#he's so. guys do you ever think he wanted to help the next hero(es)

[heros-shade-fanclub]

That quote that's like "ultimately you become the person you needed that time when no one helped you". Yeah < thinking about the hero's shade again

[suiseisyojo]

a promise of bentos.

「morisawa chiaki x momoe ushio // ushiaki」 ↳ commission for @paracosmiia ! wc: 1596 a/n: thank you for commissioning me, miia! your ryusei red is on the way!

Ever since that day, Ushio always remembered the first time she prepared a bento for Chiaki—the way the skeins of sunlight gleamed on her petite frame and seemed to cheer her on as she tentatively pried open the gymnasium doors, peeking inside to discern the basketball club all hard at work.

Chiaki appeared so exalted as his gaze settled on her, brown irises twinkling in a way that she had never seen before as he rushed over to her in a heartbeat; as if he couldn’t bear the thought of not being by her side the moment their eyes met.

It was like a scene in a shoujo manga, the way his trembling fingers brushed against hers with such tender care—the pair of them breathless from the gesture from the other.

But, above all else, Ushio could still vividly hear Chiaki’s voice as he effusively declared his gratitude. “Th-This is for me? Oh my god!! Ushio, thank you! I’ll cherish it and keep it forever—oh wait, it’s food,” he boisterously laughed at his own gaffe, before his voice tapered off into a soft, almost abashed hue, “I’ll savour every bite. In exchange, will you make me another one someday?”

And now, a year later, Ushio found herself with another bento tucked into her bag; the box enveloped within a cloth parading colourful patterns to reflect Chiaki’s vivacious personality. Never mind the fact that she rifled through a plethora of designs until finding the perfect one⋯ and the extra money she had to spend to secure it.

Ushio held onto her bag cautiously, a protectiveness exuding from her movements as she sauntered outside of ES’ main building in search of the recipient of her affections. With a gentle regard sweeping across the pavement, Ushio spotted Chiaki easily.

It seemed kismet was showering her in benevolence today, and she didn’t squander another second as she ambled over to his crouched form. “Chiaki-san,” Ushio called out to him, cheeks already emanating warmth from the thought of what she was about to do—of gifting him the fruits of her toil. “Are you busy?”

Swarming at Chiaki’s feet were a multitude of birds, chirring joyously as they hopped around him, and he tilted his head up to look at her. “Ushio, hey!” he greeted her, letting her make out a plastic bag brimming with birdseed in his hand, “I fed one of these little guys earlier and now they’re all attached to me. I think they want to thank me!”

At Chiaki’s high spirits, a smile curved on Ushio’s lips. “Thank you? And get more food by the looks of it,” she quipped with mirth, incapable of suppressing the chortle from overflowing as his guise contorted in betrayal.

“You think so?! Ahaha, well, that’s okay too!☆” Chiaki rolled the joke off his shoulders, an effervescent laugh following his retort. He continuously spread out birdseed; which only seemed to make even more birds flock over to the promise of food. “Even if they’re only after food, I’m still helping them. And what more do you need than that?”

Ushio couldn’t stop her smile from stretching wider, his sentiments so true to him. “You’re right! Right now, you’re probably their biggest hero,” she mentioned, pointing out how they chirped in appreciation.

“Do you want to feed them, too?” Chiaki asked, holding out the plastic bag to her.

Eyes widening at the thought, Ushio didn’t hesitate to accept the bag from Chiaki; flattening down her skirt underneath her as she crouched down next to him. “I’d love to,” she whispered, the idea making her eager.

Slowly, Ushio pulled out a cluster of birdseed and began to scatter it onto the ground before them. “Just like that~” Chiaki grinned, peering over at Ushio as they huddled close together to approach the birds as favourably as possible.

The two of them were retained an iota of space between them, the propinquity making Chiaki’s head swirl with heat and awkwardness; yet, even so, he couldn’t pry his eyes off her—how her cheeks glowed with hotness and a sense of jubilation.

“They like you, Ushio!” Chiaki remonstrated as he gesticulated to how the birds twittered excitedly, jumping up and down off their little legs. They wanted more seed; more nourishment for their growing bodies. Yet she looked uncertain of herself at that moment, trying to hand the bag back as if she didn’t want to take away from Chiaki’s bird feeding experience. “Go on. I don’t mind if you empty the bag.”

Truthfully, Chiaki also simply wanted to luxuriate in this sight a little longer. Of Ushio smiling as the birds venerated her as if she was their hero. It made his heart flutter in his chest, sending a rush of exhilaration and warmth through the fissures of his veins.

“Thank you, Chiaki-san⋯” Ushio breathed out, her mind already forgetting what she came here to do in the first place. “They’re so cute, aren’t they? I’m going to feel really bad when we finish the seed.”

On a detonation of elation, Chiaki unintentionally got closer to Ushio—to the point there faces were only inches apart and the tips of their noses grazed each other’s. “We can always come back!” he reassured her, eyes sparkling.

Ushio’s countenance burst with white-hot embarrassment as she realised a single movement from either of them would make them kiss; and if you looked closely enough, you could practically see the copious wisps of steam emitting from the poor girl’s face. “Y-Yeah, we can⋯” she trailed off, lips parted and quivering, “b-but we’ll never kiss in front of them, okay?”

The way Ushio said that, so enticingly shy and yet still trying to deflect with wit, made Chiaki gasp—and he pulled back hurriedly, his own cheeks becoming florid. “I-I wasn’t?! You’re right, we shouldn’t?!” he spluttered, vocals double-crossing his rationality.

Ushio was teasing him, just slightly, and yet he reacted so strongly to her words. It was so cute; so, so cute. She loved that about him⋯ although she didn’t vocalise such thoughts to him.

“O-Oh, wait, that reminds me—didn’t you need me for something?” Chiaki abruptly asked, trying to divert the topic away from this flustering theme. “I’m sorry, I got sidetracked.”

Shaking her head, Ushio finally laid out the final bits of birdseed; and the two of them promptly stood up to their full heights. “I-I wanted to give you this⋯”

When Ushio had first given Chiaki a bento, her fingers were shaky and unsteady. Right now, her heart was still hammering just as much as that day⋯ assailed by feelings of discomfiture and trepidation that she wouldn’t be received well.

She was always an overthinker, after all.

But as she pulled out the bento from the confines of her bag, Ushio’s fingers were imbued with a new strength she cultivated alongside her time with Chiaki and the rest of RYUSEITAI—as their relationship blossomed more and more each day since then.

“A bento?” Chiaki drew in his breath as surprise overtook his features, yet it was clear how exultant he was over the idea.

Nodding her head, Ushio held it out to him. “Yeah, it’s been a while since I last made you one; and you’ve been working really hard lately, so I thought⋯”

Placing his hands over Ushio’s fondly as he clasped onto both her and the precious bento, Chiaki beamed. “I’m so happy! Ushio, your cooking is the best!” he praised her with heaps of sincerity redolent to that very first day. “Thank you!!”

“You’re welcome,” Ushio meekly murmured, the words ‘anything for you’ tingling on her glossy lips as she felt him tighten his grip over her.

There was a pause—Chiaki refusing to let go of her just yet as they stood together—and the birds were already flitting about and moving on with their lives as they pecked away the vestiges of Chiaki’s and Ushio’s solicitousness.

“You know,” Chiaki began, eyes glimmering with ruminations, “you’ve been working really hard, too. Can I⋯ make you a bento next time?”

“Do you even know how to cook, Chiaki-san?” Ushio curiously inquired, head tilting as her short hair cutely descended with her motion and making Chiaki even more nervous at how irresistible that was.

“I don’t,” Chiaki answered veraciously, squirming and averting his gaze as a feeling of self-consciousness overwhelmed his entity.

“I could always teach you—I think it’d be fun, and then we can eat whatever we make together,” Ushio smiled, patently growing excited over the idea just by speaking of it.

Vehemently nodding his head, Chiaki’s grin was unbridled with euphoria. “It’s a promise!” And just like that first time Ushio made him a bento, Chiaki had a pledge etched on his heart he’d do anything to keep.

[omake]

“Why is Taichou suddenly so obsessed with feeding the birds?” Midori groaned, lamenting his entire existence as he watched his leader scattering more and more seeds onto the ground with a pitifully overzealous visage.

“Apparently Ushio-san and him promised to feed them together but he wants to increase his affinity with them before they do in order to impress her!” Tetora elucidated, although for poor Midori it still didn’t make any sense. “He’s been doing this every day for the past week.”

Peeking furtively behind the pair as they all watched with a morbid, rapt attention, Shinobu piped up, “I think it’d be best to leave Morisawa-dono behind for now⋯”

The other two nodded their heads in solemn agreement, silently gyrating on their heels to abandon their Ryusei Red⋯⋯ so he can continue his quest to befriend the birds.

[todourouki]

IT’S YOU.

♡ dabi todoroki

SUMMARY he hates to express himself but it’s now or never.

WORD COUNT 2.9K

WARNINGS angst, someone d*es sorry lol, fluff, sorry i miss dabi & i had to, also a suggestive joke cause it’s dabi

AUTHORS NOTE this is kinda trash cause i’m just warming up again lol <3 also it’s unedited lol sorry ly guys

** italics signify a flashback

Everything went to shit.

Nothing could be heard through your ears other than the large explosions and cries for help, flames of red and blue illuminating your face through the porcelain glass.

You should be out there. You should be fighting with everyone, trying to save the planet from the complete destruction and cataclysmic hurricanes of utter civil war.

Instead, you found yourself trapped within the walls of the practical prison cell, encaged within nothing but glass on the highest building in your current prefecture. You couldn’t remember when it happened, how it happened, how you get there, where it started— nothing.

All you could remember though, was yesterday morning. And as the flames began to grow closer in proximity to you, all you could do was think about him.

“Dabi, if you keep touching me with your cold ass feet I promise I’ll call the police and turn you in.” He could hear the irritation in your voice, doing nothing but chuckling and pulling you closer into his bare chest.

“You wouldn’t dare, you know that.”

His voice was soft for the first ever time, the sign of sleepiness still lingering behind his tongue as he lingered the ends of his words. The warmth of the winter sun hit your bodies through your shades, and you found yourself opening your eyes and doing something you rarely got the chance to do— admire Dabi.

He usually expressed his hatred for his appearance. It usually ranged from the two-toned colors loitering his body, the staples holding him together, to even the simplest of things such as his hands being too weak or his weight not being strong enough.

Everything he ever complained about though, were things you found yourself falling deeper and deeper inlove with as the days progressed. The sunlight hit his skin softly, the white duvet perched across his shoulders showing that he at least got cold even though he felt like a human radiator.

“You’re so pretty.” Your simple words silently slipped, his ears perching up in his sleep but his scowl remaining against his monotonous face.

You knew he liked it though, from the way his fingers heated up just a tad bit and caused you to blush for him. He wasn’t a friend of admitting the way he felt, giving out compliments whether they be true or not, or doing anything remotely close to giving you any kind of affection that wasn’t physical. You knew this tough, from the moment you got yourself involved with someone like him.

You knew that getting into Dabi’s life and lingering around meant that your life would permanently be in danger, would never be the same, and would never be safe. You knew all of this, yet you never batted an eye on whether or not you wanted to deal with it for as long as you lived— you knew you would die for him if he’d ask you to.

Sometimes you thought of saying those three words you knew scared him. They almost slipped more than a few times, and it was Dabi that prevented you from doing so by doing things such as changing the conversation topic and reaverting your attention towards anything, absolutely anything else.

To tell the truth, you were scared of admitting it to him as well. Dabi was a criminal, and not just any criminal, but thee criminal of the hour. He was plastered all over Tokyo with nothing but a mugshot taken when he was about two years younger and a life sentence he refused to give in to. You knew what would happen if news got out that you had invested your time with someone like him.

You would potentially lose your family, everything you’ve ever worked for, your job, you’d lose it all. It never bothered you though, because you’d do anything for him. Anything.

And as you felt the words begin to form from the bottom of your throat, you realized those cerulean eyes were now staring back at you. It was almost as if the world didn’t exist when you were with him, and you would give anything to be able to say those words. Anything just to show him your devotion for him, and how you would kill or be killed for him.

Like clockwork, the opportunity fell from your hands and onto the ground like shattered glass when you felt him peck your cheek with something hidden in his irises. “Let’s get out of bed, yeah?”

Tears fell from your eyes, silent whimpers growing louder as you realized what was happening. Your feet began to ache, body spiraling down in pain with nothing but heartbreak racing through your veins.

You hadn’t seen Dabi since that morning, the chaos only growing the minute he slipped through your apartment door and not bothering to call, text, or even see you.

The world was ending, and you never got the chance to tell Dabi you were in love with him.

You knew everything was coming to an end. He had warned you things were only growing worse, heroes and villains alike reaching a point so desperate in finishing the war, they’d both resort to anything. And that anything, was currently demolishing the streets in front of your own eyes.

The blue flames only grew in damage, covering towers of glass and growing closer in proximity into the glass bubble you were stuck behind. You were the only person up there, being led to safety by a hero much too young to be in such a situation and bringing you to even more tears.

You wanted to scream— cry for anything or anyone to help you so you could just get out and look for him. It’s all you wanted, to just hold him once more and feel his snide remarks slap you hot against your skin one last time.

“Hey dollface.”

The voice you heard forced your breath to cave in, voice being numb from the tears falling earlier enough to where all you could do was turn and feel your heart break even more.

He was missing a few staples, a bullet wound pressed against his white shirt near his torso and his body seeming weaker than you’d ever seen it. His hair was disheveled more than usual, coat missing, and skin beginning to detach itself from his thin frame. His face was tired, voice wavering from pain and exhaustion and you felt your body freeze.

“Dabi?” Your voice was sweet to him, music to his ears finally being played at a lesser pressure to where if tears could fall down his eyes, they would.

He had searched everywhere for you, ignited the streets in flames looking for anyone that knew of your whereabouts no matter who or what they were. He saw your weak frame run towards the end of the glass he stood on the opposite side of and his body limped closer to you.

If only you could see how much it hurt him to not be able to hold you, looking at you cry and mourn through glass hurting him more than he thought anything ever had. He knew it was his fault for getting so attached as for involving you in this mess. It was his to clean up but he let you help him and manage to self destruct your future quicker than he could stop you.

“Missed me?” His smirk was lazy as usual, but weak enough to falter as his head knocked across the glass and held its eyesight on you.

You were crying, not being able to stop yourself from leaning against the glass right with him and he couldn’t say it hurt him any less than it did. It fucking killed him to see you like this. He knew he couldn’t break through the glass without killing you, and he knew you couldn’t break the glass unless the hero who surrounded you in it was there. And he had never wanted to kill someone more than he wanted to kill that guy— not even his own father.

“Please tell me you’re okay.” You whimpered, hands flat across the glass as your chest heaved up and down in nothing but pain.

Dabi heard them getting closer from a distance, the sound of screams beginning to crowd his ears and preventing him from hearing to your voice so clearly. He knew he had to say something- he had to do something if he wanted to have time to do it before the end.

“Don’t worry about me, just do me a favor and listen alright?” His voice held the usual attitude it did when you’d speak to him, the pain growing more and more noticeable as he started to wince after each growing syllable.

You always listened to him, and as much as you wanted to scream at him to get you out of there so you could just feel your skin on his, you knew it wasn’t the time yet. His hands slowly raised towards yours on the glass, something he would have never done under any other circumstance other than this one and you knew. You knew what he was doing.

“I love you,” the words fell flatly, echoing through your brain as you sucked in air and watched as blood began to drip from the hand falsely holding yours across the glass, “I fucking love you.”

“I don’t know what to do with myself if I’m not waking up next to ya’, or what to do if I’m not laying with ya’, but I know what I’m gonna have to do now if it means you get to get out of here okay.”

Your eyebrows furrowed, your posture straightening and beginning to panic. “Dabi, what the fuck are you talking about?”

You saw him squeeze his eyes shut, blood growing against his eyelids and starting to trickle down his burned cheeks. The air you once knew how to breathe without thinking started to slip through your lungs faster than you could catch up, and you knew you were living out your worst nightmare.

The screams Dabi had been waiting for grew, footsteps flying up the stairs behind him growing in sound and he knew time was limited. He knew he needed to do this now or he’d never get a second chance.

“I’m doing this to save you, so don’t think I’m doing this to find an excuse to get your annoying ass out of my life.” His words caused you to sob, air leaving your lungs as your dainty hands slammed across the unbreakable glass.

“Shut the fuck up! Don’t you fucking DARE!” Your words hit him hard, nothing but a small smirk lifting against his lips and staring back at you with blood streaming eyes.

“You know I have to, even if I don’t wanna. So listen good. In about three seconds, those guys are gonna slam through the door and kill me and I’m gonna let them.”

“I’m gonna let them do to me what they should’ve done a long time ago if it meant I got to give ya’ a better chance at life so it’s what I’m doing, okay? I’m giving you a chance to do some shit you couldn’t do with me sticking around.”

Dabi’s words burned through your ears and you knew nothing hurt you more than this. The pain of smacking against the glass only caused bruises to form against your knuckles. You wanted to keep hitting, to keep fighting, and to keep doing whatever you possibly could’ve done if it meant you’d get to hold him and stop him from being so fucking stupid. But this was a fight that was already won, and it’s what hurt you the most.

“You’re the most beatiful shit I’ve ever seen in my life. You make the best fucking French toast I’ve ever had, and your lips are better to me than any fucking weed I’ve ever smoked in my life.” The footsteps grew louder, and he knew this was all he could say before it was over.

“I never told you cause I was a fucking pussy but right now I’m facing death and nothing could be worse than this. I fucking love you, Y/N. I love you and you’re the greatest thing to ever happen to me. Maybe if I wasn’t a criminal about to die I woulda married ya’ with a ring I stole from Shig but I am.”

You watched something glimmer from his fingertips, the sight causing your breath to get stuck between your throat and hold itself longer than you could handle. He was going to propose to you.

Within seconds, the door slammed open and there stood police officers with guns and weapons piling through. They were yelling, and you knew you should’ve been listening to their words but all you could do was stare at the ring Dabi dropped underneath his foot and hid beneath his shoe.

“They’re gonna kill me and I’ll never be able to feel you against me again, but know that nobody in this world will ever make me feel the way I do or did with you. Do something with your life while I’m gone, dollface.”

That’s all he could say before turning his body around, giving you one last view of his arrogant smirk before trying to shoot his arm out to give himself one last method of defense. The only problem was that he didn’t stand a chance. You couldn’t watch, knowing that if you did you’d lose your mind more than you were going to eventually anyway so you blinked.

You blinked for a really long fucking time, long enough to slip down the glass with your hands following the trail of blood Dabi’s hands left as his lifeless body rested against the cage holding you in.

You couldn’t hold him, you couldn’t smell him, you couldn’t even tell him you loved him back. He never gave you the chance to say it, and when he finally admits it to you, his body loses every inch of life it was granted before you were even given the chance.

You wanted to hate him, but you couldn’t. You couldn’t find it within yourself to do anything other than weep and sob Dabi’s name like a mantra. Because this was it. You were there when he took his last breath to finally admit he loved you and you couldn’t even say it back, without the chance of ever saying it again.

You’d lost him, and couldn’t even try to save him from his own self.

Dabi’s body rested on top of yours, head nuzzled between the crevice of your breasts and breath pattering against your exposed nipples as you both lay there speaking of nothing but nonsense. That was, at least until he cleared his throat and began to rub his warm hands against your waist.

“You wanna know something, Y/N?” He muttered, causing you to giggle softly and run a hand through his raven hair.

“What, Dabi?” The snow falling outside was louder than it had ever been before, the silence after you replied consuming you so strongly and so loudly you would’ve been concerned if it wasn’t for him opening his mouth yet again.

“When all this shit ends,” his staples clicking and deep voice was the only thing circling against the room, taking a second to think and finally finding his voice once again, “I think I’m gonna take you out on a date.”

The laugh that left your lips was one that made Dabi smile, playfully glaring up at you with an eye and joining you in a slight chuckle. Dabi usually said stupid flirtatious remarks like this, but hearing him offer to take you out on a date was beyond anything you’d ever heard.

“Oh really? Where are we gonna go, lover boy?” Your hands continued to run itself through his hair, words tickling at his scalps and making him relax even more into your body’s sanctuary,

“Anywhere else. As long as I got your dumbass with me.”

The words rang deep, your hand stopping slightly and cheeks burning more as the words echoed through your head. He wasn’t one for romantics or for sappy comments but this one hit a bit deeper than it probably should have for you. You knew it took a lot for him to say, being well aware of his faux emotional aloofness to really just cover up the fact that he’s an undercover softy.

“Simp.” Translated in Y/N’s language: I love you.

“Don’t be such a bitch about it.” Translated in Dabi’s language: I love you, more.

Silence covered your ears once more, nothing but flashing Tokyo lights illuminating through to it window with snowflake shadows dancing across your white walls. Moments of peace like this were rare, especially with Dabi being in your bed with you for as long as he pleased.

You appreciated moments like these the most, his body weight fitting like a puzzle on top of yours. You both continued to crack a few jokes, talking about nothing and everything at the same time until someone (most likely you, honestly) fell asleep with a small smile imprinted on the two of you.

You know moments like these were only the beginning of your relationship, and you knew you’d do anything for Dabi to make sure you got to show him how much you appreciated them until the day you died.

You knew it wouldn’t be for a while though, since your love was too strong to get any of you killed.

—

[takaraphoenix]

Ofc I'm excited for the new chapter phoe, I am so starved for Jason content that even the suggestion that I'm going to get some (esp QUALITY Jason content like urs) makes me unbelievably giddy and I'm fr checking my phone to see when it's gonna be update time in ur timezone 🥺✨

Oh gosh, you're so sweet. Your messages always delight me a lot and since Jason took kind of a backseat today in favor of the build up of the secret reveal, yooou get a small, Jason-focused flash-forward into their future. ;) also because I actually have time to write again fdklghaöklh

--

Sky-blue eyes were large as they quickly flew over the words in front of him. His mouth was in a small oh-shape as he absorbed every little bit of information that was given to him. And then it just ended.

To Be Continued...

No, no, no. That couldn't possibly be! This was too exciting, it couldn't just end like that! His sister next to him made a squealing sound as she also reached the ending. She grabbed the comic book out of his hand and tried turning the page, hoping against hope there would be more.

"No, no, no," she whined frustrated and threw herself back onto the bed.

After a moment, her brother mirrored her. The two groaned and whined until their current babysitter walked in, a frown on his face. He brushed hazel-hair out of his face.

"What's gotten into you lot?"

"The comic ends, uncle Tyson! It just ends! And the next issue won't come out until next month, but it just got really, really exciting!" he heard his sister complain.

"Grace is right! This isn't fair. Cliffhangers are unlawful and inhumane!"

Tyson laughed and approached the bed to sit down between his niece and nephew. "I think I gotta talk to your parents about your definition of unlawful and inhumane, Jacky."

Jackson huffed and crossed his arms over his chest, pout in place and sky-blue eyes dark like a brewing storm. When it darkened in the room and rumbling could be heard from outside, Tyson frowned concerned and cleared his throat.

"You guys do know that you could just... ask your parents, right? They were right there. They know exactly how all of this unfolded," offered Tyson.

He took the comic-book - issue 13 of The Adventures of the New Olympians - and closed it to hold up the cover, where Jason di Angelo was standing heroically in his Blue Lightning uniform, fighting a giant space-octopus. Jackson frowned and turned to look at his sister.

"I dunno", admitted Grace. "Dad is like... dad. Not Blue Lightning. Dad sings bad old boyband songs in the shower and steals daddy's blue cookies and baby-talks to Mrs. O'Leary."

"Yeah. These comics are totally fiction, uncle Tyson", agreed Jackson seriously. "Dad's a total dork, not a superhero! He isn't like daddy and papa."

Tyson huffed a little at that, fond smile on his lips. "He isn't now. But when push comes to shove, he always got our back in a fight. Because he could never bear standing aside if his family gets hurt. Go and ask him about it, mh."

"Tyson? Where are you?", called his wife from somewhere else. "Jason is here to pick up the kids!"

"Ah, your cue, pipsqueaks", Tyson grinned and ruffled both their hair.

Grace quickly grabbed her Wisdom Warrior doll, while Jackson took the comic book, both kids quickly running out the room and downstairs. Grace just lept off a few steps before the end of the stairs, jumping straight into her dad's awaiting arms. Jason was smiling softly, hugging her tightly. Her blonde curls bounced as he whirled her around once.

"Hey there, kids. Had fun with uncle Tyson and auntie Ella?"

"Ye--es", chorused Jackson and Grace.

"Thanks for watching them, guys", Jason turned to offer Tyson and Ella a small, grateful smile. "With Perce and Nico still in Canada about that... maple syrup fuled robot apocalypse... it's been kind of stressful. And then Thabi got into trouble at school and-"

"No need to explain, or to thank us", assured Tyson, patting his brother-in-law on the back. "That's what brothers are for, Jay. We got your back. Besides, we love those two."

With a last smile aimed at the couple, Jason herded the twins out of the house and toward the car. He made sure their seatbelts were fastened before he got in the driver's seat and started the car. In the rear-mirror, he could see the twins whispering with each other, but neither speaking up. He decided against asking, for now. They'd tell him whatever was on their minds when they were ready.

