being torn apart by Gotham.

I should point out - Damian, while starting off as kind of a hinderance, does eventually start helping Dick as well. By the end of their relationship (before the New52 destroys everything i love), Dick has helped Damian grow emotionally, and through that process Dick probably finds meaning and value in their time together, probably a lot like he used to feel with Tim. And of course, physically, they've both saved each other multiple times by the end of the run.

So yeah. I think Dick finds meaning in growth in mentoring his younger brothers, and it's likely a healing process, that healing just has some twists and turns along the way, and sometimes, on bad days, he probably feels like maybe he shouldn't have intervened at all, but i think on most days, he's proud of what Tim's become.

...I hope this is coherent lmao

[ga-yuu]

~Kurama~Main Story Chapter 23~

Chapter 22

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*

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-------Part 1-------

Akihito: “I want to apologize to you. You can hate me all you want. One more curse on me now won’t make much difference.”

(What are you going to me....?)

A gently outstretched hand touches my hair as gently as if he was guilty....and then quickly moves away.

Akihito-sama stood up and his smile was already gone.

Akihito: "-----Yasuchika. Give her the treatment as planned."

Yasuchika: "....As you wish."

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

Yoritomo: "Kagetoki, have you received any new information?"

Kagetoki: "Just now."

During the march of the main body of the Shogunate, Kagetoki, who was talking to a messenger soldier, lined up next to Yoritomo's horse.

Kagetoki: "It is not good news. The advance party, which has reached its destination, has begun to fight the Rebels ahead of us."

After a moment's silence, Yoritomo processes the information without expressing any emotion.

Yoritomo: "Is Yoshino safe?"

Kagetoki: "Tamamo intervened, but she was taken away by the enemy demon and Yasuchika-dono. He and Kurama, who was also at the scene of the battle, will join us."

Yoritomo: "-----Kurama. I don't know if it's a good thing or a bad thing."

Kagetoki: "At least, the Imperial Court seems to have planned to kill Kurama on the spot. By making Tamamo the forerunner, we were able to throw a wrench in their calculations. Let us widen the gap little by little, and completely destroy the intentions of the Court."

Yoritomo: "I get it. Kagetoki, you're in your element. When we get to the battlefield, you'll be in charge of finding out what's going on and controlling the troops."

Kagetoki: "Understood. What about Yoritomo-sama?"

Yoritomo: "It's obvious. I take every trick."

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

At the same time----The Rebels were also hurrying their horses towards the battlefield.

Benkei: "You don't look good, Yoshitsune-sama."

Yoshitsune: "....Benkei."

Benkei, who had come running up, was the first to sense that something was wrong with Yoshitsune.

Benkei: "Are you worried about Kurama?"

Yoshitsune: "I can't hide anything from you."

Giving up on hiding, Yoshitsune shrugs his shoulder.

Yoshitsune: "The one incident in which the envoy with Yoshino and the advance party was attacked by the Shogunate was a trap set by the Imperial Court. I know Kurama's life is safe because our deal is not broken....I can't help but have a bad feeling about all of this."

Benkei cajoles, at Yoshitsune's muttering.

Benkei: "We will always help Kurama no matter what. He's one of us."

Yoshitsune: ".....Yeah, thank you Benkei."

Benkei: "Kurama is lucky to be thought of so highly by Yoshitsune-sama."

Yoshitsune smiles faintly at Benkei's sorrowful words.

Yoshitsune: "I'm sure I'm the one who's getting lucky. Kurama taught me how to fight when I was just a child. He gave me strength. That also led me to a path where I met you guys."

Benkei: "....Yoshitsune-sama."

On the back of his horse, Yoshitsune looked quietly into the distance.

Yoshitsune: "I owe Kurama too much. I'm always trying to figure out how to pay it back."

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

(...Nnn....it hurts...what..is happening to me now?)

I struggled to keep my head above water.

(Yasuchika-san...did some kind of....magic spell...on me after that....)

Ibuki: "You'd better take it easy, Yoshino."

