#he's never gonna be quite a hero but i think he'd be on the side of the angels

[minus-plus-zer0]

One Good Grovel

♡ Genre: Fluff (trust me), little crack ♡ Pairing: Bakugou x Reader ♡ Tags: Established relationships

You and Katsuki had your biggest fight in a while.

Both sides fought like they were out for blood. You two said things you shouldn't have, things that were hard to take back. It ended with Bakugou storming out of your shared apartment.

The moment he did, he regretted it. But he didn't know how to go back inside and say it.

Hours later after he came home from doing errands, Bakugou found you on the couch. You hadn't answered any of his texts, and Bakugou never felt so helpless before. He was already losing you fast, and he couldn't dawdle now. Bakugou dumped his groceries on the kitchen counter and then approached you. Neither of you said anything.

You still looked torn up about your earlier argument, your hair a little messy in a way that Bakugou liked. He'd prefer to be the one messing it up himself, but he knew he didn't deserve that privilege now. Bakugou threw an extra blanket over you, because you looked like you needed one.

"Yo," Bakugou said, sitting down beside you on the couch. "How've you been holding up?"

"...I don't wanna talk about it. Not with you."

Your voice was frail, quiet. It broke Bakugou's heart, knowing that he put you in this position.

He had to make it right.

"I'm sorry," Bakugou said. "For everything I said. I wouldn't be surprised if ya never wanted to talk to me ever again after this." You looked at him suspiciously. "It'd kill me if you did, but that's fine. 'Cause I value your feelings over mine. When I was out today, all I could think about was you and what I said to you. So I bought you some gifts and I really hope you'll love 'em."

Bakugou reached out to stroke your hair. "And I promise you, I'll never say that demeaning shit to you ever again. You mean more to me than winning that stupid argument, and I don't know where I'd be in my life without you by my side. I was wrong, okay? I was dead wrong for treating you like that, like anything less than the best. Most of all, I just want ya to take me back and love me. But I won't force ya to do anything. I can walk out that door again and leave you alone if you asked. And if you hate me forever... I understand."

You smiled at him. "...Okay, I hear you."

"...So do ya hate me now?"

You still smiled. "Only a whole bunch. You monster." You playfully punched him in the face.

"Sorry," Bakugou said, matching your sweet expression. "I deserved that. Punch me all ya want. Won't even stop ya."

You gave him several more feather-light punches. "You're soooo dead."

"Ya gonna call the cops on me too? Make sure I never do that shit again? Make sure I learn my lesson instead of forgiving me too easily?"

"Yes." You fluffed his hair. "They're already on their way. The conviction of a famous Pro Hero is gonna be the scandal of a century!"

Bakugou fixed his hair. "Well I'll still love ya, even while in jail."

You crossed your arms. "Only after you've served your 10-year sentence and repent through hours and hours of community service will I finally forgive you. Then you'll be free, we'll start all over, and we'll fall in love again."

"Deal," Bakugou said, kissing your forehead. "But I wanna skip to the end."

"No, that's the easy way out!"

"The hell? You're not actually gonna send me to jail for saying it was wrong to like Pepsi over Coca-Cola, are ya?"

"That's how the roleplay is going!"

"It ain't that serious! I said I was sorry babe! I'm sorry!"

You recalled what you originally fought about quite easily...

"Alright," Bakugou said. "I'm gonna head out for groceries. Any last minute changes to the shopping list?"

"Oh yes!" You rushed out to meet him in the entrance. "Could you get me some Pepsi? Pretty please?"

"What the fuck?" Bakugou looked at you like you grew two heads. "'Pepsi'? You want freaking 'Pepsi'?!"

You shrugged. "...Is that so bad? It'd be nice to have something besides Coca-Cola for once..."

Bakugou's eyes narrowed into slits. He shut the front door and approached you. "I didn't realize we had a freaking problem here. You're telling me I've been buying the wrong soda for you this entire time?!"

"Well... It's just not as good as Pepsi. It's not the same. I'm sorry... but I've always felt this way."

"Since fucking when?! When did things change?" Bakugou slapped a hand over his eyes. "What the hell did I miss?!"

Bakugou couldn't believe this. He thought he knew you better than anyone, just like how you knew him better than anyone. You two were the tightest couple ever. Bakugou had an engagement ring hidden in his dresser because he had already long since decided that what he wanted in life was you.

But now, he didn't feel like he knew you at all.

He'd still marry you though.

You remained silent. Bakugou couldn't stand it. He shook his head, then walked back to the front door, opening it. He stopped before he left, turning to you.

"Coca-Cola is better than Pepsi. That's just a fact."

Then he turned, and left. Instant regret washed over him, but he continued down to the front lobby. As Bakugou looked down upon his cursed shopping list, he couldn't in good conscious buy Coca-Cola anymore. Not when you hated it so much. He had to make things right.

He was getting Dr. Pepper instead.

"This is fucking disgusting, Katsuki," you said, halfway through your delicious can of Dr. Pepper at your dinner table.

"It was on sale, alright?!"

(I've read that a lot of people are unsatisfied with grovels in romance novels because they don't feel that the love interest apologizes well enough, so I wrote this just in case anybody needs one good quick grovel with none of the baggage attached. Btw, my favorite is Coke and it's not even close)

[potheadkiki]

HII... hear me out. Pool sex with katsuki..??

I know you want pool sex but honestly sex in one of those hot springs sounds so much better

⚠Warning⚠

18+ content

Bakugo being a simp but refusing to admit it

Pet names (princess, angel, babe, etc)

Some slut shaming but it's fine

Chubby reader

Bakugo is 6'4

Reader is goth

Marijuana

Reader has the ability to sonic scream similar to black Canary

Side note I am taking more requests if anyone is interested

After UA everyone is class 1-a kept in close contact. Coincidentally both you and Bakugo are in neighboring agencies and see each other quite often at mixers and group parties. One day both agencies claimed that after the most recent villain attack that everyone needed to take a break so each company decided that every hero draw a number and the two heroes that drew the same number would leave for a week to go to an all expenses paid spa with traditional rooms and a private hot spring bath. Today was no different, everyone is lined up and as one of the assistants comes along with a jar everyone grabs a piece of paper, today's number was 78, unfolding your little piece your heart stops, 78 in bold is staring back at you, stepping forward claiming the first spot wondering who you'll be going to the resort with. The agency is on FaceTime and you watch as Bakugo steps forward on the screen holding the same number as you and you feel as your stomach flips your going to be alone with him for a week, he'll be in one of those kimonos and as you imagine it your face heats up. You've been in love with this guy ever since your days at UA he'd never see you that way of course you may be smart and have a sonic scream but you're also a slacker pot head from the US. You hear as everyone cheers for you and congratulates you on being able to take the week off with Bakugo no less. Finishing up the rest of your shift trying to ignore all the comments everyone is making some rude or snarky, your friends however made encouraging remarks and how this could be your chance to seduce him. As your day comes to an end your phone vibrates looking at it your heart races

Bakugo: Guess you're gonna be in my space for a week huh?

Reading the message you laugh he hasn't changed really

You:Yeah I guess so huh you'll just have to forgive me

You reply attempting to be a little flirty but also keep the same energy

Bakugo: I'll find some way you can make it up to me don't worry

Reading that your heart is basically in your asshole I mean how are you supposed to respond to that. You're going to be alone with him and now the entire time this will be all you can fucking think about.

You: yeah you do that lol

You reply trying to defuse the situation and not think about having the best sex life could possibly give you

Bakugo: oh don't doubt me I will

You have no idea what to say simply telling him that you'll see him in the morning and to sleep well.

--next day

You make your way to the agencies where they have a company car that they'll give you unfortunately you don't have your license so that means Bakugo will have to drive he just scoffs at that but you smile

Putting your things in the trunk you're kinda nervous honestly the only bathing suit you have is a bikini with mushrooms that is kinda low cut. Grabbing the special blanket with dragons on it that you've had since high school and need with to sleep successfully, slipping in the passenger seat getting comfy. Bakugo seeing this and scoffing again before saying

"Look at you fucking passenger princess ass" you blush at that he wasn't being mean or rude

"It's a three hour drive bakugo I wanna be comfy"you say shyly holding your blanket close to your chest

"Yeah yeah whatever get comfy then princess it's gonna be a long drive" he says placing the car in reverse putting his hand on the back of your seat watching as he turns his head to see where he's going before pulling out of the parking spot once he's out he puts the car in drive and your face goes red not only did he just call you princess but he did that thing when driving too not realizing the smirk on his face as he pulls on the highway the smirk of victory.

Bakugo has been thinking about this since yesterday morning he's going to get a week with you alone completely. He's basically been in love with you ever since you transferred to the hero course here in Japan. You're smart, kind, beautiful, and you rarely care what others think of you and he loves that. He's aware you smoke it helps with your quirk apparently. He has discovered that he has quite a thing for watching you smoke. The way you purse your lips and inhale, the way you lick your lips when dry, the way the smoke escapes past your lips. Fuck he needs to focus on driving he can't be hard right now. Taking a quick glance towards you he sees you cuddle up with said blanket, only one earbud in with something playing on your phone, you however seem interested. He doesn't want that. He wants to talk to you, he wants to be at the center of your attention. He knows its toxic and crazy since he himself needs to focus on driving but that doesn't mean they can't talk. Right?

"Put your phone down and talk to me. If I fall asleep at the wheel it's your damn fault." He says glancing in your direction.

"If this is your way of asking for me to start a conversation with you then I definitely feel like you could have done that differently but okay" you say huffing out a laugh before continuing the conversation

"What's the first thing you want to do when you get? I know personally I want to soak in that gorgeous hot spring maybe smoke a little joint, if its okay with you of course." He watches you say that with a cheeky smile. Maybe he'll join you this week is after all supposed to be relaxing and that does sound quite nice.

"what a dumb question of course imma see if they have a gym" you rolling your eyes thinking naturally

"Then find some to eat maybe and maybe in between everything I'll join you if I feel like it of course." He says side eyeing you with a slight smile only to catch that you're sporting a similar cheeky smile with pink cheeks. And that's how it went for the next three hours idle chit chat and stupid questions mostly. So when he pulls up to this large log house that has steaming chimney your pupils basically turn into hearts. It's gorgeous the way the sun hits against the large mountains and shines through the trees god you never want to leave and you haven't even stepped into the building.

Once you've both registered with secretary and got your room key (turns out its one of those two in one rooms with a single bamboo room divider) but bakugo opted for just opening the divider doors claiming they'res just more space this way they would have had to share the hot spring anyways since it's a connected room and all. Most of the time they were assigned to people with relativity large families or two pro heroes on vacation. He watches in amusement as your eyes light up again before turning back around and clapping your hands together exclaiming 'right' turning your head to face him giving a soft smile

"I'm about to pack a cone and change into my bikini would you like to join me for a soak and smoke if will" He rolls his eyes at that god you can be so corny sometimes but he listens as you go on

"Then we could find some place to eat or order in either or I don't care"

"yea whatever just let me know when you're done I'm not gonna sit around in my damn trunk" He says with a slight blush thinking of the two of you together alone in a steamy bath while you wear a bikini, fuck he feels like a teenager again and he hates it. He manages to busy himself which in hindsight could have been a mistake because when he hears you clear your throat, whipping his head around he's faced with you in a mushroom styled bikini top that hugs your tits perfectly, realizing just how big they are considering you usually wear large/baggie t-shirts, and a simple pair of black bottoms that hug your ass perfectly, letting a groan slip past his lips as he stands up quickly

"Jesus woman you scared the shit out of me, just wait for me outside I'll be out there in like 10 minutes" he says not making eye contact with you as he walks away. You step outside washing yourself off before heading over and sitting at the edge with your feet dangling into the water, gently moving your feet back and and forth in a swishing motion making sure no water actually splashes up at you, not yet at least, lighting a joint with wet hands is a real bitch, your thoughts only really stopping when you hear the pitter patter of bakugos bare feet against the smooth rock turning your head you give him a smile

"Hey I waited for you before smoking I wasn't sure if you wanted to or not but if you did we could share" You say with that stupid smile while holding up said joint and an ORAGNE lighter he doesn't know why but it makes his heart jump at the thought that maybe you bought it thinking of him little does he know how right he actually is.

"Okay jesus let me rinse off first before you start rushing me" Rolling your eyes at this but giving a slight okay anyways. You can't help as your eyes follow his every movement watching as his back muscles flex and constrict due to his movements. Blush enveloping your face and a little of your neck god your going to be spending a week here with this man. Bakugo being a little tipsy as he took some shots of Soju to help calm his nerves but its doing the exact opposite maybe smoking will help he thinks when he smells it, the potent stench of marijuana. Turning his head he watches as you stand up water splashing as you walk towards him with the joint between your lips gently sucking and exhaling the smoke, he watches as your hips sway walking towards him, getting close to his face pushing said joint up against his lips as a silent plea to open his mouth and when he does you get a full whiff of alcohol and you take a step back as you look at him

"Were you in there drinking? Whats up? You know you can tell me anything right?" You say leaning down a little to make sure you force eye contact since he's been avoiding it. You watch as he groans and takes a hit before coughing slightly and handing the joint back to you without saying anything he steps into the water submerging himself halfway into the steaming water before looking back at you as a silent way of asking if your coming or not and you do walking over and you sit next to him smoking the joint a little, looking at him as he scratches the back of his neck almost ashamed, opening his mouth but he doesn't say anything so you hand him the joint again, he's clearly nervous, taking it from your hand he inhales harshly handing it back to you as he falls into a small coughing fit. Watching as he sputters a little, laughing at him a little amused, getting in closer to gently rub his back and help calm his breathing again. Not realizing that in getting to close your breast have pressed up against his side in hopes of calming him down

"Okay i'm fine now so you can move" He says shifting away from you and you smile a little giving a short 'sorry' you say looking at him in hopes that since you moved away he would tell you whats wrong with him

"Okay so we met in ua and you've always been so annoying with that damn smile of yours and the way you laugh,being able to light up a room with a single twinkle from your eye and that isn't even your quirk, I remember thinking for a split moment that maybe you were just like icy-hot with two of em but no and even after all that your damn smile was still to bright. Then we got put in neighboring agencies and we drew this dumb fucking lottery" And threw this whole interaction you could tell he was getting frustrated and you weren't entirely sure where he was going with this but it clearly has something to do with pent up feelings so you grab his hands taking a leap of faith pushing them against your chest getting closer looking at him with pleading eyes

"Please don't stop. I want to hear what you have to say. All of it." You say holding his hands tight against your breast and you watch as he looks away a blush spreading to the tip of his ears

"Fuck I just- I don't know I'm still trying to figure how to say shit" he says quickly and you realize that's true he's always been a man of action

"Well don't say anything then" you say gripping his hands pressing your breasts harder into his arm getting closer, he looks at you thinking that maybe it's the alcohol or the weed but whatever it was he could feel his inhibition lowering along with his head as his lips connect with yours, groaning as you push your chest up against his, slipping into his lap as his arms wrap around your waist possessively squeezing you tight, pulling away you giggle at his possessiveness

"Why you squeezing me so tight?" You say laughing a little more and he hides his face in your breasts before mumbling something and you grip his hair a little which seems to get the memo as he pulls away

"Like hell I'm letting you go now" he mumbles hiding his face in your neck as his hips rut up against yours causing you to gasp out changing angles which puts his face right in between your breasts as his grip on you tightens and his rutting becomes rougher the water begins of the hot springs sloshing with his movements as you grip his hair grinding down and meeting his thrusts until he suddenly stops causing you to let out a whine and he pulls away from your chest much to his dismay chuckling

"I'm not cumming till I get to feel that pussy wrapped 'round me" he says almost slurred as his eyes droop grabbing your ass roughly as he picks you up sitting you on the stone side and you shiver arching your back against him

"It's cold Suki" you say whining as you feel goosebumps spread across your body and he just rolls his eyes

"You'll be fine. I gotta open you up baby" he says and you blush you've only had sex three times neither of them enjoyable which is something you should probably admit but you don't want to ruin the mood because you want to be with him and you can feel your mind running

"Hey speak up tell me to stop" he says and you grip his hand

"No! God no please. I want to be with you but I've only done this a couple of times and none of them enjoyable so I don't want to disappoint you with my own inexperience. But it's not like I think this will be bad or anything and that's another reason I'm nervous" you say but realize that you've been rambling quickly but you see as his eyebrows scrunch

"So you're worried that you won't be able to keep up and that basically I'm going to fuck you like no one else could?" He says kinda nonchalant and a blush spreads across your face at how he could simplify your insecurities in a crude way. But you giggle

"Yeah I guess kinda. I mean everyone talks about how good it can feel like leg shaking and it's scary and what if you leave after or think I make a weird face" you say giggling a little throwing your hands up in defeat

"Well I want to do with you no pressure, obviously, but I can also guarantee that I will make you feel good and like hell I'm leaving your ass I already got a taste of you." He says with a smile leaning in between your legs nibbling at your left ear

"You promise" you say a little wobble to your voice. His hands are exploring your thighs gripping, squeezing and even pinching at your thigh

"Trust me baby I fuckin promise you're stuck with me now." You giggle a little and he leans in kissing your cheek

"Okay well I'm done over thinking. You gonna fuck me now?" At that his lips connect with yours, his hips slotting between your thighs as one of his hands slips behind your back grabbing one of the loose strings pulling it untying the top. Once untied he slips the straps down your arms throwing your top somewhere, pulling away licking his lips as he grabs at your boobs kissing your chest before he moves his way down to your right breast. Holding your right breast up he gently suckles on the nipple as his left hand tugs and pinches at your other one. Feeling as he nibbles and bites at your nipple tugging with his teeth causing your back to arch and grip at his hair feeling him still grounding down on you. His left hand travels down your stomach and slips into your bottoms as his head moves towards your left nipple giving it the same attention and hickies. He pulls away slipping his hand out your pants causing you to whine in an exaggerated manner to show your disappointment.

"Cmon don't be a brat I gotta get you out of these" he says referring to your bottoms and you blush as his hands grab at the hem of them looking at you to indicate to lifting your hips up and you do listening happily at the implications. God the man you're in love is about to finger you and it turns out he feels the same way I mean like what? That's crazy?

"Mhm damn look that pussy baby"he says with a wicked grin leaning down getting into the water until he's face to face with your pussy feeling as it throbs while it clenches and unclenches around nothing covering your face in shame because you just know he can see it happen and judging by his laugh you're right.