Once at home, both of the kids ran off to their rooms and Jason was so busy with things around the house that he nearly forgot about the kids' strange behavior. That's what they got for having a ridiculously big house and stables, but then again, they did need the grounds to allow their companions enough space to roam free. He'd just finished feeding Tempest and Blackjack when the twins suddenly stood behind him, serious, matching frowns on their faces.

"We have come to the agreement that we should ask you", declared Grace.

A nine-year-old with pigtails had no right to look this serious. Jason smiled a little at that, nodding and waiting for more.

"We know that daddy and papa are superheroes", continued Jackson as the three headed back toward the house. "But you aren't! You're just... dad. Right?"

"Ouch", Jason huffed out a little laugh. "Just dad, huh?"

"I mean, you're normal, like us", corrected Grace with a frown, motioning at the posters at the walls when they entered the living room. "You're only a hero on the big screen! Not in real life!"

The smile on Jason's lips turned more nostalgic. His dorky, dorky husbands had decided to plaster every wall that wasn't filled with family pictures with posters of his movies. Right now, Grace was motioning very decidedly at The Twelve Tasks of Hercules. Hercules was his most popular role, a fictional superhero clearly supposed to be the son of Zeus but never actually name-dropping Zeus in the movie series. Or the spin-off TV show. It had spanned a whole cinematic universe about fictional superheroes after they had introduced Theseus, a water-powered superhero who was a thinly veiled homage to Percy, in one of the movies. Theseus got his own solo-movie, then a sequel and over the years, they had established more and more heroes in this universe. Jason was so incredibly proud of it, not just because he played the hero who started it all, but because he was also creatively involved; he had pitched the character of Theseus.

Sitting down on the couch, he let his eyes wander just a little. A poster of his first big breakout role as Jace Herondale in a TV show adaptation of The Mortal Instruments... naturally, Percy had chosen the poster where Jason posed shirtless, showing off the runes.

"What do you want to be when you grow up?", asked Jason softly.

"I wanna take over granny's bakery", declared Jackson with a puffed-out chest. "I'll learn all of her recipes and become the best baker in all of New York."

"I dunno, dad. I'm nine", huffed Grace with a pointed look. "Maybe I'll become a great fashion designer like auntie Silena! Or a teacher like auntie Annabeth. Or president. Or astronaut. Oh! Or doctor."

"Okay, okay", Jason interrupted her, laughing. "But neither of you wants to become a superhero like your dads?"

The twins exchanged a silent look before shaking their heads and Jackson answered. "No. It looks scary. It looks cool to watch but I'd be super scared."

Jason nodded slowly. "But if Gracie was in danger, like really, really scary danger, what would you do?"

"I'd help her!", exclaimed Jackson immediately, grabbing his sister's hand.

The smile on Jason's lips grew some. "Being a hero is really, really scary and really, really dangerous. And I never-ever wanted to be a hero. I'm not as brave as your dads when it comes to that. But when there is something very big and dangerous that your dads can't handle on their own, I'll put my own fears aside. Because you know what is just... so much scarier than being a hero? It'd be if something happened to your dads. And I couldn't help."

He knew their kids were under no illusions; they knew Nico and Percy led dangerous lives and they knew something could happen to them. Nico had already been hospitalized for a longer period of time a few years ago.

"So when they really need me, I'll be very brave to help them."

"So... So this is really real?", asked Grace softly, holding up the comic-book.

Jason snorted a little at the extremely overdone hero-pose he was striking on the cover. "It's... more or less real. There's some... made-up stuff there, because those who write these comics, they only had the news coverage to go by, they weren't actually there when we met in private and planned and talked. But yes, that happened."

Jackson straightened up at that and took the comic from his sister to open it on the last page, putting it down on Jason's lap and very decidedly pointing at the To Be Continued in the lower corner.

"How's it end!?", asked Jackson eagerly. "We don't wanna wait!"

"Ye--es! Did you save the day? Did you rescue daddy when he got abducted by the alien octopus?", wanted Grace to know, eyes large.

Laughing to himself, Jason leaned back against the couch and opened his arms, both his kids immediately snuggling up to him and eagerly awaiting the story. Jason wasn't the greatest story-teller in the family, Piper was the author, but he did his best to actually tell the story as exciting as possible. He talked and talked for over an hour and by the end of the story, both twins were deep asleep. Asleep on him, not giving him a chance to move from the couch either. Though he was tired too, so he closed his eyes, just for a second.

"I'm de--ead", groaned Percy softly and something shifted.

Jason blinked sleepily, turning his head toward the source of the voice. His face lit up when he saw Percy snuggled up to Grace from behind. When he turned toward his other side, he saw Nico behind Jackson.

"I'm sorry we were both gone, amore", whispered Nico as he leaned over to kiss Jason sweetly. "It was an all-hands-on-deck situation..."

"You don't have to explain", Jason smiled faintly. "You're the leaders of the Olympians. They rely on you. Especially now with all the newbies, they need your guidance."

"Yeah, but we promised you we'd step back some", Percy sighed frustrated.

"You can't control when a weird Canadian wants to start the robot- apocalypse", Jason chuckled amused. "I'm proud of you both. And you have been stepping back a lot."

Percy hummed in agreement, eyes slowly closing as he rested his head on Jason's shoulder. Within moments, he was out cold. So the entire family was going to sleep on the couch today, mh?

"How did your meeting go?", asked Nico, sounding sleepy.

"Good. I mean. Really good. The studio is still so stubbornly thinking that female superheroes won't sell, but we finally pushed through. We got the Helen of Troy spin-off greenlit", replied Jason with a puffed out chest.

Nico smiled at him, kissing his cheek. "Good. I'm proud of you."

And then he yawned and snuggled closer to Jason. It filled Jason with warmth to just sit here, with his husbands and children, in their home. Safe and happy. Yes, he worried for Nico and Percy when they were out there, but he also knew that this was their dream and they loved their job. And ever since the twins had been born, the two really had stepped back, leading from the headquarters and training new heroes, only going out themselves if it was an emergency and the others needed help. Jason couldn't be mad about that, wouldn't want to be either, because he could never resent his husbands for living their dream - they had, after all, always supported Jason and his dream. Even when Jason would be in another country for months filming a movie, they never complained, they took care of the kids and were proudly at his side during the premieres.

"I love you two", whispered Jason, carefully kissing the top of Nico's head on one of his shoulders and the top of Percy's head on the other. "My heroes."

[blackvelvetwriteson]

𝐋𝐀𝐓𝐄 𝐃𝐀𝐘𝐒: 𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐏𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝐎𝐍𝐄

                                                        (  ~ Kirishima Eijirou x Female                                                                          Reader Insert ~ )

GENRE: Smut and Fluffy Fluff!                                                                  

FANDOM: Boku No Hero Academia (My Hero Academia)

TRIGGER WARNINGS: SMUT! That’s it. It’s just a lot of love making today with some pretty aftercare.

SUMMARY: It’d been awhile since you and Eijiro had gotten together and he’d started his hero work while you decided to stay in school and focus more on studies. He got to train under his idol and, of course, you were proud of him. He worked damn hard to get where he’s at now. He continued training harder and harder everyday, but that also meant that he was even more drained than usual. You'd always talk on the phone after school and he'd entertain you with his stories of what he did on the job and you'd help him be caught up schoolwise. It was a give-give situation. It'd been at least two months at this point and you were a little agitated; both sexually and not. You missed feeling his strong arms around you, his soft lips sending you to bed every night and waking you up every morning. You missed seeing how his big, muscular, veiny hand enveloped yours, his gentle smile making your days brighter and eventually, at this point you'd had enough of not being together.

WORD COUNT: 2723

(Headers are mine, but the art inside of them are not! Please don’t steal or repost without credit!)

      Two months had passed up to this point and you still hadn't heard from your boyfriend. You were scrolling through your Instagram just staring at all of the pictures that you shared, your eyes tearing up a little as your mind wandered absolutely craving his touch. Was he in the hospital? Was he hurt? What was going on with him?

     Your nightmares were a bit more prominent now having spent a significant bit of time away from your lover, though they subsided, to some degree, when you got with Eijiro. Suddenly all of this time apart was getting to you and you ran out of medicine to help with it, your anxiety and depression levels absolutely through the roof.    It got so bad that even your friends had noticed; you weren't as chipper in class, you never ate as much, your gaze was either painted out the window or at the ground at any given time, and you absolutely refused to go anywhere. Mina and Ochako wanted to hang out after class to study and hang out before the big exam and instead you locked yourself in your room and studied lazily yourself. Needless to say, you got a D- and that was the worst you'd EVER done in a class. Not that you didn't know the material, just that you didn't have the energy or focus to sit through the test. Aizawa had noticed and pulled you aside and you explained lazily your mental health situation and he said that once your mental health gets better that he'll let you retake the quiz. Then he gave you a Nature Valley bar because you didn't look like you'd been eating.

You paced your room and you sighed softly thinking of what it'd take to get his attention. Knowing him, this week he was probably on office duty instead of patrolling the streets. You decided, with your dirty mind, to put on some lingerie to get his attention and hopefully it'd warrant a text back.

You slip on some black lacy lingerie, complete with a corset-style top that was laced up in the back and a built in bra, though it was just a bit too small for you even though everything else fit just fine, you just had some big boobs. You decided to deal with it.

It also had a black thong instead of panties and a small harness-looking belt that attached to lace garter straps secured around your thighs.

You walk in front of a mirror you had in your room and you sighed softly, aware that he loved your natural face, almost void of blemishes. You had a few textured marks on your forehead but otherwise you were good. Your lips lightly glazed over with some chapstick you'd put on beforehand, your cheeks turning a pretty shade of pink.

You bring your slender fingers up to your lips and you run your middle finger over your bottom lip, whimpering softly. You picked your phone up and took a couple of pictures, one with that vibrant smile he loved so much, your bright white teeth catching the light, your eyes squinting curtly as your bangs framed your face.

You took a more seductive picture, your fingers looped just barely under the thong strap, pulling up and showing off the outline of your, now obviously swollen pussy. You whimper at the friction and you bit your lip, snapping a few not as innocent photos.

You then took a naughty little video clip of your hand ducking in between your legs, your fingers pressing at your clit as you moan out softly, completely unaware of just how wet and aroused you truly were until you shifted your weight some and heard yourself stirring up a little.

You send a nice little text to him first.    

   "Hey baby. Are you busy?"

Almost instantly, you got a response back.

  "Yeah, I'm busy... I'm sorry, Pebble, I'll try and text more often. I've just been so backed up at this internship. I'm on office duty today so I might have some time to call later if you want."

Just as you expected; office time. You smirked a bit, instantly sending the cute picture and then the more provocative ones. You laid down on the bed awaiting his response.

"You know that smile of yours gets me every single time," he responded.

Your hand travelled down your body, wishing it was Kirishima's, his veins exposed on his arms as his fingers conformed to your curves, your muscles, every crevice and dip in your body. You moaned out softly, "Eijiro," in a soft, breathy tone. Your fingers were teasing your clit over the thin fabric of the thong and you arched your back a little. You'd accidentally sent him the video of you touching yourself in the bathroom and you dropped your phone, instantly, one of your fingers delving inside of you.

You arched your back more, gripping the sheets and sliding your finger into your tight pussy, slowly sliding another finger in. Your core ached for release you'd been holding off on, but tonight you just couldn't fight it anymore.

Your phone buzzed next to you, the name on your phone the only one you wanted to see. You tried to control your breathing and you bit your lip.  

   "H-Hullo," you hummed out, risking it and continuing to curl your fingers inside of yourself. You were a bit caught as you heard rhythmic thumping and your breathless boyfriend on the other side.

"B-Baby," he said in a drawn out-intoxicating sounded voice, moaning and whimpering into the phone quietly, his breathing deep and loud.

"Aww. Is someone a bit needy," you try to keep yourself collected as you heard him helplessly jerking himself off underneath his office desk.

"I-I've missed you so much... T-This has taken a toll o-on m-me too," he whimpered helplessly into the phone, his hips bucking up up into his hand, pumping his hand up and down his veiny shaft. His perfect, plush pink tip was oozing precum and he bit his lip, his jagged breathing coming through the phone turning you on even more.

"Mmm fuck, Eijiro," you whimpered out quietly as you hear his rhythmic thrusts and thumps speeding up and you can tell by how he's choking back his orgasm that he's close. You thrust your fingers inside of you, shakily breathing and moaning as your thighs trembled.

"I can tell you're close, Princess," he moaned out quietly. "I'm close too... C-Cmon. I know you can do it. I know you can make me cum," he whimpered out quietly.

His voice was so sexy to you. especially how he tried to dominate you though you guys weren't touching each other and when he was feeling a little submissive, his hoarse voice strained as he tried to stay discreet. You heard his moans, his inebriates moans filling your ear as sweet music. He moaned your name and his strained, tipsy tone shooting shivers right up your spine as he let out a quiet, intense moan.

You bit your lip and turned your camera on quickly flipping it to your slick dripping out of your pussy. You were greeted by Eijiro's sweet whimpers and whines as he watched you slide your fingers in and out in a quick, sticky rhythm.

"P-Please, please, please, please," he moaned as he showed his cock that you were so hungry for, the blush pink tip coated in precum and the shaft of his cock covered in those beautiful puckered veins that you loved so much.   "Make me cum," he whimpered out. "Make me fucking c-cum princess, please! I n-need it! I need you so goddamn bad!"

You couldn't hold it even if you wanted to, arching your back, dropping your phone, gripping your sheets and soaking your hand in your sweet, sticky cum.     "Eijiro!" You yelled out as you shuddered, overstimulating yourself, gasping for air and convulsing under your own touch. You were left breathless as you pushed yourself for him just wishing that he were there so you could feel him.     "D-Daddy," you kept muttering in between gasps and moans, your whimpers which were said dominant before melting into a pathetic puddle of small yips, bucking hips, and "please"-es.

He absolutely reveled in your orgasm, groaning and whimpering quietly, clearly getting close himself. He continued to whimper and whine, slapping a hand over his mouth so that he wouldn't alert his temporary employer. His face was painted all shades of red, a bit of sweat sheening his body, illuminating his exposed skin in all of the right ways. He continued his rhythmic pumping, eventually getting faster and faster, jerking around in his seat. It was then you realized how needy he actually was, not just a ruse to get you to get him to smooth one out while he was on the job and you, alone.   

    He hadn't even pulled his pants down to his knees and they just rested on his thighs. His face was contorted in need, his breathing hitching and shaky which, to be frank, never happened unless a situation arose in which you'd both been parted from each other. He never trembled unless you overstimulated him but he was a convulsing mess and he haven't even came yet.

"C-Cum," you managed to choke out, hoping to help him chase his release.  "P-Please cum for me daddy!~ I de-deserve it!~" Your pleasure replaced by sensitivity, your insides dripping and convulsing like crazy around your fingers as you listened to him moaning and groaning on the other side of the phone.

You'd barely even made it through your command and he'd pumped himself faster, faster, faster, deep, long strokes before he grabbed some tissues from off of the desk and he slapped his hand over his mouth, at first no noise was coming out. You stopped your... Festivities and just stared at the phone with glistening eyes as he hiked his legs up some, his hot, sticky seed shooting into the tissues that he placed over his tip, his lips parted barely, soft huffs of breath leaving him occasionally as he became a trembling mess in his seat while there was shuffling at the door. He no longer cared, just in absolute bliss as he got to please himself- finally- at the hands of his baby girl. He let out soft "ooh"s and "ah"s as he came down from his high, picking up the phone to see your glistening eyes and soft pink lips.

   "T-That was a-all..." You trailed off, the bass in your voice quieting as you stared at the beautiful man who you called your own

  "Yes, baby girl," he responded in his husky tone as he stared into your eyes, his french vermillion colored eyes glistening as he brushed his bangs out of his face. You noticed that his hair wasn't spiked, but rather smoothed down on his head, his bangs held back by a butterfly clip. He slid it back in his pants and he threw the sticky tissue away at the trashcan that lied under his desk.    

 "All for you." He shuffled some of his papers on his desk realizing that he only had a small amount of paperwork to file, having done the majority of it on 3 cans of Monster and an endless amount of coffee. He couldn't find it in himself to sleep knowing that you weren't able to without him but he also couldn't call you prior.

  "When can I see you again?" You asked in an innocent, breathy tone.

He picked up his schedule and then checked the time, his beautiful cherry red eyes falling back over how sad you looked, the moment of bliss covering up just how needy and depressed you really were. 

   "God I really wish I could... You don't even know," he whispered quietly into the phone as he wiped some sweat off of his forehead and he pinched the bridge of his nose. You could tell he was stressed but you couldn't help your expression dropping.    

    "I think I have an off-day here soon... Within the month, I'm sure of it." He said softly as he looked at your downed expression.

   "O-Oh," you said, your eyes glistening with tears that dared to fall.       "Y-Yeah no, that's fine," you force a smile into your phone and you shake your head.

     "You know you're my beautiful baby right?" He asked softly staring into your eyes, getting a mental picture of your features.        "You know you're so brave and strong, right? You know that I miss you and I don't want anybody else but you, don't you," he cooed out quietly to you.

You nodded allowing his words to envelop you.      "I know, Kiri," you whisper quietly as you curl up in a blanket.

"Have you eaten...?" His eyes looked a little worried as he already knew the answer and he sat up in his seat finally getting back to his work, his phone propped up against a book that was on his desk. He was surprisingly organized, pulling his bangs back and reclipping his hair; he looked so professional and you loved it, you just wished that you could be with him while he was being professional.

"No," you replied quietly, laying down with your back to the phone. His eyes peered at you and he sighed softly.

    "How long has it been?" He continued to try and coax answers out of you but you were crashing and dissociating.     "Look at me, baby girl," he whispered quietly, placing his pencil down and picking his phone up again.

You groan softly, the tears finally falling as you cover your eyes with your forearm.    "No," you spat quietly.        "You're not gonna like what you see then l-leave me o-or something a-and-"

 "Baby," he said in his soft stern voice. You immediately shut up and turned to look at him through your phone.    "Now that I have your attention. What was it that you told me awhile ago? 'Everybody cries. Even manly men,'" you loved it when he quoted you.    "You getting emotional isn't gonna make me love you any less," he said quietly as he gave you a nurturing smile. You cuddled a pillow and rested your head on it much like you'd do to Kiri, resting your head on his chest. You sniff quietly and just watch him.

  "Soon, my love," he whispered quietly as he hummed to you, lulling you to sleep that'd been eluding you for at least a month and a half. He smiled as he watched you peacefully, humming quietly as he continued to run his pencil over some paper, making work in his paperwork. He looked over your sleepy features, your lips that were slightly parted as you let out soft puffs of air, your rosy cheeks, your illuminating skin, your bangs that framed your face so perfectly, and finally your eyes that never rested even in sleep; he could tell you were having a nightmare. He wished so badly that he were there to kiss your forehead and tell you that everything would be okay. He craved your touch just as much as you craved him.

  "In one of my late days, I'll be there right beside you, cuddling you and letting you know it’ll all be okay," he whispered softly as he continued to muse and do his work.

[icequeenoriginal]

The Meaning of FamILY

Note: I am so sorry for this taking centuries to come out, I blame laziness and writer’s block. So here it finally is, @khadij-al-kubra, the fic you requested. Again, I am so so sorry this took so long to get out. Also, this takes place a year after Intimacy and All Its Forms. Also Happy Late One Year Anniversary of this AU’s blog. 

Thank you @theromnempire for editing. You’re the best!

Names of side characters belong to @hi-i-love-u-bitch. This AU belongs to @ask-spiderverse-virgil and @sugarglider9603

Trigger Warnings: Deaths mentioned, two past minor character death, crying (Let me know if I missed anything)

Pairings: Prinxiety and Logicality

~

Roman was ushered into the living room by his older sister. He couldn’t understand why. Normally when his father came home, he would see Roman sitting at the kitchen table, doing his homework and his father would walk over and ask about before changing out of his work clothes.

Maybe it was a celebration! Or maybe a surprise! But…why was Amá crying?

Roman’s mother looked up and locked eyes with her confused, innocent son. It made her burst into more tears and Roman ran to comfort her.

“¿Amá?¿Por qué lloras mami?” Roman asked while tilting his head to the side. 

Lupita couldn’t help but smile at Roman, almost forgetting what had just happened. She frowned, and more tears fell as she realized what she had to do now.

“Roman ...mi Valiente chico…tengo algo que decirte...se trata de tu padre…”

~

Roman woke up with a start like he did every year on this day. It’s always the same memory that would wake him up like clockwork, ending right before his mom said the words that shattered his world forever. Roman’s brain liked to torture him but pretend to forget the worst part.

He decided not to think about it and just dressed. 

Roman never noticed how quiet the house actually was on this day. Any other day of the year, even if he was the first to wake up, there was some kind of noise. It could be anything from the humming of the ceiling fan or people rushing to get breakfast ready. But today, nothing. All the sounds of the apartment were swept out as if the family occupying the house needed a reminder of what was happening

Maybe Roman just lost his touch with reality on this day. He was never sure, not that it really mattered. He knew the world did not stop just because he is in a shitty mood. Did that ever make him feel any better? No, but it gave him a false motivation to get up and get ready for school.

He walked to the twins' room, like every day, to get them ready for school. Any other of the 365 days of the year, the twins would already be awake, fully ready to run around and make Roman’s morning even more hectic. Today, both had a blanket over their heads and he could hear his little sister sniffling.

He wished it was because of a cold. It never was.

“Vamos, es hora de levantarse,” Roman said, just loud enough for the twins to hear, worried if his voice went any height they could hear how broke it was. 

“NO!” both Jenni and Marco shouted, pulling the blanket simultaneously over their heads. Roman wanted to laugh at the sight, badly.

Instead, he sighed “No no, you guys gotta get up and go to school.”

“NO!” Marco shouted 

“It’s a bad day today!” Jenni cries

“I know guys but we can’t miss school,” Roman said softly.

“We’ll go to school tomorrow!” 

“Yeah, when it’s not Papi’s death day!”

Roman inhaled sharply, it was the first time of the day someone acknowledged what the 17th of February meant. The house somehow got even muter, if that was possible. His sister and brother burst into tears and Roman felt his face heat up. But he couldn’t cry, he was-

A soft, reassuring hand landed on his shoulder as he took a step forward. 

“Amá…” Roman said, his voice strained

Lupita’s eyes were full of storms of sadness, threatening a downpour. “Roman ... ve y desayuna.”

Roman shook his head. He could do it, he had to. His mother had enough on her plate. “Pero Amá--” Lupita cut him off.

“Está bien. No te preocupes por eso”

Roman sighed “Okay.” He was too tired to argue. This day seemed to already take so much out of him and it had hardly had started.

Roman sulked to the kitchen and made himself some toast. Something quick, easy and he was least likely to get sick from. He stared absently, unfortunately making eye contact with his father in an old happy family photo. He sucks in his breath as silent memories began to haunt him like they always do. He hated those more than any amount of his siblings sobbing or screaming in agony. He could tune those out with music, his one constant. These just got louder and louder no matter what he tried.  

What snapped him out of the pitiful void was a vibration from his phone. He pulled it out to reveal a text notification from Patton.

Bestie <3: I’ll be on the fire escape in a minute! Alex stole my sweater again :(((

Roman frowned, had he really taken that long to get ready? He hadn’t even made anyone’s lunch or even breakfast. He wasn’t even sure he was ready to talk to anyone today. Much less to get their glances of pity. Constantly hearing “sorry for your loss” got old quick. Besides, he didn’t want to bring anyone down, especially his best friends, just because of what today is. He sighed and texted Patton back:

Romaine Lettuce :): It’s okay. I’m gonna swing over to school today, go on without me.

Roman saw that Patton had read his text but he didn’t reply. Roman didn’t think much of it, he figured he was still chasing Alex around, and just grabbed his toast as soon as it was done in the toaster.

“Amá! I’m heading out to school! I love you! Bye!” Roman didn’t wait for a reply and ran up the stairs that lead to the roof as he put on his costume. Web swinging always seemed to calm his nerves, or more accurately, distracted him. Something about one mistake and you can fall to your death really makes your other problems seem small. As he was about to fire his first web, a voice shouted for him to halt. 

Patton ran up to him, also in full costume “Wait for me!”

“Pat?” Roman asked, not trying to hide his confusion. “What are you doing here?”

Although Patton had the mask on, It wasn’t hard to tell he was smiling. “I’m going to swing with you.”

“You don’t have to.”

“I know but I want to head to school with you like I always do.”

Roman felt a mixture of happiness and guilt swirl around in his stomach, creating an unpleasant cocktail make just for him. Not that he knew what a cocktail tasted like. 

Roman gave a small smile behind his mask “Okay then Pat, I’ll race you” and took off without another word.

They swung without another word, which relieved Roman. He didn’t want to be asked about how he was doing, the answer was obvious and Roman was tired of being asked it.

Unfortunately, this feeling did not last and Roman quickly returns to his self-pity and dark thoughts. Roman was so lost in his brooding thoughts of the bombardment of sympathy that he would receive through the day that he did not see the tall building in front of him. Thankfully, Patton did and webbed Roman quick enough so that he landed on the roof.

Well...landed is a generous term here. With how fast Roman was going, Patton had to quickly web him and throw him on the roof of the building.

Patton landed gracefully next to him. He placed his hands on his hips and said: “Okay, that’s enough swinging for you, mister!”

“I’m fine Patton, I just wasn’t paying attention this time.”