--------Part 2-------

Ibuki: "You'd better take it easy, Yoshino. Your body is not normal right now.”

Ibuki was looking down at me as I lay in the tent.

Yoshino: “Yasuchika..san..and  Akihito..san...”

Ibuki: “Yasuchika is no longer useful for the time being because of the large amount of spell applied on you and Akihito is busy planning and preparing his own traps. If you need someone to talk to, you’ll be glad to know that I’m available.”

When I looked down at the body, I saw a mysterious purple thread of light wrapped around it.

It bites and creaks when I move.

Yoshino: “What did they do to me?”

Ibuki: “Curious? You’re going to be our puppet?”

Ibuki wipes the sweat from my forehead with a hand towel.

Ibuki: “Yasuchika’s spells seem to be slowly getting used to your body, I think. Soon your powers will be out of control.”

(Out of control!?)

Ibuki: “You can’t normally handle a demonic power past human capacity. Do you know about that?”

Wanting a bit of information, I answered his question.

Yoshino: “....If I draw out too much magic power, my own body will be destroyed.”

(That’s why I can’t use foxfire or Kotodama. All I can do is ‘take away another demon’s powers.’)

I repeated the same words Tamamo taught me, in my head.

Then, an unpleasant premonition ran cold on my spine.

Ibuki: “Yasuchika’s power breaks the circuits of your power and at the same time stops your body from disintegrating. In return, you’ll surrender control of your body to us.”

Yoshino: “So that’s your puppet....?”

Ibuki: “Doesn’t that sound fun...? You’ll also be able to try out different fox powers lavishly.”

(....No, it isn’t.)

Yoshino: “You’ll also make me attack my allies, won’t you?”

Ibuki: “Not just your allies, but the Rebels too. The Imperial Court wants the Shogunate and the Rebels to fall together. You are a pawn in the process.”

(...... I can’t allow that to happen.)

But the fact is that all I can do is lay here and I can’t even lift a finger.

I could feel the purple light slowly seeping into my body, like despair.

(I know intuitively. When this light is extinguished, the process is complete and my demonic powers will be out of control.)

(Is there any way to escape?)

Ibuki: “Want some help?”

Yoshino: “Eh?”

Ibuki: “If you make a deal with me, I’ll release you from this pain.”

A sweet whisper strikes my ear as if my thoughts were read.

Yoshino: “What’s its......the deal?”

Ibuki: “We’ll lure Yoritomo and Yoshitsune out first and kill them. Even though you’re yet to be our puppet, your abilities are more accurate and powerful when they are in your agreement. If you crush the heads of both armies, the limbs will stop. The rest of the army will be spared.”

(Kill Yoritomo and Yoshitsune to save many others....?)

Ibuki: “What do you say? It’s easy to kill two people than to kill two whole armies, right? The others will surely understand. You will be the hero who saves the worst.”

I purse my lips and think of all the possibilities.

And----

Yoshino: “I’m not in the deal.”

Ibuki: “......Ohh. Can I ask why?”

--------Part 3--------

Yoshino: “I’m not in the deal.”

Ibuki: “......Ohh. Can I ask why?”

Yoshino: “Kurama told me once that you have a habit of taking pleasure in corrupting people.”

(From what I could see,...Ibuki took pleasure in hurting Kurama.)

Yoshino: “You Ibuki...you can’t be trusted.”

Ibuki’s eyes narrowed bewitchingly as he tests me.

Ibuki: “Are you really going to believe the Rebels and Kurama? Who is a demon like me? I suppose he’s a bit like me when it comes to natural inclinations. He has also been toying with you.”

(I can’t deny that. But still.)

Yoshino: “....Kurama never lies. Not to others and not to himself. Kurama, who was eager to challenge Tamamo, left you. I think it proves that Ibuki has done something very wrong to Kurama.”

When I have finally finished, I exhaled long enough to relieve the physical pain.

Yoshino: “Even if Yoritomo and Yoshitsune die, this war will not stop. Ibuki knew that and tried to deceive me, right?”

Ibuki: “-----I’m listening. Go on.”