"Mhm look at this desperate pussy clenching around nothing you're so desperate aren't you baby?" He asks clearly rhetorically since he doesn't wait for you to respond before he slips his pointer finger inside curling it up searching for that spongy spot inside and he can tell instantly when he finds it based on how you whine and clench your thighs around his head that was barely a breath away from your pussy almost feeling his breath fan against your most sensitive area. He laughs at your sensitivity deciding to add his middle finger repeating the same action curling his fingers upwards. Feeling his breath get closer and closer until you feel his tongue lick at your clit. Your head throws back, grabbing a fist full of his hair from the intense stimulation finding ground yourself to something as you feel his fingers move curl non stop and his lips suck and lick at your clit. Feeling as not only your thighs clench around his head but the knot in your stomach as well. Back arching deeper as his fingers do the same inside you so desperate to make you cum

"I'm-im gonna cum Suki fuck I can feel it!" You exclaim as your back gives out falling back against the stone as you cum on his face thighs shaking and convulsing as his fingers milk you for everything your worth. You feel as his fingers gently pull out whining at the loss. Whining about the stones being cold Bakugo laughs at you calling you a baby and you watch as he licks his lips as he grabs your wrists pulling you back into the water as he sits down on the middle step pulling you down with him landing on lap realizing he must have ditched his swimming trunks at some point looking down in the water blushing god he's so big

"Like what you see baby? This is what's gonna go inside you baby." He says whispering in your ear as he grinds his cock against your bare pussy. Gasping as you wrap your arms around his neck tight clearly nervous at the anticipation

"If you want to stop we can" he says clearly being able to sense your nervousness. But you pull away quickly

"No! I mean no. *you say gasping trying to keep your cool* I don't want to stop I'm just a little nervous. So please just be gentle with me" you say seductively grinding down and he groans

"God damn you're gonna be the death of me you know that?" And you giggle at the comment. Kissing his cheek

"Alright princess take a deep breath" he says lovingly as you feel him lift your hips gasping as you feel his cock rub at your clit before poking at your entrance

"Told you to breathe damnit" he says as he pushes his hips up against yours. Your head throws back again to the feeling of him stretching you open, his hands grip at your waist pushing you down as well to meet his hips until he's completely bottomed out inside you. He can feel as your breath hitches and your heart quickens

"Calm down" he says as you feel his right hand rub circles into your lower back. There's a proud smile on his face as he realizes that almost instantly you try to regain control of your breathing. God she's such a good girl he thinks. Feeling as you begin to move your hips grinding down slowly.

"Yeah baby? You gonna use me and my cock to please yourself?" He asks as he buries his face into your breasts sucking hickies into your sternum as his own hips begin to move. Water sloshing with the movement of both of you.

"Mhm you feel that baby? Are your thighs shaking for me?" He asks clearly proud of himself you both keep a steady pace as he fucks into you and you meet his thrusts feeling the pressure build again as your thighs do shake from the pleasure but they're beginning to burn your so fucking to close to cumming again you just can't keep going fuck

"Please- please *gasping* I can't keep doing it my thighs burn help me" you whine burying your face into his neck as you suck your own bruises into the skin. He groans at the feeling but you feel as his hand grab at your ass cheeks pulling them apart slightly as he begins fucking up against you roughly hitting your g-spot perfectly as his other hand slips between your bodies finding your clit and begins to play with it.

"Mhm damn I can you clenching around me love. You gonna cum. Yea fucking cum do it for me. I'm so close too." He says hips moving more erratic so desperate to make you cum first. And his efforts begin to pay off as he feels you clench around him the same as you did against his fingers.

"I can feel you clenching. I know you're gonna cum just do it." He says and that's basically all it takes before you're cumming around him but that doesn't stop his own thrusting. You feel as he picks you up sitting you against the stone as he fucks into you harsher cumming inside you as he pulls out you whine and he laughs

"Why did you put me back on the stone? It's cold." You whine as he rolls his eye

"I didn't want to cum in the water. Don't want to ruin the hot spring do we? Still wanna be able to use it yeah?" He says kissing you and you blush cause he's right god how embarrassing. He picks you up and takes you to the bathroom sitting you on a stool that sits in front of the shower head.

"Alright love let's get cleaned up then we can smoke a little more and cuddle. Yeah?" And you blush at that cuz fuck yeah that sounds amazing. The fact that he fucked your brains out, is gonna bathes you and then smoke with you while watching TV god you really are in love.

[anothertimdrakestan]

Ahh I am soo excited 🙏

I am dying for a fic with Jason and Y/N at the gala. Just him being protective and a gentleman. My inspiration is your Damien Wayne at the gala with Y/N.

Feel free to delete this ask, I am just soo excited for the opportunity 🙌

Undying Philanthropy - Jason Todd x Reader

Staring at yourself in the mirror, you couldn't help but admire the floor-length crimson ballgown you'd chosen for the upcoming gala. The velvet dress was the definition of elegant, with a subtle V-shape that drew the perfect amount of attention to your eyes. Excited to rub shoulders with some of the wealthiest, most influential faces in the city, you were hoping to find a real story to bring back to the Gotham Gazette. There was only one, very dangerous and very influential person in the way.

"Oh you sure as hell are not going, and definitely not if you're gonna look that good." Jason's voice echoed through your apartment as you rolled your eyes.

"I swear I locked my door." you grumbled, not looking up at the towering hero who was yet to take his eyes off you. He snorted "you're smart enough to know a lock has never once stopped me babe." You didn't give him the courtesy of a reply, hoping if you ignored him he'd go police some other reporter.

The minute you grabbed your purse he spoke up again, his voice deeper, far more assertive: "I said, you aren't going." You locked eyes with him and crossed your arms, "and why is that? Did I suddenly become your property all of a sudden?" you gave him a glare, but he just returned one.

"It's gonna be dangerous, you're insane if you think I'm letting you get hurt."

"Sounds like a story, I'm there." you retorted. Jason groaned, "why am I so obsessed with you," while he stalked into the bathroom you'd just come out of. In a few seconds he burst out, eyes scanning the room for you, his shoulders relaxing when he realized you were still there. He was wearing a black dress shirt with a crimson overcoat, suspiciously matching the exact colour of your dress.

"Nice jacket." you grinned, he just gave you a wink.

"Always gotta have a plan B when I'm dealing with your stubborn ass. And, you have no idea how many weapons I can store in this jacket" which only made you more nervous for the events to come.

You entered through the back door, waving a media pass to garner entry into the ballroom. Exquisitely dressed strangers were mulling through the event, exchanging pleasantries to each other and signing their names on various philanthropic programs, a promise of funding from Gotham's most successful. You were planning on finding one of these blossoming non-profits and following it's story. Hoping that if you wrote a strong article, the Wayne Foundation would most likely double whatever revenue was produced at this event, it was a quite likely occurrence seeing as you already had plans for chinese takeout and mario kart with the Wayne Enterprises CEO tomorrow night. Something about knowing powerful people...

Speaking of, your table assignment was surrounded by wealth, having Jason as a sort of body guard to protect you from wandering eyes and desires that littered the ballroom. And it was a job he took seriously. While you hopefully perused the various community programs Jason kept a hand glued to your side, shooting daggers at anyone who took more than a glance in your direction. He tried to be active though, nodding in bitter agreement when you pointed out a brilliant program to refurbish and donate old computers to underprivileged students or melted at the sight of foster puppies brought by the Gotham Shelter, his eyes never lingered too long in one place, in a state of alert on your behalf. You tried to get him to let loose, but he was firm that as long as you were safe and having a good time, he was as well.

Sitting down at your table you happily began chatting with the other guests, explaining your aspirations and dully noting each of their professions and passions. Jason joined in, pointing out your various publications, lacking complete subtlety in the way he adored you. Now, his hand was draped loosely across your thighs, thumb mindlessly swiping up and down as a way to curb his boredom. As speakers presented he grew obviously impatient, frequently leaning over to press overly wet kisses to your neck. You gave him scolding looks, but that only made his hands more explorative below the table, and as you squirmed out of his handsy embrace with a giggle, you were approached by Marcus Swan, a well known billionaire with a penchant for young girls. Jason stiffened at his presence, while you simply exchange a soft smile, which apparently was all the invite the elderly man had desired.

"You look exquisite Ms. Y/N." the man croacked.

Jason coughed, "L/N. Ms. L/N to you." you pressed your leg to his, hoping it would made him back down.

"Professional are we? Well, I was hoping I could actually catch a moment alone. You know, my businesses have been in the black this year, and I'd love to hear what foundations you've chosen to write about, I do so value your opinion, Ms. Y/N." Mr. Swan extended a hand, and Jason stiffened as you took it.

"I'll be like a minute Jay, you have my location, always." you pecked his cheek and let Mr. Swan lead you away, the last time you humored him with a drink he donated $250,000 to the Women & Children's Shelter, and you'd already warned Jason you might see him again at this event.

The bar was in a quieter room, and you noticed two guards lock the door behind you as Mr. Swan led you to the bar. Your stomach was doing uneasy flips as you ordered a glass of red wine, repeatedly telling yourself Jason was just a few meters away.

"Now that we've got a little more quiet, I must be honest Ms. Y/N" Mr. Swan said, swirling his whiskey glass before taking a long gulp.

"Swan Tech has been... less successful, than I would be pleased to admit. But, after tonight, I am hopeful I'll have come into a substantial amount of wealth." your eyes shot to the door, gauging the head start you'd need to run to Jason.

"Please don't consider going back into that room, until my business is finished. I do not lie when I say I do enjoy your company. I suppose I see you as this beacon of hope, I could't let your light be put out like the rest of the snakes in that ballroom." the billionaire said casually, throwing back the rest of his drink. "If nothing else, I've given you the story of the year! I do so hope you'll include a bit of a memoir on me and my philanthropic tendencies. To the bitter end I suppose!" he mused, reaching behind the now empty bar, the bartending having clearly ran as far from the venue as possible, to grab the rest of the whiskey bottle to pour himself another few fingers.

Your voice was shaking, "what are you doing to them?"

"Nothing they don't deserve," he yawned.

"My boyfriend is in there!" you burst out of your chair, realizing the one person on earth you couldn't lose was trapped.

"I was going to invite him, but he was awfully rude, so I let my pettiness get the better of me. We can't all be saints I suppose." the man chuckled as you began striding towards the double doors.

Before you could get too close, the doors burst open, seemingly kicked in by,

The Red Hood.

"Thank god" you crumpled to the ground in front of the familiar frame.

"Get behind me," the masked hero commanded, before striding towards Swan who took one last gulp.

"I suspected you bratty heroes would intervene, but I didn't do this for myself, I did it as revenge! And now, I'll take my much deserved exit!" Mr. Swan laughed maniacally before swallowing a pill you knew would be his demise.

"Jokes on you, I got here before anyone could be hurt. Some mastermind." The Red Hood called back, Swan's eyes widening in realization just before they glazed over.

"You are literally never coming to one of these again." the hero muttered as he stalked past you, to which you couldn't help but agree. You followed the Red Hood back into the ballroom, where the guests looked dazed and confused, but wholly alive.

As you made your way back to your original table, Jason was seated as if he hadn't moved at all, "there you are! We are getting out of here, you won't believe what some psycho tried to do!" Jason said, really hamming up his worry as he whisked you out of the gala.

Back in your apartment you'd both changed, sharing a pint of icecream as Jason explained to you the poisonous gas Swan had set up to ruin Gotham's elite, leaving him and his family as the sole benefactors to billions of dollars. Jason also let slip that Tim had tipped him off on the villain's plans last week.

"Why even let me go?" you shook your head, but Jay replied, "you really think I could've stopped you? Also, if I just agreed to go, you'd never let your guard down enough for me to slip away and find the machinery Swan had set up. Though, I can't deny I have to respect the guy, if I went crazy you'd be the one girl I'd save too." he winked at you.

"What on earth would I do without you Jason Todd."

"Exactly what you're doing with me, make the world a better place, even if it costs you your life. I'm just here to may sure you never have to pay the price of your empathy with your life." he paused, chuckling to himself before saying "I just pay it with a gun" which had you rolling your eyes at his morbid joke, but still wholly thankful for his undying protection and love. Truly the best body guard you could have asked for.

~

I hope you enjoyed! Thank you for the prompt <3

[shinjisdone]

Hello! I saw that your request is open so if you don't mind could i ask for a Jack or Ace's version of Fem!MC and friends?👉👈 I love the one you did for Deuce, I have a soft spot for the first years boys 🥺Thanks in advance 🖤

Oh, Deuce is great and deserves the love! You have good taste.

Gonna choose Ace for thsi since his suitor suit and galla outfit SCREAM for an female!mc and friends version!

Gonna go with three cards/events or else its gonna get too long ;;

Female!MC and Friends - Ace Trappola

Ace. Trappola. Sigh.

This guy is...surely...certainly...something, alright.

The way he speaks, the way he behaves, the one-of-a-kind smirk he wears...it's all just "Ace".

You knew that from day 1 when he teased you relentlessly and even got you and Deuce in trouble. Your prediction that he would keep getting himself and you in trouble still rings true.

Although, you cannot deny that he...seems to have grown fonder of you in a way.

When He...Proposes To A Ghost?!

Oh no. This is too funny.

Quite the predicament Idia (and your entire dorm) has gotten into but you never thought you'd see the day where Ace - ACE - would...dress up in a suit with slick hair and...a ring in his palm.

You try not to laugh, really, really hard - you really, really try not to but...just LOOK AT HIM!

Actually, laugh to your heart's content cuz this guy would have done the same if you were in his shoes. Aaaand for all the other things he'd tease you for in the future.

Yeah, yeah...go ahead and get yer sides sore, you'll see that Ace will sweep that egotistical princess off her feet!

...Even if she doesn't have those anymore.

Besids, what's there to laugh about? Can't you see how he dolled up to be the 'perfect, ideal prince'?

In fact, with a sneaky, toothy grin, Ace is sure that he already made you fall for him right then and there when you saw him in this get-up! Go on, admit it, it's okay. It's like love at first sight...he just needed to look his best for you first!

If you brush him off and say, hah, 'in your dreams', then prepare to have him hang on your shoulder until he has to go and steal the heart of the bride (which he is sooo confident in). Ace will smirk and cackle, poke and provoke you until you just HAVE to admit how wonderfully good-looking he is right now! Oh man, you are just brimming with jeaously that you aren't the one proposed to by Ace, right~? Right~? C'moooon, just admit it!

He'll swing by like a hero, hold your hand and pretend to kiss your knuckles and whisper these stupid, corny lines he read in a manga once - and IF YOU DO BLUSH AND FLUSTER (DO NOT!) YOU CAN BET YOUR LIFE SAVINGS THAT ACE WILL SNAP FROM FAIRY TALE PRINCE TO BAFFONERY PEASANT AND LAUGH AT YOUR FACE

Did you just reaaaally fall for that?! OMG OMG how come he never noticed that you get all flustered like that so easily????

New weakness aquired.

Ace will exploit it.

However, if you play along, you will certainly make HIM blush. What the...??? H-hey, that was just a joke...don't you know we are actually fake proposing here? H-haha...weirdo.

And if you pretend to be Eliza for practice and Ace has to act and say all those things to you? Uh, dude, I mean, l-like thanks for the help but...aren'tchu takin' this waaaay too seriously? Ace got this, you don't need to...you know...

Ace will at first tease you if you try to get he attention of the bride too by wearing a suit. But, well, he will definitely deny of having glanced at your direction if you catch him...

A dress, however? Blushes a bright red, red as his suit. Whoa, whoa, aren't you going a bit too far? Like, way too out for this? You should be wearin' something like that for your real wedding. Not a fake one...(that is to a ghost and not him...)

Anyone with eyes can tell that Eliza is not Ace's type, so if you ask him, he might need time to think. He'd glance at you from time to time and grows a bit nervous under your gaze...

He'd give you an vague answer.

When He Impresses Fairies...

Ugh, seriously? Does he have to make a show for some selfish fairies while wearing this?

Well, at least you are here to join him in the humiliation. Shared pain is...uh, double the gain?

Whatever, Ace can pull this off with your aid. In fact, he might feel more motivated with you by his side, especially if he sees you as another 'audience memeber'.

You are one of his biggest fans when it comes to his magic tricks anyway, right? So having a familiar face here in this show eases him.

These white robes though...as annoying and odd as they might seem, they kinda make you two look like a magic duo! Not bad! And hey, when he looks at them a second time, they ain't soooo ugly anyway...

Well, they certainly look good on you...

The flowers are the confetti on top. Kinda cute to see these butterflies flutter all over yer head. Just don't let them nestle in your hair!

Actually, as dumb as this is, you two CAN act like a magic duo! He is The Great Trappola (roll the r) and you...! Eh, his assistant. Any great magician needs an loyal assisant!

Not like you can do magic anyway, hehe...

Be amazed at his awesome tricks and praise them with jazz hands! Just make him look good.

Y'know, Ace wasn't sure why the clothes were this royal white anyway...but now that he thinks about it, with the flowers and accessories...you kinda look like a fairy. A non-palm-sized fairy! Haha, maybe that'd be the kind of stuff they'd wear if they were as big as you and him...

Heh, you could maybe even be their fairy princess! Or their fairy queen! Go on, tell 'em off and have you two be excused~ OOh, go tell them to serve you two and give extra special attention to the magician guy!

...Oh! H-hey, don't get this the wrong way. Dummy, it's not like you got some ethereal, fey-like beauty about'cha or somethin'...hey, don't laugh! Be glad that The Great Trappola (roll the r) compliments you!

When He Is Stranded At an Island...

Omg, for real, he and everyone else is stranded on this lonely, beautiful, tropical beach whatever shall they do - SIKE THIS IS THE BEST IT JUST MEANS EARLY SUMMER VACATIONS!!!

Are you kidding him? He can have earlier summer vacations on a beach with (almost) no one to bother and berate him?! (Aside from Riddle). This is the best!

Screw learning. No matter how his grades are, he deserves this!

Will definitely take it easy the minute he lands there. Might even berate you to NOT take this seriousy and just relax with him~ The upper classmen will take care of this~

Ace is gonna take advantage of this and drag you to any relaxing activity that there is. Swimming, collecting shells, building sandcastles, cracking coconuts open...

This is a one-in-a-lifetime chance! He ain't gonna miss this!

Realy likes his outfit and will compliment yours too! Dressed like this, how can you not just take a few vacation days?

Kinda wants you two to match? Not in a cute couple way but more like a 'we-are-so-rich-and-the-bosses-here-look-at-us-match-with-our-superiourity' kinda way.

In fact, this could a way to make amends for the winter vacations last time. You know, with *whispers* Jamil-senpai's overblot? yeah, that.

Ace may not be able to show you around his hometown but he can help you have a good time here! Just follow his lead!

He is surprisingly very attentive here. Making sure you are okay and have fun at all times...it's nice.