Patton shook his head, “You’re distracted, understandably so and I know you don’t want to talk about it, even though you should, but I won’t make you. It’s not safe Roman! I can’t let my best friend get hurt again! Not on my watch…”

Roman could see the agony swept into Patton’s eyes. He knew that memories of the year before, bad ones brought nothing but pain, were swarming Patton’s mind. Memories of Roman avoiding him, the fighting, the robot battle, all were tearing Patton down. It was a look far too familiar to him.

Roman ran to Patton as he began to shake. Roman muttered an apology that seemed small to himself but was perfect to Patton. Once Patton was able to calm himself down, he hugged Roman tightly, to show he was never going to let him go. 

“Let’s walk to school okay? I know a game we can play. It’s called “Beautiful Things’. As we walk, we point out the beautiful things we see and why we find them beautiful. Alex and Georgie made it up after Frankie…passed…and we played it all the time”

Roman raised his mask just above his lip to show that he was smiling “That sounds great, Patton, I’d love to.” 

So they snuck off the roof, changed, and walked. They pointed out birds, children, babies, and music playing from cars. Roman had no idea that such a simple game could bring him so much calm, but it did. He never realized there is so much good in the world, that was what they, as heroes, fought for. 

When they got to school, Roman headed to his locker. To an outside viewer, it was nothing out of the ordinary. But for the four, it was breaking the sacred tradition. First, they would meet at Logan’s locker as it was the closest to the entrance. Then they would make their way to their own lockers while catching up with one another. Finally, they would arrive at homeroom to get ready for the school day. 

However, as Roman watched Patton saunter over and embrace Logan, his feet didn’t want to go anywhere except towards an island of isolation. He didn’t want to ruin the happy mood, especially after making Patton think of Frankie so early in the morning. What best friend forces you to remember your dead brother?

He opened his locker and slowly pulled out the books he would need until lunch. When that took less than a minute. He stared at the objects he taped onto the door of his locker over the course of the year. At the top was a small mirror that he suddenly did not want to look into. At the bottom is a whiteboard with reminders of tests written by Logan, supportive messages from Patton, and quick doodles by Virgil. He felt the tug of a small smile on his lips, though it went away quickly.

He had only begun scanning the dozens of photographs he had before two arms snaked their way around his waist. He felt warmth in his chest as his boyfriend’s lips were pressed on the space between his shoulder blades.

“Morning” Virgil said, tiredness leaking into his speech.

Roman smiled softly and leaned slightly into the touch. “What leads you to my neck of the woods?” Roman asked as if he did not already know the answer.

“I needed to escape before I drowned in the puppy love.”

It wasn’t the answer he was expecting so he pressed on, “What do you mean?” Roman turned his head slightly to look at Virgil. Virgil, without lifting his cheek off Roman’s back, unfortunately, removed one of his arms from around Roman and gestures to his right. 

In distance, Patton has Logan’s shirt held carefully in his fingers, playing with the buttons as he talked to Logan. Logan watched with nothing but love and appreciation in his eyes. Roman couldn’t help but sigh at the couple, he was part of the team that got them together after all. One of his best accomplishments, if he’d say so himself.. 

“It’s so sweet...disgusting.” Virgil continued. Switching from resting his cheek on Roman’s back to his chin, he looked up and said, “Now give me my good morning kiss.”

Roman chuckled and happily obliged. When they pulled apart, Virgil asks “I’m going to ask you a stupid question.”

“No question is stupid, love, ask away.”

“Are you okay?” “I stand corrected.” Virgil elbowed Roman in the side, both happy for their spider-strength for the opposite reasons. 

“I mean it, Ro. I know you hate being asked that question, especially today, but I rather you get annoyed with me than let something happen like last time. So I’ll ask again, are you okay?”

“I am.”

Virgil raises an eyebrow “Am what?”

“Fine.” “I asked you if you were okay”

“Same difference.”

“Big difference, people only say they’re fine when they don’t want to admit they aren’t okay.”

Roman just looked away, having nothing to really say, plus he didn’t want to argue. Virgil sighed and hugged him again. Roman doesn’t push away, the pressure behind his eyes getting more and more unbearable. His emotions were already becoming too much for him to handle. He hugged back, relishing in the warmth of another person. It was stupid, in his mind, since Virgil was just hugging him moments ago. 

With a sigh, Roman pulled back. He brushed his knuckles gently against Virgil’s cheek and whispered “I’m sorry.”

“It’s okay because I’m sorry too,” Virgil said softly.

“You have nothing to be sorry for.”

Virgil couldn’t help but smile at that. “You know what? You’re right. I don’t. And with that, I’m going to spend this whole day cheering you up.”

“Virge…You don’t have to. Really! There’s no reason to-“

Virgil suddenly poked Roman chest, silencing the boy. “Do you remember the day that marked the anniversary of my grandpa’s death?”

“Of course I do, you were so upset. You didn’t even want to leave your room”

“Yeah, and you know what you did? You broke into my room, like some lunatic by the way, wrapped me up like a burrito-“

“It’s called a blanket burrito for a reason.”

“Don’t interrupt me. You wrapped me up, put on all my favorite movies that I wasn’t even aware you remembered and fed me snacks as we cuddled. Not even Logan had thought of doing that, he would just let me lie under my blankets while he just sat in the room.” Virgil paused to smirk before continuing  “And I was never more grateful for you than at that moment.”

Roman’s face began to heat up. He couldn’t help it. No matter how big or small the compliment that Virgil would give him, he would turn into a blushing schoolgirl, ready to throw himself at Virgil and pepper him with kisses. 

He opted to just hug Virgil again, a silent thank you. They were in public after all. They had some class.

Virgil embraced him for a few moments before the warning bell went off. “Listen, I’m going to make sure today is not going to be total shit for you.”

Roman chuckled in response, “Thanks, stormcloud.” Roman took a step to walk to his class but stopped when Virgil firmly grabbed his hand, “Huh?”

“What? I can’t hold my boyfriend’s hand as we walk to class?”

Roman chuckled, if there was one thing he knew about Virgil is that despite his boyfriend’s wariness of physical affection, Virgil always saw things through. Roman gently squeezed Virgil’s hand, absorbing the love that came from that simple gesture. Logan told him a few months ago about Love Languages and how physical touch was definitely his. It was a nice bonding moment for him and Logan, and it made Virgil really happy. Roman was rewarded handsomely for it.

Compared to every other year since his dad died, this was actually a pretty good day. Virgil would bring him to every class, even the ones were Virgil’s classes were nowhere near. Virgil had to keep reassuring Roman that it was fine, “I will just use my invisibility and sneak in. It will be funny to see how confused my teachers will be.” It made Roman genuinely laugh, something seemingly unachievable on this day.

The classes he did share with Virgil were the best. Virgil left his non-writing hand resting on Roman’s shoulder, giving him a gentle squeeze whenever he felt Roman quiver, shake or tense up. Which was often since their teacher would not stop shooting Roman sympathetic looks, even after Virgil glared at her. Other classes that Virgil wasn’t in, Virgil would wrap his hoodie around Roman before he headed off to his next class. People would focus on this action and how cute it was that Roman would forget, even for a few minutes.

Around lunch, Roman’s mood changed from melancholy to calm, relatively speaking. He wasn’t walking with his head down, and even partaking. The numb and somewhat painful feeling in his chest was still present, but it was no longer the black pit sucking his emotions into it like usual.

Already seated at the lunch table were Logan and Patton, whispering and smiling at one another. Before Roman could announce his presence to the couple, Virgil tugged him back. He nearly made Roman fall backward in the process, but they both knew it wasn’t intentional. They always forgot how strong their spidey strength actually was.

“Sorry!” Virgil said instinctively though he did start laughing as Roman caught himself.

“What was that for?” Roman asked once he regained his balance.

“I needed to tell you before I forget, I asked Thomas if we could borrow his living room for a movie night and he said yes. Ask your mom if you can stay over.”

Roman smiled, “That sounds great”

Virgil smiled back as the two sat in their normal seats. As soon as the two entered Patton’s vision, his eyes light and he pushed a plate covered in tin foil towards the couple. It wasn’t anything uncommon, Patton using any excuse to make people food, from “Virgil had a headache” cookies to “You saved a bus filled with little kiddos and the city still won’t give you a key!” double chocolate cake. Roman removed the tin foil to reveal donuts. It shocked Roman, he had a bit of an expectation that Patton would make one of Roman’s favorite desserts; like he always did in years past.

Roman looked up at Patton puzzled and Patton reached over the table to squeeze Roman’s arm as it rested on the cafeteria table. “I know you don’t want to make this day all about you, so I made something we all consider a normal snack. Is it okay?”

Patton’s eyes read desperate and Roman, half because he wanted to be a good best friend and half because he did not want Patton to use his Empath powers, smiled, and nodded.

“This is perfect, Pat.”

 Patton pulled back so he could properly muffle his squeal of delight since they were still in school and he did not want to get into trouble for “starting a disturbance.”

Logan whispered to Patton “You told me it was because you did not have enough time to make Roman his favorite cake.”

“...I can have multiple reasons” Patton whispered back, glad that Roman and Virgil were too busy bickering about the best Avenger to listen in. 

Everyone ate their lunches and donuts, just enjoying the time they had together. Logan commented on how he heard that Roman and Virgil would not join them on patrol and he hoped that they “don’t burn down Thomas’ apartment”. That earned him a look from Roman, a “Logie!’ from Patton and a kick in the shin from Virgil all at the same time.

“It was a simple precaution!” Logan shouted, only to be told to quiet down by the cafeteria monitor.

It would later become a memory they would always look back on, Virgil even including it into his best man speech at Logan and Patton’s wedding, much to Logan’s dismay.

~

Once lunch was over, Roman snuck into the bathroom and sent off a text to his mom asking if it was possible if he could stay over at Virgil’s, adding that if she needed him to come home then it would be fine. He didn’t want to be selfish. 

Roman figured he would get his reply by the end of the day since he knew his mom would be really busy at work and he wasn’t exactly sure when his mom had her lunch break. He put his phone in his pocket only to scare himself when his notification sound went off in the silent password. He pulled it out and his phone and had a new text from his mom.

Amá: Of course you can, Your sister is watching the twins today, go have fun. It’s what Papí would want. 

Roman smiled, a single tear fell down his face. His mom was the best.

~

Roman’s afternoon classes came and went, nothing exciting or saddening happened of note. Though it wouldn’t have mattered, the prospect of cuddles and Disney movies filled him with so much excitement and joy. 

As faith would have it, he had no play practice since their show season had just ended and Mr. Bell always gave them a week off so he could tie up any last loose ends and decide the dates for the next auditions. This gave him an extra two hours to spend with his boyfriend, perfect!

Roman ran up to Virgil’s locker and bounced on his toes as his boyfriend got his stuff together so they could head off. Virgil smirked and tilted his head to Roman, “You seem excited.”

Roman smiled and nods “I’m really excited for tonight”

“Oh?” Virgil teased “What’s happening tonight? I can’t remember anything important”

Roman lightly punched him in the arm “You’re so mean, remind me why I love you again?” “It was your choice to get into this relationship, Princey, don’t forget that” Virgil waved his hand as he spoke and Roman, to Virgil’s surprise, quickly snatched Virgil’s hand.

Roman smirked back “I am very aware, and I am so happy to have you.” He then kissed Virgil’s knuckles.

Virgil cursed his cheeks for the blush that always came when Roman did something romantic. He pulled his hand back and nervously giggled “Oh shush, let’s get going already.” 

Man, did he love that boy.

~

After swinging over to Thomas’ apartment with Patton and Logan, Roman and Virgil quickly went to work on their pillow fort as the two other spider children spoke to their spider dad about the details of the patrol. 

Once everything was set up, Thomas said “Great. Patton, you and Logan get my snack bag and go to the bodega on the corner, there is money in the bag so don’t worry about using your own money. Meet me on the roof in half an hour.” 

Patton and Logan nodded and left to get their favorite snacks. 

Thomas turned to Roman “Hey, Ro? Before you guys start, could you come with me to the roof?”

Roman was confused but agreed. He was a bit nervous, he felt like a child about to get yelled at and tried to think of what he could have done wrong recently.

Once they got to the roof, Roman asked, “If this about keeping your apartment clean, I promise Virgil and I will not burn it down. Logan already gave us the rundown.” 

Thomas put his hand on Roman’s shoulder and softly smiled “I can feel you stressing out, even without Patton’s power. Don’t worry, I trust you. I just wanted to tell you something. Sit with me” Thomas patted Roman’s head when Roman released a sigh of relief. 

The two sat on the edge of the roof, Thomas in his Rainbow Weaver costume with the mask on and Roman in his civilian clothes. 

Thomas gazed over the city before saying “I know you are probably expecting me to give you a speech about grief and how to handle it, but I hated those speeches at your age when I got them because of my Aunt Patty. In fact, you remind me a lot of myself when I was younger, and I’m not just talking about being a fellow theatre geek. I never wanted to think about when she died and I would throw myself into helping people, with or without the suit. One thing led to another and I ended up beaten and bloodied in an alley on the anniversary of her death. When Talyn and Joan found me, I swear my Aunt Patty possessed them to yell at me for it. I thought Talyn might kill me themself.”

Roman laughed “I can see them doing that.”

Thomas chuckled and nodded “Oh yes. But what they and Joan did instead was patching me up and we had a FRIENDS marathon, ‘the police will handle crime for now’ Joan said. I broke down after three episodes because I love my friends so much. So before I start crying again at the memories, I just wanted to tell you that your friends--including Joan, Talyn, and I--are always here for you. Don’t make the same mistake I did and forget” Roman threw himself at Thomas for a hug “Never again, I promise.”

Thomas hugged back “Thanks, kid. Now go have fun.”

~

Virgil looked up from his phone when he heard footsteps coming towards him “What did Thomas want? Hey, are you okay?” Virgil pops out from under the fort and cups Roman’s face to wipe the tears away.

Roman smiles “I’m fine, really. I’m just...thank you, for putting up with me”

Virgil kisses him “It’s not putting up with you, it’s loving you. Ready to start Tangled” “Of course my love”

~

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[beyondthecosmicvoid]

"What you're talking about is manifest destiny."

"You can call it whatever you want, Tom. The fact remains that if the human race needs to do something to survive and lower orders don't have the power to stop us, we will prevail. It is not right ir wrong, it is just the way things are. You've got to stop projecting human motives and es onto other organisms. Everything is merely what it is. A mongoose that tries to steal a cobra's egg isn't evil -- it is just trying to survive. But the cobra is trying to survive too. And if it catches the mongoose in its nest, there's going be a fight. Fortunately for the mongoose, it has faster reflexes and a more efficient metabolism. Whether that's fair or not isn't event part of the equation -- it's simply the way things are."

"Yeah? Try telling that to the cobra. But for the sake of argument, we'll ignore the question of ethics. Still, all you're saying, Scott, is that it's all right to do whatever we want. To exploit any ecosystem, any species -- as long as we don't run into anything big enough to kick our butts."

"If you want to phrase it that way. Yeah. That's the way nature works."

"Sure, on tutoring disks, but not in the real world. Every part of an ecosystem is dependent on every other part. It's that interdependence that makes interfering with existing systems so chancy. Even the smallest components are vitally important."

“Who could have guessed that millions of ‘killer bee’s could spring from a handful of escaped African bees? Or that a few Brazilian fire ants could make the Southeastern portion of the U.S. virtually uninhabitable in just over seventy years? And what about the ‘oil-eating’ bacterium the gene-splicers at the petroleum companies developed to clean up their spills? Remember how they thought they had it completely in their control?”

“Come on, Tom, the oil would’ve dried up sooner or later anyway, and I hear the new repro-inhibitors they’re using are making a substantial dent in the fire ant populations. Sure, we suffer setbacks, but we’ll always find ways around the problems that nature throw at us.”

“Will we Scott? I’m not so sure, mankind never seems to learn. We get our hands slapped on a regular basis, but we still can’t seem to keep them to ourselves. The tighter the grip we try to get on nature, the more nature pushes through the cracks in our technology. And with some of the things we’re encountering in the settlements, we have no idea what kind of trouble we may be letting ourselves in for by messing around.”

“Well, so far we’ve done okay. On all of the life-supporting planets we’ve come across. The worst thing we’ve ever encountered has been the ‘blood willies’ of epsilon INDI TWO. And I hear they’ve got a vaccine for that now. If I were you, I’d put my faith in science and stop worrying about the bogeyman. And I’d watch what I said around the corporate types, Tom. All any of them care about is their jobs, and you’ll make them nervous with talk about problems that don’t exist yet.”

“I don’t care. This is my last long haul. I’m getting out while the getting’s good. All of the monkeying around the corporations are doing out in the settlements may not bother you, Scott, but it does me. We’ve had a long run of good fortune –longer than we’ve deserved there’s a major league turd coming down the pike, mark my words--- and I don’t want to be around when it hits the fan. I’m telling you, we shouldn’t be messing with mother nature. She’s a real bitch. We have to learn to work with nature. This reliance on technology is getting to be too much for me, Scott. It’s no longer a means to an end. It’s become an end unto itself. We use it like a wall between ourselves and our surroundings … between ourselves and who we really are. We’ve come a long way in the past three thousands years but I can’t help feeling that we’ve lost as much as we’ve gained.”

“So what’s your solution Tom? Give up modern convenience and go back to stone knives and squatting in caves?”

“You’re reaching for extreme again, Scott, but that just might be what it takes to put us back on the right track. And I’m not talking about austerity or deprivation. I’m talking about the challenge of putting away the crutches of our technology and going back to relying on our own strength and cunning. These days we’re so insulated that we make heroes out of anyone who dares to face up to a challenge. But it wasn’t always like that. Life of death challenges used to be an every day thing and real men didn’t wait for adventure to come to them. They rushed out to meet it not like the generals and corporate heads these days who send out the little guys to do their dirty work. It used to be that a man’s standing as a leader was determined by how he handled himself in the face of danger.”

“Yeah, yeah – very nostalgic, Thom. Very macho. But it’s not very practical in this day and age. Can you see a bunch of corporate VPs duking it out for the right be CEO? Or maybe you and me going at each other with knives to see who gets a better pilot’s rating?”

“Hey, every culture observes its own rituals for establishing status. Look at the infighting and back-stabbing that goes on at every level of our society. And we’re still fighting over the same things: property, leadership, territorial rights. The only difference is our methods have become more subtle, less direct. Somehow the old ways seem more honest.”

“You’re an idealist, Tom. What happens when the wrong guy wins? Then you’ve got the neighborhood bully calling the shots: You’re back to pack mentality.”

“There are checks and balances in every system, Scott.”

“Yeah, but your way leaves them all up to individual initiative! Without some kind of sanctioned avenue for dissent. A guy would have to be a real hero or a real fool to butt heads with the chief.”

“So? Are things really so different for us? You’re the one that’s always telling me to watch what I say around the desk jockeys. Where’s my ‘sanctioned avenue for dissent’? At least if I bust a gay in the chops, he clearly understands that I don’t like what he’s doing.”

“There you go with your idealism again. You’re trying to romanticize this into two tigers brawling to determine dominance or rights to a favorite hunting area. In the same situation humans would just kill each other. We’ve ‘out-grown’ the instinct for species preservation that prevents that in the lower orders but we haven’t truly grown into the morality that you’re so fond of citing, Tom. The society we’ve built isn’t perfect. Granted. But it works, probably more because of our level of technology than in spite of it. How many guys wouldn’t want to trade their boring, earthside job for yours: a job made possible by technology? But if you want to get back to nature, there are ways to do it. Go on one of those ‘wilderness’ safaris to Alpha C. I understand the gene-splicers now have something that almost looks like an elephant. Or, if you want real adventure, sign on for a hitch as a ranch hand at our next stop; plenty of fresh air, hard work, and not much else. Maybe that’s your idea of fulfillment. Though I can’t imagine anyone envying you the job. Me, I can get enough adventure from the vids. God bless modern technology!”

                                         (...)

“You’re awfully quiet, Tom. What’s the matter? YOu mad at me?”

“Huh? Uh, no Scott. I was just thinking.”

“Look, I know you said it as a joke. But maybe I should go on one of those safaris or sign on as a ranch hand. Maybe it’ll turn out that you’re right, and I wouldn’t like it. But I should at least give it a try. A change of scenery might be just what I need ... Get back to the land and living things ... Get some adventure and uncertainty back into my life. Did i ever tell you that I went hunting once? I had an uncle who was wealthy. He took me qual hunting when I turned fifteen -said it wuold make a man of me. But all I could think about was how big my shot gun was, and how small the birds were. I guess I oculd understand the potential for excitement in the hunt, but for me the thrill was missing. The contest seemed so lopsided. I wondered what it would be like to hunt something that was capable of hunting me. The challenge. The Danger. To put yourself on an equal footing with nature, that’s got to be the ultimate thrill! To risk everything on your own skill and strength ... I mean, look at what we do for a living - access the computer, punch a few buttons - all of the work is done for us. Anybody could do this job, with the right training. I guess that’s what I meant by m anti-technology tirade. It’s not that technology is evil in and of itself - but once in a while we have to put it aside and do something to remind ourselves that we’re alive - prove that we can accomplish something by relying solely on ourselves. I can’t help but think an experience like that would change a person. Maybe not in a way that other people would notice, but it would be something you’d carry with you for the rest of your life.”

“I know what you mean, Tom. Kinda like the first time you get laid, right? Did I ever tell you about that? I was at this party, see, and ...”

“Oh, brother ...”

   ~ Conversation between Tim & Scott from ALIEN VS PREDATOR #1

^It’s this type of existentialism that makes Dark Horse comics and other graphic novels set in the ALIENS/PREDATOR universe some of the best stuff in science fiction. It has a little bit of everything. Philosophy, cosmic horror, with occasional degrees of theological abstraction.If Disney wants to add more money to their pockets and wants to be true to their motto of inclusion and so on, keep this universe. Don’t erase it. Everything that it preaches, are in these comics. Not only that, but there is also a diversity of ideas where it subtly criticizes every school of thought via different characters and storylines. These are the types of stories that attract every fan, regardless of what their politics are. It’s entertainment, pure escapism (without preaching or self-serving, shaming BS) and world-building at its finest. And it remains respectful of ALL the ALIENS/PREDATORS films, while still offering something new.

Take Tom and Scott’s conversation here. These are two space truckers, blue collar workers like those from the first ALIEN movie, that are bringing up two very interesting points. They don’t fit into any neat box we assign a certain ideology. BOTH of these guys make good salient points. There is also a reason why the first issue of the AVP series starts with this conversation of technological dependence vs the old ways that Tom keeps going back to. While these two argue to disprove the other’s point and defend their own, we catch a brief glimpse into Yautja (Predator) society. It is a violent hierarchy where might becomes right. This is the type of meritocracy that Tom keeps defending. At the same time, it is also opportunistic and more technological advance to the point that they use their technology and survival instincts to hunt other species they deem worthy. This is done at the back of other species they consider inferior or worth risking for the ultimate hunt to prove their worth. Everything that Scott defends is part of the Yautja culture -with the obvious exception of divisions and over-dependence on technology and a corporate conglomerate controlling every aspect of daily life. Then there are the Xenomorphs (aliens). They are the other that is constantly being used as a coming-of-age rite for the predators, It’s an interest dynamic which hasn’t (yet) been explored in the films. This, among other things, makes this universe one of the most fascinating in the science fiction and horror genre.

[valensfm]

❛                     WHAT  A  WICKED  GAME  TO  PLAY  .

okay  so  like  –  listen  ,,  i  am  an  apogeehq  stan  first  &  human  being  second  .  that  being  said  ,  hello  !  i’m  cc  &  i’m  testing  out  valens  because  in  theory  ,  i  like  the  idea  of  him  .  anyway  :

( wong kunhang + twenty-one + muse 01 ) isn’t that valens lau over there? i heard he joined faction one after they got back to west ham. it’s funny, ‘cause they were only on the service trip because he helped organize the event. hopefully they fit in there – they’re virtuous, but also obstinate. oh, i’m sure they’ll be fine. 