Ibuki’s eyes turned to me for the first time, as if he was seriously intrigued.

Yoshino: “Because the two of them have such a great influence....If they die, the army will run wild with sorrow and anger, and this war will burn until everyone is ashes.”

(In the Shogunate and even in the Rebels....I’ve seen with my own eyes how many people adore the two of them.)

Ibuki: “So that’s it. Apparently, you’re not as ordinary as you look. Ordinary people lose their cool in the face of confusion and despair if they are induced by sweet talk.”

Yoshino: “What...are you up to...now?”

I glared at Ibuki.

Ibuki: “You must be in a lot of pain, but you’re strong. I like you. I can’t wait to see your face when you cry.”

(....He looks so serious.)

His eyes remind me of Kurama, though they don’t look much alike.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

1. Remember Kurama’s face.

2. Remember Kurama’s voice.

3. Remember Kurama’s strength.(+4/+4)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

(------Kurama.)

When I call your name in my heart, I feel strangely courageous.

(-----Kurama does not give in to anyone.)

(As long as the longing I had that day lives on in my heart, my heart will not die either.)

Ibuki: “What happened? Why are you suddenly so quiet?”

Yoshino: “I....will never despair in your presence.”

Ibuki: “What?”

(I’m really trying hard to hold on to my frustration.)

I feel like I’m going crazy like my body is being transformed even as I’m doing this.

(At least I want to have my heart as my own.)

Yoshino: “I will prove to you the strength of humans that I believe in.”

(The man I love, my enemy-----to live a life without shame for Kurama.)

I looked at Ibuki as if to challenge him while feeling the pain running through my body.

Ibuki: “.................. Interesting. Then let’s play that game.”

A mysterious heat lights up behind Ibuki’s eyes.

The usual sarcastic smile had disappeared.

Ibuki: “Show me what you’re really made of.”

--------Part 4-------

Ibuki: “Show me what you’re really made of.”

(Is this your true face...Ibuki?)

I couldn’t help but notice the serious expression on the demon’s face who loves to play with humans.

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

Ibuki: “Do you know what you’re gonna do here?”

Sometime later I was carried out of the tent and onto the battlefield.

Yoshino: “Let...go...”

Ibuki: “You should enjoy your limited freedom while you can. Be grateful that I’m helping you.”

It’s frustrating, but my body can’t stand up on its own anymore.

(....If I had been on the battlefield, I would have been irretrievably injured....)

Ibuki: “Oh look, aren’t they Shogunate soldiers. Let’s kill them first.”

Yoshino: “.....!”

Shogunate soldier 1: “Yoshino-san!?”

The other side recognized me and rushes towards me.

Yoshino: “No! DON’T COME CLOSER!!

Ibuki puts his palm on my back as I scream.

(I feel...hot....)

I could see an intricate pattern glowing on my chest.

Ibuki: “Attack!”

(I won’t....)

Shogunate soldier 1: “Yoshino-san, what are you...?”

Yoshino: “RUN AWAY! NOW!!”

With a sensation of weakness in the whole body, a blue flame appeared in the air.

It lights up everyone’s face with spitefulness.

(Foxfire-----)

Shogunate soldier: “What the hell!?”

Yoshino: “DON’T COME...CLOSER...”

Shaking my head, I could see the silvery hair swaying from the corner of my eye.

(I hate this. I hate this. I don’t want to hurt anyone. I hate this!)

The bones scream when I remind myself to dam up the overflowing spell.

The trajectory of the exploding foxfire just barely deflected and gouged the ground beneath the soldiers’ feet.

Ibuki: “....Did you deflect it on your own?”

(It worked this time...)

(But even I can make foxfire. That’s crazy----)

(If I hit any one of them, they’ll die.)

I realized the horrors of Yasuchika-san’s spell.

Through the still rising cloud of dust, we could see the soldiers running away.

(....! Some are limping. Even though they escaped a direct hit.)

When I got that far into the situation, I reached the limit of being uptight and fell to my knees.