He'll make things into competitions like collecting the prettiest sea shell or building sandcastles together. Ace will like swimming together the most though.

Jokingly taking his shirt off and flexing but if you were to do the same thing or wear something more skin-revealing, he'll shut up quick. C'mon Ace, get it together...this isn't the frist time you've seen a girl in a swimsuit...or swimear in general...but...you aren't just some random girl...

He'll get it together, don't worry. It just...takes time.

[billycorn]

What if Dusknoir knew his fate was sealed the instant he learned Hero's identity? What if everything after was the futile actions of a desperate man? If he believed himself irredeemable by that point, then the only way out was through, regardless of his feelings concerning H&P. (fic under the cut)

Spinda's Cafe was livelier than usual, it was only natural, they were celebrating being alive after all. In the month since the events of Temporal Tower, life had returned to normal for the people of Treasure Town, they were free to go about their business without worry once more, though they all felt the loss.

That little Rufflet, Jasper was his name, had only been around a short time, but if he wasn't a Treasure Town local, then no one was! Wigglytuff's guild had added a Rufflet motif to their totem poles and Spinda, well, Spinda had named a drink after him, the Hard Landing. Jasper had loved flying and was often seen soaring over the town, his Buizel partner hanging from his talons, but he never quite got the hang of landing. His crashes were legendary, and the Kecleons had implemented a "you break it, you buy it" policy faster than Chatot could enforce an income tax.

In memory of Jasper, Spinda was unashamedly proud of how quickly her new drink could knock someone flat (from its sheer deliciousness, of course, what were you thinking?)

So, Ludicolo and the Bellosom danced across the raised stage between the bar and recycle shop. Several musicians sat behind them, sending cheerful music carouselling through the air. The music entwined with the smell of drinks and hot food, and when paired with the company, what could ruin this night?

As a Buizel slipped free of the dance floor, waving off her friends, she collapsed into a chair, her chest heaving. As her breathing settled and her smile calmed, she pulled her tails around to lay across her legs. Her twin tails each bore a band, a red one that had been there a long time, and a black one that was more recent; it was the only part of him she'd been allowed to keep.

For a moment, her smile softened, and her heart began to ache, then heavy hands were clapping her on the back, sending her staggering from her seat. She immediately crouched low, spinning around and readied her fist, but froze, quickly tucking her hands behind her back and straightening up as she recognised the Loudred smiling at her.

"Great party, Buia! You gonna bust out the old fire breathing?"

Buia rubbed at the back of her head. "Nah, Spinda banned me from bringing Blast seeds in here. Apparently, I'm a fire risk."

Loudred laughed, his booming voice making her cringe. "Yeah, Jasper was always the sensible one! I wonder what he'd think of all this?"

Returning to her seat, Buia smoothed down her fur. "He'd say, 'eat, drink, and be merry!'"

Loudred frowned, scratching at his chin. "Really? That doesn't sound like him."

"Trust me." Buia nodded seriously, she knew exactly what her partner would say, and it was none of Loudred's business: some parts of Jasper's memory were for her and her alone.

"Wobba!"

Loudred jumped as Wobuffet appeared at his side, clutching a letter. Wobuffet handed the letter to the very confused Buizel, saluted, and quickly disappeared into the crowd.

Buia shared a look with Loudred, and he wished her a good night before hurrying to the dance floor.

Glancing at the letter, Buia found her name and a date scribbled onto the envelope- wait, was that the date? Geez, she really needed to get a calendar: She never needed one when Jasper was around.

The sound of the envelope's tearing was lost against the melodies in the air, though as she read the letter, the music faded from Buia's ears altogether. All she could hear was her heartbeat, pounding in her chest.

Buia,

Well done. To be reading this, you must have bested me, and 'saved' the future. Honestly, it was inevitable. From the moment I met you both, I knew that Team Typhoon would go down in legends. I thought you would be the last truly great explorers until I learned Jasper's identity and realised, no, there would be others, thanks to you.

I have many regrets, but I don't believe you want to hear them, or my excuses, so allow me to simply say this: I believe in you.

During my short time in Treasure Town, I caught sight of the light coming off you and Jasper, and for a second, I had seen a sunrise, which I did not despise. In truth, I would have liked to sit and watch your sun rise ever higher, to its zenith. Alas, I knew my defeat at your hands was inevitable, and can only hope you still burn brilliantly.

I wrote this before ambushing Grovyle at the Crystal Lake, guessing everything would be done by the date I set (assuming Wobuffet didn't mistake my instructions. I'm uncertain if he actually understood my request). Nonetheless, if I was correct, then Jasper is gone. I understand, his loss must still pain you greatly, but please know this, having chased him across continents, through time and space, I knew him quite well, and I can say with certainty, he loved you dearly. I know it is not my place to say it, but continue living for Jasper. It may be hard on your own, but become the greatest, and know he is smiling down on you from the great beyond. I hope to meet him, and you, there someday (though not too soon!) and offer my deepest apologies, and sincerest affirmations.

P.S If this letter was delivered with the incorrect timing, disregard its contents entirely, and I'll see you on the battlefield.

Warmest regards,

Dusknoir

Her heart beat so hard it felt like it would burst from her chest, and suddenly, the room was unbearably hot. On all sides, it seemed the crowd was pressing in on her, and the voices grew ever louder.

In an instant, Buia was racing from the Cafe. She sprinted through town, tears flying from her cheeks, the letter clutched in her paws. Arriving at Sharpedo Bluff, she screamed her heart out and leapt from the cliff, diving into the ocean below. There, she settled on the sea floor and wept, her tears simply another drop in the endless ocean.

[thehusbandoden]

Cold- Shigaraki x Fem!Reader Part 2

Surprisingly this and the alternative ending only took me today 😅. I finally got an oomph after a few weeks of a writing block and wrote this, the alternative ending, and like 3-4 other things along with some add-ons to a few unfinished drabbles.

Angst to fluff | 1,899 words | Happy ending + an alternative ending if you'd rather have it end differently! <3

Y/h- your height

Warnings!: Shigaraki dusting multiple people, choking (not sexually), mentions of blood, cutting off a limb (an arm), self harm (Shigaraki), breaking down, Dabi x reader but could be seen as platonic, mentions of season 6 (Machia and the Liberation army), mentions of killing heroes. Pls let me know if I missed any!

Part One | Part Two | Alt. Ending

Shiggy's P.O.V:

Shigaraki paced back and forth in the meeting room, ap hand scratching at his neck. Nothing but guilt consumed him. He's been a complete a-hole to you, treating you horribly. You don't deserve that. You deserve better.

After asking Toga for advice the man decided to apologize and change his sickening behavior. He had only acted like that due to many people criticizing him behind his back. Telling one another what a bad partner he was. It killed him to think that he was.. and so he pushed you away.

He kept you locked away for your safety, there were so many bad people around, he didn't want anything to happen to you. But he couldn't, no. He wouldn't tell you that. He wouldn't act like some over protective psycho who works with people he wants to protect you from.

He took things from you to enforce the rules. He had to keep you safe. He needed you. He said those horrible horrible things to you for what? To push you away further so he would make sure not to be a piece of crap boyfriend? Pathetic.

He only showed his true colors when he held you at night or in the soft hours he was in your shared room. Though you probably didn't even recognize that. He loved you so, so much. And today he'd make it up to you. Today, he, Shigaraki Tomura, would apologize.

Reader's P.O.V:

You grumbled as Dabi picked you up, successfuly avoiding the patrolling heroes.

"Dabi! Let me down!" You whisper-shouted, resulting in Dabi pinching your side. "Ow~!" You whine, smacking Dabi's head as he chuckled.

After the hero passed Dabi sprinted toward the alley across you, pressing himself against the wall, and unfortunately you with him.

"Dabi! It hurts!"

"Will you just- be quiet. For like two minutes." You huffed as you bit back a retort, pout stuck on your face.

After a while of rushing past heroes you both finally made your way out of the city. "Okay y/n. You can talk now."

"Oh can I? Thank you your grace." You bite back sarcastically, e/c eyes glaring into Dabi's turquoise.

"Aww come on now. I was just protecting ya."

"Yeah yeah. Whatever." Dabi just chuckled before splaying his arm over your shoulders, grasping at your right one as he made his way forward.

"Where are we going?" You ask, following suit as he tugged you along.

"To the bar. I can hopefully get you safe before coming back. And we only have a short amount of time so we need to hurry."

"But.. you're not gonna stay with me?"

"No. You know what I need to do y/n."

"So.. you're just going to leave me?!"

"I'll make sure you're safe and have a way to contact me at all times."

"B- okay.."

Shigaraki's P.O.V:

Shigaraki paced back and forth as he practiced what to say. He had everything ready, but the actual apology. Shigaraki has never really apologized before, so this was quite nerve wracking. After another half hour of practice he decided that it was good enough.

Walking toward his shared bedroom, he shifted his hold as he juggled a bouquet of your favorite flowers, your favorite treat, and three more teddy bears to try and fill the hole of the one he dusted. Not to mention an entire box full of books and a TV he left in his office. Where you would be the majority of the time. E

With him, your husband. Slightly knocking on the door, he stepped in. "Y/n my love I know I messed up, but I hoped that-" he stopped as he looked at the room.

It looked perfect. The sheets were cleaned and the bed was made, the floor was spotless and the clothes were perfectly hung up. But, that wasn't the unusual thing. You were gone. You weren't tucked away in bed like usual, you weren't soaking in the bath, and you weren't curled up with a book.

Panicking, Shigaraki dropped his armful to scour the room, ripping apart the closet and flipping the bed.

"Y/N! Y/N WHERE ARE YOU!" Shigaraki yelled, starting to hyperventilate. As he realized you weren't in the room he ran out, searching for you desperately.

"B-boss?" A villain huffed, azul eyes glued to Shigaraki's crazed form.

"WHERE IS MY Y/N!?"

After scouring the place and demanding answers from everyone and anyone Shigaraki found himself back in your shared room, the room a mess from his search. As the reality sunk in he dropped down to his knees, despair overwhelming his senses.

You were gone.

You left.

It was all his fault.

Sobs racked through Shigaraki's being as he clawed at his neck, crying for his missing love. His other half. His reason to live. You were gone. And it was all his fault.

Reader's P.O.V:

You smirked as you passed Dabi, turning to stick your tongue out at him. Dabi just glared at you as he picked up speed, passing you once more.

"Hurry up loser! You wouldn't want to be left behind!"

"Dabi you're such a bully!" He just laughed as he ran down the hill, and into a rice farm. You've been traveling for two days, and are nearing a town that Dabi thinks would be okay for you to shelter at.

Giggling, you ran after him, jumping into his back when you came in range.

"HEY!"

"Shh you'll wake someone up!" You giggle, nuzzling your face against his head. Dabi just scoffed before slowing his pace to a safer one.

"Hehe I knew you cared." You tease, poking at his cheek.

"I can and will drop you off here and now you pest." Dabi growled, cheeks a bright pink.

You just giggled before resting your head onto Dabi's shoulder, thoughts of your former lover plaguing your mind. You missed him. A lot. Not Shigaraki, the leader of the Liberation Army, but Tomura. Tomura, the leader of the humble LOV with a soft spot for his lover and partner.

Before you knew it silent tears rolled down your face onto Dabi's shoulder. If he noticed he didn't say anything, instead opting to stay quiet as he made his way across the rice field.

Shigaraki's P.O.V:

Shigaraki awoke to the shuffling of footsteps outside of his room. "Sh-Shigaraki! We have a clue to where y/n san-"

Shigaraki lunged at the man, grasping his arm in his hand as he whispered in his ear, "Don't you EVER utter her name again. Your filthy mouth isn't worth it."

The man screamed as his arm started decaying. As Shigaraki dropped him in disgust another man quickly moved to cut off the limb, stopping the decaying.

"Where is my y/n." Shigaraki demanded, glaring at the group.

"Ti' yoon saw Dabi taking a young lady about y/h outside of the base. She had clothing that looked similar to yours, and he says she had e/c eyes." A woman reports, arms crossed over her chest nervously.

Rage shook Shigaraki as he glared at every member of the group, neck scratching over his blood-stained neck. "Why didn't he tell me this EARLIER?" Shigaraki demanded, crimson eyes glaring.

"B-because he didn't suspect anything... He thought that it was someone else because he didn't know that your chick was disloy-" the man was cut off with a scarred hand to his neck, a finger short from decaying him instantly.

"DON'T EVER INSULT MY Y/N YOU SWINE!" Shigaraki yelled, choking the sobbing man before finishing the job, decaying him instantly.

"Bring me to Ti' yoon. Now."

After gathering as much information as he could, Shigaraki quickly made his way toward where they were headed on Machia, killing any hero that dared try and interrupt him.

Reader's P.O.V:

"Y/n. Give me that back. Now."

"But Dabi! Look at how good it looks on me! I thought it was ugly before but it must of just been you!" You tease, sticking your tounge out.

"Oh that's it. You're dead. " Dabi growled, lunging toward you.

You yelped as you threw yourself into a bush, getting you and Dabi's jacket stuck in the branches.

"Aha! Got you!" Dabi grinned, tickling your form as you shook with laughter.

"Da- Dabi! Come on! Help me up!" You giggle, e/c eyes shining.

"Nah. I'm good thanks." Dabi grinned, pinching your side. Dabi just gazed at you as you cussed him out, trying to wiggle free from the bush's grasp to ring his neck.

You both froze as you heard a familiar voice calling the two of you.

"Is that.." you whisper, eyes moist.

"Yeah.. let's get out of here." Dabi replied, scooping you into his arms. You worriedly looked back as Dabi sprinted away, searching for a hiding spot.

Shigaraki's P.O.V:

"Y/N MY LOVE! DABI YOU MORON I'M GOING TO SLOWLY TURN YOU INTO DUST! LIMB BY LIMB YOU WILL SUFFER FOR TAKING MY Y/N AWAY FROM ME!" Shigaraki yelled, crazed eyes scouring the rice farm.

Shigaraki had quickly found footprints, and his rage only deepened as he saw them interlap, and yours going as far as to disappear at times. Following the tracks, he reached a rice farm, where the prints were fresher. You were near. His other half was near.

"Y/N MY LOVE PLEASE COME HOME!"

Reader's P.O.V:

Tears ran down your cheeks as you listened to Shigaraki's words. He was going to find you. You knew it. But he was going to kill Dabi. Not only that- but torture him?

"Hey y/n. It will be okay. He won't find us."

"Yes. Yes he will Dabi. And you will die. I'd rather live with the shell of the man I fell in love with rather than flee and have my best friend be tortured. And don't you argue. I know you Dabi."

"Y/n. No. You are not going back to him."

"Dabi.. you aren't going to be tortured just so I can be happy. He hadn't physically hurt me. He's still my Tomura.. maybe one day he'll change."

"Y/n no-" as Dabi reached for you you activated your quirk and froze him, stopping his movement entirely.

"Y-y/n.. no."

"You'll be free by tomorrow. Hopefully I can convince him to not-"

"Y/n! Y/n my darling!" Shigaraki exclaimed, rushing toward you.

"Tomura..?" You ask, hesitation evident in your voice.

"Oh y/n I- I am so, so sorry. Please. Please my Love. Forgive me? I- I promise to do better. To go back to normal. Y/n my dear you are the most important thing to me, please. Please, please forgive me? I promise to change. My love please." Shigaraki begged, moving to his knees and grabbing your hands.

"Tomura.. you hurt me. A lot."

"I know- I know but baby please." "

"Oh baby.. how could I say no? J-just look at you. What happened to your neck?" You ask, a tear sliding down your face.

"Shhh nothing. Don't worry about it my baby." Right as Shigaraki pulled himself up to kiss you, you put a finger to his lips.

"But. Under one condition. I will forgive you if you promise not to hurt Dabi. He's like a big brother to me Tomu. So please?"

Shigaraki growled softly before glaring up at Dabi. "Fine. For you." He hissed.

You just smiled before tip toeing to kiss Shigaraki, entangling your hands into his hair and pulling him down to deepen the kiss. There were so many emotions poured into it.

Guilt.

Regret.

Hurt.

Acknowledgment.

Anger.

Relief.

And most evident; love.

Part 1 | Alt. ending

Shigaraki's masterlist | Main masterlist | Requesting Rules (requests open and appreciated <3)

Do not copy, repost, nor plagiarize my work. Ask before you translate or use my work in any way, minus reblogging.

[sheeperzzz]

gonna spam u some boops rq but what are your personal thoughts about the alternate bens?? I love hearing others opinions and etc. About them 😼 also happy halloween!!

RAUGGGG I JUST SAW THIS??? Tumblr be eating my asks 😭😭

IVE ACTUALLY GOT A LOT OF THOUGHTS ON THE ALTS. I love AUs so much, so it's fantastic to just go crazy with rambling. Here you go!!

Bad Ben: Bad Ben is actually very, very interesting to me!! I love it when a good character becomes a bad character in terms of like their role. I would have LOVED to see more about him! I don't know, there's something about heros becoming villains that just makes me go bonkers. I feel like they COULD have added a slightly different color scheme, though, instead of just making him mint. By different I mean literally keeping him looking the same but inverting the white/black on him. I feel like it would have been a subtle change that could represent him deeper as a flipped version of Ben.

Ben 23: MY MUNCHKIN. I LOVE 23 SO MUCH HE'S MY SON. So I actually really do enjoy the concept of him! Someone without guidance, just doing whatever their teenage mind tells them is right at the time. I quite like him! I do think he could have been a bit more out of character, though, since Max did play a huge part in Prime Ben's life (and Max couldn't in Ben 23's). Maybe a bit more careless, but who is Ben if not careless in his actions? 23 could have been significantly more moody, at least in my opinion, because I don't think he would have gotten over Max's death and he's got the teenage brain, but otherwise, I adore him! I really wish we could have seen more of him.

Mad Ben: SEE NOW MAD IS MY SECOND FAVORITE BECAUSE I LOVE ME SOME APOCOLYPSE SHIT. The only reason he doesn't surpass Zarro Ben is because he is not a zombie. But anyway, I do like Mad! Again with the "good-guy-turned-bad-guy" trope, but also because we have confirmation that he went crazy with power and was trained under the unforgiving fist of Vilgax. It makes me INSANE and I do love him. I do think he'd find a way to break out after Mad!Rook put him in chains, though, since- y'know. He's a Ben. Ben's are known for being little bastards. Mad totally has some tricks under his sleeves.

No Watch Ben: See I'm not the biggest fan of No Watch, but I do adore him!! The only Ben in millions of Universes to have never gotten an Omnitrix? Hot DAMN. He is so very unique. I actually love him so bad, even if I don't talk about him or mention him a lot. He's always in the back of my mind just chilling out. I do believe that he is skilled when it comes to weapons, especially guns and artillery! He's just a little guy to me.