───  𝙛𝙪𝙣𝙙𝙖𝙢𝙚𝙣𝙩𝙖𝙡𝙨

full  name  :  valens  lau

nickname(s) /  alias(es)  :  golden  boy  ,  

age  /  dob  :  twenty  one  /  september  14  ‘99

hometown  :  west  ham  ,  kansas

current  location :  new  ham

ethnicity :  chinese  (  macaunese  )

nationality  :  american

gender  :  cis  male

pronouns  :  he  /  him

orientation  :  bisexual  ,  biromantic

religion :  atheistic

faction : one

muse # : one

label  :  golden  boy  

tropes  :  good  is  not  soft  ,  i  was  just  passing  through  ,  

face  claim  :  wong  kun  hang  /  hendery

language(s)  spoken  :  english

speech :  very  well  spoken  ,  polite  &  overall  charming  .  he’s  got  a  way  with  words  that  makes  people  just  want  to  listen  to  him ,  whether  he’s  talking  about  the  clean  up  trip  out  of  town  or  what  he  wants  to  eat  for  dinner  .  either  way  ,  he’s  got  a  certain  charm  about  him  &  it’s  unknown  where  it  comes  from  (  since  both  of  his  parents  are  ,  how  you  say  ,  not  the  most  well  spoken  people  )  .

hair  :  dark  brown  –  almost  black  ,  but  he  keeps  it  natural  without  styling  it  too  much  .  it  falls  naturally  in  curls  ,  but  it’ll  very  quickly  will  straighten  itself  out  &  nobody  knows  how  it  happen  .  either  way  ,  he  gets  away  with  not  combing  it  or  styling  it  cause  he  sometimes  looks  like  a  prince  .

eyes :  big  ,  brown  puppy  eyes  that  honestly  –  showcase  every  single  emotion  he  has  .  it’s  because  of  them  that  he  can’t  hide  any  of  his  feelings  ,  since  they  really  are  the  windows  to  the  soul  .

height  :  five  feet  ,  eleven  inches

build  :  more  lean  than  broad  ,  but  still  athletic  from  years  of  playing  soccer  –  played  collegiately  as  well  .

tattoos  :  none  .

piercings :  none  .

scars  :  a  small  ,  barely  visible  scar  on  the  pad  of  his  right  thumb  .

clothing  style  :  very  boring  ,  comfort  over  style  ,  basically  .  he  cleans  up  well  when  he  has  to  ,  but  prefers  sweatpants  (  grey  ,  adidas  ,  track  pants  )  paired  with  whatever  shirt  he  grabs  first  in  the  morning  .  as  leader  ,  he’s  tried  to  dress  better  (  i  .  e  .  khakis  ,  button  ups  ,  whatever  )  but  will  still  often  be  found  around  town  looking  like  the  college  jock  who  will  walk  you  home  at  night  .

usual  expression  :  awestruck  puppy  who  can’t  quite  believe  the  world  he  lives  in  .  he’s  endearing  ,  with  a  face  that  tells  people  they  can  approach  because  he  just  looks  like  the  kind  of  guy  that’ll  listen  &  help  you  out  as  best  as  he  can  .

distinguishing  characteristics  :  high  cheekbones  ,  a  nose  that  scrunches  up  whenever  he  laughs  .

───  𝙧𝙪𝙢𝙞𝙣𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣𝙨

exterior   :   wants  to  make  up  for  everything  his  parents  did  in  their  lives  –  valens  is  pure  good  .  he  is  sweetness  &  morality  mixed  up  into  a  child  that  should’ve  been  wicked  ,  but  he’s  looked  evil  in  the  eye  ,  shook  hands  with  unfortunate  circumstance  &  still  chose  to  be  good  .  it’s  been  seen  in  west  ham  ,  valens  helping  the  old  women  cross  the  street  &  laughing  at  their  stories  ,  letting  them  fix  his  hair  &  collars  before  he  climbs  a  tree  to  retrieve  a  stubborn  cat  .  that  lau  boy  is  good  ,  you’ve  heard  before  .  he  walks  his  friends  home  in  the  dark  &  gets  his  fists  bloody  for  the  underdog  –  the  town  of  west  ham  thinks  of  good  &  they  think  of  valens  lau  ,  golden  boy  who  shows  up  early  to  church  to  help  open  doors  &  wipe  down  pews  .  a  people  person  ,  has  a  natural  gift  for  making  everyone  feel  loved  &  special  .

i  .  e  .  cool  jock  that’s  friends  with  everyone  ,  thor  odinson  in  thor  :  ragnorak  ,  good  guy  with  a  heart  of  gold  ,  golden  retriever  but  make  it  boy  ,  boys  will  be  boys  but  wholesome  version  .

interior   :   wrangles  with  a  lot  of  pressure  &  weight  –  because  he  knows  what’s  expected  of  him  .  one  slip  up  ,  &  he’s  just  the  lau  boy  ,  what  everyone  expected  .  but  he’s  not  ,  he’s  worked  hard  to  shed  what  people  think  of  him  &  embrace  something  else  .  he  is  good  above  all  else  ,  to  the  point  that  he  puts  everybody  else  before  himself  (  &  those  closest  to  him  )  –  he  loses  himself  in   making  sure  that  everyone  else  is  okay  &  taken  care  of  ,  nights  where  he  doesn’t  sleep  to  make  sure  everyone  has  a  locker  dec  ,  or  days  where  he  forgets  to  drink  water  because  he’s  babying  his  team  .  slow  to  anger  or  frustration  ,  he  rarely  shows  signs  of  wear  &  tear  ,  opting  to  keep  all  of  his  negative  emotions  in  anyway  to  avoid  worrying  everyone  else  .

i  .  e  .  “my  people  come  first  ,  everyone  else  before  me”  ,  self  -  sacrificial  ,  dangerously  loyal  &  moral  ,  self  sacrificial  atlas  –  holding  the  weight  of  the  world  solely  on  his  own  shoulders

───  𝙘𝙝𝙧𝙤𝙣𝙞𝙘𝙡𝙚

TRIGGER  WARNINGS  :  tbd

the  lau  family  lives  on  the  outskirts  of  west  ham  –  a  small  house  that  can  be  more  considered  shack  than  home  .  nobody’s  around  when  valens  is  born  ,  his  cry  loud  enough  to  send  a  flock  of  ravens  flying  from  the  overgrown  lawn  .  innocent  life  ,  baby  blessed  by  goodness  –  he  doesn’t  know  how  corrupt  his  parents  are  or  how  hard  they’ve  had  to  fight  to  have  the  life  they  have  .  the  things  they’ve  done  &  the  people  they’ve  wronged  is  one  long  list  that’s  unknowingly  passed  down  to  a  child  that  the  townspeople  look  down  on  .  they  turn  their  noses  up  at  a  baby  born  in  the  dirt  &  expect  the  worst  from  him  –  if  he’s  anything  like  his  parents  ,  they’d  better  lock  their  doors  &  keep  their  purses  close  ,  the  lau  family  is  rotten  –  it  only  makes  sense  that  their  only  child  will  be  as  well  .

but  he  grows  wild  &  good  ,  a  sunflower  trapped  in  a  field  of  weeds  .  valens  comes  to  church  on  his  own  ,  arrives  at  school  in  rags  &  at  first  ,  the  townspeople  tell  their  children  to  stay  away  from  the  lau  boy  .  but  he  does  things  that  a  boy  like  him  shouldn’t  do  –  he  holds  hands  with  the  new  widow  her  first  sunday  back  at  church  ,  he  wipes  her  tears  &  lets  her  hold  him  .  he  dives  into  the  street  to  pull  back  a  wandering  toddler  ,  saving  her  life  &  disappearing  before  her  parents  can  thank  him  .  they  know  he’s  hungry  ,  but  gives  the  sandwich  he  got  from  wiping  down  counters  at  the  diner  to  the  old  man  who  lost  his  son  .  valens  is  good  –  the  whispers  start  ,  but  he  is  blind  to  them  as  he  is  blind  to  parents  who  steal  for  dinner  .

eventually  ,  school  gets  easy  for  him  .  his  teacher  gets  him  into  soccer  &  pays  all  his  fees  so  he  can  play  with  the  other  boys  ,  &  he  has  his  first  kiss  in  third  grade  with  a  girl  who  sits  next  to  him  during  reading  .  valens  gains  popularity  simply  for  being  good  –  he’s  friends  with  everyone  ,  the  richest  ,  the  poorest  ,  nobody  ever  sits  alone  if  he’s  there  .  for  some  reason  ,  people  tend  to  like  that  on  him  ,  but  he  doesn’t  do  it  because  he  wants  people  to  like  him  ,  he  does  it  because  he  knows  what  it’s  like  –  going  hungry  ,  sitting  alone  ,  everyone’s  eyes  on  him  for  something  he  didn’t  do  .  what  a  shitty  feeling  ,  he  hopes  nobody  else  has  to  suffer  the  way  he  has  .

a  full  ride  to  west  ham  on  a  soccer  scholarship  ,  valens  makes  sure  to  thank  his  second  grade  teacher  for  getting  him  in  in  the  first  place  .  by  the  time  he’s  eighteen  ,  he’s  the  golden  boy  around  town  ,  known  for  working  in  the  greenhouses  &  bringing  flowers  to  the  elderly  women  who  sit  in  the  square  on  saturday  mornings  .  the  lau  boy  is  different  from  his  parents  –  he’s  kind  &  good  ;  the  kind  of  boy  people  wish  their  daughters  would  marry  &  the  good  kind  of  hero  that  is  humble  enough  to  deny  the  accusations  .

he  wins  sga  president  for  his  senior  year  ,  thanks  to  both  his  charm  &  influence  on  the  student  body  .  college  has  been  a  ride  for  him  as  he  shoulders  all  the  weight  on  his  shoulders  to  pretend  that  everything  is  peachy  ,  ignoring  any  cracks  that  might  be  starting  to  form  in  his  perfect  marble  form  .  he  organizes  the  trip  ,  invites  as  many  people  as  he  can  &  expects  it  to  go  business  as  usual  ,  only  for  things  to  of  course  go  horribly  wrong  .

people  look  to  him  for  leadership  ,  as  they  should  –  he’s  the  only  one  around  who  technically  ran  for  president  &  won  ,  but  it’s  barely  starting  &  he  can  feel  the  cracks  starting  to  get  bigger  .  there’s  a  lot  of  concern  that  he  has  in  his  heart  for  everyone  ,  not  just  the  people  who’ve  fallen  under  his  command  .  at  the  end  of  the  day  ,  valens  want  everyone  alive  ,  happy  &  thriving  &  he’ll  do  almost  anything  to  ensure  it  .

[bookdragonlibrary]

Roller Coaster

(Before season 3 and Bart and Ed aren’t dating yet.)

Jaime has finally invited Bart to the Runaways skateboarding session. He was excited and stressed, a little ball of vibrations. So his best friend suggested to teach him skateboard before hand. After a lot of tries, falls and bruises, Bart gives up and tries rollers instead. Way crasher. He just has to remember not to use his super speed or he would break a wheel or two. Again.

So there they are, walking toward the skatepark and Bart is fidgeting. When they arrive, Virgil comes to them.

“Were’nt you supposed to teach him skateboard?” He asks, looking at his rollers.

“Not really the type to keep his feet still, ese. Even on a board”, Jaime smiles.

Virgil has a regular board for once and Ed a new one. Bart feels a little bit odd with his rollers. But Virgil quickly suggest him to come to try a slide.

Jaime go to chat with Sam, Scarab translating for him, or for her when she forgets an English word. Tye told him Asami’s parents planned a wedding for her so her future husband can take the familial company when they would be both 18. As her parents didn’t want to change their mind, about the wedding or her going to a bigger city to study, she ran away, a last-minute idea, escaping from her rural village now too small for her dreams. She was abducted during her travel to Kyoto. Now she was too afraid of her parents’ decision and reaction about her wall eyes, one with a gaijin color.

Ed has joined Virgil to help Bart with tips and explanations as Jaime is talking with Sam and Tye while watching his hermano riding the funbox.

The afternoon passes under the Texan sun. Bart ignores the calls of his stomach, then the headache slowly growing on his skull, the lightly shake of his fingers. When he finally feels too dizzy to keep going, finally realises he should sit, his vision blurs and his legs give up under him. But he doesn’t hit the ground or feel the pain which should come after. He barely hears a voice calling his name, calling people. He knows the person behind it but can’t remember the face coming with this voice.

When he opens his eyes he registers a golden brown hand around his belly, preventing him from falling forward. He tries to comprehend where his body is, where he is. He’s between someone legs, his back resting on their torso, his head on their shoulder, their other hand on his temple to gently maintain him there, his face toward the curve of their neck. There are skateboards dispersed on the ground and he’s wearing rollers. Why is he wearing rollers? Someone wearing jeans crouches in front of him.

“Hermano, do you hear me?”

“Blue?” He managed to articulate with a dry voice.

If Blue is in front of him, who is behind?

“You can go, nobody’s there”, another voice add.

He know it too. The person has an even darker skin than Blue. What’s his name again?

A canon is forming around Blue’s arm, pointed at him. He trembles even more. Why Blue wants to attack him? What did he do? He tried so much not to be annoying, so why Blue is mad at him?

He feels a nose on his hair, the person is looking at him.

“Jaime, piensa que es una arma.”

“¿Qué? Oh no, hermano, it’s okay. It’s not the canon. It’s- no Scarab, telling him it’s to analyse him won’t help at all. Yeah, I know it’s too late now, muchas gracias. It’s okay, hermano. It’s just to know what’s going on. So I can help. It won’t even touch you. Okay?

Bart nods. Of course Blue won’t hurt him. He’s the good one.

The “thing” around his arm emits a blue light and a piece turns. That’s all.

“Hypoglycemia.”

“What?”

“Low blood sugar. Bart, did you eat enough? When was the last time you eat something?”

“Questions later. Just give him something already”, orders the person behind.

Why does names fly away from him? The more he thinks of it, the more he’s positive he knows the people around Blue and him.

“What does he need?” Ask a guy with long hair.

“Something sweet. Does anyone has soda or juice or something?”

“I have banana juice in my bag”, informs the person behind him.

Bart really needs to remember their names.

“Who drinks banana juice anyway?”

“Someone loving bananas, maybe?”

Someone snorts.

“Not that kind of banana, boludo. You guys are clearly annoying...”

“But I tried...” begins Bart.

“¿Qué? No, not you, amigo.”

“There you go” says Blue, reappearing again.

He didn’t even register he was gone.

Blue put the straw in his mouth and Bart just has to drink.

“Do you want to eat something too? I have Chicken Wizzies in my bag.”

Bart nod again.

“Give me the juice. I’ll give it to him.”

“Gracias, Edu.”

Ed! That’s his name!

The hand moves from his hair to his cheek as Bart finishes the bottle.

“Toma.”

Who’s Thomas? Or Tomá? Is that even a Spanish name? He can’t think at the moment.

Blue gives him an open bag Ed put between his legs but quickly moves it to his side, but Bart doesn’t understand why his legs aren’t a good place.

“Está bien, Jaime. Puedo cuidar de él ahora. Puedes ir a divertirte con los otros.”

“¿Estás seguro? No me molesta.”

“Si, por supuesto.”

“Vale, dígame si algún se pasa.”

“Claro que si.”

Bart didn’t understand a word but doesn’t mind, he was still working with English already. He has finished the bottle now, Ed brings it to the side and the hand reappears with a chip instead. Bart just opens his mouth, feeling still too weak to move yet. Ed keeps feeding him, waiting for the food to be swallowed to provide a new one.

“Do you feel better?”

The bag is empty and a thumb takes off the dust from the side of his lips.

“Yeah, Ed. I’m crash now.”

But he doesn’t move yet, still resting his head on his shoulder, in his arms. He just feels at peace now. And for once he doesn’t feel the urge to talk. They stay silent a moment, just watching their friends skateboarding in front of them. Ed starts to ask questions about the hero life, how it was like for Virgil, Jaime and him. At the beginning, it was complicated to form sentences again, to melt two ideas together. But the words finally pour outside his mouth like a waterfall like usual, but not too-fast-still-not-superspeed kind. And Ed is genuinely listening to him, somethimes asking to repeat — more because he still struggle with a word or two though — or ask questions. Most of time, people just pretend to listen, but Ed, just like Jaime, doesn’t. The attention warms his heart and make his smile wider. 

“So do you strip often?” Was his next question.

Bart blinks few times. 

“What?” 

Bart cannot stop the blush for rosing on his cheeks. He knows he kind of has a habbit to change at superspeed in the changeroom but only a speedster could see details in the blur of colors.

“What... what do you mean?”

“Um... you know, when you run, you... you could strip on a rock or something.”

Bart breathes again as the tension melt away.

“You mean trip. Yeah, that still happens, sadly. Especially when we don’t fight on a town but in nature. It’s easy to trip on a small rock or something. You can’t see them at superspeed and I look rather at what is before me than on my feet, you know. I can vibrate through a wall, but still eat one if I don’t see it.”

Ed chuckles, Bart smiles. It’s great that his goofiness can make people laugh. That’s why he loves playing dumb so much. It’s an easier way to make people happy than his past in the future or science.

“Hey, hermano, you still come over tonight?” Jaime asks as he walks toward them.

They didn’t notice it was this late.

“Of course! It’s enchiladas tonight! No way I can miss it.” 

“You feel better now? You can walk?”

“ I think” he smiles, reassuring. 

“You need help to get up?” Ed suggests.

“huh, yes, sure.”

“hermano, you should take your rollers off first.”

“Ah yes, good idea.”

He spent so much time talking to Ed he forgot he came here for that in the first place and that he is still wearing these wheeled shoes. He quickly takes them off and then Ed’s hand to stand back on his feet.

“Do you want me to ask Scarab if you have normal blood sugar now?”

“No, I feel the difference. I’m fine now.”

“If you say so.”

They all say goodbye as Jaime and Bart are going in a direction and the others take the opposite, spending a Runaway night at Tye’s place. Bart looks at their back, wishing Jaime and him could also come with them. But it’s their thing and he doesn’t want to crash in a bad way. It was still crash he could come today.

“You didn’t eat at all this afternoon, uh? Why? You never spend an hour without eating something”

“I had so much fun I... forgot? And I didn’t want to bother or being annoying. But I annoyed you even more with this crisis. I know it’s great that I can come with you and that Tye doesn’t really like me... I’m not sure they would want me to come next time.”

“What? Wait, why do you think Tye doesn’t like you?”

“Uh... because he doesn’t talk to me so much? And he always looks grumpy when I’m around.”

“He’s introvert, he’s like that all the time. He doesn’t talk at the beginning and then he opens. At primary school we spent like a year without talking to each other. And now we’re best friends. And why do you think you’re annoying? I don’t find you annoying, Virgil either and I’m sure Ed doesn’t think that too.” Bart smiles. “They like you, hermano. That why we were worried for you. Tye just needs more time to open and Asami isn’t at ease with English yet. Just give it time and I’m sure you’ll be invited next time. Why do you think that in the first place?”

“Doy, I have ADHD...”

“And then? That makes you special, not annoying.”

“You think so?” He jumps with a hoping smile.

“Of course I do! Did I ever make you feel you’re annoying? Because if I did, I apologize, that wasn’t my—”

“No, you never. I’m sorry, I’m an idiot.”

“Yes you are, hermanito.” He gently smiles. “A blind idiot. How was it with Ed?”

“He’s crash.”

“I bet he is.”

—————————

I have no idea why Asami would have run away from her family. We only know she isn’t in a good term with them. So I made it. I hope it’s okay and realistic.

I have the headcanon Bart could have hypoglycemia just like diabetic people because his metabolism is so fast he could fall fast out of energy if he isn’t eating all the time.

And of course he’s oblivious at Ed’s kindness. Or his own feelings slowing blooming.

[otome-reviews]

SLBP Maeda Toshiie/Inuchiyo Route Review [SPOILERS]

I have to be honest: the only reason why I reluctantly powered through Inuchiyo’s route was to get it out of the way. There is a lot of sexual assault (actual and attempted) in this route, and it’s definitely not for everyone.

The first thing you should know about this route is that a love triangle is one of the main plot drivers. When MC finds herself in Azuchi castle, there are two retainers ready to help her to get settled in. There’s Hideyoshi, who sees through her man disguise almost instantly. And then of course, there’s Inuchiyo, MC’s childhood friend, and six years her senior. Where Hideyoshi is charming and friendly, Inuchiyo is brusque and honest. Where Hideyoshi likes to solve issues with cleverness and words, Inuchiyo solves them with his fists. But both of them find themselves in love with MC at the same time. For Hideyoshi, it’s a new infatuation, but for Inuchiyo, he’s been in love with her since they were young children (which means a 13 year old Inuchiyo loved a 7 year old MC...?! Don’t think about it too hard). And of course, MC, precious oblivious child that she is, isn’t aware of any of this.

Which brings me to the second thing you have to know about Inuchiyo’s route: this is a story where MC is sexually assaulted by her suitor. To be more specific, one day, Inuchiyo somehow manages to convince himself that MC is in love with Hideyoshi, after a festival date (she isn’t). He spends the next DAY drinking, and then the following night, finds MC, and drunkenly forces a kiss onto her before moving on to her neck AND LOWER...! The language used here is completely horrifying. MC is clearly an unwilling participant: however, when I put all my strength into pushing away, he presses his hand to the back of my neck, and forces my lips on his. And Inuchiyo says some awful things (“I’ll die before I give you away”). As if MC’s is his to give to anyone?!?!

This isn’t even the first attempted assault that takes place in the story (nor the last one). Earlier, Nobunaga’s creepy uncle tries to make a move on MC. Nobunaga is quick to accuse MC the victim of being up to no good like a proper asshole, but Inuchiyo actually comes across as quite the hero in this situation, taking the blame for MC and getting temporarily exiled from the Oda clan (his redemption is another major plot point). This whole thing makes Inuchiyo’s drunken actions against MC later on even more horrifying, considering he knows MC was a recent victim! It might also be the writing: I’m personally much more willing to forgive an unsolicited kiss from a love interest than unsolicited other stuff, so why couldn’t the writers have just stopped early?! Given this guy’s angst levels, he probably would’ve felt just as guilty and literally everything else about the plot could’ve stayed the same.

What Inuchiyo does to MC is bad enough, but honestly, there’s so much more to this incident than the guy’s actions that make this such a terrible, anger inducing read. There’s Nobunaga, who almost comes across as nice by putting an overcoat around MC right after the assault before immediately victim blaming her (again) and firing her for Inuchiyo’s actions because she is “far too naive to survive among men.” The fuck?!?! There’s Inuchiyo, who confesses his love to a traumatized MC the next day in lieu of apologizing. There’s restaurant regulars, who, without even knowing the full story, BULLY MC into chasing after Inuchiyo because they think the guy might kill himself. As if Inuchiyo’s well-being should be of any concern to MC after the shit he pulled?!?!

You might be interested to know that Inuchiyo doesn’t in fact run off to kill himself. He runs away from MC and his feelings to the Maeda clan, where he becomes promptly engaged to another beautiful childhood friend. Because of course the guy who assaults a woman would be “punished” with the company of another woman, right?! Of the three sexual assault incidents in this story, not one man gets his proper comeuppance. It’s realistic in this era, I guess, but completely disgusting and off putting.

The one bright spot to this terrible situation, in my opinion is Hideyoshi, the guy who brings Second Lead Syndrome to a whole new level. Poor Hideyoshi is the one who apologizes for Inuchiyo the day after MC’s assault, even though it’s not his fault. He even has Mitsunari bring a scarf to help cover her neck bruises...! And even before The Incident, this man is a complete angel. He’s friendly, caring, flirtatious, cerebral, gentle... basically, everything that Inuchiyo isn’t. And when it becomes clear that MC is in love with Inuchiyo (a realization that seems to come out of nowhere, btw), the guy is devastated, but accepting and supportive. No drunken larks for this one. No angry assaults. I’m not saying that MC chose wrong here, but...wait, yeah, that’s exactly what I’m saying.

To be honest, ignoring all the assaults, the plot is objectively quite interesting. There’s a lot going on. Inuchiyo’s fall from grace on MC’s behalf (and subsequent climb back up). His struggles with re-taking his mantle as heir of the Maeda clan, after running around as the prodigal son for years. The heartbreaking demons from Inuchiyo’s past, featuring MC’s father (!). A battle to save Katsuie’s life, amidst injuries and potential traitors. It’s a real pity, that for me, all these stellar subplots are overshadowed by Inuchiyo’s assault of MC.

Speaking of stellar, Inuchiyo’s side cast is fantastic. Hideyoshi aside, there’s Keiji, Inichiyo’s hilariously crazy wayward nephew. There’s Toshihisa, Inuchiyo’s strangely sexy dying bro and Keiji’s adopted dad, who is responsible for what is probably the most k-drama like scene I have ever witnessed in an otome game. (tl;dr evil mom with envelope full of money). There’s beefy Katsuie, Inuchiyo’s kind mentor slash father figure type. There’s Sayuri, Inuchiyo’s childhood friend/temporary fiancée who gets completely screwed over. Even Nassa, the main villain, is delightfully loathsome and villainous. And despite being furious with Inuchiyo for a good fraction of the route, I found myself absolutely falling in love and rooting for these amazing other characters (except Nassa).

At the end of the day, I think Inuchiyo’s route is a decently well written and fleshed out story with a lot of potential that was brought down by a completely off-putting sexual assault arc and a somewhat underdeveloped romance. If you’ve ever wanted to know more about Inuchiyo’s side characters, or fall hard in love with Hideyoshi, or ever felt like your blood pressure isn’t high enough, this might be the route for you. But if you’re looking for some romance...do yourself a favor. Skip this route, and let Inuchiyo’s event story personality stay in your mind, untarnished by his main route. ^_^

Personality: 2/10. Sadly, being a childhood friend (a trope I love!!) and desperately in love with MC doesn’t stop Inuchiyo from fucking up in the worst possible way in this route. There’s a lot to like about him in his ES’s, such as his protective and passionate nature, but all of that is overshadowed here by the aspects of his personality that led to The Incident™. As @sharksmirk puts it, this guy “waves more red flags than a Chinese military parade.”

Appearance: 8/10. Two words: war armor.

MC: 7/10. Poor MC! She has to deal with so many crappy situations in this route. I really feel for her.

Plot/Payoff: 5/10. There was WAY too much assault in this route for my personal liking, but the non-assault aspects of the plot were admittedly pretty good imho.

Personal enjoyment: 2/10. It’s funny: if Inuchiyo had only kissed MC and nothing more, I’d likely have given this route a solid 6 or 7. But as it is... :/ 

Masterlist

[tsukishima44]

Never Have I Ever...cornered by my own kids

Class 1-A asked their homeroom teacher to play with them. One Aizawa Shouta couldn't help but to indulge them after what could be described as a hellish week. So he agreed. He didn't think they have a bigger motive. He also think that if Villain had an academy, they all would've passed. 