Ibuki pulled me up and holds my body.

Ibuki: “Are you using your willpower to overthrow the spell?”

Yoshino: “Ibuki said...the accuracy and power of the spell...will be greater if the intentions are the same. So...I’ll keep resisting...”

Ibuki: “Yasuchika’s spell is solid. No matter how hard you fight, one day you will be defeated. If you resist, the spell will put you in place and your body will collapse.”

(I’m scared...when I think I’d die...)

Yoshino: “.....But it’s better than giving up.”

Ibuki: “......You’re too stubborn for your own good.”

Ibuki frowns as if he was been caught off guard.

Ibuki: “Who are you? Where in this body do you get this energy?”

Yoshino: “I’m just a human. So I’ll always do the best I can.”

My hair, wet with cold sweat, sticks to my cheeks, which is depressing.

Ibuki: “-----We’re moving.”

The frustration of being held like a real doll, unable to move, was overwhelming.

Ibuki puts me on a horse and we rode through the battlefield......

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

Ibuki: “I think you’ve reached your limit.”

Yoshino: “Haa......ah......”

(What...was I doing...?)

(Fight...no, attack everyone..)

(How long...has..passed..?)

We met both the Shogunate and the Rebel soldiers on the way, and each time I attacked them with foxfire just barely managing to deflect it.

It’s strange that I was able to keep conscious.

Yoshino: “I haven’t killed....anyone...yet, right?”

Ibuki: “You don’t even know what you’re doing anymore, do you?”

I clenched my teeth and glared at Ibuki.

Yoshino: “Answer me!”

Ibuki: “....you didn’t.”

(Thank god...)

(I can still be me.)

Ibuki: “You’re a strange woman.”

Yoshino: “I’ve heard that before....from someone....else....”

Ibuki: “Huh?”

I muttered, floating in the heat.

(Oh, I see.)

Yoshino: “....Kurama.”

Ibuki: “.......do you like him that much?”

--------Part 5--------

Ibuki: “Do you like him that much?”

Yoshino: “I don’t like him...”

Ibuki: “Don’t lie.”

(Because words like that don’t do it justice.)

Yoshino: “I love him.”

Ibuki: “....................”

I heard Ibuki gasp faintly.

Ibuki: “You’re so----”

(Ibuki?)

As if hesitating, Ibuki’s hand reached out to touch my cheek and then-----

Yoshino: “Nn....ah....”

Ibuki: “----Time’s up.”

A burning heat spread from my chest.

Ibuki: “The spell is complete. And look, the main body of the Shogunate is also approaching.”

As I look out, I see a large group of people on horseback down the cliff.

(Stop! Stop! Please---)

Ibuki: “Our game is over. Get comfortable, Yoshino.”

His voice sounded even gentler.

(.....I can’t control it anymore.)

Yoshino: “Don’t come...”

The foxfire scorches the sky and falls down the cliff.

(Is that all I can do?)

(Don’t give up yet. I don’t want to end my life in disgrace.)

These thoughts were like a flashback to my time in the Rebel mansion.

Yes, that was when I was almost killed by soldiers who had a grudge against the Shogunate-----

I was about to give up everything when I was met with the cold fury of Kurama.

------FLASHBACK------

Yoshino: “Help! Kurama—-”

Kurama: “That’s right. Beg me from the bottom if your heart.”

-----FLASHBACK ENDS-----

(Help me!)

Before I could think, I inhaled and shouted in a dry voice.

Yoshino: “Help, Kurama!”

A moment later----a gust of wind forces the foxfires away.

Ibuki: “....! No way.”

(This wind----)

Even the remnants of the foxfire that exploded in mid-air were blown sky-high.

Black feathers fluttered with the wind that rose from the bottom of the cliff.

Kurama: “-----You wished well, Yoshino.”

Yoshino: “Ah....”

(Is it for real....?)

I struggled to see through my blurred vision, hoping that the fever and pain cause me to have an illusion.

Ibuki: “....Are you out of your mind? You’re injured.”

Kurama: “Don’t touch her.”