Benzarro: BENZARRO. ZARRO. ZEE. ZARRO BEN. BEN OF THE ZARRO. I LOVE HIM. SOSOSOSOSOOSOSSOSOSOSO MUCH. I LOVE ZOMBIES. Dude, if you could see 8 year old me, he'd be tweaken out so bad because ZOMBIES!! I LOVEEEE Apocalyptic Zombie Outbreak things. Benzarro is not the exception. Benzarro holds a special place in my heart as the mandatory undead character that makes a show good (jk, but I do love him so bad if you can't tell XD). Honestly, I don't have anything too bad to critic about him! I only will say that I wish his body was a little more decayed, especially on the side without the Zombitrix. I draw him with more decayed flesh and missing chunks because of it. But otherwise, I adore him SO much.

Eon: He counts, right? I actually really like Eon! Blah blah blah "Good guy is now a bad guy" shtick, but I actually do quite enjoy him! I imagine him as another version of Bad Ben instead of Prime. I think he used to have an Omnitrix, did bad things with it, and it broke along the way during one of his biggest heists. No longer having that power he relied so heavily on drove him insane, and now he wanders the Universe in search for a power just like it- not realizing he has achieved something far, far greater. I think he's cool :)

Gwen 10: I say she counts since she has an Omnitrix and would be considered an "Alt Ben" even though she's literally Gwen. But I think the concept of her is super cool! I like to imagine that she knows about her Spark, but never got too connected to it because she has the Omnitrix. She totally uses her aliens in every day life, and as a typical pre-teen, she also goes bonkers with them at times. She gets the zoomies as a Vulpimancer and denies it ever happened XD

Prime Ben: What can I say about him that everyone else already hasn't? He's the original wieldier, and I think he's chill. He's the base for all of the other Universes. Nothing could've happened without him :) THANK YOU FOR CHECKING OUT MY RAMBLE IT MEANS A LOT THAT SOMEONE ASKED EHAEHAHEAHEEE. I'm not including Albedo in this one because I do not believe he is an alternative of Ben! I think he's more-so a brother of Ben, since they've got the same DNA now (save for a few changes that made Albedo white and red), just send another ask for Bedo boy if you want that ramble too >:)

[xstarkillerx]

Okay but how would Anakin react to a short ass trying to top him. Because i cannot shake the need to dominate Anakin. Like i just wana pounce and wrestle him into submission before fucking his brains out. I want to ruin him. But i know even without the force its physically not possible as a 4'9 ankle biter but my god the thoughts wont stop 😭😭😭

LEEEEEEET'S TALK ABOUT IT, and I apologize if this ends up being a long tangent, but as a 4'11 switch who's had more submissives than dominants, I feel you! While there are always exceptions, the reality is we will likely never be able to have a dominance style that relies on intimidation or physically overpowering people, but that doesn't mean dominance is an impossibility!

Thinking about this from an Anakin-centric perspective, I'm gonna be honest, even if you WERE taller, stronger, aided by the force, you still wouldn't be able wrestle him into submission because that's Anakin H. Skywalker, that's Darth Vader, that's the Hero With No Fear, it's a losing battle regardless. But like I said, there are other ways to dominate, and what you have is the benefit of a misleading appearance.

Anakin is a cocky man who is often blinded by his love and desire, with that it'd be more of a game of easing him into submission and not showing your cards until he's on his back with his eyes rolling into his head and no clue how you got him there.

If it were me, I'd start playful, right. Distract him from whatever little droid or trinket he's modding in his spare time with a deep kiss and strategic brush of his jaw that implies more. Pull away, but only a little, enough to make him want to close the gap again and when he tries to, pull away entirely. It's bait and you'll see it in his eyes, intrigue for what exactly you're playing at. With your fingers tucked behind his belt, pull him with you; lead him to the bed and kiss him again, stripping off his outer robes and tabards, leaving nothing but his base layers. Before he can get you on your back, make sure his legs are right up against the bed so you can push him against it and climb on top of him.

Understand that, while caught off guard by this, Anakin still probably won't take you seriously at this point, but he's playful when he wants to be and he'd be amused if anything, so you're in a good spot. Keep an unsuspecting ere about it for now though, like you don't quite know what you're doing yet, like you're playing dress up. He'll put his hands on your hips and guide you back and forth against his hardening dick, "explaining to you" with his body what comes next when one is on top. Keep grinding, run your fingers against his skin, kiss his neck and jaw and what little of his chest is exposed while you rub yourself on him until he can't help but grind back. Pull his trousers low on his waist until his cock is exposed. Get him so hard and wanton that he begins digging his dull nails into your thighs, itching to flip you over and put himself on top. When his fingers curl under you, shove your hands beneath the hem of his shirt.

Tease your fingers over the expanse of his body and gyrate faster on his bare cock, as if you're the one losing control. Scrape the side of his ribs with your nails and listen to how the biting pain makes him purr. Kiss him through it. Bring his shirt higher until it lifts over his head and up the expanse of his broad shoulders, his biceps, then his elbows and that's where you spread your hands out over the fabric, locking it tight against his arm and putting your whole weight down on the bed.

It's an awkward restraint position to be in. I honestly think his initial thought would be that you meant to go for the wrists but aren't tall enough, however, you're exactly where you need to be. At his wrists, he'd have the option of using the full strength of his arms to break free; simple pivot from the shoulder is all it would take, but in this position, all he has is his upper arm strength and the awkward flailing at anything below the elbow. Could he break out of it? Oh absolutely, but the chains are the easy part, it's what goes on in here that's hard, Mentally you've already got him halfway there anyway. I personally think he'd be so intrigued from the moment he realized you're serious about this, that somehow you got him locked down with your pretty chest in his face, that he wants to see you go through with it now. Remember how hard you made him, remember that he's already dripping to be inside you.

Before his amusement runs out and he uses the full extent of his power to flip you over and have his way with you, get up close to his ear and make sure he knows "if you try to get free, I'll stop. Now put your cock in me." He'll have just enough range of motion in his arms to guide it into you with the force.

Now have fun fucking his brains out ♥️

Never underestimate your ability to be dominant, to take control of a scene. In my opinion dominance and submission is less about inherent power, but rather how power is transfered from one person to another, is it coaxed? Is it given on a silver platter, bent over in supplication? Is it won, is it bartered for? Everyone has their own way of getting and giving.

Contrast, unconventionality, the mental game of it, that's what's beautiful to me about BDSM now go forth and be a tiny Dom ♥️♥️♥️💖

[fitzs-trained-monkey]

The Blood of the Covenant

Chapter One: First Steps (Toward White-Faced Cliffs)

Summary: Ominis Gaunt makes his very first friends. || Masterlist

Warnings: None

Song: We Are Gonna Be Friends - Carried Away

A/N: Please tell me what you think. This is my first real contribution to this fandom and I'm unreasonably nervous about it.

He felt a certain fondness looking back on that day. Sitting in King’s Cross Station, assaulted by unfamiliar and frightening sensations. It was scary at the time, but he’d only been eleven then. The hulking monster of soot, smoke, and steel lurched out of the station, and with it, he was finally, finally free.

Even though, at the time, he hadn’t quite figured out that he was trapped to begin with.

That would come with time. And pain. But he didn’t know that quite yet.

And to be fair, he wasn't entirely free. His mother and father would scarcely let him flee so effortlessly from their clutches. But for the first time in his life, he had a real choice - many real choices, in fact. Surely, if he fought hard enough, he wouldn't have to be the villain. He wasn’t destined to become his older brother or his father. He could be the hero, he was sure of it. At eleven years old, he was determined. He would write his own story - prove mother and father and ‘Volo wrong. He would just have to be brave. 

That was the tricky part. 

Bravery wasn't particularly his forte. 

Well, he would just have to work on that. After all, how hard could it be? Without mother and father around to punish him, or ‘Volo over his shoulder to ensure they would, the boy was sure that bravery could be forged easily enough. And Hogwarts, of course, would be the perfect place to build up a little courage. 

Perhaps he could start with what Aunt Noctua always said: Making some friends. 

The only problem there was that… well he'd never really had a friend before. The closest he'd ever come to a playmate were the family house elves and somehow, he didn't think that magical enslavement was quite what his Aunt had in mind. 

" How does one go about making a friend ?" The boy wondered with a frown.

A soft click jarred him from his reverie, and the boy tilted his head toward the door of his little seating area, listening to the voices he'd previously been ignoring.

"Well, I don't know… push it a little harder?" One of the voices, likely a girl's though it was hard for him to distinguish, said. 

"I'm pushing on it as hard as I can." The second speaker sounded more like a boy, at least in temperament.

"Then why isn't it opening?"

"Perhaps it's jammed?" The second voice suggested. This was followed by an indignant huff from the first.

"But everywhere else is full!" The girl complained. "Try it again, Sebastian."

"Oh, fine!" The boy - Sebastian, evidently - exclaimed. "But if I break my shoulder, you'll owe me a new one."

The boy inside the compartment raised a brow and stood. Reaching out, he felt around for the door's handle before twisting and easily sliding it open. 

"It helps to unfasten the latch," He hummed, rather amused. Then, gesturing inside the compartment, he smirked. "In need of a seat?"

"Yes, please!" The girl chirped. He quickly stepped to the side as she slipped past him. Sebastian followed, though not without a low grumble.

"I would have gotten that eventually," He said. The rustle of fabric that followed usually indicated that a speaker had crossed their arms and the frown in his voice wasn't hard to detect. 

"Of course you would."

Sebastian huffed. "As if you didn't do the same thing your first time riding a train."

"I didn't." The boy shrugged, chuckling. Sebastian opened his mouth to contend that only to be met with a quick jab in the ribs from his companion. 

"Sebastian!" She chastened. "Don't be rude!"

"Right. Sorry."

"Apologies on behalf of my brother," The girl said, an eye-roll quite evident in her tone. "It's a pleasure to meet you. I'm Anne Sallow, and he's Sebastian."

The boy nodded. "Pleasure to meet you both," He replied. 

"Are you not going to introduce yourself?" Sebastian wondered. Were he an adult, likely there would have been a hint of displeasure in the boy's tone, but seeing as he was merely eleven, the only undertones in his words were those of curiosity.

The boy froze. If he shared his name, the likelihood that these two would desire to befriend him would either drop or rise significantly. (The latter for all the wrong reasons, of course.) However, he could hardly go about befriending anyone should he withhold his name from the entire school.

"I'm Ominis." He took a deep breath, grimacing as he readied himself for the backlash (or quite the opposite) to come. "Ominis… Gaunt ." 

There was silence.

“Oh…” That was Sebastian.

"I've… heard things about that family," Anne's voice began softly. Not at all an odd thing to say really. Because everyone who was someone had heard something about the Gaunts. Looking back on it, he could hear it in her, just as he had so many others. 

The fear. The disgust. 

And beneath it all, there was that reluctant awe. (In his usual circles - his parent's circles - that awe was less reluctant and more forced. ) As though he were some sort of prince, heir to a vile, imaginary crown. 

Oh, how he grew to hate it.

Though he was only eleven at the time and oh-so-innocent, Ominis knew enough. He knew enough to recognize that his family was awful rude and stuffy and old fashioned. He just didn’t know how bad it really was. Not at the time. His name - his bloodline - was his crown, revered by all, and coveted by those who didn't have the sense to fear it. The Gaunt legacy was one of darkness and hate - it was not something to be exalted. 

Why could people not acknowledge them for what they were? Not royalty, but-

"Pure-blood maniacs - the lot of 'em. That's what my uncle says," Sebastian cut in, foregoing his sister's more polite tone. There was no awe in his voice. Ominis caught only a steadfast surety. "I never understood why the Prophet always talks about your folks like they're some kind of royalty, but that whole clan sounds more like a bunch of spoiled brats to me. What say you, Ominis?"

The blunt honesty caught him off guard. Ominis blinked.

You see, despite having been born blind, (or perhaps because of it) Ominis Gaunt was quite adept at reading people. He could hear the difference between a smile and a sneer, even when one masked the other. He could scent out a lie from across a room, even in a setting steeped with deceit. He could taste a challenge before it crawled its way between a speaker's lips, not unlike a snake that tastes its prey from deep within its hole - never giving a warning before it strikes. (An apt metaphor, though Ominis would never take pride in it.)

The boy was so used to deception - had lived his entire eleven years of life by its principles. Navigating the cloak-and-dagger conversations of pure-blood high society was a skill sewn into his very essence. Yet, none of his parents' instructions on navigating polite conversation could have prepared him for the metaphorical bludger that was Sebastian Sallow.  

His words alone painted for Ominis a perfect impression of his entire personality. 

Thus Ominis was quite sure that the child before him was unlike anyone he had ever met. This boy had never known wealth nor privilege as he had. (Ominis could smell the dirt on the clothes he and his sister wore.) There were no schemes nor hidden agendas, it seemed. No, he simply didn't have the patience for such things. He was purely upfront - a trait Ominis was far from used to. Sebastian wasn't going to play nice for the sake of propriety.

And truthfully, Ominis was quite bored with propriety. Perhaps that was why he didn’t lash out in his family’s defense. Or perhaps it was because ‘Volo had pushed him down the stairs earlier that day. He wasn’t sure. Either way, that was the beginning. That was how the wool over his eyes began to unravel, so to speak. But again. He didn’t know that yet. For now, as an eleven-year-old who was quite annoyed with his brother would, he just found it all rather funny.

"Ugh! ‘Bash!" Anne hissed, though the admonition died on her lips when Ominis cracked a smile.

"Oh, I quite agree," He said with a smirk. "You can't imagine the family reunions." 

Oh , if his parents heard him say that… 

Rather, only Sebastian and Anne did. They didn't seem particularly affronted. In fact, a broad grin stretched into Sebastian's next words. 

"I think the three of us are going to be great friends, Ominis."

And Ominis smiled then. They had extended their friendship first, and he hadn't even needed to do anything! He'd thought he would have at least had to buy them off, but no! They didn't ask a knut of him. What a spectacular feeling that was! 

He could be normal, like Auntie Noctua always said. He could make friends. He could do this . 

He would prove his siblings and his parents wrong, just like Aunt Noctua always said he could.

"Thank you, I look forward to it," He said, with a slight smile. "So, this is your first year at Hogwarts as well, I presume?"

"Yes, it is!" Anne answered readily, practically buzzing with excitement.

"I see." He nodded. "Would the two of you happen to be twins then?"

"Indeed we are," Sebastian hummed, a hint of pride in his voice. "Can't you tell?"

Ominis frowned and retreated slightly. "As a matter of fact, I-I can't," He said.

"Why's that?" The boy wondered, genuinely confused. His sister sighed.

"Because he's blind , Sebastian," She hissed under her breath.

"Oh… Wait, really?"

Ominis raised a brow. "Yes?"

"So what's that like?" He wondered, leaning forward in his seat. "What color is everything for you? Is it black or white?" 

Anne groaned. 

"I wouldn't know…" Ominis answered slowly. Yet a smirk tugged at the corners of his lips, despite himself. "I was born this way. What's your excuse?"

Most questions he received about his blindness were demeaning in some way or another. He was used to them by now. However, for once, he didn't mind because this one was entirely genuine… if only in the sense that not a single ounce of thought had been put into it. 

"He doesn't have one, I'm afraid." Anne deadpanned. "He's just an idiot."

Sebastian's robes rustled as he drew back, offended. "What are you two getting at? I just ask-" He paused. "Oh."

It would seem that Sebastian's mouth ran a bit faster than his head. There was honesty in that. Ominis found himself appreciating it.

"Merlin's beard, Sebastian." Anne sighed, shaking her head. She shifted to address Ominis. "Believe it or not, my brother's got the brain of a Ravenclaw."

"Pity he doesn't use it," Ominis hummed, teasingly.

The girl giggled. "That's what I've been saying for years."

"Oh yes, how clever of you, Anne. Let's all just applaud your stunning originality," Sebastian said flatly. Ominis could practically hear him rolling his eyes. "You know, Ominis, I've always thought my sister more inclined to Gryffindor," He continued. "She reminds me of a lion quite often. Though, not so much in temperament as in looks. I mean, you're lucky you can't see because it's rather frightening - razor sharp claws, yellow teeth, and when she wakes up in the morning, she's got quite the impressive mane. She's also unreasonably loud!"

"Wha-" Anne gasped and a loud thump indicated that Sebastian was going to have an impressive bruise on his arm by the end of the day. 

Ominis couldn't help but laugh. And, oddly enough, that laughter lasted for the duration of the train ride. He'd never before felt the urge to laugh quite like he did in the presence of the Sallow twins. Because… well he could . With no one around to chastise him, he could laugh all he wanted. 

Something warm and entirely foreign stirred in his chest. Thus, on that very day, Ominis Gaunt experienced the sensations of both true freedom and kinship for the first time in his life and, like a Niffler, he welcomed it greedily, relishing it in the moment before it would inevitably be taken from him. After all, good things were always taken from him. He wasn't good enough to keep them. He hadn’t quite learned that lesson yet. But he would.

Rather sad that, but no one ever said this was a happy story. 

By the time the train arrived in Hogsmeade Station, the twins were practically bouncing off the walls of that little compartment. Though, in hindsight, the mounds of candy Ominis bought for them to share certainly didn't help matters. He did it because he could. Because mother and father would have told him no. Because he had money and his parents never spent a Galleon on anyone else. Auntie Noctua said generosity is a good thing. So Ominis would be a generous little boy.

“Oh, Sebastian! Just look at it!” Anne squealed, her face plastered to the window. Her brother, in an attempt to remain composed and thus appear more mature than his sister, remained in his seat. He was equally excited, however, if his voice was anything to go on.

“We’ve passed by dozens of times. We practically live here! Why is today any different?” His feet drummed on the floor. Oh, he couldn’t wait.

“Because today we’re going inside !” Anne shook her brother vigorously and Ominis couldn't help but laugh. 

“Look at it, Ominis!” She then implored him. 

He didn’t hesitate a second.

“Oh, yes. Stunning. Positively mind boggling.” 

“Isn’t it just?” She sighed. “I’m just so… wait.” She whipped around again and crossed her arms.

“HA!” Sebastian gave a rather loud and phony laugh. “Who’s the moonmind now?”

Anne kicked her brother before resting her hand on Ominis’s arm. He flinched, but only a little bit. He was proud of that. Thankfully, she didn’t touch his skin. That would have been far too much. He was only eleven, after all. He hadn’t realized it wasn’t normal for touch to be an awful thing. He hadn’t yet realized it wasn’t normal for parents to hit their little ones.

“I’m so sorry,” She said. “I truly didn’t mean to be so rude.”