"Never have I ever went to Nichoume"

At that sentence, almost each players finger went down, of course, except for their purest boy and the recently filthied girl. Kouda and Yaoyorozu looked around to see the spectacle displayed. Kirishima groaned when none of his fingers had survived the game after only one and half rounds. He swore internally that his friends must have placed a bullseye target on him. Beside him Sero smirked his usual devilish grin. Kirishima's brows raised in confusion, but his pal pointed one of his still up fingers, he still had 3 of them, to one of the most amazing view of them all.

Their homeroom teacher, one Aizawa Shouta or known as the underground hero Eraserhead, cursed softly when he stared at his remaining fingers which were quite many. However the man himself looked a little bit taken when he realized the smirked painted on his pupils mouths and eyes. It was down right scary, he would say it was a par to Nomu's strength and that said a lot. Ever since they knew that Shinsou was his adopted child, the purple headed boy tried not to blabber about their current home state. 

"We don't have cats, sensei hates it" They have 4 and recently have another ginger fur kitten; "Nah, that scruffy guy is single" He was married for six years and the news never surfaced to the media. Not only because he was working underground, but his famous spouse managed to keep his mouth shut; "We usually buy take-outs to keep living. We both are a no no in the kitchen yet somehow Aizawa had one" Yes, he and Hitoshi was a hopeless cause in the kitchen but his lovely, hyperactive, loving spouse always made them food. If his spouse had works, they would put leave a simple microwave-heated food. 

That's just how they were, Hitoshi lied while Aizawa gave no comment in his student curious questions. Until a wrong decision came, which was abandoning his works because his children wanted to play with him. He felt guilty if he declined because they had worked very hard in the past weeks. Aizawa should indulge them once in a while. What a wrong time to choose. As soon as the word "fine" came out of his mouth, he was sure he saw Midoriya and Mina's lips quirked devilishly at him while an excited Uraraka, Hagakure, Kirishima, and Kaminari pulled and pushed him to the common room. When they arrived, he swore a villain had infiltrated his dorm because each of them had this slightly cold aura only a villain would have...or a student with evil plan for their teacher would have. It had come down to this game called 'Never have I ever'. It sounded harmless, until they robbed him of his five fingers. Aizawa looked around to see the remaining players. Beside him was Mina and Sero with 3 fingers remaining, Bakugo 4 fingers, Iida 2 fingers, Uraraka 1 fingers, Midoriya 2 fingers, Todoroki 4 fingers, Hagakure 5 fingers, Yaoyorozu 2 fingers, Kouda 7 fingers, and lastly Shinsou 4 fingers.

"Never have I ever been in love with my best friend"

Sero's voice snapped him from his daydreaming to hear Uraraka's loudest groan as she had no finger left to play. Midoriya patted his best girl friend in the back. The others turned down one of their fingers, except for Iida. Then suddenly, as it was in the start of the game, every eye stared at his fingers. Aizawa gave a deep sigh before turning down one of his fingers. Unknown to them, Shinsou gave his adopted dad a small pat, his son also roped into this game. Then the others immediately started their whispered and small chats. Definitely scheming, Aizawa thought.

"My turn~ Never have I ever been married in my whole life"

Oh damn.

The whole room went quiet to see his four fingers remaining. He gave Sero a glare. He felt a bit happiness seeped when his student flinched at his stare.

He really needed to win this stupid game and look! It's his turn. His keen eyes searched for a single finger target. He saw Midoriya gulped nervously and Yaoyorozu anxious little quirk. Now what should he say.....

"Never have I ever tried to save my friend while using a disguise"

Midoriya spewed the tea he was sipping, Yaoyorozu blanched, Kirishima and Iida sported the same pale look. While Todoroki stared in shock.

"H-How--?" Kirishima's voice shooked.

"How did I know?" Aizawa grinned "Teachers eyes are everywhere" He was told by Mt. Lady, the same when he knew some of his children had went against his strict order to save Bakugo. He snickered when Midoriya slumped against Todoroki's left side and Yaoyorozu's frown. Behind her Jirou placed a comforting hand on her shoulder. With that, he could see his next target would be his friend's little brother.

The next person was....

He looked to his left to see Shinsou's grinning. His own son had betrayed him saying he was forced to play this evil enhanced game!!!

"Hitoshi!"

"Never have I ever pinned for my best friend for more than 5 years"

Aizawa gave a scowl. It was wrong for his spouse to retell their love story to Hitoshi. He regretted everything.

Reluctantly, under 20 pairs of eyes, Aizawa turned down one of his fingers, three remained up. Loud happy yells were shared in the game and everyone returned to their mysterious whispers. Seriously if this class didn't already worm into his hard heart, he would expel them all at once. In his vengeance, he almost missed Midoriya mumbling to himself. Not a rare occurence, but usually Uraraka wouldn't have her focus face and they weren't surrounded by any villains which meant one thing, they were plotting to use the remained pawns to be their tools.

"U-Um, ne-never have I ever slept in class"

Okay, that was a low blow. Whether Kouda meant sleeping while teaching nor in his student days he didn't know. It didn't make any change for him for he slept in all of them. Being a transferred GenEd student meant catching up as soon as possible and his sleeping time was lessened since then meaning sleeping a lot in his class. The only thing that saved him from being told of by his teachers were the fact that his score was one of the best, just slightly under his spouse. But that was not for them to know.

Aizawa sighed as he turned another finger down. He looked up again to get another surveillance data. The one finger people were Iida, Todoroki, and Mina. He might be able to escape this hell hole and return to his spouse arms while said spouse comfort him. All he needed was to escape a few round unscathed. However, all his hope crumbled when he saw the next person in line. Hagakure. Without seeing her, Aizawa just knew the little scoundrel was smirking. Puny little-

"Never have I ever have a husband!!"

-shit!

He felt eyes staring to his bone. Really these kids were creepy as all hell and back. Aizawa watched his lonesome pinky standing still. Dammit and he was so close!! He looked again to see whose turn next and yeah, it was so close. He just knew Midoriya knew what to ask next because his eyes lightened like a fresh charged flashlight. Todoroki, Midoriya's boyfriend and the next kid he probably adopted, him and his spouse had processed the paper needed, had nodded in return.

"My turn. Never have I ever married Present Mic"

He would laugh at the loud gasps coming from his students if not for the circumstance his secret was outted. He closed his eyes as he placed down his hand.

All at once, his kids yelled in happiness. Some of them shook Midoriya's hand and others shook each others hand for contributing the downfall of their homeroom teacher. Aizawa couldn't help but to give an amused scoff. Things his kids would do to know his secrets...

"Shouta! Hitoshi! Here is your- Oh! Hi kids!"

Aizawa facepalmed. His spouse has the worse timing ever.

"For fucksake, Hizashi.."

"Language!!"

His own husband reprimanded him. Hizashi was not even supposed to be here!! He had told Shouta that he had job at 8 p.m.

Beside him, Shinsou snickered with his phone screen glowing and a short message to Hizashi.

To : LouDad

Come bring our dinner to dorm's common room.

P.S the whole class knew about you guys

From : Purple Son

Hizashi was bombarded by questions. Before he answered any of them, the blonde hero snooped beside Shouta and pecked his hair. He placed the tupperware container on his frozen husband's lap and proceeded to answer each of them while his left arm circled around Shouta's waist. He munched the tamago sushi, took Hitoshi's favourite tuna, and threatened his kids not to tell anyone. Then he proceeded to continue enjoying his dinner and his husband cuddles. Maybe this hellish game was not so bad.

Notes:

[grailacademy]

Welcome To Grail Academy - Chapter Twenty-one: Something Soon

Calicem was a diverse city, but a heavily segregated one as well. The rich pushed most of the working-class citizens out of their homes and neighborhoods years ago, planning to renovate the abandoned buildings left behind but never actually starting any projects. The communities that still fought against the gentrification were all grouped together in one sector of the city, and it was in one of these neighborhoods that a famous diner stood, like a beacon in the darkness: Peach’s Diner. This is where Yorick sat, huddled in a booth with his hands around a tall glass containing a vanilla milkshake and a curly straw. As he slurped on his drink in silence, Rettah plucked the cherry on top and popped it into her mouth, interrupting the anecdote she was sharing.

“-And he never even called me back! Can you believe that?” She chewed on the tooth-rottingly sweet red bubble.

“No way, he didn’t want to talk to a girl who sawed the legs off all of his furniture? That’s crazy!” Queenie responded with sarcasm, but they both knew it was a joke, and the girls laughed.

“It’s still not as bad as Scarlet’s last boyfriend, ha!” Queenie jostled Scarlet sitting next to her, making the chunk of cake on his fork plop onto his plate with a splatter of icing. He used the back of his sleeve to wipe some frosting off his face, mumbling a quiet, “Yeah, he was a total weirdo.”

Queenie slid a napkin towards the center of the table, showing all the notes and lines scribbled on it in pen. “Okay, our guy is waiting at the club next door. This should be a normal trade, but the buyer is a little….paranoid.” Yorick leaned forward to look at the napkin, eyes scanning over the plan. He asked Queenie, “What exactly do we get in return for these trades?”, and she shrugged her shoulders underneath the poofy letterman jacket decorating her torso.

“Depends,” she started, “Information, coordinates and defenses on our enemies, recipes or ingredients for Boost products, new recruits, whatever Sable values as important. This one is for blueprints of a few buildings she wants to use as outposts.”

Yorick nodded and spooned the last bit of whipped cream out from the bottom of the glass with his fingers, popping it into his mouth. Queenie and Scarlet stood up, the leader of their team slapping a few Lien on the table while their teammates left the diner to scope out their checkpoints for the meeting. “I got this one, you guys go ahead and scout.”

Bernard closed the door to the bathroom behind him. He turned the faucet to the shower on and let the water run until it heated up, meanwhile setting his scroll on the edge of the sink. His teammates had yet to return to the dorm room after their exams, so he took this bit of alone time to clean himself up. He pressed the play button on his scroll’s screen, and jumped into the shower while music played from its speakers. He didn’t consider himself to be a good singer, but that didn’t stop him from crooning out the words to his favorite song as he washed his hair. This was the one time he allowed himself to be vocal and dynamic, when nobody else was around. His out-of-tune rendition of an old rock n’ roll song paused just before the chorus, because the ringing of a call on his scroll stopped the music. The warm water from the shower faucet dripped down his chest, following the trails of various scars and old wounds before they were trapped by a soft towel. He answered the call while he dried his hair.

“Hello?”

“¿Como va tu entrenamiento, Bernie?” The voice on the other line made him shiver. He knew who it was, but that wasn’t his mother. Bernard looked at the lesions and blemishes across his chest the foggy mirror, draping the towel over his shoulder.

“....Qué deseas.”

“¿No puedo revisar a mi estudiante estrella?”

“Qué es lo que realmente quieres.”

“....Los planes han cambiado. Necesitamos que termines tu entrenamiento y vuelvas a casa. Hay trabajo que hacer.”

Bernard was quiet. Not out of choice, but because he didn’t know how to respond. The voice on the other line filled the lack of noise for him, though.

“Sería una pena si tuviéramos que poner a tu hermana en el sistema. Usted tomó ella lugar para mantenerla fuera de peligro. Hazlo por ella.”

“Tres meses.”

“Demasiado largo. No empujes tu suerte. Un mes.” The person hung up, and the chorus of the song played again. It didn’t have the same impact on him that it did before, ringing through the now hollow emptiness he felt in his chest.

The factory homebase of the Hedge Witches was much larger than most would expect. Yes, there was the actual factory portion where shipments were made, and the courtyard connecting the greenhouse to the main building, the field behind it, and the array of repurposed storage rooms used as offices, but there was much left to explore. The black haired boy who sat in on meetings held by the organization’s leaders, arms crossed and sitting on a crate when he was supposed to be taking notes, cautiously moved down a long stairwell. His only source of light came from candles mounted on the walls, which flickered rhythmically as he walked past each one, like a dance of warning to turn back. He wasn’t afraid. The stairs opened into a narrow hallway in the basement, a level of the headquarters few people had ever actually seen. This area looked older than the building on top of it, and it reminded him of ancient catacombs more than a dusty cellar. As he made his way through the crypt, the boy took time to acknowledge how the brick walls and wooden floors were now covered in dirt and mud, packed on in layers like an animal den. The end of the hallway opened up into another oddly shaped room, a mud-shaped cave that ended at a near wall, and an extremely high ceiling. At one point, it was a smokestack that puffed fumes from the taffy factory. But now, the floor of it was covered in silk pillows and cushions. The boy looked up to the tall, open center of the pillar that shone a foggy grey sky through a mess of black webs and nets wrapped around its walls. “You needed me?” He shouted up, listening as his voice bounced off the walls of the structure in echoes.

The black netting shifted and changed shape, and slowly, Sable lowered herself onto the pillows by her hair like a ribbon-dancing acrobat. Her locks stayed where they were, except for the few that held her head and waist like a harness. “Yes.” The sway in her walk gave her body the shape of melting wax, her movements resembling the dancing flickers of the candle flames at the entrance as she stepped over the lush cushioned bedding on the floor.

“I need you to run an errand for me. Yorick’s semblance training is moving at a….less than reasonable pace. We have to speed up the process.” She handed Hari a tattered comic book. The ink on the cover was faded, but the title, Blue Inferno vs Doctor Bloodlust, was still readable. He took it, running his hand over the figures of a masked vigilante fighting a man in a lab coat, both of them clad in futuristic armor and shooting lasers at one another. The art style of the book has not aged well, the blue spandex on the story’s hero looked to be riding up a bit too high in some rather unappealing places. “How long do you think a trip to Atlas will take?”

“Two days, if I leave right now.”

“Good. Find Azura, follow her to their home. Take anything that you think will spark memories for him.”

“Anything?” “Anything.”

Hari rolled up the comic and tucked it under his arm, and Sable’s hair spread to make an opening in the tower’s ceiling. He crouched down, pulled at the neckline of his tank top, and looked up through the hole into the sky. “Oh!” Sable remembered, advising him, “Bring a coat, I hear it’s cold in Atlas this time of year.”

Hari rolled his eyes, “I’ll be fine, mom.”

“I know you will, but I get worried!” She hugged him and planted a big wet kiss on his cheek, which he immediately wiped off in embarrassment and disgust.

“Goodbye, sweetie! Stay safe! I love you!” She clasped her hands over her chest, giving Hari a patient look while she waited for him to repeat the phrase. He groaned loudly and turned his back to her, groaning “....I love you too, mom,” before he sprung out of the crouch and disappeared out the mouth of the smokestack in a swirl of black hair and feathers.

Yorick’s hands were getting sweaty again. It was a strange sensation when it was paired with the frigid cold from his milkshake glass. The drink was long finished, he wasn’t even holding the cup. But the club he followed Rettah into after Scarlet and Queenie scouted it out put him off. It wasn’t exactly his scene. Rowdy biker bars full of criminals and drunks weren’t his preferred spot. The raucous laughing and shouting pounded at his ear drums, and the constant shattering of bottles and metal music on the jukebox in the corner didn’t help. He would have killed for a smoke right about now, to calm his nerves. A gang of bikers hunched over a pool table, one of them with a thick beard reminiscing about the good old days. Like some kind of miracle sent by an angel, the miscreant flicked half a cigarette butt onto the floor at Yorick’s feet, apparently finished. Avoiding eye contact with the group of men, he sneakily picked up the butt from the floor before someone stepped on it and snuffed it out. He took a couple of puffs and followed Rettah the rest of the way to a booth at the back of the bar, where their friends waited. Their path was blocked by a crowd of people waiting in line for the bathroom, so the girl grabbed Yorick’s wrist and pulled him through the sea of ruffians. On the other side of the line, Queenie leaned forward over the table of their booth and negotiated with a lanky man in a burgundy pinstripe suit. Scarlet scooched further into the booth to make room for the other two to sit down, and Rettah skipped over giddily with Yorick trailing behind.

“You have been very generous to me, and I appreciate that.” The man combed a strand of hair neatly back into place on his head of grey hair, eyeing Queenie. “But I want something in return for these goods. Understand?”

“Whatever you need. Money, Boost, supplies, we can provide it.” Queenie rapped her knuckles against the wooden table.

“Protection.” The man shifted in his seat, the gold pins on his lapel reflecting the light hanging over them. “I want a guaranteed alliance with the Hedge Witches. The way I see it, you need someone on the inside, and I need someone to keep me safe if you want this job done correctly.”

Scarlet tugged on the sleeve of Queenie’s jacket, whispering something into her ear. She nodded, and held her hand out to the man. He took it and shook, then glanced over his shoulder to make sure nobody was watching them. Under the table, he handed an orange envelope to Scarlet, who folded the package and hid it between his knees. “Pleasure doing business with you, Mister Reed.”

Reed picked up his hat from one of the coat hooks on the sides of the booth, placing it on his head and leaving the bar without another word. The four of them made sure he was out the door before they pulled the envelope out. Scarlet wedged his nail under the fold on the paper, ripping the top open and pouring its contents onto the table. “What is it,” Rettah asked. Queenie turned the papers over, and showed them the detailed blueprints of Grail Academy’s clocktower.

[likethetailofacomet]

The End Is Here- Ch. 4- The Family We’ve Found

AN ENDLESS SUMMER ZOMBIE APOCALYPSE AU

This all started when @zaffrenotes sent me a prompt asking how Jake and Kara would meet in a zombie apocalypse au. So, thanks, D! Because now i’m obsessed with sweaty, bloody, dirty end of the world Jake and Kara. Ah, true love.

Warning: there will be violence, blood, death and adult relations in this series. this chapter also touches on sexuality/ coming out. 

(happy to include this chapter for day 5- Craig and Zahra -with some Diego in there since I missed that sweet cinnamon roll’s day yesterday- of @brightpinkpeppercorn and @mysteli ES APPRECIATION WEEK)

Tagging: @sleepwalkingelite @ooo-barff-ooo @zaffrenotes @endlessly-searching-for-you @brightpinkpeppercorn @mind-reader1 @mysteli @agent-bossypants @endlesstaylormckenzie @indiacater @endlesshero1122 @akrenich @feartheendlesssummer @sophie-summer @beccasbadchoices @nekkidmolerat @cordoniantrash @choices-is-life @choiceslife @simmerbychoices @blackcatkita @edgydepressedchoicesthot this is an ongoing series so if you would like to join (or leave) the fray, let me know! 

tunes: FOR EVERYONE but especially Jake and Kara- Wonderwall- cover by Ryan Adams

Backbeat the word was on the street 

That the fire in your heart is out 

And I'm sure you've heard it all before 

But you never really had a doubt

I don't believe that anybody

 Feels the way I do

 About you now

Diego felt a weight lift from his shoulders as he looked over to where Kara and Jake sat and saw them tenderly twined together, Jake resting against Kara’s chest, her fingers trailing lightly along his arm, her lips pressed into his hair. They were tired and dirty, cold and hungry and Jake had seen far better days, but despite his brush with death, despite Kara almost losing him as she held him, they both radiated love and happiness. Diego let out a heavy sigh, relieved that his best friend wouldn’t have to suffer yet another devastating loss. He’d been there for her through losing Garrett and April; had barely been able to help her hold it together. He knew he’d have been hopeless in helping her through losing Jake. Their love was the dangerous kind- the kind that lights your life with so much MORE, but also the kind that grew so large and so infinite that it became impossible to live without. Diego was glad she wouldn’t have to try. Kara could do a lot of things. She was easily his most capable, confident, independent friend. She was smart, with sharp wit, and she protected her friends fiercely. There was nothing he thought Kara couldn’t do, except maybe get over losing Jake. 

Diego knew how hard it was to lose someone suddenly. He’d lost his family that way, before the world had changed. It was a Thursday afternoon, he remembers, even though days of the week didn’t matter anymore. He’d finally talked himself into calling them and telling them the truth he’d only just admitted to himself; there was a particular guy in his Film Appreciation class, and Diego found himself letting his eyes wander a few desks over to watch him adjust his glasses, or tuck his pen behind his ear. He’d found that he’d taken to going to the library when he knew Adam would be there. He’d found himself unable to deny anymore what he’d known for a while. Kara, of course, had been supportive and hadn’t made a big thing about it, stating that he was her friend no matter who he chose to ogle. He’d never imagined his parents would react like they did. He never imagined that’s how he would lose them. He didn’t think of them anymore, didn’t wonder how they were faring in this new world; to him, his parents had died the day that they told him they had disowned him. He didn’t think of Adam anymore, either. Nothing had come of the two of them. Diego had never made a move. But he couldn’t think of him being chased by the undead, or starving in some cold abandoned motel room, or becoming one of those things. He couldn’t think of him tapping his pen on his notebook or munching on peanuts from his messenger bag, either, though, so he didn’t think of him at all. He only thought about the people he had in his life now, and how he could hold on to them.

He thought about the close calls he and Kara had before meeting up with Craig and Zahra and eventually Jake. He thought about how he’d had to learn, quickly, how to use weapons, how to defend himself, how to think on the fly. Kara had always been a quick thinker, but Diego was more introspective, took more time with his thoughts and his plans. This world left no time for wondering. He had to learn how to act. Kara had helped him learn and grow and accept himself and hold his head high. It was no surprise that she continued to help him learn and grow and accept even as the subject matter changed. He was more grateful for her friendship than most things in life, but he was starting to become even more grateful for the love that Jake was giving her; for the fact that his best friend who always looked after him had someone looking after her, too.

He’d noticed Kara and Jake falling for one another well before they were close to admitting it. He’d overhear them whispering late into the night when they thought everyone else was asleep, quiet snickering laughter sometimes punctuated with a snort coming from Jake, breathy, humming giggles slipping from Kara. He’d seen the way they started sleeping next to one another; how they’d gotten closer and closer until one chilly night when Jake saw her shiver, he reached over and pulled her to him, wrapping his arm around her and saying, “Come here, princess, I won’t bite ya.” She’d tentatively laid her head in the crook of his shoulder and let him keep her warm as she drifted off to sleep. Diego remembered how Jake had stayed awake a little longer, watching her sleep, softly stroking her hair, and he knew. He knew he was watching two people fight against the love that they were destined for, the love that would end up saving them both from this world by giving them something to hold on for.

He looked over to where Craig and Zahra were leaning against the wall beside him, Zahra tucked against her bear of a husband, his big strong arm draped around her shoulders. They might seem to some like a strange couple, but Diego saw deeper. He saw how they kept each other balanced, how they worked seamlessly not only as husband and wife, but as friends and partners. He remembered the night they all decided to share their stories- the stories of how they’d ended up sitting around that campfire in the woods of what used to be West Virginia on that crisp September night. Craig had shared that his parents and brother had been away, visiting family in Taiwan, when The Incident occurred. He had called them, before the lines went dead and the power went out. He’d told them not to come home, not to come back. He’d told them that he loved them and that he’d miss them and that he and Zahra would do anything they could to stay alive and hopefully see them again one day. It had been tough on Craig, but ultimately he was glad that he hadn’t had to worry about them the way he was sure they were worrying about him. At least his family had made it out, unlike Zahra’s.

Zahra and her father had been on to something fishy at R & P Corp. for years- the whole company was fishy, really. Everett Rourke and Silas Prescott were two of the most controversial figures in the modern world, and had spent years as rivals. The fact that they had suddenly decided to put decades of trying to run the other out of business aside raised red flags in the dark web community, and Zahra’s father had decided to do some digging into the company’s files- the redacted ones. Two weeks before The Incident Zahra had received a phone call from someone using a voice changing device, telling her that her father was dead and she was next if she didn’t give up her investigation into R & P Corp. She’d thrown the phone in a fit of rage- thrown it right through the window of their living room, the shattering glass calling Craig’s attention and sending him barreling down the stairs to find his wife kneeling on the floor, her face in her hands and broken glass all around her. And she was screaming, wailing like he’d never heard, like her soul was tearing itself to ribbons. Zahra’s father was her role model, her hero- less “Daddy’s little girl” and more “Daddy’s little rebel”, she felt her spirit break upon hearing that he was gone, taken from her, for doing the work that he’d taught her was so important; keeping an eye on the evil men of the world, stopping them from carrying out their plans. Farhad Namazi had tried to stop them, and Zahra had tried to help him. But in the end they couldn’t be stopped, and her father couldn’t be helped and she couldn’t be consoled. Craig had known better than to tell her it was alright. It wasn’t alright. Instead he silently held her, kneeling on the floor, surrounded by the shards of a life that had been irreversibly changed.

They were all each other had in the world, until they met up with Michelle- how, Diego was still uncertain as Michelle had been tight lipped about life before this, and none of them had pressed her about it. She was the type of woman who spoke when she wanted and not when she was asked, and Diego could see that she just wasn’t ready to share her story. He and Kara had joined their group not long after they’d met Michelle, and once they’d taken in Jake as well,  they’d begun to feel as much like a family as Diego had ever really had.

He let his eyes wander to the spot below the window where Estela sat with her knees pulled tightly to herself, watching the way that Jake and Kara’s chests rose and fell in sync as the pair slipped off to sleep. Diego knew she was reeling from the gaping wound that losing Quinn had left in her heart. He stood, wiping his hands on his pants, and crossed the room to sit near her. He didn’t speak, didn’t extend a hand to take hers. He didn’t offer her a sympathetic glance, didn’t even raise his eyes to hers at all. Just sat down next to her, hoping that that small gesture would tell her that he understood what it was like to feel alone, to have had someone ripped so suddenly away, to feel unsure of how to carry on or if it was worth it or if it were even possible. She blinked at him for a couple beats before whispering, “Thank you.” The sun was setting in the narrow window above Estela and Diego’s heads throwing dim light into the already dark laundry room. They’d been holed up in there for the last eight hours or so when Michelle and Sean burst back in through the door, Sean ducking in behind her and closing the door quickly. Kara and Jake stirred awake as they came inside, Kara gently moving Jake off of her so she could see what was going on.