As he lands on the cliff, Kurama made his way, while opening his fan.

Kurama: “If you touch her, I’ll kill you. Even if you don’t touch her, I’ll kill you.”

The wind turned into a deadly blade and attacked Ibuki all at once.

Ibuki: “It’s too good to come at this moment. This is reality, Kurama!”

Ibuki’s greatsword tears through the wind blade. One of the blades barely cuts through Ibuki’s cheek.

Ibuki: “Alas, the curtain has fallen. Yoshino, you take care of Kurama.”

Ibuki pushed my back as I fall forward.

Yoshino: “Nn....”

Kurama: “Yoshino!”

(I can’t...control my powers...)

Golden balls of light rise over the vastest area ever seen.

It became a huge vortex, forcibly sucking the power out of Kurama.

(No...stop!!)

Ibuki: “It’s a reaction to all you’ve endured. I’m afraid you’re going to get yourself into trouble.”

Kurama: “Where are you going?”

Ibuki: “Just know, that I won’t be there to see you die.”

Ibuki slipped through the smokescreen of dust.

As if to support this, a foxfire blazes up in front of Kurama on its own.

The blue foxfire spreads out on the ground, quickly burning through the grass and closing in on Kurama’s feet.

Kurama: “Yoshino.”

Yoshino: “Ku..ra..ma...’

With his wind blades, Kurama pushes the foxfire away.

But in the meantime, a golden vortex swept relentlessly around Kurama, stealing his power.

(Ah)

Kurama closes the distance, forcing his way through the vortex that clings to his body.

He grabbed me tightly by the wrist and my cheek brushed against his solid chest.

Kurama: “I know what you’re going through. Be patient.”

Yoshino: “.....nn...mnn....”

(Eh?)

I felt a popping pain in my body and my spell was suddenly broken.

Yoshino: “What are you...?”

Kurama: “From the restraint of Yasuchika, I temporarily bound your soul with my magical power. It won’t last long, and it won’t alleviate the pain or fever, but it should stop the outburst for now.”

Yoshino: “Really...?”

Kurama: “Yeah.”

The languidness that had taken over my whole body was still there, but I moved my fingertips fearfully and a little freedom returned.

(Ah, thank god....then for once, I don’t have to hurt Kurama.)

My body was also burning from inside out because I sucked out Kurama’s power.

Kurama’s low voice was the only thing I could hear clearly through the rain and the ringing in my ears.

Kurama: “Is it painful?’

It’s a question without any embellishment, which is why I couldn’t disguise my true feelings at the moment.

Yoshino: “It is..”

(I can’t help it anymore...)

(It’s hot...I can’t think anymore...)

Kurama: “I see.”

(Why does Kurama have a painful expression?)

Kurama’s hand was placed gently on my throat and his sharp nails brushed against my skin.

Kurama: “Tell me what you want.”

Chapter 24

[abysscronica]

🪶 so now that that’s out of the way, I’d like to address Killers concern and care for Birdie that, at least to me, comes off as very brother-ish. He exchanges playful banter with her, Which according to the crew isn't normal due to his lack of interaction with people lower than him let alone joking with them.

There are also many instances where Killer doesn’t beat around the bush and directly asks Birdie about how she’s doing. I feel like this may be because of his experience with kids unwillingness to address emotions and physical weaknesses so he’s used to being the one to bring up the subject so he can assess if he needs to intervene or not. For example, many times throughout the story he asks if she’s hungry, he asks if she’s hurt so he could assess what kid did to her, he asks if she’ll be okay when they were torturing prisoners, and generally asks about her well being. But! He doesn’t push her too hard on certain things like when asking about her past. He also does good to warn her about things such as when kid was going to take prisoners and how he will inevitably hurt her even if by accident. He then follows up with this by telling her to come to him if/when he, or anyone else on the crew, hurts her or makes her feel unsafe. He says that he doesn’t want her to feel lost when/if that happens. He also says it wouldn't be the first time Kids hurt- (probably finishing with something along the lines of someone he "loves" or "cares about") and this makes me wonder if this could possibly be him thinking back on a time where he got hurt by kid and by saying that he doesn't want birdie to feel lost is admitting that he felt that way himself. This could also be a callback to the Gordo incident where he has become protective and wants to be able to intervene if there’s even a possibility that something similar to that may occur. Also, by warning her of the possibility of kid hurting her and telling her to come to him he is setting it up so when something happens he is able to help her work through it which means he’s protecting kid as his friend by not allowing an incident between him and Birdie to destroy their relationship which will make Kid feel angry and guilty. And by Birdie to coming to him it’s easier because trying to allow Birdie to work through her feelings and forgive kid is probably easier than trying to do it the other way around.