Ominis just chuckled in response. “Don’t be. You’re not mean, Anne.”

The poor girl seemed so genuinely and deeply upset. It honestly floored him.

“No, no. I really will be more careful.”

“Don’t waste your breath,” He maintained. “It will happen again. And again… and again.”

He was, after all, quite used to much worse. 

Then the train pulled to a stop. Ominis was a bit thrown in his seat, but otherwise alright. Sebastian jumped up like someone had just lit off a Wizzpopper in their compartment. He and his twin were bouncing on their feet. 

“Are you ready, mate?” Sebastian prodded. Now, this made Ominis frown. He fleetingly reached into his robes to touch his wand. Still there.

“I… I think I’ll wait.” He said. Anne immediately frowned. 

“Wait?” She sounded like she couldn’t possibly fathom what the word meant. “Merlin’s beard! Why would you possibly want to wait?”

He caught himself swaying a bit again and corrected. 

“Less people.” He replied. 

“Oh… I see.” Sebastian nodded slowly. Then he giggled. “Dammit. I did it again.”

Anne hit him. For the fourth time. Ominis suspected she did that quite a lot. 

“Sebastian!” She admonished. “Language! There is a lady present.”

“Shit. Where?” He gasped mockingly. “Ominis, have you lied to me?”

They were trying to make him feel better. It was working. He smiled.

“Oh, I hope not.”

“Damn. Don’t say that, mate. You got my hopes up.” 

Anne died a little bit, smacking her palm against her forehead loud enough for Ominis to flinch again. He opted to change the subject before she did herself (or her brother) any more damage.

“Say, if the two of you live in this valley - as I assume you must - why take the train?” He wondered. 

“You talk so fancy,” Anne said. Not an actual answer to his question and she sounded rather sad. He decided then and there that he didn’t like it when Anne Sallow sounded sad.

He’d hardly had time to frown before Sebastian spoke up.

“Mum and Dad were so excited about it,” He said. “They ate up any bit of news they could. They so desperately wanted us to be able to ride.” The boy laughed and then his voice fractured - and not because he was an eleven year old boy. “They set aside some money. Put it in their will. Uncle Solomon says its just this once.”

“Oh.” And really. What else could he say? “You’re… orphans?”

The thought of simply not having parents seemed so foreign to him. But then again… perhaps not.

Before her brother could say anything brash (and he was going to judging by his intake of breath) Anne huffed and placed her hands on her hips. 

“That we are,” She said. “Come now. Looks like most everyone has cleared out.” 

She took him and her brother by their sleeves and promptly dragged them from their compartment. Sebastian was rather stiff - his footsteps gave him away. 

“You’re very brave, you know,” Ominis told the other boy under his breath. Sebastian froze.

“There are steps here, Ominis. Three of them. Be careful.” Anne informed him, remaining deliberately unresponsive to his comment. 

“Yes, thank you.” He pulled out his wand and it pulsed a few times. It vibrated, seemingly happy to be put to work after hours in his pocket. There were indeed three steps. Ominis liked Anne quite a bit. Thoughtful she was. Loud, but in a good sort of way. An honest way. His wand liked her too. She descended the steps first and her brother, though he didn’t turn to face Ominis, he did speak. His voice was quiet in an awful sad sort of way. 

“Brave… That’s not what people usually say,” He murmured. 

Ominis cracked a little smile. Noctua always said that a stretch of the lips and a crinkle of the cheeks makes people more at ease. 

“Well, I do like to be different.”

Sebastian huffed a laugh and helped Ominis down the steps. There was something warm about that. He was trying. They both were. 

However it was Sebastian who ended up slipping off the last step.

Ominis and his new friends stood at the back of a herd of eleven-year-olds who began to walk almost as soon as the three of them got off the train. They quickly followed. At the head of the pack was a man who introduced himself as Mr. Moon - the Hogwarts groundskeeper. He inhaled quite a lot throughout his speech and Ominis found that rather annoying. Speech patterns aside, the groundskeeper led them down a rather steep gravel-covered path. It was still rather slick from the afternoon rain, which the young Gaunt did not appreciate in the slightest, but really that only made something amazing happen. Every time he slipped (which was only thrice, mind you) Sebastian would catch him.

Ominis really didn’t need him to. He didn’t need help . In fact, he never really even lost his footing - just slipped a little. Yet, Sebastian was there. He helped, and not in a demeaning way. He didn’t say anything. Just helped. But that was enough and Ominis felt a little warm around him.

The next obstacle, however, was worse . 

There were many things that Ominis Gaunt did not like. He was a particular person after all. But rather high on that list was a simple little thing called water . He didn’t like it. He didn’t like floating in it, he didn’t like being doused with it, and he most certainly despised the thought of drowning in it.

Now, most unfortunately, he was led by this groundskeeper onto a dock of all things and waiting for the little first years, were boats . Waves lapped against the shore and the little wooden contraptions bumped against the dock. Ominis did not want to be in a boat. All the other first years were climbing on in and the boats rowed themselves away from the dock soon after being filled. Or at least, he assumed as much, as the accursed things bobbed their way out of his wand’s range. For the record, his wand was a little curious about the water. After all, it had experienced so little aside from the dusty wand shop which had housed it for most of its inanimate life. It wanted to learn of water, but Ominis would not indulge such curiosity. 

“Oh, how lovely!” Anne chirped. “Boats!”

“No.” Ominis said simply.

Sebastian frowned. “No?”

“No,” He said again. “I’ll not be getting in one of those things.”

“Doesn’t look like you have another option, mate,” Sebastian noted. “Thats the only way to get to the castle.”

He crossed his arms. “There are carriages.”

“Those carriages over there?” Anne referenced some point in the distance. “Good luck. They’re at least a hundred meters to our right and moving fast.”

Ominis hesitated. 

No,” He said again. “I’ll wait right here.” 

Now, he was fully aware that he sounded like a spoiled child. But really - Boats!

“Oh, come on. Its not that bad,” Sebastian tried to persuade him.

“Drowning at age eleven seems quite bad!” He exclaimed.

“Ominis! They’re leaving us behind!” Anne pleaded.

He huffed. “Then you two go on. I suppose I’ll not be receiving an education.”

“Not without you.”

The twins were then unusually quiet for a moment, and Ominis really should have seen it coming. But he would learn. One day he would learn. 

He felt a pair of hands grab onto each of his arms, and with a strength that belied their size, the twins lifted him into the little dingy waiting just off the dock. Ominis protested vehemently but that changed nothing. As he was set down, the boat rocked dangerously from side to side. He cried out, latching onto the sides with a death grip. But now that he was in the boat, it wasn’t like he could get out.

“You two are going to get it for this!” He spat - an entirely empty threat, but he felt it needed to be said.

“Whatever you say, Ominis.” Sebastian climbed into the boat next and Ominis just about lost all that candy from earlier as the thing teetered and tossed. Then Anne boarded next and all he could really do was grumble.

“Come on… you too,” Anne said once settled. 

Ominis frowned. ”Hm?” He hadn’t heard anyone standing behind their little trio - no breathing, no footsteps.

Yet, the boat rocked again and a pair of robes brushed over his leg. A tiny, quiet little voice apologized. 

“And what’s your name?” Anne asked as the boat began to move. Ominis just groaned.

“I-Irene.” This student was clearly a girl. She sounded more terrified than he was. “My name is Irene.” And she had a funny little voice too - flat and throaty, scratched up like she’d been screaming all day.

Ignoring the oohs and ahhs of his companions, (the other girl didn’t make a peep) Ominis tried very hard not to think about anything at all as their little boat approached the castle. Certainly not how just one wrong move would have him flailing in icy liquid until his clothing dragged him down to the depths of the Black Lake. Yes. He absolutely wasn’t thinking about that.

When finally their boats bobbed into a harbor that was apparently underground according to Sebastian, Ominis finally let himself breathe. Which was a relief as he was beginning to get a bit lightheaded. Sebastian and Anne climbed out first and together pulled him from the death trap dingy. 

“Alright, up and out now,” Sebastian urged the other girl. Very helpful these twins were, he decided. Ominis heard the clasp of their hands and then… a second noise, this one none too pleasant. See, Sebastian tugged on the girl’s arm and there came a loud, rather stomach-churning pop. Ominis assumed it was her shoulder.

The poor little thing hissed but miraculously stayed upright in the boat. Seeing as their little group was the last to arrive and most of the other first years were already filling out, the little mishap garnered little attention. However, Anne, always so concerned, was positively mortified.

“Bloody hell, love! Are you okay?” She immediately climbed off the landing and back into the boat, before helping to lift the other girl out.

“I’m fine,” Irene said, still so quietly. 

“I-I am so, so sorry…” Sebastian swallowed audibly. “I think you should get that looked at…” He sounded downright sick. There came another disgusting popping noise followed by a nasty grinding that made Ominis even more queasy than he already was. 

“Great gobstones!” Anne gasped. “Did you just shove your shoulder back into its socket?”

Irene seemed to back away a bit. “It's fine… happens all the time.”

“Alright…” Sebastian scratched the back of his head. “Wait a minute, are you an American?”

Ah, so that’s what was so odd about her voice! Ominis had been looking in the wrong place, so to speak. It was her accent that was funny. The little oddity was American. How… exotic. 

“Y-yes… I am,” Irene practically whispered.

“Well… God blind me,” Anne said.

“Language, Anne,” Sebastian teased.

“Oh, shove it.” 

Ominis just huffed, still rather grumpy - or at least reminding the twins that he had been. “Well, come on! Let’s not miss the sorting.”

Pulling out his wand, he and the twins followed after the rest of the first years. The strange American trailed behind them, quiet as a mouse. Destiny awaited them. And all four of them knew it. Perhaps, however, with all fate had in store for them, they shouldn’t have been quite so giddy.

[destinygoldenstar]

How Ninjago Hands Of Time Fails At Dialogue (And how I would fix it)

"Long time no see."

"Wu? You look... old. As if your best days have passed. Unlike your monastery."

"I still have plenty left in me. Care to finish what we started? I've been waiting ages."

"Really? Doesn't feel that long to me."

"This ends now."

That sounds WRONG, right? This is one of the first dialogue exchanges in the entire season, and it sounds wrong.

How Season 7 of Ninjago FAILS at dialogue. (And how to fix it)

Now, just a disclaimer here, this is NOT a review of the entire season. I'm not diving into the story or the characters or the animation here. I'm ONLY focusing on how the DIALOGUE was written.

It's actually much different than talking about the story being written. You could have the best story ever told, but if you accompany it with bad dialogue that feels unnatural, the story gets buried. I feel like that is the EXACT reason why people don't get invested in Season 7's story. It's not because of the actual story, it's the dialogue.

Because there actually IS a good story on paper here. Wu faces consequences for his wisdom and overly-responsible tendencies, Kai and Nya are discovering the history of their family, and overall there's a message of time and age and how that should or shouldn't affect you now.

But the dialogue fails to convey this, and thus what good story there is gets buried. (Not saying Hands of Time is a 10/10 story for Ninjago, but it's not an awful one)

And this seems to be a huge problem that distracts me only in THIS season. This isn't an overall issue Ninjago has. Some of my favorite seasons understands dialogue perfectly well.

"Why would you touch the creepy picture JAY?!"

"I didn't know it would do that COLE!"

That's probably not the best example but I love it.

But Hands of Time is where they really dropped the ball with how to write effective dialogue. I'm gonna show the lines of a scene in Episode 3, in the Krux & Kai fight where Krux tells Kai about his parents being traitors. Tell me if this dialogue sounds natural to you.

"My parents helped Wu and Garmadon defeat you once. I will do it again."

"Is that what you think?"

"That's what I know. Master Wu told me."

"You were not there young ninja, I was. Your parents were. And Wu. He's told you a lie. Your parents were not who you think they are. They didn't fight against us, they fought with us."

"What? Can't be. They were heroes!"

"They were heroes, but heroes for our side."

"I don't believe you. Master Wu would never lie!"

"Surely that's why he didn't want you to know the truth."

That sounds wrong, right? Like these two don't talk like they're currently trying to beat each other against a wall. Which is what's happening action-wise in the scene. The dialogue actively interrupts the fight.

But story-wise, the scene should be quite good and devastating. Krux is telling Kai a harsh truth that his parents were traitors to the elemental masters, and Kai doesn't believe him because he's the bad guy. It's a moment of denial and anger towards the disrespect for his family's 'legacy' for Kai, and a moment of taunting to weaken the opponent for Krux.

But the dialogue fails to convey the emotion that needs to be dealt in the scene.

And I didn't even show the full context here. Krux goes on the BLATANTLY EXPLAIN the clues as to why he's telling the truth. In context, Kai's parents are alive and still his slaves, and if he really doesn't want drive Kai to learn that fact, you'd think he'd leave the truth that they're traitors at that and just use it as an emotional weak point. Seriously, you're basically ASKING to lose your blacksmiths for your army.

(You could argue that he'd use the info to lure Kai and Nya in to force them to get the Reversal Time Blade in the boiling sea for them, which is what they do later, but in context of the story, Krux doesn't know where that time blade is yet)

So how do we fix this scene?

Well one, we make make the dialogue make sense for the character.

"Let's teach these two a lesson on sibling rivalry!"

Nya, you are fighting WITH your brother on equal ground, not against him. LEARN WHAT THE WORD RIVALRY MEANS.

And, we improve on the SUBTEXT of the moment.

Based on Wikipedia's explanation:

'Subtext is any content of a creative work which is not announced explicitly (by characters or author) but is implicit, or becomes something understood by the audience.'

Dialogue is almost always carried by the emotions of the two characters exchanging the dialogue. The setting could play a role, or the action could play a role. Maybe the two dialogue exchangers are in a quiet room together sharing a heart to heart, and I'll get to a scene like that later. Or in this context, they're in a museum, they're to beat each other up, and Krux is using the fact of Kai's parents being traitors to get a weak point.

So I'm going to rewrite this scene, with the only difference is that subtext is now added.

So we have Kai and Krux in the museum in a fight. Cyrus Borg is on the floor tied up and Kai is trying to reach him. He gets kicked away by Krux before he could reach him. Kai gets up and his eyes meet the portrait of his parents. It's shown on his face that his ideology of them motivates him. Krux tries to grab Cyrus and make an escape, but Kai grabs a nearby prop sword to throw at him and get his attention back.

Kai swears to him: "I'll finish the fight they started. I'll stand for what Wu, mom, dad, and all of them fought for!"

And he charges at Krux with a fire-based attack. Krux blocks it and pins him to the floor. In the struggle, Krux gazes at the portrait of Kai's parents and smiles in a very smug way.

Krux then says: "Then you'll be fighting alongside us. Just like your parents did."

Kai is caught off guard by his claim, shock all over his face. All he can give off is a "What?!" Before he's thrown off and slammed into the wall. The portrait of his parents is behind him, and while Kai is down, Krux approaches to add to the taunting, using the painting as a reference.

Krux taunts: "You weren't there, young one. These paintings of honor don't tell the full story of who your family was. What they represented. Wu may not want you to know the truth, but I'll tell you."

The whole time, Kai, on the ground, tries to punch, kick, and spew fire at Krux, but again and again it's blocked, and Krux only approaches closer, his claims echoing in the room, and Kai's head, disorienting him.

"Your parents were TRAITORS. They were DECEITFUL. They were ENEMIES TO THE MASTERS. They fought for OUR CAUSE. They BETRAYED EVERYONE THEY CARED FOR TO SAVE THEIR OWN SKIN."

Kai gets smacked to the corner, and Krux has him pinned again, a smug as ever grin on his face in seeing Kai distraught, confused, scared, and breathing heavily.

Krux asks, "And you want to be like that?"

With Kai's body pretty much molded into the painting by this point, there's a few seconds that focuses only on Kai's expression. His teeth get more gritted, and his fist (claw, thing, you know what I mean) is clenched and burning red under his glove.

Kai then grits, the first time in a quiet bit of anger, "You're a liar."

Krux gives a smug, "Hm?"

And suddenly, Krux is thrown back by a punch of heat. Kai is now the one charging at Krux, trying to slash fire from his fist everywhere. The whole time, he's screaming, "YOU'RE A LIAR! A LIAR! THEY WOULD NEVER! YOU LIE!!"

And from his anger getting the better of him, he doesn't notice Krux pulling a smart move to get him off of him and thrown to the floor.

All Krux can give is a reply, "And you're a fool."

Then Acronix shows up.

See that? That's how you use subtext to get the scene's point across.

It's not good. But it's better, it doesn't spoonfeed info, and it doesn't pause the action.

I could go on with nearly all of the scenes in this season, but lets not.

A pet peeve I have is when people talk to themselves for no reason. Sometimes it's effective, other times, it's...

"Wait. There is a better place. A scrapyard. Like the one that belongs... to my parents!"

Jay is talking to NOBODY.

This is blatant explanation on why Jay separates from the group. We the audience KNOW Jay's parents are from a junkyard. So we the audience can FIGURE OUT OURSELVES that Jay's parents are in danger from this. We don't need Jay to tell us.

You just flat out don't need this line. Just have Jay go the opposite way. The next episode SHOWS that Jay is going to his parent's scrapyard. So if that line wasn't said, it would be a mystery cliffhanger for Episode 4 as to why Jay left, if you can't figure it out yourself, and Episode 5 proceeds to answer your question by SHOWING why Jay left by showing him arriving at his parent's junkyard.

In moments like this, sometimes no words is better.

OR, I get Jay is characterized to be talkative. If that's the issue, have him tell one of the other ninja, ANY of the other ninja, doesn't matter who, that he's going to the junkyard to save his parents.

So let's say he tells this to Cole, just an RNG.

Cole notices Jay is driving the other direction, and asks, "Jay, where are you going?"

Jay answers, "There's another place they could get metal. You know where."

Cole, who KNOWS Jay's parents are from a junkyard, realizes what he's talking about. He asks, "Are you sure?"

Jay answers, "Yes. Go with them, I'll contact you if any of those snakes show up."

Then Jay speeds off, and Cole, reluctantly, goes with the other ninja.

Boom. Subtext. AND it's good characterization to show these characters trust each other. Bonus.

And we DON'T have characters TALKING TO THE VOID.

Same with this:

"There's only one person who could possibly understand what I'm going through."

Kai. Buddy. You are talking to a HELMET.

Do you need to see a therapist?

(Clearly the answer is yes after this season.)

The next scene with him SHOWS that Kai is talking to Skylar, so why did they TELL us?

And Kai does not have the excuse of being a talkative character. We KNOW what Kai is like when he does talk to himself. It's when he's parading in a Green Ninja outfit with his head in the clouds. This is supposed to be a serious moment, so why would Kai be talking to himself?