“We have to move,” Michelle stated urgently but calmly.

Craig, Estela, Zahra and Diego rose to their feet. “What’s going on, Meech?” Craig asked, his arm still protectively around Zahra.

“Traffickers,” she answered, a slight waver to her voice that Diego and Zahra seemed to notice, but probably went unchecked by the others. “Looks like the one that attacked Jake and Kara wasn’t alone. And…” she locked eyes with Sean, his full of concern. “And they’re using them… they…” she trailed off and looked to Sean again while Estela crouched back down and began packing all of the things they’d taken out of their various bags.

He cleared his throat. “They have a horde. Its…they’re herding them toward us…they’re hoping they’ll do their dirty work.”

Diego had wondered when something like this might happen. It hadn’t taken long for the Traffickers to start taking advantage of the lawless new hellscape. He wondered when people would realize that they could use the undead to their advantage, too. “How far away?” he asked.

“About 200 yards across the highway,” Sean answered. “We saw them just now…the Traffickers have a car or a truck…some kind of vehicle and they’re pushing them this way. They know we’re here.”

Kara had locked eyes with Jake the moment Michelle had said the word traffickers, finding their depths tainted with concern. She tore her eyes from him, heart racing with worry. “Michelle,” she gasped, “What about Jake? Can we move him like this?”

Michelle glanced over at her patient, triaging him perfunctorily before meeting Kara’s gaze again. “We have to, Kara.” It wasn’t really an answer to the question that Kara had asked and Michelle knew that, but she also knew that if they didn’t try to move him, he would be too easy a target where he was. Kara closed her eyes and felt her chest tighten as Diego moved to put his hand on her back.

“Hey, princess,” Jake called softly. “No tears for me, I’ll be alright. I told ya, you love me. I’m not goin’ anywhere.”

She swallowed the tears that were threatening to burst through. When would they catch a break? When would they be able to rest for more than a few hours? When would they feel safe? Probably never again, Kara. She tried to steady her breathing which was starting to become ragged with the anxiety she felt about moving Jake as the Traffickers and the horde came closer. His words seemed only to make her fear worse, but she scrambled back to his side as the others readied themselves to leave the laundry room. Craig helped her lift Jake to his feet, leaning most of his weight on Kara. She wrapped her arm around him firmly, feeling her strength grow with the adrenaline. She could feel him trying to take some of his weight off of her, only to have his knees buckle and his weight fall back on her. “I’ve got you, Jake, it’s okay…lean on me, I got you, baby.” She always spoke quickly when she was nervous, and right now her words were spilling from her mouth.

“Just don’t wanna bring you down with me is all,” he answered, wincing. She noted that his brow was sweating again from the strain of standing, and wondered if he needed more medication.

She brushed some hair from his face and pressed a trembling kiss to his temple. “You could never bring me down, Jake. You’re the only thing keeping me standing most days.” She leaned her forehead against the side of his face, taking every moment that she could.

“What’s the plan?” Zahra asked. “It’s dark, we can’t go far.”

“Sean, we need to bring everyone back to our apartment,” Estela suggested. “It’s safe, they can’t reach us there, and we’ll have the high ground.”

Sean nodded. “We can pick them off from the balcony…with a few of us on the ground as their numbers dwindle…we,” he shot a glance to Michelle, to Craig and Zahra and Diego, to Kara and Jake. “We have a chance.”

“More than a chance. Let’s go,” Estela said, shouldering her bag and leading the way out the door. The other’s started filing after her.

Craig paused to pull Zahra into a tender kiss, caressing the side of her face, her whole cheek fitting in his palm. “Ready, Z?” he asked.

She grinned, rising on her toes to kiss him again. “Ready, player 2.” They both drew their weapons and followed the group.

Kara started pulling Jake towards the door. “Kara…” he said, “If anything happens, you don’t have your gun anymore. You’re outta bullets,” he let out a cough and her heart sunk at the realization that it was already getting harder for him to breathe and they’d barely taken three steps. Sean and Estela’s place was on the other side of the complex.

“I know,” she said, huffing as she pulled him along, trying not to fall too far behind the others.

“If anything happens, you gotta go, you gotta leave me and get to safety, you hear me?”

“Yeah, Top Gun, I hear you and it’s not happening so don’t waste your breath on something so stupid. I’ll never leave you, get that through your thick head.”

He exhaled, half a sigh, half a laugh. “Thick head, huh?” he tried to ask but ended up coughing again, and the cough drew out into a groan as the hand that was not around Kara’s shoulders flew to his abdomen. Kara huffed and picked up the pace, right behind Diego. She glanced down at Jake’s hand on his stomach and it came away bloody. He must have torn his stitches in the movement.

“Hang on, Jake,” she said, fighting the panic that was flooding her brain. Ahead she could see Estela climbing the rope to the balcony, Craig lifting Zahra up to climb next, with Diego at her heels. Jake groaned again and she could tell that he was trying not to, trying not to frighten her, which only scared her more.

“Give him to me,” Craig called, scooping Jake up against one shoulder. Jake let out a sharp breath as Craig adjusted his weight and began climbing the rope.

Kara’s eyes started to water as she kept them on his face. His eyes were closed tightly against the pain. Suddenly she was hit in the face with a wet drop. At first she blinked at the sky thinking it was rain. But another drop splattered on her cheek and she realized it was Jake’s blood, dripping from where his stitches were ripping. She wiped at her face and her fingers came away red, streaking the drop across her cheek. She whimpered at the sight of it.

“Come on, Kara, we have to move,” Sean urged her, nudging her to start climbing. She did and he was right behind her, the two of them reaching the top just minutes before the first round of the undead horde came rattling towards them, the blaring lights of the Traffickers’ truck casting eerie shadows from the trees and the mailboxes and the decaying limbs of the horde. Sean pulled the rope up the balcony and the two of them joined the others inside where Craig was laying Jake on the couch and Michelle was lifting his shirt to inspect the stitches. Kara felt her fingers trembling as she got as close as she could to Jake while Michelle worked, her eyes never leaving his. Sean and Estela were rummaging around the bedroom down the hall coming back with a quiver of arrows, a hunting bow, and a long spear before heading back out to the balcony. Craig and Zahra stood near the front door of the apartment- Estela had demolished the stairs in the foyer, but they wanted to have both entrances covered in case the Traffickers had a ladder or some other way of getting to them.

“How’s it…lookin’, Doc?” Jake asked Michelle, sucking in a breath.

“Not too bad, Jake, just have to re-do these stitches…” she was back in logical mode, separating herself from the situation and looking at it as just another problem to solve. She reached for her bag and started the process all over again.

Diego noticed the blood on Kara’s face and hurried to her side. “It’s fine, Diego, not my blood,” she choked out, and he relaxed, grabbing her hand and squeezing it, and the light pressure, along with Michelle’s assurance that it wasn’t that bad, let her breathe easier. When Michelle had finished her work and given Jake more medicine, she moved to slump into the cushions of the love seat, exhausted from the adrenaline dump of saving her friend’s life for the second time that day. The quiet hum of Sean’s arrows through the air followed by the soft thuds of the bodies of the undead hitting the frozen ground could be heard from the balcony. The truck seemed to be holding back, waiting to see what would happen once they ran out of arrows.

Kara fell to her knees beside Jake and reached for his hand. He gave it to her and brought his other hand up slowly to her face. He wiped the blood, his blood, from her cheek with his thumb. “Sorry I scared you, princess,” he whispered, shakily bringing her hand up to his lips, brushing a kiss to her knuckles.

“You should be sorry,” she said through her tears, not meaning it at all.

“Thank you,” he said, catching her off guard.

“For what?” she asked, laying her head against his arm.

“For savin’ me, Kara. You been savin’ me since we met.” The way his eyes softened with tenderness even in his pain took hold of her heart. “I’d be a goner without you, princess, and not just talkin’ about this,” he took their twined hands and gestured towards his wound. “You saved me from givin’ up, losin’ hope. Long as I have you, I have hope.”

Hope. It seemed an odd thing to hold on to or to look for. But it had found them when they had found each other. “Back at ya, Jake,” she whispered. “You’re all the hope I need.”

Diego looked around the room. Craig and Zahra were still huddled by the front door, weapons ready, eyes on one another, free hands linked. Estela and Sean were outside dispatching the horde below, and Michelle had her eyes closed and her hands on the sides of her face, rocking slightly as she tried to come down from the high of it all. It didn’t look like much, but this was his family. They might be bruised and bleeding, tired and afraid, but they had each other. It looked bleak but with them he had hope.

[bolbianddolanhouse]

BNHA AU [self insert]

Nani the heck is this? read here!

Chapter 1: *plays Joji’s Yeah Right*

“...and heres your living quarters, fully furnished and with groceries that’ll last a while” said my case worker as I meekly followed next to them.

“thank you! its really nice.” I said, trying to not sound sad.

“I know its tough being young and by yourself, but I believe in you Miss Palma! Don’t hesitate to give us a call if you have questions or need other arrangments.”

“thank you for your kind words, I’ll keep that in mind” I said as politely as I could because I knew I wasn’t going to call them for shit. “Ill get my luggage out of my car, its not much so I’ll be fine if you need to leave”

“oh alright, Ill leave you to settling in and remember that a UA staff will be coming by with your uniforms tomorrow in the afternoon.”

oh jeez I forgot about that, not looking forward to get fat shamed in this country, let alone by a school staff. “oh right! it almost slipped my mind that here you wear uniforms in high school! hehe thank you for the reminder!”

“no problem! Bye bye”

oof! I was getting tired of pretending to be polite to that case worker. The past 3 months has been tough with the whole being sent away from my family and finding a school with nearby housing. At least I can sleep well without thinking where I’ll end up next. I unpack my 3 suitcases of clothes, personal belongings, cosmetics and other nessities. I take out my framed photo of my family and place it on my bed stand, I miss them and the doggos. I try not to cry and continue to put my things away. I made myself dinner, took a bath and laid in bed; and I’m thinking if I should call my parents to tell them I got settled. I checked the time, it was 4am their time, I sent a text instead. 

[Hola mama y papa! ya estoy en mi apartamento, es muy lindo. Llama me cuando puedas, te extrano mucho y tambien a los doggos!]

I haven’t talked to my parents in a week because of the whole phone arrangement and being too busy with the entrance exam. Now I guess I’ll sleep and do some school supply shopping after meeting with the staff member.

-the next day-

Its saturday and its gloomy out and I wake up thinking, great! even the sky knows its going to be a rough day today! I get dressed, eat and gluzzle down my daily 2 cups of coffee. I scroll through my private social media handles to check on my friends, looks like they’re having fun, without me. I suck in the tears because I know DAMN well they’re sad I’m gone too. I distract myself with memes and I think maybe I should make some tea? and some cookies too? do i even have tea? I go through the cupboads and pantry, the case worker wasn’t kidding when they said that I had groceries that’ll last a while! I had 2 different types of tea, dry pastas, canned goods, snacks and some traditional ingredients for japanese and mexican cusine. I go searching for a kettle or teapot and I find a juicer in the way back of the top cupboard. There was a note on the juicer that said ‘to the next tenant, my wife didn’t want to take this big, messy thing to our next place, hope you find use out of this!’ I laugh at the idea that there was probably a lovers quarral over the juicer. I make tea and some green juice, just so I can get rid of the bundle of kale in the fridge, I hate kale. I make some cookies too but its just so I can get my mind off things since I was so nervous on meeting this staff member. Right on the dot, at 3pm, theres a knock at my door. I look through the peep hole and I see this woman with blue eyes and dark purple-ish, black hair in busniess causal attire. I open the door and put on my best ‘everything is ok’ face.

“hello! are you Miss Palma?”

“yes I am! are you the UA staff member with the uniforms?”

“I am! its so nice to meet you, I am Kayama sensei or better know as Midnight”

“Midnight? Ok um, would you like to come inside?”

“oh yes, thank you! Now I understand that you live alone?” she said as she walked in to the apartment.

“yes thats correct, I got here yesterday and settled in”

“oh wow, and at such a young age! Well If you need anything or need to talk about anything thats bothering you, please let me know! This whole you being separated from family and home worries me” She said in the most sincer tone that I almost started crying. I haven’t heard single person talk to me so genuinely since I left America and I need a trusted adult to help me, I heavily considered her offer.

“oh thank you for your offer, I might need some help in a few weeks BUT for now, may I offer you some tea? coffee? green juice? maybe some cookies?”

“green? juice? whats in it? I’ve never heard of green juice before”

“oh right! its a California health culture thing. Its the juice of pinapple, apple, kale, lemon and cucumber. The combination of the fruits and vegetables is for a healthy disgestive system and energy for before or after exersize”

“that sounds tasty! Ill have green juice please”

I serve her the juice and sit across from her in the living room. I see the clothing bags and think that thats alot of clothing bags just to give me 3 sets of uniforms. She drinks the juice and wanted to say something about my expression when I saw the bags but her eyes widened and she looked at the cup of juice.

“OH MY GOODNESS! this is the best and freshest juice I’ve ever had NO JOKE! You said this is a thing where you’re from? I need to invest in a juicer to make this at home!” she said so shocked and I was surprised to recieve the praise like I invented the juice.

“I’m glad you like it! Its like a little slice of my hometown to me to you” 

“oh? ok back to business! I see you eyeing the uniforms, you want to try them on? I brought some sizes up and down from the given mesurements.”

“um ok sure! Let me take these to try on in my room, ill be right out”

I take the bags to my room and I zip them open and I see the white collared shirts, gray blazer looking thing and skirts. I think oh jeez my ass is definately not gonna fit in these bitches. I put on the shirt and blazer that best fit and lastly the skirt, SUPRIZE! you can see my ass cheeks hanging out from the bottom. I walk out of the room to Midnight.

“ok so I found a shirt and top that fits well on me BUT the skirt...” and I turn around and show her my exposed ass cheeks peeking underneath.

“oh dear, thats definately not in regulation! Ok so you need a longer skirt? like... another 6 inches?” she said as she takes out a measuring tape from her purse.

“um yea, if thats doable”

“it is but we won’t have that ready until the 1st day of classes, so I guess for now, try on the pants and see if any of those fit”

Great. I’m going into a new school, misgendered and foreign passing. 2 of the pants in the clothes bag fit well....too well. We said our good byes and I had at least 2 sets of uniforms ready until I get a proper pair. No matter, at least my ass won’t be hanging out at school. I go school supply shopping and came upon the holy grail of stationary, SCENTED PAPER AND GLITTER PENS. Of course in the pastel rainbow colors and matching lead pencils. I get a whole matching set along with a backpack, water bottle and coffee tumbler. I was going to soon regret that matching set (more on that later) but I was just SO happy that I was pink, pretty and sparkly. 

-Fast forward to the 1st day-

I was in a much better mood because the sun was out, the coffee smelled particularly good, I made myself look cute but toned down for a good 1st day impression. I grab my keys and think I think I’m forgeting one detail? What could it be? and I thought Oh! I need to text my parents that I’m happy and I’m going to school now! I am noticably happy that the nice front desk lady of my housing noticed and wished me luck on my 1st day. I get in my car and I have 1 hour to get to school but its only a 8 minute drive and I wanted to circle to find parking and see where the entrance is so I can teleport from wherever I parked. I pass the gates before seeing the parking and I think oh cool its just right there! but Ill still teleport in the front. I park and I don’t even get out of my car, I just hug my backpack and teleport in front of the gates. I start walking toward the gates and try to not smile like an idiot but I start to notice all the looks and stares. And I think oh they just don’t recongize me because I look foreign or didn’t see me at the entrance exams. As a enter the 1st year doors I hear 

‘yo you see that guy? he looks as pretty as a girl! Guess his favorite color is baby pink? Are they wearing eyeliner? I wonder how long is his hair? That bun is tastful, no homo tho!’

I FORGOT THAT PANTS ARE THE BOY’S UNIFORM AND MY SKIRTS ARE STILL BEING TAILORED! I socially already fucked up, guess I won’t be making friends anytime soon. But I guess I’m glad they think I’m a pretty girl in the boy’s uniform? I walk up to the table at the furthest hall on the right that says International Student Check In thats me. I get greeted by a man with a boombox looking thing on their neck, black pants and jacket, small triangle sunnies and yellow hair. 

“HEEYYY welcome to UA!”

“oh thank you! I am Itati Palma, American student”

“okay lets see, palma palma paruma AH found you! OH YOURE THAT JAZZY SAX GIRL THAT TURNED HERO!”

oh jeez who put that on my record?! “hehehe yea thats me”

“coolio jazzy girl! Heres your schedule, pins and a note from Midnight”

“pins?”

“yeeeaahh! pins to put on your uniform to let other students and staff where youre from and get to know you better!”

I open the small manila pouch into my hand and two pins fall into my palm, the American and Mexican flag. I look at them and tried not to cry, I missed my home and chill life in Cali.

“hey hey! your classes are on the 3 hall on the right, door all the way down.”

“oh right!” that snapped me out of my sentiment, “thank you again! Mr?”

“they call me Mic sensei”

“Mic? ok thanks!”

I walk quickly to my classroom, I get to the outside of the door and think welp, heres to 3 years of being called pretty boy and other dumb shit. I open the door and I see 9 desks and 5 people already there. Oh jeez, what a small class size but at least nobody is staring at me. I sit in the middle seat, though I prefer the front desk but they were already claimed! Guess classroom culture is different here too. In front of me was a boy to what I thought was a Japanese native until they turned and I caught a glimpse of their pin, they’re Korean! They noticed my pins too and had a confused look as they gave me a once over.

“You’re an...american? and mexican? You traveled quite a ways”

“um yeah hehe, I am Itati Palma by the way!”

“hmm, nice to meet you Palma-san, I’m Jin Matsui”

“nice to meet you too!”

Before I could ask them where in Korea are they from, the door slammed open. A tall and muscular white-blonde girl walked in, I tried so hard not to stare at them but they looked so tough and wondered if that’s part of their quirk. She sat behind me and Jin and I turned around to get a better look at them. I saw their pins, the Russian and Japanese flag, shes also a foreign student. She looked up with a death stare at me and Jin but then her eyes widened and she smiled. 

“ah! fellow foreigners! Hello!” she spoke in a predominate Russian accent that matches so well with her image.

“um yeah! Hello, I’m Itati Palma”

“Hi, and I’m Jin Matsui”

“Palma-san and Matsui-san?Milana Mikhalia Oleshin, very nice to meet you!”

Oh my! A long and hard to pronounce name, I guess we aren’t at nickname or first name basis yet for everything to go smoother. I turn to my bag because I got a text, its my parents!

[Hola mija! Que bien que estas feliz hoy! Te amo y ponde bien en tus studias, dios te bendiga.]

Oh mom, you have no idea how bad I had it earlier. I look around and see everyone has nice, canvas school bags and I have my baby pink one with a puppy on it. And everyone had normal stationary and you can smell and see mine from across the hall. Oof, what I’d give to redo today. I look at my schedule and see that I have a short school day this semester.

Palma, Itati (F) (International)                             Intelligence Core Program [1-A]

Homeroom......9a-10am..........................................Intelligence Wing, room 1-A

Weaponery.......10:15am-11:50am.........................................Gym

Hero Course [Ethics and Laws].....12p-1:15p...........Hero Wing, room 1-A

Free Period.........2:50p-3:30p.......................................TBA

Intelligence Course[Statistics&Strategy]3:45p-4:40p..Intelligence Wing,room 3-A

Seems like a reasonable schedule, better than America. I didn’t know that Oleshin-san was peeking over my shoulder to read my schedule.

“YOURE THE GIRL THAT TESTED OUT OF GENERAL STUDIES?!”

I jumped in my seat “um yea?”

“I heard about you! The staff and school district are boasting that they got the potentially genius level international students. They said that theres 2 of them here at UA and they are jumping straight into course work! One has placed college level English and 3rd year Level Strategtic Thinking! And thats you!”

Jin turns around, looking bootytickled “erm, what? Let me see your schedule.”

He scans and compares it to his “well theres proof that you are one of those students, but then again, so am I”

I take a look at his, almost identical except they’re not taking the hero course, but second year english. What a weird turn of events that I’d be in the same class as other international students in the same school arrangments? I guess they’re my friends now.

A clean cut man in a blue jumpsuit with multiple patches on the arms opens the door. I just knew they were our teacher, it shows that he’s been through it all and has wisdom to bestow upon us. 

“Hello, good morning students, if you could all take your seats so I can get things started”

Everyone fell into place and was attentive.

“Welcome to the Intelligence Program, You can call me Diya sensei, I’m a retired secret service of Japan better known as Agent 99 code name ‘Space Cowboy’”

I tried so hard not to laugh at that code name, I wondered why he was called that. Maybe his quirk?

“Now to take roll, say present when I say your name”

He finished roll and said “huh, 3 international students? I expect impeccable work from you three. I won’t slow down for you”

I somehow wasn’t scared of that statement. Before moving on to explaining the coursework and lessons, a lizard bolted from the window and to Diya sensei. He let out one of the most high pitched yelps and retreated to the corner. How can a man so sharp and decorated, be reduced to a crying mess over a lizard? Matsui-san captures the fast lizard and wraps it in his gym towel to take outside after homeroom. Sensei regains his composure and continues class like nothing happened. After homeroom, we all had weaponery but we didn’t get to use any gear or weapons yet. Instead we got measured for our jumpsuits and PE clothes plus got settled in the locker rooms. To my surprise it was co-ed locker rooms since it was a small class size and only 3 girls. Everyone was respectful of eachother’s bodies and privacy. Next I was supposed to go to the ethics class but in Midnight’s note, she said that I start that class on Wednesday so for the time being, I have to report to the staff room to meet with them. I go to the staff room and on the way I see a class doing drills with quirks outside, it looked fun and everyone looked so focused. I get to the staff room and Midnight hands me my tailored skirts and 3rd set of uniform. I also got to know the other teachers and staff including the principal, a big ass fuckin rat. I was about to punt that bitch when they opened the door if they didn’t start talking. Other than that, it was a nice time and then there was lunch. I walked in the cafeteria and saw the long ass lines and said ‘fuck that’, so I teleported to my car and ate my packed food in there. Next was my free period, Midnight said that it was alright for me to wander around campus so I can get to know the place better so I can teleport from class to class. I wander around without my bag, just my phone and schedule with school map folded in my pocket. I go to the hero wing to find the 1-A room, nobody was in there, maybe its gym time for them? I pass by a group of 3 upper classmen, A boy with black hair and pointy ears, a taller boy with lemon colored hair and a girl with long sky blue hair. They all looked at me as I passed by and I felt intimidated because they have a strong presence to them but I didn’t know why or how. I hid behind the corner and heard them talking about me,

“did you see that? I made accidental eye contact and I think I’m going to be sick”

“hmm, do you think thats the international student Mirio? They had an american flag pin”

“Maybe? Theres no description of them other than they’re American and a 1st year in the Intelligence program”

“wait, sceret service? I thought they saved their school from a gang by disabling the leader? Why are we interested in her again Mirio?”

“She’s a true hero Amajiki! We could learn alot from her and maybe change their mind to be a hero, like they were meant to be”

What the heck was that Lemon boy going off about? A hero? Change my mind? Learn from me? I turned the corner to tell them off but they were gone and I wasn’t about to go looking for them. I wander some more and the bell rings and a swarm of students come out of their classrooms, I couldn’t naviagate around and I think, guess Ill teleport, BUT THEN I COULDN’T! Like when I was acting up back home and my mom would use her erasure quirk on me to prevent me from escaping. But my mom couldn’t be here!? Then what the fuck is going on? Then a man’s voice from behind me spoke,

“are you lost young lady?”

I turn around and I’m shaking in fear before I even see this mystery man. I see him and he’s a tall, dark long haired with eye bags. I knew right away he was the one who erased my quirk, his eyes glowed the same way my mom did when she activated her quirk. Mom i thought and how much I missed her and I couldn’t hold back my tears this time. I cried in front of this man I just met. He arched his brow then gazed his eyes on my flag pins. He gasped and deactivated his quirk.

“oh no I’m sorry Miss! I didn’t mean to scare you to tears, are you alright?”

I stammered “um uhhhh -sniff- I’m, I’m ok! um I’ll just leave” 

“no please, let me escort you to your next class, I feel terrible for making you cry. Especially on the 1st day”

I felt sort of better when he offered, I let him walk with me.

“you didn’t scare me, I cried because you and my mother have the same quirk and looking at your glowing eyes reminded me of her and how much I miss her”

“oh! same quirk you say? Were you a trouble maker?”

“nah, I would try to teleport away when it was time to do housework when I was younger and she’d disable my quirks so I couldn’t escape and HAD to do chores”

He laughed “what a woman! Say, your not from around here huh?”

“nope, I’m from America with hispanic roots”

“OH! you’re an ethnic American! That’s why you have two flags.”

“yup, I got here about a week ago and settled about 3 days ago”

“yeah, Midnight told me about you. You’re a very unique indivdual, how are your classes so far?”