When Kid and Birdie have their big fight and she goes to killer he puts Birdie at ease by letting her stay in his room. He also doesn’t press her about the details of what happened which was a smart move as it didn’t force her to relive what had happened while the wounds were still fresh. He then went on to allow her adequate time to process everything by promising her that she won’t be bothered while in his room. He makes good on this promise by not allowing kid into the room with her. This also protects kid by not letting him upset her further because he doesn’t want Kid to lose her, because I feel like even if she's just entertaining to him at the time she makes kid happier than he was before. (Killer is just being bro of the year and wingman-ing his ass off. He honestly deserves to be payed for this with all the work he’s having to put in)

Then we have the abundance of reassurance he gives her throughout the story. Whenever he does the speech about it not being her fault that she was abandoned and she wasn't at fault for being alone as a kid it makes me wonder if he had to convince himself and Kid the same thing as they grew up together in what was probably a similar situation. He also tries to ease her mind by suggesting that her and kid to let go of what they’re supposed to feel about each other and just accept what they do feel. He also does her less obvious favors such as promising to guarantee Koby a quick death if she cooperates and tells him what he wants to know. He also does her little favors such as compromising with kid in order to allow her to go into town with heat and shows softness to her when apologizing to her when he had to break it to her that the papers didn't mention her.

He also calms her down when he jumped off the ship with her and said he used to do that with kid when he was younger. This makes me wonder if he had his devil fruit at the time which would kind of explain it calming him down from the standpoint of the sea water weakening him physically. Either way he definitely draws many connections between her and kid which I feel makes him care for her as she’s similar to his friend. He admits this when he draws a comparison to her and kids transparentness.

He also shows a respect for her (or it may just be a respect for her being Kids woman) by covering her up when she was exposed out on the deck at night which could also be him wanting her to feel more secure and less vulnerable. He does the same when he asks her not to expose her chest when tending to her wound even though he’s already seen it. Speaking of that scene I feel like when he was helping Birdie with her wound it may have mirrored times where killer might have done the same with Kid (as it’s been shown he has no problem with just ignoring injuries) which would have only further connected the two in his mind. He also shows a level of respect when he found interest in birdie possibly being Surprise D and even when he confirmed it he still kept his mouth shut (which could be him wanting to respect her secret or thinking that he is protecting kid from the information for some reason?).

Then there’s the numerous occasions where he physically protects her or at least attempts to(when she was falling when the boot stopped working and when he was holding the sale in the storm). Whenever the island incident occurred he pulled her away from kid when she tried to run up to him and stays outside the room the whole time she visits kid after he rages. He also gives her his bed to use so she's not with kid or on the deck all night. He is very aware of the harm his friend can do and that’s why it’s even more impactful when he yells at her asking if she really thought she knew his behavior better than he did.

There’s also when he disregarded the anonymity his mask gives him in exchange for saving Birdie from drowning. From what we know about his reasons for the mask, besides it being a feat within itself showing a marine his face it also shows that he doesn’t care if she sees which is a courtesy assumed to only be given to kid. And when she recovers he admits that he saved her not only because it would’ve killed Kid inside but because of his own worry for her. This paired with him Indirectly referring to her as a nakama show that by the end of it killer truly does care about Birdie. Even in the beginning he warned her about trying to escape instead of just letting her make an attempt and being allowed to kill her, showing at least a lack of desire for her to die.