(To be fair, this is far from the worst instance of Kai being OOC in the show)

All I ask is that characters talking to themselves makes sense and is consistent.

Speaking of his dialogue with Skylar, I wanted to talk about that:

"It's just so... shocking. To find out that your father, someone you've idolized your entire life, turns out to be... there's no other word for it... evil. It makes you question everything you know, everything you are. Which is why I came to you. Because you went through the same thing and I-"

This sounds WRONG. Like, nobody talks like this, especially after what Kai's been going through. If you saw two people in a restaurant talking to each other like this, you'd raise an eyebrow.

Because again, SUBTEXT, WHAT'S THAT?!

Skylar is Kai's girlfriend, right? Or, there was nothing that said they were not dating, and they're clearly keeping in touch. Plus, forget we the audience already knowing it for a moment, Kai, the character, KNOWS that Skylar went through the same thing as he is. HE WAS THERE WHEN SHE WENT THROUGH IT. He's talking to her because he knows that, he trusts her, and he needs someone to vent to and talk to. From the context alone, we already KNOW why Kai is here. We don't need him to tell us. Skylar doesn't even need Kai to tell her that she went through the same thing. SHE KNOWS HER FATHER SUCKED. SHE NEEDS NO REMINDER.

There's also an issue with vocabulary. Depending on the character, vocabulary plays a bit of a role in dialogue. If a character is incredibly smart, like Zane, then you can see him using bigger words. (Zane also has an excuse with him being a robot) But if a character isn't characterized as that, then they won't be saying bigger words.

"Someone you've idolized" Is how I expect Zane to word it. Not Kai.

"Someone you looked up to" Works better for Kai.

(I'm not saying Kai is dumb or anything like that. I'm saying he's impulsive and often speaks and acts before he thinks, so he wouldn't be thinking of big words to use.)

And mind you, that's just the OPENING LINE of the scene.

So let me rewrite this bit with subtext, and show the bond between these two characters without telling.

So Kai at first is seated by himself at the table, staring off into space lost in thought.

Skylar then shows up with a tray of noodles for herself, him, and Nya (who shows up later in the scene).

She tells him softly, "Sorry for the wait. It's a busy night tonight. Should've told me you were coming, I would've gotten that spice you liked last time."

Kai doesn't answer, still staring off into space. Skylar notices it, and takes a seat across from him.

She puts her hand on his and asks, "Are you okay?"

Kai, from her touch, notices her and snaps back to reality. He takes a pause to figure out how to approach it, and only sighs, "Oh, you know. Classic ninja truth bombs going off. The usual."

Skylar doesn't buy his poor attempt at a joke, and she's about to ask what he means-

But then he cuts her off and asks, "How long have you known your dad was evil? Before we showed up, I mean."

Skylar, a little confused, answers, "Um... I'd say it's a deep down thing when I knew. Not exactly a social place on his island. Why do you ask?"

Kai then opens up, asking her, "When the person you look up to is... horrible... what went through your head?"

Skylar hesitates to answer. She doesn't know what to say. Her answer gets cut off when Nya shows up.

There you go. It's not Shakesphere, but it's something better. Utilizing Skylar in the scene and having her talk to him.

In the original scene, Nya blatantly states that Skylar is the head of this restaurant they're at.

But with this rewrite of the scene, we actually DO get that information WITHOUT it FEELING like we're being told it.

Skylar is acting as a waitress at the start. "It's a busy night tonight." Tells is that Skylar works at the restaurant place. And we know she's the head of it because in Season 4 she said that was what her dream lied. So we don't need her to say that.

"Should've told me you were coming, I would've gotten that spice you liked last time." This line gives info that Kai somewhat came unannounced, and also tells us that they do see each other. "I would've gotten that spice you liked last time." Tells us that Kai comes here often, and sees her often. It also tells us that Kai like spices, or just he likes his noodles a certain way.

We also see how Skylar puts her hand on him and softly speaks to him that these two are close. That they are romantically involved. Or, maybe that's not explicitly said and vague enough to have that not be the case. But it still says they care about each other. They trust each other. Kai is here because he trusts her, and it's shown to us why he does.

Kai is lost in thought before she shows up because there is a lot going through his head. We know why, so all we need is his facial expression to show that.

"Oh, you know. Classic ninja truth bombs going off. The usual." We can infer he vents to Skylar quite a bit. Especially with the half-baked joke tone he uses, because he doesn't know how to approach it to her.

"I'd say it's a deep down thing when I knew. Not exactly a social place on his island." This is actually NOT information the audience had yet. We knew Skylar's dad was evil, but we didn't know her exact headspace. So this is added characterization. Skylar lived on an isolated island with her father and a snake cult for a huge majority of her life. We could believe her words when she admits she was very lonely there. But her father was her only influence so while she could comprehend he was in the wrong, she felt as though she had no choice but to be like him until Kai showed up.

That's all you need. You DON'T need Nya to say "Look at her, she could've inherited her father Chen's evil empire and ruled the world, but instead dedicated her life to spending her day bent over a hot stove to provide low lost quality noodles to the people of Ninjago City."

Even Skylar, in the scene, is annoyed by her words. Just don't have Nya say that at all. Just have her say "Skylar's right, look how she turned out." And then the scene's dialogue is better and subtext is there.

THAT is how you write effective dialogue.

The worst thing you can do is treat your audience like they're babies and don't understand anything. I know this show is for kids, but kids are smarter than you think. It's even worse in this show's case, because 90% of the audience is people who have SEEN the previous seasons. At this point, they KNOW certain stuff about the show's world. It's really bad when you're THIS late into a show, and then it suddenly treat its audience like idiots. Like they can't possibly understand what's clearly being shown, or what was established before.

Nya blatantly says that she now trusts the new Samurai X and that they're worthy of the armor. Gee, I couldn't tell from her actions. Nya explains why she kept her Samurai form a secret all that time ago. It's not like we SAW her as Samurai for FOUR SEASONS. (No, the character she's saying this to doesn't excuse it. She doesn't know it's P.I.X.A.L, but she knows it's someone she met before at this point. She knows they saw her in action.)

And before you say Ninjago as always done dialogue without subtext. NO. They have NOT. They HAVE used subtext.

Look at Season 8 with the fight between Lloyd and Garmadon. One of the BEST scenes in the WHOLE SHOW. There is very little dialogue here. It's all subtext. We SEE Lloyd refusing to fight and lose himself, we see his emotion, we see Garmdon's cold stone faced expression. It makes the actual dialogue exchange everyone remembers from the scene hit SO MUCH HARDER.

"It's me, your son."

"I have no son."

THAT is a GREAT way to use affective dialogue. That's all that needs to be said.

But again and again, this season fails at understanding subtext, and my gosh does it ruin the story being told here.

(The Wu nightmare scene is, well, a dialogue nightmare)

You know why I hate Delicious Party Pretty Cure so much? Subtext is flat out just not a thing.

The elephant in the room there is the random narrator blatantly telling us what is going on. No charisma. No context as to why this happens. Nothing.

Saying that they're at an art museum. Gee, I couldn't tell.

Saying that Rosemary is sad. Huh, couldn't notice that.

I actually got ENRAGED at a few moments because of this. And it's not just the narrator, the dialogue leaves little to no room for subtext.

It's not all of Pretty Cure. It's JUST this season. This really truly thinks its audience is a bunch of idiots. They can't possibly understand anything.

When I write my dialogue. I like to rely on the emotion needing to be shown in the scene.

For clarification, I'm going to rewrite the scene in Ninjago Hands of Time that I think was RUINED by bad dialogue THE MOST. When if the dialogue did it justice, it would've been emotionally powerful.

That's in Episode 8. The Smith Family Reunion.

Ray: "Who are you? What do you want?"

Kai: "I want justice!" (Fancy line, but not what I'd say to my long lost father who I think is an enemy)

Ray: "You're red like a Vermillion warrior. But you're no snake." (Thanks, couldn't tell)

Kai: "No... but you are. Traitor!"

Ray: "You've messed with the wrong blacksmith my friend." (Just... cringe)

Kai: "I'm not your friend!"

Ray: "Firepower?! No... you're certainly not a guard. You're... my son. Kai?! You've inherited my elemental power." (Ray KNOWS about the Elemental Masters and how descendants work. How is he shocked his son inherited his power?)

Kai: "That's the only thing I'll ever inherit from you."

---

Maya: "Kai! You don't know what you're doing!"

Kai: "I do, Nya! I absolutely-"

Maya: "I'm not your sister, son."

Kai: "...mom? I don't believe it."

Maya: "That makes two of us."

Kai: "Why?! She's just as guilty as he is! They've been working with Krux and Acronix for years! They're the enemy!" (They know that. Everyone in the room knows that.)

Maya: "Is that what you think?! We're not the enemy."

This scene SHOULD have been one of THE most POWERFUL scenes of the ENTIRE season. And yet bad dialogue BUTCHERS it.

So I'm going to do it justice right now.

So we start with Kai barging into the blacksmith shop.

His father is there. There's a look of solitude and despair on his father's face as he hits his hammer on the metal he's working on. The sound of the hammer on the metal adds to the uneasiness of the scene.

Kai stands there, unsure what to do. He's hesitant, his hand tightened on his blade (or whatever that thing is).

Ray looks up, assuming it's a guard. He says, "The next load is on the shelf. I'll have the next batch by morning, as you wished."

Then he goes back to hammering the metal.

It's louder this time.

From under Kai's mask, his eyebrows are tightened. He shuts the front door and locks it. (Because this is an assassination attempt. That's what he's trying here.)

Ray stops hammering and notices the 'guard' locking the door, and he goes, "What? Was it something I've done?"

That's when Kai gives a sneer. "Yes."

Then Kai, no other words, no patience for his father's reaction, charges at Ray and tries to strike him with the blade.

Ray, with the hammer in his hand, defends himself.

The two engage in a fight, with Kai trying to take him out, and Ray acting out of self defense. Ray holds his own very well, and even knocks Kai back a bit. (Showing the audience he's capable of holding his own.)

When Kai is on the ground, Ray, in a moment to breathe, asks, "Who are you?!"

(Showing the audience he's detected Kai is not a guard)

Kai, on the ground, catches his breath, and shoots the question right back. "Who are you?! You traitor!"

Kai gets up and continues the fight, and Ray again, defends himself. All Ray can get out is a confused, "Traitor?!"

Kai, in his rage as he tries to assault his dad, vents to him (because that's in character) "I thought you were a hero! I looked up to you! I wanted to BE you! I was a fool!"

Ray, again, gets the upper hand and knocks Kai to the ground, throwing away Kai's weapon (thing).

Ray demands, as an act of mercy, "I don't know what you thought of me, but stand down. This doesn't have to end badly."

Kai flinches from his spot, emotions of rage, confusion, sorrow, and vengeance written all over him.

He takes off his mask to catch his breath.

Ray's eyes widen a little, but he still can't recognize his kid. (Because Kai was left as a toddler. He wouldn't know right away.) Confusion starts to ride his face as well. (We can tell from just his expression that he's detecting this is a young fellow, a teen, in a state of grief.)

Still, Kai clenches his fist, now in resolve on his stance.

Ray sees and raises his hammer. He tries to demand again, "Stand down-"

Then Kai's hands start spewing fire.

That's when Ray, having it all hit on him at once, drops the hammer.

Kai gets up and holds out his fiery hand towards Ray.

Ray is devastated by this. He's stepping back. He's breathing heavily. And as he stares into his attacker, he says a soft, "...Kai?"

Kai then slashes fire, and Ray is barely able to defend himself from a nearby helmet on the shelf.

At this point, Nya is on the other side of the locked door, and she's trying to break in. Her pleads are heard muffled in the background. "Kai! Stop! He's our father! Kai, please! Don't do this!"

But the focus is still on Kai trying to strike down his now unarmed father, who has stopped trying to fight back.

Ray pleads, "Kai, I can explain! It's me. Your father!"

Kai screams out, trying to strike him, "My father wouldn't have left me! My father wouldn't have turned his back on Ninjago! My father would've been there for me!"

Then he manages to pin Ray to the wall and grab him. His face is filled with grief. Kai finishes it with a sad, "He wouldn't be my enemy."

He raises his fiery hand.

And then Nya busts in the room and spews water at Kai to put the flame out.

She pleads, "Kai, put him down!"

Kai demands, "Stay out of this, Nya!"

Nya, instead of engaging, BEGS, "He's my father, too."

Ray, in another wave of shock, says weakly, "Nya...?"

Nya's beg touches Kai, and his serious angry face softens in regret.

Ray touches that regret more by saying, "I missed you so, so much... your mother and I, we wanted to come back to you, I promise we did, but... Krux... I wasn't a father. I... I'm so sorry... If I could undo the past... I'd put up a better fight to be there for you."

Kai is touched, almost changing his mind about taking down Ray.

Almost.

It's only for a few seconds, as Kai decides, "That doesn't matter now."

Kai holds up another fiery fist.

Nya screams in plead, "KAI-!"

But then, before Kai could do any more blows, Maya storms into the room.

And the first thing she does is throw her arms around Kai in a tight hug.

It lets Ray go, and it leaves Kai in a stunned shock. All Kai can do is give a soft, "...mom?"

Maya continues to hug her kid tight, emotionally overwhelmed. She begs, "Please stop this, son..."

Nya, still standing by the door, also in surprise, realizes, "Mom?!"

Maya then notices Nya, and parts one arm from Kai to allow Nya to run into the hug.

It's worth of note that Kai isn't hugging her back. Kai's hand was still sparking from flames when Maya came in. But now with both water-powered family members in this hug, we see the sparks from his hand get extinguished as he's overwhelmed by their embrace.

Kai then tries to wrap his head around it. He asks, "Why did you leave us? Why did you leave me?"

Maya parts with her kids, explaining briefly, "We were forced to. Your father and I, we..."

Kai processes, "Krux."

Maya says, "It doesn't matter now. Whatever happened, it doesn't matter now. You've grown up. Both of you. I could never imagine..."

Nya hugs Maya again, but Kai holds back.

He looks over at Ray, who is still by the wall trying to catch his breath. Kai looks over at the girls, then back at his dad, then the girls again.

He backs up into a corner, clearly sick with dread over what he had almost done.

This is his family, and he almost assassinated them. It was a state of him giving in to Krux's taunts and a corrupt mindset.

He covers his mouth with his hand and crashes into the shelf of helmets. The helmets clatter before him, which draws the family's attention to him.

He's kneeled down and dreadful, and a single tear falls from his face.

(Kai has never cried in the show up until this, so it would be effective.)

All he can get out is a tearful, "I'm sorry... I'm sorry... I'm so sorry... I'm sorry dad... I'm sorry..."

Over and over again.

As this happens, Ray gets up and approaches his kid. He softly ruffles his boy's hair to get his eyes onto him. Ray sheds a smile of forgiveness, and he hugs his kid tight.

Soon Maya joins in as well to help calm down her son.

The three of them share a warm embrace in their reunion.

(Seriously, am I the only one who was bothered that Kai didn't apologize for trying to assassinate his family? I know they'd forgive him, but still.)

Once they part, Nya asks, "Did Krux force you to do all of this?"

And then we get Maya telling them essentially the same story from the original about how they forged the time blades, Krux wanted revenge so he took them away, yaddy yada.

By the end of said flashback story, Kai has calmed down, and they're seated by the helmet mess together, so there's easy access to the 'helmet stamp' part of the story.

Bada boom.

The original scene was SO CLOSE to being great. Dialogue and subtext makes all the difference to being the power of the scene home.

Dialogue makes ALL the difference, doesn't it?

[minus-plus-zer0]

Catching Him in His Celebrity Disguise

♡ Genre: Fluff ♡ Pairing: Bakugou x Reader ♡ Tags: Aged up

There were only a handful of people walking around the park, even though it was such a lovely day outside. You had a small lunch packed in your bag and you headed over to your favorite bench to eat when you realized a certain man was already occupying the space.

He wore a baseball cap that couldn't fully flatten his blonde spikes that poked out from all sides. His face mask obscured his expression and his tight black shirt showed off his fit body quite well. He briefly whipped off his sunglasses to see his phone better. You approached him and sat down, and when you caught his red eyes, that's when you knew you were in the presence of the Pro Hero, Dynamight.

He caught the flicker of realization on your face. He silently panicked for two reasons. One, you recognized him. Two, you were the most gorgeous person he'd ever seen.

"...Dynamight?" You must've looked like a deer in the headlights.

"...Hi?" You could tell he was shocked too.

"Oh, you're much more awkward in person! Haha! That's so cute! I'm such a big fan!"

"Lower your voice!" Dynamight said through gritted teeth, pulling off his mask to reveal his slightly pink face. "I just wanted some peace and quiet out here, don't announce my presence to the world!"

"Sorry!" Your hands flew up to your mouth. "Is it okay if I sit here? I really love how secluded this spot is. Though, I don't really mind if you're here."

"You're already sitting," he said, furrowing his brows. "Keep sitting if you want, I ain't gonna stop ya..." He glanced at you, nervously. "Do ya come here all the time?"

"Yes! But I have never seen you here before." You dug out your small lunch box from your bag. Most of your food was homecooked, sweet to the taste, and pink. Bakugou wrinkled his nose at the sight. "I didn't think you liked this city. You're always complaining about it on the news, which makes me kinda sad since it's my hometown."

"I didn't mean that shit!" Bakugou cried, putting his phone away. "I say bad things about everyone, everywhere. Don't take it personally."

"Well it's very nice of you to clarify that!" You started munching on one of your pink macaroons.

"Do you like it here?" he asked. "You think I do a good job of protecting your hometown?"

"Yeah, obviously! You saved my favorite bakery last week!"

Bakugou looked thoughtfully into the distance of the park, recalling the scene. "I remember that shit. The owner gave me such a big hassle for not defeating the villain before they wrecked the front entrance."

"Well they were able to recover anyways. I swear their food is really good, you should really go sometime!"

"You wanna go with me?" he asked, his head turning a little too quickly.

You gulped down your macaroon. "...As a date?"

"No! I--I don't fucking know! You wanna go or not?"

"Calm down. I'm only teasing you, hero. I'll go with you, okay?"

"You could've just said that from the start!"

A few nearby civilians peeked at your increasingly loud conversation and Bakugou shut up immediately, keeping his head down. You giggled.

Bakugou didn't speak until they fully passed by. "Can't believe you're laughing at me. I'm one of the top Pro Heroes of the damn country, and you're laughing at me!"

"You're not a top Pro Hero right now, are you?" You poked his cheek. "You're just an ordinary, aggressive guy hiding in plain sight."

"I am anything but ordinary."

Bakugou's stomach growled loudly. He grasped the offending thing like he could hide the noise.