“nothing interesting yet”

“well hopefully things pickup soon, oh i think this is your wing”

“um oh yea it is, thank you for walking me over, Mr?”

“Mr Aizawa, or better known as Eraserhead”

“Eraserhead? um ok thanks again!”

“no problem, see you wednesday”

“wednesday?”

“yea, I’m the Hero Course ethics teacher. See you then!”

Then this man deadass walks away after dropping that bomb on me? What a legend, can’t wait to sit in his class. My last class was more up my alley and the upperclassmen were so nice that I didn’t feel any different from them. I walked to my car to reflect on all the shit that happened today and what I am going to do to make school bearable. The drive to my place was pleasant but I saw a bunch of students walking together like they just became friends and wanted to spend more time together. I felt a little lonely when I got home, I remembered when I was in america and I would talk to my friends after school and how they’d wait for me after band practice to hang out. I took off my uniform and hanged up my new ones and had one really good cry. I haven’t cried that hard in months and it was much needed for my mental health. I washed up and ate and tried to just forget all the dumb shit of the day when I laid down to sleep.

-fast foward to Wednesday-

“hey Palma-san! did you do the online homework for stats and strats?”

“yee, did you?” I said knowing damn well what Matsui-san was going to say.

“psh! course I did, I was just making sure you did it so you might have something to do during free period”

“HEY! T-posing through the halls IS a viable thing to do! I was studying where everthing is on campus for future use”

“IS NOT WHEN YOU LEVITATE AND SCREECH IN THE BOYS BATHROOM WHILE I’M IN THERE!”

Before I could retort back, Oleshin-san butted in,

“aye Palma-san, you excited for your hero course class?”

“oof yee, the teacher is kinda hot”

“I SAW and I’m jealous! You have to tell me if the boys in that class are hot too!”

“ugh, don’t you two have better things to talk about than butts and boys?”

“I’m so excited tho! To meet anybody thats outside our program and learning new things?! I just hope they like me, I even made them cookies”

“Palma-san nani the heck!? I want a cookie”

“You guys can get a cookie during lunch if theres any leftovers”

I quickly change after weapons class and bolt to the hero wing. I walk down the hall and I’m really feeling nervous! I look at my coffee tumbler and felt calmer as I took a sip. Ok Ita, you can do this, no chickening out now I psych myself up as I stand in front of the door. I open the door, expecting everyone to be strewn about and talking...nope. I walk in and everyone is in their seats and sensei was standing up in the front and I disrupted them. Everyone was staring and I instantly get flushed and I check to make sure I was in the right classroom and said,

“did I fuck up?”

“no actually I was just talking about you, perfect timing!” said Aizawa with a smile. “why don’t you come up and introduce yourself?”

“um ok” I said as I scanned the room. I got up to the front, chugged down my coffee for dominance, did a quick spin for drama and put on my ‘I swear I slept a normal amount of sleep last night’ face. 

“Hi hello~ My name is Itati Palma and I’m from America! The reason I don’t look like one is because my ethnic background is hispanic, or in other words, both of my parents are from Mexico but I was born in America. My quirk isn’t the strongest or the most useful BUT I can be of better help in other parts of combat, so please, we don’t have to be friends but lets all work hard together” I bow respectfully and turn to sensei.

“nice speech kid, you can take the seat on the third row”

“um ok thanks”

As I’m walking toward my seat, sensei walks out saying he’ll be right back with more handouts. I sit and I feel all eyes on me, giving me the once over. The person in front of me has a bird head but normal human body from the neck down, the person behind me has half their face covered with multiple limbs and the person on my left has red spiky hair and was staring REALLY hard at me. I almost didn’t want to look at them until sensei came back, I just sat there blushing really hard.

“Kirishima! stop staring at her! Can’t you see you’re making her uncomfortable?!” said the boy with glasses making chopping motions.

“Oh sorry! Its just that I’ve never seen curly hair of that type in person, you have really nice hair and your backpack is cute”

“um thank you, I feel sorta out of place with it tho, everyone else has normal bags”

“tch, makes you look like a little girl” muttered the boy with the blonde hair.

“Kacchan thats so rude! I think their choice of bag is cute and different in a good way” said some broccoil looking ass.

“well um, not to change the subject, but I made you guys cookies! I got up extra early to bake them”

“Cookies?! oh how sweet of you!” joked the pink girl.

“Oh here, let me help you with that” said the boy with glasses as he stood up.

“oh no I got this” I take out a package of colorful napkins and the box of cookies and I toss the napkins up and activate my quirk to pass out the napkins. Then I opened the box and gave everyone a cookie and gave sensei 3.

“so cool! you passed out the treat without getting up!” squealed what I assume to be the invisible girl.

“THESE COOKIES ARE SOOO YUMMY TOO!” proclaimed the boy with a black streak in their yellow hair.

Everyone was in a better mood and I got compliments for my cookies, I was in my happy place. After class, as I was packing my bag, the boy with the glasses came up to my desk

“thank you for the cookie, Palma-san, you really know how to bring a crowd together”

“oh thank you, uhhhhh”

“hm? OH my name is Tenya Iida, sorry I forgot to introduce myself earlier”

“Iida-san? oh its alright, its nice to meet you” 

“I haven’t seen you around halls, sensei tells us your in a different program? Is it true?”

“Yes its true, also the school is kinda big and I can be easy to miss in a crowd because I’m so short”

“I see, well its lunch time! May I walk you to the lunch room?”

“oh thank you but I usually eat in the parking lot” I soon regreted my words because this square faced, glasses wearing ass gasped and grabbed me by the wrist followed by dragging me down the hall.

“You’ve been by yourself during such social time?! Now I have a better reason to bring you to the lunch group!”

“eating by yourself isn’t a huge deal” I say but looking back, thats all I’ve been doing.

“A true hero never lets a fellow classmate eat alone!”

I get aggitated and retort “well what if they want to be alone!” as I teleport out of his grip and 3 feet behind him. He sees the whole thing and stopped on the dime, he was shocked.

“you, you used your quirk to escape my grip? What is your quirk exactly?”

“Heck, um its Mid-range Telekinesis, I can levitate, levitate others and objects and teleport about 2 miles at a time.”

“thats incredible power! what do you mean your quirk isn’t strong or useful?! You’re gifted in so many ways!”

I wasn’t having fun anymore, he wasn’t letting me talk or left me alone when I said I wanted to. 

“please stop”

“hmm? stop what”

“stop, talking about my quirk like I’m some sort of show horse” 

“Show horse? no no no! I didn’t mean to-”

“STOP!” I didn’t want to hear it, I just wanted to hide. Tears were welling up in my eyes.

“what is going on here? Tenya, what are doing to that poor girl?” it was Midnight. “oh no, are you ok Itati?” and I start to cry when she made eye contact with me. 

“its ok, you’re ok! please don’t feel sad” she comforted me as she held me, “why don’t you go to lunch Tenya, I’ll take care of things here”

“but I- I mean-”

“please, she’s been through too much already”

He walked away, looking back every few steps. Midnight escorted me to the staff room so I can calm down a bit and talk about what happened.

“You want to talk about it?” she asked me softly.

“yea, the school culture is too much for me”

“how so? Are you not making friends? Are the classes too hard?”

“its mostly the students outside of my program, they’re too into their hero agenda to be the best that they aren’t considering other’s personal feelings or perfernces”

I then tell her about the 3 upper classmen that talked about me and what Iida told me as they dragged me down the hall.

“oh I see now, it almost feels like you’re being targeted and pressured.”

“yeah, I want to learn about this hero culture more but this is too much at once. It’s strange because back home, I was so used to be part of the crowd and stand out when I wanted to. And here it feels like I breathe a little too loud and I’m suddenly getting looks”

“ok, I’m glad you aren’t giving up. But if they start getting physical and racist, please let any of the staff know.”

“alright, Thank you Midnight! I don’t know what I’d do without you”

I go about my day and tell Matsui and Oleshin what happened after school. They weren’t too keen about it,

“That glasses wearing asshole!”

“yea not good on a future hero if you tell me”

“We got your back Palma-san”

“YEAH! we international students have to stick together, its scary being alone”

“yea Matusi-san is right. If any of those hero asses try any of us, I’ll flex on them and toss them in the trash!” Oleshin-san said as she flexed her strong arms.

“And I can portal us to safety or anywhere really” Matsui-san said as he jumped.

“oh guys! I’m gonna cry again!” I said because I was so touched by their words.

“and I’ll T-pose, screech and rise on them. Maybe levitate them in the trash too”

We all laugh as we flex and T-pose together in the school parking lot. They walked me to my car. We were about to part ways to head home when I said

“hey, um you guys can call me Ita, if you want”

“Ita? then you can call me Jin”

“oh we doing short hand! then you can call me Mimi”

“Jin and Mimi huh? ok! see you guys tomorrow”

“bye!”

“until tomorrow”

As I drove home, I thought Holy shit I just made friends.

-End Chapter 1-

<Previous - Next>

[pengychan]

[Coco] Mind the Gap, Pt. 6

Title: Mind the Gap Summary: Modern Day AU. Tired of Ernesto’s snide remarks, Imelda decides to put him in his place and her husband is more than happy to help. It was supposed to be a one-night deal. Things quickly get out of hand. [OT3, mostly porn and humor. Plenty of instances of Ernesto being Dramatic, Imelda getting Sick Of His Shit, and Héctor trying to be the peacekeeper. Don’t expect anything serious.] Pairings: Ernesto/Héctor/Imelda Rating: Explicit.

To see the version with art by Dara, check it out on Ao3.

Tag for all parts up so far.

A/N: sorry, no smut in this chapter - there will be in the next one, I promise! Meanwhile have some Uncomfortable Realizations About Being Far Too Comfortable, puppies, and something that I guess it might be fluff because come on. Puppies.

***

There are very few things about Mexico City that Ernesto doesn't love.

Of course, the main reason might just be that he's simply better equipped for life in a big city, rather than in some small, stifling town in buttfuck nowhere. Anything is better than that, and he'll take the maddening traffic every day for the rest of his life as long as it means he never has to set foot in Santa Cecilia.

A small voice in the back of his mind occasionally tries to remind him that the problem isn't the town itself, but he always does a good job at ignoring it, as he ignores the yells and insults and honks from the cars lining up in the road as he walks down the sidewalk.

Apparently, the cause of today's disruption is some ass who decided to park their car badly enough to block the way of the garbage truck, which of course is now stuck along with all cars behind it. Whenever the owner of that damn car shows up, Ernesto muses, they'll find plenty of angry motorists ready to tear them a new one.  

He passes by the car, walking fast - he wants to be home before the drizzle turns into actual rain again - and, some twenty meters ahead, there the garbage bin the truck was clearly headed to. It seems that trash hasn't been collected in a bit, because it's overflowing and plenty of sacks and boxes have been left all around it. Once the obstruction clears, the garbage guys are going to be busy. It’s all wet, too. Sucks to be them.

With a shrug, Ernesto finishes the last of his beer, crushes the can in his fist, and throws it at the heap of garbage as he passes it by. 

The garbage yelps.

“Huh?” Ernesto blinks, taken aback, and comes to a stop. There is more yelping, whining, and he takes a few steps closer, stepping over soaked cardboard to take a look. The can landed inside a soggy cardboard box, and inside there are three filthy, squirming things that look a lot like rats… except that he’s never heard rats yelping, or trying to let out the tiniest howls he’s ever heard.

Oh, Ernesto thinks. Oh.

He picks up the box, which stinks to high heavens, only to hear another, tiny yip. He looks down to see yet one more puppy trying to scramble towards him, stumbling over trash and then falling into a puddle. It stays there, shivering, and doesn’t move as Ernesto reaches down to pick it up and place it in the box with the other three. The water washed away some of the filth, so he can sort of guess he’s looking at four chihuahuas… probably too young to be away from their mother.

“What are you doing here?” he asks, glancing around to see if their mother is anywhere to be seen, but no; just those yelping, trembling pups in a wet cardboard box. Someone must have left them there and oh, Ernesto sure hopes that someone was hit by a truck as soon as the deed was done.

“Pinche cabrón,” he snarls, and blinks when one of the pups yaps. “No, not you! I’m sure you’re the best perrito. Or perrita, whichever you--”

“Señor? Do you need help?”

“Huh?” Ernesto looks up to see a woman with a blue umbrella looking at him, and it occurs to him he’s been standing in the middle of the sidewalk, talking to a cardboard box. “No, I--” he begins, and one of the puppies chooses that moment to start yelping, to be joined by the others quickly enough - thin, terrible cries. It makes something in his chest ache.

“... Actually, yes,” he finally says. “Do you know if there is a vet nearby?”

***

Héctor is helping Imelda preparing a few pair of shoes for shipping when his cell phone rings, and the tune - The World Es Mi Familia, the one he set for Ernesto’s number; Imelda’s ringtone is Un Poco Loco - causes Héctor to almost drop the roll of tape.

It wouldn’t be the only thing to drop, either. As usual he left his phone too close to the table’s edge, and the vibration very nearly sends it falling on the ground. He catches it just on time - the screen is already shattered, better not give it the final blow - and gives Imelda an apologetic look.

“Ernesto,” he says, and takes the call. He’ll just tell him to call back in five minutes, once the postage is sorted for the day. “Hey, amigo! I’m a bit busy right now, can you call ba--”

“Héctor!” Ernesto’s voice comes from the other side of the line, and Héctor’s own voice dies in his throat. He sounds anguished in a way Héctor only heard once years before, when he knocked at his door to ask if he could stay for a few nights, trying and failing to hide the darkening bruise on his jaw. But at least that time there was anger for him to cling to; now he only sounds so broken, it makes his blood run cold.

Did he have an accident? Was he hit by a car? Was he robbed? Is he okay?

“Ernesto? What is it, what happened?” he asks, his heart beating somewhere in his throat. He’s vaguely aware of the fact Imelda has paused and is looking at him, silent and attentive. The explanation that follows comes in that same broken up voice, and it’s not very long. Héctor has no idea what ‘parvovirus’ exactly is, but he can tell that it’s bad and Ernesto seems close to breaking down in a vet’s waiting room.

“He says they’re sick and they’re so tiny, I just know they’re not gonna make it!”

His wail - no other way to describe it - is loud enough to force Héctor to pull the phone away from his ear. Imelda raises an eyebrow.

“Is he crying?” she mouths.

“Naah, I don’t think--” Héctor begins, only for something that sounds a lot like a sob to come from the other end of the line, followed by a loud sniffle.

“So tiny…!”

“All right, all right. Try not to… I’m sure they’re in good hands. There is nothing more you can do and the vet will know how to help them. I’ll come pick you up, sí? As soon as I can. Send me your location and I’ll be there.”

He ends the call, and explains Imelda what’s going on as quickly as he can while reaching for his jacket, the car keys and his wallet, because with his luck someone will stop him for a traffic check today of all days and he doesn’t want to be caught without his driving licence. Imelda listens, and nods.

“Take him here for dinner. I made too much soup, anyway, and giving it to him is better than throwing it away.”

Héctor blinks, taken aback. “I thought we were going to go out for dinner tonight? We didn’t cook any--” he starts, and trails off when she rolls her eyes.

“I will make too much soup,” she says, slowly. “And I’d rather he eats it than having to throw food away. Is that clear?”

Oh. Ooooh, right. Despite his worries, Héctor grins. “I love you.”

“If you tell anything about this to your stupid friend, you’ll both pay.”

“I love you so much,” Héctor declares, and kisses her smiling lips. “Sorry I can’t help you finish.”

“I can manage, my hero,” she says with a dramatic sigh, and pats his cheek. “Now go. He needs a knight more than I do. And, Héctor?”

“Yes?”

“... Put your shoes on before you go.”

Oh, right. He just knew he was forgetting something.

***

Imelda has almost finished preparing all orders for shipping when her cell phone gives out a loud noise of breaking glass that heralds all messages from Felipe. Or maybe it’s Óscar; his message tune is the sound of wailing sirens, but the twins often use each other’s phone, so there is no telling.

Well, their punctuation usually gives them away, but this is a vocal message - what is the point, why don’t they just call? - and in such cases, she guesses who it's from in only about seventy-five percent of cases. This time, however, she doesn’t really need to guess: they’re both talking.

“Hola, hermana!”

“¿Qué pasa?”

“Is Héctor there?”

“Hi, Héctor!”

“We wanted to know when you’re coming next month!”

“So that we can make sure we de-clutter the guest room on time!”

“We’ve been working on projects!”

“So many projects!”

“We also got a driving licence!”

“Well, Felipe did, but we can share it.”

“That sounds like the worst possible idea,” Imelda mutters, and a purring sound answers her words, something soft pressing against her arm. She chuckles, and scratches Pepita behind the ears and down the back; the gray cat arches into her touch, looking up at her with those intelligent eyes of hers. Imelda didn’t hear her coming in, she never does, but Pepita never wastes time in making her presence known.

“I’ll feed you in a minute,” Imelda promises. She has a bag of cat kibble stored away for her, but she doesn’t go fetch it right away. She just stands there, and frowns slightly down at her phone.

“So that we can make sure we de-clutter the guest room on time!”

Right, it is almost that time of the year again. Time sure flies.

They go back in Santa Cecilia to visit old friends and her family pretty often, usually depending on when they both are free for a few days, but there are a few dates when they must be there: Día de los Muertos, Christmas, Easter… and the end of September, when a special Mass is held every year, and she and Héctor visit the cemetery together.

It will be ten years this time, she thinks. Ten years since his parents died.

She and Héctor weren’t that close when it happened, but she still remembers what a terrible blow it was for him - both his home and family gone in an instant. She remembers the grief that seemed to grip their entire town, the awful feeling of not knowing what she could possibly say to make it any better, any more bearable.

And she remembers - how odd to think about it now - being grateful for the fact Ernesto had stood by him throughout it, an arm around his shoulders. Sometimes she thinks that it was that memory, more than anything else, to lend her the her strength and patience to bear Ernesto’s presence in her life throughout her marriage.

… Although, come to think of it, he has never joined them on that yearly trip to Santa Cecilia, never came to any Mass in memory of Ricardo and Emilia. As far as Imelda can recall, he never returned to Santa Cecilia at all after leaving.

It didn’t bother her before - it was a welcomed break from his presence, and she hardly thought anything of it - but it does bother her now. Héctor will drop anything to help him out over some stray dogs he found, and Ernesto never bothered to even to pay his respects to Héctor’s parents, who were like a second family to him by all accounts. It is... wrong.

Her phone rings suddenly - La Cucaracha, which is not a ringtone she hears often: Ernesto doesn’t usually call her - and Imelda takes the call, still frowning but not precisely angered. This is not the right moment for it; she will find another time to tell Héctor he should really expect more from his best friend.

“Ernesto? What’s happening? Is Héctor th--”

“It’s me,” Héctor voice speaks up from the other side. “Sorry, mi amor - my phone sort of died.”

She sighs, but her lips twitch upwards. “You forgot to charge it.”

“I forgot to charge it.” She can almost hear the sheepish grin in his voice.

“Where is Ernesto?”

“I got him into a restroom. He’s splashing some water on his face, I think.” A pause. “If he doesn’t come back in five minutes, I’ll go looking.”

“Is it as bad as he made it sound?” Imelda asks, but she knows it is. After Héctor left, she may or may not have checked online what parvovirus is, and it’s not pretty. No cure for it but to treat the symptoms, try to keep the dog alive, and pray it makes it through.

“Yes, it is pretty bad,” Héctor sighs. “And they’re really tiny, the vet says they can’t be older than maybe five weeks. She doesn’t think their mother was vaccinated, so they got no antibodies.”

“And they’re too young to be away from her.”

“That too. They were probably dumped when they showed signs of being sick.”

“Can’t sell a sick puppy.” Imelda finds herself thinking that, somewhere, there is a still lactating bitch wondering where her pups went. It makes her unbelievably angry, and she looks down to see Pepita staring up at her from the worktable, yellow eyes wide open and knowing.

“Yes,” Héctor is saying, and there is a sharp edge of anger in his voice before he sighs. “Well, they’re in good hands and the vet will keep us posted. The odds aren’t good, but Ernesto wouldn’t hear of putting them to sleep.”

“Stubborn,” she mutters, like it’s not a trait they share. Héctor is quick to bring it up.

“Says the one who stayed up at night to bottle-feed a kitten. Am I hearing her just now?”

“Purring up a storm,” Imelda chuckles, and her hand goes back to scratching Pepita behind the ears. She found Pepita in a gutter as a kitten a couple of years ago, and in a bad way, with an eye infection, ticks and God knew what else.

She was a little fighter, and she pulled through, growing bigger and healthier before going back to her wandering ways - but when she feels like visiting she climbs on a tree nearby, and jumps in through the tiny window in the guest bathroom they always leave open for her. She is never gone for long without coming back for a cuddle, the occasional flea treatment or vaccination - she puts up a fight with everyone but her over those - and some food. Speaking of which…

“I’m done with the postage for today. I’ll get cooking something.”

“No, don’t bother, I’ll pick up something on our way back.”

“I said--”

“I’ll tell him it was my idea,” Héctor says quickly, and Imelda laughs.

All right, so maybe her denial is a little bit childish. Good thing she got herself a husband willing to cover for her. What a catch. “I love you,” she says, and Héctor sighs dramatically.

“Ay, mi vida,” he exclaims, and he seems about to add something else, but abruptly pauses. “Ah, Ernesto is coming back out. He looks okay… ish.”

It is a relief to hear, but Imelda sees no point in saying as much aloud. “If he looks like death--”

“Kinda.”

“--I won’t mention it.”

That gains her a chuckle and another whispered ‘love you’ before the call ends. Imelda puts down the phone with a sigh, and glances at Pepita. “Well, let’s get you fed and the table set,” she mutters, deciding to bring up next month’s trip to Santa Cecilia at a better time.

***

Dinner is… grim.

Héctor isn’t new to stubborn silences and a good deal of pouting when Ernesto is not happy, but of course this is different. He’s sullen, hardly speaks, and seems to be eating his food without actually tasting one single bite.

Imelda was perfectly civil - worried, even, though Héctor can only tell because he knows her so well - and while he said nothing vitriolic, Ernesto seems to be hardly aware of her presence. Or his. Or that of Pepita glaring at him from a nearby chair, making it abundantly clear that she dislikes the guest. There is no love lost between them, and after a scratched-up arm Ernesto always makes sure to give her a white berth if she happens to be in the house when he visits.

Now, however, he only seems to pay attention to his phone, continuously glancing at the screen.

“... You know that no news is good news right now, don’t you?” Imelda finally speaks, breaking the silence. Ernesto shrugs.

“You don’t know that,” he replies, his voice hollow.

“It the vet said she’d call in the morning if they passed the night, the only reason for her to call any earlier would be that they didn’t make it.”

“Hmm.”

It’s an acknowledgment, at least. “Oh, we need to think up names!” Héctor exclaims, forcing himself to smile and slapping a hand on Ernesto’s shoulder. He doesn’t even react. “So that we’ll know how to call them when they recover.”

“If they recover,” Ernesto says glumly, only to recoil when Imelda suddenly slams an empty dish down.

“When,” she says, a sharp edge to her voice. “When they recover, they are going to need names - or are you making up excuses because you have the imagination of an empty piñata?”

That causes Ernesto to scowl, and oh, it is a relief. “I can think of plenty of names for dogs!”

“Such as…?” she prods. Ernesto’s scowl deepens, and he opens his mouth. She gets there first. “If you say ‘Imelda’, you’re in for a trip to the emergency room.”

Ernesto shuts his mouth so abruptly that his teeth click together, but Héctor thinks he can see something vaguely resembling a smile almost, almost curling his lips before he scoffs.

“I wasn’t going to.”

“Good,” Imelda smiles and puts the fork down, leaning her chin on her hand. “So, what is your suggestion for a name?”

He hesitates, eyes darting towards Héctor for help. “... Uh,” he finally says, and Imelda raises an eyebrow.

“Uh,” she repeats. “A bit short, but if they’re as tiny as you say…”

“They are!” Héctor says brightly, opening the bag with the desserts. “It’s two boys and two girls, right? So we need to pick two of both. For a boy, I’d say… Héctor!”

“No.”

“Teto?”

“Nice try. No.”

“How about Ernestito?”

“Héctor.”

“That’s what I suggested!”

“Wha-- no! I said--”

“Or Tito. Hey, remember when everyone called us ‘Tito and Teto’?”

“I’d really rather not.”

“Oh, I know! Chamaco!”

“Basura,” Imelda quips, gaining herself a supremely offended look.

“Hey!”

“You did find them among rubbish…”

“Stop!”

There are some more protests, laughter and outlandish suggestions, but that dreadful silence doesn’t fall on them again and Ernesto’s phone doesn’t ring until early the next morning - which is a very abrupt awakening for all three of them, with Héctor very nearly jumping five feet up in the air. From her chair at the end of the room Pepita, who graced them with one of her rare overnight stays, gives a yowl of protest.

“Yes, yes, it’s… ah. Yes, that’s… as good as it gets, right? For now?” Ernesto gives a long sigh of obvious relief, and his shoulders slump some as he sits back on the edge of the bed. Héctor lifts himself up on his elbows; beside him, Imelda is listening in silence, absentmindedly adjusting a strap of her nightgown.

“I see. Which one-- the brown one? Right. Fine. What time? All right. I’ll be there. Gracias.”

Ernesto ends the call and, with a long sigh, he lets himself drop back on the bed - and his head falls right across Héctor’s stomach.

“Oof!”

“Sorry.”