That initial lack of hostileness and eventual care for birdie is especially interesting when you look back on the wariness shown around her by Killed during the beginning. Killer is an incredibly intelligent and observant character and he says multiple time that she is “bad news” and states after a while that they should have gotten rid of her because “now they're at the point of no return”.

I feel like him constantly warning against her staying can be attributed to him seeing how things might play out, confirmed when he realizes early on that birdie wouldn't actually leave if given the chance. Because of that observation he knows that he won't be the one to kill her (kid on the other hand is another story even if by accident). He even says at the end that he doesn't know if he would make the same choice in taking her if he had known how it would go.

He also does things throughout the story such as reminding the crew that she's not an official part of the crew And gets mad when they ask if she'll be staying possibly because he A) knows kids conflicted in the matter and B) may be aware of the internal conflict within Birdie that would occur if she were to be addressed officially as a pirate.

He also may be aware of the harm of her being seen as an actual pirate even before the XDrake incident as he tries to comfort her at times by reminding her that this situation is out of her control and it’s not her choice that she’s here. Like when he told her not to thank him because she’s a prisoner on the ship and warned her not to be grateful to any of them he's A) subtly preparing her to let go of them if kid doesn't ask her to stay which he knows is a real possibility, Trying to detach himself from her to make it easier to say goodbye and B) may be trying to reassure her that even if she's getting along with them she's *not* a pirate and keep her from delving deeper into her identity crisis.

I feel like towards the end it’s very in character for him to be as accepting as he is of Birdie leaving even if it hurts him inside. He was blinded by his caring for her and I feel like it really showed that he opened his eyes to the situation when he was talking with Kid and said “All this time you were the only one truly worrying about her" he wanted her to stay without considering what kid said about her waking up one day and hating them for ruining her life. I feel like even without the respect he has for kids decisions as his friend and captain, this makes him realize that kid is doing what’s best for her. That’s why he says that even if this hurts him and the crew they are not the ones suffering the most, knowing that Kid is not making this decision easily and it’s killing him inside.

I tried to sum this up the best I could but I just have so many thoughts 😅 I hope you can understand at least some of how I personally interpreted the whole Killer Birdie situation.

Here for the second part!

I think you're one of the very few people who doesn't view Killer's attentions for birdie as romantic (which is totally understandable).

There's another point I should add here about characters address I each other. I should go back and edit this in Captive because I didn't know it at the time, but everyone in the crew address Killer as Killer-san (except for Kid). Birdie also never adds honorifics to address any of them, Killer included.

Killer has a good handle of birdie because he's used to deal with Kid, as you rightly pointed out for many instances. At the same time tho, he's a little wary because he realizes she can throw him off by doing unexpected stuff. So there are times when Killer temporarily loses his cool, like when he picks her up after she's almost choked to death by Kid. In that case, it's Heat who quickly brings him back to damage control, because Killer was genuinely upset that she didn't listen to him.

And as you also observed, Killer starts off doing most of the things for Kid's sake, then as time passes and he gains respect for birdie, he is telling himself it's just for Kid's sake. Then he admits to her that it's not just that. And he does for her sake now, because he sees from the start how much she's struggling with self worth and recognising that others might admire and care for her.

This also applies to him referring to her as nakama. Was it his real feeling or was it just a way to comfort her in a critical moment? The lines are blurred.

Killer is quite intrigued by the strength she shows while being absolutely oblivious to it at the same time.

In regards to Killer not telling Kid about Aokiji. First of all, did we know that he didn't? He could have lied to birdie. Although we do not see any hints that may tells us Kid knew. Let's say Killer kept birdie's secret. He surely has done so because he didn't deem this information would help Kid and the crew in any way, instead it would create more problems.

When Killer tells her not to thank them in any occasion, he means it. He feels uncomfortable seeing her grateful and getting attached to them despite all the pain they caused her. And because of these come all the reasons you listed yourself.

I think that's all I wanted to add to your amazing analysis. Reading it was a blast, thank you!