"Poor hero! You must be so hungry. Here, I have some grapes you can eat!" You took out a grape from your lunch box, offering it to him. He popped it into his mouth.

"Thanks," he said between chews. "You sure you don't mind sharing?"

"I would never mind sharing with you," you said, handing him another grape. He gratefully accepted it. "You're the hero this country needs. Your face is all over our TVs when you come here to save us. And... well... you're even prettier in-person to boot."

You hid your face a little when saying that, but you wanted to take a chance to say it to his face while he was still here. He averted his eyes too. You hoped you didn't make him uncomfortable, or maybe just the right kind of uncomfortable in a good way.

You took out another grape. "Besides, you can make it up to me on our next date, alright?" You held out the grape for him.

Instead of taking it with his hands, Bakugou took the grape with his teeth from your fingers. You almost gasped.

"Tasty," he said, chewing with a smug grin. Your mouth was still agape. "Do you hand-feed all the other Pro Heroes you meet?"

You couldn't believe he just did that. He was so bold. But you wanted to be bolder.

"...No, just you," you said, your heart racing. You took out another grape. "Want some more?"

Despite his smugness, his voice was a little wobbly when he said, "Keep 'em coming."

On that day, Bakugou got to meet his belated first love.

Years later, you and Bakugou happened to pass by the same park bench in the same lonely park. You clung to Bakugou's arm, holding his hand as he strut around in public like he was on top of the world. He always felt like that when he had you around.

You pointed at the bench and elbowed Bakugou. "Look! This is where we met, right?"

"That's why I fucking brought ya here," he said, kissing your temple. "Was wondering if you'd recognize the damn old thing.

"You're such a romantic," you said.

Bakugou led you over to the bench and sat down, with you cuddling up beside him.

"You never visit this park even though we live close enough," you murmured.

"That's 'cause I wanted to take you back here with me," Bakugou said. "I've always made sure the city kept this place nice though. After all, this is our spot."

"Yeah, our spot."

[jazziesanura]

Silent Electric

Characters: Denki Kaminari, Kyoka Jiro, Fumikage Tokoyami, Katsuki Bakugo, Hitoshi Shinso, {Y/N}

Pairing: Shinkami + GN Reader

Summary: Hyper Denki has moments of silence and unexpected prowess throughout the years.

Word Count: 8,228

Warnings: Fluff, mental angst, Katsuki is a meanie tsundere, he's nice though, promise, character comfort, poly couple, insomnia much?, pop culture, Spider-man?, Jojo reference??!, Prince

A/N: I've been listening to Prince a ton lately and a big BIG part of me was like, hm, Denki likes American things, he plays guitar, hm. He'd probably admire The High Priest of Funk and his amazing guitar solos. And one thing led to another and here we are.

There are only a few times when Denki Kaminari is silent.

After their concert in U.A, it was difficult for him to put his guitar down. It was his hyper-fixation for months and soon became his hobby before he realized it himself. Kyoka and Fumikage taught him the basics and exposed him to genres he'd never experienced. In turn, he constantly pestered them daily to show them his steady growth.

"Hey, hey Fumi-! You've got to check this out. Am I doing this right?" Denki would say, demonstrating a few notes on the strings with his tongue stuck out in scattered concentration. "These first few shifts around have got my fingers all jumbled, Kyo, but gosh it sounds so pretty. I've got it now though, see?" His cheeks would be rosy as he rambled and the moment his fingers began to fly along the strings, all of that would shut down.

His grin would turn into a lax smile as he would present to them a cover of Roundabout, by Yes. It was obvious he had practiced, but no one was ever perfect. From time to time, Denki's fingers would pluck the wrong note, but he'd continue on.

"All your hard work is really paying off”. Kyoka would say, pinching his cheek. "If you keep up like this, you'll surpass me."

"I'll say," Fumikage would chuckle, ruffling his feathers. "How long did it take you?"

Denki's mouth would open to answer, but Fumikage continued.

"Until you finished listening to it on loop," Fumikage would add with a knowing blink of his eyes.

"Most of the day actually. Oh, you think I'll have enough time to study for our exams? I completely forgot, dammiiit." Denki would throw his head back with a groan.

Katsuki would be the first to say, "You blabber too much, Dunceface. Use your only two brain cells and think for two goddamn minutes, tsk. Get your damn priorities straight."

He means well, honest. He's bad at conveying it. His finger often jabs between Denki's brows when he tends to make obvious mistakes that take only a few minutes to analyze.

“Look, meet me at my room in ten minutes.” Katsuki’s finger would emphasize the time with another poke to Denki’s forehead. “Ten minutes. So don't be fuckin' late. We’ll do a cram study session. If you’re gonna be a pro hero one of these days, you’ve got to keep your grades up.” He would turn his face away from the group. “I’m not letting any of ya fall behind.”

Denki’s mouth opened and closed, struck speechless. A grin plastered on his face as he practically tackles Katsuki to the ground.

“Ehehe, I knew I could count on you, Kacchan.”

“Ugh, would you quit callin’ me that for fuck’s sake.”

This is not to say that Denki is incapable of processing situations--he's smarter than he looks, graduating as one of the highest ranking in his class. As a pro hero, fans, villains, and his classmates especially have come to point out when Denki is in the zone.

“What?” A villain would jeer. “You’re too good to play around with me anymore, freak~?”

Denki would meet the villain’s words with silence, his eyes flick to each side of the street. No pedestrians, he could go all out now. A punch would fly to his cheek, knocking him down to the concrete. With the searing pain, Denki would wobble in an attempt to find his balance. In return, his hand would clamp down on the villain’s shoulder, tilting his head to the side with a lopsided grin.

In times like these no thunderclap sounded when Chargebolt strikes.

When the villain crashes to the ground jittering from the numbing pulse of electricity, he would pout and speak aloud to himself. “Aww, maan. I forgot to say the line like Miles Morales. This is the second time now. Had it all planned out and everything. Eheh, at least no one saw.”

That afternoon, Chargebolt’s shoulder touch take down was trending on the internet by his fanbase where they gushed proudly about their cute blonde hero and his sugary sweet, boyish grin.

“He’s so careful.”

“When I see his smile I know that I am safe.”

“Whoever marries him one day will be so freaking lucky ahfahgaahf”

“Chargebolt, the number five hero!”

“Teehee, he was trying to mimic the American hero.”

But then, that's only what the public sees.

Behind closed doors, Denki is in a poly relationship with Hitoshi Shinso and {Y/N}. He found it oh so difficult to not show them both off, but he understood that their privacy was the most important thing they had. Hitoshi would often return home from a long night’s patrol to find Denki wide awake, propped on his guitar, gazing down at his phone--the soft blue light illuminating his face as {Y/N}’s head laid on his thigh.

“What’re you both still doing up?” Hitoshi’s voice would collide with the sounds of the performance blasting through the speakers. {Y/N} turned to him with a sleepy chirp, too comfortable to move.

“Waiting for you, Tosh.” {Y/N} said as Hitoshi drew near to them both, gently cradling the top of their head, watching as he planted a kiss on Denki’s head. Hitoshi’s eyes would look Denki up and down as the young man made no response to his affection. He raises a brow and looks down at {Y/N} for an answer, at least they were communicating with him. “You don’t recognize the song?” They’d say with a soft giggle, pressing their cheek further against Hitoshi’s hand. “He’s watching Prince’s guitar solo again.”

Hitoshi’s eyes shift to look over Denki’s shoulder, slowly recognizing the video playing. He’d chuckle, shaking his head in amusement, echoing {Y/N}. “Again. That time of the month, hm.”

“You know he’s obsessed with His Royal Badness.” {Y/N} gently tickled Denki’s side with their fingertips, smiling at the sound of his giggle.

“{Y/N}, babee~” He’d whine between laughter. “I’m trying not to miss it, come, come, look!”

Both of his lovers would lean in close to Denki’s sides as he pointed down at his phone.

“See, see, there, right there! His guitar defies even gravity.” He’d sigh in pure awe as if he'd never seen it before .

“There’s got to be a string or something.” Hitoshi would squint, rewinding the video again. “That or someone caught it.”

“Oh, don’t kill the magic being so critical, Toshi.” Denki speaks with a teasing voice, nearly bridging seriousness. “He’s magic, his fingers are magic. If he didn’t want his guitar to fall back down to the ground, well--it didn’t. She's floating around somewhere maybe.” His nod would be firm, awfully sure of himself. Then he would disappear in front of them once again, lost in the strings of his own guitar. Hitoshi and {Y/N} spare each other a knowing glance before looking at their partner in silent adoration. He sat there in the middle of them both, comfortable without a word on his lips as he filled the silence trying to copy the legendary musician, Prince.

Minutes would turn into hours and Denki was still at it, groaning more and more as he could never get it exactly right. Hitoshi would gently clear his throat to remind him of their sleeping lover that was curled up at his side.

“I don’t get what I���m doin’ wrong, Beau.” His hands hold his face as his hair fans around his face, staring down at his phone. Denki sighs and props his chin on the base of his guitar, slumping over. “I wish I was talented like him…”

Hitoshi’s brows furrow tight. He sounded perfectly fine to him, each note sounded like it was wailing with the pain of someone who had been vastly hurt, and the years of practice had him on par in ways that he considered talented. Hitoshi sets aside his homemade mug that {Y/N} had made for him with a low hum.

“Have you ever made something of your own?”

Denki’s golden eyes flick upward and it was his turn to furrow his brows and his nose. When Hitoshi doesn’t further press on with his question it leaves Denki with the chance to analyze himself. He knew the reason why his fingers would fumble whenever he played music he knew by heart. He’d been battling with himself to branch off in ways that he knew would work just as well as the original piece and staying true to what was already considered perfect. Denki twirls his plectrum between his fingers, staring into the eyes of the late musician, Prince. It felt like he was staring right back at him.

“I-...” Denki bites down on his bottom lip, not having realized that he was quiet for ten minutes now, passing his fingers over the strings to keep his hands busy. Even still, Hitoshi’s eyes never drifted away from his boyfriend-gentle and patient. “I never--is it silly to say that I thought--no, no, that I think I’m not good enough to make anything of my own? It’s already wild to me that I’ve even gotten so high in the hero ranking. It’s--it’s gotta be impossible for me to be any good at anything else too.”

Hitoshi stands from the other side of the room and sits down beside Denki. His chin tilts down.

“Look at yourself.”

Denki squints his eyes, crinkling his face as he looks at his boyfriend like he was vastly crazy. Hitoshi chuckles and lays a kiss on his cheek.

“Listen to yourself.”

He drops his gaze to his instrument in his arms. His fingers moved on their own, he hadn’t even realized it. The tune floating into his ears was simple and something he didn’t recognize playing before. Just as he began to feel excitement welling in his chest, electricity sparked at his fingertips, scaring him out of his unconscious state.

“That-That was just--that was one time.” Denki sputtered, placing the guitar down quickly as if he’d been burned by it.

Hitoshi hums to himself and turns on his phone to the first app he had opened already. In it were videos of his boyfriend chatting to {Y/N} as they retold their entire day at work. At the beginning of the video {Y/N} shoulders were tense as their face was fiery with annoyed anger. By the end of the video their voice has become softer as their body relaxed like melted butter on the kitchen table. Denki blinks fast as Hitoshi slides to more and more videos of him absentmindedly playing original tunes. When Denki didn't speak, Hitoshi's baritone voice filled the silence, silencing the storm raging in the blond’s mind.

“You're more capable than you think, Kaminari.”

A/N Pt. 2: The songs mentioned, each extensively long like most good songs are in the good old days.

[howlingday]

Honestly, i'm kinda disappointed in how WBYJ kinda brushed off Ruby and her issues throughout V9. So, I have taken matters into my own hands to look for a song to cheer up Ruby, and I have found it!

I now pass this song on to you to post, as I am both very unskilled a writing and very lazy. The song is Tom Cardy's H.S, and a link will be given to a tumblr post within this ask. Wether WBYJ sing it to Ruby or Jaune shares it with her as a ln apology is up to you.

https://www.tumblr.com/inthefallofasparrow/727759896307761152/hot-shit-tom-cardy?source=share

If an outside link is needed, I am willing to give the link to the YouTube video.

Sing a-long!

"Now and then, we all get a thought that stops us in our track. Am I living to my full potential, or am I holding myself back?" Jaune spins Ruby around, putting his hands on her shoulders. "You've gotta stop with that shit, 'cause you're P-P-PERFECT~!" He slid from his seat, walking away to the bookshelf. "Check out that analysis paralysis!"

"Paralysis~!" Ruby's team added, crooning from the hallway.

"If you need some help to see, take a lesson from me!" Jaune spun around, opening a book to the story of the Rusted Knight. "They say that I'm not a huntsman. Do you think that I really give a shit?" He tossed the book aside, causing Blake to jump in the air to save the spine from being ruined. "You know we're not gonna quit, 'cause we know we can take a hit, and we know what we is, and we know we is-"

Jaune spun around, tearing off his armor to reveal a pair of yellow spandex covering his body. He pointed his finger to the sky in his declaration.

"HOT SHIT~! And you know that we know it! We might never get registered, but it don't matter 'cause we know that we're still-"

"HOT SHIT~!" Team RWBY sang without their leader.

"Yeah, you're hot shit, too, so get out of your brain and do what you're 'born 'sposed to do!"

"HOT SHIT~!" WBY chimed in. "You know that we know it! Expect some real magic from us real huntress! HOT SHIT~!"

"And you're hot shit, too," Jaune pointed at Ruby, his finger inches from her face, "so get out of your way and just do what you were born to do!"

Before Ruby could argue, Jaune sat down next to her. "Before I got wise and said "gosh dangit," it's true that I was jealous of the big other huntress." He pulled out his scroll, opening to a news article published by various journalism sites. "But did you know that Winter, the biggest to you, was jealous 'cause Atlas would call her a rebel, too." He swiped to the photo album, featuring a familiar face to the red huntress. "The huntsman she was jealous of was your Uncle Qrow, who had self-comsuming thoughts that he would never become-!"

"SUMMER ROSE!" Yang held out a picture as Weiss and Blake sang with her.

"He was constantly chasing the dream that he would be so big that he'd be a legend!" Jaune left Ruby's side and stared out the window. "But trillions miles away that even Summer didn't see was a big guy strong enough to lift reality." He drew a signature S shape on the wall in chalk. "He turned his gaze into our world to see "There's a girl with a beret who's cooler than me!"

A new voice joined the choir as a woman with a black beret and dark shades entered. "But the most super awesome, coolest huntress to ever exist is probably at Vacuo saying "Now I'm seeing shit!" Coco lowered her sunglasses at the youngest leader. "I've seen a fight with a camera, I've even seen a memory lapse, but I've never seen a red huntress KICK SO MUCH ASS!"

"HOT SHIT~!" Everyone in the room was singing now. "And you know that we know it!"

Ruby stood from her seat. "I don't need to be a hero because I know that I'm still worth it, baby~!

"HOT SHIT!"

And you're hot shit, too!" Jaune wrapped an arm over Ruby's shoulder. "So stop doubting yourself and feel this huntress groove~!

"HOT SHIT~!" It seemed like everyone in Vacuo was feeling it, as singing came from down the halls in chorus. Was everyone in on this?! "And you know Ruby knows it! Expect some fucking stories from this red hoodie~! HOT SHIT~!"

"And you're hot shit, too," Jaune led Ruby out the doors, past the crowds, "so look out to the world, because we're all waiting for you~!"

Ruby stepped away from Jaune, looking down as she walked away. "Now and then, I get the thoughts that stop me in my tracks. Should I really be a huntress? Or should I just cut back?" The world held their breath as Ruby asked, fearing the worst had happened to her. "...I've got to stop with that shit 'cause I'm P-P-PERFECT!" Ruby roared to anyone who would spare the time to listen to her. "My life is fucking cool and so are you, if you only let me tell the rest of my story with yoooooooooou~!

"HOT SHIT~!" The world answered.

"And you know that I know it~!" She answered back to the world. "I might never get my register, but I'm still awesome as a leader~!

"HOT SHIT~!"

"And you're hot shit, too, so let's shoot for the stars 'til we break through the mooooooooooon~!" Ruby pointed to the sky, heedless of whether the moon was above or shattered or not or neither.

"HOT SHIT~!"

"Do you like my space metaphor~?" Jaune asked.

"HOT SHIT~!"

"Would you like to know what I use it for? To prove to you that you are hot shit, too, now stay out of my room and show Remnant what hot shit do~!"

"HOT SHIT~!" Ruby jumped through the air, cheering until she landed flat on her face. "Whuh? What just happened?"

"Emmy! You dropped it too soon!"

"Sorry, I couldn't hold it any longer."

Ruby looked up to see Jaune still sitting on his bed, patting Emerald's hand as she panted in a nearby chair. Nora loomed over her, barely held back by Lie Ren. To the other side of the room, she saw her team looking at her with mixtures of concern and worry. A gloved hand reached down to help her up, which she forgo to address the whole room and not just Oscar.

"What just happened?" Ruby asked.

"No more musical numbers." Emerald groaned.

"We... I was worried about how you were feeling since coming back from the Ever After and getting registered again, so I talked with your team and my team and, well..." Jaune shrugged. "Jaunty musical number?"

"Dude..." Ruby grumbled. "I don't care if it was your musical number or mine or Oscar's. Tricking me to sing is not cool."

"Don't blame 'em, kid." Coco said, leaning on the doorframe. "You were pretty jittery since you came back, so we all talked it over. The musical number was actually my idea, but unfortunately, I can't sing."

"Because you're too cool to sing?"

"Nah. Court order."

As Ruby balked, she looked to her team, who still didn't drop their looks of concern. As much as she wanted to be mad at being tricked into singing, she knew neither her team nor Jaune's would do this without some merit to their concern. So she relaxed a bit and sighed.

"Nobody recorded me, did they?"

[chocmuffinsscones]

BKDK endgame theory

Another highly self-indulgent theory on how bkdk's gonna be endgame canonically

Disclaimer: Since I don't wanna jinx it or feel embarrassed for being so brazen about this mere silly thought of mine, I'll just keep this private until if things similar to what I've predicted became true. Otherwise, this will only be for my eyes alone. - edited 6 Nov 2023

Fuck all of that guess I'm just gonna put it out there and let y'all have fun as I embarrass myself. Just think it's all for lolz if none of these happen, at least I have fun writing to indulge my fantasy - edited 8 Nov 2023

So, what I think is that since hori's gonna keep giving us surprises and +u up his own game, my guess is that to clearly and subtly lock the pair without making it feel forced is to make bkdk make a promise to each other that hinted a lifelong warrant. Refer this to what toga said in her arc

It's not exactly a love confession, but what'll you feel if someone promise to dedicate their whole life in making you feel happiness, loved? I think that's love disguise in a glass case

So, how's this gonna parallel to our favourite dorks who're both so emotionally constipated and verbally poor at confessing?