“So, good news,” Imelda says, leaning forward, and Ernesto smiles weakly up at her.

“Not bad. They passed the night and the vet is slightly more optimistic for three of them.”

“And the fourth?”

“He’s… not doing as well,” Ernesto says, and frowns. “But he’s hanging on. I can go and see them in a couple of hours.”

“Time for breakfast, then,” Imelda mutters, and pokes Héctor in the ribs. “Your turn to make it.”

“Anything for you, mi amor,” Héctor grins up at her, and ignores Ernesto’s childish, disgusted noise.

***

He slept with them.

Realization hits Imelda while she’s halfway through making the bed. Of course that’s stating the obvious, and it happened before - but each of those times, sleep was not the reason why he got into their bed in the first place. Then he just was there, she felt too sated to bother kicking him out, so they may as well let him stay.

This time, sex hadn't crossed anyone's mind. They simply let him stay for the night, sharing their bed rather than leaving him the couch, and none of them thought anything of it, like it was the perfectly logical thing to do. That, more than the fact itself, was what caused her to pause with a pillow in her hands - how natural it had been, simply letting him settle down in their bed for the night.

And she wasn’t sure what to think of it, so she did the simplest thing and chose not to think about it at all.

***

“Of course, I’m not going to keep them,” Ernesto says.

He’s sitting at Héctor and Imelda’s kitchen table, an empty cup in front of him and the phone in his hands, showing off a whole gallery of pictures of the pups - who are now all out of the woods, according to the vet, and should get the all-clear within a couple of days. They’re the most adorable thing he has ever seen in his life, and he may or may not have squealed while filming them squabbling over some food.

But no one was there to hear him, so it doesn’t count.

Unaware of his thoughts, Imelda shrugs. “Obviously, given what happened to the last potted plant left in your care,” she says, causing Ernesto to frown. Amazing, how she manages to grate his nerves even when they’re agreeing on something.

“I’d like to remind you that your husband managed to kill a cactus.”

“It was an accident, pendejo!” Héctor protests, jabbing al elbow against his ribs. Ernesto grins.

“Oh, sorry. You accidentally drowned a cactus.”

“And I felt guilty for a month, all right?”

There is laughter, and the conversation moves back to the pups. No, of course Ernesto isn’t going to keep them. It would be ridiculous, four dogs in his apartment. Sure, tiny dogs, but still… it is a commitment he doesn’t want, a responsibility he doesn’t need, and he’s not going to be the next cabrón to dump them somewhere in a box.

Maybe just one, the tan pup who was the sickest of all… no, no. Better not. He’ll take them home for a few days, just long enough to find them new homes. It won’t be hard, once he shares the video he’s playing just now; he and Héctor may not be proper famous yet, but they have quite a bit of following, a familia spreading across the country and beyond. He’s sure plenty of them will squabble to adopt one of those puppies - he could even get some good publicity out of it.

Yes, they need to go to good homes. It is for the best, and he will not change his mind.

***

“Héctor?”

“Yes?”

“I changed my mind.”

“To absolutely no one’s surprise.”

Ernesto is sprawled on his couch with all four chihuahuas - Diablo, Clara, Lobo and Zita - napping across his chest. They are finally tired after scuffling, sniffing, bouncing, barking and running through the apartment, trying to eat furniture and all kinds of objects clearly too large for them to swallow.

“I can’t send them away,” he says. “When I was away a hour today, they barked and howled so much old Chicharrón threw a fit as soon as he saw me coming back. So, see, they need me.”

“Of course,” Héctor chuckles, taking a mental note to go and speak to Cheech about the situation, and reassure him the pups are going to settle and won’t, hopefully, stay this noisy. He knows him better than Ernesto and he knows he’s not a bad guy, just… a less than amicable neighbour. He’s one of those guy you need to know well before you learn to appreciate them, is all.

And at least, he keeps to himself. Gustavo, form the third floor, is the real ass - the one who just can’t resist pushing his stupid nose in everyone’s business. He’s not the apartment block’s administrator, but oh, does he like to act like he is.

“I need to get them more bowls,” Ernesto muses, and he reaches for his phone, careful not to disturb the napping pups on his chest. They all look different - one tan, one black, one white and one gray; are they even from the same litter? - but, Héctor has to admit, they are all awfully cute. “And they need collars. With tags.”

“Sounds about right,” Héctor says, leaning more comfortably against the chair. He’s got his guitar across his knees and they were supposed to play together, but right now the dogs have Ernesto’s undivided attention. “Maybe a dog bed?”

Ernesto nods. “A big one, yes. They’re never gonna sleep in a box again,” he mutters, and scowls, but it’s short lived when he glances back at his phone and scrolls some. “Oh, look at these shirts!”

“... Shirts?”

“For when they’re cold.”

“In Mexico City?”

“Oh, shut up. I’m getting them - Clara would look perfect in the pink one, and-- oh, look!” Ernesto exclaims, shoving his phone under Héctor's nose. There is a picture of something that looks like... Héctor isn't even sure what it looks like.

"What is it?"

"A spider costume!"

"It looks... tiny."

"They're for the dogs, pendejo."

"Aaah, right. Wait, are you seriously buying that?" Héctor asks, raising an eyebrow as Ernesto starts fumbling with his phone. It gets him a grin.

"Oh yes. Imagine, your wife looking down to see four giant black spiders bounding towards her. She's still afraid of them, isn't she? She was when we were kids."

A sigh. "Ernesto..."

"I'll take it as a yes."

"Ernesto. Is giving Imelda a scare really worth--"

"It is!"

"--the risk of have one or more of your dogs turned into a wet spot on the floor before she realizes they're not giant tarantulas?"

"Ah." Ernesto pauses, the grin disappearing like a lightbulb blowing out, phone still in his hands. He glances at the sleeping puppies on his chest. "I... guess not."

“See, you’re learning common sense,” Héctor says, and pulls back to avoid Ernesto’s half-hearted swipe.

***

Imelda always had a golden rule: no dogs in the house.

It used to be ‘no pets in the house’, really, until Pepita happened. However, Pepita is objectively the best cat there can be; clean, quiet, self-reliant. Aside from a couple of incidents when she brought in half a rat as a gift, she has never caused issues. She has Opinions, of course, and can be loud about them... but as long as you don't push her, she'll give you no issues whatsoever. So, the way she sees it, she didn't allow in pets: she just let in that one specific cat, and no others. Dogs are still very firmly on her Not Allowed list.

... Well. They were, at least. Damn Héctor's stupid grin, damn Ernesto's insistence, damn those huge puppy dog eyes... and damn Pepita, too, for apparently deciding to mother them.

Imelda has found herself completely, hopelessly outnumbered. Now three yapping pups are snuffling around her living room while the fourth - a little diva Ernesto called Clara - is very happily letting Pepita groom her, tail wagging. And, she has to admit, watching Ernesto downright cooing at dogs is amusing.

“If they even think of chewing a shoe, it’s on your head,” Imelda informed her husband before opening the door - and, at least, they haven’t tried to chew anything yet. There is a moment of alarm when a couple of them jump on on the couch, right by the hand-stitched pillows her mother gave her when she married, but rather than biting them, or humping them or doing whatever dogs do, they just curl up next to Héctor.

"Hah! Do you want to listen too, perritos?" he asks, and strums his guitar, causing all tails to wag - well, Pepita's aside - and Imelda to chuckle, sitting down.

He's been working on his new song for a while, the one she and Ernesto are supposed to practise singing as a duet - not something she especially looks forward to, but maybe it will be bearable - and now he decided to play and sing what he’s got so far. Apparently something is not working for him… and he cannot figure out what it is.

It’s not the first time it happens. Héctor is the best songwriter she'd ever known, but there is no telling how his songs will come to be. Some ideas hit him like a bolt of lighting and he gets scribbling in the middle of the night, a new song ready within a couple of hours; he then collapses, sleeps a few more hours, and pus in the final touches whenever he wakes up. Others can take weeks - in one memorable case, months - from conception to finished song.

This newest one definitely falls in the second category.

“You’ve got the best public. Doesn’t he? Oh yes, he does, he does,” Ernesto says in a ridiculously high-pitched voice, causing the dogs to wag their tails so hard it’s a wonder they don’t fall off. Imelda’s attempt at masking her laugh as a coughing fit is nowhere near believable - God, this man is ridiculous, but she finds it more bearable than his stupid machismo - but Ernesto doesn’t even seem to notice. He sits next to her with a wide grin.

“Come on, amigo, let us hear what you’ve come up with!”

The song does need work, but it’s not the cobbled-up mess that Héctor made it out to be; sometimes, Imelda could swear her husband can be almost as dramatic as his stupid friend. No wonder they always got on so well.

Soon enough, of course, she’s no longer focusing on the song as much as she should. Héctor’s voice, the sounds he coaxes out of guitar strings, the way he closes his eyes and loses himself to it when he’s singing something gentle - all of it is very distracting. He may very well start uttering a string of obscenities rather than lyrics any moment, she would be none the wiser.

And she's not the only one: that much becomes clear the moment she glances aside and catches sight of Ernesto, who's leaning his cheek on the palm of his hand. He's looking at Héctor with eyes half-lidded and a faint smile that's words apart from the wide - and often frankly annoying - grins that are often on his face, the ones that feel about as genuine as a three pesos coin. It's much quieter, real, with a fondness that is impossible to miss.

There is a pang of something in Imelda's chest, and she gets the bizarre feeling that she's looking at something she shouldn't see. She turns her gaze away quickly, before Ernesto can realize she's been looking at all, and once again focuses on nothing but the tune of Héctor's guitar.

***

[Back to Part 5]

[On to Part 7]

[dccomicsimagines]

Love is Confusing - Bart Allen x Jaime Reyes x Reader - Part 2

Part One

Requested by Anon -  a part 2 of that Jaime x Bart x Reader story "Love is Confusing" where they go on their first date and the team follows them because they're curious about reader

Requested by Anons - Part 2 to Love is Confusing. 

Jaime sighed when he heard the knock on his door. He knew it could only be one person. Opening the door, he frowned when he saw Bart standing there in his Impulse costume.

“Damn it, hermano. What have I told you?” Jaime hissed, stepping outside to quickly shut the door behind him. “You can’t show up here dressed like that.”

“But it’s time for the date,” Bart whined, spinning around. “Our first official date with (Y/N).”

Jaime blinked, confused as Scarab chimed in.

‘The Impulse is wrong. Your ‘date’ is supposed to occur in twenty-four hours.’

“Bart, the date is tomorrow night,” Jaime sighed, rubbing his eyes tiredly. 

“No, it’s not. We said tonight,” Bart retorted. He pulled out his phone, typing on it with speedster speed. “See, it’s says tonight...now I’m feeling the mode.” His face fell as he held up the phone. The date was schedule for tomorrow. 

“It’s okay, hermano. I can’t wait for the date either.” Jaime placed a hand on Bart’s shoulder. “Now you will please go change.” Bart looked down at his costume as if he just realized he was wearing it.

Bart disappeared for a moment before reappearing in regular clothes. “So, we better make a plan for tomorrow then.” He grabbed Jaime’s hand, pulling him into the house. “We have to make sure (Y/N) has the best first official date ever.”

Jaime sighed, smiling sheepishly as Bart pulled him passed his parents and into his bedroom. Jaime’s mother simply reminded the boys that it was a school night. “Calm down, ese. We’re just going to take them to the movies and dinner afterwards. It’s pretty simple.”

“That’s your plan, hermano? That’s not good enough,” Bart replied, waving his hands around. “If we mess it up, then (Y/N) will feel the mode and we don’t want (Y/N) to feel the mode.” 

‘The Impulse is exaggerating.’ 

“No kidding,” Jaime snorted quietly. Bart continued as if Jaime had been talking to him.

“I’m not kidding. This first date is important.” Bart began to pace the room as Jaime sat down on his bed to watch with disinterest. “The first date is the start of our relationship with (Y/N). We don’t want to start on the wrong foot.”

“I’m sure stressing about it isn’t going to make the date go smoother.” Jaime leaned back against his pillows. Bart looked at Jaime like he was insane.

‘The impulse is out of control. Subdue him now or be annoyed further.’

Jaime simply rolled his eyes at Scarab’s comment. Bart huffed, thinking the eye roll was for him. “This is important to me. Can you please be more understanding?” A tang of guilt tugged on Jaime’s heart when Bart’s eyes widened in sadness. 

“Okay, okay,” Jaime sat up, gesturing for Bart to sit down next to him. “What your game plan?” He could never hold out against a sad Bart.

Bart brightened, bouncing down next to Jaime. “Crash, so I was thinking...” He began to ramble on so fast Jaime needed Scarab's help to understand him. Either way, he found himself lucky he had listened to Bart’s game plan. 

You waited in front of your house for the boys to show up. Waiting outside meant you could avoid the awkward parental meeting and the questions you would have received when two boys showed up to take you on a date. You weren’t bothered by dating both Jaime and Bart, but you knew everybody wouldn’t be so understanding about it. 

Glancing at your phone, you frowned when you saw they were five minutes late. A gust of wind blew passed you, messing up your hair. You blinked only to find a grinning Bart in front of you. 

“Hey Bart, I was wondering where you were,” you greeted as Bart handed you some petal less flowers. You stared at them until he noticed. He blushed sheepishly.

“Sorry, I ran too fast.” Bart rubbed the back of his head as Jaime pulled up in a car.

“It’s okay. It’s the thought that counts,” you reassured. Bart beamed, bowing to take your hand. You let him lead you toward the car. Jaime got out of the driver’s seat to open the passenger door for you. “Hi Jaime,” you greeted once you and Bart were in earshot. 

Jaime blushed. “You look lovely tonight, (Y/N),” Jaime coughed as Bart gave him a teasing look. 

“Thanks Jaime. You look handsome,” you replied, getting into the car. Jaime closed the door. Bart and Jaime talked quietly to each other for thirty seconds, making you curious what they were talking about. You were about to roll down the window to listen in when Bart zoomed off. 

Jaime came around to get in the driver’s side. “Where did Bart go?” you asked worriedly. 

“He’s just going to get ready,” Jaime reassured as he turned on the car. “Besides being in an enclosed space freaks him out.”

“Oh,” you mumbled, turning to look out the window. Jaime pulled out into the street. “Where are we going?”

Jaime opened his mouth, but didn’t speak. He muttered to himself, which you found he did often. It didn’t bother you too much. “It’s a surprise,” Jaime said after a moment. He gave you a bright smile before focusing on the road. 

The rest of the car ride was silent. Eventually, you felt Jaime reach out to take your hand. You let him, giving him a gentle smile. 

Jaime pulled into a parking lot, which made you gasp. “We’re going to the planetarium?” you asked softly. Jaime parked the car. 

“Yeah, Bart thought of it,” Jaime said, grinning at your reaction. He wished Bart could be here to see it. Just as the thought crossed his mind, Bart appeared at your side and opened your car door.

“Hello again.” Bart beamed, holding his hand out to help you out of the car. You thanked him before taking a look at the building. Jaime gave Bart a thumbs up when your back was turned. Bart’s grin grew wider at the signal. “Crash,” he whispered before going to take your arm. Jaime took your other arm as the three of you headed toward the planetarium.

Once inside, Jaime and Bart led you into the center of the planetarium where a picnic had been laid out. “Wow, don’t tell me you guys got this place to ourselves?” you exclaimed.

Jaime glanced at Bart, surprised by the emptiness of the planetarium himself. However, Bart ignored the glance, choosing to give you a smile instead. “We know some friends in high places,” Bart replied smoothly. Jaime’s eyes widened at his words, wondering what deal Bart had made.

‘The Impulse has made a deal with the devil. Abort plan immediately.’

Jaime shook his head silently, letting go of your arm as Bart helped you to sit down on the blanket. Bart ran over to the planetarium controls and turned on the stars before returning to your side. Jaime slowly took a seat on your other side.

Bart started taking out the food and the three of you had dinner.

“Wait a minute? You’re saying that Bart had you rent out an entire planetarium in exchange for cleaning the watchtower for a month, but you didn’t get a reason?” Cassie snapped as she, Garfield, Tim, and Virgil confronted Kaldur in the main hub of the watchtower.

“It is his personal business,” Kaldur remarked before turning to focus on the screen. “I did not have a reason to worry about his intentions, so I did not ask.”

“Come on, Bart had to say something about it. He’s never kept a secret in his life,” Virgil pressed. Kaldur simply looked tired. Tim started to type on his wrist computer.

“I do not know. Perhaps you should ask Jaime Reyes?” Kaldur suggested as he open a mission file. 

Garfield frowned, looking around. “Where is Jaime? I haven’t seen him here all day.” Suddenly, the others looked at each other with wide eyes.

“Bart took Jaime on a date,” Cassie whispered excitedly. Virgil and Garfield chuckled, elbowing each other while Kaldur ignored them in favor of doing work.

“Not entirely true,” Tim remarked, making the three teens look at him in surprise. “Bart and Jaime are on a date, but they aren’t alone.” Tim flipped the screen of his wrist computer to show security footage of you, Jaime, and Bart entering the planetarium.

“Who is that?” Garfield asked sharply. “They aren’t another hero.”

“Are they all three dating each other at once?” Cassie gasped.

“Nah, they wouldn’t do that,” Virgil replied as Tim shook his head.

“That’s not what it looks like.” Tim zoomed in on the image. Meanwhile, Kaldur sighed, turning around to face the younger members of the team. 

“Why don’t you all ask Bart rather than stand here and gossip?” Kaldur snapped. “Unless the four of you want to help me with paperwork?”

The four teens quickly head to the zeta tube, determined to figure out what Bart and Jaime were doing.

“Wow, fireworks,” you laughed, clapping your hands. “I didn’t know they had a program for that.”

“Crash, Jaime. You work that computer better than me,” Bart remarked as the two of you watched the show Jaime had turned on. Meanwhile, Jaime stood at the computer, having no idea how he made the firework show start on the planetarium ceiling and was wondering if he had broke it.

‘There are intruders, Jaime Reyes. Four individuals have broken into the building.’

“How do you know that?” Jaime muttered under his breath. Bart glanced in Jaime’s direction before looking back at the show. 

‘I have been monitoring the building to avoid the interruptions the Impulse worried about.’

Jaime’s eyes widened in shock. “You mean the Injustice League just broke into the building?”

‘Possibly Jaime Reyes. I cannot get a clear reading.’

“Bart, could you come over here?” Jaime asked, making Bart get up to join him. 

“Is something wrong? You didn’t break the computer, did you?” you asked with concern. You turned to look at the boys. 

Jaime forced out a reassuring laugh that made Bart tense. “It’s fine, (Y/N). I just wanted to get Bart’s opinion on what to show next.” You laid back down to watch the show while Jaime leaned over to whisper in Bart’s ear. “We have intruders. Scarab said they just entered the building.”

“I’m totally feeling the mode. I shouldn’t have said that thing about the Injustice League. Now it’s coming true,” Bart sighed, running a hand through his hair. “What do we do? Should I zoom (Y/N) out of here first?” 

‘Jaime Reyes, time has run out.’

The moment Jaime looked up to find a dark shape approaching you. You screamed when the dark shape grabbed you. Jaime and Bart sprung into action. Bart zoomed over to get you away from the dark shape as Jaime activated his armor and sonic cannon. 

You were thrown off guard when you found yourself suddenly in Bart’s arms. “What’s going on?” you asked quickly as Bart skidded to a halt when two more dark shapes appeared in front of the other entrance. 

“Bad guys,” Bart gasped, wide eyed before turning around to zoom off only to find a golden rope lassoed around the two of you. Both of you screamed as Bart fell to the ground, landing on top of you. 

“Ouch,” you moaned. Bart groaned along with you before his eyes followed the rope to it’s user. 

His eyes widened at the sight. “Cassie, what are you doing here? You’re made us all feel the mode,” Bart remarked as Cassie and Virgil stepped into the light. Jaime continued to grapple with his dark shape only to freeze in shock when he saw the dark shape was Robin.

A green bird flew into the room and landed on a chair. “I told you guys to just knock first,” Garfield remarked as he transformed back into a human. You stared at him in awe as Cassie untied Bart and helped the two of you up. 

“Are these your friends?” you whispered to Bart, blushing when you noticed the four newcomers were staring at you. Jaime came to your side, his armor disappearing back into the scarab. 

“Not anymore,” Jaime answered before turning toward his teammates. “Why are you here, esos? You have invaded our privacy.” You touched Jaime’s arm, calming him slightly. 

“Well, we were wondering why you and Bart rented an planetarium,” Cassie explained before pointing at you. “Who is that?”

“This is (Y/N). We’re dating,” Bart said happily, taking your hand and Jaime’s. 

“Wait, what?” Virgil snapped, shaking his head. “The three of you are dating each other at the same time?!”

“Not to mention a civilian,” Tim added, clearing his throat. 

Bart started to vibrate, taking a step in front of you. “Hey, don’t judge us.” 

“We’re only concerned for you,” Cassie insisted. Soon, all six friends were arguing and snapping at each other. You stayed behind Jaime and Bart, feeling incredible uncomfortable and ignored. With tears of rejection burning in your eyes, you slipped out the door and out of the planetarium. 

‘Jaime Reyes, your mate is greatly distressed and has left the building.’

Jaime turned around to look at you only to find you gone as Scarab had said. “Bart, (Y/N)’s gone.” Bart paled, looking around for you. 

“(Y/N)!” Bart zoomed out of the room. Jaime was about to follow him, but he stopped and glared at his friends. 

“I know that you don’t understand what our relationship is, hermanos. Heck, even we don’t really know what it is yet, but we don’t need your judgement. If you’re really our friends, you’ll understand that.” With that, Jaime put his armor on and flew out to find you. Cassie, Tim, Virgil, and Garfield looked guiltily at each other.

You were only at the edge of the parking lot when Bart suddenly appeared in front of you, sending a gust of wind into your face. 

“(Y/N), where are you going? Our date isn’t over yet,” Bart protested, trying to take your hand. You flinched away from him. Bart frowned, hurt. “(Y/N)?”

“Maybe we shouldn’t see each other anymore,” you mumbled, not meeting his eye. 

“But (Y/N), don’t listen to what they said,” Bart protested, reaching out to take your arm. “They don’t know what they’re talking about.” 

“They do know what they’re talking about, Bart,” you snapped. Tears stung your eyes. “I mean you can’t be in a relationship with two people at once. This isn’t working.” Jaime burst out of the building and made his way over to you. He slowed when he heard your words.

Jaime studied the two of you, hurting from the devastation on Bart’s face. “It was working. It can work,” Jaime stated quietly. Bart and you looked at him in surprise. “If we weren’t interrupted, we would have had a great first date.” 

“We still can,” Bart whispered softly. He rubbed his hands together as they shook slightly. “I know we’re all feeling the mode right now, but we could go somewhere else.”

You kept your eyes on your feet. “But this isn’t going to work. No one will accept our relationship anywhere.” You looked up, meeting Jaime’s then Bart’s gaze. “We can’t get married, even if that’s what we wanted. We can’t go to prom or a dance because you can’t have two dates. Our families will disapprove.” 

The three of you fell silent. Bart was struggling to keep back tears as you looked at your feet once again. Jaime’s lips were a thin line. 

After a long moment, you felt Jaime take your hand. Glancing up at him, you were surprised by the smile on his face. Jaime had taken Bart’s hand too, stilling him. 

“Since when do we care about everyone else?” Jaime chuckled. “Bart, you never cared about what people think or you wouldn’t keep dropping hints of the future to everyone you know.” Bart blushed, making a tiny smile crack onto your lips. “(Y/N), I know this relationship won’t be easy, but I know I want this. I care deeply about you both, and I can’t let us not try just because we’re scared of what everyone will think.”

Bart brightened at the sight of your smile. “Maybe we can go for a walk and talk more? Maybe crash the mode?”

You bit your lip before swallowing down the doubts racking through your brain. The argument from Jaime and Bart’s friends was still there, but more muted then before. 

“That would be nice,” you whispered. Jaime squeezed your hand before pulling you and Bart along on a walk that would forever change your life.

At the end of the walk, the three of you were happy. Jaime drove you back home afterwards while Bart ran there. A smile felt permanently stuck on your face.

When Jaime parked the car outside your house, Bart was there to open your door and help you out. Then the two of them walked you to your door. You unlocked it before turning to them.

“You know despite the setback with your friends, I really enjoyed myself,” you stated clearly, the silly smile on your face growing. Similar smiles appeared on Jaime’s and Bart’s faces as well. 

“I’m glad,” Bart said, bouncing on the balls of his feet. Jaime just grinned.

“Well, call me,” you replied before kissing Bart’s cheek. Bart froze, blushing madly. You chuckled and kissed Jaime’s cheek only to get a similar reaction. “Good night.” You gave them another bright smile and entered your home. 

When the door was shut, Bart snatched Jaime into a hug. “I knew this would work. I knew it.” 

Jaime patted Bart’s back, returning the hug partly. “Yeah, you were right, Bart. Thanks for convincing me to do this.” 

“Crash,” Bart whispered before grabbing Jaime’s hand. “Come on, we have to return the car before I have to go start cleaning the watchtower for Kaldur.”

Jaime shook his head. “I can’t believe you did that.”

“Yeah, it was crash,” Bart reassured with a grin before speeding off. Jaime shook his head.

‘The Impulse is right, Jaime Reyes.’

“You’re right, hermano,” Jaime chuckled. He headed toward the car, feeling as if he was starting something new.