Me thinks that, apparently when the boys were pushed to the extremes -- to the moment when there's literally no time affordable to think of anything else besides the most important thing they hold in their life, that the moment their body has to move on their own by instincts -- we'll finally get to see, bright as day, where their true feelings lay.

As far as we've seen, it has been clearly revealed (except for those who're illiterate or in a dilemma of spiralling denial) that on katsuki's side, Izuku's the one constantly haunting his head for the rest of his 10+ years. He'd jump into battle with him, rush in front of him to avert the blow, fight in pain to stay relevant in izuku's battle -- to the point of fighting to his death to protect his seniors and to yet remain as izuku's image of victory... all these, to atone his mistakes in mistreating Izuku.

Throughout his character growth, Katsuki had been to the extremes. What are the most extreme situations if not death itself?

After that, however, we see katsuki came back with his heart fully open (pun definitely not intended!), feelings more outwardly shown, saying thanks sincerely without hiding behind his explosive demeanor, smiling straightforwardly at his favourite idol AM 🥺

Katsuki had met his breaking point, met death itself, and came back a new man. A man who wanted to change before everything was too late. As soon as he woke up, he didn't waste time hesitating to allow further regrets, showing gratitude and humility whole-heartedly in any instant he should've done like any decent human being would.

Except, there's still one thing he hadn't yet achieve to reach a complete circle for his narrative.

Pre-war, Katsuki's biggest dread, the constant looming threat choking around his neck, was being unable to be honest and sincere to Izuku.

"But wait! He'd already stated his apology, he has no regrets left!"

Well, if you have that complain, you're not understanding katsuki well enough. Katsuki is a man of action more than his words. It's quite a common habit for Asians too to put more thoughts into action rather than just spewing beautiful words. And Katsuki, through and through, was an all-in-or-nothing kind of guy. He would never stop at just apologising. If his prior intention for reconciliation was to make himself feel better, then the integrity behind his actions and words was nullified, since that would undoubtedly negate the whole building up of his character's motivation. Moreover, it would become a huge flaw in horikoshi's writing as that would depict him in a "fake hero" spotlight as well as contradict the character's self incentive to be the bestest hero there is. I wouldn't bet hori would decide to ruin his writing like this. In fact, this is such a huge plot point for katsuki's character development that such a small blunder at this point would greatly affect the whole endgame story dynamic to his readers. Not that he'd care if he really did chose that path... I mean 🤷🏻‍♀️😬

Anyway, personality-wise, I'd say Katsuki would be the first person to hate that particular kind of people if he sees one. He'd definitely be disgusted of himself if he were one. That's why I wouldn't bet hori will make that blunder, because hori had been writing him as an incessantly growing character, relentlessly pushing his limits to be the best and always showed his results through visible actions.

So then, back to the point, what were left to do if he had already apologised? What more does he need to do then to further compensate?

:) As I've mentioned earlier, nothing beats the offer of a lifelong compensation, of devoting one's own time and energy willingly to the other as long as they need, or provide care and attention whenever they deserve.

"Wait. What does that even sound like tho? Doesn't that seem like a huge burden to bear??"

For Katsuki however, it's as per usual: all in or nothing!

A promise that hinted lifelong devotion though... That truly sounds like a heavy dedication to carry for the rest of one's life. Doesn't that kind of vow ring any bells? That's the only conclusion I could come to unfortunately. Because Katsuki is a perfectionist, he'll never aim at only atoning his mistakes for a "measly" 10-20 years.

But then, at what kind of situation he would promise a life-binding oath like that out of the ordinary?? Knowing our boys, there's no way they would open their ironclad mouths to say something as romantic as that out of the blue, right??

So here comes my prediction❗❗

📢 warning: take everything below with a grain of salt because at this point it's just me wildin' haha

Evidently, it's been awhile we're constantly warned about Izuku's lack-of-oxygen crisis. He was still fighting sAFO alone while Katsuki came back to focus on AFO himself.

There's a few ways things could go south from there. Afo could very well be dealt by Katsuki now with extra buffs(his new cluster moves), but Izuku was still in an unknown critical state. So while Katsuki busied himself distracting afo, Izuku could somehow got sucked into sAFO's vestige space in a moment's hesitation (or something happened that sucked him into vestige space). We might finally get our vestige space fight between Izuku and tenko & OFA vs AFO, or we could get a heartwarming talk no jutsu (as well as some sprinkle of action fights) between Izuku and Tenko. And all of these played out without the involvement of Katsuki -- as he's stuck in the physical world and is still dealing a rampaging afo. The dudebros would be happy about this. Finally they had a chance to laugh at us at being clowns for wanting katsuki's involvement in the vestige fight. But remember, hori is a troll through and through. He could troll us, he could troll the dudebros too. It's our temporary loss for not getting Katsuki fight beside izuku in afo vestige space, but we'll have something better later!

Because while all of those happen in the vestige space, apparently Tomura and Izuku's body will be out of it, falling to the ground and seemingly lifeless, out of consciousness to the eye of the people in the physical world.

I can imagine Katsuki having no time to spare while dealing with Afo as this happen. He's got to finish AFO first to get back to Izuku. And I promise you it'll not take too long for him to do that, 'cause it'll be a combo attack from IN and OUT as Izuku counter both Afo and tenko in the vestige space -- but it'll feel a bit longer in Izuku's pov as timeflow seems to be slightly different in there.

Anyhow, as Katsuki was done with afo, what do you think he'll react then when he reached a passed out Izuku? When he arrived to the scene of Izuku and Tenko on the ground, Izuku probably temporarily *not breathing* and motionless. *not breathing due to the setback of gearshift

Katsuki will be shocked and traumatized. After spilling his heart out to win AFO with/for izuku, how could he stand to win the battle if Izuku wasn't there to claim victory alongside him? He would hold Izuku's hand and kept calling out to him (maybe angrily or threatening but the words are sweet and all of it are very contrasting?👀), calling for his soul to come back. Surely he would start crying and confess all his regrets even more too. *reminder: these are only possible because all his walls were finally broken down after his revival, he's a changed man in and out.*

Then, even better! When the medic units and probably some other heroes arrived to the scene, Katsuki suddenly realised he could give Izuku cpr! He'll do it himself and think it'll work since he learnt it from emergency treating lessons, and he didn't want Izuku to leave his side but also didn't want to do nothing to help Izuku recover.

See? Plus Ultra. Katsuki giving Izuku cpr y'all. Bkdk won. All these too in front of some witnesses and recording cameras. :)

And, yeah, cuz hori is a troll, katsuki's kiss of life actually wasn't the *sole* reason Izuku came to (all for the ambiguity too, ya know ;) and besides, hori likes trolling Katsuki too, not allowing him to get what he wants)-- it was all Izuku's well-deserved victory on defeating afo and saving tenko from the vestige space that allowed him to return to his own body after the vestige world close up. In fact, Izuku didn't actually need it, he was merely away from his body to fight in the vestige space for a bit; if he won, he would eventually come back and wake up by himself, the problem of hypoxia naturally dissolved along with it.

In another words, the "kiss" was just a bonus. It's a heartfelt gift from hori-sensei to his bkdk/grateful manga readers. Because in the end of the day, it's the promise between Izuku and Katsuki that wrapped the deal of bkdk being endgame canonically. For Hori, it's a win-win situation; he could have fun building suspense over his readers, as well as finally letting his favourite boys earn their long overdue peace to be together. Also, completing both protagonist and deuteragonist narrative foil as save to win, win to save. AND not making the whole scene romantically charged, as the reason behind their actions aren't out of sexual desire nor sexual attraction, since tHis Is sTilL JusT a shOuNen mAnGa afterall. Just "bros" devoting their life to each other and occasionally hold hands to get comfortable of each other's touch because they're practicing their next combo move. 😀

[welcometogrouchland]

May I ask about your Jason Todd idea? <3

Hm, okay so. How to lay this out sensitively since I know it might be a tad controversial...

Prefacing by saying I'm not an expert on the minutias of Jason characterization. I like him when he appears, I think the battle for the cowl/Morrison era and some parts of modern era for him are Weird and Bad, but I'm not Jason scholar (for that I'd say maybe check out @/tumblingxelian and their great video essays), I'm just trying to think of what might be an interesting step forward for him.

First, the canon facts

Jason got lobotomized and has panic disorder on steroids. By the end of Gotham War (specifically when Jason was. Flying the batplane into the asteroid. God I can't believe that's the plot) he was finding it in himself to power through said panics

In Joker: The Man Who Stopped Laughing #12, the joker gives Jason a "low dose" of joker venom, which has an ambiguous effect on Jason, allowing him to power through the fear (which joker explicitly states is still very much present, just not physically debilitating, like when Jason couldn't run over in either Catwoman #57 or #58, the one with the kid in the building) even though he'd been able to do that sans venom over in Gotham War, like I previously stated.

The effect of said joker venom seems to be lingering for now, minus the creepy grin side effect it gave Jason over in that man who stopped laughing issue, as seen in the latest batman issue (number is escaping me rn, #147??). He still has the stutter which is a shorthand for fear, he's drawn with fearful expressions by Jorge Jimenez, but he says that he's "working through it" thanks to the chemicals

This is both super interesting and kind of maddening as it doesn't completely remove the consequences of what happened in Gotham War, but is trying to sweep them under the rug and get back to business as usual. I, however, propose making said consequences front and center like a fashionable urn on a mantle piece:

Since it's never stated how exactly the joker venom works, and I think the current answer is "it works how the story needs it to" I've decided that because it's a low dose, it eventually wears off. And when it wears off, Jason's back to square one in terms of mental state. Ergo, if Jason doesn't want to live the rest of his life as quaking shivering husk of his former self...he's going to need more.

(read more for the meat of things)

So, Jason self medicates for a condition given to him by the father he has endlessly complicated feelings towards with a cure invented by a man who represents everything he hates in the world who once tried to take everything from him.

Which, insert poetic cinema gif here, I'm quite proud of myself for that one.

Anyway, there's a lot of directions you could take this. Personally I think it'd be interesting to explore Jason trying to get back into the drug trade like he did in UTRH (FULL TRANSPARENCY I HAVEN'T READ THE FULL COMIC, I KNOW BROADSTROKES BUT IM NOT GONNA TRY AND MAKE PARALLELS) as he tries to use the resources (production plants and other drug runners who can hook him up with samples of joker toxin/similar stuff you can probably find around Gotham) to manufacture his own cure that means never having to go back to the joker again. Maybe he ambushes a joker toxin chemical production plant to get his own supply, and then Jason uses this as his foothold back into that world.

This isn't necessarily me saying we should regress Jason alll the way back to UTRH, that was before his anti-hero era and I'm not willing to fully shoot him back into the past. I just think that's not how you tell good stories in a medium like comics. But it'd inherently be a little different just bc he's doing it for different, slightly more self motivated (depending on your take on villain Jason) reasons and the people around him would have a different reaction to it.

Anyway, all sorts of problems can arise! Depending on how you wanna characterize Jason (wayward son who longs to be back in the fold or black sheep who doesn't play by daddy's rules, etc) he can either a) try and hide this criminal enterprise from his giant family full of nosy detectives (good idea there jay) OR do it out in the open, trying to justify himself but still putting himself on the opposite side of the family again (not the law bc that boy hasn't been on the 'right' side of it since he died)

There's also the fact that Jason now needs to take something 24/7 in order to live his life. He essentially can't be without it, he's dependent on it, in fact he'd get sick without it despite any adverse effects it may have on him (which are guaranteed, I mean. No clinical trials)

I imagine it'd be easy to become addicted to it in some way.

And uh. This is the part where it works slightly better as a fanfic pitch than an actual comic pitch. Because as much as I think it'd be such an interesting beat for Jason's character considering his fraught history with addiction and drugs (looks away from that one urban legends story where he suggests terrorising addicts to get to the suppliers and bruce lectures him. The easiest way to make Mr "we don't sell drugs to children" sympathetic and you beefed it)

I also fully recognise that this is a sensitive topic that DC doesn't have the best track record with (although addicts aren't a monolith and feel a number of ways about addictions portrayals in comics) and that there's probably some pitfalls inherent in the premise, namely bc of Jason's background as an impoverished kid and his grey morality, and how those play into stereotypes of addicts. Addiction is already such a misunderstood and stigmatized condition that I imagine playing with it with an antihero might be enough to turn some people off. Addiction is not a moral failing and I'd hate to write it as a moral failing of Jason akin to his willingness to kill, etc.

But with all that said, I think that stereotypes are primarily harmful because of their shallowness. They inhibit understanding of groups labeled "other" by presenting them in simplistic ways that don't portray richness or complexity. And I think a truly good red hood comic could give both sympathy and complexity to Jason, even as an addict. If anything, Jason is a popular character (mostly) and there could be something nice about seeing a main character go through what you're going through, gritty details and all. YMMV (can we bring that back btw?) and it depends on execution. There's a lot of ways it could go wrong, but seeing as it just lives as a hypothetical rn, I think there's also a lot of ways it could go. I mean, not right, it's a downer story beat for Jason but it's mostly meant to be interesting and a vehicle for more stories as Jason navigates it, ya know?

Anyway, I have a lot of spiels littered in my notes app and discord DMs that elaborate on all this (how this could work as act 1 in a broader Jason story where his little operation goes to shit and he has to hit the road (jack) and maybe do some character development for better or worse. I'm a sucker and wanna say better- not squeaky clean better but. Yknow, finding himself to an extent. I recognise I'm a sap and a fool tho. Or how a new outlaws team could factor into either of those eras (since I do like Jason with an outlaws team. It gives him an excuse to exercise his compelling relationships and dynamics with other characters without having to constantly tip-toe around the elephant in the room whenever he's with the batfamily all the time. He just needs a good lineup) but that's all for another time

... though without elaborating on the vision in my head it kind of just sounds like my pitch is "Jason gets addicted to his hyper-anxiety medication" BUT I SWEAR ITS MORE THAN THAT.

It's like. If Jason has struggled as a character (and this is very subjective on my part so feel free to disagree) because he has compelling relationships with all of the batfamily, but also has compelling grey morality that makes it hard to capitalize on those relationships, without the conflict always coming to "Jason stop killing!" "Nuh uh!" OR just being ignored, and the main way writers have addressed this is via reboots instead of arcs...

Then giving Jason and the bats:

real, legitimate and fresh reason for jay to be mad at Bruce (taking their relationship of love with very little understanding to it's most dramatic conclusion)

give the family a real reason to want to bring him back into the fold (feel bad about the lobotomy and it would be pretty immoral to let Jason waste away slowly and painfully because of something Bruce did)

capitalize on all the ways Jason is sympathetic (bc the addiction is a natural lead into his backstory, which is one of his most sympathetic elements)

And the ways in which he's very out of step with the bats post-resurrection (I'd be mad asf too if i came back to life just for my dad to a) not avenge me and b) LOBOTOMIZE ME meanwhile the cunt ass clown giving me my meds is just lurking out there).

Idk it's not a sophisticated pitch as of this moment but I think a real chef (writer) could cook something w/ this

[averageartistamber]

It's Ultraman Day!

Y'know, I first heard about Ultraman through the Godzilla fandom, and honestly, I kinda slept on it until very recently. Ended up getting into it when I heard about the upcoming release of Rising and found out that a decent chunk of content is accessible on YouTube. Okay, gotta admit those "Ultraman Without Context" videos were also a huge thing that sold me on the series, as a thorough enjoyer of Wacky Shit.

So, for Ultraman Day I'm gonna start briefly yapping about the Ultraman Stuff I've seen so far. It's almost entirely the newer stuff, but I might check out some of the older shows.

Let's start with the first series I checked out, Ultraman Blazar (as it was the most recent at the time).

Note there will be some spoilers here and there.

Blazar

-The series I started with, and it's pretty different to typical Ultraman faire. Has this...Not really darkness but I guess kind of a grounded sort of...moodiness? Dunno if that's the right word. The whole V99 Conspiracy plot gave it a distinct flavour that I haven't seen so far in the other shows.

-The fight scenes are pretty fire, as Blazar himself is an incredibly fun character to watch. The whole "feral" shtick took me a bit off guard at first, but it makes him really unique. The spear/javelin main weapon that transforms into different things is such a ccool concept for a "base" power.

-The dynamic that Captain Gento has with Blazar where the latter occasionally takes control is really neat, even when he's just doing it to observe. Gives the Funny Caveman an interesting bit of depth.

-I quite like SKaRD as an attack team, even if they never really score a single W for the entire series. Emi in particular is one of the best Human characters I've seen so far, probably since she essentially gets a whole side plot attached to her (The after mentioned conspiracy and wanting to find out what happened to her dad.

-I honestly did not expect to end up liking Earth Garon in particular as much as I did, even if he just gets his ass kicked constantly. I think the scene that truly sold me on him was in the episode where he's given his AI, therefore a real voice and personality. The scene where Emi is freaking out after being hit with the Monster of the Week's Fear Ray and Earthy tries to calm her down. Did not think he'd be chill like that honestly it was a pleasant suprise.

-One of the big highlights of the show was definitely the monsters (which I thing all of them bar Red King, Guigass and Demaaga are new?). Pretty much all of them have creative and memorable designs. I will go Blazar levels of feral if they ever reuse Dorgo, Nigikagachi, Molgusion, Deltandos or Zangill (If he counts) again.

-Speaking of Zangill, his episode is probably my favourite on its premise alone: Guy shows up to ask for assistance with collecting the wandering souls of all the Monsters of The Week that the heroes had slain. Including one who's Real Fuckin' Mad and tries to get revenge. It's so freaking cool. Makes you wonder about literally every other MotW show actually...

-At first I found Big Bad a bit anti-climatic. I think I walked into my first Ultraman series expecting some big badass final boss with an EEEEEEvil Alien Overlord or something. But instead, the main villain of Blazar is basically just Some Old Guy (who is fiercely determined to cover his crimes, fatal consequences be damned).

Honestly, from the other shows, he's currently tied with Rising's Dr. Onda for the best Ultraman Big Bad. I've been a little disappointed with the others I've seen so far, which I think I'll explain further when we get to them.

-Last thing, the opening song makes me feel like that Spongebob Ascending Meme. It's awesome (I especially like how they show the monsters, starting with a newspaper then going to TV camera footage and satellite images.)

Overall 8.5 WHOOOYS! out 10

Next time I'll probably yap about either Z or Decker (or maybe Rising?) when I get around to/ remember to do it.